Global Pinay is pride of Pinoys in the Netherlands

Global Pinay is pride of Pinoys in the Netherlands

By LOUI GALICIA, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau 02/27/2009 1:04 AM


A genuine "global Pinay," Cecilia Aquino was born in the Philippines, finished law school in the US and is now a rising star in The Netherlands.

Aquino was chosen as one of the three hosts of the newly-launched West International channel of TV West, a local Dutch television station.

The English-language Dutch program was launched for the international community in The Netherlands.

Aquino arrived in Holland in 2007 as a law intern for a big international organization located in The Hague, known as the legal capital of the world.

According to Aquino, she landed the TV job by sheer accident.

She was discovered in a pub last summer."Actually I was just in a pub one summer night and they were asking if I want to audition. I need an interview experience so I decided to go and just because I’ve never done anything like it before," Aquino told ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau.

"I didn’t think they would ever call me. And it's been two months and then they called me and they said no, you’re fantastic and we’re just waiting," Aquino said.

However, the boss of the TV station believes that Aquino is really a star."We’re looking for the best people for the show and it happened to be someone from the Philippines and sexy. I think she’s wonderful, she does a great job, she’s very natural," Gerard Milo, CEO of Omniwest TV said.

At the night of the launch of West International, when it was broadcast live in The Netherlands from the famous Kurhaus Hotel, Aquino already gained a lot of fans from the expat community.

Rose and Melanie, who didn't give their surnames, were very impressed at Aquino's beauty as well as talent and ease at hosting.

"She was really good. Very nice. It was a very nice show and she told good information," Rose said.

"It was good. She looked good and she said a lot of nice things, very nice," Melanie said.

The Pinoys who were at the live launch could not have been prouder.

They were so happy that they now have a "kababayan" to watch on the Dutch local TV.

"Nagulat ako kasi Filipina ‘yong host at siyempre very proud kasi Flipina ‘yon. Alam mo na sa Netherlands…So the Filipinos are becoming part of show business as well," Mary Borja said.

Holland has a very big international community, especially in The Hague, which has about 40,000 expats.

Aquino's success in penetrating an industry and market dominated by Europeans is solid proof that Pinoys can really be the best in any endeavor.

as of 02/27/2009 6:26 PM

SOURCE: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/pinoy-migration/02/26/09/global-pinay-pride-pinoys-netherlands

(Update) Pinay cancer survivor survives Turkish plane crash

(Update) Pinay cancer survivor survives Turkish plane crash

by LOUI GALICIA, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau 02/26/2009 12:54 PM (watch video clip of TV Patrol World report here )

A Filipina cancer survivor was among those who survived the Turkish Airlines plane crash in Amsterdam Wednesday, according to an exclusive report of the ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau.

The Filipina, Susan Yango, was reportedly among the 50 passengers who were left injured when a Turkish Airlines plane carrying 134 passengers on Flight TK 1951 crashed into a field short of a runway at Schipol airport in Amsterdam. The incident left nine dead.

The Boeing 737-800 had reportedly smashed into three pieces, allowing Yango to exit from the right wing.

"Yung mga lalagyan ng ano talagang nagbabagsakan. Hindi yung ano, yung lid talaga, they were coming out of the roof. Tapos makikita mo yung mga wires are coming out of the roof. Ako talaga hindi ko alam kung pano ako makalabas dun eh. I don't know how I came out. Tapos nakita ko nalang ano, get out, get out so dun ako nagpunta sa may exit, nakita ko nakabukas yung exit, dun ako sa may wing lumabas," Yango recounted.

Injuries
Yango, however, suffered injuries from the crash including a swollen right eye, cuts and bruises on her elbow, palm and waist, as well as large bump on her head.

Yango told ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau that she suffered pain from a bruise around her waist left by an airplane seatbelt, which jammed against her body upon the crash's impact. All passengers were still wearing their seatbelts because the crash occurred as the plane was making its descent, she said.

