Tambayan ng mga OFW

[cianoy]

OFW ka ba? para sa inyo ang site na 'to...

http://www.egroups.com/group/ocw-ph

You can join it through that site or by sending an e-mail to:

ocw-ph-subscribe@egroups.com

[cianoy]

By the way, if you know of any other OFW-oriented sites and mail lists, kindly inform me.

Thanks!

[cianoy]

*new year bump*

[q8pinoyit]

Incentive Schemes for the Contributors/Investors in the OFW Bank project
============
My beloved "Kababayans",

Below is the final draft of the Incentive Schemes for
Contributors/Investors in the OFW Bank project as
approved by the OFWNet Foundation, Inc.'s Bank
Incubation Committee. We hope that these incentive
schemes for OFWs/OFs contributors/investors would be
treated like a giant step towards the fulfillment of
political and economic empowerment for Overseas
Filipino Workers / Overseas Filipinos, in general, and
the establishment of an OFW Bank, in particular.

I. Charter Founders

Cut-off: December 31, 2001
Minimum Contribution/Investment: US$220 (net)
Maximum Contribution/Investment: US$10,120 (net)
Due-date to avail of the Incentive for additional
Contribution/Investment aside from the first
US$220: March 31, 2002

Incentives:

1. Founders' Shares -- For every share of stocks
purchased, one (1) share of stocks shall be given as
founders' share.

Example: The US$220 @ par value of US$0.10 has an
equivalent number of shares of 2,200. Therefore, the
2,200 shares shall be given an equivalent 2,200
founders' shares making the total of 4,400 shares for
the Charter Founder contributing/investing US$220.

2. Stock Rights -- For every share of stocks
purchased, one (1) stock right shall be given which
will entitle the holder to purchase one (1) share for
every right at US$0.10 and which right can be
exercised within 2 years from date of incorporation.

Example: Those who wish to buy new shares of stocks
after incorporation will be able to do so with the
rights attached to the original acquisition. If you
have 4,400 shares, you can acquire 4,400 new shares at
US$0.10 per share or total of US$440.

3. Installment payment for additional acquisition
of stocks -- Those who will acquire shares of stocks
after incorporation shall be given the privilege to
pay on installment equivalent to 4 equal quarterly
payments.

Example: If you acquire US$440 worth of stocks after
incorporation, you can pay on installment at US$110
quarterly or every three (3) months.

4. A Charter Founder certificate shall be given
to all charter founders.

II. Founders

Cut-off: January 31, 2002
Minimum Contribution/Investment: US$220 (net)
Maximum Contribution/Investment: US$10,120 (net)
Due-date to avail of the Incentive for additional
Contribution/Investment aside from the first
US$220: March 31, 2002

Incentives:

1. Stock Rights -- For every share of stocks
purchased, one (1) stock right shall be given which
will entitle the holder to purchase one (1) share for
every five (5) rights at US$0.10 and which right can
be exercised within 2 years from date of
incorporation.

Example: Those who wish to buy new shares of stocks
after incorporation will be able to do so with the
rights attached to the original acquisition. If you
have 2,200 shares, you can acquire 440 new shares
(2,200 shared divided by 5 rights) at US$0.10 per
share or total of US$44

2. Installment payment for additional acquisition
of stocks -- Those who will acquire shares of stocks
after incorporation shall be given the privilege to
pay on installment equivalent to 4 equal quarterly
payments.

III. Investors -- Those acquiring shares of stocks
after the cut-offs but before incorporation.

Period: Between February 1 and August 31, 2002
Minimum Contribution/Investment: US$220 (net)
Maximum Contribution/Investment: US$10,120 (net)
Due-date to avail of the Incentive for additional
Contribution/Investment aside from the first
US$220: August 31, 2002

Incentives:

1. Stock Rights -- For every share of stocks
purchased, one (1) stock right shall be given which
will entitle the holder to purchase one (1) share for
every ten (10) rights at US$0.10 and which right can
be exercised within 2 years from date of
incorporation.

Example: Those who wish to buy new shares of stocks
after incorporation will be able to do so with the
rights attached to the original acquisition. If you
have 2,200 shares, you can acquire 220 new shares (220
shared divided by 10 rights) at US$0.10 per share or
total of US$22.

IV. Incentives for all -- subject to approval and/or
adjustments by the Board of Directors of the OFW Bank
to be formed.

1. 20% Discount on all bank services --
remittance, loans, etc.

2. 1 percentage point higher for interest on
savings deposit

3. 2 percentage point higher for interest on time
deposit exceeding 180 days

4. Other incentives as may be approved by the
bank's Board of Directors.

Please take note that the Incentives for Charter
Founders are far better than the incentives for other
types of contributors/investors as stated above simply
because the Charter Founders are definitely taking
higher risks than the latter. This is just consistent
with a logical business theory that "the higher the
risk, the greater the rewards/benefits".

We really hope to see all your names in the list of
contributors/investors because we feel that with our
collective commitment and support, this dream of an
OFW Bank will become a reality.

Please feel free to post your questions regarding the
above either through the bank list or by private
e-mail to the undersigned.

Thanks and regards,

Norman D. Gacula, CPA
OFW Bank Moderator
Incubation Committee Member
Internal Auditor - OFWNet Foundation, Inc.

FOR MORE INFO, VISIT:
http://www.ofwbank.info

[q8pinoyit]

Subject: Timetable / Chart of Activities for the OFW Bank


My beloved "Kababayans",

The following timetable and chart of activities is
presented to you for your information:

I. Deadline for initial contribution/investment of
Charter Founders:

December 31, 2001

II. Deadline for initial contribution/investment of
Founders:

January 31, 2002

III. Fund Accumulation

From now till August 31, 2002 (Please see
Incentive Schemes)

III. General Meeting -- OFWNet Foundation, Inc. &
OFW Incubation Committee

December 19, 20 & 21, 2001

IV. Final approval of business projects

December 21, 2001

V. General Assembly -- Presentation of projects and
activities to the OFW Bank
List/Subscribers, OFW
Representatives & Potential
Contributors/Investors

December 27, 2002

Note: All OFWs/OFs and their representatives are
invited to attend this General Assembly.

VI. Research & Preparation of Feasibility Studies /
Business Plan

Present to March 31, 2002

VII. Presentation of Feasibility Studies / Business
Plan (1st Draft) to the Incubation Committee

Due Date: April 1, 2002

VIII. Revisions and adjustments to the Feasibility
Studies / Business Plan

April 2 to 30, 2002

IX. Presentation of Feasibility Studies / Business
Plan (2nd Draft) to the Incubation Committee

Due Date: May 1, 2002

X. Revisions and adjustments to the Feasibility
Studies / Business Plan

May 2 to 31, 2002

XI. Presentation and approval of Feasibility Studies
/ Business Plan (Final Draft) to the Incubation
Committee

June 1, 2002

XII. Presentation of the final and approved
Feasibility Studies / Business Plan to the OFW Bank
list and prospective investors

June 10, 2002

XIII. Scouting / Screening of the OFW Bank Management
Team and other staff

May 1, 2002 to August 31, 2002

XIV. Preparation of legal documents for incorporation
and acquisition of permits and licenses

June to July, 2002

XV. Preparation / development of Website and On-line
Bank

June to October 2002

XVI. Filing/Acquisition of incorporation papers and
pertinent application for permits and licenses

August to September 2002

XVI. Preparation of office/s and/or business centers

August to October 2002

XVII. Inauguration / Opening for business

October 28, 2002

XVIII. Launching of website and on-line banking

November 28, 2002

The above is tentative and may be changed depending on
the results of the fund accumulation process which is
a very important ingredient in proceeding with this
project.

Thanks and regards,

Norman D. Gacula, CPA
OFW Bank Moderator
Incubation Committee Member
Internal Auditor - OFWNet Foundation, Inc.

[q8pinoyit]

For segments of the Overseas Filipinos Worldwide community of lists who are interested in forming a Bank.

For the past postings pls go to :http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OFW-Bank/messages


Philippine Contact:


Maria Ana Pineda-Gonzales nnaem@yahoo.com; Dr. Eddie del Rosario advocate@mydestiny.net advocate71@hotmail.com; Dr. Chee Garcia ccgarcia@compass.com.ph; Vic Yu, Esq. rvyu@pacific.net.ph; Norman Gacula, CPA yayam888@yahoo.com; Eduardo (Ed) Rubia Jabla Phone: (632) 523 4748 / 525 2360, ed_jab@yahoo.com


OFWNet Foundation Inc.
Suite 100 NTA Bldg. , Quezon City tel: 632 416 9024 to 26


Jun de Leon junwma@hotmail.com, chair - Bank Incubation Committee (415) 452 4098 (415) 203 5186 (tel# sa pinas) 0919 369 9113


Raul Cortez Esq. San Francisco USA raul_val@yahoo.com (650) 843 5293 co-chair


Counsels New York City
Emerito Salud Esq. David Ignacio Esq. (212) 349 6260 saludignaciolaw@aol.com

[q8pinoyit]

HELLO EVERYONE!

PROPONENT/INVESTORS OF THE OFW BANK SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THEY
ARE THAT -- STAKEHOLDERS AND PROPONENT/INVESTORS. IN THAT ROLE THEY
ARE TAKING RISKS THAT ARE HIGHER THAN EVEN THE RISKS ACCEPTED BY
VENTURE CAPITALISTS.

A VENTURE CAPITALIST WOULD PUT MONEY INTO HIGH RISK PROJECTS WHERE
BUSINESS PLANS ARE ALREADY COMPLETE. WE, ON THE OTHER HAND, AS
STAKEHOLDERS AND PROPONENT/INVESTORS OF THIS OFW BANK ARE PUTTING IN
MONEY WHILE THOSE PLANS ARE STILL CONCURRENTLY BEING FINALIZED.

