JAN

UA

RY

20

11

A

PU

BL

ICA

TIO

N O

F A

ND

FO

R T

HE

FIL

IPIN

O C

AT

HO

LIC

MIG

RA

NT

S I

N S

EO

UL

AR

CH

DIO

CE

SE

V

olu

me

16 I

ssu

e 01

Gift Giving

Program Bro. Allan Rodriguez

Matagumpay na inilunsad ang

―Pamaskong Handog Mula sa mga

Migranteng Pinoy ng Korea‖ – Gift

Giving Program noong Disyembre

20, 2010 sa ganap na ika-8 ng umaga

sa Parish of Our Lady of the Aban-

doned (POLA), Mandaluyong City.

Mayroong 170 na pamilya ang naki-

nabang sa mga grocery items tulad

ng mga bigas at noodles mula sa

Korea, at mga de lata at kape na

ipinadala sa pamamagitan ng Hye-

wadong Filipino Catholic Commu-

nity (HFCC) sa pangunguna ni Fr.

Alvin Parantar, MSP, Chaplain.

Noong nakaraang pasko, nagsa-

gawa ang HFCC ng isang fund rais-

ing campaign para sa proyektong ito.

Ang nalikom mula sa ilang mga tao

at sa mga dumalo sa Christmas Party

ng HFCC ay ginamit na pambili sa

mga regalong inihandog sa mga tao

sa parokyang nabanggit.

Ang nasabing programa ay pina-

mumunuan ni Allan Rodriguez ng

MSP Migrants Desk na kasalukuy-

ang naka-base sa Pilipinas sa tulong

na rin ng mga volunteers ng MSP

Justice, Peace and Integrity of Crea-

tion at ng Service Committee ng

(Continued on page 3)

Bro. Allan Rodriguez, ang staff na namamahala ng MSP Migrant Desk sa Pilipinas,

kasama ang mga miyembro ng Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned (POLA) at

ilang miyembro ng MSP-JPIC, pagkatapos isagawa ang gift-giving mula sa mga

migrante sa Korea noong ika 20 ng Disyembre 2010.

T he annual

feast of

the Sto. Nino

was celebrated

b y t h e

Hyehwadong

F i l i p i n o

Catholic Com-

m u n i t y

(HFCC) on

January 16,

2011 at the

Hyehwadong

Church. This

was high-

lighted by the

SINULOG participated in by selected volunteers from

the Music Ministry, Church Stewards, and El Shaddai

Prayer Partners. Renz Frances Abagat was the queen of

Sto. Nino who led the Sinulog dance.

The word Sinulog comes from the Cebuano adverb

sulog which is "like water current movement," which

describes the forward-backward movement of the Sinu-

log dance.

The Sinulog is an annual festival held on the third

Sunday of January in Cebu City, Philippines. It's the

adaptation of Kalibo Sto Niño Ati-atihan festival in

Aklan. The festival honors the vision of the child Jesus,

known as the Santo Niño (Holy Child), who used to be

the patron Saint of the City of Cebu.

HFCC CELEBRATES THE FEAST OF THE STO. NIÑO By Emely Dicolen-Abagat, Ph.D.

Renz Frances D. Abagat during the celebration of

the Feast of the Sto Niño.

Eucharist ic Lay Ministry:

Christmas-Year End Party By Sis.Mel

Better late than Never.

Before the Christmas season ends and even if the year

2010 bade goodbye, the Eucharistic Lay Ministry held

their Christmas-Year End Party last January 2, 2011, at

the 3rd floor of Filipino Catholic Center at 4pm. It was

emceed by Bro. Edison Pinlac and Bro. Jimmy Villaflor.

The party started with a prayer by Bro. Dan Habana

followed by the welcome remarks led by Fr. Alvin

Parantar, MSP, Chaplain of Hyehwadong Filipino

Catholic Community (HFCC). At the start of the pro-

gram, everyone made a wine toast which means blessing

for all year round. This was followed by the lighting of a

tiny indoor sparkler which signifies the group‘s being

beacon of light and that God will always be the source

of it.

Fr. Arvin Mosqueda MSP, some participants from

other ministry of the said community and a few church

goers celebrated with the said group. Delicious Filipino

food were served and devoured by everybody. It was a

Sunday afternoon fun filled with games and surprises

which almost everyone participated and enjoyed.

On the said event, some awards were given to some

members of the ministry for the contribution shared. A

token of appreciation were also been given to the Fr.

Alvin and Fr. Arvin for their support. Also, Mr. Fran-

cisco Ilo, a Lay Minister in the Philippines and a hus-

band of Mrs. Rosario Ilo, OWWA Welfare Officer of

Philippine Embassy was introduced and expressed his

support to the community even if he will be going home

in February. Exchanging of gifts was the last part. Clos-

ing Prayer was led by Bro. Arnold Alo. The Eucharistic

Lay Ministry meeting followed next after the occasion.

Page 2 Volume 16 Issue 01 One community living up the Gospel through the service of the Lord and our fellow men

15 Feb 2011—28 Feb 2011

Inc-Mla Pus/Mla Inc-Cebu

1-Way 280,000 280,000 300,000

1 Mo 480,000 480,000 600,000

3 Mos 500,000 500,000 620,000

1 Mar 2011—31 Mar 2011

Inc-Mla Pus/Mla Inc-Cebu

1-Way 310,000 320,000 320,000

1 Mo 530,000 540,000 560,000

3 Mos 570,000 580,000 660,000

1 Mar 2011—31 Mar 2011

7 Days Inc-Mla (am) 420,000

Inc-Mla (pm) 400,000

Inc-Ceb 460,000

Inc-Pus 400,000

15 days Inc-Mla (am) 460,000

Inc-Mla (pm) 440,000

Inc-Ceb 520,000

Inc-Pus 440,000

For Inquiries Please Call:

010-2665-6607 or 02-2164-4404

Page 3 Volume 16 Issue 01 One community living up the Gospel through the service of the Lord and our fellow men

ILAN PANG KATULAD NI

CATHY? Emely Dicolen-Abagat, Ph.D.

Kamakailan ay ginulat tayo sa balitang di

umano ay pagkakamatay ng isa nating ka-

babayan na si Cathy, 25 taong gulang, mula

sa General Santos City. Hindi lamang ito

ang kauna-unahang pagkakataon na tayo ay

makakarinig ng mga ganitong balita na

nangyayari sa ating mga kababayan na

nakapangasawa ng Koreano.

Sa mga nakalipas, maaaring wala tayong

ginawa kundi magkibit-balikat at sabihing

―eh kasalanan nila yun eh. Alam na nga

nilang mahirap papasok pa sila sa ganyang

relasyon!‖ Wala tayong ibang sinisisi kundi

sila at wala ng iba.

Subalit sa kabila ng mga ganitong pan-

gyayari bakit patuloy na dumadami ang

mga kababayan natin na bagamat walang

katiyakan at mas malaki ang panganib

kaysa sa mabuting idudulot nito, ay patuloy

na nakikipagsapalaran sa paraang ganito?

KAHIRAPAN ba ang sagot dito?

Mga ilang buwan na ang nakakalipas, may

isang Filipina na nakauwi na dahil siya ay

nahuli pagkatapos niyang makipaghiwalay

sa asawang Koreano at mawalan ng visa, ay

nagmessage sa akin sa yahoo messenger at

humihingi ng tulong upang makatakas sa

kanyang asawa. Tanong ko sa kanya nasaan

siya . Sagot niya ay nasa Busan siya at

nakipagasawa uli sa Koreano at kakapanga-

nak lang niya. Laking gulat ko at sabi ko ay

―Ha? Hindi ka pa nadala sa naging karana-

san mo sa una?‖ Sagot niya ay ―Doc, ang

hirap kasi ng buhay sa Pilipinas.‖ Hindi na

ako nakaimik dahil sa aminin ko man at

hindi, maaaring tama siya.

Tama! hindi natin mapigil ang kanilang

desisyon dahil may kanya-kanya silang

mga dahilan. Subalit, ano pa kaya ang ating

magagawa nang sila ay mabigyan ng edu-

kasyon upang malaman at mapaghandaan

nila ang mga sitwasyon na kanilang

susuungin bago pa man sila magdesisyon

na pumasok sa kalakal na ito.

Kung hindi man mabawasan ang bilang ng

mga katulad ni Cathy na makikipagsapala-

ran, sana‘y tuluyan ng mawala ang mga

sanhi ng kalakalang ito tulad ng kahirapan,

illegal brokers, kamangmangan at iba pa.

ISANG MAHALAGANG PANAWAGAN

K ung sino man po ang nakakakilala kay MERLINDA AQUINO SALINAS o mas kilala sa

pangalang AMELIA AQUINO dito sa Korea, pakisabi lamang sa kanya ng siya ay hina-

hanap ng kanyang anak na si MA. VICTORIA SALINAS ng # 33 Fraserwood Rd, Thornhill,

Toronto, On., L4J9C5, Canada, phone # : 647-869-9209, email add: smvcutie23@yahoo.com.

O di kaya ay ipagbigay alam lamang po sa patnugot ng SAMBAYANAN o sa Philippine Cen-

ter. Si Amelia ay dating naninirahan sa Dona Feliza Village, San Nicolas, FLorida Blanca,

Pampanga. Umalis siya sa Pilipinas noong 1994 at simula noon ay hinahanap na siya ng kan-

yang anak.

POLA.

Halos isang buwan bago maganap ang pro-

grama ay masinsinang sinuyod ng mga volun-

teers ng nabanggit na mga komite ang mga pa-

milyang karapat-dapat makinabang. Karamihan

sa kanila ay pawang naninirahan sa mga lugar

na nasasakupan ng parokya. Kaugnay sa progra-

mang ito ay ang pagbibigay sa kanila ng kate-

sismo sa pamamagitan ni Cerina Garfin upang

ipabatid ang kahalagahan ng pagsisimba at

pakikiisa sa mga gawain ng parokya.

Matapos ang pagdiriwang ng espesyal na

banal na misa sa pangunguna ni Rev. Fr.

Randy Gumanit, MSP at Coordinator ng MSP

Migrants Desk ay ipinamahagi rin ang inihan-

dang almusal para sa kanila. Naghandog rin ng

dalawang imahe ng Ina ng mga Walang Mag-

ampon si Estrella Legaspi ng POLA Finance

Committee sa pamamagitan ng raffle draw.

