The PEBA Awards Day Live in Solises Home

Today, I woke up and found two kids beside me, it was almost 5:00 in the morning and I heard the prayer call. I checked our living room and found someone there who didn't sleep, and is exactly on the same place where we left him last night. My nagging personality surfaced, because I know he didn't sleep for a single minute as he and all the volunteers abroad and in Philippines tried to coordinate online to finish other things for the PEBA Awards today. I even said he should stop doing it, he's been up late almost every day for the past days, weeks, month maybe or entire year, either looking for volunteer, sponsor, coordinating with them. I lost track already what is going on, although he often speaks of it to me when I ask him to just keep talking to me or tell me what happened to his day. 

Kenji Welcome Speech at the 2012 PEBA Awards shown at the Ramon Magsaysay Hall, SSS Center, East Avenue Quezon City

The kids are actually having cold and cough, and both kids are restless during the night specially if their beloved father who pampers them every minute is not in bed to rub their back as they sleep. But last night I had them both locked inside the room, as requested by the father so he could finish what he is doing online and he will follow us in the room. Anyway, I'm sure he did not follow us in the room because he cannot make excuse when I found him this morning. 

Anyway, I nagged at him and told him he should not go to work, and should sleep because it could be very dangerous for him to drive if he is sleepy. Of course he could tell that I'm mad, so he went to sleep at around 5:30 in the morning- he is so early in bed! Got up at around 9:00 (I'm actually doubting if he really slept because I saw him doing something in his phone hidden under his pillow)and snuggled the two kids who still have cough and cold.

He prepared for work, and went back to work on his laptop.  You know what that is!

The little girl, in her desire to use the laptop did almost throw him out of our front door telling him to go to work, while the little boy cried and clung to his pants. 

So he gave me task to watch the streaming of PEBA and keep updated the PEBA page regarding the event. In my protest, he showed me this and that which I still didn't get, things that made my world of cleaning the mess, doing the laundry, preparing the meal, bathing and caring for the kids even more complicated TODAY. We'll I think I'm writing in this blog to whine and whine about PEBA and him. 

But I'm an obedient wife, so I tried to do the task given. As I watched the streaming, I heard some conversation on the background about the gift packs, what those bags contain, how to join the blog, and I'm starting to be really intrigued who's that woman talking to Pete and their conversation about PEBA's service programs and many more. Then I also watched the giving of awards, and of course the sayawit kids, and although I'm always interrupted by the kids because they need this and that and that the boy is messing with her or he is doing something "horrible", I didn't miss hearing the applause and cheers of those who won prizes. There are many who attended as representatives, and went home with major awards, some went home with raffle prizes, some who enjoyed the free refreshments while watching. But I know for sure, there are kids who are not there, they don't have resources to watch the program online or go there personally, but they sure are grateful for this event. There are those who may not have an idea that this organization exist but one there is one thing I'm sure of now. It touched my heart because this event brings hope for some kids so they could attend school, and others who may be needing help this coming year 2013. I almost cried because I know there isn't just one person who is willing to stay up late and face my nagging, but there are many volunteers who stays up late in their own time zone as they try to coordinate with other volunteers in bringing events like this into success. These volunteers receive no remuneration, some even use their own resources and they are always willing to give their time, and talent without asking for recognition. Through them PEBA got into its 5th year, there are happy kids who goes to school, there are some OFWs that were helped. 

I salute PEBA, and its volunteers and grateful to the sponsors and partners too.

By the way this is Mrs. Thoughtskoto posting while my boy sleeps on my other arm. lol

PEBA Profile Video prepared by a volunteer named Agcol d Imbisibol an OFW from Riyadh

©2012 THOUGHTSKOTO

Leaving Is Not A Matter of Choice, Coming Back Is

PEBA’S 2011 THEME RALLIES ON HEROES HOMECOMING TOWARDS CHANGE

Note: The photo of a boy holding a flag is an official entry of AnalinDenhann from Copenhagen Denmark to the 2010 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards International Photo Contest

The First Quarter Storm

The first quarter of 2011 is perhaps the most turbulent days of the Overseas Filipino Workers as they witness the political revolution in the Middle East and North Africa where thousands of OFWs were caught in the middle of domestic conflicts in countries such as Egypt, Bahrain, Oman, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Libya.

