ABAKADA Summer 2006 issue (pp 36-44) - Babaylan Denmark

CHILE
Michelle Bachelet remembers the day of her
inauguration as Chile's first woman leader with
pride It was said that Chile was not ready to
vote for a woman, but, “Men voted for me in
their majority, but also won extensively among
women. “I think the important thing is that my
candidacy was born from citizens themselves,
driven by the people and which the parties picked up favourably.”
JAMAICA
'Sista P' breaks male monopoly, guns for the
drug gangs Portia Simpson Miller, 60, Jamaica's
new Prime Minister has become the first female
leader of a nation with a very male political culture.
She was ridiculed in some parts of the island
nation's media as a 'serial kisser' at rallies and an
intellectual lightweight. Yet Miller confounded the nay-sayers, and her
genuine popularity at the grassroots level of politics saw her swept
into office. 'Sista P', is seen as someone who can crack down on
crime, especially drugs, and bring greater economic development to a
country still mired in poverty and drug violence.
BANGLADESH
Widow who inherited the mantle of leadership
As the widow of assassinated president Ziaur
Rahman, first woman Prime Minister of
Bangladesh, Khaleda Zia, is among the women
who have leadership foisted on them because of
marriage and subsequent widowdood. She was
premier from 1991 to 1996 and from 2001 to the present. Until her
husband's death in a 1981 attempted military coup, Zia had little role
in politics. She became a senior figure in her husband's old party, the
Bangladesh Nationalist Party. She has made education for girls,
particularly those from poor rural families, one of her government's
top priorities.
OTHERS IN THE PUBLIC EYE
GERMANY
East Berlin's
'Thatcher'
Described as the
German Margaret
Thatcher, Angela
Merkel is the first
female Chancellor of Germany and also
the first former citizen of old communist
East Germany to head the reunited
country. She became involved in the
pro-democracy movements that helped
bring down the Berlin wall in 1989 and
entered national German politics after
reunification. By defeating Gerhard
Schroeder in 2005's elections, she
became Chancellor. ‘
Helen Clark,
55, Prime
Minister of
New Zealand
since 1999.
Vaira Vike-Freiberga,
aged 68, President of
Latvia. Has been in
power since 1999.
Mary McAleese, 54,
President of Ireland
since 1997.
THE PHILIPPINES
Undaunted coup survivor
The President of the Philippines may be on the
Forbes list as the fourth most powerful woman
in the world, but Gloria Arroyo, 58, is fighting
impeachment attempts for allegedly rigging
presidential elections. During her first term,
she overcame a coup attempt and a Senate
investigation of her husband, into alleged money laundering and
corruption. Arroyo, daughter of a former president and a trained
economist, was elected to the Senate in 1992 and became President
when the film star Joseph Estrada was toppled in a 'people's
revolution'.
FINLAND
Radical leftist goes on with 90 per cent approval
Finland's president Tarja Halonen, 61, has just
begun her second term in office. When it expires in
2012, she will have been the Scandinavian nation's
head of state for 12 years. Raised in a working-class
area of Helsinki, she represents a radical leftist
strand of Finnish politics. She was an unmarried mother - although
has since wed her partner. Her term will put a strong emphasis on
pacifism, human rights and international co-operation. Extremely
popular with Finns, she was in 2004 the only living person to be
placed in the top 10 of a television programme dedicated to the
country's greatest public and historic figures.
DENMARK
Helle Thorning Schmidt, 38, elected
leader of Denmark's Social Democrat
Party. She is the first woman to head the
party in its 134-year history. Thorning-
Schmidt's election follows the worst
result for the Social Democrat Party for years in Denmark's February
general election.
Yulia Tymoshenko, 45,
was dismissed as Prime
Minister of Ukraine last
September, now leader
of the Opposition
Luisa Diogo,
47, Prime
Minister of
Mozambique
since 2004.
WOMEN ON THE VERGE
Hillary Clinton, 59, hopes to run as
Democratic party candidate in
America's 2008 presidential race.
Ségolène Royal, 52,
front runner to be
chosen as the Socialist
candidate to fight
France's presidential
elections next year.
ABAKADA, SUMMER 2006 37