Naantig ang puso ng mga volunteers habang

pinagmamasdan ang mga pamilya na umuwing

nagagalak habang bitbit ang mga biyayang

kanilang tinanggap. Malaki rin ang pasasalamat

ni Fr. Randy sa mga Migranteng Pilipino sa

Korea at Kay Fr. Alvin na silang naging instru-

mento upang ibahagi sa kapus-palad ang tunay

na kahulugan ng Pasko. Maraming salamat sa

inyong mga ginintuang puso! Sa inyong lahat na

mga Pinoy sa Korea, Maligayang Pasko at Ma-

saganang Bagong Taon!

(Continued from page 1 - Gift Giving ...)

Please Help Bro. Allan Rodriguez

B umaha sa buong kabayanan, may land-

slide sa kabilang barangay, samantalang

na-stranded ang maraming tao sa kabilang

nayon. Ilang araw nang sunod-sunod ang

malakas na ulan. Napakataas ng tubig-baha.

Lumubog at inanod nito ang mga pananim,

pati mga kabahayan. Ang masaklap, maram-

ing buhay ang nasawi. ―Tulungan nyo kami!

Tulong!‖, sigaw ng isang buong pamilyang

nasa loob ng tahanan habang inanod ito ng

rumaragasang baha. Tanging laman ng mga

pahayagan, baha rito, baha roon. Isang mag-

ina ang inanod ng baha habang naka-angkas sa

motorsiklo na pilit na inilikas ng asawa na

siyang nagmamaneho at siya lamang ang na-

kaligtas. Marami ang nagugutom at nauuhaw,

marami ang nagkakasakit. Makikitang tinan-

gay ng malakas na agos ang isang babae! Na-

kakapigil-hininga! Gusto mong tumulong pero

paano kapag ikaw naman ang matangay ng

baha? Masakit, gusto mong tumulong ngunit

wala kang magawa. Tanging magagawa sa

ganoong mga sandali ay ang pumikit upang

hindi masaksihan ang kahindik-hindik na ek-

sena. Takpan ang tenga nang hindi marinig

ang alingawngaw, ang palahaw ng kahabag-

habag na mga biktima.

Ito ang katotohanan at di maikakailang pan-

gyayari dito sa Pilipinas. Mga pangyayaring

animo‘y hagupit ng kalikasan na walang sinu-

mang makahahadlang. Kanino dapat ipukol

ang sisi at kailan bigyang halaga ang pag-

sisisi? Sa ganitong mga dilubyo ay hindi nara-

rapat ang magsisihan at magturuan, bagkus

pairalin ang pagtutulungan at pagdamay sa

mga nangangailangan.

Sa kasalukuyan, maraming pamilya ang

nakataas ang kamay at naghihintay ng pagla-

gak ng biyaya mismo sa kanilang harapan. Sa

ngayon ay wala silang magagawa sapagkat

marami ang nawalan ng tahanan at mga kabu-

hayan. Kanino nila dapat iasa ang pangan-

gailangan ng kanilang sikmura? Ito ay isang

panawagang nararapat na dagliang pagtugon.

Maraming bahay, pananim at mga taong

inanod ng baha at natabunan ng gumuhong

lupa, Kaya pa bang hukayin ang mga bagay

na ito? Imposible! Ngunit ang napakalaking

possible ay ang muling hukayin ang halos

nabaon na sa limot nating kaugalian, ang

―bayanihan‖.

Ang Mission Society of the Philippines

(MSP) Migrants Desk ay nais magsagawa ng

programang makatutugon sa pangangailangan

ng ating mga kababayang nasalanta ng baha sa

bayan ng St. Bernard, Southern Leyte. Sa

pamamagitan ni Fr. Alvin Parantar, MSP ay

hinihikayat namin kayong lahat na maging

katuwang sa pagpapatupad ng layuning ito.

Hangad naming maging katuwang kayo

upang mapagningas muli ang aandap-andap na

pag-asa ng mga biktima. ―Sapagkat ngayon

ang panahon ng pagsasama-sama. Sino ka

man, saan ka man, di na ito mahalaga. Iabot

mo ang iyong kamay, kapit-bisig sa pagka-

kaisa!‖ Sa pamamagitan ng MSP Migrants

Desk, ikaw ay kapamilya at kapuso ng mga

migranteng Pilipino!

(Para sa karagdagang kaalaman hinggil sa

programang ito, makipag-ugnayan kay Fr.

Alvin Parantar, MSP at Chaplain ng Hye-

wadong Filipino Catholic Community, Seoul,

Korea)

Page 4 Volume 16 Issue 01 One community living up the Gospel through the service of the Lord and our fellow men

S atan recently called a worldwide conven-

tion of demons to catch up with the strong

and growing Christian Movement;

In his opening address he said,

"We can't keep Christians away from going

to church."

"We can't keep them from reading their Bi-

bles and knowing the truth."

"We can't even keep them from forming an

intimate relationship with their saviour."

"Once they gain that connection with Jesus,

our power over them is broken."

"So let them go to their churches; let them

have their covered dish dinners, BUT steal their

time, so they don't have time to develop a rela-

tionship with Jesus Christ.."

"This is what I want you to do," said the

devil:

"Distract them from gaining hold of their

Saviour and maintaining that vital connection

throughout their day!"

"How shall we do this?" his demons shouted.

"Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life

and invent innumerable schemes to occupy

their minds," he answered.

"Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and

borrow, borrow, borrow."

"Persuade the wives to go to work for long

hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each

week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford

their empty lifestyles."

"Keep them from spending time with their

children."

"As their families fragment, soon, their

homes will offer no escape from the pressures

of work!"

"Over-stimulate their minds so that they can-

not hear that still, small voice."

"Entice them to play the radio or cassette

player whenever they drive." To keep the TV,

VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in

their home and see to it that every store and

restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music

constantly."

"This will jam their minds and break that

union with Christ."

"Fill the coffee tables with magazines and

newspapers."

"Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a

day."

"Invade their driving moments with bill-

boards."

"Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail

order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of

newsletter and promotional offering free prod-

ucts, services and false hopes.."

"Keep skinny, beautiful models on the maga-

zines and TV so their husbands will believe that

outward beauty is what's important, and they'll

become dissatisfied with their wives. "

"Keep the wives too tired to love their hus-

bands at night."

"Give them headaches too! "

"If they don't give their husbands the love

they need, they will begin to look elsewhere."

"That will fragment their families quickly!"

"Even in their recreation, let them be exces-

sive."

"Have them return from their recreation ex-

hausted."

"Keep them too busy to go out in nature and

reflect on God's creation. Send them to amuse-

ment parks, sporting events, plays, concerts,

and movies instead."

"Keep them busy, busy, and busy!"

"And when they meet for spiritual fellow-

ship, involve them in gossip and small talk so

that they leave with troubled consciences."

"Crowd their lives with so many good causes

they have no time to seek power from Jesus."

"Soon they will be working in their own

strength, sacrificing their health and family for

the good of the cause."

"It will work!"

"It will work!"

It was quite a plan!

The demons went eagerly to their assign-

ments causing Christians everywhere to get

busier and more rushed, going here and there.

Having little time for their God or their fami-

lies.

Having no time to tell others about the power

of Jesus to change lives.

I guess the question is, has the devil been

successful in his schemes?

You be the judge!!!!!

Does "BUSY" mean: B-eing U-under S-

atan's Y-oke?

Please pass this on, if you aren't too BUSY!

I don't think I know 10 people who would

admit they love Jesus.

Do You Love Him?

IF YOU LOVE JESUS, PASS THIS

ON!!!!!!!

"But those who wait on the LORD shall

renew their strength; they shall mount up with

wings like eagles,they shall run and not be

weary;they shall walk and not faint".

Isaiah 40:31,NKJV, Bible.

D e v i l s t r i c k s

H F C C C O U N C I L P L A N S F O R 2 0 1 1 Emely Dicolen-Abagat, Ph.D.

T he Council members of the Hyehwadong

Filipino Catholic Community, together

with representatives from its sub-communities,

the El Shaddai Prayer Partners and the Daerim

Filipino Catholic Community, held its annual

planning workshop on January 23, 2011 at the

Archdiocesan Pastoral Labor Center

(Bomundong) from 10:00 in the morning to

5:00 in the afternoon. The Council holds this

annual planning to set the direction of the com-

munity for the whole year in consonance with

its Vision and Mission.

The day‘s activity opened with a prayer led

by Mr. Roberto Catanghal, the Chairman of the

Lay Ministry. Fr. Alvin B. Parantar, MSP, the

Chaplain of HFCC officially welcomed the

participants and gave the workshop overview.

He gave emphasis on the different dimensions

of the HFCC structure that need to be addressed

in the planning workshop which was started

about three years ago.

To reawaken the spirit of volunteerism

among the leaders, Bro. Jimmy Villaflor, the

Vice President of the HFCC gave a short lec-

ture on the topic ―Church Volunteerism.‖ To

make his sharing more experiential, he made

mention of his own personal experiences as a

volunteer of the El Shaddai Prayer Partners. He

left the leaders a challenge: To Make a Differ-

ence, be a Church Volunteer.

One if the important aspects of being a leader

and a follower of a certain organization is com-

munication. This is what Dr. Emely Dicolen-

Abagat talked about in her short input entitled

―Communication in the Organization.‖ First she

talked about communication in general, then

discussed the barriers to effective communica-

tion, and finally talked about communicating

decisions in the organization. She said ―When

we communicate the right information at the

right time in the right way our communication

will be more effective.‖

To set the mood for the planning proper, Bro.

Jimmy Villaflor gave a run through of the ma-

jor activities which HFCC had in the year 2010.

This was followed by the presentation of the

Council‘s Assessment and Recommendations

by Fr. Alvin, a result of a previous Council

Meeting held at the Philippine Center. After

which, the accomplishments and 2011 plans of

each committee and sub-community were pre-

sented by Dr. Emely.

The afternoon session started with a short

recap of the morning session. Fr. Alvin gave

the framework for planning. Afterwards, the

participants were divided into smaller groups

for the workshop. The presentation of outputs

followed and the highlights were noted for

further discussion and decision by the Council.

The calendaring and consolidation of activities

ensued.