Even with these appalling events, Filipinos remain determined to continue following their dreams through migration in order to survive domestic poverty. The world could be cruel and unforgiving but also highly rewarding... because in every struggle, heroes emerge.

Leaving Is Not A Matter of Choice, Coming Back Is

Despite the varied reasons why Filipinos go abroad, nationalism is still evident on the narratives of the 12 million Filipinos scattered all over the world. PEBA has witnessed how OFWs take pride of our Filipino roots, our culture and our race. Filipinos abroad, after they have followed their dreams, have chosen to return, evident on how we are called... "Balikbayan." They return to share their talents, skills and fortunes in an effort to bring change to the families left behind, communities and country. Thus, PEBA 2011 is dedicated to our "balikbayans", the unsung heroes of our time. Their homecoming brings a spark of change to the lives of their loved ones and their homeland. PEBA 2011 honor them with the theme,

"Ako'y Magbabalik, Hatid Ko'y Pagbabago." (I Will Return, I Will Bring Change.)

The PEBA 2011 Challenge

PEBA 2011 will attempt to remind the P-Noy administration to solicit, listen and heed the advice our OFWs who have been the forefront of finding solutions on the world’s most powerful economies. It's about time that instead of concentrating on labor-export policy, this administration start tapping the professional services of OFWs in various areas of expertise in rebuilding our country's infrastructures and basic services by offering them job positions in government offices to be administration partners in nation-building.

We call on our Filipino expatriates around the world to continue their roles as Global Ambassadors of our country in foreign lands by promoting and patronizing our locally-made products, making the Philippines the first stop destination for holidays and investing in the home country. We ask them to teach their children and their foreign spouses on the positive Filipino values and the Filipino language. Let’s be proud of our race, for nationalism knows no time and bounderies.

Expats, OFWs and Bloggers, They’re Heroes That Multiplies

To our Global Filipino bloggers, as the curtain rises for PEBA 2011 in celebration of our nation’s historic "Araw ng Kagitingan"; let us look back on the heroes of La Solidaridad - Rizal, Del Pilar, Ponce, Paterno, Jacinto, Lopez-Jaena , etc. who were the Filipinos reformists in Spain who used instead of the sword to campaign for changes in the Spanish-governed Philippine islands through essays, speeches, news articles, and other literary and journalistic forms. Their efforts ultimately led to the Philippine independence from Spain. Today, PEBA invites our bloggers to write and post topics on "Balikbayan" (Returnees), "Homecoming" and the positive "changes" and benefits it brings to their families, relatives and friends, to the community and to our country, the Philippines. 

We call on our bloggers worldwide to share their stories - through essays and anecdotes, literary and journalistic forms, videos and photos on their quest for the real change that they want to be - for their own selves, for their families, communities and country on their plan homecoming or recent “balikbayan” experiences that bring positive change to the lives of their love ones. And to our non-OFW bloggers, we seek your talents to share with us your expectations and memorable experiences gained during the homecoming events of your returning family members, relatives or friends.

Like Rizal, Luna and Ninoy, 12 million OFWs have crossed borders to work, learn culture and technologies abroad in their effort to battle poverty in our courtyard; soon they will return and apply their knowledge and wealth to bring the change they want for their families, relatives, communities and country - for heroes never die, they just multiply.

This season will put a challenge to our Global Filipinos to flex its muscles to show that with the unity of its great numbers, it can be a potent force for political change, that OFWs can stop this culture of corruption, exploitation, and fraud and steer our country to greater heights by participating in a mature political exercise by participating in the Overseas Absentee Voting and joining forums and social organizations abroad that promote Filipino values and socio-economic assistance to OFWs and kababayans back home.

