Getting My Feet Back on the Ground

I always say that we make our own destiny. No matter what happens, no matter how difficult life was, no matter how our dreams gone astray, as long as God is Emmanuel, we can live life to the fullest.

And yes! Bro. Bo said, "Your past does not determine your future." How true indeed. You can always defy the present norms of society if its detrimental to your progress in whatever way!

These all I can attest with the unfortunate experiences I had. So take it from me again. When you stumble, stand up firm and move not only ON but UP!

The smile on my face is a manifestation! Thanks to God I'm still alive and kickin'...

United CBO all over Korea!

PMA Awards Rev. Sin

Many Koreans are flocking Baguio City! Why, oh why ...

And they're making waves! ...

At PMA? Sure ...

Details will be coming your way!

Abangan...

United CBO all over Korea!

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY ADVISORY

Please be guided accordingly with the following advisory from the Labor Office:

COMELEC ADVISORY


The COMELEC wishes to inform that all OAV applications for registration/certification that were approved by the COMELEC Resident Election Registration Board (RERB) last 04 September 2009 may be viewed through the COMELEC website www.comelec.gov.ph/oavlist/toc_lists.html.

For inquiries and other details, kindly email us at 2010elections@philembassy-seoul.com.

United CBO all over Korea!

Migrant Workers Day Message of Sec. Roque

United CBO all over Korea!

Program of Activities for the "ONE PHILIPPINES" Exhibitiom

To all Heads/Leaders of Filipino Communities/

Associations/Institutions in South Korea :

We have attached the Program of Activities for the "One Philippines" Exhibition to be held on May 29 - 31, 2009

at the Seoul City Hall Plaza.

We will appreciate it if you can disseminate this to your members/constituents.

Thank you and hope to see you there!

DELMER R. CRUZ
Labor Attache


by:

VIOLETA J. BUENAVENTURA
Administrative Staff

United CBO all over Korea!

Medical Service for OFWs Goes High Tech

By: Philippine Overseas Labor Office

The Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) invites all OFWs to avail of free medical services that will be offered on 31 May 2009 during the Migrant Workers Day celebration at “One Philippines” Exhibition, Seoul City Hall Plaza.

Specialist doctors and medical practitioners from the prestigious Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH) will bring state-of-the-art medical equipment and machines that can produce detailed analysis on X-ray, ultrasonograph and electrocardiogram, rendering results in the fields of internal medicine, orthopedics, ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology.

The SNUH medical team, which will be headed by its Vice President, Oh, Byung Hee assures Filipino migrants in Korea of high quality medical services as they will set up three booths to house cutting-edge medical facilities in addition to the medical laboratory bus they will be bringing.

United CBO all over Korea!

Grabe, Nangitim Daw Ako!

Sa totoo lang, ang init na kasi dito sa Baguio eh.

This pic was taken during the SLU-SVP National Convention last Sunday...

Hindi naman obvious na merong early campaigning going on! At least, Sen. Villar has really proven himself to be super succesful in housing dev't that is somehow related to the topics during the convention.

Photo Op with Fr. Stefano Lee

Fr. Stefano might be that missing link ... the answer to the many why's of Korean influx in the city.

Why Baguio?

ex-Korean OFW Makes It Big in Baguio

Mila Alawas Lictao is all smiles when she had this grand opening of her Personal Collections Store inside the Bayanihan Hotel, Baguio City.

So, to our fellow ex-Korean migrant workers, be a part of her flourishing business! Visit her anytime.

A Chat with Former Sulyapinoy Editor-in-Chief

Elizear Penaranda, my friend and mentor at Robinson's, Malate, Manila one Sunday afternoon.

Cute pa rin siya di ba? Walang pinagbago... although he's upgrading his many talents, so busy as he is, he found time to meet me. Taga- Cavite kaya siya so he has to travel that far... hehehe

He's now a prostege of Ricky Reyes! Congrats Eli!!! Keep up the goodworks and continue dreaming big!!

Folks, guys and gals of CBO, please contribute in this blog para mas masaya!

United CBO all over Korea!

Fr. Stefano at the Baguio Cathedral!

Here's a great surprise from the Summer Capital of the Philippines! I happened to dropped by Baguio Cathedral to say some prayers a few minutes ago. I was about to sit down when I saw a very familiar face at the altar doing the benediction.

