RP makes it to IMO `white list` - PSAP

Holiday Greetings
NO: 107
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2000
RP makes it to IMO ‘white list’
The Filipino seafarers’ jobs are safe. The Philippines has
finally made it to the ‘white list’ of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), wiping out fears of a possible
blacklist of hundreds of thousands of Filipino seafarers.
Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma bared the good
news at a press conference, saying the IMO Maritime
Safety Committee (MSC) had included the Philippines in
its consolidated report of countries on the white list.
On December 6, the IMO’s MSC finalized the ‘white List’
of approved training nations. A total of 72 countries appear
on the list. The list results from the 1995 amendments to
the Standards of Training , Certification and Watchkeeping
(STCW) Convention, which required parties to the convention to provide detailed information about their ability to
comply with the convention.
The Philippines inclusion in the ‘white list’ will allow the
country to maintain its lead in the maritime job market.
At any given time, Laguesma noted, there are more than
300,000 Filipino seafarers manning international vessels.
The number represents 20 percent of the 1.2-million worldwide maritime force.
Filipinos in demand
Breaking into the ‘white list’ would also lead to a marked improvement of Filipino maritime workers’ job prospects, he added.
Laguesma said following the IMO announcement, the government
of The Netherlands chose Filipinos to man vessels in the country’s
expanding fleet. The Netherlands’ decision was prompted by our
inclusion in the white list,” he noted.
The labor secretary, however, acknowledged the country still has
problems with other major employers, who insist on demanding
additional requirements from Filipino seafarers. He cited Panama
and said the Philippines would fight the Central American nation’s
impositions. Inclusion in the white list, Laguesma stressed, is more
than enough proof of Filipinos’ world-class qualities.
Attaining IMO approval, Laguesma added, will reinforce Manila’s
status as world manning capital, a title conferred by two leading
international shipowners’ organizations-the Baltic International
Maritime Council and the International Shipping Federation.
While the country deployed only 50,000 seafarers on the global
merchant fleet, the number had jumped to 200,000 towards the end
of the last millennium.
Economic impact
Laguesma said the IMO decision would impact positively on the
national economy. The increase in demand for Filipino seafarers
will help the Philippines shore up its foreign currency reserves,
on page 5
Erap in impeachment thriller
People power calls for immediate resignation
Following in the footsteps of US President Bill Clinton, President Erap Estrada
is undergoing an impeachment trial in the
Philippine Senate. Making history as the
first Third World leader to undergo impeachment, the actor-turned president expressed
confidence that Senate will back him up
after the tapes had been heard. However,
a broad alliance of groups behind the1986
people power movement that ousted President Ferdinand Marcos vowed to fight for
Estrada’s removal from office.
could avoid impeachment with the support of eight Senators, because law requires
two thirds of the senate vote. When the
Jueteng scandal came out in public, Senators
Robert Jaworski, Franklin Drilon, Rodolfo
Biazon and Anna Dominique Coseteng
resigned from LAMP. However, Senator
Miriam Defensor Santiago is sure that eight
LAMP senators— Ople, Tatad, AquinoOreta, Sotto, John Osmeña, Enrile, Honasan
and herself—could form the “core group”
against the conviction of the President.
The month long trial now being presided
by Chief Justice Hilario Davide, has 22
senators acting as judges. The president
The House of Representatives who submitted the articles of impeachment on
15 November to Senate is now acting as
the prosecutor during the trial.
Former speaker Manuel Villar
was able to immediately forward
the impeachment complaint to
senate on 14 November, before being formally replaced as
speaker by Estrada loyalists in
the House of Representatives.
A prosecution panel was then
named, composed of minority leader Feliciano Belmonte,
Representatives. Sergio Apostol,
Joker Arroyo, Raul Gonzales,
Wigberto Tañada, Oscar Moreno,
Oscar Rodriguez, Roan on
Libarios,
page 3
Parola no.107 - November - December 2000 - Page 1
PSAP and Parola go online
“We can celebrate
Christmas at home!”
Marlene Macatangay
Nonoy Ty
Very soon, that is…PSAP and Parola will also have a website,
a homepage. So definitely, we’re getting on there, the information super highway.
A number of times we have mentioned this in Parola. However, these last two months, the website project of the Philippine
Seamen’s Assistance Program (PSAP) is definitely taking
shape. It is being funded by the International Transport Workers’ Federation Seafarers’ Trust.
Why are we doing this?
Let’s face it…the internet has changed and is continuously
changing our lives. One very positive contribution it has is that it
makes our world a little smaller that we are able to know what’s
happening everywhere and anywhere. It has made the distances between and among us shorter. And so we’re challenged to
get more involved with what’s happening around us.
This is exactly why we’re going online. We want to be closer
to you and you closer to us. Also that we, you and PSAP with
Parola, be accessible to all groups which exist for the seafarers.
With a website, we hope to reach more seafarers and groups
working with and for the seafarers. More importantly, we hope
to be able to work closely with more seafarers and concerned
groups.
We are very much aware that Parola is reaching more than
50,000 readers. But with a website we will be accessible not
only to readers of Parola but to the rest of the world. We know
from requests from Seamen’s Centers and seafarers that Parola
does not reach a number of countries. One more thing, Parola
can only contain so much news, discussions, and information. It
has only 12 - 16 pages. The website will have more pages and
The three Filipino crew members, Carlos, Frank and
Wilmer of M/V Serenita went home on November 27 after more than two months of waiting and fighting for their
salaries.
With the support of ITF and PSAP, a final and a complete settlement was reached between the ship owner and
crew.
When the ship was officially arrested on November 16,
with claims from various parties, a court battle was imminent. The crew was already preparing for a long wait, as
winter is fast approaching. Their morale was very low that
at a certain moment they needed constant company. (They
were alone on board since the Dutch colleague had left
already)
Carlos and Frank were seriously considering to go home
even only with a free ticket, just to be with their families
during Christmas days. Carlos’ wife is about to deliver their
first child.
Back in Cebu, Carlos called up. He extended his thanks
on page 12
More updates on page 12
PSAP’s new address
Philippine Seaman’s Assistance Program (PSAP)
Oostbroekweg 4
3089 KL Rotterdam
The Netherlands
Our telephone, fax and e-mail remain the same:
Telephone: +31 10 2400 930
Fax: +31 10 2400 932
E-mail: psap97@wxs.nl
Editor’s Note
A very special issue, indeed!!! That’s what you have now. In the making of this Parola, I got so excited because of the
Holiday Season two weeks away. And just in time for this very special season, we have so many new things in Parola.
For the first time, we’re featuring wishes for the Holidays and for 2001 from a few of our seafarers, members of the PSAP
Board and columnists. We have but a few seafarers represented but it’s a start.