To the private sectors that have economically benefited on the remittances and homecoming spending of the OFW and their families; PEBA calls for your support on the advocacy programs and projects of the Government, LGUs and NGOs that promote values and welfare of the OFWs.

PEBA calls on POEA and OWWA to improve its reintegration program for returning, retiring and displaced OFWs. We ask this administration to restore an estimated 46 percent budget cut to the Department of Foreign Affairs 2012 budget and to increase funds to assist OFWs in Japan and the Middle East countries.

As the quarter storm closes, we prayed and mourned for the loss of our OFW compatriots, Sally, Ramon and Elizabeth who were executed in China. A painful lesson for every Filipinos to be careful and not to allow ourselves to be used as drug couriers.

Hundreds of OFWs are still missing in New Zealand after a devastating earthquake hit the country. In Japan, the horrifying series of earthquakes and tsunami that swept the Japanese shores where hundreds of OFWs are still unaccounted for and the continuing threat of radiation exposure remain an unending nightmare to the survivors.

©2011 THOUGHTSKOTO

Where Do I Stand on the National Bloggers Association?

One country, one blogging community

A Manifesto of Filipino bloggers and netizens

March 1, 2011

We, Filipino bloggers and netizens from across the Philippines and those based overseas, coming from diverse backgrounds and specialties, using various new media outlets, hereby come together and call for the formation of a bloggers association of the Philippines that shall unite us around common and beneficial objectives and aspirations, mainly:

• The promotion and defense of the right to free expression
• The promotion and development of blogging, vlogging, photoblogging, microblogging and other online creative and expressive forms in all their diverse categories, topics and types
• The gathering and sharing of Philippine blogging’s best practices that reflect our contributions to ourselves and our online communities, media, causes, organizations and businesses, government, the nation and the world. 
• The drafting and adoption of a code of ethics that underscore the community’s responsibility and maturity; and
• The discussion of issues and concerns that confront the community and members of the community
• The promotion of more affordable, reliable and better internet access in the country  

The association we aspire to form is voluntary in character, national in scope, democratic in decision-making, and progressive in outlook.

• We draw inspiration from and ask the participation of the city-wide, provincial, regional and island-wide associations, summits and conventions initiated by bloggers across the country.
• We want an association that makes decisions based on democratic processes, consensus-building and mutual benefit.

A long time has passed since the first blog posts and first blogging events. We are now a bigger, stronger and influential community. Businesses, causes and government have started to organize themselves to interact and engage with us. And we also face challenges within and outside our growing community.


The Philippines, our country and people are also expecting more from us, and we bravely and fearlessly say that we want to do more and achieve more.


In view of all these and more, we declare that there’s no stopping the formation of a most awesome bloggers association for our country.


One country, one blogging community.


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By posting this manifesto on my blog, I express my desire to be a founding member of the association.


I also nominate the following bloggers to be founding members as well:

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Last year, I suggested the creation of a bloggers’ association to some PEBA officers. The idea came from our experiences in the Kabayan Bloggers (KaBlogs), where we have to deal with anti-OFW blog posts and bloggers. However, we brushed off the idea because we lack PEBA volunteers and the time for another huge undertaking.

I received a copy of the manifesto on the making of the National Bloggers Association and these are some of the questions I asked from Tonyo Cruz, one of the brain behind the idea:

• Are the items in themanifesto final?

• Can this be refined?

• Who were given a copy of this manifesto?

• From the line, “The association we aspire to form is voluntary in character, national in scope,” where do the OFWs fit?

• From the line, “We draw inspirations from and ask...” Can OFW bloggers be

also included in this line?

• Can we change the phrase “most awesome bloggers association”? It connotes that PEBA, or other bloggers associations, is not that awesome.

I asked him if I can reply regarding the manifesto the following day but Tonyo said he needs the suggestions pronto so he can share it with others.

After a few days, I was asked by other bloggers in Visayas and Mindanao why they were not informed about the creation of a National Bloggers Association. I asked Tonyo and he said he is going to Visayas and Mindanao to meet the group of bloggers there. I asked him to please make sure that no one will be left out.

