Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Season’s Greetings
arm greetings to all readers, friends, F EWA/Sulyapinoy is a diversified group. A diversity of different
volunteers and supporters, as well as to the individuals no matter whattheir values, education, religion, status,
Editorial staff and the Board of Publications interest and talent, but united with passion and sincerity to share
of Sulyapinoy newsletter on its 3rd Year time responsibility and commitment to continue helping fellow
Anniversary. And also to all FEWA officers, Filipino workers in the essence of VOLUNTEERISM. Our aim is to
volunteers and members who keep the promote
spirit of volunteerism alive, for all your the welfare of all EPS workers here in South Korea.
contributions and efforts to keep our or-
ganization united despite the challenges we
faced this year. Sulyapinoy as the Official Publication of FEWA, aims to provide
news, updates on labor laws and policies and other relevant
I wish all our kababayans working, studying information and resources both to entertain and educate EPS
and living here in South Korea , good workers. Aside from that we also have our very useful website
health, peace of mind, a and online forum to exchange.
Blessed Christmas and a Prosperous New
Year! In the last three years of committed and honest service, the offi-
cers continue its integrity in keeping the legacy that Sulyapinoy
I am happy to inform you that this year is one of our busiest times. We had lots of was founded to serves as the VOICE OF THE MODERN HEROES.
activities that we initiated, participated and joined in with other associations or Fili-
pino Communities (FILCOMS). Aside from all these activities is our regular Sunday Congratulations to all of us
Counselling in our office at Woori Bank-Hyehwa Branch. who gave time and effort to
make it this far, let's hold
Let me refresh you with some of them: Labor & EPS updates conducted at Damayan hands and keep the torch
Filipino Community in Kimje City, bowling tournament participated in Ilsan-Paju FIL- burning for our zeal and
COM, Independence Day & Migrant Workers’ Day Celebration in Incheon City, enthusiasm to serve others.
Chuseok Food Festival organized by the Hyehwa-dong Filipino Catholic Community, a
representative for the Ginoo at Binibining Kalinangang Pilipino 2010. We also partici- TO ALL FEWA/SULYAPINOY
pated in the bowling tournament organized by POLO/OWWA, and organized our VOLUNTEERS, CONGRATULA-
annual Sportfest or FEWAlympics held last Chuseok with delegations from other TIONS! MABUHAY TAYONG
FILCOMS. Joining us this year is the Filipino Photographers in South Korea (FILIPOS) LAHAT! MALIGAYANG
that held a photo contest during the event. FILIPOS was also an initiative mostly of PASKO ! A Peaceful New Year
FEWA officers and members. A planning workshop among FEWA Officers was also to All!
held with their Tampisaw Outing. We also conducted a trainers’ training/workshop
on Salary Wages Computation held at the Philippine Catholic Center facilitated by our
volunteers and Prof. NonoyAmante. Joseph Alvarez
New Chair of the Editorial Board
Our official newsletter Sulyapinoy was not spared with challenges. We saw our edi-
tors-in-chief Edward Castro and Bevi Tamargo leaving to attend to their personal Sulyapinoy
matters. Sir Aquilino Juanites also stepped down as the Chairman of the Board of
Publication of Sulyapinoy. But still, God is very kind to us, as we manage to over-
come those trials in our organization.
Despite all the things that we’ve been through I’m looking forward to a brighter year
ahead of us. I hope that more active volunteers will come and join us. I am expect-
ing our members to be more vocal and active in their support of our planned activi-
ties. It is through your support that we will succeed in all of our endeavors.
We are very blessed to have with us the two Presidential Awardees: Engi-
neer Rebenson Recana, the Founding chairman of FEWA, former FEWA president
and Sulyapinoy Chairman of the Board of Publication, in 2009; and the 2010 newly
awarded Professor Emely Dicolen Abagat, PhD, FEWA Academic Adviser and Sulyapi-
noy Consultant. Of course we will not forget Fr. Glenn Jiovanni Jaron, MSP, who
inspired our senior officers to form FEWA with his guidance and help. May their
efforts, inspirations, recognition and achievements to help others, especially our
kababayans in need, also inspire us to be men and women for other Filipino mi-
grants, in particular the migrant workers.
