Hong Kong ahead in corporate governance

A CLSA report shows Singapore has fallen from its number one spot after missing a beat in its corporate governance reforms.

Hong Kong has edged out in Singapore for the first time in CLSA’s annual corporate governance report on Asia.

That’s mainly due to Singapore’s loss of pace rather than a dramatic improvement in Hong Kong, says Jamie Allen, secretary-general of the Asian Corporate Governance Association, which collaborates with CLSA on the annual report.

India, Taiwan and Japan have come in third to fifth in ranking, while Indonesia, the Philippines, and China are at the bottom three.

The market rankings reflect the degree of emphasis that regulators, issuers, intermediaries and investors have placed on corporate governance over the past two to three years.

“There has been a palpable lessening of the pressure for reform around the region, as one would expect during such a time, and many governments, regulators and market participants have taken their eye off the governance ball,” says Allen.

“Certain regulators are positively complacent about what they have achieved in the past decade, recounting with pride how much their stock markets have risen, and saying that all they need do now is to refine their rules and improve implementation of best practices,” he adds.

Allen notes that even in the developed markets of the US and the UK, corporate governance reform remains an ongoing process.

Hong Kong has moved into first place for a range of reasons, one of which is that it continues to grapple with some difficult reform issues and its regulatory officials are well aware of the distance between local norms and international standards.

Singapore, in contrast, gives the impression that its reform process has reached an acceptable plateau while its officials seem less concerned that some key local rules and practices are not in line with global best practices.

“Even though the process of reform is continuing in Singapore, such as in proposed amendments to securities laws, there is a palpable sense that the pace of policymaking has slowed,” Allen says.

“Hong Kong may not be attacking its problems with vigour or urgency, but at least it continues to progress,” he says.

The CLSA report notes Hong Kong is also well ahead of Singapore in terms of shareholder rights and, in recent years, it has closed off several loopholes that undermined investor protection.

In terms of other markets that have shown improvement, both Taiwan and China have moved up one notch from their respective rankings last year, the report shows.

Taiwan’s regulatory authorities have become increasingly open in recent years to engaging in a discussion about the strengths and weaknesses of their governance system, and have made real strides in improving not only their rules, but enforcement as well, Allen says.

He notes, though, that Taiwan’s listed companies have yet to show the same degree of enthusiasm - except in sectors like information and telecommunications that are subject to international competition - and it remains a frustrating place for investors trying to vote their shares.

China’s achievements over the past two years are mostly in the regulatory realm, Allen says. These include major amendments to both the Company Law and the Securities Law, a series of changes to the listing rules of the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges, and a wholesale revamping of the country’s accounting and auditing standards in line with international norms. Public enforcement does not stand out for its excellence, though it does seem to be improving gradually, he adds.

One area where China has made a definite leap forward is in the quality and quantity of the English language material on its regulatory websites, especially that of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), Allen says.

Meanwhile, although India is ranked third place in terms or overall governance, that doesn’t necessarily mean its standards are good, Allen says. It only means that India’s corporate governance regime is, on balance, slightly better than the markets below it, he adds.

Among India’s strengths are the high financial and non-financial reporting standards of its largest companies, which are in some cases, truly world class, Allen says. Among the weaknesses are the huge disparity between the high standards of many large caps and the rest of the market, which is made up of thousands of small listed firms.

Over in Japan, reporting standards of large caps are also high and quarterly reports are fairly robust and detailed. But while listed companies have been willing to improve their disclosure practices and enhance communication with shareholders, they have felt less compelled to change their organisational structures and open themselves to outside scrutiny.

In Indonesia, which is at the bottom of CLSA’s corporate governance ranking, the present government’s anti-corruption drive is yielding some results. In contrast to the Philippines, Indonesia continues to try to improve its corporate governance regime through, for example, revising its national code of best practice and bringing in a new corporate governance code for banks.

However, while the government may be amending its corporate governance codes, few consulted for the CLSA report believe it is truly serious in its efforts.

The Philippines, meanwhile, suffers in ranking due to having poor quality of non-financial reporting, even among large companies. Specific issues in the Philippines include having disclosure rules relating to material transactions that could be improved, having a regulatory system does not deter insider trading, and the non existence of voting by poll, which is considered difficult and time consuming by companies there.

D'oh! Filipina linked to American death at Grand Hyatt

The news of two Americans who were found lifeless in their Grand Hyatt Hotel room last last week didn't prompt me to further. But when the morning news that involved a Filipina -- allegedly a prostitute -- into the case brought embarrassment and shame.

Michelle Balingit Callejas, 20 years old, was arrested Friday night and appeared in court Monday, charged with immigration violations, a police investigator said. She remained in police custody.

The hotel has one of the most expensive rates in town, with rooms typically costing 550 US dollars a night. The two Americans, Paul, 45, and Richard, 51, paid an even higher price when they asked for the services of the Filipina.

Her visa allowed her to work in the Show Biz nightclub just 10 minutes walk from the Hyatt in Hong Kong's red light district, Wan Chai.

Police are reported to be investigating the possibility they were drugged, possibly with the date rape drug flunitrazepam, better-known by the brand name Rohypnol.

I am not sure as to how she was involved with the crime, except that the court documents show she was working on the 24th floor of the Grand Hyatt hotel, the same floor media reports have said the bodies were found. Maybe she was allowed to work at Show Biz, but if she violated that and instead worked somewhere in the 24th floor of the upscale hotel, then there's a possible link.

It's unfortunate these things happen, whether the victims are Americans or not nor the accused is a Filipino or not.

Philippino vs Filipino

I've often read articles that spell Filipino, my nationality as Philippino. I don't know why such misspelling occurs. Even the British, whom I think are knowledgeable enough about the name of people who live in the Philippines can still go wrong. Let alone those who aren't so familiar with Geography or adopt English as the second language.

I guess it's similar to being called a Thailander instead of Thai, or Hongkie instead of Hongkonger. Just a piece of correction to what I am called. Let's simplify it, I am a Filipino which is easier to spell than Philippino; people sometimes spell it Phillipines instead of Philippines.

Halloween treat: Flat buyer sues over "haunted" Hong Kong apartment

Halloween is a closely followed event for many people in Hong Kong. I am unsure if this is within the terms and conditions when Centaline Property Agency sold a piece of property to a scared buyer without telling her that a woman died in the house and lay there for several days before being discovered by relatives.

Is this scary enough? Probably. Especially that most Chinese women I know and befriended don't like to go out and watch scary movies.

Ho Chow-lan is seeking the return of her deposit and legal fees on the 750,000-US-dollar flat, after discovering that a woman's body lay there for several days before being discovered by relatives.

In her writ, she accuses Centaline Property Agency of deliberately withholding information about the apartment in Hong Kong's North Point district, the South China Morning Post said.

Wait a minute, Hong Kong's North Point district. This should be within my neighborhood. But is it as scary as living in a flat that provides a view of Victoria Harbour, only if Hong Kong Funeral Home didn't obstruct it? Imagine if the view from your bedroom window shows caskets and mourning wreaths every now and then. Or if your flat overlooks a cemetery, for example St Michael's Catholic Cemetery.

I think I can live with that, especially if I am compensated with lower leasing terms.

When the "duped" buyer found out about the death of the woman in August, she pulled out of the purchase and now wants the agency to compensate her for her 24,000-US-dollar deposit and legal fees, the paper said.

Despite their cosmopolitan image, Hong Kong people have a strong belief in spirits and feng shui, and apartments where residents have died or been murdered are often sold at knock-down prices.

