thank you so much po! hope us children of ofw moms become more empathetic of their experiences and show them support in our own ways. pagpupugay po sa mga inang OFW.

salamat po! Mabuhay ang mga OFW nanay

Good afternoon 🗺️ overseas-filipinos channel! Sharing a behind the scenes look at our Rappler Talk interview with Hans Cacdac taped earlier

Apart from the usual questions on his plans, I asked him about his thoughts on criticism of the DMW "institutionalizing" labor export. It relates closely to a topic we often have here in Community Chats – that we need quality jobs at home to make migration more of a choice than a necessity. Where does the DMW fit itself in this need?

Bookmark this page to catch the interview live at 7pm later! https://www.rappler.com/nation/overseas-filipinos/interview-road-ahead-dmw-secretary-hans-cacdac/

Rappler Talk: Hans Cacdac on taking the lead in OFW welfare
Rappler sits down with recently appointed Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac to talk about his plans for the DMW, including the work needed to make labor migration more of a choice than a necessity

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/nation/overseas-filipinos/interview-road-ahead-dmw-secretary-hans-cacdac/

From OFW’s son to DMW chief, Hans Cacdac’s sleeves are already rolled up
The new Department of Migrant Workers secretary has decades of labor and migration policy work in his arsenal to tirelessly take on the job of serving OFWs, inspired no less by the memory of his father

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/ofw-son-dmw-chief-hans-cacdac-profile/

Morning 🗺️ overseas-filipinos channel!

INDONESIA WATCH: As of last night, no Filipinos have been reported hurt so far in the wake of the Mount Ibu's May 18 eruption in Indonesia's North Maluku province, according to the DMW.

Lawmaker, advocates raise existing OFW distress issues at Cacdac CA hearing
While not yet confirmed, Cacdac also receives a nod of approval from other lawmakers citing his decades-long government service helping overseas Filipino workers

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/nation/overseas-filipinos/hans-cacdac-commission-appointments-hearing-may-21-2024/

We got word that 5 Filipinos were on board this flight: https://www.rappler.com/world/asia-pacific/singapore-airlines-flight-severe-turbulence-may-21-2024/

All five were hurt, but everyone's stable! Three of the five were apparently a mom OFW, her husband, and their baby. https://www.rappler.com/nation/overseas-filipinos/injuries-singapore-airlines-emergency-landing-may-22-2024/

I've always thought Singapore Airlines is a good carrier - but I guess no carrier can be truly safe from turbulence! @Michelle Abad

Same! I know it's an industry leader. But I think we should have a look at Boeing planes – the plane here involved was Boeing, and so was that Alaska Airlines incident a few months ago where the door flew open 😰 https://www.rappler.com/business/boeing-ceo-admits-error-mid-air-blowout-can-never-happen-again/

https://www.rappler.com/world/us-canada/boeing-whistleblower-allegations-april-9-2024/
👀

Marcos reappoints Cacdac as DMW secretary
Malacañang says the reappointment of Hans Leo Cacdac as ad interim secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers demonstrates President Marcos’ 'continued trust and confidence in the official'

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/nation/overseas-filipinos/marcos-reappoints-cacdac-dmw-secretary-ca-defers-confirmation/

100 percent agree po kami, xia lang ang capable na humawak ng DMW with our experienced as migrant workers, PIN@Y CAREWORKERS TRANSNTIONAL from 8 countries is fully in support

At Home sa Abroad: US-based Filipina student speaks out vs war in Gaza
Rappler sits down with University of Pennsylvania sophomore Eliana Atienza about her journey into activism and why she thinks Filipinos should care about the war in Gaza

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/nation/overseas-filipinos/at-home-sa-abroad-episode-us-based-filipina-student-speaks-out-vs-war-gaza/

Happy Tuesday 🗺️ overseas-filipinos channel, and welcome @alicejjimenez and @ayaaa01 !

Welcome @Elise !

