LIF Customs Administration Conducts Seminar/Workshop on Modern Customs Industry Updates

In pursuit of enhancing the students needs for information on the technical aspects concerning the latest updates on CHED curriculum as well as on the customs operations pertaining to documentations, procedures and practices in import-export and PRC trends regarding the customs brokers licensure examination; the college of customs administration conducted a two-day (2 days) seminar-workshops on Modern Customs Industry Updates with the following topics:

Day 1

Part I (Morning Session): Excise Tax Computations Techniques and Formulas under the NIRC

      - Overview of the practical computations
      - Excise tax computations for petroleum  products

      - Excise tax computations for metallic and non metallic minerals

      - Excise tax for distilled products, wines and fermented liquors

      - Excise tax computations for non essential goods

Part II (Afternoon Session): Motor Vehicles Computations

     - Guidelines for motor vehicles computations for brand new and used motor vehicles

     - Short cut formulas for motor vehicles computations

     - Conflict computations (BOC Vs. BIR computations)

     - Computations workshop on motor vehicles

Day 2

Part I (Morning Session): Principles of Modern Customs Administration

     - CHED Memorandum Order No. 11 – 2006

     - Trade enhancement initiatives

     - Trade present modern customs organizations

     - Presenting the future: the ASYCUDA world projects (e2m)

     - Open forum and consultation

Part II (Afternoon Session): Industry Trends and Development

     - E.O No. 200 – Computerized Licensure Examination

     - R.A 9280 and its IRR CAO 3 – 2006 A

     - Trends and syllabus in the Brokers’ examination

     - Passing the Board Exam: An Analysis

     - Open forum and consultation

The said seminar workshop was held on the 16^th – 17^th of January 2012 at the LIF AVR which was attended compulsorily by all bonafide LIF Customs Administration Students. The seminar/workshop was facilitated by the Llave Review and Training Center, Inc. in which resource speakers, materials, hand-outs and certificates of completion were provided by them. The seminar has Dr. Jesus G. Llorando, Llave Review Director, as resource speaker. The college dean, Mr. Abdullah R. Sirad gives the opening remarks while Mr. Jeffrey P. Manaytay, faculty, gives the closing remarks.

PROGRAMME

DAY – 1

Morning

7:30 – 8:00      -     Arrival of participants & Registration                  Secretariat

8:00 – 8:20      -     Opening Ceremony

Invocation                                                           Mr. Daud Khair Mandia

                                                                                Muslim Prayer

                                                                                Ms. Evan Jumalon

                                                                                Christian Prayer

Opening Remarks                                            Abdullah R. Sirad, MBM

                                                                                Dean, Customs Admin.

Inspirational Message                                    Romeo M. Daligdig, Ph.D.

                                                                                Director, Academic Affairs

8:20 – 8:30      -     Introduction of the Resource Speakers    Florentina M. Bolodo, MBM

                                                                                                Dean, Student Affairs

8:30 – 11:00    -     Seminar proper on Excise Tax Computations

                              Techniques and formulas                          JESUS G. LLORANDO, Ph.D.

                                                                                                Review Director

11:00 – 12:00  -     Open Forum/Workshop                            LLAVE Review & Training Center, Inc.

12:00 – 1:00    -     Lunch Break

Afternoon

1:00 – 1:30      -     Registration                                                          Secretariat

1:30 – 4:00      -     Seminar proper on Motor Vehicles

                              Computations                                            JESUS G. LLORANDO, Ph.D.

                                                                                                Review Director, LRTCI

4:00 – 5:00      -     Open Forum/Workshop

DAY – 2

Morning  

7:30 - 8:00       -     Arrival of participants & Registration                  Secretariat

8:00 – 8:10      -     Opening Ceremony

Invocation                                                           Mr. Daud Khair Mandia

                                                                                Muslim Prayer

                                                                                Ms. Evan Jumalon

                                                                                Christian Prayer

8:10 – 11:30    -     Seminar proper – Principles on

                              Modern Customs Administration             MARCELO N. BUCAL, JR. MBA

                                                                                                Marketing Executive

11:30 - 12:00   -     Open Forum                                                          LLAVE Review & Training Center, Inc.

12:00 – 1:00    -     Lunch Break

Afternoon

1:00 – 1:20      -     Registration                                                          Secretariat

1:20 – 4:00      -     Seminar proper on Industry Trends                      JESUS G. LLORANDO, Ph.D.

                              And developments                                                Review Director, LRTCI

                                                                                               

4:00 – 4:20      -     Presentation of Certificate of Appreciation

                              Assisted by:                                                           Abdullah R. Sirad, MBM

                                                                                                                            Dean

                                                                                                           Florentina M. Bolodo, MBM

                                                                                                                    Instructor/DSAS

                                                                                                           Mr. Jeffrey P. Manaytay

                                                                                                                          Instructor

4:20 – 4:30      -     Closing Remarks                                                   Mr. Jeffrey P. Manaytay

                                                                                                                          Instructor

4:30 – 5:00      -     Distribution of Certificates

Emcee: Mr. Abdul Raafi-Ali A. Arumpac

                            BSCA – 4

Senior Customs Administration Students Attended OJT Awareness Seminar/Workshop

The college of Customs Administration of the Lyceum of Iligan Foundation (LIF) conducted a Seminar Workshop on OJT Awareness for its Senior and Junior students on September 16, 2011 at the LIF Audio Visual Room.

The seminar workshop aimed to prepare the senior Customs Students for their upcoming OJT during the second semester of SY2011-2012. This also addresses concerns as to which company or institution they would like to apply for their OJT and to orient them as to the requirements and procedures that they would have to go through before and after their OJT. Mr. Jeffrey P. Manaytay, faculty, formally open the program.  

