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02

May

Balikbayans, particularly Overseas Filipino Workers [OFWs] deployed in the hot Saudi Arabian peninsula, might enjoy this coco-fruity dessert once they visit the Philippines. Coconut freshly cut in half serves as a dessert bowl full of cut tropical fruits. Pineapple, papaya, and watermelon are sprinkled with muscovado sugar. This fresh and healthy dessert is served at Ka Lui’s Restaurant, a good place to relax after visiting one of the seven wonders of nature located in Palawan province—the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River.

Balikbayans, particularly Overseas Filipino Workers [OFWs] deployed in the hot Saudi Arabian peninsula, might enjoy this coco-fruity dessert once they visit the Philippines. Coconut freshly cut in half serves as a dessert bowl full of cut tropical fruits. Pineapple, papaya, and watermelon are sprinkled with muscovado sugar.

This fresh and healthy dessert is served at Ka Lui’s Restaurant, a good place to relax after visiting one of the seven wonders of nature located in Palawan province—the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River.

4 weeks ago Short URL

coconut/Ka Lui/Puerto Princesa/Palawan Seven Wonders of Nature/Undergorund River/

01

May

Happy OFWs Day!

As we commemorate Labor Day, let us remember the Filipinos who toil outside the country, to bring a comfortable life for their families and achieve their own dreams.

I dream for the Philippines to have sufficient and sustainable jobs in the future, enabling scattered Filipinos around the world to go back home, be united with their loved ones and families, and live in communities where they grew.

LONG LIVE THE FILIPINO LABORER!

4 weeks ago Short URL 1 note

OFW/Filipino/Pinoy/Labor Day/

27

Apr

Saudi police arrests expat due to ‘sorcery’

Saudi Arabian police nabbed a Sri Lankan woman after a Saudi family accused her of casting a spell on a girl.

Arabianbusiness.com reported that the Sri Lankan was arrested after a Saudi man noticed his daughter “suddenly started acting in an abnormal way” while shopping at a mall. He alleged that the sudden incident occured “after she [his daughter] came close to the Sri Lankan woman.”

Mesfir al-Juayed, the spokesman mentioned in the report, confirmed the incident.

The woman may face beheading if charges of witchcraft and sorcery are proven true.

http://www.arabianbusiness.com/sri-lankan-accused-of-witchcraft-in-saudi-arabia-454491.html

1 month ago Short URL

witchcraft/sorcery/KSA/Saudi/

25

Apr

Let’s bring Alfredo Salmos home

Here is a video of Alfredo Salmos, an Overseas Filipino Worker [OFW] survivor that allegedly got electrocuted by 14,000 volts of electricity.

He is currently seeking help to return home to the Philippines.

In a video uploaded on Youtube, Salos can be seen badly scarred. Crying, he is asking help from Philippine authorities for help. Salos says that even if he has no money, he wants to go home. He is allegedly from Nueva Ecija.

According to Youtuber fsresma, Salmos can be contacted at +966 56 462 3287.

(Source: youtube.com)

1 month ago Short URL

OFW/Pinoy/Filipino/KSA/Jeddah/

English as a second language in Saudi Arabia has gotten more essential as the Kingdom embraces modernization and globalization. The English language is setting a firmer foothold in everyday conversation among locals. In fact English language schools witness enrollment of Saudi Arabia’s younger generation. Affluent families send their children to schools and universities in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. The Saudi government actually sends its students overseas and funds their tuition fees. In this photo uploaded by blogger Mylifenas, he describes his photo as “the perfect epitome of learning English at KSU.” KSU refers to King Saud University, the largest higher education institution in Saudi Arabia.

English as a second language in Saudi Arabia has gotten more essential as the Kingdom embraces modernization and globalization.

The English language is setting a firmer foothold in everyday conversation among locals. In fact English language schools witness enrollment of Saudi Arabia’s younger generation. Affluent families send their children to schools and universities in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. The Saudi government actually sends its students overseas and funds their tuition fees.

In this photo uploaded by blogger Mylifenas, he describes his photo as “the perfect epitome of learning English at KSU.” KSU refers to King Saud University, the largest higher education institution in Saudi Arabia.

