200701

January 2007 Home Paper of the 1999 Canadian Ethnic Journalists’ and Writers’ Club Winner for Best Editorial Toronto, Ontario

INSIDEOoops & Bloops

Ka-shashampoo

ko lang -- 6

‘Saudi’ Alberta -- 13

Filipino Fury on ice in CMHL tournament - 37

2006: SAILING THE 7 Cs2006: SAILING THE 7 Cs(See pages 20 and 21)

Manigong Bagong TaonManigong Bagong Taon2006

Get that good thing going in 2007? Here’s what Manila Media Monitor readers have to say.

RENATO & MERLYN TY - Since we arrived in Toronto two years back, we were exposed to multi cultures. We got infl uenced by and adopted some of them. But we fi nd Filipino values still the best. The best resolution we will maintain is to retain close family bonding -- the KA-PAMILYA way of life, where we share one’s problems as well as victories.

RESOLVED!The Government of Saskatchewan

has signed on Dec. 18 a memoran-dum of understanding (MoU) with the Government of the Philippines to facilitate increased recruitment of skilled Filipino workers under Saskatchewan’s Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP).

At 5,000 immigrants per year by 2008, Saskatchewan will seek work-

Saskatchewan eyes 5,000 Filipinoimmigrants per year under MoU

ATKINSON

ers for designated priority occupations, such as welding, metal fabrication, long-haul trucking and health care.

Minister Responsible for Immigration Pat Atkinson

CARMELITA PESTAÑO-GALANO - I vow to go on sowing the seeds of friend-ship. If there is anything better than giv-ing someone the best of what we have, it is giving them the best of what we are.

(Continued on page 17)(Continued on page 4)

Calendar Babe

KATRINA

HALILI

BICOLBICOLAID ONAID ONTRACKTRACK

(See page 5)

Detroit Auto Show- 35

2JANUARY 2007 Manila Media MonitorManila Media Monitor

3JANUARY 2007 Manila Media Monitor CALENDAR

CALENDAR is a public service feature of Manila Media Monitor and the Philippine Consulate Toronto through Carol Martin.

JAN. 26: Induction Ball, Culture Philippines Ontario, Algonquin Ballroom, Stage West Ho-tel, Mississauga.

JAN. 27: Induction Ball, Tanza Cavite Asso-ciation, St. Boniface Church Hall, Scarbor-ough, 6:30 p.m.

JAN. 27: Pistahan Ng Santo Niño De Cebu, St. Ambrose Church, Etobicoke

FEB. 24: 16th Anniversary and Induction Ball, Isabela Cultural Organization of Ontario, Q-SSIS Place, Scarborough.

MAY 24-27: De La Salle Alumni Association 6th World Congress hosted by the Toronto Chapter, Holiday Inn Select Airport

WISH YOU PROSPERITY

and ALL THE BEST

IN 2007

and theThe Philippine ConsulateToronto

4Manila Media Monitor

JANUARY 2007NEWSNews

said “Skilled workers from the Philippines will give Saskatch-ewan business owners another means of fi lling their jobs, which will foster continued growth of our province.”

Atkinson noted the signifi cant contributions Filipino immigrants have made to Canadian society and economy

The number of Filipino immi-grants coming to the province has

Saskatchewan ...(From page 1)

COTABATO CITY - Cana-da’s Political Affairs and Public Economic Relations Counselor Steven Rheault-Kihara has hoped to join international peace moni-tors in Mindanao to ensure the success of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (GRP-MILF) peace overture.

MILF chief negotiator Moha-gher Iqbal said Rheault-Kihara met with MILF leaders on Dec. 18 in Shariff Kabunsuan and expressed willingness to join the Internation-al Monitoring Team (IMT).

The Malaysian-led IMT is a body tasked to prevent any escala-tion of hostilities between govern-ment security and MILF forces, both covered by a three-year-old bilateral ceasefi re.

Iqbal said Rheault-Kihara not-ed Canada’s expertise on gover-nance, especially on affairs of the indigenous “First Nation.”

The envoy said his country has scores of indigenous tribes that enjoyed full rights to self-deter-mination, especially the Inuits and Nunavuts, who have self-govern-ing “nations” within their ancestral domains, and with full access and ownership to their resources.

He added the Canadian govern-

ment has recently recognized Que-becois as a nation within Canada.

“We will discuss Canada’s plan to join the IMT when peace talks resume in Kuala Lumpur, Malay-sia between the Philippine govern-ment and MILF with Malaysia as a neutral inernational mediating party,” Iqbal said.

Last year, Japan sent an eco-nomic analyst to join the IMT and monitor socio-economic aspects of the GRP-MILF peace overture. Sweden has also expressed inter-est in sending a peacekeeing con-tingent to back up IMT members.

Meanwhile, the Canadian government has issued renewed warnings for its citizens against traveling to Southern Philippines, particularly Cebu, Sulu, Zambo-anga and other areas of Mindanao unless they have critical or compel-ling business or family reasons.

”Credible information suggests terrorists are in the fi nal stages of planning attacks” and an ongoing terrorist threat to Westerners and Western interests in the Philippines, the Jan. 5 warning said.

It urged its citizens to exer-cise extreme caution and security awareness in commercial and pub-lic establishments, in tourist areas and on public transportation. PNA

increased dramatically, he said.The Philippines has been the

number one source country of ap-plicants to the SINP.

“Opening our doors and help-ing people from around the world choose Saskatchewan will build our economy and make life better for everyone, and build a strong future here for our young people,” he added.

Before landing, applicants

would have received employment and English language training and an orientation on Saskatchewan culture that would prepare them to be full participants in the prov-ince’s society and economy.

The SINP operates under an agreement with the Government of Canada, allowing Saskatchewan to nominate candidates who meet provincially-designated criteria for landed immigrants. PR

MILF GUERILLA. Fighting in Mindanao continues amid stalled peace talks.

Canadian envoy wants ‘in’ on ceasefi re monitoring team


JANUARY 2007News

A new City of Toronto Act was proclaimed on Jan. 1, providing Canada’s largest city with broad powers and sig-nifi cant legislative freedoms.

Mayor David Miller said “this legislation is the most important and signifi cant change for the City of Toronto in the past century. It recognizes To-ronto as a mature government and provides it with m u c h - n e e d e d tools to meet its responsibilities to residents.”

With the act, the city has be-come better able to determine ap-propriate mecha-nisms for deliv-ering municipal services, deter-mine the appro-priate levels of municipal spend-ing, and use new fi scal tools to sup-port the city’s ac-tivities.

The act armed Toronto with broader powers to license and regu-late businesses, broader author-ity to undertake economic devel-opment opportu-nities and more fl exibility to raise revenue in addi-tion to property tax. PR

New act arms Toronto with hefty growth tools

At the end of the day, what matters most is nothow much we have given of what we have but how more we shared of what we are.

BICOL AID ON TRACKBICOL AID ON TRACK

In a Jan. 3 report fur-nished the Manila Media Monitor, Toronto-based volunteer coordinator Mila Alvarez Magno said the fundraiser, which started as soon as word of the disas-ter got out, generated some $14,363 in cash and pledges in just a few days.

Magno said the cash donations had been sent -- through Philippine National Bank Remittance services --to Fund Administrator Mary Anne Reynoso.

Reynoso, together with alumni members of St. Ag-

nes Academy (SAA), took efforts to consolidate the donations -- that also came from the United States, Eu-rope and other countries -- and converted these to relief goods (rice and other food-stuff), repacked these into bags and distributed them to people in mudslide-ravaged villages.

Magno sought for more donations to meet victims’ immediate need for food, water and other basics.

Magno said she had re-ceived a number of letters from mudslide victims ex-

pressing extreme gratitude for the “goodness of heart” of many people in Canada.

Notes of thanks also came from Reynoso, the Benedictine Sisters and the SAA alumni group.

Magno furnished the Manila Media Monitor an initial list of donors from the community, particularly in Toronto, as follows:

$750: Anonymous Do-nors; $474: University of the Philippines Alumni Associa-tion in Toronto Dec. 9 Kapi-han attendees; $300: San Beda/St.Benedict Alumni

Association of Toronto; $200 each: Mario and Perla Andres, Legazpeno Families of BC c/o Ditas Dy; $120: Alex Catangui;

$100 each: Jing Lome-da, Leilani Roslin-MacKin-non, Noel and Agnes Cruz, Ralph and Juliet Ferrer, Tessie Salazar-Haab, Mari-lyn Bengzon St-Pierre, Bert and Cecile Cruz, Geny and Ester Toribio, Lina Lomeda, Winston Lomeda, Rose-mary Balce, David and Piat Crisologo-Allison, Roy and Brenda Gutierrez, Bay and

The drumrolls, fanfare and the grandstanding were conspicuously absent. Not even the cameras of the so-called ‘mainstream’ media rushed to a hastily-organized haphazard press confab were rolling to herald a fundraiser for thousands of people who lost loved ones, property and livelihood in another disaster that hit the Philippines.

Yet, a silent but committed group of people, under the Godly guidance of the Benedictine Sisters of St. Agnes Academy, volunteered themselves and worked hard to raise money and give fast relief for victims of mudslides from the slopes of majestic Mt. Mayon spawned by Typhoon Reming that battered Bicol region on Dec. 2.

BY ACE ALVAREZ and BUTCH GALICIA

(Continued on page 9)


JANUARY 2007

Whizz of Os: Ka-sha-shampoo ko lang!

Views

At the Philippine Chamber of Commerce-Toronto (PCCT) Christmas Party, December 16, 2006, Filipino Center-Toronto President Linda Javier told this columnist: “Ace, if I do something wrong, you criticize me …”

Ace to Linda: “Where do you want the criticism to be; in ‘Ooops and Bloops’, or ‘From the Moni-tor’s Desk’?”

Linda continued, “And when I do something good, say some-thing about it.”

Ace to Linda: “Something about it.”

Later during press work … Manila Media Monitor Editor Butch Galicia pointed out to Ace: “I don’t think you got Linda. She was saying for you to say some-thing good when she does some-thing good.”

Ace to Butch: “Something good.”

***During a dinner at a Chinese

restaurant on Sheppard Avenue

in Scarborough with PCCT President-elect for 2007-2008 Paeng Nebres; Vice President (Trade and Government Rela-tions) Henry Sia; Philippine Press Club Ontario (PPCO) President Tenny Soriano and Butch Galicia …

Oswald Tugadi commented, “Masyadong mausok dito, e, ka-sha-shampoo ko pa la’ng na-man.”

Oswald is PCCT’s re-elected Vice President for Membership (see top left photo on page 16, only guy standing, get to know Oswald).

***During a dinner at the Sur-

prise Birthday Party for Tess Cu-sipag, Managing Editor of Balita in Markham, Ontario, January 6, 2007, Tenny Soriano, PPCO President, his wife Myrna, Butch Galicia and myself were seated together at the same table.

Tenny to the waiter: Can you give me Coor’s Light, please? And

for him (pointing to me), La Batt’s Blue. Butch had a Coca-Cola.

In the middle of the dinner, Tenny called my attention, and pointing to Butch: “Ace! Hei …”

Fast as lightning, Super Ace clapped his hand for the waiter: “Heineken, please, for him (point-ing to Butch).”

It turned out that Tenny want-ed me to apply “Heimlich Maneu-ver” on Butch, but Tenny forgot what it’s called, and my guess on Tenny’s 2nd was totally wrong.

Well … could you blame me? Tenny had Coor’s Light. I had La Batt’s Blue. Hence, what follows next is ‘Heineken’. Besides, the dinner was shortly after (what Myrna Soriano describes as) “Alak-singko, gising na … (ang mga media angels)!”

***THERE’S NO TRUTH that

after the birthday celebration for Tess Cusipag, she would change her Balita work schedule to consider Tuesdays as her days

off - Tuesdays being Seniors Day at Shoppers Drug Mart.

No sirees. Tess is far from that time!

***I received a request for pub-

lication of a press release from a fellow at the PPCO, hence, I for-warded the same to Butch - who decides whether to publish, or not, the same.

A little later, he sent me back THE ORIGINAL of what I sent him as follows; AND WITH A NOTE, stating, “Where is the press release?”

JESS M. CARLOS, BBAPresident & CEO-JC Link

Financial Group; President-Ma-harajah Heritage of Canada; PRO -Association of Filipino Canadian Accountants; PRO- Kalayaan; Director-Asian Canadian Entre-preneur Professional; Life Mem-ber- Million Dollar Round Table; Member-Philippine Press Club Ontario; Member-Free and Ac-cepted Mason; Unfranchise Owner and Distributor of Market Ameri-ca-a multibillion dollar broker-age industry; Tel: 416.804-3611; Tel: 905-882-8848; [email protected], www.jessmcarlos.un-franchise.com.

To Butch: “Sir, I apologize. I thought that what I sent you was the press release itself. It turned out, warm-up pa lamang pala - which is a description of the send-

er for starters.”***

From a forwarded message by media guy, Jojo Taduran:

“According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, while both male and female rein-deer grow antlers in the summer each year, male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late November to mid-December. Female reindeer retain their antlers till after they give birth in the spring.

“Therefore, according to EVERY historical rendition depicting Santa’s reindeer, EV-ERY single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen, had to be a girl.

“We should’ve known... ONLY women would be able to drag a fat man in a red velvet suit all around the world in one night and not get lost.”

***Opening my e-mail one eve-

ning while working with Butch on this issue, I read a message from him.

I responded, saying, “Sir Butch, can I deal with this tomor-row? I need to sleep. I’ve been sleeping very very late for the last one week now?” He replied: “Okay, sir, have a good sleep.”

I responded: “Thank you.” He responded, “Walang ano man.”

So, not to be construed as rude, I responded again, “Thank you.”

(Contind on page 16)

Ace Alvarez

Manila Media MonitorJANUARY 20077News

The Ontario Legislature on Dec. 12 has passed into law the Fair Access to Regulated Profes-sions Act 2006 that sought to get internationally-trained profession-als working in their fi elds sooner.

Ontario Citizenship and Immi-gration Minister Mike Colle said the “legislation is long overdue.”

The act, the fi rst legislation of its kind in Canada, specifi cally:

► Required 34 regulated pro-fessions to have a licensing pro-cess that has fair, open and timely assessment of credentials of for-eign-trained professionals.

► Establish the Offi ce of the Fairness Commissioner responsi-ble for assessing registration and licensing practices, and ensure compliance.

► Operate Global Experience Ontario, an access and resource center that would provide hands-on support services in-person, by telephone or online, including links to education and assessment programs; settlement agencies; and, internships and mentoring programs.

The center would also provide direction on standards for profes-sional qualifi cations; licensing and registration processes; refer-rals for training; and, alterna-tive professions that complement skill-sets.

► Put up the HealthForceOn-tario Recruitment Centre to show-

case Ontario as an employer-of-choice for practice-ready health professionals through strategic marketing and advertising to tar-get groups of health professionals, including a campaign to repatriate the estimated 3,000 physicians registered to practice in Ontario have resided out of the province.

Colle said the provincial gov-ernment has initiated other pro-grams to break down barriers for

New Ontario law gives newcomersfaster access to trades, professions

Police Constable (PC) Doug Ord, the tall ever-smiling soft-spoken fellow in uniform, has retired from the service effective Dec. 29, 2006.

Ord, a regular fi gure in most community activities over the years, had been with the Toronto Police Community Mobilization Unit (CMU).

In a letter, Ord said: “Over the past many years it has been a pleasure to get to know many of you and build better police-com-munity relations.”

“I have been advised by BMU Superintendent F. Darren Smith, CMU, that my replacement, PC Philip Mendoza, has been found and barring any last minute chang-es, he should take over on Jan. 15. His telephone number will remain the same as mine 416-808-7071.

“Thank you for all your assis-tance,” Ord added. But communi-ty leaders admitted to the Manila Media Monitor that the commu-nity has much more to thank Ord for. “He is a police role model.”

Mendoza is with the 53rd Divi-sion. He has community relations experience and will be responsible for looking after the Philippine, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese and Indonesian communities and other details assigned to him.

ties, and to promote civic partici-pation;

► Allotment of some $34 million in over 60 Bridge Train-ing Programs, helping thousands of newcomers work in over 100 trades and professions;

► Launching of the immigra-tion web portal, www.OntarioIm-migration.ca designed to support newcomers both in Ontario and abroad, prior to arrival;

Doug Ord retires,Philip Mendoza in

“Our government is keeping its commitment to break down barriers that prevent newcomers from entering the workforce. We are determined to ensure that Ontario’s newcomers have every opportunity to succeed and participate in our economy.”

Citizenship/Immigration Minister Mike Colle

newcomers, to include the:► Finalization of the Canada-

Ontario Immigration Agreement that quadrupled federal spending on language training and settle-ment services, bringing in another $920 million to assist Ontario newcomers over fi ve years;

► Development of ‘All About Ontario,’ a new citizenship curric-ulum resource added to language and citizenship classes in early 2007 to help newcomers learn about Ontario’s history, geogra-phy, their roles and responsibili-

► Establishment of the fi rst Provincial Internship for the Inter-nationally-Trained Administered by Career Bridge that placed new-comers with a minimum of three years international work experi-ence for six-month paid assign-ments within the Ontario Public Service and Crown Agencies; and

► Creation of a Foreign- Trained Professionals Loans pro-gram of up to $5,000 per person to cover assessment, training and exam costs, in partnership with the Maytree Foundation. PR

The community is quite as-sured that Police Constable DOUG ORD will continue to be an integral part of its growth, even if Ord has gone into retirement from the po-lice service.


JANUARY 2007

How fares Philippine TV, viewers asked

Yes, angels do roamin this world

roundaboutMag Cruz Hatol

Views

As tradition dictated, the re-cent Anak TV Seal awards cere-monies did not have the trappings of the usual glitzy awards nights. First, it started on the dot at 9:30 a.m., children’s hour. Then there was only one speech, that of the foundation president. Award re-cipients were asked to keep their thank yous terse and to the point and the program was done in a little over an hour. And every sin-gle local TV channel was there to cover the event. Not bad for a cer-emony honoring 87 family friend-ly programs, 20 stars, 10 popular shows and two young broadcast-ers. If only the other awards bod-ies knew the meaning of short and impactful rather than longwinded and boring.