SO AS HAS BEEN POINTED OUT BY OTHERS, A PROPONENT/INVESTOR IN THIS
OFW BANK EFFORT IS NOT MAKING A DECISION BASED ON THE PARAMETERS OF
THE USUAL 'IN THE BOX' PROCESS OF ASSESSING INVESTMENT RISKS! HE/SHE
IS TAKING 'OUT OF THE BOX' EXTRA-ORDINARY RISKS AT THIS POINT. IN
EFFECT, HE/SHE IS BETTING THAT THE OFWS HAVE THAT LATENT CAPABILITY
TO GET ORGANIZED ON THEIR OWN AS A PURE PRIVATE EFFORT AND
SUCCESSFULLY REALIZE THE VISION AND THE GOAL OF BUILDING THE OFW BANK
AS ARTICULATED IN THIS LIST. AND THAT HE/SHE IS TAKING THIS VIEW
DESPITE ANECDOTAL AND EXPERIENTIAL DATA RELATED TO SIMILAR EFFORTS IN
THE PAST THAT ACTUALLY SUPPORTS THE PROBABILITY OF A CONTRARY
OUTCOME.

THAT IS WHY IT IS ONLY NATURAL AND JUSTIFIED TO REWARD THESE
PIONEER STAKEHOLDERS WITH AN INCENTIVE SYSTEM TO THE MAXIMUM AS
ALLOWED BY COMMON SENSE AND THE LIMITS OF CONVENTIONS AND THE LAW.

WITH OUR EARNEST EFFORTS TO DEVELOP TRANSPARENT AND
COMPARTMENTALIZED SINK-PROOF FIDUCIARY CONTROLS IN THE BANK
INCUBATION COMMITTEE -- WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO CORRECT APPARENT
MISCALCULATIONS IN MIDSTREAM, IF THERE ARE ANY, AS WE PROCEED TO
ACCUMULATE THESE SEED FUNDS.

ONCE SUCCESSFUL, ONE OR TEN MILLION DOLLARS UNDER THE FIDUCIARY
CONTROL OF ONE ENTITY WHICH IS READY AND ABLE TO USE IT TO BRING
FORTH AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTION LIKE THE OFW BANK OR ITS
PRECURSOR, IS MORE VALUABLE THAN ONE OR TEN MILLION DOLLARS HELD
SEPARATELY BY 10 THOUSAND INDIVIDUALS OR INSTITUTIONS. THAT IN
ECONOMICS IS CALLED 'EXTERNALITIES OF LARGE SUMS'.

THE CORRESPONDING 'REAL' OR EFFECTIVE ECONOMIC VALUE OF A DOLLAR HELD
IN THIS POOL OF FUNDS WILL CORRESPONDINGLY BE HIGHER THAN A
CORRESPONDING DOLLAR HELD SEPARATELY AND INDIVIDUALLY. SO THIS
DIFFERENTIAL IN ECONOMIC VALUE IS WHAT IS BEING REFLECTED IN THE
HIGHER VALUE OF STOCK INVESTMENT THAT EACH PIONEERING
PROPONENT/INVESTOR WILL HAVE (A DOUBLING PREMIUM IS PROPOSED IN THE
INCENTIVE SYSTEM AS POSTED).

AND OF COURSE WE HAVE THE CHALLENGE OF PROVIDING RECRUITMENT PREMIUMS
IN STOCK EQUITY TO WIDEN OUR PROPONENT/INVESTOR BASE AS FAST AS WE
CAN. WHEN THE BANK EMERGES WE WILL CONSTANTLY EXPAND THE EQUITY
POSITION OF THE BANK NOT ONLY THROUGH RETENTION OF EARNINGS AND STOCK-
SPLITS BUT ALSO THROUGH NEW FUND INFUSIONS OF OFWS ON A YEARLY BASIS.
AN INCENTIVE DEVICE WILL THEN BE DEVELOPED IN THIS EQUITY EXPANSION
PROCESS TO REWARD THOSE WHO HAVE PIONEERED AS CHARTER FOUNDERS OF THE
BANK EFFORT, AGAIN WITHIN THE LIMITS OF COURSE ALLOWED BY BUSINESS
CONVENTIONS AND THE LAW. (THIS IS ASIDE FROM THOSE ALREADY MENTIONED
IN THE PREVIOUS POST OF THE INCENTIVE MODULE).

AMONG MANY OTHER THINGS THESE SET OF INCENTIVES IS WHAT THE BANK
INCUBATION COMMITTEE WILL FINALIZE IN CONSULTATION WITH THE FIRST
200 STAKEHOLDERS IN THIS EFFORT WHO WILL ALSO BE THE CHARTER FOUNDERS
OF THE EMERGING OFW BANK.

THOSE WHO ARE NOT ABLE TO TAKE THE HIGHER RISKS OF BEING
PROPONENT/STAKEHOLDERS CAN WAIT FOR A LESS TUMULTOUS TIME LATER WHEN
EVERYTHING IS 'PLANTSADO NA' WELL LAID OUT AND STRAIGHTFORWARD IN ALL
RELEVANT DETAILS. THEY WILL THEN BE WELCOME TO JOIN AS RISK-AVERSE
CONVENTIONAL 'IN THE BOX' INVESTORS IN THE OFW BANK AFTER THEY HAVE
EXAMINED THE INVESTMENT FOLIO AND OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION THAT
WILL BE AVAILABLE BY THEN. EVEN AT THAT POINT WE CAN ASSURE THAT
INVESTING IN THE OFW-BANK WILL BE QUITE ATTRACTIVE COMPARED TO
OTEHR 'SCALE NORMALIZED' COMPARATIVE INVESTMENTS OPEN TO OFWS.

BUT OF COURSE THESE LATER INVESTORS COULD NOT EXPECT TO HAVE THE SAME
EQUITY PERKS THAT MAY ACCRUE TO MEMBERS OF THE CHARTER PIONEER
PROPONENT GROUP. THAT OLD SAW 'NO RISK NO GLORY' APPLIES MORE THAN
EVER TO THIS OFW BANK BUILDING EFFORT. TO THOSE WHO TAKE THE GREATEST
RISKS INDEED, THE GREATEST REWARDS COULD BE POSSIBLE.

SO THE CHOICE IS IN YOUR HANDS. ALSO REMEMBER THAT 'ECONOMIC RIGHTS'
JUST LIKE OTHER RIGHTS ARE NEVER GIVEN FREELY! THEY HAVE TO BE
ASSERTED!

AND AS SOMEBODY HAS ALREADY IMPATIENTLY ASKED -- 'WHAT' INDEED 'ARE
YOU WAITING FOR?'

THANKS!

gil r. r.

[q8pinoyit]

The Chairman of the OFWNet Foundation, Inc. wrote:

Dear Friends,

The OFWNet Foundation Inc. would like to announce the
following December events. We invite all OFWs, their
families and friends to attend these events. Be there!


DECEMBER 19 TO 21, 2001
BANK FORMATION MEETING
This is for the OFWNet Foundation Members (or their
representatives), the Bank Incubation Committee and
subscribers to the OFW-Bank egroup. We also welcome
those who are supporting the endeavor.
Speakers will be invited to speak on various topics on
international and Philippine banking, political
economy, banking and financing services, e-commerce,
etc.

DECEMBER 27, 2001
OVERSEAS FILIPINOS WORLDWIDE ASSEMBLY
Registration Fee: Php1,000.00
The event is open to all OFWs and their families.
There will be an exhibit area for individuals and
organizations. Art works of OFWs will also be on
display. There will also be singing and dancing
through the night!
The program will include presentations of the OFW
International bank, the absentee-voting system, some
identified business investments and the launching of
the OFWNet Foundation.

VENUE
Both events will be held at the Polytechnic University
of the Philippines, Sta. Mesa, Manila.
Tele/Videoconferencing will be arranged.

More details on the program will be available soon.
Please invite your friends to join us!

See you there!

Cordially,
Me Ann Pineda-Gonzales
OFWNet Foundation INc.

[q8pinoyit]

A NEWS ITEM:

MANILA, PHILIPPINES | Friday-Saturday, November 30-December 1, 2001


RCBC to expand US operations

Yuchengco-controlled Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) plans to set up five to eight new banking kiosks in the United States next year on expectations that its remittance business would continue to be one of the bank's major revenue drivers.

Last year, a third of the bank's 370.3 million Philippine pesos (PhP) net income came from the remittance business. From PhP147 million ($2.83 million at PhP52.02=$1) in net earnings last year, RCBC's remittance business is seen to slightly grow to PhP150 million this year amid the prevailing market slump.
==============

RCBC is earning US$2.83 net revenue from the OFW remittances. Metrobank, BPI, and PNB, are also earning as much. When OFW-BANK started operating, the bulk of these revenues will be captured by the OFW-BANK, because it is a bank owned by the bulk of the remitters.

This certainly is a win-win business/investment...kaya mga kababayan sa abroad, pati na ang mga kamag-anak nila sa 'pinas. Tara nang sumali sa pagtatatag ng OFW-BANK!!!:) :)

[q8pinoyit]

AN E-MAIL FROM A WOULD-BE CHARTER FOUNDER OF THE OFW_BANK
=================
Norman,
I sent my investment ($1,000.00 bank to bank) last thursday, 28 Nov 01 to the Global Bank in Pasig City. I used the acct # 034-xxx-xxxxx-x. I hope the money were received. Thank you.
Abner
=================

For those who are interested, please contact the listed personnel for the bank account number where to send your membership fee/stock share investment.

[q8pinoyit]

--- Llames Alex <Alex.Llames@t...> wrote:
I visited the yahoogroup on 6thNov. Read some of the postings. Hence, the remittance next day...
I believe the OFW-Bank project or this initiative is long overdue. What took you so long??? (Hindi naninisi ha!) The project should have been implemented long time ago for the good of our country. The project will be included in my prayer items!!

[q8pinoyit]

Let's Make this Work!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All!