Wow! It's Bro. Stefano... ah no, it's Fr. Stefano pala! He's Korean and was a very active Church volunteer in Hyewhadong Filipino Catholic Community in Seoul. I vividly remember his presence within the community doing various jobs for the Filipinos, especially at the Center.

There and then after the Mass, I approached him with a big, big hug and a warm embrace! There was this fear inside of me that he might not remember me at all... but to my amazement, he did not! We then had a tete-a-tete in a nearby coffee shop reminiscing the past.

Fr. Stefano is based in Tuba Parish, Benguet and says Mass at the Baguio Cathedral 11-12 noon every Sunday. According to him, he will be assigned to another place this coming May.

To fellow ex-Korean OFWs, please visit hm in Tuba or at the Cathedral. Thank you! (Noela already informed me weeks ago that a certain Fr. Stefano from Korea is in Tuba. I made arrangement to visit him there tomorrow but as this new turn of events developed, I will soon visit him this coming days and he will cook Korean food daw!)

WELCOME TO THE CITY OF PINES, FR. STEFANO!!!

Thank you so much for all the things that you have done for us in Korea.

United CBO all over Korea!

Education Courses on Marketing and Computer Skills for EPS Workers

To All Heads/Focal Persons of Filipino communities/organizations in Korea

We are pleased to inform you that starting 26 April 2009, or two weekends following the last of the FFBM series on 12 April 2009, the Human Resources Development Service of Korea (HRD Korea) will conduct education courses on Marketing and Computer Skills for EPS workers whose sojourn/period of stay will expire in 2009. Please refer to the attached Announcement and Application Form from HRD Korea.

Kindly disseminate this announcement to your members/communities with request for interested parties to accomplish the application form and email to returnee@hrdkorea.or.kr or fax to (02) 3274 9739.

HRD Korea’s education program compliments the Philippine government’s reintegration program.

For inquiries, please call Ms. Jin Ah Kong at (02) 3271 9433.

We encourage all Filipino EPS workers to avail of this opportunity and enhance your knowledge and skills while you are in Korea.

We wish you all the best.


Atty. Delmer Cruz
Labor Attache

(Please contact OWWA or POLO for more info!... cordilove)
United CBO all over Korea!

FFBM 2

To All Heads/Focal Persons of Filipino communities/organizations in Korea

First of all, we wish to thank all those who attended the first of the FFBM[1] series last Saturday, 21 March 2009. In view of the positive feedback we got from the participants and clamor from those who were not able to attend, we will try to invite Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo again at his available time in the near future.

Meantime, the schedule of the next 2 series is as follows:

29 March 2009

3:30 – 4:30 PM - Basics of Entrepreneurship
by Counselor Edgardo Garcia, MBA
UP College of Business Administration

4:30 – 5:00 PM - Case Study 1

5:00 – 6:00 PM - Business Planning (Feasibility Study)
by Counselor Edgardo Garcia

6:00 – 6:30 PM - Case Study 2


05 April 2009

3:30 – 4:30 PM - Introduction to Marketing and Advertising
by Vice Consul Arnel G. Talisayon
UP College of Business Administration

4:30 – 5:00 PM - Workshop 1

5:00 – 6:00 PM - Introduction to Bookkeeping
by Vice Consul Arnel G. Talisayon

6:00 – 6:30 PM - Workshop 2


12 April 2009 - Submission of Course Requirements
/ Closing Ceremony


As previously announced, participants who will be able to complete the course will be given a Certificate of Completion signed by the Ambassador.

See you on Sunday.

For the Ambassador and the Seminar-Workshop Team:

Delmer Cruz
Labor Attache


United CBO all over Korea!

Learn From Me!

It's very ironic but true!

Could you imagine me, promoting almost every program of the Philippine Embassy and its attached agencies for the GOODNESS and WELFARE of OFWs in Korea and yet not an OWWA member?

Yup, mga kababayan ko, ito na ang pinakamasaklap sa lahat! Wala akong natanggap na benifits sa kahit anong agency dito sa atin ngayon, although merong mga FREE TRAININGS na puwede namang i-avail. Ang dami kayang magagandang programs ng government natin for OFWs. Nakita ko na sa TESDA, OWWA, DOLE, DTI, etc.

