OFW Diaries

An Overseas Filipino is a person of Philippine origin who lives outside of the Philippines. This term applies both to people of Filipino ancestry who are citizens or residents of a different country and to those Filipino citizens abroad on a more temporary status.

Most overseas Filipino migrate to other nations to find employment or support their families in the Philippines. As a result of this migration, many countries have a substantial Filipino community.

Often, these Filipinos are referred to as "Overseas Filipino Workers" or "OFWs". The term "Global Filipino" is another term of more recent vintage but less widely used.

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo recently applied the term "Overseas Filipino Investor" or "OFI" for Filipino expatriates who contribute to the economy through remittances, buying property and creating businesses.

Each year, more than a million Filipinos leave to work abroad through overseas employment agencies and other programs, including government sponsored ones. Others emigrate and become permanent residents of other countries. Overseas Filipinos often work as doctors, physical therapists, nurses, accountants, IT professionals, engineers, architects, entertainers, technicians, teachers, military servicemen, students, caregivers, domestic helpers and household maids.

The exodus includes an increasing number of skilled workers taking on unskilled work overseas, resulting in what has been referred to as a brain drain, particularly in the health and education sectors. Also, the exodus can result in underemployment, for example, in cases where doctors undergo retraining to become nurses.


Economic Impact

Money sent by OFWs back to the Philippines is a major factor in the country's economy, amounting to more than US$10 billion in 2005. This makes the country the fourth largest recipient of foreign remittances behind India, China, and Mexico. The amount represents 13.5% of the Philippines' GDP, the largest in proportion to the domestic economy among the four countries mentioned.

Overseas Filipinos sent $15.9 billion worth of remittances to the Philippines in 2008, up from the $14.4 billion in 2007, and $13 billion in 2006.


---i worked for three years in the land of the rising sun. for those three years i had helped my family and it was a big help. i had wonderful time there, meeting new friends, went to different places but one thing is for sure :theres no place like HOME. (^_^)

Decorating Houses

Christmas lighting technology has been subject to considerable development and variation since the replacement of candles by electric lights.
Incandescent

Incandescent lights, the type most commonly used in Christmas lights, produce a broad-spectrum white light, and are colored by coating the glass envelope with a transparent or translucent paint which acts as a color filter. Some early Japanese-made lamps, however, used colored glass. Though less expensive, the painted lamps suffer from fading or flaking of the paint when exposed to weather. Older bulbs were also coated on the insides of the bulbs to prevent this effect, but were more costly to manufacture.



Light-emitting diode (LED) Christmas lights are quickly gaining popularity in many places due to their low energy usage (about one tenth the energy used by incandescent bulbs), very long lifetimes, and associated low maintenance. Colored LEDs are also far more efficient at producing light than their colored incandescent counterparts.

There are two types of LEDs: colored LEDs and white LEDs. Colored LEDs emit a specific color light (monochromatic light), regardless of the color of the transparent plastic lens that encases the LED's chip. The plastic may be colored for cosmetic reasons, but does not substantially affect the color of the light emitted. Because the light is determined by the LED's chip rather than the plastic lens, Christmas lights of this type do not suffer from color fading. In addition, the plastic lens is much more durable than the glass envelope of incandescent bulbs.

White LEDs are similar to colored LEDs in most respects such as power and durability, but utilize a two-stage process to create the white (polychromatic, or broad spectrum) light. In the first stage, the LED actually only produces one color of light, similar to any other LED. In the second stage, some of the blue or violet-blue is absorbed by a phosphor which fluoresces yellow, imitating the broad spectrum of colors which our eyes perceive as "white". This is essentially the same process used in fluorescent lamps, except for the use of an LED to create blue light rather than excited gas plasma to create ultraviolet.

White LEDs can be used as white Christmas lights, or can be used to create any other color through the use of colored refractors and lenses, similar to the more commonly used incandescent bulbs. Color fading may therefore occur due to the exposure of colored plastics to sunlight or heat, as with ordinary Christmas lights. Yellowing may also occur in the epoxy "bulb" in which the LED is encased if left in the sun consistently.