Topics to this seminar workshop include the following:

     Part – I

     - Resume’ and cover letter writing

     - Job interview tips

     - Job hunting strategies

     Part – II

     - Work ethics on OJT

     Part – III

     - OJT Policy

     - Responsibilities and functions of the OJT Coordinator/Instructor

     - Evaluation of the OJT program

     - Procedures need to follow in applying for an OJT program

     - Accomplishment of the different OJT reports

The event was organized through the leadership of Mr. Johnaid P. Marandang, President of the Customs Administration Student Council (CASC) and Mr. Boblex Al Basit Adap, President of the LIF-Philippine Society of Customs Students Association (LIF-PSCAS).

Distinguished lecturers were invited to present and discuss the identified topics. Ms. Dorcas M. Bandiala, CU JEEP Start Program Lead Teacher, talks on resume’ and cover letter writing, job interview tips and job hunting strategies while Ms. Maria Theresa A. Billones discussed on the work ethics. Ms. Dorcas let the participants to prepare (on the spot) a resume and cover letter and later subjected each participant to undergo an actual job interview. Each participant was evaluated during the interview using the college’s performance rating form. Ms. Billones also conducted workshop on work ethics.  

Meanwhile, the dean of the college of customs administration, Mr. Abdullah R. SIrad, talked about the various aspects of the OJT program of the college. He reiterated that the OJT program is a curriculum requirement and is a three hundred hours (300 Hrs.) program aimed at improving the practical skills set of students by immersing them in the actual work environment. Mr. Sirad emphasized that there are three (3) participants in the OJT program: the trainees and the OJT Supervisors (from the host company), and the College OJT Coordinator, and each one plays an important role in the successful implementation of the program.

Mr. Sirad likewise provided the students with useful information about the OJT Policy, the responsibilities and functions of the OJT Department, evaluation of the OJT program, and procedures that students need to follow in applying for an OJT program. He likewise explained what students need to accomplish in the different OJT reports, the different questionnaires used to get feedback on OJT, and the importance of the OJT training plan and schedule as well as the OJT logbook. He also discussed about health and safety issues during OJT.

A question and answer session followed the presentation of the three resource speakers. Ms. Frences Lorraine D. Gornez, Customs Administration faculty, formally closed the program.

LIF 14th Foundation Day

By: Abdullah R. Sirad


Students, faculty members, and staffs of the Lyceum of Iligan Foundation (LIF) on Friday observed the 14^th Foundation Day of the institution by organizing both curricular and non-curricular activities which dubbed the year’s theme “Lyceum at 14: Moving Onwards for Peace and Progress through Quality Learning”.

Ms. Florentina Bolodo, Dean of the Student Affairs and Services, believed that the LIF had a glorious past and is still to expect to soar even higher.
Below are the various activities conducted and its results:

Short Story Telling – English
1^st Place:          Engineering & Architecture Dep't.
2^nd Place:          Customs Administration Department (Abdul Raafi-Ali Arumpac)
3^rd Place:          Maritime Education Department

Short Story Telling – Filipino
1^st Place:          Customs Administration Department  (April Ariel Satorre)
2^nd Place:         Nursing Department
3^rd Place:          Midwifery Department

Choral Reading
1^st Place:          Engineering & Architecture Department
2^nd Place:          Customs Administration Department
3^rd Place:          Maritime Education Department

LIF Vision/Mission Melody Contest
1^st Place:          Engineering & Architecture Department
2^nd Place:          Customs Administration Department
3^rd Place:          Nursing Department 

Essay Writing Contest – English
1^st Place: Customs Administration Department  (Hanna Lorraine Manumbilao)         
2^nd Place:         Nursing Department
3^rd Place:          Midwifery Department
       
Essay Writing Contest – Filipino
1^st Place:          Engineering & Architecture Department
2^nd Place:         Midwifery Department
3^rd Place:          Nursing Department

On the Spot Poster making Contest

1^st Place:          Maritime Education Department     

2^nd Place:         Nursing Department

3^rd Place:          Engineering & Architecture Department

Battle of the Brains
1^st Place:          Nursing Department                 
2^nd Place:          Engineering & Architecture Department            
3^rd Place:          Maritime Education Department
4^th Place:          Customs Administration Department
5^th Place:          Midwifery Department

Hula-hoop Relay
1^st Place:          Engineering & Architecture Department
2^nd Place:          Maritime Education Department
3^rd Place:          Midwifery Department


Sack Race
1^st Place:          Customs Administration Department
2^nd Place:          Maritime Education Department
3^rd Place:          Engineering & Architecture Department

Mario went to Town
1^st Place:          Customs Administration Department
2^nd Place:          Maritime Education Department
3^rd Place:          Engineering & Architecture Department

Maria went to War
1^st Place:          Maritime Education Department
2^nd Place:          Engineering & Architecture Department
3^rd Place:          Customs Administration Department

Egg & Eggplant Race – Male
1^st Place:          Customs Administration Department
2^nd Place:          Midwifery Department
3^rd Place:          Maritime Education Department

Egg & Eggplant Race – Female
1^st Place:          Customs Administration Department
2^nd Place:          Midwifery Department
3^rd Place:          Maritime Education Department

CUSTOMS PREGNANT MOTHER CROWNED AS GANDANG BUNTIS 2011

By: Abdullah R. Sirad

Highlight of the recently concluded celebration for the Nutrition Month at the Lyceum of Iligan Foundation, Iligan City was the search for “Gandang Buntis 2011” with real preggy mother as contestants. The contest which portrayed the theme “Isulong ang Breastfeeding: Tama, Sapat at Eksklusibo” was held on July 29, 2011 at the LIF Assessment Office Lobby.  