[q8pinoyit]

The official website of the OFWNet Foundation to which OFW-BANK project belongs has just become online. Please click
here. (http://www.ofwnet.org/ofwnet.htm)

[q8pinoyit]

Members who will join before January 31, 2002, will be the founders of the bank. Best incentives will be accorded to the founders. So act now!

Visit:
http://ofwnet.org/ofwnet.htm

[sadirmata]

i wonder, walang sumasagot sa mga post mo, lakay q8pinoyit... kung OFW lang sana ako o may pera ako ay sasali rin sana ako...

[q8pinoyit]

I'm please to declare that I'm now a charter founder of the OFW-BANK since December 21, 2001. I subscribe to the vision and I hope that you too would do the same to let this dream come true. Isang bangkong hindi pag-aari ng mga mayayamang angkang dayuhan kundi ng mga ordinaryong mamamayang Pilipino.

[q8pinoyit]

May sampung araw pang natitira sa mga nais mapabilang na founder ng OFW-BANK. Kung mayroon man kayong mga katanungan tungkol sa proyektong ito, paki-post lamang dito at susubukan naming sagutin.

[lukaret]

manong q8pinoyit

i would also like to inform ang mga kababayan natin na ofw na may plano ang government para sa ofws. ammo yo adda araramiden nga kasla kasta ti DFA. ngem uner negotiation pa. parang sabi eh yung pera ng ofw ay magiging parang fund. kayo din ang magiisip kung anu ang negosyo at meron din pabahay.i just don't kno the details pero i'm sure sa embassy sa lugar niyo alam nila yun.

[q8pinoyit]

Ading Lukaret:
Yes, there is already an OWWA-FUND which is intended for the welfare of the OFW's. The fund is being managed by the government. How the fund is being used, we the OFW's have nothing to say. On the contrary, OFW-BANK is an NGO, owned and managed by the OFW's themselves. Siempre mas proud akong sabihing isa ako sa mga nagmamay-ari ng OFW-BANK kaysa sa sabihin kong isa ako sa nagmamay-ari ng OWWA-FUND.

[whipcheck]

Can you please extend the 31 january 2002 deadline? Ngayon ko lang nakita! I am interested but am still out in the field. I'll be in the Philippines by the 2nd week of Feb.

I'm sure there's more who will be interested among my colleagues. Wala rin silang balita and most of them are in the Middle East, Asia, Europe. Pls consider and let me know.

thanks!

[q8pinoyit]

GULF NEWS, Dubai
=============
OFWs plan to set up bank in Manila
Dubai |By Jay Hilotin | 27-01-2002
Print friendly format | Email to Friend

More than 70 overseas Filipino workers from different parts of the world, about half of whom are based in the Gulf, have signed up as charter members of the planned OFW Bank in Manila, according to officials. The bank, once established, will serve more than seven million Filipino overseas.

According to industry estimates, OFWs help the Philippine economy directly by sending at least $7 billion annually through the formal remittance network.

Registered last week under the name of OFW International Holdings Inc., the company was expected this week to submit its articles of incorporation and by-laws to the Securities and Exchange Commission in Manila.

Afterwards, the group can begin investing the estimated P1.8 million (Dh138,000) so far gathered and be able to earn profits from T-bills or microfinancing while fund accumulation continues, according to an official.

"Even if the OFW Bank is a rural bank or thrift bank initially, our idea is to open the fund accumulation process continuously so that even on a yearly basis, the envisioned OFW Bank can upgrade its licence to a higher level, such as commercial or universal bank," explained Norman D. Gacula, a certified public accountant who acts as the group's internal auditor and a member of the bank's 'incubation' committee.

The incubation group, which employs only one office coordinator at present, includes accountants, economists and a corporate lawyer who lend their expertise and services for free.

The bulk of its members are overseas Filipinos who have never even met each other, but are simply linked via the e-group.

A question-and-answer file, including specific topics on fund contribution, is published on the OFW Bank's website (www.ofwnet.org ).

Founders, who can invest a minimum of $220 and a maximum of $10,000 until the January 31 deadline, have the privilege of doubling their initial equity which will be used for 'incubation', Gacula explained.

Although the idea of putting up an OFW Bank has enjoyed backing from both houses of Philippine Congress, a law creating one has yet to pass the legislative mill.

The group, meanwhile, intends to put up the bank in phases. During the fund accumulation phase, it plans to engage in various services which eventually will be taken over by the bank, such as remittances and microfinancing.

Helped in no small part by the Internet, the group is not counting on funding from such government offices as the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), although they said they will welcome its endorsement.

Dr Rachel Garcia, a University of the Philippines-trained physician who is one of the core group members, said: "We want this to be a purely private sector initiative. There have been OFW Bank bills filed in Congress.

If you read them carefully, they intend to use OWWA funds for this purpose. But it's the OFWs themselves who fund OWWA, yet this fund is claimed as government resources. They will be using this as a leverage for them to put their own people in the OFW Bank effort.

"OWWA is there because of OFWs' money - which should be used for them and by them. However, we are not averse to getting government 'support' and endorsement. But that's as far as their participation goes."

While the group has received growing support, it has also met fierce criticism about it being an ill-timed, even unworkable, idea. The proponents are also expecting some lobbyists for established banks who get sizeable revenues from OFW remittances in Manila to try blocking the creation of an OFW Bank, on the grounds of 'overcrowding'.

Manila's central bank requires universal banks in the Philippines to have a minimum capitalisation of P4.95 billion (Dh358 million), while commercial banks are required to put in P2.4 billion (Dh173 million). Thrift banks in Metro Manila are required to have P325 million while those outside P52 million.

While the present accumulated capitalisation has not reached a sizeable amount to even qualify as a rural bank (required to have a minimum capital of P26 million or Dh2 million in Metro Manila but only P3.9 in third or fourth-class municipalities), the interim officials are hopeful they can reach the target shortly with "roadshows" in different places to attract more OFW investors.

Dr Garcia told Gulf News that her group is currently evaluating alternatives and talking to several business groups, which include remittance business, financing and micro-financing business, and insurance.

The group has also started meeting auditing accounting firms to be hired as external auditor of the OFWNet Foundation, Inc., and possibly for OFW International Holdings Inc.

The group is also in advanced negotiations with Constantino, Guadalquiver, Mendoza & Co, a spin-off of Asia's accounting giant SGV and Co., to be its independent external auditors, whose major strength is in banking.
======================
Gulf News is not responsible for the content of external websites.

[lukaret]

manong q8pinoyit

meron ba niyan sa singapore? kasi ate ko nandun . i'll inform hr about that ha. thank you for telling us.:)

[q8pinoyit]

Whipcheck:

Thanks for your interest to join the OFW-BANK.

After January 31, 2002, pwede pa ring mag-join as a founder of the OFW-BANK, until February 28, 2002. After that an OFW can still become a member/investor.

Whipcheck, nag-umpisa lang kasi ito sa idea, like "ano kaya kung tayong mga OFW ay magtayo ng sarili nating bangko tutal ang laking halaga ang inire-remit ng mga OFW taun-taon sa ating bansa?" Most OFW's agreed to the idea, but only few were willing to sign their agreement by paying the membership fee. Most of those who were informed were skeptics about the ability of the OFW's to put up, run, and manage such a gigantic endeavour. There were hundreds of thousands that were informed, yet only less than 100 were convinced to subscribe to the vision.

Ang mga charter founders ay mga venture capitalists, mga sumugal sa isang ideya sa paniniwalang maliit lang na halaga ang matatalo sa kanila kung ikukumpara sa napakalaki, napakahalaga, at kapaki-pakinabang na makakamtan sakaling ito'y maging matagumpay.

Sa ngayon, ang proyekto ay may anyo na, naka-rehistro na ito sa SEC. May opisina na at mayroon nang staff. It is already existing.

The Incubation Committee had already postponed the original deadline from December 31, 2001 to January 31, 2002, for Charter Founders because of the unforeseen declaration of Pres. GMA of a long Christmas holidays. As you may see, postponing it further would put disadvantage those who had put their money during the pre-organization stage.

If you can remit your contribution by Thursday(Jan 31st), you can still become a Charter Founder of the bank. The remittance date is the basis, not the actual receipt date.

[q8pinoyit]

Ading Lukaret and Whipcheck:
To beat a deadline, what I did was that I instructed one of my relatives in Manila to buy dollars and deposit it in the account of the OFW-BANK. It was done in one day and OFW-BANK acknowledged it the following day.

I PM(private message) you the instruction details.

Ading Lukaret:
This project has worldwide reach and the country representative in Singapore is Catherine "Cathy" R. PABALAN. If you could e-mail me your sister's contact details, Cathy will be glad to get intouch with her.

[whipcheck]

q8pinoyit:

Thanks for the info. Will see kung aabot!

BTW, i suppose covered ng PDIC ang deposits pag-operational na? Meron na bang target countries for branches? Sa 'pinas, Manila and what provinces?

Lalim ng tagalog mo ah! Are you based in Kuwait?

[q8pinoyit]

Whipcheck:
OFW-BANK will be like any other bank that is already operating in our country. It will follow the same rules and regulations mandated by the central bank, including being a member of PDIC.

There will be corresponding branches where there is a sizable concentration of OFW's and the regulations of that host country is not prohibitive, like an extremely high capitalization or rigid laws. Electronic banking(internet) will be a priority.

Putting up branches in our country will grow, as long as the feasibility study of a certain locality is approved by the board of directors or the management(whose members are mostly composed of us, the OFW's).

--------------

Yes, I'm based in Kuwait or Q8. Thanks for the compliment, pero wala naman akong nasabing malalim na Tagalog, a.

[q8pinoyit]

Congratulations!

For the Charter Founders of the OFW-BANK.

From a modest 69 members as of December 31, 2001, it has now grown to 150, more or less, beating the January 31, 2002 deadline.

