NDF: Arroyo regime is Marcos martial law in disguise
By LOUI GALICIA, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
09/23/2008 8:28 AM
Filipino activists in The Netherlands cry for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who they say is a dictator-cum-Marcos in disguise, reported ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau.
Coinciding with the 36th anniversary of the declaration of martial law in the Philippines, the Pinoys protested in front of the Dam town square in Amsterdam to denounce the alleged corruption and killings of so many children and deaths of thousands of people under the Arroyo regime.
Holding banners and posters carrying slogans like “No to Another Dictatorship, Never Again to Martial Law” and “Save Our Children From Poverty and State Violence,” the Pinoys caught so much attention from passersby, plain onlookers and tourists.
The Pinoys chanted and shouted “Patalsikin si Gloria, Pahirap sa Masa.”
‘Pretext of a democracy’
They say that the Philippines is in a state of dictatorship but in the pretext of a democracy and it has to stop.
“Ngayon meron pang deception yung Arroyo regime as if it were a democracy pero actually it is dictatorship in reality and causing so much death, so much hunger, so much starvation because of its oppression against the Filipino people, against the workers, the peasants, all people in Mindanao and throughout the country,” National Democratic Front Chair and martial-law survivor Luis Jalandoni said.
Jalandoni said that with the ongoing chaos in the Philippines, notably the war in certain parts of Mindanao, the time has come for the Arroyo government to hold true and serious talks with the NDF.
“Hindi yung all-out war policy ng Arroyo regime, hindi yung pagbanat sa mga civillian doon sa Mindanao, kundi pag-resume ng peace talks in order to address the root causes of the armed conflict, in order to have meaningful economic, social and political reforms that will benefit the people,” Jalandoni declared.
For Jalandoni’s wife, her message is harsher.
“We should resist what is happening. Labanan natin. We have to say no to what is happening. We have to protest. At ang message ko, makibaka huwag matakot,” Connie Ledesma shouted.
“Ang regime ni GMA ay, as the poster says, parang another dictatorship. Hindi in the same way as having declared martial law, pero ang mga batas, ang mga violations of human rights ganun na rin. Hindi na nag-iiba,” the Makibaka leader added.
Ledesma is also a survivor of the martial law era. She had a taste of iron cage under Marcos when she was imprisoned in early 1974 along with her husband Jalandoni.
She also feels that President Arroyo is competing hard against the Marcos regime.
“Parang contest nga si GMA at si Marcos. Sinong mas maraming nag-didisappear. Sinong mas maraming tortured victims. Ganoon kasama ngayon. So many, many years. So many decades after martial law, it’s still the same. That’s the big tragedy about it,” Ledesma told ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau.
A divided opposition
But despite of her bad record, President Arroyo withstood at least three coup attempts, at least three impeachment efforts and countless calls for resignations in her seven years in power.
The Pinoys blame the opposition’s division in the Philippines that resulted in the lack of collective strength to oust Mrs. Arroyo.
“Alam nating lahat si Marcos pinatalsik ng sambayanang Pilipino. Kung bakit si Gloria, samantalang napakatindi ng human rights violations, halos isang libo na napapatay, yung victims ng extra judicial killings at napapabalitang corruption involved ang first family…eh hindi nagkakaron ng pagkakaisa sa hanay ng oposisyon,” NDF member Dan Borjal said.
‘Hurting as a Filipino with the present regime’
The Pinoys here feel that they can’t wait anymore for President Arroyo’s term to end in 2010.
Between now and then, it will torture them to see President Arroyo remain in power because a growing lot has started to feel that it has seriously become painful to be a Filipino in the present regime.
Who else, but the migrant workers, in particular the domestic helpers.
“Napipilitang lumabas ang mga migrante. Ilan na ngayon ang migranteng nasa labas ng ating bansa. 8 million. Ngayon ano ang kalagayan nila. Di ba sila ay hikahos at pinagsasamantalahan habang sila ay nasa labas ng bansa. At ano naman ang ginagawa ng gobyerno niya [Arroyo’s]. Wala namang serbisyo siyang nabibigay. Ilan ang umuuwing patay, bangkay na walang hustisyang nakukuha,” asks Migrante’s Grace Punongbayan.