The crowd were too eager of seeing how a preggy mother looks like as they will walk along the ramp. Yes, here they come... Audience shouts so loudly cheering for their pet as the four mothers walk in a catwalk with a big stomach to the improvised stage. The four pregnant women come out for introduction with their maternity wear. Seemingly conscious about their big belly, mothers still shows confidence as they pose with pride, showing their healthy stomachs and shout out loud for their names and the college they represent.

The second round was the talent showdown. Amazing! Audiences thought these preggy mothers would just recite a poem. Nope, preggy beauties did ala Mariah Carey song number, on-the-spot painting and astoundingly! One of them did a Hawaiian Dance where she had showed steps usually performed by non preggy woman. The questions and answers portion concluded the showdown. 

Luckily, Mrs. Maritess Jumalon, who represented the College of Customs Administration, impressed both the audiences and the judges as she ramp confidently, dance very well and answered questions substantially which finally made her the reigning “Gandang Buntis 2011” of the Lyceum of Iligan Foundation.

All preggy contestants were given unique and wonderful prizes. 

IFTAR

 By: Abdullah R. Sirad

IFTAR get-together celebration was held sometime in August 17, 2011. The Muslims Student Association (MSA) of the Lyceum of Iligan Foundation through its President Mr. Mustapha Ali sponsored a solemn and festive Iftar occasion which was attended by Fasting Muslim students. Non Muslim fellows were also welcomed to this Muslim religious practice. 

Iftar which refers to the evening meal when Muslims break their fast during the Islamic Month of Ramadan is believed to be rewarding. The Prophet (S) said: "Whoever gives someone something to break the fast with, he would hove The same blessings as the fasting person and this would not reduce the blessings of the fasting person in any way " [Ahmad and Tirmidhee].

May the Almighty ALLAH accept from us our good deeds. 

A Beautiful story about QURAN

Why do we read Quran, even if we can't understand a single Arabic word????

This is a beautiful story.

لماذا نقرأ القران, حتى لو لم نكن نفهم مفرداته العربية جيدا

An old American Muslim lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table
reading his Quran. His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could.

عجوز امركي مسلم يعيش في مزرعة في جبال شرق كنتاكي مع حفيده الصغير

في كل صباح الجد يستيقظ باكرا ويجلس على طاولة المطبخ ويقرأ القران.

حفيده الصغير كان يريد ان يصبح مثل جده لهذا كان يحاول تقليدة بكل طريقة ممكنة

One day the grandson asked, "Grandpa! I try to read the Quran just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Qur'an do?"

في أحد الايام سأل الحفيد جده قائلا (جدي! انا احاول ان اقرأ القران مثلك لكنني لم افهم كلماته,والذي افهمه انساه وسرعان ما اغلق الكتاب.ما هي الفائده المرجاة من قراءة القران.

The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water.

الجد بهدوء وضع الفحم في المدفئة واجاب (خذ سلة الفحم الى النهر وأملئها بالماء)

The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, "You'll have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead.

قام الولد بعمل ما طلبه منه جده,لكن كل الماء تسرب من السلة قبل ان يصل عائدا الى المنزل.ضحك الجد وقال(يجب عليك ان تكون اسرع في المرة القادمة)ثم بعثه مرة اخرى الى النهر مع السلة ليحاول مرة اخرى.في هذه المرة ركض الولد بشكل اسرع,ولكن مرة اخرى السلة فرغت قبل وصوله المنزل.كان يتنفس لاهثا.واخبر جده انه من المستحيل ان احمل الماء بهذه السلة,وذهب ليحضر دلواً بدلا من السلة.

The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You're just again not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try in.

الرجل العجوز قال (انا لا اريد دلوا من الماء,بل اريد سلة من الماء.انت فقط لم تحاول بجهد كاف) ثم خرج ليشاهد الولد يحاول مرة اخرى

At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house. The boy again dipped the basket into river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, "See Grandpa, it's useless!"

"So you think it is useless?" The old man said, "Look at the basket."

في هذه الاثناء.ادرك الولد انها مهمة مستحيلة,لكنه اراد ان يثبت لجده انه حتى لو ركض بأسرع ما يستطيع ,الماء سوف يتسرب قبل ان يصل عائدا الى المنزل .فقام الولد رمى بالسلة في النهر وركض بسرعة وبجهد.ولكنه عندما وصل الى البيت وجد ان السلة فارغة مرة ثالثة.

فقال وهو يلهث, انظر جدي ........انها غير مجدية

اذن انت تظن انها غير مجدية.؟ أجاب الجد

انظر الى السلة

The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was now clean, inside and out.

نظر الولد الى السلة وللمرة الاولى ادرك ان السلة مختلفة.كانت سلة متسخة تنقل الفحم القديم والان اصبحت نظيفة من الداخل والخارج.

Son, that's what happens when you read the Qur'an . You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be changed, inside and out when you read time by time . That is the work of Allah in our lives...."

بني أجابه الجد : هذا ما يحصل عندما تقرأ القران.من الممكن أن لا تفهم شيئا او تتذكر اي شيء ولكن عندما تقرأه مره بعد مره بعد مره .سوف تتغير داخليا وخارجيا.هذا عمل الله في حياتنا .

If you feel this email is worth reading, please forward to your contacts/friends. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh & his family) says: *"The one who guides to good will be rewarded equally"

اذا كنت ترى ان هذه الرسالة تستحق القراءة,ارسلها مرة اخرى لجميع اصدقائك.

