A Billion Stories to One.

For many years, a large sector of the Filipino population has been lured away from its homeland to seek work overseas. Unfortunately for the home country, this segment of the Philippines--often the world's best and brightest--takes away with it many of the talents and skills that might otherwise have uplifted not only this generation but also posterity. Overseas foreign workers must leave an indelible mark on those left behind, not in the form of setting remittances but by setting the bar higher as positive examples.

We are a world now run not by nation states, but by corporations. This is why when Filipino, or for that matter Americans, jobs are exported overseas so very little notice is made of it on the news. The press, too, has been bought out. We are a globalized economy where profit is the bottom line and, like cattle, human beings are shuffled about from place to place where made most convenient for a powerful few.

We need to find  peace of mind and happiness, both for ourselves and the world at large.

Do you have a story to tell? 

GS

Pinay made $1.08M in Singapore by luring kababayans into sex work.

October 10, 2014 

 

 

A Filipina registered as a Singapore permanent resident now awaits sentencing for six charges stemming from her alleged recruitment of sex workers for bars owned by her Singaporean husband.

According to a report on The New Paper, a Singaporean print and online publication, Ylarde Anne Asuncion, 31, and her husband, Ang Boon Seng, pleaded guilty in August to charges related to vice activities, including the provision of sexual services in their establishments.

A separate report on Straits Times said Asuncion helped her husband by recruiting women to work as "performing artists" in the pubs whenever she returned home to the Philippines.

She would allegedly tell the women that they must pay off a "debt" by providing sexual services in the pubs. If they accept the clause, these women will be flown out to Singapore.

At least 55 women were brought to Singapore through this method, which brought at least $60,000 "on good months," according to The New Paper.

Described as a "highly organised" operation by Singaporean e-newspaper My Paper, the women earned points for servicing clients.

Each point was worth $4, and by offering clients sexual services worth $22 to $55, they may earn three to four points.

These points were reportedly used to pay off their debts.

Ang allegedly monitors the clubs through cameras feeding to his office and through four local nightclub managers, who would arrange the women's entry to Singapore and their living accommodations.

Straits Times reported that Ang's first pub, Tokyo Drift, was established in 2009 in the popular Orchard Road area. He eventually built six others in the area and two more in Cuppage Plaza by August 2013.

The Singaporean faces more charges than his Filipino wife, with 232 charges for "procure women for the purpose of prostitution, abetting with others to harbour the women, and living off their immoral earnings and managing brothels."

Asia One reported that Asuncion was Ang's second wife, bearing him three more children in addition to Ang's six children with his previous wife. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News

Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/383020/pinoyabroad/crime/pinay-made-1-08m-in-singapore-by-luring-kababayans-into-sex-work

Filipinos make up the 7th largest immigrant community in AUSTRALIA

 Australia

 

The Filipino community is one of the fastest growing immigrant communities in Australia. At the end of June 2011, there were 183,010 Filipinos, 31 percent more than June 30, 2006. Filipinos already make up the seventh largest immigrant community, equivalent to 3.0 percent of Australia’s overseas-born population and 0.8 percent of its total population.

 

The number of Filipinos immigrating to Australia increased rapidly in the 1980s. Early waves of immigration were comprised mostly of women arriving through the “Family Stream,” or family reunification.

Since 2004, however, the majority of Filipino immigrants have come through the Skill Stream. Skilled visas now account for 70 percent of all permanent visas granted to Filipinos and, in absolute terms, the number of skilled visas issued is one and a half times the 2008–09 levels. Accountants, software and applications programmers and registered nurses were the main occupations among the primary applicants granted General Skilled Migration visas.

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“Filipinos’ labor force participation rate of 74 percent is well above the Australian national average of 65 percent.”

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Filipinos are attracted to Australia for economic reasons. The Philippines’ per capita gross domestic product is one tenth of Australia’s on a purchasing power parity basis. Australia ranks very high, second only to Norway, on the United Nation’s Human Development Index (HDI), a summary measure of wellbeing based on health, education and income.

New South Wales in 2011 has the largest number of Filipinos with 70,388, followed by Victoria (38,002), Queensland (29,462) and Western Australia (17,231). New South Wales has 32 percent of family immigrants, while Western Australia is most popular among skilled immigrants, attracting 32 percent of Skill Stream primary applicants in 2011–12.