38
Eating for a
healthy longer
life
By: luth abainza
Who wouldn’t wish
to live healthier and
longer? Often you’ll
hear people say
they’re sleepy,
weak and tired.
We hear a
member of
the family
suddenly had fallen ill, or a sudden death
of someone we know came to our
knowledge. What’s to blame? Could it be
their diet?
As a child, I was brought up to follow
eating standard habits; like not eating
sweets (candies and cake/cookies)
before meals as it lessens my appetite (I
was told). I have also been slim, yet not
so fastidious when it comes to food.
Feeling tired is such a common health
problem for years. It’s a complaint that
affects as many as 50 per cent of women,
and can lead to lack of concentration and
What is a Toast?
by: luth abainza
I went to a christening recently
and there was a bit of hesitation
as to who would give a
toast. I, who thought I knew much
about toasting, got a bit
confused. That occasion
prompted me to make research. A toast
is practically a short speech, like any
other speech it requires both adequate
preparation and presentation. As I
researched the topic, I reviewed two
books and here’s what I accumulated:
The authors agreed that – “the toast is
the medium through which deep feelings
as love, hope, high spirits and admiration
can be quickly, conveniently and
sincerely expressed.” Anyone can give a
toast.
The custom of toasting is old, as old as
recorded history. The Vikings and Greeks
frustration. One of the most problems
I came across when I started my
”Herbalife business” (food
supplement) 6 years ago, was
lack of energy.
With the hectic pace at
which most of us live
today, it’s not
surprising that we
feel exhausted
occasionally. My
GP would tell
me – get 8
hours
asleep
and if you
still don’t feel refreshed, then it could be
time to take a look at what you eat.
The World Health Organization (WHO)
and United Nations Organization for Food
and Agriculture have published a report
confirming that a healthy, balanced diet
has an important role to play in the
prevention of chronic life-threatening
illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, heart
disease and obesity.
But the question remains – what exactly
is a healthy, balanced diet? According to
the report, it is one that is low in saturated
fats and sugar and high in fruits and
drank to their gods. To the Vikings,
drinking meade or ale from the “skull” of a
fallen enemy represented “salutations of
victory,” thus the word
“skål” came to general
use. Credit for the word
toast, as we know it
today, goes to the British,
who in the 17 th Century
toasted bits of bread and
placed them in a glass or mug, believing
it made the drink taste better. Thus the
“toast” became a drink of honor,
proposed to a person or sentiment
before, during or the end of the meal.
So a toast can range from blessing to a
curse depending on the event celebrated.
The authors offered the following tips:
Be brief! Don’t take longer than 4
minutes. An informal toast can be as
short as a single word (Cheers! Salud!
Skål! and of course to us Filipinos,
Mabuhay!) However, a formal toast
usually consists of some introductory
comments and culminates in the raising
of drinking glasses.
ABAKADA, SUMMER 2006
vegetables. It is recommended that we
eat five portions of fresh fruit and
vegetables a day, drink 6 glasses of
water, limit our intake of saturated fats
and sugars, and cut back on junk food.
But such general advice can still leave us
in the dark when it comes to healthy
eating.
WHO Guide to Healthy Eating
Fats should comprise no more than 15 to
30 per cent of your food each day
Saturated fats shouldn’t make up more
than 10 per cent of your daily intake
Carbohydrates (cereals, vegetables,
pasta) should make up most of your daily
diet, at 55 to 75 per cent
Sugar should not exceed 10 per cent of
your daily diet
Proteins should comprise between 10
and 15 per cent of your calorie intake
Salt, which causes high blood pressure,
should be limited to less than 5g per day
Eat at least 400g/14oz of fresh fruits and
vegetables per day
So, all of you out there, it’s not too late for
a 2006 New Year resolution. Middle of
the year is a good start. Personally, at
this writing, I started following the above
guide because I would like to live
healthier and longer.
Consider the occasion, in both mood and
language. Toast generally refers to the
person being honored and offers some
perspective on the occasion. A typical
toast will bestow best wishes as well as
hopes for health, happiness and good
fortune.
Avoid clichés like “Down the hatch” or
“Here’s mud in your eye.” When
introduced, step forward to the
appropriate place and wait for silence.
You may tap your glass with your spoon
to get people’s attention. The usual
opening is satisfactory. “ Mr/ Mme
(pause), Ladies and Gentlemen (pause).”
Speak up. Many toasts are lost in the
hubbub of the occasion. Start slowly with
several long pauses. Give adequate time
for response to any humorous remark.
Keep eye contact with your audience as
much as possible, but turn to the person
of honor from time to time as you direct a
remark to him/her.

