Cordilove In the Office

I do love to pose for pics anytime, anywhere ... does it show?

Why? Because they say I smile a lot that wins anyone! hahaha (how conceited, tho I'm really not!)

The Grepalife-Baguio Family

Things couldn't just go wrong if you're with Grepalife-Baguio! Look at these faces, they're the faces that will brighten your future if you're willing to let them. It could be done!

Handycraft Model?

I'm just trying the igorot crafts if it fits me, huh! It would be my great privilege if I would be given the chance to model them. Any offers anywhere?

My Klasmyts 2

They are my LPN classmates with our very beautiful Ms. Jovi, our reviewer.

First pic was taken in front of the Santo Nino Hospital, Baguio City just after lunch kaya makikita ninyo na busog na busog kami, di ba?

Second pic, with the other classmates at Dencio's Resto, Camp John Hay, courtesy of Dr. Manuel as a treat to us especially to mam Jovi because it's our last day of review.

Woven Baskets, Carved Spoons & Forks

Here are just samples of our ethnic products which up to these date are being used. One could taste the food on the table to the fullest by using them! Yummmmy...

Handycrafts

You can find these tiny crafts made by some of our hardworking men and women irresistible not to have at least one.

This industry is one source of living for our fellow Cordillerans aside from tilling the land from dusk to dawn. It's a way of life that they have perfected the craftsmaking!

Be a part of our culture and tradition...

(my friends with the crafts!)

Other Wall Decors

We have several wall decors to choose from. They are unique and truly original from the Cordilleras.

Help save the dying industry, buy the products!

Igorota Dresses

It always strikes me to see this fabulous dresses by the oldies (more so to the young ones!) during canaos. Try to wear one?

Wall Decors

How would you like to hang these wall decors in your living rooms? By doing so will help alleviate the living situations of our hard-working young and old women of the Cordilleras.

I feel so bad that I can't weave such beautiful decors!

Wood Carvings

These woodcarvings are just a few of so many kinds. They are the hanycrafts of the Ifugaos in the Cordilleras.

I remember in my chilhood days that my uncle would hire Ifugao men to carve such products. And I really enjoyed going to the deep woods with my cousins to see them do their expertise.

Crocheted Bonnets

These are famous crochetted bonnets which could be found anywhere in Baguio City. Anyone could feel warm even during a stroll down Session Road to Burnham Park Lake on a chilly December-February weather!

Igorot Children's Outfit

See these sample children's costume. So ethnic and unique that you can't resist buying a pair for your children!

Sad to say that we can only see this costume during special events and ocassions only or displayed on showrooms.

So why not help us keep the igorot spirit alive by letting your children wear a pair of skirt and chaleko?

(Below is the view of the famous Banaue Rice Terraces and of course a carabao's horn.)

Why Miss Philippines

Ms International - THE WINNING ANSWER

Alam niyo kung bakit nanalo ang pinas sa Ms. International!

"MABUHAY! representing the democratic and freedom loving people of the pearl of the orient, i am precious lara quigaman, from the beautiful country of THE PHILIPPINES"

Grabe nga ang tanong sa kanya.

Q: "what do you say to the people of the world who have typecasted filipinos as nannies?"

A: "i take no offence on being typecasted as a nanny. But i do take offence that the educated people of the world have somehow denegrated the true sense and meaning of what a nanny is. let me tell you what she is. she is someone who gives more than she takes. She is someone you trust to look after the very people most precious to you - your child, the elderly, yourself. she is the one who has made a living out of caring and loving other people. so to those who have typecasted us as nannies, thank you. it is a testament to the loving and caring culture of the Filipino people. and for that, i am forev! er proud and grateful of my roots and culture."

super lakas ng palakpakan! grabe!

Toxic time

Toxic as grabeng busy daw sa hospital during our exposure last month ... but have the time for picture taking with one of our clinical instructors, Tek and some hospital staff.

It's really enjoyable. The exposure gave me the courage to face those somehow dreaded situations which are actually not!

Camera conscious na!

They know how to pose for pics din naman. So cute they are that I found the enthusiasm to learn their body language and somehow understand how they feel, huh!

It could be done, right?

Mga camera shy daw

I don't even need an alarm clock to wake me up in the morning! These roosters and hens serve what they are created for.

Taken at dawn one lonely day at home...

Mga camera shy sila pag hapon na...

Our Ogie

Our precious Ogie, who's so friendly but barks out loud to scare tresspassers!

Pinay wins it big in London

by Alfred YusonThe Philippine Star 05/16/2004

Patricia Evangelista, a 19-year- old, Mass Communications sophomore of University of the Philippines (UP)-Diliman, did the country proud Friday night by besting 59 other student contestants from 37 countries in the 2004 International Public Speaking competition conducted by the English Speaking Union (ESU) in London. She triumphed over a field of exactly 60 speakers from all over the English-speaking world, including the United States, United Kingdom and Australia, reported Maranan.The board of judges' decision was unanimous, according to contest chairman Brian Hanharan of the British broadcasting Corp. (BBC). PATRICIA'S SHORT SPEECH WORTH READING....

