News & Archives

DEMISE OF MS. XENIA (ZENIA) CASTILLO

Police in Washington DC are trying to get in touch with a Filipina, Mrs Castillo, who lives in London, and has a daughter, Ms Xenia (Zenia) Castillo. Can you contact Migrant Heritage in the US, the details are below?

Please pray for the eternal repose of the soul of our ‘kababayan' Ms. Xenia (Zenia) ...

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In a serious warning to governments and especially flag of convenience countries such as Panama, the  seafarer's union has thrown down the gauntlet threatening to order its members not to work on vessels operating anywhere near Somali pirate infested waters.

If this were implemented, it would be a serious blow to global trade, essentially closing off the Suez Canal, the Red...

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In view of the escalating violence and widespread insecurity in Libya, the Department is on a full relocation and repatriation mode.

LIBYAN CRISIS - UPDATE NEWS

Are you in Libya? If you have information or pictures, click the link above to let us know

The Philippine...

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Scientists at Which Gardening magazine blow a hole in the claims of the organic food industry 

Gardeners, consumers and more importantly, the organic food industry, will be shocked to find there appear to be little, if any, nutritional or taste benefits to growing vegetables and fruit organically, says a study carried out by the UK consumer affairs magazine, Which Gardening.

In small-scale...

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Senator Frank Drilon has tasted blood in the expose on the corruption at the highest levels in the Philippine military and is going in for the kill.

The Iloilo Senator was in form at Thursday's Blue Ribbon committee session when grilling retired General Jacinto C. Ligot (above) who as a former comptroller (just like the disgraced and jailed Gen Garcia), had...

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The Philippines, which ranks among the most corrupt countries, also holds the unenviable record of having the highest residential power rates not only in Asia but in the entire world.

Officials of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) admitted as much yesterday in the course of a hearing by the House...

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On the 17^th December 2010 the High Court made a landmark decision where it was declared that the interim limits set by the Secretary of State were unlawful. The judicial review was being heard by Lord Justice Sullivan and Mr Justice Burton. They both agreed that the evidence placed before them overwhelmingly showed that the Secretary of State's...

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Groups welcome the Supreme Court's decision junking the petition by Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez that sought to stop the impeachment case against her in Congress.

By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
Bulatlat.com

MANILA - The Supreme Court's decision clearing the way for impeachment proceedings against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez has been hailed as an important step toward investigating the many corruption and other...

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OFWs Who Lived For Years Under a Bridge in Jeddah Return Home with Harrowing Tales of Neglect

“When we were still (in Saudi) the government did not help us. Now that we are home, they still could not extend any assistance to us.” – Lubaira Guiandal, 43, one of the OFWs who lived under the Khandara Bridge while awaiting...

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The Home Office has unveiled details of a radical overhaul to the Tier 2 working visa route today, scraping much of the sponsorship scheme employers signed up to when the Work Permit scheme was replaced by the points based system two years ago.

Under the new system, employers will have to apply for a certificate of sponsorship (COS)...

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71 shortage occupations to be removed from Tier 2 visas in points-based shake up

Whilst these are ‘recommendations' at this stage, Senior Carers with less than 5 years continuous work, or those forced to change employer, could be affected unless some sort of transition arrangements are put in place. Full story...

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UnionBank will conduct a sales blitz on 20 February 2011 (Sunday), 8:00AM to 2:00PM at San Antonio De Padua Parish Church in Brgy. San Antonio, Paranaque City.

In the said sales blitz, they will give flyers, answer queries and even tour the interested buyers to the properties using a free shuttle service.

Investment/Foreclosed Property Listing Form - Free To...

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Michael Castro, an English born Mestizo, is competing in the London Marathon this coming April and is hoping to raise sponsorship money for projects with the Philippine Generations group in the UK

I am sending this letter to you today as Michael Castro, born in London to a Filipino mother from Pampanga and a Spanish father from Coruna, will be...

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London, UK - Cherrie Anderson’s submission to the World Youth Day (WYD) 2011 global song contest has been given the thumbs up by a jury of 10 young people.

It is now in the race to be one of the top five songs to be sung to an audience of millions at the Madrid WYD later this year!

Cherrie,...

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Charissa Mae Comandante has been missing since Friday, Feb 11, 2011, she was last seen together with Mark Ray (mac-mac) Banares who is also missing at this time.

Since then, we were not able to communicate to any of them. If by any chance you have seen them, know their where abouts, or they have communicated to... any of...