BABAYLAN-DENMARK
FINANCIAL REPORT
January 22 -December 31, 2005
Bank from year 2005 1,004.00
Cash on hand 4,244.25
Collectibles 2,850.00
Income / January 29, 2005
Membership Fees/Cash 750.00
Membership Fees/Bank 1,200.00
Bladpulje from KK/Postage 1,765.34
C/C Travel Ad 1,750.00
Premacel Ad 1,25
ABAKADA finance from KK 10,000.00
Bingo 1,492.00
Int'l. Day Honorarium 3,000.00
FEXCO Ad 800.00
Gloria Sørensen Ad 500.00
ABAKADA Subscription 175.00
Hilda's Ad 250.00
Total Income (DKK) 31,030.59
Less Expenses
Website 387.00
Postage 724.95
Bingo 700.00
Hospital Visit/Flowers 105.00
Donation/Menchie 400.00
Hilda/Present 150.00
Meeting Refreshments 302.75
Alarm / NAM 1,152.58
PC Parts / USB 1,597.00
ABAKADA Printing + charges 6,014.88
Int'l. Day Expenses 200.95
Dancers Honorarium 1,200.00
Oslo Conference Fees 2,480.00
Office Supplies 135.00
Bank Charges 300.00
SID Rental 2,000.00
Total Expenses 17,850.11
Total Balance 13,180.48
Grand Total Income 13,180.48
Collectible 1,100.00
ABAKADA, SUMMER 2006
In BABAYLAN-DENMARK,
certain values are held inviolable
As many well know by now, and as evidenced by the
many successful activities we have had, that have
come to your attention, Babaylan moves and acts
according to its “Aims and Objectives”. One of our aims
is “to provide counselling, legal aid and practical help”
to fellow Filipinas.
About a year ago, several Danish newspapers
published articles depicting the plight of au pairs in
Denmark. Already before they left Philippines, their socalled
agents got paid several thousands of pesos.
Recently, one could read in the tabloid B.T. the
headline “Exploitation of Filipina au pairs continue”.
Obviously, both in the Philippines and in Denmark,
these anomalous acts happen.
But BABAYLAN-DENMARK (the only Philippine
women’s organization in Denmark), is definitely not
going to ignore this, especially when it happens in our
ranks. We are a non-profit association with a
respected reputation and therefore we do not sponsor
nor support any controversial acts that lead to au pair
exploitation. Also, in Babaylan, certain values are held
inviolable.
On behalf of BABAYLAN-DENMARK
Luz A. Hammer
Babaylan Chairperson
Tel. 22389636
babaylanes@yahoo.com
BABAYLAN EU
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 06
The Philippine Women’s
Network in Europe
September 22 – 24, 2006
CHUR, SWITZERLAND
39