(Source: mylifenas)

1 month ago Short URL 7 notes

mylifenas via mylifenas

KSU/King Saud University/KSA/ESL/English/

24

Apr

Saudi dad fails to buy PlayStation, gets killed by four-year-old son

A Saudi was killed by his four-year-old son after the father failed to buy a PlayStation, reported a Saudi daily.

According to Arabic newspaper Asharq, the kid shot his father in the head after getting his father’s pistol.

The child reportedly asked his father for a PlayStation. After getting home without one, the child grabbed and fired while the father was undressing.

http://www.ciibroadcasting.com/2012/04/23/4-year-old-saudi-shoots-dad-over-playstation/

1 month ago Short URL 1 note

Saudi/PlayStation/KSA/

23

Apr

Expats not allowed to win residential properties in contests

Expatriates, including Overseas Filipino Workers [OFWs], who won residential properties at contests, raffles, and the promotions in Saudi Arabia would not be allowed to own such prizes, according to the Ministry of Interior.

According to Arabnews.com, the said ministry ordered the Council of Ministers more than a decade ago that expatriates can only own a property only after getting approval from the Ministry of Interior.

“The ministry has asked provincial governorates to instruct chambers of commerce in their regions to check if any expatriate has acquired property as a prize,” a source said.

If an expatriate wins such a prize, he is only entitled to the cash equivalent of it.

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article613454.ece

1 month ago Short URL

OFW/Saudi/KSA/Filipino/Pinoy/prize/

08

Apr

Balikbayan Box 101

The Bureau of Customs outlined a useful question-and-answer list concerning sending balikbayan boxes to the Philippines.
For Overseas Filipino Workers [OFWs] deployed across the vast Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, sending a balikbayan box is not extraordinary, and has depicted, in fact, the OFWs' image of sending goods, gifts, and love to their respective families back home.
Q:
WHAT ARE “BALIKBAYAN BOXES”?
A:
Balikbayan Boxes are packages of personal effects and/or “pasalubongs” sent by Filipinos residing or working abroad to their families or relatives in the Philippines to enhance Philippine tradition and culture for the promotion and preservation of strong family ties through love and caring expressed in gift-giving.
Q:
WHAT ARE ALLOWED IN “BALIKBAYAN BOXES”?
A:
Non-commercial goods or goods not in commercial quantity strictly for personal use only, such as: wearing apparel, clothing, foodstuffs/grocery items/canned goods; the value of which must not exceed US$500.00.
Q:
HOW OFTEN CAN FILIPINOS RESIDING OR WORKING ABROAD SEND A “BALIKBAYAN BOX” TO THEIR FAMILIES AND RELATIVES IN THE PHILIPPINES?
A:
One consignor/sender is allowed to send one (1) box during a six (6) -month period.
Q:
WHAT IS A CONSOLIDATED DOOR-TO-DOOR SHIPMENT?
A:
Two (2) or more balikbayan boxes from two (2) or more individual consignors/senders abroad, assembled and consolidated at one point of origin/exportation and shipped together under a single master ocean bill of lading or master airway bill by a freight forwarder/consolidator to its breakbulk/consolidator agent in the Philippines.
Q:
WHO IS ALLOWED TO CONSOLIDATE “BALIKBAYAN BOXES” ABROAD?
A:
A foreign freight forwarding entity/ consolidator duly licensed and registered with the Philippine consular office.
Q:
WHO IS ALLOWED TO RELEASE A CONSOLIDATED DOOR-TO-DOOR SHIPMENTS FROM THE PHILIPPINE BUREAU OF CUSTOMS?
A:
The Philippine agent/representative of a freight forwarder/consolidator named in a master bill of lading or master airway bill as consignee of a consolidated shipment duly licensed by the Philippine Shippers’ Bureau (PSB) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Q:
ARE THE “BALIKBAYAN BOXES OPENED BY THE PHILIPPINE CUSTOMS?
A:
Yes, a 100% examination of the consolidated shipment is required by law:
To protect the legitimate interests of consignors/senders and their consignees, in particular, and the transacting public, in general;
To protect the interest of the government;
To prevent and suppress smuggling and other fraud upon customs.
Q:
WHERE CAN WE CHECK AND VERIFY THE LIST OF LEGITIMATE AND PHILIPPINE SHIPPERS’ BUREAU-ACCREDITED FREIGHT FORWARDERS/BROKERS?
A:
Verification can be made with the Philippine Shippers’ Bureau (PSB) under the Department of Trade and Industry on their website: www.dti.gov.ph/consumerwelfare/accreditationoffreightforwarders/listofaccredited or by calling these numbers during office hours: (632) 7513304 or (632) 7513307, contact person: Mr. Jun Bernal.
Q:
WHO DELIVERS THE “BALIKBAYAN BOXES” TO THE ULTIMATE CONSIGNEES/RECIPIENTS?
A:
The Philippine agent/representative of a freight forwarder/consolidator named in a master bill of lading or master airway bill as consignee of a consolidated shipment duly licensed by the Philippine Shippers’ Bureau (PSB) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and/or a local delivery company hired by the Philippine agent.
Q:
WHAT CAUSES THE DELAY/NON-DELIVERY OF THE BOXES TO THEIR ULTIMATE CONSIGNEES?
A:
Any of the following can cause delays/non-delivery of “balikbayan boxes” to their ultimate consignees:
Unforseen circumstances and/or natural calamity like typhoon that sets back the arrival of cargo carrying vessels;
Consolidated shipments are tainted by:
Undeclared and/or misdeclared goods;
Banned or regulated cargoes like firearms and ammunitions, prohibited drugs, pornographic materials, gambling materials/apparatus;
Goods in commercial quantity;
Consolidated shipments that are abandoned by the Philippine agent/ representative/ broker for reasons of non-remittance of funds by the foreign freight forwarding entity/ consolidator.
Q:
ARE COMPLETELY-KNOCKED DOWN (CKD) MOTORCYCLES OR PART OF MOTOR VEHICLES (ALSO KNOWN AS CHOP-CHOP MOTORCYCLES OR VEHICLES) THAT ARE FOR PERSONAL USE, ALLOWED IN “BALIKBAYAN” BOXES?
A:
No, these are not allowed in “Balikbayan” Boxes. These are not considered personal effects or household good and are thus treated differently; other documentary requirements are needed for these to be brought into the Philippines without which these vehicles cannot be registered with the land Transportation Office (LTO).
Source:
http://customs.gov.ph/faqs/balikbayan-boxes/#7.2