قال الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم "من دعى الى هدى فله اجره واجر من عمل به الى يوم القيامة لا تنقص من اجورهم شيئا"
--
{وَلْتَكُن مِّنكُمْ أُمَّةٌ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى الْخَيْرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَأُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ }آل عمران104

{رَبَّنَا لاَ تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْوَهَّابُ }آل عمران8

RAMADAN - CHARACTER BUILDING

By: Abdullah R. Sirad


“Its general cleaning because Ramadan is coming!” Pinky shared at her Facebook’s wall. Pinky believed that our intention of keeping surrounding clean in welcoming the Holy month of Ramadan also cleanses our souls from sins as simple reward from the Almighty. Somehow, Pinky’s statement reflected Maranaos tradition of welcoming the Holy month. Among Maranaos, Ramadan is very significant for it unites family and relatives, it opens the once closed relationship due to misunderstanding and disputes the fact that Ramadan commands forgiveness, and above all it is the best month in which Allah bestowed His mercy to all fasting Muslims, hear those who sincerely repent and saved every fasting Muslim from the hell fire.

What is then a Ramadan means? The month of Ramadan is that in which the Quran was revealed, a guidance to men and clear proofs of the guidance and the distinction”- Holy Qur’an 2:185

It is the month in which every able Muslim is compulsorily obliged to practice fasting – an abstinence from eating, drinking, and sexual activity from dawn until dusk. The Holy Quran states: “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, so that you may develop Taqwa (self-restraint)” [2:183]

I am not well learned of the religious explanation of the benefits one can earn from fasting in the Holy Month of Ramadan but by reading some related literatures I found out that fasting in the month of Ramadan is an opportunity for self-character building.

The fact that we are refraining from what we usually do during day times because of Love and Fear to God motivates us of virtuous conduct and train us to keep away from evil actions. It leads us to be God-fearing person for we would be spending most of our times remembering the greatness of God through submissiveness and obedience. By considering the significance of worship, we gradually recalling and evaluating the extent of deeds or services we had offered to Him as well as to our fellow creations. This inculcates us of our accountability to the would-be life in the hereafter.

Through the hardship we would be experiencing during fasting like thirst and hunger and of sacrificing in avoiding from accessing to our usual habits like Facebook activity, we are developing the spirit of Patience within us. It help develop contentment of what we have for we would be putting our trust to God’s will instead of feeling despair, hopelessness, sobbing and complaining.

The effort of voluntarily depriving ourselves from worldly pleasure, desire, and enjoyment when we are fasting means training ourselves of Self-control and self-discipline. I would admit it’s not easy to control our temper or to reconcile with someone else but because Ramadan requires it for our fasting to be credited, we have to practice it. Likewise, leveling our life standard with less fortunate people such as refraining from our pleasure of seeking expensive and delicious foods or simply avoiding from watching shows on TV as it is forbidden during fasting is a means of inclining and boasting our self-discipline.

Keeping our body in a state of ablution and refraining ourselves from unpleasant or unnecessary talks like backbiting, criticism, teasing, and bullying keeps our souls purified. Turning our usual habits into a habit of daily Zikr – remembrance of God’s greatness leads us to purity in which, if maintained, would guide us to take our walks of life away from the influence of Satan, the devil.

Fasting also develops social responsibility. It is in which fasting individual feels what the poor and hungry people are experiencing thus it allows us to understand the need to care and be concern to them, being a less privileged people in the society. Charity and donations, refraining from wasting of foods and drinks are added lessons that we would learn from fasting.

Above all, by fasting a person keeps away himself from the pleasures of life, with no preventive or hindering factor, except that of obeying God and showing genuine devotion to His commands. This teaches us to become 'Conscious of God' in our daily living.

Tomorrow, 11th of August shall mark our first day of fasting in this Holy month of Ramadan. I am wishing, especially to myself, that these characters brought about by Ramadan will be maintained and be actualized not only for this holy month but throughout our life on earth.

Ramadan Kareem to all Muslims in the world. Mabuhay!

FIRST STEP

By: Abdullah R. Sirad

Taking the first step is perhaps one of the hardest actions that we may be doing be it a business transactions or personal relationships. In several cases, one would tend to wait for the other to make the first move. Different motivations may lies behind like fear of failure in meeting investors to a new business or being disregarded, unrequited, blamed, and or insulted in reconciling relationship with someone else. Pride and ego could be the roots of these which suppress someone to make the first move especially in terms of reconciliation.

Saying “hello, I’ll be willing to meet you over café for our business proposal” or “sorry, I guess I did a mistake” is a statement one would hesitate to pronounce. In business it might not be that difficult to do for as long as you are ready to accept whatever your discussions may lead but for personal relationship, it matters a lot because people involved are afraid of what people would think of them.

In a friendship for example. When misunderstanding wrecked their relationship, none of them would be willing to make the first move to reconcile. Both of them would wait who will do the first hint for settlement but the worse is, the gap between them gets harsh as it takes more time especially when chitchats from other people amplified the issues. Such situation leads into complexity thereby making it very difficult for the people involved to respond positively in resolving the misunderstanding between them.

I have common friends who had fought due to misunderstanding. They were discussing on the whereabouts of their monetary contribution but due to severe argumentation they were not able to control their temper until they spanked one another. Though their long time friendship allowed themselves to stay together in one house, both of them were hesitant to make the first step of saying sorry. They exist as if they don’t see one another. When they were asked separately, they reasoned that if they make the first move it would mean that they were the one at fault thus don’t want to be ostracized by other friends. It was a simple problem. But fear of being blamed drives both of them not to make the first step in their reconciliation.

Another friend confessed that he had made a foolish courtship. He had let someone else to be “addicted to his bitter coffee” but when bedlam surprised his way out, he couldn’t be verbose as he is of admitting the real score. He believed that the best step he could do to patch out things is by being quiet for some days but he was mistaken for it caused anguish and worries to his special one. His great mistake was of not accepting the real scenario behind as the very first step and then explains later. Fear of making the first move to break the ice had somehow stained his personality.