Among temporary immigrants the situation is similar. Nearly half of all international students from the Philippines are enrolling in an academic institution based in New South Wales (47 percent).

Age and Sex

The median age of 39.8 years is 2.5 years above that of the general population. Females substantially outnumber males—63 percent compared with 37 percent.

Employment

Of the 108,195 Filipinos who are employed, 38.8 percent are employed in either a skilled managerial, professional or trade occupation. The corresponding rate in the total Australian population is 48.4 percent.

The unemployment rate at August 2012 is 5.0 percent—this is comparable to the national rate of 5.1 percent.

Their labor force participation rate of 74 percent is well above the national average of 65 percent.

In Northern Australia, biologist Rocielie Valencia works with the aborigine community for her thesis in ethnobotany. (Source: avrotor.blogspot.com)

Education

At the 2011 Census, 69 percent of Filipinos aged 15 years and over had some form of higher non-school qualifications compared with 55.9 percent of the Australian population.
Of Filipinos aged 15 years and over, 7.1 percent were still attending an educational institution. The corresponding rate for the total Australian population is 8.6 percent.

Income

At the time of the 2011 Census, the median individual weekly income for Filipinos in Australia aged 15 years and over was $673, compared with $538 for all overseas-born and $597 for all Australia-born. The total Australian population had a median individual weekly income of $577.

Historical Background

While most Philippines-born settlement in Australia is comparatively recent, records show that in 1872, Filipinos worked as divers in the pearling industry in Broome and Thursday Island. By the early 1900s, there were about 700 Philippine-born people in Australia, mainly in Western Australia and Queensland.

Immigration restrictions from 1901 led to the exclusion of non-Europeans from entry to Australia resulting in a decrease in Philippines-born settlers in Australia. By the 1947 Census, there were only 141 Philippine-born people in Australia. This increased in the 1950s, when Filipino students entered Australia under the Colombo Plan with many remaining after graduation.

The gradual easing of immigration restrictions from 1966 together with the 1972 declaration of martial law in the Philippines led to the rapid growth of the Philippine-born population in Australia. During the 1970s and ‘80s, many Filipino women came as spouses of Australian residents, under the then-Family Reunion Program. Over the last 20 years, many have immigrated as skilled immigrants.

A Filipino contingent at the Chinese New Year Parade in Melbourne (Photo by singapore_walker of flickr.com)

Facts on Australia

Australia has a population of 22,262,501 (July 2013 est.); 92 percent white, 7 percent Asian and 1 percent aboriginal and other. The per capita income is $43,300 (2012 est.)
It is a federal parliamentary democracy in a Commonwealth realm with its capital in Canberra. Queen Elizabeth II is the chief of state represented by the Governor General. The prime minister is the head of government. The legislature is a bicameral parliament. The High Court is at the top of the judicial system.

The Australian economy has experienced continuous growth and features low unemployment, contained inflation, very low public debt, and a strong and stable financial system. By 2012 Australia had experienced more than 20 years of continued economic growth, averaging 3.5 percent a year.
Demand for resources and energy from Asia and especially China has grown rapidly, creating a channel for resources investments and growth in commodity exports. The high Australian dollar has hurt the manufacturing sector, while the services sector is the largest part of the Australian economy, accounting for about 70 percent of GDP and 75 percent of jobs.

Australia was comparatively unaffected by the global financial crisis as the banking system has remained strong and inflation is under control. Australia has benefited from a dramatic surge in its terms of trade in recent years, stemming from rising global commodity prices. Australia is a significant exporter of natural resources, energy, and food. Australia's abundant and diverse natural resources attract high levels of foreign investment and include extensive reserves of coal, iron, copper, gold, natural gas, uranium, and renewable energy sources. 

A series of major investments, such as the US$40 billion Gorgon Liquid Natural Gas project, will significantly expand the resources sector. Australia is an open market with minimal restrictions on imports of goods and services.

Source: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/know-your-diaspora-australia

Only 3,067 officially registered Filipino's [OFW's] in Belgium and Luxembourg ?