In this issue Kaat Mossel writes to all the seafarers in our new column, Getting to Know Rotterdam! As she writes in her
letter, it is quite unusual that Filipino seafarers know so little about Rotterdam when in fact there are so many of them
passing by or spending some time in the different ports. So get to know Rotterdam a little on page 4.
This is not the time to worry, but we know that a lot of you are troubled about what’s really happening in the Philippines
now. Well, we have Basco, Roli and Dr. Holmes to tell you.
We do hope that wherever you’ll be spending the Holiday Season, you will have peace with yourself and with all the ones
who are around you. Have a meaningful Christmas and a bountiful New Year.
Parola no.107 - November - December 2000 - Page 2
Erap in impeachment thriller
Basco Fernandez
From page 1
Antonio Eduardo Nachura, Clavel Martinez
and Salacnib Baterina.
How did this situation
come about?
The Estrada administration had just rebounded in popularity ratings through his
hard handed attack on the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front at the middle of this year.
However, in a matter of months a new crisis
of credibility would prove to be more than
another unfortunate turn of events. It has
become a question of survival for this embattled president, who according Cardinal
Jaime Sin “has already lost the moral right
to rule.”
Hell broke loose when close friend and
ally Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson came
out in early October naming Estrada as the
beneficiary of more than P400 million in
jueteng money. With the information coming from the President’s own close circle
of friends, this “Jueteng Scandal” finally
provided credible evidence of wrongdoing
in Malacanang. Singson also provided evidence on the diversion of P130 million in
Tobacco development funds to the private
funds of the President.
Singson’s charges only brought back accusations versus President Estrada, which in past
had only been considered mere rumor and
speculation. Earlier, a report by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism the
President and his various families own 66business corporation established after June
30, 1998. PCIJ also provided a thorough list
of Estrada’s expensive residential properties
in Tagaytay, Boracy, Antipolo, Forbes and
Wack-Wack subdivisions worth a billion pesos. These properties that are being used by
the President’s mistresses, have been listed
under real estate corporations that could be
traced back to Estrada.
The controversy also highlighted his connections with characters like Dante Ang
who was charged with insider trading in the
Philippine Stock Exchange. The president’s
intercession on behalf of Ang resulted in
the resignation of SEC chairperson Perfecto
Yasay. Another close associate is George
Co who has been investigated for using his
duty-free shops as front for smuggling. In
turn, Co served as one of the front persons
in Estrada’s real estate corporations. The
president’s involvements with the business
of his maj-hong mates has led experts like
Walden Bello to conclude: that “the main
project of the Estrada administration was to
centralize crime under the presidency.”
The impact and
political fallout
The Erap presidency had already been accused of cronyism long ago, for providing
favors to Marcos cronies like Tobacco and
Beer magnate Lucio Tan and San Miguel
Beer’s Danding Cojuangco. This reputation, together with his intervention in the
stock exchange, has already affected the
market. Nonetheless, the jueteng scandal
and the political instability it created, swiftly
triggered a dramatic capital outflow, causing
the dollar to rise from $41 to $54 dollars
within a few days.
The worsening economic situation placed
pressure on Estrada’s economic managers, with all advisers led by former Prime
Minister Cesar Virata deciding to resign.
Meanwhile, the business organizations like
the Makati Business Club defined their position and joined the Erap Resign Movement.
The fallout eventually included several secretaries and line agencies, including popular
figures like Trade and Industry secretary
Mar Roxas, Political Adviser Lito Banayo,
NFA director Edno Joson who resigned
from their positions. Many politicians from
Senatorial, Congressional, gubernatarial,
Mayoral levels resigned from LAMP, the
administration party.
Meanwhile, the jueteng scandal quickly galvanized the once fragmented opposition into
creating a common front against Estrada,
making the political atmosphere seem like
EDSA all over again. Known personalities
like Cardinal Jaime Sin, former president
Cory Aquino, Fidel Ramos, joined with
Makati business leaders, and various cause
Until when?
oriented groups to call for the removal of
Erap as the president either through impeachment, resignation or ouster. Creating
themselves into Kongreso ng Mamamayang
Pilipino, the KOMPIL II swiftly organized a
successful welgang ng sambayan or nationwide work stoppage on 14 November.
A wait and pray situation
With the first sessions of the impeachment
trial, House prosecution met with the defense attorneys and the Senate leadership
for the ground rules. The big name defense
lawyers for Estrada led by Former solicitor general Estelito Mendoza and former
Chief Justice Andres Narvasa stumped the
unprepared prosecution panel led by former
prosecutor Sergio Apostol of Leyte. The
opposition admitted their mistakes and
promised to present a sharper legal attack
in the next sessions.
However, Senator Francisco Tatad warned
the House prosecutors that any future mistakes might make them lose the case totally.
Senate President Aquilino Pimentel recognizes that the trial could not be prolonged
because of the irreversible economic impact
it would create. He has called both sides to
another meeting in order to facilitate a much
on page 13
Parola no.107 - November - December 2000 - Page 3
Getting to know...
Rotterdam
Kaat Mossel*
Hello seafarer,
How are you? Are you surprised to get a letter from a Dutch
in your own Parola? I’ll explain why I am writing to you.
In a talk with the editors of Parola, it was realized how few
about Rotterdam the most of the seafarers know. Causes
are shortness of time or the ship arrives in a port too far
away from town that it is impossible to do any sightseeing.
Because I was born and bred in Rotterdam, the editors
invited me to make a special page about my hometown.
So here it is.
Do you know that Rotterdam, although it is the biggest port
in the world, has only about 700,000 inhabitants? How
come? Well, in the past the Dutch government tried several
times to combine the villages and towns situated in the riverdelta to make a Greater Rotterdam (just like how London is
now). It didn’t work out. Most of the municipalities objected.
They didn’t want to lose their identity. And being honest, I
do understand their fear.
they call Rotterdam the labor city. We are always building
something — bridges; tunnels; shopping centers; metro stations;
or digging ports or docks. You name it and in Rotterdam they
construct it.
A bit of history
Around 1300, Rotterdam was only a small village and nothing
approaching a port. This changed in the 15th century, thanks
to the arrival of the herring fishery. More and more fishermen
landed and distributed their catch while ships had to be serviced
and re-equipped for the next voyage. The herring fishery
continued to thrive until the 17th Century.
Coming from the North Sea at portside, you see first Hook
of Holland, which belongs to Rotterdam. Sailing more east,
you’ll pass Maassluis, Vlaardingen and Schiedam. All three
are independent municipalities, with beautiful well-preserved
pieces of Holland’s history — ancient warehouses and
factories; antique facades and restored windmills.