To finalize all the activities and decide on the

recommendations, a special council meeting

was scheduled for January 30, 2011 at the Phil-

ippine Center.

The day‘s activity ended with a Eucharistic

Celebration with Fr. Alvin as the main cele-

brant. In his homily he gave emphasis on the

characteristics of a leader having the Knowl-

edge, Skills, Ability, Credibility and Spiritual-

ity (KSACS). The same characteristics which

Jesus might have considered in choosing his

apostles.

Page 5 Volume 16 Issue 01 One community living up the Gospel through the service of the Lord and our fellow men

A Filipina woman committed suicide last

week, after allegedly suffering abuse and

forced prostitution by her Korean husband in

Gongju, South Chungcheong Province.

Cathy Bonesa Mae Deocades, a 25-year-old

woman from General Santos City, southern

Philippines, was found to have hung herself at

her home in Gongju on Jan. 11.

Before her death, Deocades was quoted by

some of her friends in Korea and her family in

the Philippines that her husband, identified only

as Park, repeatedly abused her and tried to sell

her to other men for sex.

Deocades, who left behind a five-month-old

baby girl, had allegedly suffered from postnatal

depression and was admitted to the psychiatric

ward section of a hospital last October.

―Cathy called her parents to say that she was

very sad and wanted to leave. She asked them

to send her money so she could go home,‖ a

Filipino community leader in Gongju said.

However, her family could not send the money

for a plane ticket.

Deocades married Park in the Philippines in

2009 through a marriage broker. After moving

to Korea, Deocades claimed she was being

maltreated by her husband, who was a farmer,

and her parents-in-law.

Deocades‘ parents became increasingly con-

cerned, and asked the Philippine Embassy per-

sonnel to visit her in Gongju. But when asked

by the embassy personnel last October, she

claimed to be fine and there was nothing to

worry about.

Deocades‘ friends became worried after they

were unable to contact or see her from Decem-

ber, and any phone calls were interrupted or

stopped.

While the Gongju City police ruled Deo-

cades‘ death was suicide due to depression, her

family in the Philippines believes there might

be some foul play involved.

.....continue to page 7

To deepen our

knowledge of

w h a t M u l t i -

Cultural Marriages

or International

Marriages is all

about, one must

not confine him-

self or herself in

what the papers say but to actually gather infor-

mation, opinions and even experiences from

those people who are actually living under the

circumstances. Here‘s an experience of a sim-

ple lady married to a Korean and how she was

able to cope up with her new life.

Her name is Veronica Viray, but I‘m fond of

calling her Nica and others call her Vero. She‘s

36 years old, hails from Penafrancia, Cupang,

Antipolo City. She worked as a secretary, care-

giver and teacher in the Philippines. In March

10, 2003 she came to Korea and got married on

November 9, 2003, seven months after her

arrival. But on November 30, 2008 they had

their Church Wedding.

She said, she met her Korean husband

through the Unification Church or what they

called Moonis who matches Korean men to

foreign women whom she said wanted to build

a foundation of a unified and fulfilled family.

As early as 2001 her friend encouraged her to

join the church and marry a Korean while she‘s

training as a care-giver. She said her first inten-

tion is to go abroad, get a job and to have a new

adventure in life. She said she doesn‘t have any

idea of Korea and what its people really like.

All she knew was they are economically stable

and they want things in order and are very fast.

At first she was burdened with fears and wor-

ries because she doesn‘t know what lies ahead

for her. But she said there is a Big God in her

heart.

When she came to Korea in March 2003, she

met her husband on the following month of

April. And before starting a family the Unifica-

tion Church set the 6 months program and

trainings for the Korean wives. With these, she

studied the Korean language, learned Korean

dishes especially kimchi. And also studied the

Korean culture, tradition and their national

holidays.

She met a lot of people like halmeoni

(grandma) harabeoji (grandpa), ajumma from

the neighborhood and people from the Multi-

cultural Support Center. These people helped

her a lot and taught her how to transact business

like matters in the bank and others. Her sister in

law assisted her whenever she visited the doc-

tor. These people, she said became the instru-

ment of God and her strength to be able to

adapt and live her life in Korea.

In her seven years of marriage, she encoun-

tered a lot of problems and that she said she

was tested by fire. At first, they were having

problems in communication for they did not

pass through the stage of getting to know each

other. She said all she knew about her husband

is that he is a man of few words and seldom

speaks. And all they did was sign language and

took a lot of patience before they finally under-

stood themselves. And she said that the

―language of love‖ is the best communication.

With the Korean food, she found it hard to

eat their spicy and smelly kimchi but with the

insistence of her extended family she learned to

appreciate it. Through this she was able to learn

the value of appreciating things and how it will

affect the other party in return. The beauty that

lies within in one‘s self by learning how to

accept and appreciate things.

And third is about financial matter. When

they were just starting, she said that her hus-

band kept many secrets from her. She cannot

even see his passbook or his salary, and she felt

that she is nothing as a wife. Her husband is the

one handling the money matters at home. When

she was a little girl she was able to manage her

―baon‖ and save from it by putting in her piggy

bank.

Her husband gave her money to spend for her

personal needs and she made an accounting of

everything she bought and showed it to her

husband. Finally she made her husband trust

her and now she‘s the one managing their fi-

nances and they talk about money matters too

and even gave his monthly salary to her. But

she said she still gives him space and freedom

in this aspect because she also wanted the same.

Nica said one of the things she loves in Ko-

rea is the four (4) seasons especially the winter

and spring season. She loves winter because of

the snow, though in her first three years she felt

uncomfortable wearing 3 layers of clothing and

boots since she was not used to it, but now

together with their children she enjoyed playing

in the snow, making snowman and snowball.

While during spring season, she loves to look at

the trees and flowers starting to bloom. She

said, watching them bloom makes her soul

refreshed.

When asked what advice she can give to her

fellow Filipina who wants to marry Koreans or

other foreign nationals, she said she will ask

first what is their definition of marriage. And

only from the answers given she can base her

advice. But definitely she must have a sense of

commitment and matured enough to weigh

things around her. The most important thing is

she must have a deep relationships with God

who will strengthen her when troubles come

and whom she can depend on.

With all these, she thinks cultural differences

especially in marriage would not be a problem

but a challenge to have and live a happy life.

H e r D r e a m s … a n d t h e R e a l i t y By: Lyn C. Laurito

Filipina Commits Suicide After Enduring Marital Abuse By Cathy Rose A. Garcia

Page 6 Volume 16 Issue 01 One community living up the Gospel through the service of the Lord and our fellow men

Sa Muling Pagbangon Ni:Bro. Joel Tavarro

Inakalang malakas sa binabaybay na landas

Mabuti‘t muling sinagip sa panlilinlang ni Hudas

Maraming salamat Panginoon, di hinayaang makalas

Sa ubasan Mong banal na katulad ay tabak na matalas.

Hayaang makabangon, pupuksain ang kanyang kampon

Katuwang at kasangga, gamitin ako upang sila ay ibalunbon

Prinsipyo mo‘y ipagpapatuloy upang iligtas ang nagugumon

Sapagkat di Mo nais na sila‘y malayo habang panahon.

Sa panghihina ko‘t panlalamig, narito at iyong pinaiinit

Yakap Mong makapangyarihan, pag-ibig na hindi napupunit

Minsan pang hinihiling, karunungan sa akin ay iukit

Regalo Mo‘y iingatan at di hahayaan na kanilang makupit.

Pagpupuri at pagsamba ay muling handog sa bagong taon

Inaalay ko ang sarili dahil sa walang sawang pagbabangon

Kung hindi dahil Sa Iyo, saan kayang putikan ako naroroon

Malamang sa kasalanan at pagkaganid, tuluyan nang naka-

baon.

Ang lumalapit sa Iyo, malinaw na inaagaw ng kasamaan

Subalit kapag Iyong tinawag, ‗di mananakaw, sa‘yo nakalaan

Nilikha Mong tunay na kailangan ang iyong gabay at tulong

Kung sa buhay ay wala, mistulang gomang pagulong-gulong.

NGAYONG BAGONG TAON Ni:Bro. Joel Tavarro

Ano ba ang iyong tinalikdan sa nakaraan

Luma‘t di magandang alaala‘y ating kaligtaan

Walang maidudulot na mabuti sa kasalukuyan

Di namamalaya‘y baon na pala sa pagkasuklam.

Ngayon na ang tamang panahon upang magsimula

Sa pagkakadapa na hanggang ngayo‘y nakahilata

Pagmasdan ang iyong sarili, hindi ka ba naaawa?

Mga nasimulan ay tuluyan na bang mababalewala?

Ihakbang ang mga paa, tanawin ang nakangiting

bukas

Nakalaang mga pagpapala ay hindi ba nababakas?

Nakakubli sa aninong may lungko,t sana ay matuk-

las

Huwag angkining nakakulong sa bakal na rehas.

Pagmasdan ang iba puno ng kagalaka‘t sila‘y masaya

Samantalang ikaw ay nalulugmok sa hapis at lumu-

luha

Luha na nagsadlak sa iyo upang hindi na makawala

Pinalubog ka upang hindi hayaang muling makalaya.

Isang hamon na madaling lampasan kung nanaisin

Payo na idinaan sa tula, di naman masalimuot intin-

dihin

Ibaling ang mga mata sa malayo, ginhawa ay tatama-

sahin

Bagong taon, bagong buhay, bagong paningin sa

bagong adhikain.

HABANG MAY BUHAY Ni: Michael B. Balba

Kung ako'y bibigyan ng pagkakataon, Muling maibalik nagdaang kahapon,

Aking itatama kamalian noon, Upang ang puso ko maligaya ngayon.

Pag-ibig mong tapat aking iingatan,

Upang tayong dal'wa hindi magkawalay, Ngayong wala ka na ay aking nalaman,

Ikaw aking sinta pinakamamahal,

Nang ika‘y lumayo ay aking nabatid, Ikaw aking hirang pinakaiibig,

Ngayo'y walang kulay ang aking paligid, Sapagkat puso ko ikaw lang ang pintig.

Sana kung sakali na muling magkita,

Muli mong tanggapin pag-ibig ko sinta, Dito sa piling ko huwag mangangamba,

Pagkat habambuhay na iingatan ka.

