Filipino Expats Blog in Thailand

Living in a foreign land is made a lot easier when you are surrounded by things similar to what you have at home. But still, there would always be things you’ll miss. Our guess is, Pinoy food would come up on top of your ‘things missed’ list. Don’t fret however, because the next time you crave for mom’s or grandmom’s cooking from back home, you can pay the New Mabuhay Restaurant in Phetburi Soi 19 a visit. There, you’ll enjoy the company of kababayans (fellow Filipininos) and enjoy the wide array of Pinoy dishes. This writer’s best picks would be the “bulalo” (beef stew) and the “crispy pata” (deep fried pork knuckle).

Here’s Siam Pinoy’s interview with the New Mabuhay owner, Romy Polito.

Q: When did Mabuhay start?

A: It’s an MBA, meaning, ‘Mabuhay by Accident’. In July 2003, we had many customers for our cargo business. They requested Delia, my wife, to cook Filipino dishes for them. They were simple dishes; ‘daing na bangus’ (dried milk fish), ‘sinigang na hipon’ (shrimp soup similar to the Thai tom yum). So weekly, we would go to the market, buy the ingredients and cook to satisfy our customers.

Later on, we thought, why don’t we just start a small restaurant?

So we did, starting with ‘pinakbet’ (mixed vegetable with pork), ‘adobo’ (chicken or pork dish cooked in vinegar; very popular with the Thais and farangs), ‘paksiw na isda’ (fish cooked in vinegar), ‘pusit’ (squid), and other dishes that are easy to cook and prepare.

Then later, the requests from customers got more complex. They wanted ‘bulalo’ (beef stew) and ‘crispy pata’ (deep fried pork knuckle). We took Delia’s brother from the Philippines, who had been a cook for 30 years then, to join us here since he knew how to cook those dishes requested by our customers.

I did not even know what ‘bulalo’ was. I only found out what kind of dish it is here in Bangkok!

Q: Why the name “Mabuhay”?

A: I believe in names; I believe it plays a part in one’s destiny. ‘Mabuhay’ is inspired by our Philippine Airlines’ official in-flight magazine. It is also our Filipino word for “Long Live”! Here at Mabuhay, we want everything ‘buhay palagi’ (always alive)!

Q: What are some of the favorite dishes ordered by regulars?

A: The ‘crispy pata’ and ‘bulalo’. Our beef for the ‘bulalo’ is certified organic. Unlike other beef that’s available in the market, ours come from a seller certified by an internationally qualified body that sells beef that has not been injected by antibiotics or any form of chemical agent. And we do our marketing at midnight, to assure that we get the first pick, because that’s when the meat is fresh!

‘Crispy pata’ in the Philippines costs as much as 600 pesos now. Ours, we keep only around 300baht, and people are assured it tastes good because we put our own special spices and we have our own way to make sure it’s crisp and sweet-smelling, which is quite hard to do if you only cook it at home.

Q: Who are some special and/or famous people who have visited Mabuhay?

A: We’ve had celebrities like Nino Muhlach, and several politicians from the Philippines. They (the latter) make Mabuhay sort of their coffee place. We’ve also been visited by a CNN correspondent who was looking for some exotic dishes. He paid to have many of our dishes cooked so he can photograph them for an article in CNN!

Q: How has the New Mabuhay expanded from the simple restaurant it was when it started?

A : Now we have customers who ask us to cater for big events like weddings, birthdays and parties. There are also large groups who choose to do their events right here. We moved our karaoke system upstairs so they can sing until late at night if they wish to.

Read the rest here

When it comes to handicrafts, textiles and garments, jewelry, art and antiques, Bangkok will never fail to make it to any shopping guru’s top five list. And so, in order to assist those who have money to spend on their trip to the Land of Smiles, we have our own top five must-shop-in places to assist your appetite for shopping.

These places were chosen for those who are looking for ‘something Thai’ to take on their way back home. We steered away from the upscale shopping centers, so you go home with tons of artistically made products to show your friends back home, without you ending up spending half of your life savings away!

CHATUCHAK WEEKEND MARKET

Number 1, of course, is the Chatuchak Weekend Market, which is most convenient to get to from the Morchit Sky Train station, and two subway stations, Chatuchak Park and Kamphaeng Phet . This is said to be Asia’s biggest outdoor market, and by that, you expect to get lost in here; the biggest and the best place in Bangkok to look for just about anything, with market stalls that spread over 35 acres (14 hectares) of Bangkok’s inner northern suburbs.

Chatuchak is yours to enjoy only on weekends. The best time to go there is Saturday early morning, around 8ish. This should give you plenty of time to roam around, when it is not yet unbearably hot, and when there are not that many shoppers yet. We recommend you do not go there anymore, if your only time left is late afternoon on a Sunday, unless you are prepared to just about take off your clothes under the heat, and to get squashed between so many other shopping bodies, trying their best at last minute shopping.