“Kaya ang rehimen ni Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, pasanin ng mamamayang Pilipino. Sobra sobra na ang ginagawa ng gobyernong ‘yan. Ang pagpatay niya sa mga leader, progresibong leader ng iba’t-ibang samahan. Ang kanyang gobyerno, walang ginagawa upang magkaroon ng trabaho sa ating bansa para ang mga kababayan natin ay di na kailangan lumabas at mawalay sa kanilang mahal sa buhay,” Punungbayan added.
The Pinoys, most especially the migrant workers, feel that it hurts deep to be a Filipino with Mrs. Arroyo as its leader, said Punungbayan.
“Masakit ang maging Pilipino sa mga panahong ito. Halimbawa dito sa Europa, ang lahi natin ay wala namang ibang nakikitang trabaho kundi paglilinis lang ng mga bahay bahay. Parang isang buong lahi ba na nakondena na sa margins of prosperous European societies so masakit tanggapin para isang Pilipino na parang hanggang dun nalang ba ang lahi natin,” Punongbayan said.
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/09/23/08/ndf-arroyo-regime-marcos-martial-law-disguise
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Friday, September 5, 2008
year after arrest, Sison’s case in the Netherlands still in limbo
A year after arrest, Sison’s case in the Netherlands still in limbo
By LOUI GALICIA
ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
It has been one year since the arrest of Jose Maria Sison in Utrecht, Netherlands on Aug. 28, 2007, yet it is still not clear where his case is headed, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau reported.
The founding chair of the Communist Party of the Philippines was detained in Scheveningen prison on charges filed by the Public Prosecutor’s Office for the murders of erstwhile allies Romulo Kintanar and Arturo Tabara in the Philippines but was released two weeks later on lack of incriminating evidence.
At the same time as his arrest, the National Democratic Front office and houses of the NDF members were raided which resulted in the confiscation of computers, diskettes, CDs and files but which are slowly being returned now.
In June, the Prosecution was granted permission by the District Court of The Hague to continue its investigation of Sison until December.
On the anniversary of his arrest, Sison expressed his anger because he said that up to now there is really nothing against him.
"I was dissatisfied with the ruling of the court with regard to our demand that our investigation and prosecution be ended but there’s a key point in that decision of the court, that there’s no incriminating evidence. It’s just giving way to the prosecution to continue investigating as it wishes. The prosecution has that much prerogative to continue its investigation with the police even without the presence of an investigating judge," Sison said.
"Mahabang panahon na ang dumaan bago ako naaresto noong 2007. Ngayon napatunayan sa court na walang evidence and they [prosecution] got more than, more time to do the investigation so meron silang plus na one year by September. ‘Yong malaking abuso sa akin eh ‘yong pang-iipit na walang pinangbabatayan so may basis kami by September to complain and make a demand to end [the investigation]," Sison added.
Seized materials being returned
Sison complained that since June, he didn’t hear anymore from the Prosecution except that it is now returning the rest of the materials that were confiscated last year.
In a visit to the NDF office in Utrecht for this interview, Negotiating Panel official Fidel Agcaoili and staffer Aldo Gonzales showed to ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau five boxes containing binders of documents, diskettes and books that the Prosecution recently returned to the office.
"Sabi nga mga twelve boxes ang sinauli pero para sa lahat ‘yon. Sa akin parang three boxes, para sa akin eh kulang pa ‘yon. Marami pang kulang sa akin. Me hinihintay pa akong isang box ng mga CDs, ah no, hindi CDs, kundi diskettes at ilang pang files na hinihintay ko," Agcaoili said.
For Sison however, this is a good sign.
"Nearly everything confiscated during the raids of Aug. 28 last year, sinasauli na. Konti na lang natitira and only a few days ago, things taken were returned and only the remaining few materials shall be returned next time so we think that the Prosecution is moving already towards the closing of the case because of the continuing lack of evidence," Sison said.
"Of course we don’t have word now. But it’s our estimate that it [prosecution] can’t find, it seems that it hasn’t found any evidence, otherwise due notice would have been given the court and to me as suspect," Sison added.
Filing complaint
But Sison is still readying to file a complaint if the case is not yet closed by September.
"Well when it comes in September and there will be no finding of incriminating evidence, then it will be good. The lack of incriminating evidence will be a good basis for demanding the termination of the case. Because you know, the passage of more than one year would mean that the prosecution went into the arrest operations of Aug. 28 without any basis, not withstanding the fact that it did not prepare for the case well before Aug. 28, 2007. He had one more year to investigate and it has nothing," Sison exclaimed.
Sison said that he seems to have been born with a lot of patience since he has become immune to abuse.