I consulted this matter to several officers and volunteers of PEBA. Majority of them have reservations in joining. Aside from the questions above, here are some more questions from the group:

1. What is “national?” Where does PEBA fit in? What is the scope of the National Bloggers Association? PEBA represents the expats and OFWs. The title “national association” limits the reach of this group.

2. What are the guiding principles of the NBA? If it is “to unite the bloggers at a national level,” how can PEBA and other international Pinoy blogging organizations be integrated in its mission-vision?

3. Who will uphold the code of ethics that will be drafted and adapted? Who will say which is right or wrong? What will be our standards?

4. “We draw inspiration from and ask the participation of the city-wide, provincial, regional and island-wide associations, summits and conventions initiated by bloggers across the country.” Again, where is the international Filipino bloggers community here?

Our suggestions:

1. Do not use the word “national.” It connotes a limited scope where OFWs and expats are not included.
2. Organize regional blogs first.
3. From these regional groups, gather representatives that will create the NBA.
4. The group should not be used for political agenda.
5. Consider uniting the Filipino bloggers communities in the Philippines for the NBA first. The PEBA (and other international Filipino blogging communities) can become its partner. If the NBA has already solidified their stand, mission-vision, agenda, etc., then that’s when we consider the integration of both the national and international Filipino blogging communities.

©2011 THOUGHTSKOTO

Dear PEBA 2010 Nominees

Teachers, nurses, engineers, computer programmers, a missionary, accountant, physician, caregiver, and other professions you hold, you represent a diverse Filipino talent and pride, with one blood, one common language and one nation scattered across the world. You give us the honor for this year as 2010 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Finalist. 

(those with dark blog background)

(those with light blog background)

There were 83 blog nominees in the nomination list, but only 47 of you made it to the finals. Congratulations! In the coming days and month on the way to the awarding ceremony, we will introduce you in posts and videos for the world to know your extraordinary courage to come out and respond to a call - and share a part of you, your blog, and your stories to inspire the OFWs and their families and to inspire the world. It was a long journey since July 2010, when we first opened the nomination.

The photo submission of entries continues, at present, we have received from 8 countries and 15 contestants with over 40 unique and beautiful photos. We hope to receive a hundred photos or perhaps more by the end of November. 

Our organization is run by volunteers, OFWs and bloggers worldwide, not a single cent is being paid to us, and sometimes we even use our own money and time and talent for PEBA. And yet PEBA is getting better and bigger. That's because of you. You are all winners. From the pool of these nominees will come some of our best and brightest volunteers who are motivated too, by the desire to reach out, and to share whatever good we have for others, for the world. This is run by Filipinos, by blood and by heart, thank you to our dear key persons from around the world, from Saudi Arabia, from the US, from South Korea, from Palau, from Qatar, from Kuwait, from Singapore, from Taiwan, from Ireland, from England... and many other countries. This is what makes this organization unique, it is run online, and it culminates in a grand awarding ceremony that some call, the great-great-bloggers EB! (Eyeball) What do you see PEBA after 5 years? 10 years? We don't know. Honestly, we don't know, but it just getting better and better. And we owe this from you, past and present nominees and winners, as well as our supporters from this world wide web!

Some questions?

When will the Voting widget will close?

December 9, 2010, 5AM Philippine time

We know that some used IP changer, and Host Shield so they can vote for more. What they don't know, we know. 

When will be the deadline of photo entries?

December 01, 2010, 5AM Philippine time

When will be the awarding ceremony?

December 16th, 2010 at the Teatrino Promenade, Greenhills San Juan Metro Manila. Yanah and Arvin, our Philippines volunteer will assist you in this. You can contact them atYanah@pinoyblogawards.com, arvinbautista@pinoyblogawards.com

When can you collect your freebies?

December 16, 2010,at the Teatrino Promenade, look for Yanah or Arvin

Let us talk a few moment about the kids we are determined to finish schooling. this two beautiful kids doesn't have the means to go to school. Through our sponsors, and donors, including last year nominees, we paid for their tuitions for one full year, and we will send them to school again. We want to help more. We hope you can support us by sharing some of your blessings to this wonderful kids.

