Mother and nephew feverish

Tina, the main breadwinner and mainstay of a poor extended family in Kalayaan, Laguna, Philippines, and her young nephew Ken-Ken are ill but without antibiotics already prescribed, and unable to afford them.

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• At 09:57   GMT+08,   from     the Yahoo    Messenger       computer program, I sent a text message to Tina’s cellphone.
• Tina replied: she was still sick with tonsillitis.
• Eight-year-old Ken-Ken was also ill with wounds and a fever.
• They needed 1,800 pesos to buy antibiotics  but  could  not  afford them.

---

Bern:

Hi Tina, good morning. I've just re-installed Yahoo Messenger. This is just a test message to see if I can text you. I'm hoping it will work. Bern.

Tina:

Good a.m. Bern, I’m glad that I received the text from your  Yahoo.

Please help me; I have fever because of tonsillitis.

I need to buy antibiotics costing 1,200 [but] I cannot afford to buy [them].

Also antibiotic for Ken’s wounds; it was inflammation and infected; he have fever too.

Bern:

Tina, I'm glad you received the text but I'm [financially and emotionally] exhausted… To make matters worse, Ross has just mis-called me [from Manila, needing help ASAP ].

I'm appalled to hear not only that you're still sick but also that Ken has wounds. I wonder how he got them and wonder if the fever is a result.

I promised to ring Ross [a Manila householder facing possible eviction] so I should do it now.

Also I promised to help a friend do  some work, starting about now. But I'll stay in touch.

An hour later Tina texted again: “I hope you received my text: Ken’s antibiotic costs 600.”

Regrettably there was nothing more to be done. I was without sufficient funds to help until Wednesday.

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30 Filipino drivers in Saudi accuse firm of overcharging fees

Dammam city: Image by unjoshr via Flickr

A   brief    report    from       Dennis  Carcamo   of  the    Philstar   news service       indicates that Filipinos driving buses in    Saudi Arabia  are financially exploited.

John Monterona, representing the Filipino Imigrant workers' advocacy group Migrante,   disclosed      that   thirty  Filipino bus    drivers  had decried the alleged illegal charging of  fees by   the company  that recruited them and by its tie-up firms in Manila.

The workers were among the  300  bus drivers of the Saudi Public  Transport company based in the city of Dammam. 

"They claimed that their recruiter agency charged them [a] huge placement fee that led them to get an onerous loan from various lending agencies,” Mr Monterona said in a statement. 

The 30 drivers, recruited by PERT-CPM Manpower Exponents Co. Inc, had been on the job nearly four months.

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Hunger and illness stalk families; mother pleads for help

At 10:38 a.m., local time, Tina sent me a text message: Sorry if I give you much [cause to be] worried, I hope you understand my situation, [after] 2 to 3 days without vit[amins] d kids get cough & flue; dat [is] why I need to buy it, pls help me; I don't have allowance here now.

At 2:41 p.m. she texted again: Pls help me, I really felt dizzy & hungry coz till now I didn't eat break[fast] ... *

Nearly four hours later, at 6:34 p.m., Tina emailed me from the CBK Company office where she was undergoing 3 months of unpaid on-the-job training.

Hello Bern,
Bern good p.m., I hope you are in good condition, sorry if I give you so much [cause to be] worried, because you're the only person who can understand my situation and can help me.

Bern, sorry If I mention to you my personal and financial problem, I really don't know what to do. I don't know what I can do tomorrow, when and where I can get my allowance [for] going here in work tomorrow.

Pls help me; on December 30 was holiday, Rizal day, our National Hero day, that [is] why the Cebuana [pawnbroker and remittance agent] possible will be close[d].

Pls help me on my ring**, I don't want to [have] lost it, just only for 1,800 for the interest [I] need to pay, and also vitamins of the kids to avoid flue and cold: when the kids stop taking Vitamins in 2 to 3 days they were sick, it will be more expensive if they were sick; I need 1,200 for Ceelin (Vitamin C) Clusivol (for appetite) supply of the 7 kids, also Bern our allowance for food, I will [need to have] left food at home for little Bern and Josephine and other kids, also my allowance here for transportation and food too, pls.

Help me for 5,000 [pesos] pls, understand my situation, pls kept in touch.

[To] tell you the truth I felt dizzy, and so much hungry because I did not eat breakfast and lunch till this moment; [it's] 4:20pm right now; I'm worried for the food at home too.

