Now that the election fever is over, we probably should go back to where we left off. I remember that five days before the May 14 election, Sarah Dematera arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on board Saudia flight SV-868 from Riyadh. Accompanying her in that flight back home was Ambassador Antonio Villamor himself.
It was surprising, though, that Sarah’s return was given very little media coverage. Even in the discussion boards hardly anything was said of her arrival in the Philippines. But one thing is sure; Sarah is now enjoying the fresh air of Antipolo, where she and her family reside.
Out here in the desert, I keep asking myself who could have funded Sarah’s release? We know that the amount of five hundred thousand Saudi riyals (SR 500,000) initially paid to the family of Sarah’s victim was raised by secretary Rafael Seguis through donations from concerned individuals and entities. But the source of the remaining one million five hundred thousand Saudi riyals (SR 1,500,000) which Ambassador Villamor personally delivered to the court in Dammam has not been revealed.
Perhaps the DFA should tell us where that amount, which is equivalent to around 19.5 million pesos, came from. Did it come from the DFA budget, from the Office of the President, from OWWA, or just from one Good Samaritan? I think the overseas Filipino community has the right to know so that when the same case happens again next time, we, as well as our embassy officials will know where to source the fund needed. We may no longer have to pass the hat.
Speaking of fund solicitation, may we also know from our embassy officials in Riyadh how much donation was collected from the community for and in behalf of Sarah, and how the donations were utilized?
As I write this piece, a hundred or so overseas Filipinos who have left their employers for various reasons roam the streets of Jeddah and Riyadh. They rely only on help from friends for their food and temporary shelter. They keep on moving from one safe house to another to avoid being noticed by people in the neighborhood. And every hour of the day, they risk being caught by the authorities.
When I was still the chair for political affairs of Alyansa in Jeddah, we have on several occasions brought to the attention of our consulate officials the need to construct (or rent) a multi purpose building which could serve as training center as well as home for the stranded male overseas Filipinos. But our request was never given attention. We thought then that perhaps budget is a constraint.
I find it, therefore, to be ironic for the government not being able to spend a couple of millions for hundreds of stranded overseas Filipinos, yet so quick to release 20 million pesos to save the life of one.
I want to suggest that if DFA cannot budget for this requirement, perhaps OWWA should. After all, a training center is very well within its reintegration program.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Not Just a Martial Arts Association
When we talk of martial arts, the name of such famed actors like Jackie Chan and Jet Li would always come to mind. I for one enjoy watching a Jackie Chan movie because he always adds humor to his acrobatic and gymnastic stances. But ask a real martial arts student or professional, and they will readily say that those unified movements are but the result of cinematic techniques.
Last Friday, I had for the first time the chance to watch a martial arts exhibition participated by young kids as well as fellow overseas Filipinos. While the adult participants demonstrated real talent, it was the performance of the young would be ninjas that gained more applause from the audience. That was an afternoon of real fun and laughter.
The occasion was the 9th founding anniversary of the Black Python Martial Arts Association. Led by its able founder/grandmaster, Sabiniano ‘Boy’ Macion, the BPM has through the years continued to provide self defense training to school children of all nationalities, as well as to fellow overseas Filipinos in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Ayon kay Ibrahim Banacia, secretary general ng BPM, layunin din ng samahan na pag-ibayuhin ang kakayanan at pagtitiwala sa sarili ng bawat kasapi, at ang pagpapahalaga sa sarili at kapwa.
But the services that BPM provides are not limited to its members. During the last nine years, it has been an active partner of the embassy in many of the latter’s endeavors. Its president, Faisal ‘Dino’ Mercurio, is an active member of the OFW Congress executive council.
BPM was an active participant in the 2003 and 2006 OAV registration campaign. They also helped in the OAV information dissemination, and provided security and information services during the OAV voting period.
BPM is also an active partner of the OFW Congress’ program for distress overseas Filipinos, and every now and then solicits donations for the benefit of women distress workers confined at the Bahay Kalinga. Its members are trained on how to give advice to fellow Filipinos who come around to refer to them their problems with their employers; what to do, where to go, and to whom to seek assistance.
Indeed the Black Python is more than just a martial arts association. It has evolved itself to become one of the most trusted partners of the Filipino community in Riyadh. The recognition of the important role the BPM has played was manifested by the presence of officers from OFW Congress and other community organizations during last Friday’s affair. Missing in action, though, are the representatives of the Philippine embassy and its attached agencies (Ano ba naman kayo!).