To make the most of your time, list down your top five items of must-sees. It’s best also, if you bring along a picture of those very items to show to sellers as you try to find your way around. Since not everyone speaks English in Thailand, the pictures will save you your breath and your time, trying your darnedest to explain to everyone in your best English what it is you are looking for.

And when it gets too hot outside, you can always traipse down to JJ (Jatujak/Chatuchak) Mall, where you can find some items on sale in an air conditioned, and less crowded shopping environment. Just be prepared to pay a bit more though.

Many orchid lovers from all over visit Chatuchak for its wide selection of Thailand orchids. And to assist shoppers who buy in bulk, they have stores that readily give out certificates/documents so you won’t have any problems at the airport when you fly out with your choice orchids.

And for those buying furniture and other big items, there are numerous forwarding companies such as DHL, on the ready to ship the center table you fell in love with while shopping your way in Bangkok.

A lifesaver when you are out in the middle of Thailand’s shopping jungle: a bottle of water. Never forget to always have one at hand. During the hottest season in Bangkok, which is from February to April, temperatures can get to as much as 35degrees centigrade.  For comfort, dress in shorts, or other light clothing. You might want to throw in some sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and flip flops as well.

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Selection Criteria, Process and Scoring

Introduction

The annual Award is given to outstanding migrant Filipino workers in Thailand in recognition of their: 1) outstanding professional and personal achievements that give honor to the Filipino people and country; 2) unstinting dedication and commitment in service of humanity, especially the less privileged and marginalized segments of Thai society; 3) distinguished contributions in fostering closer relationship between Filipino and Thai individuals, groups and societies at large; and 4) exemplary life integrating their faith with their personal life, profession and service according to Gospel truths. In essence, these are outstanding individuals who have made a significant difference in the lives of others.

Instituted in 2009, the first recipient was Dr. Dominica P. Garcia who distinguished herself in helping the poor, refugees, prisoners and other less privileged people in Thailand, Cambodia and Laos through her medical profession and altruistic service.

1. Selection Criteria

The proposed ten (10) criteria consist of three clusters, namely: 1) demographic profile, 2) character and qualities, and 3) achievements.

1. Demographic Profile

a. Filipino migrant worker (This criterion includes existing Filipino migrant workers and Filipinos married to non-Filipinos and are now living or working in Thailand)

b. Filipino citizen/nationality (This criterion covers Filipinos working and living in Thailand who have changed their citizenship by virtue of marriage, etc.)

More details here

June 12, 2010.

Advance Happy Independence Day to all Filipinos in Thailand and all over the world.

Bagong Pagsasama (New Camaraderie).

Bagong Bayanihan (New Synergy).

Bagong Pagbabago (New Renewal).

Mabuhay tayong lahat!

At 5:00PM yesterday afternoon, Election 2010 came to a close. The turnout? About 700 voters.  So few? Perhaps, yes, especially considering that the estimated number of Pinoys in Thailand runs up to more than 10,000. But considering there were only around 500 voters who turned out the previous election, an increase of 200 more is already good news.

Siam Pinoy visited the Philippine Embassy this afternoon to get a few words from voters, as well as ask Embassy officials for comments regarding this year’s election. To some who have been here in Thailand for many years, the lack of information about the candidates is a major challenge. One voter said she relies heavily on what others say about the candidates, particularly for the presidency. Asking young people about who they think deserves to win, she says, is all she can do so her one vote is not wasted.

Another voter mentioned that election is such a hot topic that even her Yahoo! Group members have succumbed to heated discussions about the presidentiables, which she thinks has gone too far, considering that is not the purpose of the group in the first place.

Back home in Cebu, as one Election Watcher told us at the Embassy, her friends, whom she lead during Election times years back, were lucky to have this new automated way to vote this year. She reminisced about the times in the past, when she would read the ballots out one by one, until the early morning hours the day after elections. Back then, she says, Election Watchers were very watchful. The chairman of a precinct had to read out ballots while Watchers are behind her/him, with flashlights to make sure she/he does not call out a name different from the one that’s actually written on the ballot. She couldn’t even look into her handbag, without a Watcher scrutinizing what it is she looks into her handbag for!

For one who has never exercised her vote in the Philippines, it is comforting to know that there are still places back home, where election proceedings are taken very seriously. It is medicine to one’s disillusionment about Philippine politics, to hear that election stories back home are not just all about fraud, vote-buying, or rigging of the election process.

In answer to the Governor of Bangkok’s call for residents to help in cleaning up the Rachaprasong area, which had become a makeshift home to hundreds of anti-government protesters for more than two weeks prior to Wednesday, May 19th, some Filipinos joined this morning’s clean up, which started in Silom Road.