The main objective of the OFW-BANK is to put the "Bagong Bayani" into a reality and not just the ordinary lip service. The bank will assists OFW's towards self-sufficiency when they return home, and it will give muscle in terms of financial capability the voices of all OFW's lobbying for the rights and privileges that they truly deserve, among which is their right to vote, thru the passage of the Absentee-Voting Bill(AVB).

Those who are interested to join can still become founders of the bank if they can join on or before February 28, 2002.

Please visit our website:

http://ofwnet.org

[q8pinoyit]

An e-mail excerpt from Dr. Rachel Garcia, Interim Managing Director of OFW International Holdings, Inc., where OFW-BANK is just one of its project.

===========

Nakakatuwa rin ang mga pumupunta sa opisina para makita kung "legitimate" ang OFWNet Foundation! :) Nakakataba naman ng puso ang kanilang nagiging reaksyon sa ating proyekto dahil pinipilit naming ipaliwanag sa kanila kung bakit natin ginagawa ito. Akala nila kasi na isang "fly-by-night operation" lang tayo. Paglabas nila ng opisina ay ipinapakiusap pa nilang
i-subscribe ko sila para "in" din daw sila sa nangyayari sa OFW-Bank.

Marami-rami na rin ang sumasali sa Pilipinas. At hindi pa talaga kami gumagawa ng sarili naming "roadshow" dito. Huwag kayong mag-alala at kapag medyo gumaan ang aming trabaho rito ay uumpisahan na namin ito. Balak namin magkaroon ng isang pormal na orientation seminar para sa mga marketing agents natin at pagkatapos noon, aming inaasahang lalung dadami
pa ang ating mga miyembro.

Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat sa pagpupunyagi na maparami ang ating mga miyembro sa OFW-Bank project. Alam kong hindi tayo mabibigo sa ating mga pinaplano dahil tayong lahat ay nagtutulung-tulong.

Harinawa'y hindi kayo magsawa! :D

Ang inyong abang lingkod,
Chee ;)

[q8pinoyit]

There was once a noble vision. A vision that aims to help all Pinoy migrant workers worldwide. Hundreds of thousands were informed of the vision, and most of them support it but only few are courageous enough to part with their hard-earned money as membership contributions, which will be converted into shares of stocks, to people unknown to them.

Ang sabi ng karamihan, "Bangko na itatatag, at patatakbuhin ng OFWs? Mahirap yatang mangyari 'yan". Ang sagot namin, "Bakit hindi, many OFW's are banking executives running global banks in the different continents of the world.".

Sabi pa ng mga doubting Thomasians, "Baka panibagong pyramid scheme lang 'yan? O kaya, nigas-kugon lamang". Ang sabi namin, "Natural lang na maraming magtatangkang magpabagsak sa magandang layuning ito, lalung-lalo na ang mga malalaking bangko sa atin na malaki ang kinikita mula sa ating mga OFW's. Pero, kung may pagkakaisa tayo at pagtutulungan, na may kaakibat na katapatan at kasipagan, walang balakid na 'di kayang buwagin ng ating pagpupursigi.".

Congratulations to all OFW-BANK Charter Founders!

From a mere 90 in December, 220 are able to meet the deadline of January 31, 2002.

For those who missed the deadline, you can still join as founders if you can join before March 31, 2002.

For more info, proceed to the OFWNet/OFW-BANK (http://owfnet.org) website.

Welcome Aboard!

Para sa atin ito at sa mga anak at apo natin. Panahon na para tayong mga OFW's ay magkaisa para tulungan natin ang ating mga sarili. Huwag na nating i-asa pa sa gobyerno ang pag-unlad natin, dahil kaya natin ito!

[q8pinoyit]

OFW-BANK founding member ako, sana ikaw din!

[q8pinoyit]

Sumali bago Abril 1, 2002 para mapasama kayo bilang OFW-BANK founder!

[bjmanabat]

just want to know kung may nurses dito working in the u.s. ,u.k. saudi, singapore or any other country. share naman your experience with us' yung country in general, mahirap ba trabaho, sweldo etc.

i have a sister in singapore and she's receiving 1,800sing. dollars monthly. may allowance pa daw yon i just don't know how much. may mga kasama syang malaysian nurses, indian, indonesian as well as local singaporeans. ok daw naman lugar tahimik at may daw off din sila. pag sunday at walang pasok may filipino group doon engineers, IT, nurses and even DH. may religious and sports activities sila. how about you or your friend/relatives perhaps???

[abuGian]

Inilunsad na po ang Bangon OFW, mga voluteers na OFW na mangangasiwa sa pagbibigay edukasyon sa matalinong paghalal ng pangulo sa darating na halalan 2004, mangyari lang pong sumulat kayo kay abugian@thebereans.net nang sa gayon ay maidag-dag ang pangalan ng mga interesandong volunteers na OFW. (Daan po muna kayo sa kaunting screening.)

[Fairy_nd_meadow]

Anu-ano ba ang duties and responsibilities ng volunteers?

Pano ba makakatulong kung nasa ibang bansa tayo? Pano makikipag coordinate?

Kasama ba ang mga immigrants? Pano kung hindi na pwedeng bumoto?

[abuGian]

Bangon OFW
Marso 29, 2004

Mga Layunin:

Mangasiwa ng malawakang edukasyon para sa mga OFW, botante man o hindi, ukol sa plataporma de gobyerno at mga adhikain ng Bangon Pilipinas Movement at i-endorso sa pagkapangulo ang standard bearer nitong si Bro. Eddie Villanueva sa pagkapangulo sa halalan 2004.

Makapagtala ng mga electronic na listahan ng OFW voluteers upang maipadala ito sa Bangon Pilipinas Head Quarters sa Pilipinas at mapabilang na rin sa E-LAGDA o sa http://www.broeddie4president.com.

Maturuan ang mga voluteers na sila ay makapangasiwa din ng edukasyon at maitala ito electronically.

Makalikom ng sapat na pondo sa tulong ng mga volunteers para sa pag-gawa ng mga t-shirt, mga polyetos, mga VCD, at iba pang pangangailangan para sa lokal na layunin nito. At kung maari ay makapag-padala rin ng pinansyal na suporta sa Bangon Pilipinas Head Quarter.

Makapagpalitan ng kaalaman, impormasyon at mga pamamaraan sa iba’t-ibang panig ng mundo lalong lalo na sa bansang Saudi Arabia para malaman ng mga OFW kung papaano maiba-bangon ang kanilang dignidad at kung paano babangon ang Pilipinas nating mahal sa pamamagitan ng BangonOFW@yahoogroups.com.

[abuGian]

Makakatulong kayo kahit hindi kayo botante. Kayo nama'y may mga kamag-anak sa Pilipinas at mga kaibigang makukumbinse ninyo. Mayroon din kayong kakayahang makatulong sa pananalapi.

Ang mahalaga rito, tayong mga OFW at mga migrante ay magkaisa. This will hopefully transcend political exercise. After election maari pa rin nating tulungan ang mga inaapi nating mga kababayang OFWs.

Kaya sama na, sama na sa pagbabago.

***

Paano makapag-coordinate? Madali lang.

1. Magsama sama ang mga makakasama sa isang lugar. Hikayatin ang ibang mga kakilala,

2. Pag-aralan ang mga layunin at bumuo ng plano at stratehiya para maisakatuparan ang mga layuning ito.

3. Mas maganda umanib na sa YAHOOGROUP nang sa gayon ang impormasyon ay madaling maipakalat.

[Iron_Mask]

Bangon bayan!

[abuGian]

http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/groups/g_12376961/BangonOFW.jpg?bchXVfABZg2rnI5M

The Saudi Gazette. Tuesday April 13, 2004. p.7

NEW MOVEMENT AIMS TO 'REGENERATE' FILIPINOS
by Joe Avancena

Al-Khobar
A GROUP of overseas Filipino workers and their families launched here at the weekend a movement seeking regeneration of Filipinos through education, economic development, government reforms, and moral renewal.

The movement, Bangon Pilipinas [Arise Philippines], claims to have an active membership of around 19,000 Filipino expats in Saudi Arabia -- some 5,000 in Eastern Province, 6,000 in Jeddah and 8,000 in Riyadh. Moves are afoot to establish Bangon Pilipinas in Jeddah and Riyadh and in the other Gulf countries.

"We are launching this movement Bangon Pilipinas (Arise Philippines -- so that migrant Filipinos may be enlightened on the current true state of the country and thereby find solutions to the many problems facing Filipinos today," Cesar Carsula, chairman of the movement in the Eastern Province, said Friday.

The launch was marked by an open forum to discuss a 10-point program which the organizers said would benefit the larger Filipino population. including overseas workers and others in the Philippines living below the poverty line.

Speakers presenting the program elaborated on reform in education through formal and informal education, raising the livelihood level of poor and middle class Filipinos through institutionalizing grassroots entrepreneurship, establishing growth corridors in the Philippines, introducing new technologies in farming and fishing, settnig up cooperatives bringing about agricultural reforms, changing delivery of government services, professionalizing the civil service, military and police, modernizing the armed forces, pushing for judicial reforms, and re-organizing the foreign service to make it more responsive to the needs of the more than 7.5 million migrant Filipinos.

Bangon Pilipinas was founded in the Philippines last year. Its founder, Eddie C. Villanueva, is running for president of the Philippines in the May 10 general election.

"One of the objectives of the movement is to institute reforms in government," Carsula said. "One way of achieving this is by electing a new president who can morally lead the nation so that the country will rise again and take its position as one of the progressive nation states in Asia. We believe villanueva is the right person for that job."

The launching was attended by the 10 community representatives of the movement from different parts of the Eastern Province, namely, Ronald Mungcal from Abqaiq, Feliciano Briones (Aziziyah), Bart Tolentino (Jubail). Ver Parao, (Ras Tanuna), Ariel Semilla (King Khalid), Fen Bautista (Al-Rakah), Roberto Tan (Dammam), Tirso Alpajora (Al Hassa), Nicodemus Plando (Al-Khobar), and Bert Gaffud (Akrabiyah).

