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Volume 1 Issue 2 October-December 2014 Bringing pride to all
Filipinos around the world!
Hello to all of my kababayans here in Romania! I hope you are
enjoy-ing the first few days of 2015. It has been over 3 months
since our newsletter
came out on its maiden issue. For its second issue, we will have
more inter-
esting features for our readers. Pinoy sa Romania offers great
news-worthy
information about our events, places and people. I would like to
congratulate
everyone for the success of the Anniversary of our Holy mass in
October,
which was hosted by the Pinoy Organization in Romania (POIR) and
the Hal-
loween Event in November which was hosted by ENFID. I also
commend the
organizers of the TFCR SportsFest in September. It was, indeed,
a meaning-
ful and very productive quarter for everyone who participated. I
hope that we
could spark and inspire others to bring up more ideas on how to
get us en-
gaged, enjoy each others company and work together as one
united, strong
and happy Filipino community here in Romania. At the end of each
of our
community events, I realized that we are brothers and sisters in
Christ, and
that cannot be changed. I am very positive that our newsletter
will connect us to a much deeper understand-
ing of cooperation, compassion and unity. I would love to for
anyone to contribute in our newsletters by
sending me a short message with pictures, and encourage any
Filipino that you know to connect with us for
anything. There is no big or small when it comes to sharing and
in giving, everyone is appreciated! To all
of my kababayans, may the spirit of New Year give us a renewed
start to connect, and together as a com-
munity, we build a solid ground of helping one another. Pinoy sa
Romania newsletter is for everyone!
Mabuhay po tayong lahat!
Jennetta Alambra Co-Founder & Associate Editor Pinoy Sa
Romania Newsletter
My Journey to Romania
Featured City
Sports Fest 2014
3rd Annual Filipino Mass
Forum on Migration
Other News
Introducing
I received a lesson on what charity really means. When I met
Filipino
community of Romania, comprising persons working as nannies
or
housekeepers through the houses of the Romanians, I am
constantly
amazed by what they are able to do. Even if they themselves
are
faced with abuses, does not have financing, but they have many
prob-
lems, they joined together and raised donations for two
orphanages in
Bucharest. They gave the children collected clothes, rucksacks
and
other office/school supplies. Although there are thousands of
miles
from their children, whom they send all the money they saved,
they still
find time to share with the orphans in Romania. One of the women
in
the community, will play Ynia today in a play with free entry,
where
they will collect donations for the Filipino community. If you
have time,
I'll see you at 19 film, free entry and crowdfunding for the
Filipino com-
munity.
From Laura tefnu, Freelance Journalist in Romania
Photo by Rose Cuevas Reyes
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Editors Message
Our first issue was a
great success! Thanks to every-
one who made it happen, most
especially to my co-founder,
Jenetta, for your selflessness
and your dedication to this
newsletter. I am sure for both of
us, this volunteer job to our kab-
abayans in Romania and to the
Filipinos overseas, is a self-
fulfillment.
With the overwhelming
feedback that we received from the community, no
less than the Philippine Embassy Budapest, and the
posting of our newsletter at the website of the Com-
mission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), I am encour-
aged to work more in making our newsletter a great
Filipino resource in Romania. As we usher in the new
year2015, we the staffpromise not only to get
better but become more responsive by being an agent
that will bring in more light on the issues that affects
our kababayans, specifically in Romania. We will con-
tinue to provide everyone equal opportunity to raise
their voice and sentiments as overseas Filipinos in Ro-
mania. I look forward to receiving more emails in the
year 2015 onwards! We welcome on board Bernie Jok-
er Duro in addition to our Editorial Board. He will be
our News Editor.
Ryan Tejero Co-Founder & Editor-In-Chief
LETTER FROM THE PHILIPPINE EMBASSY BUDAPEST
NEWSLETTER DEBUT POSTING ON CFOS WEBSITE
Newsletters Managing Editor Jenetta Alambra and News Editor
Bernie Duro, with TFCR President Josephine Napicog (L) and Xylarose
Fiestada (R).