Rescue workers had immediately brought the passengers to a treatment area where they were reportedly separated into two groups, from the lightly to the seriously injured. Yango was released from the hospital at 5 p.m. Europe time, six hours after the crash.

"I was like numb, numb talaga. Hindi ko alam kung saan ako, kaya I felt na ang tagal-tagal naman ng reaction time na 'to. Then I realized na ang layo-layo naman pala namin sa street. Nakikita ko na yung mga dumadating pero wala pa sila doon. Kasi siguro nakita ko yung iba nakahiga na. They were lying down on the ground and they were just crying. They were just crying," Yango said.

Cancer survivor
In an interview with ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau, Yango said she was thankful for a third chance at life after battling with cancer a few years before.

Yango also said that she lucky that she had been asleep when the plane smashed into the ground.

"If I had been awake, it would have been worse. Kasi tense ka eh, magtetense ka di ba? So mag-aano yung impact," Yango said.

Yango, who is from New York but works in Lebanon, was enroute to The Hague on a business trip Tuesday. However, she decided to reschedule her flight for the next day because of her workload.

Yango's friend Rommel Loveranes, also a Filipino was the first person to see her immediately after she was discharged from a Dutch hospital.

"I was even joking about it. Of course [it's a] relief. Big relief that she's fine, almost unscathed, and yeah, two times survivor. And yeah...as if nothing happened," Loveranes said.

as of 02/26/2009 3:19 PM

SOURCE: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/pinoy-migration/02/26/09/update-pinay-cancer-survivor-survives-turkish-plane-crash

Pinoy bags in world's largest museum in Amsterdam

Five bags from Filipina designer Cora Jacob were showcased at the largest bags museum in the world located in Amsterdam, reported ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau.

The Museum of Bags and Purses opened more than a year and a half ago at the Herengracht or Gentlemen's Canal.

The unique house features 1,500 bags of all kinds of sizes, material and color from the 16th century up to the present time.

Everything in the museum is all about bags.

There are bag-shaped seats that greet every visitor at the entrance; bags and bag-related items sold at the shop; chocolates with bag design from the museum's café; and of course, the collection of bags from all over the world which include the Cora Jacobs brand.

At the very chic and elegant museum, the Cora Jacobs' bags are prominently displayed because of their unique character and material.

In fact, the museum's curator was so impressed by the craftsmanship and the Pinay designer's use of raw materials that are abundant in the Philippines.

"She used the material from her country and so it's very interesting. Because I like to see the traditions in a country in a new modern design and she gives a lot of work in her country to ladies because it's made in her own country," Sigrid Ivo said.

Ivo's mother, Henrijke, is the collector of the bags which now reached a total of 4,000, making the Museum of Bags and Purses the largest collection in the world.

The oldest bag in the collection dates back to the 16th century.

Most popular are the green bag from singer Madonna, the bags by Sex and the City bag designer Timmy Woods and of course, the Cora Jacobs bags.

To find Pinoy-made bags among the featured items in a stunning art and historic collection that is side by side with world-famous designers brings such great pride and joy to the Filipinas who visited the museum recently.

"Cora Jacob visited the museum last August of last year and Miss Ivo was immediately impressed of Cora's works," Commercial Attaché Alma Argayoso said.

"Maganda kasi parang pino-promote natin ‘yong mga sariling gawa sa Pilipinas. Malaking honor. It will be an honor sa bansa natin," Aida Paule said.

In fact, due to popular demand, a larger collection of Jacob's bags will be launched at the Museum of Bags and Purses on March 5.

as of 02/18/2009 3:06 AM

SOURCE: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/pinoy-migration/02/17/09/pinoy-bags-worlds-largest-museum-amsterdam

Joma celebrates 70th birthday, five decades of struggle

By Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau 02/09/2009 4:55 PM

A very big celebration was held by supporters of Jose Maria Sison last Saturday in Amsterdam for his 70th birthday.

More than his birthday however, the event also marked the Communist Party of the Philippines' founding chair's 50 years of service to his comrades.

