Philippine Canadian Inquirer Issue #56

CANADA’S FIRST AND ONLY NATIONWIDE FILIPINO-CANADIAN NEWSPAPER VOL. 3 NO. 56

MARCH 22, 2013

WHAT’S INSIDE

JOHN BONDOC

Ottawa to revisit skills gap in federal budget The federal government is poised to revisit its labour market interventions as Canada’s work force and business sector come together in their frustrations.

Will this time be any different? (On page 19)

TWILIGHT TIME. Like a painting come to life, this sunset is viewed from Antipolo redirecting its light to the dark side of the Ortigas skyline, radiantly rages against the dying of the light.

Unpaid for 4 years, live-in caregiver sues her employer Evelyn Yacas tended to her employer's aging mother for 16 hours each day. The old woman passed away in 2008, and to date, Yacas is still without paycheck.

(On page 20)

Political debates get nasty

BY TJ BURGONIO AND CHRISTINE O. AVENDAÑO Philippine Daily Inquirer ARE PHILIPPINE political debates going the way of confrontational, reality television programs spawned

by American talk show host Jerry Springer, who prods his guests to verbally and physically assault each other on the idiot box?

Some politicians are appalled not only by how much mud has been tossed between candidates during this campaign season but where these character assassinations have taken place—on news and public affairs shows on national television.

Even the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has taken note of what some commentators claim has become a disturbing and nasty trend in election debates. “Will bring this up in our discussions this week,” said Comelec

Commissioner Grace Padaca, who declined to elaborate.

Squaring off two personalities who hold a grudge against each other has been the blueprint for success of Springer’s TV show, which focuses on personal disputes involving ordinary people. In a recent interview with US news website Huffington Post, Springer said that while people enjoyed watching his show, he admitted that his program was “stupid” and had “no redeeming social value.”

In a text message to the INQUIRER, Sen. Serge Osmeña III said: “It is extremely disappointing to witness interviews and debates that have been allowed to degenerate into mudslinging and personal insults and public peeks into irrelevant family conflicts. Our nation has serious problems which need serious minds to come up with serious solutions.”

“We maintain that this campaign should be about programs of the government and not about personalities. We do not believe in negative campaigning,” said Sen. Franklin Drilon, campaign manager of the Team P-Noy senatorial ticket.

Lim-Estrada tussle Last week, a one-on-one debate between rivals Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and former President Joseph Estrada on ABS-CBN’s talk show, “Umagang Kay Ganda,” supposedly on issues confronting the nation’s capital, degenerated into an ugly exchange of barbs and personal attacks against each other’s children.

Lim and Estrada carried on their bitter tirade the following day in a debate sponsored by the University of the Philippines in Manila, where they ignored the host’s repeated pleas More on page 3

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The end of a dream: U.P. freshman takes her own life 16-year-old college Kristel Tejada had beauty, brains, and a bright future. All that ended by her own hand when the young lady took her life upon having no money to go to school. (On page 46)

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“I invited them because they had issues facing them. to stick to the issues concerning Manila’s residents and I tried to set a time limit or to calm them down but to hold their mudslinging in other venues. both (Estrada and Lim) were too insistent. On Zubiri’s charges, I myself was shocked, he volunteered that Zubiri vs Pimentel info. I did not ask him that,” Taberna said.

In a similar incident on the TV program “ManoWhile he agreed that debates should focus on Mano ni Anthony Taberna” on Studio 23 of ABS- issues rather than personalities, Taberna said that the CBN, United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) senatorial mudslinging had its benefits. It shows the “true colors” candidate Juan Miguel Zubiri accused Sen. Aquilino of the candidates, he said.

“Koko” Pimentel III of being a wife-beater.

Pimentel’s estranged wife, Jewel Lobaton, quickly Nothing wrong issued a denial: “I categorically state that I have never Navotas Rep. Tobias Tiangco, UNA’s campaign claimed nor complained to Migz Zubiri that I was a manager, does not see anything wrong in the lack of battered wife. In the close to 12 years that we lived decorum and substance in the debates. together, my husband Koko Pimentel has never ever “Let the voters decide because they are the king. physically hurt me,” said Lobaton, a relative of Zubiri. If the voters think that the candidates are acting out Zubiri said in a statement he read in a press forum in of line, they will make their opinion on election Baguio City: “It was not my intention to hurt her feelings day. There has and will always be mudslinging in and those of her children but I was merely echoing the politics,” Tiangco said. sentiments that she shared with us.”

“Voters deserve better. I think people are thirsty for substantive debate and the candidates that can Taberna shocked join substance with public speaking skills will be In a phone interview, Taberna said that he tried his best greatly appreciated,” said Akbayan Rep. Walden to keep his guests to stick to issues.

Bello.

Higher level “I expected the campaign to be on a higher level, especially in the election for the Senate. I thought it would be based on issues and platforms, not namecalling and mudslinging,” said San Juan Rep. Joseph Victor Ejercito, who accused Team PNoy of starting the mudslinging.

Ejercito, a senatorial candidate of the UNA, said that people with a short fuse like Lim tended to get heated in this type of debates. “Look at Lim. Whenever he is unable to answer your charges, he’ll threaten you, like a police bully,” said Ejercito, son of Estrada.

“It’s despicable but the stations love it.

It’s up to them if this is their contribution to society,” said Sen. Vicente Sotto III. ■

Why not John Paul, Pius or Benedict?

BY CHRISTIAN V. ESGUERRA Philippine Daily Inquirer

Photo from jimmyakin.com

WHY NOT Benedict XVII, John Paul III, Paul VII, or Pius XIII? Or even Peter II? Argentine Jorge Mario Cardinal Bergoglio has been rightfully called a Pontiff of many “firsts,” but his unexpected rise to the papacy perhaps begins with his choice of papal name: Francis.

In his 2012 book “Pope Names,” church scholar Jimmy Akin gave a rather generous “1-percent” chance that the next Supreme Pontiff after Pope Benedict XVI would pick a “new unprecedented name.”

Akin, whose original work tracked and analyzed all the names used by the Catholic Church’s 265 Popes (including the “antipopes”) since the time of Peter, believed that the odds were “actually lower than 0.8 percent.”

That’s based on the fact that since AD 996, when the practice of taking papal names became common, only Albino Luciani did the “unprecedented” and took the name John Paul I for what would be a short-lived, 33-day papacy in 1978.

It was unexpected, Akin explained, because Luciani combined the names of two previous Pontiffs, Pope John XXIII (who began the work for Vatican II) and Paul VI (on whose watch the council was completed).

Anticipation “I don’t want to list the chances as zero, so I’m giving this a 1-percent chance, just to anticipate the unexpected,” Akin wrote on the chances that Benedict’s successor would choose an entirely different name.

And Bergoglio did just that, picking “Francis,” until now unused by Pontiffs as an assumed name.

The new Pope has explained his name choice. It’s after St. Francis of Assisi, founder of the mendicant Franciscan Order, not Francis Xavier, cofounder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), Bergoglio’s community.

But it’s the names he could have picked—but did not—that probably invite more curiosity.

Peter in tradition Like most of his predecessors, Bergoglio understandably steered clear of St. Peter, traditionally held as the first Pope, for that would naturally raise eyebrows.

In the second Gospel, Jesus himself gives the name “Peter” (from the Aramaic “Kepha” meaning “rock”) to his top disciple Simon bar-Jona (Matt 16:18), and Peter, being the leader of the Twelve, went down in Christian tradition as the first Pope.

Akin noted that one Pope, who was baptized “Pietro,” had to change his name to John XIV in AD 983 “because he didn’t want to invite comparisons, as Pope, to the original St. Peter.”

Eleven more Peters assumed new names when they became Pope.

“No Pope wants to start off his reign with the massive, incredulous, ‘Who does this guy think he is? He just put his name above all his predecessors but the first!’ reaction that would follow,” Akin explained.

So why not Benedict XVII or John Paul III, Bergoglio’s two immediate predecessors?

Noting that half of the Popes had picked the names of one of the 10 previous Pontiffs, Akin said the natural choice would be any name among Benedict XVII, John Paul III, Paul VII, John XXIV, Pius XIII or Leo XIV. Akin said Benedict XVII was unlikely unless the outgoing Pontiff died in a “crisis situation” or the successor “feels particularly indebted to him.”

John Paul superstar The author said John Paul III was more likely, but warned that the new Pope might be “uncomfortable inviting comparisons” with someone like John Paul II, the first Pope in centuries who might go down in history as “Pope St. John Paul the Great.”

And so Pope Francis it is. ■

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FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2013 4

Thanks to Edcel, the young now confess ‘RH’ sins THANK you, Edcel Lagman.

They may have lost the battle over the reproductive health (RH) law, but Catholic prelates say they have reason to thank the principal author of the law, as more and more young Catholics have become aware of the sin of artificial contraception and they are being driven to confession by their guilt.

Fr. Melvin Castro, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Family and Life, said many priests had noticed a “general trend” among young Catholics to seek forgiveness through confession for using artificial contraceptives.

“There is now an awareness, thank God. If only for that, thank you to Lagman,” Castro said.

“They now know the doctrine of the Church. So, that’s good,” he said.

According to Castro, many priests have been seeing this trend in the confessional.

He said people now seemed to be more aware that using artificial contraceptives, going into “live- in” relationships and engaging in premarital sex are sins.

“They go to confession. It’s a good

sign among the young, and I’m glad about it,” he said.

Carl Mydans, Time Life Pictures, Getty Images

BY PHILIP C. TUBEZA Philippine Daily Inquirer

Reawakening Castro attributes this “reawakening” to the Church’s campaign at the height of the debates on the RH bill to inform the faithful that using artificial contraceptives is wrong. “[The RH law] is a tragedy, humanly speaking, but thank God that it has become a means for people to go back to God. It is more important that individual souls get closer to God,” he said.

“Deep inside, people yearn to do what is right,” Castro said.

Mostly women He said many of those who have sought absolution through confession for using contraceptives were young women.

L L CA

“Women are very religious. You can see that in the proportion of those who go to church [to attend Mass]. There are more women in church,” he said.

Castro said there were also women who sought forgiveness for having an abortion.

“They thought that since it was just a few months old, it would only be blood.

They were not aware that it involved a baby,” he said.

Castro stressed he and his fellow priests took care not to violate the “seal of confession” (or of the confessional) when they discuss these matters. Priests have the absolute duty not to disclose to anyone anything that they learn from penitents during confession, even under threat of their own death or that of others.

Preach more Castro urged the Catholic priests to preach more often against artificial contraception. He said some prolife advocates had complained during the congressional debates over the RH bill that the Filipino clergy was not speaking out enough against the bill.

“We need more teachers who will bear witness to the faith and live it. This has to be preached despite our personal feelings,” he said.

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However, he said not all priests had the authority to grant absolution to those responsible for an abortion because it is considered a very “grave sin,” similar to physically attacking the Pope, or desecrating the consecrated host and wine, which Catholics believe are the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

“Because of the gravity of the sin of abortion, only bishops can give absolution.

What the bishops do is choose priests and give them the faculty to absolve this sin. It is very limited,” Castro said.

“For example, I can only absolve up to 10 cases. After 10 cases of abortion, I have to inform my bishop. In that way, the diocese can also monitor the extent of abortion [cases],” he said.

Healing process Castro said priests should be very sensitive when hearing the confession of women who have had an abortion.

“It is not only the guilty feeling. There is a phenomenon that they go to confession again and again. It’s a worldwide phenomenon. In the case of abortion, they feel the gravity and they feel the need to make reparation,” he said.

“It is good because this becomes a healing process when they admit it, and then they are blessed,” he said. ■

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There’s something special about Chito

BY PHILIP C. TUBEZA Philippine Daily Inquirer HE MAY not have been elected Pope, but the people close to Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle have always felt he was destined for a greater mission.

Theologian Fr. Catalino Arevalo SJ, the cardinal’s friend, said his parents Milagros and Manuel Tagle kept his school papers and medals because they felt early on there “was something special” about their son, popularly known as “Chito.”

“Mrs. Tagle once said, ‘Looking back, we feel that God was acting in his life as if preparing him for whatever work God wanted him to do,” Arevalo said.

“He is not super special but there is a side of him, a certain goodness that is extraordinary and ordinary people see that in him,” he added.

Arevalo pointed out that Tagle could already pray the rosary when he was only 3 years old. Over the years, he always noted that the significant events in his ministry happened during the month of October, which Catholics believe to be the month of the Virgin Mary.

“Cardinal Chito has a very deep devotion to the Virgin Mary ... which is very Filipino and our Lady of the Pillar (the patroness of the Diocese of Imus) has played a real part in his life,” Arevalo said.

During the canonical coronation of the image of the Our Lady of the Pillar in Imus last December, Tagle recalled that he was informed of his appointment as bishop of Imus, Cavite, on Oct. 17, 2001.

Ten years later, on Oct. 7, 2011, he learned that he was going to be the next Archbishop of Manila. And then on Oct. 23, 2012, while he was in Rome, he was informed that he was going to be made a cardinal.

‘Floral aroma’ “As I call it, the Octobers of my life,” Tagle tearfully recalled in his homily.

Tagle also recalled that, on the night before the feast of Our Lady of the Pillar on Oct. 12, 2001, he noticed a “floral aroma” filling the entire cathedral.

“I had gone down here to check if the church was ready for the Mass the

following day. Oct. 11, 2001 ... the whole church was filled with an aroma,” Tagle said.

“I looked around to search for flowers.

It was impossible that it was caused by perfume because, in every nook and cranny, the scent was there,” he said.

Tagle said he came across some church workers and asked them about it but they replied: “Father, you also smell it? It’s scary. It has been going on for some time now.”

“I told them not to be scared ... because God ... and His Mother are with us,” Tagle said. “I never thought that it will be the beginning of the many Octobers in one’s life.”

Arevalo also remembered that after Tagle was ordained priest in 1982, he celebrated a Mass for seminarians.

“I remember this very clearly. One of the seminarians knelt in front of Fr. Chito and said, ‘Fr. Chito, next time I will kneel before you, you will be the Cardinal Archbishop of Manila,’” Arevalo said.

Holiness, humility “That guy is not a priest and is now married in the US. I remember that very clearly. So even then, his classmates noted that he did not only have the brains, he also had a certain humility, a certain goodness. It was like God was guiding his life,” Arevalo added.

Tagle’s holiness and humility has attracted the faithful, with the number of “likes” in his official Facebook page growing from 118,000 three weeks ago to 136,057.

“The sudden increase started when he left for Rome (for the conclave). We also noticed that the reviews of his fan page among bloggers around the world also increased because of his being papabile,” said Raymon Ritumban, production coordinator at Jesuit Communications (Jescom), which manages Tagle’s official Facebook page.

‘Likes’ from all over Those who “like” his page come from various countries like Poland, Australia, Italy, Spain, the United States, Puerto Rico and other nations in Latin American, Africa and Asia.

“They have languages that we don’t understand anymore,” Ritumban said.

He said the number of visitors to the Jescom website, which hosts YouTube videos of Tagle’s TV show, also increased.

“Actually, we are doing troubleshooting because it seems access to the website has slowed down due to the traffic (hits) it is getting,” Ritumban said. ■

Hyped Baguio face-off fizzles out

BY NORMAN BORDADORA CHRISTIAN V. ESGUERRA Philippine Daily Inquirer

AND

Other candidates in attendance apart from Cayetano, were Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, former Sen. Jamby Madrigal, Benigno Aquino BAGUIO CITY—President IV and Risa Hontiveros.

Aquino’s candidates attracted a crowd of less than a thousand on Binay to Vatican the Melvin Jones Open Field here Unlike Mr. Aquino, who personally in the much-hyped face-off with endorsed his senatorial candidates the United Nationalist Alliance on stage, Binay missed the UNA (UNA) that had the summer capital rally because he had to rush back anticipating which slate would have to Manila to prepare for his Vatican trip the following morning to attend the bigger audience.

Vice President Jejomay Binay’s Pope Francis’ installation.

Both leaders were present at candidates on the opposition UNA slate held their own rally at the the graduation ceremony at the Military Academy Baguio Convention Center nearby Philippine that Team PNoy spokesperson Ben (PMA).

Instead of attending this year’s Evardone chided was easy to fill with its capacity of just more than PMA graduation rites, senatorial candidates from both camps spent 2,000.

In contrast, Evardone in an earlier on Sunday morning campaigning downtown Baguio, statement said the Melvin Jones around including Session Road and the venue could hold 5,000.

Mr. Aquino joined the Team PNoy public market.

The local supporters of Team PNoy candidates on stage at 5:40 p.m., more than an hour after the rally began the day by staging a ritual feast at Burnham Park to draw blessings started.

Sen. Franklin Drilon, Team to their senatorial candidates, as PNoy campaign manager, said well as the administration’s Baguio the administration coalition was candidates.

They butchered two native pigs satisfied with the crowd which he pointed out looked small because of for a ritual called “debon,” which invites the spirits of their ancestors the wide-open space.

Drilon placed the turnout at 3,000 to bless the candidates. as of 5:30 p.m., but it could have Livers and bile been less.

The UNA crowd was estimated at Jayson Nagayos, a 90-year-old mambunong (ritual leader), said the around 1,000.

“We are satisfied with the feast was successful, after reading crowd considering that we didn’t good signs for the administration bus people (hakot),” Drilon told candidates from the appearance of reporters who had sought his the livers and bile of the sacrificial pigs. reaction to the sparse crowd.

Former President Joseph Estrada Drilon said the Liberal Partyled coalition was not bothered by the fact of UNA rode on a campaign float that Baguio was under the control of mounted on a pickup, hurling an UNA stalwart in the person of candy and shaking hands with people who approached him on Mayor Francisco Domogan.

“We’re not affected and we’re Session Road.

Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, UNA confident that we will win in secretary general and campaign Baguio,” he said.

Reelectionist Sen. Alan Peter manager, said they never intended a Cayetano tried to make light of the showdown. “It’s purely coincidence situation by saying that many people on the part of UNA because we turned out for the administration wanted Vice President Binay [to attend] and we had to adjust to his slate’s rally.

“But because the economy is so schedule,” Tiangco said in a news good many of them went to buy conference. (With a report from ukay-ukay (used clothes),” Cayetano Desiree Caluza and EV Espiritu, Inquirer Northern Luzon) ■ told reporters on the sidelines.

News-Phils VATICAN CITY—Two retired Filipino cardinals have invited Pope Francis to visit the Philippines, Asia’s bastion of Roman Catholicism that the Pontiff has called “Islands of Saints.”

Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, the archbishop emeritus of Manila, and Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, the retired archbishop of Cebu, extended the invitation to Francis during the new Pope’s audience with the world’s cardinals at the Vatican.

Rosales and Vidal said the Pope could make the 2016 International Eucharistic Congress to be hosted

by Cebu an occasion to visit the Philippines.

They said Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, archbishop of Manila, wanted to organize a third National Day of Clergy that could be expanded to include Asian clergy. The occasion could also provide Pope Francis an opportunity to address the churches of Asia.

Vidal said Pope Francis met all of the 155 cardinals, retired or active and eligible to vote and be voted as Pope, one by one, giving each of them an opportunity to foster “fellowship” with the new leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics.

On seeing the retired Manila prelate, Francis recognized him immediately.

“Oh, you’re Cardinal Rosales,” the Pope said.

‘Islas de santos’ Rosales said he told the Pope in Spanish, “Your Holiness, the Philippines is now preparing for your first pastoral visit as Pope!”

Rosales said the Pope smiled and said, “Vamos a ver (Let us see).”

On seeing Vidal, who took part in the 2005 conclave where then Jorge Mario Cardinal Bergoglio, archbishop of Buenos Aires, placed second to the Pope he has now replaced, Francis exclaimed, “Filipinas, islas de santos (The Philippines, islands of saints)!”

Vidal said he was initially stumped by the Pope’s remark, explaining that “islas de santos” can also mean “islands of holy people” because the Philippines is known to be devoutly Catholic.

Pope Francis invited to PH He calls PH ‘islands of saints’

Photo by Dan Kitwood on Getty Images

BY LITO B. ZULUETA LIFESTYLE ARTS AND BOOKS EDITOR Philippine Daily Inquirer

FRIDAY MARCH 15, 2013 6

It could also mean that the Pope was making a reference to the recent canonization of Pedro Calungsod, whom Cebu and the other Visayan islands claim as their own, as the Philippines’ second canonized saint after another martyr, San Lorenzo Ruiz.

Both Filipino saints were canonized by the new Pope’s predecessors, Blessed John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See Merceditas Tuazon said she would soon make a request to the new Pope for the image of Calungsod to be set up at St. Peter’s Basilica in recognition of the Philippines’ contributions to Christianity.

A painting of Lorenzo Ruiz already graces one of the chapels of the basilica.

Francis’ description of the Philippines could also be a reference to the high profile that the country has earned as a result of the intense speculation in the Philippine press that Cardinal Tagle could become Pope because of his sterling qualifications.

In the run-up to the conclave, Tagle had been much bruited about in the media and by key “Vaticanologists” as a leading contender from outside Europe.

But Rosales said he had always cautioned against too much speculation about his successor’s prospects for the papacy.

“As I always tell Filipinos, let’s not just pray for one of our own to become

Pope; let’s pray for the good of the Church,” he said.

Rosales and Vidal participated in the congregational discussions among active and retired cardinals before the papal conclave that started on March 13 and ended quickly after only five ballotings.

At more than 80 years old, both Rosales and Vidal were no longer eligible to vote or be voted in the conclave.

‘God’s humor’ Vidal said the 2005 conclave was his “first and last.”

They said they had known of Bergoglio as a “quiet and unassuming man.” In Vatican conferences where the bishops would congregate, the former archbishop of Buenos Aires was usually quiet and reserved, they said.

Rosales couldn’t help but chuckle that for all the media frenzy about the papabile, the possible successors to Pope Benedict, and the probability that the conclave would be drawn out, none from the news agencies and the social media was able to predict that a selfeffacing and very modest archbishop from Argentina would be elected in one of the quickest papal elections in history.

Asked why the media did not get it right, Rosales said, “God does not read social media.”

Rosales attributed the conclave’s result to “the surprise of the Holy Spirit” and the “humor of God.”

Vidal, sitting beside Rosales at the refectory Pontificio Collegio Filippino, where Filipino priests studying or working in pontifical institutes are boarded, agreed. “God knows how to surprise us,” he said.

From across the globe, Vidal’s successor, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, sent in his agreement. “We must prepare for surprises,” he texted. “To me, it’s the work of the Holy Spirit.”

But Rosales said the biggest surprise was the papal name of Bergoglio—“Francis,” from St. Francis of Assisi, who founded the Franciscan movement that highlighted the charism of poverty in order to check the materialism of the medieval church of his time.

“St. Francis was a joker,” Rosales said, referring to the saint’s wellknown light-heartedness. He said the saint should indicate the humor of God. “We had been speculating about this and that but in the end, God surprises us with his humor,” Rosales said.

Pope Francis chose the name of the founder of the mendicant movement because he wanted “a poor Church” to work “for the poor.”

He explained that when he was elected, a fellow cardinal embraced him and said, “Don’t forget the poor.”

“That’s when I thought of Francis of Assisi,” he said. “And that is how the name came to me: Francis of Assisi, the man of poverty, of peace.”

“This is what I want,” he added. “A poor Church for the poor.”

Pope Scola Rosales himself displayed lighthearted humor when he joked that the soda giant Coca-Cola had been known to have been very much against the possible election of Cardinal Angelo Scola, a papabile. “Because if he becomes Pope,” he explained, “he will be called Pope Scola,” a pun on Pepsi Cola, Coke’s rival.

He also poked fun at himself and Vidal for being “fundidos,” as retired cardinals no longer eligible to take part in the conclave are called.

When Tuazon brought with her during a breakfast with the cardinals a bottle of natural squeezed kiwi juice, known for its rejuvenating properties, Rosales christened the tonic “Fundido’s Juice.” ■

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Greco Belgica Youngest bet vows change to flat tax

BY MARLON RAMOS Philippine Daily Inquirer GRECO BELGICA was elected to the Manila City Council in 2004. He was 26 and he enjoyed wielding power and influence.

But when he lost his bid for reelection in the city’s sixth district in 2007, he learned the bitter realities of politics, including the reported betrayal by friends in the name of political survival.

“It was a surprising lost because I was a very popular city councilor then. I actually wanted to run for vice mayor, but I lost the party convention,” Belgica, who describes himself as a member of the “original Liberal Party” wing of former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, said in an interview with the INQUIRER. “I was one of the boys then. But infighting in our party led to our defeat in that election,” he said.

Dejected, Belgica stayed away from politics and went into international trading and construction. He also got married and started a family of his own.

Then he found what he called his “real happiness,” which he said came to his life unexpectedly—becoming a pastor in the Christian ministry founded by his father, Grepor “Butch” Belgica, a murder convict turned evangelist.

“I realized that money, power and position never made me happy and satisfied,” Belgica said. “I realized that the joy and satisfaction I was looking for were in the word of God, in prayer and in serving Him. That changed me.”

He said there had been several invitations for him to return to politics, but he rejected them all. But he said his experiences as an elder in the Lord’s Vineyard Covenant Community convinced him to try his

hands in politics again.

“Being a minister, I realized that the life of people in power was very different from the life of ordinary citizens. Those in power do not obey the law. We also have laws that are not consistent with the law of God,” he said.

In October last year, he gave in to friends and supporters who had been prodding him to run for a seat in the Senate.

Now 34 and father of two, Belgica prides himself on being the youngest among the 33 candidates courting more than 52 million voters for one of the 12 senatorial seats at stake in May’s midterm elections.

“I’m actually the same age when Ninoy Aquino became senator [in 1967],” he said, referring to the father of President Aquino.

Belgica believes his youth, idealism, faith and strong belief in the free market system will propel him to the Senate, duplicating Ninoy Aquino’s feat as the youngest politician to be elected senator.

Ninoy Aquino’s assassination in 1983 served as the catalyst for the Edsa People Power Revolution that toppled the Marcos regime three years later.

Flat tax Belgica wants to start a different kind of revolution in the Philippines. He admits it’s a bit radical, but he believes it’s more realistic, palatable and appealing to most Filipinos: A flat-rate tax to replace the current progressive tax system.

According to Belgica, the current tax system deprives Filipinos of their dreams of a better life. If elected, he said, he would fight for legislation that would mandate a tax of no more than 10 percent of the salaries of employees and the net income of private businesses.

“One of my advocacies is to abolish all current taxes, including the e-VAT (expanded value-added tax) and the RPT (real property tax), and replace them with a 10-percent flat-rate system,” Belgica said.

He said 43 developed nations all over the world, among them Russia, Singapore, China and Hong Kong, had adopted such a tax system, resulting in improved economic conditions for their citizens.

Belgica, who has a degree in marketing and management from San Beda College and another in international trade and commerce from the University of California,

said reducing taxes would result in an increase in the take-home pay and purchasing power of ordinary workers and in the net income of businesses.

Such a tax climate will attract more investments, both local and foreign, resulting in faster economic development for the Philippines, he said.

It would also help resolve the perennial problem of unemployment in the country, “as experienced by nations with a flat tax system,” he said.

“If we go into a flat tax system, the prices of basic commodities like gasoline, electricity and food will go down. We will be the tax haven of the world, inviting more investments here,” he said.

Asked how he would pursue the idea in a Senate dominated by lawmakers with contrasting business interests, he replied: “I would strongly fight for it. I would use the Senate floor, the media and social networks like Twitter to fight for it.”

Like many young Filipinos his age, Belgica believes in the power of the Internet in advancing his advocacies and challenging the antiquated leadership style of “traditional politicians.”

“I will come out in the media and in social media networks to remind the people that this is the platform I carried when they voted for me.