BLONDE AND BLUE EYES

When I was little, I wanted what many Filipino children all over the country wanted. I wanted to be blond, blue-eyed, and white.

I thought -- if I just wished hard enough and was good enough, I'd wake upon Christmas morning with snow outside my window and freckles across my nose!

More than four centuries under western domination does that to you. I have sixteen cousins. In a couple of years, there will just be five of us left in the Philippines, the rest will have gone abroad in search of "greener pastures." It's not just an anomaly; it's a trend; the Filipino diaspora. Today, about eight million Filipinos are scattered around the world.

There are those who disapprove of Filipinos who choose to leave. I used to. Maybe this is a natural reaction of someone who was left behind, smiling for family pictures that get emptier with each succeeding year. Desertion, I called it. My country is a land that has perpetually fought for the freedom to be itself. Our heroes offered their lives in the struggle against the Spanish, the Japanese, the Americans. To pack up and deny that identity is tantamount to spitting on that sacrifice.

Or is it? I don't think so, not anymore. True, there is no denying this phenomenon, aided by the fact that what was once the other side of the world is now a twelve-hour plane ride away. But this is a borderless world, where no individual can claim to be purely from where he is now. My mother is of Chinese descent, my father is a quarter Spanish, and I call myself a pure Filipino-a hybrid of sorts resulting from a combination of cultures.

Each square mile anywhere in the world is made up of people of different ethnicities, with national identities and individual personalities. because of this, each square mile is already a microcosm of the world. In as much as this blessed spot that is England is the world, so is my neighborhood back home.

Seen this way! , the Filipino Diaspora, or any sort of dispersal of populations, is not as ominous as so many claim. It must be understood. I come from a Third World country, one that is still trying mightily to get back on its feet after many years of dictatorship. But we shall make it, given more time. Especially now, when we have thousands of eager young minds who graduate from college every year. They have skills. They need jobs. We cannot absorb them all.

A borderless world presents a bigger opportunity, yet one that is not so much abandonment but an extension of identity . Even as we take, we give back. We are the 40,000 skilled nurses who support the UK's National Health Service. We are the quarter-of-a-million seafarers manning most of the world's commercial ships. We are your software engineers in Ireland, your construction workers in the Middle East, your doctors and caregivers in North America, and, your musical artists in London's West End.

Nationalism isn't bound by time or place. People from other nations migrate to create new nations, yet still remain essentially who they are. British society is itself an example of a multi-cultural nation, a melting pot of races, religions, arts and cultures. We are, indeed, in a borderless world!

Leaving sometimes isn't a matter of choice. It's coming back that is. The Hobbits of the shire travelled all over Middle-Earth, but they chose to come home, richer in every sense of the word. We call people like these balikbayans or the 'returnees' -- those who followed their dream, yet choose to return and share their mature talents and good fortune.

In a few years, I may take advantage of whatever opportunities come my way. But I will come home. A borderless world doesn't preclude the idea of a home. I'm a Filipino, and I'll always be one. It isn't about just geography; it isn't about boundaries. It's about giving back to the country that shaped me.

And that's going to be more important to me than seeing snow outside my windows on a bright Christmas morning. Mabuhay and Thank you.

Funny identity?

"Melchora Chin" dalnisa1@yahoo.com.au of bibaknets@yahoogroups

I find this funny, he is right in some ways where we, as Filipinos don't actually have an "Identity". I think this is due to the confusion of our mixed races from Hispanic, Chinese, American and Malay origins. I see it in malls, imagine young generations wearing ski caps and ski goggles in a tropical country, baggy low rise pants like that of African Americans living in the Bronx of New York, not to mention endless whitening products being sold at department stores and drug stores. But his ignorance also blinds him from the other truth. That while we may glorify Anime shows and Japanese Internet gaming, he is not aware that a nameless Filipino may be responsible for some technical aspects of some Japanese software. He is not aware of our contribution to the the society in general .

Technological advancements that may have aided post war navigations and landing on the moon. That the antibiotic Erythromycin was discovered by Dr. Abelardo Aguilar from Iloilo creating the brand "Ilosone". Thomas Edison may have discovered the electric light bulb and the fluorescent lighting was thought up by Nikola Tesla. But the fluorescent lamp we use today was invented by Agapito Flores (a Cebuano named Benigno Flores of Bantayan Island, according to the Philippine Daily inquirer), a Filipino scientist. Americans helped then-Philippine leader Ramon Magsaysay to develop it for worldwide commerce. That the personal physician of former U.S. Pres. Bill Clinton is Eleanor "Connie" Concepcion Mariano, a Filipina doctor who was the youngest captain in the US Navy. A Filipino writer Jose Rizal could read and write at age 2, and grew up to speak more than 20 languages, includind Latin, Greek, German, French and Chinese. Or that a Filipino genius was responsible for the near hiatus in the PENTAGON and White House nearly infiltrationg their closely guarded secrets with the "ILOVEYOU" bug. Nuisance maybe, but still one heck of a 'beautiful mind'...not to be underestimated. The list goes on and on, but who cares right?