In the second half of the 16th century, trade became increasingly
important to the port of Rotterdam. In 75 years, Rotterdam grew
from a fishing village into an international seaport. It even led
to a great shortage of mooring space for the merchantmen.
Originally it was only the existing canals that were made wider
and deeper to suffice for a port. The digging of Leuvehaven in
1958 was the start of a grander project - the ‘Waterstad’ dock
area. For more thane 250 years this area was large enough to
accommodate all shipping. Merchant vessels under sail would
dominate the maritime profile of the town center until well into
the 19th century.
In my town, you will not find many historical buildings.
Rotterdam is a place of modern architecture. The towns I
mentioned above, you can recognize by their church towers
while Rotterdam by the skyscrapers and the Euromast.
*The writer uses the alias Kaat Mossel to honor a legendary
Rotterdam citizen who lived from 1723 to 1798.
By the way, do you know how you can see if somebody
comes from Amsterdam or Rotterdam? Those from
Rotterdam have always their sleeves rolled up. In Holland,
on page 11
Rotterdam in 1815
Source: Ach Lieve Tijd, Gemeentearchief Rotterdam
Christmas wishes of Felix (Opinion) and Josie Pulmano (Kami Namang Mga Babae) on page 9.
Parola no.107 - November - December 2000 - Page 4
Due to maritime exam scandal
NBI to sue PRC execs
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)
is poised to file charges against officials of
the Professional Regulation Commission
(PRC) in connection with the recent Maritime Officers examination after it established
that an answer code in at least one of the
several multiple choice test categories was
leaked out.
The NBI Special Action Unit (SAU) said it
is only waiting for some documents to finalize its report and file the charges.
“The problem is that the PRC is taking too
long to give us the needed documents,”
complained NBI probers.
The answer code was verified by the NBI in
the Chief Mate test after an NBI investigator answered the questions using it and got
a 90-plus percent score.
“At the very least we have established that
there was cheating with this discovery. The
next step is linking this code to the people
concerned,” said an NBI source. The NBI
unit, under lawyer Edmund Arugay, expressed confidence that they will be able to
pin down the culprits.
The NBI started investigating the case
a month after the test or mid-July after it
received a tip from an examinee linking
the Marco Review Center, located in Intramuros, Manila, to an alleged PRC exam
leakage.
The NBI said the review center denied the
charges. The review center topped all categories in the examinations with its reviewers
taking the top five positions by scoring no
less than 90-percent in the tests.
Other than the Chief Mate test, the examinations also included those for 2nd, 3rd and
4th officers, and other positions. Filipino
sailors comprise the bulk of ship crews all
over the world. (The Philippine Star, December 4, 2000)
RP fast ferry losing
The country’s largest fast ferry operator reported a loss of US $1.6 million for the first nine
months of the year. The Philippines Fast Ferry Holding Corporation, which operates 15 catamarans across 10 ports in central Philippines, attributed its loss to reduction market volume
as a result of the continuing economic crisis.The company experienced a contraction in its
market shares from 76 percent in 1999 to only 65 percent this year. The fast Ferry Company
noted that many passengers either opted to travel by air as many local airlines have been
reducing their airfares or took conventional ferries, which offered a slower but substantially
cheaper service. The company said that its difficulties were compounded by its inability to
raise passage fare rates to cover increased fuel and maintenance costs as regulatory authorities turned down petitions for fare hikes.
RP to IMO ‘white list’ ...1
he pointed out. The labor secretary said sea-based overseas Filipino workers remitted
US$ 436.4 million of the country’s P21-billion total foreign take in the first semester of
2000. Earnings from international maritime work, he added, increased by 13 percent, from
US$386.7-million remittances for the same period in 1999.
Laguesma cited Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas records, showing that Filipino seafarers in the
Americas remitted from January to June this year 74 percent of the $436.4 million, while
seafarers from Europe and Asia sent home $108.4 million. He said almost 80 percent of
combined maritime sector earnings enter the country through the banking system. (The
Manila Times, Dec. 6, 2000; Fairpaly Daily News, Dec. 7, 2000)
High demand for
Latvian seafarers
Will Latvia be the top
competitor of the Philippines
in supplying seafarers
worldwide?
At the moment Latvia becomes a substantial
provider of seafarers, around 23,000 work at
sea and the figure is likely to rise further.
Lapa is Riga-based crewing company
founded in 1991 and supplying crews for
foreign vessels. The company has changed
ownership and is now a joint venture between Bergessen and Stolt Nielsen. Lapa
specializes in supplying crews to chemical
tankers and gas carriers. It has set-up its
own training programs so that seafarers it
supplies have adequate knowledge of the
special areas that are needed on ships of
these types, involving safety and relevant
Solas protocols.
Latvia has its own maritime academy that
is being developed to meet the growing demand for seafarers. At the moment Lapa is
unable to meet all request for seafarers. The
company supplies seafarers to Norwegian
companies such as Bergessen, Stolt-Nielsen,
Wesfal Larsen and Mosvold.
More Chinese seafarers
Anglo-Eastern Ship management and GMG
Yinghua Crew Management has signed a
joint venture agreement to market Chinese
crews worldwide.
“In a new step for Anglo-Eastern, the joint
venture will recruit seafarers not solely for
ships in the Anglo-Eastern fleet, but will
actively use global network to market and
obtain additional crew management contracts specially for Chinese seafarers,” said
Peter Cremers, chairman of Anglo-Eastern. (Fairplay, October 26, November 16,
2000)
Parola no.107 - November - December 2000 - Page 5
Kuwento at Buhay Marino
Roli Ancha
Si Erap, ang Pilipino, ang marino,
ang OFW at ang Pasko
Sa pahina ring ito, una kong nilagdaan ang aking isang liham kay Erap
noong una siyang nagtalumpati para sa
sambayanang Pilipino. Noong unang
araw ng kanyang halal. Tsk! Tsk! Tsk!
Sinasabi ko na nga ba at puros pambobola lang at kasinungalingan ang
nilalaman noong lintik na talumpating
iyon! O!! Ngayon…eh di naglalabasan
ang katumbalikan at mga kahayupang
kanyang pinaggagawa! Nasaan na
ang binitiwang pangako?? Ipinatalo na
bang lahat sa sugal o inarbor ng mga
kabit???
Ang Pilipino!!
Ang Pilipino eh matatalino eh!! Subalit pagdating na sa usapang pulitika, eh
pagkakabo-bobo!! Hindi ko naman nilalahat, pero sa aking na-oobserbahan,
pati na ang mga hayup na nakapaligid kay Erap na naturingan pang mga
mambabatas eh pilit pa ring naniniwala
at nagtatanggol sa walang hiya nating
Presidente gayong kitang-kita namang
talagang maraming kinatawan si Erap
bukod pa sa pagpapakita nito ng isang
libo at isang kawalan ng laman ng kokote. Napakapurol ng utak at madaling
bolahin. Madaling pangakuan, utuin at
lokohin. Ang Pilipino ay nakaka-awa!!!
