Arnel Pineda is one of the many OFWs who embark into the world of music. Now he and his band loved by most music lovers around the world.

In Middle East countries particularly in Saudi Arabia, group of OFWs are in the making to become famous and one of them in Riyadh. Introducing - The  eXYZ band.

eXYZ Band

The powerful rock quintet is composed of the very talented keyboardist Rodel, guitar wizard Chris, rock-solid drummer Bhong, energetic bass player Francis, and the talented singer Bob.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP-nq9fB60o

News report yesterday from leading Arabic newspaper in the Kingdom featured Sheikh Muhammad Al-Rifai, director of the Yanbu Branch of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, that “all branches of the commission were notified of the Interior Ministry’s decision, which stipulates that the role of the commission ends once the suspect is arrested and handed over to the police.” Members of the commission are religious police called Muttawa’in.

The order was issued by the Interior Ministry in response to a complaint filed by a father of Saudi young man who was allegedly beaten to death when members of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice stormed his house in late May in the capital on the suspicion that his son was engaged in selling alcohol. The father has demanded execution of the persons responsible for his death.

Mr. Raid Qusti, a respected columnist of Arab News in his news report stated that the father would have turned his son to the authorities who has been suspected selling liquor if they showed up with a warrant for the arrest, “instead, they raided the place, never showed a piece of paper,” quoted in the news report.

Reuters on line news dated 15 July 2007 said “four members of the commission are also on trial for the death of a 50-year-old man who had been arrested for driving with an unrelated woman.”

These prompted the Saudi Interior Ministry to issue guidelines banning morality police from detaining suspects. The order follows previous efforts to regulate the activities of the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, including a royal decree last year that they must deliver suspects to Interior Ministry police officers.

The order includes ban the commission on extracting confessions and inspections of morality police offices to ensure no one is being held there.

 Internet online leading news source Reuters added that “Saudi critics say the body, whose members intervene to stop unrelated men and women from mixing in public and sometimes interrogate people to check if their beliefs fit with Saudi Arabia’s Islamic orthodoxy, is an affront to civil rights.”

However, world press another online news said, “The commission believes that the decision will not affect the role of the commission in confronting corruption and violations.” It pointed out that “a great burden has been lifted from the commission’s men and the number of men working in the field will increase, thus allowing them to play a more effective role.” Further, the commission members will have to take part in compulsory field training programs and attend awareness courses.

Mutawwa’in or religious police, who constitute the Committee to Promote Virtue and Prevent Vice, still have the power to arrest those who violate the law and the authority to enforce their duty by apprehending those persons who violates the strict standards of social behavior including the closing of commercial establishments during the five daily prayer observances and compliance with strict norms of public dress, and dispersing gatherings of women in public places.

However, they are not allowed to detain any suspect of a crime or violators of a certain law or ordinances; once apprehended, violators should be handed over to the police for proper questioning.

Yesterday, June 12, 2007 was the 109^th Year Anniversary of our Independence from Spain. I already made an entry of it titled “A Glimpse of Freedom.” 

 Every year our Philippine Embassy/Consulate will invite the community to commemorate the said occasion and dubbed it as “Filipino Community Night”.  Unlike from previous years, I don’t feel like attending this year’s celebration. It maybe because I have more important things to do besides from the fact that I will be having a medical general check up this Friday or perhaps I am not in the mood to dine with our Embassy staff while those unfortunate OFWs at the deportation center in Jeddah are not comfortable with their present situation. 

 So instead of taking some still shots at the Embassy this coming Friday for my next blog entry, think it is an opportunity to take a glance of what was transpired in the other part of the globe in this Year’s Independence Day celebration.

 Republic of Korea

 Korea is not just a nice country, Koreans are loving and friendly people. I remember when I was in my elementary grade my favorite cousin from Butuan married a Korean guy and up to now they’re still very much deeply in love with each other.

 Filipinos too are fond of Korean Telenovelas; actually whenever I’m on vacation I loved watching it together with my family.  Here in Saudi Arabia, I met some Koreans in one of the gatherings I attended hosted by an American friend. They’re fun to chat with and have a sense of humor, a trait common to us Filipinos; the reason I think Sandara Park became famous in Philippine cinema especially to our young ones.