Marzy Serdeña
FEWA President
Thank you.
Pete Rahon
Editor-in-chief
Chairman : Noel Joseph Alvarez
Vice Chairman: Julius Caesar Ocampo D I S C L A I M E R
Corinna Bianca Estarija Secretary: Jenn Betacura
FeatUre/Managing Editor Different opinions are encourage to stimulate
Printing & Distribution: Benjie Del Mundo
member input and involvement. SULYAPI-
Budget & Finance: Theo Camo NOY’s role is to provide information that per-
Raechelle Montalbo Outreach & Religious Programs: Ma. Lourdes Espinola mits FEWA members to develop informed opin-
ions on subjects that will affect their status
Lay-out Editor Website Dev't. and Maintenance: Christian Robles
as migrant workers and, in some instances,
Sponsorship & Promotion: Annabelle Lopez, their personal lives. FEWA does not hold itself
Aquilino Juanites Jr., Sofonias Paragsa, & Rodel Arias responsible for statements made by any con-
Rodel Arias, Lito Libunao , tributor. Statements or opinions expressed in
Alwyin Casino Training & Workshop: Noel Joseph Alvarez
SULYAPINOY reflect the views of the author(s)
Circulation Managers and not the official policy of FEWA unless so
Consultants : Fr. Alvin B. Parantar, MSP stated.
Cathy Rose Garcia
Prof. Emely Dicolen-Abagat For Comments, Suggestions, Contributions &
Adviser
Ma. Regina P. Arquiza Advertisements,
e-mail: editorialstaff@sulyapinoy.org
SULYAPINOY Office Address: 115-9 Songbuk-gu, Songbuk 1 dong, Songbuk Villa, Seoul, Korea 136-020 or sulyap.editorialstaff@gmail.com
FEWA Office & SULYAPINOY Distribution Center: Inside WOORI BANK, Hyehwa-dong Branch, Jongno-gu, Seoul
SULYAPINOY observes the Philippine Press Code
of Ethics .
By Alden Balgos
R ecent global news headlines reported a Korea on the verge of war, and worried family, relatives and friends
expressed their concerns. To those of us who now live and work in Korea, the reality is different. Korea is still
the land of the morning calm – no panic buying in the markets, fairly stable prices with no inflation, no crowds
behaving like herds running everywhere and nowhere in fear. Prayers for peace have prevailed, but for how long?
Many Filipinos must now wake up to the new realities of geopolitics in East Asia – between the US, China, Japan and Korea. How will the Philippines promote, and
protect its national interest in this emerging geopolitics? What could Filipinos learn from the current tensions in Korea? There is no textbook or magic formula.
This discussion offers a limited guide but each one must arrive at their own analysis and conclusion of the events.
Any opinion on how the Philippines will play its role and protect its interests in the simmering problem between the two Koreas should take into account the follow-
ing considerations:
Pinoys as foreigners are guests in Korea. We respect the right of the Korean people to determine their own policies, actions, and solutions to their problems
with neighbors.
Freedom, democracy and self determination are among the cherished values of people anywhere.
Dialogue, negotiations and agreements are the best means to settle disputes.
Prayers for peace in Korea are sincere intentions based on cold political neutrality, but with justice and charity, recognizing the tragic events in history which
brought about these tensions.
Facts behind the tension in Korea
Kababayans who live and work in Korea indeed has that rare knowledge and insight on how life actually goes on in Korea even during crises. Apart from emer-
gency preparedness, it is important to understand why there is tension between the two Koreas.