Taking the first step of patching up problems is very important in a relationship. It prevents relationship from totally getting smashed up. It really does not matter whether you are at fault or not, who might not approve or who might criticize, and of what might it leads – failure or success for as long as you did the first step because at the end, it would sets you free from guilt.

Just as “Brian Tracy” quoted it as “The act of taking the first step is what separates the winners from the losers”.

OFW HOUSEMATES

By: Abdullah R. Sirad


“I could have thrown up my hands and said, I am quitting! But I didn't”.

That was how my friend confessed to me when one time we were talking about homesickness. It was his first time to work away from home and at his fifth month in the company, he had encountered difficulty in adjusting to his colleagues and to the work environment. Much to longing family at home is the adversity he had facing toward his colleagues specifically to his housemates. Behavioral differences annoyed him in most of the time.

Although most of the OFWs have the freewill to choose whether they will stay with the company’s provided accommodation or to rent an apartment for their privacy, most of them chose to live with the company’s accommodation for the reason that it helps them reduce cost. But sometime, when the provided accommodation is very far from the work site or the accommodation itself is very uncomfortable, OFWs gambled to rent an apartment near to the work site. The problem is, most company doesn’t reimburse for the house rent. To save from rent cost, OFWs group themselves with at least 8 members, good enough to occupy two master bedrooms with two bath tubs/toilet and a spacious kitchen. Choosing to live privately requires more patients to challenges considering that individual differences usually ignite clashes among them.

Living with colleagues in one accommodation is truly a headache. We had seen clashes of people living together at Big Brother’s House but it’s greatly different from what I am referring – the OFW Housemates. In Big Brother House, there’s a rules followed and Kuya is there to moderate any clashes among housemates. Guidance counseling is also there available to help housemates who are in behavioral distress. But to OFWs, they don’t have rules to follow (most of the group members don’t follow to agreed particular rules) and no one is there to moderate clashes or to counsel housemates facing emotional crisis.

Being merged with different people always creates problems. You cannot really expect that your housemates would respect your principles or even your privacy. Because of individual differences, conflicts are always expected to arise. Criticism or shall I say destructive criticism is a prevalent causes of misunderstanding among housemates. Like when someone from the group talks about and aggravate the shortcomings of others. Or when someone is criticized of his being inconsiderate of loudly listening to music or when someone invited his friends and chitchat overnight disturbing others from sleeping. He may not intend to hurt or disturb other people but since the issue is a bit aggravated, it then caused misapprehension. Teasing is also very common among housemates. Since there’s no other way of diverting boredoms, unlike in Philippine where you can hang up with both male and female friends after office hour, housemates would tend to tease to enlighten themselves from stress. However, teasing sometimes becomes hurtful like when it delves on a personal or private life already while other seems to seriously rides on it until fights ignited. Bullying is another inevitable cause of conflict among housemates. There are those who are dominant in nature and whose principles always want to be respected or followed. They seem to impose what they want to happen without considering others’ opinion. Such makes others’ feel being discriminated which eventually leads into resentment. Unfair anger also wrecks relationship among housemates. Others are very emotionally sensitive in which they cannot control their temper whenever an argumentation arise. An example is when others from the housemates questioned the whereabouts or breakdowns of the budget. They would confront straightforwardly of how it was spent up to the single centavo. Usually it outraged people involved and resulted to a physical hostility especially when the accused cannot argue.

How do OFW Housemates survive in their dreadful relationship?

Worst as it is, they have no choice but to live with the situation. Bearing this kind of bitter relationship is indispensable to succeed in their mission abroad. They have to focus on doing what lies behind expecting that it may lead them to the next step and eventually to find themselves of where they want to be in spite of frequent communication gaps that overshadows their relationships.

This is because they cannot dictate one another to observe consideration and to listen with others grievances. They have to live practically, accepting the fact that the “strongest survives”. Otherwise, they have to voluntarily evict themselves from the house.

I or WE?

By: Abdullah Ramos Sirad

When it comes to sharing of experiences, I truly pay attention to the one I am sharing with and take inculcation of every details being disclosed. Most of the time, I used to listen than to compete in bragging of disclosing experiences unless I am asked to elaborate on my experiences to the topic we’re discussing. I am a sort of a secretive person in which I hate delving on too personal experiences especially when such experience involved sensitive issue to other people.

One time, I was with a friend named Ali Ramos Pacasum and we were sharing experiences about work. I was a bit intrigued when he asked me of the difference between “I” and “we”. I thought he was only kidding so I differentiated the two pronouns based on what I learned in my English subject way back in school. He guffawed loudly and he said he is serious of his enquiry. Come to think about it in the work place, he told me. I had worked with Filipinos, Pakistanis, Indians, Moroccan, Lebanese in which this “I” and “we” pronouns are very annoying, he added. I guess you are insinuating something deeper about it, I replied. He nodded his head and then starts expounding on his statement.

I been working for more than 10 years in KSA as safety officer, he said. I had worked with different nationalities in different companies and one of the common experiences I had encountered is the distinction between “I” and “We” in the work field. I had several misunderstanding with my colleagues because as a team we were working altogether but our output is being claimed by one person, he further said. There’s came a point that I used to confront our superior when one time, at our presence, he bragged to the Project Manager by saying “you know Sir, I did all of these and those…and because I … so and so…”. The way he swanked strikes my ears because I know that he was a bit implying of discrediting our concerted effort in which he seems to say that if without him, our department cannot come up to that level of achievement, he added.

Hearing his history, I told him it’s really a common behavior in all work settings. Employees of unstable status feared of being kicked out and as defense, they have to look for a mechanism that would at least help them to be recognized. Obviously, these “I centered” employees would rather tend to be selfish knowing that in this way they would earn trust from their superior than being realistic and yet with fear of losing a work at any time. For them, the more important are the day-to-day opportunities in the course of relationship between them and the superior. Thus it is very difficult for them to say “we” when reporting achievements to the superior. At the expense of others, they are trying to take the merit themselves for their personal recognition even if it means hurting or jeopardizing colleagues.

