By Liezelle Soriano

MANILA — Filipinos have been urged to take advantage of the more open labor market in Germany following the passage of legislation in the European country for easier entry of foreign workers.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz made the invitation after a meeting with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

The Philippines and Germany signed the renewal of the “Cooperation Program” between the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) which will capacitate Filipino workers in the fields of digitalization and the green economy.

“The legislation that we’ve just passed lays the foundation and makes it a lot easier for people to have access to the German labor market,” Scholz said in a joint press conference with Marcos Jr.

“I believe it to be probably the most advanced and modern legislation in that regard. We know that our prosperity and growth depend on professional workers from outside and we want to create favorable conditions here,” he added.

For his part, Marcos recognized the importance of collaboration with Germany in skills vocational training as the Philippines gears to transform its economy.

(el Amigo/MNM)

MANILA — Nearly all Filipino adults, accounting for 92%, have expressed optimism for the upcoming year, as indicated by a recent survey conducted by Pulse Asia from December 3 to 7.

In the face of daily challenges, only 1% reported entering 2024 without hope, while 7% held a neutral stance on the matter.

Pulse Asia’s report highlights the prevailing sentiment of hope across all geographic areas and socio-economic groups.

The breakdown by region shows that 95% of respondents in the Visayas are hopeful, followed by 94% in Balance Luzon, 92% in the National Capital Region, and 84% in Mindanao.

In addition to measuring overall optimism, the survey also gauged expectations for holiday celebrations.

Forty-one percent of respondents believe their festivities this year will be as prosperous as the previous year, while 30% anticipate a more prosperous celebration compared to 2022.

Sixteen percent expect their upcoming celebrations to be similar to last year, with no significant prosperity, while 13% anticipate a “poorer” celebration than the previous year.

Remarkably, the survey capturing high levels of optimism among Filipinos was conducted during a week marked by escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Surigao del Sur, a bombing at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, and a nationwide transport strike.

The nationwide survey, based on a sample of 1,200 representative adults aged 18 and above, carries a margin of error of ± 2.8 percent at the 95% confidence level.

(JR AMIGO/IA/MNM)

By Liezelle Soriano

MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs said that two Filipino nationals were executed in China for drug trafficking offenses.

The DFA said on Saturday that it was confirmed by the Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou.

“We offer our most sincere condolences to their families and loved ones. Out of deference to their wishes, we deferred from announcing this sad development immediately and are withholding the identities of the two Filipinos,” DFA said.

The department said that it provided all possible assistance, including legal assistance funding, through the Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou and the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs from the time the two Filipinos were arrested.

It added that the Philippine government exhausted all measures available to appeal to the relevant authorities of the People’s Republic of China to commute their sentences to life imprisonment on humanitarian grounds. There were also high-level political representations in this regard.

The government likewise provided every possible assistance to the families of the two  Filipinos, DFA said.

The agency added that the two executed Filipinos were arrested in 2013 after they were caught with 11 kilos of shabu hidden in a DVD player.

They were convicted in 2016.

DFA officials recently accompanied the relatives of the two convicted Filipinos who went to China for a “compassionate visit” of their loved ones.

(AI/MNM)

By Liezelle Soriano

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed on Thursday  that another Filipino was killed in an attack by the militant group Hamas in Israel.

However, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo did not disclose the name of the fourth victim as a solemn plea by the family not to reveal the identity of the victim.

“Out of respect for the wishes of the family, we shall be withholding details on the identity of the victim. But we have assured the family of the government’s full support and assistance,” Manalo said in a post.

In a radio interview on Thursday, DFA Undersecretary Ed de Vega said that the fourth Filipino victim in Israel was a caregiver.

He was one of the three Filipinos who were reported missing when Hamas attacked on October 7 from Gaza.

The other three Filipinos who died in the Hamas attack were Angeline Aguirre, a nurse; Paul Vincent Castelvi, a caregiver, and Loreta Alacre, who was also a caregiver.

About 30,000 Filipinos are working in Israel, mostly caregivers and nurses.

An estimated 135 Filipinos are believed to be trapped in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. (ai/mnm)

MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has ordered the mandatory evacuation of Filipinos in Gaza after raising the alert level to 4.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform the public that due to the current situation in Gaza, we have placed Gaza under Alert Level 4 (Mandatory Repatriation),” the DFA said in a statement on Sunday.

The DFA said that of the 131 Filipinos in Gaza, at least 78 are situated near the Rafah border crossing near Egypt while the rest left the northern part, which is expected to be the main site of hostilities.

“The Philippine government continues to work on the repatriation of our nationals and will provide updates on developments,” the DFA said.

In a separate Viber message, DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said that with the raising of the alert level, the government is now “calling on our nationals to leave.”