Which is why the horror-resistant buyers can get flats at lower prices because they have less competition to contend with.

Found out about you

All last summer in case you dont recall
I was yours and you were mine forget it all
Is there a line that I could write
Sad enough to make you cry
All the lines you wrote to me were lies
The months roll past the love that you struck dead
Did you love me only in my head?
Things you said and did to me
Seemed to come so easily
The love I thought Id won you give for free
Whispers at the bus stop
I heard about nights out in the school yard
I found out about you
Rumors follow everywhere you go
Like when you left and I was last to know
Youre famous now and theres no doubt
In all the places you hang out
They know your name and know what youre about
Whispers at the bus stop
I heard about nights out in the school yard
I found out about you
Street lights blink on through the car window
I get the time too often on am radio
You know its all I think about
I write your name drive past your house
Your boyfriends over I watch your light go out
Whispers at the bus stop
I heard about nights out in the school yard
I found out about you

Animax for Hong Kong mobile phone users

Sony Pictures Television International’s youth-skewing anime channel Animax will roll out its new monthly subscription-based mobile service Animax Mobile in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Animax Mobile has already debuted to consumers in Hong Kong through the 3G mobile-phone operator SmarTone Vodafone, with the Taiwan launch to follow soon in early November with Chinese subtitles. Animax Mobile allows mobile users to stream full-length episodes of Japanese anime series, which will be shown in a two-hour loop. Users can also view the anime in short clips of five to seven minutes. Targeting the 15 to 35 demographic, Animax Mobile will serve up four popular Japanese anime series in its English-dubbed versions at launch. Titles include the award-winning Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo, as well as the action-packed series Blood+, R.O.D. the TV and Last Exile.

“Animax enjoys great distribution in both Hong Kong and Taiwan and this expansion to mobile not only builds on the brand loyalty of Animax, it gives users an additional source in which they can enjoy their favorite anime series, whenever they want, wherever they want,” said Ricky Ow, the general manager of SPE Networks—Asia.

In Ho Chi Minh: Migrant scheme attracts overseas talent

Since the Immigration Department's Quality Migrant Admission Scheme's launch in June 2006, attention has focused on Olympic medallists and pianists from the Mainland. In fact, more than a fifth of the successful applicants are from overseas. They bring a wealth of professional skills that contribute to society's more diversified development.

Art therapist helps local profession grow

Jordan Potash began his career in the US capital of Washington, where he used creative arts to help people express their feelings and overcome emotional difficulties for nearly seven years.

While art therapy as a profession has a 40-year history in the US, it is relatively new in Hong Kong. Jordan relocated here because he saw a need for his skills and experience.

"Life here is so stressed. There is also a certain number of people who don't feel comfortable to talk about their problems due to their cultural values. Through an art-making process they can express their feelings but don't feel embarrassed," he explained.

Flexibility a big draw

Though the need may be great, there is no formal art-therapy training course in Hong Kong. Besides seeing patients through the St John's Cathedral counselling service, Jordan's second mission is to help train local art therapists. He gives lectures at universities during his leisure time, works on a PhD programme in art therapy at the University of Hong Kong and also does volunteer work.

Jordan says the admission scheme allows flexibility, which is attractive to talented overseas professionals.

"Most other places have you get a sponsor, a full-time job or full-time university sponsorships - but nothing that really gives the flexibility of being able to do a little here and a little bit there and then get a full sense of what life is like."

Soprano's teaching dream comes true
The renowned soprano Lan Rao also became a Hong Kong resident through the scheme in July.

When Lan came to Hong Kong from Germany to be a judge in a music competition with over 130,000 participants two years ago, she was moved by Hong Kong people's passion for music.

"I had never imagined that there are so many kids here working so hard to learn music. According to my rough calculation, the proportion of professional singing teachers in the population is tens of times less than that in Germany, which made me think there's a great need for teaching talented youngsters here," Lan said.

Born in China, the gifted soprano was awarded a scholarship and went to study music in Germany when she was 19. She earned a Masters degree at the Music School of Munich and then performed around the world.

Training tomorrow's performers

During two decades of singing for global audiences, Lan dreamed of the day she could return to China, to devote herself to promoting music there. The Quality Migrant Admission Scheme helped her dream come true.

"I have a dream. I want to teach as many people as possible, not only dozens of professional vocalists to win international competitions, but to teach thousands of students and let them know the joys of singing."

Lan became the first "in-house" artist at the University of Hong Kong's School of Professional & Continuing Education. She is mainly responsible for teaching Masters classes and courses for teachers.

School director Enoch Young said Lan helps to train local performing artists to cater for the future needs of the Government's West Kowloon Cultural District.

Up to mid-September, the Immigration Department had received 992 Quality migrant admission applications and approved 238 of them. The department will continue to promote the scheme overseas to attract more talented people to Hong Kong.

In Ho Chi Minh: Searching for Mr Binh

I left Australia at about 11 in the morning (Sydney time) and eight hours later, I arrived at Ho Chi Minh City. My trip to Sydney isn't all ideal; I had some bad luck as well. But overall to describe the city, I'd say it's a place you'd like to live.

Almost a year ago I spent a short visit here. Now it's even shorter. I am staying at Blue River Hotel which is very impressive. Clean, affordable and has very helpful staff. Thuy, the receptionist even offered to carry my luggage. I guess in Vietnam, it's not unusual to see women lift heavy things. So far I am impressed so I recommend this place.

The airport where I also made a stop over seven days ago, is a new one, with spotless toilets and orderly arranged immigration counters. What's embarrassing though is that the immigration official sighed when he saw I am holding a Philippine passport. "Very bad in the world", he muttered. Yes, even if it's my first time to hear someone whine about the sorry state of Philippine passport, with all the manual inputs, I guess other airport immigration officers have the same thing in mind, albeit being tight-lipped about it.

Outside the airport, I became an instant magnet for taxi drivers. I guess they are very well-versed in reading a solitary visitor's eyes that they know someone is lost or in need of guidance. The first one approached me with a very bold yet hard sell offer of 50 US dollars for a trip to Pham Ngu Lao. You gotta be kidding, mate. Another one approached acting as if he will be the salvador del mundo. 40 bucks. Sorry, I also come from a third world country. Finally, a short, dark man came over and won the bid for ten dollars. I took the chance because I need to get a short rest and shower soon. It's almost 6 in the evening when I arrived in Saigon.

While I escaped the rains in Sydney (projected on the day I left), they were waiting for me in Ho Chi Minh City. But it should not deter me from getting my favorite pho noodle at Pho 24 later. Hopefully, I'll come across Mr Binh.

Who is Mr Binh? He is a motorbike driver here and introduced me that it's his name. Last year I had an unpaid tour of the city courtesy of Mr Binh and his relentless effort to serve me. I told him I had no money in my pocket when he approached me but out of hospitality or desperate need to earn, he toured me around even if he wasn't assured he will be paid. He even took my photos. And he wasn't paid. I felt guilty and one reason I decided to choose to make a stop here is to find him (I still recognize his face) apart from the Asiamiles. He should be loittering around Pham Ngu Lao area if he did not move places or changed his day job. But I am resigned to the fact that it's almost impossible to find him only in a day (and in fact it's night time now).

I still hope to find Mr Binh.

In Sydney: The beauty of the mountains

I spent the day yesterday touring around the mountains west of Sydney. Just as Jenny was saying, you'll never run out of things to do and places to explore in Australia. The place just makes you want to live here.

