Philippines Suspends OFWs Deployment in Kuwait

Wazzup Pilipinas!

“One more incident about a woman, a Filipina being raped there, I’m going to stop, I’m going to ban."- President Rodrigo Roa Duterte

And so he did!

On the issue of maids and expatriate labor in Kuwait, the foreign ministry summoned Ambassador of Philippines to Kuwait Renato Pedro Villa, Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Sulaiman Al- Jarallah announced. The Filipino envoy met at the ministry with the assistant foreign minister for consular affairs, who notified the ambassador about Kuwait’s regret and bewilderment towards his president’s decision to suspend the dispatch of workers to Kuwait. Such a stance contradicts the nature of the distinctive ties between the two countries and does not serve their common interests.

The Kuwaiti side noted to the ambassador that freedoms and rights enjoyed by the expatriate communities in the country have contributed to raising the number of Filipino workers to 276,000.

Moreover, the Kuwaiti side expressed readiness to host Filipino diplomats to discuss the conditions of the community and follow up on Filipinos’ problems.

I personally found the statement worthwhile. The president is the head of the state and he is defending the rights of his citizens, and this is a good thing. In fact, this is the normal duty of every president to ensure the safe living conditions of his citizens abroad.

There are about 250,000 Filipinos in Kuwait, according to the Philippine foreign ministry. Filipinos in Kuwait constitute the third largest community in Kuwait, after Indians and Egyptians.

I’m all for the ban but it should depend on the type of work you are going to do. If you're not on expat package, the government should not allow you.

Sounds better than getting beaten and locked up and not getting anything at all. $11 is still higher than the current minimum wage.

Actually, not getting any money while in your country and free is better than being a slave elsewhere.

I'm sure the president of the Philippines took many things in consideration here. I know there are many good Filipino people of honor and integrity that work hard to serve the Kuwaiti people and also send money home to support their families.

We should cry for that Filipina in Kuwait who was most probably murdered after being sexually abused, etc., and worse her body mutilated with her organs collected without her family's consent!

We should not let another Filipino suffer again from abuse and maltreatment that leads to major damage such as trauma, suicidal tendencies or death.

It is better to totally ban the deployment of our domestic worker to Kuwait.

As of now, Kuwait imposed some strict laws against expats including Philippines. Investigation is ongoing but whatever the results, please stop sending household workers in Kuwait until Kuwait employers will surely follow what are stated on the contract with monitoring program from the employment agencies and the government.

I hope that Filipino Nationals in Kuwait will not be adversely affected.

I also hope for the good people of honor and integrity in Kuwait to help enlighten their officials and countrymen. I know that every country has both wonderful kind considerate people, but also people who use and abuse everyone they possibly can.

"I do not want a quarrel with Kuwait. I respect their leaders, but they have to do something about this." -President Rodrigo Roa Duterte

8 Surprising Reasons Music Makes for a Healthier You

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Here’s a guest post from Samantha Griffo, a music and arts and crafts lover at Zingcrafts.com, who is almost as obsessed about music and health as we are!

We’re getting pretty health conscious these days. Smoking rates are down, we look at what we eat more closely and try to exercise. But did you know that just listening to a few songs can also help? Here are 8 surprising reasons music makes for a healthier you.

Natural painkiller
Instead of loading your body up with dozens of different pills to combat every ache and pain you’re experiencing, it turns out just listening to the right kind of music has a pretty powerful impact on your body’s ability to regulate pain sensations.

Supercharged immune system
You know when you see a group of people in a music video or film walking in slow motion with some epic music playing in the background? Well it turns out that just listening to a couple of absolute bangers for an hour has the same effect on you, at least on the inside.

Increased mental fortitude
Depression is one of the most common problems in our society, and it’s not easy to treat. Now, we’re not saying that simply listening to any old bit of music is going to make all of your problems go away, but it turns out that music can help with treating depression. Listening to sad songs won’t help though, instead you’ll have to pick some more positive in tone.

Less stress
You know how some people love to treat themselves to a day at the spa, perhaps with a good massage (not that kind, get your mind out of the gutter,) well it turns out that simply listening to some of your favourite relaxing music is roughly the equivalent of that, with the added bonus that it won’t cost a fortune.

Stay slim
Obesity is something of an epidemic at the moment, and it brings dozens of other problems along for the ride such as increased risk of diabetes, lethargy and lower mood. Listening to music won’t actively make you shed the extra weight, but it will help you to eat less if you have some music in the background whilst you’re dining.

Reduced heart disease risk
Following on from the previous point of problems that come along for the ride with obesity, heart disease is one of them. As luck would have it, a regular dose of music can help you tackle that before it becomes a problem.

Improved cardiovascular function
If you’re looking to exercise more, or just don’t want to feel so out of breath next time you have to run up a few flights of stairs, it’s time to bust out the tunes. Listening to music makes it easier for your body to regulate blood flow and heart rate, resulting in improved performance.

Goodbye insomnia
Have you ever tried pulling an all-nighter and then instantly regretted it the day after? Perhaps you don’t even have a choice in the matter as your brain just will not shut down. Sleep deprivation is extremely bad for your health, both physically and mentally, and it gets worse with each subsequent night of poor or limited sleep. Relaxing instrumental music is actually better than total silence for helping you drift off faster.

All told, it seems like the next time you go to visit your doctor you should ask what album you should listen to rather than which pills you need to take. Of course, these surprising reasons music makes for a healthier you aren’t a substitute for actual medicine, but it’s quite impressive just how much your body can do for itself when it has the right soundtrack.

Requirements for Bloggers Seeking Accreditation by PCOO

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) has opened its doors to bloggers who want access to the President's activities. It should now become easier for bloggers to personally witness the events or press conferences of the government, more importantly the ones held at the Malacanang Palace.

We all know that mainstream media has an unfair advantage over bloggers because they have been specially prioritized. However, it has gone to their heads making them too arrogant to the point that they believe they are above everyone else including the government.

As bloggers, our community is glad that the PCOO thinks highly of bloggers as crediblr source of information. They have drafted its social media policy for accrediting bloggers so those interested would finally be at par with mainstream media.
While the PCOO will require social media publishers and users to disseminate its press releases, it will also ask them to “validate the truthfulness of the news content that they generate, publish and share.”

Many bloggers out there have more followers because most of these online influencers do not worry about sponsors or advertisers backing out of their contracts or special arrangements.

If bloggers seek accreditation by the PCOO, here are the requirements that you will need to attach on the application form that you can download at the link below:

https://pcoo.gov.ph/downloads/Application-for-Social-Media-Accreditation.pdf

1. Hard copy (print out) of HomePage of Blogsite for consideration in this application include URL & date retrieved

2. Hard copy of four original postings/content for each month of the preceding six(6) months from application. Copy should indicate URL and date retrieved.

3. Hard copy of Proof of Following URL and date retrieved.

4. Hard Copy of proof of Engagement for each month of 6 months prior to application.(one sample per month include URL)

5. Photocopy of government issued identification, such as but not limited to

6. Passport, Driver's License, Postal Identification, IBP Card, SSS Card and TIN Card (Original to be presented on request)

7. Proof of registration of Alias or Stage name in accordance with REPUBLIC ACT 6085 (Original or Certified True Copy) if using Alias on the Blogsite or Website.

8.Barangay Certification of Residence.

Note: Applications which are approved by the Social Media Office shall still be subject to security cleareance by the Presidential Security Group