More countries are now opening its doors to our Filipino overseas performing artists (OPA) despite strict implementation of Japan's rules governing foreign workers.

A Department of Labor and Employment report states that there are 23 countries, including the usual destinations, are currently hiring inoy performers.

Second to Japan, South Korea has been a top destination of Filipino OPA's, with a total of 71,489 Pinoys deployed in 2004.

Other countries are the following:

ASIA

-Brunei

-Vietnam

-China

-Hong Kong

-Singapore

-Indonesia

-Taiwan

-Malaysia

-India

PACIFIC RIM

-Saipan

-Seychelles

-Papua New Guinea

-Northern Mariana Islands

MIDDLE EAST

-Bahrain

-United Arab Emirates

-Saudi Arabia

-Qatar

-Oman

EUROPE

-Spain

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

BRITISH TERRITORY

-Diego Garcia

Diego Garcia is one of the newest countries needing OPA's. It is located near the Indian Ocean. OPA's here host 1,700 US and British military personnel and 1,500 civilian contractors.