Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Migrants' Stories, Migrants' Voices 6



The Philippine Migrants Rights Watch (PMRW), with support from the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, published the sixth volume of Migrants' Stories, Migrants' Voices. This edition features 10 stories of migrants, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and members of their families. It talks about the different faces of migration and the challenges migrants and members of their families had to go through abroad and in the Philippines. It speaks of how migrants faced the challenges of being in a foreign land and how the families left behind copes with the absence of their family members.

Here's a video presentation of Migrants' Stories, Migrants' Voices 6


The book was launched during the National Forum on Migration held on December 18, 2017 at the Philippine International Convention Center. PMRW President Carmelita Nuqui presented the overview of the book at the start of the launch. Some of the contributors, Ms. Kanna Junio, Mr. Ericson and Dr. Adelemarie Nacion, were present to share their messages regarding their featured stories. Copies of the book were distributed at the forum.

Ms. Kanna Junio, a Japanese-Filipino child, one of the contributors of MSMV6
Mr. Ericson and Dr. Adelemarie Nacion, OFWs in Thailand, sharing their message
(L-R): Mr. Ericson and Dr. Adelemarie Nacion, Ms. Kanna Junio, PMRW President Carmelita Nuqui, PMRW Coordinator Lance Velasco and PMRW Treasurer Ma. Ediza Pumarada during the launch of Migrants' Stories, Migrants' Voices 6 last December 18, 2017 at PICC.
PMRW will continue to publish these series of migration stories. It is our hope that through this publication, our readers will have a deeper appreciation and understanding of the intricacies of migration and the plights of our migrants and OFWs.

Migrants' Stories, Migrants' Voices 6 is now available at the PMRW Secretariat. You may contact them at (63 2) 526-9098 or email pmrw@pmrw.org.ph

2017 National Forum on Migration



The culminating activity in the series of fora for this year is the National Forum on Migration and Celebration of International Migrants Day held at the Philippine International Convention Center on December 18, 2017. This Forum was organized by the IAC-MOF with support from the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT). This was attended by around 250 participants that include OFW Family circle members, academe, overseas Filipinos and their families, representatives from the government and other stakeholders in the migration process.

The Forum started with the screening of the award-winning film, "Sunday Beauty Queen." This was followed by short messages from the movie's director, Ms. Baby Ruth Villarama, and members of the cast, Ms. Mylene Jacobo and Daddy Leo Selomenio.

(L-R): Leo Selomenio, Ms. Baby Ruth Villarama and Ms. Mylene Jacobo of Sunday Beauty Queen
The Forum started with an invocation song composed by Fr. Graziano Battistella of the Scalabrini Migration Center, followed by the message from PMRW President and IAC-MOF Chair, Ms. Carmelita Nuqui. In her message, she has enumerated the key activities for this year’s celebration of the MOF and the importance of reintegration among migrants and members of their families. Introduced Dir. Maria Regina Angela Galias of the CFO, the Forum was graced by DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III. He has reassured the government’s support for OFWs through a wide array of programs and services specifically for them.

PMRW President and IAC-MOF Chair Carmelita Nuqui giving her message

DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello reassuring government's support for OFWs in his message.
With the Forum's theme centered on reintegration, the speakers presented their respective reintegration and programs and services to OFs and members of their families. OWWA Deputy Administrator Josefino Torres shared their programs and IACAT Executive Director Darlene Pajarito gave an overview on the human trafficking situation in the Philippines and interventions being provided.

OWWA Deputy Administrator Josefino Torres
IACAT Executive Director Darlene Pajarito
(L-R) IACAT Executive Director Darlene Pajarito & OWWA Deputy Administrator Josefino Torres during Open Forum
Mr. Roel Martin of NRCO shared their reintegration services, Ms. Corabeth Magkalas of DTI presented Entrepreneurship and Investment Opportunities for OFs, Dir. Marie Apattad of the CFO showcased the BaLinkBayan web-based portal, Dr. Joel Buenaventura discussed the IMRAP, and PMRW President and DAWN Executive Director Carmelita Nuqui shared DAWN's holistic approach to reintegration. Leo Selomenio shared her experience as an OFW and Filipino community leader in Hong Kong.

Mr. Roel Martin of NRCO
Ms. Corabeth Magkalas of DTI

Director Marie Apattad of CFO
Dr. Joel Buenaventura of DOH
PMRW President and DAWN Executive Director Carmelita Nuqui

OFW and Filipino Community Leader Leo Selomenio
(L-R): Leo Selomenio, Corabeth Magkalas, Roel Martin, Dr. Joel Buenaventura & Carmelita Nuqui during the Open Forum
After their presentations, PMRW launched the 6th edition of "Migrants' Stories, Migrants' Voices." This is a collection of stories of migrants and their families. The launch included short messages from PMRW President Carmelita Nuqui and selected contributors, a video overview of the book, and distribution of the book to the participants. IOM also launched the MigApp, a One-Stop Migration mobile application. This was facilitated by IOM's Alex Dougan, which included a video overview and live demonstration of the app.

PMRW's launch of Migrants' Stories, Migrants' Voices 6

Mr. Alex Dougan of IOM
After the launches, a special song presentation was given by The Nightingales, courtesy of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. The final activity for this year's Forum was the Awarding Ceremonies for the Migration and Media Awards.


After the launches, a special song presentation was given by The Nightingales, courtesy of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. The final activity for this year’s Forum was the Awarding Ceremonies for the Migration Advocacy and Media Awards.

The Nightingales

PMRW President and IAC-MOF Chair Carmelita Nuqui (center) congratulating a MAM Awardee

Monday, December 4, 2017

International Forum on Migration in Doha

The second International Forum on Migration was held at the Intercontinental Doha in Doha, Qatar on December 1, 2017. The Forum was organized by the Inter-Agency Committee on the Celebration of the Month of Overseas Filipinos (IAC-MOF) with the Philippine Embassy and POLO Doha. The activities was also attended by 250 participants composed of OFWs and Filipino Community leaders.


Ambassador Alan Timbayan gave his message by placing importance on reintegration among OFWs. PMRW President and IAC-MOF Chair Carmelita Nuqui commended the active involvement of the Filipino community in Qatar in promoting the welfare of migrants and members of their families. Several government agencies presented their services, such as Consul General Roussel Reyes on Overseas Absentee Voting registration and Mr. Mark Espina on NRCO’s programs and services.

Ambassador Alan Timbayan
PMRW President Carmelita Nuqui
Consul General Roussel Reyes
Mr. Mark Espina of NRCO
Filipino NGOs in Qatar also shared their programs and services such as PinoyWISE and WASAHQ. Ms. Leslie De Leon of SSS and Ms. Maria Analyn Gaoat of Pag-IBIG shared updates on their respective programs and services.





To impart inspiration to the forum’s attendees, POLO-Doha IT Training Program consultant,  Mr. Robin Oira, shared his training experience and its impact to his students that returned to the Philippines. A special number then followed rendered by Philippine School Doha student and Tawag ng Tanghalan Middle East Edition finalist, Ms. Thea Astley. Afterwards, an open forum was facilitated by Labatt Des Dicang.

Mr. Robin Oira, consultant of POLO-Doha IT Training Program
Ms. Thea Astley sharing a special song number to the participants of the forum.
Open Forum
Labatt Des Dicang