Philippine Canadian Inquirer Issue #123

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Balut business booms into multi-million-peso venture

No fine dining for Gigi Reyes in prison

Palace to senators: Account for DAP

Filipino-Canadians in Focus: Rufino and Elvira Olivar

Sizzling Summer

Japan in need of nurses, caregivers Philippine News Agency MANILA—The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has announced the opening of application for interested nurses and caregivers in Japan under the JPEPA Framework for the Movement of Natural Persons.

FRIENDSHIP

❱❱ PAGE 9 Japan in

'WHAT "FRIENDSHIP"? Police try to contain a protest march staged on Kalaw Street in Manila by militant groups critical of the Enhanced Defense

Cooperation Agreement (Edca) between Manila and Washington, their way of marking-and mocking-Filipino-American Friendship Day on July 4.'

PHOTO BY JOAN BONDOC

2nd impeachment case filed vs Aquino

BY GIL C. CABACUNGAN AND MARC JAYSON CAYABYAB Philippine Daily Inquirer MANILA, PHILIPPINES—Former Iloilo Rep. Augusto “Boboy” Syjuco Jr. on Monday filed an impeachment complaint against President Aquino, accus-

ing him of bribery, betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution.

The nine-page complaint was the second lodged against Aquino in the House of Representatives since the Supreme Court on Tuesday declared his Dis-

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Philippine Canadian Inquirer

Angara: College of St. Benilde also liable for hazing victim’s death ❱❱ PAGE 10 PHOTO FROM INTERAKSYON.COM

❱❱ PAGE 13 2nd impeachment

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Palace extra cash: P352.7B

Thanks to Abad’s National Budget Circular No. 541 in just 2 years

BY CHRISTIAN V. ESGUERRA AND NIKKO DIZON Philippine Daily Inquirer THE BUDGET impounding system that the Supreme Court found unconstitutional put an estimated P133 billion in overall savings and another P219.73 billion in unprogrammed funds at the disposal of the executive branch in just two years.

Thanks to National Budget Circular No. 541, the government generated P67.47 billion in overall savings in 2011 and P65.62 billion in 2012, budget documents showed.

On top of the savings were unprogrammed funds, described as “standby appropriations” authorized by Congress under specific conditions. These amounted to P66.91 billion in 2011, the year the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) was introduced, and P152.82 billion in 2012.

But the Supreme Court rejected practices done under the budget circular, which it tied to the DAP that pooled savings from various agencies and transferred to others to help stimulate the economy.

The high court declared unconstitutional “the withdrawal of unobligated allotments of the implementing agencies and the declaration of the withdrawn unobligated allotments and unreleased appropriations as savings prior to the end of the fiscal year and without complying to the statutory definition of savings contained in the General Appropriations Act.” The circular allowed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to withdraw “unobligated allotments of agencies with low levels of obligations as of June 20, 2012, both for continuing and current allotments.”

“Withdrawn allotments” could then be used to “augment existing programs and projects of any agency [emphasis

by DBM] and to fund priority programs and projects not considered in the 2012 budget but expected to be started or implemented during the current year.”

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad issued the circular on July 18, 2012.

Pork barrel boosted

The DBM said earlier that only P142.23 billion was released for DAP projects in 2011 and 2012. Of the amount, P12.8 billion was made available to legislators, essentially raising their P24.8-billion pork barrel in each of those years.

On its website, the DBM said the DAP came from “savings generated during the year and additional revenue sources.”

Of the overall savings in 2011, the ex-

ecutive branch “transferred to” Congress P45 million in a cross-border scheme the high tribunal would later rule as unconstitutional.

In 2012, P207 million was “transferred from” Congress, but it received in return another P250 million from the executive branch.

Corona trial

Malacañang came under fire last year for using DAP money allegedly as an incentive for senators to convict in 2012 then Chief Justice Renato Corona at his impeachment trial.

The Palace denied the allegation, but Abad had admitted releasing P1.11 billion in lumpsum appropriations to 20 senators, six months after Corona was ousted.

The amount of savings moved to Congress was dwarfed by the P19.72- billion fund realigned to augment governmentowned and - controlled corporations (GOCCs) in 2011. The following year, P25.38 billion was transferred to GOCCs as a form of “budgetary support.”

