Philippine Canadian Inquirer Issue #107

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VOL. 3 NO. 107

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MARCH 21, 2014

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Ruby: Hubby’s insurance funded Dasma purchase

Palace insists no US bases in PH

China’s demand to remove ship nixed

Filipino-Canadian In Focus: Randy Bucao

TED Talks

Harper ups sanctions against Russia, talks with Ukrainian ambassador

BY MIKE BLANCHFIELD The Canadian Press

The 109th Commencement Exercises of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Siklab Diwa Class of 2014 at the Fajardo Grandstand, Borromeo Field, Fort General Gregorio del Pilar in Baguio City on Sunday (March 16). The PMA boast of a long and illustrious history of preparing only the best Filipino men and women for military service.

PHOTO BY RYAN LIM / MALACAÑANG PHOTO BUREAU

Pork misuse probe expanded

De Lima: Inquiry covers 180 lawmakers

BY CHRISTINE O. AVENDAÑO AND TJ BURGONIO Philippine Daily Inquirer MANILA, PHILIPPINES—A wider investigation of the alleged misuse of the lawmakers’ pork barrel allocations has been underway since the Commission on Audit (COA) released a review of the transactions beginning in 2007, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said on Monday.

The Inter-Agency on Anti-Graft Coordinating Council (IAAGCC) is conducting the inquiry that covers nongovernment organizations (NGOs) not under the scope of the probe being conducted by the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the alleged P10-billion scam engineered by businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles.

De Lima said the COA special audit

❱❱ PAGE 19 Harper ups

Philippine Canadian Inquirer

Unused to scrutiny, Malaysia facing tough questions over hunt for jet HITMANSNR / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

❱❱ PAGE 7 Pork misuse

OTTAWA—Stephen Harper says Canada will impose more sanctions on Russia as a result of Sunday’s vote in Crimea to secede from Ukraine.

Harper said Monday that the result of the so-called referendum is illegitimate and was conducted under an illegal Russian military occupation.

Harper said his government will be announcing more economic sanctions and travel restrictions on “senior people” in Russia and Ukraine, and “in Crimea specifically.”

He made the announcement prior to meeting Vadym Prystaiko, the Ukrainian ambassador to Canada.

❱❱ PAGE 21

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MARCH 21, 2014

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Philippine News

3 FRIDAY MARCH 21, 2014

P-Noy won’t certify FOI bill

BY CHRISTIAN V. ESGUERRA Philippine Daily Inquirer DESPITE HIS election campaign promise in 2010, President Aquino is not certifying as urgent the passage of the freedom of information (FOI) bill, although senators approved their own version of the measure.

Malacañang instead urged advocates to exert pressure on members of the House of Representatives, which has not acted on the bill, to follow the Senate’s lead.

“In our view, it would be more effective if the pressure will come from citizens themselves because these are legislators who were elected by the people and they are accountable to their constituents who put them in power,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma told reporters. Coloma maintained that the President was “very circumspect in the use of presidential power,” in this case, certifying to Congress the urgent approval of the bill regarded as essential in giving substance to his avowed reformist agenda and promoting transparency in governance amid widespread public outrage at purported abuse of pork barrel funds.

“That’s why he is weighing whether that is needed,” he said in Filipino, echoing the Palace’s typical response whenever asked about the matter.

Belmonte vow

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte vowed to work for the passage of the House FOI version before the current session ends.

“You can hang me by the neck if it is not passed,” he told reporters.

Nearly four years after Mr. Aquino promised during the 2010 presidential campaign that he would work for the enactment of an FOI law, the administration-controlled House had yet to act on it.

Senators passed their version of the FOI bill on third and final reading. In the House, a technical working group is still consolidating different versions of the measure.

Coloma insisted the President, who had secured from his congressional allies the swift impeachment of then Chief Justice Renato Corona and the approval of such contentious measures as the reproductive health and sin tax bills, was not reneging on his campaign promise.

“There is no effort to avoid fulfilling that commitment,” he claimed, noting that “the commitment has already been fulfilled in actual government service” even in the absence of an FOI law.

“Our government is responsive to calls for our public servants to be more open, more transparent and to have more accountability,” Coloma said.

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Nearly four years after Mr. Aquino promised during the 2010 presidential campaign that he would work for the enactment of an FOI law, the administrationcontrolled House had yet to act on it.

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People pressure

Told that an FOI law would institutionalize such efforts, Coloma said: “That’s why we are one with the people in their desire to have this passed, and we hope that happens as soon as possible.”

He denied that the President preferred to have an FOI bill toward the end of his administration to deprive his critics of a way to go after him.

“There’s no such thinking,” he said.

In the previous Congress, the FOI law faced no serious obstacles at the Senate and was thus passed on third and final reading. The battleground was also the lower chamber.

A number of House members have been rejecting an FOI bill without a “right of reply” provision, a mechanism that would require news organizations to provide equal space and prominence to the response of parties involved in a story.

Critics of such a provision believe right of reply would be out of place in an FOI law, and should be considered as a separate legislative measure altogether.

24 bills to consolidate

Gabriela Rep. Luz Ilagan was skeptical that the Senate approval of the FOI bill would add pressure on the House to speed up its work on the measure.

“The chair of the committee is suspiciously and deliberately slowing down the process,” Ilagan said in an interview.

But Misamis Occidental Rep. Jorge Almonte, chair of the committee on public information, brushed off accusations that the majority was dragging its foot on the FOI bill.

24 versions

Almonte pointed out that the House had 24 different versions to consolidate in the technical working group.

“The pressure lies in the need to draft a well-crafted measure and committee report that is reflective of the views, sentiments and consensus of the members.

The Senate version would be a good reference material which may facilitate consolidation of the 24 FOI bills under consideration,” Almonte said. ■

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Philippine News

MARCH 21, 2014

FRIDAY 4

Ruby: Hubby’s insurance funded Dasma purchase

BY NANCY C. CARVAJAL Philippine Daily Inquirer PROVISIONAL STATE witness Ruby Tuason denied Sen. Jinggoy Estrada’s allegations that she bought her Dasmariñas Village house with the kickbacks that she allegedly got from the Malampaya Fund scam.

Tuason, who testified before the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on the P10-billion pork barrel scam that she had personally handed millions of pesos in kickbacks to Estrada, has offered to become a witness for the prosecution to escape indictment in the pork scam case. Speaking through her lawyer, Dennis Manalo, Tuason said she was hurt and offended

by Estrada’s allegations and reiterated that she would “stick to the truth.”

She denied that the Dasmariñas residence, which she is now trying to sell so she can return the P40 million she admitted to have received as commission from the pork barrel scam, had been bought from commissions

from the Malampaya Fund scam.

Two insurance policies

“The money she received from her husband’s two insurance policies was more than enough to buy the house,” said Manalo.

Manalo furnished the INQUIRER a copy of the letter from the insurance company showing that on July 22, 2008, Tuason received a total of $1.8 million, equivalent to about P84 million, from the two insurance policies of her late husband, Carlos Tuason.

Estrada, in a privilege speech on Thursday, said Tuason bought the Dasmariñas house for P45 million at about the same time that Janet Lim Napoles, the alleged mastermind of the P10billion pork barrel scam, was pulling off the P900-million Malampaya Fund scam in 2009.

To counter Estrada’s statements that Tuason’s late brother, Remy Chan, had died of cancer and was too sick to have made the Malampaya Fund transactions, Manalo sent a

photo of Chan supposedly taken on November 2009 showing Chan to have been quite chubby.

“Her brother did not die of cancer but of a heart attack, and was healthy enough to conduct his own transactions around that time,” Manalo said.

(Tuason claimed in her sworn affidavit that it was her brother who was involved in the Malampaya Fund scam.)

Misleading Jinggoy video

Tuason, also through Manalo, confirmed that it was she in the Senate CCTV footage that Estrada showed at the Senate hearing but clarified that in her testimony, she had said that she went in through the parking area escorted by Estrada’s security detail every time she brought him his share of the pork kickbacks.

“The video shown by Senator Estrada was misleading because in her testimony, she specifically said she passed through the parking area whenever she brought in money in duffel bags,” Manalo said.

Tuason also denied that she

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owned properties in Alabang and Valle Verde, as Estrada alleged.

Manalo said Tuason wanted the public to know that she was using her own private funds for her current trip to the United States where she last month voluntarily surrendered to agents of the National Bureau of Investigation.

The lawyer said Tuason was offering her apologies to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima for the unnecessary controversy created by her recent departure for the United States, ostensibly to look for ways to finance her commitment to return the P40 million she allegedly earned from the scam.

Tuason, one of the respondents in a plunder complaint in the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the P10-billion pork barrel scam, has been granted provisional state witness status in exchange for her testimony.

She fled the country when her name was dragged into the controversy and returned on Feb. 7 after executing a 15-page

affidavit about the scam at the Philippine consulate in San Francisco, California, on Feb. 4.

Personal delivery

In the affidavit, which she also submitted to the Ombudsman and the blue ribbon committee, Tuason claimed to have personally delivered commissions to Estrada in the Senate and his residence in San Juan City.

She said she was also the one who picked up the commissions for Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, which she delivered to Enrile’s former chief of staff, lawyer Lucila Jessica “Gigi” Reyes.

Estrada, Enrile and Reyes are all coaccused in the plunder complaint in the Office of the Ombudsman.

Tuason said she personally knows Estrada because she was the social secretary of his father, deposed President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada.

In her affidavit, Tuason said it was her late husband who introduced Napoles to her sometime in 2004. ■

5 FRIDAY MARCH 21, 2014

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Philippine News

MARCH 21, 2014

FRIDAY 6

Meralco ready to refund New electricity rate to follow ERC order

BY RIZA T. OLCHONDRA, TJ BURGONIO AND LEILA B. SALAVERRIA Philippine Daily Inquirer MANILA ELECTRIC Co. (Meralco) yesterday said it would refund any excess amount should an order from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to recalculate electricity spot market prices cut the generation cost and other pass-on charges that it had collected from its 5.3 million customers.

But William S. Pamintuan, Meralco first vice president, said the utility firm would charge customers an additional amount if the recalculation resulted in an amount higher than the P5.67 per kilowatthour that was collected in December and January.

“We assure our customers that the computation on the recalculation of the generation charge will be transparent,” said Meralco spokesperson Joe R. Zaldarriaga.

The ERC announced on Tuesday that it had issued an order voiding spot market prices, which drove up generation charges and related taxes in December and January, because these were not reasonable, rational and competitive.

Militant lawmakers yesterday said the ERC had failed to recommend the proper penalties against those who had played a part in jacking up electricity prices.

The ERC ruling covers spot market prices in Luzon, which means distributors except Meralco may immediately refund customers. Meralco is facing a temporary restraining order (TRO) on its December billing, The high spot market prices came in the wake of the simultaneous shutdowns of power plants while the Malampaya gas plant, which provides cheaper natural gas to Meralco suppliers, was shuttered for maintenance from Nov. 11 to Dec. 10, 2013.

Lawmakers and the Depart-

ment of Energy have accused power producers of collusion in the simultaneous shutdowns that jacked up electricity prices.

The ERC order of March 3 effectively canceled its approval last December of a staggered P4.15 per kWh rate increase in generation charge that Meralco had sought to pass on to customers.

In the order, the regulator directed Philippine Electricity Market Corp. (PEMC), operator of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), to recompute spot prices from November to December 2013.

Based on ERC’s own simulation, the WESM prices for the period may drop by “more than half.” The final pricing, however, will depend on PEMC’s recalculated rate, according to ERC Executive Director Francis Saturnino Juan.

Failure to do job

By ordering a recalculation of spot market rates, ERC officials admitted their failure to do their job, lawmakers said.

www.canadianinquirer.net

Meralco spokesperson Joe R. Zaldarriaga: “We assure our customers that the computation on the recalculation of the generation charge will be transparent.”

PHOTO FROM KICKERDAILY.COM

“They agreed to the P4.15 per kWh, and now they’re saying this should be recalculated. Are they then admitting they made a mistake?” Sen. Ralph Recto said in an interview.

Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano was more forthcoming: “There’s really a failure in the way we regulate the prices of power. We should still take a second look. I’m afraid it will happen again.”

Tinio said the ERC should be filing charges for violation of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira).

At a press briefing, Tinio said the violation could be an abuse of market power, which has the prescribed penalty of imprisonment and fines ranging from P10,000 to P10 million.

If the ERC commissioners cannot do their job, they should resign, he added.

Epira violation

ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio

❱❱ PAGE 13 Meralco ready

Philippine News

7 FRIDAY MARCH 21, 2014

No urgent need for Napoles surgery, doc tells court

BY NIÑA P. CALLEJA Philippine Daily Inquirer WHILE JANET Lim Napoles has been diagnosed with myoma in the uterus, there was no immediate need for her to undergo surgical treatment, a police doctor told the Makati Regional Trial Court.

Taking the witness stand yesterday, Chief Insp. Michelle Daguno, an obstetrician-gynecologist at the Philippine National Police General Hospital at Camp Crame, said surgery was warranted for her condition but agreed it was not yet an emergency situation.

The continuation of the hearing was set on March 18 as the defense asked the court to present another witness, a doctor of the St. Luke’s Medical Center.

Napoles, the alleged brains behind the multi-million pork barrel scam, asked the court for permission to undergo surgical treatment at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Bonifacio Global City. She is currently detained at a special police facility in Fort Sto. Domingo in Laguna.

“Surgery is warranted... for her condition,” Daguno told the sala of Judge Elmo Alameda of the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150 which handles the serious illegal detention charges filed against Napoles and her

brother Reynald Lim. However, when prosecution lawyer Henry Salazar suggested that the need for surgery was not that immediate, Daguno said: “Yes.” During the hearing, The PNP doctor said she was told by Napoles that she experienced unusual bleeding for 39 days from Jan. 15 to Feb. 20.

To treat the blood loss, Napoles has been taking Iberet, an iron supplement capsule, three times a day.

Napoles, according to Daguno, has a uteruswith the size equivalent to that of a woman three months pregnant.

The cyst can be removed either through oral medication or through surgery, she said.

Meanwhile, also at the hearing, Daguno told the court the PNP had shelled out funds for the rental of ultrasound equipment which the state-run hospital lacks in order to implement the judge’s earlier order to provide Napoles with diagnostic assistance.

Judge Alameda muttered: “Ako pa pala ang napasama (so it appears I was the one at fault),” referring to his order for Napoles to be examined at Camp Crame.

He explained that he had relied on the testimony of the PNP doctor that Camp Crame had the facilities for the exams Napoles needed. ■

Pork misuse... released on Aug. 16 last year mentioned questionable allocations of 180 lawmakers from their Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

“There are now teams of the field investigation office working on a number of lawmakers who are part of the 180 plus over and above those who had already been charged,” said De Lima, who chairs the IAAGCC with Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales.

She said she was hesitant to announce the IAAGCC moves but had to do so to “allay apprehensions and disabuse the minds of some” that the government was focused only on investigating Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Revilla Jr. De Lima said Estrada’s claim that he, Enrile and Revilla were being singled out for persecution was “not right.”

“There are teams that are investigating the others, they are gathering evidence and it’s not only the three senators and it’s not only Napoles,”‘ she said.

Napoles and the three senators are among 38 people under investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the alleged P10-billion racket that diverted PDAF funds into ghost projects of Napoles’ NGOs and kickbacks for lawmakers. They have all denied wrongdoing.

De Lima said she had not yet seen the affidavits executed by two former officials of National Agribusiness Corp. (Nabcor) submitted to the Ombudsman, which stated that four senators—Enrile, Estrada, Revilla and former Sen. Edgardo Angara—and 79 representatives coursed P1.7 billion of their PDAF to the agency with orders to funnel the funds to questionable NGOs. She said she would clarify from Levito Baligod, the lawyer of former Nabcor officials Rhodora Mendoza and Vic Cacal, whether the IAAGCC was investigating lawmakers named in the affidavits. ❰❰ 1

COA to evaluate list

Napoles, the alleged brains behind the multi-million pork barrel scam, asked the court for permission to undergo surgical treatment at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Bonifacio Global City. She is currently detained at a special police facility in Fort Sto. Domingo in Laguna.

PHOTO FROM SOLARNEWS.PH

During a hearing of the Senate finance committee on Monday, COA Chair Grace PulidoTan said she would like to look at the list of Mendoza, former vice president for finance, and Cacal, former head of general www.canadianinquirer.net

NABCOR LIST. Commission on Audit Chair Grace Pulido-Tan tells Sen. Francis

Escudero during a Senate finance committee hearing that she will look into the list of lawmakers and pork beneficiaries provided by two former officials of National Agribusiness Corp.

PHOTO BY GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

services, both of Nabcor, an agency attached to the Department of Agriculture.

“What came out in the newspaper was a list from Rhodora, the accountant. That’s her own list. What I’d like to do and what I’ve asked them to do is to compare it with our list,” Tan said, referring to the COA special audit of PDAF allocations from 2007 to 2009 that showed that some P6.2 billion was funneled to dubious NGOs. That COA report identified the lawmakers and the amounts they allotted to NGOs through government corporations.

“It’s practically the same story. What Rhodora said is what we actually said in the audit,” Tan said.

She said the COA also issued audit reports of Nabcor in 2010, 2011 and 2012, but these were incorporated into the audit reports of specific agencies and local government units (LGUs).

“Yes, that would come out,” Tan said when asked by Sen. Francis Escudero, the committee chair, if the legislators who coursed their PDAF through these agencies could be identified. “But as I said, there were less and less that were going through conduits, but we found more and more LGUs, with the same NGOs.” Allies won’t be spared

Malacañang on Monday maintained that the Department of Justice (DOJ) would rely only on evidence in prosecuting those involved in the alleged pork barrel scam, administration allies included.

“What we have always maintained is that where the evidence leads, the DOJ will investigate,” President Aquino’s spokesperson, Edwin Lacierda, told reporters.

Lacierda sought to dispel speculations that the President’s allies were being spared in the PDAF investigations.

Director General Joel Villanueva of the Technical Edu-

cation and Skills Development Authority, a close friend of Aquino, was earlier linked to the pork barrel scam.

Last month, provisional whistle-blower Dennis Cunanan alleged that Villanueva was among those who had channeled their pork barrel through the Technology and Resource Center, en route to NGOs controlled by Napoles. Villanueva has denied the allegations.

Lacierda said the developments “should douse any suspicion or fear that this government is set to protect its allies.”

Asked how the President feels about the Villanueva case, he said: “The President maintains the same principle that where the evidence leads, the DOJ will prosecute, they will investigate.”

19 allies on Nabcor list

Former Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon, a member of the President’s Liberal Party, was likewise implicated in the alleged PDAF scam.

At least 19 administration allies were among the 83 lawmakers accused of coursing their pork barrel allocations through Nabcor, allegedly with instructions to tap questionable foundations to implement the projects.

Kabataan Rep. Terry Ridon on Monday urged his colleagues to conduct a probe on the 79 incumbent and former representatives on the Mendoza and Cacal lists.

“A full and fair inquiry should be undertaken by Congress on the Nabcor scam, as the involvement of 78 representatives is no simple matter. We wish to give our colleagues the opportunity to defend themselves before their peers, and an investigation by the committee on good government would help shed light on the truth behind the scam,” Ridon said. ■ With reports from Christian V. Esguerra and Gil C. Cabacungan

Philippine News

MARCH 21, 2014 FRIDAY 8

Napoles’ bogus NGOs received ‘express service’ from Nabcor

BY NANCY C. CARVAJAL Philippine Daily Inquirer

Mindanao power supply to ease in June

BY RIZA T. OLCHONDRA Philippine Daily Inquirer THE POWER situation in Mindanao may normalize by June, which means that the two-hour rotating brownouts in the island may be reduced to an hour in certain areas.

Mindanao had a supply-demand gap of about 200 megawatts even before the massive blackout hit the whole island last month.

The Mindanao coal-fired power plant, the last major power plant still having trouble restarting, may resume normal operations by June 1, its operator said in an advisory.

Energy officials said Friday that the plant might resume operations by June 4.

Steag State Power Inc. (SPI) said Units 1 and 2 of the plant had been offline since the Mindanao-wide outage on Feb. 27 after its turbine-generators sustained damage.

“SPI experts estimate that barring any complications, Unit 1 is expected to be restored on May4 and Unit 2 on June 1.

Each unit has a net generating capacity of 105MW,” SPI president and chief executive officer Bodo Goerlich said.

Earlier, Energy Undersecretary Raul Aguilos said the Mindanao coal power plant Unit 1 was set to resume operations by May 4 and Unit 2 by June 4.

The power plant, located at the Phividec Industrial Estate

in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental, accounts for about 20 percent of Mindanao’s total power supply.

State transmission firm National Transmission Corp.

(TransCo) found that there was an “unwanted loss” of generation of the Steag units and an abrupt increase in electricity demand was not handled well by the antiquated Agus 1Hydroelectric Power Plant in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, company president Rolando Bacani said in a briefing.

This caused power from Agus to trip, which then spread system-wide such that Mindanao experienced an island-wide blackout, Bacani said.

“The blackout in Mindanao was due to a demand and supply imbalance caused by under frequency due to a combination of events of unwanted loss of generation of the Steag units. The defective equipment of Agus 1 and insufficient automatic load dropping at off-peak scenario,” Bacani said.

The TransCo official said that had the Mindanao coal plant and Agus event happened on their own, there would not have been a collapse of the system.

“It happened that there was a combination of events that led to the collapse of the system,” Bacani said.

Goerlich, however, expressed “surprise” over reports that the massive blackout in Mindanao was caused by or stemmed from Steag. ■

MANILA, PHILIPPINES—JANET Lim-Napoles’ dubious nongovernment organizations (NGOs) cornered nearly half of the combined P1.7 billion in congressional Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) releases from 2007 to 2009 coursed through National Agribusiness Corp. (Nabcor), according to official documents submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman.

The NGOs also secured swift releases of the funding—in some cases within 24 hours of filing in the Department of Agriculture (DA) and its attached

agency, Nabcor, according to the statements provided by two former officials of Nabcor—Vic Cacal and Rhodora Mendoza.

Of Napoles’ 20 NGOs, the most favored were Social Development Program for Farmers Foundation Inc. (SDPFFI) and Masaganang Ani para sa Magsasaka Foundation Inc. (Mamfi). They were the recipients of the biggest PDAF allocations from Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Revilla Jr.—a combined P392 million.

Former Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, now a Bohol representative, on various occasions witnessed by Cacal and Mendoza had exerted pressure on Nabcor president Alan Ja-

vellana to expedite the release of checks despite inadequate documentary requirements.

Cacal, former head of Nabcor general services, said in his sworn statement and interviews with the Inquirer that Javellana would threaten to fire him if he did not immediately process the release of the funds despite lacking the required documentation.

Senators angry

“The senators were angry and Secretary Yap had called that I should release the checks because they were OK,” Cacal said, quoting Javellana.

Mendoza, former Nabcor ❱❱ PAGE 14 Napoles’ bogus

Palace insists no US bases in PH

BY CHRISTIAN V. ESGUERRA AND TJ BURGONIO Philippine Daily Inquirer MALACAÑANG STOOD behind the new defense agreement being worked out with the United States, insisting that it would not pave the way for the return of American military bases in the country.

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Benjamin Caguioa also maintained that the Agreement on Enhanced Defense Cooperation would not require the concurrence of the Senate because it “merely implements the general provisions of the Mutual Defense Treaty and the Visiting Forces Agreement.”

The Philippine Senate has already given its concurrence to the two treaties, he argued.

“Thus, there is no need for Senate ratification of this implementing Agreement on Enhanced Defense Cooperation.”

But Sen. Miriam DefensorSantiago, chair of the committee on foreign relations, believes the new agreement would have to be scrutinized by the Senate.

“Posting the war equipment of a foreign sovereign state is not a minor case of detail, you know,” she told reporters. www.canadianinquirer.net

Clark Air Base in 1989 as part of United States Pacific Air Forces.

PHOTO FROM WIKIPEDIA.ORG

“It is a major subject in itself so it (the new agreement) cannot be classified as an executive agreement but as a treaty to which the Philippine Senatemust give its concurrence.”

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said the Palace “respects” Santiago’s position, but said “it would be better to just wait for the completion of the new agreement in order to understand it in its entirety.”

Wait for final agreement

That the new agreement did not require Senate approval was “the position taken by the

Philippine panel” and President Aquino’s chief legal counsel concurred in this decision.

“Perhaps it is best that we await the completion of negotiations and the finalization of the agreement as it is still a work in progress,” Coloma said in a text message.

In a statement, Coloma said the new defense agreement with the US would have “to follow the provisions of the Constitution and laws of our country.” It would not allow the permanent presence of American troops or the establishment ❱❱ PAGE 14 Palace insists

Philippine News

9 FRIDAY MARCH 21, 2014

Delfin Lee captor sacked Purisima: Tugis head Capa was promoted

BY MARLON RAMOS Philippine Daily Inquirer A SENIOR police official, who led the arrest last week of businessman Delfin Lee, wanted for syndicated estafa in connection with a multibillion-peso housing scam, has been removed from his post.

“What’s my reaction? I’m mad. After I arrested Delfin Lee, they just dumped me,” Senior Supt. Conrad Capa yesterday told the INQUIRER. “I’m very angry. I’m very frustrated... Frustrated is still a very kind word. You write that down.

You can quote me on that. I will not take this sitting down,” Capa said in a raised voice.

A member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1985, Capa lambasted Philippine National Police Director General Alan Purisima for ordering his relief as head of Task Force Tugis. Capa had served as Purisima’s intelligence officer since the latter was designated by President Aquino Central Luzon police director in 2010.

Asked why he was removed from his post, Capa said: “I was no match for Delfin Lee. I cannot fight that influential man.

It’s now me who’s being harassed.”

A day after Lee’s arrest, Vice President Jejomar Binay, head of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and chair of the Pag-Ibig Fund, said influential people went to Camp Crame to make the police release the housing developer.

It turned out that Oriental Mindoro Gov. Alfonso Umali, treasurer of the ruling Liberal Party, called up Purisima to inquire about Lee’s arrest.

There was also the controversy over the deletion of Lee’s name from the PNP list of

wanted criminals.

