More Than "Just Maids" 2 Women Story

More than ‘just maids’, they’re athletes who bring hope to others.

From running marathons to racing dragon boats, domestic workers in Singapore are fighting stress and depression – as well as doing good for charity – with the help of non-profit group Race2Share.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=L-Jlr3ozoIM

What would you do if you only have one day off in a week? These foreign domestic workers train hard and give their heart - to prove that they are more than you think they are.

SINGAPORE: On their only day off in the week, they can be found here at the Kallang Riverside Park among dozens of other racing enthusiasts, pulling on the oars and grimacing with effort as their dragon boat cuts through the water like a knife.

For the past four months, they’ve been training hard every Sunday, on land and in the water, for the 35th Singapore River Regatta in November.

“We’re just hoping to do our best. We’re not really expecting anything,” said group leader Jen Macapagal, 29. But this belies many of the women’s determination to prove a point – both to themselves, and to society.

Nineteen out of the 40-strong crew are Filipino domestic workers. On weekdays, they cook, clean house and look after someone else’s children or elderly parents.

Often, they are seen as “just maids” who, on Sundays, gather at malls and public spaces to chat and while away time.

That’s a stereotype someone like Mariz Marasigan, 42, wants to change. She said:

"We are human also. I can feel sadness when you treat me like I’m so small. (People) don’t know that I do other things."

Ms Marasigan is part of Race2Share, a non-profit group founded here in 2015 to engage people - initially Filipinos mainly – in sports and volunteer work.

Its members have helped raise awareness and funds for social causes, by organising runs – such as to raise awareness over the sexual abuse of deaf women and children; conducting bike and swim clinics; and competing in long-distance races, like the Race Against Cancer in July.

On top of this, some like Ms Marasigan also devote time every Sunday to volunteering at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), where they bring some joy into lonely residents’ lives.

MARATHONS EASE HOMESICKNESS

Finding the time to train and volunteer isn’t easy, for the only free time most of them get is on Sundays.

A rare few, like Ms Jannah Pascua, 43, train at night after their work is done. She runs four times a week, and since 2011 has taken part in eight races - including four full marathons.

"When I'm not doing anything, I feel lonely. I miss home and I want to go back. But when I do things that I like, it helps me cope well with homesickness."

“Sports improved my life a lot,” she said. “It makes me happier.”

When she first arrived in Singapore 12 years ago, Ms Pascua’s life “was like hell”. “I couldn’t open the door, they didn’t give me a key. They didn’t let me use the phone to call home.”  She had to wake at 5am and go to bed only after midnight.

Then she transferred to a new employer who gave her more leeway. She volunteered at Aidha, a charity for foreign domestic workers and lower-income women. When Aidha was looking for a runner to take part in a marathon, Ms Pascua thought: “Why not?”

These days, she runs to raise funds for various organisations, including a special school foundation in Cavite, in the Philippines.

“I don’t have much,” she said. “But if I have extra, then I give. How I wish I had more, so I can help more.”

Jannah Pascua runs long-distance races to raise funds for various organisations.

SEEING THEM IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT

For Ms Marasigan, sports and volunteering has helped ease the heartache of separation from her two children - the younger boy was just 10 months old when she left to become a domestic helper in Singapore.

“They thought I was just going to the city to buy something.” But it was three years before she went back for a visit – and they didn’t remember her.

“They thought that that I was a stranger,” she said, breaking down in tears.

Her own experience with how sports can alleviate loneliness led Ms Macapagal, 29, a programme coordinator at a financial training firm, to co-found Race2Share.

She’d moved from the Philippines in 2006 to join her father here. “I didn’t have friends and everything was new to me,” she said. Then she joined a sports team and started making close friends.

Eventually, she noticed there was “a lot of interest” from foreign domestic workers here who wanted to take part in sports, but couldn’t.

"They told me how they could only watch the dragon boaters training at Kallang. So that’s when I realised that it’s the access to sports that needs to be addressed."

With Race2Share giving them newfound opportunities to get involved, Ms Macapagal said: “They feel somehow empowered, and their sense of self-worth has improved. Because now they can own the sport.”

Taking part in races like the regatta will showcase their skills, “and let the Singapore community see them in a different light – that they are not just foreign domestic workers, but they can also be athletes.”

Warm-up and conditioning exercises on land before they hit the water during their Sunday training session.

DO EMPLOYERS CARE?

Rain or shine, training takes place every Sunday from 12pm to 2pm at Kallang Riverside Park.