Many different kinds of people, from ordinary Silom residents clad in shorts and a T-shirt, to the more made up faces in the persons of Academy Fantasia contestants, were there promptly at 9am in Lumphini park. After a short program, where the Governor , M.R.Sukhumbhand Paribatra, spoke about the theme of the clean up, “Together We Can”, volunteers proceeded promptly to the different areas, starting at Silom.

It was a very organized affair, with people ready to hand out gloves and masks underneath the Saladaeng BTS station. There were people giving out black plastic garbage bags when we were starting to clean up, and along the whole stretch of Silom, there was water, soda or green tea being given to volunteers.

An announcer was thanking everyone through a public address system hooked up to a pick up truck, driving slowly along Silom as volunteers cleaned. In Thai, the announcer also reminded people of free lunch at Lumphini Park, and when we ran out of water while scrubbing the streets of Silom, the announcer was quick to ask Silom residents for more water so we can continue with our work.

There was no need for leaders to shout out orders, as people, with their gloved hands, scooped up garbage from the streets and into garbage bags. Some went on to cleaning ATM machines and phone booths. Others, worked on taking off stickers from street posts. And some of us who had the energy, went off scrubbing one side of Silom Road from end to end.

There were all kinds of people; Thais, farangs (Caucasian foreigners) and us, the few Filipinos. We were joined by Ms. Helen Villanueva from the company, Pedigree. More wanted to come and help, like Josephil Saraspe. But after hours of waiting for transportation from Phet Kasem to Bangkok, they had to abandon the desire to help, and settle on the fact that they did try to get to Lumphini in time for the clean up.

Filipino Expats in Thailand

Dear Kababayans,

Please be reminded to cast your ballots for the forthcoming Philippine presidential election.

If you have not yet sent your duly filled-out ballots back to the Philippine embassy or, have not received
your ballots, you are kindly advised to go directly to the Philippine Embassy.
Or, for inquiries, please call 02-2590140

According to information from Vice-Consul Randy Arquiza, the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok will be open this coming Saturday and Sunday (May 8 and 9) for all registered voters to cast their ballots. Last day to submit your ballots will be on Monday, May 10, 2010.

Please pass on to other kababayans in Thailand.

Exercise your Right of Suffrage —- Vote now, Vote wisely.

“Don’t ask what the country can do for you, ask what you an do for your country” – John F. Kennedy

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Mabuhay ang mga Pinoy!

Kabayang Daisy Mendiol

You might find this post a bit odd considering the current situation in Thailand.  But since people are in need of a bit of an info about working in Thailand, I thought why not share what we already know. Besides, I can find no fault in doing so. Plus, no one can stop people who are really determined in finding a job in Thailand look for  info’s on the net. So here are some of the things why Filipinos like working in Thailand.

Most people who work in Thailand, either entered the Kingdom on a tourist visa at the start, or they were hired by their company from the Philippines, and entered Thailand with a non-immigrant visa.

A majority of the Filipinos who work in Thailand are in the teaching profession,  from kindergarten through university levels.

There are also a number of Filipinos who work with international NGOs (non-government organizations), in the IT, as well as Engineering profession, and in the hotel/travel industry.

Why Work in Thailand Full Story here…

Filipinos in Bangkok can now attend a holy mass in Tagalog. Finally after years of living in Thailand, we are blessed with this opportunity.

This is especially good for those families with kids and you’d like them to hear some Tagalog words, sing Tagalog songs, and yes, meet Tagalog-speaking people. Our daughter, who is 8, and who only mostly hears Ilonggo at home, asked in the middle of the mass, “Mommy, what language is this?” Nge!

But it was so great that this has been started. There’s even a fellowship after the mass, so your kids get to bond with other kids of Filipino parents. Feel free to bring something Filipino to share with others at the end of the mass.

Next week, I have to make sure I’ve learnt how to say “Ama Namin” come Sunday, kasi yung Ilonggo version lang ang alam ko, eh. Haha!

For details about the mass and the location of the church please visit this Filipinos in Thailand Forum.

With the Overseas Foreign Workers remittances amounting to $17.3 Billion in 2009 despite the global economy slow down. This is a good news to all of you hardworking Filipino OFW’s.

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are now exempted from paying documentary stamp tax (DST) on their remittances as well as travel tax and airport fee.

This is contained in the amended Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act.

The law exempts migrant workers from the payment of travel tax, DST, and airport fee upon showing of proof of entitlement from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

“The remittances of all OFWs, upon showing the same proof of entitlement by the OFW beneficiary or recipient, shall be exempted from the payment of documentary stamp tax,’’ Section 22 of Republic Act 10022, stated.

Former labor undersecretary and now Nacionalista Party (NP) senatorial bet Susan Ople immediately urged the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) and the Department of Finance (DoF) to immediately issue the new law’s implementing guidelines. Read more

Share your thoughts or read about what Filipino OFW’s say about this.