By Blue Rose on Thursday, 8 of October , 2009 at 7:09 pm
I will share a true story, based from what I have gathered from the person involved. I had met personally this Filipina that is the main character in this story. Read carefully and understand.
Here’s how it began.
At the age of 29 she is still single, working very hard as a Domestic helper in Hongkong. Being a helper in Hongkong is a very hard work, or I may say wherever you go, if your a helper it’s really hard. Working full time in a house is very hard. If you’re staying with your employer, as long as you are not sleeping you have to serve them. Unfortunately to those helper who have a very hard employer, they can’t get food, no extra time, no extra pay, no sleep, no weekend off work, most especially they are abused.
Well luckily it doesn’t happen to Cindy. But of course she worked hard for her employer, she spent two years in Hongkong. Then she went back to the Philippines when she finished her contract. Staying in the Philippines is very hard if you don’t have a job. It’s not a kind of good for Cindy. She must have a job, or else they will starve and her body is not used if she doesn’t have work.
Decided, she went to an Internet Caffee, she searched for a job, then she found one, as an Au pair in London. It’s a good opportunity she said to herself. She contacted the family and they arranged everything. Time to fly, but it’s a kind of tough flight, she have to stop over to some country before London. Well, nothing is tough or rough if it will be a good opportunity to travel in UK and Europe.
She arrive the destination safely, her host family is waiting for her at the Airport, her job is to take care of the not so old man, and the house where he lived in. It’s quite good job and not so hard work for her.
Time passed by, she liked her job and not to mention that she is having a hidden relationship with her employer, well they are living together in the same house and the old man is alone. Her life is kind of good compared before, of course supported by her employer aside from the salary that shes gaining. But she can’t marry an old man she said.
Thinking that she will be living in three months time, she is prepared to go home. But unfortunately, she get pregnant, what a tragic. You are having sex, even if its old it can possibly make you pregnant, not thinking of that consequences, she’s shattered.
She told the old man, but he is too old to take responsibility, so they must think of a solution. In two months time she will go back home. What can they possibly do to solve the problem? It’s a very big problem.
The old man think of a possible solution. His son. She will seduced his son, the old man said. His son is divorced and has three children.
So the plan must implemented very quickly. They began to do it. The old man invited his son for a dinner and told him that he must visit him very often because he is too old to travel and visit his son and children. Not knowing the plan that the two had build, he agreed.
He often visit his father and Cindy is trying to seduce him. They dated many times. The end of their plan is coming, he seems to like Cindy and they began to have sex. Everything seems to be ok now they thought. After having sex for many times, after a month she told her that she’s pregnant. He is surprised but not shocked because he knows that it will happen as they don’t use any contraceptive. She also told him that she’s soon going back to the Philippines. So he decided that she must live with him in his own house and tell the authority that she is bearing his child, so she can stay longer. In the law one foreigner is authorized to live longer if she’s pregnant and the father will claim that it’s his child.
At last the plan had succeed. She lived with the son now. But after two months, he found out that it’s not his child, and the truth shocked him, his father is the father of the baby. What a life?!
His father explained everything, knowing that it’s also his own blood, he accepted the fact that it’s his not his child.
Now Cindy’s womb is in 6 months way, she’s still living with the son, and the father is still supporting her and the baby. Well, at least the baby saved her from going back home.
What can you say? What a life isn’t it? It’s just one of the story of a fact of life.
By Blue Rose on Monday, 24 of August , 2009 at 3:52 pm
A tragic bus accident happens again, this accident happens in Lucena City, Philippines. According to the source Lucena Bus Lines, the bus bound Manila-Lucena. While the Bragais Bus Lines bound Tabacco-Manila.
The incident happens by around midnight; police investigation revealed that the Lucena bus was overtaking a vehicle when it smashed head-on into the Manila-bound Bragais Lines bus on the opposite lane.
The force of impact tore off the left side of the Bragais bus, killing 7 passengers instantly. Most of the victims, meanwhile, were pinned inside both buses. The bodies were brought to Funeraria Pagbilao in Laguna for autopsy. The 41 people injured in the accident, meanwhile, were immediately rushed to the Quezon Medical Center.
