Monday, December 21, 2015

Prayer of Migrants in the Year of Mercy by Father Graziano Battistella




Prayer of Migrants in the Year of Mercy
by Father Graziano Battistella
Director Scalabrini Migration Center


We left our house with tears,
we wanted to stay home.
In our mind and heart the fears
of being apart and alone.
For all the years away,
dear children, spouse and friends,
your mercy we beg and pray.

We traveled far and wide,
we reached new towns and posts.
We took our task in stride,
we worked harder than most.
For all the abuse and pain,
recruiters and employers,
God’s mercy may you attain.

We shared our songs and stories,
new tunes and words we learned.
Sometimes majestic harmonies,
sometimes nonsense unheard.
For all discords and wrath, 
dear neighbors and us all,
full mercy may we get.

We took airplanes and boats
and often went on foot,
escaping war and want
to cross your gates and routes.
For all the doors left shut,
rich countries in your might, 
plea mercy or you will rot.
We endured long solitudes
for children and loved ones.
Forgot their face and gratitude
to God who blessed our love.
The sad betrays and cheats
of which we all are guilty
with mercy may God treat.

In foreign distant lands
through mercy we endured.
Offenses not so grand
with mercy we obscured.
Our sins we now surrender
to God of mercy and love.
To him be glory and splendor.
Amen.

December 18, 2015
International Migrants Day
Month of Overseas Filipinos



Friday, December 18, 2015

Migrants' Stories, Migrants' Voices Volume 5 Launched





It is not easy to write and tell your personal story publicly. In particular, it is difficult to recall the dark past that brings back agony and pain. So it is admirable for those few who are courageous enough to share their stories to enlighten and inspire others who want to go abroad.  Their tales also serve to affirm those who have concerns with reintegration back home.

This is the fifth volume of the Migrants' Stories, Migrants' Voices series. This edition features 10 stories of migrants and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). We have read and learned from similar stories in past volumes. But each story is unique, each tale a testament of the redeeming nature of their triumph. They rose from poverty to what most of them have now - a better life not only for themselves or their immediate families, but for their extended families and community as well.

The Philippine Migrants Rights Watch (PMRW) will continue to publish these series of migration stories.  It is our hope that with this publication, our stakeholders will have a deeper appreciation and understanding of the nuances and intricacies of migration and the plight of our migrants and OFWs.  It is our goal that with these stories, appropriate programs and policies are put into place to uphold and protect their rights.  It is also our desire that our OFWs will feel the recognition and appreciation from their loved ones, which they rightfully deserve.



Family representatives of authors receive copy of the 
Migrants' Stories, Migrants' Voices Volume 5
from PMRW officials headed by its president Ms. Carmelita Nuqui 
with Fr. Paulo Prigol, AOS, Fr. Graziano Battistella and Ms. Ellene Sana.




Wednesday, December 9, 2015

2015 Month of Overseas Filipinos



#Step-it-up_MWC25
Thinking Globally, Acting Locally
Celebrating 25 years of the Migrant Workers Convention
December 18 - International Migrants Day

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

DOH Leads 2015 MOF Migrants Health Fair


Below are photos of the 2015 MOF Migrants Health Fair spearheaded by the Department of Health (DOH) and other members of the Inter-agency Committee on the celebration of the Month of Overseas Filipinos (IAC-MOF), held on December 6, 2015 at Luneta.

The event was started with Hataw Exercise led by Dr. Eric Tayag of DOH. After the exercise Dir. Myle Beltran of  DOH Bureau of International Health Cooperation gave her message, informing their services available for migrant Filipinos and OFWs. Ms. Carmelita Nuqui, chairperson of IAC-MOF and President of PMRW also greeted the public and thank everyone and DOH for the conduct of the health fair.

The participants of the fair and the public were then invited to the different booths offering medical services such as blood pressure, nutrition advice, massage, among others. Philhealth also had its booth to campaign for their services and address queries of its existing members.



Event sponsored by DOH and other IAC Members
Posted by Philippine Migrants Rights Watch on Sunday, December 6, 2015