ANG PANAWAGAN
Dear Team,
Ito si Edward rabanes noon nang mag-OFW sa Qaseem, Saudi Arabia late 2014.. Kaso, inabandona ng employer noong 2015. dahil empowered napauwi natin kaagad. mabait ito si edward at magaling sumunod ng payo.
Nang makauwi sa pinas noong 2015.. Ayon kay edward.. Dalawang linggo pa lang sya mula ng makauwi sa atin ay nahospital sya dahil sa diabetes
2 years na syang walang trabaho. walang tatanggap sa kanya na trabaho dahil buto’t balat na lang sya ngayon.
Hindi naman sya nanghingi ng tulong or awa.. kilala ko kasi ang batang ito.. alam nya na maitindihan ko kaagad kailangan nya ng tulong..
Financial help. for his med or kahit work which i will try to seek help sa mga kakilala nating taga iligan.
Needs Work: If may alam kayong pwede nyang mapasukang trabaho sa iligan, please inform me.
this is his contact number 09269xxxx,.. Ang buong pangalan nya ay Edward Rabanes ..dating OFW sa Saudi.. Nasa baba ang buong detalye ng kanyang kwento at ng unang tulong na natanggap mula sa Rome.
— start of edward’s messages last 2015 —
02/05/2015 12:38PM
Edward Rabanes
Daghan kaayong Salamat ka josep sa imong pag tabang sa ako og sa oban nga imo pang natabanagan..salamat kau ka joseph…
< translation: maraming salamat ka joseph sa iyong pagtulong sa akin at sa marami mo pang natulongan, maraming salamat ka joseph>
Abu Bakr
nganong wala gani ka motawag sa polo para maoy moestorya sa imong manager ug amo? nganong ako man jud?
< translation: bakit nga hindi ka tumawag sa polo para sila ang kakausap sa manager mo at amo mo? bakit ako talaga ang pinatawag mo?>
Edward Rabanes
Wlay klaro ang polo og ang embassy ka joseph. sila naman ang walay gana motabang bisan tawag lang sa amo..gadagko lang ang sweldo og gapaharohay lang..nya dli kabalo mualagad sa nanginanghanglan mga nag lisod… hurot lang imo kwart sige tawag nila way klaro.
maayo gani ka joseph nag kaila mi ni tay teod iya ko giingnan nga duol sa patnubay online ward…wla jud ko nag duha2 ka joseph ky akong gitan.aw pud sa youtube daghan na kau ka og ang patnubay nga natabangan…salamat jud kau ka joseph…
< translation: napakalabo ang polo at embassy ka joseph. sila naman ang walang ganang tumulong kahit pagtawag lang sa employer, ang laki lang ng sahod at paeasy-easy lang. tapos di marunong magserbisyo sa mga nangangailangan na naghihirap. Mauubos lang pera mo sa katatawag sa kanila. ang labo nila.
mabuti na lang ka joseph na kakilala ko si tatay teo at sinabihan ako na lumapit sa patnubay online ward. hindi ako nagdalawang isip ka joseph . tiningnan ko pati youtube napakarami na ofw kayong natulongan ng patnubay. maraming salamat ka joseph>
04/09/2015 12:37PM
Edward Rabanes
ka joseph maayong hapon…komosta?og daghan kaaung salamat ka joseph…god bless you alwys… andito na ako sa iligan
< translation: ka pantaleon magandang hapon at kumusta. at maraming salamat ka joseph. god bless you always.. andito na ako sa iligan>
— end of edward’s messages last 2015 —
— start of conversation with edward july 2017 —
July 12, 2017 5:48AM
Edward Rabanes
ka joseph komusta.
<translation: ka joseph kumusta>
Abu Bakr
hello dward okay lang. kaw unsay balita.
<translation: hello dward. Okay lang ako, kaw anong balita?>
Edward Rabanes
swerte onta ka joseph ky naka uli ko dri sa pinas.pag abot nako dri sa pinas 2weeks lang na ospital ko gidiabetes ko karon pwerte na nakong niwanga bukog panit nalang ka joseph.
<translation: swerte sana ka joseph dahil napauwi ako dito sa pinas kaso pagdating ko dito, 2 weeks pa lang naospital ako sanhi ng diabetes. Napakapayat ko na ka joseph buto’t balat na lang>
Abu Bakr
mao ba? unsa man hitaboa kabata pa nimo oy.. wala kay magtrabaho karon?