Kaya, take it from me, mag-pa-OWWA member na kayong lahat, documented or undocumented, para walang sisihan sa huli. And better update your membership din or be a member of PAG-IBIG FUND TOO.

GO na agad kayo sa POLO/OWWA at mag-member na agad bago huli ang lahat!

(more next time...)

United CBO all over Korea!

Fundamentals of Financial and Business Management

To all Heads/Focal Persons of FilCom organizations/Institutions in Korea

We are sending you the attached syllabus for the seminar-workshop series, Fundamentals of Finance and Business Management (FFBM) to be held on 21 and 29 March and 05 April 2009 at the chancery of the Philippine Embassy.

We strongly encourage you and your members/constituents to avail of this opportunity to acquire additional knowledge/skill to help you and your family better prepare for the future, especially your life after being an OFW.

You can signify your intention to participate by sending us (by email, fax or phone) your name, CP no. and organization, if any. Early registrants will be given priority.

Participants with complete attendance shall be given Certificate of Completion signed by the Ambassador.

See you and have a good day.


Delmer Cruz
Labor Attache emailed on 19 March 2009


Fundamentals of Financial and Business Management
Embassy of the Philippines

21 March 2009
1:30 PM - Opening Ceremony
2:00 PM - The Financial Learning Campaign of the BSP
by BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo
Importance of Remittances
Significance of Financial Planning
Types of Financial Instruments

29 March 2009
3:30 – 4:30 PM - Basics of Entrepreneurship
by Counselor Edgardo Garcia, MBA
UP College of Business Administration
4:30 – 5:00 PM - Case Study 1
5:00 – 6:00 PM - Business Planning (Feasibility Study)
by Counselor Edgardo Garcia
6:00 – 6:30 PM - Case Study 2

05 April 2009
3:30 – 4:30 PM - Introduction to Marketing and Advertising
by Vice Consul Arnel G. Talisayon
UP College of Business Administration
4:30 – 5:00 PM - Workshop 1
5:00 – 6:00 PM - Introduction to Bookkeeping
by Vice Consul Arnel G. Talisayon
6:00 – 6:30 PM - Workshop 2
12 April 2009 - Submission of Course Requirements
/ Closing Ceremony


United CBO all over Korea!

Israel Captured the Elusive Kingdom at Last

Indeed, the elusive Kingdom of Korea was at last captured by Israel Antonio! Charlie and Chris may not have succeeded last year but another warrior from igorotlandia did.

Aside from the title of Gg. Kalinangang Pilipino, Israel also won the Darling of the Crowd, Mr. Talent and Best in Costume...

May Hedacos from Bukidnon won the Bb. Kalinangang Pilipino.

Ambassador Luis Cruz and Tourism Attache Maricon have graced the affair.

Fr. Alvin Parantar and Edgar Balista, Chaplain and President of the Hyehwadong Filipino Catholic Community respectively are also shown in the above pics.

(Sabi ko kasi eh, may ibubuga naman talaga tayo. Alisin na kasi ang pagkamahiyain!)

United CBO all over Korea!

Challenged To Do Better

The new set of officers of the Cordillera Brotherhood Organization-Korea is faced by a challenge to do better for the interest of the group and as Filipinos in Korea.

CBO on its 17th year of existence has proven unity in diversity which members came from the different tribes of the Cordilleras (Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Kalinga, Apayao and Abra).

Chelo Lim, the newly installed president of CBO is the sister-in-law of Jimmy Lim, the founder and first president of the organization (1995). She's an active officer of BIBAK during her college days in Pangasinan.

In the pics are Inducting Officer Labor Attache Delmer Cruz, Fr. Peter Choi of Sahalom House and past CBO officers as Advisers.

United CBO all over Korea!