"Kung titignan mo, sa dinami ng paratang sa akin at sa haba ng panahon eh pinatutunayan na wala naman akong kinalaman sa mga paratang. Hindi ba ang dami na. Yung china-charge sa kin," Sison said.
He gave examples of why even when he was still in the Philippines, it was impossible for him to commit a crime.
"Directly, galing ako sa fascist imprisonment under Marcos, Pagkatapos paglabas ko sa detention, I entered government service by getting reinstated sa UP. Full time ako naglecture bago ako umalis at wala akong pahinga sa mga press interview at speeches. Wala akong pagkakataong gumawa ng kahit na anong krimen," Sison said.
Sison charged that his persecution continues and believes that it will never stop.
"Hindi na titigil siguro dahil ako naman walang tigil sa pagtataguyod ng prinsipyo at pagbatikos sa pagsasamantala at pang-aapi ng mga imperyalistang Amerikano sa ating bansa at syempre sa maraming concrete issues pati na yung walang batayang pagiging presidente ni Gloria dahil nandaya sa election. At si Gloria naman, para mapatibay ang posiyon niya eh sumakay sa anti-terrorism campaign ng U.S. sa kagustuhan niyang matulungan siya ng U.S. para mapanatili siya sa kapangyarihan. Sumasabay siya sa U.S. sa aking persecution," Sison said.
SOURCE: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=129508
By LOUI GALICIA
ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
It has been one year since the arrest of Jose Maria Sison in Utrecht, Netherlands on Aug. 28, 2007, yet it is still not clear where his case is headed, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau reported.
The founding chair of the Communist Party of the Philippines was detained in Scheveningen prison on charges filed by the Public Prosecutor’s Office for the murders of erstwhile allies Romulo Kintanar and Arturo Tabara in the Philippines but was released two weeks later on lack of incriminating evidence.
At the same time as his arrest, the National Democratic Front office and houses of the NDF members were raided which resulted in the confiscation of computers, diskettes, CDs and files but which are slowly being returned now.
In June, the Prosecution was granted permission by the District Court of The Hague to continue its investigation of Sison until December.
On the anniversary of his arrest, Sison expressed his anger because he said that up to now there is really nothing against him.
"I was dissatisfied with the ruling of the court with regard to our demand that our investigation and prosecution be ended but there’s a key point in that decision of the court, that there’s no incriminating evidence. It’s just giving way to the prosecution to continue investigating as it wishes. The prosecution has that much prerogative to continue its investigation with the police even without the presence of an investigating judge," Sison said.
"Mahabang panahon na ang dumaan bago ako naaresto noong 2007. Ngayon napatunayan sa court na walang evidence and they [prosecution] got more than, more time to do the investigation so meron silang plus na one year by September. ‘Yong malaking abuso sa akin eh ‘yong pang-iipit na walang pinangbabatayan so may basis kami by September to complain and make a demand to end [the investigation]," Sison added.
Seized materials being returned
Sison complained that since June, he didn’t hear anymore from the Prosecution except that it is now returning the rest of the materials that were confiscated last year.
In a visit to the NDF office in Utrecht for this interview, Negotiating Panel official Fidel Agcaoili and staffer Aldo Gonzales showed to ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau five boxes containing binders of documents, diskettes and books that the Prosecution recently returned to the office.
"Sabi nga mga twelve boxes ang sinauli pero para sa lahat ‘yon. Sa akin parang three boxes, para sa akin eh kulang pa ‘yon. Marami pang kulang sa akin. Me hinihintay pa akong isang box ng mga CDs, ah no, hindi CDs, kundi diskettes at ilang pang files na hinihintay ko," Agcaoili said.
For Sison however, this is a good sign.
"Nearly everything confiscated during the raids of Aug. 28 last year, sinasauli na. Konti na lang natitira and only a few days ago, things taken were returned and only the remaining few materials shall be returned next time so we think that the Prosecution is moving already towards the closing of the case because of the continuing lack of evidence," Sison said.
"Of course we don’t have word now. But it’s our estimate that it [prosecution] can’t find, it seems that it hasn’t found any evidence, otherwise due notice would have been given the court and to me as suspect," Sison added.
Filing complaint
But Sison is still readying to file a complaint if the case is not yet closed by September.