Parami na tayo ng parami! SAMA NA! SAMA NA! SAMA NA SA PAGBABAGO!

http://thebereans.net/images/bangonOFW3.jpg

[abuGian]

Sentimento ng mga OFWs:

Habang ang ibang kandidatong ay nagbabalak na patuloy gatasan ang mga OFWs si Bro. Eddie po ay nalulungkot at ang pinakamataas na export ng bansa ay human resources!

Hindi lang po siya nalulungkot, mayroon po siyang mga panukalang solusyon na sa tingin namin ay siya lang ang may political will na makagagawa nito.

Naniniwala rin kaming magagawa niya talaga ito dahil wala siyang utang na loob sa mga pulitiko na maaring alisin siya sa kanyang focus gaya ng ibang mga kandidato.

[TwiztedMynd]

Whoever in his sane mind is thinking of doing this? Aren't OFW's suffering enough to be exposed to another kind of s***t? Buti sana kung transparent ang gobyerno natin na makikita mo na yung perang binabayad mo, lahat napupunta sa public service, pero ngayon nga lang, mukhang malabong ma-resolve yung fertilizer scam eh! :grrr:

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=24127

Bill eyed to take back OFW tax-exempt perk


By DENNIS C. SERFINO, The Manila Times Reporter

Intensifying efforts to increase its tax revenues, the Philippine government may soon impose taxes on high-income overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), including business executives and entertainers.

This measure is expected to raise additional revenues of between P5 billion and P10 billion each year.

"I don’t think they would mind paying taxes because they used to anyway," said a government economist, who cited such examples as Broadway performer Lea Salonga and former finance secretary Jose Isidro Camacho, who now works as a managing director for investment bank Credit Suisse First Boston in Singapore.

To do this, Congress must repeal Republic Act 8424, or the Tax Reform Act of 1997, which provides wide-ranging tax breaks to different groups, including OFWs. Section 23 of the law stipulates that a nonresident Filipino citizen will be taxed only on income derived from sources within the Philippines.

The government economist, who asked not to be named, said a draft bill is being prepared to repeal R.A. 8424. The measure would specify the threshold amount that would qualify an OFW as a high-income earner.

Remittances from OFWs coursed through banks rose 28 percent year on year to $941 million in September. This brought the nine-month level to $7.9 billion, up 28 percent from the comparable level in 2004.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas projects this amount to hit $10.3 billion for the full year, a growth of 20 percent from $8.5 billion last year.

Preliminary data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration showed that in September, the total number of deployed workers rose year on year by 5.2 percent to 77,830.

The total number of deployed land-based workers grew 5.7 percent to 58,281, while sea-based workers rose 3.7 percent to 19, 549.

Outlook upgrade in first quarter

Meanwhile, financial services firm ING Bank expects international credit-ratings agencies to upgrade their outlook on the Philippines in the first quarter of 2006.

"We’re expecting that the negative outlook will be lifted soon. The first rating action probably would be the upward revision in the rating outlook of Moody’s [Investors Service]. We think that will occur probably January or February," said Tim Condon, ING Bank’s chief economist and head of research for Asia on the sidelines of a conference of global financial executives in Makati City.

ING Bank also projects the Philippine economy to grow between 5 percent and 6 percent next year as the oil price shock fades.

Condon said. the peso may average at 53.80 to the dollar this year and move north of that exchange rate in 2006.

Sana lang, this is not true and our politicians will hopefully not support this! Galing naman ng government economist na nag-isip nito! :grrr:

[albert_sy2]

Bad trip talaga! Kaya talagang dapat HUWAG TAYONG MAG-REGISTER sa OWWA tsaka POEA! Wala namang kwenta ang maging "documented" OFW, bagkus puro perwisyo lang ang mga yan!

[Dunedain]

Pinas government is basically taking away fruits-of-labor from Pinoys overseas so as they could raise enough money so they can live more comfortably than those who seeked greener pastures away from home. It's somewhat an OFW's fault to find work away from home and get better pay than those in Pinas government (and probably even their children). With this thought, Pinoys living overseas who have the opportunity to change their citizenship - TAKE IT!!! They might even impose a tax of some sort in the future simply because you happen to be a Filipino by race even if you carry a different citizenship. Ah, the wonders of the Philippine government. With the Pinas government's selfishness (and greed), they will do anything to have a piece of the pie, and a big one as well, even from a worker who is far away from home and family, and not see them for years.

P.S. Screw double citizenship. It'll come out that folks will still owe taxes to the Pinas government without even reaping small benefits (ie. roads). It's more of paying for their mansions and extravagant lifestyle, not to mention the number of other homes they provide for their mistresses.

[cho_ree]

time to be a mason...

[SuPeR_MaN]

this is BS. :grrr:

[boldon]

easy lang superman baka sirain mo pilipinas! hwag mo idamay mga inosente :rotflmao:

seriously, BS nga ito! all the more reason kung bakit mag migrate ang pilipino at di na maisipang tumalikod pa! yang registration sa owwa at poea isa bang BS yan! tsk tsk tsk...

kapag natuloy to, wag na tayong magpadala sa pilipinas para tuluyan nang lumubog!!!!! :grrr:

[Dunedain]

Here's the comedy part of the news that I didn't notice initially...

"The government economist, who asked not to be named, said a draft bill is being prepared to repeal R.A. 8424."

Not to be named? Is he/she a friggin coward to step forward to proposed such a thing?

[albert_sy2]

No way akong magbabayad ng philippine taxes. wala naman akong nakukuha in return.

good governance?
good roads?
good hospitals?
good air?

t@ng!n@! My money should go to these things, not into the stupid politicians' pockets!

[kc_ice]

Hi guys, just wondering coz most of my frends nasa abroad na, either dubai or hongkong. Yep, the're earning a lot but i was just wondering whats life after their stint der. I mean contractual sila di ba and compared sa atin na may stable job sino kaya mas ok.. thanks for sharing..if ever.

[circa]

ok yung contractual sa abraod, kasi work ka ng 6 months & the other 6 months rest naman. parang nba player. sa 6 mos. work enough na pang gastos para sa 6 mos. rest.

[SuPeR_MaN]

for me, im on a 2-year contract, but before my contract expires, i will definitely apply for permanent residence here so I can continue working legally on a new company.

from what i've noticed, mas ok yung contract when it comes to overseas jobs. especially kung hindi mo kasundo yung mga officemates mo, ang advantage nun hindi ka tali sa company.

[the_BuGs]

depende naman yan eh. sa UAE halos hindi na uso sa kanila yung contract eh. Once na hire ka then after 6 months probationary eh regular ka na meaning permanent employee. Then every 3 years ma expire ang Visa mo. Kaso renew lang naman yun eh. Me mga contract pero me mga renewal naman eh lalo na sa Saudi.

[aajao]

^ so, di ka na aalis dyan as you previously planned? :hmm:

[midas_ulved]

If the host country can accomodate the OFW as its own citizen or at least allow the worker to be a permanent resident with priviliges of a citizen, then that worker has an OPTION to spend the rest of his life in the host country. Complete with social security, EPF, or any form of retirement benefits.

However, if the host country does not allow such provisions, then the OFW has to play it smart with his finances. He needs to do more planning and exercise more discipline in his spending habits.

It would be very sad to see an OFW spending the best days of his life toiling in some foreign soil and then come back empty-handed come his retirement. Hopefully, the OFW shall have saved, or has invested well enough for his retirement so he shall not have to rely on his children or other relatives in the future. I'm not saying it's wrong, but I would think it's the responsibility of the OFW to ensure that his future (and that of his spouse) is covered.

I see a lot of OFW's who "keep up with the Smith's", which is quite possible (prevalent is more like it), but put to peril their future in terms of savings or investments. They (most probably) assume the income is there for as long as they wish, but we all know it can end when we least expect it.

It's always wise to think of the future.

[kewl_anime]

renew lang ng renew ng contract hehehehehe!!!!

[garciacp]

If the host country can accomodate the OFW as its own citizen or at least allow the worker to be a permanent resident with priviliges of a citizen, then that worker has an OPTION to spend the rest of his life in the host country. Complete with social security, EPF, or any form of retirement benefits.

However, if the host country does not allow such provisions, then the OFW has to play it smart with his finances. He needs to do more planning and exercise more discipline in his spending habits.

It would be very sad to see an OFW spending the best days of his life toiling in some foreign soil and then come back empty-handed come his retirement. Hopefully, the OFW shall have saved, or has invested well enough for his retirement so he shall not have to rely on his children or other relatives in the future. I'm not saying it's wrong, but I would think it's the responsibility of the OFW to ensure that his future (and that of his spouse) is covered.

I see a lot of OFW's who "keep up with the Smith's", which is quite possible (prevalent is more like it), but put to peril their future in terms of savings or investments. They (most probably) assume the income is there for as long as they wish, but we all know it can end when we least expect it.

It's always wise to think of the future.


Absolutely correct, sabi nga ni Kris Aqunio may tama ka. Every OFW's should be wise enough to save whatever they can. Kaya lang nakalulungkot at hindi din uubra sa karamihan ng mga laborers dahil pagkatanggap ng sweldo takbo na agad sila sa bangko para magpadala ng remittances sa pamilya sa Pinas just keeping enough for their monthly food and other related expenses.

[PinoySaKSA]

Honestly, ang success ng isang OFW ay nakasalalay rin sa mga naiwan nya sa Pinas eh...