Love

[Tina]

* Some text was lost in transmission.

** The ring was awarded to mark Tina's graduation from high school as the Salutatarian and Commander of the Cadet Army Training battalion.

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Sick child taken home from hospital

Money for treatment unavailable

Text messages between 2:25 p.m. and 3:10 p.m., GMT+08

At 2:25 p.m. Tina texted again, apologising but saying her 4-year-old daughter Bernadeth-Joe (B-J or "Little Bern") needed my help.

A paediatrician checked the child and wrote a referral to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist because she had a malodorous discharge of white liquid from her left ear.

The doktora (female doctor) also prescribed Bactroban antibacterial cream and Stafloxin [Flucloxacillin antibiotic] 7.5ml to be used for 10 days.

"The amount of sickness among these children is just amazing", I replied, perhaps too harshly. "As previously explained, I cannot afford to help. I'm sorry."

"OK, we will decide to go home now", Tina said: "she have fever right now; doktora want B-J to [be] OBS[erved in the hospital] but we cannot stay coz we don't have money, we cannot go to ENT in private hospital, doktora just request us [to] buy antibiotic ASAP for every 6 hrs, Tempra [paracetamol] for fever.

"I trust that you will buy the antibiotic ASAP, and the Tempra", I answered, seriously wondering whether that would be possible. I guessed money might be spent on medications instead of income-producing foodstocks for the family eatery, or borrowed from a loan shark.

"I don't have now any money Bern" Tina replied. Bernadeth-Joe had already undergone costly laboratory tests including a complete blood count (CBC) and urinalysis.

Many bacteria had been seen and wounds had spread on B-J's head and face. That was why the doctor prescribed the Bactroban cream.

"Somehow you must really find the money to buy the antibiotic" I said, again perhaps too severely.

"I'm sad, coz she was excited to ride in a ["Nutrition Month" parade] float on Friday" Tina said, but she has so many wounds in d face; I hope it will be cure[d]".

An additional problem was that special clothes would be needed if B-J and her cousin Zedric were to participate.

"I can understand that Tina" was my response. "I regret saying it, but it might have been wiser to tell the kindergarten administrators immediately that you cannot afford that."

"Even now it's probably best to tell the kindergarten head that (a) you cannot afford to enter B-J in the parade; and (b) she has a serious infection."

There was no further interaction.

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Mother takes daughter to hospital; funds unavailable

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Text messages, 10:00 a.m. to 10:13 a.m, GMT + 08

From 10 a.m. onwards, from Kalayaan in the Philippines, Tina sent several text messages requesting help.

She was preparing to go to the Laguna Provincial Hospital in the town of Santa Cruz with her 4-year-old daughter Bernadeth - Joe ("Little Bern") who had a high fever, wounds on the head and face and white fluid exuding from the right ear.

I was really sorry, I replied. "I'm financially and emotionally exhausted."

Tina replied that she understood, but needed to give first aid to Little Bern. Last night the child had hardly slept because of an itch and around 1 a.m. she had become feverish.

The situation was more difficult because Bernadeth's kindergarten had selected her to appear on a float in a parade next Friday celebrating Nutrition Month, together with her cousin Zedric. The float would need to be decorated and the children dressed in traditional Filipino clothes; but money for this was also lacking.

Furthermore, the Philippine Training Authority (TESDA) had requested Tina to have her roadside diner prepared to receive an additional 50 customers for morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea today, so at 3 a.m. she had traveled to a market to purchase provisions.

Now she had been notified that the extra trainees would not arrive until tomorrow.

A hospital doctor will almost certainly order pathology tests for Little Bern, for which there is no money available, and if that is achieved he or she will write prescriptions for an antibiotic and other medications, for which, again, money is unavailable.

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Sick toddler needs heart examined; funds unavailable

Between 06:46 and 06:57 (GMT+8) this morning, Tina sent text messages to my mobile phone and home computer. She was worried, having previously sent texts which I had not received.

The condition of Tina's asthmatic nephew Kian, 18 months old, had improved as a result of his receiving oxygen treatment during his two-day stay in the private Malaya Doctors Hospital in Santa Cruz, Laguna. He had been referred from the local government hospital because it lacked a heart specialist.

The cardiologist had wanted the boy to remain in hospital and undergo an echocardiographic examination "to find the diagnosis." The family could no longer afford to keep him there, however, so [with funds from me] they had paid the hospital bill of 4,500 pesos and taken him home.