Lee, who went into hiding after an arrest warrant was issued against him by a judge in Pampanga province, where many victims of his alleged housing scam live, is detained at the provincial jail in the City of San Fernando.

Surprised

Capa said he was surprised when he received Purisima’s order designating him deputy regional chief for operations of the Cebu regional police office.

Although he was upset, Capa said he was ready to accept his new assignment and even planned to report to Purisima’s office.

He said his frustration turned to anger upon learning that the PNP chief announced his relief at a news briefing at Camp Crame before noon yesterday.

Promotion

At the press conference, Purisima said Capa’s new designation was a reward and a step closer to his eventual promotion to chief superintendent, a onestar rank equivalent to brigadier general in the military.

“His relief is a promotion. He cannot be promoted to chief superintendent if he stayed in Task Force Tugis, so he had to be transferred,” the PNP chief told reporters.

Purisima said Capa was long overdue for that position.

But Capa twitted his superior, saying it would still take some time for him to become a chief superintendent because the post given to him was only the third highest position in the regional PNP office in Cebu City.

He said if Purisima really wanted to promote him, he could have assigned him to an equivalent post at PNP national headquarters in Camp Crame

in Quezon City.

“This is not a promotion, that I can tell you. What he said is actually misleading. I will not be promoted there. Mabubulok muna ako bago ma- promote (I would rot before I get promoted),” Capa said.

He said Purisima was fooling the public. “While the people are sending me congratulatory messages, I was relieved by the PNP chief. I don’t understand why,” he said.

Despite Task Force Tugis’ accomplishment, Capa said Purisima did not even commend him, but Interior Secretary Mar Roxas called to congratulate him and his men for arresting Lee. “I’m telling you there was not one nice word from him (Purisima),” Capa said.

Capa also took offense at Purisima’s statement that “Capa is not Task Force Tugis,” saying he gave guidelines and financial assistance to the tracker team that arrested Lee at the lobby of the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Casino in Ermita, Manila, on March 6.

“That is an insult to me. Of course I was not physically present during Lee’s arrest because I’m the commander. My job is to guide my men and issue instructions,” he said.

Dreamed about Lee daily

Capa said he was so focused on getting Lee that “I dream about Delfin Lee every day.”

“The NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) hunted Lee for almost two years while it took us only a few months to arrest him. It was not just luck, but a product of hard work and vigorous police work,” he said.

Lee, who went into hiding after an arrest warrant was issued against him by a judge in Pampanga province, where many victims of his alleged housing scam live, is detained at the provincial jail in the City of San Fernando.

PHOTO BY MARIANNE BERMUDEZ / INQUIRER

chief, said Purisima was sincere when he said that Capa’s transfer was a reward for arresting Lee. “Apparently, Capa has a different appreciation of the PNP chief’s decision. He may have other personal concerns or issues regarding his reassignment,” Sindac said.

After letting off steam, a calmer Capa faced reporters covering Camp Crame.

Apology to PNP chief

He said Purisima had called him and instructed him not to give interviews to reporters anymore. He said he would apologize to Purisima “for letting my temper get the better of me.”

Asked why he was not happy with his promotion, he said: “Next question, please.”

“I’m happy. Do I really have to answer that? Can’t you see that in my face?” he said with a wry face.

Wanted list

Different appreciation

Sought for comment, Chief Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac, PNP public information office

www.canadianinquirer.net

Purisima maintained that the PNP did not delete Lee’s name from the wanted list despite the insistence of the lawyers of the

detained property developer.

In a Jan. 8 letter to Lee’s lawyer, Emmanuel Pichay, Purisima said the PNP “is in the process of delisting Mr. Delfin Lee from the list of wanted persons.”

He also told Pichay that the PNP “fully recognizes and acknowledges” the Nov. 7, 2013, ruling of the Court of Appeals, which quashed the arrest warrant against Lee. But Purisima said the removal of Lee’s name from the list was not tantamount to revoking his arrest warrant.

He said he did not find anything wrong with the phone call he received from Governor Umali shortly after Lee’s arrest.

“He just asked if the warrant was valid. I told him it was still valid. That was the only subject of the conversation,” Purisima said, adding that the call lasted for only a minute.

Asked if the governor had tried to block Lee’s arrest, the PNP chief said Umali did not attempt to intervene. “Nobody can ask a favor from me if it involves law enforcement matters,” Purisima said. ■

Philippine News

MARCH 21, 2014 FRIDAY 10

Recto to Senate: Let’s talk Cha-cha

BY NORMAN BORDADORA Philippine Daily Inquirer AMID A pronouncement that Charter change would be tackled in the Senate only after the House passed its own Cha-cha resolution, a party mate of President Aquino’s called on his colleagues to begin discussions on amending the Constitution, particularly the provisions that restrict foreign ownership of businesses in the country.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto back on Feb. 18 filed a Resolution of Both Houses No. 1, “Proposing amendments to certain restrictive economic provisions in the 1987 Constitution... specifically to Articles 12, 14 and 16 thereof.”

Timely

“I think it is appropriate, it is timely now. The House is talking about it. The Senate should

talk about it also. What are the pros and cons of liberalizing our investment climate?” Recto said.

“More particularly, we have all these free trade agreements.

If you have free trade agreements you must allow foreign investments or else you miss out on the free trade agreements,” he told the INQUIRER. Recto denied that Cha-cha was a Liberal Party initiative as claimed by Bayan Muna Rep. Isagani Zarate who pointed out that Speaker Feliciano Belmonte in the House and Recto in the Senate, both members of the ruling party, were pushing for the measure in their respective chambers.

“We have had no discussions in the Liberal Party with regard to a position on this matter. I think the position of the President is clear as well. He apparently is not interested in amending the Constitution,” Recto said.

Let’s debate

“I think we should have that debate. It doesn’t necessarily mean we will pass this in this Congress but let us continue to have that debate and let us have it formally in the Senate in a committee deliberation.

There’s nothing wrong with that,” he added.

Both Recto’s and Belmonte’s resolutions propose adding the clause “unless otherwise provided by law” to the foreign ownership provisions under the constitutional articles on the national economy and patrimony; education, science, technology, arts, culture and sports; and general provisions.

Recto said his version was different from Belmonte’s.

“So it’s not automatic. My appreciation of the House version is that once it is passed, automatically all laws restricting investments lapse, are repealed.

So there’s nothing to debate,” Recto said.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto back on Feb. 18 filed a Resolution of Both Houses No. 1, “Proposing amendments to certain restrictive economic provisions in the 1987 Constitution... specifically to Articles 12, 14 and 16 thereof.”

PHOTO FROM RUFFYBIAZON.PH

“[My version] allows Congress to debate each and every issue so none of the laws are repealed unless amended or repealed later by Congress.

The [new] laws [on foreign interests] have to be passed,” he stressed.

Told that Senate President Franklin Drilon had said the Senate would tackle Cha-cha only after the House passed its

measure, Recto said: “That’s one, and... if it’s referred to a committee, the committee can tackle the measure as well.”

“Nothing prevents us from doing that. That’s how the committees work in the Senate,” said Recto, adding that he respected Drilon’s position.

Drilon said Recto was acting on his own when he filed his Cha-cha resolution. ■

China’s ‘provocative’ act vs PH draws US concern

BY TARRA QUISMUNDO Philippine Daily Inquirer THE UNITED States yesterday expressed concern over China’s “provocative” act of blocking Philippine vessels on a resupply mission to the Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, as it again called for respect for international laws and freedom of navigation in the disputed waters.

“We are troubled by reports that China’s coast guard blocked efforts by two Philippine vessels to resupply the Philippine outpost at Second Thomas Shoal.

This is a provocative move that raises tensions,” said Brian Goldbeck, the US Embassy charges d’affaires in a statement.

Goldbeck said the parties to the South China Sea dispute should observe the status quo and avoid interfering in activities of rival claimants that are consistent with the status quo, including resupply and personnel rotation in long-maintained outposts.

“Pending resolution of competing claims in the South

China Sea, there should be no interference with the efforts of claimants to maintain the status quo. The Philippines has maintained a presence at Second Thomas Shoal since 1999, as other claimants have maintained a presence elsewhere in the South China Sea,” s a i d

Goldbeck, indirectly referring to China’s own outposts in other parts of the disputed waters.

Long concerned over developments in Asia-Pacific’s most contentious flashpoint, the United States, a long-standing ally of the Philippines, again reiterated that freedom of navi-

gation and the rule of law must be upheld in the critical international trading route.

“Freedom of navigation and overflight is a linchpin of security in the Pacific. Safe and

unimpeded lawful commerce, freedom of navigation, stability and respect for international law must be maintained,” Goldbeck said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that Chinese ships had prevented Filipino ciwww.canadianinquirer.net

vilian vessels hired by the Philippine Navy on Sunday from reaching the Ayungin Shoal to deliver fresh supplies to Filipino troops stationed on a decrepit military hospital ship, the BRP Sierra Madre, that ran

aground on the shallow coral outcrop of the shoal in 1998. The Filipino vessels eventually aborted its mission.

The Philippines protested the act, calling on China to “desist” from interfering in the country’s sovereign duty to bring supplies to its troops

within its exclusive economic zone.

Beijing promptly dismissed the protest, citing “indisputable sovereignty” over the waters.

China reiterated yesterday its rejection of the Philippine protest.

“The Chinese side does not accept the protest by the Philippine side,” said Zhang Hua, the Chinese Embassy spokesperson.

It was the first time for China to stop a routine resupply of the Philippine outpost in the Ayungin Shoal, according to the DFA. Malacañang said the government would stick to the diplomacy even if China continues to either reject or ignore its diplomatic protests.

“It’s a process that we will continue to exercise. It’s putting on record our protest and putting on record their offense as we see it, as the Philippine government sees it,” said presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda. ■ With a report from Christian V. Esguerra

Philippine News

11 FRIDAY MARCH 21, 2014

P-Noy reviews PMA cadet’s case

BY CHRISTIAN V. ESGUERRA AND NIKKO DIZON Philippine Daily Inquirer PRESIDENT AQUINO has begun “personally” reviewing the appeal of Philippine Military Academy Cadet Aldrin Jeff Cudia, who was expelled from the PMA for allegedly breaking the school’s “honor code.”

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma yesterday said the President himself was going over Cudia’s case, which was elevated to Mr. Aquino’s office after the Armed Forces review board upheld the findings of the PMA’s honor committee.

“Truth and fairness are the primary guideposts in deciding this appeal. The Office of the President is currently studying the appeal,” Coloma told a press briefing.

He said time would be a factor in the President’s decision, considering that Cudia’s “Siklab Diwa” batch will hold its graduation rites.

“It is reasonable to expect that that would be one of the factors that would be looked into, the timeliness of the decision,” he said.

Cudia, who would have been the salutatorian of his class, was dismissed after allegedly lying about the reason why he had came late to class.

Coloma stressed the importance of the PMA’s honor code, describing it as “an essential building block on the character formation of future leaders and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.”

“Its basic objective is to prepare and fortify the mindset and the value set of the prospective Armed Forces officer as these will eventually be put to a severe test in the battlefield and arenas of conflict, where the officer will be deployed upon commissioning,” he said.

Meanwhile, the PMA’s Cadet Review and Appeals Board (CRAB) has asked a Navy officer to explain the affidavit he submitted in support of Cudia after another cadet he quoted in the document denied making any statement.

In his affidavit, Commander Junjie Tabuada, head of the PMA Department of Naval Warfare, claimed that Cadet First Class Lagura, a member

Belmonte puts Chacha vow in writing

BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA Philippine Daily Inquirer

President Benigno S. Aquino III, accompanied by Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Superintendent Major General Oscar Lopez, troops the line during the 109th Commencement Exercises of the PMA Siklab Diwa Class of 2014 at the Fajardo Grandstand, Borromeo Field, Fort General Gregorio del Pilar in Baguio City on Sunday (March 16). PMA Cadet Aldrin Jeff Cudia (inset), who was expelled from the PMA for allegedly breaking the school’s “honor code,” did not graduate from the class.

PHOTO BY EXEQUIEL SUPERA / MALACAÑANG PHOTO BUREAU / PCOO

of the honor committee that judged Cudia guilty of lying, had told him (Tabuada) that he was pressured to change his vote from not guilty to guilty.

The affidavit did not supply Lagura’s first name.

However, according to Col. Rozzano Briguez, the commandant of cadets, Lagura has executed his own affidavit and told the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) at a hearing in Baguio City onWednesday that he never made such a statement to Tabuada.

“Cadet Lagura categorically denied that he made the statement. He challenged (Tabuada’s) affidavit before the CRAB. He also said this at the CHR hearing,” Briguez said in a phone interview.

Briguez said that Tabuada is under investigation by the CRAB “to shed light on his affidavit.”

“He is a material witness in the case … He has to prove his allegation because it is a serious allegation,” Briguez said.

Briguez said the CRAB is set to decide today on Cudia’s appeal for a reinvestigation or a retrial of his case.

Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) chief Persida Rueda-Acosta told reporters that Tabuada’s affidavit was Cudia’s “new evidence” that would prove that the honor committee violated its own rules when it changed its 8 to 1 vote supposedly acquitting him to a 9 to 0 vote that ultimately convicted him.

Under the honor committee

rules, there has to be a unanimous decision to hand down a guilty verdict. If a cadet is convicted, he or she has to resign from the cadet corps.

All military cadets adhere to the honor code which states that “a cadet does not lie, cheat, steal, nor tolerate those who do.” A violation of the honor code is a serious offense that can cost one’s dreams of becoming a military officer.

Tabuada claimed he spoke to Lagura after Cudia’s conviction and the cadet said his original vote was “not guilty” but that in the chamber (where the committee members discuss the case like a jury), he was pressured to change his vote to “guilty.”

Lagura, like Cudia, is one of the cadets of the “Siklab Diwa” Class 2014 whowill be joining the Navy.

Cudia faced the honor committee, composed of cadets like him, after he allegedly lied about why he was two minutes late for class.

His case gained public attention after his older sister and supporters posted an appeal on Facebook for a reversal of the conviction.

Cudia’s sister, Anavee, claimed that the cadet was supposed to graduate class salutatorian and receive the Navy saber as the top cadet to join the Navy.

Briguez, however, clarified that Cudia was running for third honors and not class salutatorian. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

I SWEAR. Speaker Feliciano Belmonte has signed a pledge vowing not to touch the political provisions of the Constitution—only its economic ones—should a Charter change resolution in the House of Representatives eventually pass into law.

Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza said Belmonte signed the pledge; it also states that those who violate the pledge would face expulsion from Congress.

Atienza said he was “elated” at the development and believed many of his colleagues were of the same view about Charter change.

“We hope Speaker Belmonte’s signing of the pledge will put to rest whatever doubts the public may have of the intentions of some members that changes will affect only the economic provisions of the Charter,” Atienza said in a statement.

Earlier, he urged colleagues to sign the pledge and allay long-held suspicions Chacha would include extending the terms of elected officials.

Belmonte is the principal author of the resolution which seeks to add the phrase, “unless otherwise provided by law,” to the constitutional provisions that limit land ownership and full business participation by foreigners.

Should the resolution succeed, Congress would be able to pass laws to modify or lift these

restrictions.

The resolution has hurdled the committee on constitutional amendments with debates expected to begin inMay when Congress returns from a sixweek summer break.

Belmonte earlier urged the lawmakers to use their break to study the proposal and consult their constituents about it.

He said he would try to set a meeting with President Aquino during the break to discuss the measure.

The President has been lukewarm to the efforts to amend the Constitution, which came into force in 1987 during the term of his latemother, President Corazon Aquino.

Belmonte acknowledged widespread concerns about the motives behind his Charter change resolution, and stressed that he was intent on only amending the economic provisions.

“I just feel that many people are very apprehensive that this is a disguise for lifting term limits and other political changes, and we assure them it’s not,” he said.

Militant lawmakers were among those who opposed Belmonte’s resolution, saying there was no assurance that the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law” would not be inserted in the Constitution’s political provisions.

Businessmen, for their part, warned the resolution might lead to instability since Congress would be able to make changes to economic policies anytime they want to by passing a law. ■

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte has signed a pledge vowing not to touch the political provisions of the Constitution—only its economic ones—should a Charter change resolution in the House of Representatives eventually pass into law.

PHOTO FROM EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG

Philippine News

MARCH 21, 2014 FRIDAY 12

P-Noy a poor manager–Serge

BY NORMAN BORDADORA AND MICHAEL LIM UBAC Philippine Daily Inquirer A KEY political ally of President Aquino yesterday blamed him and Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla for the country’s power supply woes, calling both officials “awful-managers.”

Sen. Sergio Osmeña, chair of the Senate committee on energy, also said the decision of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to void the huge rate increase that Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) imposed after the power shortage in late 2013 was “good politics but bad economics.”

“If we do this again, the investors [who will put up the power plants] will not believe us again anymore. We’re going to have real shortages decades ahead,” Osmeña said.

He said he advised the President to fire Petilla as early as two months ago but Mr. Aquino didn’t heed his counsel.

Osmeña said that while the energy secretary was an able executive, his mind was divided between doing his job and pursuing his political agenda.

“I told the President to fire him [Petilla] two months ago.

Because he is not focused,” the senator told reporters.

Asked what the President’s response was, Osmeña said: “Well, first he called a meeting.

Then he made me ‘indyan’ [failing to show up at an appointment]. Nothing happened.”

“That’s all right. The thing is, that’s the way he solves things.

He would stay with the people he appointed,” said Osmeña, one of the political strategists behind Mr. Aquino in the 2010 presidential election.

“You know, like I said, managing is not an easy profession.

And he is a very poor manager, know that. He is a good man, he is an honest man, but he is an awful manager,” he added.

Keeping Petilla

Malacañang is not about to let go of Petilla.

“We respect the views of Senator Osmeña,” President Aquino’s spokesperson Herminio Coloma said when asked about his thoughts on Osmeña’s claim that Mr. Aquino and Petilla were both good, honest men but “awful managers.”

Coloma denied that the President was even considering firing Petilla.

“The President is entitled to decide on the members of his Cabinet,” he said.

Coloma belied insinuations that the administration was helpless in dealing with the issues and problems besetting the energy sector.

Besides the power rate hike that has been stopped by the high court, the executive branch has yet to resolve the power crisis in Mindanao and speed up the snail-paced restoration of power in disaster areas.

Hard-headed

Osmeña said President Aquino’s hard-headedness might cost him political capital when it was time to endorse his successor in the 2016 elections.

“He will lose his endorsement, much of his endorsement value in 2016,” the senator said.

Pressed who between Mr. Aquino and Petilla was an awful manager, Osmeña said “both of them.”

“We would not be having this type of problems now if they were good managers. We really would not. I don’t intervene with them. I never called up the energy secretary, I never asked for favors,” he said.

No planning

Osmeña said there was no planning on the part of the Department of Energy (DOE) when the power shortages in Luzon started on Nov. 11, 2013.

“Let’s forget that he did not do much to prevent the situation from happening, because you cannot say, ‘all this happened all of a sudden.’ You knew three years ago that Malampaya is down for maintenance,” Osmeña said.

He said if he were Petilla he would have told the government-owned Malaya power plant to make an offer on the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market and make available its 600 megawatts of power.

“Nothing like that happened.

Why? Supertyphoon ‘Yolanda’ hit on Nov. 8 and it hit his province,” Osmeña said.

taken care of only one big problem that happened because it was under his specific jurisdiction, the Department of Energy,” Osmeña added.

“But no, he was running around in Leyte. Emotionally, I can understand that. But wait a minute, who is running, who is taking care of the energy problem, which is affecting the whole of Luzon?” he said.

CA nod imperiled

Osmeña, who also chairs the committee on energy of the Commission on Appointments, indicated that Petilla’s appointment as energy secretary won’t be confirmed until he showed improvement in his performance.

“I haven’t called a single hearing. And he was appointed one and a half years ago. And I am chair of the committee on energy of the Commission on Appointments,” he said.

“I have been observing him and I don’t like what I see. Not because he is not gifted, he is very intelligent, but because his mind is elsewhere,” Osmeña added.

As for Mr. Aquino, Osmeña indicated the President should sometimes accept that he had made a mistake.

“I just hope that … sometimes, you know, when you’re willing to accept that you made a mistake, it’s easier to correct it. I am not saying that the corrections we’ll make will be ideal, but first, you accept that you made a mistake. Then, ‘yes, we will make corrections,’” Osmeña said.

“Right now, there’s not much that is being done,” he added.

Coloma said Malacañang understood the viewpoint of some members of the legislature.

“Their main function is to prepare remedial legislation or to initiate legislation that will address problem situations like the energy crisis that, as you rightly pointed out, as early as the middle of 2012 were already addressed in the Mindanao Power Summit, and the President was quite forthright in making the stand of the government known,” Coloma said.

Structural problems

Preoccupied

“So, right away he was diverted. Suddenly he had two huge problems, when he should have

He noted that Mindanao had some “structural problems” even before Mr. Aquino came to power. www.canadianinquirer.net

Sen. Sergio Osmena on President Aquino: “[M]anaging is not an easy profession. And he is a very poor manager, know that. He is a good man, he is an honest man, but he is an awful manager.”

PHOTO FROM SENATE.GOV.PH

“We know that more than 50 percent of the load is being carried by 30-year-old hydroelectric power plants that are no longer fully reliable. They breakdown frequently and are dependent on water supply, which is in turn affected by situations like El Niño,” Coloma said.

Although members of Congress have a “comprehensive view” on the issues surrounding the power sector, “the public should likewise know that there are many stakeholders in the power (sector)… such as distribution utilities,” he said.

According to Coloma, local distribution utilities have problems with power generators. Many of them are heavily indebted to generating companies.

“So there’s a big reluctance to give them additional supply while their distribution utilities have yet to settle their debts. So hopefully these relevant factors should be factored in, too,” he said.

Fix Mindanao power woes

Mr. Aquino has directed Petilla to fix Mindanao’s power problems as soon as possible.

“The President directed Petilla to pursue continuing efforts to address the tight power supply situation that was highlighted by the Mindanao-wide power outage that occurred last Feb. 27,” Coloma said at a briefing.

Mr. Aquino, who issued the directive in a meeting with Petilla also wanted a cogent explanation of the causes of the unexpected breakdown, said Coloma.

On Feb. 27, Mindanao suffered a massive blackout that affected at least 12 of its key cities and provinces. Until now, authorities have yet to pinpoint the cause of the disruption.

“The President also directed the Department of Energy to coordinate with the Department of Science and Technology in monitoring the inquiry into the causes of the unexpected breakdown,” said Coloma.

According to the energy department, the tightness in the Mindanao power supply situation is expected to persist through the summer months of March, April and May. Additional power capacity

At the meeting with the President, Petilla enumerated three concrete measures to deal with the situation and the corresponding additional capacity to be generated from each measure.

First, the interruptible load program that is expected to generate around 93.71MW. “This is the program by which distribution utilities may tap into their generator sets, instead of availing themselves of the system power supply, and they will be compensated for the cost differential through a formula already determined by the ERC,” said Coloma.

“You will notice there that the ERC approved the petition of Davao Light for rules change on cost recovery, and that is why there is a significant gain in (power) capacity,” he said.

Second, the Interim Mindanao Electricity Market (IMEM), which is similar to the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM).

According to Coloma, the IMEM is a transparency device by which the available supply in a particular grid is made open, so that those that would need additional supply may buy directly from suppliers of power ❱❱ PAGE 14 P-Noy a

Philippine News

13 FRIDAY MARCH 21, 2014

Jinggoy turns tables on witnesses

BY NORMAN BORDADORA Philippine Daily Inquirer SEN. JINGGOY Estrada accused the Aquino administration of giving special treatment to Ruby Tuason and Dennis Cunanan in exchange for testimonies that singled him out, along with Senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Ramon Revilla Jr., as the culprits in the P10-billion pork barrel scam.

In a privilege speech, Estrada said an undersecretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ) whom he did not name had repeatedly instructed witnesses to concentrate their testimonies on the culpability of the three senators.

Cunanan and Tuason are under investigation in connection with the scam. They have offered to become witnesses for the prosecution to escape indictment.

“Are these the kind of witnesses that the [DOJ] is now staunchly vouching and spending for under its Witness Protection Program? People who cannot be honest about their real educational background (Cunanan)? People who would not hesitate to drag the name of a dead brother just to conceal their own guilt (Tuason)?” Estrada said.

“Has the DOJ deliberately omitted these facts and information from the blue ribbon committee and the public just to support and build their case?

Is this the handiwork of an undersecretary of the DOJ, who, I am informed by unimpeachable sources, has repeatedly instructed the witnesses to focus

Slam dunk

Estrada said the total of his, Enrile and Estrada’s PDAF allocations that went through the TRC and certain NGOs in those three years only amounted to P250 million. “Where was the remainder—P2.2 billion?”

“In some of his statements to the media, and he repeatedly said this during the blue ribbon committee hearing, he said that the TRC stopped implementing PDAF-funded projects when he became its director general in 2010,” Estrada said.

Estrada said that despite Cunanan’s statement that the TRC stopped processing PDAFfunded projects when he became the director general in 2010 and that he had certain recipient NGOs blacklisted, the agency continued to receive millions of pesos in pork barrel funds that it even disbursed to its discredited NGOs. Citing the COA Annual Report on the TRC in 2012, Estrada said former Batanes Rep.

Carlos Oliver Diasnes and former An-Waray Rep. Florencio Noel poured portions of their PDAF on Bantayog Kalinga Foundation Inc. “And if we’re going back to the list of blacklisted NGOs in 2010, Bantayog Kalinga Foundation Inc. is one of the blacklisted NGOs,” Estrada said.

Estrada added that also in 2012, under “cash funds to NGOs/POs”, there was an entry for P42 million.

“Wasn’t it that in 2010, it was only already P2 million? In 2011, it was just P1.9 million?

In 2012, it’s suddenly P42 million,” Estrada said.

Estrada said the TRC in 2012 also had “collection held in trust from the Disbursement Acceleration Program or DAP” worth P45 million. He was referring to President Aquino’s pork barrel purportedly from government savings.

“Perhaps, that’s the reason why Cunanan said there was no more PDAF [in the TRC], it was because he was preoccupied with the DAP,” Estrada said.

In Tuason’s case, Estrada said it was apparent that she was being given special treatment as she was “fetched and grandly escorted back to Manila by NBI agents in February this year.”