Even without full knowledge of the history of these tensions, what is the best mindset in praying for peace in Korea? The facts of the ongoing state of war:
After the Korean War in 1953, there was no peace treaty, only an “armistice”, some sort of a truce or ceasefire.
Since 1953, there have been military clashes between South Korea and the DPRK in the disputed area of the NLL.
In 1999, a DPRK ship sank in a clash with the South Korean Navy, killing 3 sailors and wounding roughly 70.
In 2009, the South Korean Navy fired at a DPRK vessel that crossed the demarcation line and killed several sailors.
In March 2010, the Cheonan, a South Korean navy corvette, sank, killing 49 sailors.
10 million Korean families are separated due to the continued state of war and division in Korea (Source: www.endthekoreanwar.org)
What happens now?
The latest headlines indicate that peace is not guaranteed, as both sides prepare to rattle each other with threats and counter threats, drills as well as war games.
The simmering on and off conflict in Korea is just the surface of an even greater historical and economic tensions in East Asia, between China, Japan and Korea.
What will happen next? There are several scenarios, based on past experience. Most probably, life will go on as usual, just like previous confrontations. The
latest exchange is simply fireworks for an early New Year, according to some Filipino workers who are not worried at all. The status quo “business as usual” atti-
tude prevails among my Korean students and academic colleagues.
The results of past confrontations however show that South Korea has limited options. As usual, there is now a lot of diplomatic activity, initiated by South
Korea’ s ambassadors in many countries. There will be another round of debates and discussions in the UN Security Council, headed by Secretary General Ban Ki-
moon, a former South Korean foreign minister. There will be condemnation, and calls for more sanctions.
North Korea however is already used to diplomatic isolation, condemnations and sanctions. It has now the capacity to threaten South Korea and Japan with nu-
clear weapons, raising the stakes further.
Roots of the tension: East Asian history and geopolitics
Many historical dramas show the history of peace and war for people, territory, and resources among various kingdoms in Korea China and Japan. Korea is
squeezed between China and Japan. In their textbooks, authors still need to have a common interpretation of history, due to conflicting claims about territory, and
aggression.
Today’ s economics also indicate a simmering tension in East Asia. South Korean's economy has grown by as much as 5% on average for 10 years, whereas
Japan grew by 0.42% per year during the same period. China's growth is fuelled by low-cost labor as millions of peasants enter the industrial economy, this is not
the South Korean recipe for success, which has been driven by private entrepreneurship, innovation and quality products: Samsung and Hyundai, not cheap wages,
are South Korea's growth engines. Anything produced by either Japan or Korea could be produced by a fraction of cost in China. The terms of trade, based on
the real prices of capital and raw materials are likewise in favor of China . (continued on page 11)
○ Whether to set down agreed holidays as paid holidays or unpaid holidays depends on an agreement between labor and management. Therefore, it is
a general rule to treat it as contractual holidays and unpaid holidays unless such holidays are specified as paid holidays in the rule of employment or col-
lective agreements.
Paid h olidays 10 0 % of paid h oliday allowance + 10 0 % of wage for actual working h ours + h oli-
10 0 % of paid h oliday allowance
( 유급휴일) day work allowance ( extra 5 0 %) + extended work allowance ( extra 5 0 %)
※ When a salaried worker works on Sunday, the employer is required to pay in addition by 150% only for such work on Sunday as weekly holidays
(mostly Sundays) are included in monthly contractual working hours (226 hours in cases of 44-hour workweek system and 209 hours in cases of 40-hour
workweek system) and the monthly wages include weekly holiday allowances.
○ Accordingly, in cases when labor is rendered on Saturday, no holiday work allowance occurs but an extended work allowance (25 percent or 50 per-
cent) occurs if 40 hours per week has been exceeded.
○ The amended Labor Standards Act prescribes that an amount by a rate of 50 percent shall be added to wages for payment for extended work. How-
ever, in cases of workplaces adopting a 40-hour work per week system, an amount by a rate of 25 percent to ordinary wages shall be paid for the first 4
hours of overtime work for the limited period of the first 3 years after the enforcement of the said amended Act.