<translation: ganun ba? Papano nangyari eh napakabata mo pa? Wala kang trabaho ngayon?>
Edward Rabanes
wala man onta mi kaliwat nga diabetes pero ana ang doktor sa mga pagkaon daw..wala koy trabaho karon ka joseph 2yrs na kapin istamby wala my modawat nako ky niwang man kaayo ko.
<translation: wala naman sana kami lahi na may diabetes pero sabi ng doctor dahil sa pagkain daw, wala na ako trabaho ngayon ka joseph. Higit 2 years na akong estambay, walang tatanggap sa akin dahil sa sobrang payat ko.>
Abu Bakr
Ha? hai man picture nimo nga bago? Padalhi pod ko photo kadto naa pa ka sa saudi .
<translation: ha? Saan yong picture mo na bago? Padalhan mo rin ako ng picture noong nasa saudi ka pa>
Edward Rabanes
ok ka joseph.onya ra og maka tugbong ko sa ubos sa internetan.
<translation: ok ka joseph. Mamaya kung makaluwas ako sa baba sa internetan>
Abu Bakr
Di ba pwede diri sa phone or sa fb nimo duna old and latest photo? Asa gani ka sa cebu dward?
<translation: hindi ba pwede sa phone or sa fb mo.. may old and latest photo ka ba? Saan ka ulit sa cebu dward?>
Edward Rabanes
dli ni pwede mka sent og pic ka joseph kani nga cp pang fb lang.nahalin naman gud ako cp nga android og laptop bayad sa ospital saona..mindanao ko ka joseph buru-un iligan city ko ka joseph.
<translation: hindi na pwede makapadal ng pic ka joseph dahil itong cp ko pang fb lang. Nabenta na yong cp ko na android at laptop bayad sa hospital noon. Mindanao ako ka jospeh sa buruun iligan city ako ka joseph>
Abu Bakr
anong contact number mo edward?
<translation: anong contact number mo edward?>
Edward Rabanes
tan.awa daw palihog sa ako timeline ka joseph naa man koy gipost dd2 nga pic. 0926xxxx ka joseph
<translation: pakitingnan sa timeline ko ka joseph, may naipost ako doon na pic.. Number ko is 0926xxxxx>
Abu Bakr
unsa man imong pamati karon? nagmaintain ka ug tambal?
<translation: ano ang pakiramdam mo ngayon? Nag-maintain ka ba ng gamot?>
Edward Rabanes
lain kaayo ako pamati sa akong tiil og kamot ka joseph ky binhod nya ngul2x.naa koy gimenten ka joseph karon lng jud nahurot putol2x man ako pag inom ky wla lagi daun ikapalit ky mahal man.karon dugay napud ka kainom ani.akong ginikanan ka joseph wla man goy trabaho mga senior na ako raman onta to ili gisaligan nya nagkasit man ko.
<translation: hirap ang pakiramdam ko ka joseph sa aking paa at mga kamay nagmamanhid tapos masakit. Mayroon akong gamot na na-maintain pero ubos na . paputol-putol din ang aking pag-inom dahil wala talaga akong pambili dahil mahal. Matagal na akong hindi nakainom ng gamot. Ang mga magulang ko ka joseph wal namang trabaho dahil mga senior na . ako sana ang inaasahan nila kayo nagkasakit naman ako.>
– end of conversation with edward July 2017 –
– group chat with ate charito basa and edward rabanes –
July 24, 2017 – MON 7:05PM
Abu Bakr
salam dong dward.. introduce kita kay ate chato basa, kapatnubay na based sa italy. nilapitan ko si ate, para makatulong sa iyo.
Charito
Hello @Edward Rabanes, sana kahit papaano makatulong ako. Laksan mo ang loob mo… maniwala ka na lalakas pa rin ang katawan mo.
Edward
hello po ma’am charito basa ka joseph.
9:58AM
Charito
Naipadala na ang pera Edward. Ibili mo ng mga gamot na riseta sa iyo ng doktor.
Hello! Charito, where is this patient located? Easy to prescribe for diabetes — uncomplicated. But lifestyle changes — a must. The health centers all over Manila and all over the Philippines are free. Please give me more details.