“Noticeably, while in Manila, Mrs. Tuason was pampered with security complete with a yaya who carries her bag while [she] struts around, hailed her as a slam-dunk hero, a buzzerbeater and three-point winning shooter,” Estrada said.

Estrada said there was no way Tuason’s late brother, Remy Chan, was the one who benefited from the multimillion-peso Malampaya Fund scam since he repeatedly asked for assistance from Estrada’s office when he got sick with cancer.

“It is also said that Mrs. Tuason will be free of all criminal liabilities even from the Malampaya Fund scam on the flimsy alibi that it was her dead brother, and not she, [who] was involved,” Estrada said.

“And now here comes the fishy exit abroad, courtesy of the Department of Justice,” he said.

Tuason recently left the country for the United States supposedly to look for ways to finance her commitment to return the P40 million she allegedly earned from the scam.

“It was all too clever and very convenient for Mrs. Tuason to put all the blame and guilt on her dead brother, isn’t it? As the known idiomatic expression goes, ‘Dead men tell no tales,’” Estrada said.

“This is just like Mr. Dennis Cunanan, citing a dead congressman,” Estrada added. ■

TRO on the December rates.

Of the P4.15 per kWh rate increase last December that was deferred, generation charges accounted for P3.44 per kWh and the rest were from taxes and related charges.

In turn, out of the P3.44 per kWh, the WESM accounted for P2.42 per kWh and P1.03 per kWh was from fuel cost of natural gas-fed plants.

In January, of the generation charge increase of P4.56 per kWh, the P3.60 per kWh was attributed to spot market prices.

The rest came from the cost of bilateral contracts and the fuel costs of three plants supplied by the Malampaya gas platform (which went on maintenance shutdown) that had to use more expensive alternative fuel.

The state-imposed recalculation of spot prices means the WESM component of the generation cost and related charges will also go down, ERC said.

The WESM prices last year seemed to be “unjustified” and “not competitive,” Juan said, considering themany plant out-

ages and “underoffers” of power capacity during the supply period. The ERC also ordered PEMC to issue a new billing to Meralco seven days from March 11.

The PEMC declined to comment except to say that it would comply with the regulators’ order to recompute and impose this “regulated pricing.”

PEMC president Melinda Ocampo said in a text message: “We will abide by the order of ERC. We were given seven days and we will comply.” ■

In a privilege speech, Estrada said an undersecretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ) whom he did not name had repeatedly instructed witnesses to concentrate their testimonies on the culpability of the three senators.

PHOTO FROM SOLARNEWS.PH

only on this representation and Senators Enrile and Revilla?”

In Cunanan’s case for instance, Estrada said the Commission on Audit (COA) special report on the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) showed that P2.44 billion was released by more than 200 lawmakers to his Technology Resource Center (TRC) in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

“If what [Cunanan] was saying was true, that he was calling lawmakers to verify their signatures, who else did he call?

Didn’t his former boss in the House of Representatives talk to him? Didn’t the representative of Pampanga, who was his townmate, approach him about [the] PDAF,” Estrada said.

“Doesn’t he remember the others who talked to him or was he told to only remember and mention Enrile, Revilla and Estrada? More than 200 legislators, more than P2 billion in PDAF transactions went through the TRC. Now, all Cunanan remembers are just three senators and a few NGOs (nongovernment or-

ganizations). Why?”

the P4.15 per kWh increase in the generation cost last December but the Supreme Court issued a TRO on the rate increase.

Without the court order, the increase would have resulted in a generation charge of P9.107 per kWh in December. The generation charge goes to Meralco’s power suppliers.

For January, the generation charges and related taxes were capped at P5.67 per kWh even without the TRO instead of the actual P10.23 per kWh. Meralco said this was in deference to the

P2.2B in PDAF

Meralco ready... ❰❰ 6

Damage control

In a statement, Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares branded the ERC ruling as a damage control tool to mitigate public outrage against neglect of its duty.

But Colmenares also said the decision was not enough. “The ERC decision will still reward Meralco and the generation companies with rate increases and higher profits when they should be punished and penalized for violating laws,” he said.

Meralco had sought to pass on

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Philippine News

MARCH 21, 2014 FRIDAY 14

Palace insists... of a military base in the country, he added.

Both countries hope to finalize the terms of the new agreement before US President Barack Obama embarks on a visit to Asia, including the Philippines, next month. ❰❰ 8

Legal soundness

Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara, however, agreed with Santiago that Malacañang should submit the new security deal with the US to the Senate “so it could be scrutinized for its legal soundness.”

Angara, vice chair of the Senate foreign relations committee, said the executive branch could not skip a Senate review by claiming that this was merely an executive agreement.

Angara, however, agreed that the increased rotational presence of American troops in the country would deter any “aggressive action” by China against the Philippines.

“It’s not a provocation. It can be a deterrent to any aggressive action on the part of China,” he said. “If there’s a threat of retaliation, that can be an effective deterrent. In the same way, during the Cold War, there was effective deterrence on both sides.”

But Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, talking to reporters in Davao City, said the benefits to the country must be made clear in the proposed agreement.

Upgrademilitary capability

Cayetano, who was in Davao

Napoles’ bogus... for the celebration of the 77th charter anniversary of the city Sunday, said that aside from territorial protection it would be more beneficial for the Philippines if the US government would help upgrade the equipment and capability of its military.

“If the US can come up with an agreement that does not only commit protection but also helps modernize the military then that is something worth talking about,” Cayetano said.

For Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr., the increased presence of US forces in the country would be crucial in defending the territorial waters of the Philippines, most especially against China.

“I support the move. This would help protect our seas, especially with the issue with China,” Revilla said.

Revilla, however, said the issue of the increased presence of foreign troops was very sensitive and must be openly discussed.

Progressive lawmakers Neri Colmenares and Carlos Isagani Zarate of Bayan Muna had lamented that the Agreement on Enhanced Defense Cooperation and the “fasttracking” by Congress of the proposed Charter change was again “slowly but surely” transforming the country into a “fullfledged colony” of the US. Bayan Muna said that aside from the defense agreement,

the proposed changes to the Constitution are designed to “open up our economy to foreign ownership and control.”

“The Filipino people ousted the bases in 1991 not only because their presence violated our sovereignty but they were also magnets for attack from the many enemies of the United States. The presence of US troops here will increase the tension in the region and threaten its stability. We do not want to become another Iraq where the US troops remained even if Saddam Hussein had long been dead. We should stand up against China’s bullying but we should get the support of the international community instead of the US. We will win the cases we filed against China under Unclos because China has no evidence to back up its territorial claim. This is the more powerful and peaceful way of dealing with China,” said Colmenares.

“The US has a lot of enemies around the world, and we can be embroiled in war if there is an armed attack against the US because we are bound under the MDT to help in cases of attacks against them. This is dangerous and only makes us cannon fodder no different from how the US treated our war veterans during World War II. The international community, not the United States, is the source of the most effective support we can get against China’s bullying,” Zarate added. ■

outs,” he said.

Last week, Coloma admitted that Mindanao’s power woes would not be over anytime soon as full power capacity on the island would come into operation only in 2015 and 2016.

Citing figures of the energy department, Coloma said the current supply in Mindanao was 1,064 MW, against the estimated peak demand of 1,222 MW. “This explains why there are rotating brownouts at an average of two to three hours, except in Maguindanao province that is currently experiencing up to more than 10 hours of power interruption daily,” he said.

But he assured suffering consumers in Mindanao that the government was “closely monitoring” power projects that would increase power supply in Mindanao by up to 900MW. The new power projects include the 200-MW coal-fired plant of the Alsons’ Group and the 300-MW Aboitiz-owned coal-fired plant, which will both come online by 2015.

Another 400-MW coal-fired plant owned by Filinvest will become operational in 2016.

“With 500 MW in 2015 and 400 MW in 2016, there will be an additional 900 MW to address the current power supply requirement, which is around 1,200MW,” Coloma said. ■

‘Full-fledged colony’

P-Noy a... ❰❰ 12

in that market.

He expected this scheme to generate

124MW. Third, the Mindanao modular generator set program that is expected to generate 48MW. “There’s an executive order enabling the acquisition of modular generator sets,” said Coloma.

Bridging gap

“And with the additional capacity of 265 megawatts that will be generated from these three measures, the DOE hopes to be able to bridge the gap between demand and supply, and thus, lessen the frequency and duration of the rotating brown-

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vice president for finance and a cosignatory of the checks, told the Inquirer that Javellana always superseded the process and signed the checks ahead of all of them so the money could be released immediately.

“Despite our reservations on the release due to lack of documents, checks were issued because it had already been signed by the agency president,” she said.

Mendoza and Cacal are among 38 people, including Enrile, Estrada and Revilla, under investigation by the Ombudsman in connection with the alleged P10-billion racket involving the channeling of PDAF allocations to ghost projects carried out by Napoles’ NGOs and kickbacks to lawmakers.

Javellana is likewise facing investigation.

Mendoza and Cacal have applied to become state witnesses, along with Dennis Cunanan, director general of the stateowned Technology Resource Center, and alleged Napoles bagman Ruby Tuason.

Checks swiftly prepared Based on the records provided by Mendoza to the Inquirer, the SDPFFI received a total of P20.5 million in one day, on June 13, 2008, from the pork barrel funds of Representatives Erwin Chiongbian, Rodolfo Plaza and Victor Ortega.

The funds were released by the DA on June 6, received by Nabcor on July 11 and downloaded to Napoles’ NGO two days later even before the checks were cleared.

The Nabcor records show that a total of P75 million of Enrile’s PDAF with Special Allotment Release Order (Saro) No. 08-01347 for P25 million and Saro No. 08-07211 for P50 million was downloaded from the DA to Nabcor on May 25, 2008, and released to SDPFFI and Mamfi on May 27.

Revilla’s pork barrel worth P65 million with Saro No. 0805254 was also released to Napoles’ NGO the Mamfi and SDPFFI on Aug. 27, 2008, after Nabcor collected it from the DA on Aug. 28. ❰❰ 8

Estrada also endorsed the SDPFFI with his pork barrel allocation of P19.5 million with Saro No. 08-03116. It was collected by Nabcor on Sept. 10, 2008, and received by SDPFFI the following day.

Mamfi also received P25 million from Estrada which was received by Nabcor from the DA on July 14, 2008, and downloaded to the NGO on the same day.

Angara PDAF

Mendoza said Javellana had ordered the swift release of checks to other NGOs not connected to Napoles.

A P20-million PDAF allocation from former Sen. Edgardo Angara was received by Kagandahan ng Kapaligiran Foundation, a non-Napoles NGO, a day after it was collected by Nabcor from the DA on Jan. 7, 2008.

Lanao Rep. Alipio Badelles’ PDAF worth P5 million with Saro No. 07-04062 was received by Ikaw at Ako Foundation on April 4, 2007, two days before the regular clearing of the check.

The chosen organization of Rep. Teodulo Coquilla, Gabay Masa Development Foundation, received P5 million of his pork barrel on Jan. 23, 2007, the same day it was collected by Nabcor from the DA. The Inquirer was furnished original documents, vouchers, checks and pertinent records that detailed how billions of pesos worth of projects that passed through Nabcor were released, according to Mendoza and Cacal, “with undue haste.” ■

Philippine News

15 FRIDAY MARCH 21, 2014

For sake of gender equality, let’s elect another woman president–Miriam

BY NORMAN BORDADORA Philippine Daily Inquirer

China earlier blocked two Philippine ships bringing supplies from reaching a small contingent of Filipino soldiers stationed in a rusty ship at the shoal, escalating the tensions in the area. The Philippines and the United States have protested Beijing’s action as provocative.

PHOTO FROM GLOBALNATION.INQUIRER.NET

China’s demand to remove ship nixed

BY TARRA QUISMUNDO Philippine Daily Inquirer THE PHILIPPINES has rejected China’s demand to pull out a grounded Philippine Navy ship from the disputed Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) in the South China Sea. In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reiterated the Philippines’ ownership of Ayungin Shoal in the disputed Spratlys group, saying it is part of the country’s continental shelf.

China earlier blocked two Philippine ships bringing supplies from reaching a small contingent of Filipino soldiers stationed in a rusty ship at the shoal, escalating the tensions in the area. The Philippines and the United States have protested Beijing’s action as provocative.

DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez said that the ship, the BRP Sierra Madre, was sent to the Ayungin Shoal in 1999 to serve as a permanent government outpost in response to China’s occupation in 1995 of the nearby Mischief Reef, that is also claimed by the Philippines.

China claims virtually the entire South China Sea, resource-rich waters where neighboring nations also have claims.

“The Philippines reiterates that Ayungin Shoal is part of its continental shelf over which the Philippines has sovereign rights and jurisdiction,” the DFA said.

It said the Philippines never made the “unequivocal commitment” to pull out

of the shoal, as China claimed.

“The BRP Sierra Madre, a commissioned Philippine Naval Vessel, was placed in Ayungin Shoal in 1999 to serve as a permanent Philippine Government installation in response to China’s illegal occupation of Mischief Reef in 1995.

This was prior to the signing of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) in 2002,” said the DFA statement.

The DOC stipulates that parties must refrain from “inhabiting on the presently uninhabited islands, reefs, shoals, cays, and other features.”

The declaration also secured the commitment of parties involved to “the freedom of navigation in and overflight above the South China Sea,” consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The DFA issued the comments in response to Beijing’s assertions on Thursday that it was right to drive away Filipino ships from the shoal, known as Ren’ai Reef in China, as it accused the Philippines of carrying construction materials to “China’s island.”

The Armed Forces has continued to refrain from commenting on China’s allegation that the civilian ships hired by the military was bringing construction materials to the shoal, saying the DFA was tasked to answer such questions.

The US Embassy in Manila and the US State Department separately issued statements calling the Chinese action of blocking the entry of the Philippine ships into the shoal “a provocative move that raises tensions.” ■

OUR NEXT president should be a woman, Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago asserted on the occasion of International Women’s Month.

Santiago said this would ensure the country would achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goals on gender equality.

“We’ve had 13 male and only two female presidents so far. The Philippines has had a total of 15 presidents,” said Santiago at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Laguna.

“To achieve equality between males and females, since we have had 13 males the next 11 presidents should be female,” Santiago said.

She cited research that showed “that when women are empowered as politi-

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cal leaders, countries often experience higher standards of living with positive developments in education, infrastructure and health care.”

“Maybe she’s talking about Grace Poe,” said Sen. Cynthia Villar when reporters sought her reaction to Santiago’s speech.

In an interview after a committee on agriculture—which she heads—hearing on rice smuggling, Villar said: “For our part, we will just take care of the farmers. We will just deal with the problems in agriculture.”

When asked her reaction to Santiago’s remarks, Poe, a first-term senator, said that those who had served longer were “the best qualified.”

“Right now I have no plans. Certainly, women should not be discounted even though we had a sad experience in the... recent past of having a woman leader... it certainly does not discredit all women,” Poe told reporters. ■

Opinion

MARCH 21, 2014 FRIDAY 16

THERE’S THE RUB

Pure madness

By Conrado De Quiros Philippine Daily Inquirer THE NEW arrangement is called “Agreement on Enhanced Defense Cooperation,” and Defense Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino assures it is “80-percent done.” As though that news would elate us.

Not to worry, adds Ambassador Eduardo Malaya, the agreement does not allow the United States to put up bases in this country, it allows it only to use our bases.

And Filipino authorities will have complete access to the US installations set up inside those bases. That should dispel fears about infringement on sovereignty. “As a concept, access is assured, being within Philippine military bases. The right of the base commander to have access to specific areas shared with them has already been agreed (on) in principle by both panels.”

What can one say? What the —?!

The least of what’s wrong with it is this: The problem with our agreements with the United States has never been the agreement, it has always been the implementation. Can anyone seriously imagine a scenario where the Filipino base commander tells his American counterpart wherever a dispute arises, “Open the gates, I need to see what’s on

your grounds.” More than likely, the Filipino commander will not be authoritative, he will be deferential. He will not put his foot down, he will be accommodating. He will not be in charge, the American official will. This is one case where the tail will wag the dog.

History shows so. It is American policy to neither confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons in their installations. The American “base within a base” can have all the weapons of mass destruction it wants and we will be no nearer to glimpsing it than we would be Fort Knox. That is assuming in the first place that we want to know. Remember that this agreement is being hammered under conditions where the Philippine government desperately wants American armed presence in the region on the batty assumption that we need it for our protection and wouldn’t mind giving the United States as many bases as they want if only that were constitutionally possible. That is to say, under conditions where we are the beggars. Beggars can’t be choosers.

All this does is to give the United States the best of both worlds: having de facto military bases back without having to pay rent.

The most of what’s wrong with this is a couple of things: One is that we already have the Mutu-

al Defense Treaty (MDT), why in hell do we need to give the United States de facto bases here all over again? The MDT not quite incidentally should already show us how utterly inutile our military arrangements with the United States are.

The MDT specifies very clearly that in the event of an attack on any portion of the US or Philippine territory, including those lying in the Pacific Ocean, the one is obliged to come to the defense of the other. The Pacific, all American officials have reaffirmed, extends in coverage to the South China Sea.

The least of what’s wrong with it is this: The problem with our agreements with the United States has never been the agreement, it has always been the implementation.

Arguably, the islands where China’s provocations are taking place are disputed territory. The United States itself, while condemning China’s belligerence, says it is not taking sides or a position on who owns the islands, notwithstanding that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea is clear that countries have sovereign rights to waters up to 200 nautical miles off their shores.

But at the very least, surely the act of driving Filipinos away from the dis-

puted islands by water cannons and various threats, not least Chinese gunships patrolling the area, constitutes an attack on territory the Philippines has a very strong claim to. Or that China has only a self-serving unilateral assertion of ownership to. Where is the American automatic military response to it as the MDT bids? Where is the American warship or two to confront the Chinese gunships there and protect the Filipino fishermen? What defense—at least of the Philippines, if not of America—does the MDT really give?

Two is that this spits on the blood, sweat and tears we expended just to rid ourselves of US military presence in this country. Can we have forgotten already how hard it took to kick out the US bases, Cory herself trying to people-power her way into keeping them? The Visiting Forces Agreement was bad enough and was already a stab in the back of it—Erap, who passed it as president, ironically having been one of the “Magnificent 12” that stopped the bases. He would joke later on, “Kala ko kasi visiting lang, malay ko bang permanent,” but some jokes hurt agonizingly when you laugh.

This one is worse. Much, much worse.

And for what? Because of our problem with China in the Spratly Islands? That is believing that the best cure for a headache is to shoot yourself in the head.

As the VFA showed, the monumental atrocity here is that the agreement won’t just end with one government.

The VFA did not end with Erap, the “Enhanced Defense Agreement” won’t end with P-Noy. It will commit the next governments to honoring that agreement till kingdom come. It will commit the nation to harboring US military enclaves in our bases till kingdom come.

“Till kingdom come” is no exaggeration as we’ve seen from the fact that except for the brief period when the only general to become president of this country was in charge, who was Fidel Ramos, we’ve had US military presence in one form or another.

Long after P-Noy is gone, we will still be reeling under that presence.

What a legacy to bequeath.

By all means let us protest China’s claim to the whole of the South China Sea and bring the world to vituperate against it. By all means let us bring America itself, with whom we share a fitful history, to lead the condemnation of it, however its own role in invading Iraq without UN sanction pulls the moral rug from under it. By all means let us call the Chinese leaders Hitler.

But bring US servicemen and equipment to roost here all over again?

That’s just madness. Pure madness. ■

AS I SEE IT

How P7-B Globe Asiatique scam was done

By Neal H. Cruz Philippine Daily Inquirer IT IS becoming clear how easy it is to steal billions of pesos from government agencies in spite of red tape and documentary requirements.

The documents required are merely faked and the government agencies do not make efforts to verify authenticity.

That was the case with the pork barrel scam, the Malampaya Fund scam, the smuggling of rice through cooperatives, and now the Globe Asiatique fund scam in which P7 billion of Pag-Ibig funds for housing were lent to “buyers” of Delfin Lee’s housing developments, 60 percent of whom turned out to be “ghost” borrowers. It was so easy to set up nongovernment organizations and cooperatives and produce bogus documents.

Lawyer Darlene Marie Berberabe, CEO and president of Pag-Ibig Fund, related to journalists at the Kapihan sa Manila at the Diamond Hotel how Globe Asiatique perpetrated its housing scam.

The first mistake was the decision of Pag-Ibig—in order to make its funds readily available to its members, to relieve the housing shortage,

and to make the processing of loan applications faster—allowing developers with a “good track record” (Delfin Lee has a good track record?) to process the loan applications. The approved applications were then forwarded to Pag-Ibig and the funds released.

The second mistake was the postvalidation of the applications. They were checked only after the loans had been approved and released. It turned out that more than half of Globe Asiatique’s borrowers were fictitious.

Pag-Ibig thought it was amply protected by the “buy back” provision in the contract with Globe Asiatique. If the borrowers do not pay the loans, Globe Asiatique will simply buy it back and Pag-Ibig will get back its loan. The developer bought back the units and then sold these to other buyers. That is why there are two or more claimants to the same units.

However, payments for the loans collected by the developer were not forwarded to Pag-Ibig. The developer simply pocketed them.

Berberabe emphasized that PagIbig will not lose anything in the scam. The housing agency holds all the titles to the units mortgaged to it. The losers will be the buyers, if

they did not pay directly to Pag-Ibig.

If there are two claimants to a unit, who will Pag-ibig recognize? Naturally, the one who is paying the loan, as shown in Pag-Ibig records. If the other claimant has nothing to show as proof of his payments, then he has to go after the developer. Berberabe

Many of the borrowers were overseas Filipino workers who thought that by buying a unit in installments, they would have a place to go home to. And because they are abroad, they have no means of checking the units or the records.

said Pag-Ibig will help all those buyers who have been cheated by the developer.

During the investigation, the PagIbig chief said, borrowers admitted that they were paid to sign loan

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applications although they had no intention of borrowing, of owning a unit, or of paying the loan. This may be the work of agents who get commissions from proceeds of the loan and do not care what happens next.

Some borrowers were outright fictitious, and the developer pocketed the proceeds and sold the unit to another buyer.

Many of the borrowers were overseas Filipino workers who thought that by buying a unit in installments, they would have a place to go home to. And because they are abroad, they have no means of checking the units or the records. They simply paid merrily, trusting the developer, thinking that when they go back to the Philippines, they would have a unit waiting for them.

Are there other developers with the same contracts as Globe Asiatique?

Yes, but they are now being reviewed and the same policy with Globe Asiatique has been totally stopped.

Borrowers will now have to go directly to Pag-Ibig to apply. They will be interviewed and asked to produce lots of documentary proof.

Many are complaining that there is too much red tape and that the pro-

cessing is too slow, Berberabe said.

But she would prefer to be accused of that than to have a repeat of the Globe Asiatique scam, she said. *** Still another mistake is the postaudit of government expenses. The Commission on Audit looks at these expenses long after the money is gone. It has found that P5 billion in cash advances are still unliquidated.

This is a common abuse by government officials. They get cash advances, spend the money, and then don’t explain how they spent it. When asked to liquidate the funds, they claim that they have lost the receipts.

The law says that when you don’t liquidate a cash advance, you have to return the money. But nobody does that.

The COA said many officials with unliquidated funds have retired, gone abroad, or died.

I think cash advances should be discouraged. And if it is absolutely necessary, the rules should be very strict. For one, there should be a deadline for liquidating cash advances. If the official fails to liquidate before the deadline, he should return the money or face the consequences.

And we should go back to pre-auditing. ■

Opinion

17 FRIDAY MARCH 21, 2014

VIEWPOINT

Jitters

By Juan L. Mercado Philippine Daily Inquirer “THE AGE of Anxiety” is a poem W. H. Auden wrote in 1947. It deals with man’s search for meaning in a turbulent world and won the 1948 Pulitzer Prize for poetry. Leonardo Bernstein thereafter composed “Symphony No. 2 for Piano and Orchestra.”

Princeton University Press, in 2011, published a new edition of the poem.

“Our times are an Age of Anxiety,” Deacon Greg Kandra wrote on the feastday of St. Joseph, Mary’s spouse and foster father of the Christ. Tomorrow’s rites honor one who goes through the gospels without uttering a single word. Yet, he acts decisively to save his family when threatened.

Venerating Joseph emerged in the fourth century. And in 1847, Pius IX designated March 19 to cite a man who shielded his family from terror.

Think Zamboanga City under siege by the Moro National Liberation Front. Or the Ukraine crisis. Did the 200 plus on board Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 scream?

Warned of Herod’s fury, Joseph took Mary and the Son, “who did not have his eyes” by night. They “departed to Egypt, remaining there until the death of Herod.” They became

refugees, as are many Syrians and Nigerians today.

On return, Joseph discovered that Archelaus reigned in his father Herod’s place. So he slipped into the remote village of Nazareth where his Son “grew in wisdom, age and grace.”

Joseph knew economic insecurity—wondering how he’d support his family. A carpenter’s wages are paltry compared to the take, by nine out of 10 welshers, at today’s Bureau of Customs. Joseph paid taxes—to “render unto Caesar.” They’re collected by people like Levi, who morphed into Matthew. Or Bureau of Internal Revenue’s Kim Henares who is clobbered for her zeal but remains untainted.

He was a descendent of the royal house of David. “Joseph, son of David,” is the angel’s salutation. “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife.

For the Child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.”

Joseph speaks to our own jitters, Kandra writes. This is not what I had planned, he must have said. Everything is suddenly different. How many of us say that about our lives?

We face, like Joseph, uncertainty, even terror. Many are petrified in a world where cash (or pork barrel?) is the ultimate yardstick.

“A model of Joseph, as believer,

would pass muster in almost any Christian church,” Presbyterian minister Howard Edington wrote. A Time magazine book review notes, “In providing the Child with safety and family love, Joseph discovered a purpose for his own life within the greater purposes of God.” Joseph showed the Child, “all the natural love and all the affectionate solicitude that a father’s heart can know.”

When his Son took his first steps, Jo-

Yet, God relied on this ordinary man to do great things. In Hebrew, the name Joseph means “God will add.”