Kung ika'y babalik dito sa'king piling, Habang may buhay kitang iibigin, Pangako sa iyo tandaan mo giliw,

Habang may buhay ika'y mamahalin.

SALAMAT KAIBIGAN Ni:Michael B. Balba

Salamat sa iyo aking kaibigan,

Sa lahat ng oras lagi kang nariyan,

Laging bukas-palad ang iyong pagdamay,

Kaya ang pagsubok ay nakakayanan.

Salamat sa iyo ikaw ay dumating

Ngayong kailangan ng makakapiling,

Salamat sa iyong pakikinig sa'kin,

Sa mga sandaling ako'y naninimdim.

Ang bigat ng mundo aking nakakaya,

Pagkat kaibigan lagi kang kasama,

Lagi kang nariyan sa saya o dusa,

Kaya sa tuwina hindi nag-iisa.

Takot at pangamba kapag nadarama,

Ikaw ang sa akin nagbibigay sigla,

Salamat sa iyo kaibigang sinta,

Nawa'y magtagal pa ating pagsasama.

Salamat kaibigan maraming salamat,

Isa kang biyayang sa langit nagbuhat,

Sa iyong pagdating dulot mo ay galak,

Dito sa puso ko na laging may sugat.

Page 7 Volume 16 Issue 01 One community living up the Gospel through the service of the Lord and our fellow men

L e t M e C r y , J u s t F o r a L i t t l e W h i l e By Sis. Mel

I had this weird experience with a three year

old girl named Sophia. One Saturday night,

she was playing play dough in the counter and I

warned her that some fragments might fall on

the floor and Tarek, his one year old brother,

who was crawling, might accidentally swallow

it. She agreed.

I was doing some dishes in the kitchen and

not far from where they were playing. A few

minutes later, it was all silence and I found it

too odd, so I decided to take a look. And there I

saw the little boy staring at a few small pieces

of dough and was about to eat them. Since I

was caught in surprise, I yelled at them. And

there you have it, the two kids were crying out

loud as if they saw a terminator ready to punish

them.

While I picked up the boy from the floor, I

scolded them instead of calming them down.

Sophia hugged her baby meow (cat) beside her

and said something while staring at me and

said, ―let me just cry, for a little while.‖

I felt a punch on my face and a pinch in my

heart. I was so embarassed. I immediately em-

braced her. I whispered on her ear the word of

forgiveness and the assurance of my love. She

looked at me and asked, ―Are we friends

again?‖ We both laughed and the rest was his-

tory.

That encounter taught me lessons in life.

First, I warned her but because of her inno-

cence, she was not aware of some pieces of

play dough dropping on the floor. Like me for

instance or for many of us, though we were told

of good deeds since we were kids, we still

stumble and fall and worst, gone astray. Not

because of our innocence but because of our

own stubbornness.

Secondly, I failed to recognize that I was

talking to a little girl whose mind was preoccu-

pied with her own things. Our life is engaged

with enormous desires; we fail to notice the

voice of the One who created us, who knew us

from the very start and who knows what‘s best

for us.

Third lesson, being angry and expressing

your emotion whenever you feel like releasing

it out, won‘t make you any less person or make

you a better one either. But what‘s important is

that you can accept the shortcomings or mis-

takes, and that we are ready to ask forgiveness

and forget. We cannot do such things if we

never have a humble heart. A childlike kind of

heart that can only be fabricated by Him.

Lastly, crying is one way of releasing the

toxins in our eyes. And by that, we are licensed

to cry because of pain, rejection, brokenness or

things that make us sad. And even shedding

tears because of joy. But we should also know

where and when to stop. God died and rose

again once and after that, there is much joy,

light and resurrection. We are allowed to sleep

8 hours at night and after that, we will be awake

for 16 hours. Our life should be dominated by

light because that‘s God wants us to do. Like

what Sophia did, indeed we can cry, but just for

a little while.

THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN KOREA THANKS CATHY Emely Dicolen-Abagat, Ph.D.

She is the ―voice‖ of the

Filipinos in the print media.

Various issues and concerns

of the Filipino communities

in Korea involving different

sectors such as workers,

students, professors, and

even multicultural families

were brought to the attention

of the concerned agencies

and to the public eye

through the competent and

generous help of Ms. Cathy

Rose Garcia, a journalist and

a concerned kababayan

whose heart sympathizes

with all the Filipinos in

Korea.

Cathy is a staff reporter, and

the only Filipino staff of The

Korea Times in Seoul. Presently,

she is a senior business reporter in charge of writing business features and

interviews with top business executives in Korea. Previously, she was in

charge of the art, culture and entertainment section, writing about music,

art, fashion and food.

Before she joined The Korea Times, she also worked in several newspa-

per companies in the Philippines. She was a senior reporter of the Busi-

ness World Publishing from 1998 to 2004 particularly in the political desk

covering the President, foreign affairs, defense and House of Represen-

tatives, stock market, SEC, and the Weekender feature section.

Later, she worked for Today Publishing in 2004 and was in charge of

business reports involving the Philippine stock market, SEC retail and

property markets.

In recognition of her competence and dedication to her work, The Korea

Times gave her the ―Monthly Scoop Award‖ in March 2010. She was also

a two-time finalist of the Jaime V. Ongpin Awards for Excellence in

Journalism in the Philippines and the Best Feature Story winner for 2004,

Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines.

Cathy is a graduate of the University of the Philippines with the degree of

Bachelor of Arts in Journalism as Cum Laude.

After serving The Korea Times for six (6) years, she finally decided to be

back home to the Philippines and join her family. When asked what about

her plans when she is back, she said ―have my vacation for a few months

first, then explore possibilities for work.‖

Cathy, thank you so much for all the assistance. The whole community

wishes you the best, and we pray that you will enjoy your much coveted

vacation that you have been ―deprived‖ of for the past six years. Bring

with you our prayers that GOD may grant you the desires of your heart.

Once again, maraming maraming salamat!!!

Ms. Cathy Rose Garcia, staff reporter,

The Korea Times.

...from page 5 (Filipina….)

Deocades‘ body arrived in General Santos City, Wednesday, and an

autopsy was conducted, with the results to be released in a few days.

Her husband reportedly gave 1.5 million won to Deocades‘ family.

There have been an increasing number of arranged marriages be-

tween Korean men and foreign women, mostly from Southeast Asia, in

Korea. Many problems have arisen due to language and cultural barri-

ers, as well as the age gap between the Korean men and foreign

women.

Last year, a 20-year-old Vietnamese woman was killed by her men-

tally-unstable Korean husband eight days after arriving in Korea.

Source: Korea Times 21 January 2011 issue

Page 8 Volume 16 Issue 01 One community living up the Gospel through the service of the Lord and our fellow men

I magine a king who establishes a new country

on the other side of the ocean. In order to

populate his new land, he chooses the people

that he wants to make citizens. Next, he builds

a ship and prepares his chosen people for the

long journey across the ocean.

The ship he provides is a large, beautiful

ocean liner well-equipped with everything

needed for the journey: food and water, show-

ers with hot water, navigation charts, a crew

and captain, and power to move the ship. The

king puts everyone he has chosen aboard this

ship and sends them on their way to their new

home. Everything needed to reach the new

country can be found aboard that ship.

Of course, the founder of this new country is

God, the new country is heaven, and you and I

are the ones he has chosen to journey there. The

ship that He built is the Catholic Church, the

captain is the pope, and the crew is the bishops,

priests and deacons. The navigation charts are

Scripture and Tradition. The showers are the

sacraments of baptism and reconciliation, and

the food and water for the journey is the Eucha-

rist. The power that moves the ship is the Holy

Spirit. Everything we need to reach heaven can

be found within the Catholic Church.

The journey goes smoothly until the ship is

halfway across the ocean. Then, some of the

passengers start to argue and protest. Like the

Israelites who grumbled about the manna in the

desert, they begin to complain about eating the

same food all the time. They ask, ―Who is this

captain, and why should he be in charge? Who

gave these crew members the right to tell us

what to do?‖

The protesters go down into the bottom of

the ship where they find wood and rope, and

they build rafts for themselves. They collect

food and water, clothing and anything else they

can find, and throw themselves and their rafts

over the side of the ship. Now, they don‘t have

to listen to the captain and crew, or eat that

same old food or even take those hot showers

which made them uncomfortable. They are

free!

The scene is amazing. Instead of a single ship

sailing for its home port, there are now 33,000

or more small rafts in the water around the

ship! (The Oxford University Encylcopedia of

Christianity says there are 33,000 Protestant

denominations today with more being added to

this number each year.) Now this beautiful ship

is surrounded by 33,000 rafts bobbing around

it—each with its own captain giving conflicting

and contradictory orders.

As the ship continues toward heaven, some

of the rafts remain close by, but others drift off

into the distance, and some are moving in the

opposite direction and have lost their way com-

pletely. Those rafts that are close to the ship are

sheltered from some of the wind and waves;

those farther away are tossed about during the

storms. The farther away they are, the less

chance they have to make it to the other side.

Everything good on board the rafts came

from the ship, but now they are cut off. Eventu-

ally, the food runs out, and the people begin to

eat something other than what the king pro-

vided. There are no showers available for the

people to get clean again.

When I was a Protestant, I never realized that

everything good that I had came from the

Catholic Church. For example, the Bible was

put together by Catholic bishops and copied

and preserved by Catholic monks. Martin Lu-

ther even admitted that we wouldn‘t have a

Bible if it were not for ―the papists.‖ My Prot-

estant fellowship only had two sacraments,

baptism and the Lord‘s Supper, while the

Catholic Church has seven. Those who are still

out on the rafts need to be reminded that every-

thing they have, they got from the Mother ship.

One interesting point is that I did not jump

off the ship; I was born on a raft. For a long

time, I didn‘t even know there was ship—it was

nowhere in sight! I was born on a Baptist raft,

and I could yell over to the Methodist raft, and

they could yell over to the Episcopalian raft,

and they could yell over to the Anglican raft,

and so forth. We called that fellowship.

Then one day, I caught a glimpse of some-

thing large on the horizon, and I said, ―Hey,

what is that?‖ They answered, ―We don‘t want

to talk about it.‖ ―Why not,‖ I asked. ―Because

it‘s bad.‖ ―What is it?‖ ―It‘s the ship.‖ Out of

ignorance, I accepted the idea that the ship was

bad. One day, however, it dawned on me that

that the founder of the country I was trying to

reach had created the ship to carry me home

safely. ―Of course,‖ I thought. ―Why would

God create 33,000 rafts competing to ferry His

people home?‖ After reading and researching

and praying, I got back on board the ship. I

became a Catholic, and I‘m amazed at what I

have found onboard.