Libreng gamot in all health centers. Our staff get their anti-diabetics and anti-tb drugs from health centers. The money you send him — does he account? I’m sorry to ask but I’m just careful.
So please go to health center, according to my barkada friend na doktor. Libre ang gamot sa buong Pilipinas.
O kaya ang ipinadala ko sa iyo Edward ay gamitin mo para sa tamang pagkain. Ipaalam mo lang sa amin ni Hoseph king natanggap mo na ang pera. Heto ang resibo na ipinadala na sa iyo ang pera.
Edward
ka joseph wla pa nako nakuha.wla my pangalan og kinsay naghulog og amount.
Charito
Hindi ako nakaka intindi ng Bisaya, Edward. Tagalog ako.Yung kapatid ko ang nagpadala, Eulogio Basa
Abu Bakr
andyan sa resibo dward
Edward
sorry po ma’am akala ko bisaya ka.hinde ko pa po nakuha yong pera kc walang pangalan kung sino ang naghulog at amount ma’am.
Charito
Nakasulat dun sa resibo,
pati ang cp nya. Eulogio Basa.
Abu Bakr
Code: AP1-9-xxxxx
sender name: eulogio basa
097xxxxxxxx
receiver: edward rabanes
09269xxxxx
amount: 7850pesos
data lang yata si edward ate kay di nya nabasa ang photo
tama ba yong code na sinulat ko ate?
Edward
diko makita sa resibo ma’am charito at ka joseph malabo na kc ang mga mata ko.
Charito
Joseph, Code is correct.
Edward
ma’am charito basa ka joseph nakita ko na.maraming maraming salamat po.nandito pa po ako sa palawan.pagkatapos nito punta agad ako sa mercury bibili agad ako ng gamot.at bukas magpa check ako sa doktor matagal na kc ako hnde na check at matagal narin ako hnde naka inom ng gamot.maraming maraming salamat po talaga ma’am charito at ka joseph.
Abu Bakr
Alhamdulillah. maraming salamat ate chato.. ingat ka edward.
Edward
nakuha ko na ang pera ma’am charito basa at ka joseph.punta mona ako sa mercury bibili mona ako ng gamot maka inom na talaga ako ng gamot.at bukas magpa check ako sa doktor ma’am charito basa at ka joseph.maraming maraming salamat po talaga.ingat po kayo palagi.allah bless you alwys.
Edward
maraming maramingsalamat din sayo ka joseph.ingat din kayo palagi.
Abu Bakr
fyi dward kaya 7850 yan dahil may isa pang edward din na pinadalhan si ate chato. si eduardo maestrado jr. dati din syang ofw..
humingi ng tulong sa patnubay para pamasahe sa pagfollow-up sa kanyang kaso sa nlrc laban sa agency. panalo na si eduardo kaso di pa nagbigay ang agency.
1950 peso naman yong pinadala ni ate kay eduardo maestrado
yan naman yong receipt sa pinadala ni ate kay eduardo din.
Edward
ma’am charito basa nakuha kona po yong pera.naka bili na po ako ng gamot at glucometer para pang check sa sugar ko at gatas pang diabetes diabetasol.
pipicturan ko po ngayon ma’am charito basa at ka joseph para makita nyo po. hihiram po mona ako ng tablet.
maraming maraming salamat po sa iyo ma’am charito basa at ka joseph.
ka joseph padalhan ko po ba c eduardo maestrado jr?
Charito
Sa iyo lahat ang pera na yan, Edward. Pinadalhan ko din ng pamasahe si Eduardo.
2:53PM
Edward
Charito
Okay Edward! Palakas ka ha!
Abu Bakr
dward punta ka ng center dong ha pacheckup ka doon..
Edward
Oo ka joseph.maraming salamat.
Charito
At sa center, namimigay sila ng libreng gamot. Ipakita ang findings ng doktor
Edward
Ang kadalasan iibay sa center maam metpormen sumasakit yong ulo ko..bumili nalang po ako maam norezek yan ang neresita sakin ng doktor matagal na..maraming salamat po maam charito basa..
Charito
May doktora aking kaibigan na sumusubaybay sa atin..Gusto nyang malaman kung may iba ka pang sakit. Sobrang payat mo daw. Taga Manila sya…
Edward
Diabetes lang talaga ang sakit ko ka joseph
Charito
Edward, you have to be worked up. Ano pa ang ibang complications mo daw?