Early on Saturday, many Pinoys were already very busy making sure that the event will be an unforgettable and perfect "night for Joma".

Many contributed authentic Pinoy food like kaldereta, daing na bangus and Joma's favorite which is lechon.

The highlight of the night was an intense and touching cultural show depicting the five decades of Sison's participation in the “struggles of the Filipino people.”

More than 150 people arrived at the Nassau Church to greet Sison, showing his popularity among people from all walks of life, whether Pinoy, white, young or old.

One of them is a translator who only met Sison when he translated some of Joma's works in the Dutch language for a Belgian workers’ group.

"I was very impressed by his writings. He's just very friendly, very kind and it is a miracle that such a modest man can have so much influence," Jan Bentjes told Balitang Europe.

Although an intellectual, who always sounds very political and deep, Sison's appeal also apparently extended to the young.

One of his avid fans is a 19-year-old Pinoy who, instead of going out with friends of his age during weekends, chose to join and help in the projects of activists.

"Si Joma Sison ay isa pa rin figure para sa mga kabataang kumikilos para sa pambansang demokrasya at saka kalayaan. Sa mga kabataan lagi nating maalala ang mga ginagawa ni Joma ilang dekada na ang nakaraan kaya eto pa rin inspirasyon ito at yung mga gawain niya. Kaya sineselebrate ang kanyang karaawan, hindi lang karaawan. Mas tungkol ito sa ilang dekada nang laban ni Joma para sa kalayaan," Noel Saturay said.

Saturay said he already read some of Sison's works without knowing who the author was.

"Noong lumalaki ako marami akong nabasa na sinulat ni Joma. Hindi ko alam na siya ang nagsulat noon. Habang lumalaki ako nakilala ko si Joma sa pangalan at mga pictures niya sa mga libro tapos noong dumating ako dito nakilala ko si Joma," Saturay said.

There were also those who arrived from the Philippines to personally bring messages from Sison's allies there.

"Malaki ang guidance na binigay ni Joma sa working class movement. In terms of theoretical knowledge and practical know-how sa pagtatayo ng organization, lalung-lalo na sa usapin ng edukasyon ay malaking ambag ang ibinigay ni Prof. Jose Maria Sison sa buong kilusang paggawa," said Elmer Labog, Kilusang Mayo Uno chairperson.

Most of all, Sison's wife, daughter and his very close friends such as Luis Jalandoni and wife Connie Ledesma, Fidel Agcaoili and Ruth de Leon were also all there.

"Sana'y mas magbigay siya ng panahon para pangalagaan ang kanyang kalusugan at para mabuhay siya ng matagal at para makapagsilbi siya sa ating mamamayan ng mas mahusay pa kaysa dati," Juliet de Lima said as her birthday wish for her husband.

There were no gifts this year for Sison because his group requested that donations be given instead to his legal defense fund.

For his part, Sison said he is giving a gift to those who continue to believe and support him. The first two of four volumes of his new book is set be launched in the Philippines next week.

as of 02/09/2009 5:05 PM

SOURCE:WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/pinoy-migration/02/09/09/joma-celebrates-70th-birthday-five-decades-struggle-0

Joma says to lie low on politics, impatient for successor

By LOUI GALICIA, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau 02/10/2009 12:07 AM

At 70 years old, Jose Maria Sison has at last mellowed. The founding chair of the Communist Party of the Philippines gave an exclusive interview to ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau during his birthday celebration in Amsterdam on Saturday, a day before his actual birthday.

Sison told Balitang Europe that he will now keep a low profile in the raucous and high-profile political arena.

As he turned seventy, Sison who is chief political consultant of the National Democratic Front (NDF) in stalled peace talks with the Philippine government, said he plans to reduce his political statements in order to devote more time to writing.

“Dahan-dahan ‘yan. Diminishing my political expressions pero mananatili pa ako for a while bilang consultant ng NDF sa peace negotiations,” Sison said.

Sison’s most ardent supporters threw a big party to honor him. Sison told Balitang Europe however that it may be his last birthday celebration.