40
Picnic at Amager Strand Parken, sponsored by
Western Union, June 29, 2006
Babaylan attended Western Union ‘s
Community Consultants Conference
in Paris, June 24, 2006
Mr. & Mrs. Valentine 2006,
Gil & Helena Broncano
Prof. Felipe De Leon,
public lecture in Nørrebro,
May 4, 2006
Summer Party at Judy’s
summer house, July 7, 2006
Babaylan CR Meeting in Barcelona,
February 26, 2006
ABAKADA, SUMMER 2006
Babaylan’s Miss Valentine 2006,
Jean Bentsen, February 11, 2006
Town Hall meeting with
Western Union, June 16 2006

DUAL CITIZENSHIP
NOW POSSIBLE
On 4 August 2006, the Supreme
Court of the Philippines has rendered
a decision granting dual citizens
under Republic Act 9225 the right to
vote without requirement of physical
residence in the Philippines (Case of
Loida Nicolas-Lewis, et. Al. v.
COMELEC,GR#162759).
In light of this recent legal decision,
the Philippine Embassy in Stockholm
is encouraging all qualified Filipinos
to register as an overseas absentee
voter (for details on qualifications,
see below - Primer on Overseas
Absentee Voting Act of 2004).
Beat the registration deadline of 31
August 2006 and let your vote count
in the coming 2007 elections!
BABAYLAN-
DENMARK
AU PAIR
EVENING
PART 2
What? Girls Nite Out
When? Saturday, 9 September,
from 15:00 hrs
Where? The Big Hall,
Saint Anne Church
Hans Bogbinder Alle 2,
2300 Kbh S
How? Buses 2A, 5A, 350S,
250S
Light meal offered.
Drinks reasonably priced.
Games and prizes.
Bring your dancing feet and your
singing voice.
Sponsored by
FEXCO/Western Union
PHILIPPINE MIGRATION
to EUROPE
The first-ever volume on the migration of
Filipinos to the “olde worlde” is the topic
of a book being jointly commissioned by
the Philippine Social Science Council
(PSSC) and the Philippine Migration
Research Network (PMRN) for publication
this year. ABAKADA Editor, Filomenita
Mongaya Høgsholm, has been chosen
Volume Editor.
Everybody, esp. migrant Filipinos in
Europe, wherever you are, whatever your
profession, are very welcome to input with
information, statistics, anecdotes, case
studies, original researches and other
relevant materials to this exploratory
volume regarding European migration.
Please send your materials
ASAP/immediately by email to
filomenitah@yahoo.com
or filomonk@hotmail.com
KØBENHAVN’S
INTERNATIONALE
DAG
lørdag, den 16.
september
fra kl. 12:00 – 18:00
BABAYLAN-DENMARK deltager i
ovennævnte markering med flere
aktiviteter såsom dans indslag i
programmet samt deltagelse i markedet
med en bod hvor filippinske kulinariske
specialiteter fås for en billig penge. Der
sælges også kunsthåndværk, kurve og
flet, tekstiler, smykker af naturmaterialer,
mm.
who would like to thank one and all for
your cooperation. Please use full names
so you can be properly acknowledged in
the Preface of the book. In the case of
those contributing whole chapters, a short
CV will be useful.
41

42
WHEREVER
YOU ARE,
THE
GOOD
LIFE
IS
WAITING
TO
HAPPEN
AT
HOME
For more details, please contact:
LYN CHRISTIANSEN
International Representative
ABAKADA, SUMMER 2006
SVELYN PROPERTIES
Copenhagen, Denmark
Tel. +45 47 17 24 50
Mbl: +45 20 99 24 50
svelyn@mail.tele.dk
www.megaworldcorp.com
www.audioacryl.dk
A
WORLD
OF
BETTER
HEARING
Please call:
Gil Broncano
Amagerbrogade 20
2300 København S
Tlf.: 39 18 02 48
Mobil: 22 55 99 01
audioacryl@mail.tele.dk

ABAKADA, SUMMER 2006
43