Then I will tell them the names of the senators who do not want to bring down taxes,” he said. “[T]he people will clamor for it.

Who doesn’t want lower taxes? The people will be hitting them in the media and Twitter. I will convince them (senators) to fight for the interest of the people,” he said.

Remember Recto?

“Remember one man was able to increase the tax imposed on us through the e-VAT. Then one man will also be able to bring down the taxes. That will be me. It’s not impossible to reduce the taxes,” Belgica said, referring to Sen. Ralph Recto, who lost his reelection bid in 2007 for sponsoring the e-VAT law.

Recto was also publicly criticized recently for his version of the sin tax law, which would have led to less tax revenue for the government compared with the version proposed by the Aquino administration.

Belgica said he would also push for the distribution of public land to all Filipinos for free. ■

News-Phils

FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2013 8

PH debuts as Asia’s new gamblers’ haven

BY MICHAEL LIM UBAC Philippine Daily Inquirer

Photo by Dondi Tawatao on Getty Images

PRESIDENT Aquino described in glowing terms the giant $1.2-billion Solaire Resort and Casino on Manila Bay that he opened, kicking off the Philippines’ high-stakes bid to join the world’s elite gaming destinations of Macau and Las Vegas.

Solaire, controlled by billionaire port king Enrique Razon Jr., the country’s third richest man, is only the first of four huge gaming venues set to rise on reclaimed land as part of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.’s “Entertainment City” complex that officials hope will draw millions of Asian visitors.

Mr. Aquino led a high-powered VIP guest list that included the country’s economic, social and political elite, expatriates and Cabinet officials Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras.

“Today, it is indeed a pleasure to be in the company of those who continue to work with us to ensure that our tourism industry gets the recognition it deserves—to make certain that the basic truth that drives our global marketing pitch endures: that, indeed, it is more fun in the Philippines,” said Mr. Aquino, eliciting applause from an audience dressed for an evening gala rather than an afternoon outdoor event.

The President and Razon officially opened the integrated resort after a colorful ceremony featuring dancers pirouetting on ropes suspended from the ceiling.

Run by Las Vegas-based Global Gaming Asset Management and owned by Razon’s Bloomberry Resorts Corp., Solaire has 300 gaming tables and 1,200 slot machines on a floor the size of four football pitches. The building also has 500 hotel rooms and 2,000 parking slots.

Another wing is being built to add 300 all-suite hotel rooms, 30 to 40 high-end shops and a theater for traveling Broadway shows as well as local and foreign lounge acts.

The first phase that opened cost more than $700 million to build. Bloomberry expects to invest a total of $1.2 billion when the Solaire hotel-casino complex is completed.

Even as Solaire was opening its doors, Razon said the company already has its sights on putting up new casinos in other Asian countries.

“We are browsing around. Any chance we get, we will take it,” Razon said, but added that the company would have to make a name for itself first before venturing overseas.

Far from done The President, who was himself well suited for the occasion, noted that during the past two years and eight months of his term, people around the world had looked at the Philippines and seen a country “vastly different from what it was just years before.”

“Not only do they see a people re-energized, or an economy brimming with optimism and new life, they have also begun to see in us a world-class tourist destination,” said Mr. Aquino.

He said he believed the country was now “beginning to realize the true potential of Philippine tourism, and I tell you, today we are far from done.”

He also thanked Razon for bringing back home 500 Filipino workers.

Bloomberry currently employs 4,600 workers. Of the total, 500 workers used to have jobs overseas but were recruited back to the country by Solaire.

The Philippines works Mr. Aquino noted how other Asian destinations like Macau and Singapore were competing for bigger pieces of the very lucrative gaming industry pie.

“Your presence in the country is proof positive that while it is indeed more fun here, Filipinos can also strike a productive balance between work and play— that, above all else, the Philippines works.

“This is doubly true in the hospitality sector, since our people are naturally pleasant, and, as some say, seem to be born with smiles on their faces. These are universally compelling reasons for businesses to bet on our country, and I am grateful that you have done just that—to the tune of more than $1 billion for this project alone,” he said.

P-noy plugs Solaire big-time Describing the mega-casino and entertainment resort in glowing terms, Mr. Aquino said Solaire was an entertainment hub that could be enjoyed by the whole family.

“Already, we can envision your guests during their stay—families swimming in the pool, couples relaxing in the spa, or simply sipping on a mango shake with the Manila Bay sunset in the background.

“Not to mention, a pleasant stay in Solaire can potentially expand the horizons of your guests. Soon enough, they may be more open to experiencing what the city around them has to offer—whether they want to take a bayside stroll, shop in the biggest mall in Asia, or even visit our newly refurbished National Museum,” he said.

The success of the Solaire project means attracting even more tourists to our country, he said.

“In fact, I am told that every tourist that visits our country directly results in the creation of one Filipino job. This means more work—more business, and consequently, more opportunities—for Filipinos.

Low-lying fruit Mr. Aquino said that early in his term, his administration had identified tourism as “a low-lying fruit that had to be picked”.

“I am happy to report that, so far, we have been successful,” he said, noting that in two years, the country jumped 12 spots—from 94th to 82nd—in the World Economic Forum Travel and Tourism Index.

He said international tourist arrivals rose to a record 4.3 million in 2012, against 3.7 million in 2011.

He said that in 2011, the country saw 37.5 million domestic travelers, exceeding the government’s 2016 target by 2 million. The Department of Tourism has since upped its target for domestic tourism in 2016 to 56.1 million.

He said this means that by 2016, the country will need 37,000 more hotel rooms in tourism hotspots, and urged the industry to build more rooms.

With the positive review of the International Civil Aviation Organization of the country’s compliance with international safety standards, Mr. Aquino said he expected the country’s carriers to resume flights to and from Europe and the United States.

He also happily announced the signing into law of Republic Act No. 10378, which removes the 3-percent common carriers tax for all international air and shipping carriers on receipts and income derived from transporting passengers. ■

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For your daily dose of the most current and up-to-date news

9 FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2013

News-Phils

BY LITO B. ZULUETA LIFESTYLE ARTS AND BOOKS EDITOR Philippine Daily Inquirer ROME—In his first public Mass as the new head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis signaled a striking liturgical difference with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI by facing the people, not turning his back, which the retired Pontiff had done in a controversial attempt to bring back the Latin Mass banished by Vatican II. In his inaugural Mass with the 114 cardinals who elected him in a conclave, Pope Francis, formerly Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, also used a small minimalist crucifix, contrary to the usual practice of the former papacy where huge baroque crucifixes were used.

Although hardly noticed by those who attended the Mass, the differences were striking and dramatic for those in the know.

Benedict, even when he was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the doctrinal watchdog of Pope John Paul II, opposed the popular liturgical reforms of Vatican II, calling them excessive and a misreading of Sacrosanctum Concilium, the first document to come out of the council in 1963, better known by its descriptive title, Constitution on Liturgy.

The liturgical charter called for the people’s active participation in the Mass as well as the translation of the Roman rite into the vernacular.

Pope Paul VI, who implemented the council’s reforms, later banned the Tridentine or Latin Mass, the Mass that was approved by the Council of Trent in the 16th century, the council that reformed the Church against the Protestant threat.

As a result of the reforms and in order to better popularize the Mass, the priest was made to face the congregation, not the altar, as had been the practice for hundreds of years. The reforms also led to the cultural adaptation of the Mass, including the incorporation of pop and rock songs in some local liturgies.

‘Eucharistic import’ But Ratzinger said the innovations were a misreading of the Constitution on Liturgy. He said the priest in the old Latin rite was facing the altar because as priest, he was leading with the people the memorial of the sacrifice of the Mass. He added that for the priest to face the people would be tantamount to making the Mass a congregation or,

worse, a concert, which misses the “Eucharistic import” of the liturgy.

In theological language, Pope Benedict XVI in all of his Sistine Chapel Masses, amid the dramatic frescoes of Michelangelo depicting the history of salvation, faced the altar ad orientam or “toward the East,” to denote the sacrifice of the Mass and the promise of resurrection, hence the east where the sun rises every morning. For the priest to do the Mass Ad populum, or “toward the people,” would be to lessen the import of the Mass as the sacrifice of Christ, Benedict said.

Benedict likewise used huge crucifixes in his Masses to emphasize the “christological dimension” of the Mass as the sacrifice of God the Son to redeem mankind from sin.

‘Apostasy’ Benedict also opposed the cultural adaptation of the Latin rite and the banishment of the Latin Mass. He called some culturally adapted liturgies, such as the incorporation of popular songs in the Mass, “a form of apostasy.”

He said vernacular translations of the Mass should hew as closely as possible to the Latin original. As a result, Benedict ordered the English translation changed.

“Et cum spiritu tuo,” the Latin response to the greeting of the priest, “Dominus vobiscum (The Lord be with you),” which had been translated in the immediate aftermath of Vatican II as “And also with you,” is rendered now as “And with your spirit.”

The use of the vernacular and the adaptation of popular cultural forms in the Mass has been criticized by traditionalists, who complain that they cannot recognize anymore the old beauty of the Latin Mass from its hybrid, innovated forms.

Roman Missal But respecting his predecessors while sticking to his guns regarding the “organic development” of the liturgy, Pope Benedict XVI issued Summorum Pontificum in 2007, upholding the Roman Missal as vernacularized in various forms and promulgated by Pope Paul VI, as the “ordinary expression” of the law of prayer of the Church.

But the same decree also ruled that the Roman Missal promulgated by St. Pius V after the Council of Trent and reissued by Blessed John XXII in the 1960s is the “extraordinary expression” of the same law of prayer and should be given the proper honor.

Photo by Max Rossi, Reuters

Pope signals liturgical break with Benedict

In plain language, while Popes since Paul VI banished the Latin Mass and allowed its celebration only if it had clearance from the local bishop, Benedict resurrected it and allowed its celebration even without permission from the bishops.

Despite the striking difference in the Sistine Mass of the new Pope from the

ones celebrated by his predecessor, in the same venue, the Mass still reserved kneelers at the altar, indicating that Pope Francis may yet follow the example of Benedict in offering the Mass ad orientam.

Witness to Christ In addition, Francis echoed Benedict’s frequent call for the Church to go back to its roots.

He urged the cardinals to shun modern temptations and stick to the basics of the faith.

Like Benedict, Francis said the Church should be witness to Christ despite the challenges and the criticisms leveled against it by the modern world.

“If we do not confess to Christ, what would we be? We would end up a pitiful NGO. What would happen would be like when children make sand castles.

And then it all falls down,” Francis said.

The new Pope said the faithful must walk the way of the cross.

“We can walk all we want, we can build many things, but if we do not proclaim Jesus Christ, the thing is not going to work,” he said. ■

News-Phils

FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2013 10

P-noy: We’re headed for ‘inclusive growth’

BY TJ BURGONIO Philippine Daily Inquirer CITING a resurgent economy that he said was peaking toward “inclusive growth,” President Aquino exhorted business leaders and investors to play a bigger role in the most vibrant sectors—agriculture, tourism and infrastructure.

Addressing the Euromoney Philippine Investment Forum 2013, Mr. Aquino raved about the 6.6-percent growth and the record highs posted by the stock market in 2012, and credit ratings placing the country at one level below investment grade.

Mr. Aquino cited the Japan External Trade Organization’s (Jetro) 2012 Survey of Japaneseaffiliated companies in Asia and Oceania showing that the proportion of profitable firms in the Asean 5 (the top five Association of Southeast Asian Nations) had declined, except in the Philippines.

“This places us squarely in the middle, with 71.9 percent of surveyed firms expecting a profit. In just a year, we have overtaken Singapore and Malaysia in this regard,” he said in a speech at the Manila Peninsula Hotel aired over government-run radio.

Bigger role “And I amhere to invite you to play an even bigger role in the years to come. There are many opportunities available in our country, but in particular, I would like to give you an update on the three sectors that remain our priority: agriculture, tourism and infrastructure.

For 2013, the government has increased the budget for agriculture to P75 billion, up by 22 percent from 2012’s allocation, to fund the construction and rehabilitation of farmto-market roads, enhance irrigation systems and provide support services, the President said.

“We hope to strengthen our position as regards rice selfsufficiency, and regain our footing in the export markets by exporting 100 metric tons of high-quality rice in 2013.

If there is anyone interested out there in being a part of the rise of the Philippine agricultural sector, our Agribusiness Lands Investment Center will be more than happy to conduct briefings for you,” he said.

Tourism investment The government has also heavily invested in tourism, after 4.3 million foreign tourists flew into the country in 2012 and the number of local tourists reached a record 37.5

million in 2011, breaching the 35 million target for 2016, Mr. Aquino said.

The new target for domestic tourism is now 56 million, he said.

“We want you to join in on the fun. Right now, for example, we expect the number of travelers to the Philippines to spike over the next few years. So, despite the great number of hotel inaugurations I’ve attended as President, it appears that we will need an estimated additional 37,000 rooms by 2016,” Mr. Aquino said.

He said this presented a “good opportunity” for hotel or real-estate industry players since the government was offering competitive fiscal and nonfiscal incentives for tourism enterprises.

To boost tourism and agriculture, and the country’s viability as an investment destination, the government has been working on constructing, rehabilitating and enhancing the quality of infrastructure, the President said.

The government increased the infrastructure budget this year to P242.3 billion, from P205.33 billion in 2012, to fund the development of road network, ports and airports, among others, he said.

He announced the rollout of two major projects—the Cavite-Laguna Expressway and the NLEX-SLEX link connector road—both of which are meant to cut travel time and enhance connectivity among the cities of Luzon. ■

Water rates going down this summer Absentee voting for members of media okayed

THE METROPOLITAN Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) said its two concessionaires—Manila Water Co. and Maynilad Water Services—will cut basic charges from April 1 to June 30 because of foreign exchange savings.

On average, customers in the east zone serviced by Manila Water will enjoy savings of P0.44 per cubic meter from the basic charge of P28.29 for every cubic meter of water consumed, MWSS said.

The east zone covers parts of the cities of Quezon and Makati, the southeastern parts of Manila, Taguig, Marikina, Pasig, San Juan, Mandaluyong, the municipality of Pateros and Rizal province.

In the west zone served by Maynilad, consumers will benefit from an average decrease of P0.16 per cubic meter from the basic charge of P33.97 for every cubic meter of water consumed.

The west zone includes parts of Manila and Quezon City, west of South Super Highway in Makati, Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas, and Malabon, as well as the municipalities of Bacoor, Imus, Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario in Cavite province.

The state firm’s board of trustees headed by MWSS chair Ramon Alikpala have made a resolution announcing a rate decrease based on the Foreign Currency Differential Adjustment (FCDA).

Through the FCDA scheme, Manila Water and Maynilad can pass on savings

or losses from foreign denominated loan payments to consumers.

The difference in tariff impact between the two concessionaires is due to certain variations in their loan portfolios, MWSS Acting Chief Regulator Emmanuel Caparas said in a statement.

With these tariff adjustments, MWSS said, the total monthly bill for Manila Water consumers using an average of 30 cubic meters per month will decrease by P9.89 for residential users and P12.13 for semibusiness users.

Commercial establishments consuming an average of 155 cubic meters per monthwill be able to save P154.14, while industrial establishments will save P167.53 for the same amount of water consumption.

For Maynilad customers who consume an average of 26 cubic meters per month, total savings will be P3.04 for residential and P4.18 for semibusiness.

Commercial and industrial establishments with an average water consumption of 251 cubic meters will pay P96.64 and P105.06 less, respectively, for the same volume of consumption.

The MWSS Regulatory Office reviews the FCDA quarterly and the adjustment is applied to the basic tariff for every month of the following quarter. As such, consumers can expect to have the announced rate reductions reflected in their billing starting this April, MWSS said. ■

BY MICHAEL LIM UBAC Philippine Daily Inquirer MEMBERS of the media assigned to cover the May elections can now exercise their right to vote, thanks to the Absentee Voting Act that President Aquino signed.

Republic Act No. 10380, otherwise known as “An Act Providing for Local Absentee Voting for Media,” allows media practitioners and their support crew and staff to vote ahead of the general electorate in the May 13 elections, according to Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte.

In a media briefing, Valte said the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will set the date for early voting among members of the Fourth Estate.

She added however that media practitioners “can vote (candidates but only) for the positions of president, vice president, senators, and party-list representatives.”

Under RA 10380, the media cannot vote for candidates in local elective positions, including district representatives, and (vote in) other local races, Valte said.

Photo by USDAgov on Flickr

BY RIZA T. OLCHONDRA Philippine Daily Inquirer

Covered by the law are “media practitioners, including the technical and support staff, who are duly registered voters and who, on election day, may not be able to vote due to the performance of their functions in covering and reporting on the elections.”

The Comelec has 30 days from the signing of the law to promulgate the implementing rules and regulations governing absentee voting for media, including “the system of accreditation and verification of members of the media, or media practitioners,” said Valte.

To avail themselves of the absentee voting privilege, members of the media must be accredited with the Comelec upon the recommendation of their media companies, she added.

“The requirements should serve as a timely reminder that not all individuals who claim they are media practitioners will automatically enjoy the right to vote under this bill,” said Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, chair of the Committee on Electoral Reforms and sponsor of the bill. ■

News-Phils

11 FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2013

Wife pitches:

As for President Aquino, “he told me you can’t give up halfway. That’s our strategy. Just work hard,” he said. Describing his relationship with his cousin, he said: “He’s more like an older brother. He’s not my barkada (close buddy) to be frank. We’re 17 years apart.”

The first thing the younger Aquino does when introducing himself on stage is to clarify possible misconceptions about his identity.

For all that has been said about his resemblance to his uncle Ninoy, especially with his penchant for wearing eyeglasses (“I’ve worn them since Grade 6”), people still get confused about how he is related to the President, Bam said.

Bam for voters’ ‘Aha! moment’

IF PAOLO Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV were a brand of shampoo, he could sell like hot cakes—with a lot of help from the sales savvy of his wife, a marketing professional.

Mary Fatima “Timi” Gomez-Aquino, the senatorial hopeful’s wife of six months, said she packages Bam as an electoral product the same way she pitches advertisements for a detergent and a shampoo brand.

“The simpler the message, the better,” said the 29-year-old Timi, senior brand manager for Unilever.

“As a marketer, what I can do to help Bam is just to remind him and to remind everyone on the team to stay on message.”

In advertising, that is to repeat the same buzzwords.

That message comes in two parts, she told INQUIRER editors and reporters.

“First is to embrace the Aquino legacy,” Timi said, turning animated as she spoke beside her husband Bam, first cousin of President Aquino and nephew of the late Sen. Benigno Aquino III. “It’s true that Tito Ninoy and Tita Cory are really Bam’s inspiration and I think he has told the story many times of how at only 6 years old, he was able to experience being part of [the Edsa People Power Revolution],” Timi said.

“Imagine, if... [you get] to experience firsthand that you can oust a dictator in a peaceful way, it would seem that you can do the impossible. And I think it’s that belief and that madness that he’s carried through his life decisions, from his work in government to his work in NGOs (non-government organizations),” she said.

The second part, she said, involves sharing with the audience some of the successes Bam has had in working with the youth sector and microentrepreneurs, two of his most important advocacies.

“I tell people that here is a person who has been living a life of public service, not a life of politics,” Timi said.

“Once they understand his childhood, once they understand exactly what he’s done year on year since the 1980s, that’s when it clicks.

And I really see the light bulbs go off over their heads,” she said. She described this as the “Aha! moment.”

The 35-year-old Bam said his wife appeared to be more comfortable talking about him than he did about himself.

“So I told her, ‘Honey, since you’re my wife, keep speaking for me. Because if you boast about your husband, that’s cute, but if I boast about myself, that’s arrogance,’” Bam said.

No. 1 proxy Timi, who has taken a three-month leave from her job to concentrate on her husband’s campaign, often serves as his “No. 1 proxy” in provincial sorties and speaking engagements, Bam said.

For instance, last week Timi spoke on her husband’s behalf in Quezon province while he was taping a TV program for ABS-CBN.

Photo by Mark Ruiz on Flickr

BY DJ YAP Philippine Daily Inquirer

The two met seven years ago when Bam was still the chair of the National Youth Commission while Timi was a delegate at a Japan-funded youth program. Both were in relationships at the time. A year later, they met again as singles. Sparks flew and the courtship began.

On New Year’s Day in 2012, Bam proposed inside a church; she accepted and they were married in September.

Asked about their plans to have children, the couple demurred. “That’s debatable,” said Bam. If they have a son, will they name him Benigno Aquino V? “Baka hindi na siguro (Probably not anymore). But we’ll see, in God’s time,” he said.

Timi, whose family owns the Aristocrat restaurants, said she has her own schedule on the campaign trail, one that usually keeps her apart from her husband in order to maximize his visibility.

She said her speaking style was simply “making sure your message is communicated in a way that your audience understands.”

No frills “We really tried to do it no frills. What you see is what you get. It is just a very honest, earnest, simple campaign and so far it’s been working for us,” said Bam, who jumped from No. 24 in the surveys to No. 6 in the span of a month.

At the helm of the whole operation are his two campaign managers, Senators Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan and Sergio Osmeña III, he said.

The campaign, he added, is not keen on doing “bongacious (outlandish)” gimmicks nor hiring celebrity endorsers, except for TV and movie star Dingdong Dantes, who volunteered to be part of his campaign team.

His other famous cousin, host and actress Kris Aquino, has offered to help but so far has not contributed funds to his campaign (unlike what she did for Aquino’s fellow Team PNoy candidate Risa Hontiveros) nor given him tips.

“Kung magbigay tatanggapin (If she gives, we’ll take it) but let’s not force her,” Bam said.

Not Noynoy’s son “In fact, there were people who said I was President Noynoy’s son out of wedlock. A grandmother in Cebu told me, ‘Bilib ako sa tatay mo (I’m impressed with your father)!’ Of course, the President furrowed his eyebrows when he heard that. So I clarified that we’re cousins, not father and son,” he said, eliciting laughs.

Bam said he also spends a great deal of time talking about his uncle, the martyred senator Ninoy “because he’s a very important part of my life and it was through him that my social consciousness grew in the 1980s.”

“Then we transition to how that consciousness continues with the work I’ve done with the youth sector and social enterprise. And how even though there are lots of gains, a lot still needs to be done,” he said.

Bam usually ends his speech by talking about his cousin, the President, and his “tuwid na daan (righteous path)” thrust of governance.

Communicate game changes “Why? Because with the President’s good governance push now, it’s really been a game changer in our country. Sometimes it’s not communicated properly.

But on myown initiative, I try to communicate this,” he said.

He said he likes to quote Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, who once remarked that the Philippines saves up to P250 billion every year due to the government’s anticorruption drive.

“That’s money that would have gone to corruption or that would have gone to corrupt officials. That is P250 billion that goes to classrooms, roads, infrastructure projects, 4Ps (cash transfer) programs, PhilHealth,” he said.

Bam said the advantage of the administration ticket was that it was running on a platform that was very clearly defined, partly explaining the team’s recent rise in the popularity surveys.

Clearly defined “I think it’s because we’ve successfully defined what we want to do for our country and who we are. And that’s appreciated by people,” he said.

“We want to continue and strengthen the reforms started by the administration. We want to push forward with good governance and getting more government support for the poor, and I think by defining that, and the President’s endorsement helps define it, it becomes clear to people that this is the group that makes sense,” Bam said. ■

News-Phils Hackers deface Palace website over Sabah

FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2013 12

Pnoy bets continue to rise in poll surveys

BY NORMAN BORDADORA Philippine Daily Inquirer

A HACKERS’ group defaced the website of the Office of the President for “mishandling” the Sabah crisis as Malacañang took anew tack in dealing with the revival of the sultanate of Sulu’s claim to the eastern Malaysian state.

The group called Anonymous Philippines broke into the presidential website in the wee hours of the morning and posted on it a message critical of President Aquino’s handling of security crisis caused by the revival of the claim to Sabah by the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo.

“Greetings, President Aquino! We have watched how you signed into law a bill that [would endanger and trample] upon the netizens’ freedom of speech and expression. Now, we are silent witnesses to how you are mishandling the Sabah issue,” the message said.

You did nothing “We did not engage the Malaysian hackers who invaded our cyberspace since we expected you to appropriately and judiciously act on the same, but you failed us. You did nothing while our … brothers [were] being butchered by the Malaysian forces, and while our women and children [were suffering from abuses]. If you can’t act on the issue as the Philippine President, at least do something as a fellow Filipino. We are watching,” it said.

Secretary Herminio Coloma confirmed the attack on the President’s website.

At around 1:30 a.m., we detected a breach when an errant sentence critical of the government on the Sabah issue was found to have been inserted in one of the news items [on] the website,” said Coloma, head of the Presidential Communications Operations Office.

“No further intrusions were made as the internal security protocols were activated,” Coloma said, adding that the website would “resume public display” in a few hours after the adoption of protection measures.

The website had already put up a firewall when this reporter checked it at about press time last night.

Moribund no more?

A month into the Sabah crisis, Malacañang has dropped its line that the Sabah claim is moribund.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda told a press briefing in the Palace that the 1987 Constitution and the Baselines Law of 2009 did not invalidate the Philippine claim to Sabah.

Lacierda did not make it clear, however, if President Aquino had decided to revive the Sabah claim.

Lacierda spoke about debates in the Constitutional Commission on the Sabah claim and the rephrasing of the provision on national territory to avoid an implication that the Philippines was dropping the claim.

Lacierda disputed the claim of Hermes Dorado, former national territory division head of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that the first Aquino administration abandoned the Sabah claim with the adoption of the 1987 Constitution and Congress by enacting the Baselines Law in 2009. “He is sorely mistaken,” Lacierda said. “We have never (renounced the Sabah claim). The 1987 Constitution preserves (the) Sabah (claim). The new Baselines Law did not renounce Sabah,” Lacierda said, rejecting calls from Malaysian officials for the Philippines to drop the claim.

Ninoy’s promise According to Dorado, the President’s father, Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr., promised Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in 1983 that the Philippines would drop the claim if Malaysia would support the ouster of then President Ferdinand Marcos.

Dorado said “our hands are tied today because the leadership up to this day is committed to drop the Philippine claim to Sabah.”

He the 1987 Constitution amended the first article in the 1973 Constitution by removing the pharse “and all other territories belonging to the Philippines by historic right or legal title.”

The 1987 Constitution revised the definition of Philippine territory and deleted Sabah, he said. ■

Photo by Mar Roxas II on Flickr

BY MICHAEL LIM UBAC Philippine Daily Inquirer

MEYCAUAYAN CITY— Administration candidate Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, President Aquino’s first cousin, must have somehow connected with voters despite his lofty campaign platform of entrepreneurship.

Aquino bolted to a statistical tie for the fourth and ninth places in the latest Pulse Asia poll survey in February. He previously ranked between 13th and 15th in January.

Many are asking why members of Team PNoy continue to rise in poll surveys.

“The reason is because the message is clear—the reforms that have been accomplished but that still need to be improved,” Aquino said. “It’s really that simple,” he added.

Vote-rich Bulacan Aquino joined reelectionists Loren Legarda and Antonio Trillanes IV and Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara during the team’s campaign through vote-rich Bulacan.

Bulacan had more than 1.5 million registered voters in 2010.

Aquino also denied the existence of an Oplan God Save the Prince that the opposition United Nationalist Alliance alleged was meant to junk certain Team PNoy candidates to prop up his candidacy.

“My rise in the latest survey of Pulse Asia was a result of perseverance and hard work. Working hard is a good strategy,” Aquino told reporters.

High approval rating In a statement, Aquino said another key factor for the continuing rise in the SWS and Pulse Asia surveys of Team PNoy candidates was the endorsement of President Aquino, who continues to enjoy a high approval rating because of his program of good governance.

“Because of President Aquino’s endorsement, I believe the ratings of the members of Team PNoy, including Risa Hontiveros, Jamby Madrigal and Jun Magsaysay would continue to rise,” Aquino said.