Once again, to the officers and members of the Black Python Martial Arts Association, happy founding anniversary.
Last Friday, I had for the first time the chance to watch a martial arts exhibition participated by young kids as well as fellow overseas Filipinos. While the adult participants demonstrated real talent, it was the performance of the young would be ninjas that gained more applause from the audience. That was an afternoon of real fun and laughter.
The occasion was the 9th founding anniversary of the Black Python Martial Arts Association. Led by its able founder/grandmaster, Sabiniano ‘Boy’ Macion, the BPM has through the years continued to provide self defense training to school children of all nationalities, as well as to fellow overseas Filipinos in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Ayon kay Ibrahim Banacia, secretary general ng BPM, layunin din ng samahan na pag-ibayuhin ang kakayanan at pagtitiwala sa sarili ng bawat kasapi, at ang pagpapahalaga sa sarili at kapwa.
But the services that BPM provides are not limited to its members. During the last nine years, it has been an active partner of the embassy in many of the latter’s endeavors. Its president, Faisal ‘Dino’ Mercurio, is an active member of the OFW Congress executive council.
BPM was an active participant in the 2003 and 2006 OAV registration campaign. They also helped in the OAV information dissemination, and provided security and information services during the OAV voting period.
BPM is also an active partner of the OFW Congress’ program for distress overseas Filipinos, and every now and then solicits donations for the benefit of women distress workers confined at the Bahay Kalinga. Its members are trained on how to give advice to fellow Filipinos who come around to refer to them their problems with their employers; what to do, where to go, and to whom to seek assistance.
Indeed the Black Python is more than just a martial arts association. It has evolved itself to become one of the most trusted partners of the Filipino community in Riyadh. The recognition of the important role the BPM has played was manifested by the presence of officers from OFW Congress and other community organizations during last Friday’s affair. Missing in action, though, are the representatives of the Philippine embassy and its attached agencies (Ano ba naman kayo!).
Once again, to the officers and members of the Black Python Martial Arts Association, happy founding anniversary.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Dugo Ko Alay Ko
During the Iraq-Iran war, Saudi Arabia required all those renewing or applying for a driver’s license to donate blood to the Ministry of Health. The blood collected was sent to Iraq where these are used in the operation of Iraqi soldiers who got hurt in the field. Years later, whenever the Ministry of Health needs blood to augment the inventory of its blood banks, it pays the donors a good amount of money.
Starting today, the Ministry of Health will be receiving a steady supply of blood for free. It does not even have to ask for it because the donors are giving it voluntarily.
Dugo Ko Alay Ko, a blood donation project spearheaded by the Philippine embassy and the Philippine overseas labor office in cooperation with the Filipino community in Riyadh and the King Faisal Specialist Hospital, was officially launched at the Philippine embassy compound this morning.
The project, which is said to be the first of its kind, is the Filipinos’ way of expressing their thanks and appreciation to the people and government of Saudi Arabia, who for more than two decades have provide home and source of income to the growing number of overseas Filipinos. Indeed what could be a better way to express gratitude than to let ones blood mix and run with those of his friends?
A big round of applause should be given to the organizing committee that managed the project from conceptualization through its eventual implementation. The launching alone this morning speaks a lot. Banners and streamers decorate the chancery both inside and outside; colorful posters are stuck on bulletin boards, some even cleanly pasted on rear windows of some cars; shirts and caps bearing the project’s logo are worn by volunteers; and almost everybody were given buttons to pin to their shirts.
What the recently concluded overseas absentee voting lack in campaign materials, the Dugo Ko Alay Ko project had so much in abundance.
The embassy gates were even left wide open through out the day, as if telling passers by to come in and join the celebration. An early celebration of success it looked like indeed. The chancery was filled with people that it was even a bit hard for the lady volunteers distributing free bottled water to squeeze into the crowd. That size of a crowd was never seen during the voting period.
The blood letting will run through out the year. The first group of donors this morning came from members of Alpha Phi Omega. Because pre-screening of would be donors is required, those who registered as donors, and passed the requirements, will be scheduled during the succeeding weekends. Where a group of donors is located in one area, the mobile blood bank facility may even go onsite instead of requiring the donors to go to the embassy.