God lavishes unsuspected dimensions to the lives of those who do his will. seph held his hand. Together in the carpenter shop, they talked, worked, laughed and prayed. The mother was never far away. She never is.”

We need to see Joseph in the context of the often unremarked bond between fathers and sons, wrote Filipino theologian Catalino Arevalo, SJ. See that in the “chapters and chapters of day-to-day existence together,” which the Scriptures pass over in silence.

He learned from Joseph “how to avoid the knots in the wood, how

to cut it along the grain and how to make sure it is already quite dry so it will not unexpectedly split.” How did Joseph transmit the deeper lessons?

How is a parent’s love, both hard love and tender love, all the way true?

At his inaugural Mass as the 265th successor of Peter, on March 19, 2013, Pope Francis said: Be “protectors, like Joseph, by caring for the poor, families, friendships and the environment… Joseph responded to his calling by being constantly attentive and receptive to God’s plans, not simply to his own. And for this reason he is all the more sensitive to the persons and surroundings entrusted to his safekeeping.”

Being a protector “is not just something involving us Christians alone. It also has a prior dimension.

(Being) simply human, it involves everyone… It means protecting people, showing loving concern for each and every person, especially children, the elderly, those in need, who are often the last we think about.”

As a craftsman from Galilee, Joseph was merely one man among many, St. Josemaria Escriva notes in “In Joseph’s Workshop.” What had life to offer to someone from a forgotten village like Nazareth? Or to the 2.96 million unemployed scattered in 42,027 Filipino barangays? “Nothing

but work: work every day, with the same constant effort.”

Yet, God relied on this ordinary man to do great things. In Hebrew, the name Joseph means “God will add.” God lavishes unsuspected dimensions to the lives of those who do his will. God chooses the simple and humble to do his work. In their sparse style, the gospels give of the title of Jesus as “Son of Joseph.” So does the genealogy.

There is no record when—and, more important, how—Joseph died. “As a man lives, so shall he die,” an old adage says. Some therefore infer that it may have been Mary who, with tears, gently closed his eyes after he breathed his last. He lay in the arms of the Carpenter who, before the tomb of his friend Lazarus, wept. Maybe. Who knows?

Our national hero was given his name: Jose. So are many Filipinos. He is “officially” protector of the church, patron of the Christian home, of working people and of Christian vocations, and at the end of life, in a most significant way, patron of the dying.

We fret in this country’s “Age of Anxiety.” Thieves in barong jockey to become president in 2016. Others claw to remain in power. Who among these measure up to the Scripture’s accolade for Joseph? “He was a just man.” ■

AT LARGE

Marshmallows, Beatles and Modern Art

By Rina Jimenez-David Philippine Daily Inquirer NEW YORK—Aside from serving as an NGO member of the Philippine delegation to the 58th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), my other great motivation for this trip was the chance to visit with my daughter Miya, who is pursuing her Master of Arts degree here. As a cousin commented on our “selfie” in Facebook: “It’s the season for parents to check up on their children!”

Well, it’s not so much checking up as catching up, since our children have long passed the “age of majority” and are perfectly able to fend for themselves and pursue their own goals.

But it is true that parents—mothers in particular—still feel the urge to check on their children, whatever their age.

With the CSW sessions suspended for the weekend, we took the chance for some family bonding, albeit missing the other half of the family unit, with husband/father and son/brother (with his wife) staying back home.

On top of my agenda for this New York visit was to drop by the Guggenheim Museum, that iconic structure that spirals up from the ground along “Museum Mile” in Manhattan. The Guggenheim was the only institution

I hadn’t visited in my previous trips, and this time I was determined to finally make its acquaintance. On my daughter’s agenda was to watch “Veronica Mars the Movie,” of which she was, thanks to a $5 donation, one of the producers. “Veronica Mars” was made after fans and supporters raised over $5 million through the crowdfunding site Kickstarter, to get the ball rolling on production and promotion.

Miya is what the trade calls a “marshmallow,” an avid fan of “Veronica Mars,” which began life as a TV series and ran for three seasons until it was canceled. The movie is the expression not just of the devotion of “marshmallows,” but also of the dynamics of new media and its potential. *** But on the way to fulfilling these twin goals, we paid homage to The Beatles.

One of the theaters showing “Veronica Mars” happened to be found near the Lincoln Center, as well as the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts which is featuring, until May 10, an exhibit commemorating the visit to America of the Beatles, and the band’s lasting impact on popular culture and lore.

Called “Ladies and Gentlemen…the Beatles!” the exhibit traces, through photos, pieces of memorabilia, vinyl

records, video footage, musical instruments and even discarded song drafts, the booming phenomenon of Beatlemania in the early 1960s.

There is even a full-blown replica of a “typical” teenager’s room in suburban America replete with souvenirs of young people’s devotion to the Beatles. This one looked much too neat for a “typical” teenager’s room, but you get the idea.

It was a nostalgia trip for this “50-something” avid Beatles fan, but more surprisingly, for my 20-something daughter as well. Which just goes to show, I suppose, how the Beatles, despite

...[J]ust goes to show, I suppose, how the Beatles, despite the passage of decades, still unite the generations in a common love for good, compelling music. the passage of decades, still unite the generations in a common love for good, compelling music. As the exhibit guide declares, the Beatles’ visit to America “(began) the greatest, most fertile period ever of American pop and rock.” *** To my daughter’s surprise, I found myself enjoying “Veronica Mars.” You could tell you were in the company of “marshmallows” as the audience in the

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theater collectively gasped when a familiar (if older) character made an appearance, laughed at inside jokes and sighed at classic lines (“our love was always epic”) made enduring by the TV show.

Veronica Mars is something of a girl detective, a contemporary Nancy Drew, who set off on that path after the mysterious death of her best friend Lily. In the movie, Veronica has escaped the stultifying confines of her hometown Neptune, and is embarking on a promising law career when her old flame Logan calls for help after he is implicated in a murder.

But the sleuthing and snooping is just the framework on which the story of Veronica, which explores the themes of social division, adolescent angst, the search for self. Not bad for a crowd-sourced project! *** It took us more than an hour, standing in a queue that wound around the Guggenheim, in the biting wind, before we could enter the museum. This was because we timed our visit on a Saturday afternoon in which the museum is open to the public on a “pay what you wish” basis, although the “suggested” amount is a $2 donation.

Otherwise, adults pay $22 each.

This may also explain why the crowd we joined included students, senior citizens and tourists from all around

the world who filled the Guggenheim’s spiral halls with a babble of languages.

The Italian Futurists are the focus of the Guggenheim’s present exhibits, but I found that the art and literature on display left me cold. I thought that it wasn’t even very good, although what do I know, right?

Still, there were other offerings at the iconic institution (the famous spiraling tower was created by Frank Lloyd Wright) to warrant the long wait.

Photographer Carrie Mae Weems is the subject of a retrospective, tracing her 30-year career devoted to a “contemplation of race, gender and class.”

She is best known for the “Kitchen Table Series” that presents, through a series of photographs set before a kitchen table, a woman of color’s (Weems is her own model) journey through life, including friendship, marriage, motherhood and impending old age.

I most enjoyed though the excellently curated permanent exhibit of pieces from the collection of Justin Thannhauser. A mere stroll through the pieces brings one on a face-to-face encounter with the “greats” of Impressionism, Post-Impressionism and the avant garde, including Cezanne, Gaugin, Manet, Monet, Picasso, Pissarro, Renoir and Van Gogh. It’s a humanities course in the course of a single afternoon! ■

FRIDAY MARCH 21, 2014

18

Canada News

Employers want students with college skills and university thinking: experts

NEWS BRIEFS

FROM THE CANADIAN PRESS

BY ROMINA MAURINO The Canadian Press TORONTO—A college education is becoming an increasingly attractive option for many prospective students who are seeking the right skills to fit an evolving job market.

“There’s a definite shift in attitude about college and more of an understanding, that as the economy changes, colleges are a really good opportunity to get skills that match the job market,” said Linda Franklin, president of Colleges Ontario.

Enrolment in first-year college programs in Ontario, for example, is up five per cent this year to more than 125,000 students. About 220,000 students are enrolled in programs overall, numbers that are made up not only of first-time students but also by university graduates seeking more marketable skills.

According to the latest data available from the Association of Canadian Community Colleges, there are currently 1.5 million students at colleges, institutes and polytechnics, one million of which are students earning credits in certificate, diploma, degree, apprenticeship programs.

But while interest in job-specific training tends to go up in hard economic times, this latest bump seems determined to outlast the recession, experts say.

CDN FOREIGN INVESTMENT UP IN JANUARY OTTAWA—Statistics Canada says Canadian investors added $2.3 billion of foreign securities in January, a fourth straight month of increases to their holdings. At the same time, the agency says, foreign investors acquired $1.1 billion of Canadian securities, led by equities.

“We’ve gotten past some of those ideas about who should go to college and who should go to university,” said Jessica McCormick, chairperson for the Canadian Federation of Students.

Prospective students now see the value of a college education, she added, and “that it’s for everybody... (and) not just (for those who) don’t get into university.”

This year, the top program choices were business, practical nursing, social work, electrical engineering technician and culinary management, according to Colleges Ontario.

Computer programmers, machine operators and welders are also among the most in-demand trades, although

mechanics, carpenters, hair stylists and plumbers are also needed.

An uncertain economic picture, high tuition and fears about student debt levels are growing concerns among both youths and parents, she said, noting that university students are increasingly frustrated by the difficulty of finding a job in their chosen careers. According to the CFS, some students graduate with an average debt of $28,000.

Meanwhile, even the federal government has been promoting the skilled trades through specific programs and TV ads. ❱❱ PAGE 39 Employers want

Saskatchewan changes how buildings and geographic features are named The Canadian Press REGINA—Saskatchewan is bringing in changes that would see every former premier honoured with their name on a government building or geographic feature.

The changes were recommended by former lieutenant-governor Gor-

don Barnhart, who looked at ways to ensure names are chosen in a consistent and fair way.

Barnhart says it’s important to remember the history of the province.

He says several former premiers have never been recognized, including Frederick Haultain, who was premier of the North-West Terri-

tories—the area that is now Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Barnhart also says there should be a permanent, non-partisan naming committee.

Other recommendations including recognizing people who are still alive, as well as First Nations leaders or soldiers, police officers and firefighters who died on duty. ■

CANADA CHALLENGES WTO RULING ON SEAL BAN GENEVA—The World Trade Organization’s recent decision to uphold a four-year-old European Union ban on seal products has set a dangerous precedent for future trade relations, Canada’s northern development minister said Monday.Leona Aglukkaq, speaking after she made a presentation to a WTO appeal panel in Geneva, said the trade organization was wrong to cite moral grounds in its ruling late last year.

Moves Atlantic and National, please guard against duplication.

PICKTON RELATIVES SETTLE CIVIL LAWSUITS VANCOUVER—The botched criminal investigation into serial killer Robert Pickton has resulted in a settlement of $50,000 for each of the victims’ children who filed civil court action.

Lawyer Jason Gratl said Monday the settlement involves 13 plaintiffs who sued the provincial and federal governments, the City of Vancouver and several RCMP officers.

MILITARY REJECTED CANADA DAY AFGHAN TRIBUTE, CITING CONCERNS OF ‘MILITARIZATION’ OTTAWA—Military planners have treaded delicately on how best to remind the country of the sacrifices of Canadian Forces members in Afghanistan, raising concerns about potential political and public sensitivities, newly released documents show. That led military brass to ultimately recommend abandoning plans for a noontime ceremony on Parliament Hill this coming Canada Day that would have commemorated the mission.

Canada News

19 FRIDAY MARCH 21, 2014

Ontario proposes three demerit point penalty for distracted drivers

Harper ups...

“It’s my strong belief we must keep the pressure on and we must continue to maintain sanctions and maintain putting in place strong steps to dissuade this behaviour,” Harper said. “What the Putin regime has done cannot be tolerated and can never be accepted.”

The prime minister said the sanctions are aimed at isolating Russia.

“The individuals targeted are responsible for undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and for facilitating Russian military action against Ukraine,” he said.

He said the measures demonstrate to Russia that its actions have consequences.

“Canada will not stand by while Russia violates Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Harper is to fly to Kyiv on Friday to show his support for the temporary government of Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression in the strategic Black Sea region.

“I’m really looking forward ❰❰ 1

Hrushevskoho street riots in January 2014 in response to anti-protest laws.

BY ROMINA MAURINO The Canadian Press

PHOTO BY MSTYSLAV CHERNOV / UNFRAME / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

to that as an opportunity this weekend to express the solidarity of the Canadian people with Ukrainian people and obviously our support for Ukraine’s prosperity, its sovereignty and its territorial integrity.”

Canada is acting in concert with its allies, Harper said.

Earlier Monday, the Obama administration announced a freeze on the U.S. assets of seven Russian officials, including top advisers to President Vladimir Putin.

European Union foreign ministers also imposed travel bans and froze the assets of 21 officials from Russia and Ukraine.

Harper condemned the “illegal, dangerous and unilateral actions of the Putin regime in

Crimea on the weekend” when 97 per cent reportedly voted “yes” to joining Russia.

“They continue to seek a dangerous escalation in the situation,” he said.

The Obama administration has said there were “massive anomalies” in ballot.

Crimea’s parliament declared on Monday that it is an independent state.

Earlier this month, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird announced that Canada was suspending almost all its military relations with Russia because of the crisis in Ukraine.

Baird said nine Russian soldiers training in Canada would be expelled. ■

TORONTO—Ontario proposed a potentially costly hike in penalties for distracted drivers Monday by imposing three demerit points in addition to a maximum fine of up to $1,000 as part of wide-ranging road safety legislation.

Drivers who receive demerit points after being convicted of using their cellphones behind the wheel could face higher insurance premiums.

Just last month, Chief Justice Annemarie Bonkalo of the Ontario Court of Justice signed an order increasing the set fine for distracted driving to $225 from $125 starting March 18.

Under the judge’s order, drivers would face a fine of $280,

including surcharges, starting Tuesday, but the new legislation allows judges to impose a fine of $1,000.

The legislation also mandates intensive alcohol education, treatment and monitoring programs for motorists convicted of repeated drinking and driving offences, said Transportation Minister Glen Murray.

“This legislation would keep people who use our roads safer—drivers, cyclists and pedestrians alike,” said Murray.

The new bill will also increase fines for motorists who open their car door and hit a bicyclist, would allow bicycle lanes to go in the opposite direction to traffic on one-way streets and let cyclists use paved shoulders of divided highways. ❱❱ PAGE 37 Ontario proposes

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World News

MARCH 21, 2014

FRIDAY 20

Drug cartel a misnomer as Mexico criminal group earns more from mining, logging, extortion

BY E. EDUARDO CASTILLO The Associated Press

Romanian President Traian Basescu.

PHOTO BY RAZVAN SOCOL / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Romanian president says Russia has created conflicts around the Black Sea

BY ALISON MUTLER The Associated Press BUCHAREST, ROMANIA—Romania’s president said Monday that Russia has created a chain of conflicts around the Black Sea to further President Vladimir Putin’s goal of rebuilding the former Soviet Union along its former border with the West.

Romanian President Traian Basescu, who spoke to The Associated Press in an interview Monday, said he fears that neighbouring Moldova is “in great danger.”

“If you look at the map, you will see this chain of frozen conflicts” around the Black Sea “that can be set off at any time,” he said, referring to conflicts in Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova.

Basescu said Putin’s priorities “seem to be connected to the point of contact between the European Union and NATO.” He said Ukraine and Moldova were “a priority for Vladimir Putin, who wants to rebuild the Soviet Union.”

Russia has 1,500 troops stationed in the separatist republic of Trans-Dniester since 1990, when it broke away from Moldova, fearing that country would reunite with Romania.

Trans-Dniester is not interna-

tionally recognized but is supported by Russia.

The European Union on Monday slapped a travel ban on 21 Russian and Crimean officials after Crimea voted to split from Ukraine and join Russia.

Basescu said the EU was planning further sanctions later this week—ones he called “extremely severe”—that would freeze the assets of Russian business people in the EU, stop financial exchanges and energy trades and halt arms sales to Russia.

Romania is one of the EU’s 28 nations.

The Romanian leader, who leaves office after 10 years this year, ruled out a wider war in Europe, saying that neither Russia nor NATO wanted a fullscale conflict. He said there was still a risk of political instability in the region because of possible fallout from the sanctions.

“Many regional governments and European governments have to see whether they themselves can put up with the (EU) sanctions (on Russia),” he said.

There was nobody available at the Russian Foreign Ministry late Monday to comment on the statements by Basescu. ■ Lynn Berry in Moscow contributed to this report.

LAZARO CARDENAS, MEXICO—Forget crystal meth.

The pseudo-religious Knights Templar drug cartel in western Mexico has diversified to the point that drug trafficking doesn’t even rank among its top sources of income.

The cartel counts illegal mining, logging and extortion as its biggest moneymakers, said Alfredo Castillo, the Mexican government’s special envoy sent to restore the rule of law in Michoacan, the state controlled by the Knights Templar the last several years.

Iron ore “is their principle source of income,” Castillo told The Associated Press. “They’re charging $15 (a metric ton) for the process, from extraction to transport, processing, storage, permits and finally export.” The ore itself doesn’t go for that price; the cartel skims $15 for every ton arriving in port. While it’s long been known that Mexican cartels engage in other types of criminal activity, including trafficking of people and pirated goods, this is the government’s first official acknowledgement that a major organized crime group has moved beyond drugs. The Knights Templar and its predecessor, La Familia, started out as major producers and transporters of methamphetamine.

The implications are enormous that organized crime in general in Mexico stands to diversify and become even more entrenched.

“It’s a criminal organization like the mafia,” said Antonio Mazzitelli, the Mexico and Central America representative to the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime.

“La Familia, the Knights Templar and, in part, the new, smaller cartels that have developed, like the New Generation Jalisco, are copying this new typology.”

Mexican authorities count at least 12 major cartels, but also talk of an untold numbers of smaller splinter groups. Federal prosecutors have not seen similar shifts in other cartels, according to an Attorney General’s Office official, who insistwww.canadianinquirer.net

ed on speaking anonymously because he wasn’t authorized to speak about the topic.

But experts disagreed. The Zetas cartel, with its strongholds along the U.S.-Mexico border, was among the first to change the business model from merely production and transport of drugs to migrant smuggling and controlling territory through terror. Though drugs still top their list, the Zetas likely make as much from kidnapping and extortion, said Samuel Logan, director of Southern Pulse security consulting firm.

“I’ve never looked at them as drug-trafficking organizations,” Logan said of Mexico’s cartels.

“They’re multinational corporations that will react to market pressures and do what they have to do to stay in business.”

The Knights Templar took the model to another level, exploiting the main industries of the territory they control.

Alonso Ancira, president of the National Chamber of the Iron and Steel, recently told local journalists that he estimated drug cartels earned $1 billion in profits from selling iron ore in 2013. It was unclear if Ancira was referring only to the illegal mining done by the Knights Templar, and he didn’t respond to an interview request from the AP. The federal government has issued 900 concessions in Michoacan to mine iron ore, Castillo said. In 2008, only 1.5 per cent of the iron ore exports to China went through the state’s port of Lazaro Cardenas, but by 2012 nearly half of the exports to the Asian country were processed there.

As for extortion, Castillo said, information from victims led government experts to estimate that the cartel earned $800,000 to $1.4 million a week just from that crime. Much of its extortion demands were made on Michoacan’s lime and avocado producers, and the Knights Templar even controlled the wholesale distribution centre where prices were set and growers sell limes to the rest of the world.

Former President Felipe Calderon warned against such a stranglehold when he first sent

troops to Michoacan in late 2006 to fight La Familia, the predecessor of the Knights Templar. He said the cartel was trying to infiltrate all levels of society. By the time La Familia morphed into the Knights Templar in 2010, it seemed to control the entire state, including politicians and police who failed to act.

More than seven years of military-style strikes failed to dislodge them. Now the federal government seems to be having more success by going after the cartel’s financial resources.

It took over the port of Lazaro Cardenas in November and named Castillo in January as a commissioner with special powers to try to clean up Michoacan.

Since then, authorities have seized 119,000 metric tons of iron ore stored at several yards in Lazaro Cardenas and say they have liberated the wholesale lime centre by taking over the farming hub of Apatzingan.

The government also has arrested or killed much of the cartel’s leadership, but they did the same to La Familia, only to see that cartel remake itself into something even more menacing.

Because of financial hits, the cartel is now struggling to pay informants and assassins, Castillo said, though he didn’t explain how that’s known.

The Knights Templar hold was so tight that vigilante groups eventually formed and armed themselves to fight back. With fighting escalating between the cartel and the “self-defence” groups, federal security forces finally moved in early this year.

“The Zetas, La Familia Michoacan, the Knights Templar are, for the most part, predators and parasites that become rejected by the communities,” the U.N.’s Mazzitelli said.

That contrasts with traditional drug-trafficking cartels, which generate jobs and wealth for local people, buying loyalty and protection. The classic example is the Sinaloa cartel, the only pure drug-trafficking organization left in Mexico, even with the recent capture of its leader, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.

Hundreds of local residents protested his arrest. ■

World News

21 FRIDAY MARCH 21, 2014

A look at massive search for Malaysia Airlines jetliner involving 26 nations The Associated Press TWENTY-SIX COUNTRIES are involved in the massive international search for the Malaysia Airlines jetliner that disappeared on March 8 with 239 people aboard. They include not just military assets on land, at sea and in the air, but also investigators and the specific support and assistance requested by Malaysia, such as radar and satellite information.

Here’s a look at major countries and their response: Malaysia

Malaysia, which is co-ordinating the search, has deployed about 18 aircraft and 27 ships, including the submarine support vessel MV Mega Bakti, which can detect objects at a depth of up to 1,000 metres (3,280 feet).

searching north and west of the Cocos Islands in the southern Indian Ocean, and plans to deploy two more by midday Tuesday. Australia’s defence department is refusing to say whether Malaysia has asked Australia to divulge any radar information, but Prime Minister Tony Abbott said all Australian agencies are “are scouring their data to see if there’s anything they can add to the understanding of this mystery.”

China

An official with the Chinese Civil Aviation Authority says the missing plane did not enter Chinese airspace. The Chinese Defence Ministry and Foreign Ministry didn’t immediately respond to questions on radar information. China has deployed nine navy ships and civilian patrol vessels and a variety of fixed wing and rotary aircraft, along with a team of experts dispatched to Malaysia.

Australia

Australia has sent two AP-3C Orion aircraft, one of which is

United States

A P-8A Poseidon, the most

advanced long-range anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare aircraft in the world, has been searching in the Indian Ocean. The U.S. Navy also has deployed the destroyer USS Kidd with two MH-60R helicopters.

Kazakhstan

The Central Asian nation is the farthest northwest the plane could have flown, given satellite data on its past locations and its fuel limits. The Transportation Ministry said no unauthorized flights have been detected. It said Kazakhstan has not received any formal requests from Malaysia to conduct searchand-rescue or any other operations, but would respond if such a request were made.

PHOTO BY AERO ICARUS / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

been handed over. He says that search efforts have shifted from the Malacca Strait to the corridor stretching from northern Sumatra to the Indian Ocean.

Pakistan

The director general of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority, Muhammed Yousaf, says radar recordings shared with Malaysia found no sign of the jetliner.

Indonesia

Indonesian air force spokesman Hadi Tjahjanto says military radars on Sumatra island found no trace of the jetliner and that data requested by the Malaysian government had

www.canadianinquirer.net

India

India halted its search operations in the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal and continues to co-ordinate with Malaysia about possible new search areas.

Thailand

Royal Thai Air Force spokesman Montol Suchookorn says the Thai military gave its radar data to Malaysia on March 10 and has not received any additional requests. The Royal Thai Navy suspended its search mission in the Gulf of Thailand and South China Sea on Saturday.

Others

Other nations involved are Bangladesh, Brunei, France, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, U.K., Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. ■

Immigration

MARCH 21, 2014

FRIDAY 22

Three arrests made in English exam scam using fake passports The Canadian Press LONDON, ONT.—Police in London, Ont., have charged three people who allegedly used fake passports to write English proficiency exams for foreign students who paid them $7,000 for the service.

The exams are among the qualifications required for acceptance into colleges and universities in Canada.

Police say some foreign students unable to pass the exam hired a surrogate to write the test on their behalf.

To carry out the scheme, when the surrogate got to the

testing centre, they presented a fake passport showing their picture along with the identification details of the person who hired them.

Police say the surrogate would then write the exam and receive a passing score, which would allow the student who paid for the service to be admitted into a college or university.

Once admission is secured, study permits for foreign students can be granted or extended by Immigration Canada.

Alan Yan, 25, Li Huang, 39, and Mengshi Yue, 27, all residents of the Greater Toronto Area, were arrested in relation to the scheme.

All three are charged with possession of a forged passport, pos-

session of a forged document, personation at examination and personation to gain advantage.

Huang is also charged with public mischief related to providing a false name to police to divert suspicion.

In light of the arrest, Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander issued the following statement: “I would like to acknowledge the good police work that led to recent charges against three people in southwestern Ontario who allegedly hired stand-ins to write English proficiency tests on their behalf, using fake passports for identification.

“These allegations of forgery and impersonation are serious. These alleged actions are

crimes. And, if those accused are found guilty, we expect that they will face the full force of the law.

“Canadians are generous and welcoming, but will not tolerate cheats and fraudsters who seek to do an end-run around our rules or abuse our generosity.

Our government will continue to take decisive actions to protect the integrity of our immigration system and combat all forms of immigration fraud.”

The Canada Border Services Agency will be reviewing any possible misrepresentation by students who've applied for study permits. ■ This article has been edited from its original version.

Attracting Skilled Newcomers to Canada Federal, Provincial and Territorial Governments Working Together to Meet Canada’s Labour Needs through Active Immigrant Recruitment OTTAWA—Federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) immigration ministers today reiterated their commitment to actively recruit economic immigrants that have the skills the Canadian economy needs most.

Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander and Alberta’s Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour Minister Thomas Lukaszuk co-chaired the meeting of FPT ministers responsible for immigration. Economic immigration was a top priority for all ministers around the table.

According to Minister Chris Alexander, “The Government of Canada’s number one priority remains economic growth and job creation. Immigration plays a key role in Canada’s long-term prosperity and we are committed to seeing newcomers succeed across the country. With our provincial and territorial partners, we look forward to launching the Expression of Interest system together next year.”