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Bay, Laguna, Philippines

A Greenpeace decontamination unit today removed genetically-engineered Bt eggplant, locally known as ‘Talong', from a field trial site in Barangay Paciano Rizal in Bay, Laguna, and sealed the experimental food crop in hazmat (hazardous materials) containers to prevent further contamination of neighboring fields and the environment.   

The Greenpeace activists were supported by organic farmers from...

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Chevening House, the official residence of the British Foreign Secretary after whom the scholarships are named 

British Ambassador Stephen Lillie announced that the UK is once more looking for excellent young achievers as applications to the prestigious Chevening Scholarships are now open for school year 2011-12.

"We are pleased to again offer Chevening Scholarships to deserving young Filipinos who are...

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Business leaders, microentrepreneurs, and NGO workers will gather at the NBC Tent, Fort Bonifacio, Global City from Feb. 22-23 to celebrate the work of the private sector in providing poverty-stricken Filipinos with livelihood opportunities, and to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the People Power Revolution.

The "People-Powered Markets" exhibit will also serve as venue for the participants to discuss...

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NEW YORK: A talent-packed group of women artists from differing ethnicities join forces in Arrivals/Departures: Women's Experience of Migration Under Globalization on March 17th at the Project Reach 4th Floor Gallery at 39 Eldridge (between Canal and Hester Streets) in New York.

The multimedia event is a joint project of AF3IRM and Zero Capital, to help commemorate International Women's...

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EMBASSY'S MATRICES OF UPCOMING EVENTS/ADVISORIES/PRESS RELEASES

As of 14 February 2011

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MY MOM HAS BEEN MISSING SINCE YESTERDAY MORNING (FEB. 14). SHE HAS ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE. DETAILS BELOW: NAME: CONCHITA LOPEZ JOSE OR ALING CHING OR ALING CONCHING AGE: 87 HEIGHT: 4’10 HEIGHT: 70 TO 80 LBS. WEARING: RED DUSTER WITH WHITE POLKA DOTS AND BLACK SHOES LAST SEEN: RODE A BUS GOING TO MANILA FROM CASIMIRO. NOT SURE IF SHE DROP...

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In a landmark case this week the Supreme Court has ruled that an illegal immigrant from Tanzania, who made false claims for asylum, has the right to stay in the UK because her two children were born in Britain. Full story...

Tier 4 Consultation ends as Damian Green promises...

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Immigration Mimister sounds the death knell for students earning money while learning

Tier 4 Visas consultation ends with dark foreboding for the future

By Charles Kelly

The UK Immigration Minister, Damian Green, has reiterated the Government's plans to review the Tier 4 student visa system in a speech to the think tank Reform.

Speaking at a conference in London,...

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Migrante International is dismayed by the ruling, saying that by absolving labor attaché Romulo Salud of his verbal abuse of Agnes Tenorio, the DOLE is encouraging more such abuses in the future.

By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO writing for Bulatlat

MANILA - Overseas Filipino workers are dismayed over the recent decision of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) dismissing...

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Cristina, a young girl who is one of the many residents of a cemetery in Manila a group of students in London are making a documentary film about their intriguing lives

Metropolitan Manila is not only a city of 20m people but is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, the lack of space has forced some of...

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The growing scandal of the Filipino diplomat at the embassy in Dublin and the maid has taken a new twist. John Ferris the former Philippines Honorary Consul in Ireland has disclosed a basic flaw in the Philippine embassy's arguments about the nature of the contract between the diplomat and the maid.

It is that any employment of a person in the Republic...

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By Charles Kelly 

The UK Border Agency have announced today a major shake-up of the Tier 2 shortage occupations list, with large numbers of jobs being disqualified as the government sets to raise the qualification entry level to NQF 4.

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), the independent body which reports to the government on migration and labour issues, has recommended...

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RCBC is holding an auction of properties on the 19th February in Pasig, a Saturday.

The basic terms are 10% deposit, P25,000 show money per property with in-house financing up to 10 years.

Contact details are in the poster, it's always advisable to phone and check the properties are still available and have not been pre sold.

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UnionBank are holding their 165th Special Auction in Pasig on the 26th February.

Normal rules for domestic properties offered apply, i.e. in-house financing of 15 years to pay, 10% down payment with P20,000 show money per property.

Credit approval is required for high value and commercial properties.

There are a lot of properties.

Details are listed in all the flyers...