Sabi ni Doc Marilen:
Work up sa hospital. Ipatingin lahat — chest X-ray; ecg; abdominal and pelvic ultrasound; cbc, hep b and c, among many others. The doctor will know. He should go to an internist or an endocrinologist. But an internist will do.
Naghahanap ako ng contact na doctor sa Iligan….Tagalog ako, wala pa akong makita. Joseph, baka pwedeng ipanawagan. Or gamitin ang braso ni Frank.
Edward
Wla na maam diabetes lang.matagal po kc ako hinde naka inom ng gamot kaya subrang payat kona..my insulen ako dati..pedo matagal na yon wala kc pera pang bili mahal..
Wla napo zkong pambayad maam kinapos ako gzto sana ng nanay ko mag pa doktor sabi ko sa nanay ko kinapos sa budget..
Charito
Hahanap tayo ng libreng.doktor. Kung sa.Manila ka lang, dami kong barkadang.doktor
Edward
Ang doktor ko dati maam c dok estrada mahal kc yon maam private kaya d na kami naka balik…
Charito
Full name ni Doc Estrada?
Edward
Nakalimotan ng nanay ko maam..wait lang maam saglit hinahanap pa nya yong record ko dati..
Charito
Yes, pls kunan lahat ng picture para maipakita ko sa kai icsn kong doktor. Importante yan….
Edward
Nestor v estrada po maam
Charito
Ok
8:11PM
Abu Bakr
salam ate ito naman yong usapan namin ni eduardo maestrado jr.
SUN 4:56PM
Zed Anonaz Odartseam
Hello sir, anong balita mga sir?
10:11AM
Patnubay Online
Dong mao ni ang gipadala na ni Miss charito basa from rome italy pinaagi sa iyang igsoon nga si eulogio basa.
Code: AP1-9-14xxxxxx
sender name: eulogio basa
09759xxxxxx
receiver: edward maestrado jr.
09278vvvvvv
amount: 1950pesos
2:09PM
Zed Anonaz Odartseam
Hello sir salamat kaayo ani.. salamat kaayo maam.. Sakto jud kaayo tua hospital ako tatay magamit jud namo kaayo
<translation: Hello sir maraming salamat nito, maraming salamat maam. Timing na nasa hospital ang tatay namin. Napakalaking tulong sa amin nito>
Charito
Walang anuman, Edward! All the best sa Tatay mo at sa follow up mo sa case mo. Cheers!
8:03AM
Nakuha kona mga sir.. Maraming salamat talaga.. God is good talaga nag emergency kasi. Tatay ko dinala sa hospital nagkataon na wala talaga.. Buti nalang sa kabaitan ninyo mga sir/maam. Nagkarun kami kahit kunti pero malaking tulong talaga to. Maraming maraming salamat lalong lalo na ki maam CHARITO BASA.. maam maraming salamat po. Lalo na s akapatid nyo si eulogio basa..
Fyi for our readers and followers : si ate chato (Ms.Charito Basa) ay naka-based sa Rome, Italy, sya ang taga-pagtanggol sa ating mga kababayan doon lalo na sa mga kababaihan.
Sya ay naging representative ng mga migrant workers sa European Union kung saan may isang seat tayo. Nasa baba ang article about ate Chato Basa.
Featured Servant Leader: Charito Basa
As posted in Patnubay Online
March 26, 2012
Charito Basa is a researcher and trainer on women’s migrant empowerment and founder of the Filipino Women’s Council in Rome, Italy.
A native of Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro, Basa holds key positions in the boards of migrant organizations, Italian women’s associations and European networks and has also collaborated with UN agencies, the Council of Europe, the European Commission, the International Fund for Agricultural Development and the International Organisation for Migration on issues concerning migrants, human rights, citizenship, suffrage, remittances and policy reform.
Charito Basa holds a university degree in Economics from the Philippine Women’s University, and a Master’s degree in Women’s Studies and Equal Opportunities with Università Roma Tre. Founder of the Filipino Women’s Council, a Filipino women’s organization providing services for specific Filipino migrant women’s needs in Rome.
Since 1986, Charito has worked in Italy with international NGOs such as Isis International, Society for International Development as well as other Italian development and cooperation NGOs, such as Centro Internazionale Crocevia. She is also member of a number of women’s organizations, networks and movements at the national and international level. She has worked as a Research Consultant, Trainer/facilitator, Project Coordinator, for Italian, international organizations and UN institutions.
