OWWA visits Pinoys in Israel hospital
Personnel from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) visited some Filipinos in a hospital in Tel Aviv, Israel, the Philippine Embassy said on Monday.
'Binisita ng OWWA Team ng Embahada ang ilan nating mga kababayan nating ginagamot sa ospital o kasalukuyang nagpapagaling sa pangangalaga ng ating mga [Filipino Community] leaders,' the embassy said.
(The Embassy's OWWA team visited several Filipinos who are being treated in the hospital or are currently recovering under the care of our Filipino Community leaders.]
Aside from this, the agency also gave the concerned Filipinos relief packages and legal assistance to claim benefits.
'Kinumusta ni OWWA Welfare Officer Karen Padduyao ang kanilang kalagayan at dinalhan sila relief packages. Tinutulungan din sila ng abogado ng OWWA upang makuha ang kanilang karampatang mga benepisyo,' the embassy said.
(OWWA Welfare Officer Karen Padduyao checked on their situation and brought them relief packages. OWWA lawyers are also assisting them to obtain their benefits.)
OWWA made the visit following the exchange of attacks between Israel and Iran.
According to the Philippine Embassy in Israel as of Sunday, one Filipino is still in critical condition after sustaining severe and life-threatening injuries.
She underwent two surgeries and is being treated at the ICU of Shamir Medical Center, one of Israel's most advanced hospitals.
Meanwhile, seven other Filipinos have been discharged after receiving treatment for minor to moderate injuries.
A total of 149 Pinoys lost their homes due to missile impact, 131 have been transferred to temporary housing accommodations and Department of Migrant Workers' shelters, while 18 are being processed for resettlement.
For repatriation, 26 overseas Filipino workers have undergone voluntary repatriation while another 100 Filipino pilgrims and students have been repatriated.
The next batch for repatriation includes 75 Filipinos.
A total 567 Filipinos have received various forms of assistance, such as emergency financial assistance, provision of temporary shelter, and relief packages containing food, clothes and hygiene products.
Also, 201 more have received psychosocial support and counseling.
Alert Level 3 was raised in Israel on June 20, which means Filipinos are encouraged to undergo voluntary repatriation. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA Integrated News
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OWWA visits Pinoys in Israel hospital
Personnel from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) visited some Filipinos in a hospital in Tel Aviv, Israel, the Philippine Embassy said on Monday. 'Binisita ng OWWA Team ng Embahada ang ilan nating mga kababayan nating ginagamot sa ospital o kasalukuyang nagpapagaling sa pangangalaga ng ating mga [Filipino Community] leaders,' the embassy said. (The Embassy's OWWA team visited several Filipinos who are being treated in the hospital or are currently recovering under the care of our Filipino Community leaders.] Aside from this, the agency also gave the concerned Filipinos relief packages and legal assistance to claim benefits. 'Kinumusta ni OWWA Welfare Officer Karen Padduyao ang kanilang kalagayan at dinalhan sila relief packages. Tinutulungan din sila ng abogado ng OWWA upang makuha ang kanilang karampatang mga benepisyo,' the embassy said. (OWWA Welfare Officer Karen Padduyao checked on their situation and brought them relief packages. OWWA lawyers are also assisting them to obtain their benefits.) OWWA made the visit following the exchange of attacks between Israel and Iran. According to the Philippine Embassy in Israel as of Sunday, one Filipino is still in critical condition after sustaining severe and life-threatening injuries. She underwent two surgeries and is being treated at the ICU of Shamir Medical Center, one of Israel's most advanced hospitals. Meanwhile, seven other Filipinos have been discharged after receiving treatment for minor to moderate injuries. A total of 149 Pinoys lost their homes due to missile impact, 131 have been transferred to temporary housing accommodations and Department of Migrant Workers' shelters, while 18 are being processed for resettlement. For repatriation, 26 overseas Filipino workers have undergone voluntary repatriation while another 100 Filipino pilgrims and students have been repatriated. The next batch for repatriation includes 75 Filipinos. A total 567 Filipinos have received various forms of assistance, such as emergency financial assistance, provision of temporary shelter, and relief packages containing food, clothes and hygiene products. Also, 201 more have received psychosocial support and counseling. Alert Level 3 was raised in Israel on June 20, which means Filipinos are encouraged to undergo voluntary repatriation. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA Integrated News
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The weight of expectations With so many roles to fill and responsibilities to juggle, Sipalay admitted that burnout isn't uncommon. 'May mga time talaga na napapagod ako,' he said. 'Lalo na kapag sunod-sunod ang klase, walang pahinga. Nakaka-drain.' (There are times when I get tired ... especially when classes are consecutive, we have no rest. It's draining.) His way of coping? Revisiting his purpose. 'Bumabalik ako sa dahilan kung bakit ako nagtuturo,' he said. 'Para matulungan ko 'yung mga bata. Para maging functional sila. Responsible adults.' (I go back to why I am teaching. To help the children. For them to become functional, responsible adults.) He had never seriously considered quitting—not yet. 'Siguro kasi bago pa ako,' he said with a smile. 'Pero sa ngayon, gusto ko pa talaga. Na-eenjoy ko 'yung pagtuturo.' (Maybe because I'm still a newbie. But for now, I enjoy teaching.) Bridging generations Sipalay is not just a teacher at Caloocan Science — he is also an alumnus. 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Nagbabago ang mundo, kailangan sumabay. Ginagamit ko 'yung innovations na natutunan ko sa college.' (You don't have to be always traditional. The world is changing, we need to go along. I use the innovations learned in college.) A message to policymakers If given the chance to speak to DepEd or lawmakers, Sipalay's request would be clear — support the teachers. 'Support us through training, workshops, refresher courses. Equip us to keep up with changes in the classroom,' he said. He also emphasized the need for resources—from laboratory tools to e-libraries, and computers. 'Kailangan talaga ng materials. Makakatulong 'yan sa students indirectly,' he explained. (We need the materials. These would help the students indirectly.) He welcomed proposals to incentivize teachers with extra loads or to hire non-teaching staff to help with paperwork. 'Kapag nabawasan ang non-teaching load, makakapag-focus kami sa pagtuturo—which is the main job,' he said. 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'Teachers improvise, adjust, and go beyond—not just because we're told to, but because we care.' And so, each morning at seven, he showed up. Because for Teacher Dan, and for thousands of teachers like him—this was never just a job. It was a choice to stay, to serve, and to believe. In classrooms where names blur, where supplies run out, and where policies often fall short, he remained—young, hopeful, and determined. And that, perhaps, is where true education begins. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