Philippine Embassy Budapest Embassy of the Republic of the
Philippines
1026 Budapest, Hungary Gabor Aron utca 58
Tel no. : +36-1-391-4300 Fax no.: +36-1-200-5528
Email Addresses: [email protected]
[email protected]
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My name is Carlo Santander, and presently
working in Craiova, Romania. In the Philippines, I
came from Sta. Rosa, Laguna. My story about going
to Romania is a little bit sad. When I started looking for
an agency to come here in Romania, I was selected to
come to Dubai in the Middle East. I complied with all
the requirements that were asked by the agency, at-
tending the pre departure orientation seminar and
even paid for the required placement fee. I wasnt
scared at all because I knew other applicants had al-
ready left for Dubai. But I guess Dubai was not really
meant to be my intended destination abroad. After a
month of waiting for a call to leave for Dubai, I backed
out from the agencys list. One of my agents friends
was looking for a hairstylist in Romania, and in Febru-
ary 19, 2014, I got hired and flew to Romania. I am
currently working as a hairstylist here in Craiova. I am
happy with what happened to me because most of us
at work are Filipinos. The salon is owned by a Romanian couple.
They call it Manila Beauty Stylist. The same couple own
the Manila Restaurant. I am so proud of us Filipinos because our
customers love our services and Philippine products that
are sold in the stores. At this time, these two establishments
have been gaining popularity among the Romanian citizens
here Craiova, Romania.
I have signed a 3-year contract, but if given the chance, I
would rather stay here longer than that, maybe 10 years. I
enjoy Romanian food. My favorites are Sarmale, Fructe De Mare
and Cozonac. One of the reasons why I wanted to see
other countries is to experience the real snow. With all
experiences here in Craiova, I would say, I am happy to have
worked here. Craiova is one of the biggest and fast-growing
cities in all Romania. It has its own international airport and
equipped with modern transportation system. I always feel safe
and comfortable in this city.
Carlo (far right) enjoys the winter season in Romania with
Filipino friend Katherine and Romanian friend Hermina.
TFCR members waiting for the New Years countdown on December 31
at
Casa Popurolui in Bucharest. In this photo are (left to right)
Cristina Enano,
Bing Atienza, Luidel Azuela, Catherine Del Castillo, Leslie
Legaspi, Arlyn
Arcilla,Marlyn Barenio, Eliza Dagondon, Maria Tapire.
Pinoy Sa Romania is a quarterly e-newsletter of Filipinos in
Romania. It provides a venue to exchange information and bring
community members the news that encourage unity, cooperation and
community-building. Please feel free to send in your articles, with
pictures, stories and questions or com-ments to the Editor-in-Chief
at [email protected].
ABOUT THE NEWSLETTER
Ryan Tejero Editor-In-Chief [email protected]
Jenetta Alambra Managing Editor [email protected]
Bernie Duro News Editor [email protected]
Filipinos at the 2015 New Years Countdown
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This year, on its 3rd Anniversary,
the Filipino community in Romania gath-
ered once again to celebrate the Holy
Mass. This was organized by the Pinoy
Organization in Romania (POIR). It has
been the goal of Filipinos to observe this
tradition to keep and strengthen their
Christian faith, love with one another, and
their desire to foster unity in the communi-
ty. A Filipino Mass every 3rd Sunday of
the month has also been organized by the
Filipino community. A church choir was
formed where Tagalog songs are per-
formed during the mass that is held in the
English language. Filipinos in Romania
are very strong in their spiritual belief.
While being away from their love ones in
the Philippines, they keep their belief high
in the love of God for His children.
It was in October 16, 2011 when
the Filipino community in Romania held its
Holy Mass at the Sacred Heart Church.
This church is located at Strada aviator 3,
Gheorge Demitriade, Sector 1 Bucharest
Romania. It was the then CDA (Charge D
Affairs) Maria Fe Pangilinan, with the help
of Cultural Officers of the Philippine Em-
bassy Mrs. Marina V. Gonzalbo and her
husband Mr. Emmanuel Gonzalbo, who
helped the community to make arrange-
ments and organize the event. The com-
munity priest and Filipino supporter, Fa-
ther Eduard Giorgi officiated the Holy
Mass.