LEDs use much less electricity (only 4 watts for a 70-light string) and have a much greater lifespan than incandescent lamps. Since they are constructed from solid state materials and have no metallic filaments to burn out or break, LEDs are also much less susceptible to breakage from impact or rough handling.

Although LEDs themselves are long-life devices, older or lower-quality strands of LED-based Christmas lights can suffer from early failure. This is particularly so with blue ones, which are the newest and most expensive, and therefore prone to cost-cutting; in addition, spares are rarely included with sets. Most LED-based Christmas lights use copper wire which connects to the aluminum-based wires of the LEDs. Exposing this combination of metals to moisture can result in galvanic corrosion inside of the lamps' sockets, causing them to stop working. Many other sets use cheaper steel leads on the LEDs, which instead rust, leading to the same result. Some newer and higher-quality sets of LED Christmas lights have each LED permanently mounted in a non-removable weathertight base to keep out rain and other moisture, helping to prevent such corrosion; however, this prevents the user from replacing defective bulbs.

Most common consumer LED lamps produce intense, deep, pure colours, versus incandescent bulbs which generally have subtler, yellow-tinted colours, often somewhat faded especially if used outside. Blue tends to be the dimmest incandescent color, but the brightest in LED, while yellow is just the opposite. Very early strings of LED lights were noticeably dimmer than incandescent bulbs, but now are often noticeably brighter. These factors combine to give LED lamps a distinct aesthetic from older incandescent strings, although white LEDs behind coloured lenses do offer the ability to provide a more incandescent-type appearance with most of the benefits of energy efficiency. However, most use coloured-chip type LEDs that produce the intense colours. This is largely due to the maturity of coloured LED versus newer white LED technology, and as the technology improves so will the ability to change the aesthetics of the lamps, at lower cost than at present. In 2007, "warm white" LED sets became commonly available for the first time in U.S. stores, having a color similar to that of a compact fluorescent light. However, this color would need to have more of an orange tint to match the color of very small incandescent bulbs, because they burn at a lower temperature. Still, this provides a much closer match to incandescent light color than was available when only very cool (bluish) white was available. One can choose cool-white LEDs for their crisp or snow-white quality, or warm white LEDs for their more familiar incandescent-like color.

Additionally, low-end sets do not contain power supplies (or have only a transformer instead of a SELV), and so the bulbs flicker in sync with the alternating current, being completely off when the voltage is negative. This produces a noticeable stroboscopic effect when an individual happens to move the lights across his or her field of view quickly, as when moving the eyes or turning the head rapidly. Higher-quality strings include a bridge rectifier to supply full-wave direct current to the lamps, making the lights brighter and greatly reducing the flickering (though there is still a small amount because diodes need a minimum voltage to begin conducting). Cheaper sets with two circuits connect each in the opposite polarity, which minimizes flicker in the combined light reflected from walls, and also keeps power consumption symmetrical so as not to affect the electrical system.

Many mini sets use standard 3 mm dome-shaped LEDs, and have a plastic cover over them to provide refraction, which is an important step in diffusing the unidirectional light they cast. These covers come in C5, C6, and C7 sizes ( ¾, and inch, or 16, 19, and 22 mm diameters, respectively) pointed "strawberries," G12 (12mm or almost ½-inch) globe "raspberries," and "M5" (5mm or 7⁄32-inch) pointed cylinders, equivalent to the T1¾ mini lights so common since the 1980s. For blue and green, these covers may have some fluorescence, leading to a lighter color. Other sets have 5 mm domes with no covers, though because these project light in one direction, many of these instead have a cone-shaped indentation on the top, refracting much of the light out to the sides. Still other sets have covers like snowflakes (or for Halloween, pumpkins). There are also multi-LED screw-in bulbs which replace real C7½ and C9¼ bulbs, and are much closer in brightness than the mini imitations.


---it really look good in the eyes. it mesmerize me! lolz, walking with your special someone with lights on outside certain building is a romantic one too. this coming christmas, people will become busy again decorating their houses with different kind of christmas lights.

Northern Luzon folks told to evacuate

Residents of Northern Luzon, particularly in the Ilocos and Cagayan Valley regions, were advised to evacuate while they can after weather forecasters said Typhoon "Ramil" would “hit like a slingshot” the northern tip of Luzon this Thursday.