I am in a company of a dozen other people, most of them are retired couples and honeymooners. It makes me think, is this the time of my life to be doing this? Should I wait for my wife to come along with me and make me stop whining about traveling alone and constantly bothering people to take photos because I have no other choice?

Anyway, the first stop of the trip was Featherland Zoo, home to Australia's native animals and more. There I got a glimpse and even touched the adorable koalas and kangaroos. But there are more: wombats, emus and other animals. It was fun seeing the sleepy koalas (which I found out sleep more than 12 hours every day).

Then further up in the mountains are the great views of the Australian continental shelf, formed millions of years ago. Our driver/guide named Jim, a big man packed with funny stories, told us that the view is 15 times older than the more popular Grand Canyons in Arizona.

The Blue Mountains, formed by the eucalyptus trees and the adjoining Three Sisters in the Jamison Valley is a sight to behold. I had one of my best shots in my Australian vacation done here.

There were rides as well. I took the steepest cable ride in the world (I guess it was well over 70 degrees incline) but it was short and not so entertaining. I thought we could have had a roller coaster ride to make it more fun. I reckon it is a coal mine in the outskirts of Katoomba, so it's more about work and not much about play.

The older villages in the mountain side made me think if I could ever live (if given the chance) in this kind of environment that's so quiet. Probably I'd be bored to death but less likely to age quickly as my urban counterparts might end up.

The Olympic venue was a stunning sight even if we only spent about 12 minutes there. Finally the Matilda cruise brought us back to the Darling Harbour and Circular Quay. It was a great ride!

The highlight of the day was meeting my college classmate and friend Jonilie (with friend Hope) and having an Italian dinner along The Rocks area.

As the day of my return to Hong Kong draws nearer, I begin to miss Sydney.

In Sydney: Hospital, travel firm push medical tours

Union Hospital and Dragonair Holidays have joined forces to promote Hong Kong as a destination for medical tourists.

According to a joint announcement yesterday, the scheme is aimed at luring affluent mainlanders to visit Hong Kong for medical checkups.

The pioneering venture between the private hospital in Tai Wai, Sha Tin, and the subsidiary of Cathay Pacific Airways will offer packages that include a half-day medical checkup at the private hospital plus air tickets, hotel, transportation and a half-day sightseeing tour around Hong Kong Island organized by the airline.

A doctor's report on the medical status of the person will be included.

The cost of the four- and five-day packages ranges from about HK$6,760 to HK$12,570 a person, depending on the departure location and season.

The basic checkup includes a standard medical evaluation of blood pressure, glucose level, urine, liver, kidneys, electrocardiogram and chest x-ray.

Additional tests such as breast checks and pap smears are available at extra cost.

The medical tour is being targeted at middle- class professionals in 10 affluent mainland cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Ningbo, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Changsha, Wuhan, Qingdao, Dalian and Shenyang.

Chief hospital manager and medical director Anthony Lee Kai-yin is confident mainlanders will be prepared to pay for the body checkups in Hong Kong even though the price is two to three times more than in the mainland.

"Many hospitals in the mainland may have caught up with our hardware, but not the software. Hong Kong's health-care sector has a good brand image for high-quality hospital and medical services, and doctors' credibility," Lee said.

Currently, mainlanders comprise about 1.5 percent of the hospital's in-patient services, which is double the rate of a year ago.

Lee said the increased intake would not affect services to local patients.

He said he hoped the scheme would attract new customers, as most of the current mainland patients are relatives of local residents.

Dragonair Holidays international sales manager Ophelia Ng Ka-wai said bundling conventional tourism packages with medical services can also increase Hong Kong's competitiveness as a medical hub.

"Mainland tourists are becoming more mature, more and more are not just looking for discounts, they want diversified products," Ng said.

However, Hong Kong's immigration policy does not really promote Hong Kong as a medical hub, according to Hong Kong Private Hospitals Association chairman Alan Lau Kwok-lam. The government should simplify visa procedures for mainlanders seeking medical services in Hong Kong and consider visa extensions for those requiring post-medical treatment, he said.

In August the Taiwanese government eased the visa application procedures for mainlanders seeking medical treatment. The program is expected to attract about 100,000 mainland and overseas visitors to the island in three years.

Duh, after all the mainland pregnant women denied services in Hong Kong, does this place deserve to get a slice of the medical tourism earning pie? What about those multiple blunders on hospitals... too embarrassing an requires a lot of PR jobs to get the plan done.

In Sydney: HKUST scientists flying high with Boeing deal

Airline passengers may soon be able to use their cell phones and wireless laptops on board Boeing aircraft, thanks to a wireless communication system now being developed by a Hong Kong university.

This makes me wonder if irritable folks in Hong Kong are asking its top scientists and inventors to come up with an idea to make things happen like do phone calls during the lull moments of an intercontinental flight.

On September 28, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, along with Tsinghau University in Beijing and Southeast University in Nanjing, signed an agreement with the Boeing aircraft company to develop a more efficient wireless communication system for commercial planes.

The team of top scientists is in the initial stages of raising wireless efficiency with regard to maintenance, communication and entertainment on aircraft.

HKUST associate professor of computer science and engineering Qian Zhang is ranked as one of the top scientists in wireless communication and is responsible for the university's partnership with Boeing.

"Today's aircraft information, including performance data and track record of the flights are not fully digitalized," she said in explaining why this project is necessary.

Currently aircraft maintenance technicians are unable to detect any irregularity in planes while they are flying, which increases maintenance diagnosis and repair on the ground.

The new research hopes to enhance communication among in-flight aircraft, maintenance technicians, and airports and cut down the ground stay of airplanes.

Such links are expected to mitigate flight delays and increase the frequency of flights, according to the university's computer science and engineering head Lionel Ni.

Research will also enhance the efficiency of onboard entertainment and reduce the costs associated with the current entertainment systems which use the lowest transmission powers.

The new technology will allow on- board passengers to safely play wireless games, use cell phones and the internet.

The implementation of this technology will not add additional weight to aircraft or change the current wiring system, Zhang said.

The university cannot predict when the technology will be put in real products, but it is already in the process of planning for the second phase of research, Ni said.

The project marks the first collaboration between the university and a major United States company. "We are honored to be named a partner in this research project, it speaks soundly of HKUST's research strength and technological capabilities," Ni said.

So should cabins of Boeing aircraft be more lively with noisy people talking on the phone? I hope this is not the outcome of this project.

In Sydney: Exploring the city

While Jenny took the driving test (and successfully passed it), I went out with Nezzy to explore the city and walked through the city's interior from the Paddy's, (a cheap source of shirts and souvenirs), to the Hyde Park, the majestic St Mary's Cathedral and all the way to the Sydney Opera House where most of the afternoon's photo session took place.

Cost of clothing, shoes and food in Sydney exceeds those in Hong Kong, and that explains why Hong Kong is a shopping haven for reasonably priced and wider variety of goods.

I also tried the train system and it's less impressive than the MTR/KCR. Time intervals are longer and train stations are not well-maintained. However, they served a purpose here... to cater to those who don't have cars or those who want to save up on gas while avoiding the rush hour traffic congestion.

In the evening, Rica and Aileen, both members of SFC in Sydney, joined us for dinner in Manly, a weekend destination for tourists and locals, sitting next to a bay. Open air dining places and bars featuring upper floors with terraces are a common sight. It's still early evening when I begin to see a few drunk people walking down the street.