Certainly not Mr. Art Bell...Boy, I'm not surprised.Perhaps Art Bell does not know that although we consider ourselves ASIAN because we are strategically located in the Southeast asian region of which our nearest neighbors are Malays, ASIA does not mean only Chinese and Japanese race of people. Then maybe it is his connotation that "Asia" meant only our economically successful, paler brothers and he considers Malays such as Thais, Malaysians, Indonesians, and ourselves as a "Third World" race. Then it is "his" ignonimity that would make a civilized person of whatever race puke. Imagine literally connecting Chinese, Koreans and Japanese to the Philippine Islands which is archipelagos away from the countries he has mentioned. I also wonder where he got the impression that we aspire to be Japanese( ???) Hispanics maybe but not the Japanese. But even Hispanics today do not mind sharing their "surnames" to their Asian brothers who they have colonized for 3 centuries.

Another sad reality that although most Filipinos working overseas are domestic helpers and prostitutes, who does he think educates the toddlers of Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and Tokyo? Parents of these countries rarely have time spent with their children, leaving them to their Filipino nannies. And with regard to prostitution. Filipinos are not the only ones working as one. I

HARDLY SEE FILIPINOS STARRING IN PORN MOVIES. THERE MIGHT BE A FEW FILIPINOS WE HAVEN'T SEEN , BUT MOST ARE FROM MR. ART BELL'S RACE. He also mentioned that we have no concept of culture..no concept of asian ideas or asian philosophy. How can we demonstrate Confucianism or Taoism in a Christian nation? IS HE INFORMED THAT THE PHILIPPINES IS THE ONLY PREDOMINANTLY CHRISTIAN/CATHOLIC NATION IN ASIA?! YOU HAVE TO USE COMMON SENSE IN A LOT OF THINGS SOMETIMES...

We do not need to create an identity for ourselves. We are who we are. Our identity stems from the anonymity we live in this world. How we contribute silently towards the progress of the world and not just one country. Although the Filipino blood may be tainted with malice, corruption, poverty and prostitution, it is not a perfect race... But so are the others. Maybe Mr. Art Bell needs to think about this. WE MAY NOT BE PERFECT MR. BELL BUT AT LEAST WE STILL HAVE VALUES. FOR ONE THING WE DON'T PUT OUR AGING PARENTS IN NURSING HOMES BECAUSE "THEY'RE SIMPLY OLD AND WORTHLESS". WE DONT HAVE AS MUCH NUMBERS OF SINGLE MOTHERS WHO GET PREGNANT IN THEIR VERY EARLY TEENS AND EVENTUALLY BECOME PARASITES OF THE GOVERNMENT FOR YEARS AND YEARS.

YES...WE CAME TO YOUR COUNTRY TO WORK, TO EARN DECENT MONEY (HALF OF WHICH BY THE WAY GOES TO TAXES BECAUSE THERE'S SO MANY SOCIAL PARASITES FROM YOUR RACE).AND BY THE WAY, MOST EDUCATED PEOPLE THAT I WORK WITH DON'T COME FROM YOUR RACE... THEY'RE ACTUALLY IMMIGRANTS TOO. AND THOSE EDUCATED ONES DO NOT ACT LIKE YOU DO, PERHAPS BECAUSE THEY'VE REALLY BEEN WELL EDUCATED..

AFTER ALL THAT'S SAID... WHO IS THE IGNORANT ONCE AGAIN?!

Hate Letter

See if you can identify yourself here and share your reactions!

Filipinos.....*make me puke* (Art Bell)

As we've all come to notice, in the past few decades, Filipinos have begun to infest the United States like some sort of disease. Their extensive involvement in the U.S. Armed Forces is proof of the trashy kind of qualities all filipinos tend to exhibit on a regular basis. You can see this clearly by studying the attitudes and cultural Icons of most Filipino Americans.Origins of Pinoys/Pinays: Are they really asian? Well we've come to accept the fact the filipinos come from a part of the world known as South East Asia. But the term "Asia" is used in the wrong way. You may notice that contemporary Filipino Americans try very hard to associate themselves with groups that we know as Asian. I cannot count the number of times I have seen a 'Third World' Filipino try to connect themselves to the chinese or Japanese people. There is no connection and here's why. The Philippines is a Third World country. Nothing respectable has EVER been created by Filipino people during our entire human history. Young filipino men in America have become obsessed with "import racing". They have an enormously perverted affection for Japanese cars. It's a common phenomenon. In their minds, these Filipinos somehow believe that they are asian and that it somehow connects them to Japanese people and japanese cars. They often take credit for the ingenuity of Japanese people and say how it's an "Asian thing". This term..."Asian thing" derived directly from African American slang "black thang". "It's a black thang." "It's an asian thang." You can see the connection. It's even funnier that, in Japan, Filipinos are heavily discriminated against. The only filipinos that can live successfully in Japan are the filipino prostitutes. But that's the case for most Filipino people no matter where they live in the world. Now we've come down to this fact...and it is a fact.