Department of Migrant Workers and DataFlow Group forge strategic partnership to revolutionize services for OFWs
PRESS RELEASE: This partnership marks a significant milestone in the digital transformation journey of both organizations, aimed at enhancing efficiency, transparency, security and delivering ease of services for OFWs

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/bulletin-board/department-migrant-workers-dataflow-group-partnership-services/

Hi 🗺️ overseas-filipinos channel! Just in case you don't have the time to listen to the interview with Eliana, sharing with you the text version of her story, from her political awakening, what her family thinks of her activism, and why she thinks Filipinos should stand in solidarity with Palestinians: https://www.rappler.com/philippines/overseas-filipinos/protesting-palestine-eliana-atienza-takes-inspiration-family/

The encampment style of protesting is a new thing I learned here – if I'm not mistaken, I don't think we have a lot of those in the Philippines. Eliana compares the encampment to a classroom because of the fostering of a deeper understanding of the issues. In contrast to protest marches where you just hear demands and messages and disperse later on, in days- or weeks-long encampments, you get to hang out with people affected by the issues, share food and stories, and listen to songs and poetry!

In protesting for Palestine, Eliana Atienza takes inspiration from family
Eliana, daughter of TV host Kim Atienza, who studies at the University of Pennsylvania, says she learned from her family to speak out for what’s right

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/overseas-filipinos/protesting-palestine-eliana-atienza-takes-inspiration-family/

Welcome to the channel, @boa and @Jericho !

[EDITORIAL] Meme of the month si Alice Guo, pero evil of the century ang POGOs
Slavery is evil. Human trafficking is evil.

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/voices/editorials/meme-month-alice-guo-evil-pogo/

Happy National Migrant Workers’ Day, 🗺️ overseas-filipinos channel! And welcome @AxisB and @AL !

Jam-packed celebration at the DMW today. It kicked off with the disbursement of financial assistance to some OFWs in the department’s P2.8-B AKSYON Fund. Senate Migrant Workers Committee Chair Raffy Tulfo is the guest of honor

nakakatuwa naman po ang mga nabigyan . sana po ay lahat mabigyan tulad po namin na nscam at iba papong hindi naka tanggap nang actions fund lalo po na na stressed po lahat nang umaasa at mabigyan nang actions fund mahirap po kasing lumapit sa mga ganyan i mean sa mas nakakataas gusto pa nilang nag mamakaawa ang tao bago mabigyan nang pera na kung tutuusin dapat naman talaga ay meron na makukuha lalo na kung emergency. sana manlang ay hindi na parahirapan tulad namin pag kuha nang pera lalo na kung qualified naman para sa action fund sa totoo lang bago ka maka kuha nang pera mas maraming gastos at requirements , gutom , pagod ang inaabot namin na hindi nila alam nang mga nakaupo sa DMW . sana tulad namin kahit small amount na nscam samin or sa iba sana ay pansinin. dahil wala naman may gusto o ginusto ang ma scam hindi nila alam nang pakiramdam na lubog ka sa utang at magsubok nang trabaho sa ibang bansa dahil maliit lang sahod sa pinas at mahirap mag apply kaya yung iba napapasubo sa mga recruitment. hindi naman sapat ang 600+ na sahod dahil kilo palang nang bigas ay sobrang mahal na at pamasahe ect. sana po may matulungan kami nang aking mga kasama. umaasa padin lalo ngayon na nanghihingi tulong ang aking kaybigan sa malaysia pero wala padin action.

Salamat po sa pagbabahagi maam @Heather 🌿 mukhang hindi talaga perfect yung pag distribute ng Aksyon Fund. Kahit meron pong mga event ng bigayan na ganto, meron at meron pa rin po talagang natetenggang request.

actually mam nung January papo kami nag pasa po nang requirements ang sabi po samin ni sir cacdac bago daw po mag mahal na araw ay papamigay napo pero wala pong nangyari puro pangako sempre po mam aasa po kami kasi nangako po siya eh.

In Case You Missed It: Did you know that Germany has introduced the Chancenkarte or Opportunity Card, a new residence permit allowing skilled workers to look for a job in Germany, either for recognized workers with degrees recognized in Germany or on a points-based system for workers with degrees not yet recognized?

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/bulletin-board/advisories/germany-opportunity-card-residence-permit-aspiring-job-seekers/

In Case You Missed It: Did you know that the Department of Migrant Workers and the Land Transportation Office in the Philippines announced an OFW Driver's License Renewal Program, allowing overseas Filipino workers to renew their driver's licenses online without having to go back to the Philippines to claim them?

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/overseas-filipinos/ofws-soon-able-renew-drivers-licenses-online/

Welcome to the channel, @lauro74 @Daniel S @Gwyne T. !