Unfortunately, it is very upsetting, heartbreaking and tragic event for a family that has been killed in the incident; they headed to Manila for them to meet the head of their family that will arrive from the other country tomorrow, working as an Overseas Filipino Worker. All of the family members died, including the 3 year old daughter, her mother and her mother in law.
The owner of Bragais Bus Lines rushed to Lucena City to give assistance to the casualties, they are thankful for the help, but also they are very upset because that help cannot bring their family members death back to life again.
By Blue Rose on Friday, 21 of August , 2009 at 9:30 am
The Philippines is home to another plant that is not found in any other place in the world after botanists discovered a new species that is capable of eating rats and insects in Central Palawan.
The Philippines is the “third richest region for Nepenthes diversity after Sumatra and Borneo, each with approximately 30 endemic species.” The botanists described the new Nepenthes species as “immediately distinguishable from other Nepenthes by its great dimensions and trumpet-shaped lower and upper pitchers.”
The huge carnivorous pitcher plant called Nepenthes Attenboroughii, said to be the largest meat-eating plant, was discovered at Mount Victoria in the municipality of Narra by the group of botanists led by Britons Alastair Robinson and Stewart McPherson saw the plant in 2007. They heard of the new plant species from two Christian missionaries who claimed to have seen the huge pitcher plant in 2000, reported Chris Irvine of the Telegraph.
The botanists explained in the article why they named the new plant species Nepenthes attenboroughii.“The specific epithet, attenboroughii, is a commemorative, genitive noun in apposition taken from the patronymic Attenborough,” they said.
They noted that they chose to name the plant after broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough because he is a “keen enthusiast of the genus and a patron of Philippine conservation efforts.”They also mentioned that Attenborough has “outstanding television documentaries have made the world’s natural history accessible and understandable to millions.”
Attenborough, for his part, said he was “absolutely flattered.” He told the Telegraph: “This is a remarkable species the largest of its kind. I’m told it can catch rats then eat them with its digestive enzymes. It’s certainly capable of that.”
“The plant produces spectacular traps which catch not only insects, but also rodents,” McPherson told Irvine.
“It is remarkable that it remained undiscovered until the 21st century,” he added.
McPherson and Robinson published a paper on the new pitcher plant species along with Andreas Fleischmann, Volker Heinrich, Elizabeth Gironella and Clemencio Peña.
“A spectacular new species of Nepenthes L.(Nepenthaceae) pitcher plant from central Palawan, Philippines” was published in the Botanical Journal of Linnean Society in February 2009.According to the journal article, the Philippines are home to 17 Nepenthes species, 16 of which are endemic. This means that they can only be found in the Philippines.
They also noted that it is the “only member of the genus occurring at high elevation on the mountain.”
Matt Walker of BBC’s Earth News reported that the botanists have placed specimens of Nepenthes attenboroughii in the herbarium of Palawan State University
By Blue Rose on Friday, 21 of August , 2009 at 8:02 am
Benigno Servillano Aquino, Jr. (November 27, 1932 – August 21, 1983), popularly known as Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. and by his nickname Ninoy, was a former Philippine senator, governor, vice governor and mayor, and a leader of the opposition to the rule of Ferdinand Marcos. He was assassinated at the Manila International Airport (later renamed in his honor) upon returning home from exile in the United States. His death catapulted his widow, Corazon Aquino, to the limelight and subsequently to the presidency, replacing the 20-year Marcos regime.
Malacañang has declared this day, Ninoy Aquino Day, a special nonworking day in commemoration of his 26th death anniversary.
Policemen have been deployed in areas where activities are expected to be held, such as the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City, the EDSA Shrine in Quezon City, and the Ninoy Aquino monument in Makati City, among others. Metro Manila still retains its heightened alert status because of the mass actions held recently.
Apart from providing area security and crowd control, police are also expected to manage traffic and prevent congestion in major roads where crowds are expected to gather.
Normal status remains in other areas in Luzon and Visayas, while the full alert status remains in Mindanao because of sporadic clashes between rebels and government troops, he added. Groups planning to hold protest actions or activities are required to seek the appropriate permits before conducting any program in public places.
By Blue Rose on Saturday, 15 of August , 2009 at 2:56 am
More women will be promoted to top government jobs under a new law on woman’s rights signed by Philippines’ President Gloria Arroyo Friday, officials said.
The law compels the government to boost the number of women in higher-level positions “to achieve a 50-50 gender balance” within five years, said Myrna Yao, head of the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women.