Nothing in Filipino Culture can be seen as Asian.They have no architectural, artistic, or cultural influence which is in ANY way, asian. Thinking of the great countries in Asia such as Japan, Korea, and China there is no way you can possibly connect the Philippine Islands. This assault by filipino americans to connect themselves with the great peoples of North East Asia is foul and disgusting. Try visiting a young filipino's web site too. You'll see something called the "Asian IRC Ring". It has to do with the chatrooms. The most horrible thing about this is that these TRASHY people are trying to associate themselves with Asia again!! People in Asia don't act like this at all. What we are seeing here is the natural Filipino in its element with full access to technology and this is how they act! You will consistently see this behavior over and over again. Another interesting thing is that these "thirdworld" people also frequent RC chatrooms such as #chinese #japan and #asian. They must believe that they are somehow related racially or culturally to North Asians. But it's completely WRONG! There might have been some distant contact With China and even less with Japan during World War II, but these people are actually more closely related to african americans and Mexican americans. Do the parents of these young filipinos know what's going on? Would they accept this? I believe that they would and do. This is the natural "Trash" element in filipinos manifesting itself. Nothing good has ever come from Philippines and I don't believe anything good ever will. Recognizing your Roots (A Message to Filipinos). To all filipino people:

Please recognize your ROOTS! You come from the Third World! You country is a disgusting and filthy place. Most people there live in poverty! Your culture has MUCH MORE SPANISH influence than chinese, and absolutely no JAPANESE influence whatsoever. People in Japan and China, do not act like you. They do not constantly talk about sex and they have a MUCH HIGHER level of RESPECT for each other. There is NO WAY that you can connect yourself to Asia other than location. Your culture and technological advancement does no! t even come CLOSE to What Chinese, people have done in the past and what Japanese and Korean people are doing now! Everything you do is distinctly filipino. You cannot take credit for Japanese cars, video games, or Hentai! It's not an "asian thing" it's an "American thing". You have no concept of culture...no concept of asian ideas or asian philosophy! Can you demonstrate how you use Confucianism or Taoism in you everyday life?? You can't. And you will NEVER be able to. I understand that you are trying to create an identity for yourselves as young people... but it is NOT related to Asia. Your Identity is Filipino.

That's all you are. Just Filipino. Think about what that means....

A Dare from a Korean. Anyone?

Let's see how we can react to this essay. So revolting to the bones! Wake up!

My Short Essay about the Philippines
Jaeyoun Kim

Filipinos always complain about the corruption in the Philippines. Do you really think the corruption is the problem of the Philippines? I do not think so. I strongly believe that the problem is the lack of love for the Philippines.

Let me first talk about my country, Korea. It might help you understand my point. After the Korean War, South Korea was one of the poorest countries in the world. Koreans had to start from scratch because entire country was destroyed after the Korean War, and we had no natural resources.

Koreans used to talk about the Philippines, for Filipinos were very rich in Asia. We envy Filipinos. Koreans really wanted to be well off like Filipinos. Many Koreans died of famine. My father & brother also died because of famine. Korean government was very corrupt and is still very corrupt beyond your imagination, but Korea was able to develop dramatically because Koreans really did their best for the common good with their heart burning with patriotism. Koreans did not work just for themselves but also for their neighborhood and country. Education inspired young men with the spirit of patriotism. 40 years ago, President Park took over the government to reform Korea. He tried to borrow money from other countries, but it was not possible to get a loan and attract a foreign investment because the economic situation of South Korea was so bad. Korea had only three factories. So, President Park sent many mine workers and nurses to Germany so that they could send money to Korea to build a factory. They had to go through a horrible experience.

In 1964, President Park visited Germany to borrow money. Hundred of Koreans in Germany came to the airport to welcome him and cried there as they saw the President Park. They asked to him, "President, when can we be well off?" That was the only question everyone asked to him. President Park cried with them and promised them that Korea would be well off if everyone works hard for Korea, and the President of Germany got the strong impression on them and lent money to Korea. So, President Park was able to build many factories in Korea. He always asked Koreans to love their country from their heart.

Many Korean scientists and engineers in the USA came back to Korea to help developing country because they wanted their country to be well off. Though they received very small salary, they did their best for Korea. They always hoped that their children would live in
well off country.

