Bringing pride to all Filipinos around the world!

Volume 1 Issue 2 October-December 2014

Hello to all of my kababayans here in Romania! I hope you are enjoying the first few days of 2015. It has been over 3 months since our newsletter
came out on its maiden issue. For its second issue, we will have more interesting features for our readers. Pinoy sa Romania offers great news-worthy
information about our events, places and people. I would like to congratulate
everyone for the success of the Anniversary of our Holy mass in October,
which was hosted by the Pinoy Organization in Romania (POIR) and the Halloween Event in November which was hosted by ENFID. I also commend the
organizers of the TFCR SportsFest in September. It was, indeed, a meaningful and very productive quarter for everyone who participated. I hope that we
could spark and inspire others to bring up more ideas on how to get us engaged, enjoy each others company and work together as one united, strong
Jennetta Alambra
Co-Founder & Associate Editor
and
happy Filipino community here in Romania. At the end of each of our
Pinoy Sa Romania Newsletter
community events, I realized that we are brothers and sisters in Christ, and
that cannot be changed. I am very positive that our newsletter will connect us to a much deeper understanding of cooperation, compassion and unity. I would love to for anyone to contribute in our newsletters by
sending me a short message with pictures, and encourage any Filipino that you know to connect with us for
anything. There is no big or small when it comes to sharing and in giving, everyone is appreciated! To all
of my kababayans, may the spirit of New Year give us a renewed start to connect, and together as a community, we build a solid ground of helping one another. Pinoy sa Romania newsletter is for everyone!
Mabuhay po tayong lahat!

My Journey to Romania
Featured City
Sports Fest 2014
3rd Annual Filipino Mass
Forum on Migration
Other News

Introducing

From Laura tefnu,

Freelance Journalist in Romania

Photo by Rose Cuevas Reyes

I received a lesson on what charity really means. When I met Filipino

community of Romania, comprising persons working as nannies or
housekeepers through the houses of the Romanians, I am constantly
amazed by what they are able to do. Even if they themselves are
faced with abuses, does not have financing, but they have many problems, they joined together and raised donations for two orphanages in
Bucharest. They gave the children collected clothes, rucksacks and
other office/school supplies. Although there are thousands of miles
from their children, whom they send all the money they saved, they still
find time to share with the orphans in Romania. One of the women in
the community, will play Ynia today in a play with free entry, where
they will collect donations for the Filipino community. If you have time,
I'll see you at 19 film, free entry and crowdfunding for the Filipino community.
1

Editors Message

Ryan Tejero
Co-Founder & Editor-In-Chief

LETTER FROM THE PHILIPPINE EMBASSY BUDAPEST

Our first issue was a

great success! Thanks to everyone who made it happen, most
especially to my co-founder,
Jenetta, for your selflessness
and your dedication to this
newsletter. I am sure for both of
us, this volunteer job to our kababayans in Romania and to the
Filipinos overseas, is a selffulfillment.

With the overwhelming

feedback that we received from the community, no
less than the Philippine Embassy Budapest, and the
posting of our newsletter at the website of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), I am encouraged to work more in making our newsletter a great
Filipino resource in Romania. As we usher in the new
year2015, we the staffpromise not only to get
better but become more responsive by being an agent
that will bring in more light on the issues that affects
our kababayans, specifically in Romania. We will continue to provide everyone equal opportunity to raise
their voice and sentiments as overseas Filipinos in Romania. I look forward to receiving more emails in the
year 2015 onwards! We welcome on board Bernie Joker Duro in addition to our Editorial Board. He will be
our News Editor.

NEWSLETTER DEBUT POSTING ON CFOS WEBSITE

Newsletters Managing Editor Jenetta Alambra and News Editor Bernie

Duro, with TFCR President Josephine Napicog (L) and Xylarose Fiestada (R).