 Belgium and Luxembourg

 

There are only 3,067 Filipinos are officially registered in Belgium. Students and OFWs are considered "temporary immigrants" (Wikimedia Commons)

According to the Philippine Embassy in Brussels, only 3,067 Filipinos are officially registered with the Belgian National Institute of Statistics. Moreover, it appears that a considerable number of them have become naturalized Belgians and Luxembourgeois over the years. The majority of Filipinos in Belgium and Luxembourg—60 percent—are women.

"Temporary immigrants" consist of students enrolled in Belgian educational institutions, as well as overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) with pending applications under the Law of 1980, Article 9.3. OFWs employed by diplomats with fixed periods are considered Temporary Residents. These non-Belgium based OFWs working for members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Kingdom of Belgium and to various European Union institutions are normally taken by their respective diplomat-employers to their next place of assignment after their tenure in Belgium as diplomats.

The following lines of work are taken by Filipinos in Belgium and Luxembourg:  barbers/hairstylists (home service); bartenders; butlers; waiters; carpenters; au pairs; cooks; dishwashers; dog/cat sitters; drivers; electrical repairers; installers; factory assemblers; food processing plant packagers; gardeners; house cleaners; house sitters/home managers; hotel housekeeping staff/porters; part-time laundry workers; mechanics; office cleaners; painters; plumbers; wall paper and carpet layers; baby sitters; caterers; elderly care service providers; entertainers (Antwerp area); sewers; tutors; domestic helpers/general utility personnel working with Diplomatic Missions and households; professionals in private firms, e.g., abstractors and data encoders (a small number).

There is considerable demand for domestic service staff, but the Office National de l'Emploi (ONEM) under the respective ministries of labor of Belgium and Luxembourg do not issue work permits to foreigners mainly because of the high unemployment rate as well as the restrictive labor policies of the EU. Except for a few hotel workers and a handful of office workers, immigrant workers engaged in the service sectors mentioned above are generally considered "travaille noir," i.e., undeclared, unprotected and undocumented. The majority of the Filipino workers are challenged by limited employment opportunities and illegal residency status.

Filipino Community Organizations in Belgium and Luxembourg

There are 74 listed associations of Filipinos residing in Belgium and Luxembourg.  Umbrella organizations such as the Council of Filipino Associations in Belgium (COFAB) and the Council of Filipino Associations in Flanders (COFAF) embrace regional groupings such as the Grand Ilocandia of Belgium, the Hinunangan Association, the Pangasinenses Group, the Victorian Community, the Novo Ecijano sa Belgium and others. There are also four Knights of Rizal Chapters. There are sports organizations like the Philippine Sports Community and Filipino Sports Community of Antwerp. 

Members of Kababayan Filcom celebrate the New Year. (Kababayan Filcom)

Cause-oriented groups like the Samahan, several socio-cultural groupings like Sampaguita, Mabuhay Friends Club, Belga-Cultura Filipina, etc., and numerous religious groupings also operate. Noticeable among these groups are those that have been established by Belgians married to Filipinas and who desire to help the Philippines through the organizations: Cadaatan vzw, Friendship for the Philippines, Kempen-Philippines Association, and Kababayan Filipino Community (Kababayan Filcom). In Luxembourg: Letzebuergesch-Philippinesch Aktioun Fir Den Development (LPAD), the Samahan ng mga Pilipino Luxembourg asbl and Philippine-Luxembourg Society.

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“There is considerable demand for domestic service staff, but the Office National de l’Emploi (ONEM) do not issue work permits to foreigners mainly because of the high unemployment rate as well as the restrictive labor policies of the EU.”

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Belgian Economy

The modern, open and private-enterprise-based Belgian economy has capitalized on its central geographic location, highly developed transport network and diversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is concentrated mainly in the more heavily populated region of Flanders in the north. With few natural resources, Belgium imports substantial quantities of raw materials and exports a large volume of manufactures, making its economy vulnerable to volatility in world markets.

Roughly three-quarters of Belgium's trade is with other EU countries, and Belgium has benefited most from its proximity to Germany. In 2011 Belgian GDP grew by 1.8 percent, the unemployment rate decreased slightly to 7.2 percent from 8.3 percent the previous year, and the government reduced the budget deficit from a peak of 6 percent of GDP in 2009 to 4.2 percent in 2011 and 3.3 percent in 2012.