My parents always brought me to the places where poor and physically handicapped people live. They wanted me to understand their life and help them. I also worked for Catholic Church when I was in the army. The only thing I learned from Catholic Church was that we have to love our neighborhood. And, I have loved my neighborhood. Have you cried for the Philippines? I have cried for my country several times. I also cried for the Philippines because of so many poor people. I have been to the New Bilibid prison. What made me sad in the prison were the prisoners who do not have any love for their country. They go to mass and work for Church. They pray everyday. However, they do not love the Philippines. I talked to two prisoners at the maximum-security compound, and both of them said that they would leave the Philippines right after they are released from the prison. They said that they would start a new life in other
countries and never come back to the Philippines.

Many Koreans have a great love for Korea so that we were able to share our wealth with our neighborhood. The owners of factory and company were distributed their profit to their employees fairly so that employees could buy what they needed and saved money for the future and their children. When I was in Korea, I had a very strong faith and wanted to be a priest. However, when I came to the Philippines, I completely lost my faith. I was very confused when I saw many unbelievable situations in the Philippines. Street kids always make me sad, and I see them everyday. The Philippines is the only Catholic country in Asia, but there are too many poor people here. People go to church every Sunday to pray, but nothing has been changed.

My parents came to the Philippines last week and saw this situation. They told me that Korea was much poorer than the present Philippines when they were young. They are so sorry that there are so many beggars and street kids. When we went to Pasanjan, I forced my parents to take a boat because it would fun. However, they were not happy after taking a boat. They said that they would not take the boat again because they were sympathized the boatmen, for the boatmen were very poor and had a small frame. Most of people just took a boat and enjoyed it. But, my parents did not enjoy it because of love for them.

My mother who has been working for Catholic Church since I was very young told me that if we just go to mass without changing ourselves, we are not Catholic indeed. Faith should come with action. She added that I have to love Filipinos and do good things for them because all of us are same and have received a great love from God. I want Filipinos to love their neighborhood and country as much as they love God so that the Philippines will be well off.

I am sure that love is the keyword, which Filipinos should remember. We cannot change the sinful structure at once. It should start from person. Love must start in everybody, in a small scale and have to grow. A lot of things happen if we open up to love. Let's put away our prejudices and look at our worries with our new eyes. I discover that every person is worthy to be loved. Trust in love, because it makes changes possible. Love changes you and me. It changes people,contexts and relationships. It changes the world. Please love your neighborhood and country.

Jesus Christ said that whatever we do to others we do to Him. In the Philippines, there is God for people who are abused and abandoned. There is God who is crying for love. If you have a child, teach them how to love the Philippines. Teach them why they have to love their neighborhood and country. You already know that God also will be very happy if you love others.

That's all I really want to ask you Filipinos.

(source: bibaknets@yahoogroups.com)

My Cousin Julius and others

He's barely a kid when I left for Korea. And look what he's like now! A grown-up mestizo Spanish-igorot talaga. The pic was taken at Chias Restaurant, Legarda Rd., Baguio City when Ate Au treated us for lunch unplanned because I told her of Julius (Llopis Mataag) taking the board exams the following Sunday. In the pic are our niece Chirit, cousins Gingging with daughter and Irene. Obviously, that's me in the middle looking really healthy! The judge is 2nd from the left.

I hope and pray that such treats will be often including other cousins in Baguio to make the bonding stronger with love as ever!

Bare Hands vs DPWH

Who says this perennial slide is a barrier to traverse the Barlig-Bontoc Road last July? No way! The Barligian are always and ever ready to do the bayanihan system where ever we may be. (The driver forgot to bring his shovel!)

Years have passed yet our roads are neglected. Politicians have come and gone but what happened to their promises? You tell me.

Thank God we have hands to remove slides. If we wait for DPWH to do so, we'll be late for our appointments! Tsk tsk tsk

My Kind Of Business

I’ve previously mentioned about my membership in 11 multilevel marketing companies and it is my pleasure to share with you the experiences I’ve gone through. Let’s see if this will make or break you!

Palibhasa’y may pera akong konti, my new-found friends here convinced me to invest in this shoe company. Mas maganda daw kung mag-3 headers ako para mas malaki ang kita at maging exclusive service center pa ng Baguio City. And to become one, I have to invest additional money for the start-up products. They promised to help me all the way, do the sales and marketing and most importantly put downlines in my power leg. Kasi, this is a binary system. With this kind of strategy, who am I to reject it? Gusto ko yatang kumita agad dahil di na nga ako nakabalik ng Korea eh. Kaya I rented a stall in the midst of the city for easy access to prospect customers, one month advance and one month deposit pa! The first two months is understandably have no visible signs of profitability. Pero ok lang. I’ve learn the know-how of the business and done my best to recruit members of family, friends, acquaintances and relatives. However, I’m doing this part time because I was studying too. And true to their words, my uplines and downlines manned the stall. I was not there all the time.