As part of her voluntary work for women and migrants, she founded and chairs the Filipino Women’s Council, a migrant organization in Rome that assists Filipinas and other women working as domestic helpers as well as organizes leadership training seminars, promotes economic empowerment programmes, facilitates network building and develops programmes for institutions and communities.
Last March 8, 2004, Charito Basa was formally conferred with Italy’s most distinguished award, the Order to the Merit of the Italian Republic, and was named Knight of the Republic by Italian President Carlo Ciampi for her contributions in social development as well as in the promotion of the rights of women and migrants. She is the only Filipina to have been bestowed the Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana and named Cavaliere della Repubblica. Charito dedicated her award to her foremost “knight” and husband, Massimo Cortellessa, to the Filipino migrant worker, and to her beloved country, the Philippines.
Charito receiving medals of Caveliere della Repubblica Italiana from Italian President Ciampi, 8 March 2004
“It is Charito’s true commitment, her hard work and her compassion towards her fellow Filipino migrants, and even migrants (in Italy) from other countries, that have yielded her the respect and trust of the migrant communities and the Italian government,” said Philippine Ambassador to the Italian Republic Philippe Lhuillier.
Addressing the situation of migrant women workers.
Date: 02/11/2010 – 09:05
Work field: Women Migrant Workers
The work of migrants working in Europe, the Middle East and North America contributes greatly to the economies both the origin and destination countries. These workers often have to endure harsh working conditions in their receiving countries in order to cater for their families’ basic needs.
By Kathambi Kinoti
Recently, in New York, an important piece of legislation was passed that will enhance the rights of domestic workers – many of whom are migrants. Generally, though, neither legislation nor policies adequately cater for migrant workers or address the gendered dimension of their exploitation. Amnesty International recently highlighted the case of a Sri Lankan minor who was sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia for allegedly murdering a baby in her care. The international rights watchdog has pointed out serious procedural flaws which it says should warrant a reversal of her conviction and sentence.
AWID spoke with Charito Basa of the Italy-based Filipino Women’s Council about the situation of female migrant workers – most of whom are domestic workers – in Italy.
AWID: Please tell us about how you started working for the rights of migrant workers.
CHARITO BASA: Twenty five years ago I came to Italy as a domestic worker – and was for some time undocumented- so I have first-hand experience of many of the issues around which I advocate. I was mentored in my advocacy work by human rights activist friends in the Philippines. Soon after I came to Italy I joined a Filipino migrant worker association and at that time,most migrant women were undocumented. After being exposed to the violence and exploitation that female migrant workers undergo I, along with a number of Filipino migrant women formed the Filipino Women’s Council. I have also worked for other women’s rights organisations that address migrant women worker issues.
AWID: What are the major problems experienced by the migrant workers whom you serve?
CHARITO BASA: Most female migrant workers in Italy are domestic workers. Very many of them are undocumented: they do not have the legal papers that allow them to work or stay for extended periods of time in the country. This means that they are constantly insecure about their situation, and also that some employers take advantage of the migrant workers’ insecure immigration status to exploit them by paying them too little, overworking them or subjecting them to other unjust work conditions.
Violence against and trafficking of female migrant workers is common. Their knowledge about contraception and other sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) issues is generally limited. Given the conservative religious context within which many of them grew up and continue to live, and their disadvantaged, undocumented legal status, SRHR continues to be an area of great unfulfilled needs for migrant women workers.
Domestic workers are regarded and treated as inferior. Language can be a major constraint: workers who can speak Italian are often better able to express their opinions and negotiate better working conditions.
Undocumented migrant workers have scant recourse to formal justice mechanisms. Fearing the repercussions of being found to be illegally resident in Italy, they tend not to report cases of violence or exploitation. These then become “private” issues that are resolved – or not- to the disadvantage of the worker. Fortunately, in the recent past a law has been enacted to protect documented and undocumented migrants.
Organisations like the Filipino Women’s Council intervene in some cases, but their reach is limited by funding constraints and by the sheer volume of needs.
AWID: What is the effect, back home in the Philippines,of migration for work?