Philippine Embassy Budapest

Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines
1026 Budapest, Hungary
Gabor Aron utca 58
Tel no. : +36-1-391-4300
Fax no.: +36-1-200-5528
Email Addresses:
phbuda@philembassy.hu
budapest.pe@dfa.gov.ph

My name is Carlo Santander, and presently

working in Craiova, Romania. In the Philippines, I
came from Sta. Rosa, Laguna. My story about going
to Romania is a little bit sad. When I started looking for
an agency to come here in Romania, I was selected to
come to Dubai in the Middle East. I complied with all
the requirements that were asked by the agency, attending the pre departure orientation seminar and
even paid for the required placement fee. I wasnt
scared at all because I knew other applicants had already left for Dubai. But I guess Dubai was not really
meant to be my intended destination abroad. After a
month of waiting for a call to leave for Dubai, I backed
out from the agencys list. One of my agents friends
was looking for a hairstylist in Romania, and in February 19, 2014, I got hired and flew to Romania. I am
Carlo (far right) enjoys the winter season in Romania with
currently working as a hairstylist here in Craiova. I am
Filipino friend Katherine and Romanian friend Hermina.
happy with what happened to me because most of us
at work are Filipinos. The salon is owned by a Romanian couple. They call it Manila Beauty Stylist. The same couple own
the Manila Restaurant. I am so proud of us Filipinos because our customers love our services and Philippine products that
are sold in the stores. At this time, these two establishments have been gaining popularity among the Romanian citizens
here Craiova, Romania.

I have signed a 3-year contract, but if given the chance, I would rather stay here longer than that, maybe 10 years. I
enjoy Romanian food. My favorites are Sarmale, Fructe De Mare and Cozonac. One of the reasons why I wanted to see
other countries is to experience the real snow. With all experiences here in Craiova, I would say, I am happy to have
worked here. Craiova is one of the biggest and fast-growing cities in all Romania. It has its own international airport and
equipped with modern transportation system. I always feel safe and comfortable in this city.

ABOUT THE NEWSLETTER

Ryan Tejero
Editor-In-Chief

ryantejero@yahoo.com

Jenetta Alambra
Managing Editor

jenetta_alambra@yahoo.com

Filipinos at the 2015 New Years Countdown

Bernie Duro
News Editor

warjaboo@gmail.com

Pinoy Sa Romania is a quarterly e-newsletter of Filipinos

in Romania. It provides a venue to exchange information and
bring community members the news that encourage unity,
cooperation and community-building. Please feel free to send
in your articles, with pictures, stories and questions or comments to the Editor-in-Chief at ryantejero@yahoo.com.

TFCR members waiting for the New Years countdown on December 31 at

Casa Popurolui in Bucharest. In this photo are (left to right) Cristina Enano,
Bing Atienza, Luidel Azuela, Catherine Del Castillo, Leslie Legaspi, Arlyn
Arcilla,Marlyn Barenio, Eliza Dagondon, Maria Tapire.

POIR Hosts the 3rd Annual Filipino Mass in Romania

This year, on its 3rd Anniversary,
the Filipino community in Romania gathered once again to celebrate the Holy
Mass. This was organized by the Pinoy
Organization in Romania (POIR). It has
been the goal of Filipinos to observe this
tradition to keep and strengthen their
Christian faith, love with one another, and
their desire to foster unity in the community. A Filipino Mass every 3rd Sunday of
the month has also been organized by the
Filipino community. A church choir was
formed where Tagalog songs are performed during the mass that is held in the
English language. Filipinos in Romania
are very strong in their spiritual belief.
While being away from their love ones in
the Philippines, they keep their belief high
in the love of God for His children.
It was in October 16, 2011 when
the Filipino community in Romania held its
Holy Mass at the Sacred Heart Church.
This church is located at Strada aviator 3,
Gheorge Demitriade, Sector 1 Bucharest
Romania. It was the then CDA (Charge D
Affairs) Maria Fe Pangilinan, with the help
of Cultural Officers of the Philippine Embassy Mrs. Marina V. Gonzalbo and her
husband Mr. Emmanuel Gonzalbo, who
helped the community to make arrangements and organize the event. The community priest and Filipino supporter, Father Eduard Giorgi officiated the Holy
Mass.