The problem begun when I noticed that there’s no income at all and we’re paying the monthly rental! Moreover, the powerleg (right) is going strong but the left leg remains as is with only two members, my cousins who are not doing the network (they are gov’t. employees). So since this is a binary system, I AM NOT GAINING ANYTHING except of course the % discount if I buy products which I rarely do.

Another friend offered a seemingly more profitable multilevel marketing that of personal and home cares. Again, xxx money was invested to have exclusive contract within Baguio City with the full support of the company. This has aggravated the problem with the binary because of conflict of focus daw! With this development, the binary leaders were leaving one by one until no one was left to help me. I was scared dahil hindi biro ang pera na nawala sa akin. Na-close na ang aking bank account!

Maganda na sana itong mlm na ito if not of the sulutan blues of members and worst, the non-compliance of the verbal agreement of exclusivity. Also, the changes in the marketing plan sucks. Some of my partners got products and up to this time have not paid them!

I said I have to be open-minded. So I jumped from one networking to another aiming to get even with my losses. Pero anong nangyari? Lalo na akong nasadlak sa dusa. Sabi nila, ang utang daw ay katambal ng negosyo. Heto na naman ako, with some of my business partners despite the discouragements of my sister, nangutang kami with 10% monthly interests. Diyos ko po! The cycle kept on and on …

… until AMWAY with NETWORK 21 came along - that’s Helping People Live Better Lives!

Join kayo? Just contact me, sa totoo lang.

Note: some of the 11 companies were classified pyramiding scams! Kaya ingat po kayo sa inyong mga sinasalihang negosyo. Consult the experts!

Sambayanan News

So as to reach out to Filipino migrant workers in Korea, we are including here some excerpts from the Sambayanan Newsletter.

BASIC LABOR LAWS

For workers under Employment Permit System

If possible, workers should not go away from the company without asking permission or without informing their employer preferably one (1) month before they will leave the factory.

Ø Running away from the company without permission can cause trouble and can cause negative impact on your fellow workers.

Ø It is important to terminate relationship in a good manner, and it could have good impact on other Filipino workers by doing such manner.

Ø Kung aalis po kayo sa kompanya, pumayag man ang amo o hindi, kinakailangan ninyong magsabi o magpaalam. Mag-report kaagad sa Ministry of Labor, Employment Security Center bago lumampas ang isang buwan.

Ø Ang mga tumakas po na hindi nagpaalam ay kinakailangang mag-report sa Labor Office sa loob ng APAT (4) NA ARAW. Para po sa assistance, tumawag lamang sa ating Philippine Embassy o sa Catholic Center.

Iwasan po ninyo ang tumakas. Kung may contract violations at pang-aabuso, makipag-ayos at piliting humanap ng solusyon.

1. Huwag po kayong matakot na maghain ng reklamo. Ang mga ito ay inyong karapatan. Hindi nila kayo maaaring ipa-deport ng dahil sa paghahain ng reklamo.
2. Hindi na po kayo pahihintulutang bumalik sa Human Resource Department (HRD)

RECOMMENDATION LETTER FOR E-9 VOLUNTARY DEPARTERS

1. Para po sa lahat ng mga kakilala ninyong Pilipino na umuwi at nakapagpadala ng “Recommendation Letter”. Sila ay hinihikayat na makipag-ugnayan sa Manpower Registration Division sa POEA at i-submit ang recommendation letter.

2. Hindi po kabilang sa bagong programa ng Ministry of Labor ang mga E-8 visa holders. Hindi po kayo maaaring magdala ng recommendation letter pauwi sa Pilipinas. Ang pag-poproseso po ng inyong mga papeles ay katulad din ng dating pamamaraan upang makabalik dito sa Korea
3. 
   
4. 
   
5. ATTENTION SA LAHAT NG MAY E-9 VISA

Para po sa lahat na may E-9 Visa, may tatlong tanging dahilan upang payagan kayong makalipat ng kompanya. Ito ay kung:

1. Kayo ay dalawang buswang hindi pinapasahod

2. Kayo ay pisikal at verbal na sinasaktan, o di kaya’y

3. Bankrupt o lugi ang kompanya

MGA IMPORTANTENG PAALA-ALA

Hanggat maaari ay huwag po ninyong pabayaan ang mga importanteng bagay na kailangan para sa inyong pagtatrabaho:

1. Pay Slip

2. Standard Labor Contract

3. Bank Book

KAILANGAN SA PAGPAPAKASAL

1. Birth Certificate
2. Status of Singleness from Census (notarized)
3. Parents Consent as proof of singleness (notarized)
4. Baptismal Certificate for marriage purposes
5. Confirmation Certificate for marriage purposes
6. Passport (xerox copy)