 Last June 8, 2007 at (Hyatt Hotel) Seoul, Korea a special celebration of Philippine Independence Day was hosted by Ambassador Susan Castrence and Embassy Staff. Diplomats from other countries and South Korea officials were invited together with few leaders from Filipino Communities. It so happen that our (UFWCD) United Filipinos Worldwide for Community Development President Mrs. Fe Kim based in South Korea were among those who attended the celebration. 

 Yesterday, June 12, 2007 was the 109^th Year Anniversary of our Independence from Spain. I already made an entry of it titled “A Glimpse of Freedom.” 

Every year our Philippine Embassy/Consulate will invite the community to commemorate the said occasion and dubbed it as “Filipino Community Night”.  Unlike from previous years, I don’t feel like attending this year’s celebration. It maybe because I have more important things to do besides from the fact that I will be having a medical general check up this Friday or perhaps I am not in the mood to dine with our Embassy staff while those unfortunate OFWs at the deportation center in Jeddah are not comfortable with their present situation. 

So instead of taking some still shots at the Embassy this coming Friday for my next blog entry, think it is an opportunity to take a glance of what was transpired in the other part of the globe in this Year’s Independence Day celebration.

Ambassador Castrence with Mr. & Mrs. Park/Mr.& Mrs. Fe Kim

Mr. & Mrs. Fe Kim/Mr. & Mrs. Park with Labor Attache Sabulao

Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea (ROK) began in 1949, with the Philippines deploying Filipino soldiers to South Korea. Today there are approximately 50,000 Filipinos living in South Korea.

 Filipinos in ROK are small in numbers compared to Saudi Arabia where there are estimated 1 Million Filipinos

Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea (ROK) began in 1949, with the Philippines deploying Filipino soldiers to South Korea. Today there are approximately 50,000 Filipinos living in South Korea.

Filipinos in ROK are small in numbers compared to Saudi Arabia where there are estimated 1 Million Filipinos (OFWs and dependents) but I believed Korea in the future would be the next haven of overseas Filipino workers considering Philippine-ROK continuous strong ties both political and economic linkages.  

 There’s another celebration this coming Sunday (June 17, 2007) to be held at Hamilton Hotel, Iteawon, Seoul. This is a Joint celebration of the 109th Philippine Independence Day  and 12th year of Migrant Workers Day to be attended by the different Filipino communities with cultural presentation.

Filipinos (OFWs and dependents) but I believed Korea in the future would be the next haven of overseas Filipino workers considering Philippine-ROK continuous strong ties both political and economic linkages.   

 There’s another celebration this coming Sunday (June 17, 2007) to be held at Hamilton Hotel, Iteawon, Seoul. This is a Joint celebration of the 109th Philippine Independence Day  and 12th year of Migrant Workers Day to be attended by the different Filipino communities with cultural presentation.

I will be the Master of Ceremony in the 9th Founding Annivesary of Black Python Martial Arts Association, Inc., (BPMA) here in Riyadh tomorrow 25 May 2007. Here is my piece:

The Basics

Good Morning everyone! I would like to acknowledged the presence of the executive council members as well participating member organizations of the Overseas Filipino Workers Congress-Riyadh and to National Chairman of United OFW, Engr. Frank Naval. In behalf of the general membership of BPMA; Thanks for coming.

My answer to the question is, I am just doing my job as the Master of Ceremony for the 9th Founding Anniversary of BPMA and the Induction of 2007 Executive Officers and its Board of Trustees. Sorry KYUDS and Guests, I even give title to this piece, I called it “The Basics“.

When Kyud Faisal asked me if I can be the MC for todays affair, I did not declined because BPMA is not just an ordinary colleague in the Filipino Community but personally BPMA is dearest to my heart.

BPMA had shared a lot of community service not only to the Filipino community, not only at our Embassy but also to KAKAMPI, our organization in the Industrial Area whom yours truly is the founder. I don’t even remember BPMA decline if we needed you most. I first met the leadership of BPMA during the 2004 OAV where all of you were there as volunteer marshals for the orderly and peaceful conduct of the last 2004 electoral process. All of you were also there when our friend the late Dr. Alfred Ganapin needs your blood (donation) in an attempt to save his life. I know our friend Dr. Alfred was very thankful for the kind gesture you have done to him in the last days, hours and minute of his life.