“Natural na may inclination ako na hindi na ko magbe-birthday party. After seventy, you have the tendency to conceal your age. I will not celebrate anymore birthdays not because I will pass away or fade away. I will make up. ‘Yong hindi ko nagawa, I will try to do,” Sison said.

Sison said he has decided that it is time to it take it slow on the intense political front.

After all, he said, it has already been fifty years now since he joined the “struggles of the Filipino people” and he is not getting any younger.

Four seasons
He summed up his achievements in those golden years by comparing them to the four seasons.

“Sa umpisa, in the spring of my life, ‘yong youth movement. Nag-contribute ako through Kabataang Makabayan. Pagkatapos pumasok ako sa trade union movement during that period. Tapos ‘yong tinatawag kong summer of my life ‘yong founding ng CPP,” Sison said.

Sison then explained that the sweltering part of his life happened when he moved against the Marcos dictatorship.

It was then that he was imprisoned and tortured.

He said, however, that the CPP still continued to thrive and grew stronger until the downfall of Marcos.

“Tapos ‘yong autumn of my life, dito na ako inabutan niyan. Masaya ako dahil natatanaw ko ang pag-unlad ng kilusan. Patuloy na pagkilos sa mga kasama at sambayang Filipino tungkol sa saligang problema nila,” said Sison who went into self-exile in the Netherlands in 1987 citing threats to his life in the Philippines.

“Pero palagay ko abot ko na ang winter. Pero nasisiyahan ako. Tawag ko sa isang poem. I feel the warmth of the flames of struggle,” Sison added.

Pass the torch

Sison also told Balitang Europe that after five decades, it is time to pass the torch. Sison however will not name names.

Sison said there are countless “Joma wannabees” out there who are already rightly equipped with ideas and inspiration to succeed him but nobody wants to just yet.

“Impatient na ko. Dapat completely mag-takeover na. Dalawang generations na. Two to three generations na tumatahak sa iginuhit nating linya tungkol sa kalagayan at hinaharap ng Pilipinas,” Sison said.

For Sison, whoever will be his successor is just out there, already acting and already leading.

“Ako kumilos sa kilusang rebolusyonaryo so pertinent for me to mention na may mga leader sa kilusang rebolusyonaryo. ‘Andiyan naman kumilos din ako sa legal. Maraming leader at aktibista sa legal struggle. Hindi na mabilang,” Sison said.

For the moment, Sison plans to devote more time to writing.

Nobody couldn’t be happier than his wife Juliet de Lima.

But when asked if her husband will be retiring very soon, de Lima said that it is not part of her birthday wish for Sison.

“Sa kagaya namin, walang tinatawag na retirement. Hanggang nabubuhay magusumikap pa rin na maging useful,” de Lima said.


as of 02/10/2009 3:43 PM

SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/02/09/09/joma-says-lie-low-politics-impatient-successor

Pinoys greet Chinese New Year in The Netherlands

By LOUI GALICIA, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau 02/05/2009 8:03 PM

The year 2009 came at a time when most people are dismayed due to the present global economic crisis that has been affecting more and more countries.

Filipinos in the Netherlands said however that they remain confident that things will get better in the Year of the Ox.A hard-working animal, the ox symbolizes prosperity or luck.

Pinoys said they find that they have nothing to lose if they look up to the Chinese zodiac for a more positive forecast.

Hence, during the largest Chinese New Year celebration in the Netherlands held in The Hague from January 24 to 31, Pinoys joined in hoping for a global recovery in the Year of the Ox.

The Chinese believe that this year will see stability and that the Year of the Ox is a magnet for luck when combined with hard work and patience.

That's why Filipina Rose Jimenez said she is not going to surrender despite the hardships she has encountered as a single parent.

"Somehow we started really in a very bad situation na nagkakaroon kami ng hope ngayon in this Year of the Ox na sana malampasan namin ‘yong mga hirap na nangyayari for these past few years," Jimenez told Balitang Europe.