Lalong-lalo na yong hikahos at walangwala.
Ang marino
at ang iba pang OFW
Ang masisipag kong mga kabaro
ang tunay na mapagmahal sa pamilya
at sa bayan. Ang mga matatapang na
sumasagupa sa bagyo at alon. Ang
katu-katulong sa paghahanap ng dolyar para sa bansang Pilipinas. Ang mga
nagsasapo ng kahihiyan sa panlalait
ng ibang lahi. Ang mga manggagawang kinokotongan ng mga nasa poder
umpisa sa pagpasok sa NAIA pag-uwi
hanggang sa pagtupad ng mga lintik na
trainings na puros bayaran ang haharapin.
Ang mga marinong halos sa barko na
nauubos ang mga nalalabi pang buhay
nila na disin sana’y masaya na sa piling ng kani-kanilang pamilya. Ang mga
nilalang na patuloy na umaasa na sana
isang araw eh magising tayong lahat
na ang Pilipinas eh malinis, maayos,
maaliwalas at masagana nang sa ganoon eh tayo’y hindi na kakailanganin
pang mangibang bansa para humanap
ng ikabubuhay. Tsk! Tsk! (Kung ako si
Ric Santos, sa ganda ng Misis ko, hindi
na ako sasakay!!)
Subalit…dahil nga sa kinabukasan…
eh tila mahirap umasang magkakaroon
ng pagbabago…walang humpay na
sakayan ito…hangga’t may barko at
may tubig ang dagat.
kaya ang magiging kasagutan nila?
Kung sa mga Pilipino, mababait ang
mga Pinoy, madalaing magpatawad at
makalimot sa sakit at hapding nadama.
Kayang patawarin.
Sa mga marino, hindi ko masasagot
ang pangkalahatan, subalit sa sarili ko
bilang si Roli Ancha, kung si Erap eh
talagang magsisisi…sino naman ako
bilang isang Pilipino para ipagkait ang
kapatawaran, Pasko pa naman. Kaso
lang, baka naman ang pagsisi ni Erap
eh mula laang sa unang araw ng simbang gabi (December 16) hanggang
sa araw ng Tatlong Hari (January 3,
2001) at pagkatapos eh balik na naman
sa pagsusugal, pambabae, panloloko
sa kapwa Pilipino at pagsisiga-sigaan.
Aba’y mahirap!! Mas mahaba ang
araw na hindi Pasko keysa sa araw ng
Pasko!! He! He! He! Kayo mga kabay-
Ang Pasko
Ang Pasko ay ang araw ng pag-silang ng butihin nating tagapag-ligtas.
Ang tagapag-ligtas na kahit na ang mga
hudyong nagpako sa kanya sa krus ay
kanyang minamahal. Tsk! Tsk! Kung
ating mumuni-muniin, wala ng hihigit pa
sa pagmamahal ng Diyos sa tao. Ito ay
uliran at napaka-linis.
Ang Pasko ay sagisag ng pag-ibig, ng
pagbibigayan at pagpapatawad. Pagpapatawad?? Eh di dapat ay patawarin
ng mga Pilipino, ng mga marino, at iba
pang OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers)
si Erap sa Pasko?? Bigyan natin ng
ikalawang pagkakataon at suklian ng
pag-ibig ang kanyang kapabayaan at
mga kabaktutan? Sa totoo lang kung ki
Mike Velarde, ki Bro. Eddie Villanueva,
at ki Bro. Almeda natin ito itatanong,
aba’y siguradong malutong na OO ang
isasagot nila sa atin. Kung kay Cardinal Sin kaya tayo magtanong, kay Cory
Aquino, kay Gloria Macapagal? Ano
Parola no.107 - November - December 2000 - Page 6
an, ano sa palagay ninyo?
Subalit gayon pa man…muli at muli
kong ipinaabot ang taos puso kong
pagbati sa lahat ng marino, maligayang
Pasko sa inyong lahat mga kabayan.
Sige lang, gaod at gaod pa rin. Ibigay
natin ang natitira pa nating lakas. Kung
hanggang saan natin kaya. At sa dako
pa roon pag ang kaganapan ay sumukdol na, naroon SIYA at naghihintay.
Ang sa atin ay nagmamahal ng walang
pag-iimbot at puno ng kalinisan. Tayo
ay Kanyang aagapayan patungo sa
December 1 is World AIDS Day
AIDS epidemic underestimatEvery year on December 1, countries throughout the world observe World AIDS Day. The theme for this
year’s 13th Annual AIDS Day is AIDS: Men make a difference.
The theme encourages victims to
come out in acceptance of their sickness, boost their readiness to fight it,
and to enlighten others so that they
will look upon AIDS(Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndrome) victims with compassion.
Meanwhile, according to the United
Methodists, the theme hopes to engage men actively as partners in fighting
AIDS. Many men may not engage in
risk behavior, but without men, the virus
would have little opportunity to spread.
Over 70 percent of HIV infections worldwide occur through sex between men
and women, and further 10 percent
through sex between men. Another five
percent or so take place among people
who inject drugs, four-fifths of whom
are men. Engaging men as partners in
fighting AIDS is thus the surest way to
change the course of the epidemic.
News excerpts
AIDS epidemic was
underestimated
The HIV/AIDS epidemic has infected
36 million people worldwide, including
5.3 million new cases this year, far out
stripping even the worst predictions, the
United Nations said. It said cases of the
HIV virus and AIDS were 50 percent
higher than medical experts a decade
ago had predicted they would be by
now, despite advances in both treatments and prevention.
“The world clearly underestimated
how rampant this epidemic would
become. We’ve got far more cases
than the worst case scenario that was
thought out 10 years ago,” Dr. Peter Piot
said in an interview. The executive director of UNAIDS, the U.N. agency that
spearheads the global battle against
AIDS, said the latest figures in its annual update on the epidemic showed AIDS
would have killed three million people in
2000, more than in any previous year:
“It is the number one cause of death in
many, many parts of the world” ( Asian
Harm Reduction Network (AHRN), email: ahrn@loxinfo.co.th., November
28, 2000)
Global HIV infections exceed
predictions by 50 percent
New York, (Reuters Health) - By the
end of this year, 36.1 million people will
be living with HIV or AIDS, according to
UNAIDS and the World Health Organization (WHO).
This estimate is 50 percent higher
than that predicted by the WHO’s Global
Program on AIDS in 1991, according to
the annual report released by UNAIDS.