The over 7,500 voters consist-ing mostly of bona fi de TV pa-trons had a fi eld day nominating their favorite shows on TV. Natu-rally, the tabulators had a tedious time listing and tallying the re-sults. By the time the shortlist was presented to the crucial fi nal level judges in Baguio and Davao, the winners’ circle had already taken shape and it was simply the rank-ing that was awaited.

Depending on where the view-er’s allegiances lie and how his viewing tastes bend, the top ten choices of the Pinoy households

can be received with glee or dis-appointment.

The big winner was GMA Network’s nightly news program, 24 Oras. Some judges from the elite campuses and private com-panies were incredulous, but only until they realized that there were millions of viewers who outnum-bered them in taste and prefer-ence. Comprehending that they were in the minority brought them quiet acceptance.

The other winners included Mulawin, Rated K, Captain Bar-bell, Game Ka Na Ba?, Gulong ng Palad, Majika, Bituing Walang Ningning, TV Patrol and Sa Piling Mo.

In all, there were two news programs, three fantaseryes and three standard soaps. There was only one magazine program and one game show in the list. GMA Network bagged four includ-ing the top two while ABS-CBN chalked six. This stresses another truth: in Philippine broadcasting, there are only two major players; all others scramble for crumbs left by the giants. Sad state of affairs but true.

It is noteworthy to mention that the list of top favorites among TV personalities also refl ected the list of top shows. Mel Tiangco and Mike Enriquez were frontrun-

ners in the TV personality survey. They topbill 24 Oras. Many other top winners in the personality survey are featured in the shows that fi gured in the magic ten. They were Korina Sanchez, Richard Gutierrez, Angel Locsin, Sarah Gernonimo, Piolo Pascual, Judy Ann Santos, Julius Babao, Den-nis Trillo and Kristine Hermosa. (The other winners were Christine Bersola, Bernadette Sembrano, Sam Milby, Jericho Rosales, Sha-ron Cuneta, Arnold Clavio, Aga Muhlach, Bea Alonzo and Gary Valenciano, who has been the top vote getter three years in a row.)

Mel Tiangco wrongfully thanked children for having pro-claimed her as the top female fa-vorite on television. She was cor-rected; it was not the children who voted her to the prime spot but the adults. Voters were parents con-cerned about their children and the effect TV had on the kids.

TV partner Mike Enriquez was humbled again by the citation because it came from the people themselves. He said that particular recognition mattered to him most among all his awards because it reminded him that as a TV per-sonality, he had responsibilities he could not afford to skirt around. To constantly be on guard, he hung his award at his offi ce door-

way so he always remembered his mandate as he came in and out of his station.

Judith Saplala of Pampanga wrote to ask why the likes of Clau-dine Barreto, Regine Velasquez and Maricel Soriano did not fi gure in the national vote. While Saplala had kind words for many of the top ten awardees, she minced no words about a major news anchor from ABS-CBN who she claimed was “far from wholesome” espe-cially since she “spits venom ev-ery morning on radio.”

Saplala and the rest of the doubting Thomases should un-derstand that the national survey was the most comprehensive that could be undertaken by Anak TV. A genuine cross section of Phil-ippine society, representing not only various sectors, creeds, ages, social strata and geographical ori-gins, was fi elded. Radio was not factored in as it was strictly a tele-vision survey. The personalities who garnered the most number of votes by the seventh month of the national poll were shortlisted to thirty and from that list, a more elite group of jurors fi nalized the selection and ranking.

Only the names of the top ten most liked personalities were made public. For the delight of avid Pinoy TV viewers in Canada, this column would mention the next ten placers in the male and female favorite categories. We listed the names in no particular order.

Males: Albert Martinez, Dol-phy, Dingdong Dantes, Drew Arellano, Manny Pacquiao, Mar-vin Agustin, Michael V, Robin Padilla, Ryan Agoncillo and Vic


A WOMAN in her mid-40s told the 22-year old male with whom she was having a conversation at a corner table in one Tim Horton’s coffee shop outlet in Pickering, Ontario: “When you came to our life and have been frequenting vis-its to our family, everything seems to be peaceful around us now.”

The woman continued, “Not a single day would pass for the last 23 years that there would be no quarrel between myself and my husband, and later between my own 22-year old son and myself, or my 23-year old daughter and myself, or simply one among them against the other, or one another. Our home was just like a zoo.

“This was the reason why my son moved out of our home a few years back, and lives on his own. He seldom visits, phone, or any-thing. I miss him so much.

“Honestly, just before you

came to our life, I was already considering divorce from my hus-band. But now, after 23 miserable years, everything is changing, my daughter is at peace with me, my husband; and my son are moving back home next week.”

As her 22-year old company incessantly listened to her, she said, “You have even taught us in-directly to eat at the dining table together, and not in front of the television.”

Meanwhile, in 1983, back in the Philippines, a boy was born in Manila.

The woman at the Pickering, Ontario Tim Horton’s continued: “When I was pregnant 23 years ago with my son, I had repeated dreams of a man with a brown cloak and a sword.

“Those dreams became very frequent that I went to consult a priest.

“The priest told me: ‘I know not of anybody wearing a brown cloak with a sword, but St. Francis of Assisi; and don’t worry, if the sword you’ve been seeing in your dream is pointed upward, the man is a good one.’

“The priest, trying to analyze the dream continued: ‘I guess, it means that one day, you would meet somebody who would protect you against danger and evil things in the world.’

The 22-year old calmly said, “When I went through the Sacra-ment of Confi rmation, I was asked to choose the name I would want to have for the sacrament. I chose St. Francis of Assissi.”

-----The 22-year old with whom

the Pickering, Ontario woman con-versed was born in 1983 in Manila. Her repeated dream has ceased giving way to its fulfi llment; and

peace and harmony started hover-ing over the family of the woman in this story.

“And the Angel of the Lord de-clared unto Mary ...”

***At another coffee shop, this

time in the Logan-Gerrard Street area in Toronto, a man in his mid-30s was so immersed in his own sorrows that the hot coffee he or-dered was catching up with the outdoor cold temperature.

An old man approached him and said, “Smile - and the world smiles with you. Weep - and you weep alone.”

He just glanced at the old man briefl y, and didn’t say a word. The words of the old man, however, quickly dawned on him. He looked around, but the old man was gone.

He stood up, stepped out of the door quickly, ocularly inspected the parking lot, but did not see the old man either.

He thought: “There’s no way that old man could have walked that fast on this vast parking lot onto the street with the span of time by a fl ick of a fi nger.”

-----The man could be an angel.

Yes, angels do roam in this world.***

A Peaceful 2007 to all!

from the monitor’s deskAce Alvarez

Will you join me in this hope?

9Manila Media MonitorJANUARY 2007

CommentaryBen Viccari

Views

Our journeyBy Eva Agpaoa

This column is about you. Your success and failures, your hopes and dreams, your loves and losses, your joys and pains. It’s about the journey you are taking for a better life. The journey that brought you here so that you and your family can look forward to a future that’s bright and full of hope.

A story to tell

In this column I will share your stories, laugh with you when you are happy, cry with you when you are down. I want to hear your sto-ries so that we can share together and learn from each other.

Of course I will never betray your trust. So I will never use your name or anything else that might compromise your privacy.

Let me fi rst share to you my life story. I came to Canada 15 years ago and experienced the good and

the bad. I was so lucky to fi nd em-ployers who cared about me and my dignity as a human being.

They treated me as part of their family and encouraged me to grow and explore my new country.

Since then I had gone to school, embarked on an occupation and started my own business.

Obviously it didn’t always go well. And certainly, my employers in Singapore and the Middle East treated me more like a slave than

a person.I’ve been harassed, beaten and

held against my will. But I was de-termined not to let this horrible ex-perience kill my spirit and hinder me from getting a better life.

If I had allowed that to hap-pen, if I’d given up instead of heal-ing myself and moving forward, I would have lost a lot and my fam-ily depended on me.

I know many of you have been hurt or have been treated badly and

some of you, even as you read this column, still cry at night because you are lonely and afraid.

You are far from your love ones and the life you grew ac-customed to. But you are brave. Brave to be here. Brave to face and endure the many trials put before you. And brave to have the vision and strength to see it through.

This column celebrates you and your dreams. Together we will support each other. Offer hope and

healing, encouragement and ideas. Share with me your stories.

Your experiences, both good and bad. We might not solve all our problems but I do promise you that you will not be alone again.

Share and be heard. We can make a difference!

See you in the next column. (Eva Agpaoa may be reached at “The Nanny Expert,” Tel. 416.953.5089, or by e-mail at [email protected].)

Daisy Bernabe, Danny Ungshang, D.Y.K. Chan, Amalia Estrella, Francis and Vanessa Rementilla, Peter and Jo Flach, Ramon Andal, Cora Lat O’Connor, Rose and Ross Dioso, Cora and Jun Bacani;

$50 each: Elvie and Edgardo Arevalo, Evelyn Laraya, Art and Emy Telesforo, Arnie and Loyd Quesada, Andy and Dahlia Rosa-rio, Imelda Dimaano Jacildo; $25: NC Massage Therapy Clinic; $20 each: Adriano Telesforo Sr., Jim and Angie McAdoo; $10 each: Happy Birthday Cake, Elsieta Arao, Rose Gumtang.

Meanwhile, Bicol Canada Inc. (BCI) president Joseph Redoblado, told the Manila Media Monitor, that BCI sent $2,000 to the Rotary

Bicol aid ...(From page 5)

BICOL AID. Offi cers and members of the Featinean Association of Toronto passed the hat and raised S1,000 for victims of

May 2007 be the year that starts to bring world leaders to their senses, and to those who vote for them a clear understanding of what is required of all of us to bring Planet Earth back from the brink of disaster.

This is a year in which par-ticular attention should be given to persuading our youth to think be-yond the slogans on their T-shirts and learn how their empowerment for change in the interest of hu-manity can help make Canada a model nation.

***For this Year of Grace 2007, I

wish:► That the youth of Canada

will wake up to the vital necessity to vote for some of the things they support on their T-shirts, in partic-ular, wildlife and the environment. They have to get used to voting and

also to reminding those for whom they voted they need a payback.

► That politicians of all stripes think beyond the box of their elect-ed terms of offi ce and that while the democratic system of govern-ment demands the cut and thrust of debate, petty tit-for-tat adversity is not always in the public interest.

► That high and mighty busi-ness executives voluntarily refrain from exercising stock options which only result in their maxi-mizing profi ts and lining their own as well as shareholders’ pockets to the detriment of workers and con-sumers alike.

► That world leaders stop picking on states wishing to devel-op nuclear resources and consider total nuclear disarmament on a global and permanent scale.

► That Canada’s prime min-ister would stop posing self-con-

sciously in those quaint outfi ts that suggest as a kid he never enjoyed Halloween.

Did I say ‘This Year of Grace’?

Well, let’s be optimistic. I can dream, can’t I? And many good ideas begin with a dream.

What’s yours?***

Each New Year’s, I think about what public fi gures might, or might not be saying or doing in 2007.

This year, here are some books you might just see on the bestsell-er lists. That is if the moon’s made of cream cheese.

► A Complete Guide to Your Contraceptive Options by Pope Benedict.

► Dubya speak: A guide to fashionable pronunciation for a nukelar age, see, by who else?

► Glamorous new hairdos by

CTV anchor Sandy Rinaldo► Silence is Golden, a primer

on media relations by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

► Gotcha! by Canada’s Audi-tor General Sheila Fraser.

► My Future Life in the Red by Conrad Black

► Oops! An anthology of things they shouldn’t have said with contributions from Pope Benedict, Jack Straw, Michael Ig-natieff, Michael Kramer Richards and Mel Gibson.

***The choice of a former and

dedicated federal environment minister as leader of the opposition and the surge of concern among young Canadians at the threat of global warming may well see a merger of interests between the Green Party and the Liberals in the next election.

Short of conjoining, if the Greens win a few seats may well decide to vote with the Liberals.

`Whatever our self-interests, economic and political interests are, we have to face some bold decisions if we are to help save humanity from the dreadful conse-quences of global warming.

Don’t tell me the signs aren’t there. Don’t tell me the tsunamis,

Hurricane Katrina, mudslides in the Philippines, forest fi res and fl oods all over the world are coin-cidental occurrences; there are just too many of them.

Let us face it. We Canadians have a clear

choice: to face up to the need to sacrifi ce gas-eating automobiles, unlimited air travel, the wholesale discharge of weaponry in wars and self-indulgent consumerism or stay with the herd that like lemmings, seem hell-bent on self-destruction.

We are a going to have to stop looking over our shoulders to see what other countries are doing.

We are going to have to learn to say to critics: “This is about our children and grandchildren and great grandchildren.”

“It’s about survival, stupid!”

(Used with permission. Ben Viccari is the President of the Canadian Ethnic Media Associa-tion [CEMA] and makes frequent appearances on OMNI TV Com-mentary. Some of his commentar-ies are republished in this publi-cation and slightly expanded in some cases from their 70-second broadcast originals. For more of his work, please visit Ben’s web-site at: http://canscene.ripple.ca)

Club in Daraga, Legazpi, Albay.Rodoblado said the money

would be used to buy supplies to be brought to villagers who were unable to be in evacuation centers.

As this developed, warnings were aired against unscrupulous persons using the Bicol tragedy to ask for donations without receipts and proper authorization.

Typhoon Reming that hit the Bicol Region. Philippine Con-sul General in Toronto Ale-jandro Mosquera (5th from left) receives the check on Jan. 3 from (from left) Tirso Balitian, Tony San Juan, Joy San Juan, Julio Buiza, Res Paje, Nenita Recaido, Max Recaido, and Cesar Banda. CAROLINE MARTIN/JT

Isulat mo sa tubig,Itaga mo sa bato

OmertaBy Butch DG. Galicia


JANUARY 2007Views

Another year over, a new year has begun. Old hat, eh, John L.

After counting my blessings, I can now start counting my debts.

I have also jotted down reso-lutions I can count with my fi n-gers. Believe it or not, I seriously and unconditionally vow to break them this very instant. No, no. Not my fi ngers, the resolutions!

‘Ika nga, isinulat ko sa tubig ang pangako at itinaga sa bato ang pagiging pasaway.

So, like NASA, here is a countdown I hope won’t propel me to Mars:

Ten - I’ll never keep a cell-phone in my pant’s pockets.

Remember Vladimir Lagovski and Andrei Moiseynko from Kom-somolskaya Pravda Newspaper in Moscow who used cellphones to cook an egg?

Nine - I’ll always heed friendly advice, and steer away from friendly fi re.

Advice 1: Life is short. Enjoy it. Don’t consult a doctor, much less a lawyer.

Advice 2: Never even try to

make both ends meet. Those guys out there do not intend to stop pulling them farther apart.

Advice 3: If you are so so blue, down and out and desperate, keep in mind the one-armed guy who is clinging to a root protruding from the side of a steep cliff and who’s got itching balls.

Eight - I’ll refrain from eavesdropping from or listening to nincompoops whose that’s-a-lot-of-nonsense gobbledegook drain my brain of juicier and fresh-from-the-grapevine talk.

A case in point: If I and my peers in the Filipino community media have to wrestle any info on the costly, long-delayed and grow-ingly annoying Filipino Centre Toronto (FCT) elections, then we have to deal with and hear from ONLY Larry Banack, as indicated in a $1,500 order signed on Dec. 15 by Ontario Superior Court Jus-tice Geoffrey Moravetz, accord-ing to an e-mail we received from lawyer Peter Henderson.

So, Mr. Banack -- the court-appointed chair of the FCT admis-

sions and poll committee -- is the man; not anyone else.

Good! This will keep a lot of publicity-seeking gabs and glib mouths quiet for quite a while.

Sayang! Ang isda pa naman, nahuhuli sa bunganga.

Questions: How come it was not the court nor Banack who mass e-mailed the Filipino com-munity media, but Henderson who represents a group opposed to the present FCT administration?

How come incumbent FCT offi cials never lifted a hand to in-form us of the same order?

We appreciate the information but do we have to take it hook, liune and sinker when it did not come from Banack himself?

Good graciousness! Who pro-vided our holier-than-thou e-mail addresses, which I thought is pro-tected by a Privacy Act in Canada, to a biased lawyer?

Holly molly! Henderson’s e-mail looked more of a sales pitch of a funeral parlor rather than a le-gal information. Pray, tell me, do I have to send it to 10 others in the

next 15 minutes and be promised with great and exciting rewards?

Last but not least: Mr. Banack, how do we get in touch with you; and most importantly, when do we hear from you?

Now, a word of wisdom from Confused You to empty loud-speakers: More talk, more mis-takes; less talk, less mistakes; no talk, no mistake.

Seven - I’ll try to keep my eyes closed and my mouth shut.

My Chief and Manila Media Monitor Publisher Ace Alvarez has that knack of extending his work sked up to the wee hours of morn. If Ace does not need sleep, I’ll obligingly do it for him -- shut my eyes and mouth. And don’t even think I’ll include my nose!

Six - I’ll keep my body fi t.Who doesn’t want healthy in-

nards that can excellently digest all the cholesterol of lechon, chichar-ong bulaklak, adobo, and all those oily but tasty Filipino dishes?

Who doesn’t want healthy legs that can walk miles because of the stupidity of losing a TTC ticket or not having a car one does not know how to drive?

Who doesn’t want to have a likable, not like a ball, fi gure? I wrote fi gure, not pig-yur, okay?

Who doesn’t want to live long enough to survive the drudgery of earthly life -- where every move has costs and daily existence is measured by bills?

Five - I’ll stop being a part-time jerk of all tirades (laging mainit ang ulo dahil walang kayod). Come to think of it, I just have to fi gure out a way to get rid

of my peralysis.Four - I’ll remain calm in the

face of adversity. I won’t get mad if someone

sticks the so-called dirty fi nger in-front of my chinky eyes. Frankly, I can’t even make it out because it is done differently back home. We do it with balls, they don’t.

I guess all I’ve got to do is wave back and smile. They won’t know that I just stuck fi ve at them, and I had the last laugh. And when I do that, I always have a ball.

Three - I’ll love my critics and detractors.

Paraphrasing Doc Chito C.: I’ll love to get them out of my life.

Quoting Tevye: Lord, please keep them ... away from me.

Two - I’ll quit smoking. This is a tall order. But I be-

lieve in the saying that “if there is smoke, there’s fi re.” I don’t want to start any fi re, unless those who want to jump into the fl ames with me look forward to going to hell.

On the lighter side, I guess I’ll start by not buying smokes and by patronizing OPEC (Other PEople’s Cigarettes).