Cradle Catholics may take these things for

granted, but we converts are in awe. You have

seven sacraments, and they work! You have

navigation charts: the Scriptures and the Tradi-

tion that helps you make sense of the maps.

You have a crew that understands how to read

the maps and charts without error, how to pre-

pare the food, the Eucharist, properly, and how

to operate the showers so that we can get

cleaned up from all the foulsmelling sins we

commit. You also have a captain, the Pope,

who actually knows where he‘s going!

T h e S h i p a n d t h e R a f t s A C a t h o l i c C o n v e r t L o o k s B a c k

By Steve Ray - (http://www.catholic-convert.com/2011/01/11/ships-rafts-my-explanation-of-catholics-protestants/)

MINIMUM WAGE In 2011

Per hour Daily

(8 hours)

Monthly

40-hour work week

(209 hours)

44-hour work week

(226 hours)

All the business and workplaces 4,320 won 34,560 won 902,880 won 976,320 won

Probational period within 3 months 3,888 won 31,104 won Cases

applying

reduce

wage

Surveillance or intermittent job after

employer obtained an approval from

the Minister of MOEL (20% by

2011)

3,456 won 27,648 won

* Application period: Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2011

* Applies to all the business and workplaces

across the nation without any regional and oc-

cupational difference.

* Exceptional cases: family business hiring ony

family members, housework employees, and

seamen and ship owners. Low work capability

due to mental or physical disability (limited to

the companies of MOEL permitted).

Employer’s responsibilities

1. Notification responsibility (1 Mil KRW pen-

alty) - Employer has to post ‗Minimum wage

guideline‘ or inform employees in a proper

and efficient way

2. Contents - Minimum wage / Payroll items

not included in minimum wage / Type of

workers not applicable for minimum wage

announcement.

3. Joint Liability with contractor - If subcon-

tractor pays less salary than minimum

amount since the contract made between

contractor and sub-con contains Labor Cost

provision lower than minimum standard, sub-

contractor and contractor have joint liability

on it.

4. Pay responsibility more than minimum

wage - (If violation happened, 3yrs jail con-

finement or less than 20 Mil KRW penalty

are sentenced, Class differential applicable.)

Employer has to pay more than minimum

salary and are not allowed to reduce the level

of wage level.

* In case wage is set lower than minimum, the

wage in the contract become invalid and noti-

fied minimum wage should be paid.

Page 9 Volume 16 Issue 01 One community living up the Gospel through the service of the Lord and our fellow men

REGULAR ACTIVITIES

Tuesdays:

Bible Sharing .............. Incheon

Wednesdays:

Prayer Intercession..... Itaewon

Thursdays:

Praise and Worship

Holy Mass............ Bokwang Dong

Fridays:

Bible Sharing........... Itaewon, Sangmun, Chang Wi-2 dong, Myonmok Dong,

Songsu Dong

Saturdays:

Prayer Intercession.. Bokwang Dong

Bible Sharing........... Ansan

Sundays:

Fellowship; Praise and

Worship service.........

Sungdong Social Welfare

Majangdong

*Every 1st Sunday:

Mass and Healing

For inquiries, Prayer and Counseling, please call:

PPFI Center : 02-794-2338 or the ff. persons

1. Bro. Henry Rendon 010-5815-0130

2. Bro. Avelino Cielo 010-3304-3527

3. Sis. Liza Bernardo 010-2958-2629

4. Sis. Linda Añonuevo 010-6872-2844

M arahil ay narinig na natin ang kasabi-

hang, ―Alalahanin mo ang huminto at

amuyin ang rosas.‖ Subalit gaano ba kadalas

ang pagkakaroon ng pagkakataong huminto

gayong masyado tayong abala sa ating pang-

araw-araw na mga gawain? Minsan lang tayong

makaalpas sa pagiging abala sa maraming

bagay. Hindi pa tapos ang kasalukuyang gina-

gawa ay laman na agad ng isip ang susunod na

gagawin at kung ano pa mang mga gawaing

pangkalahatan. Dahil dito, hindi natin namama-

layan na may ibang tao

tayong kasama sa mun-

dong ito.

Parang nakonsensiya

ako dahil kasama

akong nakipaghabulan

sa takbo ng mundong

ito, lalo na sa mga

mataong lugar. Kahit

nababangga ko na ang

isang babae o lalaki ay

di ko ito pinapansin.

Diretso lang ako na

parang walang nan-

gyari at ang pagsabi ng

―sorry‖ ay parang hindi

ko n a mab an g-

git.Kinaiinisan ko pa

kapag mayroong maba-

gal maglakad sa aking

unahan. Minsan isang

araw ay nasaksihan ko

ang isang eksenang

gumising sa aking

kamalayan na bumalot

sa aking munting daig-

dig upang mas higit

kong makita ang mga mahahalagang larawan sa

mas malaking daigdig.

Habang ako ay matuling naglalakad sa may

Araneta ay abala ang aking isip sa maaaring

maganap sa seminar na aking dadaluhan lalo‘t

ang lokasyon na aking pupuntahan ay kailangan

ko pang hanapin. Habang tuloy-tuloy ako sa

paglalakad ay unti-unting bumagal ang aking

paghakbang dahil sa hindi ko makalimutang

tanawin. Isang mag-asawang kapwa bulag na

magkahawak-kamay ang tumawid sa kalsada.

Hawak ng lalaki ang isang batang babae habang

tangan naman sa dibdib ng babae ang isang

sanggol. Bawat isa sa kanila ay may dalang

patpat bilang gabay sa kanilang paglalakad.

Napahinto ako at nahintakutan sa aking nasak-

sihan. Ang mag-asawang bulag pati mga anak

nila ay naglalakad sa gitna ng kalsada.

Lumakas ang kabog ng aking dibdib at nai-

tanong ko sa sarili, ―Hindi kaya nakakatakot

ang maging isang bulag?‖. Sa aking pag-iisip

ay nabigla ako dahil sa malalakas na busina ng

mga nagdaraang sasakyan, nabalam ang trapiko

dahil sa maling direksiyon ng mag-asawang

bulag. Sa halip na patawid ay diretso sila sa

pagbaybay sa gitna ng kalsada na naging sanhi

upang isa-isang huminto ang mga sasakyan.

Ang nakapagtataka ay wala man lamang galit

na sumigaw sa mag-asawa. ―Kumanan po kayo,

kumanan!‖ ang magiliw na sigaw ng isa at

sumunod na rin sa pagsigaw ang iba.

Namangha ako dahil tila nagkakaisa ang

lahat upang bigyan ng direksiyon ang pagla-

lakad ng mga bulag. Parang may kung anong

puwersa ang nagtulak sa akin upang puntahan

ang kinaroroonan ng mag-asawa. Patakbo ko

silang pinuntahan at hinawakan ang braso ng

lalaki sabay sabi, ―Dito po kayo dumaan. Ngu-

miti ang lalaki at nagpasalamat sa akin.

Pakiramdam ko ay parang binuhusan ako ng

isang malamig na tubig. ―Saan po ang punta

ninyo?‖ ang tanong ko. ―Bibili sana kami ng

gamot. Saan dito ang Mercury Drug?‖ tugon ng

lalaki. Sa di kalayuan ay natanaw ko ang tinutu-

koy niya kaya sinamahan ko sila habang hawak

ko ang kanyang braso. Nang makarating kami

sa sinasabi niya ay pinagmamasdan ko sila.

Napagtanto kong wala silang nalalaman sa

kung ano ang nangyayari sa kanilang kapaligi-

ran. Bigla ay umiral ang aking emosyon. Kan-

ina ay kinakabahan ako sa aking nakita ngunit

dagling napawi dahil sa ipinakitang kabutihan

ng nagmamaneho ng mga sasakyan. Higit sa

lahat, nagagalak ang aking puso dahil kaisa ako

sa mga nagmamagandang-loob sa mag-

asawang bulag na ito.

Ngayon, madalas kong pinagninilayan ang

nagdaang pangyayari

na nagbigay-aral sa

akin. Oo, dapat ay

―Dahan-dahan lamang

at bigyan ng pag-

kakataon ang sarili na

maamoy ang mga

rosas‖ upang mas higit

na mapansin ang mas

mahahalagang-bagay,

ang gumawa ng ka-

kaiba sa buhay ng iba.

Katulad ng mga bulag,

maari tayong lumakad

ng diretso at magtiwala

sa gabay ng iba na

higit na may malinaw

na pananaw at pag-

kaunawa. Sa huli,

lubos kong ipinag-

pasalamat sa Diyos

ang aking paningin.

Kapag walang mga

mata, ano kaya ang

buhay? Bakit ayaw

nating subukan ang

maglakad sa mataong

lugar habang nakapikit ang mga mata? Gaano

kadalas nating nakakalimutan ang mag-

pasalamat sa Diyos sa isang munting regalo

subalit malaki ang nagagawa nito sa ating bu-

hay? Mula noon, napagpasiyahan kong ting-

nang mabuti ang aking buhay sa araw-araw sa

pamamagitan ng aking mga ginagawa at pag-

gamit sa mga talentong kaloob sa akin ng Diyos

upang makatulong sa mga taong higit na nan-

gangailangan.

Ikaw, minsan pang bigyan din ng pag-

kakataon ang iyong sarili, dahan-dahan lamang

upang malinaw na makita ang mga pangyayari

sa iyong kapaligiran, sa lugar na iyong kinaro-

roonan. Kung hindi magkagayon, di mo ma-

kikita ang mga kahanga-hangang bagay ng

sangnilikha.

H U M I N T O A T T I N G N A N ! Bro. Allan Rodriguez

Page 10 Volume 16 Issue 01 One community living up the Gospel through the service of the Lord and our fellow men

SEOLLAL IN KOREA As foreigners in Korea we are

all aware that soon we will be

celebrating one of Korea’s big-

gest holidays, the Seollal, or for

us, it is more popularly known

as the Chinese New Year. For

those who might have been in

Korea for quite a long time, this

long holiday is not new to them.

