Paraiso Philippines Tourism and Travel Guide recently launched its new home page with a dot ph domain. With the newly acquired domain extension comes an appealing and fabulous flash template made by Eastern European web designers. The theme is really fantastic with the settings that really reflects a paradise of tropical destination. It starts with an introduction of Mabuhay and goes through an environment of tropical beach settings with crisp and and clear flash pictures that includes an airplane flying with a banner and a boat streaming through the crystal waters. The design has already acquired praises from different readers and visitors, and slowly becoming an online attraction.

The contents are of course still remains intact, rich in resource and information about the variety of destinations that the island has to offer. Along with the articles are quality photos of destinations around the country that would surely encourage visitors from around the globe. Added features such as the Philippines Picture Gallery posted by the members of Paraiso Forum will surely captivate photo enthusiasts with breath taking views and with their fabulous creations of digital scrap materials of personal projects. The local country directory which is the Paraiso Philippines Web Directory still list important websites that pertain only to the country still maintaining its editorial integrity. In line with the expansion Paraiso Philippines will bring an online market place for Philippine products that would certainly promote online trade with native products that would surely help every citizen that is inline with bringing jobs and livelihood. View it now and see for yourself.

Maligayang Pasko and Manigong Bagong Taon sa Lahat. Mabuhay Po Kayo.

Another Filipino who made it big in the foreign land has risen. Francis Xavier E. Pasion, a Filipino Filmmaker, launched his masterpiece film, “Jay” at Venice Film Festival at Venice, Italy just recently. It was the first time that a Filipino entry joined this prestigious Festival.

Baron Geisler played the role of “Jay” in the said movie. Venice Film Festival director Marco Mueller and selection committee member Paolo Bertolin welcomed the “Jay” delegation with the red carpet. The Filipino delegates, who were all dressed in the native barong Tagalog, were the writer-director-producer Pasion, actor Geisler, actor-cinematographer Carlo Mendoza and Ferdy Lapuz

They were overwhelmed by their experience as the theaters, where the film was shown, were all full even if it was shown on the morning. Pasion said: “I wanted to cry after we were introduced to the crowd during the red carpet premiere. We all felt like stars. We were all wearing barong Tagalog. I really held back my tears. It was hard to believe this was all happening. He also added, “it was also a surreal experience to see your film showing in another country, being watched by so many foreigners.”

Of course, for the movie goers to understand it, it was subtitled in Italian, then after the premier screening, applause from the audience filled the theater accompanied by people who approached and congratulate them, as well as, asking for their autographs.

The filmmaker also noted that the Philippine flag brandished at the entrance of the red carpet. “It was actually a shining moment for Philippine cinema”, Pasion pointed.

On the other hand, Lav Diaz’s film, “Melancholia”, another Philippine entry, was the closing film feature of the said Film Festival, where Diaz made the Philippine Cinema proud when his film was awarded as the Best Film.

Both films were qualified entries for the Festival’s award, where the judges were composed of Belgian filmmaker and artist Chantal Akerman, president; French film critic Nicole Brenez, Italian actress and documentarist Barbara Cupisti, Spanish director Jose Luis Guerin and Estonian director Veiko Õunpuu, who won last year with his debut feature film.

Are you an OFW residing outside Manila who struggles to travel every now and then just to get your papers done or a Balik Manggagawa OEC ? Or do you need an authenticated birth certificate as one of the required supporting documents but finds it hard to get one because you just plainly hate to wait in line for hours ? Do you not like the procedure of spending most of your day at the DFA just to have your passport renewed ? Well worry no more…. Citizen Services has come up to the most convenient access to various government branch service from the DFA, NSO and POEA. The most hassle-free way to get the documents anyone needs. All you have to do is call or apply online in the following branches:

PASSPORT

Get your passport for just PHP 1,300.00. You won’t get your self jammed in the traffic, heading on to the Department of Foreign Affairs office. They will pick up your documents, schedule your personal appearance, and deliver your new passport. It’s that easy.

Click here {/dfa/} for more details.

BIRTH CERTIFICATE

If you’re a new customer, call (02) 737-1111. Otherwise, apply online for returning customers. Birth certificate cost PHP 330 per copy {it takes maximum of four working days}, the requested copy is delivered right at your doorstep. You may pay in any of the Metrobank Branches or check the Bayad Centers {/nso/bayad-centers/} near you.

They also accept requests for Marriage, Death and CENOMAR certificates from the National Statistics Office.

BALIK MANGGAGAWA OEC

In cooperation with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration has developed a more convenient service in applying for Overseas Exit Clearances. This OPTION will allow you to apply for your OEC’s online via this website and have your document delivered back to you.

Breakdown of Fees:

POEA Processing Fees PHP 100.00
OWWA Membership* PHP 1,121.00
Philhealth* PHP 900.00
2GO / ABoitiz Courier Fee PHP 160.00
Teleserv Service Fee PHP 369.00
Total PHP 2,650.00

You may click here {/poea/info/fees-breakdown} for more details.

So if you are a balikbayan or an OFW who only have a limited time to be spent with your loved ones, try one of these number if you require any of the said documents.

Citizen Services Contact Details:
• DFA Express Passport Delivery - (02) 737-1000
dfa@citizenservices.com.ph
• NSO Birth Certificate Delivery - (02) 737-1111
nso@citizenservices.com.ph
• POEA Balik Manggagawa OEC Delivery - (02) 737-7777
poea@citizenservices.com.ph

Note : POEA Balik Manggagawa OEC Delivery service is only available Mondays to Saturdays from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

We have been waiting too long for the benefits for non-service disability pensions to our Filipino World War II Veterans. And the Senate Bill 1315, known as the Filipino Veterans Bill, is still pending before the US Congress.

If we get lucky, there is a big chance for this bill to pass when Ohio State Senator Stephen C. Austria wins this year’s elections for the US Congress under the Republican Party for the open seat of the 7th District in Ohio. You might be wondering of how he can be of help. Well, Austria is A Filipino-American, whose father, the late Doctor Clemente Austria, was born in Tiaong, Quezon, Philippines, while his mother is nurse, who is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. They were nine in the family and some of his siblings are now dentist, optometrists and physicians. The Austria Family was one of the top ten families of the nation on 1985 where they were given honor by former President Reagan at the White House.

During his younger years, Steve came to the Philippines three times and after his high school, he spent six weeks here in the country. His family on his father’s side wanted him to stay in the country, but his mother, Jean, expresses that he wanted Steve to be with her at the United States.

Steve finished his degree of Political Science in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1981. Soon, after he graduated, he entered the politics for several years. Later, he decided to try a different field, where he eventually became a Financial Planner with the American Express Company.

After 16 years of being a Financial Planner, Steve ran and won as state representative in Ohio in 1998, he successfully aspired for the Ohio Senate in 2000 and was re-elected in 2004. Presently, Senator Steve Austria represents Ohio’s 10th Senate District, that includes around 375,000 constituents that covers the Clark, Greene, and Madison Counties.

Steve is branded as the Majority Whip of the Ohio Senate. He was strongly endorsed by Congressman Dave Hobson, who presently holds the position, because he already announced his retirement. Filipinos, especially, the members of the Filipino Veterans of World War II will be glad and thankful, if he wins the seat in Congress for he can strongly lobby Bill 1315 to pass.

Another Filipino pride abroad, indeed!