What the heck! I’ve got Ace Alvarez, Chuchi Punsalan, Myrna Soriano, Maribel Montemayor and thousands of other fuming Cancer Society fans to back me up on this nasty project.

Omigosh! If things really go awry as my sanity, here is my Number 1 Resolution: I’ll stop complaining. ‘Ika nga, nasa Di-yos ang awa; nasa tao ang nga-wa!

HAPI NYU YIR, Kabayan. [email protected]

(EDITOR’S NOTE: The Manila MEDIA MONITOR has compiled a number of pro-grams the federal government of Canada has been implementing to benefi t the prov-ince’s seniors. Manila MEDIA MONI-TOR, in this series, will provide insights to these programs for seniors on this space, hoping it would keep the paper’s valued senior readers informed.)

PART 4

Keeping seniors at easeGuaranteed Income Supplement

11Manila Media MonitorJANUARY 2007 News

Ontario has launched its series of one-hour seminars on falls prevention to help elders live safe, active and indepen-dent lives.

Jim Bradley, provincial Minister Responsible for Seniors, said “each year, more than 24,000 seniors land in emergency rooms as a result of slipping or falling in and around their homes.”

Ontario has spent $100,000 to produce the Falls Preven-tion Seminar and Resource Kit, developed with inputs from over 30 local, regional and national organizations.

Professionals from public health units and Osteoporosis Society chapters would conduct the seminars across Ontario.

Bradley highlighted a number of ways for seniors to in-crease their safety and make simple lifestyle changes to fall-proof their homes, such as:

► Keeping sidewalks, steps and driveways well lit. ► Spreading salt or sand on icy walkways this winter. ► Wearing non-slip, lightweight boots or walking shoes. ► Carrying a cell phone or whistle for emergencies. ► Walking with a friend or chaperon when possible. ► Replacing scatter mats with non-slip rugs .► Installing nightlights in bedroom, hallway, bathroom. ► Using a cordless phone to avoid tripping on cords. ► Wearing rubber-soled slippers that don’t slip off too

easily. “As the former Chair of our local-area hospital, I know

that falls are a major cause of seniors’ admissions,” said Val-may Barkey, executive director, Community Care City of Kawartha Lakes, which played a lead role in developing the

Ontario Minister Responsible for Seniors Jim Bradley shows how a reacher can help seniors grab things from high shelves safely.

Falls preventable, Bradley tells elders

resource kit.“Injuries cost Ontarians more than $5.7 billion annually and

are one of the most preventable health challenges facing this province,” said Health Promotion Minister Jim Watson.

Ontario’s seniors population is expected to more than double to 3.2 million by 2028. PR

KABABAYAN SENIORS. Ruben and Maring Empalmado host a get-together of members of the Kababayan Seniors of the Kababayan Community Centre at their Meadowgrove Court home in Mississauga. With the Empalmados are Pedring Baldovino, Tony Sicat, Conching Carandang, Aida Bondac, Nidia Baldovino, Nelly Sicat, Lolit Maghirang, Mameng Quidayan, Beloy and Lydia Reyes, Perla Andaya, Johnny Maghirang and Joe Quidayan. PR

The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) provides additional money, on top of the Old Age Security pension, to low-in-come seniors living in Canada. To be eligi-ble for the GIS benefi t, you must be receiv-ing the Old Age Security pension and meet the income requirements.

Applying for GISYou must apply for the Guaranteed In-

come Supplement (GIS). Contact us for an application form at 1 800 277-9914.

You can also re-apply for GIS by fi ling your income tax return. The Seniors 55 and up section of the CRA site contains infor-mation on fi ling your tax return.

If you did not qualify for the GIS ben-efi t in the past, but you think you might be eligible now, you should apply as soon as possible. Normally, individuals must apply for the GIS benefi t on their own behalf. If you are applying for someone else, please contact us for more information.

DocumentationThe type of documents you are required

to provide will depend on your marital status, the type of application you are making, and whether you are applying for the fi rst time.

The application kit will describe what documents, if any, you need to provide. If you are married may be asked to provide a marriage certifi cate. If you are living with a

common-law partner you may be asked to complete and sign a “statutory declaration” and provide other supporting documentation.

Couples married in Canada. If you don’t have your marriage certifi cate, there are two ways to get it: You can get a certifi cate from the church in which you were married. You can contact the Registrar of Vital Statistics in the capital city of the province or territory where you were married.

Couples married outside Canada. If you don’t know how to get a copy of your marriage certifi cate, contact us.

Common-law relationships (same sex or opposite sex). You must sign a statutory

declaration and provide other documenta-tion as proof of your relationship. Contact us for a copy of this form and for help to complete the declaration. When you call, we will also tell you what other documents you will need.

Renewing GIS benefi tsThe GIS is based on annual income, or

the combined annual income of you and your spouse or common-law partner. Since your annual income can change from year to year, renew your GIS each year.

Most seniors automatically renew their GIS simply by fi ling their income tax return by April 30.

If you do not fi le a tax return, or if we need more information, we will send you a renewal application form in the mail. If you receive a form from us, you must complete and return it as soon as you have all the nec-essary income information, even if you fi le a tax return. Each July, you will receive a letter that tells you the new amount of your monthly payment.

If you do not re-apply for the GIS ben-efi t in the spring, or if your income is now too high to qualify for it, you will only get the basic Old Age Security pension starting in July of that year.

EligibilityTo qualify for the GIS, you must be en-

titled to Old Age Security. Eligibility also depends on whether your income and that of your spouse or common-law partner, if you have one, exceeds a specifi c amount.

Consult the Old Age Security Payment Rates for current benefi t rates and maxi-mum income levels.

Marriage, SeparationIf you marry or separate, or if your

spouse or common-law partner dies, you must let us know because it may affect your benefi ts. If you and your spouse or com-mon-law partner are separated for reasons beyond your control (for example, if one of you has to live in a hospital or nursing home), you can each be considered as a single person if that will give you a higher monthly payment.

IncomeWhen applying for the GIS benefi t, you,

and in the case of a couple, you and your spouse or common-law partner, must re-port the following income: Canada Pension Plan or Québec Pension Plan; Benefi ts; Pri-vate pension income and superannuation; Foreign pension income; RRSPs that you cashed; Employment Insurance benefi ts; Interest on any savings; Any capital gains or dividends; Income from any rental prop-erties; Any employment income; Income from other sources such as workers’ com-pensation payments, alimony, etc.

Benefi ts received from the Old Age Se-curity program, including the GIS and the Allowance, are not included as income. In some situations, such as when you stop working or when your pension income

(Continued to page 16)

The Pillars, the Filipino-Cana-dian seniors asso-ciation in Ontario, would go on link-ing with govern-ment and other seniors’ groups in the province to get the most of much needed benefi ts for its members.

Pillars president Frank Maralag said a liaison committee would facilitate contacts with Toronto Mayor David Miller, through the Toronto Seniors Forum and the Toronto Seniors’ Roundtable, and the Toronto Mu-nicipal Council.

Maralag said Pillars would also strengthen its coordination with the Offi ce of Premier Dalton McGuinty in queen’s Park and the Offi ce of Prime Minister Ste-phen Harper in Ottawa.

He said attention would be given to se-niors’ needs like affordable housing, health maintenance, easy accessibility to transpor-tation and lower fares, security, care giv-ing, among others. RAZ

MARALAG

Pillars strengthenlinks with gov’t


JANUARY 2007Feature

For the past twenty years, INTERCEDE, a non-profi t community organization working with newcomers in Toronto, has been assisting women and men admitted to Canada as nannies, caregivers, and domestic workers under the Immigration Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP).

C o n s e q u e n t l y , INTERCEDE has been fully aware of the inhumane and slavery-like conditions described in the articles and editorial about Canada’s Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP) which appeared in the Toronto Star on Oct. 30, 31; Nov. 2, and again on Dec. 5, 2004.

The Star articles have once again raised concerns about the exploitation and abuses, including sexual assault, experienced by foreign caregivers and nannies at the homes of their employers.

In reaction, (then) Immigration Minister Judy Sgro has promised to “protect” them by considering the results of a review being undertaken

by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and the Status of Women Canada – a review which is supposed to be “looking to prevent the kinds of abuses” outlined in the Star stories.

This is all very well and good and about time.

But INTERCEDE has often stressed, and now again reiterates, that the helplessness and vulnerability to abuse of LCP workers stem mainly from the requirements of the LCP itself.

The Live-in Caregiver Program itself must be

changed and improved if Canada is to live up to its human rights commitments and to its reputation as a human rights champion.

In a sense, the LCP, a federal immigration program which has been lauded by government bureaucrats and immigration “experts” as the best and, of course, cheapest model of a program for bringing skilled and other needed workers to Canada, is, unhappily, also the source of the abuse and exploitation heaped upon foreigners who come to care for our children, the

elderly or disabled.One has only to look at

the tangle of requirements and regulations with which LCP workers must comply to understand how much power and control employers, employment and recruiting agencies, immigration offi cers, and even their own communities can wield over their lives.

To begin with, care-givers under the LCP are not admitted as permanent residents or landed immi-grants the way other professionals and skilled workers are.

They are, in effect, migrant workers on a temporary one-year rene-wable work permit.

It will take them from three to four years to receive permanent resident status, after completing two years of live-in caregiver work within three years of arriving in Canada under the LCP.

This temporary status causes the state of insecurity, anxiety and vulnerability which characterize the life of caregivers in the LCP.

They live lives of constant stress while striving

to meet the requirements to become landed immigrants.

The temporary work permit system endows employers and employment agencies with extraordinary infl uence over the worker’s destiny.

This is because the work permit must specify the name of the employer in whose household the worker must not only work but also live in.

In effect, the continuity of the LCP worker’s valid status in Canada is dependent on the employer’s willingness to continue her employment, or on a new employer obtained by an employment agency.

Understandably, every LCP caregiver is focused on meeting the 24-month live-in work requirement within three years so that she/he will achieve the goal of permanent residency and thus begin the reunifi cation of her family in Canada.

In anticipation of landed status, LCP workers will, and do, suffer almost any deprivation and abuse

Improvements needed to lessen abuseUnder the Live-In Caregiver Program

(Editor’s Note: Fely O. Villasin arrived in Canada in 1974, along with many others who fl ed the Philippines then under the military dictatorship of President Ferdinand Marcos. She became very active in the anti-Marcos movement, using theater as a part of political organizing. She was one of the founders of the then Carlos Bulosan Cultural Workshop (now the Carlos Bulosan Theater) in Toronto, which produced a fascinating array of plays over the years. An activist who loved theater, Fely left a legacy of popular education using the stage as a medium. Two years ago, Fely wrote this web-published article, which Manila Media Monitor is reprinting, to seek better treatment for Filipino women employed under Canada’s Live-In Caregiver Program. Fely passed away on Dec. 27. She may no longer be around but her ideas and spirit live on.)

By FELY O. VILLASIN

(Continued to page 16)

Wishing you a Prosperous and Healthy New Year!

13Manila Media MonitorJANUARY 2007 Feature

Pioneer prospectors and workers explore the vast Athabasca oil sand fi elds. Wikipedia from the Canada Archives

From the desert sands of Saudi Arabia, another work destination awaits the adventurous OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers), this time in the “oil sands“ of Alberta, Canada.

This Western Canadian prov-ince, famous for its cowboy-themed festival known as the Calgary stampede, is enjoying an unprecedented economic boom, triggering an upsurge of employ-ment opportunities never before seen since the days of the Klond-ike gold rush.

It is the new “Saudi,” the new oil-rich kingdom this side of North America.

Alberta’s oil sands reserve is second only to Saudi Arabia and described by Time magazine as “Canada’s greatest buried energy treasure” and “could satisfy the world’s demand for petroleum for the next century.”

The oil boom has created a shortage of workers in Alberta and predictions say that because of this, wages and salaries will go up as companies will compete with each other to lure and hire workers and other professionals.

And because of the very na-ture of Alberta’s oil sands as com-pared to regular Saudi crude oil, more workers are required to ex-tract the product.

Oil sands, as defi ned, are de-posits of bitumen, a very viscous oil that will not fl ow unless heated or diluted.

Unlike conventional crude oil which fl ows naturally and easily pumped from the ground, Alber-ta’s oil requires some additional upgrading before it can be refi ned, diluted with lighter hydrocarbons before it can fl ow and transported by pipelines.

“Malapot na malapot, parang pulot “ (it’s very viscous and sim-ilar to molasses), said a Filipino worker who’s been there.

There are only two biggest oil

‘Saudi’ Alberta: Oasis for OFWs?BY TENNY SORIANO

He said such applica-tion will also be processed faster.

And be-cause these t e m p o r a r y w o r k e r s have spent some time in Canada, Sutherland said they will be given

a recent training program to re-cruit some 250 Filipinos in Al-berta as temporary workers was launched in Manila.

These people are to be issued work permits and deployed to many hotels now sprouting in that Canadian province.

More workers are much-need-ed to fi ll the vacuum left by lo-cal Canadians who deserted their original jobs to try their luck in high-paying oil sands positions.

In one town of Alberta, restau-rants and other service companies were forced to shut down for lack of manpower.

Sutherland announced that there is now a policy proposal to allow temporary workers to apply for permanent residence while they are in Canada.

sands deposits in the world -- Al-berta, Canada and Venezuela.

Just how busy workers are in the oil sands is borne by the fact that in one year alone, a total of 20,000 oil exploration holes were drilled in Alberta.

Peter Sutherland, Canada’s ambassador to the Philippines who recently spoke before Fili-pino-Canadians in Toronto, said Western Canada has a “high de-mand for workers“ particularly in the oil sands of Alberta.

He said Filipinos have a better chance of landing jobs in places in Canada like Alberta because

they speak good English and have a high level of educa-

tion. Sutherland said

priority than those who are apply-ing from outside of Canada for the logical reason that they have already a good idea of existing conditions and lifestyles of the country.

Already, there is a noted rise of exodus to Western Canada, more notably in Alberta and other parts where the oil sands boom has reached out.

Multicultural groups from Toronto’s Tamils, Indians, Filipi-nos, Europeans and others have started the trek to the oil sands where some say the pay scale average reaches between $18 per hour upwards for ordinary work-ers alone.

And future job opportunities are going to grow by threefold or more, say business forecasters.

It says oil production will rise to 4.5 million barrels per day by the year 2015 from the current 2.5 million.

This means it would pro-pel Canada to the No. 4 position among the world’s oil producers next to Saudi Arabia, Russia and the United States.

For OFWs who have to en-dure strict laws and traditions in most oil-rich Muslim nations like Saudi Arabia, the new “Saudi Al-berta“ could well be the new “oa-sis.”


JANUARY 2007Feature

Like many other energy management devices in the market, motion sensors not only deliver utility value but also provide savings in energy costs.

Consider this.You arrive home at night in the middle

of winter. Having forgotten to leave an out-side light on, you fumble in the cold and dark for your keys.

But with an installed motion sensor, you approach your front door and the light comes on automatically.

In this scenario, you will have benefi ted in at least three ways. You’ve saved money because you haven’t left the porch lights on all evening. Your home’s security has been enhanced because any motion at your front door would have been detected and “brought to light.” And third, you’re out of the cold and through the front door faster.

“In residential homes, outdoor secu-rity lights can account for a large portion of overall lighting costs, and they are of-ten left on when not needed,” noted Peter Love, Ontario’s Chief Energy Conservation offi cer.

Motion sensors are good choices for saving money and improving security.

A light that suddenly turns on will be better noticed by neighbors and passers-by

than a light that has been shining constant-ly. It will also help scare off intruders.

“In Ontario, we have had inexpensive, reliable power for a long time,” said Sta-cey Hare, a marketing expert with Select-power, the retail affi liate of Guelph Hydro. “That is changing, and we need to be more in control of our energy use.”

“Lower demand by homeowners means we have to generate less power,” Hare added, noting that products such as motion sensors cut energy demand.

Hare cited the example of basement rooms where kids tend to congregate and then vacate with the lights still blazing.

A motion sensor will help. If there is no activity in the room after a certain pe-riod of time, the lights will go off, saving energy.

Beyond conservation and security, mo-tion sensors offer a wide range of advan-tages and benefi ts, such as convenience, a variety of residential and commercial ap-plications, a wide range of indoor and out-door uses, no minimum load requirement and built-in surge protection.

There are three basic types of motion detectors in use today.

Passive infrared sensors detect changes in the infrared spectrum and look for body

heat. Ultrasonic sensors send out ultrasonic

pulses and measure the refl ection of a mov-ing object. These are best suited for cover-ing a wide area.

Microwave sensors bounce microwaves off an object, similar to the technology used in police radar guns.

Consumer products such as wall switch sensors and wall-mounted passive infrared sensors put these technologies to work in the energy-conscious home or business.

The wall switch products generally have 180-degree fi elds of view and can be used in new or retrofi t applications.

They are best suited for enclosed offi c-es, rest rooms, conference rooms, storage closets and areas up to 1,200 square feet.

Wall-mount passive infrared sensors are designed so that they don’t detract from the

aesthetic appeal of a location.They are available in several styles and

fi elds of view for use in hallways, corridors, aisles and open offi ce areas.

Some models can be used outdoors as well as in locations subject to extreme cold, such as walk-in freezers and refrigerators.

The cost for a sensor can range from $10 up to $150 and some data has suggested the return on investment of a sensor is likely to be more than 40 percent a year and can be as much as 100 per cent.

Motion sensors are being promoted by The Conservation Bureau through the “Ev-ery Kilowatt Counts” campaign.

Ontarians are being offered money-sav-ing coupons to reduce the cost of buying motion sensors and other energy effi ciency products. These coupons are redeemable in over 3,000 retail stores.

Energy savings in

motionBY ALVIN POON

Manila Media MonitorJANUARY 2007 15

ADVERTISE WITH

CALL 416-285-8583

Milestones

P I D C AWARDEE. Phi l ippine Courier pub-l isher-edi-tor Ramon Datol (2nd from left) receives a plaque of a p p r e c i a -tion from Phi l ippine

REUNION PRELUDE. Mapa High School alumni and friends meet at the Oakville residence of Carmelita Spittal, president of the Ontario Chapter, to prepare for the 12th International Reunion of Mapa High School Alumni Association of USA & Canada at the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort from July 26 to 29. DS

MISSISSAUGA - Philippine Vice Con-sul in Toronto Edna May Grecia-Lazaro swore in Leonie Manzanares as president of the newly-formed Philippine Teachers As-sociation in its fi rst induction of executive offi cers and directors here on Dec. 16.