The study would have cost an additional 2,500 pesos.

I replied requesting clarification.

I also expressed my distress that there was still no diagnosis and alarm at the prospect of immediate further expense which I also could not afford.

"Many times I've begged Filipinos to register with [the charitable websites] betterplace.org and kiva.org but that has not happened", I said.

There was no response from Tina. Probably she was extremely busy helping to prepare breakfast for the extended family and perhaps customers, and preparing to leave for the food technology training course she was required to attend.

Almost half an hour later I said "Tina, I would appreciate a response if you're not too busy and have enough credit load"; but I did not hear from her again.

It remains to be seen how Kian will fare at home without oxygen equipment to remedy his breathing difficulties and without a final diagnosis.

Picture: Wikipedia

Tina pleads without success for money to expand business and pay electricity bill

At 7:29 this morning, Philippine time, Tina sent me a cellphone text message saying she did not have to attend vocational training (mandated by governments) today because it's Labor Day. She was staying at her shop-house "to face the problems of the eatery."

According to Tina's sister Liza, a group of 10 or 15 persons had asked, yesterday, to be permanent customers. Tina needed my advice.

I responded with thanks for the news, adding that I'd be at home again about an hour later and able to text her via the Yahoo Messenger program [at much lower cost].

At 8:49 I texted again: "Hi Tina. It's good to hear that 10 or 15 people want to be permanent customers but I fear they'll want credit. That's a real problem, I think."

The message session that ensued, extremely stressful for both of us, was spread over 2 1/2 hours.

The good news was that the new customers would pay cash.

The diner staff would need to have two meals prepared early for them, however, always on time: breakfast at 6 a.m. and lunch at 11. Dinner would need to be ready at 6 p.m.

"The problem is, I don't have enough capital."

Although the lack of finance was predictable, I responded with alarm: "Oh! The problem for me is that I don't have any capital at all, I'm deeply in debt! That's one reason I've been urging people for a long time to register, if at all possible, with www.kiva.org and www.betterplace.org, ASAP."

The prospective customers were construction workers, Tina said, working with cables. They liked the food Liza was cooking and it was cheaper than elsewhere. Tina's "Bernadeth-Joe Eatery" was charging 25 pesos for a serving of food whereas competitors were charging 30. The cablers were waiting for Tina's answer at lunch time, to see if she would agree with their proposal.

The lack of immediate capital was the great problem. I asked: "Have you estimated how much extra you need?"

I also added that a friend had kept insisting to me that Tina should raise her prices. "Considering the very long hours and hard efforts you and your staff expend," I said, "you really need to make a reasonable % profit. Please do try to calculate that."

Instead of responding directly, Tina outlined staffing arrangements: she would need to wake up early, herself, at 3 a.m., then (after she had been shopping in the market) her sister Liza would be in charge of the cooking, with the help of their co-worker Josephine. The other sister, Laurice, would care for the 7 kids, with the help of Tina and Liza's mother.

I said "It's going to be an even longer day for you, with insufficient rest and greater strain on your health."

"No problem, Bern," Tina responded. "I can make it, for the sake of the kids; also I can have time management with the help of my family."

She added that "my problem really is capital"; to which I replied that "I really do worry about capital too."

Tina had been enjoying herself in the business training; it was useful and she was learning a lot.

She had been encouraging her classmates to eat in the Bernadeth-Joe Eatery at lunch time. "But I'm sad coz when we arrive at 12, no leaf food [left]. Coz lack of stock, get already by d [power station security] guards" (who are also customers).

The news that for the second time Tina had been embarrassed upon arrival with her classmates at lunch time to find most of the food already eaten was alarming to me. "Oh, my God!" I replied. "The problems continue! What am I to do? I did so urge you to register for a business loan from kiva.org or help from betterplace. I really do wish my Filipino friends would make strong efforts to do that. I really wonder why they seem reluctant. Are the difficulties too great?"

Instead of responding to this, at 10:23 a.m. Tina came straight to the point: "I need additional 1 sack rice, cost 2K, [plus] 1,500 [for] every meal, so 6,500 total, my problem to my elec[tricity] 2,500, due date May 6, Wed[nesday]. Sorry about this."

The dialogue continued as follows:

Bern (10:26): Oh, my God! Calculations need to be made and money set aside daily for the electricity bill. Your income must cover that. Are you saying you need 6,500 + 2,500? Nightmares!