Despite the relative improvement in Belgium's budget deficit, public debt hovers around 100 percent of GDP, a factor that has contributed to investor perceptions that the country is increasingly vulnerable to spillover from the euro-zone crisis. Belgian banks were severely affected by the international financial crisis in 2008 with three major banks receiving capital injections from the government, and the nationalization of the Belgian retail arm of a Franco-Belgian bank.

Luxembourg’s Economy

Luxembourg’s small, stable, high-income economy—benefiting from its proximity to France, Belgium and Germany—has historically featured solid growth, low inflation, and low unemployment. The industrial sector, initially dominated by steel, has become increasingly diversified to include chemicals, rubber and other products. 

Growth in the financial sector, which now accounts for about 28 percent of GDP, has more than compensated for the decline in steel. Most banks are foreign-owned and have extensive foreign dealings, but Luxembourg has lost some of its advantages as a tax haven because of OECD and EU pressure. 

The economy depends on foreign and cross-border workers for about 60 percent of its labor force. Luxembourg, like all EU members, suffered from the global economic crisis that began in late 2008, but unemployment has trended below the EU average. Following strong expansion from 2004 to 2007, Luxembourg's economy contracted 3.6 percent in 2009, but rebounded in 2010-11 before slowing again in 2012. 

The country continues to enjoy an extraordinarily high standard of living–GDP per capita ranks among the highest in the world, and is the highest in the euro zone. Turmoil in the world financial markets and lower global demand during 2008-09 prompted the government to inject capital into the banking sector and implement stimulus measures to boost the economy. Government stimulus measures and support for the banking sector, however, led to a 5 percent government budget deficit in 2009. Nevertheless, the deficit was cut to 1.1 percent in 2011 and 0.9 percent in 2012. 

Even during the financial crisis and recovery, Luxembourg retained the highest current account surplus as a share of GDP in the euro zone, owing largely to their strength in financial services. Public debt remains among the lowest of the region although it has more than doubled since 2007 as percentage of GDP. Luxembourg's economy, while stable, grew slowly in 2012 due to ongoing weak growth in the euro area. Authorities have strengthened supervision of domestic banks because of their exposure to the activities of foreign banks.

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Philippine Embassy in Brussels, Belgium

Ambassador Victoria Sisante Bataclan

297 Avenue Moliere, 1050 Brussels

E-mail: consular.brusselspe@gmail.com; brussels@philembassy.be; brusselspe@gmail.com
Trunkline: (+32) 02 340 33 77 to 78
Fax Number: (+32) 02 345 64 25
Duty Officer: (+32) 0488 609.177
Consular matters: (+32) 02 340 33 73
Consular matters: (+32) 02 340 33 74

PHILIPPINE HONORARY CONSULATE, ANTWERP

Peter Van BogaertConsul General, a.h.

Venneborglaan 90, 2100 Deurne, Antwerp

E-mail: pb.vanbogaert@skynet.be; aguansing@skynet.be
Tel No./Fax (03) 325.71. 16

Source: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/2013/3/know-your-diaspora-belgium-and-luxembourg

Road to Prosperity

Saudi Arabia.....biggest Employer of OFW's

There are 1.5 million overseas Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia, which is the biggest employer of overseas Filipino workers. They work as nurses and aides in hospitals. Many are project managers, technicians and office helpers in major business operations. Filipinos also work as shop clerks, restaurant service workers and domestic workers in private homes. They sent back to the Philippines up to $1.4 billion dollars in 2009. 

Filipino domestic workers are again in huge demand after a new agreement between the Saudi and Philippine governments recently went into effect, after a temporary halt in recruitment. The new contract agreement, which has 19 articles, will guarantee both parties’ rights, including a monthly salary of SR 1,500 ($400) to be paid directly to the household workers through their bank account. It also prevents maids from working at any place other than their sponsor’s residence and gives them the right to keep passport and iqama (residency permit) in their custody. Philippine officials say that domestic workers in Saudi Arabia for the first time will be amply protected.