"They must evacuate now. These people should not wait for the LGUs (local government units) to tell them what to do," said Nathaniel Cruz, deputy director of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

"They must go to safer places now when there is enough time so that the authorities can concentrate on assisting those who really need help," Cruz said two days before the typhoon's expected landfall over Cagayan anytime on October 22.

Anticipating Ramil to dump 20 to 25 mm of torrential rains per hour for up to six hours, PAGASA hoisted Storm Signal No. 2 over Isabela, Cagayan, Batanes, and the Babuyan and Calayan groups of islands at 11 a.m. Tuesday.

The weather bureau also placed Ilocos Norte, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino and Polilio Island under Storm Signal No. 1 as experts forecast Ramil to cause storm surges, gusty winds, and heavy rainfall starting Tuesday night.

Cruz issued the advisory after spotting Ramil about 820 kilometers east northeast of Aparri in Cagayan, maintaining maximum sustained winds of 195 kph near the center and gustiness of 230 kph while moving west southwest with a speed of 17 kph as of 10 a.m. Tuesday.

He noted that by Wednesday, provinces in Northern Luzon particularly in the Batanes area will start to take the beating from Ramil that was measured at about 900 kilometers in diameter and can grow even wider as it is expected to stay over the Luzon Sea until Wednesday.

Cruz said the stormy weather from Ramil’s wide swath could reach as far as Zambales, Tarlac, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, and Aurora as the typhoon's eye was expected to hover near the Batanes area on Thursday.

He said heavy rains of 20 to 25 mm per hour would be comparable to the filling of water in 500 Olympic-sized swimming pools within just one hour "if the typhoon will hit a 5,000-hectare area like Quezon City," which could trigger flashfloods and landslides in North Luzon.

Even though dam operators in North Luzon assured that the watersheds have reached a level capable to buffer the expected rains, PAGASA Hydrometeorology Division chief Susan Espinueva noted that floods will still occur in the saturated regions of Cagayan, Ilocos and the Cordilleras.

Ilocos Sur Governor Deogracias Victor B. Savellano for his part has ordered all Disaster Coordinating Councils in the province to implement preemptive evacuations of communities identified as highly vulnerable to flooding, storm surges and landslides.

“As a preventive measure against the forecasted passing and harsh effect of Typhoon Ramil in Northern Luzon provinces particularly in Ilocos Sur, I am appealing to all residents near the shorelines and landslide-prone areas to move to safer places. This is to prevent the loss of lives during disasters,” he said.

“Communities should brace for heavy rainfall and very strong winds that could be initially experienced in the midweek. In that, I strongly advise the disaster coordinating councils to conduct the evacuation activities at the earliest possible time thru the prudent discretion of local executives based on the current local situations and latest severe warning bulletin prognosis,” the governor said.

Members of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council have visited all coastal towns and landslides-prone areas to assist local councils in the preemptive evacuations.

Many Ilocos Sur towns were flooded during the onslaught of Typhoon “Pepeng”. They include Caoayan, Santa, Magsingal, Sinait, San Vicente, Cabugao, Sto. Domingo, San Ildefonso, Sta. Maria, San Esteban, Santiago, Sta. Lucia, Sta. Cruz, Tagudin, Cervantes, Quirino, Sugpon, Sigay, Del Pilar, Candon City, Vigan City and Narvacan.

In San Manuel, Pangasinan, an official of the National Power Corporation said the three dams located along the stretch of the Agno River basin will continue to release water in a regulated manner in preparation for the heavy rains so that people in low-lying communities will not be caught by surprise. (With reports from Freddie Lazaro, Dexter See and Franco Regala)


--due to rain that keeps on falling, dam operators will continue to release water from it. They cant help but to inform the residents to relocate for their safety. Let us all continue to pray and ask God for protection against all harm and calamities. SOURCE

Typhoon PEPENG

At least 98 people died while hundreds more remain missing due to several landslides in Luzon triggered by tropical cyclone "Pepeng."

Ninety-one of the fatalities were from the Cordillera Administrative Region; four were from Pangasinan province; two from Camarines Sur; and one from Nueva Ecija. The information came from the Benguet police, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), and provincial governments.