Tina (10:34): Yes, Bern, you're right: that [is] da total, 9,000, sorry.

Bern (10:40): I just don't know what to say. I am stunned. Will this nightmare never end? You really need to compare total buying prices and selling prices and include labour [in your calculations].

Tina (10:45): I'm starting to make an order of ulam 30 pesos per order, like other eatery did! I'm try[ing] my best to get low price of stock in d market, that [is] why I do [it] early in d morning.

Bern (10:48): I understand. Hard as it may be, I think you need some account records too, including the cost of everything, even jeepney rides, etc, also total income.

Tina (11:04): Bern, sorry to tell you, I need your advice and decision, coz it's 11 a.m. right now, any time dey will be here, asking their request. I will do d record of expenses and income.

Bern (11:06): I'm all too conscious of that. My debt is far too high, I don't know how I'm ever going to get out of it.

Bern (11:09): I'm so sorry Tina, but with great sadness, I really think the answer must be no. As my banker and doctor have been warning me, I should not continue.

Tina (11:10): I'm hoping that if I can support d demands of orders, in cash, we can survive every expenses for d kids, and save some money.

Bern (11:12): What worries me is that in all the time I've been helping, it's never happened yet. And my debt keeps increasing. I must start repaying them.

Tina (11:25): Right now, if 10 to 15 person came I can serve, almost 15 guards already get their foods in credit, I understand your situation, please help me too, I just want to survive coz of d kids. The adult[s] work hard to help me.

Bern (11:26): I'm still wondering how on earth I can survive.

That was the end of our messaging session. Two and a half hours later, however, in a last-ditch effort, Tina sent a text to my mobile phone:

Tina (14:04*): Gud p.m., I understand your situation, but dis is my chance to have cash customer[s]; they will start to eat breakfast tomorrow a.m.; pls help me, for d sake of my family and child.

I did not respond. The situation left me deeply perturbed, however, and still wrestling with the decision.

* Philippine time, GMT+8.

Tina pleads for help

SMS Texts via Yahoo Messenger, 13:25: GMT+08 to 13:55

Bern: Hi Tina. My apologies if I'm interrupting a seminar. I'm sorry life has no doubt been extremely difficult for you today. I wonder how you are.

Tina: Bern I'm now in seminar, we have lecture right now. But tomorrow we will start d formal seminar; my problem [is that I] need to buy personal needs.

Bern: Thank you for that info Tina. To avoid interrupting your seminar again, I'll text you from Yahoo maybe 3 hours from now.

Tina: I'm not sure if I can [come] back tomorrow in seminar, coz I cannot afford to buy uniform, sorry to say this. Please help me.

Tina: Please help me Bern, so I can buy my needs for seminar.

Bern: This is an extreme situation for both of us. I'll contact you later.

News from a poor job seeker is a very mixed blessing

Mel (14:18:58 GMT+10): Bern I have a job training [session] on Monday; I need allowance - that's a 2 weeks training [period] - I hope you will receive this message; I need your opinion and approval; I need your help for my job.

Bern (17:40:56): Mel, I'm glad you're eligible to receive training for a job but extremely worried about the cost and whether it will lead to work with a decent salary. If you receive this message and plan to be online again, please request Michael to allow you a text message (to +634 . . . 686) to say when: or even to send a miscall, free of charge. Communication is so difficult.*

Bern (17:43:08): Mike, Mel says he has an offer of job training. I'd be grateful if you'd share this message [above] with him. . . . Kind regards, Bern.*

Bern (20:40:32): Hi Michael, how are you? Mel needs money for job training Monday: I'm glad he has a chance but the cost worries me greatly. Hope to hear from you & him v soon. Bern. [Text to a cellphone.]

* Yahoo Messenger: "[This person] appears to be offline and will receive your messages after signing in."

Children are eating; adults will re-open eatery and make candies for sale

Bern (16:08:38 GMT+10): Hi Tina! I trust you received my text messages, especially the last one sent at 1:22 p.m. Philippine time, and that you have load and will be able reply soon.

Tina (16:55:31): Bern sorry for delay reply, we got d money, dis moment d kids was so happy, they are now eating at home, later I buy stock for eatery also chocolate, so we can [make candies for sale] tomorrow, thanks again.

Bern (16:58:12): Oh, thank you so much for that happy information! I'm relieved to hear the children are eating! I've some mixed news from Mel, though: he needs money for job training.