KAILANGAN SA PAGBIBINYAG

1. Birth Certificate
2. 2 x 2 picture (2 pcs)
3. Application Form
4. 10 A.M. Pre-baptismal Seminar at the Catholic Center

IMPORTANT CONTACT NUMBERS

Philippine Embassy:
Labor Office 3785-3634/35

Consular Office 3785-3633

Hotline 011-273-3657

Philippine Airlines (reservation) 02-774-3581

Foreign Worker’s Labor Counseling Office
02-928-2049 / 924-2706

Mokdong Immigration Processing Detention Center
02-2650-6247

Hwasong, Suwon Immigration Processing Detention Center
031-355-2011 / 2

Chungju Immigration Processing Detention Center
043-290-7512 / 3

Filipino Catholic Center, Seoul
02-765-0870

The Klasmyts

They are a few of my LPN classmates. Super kalog talaga. Nakaka-enjoy to be with them. The doctor, the architect and the soldier are the pasimunos of our jammings. Parang di nag-aaral eh. At least, during these times of crisis, we found humor and happiness. I just love them all!

The Banner, My Hometown

It’s an amazing picture, don’t you think so? That’s just a portion of Barlig, Mountain Province in the Cordilleras. Our house can be seen at the right most part of the picture. Barlig might not be my birthplace but I spent all my childhood and teenage years here. All those times with great pleasure. Thanks God!

The Tanudan river is in between the crowded houses below the Catholic Church on one side and the Baptist and Spiritist Churches on the other side. The river is such a place where we spent most of our free times swimming. You can just imagine nakedness as a picture of innocence then (sad to say that no one is seen playing in the river these days because of the pollution from the hospital and of course, children are now aware of their sexuality). More often, we are scolded for being late in school after the lunch break because taking a dip in the river is so irresistible.

I could say that Christianity conquered Barlig. We may be still practicing some customs and traditions, no one can dispute that no Barligian is a pagan.

Can you see those two galvanized houses in the midst of the rice terraces? It’s a sore eye really. How my heart was broken upon seeing them for the first time after 11 years. If only I could do something to protect and preserve the landscape. (Any help?) The other rice terraces are located beyond the picture’s limits. Compared to the famous Banaue Rice Terraces, ours is a majestic sight. It’s unique in structural designs aside from being stone-walled. How I wish many tourists will visit my hometown and see the difference. Anyhow, Barlig is just a two hour ride from Banaue. It’s worth the side trip!

(Thanks to Ms. Ayeona for the picture. I also used it for the 23rd Barligian Family Reunion 2005 in Baguio City programme cover sponsored by the Fikingas-Mandia Family. My apologies to my ever dearest webmaster Jun Torrano a.k.a freakish_alien, without his knowledge I changed the banner, eh?)

Kordilove Objective

Coming back home has its ups and downs. It’s Ups because I was able to see my kids, family and friends. How can I describe the feeling? No words could ever justify it until this time. The DOWNs? So frustrating that sometimes I like to rush back to Korea or wherever else in this world to sustain my daily living! Nakakainis talaga. Mabuti sana kung marami akong ipon and have invested wisely but the fact is, kabaliktaran. There are lots of opportunists too, offering you this and that. Kung gullible ka, papasukin mo lahat. (I know you know what I mean sa daming networking dito sa Pinas) Adding to this dilemma is the political crises. Economy is going down. Paano ito? If I focus myself in thinking what’s going to happen without action, siguro nasa mental na ako. Grabe!

Since I did not go back to Korea December 2003, I somehow burn my brows to engineering studies while doing a lil’ business. The business was bankrupt as soon as I started it. Blame it to little knowledge and wrong investment. However, this did not stop me to venture to other businesses. Thanks God, after 11 networking companies I have found this latest discovery truly dynamic (to be discussed in later updates). This is the end of my gallivanting searches and the beginning of a new challenge to lead a better life!

Initially, Kordilove is aimed to promote the beautiful people and places in the Cordilleras and Korea. However, as I am doing business which I know could alter lives, why should I not share it online, di ba? Kaya, don’t hesitate to criticize the format and contents of this site. Let’s make it better!

How Kordilove Got Its Name

Kordilove is basically derived from Korea, Cordillera and obviously Love. Isn’t it interesting? Well, this will surely arouse your curiosity. I’m a full-blooded Cordilleran who had the chance to work in Korea for the past 11 years. The span of time being away from home brought this enormous feeling of vast emptiness. Oh what a heck! But the indescribable bondage shared among the Filipino workers and their employers have eased the pain of boredom and loneliness. Worth mentioning too is the presence of various religious groups, particularly the Hyehwadong Filipino Catholic Community in Seoul and the Philippines Embassy that cater to the needs of these workers, TNT or not.

God’s Love knows no boundaries indeed. Wherever I am, I can feel His presence. Thus, Love is the epicenter of all the things I do. So that’s how Kordilove got its name.