75 in Benguet

"So far, 75 na ang patay sa list namin, 34 injured and 36 missing sa Benguet (So far, 75 have died based on our list, while 34 are injured and 36 are missing in Benguet)," said Senior Superintendent Loreto Espineli, Benguet provincial police.

Espineli said the hardest hit town in Benguet was La Trinidad, where 41 people were killed from four villages. In the town's Puguis village, 28 bodies were recovered after a portion of the mountain collapsed burying 34 houses in boulders and mud.

In Poblacion village, nine people were likewise recovered in another landslide, while two bodies were retrieved from Balili and Bineng villages.

In Mankayan town, four people were killed including two children who were buried inside their house that was hit by a landslide in Barangay Tabio Thursday night.

Also on Thursday, six people were reported to have been buried in a landslide, including an infant, in Tublay town. A worker at the provincial engineering office also reportedly died in an accident while assisting in the clearing operations.

In Bugias town, two people were also killed due to a landslide.

Retrieval operations are on going for 150 other Benguet residents believed to have been buried beneath the collapsed soil in the affected areas.

Espineli said the local government is currently attending to 560 people that had been transferred to five evacuation centers in Benguet.

"Sa ngayon naman, wala pa naman uling reported landlside (As of Friday, no landslide has happened yet)," Espineli assured.

For his part, Benguet Governor Nestor Fongwan said rescue operations were hindered by bad weather, especially last Friday.

"Nahirapan sila, medyo malakas ang ulan (at) very foggy pa rito. Mahirap ang retrieval operations (Workers are having a hard time in retrieval operations because of the heavy rains and fog)," Fongwan said in an interview on dzBB radio.

He said the landslides occurred without warning, amid heavy rains brought by Pepeng.

16 in Mt. Province and Baguio

A separate radio report, meanwhile, quoted local authorities as saying that landlsides also killed five people in in Sitio Bulala, Kayan East village in Tadian, Mt. Province on Friday.

In Baguio, at least 11 were killed, while 10 remain missing. The city, known as the country's summer capital and a top tourist destination, became isolated from neighboring provinces after two of the only three routes that lead motorists to the city were closed to traffic.

Rocks and boulders that collapsed onto the Marcos Highway had rendered the road impassable to vehicles. Kennon Road, meanwhile, was also closed due to the threats of landslides.

Fongwan said the local government was also focusing its effort on clearing major roads filled with boulders and mud.

"We are also trying to open up main thoroughfares para rin sa kalakal mula sa Benguet papuntang Metro Manila (for the free movement of agricultural products from Benguet to Metro Manila)," Fongwan said.

More deaths expected

Fongwan said both evacuees and rescuers needed food, clothes, and medicines.

He advised rescuers from traveling by air to reach Benguet. "Mayroon namang mala-landing-an pero very risky kasi maulap ngayon dito. Kailangan talaga mabuksan ang roads (Aircraft can land but it's very risky because it's foggy. Roads need to be reopened)," he said.

Of the several landslides that happened in Benguet, only four people have so far been pulled out of the rubble alive.

"Para doon sa ibang nawawala, may search and rescue na kami... [Pero] i-expect na madadagdadan ang patay dito," Espineli said.

(For other missing, we are still conducting search and rescue operations, but let us expect that the death toll will still climb).

In its 6 a.m. report, the NDCC has only recorded 25 people being killed during Pepeng’s onslaught: four in Pangasinan province, 12 in Benguet, and two in Camarines Sur in Bicol.

Meanwhile, Nueva Ecija governor Aurelio Umali said a woman who had suffering from a heart ailment died in an evacuation center in the province.

Central Luzon police regional director Leonilo dela Cruz said the landslides in Caranglan, Nueva Ecija "were so enormous" that it would take them three days to clean up the area, which remains impassable even to heavy vehicles.


----this typhoon hits the Philippines after Ondoy that killed so many Filipinos. During this kind of situation We, Filipinos keep on helping one another and its so nice to know that other country too extend their hands to help out those who are affected of this calamity.



Two in a row: After the typhoon Ondoy, Pepeng hits the Philippines