The regimen on land includes running intervals and strength and conditioning workouts – burpees, push-ups, squats and more. Battle-scars are worn with pride. “Look at this, I have a bruise on my arm!” said Claire Montemayor, 39, showing it off.

When it came time to hit the water, Ms Macapagal yelled “Paddles up! Go!” – and with instinctive ease, they all raised their oars in sync and propelled the boat forward.

It can take one or two days to recover from sore muscles after a training session.

Everyone was sore in no time. Said Ms Marasigan: “After the training, it’s very painful. But we’re okay after one or two days.” There are also night training sessions on weekdays, for those who can make it.

But were these helpers’ employers concerned their activities would get in the way of their work?
Some participants told CNA Insider that their employers were glad they were doing something meaningful on their day off.

But a few said their employers didn’t know, and didn’t care. “It makes me sad,” said one.

Land-based training also takes place on weekday nights for those who can make it down.

In Ms Marasigan’s case, her employer’s 10-year-old son, Jon, sometimes joins her on runs around the neighbourhood. “She is very kind and is doing this to help others,” he said.

Ms Pascua’s employers say her activities have “never really affected her work” as she gets her work done first. Mr Daniel Honaker added: “Sometimes I wish she would take more time off just for herself… Jannah is part of the family, and whatever makes her happy is best for all of us.”

‘I HELP WITH MY HEART’

For Ms Marasigan, happiness comes in visiting her other “family” on Sunday mornings before training.
She is part of the volunteer group Ladies in the Power of Service, who entertain long-stay patients (those warded for more than a year) at IMH with songs, dance, drawing and card activities.

They've been visiting the long-stay residents for some three years, so much so they've become like family to each other.

They have been doing this for about three years. “I help with my heart,” she said. “We’re very happy to see them, and at least we can bring some happiness to them.”

Ms Catherine Chua, IMH’s volunteer programme manager, said she really appreciates their presence.

"Some of these patients don’t have visitors for such a long time and they are so lonely. To them, these ladies are family."

As for the Race2Share “family”, they are hoping to empower more people through sports, including beyond the Filipino expat community here. But one challenge they face is expenses, said Ms Macapagal who is hoping to find sponsors.

Equipment rental, for example, costs S$200-250 a week. Mostly, she and her co-founders are pumping in their own money to keep the initiative going.

“We try to cover the fees so the members won’t have to shell out, given their monthly salary,” she said.

Hanging out over a picnic after a tough training session. It's potluck, with some bringing Filipino dishes that they miss.

For workers like Ms Pascua, the group is a lifeline to friendship and happiness. “I get excited to see the others every week,” she said.

“When some of my friends hear that I’m doing all these things, they ask me: Are you not tired?
 I said I am, but I love what I’m doing. As long as you’re happy, you won't feel tired.”

Race2Share members, together with members of TeamBato, a Filipino sports group that's teamed up with them for one race at the singapore River Regatta.

Heart Warming OFW Suprise

Heart Warming OFW Surprise Video: Children Reunites With Their Father After Almost 5 Years

Going back home after many years, to the place where your heart resides – is one great momentous event that every OFW longs to experience.

Working for so many years abroad, away from your family and relatives, is just one of the many sacrifices an OFW had to endure just to provide a much better life for their families in the Philippines. Such sacrifices are even doubled because of their need to adjust to certain cultural differences concerning their environment and workmates. Despite that, Overseas Filipino Workers still needs to go on and face the multitude of challenges on front of them, with the hope to be back home, someday.

A very touching moment was captured on cam and was shared by social media.

In the video, a blue container was prepared inside the living room. Children were then gathered around it, excited for its content. They had no idea what’s inside, or should we say, WHO is inside.

The container was opened and everyone was surprised to see their loving father. They were apart for four and a half years. He worked in Dammam, Saudi Arabia but was unfortunate enough to be struck with the current economic crisis in the country.

Luckily, the government was able to help him get home to his family in Bacolod City for free.

This touching event is a great reminder of the heroic act of our OFWs abroad. They should be well-appreciated and loved.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1971466089754381&id=1898996663667991

Taiwan Elderly Care

Hsiaoai Jenai Charity Home in Pingtung in southern Taiwan.
Filipina caregiver much loved by elderly patients in Pingtung
RBP.

Charity home nominated Vena, 47, to pursue a professional home-nursing course; she was then open for promotion as a caregiver on a better salary.