Jimenez is divorced and is alone in raising and providing for the needs of her two daughters who are half-Dutch and half-Filipino.

She said she firmly believes something beautiful and good awaits everyone in the Year of the Ox.

"Kahit papaano nagsisimula pa lang naman tayo. So madami pa ring mga magagandang pangyayari na darating para sa taong 2009," Jimenez said.

For another Pinay, there always is victory in any defeat.

Even if Nadia Camolli failed to clinch the crown at the 2004 Miss Earth Philippines, having landed first-runner up, she did not allow this experience to affect or stop her from pursuing her higher ambitions.

It is in The Hague where Camolli found a huge opportunity to work in an international organization.

"A lot of people has experienced crisis in the past year and not only financially but also health wise and I think it's important to look forward to a good year," Camolli said.

She added: "It's important to always move forward not backwards and if there's always a negative aspect for the New Year then it's all about strategy and just being positive all together.”

The Filipinos believe that only with patience and hard work could prosperity be achieved and that at the end of the day, it is up to the person to make every year either lucky or bad.

Consulting Feng Shui expert

Meanwhile, the trying times have prompted some Filipino overseas workers to consult their luck with a Feng Shui expert during the Chinese New Year celebration in Dubai.

The celebration was attended by 500 Filipinos. Many of them consulted a Feng Shui expert and bought lucky charms in the hopes of keeping their jobs, getting rich or just be able to pay debts back home.

Others hope to stay healthy and keep their family together.

“Uncertain tayo sa trabaho, sa security sa trabaho. Sa mga problema sa pera, sa mga utang at saka sa pamilya para maging buo ang pamilya natin. So mayroon tayong wish-fulfilling balloons, prosperity money, fortune pineapple,” said Mecky Decena, Feng Shui consultant in the United Arab Emirates.

Decena even invited Master Yu, one of the Feng Shui experts from Hong Kong.

“Sa hirap ng sitwasyon natin ngayon, with the economic crisis...ang ano lang natin ay desperate situations call for desperate solutions. Ang sa amin lang it might be of help," Decena said.

People queued just for Master Yu’s consultation.

Even Arab nationals joined in hoping that the New Year brings them good health.

"Nag global crisis tayo. Itong Chinese New Year may mga puwedeng bilhin at may matutunan pa sa master," said an OFW named Marivic.

Some Filipinos have spent around 600 to 1,000 dirham’s or equivalent to P7,000 to P12,000) to buy lucky charms for the Year of the Ox.

“Prosperity bracelet, the other one is money magnet bracelet, protection bracelet. Alam natin na lahat tayo susuwertehin. And who doesn’t want luck? Nandito ako para doon sa luck na yun," Jose said.

With report from Rachel Salinel, ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau

as of 02/05/2009 8:23 PM

SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/pinoy-migration/02/05/09/pinoys-greet-chinese-new-year-netherlands

Pinoy filmmakers face issue of censorship back home

By LOUI GALICIA, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau 02/03/2009 1:23 PM

After the warm reception received by Filipino filmmakers at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), the filmmakers returned home but only to face the issue of censorship.

“We are so happy to, already three years ago, have started to get some filmmakers to come to Rotterdam to select their films because we felt that there was something special going on with the Philippines, with independent filmmakers who really have their own way of making films, of showing them,” IFFR media relations head Bert-Jan Zoet told Balitang Europe.

Zoet said that the IFFR specializes in supporting upcoming young filmmaking talents. Through the Hubert Bals Fund, Zoet said it helps filmmakers make their films or start the financing of their films, as well as the co-production of cinemas that focus on independent-film making talents.

In fact, Lav Diaz, Raya Martin and Khvan dela Cruz were among those who have already received grants from the Hubert Bals Fund.“For us it is very good to continue this attention to Philippine filmmakers because we think they are great filmmakers and they really discover new ways of addressing themes, addressing and discovering new styles of filmmaking,” Zoet added.

Once again, the Pinoys have showcased their talents and brilliance in making independent films.