Saudi Arabia, a country of 24 million, is a monarchy with a consultative council and council of ministers. Its constitution is the Quran while governance and the legal system are based on Islamic law. Municipal elections were incrementally introduced in 2005. The kingdom was unified under King Abdul Aziz al Saud in 1932. It has a dry desert climate of high temperature extremes. Oil was discovered in 1936 and oil production has been the basis of the country’s wealth. Petroleum, iron, gold and copper are its other natural resources. Wages vary according to one’s nationality or passport, skills and professional level.

According to Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) 123,048 Filipino workers arrived in Saudi Arabia in 2009 alone, among them were 48,109 women.  Saudi Arabia’s economy is based on oil extraction and production. It has 25 percent of the world’s oil reserves and a GDP of $593 billion. The World Bank considers Saudi Arabia the most stable of Arab economies.

Up to seven million workers are needed to run its industries, and 80 percent of these are imported overseas workers. Other foreign workers--Pakistanis, Indians, Africans and people from other Arab countries—are also working in various fields. There are efforts to increase the proportion of native workers to foreign ones through job substitution, or “Saudization.” Success has been intermittent.

                             

 Filipinos join the Hajj in Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Rommel S. Bautista)

Filipinos have a vibrant community in Saudi Arabia and now play a vital role in the Saudi economy. Riyadh has a “mini-Manila” with shops and restaurants managed by Filipinos. As foreigners who are mostly non-Muslim they tend to face racism, workplace and sexual abuse like other foreign workers. They can also be subjected to extremely harsh judicial punishments.

Life as a foreign worker is simple but very boring, especially for singles. Saudi Arabia is very good option for Filipinos seeking financial stability and savings. But culturally, it can be challenging. Saudi Arabia is predominantly Muslim. Some 10 to 15 percent of Filipinos are Muslim and five percent have converted to Islam. Non-Muslims have to be extra careful not to violate religious restrictions imposed by the government. The religious police have arrested a number of Filipinos and their pastors for conducting religious activities in their homes.

While Saudi Arabia is the hottest market for immigrant workers due to its stable and growing economy, most Filipino OFWs do not consider it their best option; many would still prefer to work in the United States or parts of Western Europe.


Sources:
http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/2013/2/know-your-diaspora-saudi-arabia
http://www.migrant-rights.org/2010/06/28/filipino-workers-rule-saudi-arabia/
http://www.arabnews.com/saudis-scramble-recruit-filipino-maids

EMBASSY OF THE PHILIPPINES, RIYADH
H.E. (Mr.) Ezzedin H. Tago
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
D3 Collector Road C, Diplomatic Quarter,
P.O. Box 94366, Riyadh 11693
KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
Tel. Nos.(+9661) 482-3615 (+9661) 482-3615, 482-0507, 482-1801, 482-3816, 482-4354,488-0835, 482-0474, 480-3662
Fax No. (+9661) 488-3945 / 482-1856
Email: riyadh.pe@dfa.gov.ph  filembry@sbm.net.sa
Website: www.philembassy-riyadh.org

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More job opportunities for Pinoys in New Zealand

By Maria Aleta Nieva Nishimori, ABS-CBNnews.com

 

Posted at 06/11/2014 10:19 AM | Updated as of 06/11/2014 10:19 AM

 

MANILA – The ambassador of New Zealand to the Philippines assured that employment opportunities for overseas Filipino workers in their country will continue.

"The reality is we are a growing economy that needs immigration. We need people to come in to fill jobs," said New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines Reuben Levermore.
Levermore said now that employers have seen what the Philippines can offer, opportunities for work for OFWs will continue. "I'm confident it's going to continue," he said.

He said Filipino workers in New Zealand are skilled migrants working as accountants, engineers, farm managers, and nurses.

"New Zealanders regard Filipinos very highly. The community has a wonderful reputation and is involved in many activities in our economy," he said.

In fact, the ambassador said that the Filipino community in New Zealand has more than doubled in size.

"We've seen in the last 7 or 8 years the Filipino community has more than doubled in size. In New Zealand, they now represent 1 percent of that population," he said.

As of the 2012 data from the Commission on Overseas Filipinos, there were 35,175 temporary, permanent, and irregular Filipino workers in New Zealand.

Meanwhile, Levermore invited Filipinos to come and experience the best of New Zealand through its trade fair on June 20-22, 2014 at the Glorietta Activity Center.