Life in Sydney indeed is much simpler, with not much grocery shops, malls and places to go after office hours. This makes people look forward to more quality time with their families. In Hong Kong, the family gets inserted to the frenetic way of life as people go out at night doing window shopping for non-essentials or queuing for sought after dinner.

In Sydney: the breeze at Bondi

I arrived at Sydney's Kingsford Smith International Airport in the morning, and met Jenny once more. She is a friend of mine who settled here after working in Hong Kong for four years.

The immigration seemed strict, with sniffing dogs checking each incoming visitor to the city. However, the customs were more strict, ensuring that no unauthorized food (Australia takes care of its dairy and livestock industry) will pass through the counters.

My stopover at Ho Chi Minh City was greeted with great impressions of the new Tan Son Nhat International Airport. Small but very nice one. What's even more impressive that this new airport upgrade won't live long to serve the existing international passengers; it will serve domestic passengers and will make way for Long Thanh International Airport in 2015. How is that, Manila airport?

While the atmosphere of the new airport was calm and serene, the flight that will bring me to Sydney was far from it. There was a switch in aircraft that resulted in mayhem of passenger seating arrangements and a delay of about two hours. The entertainment system of the aircraft failed and worse, the seating facility is cramped; it could not even be reclined. So I have to live with it for the next eight hours. The food was good though.

I barely rested and spent the day savoring some delicious food at Nando's. Later we went to Bondi beach, popular to tourists and surfers alike. The Gap at Watson's Bay provided a great glimpse of a spectacular cliff and unfortunately, a site for a few desperate souls who want to take away their lives.

Life is quite laid back, and communities are setup that make them ideal to raise families.

I loved Sydney the first time I saw it, despite some handicaps (transportation is not as efficient as Hong Kong's, phone system between landline and mobile phone is not the same, the broadband is sometimes described as crawlband, etc).

Traveling to Sydney

I will be traveling to Sydney until end of next week and will probably have less time to compose my usual posts. However, I will try to update this blog as often as I could.

Youtube in Hong Kong

I am traveling to Sydney tomorrow. Before I do that I have to buy a bag at Juicy Couture for Nezz, a friend in Australia. When I was handed the package, it was so huge that I felt embarrassed to bring such big bag in a rather feminine appeal. I wished no one will see me on the train and elsewhere around the crowd at Times Square, Causeway Bay. Luckily, it was only Joyce, who told me it's fine.

On the lobby of the mall, I see Chinese celebrities explaining something about YouTube and its logo is all over the place. Now I understand why YouTube is promoting Hong Kong on its website today.

***

Not too long ago, I passed by McDonald's to buy McWings, which is the only item I bought from its shops for the past half a year (except when Nina forces me to order a cheeseburger). I had to eat it at home so I did not realize it was quite heavy for a four-piece chicken wings combo.

When I opened the paper bag, I got about sixty pieces of discount stubs for McCafe. I am not a coffee drinker so the stubs ended up with the paper bag on their way to the trash bin.

Was I supposed to be distributing them to colleagues or outdoors?

Random Cantonese Word Generator: Hard seller or prank caller?

Prank calling may not be a good idea to do in Hong Kong. If you try to mess up with "999" emergency hotline you could get reprimanded or end up in jail. Calling busy people at work could get your ears some serious and painful phone dropping experience. Or endless cursing and swearing from an unsuspecting receiver.

I got a call from someone using the telephone number 3583 3621. I repeat, 3583 3621.

When I just said hello, a litany of Cantonese words popped out of the mouth of the lady on the other line... I waited for the next two seconds or so and there was no sign that the rap will ever end. Almost totally idiot when it comes to Cantonese language, I could only guess she was trying to sign me up for a cheap broadband connection, a super duper telephone switch offer or some other scams out in the market.

So I interrupted the seemingly one sided conversation by asking, "Do you speak English?". I was also trying to make sure I am not talking to an interactive voice response system.

The response was a pre-rehearsed, "Oh no, bye bye". No sorry whatsoever. Should I report this to the Consumer Council?

This brings me to think what are my friends talking about in Cantonese when I am with them? Are they bad mouthing me? (They should do it in the languages I am not familiar with.) I feel the same when I am around with a Chinese friend and somebody calls me in Tagalog and I can't help but make the conversation in my native tongue. I feel guilty about it. But when I overhear someone saying "m sik kong" (referring to or pointing at me) I feel there is something wrong.

Traveling and Thai people

My short trip to Bangkok was indeed short, not because it was spent more on business and less on leisure, but because I started to make a connection with my newly found friends.

It was my third visit to the country last week (I made the previous ones in 2003 and 2004).

Even before I left the new Suvarnabhumi Airport, I felt I am welcome in the city. The immigration officer was smiling. (As members of ASEAN, Thailand and Philippines allow its citizens to make visa-free visits for a few weeks.) Two girls (one is named Piyaporn), who don't know us offered to drop us to the hotel they suggested to us even if we only asked for hotel suggestions.

The scene reminds me of the Philippines. At many occasions, I was often asked in Thai language because people mistakenly identified me as a Thailand person. Of course, I am not. But it's flattering because I like Thailand, its people, food and culture. I even become more curious about King Bhumibol and his accomplishments. It's hard to ignore the sea of yellow shirts flooding the city streets on a Monday, as a sign of reverence to the King, who is loved and adored by the Thai people.

While the day was spent mostly listening to Hannah and Erica and occasional dozing off and fantasizing of the food at Hyatt Erawan, I cannot capitalize on exploring the city during night time; I caught flu after getting caught in the rain and must maintain sanity for the next day's session. Nonetheless, it did not prevent Sama and Tick from touring and treating me for dinner.

I also got to visit the office of my Thai friends Sama and Tick and got to meet more nice people: Amy, Lyn, Mae, Suwon, Jom and M. Thai names are often long (they have meanings) and hard to pronounce so they chose to have shorter names that sometimes consist of just letter. (The CEO is M while Tick's boyfriend is X. Just taking advantage of the chance to shorten names.)

The experience is a repetition of other experiences I had with my previous travels. During the first few days, I am aloof and scared of getting lost somewhere. But later I get to know where to go, what to take, who to ask just before I leave the place. There are a lot of things to do but time won't allow me to do it.

Just like meeting someone. I was supposed to meet Petchie, a friend I never met since 2003. But she's busy at work and has to attend to a sick family member so we can't meet up despite constant reminders of my schedule and availability. If I stayed over the weekend, we could have met. Instead, I am back to the drawing boards thinking of when will I come back again and meet these friends.

I will be traveling again on Thursday. This time it will be Sydney. Once again, the trip short and solo. So I won't be surprised if I continue lamenting that there are to many places to go, too little money or vacation leave available and ultimately too short for a lifetime to cover everything.

Making the dogs more useful

Badly behaved dogs with a penchant for tearing up gardens and raiding rubbish bins are being sought to detect meat, live birds and other animals smuggled in across the border from China, a media report said Sunday. Up to five beagles and Labradors are needed for the quarantine detector dog programme which has been awarded to an Australian dog training company by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, the South China Morning Post said.

Andrew Biggs, managing director of the Australian company, Hanrob, said the dogs would be between 10 months and three years old and "demonstrate attributes of destructive behaviour." The owners would hand them over for retraining.

"It's just a pilot programme, but hopefully we will be able to build it up from there. The training is all about positive reinforcement. If you get suitable dogs, it makes them easier to train. It's just a process of matching the right handlers to the right dogs."

A department spokesman said three officers would be sent to Australia for training.