Other offi cers sworn in are Rose Cruz, vice president for social and external af-fairs; Tony San Juan, vice president for pol-icy and programs; Bernadette Gapuz, secre-tary; Rossette Santiago, assistant secretary; Pet Collantes, treasurer; Noemi Andaya, assistant treasurer; Rose Apilado, auditor; Marissa Miano, business manager; and

Lazaro swears in Manzanares, other PTA offi cers, directorsCarmen Hauyon, public relations offi cer.

Directors who took their oaths are Ar-thur Apilado, Brigida Cohen, Boni Curutan, Tessie Lagtapon., Marlene Mogado, Maria Sonia Pascual, Amparo Rosario, Mae Sa-jorme, Mercy Santos and Myrna Valencia.

Advisers are Rose Bustamante and Emiliano Silverio.

PTA, composed of community educa-tors, is a non-profi t, apolitical, socio-pro-fessional entity formed on April 29, 2006.

It has about 80 members who strive to to contribute and participate in academical-ly-related activities in the community. TSJ

Independence Day Council offi cials Rafael Nebres (right) and Karen Binaday (3rd from left) as Consul General Alejandro Mosquera looks on. PR

RUBBING ELBOWS. Ontario New Democratic Party leader Howard Hampton (2nd from right) rubs elbows with and engages Manila Media Monitor Pub-lisher and Managing Editor Ace Alvarez (right), Associate Editor and Front Page Philippines TV host Gie Alvarez (2nd from left), Editor Butch Galicia (3rd from left) and Evelyn Galicia in a conversation on the role of the com-munity media in Ontario’s political landscape during the Canadian Ethnic Media Association (CEMA) Season’s Dinner.

CFT LADIES. Vilma Asayas, Delia Von Possell, Nila Olares and Nida Hontanosas give the Club Filipino of Toronto, headed by George Hon-tanosas, a hand during the club’s Yule gathering. NC/JT

OLPC QUEENOF CHARITY.Past Regent Te-odoro Lopez of the Daughters of Isabella, Our Lady of Peace Circle # 1297 beams after be-ing crowned Queen of Char-ity during the circle’s silver jubilee celebra-tion. JT

PCCT HOLIDAY CHEERS. The annual Philippine Chamber of Commerce-To-ronto Christmas Party is kept alive by people representing various groups--community, business, and media organizations. The December 16 gathering was held at the Sts. Peter and Paul Banquet Hall in Scarborough, Ontario. Manila Media Monitor Photo

2ND CHRISTMAS. Caitlyn Malia enjoys opening her presents with Papa Michael, a VP of Investment of Northern Trust, and Mama Me-lissa. Michael is the son of Balita’s Tess Cusipag.

2006: Anotherfull circle forManila Media

Monitor readers

Friends and relatives celebrate with Lourdes Buenaobra (4th from left) her 60th birth anniversary recently. Among them are (front row): Catia, Julia, Gi-zelle, (back row ) Cristina, Nerlou, Rowena, Irene, Jennifer, Dr. Arla Rondilla and Alyssa. VA

The Canadian Multicultural Council of Asians in Ontario (CMC), with support of the Philip-pine Independence Day Council, is inviting members of the Filipi-no-Canadian community to attend a free information session on Law in the Community at the Chinese Cultural Centre on Jan. 13.

The session includes a forum on how the Canadian judicial sys-tem works and a mock trial pre-sided over by a real judge over-seeing court action with a jury, prosecutors and accused.

The session will also feature police recruitment and legal ser-vices programs available to the community.

A job fair starts at 1 p.m. and the mock trial begins at 2 p.m.


CMC sets gab onLaw in Community

Philippine Consul General in Toronto Alejandro Mosquera will induct into offi ce the offi cers of the Tanza, Cavite Association (St.Au-gustine) at the St. Boniface Catho-lic Church in Markham and Eglin-ton at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 27.

President Edgardo Torres and vice president Manding Blancafl or will lead the inductees.

Other offi cers who will be sworn in are Ellen Figueroa, secre-tary and Shirley Reyes, treasurer.

The Board of Advisers are Mr. and Mrs. Sam Fojas, Mr. and Mrs. Lope Perea, Mr. and Mrs. Tenny Soriano, Mr. and Mrs.Dolly Sosa, Danilo Ching, Mimi Colmenar, Domingo Abug and Mr. and Mrs.Paul Clavero.

Tanza is an historic town where the fi rst Philippine Republic under Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo was pro-claimed.

Mosquera to inductTanza Ass’n offi cers

(To be continued next issue)

drops, we can calculate your GIS benefi t by estimating your in-come for this year, instead of us-ing last year’s income.

If you or your spouse or com-mon-law partner have a lower in-come this year for either of these reasons, you should let us know. Your benefi ts may increase.

Receiving GISIf you are eligible for the GIS

benefi t, we will add it to your Old Age Security pension payment each month.

You can fi nd the exact pay-ment dates on the web site http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/asp/gateway.asp?hr=en/isp/pub/oas/gismain.shtml&hs=ozs.

Payments usually arrive in the last three banking days of each month. If your payment is late by more than a week, or if you lose your payment, please contact us.

If you apply late and are eligi-ble to receive the GIS, we can give you a retroactive payment of up to 11 months plus the month in which we receive your application.

Normally, we deposit pension

in the hands of employers. An employer conscious of the

power s/he has over the fate of the caregiver who is obliged to live-in his household can be capable of the grossest violation of human rights and the most unscrupulous infractions of labor laws.

The articles give a few illus-trations of such shameful deeds from the least harmful (such as forking out gambling money) to the most venal (such as rape, forced confi nement and slavery) – all without much consequence for the perpetrators nor vindication for the victims.

Because LCP caregivers must live in their place of work as a condition of continued valid status, they are not able to bring their families along and must suffer years, from fi ve or more, of separation from their spouse and children.

Caregivers have pointed to this forced separation as the worst violence against women they

experience. This requirement to live-in

the employer’s house is mainly why caregivers are commonly subjected to excessive hours of work, underpayment, and unpaid overtime.

We can only guess at the economic contribution foreign caregivers have been making, individually to their employers in the form of unpaid work, and to the country in the form of cheap child and elder care, and yes, taxes - not only those they pay themselves, but also those paid by their freed up female employers.

The Canadian Government is party to gouging of caregivers’ meager minimum wage income by deducting employment insurance and pension payments which the temporary workers have no right to.

Then there are the fees to renew work permits every year or every time the worker changes

employer, as well as application and Right of Landing fees which are prohibitive and punitive for caregivers.

The demand for caregivers in Canada has been consistently high, and it will continue to grow as our population ages.

However, the appreciation for people who give care to our children and elders, workers who are in such huge demand, is so badly rewarded with abuse, exploitation, loneliness for their loved ones, isolation and discrimination.

This is a crying shame that the Canadian government covers its eyes to and refuses to hear, an opportunistic way of responding to migrants’ desperation for a better future in Canada.

We have often heard the justifi cation that the Live-in Caregiver Program gives those who would otherwise not qualify, a chance to become immigrants in Canada.

But to the extent of discri-minating against women and migrants, and violating their labor and human rights?

As a signatory to most of the United Nations’ international human rights conventions and the Beijing Platform for Action, Canada must comply with its obligations starting with improving the Live-in Caregiver Program.

Canada can do this by allowing caregivers to enter Canada without discrimination as landed immigrants; eliminate the live-in condition for their valid status; issue generic work permits that are not dependent on a specifi c employer; and allow them to bring their families along.

Foreign caregivers are willing to come to this country to care for our most valued resources: our children and our elders.

Let’s give them the recognition they need, which consists of simple justice and fairness.

Improvements needed to lessen abuse ...(From page 12)

He replied, “Walang ano man.”So, again, I responded,

“Maraming salamat ulit.” He sent back a note again, saying, “Walang ano man.”

I noted that the fi rst time I sent out my e-mail was 1:10 a.m., and up to the time that I got Butch’s last ‘Walang ano man’ was almost 2 a.m.

So, I sent him an e-mail with a Netsky Virus. Friends, thus ex-plains why I was able to sleep fi -nally; likewise, explains why Ma-nila Media Monitor got delayed for a few days - the editor had to have his computer fi xed.

***The PCCT sent an invitation

to Mon Datol, Publisher and Editor of Philippine Courier to cover the organization’s Christ-mas Party at the Sts. Peter and Paul Banquet Hall in Scarbor-ough, Ontario last month.

At the time of the event, Mon - with PPCO member Miguel Caducio - proceeded to Golden Valley’s Banquet Hall and found no PCCT event at the place.

Ooops & Bloops ...(From page 6)

Mon said later, “I thought it was at Golden Valley’s.”

(The PCCT board has no further comment.)

***Message received from Butch,

December 24:Ace, Gie and family:Harinawa’y sumainyo ang

kaligayahang dulot ng Kapanga-nakan ni HesuKristo.

Maligayang Pasko,Butch, Evelyn, Lynette, Fran-

cis, Nicoy, Gabriel, RaphaelTaken into consideration, the

beauty of the Filipino language, I wrote back: “Maraming salamat sa pagbati mo, sampu ng iyong pamilya.”

It was at this point where the problem arose. Butch sent another message, “Hindi ko maipakita kay Evelyn ang pagbati mo at baka hanapin ‘yong siyam ko pang pamilya.”

Having read this, I thought: “Kung hindi la’ng kailangan ng Manila Media Monitor ang isang magaling na editor, e talagang mababaril ko itong si Butch, e.”

Guaranteed Income ...(From page 11)

payments directly into bank ac-counts through our direct deposit service. Monthly payments dates are available on the Web site.

MovingIf you are planning to move,

you must contact us with your new address and postal code as soon as possible. This will allow us to update our records and make sure that your payment gets to you on time. Even if your payments are deposited directly into your bank account, we still need to know your new address so we can send you important information and your yearly income tax slip.

If we need to contact you for additional income information, we will know where to reach you.

You can notify us of a change of address 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling our auto-mated telephone system at 1-800- 277-9914.

You will be asked for your Social Insurance Number, your new address and postal code and your telephone number with your area code.

ANCOP Canada Inc. president Ricky Cuenca (left), expresses his appreciation to the Philip-pine Chamber of Commerce-Toronto (PCCT), represented by Rafael Nebres, chair of the PCCT Gawad Kalinga Village Project, and president Cora dela Cruz, following the turn-over of a check representing the complete payment for a 20-

unit housing project in Sucat, Paranaque City, the Philippines. The check turn-over was made during the PCCT Christmas Party (all photos on the left) , Dec. 16, 2006 in Scarborough, Ontario. Donors are Bert and Cora dela Cruz (Dela-marc Travel); Henrique and Alicia Sia (Golden Valley Food Outlets and Restau-rant); Oswald and Isa Tugadi (ALBEE Enterprises); Ace and Gie Alvarez (Manila Media Monitor Inc.); Ben Ponce (A.C. Ponce Financial Services); Cristina and Leo Aguilar (Forever Living Products); Rafael and Sylvia Nebres (Action Honda); Bobby and Lorna Achacon (Bicol Express Restaurant); Boanerjes Villabroza (Hamilton Fitness); Flor Vendiola and Melchor Galeon (FV Foods); Steve and Cora Pagao (DTD Services); Evelyn and David Pagkalinawan (Bazura Bags); Elizabeth Leggett (Certifi ed Public Accountant); Gemma Jamuyot (CHIC Bags); Tess and Jess Mallari (Mabini Express); and Marlou Tiro (Tiro Marketing). Four units would be built at the village, for a total of 24 units, funding of which came, or would come, from collective efforts of the PCCT. Photos: Louie Pagdagdagan; Text: Ace Alvarez & Rafael Nebres

PCCT turns over fi nal GK Villagecheck during Christmas fete

Why advertiseelsewhere?

CALL416-285-8583


JANUARY 2007

RP CONSULAR STAFFMEMBER - I resolve to keep more frequently in touch with family and kin. I’ve been pretty preoc-cupied for the past year that I have taken them for granted for quite a time.

DENNIS DEVEZA - I shall always smile. Someone once told me that success will come ‘if you keep that big smile in your face.’

CYNTHIA GARCIA - My New Year’s Resolution is to be patient. Why? Being im-patient is stressful so para mabawasan ang stress ko at hindi ako ma-high blood, I’ll try to be patient especially with bus drivers.

YVONNE CUÑADA - I will continue with my mint gums as I quit smoking. It has been three months since my last puff.

RP CONSULAR STAFFMEMBER - I will surely go for a healthy regimen and will stick to it. That includes good balance in life. Why? Because, I’d like to grow old gracefully, retire in the Philippines (home sweet home) and dance with my grandchil-dren (how cute!). Hey, wait a minute, I’m not even 40 yet. Seriously, I’d go for that!

AMY BANTILLO - I resolve to get married this year to my eight-year boy-friend in Roxas City.

VIRGILIO DAGASDAS & RENE DELGADO - We promise to work hard and earn more cash. Perhaps, we would have more resources to help the needy and the poor in our homeland.

RP CONSULAR STAFFMEMBER - I fi rmly resolve not to have any more ac-cidents, if that can be avoided.

Around the world, a Reuters report from London said that striking a better balance between work and play, taking more exer-cise and avoiding disastrous relationships top resolution lists this New Year.

Research group ACNielsen surveyed consumers in 46 countries and found from the United States to Vietnam that more than half of those interviewed wanted work to play a lesser role in their lives in 2007.

One in three US consumers -- who have the highest rate of obesity in the developed world -- also planned to go on a diet.

“Consumers have realized a healthy lifestyle is not about the latest celebrity diet or trendy exercise fads, but is simply about having a balanced diet and lifestyle,” ACN-ielsen Europe President Patrick Dodd said.

Smoking bans passed in 2006 in coun-tries from Spain to Uruguay looked to be bolstering the global health trend with one in fi ve smokers polled admitting they were aiming to cut down or quit next year.

Exercise was also in the spotlight, with Filipinos, Australians and Singaporeans most committed to being more active.

“In many countries, 2006 was the year that “natural” and “organic” moved into the mainstream and this trend is likely to gain momentum in the year ahead,” Dodd said.

The drive to detox also stretched to more intimate parts of people’s lives. One in fi ve consumers globally said they wanted 2007 to be the year they avoided “disastrous re-lationships.”

And if the above are not just enough for a wish list, here are some more resolutions many people made at the onset of 2007.

The resolutions: Lose weight, make more time for myself and my family, have more fun, make more money, get to the gym, eat better, go someplace I have always wanted to visit, make up with a crazy fami-ly member, befriend a competitor or enemy, quit drinking, be friendlier, slow down on shopping sprees, stick to household bud-gets, stay out of trouble, avoid casinos and other gambling places, etc. etc. etc.

Resolved! ...(From page 1)


AN OPEN LETTER to FCMA MEMBERS and theFILIPINO COMMUNITY

Paid Advertisement

December15, 2006

Dear Colleagues of the Filipino Canadian Medical Association:It has come to our attention that all of the members of the association recently received a letter from Dr. Francisco Portugal regarding the upcoming elections of

the Filipino Centre Toronto (FCT). In the letter, Dr. Portugal stated that it was important to understand the issues so that “an intelligent and unbiased decision could be made” regarding which candidates should be supported, and whether the FCT should receive contributions from our association. Unfortunately, Dr. Portugal’s letter is a clear condemnation of the current FCT Board, and we are compelled to clarify the facts in order that intelligent and unbiased decisions may truly be made.

For the record, we would like to offer a rebuttal to the points that Dr. Portugal had made:Legal fees. Dr. Portugal correctly states that the process the FCT has undergone in the last year has been very, very expensive. However, it is diffi cult to see

how Dr. Portugal can suggest that the expense was unnecessary, when it was incurred only as a result of a court application he launched, in which his allegations of wrongdoing were made against the current Board. If Dr. Portugal’s only goal was to regularize the operation of the FCT, something which was admittedly needed, then such allegations were unnecessary, and the cost of defending them would have been avoided.

Annual Meetings. The Judgment rendered by Justice Morawetz in the Application notes that the Board had erred in not calling annual meetings, and had failed to follow the provisions in the Constitution in doing so. It must be remembered, however, that Dr. Portugal himself, and other FCT members who follow him, were members of the FCT Board during these times, the times when FCT was judged “to have lost its way.” Therefore, they also bear responsibility for the fact elections were not held as scheduled.

Justice Morawetz specifi cally ordered that the current FCT Board was to remain in control of the FCT operations pending the elections. Had he been convinced there had been mismanagement, Justice Morawetz would have removed the current Board and ended its operation of the Filipino Centre, Toronto.

In addition, as in any corporation, the major item to be presented in an annual general meeting is a fi nancial report. This was the responsibility of Edgar Adan, a current member of Dr. Portugal’s group, the then chief fi nancial offi cer of the Filipino Centre, Toronto. Edgar Adan never delivered the 2003 fi nancial report, and it was completed in 2005 by Julito Longkines.

It is also important to remember that in the early days of the FCT, the Board members were busy running the operations of the FCT, including the management of the building which now houses its offi ces, and dealing with the day-to-day issues which occur in the upkeep of an older tenanted building.These duties and func-tions called for constant attention, and it must be remembered that all this work was done on a volunteer basis. There was no money at that time to hire a building manager or superintendent to attend to these time consuming requirements, and the job fell primarily to Rosalinda and Felino Javier, who found themselves on call 24 hours a day. The major objective in those early days was to make the FCT a viable community centre, which was fi nancially sound and served the community well. Holding elections and annual meetings fell aside under the constant and monumental pressure of creating the community center and managing its assets.

Allegations of Suspicious Transactions. Dr. Portugal alleged that in the fi nancial report for 2003, which Longkines did not complete until 2005, “suspicious fi nancial transactions” had been discovered, and he has specifi cally singled out Rosalinda and Felino Javier in his accusations. He has neglected to mention that each and every allegation was fully and completely answered in the materials prepared during the court application. In addition, the current Board was awarded full indemnifi cation for all costs incurred in the application fi led by Portugal, Adan and Camilla Jones, something Justice Morawetz would not have awarded had he found there had been wrongdoing or neglect on the part of any member of the Board.