For this year, the "Experience New Zealand" trade fair will showcase not just top quality food and beverage. It will also include a tourism component.

"If you can't go to New Zealand, we are bringing it to you. By introducing people to New Zealand food and wine it's a nice little taste of things to come. This year, we've extended the food and beverage fair to also incorporate the travel component because we would also like to promote New Zealand as a tourist destination for Filipinos," the ambassador said.

Guests will also have the chance to get the feel of New Zealand culture by watching a special Kapa Haka performance by traditional Maori arts group.

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/06/11/14/more-job-opportunities-pinoys-new-zealand

3 Tips on How to Get A Job in Malaysia

Why Malaysia?

By Opaw Nako

 

Tourism Malaysian has a tagline – Malaysia, Truly Asia. This tagline cannot be refuted. It is one of the fastest growing countries in Southeast Asia and has a lot of potential to spur growth of tourism, technology, industry and business. This could be the reason why so many foreigners across the world are asking how to find job in Malaysia.

Why Malaysia?

Malaysia is renowned for its beautiful landscape and vistas and delicious cuisine. However, it is a hospitable country that welcomes foreigners with open arms. The fact that its economy is rapidly growing even when economies are struggling in Southeast Asia and the world makes it an attractive nation to live and work in.

If you are a talented and skilled at work, you can be certain you will be offered a good salary that will please you immensely. The comparatively high salaries

Job Search in Malaysia

Now coming to how to find job in Malaysia. Finding a job in this friendly and beautiful country is just like finding a job in any other part of the world. Here are some tips that will help you.

Source: http://www.filipinosabroad.com/3-tips-get-job-malaysia/

Social Recruitment Platforms: Just like LinkedIn, which is global, there are some social recruitment platforms that specifically hire for Malaysia-based companies and businesses. These are platforms you should be active on to have the best chance of finding a suitable job in Malaysia. A good platform that can open up doors to some of the best jobs in Malaysia is Jobtact.com. JobTact allows you to build your professional profile, timeline and share opnion in their talent community. Reportedly, recognized employers always scourge the talent community to look for candidates who have once spoken their best of ideas. It has some of the who’s who of the Malaysian recruiting world.

Old Job Boards: There are several job boards that can help you find a suitable job in Malaysia. Out of all the job boards, JobStreet perhaps is one of the oldest platforms. It is where recruiters working on behalf of different Malaysian companies are present and interact with potential candidates. JobStreet however, does not work very well in getting you a dream position. It’s more like a blind place to send your resume and a passive platform where you can just apply and pray for an interview. Unlike JobTact, JobStreet does not let you interact with employers freely or showcase your professional thoughts/opinion. In our opinion, JobTact is better than Jobstreet.

Recruitment Agencies: When you ask how to find job in Malaysia, never undermine the ability of a recruitment agency to help you out. Many companies in Malaysia outsource their hiring process to recruitment agencies to help them find the right local or foreign candidate.

If you live outside Malaysia, try to conduct an online search to find Malaysia-based recruitment agencies and get their contact details from their website. Send an email to them with your resume and qualifications as well as the job you are looking for. If they have the need, they will get back to you. You also can use LinkedIn to connect with recruitment agencies working out of Malaysia. When dealing with a recruitment agency, make sure you never pay a recruiter, as most are paid by the hiring company. Sometimes, recruiters may ask for payment after you receive your first salary. This could be a win-win arrangement for both.

Direct Job Application: Another way to find jobs in Malaysia is by directly applying to companies based in Malaysia. Check out the websites of these companies and apply for suitable jobs mention in their Career section of the website. Here is the way to go about it.

• Conduct a Google search to find Malaysia-based companies and make a note of their website
• Visit the website to find out more about the company
• Shortlist the companies you are interested in
• Check out their job or career page on their website and apply for the job that you are qualified for
• Make sure your CV is attractive and current before you hit the Send button
• Always write a covering letter to support your CV and address it to the relevant person in the department
• Now sit with your fingers crossed until you hear back from one of the companies

Whether you are in Malaysia or in your home country, you should know how to find job in Malaysia if you want to work there. It’s a great place to work as it’s often just 3 hours away from the the best of beaches in Asia, Bali, Koh Samui, Redang, you name it!