“If they stay, they do so at their own very grave risk,” de Vega said.

Israel’s army earlier ordered all Palestinians to vacate the northern part of Gaza and Gaza City within 24 hours.

Reports said Israel is preparing a ground offensive on the besieged enclave.

(ai/mnm)

THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is currently in the process of verifying reports regarding the alleged abduction of Filipino workers by suspected Hamas militants amidst a major escalation of hostilities in Israel.

According to Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza, the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv has received “unconfirmed reports” that a group of Filipinos working in close proximity to the Israeli border was taken captive on Saturday morning.

“We have received these unconfirmed reports at the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv, and we are actively working to verify their accuracy,” stated Daza.

She further assured that all Filipino agro-studies students in Israel are currently “accounted for,” based on the latest information available.

“Nevertheless, we are continuously monitoring the situation and have requested the local authorities to ensure their safety,” Daza added.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega disclosed that contingency plans have been put into motion, including an emergency meeting convened at the embassy, to ensure the well-being of the approximately 30,000 Filipinos residing in Israel.

Fortunately, there have been no reported injuries among the Filipino community in Israel, as confirmed by de Vega. “Evacuation plans have been prepared, just in case. However, as of now, our ambassador has reported no Filipino casualties. We are actively in touch with the Filipino community to ensure their welfare,” he stated in a television interview on Saturday.

In response to this situation, the Department of Migrant Workers has established a 24/7 Task Force Israel Desk dedicated to assisting Filipinos in Israel. They can be reached at +63 2 1348 or via WhatsApp and Viber at +63 9083268344, +63 9271478186, or +63 9205171059.

(AI/MNM)

HANGZHOU – Filipino gamer Jorrell Aristorenas suffered a 0-2 loss to Brunei bet Rashed Alrowaihi at the start of the EA Sport FC Online competitions of the 2023 Asian Games here on Sunday.

The 29-year-old, London-born Aristorenas, who also dabbles in football as a Stallion FC player, dropped to the lower bracket, where he will meet India’s Charnjot Singh.

Some 36 players representing 22 teams are competing at the 5,000-capacity China Hangzhou Esports Centre for the right to be crowned the inaugural Asian Games’ esports champion.

Alrowaihi advanced to the second round of the upper bracket, with Thai player Teedech Saisakul and Ali Al Hammadi of the United Arab Emirates.

Park Gi Yong of Korea also reached the second round with Hong Kong’s Fan Cheuk Wa and Li Jian Cheng of China.

In the Arena of Valor action, Thailand’s Vatcharanan Taworn took down the Miguel Banaag-led Philippine Sibol team, 1-0, to move up in Group D.

Meanwhile, Pinoy gamer Ross Villarin plunges into action in the Street Fighter V: Champion Edition Round of 32 Match 4 on Tuesday against Chantasriviroje Sitta.

After debuting in the Asiad as a demo event in 2018 in Jakarta and Palembang in Indonesia, esports is coming in as a regular sport, expected to be the most watched in the games’ calendar.

Asiad esports features five PC games and two mobile games, covering both multiplayer online battle arena, or MOBA, and single-player genres.

Gamers will be pitting skills in League of Legends, Arena of Valor Asian Games Version (also known as Honor of Kings); Peace Elite Asian Games Version (also known as PUBG Mobile); Dota 2; Dream Three Kingdoms 2; Street Fighter V: Champion Edition; and EA Sports FC (also known as FIFA Online 4). (ai/mnm)

In the ITF W100 tournament held in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, promising Filipino tennis star Alex Eala encountered a tough challenge in the semifinals, facing off against French competitor Jessika Ponchet. Despite putting up an intense fight, Eala narrowly missed out on victory, with Ponchet emerging as the victor with a score of 2-6, 6-4, 6-2.

Before her semifinal defeat, Eala showcased her skills and determination by securing wins against local hopeful Lucia Cortez Llorca in the quarterfinals, as well as triumphs over China’s Tianmi Mi and Romanian player Jaqueline Cristian in the earlier rounds of the tournament.

With her journey in this event concluding at the semifinals, all eyes are now on Jessika Ponchet, who will compete against Ukraine’s Daria Snigur in the finals.

This year has been filled with notable achievements and experiences for Eala.

Earlier in the season, she clinched her first professional title in W25 Yecla.

Subsequently, she progressed to the quarterfinals in W25 Madrid, followed by a first-round exit in W25+H Tauste-Zaragoza.

Later, Eala achieved another commendable quarterfinal finish in W40 Palma del Rio but then faced a first-round exit in W25 Corroios-Seixal.

Despite the semifinal loss, Alex Eala’s journey in professional tennis continues to be a promising and exciting one, with her accomplishments reflecting her potential and dedication to the sport.

(Sourced online/ai/mnm)