Induction of the New CBO Officers

PART 2

INDUCTION AND TURN-OVER CEREMONY
2:00 P.M.
Toastmasters:.................................... Ms.Ada and Mr.Wayne

NATIONAL ANTHEM...................... MS. Lucia Gaiwen
INVOCATION.................................... REV.FR.Peter Choi
............................................................. Yongsan-Shalom House for Migrants
OPENING REMARKS ..................... MR.Anthony Pilamon
INTERMISSION.............................. MR.Rey G. Manodon
CBO OVERVIEW............................. Ms.Grace Fikingas
MESSAGE........................................ Atty.Delmer Cruz
........................................................... Labor Attache-Philippines Embassy-Korea

INDUCTION CEREMONY Roll Call of Officers To be Inducted By Atty.Delmer Cruz
Recognition of CBO Advisers
Message of the Outgoing President Ms.Luniza “Basan” Beligen
Acceptance Message Newly-elected President Ms. Consuelo “Chelo” Lim
INTERMISSION .......................... Incoming CBO Officers
FINANCIAL REPORT.................. OUTGOING TREASURER
TURN-OVER OF CBO PROPERTIES TO THE NEW ADMIN.
TREASURER’S BOOKS
SECRETARY’S BOOKS
GANZAS AND COSTUMES :BY. OUTGOING PRESIDENT

Surprise Number
Intermission................................... Mr.Joval and Ms.Maxin
MESSAGE ..................................... MR.LAURENCE MANG-USAN
........................................................ CBO PRESIDENT 1997-1999
Intermission.................................. Mr.Herman Bugtong
MESSAGE AND CLOSING REMARKS- MR.JOHN BUGNOSEN


New Officers of the Cordillera Brotherhood Organization 2008

President- Ms. Chelo Lim
Vice President- Mr. Juanito Cadangen
Secretary. Ms. Maureen lesion
Asst. Secretary- Ms. Janet Calisen
Treasurer- Ms. Grail Mangiwet
Asst. Treasurer- Mr. Arnel Libang
Auditor- Ms. Damay Agnaonao
Asst. Auditor- Ms. Lucia Gaiwen
Public Relation Officer- Mr. Jesus Elwas
Ms. Imee Ban-eg Buslotan
Bus. Mngr.- Ms. Janice Degay
Mr. Roy Atiwag
Mr. Bong Guesdan
Sentinels- Mr. Jerry Paleng
Ms. Mila Aclopen
Mr. Reynante Sebio
Mr.J.R Darang
Mr.Jerry Ayugat
Mr. Neil Sarol
Ms. Geraldine Pacuyan
Ms.Judith Takimpay Darang

ADVISERS

Ms.Grace Fikingas
Mr. Anthony Pilamon
Mr. Lucas Mangagil
Pastor Benny Balawis
Ms.Grace Alumno
Ms.Basan Beligen
Mr.Rene Mangay-at
Mr. Laurence Mang-usan
Mr.John Bugnosen
Mr.Nicanor Mang-usan


PART 1
1:00-2:00
SNACKS SERVED

plus ENTERTAINMENT

ENTERTAINERS:
Joval and Maxin, ROY , JOHNWAYNE, REYNANTE, LUCKY, BENEDICT, CHAD

PART 3

DANCE FOR ALL
To be Lead By Lyman


FREE SHIRTS FOR FIRST 50 PERSON TO ARRIVE !!!

Venue: UN Club, Itaewon, Seoul

For more details please contact Chelo 010-5166-7666, Maureen 010-6389-4725, Grace 010-8061-1623

United CBO all over Korea!

Israel Antonio for Mr. Kalinangang Pilipino-Korea 2008

At long long last, meron ding taga-Cordillera na sasali sa pageant! Mahiyain talaga ang mga taga-Seoul. Please vote for him NOW on www.sambayanan.org/ginoo.php and http://www.onfino.com/event/contest/onfino-contest.jsp

Here's a brief intro to Israel ay taga-Otucan, Mountain, Province. He was discovered by Pinong in Taejon.

Birthday: November 17, 1984
Birthplace: Baguio City
Hobbies: Playing Dart, Motorcross
Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
Motto: No Guts, No Glory!


United CBO all over Korea!

Shy Mango Da

The Search is On for Mr. and Miss Onfino 2008 from the candidates of G. & Bb. Kalingang Pilipino 2008.

Hence, cordilove goes out to town and kept searching for prospects who would like to join the pageant.

NEGATIVE! Shy mango da amin...

In desperation, during the Migrant Festival last Sunday at the Ichon National Museum, cordilove has to content with the above posts na para bang nasa Baguio City lang. So cool talaga!

(Remember Chris Longey? He's one of the winners for the Search for King and Queen of Filipino Migrants 2007))

United CBO all over Korea!