A 47-year-old Filipina who was first hired as a cleaner has become a professional caregiver winning hearts and praise from elderly people at a nursing home in Pingtung, in southern Taiwan.

The Filipina Vena has professional qualifications as a nurse and that was the work she did for two years prior to her arrival in Taiwan as a domestic helper years ago. Later, she married a Taiwanese man and became a full-time housewife taking care of the man and his son.

About two years ago, her husband had fallen ill, so Vena decided to go back to work – as a cleaner at Hsiaoai Jenai Charity Home in Pingtung, after taking bridging courses and getting a successful referral from the government’s Chaozhou Employment Service Center.

Since then she has helped caregivers with various tasks and won high praise from the elderly patients. Indeed, Vena was nominated by the charity home to pursue a professional home-nursing course. And after doing that, she was promoted as a caregiver with a better salary.

Vena said she had greater job satisfaction as her new duties enabled her to recall good memories of her early days as a nurse. They also made good use of her skills in looking after needy elderly patients, according to a report by the Central News Agency.

OFW Forgives His Husband Cheating

OFW Forgives Cheating Husband Who Falls Gravely Ill After Mistress’ Death

The saying goes, “to err is human, to forgive is divine.” If that’s the basis for divinity, then this OFW might be the most holy person to have ever walked the Earth when she forgave her cheating husband.

Imagine the pain of being cheated on by your spouse. This type of betrayal can break a person, causing them to be cynical and mistrustful of others. But this OFW who worked in Hong Kong managed to find it in her heart to forgive her cheating husband.

Patricia Lazaro has worked as a domestic helper in Hong Kong for 13 long years. Like many OFWs, she endures sleepless nights and exhausting days to provide for her family in the Philippines.

Instead of appreciating her efforts, Patricia’s husband took advantage of her absence. While she was off doing backbreaking work abroad, her husband entered into an affair with a mistress. In spite of this, Patricia found the strength to forgive her cheating husband.

Patricia returned home to fix their relationship, but her cheating husband even had the audacity to choose his mistress over his wife. Even after lowering her pride, Patricia was left heartbroken once more when her husband spurned her. She then went back to Hong Kong and busied herself with work.

Over the years, Patricia has made several attempts to rekindle their marriage. But every single time, she was rejected and her husband kept choosing his mistress. These were the darkest moment of Patricia’s life. After realizing that she had no reason to stay in the Philippines, she returned abroad.

Years later, news reached Patricia that her husband’s mistress had perished due to an illness. Alone and heartbroken, the husband fell gravely ill months later.

Now this is when things took an interesting twist.

You might think that the cheating husband was already getting his comeuppance for btraying his wife, but Patricia proved that her heart was much bigger than his mistakes.

Patricia, who was cheated on and rejected by her husband countless times, proved that she still nursed a soft spot for him. She immediately went back to the Philippines to take care of him while he battled with cancer.

OFW In Dubai Returns Home After 2 Years Of Hospitalization

OFW in Dubai Returns Home After 2 Years of Hospitalization and 9 Months in Coma Stage.

Finally, after two-years of staying in hospital, an OFW based in Dubai is back in the loving arms of her two children who looked forward to such most-awaited moment.

Perlie Almonte, who was working as a supervisor at DHL has been under comatose for 9 months for suffering from intracerebral hemorrhage.  She has been found unconscious inside the bathroom of her house and was brought to the hospital on April 28, 2015.

Dubai Health Authority stated that Almonte only gained consciousness in January of 2016.  And after countless physiotherapy sessions at Rashid Hospital, she was already prepared for her ‘sweet comeback’ as she sets foot on her native land and be united with her family.

“I am so excited to go home. The first thing I’d love to do is hug my two kids,” she said.  Since Almonte cannot speak because of tracheostomy that she undergone, she either nods her head or types words into her mobile phone as she responded to an interview with Gulf News.

On Sunday, Almonte flew back to Philippines and will continue her rehabilitation at Laguna Doctors Hospital in Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

In Facebook, Almonte expressed her deep gratitude to Rashid Hospital for the medical attention accorded to her saying, “You have been my therapists, supporters, friends, family, well-wishers and angels in disguise. Medicines can cure, a good doctor’s and nurse’s inspirational words can give strength to fight from within.”

She was also thankful to her employer, DHL, who shouldered all  hospital and medical expenses which she incurred while being confined in Dubai including her travel going back to Philippines.

