The Tingog Choir is an Iloilo-based ensemble of young singers whose love for music has banded them together. In their hometown, they would be singing in local Churches weddings, in schools, barrio fiestas and other festivities. They also dreamt of bringing their songs to captive audiences overseas. One day they thought that this dream had come true. They were asked to come and perform in the various European capitals. However, as it turned out, their dreams turned into a nightmare when their “European tour” went up in smoke. The alleged organizer and investor, Mr. Ernesto “Tatie” Arellano Jr., a doctorate student at the University of Geneva, suddenly disappeared right after the group’s 12 members paid 12,000 pesos each or a total of US$3,180 for the whole choir for their “travel insurance”.
It was sometime in early 2007 when the Tingog choir was invited to do a European Tour that would initially include concerts in Switzerland, Germany, and Italy.
In an early e-mail communication to one of the choir’s leaders RJ Faith Lorezo on 14 April 2007, Mr. Arellano wrote:
°i am very happy to share with you that, the preparation for our coming here in Europe is under serious planning with Stuttgart school of music!!!!
they are helping me plan for the schedule and performance, moa and everything for the visa, trans and all logistics.”
Three days after on 17 April 2007 in another e-mail communication to RJ Faith Lorezo, Mr. Arellano would further entice them, this time with a recording opportunity in Germany.
“The tune of Ili-ili Tulog Anay and the African Song is making good comments from here. According the Stuttgart staff, they are arranging a recording there in Germany during your stay which shall be made as part of the documents. Hope you have good number of Filipino Folk Songs, and ethnic songs.”
Little did they know that the Stuttgart School of Music was just an invention of Mr. Arellano as it does not even exist.
The whole paper trail of e-mail communications between Mr. Arellano and the Tingog choir leaders are full of fictitious names and incredible stories. One will be shocked with the load of crap, lies, and bullshit this con artist has been peddling to rip-off people. For example, in an e-mail communication dated 30 April 2007, Mr. Arellano concocts a certain Dr. Urs Wreight who he says is the German coordinator for the tour in Germany and Lichenstein. Although he may have thought that name may sound German, Wreight is clearly not a German name and that it is just a fabrication. He then further seduces them with an additional bonus trip to Bulgaria for a competition.
“Sorry for the delayed reply. I am here in Stuttgart for a meeting with Dr. Urs Wreight, who coordinates the tour for Germany and Liechtenstein.”…
“Dr. Wreight for example wanted to maximize your stay here in Europe such as joining the competition in Bulgaria,so its very difficult to give a tentative that we cannot be sure of. Please be patient, and things will just tapper off.”
In his e-mail communications of 3 May 2007, He ridiculously claims that visas would be processed in Germany and not in the Philippines. Also, here he slowly comes out with his target-- the group’s insurance payments.
“With regards to visa. Germany will process it here. No applications will be done there in the Philippines. Germany is in charge of documentations, to ensure smooth entry in European Union, once Germany has iron out all details you will be asked to submit your passport in German embassy and will be marked with entry visa for TOUR in EU for 60 days.
the visa is also requiring your international medical insurance which shall be carried by a company on your behalf. Your insurance will make the statement that you have been ensured as part of the visa entry. As our agreement this would be your responsibility so meaning you will pay directly to the insurance company. Dr Urs will forward to me the name of your insurance and how you will pay. I will be hands off on this matter, but will only keep the photocopy of the medical insurance certificate while the original will be kept by you upon arrival here in Europe. Since do not know as to when is the visa processing you need to prepare now for the insurance payment.”
After two weeks, in another e-mail dated 18 May 2007, He suddenly changes his story about the visas. This time he says it is Geneva which will handle their visas. Their sponsor will be a certain Dunant.
“Your visa will be applied by our sponsor here in the canton of Geneva and this is very difficult and complicated. It has to go first to the MARIE office (City) where the sponsor is located (ours is Dunant) then will be pass to the Cantoon of Geneva which is the state of Geneva, then to be forwarded to the Foreign Office in Berne, then to be forwarded to the Office of Swiss embassy in Makati. Once the papers reached Makati Office, you will be called to appear and to bring your Passport, then you will pay for the visa which P2,500 plus handling of another P2,400.00. More or less, thats P4,900.00. Upon giving your payment there in the embassy and by submitting your passports, your passports will agian go back to Berne-Geneve-Marie-Geneva-Berne-Manila with the stamp of your entry visa and the number of days which you will be staying here in Switzerland.once your passport has a visa into it you will called back to manila to claim it with your ticket which i already prepared. I am still making arrangment that the visa will be release just 1 day or 2 days before departure so that you can save money.”
