OFWs never seem to run out of horrific stories to tell. But these are not merely stories. These are about lives ruined and hopes dimmed. These are about stranded OFWs in Jeddah returning home wounded but still determined to give a better life to their families. BY AUBREY SC MAKILAN MIGRANT WATCH Bulatlat Vol. VIII,…
Day: April 19, 2008
Bittersweet Taste of Worker Life in PepsiCo
For the past nine years, Pepsi Cola Products Philippines, Inc. has been closing down its warehouses, in the process, removing workers from their jobs. The company claims it is a “money-saving” scheme. But an interview with the union president shows that the company has in fact been expanding. BY NOEL SALES BARCELONA Contributed to Bulatlat…
Deported OFWs Call for Replacement of RP Officials in Saudi
No doubt, the stranded overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) recently deported back to the Philippines are rushing to be with their families. But before getting home, they have called on Philippine officials to act on their problems. BY AUBREY SC MAKILAN MIGRANT WATCH Bulatlat Vol. VIII, No. 11, April 20-26, 2008 No doubt, the stranded overseas…
Vancouver Labour Council brings resolution to National Labour Convention
In Canada, Momentum Building Against Human Rights Abuses in the Philippines The Philippines is the second most dangerous country for trade unionists. In recognition of this, the labour movement in Canada is responding to the Filipinos’ call for support and solidarity. BY THE BRITISH COLUMBIA COMMITTEE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE PHILIPPINES LABOR WATCH Posted…
Groups Appeal to SC: Reverse Neri Decision, Uphold the People’s Right to Know
No less than Chief Justice Reynato Puno received the open letter handed over by various anti-Arroyo groups when they held a caravan to Baguio last April 15. Bayan Chair Dr. Carol Araullo expressed hope that there is a chance for their petition to be heard. ”The SC majority that decided the Neri petition could have…
Pagluluno ng Agila at Dragon
NI RAUL FUNILAS Inilathala ng Bulatlat Vol. VIII, No. 11, April 20-26, 2008 Ang lupa nati’y tinaniman ng apoy ng puting unggoy, At ang inani nati’y nagbabagang tansong pananaghoy. Ngayon, muling tinataniman ng nagliliyab na dragon. Anong aanihin natin pagdarapithapon? Iyan ang tanong! Isang text message ng boss ko sa aking celfon: “Tata, bring ka…
Tagtuyot
NI PAPA OSMUBAL Inilathala ng Bulatlat Vol. VIII, No. 11, April 20-26, 2008 Lumads (indigenous people) in the remote areas of Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao are ready for along dry spell, having learned about its coming not from the weather bureau, newspapers, television, radio or government agencies, but from the position of the stars and…
Kwentong Kaldero
NI MARK ANGELES Inilathala ng Bulatlat Vol. VIII, No. 11, April 20-26, 2008 Hus dis kabayong buntis Hus dat kabayong bundat Panay-rebound mga kartel ng langis Mga kumprador nagpapasarap Taumbaya’y iginagapos sa buwis Sa utang panlabas, kinakaladkad Kapag napuno sa pagmamalabis Tulad ng bulkang magbabalikwas Hus dis kabayong buntis Hus dat kabayong bundat Inilathala ng…
Big Landlords, Not Regional Wage Boards Determine Agri Workers’ Pay
Big landlords representing owners of haciendas and big sugar plantations determine the wages received by part-time and full-time agricultural workers across the country. BY GERRY ALBERT CORPUZ Contributed to Bulatlat Vol. VIII, No. 11, April 20-26, 2008 Big landlords representing owners of haciendas and big sugar plantations determine the wages received by part-time and full-time…
GMOs Not Solution to Food Crisis, Envi Group Says
Greenpeace calls on gov’t to heed UN warnings Greenpeace, an international environmental organization, has called on the Philippine government to heed the warnings of the world’s leading agricultural scientists that industrial agricultural practices and genetically-modified (GMO) crops will not solve the current food crisis. POSTED BY BULATLAT Vol. VIII, No. 11, April 20-26, 2008 Greenpeace,…
Binugtong na Bayan: Paglikha ng Makabayang Bugtong sa Ninunal na Panahon
Ang bugtong o palaisipan ang pinakapaborito kong porma ng tula: maigsi ngunit mabagsik. Kung ang mga bugtong noo’y alinsunod sa animistikong tradisyon (paniniwala sa mga ispiritung naninirahan sa kalikasan), ang mga historikal na karanasan ng bansa ang magdudulot ng pagbabago sa konsepto’t nilalaman ng mga bugtong. NI MICHAEL FRANCIS C. ANDRADA Iniambag sa Bulatlat KULTURA…