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If a claim before a labor tribunal in Dublin is not settled quickly, relations between Ireland and the Philippines could soon become very strained 

A major diplomatic row is likely to be ignited within the next ten days when an Irish government's Labour Relations Commission ruling comes to the end of it's appeal period.

The Commission heard a claim from a Filipina...

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PRESS RELEASE

Guest Speaker Emmanuel Sayo
Congress of Progressive Filipino Canadians (CPFC)

Wednesday, February 16th, 2011, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

York University (Room TBA)

Part of [email protected]'s lecture series
(Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance/Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada-Ontario @ York)

Why are highly educated and highly skilled immigrants some of the lowest paid workers in Canada? And how has...

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Internet services were reportedly restored in Egypt on Feb. 2 after being completely shut down for two days. Egyptian authorities unplugged the last Internet service provider (ISP) still operating Jan. 31 amidst ongoing protests across the country. The other four providers in Egypt - Link Egypt, Vodafone/Raya, Telecom Egypt and Etisalat Misr - were...

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PRESS RELEASE

The communist New People's Army and its political wing the National Democratic Front have wasted no time in attacking the corrupt practices in the AFP as it continues to unfold.

In a press release just released, they are hoping to capitalize on the exposes which have meant respect for the leadership of the AFP is in danger of...

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"Name of Missing Person" is: Eduardo "Eddie" Zabala 

"Full Details For Publication" is: Missing since January 28, 2011 wearing blue t-shirt and checkered shorts. Age is 63. Around 5'3" - 5'4" in height. Reportedly seen at near East Ave., V. Luna going to Kalayaan last Sunday (January 30, 2011). My father is suffering from Alzheimer and sometimes collapses.

"Email...

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PRESS RELEASE - We are pleased that the long awaited peace talks between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will finally resume with exploratory talks on February 9-10 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Press Release Submission Form

It is thus with great anticipation to the success of the peace talks that the Institute of...

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Fat Controller Garcia who has already served one prison sentence for corruption now stands accused of stealing P128-M along with other members of his family from military funds. He was grilled today in a Senate hearing but declined to answer certain questions

A total of P128 million in military funds is missing and that the amount could still be in the...

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If you are reading this, you are using a computer, pda, IPod or other such device.

You have to beware of becoming a complete nerd. Read on to see the dangers.

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Our Filipino maid asked for a pay increase.   My Wife was a bit irritated by this and decided to talk to her about it.  

She asked: "Now Maria, how can you justify a pay increase ?"

Maria:  "Well, Señora, there are tree reasons why I wan an increase.   The first is that I iron better than you."...

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Our Filipino maid asked for a pay increase.   My Wife was a bit irritated by this and decided to talk to her about it.  

She asked: "Now Maria, how can you justify a pay increase ?"

Maria:  "Well, Señora, there are tree reasons why I wan an increase.   The first is that I iron better than you."...

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Our Filipino maid asked for a pay increase.   My Wife was a bit irritated by this and decided to talk to her about it.  

She asked: "Now Maria, how can you justify a pay increase ?"

Maria:  "Well, Señora, there are tree reasons why I wan an increase.   The first is that I iron better than you."...

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A couple take on an 18-year-old girl as a lodger. She asked if she could have a shower but the woman of the house told her they didn't have one but she could use a tin bath in front of the fire.....

"Monday's the best night, when my husband goes out to darts," she said..

So the girl agreed to...

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A man and a woman who had never met before, but who were both married to other people, found themselves assigned to the same sleeping room on a trans-continental train.

Though initially embarrassed and uneasy over sharing the compartment, they were both very tired and fell asleep quickly, he in the upper berth and she in the lower.

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MANILA - The Philippine version of Wikileaks, the international whistleblower website, has been launched.

Aiming to fight corruption and poverty by means of exposing evidence of wrongdoing on the Internet, the project, dubbed "PinoyLeaks," says its mission is to expose corrupt officials at all levels of government.

Wikileaks, a website which accepts leaked confidential data from the public and releases...

Tags: corruption_exposes, philippines, pinoyleaks, whistleblowers, wikileaks

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In this explosive issue of the Filipino Diary from Dublin, John Ferris (pictured above), who was the Philippines' Honorary Consul to the Republic of Ireland for many years, launches a blistering attack on the newly opened Philippine embassy in Dublin.

After many months of seeing the newly opened embassy in action, and the way the staff operate, John has given rein...

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