Dr. Portugal suggests that Felino Javier is receiving close to $3000 per month as building superintendent. No one can question that a building of this nature re-quires a full time superintendent. While the position has been offered to and accepted by Mr. Javier, he has not received any reimbursement for this superintendent’s job, as the FCT is currently in a position where the court process has drained its cash resources. Dr. Portugal complains that the position was not offered to the general public, but it is certain that no one would have accepted the position on the basis as has Mr. Javier, that is, that he will only be paid if and when the FCT has the funds to do so. In the meantime, he fulfi lls the job of the superintendent’s position.

Allegations of Missing Membership Records. Dr. Portugal contends that the current Board has deliberately misplaced or destroyed records relating to the FCT memberships of persons in his camp. What he again neglects to say is that at the time these members who joined the FCT, Adan and Erlinda Gallardo, both of whom are supporters of Dr. Portugal, were the persons in charge of membership who bore the responsibility for keeping these records. If these “misplaced or destroyed records relating to the FCT memberships in his camp” were never obtained or misplaced, the responsibility does not lie with the current Board.

Dr. Portugal alleges that on the surface it may appear as if the FCT is well run but in reality, it is not. The Centre is serving the community. There is a seniors program, FCT works with a youth club and together, they honor outstanding Filipino students, and a homework club for the students who have diffi culty. Tagalog classes are held. A health program is in place with a free clinic, health education seminars and advocacy group. There is also a walk in clinic to serve our kababayans who need a family doctor. This is manned by volunteer physicians with busy practices, who take time out from their schedule to render their services, hence, the need for appointments. The walk in clinic at the Centre differs from most walk-in clinics as it is not established as a for profi t corporation.

The neighborhood is already aware of the Filipino community, which has become the largest participant in the Cabbagetown festival. Recreational activities have been provided including dancing classes, Filipino Singing Idol contests and the huge cultural presentation, called Pistahan There are meeting rooms for various members of the community to congregate. The library is open to anyone who wishes to avail of the materials on Filipino culture, traditions and values.

This IS a community centre that is well run, through the hard work and dedication of the FCT offi cers. And the building, which was purchased for $1,000,050, is now worth an estimated value of $2,900,000 by conservative real estate estimates, due mainly to the renovations done and management of the building. The FCT exists to serve the Filipino people. It is performing a service to the community. The Filipinos in Toronto deserve to have a centre run by people whose only agenda is to serve the community.

Consider the track records and history of all the different individuals interested in the Filipino Centre, Toronto:Who are the builders? Who work for the good of the community? However, who work for themselves? Who are those who tear down the good that had been

started? Who are those who always criticize and destroy?“To everything, there is a season and a time for every purpose

A time to build, a time to heal, a time to gather together.”It is a time for speaking!We would like to express our confi dence in the sincerity, honesty and integrity of the present leadership of the Filipino Centre. Like any organization, there

will always be differences of opinion on the style of leadership. There will always be people who are dissatisfi ed. However, we truly believe that it is in the best interests of the Filipino community that the current leadership be retained.

Truly yours,

Dr. MARIO ANDRES Dr. MARIA ANTONINA DE VILLA Dr. VICTORIA SANTIAGOChairman, FCT Comprehensive Health FCT Vice Chairman, Board of Directors FCT Chairman, Board of Directors and Wellness


• Graduate, UP College of Medicine, 1964, Certi-fi ed • Director, Free Clinic and Health and Wellness Services, FCT • Found-ing President, Filipino-Canadian Medical Assn. • Queens Silver Jubilee medalist in Medicine, 1978 • Ten Most Outstand-ing Canadians, 1974, Calgary • Most Outstanding Alumnus, UPAA, Toronto, 2002 • Community Ser-vice Volunteer Awards, Toronto, 2006

MARIO R. ANDRESM.D., F.R.C.P.C.

• Bachelor of Science in Commerce, University of Santo Tomas • Fellow, Life Management Institute of Canada & Associate Life and Health Claims

WENDELINA (Wendy) ARENA

Examiner • Claims & Taxation Specialist and Li-censed personal fi nancial analyst • Executive Administrator, Folklorico Filipino Canada • Vice President, FCT in charge of Fund Raising and Cul-tural Programs • Offi ce Manager, FCT • Married to Paul Arena and has one son, Roland

EDMUNDO (Ed) BIRONDO

• B. S. in Industrial Eng’g, Adamson University; Ass. in Textile Eng’g, FEATI University • Founding Board Member, Filipino Centre, Toronto • Presi-dent, Ang Negrosanon in North America, 2002-2006 • President, The Featinian Association of Toronto, 1999-2000 • Exec. Vice President, Asso-ciacion Negrense, 1998-2000 • Recipient, St. John Ambulance Award, 1995; Outstanding Canadian Award, 2000; Volunteerism Award for 10 years, 2001 • Retired Admin Coord, Toronto Police Ser-vice, Public Information, January 1, 2006; Life-time Member of Toronto Police Association

LAPULAPU (Popoy) CAÑA

• Graduate, Bachelor of Science in Industrial Edu-cation • Married to Ligaya with 3 children, Lilac, Jove & Francis • Broker & Owner, Maple Insurance Agency • Active Volunteer, Filipino Seminarian So-ciety in Canada • Member, Knights of Columbus • Former Knights of Rizal Regional Commander for Canada • Active Volunter, FCT

JULITA (Julie) CORPUZ

• BSE, St. Louie Univer-sity, Baguio • Teacher, Tarlac High School, Fron-tenac & Addington Catho-lic School Board, Kings-ton, Ontario • President, Ontario Women’s Club, 1990-2003 • Board mem-ber, FILPAR, Camilenos Assn. of Canada • Mem-ber, Liberal Assn. of Canada • Founding Board Member, Filipino Centre, Toronto, Adviser, FCT Dazzling 40 group, Offi ce help, FCT • Recipient, Outstanding Fil. Canadians, 1998; Volunteerism Award for 20 years; Disable Helping Disabled.

SUZETTE CRESENCIA

• B.S. Medical Technol-ogy, University of Sto. To-mas • Member, Canadian Society of Laboratory Technologists • Member, Ontario Society of Medi-cal Technologists • Retired Medical Laboratory Technologist, The Wellesley Hospital, University Health Network (Princess Margaret Hospital) • Member, UST Alumni Association of Ontario • Vice President, University of Sto. Tomas Phar-macy, Med. Tech., Botany & Biochemistry Alumni Association of North America • Board Member, Filipino Centre, Toronto

MA. ANTONINA (Nenette) DE VILLA

• Graduate, College of Medicine, UP • Staff Cardi-ologist, St. Joseph Health Centre • Head, Division of Cardiology • Asst. Profes-sor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto • Member, UPAA Toronto • Member, FilCanadian Medical Association • Board Member, Filipino Centre, Toronto; Chair, Corpo-rate Sponsorship; Adviser, Dr. G. de Villa, Jr. Me-morial Cup Golf Tournament

AIDA D’ORAZIO

• Lit. B in Journalism, UST; BSE, Pilar College, Zamboanga; Dip. Ed. Me-dia; Dip. Ed Technology McGill University, Mon-treal • Retired Teacher, Commission Scolaire Jerome Le-Royer, Montreal • Columnist, Filipino Star & Filipino Forum (cur-rently), Montreal • President, Zamboanga Hermo-sa Canada • Board Member, FCT, Publicity Chair, Outstanding Student Awards Co-Chair, Cookbook Committee Chair, FCT Newsletter Co-Chair • Mem-ber, Philippine Press Club-Ontario

ROSALINDA CERRUDO-JAVIER

• BSE, UP, 1963; M. Sc. E, Upstate New York, 1977 • Retired Ontario Teacher with Smith Falls, Ont. Catholic Board, ‘68-’70; Dufferin Peel Catholic Board, ‘70-‘97 • Founder, Atimonan (Quezon) Assn of Ontario & Michigan; Pres., QPAC 1998 to date • Member, Board of Directors, UPAA Toronto, 2003 to date • Ont, Prov’cial Gov’t appointee: Ontario Council of Nurses, 2005 • Founding President & CEO, Filipino Centre, Toronto (FCT), 2000 to date • Oversees all the Operations, Services and Activi-ties of FCT (building and organization)

MERCY MALIGLIG

• UST, B.S. Pre-Medicine; MCU, College of Den-tistry • Lab Technician, Wellesley Hospital, 1977-1997 • Lab Supervisor for 5 years • Proprietor, Agincourt ECG Services • Regent, Daughters of Isabella, 1987-89 • President, FILPAR, 1998-2006 • Board Member, Silayan Community Centre, 1987-98; Coordinator, Pilipino Classes • Board Member, Filipino Centre, Toronto; Co-Chair, Dazzling 40, Pilipino Class

JUANITA ABALOS-REJDIK

• BSE, MLQU, 1979 • Im-migration Consultant • Co-Proprietor, S&J Me-chanical Inc. • Member, First Filipino Canadian of Vaughan • Co-Founder, Tanay Association of Toronto • Proprietor, Jade (Paralegal) Services • Board Member, Filipino Centre, Toronto; Chairman, Line Dancing, Asst. Chair, Cabbagetown Festival

MARY ANN SAN JUAN

• Masters in Library Sci-ence, Faculty of Informa-tion Study, U of T • BSc in Foreign Service, U.P.; Finished Academic cours-es in Masters in Library Science, U.P. • Manager, Toronto Public Library • Founding Member, Folklorico Filipino Canada • Member, Pleasant View Community Centre Assn.; Bukas Loob sa Diyos (BLD); Children’s Liturgy, St. Timothy’s Catholic Church; UPAA; Ha-rana Group • Dragon Boat Paddler, Team Canada Grand Masters Team for the World Tournament in Berlin, Aug. 2005 • Board Member, Filipino Centre, Toronto; Chair, Homework Club

VICTORIA (Vicky) SANTIAGO

• Doctor of Dental Medi-cine, U.P. • Maintains a practice of General Den-tistry with 8 Associates in three GTA Dental Offi ces • Member and Supporter of several Filipino community organizations in Metro Toronto as well as Professional Dental Organiza-tions • Most Outstanding Filipino in Canada, 2000 • UPAA Recognition Awards, 1997 • UPAA Most Outstanding Member, 2002 • Outstanding Asian-Canadian Community Awardee, April 2006

MARIA LUISA (Luchi) SIVILIA

• Salutatorian, First to Fourth Year, Neg. Occ. High School, Bacolod City • B.S. Chemical Eng’g, University of the Phil. • Miss NWSA 1965-1966, Manila, Phil. • Chemical Engineer, Dept of Works, Metro Toronto • Honours Specialist in Math & Sci-ence, Faculty of Education, U of T • Specialist in Special Education (Gifted/LD), Faculty of Ed., U of T • Recipient, INCO Award for Sec. Sch. Teachers, U of T • Retired High School Teacher, Math and Sp. Ed, Toronto District School Bd. • Council Member, College of Nurses of Ontario • Committee Mem-ber, Complaints, Quality Assurance, Nominating & Finance, CNO • Board Member, Filipino Centre, Toronto • Board Member, Toronto Centre-Rose-dale Provincial Liberal Association

LAURA TIAMSON

• B.S. in Physiotherapy, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Phil. • Graduate, Business Administration & Manage-ment, Humber College of Applied Arts & Technol-ogy, Toronto • Branch Manager, Famous Seafood Restaurant in North America • Youngest Fran-chisee in the Filipino Community • Board Mem-ber, Filipino Centre, Toronto • Committee Chair, Pistahan 2004-2005 • Committee Chair, Filipino Singing Idol, 2006 • Member, Cookbook Commit-tee

REY TOLENTINO

• Graduate, Mass Commu-nication/ Broadcast Jour-nalism, UP • Computer Analyst • Member, UPAA, Toronto • Active Volun-teer, various projects and activities of the Filipino Community in Toronto since 1979 • Journalist and Broadcaster

EFREN DE VILLA

• BS in Education, Batan-gas City State University; Master of Arts in Psychol-ogy, Arellano University • Life Insurance & Financial Advisor • Retired Canadi-an National Railway employee, Freight Car Plan-ner/Inspector & Safety Liaison Offi cer • Volunteer, St. John Ambulance, Division Superintendent, Corp Staff Offi cer Incharge of Training • President/Chairman of the Board, First Filipino Association of Vaughan • Chairman of the Board/Adviser, Fili-pino Canadian Association of Vaughan • Board Member, Filipino Centre, Toronto;, Chairman, Membership Committee, Cabbage Town Festival • Recipient – Serving Brother Award by Governor General Ramon Hnatyshyn; Outstanding Cana-dian Award

IRENE TURNER

• B.S. in Nursing, San Juan De Dios Hospital, Manila, Phil. • Registered Nurse, St. Mary’s Hospital, Roch-ester, Minnesota • Medical Staff, Mayo Hospital, Minn. • Registered Nurse, Grace Hospital, Scarborough • Past President, Filipino Nurses Association of Ontario • Board Member, Filipino Centre, Toronto • Committee Chair, Christmas Events & Foods • Co Chair, Comprehensive Health & Wellness Pro-gram • Member, Cookbook Committee

MASELLE GAERLAN VIREY

• Doctor of Medicine, Uni-versity of the Philippines • Diploma in Psychiatry, University of Ottawa • Fel-low, Royal College of Phy-sicians and Surgeons of Canada • Diplomate, American Board of Psychia-try and Neurology • Diplomate, American Board of Disability Analysts • Courtesy Consultant Psychi-atrist, Trillium Health Centre • FCT Volunteer since 2004 • Vice President, Filipino Canadian Medical Association

Dear Eligible Voters,Go out and vote on this coming election! Vote for us! We

provide a strong team of candidates with the Experience, Qualifi cations, Character and Leadership that FCT needs!

TRUTHSHALL

PREVAIL! Paid Advertisement

20 JANUARY 2007FOR some members of a budding community of nearly half a million people living and working in Canada coming from the Philippines -- a southeast Asian archipelago composed of over 7,000 islands and speaking 107 languages, the year 2006 was plain time gone which signifi cance mattered only by the cash and the status it could have brought them. Who cared, anyway?

But for many, the year was a diamond mine.It was a year that saw the resilience of a growing

Filipino community - the patient hardworking hands that labor in factories and the skilled professionals, the retail proprietors and big-ticket entrepreneurs, the tender, loving, caring live-in caregivers and homemakers, the youth and the seniors, those who provide social, health, transportation and other basic services in public and private offi ces, those in the media, etc.

20062006 When the community When the community sailed the 7 C’ssailed the 7 C’s

YEAREND EDITORIAL

Call it charity, the greatest of all virtues.In the absence of disaster, the community’s kindness

and philanthropism had never waned, but more substantiated in the year. Civic, religious, business and regional groups and associations never reneged on pledges to contribute - in their own little but special ways - to ease the burden of poor Filipinos.

2006 saw a surge of positive responses to appeals for donations to build new homes, nay villages, and provide a comprehensive social package for those in erstwhile slum and depressed areas in the Philippines.

But more than just providing a roof over the heads of the less fortunate and the homeless, associations also offered the gift of learning.

Aggregately, the number of poor but deserving Filipino youth given academic scholarships rose during the year.

So did the number of schoolbuildings erected, the quantity and quality of books and other literature shipped, and other educational improvements facilitated.

There were other programs thought of and carried out, far from the prying eyes, extended ears and gossip-bearing lips of the maddening crowd and a nosy media. In silence, not a few people worked to assure better lives for Filipinos in the Philippines, in Canada or elsewhere in the world.

It was the year when a daring community signifi ed its strength as a social and political force to reckon with. Notwithstanding the odds, the community also stood up for what multiculturalism and ‘unity in diversity’ really meant.

It was a year that gave glitter to the community’s wide array of gifted members, many of whom volunteered their voices and terpsichorean talents, their love for the arts and their theatrical expertise to show all and sundry how rich Philippine culture and heritage were.

Beyond the wonderful memories, the community learned a lot of painful lessons. But it had remained resolute in its goal to etch its indelible mark on Canadian social, economic, political and cultural milieu.

Admittedly still in need for a captain, the ship that is the Filipino community in Canada had defi nitely sailed past rough and turbulent seas on its way to port. Here is why:

CHARITY. For

The mudslide disasters in Southern Leyte (above) and in Bicol (below) got the community together to act as one in accomplishing a noble goal -- that of rebuilding the lives of devastated compatriots.

once, the community transcended parochialism and regional biases, set aside socio-cultural differences and downplayed economic disparities.

In the face of tragic events in the homeland, its concerned members displayed the spirit of bayanihan and showed bigness of heart in a big push to hastily raise cash and amass relief goods for tens of thousands, perhaps millions, of their kababayan badly devastated by a string of natural calamities that battered the Philippines.

Most notable were the Feb. 17 mudslides that buried the village of Guinsaugon, in St. Bernard town, Southern Leyte and the Dec. 2 mudslides around the slopes of Mt. Mayon that likewise erased villages from the map of Bicol.

Alas! The year had to begin and end with tragedy. But tragedy did get the community to act in accomplishing a single noble goal -- share themselves and whatever excess resources they had to get their compatriots in dire need back to their feet.

Never was it a matter of who and how much. The credits - news and images, announcements, etc. - were simply for posterity; nothing more, nothing less. What mattered most was that on record, the many nameless, faceless members of the Canadian community possessed the essence of Godliness, Filipinism and love for their fellowman.

CALL FOR RESPECT. The Filipino may be passive and complacent at times, prone to forgiving petty instances of disrespect as he goes on with his jolly disposition while living in a social melting pot that Canada boasts of as its greatest achievement as a nation.

But when his cultural sensitivities are touched, the Filipino emotes the ferocity of a wounded lion,

ready to stand his ground and take on any enemy; but as diplomatically and peacefully as he can.

In April, 2006, seven-year old Montreal grade schooler Luc Cagadoc made front page story after he was repeatedly humiliated by his school principal, who saw his traditional way of eating meals with a spoon and a fork as “eating like a pig.”

The news raised not a few eyebrows and sparked global shock waves. Amid the coal-hot outrage that could turn a fat pig into luscious lechon, a local schoolboard downplayed the issue. Howls of protests grew louder and echoed worldwide. Rumors later said the ‘honorable educator’ Normand Bergeron was sacked, presumably deemed unfi t for the job.

CAGADOC

PCCT-GK Village soon to rise in Sucat, Parañaque (Next page, please)

Early 2006, the community felt maligned when Toronto police never bothered to rip off ‘Wanted’ notices they posted on walls, posts, glass panes and other conspicuous spots on shops and houses lining the Danforth-Pape perimeter.