In the following paragraph, he identifies a certain “Mr. Francaoius Xavier”, as an owner of the insurance company which will receive their payments. It is very obvious that he just invented the name as he even misspelled the French name François.
“To acquire visa and entry here we need to prove our capacity that we can go back and not be a problem to the swiss government once we are here. this means, upon submission of your papers to the Marie office, we have documents such as: travel plans (we already have), contract with the churhces and schools (done by our sposor), round trip plane ticket ( i already did) and your emergency comprehnsive insurance certificates which will be issued by the owner of the insurance comapny, Mr. Francaoius Xavier when he reecives your payments. Because of the virus Mr Xavier, can not send me the name of his banker and amount for insurance. I hope you have made yourself aware that submission of your papers will depend on the insurance certificates of Mr. Xavier. I don’t want to handle your finances, on this matter because I am avoiding controversies. But I will advise you that, you e mail me of the bank transfer details as soon as you have done it. so that i can advise Mr Xavier and claim your receipt and insurance coverage.”
In the same e-mail communication, Mr. Arellano discusses the schedule and again cajoles them into believing that they will be going to the Rome to do some recordings at the Radio Vatican.
“All performances, will be from monday till saturdays and sundays will be promotionals. First week is cantoon of genva, second week is cantoon of Berne, third week is cantoon of Zurich. Leave Geneva for Italy on September 30 sunday. and October 3 you will sing in the Vatican in the morning by 10 and by 12 you will go to Radio VAtican for recording of songs and performance for filipinos in the Middle east!!!! “
He then follows up the payment for insurance in another e-mail dated 19 May, 2007.
“We entend to submit your papers by Wednesday to the Marie. I have your tickets, itenerary, and request but still waiting for your insurance contract. On Monday I will send the contract for you to agree with and to submit to the sponsor. Mr Fransciaous Xavier, will wait for your payment for your comprehensive insurance. The amount is $265.00 each for 60 days.”
To impress upon the choir that Mr. Xavier is a “big” person, he name-drops the Cannes Festival and a supposed client, a fictitious star Shoung Lee. He writes,
“Mr Xavier is still n Canes Festival. Bal-an nyo nanma high profile ang iya mga clients. Si shoung Lee, client nya so data ara sya kay basi ma heart attack kon mag adaug sa Cannes.”
Then in another e-mail on the 23rd of May 2007, he goes for the clincher, he instructs RJ Faith Lorezo to go to Banco de Oro, in Jaro, Iloilo and ask the counter to transfer payments for their “insurance” in Switzerland. The Beneficiary Name would be Ernesto Arellano (Ins.Francaios Xavier), Chateau de Bossey, Chemin Cheneviere 2, 1298 Celigny, Vaud CH. The next day 24th May in another e-mail he would try to explain that this was really Francaios Xavier’s account and that although his name was there, it was just to make it easy for Mr Xavier to recognize that it came from the Tingog choir and that it was just one of the many sub accounts of Mr Xavier.
“Yes RJ, yan ang kailangan nyong sundin dahil ang account nya (refering to François Xavier) maraming sub accounts, nakita mo pangalan ko reflected dyan, pag enter ng aking pangalan sa beneficiary makilala nya na galing yan sa atin. Kasi marami ang nagbabayad sa kanya with same account, like us. Once matransfer mo, iemail mo ang details para ipa-counter check ko sa kanya at kunin ko ang receipt at ang insurance certificates, para ipadala sa inyo at ipakita nyo sa embassy to claim your visa. Make sure na di kayo magkamali at di kita madelay.”
In the same e-mail, he promised to book RJ and another choir member Roque for auditions in GAOS, which he says is the Swiss counterpart of Westend of London. He makes them believe that there is an audition to a musical play he invented entitled “Snow White and the Asian Charming”. He goes further saying that if they make good at the audition, then GAOS will let them stay in Switzerland.
“Si Rj kag si Roque guin book ko for adution sa GAOS, for a play nga snowhite and the Asian charming. GAOS is swiss counterpart of Westend sa London. if you make good GAOS will workout nga hawidan kamo.”
In another separate e-mail on the same day, he tries to talk big by saying that he was arranging their next tour to the US. Like always, he has connections whether this be a classmate, or some “imaginary” friend in the halls of power.