With all the hopes and prayers, Almonte will surely be on her way to full recovery.

OFW Feels Fulfilled After Sacrifices

OFW Feels Fulfilled After Sacrifices All Paid Off As Daugiter Passes CPA Board Exam

An OFW working in Hong Kong feels so blessed after her youngest daughter passed the recent CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Board Exam.

Juvy Forunato rejoices over the success of her 20-year-old daughter, Nimfa for passing  the Board Exam which she took just for the first time. The OFW said all of her hard work have been paid off seeing her daughter’s achievements who is currently working in an accounting firm in Intramuros.

The 48-year-old OFW from Pangasinan has been working in Hong Kong for 16 years already. She has been separated from her husband for 12 years and solely raised her two children while working abroad.

According to Juvy, her youngest daughter’s achievement means so much to her as she didn’t failed her considering the fact that her eldest daughter just finished high school and then left their home to be with her boyfriend five months after Juvy and her husband got separated.

Nonetheless, she said she is very happy that Nimfa has made it which is a good start of bringing their dreams into reality.

Juvy also is thankful to her employer in Hong Kong and her co-workers whom she said have been so good to her and were very supportive during the times that she was facing financial challenges.

The story of Juvy is only among those success stories of OFWs who proves that behind all the sacrifices that they had to go though aside from being away from their families, in the end, it will be all worth of it as they look to a better future which lies ahead.

As of press time, Juvy with the help of her daughter, Nimfa were able to purchase their own land as their investment and were looking forward to live in their own dream house very soon.

OFW Puts Her Life In Danger

An OFW in Hong Kong Puts Her Life in Danger by Following Employer’s Task to Clean Window Panes from a High-Rise Building

Working as an OFW is not as easy as others may think it is.  In fact, sometimes, their lives were put in danger more particularly when they’ve found an employer as vain as this!

Elpie Leba, an OFW in Hong Kong shared on her Facebook account some pictures of a certain helper who was cleaning the window panes of a unit in Grand Garden Building located in South Bay.

The first photo may look like a usual scene of a person cleaning the windows but the next pictures are breath taking because the helper was already coming out of the window just to clean the other panels without a harness or a safety gear.

Considering the idea that what the helper was asked to do by her employer was very dangerous and life-threatening, Elpie said in her post that she will never do the same even if it will cost her to lose her job.

The said post has earned various comments from the netizens but mostly enraged by the fact that the employer of the helper was so inconsiderate for asking the helper to clean the windows without taking into consideration her safety as she was almost hanging on the window just to clean all the window panels.

Some of them even said that what she did was risky and the helper can report her abusive employer for being told to do so.

More over, the pictures which Elpie shared mirrors the lives of our OFWs which were unknown to many who think that working abroad made them live conveniently and luxuriously because they were earning dollars.

Truth of the matter is, it’s hard for them to earn money. And in the course of earning them, most of the OFWs doesn’t even care if their lives where put into risk for as long as they will get paid so they can send it to their families in the Philippines.

This is a sad reality that everyone should come to realize.

OFW Recieved Her Livelihood Kits From OWWA

OFW Received her Livelihood Kits from OWWA “Balik Pinas Balik Hanap Buhay Program”

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) had recently launch their Program tagged as “Balik-Pinas Balik-Hanapbuhay”  as support to Overseas Filipino Workers who had decided to return to the country.

One of their recipient is Rosalina Casuga from Baguio City who had decided to leave Malaysia after working there for 6 months because according to her, the salary which was indicated in the contract which she signed was not implemented.

Ms. Rosalina B. Casuga from Upper San Carlos, Baguio City received livelihood starter kits/ grocery items for her sari-sari store business under the Balik Pinas Balik Hanapbuhay Program.
This program is a livelihood assistance intended to provide relief to returning member OFWs who were displaced from their jobs due to wars/political conflicts in host countries or were victims of illegal recruitment and/or human trafficking or other distressful situations.

She was thanking OWWA for extending assistance by funding a sari-sari store for her.

She received her starter kit livelihood assistance last June 2, 2017.

The Program aims to give support to the returning OFWs who  had been victims of illegal recruitment, abused by  employers, human trafficking and under distressful circumstances, displaced by hostilities or those that are trapped in war in the country where they work.

This is a good news for all OFWs.  This is a way of giving another hope for them whose faith did not turn out to be successful in a foreign land.

This is also one way of making their return to the country worthwhile so they don’t need to leave their families to work abroad.