If only it is the same case back home, they said.

Censorship in RP
The IFFR’s lax censorship, or even lack of it, is a stark contrast to the strict rules in the Philippines implemented through the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board or MTRCB.

The showing of Adolfo Alix Jr.’s “Aurora” is still on hold pending an appeal by the filmmaker after it was given a “double X” rating by the Philippine ratings board.
Filmmaker Adolfo Alix Jr.

“The problem is hindi ko po alam talaga kung anong isyu. Sabi nila ‘yong rape scene ni Rosanna Roces at Kristoffer King pero we decided to have it screened. We had a special screening sa U.P. and people who saw it were saying na parang hindi naman. Wala namang malaswa or something. Ako naman it’s sad that they see the film in parts not in a whole so ‘yon ‘yong isyu ko doon,” Alix Jr. said.

Alix Jr., who is firm and solid on his stance to fight the MTRCB decision, said “Aurora” was never meant for a young audience.

“In Aurora, we applied for an R-18 na class, which means it’s for adult’s only so wala namang bata. Hindi naman namin intention na papasukin ‘yong mga bata sa pelikula so ‘yon lang ang isyu talaga. Now we’re appealing the decision because it’s the first time ‘ata in recent years that a film has gotten a double X [rating] so we’ll have the decision appealed possibly at Malacañang,” Alix Jr. said.The young filmmakers said they do not approve of the MTRCB.

Good business?
Filipino filmmaker Khvan dela CruzDela Cruz thinks that the ratings board, however, is a very good business.“Yong MTRCB kasi isa yang mahusay na business kasi para mapalabas ‘yong pelikula mo sa madla, kailangan magbayad ka ng P8,000 tapos kung sandali mo lang ipapalabas kahit dalawang linggo, magbabayad ka pa rin ng P4,000. Tapos nangyayari, kunyari nabigyan ka ng X, pwede kang mag-apply ulit, magbabayad ka ulit. So parang negosyo siya, mahusay na negosyo,” dela Cruz said.

“Dapat magtayo din ako ng sarili kong MTRCB. Naghahanap lang ako ng magfi-finance na councilor. Isa ‘yan sa maraming bagay sa Pilipinas na absurdo at hindi kinakailangan,” dela Cruz added.

Dying industry?
The filmmakers said they find that the MTRCB complicates the system of an already weakened film industry in the Philippines.

They said that the MTRCB’s decisions are very arbitrary, no basis and very subjective.

The filmmakers want the MTRCB abolished and replaced by a classification agency.

They complain that the film industry will never progress if the most affected are the innovative but small filmmakers like them.

“Maraming films ang na-e-X so you have to pay P10,000, P8,000 so nag-a-accumulate po ‘yon para sa pelikulang ang isang budget eh hindi naman po ganoon kalaki. So sa halip na makatulong ang gobyerno mas lalo kaming nahihirapan because of what’s happening,” Alix Jr. complained.

“Ngayon puros indie films na. So ayon kasi di ba parang ngayon mangilan-ngilan na lang [commercial films]. Gumagawa sila ng pelikula para sa Metro Manila Film Festival.

Unfortunately, ‘yon lang ang napapalabas sa mga Filipino sa dalawang linggo na ‘yon. Hindi kagandahan ano. Sobrang labo ng kalidad,” dela Cruz said.

New generation
The filmmakers ask that the government take action in order to help lift the languishing Filipino film industry.

For them, it is worth a lot more to feel the support from your own countrymen on top of the trust and accolades accorded to them by people from other countries.

This decade has seen vibrant and energetic young Pinoys churning more and more digital and independent films that are receiving worldwide recognition and the same tome bringing honor to the Philippines.

They are the new breed of filmmakers considered abroad as part of a new generation who will revolutionize the world of cinema.

But it is unfortunate, they said, that the goodness of their films cannot be enjoyed by their countrymen to whom they have created and dedicated their works for in the first place.