The posters, on view since December of 2005, warned people of a sex maniac described as a ‘Filipino male, possibly in his 20s, about 5’6” with dark hair.’

Police and ‘mainstream’ media later tried to tone down the suspect’s image as ‘possibly Filipino or Hispanic,’ but to no avail as deeply-hurt community members lashed at authorities for being irresponsible and ‘reeking of racial trash,’ demanding that the palpably malicious branding be corrected. Even the Philippine consulate in Toronto reacted, saying it was “inappropriate.”

Stories of racism and discrimination in schools, playgrounds, parks. the subway and bus stations, groceries and elsewhere abound, aired and heard in the grapevine, particularly those committed by longtimers against their newly-arrived kababayan. These tales of rudeness are disgusting. But they would have to end somehow, and only people, events and time would tell how.

If there was any consolation to victims of racial slur, discrimination and profi ling, perhaps this was the number of reforms the Toronto police might have adopted from a fi ve-man jury’s recommendations following the end of last year’s May 8 to mid-October, 2006 inquest into the May 21, 2004 shooting and subsequent death of 17-year old Jeffrey Reodica.

The jury recommendations never found fault with anyone, not even police detective Dan Belanger, who shot Reodica three times at the back, and his partner detective Love Allen. But the inquest jury pointblankly assigned measures that the police could use to deter a similar incident from happening.

Those still grieving and crying for justice for the loss of the teener averred that the inquest had been an exercise in futility, which the other side of the fence negated. The last piece of news from the Reodica family’s lawyer noted they would fi le a criminal suit against the police offi cers.

Manila Media MonitorManila Media Monitor


Even before the Reodica inquest took place, another 17-year old, Daniel Celestino, lost his dear life, a victim of a despicable criminal who stabbed him at the back while he was taking a ‘leak’ in a washroom of a coffee shop on Wilson and Keele streets on April 20.

His assailant had long been arrested and was said to be serving time in jail. REODICA

SIGN OF THE TIMES

Celestino’s death might not have been a direct case of racism, but there was belief that his killer could have been a recipient of social prejudice which could have motivated him to get even with society. It was truly unfortunate that

he bent his ire on Celestino. Young lives with what could have

been very bright futures were snuffed out. Their memories could only call on community vigilance and pro-activeness in the fi ght to end all forms of racism, including that coming from their own kind.CELESTINO

CAREGIVERS. It was disappointing to read that a Philippine government salvaging a deteriorating image by embarking on a costly Lebanon Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) evacuation could not even spare a penny to bring home the remains of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration-registered caregiver Marilou Tabuno, whose body had to rest in the cold confi nes of a funeral parlor morgue for about two months since a road accident that killed her in North York on May 24, 2006.

Though administratively and fi nancially constrained, the Philippine Consul General’s Offi ce and its labor offi cer ably negotiated Marilou’s release from the morgue and got her body on its way home to be given last respects.

Putting aside that government’s ineptness to respond to the special needs of a dead OFW, it was the news of Filipino caregivers dying in Ontario that caught the eye of the community.

Shattered dreams. So they were too for Mary Grace Sioco and for Piat, Cagayan native Mirasol Mariano who drowned while trying to save her two-year old ward in a Richmond Hill home mid-June.

Meanwhile, caregiver Sharon Asuncion was cleared in August 2006 of any felony by a Newmarket judge, after a gruelling court battle on child abuse charges. Sharon has since found a better employer.

The memories left by Tabuno, Sioco and Mariano were those of loving, tender and hardworking Filipino caregivers committed to give the best of who they were so that others could go on nurturing the beauty of life; and of the day-to-day unwavering heroism of caregivers.

Asuncion’s travails, on the other hand, confi rmed the existence of many a caregiver’s tales of woe; making everyone mindful of the sometimes sad experiences caregivers get from abusive employers, a situation needing reversal by a united community brave enough to peaceably assemble, invoke street parliamentarism, march and tell politicians to amend, if not junk, an antiquated Canadian Live-In Caregiver Program (LCP) that has curtailed basic human rights and has placed women-caregivers into the quagmire of modern-day slavery, at least for three or so years.

Many individuals and human rights groups have persistently tried, more actively in 2006, to get better treatment for caregivers and OFWs in Canada, but were either given mere political lip service or, worse, that what-do-we-care it’s-the-least-of-our-priorities brush aside.

CHOICES. The choice to become a political

NO. 1. Caregiving is no game. It is a vocation.

force to deal with knocked on the community’s door during the Nov. 13, 2006 municipal elections. Yet, it seemed that many voters never bothered to exploit the potential of their ballots to send more members of the community to the meeting tables of schoolboards or legislative halls.

At least 13 persons (there could be more) tried their luck

in the polls, but most had no charisma with the numbers. Only three - Marlene Mogado of Markham Area 2, Luz del Rosario of Dufferin-Peel Wards 6 and 11 and Alex Chiu of Markham Ward 8 - made it to the winner’s circle.

Then there were the Jan. 23, 2006 federal elections. Of course, the community could rejoice with the accomplishments of new Prime Minister Stephen Harper

and his Cabinet; or drown in his failures to fulfi ll promises that could have done good for the community. The same could be expected with David Miller reelected as Toronto mayor.

That a huge population in Toronto could elect a member to wield political infl uence had remained a myth. The spectre of Philippine politics, dirty as it was deadly, continued to

HARPER MILLER

haunt many who shied away from C a n a d i a n polls. The penchant to belong only to a clan or a regional grouping has resulted in the community interspersing and dividing itself into smaller patches of political insignifi cance. What most candidates forgot to factor in was the fact that most people were in a state that they would rather earn their keep than exercise their right to suffrage on a working day.

If these are not what one could say as shaping the community’s future in Canada, what then?

CONTROVERSY. Is bad politics really giving the vulture a bad name? Signs that the vulture has begun to transform into the mirror image of self-proclaimed saviors whose ego boosting and personal interests far outweigh those of committed volunteers and the general public are slowly eroding the walls of a once-revered community center.

One just had to read between the lines of news reports on the over a year-old controversy brewing in the Filipino Centre Toronto to discern truth from lies, concrete gains from black propaganda, builders from destroyers, sacrifi ce from greed. Avoidable and unne-cessary, the noisy and costly FCT ruckus would go down in 2006 as an isolated but infamous incident fi t to be relegated to history’s forget-about-it and don’t-

even-think-about-it trash bins.

CELEBRATION. So why sulk over one atypical incident? FCT is not at all lost, hearing that it has not ebbed in the delivery of various services for the community, controversy or no controversy.

So did other community centers! And this should be cause for joy and celebration for members of the community, no matter where they were located.

The Kalayaan Cultural Community Centre greeted 2006 with a big bang. Ching Quejas and other fi rm believers of community service formally opened the center’s new 7,200 square-foot Mississauga facility, a million-dollar building for a budding community.

2006 also saw the Silayan Community Centre recuperating from minor internal bickerings to emerge as strong as ever, just like the seniors it helped get out of boredom through art classes -- and later mounting an art exhibit -- in cooperation with Filipino artists in Toronto.

Then there was Kababayan- which not only provided the usual services, but went farther to give its youth members a special theatrical treat, that of being topbilled in a March, 2006 play “Mind The Gap” directed by writer Ricky Caluen.

Promoting sports, apart from aerobics, was the 2006 focus of the Gateway Centre for New Canadians in Mississauga, as it introduced lessons on Olympic-style boxing and taekwando, games in which Filipinos excel.

The community centers and the volunteers running them had made 2006 very productive for members who availed themselves of its programs - those who mastered line dances, did aerobics and tai chi, or who simply sat on and enjoyed listening to juicy gossips and exhilirating tales of yesteryears; those who became profi cient in operating computers, enjoyed Web surfi ng, or wondered why he was no longer afraid of handling a mouse; those who learned the Filipino language, Math and other school subjects; those who horsed around in fun and camaraderie; those who partook of delicacies in potluck parties; and those who moved back and observed what a wonderful and amazing congregation the community could be if it acted in unison.

Also a cause for celebration in 2006 was the community’s freewheeling involvement -- more pompous but less expensive -- in various Canadian and Philippine festivities showcasing authentic Filipino culture in art, songs, dances, ethnic fashion and cuisine.

T h e P h i l i p p i n e I n d e p e n -dence Day C o u n c i l (PIDC), in cooperation with the P h i l i p p i n e Chamber of

Commerce-Toronto mounted what could be the biggest entertainment and trade show in 2006. Except for a few blurbs due to an accidental ‘wardrobe malfunction’ courtesy of one of its lady performers, the community adjudged the PIDC Mabuhay Philippines-Toronto Summer Festival on July 29, 2006 a big success. The community regarded the festival as one socio-cultural event worth going to and seeing over the years.

In deference to their proclamation of loyalty to their adoptive country Canada, Filipinos also celebrated the historical birth of the Philippines, by virtue of a proclamation of independence from American rule by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo in Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898. As in earlier years, the celebration of Philippine Independence in 2006 was conducted in different dates, not necessarily on June 12, in various locations but by a bigger mix of groups, heralding the rejuvenation of Philippine nationalism in the hearts and minds of more community members.

Celebration. That was also the theme of many of the community’s bevy of entertainment artists. Representing every known musical genre, they showed everyone that Filipinos love music and music loves Filipinos. In many instances, this love for music was offered freely in concerts, shows and fundraisers with noble causes.

In sports, the community had its fi rst taste of representation in Canada’s national game when the Filipino Fury took on ice and faced seasoned hockey teams from other cultural groups in the 2nd Canadian Multicultural Hockey League (CMHL) from Dec. 27 to 30, 2006. In a letter to rink sponsor Canadian Ethnic Media Association, CMHL founder Stan Papulkas cited Manila Media Monitor for its article that enabled the league to form a hockey team composed of Filipinos, a rare feat considering that Filipinos are known for excelling in basketball.

CHAMPION. The community weathered every storm that passed its way.

The community sailed through rough and high seas, triumphant in its entry to a new year.

Ever strong, daring, patient, resilient, hardworking, and resolute in making real and meaningful its individual and collective goals, the community has stood its ground.

In 2006, the community was the champion!

THE COMMUNITY FLOCKS TO PIDC EVENTS

22 Manila Media Monitor Manila Media Monitor JANUARY 2007


JANUARY 2007Toronto’s Youth Challenge Fund (YCF)

has alloted an initial $3.5 million to support youth-based projects handled by 19 orga-nizations working in the city’s 13 priority neighborhoods.

YCF offi cials said $1.5 million in pri-vate donations has been received, including $1 million from John Hunkin and Susan Crocker, $250,000 from TD Bank Finan-cial Group, $81,500 from Foresters, and $150,000 from other donors.

Ontario has made available some $8 million in matching funds for 2007 and $7 million in 2008.

United Way of Greater Toronto is the Fund’s trustee, providing administrative and fund development support.

YCF chair Michael Clemons cited the people involved in the youth initiative, say-ing they “engage in a labor of love persis-tently petitioning for the empowerment of youth across our country. Many are youth themselves.”

YCF was established early last year to directly respond to growing concerns on youth violence and gang involvement across Toronto.

YCF is active in Jamestown, Jane-Finch, Weston-Mount Dennis, Lawrence Heights, Westminster-Branson, Crescent Town, Flemingdon Park-Victoria Village, Steeles-l’Amoreaux, Dorset Park, Eglinton East-Kennedy Park, Scarborough Village, Kingston-Galloway, and Malvern. PR

Toronto youth projects get $3.5M

SCHOLARSHIPS. Ateneo Alumni Association Canada (AAAC) members kick off their scholar-ship fundraisers with the annual Winterlude affair at the Garnet Williams Community Centre in Thornhill on Jan. 6. The AAAC, which has 15 scholars todate, has planned a golf tournament in June, the Scholarship Dinner Dance on Sept. 30 and other smaller fundraisers and get-togeth-ers such as the Kapihan for Ateneo alumni on Jan. 27 at the Golden Valley Banquet Hall. PR

Manila Media MonitorJANUARY 200724 News

INNOVATIONVIDEO - PHOTO - DJ SERVICES

“The images we capture are the memories you will treasure.”Specialized for:

* Weddings * Concerts* Birthdays * Editing* Baptismals * Glamour Shots * Video Presentations

Call: LARRY TORRESTel. (416) 256-3931Cell. (416) 858-5806

Visit www3.sympatico.ca/ltorres/

The Ontario Family Medical Leave has assured job protection for employees caring for “gravely ill loved ones.”

Labor Minister Steve Peters said the program has given employees up to eight weeks of job-protected, unpaid leave to care for very sick family members or a person considered to be like a family member.

But the employee would have to submit a medical certifi cate issued by a qualifi ed health practitioner.

The certifi cate should state

Jobs safe in family med leavesthat the family member has a serious medical condition with a signifi cant risk of death within 26 weeks.

Employees taking leave under the broad category of “like a family member” would fi ll up a federal attestation form.

The eligible family members for whom an employee could take the leave included the employee’s spouse (including same-sex spouse); a parent, step-parent or foster parent; a child, step-child or foster child of the employee or the employee’s

spouse.The list has expanded

to siblings; grandparents, grandchildren; certain in-laws; aunts, uncles; nieces, nephews; certain step-relations; and a person considered to be like a family member.

The Family Medical Leave dovetailed with the federal government’s Compassionate Care Benefi ts that permitted workers in similar situations to apply for Employment Insurance benefi ts while away from work. PR

MRS. PANGASINAN 2006 & FELLOW PANGASINENSES. Mrs. Angelina Tawatao (2nd from right), the reigning Mrs. Pangasinan 2006 in Toronto, Ontario, poses with husband, Har Tawatao, (right), Ben Arcalas and Amy Arcalas. JT

Cheers to a Healthy, Happy & Peaceful New Year!

25Manila Media MonitorJANUARY 2007 The Philippines

Sorsogon’s erstwhile quiet Bulusan Volcano rumbled anew, recently spewed a blanket of ash over 11 villages and triggered minor tremors. While scientists say the activity shows volcanic restiveness, there are no signs of any forthcoming major eruption. The ash fall deposits are observed in barangays Monbon, Buenavista, Salvacion, Casini, Liyang, Patag, Sto. Domingo, Tulay, and Poblacion, all in the town of Irosin; and in Trece and Gate of Bulan, Sorsogon. PNA

Bulusan Volcano’s ash covers 11 villages

US embassy gets custody of marine-rapist

MANILA - United States Embassy spokesman Matthew Lussenhop on Jan. 2 announced that the Balikatan joint military exercise between American and Filipino soldiers would resume. Lussenhop made the confi rmation after the Philippine govern-ment turned over convicted rapist Lance Corporal Daniel Smith to the custody of the US Embassy, saying the tuirnover made both parties “in compliance with the Visiting Forces Agreement.” Philippine offi cials confi rmed the resumption of the war games. Days before Christmas, the US government cancelled the war games with the Philip-pines due to the continued detention of a US Marine convicted of rape. PNA

US-RP war games resume


MANILA - The US embassy here on Dec. 29 got custody of convicted rapist American marine Lance Corporal Daniel Smith on orders of the government.

In Malacañang, President Gloria Maca-pagal-Arroyo said on Jan. 2 that Smith was transferred to the embassy’s custody to avert the further erosion of Philippine strategic re-lations with the US over non-compliance by the government of its treaty obligation under the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

But the President said Smith’s transfer to the custody of US authorities “will not af-

fect the substantive issues at bar, nor impede justice and the rule of law.”

Arroyo said the Executive Branch “is prepared to meet all legal challenges to the government action on the Smith case, and we are confi dent that its legitimacy and wis-dom will be upheld.”

Embassy spokesman Matthew Lussen-hop said the Philippine government decided to transfer (Smith) back to US custody, con-sistent with VFA terms.

But Makati Regional Trial Court Judge

Flashfl oods hit MindanaoBUTUAN CITY - At least 22,703 families or 96,965 persons have

sought higher grounds as fl ashfl oods, triggered by swollen rivers follow-ing continuous torrential rains since Jan. 2, submerged as many as 75 vil-lages in about 15 towns in the Caraga region in northern Mindanao.

The Philippines News Agency on Jan. 11 reported that two persons drowned during the onrush and continued rise of waters, which also af-fected millions of pesos worth of property, crops, livestock and other ag-ricultural assets.

In Agusan del Sur, waters have reportedly replaced the landscape in the towns of Prosperidad, Sta. Josefa, San Francisco, Loreto, Veruela, Es-peranza, Bunawan and Talacogon. In Surigao del Sur, fl ashfl oods swept villages near rivers in the towns of Tago and San Miguel. Similar fl ooding was reported in 19 villages in Butuan City’s eastern side, barangay Ama-maylan being hardest hit.

Landslides have also hit Agusan del Norte, particularly in barangays Marcos Calo, Mandamo and Dankias of Las Nievas town. A swollen Agu-san River also spilled water over Las Nieves and RTR town.

Meanwhile, calls for relief and rehabilitation aid were also made for victims of fl oods in Davao del Norte and Davao del Sur.

Continuous rains since News Year’s eve have affected over 400 fami-lies in Kapalong, Asuncion, Tagum City and Carmen, all in Davao del Norte; and in Malita and Sta. Maria, both in Davao del Sur.

370 Rexdale Boulevard, Rexdale On. M9W 1R6

ANTONIO TECSONSales Consultant

Tel: (416) 745-7060Fax:(416) 745-1360

CALL ME AND SAVE YOUR MONEY

Manila Media MonitorJANUARY 200726The Philippines

MANILA - The Philippine government is set to import some one million metric tons of rice for its “Food for School” program.

Under the program, grade school pupils are each given one kilo of iron-fortifi ed rice per school attendance, aiming to mo-tivate them attend school and ad-dress malnutrition.

But under serious scrutiny is the P4.7 billion the government set aside for the 2007 school feed-ing program.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap confi rmed the importation.

Senator Edgardo Angara, how-ever, noted that rice alone would not ease malnutrition problems and the importation would only serve administration-favored im-porters.

Angara said the importation was an insult to Filipino farmers, who deserved the money as rice production support.

The Department of Agricul-ture, in a recent report, said it ex-pected domestic rice production to go up to 15.2 million metric tons in 2006, or four percent high-er than the 14.6 MMT produced in 2005, despite damages to rice farms caused by super typhoons.

