Are You Ready for the Kasambahay Law?

Just called to check on my mother and one of the things I made sure I mention is the newly approved law — Republic Act No. 10361 or popularly known as the Kasambahay Law. Since we left home years ago to live our own lives, our parents, specifically our mother, got people to help around. Our house also became the home of anyone whom my mother thought needs shelter while at the same time could extend hands in doing the daily chores. Whether they’re related to us by consanguinity or just perfect strangers, my mother accommodated them. It’s the trait Ithink I would never have as I have trust issues with maids — thanks but no thanks to the different news about househelpers who sooner or later turned out to be more of a liability to their masters or employers.

Employers, yes that’s the more appropriate word now that the Kasambahay bill became a law on January 18, 2013. While that technically eliminates the seemingly discriminating (or oppressive) master-servant term, this law which is, to quote its title, an act instituting policies for the protection and welfare of domestic workers, obligates the employers to give their househelpers minimum wage and social benefits provided under existing laws such as Philhealth, Social Security System (SSS), and Pag-Ibig fund. Admittedly, the law that I once perceived as just and humane, is now something I should be worried of due to several reasons which the other ’employers’ around the nation also share based on what I have heard from TV Patrol.

Firstly, all the social benefits would have to be paid regularly by the employer. And the fact that the government institutions wherein payments are to be made aren’t located in one place is a problem by itself. I can’t imagine my mother, now in her 60s, going from one place to another, not to mention endure long lines, just to remit the social benefits of her househelpers.

Next item to consider is the stipulation that the househelpers should be given basic education. Even though my mother has been good enough to offer this to one of her helpers ahead of the Kasambahay Law, this still leaves the question: what if everyone goes out to study? Doesn’t this defeat the very purpose why one got help because there’s a need to have someone in the house do the chores during most times of the day?

But not all aspect of this law are questionable. Things such as the need to have decent sleeping quarters and providing basic necessities are no-brainers and I can assure that whoever stays in my parents house will have these.

The implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the Kasambahay Law is still not out so I guess I have to wait before I call my mother again to remind her that she follows it as the last thing I’d like to hear is that there’s a picket line outside our small house demanding for an increase in wage and benefits. Ti abi.

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There was once a time when the maids demand just to have access to TV. Now, the WI-FI is starting to become a must have.

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Mood: 2/10 Honks! (Wifey’s out. Just me and our master at home. Master, aka Marcus, still sleeping. I’m waiting for orders.)

Marcus and the Games He Play

The weekend is once again almost over but it’s one of those days when Marcus has impressed me a lot. Last night I discovered that he can already comprehend how Magnet Adventure works. It is a puzzle game I downloaded several months back but back then all he did was just watch and annoy me while I spend time thinking how to deal each of the cases. This time, with some advice, he manages to complete some of the basics.

Marcus has also showed great improvement in PC car racing. I still have the old Need For Speed software (from our ex-company’s home PC program) and tonight he played its hot pursuit game and was able to catch 6 out of 6 bad guys. In another PC game, he has reached the tracks’ finish line although he complains that he ends up with no rank.

And now, I watch him wrap up this weekend as he plays his most-loved game — Lego. Awhile ago he finished a Ninjago cobra structure without looking at the manual and now he’s building a Lego City police car while referring to the instructions in the book that came along with the kit. I’m impressed Marcus, I’m impressed.

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Today also marks our return to La Salette. For several months we stopped attending mass there as Marcus’ frequent misdemeanor made me leave church more of a devil than a refreshed Catholic. This afternoon he showed some signs of stubbornness but not as much as before. (I laughed when my wife told me on our way to the mall that she was actually praying for me: “Dear lord, don’t make my husband snap.”)

Ideas from Sleep Deprivation

I have been deprived of sleep lately and the place I am supposed to catch up on it doesn’t live up to my expectations. And so to make sleeping quarters a more conducive place I call upon the geniuses of this world to invent these things:

Silent plastic bags. The call to recycle has its own drawback as people reuse plastic bags not just for groceries or shopping but also to store personal stuffs and among the things that annoy me is the ruckus a plastic bag creates when someone opens and searches something in it while inside the dim sleeping quarters. Every time it happens I begin to have nightmares even before I hit REM. (I am sure moviegoers will love this as well.)

Zip-free zippers. I know that it is an onomatopoeia of the sound it makes whenever it is closed or opened but I guess it is high time that manufacturers, like the famous and enduring YKK, make one that is zip-free. But for now, the closest thing I can do is suggest to ban people from opening and closing their gym bags while inside the sleeping area or resort to the costly approach of finding and distributing a copy of little Ms. Manners for Dummies book.

Glow-in-the-dark socks. There’s nothing more frustrating than spending precious time figuring out where that certain stink is coming from. A pair of socks therefore that would glow in the dark if it detects some fungal activity would at least warn others to pick a better sleeping spot.

Anti-snore spray. Nope, this isn’t one in the market that a person buys to cure his(her) own s leeping disorder. What I want is something like a pepper spray — yes, one that can be discreetly aimed and sprayed from a distance to someone who is snoring. A mounted laser aiming device would be a plus.

Slow door closers and fixtures. Shh. I am aware that these exist but one company seems not to know yet. Again, shhh.

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I drafted this post using my myphone with alphanumeric keypads. One that produces a crisp sound. Annoying sound. While inside the sleeping quarters. So I guess, I have gotten even then. Ti abi.

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Mood: 2/10 Honks! (Past 1 in the morning. Marcus and I still awake.)

An Eco-friendly Campaign Period

Sen. Loren Legarda posted this morning an appeal to the politicians that they try using biodegradable campaign materials this election period. It’s a good call to action but here’s why I don’t believe it is 100% possible.

So can we achieve an eco-friendly election campaign period? Well, yes and no.

Yes. Politicians’ promises are recycled.

No. Most of our politicians are plastics.

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Mood: 2/10 Honks! (Watched Marcus acting out as me. He’s good. Funny kind of scary.)

Five Things I Learned From Pizzas

1. A great dough is the result of skill and patience combined.

2. Having the complete ingredients help but spreading everything evenly matters most.

3. An expensive pizza cutter does not guarantee equal slices.

4. If it is good, everyone will love it.

5. Sometimes it pays to be a bit cheesy.

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Mood: 3/10! (I blame last night’s pizza.)