KAKAMMPI News

A Filipina domestic helper's bid to obtain the right of abode for her son was dismissed on final appeal, a Hong Kong news site reported Thursday. The Court of Final Appeal, Hong Kong's top court, said the maid's son had not established Hong Kong as his place of permanent residence,  Radio Television Hong Kong reported . It said this was despite the son being born in Hong Kong. As early as 2006, the Filipina had applied for a permanent identity card for her son, but the Immigration Department rejected this. Filipino Migrant Workers' Union vice chairman Eman Villanueva said the Hong Kong government wanted to send the message that migrant domestic workers and their children can stay in Hong Kong temporarily, as cheap labor. — Joel Locsin /KBK, GMA News

Twelve overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) on their way to the Middle East were briefly held at an airport in Singapore for allegedly having questionable travel documents. Reports reaching the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Manila said the 12 were barred from boarding their connecting flight. Aside from their travel papers, authorities also suspected that the OFWs' plane tickets were purchased through fake credit cards. Based on the report of Labor Attaché Vicente Cabe of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Singapore, the 12 were supposed to work as domestic workers in various Middle East countries and made a stopover at Changi Airport. “They were turned over to the Airport Police Department, which contacted us in the POLO,” Cabe said. The POLO then contacted the OFWs’ respective agencies and asked the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to verify if their deployment were legitimate. After the POEA verified the legitimacy of the deployment, POLO Sing...

The Department of Foreign Affairs on Thursday lowered the security alert level for Israel, Palestine and Gaza Strip, citing improved security situation in these areas after months of armed conflict. From alert level 2 or restriction phase, the DFA now maintains alert level 1 or precautionary phase for Israel and West Bank. The DFA also lowered the alert level in Gaza Strip from alert level 4 or mandatory repatriation to alert level 2 or restriction phase. “The security situation in Israel and Palestine has greatly improved since the implementation of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas,” Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose told a press briefing. On August 26,  Palestinian officials announced that a Gaza ceasefire deal with Israel has been reached under Egyptian mediation . Hamas, the dominant militant group in the Gaza Strip, accused Israel of an "unprecedented act of revenge against civilians" aimed at deterring Palestinians from supporting the Islamist movement. Israel ...

A Filipino janitor in a Rockford hospital has a different way of spending his 15-minute break at work: playing the piano at the hospital lobby. Rolando Maaba, known as "Piano Man" at Rockford Memorial Hospital, was recently featured on ABC News'  Good Morning America  for spending his brief breaktime playing relaxing tunes at the hospital lobby. The 55-year-old told ABC News  that he wants to help guests waiting for their confined relatives "forget all their worries" and relax. Maaba used to play at local nursing homes with his wife for the same reasons, only stopping after both of them started working for the Rockford Health Systems. Maaba, who migrated to Rockford in 1999, carefully times his music to get back to work on schedule, and joked that he plays for "14 minutes and 39 seconds a day". "I feel so comfortable when I play... I can help these people to be happy," he told CBS 23. CBS affiliate WIFR said  Maaba also plays at Francesco...

With only three colors, Las Vegas designer David Tupaz presented a minimalist ready-to-wear assortment resonant with energy, drama, passion, and mystery. Black, white, and green were the colors of Tupaz’s Spring collection unveiled September 15 at the Philippine Center in celebration of New York Fashion Week. A sparse palette, but one that captured the essence of dressing that is classic, stylish and wearable.   David Tupaz at finale, his model in ruffled ballgown with romantic bolero top.  Photo by Boyet Loverita/ The FilAm Consul General Mario De Leon Jr. welcomed Tupaz to New York, where the designer got his start. He said Tupaz’s designs are “noted for their Filipino craftsmanship using intricate beadwork and meticulous embroidery,” and acknowledged his contribution to Philippine fashion, fabrics, and artistry during New York Fashion Week. Tupaz said New York will always take credit for his budding talent. He said, “I came here to New York with only a suitcase and a...

Filipino officials in the United States have signed a cooperative agreement with the US Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) promoting fair wages for Filipinos working there. According to a news release from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the agreement commits both parties in making sure that Filipinos in the US, regardless of immigration status, are paid properly. Through the agreement, Filipinos working in Southern California, Southern Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona and Texas can expect support to help them understand their rights as employees under the US Fair Labor Standards Act. The agreement also aims to reduce violations of minimum wage, overtime, recordkeeping, child labor, safehousing and transportation provisions as enforced by the WHD. The signing ceremony was held on the sidelines of the Consulate on Wheels outreach mission at the Crosswinds Church in Aurora, Colorado, last September 5. In their key message, Deputy Consul General Jaime Ramon Ascalon and WHD Denv...

Canada’s top envoy to the Philippines on Wednesday encouraged Filipino students aspiring to study abroad to consider Canada as an alternative study destination. Ambassador Neil Reeder said Filipino students can enjoy the “strongest and highest quality education system” at a relatively modest cost compared to other study destinations since Canadian schools are government-subsidized. Moreover, Canadian academic institutions, at par with leading institutions in the world, provide globally-recognized academic credentials to international students, said Reeder. “For Filipinos, some would choose to study in the Philippines. Some would choose to study abroad. This is really focused on choice. If a student would choose to study abroad, Canada is an excellent option,” Reeder said at the launch of the 2014 Canadian school fair in Makati City. “We want you to be part of the Canadian studying experience,” he said. Canada, Reeder said, is seventh in the world as an international study destination, ...