Why nurses are and should against JPEPA?

I read an article this morning in our Paramedical Department Bulletin Board entitled “Why nurses are and should against JPEPA?”. It is something every body should know…

My stand to this issue is strongly NO. I stand firm in my belief that Filipino nurses are the best and they should be treated with respect and dignity and be compensated properly.

Just for your information, here’s a news article from Magkaisa Junk JPEPA published October 2007. Kapagod na rin kasi habaan ang comment. Di ko rin nahanap yung article na katulad dun sa bulletin board kaya pagpasensyahan nyo to. Peace out! Hehehe

Nurses, students call for junking JPEPA,
say they’re not tradable goods

Saying they are not tradable goods to be exported cheaply to Japan, some two hundred nurses and nursing students trooped today to the Senate to protest the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), which the senators are discussing for the fourth in a series of pre-ratification hearings.

Dean Edward Malzan of the College of Nursing of Colegio de San Lorenzo in Quezon City, spokesperson for the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA), said that the nurses and nursing students are taking issue with what they see as inequitable and insecure terms under which Filipino nurses would be allowed to work in Japan through a preferential trade agreement.

“JPEPA is primarily an agreement to facilitate the movement of tradable goods,” said Malzan. “But nurses are people whose welfare and security we need to consider before we send them abroad.”

Malzan said that the JPEPA left out essential labor safeguards for the practice of Filipino nurses in Japan. Filipino nurses are very likely to end up as mere trainees and be integrated into Japan’s notorious trainee system, under which foreign workers perform equal work as Japanese nationals but receive significantly lesser pay.

Under the JPEPA, a Filipino nurse who has passed the Philippine Licensure Exam and has three years of work experience is qualified to go to Japan, but has to undergo six months of language training in Japan. He or she will also be given three years to hurdle the licensure exam in Japanese while training under the supervision of a Japanese nurse. Failure in passing the Japanese exam means the Filipino nurse would have to go back to the Philippines.

In a protest tableau, the protesters showed a group of nurses closely packed into a wooden crate labeled “JPEPA EXPORT TO JAPAN: FOR ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION.”

At the same time the protesters were picketing the Senate gates, Leah Paquiz, president of the PNA, was testifying during the hearing being conducted by the Committee on Foreign Relations to discuss the provisions of the JPEPA relating to the movement of natural persons.
Photo by Gigie Cruz/GAIA.
In a statement delivered to the Senate, Paquiz said that the unnecessarily stringent requirements of the JPEPA will effectively relegate the Filipino nurse as a contractual second-class trainee in Japan, with a status inferior to that of a Japanese nurse.

She lamented the fact that Japan gave better terms to Indonesian nurses in the Japan-Indonesia Economic Partnership Agreement (JIEPA). Under the JIEPA, an Indonesian nurse with only three years of professional education and with only two years of work experience is qualified to go to Japan. In contrast, a Filipino nurse is required four years of professional education and three years work experience to qualify under the JPEPA.

“In our opposition to the JPEPA, we are fighting for the dignity and professionalism of the Filipino nurse. The Filipino nurse is just as competent as her Japanese and Indonesian peers. If Japan truly needs our services, then it must give us the same treatment and professional courtesy that we get from the rest of the world,” added Dr. Paquiz.

Paquiz added that even the Japanese Nursing Association (JNA) itself vigorously opposes the entry of Filipino nurses abroad. “Why should we insist on going to a place where we are not wanted when there are other countries where we are wanted and that offer more attractive compensation?” asked Paquiz.

The JNA in an official statement earlier said that there is no shortage of nurses in Japan and that the Japanese government must first address the problems of the nursing industry there before allowing the entry of foreign nurses.

Magkaisa Junk JPEPA is the official blog of the Magkaisa Junk JPEPA Coalition, a multisectoral effort to defeat an unfair and environmentally unjust bilateral trade agreement with Japan.

Resist, Obsession please

I was actually going zany over PERFECT WORLD when Irene chatted to me about this new online computer game of Level up Games. And I must admit that I’m already obsess to this simple thing in life. Then I came to a point where I asked myself, Is it healthy to continue doing this?