CRAIOVA:

Featured City in Romania with Filipinos

This city hosts 9 reported Filipinos as of this writing. Craiova is the chief commercial city which is located on the west
side of Romanias capital, Bucharest. It known as the most important city of Oltenia. The city has progressed a lot as a regional
trading center in the country. Despite the destruction caused by the earthquake in 1790, a plague in 1795, and a Turkish assault
in 1802, Craiova has stood still as todays one of the most beautiful cities to visit in Romania. Craiova has a continental climate
with Mediterranean influences. During the summer months, the city has a high average of 30 C (86 F) and a low average of
18 C (65 F). In the winter months, it has a high average of 4 C (39 F) and a low average of -3 C (26 F).
Craiova hosts one of the most modern universities in Europe the Universitatea. This university attracts many foreign
students from other parts of Europe and overseas students from the USA and Asian countries.
Parcul Rumanescu is the biggest natural park all over Romania and probably all over Europe, there's a lot of activities
that you can do here especially during summer, which includes biking, taking long walks, or just relaxing and enjoying the beauty of nature. This park has a mini zoo, with a number of interesting wild animals that are only seen in Romania. A man-made
lake in the park features a water ride just like our Philippine Bangka or mini boat. Another special feature is a mini castle, with
a hanging bridge. If you are hungry, this park offers specialty restaurants or fine dining places that are overlooking the beautiful
lake.

POIRs Visits Orphanage

in Romania
Members of the Pinoy Organization in Romania
(POIR) held its monthly visits in November and December as part of its charitable project. The beneficiaries of POIRs project are children from the orphanages of Fundatia Padre Simpliciano (November 30,
2014) and Asociatia Muncitoarele Isus (December 7,
2014) in Colentina, Bucharest.

Filipino Community
Celebrates
Christmas with
Added Fun Feature

Volleyball: Green Team vs. Red Team

Basketball: Blue Team vs. Green Team

Just in time to end the summer season, Filipinos in Romania held its Sports Fest. Community members were divided
into 4 playing Teams as represented by the colors: RED, GREEN, WHITE and BLUE. The Sports Fest has a goal of building
unity in the community and strengthening cooperation among Filipinos. The organizers have spent a lot of time planning for
the event, especially on what games to play, schedules and rules of the games, and prizes for winning teams. This kind of
event has brought community members closer to one another, and just another way of becoming productive while taking off
from their respective jobs and coping with their being away from their families and love ones back in the Philippines. On the
day of the event, the weather did not cooperate, thus, there were other games that were not played. The organizers are thinking of scheduling next years event on the early par to summer. Everyone seems to have a great time, and is looking forward
to Sports Fest 2015.

Members of the Filipino community in Romania attended the

open forum on September 22, 2014, with guest speaker Ms. Cristina
Cotrubas Andras. She is the Chief Officer of the Cross-Cultural Affairs of
the United Nations, European Union and United Arab Emirates.Thank
you to all my fellow kababayans who attended the "OPEN FORUM" today. Ms. Andras shared her upcoming projects that may be beneficial to
the Filipino community in Romania, especially those who working or permanently residing in the host country. The forum was organized through
TFCRs initiative, with the following objectives: 1.To uplift the image of
all Filipinos and become role models in the community; 2.To share and
show Filipinos unique cultural values through exhibits, participating in
festivals, and using all channels of media advertising to promote Philippine tourism; 3. To establish an agency exclusively for Filipinos so they
can have protection; 4.To create an Asian Academy School for Asian
children and their family members, and 5.To establish a Health and
Wellness Center to benefit unemployed Filipinos or those who are in
distress situation.
6