How can I donate to the PEBA BELIEVE Scholarship for kids?

Anytime, you can send it by Western Union, Lhullier, Cebuana or deposit it to PEBA Account.

Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards, Inc.

Bank Name: Bank of the Philippine Islands

Peso Savings Account No.: 9063-0580-06

Branch Code: BOPIPHMM

You can email me at

Email: kenjebz@pinoyblogawards.com for details 

How much is the minimum donation?

Any amount we will accept. 

©2010 THOUGHTSKOTO

Top 10 Ways to Know You’re a Filipino

This is a repost from a good friend, Vince of Wheninmanila.com

I’m a big supporter of the Philippine Expat Blog Awards (PEBA) and of Global Filipinos in general. I understand the sacrifices that they make to help better themselves and their family situations.

With that said, I am again supporting and promoting the 2010 Pinoy Expats Blog Awards (PEBA)!

The 2010 Philippine Expat / OFW Blog Awards (PEBA).

This is an event to celebrate Filipino Expats living overseas / abroad. The overseas foreign workers are heroes to the Philippines. These expatriates become foreigners as a sacrifice for their families and for their country. Please join us at this event that will be held sometime in December to honor the bloggers among them who share their stories of trials and triumphs.

For more info, check out their website at http://pinoyexpatsblogawards.com

To further support the 2010 Pinoy Expats / OFW Blog Awards, here’s a shot list to help you recognize global pinoys!

Below are the top 10 ways to recognize and spot Filipinos no matter where in the world you are.

These are the top ten ways to know you are a Filipino / Pinoy or are from the Philippines.

Top 10 Ways to Know You’re a Filipino:

10. You carefully unwrap Christmas presents or Birthday gifts so you can reuse the gift wrappers next time

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9. Your luggage is a “Balikbayan” box (huge shipping boxes)

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8. You wrap EVERYTHING in plastic: Books, Bed Mattresses, Furniture, Couches / Sofas, Cell Phones, Cars… hell you even wrap your plastic in plastic!

  

  

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7. You eat duck embryo or Balut

*Balut photo found at http://seralulalu.wordpress.com

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6. You understand Pn0i Txt msgs Ktnxbye

MGNDang gbI P0Wh. Mzt N u? mIsz nA KITa sobRA. wLa NG iBNg bbE na CzeNg gNdA m. D2 aq nDe tK0t Ssbhn q xa U na wLa p0Wh aQ mMHliN NA ibng ba2e. U, mhl U bA Aq? kTnxBye

Tita Grly m 2. wLA aq xa BhY. D2 aq sa PEBA. W8 q u. kSMA Q na tito boy m at SiNa bongbOng, jUnjuN, jinjin, BmBm, noYNOY, lenLen, KrINgkRiNG, NeNe, annNN, JOJO, tiNtin, pEPe….

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5. You react whenever you hear… Psssst

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4. The letters P and F are the same

“Sir, da froject if pinish. I just need a fish of fafer and dat would be ferpect foh… ktnxbye”

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3. Your nickname is a repetition (Bongbong, JunJun, Tintin etc)

3.5. You have an Uncle Boy or Auntie Girly (Or even an Auntie Baby)

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2. You point with your lips

Pinoy GPS

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1. No matter how famous, rich or successful you are… You just wanna sing some Kareoke

So sing along. You know you want to (See FULL VIDEO for this)

 

This top 10 ways to spot a Filipino list and the video were shown at the 2009 Philippine Pinoy Expat / OFW Blog Awards (PEBA) held in the PhilAm Life Theatre on December 27, 2009 to honor the hardworking Filipinos from all over the world who have come home to spend time during the Holiday / Christmas season with their families in the Philippines.

WhenInManila.com is a media partner.

For more info on the Philippine Expat / OFW Blog Awards, PEBA, event, you can visit:http://www.pinoyexpatsblogawards.com

©2010 THOUGHTSKOTO