Thank u

A shady POGO rises fast, law enforcers scramble to pin it down
The Porac POGO gets licenses to operate up to Ilocos Norte, and engages a convicted PDAF scam player for 'government relations'

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/shady-pogo-porac-pampanga-rises-fast-law-enforcers-scramble-pin-down/

In August 2022, singer-songwriter Nica del Rosario and actress Justine Peña sealed their love in marriage in Australia. What are the challenges of living as a same-sex married couple in the Philippines, where such a union is not recognized by law?

Share your thoughts and questions for Nica and Justine here. Your messages may be read on-air during an episode of #AtHomeSaAbroad on Monday, June 17. @here

At least 3 OFWs hurt in Kuwait building fire
Three other OFWs are reported safe, while Philippine authorities are still determining the status of the remaining five affected by the building fire on June 12

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/overseas-filipinos/affected-kuwait-building-fire-june-12-2024/

Filipino-American chef Lord Maynard Llera wins James Beard ‘Best Chef’ award
Lord Llera accepts 2024's 'Best Chef in California' award for his Lucena-inspired restaurant Kuya Lord

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/food-drinks/lord-maynard-llera-best-chef-james-beard-foundation-award-2024/

DMW to revisit deployment rules after 1 Filipino reported missing in Houthi attack
DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac says the Filipino crew consented to work on the MV Tutor, which traversed the high-risk Red Sea area

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/overseas-filipinos/dmw-revisit-deployment-rules-mv-tutor-attack-houthi/

21 Filipino seafarers rescued from ship hit by Houthis – DMW
The search for one missing Filipino sailor will continue and there is a plan to start salvaging operations for the MV Tutor, says Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/overseas-filipinos/seafarers-rescued-red-sea-houthi-attack/

Hi @here ! Happy Pride 🌈 Curious about getting married abroad as a queer Filipino? This Ask Me Anything session is happening later during our LIVE episode of At Home sa Abroad, 2pm :)

Hello @here !! Rappler reporter @Michelle Abad speaks to singer-songwriter Nica del Rosario, and actress Justine Peña, who got married in Australia in August 2022, on getting married abroad as a same-sex couple, and how Filipinos navigate a marriage that is not recognized in the Philippines. Kung may mga questions at insights kayo that you would like to share with us, please join our convo today!

Watch here: https://www.rappler.com/philippines/overseas-filipinos/at-home-sa-abroad-episode-marriage-option-pinoy-lgbtq-couples/

Welcome welcome sa channel @Gab Vizcarra and @Viancé Redoblado !

Justine Peña shares the hit song "Tala" was written for her by Nica del Rosario, TIL 🥹

Hello, Nica and Justine! For those who are planning to get married abroad, how much should they budget kaya for expenses?

Salamat sa question @Christa ! For those na may questions or curious, please send us your thoughts here

Hello, Nica and Justine! What are your tips for similar same-sex couples that plan to get married abroad?

Thanks for the question Russ!

Hello, Nica and Justine! Was there a particular reason for choosing Australia for your wedding? Thank you! 🌸

Salamat sa mga nagtanong sa ating AMA! You can still share your thoughts here in case may mga gustong humabol, open naman ang ating channel :)))

At Home sa Abroad: Overseas marriage, an option for Pinoy LGBTQ+ couples
Rappler speaks to singer-songwriter Nica del Rosario and actress Justine Peña about their wedding in Australia and married life in the Philippines

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/overseas-filipinos/at-home-sa-abroad-episode-marriage-option-pinoy-lgbtq-couples/

Doctor from the barrio to the world
Filipino doctor Dante Salvador overcomes financial obstacles to pursue his passion for medicine and public health, in the Philippines and abroad

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/overseas-filipinos/dante-salvador-barrio-doctor-to-world/

OFWs attacked by Houthis held as long as they could for missing crew member
(1st UPDATE) MV Tutor captain Christian Domarique recalls thinking the unmanned surface vessel that struck their boat was a fishing craft with 'fishermen' onboard. It turns out those 'fishers' were actually dummies.

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/overseas-filipinos/ofws-attacked-houthis-held-out-longest-missing-crew-member/

MV Tutor sinks, but PH still holds onto hope missing seafarer survived
The DFA says it will 'fix' the conflicting reports with the United States, which claimed that the Filipino seafarer already died

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/overseas-filipinos/mv-tutor-missing-seafarer-status-houthi-attack-june-20-2024/

Good evening, 🗺️ overseas-filipinos channel! Just giving some updates tonight about the latest Philippine policy on its seafarers traversing high-risk areas like the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Things have shaken up recently since the incident with the MV Tutor and the more recent Houthi attack on MV Transworld Navigator, which also had an all-Filipino crew. Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt on the MV Transworld.