"Detector dogs can effectively screen large numbers of travellers," he said. "The dogs will work at various border control points, primarily at land border crossings between Hong Kong and the mainland."

Movie watching

I am back in Hong Kong since yesterday feeling sick all day long.

For the first time I watched movie in two consecutive days. Not a big deal, huh? But since Hong Kong has one of the most costly cinema experiences in the world, it's noteworthy.

The moment you buy the ticket, you become a virtual slave of the cinema management:

You shall not sneak into the cinema any food and drinks not bought from the monopoly canteen, which serves more expensive commodities.

You shall be expected to be in the movie house exactly at the time of show. Why? Read on...

You shall stare at the commercials shown on screen for ten minutes before you can watch the movie. Supplemental drinks, vitamins and restaurants are helpful commercials.

You shall watch six movie previews so you don't need to ask your friends what are the next movies to be shown in this cinema.

You shall keep quiet, turn off your mobile phone and refrain from recording any portion of the show.

Yes, you pay sixty dollars at UA Cinemas to watch the TV commercials, er, movie commercials. We have a choice.

Macao threatens Hong Kong for popularity

Macao is expected to catch up with Hong Kong in the near future in terms of mainland tourist traffic, an expert said.

The estimation is based on the increasing trend of Macao's growing shares in the mainland tourist market and Macao's enriching tourism facilities.

The number of mainland tourists bound for Macao has been rising since 1999, causing annual growth of over 30 percent between 1999 and 2004, said Dai Bin, a professor at Beijing International Studies University, in a recent interview.

Although the growth rate has slowed a little in the past two years, it still beat the comparative rate for Hong Kong last year, when Macao registered 14.6 percent growth compared to Hong Kong's 8.4 percent.

Dai described the current gap as "narrow."

Last year, 11.99 million mainland tourists visited Macao while 13.50 million visited its larger rival.

In the past there was even less parity. Only a decade ago, 530,000 mainlanders visited Macao compared to four times as many in Hong Kong.

Dai said the gap was caused by two factors - Macao used to rely on Hong Kong's transportation facilities, and tour promotions always highlighted Hong Kong as a metropolitan paradise for shoppers.

Macao was long overshadowed by Hong Kong, which also formed part of the route to Macao for many travelers, he said.

To help correct the imbalance, Macao expanded its airport, introduced the Venetian Macao Resort-Hotel and spent more on promoting tourism.

The Venetian Macao opened on August 28 as reportedly the largest hotel in Asia. It has since added 3,000 rooms, multiple entertainment facilities, and 110,000 sq m of convention area to Macao's tourism resources. At least 44 exhibitions and fairs have already booked the convention facilities, which will be occupied until next April.

Dai said these efforts have given domestic and international tourism a major boost.

"The mainland, Hong Kong and Macao have formed a tourist circle, supplementing each other with different tourism resources," he said.

The circle will gradually grow in stature as China moves to wield a stronger influence on the global market, especially in Southeast Asia, he added.

At present, residents of 33 mainland cities can travel to Macao, while Chinese in other parts of the country have to join tour groups to go there.

In Bangkok: On my own

I finally settled at Grand Hyatt Erawan, a lovely hotel located in the middle of the city (read: the most accessible parts of Bangkok).

After breakfast with Garland, Molly and Ben, I was on my own. I spent half of the day (so far) walking around the city. Many people wear yellow shirts, in reverence to King Bhumibol, who is going to celebrate an auspicious event later this year.

Although Thailand is generally a place that attract tourists, signs aren't too tourist friendly though. Signs in the malls and streets are often in Thai. I am thinking of where am I heading in the afternoon. Movie? Shopping? I better do them before the training schedule puts me into a bind.

In Bangkok: Suvarnabhumi Airport

I reached Bangkok at half past three in the afternoon with Garland, my officemate, for a training. I got a glimpse of its Suvarnabhumi Airport.

It is huge in terms of land area but inside, there isn't much space for people. At least when you see Hong Kong or Singapore airport.

While the airport has its handicaps, the Thai people's kindness has more than enough to make up for it. Garland met two young women who happen to be in the same flight as us and offered us to Nasa Vegas hotel where we are staying today.

Two women meeting strangers from another country. Offers a ride. Wow, that's excellent hospitality, ladies and gentlemen. Generally a good first day and great to be back in Bangkok!

Out of Town

I am traveling to Bangkok later today so I might not be able to post anything within the next few days.

Brian Donovan's blog

Brian Donovan is a software engineer and writer who also lives in Hong Kong. He maintains a blog, which provides interesting stories capped with sequence of photographs to help the reader capture the moment and leave little space for imagination. And that's what I like about his blog. Stories coupled with large good quality photographs.

Have a read on his entries. I personally like the story of a hawker caught in the MTR station with some Chinese conspiracy taking place and makes us lose a little respect to the Hong Kong police.

...something about how Sara was betraying Chinese people by dating a white guy and then persecuting Chinese people (in other words, paranoid Chinese nationalism and anti-western racism in HK runs a bit deeper than people not wanting to sit next to you on the train).

Keep up the good blog!

The wise rich people who prefer investments over shopping

There are indeed many rich people in Hong Kong. One of the attributes common to these people is that they are wise enough to think about the long term more than the immediate benefits of being rich. Fewer wealthy people in Hong Kong enjoy shopping as much as they did a year ago and more of them prefer to own property or indulge in financial investment services, according to a media survey.

The data was collected from 1,674 Hong Kong business decision makers, those in top management or those with a minimum monthly household income of HK$40,000 as well as 20,000 affluent Asians in 11 Asia Pacific cities.

"The focus on investment seems to have affected elite Hong Kongers' attention on shopping," said Clare Lui Wing-ki, associate director of marketing research company Synovate.

"For a place where shopping has been the national pastime, the elites are changing their game."

Consumers in all 11 markets, except Korea, agreed more with the statement "I enjoy the fun of shopping" than Hong Kong's roughly 30 percent.

Lui said the change could be explained by the already high level of luxury, personal and household products owned by Hong Kong's affluent. Many of the elites have everything they need.

Hong Kong's wealthy are now only behind Jakarta and Taipei in owning the most property or using financial services, up from seventh place last year.

Eighty-six percent of the interviewees said they own some kind of personal financial products, including life insurance, property, privilege banking accounts, stocks, bonds and securities, a rise from 81 percent last year.

Among all the services, life insurance is the most popular with 71 percent of the affluent having it.

But the biggest increase is in owning the property in which they live, from 53 to 59 percent.

The survey classified 36.4 percent of Hong Kong's wealthy as "the Gimme's," compared with a 25 percent regional average.

Market researchers said the group is "all about me, me, me."

They have a high ownership of luxury products but care less about environmental protection or the importance of contributing to the society.

The percentage of Hong Kong's "Luxury Loyalists" is 21 percent, compared with the regional average of 12 percent. Half of them are aged 45 or older and most are women.

They have a high ownership of luxury products but not household or personal products like laptops or cell phones with internet access. However, the economic boom did not bring more business travelers to Hong Kong.

Army of maids labor hard for little returns

Yesterday I got an email from someone who introduced herself as Preslyn Catacutan, the maid of Hong Kong singer Jacky Cheung Hok-Yau and thanked me for the post I made last year.

While the issue of Catacutan was made popular because of the involvement of a Hong Kong celebrity, there are other countless domestic helpers who work hard, sometimes abused and shamed in front of people for a minor offense. Filipinos are sometimes too sensitive just as the issue on Desperate Housewives was sensationalized because of a one-liner by Teri Hatcher. But people in Hong Kong employing domestic helpers are similar in some ways.