And how do they live from being “I” centered? Saying "I did them” when in reality it was "done by someone else” and saying "they did it when mistakes were committed." By claiming only what is beneficial and not accepting failure is actually compromising the truth and as consequence, it cause suffering in the work relationship. Such behavior may not intentionally to destruct their colleagues or they may only be thinking of keeping their work or position. But whatever it is that they are intending of, it is still “I centeredness” or selfishness that is ruling them.

...THEY REJOICED OF HURTING OUR FEELING!

By: Abdullah R. Sirad


If I have to make a Pig or a fucking monster caricature of Jesus or to some of his Apostles, would Christian worlds applaud me of this masterpiece? If I have to insist that I did it as an Art expression, would I be appreciated? If I keep insisting that it’s my right of “freedom of speech”, would I be excused? Ok, let’s take it this way. If I did it as revenge to some bad Christians, would the good ones ignore it? Definitely their answer would be “You are a Terrorist!”

I am not generalizing Christians because I believe that not all of them hate Muslims. In fact, I grew up in a Christian community in which most of my friends are Christians. I am only addressing the situation with regard to "Everybody Draw Mohammed Day" movement over a page in Facebook and to other sites like www.mohammadture.com in which members of growing numbers are posting blasphemous depictions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

It is very heartrending of seeing various unpleasant depictions and of reading malevolent descriptions against Muslims in general. The first time I received an emailing protest against the show “South Park 201” who had first depicted the Prophet (PBUH) to one of their comedy segments and to the well known social network Facebook which allows page to mock the Prophet (PBUH), I thought it was all about green marketing. Out of curiosity, I tried to search on the net and was offensively surprised of what I had seen and read. Yes, Christians of mostly westerners mockingly depicted the Prophet in different forms. I wasn’t able to manage myself and shouted “Lanatullah!” (God Curse them!).

I cannot imagine why nonmuslim westerners afford to post those depictions when they do not have proof that the Prophet is of something to any of those caricatures. Though Molly Norris, the perpetrator of the first facebook page that calls for every Cartoon enthusiast to post their extreme repulsive depictions of the Prophet (PBUH) claimed that it was all about “rights” and not meant to disrespect Islam, the caricatures and text messages posted in several sites clearly expressed disrespect and discrimination among Muslims.

It is very enraging that when Muslims are put in a blasphemy, authority doesn’t spare some time to act on it. They keep their people to rejoice of hurting Muslims feeling. However, when revenge is acted by few Muslims, all Muslims are blamed and tagged as the bad of all people. Where is the universal justice as they are calling? Is it accorded to nonmuslims only?

A Muslim fellow named Saad Mustafa Warraich of Karachi – Pakistan created Adolf Hitler page over Facebook as counter action to Everybody Draw Muhammad page in the same social network but both his Facebook account and the page he had created were deactivated by the facebook management justifying that his page had actually violated the Facebook Statement of Rights and Responsibilities. Facebook reply to Mr. Saad is read as this:

We do not tolerate hate speech. Targeting people based on their race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or disease is a serious violation of our standards and has resulted in the permanent loss of your account. We will not be able to reactivate your account for any reason. This decision is final.

Now see how the facebook management replied to the request of Muslim community toward deactivation of "Everybody Draw Mohammed Day" page in their network:

“We strongly believe that Facebook users have the freedom to express their opinions, and we don’t typically take down content, groups or pages that speak out against countries, religions, political entities, or ideas.”

Contradiction of the statements given by the Facebook management is a clear proof that Muslims are subject to their so called standard while nonmuslims are not covered by it though how blasphemous they would write or draw about Muslims.
It’s a total unfair treatment and personally, I am condemning it to the highest degree. If they couldn’t walk the teaching of their idol god, then they have to be at least professional of dealing things. The way they had depicted and described the Prophet (PBUH) is actually an exact definition of (nonmuslim westerners) their own identity.

I wrote this article out of my religious obligations that as Muslim, I would be asked during the judgment day of what I have done when the Prophet (PBUH) was being mocked. At least, I did my little part through this article. To all Muslims out there, let’s unite in prayer that ALLAH (SWT) will enlighten nonbelievers’ mind and heart; that they would realize that they were wronged of their depictions toward the Prophet (PBUH).

VILIFICATION IN ELECTION

By: Abdullah R. Sirad


Do you ever hear these statements from candidates at the national television towards their rivals in the politics?

"Don’t vote for mentally ill candidate…!"

"Don’t be fool by babaeros…!"

"Don’t vote for anomalous candidate… (road scandal and land conversion)!"

These are just few of the different types of mudslinging among competing candidates that created more conflict and caused tension among followers and supporters. Such mocking rebuttal rapidly spread throughout the campaign period and distract many from selecting who among the candidates has credibility.

Vilification and not verification deftly describe this current trend of campaigning. Every party keeps on looking blot against rivals whether such taken information is authentic or fabricated. When a single flaw is seen, heard or observed from some members in a certain party, rival would instantly exaggerate it over media to denigrate other and gain fame out of it regardless of its authenticity. Supposedly it’s not fair to generalize a certain party just because of the flaws and lapse in management of some individual within it. Every party, as I believe, holds on to their reputation and morale for their better direction to serve the people at their best. No one is perfect as we know it. Mistake is inevitable but it doesn’t mean that the fault of some will reflect the image of the party as a whole. But this is the trend in our political arena. Fault of one is fault of all. The more you refute other, the famous you would become. The better you fabricate information, the more intellectual you would be called.