“Immigration, and selection through Provincial Nominee Programs, plays an important www.canadianinquirer.net

role in building Canada's permanent workforce and in addressing labour shortages and skill gaps across the country. Provinces and territories will continue to work with the federal government towards

developing an Expression of Interest immigration system that is responsive to our regional labour market needs,” Alberta Minister Thomas Lukaszuk quipped.

The ministers agreed to continue collaborating on building the new active recruitment model which is known as the Expression of Interest (or EOI) system.

It is intended to transform Canada’s immigration system into one that is more responsive to labour market needs.

EOI will provide governments and Canadian employers access to skilled foreign workers and expedite their entry into Canada for jobs that aren’t being filled by people already in Canada. Ministers agreed to engage jointly and intensively with employers on EOI prior to the new system ❱❱ PAGE 33 Attracting Skilled

Immigration

23 FRIDAY MARCH 21, 2014

Study to assess trade qualifications underway Project will help clear the way for skilled British and Irish tradespeople to work in Canada LONDON—A new international study that will help British and Irish trained tradespeople assess their skills against Canadian criteria is being supported by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).

Employment and Social Development Minister Jason Kenney was on hand in London, England, to witness the signing of an agreement between the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) and the United Kingdom’s National Recognition Information Centre (UK NARIC).

CIC is providing support to the ACCC to conduct the study and UK NARIC will act as a sub-contractor. The project is a component of the CIC-funded Canadian Immigrant Integration Program, which provides newcomers with labour market information and to help them gain employment that reflects their skills, credentials and experience.

The study will identify how British and Irish trade qualifications match up against Canadian requirements across nine skill areas that are in high demand across Canada: Heavy Duty Equipment Technician, Construction Electrician, Welder, Carpenter, Steamfitter/Pipefitter,

Minister Jason Kenney (middle) witnessed the signing of an agreement between the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) and the United Kingdom’s National Recognition Information Centre (UK NARIC).

Plumber, Machinist, Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) and Powerline Technician.

More specifically, UK NARIC will develop an electronic guide, in consultation with provincial and territorial apprenticeship authorities, to help assess the alignment of British and Irish trade qualifications with Canadian training

A Free Concert by Ray An Fuentes A GREAT way to end winter and to celebrate the coming of spring is listening to inspirational music of Ray An Fuentes!

Ray An is not only multi-awarded Filipino singer, composer, dancer and choreographer, but he is also an evangelist.

A former member of the Minstrels and the Circus Band, he is popularly remembered as Tillie Moreno's singing partner. He also composed many songs for Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, Janno Gibbs, Zsa Zsa Padilla and The Company.

Everyone is invited to a FREE Concert of Ray An entitled "Celebrate God's Love" on Saturday, April 5th, 7pm at The Meeting House, 2700 Bristol Circle, Oakville, ON L6H 6E1. Special guests of Ray An are: Musika Mississauga Chidren's Choir, Zac and Rebecca Lalic, Luidette An- Ray An Fuentes dres and Noreen Lardizabal, Ian PHOTO FROM Weir, and Arlene BCCBIKTHUS.ORG Paculan.

This event is spon-

sored by Freedom in Christ Church in Mississauga.

To book seats, type "Celebrate God's Love with Ray An Fuentes" on Facebook search, and click "GOING", or just text (416) 884-9361, or e-mail rayanfuentesconcert@gmail.com, or tweet #rayanapril5. A numbered ticket will be e-mailed to you for printout. Seats are limited so book seats early! Doors open at 6:30pm. (Anyone can come without tickets but may be directed to the mezzanine or overflow area.)

See you on April 5th! ■

and certification requirements. This will assist Federal Skilled Trades Program applicants to better understand the requirements and expectations for tradespeople in the Canadian labour market.

According to Minister Jason Kenney, Employment and Social Development Minister, on behalf of Canada's Citizen-

ship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander, “Our Government's top priorities are creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity. This project will help employers find the skilled employees they need to expand their businesses, succeed and help newcomers get a job at their skill level faster.”

CIC is accepting a maximum of 3,000 applications each year in the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). ■

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MARCH 21, 2014

FRIDAY 24

FILIPINO-CANADIAN IN FOCUS:

Randy Bucao

BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer RANDY BUCAO is a man with a plan. And a back-up plan, to boot. After all, it is always good to be prepared. The day in January of 1994 that he received the phone call from the Embassy of Canada was the day he put that back-up plan aside. After all, it is better still when your original plans come to pass.

In pursuit of Plan A

Randy was working as a teacher in a computer school in Manila and was also in the process of reviewing for the Mechanical Engineering Board Exam when he received news that he, his brother, and parents had been accepted for immigration to Canada. Plan A was coming to pass. He then put Plan B—to work in the Middle East after the Board Exams—on a shelf, in pursuit of the Canadian dream. His sister was already working there, and he had great expectations of life on Canadian soil.

But, like countless other migrants before him, Randy struggled to find a suitable job. He tried his hand working in a jewelry company, given that he had acquired a few skills in jewelry making while in Manila. But the job proved tedious, cumbersome and not financially adequate; so he found himself on the hunt for a better means of employment. Perseverance paid off, and some months later, he landed a job as an AutoCAD operator in an I.T. Structured Cabling company. Little did he know that this was the beginning of a career in the I.T. industry, now spanning 21 years with his current posting as an I.T. Networking professional.

Two decades later, life in

Toronto is proving fruitful for Cebu-born Randy, his wife Zenalyn (who hails from General Santos City) and their two daughters , 10-year-old Maelynn and 6-year-old Vanezza . Having settled into his Canadian dream, Randy now finds himself setting his sights on yet another plan: running for Toronto City Councillor of Ward 10-York Centre.

Making the best even better

If it were possible to make the best even better, Randy Bucao feels that he is the man for that job.

“Toronto’s Ward 10-York Centre is the best part of Toronto, especially for all the Filipinos and Filipino-Canadians who live and work here. It is where we can find dozens of Pinoy Stores and Restaurants, Pinoy owned business, Pinoy health training centres…and bars and lounges with Karaoke and Dance floors,” Bucao explained.

Bucao, who openly professes his love for Toronto’s Ward 10York Centre, feels that it offers Filipino-Canadians the best community and culture in the city. As such, he is committed to do what he can to make it an even better place.

“Ward 10 is the hub of the Toronto City Airport and City of Vaughan. We should make Ward 10 cleaner, and more profitable; generating more jobs for the community. I would like to see another Public Library, because right now, there is only one; and also, more public sports grounds and recreational facilities. We should likewise consider developing the flow of traffic on five major transit lines: Bathurst, Dufferin, Sheppard W, Finch W, and Steeles W, by redesigning the Transit Services; as well as re-surfacing

the roads of Ward 10,” Bucao listed among his plans, should he be voted in.

A proud Torontonian

“I am proud to call myself a Torontonian,” Bucao shared.

He would like to see that same pride extend to being a proud “Ward 10” citizen.

Truth be told, he has done his fair share of contributing towards making Toronto, and Ward 10, places of which to be proud.

“I was a volunteer teacher of Personal Computer Applications at Silayan Filipino Community Centre near where we used to live in Jamestown, Downtown Toronto. When we moved to Scarborough in 1996, I extended my community service with the Toronto Golden Vision Lions Club. When my first daughter became of school age, I joined the Catholic School Advisory Council (CSAC) and became active in our local community at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic School. Just this school year, I ran for CPIC (Catholic Parent Involvement Committee) Ward 11 Representative, becoming the first Filipino-Canadian elected as Vice-Chair of TCDSB CPIC,” he shared.

Bucao doesn’t mind allotting a good deal of his time to the service of the community. He believes that anyone who aspires to be a community leader must not only be a part of the community, but also serve without hesitation.

So what pushed him to throw his hat into the political arena, aside from being already involved in the arena of community work?

“I see my community service as God’s will that I should do.

No one is pushing me into this.

As for going into Municipal Politics, after 20 years in Toronto

www.canadianinquirer.net

Randy Bucao.

community service, I realized that we have not placed or we don’t have a Filipino-Canadian in the Toronto City Council yet.

I thought that this is the best time to start it; now. Over 51 percent of Filipinos in Toronto reside in Ward 10-York Centre; now is the time to give them a voice,” Bucao expounded.

Devoted dad

Bucao says that most every waking moment of his time is “spent working,” but he is quick to qualify that this also involves working for the benefit of his family. “Whenever I am awake, that means I am working. Either working for compensation, or working on raising our two daughters,” he said.

Admittedly a tight squeeze, time-wise, this busy but devoted dad does all he can to make room in his schedule to be with his daughters. “I try to squeeze time between my hectic I.T. work schedule and community service commitments to go out with my family; even in small ways, like strolling in the mall with our girls. We love our girls so much; so they are my 'main pastime,’” he added.

Humour and hard work

He opens up to not being all that humorous, and— as such— enjoys the company of those who are. “I like people who are

humorous, because they are opposite of me,” he said.

Bucao recounts, as well, that he enjoys meeting the people in his community, and is always awestruck at how hard-working his fellow Filipino-Canadians are. “During my 20 years here in Canada, I have met hundreds of interesting people. But what interests me so much are the Filipino caregivers and nannies that I see on the streets and in the parks of Ward 10-York Centre. I like knowing their personal stories. They are professionals back home, and here they are working for someone’s elderly parents or young children. Many of them have found passion for their work and do not feel the hardships involved.

Even more surprising is that there are hundreds, if not thousands, who are already Canadian citizens, but still working as caregivers. Filipino-Canadians are really very hardworking for their family here in Canada, and also for their loved ones in the Philippines.” he stated.

With all that in perspective, Bucao looks forward to expanding his platform in the Filipino-Canadian community, as a representative of all his hardworking kababayans (country folk). And if this should come to pass for him, the he will happily put Plan B—which I am sure he has—on a shelf yet again. ■

25 FRIDAY MARCH 21, 2014

GLOBAL FILIPINO:

Elvira Manahan’s grandson running for US Congress

BY CATHY YAMSUAN Philippine Daily Inquirer DREAM BIGGER. There are no limitations. The Filipino’s time has come.

Forty-something José Maria “Joey” Brias Manahan was 10 years old when his mother Maite brought him with her to California, uprooting him from that tight-knit clan of interesting personalities living in Forbes Park.

It was in that foreign land that the realities of being a first-generation immigrant became part of Manahan’s adolescence.

Mother and son moved again, to Hawaii, after Mom remarried.

The son of the late Joselito Manahan grew up, learned a lot, and is now serving as a Honolulu city councilor.

Manahan comes from one of the country’s respected families. His grandfather, the late Dr. Constantino Manahan, was an obstetrician who was one of the pioneers at the Makati Medical Center.

Grandmother Elvira was a style icon who hosted the long-running TV talk show “Two For The Road.”

Star maker Johnny Manahan, consultant of ABS-CBN’s Star Magic Circle, is an uncle. The late Sen. Manuel Manahan was a granduncle.

Joey Manahan is married to the former Mary Ann “Maan” Santos.

A member of the US Democratic Party, Manahan spent six years in the Hawaii State House of Representatives.

From 2010 up to the end of his second term in 2012, he was Vice Speaker of the State House.

People close to him credit his men-

tor, Rep. Dennis Arakaki, for inspiring Manahan to engage in public service in Hawaii for the past eight years.

Call it restlessness or a hunger for something bigger, but Manahan now dreams of becoming the first Philippine-born member of the US House of Representatives (representing Hawaii, of course).

To date, there has yet to be an individual with Filipino blood occupying an elective federal position in the US Congress.

The dream is daunting, but Manahan—whom aunt Tats Rajante-Manahan describes as a “cool and confident kid”— said he is “not as scared as I should be.”

In some cases, someone’s ethnic background could be considered a glass ceiling, but Manahan would rather believe there are no limitations, especially when it comes to thinking of ways to serve people more, or in a better way.

In many instances, the limitation is not even external, but exists only in the person’s mind. “It’s like a prison because it holds you back. But you are limited only by what you allow yourself to be limited by,” he explained.

Leader

In Manahan’s case, being a full-blooded Filipino who migrated to Hawaii did not keep him from being chosen as a leader.

With public service running in his veins, Manahan chose education and housing as his pet issues, fighting against the unnecessary closure or consolidation of public schools and rallying for more housing projects.

An earlier Inquirer report said Mana-

Manahan shakes hands with supporters during a rally.

han authored the first successful legislation in any state to designate October as Filipino-American Heritage Month. He also advocated for improved veterans’ benefits and reunification among families of Filipino veterans of World War II, said the article that announced his latest political plan.

Manahan believes the American Dream should be pushed forward and no longer limited to typical cases of working three jobs to support oneself or the family back home.

He said there are quality-of-life issues that need to be addressed because doing so would ensure that people work not only to survive, but also to live fuller lives.

“I think the middle class is being overburdened right now… I think people are struggling with that on a daily basis, living paycheck to paycheck and barely able to make ends meet. For us in Hawaii, it’s certainly the case,” he observed.

Manahan said Hawaii relies heavily on tourism, so service-delivery businesses dominate.

“People often have to work two or three jobs just to get by, and if you don’t get a good paycheck, that concern would be a hindrance to planning for your future, sending kids to school and being able to just spend time with your family,” he explained.

Manahan said he is familiar with families where children come home, and the parents are at work and there is “no supervision.”

“It takes a toll on the family. It’s unfortunate, but that’s happening to our middle class right now. And that’s one of the things I really do stand for—that understanding, of having gone through that process… I want to be that voice in Congress to fight for quality of life, to strengthen again the middle class which is really the backbone of America and our economy,” he added.

Fast-tracking the dream would be easier if Manahan joins mainstream US politics and works for new relevant issues like immigration reform.

The Honolulu councilor said his experience as an immigrant, although difficult at certain moments, provided him with a wellspring of insights and per-

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spectives.

“Being an immigrant, having lived in two worlds, you understand the divides that separate people, and you also become aware of shared values or common ground where you can work,” he noted.

“There is a lot I can contribute and give back, given that perspective… It’s about bringing people together. What Hawaii needs right now is that spirit of aloha, of bringing people together to solve challenges we face as a state and as a nation.”

Manahan said his place in the growing diversity of America is precisely what he intends to bring to the table.

Melting pot

“I believe this is the time to do it…

Hawaii is a state of immigrants. We’re a melting pot. We also have the second largest Filipino community outside the mainland,” he pointed out.

Manahan said Filipinos in America have grown as a community of influence.

“We are a tight-knit community.

We have been successful in the past in bringing people together toward a common goal,” he recalled.

“I really think it is our time as a community. I believe that for us to be viable and actually get listened to, we have to get out there. We got to vote and show we are standing behind one candidate,” the councilor added. “I think the timing is good right now.”

He is pushing for the grant of Temporary Protective Status (TPS) to Filipinos staying in the state under irregular circumstances. “The Filipino-American community in Hawaii has gotten together on this issue and is doing a letterwriting campaign to Secretary of State John Kerry to allow TPS to Filipino immigrants who would fall under the TNT (tago nang tago) category,” he said.

Manahan’s plan is to sponsor a resolution to be approved by the city council and submitted to Washington, the State Department and Homeland Security. He said a precedent was set when a similar system was extended to immigrant Haitians following the fatal earthquake that struck their country in January 2010. ❱❱ PAGE 39 Elvira Manahan’s

FRIDAY MARCH 21, 2014

26

TED Talks

TED Talks: Offering us Ideas worth spreading

BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer REALITY TV is all the rage on the boob tube these days; serving up everything from the brilliant, to the mundane, to the inane, to the downright insane. I must admit to having my guilty pleasures, which shall remain unnamed lest I offend the gods of taste and intellect.

On the other hand, there are some shows that I cannot watch without discomfort and disgust, yet I keep watching anyway, in grotesque fascination; much as a graphic book on medical conditions makes us cringe, yet we cannot seem to put the bloody (literally) thing down. The human mind is strange like that.

Animal Hoarders (and shows of extreme hoarding, in general) fall into the latter category. I writhe in my seat, at the sight of the conditions in which the people—and the animals—often live.

On a recent episode, a girl named Angie (gasp!) was in possession of well-over 50 cats.

This was her outlet; her way of overcoming traumatic situations that had occurred in her life. Her heart had grown cold and bitter towards people and life in general, and collecting cats was her way of coping. She was convinced she was doing something good, incidentally, as no one—in her opinion—could care for the cats as she did.

I thought to bolt out of my chair and race to the living room to check if I still had TWO cats. Paranoia was getting the better of me, and for an instant, I feared I might have been transported into some future dimension, by some Whovian device-or-other, to a world where I, too, had grown bitter and cared for over 50 cats.

For a moment there, I nearly got sucked into the black hole that is reality TV.

Then there is Talk Show TV, a variant of the Reality TV format. What 20th century person has not been influenced by one Talk Show or other? Has not quoted Oprah? Has not tried a new supplement or diet because “Dr. Oz said so?” Has not dealt with matters of the heart with Dr. Phil’s advice as basis? Even those living under a rock have in some shape, form, or fashion been impacted by talk shows and their respective gurus.

Talk shows on TV are generally my white noise; playing in the background as I cook, do chores, get dressed, whatnot.

But there are some shows that cause me to actually sit and pay attention. TED Talks (viewed online) is one of them.

I admit, I jumped onto the TED Talks bandwagon a tad after most other people, having been introduced to the show by a friend who claims to “BE internet.” And because he “IS internet,” he prides himself in many things, one of which is catching shows before they become all the rage.

The first TED Talk he showed me had then 12-year-old boy genius Jacob Bartnett challenging Enstein’s Theory of Relativity. I was befuddled. I was amazed. I was awe-struck. And I was hooked.

Ideas worth spreading

Good-old Wikipedia, although not always the best source of factual information, accurately tells us in this case that TED Talks stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design.

The format involves a global set of conferences owned by the private non-profit Sapling Foundation, and bears the slogan "ideas worth spreading".

Set up as a conference between speaker and guest, in front of a live audience, the show is broadcast via live streaming.

Episodes are available for free viewing online.

Founded in 1984 as a onetime annual event, the conference is now held on a regular basis across different cities in the West Coast of North America, and is expanding to other cities such as Vancouver in Canada.

TED's mission statement reads, in part: “We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world. So we're building here a clearinghouse that offers free knowledge and inspiration from the world's most inspired thinkers, and also a community of curious souls to engage with ideas and each other.”

Guest speakers expound on their ideas in the most creative, stimulating and captivating way they can, within a maximum of 18 minutes. Past presenters include Bill Clinton, Jane Goodall, Malcolm Gladwell, Al Gore, Gordon Brown, Richard Dawkins, Bill Gates, Bono, Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, and several winners of the Nobel Prize. The conference is curated by British former computer journalist and magazine publisher Chris Anderson.

Why it works

I don’t have any hard-and -fast facts as to why TED Talks works. Though I cannot back this up with scientific research or polls, I can hazard a few educated guesses. I think it works because people are desperate for real meaning and answers, in a world seemingly devoid of either. The more industry and technology take over, the more dehumanized we become as a society, and the tendency is to get lost in this dehumanized, mechanical existence. The forum provides some sort of connection with the things that really matter, perhaps. To boot, it is our way of living vicariously through the achievements of

Amanda Palmer re-enacts her days as a mime, as she expounds on the Art of Asking at the TED Talks 2013 conference.

PHOTO FROM MANDAPALMER.NET

others.

And then there is the voyeuristic foundation that is at the core of most reality-type formats. More than this, however, TED Talks is just downright interesting and intelligent; making it a rare gem amongst the fool’s gold of all-too often banal and mindless shows these days.

Art of Asking

There have been a plethora of interesting topics presented by varied speakers. One that sticks out in my mind is singer-songwriter-artist Amanda Palmer’s exposition on the Art of Asking; again, called to my attention by he who is internet. Palmer, one-half of one of my favorite alternative, idiosyncratic musical duos, the Dresden Dolls, was one of the speakers at the TED2013 conference. Her 13-and-a-half-minute speech entitled “The Art of Asking,” was affecting, impactful, insightful, and moving. It was— like many a great thing—also

sharply criticized by some.

Palmer described her rise from a “living statue” mime, performing for donations on the streets of Boston, to an internationally known musician.

Having separated from her label Road Runner Records in 2010, in the midst of a 7-album deal, Palmer’s current source of income is reliant primarily on the direct support of fans.

Palmer posits that the music industry and musicians should not demand money for their music, but should ask their fans to contribute and fund their endeavours. She holds fast that people recognize something of value when they come across it, and are willing to support it, when asked.

You can see how such a theory would, of course, draw criticism from both industry moguls and those with a more conservative approach to music and the business model in general. ❱❱ PAGE 31 TED Talks

TED Talks

27 FRIDAY MARCH 21, 2014

TED: Technology, Entertainment, Design in a nutshell

BY CHING DEE Philippine Canadian Inquirer THE FIRST ever TED—actually, TEDx—talk I’ve ever seen is of musician and artist Joey Ayala in TEDxDiliman. He talked about how he became a native and how ‘Lupang Hinirang’ (the Philippine national anthem) is ought to be sung. For me, he hit a home run. (Please, please, please go and watch the video. Search for “Joey Ayala Lupang Hinirang TEDx Diliman” on YouTube.)

His rendition of the national anthem sparked quite a controversy with the National Historical Commission and other concerned parties. They were arguing that he bastardized the anthem. Ayala himself knows that he “tampered” with the song and it is “an illegal act.”

He even joked about sharing “a special bond” with his audience because of his talk. But for me, he made it more relevant. He made it better.

That was my first TED (well, TEDx) experience.

My second TEDx encounter was with Ash Beckham. She talked about coming out of your closet.

“Not just the gay closet,” Beckham emphasized.

After hearing her say, “There is no ‘harder’, there is just ‘hard.’ We need to stop ranking our ‘hard’ against everybody else's ‘hard’ to make us feel better or worse about our closet and just commiserate on the fact that we all have ‘hard.’” I knew she struck a chord in me.

That was my second TED (well, TEDx) experience.

What is TED?

TED basically stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design.

According to TED.com, “TED is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or less).”

It started in 1984 in Monterey, California as a simple conference that featured topics about technology, entertainment, and design.

Today, TED and TEDx—an independently run TED event run by communities—cover any topic under the sun “from science to business to global issues in more than 100 languages.”

PHOTO FROM TED / FLICKR

Noted physicist Stephen Hawking (center) enjoys zero gravity during a flight aboard a modified Boeing 727 aircraft owned by Zero Gravity Corp. (Zero G).

Hawking, who suffers from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) is being rotated in air by (right) Peter Diamandis, founder of the Zero G Corp., and (left) Byron Lichtenberg, former shuttle payload specialist and now president of Zero . Kneeling below Hawking is Nicola O’Brien, a nurse practitioner who is Hawking’s aide. At the celebration of his 65th birthday on January 8, 2007, Hawking announced his plans for a zero-gravity flight to prepare for a sub-orbital space flight in 2009 on Virgin Galactic’s space service.

PHOTO BY JIM CAMPBELL / AERO-NEWS NETWORK ON WIKI COMMONS

Steve Jobs.

In the Philippines, TEDxDiliman and TEDxManila have been hits, especially with college students and academicians.

In Canada, TED 2014 is currently ongoing and is being “webstreamed” for free in Vancouver for “accredited Vancouver-area secondary schools, universities, libraries, community centres and NGOs.” TED Community Director Tom Rielly shared in a press release, "The education community is integral to everything we do at TED. What better way to celebrate educators and NGOs from our new home in Vancouver, a city that has welcomed us with incredible warmth and enthusiasm, than to open up our conference to their constituents?”

Ideas worth sharing

TED’s (and TEDx) mission statement is to “spread ideas.”

As a global conference, TED welcomes “people from every discipline and culture who seek a deeper understanding of the world.”

In the very essence of things, TED and its participating speakers believe that there are ideas worth sharing with the rest of the world; ideas that can

PHOTO BY MATTHEW YOHE / WIKI COMMONS

“change attitudes, lives, and the world.”

Most of TED projects (TED Talks videos, TEDx, TED-Ed series, TED Prize, TEDActive) revolve around the guiding question: How can we best spread great ideas?

On TED.com it says, “Our agenda is to make great ideas accessible and spark conversation.”

According to Wikipedia, a central TED conference was held every year since its conception in Long Beach, California and Palm Springs. Starting this year, the main TED conference will be in Vancouver and Whistler, respectively.

Most watched TED Talks

With a vast array of topics up for grabs, TED and TEDx have welcomed a lot of interesting thinkers and speakers on their stage like former U.S. President Bill Clinton, best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell, Microsoft tycoon Bill Gates, humanitarian and U2 frontman Bono, the men behind Google Larry Page and Sergey Brin, and a handful of Nobel Prize recipients.

If you check out their website, you can spend hours upon hours just listening to the ideas of former TED speakers. In www.canadianinquirer.net

Simon Sinek.

fact, by the end of 2013, there are over 1,600 TED Talks videos available online—worldwide and free of charge.

Out of all those talks, TED. com released a list of the Top 20 Most Watched TED Talks to date.

On #17 is English theoretical physicist and cosmologist Stephen Hawking. His 2008 talk about big questions about the universe have earned 4,470,236 views as of posting.

The late Apple co-founder and CEO Steve Jobs and his thoughts about living before you die is on #9 with 5,444,022 views since it was posted on 2005.

Conceptualizer and author Simon O. Sinek talked about how great leaders inspire action in 2010 and now his video

PHOTO BY STARTWITHWHY / WIKI COMMONS

inspired people to watch his talk 7,539,516 times.

In true TED form, Indian computer scientist, inventor, and Samsung Research Director Pranav Mistry talked about the SixthSense—an interface device worn around the neck that contains a data projector and camera and operated by hand gestures—when he graced the TED stage in 2009. Today, his speech has been viewed almost 10 million times. 9,897,347 times, to be exact.