But for those who have just

arrived here, they might be

interested to know what Seollal is all

about.

The following information are taken from http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/

enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=941952 , a website meant to inform readers

about some basic information about Seollal. We wouls like to share

some of these essential information.

Seollal, Korea‘s favorite holiday, is just around the corner. Koreans

usually celebrate two New Years: one on January 1st in accordance

with the solar calendar, and the Lunar New Year (called Seollal), which

falls this year on February 3rd. In celebration of Seollal, most people go

back to their hometowns to perform ceremonial rites and pay their re-

spects to their ancestors. Since many people need to make a long drive,

the day before and the day after Seollal are also designated as national

holidays. This year Seollal falls on a Thursday, so everyone gets a 5-

day weekend! So, how do Koreans spend this holiday? Let‘s take a

peek at Korea‘s Seollal, a busy but special time of year.

Before Seollal - Gifts and Food

Most families are very busy during the week leading up to Seollal.

There is a lot of shopping to do to prepare for the ancestral rites and,

because Seollal brings the rare occasion of all family members getting

together in one place at the same time, most people undergo a lot of

stressful preparations to make sure the festivities run smoothly. Seollal

is one of the busiest seasons for department stores and markets, since

most people shop for gifts to give to their parents and friends. Meat,

fish, fruit, the Korean traditional snack ‗Hangwa‘, tteokguk (rice cake

soup), and various types of wild vegetables are popular items because

they are required to perform the ancestral rites. The foods prepared for

this rite must have nice shapes and colors, and they must be fresh. Most

families spend an average of ￦200,000~300,000 on food for Seollal. It

is taken very seriously.

Another necessary step to follow in preparation for Seollal is reserving

train tickets. Since thousands of people are traveling to and from the

provinces of Korea, the highways are very congested. Trains are the

preferred method of transportation during Seollal, since they are always

on time and let people avoid the hectic holiday rush. To get a seat, most

people reserve their train tickets online at least a month in advance.

Almost all of the tickets are sold-out by the end of the first day that

tickets go on sale.

Those brave few who decide to drive know ahead of time full well what

they are getting themselves into! Instead of taking only two hours to

drive from Seoul to Daejon, it takes four to five hours. The trip to Bu-

san, which is usually about four hours, takes closer to eight hours dur-

ing Seollal. All radio stations broadcast special live traffic updates be-

cause of the massive migration of people. These days, due to serious

traffic problems, parents who live in smaller provinces have started

coming to their children‘s homes in Seoul to spare them from the holi-

day traffic.

What are some of Seollal’s most popular gifts?

Seollal gifts depend on the current trends and economy. Gifts with un-

wavering popularity are depart-

ment store gift certificates and

cash. Many adults also like receiving ginseng, honey, and other health

products, or massage treatments. Toiletry gift sets are another popular

gift choice and include products such as shampoo, soap, and toothpaste.

Others send food sets of Spam, tuna, ‗Hangwa,‘ dried fish or fruit bas-

kets.

Seollal Day—Perform ancestral rites and play traditional Korean

games with family members!

On the day before Seollal, family members gather together to prepare

the holiday food. The dishes needed for the ancestral rites must be pre-

pared with care, not only made to taste good, but also to look good.

Seollal‘s most important food is tteokguk, but 20 other dishes such as

wild vegetables, Korean-style pancakes, various types of fish, galbijjim

(rib stew), japchae (noodles with meat and vegetables)—and more!—

are specially prepared in order to perform the ancestral rites. To cook

all this food requires long hours of work, and this reality has brought

rise to the term ‘명절 증후군’ (‘holiday syndrome’). Unlike the men of

the family, the women work all day long preparing holiday food. After

having to do this every year, during every holiday season, women have

been showing symptoms such as headaches, backaches, and other

physical pains associated with the holiday season.

Gaining considerable popularity is the idea that holidays should be even

more family-centered and less stress for the women. As a result, more

and more families are dividing the responsibilities for food preparations

and asking each family member to bring a dish to share. Shops are also

buying into this time-saving concept and offering a variety of holiday

cooking services. If you order in advance, your holiday dishes can be

delivered to your home on the day of Seollal or the day before the ac-

tual holiday. Prices range between ￦200,000 and ￦300,000. Prepared

meals have become the preferred “cooking method” for young house-

wives; at least, those who can afford it!

On the morning of Seollal, people get up early to get ready and dress up

by putting on their ‗Seolbim‘ (brand-new clothes prepared especially

for Seollal). Seollal is one of the few times when you can expect to see

some people wearing Hanbok, the traditional clothing of Korea. After

getting ready, the family gathers together to perform the ancestral rites,

paying their respects to their ancestors by offering food. According to

Korean belief, the spirits of the ancestors return to enjoy the holiday

food set out for them. As another sign of respect, an ancestral tablet is

placed on the ritual table along with all the dishes and drinks. The an-

cestral rites also symbolize the descendants‘ prayers for a good new

year.

After the rites have been performed, everyone shares the holiday food.

Tteokguk, made of beef broth and thinly sliced tteok (chewy rice cakes),

is found on all Seollal tables, without exception. According to tradition,

eating tteokguk on Seollal adds one year to your age. Children some-

times even ask each other ‗how many servings of tteokguk did you

have?‘ as a fun way to ask each other‘s age.

Continue to page 11….

Traditional costumes and food served by Koreans during Seollal.

Page 11 Volume 16 Issue 01 One community living up the Gospel through the service of the Lord and our fellow men

ANG KASAYSAYAN NG SANTO NIÑO

Ang Santo Nino ay isang

Kristiyanong representasyon o

imahe ng Banal na Sanggol na

si Hesukristo. Ito ang naging

pangunahing santo-patron ng

lalawigan ng Cebu. Isang

araw ng linggo, ika-31 ng

Marso 1521, nang sapitin ng

mga Espanyol ang Pilipinas

sa pangunguna ni Ferdinand

Magellan, isang tripulanteng

Portuges. Dumaong sila sa

pampang ng isla ng Limasawa

(Mazaua). Ang tropa ni Ma-

gellan ay nagtungo sa Cebu at

dito ay magiliw silang tinang-

gap ng mga katutubo. Bilang

pagpapasalamat sa mainit na

pagtanggap sa kanila ay binin-

yagan sina Rajah Humabon, Rajah Kolumbu at 400 na iba pa sa relihi-

yong Kristiyanismo at kinilala bilang mga unang Kristiyano sa bansa.

Liban dito, ang namumunong mag-asawa sa isla, sina Rajah Humabon

at Hara Humanay ay binigyan ng Kristiyanong pangalan at kinilala na

bilang Haring Carlos at Reyna Juana. Bilang simbolo ng kanilang aly-

ansa at mabuting pagkakaibigan ay ibinigay ni Magellan kay Juana ang

imahe ng Sto. Nino – yari sa kahoy at inukit ng mahusay na artisanong

Flemish.

Ang muling pagbabalik ng mga Espanyol sa Pilipinas ay pinaghahan-

daan ng mga katutubo ng Cebu sa takot na sila ay muling magapi ng

mga ito. Sa kasawiang-palad, dala ng mga Espanyol ang kanilang mga

naglalakihang kanyon, kasama ang mas pinaigting na puwersa ng

mandirigma. Ang sagupaan ay humantong sa pagkasunog sa kalakhang

Cebu at kabilang sa nasunog ay ang lugar na pinagtataguan ng Banal na

Imahe. Ang imahe ng Sto. Nino ay natagpuan ng sundalong si Juan

Carmus at sa di maipaliwanag na dahilan ay walang natamo kahit na

anong pinsala. Sa loob ng 45 na taon, halos wala nang nakakaalam sa

imahe at kung saan ito ligtas na nakatago hanggang sa matuklasan nga

ito ng sundalo. Di lamang minsan nagpakita ng milagro ang Banal na

Sto. Nino. Ang ilan sa mga unang tala ng mga himala ay mababasa sa

mga libreta na pinamagatang Milagros del Santo Nino at Sermon Misti-

cas. Kapwa isinulat ni Fr. Nicolas de la Cuadra, rector ng Basilica mula

1698-1713 na kinilala bilang taong nagpasimula sa pag-aalay ng mga

mahahalagang bato at ritwal sa pagsamba sa Banal na Sanggol.

Ang himalang ito ay kumalat sa buong lalawigan, maging sa mga

karatig probinsiya na yumakap na rin sa Kristiyanismo. Isang simbahan

ang itinayo noong Abril 28,1565 sa pangunguna ni Fr. Andres de Ur-

daneta sa lugar na kinatagpuan ng imahe at tinawag na Basilica del

Santo Nino upang magkaroon na ito ng permanenteng paglalagakan at

magkaroon na rin ng tiyak na lugar na maaaring puntahan ng mga de-

boto na dumarayo pa sa Cebu.

Seollal….from page 10…

After finishing their meal, the younger genera-

tions pay their respects to the elders of the

family by bowing to them. The elders offer

their blessings by saying things like ‘have a

healthy year’ or ‘meet someone nice’ and give

the young people 세뱃돈 (‘New Year‘s

money‘) as a gift.

Much like Christmas, many young children

wait excitedly for Seollal just because of this

Seollal present. Lately, an increasing number

of Christian families are choosing not to per-

form the ancestral rites due to their religious

beliefs. Instead, their family gathers to share

food and stories, and spend quality time to-

gether.

After Seollal - Visiting the in-laws!

After performing the traditional Seollal activi-

ties at one‘s husband‘s parents‘ house, the

party moves to the wife‘s parents‘ house. It has

become a general practice to visit both in-laws

during Seollal and to pay respects, in equal

measure, at both homes.

What do you do for fun on Seollal Day?

After the ancestral rites ceremony is over, the

members of the family play traditional games.

The most common game is yut nori, a fun and

easy-to-learn game that requires teamwork.

Players sometimes even make bets using their

‗New Year‘s money.‘ Ironically enough, after

such a traditional day, many families order

pizza or chicken.

‗Gostop,‘ (a card game with flowers on it) and

board games are also popular Seollal games.

Though flower cards are more complicated to

play than yut nori, it is nonetheless popular,

particularly among adults. Children play Jenga

or any other board game that is the current

trend.