“Honestly speaking I am now arranging your next tour in Continental US, New York and Washington DC because my classmate here is the cultural affairs promotion offier of US state. In your performances here she will be going with us to document your concerts.”
Another incredible story is his supposed dinner date with a British Mission Consul. Again trying to pull their legs, he boasts of having a dinner appointment with the Consul wherein he will try to bring the choir to the UK and sing in the Church of England and have this chance of a lifetime to meet the Queen. In his e-mail of 14 July 2007, he brags:
“the front of my flat is British mission and I will have dinner with their consul on Monday. I will try if we can make it to UK via Dover lines. God willing if granted we can sing in Church of England where my classmate is the minister and have the chance to meet the Queen.”
In the succeeding e-mails of 24 August 2007, the Philippine Mission to the UN in Geneva has been much name-dropped. Wanting to look credible, he uses the Philippine Mission to impress upon the choir that he has the blessings of the Philippine Mission and that they are totally involved in the choir’s tour. He also claims that the Philippine Mission has “committed” that the group will be the official choir for ASEAN promotion.
“yesterday, I went to the Philippine mission and discuss the situation to our partner consul and tourism promotion officer. the three of us had a thourough meeting with the regards to our concert here and we are making complete revison of plans, to avoid casualites and rejection on our part. the philippine mission would like to put more weight for your coming here. aside from the concert which we will do the philippine mission has commited that for this years 40th ASEAN anniversary, our group will be the official choir for ASEAN promotion here in SWITZERLAND.
Worst, the name of Consul Domingo is mentioned throughout the e-mails of 23 and 24 August 2007 as the one who will send the invitation for the Tingog Choir. Here he is shown to be a central figure in sending the invitation, fixing the itinerary and asking the choir to expand their repertoire.
“The invitation letter which was sent to you sa fedex--indi ina pag usaron. hulaton ninyo ang bag o nga invitation letter from Consul Domingo nga kaina lang guin draft and will be sent to you in orginal form and same fax copy to swiss mission. the iteneray and plane resservation sa sulat dira indi man ina ma usar.”
“Consul Domingo is asking the group to expand the repertoire for nationalistic songs, folk songs, and OPM and most of all one song from ASEAN member countries.Please concntrate on this. another things is cramped and schedules ninyo 3 performances a day and evening shows in ASEAN embassies!!!! nangin sosyal kita now. meaning 10 ASEAN emabssy concerts ninyo plus 34 perfromances in geneva and 2 perfomrances in Lussane, 3 in berne”.
“Once and for all discuss ni naton tanan on tuesday kay monday pa liwat ang meeting ko with consul Domingo. Indiko pwede Monday kay meeting ko ina with philippine embassy.”
Nearing the climax of his fictional story, Mr. Arellano prepares the Tingug Choir for his story-ender with incredible stories of Filipino janitors stealing rolls of visa stickers and a fictitious Director of the UNHCR whose sons were denied boarding at Frankfurt airport because of the fake visa stickers. In his 23 August 2007 e-mail, he writes:
“I shared this in my chat 2 weeks ago with RJ, that 2 rolls of entry VISA sticker of Switzerland was missing and the suspect are the Filipino janitors. This was detected only after 2 months when the inventory of entry does’nt matches the number of disposed visa stickers. Since that time on, most filipinos are "assumed" holding fake stickers on their passports or at least have taken via back door to obtain entry to Switzerland. This is the reason why I have to go back in Geneva, via St Gallen by bus. because as a filipino I am also a suspect to have obtain my extended visa via backdoor or fake processings. To avid rejection upon entry to Geneva airport I have to commute by bus with my lagguage Germany and pass St Gallen, which doesnt have entry guards between borders. I arrive Geneva pm of 23 and since then sleep to reagin my stregthn.
“The SWISS embassy in Manila is very strict and most often would reject applications for entry especiall tours---including us. The latest victims last week when I'm in Franfurt are the two sons of MArisa Tan who, as a matter of fact Director in UNHCR. the two sons 19 and 21 years old, where hold at the airport desptie their stickers and immeidately denied boarding. pew I dontwant tis scenario to happen to us.”