Loretta is a domestic helper who works at least 15 hours a day, six days a week. She lives with her employer, sleeping in on a sofa in the bedroom of his six-year-old son. She has no privacy, eats the leftovers from the meals she cooks for her employer and has just one day off a week.

In the west, her working conditions would be deemed almost slave labour. But in Hong Kong and other Asian countries, they are not unusual for a maid.

"I have lots of friends who live like this," said the 38-year-old Filipino who has worked as a maid in Hong Kong for 12 years.

"For some things are better. For others it is worse. We put up with it because there is always someone else waiting to step in and work for less," she says.

Loretta's situation echoed throughout Asia among thousands of women who leave their countries to work as maids in more affluent neighbouring countries.

For many, these jobs bring a regular wage which contributes back home, but at a cost. Horror stories of abuse including rapes, beatings, burning with irons, and cases of exploitation and discrimination appear in the Asian press with alarming regularity.

In Singapore's worst case in 2002, a man who beat his Indonesian maid to death, was sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Earlier this month in Taiwan, a husband and wife were jailed for treated their Indonesian maid like a dog, eating leftovers and drinking water from the toilet bowl.

The Taiwanese court handed out a stiff penalty of 10 years to the husband as a show that it would not tolerate such abuse, however, to many the case highlighted how deep and strong the tide of discrimination still runs through Asia for foreign maids.

Hong Kong has more than 220,000 foreign maids - or domestic helpers. In Thailand there is an estimated 1.2 million migrant labourers, of whom 532,452 are legal. In Taiwan, the figure is around 160,000, while Malaysia has about 500,000 foreign maids.

They come from all over Asia in search of monthly wages ranging from 100 to 450 US dollars - mostly from countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka, but also from Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Mongolia.

Dolores Balladares, chairperson of United Filipinos in Hong Kong, says these workers make a valid contribution to society and economy of their employing country but get little recognition or help in return.

In Hong Kong for example, a two-week rule introduced in 1987 was targeted at only foreign maids, giving them just two weeks to find a new position if they lose their job before being sent back to their home countries - a condition that favoured employers, not the workers, says Balladares.

In 2003, the government began imposing a levy of 400 Hong Kong dollars on anyone who hires a foreign maid. Coming at a time when the minimum wage for foreign maids was slashed by the same amount, it has been criticized as an indirect tax and racial discrimination on one of the poorest working sectors of the former British colony.

Like many in Hong Kong, Balladares had pinned her hopes on a long overdue Race Discrimination Bill, which is still under discussion, only to be disappointed in its failure to adequately address problems faced by foreign maids.

In Thailand, a policy of registering foreign maids in an attempt to better regulate the flow and deflect some international criticisms has gone some way to help the conditions maids face. But the registration process is slow and costly, leading many to ignore it and therefore making them more vulnerable to abuse.

Last year, Malaysia and Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at reducing the cases of abuse of Indonesian maids. This requires both employers and maids to sign personal contracts stipulating the agreed wage and for the maid to open bank accounts in their own names, when previously accounts had to be held in the name of the employer.

In Singapore, a government crackdown on maid abuse would appear to have eased the problem with cases falling from 157 in 1997 to 59 in 2005. Among the moves introduced to help them, are compulsory orientation classes for newcomers and first time employers and those who change maids frequently which outline their obligations and responsibilities toward their maids.

However, maids in Singapore are excluded under the Employment Act, which entitles workers to at least one day off a week but the Employment of Foreign Workers Act which only mandates one day off a week, a provision attack by Western human rights groups.

But the discrimination doesn't only exist within the legal framework of these countries, says Balladares, but also in a society where many maids experience racial abuse on the streets daily.

"It is very sad. We feel we contribute to the economy. We support the needs of many Hong Kong families but everywhere we go, the markets, the public parks, we get scolded and told to go.

"Ideally we'd like to see an end to the two-week rule, the levy and to see a wage increase. But we would also like some recognition from the government. Everytime there is a crisis, they tell us we should share the burden and cut our wage. Yet whenever there is a boom, they just forget us."

In light of the alleged Catacutan stealing issue, there is a rising trend of domestic helpers held for petty and trivial theft cases. We don't tolerate stealing of properties, no matter how small they may be. Left alone at home presents an opportunity for some domestic helpers to steal. But the situation also puts the domestic helpers vulnerable to accusations of stealing properties even if they did not perpetrate the crime.

The Hong Kong Police has recorded a sharp rise in the number of theft cases allegedly committed by foreign domestic helpers against their employers.

An officer from the Wan Chai Police station who declined to be identified said the spike in the number of reported thefts was what prompted them to ask a number of Filipino community newspapers to post a general warning against theft.

Consulate records do not, however, appear to reflect this phenomenon. In the first half of the year, eight Filipinos were convicted of theft while three were under remand for the same offense. Last year, 29 theft cases were recorded.

What migrant support groups do notice, however, is the apparent rise in the number of trivial theft cases being brought to court against FDHs.

According to Cynthia Tellez, director of the Mission for Migrant Workers, there has been a string of cases recently where the amount involved was insignificant, including $10 in one case, and $20 in another.

The $10 theft case was dismissed, but the $20 incident resulted in the accused helper being convicted and sentenced to six weeks in jail.

The Mission, which assisted the helper, believes the conviction was not warranted as there was no enough evidence to show that the helper was the one who put into her wallet the bill marked and photographed earlier by her employer.

"Ang dali-daling mang-imbento ng mga employer ng kaso laban sa kanilang mga katulong," says Tellez. "Ito kasi ang pinakamadaling paraan para ma-terminate ang mga helper ng walang bayad."

What is more unfortunate, she says, is the apparent readiness of the police to believe employers' allegation and to pursue complaints even if what is involved is nearly worthless, as in the stolen photo case against Preslyn Catacutan.

An even more outrageous case was one involving the employer's name card, which fortunately, was thrown out by the court.

The police themselves are the first to admit that the amount involved in the cases is usually small, but say the offenses are far from trivial.

According to the Wan Chai police officer, many of the helpers accused of theft are often found to have taken pieces of jewelry belonging to their employers and pawned them. "That is why we always contact pawnshop operators and check their records in case there are domestic helpers pawning unusually valuable items," he said.

Most pawnshops in Central and Wan Chai are said to be cooperating with the police, resulting in several theft cases committed by domestic helpers being uncovered.

But the police officer said not all pawnshops are cooperating. "Maybe some of them will say `business is business,'" he said. This is despite a law that prohibits the handling of stolen goods.

But he said that some cases are difficult to track down because a helper would ask someone else to hock the stolen items.

During police interviews, many of the accused helpers reportedly said they were just forced to steal because they were heavily in debt, either because of the huge amount of money they had to pay as placement fee, or because of family needs.

Vice Consul Val Roque said this is also true in many of the cases brought to the Consulate's attention.

"The Consulate can only do so much in terms of addressing theft cases in which Filipino household service workers are the perpetrators. In responding to this problem, one would have to look at the causes that lead our kababayans to do such acts. These causes could range from extreme financial necessity to a failure in moral upbringing. The former may have something to do with the problem of indebtedness that the Consulate and the community have been trying to address for so many years. The latter is an issue that relates to value formation."

But he is equally concerned that Filipino helpers could be hauled to court by an employer out of spite or misunderstanding, and be jailed despite the apparent insignificance of the object or amount involved.