POIR Hosts the 3rd
Annual Filipino Mass in Romania
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This city hosts 9 reported Filipinos as of this writing. Craiova
is the chief commercial city which is located on the west
side of Romanias capital, Bucharest. It known as the most
important city of Oltenia. The city has progressed a lot as a
regional
trading center in the country. Despite the destruction caused by
the earthquake in 1790, a plague in 1795, and a Turkish assault
in 1802, Craiova has stood still as todays one of the most
beautiful cities to visit in Romania. Craiova has a continental
climate
with Mediterranean influences. During the summer months, the
city has a high average of 30 C (86 F) and a low average of
18 C (65 F). In the winter months, it has a high average of 4 C
(39 F) and a low average of -3 C (26 F).
Craiova hosts one of the most modern universities in Europe the
Universitatea. This university attracts many foreign
students from other parts of Europe and overseas students from
the USA and Asian countries.
Parcul Rumanescu is the biggest natural park all over Romania
and probably all over Europe, there's a lot of activities
that you can do here especially during summer, which includes
biking, taking long walks, or just relaxing and enjoying the
beau-
ty of nature. This park has a mini zoo, with a number of
interesting wild animals that are only seen in Romania. A
man-made
lake in the park features a water ride just like our Philippine
Bangka or mini boat. Another special feature is a mini castle,
with
a hanging bridge. If you are hungry, this park offers specialty
restaurants or fine dining places that are overlooking the
beautiful
lake.
Featured City in Romania with Filipinos CRAIOVA:
Filipino Community
Celebrates
Christmas with
Added Fun Feature
POIRs Visits Orphanage in Romania
Members of the Pinoy Organization in Romania
(POIR) held its monthly visits in November and De-
cember as part of its charitable project. The benefi-
ciaries of POIRs project are children from the orphan-
ages of Fundatia Padre Simpliciano (November 30,
2014) and Asociatia Muncitoarele Isus (December 7,
2014) in Colentina, Bucharest.
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Just in time to end the summer season, Filipinos in Romania held
its Sports Fest. Community members were divided
into 4 playing Teams as represented by the colors: RED, GREEN,
WHITE and BLUE. The Sports Fest has a goal of building
unity in the community and strengthening cooperation among
Filipinos. The organizers have spent a lot of time planning for
the event, especially on what games to play, schedules and rules
of the games, and prizes for winning teams. This kind of
event has brought community members closer to one another, and
just another way of becoming productive while taking off
from their respective jobs and coping with their being away from
their families and love ones back in the Philippines. On the
day of the event, the weather did not cooperate, thus, there
were other games that were not played. The organizers are
think-
ing of scheduling next years event on the early par to summer.
Everyone seems to have a great time, and is looking forward
to Sports Fest 2015.
Volleyball: Green Team vs. Red Team Basketball: Blue Team vs.
Green Team
Members of the Filipino community in Romania attended the
open forum on September 22, 2014, with guest speaker Ms.
Cristina
Cotrubas Andras. She is the Chief Officer of the Cross-Cultural
Affairs of
the United Nations, European Union and United Arab
Emirates.Thank
you to all my fellow kababayans who attended the "OPEN FORUM"
to-
day. Ms. Andras shared her upcoming projects that may be
beneficial to
the Filipino community in Romania, especially those who working
or per-
manently residing in the host country. The forum was organized
through
TFCRs initiative, with the following objectives: 1.To uplift the
image of
all Filipinos and become role models in the community; 2.To
share and
show Filipinos unique cultural values through exhibits,
participating in
festivals, and using all channels of media advertising to
promote Philip-
pine tourism; 3. To establish an agency exclusively for
Filipinos so they
can have protection; 4.To create an Asian Academy School for
Asian
children and their family members, and 5.To establish a Health
and
Wellness Center to benefit unemployed Filipinos or those who are
in
distress situation.