Lets face reality- reality speaks about computer games obsession.

Psychology would explain that computer addiction is a result of three factors: Classical conditioning, Operant conditioning (schedules of reinforcement) and Neurotransmitters effects on the behavior. How is this possible? Read on..

Classical Conditioning: The feeling of winning and the exhilaration of knowing that one is powerful over others sets the condition that players often have when they see images or characters of the game. Thus, when players are not in front of the computer and clicking on commands and negative feelings set in like stress.

Operant Conditioning: The sense of not knowing what will happen next makes the player became consumed and obsessed in the game. Since the predictability of the success of the game is a big question mark, the players become addicted to the game. One failure will only lead the player to imagine better strategies and will only prompt the player to try again until he wins in the succeeding games.

Neurotransmitters. Brain chemicals, called neurotransmitters, influence feelings and behaviors. The addictive feeling one feels over something is actually a result of the levels of serotonin and dopamine in the nervous system. Most often, people with low levels of dopamine are prone to anxiety, craving and addiction. Whenever they feel triumphant, the brain produces more dopamine that would result to having a good feeling and higher motivation. The winning feeling creates good feelings that become even more desirable every time the person recalls the event.

Another neurotransmitter that has an addictive effect is serotonin, a neurotransmitter that causes and controlled behavior when in the normal level. Low levels of serotonin when combined with low levels of dopamine results to irrational urges. As a fact, imbalance of both neurotransmitters has been linked to aggressive and impulsive behavior. This would explain why some students would do straight from class to play on-line games until the wee hours of the morning. They simply could not stop.

However, let us not forget that one only becomes a computer addict when the act is used as a coping mechanism (e.g. when they feel stressed and all they can think about is playing to ease the tension). when it impairs normal functioning (e.g. not being able to comply assignments on line or when one has difficulty sleeping on time), and when simply couldn’t stop doing it to the point of even lying.

Computer games are meant to put diversion in the busy life we are living in. But when one can no loner distinguish the difference between past- time and obsession and when one has already sacrificed a lot from allowances, social interactions, and social obligations, then one has to think twice.

(From M Tech, February 2007)

We became obsessed with passion, the reason why we become slaves of it…

My Psychiatric Nursing Exposure; Encounters

October 21, 2007
We arrived in Davao City at around 3:30 PM. Upon arrival at the dormitory, we were served with a snack of which included Pansit Bihon, a slice of cassava cake, lumpiang ubod and a moist, frosted chocolate cake paired with an 8oz bottle of Sparkle. After the merienda, we were given time to rest and also for us to buy some of the things needed in the said exposure. Our curfew was until 7PM.

October 22, 2007
The following day… We were required to wear our pink t-shirts and blue jeans. It was the day we were supposed to have our drug test at Davao Medical Center so we went there ahead of time. Unfortunately, the students of Xavier University came first and were prioritized to undergo the drug testing. Their session was consuming a lot of our time so our three clinical instructors decided to have our drug testing rescheduled on Thursday and gave us time to stroll around the city up to 10:30 AM as well. By 10:30, we returned to the dormitory for a follow-up meeting and for us to change to our all-white duty uniform. At 12:30, we went back to DMC to have our orientation. The students of Xavier University also attended the orientation. By 3:30, the orientation ended.

October 23, 2007
At 8AM we were at the mental hospital. While waiting for one of the staff of the hospital to give us a roll call, we were given a lecture about occupational therapy by a registered occupational therapist working at the said institution. It lasted for about 30 minutes and we had it confirmed that the tour was canceled. So instead of wasting our time doing nothing, the group decided to have a duty. Because the AM shift group was not prepared of the activities to be done that moment, it was agreed by everyone that the PM shift takes over the AM shift’s time of duty. Also, because the night before, the PM shift prepared for the next day thinking that they will have their duty in the afternoon after the tour leaving the responsibility of preparing the rest of the decorations, merienda, etc. to the AM shift. The AM shift went back to the dormitory to get some of the stuffs needed. The PM shift, on the other hand, was left in the hospital to prepare the place for the activity. The AM shift returned ahead of time and was able to assist the PM shift in the patients’ ADL. After returning our patients to their wards, we gathered at the session hall to have a brief meeting. The meeting talked about ******** and this was agreed on by everybody.