If you‘d like to join in the Seollal fun and play

a game like jegichagi, neoltwiggi or tuho, or

try your hand at kite-flying, be sure to visit a

nearby palace or park, which are equipped with

a variety of games free for the use of visitors.

If you prefer, chat with the family, watch TV,

or go out and see a movie. The holiday season

is full of entertainment with lots of movies

released on Seollal (Lunar New Year‘s Day)

and special TV programs aired throughout the

holidays.

What's it like to travel in Korea during the

Seollal Holidays?

It is very quiet in Seoul during the Seollal

Holiday because most families leave Seoul to

visit their relatives in their respective home-

towns and many shops and restaurants close

for the holidays. The city feels somewhat de-

serted at this time of the year.

Palaces, parks and theme parks are probably

the busiest places during Seollal. They offer

various traditional games and events to visitors

as a great means of entertainment. But if you

wanted to visit the provincial areas during this

time, you may want to consider changing your

schedule. Buses and trains are crowded and

traffic is heavy. If you are planning to travel

outside Seoul during the holiday season, you

need to reserve tickets at least a month before

the actual holiday. But in downtown Seoul,

which is almost always packed with people,

it‘s calm and quiet, so it‘s a good time to enjoy

the streets of Seoul without the crowds.

I Want to Know! Why is 2011 the “Year of

the Rabbit?”

With the approach of lunar New Year‘s Day,

every Korean becomes increasingly interested

in their zodiac sign and the guardian animal

that represents their birth year. Every Lunar

New Year‘s, the zodiac year changes; this year,

for example, the zodiac sign will change from

the tiger (2010) to the rabbit (2011). By ana-

lyzing your zodiac animal‘s relationship with

the year‘s current zodiac animal, you can pre-

dict your fortune for the year. Even though this

type of belief has significantly weakened in

recent years, older generations (and even some

of the younger generation) still believe in for-

tunetelling using this and similar methods.

As we mentioned above, the year 2011 is the

Year of the Rabbit. The Rabbit, the 4th of the

12 animal gods, represents abundance and

wisdom. People with the zodiac sign of the

rabbit are said to have a mild disposition, a

warm heart, and an excellent eye for good

aesthetics. As a natural-born idealist, they have

the spirit of an artist. Though they seem mild-

mannered on the outside, they are strong-

willed.

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n h t t p : / /

english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?

cid=941952

Page 12 Volume 16 Issue 01 One community living up the Gospel through the service of the Lord and our fellow men

KAILANGAN SA

PAGPAPAKASAL 1. Birth Certificate ng mga ikakasal

2. Status of singleness from Census

(notarized)

3. Parents‘ consent as proof of singleness

(notarized)

4. Baptismal Certificate for marriage purposes

5. Confirmation Certificate for marriage pur-

poses

6. Passport (xerox copy)

7. Pre-Cana seminar na gaganapin bago ang

takdang araw ng kasal. Makipag-ugnayan

po lamang sa Catholic Center para sa sched-

ule.

SA LAHAT NG MAY E-9 VISA

Para Po sa lahat na may E-9 VISA, may tatlo

pong tanging dahilan upang payagan kayong

makalipat ng kumpanya. Ito po ay;

1. Kayo ay dalawang buwang hindi pinasasa-

hod

2. Kayo ay pisikal at verbal na sinasaktan, o

di kaya‘y

3. Bankrupt o lugi ang kumpanya

KAILANGAN SA

PAGPAPABINYAG

1. Birth certificate ng batang bibinyagan

2. 2X2 ID pictures (2 pcs)

3. Application form (kumuha sa center)

Kailangan ipasa ng mag-asawang magpapa-

binyag ng anak ang ―application form‖ at su-

mailalim sa ―interview‖ sa Catholic Center

isang linggo bago dumating ang takdang araw

ng binyag.

Ang mga magulang, ninong at ninang ay

bibigyan ng katekismo sa binyag na ginaganap

tuwing ika-10 ng umaga, araw ng linggo

(mismong araw ng binyag). Tanging ang mga

pangalan ng mga nakadalo ng katekismo ang

mailalagay sa Baptismal Certificate. Ang bi-

lang ng mga ninong at ninang ay hindi dapat

lalabis sa dalawampu. Ang lahat ay pi-

nakikiusapang isaisip ang angkop na pananamit

para sa okasyon.

PANAWAGAN PARA SA MGA

NAGPAPABINYAG

Tinatawagan ang pansin ng lahat ng mga di

pa nakakakuha ng Baptismal Certificates ng

kanilang mga anak.

Maaari ninyong kunin ang mga ito sa Catho-

lic Center tuwing linggo sa ganap na alas 9:00

ng umaga hanggang ika 12:00 ng tanghali, at sa

ganap na ika 4:00 hanggang ika 5:00 ng hapon.

Maliban po lamang sa tuwing ikadalawang

lingo ng bawat buwan. Makipag-ugnayan po

kay Rebeck Beltran (010-8671-2761) o kay

Edison Pinlac: (010-2906-3109) o sa kahit na

sinong Lay Minister.

MGA LIBRENG KONSULTA

AT GAMOT

Doty Hospital - 42-5 Eung-am-dong, Un-

pyeong-gu, Seoul 122-906, tel. no. (02)385-

1477

Joseph Clinic - 423 Yeungdongpo-dong, Ye-

ung dongpo-gu, Seoul 150-030, Mon.-Fri. 1pm-

9pm, Tel. No.(02)2634-1760

Raphael Clinic - inside Tong Song High

School, every Sun. , 2-6 pm.

National Medical Center– Dongdaemun Tel.

No. 2260-7062 to 7063

Seoul Medical Center– Gangnam Tel. No.

3430-0200

MIRIAM COUNSELING

CENTER For Migrant Women

50-17 Dongsoong Dong Chongrogu Seoul

110-809 near Maronnier Park. Tel #(02) 747-

2086 E-mail: kcwc21@jinbo.net (KCWC)

Office hours: Mon-Fri. 11 am-5 pm Sat. day

off Sun. 3 pm-6 pm Activities: Emotional/

spiritual counseling Woman’s rights and

labor issues Korean language/culture study

(men and women are welcome).

MIGRANT CENTERS

Guri Pastoral Center 031-566-1141

Ansan Galilea Center 031-494-8411

Suwon Emmaus Center 031-257-8501

Friends Without Borders Counseling Office

032-345-6734/5

Gasan, Song-uri International Community

031-543-5296

Uijungbu, Nokyangdong Migrant Center

031-878-6926

Masok Chonmasan Migrant Center

031-593-6542

Bomun, Seoul Foreign Workers‘ Labor Coun-

seling Office 02-928-2049/924-2706

MGA IMPORTANTENG

PAALAALA Mga kailangang dokumento sa paga-asikaso ng

mga reklamo tungkol sa sahod:

1. Pay Slip or any other proof of payment of

salary

2. Daily Time Record (DTR) if available, or

self-made record of daily work attendance

specifying Regular Working hours, Over-

time, and Night Differential.

3. Labor Contract

4. Bank Book/ Passbook

5. Alien Card and Passport

MINIMUM WAGE IN 2011 IS

CONFIRMED AT 4,320 KRW

PER HOUR

The rate will apply to all the business and

workplaces across the nation for one year from

January 1st, 2011.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor de-

cided to confirm the minimum wage per hour

at 4,320 won for the year 2011 and plans to

promulgate it as of August 3, 2010.

This is after the Minimum Wage Commis-

sion concluded to raise the minimum wage per

hour by 5.1% from 4,110 won this year to

4,320 won on July 3, 2010 (refer to Labor To-

day No. 704) and the Ministry made the rate

public for ten days from July 9 to gather differ-

ent opinions but didn‘t receive any objection

from the labor and management sides.

The rate will apply to all the business and

workplaces across the nation from January 1st

to December 31st, 2011 without any regional

and occupational difference. However, it does-

n‘t apply to family business hiring only family

members, housework employees, and seamen

and ship owners.

As the rate is set at 4,320 won per hour, daily

minimum wage is 34,560 won (8-hour work),

monthly minimum wage is 902,880 won and

976,320 won under 40-hour workweek and 44-

hour workweek respectively. The minimum

wage only includes basic pay and fixed allow-

ances which are paid regularly, but overtime

pay, annual and monthly leave allowance,

housing allowance, meal allowance, etc. are not

included.

On the other hand, the minimum wage can

cut down to 90% of the normal level for a pro-

bationary worker. It can further go down to

80% for workers of surveillance or intermittent

job such as a security guard, janitor, facility

manager, etc. after their employer obtained an

approval from the Minister of Employment and

Labor.

(see page 8 for more details)

HFCC Volunteer Invitation

Inaanyayahan po ang lahat ng interesadong

maging volunteer sa mga sumusunod na grupo.

CHOIR - nangangailangan po ng miyembro sa

Alto, Soprano, at Tenor. Makipagugnayan la-

mang po kay Ate Ely Torres 010-8061-9143.

ALTAR BOYS - Makipagugnayan lamang po

kay Bro. Rebeck Beltran 010-8671-2761.

IT Committee - Makipagugnayan lamang po

kay Matet Solis o kaninuman sa IT Committee

email at sambayanan-

itboard@yahoogroups.com

SAMBAYANAN Newsletter - nangangailan-

gan po ng manunulat sa News, Feature, at Re-

flections. Pati na rin po sa photojournalist at

layout. Makipagugnayan lamang po kay Doc

Ems 010-5160-2928.

Paanyaya: Ang lahat ay inaanyayahang

ibahagi ang kanilang mga talent sa

pagsusulat ng mga kuwento, sanaysay,

karanasan at pagninilay upang ilathala

sa babasahing ito. Ipadala lamang ito sa

email address na ito: sambayanan-

edboard@yahoogroups.com o sa

emelyabagat@yahoo.com.

Page 13 Volume 16 Issue 01 One community living up the Gospel through the service of the Lord and our fellow men

Recently, South Korea passed the dual citi-zenship laws and will take effect in January 2011. Former Filipinos who have become natu-ralized citizens of South Korea are advised to prepare the necessary documents so they can apply for retentions and reacquisition of Philip-pine citizenship when the law takes effect.

Dual Citizenship FAQ

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul wishes to inform that Petitions for Retention and Re-acquisition of Philippine Citizenship may be filed at the Embassy pursuant to Republic Act No. 9225 otherwise known as the "Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act of 2003" and Memorandum Circular No. AFF-04-01, "Rules Governing Philippine Citizenship Under Re-public Act (R.A.) No. 9225 and Administrative Order (A.O.) No. 91, Series of 2004" issued by the Bureau of Immigration.