I suggest, in addition to the Orientation Seminar given to OFW's, dapat mag-undergo rin ng seminars ang mga immediate family ng OFW's on how to manage the finances. Malimit kasi, kapag naging regular na ang perang pinapadala, nagiging unwise na ang mga kapamilya sa paggastos at feeling nila hindi na matatapos iyon... kaya maraming OFWs na umuuwi at nagugulat na kung ano ang sitwasyon na naiwan nya, halos un pa rin ang sitwasyon na dinatnan nya pagkatapos ng kontrata (o ilang buwan after)..

[leon azcarraga]

OFW’s UNITE !!!

Overseas Filipino Workers. A sleeping force ???

Binansagang mga bagong bayani. Anong kahulugan nito sa kasalukuyang lipunan.?

Kung totoong nasa 7 o 8 milyon ang OFW sa buong mundo ay nangangahulugan napaka laking porsyento ng populasyon ang lumalabas ng bansa to seek greener pastures.

As an OFW, what can we do to effect positive change in our country?

http://www.geocities.com/ncbmandy/philippineflag.gif

[orangepink]

it's the OFWs who are saving the philippine economy.

[leon azcarraga]

it's the OFWs who are saving the philippine economy.

Yes. OFWs are keeping the economy afloat.

Would there be a possibility that a united OFW's can do more to effect positive change in our country ?

Perhaps its just a matter of time, that, the scattered OFWs around the world could be transformed into a positve force.

[orangepink]

well...nothing is impossible but from my observations, most OFWs are too focused on their families. That should be the job of the government di ba? They should act on behalf of all Filipinos, regardless of location. In fact, is there a politician who's wife/husband is an OFW? Wala noh? Sayang, that person could be a voice for OFWs.

[heygurl]

hindi na ba active si roy seneres sa pagtulong sa ofws?

[leon azcarraga]

STAND up and be recognized!

Overseas Pinoy is a section expanded from OFW Spotlight devoted to our overseas workers. Besides these dedicated Filipinos who contribute greatly to the growth of the Philippine economy, Overseas Pinoy will now include Filipino students abroad, as well as professionals and entrepreneurs making their presence felt in many corners of the globe today.

We invite you to send in your photos and profiles to be featured online. Share your thoughts, visions and experience with a global audience and give our Global Nation new cause for pride.
Click here for details.

(All photos, profiles, essays and other submissions sent to INQ7.net are subject to editorial discretion. Published submissions reflect the opinion of the contributor and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of INQ7.net and its parent companies.)

[quichelorraine]

Masasabi nyo ba na worth it ang sakripisyo ng pag alis nyo ng bansa para sa pamilya, nobya/nobyo, o future nyo? Para sa mas mataas na sahod?

Anu anong mga experiences ang na-encounter nyo?
Like, masasaya (success stories)?
o malulungkot (a break up or breaking of your family o 3rd party)?
o nung bago kayo umalis (mahirap)?
o nung unang mga buwan nyo sa ibang bansa (homesickness, boredom, missing your family)?

Nakaipon ba kayo? O may naiipon ba kayo? Anu ano na ang naipundar nyo? Hanggang kelan nyo balak mag-stay jan? O wala na ba kayong balak umuwi?

Paano ang buhay jan? Mataas ba ang cost of living?

At paano kayo nakapagdesisyon na umalis na lang ng bansa? Sa palagay nyo tama ba ang naging desisyon nyo in the long run?

:) :) :)

At dun din sa mga andito sa Pinas, anong masasabi nyo sa paglisan ng mahal nyo sa buhay?

Salamat sa lahat ng magrereply. :D

[quichelorraine]

This is not for poll or anything like that. I just want to get your opinions kasi I know this might also help me in the future. :)

[mellowscream]

Define uses of OWWA fund, Congress urged
03/19/2008 | 03:55 PM

MANILA, Philippines - A migrants’ group urged Congress on Wednesday to come up with a law that would specify the uses of the overseas workers’ trust fund administered by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

The trust fund, now estimated at $10 billion, is generated from the $25 membership dues paid by overseas Filipino workers for every two-year contract.

John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator of the militant Migrante – Middle East chapter, said clearly defining the uses of the OWWA fund by law would prevent misuse and abuse, citing the alleged diversion of the workers’ money for electoral purposes.

He also cited the latest plan of OWWA to set aside P50 million for training and skills upgrading of marine officers.

Monterona said that while the OWWA’s mandate includes provision of training and other special programs that would benefit OFWs, the planned training program for seafarers is something that can better be handled by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda).


www.gmanews.tv/story/85467/Define-uses-of-OWWA-fund-Congress-urged

[babymag]

Welcome Filipino around the world. Any suggestion, queries, comments, ideas, impressions, views or anything that will help our fellow Filipinos OFW's / those who are planning to move outside the country will be greaty appreciated.

Everybody are welcome to Chat. BRING IT ON cornelsky!

[nhowelson]

this is cool!

yipee!

Mabuhay ang lahat ng OFW!


dedicated ba to for cornelsky?


:rotflmao::rotflmao::rotflmao:

[kimo1110]

this is cool!

yipee!

Mabuhay ang lahat ng OFW!


dedicated ba to for cornelsky?


:rotflmao::rotflmao::rotflmao:

Cornelsky? ahh.. The pro-GMA guy. I'm confused, WTF he has to do here in this thread?

[babymag]

this is cool!

yipee!

Mabuhay ang lahat ng OFW!


dedicated ba to for cornelsky?


:rotflmao::rotflmao::rotflmao:

A bit of cornelsky, dahil nawawala na siya sa topic. hehe. By the way, I am an OFW from UAE. I believe UAE karin.

[nhowelson]

A bit of cornelsky, dahil nawawala na siya sa topic. hehe. By the way, I am an OFW from UAE. I believe UAE karin.

pansin ko nga po..


yes UAE din ako... but currently deployed sa Oman ...

[tetcute24]

Hello, so puro UAE pala dito, I am from abu dhabi. Question about visa and hiring. Practical parin ba magvisit visa dito? Hanggang kelan maffreeze ang hiring?

Thanks

[kimo1110]

^ Hi, I think now a days Visit Visa is no longer practicable if you are seeking for a job. I would recommend to look a legitimate agency in Philippines. There are also some cases that a person who got employed in UAE has to go back country of origin while processing his visa, that afterwards counters more problems in POEA etc.

Most of the company stop hiring for a while especially banks and developers. They even laid off their employees to lessen the expenses. I guess, will wait until next year and hopefully we could start passing CV again.

In view to the above, nangyayari rin kaya sa Qatar, Oman, KSA, Bahrain etc. yan?

[nhowelson]

In Oman there's a lot of new job opportunities.. most of the Filipino that I know was hired by agencies... Visit Visa is not a very good option in Oman for most of the Employer are hiring from the agencies. :) I've been here for 1 few months now and never met a Filipino on visit visa. All are working and came from different agencies.

visit visa in Oman can only be obtain by relative of a residence other type is very difficult to get and travel agencies who issue visit visa is not that much abundant here.

I might be wrong but this is my personal experience here. :)

[kimo1110]

Thread merged? Anyone from UAE?

[gurl_taray18]

^ :wave: from AUH here :)

[kimo1110]

^ Oh, nice to here from you. Im from AUH too. Where are you exactly?

[gurl_taray18]

^ somewhere in Hamdan.hehe how 'bout you? dun ako sa UAE thread active. :)

[nhowelson]

hello OFW :p

[me_bee_da7]

considered bah OFW ang working sa USA & Europe? pano pag resident na? syempre pag citizen na siguro, ndi na unless dual citizen.. anong say nyo? :)

[qosmio]

considered bah OFW ang working sa USA & Europe? pano pag resident na? syempre pag citizen na siguro, ndi na unless dual citizen.. anong say nyo? :)Depende kung nasaan ka. Sa US, pag non-immigrant pa lang ang status mo (H1, J1 o L1) ay OFW ka pa rin, pag nakuha mo na green card mo, hindi ka na considerd na OFW. Ganun din pag citizen o dual citizen. Sa ibang bansa naman, gaya ng UAE, as far as I know e considered kang OFW habang buhay.

[the_BuGs]

Mr. Q : unless kung mag aasawa ka ng local o sheika :lol: kaya eto habang buhay tayong tonyooooooooo!! (kami pala, hindi ka kasama :p )

GT : andito ka rin? nang iinvade ka ha!

Representing Abu Dhabi, UAE :glee:


Good Morning papi!

[gurl_taray18]

^ walang magawa e, petiks the whole day kahapon (at mukhang ganun ulit today) :lol:

[kimo1110]

considered bah OFW ang working sa USA & Europe? pano pag resident na? syempre pag citizen na siguro, ndi na unless dual citizen.. anong say nyo? :)

Kapag citizen ka ng ibang bansa, for sure you won't be qualified as OFW, coz basically you are not a Filipino anymore.

But then, there are some Filipinos consider themselves more on americans etc than Filipinos kahit na Filipino citizen parin sila. If you gonna ask them being an OFW, you'll probably be dissapointed. Ang tawag sa mga ganun, BASURA!

[cornelsky]

Kapag citizen ka ng ibang bansa, for sure you won't be qualified as OFW, coz basically you are not a Filipino anymore.

But then, there are some Filipinos consider themselves more on americans etc than Filipinos kahit na Filipino citizen parin sila. If you gonna ask them being an OFW, you'll probably be dissapointed. Ang tawag sa mga ganun, BASURA!
oo nga kimo, *** "ofw" often used sa pilipino working in asia, europe and middle east, pag working in usa, di ata ofw tawag.... bakit nga ba?

lately si gloria arroyo wag na daw natin tawagin ofw sila kundi expat.......

i dont find ofw derogatory, but it is our country's economic savior with or without crisis..:confused:

[the_BuGs]

masama ba pakinggan ang OFW?

[nhowelson]

hindi naman masama pakinggan ang OFW..

but the meaning that was associated with it...

and the meaning depends on the person who interpret it

*okay*

[kimo1110]

Mapa US man o san panig ng mundo, considered as OFW. Ano ba ang meaning ng OFW para ikahiya? It is the exact word that fit for us. Expat actually means "absence from home country", so why change?