"Well when it comes in September and there will be no finding of incriminating evidence, then it will be good. The lack of incriminating evidence will be a good basis for demanding the termination of the case. Because you know, the passage of more than one year would mean that the prosecution went into the arrest operations of Aug. 28 without any basis, not withstanding the fact that it did not prepare for the case well before Aug. 28, 2007. He had one more year to investigate and it has nothing," Sison exclaimed.
Sison said that he seems to have been born with a lot of patience since he has become immune to abuse.
"Kung titignan mo, sa dinami ng paratang sa akin at sa haba ng panahon eh pinatutunayan na wala naman akong kinalaman sa mga paratang. Hindi ba ang dami na. Yung china-charge sa kin," Sison said.
He gave examples of why even when he was still in the Philippines, it was impossible for him to commit a crime.
"Directly, galing ako sa fascist imprisonment under Marcos, Pagkatapos paglabas ko sa detention, I entered government service by getting reinstated sa UP. Full time ako naglecture bago ako umalis at wala akong pahinga sa mga press interview at speeches. Wala akong pagkakataong gumawa ng kahit na anong krimen," Sison said.
Sison charged that his persecution continues and believes that it will never stop.
"Hindi na titigil siguro dahil ako naman walang tigil sa pagtataguyod ng prinsipyo at pagbatikos sa pagsasamantala at pang-aapi ng mga imperyalistang Amerikano sa ating bansa at syempre sa maraming concrete issues pati na yung walang batayang pagiging presidente ni Gloria dahil nandaya sa election. At si Gloria naman, para mapatibay ang posiyon niya eh sumakay sa anti-terrorism campaign ng U.S. sa kagustuhan niyang matulungan siya ng U.S. para mapanatili siya sa kapangyarihan. Sumasabay siya sa U.S. sa aking persecution," Sison said.
SOURCE: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=129508
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
NDF 'sympathizes' with MILF's peace talks frustrations
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Neri appointment spoils summer fun in the Netherlands
Neri appointment spoils summer fun in the Netherlands
By LOUI GALICIA
ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Filipinos in the Netherlands have advised the new chief of the Social Security System (SSS) to take extra care in handling their hard-earned contributions.
"Huwag niyang isipin na lulustayin na walang kakwenta-kwenta...Hihikayat ako ng mas marami pang miyembro na nagbabayad ng SSS na sagupain yang Neri na yan," SSS member Eddie Aquino said during a recent picnic gathering with other Filipinos.
Neri took on the hot seat as head of the SSS on August 1. Yet, two weeks later, Dutch Pinoys are still fuming mad.
They are inflamed by the fact that Neri will handle the billions and billions of funds that come from their pockets as Pinoy contributors to the private pension fund.
They claim that Neri cannot be trusted because of his involvement in the ZTE-national broadband network deal.
Pinoys fear that when the time comes to collect their pensions, there won’t be any money because the funds had already been used by Arroyo administration.
They feel that with Neri in charge, there’s no stopping the Arroyo administration from plundering their SSS money.
Aquino is one of the 25 million members of SSS. He is among several millions of SSS members abroad who want to retire in the Philippines.
"Gusto ko secured ako. Secured ako sa Pilipinas pag-uwi ko. Meron akong gagastusin. Meron akong pera na matatanggap buwan-buwan," Aquino said.
Meanwhile, there are former SSS members who said they have lost their trust in the pension fund and the present government.
"Pumunta ako ng Pilipinas dahil idadagdag ko 'yung anak ko sa beneficiary ko. Me nagbabayad dun sa SSS ko. How long na wala ako sa Pilipinas? More than 20 years pero me nagbabayad," said Vener Velasquez.
"It’s a fraud. Fraud 'yun. Maliwanag na maliwanag me nagloloko roon eh," Velasquez added.
Velasquez, who has lived both in the United States and the Netherlands as an immigrant, is one global Pinoy who rejects the idea of retiring in the Philippines.
"Wala nang pera ang Pilipinas eh. Pa'no ka pa magpa-papension ng tao?" Velasquez asked.
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=128404
By LOUI GALICIA
ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Filipinos in the Netherlands have advised the new chief of the Social Security System (SSS) to take extra care in handling their hard-earned contributions.
"Huwag niyang isipin na lulustayin na walang kakwenta-kwenta...Hihikayat ako ng mas marami pang miyembro na nagbabayad ng SSS na sagupain yang Neri na yan," SSS member Eddie Aquino said during a recent picnic gathering with other Filipinos.
Neri took on the hot seat as head of the SSS on August 1. Yet, two weeks later, Dutch Pinoys are still fuming mad.