October 24, 2007
The agreed ***** was followed. The AM and PM shift with the Clinical Instructors went*****. ********. From the withdrawal of patients to returning them, the assigned ***** students per patient worked **** and still managed to bring complete paraphernalia, individually. In addition, for the the CIs to assure that each of the students brought complete paraphernalia, the students underwent thorough checking initiated by the CIs themselves. After our duty, we ent straight to the dormitory and had our rest. At 7:00 PM, we had our meeting.

October 25, 2007
At 7:30 AM, we arrived at the DMC for drug testing. Before the test, one of the staff of the Drug Testing department gave a brief remark. She tackled about the correct ways of extracting specimen for Drug Test. It didn’t take long. During the test, only the students who were about to urinate were the ones prioritized. The drug test for the whole section took about 2 1/2 hours. After the drug test, we headed straight to the dormitory. We were given until afternoon to go out and have fun. At 7:00 PM, we had our meeting.

October 26, 2007
On the last day of the week, the group decided to conduct a film viewing activity instead of bibliotherapy. Since we cannot find a television set for the said activity, the group rented a videoke machine. Aside from film viewing, the group let the patients sing. It was sort of relief for the patient after finding the difficult time understanding what the story was all about because the DVD copy was a pirated version and it appeared blurred on the screen. After our duty, we went back to the dormitory. Some of us went home to vote for the upcoming barangay elections on the 29th while others chose to just stay in the dormitory the whole weekend.

October 27, 2007
Mindanao Bloggers Summit. Read: Fun, Free and Full of Possibilities

October 30, 2007
Due to some conflicts, the agreed ******** The AM shift to their usual duty as well as the PM shift. Each group had 25 students and it was also *******. At 7:00 PM, stil, the usual meeting and the preparation for the following day. At 10:00 PM, the meeting ended and the “stay-out” students went to their respective addesses.

October 31, 2007
This was the last duty of the week cause the holidays was about to start. The usual duty took place. Nothing different or no momentous event happened. After the duty, some of us went home to Kidapawan City and were instructed to come back on Sunday (November 4, 2007)

November 4, 2007
Irene, Catherine, Samsia, Genevive, PJ, Alexis, Ralph and I went to crocodile park at River Front Drive, Corporate City, Diversion Highway, Matina Davao City. We arrived at 4 in the afternoon. It was a beautiful afternoon. It was a nice reward for nursing students who had a dead tired week of working the requirements and of course, duty. It was really fun. Click My Wild Life Encounter at Crocodile Park for more.

November 5, 2007
Some of the students had their material pre-cut and some brought their materials ready to be pasted. After the duty, we headed straight to the dormitory. The usual meeting took place at 7:00 PM and ended at 10:00 PM. In the meeting, the group agreed that the food to be served will include rice paired with sotanghon. It was a hearty meal quoted by some of the students who suggested it.

November 6, 2007
The disperas of our culmination day because we were only allowed to have a 3-day duty that week because the remaining days were announced as non- working holidays. This time, the 3rd batch together with the clinical instructors decided to fuse again the 2 groups and had our duty in the morning. After the duty, all of us prepared for the culmination. Some went out to buy gifts for their patients and some helped in making the props. Some of us were assigned to disseminate the invitations to our respective guests. We had our meeting at 7:00PM with regards to what food to be served in the culmination and also did some embellishments on the decorations.