Except in sub-Saharan Africa, more
men than women around the world continue to be infected with HIV, the report
continues. With this in mind, the World
AIDS Campaign is emphasizing the role
men play in the spread of HIV, as well
as the positive impact they could have
on slowing the AIDS epidemic.
“Men’s behavior—often influenced by
harmful cultural beliefs about masculinity—makes them the prime casualties of
the epidemic,” the report’s authors state.
“Male behavior also contributes to HIV
infections in women, who often have
less power to determine where, when
and how sex takes place.”
The report also shows a striking increase in HIV cases in Eastern Europe
and Central Asia. The Russian Federation has seen more new cases of HIV
this year than all previous years com-
bined.
By the end of 2000, there will be approximately 700,000 people with HIV
infections or AIDS in Eastern Europe
and Central Asia compared with 420,000
a year ago. Unsafe drug-injecting practices appear to be the main source of
infection.
(Asian Harm Reduction Network
(AHRN), e-mail: ahrn@loxinfo.co.th.,
November 28, 2000)
Specifically in Asia...
HIV rates in Asia are low compared
with those in Africa: Only Cambodia,
Myanmar, and Thailand have infection
rates over 1 percent. But in several
Asian countries, vast populations translate into enormous numbers of people
living with HIV. In India, for example,
where only .7 percent of the population
is infected, 3.7 million people currently
live with HIV or AIDS, more than in any
other country except South Africa. Almost a million people across the region
were newly infected this year.
In many parts of Asia, HIV is highly
on page 11
World AIDS Day, December 1, 1988, was an international day of coordinated
action by people all over the world against Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome (AIDS).
Earlier that year, the World Summit Ministers of Health on Programs
for AIDS Prevention had been held, with the goal of opening channels
of communication, strengthening awareness and consciousness on
AIDS information and experience, and development of a spirit of social
tolerance.
Since then, the first day of December of every year has been observed as
a day for spreading messages of compassion, hope, and understanding
about AIDS in all countries worldwide, with the support of the World Health
Assembly, the United Nations, governments, communities and individuals.
On World AIDS Day, everyone can show their care and concern by taking
part in many planned activities or by simply wearing a red ribbon, the
international symbol of AIDS awareness, to signify support and commitment
to the prevention and cure of AIDS and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Parola no.107 - November - December 2000 - Page 7
Parola no.107 - November - December 2000 - Page 8
Parola no.107 - November - December 2000 - Page 9
Dr. Margarita Holmes
Dear Dr. Holmes:
Ako ay alalang alala sa aking naririnig tungkol sa Pilipinas
nitong nakaraang buwan. Mula nang lumitaw ang expose ni
Chavit Singson, para bang hindi ko na makilala ang Pilipinas. Ano kaya ang nangyayari sa ating bansa?
Ayon sa aking mga kamag anak, hirap na hirap sila sa ating
bansa. Tumaas na raw po ang lahat ng bilihin. Napakalungkot daw ang magiging Pasko roon. Marami ang matatanggal
sa trabaho, marami ang hindi makabibili ng kailangan nila
para sa susunod na taon.
Mula pa nang ako ay bata, ang Pasko ang pinakamahalagang pagdiriwang sa amin. Kahit na gaano kahirap kami,
gaano man kaunti ang pera, sa Pasko lang namin nakakalimutan ang lahat: may noche buena, may mga regalo ang
bawa’t isa at nagkikita-kita ang mga malalayong miyembro
ng pamilya at kaibigan na matagal nang hindi nagkita. May
tawanan, kainan at inuman.
Hindi ko matanggap na nasa sa ganitong kalagayan ang
ating bansa. Bakit pa ako naghihirap dito sa ibang bansa.
Wala akong kamag-anak o kaibigan dito at bihira lamang
ang kasiyahan. Bakit pa ako nandito kung ganito lang pala
ang nangyayari sa atin? Ganyan ba talaga ka-grabe sa Pilipinas ngayon? Papaano naman ang aming mga pamilya
kung ganyan?
RISTAR
Dear RISTAR:
Maraming salamat sa iyong sulat. (1) Ganyan ba talaga
ka-grabe ang situwasyon sa Pilipinas? Depende siguro sa
dalawang bagay: Sino ang iyong kinakausap at ano ang ibig
mong sabihin ng grabe.
Kung ang mga kinakausap mo ay si Presidente Estrada at
ang kanyang mga kabit at mga cronies, sasabihin nila na
walang pinakamagandang bansa kundi ito. Saan ka nga
naman makakakita ng isang lugar na madodoble mo ang
iyong mga bahay, auto at kayamanan na wala namang
masyadong ginagawa?
Kung kinakausap mo ang ordinaryong Filipino katulad mo
at katulad ko, sasabihin nila na mahirap ng kaunti ang
manirahan dito, at, kung hindi ma-resolve o maayos ang
isyung ito ay baka mas maging grabe pa sa Bagong Taon.
Pero kaya pa naman, at ganyan talaga ang buhay, “parang
gulong na minsan ay nasa ibabaw ka at minsan nasa ilalim.”
At ngayon ay nasa ilalim tayo. Pero, gaya nga ng gulong,
balang araw (at sana naman ay hindi magtagal) ay makakaangat din tayo.
At kung makakausap mo naman ang mga optimists,
sasabihin nila na kahit na ganito ang buhay ngayon, marami
kayong makikitang napakabait na tao na tumutulong sa
kapwa nila. In fact nga, sa mga oras na ganito tayo may
mas pagkakataon na magpakita ng kagandahang loob sa
kapwa at magpakita ng tunay na pagmamahal sa pamilya.
Depende rin sa ibig mong sabihin ng grabe. OO, talagang
naghihirap kami rito. Tumataas na ang mga bilihin, minsan
nauubusan ng gasolina ang ibang mga gas station (pero
okay pa naman so far. Puwede pang pumunta sa kabilang
gas station kung maubusan sa una). Sa mall, maraming nag
wi-window shop, pero bihira ang bumibili. Ayon sa mga may ari
ng mga tindahan, walang bumibili ng Christams decorations at
Christmas cards. Noong mga nakalipas na taon, Septiembre
pa lamang, ang dami-dami ng kantang naririnig sa radyo, at
nakikitang ilaw sa mga bintana. Pero lahat ito ay mga bagay na
material lamang.
Ang mga bagay na materyal ay ginagawang komportable
ang buhay, pero hindi mga bagay na ikamamatay natin kung
mawawala sa atin. Sana hindi natin ito makalimutan.