However, I think, its not the term "expat" that GMA proposed, its OFI "Overseas Filipino Investor" instead. Siguro para maging medyo sosyal kuno.

[tetcute24]

^ Sa tingin ko, the way they define Workers is parang Labor, so they coined the term OFI para maging Investors. It will never affect me afterall.

Kimo I believed sa UAE karin? Since when kapa dito? Bilib ako political view mo sa LAFI ha.

[gurl_taray18]

^ UAE ka din, ayt? kayo ni kimo di nagpaparamdam sa UAE thread. :lol:

[tetcute24]

^ yup, AUH here. Once po bumisita ako dun. Panay lang kasi ang tambay ko sa LAFI, marami kasi nagsasabong dun. Actually pati yata si Cornelsky nandun. hehe. UAE karin pala sis?

[gurl_taray18]

^ yep. AUH din.

[cornelsky]

Mapa US man o san panig ng mundo, considered as OFW. Ano ba ang meaning ng OFW para ikahiya? It is the exact word that fit for us. Expat actually means "absence from home country", so why change?

However, I think, its not the term "expat" that GMA proposed, its OFI "Overseas Filipino Investor" instead. Siguro para maging medyo sosyal kuno.
kimo, parang expat talaga ang sbi ni gma mga 2 weeks ago, ewan ko nga ba, i dont think na masama ang "ofw" pakingkan, ang totoo lang ay pag wala ofw patay na economia natin, stand still na.

ok ang talking points natin pala dito sa tambayan


tama rin yung isang thread dito na sa us di gamit ang ofw, pansin ko nga yun, parang us based pinoy ang tawag.

[kimo1110]

^ Sa tingin ko, the way they define Workers is parang Labor, so they coined the term OFI para maging Investors. It will never affect me afterall.

Kimo I believed sa UAE karin? Since when kapa dito? Bilib ako political view mo sa LAFI ha.

Yes AUH. 1 1/2 year lang. LAFI lurker ka pala ah.

^ UAE ka din, ayt? kayo ni kimo di nagpaparamdam sa UAE thread. :lol:

Nagparamdam naman ako, pero paminsan minsan lang. Di naman ako ganong tutok dito. Pero since medyo walang trabaho now a days kaya mas nakakapagenjoy ako sa pex. GT adik ka dito no?

[kimo1110]

kimo, parang expat talaga ang sbi ni gma mga 2 weeks ago, ewan ko nga ba, i dont think na masama ang "ofw" pakingkan, ang totoo lang ay pag wala ofw patay na economia natin, stand still na.

ok ang talking points natin pala dito sa tambayan


tama rin yung isang thread dito na sa us di gamit ang ofw, pansin ko nga yun, parang us based pinoy ang tawag.

Alam mo dito sa UAE, expat din ang tawag sa mga ibang lahi. Pero OFW is in different case, we call Filipinos who works outside the country as OFW simply because they are Working outside pinas nga. Meaning, if they do wanna change from OFW to Expat, then I can only see the purpose of widening the restriction from Filipinos working outside the Country to Filipinos outside the country.

For that purpose it make sense and should agree with them, but just like I have found out that GMA coined a term like OFI, will be a stupid idea.

US based, Canada based probably goes to people who are currently citizens or immigrants. We could actually consider a person who lives in a country long enough to call such that.

[cornelsky]

confirm ko lang, dyan sa UAE diba parang secondary nalang ang income nila asa petroleum, at sa trade and commerce and tourism na sila nag focus? in preparation sa diminishing suppl of oil?

sa tingin namin , yan general area nyo will not be experiencing economic crisis.

pls comment

[gurl_taray18]

Nagparamdam naman ako, pero paminsan minsan lang. Di naman ako ganong tutok dito. Pero since medyo walang trabaho now a days kaya mas nakakapagenjoy ako sa pex. GT adik ka dito no?

depends on your definition of "adik" :) for me, no i'm not an "adik". maybe "active"(in UAE thread) is a better term.

[qosmio]

confirm ko lang, dyan sa UAE diba parang secondary nalang ang income nila asa petroleum, at sa trade and commerce and tourism na sila nag focus? in preparation sa diminishing suppl of oil?

sa tingin namin , yan general area nyo will not be experiencing economic crisis.

pls comment
depende sa emirates, Abu (AUH) maraming pera (thanks to their oil reserve), Dubai-apektado rin ng econimic crisis, pero nandyan naman yung AUH to the rescue.

[qosmio]

Mr. Q : unless kung mag aasawa ka ng local o sheika :lol: kaya eto habang buhay tayong tonyooooooooo!! (kami pala, hindi ka kasama :p )

GT : andito ka rin? nang iinvade ka ha!

Representing Abu Dhabi, UAE :glee:


Good Morning papi!Makapaghanap nga ng sheika :lol:.

Kung makapag-asawa ba ng shieka e hindi ka na considered na bagong bayani? :lol:

[the_BuGs]

^ ikaw na ang prinsipe ng bayani :lol:


LAFI??? good luck :glee: tya tyaga pa kayo dun.

8 years ago..I started Pex because of buhay pinoy,LAFI and RoT.. actually Local Issues pa ang thread nuon hiwalay ang Local and Foreign Issues.. since nilalangaw ang Foreign minerge na lang... ngayon puro troll na lang kasi duon wala na yung mga matitinik na kadebatehan.. puro walang kwenta at tirahan na lang nangyayari wala na syang pinagkaiba sa LMTV sayang at aksaya sa oras na lang... kaya sa UAE thread na lang tumatambay! yeba!



oil reserves ng auh? ayun may bagong discover na oil reserves that will last for 30 to 50 years ata kaya ayun.. nag develop ang abu dhabi ginaya ang dubai...

[cornelsky]

^ ikaw na ang prinsipe ng bayani :lol:


LAFI??? good luck :glee: tya tyaga pa kayo dun.

8 years ago..I started Pex because of buhay pinoy,LAFI and RoT.. actually Local Issues pa ang thread nuon hiwalay ang Local and Foreign Issues.. since nilalangaw ang Foreign minerge na lang... ngayon puro troll na lang kasi duon wala na yung mga matitinik na kadebatehan.. puro walang kwenta at tirahan na lang nangyayari wala na syang pinagkaiba sa LMTV sayang at aksaya sa oras na lang... kaya sa UAE thread na lang tumatambay! yeba!



oil reserves ng auh? ayun may bagong discover na oil reserves that will last for 30 to 50 years ata kaya ayun.. nag develop ang abu dhabi ginaya ang dubai...
so ganun pala mas stable ang shiekdom ng bahrain kaysa dubai?
dyan pala dubai 17 usd lang ang break even nyo sa barrel of oil, now it sells 42 sa spot dudai exchage, dati 149 usd per barrel

ang venezuela pala 40 usd ang break even point nila , kaya malungot si hogo chavez

[qosmio]

LAFI??? good luck :glee: tya tyaga pa kayo dun.


Naliligaw din ako dun minsan pag walang magawa...nakaka-aliw.

Kina-career yata nila ang PEX dun e.:rotflmao:

[the_BuGs]

LAFI before malaki pinagkaiba sa LAFI ngayon..... before mga intelihente talaga madedebate mo dahil shempre bago pa lang Pex nuong time na yun (1999-2001)... ngayon... troll na lang at "feeling genius" na lang na parang ako :lol:

[cornelsky]

dubai crude now 41.60 12/05/08
yesterday 41.90 per bbl
nyme light sweet (us) 45/bbl

petroleum from dubai break even price is 17 usd per bbl
petroleu fro hugo chavez venezuel break even is 42usd per bbl
petroluem from iran break even is 33usd per bbl

hugo chavez ang amadenejan halos wala na tubo

[LodRose]

hindi naman masama pakinggan ang OFW..

but the meaning that was associated with it...

and the meaning depends on the person who interpret it

*okay*

isa ako sa mga yun - for the term OFW (origin: overseas contract worker), i had this image of people who have tons of gold on their necks, wearing leather jackets, and somewhat "experienced" with foreigners (or colleagues aboard their ship at sea). so when asked if i find something wrong with being an OFW, oo naman, like being a cliche i that i don't want to be, "i just want to be different". (huh?)

kaya when i started in denial pa talaga ako, in my head i was tagging myself as an EXPAT (because permanent position naman yung work na pinuntahan ko dito at resident naman ako). pero nung dumaan na yung papers ko sa POEA, haay, whatever yaya na lang naisip ko. (isipin mo na lang ham yan).

and i learn as i go on my encounters with fellow pinoys here in the UAE and my travels in EUR, may semblance of respectability naman ang pagiging out of the country natin.

sabay - iba pa rin ang nasa pinas! wahahaha kulit ba? :bashful:

[the_BuGs]

sa akin base na lang kasi sa history ng Oversease Filipino/Contract worker kasi.... nuon (during 70's and 80's) ang nagpupunta lang talaga mag abroad eh yung mga pinoy na nasa below middle class...then ang mga work nila eh yun talagang blue collar jobs bihira pa yung mga engineers na nag-aabroad.. at mostly sa saudi(at ibang parte ng middle east) pa ang punta dahil that time sila ang booming pa nuon..then iba naman seaman...then iba DH... so kung iisipin mo parang ina-associate mo sarili mo sa kanila ang panget di ba?

sa akin problema na lang sa nakakaintindi kung ano tingin nila sa OFW...kapareho lang yan ng tingin natin sa pinay na may kasamang foreigner na nasa utak agad natin eh PokPok o hostes yung babae....kung ganon pa rin pag iisip nila kelangan iuntog na sa pader dahil utak dekada sitenta at otsenta pa yan....nasa milenyo na tayo...kung wala tayong OFW bagsak na ang Inang Bayan.....

[LodRose]

huli ka! ba't offline ka sa ym?