Thanks a lot!

It's my second birthday in the Philippines already! Parang kailan lang talaga. And thanks for the greetings! I really need this to boost my morale! I know naman that you'll never forget my natal day. You're the best people I've met away from home. So keep up, don't give up, you can beat the odds of life with the Lord's saving grace! Regards to everyone in Korea!

Birthday Greetings!

Dearest Ate Grace!!!!

GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE CREATED YOU TO BECOME WHAT YOU ARE!!! I HOPE THAT YOU CONTINUE TO INSPIRE PEOPLE WITH YOUR UNIQUE AND WINNING WAYS.

I DO PRAY FOR YOU IN YOUR SPECIAL DAY TO CHERSIH EVERYTHING THAT HE SHOWERED UPON YOU, GOD WILLING YOU CAN ATTAIN THE WORTHY THINGS THAT YOU DESIRE. BEST REGARDS AND GOD BLESS YOU!!!!

HAPI-HAPI BIRTHDAY AND ALWAYS AND SHARE YOUR LIFE WITH OTHERS TO THE FULLEST!!!!

MUCH LOVE AND PRAYERS,
fr. dong

The Totality of a Woman

She's the Vice President when I came face to face with her in Seoul, Korea. For the second time around, I had the chance to be in a photo session with her as the President of the Republic of the Philippines! And lastly, met her again in Malacanang when the Hyehwadong Filipino Catholic Community in Korea was awarded the Presidential Banaag Award! What a privilege to have been with her, she's that totality of a woman to rule the country inspite and despite the difficulties we're going through!

RUNNING SCARED NO MORE

(This was published with the Sambayanan Newsletter of and for the Filipino Catholic Community in Seoul, Korea sometime in Yr2000. Jun as my webmaster has amazingly kept other compositions I made!)

I was brought to the operating room puffy and misty eyed for crying all night long. While the doctors and the attendants were preparing the utilities to be used, I called on the Lord to forgive whatever sins I have committed. HE, to take away my life now if only to pay for these sins. Or let me live if HE choose to forgive me. The later, with a pledge to take some responsilities in reflecting HIS image and likeness. I lost my consciousness.

In the middle of a busy intersection surrounded by glaring tall buildings, made of glasses, I could see myself floating and contineously spinning. A determined strong force pulled me out, then darkness swept the brightness away. I found myself in a dark long tunnel where a beam of light could be seen very far at the openning. I was so scared. My body now was immovable, helpless to even utter a word. An apparent endless situation where I can do nothing. I was worthless at the verge of resignation. Then suddenly, my thought was able to worked-out a little prayer, Lord, please forgive me. And that was it, I regain consciousness safe and sound, praising and giving HIM thanks!

It was an indelible reality beyond the realm of my ordinary human perception. In fact, a dreadful experience and bringing back the memories is just like piercing a double edge knife right into the heart. Yet I cherish the experience for it was a breakthrough of my withering faith.

I left our country full of regrets. A promising job, a close-knit family and a circle of good friends. I did a terrible thing that could have jeopardized my interest and those wonderful people around me. I couldn face the consequences so I ran scared, far away from home - to Korea, December 1991.

As I don't believe in luck and having a motto of "life is what we make it," I carefully made a two year plan of activities. A list of do's and dont's to guide me through. After this period I have to go home to take up the board exams like my cousin. Unfortunately, a misguided match-making struck out a pre-mature love affair that brought a lovely baby out of wed lock. This situation altered most of my plans. More so when my live-in partner was deported and later demmanded me to go home for marriage if not, he'll look for somebody. I really hate what was going on, so I dared to have someone too. If he can, why can't I?

The sudden twist of my lifestyle brought me more misfortunes than I first thought. And it's difficult to accept the failures. Even developing an attitude in blamming someone, something, just anything for these failures. I became bitter and resentful. I couldn't trust anybody anymore. I really mess up my life. But life must go on no matter what.

That was two years ago. Thanks for my family, friends and spiritual advisers who stood by me during my personal battles. But most of all to the Lord Whom I have entrusted my life. I am a different person now. My life story taught me an everlasting legacy, TO LET GOD TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE.

I refuse to believe that my volunteering in the church is my own making neither accidental but rather it's God's plan. HIS way to bring me closer to HIM. And as it is the last Christmas of the millenium, what an opportune time to repent and ask for forgiveness with HIS abundant blessings!

A Friend Indeed

How could I describe a friend who's so young and energetic, who's just so compassionate to do things others can't dare do? Well, I couldn't say more for I know his works speak of his utmost heart to help uplift the situation of migrant workers in Korea through his God-given talents. His selfless love to those unfortunates who are seeking a greener pasture away from home earn my respect and admiration. His name? Simply call him dzune or freakish! But I love to call him his real name, Jun! He's indeed a friend to lean on!!! you can also visit his blog at Dzune Online