CHARITO BASA: The economy of the Philippines relies heavily on remittances by workers abroad, and Filipinos at home are some of the greatest beneficiaries worldwide of migrant worker remittances. In fact, it would not be an exaggeration to say that remittances keep the country’s economy going.
A significant percentage of Filipino women are domestic workers abroad. The majority of them are mothers, and their migration to Europe, the Middle East and North America has a great social impact at home.Many children are growing up without their mothers and a large number of families are splitting up.
Migration for work has also contributed to over-dependency in the Philippines. I acknowledge the difficulties that the prevailing economic situation in the country presents to its citizens. However, often family members back home come to rely heavily or even solely on relatives abroad for their sustenance and do not or cannot make enough effort to be self-reliant.
The agricultural economy has suffered as a result of migration for work. A significant number of farmers have given up farming to go and work abroad. This is devastating for rural development. The Philippines is now importing rice, one of its staple foods.
AWID: Does the government of the Philippines have significant clout to address the rights of its citizens who are migrant workers abroad?
CHARITO BASA: The government has policies that protect migrant workers, and according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), it is one of the most organised governments in this sense. However these policies are not always effective and moreover,the Philippines does not have the political or economic muscle to ensure that migrant Filipinos are fully accorded their rights.
AWID: What challenges do you face in your work?
CHARITO BASA: At present there is a right-wing government in power in Italy. Its standpoint on migration does not favour foreign workers, and it is cutting back funding for essential services for migrant workers.
Funding to our organisations is very limited and affects our outreach to female migrant workers all over the country.
AWID: How is your organisation addressing the problems faced by migrant Filipino female workers in Italy?
CHARITO BASA: We train migrant workers in financial literacy: how to prepare a budget; how to save and invest money and so on. We also help them understand why they should not send all their money back to the Philippines because doing so creates over-dependency.In conjunction with local NGOs in the Philippines we ensure that migrants receive a pre-departure orientation to enable themselves adjust to life and work abroad. We have also produced a guide for Filipinos on how to acquire and maintain their legal status in their host country.
AWID: What are the immediate priorities for the protection and promotion of migrant women workers’ rights?
CHARITO BASA: Our work , which I have mentioned above addresses a number of immediate priorities. We acknowledge that migration is necessary for so many people. We must insist then on the recognition and documentation of female migrants in their country of origin and their country of destination. We need to create opportunities at home so that people do not feel forced to leave in search of better financial conditions. Receiving states need to ease their restrictive policies and allow family visits. Migrants should be given the chance to access job opportunities that are directly related to their profession or training.
Books Authored / Co-Authored by Charito Basa
ME, US AND THEM: REALITIES AND ILLUSIONS OF FILIPINA DOMESTIC WORKERS (2004)
Gender, Remittances and Development (2008)
How Filipino Immigrants in Italy Send Money Back Home: The Role of Informal Cross-border Money Remittances in the Global Economy (2011)
Gender & Development
INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION AND OVER-INDEBTEDNESS: THE CASE OF FILIPINO WORKERS IN ITALY
References
pinoyitalia.com
addressing-situation-migrant-women-workers
un-instraw.org/74-migration-and-dev
Atti%20Seminario%20(Women’s%20Networking).pdf
Comments of Ka Patnubay about Ate Chato Basa
mang_tomas • 5 years ago
ang maayong tigbayon nga gipabarog ni charito basa, angayan sa pagsunod ug pagbulig sa pangagamhanan.
sa kadaghan sa mahimong mabuhat unta ni charito sama sa pagpahurahay sa kinabuhi, iyang gisubay ang pagpanginlabot sa mga kalihokan nga may kalabutan sa mga kaigsoonan natong mga mamumuo sa gawas sa nasod.
usa kini ka dalaygon nga buhat sa pagkamanggihatagon sa kahibalo.
mabuhi ka higalang charito basa.
PatnubayOnline Mod • 5 years ago
Ate Chato is the epitome of excellence in life, a true servant leader whose works contribute and make a huge difference in the lives of many migrant workers in Europe. – Mabuhay ka Ate!
Dittz Centeno-De Jesus • 5 years ago
where i am now, it’s because of ate chato. she’s my mentor when it comes to leadership…she encourages me not to be defeated by negative people and circumstances, but instead, be more courageous in continuing whatever endeavours i could contribute that could benefit the ofw and their families….saludo ako sa iyo, ate chato!