Filipinos on Pohnpei, Micronesia

FSM SS Law: CB15-52 affects Filipinos in FSM

For Catholics in the whole world, the season of Lent had just began. After 40 days, comes the resurrection. On the other hand, Filipinos in FSM will soon have another cross to carry until they are sixty!

Congressional Bill No. 15-52 is set to amend the FSM Social Security Law. Filipinos in the FSM will, again, be affected by the said proposed law, especially Section 809 which states: “Foreigners who are not citizens of the Marshalls, Palau or the U.S. will be paid in lump sums equal to their contributions while employed in the FSM as of the date the employee turns 60 or dies. Further, they must be fully insured to be qualified for this lump sum benefit.”

The UFCP articulated its concern during the public hearing for the said CB15-52 last January 28, 2009. The UFCP also sent a letter to Sen. Joseph Urusemal expressing its comments to the proposed amendment (see page 2). In turn, Sen. Urusemal replied to the said letter.
The question now is—when will the Filipino OFW experience “resurrection”? ®

UFCP Appoints Ralph Pulmano as Treasurer

n its Special Meeting last February 7, 2009, the UFCP Officers have unanimously approved the appointment of Mr. Rafael Pulmano as UFCP Treasurer. Mr. Pulmano replaced Mr. Raul Miralles who resigned last January 2009.

Known as Paeng or Kuya Ralph by his friends, Mr. Pulmano is a Certified Public Accountant & has a Masters Degree in Business Administration. He is at present, a professor at the College of Micronesia, National Campus. He first worked in Saipan for almost five years before he came to Micronesia. His famous website, http://www.rafaelpulmano.com/, gained him great respect from his friends and colleagues. He was the president of STAP in 2008. He is the brother of UFCP Vice President, Jojo Pulmano. Mr. Ralph Pulmano was sworn into office by the UFCP President, Engr. Gerry Figueras last February 14, 2009. ®

UFCP Celebrates Valentine’s Day

The United Filipino Community of Pohnpei (UFCP) celebrated Valentine’s Day at Club Flamingo last February 14, 2009. There were songs & dances performed by the KBP family. Highlights of the program were the induction of Mr. Rafael Pulmano as UFCP Treasurer, and the search for Mr. & Ms. UFCP Valentine and Mr. & Mrs. UFCP Valentine. Ric Esperanza and Jackie Hernaez were the Mr. & Ms. UFCP Valentine 2009. On the other hand, there was a tie between Arnel & Marlyn Faustino and Ray & Emma Garcia for the Mr. & Mrs. UFCP Valentine 2009. The winning pairs were then serenaded by the Martin Nievera of Pohnpei, Mr. Madz Fermil.
The said Valentine’s Party was well attended, not only by Filipinos, but also by other nationalities. Mr. Julian Parker, the Australian Embassy Consul, graciously joined the party, and on the spot, donated a bottle of wine for UFCP Mr. & Mrs. Valentine.

The celebration also showcased the delicious food prepared by the three Filipino-owned restaurants in Pohnpei: Kasehlelia Diner, LKL Restaurant and Pepper & Spice. UFCP ordered a total of 275 take-outs from the said restaurants.

Thank you all for your support! ®

Visa Schedule Changes

There is a change in the schedule for Visa Services of the US Embassy here in Pohnpei. In the email sent by the Embassy to the UFCP President, it says that starting March 16, 2009, the Consular Section will be open for Visa Services on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM by appointment only.

Please pass this to our Kababayans. ®

UFCP mourns death of 3 Kababayans

In a span of 9 days, three of our Kababayans joined their Creator in Paradise.
On February 3, 2009, Concepcion Hufana, popularly known as Manang Hufana passed away in her Quezon City home. Her family found her dead in her bedroom on that morning. At the time of her death, she was on a one-month vacation to the Philippines. She comes from San Juan, La Union. Manang Hufana, 77 years old, was a resident of Pohnpei for more than 20 years. She owns the Hufana Apartments. On the same day, upon learning of what happened, friends of Manang Hufana started a 9-day rosary-novena at the Roman Catholic Church which ended last March 3, 2009. A prayer service was also held at the Assembly of God Church last March 1, 2009.

Two days later, or on February 25, 2009, Sabino Abante, a seaman of the fishing vessel Win Farr 636, met an accident while fishing and died on the spot. His cadaver was brought to the PNI State Hospital last Feb. 28, 2009. He is from Batangas City.
On the dawn of March 4, 2009, Marvin Manapeng, a carpenter of A&P Const. Co., suffered a heart attack and was declared Dead on Arrival (DOA) at the PNI State Hospital. He is 38 years old and from San Gabriel, La Union. A prayer service was held for Marvin last March 6 at the UFCP President’s residence.