6. As counseling based on the Internet having no authority to investigate the relating parties allows counseling in general, please visit
the local labor office controlling the workplace bringing your detailed monthly paychecks for further counseling.
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 passports and alien registration cards, are free to enter and depart from Korea without a re-entry
permit for one year within their permitted period 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.
Source: http://www.philembassy-seoul.com/ann_details.asp?id=377
Umasa ka pa!
Ni Danny Guerra
may mga papeles pa na mangagaling sa embahada na kailangan. Pero
(Ed Note: Ang salaysay na ito ay karanasan na ibinahagi ng may akda sa hindi nya kami binigyan ng kahit na anumang tulong.
Forum at dayalogo na pinamunuan ng KASAMAKO at dinaluhan ng mga kina-
tawan ng Embahada ng Pilipinas at POLO gayundin ng iba pang Filipino Com- naman nya kami dahil kailangan namin ang tulong nila dahil sa pag-
munity leaders.) kakaalam ko kabisado nila ang mga pamamaraan sa ganitong problema.
Gayundin .
Ika 5 ng Hulyo taong 2009 nang makatangap ako ng tawag galing sa isa
nating kababayan. Ayon sa kanya nagkaroon daw ng away sa kanilang kom-
Muli ko syang tinawagan at tinanong kung bakit ayaw nyang pumunta
panya. Puro pilipino ang sangkot. At ang masakit nito meron daw namatay.
sa Busan. Ang dahilan nya MALAYO daw ang Busan kaya hindi siya
Kasalukuyan daw silang nasa presinto noong oras na iyon. Agad akong pu-
makakapunta. Wala kaming nagawa kundi kami na lang ang pumunta
munta sa presinto upang malaman ang buong pangyayari. Sa presinto, na-
sa embahada para kuhanin ang iba pang mga papeles na kailangan.
kausap ko ang mga naging saksi sa away. Lima sila, apat na lalaki at isang
Ang mas nakakalungkot pa nito nang malapit nang maiuwi ang labi ng
babae.
biktima, bumigay ang katinuan ng pag-iisip ng ama ng biktima. Bunga
ito ng labis na pag-iisip kung maiuuwi ba o hindi ang kanyang anak.
Sa kanilang salaysay, kaarawan ng isa sa kanila. nagkaroon ng inuman. Sa Hindi rin nagtagal at siya’y binawian din ng buhay.
hindi malamang dahilan nag karoon ng hindi pagkakaunawaan ang biktima at
ang salarin. Dito na nagsimula ang kanilang away. At napatay ang biktima.
Sa aking palagay kung naiuwi sana agad ang bangkay ng biktima mala-
Pagkatapos ng aming pag-uusap agad akong tumawag sa ating embahada at
mang na hindi sana nangyaru sa ama ang sinapit nito. Kung agad na
ibinalita ko ang pangyayari. Ayon sa nakasagot hindi daw sila humahawak ng
tumulong ang embahada napabilis ang pag-proseso para mapauwi
ganoong kaso.
ang bangkay. Kung hindi sana naging malayo kay G.Alvaran ang Busan
baka sakaling nakapagligtas siya ng isang buhay.
Ipinasa ako ng nakasagot sa labor office. Ayon naman sa labor office may tao
daw na nakatalaga sa ganoong kaso. Ito daw ay sakop ng (ATN) assistance to
Matapos maiuwi ang bangkay may dumating na sulat sa kapatid ng
national. Ang taong in-charge daw dito ay si G. Alvaran.
biktima. Galing daw ito sa DFA. Nilalaman daw ng sulat na ito ang deta-
lye ng tulong na ibinibigay ng gobyerno sa pamilya ng biktima. Ang
Isinalaysay ko Kay G. Alvaran ang kwentong narinig ko sa mga saksi. At buong akala namin ay may ibibigay na halagang tulong ang gobyerno.