That’s the basic or shall we say the initial background why I am here before you and why I respect you-all. Now back to The Basics….

Maybe now - you will be asking why I am talking about martial arts? My answer; first this is a founding anniversary of a Martial Arts Association and secondly, kahit papaano during my elementary days I am a “Yellow Belter” in a Karate Club of my brother named “Libra Brotherhood Karate Club” kaya kahit papaano mayron konting alam in the basics of Martial Arts.

Martial Arts club or association would inevitably start with the students and students start with the basics, the rest, however, would soon progress on to long, complex combinations of a dozen techniques or more. Considerable time would be spent explaining the sequence of movement, and after perhaps several practice attempts, the barrage of techniques would be performed at “full speed and power”. Speed, spirit and aggression, as what martial arts experts says.

The master or coach is telling the students that it doesn’t matter whether their technique is good or bad, only that everything must be performed with the correct attitude, by which he means with spirit and aggression. I agree that these things are extremely important. Eventually, these natural basic teaching provide the foundation upon which everything else is built.

The constant reference to basics can be somewhat misleading. The word basic implies simplistic, easy, or elementary, it is also mean primary, initial or first, all of them are the very opposite of advanced or complex.

According to my brother in his message to his fellow Professional Electrical Engineers, in which we could apply to a Karate competition, he said ”It is best to prepare and anticipate. But preparedness does not mean that we allow ourselves to lose track of the basics. It is the bedrock foundation of our competence. Once the basics are forgotten, the foundation will be weakened and the structure might crumble”. (by: Doods Amora) 

It is just like the famous pinoy quote: “Ang hindi lumingon sa pinangalingan ay hindi makakarating sa paroroonan“.

In other words, don’t let the advance or complex method of fighting (martial arts) get the better of you. Do not belittle the Basics because you will experience later that the basics after all will make someone a Grandmaster. You will therefore do your share in training others. It will be something of an achievement and a work in a lifetime.

“So why do you do karate, and what do you hope to achieve?” is a question I’m often asked. The first part is difficult to answer, but the latter part easy: all the top grandmasters like Kyud Bhoy, I too would like to be seen as someone who was beginning to “get the basics under his belt”. Magparehistro ako mamaya and will be officially addressed as “Kyud”.

To be rendered by: Kyud Audrey De Los Santos ___________.

You are kindly requested to stand para sa pagpugay sa bandila ng ating mahal na Bansang Pilipinas.

Former Philippine Embassy in Riyadh Consul General, Minister Counselor and Charge De Affaires Mariano Dumia is now acting Charge De Affaires of our Philippine Embassy in Lebanon. Prior to his posting in Lebanon, he was the Executive Director of Migrant Workers Affairs at the DFA.

CDA Mariano Dumia a devoted down to earth OFW servant, a personal friend and a good friend to the Filipino community in Riyadh is a career diplomat and served the Overseas Filipino Community since the early 90s. He started serving OFWs as First Secretary and rose to higher rank.  His round of posting includes Oman, Sydney and Iran.

As a former head at the Philippine Embassy-Riyadh, Assistance to National Section (ANS) earned him as an “OFW Warrior” for the plight of our distressed OFWs. One of his achievements was the handling of big and sensitive issues such as the case of just recently released Sarah Dematera.  Side by side with former Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and now DFA Under Secretary Rafael Seguis, together they worked hard negotiating with the Saudi authorities to stay or hold the execution of Domestic Helper Sarah Dematera till she got her freedom.

The Filipino community organizations in Riyadh even requested the DFA-Manila for the extension of his service when he was about to end his tour of duty in 2005.  

Now, the good Minister Dumia is currently the head of mission in Lebanon pending official appointment for a new Ambassador in that country.  With his new post, we are assured that the plight of our OFWs in Lebanon is “being well taken care of”.   

The Filipino Community and the OFW Congress in Riyadh, wishing you-SIR the best of health and God will always bless a God fearing diplomat and an “OFW Warrior“.