“Yong mga pinapalabas dito [IFFR] imposibleng mapalabas sa Metro Manila Film Festival. Kasi ‘yong pinapalabas sa MMFF, you don’t see it shown outside in respectable film festivals,” dela Cruz said.

as of 02/03/2009 7:26 PM

SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/pinoy-migration/02/03/09/pinoy-filmmakers-face-issue-censorship-back-home

Pinoys urged to apply for scholarships in Netherlands

by LOUI GALICIA, ABS-CBN
Europe News Bureau 01/24/2009 6:19 PM

THE HAGUE--The Philippine Embassy in the Netherlands is urging Filipinos to take advantage of the scholarship programs offered in the country.

RP Ambassador Romeo Arguelles is disappointed that the number of Pinoys scholars in the Netherlands has fallen.

Including the new arrivals, there are only about seventy Pinoy scholars this year compared to the more than eighty last year.

Arguelles has observed only a handful of Pinoys at the graduation ceremonies he has attended.

"I have noticed here in the universities where I've been during graduation, that there are not as many Filipino graduates as other countries in Asia. The Chinese graduates probably number about ten times the Filipino graduates. There are more Vietnamese, and more Africans," Arguelles said.

Arguelles coordinated with the Netherlands Organization for International Cooperation in Higher Education or Nuffic and discovered that there is no quota for applicants.

"They say that the more applications, the better chances of getting scholarships. They are the ones who are going to pay for your tuition and board and lodging...We already reported this to our main office, that they should encourage students to apply," Arguelles said.

At the Embassy's recent welcome party for the scholars, Arguelles encouraged Pinoys to persuade their friends and acquaintances to apply for scholarships here.

He said Pinoys should not waste this good opportunity for the free higher education that Holland offers to many nationalities.

The scholars agreed that the knowledge that they get from studying abroad will give them a big edge once they return home.

"Malaki ang tulong sa amin bilang professionals kasi na-eenhance ang aming capabilities para ihandle ang aming mga job responsibilities dun sa atin sa Pilipinas, at talagang maganda rin ang environment na ibinibigay sa amin sa pag-aaral dito sa Netherlands," scholar Rino Paez said.

Paez is taking up masters in development studies major in public policy and management at the Institute of Social Studies in The Hague.

"Nagtatrabaho kasi ako sa Commission on Filipinos Overseas. Ito po ang ahensiya na concerned with the permanent migrants. Ang ilang possible research interest namin eh kung paano mae-engganyo ang mga kababayan abroad na tumulong sa mga development projects sa ating bansa. So ang aking layunin pagbalik sa Pilipinas eh tulungan ang ating mga programa na mapalago pa para ma-engganyo ang ating mga kababayang Pilipino na tumulong sa Pilipinas," Paez said.

A Pinay who arrived last year said she is learning a lot of new things that she can apply at the Women's Resource Center in Cebu where she works.

"Dito marami akong natutunan. Ibang issues on women, tapos iba't-ibang aspects ng social security, poverty and I think na magagamit ko talaga sa work namin, especially we're doing, organizing support services for grassroots women sa Cebu. Tapos yung exposure ko to other activists and academics within the women's movement institutions," Kayra Alburo said.

A government official said Filipinos should take advantage of the chance to enrich their knowledge since this which will help raise prosperity in the Philippines.

During DENR Undersecretary for Policy and Planning Demetrio Ignacio's recent visit to The Hague, he also met scholars which included some from his staff at the environment office.

Ignacio said that the government encourages its staff, particularly the young technical people, to go out and learn more from other countries.

"We're very happy that they seem to be learning new technology here, and most especially, they're learning how to explore, to open their minds and look for best alternative options and formula," Ignacio said.

He said that all the hard work and effort undertaken by the scholars will not go unrecognized by the government.

"They will probably go back to their old position but we expect that in a shorter amount of time, they will go up," Ignacio said.

as of 01/24/2009 6:19 PM

SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/pinoy-migration/01/24/09/pinoys-urged-apply-scholarships-netherlands