The laggards among Team PNoy have been told to exert more efforts in pressing flesh and to make themselves more accessible to the media, Angara, one of those outside the Magic 12, told reporters.

“We were told to increase our efforts and to make ourselves available for interview,” Angara said.

Additional TV spots with their strongest endorser, President Aquino, are also in the works, he said.

Special push Angara, who slid a few notches below the top 12 in the past surveys, said he, Magsaysay, Madrigal and Hontiveros are now the subject of a special push by the Team PNoy coalition.

“We can feel the push. We were advised to come up with advertisements, complete with all the help. I would be coming out with an advertisement next week with the President. That’s a big help, the President’s endorsement,” he added.

The four candidates incidentally are the most consistent in attending Team PNoy’s campaign sorties in Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog, Central Visayas, and Mindanao.

Exert extra effort Angara said Team PNoy campaign manager Franklin Drilon had said the coalition would exert extra effort for the four candidates that have consistently landed outside the top 12 in the recent poll surveys by both the Social Weather Stations and Pulse Asia.

“They will push three or four of us in striking distance in the media, and advocacy. They also promised advertising. All of us have an option to shoot with P-Noy and I was the first to do so,” Angara said.

Angara is also counting on celebrity endorsers, singer-actress Sarah Geronimo and actor Coco Martin, to help boost his candidacy.

Angara thanked consistent poll front-runner Legarda for mentioning in her campaign spiels the advocacy of each Team PNoy candidates instead of just their names.

“What [Legarda’s] doing is quite good,” Angara said. ■

13 FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2013

News-Phils

Edward Ganal from senate.go.ph

Cayetano joins suit vs limit on airtime

BY JEROME ANING Philippine Daily Inquirer THE SUPREME Court proving to be unresponsive to a plea from worried television stations, reelectionist Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano has jumped into the breach in aid of relaxing the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) rule on how much air time candidates would be allowed to buy.

Cayetano asked to join a litigation case brought before the Supreme Court by television networks contesting the Comelec’s power to set limits on air time for political advertisements.

In a petition-in-intervention, Cayetano accused the Comelec of exceeding its rulemaking powers and usurping the powers of Congress in setting a 120minute limit on TV ads and a 180minute limit on radio ads for national candidates.

“Putting a limit on the advertising time of a candidate is unconstitutional.

It limits the people’s right to information,” Cayetano told reporters at the Supreme Court docket section when he went to file his petition.

“Comelec cannot issue a rule that is outside the wisdom of the intent of the law. The Fair Election Act (Republic Act No. 9006) in this case, intends for the restriction to be on a per station basis. Comelec now goes outside that by resolving to restrict airtime aggregately,” he said.

The Cayetano petition seeks to to annul or modify Section 9 of the Comelec Resolution No. 9615, which contains the contested rules, for having been issued with grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess

of jurisdiction. It seeks the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) and/or a writ of preliminary injunction to enjoin Comelec from implementing and enforcing the provision.

GMA Network and TV5 filed the original suit against Resolution 9615 last month. The Supreme Court, however, did not issue a TRO against the poll body.

Cayetano said that if the high court fails to stop the Comelec, there would be “far-reaching consequences to the conduct and fate of the 2013 national and local elections.”

He said Resolution 9615 “smacks of prior restraint,” which he said violates freedom of speech, of the press and of expression, and stifles the people’s right to be informed on matters of public concern.

He said placing limits on advertising airtime, particularly for radio, would deprive the people of much-needed information about the candidates.

“With 180 minutes for all radio stations nationwide, that means candidates only have four 30-second spots for 80 provinces. Considering that we would also need to allot a great percentage of the 180 minutes to national issues, how will we get our message to our voters in the provinces and our stand on local issues with that limited amount of time?” he asked.

Media being the most effective and most cost-efficient way to inform voters about their candidates, the aim of lessening the spending of candidates by limiting or regulating air time is at the expense of lessening voters’ opportunities to know their candidates more in order to vote wisely, he said.

In a Jan. 29 report, the Deutsche Bank Hong Kong projected P2 billion in political ad spending in this year’s midterm elections.

Cayetano said that while he recognized the rationale behind the Comelec resolution, the problem lies with its application.

“The goal was to equalize advertising opportunities among candidates and also to control their spending. But limiting advertising airtime actually has the opposite effect,” he said.

Instead of focusing on limiting advertising time, Cayetano said the Comelec should focus its efforts in monitoring candidates’ campaign spending and the source of the funds used to advertise, claiming that some candidates are using money obtained from illegal sources, like gambling and smuggling, for their advertisements. ■

RH law implementing rules out

BY PHILIP C. TUBEZA Philippine Daily Inquirer CALLING it a “momentous event” in the history of health care in the country, the Department of Health approved the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the reproductive health law.

“This is just the beginning of our continuing effort to ensure that no woman will die while giving life,” said Health Secretary Enrique Ona. The controversial law’s full implementation begins on Easter Sunday, the greatest feast of the Catholic Church, celebrating the day Jesus Christ rose from the dead. The Church remains adamantly against the RH law.

“That was unintended. We really did not see that. We were having a hearing when someone pointed it out and we were like, ‘Oops!,’” said DOH Assistant Secretary Madeleine Valera.

Ona said the signing of the IRR of the “Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law of 2012” was vital in the implementation of the government’s universal health care policy which aims to reduce maternal deaths and improve overall reproductive health.

“The (RH) law will empower women, through informed choice and voluntarism, improve access to information, facilities

and services, increased stability and sustainability of health policy across national and local government,” Ona said in a statement. “(It will) institutionalize the partnerships between national and local governments, and recognize the important roles and contribution of civil society organizations, basic sectors, academe and private sector,” he added.

Prolife groups have challenged the legality of the law before the Supreme Court while some Catholic dioceses are now actively campaigning against lawmaker candidates who voted for the law.

Valera said the IRR will be published in newspapers this weekend and will take effect on March 31, Easter Sunday.

She said representatives of the government, civil society and the Church had reached a consensus on two issues—including both artificial and natural family planning services in the coverage of PhilHealth and provisions on “conscientious objectors” to the law.

Ona pointed out the highlights of the IRR which include the enhancement of health service delivery, providing mobile health clinics in remote and depressed areas, improving PhilHealth coverage, hiring and training of skilled health professionals, and the continuous monitoring and review of reproductive health programs. ■

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News-Phils

FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2013 14

Malaysia vows to check on maltreatment of Pinoys

LAHAD DATU–Malaysia’s top security officials said they were verifying with their Philippine counterparts the reports that Filipinos in Sabah were maltreated by their security forces.

“We are checking with the authorities there in the Philippines,” Malaysian Police Chief Ismail Omar said.

The Malaysian Foreign Ministry denied allegations of human rights violations reported by the INQUIRER on March 9 and 10, saying the reports were “unjustified and unsubstantiated” and were fabricated by people who intended to “damage and strain the good and close relations between Malaysia and the Republic of the Philippines.”

Ismail and Malaysian military chief Gen. Zulkifeli Zin spoke at a joint news conference here, with the police chief saying that Malaysian authorities would also verify with the Philippines the claim of the spokesperson of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, Abraham Idjirani, that only 10 combatants from the sultanate had been killed in fighting Malaysian security forces since the standoff erupted into violence on March 1.

Idjirani said in Manila that most of the fatalities reported by the Malaysian security forces were civilians.

fvdb.wordpress.com

BY NIKKO DIZON Philippine Daily Inquirer With reports from Christine O. Avendaño, Cynthia D. Balana, Norman Bordadora and Leila B. Salaverria

Philippine probe The Philippine government is investigating Filipino refugees’ claims that they suffered abuses at the hands of Malaysian policemen.

Following the Malaysian Foreign Ministry’s denial of the allegations, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) was documenting the refugees’ complaints.

DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez told reporters that Malaysia had not officially communicated its denial to the DFA. Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman said that the Philippines would file a protest over the abuses after the investigation and the DFA would recommend where the protest would be filed.

UNA doubts survey figures

BY CHRISTIAN V. ESGUERRA Philippine Daily Inquirer

DO SUBSCRIBERS of poll surveys have anything to do with the results of the surveys on prospective winners in the May 13 senatorial election?

The campaign manager of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) wants both the Social Weather Stations (SWS) and Pulse Asia to disclose all subscribers to their respective surveys, citing a Commission on Elections regulation.

Rep. Toby Tiangco made the call after UNA candidates’ ranking in the Magic 12 began falling, a development UNA fears might influence voters. But Tiangco said he simply wanted the pollsters to abide by the Comelec rule requiring public disclosure of subscribers whenever survey results were published.

In a letter dated Feb. 28, Tiangco formally asked SWS president Mahar Mangahas to divulge “the identity of the persons who paid for the said survey as well as all those who subscribed to it.”

The letter came shortly after the SWS came out with the results of its Feb. 15-17 survey showing only three UNA candidates—Nancy Binay (7th), Rep. JV Ejercito (9th to 10th), and exRep. Juan Miguel Zubiri (11th to 12th)—in the winning circle.

In his reply on March 4, Mangahas said the “published portion of the SWS survey of February 15-17, 2013 consisted only of the national findings regarding one question on voters’ preference for senatorial candidates in the coming 2013 election.”

“The relevant question item was asked on SWS’ own account, and was specifically for public disclosure,”

Mangahas wrote. “It was not commissioned or paid for by anyone. No SWS subscriber directed SWS to ask the question.”

Tiangco noted that UNA suffered a beating in the February SWS survey after he decided not to subscribe anymore.

He said UNA earlier subscribed based on SWS’ Oct. 31, 2012 proposal that would cost the coalition P1 million for each of the “six survey rounds” (November 2012, January 2013, February 2013, March 2013, April 2013, and May 2013).

But in another letter dated Nov. 14, SWS raised the rate from P1 million to P1.9 million to be paid “before the start of each survey round.”

Tiangco furnished the INQUIRER copies of the SWS proposals, including his exchange of letters with the SWS. “This is to confirm our understanding that you are contributing to the fund of Social Weather Stations (SWS) to conduct the SWS Pre-Election Surveys,” Mangahas wrote Tiangco.

When he said UNA could not afford the price adjustment and would no longer subscribe, Tiangco said he was told that the SWS was willing to revert to the original rate.

“What kind of negotiation was that?” he said. “First, they said it was P1 million, then they raised it to P1.9 million. And when I decided not to subscribe anymore, they said they could go back to the original price.”

Tiangco refused to make any direct connection between his decision not to subscribe any more to the SWS with the result of the February SWS survey.

“That’s why I want them to disclose who their subscribers are and we’ll leave it to the public to judge for themselves,” he said. ■

The DSWD and the DFA have set up a joint humanitarian and welfare desk in Sabah to help Filipinos displaced by the fighting there and assist those who need documents to return to the Philippines.

Soliman said four evacuation centers have been established in federal plantations in Sabah with a total of 1,464 Filipino, Indonesian and Timorese evacuees.

Hundreds of Filipinos have fled the fighting and police abuses in Sabah, and Sen. Loren Legarda has warned of a looming humanitarian crisis as more refugees are expected to flood into southern Philippines.

International help Legarda, chair of the Senate foreign relations committee, called on the government to do everything within its powers to prevent such a crisis, including seeking assistance from such international organizations as the Red Cross and the Red Crescent.

“As our government is trying to provide humanitarian and consular assistance to Filipinos involved and are caught in the conflict in Sabah, many of those who have voluntarily evacuated from Sabah are proceeding to Sulu, Tawi-Tawi or Basilan, and with the influx of evacuees, there is a greater need for food, water, and temporary shelter,” Legarda said in a statement.

Legarda said the government must pursue the humanitarian efforts “without abandoning reports of inhumane treatment of Filipinos in Sabah because these allegations need to be immediately verified by our government and action should be undertaken to put the alleged atrocities under check.”

She said the Red Cross could help validate the reports of police abuses in Sabah.

A party-list lawmaker said the government should stop calling the Filipinos returning from Sabah “balikbayans” and instead it should call them “refugees.”

Term undermines claim Soliman has said the Filipinos fleeing Sabah will be referred to as balikbayans.

But calling the Filipinos from Sabah balikbayans, a term usually reserved for overseas workers returning to the Philippines, would do nothing to ease their plight, according to Party-list Rep. Luz Ilagan of Gabriela.

The term also undermines the Philippine claim to Sabah, Ilagan said. ■

News-Phils

15 FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2013

ADB warns PH, Asia of water crisis

BY MICHELLE V. REMO Philippine Daily Inquirer

Red Cross

MOST countries in Asia and the Pacific, including the Philippines, are at risk of suffering a water crisis because of insufficient investments in resource management despite the rapid expansion of their economies, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has warned.

In its report, titled “Asian Water Development Outlook 2013,” the ADB said 75 percent of countries in the region were experiencing a serious lack of water security.

“While the Asia-Pacific region has become an economic powerhouse, it is alarming that no developing country in the region can be considered watersecure,” Bindu Lohani, ADB vice president for sustainable development, said in a statement on the report.

The ADB established a national water security index (NWSI) to gauge the ability of countries and their efforts to prevent a water crisis even as their economies continue to grow.

The index has a scale of one to five, with the latter indicating an ideal level of water security.

Index 2 for PH The Philippines was assigned an index of two, indicating that there were appropriate legislative measures and capacity-building programs, and that public investments were increasing but efforts were inadequate.

Also getting an index of two in the region were 28 other countries, including China, Burma (Myanmar), Thailand and Vietnam.

Countries that got the lowest index of one were Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu.

The favorable index of three was assigned to Armenia, Brunei, Hong Kong, China, Kazakhstan, Singapore, Taiwan and Tajikistan.

Best performers Australia and New Zealand were considered the best performers in terms of water security and were both assigned an index of four. No country got an index of five.

“Current levels of investment, coupled with outdated policies and institutions, have failed to deliver water security,” the ADB said. “The study highlights the importance of a more productive use of water, including greater recycling of used water,” it added.

To prevent a water crisis, the ADB suggested that governments of concerned countries invest more in facilities and projects geared toward resource management. It also said governments must come up with policies that offer incentives to the recycling of used water.

Another suggestion was for governments to make water utilities adopt a corporate and performancebased setup that would improve their efficiency.

Inequitable access The ADB also recommended the mobilization of communities into adopting water-management

programs that suit them. “[Countries should] make water everybody’s business by promoting local collective action in rural communities to reverse an alarming trend of widening inequitable access to safe drinking water and improved sanitation,” the ADB said.

The multilateral agency said 91 percent of people in the region had improved access to clean water, a remarkable achievement over the last two decades in the world’s most populous region.

But its richest countries and wealthiest citizens likely have better water supplies and governments better prepared for natural disasters.

The ADB said countries in the region could be disproportionately affected by the potential impact of climate change if they did not rethink how they manage their water resources.

Water-related disasters Nearly half of the deaths caused by water-related disasters and 90 percent of people affected by such disasters from 1980 to 2006 lived in Asia, the report said.

Developed nations like Australia, Singapore, New Zealand and Japan top the list of nations best prepared to cope with floods, droughts, hurricanes, storm surges and landslides, while Nepal, Laos, Cambodia, Tajikistan, the Pacific nation of Vanuatu and Bangladesh are the least prepared.

No country in the Asia-Pacific region is a model for its management of water services and resources, according to the Manilabased lending and development institution, whose aim is cutting poverty.

Rivers in poor health Nearly 80 percent of Asia’s rivers are in poor health.

Urban populations are on the rise and so is pollution, while food and energy needs are putting more pressure on the water resources.

Unless these competing needs are balanced, “water security will remain elusive, undermining development gains and the quality of life for billions of people in the region, especially the poor,” said Ravi Narayanan, vice chair of the Asia-Pacific Water Forum governing council.

The good news is that the proportion of the region’s population with access to drinking water has increased from 74 percent to 91 percent between 1990 and 2010. Progress has been made in all subregions except the Pacific, where access remains low at 54 percent.

However, access to reliable tap water supply paints a different picture. Although more than 900 million people gained access to piped water, more than 65 percent of the region’s population does not have what should be considered a secure household supply.

Most cities in Asia, which accounts for half of the world’s 20 megacities, have extensive infrastructure

for domestic water treatment and supply, although piped systems often stop short of individual households, and potable water services are not maintained full-time at the point of delivery, the ADB said.

Not 24/7 service For instance, some cities in China and South Korea provide round-the-clock water services, but in many other cities tap water is only available for limited hours.

In Jakarta, water is available in most areas for about 18 hours each day and in Chennai, India, water is available for an average of only about four hours each day.

Then there is the question of health. About 88 percent of all diarrhea cases are attributed to lack of adequate access to water and sanitation.

Sanitation Although the percentage of people with access to improved sanitation rose from 36 percent in 1990 to 58 percent in 2010, 1.74 billion people in Asia and the Pacific continue to live without access to improved sanitation.

More than 792 million people still suffer the indignity of practicing open defecation, and more than 631 million of these people live in rural South Asia.

Bright spots There are bright spots, with Southeast Asia making rapid progress, expanding coverage by 23 percent between 1990 and 2010, and East Asia by 35 percent.

The gap between rich and poor is a big factor when it comes to water access and management, the report said. In South Asia, led by Bangladesh, it is estimated that up to 96 percent of the rural rich have access to sanitation, compared with only 2 percent to 4 percent of the rural poor.

There has been little progress on improving access to sanitation in the Pacific islands, the ADB said.

“In Asia and the Pacific, the correlation between income and access is unequivocal—the wealthy have better access than the poor to water supply and sanitation. In addition, the disparity is growing, especially in the burgeoning smaller cities across the region,” the ADB said.

Differences between richer and poorer communities amount to 96 percent in Nepal and 92 percent in Cambodia, India, and Pakistan, it said.

In India and the Philippines, another study by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific found that public utilities responsible for providing water and sanitation services “lack capacity in all aspects of s u s t a i n a b i l i t y, including effective functioning, f i n a n c i n g , and demand responsiveness.” ■

Opinion

FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2013 16

THERE’S THE RUB

Shoes of the fishermen

BY CONRADO DE QUIROS Philippine Daily Inquirer WELL, IT was the first time a pope had resigned in more than 600 years. So it was only fitting that it would also be the first time a pope would come from other than Europe in more than 1,300 years.

Of course the break with tradition might have been more dramatic if the Vatican conclave had chosen someone from Asia, or specifically the Philippines, or specifically Cardinal Luis Antonio “Chito” Tagle, but there are limits to the efficacy of prayer by Filipinos. And as they say, be careful with what you pray for: As one friend, a priest, told me, “You want to shove Chito into the murderous politics of the Curia? And I don’t use ‘murderous’ entirely figuratively.” But that’s another story.

The Pope ended up coming from Latin America instead, and not without reason, though it was a bit of a surprise as he wasn’t among the frontrunners. Latin America holds a staggering 42 percent of the world’s Catholics, a rapidly decreasing tribe of late, beset as it is by the rise of Islam among the developing countries and the even more formidable rise of secularism in Europe. Specifically, he ended up coming from Argentina, and significantly from the ranks of the poor.

His elevation to pope has brought a measure of anxiety and joy, concern and exhilaration, among Catholics the world over, but not in equal measure. The joy and exhilaration have been far more overwhelming than the anxiety

and concern. Jorge Mario Bergoglio, now Pope first world leaders to congratulate her compatriot Francis, is widely seen as a blast of fresh air in on becoming pope. one very stale room.

But the things going for the new Pope are legion But first the anxiety and concern. One is and in the scheme of things far more formidable.

Bergoglio’s age, which is 76, which gives him Bergoglio’s elevation to pope struck me personally only about 10 productive years or so. That was as being dramatic because of one stark contrast probably the second biggest thing going against it presented. Over the past weeks, I’ve seen the cardinals clad in their Tagle, his age quite apart from his provenance: He It might have been more dramatic if the opulent finery, all in red as isn’t even a senior citizen Vatican conclave had chosen someone they gathered to elect their yet. It reminds me of what from Asia, or specifically the Philippines, primus inter pares, and a young Japanese told me or specifically Cardinal Luis Antonio black robes punctuated by once, which was that he “Chito” Tagle, but there are limits to the red caps and sashes (let it not be said Italians do not couldn’t understand why efficacy of prayer by Filipinos. know their fashion). I’ve his country liked having doddering old fools seen the haze of incense running it instead of young blood. as the princes of the Church made their way to the Two is Bergoglio’s role during the Argentinian sanctum sanctorum, the black smoke billowing out military junta in the late 1970s and early 1980s, of the towers until it finally turned white, the hushed a vicious rule that carried out torture, summary conversations and solemn nodding, not unlike Mafia executions and forced disappearances of dons deciding their capo di tutti capi. I’ve seen the thousands of Argentinians. The Argentinian pomp and ceremony and ritual and I’ve thought: Whatever it is, the Vatican is also a temporal Church was universally regarded afterward as having given the dictatorship its blessings and power. Whatever it is, the Vatican is a mighty Bergoglio at least to have given it his silence. temporal power. Whatever else it is saying, the Three is that he is a staunch conservative Vatican might as well be saying: “My kingdom is doctrinally. He and Argentinian President also of this earth.” A far cry from the community Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner have been Christ created, with apostles drawn from the feuding bitterly over the past few years over ranks of fishers, with followers drawn from the Bergoglio’s opposition to Fernandez’s polices ranks of the poor, with a flock drawn from the endorsing gay marriage and contraception, a loins, if not dregs, of the earth, including lepers position many Argentinians support. Fernandez and outcasts, sinners and prostitutes.

Then suddenly, they elect the son of a railway and Bergoglio have not been on speaking terms, until lately when Fernandez became one of the worker in lieu of a carpenter, indeed the son of a

housewife if not a virgin, one who has brought seven children into this world. Then suddenly they elect someone who has compared the Curia to the Pharisees, with their penchant for opulence and office, with their penchant for regarding themselves better than others. Then suddenly they elect someone who has practiced what he preached, riding in buses, dressing like simple folk, visiting slums and the resting places of the restive, washing the feet of recovering drug addicts with a humility that awes.

His chosen name as pope says it all, Francis, after Francis of Assisi, who was the simplest of them all, who was the humblest of them all, who could talk to the lowest of the low apart from the highest of the high. Pope Francis may not be exactly the hippie Franco Zeffirelli turned Francis of Assisi out to be in “Brother Sun, Sister Moon,” but he shares in his spirit of wanting to commune with the world if not with Nature, with the children if not with the beasts. Practice trumps theory, way of life trumps doctrine. I don’t particularly care that the new Pope hews to traditional teachings on faith, but his capacity to walk with the poor, talk to the poor, and break bread with the poor, his willingness to listen to the flock and to the world as much as to preach to them, that makes all the difference. That, quite incidentally, is something he shares with Chito Tagle.

There’s hope for the Catholic Church yet.

Pope Francis may not be the perfect fit, life unfortunately does not lend itself to perfection, but he’s as close as they come for them.

The shoes of the fisherman. ■

AT LARGE

Tasting Taiwan (but not stinky tofu)

BY RINA JIMENEZ-DAVID Philippine Daily Inquirer NO, DESPITE several trips to Taiwan in the past few months, I haven’t tried “stinky tofu,” which, thanks to food shows on TV, has gained worldwide notoriety.

When I asked Raymond Wang, local representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office if this pungent delicacy was part of the menu for the “Tastes of Taiwan” gala dinner, he made a face as if the odor of the dish had assailed his nostrils. After all, six top chefs from Taiwan, all members of the Chinese International Gastronomers Association, had been flown in to conduct a one-day teaching session for students of the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU). They would cap their stay with a gala dinner at Bayleaf, the boutique hotel that serves as a training institution for LPU’s hospitality students. The dinner was to feature what is presumed to be the best of the island-nation’s cuisine. Certainly, street food like “stinky tofu” would have no place in such a distinguished setting.

But as Wang himself declared, “There is no love more sincere than the love for food.” And in its successful drive to bring tourists to Taiwan (some seven million tourists visited in the past year), the government has used every trick in the book, including food tourism, to attract interest and attention.

“There is more to Taiwanese cuisine than just milk tea or xiao long bao,” Wang promised,

referring to two of the more popular food exports The pair prepared a simple dish called “Egg from Taiwan (no, stinky tofu hasn’t yet crossed Foo Young” which at the end was served at the over successfully). And through 10—count ’em, tables. They were not half-bad, and proved that 10!—courses of dishes ranging from the freshest simplicity, too, is a hallmark of fine cooking. They seafood to crunchy veggies, melt-in-the-mouth proved that cuisine is not just high culture and pork slices to savory soup, the visiting chefs snobbish airs, but also a lot of fun and enjoyable demonstrated not just their memories. kitchen skills but Taiwan’s As Wang himself declared, “There is *** bounty of agricultural no love more sincere than the love for I HAVE a favorite story produce as well. food.” In its successful drive to bring about my Tita Dida, and it *** tourists to Taiwan, the government is one she told herself, with THE memorable meal has used every trick in the book, a lot of laughter and selfstarted off with “Formosa including food tourism (stinky tofu), mockery. It seems she was Bell Apple and Shrimp on a public bus when she to attract interest and attention.

Salad,” contained in a spotted her stop and asked scooped-out piece of what to be let off. “Everyone, is known here as although the Taiwanese version stand aside, lola is getting down!” the bus is much larger and a lot less tart. conductor shouted in Filipino.

Miniature pumpkins were also featured as “I looked back to check if a grandmother was unconventional containers for the “Stir-fried following me,” said Tita Dida, chuckling. “Only Pumpkin Rice Noodles,” one of my favorite to realize that the lola he was referring to was me!” entrees, being savory and flavorful. Only my Shortly after sharing this story, Tita Dida— fear of failing to do justice to the other dishes Carina Quintero Jimenez—moved to the United prevented me from finishing it to the last morsel.

States, in Glendale, California, where the home Another dish, the “Hakka Style Ham Hock she shared with her daughter Linda, son Ed, and Braised Spring Bamboo with Essence Soy Bean granddaughter Collette became a regular stop on Sauce,” reminded me of the “Dancing Pork” served the itineraries of visiting Jimenezes. in Taipei restaurants, so-called because the fat-laden No less than heroic were Tita Dida’s efforts pork slices glisten and “dance” in their tenderness. to keep her family together and see her children Halfway through the dinner, we were asked through school when, in 1969, her husband, our to direct our attention to the video screen which Tio Toto, passed away at the age of 46. In their showed the opening credits for the popular 24 years of marriage, Tita Dida had been a staycooking competition show “Iron Chef,” only to athome wife, but after her husband’s passing, segue into a video cooking demo featuring no less she found employment as a secretary, eventually than Ambassador Wang and LPU chef/instructor moving back to her hometown of Tacloban to Dan Basilio. raise the younger batch of her eight children.

With the help of Tio Toto’s insurance money—he was a chemical engineer and manager at Procter and Gamble at the time of his death—Tita Dida financed her children’s college studies. But it was only with much resilience and creativity that she managed not to let the loss of their father at such a young age cast a shadow over her children’s life; her sense of humor and zest for life saw them through many a crisis situation. *** THUS, at the memorial service held Friday evening at the Christ the King mortuary in Greenmeadows, the picture that emerged of Tita Dida was of a woman who remained a romantic to the end, wistfully remembering the heart-shaped boxes of chocolates her husband would gift her with on Valentine’s Day without fail for 24 years. She was also an accomplished cook, avid gardener and “super-hostess” to an endless stream of visiting relatives. Most of all, she was a doting mother and sister, sending home dollars to her children and youngest brother in the Philippines through her winnings, being a regular habitué of casinos (but only at the slot machines) and weekend sessions of mahjong with her children.