November 7, 2007
The culmination day. There were 2 groups divided assigned in 2 specific functions. The first group for the decorations of the venue and the other group for the food. The Decorations Group went to the hospital earlier to prepare the place. They went to DMH at around 6 AM while the Food Group arrived just a few minutes later. It was about to rain so the group transferred to the session hall inside of the hospital. We hurriedly decorated the place. At around 7AM, we went to our patients’ wards and had their ADLs. 3o minutes fater, we brought them to the session hall. At around 8AM, the guests were starting to arrive. By 8:30, the program started. Ms. Aquino, the Psychiatric Nursing Supervisor of DMH gave her Opening Remarks and her words of appreciation. After that, the students together with their patients were requested to come to the stage and give their message. It was a very emotional moment for everybody. After an hour or so, it was time for the parlor games. The weather turned out to be fair, so we decided to go out and spent the parlor games. Aside from the parlor games, we treated our patients with ice cream donated by our classmate as a thanksgiving for her father’s victory in the barangay elections. At 11:30, we returned our patients to ntheir respective wards and had some cleaning. The christmas tree which was bought from our funds was donated to the hospital, it was decided not by the instructors but the student only. At around 12 noon, we went back to dormitory. Some of us rested that afternoon and some went out to stroll and bought stuffs since it was our free time. We were given until 7:00PM to go back to the dormitory. We had a meeting with regards to the outing the follwing day which was supposedly scheduled after the case presentation..

November 8, 2007
At 1:00PM, the AM shift was the first to present the case presentation. The presentation lasted for almost 2 hours. The Clinical Instructors thought that there will be an outing because the foods were ready and packed but as a decision of the majority, it was not realized. Also, due to financial constraints, we had a hard time decidind whether to go to the outing or not. So it was agreed that the proposed outing will instead be spent in the dormitory.

November 9, 2007
The AM shift only managed to present the day before, so it was the PM shift’s turn. After the case presentation, Ma’am D and Ma’am L gave their words of encouragements. They also gave their permission that for those who wanted to go home may start packing their things because by 5PM they will depart. Some of my classmates went home with the two clinical instructors namely Ma’am D and Ma’am N as their guardians. The remaining students were watched- over by Ma’am L and were allowed to go anywhere with the agreement that they will be back on or before 8PM. There were little instructions given with regards to the time of departure the following day.

November 10, 2007
The rest of the students together with Ma’am L went home. They left the dormitory at around 5PM and headed straight to the orientation held at the school gym upon arrival.

********Private Statements

ON-BLOG: I received two Awards

Yeah right… This is it! I received two awards from Kuya Mark Paul and Tanom as Your the Blog of the Month and You’re an Amazing Blogger, respectively.

Thank you So Much!

I felt so honored now I am passing this award to my fellow bloggers listed below:

You’re an Amazing Blogger:
Chairrel Winston Almendras- Batang Yagit
Kyels- The Laments of a Broken Hearted Silhouette
Blogie- Blogie Blog
Lino- Lino Photography
Tina- Life is Meant to be Abundant
Richard- Kingdaddyrich
Acey- Musings. Rambling. Tralalalife
Bryan Cedrick Baltazar- Nurzebytes
Monmon- Guardian Angel Acosta
Migs- Buddy Blogs
Sidney- My Sari-sari Store
Geno- Fattybearyus
Conrad Miguel Gozalo- Mikko na Walang Malay
Mark Paul Castillano- Marco Polo, RN
Ferdinand Decena- Ironwulf
Iskoo- Life @ a Glance

Your Blog of the Month:
Araphoenix Hatsugen
Ariel Lalisan- Homeward Bound

I’m here in the Philippines

Also be read from DVO Bloggers Network

I received a text message this early morning from my relatives in New York informing me that they got an email under my name (using my gmail account) asking for EMERGENCY involving money.

Here’s a punch: When I tried to open my gmail account, my username and password did not match. I stand firm in my belief that I encoded it right. So, I asked my online friends then I found out that someone has broken in to my account. They also received the email.

I cannot already access my account. Please help me in solving this problem. Thank you…

Here’s the e-mail:

Hello,

How are you doing today? I am sorry i didn’t inform you about my traveling to West Africa for a program called “Youth Model Show” the program is taking place in three major countries in West Africa i.e South Africa, Ghana and Nigeria, i am schedule to use 5 days here in West Africa, Nigeria. It has been a very sad and bad moment for me, the present condition that i found myself is very hard for me to explain.