After receiving the money through bank transfer, Mr. Arellano was supposed to send the papers for the visa. But no such documents arrived and there was no communications from him for half a month. This prompted Bimbo Muyuela to send an e-mail dated 8 August 2007 where he wrote:
“Two weeks have passed since you last communicated with us. We all know that at this point, we need to be updated on a more regular basis now as the month of August is almost halfway thru. As of today, the documents that you have told us that were in transit in your e mail dated last July 24 is
not yet in our hands. We hope you could shed some light on this matter. Expecting your reply soonest.”
Replying to Bimbo Muyuela by e-mail on the same day, Mr. Arellano makes up another story that perhaps the documents he sent were found to be “ very interesting” in the Manila Post office.
“I received 2 emails today that documents havent reached sir bimbo at the moment. I am bit worried, but this is not serious. I have the second set of comlete documents, which i can make as master copy - I will photocopy this materials tommorow thursday, and have them sent to you by fedex. Second option is, please identify a fax numebr which i can send to you then have them photocpoied on your part. The mateirals and information of the embassy has already been sent to Manila together with your files. I am afraid, the enveloped intended for you has been very interesting in Manila post and will be delivered very late - just like what happen to my letters in the past. If you still can not recived it by Saturday please e mail me ASAP and i will send your second copy by fax and FEDEX”.
Slowly realizing that they might have been swindled, RJ Lorezo in an e-mail dated 24 August 2007 requests Mr. Arellano to phone them so as to settle the various issues and questions of the group.
“The group has a lot of questions regarding this matter. Much better if you can call us through phone para makastoryahanay kita tanan. The group will be at sir bimbo's house on sunday 3pm philippine time so each one can open up regarding other concerns. Sir bimbs gave you his contact numbers yesterday through email. We really need to talk to you sir. We will expect your call on sunday sir. Thank you. God bless”
Then on 10 September 2007 in an e-mail, Mr. Arellano wrote a scathing letter censuring and blaming the members of the Tingog Choir for going overboard and being antagonistic.
“After the chat with your group to clarify things, you have gone off-board. If it has been conveyed pleasantly - I could been more understanding. The tone of your communication has since then change antagonistic, which I do not tolerate.”
In an attached letter, where he again used the Philippine Mission to the United Nations as his address to make it appear that he is with the “powerful authorities”, he demanded an apology letter from the group for accusing him to have duped and taken their money for the travel insurance.”
“I am not shaken or threatened, most of all not afraid to face you squarely if you prefer to settle this under legal proceedings.
To put things in context, you are accusing me to have duped and took your money ($265) for your travel insurance.... I am demanding for an apology letter, course through the Philippine Mission office here in Geneva. Individual apology letter can also be sent directly to me immediately if it’s difficult to convene your group. Your apology letter must contain your bank name, bank account, and SWIFT CODE of the your bank and your signature same as your contract.”
Since then they have not heard from Mr. Ernesto “Tatie” Arellano Jr. In an affidavit dated 7 October 2009, the leader of the choir, Gerardo “Bimbo” Muyuela writes,
“Unfortunately, it was already too late when we realized that the group had been fooled and given false hopes to something that was not in fact real in the first place since Mr. Arellano had been fabricating everything, using names and institutions, “imagined” concerts and venues, and having our group practiced for a gruelling period of one year- all of which for something that would just amount to nothing....Until now, he remains unscathed from all the troubles he has caused us, not to mention the money he siphoned especially from our student members who were constrained to loan in order to secure the requirements he wanted us to comply, i.e. for the travel insurance. Consequently, our poor members are still paying up to now the money they loaned then. I hope that all our horrific experiences with Mr. Arellano which caused us serious anxiety, sleepless nights, wounded feelings and moral shock will call the attention of the Philippine Embassy in Switzerand.”
The twelve member Tingog Choir were not the only ones victimized by Mr. Ernesto “Tatie” Arellano. Rudy John Dapilo, together with at least three others who enrolled at the Institute of Development and Strategic Studies, a phoney school made up by Mr. Arellano, were obligated to go through the 6-month caregiver’s course to be assured of a job abroad. After finishing the course, they were asked to pay an advance fee of 33,000 Philippine Pesos as downpayment of airfares in preparation for their promised employment to the Netherlands.
This never happened. After two years of waiting, they were told that they were going to be sent to Israel. They were interviewed by an alleged “Israeli” national, passed the interview and fulfilled all other requirements. The agency placement fees and other services by then reached 250,000 pesos. Rudy then borrowed 150,000 Philippine peso gambling his property as collateral and gave the money amounting to US$ 2,800 to Betty Colasito, Mr. Arellano’s secretary.