The statute also bans discrimination against women in the workplace and promotes non-discriminatory and non-derogatory portrayals of women in media and film.
“Women in marginalized sectors are better protected under the law,” Leila de Lima, head of the government’s Human Rights Commission told reporters at the signing ceremony.
“Also in terms of work, in terms of employment opportunities, more recognition of woman’s rights is embodied.”
Yao said the statute also requires the government to provide training in human rights and gender sensitivity to all members of the civil service.
Philippine embassies abroad will train consular officials to handle concerns of woman migrant workers.
Local governments are required to set up district-level desks to investigate cases of violence against women, while working women who undergo surgery for gynecological disorders will be granted leave for two-months.
A Philippine Commission for Women will be created to draft the law’s implementing rules and regulations, as well as monitor compliance, according to the text of the legislation.
The Philippines office of the UN Development Programmer hailed the statute in a statement, calling it “comprehensive human rights legislation that seeks to eliminate discrimination against women.”
By Blue Rose on Sunday, 9 of August , 2009 at 1:04 pm
Do you like camping into the wilderness, forest, field, park, or in the beach?
The Philippines is home to fabulous beaches. Try beach camping on any of these tropical gems.
Hundred Islands, Pangasinan – just pick up a permit from the town’s local tourism post and spend the night at one of the camp-friendly islands. The beauty of these wonderful isles has long been underestimated.
Saud Beach, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte – head to the Northern part of the Philippines and enjoy the quiet coves of Ilocos. Saud is popular for its white sand and chill out vibe. It’s perfect for beach camping and bonding with the barkada (friends).
Apo Reef, Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro – if you and your pals are into adventurous beach jaunts, then Apo Reef would be perfect. You can pitch your tents on Apo Island, and go diving in Apo Reef during the day. This marine sanctuary is one of Philippines’ best.
Anawangin Cove, Pandaquit, Zambales – accessible only by boat or a six-hour trek, this hidden paradise has pristine white-sand beach lined with tall pine trees. It’s a picture-perfect site that welcomes many happy beach campers.
Calaguas Island, Camarines Norte – there are no resorts or electricity in Calaguas, just unspoiled white-sand shores. The sand on the main isle, Mahabang Buhangin (Long Sand), is super fine – some say even finer than Boracay’s polvoron variety.
Come and visit our beautiful islands in the Philippines, I am very sure you will not regret it.
By The Dreamer on Saturday, 8 of August , 2009 at 4:26 pm
Wait!? This word really keeps ringing on my ear since I observed that I’m getting in a hurry on some of my plans. But before I delve in deeply, have we ever asked ourselves where on earth this word “wait” comes from? From the worldly point of view, this means remaining or resting in expectation of something. All of us have been waiting for something to happen in our lives even to the extent of being aggravated which sometimes make us stop on every thing we do. Like in my case, I’m getting too excited of what lies ahead of my life until I get to the point of forgetting some of the simplest things life has offered. Every night, before I close my eyes to get a very deep sleep after a long day’s work, I talk to the Lord and ask Him whether some of the plans I set will be realized. I even find myself funny whenever I imagine all my plans as if I’m watching a movie but in this case, I’m the sole actor. We kept on asking God why we are in these situations where we are expected to wait on something to come.
Yes, we all have numerous plans set by days, weeks, months or even years. Even others could be in short or long term plans. In my case, after I finished my BS degree here in the Philippines, the question
I have in my mind is, Where do I go from here? What will happen to my life if I choose to be with this or that? What happens if I take this step or the other way around? There are too many questions that we seek for answers. There are many roads that we need to take in life, but others may be twisted while some are straight as a stick. With this sort-of-confusion ringing in my head, whether to wait or go ahead of God’s plan, I found out that we just need to imbibe in our own minds and hearts these concepts.
Remember, life is an even keel. All of us are perfectly created by God. Our eyes, ears, hands, feet and other body parts are placed in their perfect spots. The number of senses and even the intricacy of our entire human body system have its own raison d’être. I remember the explanation of my teacher about the reason why humans have one pair of ears and only one mouth. He emphasized that we need to have this number of senses for a person needs to listen twice as much as he speaks. So better not pray to have two mouths and one ear because time will come gossips and lies will proliferate not just once but twice. Just wait because life is like a balanced weighing scale. We are the only ones outweighing it. Let’s just keep this equilibrium in state whatever happens.