We honor her memory and her love of life, but smile at the thought that she is finally united with the love of her life, Toto. We condole with her children—Manoling and Cristina, Lol and Lalay, Bim and Edee, Linda, Bobby and Len, Anita and Robert, Ed, and Bettina and Cris—and join them in remembering the love and laughter that she brought into our lives. ■

17 FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2013

Opinion

PUBLIC LIVES

A pastor in a time of brutality

BY RANDY DAVID Philippine Daily Inquirer WHEN YOU are the head of an institution that is as old and as influential as the Catholic Church, your life is bound to be minutely scrutinized to determine how well it measures up to the vision and ideals of the institution. Benedict’s record as a young manwas dug up to see if he was ever an ardent Hitler supporter. He was not.

Now, it is Pope Francis’ turn to reckon with the past. Did he, like many in the Argentine clergy, expressly or tacitly support the brutal military dictatorship that murdered about 9,000 and “disappeared” thousands of others in the dark period between 1976 and 1983? The quick answer is no.

But, did he, when he was Fr. Jorge Mario Bergoglio, head of the Argentine Jesuits, vigorously speak out against the dictatorship? Apparently, he also did not. Argentina’s bishops were themselves divided, with the majority signaling their sympathy for the regime. The future pope was neither on the left nor on the right. He simply refused to be drawn into the partisan strife that was ripping apart his country and people.

Did he do anything to save and help the victims of the regime? Here, the record is somewhat more ambivalent. There is nothing to suggest that the young Jesuit provincial superior (he was then just in his 30s) was sympathetic to the junta or that he condoned its actions. But, certain doubts about the way he conducted himself during that period

have persisted, partly because he himself had been were heavily tortured. But, unlike other detainees reticent to speak about those years just to satisfy who died in military custody, the two priests were his critics. subsequently found in a dump, blindfolded, halfIn particular, the grim events surrounding the naked and dazed, bearing the mental and physical abduction of two brother Jesuits—Orlando Yorio trauma inflicted on them by their military captors. and Francisco Jalics—have come back to haunt According to his biographer, Sergio Rubin, the new Pope. The two priests Father Bergoglio had found were active in the organization The future pope was neither on a way to speak to the dictator of slum dwellers. As the head the left nor on the right. He simply Jorge Videla, and, later, to of the Argentine Jesuits, refused to be drawn into the one of the powerful leaders Bergoglio instructed them to of the junta, Admiral Emilio partisan strife that was ripping discontinue their work in the Massera, to plead for the slums because it had become apart his country and people. lives of Yorio and Jalics. too risky. The army had begun That is how their lives were explicitly targeting the activist leaders who had spared. Years later, the Society of Jesus offered to burrowed into the slums. Yorio and Jalics defied reinstate both priests. Jalics accepted the offer but their superior’s order by staying put instead of Yorio refused to return to the Jesuit fold. In 2012, abandoning the urban poor community to which Cardinal Bergoglio led the Argentine Church in they had brought the comforting presence of the the issuance of a collective statement expressing Church. Their decision was understandable and deep regret for the mistakes of the Church and praiseworthy, given the circumstances. But it put for not doing enough to protect the flock from the their superior, who was responsible for them, in a atrocities of the military dictatorship. difficult situation. Bergoglio felt he had no choice The scale of the outrage must have been but to dismiss them from the Jesuit order. such that these acts of restitution have failed When the military confronted Bergoglio with to appease those who demand a full accounting its findings of the two Jesuits’ activities in the of the complicity of institutions in the “dirty slum, asking him pointblank if he supported their war.” In an interview conducted in 2010 by subversive work, the future pope had to say no. Argentine investigative journalist Horacio Many saw this failure to endorse the legitimacy Verbitsky, Yorio’s brother, Rodolfo, spoke about of his brothers’ work as akin to feeding them to Cardinal Bergoglio: “I know people he helped. the dogs. Indeed, not long after, on May 23, 1976, That’s exactly what reveals his two faces, and Yorio and Jalics were abducted and brought to the his closeness to the military powers. He was a infamous Navy Mechanics School where they master at ambiguity.”

But many have spoken on behalf of the new Pope, the most prominent being the 1980 Nobel Peace laureate Adolfo Perez Esquivel, who was awarded the Nobel for his comprehensive documentation of the military barbarism of that period. In a radio interview he gave following the Argentine cardinal’s election to the papacy, Perez Esquivel spoke frankly: “Perhaps, he didn’t have the courage of other priests, but he never collaborated with the dictatorship. Bergoglio was no accomplice of the dictatorship. He can’t be accused of that.”

All this is only too familiar to us in the Philippines, where, in the darkest years of martial law, the Church hierarchy swung from “critical collaboration” to outright repudiation of the Marcos regime. This ambivalence appears to be built into the structure of premodern society, where the spheres of politics and religion shade into one another. In normal times, the Church is largely unaware of this. It is only in moments of great social stress, when it finds itself called upon to speak out against injustice, that the Church realizes how religious faith can lead to a theology of liberation.

One can imagine how the young Jorge Mario Bergoglio, seeing how his brothers in the Argentine clergy had become entangled in the secular struggles of their time, tried desperately to recover from the roots of the faith the authentic voice of the Church. *** public.lives@gmail.com

AS I SEE IT

UP scholar killed by some stupid red tape

BY NEAL CRUZ Philippine Daily Inquirer SHAME ON the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM). A scholar lost her life because of its love for red tape. Kristel Pilar Mariz Tejada, a 16-year-old behavioral sciences student, committed suicide in desperation because she could not pay the tuition fee and was forced to put her studies on hold.

Kristel was reportedly a scholar of the Philippine Science High School (PSHS), a science school established especially for the best and the brightest from all Philippine schools. PSHS aspirants have to undergo a series of rigid oral and written exams and personal interviews before a limited number of the cream of the cream are admitted. Tuition fees are socialized, and those from the provinces get to live in the school’s dormitory in the school campus in Quezon City. Even so, the attrition rate is very high. Only a portion of the original group admitted as freshmen manage to graduate. Which means that a student has to be very bright indeed to be able to graduate from PSHS. Kristel was one such student.

She applied for admission to UP and passed the University of the Philippines College Admission Test (UPCAT). She enrolled at UPM and had to take a student loan to be able to pay the tuition.

She was the oldest of five children; her father is a taxi driver while her mother is a housewife.

She had not quite finished repaying the loan when it was time to pay the tuition for the second

semester. She applied for a second loan and she What an excuse! and her parents appealed to school authorities UP’s socialized tuition scheme was established to extend the period for paying the first loan. precisely to help poor students like Kristel. WellKristel was already entitled to an P8,000-grant to-do students pay higher tuition than the poor from funds that UP had received from the Office ones. Affluent students subsidize the low income of the Vice President. ones. So why did it fail in the case of Kristel?

However, according to UPM officials, Kristel Because of some stupid red tape.

We spend billions of pesos for the conditional was not able to finish the paperwork and other requirements to avail herself of the grant. In short, cash transfer program for the poor. Cash is the money was already there, Kristel was entitled given to poor families on condition that they to the grant, but she was forced to defer her studies send their children to school. The Philippines because of some stupid red is a poor country mainly tape. “She was not able to That’s one life with a brilliant future because many of its complete the paperwork,” lost due to red tape. It is admitted that citizens lack education. they said. Couldn’t they red tape is very long in the Philippines Yet Filipinos pay a high have enrolled her on and is the bane of the bureaucracy— value on education. The condition that she complete but to lose the life of a scholar because ambition of every child the paperwork later? and family is for him/ of it is unforgivable. her “to finish school.”

Forced to file a leave of absence for the second Children walk for miles, semester, the despondent Kristel was found across rivers and mountains to be able to attend dead two days later in her house in Tayuman, school. Yet many of them are unable to finish Manila. school because of poverty. And scholars like That’s one life with a brilliant future lost due Kristel who want so much to finish school are to red tape. It is admitted that red tape is very lost because of “lack of funds” at the same time long in the Philippines and is the bane of the that billions of pesos are wasted on pork barrel bureaucracy—besides killing so many trees for and senators are given million-peso bonuses. the tons of paper that are wasted in documentation There are free public schools for elementary that hardly anyone reads. But to lose the life of a and high school students. UP is a public school scholar because of it is unforgivable. for college students. It set up the socialized To defend itself, UPM now says that “based tuition scheme to help students from the poorer on information gathered from her teachers and communities. Communities remain poor the Office of Student Affairs, Kristel was having because most of their young men and women are deeply rooted family and financial problems.” unable to finish school. There are few graduates

to pull these communities from poverty. Kistel could have been one of these bright graduates who could pull their families and communities out of poverty. Alas, she died because of some stupid red tape in UPM. *** DINE WITH PAWS: Did you know that over 1 billion people depend on animals for their livelihood and millions more rely on animals for companionship? Once you realize that, it becomes clear that the lives of animals are also valuable. Indeed, when we help animals we are actually helping people. The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) is a volunteer-based nongovernment organization whose goal is to prevent animal cruelty through education, animal sheltering and advocacy. The PAWS’ Animal Rehabilitation Center (PARC) rescues abandoned and neglected animals, rehabilitates them and seeks to place them in loving homes.

PAWS survives mainly on donated funds.

You can do your part to help PAWS, and dine in style with your pet dog at the same time, by buying tickets to the Dine with PAWS charity event. This is the “glitziest” pet event of the year. It is meant to raise funds for PARC. It will be held on March 23 at the Venetian Tent, Venice Piazza, McKinley Hill, Bonifacio Global City. Tickets are priced at P2,000, for one pet parent and one pet dog or cat. They are available at the PAWS Shelter in Quezon City, Eastwood Mall Concierge, and all branches of Bow & Wow. For inquiries, call 4751688 or e-mail philpaws@yahoo.com. ■

News-Phils

FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2013 18

With no money for college, 16-year-old freshman takes her own life

BY APRIL SESCON Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA, Philippines—a college freshman from the University of the Philippines, Manila, committed suicide on Friday, March 15.

UP’s official student paper The Philippine Collegian reported that Kristel Tejada was declared dead on arrival at 3:30 AM at the Metropolitan Medical Center (MMC).

Police report that the student took silver nitrate at her family’s home in the slums of Tondo, Manila.

Tejada was enrolled in the university’s Behavioral Sciences program. At 16, she was the eldest of five siblings to a father who worked part-time as a taxi driver and a mother who was out of work. The family couldn’t pay for her tuition fee.

Due to strict policies, Tejada was forced to cease her studies. She filed for a Leave of Absence (LOA) Wednesday. This was widely believed to be the reason why she took her own life.

Tejada’s program adviser and professor Andrea Martinez told The Collegian Friday that Tejada had confided, via text, that the LOA affected her and her family deeply, and that she was aggrieved by the situation. Tejada hadn’t been attending classes since February, according to Martinez. The student felt embarrassed over the impending LOA and the fact that she had to work for her tuition if she wanted to get back into school.

Brackets and policies Tejada was placed in Bracket D of the Socialized Tuition and Financial Assistance Program (STFAP), which meant that she had to pay P300 per unit or P9,172.50 in overall fees at the start of term. Tejada paid for P2,795.50 upon enrollment in the first semester and took a loan of P6,377 for the remainder of the cost.

The second semester, beginning November, saw the student unable to pay for the tuition, nor the loan.

Tejada’s father Christopher settled the loan December 19, while the second semester was already well on its way.

According to The Collegian, Tejada had requested to be placed in a lower bracket of the tuition scheme. The family also applied for a loan for the second semester, but both were rejected.

Tejada’s father reportedly appealed for his daughter to be allowed enrollment in January, but Article 332 of the University Code mandated that no students were allowed to register in any subject more than a week after the start of class, said a report from Interaksyon.com.

Furthermore, UP Manila had approved a “no late payment” policy in November. Upon failure to pay tuition two weeks from enrollment, the policy stated that students earned no right to go to class.

Call for action Upon news of her death, UP Manila’s Information, Publication and Public Affairs Office offered condolences to the family and issued the following statement: As we continue the pursuit of excellence and relevance in our programs and services, we commemorate Ms. Tejada’s life as a student even for just a short time and always remember her desire to be a good student and daughter.

UP Manila suspended classes on March 18 and declared Monday a “Day of Mourning in remembrance of Kristel Pilar Mariz Tejada, Iskolar ng Bayan.”

As for Tejada’s request to be reclassified into tuition Bracket E, allowing her to pay no costs at all, one Inquirer report mentioned that the student “failed to submit supporting documentary requirements for [her] appeal to be processed during the designated period despite frequent reminders from the OSA (Office of Student Affairs).”

Agulto also expressed that the OSA in Manila granted all 79 appeals of extension from November to December 2012, as cited in an Inquirer article.

Student leaders, meanwhile, panned the press conference, saying that Agulto was trying to wash his hands of blame and shedding “crocodile tears,” GMA reports.

Kristel's bereaved father, Christopher, shares with family and friends that the family had high hopes for their daughter. Her parents are overcome with grief and in shock that their daughter opted to end her life, though they also expressed their confidence in seeing her again in the after-life. (Photo by Danny Pata)

Students rallied in front of the campus’ Oblation statue. They covered the icon in black cloth in “a call to stand up and strike for education and justice,” said UP Manila student council chair Mariz Zubiri in an Inquirer report. Zubiri called on President Aquino to declare a moratorium on tuition hikes. She urged the UP administration to repeal the “no late payment” policy, stating that “education is a right and shouldn’t be sold.”

Meanwhile, the university’s Department of Behavioral Sciences issued a statement on the same date, calling for the resignation of UP higher-ups responsible for the policies that forced the student out of school.

Tejada’s death “should lead to meaningful changes in UP policies and programs to enable the marginalized Filipino youth like her to greater access to UP education,” the statement read.

“We appeal to the conscience of Chancellor Manuel Agulto and Vice Chancellor Josephine de Luna to show their solidarity and humility to the aggrieved family of Kristel Tejada and other victims of their repressive policy by rendering their irrevocable resignation,” the statement continued.

“We hold [Agulto and De Luna] accountable for the deprivation of Kristel’s right to education that cost her life.”

As with the Department, a number of students, faculty, staff, and various factions from UP agreed that it was time to reevaluate the university’s socialized tuition scheme, citing that “education is a right,” especially for a state university.

UP as “coldhearted and ruthless” Chancellor Agulto reportedly shed tears in a press briefing Tuesday, stating, “If only I knew the extent of her difficulties, I personally would have attended to her needs.”

The chancellor shared his own experiences as a cashstrapped undergrad in the university. “I was once a medical school student scrambling to pay my tuition,” he said. He claimed that the media had long portrayed them as “cold-hearted and ruthless,” stating, “our compassion has been questioned a lot. We do not wish to give anyone a difficult time. We dream for them as they aspire for their future. We don’t want to pose as obstacles to our students’ dreams.”

Agulto brought the university’s records on Tejada, indicating that the student was allowed three extensions to pay for her tuition. He showed that the appeal for a second semester loan had been filed too late.

Netizens weigh in The slew of online reactions following the highprofile suicide ran the gamut from knee-jerk reaction to presumption (that Tejada might’ve been suffering from mental illness, hence the suicide), to token sympathy, to sincere compassion for the family, to condemnation (that suicide was, as the phrase went, “the easy way out”), and to many—anger, frustration, and aggravation at the institution from UP to Malacañang. While some laid blame at what may possibly be weakness of character, others yet condemned the attack at a figure rendered unfortunate victim by circumstances beyond her control, and by a system flawed to its core.

On one hand, netizens acknowledged the tragedy but condemned the girl for taking her life, citing that instead of “the easy way out,” Tejada could’ve worked for the money, waited out the LOA, or transferred to a school that could provide for better financial support—there were a number of alternatives to her situation; suicide should never have entered from the situation. Others yet would say that there may have been more factors to the suicide—that it wasn’t just because of the family’s poverty or the LOA. On the other hand, a number of voices criticized this backlash for their judgmental reproach. It was easy to point fingers when one didn’t know the extent of suffering, they stated; when one had no experience of poverty first-hand.

“To insist that things have to be more complex for one to commit suicide is to fail to consider the dead end that is no money. Sometimes, and in a country like the Philippines, that is as complex as it needs to be,” said RadikalChick.com writer Katrina Stuart Santiago in a Facebook post on March 15.

Santiago said, in another status update, that “there is no fundamental change that will come from revising the STFAP. It is a flawed, ultimately unjust system that judges students' economic status based not on a real sense of a family's earnings and cost of living, but in terms of numbers on paper.”

Mass protests and walk-outs Tejada’s remains will be laid to rest at the end of the week. UP has declared a week-long state of mourning in all campuses to pay respects to the departed scholar.

Vigils and rallies mark the early days following the suicide.

In the meantime, Rappler reports that a protest march is set on Friday at 4 PM starting at the University of Sto. Tomas in España and to Mendiola in Manila.

UP students have urged for campus shutdowns and walkouts to protest the “no late payment” policy that the administration has yet to repeal. ■

19 FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2013

It's different this time: Ottawa to revisit skills gap in federal budget

BY HEATHER SCOFFIELD THE CANADIAN PRESS OTTAWA—It's been almost five years since economist Don Drummond was asked by concerned federal and provincial labour ministers to find solutions to the mismatched job market that has increasingly worried employers, governments and workers alike.

But Drummond's response for governments to spend $13 million—a bargain in the world of social policy— to overhaul and improve labour market information has gone all but unnoticed.

Now, this week's federal budget will make that very same issue—deemed "critical" in 2008—its centrepiece.

As businesses yell louder about their inability to find the right people, and the unemployed and the underemployed voice equal frustration, the federal government is poised to revisit its labour market interventions, design some new programs to bring together the private sector and underutilized pools of workers, and demand better results from the provinces.

Will this time be any different?

"We're not going to find the fix overnight," said Sarah AnsonCartwright, director of skills policy at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce whose job it is to push full-time for a more efficient labour market.

"We get a sense that now, there's a real momentum and a real sense of the need to engage. Everyone seems to realize we have a looming skills crisis."

One of only two recommendations

that was actually implemented from Drummond's lengthy list of 47 ideas was the creation of a job vacancy survey by Statistics Canada. Now a year old, the survey has enough data to compare this year to last, and give some regional and industrial breakdowns.

At last count, it shows there are about 241,700 job vacancies in Canada, with the highest vacancy rates in Alberta and Saskatchewan. The national job vacancy rate has remained steady for the past year and a half, and even at a regional level, has fluctuated very little.

At the same time, the most recent labour force survey shows there were 1,332,600 unemployed people in Canada. That's about 5.5 workers for every available job, providing employers with a large pool of prospective employees.

The problem, say analysts, is that the jobless and the jobs don't match. And there is not enough sharing of detailed information to reorient training and education to fix the problem.

The job vacancy data suggests there are plenty of positions available in health care, arts and entertainment, mining and science and technology. But that kind of information is not nearly detailed enough for the educators, employees and families trying to anticipate the exact demand for labour, says Angella MacEwen, senior economist at the Canadian Labour Congress.

The problem may well be on the employer side too, however. It's impossible to tell at an aggregate level whether higher wages or better on-thejob training efforts would quickly fill some of those vacancies, MacEwen said.

Still, there is a widespread recognition that over the medium-term, as the working population ages, labour shortages will become more and more common, MacEwen and others agree.

Over the past few years, the federal government has turned its attention to many different demographics in an attempt to expand the labour pool: raising the age of retirement to 67, fiddling with the immigration and temporary foreign worker rules, improving the recognition of foreign credentials, putting

some money and thought into youth employment.

Now, there is talk in federal circles of specific initiatives to improve employment among people with disabilities and aboriginal peoples, where high rates of unemployment are standard.

Officials are considering a proposal from Indspire, an indigenous education institute, to match $50 million in training funds that the organization would raise in the private sector. Similarly, they are looking at partnering with community organizations that bring together businesses and people with disabilities.

But this type of targeted, boutique program is only going to scratch the surface of the mismatch, says Matthew Mendelsohn, director of the Mowat Centre, a Toronto-based think-tank.

Provincial cooperation is essential, he says, if the country wants to make sure its training and education initiatives help workers meet the needs of employers.

Almost $2 billion of the $2.5 billion that the federal government transfers to provinces every year for labour market development is tied to employment insurance. But so many of the underutilized pools of labour are

not eligible for EI, Mendelsohn says, pointing to people with disabilities, aboriginal people and youth.

"The amount of money the federal government puts into training these people is quite small," he said. "As long as most of the dollars are tied up with EI eligibility, we're not going to achieve great results."

The federal government has indicated it wants better accountability and measurement for how that $2.5 billion is spent. But going so far as to remove its link to EI would be very provocative right now, especially given the pushback Human Resources Minister Diane Finley has received after her most recent reforms to EI, Mendelsohn says.

In an interview, Drummond said he still believes that many of the country's mismatch problems could be solved by going back to his original proposals from the task force created in 2008. Back then, he and his task force recommended that provincial and federal governments build a detailed, public and searchable database that would enable anyone in the country to access relevant labour market information from across the country.

"If you had that, you would resolve a lot of the other things." ■

NEWS BRIEFS Assisted suicide case returns to B.C. courts VANCOUVER—The battle over doctor-assisted suicide is expected to begin in the B.C. Court of Appeal, as the federal government fights a lower court order to rewrite laws governing the rights of terminally ill people to end their lives.

The fight was launched last June when a B.C. Supreme Court judge found laws against physician-assisted suicide violate the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Manitoba Opposition calls for more rent help WINNIPEG—Manitoba's Opposition party is calling for an increase in the rental allowance for welfare recipients. Progressive Conservative Leader Brian Pallister says if he were premier, he would raise the rental allowance to 75 per cent of the median market rent.

Conservatives slam public sector pensions TORONTO—The Progressive Conservatives say Ontario can't afford public sector pension plans. Opposition Leader Tim Hudak says retired public sector workers with defined benefit plans are earning more in retirement than they've contributed.

Target opening spate of new stores in Ontario MISSISSAUGA—Target's expansion into Canada is continuing in big way over the next two weeks as the American retailer opens 21 new stores in Ontario. On Tuesday, Target is opening 17 stores in various communities across the province, while four more will be opened on March 28, adding to the three pilot stores launched earlier in Guelph, Milton and Fergus, Ont.

Canada

FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2013 20

Live-in caregiver who worked four years without pay sues employer

BY REBEKAH FUNK THE CANADIAN PRESS VANCOUVER—A live-in caregiver who worked for four years without pay is suing her employer to recover the money she claims she's owed.

Evelyn Yacas worked 16-hour days tending to her employer's elderly mother at a home in Richmond, B.C., the B.C. Supreme Court lawsuit states.

Initially from the Philippines, Yacas moved to Canada in 2004 as part of the federal immigration and citizenship ministry's live-in caregiver program.

Yacas was hired by Christine Leung in the fall of 2004, she said, to work from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. She was to be paid minimum wage, and overtime.

The exception, the lawsuit said, was that she was permitted to work a shorter, eight-hour day on the first day of her menstruation period each month.

Shortly after she was hired, Yacas

The price of a dream.

claims she was "compelled" to sign a blank employment contract that could be renewed every year.

Her court claim said she was never given a copy of the document, but was told the contract would allow Leung to renew her work permit.

Under the terms of that contract, it was agreed Yacas would continue to work until she became a permanent resident, sponsored her family to join

her in Canada, or Leung's mother died—whichever came first.

Yacas says the pair agreed that Leung would calculate wages and keep the wages in trust until her family was ready to immigrate from the Philippines and buy a house.

Leung did advance a portion of Yacas' wages so she could travel to see her family and send them funds, the court documents state, but these funds

were not gifts and Yacas paid most of them back with interest.

Though she repeatedly asked for a tally of what she was owed, Yacas said Leung ignored her requests, or said she was "too busy" to do the calculations.

Leung's mother died after being diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2008 and her employment was ended.

Yacas said she did not receive a paystub or receipt for the duration of her work. She was, however, issued a tax receipt that listed her annual income in the range of $12,000 to $16,000.

Yacas filed a complaint with the Employment Standards Branch, but it was rejected because it exceeded the time limitation period.

Court documents state Leung's legal counsel sent Yacas a letter notifying the caregiver she no longer has a claim to her wages.

Nothing has been proven in court and Leung has not yet submitted a statement of defence. ■

http://natgeotv.com/ca/border-security/

Border agents under fire at immigration hearing for reality show raid

BY JAMES KELLER THE CANADIAN PRESS VANCOUVER—The federal border agency's decision to allow a reality television crew to film a raid that resulted in the arrest of a group of suspected illegal immigrants wrongly intimidated the men and violated their privacy, a lawyer for one of the workers told an immigration hearing Friday.

The Canada Border Services Agency has been facing criticism since a raid at a construction site in Vancouver, where officers arrested members of a painting crew as a camera rolled for the reality TV program "Border Security."

A number of the workers who were arrested appeared before the Immigration and Refugee Board on Friday for a mandatory review of their detention.

Five workers were ordered to stay in detention, while a sixth was released on conditions.

Among them was Tulio Renan Aviles Hernandez, who is from Honduras but had been living and working in Canada illegally for more than a year.

His lawyer, Laura Best, argued his arrest and detention were illegal because, she said, he was

detained improperly and was questioned without a lawyer. But she also argued the TV camera added an extra layer to an already problematic arrest.

"The presence of the TV camera is directly relevant to the context of intimidation that was happening in the building," Best told Aviles Hernandez's hearing.

"It's all part of the context of a detention where they (the workers) can't leave the building, they're being filmed, the officers are questioning them, he is not sure if he can leave the room and at no point is he given his opportunity to speak to counsel."

Immigration board member Michael McPhalen concluded Aviles Hernandez's charter rights were violated because he was questioned before he was able to consult with a lawyer. McPhalen didn't weigh on the addition of the TV camera, only referring to it as "unusual."

Still, he was ordered detained until his deportation, which could be days away.

A spokesperson for the Canada Boarder Services Agency wasn't immediately available to respond to either the concerns about the TV cameras or the board's finding that an immigration officer violated one of the worker's charter rights.

A statement issued a day earlier defended the agency's participation in the reality TV show as a valuable public relations exercise, describing it as "an opportunity to communicate Canada's commitment to border security."

The statement insisted participation in the TV program was "strictly voluntary," though the statement didn't elaborate on how the agency ensured that was the case.

Force Four Entertainment, the production company, has previously said the workers were asked to sign a release form to allow the footage to be broadcast.

"Border Security" airs on Global TV and National Geographic.

The immigration officers arrived Wednesday at a construction site in Vancouver, a low-rise condo building being built, with a warrant to arrest a worker suspected to be there. Aviles Hernandez was not the initial target of the raid, but the officers also believed there could be other people working illegally in the building, the board heard.

Immigration officer Keith Mechler, who arrested Aviles Hernandez, told the board that 12 officers and a supervisor arrived at the work site. They arrived with a camera operator and a sound technician from Force Four Entertainment, the company behind the "Border Security" reality program.

Four of the officers, including Mechler, entered the building with the television camera, said Mechler.

Mechler said he encountered Aviles Hernandez on the building's second floor. After a few questions, Aviles Hernandez asked to phone his wife to arrange a lawyer, but there was no answer.

Mechler continued the questioning anyway, which the board found violated Aviles Hernandez's rights.

Aviles Hernandez entered Canada illegally in early 2010, but filed a refugee claim soon after, the board heard.

His refugee claim was denied, as was an application to remain in Canada on the basis that he would face a risk in Honduras. He was ordered to leave the country in December 2011, but has been in hiding ever since.

In the meantime, he entered a relationship and was married to his Canadian-born wife last November.

McPhalen noted Aviles Hernandez has already been ordered to be removed from Canada and the only issue before the immigration board is whether he should remain in custody until that happens.