Minsan, RISTAR, baka kayong nasa ibang bansa ang
makapag- paalala sa mga pamilya ninyo sa Pilipinas. May mga
pagkakataon na kahit hindi sinasadya ng mga nandito sa Pinas,
sobrang sama o mas malubha ang sinasabi nila sa inyo, para
mas malaki ang maipadala ninyo. Pero kahit na bumaba ang
peso sa dollar, dollar naman ang ipinapadala ninyo, kaya more
or less, pareho pa rin ang value ng padala ninyo. At kahit na
hindi, well, okay lang naman ang magtiis ng kaunti.
Sana ang isang Pamaskong maibibigay ng mga pamilya ninyo
sa inyong mga marino ay huwag kayong bigyan ng maraming
alalahanin. At huwag din naman sana magsinungaling sa inyo na
lahat ay okay kung hindi naman. Pero yung kayang tiisin, tiisin
na lang sa halip na mag-reklamo tayo ng walang katapusan.
Baka naman may magagawa tayo para malutas ang mga maliliit
na problema.
Sana tandaan nating lahat na tayo ay nakakangiti, nakakakain,
nakakatawa, at nakakatulong pa sa iba. Higit sa lahat, may pagasa pa sa ating kinabukasan. Hindi ba ang lahat ng ito ay ang
tunay na kahulugan ng Pasko?
Kaya merry Christmas at manigong Bagong Taon sa ating lahat.
Isipin na lang natin, sa hirap ng buhay ngayon, siguradong mas
giginhawa ang 2001! Ingat sana tayong lahat
MG Holmes
Ang aking mga Christmas wishes…
Ihuli natin ang pinaka-mahalagang wishes, at umpisahin sa mga
hindi gaanong importante:
Sana wala sa inyo ang na-disappoint sapagkat hindi seks ang
ating pinag usapan ngayon. Sana ang mga pro-Erap ay hindi
rin nabigo na, for the first time in my life, nagsalita ako ng kaunti
tungkol sa buhay politikal. Hindi kasi laging maihihiwalay ang
politikal sa personal na nangyayari sa atin, lalung-lalo na sa mga
nangyayari ngayon.
Sana huwag na tayong maawa sa ating sarili. Napakarami pa
namang magagandang nangyayari sa buhay natin. Mahirap
ngang maghanapbuhay (lalo na kung madestino sa ibang bansa)
pero mas mahirap ang walang hanapbuhay. ‘Yan ang lagi kong
sinasabi sa sarili ko kapag napapaiyak na ako sa pagod at kahit
papaano, gumagaan ang puso ko.
Finally, inaasahan ko na tandaan natin na, kahit na “grabe” ng
kaunti at hindi makakain ng kasing sarap noong nakaraang
Pasko, mas grabe ang walang trabaho, walang pamilya at
walang pag-asa. Kaya, okay na okay pa tayo! Maligayang
Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon! Mabuhay kayo. Mabuhay
sana tayong lahat!
Parola no.107 - November - December 2000 - Page 10
MG Holmes
Getting to know...
Rotterdam
Rotterdam in 2000
From page 4
Consequence of all these activities in the center, continuous
diggings and all, there is always a road blocked and sand flying
around. Believe me, if you go into town with shining shoes the
polish never lasts long! Especially now in autumn with too much
rain coming down. But I will not complain, this is Holland and this
is Rotterdam. However, complaining about the weather is typical
Dutch!
Well this is all for now. I wish you a Merry Christmas and
a Happy New Year.
Bye, till next time.
Kaat Mossel
PS If you like to know something in particular about
Rotterdam or the Netherlands don’t hesitate to write to or
e-mail K. Mossel c/o Parola.
World AIDS Day...7
stigmatized, making both treatment and
prevention difficult, and condom use is
rare. Only a tiny fraction of Asian men
who have sex with men identify as gay,
although that number is increasing, especially in urban areas. In South and
Southeast Asia, most transmission is
heterosexual, often part of a chain in
which wives acquire HIV from husbands
who have in turn acquired the virus from
sex workers. Rates are also high among
injection drug users — fault lines of the
epidemic follow heroin trade routes. In
East Asia and the Pacific, injection drug
use and heterosexual and homosexual
sex are all major modes of transmission.
China’s HIV-positive population is still
relatively small and currently centered
among injection drug users. But according to the BBC, some researchers
predict 10 million people could be infected within the next five years. (Asian
Harm Reduction Network (AHRN), email: ahrn@loxinfo.co.th., November
28, 2000)
In the Philippines...
More OFWs return with HIV
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported yesterday
the rising number of returning OFW’s
who are already afflicted with the deadly
AIDS causing virus.
DOLE records showed that OFWs
now account for 25 percent or 349 of
the recorded total 1,424 Filipinos confirmed to be afflicted with HIV from
January 1984 to October 2000.
Ma. Lourdes Marin, of the Action for
Health Initiatives (ACHIEVE), Inc., a
non-government organization (NGO)
assisting workers with HIV, said many
OFWs leave the country without a realistic picture of life abroad making them
vulnerable to the disease. Marin cited
low knowledge about AIDS, low condom
use as among the factors making OFWs
vulnerable to the deadly illness. (The
Philippine Star, December 4, 2000)
Young people and AIDS
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), children and young
people were the focus in the observance
of World AIDS Day. The need to focus
on young people, WHO explained, is
demonstrated by the fact that one third
of the 33 million people living with HIV
are young, aged between 15 and 24.
The Organization pointed out that, of
the 1.2 million new infections that occurred in Asia in 1998, more than half
were among young people. Worldwide,
7,000 young people are infected with
HIV every day, it was stated.
The theme of this year’s World AIDS
Campaign is: “Listen, Learn, Live! World
AIDS Campaign with Children and
Young People.” It emphasizes communication with children and young people.
The prevention of AIDS faces some
challenges. According to WHO, young
people are most vulnerable to sexually
transmitted infections (STIs), including
HIV/AIDS. (Manila Bulletin, December
2, 2000)
Parola no.107 - November - December 2000 - Page 11
PSAP’s Leshley
Liauw in a session with the
crew of M/V
Doha Moon.
Nonoy
Gayoso
(Right)
of PSAP
Amidst the crew of M/V Nostalgic
is Fr. Verhagen. He was officicially
installed as Chaplain of Stella Maris
in Amsterdam on November 12,
2000.
M/V Doha Moon crew.
PSAP and Parola go online...2
therefore more content and yes, hopefully will lead to more interactions.
Two-way traffic
With a PSAP/Parola website, the line
of communication will be more open
and immediate. This means that information will not only come from us.
Contributions from everyone and from
all over will always be welcome. As they
say, the more the better.
Right now, you may want to tell us
what you want to be on the website. As
we’ve said in the last issue, we will appreciate any suggestion, idea to make
the building of the website more mean-
ingful and for it to be more relevant to
your needs and wishes.