He says the Consulate tries to address this problem during its regular post-arrival orientation seminars for new arrivals.

"During our PAOS, we regularly call on our kababayans to respect and follow the laws of Hong Kong. Lately, we have also been giving practical tips such as how to secure personal items so that they do not get mixed up with other household items, how to respond to gifts from the employer, and what a worker should do on the day she leaves the employer's premises. These tips are aimed at protecting our workers from false and capricious accusations of theft."

Roque called on other leaders of the community to continue their work in providing help to fellow Filipinos who might find themselves in the same predicament.

Filipina jailed for $20 theft

A Filipina was sent to jail for six weeks on Aug. 20 after being found guilty of taking a $20 bill belonging to her employer.

The Kowloon Magistrate rejected the defense of Marites, 28, from Mindoro, that it was not she who had put the money in her wallet.

Marites' employer told the court that she took pictures of two $20 notes which she then left deliberately in open view in her room. One of the two notes was eventually found in Marites's wallet, while the other was never accounted for.

Defense counsel Ody Lai had tried to convince the magistrate that the evidence was "planted," and pointedly asked the employer if it was she who had put the bill in the helper's wallet.

The defense revealed that another domestic helper who served the employer before Marites was terminated also because of alleged theft, but was not put on trial.

However, the employer said in court that this was because the previous helper had immediately admitted the theft.

Marites was immediately escorted to Tai Lam prison after the verdict was announced.

After discounting the number of days she spent in jail while awaiting trial, Marites was only a day short of her six weeks' sentence. From there she was moved to the Tuen Mun correctional center for three days before being deported back to the Philippine.

While in the Tuen Mun jail, Marites reportedly called her pastor, Ruth Tablada, and asked if she could bring her fresh clothes to use for her flight home. But Tablada said she was unable to hand over the clothes because jail officials allegedly told her she needed to ask permission from the court first.

Marites worked for 11 months for a couple in Mei Foo where she also took care of a baby and an elderly woman.

Celebrity sightings: 2R at HMV Causeway Bay

I guess I know more local actors and singers more than my Filipino friends here in Hong Kong, with the exception of Gino, who was born and raised here. And the reason may be because these friends don't even know that they are already rubbing shoulders with these celebrities.

I was in HMV listening to Natalie Imbruglia's Glorious music sampler CD when I immediately noticed a familiar face. One of the 2R members. Rosanne (left) or Race (right) Wong, I am not sure but when I saw the other half of the semi-popular group, I am certain it was indeed 2R sisters. And they're with a company of perhaps parents or close family members who were also enjoying the music inside the shop. Their presence did not cause any commotion as only one chubby female fan was obviously wandering around where Race is listening (Natalie's CD was close by so I saw Race enjoying the music of Beyonce). I think they also bought Linking Park's latest album and a few Chinese DVDs. I wasn't being too nosy, I was just standing close enough to them so I noticed the CDs and DVDs they have on hand.

As a repost of my older blog entry (updating the celebrity list even if I did not see any of those "I wanted to see" in my older entry):

Indeed, Hong Kong is too small for you to miss important people (celebrities, politicians) and those who feel they are.

Nanette Medved - The original Dyesebel in Philippine movies, she appeared in television as a fine actress when I was in high school. Now settled with her businessman husband and a young son, I ocassionally see her at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church where I began attending while I lived nearby. Obviously she saw me already because I also act as lector on some Sundays, but who cares.

Rosemary Vandenbroucke - Among the most prominent models in Hong Kong, the 25-year old Rosemary (born 1982) has French, Russian and Chinese ancestry whose beauty is comparable with fellow Eurasian Reika Hashimoto and graced many of the product launches and socialite parties as seen on paparazzi magazines Hong Kong people often read. I saw her at Electric Road near the office, walking with a guy. We stayed close waiting for the pedestrian light.

Maggie Q - The familiar face you see in Wall's Ice Cream commercial. Beautiful although she looks older than her age (born 1979). While walking underneath the HSBC HQ building in Central, she passed in front of me. I did not pay too much attention but the Filipinas around immediately recognized her.

Rain Li - This is a female singer/actress, though a former officemate at PCCW (a guy) has also similar name (guess what's the most unusual name in Hong Kong). She looks good standing on a stage at a promotional tour in Causeway Bay. I was on my way to Catholic Centre to hear Mass with Karen. Thankfully, the sight did not disrupt my plans.

Martin Lee - This Democratic party legislative member is a devout Catholic whom I saw at Saint Joseph's church while attending Mass.

Aaron Kwok - A singer who has also several endorsements (I only remember Pepsi). I saw him with the parade during 2002 Chinese New Year celebrations in Tamar Site, Admiralty.

Charlene Choi - The other half of the group Twins (with Gillian Chung), at HMV in Causeway Bay, same as where I saw the Wong sisters. I was listening to Maroon 5 when a little commotion ensued. There I saw her, rhetorically we brushed elbows, and that was it. It was shocking to see her colored hair.

Mark Niu - Starworld anchor of the show FocusAsia, he is also a Catholic who hears Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

Nick Waters - ATV World newscaster, he was found asking a local Chinese for directions in front of Manulife Tower in Electric Road.

Anne Marie Sim - After office I caught up with her exiting Tin Hau MTR Station going to the direction towards Victoria Park.

Joe Kainz - Starworld colleague of Mark Niu and favorite anchor of Jun, he hears Mass at St Vincent Church in Clearwater Bay. I happen to be there singing for SFC choir organized by Jay and Karen.


Jenny Lam - I did not know Jenny Lam of TVB is the wife of Joe Kainz and has a couple of young children. She is a newscaster who alternates with Diana Lin, James Chau, Regina de Luna and Chris Lincoln at TVB Pearl.

Kym Leo - I was told by Jun he always come across this lady who is also from the broadcasting agency and I was quick to tease him of fate and destiny. One day also I got to see her in person, while taking dinner at can*teen in ifc after the Reloaded Conference.

Jamison Wong - I've seen this TVB reporter often in sports jacket, and appears he's always in a hurry. The latest time I saw him was in the bus M722 from Airport Express to Wan Chai. Overheard him talk (again I just happen to be close by): "11pm? That's too soon". Maybe he's loaded with things to do outside work. But on screen, he's a prolific reporter.

Tony Sabine - The flamboyant ATV World sportscaster was caught in a hurry passing by the bus stop nearby Wan Chai's Southorn Playground.


Belinda Lloyd - A reporter from ATV World. I saw her somewhere in Causeway Bay.

Teresa Cheung - The sexy fortysomething socialite who often hogged the headlines with her bickering with former lover Kenny B in public. I queued after her her buying CDs in HMV Central. I can laugh to myself how the elderly HK folks pretending not to see her, yet flashing those sharp looks when she's on her back.

I want to see

Angelica Lee - A Malaysian actress. I thought she is beautiful yet her beauty can always be stared on without feeling boredom. I watched her movie A-1 with ex-officemate Jacqueline and she also likes the actress.

Jackie Chan - Before I came to Hong Kong, it was a dream to meet him. Though when someone in the office or a local friend will know, he or she will say he/she hates Mr Chan for a variety of reasons from redundant storylines in his movies to his murky personal life.

Cathy Yang - Cathy is also a Filipina who looks more like a typical Singaporean or Hong Kong Chinese. She works in Bloomberg.

Mango Wong - A HK actress/singer who may be obscure at the moment but I always liked to look at that Optical88 poster, let alone in person.