Why demeaning one another served as usual practice among competing candidates to advance from the others? Do they understand that the whole world is observing them? Is this the image they want to project and be called of? Honestly, I was embarrassed when one time I was bragging to my Indian officemate that we Filipinos (in the office) does not backbite and drag down one another just for one’s own interest. He just looked at me with a smile and replied “are you watching TFC or reading news paper about your country?” your leaders are throwing mud to one another!. Though I was able to justify such scenario, I was deeply shame and told myself that this is really how the image of the country was brought for. Candidates are too verbose of refuting one another but in action, they did not prove anything but to aggravate the ridiculous status of the country.

In just few days from now, we are going to vote for leaders whom we believe can help the country to recover (if not advance) morally, spiritually and economically. But how ready we are for this very important decision we are going to undertake once again? How sure we are that mudslinging, vote-buying, and hello Garci tactics will not impair our hope to elect leaders whom we consider credible and trustful? Or are there credible and trustful leader among the candidates? Can we trust this first ever automated election in the country?

I am not sure of anything from now. The PCOS trial poll didn’t give the exact result of the votes which connote that cheating is still possible. Revealing stinks from each candidate worsen as May 10 is getting closer. It’s truly difficult to trust anyone at this time. The very frustrating result of the 2004 national election still reminded everybody that people in “super power” can possibly twist the result of this (2010) election and the same leaders as of present will continue to lead the country. In my case, I am still doubtful of whom am I going to give my vote. I had once casted my vote to the late Senator Raul Roco and to all his party members in 2004 election because I believed that of all his rivals, he and his members have the credibility and capability to lead the country. But like many, I was dismayed that GMA’s magic worked in distorting the real result of the election. This is what I am worrying for. My history teacher had once told us that history repeats itself. Will such history repeats at this year’s election? May God have mercy on us!

PATH TO (HAPPINESS) PARADISE

By: Abdullah R. Sirad


We must admit that it takes time to recuperate from frustrations. Most of us usually submerged to the bedlam of our own challenges in life. Sometime, we are being unfair to our selves the way we deal with our problems. Perhaps, when we are in a severe pain we presume that we’re a loser and would be a loser no matter how we tried thus we can’t comprehend the reasons why such event happened to us though we feel all the pains it caused. I guess that’s the consequence when we failed to see the other side of the coin. We forget to consider that there are some odd events in our life which can help us grow and there are some good events which brings us to bad luck instead. When we are at pain, all we have in mind are those aches until we tend not to trust people, loss our self esteem, become hopeless and probably revengeful.

I know that convalescing from chaos does not happen overnight. We need time to patch it up. We need attentions and probably counseling from those people who loves us unconditionally like our parents, siblings, and friends. Most of all, we need to understand our relationship with GOD.

I had received a very interesting story (which I want to share to all my friends as well) about an old woman who was about to commit suicide due to severe heart ache after her husband died and a little boy who at his young age is committed to his ultimate purpose on earth of conveying God’s message. The story was shared to me through email but unfortunately the author’s name was not written in it. Read the short story and learn the message it brings.
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Every Friday afternoon, after the Juma’a prayers, the Imam and his eleven years old son would go out into their town and hand out “Path to Paradise” and other Islamic literature.

This particular and fortunate Friday afternoon, as the time came for the Imam and his Son to go out to the streets with their booklets, it was very cold outside, as well as pouring rain. The boy bundle up in his warmest and driest clothes and said, “Ok, Dad, I’m ready!”

His Dad asked, ‘ready for what? It’s time we go out and distribute these Islamic books, the Son replied. Dad responds, ‘Son, it’s very cold outside and it’s pouring rain.’

The boy gives his Dad a surprised look, asking, ‘But Dad, aren’t people still going to hell, even though it’s raining?’ Dad answers, ‘Son, I am not going out in this weather.’

Despondently, the boy asks, ‘Dad, can I go please?’ His father hesitated for the moment then said, ‘Son, you can go. Here are the booklets. Be careful son.’ Thanks Dad!’

And with that, he was off and out into the rain. This eleven year old boy walked the streets of the town going door to door and handing everybody he met in the street a pamphlet or a booklet.

After two hours of walking in the rain, he was soaking, bone-chilled wet and down to his VERY LAST BOOKLET. He stopped on a corner and looked for someone to hand a booklet to, but the streets were totally deserted.

Then he turned toward the first home he saw and started up the sidewalk to the front door and rang the door bell. He rang the bell, but nobody answered… He rang it again and again, but still no one answered. He waited but still no answer.

Finally, he turned the leave, but something stopped him. Again, he turned to the door and rang the bell and knocked loudly on the door with his fist. He waited, something holding him there on the front porch! He rang again and this time the door slowly opened.

Standing in the doorway was a very sad-looking elderly lady. She softly asked, ‘What can I do for you, son?’ with radiant eyes and a smile that lit up his world, this little boy said, ‘Ma’am, I’m sorry if I disturbed you, but I just want to tell you that ALLAH REALLY LOVES AND CARES FOR YOU and I came to give you my very last booklet which will tell you all about God, the real purpose of creation, and how to achieve His pleasure.’

With that, he handed her his last booklet and turned to leave. She called to him as he departed. ‘Thank you, son! And God bless you!.

Next week on Friday afternoon after Juma’a prayers, the Imam was giving some lectures. As he conclude the lectures, he asked, ‘Does anybody have questions or want to say anything?’ Slowly, in the back row among the ladies, an elderly lady’s voice was heard over the speaker.

‘No one in this gathering knows me. I’ve never been here before. You see, before last Friday I was not a Muslim, and thought I could be. My husband died last few years ago, leaving me totally alone in this world. Last Friday, being a particularly cold and rainy day, I was contemplating suicide as I had no hope left.