They are inflamed by the fact that Neri will handle the billions and billions of funds that come from their pockets as Pinoy contributors to the private pension fund.
They claim that Neri cannot be trusted because of his involvement in the ZTE-national broadband network deal.
Pinoys fear that when the time comes to collect their pensions, there won’t be any money because the funds had already been used by Arroyo administration.
They feel that with Neri in charge, there’s no stopping the Arroyo administration from plundering their SSS money.
Aquino is one of the 25 million members of SSS. He is among several millions of SSS members abroad who want to retire in the Philippines.
"Gusto ko secured ako. Secured ako sa Pilipinas pag-uwi ko. Meron akong gagastusin. Meron akong pera na matatanggap buwan-buwan," Aquino said.
Meanwhile, there are former SSS members who said they have lost their trust in the pension fund and the present government.
"Pumunta ako ng Pilipinas dahil idadagdag ko 'yung anak ko sa beneficiary ko. Me nagbabayad dun sa SSS ko. How long na wala ako sa Pilipinas? More than 20 years pero me nagbabayad," said Vener Velasquez.
"It’s a fraud. Fraud 'yun. Maliwanag na maliwanag me nagloloko roon eh," Velasquez added.
Velasquez, who has lived both in the United States and the Netherlands as an immigrant, is one global Pinoy who rejects the idea of retiring in the Philippines.
"Wala nang pera ang Pilipinas eh. Pa'no ka pa magpa-papension ng tao?" Velasquez asked.
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=128404
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Bowlers Hit Hard By Dutch Smoking Ban
Bowlers hit hard by Dutch smoking ban
By LOUI GALICIA
ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Bowling enthusiasts in the Netherlands are most affected by the smoking ban that was enforced since July 1.
It's been a month since smoking was prohibited in restaurants, bars and cafes and yet, bowlers who smoke are still angry.
"People throw up, they urinate on the street and yet they ban smoking. I don't understand. It's not fair," bowler Richard Rafulowitz told ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau.
"What's wrong with these people? If I want to kill myself, I'll kill myself," Rafulowitz complained.
Rafulowitz still cannot accept the fact that he can no longer smoke at bowling alleys.
Bowling is one sport where players are allowed to smoke while playing or competing. This, however, is no longer true since the smoking ban was implemented.
Bowlers claim that they are greatly affected by the ban and that their games have highly suffered.
Want to light up? Go out
Whenever there is an urge to light up, the bowlers need to leave the lane to smoke in an enclosed designated area. That is, if there is one.
It's even worse if there is none because they have to smoke outside the bowling center.
And even for just a puff, the whole game is delayed.
"Not nice. More nice if you can smoke and calm down. Now you can't do that. You have to wait till the game is finished before you can smoke. Not good," Bo Pallavicini said.
Pallavicini, an organizer of the International Cultural Exchange (ICE) group for expats and who bowls with Dutch Pinoys, is having a hard time adjusting to a smoke-free bowling alley.
He said that his game is affected because he thinks about smoking all the time while bowling.
Since 2004, Dutch employers have been obliged to ensure a smoke-free workplace for their employees. But back then, restaurants and pubs were still exempted.
The total smoking ban was implemented last month to protect all workers who are exposed to cigarette smoke. Those caught smoking in public places are slapped with a 60-euro (4,000-peso) fine.
Happy with ban
Although they are not happy, some Dutch Pinoys support the good side of the smoking ban.
"Families bowl here all the time so they have kids and it's not good (cigarette smoke) for them, but if you ask me about opinions in bars and stuff like that, then it makes no sense," said Carlo Tomas, one of the top Pinoy bowlers in Holland.
Tomas doesn't agree that smoking should be banned in pubs and bars because people who work there are smokers too.
"I heard that many people who are there smoke anyway and they banned smoke because of the people who work in the bars but they smoke too," Tomas said.
His brother Paolo, also a top-level bowler, finds that the smoking ban can be good because it has helped him cut down on smoking.
"I'd just smoke when I'm outside and I'm almost trying to not quit but I'm trying to smoke less. Maybe it's better for people who want to smoke less," Paolo said.
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryID=127468
By LOUI GALICIA
ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Bowling enthusiasts in the Netherlands are most affected by the smoking ban that was enforced since July 1.
It's been a month since smoking was prohibited in restaurants, bars and cafes and yet, bowlers who smoke are still angry.