To Manang Hufana, Sabino & Marvin, may you all rest in peace! ®

KBP to hold Bingo Fundraising

The Katilingbang Bisaya sa Ponape (KBP) will hold a bingo-fundraising on March 22, 2009 at PICS Cafeteria. According to Mr. Jun Yap, the newly elected KBP President, the proceeds of the said Bingo Fundraising will be for the group’s Medical Mission to be scheduled later this year. The prizes for the said bingo-fundraising are as follows: $500, $300 and $200, plus 10 consolation prizes. Tickets are $5.00 each (equivalent for 2 bingo cards), and are still available from KBP officers, as well as at the gate on game day.

Let’s all support this worthwhile endeavor. See you there! ®

STAP has new President

Ms. Vida Ricafrente is the newly inducted President of Samahang Tagalog at iba pa sa Ponape (STAP). The induction was held simultaneously with the group’s Christmas Party last Dec. 13, 2008 at the Cupids Bar.

Congratulations Tita Vida! ®

TDIP repaints tables at Causeway

The Timpuyog Dagiti Ilocanos iti Pohnpei (TDIP) has started the repainting of its landmark project – the concrete tables and benches at the Causeway. As usual, the sponsors donated the materials, and the members provided free labor. The said concrete tables and benches were constructed in 2006. ®

KBP Inducts New Officers

The Katilingbang Bisaya sa Ponape (KBP) inducted its new set of officers last January 3, 2009 at the Sea Breeze Hotel & Restaurant. The Inducting Officer was Atty. Leonito Bacalando, Jr. The newly-elected president is Engr. Fermil Yap, Jr., who is at present the PMU Resident Engineer here in Pohnpei. He is married to Leonila W. Yap, and they are blessed with two children. The complete list of the newly-inducted KBP officers are: President Fermin Yap, Jr.; V-Pres. Mae Manlapaz; Sec. Vanesa Palacio; Treas. Emy Villegas; PRO Edward Bravo & Jackie Hernaez; Board of Directors: Roselyn Reyes, Emer Canama, Rene Adlawon, Kit Serena, Alfred Fuentes and Myrna Mohillo.

Congatulations! ®

Western Union continues Free Passport Renewal Shipping

Western Union will again sponsor this 2009 the quarterly FREE Passport Renewal Shipping. In this time of economic crisis, this is a very big help to us OFWs in Pohnpei. Each shipping from Pohnpei to Palau & vice-versa costs $160.00 / 2lbs.

In return, let us continue supporting Western Union. ®

UFCP makes plans for Independence Day

In preparation for the Philippine Independence Day Celebration, the UFCP will hold an Inter-Color Sports Tournament starting April 5, 2009. There will be basketball (men), volleyball (women), tennis, chess, billiards and other indoor games. The chairman of the Sports Committee is Mr. Tony Reyes. Mr. & Mrs. Rey Manlapaz of Drops of Life/Scoobys will sponsor the uniforms of the players.

Interested players are asked to fill out forms, and there will be a drafting / lottery of players for each team on March 22, 2009, 9:30 A.M. at the PICS Cafeteria. Everyone is encouraged to attend. For more details, please see posters, flyers, Mr. Tony Reyes or any UFCP officer.
The awarding of prizes for the said tournament will be during the UFCP Philippine Independence Day Celebration on June 14, 2009. Enjoy & have fun! ®

Machine Readable Passport (MRP) by 2010

A few months ago, UFCP received an advisory from the Philippine Embassy in Palau that by the year 2010, all United Nations Member countries will have to comply with the requirement of the International Civil Aviation Organization which is: ALL PASSPORTS MUST BE Machine Readable Passports (MRP) or e-PASSPORTS. To apply for an MRP, personal appearance of the applicant is required.

The UFCP is at present working out with the Philippine Embassy the schedule for a mobile passport, which means, representative/s of the Embassy will come to Pohnpei for the processing of the said MRP. Everybody is advised to prepare the $50.00 passport renewal fee, so when the Embassy reps come, we are all ready.

Watch out for more updates! ®

Process your POEA Anywhere

Do you know that you can process your POEA anywhere in the Philippines? No need to wait for long lines! No need to spend money travelling to the nearest POEA office from your place.
You can now apply for your Overseas Exit Clearance (OEC) online via www.citizenservices.com.ph/poea/index and have your OEC delivered back to you. Should you choose to apply for your OEC online, aside from accomplishing your OFW Information sheet & submitting supporting documents, you will have to pay OWWA/Philhealth membership fees, POEA Processing Fees, Courier Delivery & Teleserv Service fees at an Aboitiz/2Go branch. Total amount to pay is P 2,650.00.

MRP Requirements

Below are the requirements for renewal of passport to Machine Readable Passport:
· Personal Appearance is required.
· Present passport & photocopy of pages 1,2,3 (amendment) inside & back cover.
· The pages showing latest Bureau of Immigration departure & arrival stamps.
· Three colored photos of the applicant taken against a royal blue background & no shadow. Appicant should be in decent attire with collar & sleeves and in dark-colored shirt. Photo size: 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm. Ears should be visible. Wearing of accessories, coloredcontact lenses or eyeglasses, with name/name board are not allowed.
· DFA has the right to reject photos that do not comply with specifications & international standards.
· For more details, visit http://www.dfa.gov.ph/.