I am really stranded in Nigeria now, because I forgot my wallet in the Taxi where my money the sum of $5,000, documents and other valuable things were kept on my way to the Hotel am staying, I am facing a hard time here because i have no money on me. I am now owning a hotel bill of $1,500 and they wanted me to pay the bill soon else they will have to seize my luggage and my passport and hand me over to the Cops, I need this help from you urgently to help me back home, I need you to help me with the hotel bill and i will also need $500 to feed and help myself back home so please can you help me with a sum of $2,000 to sort out my problems here, I need this help so much and on time
because i am in a terrible and worried situation here.

I am sending you this e-mail from the Hotel Internet, I will appreciate you to help me out and i shall refund the money back to you this week immediately i get back home because the hotel management told me they will contact the Cops, if i fail to offset the hotel
bills soon. So please kindly assist me out and i would refund the money back to you. You can wire the money via western union money transfer with with the hotel secretary information below:

Name :Jimmy Liao
Address : Lagos - Nigeria
Text Question: To Whom?
Answer:richard
Amount : $2,000

Please kindly e-mail me the wire details, so that i can get back home.

I wait to hear from you soon.

Regards,
richard.diongson

Stupid, right? Hello!!!! I’m here in the Philippines.

Fun, Free and Full of Possibilities [Repost]

Also be read from www.pulsecircle2.blogspot.com

These are three ingredients that make my October 27, 2007 a cut above the rest.

The 1st Mindanao Blogger’s Summit at NCCC Mall Activity Center and the Blogger’s Fellowship Night at Casa Habana are the most awaited events of my blogging years. Pegged on the theme, “Spotlight Mindanao: Blogging for Culture, Identity and Understanding”, the one-day activity aimed to enhance the skills of blogging and its benefits, foster camaraderie among bloggers and of course to promote peace and understanding in Mindanao(re: the theme)… The occasion had a profound impact on each and every true- blooded blogger.

The two events was spearheaded by the Usual Suspects and participated by a hundred bloggers coming from Manila and Mindanao.

I arrived at around 11AM. Yes, I’m late… My apology. To tell you, di sana ako makapunta kasi supposedly may home visit ako related to my Psychiatric nursing sa Matalam and Makilala, North Cotabato but there’s no signs na matutuloy, so I decided to join. At dahil na rin sa kakulitan ni Kuya Bryan. Thank you kuya Bryce! Heheh. Later ko na rin nalaman nang nasa Bansalan na ako na matutuloy ang home visit. So, I asked my permission to my group mates and my clinical instructor na di ako makasali. Buti na lang pumayag.

MBS1 was jammed by Kuya Migs. It was complemented by top-notch speakers who stamped their individual mark. Mr. Bob Martin’s Blogging in Mindanao: Travel and Technology shared his Mindanao travels through pictures. Fr. Albert Alejo, SJ discussed about Socio- Cultural Mindset of the Mindanaoan. After a yummy lunch from Dimsun Diner, a special video greeting from Aillen Apolo and Matt Mullenweg were shown. Then it was followed with Kim Castillo’s “Transition from “Emo” to Niche Blogging, Jayvee Fernandez’s Blogging as a way of life: Problogging and new Media, Marc Macalua’s How to Optimize your Wordpress blog for Top Search Rankings and ended with Session’s with A-List Bloggers. And one more thing, I got also a chance to promote my blog and won an IBM notebook. Heheh, thanks Kuya Migs and Kuya Bloggie..

The blogger’s fellowship night at Casa Habana was colored by Abet (a stand- up comedian) and of course, fabulous snacks! It was the night of all night.

After the fellowship, kuya Bloggie gave us a treat together with Kuya Bryan, kuya Mark Paul, kuya Ayel, Aethen, Mikko and Kuya Jayvee at Fwendz diner.

I have finally proven that the 1st Mindanao Blogger’s summit and Fellowship night provided a nice avenue for bloggers across Mindanao and from Manila to be acquainted with each other.

A pat on the back of the people who worked hard during the summit and fellowship night. To the Usual Suspects, Special Event sponsors, Major Sponsors, Minor Sponsors and Donors, thank you very much!

Surely everyone enjoyed it and indeed, a great success!

Until next time… See yah!

Godspeed.

Credits: Doc Charles and Wyzemoro

-Richard