McPhalen pointed to Aviles Hernandez's previous attempt to avoid deportation as he ordered him to remain in custody. ■

21 FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2013

World News

Senate immigration bill may limit green cards 6 men accused of raping Swiss tourist who for extended family members, lawmaker says

BY ERICA WERNER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS writing WASHINGTON—Senators a comprehensive immigration bill may dramatically limit green cards for extended families of U.S. citizens, reserving them for immediate family members instead, a key lawmaker said Thursday.

Green cards are permanent resident visas and allow holders to eventually become U.S. citizens.

The move would be a significant change to U.S. immigration policy that's long favoured family ties over economic or job criteria. And it's already sparking opposition from groups trying to protect family-based immigration.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican who is part of a bipartisan Senate group negotiating the bill, said the aim is to remake the immigration system so it has a much clearer economic focus.

"Green cards should be reserved for the nuclear family. Green cards are economic engines for the country," Graham said. "This is not a family court we're dealing with here. We're dealing about an economic need."

Unlike most other industrialized nations, the U.S. awards a much larger proportion of green cards to family members of U.S. citizens and permanent residents than to foreigners with job prospects here.

About two-thirds of permanent legal immigration to the U.S. is familybased, compared with about 15 per cent that is employment-based, according to the Migration Policy Institute. The remainder is largely humanitarian.

Current law gives preference to spouses and minor and unmarried children of U.S. citizens. Permanent residents can petition for immediate family, and citizens can petition to bring in their married children and siblings, but they're on a lower priority.

Graham indicated that he would prefer to eliminate the married children and

sibling categories altogether.

"We're going to change fundamentally the immigration system," said Graham.

Kevin Appleby, director of migration policy at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, criticized the proposed changes.

"What the senator's not taking into account is the social costs for not preserving families in the immigration system, which is not as tangible or measurable as an economic benefit, maybe, but immigrant families do strengthen our social fabric," Appleby said.

Appleby said that instead of reducing green cards for family members and increasing them for employment ties, senators should simply make more green cards available over all.

Lawmakers in the past, Republicans in particular, have opposed that approach.

Meanwhile they have been hearing pleas from the technology industry for more high-tech workers and from industries like hospitality and agriculture that use lower-skilled workers.

Advocates agree that changes are needed to the family immigration system.

Right now there are more than 4 million people waiting in backlogs, with Filipinos in the sibling category facing waits topping two decades. The Senate group has committed to reducing that backlog.

The tension between family- and employment-based immigration has not gotten as much attention in a debate that's often focused on border security and the fate of the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants already here, who would be given a path to legalize their status in the Senate bill. But the issue could become contentious as senators work to finalize their legislation by next month.

In the last round of immigration negotiations in 2007, the Catholic Church ended up opposing action on the bill in part because of discomfort with a proposal that replaced the family-based system with one that awarded points based on job skills, English ability, education and family ties in handing out visas. ■

was cycling in central India appear in court

BY CHONCHUI NGASHANGVA THE ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW DELHI—Six men accused of raping a Swiss tourist who was cycling with her husband in central India were produced in court Monday and charged with gang rape.

The suspects appeared in the magistrate's court in Madhya Pradesh state with their faces covered with black cloth, police superintendent Chandra Shekhar Solanki said.

It was not clear how they pleaded in court, but during their arrest Sunday they confessed to the crime, police said. The men, who are poor farmers from nearby villages, also face additional charges of robbing the Swiss couple.

The attack, which occurred Friday night as the couple camped in a forest in Datia district, came three months after the fatal gang rape of a woman on a New Delhi bus which spurred outrage over the treatment of women in Indian society and the country's justice system.

The Swiss couple told police that the woman had been raped by seven or eight men, but that it was dark and they could not be sure of the exact number.

The men beat up the husband, tied him to a tree before raping the woman, police said. They also stole the couple's cellphone, laptop computer and 10,000 rupees ($185).

Police said they recovered the laptop and phone from one of the suspects.

The Swiss tourists were on a threemonth India holiday and had visited

the temple town of Orchha. They were planning to cycle to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal, about 210 kilometres (130 miles) away.

They set out from Orchha on Friday and pitched their tent in the forest near Jatia village when they were attacked by men armed with sticks, police said.

Last month, the Swiss government issued a travel notice for India that included a warning about "increasing numbers of rapes and other sexual offences" in the South Asian nation, and the latest incident could prompt other countries to issue similar warnings.

On Monday, the Press Trust of India news agency reported that the 39-year-old woman said she will stay in India for now to help the investigation. There was no immediate confirmation and phone calls to the Swiss Embassy went unanswered.

Indian Tourism Minister K. Chiranjeevi met the Swiss ambassador to assure him that the victim would receive justice, a statement from his office said. Chiranjeevi also said the Indian government needs to do more to ensure that tourists inform local police stations before venturing into remote areas.

After last December's bus attack, the government passed a law increasing prison terms for rape from the existing seven to 10 years to a maximum of 20 years. The law provides for the death penalty in cases of rape that result in death or leave the victim in a coma. It has also made voyeurism, stalking, acid attacks and the trafficking of women punishable under criminal law. ■

News at your fingertips. www.canadianinquirer.net PHILIPPINE CANADIAN

For your daily dose of the most current and up-to-date news CANADA’S FIRST AND ONLY NATIONWIDE FILIPINO CANADIAN NEWSPAPER

Immigration

FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2013 22

Visit to your local library can help unlock your employment potential

speedprodigital.com

RICHMOND jobseekers looking for quick tips on improving their employability need look no further than their neighborhood library for meaningful help.

Beginning April 4th until June 27th, the Richmond Public Library-Brighouse is hosting a threemonth workshop series EMPLOYABILITY 101 to be facilitated by ISSofBC, an immigrant-serving organization with deep roots in the Richmond community.

The April workshops – which are open to the public – will focus on Resume Improvement, Personality Development, Language Enhancement, Industry Awareness and Networking. Each workshop will provide an opportunity for participants to engage and interact with the ISSofBC facilitators.

Relevant employment resources and reading materials will be available onsite and provided by the Library.

The first workshop in the series, Resume and Cover Letter Writing, will take place on Thursday, April 04, 2013. It will focus on the most common errors that occur in resume writing and how to avoid them. Participants will be provided an opportunity to have their resumes reviewed by qualified and experienced facilitators from ISSofBC. Designing a job-

specific cover letter will be another important component of this first workshop.

Other EMPLOYABILITY 101 workshops scheduled in April include: The Self-Marketer in U! which will provide tips and techniques on how to position yourself strategically in the workplace; Business Language Essentials which will further develop your English by focusing on the skills necessary in business situations such as telephoning, emailing, communicating in meetings, socializing in the workplace, negotiating, etc.; Industry Talk will provide industryspecific information and tips on effectively aligning your skills with your employment goals.

ISSofBC is a not-for-profit immigrant-serving organization providing services to immigrants, refugees and naturalized Canadians since 1972. Services are provided in over 40 languages in multiple locations throughout BC. ISSofBC provides settlement services, language training and employment services in two locations in Richmond. ■

Hands

Your Future is in

GOOD HANDS Office: 604.584.1199 Cell: 604.209.4706

www.sotanacanadaimm.com Email:natiesotana@yahoo.ca Since 1992

Family Class, Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trade, PNP,CEC, Student Visa, Visitor’s visa, Super Visa,Care-giver Processing, Work permit renewal, Temporary worker processing,Appeals,Regular trips to the Phil. etc.

Immigration

23 FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2013

So, What Do You Want To Be When You Get There?

BY BOLET AREVALO

PANGARAP : SO, OUR JOURNEY BEGINS

affords you to very conveniently switch careers, and not mind having to start from the ranks all over again.

Your planning for yourself and your own career path should welcome that possibility. And there should no such fear of being degraded, mocked, or looked down upon.

Just be yourself. Work at it. If your need will be too immediate because there are no savings to draw from and there are dependents to feed, plan for that, too. Plan in such a way that you will not mind starting out much, much lower in rank or type of work.

Plan for a career path, whether for something you used to do or a new one.

If you are taking an entirely new career direction, waste no time working for it.

The happy news is, regardless of our age, previous level of education or profession, it can be amazingly graceful to start anew in another country. ■ _____________ Nobody ever said that our journey, will be easy. But as I write and as you read, we share our strengths and we can hold to the promise that “Where two or three are gathered in My name, there I am in the midst of them,” Matthew 18:20.

(Bolet is a marketing communications practitioner and dabbles in writing as a personal passion. She is author-self publisher of the book: The Most Practical Immigrating and Job Hunting Survival Guide, proven simple steps to success without the fears and the doubts. The book is available in Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Chapters/Indigo and other online bookshops worldwide, and in National Book Store and Power Books in the Philippines. Please check out https:// www.amazon.com/author/boletarevalo).

IT IS not a like a piece of possession that you can pack or bundle up. But you can and you should bring the dream that made you decide to leave for abroad—that dream should be strong enough to help you get by every day . . .

What do you want to be when you grow up? This is a very classic question that many of us must have been asked so heartening to realize that here, age chances of being able to achieve the when were kids. is never an impediment to break new retirement that you envision.

Now that we are abroad, we should be grounds and achieve, plus the fact that Somehow, it is important to migrate asking the same question to ourselves, most companies do not impose any age with at least one burning desire in your may be rephrased as follows—“What to retire. Amazingly, you feel so young heart. That desire may or may not be do you want to be when you get there?” and as if Pandora's box has just opened so big. But as I always say, it has to be As I was saying goodbye to friends, up before you.

CLEAR to you. It may not be a specific I told them that even if family was Suddenly, the world is my stage. job or new career path, but it has to be my reason for leaving, I did not want Hold it. That in itself could present a imaginable. As they say, if you can to blame family for not being able to problem. If you are not able to clearly imagine it, you can achieve it. succeed at anything or get depressed define who you want to be when you It is not surprising if what you may for not being able to do anything set foot, the myriad of options will have in mind is a path that is entirely useful. I was able then to enumerate at only confuse you and make things even different from the job you do back least five items in my personal agenda. more difficult to grasp. home. This won't matter as long as I could continue my career in The possibilities that are before you you decide to pursue this new path as marketing communications, redirect are just that, possibilities. You have quickly as you can. This is because if it my talent in broadcasting, become to fit in yourself or make yourself fit is going to be entirely new, the learning rich as a real estate agent, grow old in. And that should start with defining curve will be longer and investments gracefully in the academe as a teacher, what you want and knowing exactly of time, effort, and even money will be or simply write a book. where you want to be headed to. For more.

Thus, as I was preparing to leave, I those who are young when they came Regardless thought I knew exactly what I wanted over, it looks like there is plenty of of the level to do. Because I had applied under time. But for those who are not, then of position Are you an immigrant living in the skilled professionals category, I time is of the essence. you had Vancouver or Burnaby? was definite about the skills and the It is not that you should hurry. The back home Looking for training and a job? competencies that I was bringing with point is for you to be able to focus on or the career me. I thought that, since I had been what you really want and immediately success you approved, this country I was moving set sail. Remember, that as the clock e n j o y e d Looking for local Work Experience (paid or volunteer)? to was also convinced that those skills ticks, the pension or RRSP ticks. The Have not received EI in past 3 years? t h e r e , were employable. later you get into a job, the shorter your m i g r a t i o n This is not to say that there was a mismatch or a mistake at all. It is is the program for you! just that coming here, you could be likened to a child who is brought 604-254-0244 Vancouver Immigration Consultancy Inc. to a candy store and does not know 604-438-8214 Burnaby what candies to buy. There will JobOptionsBC@mosaicbc.com Immigration Services: Spousal/ Family Sponsorship be candies that are new to you, Work, Student and Visitor’s Permit candies that are all appetizing and Federal Skilled Worker Program PR Determination /Appeals Apply for April 2013 session! offered to you at the same time.

Provincial Nominee Program Funding provided through the Canada-British For someone like me who came tel: 905.565.1908 cell: 416.908.7349 Columbia Labour Market Agreement somewhere in the last fighting Email: info@procareimmigration.com www.procareimmigration.com chapter of her work life, it was

Job Options BC

NOW

Canada: Seen and Scenes

FILCORE SUPPORT GROUP celebrates its 10th anniversary. On March 9, candidates for the 2013 Miss Caregiver Pageant of the Filcore Support Group were presented to the Media through a Press Conference at 81 the Scarborough Royal Canadia n Legion Hall. Watch out for new twists and exhilarating performances from candidates as they showcase their talents and sports wear attire on May 25, 2013 at 1250 Global Kingdom Ministries.—by Judith Gonzales

FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2013 24

Gabby Kalaw, BC Liberal Candidate for Vancouver Kensington officially opened his campaign office on Victoria Drive on March 16 with supporters and friends.

IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY ROSARY 35TH ANNIVERSARY 1978 by the families of Ciring De Leon, Ige Santiago, Mrs. ng their 35th Anniversary. This Block Rosary group was formed in The Block Rosary of the Immaculate Heart of Mary will be celebrati osa sisters and Fe Castaneda. They prayed the Rosary Reynoso, Belen Fernandez, Amada Guerrero, Virginia Paz, Villaherm Boufart, Ludy Andres, Dina Corpuz, Asing Fenol, Claring Dayot, Lulu of the families. After several decades, most of the bonding social the maintain to Toronto, a month at each other's home in Metro and Novena with their families in their homes daily, and met once not stop their children in continuing their IHM Rosary Novena. original founders and their spouses have passed away, but this did

prayers at the home of Some of the present IHM Block Rosary devotees, who had their Novena , Pepita Verayo, Fe Guerrero Tessie L>R: seated are photos the In ugh. the Poblete's, in Scarboro and Lady Dolly George Sir are: L>R Standing o.

Castaneda (original member) and Cora Calixteri .

Esteban Lydia and Zarris Monsy , Zapanta Nenita Poblete,

L > R : Monsy Zarris, Lady The birthday celebrants of the IHM Block Rosary devotees. Seated L > R are; SK Emil Standing da.

Castane Fe Dolly Poblete (celebrant) Nenita Zapanta and Lydia Esteban, Pepita o, Calixteri Cora , Guerrero Tessie Patricio, Dolly nt), (celebra Zarris celebrant).

Verayo and Jing Guerrero. (not in the photo is Sir George R. Poblete,

ISSofBC co-hosted the 'BC Immigrant Professionals Conference' on March 16 with MOSAIC and DiverseCity. The focus of the event was to assist new Canadians with continuing their professional journeys in Canada. The conference had sessions led by industry experts, experienced facilitators and successful internationally trained professionals; information on programs and services provided by immigrant serving organizations; strategies to assist new immigrants on their career path; and opportunities to network with industry insiders and fellow Vancouver professionals.

25 FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2013

Canada: Seen and Scenes

MIGRANTE BC AT THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY RALLY: WE HOLD UP HALF OF THE SKY! Vancouver, B.C. — It was a huge crowd of women, men, and children that stood by the steps of the Vancouver Art Gallery for the International Women’s Day rally to celebrate the gains and struggles of women, across borders, classes, sexual orientation and status. The speeches by women from the First Nations, the Downtown Eastside, Iran, Pakistan, the Philippines and by women working and advocating on behalf of women im/migrants, refugees, caregivers and temporary foreign workers, political prisoners, battered women, prostitutes, transgendered and lesbian women were inspiring, strong and militant. The Solidarity Notes Labour Choir and musician Jennifer Efting gave the crowd the gift of freedom and solidarity songs. The crowd readily joined in the rhythm of the chanting in between the feisty speeches.

Juliet Revada from Migrante BC took her place among the line up of speakers and reminded everyone that while the persistent struggles of women have won for them their most basic rights to vote, right to fair wages, to maternity leave, to decent working hours, the right to unionize and to organize, it still requires women’s vigilance, organizing and resistance that these rights are not eroded or diminished.

The VFCCA headed by Annette Beech held a workshop at the Bayanihan Center in Victoria BC with speakers, including, Liza Guevara from West Coast Domestic Workers Association for the Immigration Forum , Keri Greenidge from VIRCS for the preparation for the Canadian Knowledge test information, Chito Gonzalez from Western Union for the information about remittances to the Philippines, and Meghan Wankel from VIRCS for the newcomer support program.

My Story

FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2013 26

Filipino-Canadian in Focus : Danica Tan

BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer SHE BARELY gets enough sleep—waking up each day for school at a little past seven in the morning, after having presumably spent hours burning the midnight oil doing homework, networking and corresponding with her support-base, and mapping out marketing-related activities for her various advocacies. Her days are generally busy and filled with activity; so much so that she has had to cut down time spent at work, in order to devote more of each day to school, family, and the cause-oriented organizations with which she is involved. And she manages to do all of these with a smile on her face; a smile so winning, it bagged for her the title of Ms. Teen Richmond.

Yes, Danica Tan is one dynamic teener; with a full schedule, big dreams, and an even bigger heart.

Home is where the heart is Filipino-Chinese, sixteen year-old Danica moved with her family to Canada from the Philippines when she was only 3-years of age. Her family migrated in search of a safer environment, given the high incidence of security threats to the Chinese community in Manila, at that time. Her mom fell in love with Richmond, and as they grew, so did Danica and her siblings.

Family matters led them back to Philippine shores a few years after moving, but Richmond tugged at their hearts and beckoned them back in a matter of months.

These days, the Philippines is their yearly vacation destination, while Richmond is the place they call home.

Worlds apart Moving in two worlds, Canada and the Philippines, Danica realizes how different one is from the other, while learning to appreciate the qualities of both. She candidly shares that in the land of her roots, “Everything is cheap, you can get your hair, and nails done anytime you want, and the food is amazing!”

On a more serious note, however, she points out the vast differences between the socio-economic structures and in the educational systems of the two countries.

Life in the Philippines can be pretty laid back, what with household staff to take care of most every need. Whereas in Canada, You need to be able to take care of yourself which is something I've learned to do,” she shares.

As for education, she points out that the Filipino system is very fast-paced, and rather difficult, while the Canadian system is more stress-free.

More than just your average teen On so many levels, Danica is your average teen; and rightfully so. People of a certain

age will chime in their agreement that those teenage years, after all, are way too fleeting.

“Grown-up” years, on the other hand, seem to stretch on forever.

Danica says she enjoys “fooling around and sharing a ton of laughs with my friends, and constantly making jokes with my teachers”, meeting new people, shopping, waking up to her two adorable pet dogs, and eating. “I eat. I absolutely LOVE food!” she enthuses.

She – typically – does not enjoy having tons of homework, and having a ton of tests for which to study. What teenager does?

Yet this bubbly, sometimes goofy young lady is more than your average teen. Unlike others her age, Danica enjoys hanging out with her mom (who she describes as “wonderful”), her dad (“hardworking”, is her choice of adjective to describe him) and 3 siblings: 19-year-old Gershwyn, 18-yearold Francis, and 8-year-old Trisha. She loves hanging out with her family, saying that “you can never go wrong with surrounding yourself with the people you love.”

She is also very actively involved with Kid's Help Phone, and SOS Children's Villages BC, to the point of occasionally having to miss a few classes at school to attend meetings and fulfill her commitments to these organizations. Not very many teeners would choose to unselfishly volunteer their hours with a phone counseling service or towards helping kids in foster care and finding homes for orphans, that’s for certain.

Rising above insecurity Yet this young lady, who gives so much of herself, at one point, did not entirely believe in herself.

Insecurity is a reality of the human condition that we all contend with, no matter the age. Danica shares that she secretly desired to pursue a career in modeling, but lacked the confidence to do so. “I was just afraid, and I wasn't confident in myself. But a ton of people including my mom always

told me I should try it out,” she reveals.

With the support of her family, friends, and the Filipino-Canadian community in Richmond, she put aside her fears and rose above her insecurities to compete in the Miss Teen Canada World Provincial pageant on February 10, 2013. Her step of faith paid off in a big way. The onceunlikely model/beauty queen was crowned Miss Teen Richmond World 2013; a dream that she – even just a year ago – never would have thought possible.

“If someone told me last year that I would be crowned the new Miss Teen Richmond World, I would have never believed them. I never in a million years thought it would be possible for me to achieve something as big as this,” Danica confides.

Now, however, she has her eyes set on an even bigger goal: the National competition in July in Toronto, to win the title Miss Teen Canada World 2013.

The beauty versus the bully As Miss Teen Richmond World, Danica has learned a lot, whilst acknowledging that this “educational and fun” experience also comes with a bit of a heavy work load. She is grateful for the honour and the trappings of the title: events, photo shoots, interviews, the camaraderie with the other contestants, and the excitement of prepping for Nationals. But above and beyond that, she recognizes the responsibility attached to the title, as well.

Not only does she help out with her chosen charities and organizations (including “Free the Children”, the pageant’s official charity to end poverty and exploitation of children in developing nations) she is using the crown to elevate her platform: this beauty is a taking a firm stand against the bully.

Danica is well-aware that her title puts her in a position to be a positive role-model to her peers, and the anti-bullying advocacy is one that she feels very strongly about. “I chose anti-bullying as my platform because I am very well aware of the effects bullying can cause. I have heard many stories about people getting bullied, and it just drives me insane how people still feel the need to hurt

other people just to make themselves feel superior!” she emphatically explains.

“I want everyone to know that they should always feel good about themselves no matter what others say or do. They should feel comfortable in their own skin, and they should never wish that they were someone else. Everybody is perfect in his or her own way as cliché as it sounds.”

Thankfully – and due in great part to Danica’s tireless activity – some groups have come to her side, to aid her in her endeavors.

Boston Pizza, Mia Boutique, Make-Up by Heidi, and Paolo Montano are among those who understand the worth of this young beauty, and have committed to backing her up in their own ways. Plus Danica is always on the lookout for more potential sponsors, to support her praiseworthy endeavors.

Surely a worthwhile investment into building up an entire generation of young people, through the admirable efforts of one very determined teen beauty.

Gems of wisdom Long gone are the days when beauty and pageants were seemingly synonymous to shallow superficiality. This crowned beauty has gems of wisdom to impart; words of advice that resonate far beyond her young years.

As she continues to motivate herself to carry on with her passions and ambitions, no matter the challenges that may come her way, she encourages others to pursue their own dreams and stand up for their beliefs, as well. “There are always going to be those days where you feel like giving up because it's too hard, or it's too much work, or maybe because someone told you can't make it. But you always have to remember that nothing is impossible as long as you continue to work hard and believe in yourself,” she encourages.

“Don't ever pretend to be someone you're not. Be yourself, and know that no matter how badly you've messed up in the past, it's never too late to change your ways…don't let your insecurities stop you from doing something big with your life.”

Indeed, Danica Tan is one teen beauty who wears her crown very, very well. ■

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12/11/2012 5:27:26 PM

Cars Experts’ Pick on the Top 10 Best Rated New Cars in 2013

BY KATHERINE MARFAL-TEVES Philippine Canadian Inquirer

WIDTH: 70.9 in HEIGHT: 50.0–50.1 in CURB WEIGHT: 2900–3000 lb EPA CITY/HWY FUEL ECONOMY: 20–22/28– 32 mpg

AUTOMOBILE experts and US-based Car and Driver Magazine and Popular Mechanic have given the verdict on the 10 top cars for 2013. Below are their choices.

2014 Jaguar F-Type BASE PRICE: $50,000 – $60,000

2013 SRT Viper BASE PRICE: $100,000

Jaguar's C-X16 concept from 2011 makes its production debut as the new F-Type with a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 that should make 380 hp. Expect at least one turbocharged 2.0-liter fourcylinder derived from the Range Rover Evoque, but that powerplant probably won't be sold in the U.S. Both engines will be mated to eight-speed automatics with start-stop technology.

An aluminum body will keep its weight down, but its price The 2013 SRT Viper is not for the weak of heart. sky-high. Expect this Jag to compete with the Porsche Despite its steep price, the car doesn’t provide for Boxster as well with the Audi TT-RS. The platform may comfort and other amenities as do others in similar also underpin a forthcoming XF sedan replacement. price brackets. It is notoriously raw, coarse, and it’s a hard ride. 2013 models come with the Dodge tag removed. It is a proud product of Chrysler’s SRT team (Street & Racing Technology Division).

2013 Dodge Dart R/T BASE PRICE $24,000 VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, front-wheel drive, 5-passenger, 3- or 5-door hatchback ENGINES: turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter diesel inline-4, 140 hp, 236 lb-ft; DOHC 20-valve 2.5-liter inline-5, 170 hp, 177 lbft; turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4, 200 hp, 207 lb-ft TRANSMISSIONS: 5- or 6-speed manual, 6-speed dual-clutch automatic with manual shifting mode, 6-speed automatic with manual shifting mode WHEELBASE: 101.5 in LENGTH: 165.4–165.9 in WIDTH: 70.0–70.3 in HEIGHT: 57.8–58.2 in CURB WEIGHT: 2900–3200 lb EPA CITY/HWY FUEL ECONOMY: 21–30/31– 42 mpg

Despite of its rawness, it is packed with world-class luxuries: a stereo with 18 speakers, a dashboard with an 8.4 cm display screen, Bluetooth interface, and leather seats among many others.

Mechanically is where it achieves. It has a massive 640 hp, V-10, 8.4–liter engine with 6-speed manual transmission. Just reading these specs will make Porsche Boxter / Boxter S lesser mortals balk at racing with it in open highways. BASE PRICE: $50,450 – $61,850 It has an aluminum, magnesium, and carbon fiber body. It could reach 0 to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds, with top speeds of 207 mph. But it is saddled with unpredictable handling and maintenance headaches.

Compared to past Vipers, it has lowered its weight by 140 pounds; its chassis is 50% stiffer; and it has a new suspension-plus lower clutch effort. It has a multi-setting stability-control system, with a full off mode for the track.

VEHICLE TYPE: mid-engine, rear-wheel drive, 2-passenger, 2-door roadster ENGINES: DOHC 24-valve 2.7-liter flat-6, 265 hp, 206 lb-ft; DOHC 24-valve 3.4-liter flat-6, 315 hp, 266 lb-ft TRANSMISSIONS: 6-speed manual, 7-speed dualclutch automatic with manual shifting mode WHEELBASE: 97.4 in LENGTH: 172.2 in

2013 Toyota Scion FR-S BASE PRICE: $27,500 The FR-S is a coupe that seats four adults. A thrifty but peppy direct-injected, 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine delivers 200-horsepower and mates to a six-speed More on page 31

29 FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2013

Cars

JP Tuason: Living on the fast lane

BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Daily Inquirer

IT WAS Hunter S. Thompson, famed American author and journalist, who summarized the intoxicating thrill of speed in one succinct quote: "Faster, Faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death."

The incredible adrenalin and endorphin rush; the feel of power and control right at your fingertips; the excitement of danger; and the euphoria of victory: these come with the territory of speed, and are hard-wired into every seeker of this thrill.

Multi-awarded race-car driver and road-safety advocate Jean-Pierre “JP” Tuason has managed to take his love for the thrill of speed to the next level. Thirty seven-year-old Tuason is not only a champion race-car driver, he is also a successful businessman, and founder and CEO of Philippinebased companies Tuason Racing School and TRS Driver Development Academy.

Son of racing legend Arthur Tuason, JP has been involved in the motorsports and automotive industry for over 22 years.

Living the thrill JP is no stranger to the thrill of speed, possessing a first-hand understanding of the challenges and excitement of racing. He has won three local karting championships and has represented the Philippines in numerous international events including the World Finals in Japan and Egypt.

He moved on to compete in rallye cross and touring cars, for which several more titles followed, among these the novice driver of the year award. JP then stepped to level; possibly the ultimate dream of every race car driver: Formula cars Supported by Toyota and Tag Heuer. this remarkable level-up produced numerous podium finishes and wins at the Shell-Filinvest Grand Prix in the Philippines and the Asian Formula Challenge in China. In 2003, at age 27, JP broke through to Formula 3 and has been a regular in the Asian Formula 3 series competing in Japan, Malaysia, China, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines. In 2005 and 2006 wins came from races in China and Philippine F3 races.