In another report, the Food and Agriculture Organization said Asian countries like Bangladesh,

Iran and the Philippines would re-duce rice importation in 2007 as paddy production are expected to be better.

Rice scientists and program planners of the Philippine Rice Research Institute also decried the government’s huge budget for rice importation but very minimal funding for rice production.

They said the National Food Authority has made available some P29 billion for rice impor-tation in 2006 but only P1 billion for rice production.

“Looking at these fi gures makes one very sick. We have that much money for importation but just a pittance for rice produc-tion,” they said.

Meanwhile, Executive Sec-retary Eduardo Ermita defended the proposed P4.7-billion school feeding program as a legitimate initiative intended to address the problem of malnutrition among schoolchildren of the country’s poorest of the poor, many of whom dropped out of school due to poverty and health concerns.

Politics had nothing to do with the project, Ermita said.

“The program is among the various pro-poor projects of Presi-dent Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ... not a political gimmick,” he said. Wires

RP to import rice amid ‘better harvests’

DO WE REALLY HAVE ENOUGH RICE? The question remains in the minds of Filipinos who used to see the Philippines as a rice exporter. Above, President Gloria Macapagal-Ar-royo talks to a store owner in Barangay 637, Zone 65 in San Miguel, Manila who sells National Food Authority rice. OPS

No political gimmick - Ermita

US embassy ...(From page 25)Benjamin Pozon, who handled Smith’s case, refused to hand him over to US custody.

Pozon insisted that a provision in the bilateral VFA said “any ac-cused American serviceman shall remain in US custody until all judi-cial proceedings are exhausted.”

Pozon said the provision applied only during “the judicial proceed-ings in the trial court.” It expired upon a defendant’s conviction, re-gardless of a pending appeal.

On Dec. 18, the Court of Ap-peals (CA) denied Smith’s Dec. 14 request of a temporary restraining order on his detention at the jail. On Jan. 4, Malacañang said the CA upheld the transfer.

Pozon sentenced Smith to 40 years in prison for the rape of 22-year old Nicole (not her real name) on Nov. 1, 2005, his fi rst day of rest and recreation after military exercises in Central Luzon.

On Jan. 4, Presidential Spokes-man Ignacio Bunye said “the US and the Philippine governments have learned good lessons from this case.”

“The government is also re-solved to review the VFA and, if warranted, to work with Congress to amend certain provisions there-of,” he said.

Earlier, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita called on the Cabinet and Congress to review the provision on “extraordinary circumstances” among others in the VFA, in order to avoid similar controversies in the future. PNA/Wires

27JANUARY 2007 Manila Media Monitor

28Manila Media MonitorJANUARY 2007 Provincial Roundup

GSIS uses ecards for pensions

The Philippines

Iloilo City’s Dinagyang had its beginnings in 1968 when Fr. Sulpicio Ebderes, OSA brought a replica of the image of the Señor Santo Niño from Cebu City to the San Jose Parish church where it has been enshrined since. A novena in His honor is held every Friday. The fi rst parish feast of Señor Santo Niño was celebrated in 1969. The culmination of the nine-day novena is a fl uvial proces-

sion. From 1969, the cel-ebration was casually called “Iloilo Ati-Atihan” to differentiate it from the Mardi Gras-like revelry of Kalibo, Aklan. Through the years, Iloilo’s Dinag-yang festival evolved into a time of the year every-one looks forweard to as it has become a period of thanksgiving and offer-ing for all the blessings the people have received, thanks to the Señor Santo Niño. This year, the festi-val will feature an inter-national Holiday On Ice show.

Hala Bira! Hala Bira!

January in Iloilo CityHala Bira!

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has started, since Jan. 1, crediting the monthly pensions for old-age pensioners to the latter’s GSIS eCard account. This meant that pen-sioners should use their GSIS eCard to withdraw pension in any Automated Tellering Machine (ATM) nationwide, GSIS president and general manager

Isabela town goes high-techNEW YORK - The Philippines and Afghanistan

ranked side by side second to Iraq in the infamous list of nations with the highest death toll of journalists.

Radio reporter Andy Acosta was stabbed and killed while on his way home from a press club party in Batac, Ilocos Norte on Dec. 20. Acosta, 46, was a police beat reporter of radio station DZJC based in Laoag City. He was the fourth mediaper-son killed in the Philippines in 2006. PNA

With three journalists killed apiece, the Philip-pines and Afghanistan, however, were a far cry from the 32 -- 28 of them murdered -- killed in Iraq.

Russia, Mexico, Pakistan, and Colombia each had two journalists killed.

At least 55 journalists died around the world in 2006 doing their jobs, an increase from 47 in 2005, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) in a report released on Dec. 20.

The Iraq fi gures made the country’s death toll for journalists the highest ever for a single country in one year since CPJ began keeping track in 1981.

For the fourth consecutive year, Iraq was in a cat-egory all its own as the deadliest place for journal-

ists,” the report stated.“This year’s killings bring to 92 the number of

journalists who have died in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion of March 2003.

In addition, 37 media support workers-interpret-ers, drivers, fi xers, and offi ce workers-have been killed since the war began.

CPJ also revealed that murder was the leading cause of journalist deaths in 2006, accounting for about 85 percent of cases.

“Among those slain was Russian Anna Politkovs-kaya, a leading investigative journalist and critic of President Vladimir Putin,” the report stated. “She was shot, contract-style, in her Moscow apartment build-ing on October 7,” CPJ Executive Director Joel Si-mon said.

“When an internationally renowned reporter can be gunned down in her own apartment building and the perpetrators walk away free, it has a devastating effect on the press. Fewer tough questions are asked, fewer risky stories are covered,” Simon said.

“Her case shows why impunity is such a serious threat to press freedom, not only in Russia but in na-tions such as the Philippines, Colombia, Mexico, and Pakistan.”

RP, Afghanistan 2nd to Iraq injournalists’ death toll - CPJ

NEW YORK - The Philippines ended 2006 by taking over as acting president of the 61st United Na-tions General Assembly (UNGA) anew.

The Philippine Mission to the UN said General Assembly President Haya Rashed Al-Khalifa of Bah-rain has requested Ambassador Lauro Baja, Philip-pine Permanent Representative to the UN, to again assume his functions from December 24 to 31, 2006.

The designation made the Philippines the fi rst vice president of the 61st UNGA to be asked to serve as acting president twice.

UNGA President Al-Khalifa fi rst designated Am-bassador Baja as acting president of the General As-sembly on Oct. 19.

As acting president, Ambassador Baja was autho-

rized to sign correspondence, represent the UNGA in meetings of other UN organs, receive callers and as-sume other functions.

The designation of Baja as acting president was different from the occasions when he presided over UNGA meetings as vice president.

The Philippines fi rst presided on Sept. 13, when Baja was asked, as vice president, to chair the High Level Dialogue of the 61st UNGA on the agenda item Migration and Development.

A week later, the Philippines was given another opportunity when Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo was requested to chair the general debate of the 61st UNGA, also in the coun-try’s capacity as vice president. PNA

Philippines leads 61st UNGAtwice -- in acting capacity

JONES, Isabela - This sec-ond class town lying on the Northern Sierra Madre mountain ranges has gone high-technology. Mayor Florante Raspado said the on-line connection of the town has greatly helped not only the lo-cal government but also students

Zambales sun-run water supplyMASINLOC, Zambales - A P4.5-million solar-powered water

supply facility will soon be installed in barangay San Salvador here.The facility will improve sanitation and regulate pollution vital in the preservation of marine life. San Salvador has coral reefs that serve as spawning and nursery areas for various fi shery species. The reefs also protect the coastline from erosion by wave action. PIA

Aklan to expand abaca outputKALIBO, Aklan - Offi cials here have set their sights on ex-

panding abaca production in the province, making up for losses in the aftermath of recent supertyphoons that hit the country’s leading abaca sources like Bicol. Offi cials said the area planted to abaca would be raised from 1,500 to 3,355 hectares in the towns of Alta-vas, Balete, Banga, Ibajay, Madalag, Makato, Malinao, and Liba-cao. The Philippines used to cover 90 percent of global demand for abaca fi ber, but could not meet demand because of dipping yields and dwindling land area devoted to cultivating the plant. PIA

Cag. de Oro school gets books

who have saved time and money to travel to nearby Santiago City to avail of internet services. PIA

Winston Garcia said. GSIS would stop using checks to deliver pen-sions. Garcia urged pensioners without eCards to enroll themselves at the GSIS home offi ce or the nearest GSIS servicing offi ce to avoid suspension of their pension payments. PIA

TORONTO - Pupils of a grade school in Cagayan de Oro City were just too glad to get new and pre-loved books, activity sets, art materials and school supplies, courtesy of Ricky Caluen, Cynthia Aliño-Perez and Glen Perez and Nobella Tumbokon, all of the Al-pha Phi Omega (APO) Southern Ontario Alumni Association. The donations were sent to the school after school offi cials intimated the plight of their bookless library. PR

N. Vizcaya-Baguio road opensARITAO, Nueva Vizcaya - The P858.8-million Aritao-Kayapa-

Pangawan Road that would link Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya to Baguio City formally opened to traffi c on Jan. 2. The road would provide an alternative route to the provinces of Isabela, Quirino and Nueva Viz-caya in the east and the provinces of Benguet, La Union and Ilocos Sur in the west. Another road project, the Ambuklao-Kayapa road, is expected to be fi nished in October. PNA

NegOcc geothermal plant up K A N L A O N ,

Negros Occiden-tal - A 50-megawatt geothermal plant here will soon start operations. The over $2-million project, undertaken by the Philippine National Oil Corporation, is seen as a big boost to the economy of Western Visayas as it will address the power defi cit problem in the region, especially Panay Island. This will issue the signal that the region is ready to cater to new and big investments. PNA

GEOTHERMAL PLANT IN MINDANAO

Manila Media Monitor JANUARY 200729

MANILA - University of Santo Tomas - Education High School Alumni Association (UST-EHS AA) interim president Eduardo Nepomuceno (Batch `69) has called on co-alumni in Canada and elsewhere in North America to step up and solidify support for the rebirth and revitalization of the association, which had become dormant in recent years.

Nepomuceno said the active participation of alumni members abroad would greatly complement the initiatives of co-alumni in the Philippines.

Nepomuceno’s call came after the election of an interim set of offi cers in a reorganiza-tion meeting at the UST-EHS Principal’s Offi ce, UST Education building on Nov. 18.

Elected with Nepomuceno were external vice president Reynaldo Ligueran, `76; inter-nal vice president Louie Cirilo, `89; secretaries Ritchie Parenas, `96 and Ria Rose Sorita-Buluran, `94; treasurer Anita Edralin-Florentino, `70; and press and public relations of-fi cers Eduardo Umali, `71 and Leticia Abad-Durens, `75.

Committee heads elected were Armando Tolentino, `71 and Allan Hinayo, ‘88 for re-cruitment and membership; Jesus Nartates, `69 and Ernie Lazaro, ‘76 for ways and means; Edilberto Florentino, `70; Umali and Durens for programs and events.

UST-EHS group calls on Fil-Canalumni support for revitalization

LOANS AND MORTGAGES► Line of Credit ► Personal and Business Loans ► Best Rate Mortgage with No Commission ► Mortgage for Bad Credit/Bankruptcy ► Self-Employed ► New Immigrant ► No Income ► O% down, 7% Cash-Back Mortgages ► Re-fi nancing ► Debt ConsolidationMARY-ANN SOBERANO

Tel No.: (647) 430-3680 Cell: (416) 825-9803

LIVE-IN CAREGIVERS WANTEDIf you have someone in Hong Kong, Taiwan or Singapore, tell them to forward their resume and photo to 1057 Steeles Ave. West, PO Box 81721, Toronto ON M2R 3X1 or email to philca-nfi [email protected]

Canadian aid for disaster victims

Canadian Ambassador in Manila Peter Sutherland turns over a sack of seed-lings to Emilio Punio, barangay captain of Guinsaugon, St.Bernard, South-ern Leyte, as a symbol of Canada’s assistance to the village hardest hit by mudslides in February last year. Sutherland visited Southern Leyte to see the projects that got aid from the Canadian International Development Agency through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives. The Leyte Center for Development and the Citizens Disaster Response Center are two organiza-tions implementing one of the projects that directly benefi t the survivors of Guinsaugon. Canada Fund gave P2.5 million for economic assistance and disaster response training to the affected areas in St. Bernard. More than 600 families in six affected barangays have been given seeds, farm tools, and farm animals such as goats and ducks, as livelihood assistance. The grant was also used to for capacity-building activities that trained commu-nity leaders in disaster preparedness and mitigation. The Canadian govern-ment contributed more than P13 million for relief and rehabilitation of the mudslide-affected communities. Recently, the Canadian government has given some P7 million in the aftermath of Typhoon Milenyo and P45 million for victims of Typhoon Reming. PR


JANUARY 2007The Philippines

ZAMBOANGA CITY - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and other public and pri-vate agencies have committed to help the Siocon Subanon Associa-tion, Inc. (SSAI) in managing the royalty payments the association has been receiving from TVI Re-sources Development Philippines, Inc. (TVIRD) in Canatuan, Sio-con, Zamboanga del Norte.

TVIRD media offi cer Rocky Dimaculangan said the help fo-cused on planning and carrying out livelihood and community

development projects SSAI mem-bers have identifi ed.

Dimaculangan said SSAI, the legal representative of the 1,200-strong Certifi cate of Ancestral Domain Title holders in Canatuan, has received royalty paymnets of about P5 million in 2005.

TVIRD offi cials estimated the Subanons would get some P14 million, net of tax, for 2006.

Meanwhile, Calgary-based TVI Pacifi c, Inc., TVIRD’s mother fi rm, announced it had received positive results on a feasibility study to

mine copper and zinc at Canatuan. TVI Pacifi c would invest over $23 million for the project.

The Canadian mining fi rm hoped to begin production, esti-mated to reach 1,300 dry metric tonnes per day, in early 2007, of-fi cials added.

TVI Canatuan General Manag-er Yulo Perez said TVIRD has been processing an average of 1,500 dry metric tonnes of ore - rocks that contained gold and silver - to pro-duce roughly P5 million to P6 mil-lion worth of gold per day. PNA

C A N A D A - R P ECONOMIC BI-LATERAL CON-SULTATIONS. National Eco-nomic and De-velopment Au-thority assistant director-gen-eral Rolando G. Tungpalan (left) and Canadian In ternat ional Development Agency direc-tor-general for Asia Pauline Kehoe (right) exchange copies of the aide memoriam to the 9th Annual Bilateral Consultations between the two countries in a recent signing ceremony. PR

Siocon Subanons to invest TVIRD royaltypayments in livelihood, community projects


Wishing You a New Year of Peace, Prosperity & Happiness!

Peso gains vs US, Cdn $


JANUARY 2007Business

CEBU CITY - Fred Escalona, executive offi -cer of the Confederation of Philippine Exporters Foun-dation (Philexport) Cebu Inc., urged export industry players to be “competitive and innovative” to meet the challenges of the proposed Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) eco-nomic integration.

It would be survival of the fi ttest, “so they should position themselves as early as now,” Escalona said.

He feared Asean eco-nomic integration would “kill” small businesses.

With calls to move the economic integration ear-lier to 2015, Escalona said industry players should be-gin fi nding their own niche market “as early as now.”

The integration is seen as a chance for Asean mem-ber-countries to improve each other’s capabilities.

“It’s better to work to-gether in cooperation rather than compete against each other,” he added.

Asean leaders drafted a

roadmap for the creation of an Asean economic commu-nity that names 12 pioneer sectors for integration.

The sectors are electron-ics, information technology, health care, wood-based products, automotives, rub-ber-based products, textiles and apparel, agro-based products, fi sheries, air trav-el, tourism and logistics.

While furniture and electronics are considered “highly developed” or ma-ture sectors, Escalona ex-pected good returns from the country’s services sec-tor, particularly medical tourism, information and communication technology (ICT) and other ICT-en-abled services.

While health services in

Get ready for Asean economicintegration, RP exporters urged

Annual foreign exchange earn-ings from the Philippines’ call center industry will nearly triple to $7.3 billion in 2010, up from $2.6 billion in 2006.

western and Asian countries would remain costly, invest-ments in retirement facilities would open to more highly developed medical facilities and quality medical staff in the Philippines.

Escalona said the coun-try’s tropical climate would contribute greatly in the growth of medical tourism.

He noted that as young graduates improved their profi ciency in the English language, more call centers and business process out-sourcing companies would enter the fi eld.

Escalona said ICT and information technology enabled services would be-come a $12-billion industry in the next few years.

“And a growth in these sectors will reduce the country’s brain drain prob-lem,” he said.

Escalona expressed optimism that with the de-velopment in the country’s services sector, the Philip-pines would benefi t from the Asean economic inte-gration. PNA

Philippine-made and designed high-quality Tenorio Manila designer shoes have started making a mark in Toronto’s footwear arena, through distributor Gemma Mendoza Fashion Studio Ltd.

The Philippines’ youngest but foremost shoe de-signer label, Tenorio Manila has received raves in Germany’s Dusseldorf Shoe Fair and was fi nalist in the Harvard Business School Entrepreneurial Idol’s ”Battle of the Business Plans.”

With Tehran-born, Filipino-American Brian Teno-rio as principal designer, Tenorio Manila has produced high-end footwear created by its team in the Marikina Valley.

Tenorio Manila is the only made-to-order custom-fi t designer label for men and women shoes in the Far East. PR

Tenorio Manila shoeshit Toronto market

The Philippine peso continued its rebound in the fi rst two weeks of January to breach the P48 to the US dollar and $41 to the Canadian dollar levels. The peso drew its strength from dollar infl ows of overseas Filipino worker remittances and stepped up investments in the local stock market. But exporters believed the industry would face more diffi culties this year with the peso’s foreign exchange gains, said Al-lan Suarez Jr., chairman of the Confederation of Philippine Exporters Cebu. Economists said the peso’s appreciation, which made Philippine products more expensive abroad, will go up to P45 to a dollar.