Topping the list at #1 is British author and international adviser on education Sir Kenneth (Ken) Robinson. In 2006, he talked about how schools kill creativity. As of posting, his message has been viewed 14,850,200 times around the world. ■

Seen & Scenes

MARCH 21, 2014

FRIDAY 28

FILCAN SEN. ENVERGA AT AFCA Senator Tobias “Jun” and Rosemer Enverga were recently the special guests at the Association of Filipino Canadian Accountants (AFCA) Gala and Induction held at the Versailles Convention Centre. Photo shows Vida Cruz and Danio Penuliar of AFCA and Philippine Canadian Charitable Foundation (PCCF), and their PCCF colleagues Arnold Cruz, Primo and Noemi Milanes, Fe Paca-Taduran, Sena Flores and Nitz Penuliar.

(St. Jamestown News Service, RAZ) Photo By Ariel Ramos.

FILIPINOS IN CALGARY Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer and Consul Melanie Diano of the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver and Labour Attache Bernie Julve of the Philippine Overseas Labour Office (POLO) met with OFWs and the Filipino community in Calgary in an event organized by Migrante Alberta. Later in the night, a “meet and greet” dinner party for Congen Ferrer and PCG-POLO was organized by the CCMCLAlberta, an association of Filipinos from the province of Surigao del Sur.

For photo submissions, please email info@canadianinquirer.net. www.canadianinquirer.net

Seen & Scenes

29 FRIDAY MARCH 21, 2014

TCDSB TRUSTEE GARRY TANUAN Hon. Garry Tanuan, Toronto Catholic District School Board Trustee celebrated his Jubilee year at Gourmet Malaysia Restaurant in Scarborough on February 8. Wife Marla and their four children were so happy to have Garry’s friends join him for lunch in this exotic restaurant. Special guest is Hon. Senator Tobias C. Enverga Jr., who came to extend his greetings to his successor as the TCDSB Trustee, on his 50th birthday.

USAPANG PINOY: FILIPINO STUDENTS AND ESL Concerned members of the Filipino community organized a community forum on March 14 at the Sir Charles Tupper Secondary School to discuss Filipino high school students’ experiences as English Language Learners and their lessthan-expected educational achievements. Speakers were May Farrales, PhD Student, Geography, UBC (Holding spaces: Filipino high school students’ experiences with English as a Second Language); Joy Jose, Multicultural Liaison Worker, Vancouver School Board (Challenges that Filipino high school students are facing in the Vancouver School System); Rene John Nicolas, Lawyer, Founding Member of Kababayan UBC (KAMP Mentorship Program history and vision) and Bryan Antes, BCIT student (Testimony from a former English Language Learner). Photos courtesy of Mary Tecson.

Above: TCDSB Trustee Garry Tanuan (standing, 2nd from right) with Hon. Senator Tobias C. Enverga Jr., Sir George R. Poblete; with Marla Tanuan and her mother; Others sitting are: Ray Start, Ed Valente, Meynard Sitchon, Ramon Cezar, Elena Dicion and Mary Anne Guya.

TEAM SCOTIA BANK: MIGRANTE BASKETBALL CHAMPION!

Left: Trustee Garry with Sir George and Lady Dolly and Ya Mi, owner of Gourmet Malaysia (right photo).

Vancouver B.C.–Team Scotia Bank, coached by Ronald Divina, was the Basketball Champion and took home the trophy at the sixth annual Migrante BC Open Basketball League. The popular basketball league at the St. Helen’s Parish gymnasium in Burnaby held its elimination and final rounds during the first week of February 2014.

The medals and trophies were awarded to the teams and players by Beth Dollaga of the Canada Philippines Solidarity for Human Rights, Nie-ann Amante of Migrante BC, and May Farrales, a UBC graduate student doing her research on Filipinos and basketball.

Migrante B.C., a community organization, was launched in September 14, 2008 to honour the legacy of the late Anakpawis Member of Philippine Congress Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran who had always fought for the rights and welfare of migrant workers and had visited Vancouver in early 2008. For information on how to join the Basketball League of Migrante BC, please call 604.408.0830 or email migrante.bc@gmail.com

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TED Talks

MARCH 21, 2014

FRIDAY 30

TED conference finds a new home in Vancouver

BY KATHERINE MARFALTEVES Philippine Canadian Inquirer

As part of the deal, the Vancouver Destination Hotels Association, the tourism commission and Tourism Vancouver agreed to underwrite part of the cost of relocating TED, including helping with the specially designed stages.

“What we paid them was to partner with them. And what we got was that we can call ourselves TED host country and TED host city,” Greg Klassen, the senior vice-president of marketing for the tourism commission said.

“We’ve stamped that on all of our collateral, so that when we are international markets trying bring in conventions and meetings to Canada we start by saying ‘we are the ones who brought TED to Canada. If we can do TED, the world’s coolest conference, we can do your conference,” Klassen added.

AFTER FIVE years in Long Beach, California, TED conference moves to Vancouver— dates to mark on your calendars, March 17 to 21.

On these days, 1,200 of the brightest minds in the world will gather again to share lifechanging lessons. For 30 years now—TED, which stands for technology, entertainment and design, has been touching lives of people around the globe.

And now that it has found a new home in Vancouver, numerous innovations are to be expected.

TED’s shift to Vancouver

It was in 2013 when TED expressed its intention to leave Long Beach—the same year, it knocked on the door of the tourism commission and Tourism Vancouver.

Negotiations for a minimum two-year deal were kept private—Mayor Gregor Robertson was not even consulted.

TED will provide a free live broadcast of its talks to schools, universities, community centres and libraries.

PHOTO FROM FACEBOOK PAGE OF TED

TED Preparations

To fit into the standards set by the conference organizers, the Vancouver Convention Centre was transformed into a cozy, incubation chamber—similar to what Long Beach provided for

the past five years.

The 227-metre aerial piece of art by Janet Echelman, titled Skies Painted With Unnumbered Sparks was also installed in front of the convention centre. It will

be lit on Saturday night.

Undoubtedly, the construction is well advanced—massive amphitheatre was designed

by New York architect David Rockwell.

Chris Anderson, TED’s curator, got the inspiration of designing an all-wood stage and seating from Vancouver architect Michael Green’s TED talk.

All the preparations will be

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TED Talks

31 FRIDAY MARCH 21, 2014

There are also many firsts in this year’s TED conference.

Firstly, TED will provide a free live broadcast of its talks to schools, universities, community centres and libraries. Secondly, it is feeding a jumbotron screen on the outside of BC Place at Terry Fox Plaza.

TED attendees

Venture capitalists, philanthropists, scientists, architects, engineers and professionals— these are the folks who are most likely paying $7,500 for a TED ticket.

The Canadian Tourism Commission and Tourism Vancouver estimate that conference attendees will bring more than $4.5 million into the Vancouver economy.

TED’s impact on Vancouver’s economy and tourism

completed on Sunday.

A simulcast version called TEDActive will operate in Whistler.

Surely, the TED conference will bring huge revenues to Vancouver, but the Canadian Tourism Commission and Tourism Vancouver don’t want to measure the event’s success solely on it.

“What our theory is that when these world billionaires,

philanthropists, engineers and scientists come and see Canada, they will have a very warm view of what it offers as a business community,” said Klassen explained.

“Yes, we have at the minimum two years, with 1,200 delegates a year eating at restaurants and staying in our hotels,” Klassen said. “But to call that an economic impact on our country and city based purely on the investment they will make next week is too trite. It is the longterm impact we are looking at.”

Meanwhile, Rick Antonson, Tourism Vancouver’s president, said bringing TED to Vancouver is about more than direct spending in the local economy.

“A gathering like this becomes a profound catalyst.

There is a really interesting social alloy at play here. Much, much good can come out of it,” he said. “Trying to measure it with a simple cash register ring is wrong. This is about social, technological and entertainment change.” ■ With reports from Vancouver Sun and Straight

TED Talks...

Palmer draws parallelisms between her job as a street mime, to her job as a musician in the connection established with people and fans. Both professions, she says, are dependent on interpersonal connections (the art of which is basically lost, in today’s digitized world); a give and take between artist and audience.

The audience and artist, on some level or other, benefit from a mutual interconnection.

She recalls how, as a performance mime, she would come across people who seemed dejected; “lonely people who looked like they hadn’t talked to anyone in weeks.” They would stop and behold her, as she would silently hand them a flower. And then, she recounts “we would sort of fall in love a little bit.” In Palmer’s mind, the silent exchange would go something like this:”My eyes would say, ‘Thank you. I see you. Their eyes would say, ‘Nobody ever sees me. Thank you.’”

In her outspoken discourse on the topic, Palmer invites us all to reclaim yet another lost art, the ❰❰ 26

art of asking, from the realms of shame and insecurity. She notes that we do not ask because we are ashamed to do so and uncertain of the response. She points out that the art of asking should be celebrated as the mutually beneficial gift that it is.

“Through the very act of asking people, I connected with them. And when you connect with them, people want to help you. It’s kind of counterintuitive for a lot of artists—they don’t want to ask for things.

It’s not easy to ask. … Asking makes you vulnerable…I don’t see these things as risks—I see them as trust. … But the perfect tools can’t help us if we can’t face each other, and give and receive fearlessly—but, more importantly, to ask without shame. … When we really see each other, we want to help each other,” she explained.

And that is definitely one idea worth spreading. ■ Watch Amanda Palmer on TED Talks at http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=xMj_P_6H69g&f eature=youtu.be

“Attracting and retaining the best international talent to fill skills shortages in key occupations is critical to Canada’s economic success.”

- Hon. Jason Kenney, P.C., M.P.

Minister of Employment and Social Development

Respond to Canada’s need for immigrants.

Become a Regulated Immigration Consultant Full-time | Part-time | Online Apply online at www.ashtoncollege.com or contact a program adviser at (604) 899-0803.

Ashton College | Vancouver, BC 604 899 0803 | 1 866 759 6006 w w w. a s hto n co l l e g e. co m

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FRIDAY MARCH 21, 2014

32

Entertainment

MISS B’S ENTERTAINMENT REVIEWS

Is disco really dead?

BY BABES NEWLAND

THE TERM “disco” is derivative from the word discothèque (French for “library of phonograph records”) but subsequently used as proper word for nightclubs in Paris. This was back in the ‘70s when night clubs on this planet were ablaze with soaring, often reverberated vocals over a steady beat, a quaver or semiquaver hi-hat pattern with an open hi-hat on the off-beat; and a syncopated electric bass line that sticks out. But on the eve of July 12, 1079, while this type of music was blaring at the legendary Studio 54 in NYC and “Saturday Night Fever” vinyls were being played in homes across the country, another movement was taking place; hundreds and thousands of people gathered on the South Side of Chicago chanting “Disco Sucks”. The act was orchestrated by then 24-yearold DJ named Steve Dahl, and became known forever as the Disco Demolition.

At present times here in Vancouver, B.C., a cult is looming to resurrect disco via eclectic multi-media song & dance Cabaret Vegas-style shindig aptly titled ‘REINVENTION OF DISCO” premiering on May 22, 2014 at the Rio Theatre. Can this group successfully regain momentum without receiving backlash from those who ex-

Leandro Mendez.

tinguished it? Let’s hear it from the show creator himself; choreographer par excellence et tres extraordinaire—Leandro Mendez. The setting of my interview with Leandro couldn’t have been more surreal, i.e., at posh French bistro Faubourg Paris Café on Hornby: Miss B: Why REINVENTION OF DISCO? Leandro: Babes, I detest the coined in phrase Disco is dead.

It’s never been and never will be. This show that I conceptualized is my way of protesting the movement that so-called killed ‘70s disco. It’s also a metaphoric verbiage to define myself… the “new” Leandro Mendez. From being constantly the man-behind-the-scene to now being at the front-center-back. I can work within the realms of my own imagination. If something goes wrong, I will blame no one else but me.

Miss B: What compelled you to creating this project?

Leandro: My unconditional devotion to epic 70s disco music. I was barely a teenager back then but the music of Donna Summer, ABBA, Gloria Gaynor, KC and the Sunshine Band, The Trammps, Bee Gees and the like resonated on my mind all throughout my growing up years. Donna Summer would become the first wellknown and most popular disco artist that eventually earned the title “The Queen of Disco” bestowed upon her by various music pundits. She would also play significant part in pioneering the electronic sound that later become a renowned element of disco. This is what compelled me to relive truegrit ‘70s era, not just the music but also the big dance floor, psychedelic lights, vaudeville Vegas-style stage, the big hair,

the glitter, the sparkly… Yes, I’m bringing the glam back to Vancouver entertainment landscape!

Miss B: Describe your whole thought process of this production.

Leandro: It started 2 years ago when I’ve seen visions in my head of various dance moves depicting disco. Those cathartic and regenerative almost collective ecstatic images kept creeping in that eventually led to my freedom of expression. Yes, without sounding anywhere near self-replicating, this project helped me to come out of my shell. Stigmatized by so many unpleasant professional encounters in the past, REINVENTING DISCO became the potion of my own reinvention. ❱❱ PAGE 37 Is disco

Entertainment

33 FRIDAY MARCH 21, 2014

Paris Hilton visits Manila tourist spots, samples “dirty” ice cream

BY KATHERINE MARFAL-TEVES Philippine Canadian Inquirer PARIS HILTON is in the Philippines.

The Hollywood celebrity is in the country to grace the inauguration of her first local real-estate project.

As Hilton arrived in Manila on Sunday, she greeted her Filipino fans with a tweet: “Just landed in Manila! Magandang umaga, Maayong Buntag Pilipinas!” (Good morning, Good morning Philippines!)

On the next day, she, along with her brother Barron, visited some popular tourist spots in Manila, including the Luneta Park and Manila Cathedral in Intramuros.

The 33-year-old celebrity, who first visited the country in 2011, also sampled the “dirty” ice cream—which is proudly Pinoy.

Through her Instagram, she shared a photo of the visit with the caption: “Being a tourist in Manila with my crew @BarronHilton @FotoFetish & @ Lrw1115. Love having my friends with me when I travel. #Killingit.”

PHOTO FROM TWITTER ACCOUNT OF PARIS HILTON

Hilton’s Instagram followers recommended some tourist spots for the Hollywood star to visit. Among them were El Nido, Boracay, Palawan, Pagudpod and Cagayan de Oro. Apart from visiting some tourist spots in the country, Hilton is also set to do photo shoots and attend an invitational party for Azure unit owners. ■

Skilled Newcomers... launch in January 2015.

Some facts: • EOI will complement the Provincial Nominee Program which will continue to be a key mechanism to allow provinces, territories, and employers to meet regional labour market needs.

Almost 41,000 provincial nominees (including their spouses and dependants) were admitted to Canada through the PNP in 2012, up from approximately 13,500 in 2006.

• Due in part to the PNP, 42 percent of all economic immigrants in 2012 intended to settle outside of Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, compared to only about 20 percent in 2000.

• In 2012, 62 percent of immigrants were in the economic stream. Governments aim to achieve a minimum of 70 percent, nationally and by jurisdiction, in the years ahead.

• FPT governments are committed to ensuring that newcomers integrate and contribute fully to the Canadian economy, and to their communities, as soon as possible. For its part, the Government of Canada will invest almost $600 million in 2014-2015 to support newcomers’ settlement needs outside of Quebec.

The Immigration Ministers also endorsed a plan to improve settlement outcomes for newcomers across Cana❰❰ 22

Jose Manalo refutes that he abandoned his children

BY KATHERINE MARFAL-TEVES Philippine Canadian Inquirer “HE IS providing, and will continue to provide his children such support to the best of his ability,” an excerpt from Jose Manalo’s statement in response to the rumors that one of his daughters tried to commit suicide because he stopped giving financial support to his family.

The 48-year-old hostcomedian also mentioned in his statement that he has allowed TAPE, Inc., the talent management company in charge of his showbiz career to remit money directly to his children’s respective schools.

Manalo and wife

In the same statement, the “Eat Bulaga” mainstay expressed that the situation between him and his wife was "difficult".

“Jose’s relationship with his wife has been beset by difficult challenges

arising from several civil and criminal cases filed against them by third persons, for transactions amounting to more than Sixty-Eight Million Pesos (P68,000,000.00), which were entered into by Anna Lyn and deplorably dragging Jose with her,” the statement said.

Manalo stressed that he and his wife— although apart—are responsible for supporting their family.

“It is rather truly saddening that Anna Lyn has resorted to such measures and allowed this to happen, and even made public statements as regards the condition of their children,” the statement added.

Appeal to wife

The host-comedian appealed to his wife to be “logical and reasonable, and refrain from making further acts that would undoubtedly prejudice the wellbeing, self-worth and dignity of their children.”

He also asked the public to give them some privacy so they can resolve the issue themselves. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

da. It includes improved pre-arrival services, foreign qualification recognition, language learning for newcomers who are not in the workforce and ways to encourage newcomers to become more connected to their communities.

The ministers reviewed progress to date on the FPT Vision Action Plan, reiterating the continuing need to align immigration levels with economic demand, build a fast, flexible economic immigration system focused primarily on meeting labour market needs across Canada, and improve social and economic settlement and integration outcomes for newcomers to Canada.

As immigration remains crucial to Canada’s economic future, the ministers agreed to meet again before the end of the year to continue this important work.

Under the Canada-Québec Accord relating to immigration and temporary admission of foreign nationals, Québec fully assumes sole responsibility for establishing immigration levels, and for the selection, francization and integration of immigrants. In areas under its responsibility, Québec develops its policies and programs, legislates, regulates and sets its own standards. Québec is an observer at FPT meetings. ■

Entertainment

MARCH 21, 2014 FRIDAY 34

Filipino Comedians Tour Canada TORONTO, ON—Dat’s Pucking Punny: Filipino Comedy Tour (DPP) kicks off live at Yuk Yuks Mississauga on Sunday March 23, 2014 at 8:00pm. Featuring a mix of local and American talent, DPP boasts a heavy line up including Ron Josol (Comedy Now, Russel Peters), Joey Guila (Bad Boys of Comedy, Filipino Kings of Comedy), Keith Pedro (Boom, MTV, Much Music), Ernie Vicente (Yuk Yuks), Big Norm (Much Music, MTV) and

Rembrandt Sabelis (90210, Boy Meets World.)

This comedy showcase has been long awaited in Canada. It has been almost 10 years since Canada has seen a Filipino Comedy roster this seasoned.

Considering Filipinos are the third largest Asian sub-group in Canada, and the most wide spread diaspora in the world, producers are confident that this show will be a huge success locally and abroad.

Partners include Kapisanan Philippine Centre of Arts & Culture, a Toronto-based charitable organization that gives all Filipino-Canadian youth a safe space to explore Filipino culture and heritage, fostering pride and self-confidence, inspiring and empowering them to realize their full potential. A percentage of the proceeds from Dat’s Pucking Punny will go to support Filipino arts & cultural programming at KAPISANAN. ■

Ai-ai: No to marriage but yes to romance

BY MARINEL CRUZ Philippine Daily Inquirer AI-AI DE las Alas has vowed to never get married again.

The comedienne made the promise a month after the Las Vegas court granted her petition for divorce from husband Jed Salang, a businessman.

The 49-year-old actress said she felt “relieved and a little sad” when she finally got her copy of the decision two weeks ago.

“I told myself, ‘Dalaga na ako!

Pasensya ka na Ai. Di ka na naman successful. Gano’n talaga.

At least you tried,’” she told the INQUIRER. “Before Jed and I got married, I said that would be my last—and that if it failed, I’d stop wishing for marriage.”

No guarantee

However, Ai-Ai has not given up on love. “I’m still hoping to find a partner, not necessarily a husband,” she pointed out. “I’ve come to realize that a wedding does not guarantee you’ll be together forever. This will happen only if your partner promises to treat you with respect—and keep that promise.”

She added: “[But] not all men are like my ex-husband. I guess Jed and I were really not compatible. We have different personalities and he’s much younger than I am.” In her petition, Ai-Ai accused Jed, who is 20 years her junior, of physical abuse.

The comedienne is currently working on ABS-CBN’s newest fantasy series, “Dyesebel.” AiAi plays Banak, the surrogate

Ai-ai de las Alas.

mom of the mermaid heroine portrayed by Anne Curtis.

To prepare for her role, Ai-Ai had to learn how to swim like a mermaid.

Very difficult

She recounted: “It was very difficult because I started not knowing how to swim at all.

I almost drowned in my seventh session with the coach. He made me swim in a pool that was 10 feet deep. I panicked and forgot to control my breathing.”

Luckily, Ai-Ai said, she recovered quickly. “I gained confidence in the fifth session. Now, I’m no longer afraid. I still need to complete my training. I’ll be taught how to breathe using an oxygen tank next.” Ai-Ai will likewise start working on the Cinemalaya entry, Nick Olanka’s “Ronda,” this month. The actress described the movie as “a mix of drama and psycholog-

PHOTO FROM AMAZINGNEWS.PH/

ical thriller.”

Love scene

“I’m excited to work on it. I will play the role of a mother and a police officer. Star Cinema [with which I have a movie contract] has given me permission to do it,” Ai-Ai said. “I like that this film will give me the opportunity to work on something different. I will not only get to use a gun, but also get to do a love scene!”

Part of the thrill of doing “Ronda,” Ai-Ai quipped, was the chance to do something that Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie did in the action flick “Wanted.”

She explained, “Gusto ko rin ipakita ang puwet ko. Iwant to earn using my body! Seriously, I agreed to this because I also want a movie that will tour foreign film festivals and maybe win an international award.” ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

Jobert Sucaldito and Vice Ganda.

PHOTO FROM THESOSHALNETWORK.COM

Jobert Sucaldito accuses Vice Ganda of vote-buying

BY KATHERINE MARFALTEVES Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA, PHILIPPINES—Columnist-radio host Jobert Sucaldito is accusing Vice Ganda of vote-buying.

This, after the comedian won the Best Actor award during the recently-concluded PMPC Star Awards for Movie. The “It’s Showtime” host bested Joel Torre and Piolo Pascual for “On The Job,” and Governor ER Ejercito for “Boy Golden: Shoot to Kill.”

In a statement, Sucaldito said “Ang malungkot, ayaw nilang ipakita ang tunay na resulta ng botohan nila—itinatago nila.

Kasi nga, if I had 22 committed members, ilan na lang ang natitira sa kanila? 16? ( The sad part is they don’t want to show the real voting results—they are hiding it. If I had 22 committed members, how many were left with them? 16?)

“In short, I already have the numbers. Kaya lang, since ayaw nilang ipakita ang tunay na resulta ng votes, nanalo si Vice Ganda dahil kontrolado nila ang results.”

(But since they didn’t want to show the real results of votes, Vice Ganda won because they have control over the results).

PMPC speaks up

A day after Sucaldito released his statement, the PMPC spoke up and denied the vote-buying allegations.

The group said, “We strongly refute the said allegation. The voting members gave their utmost trust and confidence to the winners in their respective categories, thereby making the results final, uncontestable,

and sacred.”

“There will be forces that will try to destroy the credibility and reputation of the club, but the PMPC will remain committed to its objectives, and no amount of intimidation and coercion can shake its foundation,” they added.

Reactions of netizens

As soon as the news came out, netizens flooded the social media with their reactions.

Vice Ganda’s millions of followers in various social media platforms went to express their thoughts on the controversy.

Those who have watched the comedian’s movie expressed that he is indeed deserving of the award.

But there are still who believe Sucaldito’s accusations.

Vice Ganda’s statement

Meanwhile, Vice Ganda, in an interview on March 12, said that his conscience is clear.

“Nagpapasalamat lang ako.

Ayoko na masyado magbigay pa ng statement. Noong nabasa ko nga, natawa lang ako tapos tumahimik lang ako. Sinabi ko, 'Kung kakausapin ko ang konsensya ko, ano kayang sasabihin ng konsensya ko sa'kin?'”

(I am just thankful. I don’t want to give any statement.

When I read about it, I just laughed then I just kept quiet.

I said, ‘If I will talk to my conscience, what will my conscience tell me?’)

He added, “Sabi ng konsensya ko sa'kin, kung nandaya ka, ibalik mo ang award. Kung hindi ka nandaya, yakapin mo ang award.” (My conscience told me, if you cheated, return the award. If you didn’t cheat, embrace the award.) ■

Entertainment

35 FRIDAY MARCH 21, 2014

L’Wren Scott, fashion designer and girlfriend of Mick Jagger, dead in apparent NY suicide

BY TOM HAYS AND JOCELYN NOVECK The Associated Press NEW YORK—L’Wren Scott, who left her small-town Utah home as a teenager to become a model in Paris, then a top Hollywood stylist and finally a high-end fashion designer best known as the longtime girlfriend of Mick Jagger, has died in what was being investigated as an apparent suicide.

Scott was found dead in her Manhattan apartment at 10 a.m. Monday; no note was found and there was no sign of foul play, police said. The designer had texted her assistant 90 minutes earlier and asked her to come to her apartment but didn’t say why. She was found kneeling with a scarf wrapped around her neck that had been tied to the handle of a French door, police said.

Her spokesperson requested privacy for her family and friends. Just last month Scott, who was believed to be 49 but had not disclosed her precise age, cancelled her London Fashion Week show, due to reported production delays.

Jagger’s representative said the singer was “completely shocked and devastated by the news” of her death.

Scott, whose elegant designs in lush fabrics were favoured by celebrities like Madonna, Nicole Kidman, Oprah Winfrey, Penelope Cruz and first lady Michelle Obama, was a fixture on Jagger’s arm since she met the Rolling Stones frontman in 2001. On red carpets, the strik-

ing 6-foot-3 designer towered over her famous 5-foot-10 boyfriend.

In 2006, five years after they became a cople, Scott founded her eponymous label, with an initial collection based on the “Little Black Dress.” She became known for designs that had a vintage feel and bared little skin, like her famous “headmistress” dress—prim, with three-quarter sleeves, but also close-fitting and stylish.

Madonna was one of those who wore the dress. “This is a horrible and tragic loss,” the singer said in a statement released by her publicist. “I’m so upset. I loved L’Wren’s work and she was always so generous with me.”

Anna Wintour, editor in chief of Vogue, called Scott “a total perfectionist, someone who absolutely embodied everything her marvelous clothes stood for: strength of character combined with a confident and powerful style. In person, L’Wren was always unbelievably generous, gracious, kind, and so much fun. Her old world American manners and charm were from another time, but her sensibility was always fiercely modern.”

And supermodel Naomi Campbell, a close friend, wrote on WhoSay that Scott was “the epitome of elegance and femininity yet still had a girlish quality. I will miss her honesty and I will miss her friendship.