Life on the fast lane pays off for JP Tuason, multi-awarded race-car driver, owner of the first and longestrunning racing school and safety academy in the Philippines, and the first Filipino to be a certified “BMW M Driver Trainer”

The makings of a speed freak JP was born in Manila, and moved with his family to Vancouver at the age of four. They stayed in Canada 7 years, after which they moved to San Francisco in the U.S. where they stayed another 2 years. They moved back to the Philippines after that, where JP decided to stay for college, pursuing a degree in BS Industrial Engineering at the De La Salle University in Manila.

The apple didn’t fall too far from the tree, it would seem, as JP earlyon showed the same need for speed as his two-time local rally champion dad. He started racing karts with his father at the young age of 13. The rest, it would seem, is speed-limit defying history.

In 1999, at the height of his dizzying life on the fast lane – literally – JP, his wife Jeanette, and his brother Mike decided to put up the Tuason Racing School. What started out as a school of a 100+ students has grown to one which averages close to 5,000 students a year.

Tuason Racing School (TRS) is the first and longest-running professional racing school in the country, aiming to provide a complete ladder to motorsports and drivers training.

TRS offers instructions in go-karts, circuit car racing, formula car and responsible motoring program. It is the only racing school that offers courses complete with all teaching materials and vehicles on world class facilities.

Speed + Safety As JP’s love and skill for the sport

grew, so did his desire for safety.

In one of his recent interviews, he said that his strong personal advocacy for road safety is his way of “giving back to the community.”

To fulfill his vision for road safety

as a socially relevant way of giving back, he trained with the U.S. National Safety Council, after which, he started the TRS Driver Development Academy, a local program teaching defensive driving and road safety. The program is going strong to this day. “We now work with Ford to give training to about 20 high school and university students, which is roughly 2,000 kids a year. We also work with 30 large local companies, training employees on proper driving techniques,” he shared.

Very recently, JP became the first Filipino to be a certified “BMW M Driver Trainer”, training at the BMW facilities in both Munich, Germany, and Salzburg, Austria.

Truly, JP Tuason shows no signs of slowing down. And why should he? For this accomplished speedster, life on the fast lane is proving very rewarding, indeed. ■

CUSTOMER PAYS

$

VINGS SPECIAL SA

ICE SELLING PR

21,693 - $ 1,500

20,193

$

$

16,545

84 mo.

Fin. up to

0% INCLUDED

CARD

22,228 up to

84 mo.

0% Fin.

$

179/mo

SPECIAL LEASE

No Down Payment

48 mo.

Fin. up to

0%

NO-CHARG

E

XIMA 3 .5 SV CVT, 3.5, V6, leathe r,

G PRICE

OIL & FILTER CHANGE INCLUDED

3 YEAR

G PRIC

E

CUSTO PAYS MER

00

2 5 ,5 9 3 $

26,59 - $1,0 3 $

INCL

60 mo.

0%

Fin. up to

C, CD, AB S, all power options stk#13 A0 27

ER CHANGES

IMA 2.5 UDED S CVT, A/

OIL AND FILT

sunroof, options

SAN ALT

NO-CHARGE

2013 NIS

SPECIA L SAVI NGS

SELLIN

0%

Fin. up to

60 mo.

THREE YEAR

31,600 $

00

39,600 - $ 8,0 $

NO CHARGE

CUSTO PAYS MER

L SAVIN GS

SELLIN SPECIA

all power

OIL AND FI LTER CHAN 2012 NIS GES INCLU SAN MA DED

THREE YEAR

FINANCING UP TO 84 MO.

$

25,728 - $ 3,500

$

THE ALL NEW 2013 NISSAN SENTRA

%

0

$500 GA$

72 mo.

Fin. up

0.9%to

CUSTOMER PAYS

SPECIAL SAVINGS

SELLING PRICE

2.5 S

CTV, all power options, CD, A/C

2013 NISSAN ROGUE

THREE YEAR NO-CHARGE OIL AND FILTER CHANGES INCLUDED

INCLUDED

CHANGE

OIL & FILTER

NO CHARGE

2011 Juke SV cvt, cd, a/c, all power options, only 25,000kms stk#111025 WAS $21,388

NOW $31,797 (0% finance rate available)

NOW $15,995

NOW $15,888

WAS $20,714

2012 Sentra 2.0 cvt, a/c, alloy wheels, power group, only 15,316kms , stk#121021

WAS $16,998

NOW $28,988

2012 Maxima 3.5SV leather, sunroof, power group, only 22,512kms stk#120976 WAS $39,735 WAS $28,412

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stk#51020 WAS $13,888

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NOW $12,988

2009 Versa 1.8SL Hatchback cvt, a/c, alloy wheels, power group, 66,800kms

stk#110868 WAS $13,988

2011 Versa 1.8S Hatchback auto, a/c, power group, 47,500kms

NOW $22,588

2008 Rogue 2.5 SL AWD leather, sunroof, power group, 44,700kms

NOW $12,888

stk#80903A WAS $24,888

2011 Versa 1.8S Hatchback auto, a/c, cd power group, only 37,600kms WAS $14,588

NOW $15,388

2009 Murano SL awd, leather, sunroof, only 69,700kms stk#91026A WAS $27,588 NOW $25,888 WAS $16,588

2011 Sentra 2.0 cvt, a/c, alloy wheels, spoiler, power group, only 11,218kms

Pan Pacific Nissan Richmond

(0% finance rate available)

2012 Versa SL Hatchback ctv, abs, a/c, power group, only 7,100kms stk#12 V087 2011 Juke SV awd, cvt, a/c, alloy wheels, power group, only 15,980kms stk#11J065

2013 Altima 3.5SL V6, leather, sunroof, power group stk#13 A001

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WAS $20,888

NOW $28,628 (0% finance rate available)

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2012 Altima 2.5 S a/c, cd, power group, only 18,613kms stk#12106

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2013 Altima 2.5SL Leather, sunroof, power group stk#xxxxx

Model codes are as follows, 2013 Rogue (W6RG13 AA00), 2012 Versa Hatchback (B5SG12 AE00), 2012 Xterra (8CLG72 AE00), 2013 Murano (L6RG13 AA00), 2012 Maxima (U4SG12 AA00), 2013 Juke (N5RT53 AA00), 2013 Altima (T4RG13 AA00), 2013 Versa Sedan (B4RG53 AA00), 2013 Sentra (C4LG53 AA00). All advertised prices are for cash and cannot be combined with Nissan’s special low interest finance rates. 2012 Versa Hatchback, 2013 Rogue qualify for 0% financing up to 84 Mo. 2012 Maxima and 2013 Altima Sedan qualify for 0% financing up to 60 Mo. 2013 Sentra qualifies for 0% financing up to 48 Mo. 2013 Juke qualifies for 0.9% financing up to 72 Mo. 2013 Murano and Versa Sedan qualify for 0.9% up to 60 Mo. 2012 Xterra qualifies for 1.9% financing up to 48 Mo. All prices are pluss $499 doc fee and all applicable taxes. Lease on Sentra is for 60 Months and requires no down payment, just startup fees. Total paid is $11,638 plus taxes. Lease has a residual of $6,236.16. Lease interest rate is 0.9% and you are given 120,000Kms for the duration of the lease. Vehicles may not be exactly as shown in pictures. Vehicles may not be in stock and may be subject to locate. Three year “NO-CHARGE” oil changes are for all new and pre-owned vehicles sold between March 11th and April 30th but European vehicles are excluded. Maximum two oil changes per calendar year . Extra charges will apply for Mobil One synthetic oil, ester oil, and all new and pre-owned trucks and large SUV’s due to large engines. Offer expires March 31st. $500 Gas Card isfor 2013 Sentra only. Lease is plus taxes.

CUSTOMER PAYS

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$

20,545 - $ 4,000

CVT, A/C

VERSA 1.8SL 2012 NISSAN ATCHBACK H , CD, all power options

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31 FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2013

Cars

...from page 28 manual transmission that's equipped with a limited slip differential for extra control. Though the engine is front-mounted, it sits low in the bay to provide a low center of gravity, and the car is grounded by a sport suspension with 17-inch wheels that fit over vented disc brakes. The interior is sporty and comfortable— well-designed for spirited driving.

2013 Cadillac XTS Base Price: $45,000 – $60,000

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, 4-wheel drive, 4to 5-passenger, 4-door sedan or 5-door wagon ENGINES: supercharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve 3.0-liter V-6, 310 hp, 325 lb-ft; twinturbocharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve 4.0-liter V-8, 420 hp, 406 lb-ft TRANSMISSIONS: 7-speed dual-clutch automatic with manual shifting mode, 8-speed automatic with manual shifting mode WHEELBASE: 114.7 in LENGTH: 193.9–195.6 in WIDTH: 73.8–75.2 in HEIGHT: 55.9–57.8 in CURB WEIGHT: 4050–4550 lb EPA CITY/HWY FUEL ECONOMY: 17–18/27– 28 mpg

New Cadillacs tend to get people all excited. They're big and ostentatious, representing some of the best innovation and solid quality that Detroit has to offer.

They have an ability to steel a driver's nerves while simultaneously pampering the car's occupants. Based on early reviews of the 2013 XTS, that trend will continue. The Cadillac XTS is a full-size sedan that has been designed to fill the void left by the outgoing Cadillac DTS, even though there isn't much carryover from the old to the new.

There are four trim levels of the XTS, all of which feature a 304-horsepower, 3.6-liter, V-6 engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Leather interior and a Bose stereo are also standard.

A suspension composed of front magnetic dampers and rear air ride keep the travel comfortable, riding on 19-inch wheels. The base XTS is FWD, but buyers who step up to a higher trim level can order AWD as an option. Other options include tri-zone climate control and the Driver Awareness Package with additional safety features (warnings of all types—lane departure, front collision, and the catchall "safety alert").

The ride is, overall, pretty nice, as reporters have said. So like each Cadillac that came before it, the XTS is more of the same—but better.

Audi A6 3.0T / S6 / A7 3.0T / S7 BASE PRICE: $51,000 – $79,000

2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek BASE PRICE: $21,000 It is, essentially, a lifted Impreza Sport. Off-roading, it provides crucial ground clearance. Plastic trim panels protect the paint's most vulnerable areas from rocks and gravel. The suspension reportedly feels firmer than the base Impreza.

EPA fuel economy estimates rate the Crosstrek as the most efficient AWD crossover available, but reviewers say that efficiency comes at a price.

Although the body is attractive and comfortable, and Subaru's capabilities in the areas of sportiness and utility aren't to be underestimated, the engine and transmission are the Crosstrek's weak link. The CVT automatic transmission matches to the engine in an unpleasantly noisy way and saps the drivetrain of precious horsepower (the engine comes in at a scant 148-horsepower).The manual transmission option might provide a more satisfying driving experience, but it causes the EPA's fuel ratings to drop from 25/33 to 23/30.

2013 Audi Allroad Base BASE PRICE: $39,600 People prefer SUVs and crossovers. And now Audi is phasing out all their remaining wagons, as well as the A3 hatch.

The new 2013 Allroad is based on the A4 platform rather than the A6, and even though the A6 is the larger of the two, the new Allroad is slightly bigger than its predecessor. Unfortunately, it's also a little less powerful. It’s sacrificed the adjustable ride height that helped enable more adventurous off-roading, but a slightly widened track and slightly higher ride help increase the Allroad's stability and ground clearance.

The Allroad also lost the V-6 and V-8 engine options; instead, it's got the turbo 2.0 inline-4 that's prevalent across the current VW/Audi lineup. It's loaded with standard luxury features and creature comforts.

2013 Subaru WRX BASE BASE PRICE: $27,000 – $28,000 Subaru WRX has an FA motor developed for the Subaru BRZ. Subaru engineered the FA for higher compression from the start, so it should tolerate the amount of forced induction required to take it from 200 hp in the BRZ to the expected benchmark of 265 hp. Fuel economy should jump a good 15%. ■

News at your fingertips. www.canadianinquirer.net

For your daily dose of the most current and up-to-date news

32 FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2013

Photo from theraffon.net

The Ecto-1 (1959 Cadillac MillerMeteor) From “Ghostbusters” (1984) Directed by Ivan Reitman; starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis, Rick Moranis

It’s iconic: the white van with the thingamajigs on top. It’s equipped with machines that can suck up ghosts or blow up rafts. It has Proton Packs, P.K.E. meters, Ecto Goggles, and an assortment of traps. The sight is a shot of nostalgia to ‘80s kids all around. “Ghostbusters” itself—that wacky paranormal procedural—

It can fix itself, drive itself, park itself, and kill your enemies. Its name is Christine. A nerdy, bullied high school boy buys her off the street, becomes obsessed with her. He changes. He is no longer soft-spoken or meek or shy. Based on the book by Stephen King, “Christine” spins the Plymouth Fury into the stuff of nightmares: sleek, red, glinting black windows— ominous. In one scene, in pursuit of her victims, Christine rams through a gasoline station, blows it up, catches on fire. Blazing like a creature from the underworld, she runs down one of the school bullies in a darkened road, leaving his burning corpse behind.

acted, and did stuntwork in the film.

He inhabits the role of Maindrian Pace, insurance investigator and chop shop dealer with one foot in the black market. Pace runs a group of car thieves and they’re commissioned to steal 48 different kinds of cars given codenames. “Eleanor” is a yellow 1973 Ford Mustang. Though the movie might suffer from terrible acting (Halicki consigned the help of family, friends, and bystanders to act in the film), it is iconic in the genre for the 34-minute chase sequence from Long Beach to Carson, California. It wasn’t all fancy stuntwork or nail-biting near-misses or action-flick adrenaline and speed, like the Bruckheimer remake 26 years later—it had it had its funny moments: say, one irate grandma batting at the passing, screeching cars with her umbrella. Famously, 93 vehicles were destroyed in the production. The Ford Mustang also became the first (and only) car to receive star billing on a film.

The “Death Proof” car (1971 Chevrolet Nova) From “Death Proof” (2007) Directed by Quentin Tarantino; starring Kurt Russell, Rosario Dawson, Vanessa Eleanor (1973 Ford Mustang Mach Ferlito, Jordan Ladd, Rose McGowan, 1)From “Gone in 60 Seconds” (1974) Sydney Tamiia Poitier, Tracie Thoms, Directed by H. B. Halicki; starring H. Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Zoë Bell B. Halicki, Eleanor, Marion Busia, Jerry Daugirda, James McIntyre, It’s Quentin Tarantino, lover of all things vintage violence. “Death Proof” George Cole is Tarantino’s homage to stunt cars, Courtesy of H.B. Halicki, “The Car chase scenes, and slasher flicks ‘70s Crash King,” known so because this style. Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russel) is

a serial killer. His weapon of choice: his 1971 Chevy Nova, customized into a super stunt car so that it was “deathproof”—but only to the driver. A huge white skull and bones on the hood make it recognizable on sight. Stuntman Mike would take car for a spin, stalk women, and stage automobile accidents to murder them. His next target: three friends in a white 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T. They get into a chase scene several minutes long as stuntwoman Zoë Bell clings on to the hood of the Dodge in a game gone wrong.

Charlie Croker’s Minis (1968 Austin Mk I Mini Cooper S) From “The Italian Job” (1969) Directed by Peter Collinson; starring Michael Caine, Noël Coward, Benny Hill, Raf Vallone, Tony Beckley,Maggie Blye, Rossano Brazzi Photo by Tim Whitby - Wireimage

And then, there’s that gem of a movie that puts the car as the centerpiece of the story and gives it character, a purpose beyond that chase sequence, and here the car becomes iconic: it goes into the zeitgeist, becomes part and parcel of popular culture, enters collective consciousness. This roster takes a look at the cars that film made famous.

Christine (1958 Plymouth Fury) From “Christine” (1983) Directed by John Carpenter; starring Keith Gordon, John Stockwell, Alexandra Paul, Harry Dean Stanton

movie became a sleeper smash, a cult hit, that indie piece of cinema that came out of nowhere. Ignore the later version—this is where it all began.

Halicki wrote, produced, directed,

jonnathan2007 - Flickr

WHEN WE think of “car movies” we often go to the most obvious place: the action flick. Cars in film are all about action—speed—coolness—blowing things up—and great big servings machismo if Hollywood were the point of reference. There’s the Chase Scene—that token segment in many, many movies, not just car flicks. From highway to narrow alleyway, heroes and villains have duked it out over the history of film (and TV, too) in their choice of car, whether it’s that vintage muscle car or some piece of junk they hot-wired off the side of the road. In some, the chase scene is cheap thrill, an add-on (“let’s blow things up,” said some Hollywood executive). In others yet, it’s the reason the movie exists.

turned into a household name in 1984. It’s not quite as popular today (warning: younger generations won’t empathize with your nostalgia and will think you uncool)—but it was the most successful comedy of the ‘80s. It topped the box office for several weeks and earned close to $100 million. It’s the second highestgrossing film of the year and one of the top 10 big-buck earners of its time.

Photo from thenerdinsurance.us

BY APRIL SESCON Philippine Canadian Inquirer

orion2012 - Flickr

The Cars that Film Made Famous

Touted as one of the greatest British films in many polls and reviews, this caper brought the Mini further popularity in Europe, cementing its status as a ‘60s icon. Using Minis, the film brought a twist to the chase scene, replete as it is with the vintage muscle car. In the movie, mobster Charlie Croker (Michael Caine) is involved in a heist to steal gold bullions by creating a traffic jam to hinder the police. The Minis were chosen in this operation, given their compact build—the easier to get away with, obviously. In 1999, the Mini was voted the second most More on page 33

Entertainment

Third 'American Horror Story' will be subtitled 'Coven;' Kathy Bates will join cast.

Herbie (1963 Volkswagen Beetle) From “The Love Bug” (1969) Directed by Robert Stevenson; starring Dean Jones, Michele Lee, David Tomlinson, Buddy Hackett

Christian Petersen

The ‘60s turned the Beetle into pop culture icon, a car with its own cult following, and it wasn’t all thanks to the hippies. Disney made it mainstream-popular with a series of rom-com flicks. First up: “The Love Bug”. Here, Herbie is a pearlwhite 1963 Beetle with a mind of its own. It changes the life of down-andout former racer Jim Douglas (Dean Jones). It plays matchmaker to him and love interest Carole Bennet (Michele Lee); it wins him a race, sets his career back on track. “The Love Bug” became a franchise with four sequels and a TV show. With the movies, the Beetle endeared itself to audiences, turned into a collectible for those with a taste for true vintage.

The Bluesmobile (1974 Dodge Monaco) From “The Blues Brothers” (1980) Directed by John Landis; starring John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd

“Are you the police?” “No ma’am.

We’re musicians.” Cult film, musical, adapted from the hit sketch in Saturday Night Live. Jake and Elwood Blues (John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, respectively) take on “a mission from God” to save their childhood home— an orphanage—from foreclosure. To do so, they embark on a road trip in a retired, battered police car, the “Bluesmobile,” to get their rhythm ‘n blues band back together and earn $5,000 in a comeback performance. The police, rival bands, “Illinois Nazis," and a mysterious woman set on blowing them up are hot on their tail. Hilarity, musical numbers, and chase scenes ensue as the Bluesmobile defies the laws of gravity for sheer comedic effect.

The Batmobile (varying models) From the Batman franchise

Eridony on Flickr

...from page 32 influential car of the 20th century in a survey by the Global Automotive Elections Foundation.

explained. "The first year was Murder House, and this year was Asylum. We have another couple doozy locales."

Joining Murphy on the panel were "American Horror Story: Asylum" cast members Frances Conroy, Naomi Grossman, Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters and Lily Rabe as well as executive producers Dante Di Loreto, Brad Falchuk and Tim Minear. Before the event, it had been reported that Conroy, Lange, Paulson, Peters and Rabe were confirmed to be a part of the third season.

Previously, Murphy had also said Lange would be playing a "glamor cat" in her latest "Story" role. When Lange was asked about that new character, she replied,

Geekgasm on four wheels. Perhaps the most popular superhero ride in the history of superheroes. No other vehicle has evolved so. No other iconic

car has so many faces to its name, changing in every Batman installment whether in comic or film or cartoon medium. What’s interesting with the Batmobile is that one can trace the history of the automobile given how it looked in every generation. The campy ‘60s show featured the Batmobile as a modified 1955 Lincoln Futura. Tim Burton had it as a customized Chevrolet Impala in “Batman” (1989) and “Batman Returns” (1992). Christopher Nolan’s recent and much-lauded “The Dark Knight Trilogy” made it into a lethal weapon, a tank that had machine guns and rubber bullets in “The Dark Knight Returns”. It transforms into an aircraft in “The Dark Knight Rises,” complete with an ultra-cool pop-out motorbike.

The DeLorean (1981 DeLorean DMC-12) From “Back to the Future” (1985) Directed by Robert Zemeckis; starring Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover Because it’s a cult movie to this day, and one of the most popular movies about time travel, ever—and because it posits that we can time travel by car.

Dr. Emmet “Doc” Brown (Christopher Lloyd) makes a time machine out of the DeLorean. Assistant Marty McFly fanpop.com

LOS ANGELES—The third season of "American Horror Story" will be subtitled "Coven," and add actress Kathy Bates to the series' ensemble, according to the TV anthology's co-creator, Ryan Murphy.

"We're far enough along in the writing that I can tell you what it's about," Murphy announced to more than 1000 of the show's fans who attended the PaleyFest panel on the series Friday night at the Saban Theatre in Los Angeles.

Murphy ("Nip/Tuck," "Glee," "The New Normal") confirmed there would be witches in the new season, but failed to reveal any more plot specifics. "It's a really cool story that we've been talking about for a couple of years, actually, and this seemed the year to do it," he continued, dropping one more tidbit: After filming the first two seasons on lots and soundstages, parts of the series three will be shot in New Orleans.

"The fun thing about doing the show is researching what are the really haunted places in America, because every year the institution is one of the lead characters," Murphy

s_bukley / Shutterstock.com

BY MICHAEL CIDONI LENNOX THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

laughing, "I don't know what a 'glamor cat' is, but I am excited about it."

Late in the event, the ensemble's latest major cast addition was introduced to the audience: the Oscarwinning Bates ("Misery"), who said she was a big fan of the series and a longtime friend of Lange. Joked Murphy, "You know, I love a good Oscar winner," referring to two-time Academy Award honoree Lange, and adding that he and Lange had thought of Bates as this season-three character for some time. "So I pitched (Bates) this cuckoo-for-Cocoa-Puffs character. I said, 'I know you have a lot going on. And we're way, way, way far ahead, but think about it for a couple weeks, and call me or write me.' And my phone rang an hour later: 'I'm in."'

"I've always been fast," Bates injected, chuckling.

Continued Murphy, "The only thing I'll say about the part is, you know, I wanted to see a lot of scenes with Jessica Lange and Kathy Bates going at it. So, that's what you're going to see."

Murphy also said he was considering a vampire-themed 'Horror Story,' and that "I have been talking to John (FX network president and general manager John Landgraf) about doing a companion piece to 'American Horror Story,' so I think it would be really cool to do a couple different incarnations of the idea. So, we've been talking about that, but I can't talk about it."

"American Horror Story: Coven" will premiere this fall on FX. ■

(Michael J. Fox) takes it 20 years ago to the past, to 1955, the same year his parents meet and fall in love. Problems arise: Marty needs a new power source to travel back to the future, and he has only one moment, one instant, to harness the electrical current from a lightning bolt that has yet to happen. On top of that, Marty’s mom falls in love with him instead of his dad—and while disturbing, this might mean that Marty and his siblings might never be born.

Bullitt’s car (1968 390 CID V8 Ford Mustang) From “Bullitt” (1968) Directed by Peter Yates; starring Steve McQueen, Robert Vaughn, Jacqueline Bisset It’s THE classic. “Bullitt” is a cornerstone in the chase scene for its version in the hills of San Francisco.

Cars fly and jump up and down the slopes.

Lt. Frank Bullitt (Steve McQueen) gives chase and is chased by gangsters—“[t] hey slam into intersections, bounce halfway down the next hill, scrape by half a dozen near-misses, sideswipe each other, and leave your stomach somewhere in the basement for about 11 minutes,” says Roger Ebert of its legacy.

The film won an Oscar for Best Film Editing. Meanwhile, the Mustang model was immortalized, with Ford churning out “Bullitt” versions to date. ■ pictures.feedio.net

33 FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2013

Entertainment Comedian Subas Herrero dies in New York

BY BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR. Philippine Daily Inquirer TRUE to the lyrics of the theme from his popular 1980s “Champoy” television show, life was “bitter-sweetand-sour” for actor Subas Herrero, who died in Rochester, New York, (2 a.m. in Manila).

His sudden death stunned family members and friends as he seemed to be well on the road to recovery.

The actor, Ricardo Wright Herrero in real life, would have turned 70 on April 3.

His youngest son, Choy Herrero, the only one of his five children living in the country, said the news was a shock to the entire clan.

“My mom had just spoken to my dad an hour before he passed away. I was told his heart stopped beating because he suffered double pneumonia,” he said in a phone interview.

The younger Herrero said he would sometimes chat with his father on Facebook. “Last time we talked

FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2013 34

online, he expressed sadness over the passing of (the comedian) Dolphy,” he said.

Today, colleagues are mourning Herrero whom many hailed as a consummate professional, and a versatile singer-actor and comedian.

Noel Trinidad, Herrero’s “Champoy” partner, was stunned by the sad news.

The two had just talked a week before and Herrero was “upbeat and happy,” he said.

“He said that he was able to stand up unaided for the first time. He looked forward to walking again after his therapy,” he said. Herrero moved to the United States three years ago, said Trinidad.

The late comedian had been wheelchair-bound as a result of some mild strokes and other health issues caused by diabetes, said Herrero’s son.

“I will miss him. Every time I was in New York, I would call him,” said another “Champoy” costar, Tessie Tomas. “He remained cheerful in spite

of his health problems. I found that inspiring,” she said.

Friends chose to remember the good times with Herrero.

Jun Urbano, who directed some episodes of “Champoy,” recalled that Herrero owned a Spanish restaurant called Señor Subas along E. Rodriguez Ave. “His wife was a great cook,” he said.

“He was a gentle giant with a great love for life, food and drink, friends and family and the performing arts,” said another “Champoy” costar, Mitch Valdes.

“I couldn’t stop crying when I heard the news. I’ve known him since high school,” said Gary Lising, another “Champoy” cast member. “We were like family.”

Trinidad said their tandem was named after a Chinese champoy (plum fruit preserve) brand called Fat and Thin since he was slim and Herrero was chubby.

Herrero is survived by his wife, Maripaz, and children Sandra, Inez, Cutuy, Marimi and Choy. ■

Dingdong defends Marian’s best actress award, sexy pictorials

BY MARINEL R. CRUZ Philippine Daily Inquirer

Dingdong’s drama series, “Pahiram ng Sandali,” which also features Lorna Tolentino, Christopher de Leon and Max Collins, is set to air its final episode on March 15.

Dingdong plays Alex, a photojournalist who falls in love with an older woman, Janice, who happens to be the editor in chief of the publication where he is employed.

ACTOR Dingdong Dantes believes his girlfriend Marian Rivera deserved the best actress award she received recently from the Entertainment Press Society, which had sent fans of superstar Nora Aunor staging a walkout after its annoucement.

“I know she deserved the award,” declared Dingdong.

“There were a lot of opportunities for her to showcase her acting in ‘Amaya.’ Her character became a prisoner, a slave, a warrior and then a princess. It was very complex. The material was really something.”

But avid supporters of Nora, who was nominated for her performance in TV5’s “Sa Ngalan ng Ina,” think otherwise. They walked out of the venue while Marian was delivering her acceptance speech.

Dingdong also defended Marian’s decision to go “daring and sexy” on the cover of two glossy magazines.