Tina (17:03:25): I'm interested to know what will be his job. Don't worry Bern, I know how important your money is. I will spent it wisely.

Bern (17:04:10): I don't know, but he [Mel] said several days ago that he and Michael would be canvassing supermarkets in Quezon City for work as sales clerks.

Benefactor reluctantly agrees to remit money for hungry families

SMS text messages via Yahoo Messenger program
Time: 10:31:32 GMT+08. Duration: 00:43:20

Tina: Bern, try out text if I sent. Pls, help us. D kids [are] crying coz they are hungry, I want to [start] back in making chocolate [candies for sale] again to have extra income and also [re-open] d eatery; pls help us.

Bern: Tina, with great misgivings, I'll try to help a little, but I'm going deeper into debt. I've finally decided to publish this online, hoping others will help.

Tina: Bern, can you help me start partial capital of 3K of making chocolate, 3K for d eatery, pls. All adult[s] [in the household] will help me to making a chocolate again; total 6K.

Bern: Tina, at 9:03 a.m. you said you were sending your last text and had no money to buy load. What happened? I'm deeply shocked by this sudden emergency. 6K is a lot for me.

Tina: I borrow[ed] 15 pesos load to [i.e. from] my friend, near lunch, we're not eat since a.m., if I have 6K, we can start again, to have business, income for d family, so we will not suffer hunger again.

Bern: I guessed you must have borrowed a little. I'm deeply perturbed but will try to help a little. I can't promise that much.

Tina: OK, thanks a lot, thanks for understanding, d kids will wait to your help, they are happy when I said you will help us, just wait for a little hour & we can buy food later.

Retrenched father returns to work

School vacation starts

This morning Ross advised that he had been recalled to his usual printing work; that the summer school vacation had started for his children, and that his 13-year-old son Kristofer was due to graduate ceremonially from primary school on April 2.

Politician sponsors genital mutilation campaign

Ross also advised that an advertisement at the Better Living subdivision near the family home was publicising a free mass circumcision session in the area, sponsored by a politician. Ross wished he had a camera to take photographs.

It remains to be seen what effect the genital mutilation campaign will have on Ross's family and especially on Kristofer.

In the Philippines, dorsal incision of boys' prepuces - an alteration known as tuli - has long been customary. Uncut high school boys are frequently subjected to severe social pressure until they conform.

Traditionally the mutilation has been performed by men without medical training but over recent decades it has also been performed by medical and paramedical practitioners.

Over the last decade, some medical authorities in the Philippines have been opposing the routine cutting. The most notable of these is Dr Reynaldo Joson, a surgeon at the Ospital Ng Maynila.

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Several years ago, Ross visited the hospital. He was unable to meet Dr Joson, but reported later, with some excitement, that there were signs posted prominently around the hospital saying tuli is painful and unnecessary.

Research by a psychology graduate among 3,500 high school boys in the province of Batangas revealed that 70% of boys cut by non-medical operators and 50% of those done in medical settings showed definite signs of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

* * *

Details of text messages exchanged with Ross , 08:17-08:27 a.m. GMT+08, are shown below.

Ross: Gud morning Bern. I'm back to work; kids [are] on summer vacation, just at home. Kristofer['s] graduation [will be on] April 2. He only wish[es for] ice cream.

I saw political ads at Better Living [subdivision] near our place: it says free "TULI" painless handog pasasalamat Mula Kay: name of politician. I hope I have d camera to take picture.

Bern: Hello Ross! It's lucky you caught me online! Thank God you're back to work! Life is very difficult for me. Tina went to PGH yesterday and is still waiting there today.

I wish so much I could help your family to celebrate your children's school success but my financial situation is extremely difficult now.

Ross: Yes, Bern, I understand you. I hope I [will be] able to help you; texted you to let you know what's happening. Just wanna say hi. We're OK. I wish my job will continue. Thanks, Ross.

Bern: Thanks for that Ross. I hope I'm not interrupting your work right now. Thanks for the information about the Tuli campaign. The surgery is painful and unnecessary.

Poor, weary woman travels far and waits long hours for medical check-up

After leaving her home in Kalayaan around 3:30 a.m, Tina was, at 05:43 a.m., Filipino time, approaching Manila on a long distance bus.

She was on her way to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) for pathology tests and consultation with a hematologist following up after a diagnosis of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a splenectomy to counteract the malady, and a subsequent provisional diagnosis of possible fungal meningitis.