Filipinos Attend UN Open Forum
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Close to 80 members of the Filipino community in Romania at-
tended the general assembly forum that discussed the new
features of
Romanian labor laws, in particular those that affect migrant
workers in
Romania. This forum was held on November 23, 2014 in MyPlace
Cen-
ter, Bucharest. Expert speakers from the Office of General
Inspectorate
for Immigration, Bucharest Directorate served as panelists that
shed
light on questions regarding modifications on Romanian labor
laws. The
following were highlights of the discussion:
Termination/Cancellation of Contract. Effective January 2015,
mi-
grant workers are given 60 days grace period that would take
effect im-
mediately the day after their contracts are terminated by their
employ-
ers. Previously, all migrant workers are only given 30 days
grace period
to decide whether to leave the country or find another employer
after the
termination of their old contracts. After the 60 days grace
period, any
permit to work in Romania is considered invalid.
Residence Application. Anyone who have legitimately stayed
in
Romania for 5 years is eligible to apply for residency. An
interview to
assess ones proficiency in Romanian language is a strict
requirement.
Application to residency is open to those who are qualified.
There is no
need to ask employers or to get approval from employers to
apply. Gov-
ernment also send notices to those whose records indicate their
eligibil-
ity for residency.
Taxes. A total of 35% from monthly salaries are automatically
de-
ducted as income tax. Unfortunately, migrant workers can not
avail of a
Tax Refund under the existing Romanian law.
Medical Insurance. In order to avail of medical benefits,
migrant
workers must get a referral from their employers family doctor
or health
providers to obtain a medical card. When in need of medical
services,
the migrant worker can bring the medical card to the accredited
hospital
for consults or obtain medications.
TFCR will continue to hold forum in the future to promote
edu-cation of the community on new policies affecting migrant
workers.
Pinoy Sa Romanias Managing Editor Jenetta Alambra helping out in
registering attendees to the General Assembly.
Filipinos Attend Forum on Romanias New Labor Laws
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Treat them as your equals and they will not forgive you for it
This is a nation of servants. extract from an interview with
the director of a HR agency for recruiting and placement of
Filipino domestic personnel.
In a country that still exports domestic la-
bour, hiring an exotic in-house helpers is becoming
a status symbol. Like many other Filipinos, Joy
comes to work in Romania in order to support her
family. The intermediating agency places her as a
nanny for the two children of an affluent family. Alt-
hough she misses her daughter, she enjoys her
work admires her employers. Grateful to have
found such a good spot she even goes beyond her
duties and occasionally cooks and cleans. All goes
well, until one day, the father of the family makes a
move on her. When Joy complains to the wife, in-
stead of confronting her husband, she comes up
with an intriguing proposal. Soon, Joy finds herself
trapped in a domestic cage. What started out as a
favor is from now on demanded of her. Apart from
her job as a nanny, Joy becomes their cook and
cleaner.
This story is inspired by a real story. The real Joy lives in
Bucharest, Romania. She is played by Ynia Lovelina, who
herself went through numerous similar experiences. Like her,
hundreds of Filipinos in Romanians struggle with a system
which fails to acknowledge domestic work. And although they pay
taxes, they do not benefit from the protection of the Roma-
nian state. But how about domestic work in regular families?
Families which cannot afford hiring a migrant worker?
Domestic Products builds on the experience of women migrant
workers in order to reveal the further implications of
paid and unpaid domestic work. Domestic Products speaks up about
the price of domestic and reproductive labour. Domestic
Products instigates against the sexualization of domestic
work.
Review of Produce Domestice A Stage Play Produced by the AFCN in
Romania in partnership with other organizations, including the
Filipino community in Romania, it has its run 3 days in October
2014. The show was open, with free entrance, to the community.
Filipinos Promote Traditional Clothing at
International Migrants Day in Romania
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) Ro-
mania sponsored an intercultural event to celebrate
Internation-
al Migrants Day on December 18, 2014. The Philippines was
represented by Pinoy Sa Romanias News Editor Bernie Duro.
He gave the group a cultural background presentation on
Filipi-
no traditional clothing. Photos from IOM.
IOM works with migrants who live and work in
the worst conditions with the least access to basic ser-
vices and fundamental rights, making them dispropor-
tionately vulnerable to extortion, violence, discrimination
and marginalization. A statement from IOMs Sec. Gen.
Ban-ki Moon.