In line with this, we will be conducting
a survey among the marinos. Some of
the questions are: Ano nga ba ang ilalagay natin sa diyan sa website? Ano ba
ang importante? Ano ba ang makakapag-pagaan ng loob habang ako ay
malayo sa pamilya ko. At marami pang
ibang tanong. We do hope that you will
do this with us.
Sooonnn
This month of January, you may want
to start visiting the website. It is still un-
Parola no.107 - November - December 2000 - Page 12
der construction but bright ideas might
come once you see what we already
have. Our address: www.PSAPonline.
net. We’re looking forward to reading
your letters or your e-mails. Our e-mail
address: psap97@wxs.nl.
Basco Fernandez
Follow up on the POEA Revised contract
What is “work-related” illness or injury?
An interview with Dr. Rob Verbist*
Due to the new provisions in the
revised Philippine standard contract,
seafarers have been asking us for more
information about the term “work-related” illness or injury. We have asked Dr.
Rob Verbist, a Belgian doctor in Antwerp, who is an active proponent of
maritime health rights and standards.
Basco: How did this practice of
separating illness or injury into two
categories ( work and non-work) come
about in the seafaring world? How
common or widespread is this practice
among international seafarers?
Dr. Verbist: In general the maritime
industry is responsible for the seafarers health while on board ship by the
general principle of “maintenance and
cure” of both the vessel and crew. In
other words a contract between a shipping company and a seafarer holds
guarantees for lodging, food and health.
Another principle that is important is the
safety of the vessel; it is the obligation
of the company to maintain the vessel
safe, which again holds some minimal
requirements in number of crew, qualifications and their physical condition.
Basco:What is the reason or the
principles behind this separation of
work and non-work related injuries or
illness ?
Dr. Verbist: Given this background of
general principles it becomes clear that
all aspects of health are concerned,
be it work-related or not. It is however
questioned whether any medical condition that existed before the contract of
employment would necessarily have to
be treated in the same way. There of
course it is very important as to whether
the patient knew this condition in advance or not and in that sense it may
be said that the doctor who checks the
patient prior to employment should indeed know the complete medical history
of the patient.
The distinction between work-related
and not-work-related medical condition not only comes from a diagnostical
ground or to divide between the different
causes of ill-health, in many countries
the insurance differs for work-related
problems, be it accidents or illness and
not-work-related conditions. The first
system is usually covered by an insurance paid for by the employer the latter
may be a private insurance or a system
Erap in impeachment thriller...3
quicker process, especially as they bring in
the main witnesses like Governor Singson
and President Estrada himself.
With the start of the impeachment on 7
December, KOMPIL II responded by organizing the Jericho March, which was meant
to pressure senators to vote according to
their conscience. However, the march with
80,000 participants was not allowed by the
police guarding the Senate buildings. Nevertheless, the cause oriented groups hopes
to maintain the pressure by holding daily
vigils at the Senate. They are also closely
monitoring the senators’ participation in the
proceedings and encouraging citizens to
write to the senators. Finally, they are busy
organizing a parallel People’s Tribunal to try
the case of President Estrada.
(Philippine Daily Inquirer Online October
10 – December 11, 2000; Focus on the Philippines, Issue #22 Series 2000, Philippine
Center for Investigative Journalism.)
For those who want to express their opin-
ions on the Erap Presidency, for or against,
here are the addresses and contact details of
the Senate and Senators.
SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES
11th Congress of the Philippines
GSIS Bldg., Financial Center, Roxas
Blvd., Pasay City, MM
Trunkline (TL): 5526601 to 80
Senate Pres. Aquilino Pimentel, Jr.
Tel:5526744 /Locals: 5570 to 5572 / 5593 /
agp@compass.com.ph
Sen. Robert Z. Barbers
Tel:5526717
Locals: 5549 to 5550
Fax: 5526601 Local 5586
Sen. Rodolfo G. Biazon
Fax: 5526772 / Tel: 5516584
Telefax: 5517920 Local 7300
Sen. Renato L. Cayetano
Fax: 5526898
Room 4438, 4th Floor, PICC Bldg.,
with a large contribution from the social
security system and the state, professional diseases may be covered by a
special fund.
To establish whether a problem is
related to the job or not may therefore
be necessary to know which insurance
system will cover the case.
Basco: As a port doctor, do you think
this separation is advisable for Third
World seafarers?
Dr. Verbist: If the distinction between
work-related and not-work-related conditions is made in seafarers, it is still
believed that the principles of maintenance and cure will apply and will be
used as a basis in jurisdiction in case
of claims. The separation would be an
important setback for the seafarers of
the third world. Their presence on board
deprives them from normal medical care
and the risks for their health are larger
at sea than on land, their right to medical care during the time of the contract
and afterwards is a just compensation
for the risk they take.
(*Dr. Rob Verbist is a Port-physician in
Antwerp)
Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, MM
Sen. Anna Dominique M.L. Coseteng
Locals: 5543 to 5544/5548
Fax: 5526787
Tels: 8331268; 8917785 to 86
Sen. Franklin M. Drilon
Room 603, 6th Floor
Locals: 6512 to 6521
Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile
Tel: 5526743
Locals:5533/5535
Fax: Local 5534 /Tels: 5276625 to 29
Fax: 5274837; 5274839
Sen. Juan M. Flavier
Locals: 5537 / 5538 / 5582
Fax: 5526869
Sen. Teofisto T. Guingona, Jr.
Tel:5526745
Locals: 6501 to 6505
Telefax: 5526733
Tels: 7214805;7215658
Fax: 7215923
Sen. Gregorio B Honasan
on page 15
Parola no.107 - November - December 2000 - Page 13
Christmas and New Year’s greetings to my wife, Susan and
daughters — Jae and Kaye — brods and sis and in-laws.
May we have a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Dear, happy 18th wedding anniversary (November 16).
Greetings go also to P.C.A. staff and crew, to M/S Svealand
Master, Officer and crew. Special greetings to our kindhearted, jolly good owner, Mr. Jurgen Ohle and family.
Engʼr. Rodito C. Mahanlud
M/S Svealand
(Dear Mrs. Susan Mahanlud, in the last issue of Parola (105106), your name was wrongly typed to read Presca. I’m so
sorry about this. - Ed)
My warmest greetings to my family — Mommy, Daddy, Ianne,
Che-che, Japorms and most especially to Maloli Umali. See
you all soon…
Allan Villegas
M/V Pergamos
Birthday greetings to my beloved wife, Vivian (December 2),
and only son, Joey (December 13). Also greetings to my
talented daughters, Joy and Jam. God almighty be with us
always.