We exchanged text messages.

Tina had barely sufficient funds to pay fares and not enough for food, laboratory tests or prescriptions.

By 07:19 a.m. (Filipino time, GMT+8), I had remitted 4,600 pesos via the Money Gram service of the UAE Exchange corporation. This was likely to be barely sufficient to cover the medical and travel costs.

By 07:23 Tina was at the main gate of the hospital and in a position to encash the remittance at a bank or Cebuana Luhillier pawnshop nearby.

After that she needed to submit rapidly to blood tests, pay for them, and then register immediately for a place in the long queue to see the hematologist.

At 02:43 p.m. (GMT+8) I texted a request for an update on Tina's situation. She was still waiting in the Hematology Department for the female medical specialist (Doktora) who would examine her. The medical staff had held an emergency meeting in the morning so check-ups had only started after lunch. Tina was # 26 in the waiting list.

Tina anticipated that her check-up might not be finished until 6 p.m.

If all went well Tina was unlikely to arrive home again until around 10:30 p.m., but on this day I did not hear from her again.

Details of our exchanges are shown below.

Bern (07:41:51 GMT+10): Good morning Tina. Perhaps you're in traffic? I'm ready to leave home now for the city. Traveling by car and river ferry will take me at least an hour. Bern.

Tina (07:43:47): Gud morning Bern, I'm now in d bus, on d way to Manila Bern, thanks for your understanding Bern, take care always.

Bern (07:45:22): OK, I'll leave immediately. Expect to hear from me about an hour from now, or a little later.

Tina (07:46:35): OK, take care always, thanks a lot.

Bern (09:19:36 GMT+10):Tina, I've sent you 4600 pesos 12 centavos via Money Gram 20692971. This is precious. Do not ask for more.

Tina (07:23:20 GMT+8): Thank you very much Bern, I'm now in d gate of PGH, thanks for your understanding, I know d value of your money, I will spend it wisely, thanks again.

Bern (16:33:17 GMT+10): Hi Tina. If you're free and have sufficient load I'd appreciate an update on your situation now.

Tina (16:37:29): Bern, I'm still waiting for d Doktora in [the] Hema[tology] Dept. Coz they have [an] emergency meeting this morning, d check-up[s] only start[ed] after lunch. I'm # 26 in d list.

Bern (16:38:49): Oh, so much waiting! I assume the emergency meeting was not about you! It appears to me that Philippine medical services generally are in crisis.

Tina (16:39:25): I will text you after my check up, maybe it will finish [at] 6 p.m.

Tina (16:43:20): It's not me, maybe it was in general problem in hospital.

Hunger and lack of money pervade community

At 7:24 p.m., Filipino time, Tina texted that she had received a message I had sent to her brother-in-law Mel and herself.

Sad to say, Tina advised, Darwin, the live-in partner of her mother-in-law Josie, had not done anything to provide food for Josie or others in Josie's household.

Payday for the Power Station security guards (who owed money to Tina) would be on the forthcoming Thursday night; the problem was how her roadside diner business could survive while she was waiting for the money owing.

One bright aspect was that for Coca-Cola there was "lots of demand" and this would continue until the 15th day of the month.

Scarce resources remitted and allocated with difficulty

Tina (08:41:41 GMT+8): Bern, if you don't mind, if you send money to both of us, Mel and I? Can you send it to my name; I'm d 1 [who will] send it to Mel, coz he felt jealous to me, when he know[s] d amount you [have] given to me.

Bern (12:21:35 GMT+10): Tina, unfortunately the UAE Money Exchange is still not open. The manager altered a sign on the door: it will open at 12:45 p.m. I'll wait.

Bern (12:55:54): Tina, I've sent you 5,745 pesos 49 centavos via MoneyGram 838 . . . 489. Pls ensure Mel gets help ASAP to visit his mother. I worry also about Josie's health and Mel's future.

Tina (14:42:56): Bern, I'm now in Cebuana [pawnshop and remittance agent] to claimed d money. I sent 2,000 [pesos] to Mel, coz I buy 1 sack [of] rice, 1,800, 1 kg [of] meat for dinner, 500 vegetable, 500 groceries, I hope you understand, we will visit Nanay Josie later. Sorry, I try my best to budget wisely.