My heart goes out to Mick and all who loved her and were loved by her.”

In 2009 Scott introduced a shoe collection, and in 2010 she collaborated with Lancome on

L’Wren Scott with boyfriend Mick Jagger.

PHOTO FROM NYCFITFOODFASHION.COM

a makeup line and a fragrance.

In 2011 came a handbag line, in 2012 an eyewear collection, and late last year, a collaboration with Banana Republic for a line of affordable clothes.

Though her studio is based in London, Scott presented her runway shows in New York until recently. They were exclusive A-list affairs like few others.

In February 2012, for example, the designer welcomed guests into the wood-paneled, chandeliered banquet hall of an Edwardian building in Chelsea.

Guests were offered white wine in tall glasses as they entered, then were seated at a long table.

Before them were plates of caviar, served with a baked potato and sour cream. Fiddling with the lighting and the technical details was none other than Jagger, who also stood next to Scott during post-show interviews.

Adding to the sense of luxury,

Scott was known to send huge bouquets of roses and handwritten notes of thanks to reporters afterward.

Her clothes were luxurious, too, making ample use of velvet and satin. There were bolero jackets and tea-length dresses, long capes—lined in feathers, perhaps—and high-waisted pencil skirts.

Scott’s designs were “very (much) based on her own personal style ... a very interesting style that combined the strict and the sexy,” said Valerie Steele, director of The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. “Not sexiness like body exposure, but sexiness like a very strict governess. They tended to be covered up yet form-fitting and beautifully constructed, beautifully made.” Steele said Scott’s clothes were “were more sophisticated than the average

red carpet gown” and added that Scott “had a very precise vision of what she wanted them to look like.”

Scott was adopted by Mormon parents and raised in Roy, Utah, which had a population of less than 10,000 at the time.

As a teenager, she developed a love of clothes and made her own on the sewing machine, according to biographical notes from London Fashion Week.

She made her way to Paris after high school where, aided by her height and striking looks, she found work as a model for some prominent photographers.

But she became more interested in working with clothes than modeling them, and eventually made her name as a top stylist in Los Angeles and also a costume designer for films like “Ocean’s 13.”

Scott also designed a huge wardrobe for boyfriend Jagger to wear during the Rolling Stones’ “50 and Counting” anniversary tour. The band is currently on its “14 On Fire” tour, scheduled to play six concerts in Australia beginning Wednesday in Perth, according to the RolingStones.com website.

Among the stars who wore Scott’s designs was actress Olivia Wilde.

“L’Wren Scott was brilliant, elegant, kind, and generous,” Wilde wrote on Twitter. “What a tragedy.”

Scott is survived by a brother, Randall Bambrough of Ogden, Utah, who declined comment. ■ Associated Press writers Mesfin Fekadu and Leanne Italie contributed to this report.

Oprah Winfrey to sell Harpo Studios in Chicago, longtime home of ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’ The Associated Press CHICAGO—Oprah Winfrey is selling Harpo Studios in Chicago to a developer, but the studio will remain on the property for another two years.

Winfrey filmed “The Oprah Winfrey Show” at the studio from

1990 to 2011, when she ended the talk show to start the Oprah Winfrey Network on cable.

“We have entered into a purchasing agreement with Sterling Bay for the four-building Harpo Studios campus in Chicago’s West Loop,” Harpo told Crain’s Chicago Business (http://bit.ly/1iRqccg )

in a statement. “We expect the transaction to be closed in 30 days. The property will be leased back to Harpo for two years and the studio will continue to produce programming for OWN.” About 200 people work at the 3.5-acre campus, which will sell for about $32 million, Crain’s www.canadianinquirer.net

reported Sunday. Harpo said it expects to close the transaction in 30 days.

Winfrey first came to Chicago in 1984 to WLS-TV’s morning talk show, “A.M. Chicago.” A month later, the show was No. 1 in the market and renamed “The Oprah Winfrey Show” in 1985.

Winfrey moved to Harpo Studios in 1990 and is credited with transforming the oncegritty industrial area to a neighbourhood filled with families and trendy restaurants.

In 2011, then-Chicago Mayor Richard Daley named the street outside Harpo Studios “Oprah Winfrey Way.” ■

FRIDAY MARCH 21, 2014

36

Lifestyle

Surrey Food Bank: Community helping the community

BY CHING DEE Philippine Canadian Inquirer WHEN PEOPLE hear the words ‘food bank,’ they often think of something like a soup kitchen—a facility that feeds the homeless.

However, spending some time at the Surrey Food Bank (SFB) brought more light on the hope and goodwill that food banks bring to the community.

A community that cares

“The food bank started 30 years ago, simply just because neighbors were seeing other people not eating or kids were starving,” shared Kuldip Ardawa, Community Partnership Coordinator at Surrey Food Bank.

Marilyn Hermann, the executive director of the Surrey Food Bank, noted that it is their community’s culture of generosity that fuels the operations.

“We’re a culture of giving and people feel it when they come both to get food and when they come to donate and we are making a difference,” Marilyn said.

In an effort to care for each other, the community decided to put their resources together to help those in need, especially the ones in their area.

According to Kuldip, the food bank doesn’t just take care of the homeless. Anybody who’s on low income can come to the food bank.

“Anybody who’s on low income… A single person with an income of less than $13,000 can come. They refer to our assessor service of our food bank.

They have to have four documents. One is proof of address, so it’s local community helping local people; proof of income, proof of dependents, and a picture ID for every adult member of the family. And they can have food every two weeks,” Kuldip explained.

Kuldip with Surrey Food Bank volunteers.

Kuldip Ardawa, Community Partnership Coordinator at Surrey Food Bank.

“And not only do we help them with food, we help them with health issues. We give them information and introduce people how to be better employable, about training.

And how they are able to access Work BC. We provide all that information so that they can be a better person and alleviate some of the things that they’re probably missing out on,” she continued.

She patiently points out the difference on how the food bank works.

“When people say ‘homeless,’ I define it to them, ‘what does homeless mean to you?’ and there’s various explanations people give you. So, here’s a can of soup. Homeless person is on the street, he has no fixed abode—he’s got no home, so where is this guy going to find a can opener, find a pan and a stove to warm it up and sit down and eat?” Kuldip asked. “The food bank is here to give you support indefinitely, there’s no time limit. Also, it’s a place where you can donate. Each little grain of rice that you donate goes into somebody’s family; goes into feeding somebody.”

Kuldip also pointed out that the food bank exists to help not just the poor, but those who are in need of a healthier lifestyle.

“In some communities, they’ll say, ‘well, we’re not poor.’ Well, it’s not for the poor.

We don’t want to see you strug-

gling. We want to see children to be healthy. We want our seniors to have healthy, nutritious, well balanced food. So, it’s not a matter of being poor, it’s a matter of sharing. I like to share, ‘community sharing with the community.’ And then when your circumstances change and they get a little better, you can always donate by volunteering or doing something for the food bank. You can give back. So, you don’t owe anything to anybody.

You don’t have to justify to anybody. It’s for the community by the community…

“A lot of people, especially in our communities, they think it’s not for them… Not just our communities, but in general, the community thinks that the food bank is serving people who are homeless, who are addicted, who are lazy they don’t want to work. Far from it, our clients are people who are on low income; they’re doing $10 dollar jobs.

(There are) people like women— they’re pregnant, they’re nursing moms—so they’re laid off temporarily. (There are) seasonal farm workers, they’ve got nothing this time, they have some sort of illnesses or they’re seniors or some sort of disability, new immigrants too. So, those are (the people where our clients come from),” Kuldip explained.

Recognizing delivering help

needs

and

The food bank also recogniz-

Marilyn Hermann, Director.

es the special needs of pregnant women and senior citizens. So, they try their best to care for them to the best of their capacity without compromising their service to other people.

“On a Wednesday, it’s a special day just for moms and pregnant women because when people are there with their stroller and their buggy, people get really irate if a baby starts crying, some people start getting angry.

So, we decided that we’d have a separate day,” Kuldip said.

“We also just started something for the seniors because we found out that the seniors… don’t have the money after they paid the bills,” said Kuldip. “Sometimes, if one partner has died or gone into assisted living, they don’t always eat or they haven’t got the same money that were coming in for two of them. So, here’s the food bank for them.”

The Surrey Food Bank even puts our chairs, heaters, and coffee for seniors on Wednesday afternoons so they could “look after them in a much better way.”

With the help of their partners, the SFB gets the word out

there to get more support.

“We also have third party events, which other people do for us, such as the credit unions, the banks… They do events in the community to raise awareness not just about themselves, but also doing various events, side shows, collecting donations to benefit the food bank,” said Kuldip.

On May 2nd, the SFB will hold a free breakfast event for the benefit of the community and SFB. “The breakfast is a free event, you don’t have to pay, but what we do have is donation envelopes on the table so that people can serve discretely. If it’s over $20, they will get a tax receipt,” Kuldip said, which is part of her job as the community partnership coordinator.

In last year’s breakfast event, they collected $108,000. However, come summer time, they didn’t get as many donations as they were used to.

“In the summer, we don’t get as many donations of food because people have gone on holiday or people have moved ❱❱ PAGE 38 Surrey Food

Lifestyle

37 FRIDAY MARCH 21, 2014

In the afterglow of the Big Bang, scientists see ‘smoking gun’ for growth spurt at its birth

BY MALCOLM RITTER The Associated Press NEW YORK—The universe was born almost 14 billion years ago, exploding into existence in an event called the Big Bang.

Now researchers say they’ve spotted evidence that a splitsecond later, the expansion of the cosmos began with a powerful jump-start.

Experts called the discovery a major advance if confirmed by others. Although many scientists already believed that initial, extremely rapid growth spurt happened, finding this evidence has been a key goal in the study of the universe.

Researchers reported Monday that they did it by peering into the faint light that remains from the Big Bang.

If verified, the discovery “gives us a window on the universe at the very beginning,” when it was far less than onetrillionth of a second old, said theoretical physicist Lawrence Krauss of Arizona State University, who was not involved in

the work.

“It’s just amazing,” he said.

“You can see back to the beginning of time.”

Another outside expert, physicist Alan Guth of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said the finding already suggests that some ideas about the rapid expansion of the universe can be ruled out.

Right after the Big Bang, the universe was a hot soup of particles. It took about 380,000 years to cool enough that the particles could form atoms, then stars and galaxies. Billions of years later, planets formed from gas and dust that were orbiting stars. The universe has continued to spread out.

Krauss said he thinks the new finding could rank with the greatest discoveries about the universe over the last 25 years, such as the Nobel prize-winning discovery that the universe’s expansion is accelerating.

The new results were announced by a collaboration that includes researchers from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, the University of

Ontario proposes...

“The legislation would require motorists to keep a distance of at least one metre between their vehicles and cyclists when passing,” Murray said to applause in the legislature.

The legislation would also require drivers to yield the whole roadway to pedestrians at school crossings and pedestrian crossovers.

“Pedestrians still represent about one in six of all motor vehicle-related fatalities in On❰❰ 19

Minnesota, Stanford University, the California Institute of Technology and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The team plans to submit its results to a scientific journal this week, said its leader, John Kovac of Harvard.

For their research, astronomers scanned about 2 per cent of the sky for three years with a telescope at the South Pole, chosen for its very dry air to aid in the observations.

They were looking for a specific pattern in light waves within the faint microwave glow left over from the Big Bang. The pattern has long been considered evidence of the rapid growth spurt, known as inflation. Kovac called it “the smoking gun signature of inflation.”

The scientists say the lightwave pattern was caused by gravitational waves, which are ripples in the interweaving of space and time that sprawls

through the universe.

If confirmed, the new work would be the first detection of such waves from the birth of the universe, which have been called the first tremors of the Big Bang.

Arizona State’s Krauss cau-

tioned t h a t it’s possible that the lightwave pattern is not a sign of inflation, although he stressed that it’s “extremely likely” that it is. It’s “our best hope” for a direct test of whether the rapid growth spurt happened, he said.

Krauss and other experts said the results must be verified by other observations, a standard caveat in science.

Marc Kamionkowski, a theoretical physicist at Johns Hopkins University who didn’t participate in the work, called the detection of the light-wave pattern “huge news” for the study of the cosmos.

“It’s not every day you wake up and learn something completely new about the early universe,” he said. ■

Is disco... tario, and 41 per cent of these occurred at intersections,” said Murray.

The government consulted police, the Canadian Automobile Association and a host of others before drafting the new legislation, and adopted the components of several private member’s bills on safe driving measures, added Murray.

“This is an all-party bill and I hope it will quickly gain the confidence of this house,” he said. ■

❰❰ 32

ductions have you created in similar magnitude, if any?

Leandro: Tina: “A Rock and Roll Journey” (tribute to the music of Ike & Tina Turner), “Queen of Disco” (Donna Summer tribute) and “Majesties of Rock” (tribute to various female recording artists of the ‘70s).

Miss B: Who are the main characters of this show?

Leandro: There will be 4 divas—Tota Mendez (Vocal Director/alto), Natalie Von Rotsburg (alto), Molly Wilson (soprano) and Avril Robinson (soprano). Six (6) dancers—myself of course also as lead choreographer/director, Tara Wilson, Owen Selkirk, Allison Riley, Joel Sturrock and Kathryn Schellenberg. These characters will be performing against backdrop of intense audio-visual imagery and electrifying techno beat remixes.

Miss B: If you were born to become amongst popular performers back in the ‘70s, who would you be and why?

Leandro: It would be Donna Summer. For me, she’s the sole iconic representation of that fabulous era.

Miss B: Tell me about your overall participation in this production.

Leandro: I take the lead role from drawing board concepts to music remixes; to audio/visual direction and costumes; to overall stage production and choreography.

Miss B: What other stage prowww.canadianinquirer.net

Miss B: And if you were to receive an entertainment award to this day, what would it be?

Leandro: Ground-Breaking Artist Award.

Miss B: Who is Leandro Mendez when not performing onstage?

Leandro: I’m an interior

design specialist by daytime profession. But there’s also an uncanny semblance of my character off stage as doting feisty uncle to my extremely artistic and talented nieces and nephews. I constantly remind them that there is no room for mediocrity if they want to succeed. I have that special bond with all of them. Special shout out to my teenager-niece Zenia Marshall for doing make up of REINVENTION OF DISCO performers for photo press releases.

Miss B: Where does the disco ball go from here?

Leandro: I intend to continue carrying the disco ball wherever it takes me. First stop is Vancouver. Next stop: the rest of the world. As was seen on disco revivals that filled the pop charts in the UK and the US in 2013 by artists like Daft Punk (with Nile Rodgers), Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars and Robin Thicke, disco can never be dead. ■

Lifestyle

MARCH 21, 2014 FRIDAY 38

Surrey Food... away or people have changed addresses, so then that money comes in use. Many times we have tons of, say, a pasta donated, but we have no pasta sauce.

So we go out and buy it. We probably have a lot of baby food but we have no baby diapers or we don’t have baby formula.

So the money comes in use for them,” Kuldip expounded.

The food bank accepts donations in kind and in cash, which are both very useful when it comes to feeding those who need to be fed and fed well.

“If you and I went to the store to buy something, we would get one dollar for one thing. If the food bank goes to buy stuff… in some cases, we get three for the dollar or we get two for the dollar, or we get a good discount on what the actual price is. So, money comes in useful as much as the food.” ❰❰ 36

‘More needy, more desperate’

There have been articles floating around about the lack of need for food banks nowadays. With the reported improvement in the economy and the rise of employment rate, some people are asking if food banks are still relevant.

Kuldip and Marilyn emphasize the need and relevance of food banks in each community.

“That’s totally wrong,” Kuldip answered. “The demand is growing and growing every day. The economy is not helping the middle to lower class. People are getting more and more needy and they’re getting more and more desperate. People have been laid off their jobs. So, no, the food bank is not going anywhere.”

“I was just going through some stats. Last year, we served 146,000 people. And some of those people were able to come every week or every month.

That’s a pretty outstanding number,” Marilyn added.

“Oh, it’s increased so much.

Each year, each month, it’s increasing.

We’re serving between 13,000 to 14,000 a month. A third of those people—42% almost—are children under the age of 18 and seniors.

A lot of changes have occurred in the sense that (there are) people from different ethnicity backgrounds that are coming forward so we’re trying to cater to those,” Kuldip agreed with Marilyn.

The need for a facility that pro-

vides food items for low income households is indeed apparent, especially for those who work closely with the community.

“We’d love to say that, you know, the food bank we don’t need anymore, but unfortunately the demand is getting bigger and bigger and bigger. I was here at 7 o’clock this morning. The queue was right from the yard (to) all the way around where the cars are parked and there must have been about 40, 50 people at 7 o’clock and we don’t distribute food until 9:30. That shows the desperation and the need. They think that if they go first, they’re gonna get the pick of the crop. No, we treat everybody the same,” Kuldip shared.

The Surrey Food Bank itself does not only see Canadians in their facility. Even immigrants are coming to them for aid when it comes to filling their stomachs.

“A lot of immigrants are coming in to enter the country by the government sponsorship.

And what happens there is that they have to pay back the government (for) the airfare. They have one year to pay. They have no other income, they don’t have a job, they have no means.

So what happens is that the food bank is here to help them,” said Kuldip.

But despite the changes in statistics, Kuldip noted one thing that hasn’t changed after 30 years. “[T]he thing that hasn’t changed, which is really, really a positive point—our donors haven’t changed. Donors are very generous, donors are very compassionate, donors are very thoughtful,” she pointed out. “All in all, if it (weren’t) for the volunteers, if it weren’t for the various food industries, we wouldn’t be able to do this.

We don’t get core government funding.”

Why they do what they do

When asked why Kuldip loves her job and what makes it so special, she struggled to find the words to describe how much her profession means to her.

“My job is to appreciate— personally go out and appreciate our donors,” Kuldip started.

“Our job is to raise awareness; our job is to educate those who are not familiar… It has to be passion to do something like this. I enjoy my job so much. I

look forward to it every time.

When people say, ‘you going to work today?’ I always say, ‘no, I’m going to make a difference.’

It’s not work to me, I’m going to make a difference. I’m sharing my skills, sharing my knowledge with others, so we can make them a little bit better.”

Kuldip used to work for the Liberals and New Democratic Party, which she describes as “serving the community in a different way.” She differentiates her political service with community service by how it gives her satisfaction.

“This is job satisfaction at the end of the day. You see people queuing up… And when people are going and they’re struggling with bags flowing with food, it makes you feel good that I’ve been a link. I go to the farming industry, I go to the food industry, I go to the stores, I go to individual corporate people and educate, raise awareness, do presentations, present certificates of appreciation to people.

So I feel that I am a bridge between people who are able to give and people who need to be supported. So, that’s my passion: to make sure that other people got the same opportunities myself,” Kuldip shared. “. I truly get job satisfaction at the end of the day because I think, ‘okay, at least so many people today will be eating better.’

Where else do you get a job like that, where you can sort of say, ‘okay, I’ve helped today and I’ve made a difference.’”

Kuldip recalled one instance in her long career with the food bank. They helped out a bunch of young kids who were struggling with addiction. A few years later, the kids came back to express their gratitude to the SFB team.

“They came one day and they were saying, ‘we don’t know how to thank you.’ The children came back, (saying) ‘thank you, thank you, thank you. We wouldn’t have done it without you.’ I said back, ‘I should be thanking you, not you thanking me. You had a problem, I had a job, I got paid for it. So, I should be thanking you... Because of you, I have a job.’” Kuldip recalled.

She shared that she aims to make their clients feel valued and loved, which will truly make a difference.

Marilyn Hermann has been in service for a long time and she couldn’t have stayed all www.canadianinquirer.net

Kuldip with Katrina Albert, Development Manager.

those years if it weren’t as rewarding as it is.

“Oh, my goodness,” Marilyn laughed after being asked the question.

“I guess when you’ve been doing this as many years as I have, you do it because you know it’s making a difference to people. And it’s been a rewarding experience to work with not just our clients, but an amazing group of other people who are just as passionate—former volunteers, staff, personnel,” she continued.

‘There’s help out there’ For those who are interested in volunteering or donating, Kuldip suggests that interested parties visit their website first (surreyfoodbank.org).

From there, SFB’s volunteer coordinator will get in touch with those who signed up online.

“She will contact you, set up a time and date, explain what’s expected or what they would be doing as a volunteer. And then it’s up to the individual whether it fits with them or it doesn’t fit with them,” Kuldip explained.

“And like I said, we have a lot of third party events, which people who are working or in school that want to volunteer but they can’t because they work in the time between 9 and 4, so in the evenings we have a lot of events, weekends we have a lot of events where we’re there with our tables and information pack, so then they could volunteer there as well.

If (they’re) students and they need to do hours for graduation, we will give them a lot of references and also we would credit them with those hours,” she continued.

When asked about her wish list for the SFB, Marilyn answered without batting an eyelash.

“A new building! A new building and then a new building,” Marilyn laughed.

“We’re operating under some

pretty critical conditions, as you can see. We have to raise $1.4 million every year just to keep the operation going, just to keep the fuel in the trucks and the food on the shelves, but we desperately need a new building. Something about three times the size of what we’re (using now),” Marilyn described.

As a partner of the community, they get many well-meaning volunteers who would like to offer their services to help out the food bank’s cause. ”We’ll have people come to us who see a need and they know that they can help the people in the line, so they come to us. The school district is a great example,” Marilyn pointed out.

The school district’s kindergarten teachers recently offered to teach the parents and kids who come to the food bank from war-torn countries as refugees.

“They recently came to us…

And kindergarten teachers are getting these kids with no understanding of literacy. So they wanted to come and have one of their staff introduce moms and dads to the whole concept of reading. And we don’t know where to put them! So, we need a new building,” Marilyn said.

Kuldip also shared, “But because of my skills, I’m able to provide that extra encouragement, raising people’s self-esteem, raising their confidence to say, ‘hey, don’t despair. Don’t be sad or depressed. There’s help out there.’”

For more information about how you can help the causes of Surrey Food Bank, please visit their website (http://www.surreyfoodbank.org/) and Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/SurreyFoodBank). ■ Interview conducted by Melissa Remulla-Briones, editor-inchief, Philippine Canadian Inquirer. Transcribed and written

by Ching Dee, correspondent, Philippine Canadian Inquirer.

39 FRIDAY MARCH 21, 2014

Elvira Manahan’s...

“In New York, a councilman introduced the same piece of legislation and was able to get a TPS for Haitians who had to leave or who were in the US because of the calamity. Providing them that status took away the uncertainty of what you will be in America. It gave them a bit more peace of mind, some kind of status,” he noted.

The Fil-Am community, he said, “is rallying behind” the idea of the same privilege to their unfortunate brethren.

“It’s basically going to take a lot of letters to be able to petition for TPS for undocumented Filipino workers. This is social consciousness. This is social awareness—trying to help where you can,” Manahan said.

Feedback has been “good” so far. “You gotta work towards that possibility. That’s my job,” he added.

Turning pensive, Manahan referenced national hero José Rizal, who boldly discovered the things he was capable of doing. “Rizal was very successful in moving forward because he saw past our limitations. He

❰❰ 25

Employers want... did what he was gonna do because he believed in it. There is a path, and this is our time,” he stressed.

Manahan said he would rather dismiss that inner voice that insists there are limits. “Of course, you have to struggle with that. Maybe other people would tell you that you can’t do it. You also have to battle that.

When you believe when they say it’s not possible, that’s your problem. You have to prove that what they’re saying is not true,” he said.

To prove so, one must work harder. “Again, the American Dream. If people with three jobs live from paycheck to paycheck, where is the dream?

You’re surviving but you’re not living. That shouldn’t be the case,” he maintained.

The die is cast. Still, there would be the primaries in August and the election in November, but Manahan has already decided that his next job would be to make sure that everyone gets to live his dream.

“There will always be challenges. And I’m ready for anything,” he said. ■

Employment Minister Jason Kenney last week wrapped up a fact-finding mission to Germany to study that country’s popular apprenticeship system, which streams its youth into skilled trades and features a long-standing partnership among government, schools and business.

Ottawa is looking for ways to expand paid co-op opportunities that combine classroombased education with practical work experience, but also to “reinvent” vocational high schools.

Benjamin Tal, an economist with CIBC, suggests that’s a step in the right direction, noting that it’s both “backwards and expensive” to have university graduates later end up in colleges for practical training.

“I think the key to solve the mismatch in the labour market in Canada is to get rid of the stigma that’s associated with colleges,” he said.

And while a university degree comes with its own benefits, Tal said, the two systems should work together more closely to allow people to follow their pas❰❰ 18

www.canadianinquirer.net

sion and find a reasonable way to make a living.

“I don’t see anything wrong with a degree in history and a minor in plumbing,” said Tal. Many university students opt for fields with clear outcomes, such as business, engineering and health sciences, according to Paul Davidson, president of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada.

Universities are now also offering more co-op and job placements as part of their programs, and extending them to more fields of study.

A student of English literature, for instance, can work as a corporate writer to get a better sense of the job opportunities that a degree can offer.

But Davidson cautions against taking too much of a short-term approach.

“The value of a university degree is enduring. It will see you through good times and bad,” he said.

The association says enrolment in full-time university programs was up to 966,400 students in 2013, up 15,000 from the year before. In Ontario, en-

rolment has climbed to 433,400 from to 423,700 in 2012.

Andrea Plotnick of the Hay Group, a global management consulting firm based in Toronto, says she’s struggling to understand why university degrees seem to have lost some of their lustre.

Whatever the reason, she argues it’s important to for a student to develop their critical thinking skills so they can become leaders in their field.

“We really have become a fast-track society in so many ways,” she said. “It’s all about how do we circumvent everything just to get rich quick.”

That may work if you’re a contestant on American Idol, or if you’re one of the few who made it big with no formal education or training, she said, but it’s no way to look at workforce planning.

“We shouldn’t be taking a cookie-cutter approach to thinking about our labour force,” said Plotnick.

“We need higher-order thinking. We need people that are more technically inclined— we need it all.” ■

Business

MARCH 21, 2014 FRIDAY 40

Why you can’t invest like Warren Buffett

BY ROBYN K. THOMPSON WARREN BUFFETT is the most famous investor in the world. Also one of the world’s richest men. There’s a direct line of causality between the two. So it’s not surprising that his annual letter to shareholders of his investment company, Berkshire Hathaway Inc., typically makes front-page news. Its folksy investment wisdom and amusing personal anecdotes make for better reading than most business news and commentary of the day. So why doesn’t everyone invest like Buffett? Simple: You can’t. But you can and should follow his advice for small investors. Here’s why.