tinanong ko siya kung ano ang dapat naming gawin. Tinanong nya Nagkamali kami dahil ang nakasaad sa sulat na ito ay pauutangin ang
ako kung alam na ng pamilya ng biktima ang pangyayari. Sinabi ko pamilya ng biktima ng halagang US$ 1,500.00. At nakasaad din sa
sa kanya na may kapatid dito ang biktima at naitawag na sa Pilipi- sulat na ito na kung sinuman ang pumirma sa affitdavit na ito siya ay
nas. At ang tanging kahilingan ng magulang at asawa ng biktima ilalagay sa Travel Holder List, ang ibig sabihin hindi siya maaring luma-
ay maiuwing buo ang bangkay ng biktima. bas ng bansa hanga’t hindi nya nababayaran ang nasabing pautang.
Tinanong ko si G. Alvaran kung ano ang maitutulong ng embahada. Sinabi Ito ay isang patunay na ang gobyerno ng Pilipinas at ang embahada ay
nya sa akin na walang pondong nakalaan ang embahada sa mga ganitong walang pahalaga sa lahat ng Pilipino. Ang pangyayaring ito ay isang
problema. Ang sabi pa nya ang maitutulong lang nya ay, ay may kakilala pangyayari na masusundan pa kung tayong mga Pilipino ay hindi kikilos
siyang mag-aasikaso ng pagpapauwi ng bangkay kung may pambayad na. upang gumawa ng mga hakbangin upang ipaglaban ang ating kara-
patan.
Gumawa kami ng paraan para makalikom ng halaga para sa pag papauwi ng
bangkay. Nilapitan namin ang ibat ibang organisasyon ng mga Pilipino upang Nanawagan ako sa ating mga kababayan sa Korea na magkaisa tayo,
humingi ng tulong. Sa kadahilang malaking halaga ang kailangan, tumagal ng isigaw at ipaglaban ang ating mga karapatan. Huwag tayong matakot
halos ilang linggo bago kami nakalikom ng sapat na halaga. na ipaglaban ang ang nararapat para sa atin. Alalahanin natin na kung
tayo’y patuloy na na magsasawalang kibo, lalo tayong pagkakaitan ng
Pagkalikom ng sapat na halaga, agad naming inayos ang lahat ng mga karapatan, na dapat sanay ating tinatamasa. Hangang kailan tayo pa-
kailangang papeles upang maiuwi agad ang bangkay. Dito ako muling tuma- paabuso sa mga taong nariyan sa embahada. Lalong lalo na sa isang
wag kay G.Alvaran upang himingi ng tulong upang lalong mapabilis ang katulad ni G. ALVARAN
proseso. Ipinakiusap ko rin sa kanya na kung pwede ay pakipuntahan
IPhotowalk
st
t was on a Sunday, 31 of October
2010, when I first experienced a
with the FILIPOS in Nami
Island. I had second thoughts of joining
because I am not really good in photog-
raphy and I don’t know yet the members
except for Nads who introduced to me
the group.
Since I am beginning to develop my
interest in photography and wanting to
learn, I decided to join the group. That
morning I had a mixed emotions because
it was my first serious photowalk, before
I really don’t take it so seriously. Why did
i say that? Because before I just click my
camera anywhere and everywhere. Hon-
estly, I have only little idea about pho-
tography. The few things I knew of
were some facts that I read through my
research on the internet. In short, those
were more visual and theoretical knowl-
edge and not actual or practical one.
So while in the bus travelling, I noticed
that the group members were all nice,
approachable and they made
me feel welcome to the group, although
I am not yet a member. To think that we
just met only for that day and that made
me feel at ease with the group.
JOHN ENRILE
Area Manager
Philippine Airlines
KOREA GSA
SAEHOON AIR TRAVEL CO., LTD