Kuwait to resume issuing visas to Filipinos
The Philippines will only deploy domestic workers to Kuwait if they have had prior overseas working experience

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/overseas-filipinos/kuwait-resume-issuing-visas-filipinos-june-2024/

POGO scam suspects try to flee PH, leaving ‘Chinese’ mayor behind
'This is the first time that members of the commission are getting death threats that are nerve-wracking and chilling,' says PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/pogo-scam-suspects-try-flee-alice-guo-left-behind/

In Case You Missed It: Did you know that Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo may face arrest by the Bureau of Immigration for violating immigration rules? Former justice secretary and senator Leila de Lima suggested that Guo could be detained for 'serious violations' of visa conditions, instead of waiting for criminal cases to be filed against her.

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/bamban-mayor-alice-guo-may-be-arrested-violating-immigration-rules-says-leila-de-lima/

In Case You Missed It: Did you know that Filipino nurse Keannu Arnoco is a grand finalist for the Mr. Gay Great Britain pageant, hoping to become the first Filipino to claim the title?

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/overseas-filipinos/nurse-keannu-arnoco-competing-mr-gay-great-britain/

Hello, 🗺️ overseas-filipinos channel from the DMW Data Summit! Dozens of members of the academe from local and international institutions are learning and sharing research about labor migration. I’m here for research, story ideas, and networking :)

This too, from Eric Fong of the University of Hong Kong in a 2023 study also on Filipino domestic workers in HK – apparently, daily communication with their families brings more burden rather than comfort! The reason the researchers found is because the workers don't want their families to know, and then worry, about their negative experiences. The families back home also don't fully understand their experiences, says Fong.

Welcome to the channel, @KiraSF and @Kim P !

[OPINION] What kind of citizens are we?
Faced with crimes such as human trafficking, kidnap for ransom, torture, money laundering associated with a number of POGOs, perhaps we should ask ourselves: what kind of citizens are we?

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/voices/rappler-blogs/opinion-what-kind-citizens-are-we/

Indian fugitive, linked to terrorist group, arrested in Bacolod
The Indian fugitive has a history of serious offenses such as murder, attempted murder, extortion, and robbery, and was also convicted of firearms violations in India

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/visayas/indian-fugitive-khalistan-group-arrested-bacolod/

Sweet success! Fil-Am-owned bakery KORA to open first store in Queens, New York
Instagram-famous for its viral Leche Flan donuts, the online bakery is owned by Filipino-American pastry chef Kimberly Camara and head of operations David Borja

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/food-drinks/kora-bakery-first-store-sunnyside-queens-new-york-filipino-donuts/

In Case You Missed It: Did you know that the Philippines is the only country in the world, apart from the Vatican, without divorce? The bill seeking to reinstate absolute divorce remains pending in Congress, with conservative and religious groups among the most vocal opposition to the bill.

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/marriage-problems-ofw-families-divorce-needed/

In Case You Missed It: Did you know that Paulene Canada, a church associate of fugitive preacher Apollo Quiboloy from the Davao-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ, was the first among six fugitives to be caught after being wanted for a human trafficking case in Pasig?

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/mindanao/paulene-canada-clan-cracks-apollo-quiboloy-kingdom-of-jesus-christ/

Historic debut: Budding national athletes, overseas Filipino students join Palaro
The two new Palarong Pambansa delegates are here to show the Philippine sports community what they're made of

Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/sports/palarong-pambansa/national-academy-sports-philippine-schools-overseas-debut-2024/

Hi @here ! FYI 📣 especially to new and departing OFWs. The Department of Migrant Workers reported a "ransomware attack" on DMW online systems, but assured workers that the databases containing OFW data were not affected by the attack.

Some processes are currently being implemented offline/through other means apart from the app:

1) OECs/OFW Pass - Can be secured at the DMW headquarters in Mandaluyong, regional offices and extensions, One-Stop Shops, and Migrant Workers Assistance Centers
2) Information sheets - Can be requested at infosheet@dmw.gov.ph or through Facebook messenger: https://web.facebook.com/dmw.gov.ph

The DMW is working with the Department of Information and Communications Technology to restore online systems and ensure continued protection of OFWs' data 💾