Kelly Chen - The only music CD I got from any Cantopop artist is her "Red" album.

Pakistanis top illegal immigrants?

Hong Kong's Assistant Director for Enforcement and Litigation Eric K.K. Chan has said that Pakistan is on top of the countries whose citizens enter his country through illegal channels.

Talking to reporters at the Chinese embassy here on Thursday, he said his country might consider visa waiver for Pakistan and other South Asian countries if the number of asylum-seekers and illegal immigrants declined.

The number of asylum-seekers and refugees has been on the rise in Hong Kong, corresponding to the increase in arrivals.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, an average of 160 people a month claimed asylum in Hong Kong in the first half of 2006.

Mr Chan said since 2004 a lot of Pakistanis sought asylum in Hong Kong claiming to be the victims of torture, but almost all of them proved fake.

Answering a question, he said that every year around 10,000 Pakistanis visited Hong Kong legally, but he did not know the number of businessmen among them.

To a question, he said 215 Pakistanis entered Hong Kong via China through illegal channels in 2006 and this number stood at 363 in 2007.

Asked about his source of information, the official said that it was based on reports of the arrest of Pakistanis and their subsequent deportation.

He said he had visited India and planned to tour other countries whose citizens were violating immigration rules of Hong Kong. He said his country had a liberal policy facilitating visitors in getting visa easily.

Among around 300,000 immigrants living in Hong Kong 15,000 are Pakistanis.

I have a few friends in Hong Kong who are from Pakistan but I am sure they are not illegal immigrants.

Quality Migrant Plan needs more promotion

The Quality Migrant Admission Scheme needs more hard sell if it is to meet its "1,000 talents" a year target but standards should not be relaxed. Especially that Hong Kong becomes less appealing due to pollution concerns.

Only 238 migrants were accepted under the scheme last year.

The scheme aims to attract talented people from the mainland and overseas to settle in Hong Kong.

The Immigration Department received 992 applications since June last year and only 238 people out of 356 applicants succeeded in settling down in Hong Kong.

Numbers are only one factor in evaluating the success of the scheme. Most of the successful applicants came from the financial and accounting services and information technology and telecommunication sectors.

Among them, 188 were from the mainland and only 50 from other countries.

The government is reviewing the scheme and Lai said he will suggest strengthening the program's promotion.

Cultures clash at Hong Kong University

This is a repost from an entry I found at Harvard Law School's online newspaper.

It depicts the life within the halls of Hong Kong University. It is where a bunch of nerds you thought were bookworms, are spending 12 hours of World of Warcraft in their dorm rooms. And a group that loves to bash the American pop icons. Hall songs? Mandatory high table dinners and meet & greets and bureaucratic process of purchasing an important kitchen utensil?

Is this how politics runs this university that appears to be similar to a military camp more than and institution of learning?

I guess my friend Dei, who is a masters student herself, can relate to life in here.

Here's the story:

After I arrived in Hong Kong for my study abroad program, the most common question I received from friends and family was, "How are you adapting? Are you feeling some culture shock?"

Adapting to life in Hong Kong society has been remarkably easy. Adapting to life at Hong Kong University has been spectacularly hard.

Do you remember the feeling you got when you first moved into a dorm before your freshman year of college? The feeling of excitement, the sense of community? The idea that you were becoming part of a proud tradition for people of your age and station in life?

None of these feelings apply when you are a third-year graduate student moving into undergraduate underclassman dorms.

And I say this as someone who lived in the majestic Gropius complex during 1L year. At least we had our own bedrooms, and mattresses that were more than 3 inches thick, and weren't sharing living space with 19-year old economics students who play 12 hours of World of Warcraft per day.

They're very serious about the dorms here. All of their materials suggest that you are expected to hang out with your hallmates. Like, constantly. And join clubs. They loooooves them their clubs here (also, on campus, they seem to love blasting cheesy American pop music, usually Christina Aguilera or Gwen Stefani, non-stop and at high volume . . . but that's a different issue).

There's a hall song, and a hall war cry, and you have to be able to recite both. They also have these "high-table dinners," once-monthly formal dinners that you are required to attend. Like, if you don't attend, you must provide some kind of written explanation that offers a legitimate reason for your absence. And if you don't? There will be discipline. Probably in the form of a strongly-worded letter, but actually, they can deny you readmission into halls next year, and if you're especially egregious, kick you out midway through the year.

Of course, neither of these threats hold any meaning for me, so my liability is limited to the strongly-worded letters, but still, just the principle of the thing. I dared to speak ill of the concept of mandatory formal dinners in front of some of the local students, and they giggled awkwardly and looked at me like I was blaspheming. To them, I guess I was.

I expect that if these formal dinners were optional, I'd probably attend most if not all of them, but because they are mandatory, I will be inventing Jewish holidays that require me to miss them. Jewish holidays that will also require me to travel to Thailand or Cambodia to celebrate them. It's in the Torah. Look it up.

When the floor representative commenced the first floor meeting of the semester, everyone began to clap. They didn't need to be prompted, there were no stragglers, everybody immediately clapped. They held a vote on a day, time, and location for a floor dinner, and when the vote was completed, everybody clapped again. The rest of the meeting was relatively uneventful, though they did resolve to reconvene next week, so that they could elect a finance chair for the floor, who could then buy new kitchenware for the floor kitchen. No kitchenware could be bought without a finance chair, and no finance chair could be appointed without an election. Then the meeting ended and everyone clapped again.

Out of the 16 people who attended the meeting (not counting myself), 14 were rail-thin Asian boys with glasses, and everyone was either an engineering student or an economics/finance major. It was like being beaten over the head with a burlap sack full of cultural stereotypes, though everyone did seem exceedingly friendly and nice (though that is actually part of the same sack-'o-stereotypes too).

Highlights of the hall rules and regulations include: mandatory meet-and-greets with other hall residents that you must chronicle in a log provided to you upon moving in (as an exchange student, I have unilaterally determined that I am exempt from this); a requirement for all visitors to sign in and out; a blanket ban on visitors after 11 pm; and a ban on in-hall visitors of the opposite sex after midnight.

And honestly, nice as he undoubtedly is, the completely WOW-obsessed roommate doesn't help the Hall situation much. I had initially estimated that he played 12 hours a day, but I've since come to believe that estimate is insufficient. He is always in the room, and if he isn't sleeping, he is always playing. I haven't seen him eat, I haven't seem him interact with other students unless they're both playing on their computers, and I certainly haven't spoken to him for more than a grand total of 9 minutes. He is like one those Korean kids who eventually dies of malnutrition and dehydration and exhaustion, or whatever the opposite of exposure is, because he plays for too many hours non-stop. Truly, my mind is boggled. I've never seen WOW addiction from so close, and it's a scary sight. Based on what I saw in the film "Traffic," I think heroin abuse might be easier to watch.

Normally, I would just ignore his misery, but it affects me adversely, and so I care about it. Even when I had a roommate in an American dorm, there were moments of privacy available. I'd be out and he'd be at home, and he'd have the room to himself. He'd be out and I'd be at home, and I'd have the room to myself. Sometimes one of us would go to bed earlier, and the other would have a few hours to feel like we had our own living space. But I've gone to bed around 3 am every night this week, and every night when I go to bed, he's still up, and he's still playing. My moments of privacy come in the approximately 30 minutes I've gotten on a couple of mornings, when I wake up before him. But then I, you know, go outside.
So why put up with it all? Simple: $700 in rent for the entire semester. Can't argue with that.