The peso exchange rate against the dollar: US$ Cdn$Dec. 29, 2006 49.0681 42.1051Jan. 02, 2007 48.9280 41.9998Jan. 03, 2007 48.8711 41.7711Jan. 04, 2007 48.8693 41.5535Jan. 05, 2007 48.8602 41.5633Jan. 08, 2007 48.9109 41.5282Jan. 09, 2007 48.7173 41.3394Jan. 10, 2007 48.9705 41.6318

33Manila Media MonitorJANUARY 2007Business

CLARK ZONE, Pampanga - The P21-billion 93-kilometer Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) would be completed in November 2007. Narciso Abaya, president and CEO of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), said the Philippines’ longest toll way intended to transform Central and Northern Luzon into a super region.Abaya said the completion of the tollway would jumpstart economic development in Central Luzon and enable the country be globally-com-petitive. PNA

Clark tollway due November

DAVAO CITY - The Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) would offer programs for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) early 2007 for them to become entrepreneurs. LBP Davao Region vice president Jo-selito Guittierez said the initiative would come through loans or other investment products, to include entrepreneurship for them to put up small businesses. Guittierrez said this “recognizes (OFW) efforts of pump priming the economy and their inexhaustible contribution to keeping the country’s economic lifeline running.” PIA

Land Bank comes to OFW aid

MANILA - Canada, through the Canadian International De-velopment Agency (CIDA) has granted the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW) over P315 million for projects that would spur women’s economic empowerment.

Canadian Ambassador Peter Sutherland and National Eco-nomic and Development Author-ity Secretary-General Romulo Neri have signed a memorandum of understanding and contribu-tion arrangement spelling out how project funds would be managed.

The Gender Responsive Eco-nomic Actions for the Transforma-tion of Women (GREAT Women) project started in November and would run until 2011.

Under the agreement, the Department of Trade and Indus-try, Technology and Livelihood Resource Center, Technical Edu-cation and Skills Development Authority and other Philippine government agencies would re-view policies and guidelines that would create more accessible and friendlier business environments for women.

CIDA has also partnered with local government units, civil soci-ety and the private sector to facili-

Filipino women’s economic growthgets priority in CIDA P315M grant

tate and enhance active women’s participation in micro-enterprises in pump-priming local econo-mies.

Sutherland said “economic empowerment means helping women have equal opportunities

STEREOTYPED. Studies show that gender role stereotypes have negative effects on women’s access to capital, mar-ket, information, technology, and technical assistance. The belief that women’s participation in businesses should be limited to very small and overcrowded enterprises such as “sari-sari” (village convenience) stores, preserved fruit repacking, etc., has resulted in very small profi ts and high risks of business failure in these micro-enterprises.

with men for decent jobs.” “It also means involving them

in profi table economic activities, ensuring humane working condi-tions, and increasing their control over the business environment,” Sutherland added. PR

Ontario’s businessmen and workers are seen to gain from close to $1 billion in training and employment services through Employ-ment Ontario, a result of the Canada-Ontario Labor Market Devel-opment Agreement, a CNW Group report said.

Chris Bentley, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, said the agreement, effective Jan. 1, transferred many federal train-ing and employment programs, resources and staff to the province.

Bentley said Employment Ontario has become one-stop shop with the transfer, making the system more fl exible and effective.

The transfer meant Ontarians would get more resources as $525 million in transferred yearly federal programming would combine with $360 million in Ontario programs; more service as people and businesses served yearly would grow from over 500,000 to 900,000; and more locations as the number of third-party service providers would increase from 470 to 1,200 in all regions of the province.

Under the agreement, employers would get expanded services to help them fi nd the workers they needed and to encourage investment in skills development; job-threatened or laid-off workers would ben-efi t from better coordination and availability of services; and em-ployers, workers, newcomers, and youth would get more fl exible programs that support life-long learning to meet changing needs.

Pact assures more Ont.employment services


JANUARY 2007WheelsGeneral Motors (GM) Chairman and CEO

Rick Wagoner said the car fi rm has planned to re-duce reliance on oil as an energy supply and has-ten the “electrifi cation” of future GM vehicles.

In a recent Los Angeles Auto Show, Wag-oner said “we must, as a business necessity, de-velop alternative sources of propulsion based on alternative sources of energy.”

“Energy diversity” is the key, he said, add-ing that GM is committed to emission-free hy-drogen fuel cell electric vehicles. “We will offer more GM E85 FlexFuel (bio-ethanol) vehicles.”

David Paterson, vice president for corporate and environmental affairs of GM Canada Ltd., said the company has been doing more of this work in Canada.

► GM Oshawa Engineering is assembling the world’s largest fuel cell test fl eet of Chevro-let Equinox Fuel Cell vehicles and working on the development of GM’s next generation of ad-vanced hybrid vehicle systems.

► GM Windsor is building hybrid transmis-sions for the Saturn Vue Green Line – the most affordable hybrid SUV in the market – and the new Saturn Aura hybrid that will be on dealer lots in mid-2007.

► GM St. Catharines is building GM “Ac-tive Fuel Management” engines that achieve up to 12 percent better fuel economy by automati-cally shutting down half their cylinders when not needed, a key development for reducing highway fuel consumption.

► GM Oshawa is building the award-win-ning E85 Flex Fuel Chevy Impala which has the lowest net greenhouse gas emissions of any ve-hicle sold in Canada, when running on cellulosic ethanol bio-fuel.

► GM Kapuskasing initiates cold weather testing of hybrid electric, fuel cell and bio fuel vehicles. PR

GM eyes less oil reliance,more vehicle electrifi cation

WASHINGTON - Automakers won a surprise victory on Dec. 14 as the U.S. In-ternational Trade Commission lifted most of the 13-year-old tariffs on imports of high-grade steel used in cars, a move that should boost ailing Detroit automakers by lowering prices.

In a 4-2 vote, the commission lifted tar-iffs on fl at-rolled corrosion-resistant steel from Canada, France, Australia and Japan, but kept them on imports from South Korea and Germany for another fi ve years, David Shepardson of the Detroit News reported.

In an unusual display of solidarity, Gen-eral Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co., Daim-lerChrysler AG, Toyota Motor Corp., Nis-san Motor Co. and Honda Motor Co. jointly worked to end the duties, which they argued had cost them more than $3 billion since

2003.In making their case, automakers point-

ed to steel shortages in the United States and a 68 percent price increase over the past two years, fueled by tariffs as high as 35 percent on imports, depending on the country of ori-gin.

Automakers also noted the 12 percent average profi t of the largest steel companies after they underwent restructuring.

In contrast, GM and Ford have been los-ing money and are cutting jobs and plants.

Because of tight competition, automak-ers have been unable to pass on higher steel prices by raising vehicle prices.

The tariff rollbacks would help smaller auto parts makers, who have often faced shortages, forcing them to pay higher prices on the spot market.

US lifts tariffs on Cdn steel

Odd Makes & Models

Bamboo-embellished car in Ban-gued, Abra, the Philippines

Brass-embellished car, California, USA

TOKYO - Toyota Motor Corp. is devel-oping a fail-safe system for cars that could detect drunken drivers and would automati-cally shut the vehicle down if sensors picked up signs of excessive alcohol consumption, a Jan. 3 Asahi Shimbun news report said.

Cars fi tted with the detection system would not start if sweat sensors in the driv-ing wheel detected high levels of alcohol in the driver’s bloodstream.

The system could also kick in if the sen-sors detected abnormal steering, or if a spe-cial camera showed that the driver’s pupils were not in focus. The car would slow to a halt.

Toyota hoped to fi t cars with the system by the end of 2009.

Nissan Motor Co., another Japanese car maker, has been experimenting with breatha-lyzer-like devices that could detect drunken driving.

Similar technologies, such as alcohol ig-nition interlocks, have been in use in the U.S. and elsewhere.

Concerns over drunken driving have surged in Japan following a series of alco-hol-related accidents last year.

In August, a drunken driver collided with another vehicle carrying a family of fi ve, plunging them off a bridge and killing three children.

Japanese police have stepped up road inspections and have even proposed stiffer penalties for drunken driving.

Toyota trying system to deterdrunken driving

Manila Media Monitor JANUARY 200735Wheels

Are you are a motorhead or just an average motorist keen on getting a fi rst look at the hottest new vehicles com-ing this year and beyond?

The North American International Auto Show, which remains the top US auto show for its sheer num-ber of important model intro-ductions, is just for you.

The show runs Jan. 13 to 21 at the Cobo Hall, Detroit Convention Center. Admis-sion is $12, Forbes Autos/Yahoo! has said.

Last year the show boast-ed 70 new vehicles, includ-ing many world debuts. But business woes for domestic automakers, combined with weak economic conditions and infl amed gas prices, mean that they are under a lot of pressure to deliver designs that are going to be a hit with discerning shoppers.

Car makers will keep pushing stylish, car-based SUVs - called crossovers because they are a sort of cross between a wagon and an SUV - as alternatives to sedans and minivans; sporty niche utility vehicles will hone in on younger, more-fi nicky buyers; and striking designer interiors, with ma-terials such as brushed alu-minum and carbon fi ber, and customizable features like LED mood lighting and mul-timedia entertainment sys-tems will fi nd a place even in the smallest cars.

Here are some of the new vehicles expected to grace the Detroit auto show show:

At the recent Los An-geles auto show, Acura unveiled the future design direction of its sedans with its high-waisted, aggressive Advanced Sedan Concept. In Detroit, Honda’s luxury brand will roll out a similarly named Advanced Sports Car concept that the company says “provides a glimpse at the next-generation Acura exotic sports car,” presum-ably one to fi ll the void left by the discontinued NSX.

Although it’s no secret that the 2007 BMW 3 Series Convertible will use a fold-ing hardtop system rather than a conventional soft-top, Detroit will mark the public debut for the models.

The 2008 Cadillac CTS sport sedan launched a whole new and much-acclaimed look for Cadillac when it debuted in 2002 and will re-ceive its fi rst major redesign for model year ‘08. It should prove to be a signifi cant new model for this American brand that faces steeper com-petition by the year.

Last year, muscle cars

ruled at the Detroit show, with unveilings of the Chev-rolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger concepts as well as the 2007 Ford Shelby GT500. The trend continues this year, with a Chevrolet Camaro convertible con-cept and a revamped 600-hp Dodge Viper.

Chrysler will show its Nassau wagon concept that, according to the automaker, brings the side silhouette of a British-style “shooting brake” sports car (like a low-slung wagon) and the cargo versatility of an SUV. It is based on the same platform as Chrysler’s 300 sedan and will likely see production.

Ford will pull the wraps off a high-performance, rear-wheel-drive sedan concept called the Interceptor, based on the Mustang coupe.

Lincoln may also show a high-performance sport se-dan called the MKR.

The Trailhawk concept that Jeep plans to roll out is based on the Wrangler, but with a more stylish, contem-porary appearance inside and out, including an open-top.

Lexus plans a new high-performance line, designated with the “F” and equipped competitively against Mer-cedes-Benz’s AMG line and BMW’s M cars. The fi rst of these, the IS-F, a high-pow-ered version of the brand’s IS sport sedan, will be unveiled at the show and is expected for 2008, along with a futur-istic hybrid sports car con-cept called the FT-HS.

Mazda has a new hybrid version of the Tribute, called the 2008 Tribute HEV. More mysterious is the automak-er’s Ryuga, the latest of sev-eral recent Mazda sports car concepts. The Ryuga looks to be a very sleek, sculpted sports car with gullwing doors.

Mercedes-Benz plans to break the blahs with its Ocean Drive, a four-door convertible based on the big,

V12-powered S600 sedan.Other cars to debut in-

clude a special edition of the Mini Cooper convertible called the Sidewalk; a thinly veiled preview of the next Mitsubishi Evolution sport sedan in its Prototype X; a Nissan multipurpose vehicle concept called the Bevel; and a revised and face-lifted ‘08 Porsche Cayenne.

Anticipated, but not cer-tain, are Hummer’s new H4, a smaller model designed to go head-to-head with the Wrangler, and a revised 2007 Maserati Quattroporte.

Two other concepts con-fi rmed for Detroit will pres-age production cars to come. Jaguar is bringing a concept car, the C-XF, that will give a glimpse of the S-Type’s re-placement, due for ‘09; and Volvo’s upcoming XC60 SUV isn’t expected until the ‘09 model year, but the automaker will show it as a concept at Detroit. Read our preview of the Volvo XC60 here.

Rolls-Royce will bring the production-bound ver-sion of its convertible model, called the Phantom Drop-head. Teased in concept form for several years, the latest development bears the same huge, 6.75-liter V12 engine as the Phantom sedan. Sur-prisingly, the $407,000 two-door model has rear-hinged doors, a unique, eye-catch-ing feature.

General Motors an-nounced at the November LA show that it is working on a plug-in hybrid version of the Saturn Vue, which would allow drivers to do short commutes on electric power only, with gasoline-hybrid function for longer trips. GM is expected to make a signifi cant follow-up announcement at Detroit.

As always, there will un-doubtedly be many cleverly kept surprises that are not re-leased until the offi cial press days of the Detroit show.

Detroit auto show Jan. 13-21

Acura advanced sedan concept

Ford Interceptor


One of the real joys of the New Year is the opportunity to say “Thank You” and to wish you a full year of

Happiness and Success!

37Manila Media MonitorJANUARY 2007 Sports

CMHL HOCKEY, MODEL OF TORONTO’S DIVERSITY. Ace Alvarez, 1st vice president and corporate secretary of the Canadian Ethnic Media Associa-tion (CEMA) highlights the importance of the Canadian Multicultural Hockey Championships in refl ecting Canada’s diversity and in pulling various com-munities together. Alvarez, also the managing editor of Manila Media Moni-tor and producer of TV program Front Page Philippines on OMNI Television, spoke during the offi cial launch of the games in Scarborough. Looking on are two of the hockey league’s organizers, Clara Northcott and Tim Fujita. In foreground are the prestigious trophies -- the Canadian Cup and Heritage Bowl -- awaiting the tournament’s best. CMHL Photo

FILIPINO FURY gets iced early but shows true Pinoy grit The community’s hockey team Filipino Fury (right photo)

might have lost most of its games against better opponents in the Canadian Multicultural Hockey League tournament from Dec. 27 to 30.

But Filipino Fury has not only gained experience. The team has told all and sundry that Filipinos can play and excel in Can-ada’s number one sports too.

Fury general manager Rommel Legaspi, in an interview with Triponhaitas Production’s Voulakapralos, said the tourney was the “fi rst time we got off together as a team to play.”

“It is encouraging and we hope all the players will come back. We will continue with this because we do want to start a Filipino hockey team, Legaspi said. (See below for more)

Fury Aldrin Alvarez also told Voulakapralos that team members understood that playing as a hockey team needed “a lot of work ... a lot of practice.” Alvarez noted Filipino pride as the team’s motivation: “We want to represent the Philippines.”

He has this good advice for parents: “Get your kids involved in hockey early and we’ll be very competitive in the long run.” CMHL Website Video and Photo

Rommel Legaspi and the Filipino Fury have one goal as the newest members of the Canadian Multicultural Hockey League: to raise awareness of the sport in the Filipino community.

“Filipino people aren’t traditionally seen as hockey fans or players, but that’s changing,” Legaspi says.

“In the last fi ve or ten years, we’ve seen younger people in the Filipino com-munity getting involved in the sport.”

And while many mem-bers of the community are basketball fans, Legaspi adds that like many Canadi-ans, there are “a lot of die-hard Filipino hockey fans out there.”

An active member of the community, Legaspi has been involved in Filipino

sports organizations since he was a child.

“I’ve always wanted to do what I can to help the com-munity,” he says. “That’s why I got involved with the CMHL.”

Legaspi confi des that put-ting a team together has been a challenge: “Some of the larger communities have an easier time bringing people out, whereas we only have a handful of players that we know about.”

So far, he is relying on e-mails and word of mouth, hoping that word of the team will spread.

“I know a lot of the players who have come out, whether it be through friends or hockey,” he says, adding that he hopes to use community newspapers and web sites in the near future

to help draw new players to the team.

Legaspi adds that it has been a learning process, watching players, and deter-mining who will make up his fi nal roster.

He sees the CMHL as a way to help Filipino hock-ey grow for generations to come.

“We want the younger members of our commu-nity to embrace the game of hockey, and share in this experience, so that they’ll want to become involved,” he says.

This is what he feels the CMHL can provide: “It cre-ates a positive atmosphere and unites us all through Canada’s game, and that’s the really great part about it.” Natalie Papulkas, CMHL Website

Filipino Fury: Unity through Canada’s game

38

Entertainment

Manila Media MonitorJANUARY 2007

Vivian of V Beyond Expression Band keeps the groove alive at Ellen’s Place in Mississauga. The band’s versatility with hits of the 60’s to contemporary pop music makes it a major attraction when it plays alternate weekends at the popular restaurant and karaoke bar. Manila Media Monitor Photo

Sports

ON ITS 31st YEAR, the Executive Offi cers and Board of Directors of the To-ronto Filipino Bowling Congress promise an even more exciting year ahead for its members. (Courtesy: Oscar Cruz)

Manila Media Monitor JANUARY 2007 38

Sotto. (Ryan, Marvin and Dolphy made it in previous years’ lists.)

Females: Boots Anson Roa, Claudine Barretto, Gloria Romero, Jolina Magdan-gal, Jessica Sojo, Mikee Cojuangco, Pia Guanio, Regine Velasquez, Rhea Santos and Susan Roces. (Jolina and Rhea were in previous lists; Mikee C is perennially a winner but could not be declared as she is spokesperson for the foundation that runs the survey.)

Interesting sidenotes to the survey were the fairly impressive showing of the late action king FPJ, star in hiatus Nora Aunor, star turned politician Vilma Santos, civic worker Rosa Rosal and former president Cory Aquino. So there.

How fares Philippine TV ...(From page 8)

GOLFING AROUND. The yearlong golf season for golfers of Ontario’s Tala-mak group ends with an awards night. Recipients of championship honors in 2006 are (from left) Ferdi Regala, Charlie Schlobohm, Ramon de Guzman, Aldrin Balbas, Rene Bedana, Rick Solis and Lou Servio (not in photo).

MOST WELL-LIKED FEMALE TV PERSONALITIES: (From left) Mel Tiangco, Sarah Geronimo, Christine Bersola-Babao, Bernadette Sembrano, Korina Sanchez, Kristine Hermosa and Bea Alonzo. Below, BATANG BRODKASTERS

Francis Gavreel Villanueva and Raquel Gertrude Correa represented by father, Camilo Correa with Edgar-do Roces, SEAFCTV President. MCH



200701

Documents

rp consular staffmember

seor santo nio

davao del sur

davao del norte

paul banquet hall

tony san juan

destroyed records relating

manila media monitor