Teofilo P. Gervacio
M/V Veni
To my loving wife, Ging, to my kids — Baby, Nonoy and Toto
— may you have the best of health. I love you all.
Wishing my wife, Adette, and daughter, Icee all the best. Merry
Christmas and a happy New Year.To my wife and kids, Merry
Christmas and a happy New Year. Love,
Butch
M/V Emma
Merry Christmas and happy New Year to Honey Ma and to all
the Ichon blood and to all my family circle.
Dennis Antonio Maraon
M/V Emma
Merry, merry Christmas and happy, happy New Year to Babes
and to my family — Mamang Zeny, Papa Renan Vethro, Chimchim, Naren and Atong. I love you very, very much. Love,
Errol S.
M/V Emma
Greetings to my loving wife, to my son, A.J., happy birthday
(December 9) and also a happy birthday to my other son
(December 22). All the best,
Loving Papa Bobbit
Christmas greetings to my loving kids and beloved wife, Sofia
Wu. May all of you enjoy your holidays at home. I miss you
all. We will celebrate Christ’s birthday as one family even if I’m
here on board. I love you all. Love, Papa
3/O Tomasito G. Wu
M/V Ocean Galaxy
Marlou Portillo
2/Engʼr., M/V Vanguard
The New Christmas song White Biscay on page 16 is heartily
dedicated to all seamen; specially those like us crossing
Viscaya in every trip. We wish you all light and smooth sailing.
Best regards,
Jonathan More
M/V Emma
3/M Basila
M/V NINCOP
BSN and Beatrix Haven Crew
My warmest gretings to my loving and beautiful wife. Regards
to Lola Ulang, Womwey, Bong-bong. May the blessing of our Warmest regards to my wife, Winneby; my daughter, Charlotte;
Lord be with us always. Merry Christmas and a prosperous three sons - Randy, Queng, and Vanny. Also best regards to all
New Year.
seamen who try their best to help our economy.
Christmas greetings to families and friends.
Crew of M/V Kyrinia
Parola no.107 - November - December 2000 - Page 14
Erap in impeachment thriller...13
ISSN: 1389-9465
Marlene Macatangay
Editor
Basco Fernandez, Josie Pulmano
and Nonoy Ty
Editorial Staff
Margie Holmes, Felix Pulmano and Roli Ancha
Columnists
Abas Abdula, Edgar
Econ and Leshley Liauw
Technical Staff
Parola is published bi-monthly by
the Philippine Seamen’s Assistance
Program(PSAP). PSAP is a non-stock,
non-profit foun-dation registered
in the Chamber of Commerce
No. S127664, Rotterdam, The
Netherlands.
PSAP was founded in 1981 in
Rotterdam with the aim to support
Filipino seafarers in their struggle for
better working and living conditions.
PSAP’s Objectives
To contribute to seafarers awareness
about their workers and human rights.
To provide support and services to
seafarers
To promote seafarers awareness on
HIV/AIDS and other health related
issues
To enhance better cooperation among
seafarers of various nationalities
through better unders- tanding of each
other culture.
Tel: 5526793
Locals: 5553 / 5554
Tels: 5510352; 5510363; 5510340
Fax: 5510350
Sen. Robert S. Jaworski
Tels: 5526771; 5526798
Locals: 5524 to 26 / Fax: 5526776
senjawo1@pacific.net.ph
Sen. Loren Legarda-Leviste
Locals: 5540 / 5583 / 5541
Fax: 5526770
Sen. Ramon B. Magsaysay, Jr.
Locals: 5530 / 5532 / 5580
Telefax: 5526773
Tel:8330821 / Fax: 8330979
Sen. Teresa Aquino-Oreta
Tel: 5265781 / Fax: 5217407
senate@i-manila.com.ph
Sen. Blas F. Ople
Tels: 5260259; 5260260; 5252642
Fax: 5210677
Fax: 5210650
ramonrevilla@hotmail.com
Sen. Raul S. Roco
Tels: 5259106 to 09
Fax: 5260790 or 91
Sen. Mirriam Defensor-Santiago
Tels: 3724573 to 75
Fax: 3743055; 3743059
miriam@philonline.com
Sen Vicente C. Sotto IIIVi
Tels: 8314126; 8314182; 8314132;
8323056
Fax: 8314194
vsflegis@pacific.net.ph
Sen. Francisco S. Tatad
Room 511, 5th Floor
Locals: 5545 to 5547
Fax: 5526716
sfst@ec.net.ph
bfo@amanet.net
Sen. John Henry R. Osmeña
Tels: 5514839 to 40
Fax: 5514276
jho117@pastmail.i-next.net
Sen. Sergio R. Osmeña
Tels: 5276288; 5276488; 5276588;
5276688
Fax: 5276788; 5277188
Sen. Ramon B. Revilla
Tels: 5260257; 5253264
Addresses:
PSAP Rotterdam
Oostbroekweg 4,
3089 KL Rotterdam
The Netherlands
Tel. 010-2400930
Fax. 010-2400932
E-mail. psap97@wxs.nl
Centro Filipino-Seamen’s
Calle Riera Vaja 6-4
0881
Barcelona, Spain
Kasapi Seafarers’ Assistance
Program Labor Center of Piraeus
Skylitsi 19, Piraeus, Greece
Desk
International Christian Maritime Asso
ciation(ICMA)
2/3
Orchard Place, Southampton
S01
1BR England
NY
Center for Seafarers’ Rights
241 WAter Street, New York,
10038 Tel. 212-3499090
Fax. 212-3498342
Printed by: Drukkerij Dizayn
Subscribing to Parola is your way of
supporting the publication.
A yearʼs subscription costs
US$10.00. Send the amount to:
PSAP
Oostbroekweg 4
3089 KL Rotterdam
The Netherlands
Thank you for your support.
See page 16, please...
Parola no.107 - November - December 2000 - Page 15
White Biscay*
I’m dreaming of a white Biscay
With Northwest ten and lots of fun
When all books start flying
Young seamen crying
And beer-fridge on the run.
I’m dreaming of a white Biscay
The vessel rolling with all her might
May your crossings be merry and bright
And may all your Biscay-days be white.
I’m dreaming of a white Biscay
Where sleep comes hard and mostly not
When the Bosun’s preaching
While the ship suffers from breaching
And the Cook’s running behind his pot.
I’m dreaming of a white Biscay
The vessel rolling with all her might
May your crossings be merry and bright
And may all your Biscay-days be white.
Music: Isaac Berlin
Lyrics: Rudi Reinders
Seafun Music 2000
All rights brutally vilolated
*A new Christmas song
to the tune of White
Christmas.
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Parola no.107 - November - December 2000 - Page 16