"People throw up, they urinate on the street and yet they ban smoking. I don't understand. It's not fair," bowler Richard Rafulowitz told ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau.
"What's wrong with these people? If I want to kill myself, I'll kill myself," Rafulowitz complained.
Rafulowitz still cannot accept the fact that he can no longer smoke at bowling alleys.
Bowling is one sport where players are allowed to smoke while playing or competing. This, however, is no longer true since the smoking ban was implemented.
Bowlers claim that they are greatly affected by the ban and that their games have highly suffered.
Want to light up? Go out
Whenever there is an urge to light up, the bowlers need to leave the lane to smoke in an enclosed designated area. That is, if there is one.
It's even worse if there is none because they have to smoke outside the bowling center.
And even for just a puff, the whole game is delayed.
"Not nice. More nice if you can smoke and calm down. Now you can't do that. You have to wait till the game is finished before you can smoke. Not good," Bo Pallavicini said.
Pallavicini, an organizer of the International Cultural Exchange (ICE) group for expats and who bowls with Dutch Pinoys, is having a hard time adjusting to a smoke-free bowling alley.
He said that his game is affected because he thinks about smoking all the time while bowling.
Since 2004, Dutch employers have been obliged to ensure a smoke-free workplace for their employees. But back then, restaurants and pubs were still exempted.
The total smoking ban was implemented last month to protect all workers who are exposed to cigarette smoke. Those caught smoking in public places are slapped with a 60-euro (4,000-peso) fine.
Happy with ban
Although they are not happy, some Dutch Pinoys support the good side of the smoking ban.
"Families bowl here all the time so they have kids and it's not good (cigarette smoke) for them, but if you ask me about opinions in bars and stuff like that, then it makes no sense," said Carlo Tomas, one of the top Pinoy bowlers in Holland.
Tomas doesn't agree that smoking should be banned in pubs and bars because people who work there are smokers too.
"I heard that many people who are there smoke anyway and they banned smoke because of the people who work in the bars but they smoke too," Tomas said.
His brother Paolo, also a top-level bowler, finds that the smoking ban can be good because it has helped him cut down on smoking.
"I'd just smoke when I'm outside and I'm almost trying to not quit but I'm trying to smoke less. Maybe it's better for people who want to smoke less," Paolo said.
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryID=127468
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Pinoys reign supreme in Dutch bowling league
Pinoys reign supreme in Dutch bowling league
By LOUI GALICIA
ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Filipinos in Holland once again proved that they are the royals of the bowling alley when they reigned supreme at the Tuesday Dutch Bowling league.
Just last March, Pinoys ruled in the biggest inter-agency bowling event held in The Hague. (see article: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryID=112569)
The 2007-2008 league, which is on its sixth year, is held every Tuesday, from September to May at the Dolfijn Bowling Center in Scheveningen and ends with a grand awards night when winners receive recognition and participants get tokens of appreciation for their hard work and effort for the whole season.
A total of 12 teams with four players each participated this season in the league. Among the 48 players, 10 were Filipinos.
Although outnumbered, the Pinoys swept all the awards.
In the team category, the first to third placers had one Pinay player each.
The Lord of the Pins team, with Brigitte Galura, bagged the championship, followed by Beer Frame with Cynbelle Cons on second place and Split Happens, with this writer, in third place.
Even the individual awards for the best season’s scores were dominated by Pinoys.
In the Men’s division, Leandro Bautista won the third-highest handicap game while Ener Gonzales had the second-highest handicap game series.
In the Women’s division, this writer won the third-highest handicap game and also the second-highest handicap game series.
The event's Dutch organizer, who has been playing with the Pinoys for six years now, could not help but salute the Pinoys for their bowling prowess.
"They’re very, very good bowlers, and they impress me every time, every year again. They’re really good players, very nice, very friendly, and I love their food," Frog vander Heuvel said.
The Pinoys said they seem to have a natural talent for bowling.
"Natural ata yang galing ng Pinoy sa sports eh, lalo na sa bowling kaya palagi tayong nananalo kahit na kokonti tayong Pilipino na naglalaro ng bowling dito sa Holland. Parati tayong nakakakuha ng award. So ngayong gabi eh ang dami nating napanalo. I think it proves na me talent tayo lalo sa sports," Joey Gonzales said.
There are only about 20 Filipinos who regularly join bowling tournaments and leagues in Holland, but they always outplay the Dutch and other nationalities and are feared in the Dutch bowling circuit.
