THE Newsletter for OFWs, Filipino Immigrants Worldwide

If you like this e-zine, please do some friends and me a big favor and "pay it forward" by forwarding it to them.

If a friend DID forward this to you and if you like what you read, please subscribe by visiting...

Overseas Filipinos

It is September and the start of the "ber" months, which means Christmas is just around the corner. Soon, you and other Overseas Filipinos will be home in the Philippines to enjoy the world's longest Christmas Season with family and friends.

Or you will be abroad to start your journey as an OFW or immigrant.

But going abroad should not be spur-of-the-moment because of issues and abuses involved.

This issue continues to prepare you in going abroad or inform you of the things you need to know as an OFW, and more, much more...

1) The POEA Process for Agency-Hired OFWs
This shows the requirements and fees for land-based and sea-based OFWs hired through agencies and the role of the recruitment agencies. See the process for agency-hired OFWs here.

2) POEA Agency Verification
This page was started by a question from Mervin of Laguna about an agency recruiting OFWs for housekeeping jobs in Austria and Germany. You or someone you know may be in the same situation. Read the discussion here.

3) The POEA Process for Government-Hired OFWs
This page shows who are government-hired OFWs, and what are the POEA requirements, fees and steps to complete the process. If you are heading to the POEA Government Placement Branch, this process is for you. Read the process here.

4) Philippine Passport Renewal Process
The ePassport has changed the process of getting a passport in DFA Manila. Either you are getting a new or renewing your passport, the online appointment system saves time. Here's how I renewed my passport.

I used that passport to travel in Europe four months after its release.

It is amazing how time flies. This time last year I was in Europe for a six-month course on labor policies and globalization. The course took place mostly in Germany, in Berlin and Kassel. The internship took me to Ferney-Voltaire, France, just across Geneva, Switzerland, where I met...

5) Filipino Domestic Workers
Imelda and her sisters Myrna and Lorena, and their friend Mar showed me the daily lives of Filipinos trying to earn a living in this European city: why they go there, how they get their jobs and the problems they face. Get a glimpse of their lives here.

6) This Store in Geneva Gives Filipinos a Taste of Home
Almost a one-stop shop, this store sells Filipino products and provides services that let Filipinos feel closer to home. Read how the store's products and services do that here.

7) 2013 is election year in the Philippines. Filipino Overseas Absentee Voting Is about Family talks about the need for you as an Overseas Filipino to take part in the election as absentee voters to push for reforms directly affecting your family.

8) Condominium unit is a real estate asset where you can invest your hard-earned money on. Condominiums in Manila: Take Your Pick makes it easier to choose what unit to buy and what things to look for when buying a condo unit.

That's it for now. Next issue you will still receive updates on the preparations for going abroad, including in-demand jobs abroad.

See you next month,

Dom Tuvera

P.S. Overseas-Filipinos.Com's Look & Feel has changed for smoother experience when navigating the website. It is now wider. A third column to the right contains the box for signing up for this e-zine. Below the box is an image that links to Overseas Absentee Voting.

It is now easier to see the contents of OFC (that's the abbreviation I'd like to call the website) because headings now divide the links at the left column into several categories. These links and categories will expand as the site grows. I'd like to invite you to be part of the site's growth by sharing your OFW or Overseas Filipino story here.

See the buttons at the upper left hand corner just below the logo? You can now share OFC on Facebook, Google + and Twitter through those buttons. Those buttons are also at the top and bottom of each page.

The comment box at the bottom of the page allows you to share your comment about the website or any of the pages.

This is a work in progress so don't be surprised if you see some pages still formatted in the old two-column look and feel, like this page. The logo has not changed also except for some links at the upper right hand corner.

I'm thinking of changing the website's logo. If you have any ideas on how the logo should look, don't hesitate to share it on this form.

P.S.S. Comments? Ideas? Feedback? I'd love to hear from you. Just reply to this e-zine or use this form and tell me what you think!

Overseas Filipino Home Page