Family cannot afford medical consultation and treatment for small injured son

Email from Tina sent on December 07 at 17:04 GMT+8

Dear Bern,

This is the x-ray plate of Kert; the doctor [is] waiting to return us on Dec. 18, to discharge the cement, at 9 a.m.

I’m worried coz I’m sure doctor required us to have x-ray again to check if the bone back to normal. X-ray cost 980.

Bern, sad to say, Roderic['s] work will be till this week, he just have work as casual for only 1 month, [this] means to say the responsibilities [come] back to me again. Bern, pls, help us again when the day came need Kert return to doctor again on Dec.18.

I pray the bone return to normal again.

Tina

Wife of sick man appeals for financial help for family

December 05

Janice (15:44:51): Bern - I'm worried too much about my situation. If Jason still have sick, how about my 2 children, also Mae Mae['s] study, Jason can't work almost 3 days from now Bern. I can't buy his medicine; he still have headache and still lay down in bed. I hope Bern, you can help me - to buy medicines and some fruits and also vitamins. I hope Bern, you can understand me - I'm hoping!!!!

Janice (21:29:33): Bern, I hope you can help me - it's very hard for me Bern! To think - I'm surfeit.

December 06

Janice (13:23:23): Good morning BERN. How are you?

Bern (13:36:05): Hello. I'm just managing. At the moment I'm supposed to be at the lunch table.

Janice (13:38:29): OK - BERN - I hope you read my message to you . . . and I hope you understand. If you are busy now I can chat [with] you later.

Janice (13:48:38): Hard to me this situation - I don't know what can I do - I know you are the one who can help me. I hope, Bern - and thank you for understanding. I'm waiting for you Bern - Bye - love you.

Poor woman cannot afford medical care for sick husband or schooling for daughter

Janice (18:35:29): Hellow Bern, how are you?

Bern (18:37:28): Hello, I'm just OK. I've been going backwards and forwards to the TV news.

Janice (18:38:20): It's OK! Bern.

Bern (18:39:47): This morning Jason sent a message saying he was feeling sick. I hope he's improved.

Janice (18:41:23): Yes! Bern, he's sleeping and I hope he's improved as soon as possible.

Bern (18:41:53): So do I. It's a real pity he can't afford to consult a doctor.

Janice (18:42:46): Not yet Bern! B-coz I don't have money.

Bern (18:43:01): Just as I thought.

Janice (18:49:17): He take tablet Bern, biogesic only.

Bern (18:51:08): I see. Do you know the ingredients? I think it probably contains only paracetamol for pain relief.

Janice (18:51:55): He feel cold.

Bern (18:52:12): Perhaps he has a fever.

Janice (18:52:28): Yes! Bern.

Bern (18:52:39): I wish there was more that could be done. Does the employer know about Jason's illness? What does he say?

Janice (18:55:18): He said rest - and get well soon!

Bern (18:55:43): Who is performing Jason's duties while he is unable to work?

Janice (18:56:20): His assistant!

Janice (18:57:01): I'm surfeit Bern! I can't help Mae Mae, to her study, I can't give money allowance.

Bern (19:01:36): Don't your relations in San Isidro try to do that?

Janice (19:04:23): Do to support my relative but Bern, I'm shy b-coz he can do every day - money allowance to Mae Mae! I'm worried also Bern!

Bern (19:05:17): I understand.

Janice (19:07:00): I don't know what can I do now Bern!

Bern (19:07:45): I'm so sorry, it's getting quite hard for me also.

Bern (19:09:17): I'm sorry I'm distracted right now by someone else sending Yahoo messages and the TV going. Also Alice is calling me to eat.

Janice (19:10:42): OK! Bern, thank you for chatting . . . (-_-) . . . you're my good friend. Sorry for sharing this!

Bern (19:15:09): There's no need to apologise. But I really must go now. I'll probably be online again later tonight.

Janice (19:15:34): OK Bern! I'm waiting.

Underemployed father lacks food for his family; agitated brother-in-law begs for help

Bern (16:58:11): Hello Mel.

Mel [online] (16:58:30): Hi!

Bern (16:58:48): I'm surprised you're online.

Mel (17:00:10): I'm worried about you and me!

Bern (17:00:29): Please explain.

Mel (17:02:36): I want to mention again about help, bcoz I'm worried about my sister Anagel and I'm worried about you, you might have financial problem too.

Bern (17:04:20): It's true that many people ask me for help and my funds are limited. Please tell me more about Anagel's problems.