Dingdong said they don’t consult each other on matters like that. However, he was definite Marian “first thought hard before saying ‘Yes’ to that.”

“I found that the pictorials were tastefully done. They were very classy. She’s beautiful in all of the shots, although I found her to be really stunning in yellow,” the actor said.

Trusting He said: “I trust her judgment. I trust her taste. I think she still looked wholesome in all of her poses.”

For the first time since she joined show biz in 2006, Marian agreed to appear on the cover of the January 2013 issue of a men’s magazine. According to reports, the issue had to be reprinted twice to fill in the demand for copies. The 28-year-old actress also posed for the summer-themed April issue of a fashion magazine in a yellow twopiece bikini.

Not for him While Marian got raves for going sexy, Dingdong, 32, said he wouldn’t be seen doing the same thing anytime soon. “Let’s just give it to those who are more deserving—the new ones,” he stressed. “It’s such an effort for me to get into shape, although I don’t neglect it. I’d rather concentrate on the roles I’m committed to play on TV and in the movies than do magazine shoots or fashion shows. My work gets affected whenever I go on a diet.”

Lessons learned Asked what he learned from playing Alex, the actor said: “You have to stand by every decision you make, may it be right or wrong—this will mold you. It’s how you rise and step up from difficulties and failures, especially in a notso-perfect situation, that truly matters.”

He admitted to feeling relieved that the series, with a theme so “sensitive, complicated and tragic,” would soon end. “Carrying on with complicated relationships is still unacceptable to most viewers. The topic is still taboo to Pinoys. Also, the story is so melancholic. It’s too draining for us actors.”

Dingdong will soon be seen in an independently produced film called “Dance of the Steel Bars” by Cesar Apolinario and Marnie Manicad. It will be shown in SM cinemas in May. “Pahiram ng Sandali,” directed by Maryo J. de los Reyes, also features Neil Ryan Sese, Alessandra de Rossi and Mark Gil, among others. It airs weekdays on GMA 7’s “Telebabad” block. ■

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35 FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2013

For Kapuso actor, social work not just for show

BY MARINEL R. CRUZ Philippine Daily Inquirer “BEING an actor is a privilege. I make sure to use it wisely,” says Enzo Pineda, explaining why he wants to become a good role model for the youth.

In 2012, Enzo became an ambassador for Children’s Hour. He tells the INQUIRER: “GMA 7 called to ask if I was OK with the idea; I said, ‘Yes.’ The timing was perfect because I was looking at that time for an advocacy I could embrace.”

Children’s Hour, a program of Child Foundation Inc., requires volunteers to donate at least an hour of their time and worth to kids in need.

The 22-year-old actor, one of the lead stars of the new Kapuso afternoon drama “Ang Kakambal ni Eliana,” is also set to work with the National Youth Commission on a campaign for the May elections.

“We’re thinking of something to help encourage young voters to choose wisely,” he says.

As a role model, Enzo says, he will make sure to bring something new to the table, like maybe introduce a sport. He’s been into wakeboarding for seven months now and is planning to compete in a summer tournament.

When it comes to partying, Enzo’s guideline is: “Drink when you’re happy; not when you want to be happy. I drink with friends if I have something to celebrate. I hope all young people realize that drinking and smoking are good for no one. I practice healthy living, especially now that I’m into crossfit training. You always look good when you work out.”

The actor adds: “I was a party hardy when I was younger— mabilis din ako nagsawa (I got tired of it soon enough).”

On fulfilling one’s dream, Enzo counsels: “First, you have to determine for yourself what it is you really want, what makes you happy. Then you work doubly hard to achieve it. I’m starting to live my dream. Acting is what I really love.”

The actor vows to continue improving his craft. “The right thing to do is often the most difficult,” he points out. “There are many actors who think attending workshops is a waste of time.

I enjoy it. I’ve improved a lot because of it. We should never take things for granted.

Learning doesn’t end when you get a good review.”

“Ang Kakambal ni Eliana,” with Kim Rodriguez as lead actress, also features Lexi Fernandez and Kristoffer Martin. It begins airing on the Kapuso channel on April 22. ■

Entertainment

Stars hail ‘master of quotable quotes’ Colleagues say filmmaker Danny L. Zialcita was a genius

BY BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR. Philippine Daily Inquirer ON THE first shooting day of the 1981 teen romance flick “Dear Heart” in Baguio, filmmaker Danny L. Zialcita asked newcomer Sharon Cuneta: “How old are you, hija?” Cuneta replied, “I’m 15 years old.” The mercurial director quipped: “Okay, we’ll shoot sequence 15.”

Such a spontaneous shooting style was Zialcita’s trademark throughout his three-decade career, industry colleagues recalled upon learning of his passing on Sunday. He was 72.

Eddie Garcia, who played Cuneta’s father in “Dear Heart,” recounted that Zialcita’s assistant director would hover behind him, a ream of yellow pad paper on hand, “jotting down lines of dialogue as they came to Danny. He was brilliant.”

“Sometimes he would ask us, the actors, to write down our own lines as he dictated them,” said Janice de Belen, who starred in Zialcita’s 1980s movies “Nagalit ang Buwan sa Haba ng Gabi” and “Bakit Manipis ang Ulap.”

The stable of actors who regularly worked with him thrived on the free-wheeling, playful on-set atmosphere.

“He allowed me to ad-lib a lot, but I had to stay on the same wavelength as he was,” Gloria Diaz, a Zialcita favorite, related.

Always fun Liberty Ilagan, who starred in Zialcita’s second film, “Masquerade,” in 1967, recalled, “He made things up as we went along. Being on the set with him was always fun, like being in a game and you had no idea what would happen next.” Zialcita put her in a coffin for one scene and “insinuated that it was a used coffin,” she said.

Another frequent collaborator, Liza Lorena, found him “so easy to work with, so relaxed. He was ahead of his time.”

De Belen thought the filmmaker just a tad quirky.

“He refused to shoot until everything was perfect. And he wouldn’t drink anything but Coca Cola.”

Garcia agreed: “He could finish off an entire case in a day.” The actor noted that Zialcita well knew the affluent world that he chronicled in his glossy adult dramas. “He was rich, and thus familiar with the lifestyle.”

The filmmaker belonged to the Lagdameo-Zialcita clan, said actor Tommy Abuel, still another Zialcita regular.

De Belen remembered, wistfully: “He introduced me to paintings.”

VIP treatment Lorena said Zialcita invariably gave his stars the VIP treatment on the set. “He spoiled us. We always asked him to treat us to Japanese food.”

But though he was from a wealthy clan, Zialcita was approachable, Diaz insisted. “He seemed snobbish, but

in truth he was generous— constantly praising his actors and crew. He allowed his staff and stars to shine.

He was so kind, that he produced several movies to provide jobs for his staff and stars.”

Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos told the INQUIRER: “I learned a lot from him.

He popularized crispy, witty dialogue that sounded very natural. He was intelligent and clannish.

He liked working with the same set of actors. I felt privileged to be among his regulars.”

Santos starred in Zialcita’s biggest 1980s hits: “Langis at Tubig,” “Karma,” “Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan” and “T-Bird at Ako.” The last one also topbilled Nora Aunor.

Told about the news, Aunor said that, apart from “T-Bird at Ako,” she guested in a Zialcita movie that launched singer Kuh Ledesma in 1982, “Tinimbang ang Langit.”

“We also have an unfinished movie ‘Sa Dulo ng Panahon’ (produced by Regal Films in 1988),” said Aunor. “Mahusay siyang direktor. Mabilis mag-isip at magaganda ang mga dialogue namin lagi. (He was a great director, quick-witted. He always gave us beautiful lines to deliver.)”

Cuneta, who was vacationing in Thailand at the time of Zialcita’s death, told the INQUIRER via SMS: “What a waste of talent. He was sweet and great to work with. He will be missed by show biz, as he was in a class of his own.”

Abuel concurred, “The industry will miss his talent, his daring to create his own genre.”

Test of time Viva producer Vic del Rosario told the INQUIRER in a phone interview: “He was one of my favorite directors.

His movies have stood the test of time.”

His 1980s films were such classics, Del Rosario said, that Viva continues to remake them. “I acquired several titles from him. We are now working on a remake of ‘Nagalit ang Buwan sa Haba ng Gabi,’ under director Andoy Ranay. We will dedicate that movie (retitled ‘When the Love is Gone’) to him.”

Del Rosario volunteered that Viva’s latest box-office hit, “No Other Woman” was a reimagining of Zialcita’s 1981 film “Langis at Tubig.”

“Danny often hung out in the Viva office,” Del Rosario said. “We would throw ideas around. He was a genius, a creative force. He never ran out of exciting concepts. He stopped visiting us only last year, when he got ill and became bedridden.”

Observers said the high life seemed to have caught up with Zialcita. Even so, Diaz was certain she would always remember him fondly: “He was more than a mentor and director to me; he was a friend and a brother.”

Zialcita was married to former Premiere actress Leonor Vergara whose most popular film was “Pitong Gatang” with Fernando Poe Jr. in 1959. ■

36 FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2013

Lifestyle Top 10 careers that may lead to depression

BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer SOME JOBS are more likely to cause depression than others, due to certain factors like long hours, sleepless nights, insufficient pay, lack of gratitude received and high stress-levels at work.

“There are certain aspects of any job that can contribute to or exacerbate depression,” says Deborah Legge, PhD, a licensed mental health counselor in Buffalo. "Folks with the high-stress jobs have a greater chance of managing it if they take care of themselves and get the help they need.”

Here are the top 10 jobs, as compiled by online magazine, Health.com: Nursing home/childcare workers People in this profession top the list, with as many as 11% of workers in this field saying that they have suffered a major bout of depression Personal-care providers top the list, with nearly 11% of people in this field reporting a bout of major depression. This ranks comparatively high, with 13% of unemployed people and 7% in the general population reporting a major bout of depression.

Workers in this field often go through a workday which includes feeding, bathing, and caring for others who are “often incapable of expressing gratitude or appreciation… because they are too ill or too young or they just aren’t in the habit of it,” says Christopher Willard, clinical psychologist at Tufts University and author of Child’s Mind.

Willard adds that “It is stressful, seeing people sick and not getting a lot of positive reinforcement.”

Food service staff The people who serve the food at your favorite restaurants are perhaps among those who are most prone to depression, ranking number 2 on the list. Servers often get low pay, have exhausting jobs, and deal with numerous people ordering them around each day (many of whom do so in a rude manner).

10% of workers in general in this field reported an episode of major depression in the past year, and almost 15% of women in this field reported the same.

“This is often a very thankless job,” Legge

says. “People can be really rude and there is a lot of physical exertion. When people are depressed, it is hard to have energy and motivation—when you have to be on, it is difficult.”

Social workers It comes as no surprise to find social workers at number 3, given the stress they go through, dealing with cases such as abuse, violence in the home, and almost every other conceivable familial crisis. To top it off, workers in this profession often have to deal with a great amount of bureaucratic red tape. These factors make the job demanding, highly-stressful, and pretty much round the clock.

“There can be a culture that says that to do a good job, you have to work really hard and often make sacrifices,” Willard says.

“Because social workers work with people who are so needy, it can be hard to not sacrifice too much to the job. I see that happen a lot with social workers and other caring professions, and they get really burned out pretty quickly.”

Health-care workers Included in this category are doctors, nurses, and therapists; professionals who generally give so much of themselves, leaving next to nothing for themselves. Health-care workers generally deal with long, irregular hours, and very often have the great responsibility of other people’s lives in their hands.

This situation makes for stress-levels that are through the roof.

“Every day they are seeing sickness, trauma, and death and dealing with family members of patients,” Willard says. “It can shade one’s outlook on the whole that the world is a sadder place.”

Artists, entertainers, writers Irregular paychecks, uncertain hours, and isolation are just some of the factors which contribute to depression in this field.

It may also be true that those involved in creative fields have higher rates of mood disorders; with about 9% of creative people reporting an episode of major depression in the previous year.

In the case of men, this is the job category most closely associated with an episode of major depression (nearly 7% in full-time workers).

“One thing I see a lot in entertainers and artists is bipolar illness,” says Legge.

“There could be undiagnosed or untreated mood disorders in people who are artistic…. Depression is not uncommon to those who are drawn to work in the arts, and then the lifestyle contributes to it.”

Teachers Te a c h e r s deal with growing demands on a regular basis. Many continue working after school, even taking work home with them.

In several areas, and in other countries, they are underpaid and often have to learn to do a lot on limited budget and resources.

“There are pressures from many different audiences—the kids, their parents, and the schools trying to meet standards, all (of which) have different demands,” Willard says. “This can make it difficult for teachers to do their thing and remember the reason they got started in the field.”

Administrative support staff A classic case of high demand, low control is what people in this profession often suffer from: being in the front-line, taking orders left and right; but also being at the bottom rung of the ladder in terms of control, while “everything filters down”, according to Legge.

Workers in this field are often unacknowledged for all the work they do to make someone else look good. They make life easier for others, while they themselves have unpredictable days.

Maintenance and grounds workers Maintenance workers are essentially only called upon when something goes wrong,

have to work odd hours, with seasonal or varied schedules, frequently take night shifts, and are generally paid a menial salary for a laborious job that often includes cleaning up after other people and dealing with their messes.

“There is also higher turnover. In terms of co-workers, they are often isolated, and it can be dangerous work,” Willard says.

Financial advisors and accountants When you’re d e a l i n g with other people’s m o n e y , this usually results in stress, stress, and more stress. Most people don’t like even like dealing with their own money, and their own investments, much less being responsible for someone else’s.

“There is so much responsibility for other people’s finances and no control of the market,” Legge says. “There is guilt involved, and when (clients) are losing money, they probably have people screaming at them with regularity.”

Salespeople Ranking last on the top ten, salespeople deal with several work-related factors that can cause depression.

Many workers in this field are paid on a commission basis, which means that income can be erratic and unreliable. Some may travel, necessitating time away from family and friends. Benefits may also be limited, if they work on their own. “ T h i s uncertainty of income, tremendous pressure for results, and long hours” can make for a high-stress occupation, Legge says. ■ Ref Source: http://www.health.com/health/ gallery/0,,20428990_11,00.html

37 FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2013

Lifestyle

Iloilo’s University of San Agustin marks heritage milestone

BY LITO B. ZULUETA Philippine Daily Inquirer PANAY PRIDE and Augustinian audacity were in full display when the University of San Agustin (USA) in Iloilo City celebrated the 60th anniversary of its elevation as a university last March 1 with a solemn High Mass of thanksgiving, a concert that featured a magnificent Olympic-style gallery of lights performed by some 2,000 students, and an impressive fireworks display.

Although USA was elevated as a university on March 1, 1953, its foundation is older. It was founded as a preparatory school for boys by the Augustinian friars on July 15, 1904.

Therefore, it is already 109 years old, the oldest university in Western Visayas.

The Order of Saint Augustine (OSA) holds a stellar place in Philippine history. It is the oldest religious order in the country, its members having been the first missionaries to lead the highly successful evangelization of the Philippines.

Famous Augustinians in Philippine history include Fray Andres de Urdaneta, Fray Martin de Rada, Fray Diego de Herrera and Fray Manuel Blanco.

The four Baroque Philippine churches inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage List—San Agustin in Manila (the oldest church in the Philippines); Santa Maria in Ilocos Sur; San Agustin in Paoay, Ilocos Norte; and Santo Tomas de Villanueva in Miag-ao, Iloilo—were all built by Augustinians.

The university was originally founded by the Spanish friars belonging to the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus of the Philippines and affiliated with the University of Santo Tomas of the Dominicans in Manila. It is now managed by the Philippine Province of the Augustinians and has been granted full autonomy by the Commission on Higher Education.

The university houses some of the top schools and programs in the country: Its law school is among the country’s best (its bar topnotchers have included Supreme Court associate justice Carolina Griño, Cornelio Gison, Wenseslao de la Paz, Mario Guarinia and Dolores AbadAlinio; its faculties in the sciences have produced top nurses, medical technologists and engineers; and its Liberal Arts and Education programs have produced top scholars, humanists and educators.

Thanksgiving Mass Main celebrant during the thanksgiving Mass was a trueblue Ilonggo, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. (Co-celebrant was Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo.)

In his homily, Palma couldn’t help but refer to the fact that USA was celebrating its anniversary a day after Pope Benedict stepped down.

“I believe all of us are trying to get reconciled with the fact that the Pope has renounced the papacy,” he said. “Shortly after the death of Blessed John Paul II, and once more starting today, during the Eucharistic prayer, the celebrant does not mention the Pope’s name. Yet in that part of the Mass we still picture the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI. If I mention this it

is because we all know that Benedict is very much Augustinian.”

Palma was referring, of course, to the Pope’s solid Augustinian theology.

Palma said USA had benefited not only Ilonggos but also all the people of Panay.

“USA commits to the education that recognizes what is true, good, beautiful and noble,” he said.

“Hence, we are happy at the thought that USA has a sturdy commitment of preserving the Filipino culture on the island of Panay. Efforts at heritage conservation, appreciation of historical landmarks, publications of Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a, Akeanon are most appreciated.”

Photo by zarc28 on Flickr Palma also emphasized that academic freedom should not be an excuse by members of the Catholic academe to contradict or attack Catholic teachings.

He quoted Pope Benedict XVI: “In regard to faculty members at Catholic universities... you are to reaffirm the great value of academic freedom. In virtue of this freedom, you are called to search for the truth wherever careful analysis of evidence leads you.

“Yet it is also the case that an appeal to the principle of academic freedom in order to justify positions that contradict the faith and the teaching of the Church would obstruct or even betray the university’s identity and mission, a mission at the heart of the Church’s munus docendi (teaching mission) and not somehow autonomous or independent of it.”

Augustinian interiority In the afternoon, there was a roundtable discussion on the history of USA. Discussants were Fr. Eusebio B. Berdon, OSA, prior provincial of the Province of Sto. Niño de Cebu in the Philippines; Fr. Arnel Antonio S. Dizon, OSA, VP for academic affairs of Colegio de San Agustin in Biñan, Laguna; and Jose G. Espinosa Jr., retired professor.

Father Berdon emphasized Saint Augustine’s theology of “interiority” as the basis of the Augustinian educational mission, which not only involves scholarship and learning but also “intellectual charity.”

Father Dizon traced the beginnings of the Augustinian educational ministry in the Philippines to the asilo de escuela of Augustinian orphanage in Paco, Manila, in the 19th century.

Professor Espino colorfully recounted his teaching years in USA, capped with a grant he got from the Spanish agency of economic cooperation to translate the ancient “Monografias de Pueblos de Panay” written by the Spanish Augustinian friars into English.

USA has published the collection of monographs in bilingual edition; it has been named one of the required readings on Visayas history and culture by the National Book Development Board.

Philanthropic Office The discussion was followed by the formal launching of the USA Philanthropic Office (USAPO).

The USA-PO was called a “milestone” by USA president Fr. Frederick Comendador, OSA. He said the new office “is primarily tasked to assist the university in generating and scouting for funds coming from generous donors, be they individuals or groups that are believers in the university’s advocacies and are willing to become partners in her mission.”

Comendador said the new office would not only seek “to secure the future of the university but also remind ourselves that education—the vocation to teach and transform the mind and hearts of students—is inherently a philanthropic act. It is a magnanimous, selfless and self-sacrificing act whose allegiance is renewed regularly in our day-to-day struggles.”

The new office will manage the UST Trust Fund, the pool of donations and gifts to USA that will enable it to finance

priority projects under its Seven Advocacies: research and development (research, publication, professorial chairs); human-resource development; Augustinian mission and formation (spiritual enrichment, community extension, justice and peace, human rights); infrastructure development (new library, conference rooms, minitheaters); scholarships; sports and youth development; and culture and the arts (cultural heritage, continuing education, performing arts and exhibitions, art appreciation).

Donors will be inducted to the Fr. Dolse Garcia, OSA, Fellowship, named after the Spanish Augustinian friar who led the reconstruction of USA after the devastation of the Second World War, and its elevation to university rank in 1953.

Other donors, especially corporate donors, will be permanently enrolled in the Benefactors Wall that will be set up on the ground floor of Urdaneta Hall.

Envisioned building One of the major infrastructure projects will be the development of the Plaza de San Agustin in front of Herrera Hall or Administration Building. The site is familiar to USA alumni and Ilonggos since it is where the statue of Saint Augustine proudly stands.

According to USA officials, the site will be paved with special tiles bearing the names of donors.

Another major infrastructure project is the construction of a new library near the center of USA, where the old Ushaped Dolse Garcia Hall now stands. The envisioned building is planned to be one of the biggest and most modern in the Visayas. Aside from books and electronic and digital learning materials, it will also house rare books and ancient manuscripts from the vast Augustinian collection.

Other support infrastructure projects seek to beautify further campus, already known for its beauty and conduciveness to learning in the region.

A botanical garden will be set up and named after Fray Manuel Blanco, OSA, author of the seminal work and beautifully printed 19th-century book “Flora de Filipinas.”

Shown was the 3D rendition of the planned Garden of Firsts that will be a memorial to the intrepid Augustinian spirit. It will particularly trace the voyage of the first Augustinian missionary batch across the Atlantic and the Pacific to reach the Philippines in 1565.

Its rich heritage has made USA a showcase of culture in the Visayas. In fact, the Augustinians are leaders in cultural conservation. Fr. Harold Rentoria, OSA, the vice president for academic affairs of USA, is a former commissioner for cultural heritage of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

(Donations may be deposited in the USA Legacy Trust Fund account: Robinsons Bank-Iloilo City, account no.

20336-000201-4. Call USA Philanthropic Office at (63) 333374403. E-mail usa.philanthropy@gmail.com.)

Next century The day was capped by a rousing concert at the USA Gymnasium that displayed the youth and promise of students.

That promise was more than shown by the Olympic-style synchronized image-making by 2,000 students.

One of the two galleries of the gymnasium was filled with female Physical Education students wearing white jerseys seated on the bleachers. At the closing ceremonies, the gym was plunged into darkness, dreamy music wafted from the speakers, and, at the appointed time, the students switched on pen lights that they, it turned out, had been holding in both hands all along, so that the entire gallery became a huge screen of dancing lights, like fireflies dancing in sync.

At one time, they formed the three letters of the university acronym, and the agility and grace with which they performed the stunt, along with the other stunts, should impress one about the University of San Agustin—that amid such depth and richness of history, it has so much vitality and promise to sustain and carry its mission all the way through its exciting next century. ■

Dining Eat Pasta to keep you going!

FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2013 38

COOKING ON DEADLINE: Recipe for gemilli pasta with anchovies and breadcrumbs

BY J.M. HIRSCH THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

BY KATHERINE MARFAL-TEVES Philippine Canadian Inquirer

Here is a simple pasta recipe that you'll surely love cooking and eating.

Shrimp and Mushroom Linguini

IF YOU are the kind of person who is always “on-the-go”, just like athletes and adventureseekers, pasta is one dish that you must always have on your plate.

It refers to a popular dish made of flour and eggs that are molded into different shapes and sizes which is boiled afterwards. Whenever there's pasta on the table, it is sure that you will have satisfying, nutritious and healthy meals.

Athletes, adventurers, even students and employees, always have pasta on their plates as this dish provides energy. It is one of the best sources of good carbohydrates. As we learned from our primary studies, carbohydrates provide glucose to the body, which is an essential fuel for the muscles and the brain. Pasta contains complex carbohydrates that offer energy.

Pasta can be found in noodle soups and spaghetti in bolognaise. Also, there are many different shapes and sizes that are used with linguine or macaroni.

There are bountiful choices of pasta meals to choose from, so there should be no worries of eating same old pasta meals everyday.

Without a doubt, pasta is nutritious. It is part of a well-balanced diet in any part of the world.

Present dietary guidelines recommend about 60% of daily calories from carbohydrates.

It also contains iron, niacin and other essential vitamins. Another good thing about pasta is it does not contain any cholesterol and has low sodium content.

Fresh and dried pasta are also readily available in various shops. Aside from its affordable, it can also be stored for quite a long time without the worries of spoilage.

So, after a tiring day at practice, workout, escapade or just any ordinary day, a plate of any pasta meal will surely replace the energy that was lost. After a few minutes, you're ready again for another action-packed activity!

Ingredients • 1 (8 ounce) package linguini pasta • 2 tablespoons butter • pound fresh mushrooms, sliced • cup butter • 2 gloves garlic, minced • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley • teaspoon dried basil • 2/3 cup boiling water • pound cooked shrimp Procedure • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add linguini, and cook until tender, about 7 minutes. Drain.

• Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms; cook and stir until tender. Transfer to a plate.

• In the same pan, melt 1/2 cup butter with the minced garlic. Stir in the cream cheese, breaking it up with a spoon as it melts. Stir in the parsley and basil. Simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in cooked shrimp and mushrooms, and heat through.

• Toss linguini with shrimp sauce, and serve. ■

THIS RECIPE will require that you set aside your aversion to anchovies. But if you are up to the task, you will be richly rewarded.

It is unfortunate that so many people won't give these tiny little flavour bombs a fair chance. They effortlessly and quickly add such intense, savory—meaty!—flavour, they should be in regular rotation in any home kitchen, and particularly with any cook who struggles to get a great dinner on the table on a busy weeknight.

That said, I get it. Downing a whole fish—even a tiny one—is a turnoff for most people.

But that's why this recipe is perfect for you. The magic of anchovies—aside, that is, from not tasting even a little bit fishy—is that when added to a hot skillet, they melt away, dissolving into a flavourful sauce reminiscent more of a steak than of the sea. And that is why they form the base of so many Italian sauces.

For this recipe, the goal was simplicity—a few simple, potent ingredients that would meld together in no time into a phenomenal sauce to toss with pasta. Try it. Give anchovies a chance and you won't regret it.

---

GEMILLI PASTA WITH ANCHOVIES AND BREADCRUMBS Gemilli pasta—small twists—has a wonderful texture and does a great job of capturing the sauce in this recipe. But pasta is pasta, so use whatever shape you have or prefer.

Start to finish: 30 minutes Servings: 4 • 1 pound gemilli pasta • 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided • 2-ounce tin oil-packed anchovies • 8 cloves garlic, minced • 2 large tomatoes, diced • Ground black pepper, to taste • 1/2 cup coarse unseasoned breadcrumbs (such as panko) • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 6 to 7 minutes. Reserve 1/4 cup of the cooking water, then drain and return the pasta to the pot. Drizzle the pasta with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, toss, then cover and set aside.

Meanwhile, in a large saute pan over medium-high, heat the olive oil. Add the anchovies and saute for 5 minutes, breaking them up with a silicone spatula until they dissolve into a paste. Add the garlic and saute for another minute, then add the tomato. Cook, stirring often, until the tomato begins to break down, about 7 minutes. Season with pepper. For a thinner sauce, stir in a bit of the reserved pasta cooking water.

Uncover the pasta and, while using tongs to toss, sprinkle in the breadcrumbs and Parmesan, tossing until evenly coated. Divide the pasta between 4 serving bowls, then spoon some of the sauce into the centre of each. Top each serving with additional grated Parmesan.

Nutrition information per serving: 730 calories; 210 calories from fat (29 per cent of total calories); 23 g fat (6 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 25 mg cholesterol; 100 g carbohydrate; 5 g fiber; 6 g sugar; 30 g protein; 900 mg sodium. ■

39 FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2013

Business

PH boom seen to be a boon for ATM fraudsters

BY DAXIM L. LUCAS Philippine Daily Inquirer THE PHILIPPINES is expected to experience a surge in fraud committed against holders of automated teller machine (ATM) and credit cards over the next few years—the downside of having more people involved in the banking system as the country’s economy booms.

In a briefing, officials of financial risk service firm Fico said that international fraud syndicates have focused their efforts on the country in recent years because of the growing number of banking clients, many of whom remain vulnerable to scams because of lack of information.