The launching was capped by a light noon snack hosted by no less than His Excellency Ambassador Antonio Villamor and Labor Attaché Rustico dela Fuente. The food provided by a catering company was good, and added more color to this all new experience of A Life Giving Lives.
Starting today, the Ministry of Health will be receiving a steady supply of blood for free. It does not even have to ask for it because the donors are giving it voluntarily.
Dugo Ko Alay Ko, a blood donation project spearheaded by the Philippine embassy and the Philippine overseas labor office in cooperation with the Filipino community in Riyadh and the King Faisal Specialist Hospital, was officially launched at the Philippine embassy compound this morning.
The project, which is said to be the first of its kind, is the Filipinos’ way of expressing their thanks and appreciation to the people and government of Saudi Arabia, who for more than two decades have provide home and source of income to the growing number of overseas Filipinos. Indeed what could be a better way to express gratitude than to let ones blood mix and run with those of his friends?
A big round of applause should be given to the organizing committee that managed the project from conceptualization through its eventual implementation. The launching alone this morning speaks a lot. Banners and streamers decorate the chancery both inside and outside; colorful posters are stuck on bulletin boards, some even cleanly pasted on rear windows of some cars; shirts and caps bearing the project’s logo are worn by volunteers; and almost everybody were given buttons to pin to their shirts.
What the recently concluded overseas absentee voting lack in campaign materials, the Dugo Ko Alay Ko project had so much in abundance.
The embassy gates were even left wide open through out the day, as if telling passers by to come in and join the celebration. An early celebration of success it looked like indeed. The chancery was filled with people that it was even a bit hard for the lady volunteers distributing free bottled water to squeeze into the crowd. That size of a crowd was never seen during the voting period.
The blood letting will run through out the year. The first group of donors this morning came from members of Alpha Phi Omega. Because pre-screening of would be donors is required, those who registered as donors, and passed the requirements, will be scheduled during the succeeding weekends. Where a group of donors is located in one area, the mobile blood bank facility may even go onsite instead of requiring the donors to go to the embassy.
The launching was capped by a light noon snack hosted by no less than His Excellency Ambassador Antonio Villamor and Labor Attaché Rustico dela Fuente. The food provided by a catering company was good, and added more color to this all new experience of A Life Giving Lives.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
The Rally from Behind
Filipinos love it when they see their favorite basketball team rally from behind and win the championship trophy. They cheer to high heavens when they see their boxing idol stand from a fall; attack the opponent with a series of left and right hooks, until the trend of the game is reversed and their idol wins by another TKO. This exciting part of an event is known among sports aficionados as the last two-minute rally. We witness this not only in sports but also in our daily routine; we see this among the nursing graduates of the Cordilleras who ignore the burning heat of the sun or cold evening breeze as they tirelessly stand at the kilometer-long queue waiting for their turn to submit their application papers for the June board exams; we see this among students and among government officials; and, yes, we also see this among fellow overseas Filipinos.
About seven weeks prior to her scheduled execution on May 27, 2007, the story of Sarah Jane Dematera hit the various overseas Filipino e-groups. Calls for her release were drummed up by various overseas Filipino organizations in Canada, the US, Middle East and even those back home. Some groups sought for donations for the needed blood-money; some called the attention of senators and congressmen; some urged the President to release the funds needed to secure the release; and some even called on the First Gentleman, a known supporter of OFW cause, to pitch in.
Towards the end of last week, barely two weeks after the overseas Filipino communities made noise, we were greeted with the good news that Sarah Dematera was finally released from jail. That was a pleasant surprise.
But the release of Sarah, surprising as it may, came only after she spent fifteen of her younger years in a prison cell in the Eastern region of Saudi Arabia. All through those 15 years, very little was heard of her case, if any. Perhaps one of the few organizations that diligently followed up the case of Sarah was Amnesty International. Its documentation of Sarah’s case provided the Filipino community with vital information. It was also Amnesty International that gave Sarah supply of books, reading of which was one way that kept her busy.
Through all those years the Department of Foreign Affairs has also undertaken several missions to secure Sarah’s freedom. One person who worked very closely with the case was Undersecretary Rafael Seguis. Yet the finality of those missions came only a few weeks before Sarah’s scheduled execution. So what contributed to the big push from behind which ended with the Philippine mission not only winning Sarah’s freedom, but winning it much earlier than expected?