Who are eligible?

All natural born Filipinos who have lost their Philippine citizenship due to naturalization as a citizen of another country may file a Petition for Retention and Reacquisition of Philippine Citizenship on their behalf and that of their unmarried minor children below 18 years of age.

What are the requirements for retaining or reacquiring Philippine citizenship?

Requirements to become eligible

1. The applicant must be a former natural born Filipino;

2. Loss of one's Philippine citizenship must be due to naturalization in a foreign country;

The dependent/s of the principal who are re-taining or reacquiring their Philippine citizen-ship must be a) minor, and b) unmarried and below 18 years of age

Procedural Requirements

1. Complete the Petition for Retention and Re-acquisition of Philippine Citizenship;

2. The Petition must be made under oath;

3. The Petition must contain the applicant's latest address;

4. Four (4) recent 2" x 2" photographs of the applicant/s (front view over royal blue back-ground);

5. Philippine issued Birth Certificate, for those born in the Philippines, or; original copy of the Report of Birth (filed with the appropriate Foreign Service Post) and copy of the foreign

issued Birth Certificate, for applicants born abroad;

6. Marriage Certificate for married women;

7. Certificate of Naturalization in a foreign country;

8. Foreign issued passport;

9. The taking of an Oath of Allegiance (in pre-scribed form) before the Consul General.

10.Fee of US $ 50.00 and US$ 25.00 for each dependent. (Payment can be made in Ko-rean Won)

11.The Petition together with the supporting documents plus a copy of the Oath of Alle-giance is forwarded to the Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration;

12.The Embassy shall issue an Order of Ap-proval, Copy of the Oath of Allegiance and Identification Certificate (IC)

What are the requirements if minor children

are included in the Petition?

The petitioner may include in the application children of minor age (i.e., less than 18 years old) as dependents. The petitioner must include the following:

Original and two photocopies each of the following documents. The original docu-ments must be shown to the Embassy for verification

Birth certificate of each dependent. If the dependent was born outside of the Philip-pines, the Report of Birth issued by the Phil-ippine Embassy or Philippine Consulate in the country where the child was born.

Old Philippine passport of each dependent

Certificate of Korean Citizenship of each dependent

Korean passport of each dependent

Four (4) passport-sized colored photographs of each dependent. The photograph must be recent (taken within the last three months) and have a royal blue background. The pho-tographs should not show applicant in sleeve-less or revealing attire and eyeglasses should be removed.

Processing Time :

The Philippine Embassy will accept all re-quirements and submit application for evalua-tion by the consular officer. Once approved, the Oath of Allegiance and will be scheduled within 5 working days.

Schedule an Appointment starting 15 July

2010. Only fifty (50) ePassport applications

will be entertained per day.

Call the APPOINTMENT HOTLINE

NUMBER 010-9385-0535 ( from 9:00am to

5:30pm M-F) OR you can send an email to

epassport@philembassy-seoul.com and give

your full name including middle name, date

and place of birth, your old passport number

and mobile number in Korea.

Requirements:

Old Philippine Passport and a photocopy of

the passport data page, last page showing the

name and signature of the signing officer,

and the page with the date of last entry to

Korea

Passport application form

Remember your Appointment Reference

Number

ePassport fee – US$ 60.00 payable in cash

only.

Procedure on Date of Appointment:

Step 1:

Check your name on the list of applicants

with appointment

Complete all information on the passport

application form

Wait for your name and number to be called

at Window 4

Submit the application form and present your

old Passport and photocopies

OPTIONAL : If you wish to avail of the

courier service, get a courier form and write

your name and complete return address. Get

a copy of the courier form. Payment will be

made upon delivery of your ePassport. Have

your old passport canceled by the consular

officer.

Step 2:

Go to cashier and pay the exact amount of

US$ 60.00 in cash. No check may be

accepted

Keep your receipt and show it when you

claim your ePassport in person after 6 weeks.

Step 3:

Go to the encoder for encoding of data,

picture taking, taking of thumb marks and

digital signature. Applicant should be in

decent attire. Both ears should be shown

Keep your receipt of payment and bring your

old passport for cancellation to claim your

ePassport. You can also authorize a

representative to claim your passport by

giving authority at the back of y o u r

claim receipt.

NOTE:

It takes about six (6) weeks to process the

ePassport as the approved applications are

sent to a central processing facility in the

Philippines.

How to Apply for ePassport

Guidelines on Dual Citizenship

The Philippine Embassy was informed by the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea

on the notice by Korea Immigration Service,

Ministry of Justice regarding exemption from re

-entry permit for foreigners upon arrival and

departure from the Republic of Korea.

According to the Korea Immigration Service,

the re-entry permit system has been revised to

provide convenience for foreign residents in

Korea.

Filipino residents of Korea with valid pass-

ports and alien registration cards, are free to

enter and depart from Korea without a re-entry

permit for one year within their permitted pe-

riod of stay on visa. If the period of stay is less

than one year, the exemption is valid for the

duration of the period of stay. In the case of

permanent residents (F-5), their exemption will

remain valid for two years after their departure

date.

The exemption on re-entry permit takes

effect on Wednesday, 01 December 2010.

Atty. Felicitas Q. Bay

Labor Attache

Exemption from re-entry permit

Page 14 Volume 16 Issue 01 One community living up the Gospel through the service of the Lord and our fellow men

Sunday: Cycle A 2011 January-March Weekday: Year 1

01 - Angel Salaya

02 - Juan Isaiah C. Manuel

05 - Diana Jean C. Sarocca

12 - Moises Robert T. Olavides

18 - Yolanda Y. Cruz

25 - Jannfaith C. Manuel

25 - Eloisa S. Estoque

27 - Zenny Madlangbayan

30 - Andy Balmonte

30 - Andres Aquino

30 - Prescilla Mercy Balbalosa

01 - Cecille C. Slish

03 - Fr. Salvador V. Marcaida

10 - Czarjeff Laban

12 - Rhey Selin

SAMBAYANAN is prepared and

published monthly by the Archdiocesan

Pastoral Center for Filipino Migrants which is

being administered by the Mission Society of

the Philippines under the auspices of Seoul

Archdiocese.

ARCHDIOCESAN PASTORAL

CENTER FOR FILIPINO

MIGRANTS

115-9 Songbuk-gu, Songbuk 1dong, Seoul,

South Korea 136-020

Telephone Number:

(070) 8161-0870 or (070) 8161-0873/74

e-Mail Addresses:

alvin_parantar@yahoo.com

emelyabagat@yahoo.com

sambayanan-edboard@yahoogroups.com

EDITORIAL STAFF

Editor-in-Chief : Emely Dicolen-

Abagat, Ph. D.

News Editor : Ma. Teresa Solis

Literary Editor : Bro. Allan Rodriguez

Bro. Joel Tavarro

Catholic Faith Editor /

Lay-out Artist : Roberto Catanghal

Webmaster : Engr. Rogelio Domingo

Contributors : Amie Sison

Michael Balba

Johnny Maliglig

Ervie Glory

Felipe Lagunda

Lyn Laurito

Pete Rahon

Circulation Manager : Fr. Arvin Mosqueda,

MSP

HFCC MINISTRY CONTRIBUTORS

Eucharistic : Rebeck Beltran

Lectors &

Commentators : Jovito Gonzales Jr.

FMAA : Tess dela Cruz

Choir : Elisea Torres

Sports & Recreation : Mike Panlilio

IT : Ma. Teresa Solis

Youth : Weng Santos

Prayer Partners : Sis. Melody Palana

LRC and CWI : Mhar Gonzales

Fr. Alvin B. Parantar, MSP

Adviser/Chaplain

J a n u a r y — F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 1

F R E Q U E N T L Y C A L L E D N O S .

Phil.Embassy

(Labor Office) 3785-3634/3785-3624

(Consular Office) 796-7387 to 89 ext. 103

(Hotline) 011-273-3657

Philippine Airlines 774-35-81

Fr. Alvin Parantar, MSP 010-4922-0870

Sr. Miguela Santiago 016-706-0870

Edison Pinlac (Pres/JPC) 010-2906-3109

Bro. Jimmy Villaflor (VP) 010-2572-8515

El Shaddai (Bro.Henry/Avel) 794-23-38

Masok (Gil Maranan) 010-5822-9194

(031) 593-6542

Taerim Community (Dan) 010-8684-7897

Worship Ministry (Ely) 010-8061-9143

Recreation Ministry (Mike) 010-2762-9906

Education (Emely) 010-5160-2928

Youth Ministry (Weng) 010-5821-7799

IT Committee 010-4220-1422

Lay Eucharistic Ministry (Rebeck)

010-8671-2761

FMAA (Norma) 010-2408-1554

LRC (Mhar) 010-8683-3826

CWI 010-6871-0870

Mokdong Immigration Processing (Detention) Center 02-2650-6247

Hwaseong, Suwon Immigration Processing (Detention) Center 031-355-2011/2

Chungju Immigration Processing (Detention) Center 043-290-7512/3

Yang Seung Geol 011-226-9237

Han Suk Gyu 010-5348-9515

Page 15 Volume 16 Issue 01 One community living up the Gospel through the service of the Lord and our fellow men

Page 16 Volume 16 Issue 01 One community living up the Gospel through the service of the Lord and our fellow men

HFCC 2011 ANNUAL PLANNING

THE HFCC SINULOG

The HFCC Council, headed by Fr. Alvin B. Parantar, MSP holds the

2011 Annual Planning at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Labor Center,

Bomundong on January 23, 2011. The participants enjoyed and shared

the lectures, brainstorming, the meal and the Eucharistic Celebration.

The SINULOG was performed as the highlight of the Feast of the Sto Niño celebrated on January 16, 2011 at the

Hyehwadong Church. This was spearheaded by Mr. Mike Panlilio, the Chairman of the Sports and Recreation Committee and

participated in by selected members of the Music Ministry, Church Stewards, and the El Shaddai Prayer Partners. Renz Fran-

ces D Abagat was chosen to be the queen of the Sto. Niño.

The SINULOG dancers as they rehearsed

and performed at the Hyehwadong Church.