Filipinos Attend UN Open Forum

Filipinos Attend Forum on

Romanias New Labor Laws
Close to 80 members of the Filipino community in Romania attended the general assembly forum that discussed the new features of
Romanian labor laws, in particular those that affect migrant workers in
Romania. This forum was held on November 23, 2014 in MyPlace Center, Bucharest. Expert speakers from the Office of General Inspectorate
for Immigration, Bucharest Directorate served as panelists that shed
light on questions regarding modifications on Romanian labor laws. The
following were highlights of the discussion:
Termination/Cancellation of Contract. Effective January 2015, migrant workers are given 60 days grace period that would take effect immediately the day after their contracts are terminated by their employers. Previously, all migrant workers are only given 30 days grace period
to decide whether to leave the country or find another employer after the
termination of their old contracts. After the 60 days grace period, any
permit to work in Romania is considered invalid.
Residence Application. Anyone who have legitimately stayed in
Romania for 5 years is eligible to apply for residency. An interview to
assess ones proficiency in Romanian language is a strict requirement.
Application to residency is open to those who are qualified. There is no
need to ask employers or to get approval from employers to apply. Government also send notices to those whose records indicate their eligibility for residency.
Taxes. A total of 35% from monthly salaries are automatically deducted as income tax. Unfortunately, migrant workers can not avail of a
Tax Refund under the existing Romanian law.
Medical Insurance. In order to avail of medical benefits, migrant
workers must get a referral from their employers family doctor or health
providers to obtain a medical card. When in need of medical services,
the migrant worker can bring the medical card to the accredited hospital
for consults or obtain medications.

TFCR will continue to hold forum in the future to promote education of the community on new policies affecting migrant workers.

Pinoy Sa Romanias Managing Editor Jenetta Alambra helping out in registering attendees to the General Assembly.

Review of Produce Domestice

A Stage Play Produced by the AFCN in Romania in partnership with other organizations, including the Filipino community
in Romania, it has its run 3 days in October 2014. The show was open, with free entrance, to the community.
Treat them as your equals and they will not forgive you for it This is a nation of servants. extract from an interview with
the director of a HR agency for recruiting and placement of Filipino domestic personnel.
In a country that still exports domestic labour, hiring an exotic in-house helpers is becoming
a status symbol. Like many other Filipinos, Joy
comes to work in Romania in order to support her
family. The intermediating agency places her as a
nanny for the two children of an affluent family. Although she misses her daughter, she enjoys her
work admires her employers. Grateful to have
found such a good spot she even goes beyond her
duties and occasionally cooks and cleans. All goes
well, until one day, the father of the family makes a
move on her. When Joy complains to the wife, instead of confronting her husband, she comes up
with an intriguing proposal. Soon, Joy finds herself
trapped in a domestic cage. What started out as a
favor is from now on demanded of her. Apart from
her job as a nanny, Joy becomes their cook and
cleaner.
This story is inspired by a real story. The real Joy lives in Bucharest, Romania. She is played by Ynia Lovelina, who
herself went through numerous similar experiences. Like her, hundreds of Filipinos in Romanians struggle with a system
which fails to acknowledge domestic work. And although they pay taxes, they do not benefit from the protection of the Romanian state. But how about domestic work in regular families? Families which cannot afford hiring a migrant worker?
Domestic Products builds on the experience of women migrant workers in order to reveal the further implications of
paid and unpaid domestic work. Domestic Products speaks up about the price of domestic and reproductive labour. Domestic
Products instigates against the sexualization of domestic work.

Filipinos Promote Traditional Clothing at

International Migrants Day in Romania
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) Romania sponsored an intercultural event to celebrate International Migrants Day on December 18, 2014. The Philippines was
represented by Pinoy Sa Romanias News Editor Bernie Duro.
He gave the group a cultural background presentation on Filipino traditional clothing. Photos from IOM.

IOM works with migrants who live and work in

the worst conditions with the least access to basic services and fundamental rights, making them disproportionately vulnerable to extortion, violence, discrimination
and marginalization. A statement from IOMs Sec. Gen.
Ban-ki Moon.