In his sworn statement, Rudy John Dapilo laments :
“These transactions with Tatie were dissolved when he left for Switzerland. After a year, my family had discovered this problem when they received the court subpoena (regarding his property). I had a very bad experience that until now remains in my memory of what Tatie did to us and to my mother as well. It is very traumatic that even in our rest at night, it always reminds us of this nightmare. Our property was in trouble. I cannot think of any solutions on how to resolve these issues between my family. He had ruined my reputation and trust of my brother and sister. I am hoping that through this statement, i will be given justice and help resolve the issues he had inflicted on us.”
Bamboozled and ripped-off, their search for justice continues. To this day, the Tingog Choir of Iloilo continues to sing the blues.
(Banco de Oro payment of Tingog choir to Ernesto Tatie Arellano)
( To read the sworn affidavit of Gerardo Muyuela, follow the url link below:)
(Below is the unedited sworn statement of Ma. RJ Faith Lorenzo accusing Mr Ernesto "Tatie" Arellano of scamming and swindling the 12 -member Tingog choir)
STATEMENT OF MA. RJ FAITH LOREZO (August 10, 2009)
My name is Ma. RJ Faith Lorezo. I’m from Iloilo City. In 2006, I was introduced to Mr. Ernesto “Tatie” Arellano Jr. by my friend Mr. Rudy John Dapilo. I wrote this testimony to complain Mr. Arellano that he is not trusted person. At first we thought he’s very nice and no bad record in all his transactions. He’s the one who suggested if we want to perform in Switzerland. So I invited my other friends if they want to join so that’s the time we build the group “Tingug”. Composed of 12 talented singers from Iloilo City. Here are the names of the members.
1. Mr. Gerardo Muyuela
2. Beny Castillon
3. Wynn Natividad
4. Roda Mae Tansi
5. Nazel Deloso
6. Roque Magsipoc
7. Emman Herrera
8. Mary Margarette Coo
9. Jose Custodio III
10. Ma. RJ Faith Lorezo
11. Michelle Magpusao
12. Hernas Pacificado
Mr. Arellano met the group and discussed all the papers for the visas, travel, insurance, etc. Then he went to Geneve, Switzerland to tap some organizers in Geneve. So from time to time we communicate through e-mail for any development of our papers. Then, one of his e-mail he mentioned that we will have to pay for the trvel insurance. He demand to pay it in dollars because the insurance company is in Switzerland. So we paid the amount of 12,000 Philippine Pesos each but we send to him in dollars BDO (Banco de Oro) bank-to-bank transfer but under his name. I remember the name Xavier but don’t remember the urname. I will send the receipt of the BDO through e-mail. Then he send us the contract agreement for us to sign for the duration of the tour. But before we signed the contract we revised some of the agreement which he allow us to do so. And we send the contract through courrier. He promised us that he will be the one who will pay for our transportation, visas, lodging, nd talent fee every performance in Genev. He e-mailed us again that he will go back to Iloilo and meet us for finalization but he never came. He already used our money for his own pleasure.
Ma. RJ Faith Lorezo
Tel : +63- 9205139370
+63 9065898209
to see all the e-mail communications between the Tingog choir and Mr. Tatie Arellano, visit url below.....
http://www.scribd.com/doc/36105815/tatie-scam1
POST SCRIPT :
After 2 years in October 2009, members of the Tingog choir contacted leaders of the Philippine community and after the intervention of leaders from Geneva Forum for Philippine Concerns, Ugnayang Bayan and the Philippine Consulate, the money taken from the Tingog Choir by Mr. Ernesto “Tatie” Arellano was finally returned.
Consul-General Junever Mahilum-West summoned Mr. Arellano to a meeting with Filcom leaders who informed Mr. Arellano of the complaints against him. With the sworn statements, affidavits, and e-mail communications as overwhelming evidences, Mr. Arellano was cornered and was pressured to return the money. The united efforts of leaders of the Filipino community, the Philippine Consulate, and the courageous victims who despite being threatened and intimidated paved the way for this partial victory.
However, as one victim said, the return of the money does not in any way get Mr. Arellano off the hook. They spent a lot of time and money—one year of going to practice sessions, only to realize later that they were being scammed. They suffered a horrific experience which caused them serious anxiety, sleepless nights, wounded feelings and moral shock. Justice must still be due to them.
Setting the trap, Ernesto Tatie Arellano "briefing" the Tingog Choir during his visit in Iloilo