1 month ago Short URL 2 notes

Balikbayan box/OFW/Pinoy/Filipino/Customs/

06

Apr

As a number of Overseas Filipino Workers [OFWs] in Jeddah fly back home this time syncing their approximately one-month vacation with the long summer break in the Philippines, OFWs remaining in this coastal city of Saudi Arabia can also have their bay or beach weekends by the Red Sea. Taken by Merna, a blogger, her picture shows the blue waters of the Red Sea lapping the huge rock lining along the Corniche. Many Filipinos go here for a leisurely walk along the bay across from the towering hotels and restaurants on the other side of the road. Sometimes, they drive farther to Obhur to swim at a beach for free together with other Asian expatriates and locals.

As a number of Overseas Filipino Workers [OFWs] in Jeddah fly back home this time syncing their approximately one-month vacation with the long summer break in the Philippines, OFWs remaining in this coastal city of Saudi Arabia can also have their bay or beach weekends by the Red Sea.

Taken by Merna, a blogger, her picture shows the blue waters of the Red Sea lapping the huge rock lining along the Corniche. Many Filipinos go here for a leisurely walk along the bay across from the towering hotels and restaurants on the other side of the road. Sometimes, they drive farther to Obhur to swim at a beach for free together with other Asian expatriates and locals.

(Source: merna-san)

1 month ago Short URL 4 notes

merna-san via merna-san

Jeddah/Corniche/Red Sea/Pinoy/OFW/Filipino/Saudi/

26

Mar

HOT SAND NUMBER: #30|thirty

The estimated percentage increase in sales of lingerie in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after passing a law mandating lingerie shops across the land to employ female sales assistants only.

This was an almost complete turn around from the norm. Lingerie shops used to employ men in assisting and selling customers bras, panties, and other lingerie items.

According to Arabianbusiness.com, the textiles and readymade clothes committee Chairman Muhammad Al-Shehri of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry [JCCI] claimed that 90 percent of the shops already complied.

http://m.arabianbusiness.com/saudi-closes-600-lingerie-stores-in-male-staff-crackdown-450944.html

2 months ago Short URL

lingerie/panty/bra/KSA/Saudi/