“Because of the incredible growth of the Philippine market, fraudsters are saying ‘this is where we have to be,’” said Fico country manager Burton Crapps. “The banking system in the Philippines is expected to grow 30 percent year-on-year over the next five years, and the fraudsters know that. The more ATM cards and credit cards are out there, the greater the opportunity for them to commit fraud.”

Fico, formerly known as Fair, Isaac Corp., is based in the United States and specializes in providing trend

and fraud management solutions to banks and finance institutions worldwide.

The company estimates that ATM fraud has grown 50 percent faster over the last three years, and this rate will even accelerate in the coming years.

At present, financial fraud in the Philippines is predominantly about ATM skimming and “card-notpresent” operations, according to the Fico official.

ATM fraud involves the installation by fraudsters of a card reading device on ATMs that will allow them to read bank clients’ data as they undertake transactions, while a hidden camera simultaneously captures personal identification numbers as they are punched onto the ATM keypad.

These are committed by international syndicates based in Asia and Eastern Europe. They capture data from thousands of ATMcards, produce duplicate cards based on the captured information and withdraw the victims’ money overseas.

“The Philippine economy is growing at 6.6 percent annually. Plus, there are a lot of overseas workers sending home more and more funds,” the Fico official said. “The more money that comes into the Philippines, the more we become susceptible.” ■

Resources of PH banks reached P8.36T in 2012

BY MICHELLE V. REMO Philippine Daily Inquirer THE GROWTH in the combined resources of the banking sector accelerated in 2012 as the country’s better-than-expected economic growth pushed savings and boosted demand for financial services.

Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed that banks in the country ended 2012 with combined resources of P8.36 trillion, up by 9.4 percent from P7.64 trillion the previous year.

The year-on-year growth in resources was faster than the 5.7 percent growth posted in 2011.

Monetary officials said the enormous resources of banks indicated that there are enough funds to bankroll investments.

They added that the banking sector’s resources would further grow this year on the back of a healthy economy.

Of the total resources in 2012, universal and commercial banks accounted for P7.49 trillion.

Thrift banks accounted for P681.55 billion, while rural and cooperative banks accounted for the balance of P187.62 billion.

Bank resources are composed largely of deposits from the public, profits and retained earnings.

The growth in deposits from individuals and businesses was aided by rising household and corporate incomes.

Remittances from overseas Filipino workers were largely credited for helping increase savings of at least 10 percent of households in the country.

Higher profits and retained earnings of banks were attributed to the increase in demand for loans and other financial services that came with an expanding economy.

Last year, the Philippines grew by 6.6 percent, beating most projections and the government’s official target of 5 to 6 percent.

Given their increasing resources, the BSP has encouraged regulated institutions to boost lending to businesses that have investment plans.

Outstanding loans from universal and commercial banks in the country actually grew by 16.4 percent last year.

Officials said that there was still room for growth with lending seen rising at a double-digit pace without triggering worrisome inflation.

Outstanding loans reached P3.24 trillion as of the end of 2012 compared with P2.79 trillion at the end of 2011.

“Domestic credit-to-GDP Benji Ordoñez on Flickr ratio [in the Philippines] still ranks among the lowest in the region,” BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said in an economic forum.

The ratio for the Philippines stood at 50.4 percent as of end2012.

The ratios stood above 100 percent for Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, China, and Korea.

The BSP said efforts to attract foreign investors should be strengthened for the economy to take advantage of the huge funds available in the country’s banking sector. ■

PH to import 187,000 tons of rice as buffer stock

BY RIZA T. OLCHONDRA Philippine Daily Inquirer

Yamanaka Tamaki on Flickr

THE PHILIPPINES is set to import 187,000 metric tons of rice as buffer stock for this year’s lean season, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said.

Alcala told reporters that the National Food Authority (NFA) Council would prepare to buy some 187,000 tons of rice through a government-togovernment deal.

This month, the NFA would start soliciting bids from qualified countries for the rice requirement, Alcala said.

Currently, only Vietnam and Thailand have rice purchase agreements with the Philippines.

“The latest date for the bidding would be April.

The rice should arrive before June 30 in time for the lean season,” Alcala said.

The lean season runs from June to August.

Alcala said the total volume of rice to be imported by the NFA already covers the omnibus minimum access volume (MAV) for rice under the World Trade Organization.

Under the agreement with the WTO, the Philippines has committed to a minimum access volume of about 350,000 tons for rice, with zthe tariff rate set at 50 percent. MAV refers to the minimum volume of farm produce allowed to enter the Philippines at reduced tariffs, while shipments outside MAV pay higher rates. Manila has reduced imports by more than half this year as lean months become shorter due to the early cropping scheme implemented by the Department of Agriculture’s National Rice Program.

“Because of our early cropping scheme, we were able to break tradition so we can now expect harvest

by June. In other words, we have shortened our lean months. So we may no longer need to import that much this year,” Alcala explained.

The Philippines was, for a time, the world’s biggest rice importer. It shipped in 500,000 tons of grain last year. Of the total, 120,000 tons was purchased by the NFA to serve as buffer stock during the lean season.

In 2011, the country imported 860,000 tons of rice, with the private sector importing 600,000 tons, while farmers’ groups accounted for 60,000 tons. The NFA on the other hand, imported 200,000 tons during the same period. ■

Sports

FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2013 40

PSA fetes top athletes of 2012 tonight

BY CEDELF P. TUPAS Philippine Daily Inquirer

Juan Benjamin Janeo on Flickr

THEIR exploits brought pride and joy to the country. It’s only fitting that they will celebrate sporting excellence together.

The country’s top sports achievers take centerstage tonight in the Philippine Sportswriters AssociationMILO Annual Awards Night at Centennial Hall of Manila Hotel.

Fifty-nine personalities make up the honor roll with world champion boxers Nonito Donaire Jr. and Josie Gabuco and champion teams Ateneo Blue Eagles and Manila softball team headlining the elite list. They will receive the coveted Athlete of the Year from the country’s oldest media organization headed by Rey Bancod of Tempo.

While Donaire has won the award twice, Gabuco, the Eagles and the world champion Manila softbelles are firsttime honorees.

The major awards in various sports include the President’s Award (Smart Gilas Pilipinas), Executive of the Year (Chito Salud), NSAs of the Year (SBP and NGAP),

Mr. Football (Chieffy Caligdong and Eduard Sacapano), Outstanding High School Players (Axel Toni Ngui and Kirsten Chloe Daos), and Tony Siddayao Award.

Aminute of silence will be offered to prominent athletes and friends of sports who died last year.

Keynoting the ceremony is sportsman-businessman Mikee Romero, who will also serve as guest of honor in the two-hour gala that starts at 7:30 p.m.

Hosting the event are basketball great Benjie Paras and courtside reporter Ai dela Cruz, while Isabelle De Leon will add glamour to the event that will be attended by top sports officials led by Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco Jr. and Philippine Sports Commission chair Ritchie Garcia.

Long-time PSA partner dzSR Sports Radio 918 will broadcast live the event presented by the PSC, San Miguel Corp., Smart, Philippine Basketball Association, Globalport 900, Rain or Shine, LBC, Meralco, Sen. Chiz Escudero, SM Prime Holdings, and ICTSI and Philippine Golf Tour. ■

Nonito counters better than rival

BY MARC ANTHONY REYES Philippine Daily Inquirer IT WILL be a fight between counterpunchers when Nonito Donaire Jr. squares off with Guillermo Rigondeaux in their unification clash for the world super bantamweight title on April 13 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Taking time from his rigid training in San Carlos, California, the WBO champion Donaire told website Boxingscene.com that the Cuban Olympic double-gold winner, the WBA titlist, is an efficient counterpuncher.

“I think that he’s a pure counterpuncher,” Donaire, 31-1-0 with 20 knockouts, told the website. “If he gets aggressive, that’s when it gets dangerous for him. I’m a counterpuncher too. But I think I’m a better counterpuncher than he is.”

Rigondeaux owns an 11-0 record with eight KOS as a pro after a stellar career in the amateur ranks.

Listed at 5-foot-4½, Rigondeaux also boasts a finesse fighting style with stinging shots in his armory.

But Donaire is expected to pull a lot of other things from his bag of tricks on fight night.

“It’s going to be a tactical game plan,” Donaire was quoted as saying. “But I’m going to make the fight as exciting as I can.” ■

HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21—April 19)

CANCER (June 21—July 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23—Oct. 22)

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22— Jan. 19)

Explore by walking around and talking to people. This will help you know the latest buzz in your community or workplace. Surely, you will be able to collect helpful information. Your decisions in the future will depend on the valuable information you’ve gathered today.

Analyzing what should be done will lead you to making necessary changes to compensate for lost time or mistakes.

You will have better understanding of the magnitude of a job upon observing what others do.

It is the best time to sell your talent, creations, concepts or anything else you want to pursue with ease today. You will be inspired by a person from your past as he/she will bring lots of good memories.

You will come up with interesting assessments about your situation at home. Observe the people around you and sooner, you will know who among them are worth keeping. If you want a more productive lifestyle, you must go for a certain change.

TAURUS (April 20—May 20)

Being entertaining, dynamic and charming will lead you to the job promotion you have been aiming for.

Use this to impress people and show them what you really got.

Your concern at present is your looks and how to improve it. Be careful about the products or services that you will try. Some of them may just be tricking your senses. Basic changes are still better.

GEMINI (May 21—June 20) Avoid being indecisive, because it will just lead to emotional drama. Be straight and tell the truth.

If you are in for a job change or a job interview, it will bring you good results.

Past experiences can be reliable.

LEO (July 23—Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23—Sept.

22) There is a partnership that you will have to reconsider as it can fight you back in the long run. You will be confused along the way, so you need to get your goals straight. Be careful in making financial decisions. Watch out. You may have to reconsider a partnership that is not all that good for you in the long run.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23—Nov. 21) Be careful. You will meet someone whom you find creative, seductive and enticing. The trick is-- this person will probably want something in return and it won't be cheap. You can rely on your instincts. Being mysterious and distant can be a big help.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20— Feb. 18) It is the time to go out with friends and have some fun. Your emotional outlook will capture people's interest and encourage them to help you with whatever you need to get your ideas off the ground or your life back on track.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22— Dec. 21) You will stay under pressure and will need to come up with fast answers. Travel delays will occur. It is important to not exaggerate or take anyone for granted.

PISCES (Feb. March 20)

19—

You are gear up to help other people, but make sure that whoever you will be helping is worthy of your concern and love. You can be fooled by someone’s tears.

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44 FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2013

BY APRIL SESCON AND KATHERINE MARFAL-TEVES Philippine Canadian Inquirer IT WAS A HOT summer day and the cobblestones felt this, and they felt like it too, beneath my feet. Clay pots made a quaint sight at the side of the road; all 300 of them, it seemed—it seemed, indeed, like 300—the huge earthenware set aside on the rough ground, curve of earth catching light, resting on little pebbles and leaves like the ground grew gaping mouths.

Rough and warm and rock and earth, those seemed to be the textures of Vigan, the fixtures around which it built its myth, drew power from, bedrock of its existence: the texture of weathered stone, of antique architecture and rough-hewn wood, peeling paint, of that house at the street corner with its big, airy, Spanish windows, those shellpaned windows, the kapis, the shutters like a picture from a storybook past.

The hats and gewgaws were spots of color, set in piles atop tables as if offerings to the passing god. Wicker and other woven things. The wood as it was. I picked up a small bird. A small carriage. The woman who sold it had hands so veined that she looked like the oldest, oldest tree. A relic.

The facts: Vigan is a World Heritage Site. It’s one of the few Hispanic towns left in the Philippines; it has vintage architecture hailing from local, European, and oriental influences. The town is the best preserved example of the colonial pueblo in Asia.

It is the capital of Ilocos Sur in Northern Luzon. It sits in its slice of the archipelago facing the South China Sea. It is cut off from the mainland by three rivers: the Abra River, the Mestizo River, the Govantes River.

Vigan's tourist attraction lies in its cultural heritage. The town is composed of more than 180 ancestral houses, administrative and religious structures, public squares, and other historical landmarks within the poblacion built in the 18th and 19th centuries. Being the only surviving colonial town in the country, Vigan is a primary tourist

Vigan, in Visions

destination in Region I. Vigan is only 408 kilometers away from Manila.

It wasn't all ravaged by time. A set of motorbikes leaned against a stone wall that must’ve pre-dated the war.

Electrical lights shone within houses that looked like donyas might live in them, the wood floor polished to sheen with the train of their floorlength skirts, abanicos in hand, hair teased and twisted in modest buns.

Words came to mind: “juxtaposition”; “anachronistic”; “pockets of time”— all these odd combinations of past and present, pre-war and present age. The vendors in shirts with fake American brand logos and flipflops, bright riot of souvenirs against whitewashed wall.

The horses panting out in the heat, that SUV roaring past, modern black bulk against the festive motif of the kalesa.

Telephone wires cut across sky where a weathered church steeple might jut out from the corner. The moss watched us from stone, silently, it crept along walls, slept in cracks like an ancient beast.

Some history: Vigan was originally a settlement of traders who came from the Fujian Province in China. To date, Vigan's Chinese heritage is evident in the elite Chinese families who hail from the

area, many of whom have adopted Hispanic family names.

Vigan was a coastal trading post long before the Spaniards arrived. Chinese traders sailing from the South China Sea came to Vigan via the Mestizo River that surrounded the island. On board their ships, seafaring merchants came to trade goods from Asian kingdoms beyond.

When Juan de Salcedo founded Vigan in 1572, he built it after Intramuros, the famed Walled City of Manila. The architects followed a basic pattern seen in many old towns in the country.

Called Ley de las Indias or Law of the Indies, the 18th century mandate meant that streets had to be built in a grid pattern, the center of which was a plaza or park. This remained intact in Vigan despite the wars and natural calamities that had swept through town.

Vigan’s old structures are made of terracotta, wood, shells, stone, and lime, all obtained from the surrounding area. The local bahay na bato (stone house) boasts of a stone-built lower floor, a timber-framed upper storey and a steep, tiled roof. The secondfloor walls are enclosed by window panels of kapis shells framed in wood.

The Chinese merchants and traders conducted their business from offices and warehouses on the ground floor; they slept in living quarters above.

The surf was furious that day, the sea curled around my toes, foamed white, the sea took a breath and receded.

Fruit blend in a bottle, cold in the palm of my hand, the sand gave way and it was warm. Kids were down by the water and narrow boats bobbed out at sea. The waves were cut from blue, green glass. Umbrellas jutted out of the sand.

At night, the gas lamps were lit, and the tired old stone glinted like the huge town itself was a secret.

Hole-in-the-walls to large bistros welcomed the tourists for dinner.

Casas opened their gates to the weary traveler.

Some sights to see: The Archbishop's Residence – the oldest inhabited residence in the Philippines. The building itself dates back to the 16th century.

Father Jose Burgos' Residence – the birthplace of Father Jose Burgos, one of three Filipino priests who were executed in Bagumbayan in the Spanish inquisition.

Vigan Empanadaan – where visitors can sample Vigan's famous empanada.

Pagburnayan – where locals make the famous Ilocano jar called burnay, used for storing locally made vinegar, local wine (called basi), and fish sauce (bagoong). Tourists can walk through the factories and observe their precolonial methods of production, using carabaos (water buffalos) to knead the clay, and foot-powered potter's wheels to turn the clay into jars.

Pagpartian – where the great conquistador Juan de Salcedo arrived in Vigan through the Mestizo River.

Also the site of the city’s ancient slaughterhouse, built during the Spaniard’s time.

Plaza Salcedo – dedicated to the memory of the great conquistador Juan de Salcedo. It is also the site of Filipino heroine Gabriela Silang's public hanging in 1763, located in front of the Vigan Cathedral.

Vigan Heritage Village – also known as the Mestizo District, its cobblestoned streets are famous for its Spanish-era ancestral homes. ■

45 FRIDAY MARCH 8, 2013

Travel

Forests, beaches and wildlife keep visitors busy on Galiano Island, B.C.

BY TERRI THEODORE THE CANADIAN PRESS GALIANO ISLAND, B.C.—A pair of bald eagles call out as they fly down the forested corridor metres above our vehicle, keeping pace in front as a dolphin would a ship's bow.

And just as quickly, they're gone.

It's an awe-inspiring welcome to Galiano Island, B.C. One of several Southern Gulf Islands in the waters between B.C.'s Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, Galiano is the first stop from Tsawwassen for BC Ferries on its island run.

The 50-minute ferry ride to the island allows time to shrug off the busyness of the Vancouver area and arrive ready for the unhurried pace of the small island.

The forest-covered island is just over 27-kilometres long, six kilometres at its widest point, and 1.6 at its narrowest.

The island is a walking and hiking paradise, with water, island and far-off mountain views from almost every one of the dozens of beachaccess points.

We went for a few days to relax and do nothing, but found ourselves curiously exploring as much of the island as we could during the unusually warm, sunny days at the beginning of March.

Much of wildlife on the island appears indifferent to humans.

While the eagles were our first example of that, the deer also sauntered off the road as our car came near, then turned back to stare as we stopped to look at them.

Henny Schnare has photographed the island's wildlife for many years and is the membership director for the Galiano Island Chamber of Commerce.

“We have absolutely thousands of humming birds every year, principally the rufous humming bird that lands on all the Gulf Islands,” she said. “They come at the end of March all the way through to August and some even over winter.”

But you can also see eagles fishing off the bluffs, thousands of gulls gathering in Active Pass, and killer whales just off the beaches, she said.

“The other thing that we actually keep quite secret on the island is that we have a tremendous number of the great blue herons,” she said as her voice became low and conspiratorial. “We don't tend to publicize where they are because they own the place, we don't.”

We did happen on two nesting herons in one of our many beach walks.

Finding those walks is easy, beach assess is well marked on the road with a sign.

Some access points may take you on a meandering walk through a quiet forest of massive trees, sword ferns and salal, while others offer a stunning bluff view before you begin a steep trek down.

At low tide, you can walk over many of the sandstone beaches to explore the sealife.

One of the island's most spectacular beaches is in Montague Harbour Provincial Marine Park on the west side of the island.

The park is the site of an ancient First Nation's midden pit, believed to be about 3,000 years old. It was home to the Coast Salish, Penelakut First Nation, when the island's namesake, Spanish explorer Dionisio Alcala Galiano, explored Canada's West Coast in 1792.

Montague beach is covered in white sand from the many layers of discarded shells on the beach.

The sand makes the water appear an aqua blue-green that rivals any Caribbean beach.

But the water's chilly temperature quickly dispels any other such connections.

During the summer, beaches on the east side of the island are “very swimable” because of the warmer waters coming from the Fraser River, just across the Salish Sea, Schnare said.

If you're looking for a trail walk or hike, there are about 75 kilometres of trails to explore.

“It's a great place for hiking,” said Paul LeBlond, of the Galiano Trails Society, one of several groups that oversee the trials on the island.

“A lot people who live here like to wander through the woods and a lot of people who come over like to do this.”

The retired University of B.C. oceanography professor said the island was once a tree farm for a forest company, so most of the massive trees on the island are second growth.

He suggested a hike up Mount Galiano if you want to see spectacular views of Active Pass, Southern Vancouver Island and Washington States.

“You can see the eagles flying below you.”

There are numerous places to stay on the island, including inns and resorts, bed and breakfasts, cabin rental and camping.

Schnare said the island's population of about 1,000 can quadruple during the high season, so reservations would be advised. ■ --If you go: Go to http://www.galianoisland.com for more information.

Getting there: http://www.bcferries.com

Travel Manitoba gives away free NHL tickets in Toronto, Ottawa, L.A.

THE CANADIAN PRESS WINNIPEG—Manitoba is getting the word out about all the great things it has to offer by giving away tickets to NHL games in other cities.

Travel Manitoba's ad campaigns sometimes include free tickets for fans in places like Toronto and Ottawa.

When the Winnipeg Jets and the Toronto Maple Leafs face off this Saturday in Toronto, the game is dubbed “Travel Manitoba Night.”

The ad campaign, paid for by Manitoba taxpayers, includes signs in the arena, a commercial on the large TV screen at Air Canada Centre, online ads and tweets sent out by the Maple Leafs that mention the province.

Ten tickets are also being given away to fans in Toronto.

Similar Travel Manitoba promotions have run at games in Los Angeles and Minnesota and one is planned for Ottawa.

“We piloted a project last year where we tested a few cities that was quite successful for us,” said Linda

Whitfield, vice-president of sales and marketing with Travel Manitoba.

“We get a lot of buzz, there is a lot of awareness and the promotions have a strong social media component where we give away tickets.”

Travel Manitoba received just over $9 million in government funding last year. The Crown corporation won't say how much was spent on the NHL campaigns.

“I think it is good they are trying to do something outside the box, but I think they need to do a better job really looking at the numbers to show it is an effective campaign,” said Colin Craig of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

The tourism agency says these campaigns aren't necessarily about getting people to visit the province, but to let them know it exists.

“There is not a great deal of awareness of Manitoba in a place like LA, for example. It is not that they have a negative or positive impression, they just have no impression at all,” said Whitfield. ■ (Global Winnipeg)

Canada

FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2013 46

The end of a dream: sixteen-year-old U.P. freshman takes own life over lack of tuition fee money

BY ANGIE DUARTE Kristel Tejada, 16-year-old Behavioral Sciences freshman student at state-run University of the Philippines, was like many other students at the educational institution: smart, deserving, struggling financially. Her plight was no different from countless bright, young, but financially-challenged students who enroll when money is available, take out a loan when it isn't or – as a last resort – take a leave of absence until provisions come in and next semester rolls around.

However, unlike most others who see the forced leave of absence as an opportunity perhaps to take on odd jobs, Kristel saw it as a burden she could not bear. A bottle of silver cleaner was her way out. She drank it; ending her young and life early morning of March 15, leaving many grieving, wondering, pointing fingers.

Too weary to carry on A suicide note found in her pants pocket revealed words of love and apology, scribbled in red. She expressed her love for her family, and asked for forgiveness, saying she was too tired to carry on.

“Mahal na mahal ko ang pamilya ko. At lahat din ng iba pang nagmamahal sa akin. Di ko lang talaga rin kinaya. Sana mapatawad at ipagdasal niyo ko. Salamat sa lahat magkikita pa ulit tayo.

Sorry pero kailangan ko lang talagang gawin to (I love my family very much, and all those who love me. I really just could not take it anymore.

I hope that you will forgive me and pray for me.

Thank you for everything and we will see each other again. Sorry but I really just need to do this),” read the letter.

Perhaps her young age was not enough to provide a foundation for the enormous pressures of the academe. Compounded by financial stress, the young girl caved. Maybe there were other problems of which we are unaware. Or it could be that she was ashamed, not wanting to be viewed a failure in a society that places an exorbitant premium on higher education.

The shame factor In a socio-economic climate where a highschool education is on its own just about worthless in the job market, inability or failure to secure a college degree is often viewed as not only as the equivalent of the death sentence for one’s hopes and dreams, but also as something shameful; akin to a curse upon your family name and household. Especially since many parents peg their future security upon their children.

Add to that our general cultural obsession with keeping up appearances, and you have a looming, pressure-laden trifecta for many financially-challenged youths.

It is not uncommon in the Philippines for even the most menial job positions to require that applicants have at least one year of college under their belt. Add to that the fact that you have graduates scrambling to secure these menial jobs – for want of something better – and you have a vicious cycle. Sadly, this will be perpetuated for as long as jobs are scarce, unemployed are plentiful, and costs of education prohibitive.

for many and discriminates those who c a n n o t afford it,” UP Student Regent Cleve Arguelles said.

Vi c t o r Villanueva, Kabataan Student demonstrators take to the streets, fueled by Kristel's suicide, to protest the prohibitive costs of party-list education in the Philippines, and the impending tuition Sixteen-year-old U.P. freshman nominee fee hike. (Photo by Abigail Joy Liquiran) student Kristel Tejada had beauty and Union and brains, and what could have Financial of Students been a bright future ahead of her. All that ended by her own hand when crisis president, said “These profit oriented the young lady took her life due to The Tejada universities snatch away the youth’s future due financial and academic pressures. f a m i l y ’ s to rampant fee increases.” struggle with Lawyer Terry Ridon, Kabataan party-list finances began in 2009, when Kristel’s father, president and UP-Manila alumnus said that Christopher, was laid-off from his job as a “These policies are realities, now more than warehouse coordinator. ever we must recognize them. The lives of Kristel’s dad has since taken to driving a taxi the youth are too precious to be endangered on a part-time basis, while her mother, Blesilda, by ensuring payments, deadlines and their busied herself with taking care of the children consequences. We demand justice for Kristel, and selling t-shirts for printing to augment the and all schools, not just UP Manila, take this family’s meager income. as a wakeup call that the youth and Filipino They rent a small apartment in Tondo, with people will not stand for policies that defile our barely enough room for the Kristel, her parents, rights and rob us of our futures.” and 3 siblings.

It was disclosed that Kristel had been Despite their best efforts, however, Kristel’s assigned into “Bracket D” of the university’s parents were unable to make the tuition Socialized Tuition and Financial Assistance payments for the first-semester, amounting to Program (STFAP), in which students pay PHP 10,000 (the equivalent of about US $246, PHP300/academic unit. She reportedly filed at current exchange rate). They were forced to an appeal to be classified into a lower bracket, take out a school loan, but were likewise unable with lower rates of computation per unit. to make the deadlines for the first two initial However, due to university policy, the appeal payments.

– if approved– would take effect only upon the This prompted school officials to decline start of the next academic year.

Kristel’s father’s request for yet another loan for the second semester, leaving the young woman A little too ironic with no choice but to file for a leave of absence. In a recent interview, Dr. Tony Leachon, director of public affairs of UP Manila expressed his deep Exception to the rule sadness over Kristel’s death, but acquiesced Blesilda recounts in news interviews that she that rules had to be followed. He also revealed had a chance to speak with a chancellor from that on March 14, just a day before her suicide, the university at a school function held early UP President Alfredo Pascual had called for a this year. meeting to instruct all chancellors to ensure that Although she did not go down on her knees students will not be deprived of financial support. and beg – as some overblown reports would This is an announcement that, ironically, Kristel have it – the desperate mother pleaded her will never get to hear. daughter’s case, as most mothers would.

He reported that Pascual had instructed After all, Kristel was a smart, beautiful honor them all to “not deny access to qualified student (having skipped a grade in elementary students who cannot enroll because of financial school, and graduated salutatorian form high constraints." school). She was even named “Miss Behavioral When interviewed, Pascual said he "I Science” last semester. She just didn’t have the didn't know something like that (suicide) would proper breaks in life. happen.” He also said that he would get to the The chancellor expressed his sympathies; no bottom of the situation, amidst his ongoing one could be an exception to the rule, and the efforts to reform the University’s STFAP family best learn a lesson from the situation. application process.

Never in her wildest dreams did Blesilda "It is unfortunate that it takes time to think the lesson would be so harsh. implement change. We can easily be overtaken, as we have seen, by a sudden turn of events.

Under fire But I am confident we can turn the tragedy into The University is currently under a lot of fire a greater resolve to act and make UP accessible from various private, public and student-group to the poor," he said. sectors who feel that Kristel’s death was in part This won’t bring Kristel back. Neither a result of repressive school policies. will it restore her family’s shattered hopes and Upcoming tuition fee hikes were also dreams. But perhaps it can ease the burden lambasted by outraged groups. some a bit for others who may also be growing “The said student’s suicide exposes that the weary, and spare them at least one of life’s cost of education in UP has become expensive bitter ironies. ■

The Philippine Canadian Inquirer welcomes your views and opinions. Please e-mail the editor at editor@canadianinquirer.net.Thank you.

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