In Saudi Arabia, if one is found guilty of killing another person, he/she may only be released after serving his/her prison term and after the immediate family members of his/her victim have forgiven him/her. Those two conditions must be met before an accused could be released.
But forgiveness does not usually come without a price. In the case of Sarah it was given at a cost of 2.0 million Saudi riyals, or about 25.3 million pesos. Sarah will not live to earn that amount; and it will take months, if not years, to raise the amount through donations from overseas Filipinos. The only way to raise the money quickly was through the sponsorship of no less than the Philippine government.
The full amount of the ‘blood money’ was received by the court on April 25, 2007, from no less than Philippine ambassador Antonio Villamor himself. Four days later the court ordered the case closed.
Under normal circumstances it would take at least another month to complete all required administrative procedures before Sarah could be released from jail. But Ambassador Villamor took an extra step and went personally to the governor of the Eastern Province, Prince Muhammad Bin Adulaziz Al Saud, to ask that Sarah be released to the custody of the Philippine embassy while the administrative procedures are being completed. Where other diplomats would have just sent a note verbal, Ambassador Villamor did it with a personal touch; and the good Prince just can not refuse.
Sarah is now staying at the embassy while waiting for her flight back to the Philippines. For sure she will have plenty of stories to share when she is finally home.
The crowds cheered when their team was losing concentration during the last two minutes of play. When their point guard finally led the team on a rally from behind and won the game, the crowds were no longer there for the toast.
About seven weeks prior to her scheduled execution on May 27, 2007, the story of Sarah Jane Dematera hit the various overseas Filipino e-groups. Calls for her release were drummed up by various overseas Filipino organizations in Canada, the US, Middle East and even those back home. Some groups sought for donations for the needed blood-money; some called the attention of senators and congressmen; some urged the President to release the funds needed to secure the release; and some even called on the First Gentleman, a known supporter of OFW cause, to pitch in.
Towards the end of last week, barely two weeks after the overseas Filipino communities made noise, we were greeted with the good news that Sarah Dematera was finally released from jail. That was a pleasant surprise.
But the release of Sarah, surprising as it may, came only after she spent fifteen of her younger years in a prison cell in the Eastern region of Saudi Arabia. All through those 15 years, very little was heard of her case, if any. Perhaps one of the few organizations that diligently followed up the case of Sarah was Amnesty International. Its documentation of Sarah’s case provided the Filipino community with vital information. It was also Amnesty International that gave Sarah supply of books, reading of which was one way that kept her busy.
Through all those years the Department of Foreign Affairs has also undertaken several missions to secure Sarah’s freedom. One person who worked very closely with the case was Undersecretary Rafael Seguis. Yet the finality of those missions came only a few weeks before Sarah’s scheduled execution. So what contributed to the big push from behind which ended with the Philippine mission not only winning Sarah’s freedom, but winning it much earlier than expected?
In Saudi Arabia, if one is found guilty of killing another person, he/she may only be released after serving his/her prison term and after the immediate family members of his/her victim have forgiven him/her. Those two conditions must be met before an accused could be released.
But forgiveness does not usually come without a price. In the case of Sarah it was given at a cost of 2.0 million Saudi riyals, or about 25.3 million pesos. Sarah will not live to earn that amount; and it will take months, if not years, to raise the amount through donations from overseas Filipinos. The only way to raise the money quickly was through the sponsorship of no less than the Philippine government.
The full amount of the ‘blood money’ was received by the court on April 25, 2007, from no less than Philippine ambassador Antonio Villamor himself. Four days later the court ordered the case closed.
Under normal circumstances it would take at least another month to complete all required administrative procedures before Sarah could be released from jail. But Ambassador Villamor took an extra step and went personally to the governor of the Eastern Province, Prince Muhammad Bin Adulaziz Al Saud, to ask that Sarah be released to the custody of the Philippine embassy while the administrative procedures are being completed. Where other diplomats would have just sent a note verbal, Ambassador Villamor did it with a personal touch; and the good Prince just can not refuse.
Sarah is now staying at the embassy while waiting for her flight back to the Philippines. For sure she will have plenty of stories to share when she is finally home.
The crowds cheered when their team was losing concentration during the last two minutes of play. When their point guard finally led the team on a rally from behind and won the game, the crowds were no longer there for the toast.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)