"Sa ligang ito, madami ring mga puti ang magagaling, at kaming mga Pilipino, halos sampu lang kaming naglalaro pero nangi-ngibabaw pa rin kami sa pagkapanalo. Talagang likas na ata sa ating mga Pilipino kaya magaling tayo sa bowling," Galura said.
The Pinoys are now preparing for the biggest singles’ bowling tournament in The Hague this Saturday.
The Bintang Bowling Cup is organized by the Indonesian Embassy, and 150 bowlers are expected to compete for the best of the best awards.
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=124141
By LOUI GALICIA
ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Filipinos in Holland once again proved that they are the royals of the bowling alley when they reigned supreme at the Tuesday Dutch Bowling league.
Just last March, Pinoys ruled in the biggest inter-agency bowling event held in The Hague. (see article: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryID=112569)
The 2007-2008 league, which is on its sixth year, is held every Tuesday, from September to May at the Dolfijn Bowling Center in Scheveningen and ends with a grand awards night when winners receive recognition and participants get tokens of appreciation for their hard work and effort for the whole season.
A total of 12 teams with four players each participated this season in the league. Among the 48 players, 10 were Filipinos.
Although outnumbered, the Pinoys swept all the awards.
In the team category, the first to third placers had one Pinay player each.
The Lord of the Pins team, with Brigitte Galura, bagged the championship, followed by Beer Frame with Cynbelle Cons on second place and Split Happens, with this writer, in third place.
Even the individual awards for the best season’s scores were dominated by Pinoys.
In the Men’s division, Leandro Bautista won the third-highest handicap game while Ener Gonzales had the second-highest handicap game series.
In the Women’s division, this writer won the third-highest handicap game and also the second-highest handicap game series.
The event's Dutch organizer, who has been playing with the Pinoys for six years now, could not help but salute the Pinoys for their bowling prowess.
"They’re very, very good bowlers, and they impress me every time, every year again. They’re really good players, very nice, very friendly, and I love their food," Frog vander Heuvel said.
The Pinoys said they seem to have a natural talent for bowling.
"Natural ata yang galing ng Pinoy sa sports eh, lalo na sa bowling kaya palagi tayong nananalo kahit na kokonti tayong Pilipino na naglalaro ng bowling dito sa Holland. Parati tayong nakakakuha ng award. So ngayong gabi eh ang dami nating napanalo. I think it proves na me talent tayo lalo sa sports," Joey Gonzales said.
There are only about 20 Filipinos who regularly join bowling tournaments and leagues in Holland, but they always outplay the Dutch and other nationalities and are feared in the Dutch bowling circuit.
"Sa ligang ito, madami ring mga puti ang magagaling, at kaming mga Pilipino, halos sampu lang kaming naglalaro pero nangi-ngibabaw pa rin kami sa pagkapanalo. Talagang likas na ata sa ating mga Pilipino kaya magaling tayo sa bowling," Galura said.
The Pinoys are now preparing for the biggest singles’ bowling tournament in The Hague this Saturday.
The Bintang Bowling Cup is organized by the Indonesian Embassy, and 150 bowlers are expected to compete for the best of the best awards.
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=124141
Megaworld woos Dutch Pinoys to invest in RP
Megaworld woos Dutch Pinoys to invest in RP
By LOUI GALICIA
ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
The Philippines’s second-largest property developer showcased the beauty of the country to Dutch Filipinos in a roadshow presentation held recently in Rotterdam, Holland.
Megaworld Corp. showed its projects and property developments through a slide-show presentation that featured how the Philippines look now and how it will look in the future.
Ambassador Romeo Arguelles attended the presentation as he also browsed through all the available leaflets and pamphlets and inquired about new property developments.
Arguelles himself was impressed at the sight of rising buildings and beautiful townhouses and condominium units that are being built which created a modern architectural landscape of a beautiful Philippines.
According to Arsenio Reyes, president of Shore Access Europe which is Megaworld International’s partner, this is the company’s first time in Holland.
Right time to invest in RP
Reyes said the company aims to woo and convince Dutch Pinoys that it is the right time to invest in the Philippines.
From the figures provided to ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau by the Philippine Embassy in The Hague, out of the 17,500 Filipinos living in The Netherlands, around 15,000 are Dutch Pinoys.
Megaworld said that it is precisely this stunning figure that prompted it to go overseas in order to reach out to those who have long been out of the country.