So I took a rope and a chair and ascended the stairway into the attic of my home. I fastened the rope securely to a rafter in the roof then stood on the chair and fastened the other end of the rope around my neck. Standing on that chair, so lonely and broken-hearted I was about to leaf off, when suddenly the loud ringing of my doorbell downstairs startled me. I thought, I’ll wait a minute, and whoever it is will go away.

I waited and waited, but the ringing doorbell seemed to get louder and more insistent, and then the person ringing also started knocking loudly…

I thought to myself again, ‘Who on earth could this be? Nobody ever rings my bell or comes to see me. ‘I loosened the rope from my neck and started for the front door, all the while the bell rang louder and louder. When I opened the door and looked I could hardly believe my eyes, for there on my front porch was the most radiant and angelic little boy I had ever seen in my life. His SMILE, oh, I could never describe it to you! The words that came from his mouth caused my heart that had long been dead TO LEAP TO LIFE as he exclaimed with a cherub-like voice, ‘Ma’am, I just came to tell you that ALLAH REALLY LOVES YOU AND CARES FOR YOU!’

Then he gave me this booklet, Path to Paradise that I now hold in my hand. As the little angel disappeared back out into the cold and rain, I closed my door and read slowly every word of this book. Then I went up to my attic to get my rope and chair. I wouldn’t need them anymore.

You see? I am now a Happy Vicegerent of the One True God. Since the address of your congregation was stamped on the back of this booklet, I have come here to personally say THANK YOU to God’s little angel who came just in the nick of time and by so doing, spared my soul from an eternity in hell.’

There was not a dry eye in the Mosque. The shouts of Takbir ‘ALLAHO AKBAR’ rented the air. Imam-Dad descended from the pulpit to the front row where the little angel was seated… He took his son in his arms and sobbed uncontrollably. Probably no Jama’at has had a more glorious moment, and probably this Universe has never seen a father that was more filled with love and honor for his son… except for One. This very one…

Blessed are your eyes for reading this message.

Don’t let this message die, read it again and pass it to others. Heaven is for His people! Remember, God’s message CAN make the difference in the life of someone close to you.



Q 5:3: This day I’ve perfected your religion for you, and completed my favor on you, and chose Islam for you as your religion.

EXPERIENCES ARE LIFE’s CONSTANT TEST

By: Abdullah R. Sirad


I had read a quotable quote of Anthony Robbins from Patric Chan’s Your Ultimate Inspirational Guide book which says: “It's not the events of our lives that shape us, but our beliefs as to what those events mean”.

I then pondered deeply on the message of the quote and tried to evaluate myself against those events or experiences I had undergone. I realized that in some way, I was able to grasp the meaning of those events because I wasn’t able to be carried away by my previous dark experiences in life. We may believe that experience is our best teacher. But it won’t help us grow unless we come to realize and interpret the meaning of those events and take them as inspiration in struggling to reach our quest in life.

I remember when I was a freshman college student when at the middle of the second semester; my mother pulled me out in the University and told me that I cannot go back to school anymore due to feudal (Redo as we termed it) problem that our family had once involved. I felt as if that was a total havoc on my future the fact that I thought I would be like my childhood relatives who grown up with revenge motivation on their mind. It was after a year that my mother thought it’s already safe for me to go away from home and continue my study but I was a bit frustrated already. I know I couldn’t be qualified anymore to our University’s academic and extracurricular scholarship grants and that I’m a year behind to my batch. I was blaming it all to the feud tragedy that stricken our family.

With my mother and some friends’ counseling, I was able to realize that such tragedy was allowed by ALLAH (God) to touch our lives because He wants something for us. Through such tumultuous event that I was able to be strong enough to face the challenges of paddling my own canoe to combat with life’s constant tests. It may be hurtful to see some of my relatives defending our clan from the feud we were involved but on other hand, I thought it wouldn’t be fair if I will regret to my professional quest for after all it would benefit the entire family.

If I was convinced that such life smashing event brings us to dark side of life no matter how we tried considering that feud in our culture is timeless, I wouldn’t be as I am right now.I would have been in the far flung places in the mountains carrying rifle all the times. Thanks to God that he let me think that indeed, problem couldn’t be solved by another problem.

Same story was shared by my colleague – Aleem Abubakar Sharief. He wasn’t able to finish his secondary study due to financial constraints but when he grown and turned responsible as Fadre de Familia, he realized to at least finish his Arabic study and so he succeeded in it. He said he was thankful enough that his frustrations when he was a young man served as his inspiration because he truly understood that God wants him to be a preacher.

We see, our life on earth is full of challenges. God allows these challenges to interfere in our living because God wants to test our level of patients and commitment to overcome terrific problems. Right now, we are facing our individual struggles and in every step, it coupled with different challenges be it good or odd. OFWs cynical moment is another example of it. There are times we received good news from our loved ones in the country like when they let us know that they are bouncing for happiness for the money we had sent or in contrast, we learned that the money we sent was spent irresponsibly thus we feel devastated. Now, if we failed to understand the reasons behind such event, we would probably take wrong decisions like we will keep our loved ones to be dependent or we might keep grudge against them for their irresponsibility.

In our office setting, especially when we are working with different nationalities with different kind of behaviors, we usually encounter event that we cannot ingest like when we were reproached of something we are not responsible of or when we are a victim of blame passing. This event usually makes some people to decide quitting and end their career pointless. But for some who take such event meaningful in their quest, it serves them to be strong and more committed to their work. These are those people who likely to succeed in their battle.

You see, it's never the environment; it's never the events of our lives, but the meaning we attach to the events -- how we interpret them -- that shapes who we are today and who we'll become tomorrow (as Anthony Robbins further quoted).

I have eventful happenings in my life. You have yours too. But it shouldn’t stop us in our journey to reach the point of our aimed destiny. Rest if we must but don’t quit because experiences are just life’s constant test.