Don’t run ahead of God’s plan. Yes, it’s normal that we sometimes run ahead of time. In this fast paced world of ours, feeble people are well disregarded. We beat deadlines and plan out things in advance. Human as we are, we always do these stuffs. We even put a schedule on the simplest things we do daily. You bathe, eat, and prepare things as fast as you can even to the extent of forgetting that you haven’t worn your underpants. But wait guys! Have we tried halting and pausing for a while and contemplate on the significant things that we did? Are all these things and plans we have are in accordance to our God’s plan? Sometimes, I seek deep silence for a while after being busy with so many things. Sometimes, I reflect whether I’m not losing out of my plans as well as His plans for me.
Then, answers just come along the way barely discernible.
Live life to the fullest. We can never turn back time so let’s make it possible to really live life to the fullest. We should keep our loved ones on our side and value the people around us. Let’s not be always in a hurry coz we tend to forget the more significant ones. Sometimes, it is us who creates not just a gap but a chasm between relationships with other people who are so important within our own lives.
Waiting on what lies ahead is so tedious but we should not forget that every second offers tranquility and peace of mind, every thing that happens reminds us to just be patient because there is a greater glory ahead of us and it pays to wait since He knows we are waiting. He sympathizes, for He himself had a very long suffering and patience towards His people. Human as we are, we tend to disregard this reason, but it is on the latter part when we come to realize the importance of this concept, “waiting”.
Life is great! Because after I occupied my mind with much life’s worries, destiny offered me blessings worth to be shared and new people meant to be loved. Sooner, my mother will give birth to the third child of our family, and this goes to show that I’ll be having a new person meant to be kept and loved.
With regards to my career, I was tasked to do something I really loved to. This is something that is within my inclination. With this, I get to deal and listen to some ordinary people sharing their simple yet fascinating stories in life.
Indeed, sometimes all of us just need to wait. For I thought back and think that life is an even keel and everything is on God’s control especially if we get to live our life to the fullest.
By Blue Rose on Sunday, 2 of August , 2009 at 4:46 pm
I had read this book that my husband bought in Bangkok, Thailand 3 days before we get back home.
This book is about the experiences of foreign teachers in Thailand. How they teach, interact, their life stories in Thailand, how they perform their teaching. It’s quite entertaining for some of the stories are funny and some are inspiring.
Establishing a teaching career to different parts of the world is interesting yet quite difficult, especially when you’re just starting to know the children you’re going to teach. In my experience as an English teacher of Korean children, it’s quite difficult if your students are beginners and doesn’t know how to speak even just a one word English, but you have to be patient, you are their guide and stepping stone in learning easy and fun English.
In some of the story written, as the title say experienced preferred…but not required, even if your not a graduate of any English courses but you have taken the TEFL you can teach with the starting of 30,000 baht. Lots of Western and American are there for this kind of job, and they doing quite well.
Some are just teaching to have an earnings while they are staying there, for them to have a work and pleasure, what I mean is they are receiving a salary of 40,000 baht/monthly, that’s quite a lot of money in Thailand and you can live happily and leisurely with that amount, and take note, for single male teachers having that kind of salary, they can have as many girls as they want every night. It’s true. Even if they don’t do their job very well they are still being paid, in one of the story, the lady is not really doing her job, just giving the students some paper works and she will go out to have a smoke then go back in the class to check, her reason for the new teachers that notice her is that the administrator doesn’t care, coz its not there to check if you are doing your job or not. Imagine the students paying big sum of money just to learn English…pity for them. This kind of teachers doesn’t belong in the honorable teachers list.
Some teachers are very keen on their work, they love their job, they devote some of their spare time to have a tutorial class to students that are willing and striving to learn the language. They are the best teachers that are giving importance to the students even if they belong to the high level of people in Thailand.
You see, teachers are really different, in the Philippines you have to devote your time, energy, mind and power to teach the students what they have to learn. You have to care for each of your students learning coz you are their teacher and second parent. You have to guide them, in every road that they want to take, you have to be there in every ups and downs of their studies, you have to praise them in every accomplishments they made; you have to support them when they fail.
These are the noble teachers doing noble deeds and we salute them, if not because of them we are not in our position.