"Kung baga sa kasabihan natin na mga salmon eh bumabalik sa sariling pinanggalingan. Ganun din siguro ang mabibigay natin sa ating sarili. Nagpakahirap tayo dito. Pagbalik natin, makikita natin ang ating magandang kinabukasan ay nasa Pilipinas, ang ating bansa," Reyes said.
According to Megaworld, the Philippines is ready for the return of the Filipinos who left the country.
"Kung ma-dedeliver namin ang Philippines sa ibang bansa, why not? Because it’s a great honor for us to help the country especially sa mga OFWs na nagpunta dito sa Holland, sa Europe para makakita ng magandang kinabukasan at makatulong sa bansa," Reyes said.
Planning for the future
Even if there were only a few Filipinos who attended the presentation, the event was very meaningful to those who were there.
"I was convinced. Mag-iisip ako at gusto kong bumili talaga. Dahil maganda ‘yong explanation niya at saka para sa atin talaga ‘yon. Pag nag-retire na tayo ng trabaho at least meron na tayong investment," said Edith Benito.
The event also opened the eyes of the Dutch Pinoys to the reality that planning for the future is now and that it is time to think about what they want to do when they get older or where they will retire.
"Maganda ‘yan dahil once nag-invest tayo, malaking tulong ‘yan sa government natin, sa economy ng Philippines at isa pa, in the future pag tatanda tayo, of course hindi ito ang country natin. Ang country natin sa Philippines. Pag tatanda tayo, siyempre babalik tayo sa sarili nating bansa," Dutch Pinay Janet Suleyman said.
"At least in the future, meron tayong tinatawag na home sweet home," Suleyman added
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=124090
By LOUI GALICIA
ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
The Philippines’s second-largest property developer showcased the beauty of the country to Dutch Filipinos in a roadshow presentation held recently in Rotterdam, Holland.
Megaworld Corp. showed its projects and property developments through a slide-show presentation that featured how the Philippines look now and how it will look in the future.
Ambassador Romeo Arguelles attended the presentation as he also browsed through all the available leaflets and pamphlets and inquired about new property developments.
Arguelles himself was impressed at the sight of rising buildings and beautiful townhouses and condominium units that are being built which created a modern architectural landscape of a beautiful Philippines.
According to Arsenio Reyes, president of Shore Access Europe which is Megaworld International’s partner, this is the company’s first time in Holland.
Right time to invest in RP
Reyes said the company aims to woo and convince Dutch Pinoys that it is the right time to invest in the Philippines.
From the figures provided to ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau by the Philippine Embassy in The Hague, out of the 17,500 Filipinos living in The Netherlands, around 15,000 are Dutch Pinoys.
Megaworld said that it is precisely this stunning figure that prompted it to go overseas in order to reach out to those who have long been out of the country.
"Kung baga sa kasabihan natin na mga salmon eh bumabalik sa sariling pinanggalingan. Ganun din siguro ang mabibigay natin sa ating sarili. Nagpakahirap tayo dito. Pagbalik natin, makikita natin ang ating magandang kinabukasan ay nasa Pilipinas, ang ating bansa," Reyes said.
According to Megaworld, the Philippines is ready for the return of the Filipinos who left the country.
"Kung ma-dedeliver namin ang Philippines sa ibang bansa, why not? Because it’s a great honor for us to help the country especially sa mga OFWs na nagpunta dito sa Holland, sa Europe para makakita ng magandang kinabukasan at makatulong sa bansa," Reyes said.
Planning for the future
Even if there were only a few Filipinos who attended the presentation, the event was very meaningful to those who were there.
"I was convinced. Mag-iisip ako at gusto kong bumili talaga. Dahil maganda ‘yong explanation niya at saka para sa atin talaga ‘yon. Pag nag-retire na tayo ng trabaho at least meron na tayong investment," said Edith Benito.
The event also opened the eyes of the Dutch Pinoys to the reality that planning for the future is now and that it is time to think about what they want to do when they get older or where they will retire.
"Maganda ‘yan dahil once nag-invest tayo, malaking tulong ‘yan sa government natin, sa economy ng Philippines at isa pa, in the future pag tatanda tayo, of course hindi ito ang country natin. Ang country natin sa Philippines. Pag tatanda tayo, siyempre babalik tayo sa sarili nating bansa," Dutch Pinay Janet Suleyman said.
"At least in the future, meron tayong tinatawag na home sweet home," Suleyman added
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=124090
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