Let me qualify that just a little. When I say “you can’t invest like Warren Buffett,” I mean that the very large majority of us can’t. Mr. Buffett, remember, has been living and breathing investing and investments all his life. He is now 83 years old, and he founded his first investment partnership

Buffett and President Obama at the Oval Office, July 14, 2010.

PHOTO FROM WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

in 1956 at the age of 26. In a decade he had become a multimillionaire. In the late 1960s, he acquired foundering men’s shirt manufacturer Berkshire Hathaway Inc., turned it into an investment holding company, and the rest is history. His hero is Benjamin Graham, the

father of modern value investing, and Buffett quotes Graham at the top of this year’s letter to investors.

Do you know Benjamin Graham?

So here’s reason number one: If you don’t know who Benjamin Graham is, never read,

www.canadianinquirer.net

studied, and memorized Graham’s book, The Intelligent Investor, and never intend to, you will never invest like Warren Buffett. Even then, unless you are able to look at the last 10 years of a company’s balance sheets and income statements, and assess quickly whether the company would make a good investment, you will never invest like Warren Buffett.

These days, of course, Mr. Buffett’s investment challenges occur on a very large scale.

He and his partners buy entire businesses for billions of dollars, including food companies (H.J. Heinz), railroads (Burlington Northern Santa Fe), energy (MidAmerican Energy), insurance (GEICO, General Re), and invest large chunks of capital in numerous other businesses.

Buffett and his partners and managers still use the same criteria for buying stocks as they do for buying entire businesses.

“We first have to decide whether we can sensibly estimate an earnings range for five years or more,” he writes in his most

recent letter. “If the answer is yes, we will buy the stock (or business) if it sells at a reasonable price in relation to the bottom boundary of our estimate.

If however, we lack the ability to estimate future earnings— which is usually the case—we simply move on to other prospects.” You can be sure they don’t throw darts when they do their analysis. He adds that they have never foregone an investment based on the macroeconomic or political environment or the views of other people. Unless you can do this, you will never invest like Warren Buffett.

No magic shortcuts to investing

I think you get the point by now. Investing in stocks—and making money—isn’t easy. Investing in stocks the way Warren Buffett does is immensely difficult. And no recitation of “5 golden rules” or “10 steps to investing the Warren Buffett way,” or anything else you ❱❱ PAGE 44 Why you

Sports/Horoscope

41 FRIDAY MARCH 21, 2014

Heart-strong Ateneo bags volleyball crown

BY JASMINE W. PAYO Philippine Daily Inquirer WHEN HER school needed it the most, Alyssa Valdez grabbed hold of the hammer and lowered it hard—leaving no room for doubt that this time, Ateneo is the new queen of volleyball.

The Lady Eagles carved out a straight-set shocker to end the La Salle Lady Spikers’ threeyear reign, 25-23, 26-24, 25-21, and capture their first UAAP women’s volleyball crown at the jampacked Mall of Asia Arena.

Showing the audacity that made them unlikely finalists, the Lady Eagles overcame the Lady Spikers’ incredible thriceto-beat advantage to become the only second team in league history to pull off the feat.

For one last time, the Lady Eagles defied the odds behind the solid plays of Season and Fi-

nals MVP Alyssa Valdez in the do-or-die Game 4 in front of a crowd of 21,314.

“It has yet to sink in, even after the championship point,” said an incredulous Valdez.

“What worked for us was there was no pressure. No one really expected us to be here.”

The rebuilding Ateneo squad lost a handful of veterans to graduation, yet it’s this ultimate underdogs who survived a total of five knockout games, including three straight in the stepladder semifinals.

“I just told them if you believe, you can win,” said Thai coach Anusorn “Tai” Bundit, who speaks little English and yet steered the Lady Eagles to the crown on his first year.

Valdez starred in the historic romp with 21 points, the last three capping the Lady Eagles’ dominant third set where they surprisingly zoomed to a 19-10

The Ateneo Lady Spikers celebrate after winning Game 3 of the UAAP women’s volleyball finals against the De La Salle University Lady Spikers held at Mall of Asia Arena.

PHOTO FROM CZEASAR DANCEL / NPPA IMAGES / PH.SPORTS.YAHOO.COM

advantage.

It’s the second set, though, that summarized the thirdranked Lady Eagles’ unlikely run to the top against the once invincible Lady Spikers.

Down by as many as seven points, 10-17, the Lady Eagles grindingly survived set point,

21-24, to tie it at 2424, before a Valdez kill and an Amy Ahomiro block on La Salle’s Mika Reyes gave Ateneo a 26-24 win.

In the first frame, the Lady Eagles also rallied from a 17-20 deficit to reach match point, 24-21, on an Ella de Jesus service ace.

Although the Lady Spikers tried to stay in the game, 24-23, the Lady Eagles wrapped up the opener with a Valdez hit.

“Everything that we worked hard for was worth it,” said Valdez. “The goal was just to reach the Final Four but here we are.”

Indeed, no one imagined that the simple, but now famous team mantra “Heart Strong” coined by Bundit, would motivate the Lady Eagles to overachieve and bring the school’s first title in the event since joining the league in 1978.

Moreover, the Lady Eagles also snapped the stranglehold not just of La Salle, but also of University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University, as the only three schools that have ruled the sport in the last 30 years.

“I’m very happy,” said Bundit.

“It was all about unity and heart strong.” ■

HOROSCOPE ARIES

CANCER

LIBRA

CAPRICORN

(MARCH 21 - APRIL 19)

(JUNE 22 - JULY 22)

(SEPT 23 - OCT 22)

(DEC 22 - JAN 19)

Today’s emotional energy risks being exceptionally high, Aries. You may find yourself at the end of your rope by midday. Try to take a long walk or bike ride in order to calm down. Go by yourself and do some deep breathing outdoors. Try to avoid being drawn into other people’s conflicts.

Excuse yourself and trust that they can work things out on their own.

Yes, you can be proud of yourself, Cancer. You have committed yourself to deepening your knowledge and capabilities and it really shows. Friends and family members will be coming to you for advice, and rightfully so. Try not to grow complacent, though. It’s an easy trap to fall into. You’ll need to continue full-speed ahead on your educational journey in order to keep that edge!

This is a great time to take advantage of a little solitude to pursue some cherished goals, Libra. Your concentration and imagination are operating at a very high level, and you may not stop working until you’re completely finished. If you’re starting a project, you’ll probably do well on it and, if business and money are involved, be successful.

Don’t let temporary snags get in your way.

You know that you have a very fertile imagination, Capricorn, and today’s aspects highlight this special quality. You might wish to channel your thoughts into an artistic endeavor like writing or painting.

Be sure to grab any opportunity to weave a fascinating tale for a child. Be careful about letting your imagination run away with you when making judgments about people.

TAURUS

LEO

SCORPIO

AQUARIUS

(APRIL 20 - MAY 20)

(JULY 23 - AUGUST 22)

(OCT 23 - NOV 21)

(JAN 20 - FEB 18)

Today is good for entertaining, Taurus. Enjoy the company of family and friends, and don’t get distracted by gloomy thoughts about work or money. Just relax and let others take care of themselves. You enjoy nurturing other people and making sure they have a wonderful time, but you need to have a great time as well, so don’t work too hard. Someone may give you a gift, a token of love and appreciation.

Today is wonderful for surrounding yourself with those you love the most, Leo. Host a get-together with family and friends, full of stimulating conversation and delicious food and drink. However, you might at some point feel a little sad, missing someone who should be with you but isn’t.

Concentrate on those there with you. You’re surrounded by love and are likely to remain so.

Be careful of gossiping too much with your friends and colleagues, Scorpio. It’s fun to laugh and exchange stories, but remind yourself of the fact that the truth in a story is diminished and changed each time it’s repeated. If you gossip too much, your friends may begin wondering what you say about them. Ultimately, this isn’t healthy behavior for your friendships. Think about it.

Yikes! What an emotional day, Aquarius. The planetary energies are forecasting conflict, and lots of it. Do your best to personally steer clear of any of it, and try to avoid being drawn into any arguments. You may wish to keep to yourself today.

Tonight either stay in or head out to the movies alone. Don’t worry, everyone will be feeling much better tomorrow.

GEMINI

VIRGO

SAGITTARIUS

PISCES

(MAY 21 - JUNE 21)

(AUG 23 - SEPT 22)

(NOV 22 - DEC 21)

(FEB 19 - MAR 20)

Today’s energies are going to be stirring up everyone’s emotions, Gemini. You may wish to avoid getting involved in any arguments or conflicts. If you ask for someone else’s advice, you’re likely to get an earful. It may be best to keep to yourself as much as possible today and spend some time alone tonight with a good book. Everything should be much calmer tomorrow.

As a person who enjoys being gregarious and outgoing, days like this provide a wonderful outlet for your energy. You might spend a lot of time with your family today, Virgo, but you’ll also probably touch base with many others. At some point you might find yourself in the spotlight. You’ll feel especially fond of everyone around you and appreciate your good fortune. Enjoy your day.

Don’t be surprised if you don’t spend too much time at home today. All signs indicate that you’re more likely to be out and about, shopping, visiting, and maybe attending a special dinner or concert.

There are a number of family activities that you won’t want to miss, Sagittarius, so don’t let your friends distract you with too much shopping or sports on TV.

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Emotions will run high with today’s planetary energies, Pisces. But this is no reason to run away and hide!

People will be much more honest than usual, even brutally so, and you could learn some valuable information as a result. Don’t be afraid to listen to some airing of dirty laundry as well. With your discerning judgment, you’ll be able to make sense of what is good information and what isn’t.

FRIDAY MARCH 21, 2014

42

Travel

10 things you need to know about paddling the Yukon River

BY LORI MCNULTY Courtesy of Canadian Tourism Commission LONG ON history, the mighty Yukon River runs 3,190 km (1,982 mi) from its source south of Whitehorse to the Bering Sea. Add 70 more wilderness rivers, dramatic wildlife and countless unspoiled lakes to make Yukon a paddler’s dream.

Here are 10 reasons to put in and play.

1) Race to the midnight sun— Yukon River Quest: Brave souls paddle day and night in wavepounded Voyageur canoes and kayaks, journeying 715 km (444 mi) from Whitehorse to Dawson City. The Yukon River Quest is the world’s longest annual canoe and kayak race. The summer light doesn’t quit, and neither do racers, feeding on power bars, cheering spectators and a spirit of adventure.

2) Paddle into the ice-fields at Kluane National Park: Glacialcovered Kluane National Park is a bucket-list stop, home to the largest non-polar ice field on the planet. See Mount Logan, Canada’s highest peak. Listen for the thunderous crack of glacier ice calving into waters on a Tatshenshini River rafting expedition. Outfitters can guide you to the park’s isolated lakes.

3) Run with the Wind—paddle Wind River’s raw wilderness: Wrap yourself in steep winding canyons, cliffs, wet-

lands and rolling hills flanking a river in constant motion.

Load up the floatplane for your Wind River trip to the Wernecke Mountains. You might even catch caribou wading into the waters alongside soaring peregrine falcons.

4) Say goodbye to civilization and hello to the Snake: Board a floatplane into lush alpine valley for an epic journey through the Mackenzie Mountains on moody Snake River. Think rapids, bears, wolves, carved canyons and camping before golden sunsets.

5) Day-tripping on the Yukon River in a Voyageur canoe: Short on time? Climb into a 28ft (8.5-m) Voyageur canoe for stunning cliff and valley views

followed by a tasty smoked salmon and pan-roasted Yukon potato cookout.

6) Paddle the poetic lake— Lake Laberge to Dawson City: If you don’t know Robert Service’s poem, “The Cremation of Sam McGee,” about an unlucky prospector, you will after paddling Lake Laberge. Fortunekissed paddlers cover 700 km (434 mi) and 30,000 years of human history.

7) Going for Gold—Yukon River Gold Rush expeditions: Think of your canoe as a time machine. Plenty of Klondike Gold Rush history tours pass abandoned settlements and stop at Fort Selkirk, a former Hudson’s Bay Company trading post that is now a cherished Yu-

kon Historic Site.

8) Paddle the Porcupine to catch the caribou: September brings shimmering curtains of aurora borealis (Northern Lights) and a chance to witness the great caribou migration (a ranging herd of 120,000) on a spectacular Arctic whitewater trip along the Porcupine River.

9) Be your own hero—selfguided Yukon paddling trips: So you’ve got mad paddling skills and want to take on the Yukon or Big Salmon rivers? Up North

Adventures and other outfitters can help with trip planning, transportation and rental equipment.

10) Visit Yukon’s last frontier on the Bonnet Plume River: Set off into the roaring heart of the Peel watershed. Advanced paddlers on this challenging whitewater canoe trip navigate Bonnet Plume River rapids that carve through mountain peaks and valleys. Look out for Dall sheep, grizzlies, moose and caribou. ■

Travel

43 FRIDAY MARCH 21, 2014

Authentic aboriginal experience in B.C. drives growing tourism market

BY DIRK MEISSNER The Canadian Press VICTORIA—Squamish First Nation Chief Ian Campbell, wearing a cedar strip headdress and a sea shell-covered vest that makes clicking noises every time he moves, earned a standing ovation in Namibia, Africa, last fall for his passionate, no notes invitation to book an authentic aboriginal travel experience in British Columbia.

Campbell had the more than 600 delegates at the Adventure Travel World Summit standing and clapping—calling for more of what B.C.’s aboriginal tourism supporters are calling a cultural, spiritual and meaningful tourism experience.

Keith Henry, Aboriginal Tourism Association of B.C.’s chief executive officer, says he’s had similar experiences in Australia and New Zealand, countries long considered innovators when it comes to developing aboriginal tourism markets, but it’s the Aussies and Kiwis who now are looking to B.C. for new ideas.

B.C.’s aboriginal-operated and -supported tourism vision has enormous appeal to travellers who look to make a cultural connection beyond downtown shopping and afternoons on the beach, Henry said.

“These are people who wouldn’t come exclusively for an aboriginal experience, but they want to add it to their visit while they are here,” he said. “And it’s not just driving by a bunch of totems and saying, ‘OK, that’s it.’”

Henry said the numbers of travellers wanting an aboriginal tourism experience in B.C. are increasing every year, and he believes it’s tied to the authenticity being offered travellers. Aboriginal tourism in B.C. earned $45 million last year, up from $20 million in 2012.

“We’ve been brought to Australia.

We’ve been brought to New Zealand,” said Henry. “We’re being brought to the States and into Europe to explain how we’re developing aboriginal tourism. In Australia and New Zealand, the home of aboriginal tourism, a lot of that is government owned and government run.

The benefits aren’t flowing back to the communities.”

“Ours is aboriginal owned and controlled,” said Henry.

On Vancouver’s north shore, the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation operates Takaya Tours, which offers nature experiences for travellers that includes guided salmon adventures, nature walks and traditional sea-going canoe voyages

up Burrard Inlet and Indian Arm where the tourists do the paddling. But the traditional heavy wood-carved canoes have been modified to make the voyage a bit easier on travellers.

“They’ve made these fibreglass ones, because to row a traditional one would be backbreaking work,” said Henry. “It’s not for the faint of heart even with a fibreglass one. You actually get to hear what it meant to the people who lived there for thousands of years.”

Stanley Park’s Klahowya Village in Vancouver saw 70,000 visitors last year.

Aboriginal cuisine is offered at the Kekuli Cafe at West Bank, near Kelowna.

Aboriginal Journeys at Campbell River on Vancouver Island offers grizzly bear and whale watching, and at Klemtu on the remote central coast visitors to Spirit Bear Lodge have the opportunity to see rare white spirit bears.

“One in four visitors from research we’ve got and been part of want an aboriginal experience,” Henry said. “How do we capture that? We’ve found a way to develop authentic aboriginal tourism where the communities are really engaged.”

He said much of his work in recent years has been convincing aboriginal communities to embrace tourism as an opportunity to showcase what he calls their cultural assets and make money without abusing their lands.

“When we talk about economic opportunities, this is about real jobs and a way that brings cultural revitalization forward,” said Henry. “It’s not just about pipelines and mines. This is actually something that communities kind of support without getting into a whole bunch of conflict.”

He said aboriginal tourism primarily involves allowing people from outside aboriginal communities to participate in their lives. It is nowhere near as drastic as giving up traditional territory for

Nk’Mip Cellars

resource extraction, Henry said.

“People say, ‘Wow, we get to share our culture and people really want to hear about it.’”

Next month in Whistler, Henry’s aboriginal tourism association, hosts an international aboriginal tourism conference that will explore expanding aboriginal tourism globally. Delegates from across Canada and the United States are attending as well as others from South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Bulgaria and Namibia. ■ If You Go...

To consider an aboriginal tourism experience, check out the Aboriginal Tourism Association of B.C. website, www.

AboriginalBC.com.

PHOTOS FROM ABORIGINALBC.COM

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MARCH 21, 2014

Go for the food: You’ll need a GPS to find loc lac in Lowell, Mass., but it’s worth the hunt

BY J.M. HIRSCH The Associated Press LOWELL, MASS.—Consider yourself warned: You’re going to need your GPS for this meal.

And a short history lesson. But it will be worth it.

Tucked along the Merrimack River about 30 miles (48 kilometres) north of Boston is a former mill town that most people would be inclined to cruise right past on their way to tax-free shopping in New Hampshire. Though it once was the industrial hub of the United States, Lowell has been in decline for decades. And it shows.

By the middle of the last century, the Canadians and Irish in Lowell were joined by Hispanics, and the flavour of the city got a lot more exciting. But the most interesting change came during the ‘70s and ‘80s, when wave upon wave of Cambodians came.

In fact, Lowell now is home to

one of the largest populations of Cambodians outside Cambodia.

A few years ago the city recognized the asset this presented and began promoting what it dubbed “Little Cambodia,” a warren of streets a bit outside the downtown where numerous East Asian businesses had been established. Little Cambodia remains a work in progress, but for a taste of something deliciously different, it’s worth finding.

Which may not be easy. Lowell itself is easy to find. But Little Cambodia is nestled into a snarl of traffic and winding way-toonarrow lanes mostly clustered around Middlesex and Branch streets. Cue the GPS. Next, walk across the street to the simply named Dessert Shop and Bakery at 32 Branch St. Oddly, it seems to sell no desserts or baked goods, or at least it didn’t when I visited. But it doesn’t matter. Head right for the counter where there are piles of deli containers with

Cambodian lunch items. Among them, you’ll find the beef jerky the owner makes herself.

This isn’t your typical beef jerky. It is paper thin and looks like it was run through a shredder. It is pleasantly spicy and chewy, and totally addictive.

Now it’s time to hop back in your car and head to Lincoln Street. It’s not far, but you’ll be challenged to find it without your GPS. Tucked into a small and nondescript plaza is Simply Khmer, 26 Lincoln St., consider by some to offer the best—and most authentic—Cambodian food in the city.

Loc lac is a classic Cambodian dish of seared beef that has beef marinated and cooked in a savory sauce made with (among other things) garlic, soy sauce and sugar. It then is served with a dipping sauce made mostly of lime juice and black pepper.

The combination is wonderful and will leave you wondering why you haven’t done this at your backyard barbecue. ■

FRIDAY 44

Why you... may read in the daily financial press will make it any easier.

While most of us don’t have the necessary discipline, experience, and business acumen to “invest like Warren Buffett,” we can use the general commonsense advice he’s dispensed over the years and apply it to our own portfolio planning.

Know the difference between investing and speculating—and understand where your comfort level lies. Buffett emphasizes investing for the productivity of the asset, which can be measured, rather than its potential price change, which can’t. For us ordinary investors, this means understanding your own tolerance for risk, and investing accordingly.

Invest for the long term. Buffett has famously said that his favorite holding period for an investment is “forever.” While not always true, even in his case, this maxim goes to the principle of setting long-term goals, allocating assets to meet those goals, and then sticking with the plan. It’s only over the ❰❰ 40

longer term that productive assets will reveal their true value.

Tune out the noise. The daily tide of economic, investment, and business news and predictions can be a huge distraction to achieving your longer-term goals, especially if you start making investment decisions based on them. Buffett writes that indeed “it is dangerous because it may blur your visions of the facts that are truly important.”

Good advice is crucial

For those of us who are reconciled to the fact that we are not Warren Buffett—and never will be—getting the right kind of financial planning and investment advice is crucial. The kind of counsel that is cool, objective, balanced, and highly disciplined—something that Warren Buffet might approve of. ■ Courtesy Fundata Canada Inc. © 2014. Robyn Thompson, CFP, CIM, FCSI, is president of Castlemark Wealth Management.

This article is not intended as personalized advice.

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FRIDAY MARCH 21, 2014

45

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FRIDAY 46

UP back on top as ‘average’ student aces bar

BY CHRISTINE O. AVENDAÑO Philippine Daily Inquirer MANILA, PHILIPPINES—A shy and average law student of the University of the Philippines came from behind his class to top the 2013 bar examinations, ending an almost decade-long absence of the premier state university from the top position.

Not only that. Five UP law students also made it to the top 10 passers of the bar exams, a big leap from last year when no one from the UP law school landed in the top 10 rankings.

It was such a busy morning for the 27-year-old Nielson Pangan that he had not yet spoken to his parents when the Inquirer reached him, hours after the Supreme Court announced the exam results.

Pangan said he had been busy taking calls asking him about his landing first in the exams—which were so difficult that, according to the bar exam chair, Associate Justice Arturo Brion, it prompted the high court to lower the passing grade to 73 percent this year.

Pangan said he did not even know how he fared in the exams, prompting this reporter to tell him he had scored 85.8 percent.

versity of Batangas’ Rudy V. Ortea (84.2 percent); UP’s Eden Catherine B. Mopia (84.05 percent); University of San Carlos’ Tercel Maria G. Mercado-Gephart (83.9 percent); University of Cebu’s Manuel Elijah J. Sarausad (83.8 percent); San Beda College’s Katrine Paula V. Suyat (83.75 percent); UP’s Michael T. Tiu Jr. (83.7 percent); Ateneo student Marjorie Ivory S. Fulgueras (83.65 percent) and UP’s Cyril G. Arnesto (83.6 percent).

Oath on April 28

PHOTO FROM ARTBYDANVIC.COM

producing good and world-class lawyers.

Still, Roque said that while he was elated about UP’s showing in the bar exams, he still did not agree with the country’s “fixation [on] the bar exam results.”

Brion said a total of 1,174 out of 5,292 bar candidates passed the exams, or 22.18 percent of the total examinees.

Passing grade lowered

At the temple, praying

Pangan, a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo, was at the INC temple when he heard the news.

“I was surprised, I did not expect to top the bar,” said Pangan, who added that in law school, he only ranked average, or in the middle of a class of 200 students.

But he said he made up for it come bar review time, studying 10 hours every day on weekdays, mostly at the UP law library.

He also said friends at law school helped him in his studies.

Not insurmountable

UP law professor Harry Roque described Pangan, who attended his international law class, as “more of the shy type” in class, where 50 percent of the grade comes from class participation.

Roque had given him a 2.5 grade.

“I’m so happy for him,” Roque said, adding this showed that even for average law students, it did not mean the bar exams were “unsurmountable,” especially if “you put your heart into it.”

Roque attributed the good showing of UP this year to the fact that last year the UP law college started to require students to take bar review courses following what seemed to be a dearth of UP students in the top spots of bar exams.

22.18 percent

Roque said UP had put a premium on

Brion said the high court decided to lower the passing grade due to several factors, which included the “structure of the grades,” where the scores had 85 as the highest and 28 as the lowest.

He said the court also considered that many of the examinees had difficulty with multiple choice questions, which made up 20 percent of the exams. “But generally, they did very well with the essay type of examination.”

“Had there been no adjustment, had it been strictly 75 (the passing grade), 694 would have passed. That would constitute 13.13 percent of the examinees,” Brion told reporters.

The 2013 bar exams were the 112th conducted in the Philippines. Since 2000, the 2013 exams had the sixthlowest passing rate , the lowest being the 2012 exams, with only 17.76 percent of the examinees passing them, followed by 19.68 percent in 2002, 20.26 percent in 2010, 20.48 percent in 2000 and 20.58 percent in 2008.

A total of 5,641 filed a petition to take the 2013 exams. Of the 5,641, only 5,593 were allowed to take the exams while four applications were denied and 44 withdrew.

Also at the top

The other top bar placers were UP law student Mark Xavier D. Oyales, who tied for second place with Ateneo de Manila University law student Dianna Louise R. Wilwayco (with 85.45 percent); Uni-

The bar passers will take their oath as new lawyers on April 28 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

UP last topped the bar in 2005.

Pangan was also a magna cum laude graduate of BS Business Administration major in legal management at New Era university.

Pangan said he had a hard time with the multiple choice questions (MCQ) because the “choices” in the questions seemed to be all correct.

Through text messages

Now that he is a lawyer, Pangan said he would continue working at the Migallos and Luna law office and teach political science at the New Era University in Quezon City.

Equally jubilant about placing fourth in the bar was Mopia who, like Pangan, did not expect to land among the top bar placers.

Twenty-eight-year-old Mopia, who works at Sycip, Salazar, Hernandez and Gatmaitan law offices, said she learned through text messages from friends that she had placed fourth.

Mopia said she intended to continue working with Sycip to determine where she could specialize. But she also hoped to get a scholarship someday for higher studies.

Mother told him

Eighth placer Tiu said he heard the good news from his mother, who was monitoring the news from Cebu.

“I just wanted to pass and I did not expect to [be among the] top because the exams were difficult,” Tiu said.

Like Pangan, he had difficulty with the MCQ portion of the exams. “Either you get it or don’t,” he said.

Tiu said 90 percent of his friends who took the bar passed. He said Pangan was his blockmate and Oyales and Mopia his work mates at Sycip.

Most of them did “self-study” for the exams, he added.

Asked whether he was surprised that Pangan topped the bar, Tiu said: “He had it in him to top the bar. I am not surprised.” ■ With Tetch Torres-Tupas, INQUIRER.net

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