[the_BuGs]

^ ikaw kaya lagi offline.. add pending request ka pa rin sa akin eh :lol:

[j42002]

ok lang sa akin matawag na OFW.. care ko. dito ako kumikita, dito ko napapakain ang pamilya ko.

[babymag]

Ay naglipatan pala yung mga surot dito. Nagyayabang nanaman.

[cornelsky]

mga kababayan sa arabian peninsula at mideast, ano ba usually ang typical breakfast at tanghalian dyan......... totoo ba wala coke dyan? dahil galit arab word sa coke?

[neneodin]

May nameet akong Pinay na sa Switzerland.Tinanong ko sya kung residence ba sya sa Swiss,sabi nya na OFW sya at chemical engineer sya sa LOVARTIS(i don't know if I write it correct).Proud syang sabihing OFW sya at 5 years contract sya sa company.Kinuha sya ng company after graduating sa PINAs through the help of a headhunter.

Ang alam ko ang mga target ng headhunter ay mga graduating student na may sinasabi like summa cum laude.Yung general manager ng PHILIPPS ay pinay din na after graduating at summa cum laude ay kinuha agad ng company na ito.

Bakit kasi ang iba sa kababayan ay nahihiyang sabihing OFW sila.Dapat nga maging proud dahil mas malaki kinikita nila kaysa sa mga local workers.Ang hirap yatang makapag-abroad.

[cornelsky]

May nameet akong Pinay na sa Switzerland.Tinanong ko sya kung residence ba sya sa Swiss,sabi nya na OFW sya at chemical engineer sya sa LOVARTIS(i don't know if I write it correct).Proud syang sabihing OFW sya at 5 years contract sya sa company.Kinuha sya ng company after graduating sa PINAs through the help of a headhunter.

Ang alam ko ang mga target ng headhunter ay mga graduating student na may sinasabi like summa cum laude.Yung general manager ng PHILIPPS ay pinay din na after graduating at summa cum laude ay kinuha agad ng company na ito.

Bakit kasi ang iba sa kababayan ay nahihiyang sabihing OFW sila.Dapat nga maging proud dahil mas malaki kinikita nila kaysa sa mga local workers.Ang hirap yatang makapag-abroad.
oo nga big deal sa antin ang pag tawag sa ofw or expat, pero what ever pa tawag nila theses people ae the one responsible who keep our economy afloat, pag wala na sila dun natin ramdam ang stagnation ng economy.

[babymag]

@cornelsky
Hindi naman. IMHO Mas sikat lang ang Pepsi siguro sa Middle East ganun narin sa US diba? Pinoy lang yata mahilig sa Coke. Parang sa Nokia, ganun din kasikat sa Pilipinas pero hindi sa ibang bansa. Sikat din ang Friendster sa atin pero di sa iba.

Oo nga no? ano ba ang mga breakfast ng mga arabo? Ang nakikita ko parati nila kinakain, kebab, shish tawook, java rice, kubos, usually puro grilled paborito nila. Mga indians/pakitans/bangladeshi naman puro curry, biryani, masala, paratha etc.

[cornelsky]

@cornelsky
Hindi naman. IMHO Mas sikat lang ang Pepsi siguro sa Middle East ganun narin sa US diba? Pinoy lang yata mahilig sa Coke. Parang sa Nokia, ganun din kasikat sa Pilipinas pero hindi sa ibang bansa. Sikat din ang Friendster sa atin pero di sa iba.

Oo nga no? ano ba ang mga breakfast ng mga arabo? Ang nakikita ko parati nila kinakain, kebab, shish tawook, java rice, kubos, usually puro grilled paborito nila. Mga indians/pakitans/bangladeshi naman puro curry, biryani, masala, paratha etc.
hi babymag, ty for the info, pero share ko lang din , i read before muslims donot want coke kasi may business daw cocacola sa israel,
at coke is a democratic, pepsi is republlican, coke enters china, and pepsi enters russian market after the cold war, ewan ko lang veracity nito , pero fyi lang

ang ganda ng observation mo sa mga culture dyan, may direct knowleged ka....... re food nila

ty for the info*okay*

[me_bee_da7]

hmmm.. very amiable pala toh si cornel ah pag gusto nya!!*okay*

[the_BuGs]

hi babymag, ty for the info, pero share ko lang din , i read before muslims donot want coke kasi may business daw cocacola sa israel,
at coke is a democratic, pepsi is republlican, coke enters china, and pepsi enters russian market after the cold war, ewan ko lang veracity nito , pero fyi lang

ang ganda ng observation mo sa mga culture dyan, may direct knowleged ka....... re food nila

ty for the info*okay*

ok sa Conspiracy Theory ah


may coke sa ME... at dito rin sa UAE... at may Chivas Regal din :D kaya mas masarap ang timpla ng Pepsi dito compare sa Coke dahil sa tubig... desalinated water ang gamit dito same sa US.. sa Pinas tropical water kaya tugma sa lasa...sa tubig nagkakatalo yan same as San Miguel Beer sa Pinas.. mas masarap yung timpla ng beer sa pampanga at malabon compare na gawa sa cebu...dahil more on salted water dun... kaya pansin nyo mas matabang ang coke dito kaysa sa Pepsi... pero sa Pinas vice versa....

[babymag]

ok sa Conspiracy Theory ah


may coke sa ME... at dito rin sa UAE... at may Chivas Regal din :D kaya mas masarap ang timpla ng Pepsi dito compare sa Coke dahil sa tubig... desalinated water ang gamit dito same sa US.. sa Pinas tropical water kaya tugma sa lasa...sa tubig nagkakatalo yan same as San Miguel Beer sa Pinas.. mas masarap yung timpla ng beer sa pampanga at malabon compare na gawa sa cebu...dahil more on salted water dun... kaya pansin nyo mas matabang ang coke dito kaysa sa Pepsi... pero sa Pinas vice versa....

hmmm. Tubig? Mas masarap ang Pepsi sa coke dito dahil sa tubig? San bang tubig kinukuha dito ang Pepsi at saan din ang sa Coke? So mas masarap ang alak kung gagawin sa Pampanga kesa Cebu? hmmmm..

Alright.. Opinyon ko, Pepsi is better than Coke because Coke started out with cocaine in it. Pepsi is soda, seems a bit smoother, sweeter, at walang after taste.

Hindi ko pwede sabihin mas masarap ang Pepsi sa Pampanga kesa Coke pero mas masarap ang Coke sa Cebu kesa Pepsi.

Conspiracy Theory? Papapel nanaman kasi at gusto maghariharian.

[cornelsky]

ok sa Conspiracy Theory ah


may coke sa ME... at dito rin sa UAE... at may Chivas Regal din :D kaya mas masarap ang timpla ng Pepsi dito compare sa Coke dahil sa tubig... desalinated water ang gamit dito same sa US.. sa Pinas tropical water kaya tugma sa lasa...sa tubig nagkakatalo yan same as San Miguel Beer sa Pinas.. mas masarap yung timpla ng beer sa pampanga at malabon compare na gawa sa cebu...dahil more on salted water dun... kaya pansin nyo mas matabang ang coke dito kaysa sa Pepsi... pero sa Pinas vice versa....
naku, yan ang mga info na gusto ko, that is locigal, so sa water source pala din, just
like wiskey at wishky, mas masarap scotch kasi may may stream sila source.....
anyway ang coke daw sa mexico from corn sugar, unlike usa ay other sugar, sa mexico pala ang pinaka malakas mag coke may 2.5 liter pa sila
so san sa ara nyo may good water source for pepsi?

[LodRose]

Bakit kasi ang iba sa kababayan ay nahihiyang sabihing OFW sila.Dapat nga maging proud dahil mas malaki kinikita nila kaysa sa mga local workers.Ang hirap yatang makapag-abroad.

inexperienced lang naman ang nahihiyang i-claim ang ofw title sa simula (ehem!), dahil nga kasi sa connotation nung bad ofw stereotype, ika nga nung pagkukumpara ni TB.

[kimo1110]

FNC calls for tightening of sponsorship rules
By Samir Salama, Associate Editor
Published: December 16, 2008, 13:56


Abu Dhabi: The Federal National Council (FNC) on Tuesday proposed increasing the minimum salary requirement to sponsor families of expatriates in the UAE.

According to the proposal, the minimum salary required for an expatriate - without company accommodation - to sponsor a family should be Dh10,000 and an expatriate with company accommodation, Dh8,000. The FNC resumed its session yesterday after National Day and Eid holidays.

An ad-hoc committee of the House also suggested that family-visa applicants should be asked to submit bank statements of six months, detailing salary transfer.

In its first ever open session to discuss the demographic structure of the UAE since its establishment in 1972, the House also suggested that an only an expatriate with a minimum salary of Dh15,000 should be allowed to sponsor housemaids.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


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It also recommended increasing the annual fee for sponsoring a housemaid to Dh7,000.

According to a report worked out by the committee, there are 5.5 million foreign workers, including 3.1 million workers registered with the Ministry of Labour and 2.4 million registered with the Ministry of the Interior, while the total population was 6.3 million by the end of last year.

The legislature said the Labour Ministry issued 640,000 work permits over the first four months of this year, an increase of 100 per cent compared with the same period last year.

These include 525,000 work permits for individual workers and 115 group permits.

The House expected that 1.920 million permits would be issued by the end of this year, taking into account the visas issued by the Ministry of Interior.

The House was told that foreign workers account for 90 per cent of the total workforce in the UAE at the end of 2006.

Asian workers represented 87.1 of the labour force, while workers of other nationalities including Arabs account for 12.9 per cent.

An estimated 98.7 per cent are concentrated in the private sector, namely in the construction, agriculture, retail business, and also restaurants, hotels, fisheries, security and guarding and cleaning companies.

[mellowscream]

OFWs end OWWA camp-out in ‘victory’

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/185438/ofws-end-owwa-camp-out-in-victory