Mel (17:06:22): Robert is no job bcoz no tourist visit here, he was boatman. [It's] hard for him to work in other place bcoz they have four children to feed.

Bern (17:06:57): Oh.

Mel (17:07:24): Sometimes we shared but not enough, shared for food.

Bern (17:07:49): I see.

Mel (17:09:38): On Monday Angelica and Gilbert go to school again. I'm afraid they don't have food, too, after and before schooling.

Bern (17:10:01): I see. I hate going to Western Union. I want to stop doing it. You must know that it costs me $25 - that's 1,000 pesos - every time I go there, just for fees. That money is totally lost. And that's not counting, of course, the money for the beneficiary.

Mel (17:14:05): I see! And do understand that!

Bern (17:14:41): For the last week Ross in Paranaque has also been begging me for help for his family.

Bern (17:15:50): But there's something else that I've been worrying about a lot. I wonder whether you have really been selling cellphone loads.

Mel (17:17:07): Yes I do! my number when I selling load is this: 0918 . . . 355.

Bern (17:17:22): I think that is not your usual number.

Mel (17:17:54): Sorry, I forgot to tell you about that. Bcoz, Bern, if you register this number my load is automatically lost 2 pesos, that's every day. Like my other number.

Bern (17:19:51): I'm sorry Mel, I don't quite understand what you are saying.

Mel (17:20:47): It's [hard] for me to explain bcoz I'm not good in English. . . . I mean hard for me to explain.

Bern (17:21:31): That really does need some explanation but perhaps there's not time now.

Mel (17:22:12): I can't force you to believe me!

Bern (17:22:40): It's not a matter of being forced to believe something. It's a matter of understanding.

Mel (17:22:58): It's up to you. I'm upset your not believed in me and trust.

Young man's honesty doubted

Bern (11:20:02): Hi Mel. From Australia I successfully loaded Tina's Smart SIM with 900 pesos worth of load she can sell. Please advise your SIM retail info[rmation] so I can do it for you.

Bern (11:21:00) [to Tina]: COPY: Hi Mel. From Australia I . . . loaded Tina's Smart SIM with 900 pesos worth of load she can sell. Please advise your SIM retail info[rmation] so I can do it for you.

Bern (11:28:50): Hi Jester, how are you? I want to load Mel's SIM with about 900 pesos worth of load so he can sell it but I need Mel's retail SIM number. I'd appreciate your help.

Bern: Hi Jomar, how are you? I want to load Mel's SIM with about 900 pesos worth of load so he can sell it but I need Mel's retail SIM number. I'd appreciate your help.

Bern (11:36:03): Hi Tina. Thanks for your texts and e-mail. I've just texted Mel requesting retail SIM details, then also Jester and Jomar, seeking help to get them.

Tina (11:39:38): Bern, according to Nanay Josie Mel have a old cellphone, which he [is] now using, dat why all of your text was receiving by Mel, just for two of us, according to Nanay Josie.

Bern (11:48:14): I'm just waiting and hoping for responses from Mel, Jomar and Jester, so I can get a better idea of what's happening. I'm not optimistic, however.

Tina (16:44:16): Mel using his old cp number +6392 . . . 321, Jomar using his own, according to Nanay Josie, Mel want I redeem d cel from Jomar and buy a brand new TV set, I'm so sorry about it.

Bern (11:46:50): Tina, if I understand correctly, then, Mel has his old cellphone and Jomar has his new one (which I paid for, about August 2007) and they are both working.

Bern (16:48:14): Hello, +6392 . . . 321 is the number Mel got in August. He was using it until he pawned the phone to Jomar. For a month, at least, Mel has wanted a new TV.

Bern (16:51:11): Evidently Mel was using that phone last Sunday, around 4:40 p.m., while walking to San Isidro to help Jomar campaign. None of them replied to me today.

Tina (16:51:42): According to Nanay Josie yesterday dat number using Mel in old cell, right now, Mel was now in bad mood dat why he [doesn't] want to reply, d celphone with camera was d cell pawn[ed] to Jomar.

Tina (16:57:35): When Nanay Josie was her getting groceries, she text Mel if he has still d SIM to retail Smart, sad to say he did not reply, I ask what Mel using? She told me dat number, maybe Mel just to tell you dat his cell with his SIM pawn to Jomar to force you to help him to redeem d cell right away. I'm so sorry about it.