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. yesterday did not say whether Abad would be asked to explain National Budget Circular No. 541, the perceived backbone of the DAP. Coloma said the Palace still had to “understand fully” the high court’s 92page decision on the DAP. Asked if the President was given an idea of how powerful the DBM had become because of the budget memorandum, he said: “Well, in the final analysis, the President is the Chief Executive and the members of the Cabinet are [his] alter ego.” “[They] performed the role of alter ego and whatever role that they perform is only an extension of the personality of the President himself,” he added.

Under fire over the DAP, the DBM said the mechanism had been approved

by Mr. Aquino on Oct. 12, 2011, “upon the recommendation of the Development Budget Coordinating Committee (DBCC) and the Cabinet clusters.”

The DBCC is jointly chaired by Abad and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan. It also includes Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and Bangko Sentral Governor Amando Tetangco.

Coloma said there was no need for the President to apologize to his “bosses,” the public, over the DAP debacle because the executive branch crafted the economic stimulus program in good faith.

“Of course, if you will apologize, it means you did something wrong.

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Philippine News

JULY 4, 2014

FRIDAY 4

For Filipino ‘astronaut,’ trip beats dream of flying

BY DJ YAP Philippine Daily Inquirer MANILA, PHILIPPINES—As a child, he dreamed of flying in the sky as a commercial airline pilot. Next year, Chino Roque will be taking his ambition further and farther—into space.

The 23-year-old psychology graduate of De La Salle University has earned his ticket to space as one of 22 people from around the world who will take off on a pioneer suborbital flight to be launched by the Axe Apollo Space Academy, a global contest sponsored by the popular men’s deodorant.

“I had a dream of becoming a pilot as a child, but going into space always seemed like a long shot because we don’t have a space program in the Philippines,” said Roque in a phone interview from the United States.

Roque, a Crossfit coach from Las Piñas City, beat two other Filipino candidates after a series of grueling physical and

mental challenges at the space camp to take the lone Philippine slot on the space mission.

More than 100 candidates from 60 countries took part in the camp, vying for the 22 slots on the flight which will launch the winners 100 kilometers into the atmosphere at the point where outer space begins.

They will be flown in the two-seater XCOR Lynx Mark II spacecraft one at a time together with a pilot in mid-2014.

Roque said the astronaut hopefuls had to go through a number of “hero missions” at the Florida camp, including simulated air combat on a fighter jet and the nausea-inducing “G-force” challenge, in which they were strapped to a cylinder at four times the pull of gravity.

“There was no challenge that was easy. All the hero missions were equally difficult,” he said.

The candidates were judged on their bravery, enthusiasm and teamwork, he said.

Roque said he felt it was his leadership and never-say-die

Chino Roque (center) poses with relatives, including Carson Mayor Pro Tempore Elito Santarina and community leader Edith Fuentes.

PHOTO BY NIMFA U. RUEDA

attitude that gave him the edge over the others. “I just kept trying to rally and to encourage my teammates,” he said.

He dedicated his victory to his friends and family, as well as the two other Philippine representatives: Evan Rey Datuin, 24, a hotel and restaurant management graduate, and Ramil Montalvo Santos, 29, a freelance graphic artist.

“I understand how disappointed they were at not being

chosen, but I’ll try my best to make them proud,” he said.

Roque was not even originally part of the Philippine team. He was a last-minute replacement for Philippine Air Force pilot Mario Mendoza Jr., who gave up his slot for military duty.

The Philippine contest began with an online voting, which attracted 28,020 hopefuls, the fourth biggest number of national contestants in the world, Axe Philippines brand manager

TIPID TAWAG

6

Gem Laforteza said in an earlier interview with the Inquirer.

Of that number, 4,085 were short-listed to take an IQ test, and only 400 passed to qualify for the military-style obstacle race at Bonifacio Global City last August.

Roque has said he would bring with him two items on a space flight scheduled next year: a rosary and the Philippine flag.

A third item, if allowed, would be a family photo, said Roque, who was honored at a family reunion held at a church hall in Torrance Saturday, July 5 (Sunday in Manila).

“It will take four minutes to go into space and then about 20 minutes for reentry,” Roque said. The passengers will experience microgravity, or weightlessness, for a few minutes.

Not exactly the stuff of a real astronaut experience but for a Filipino it should be the next big thing. ■ With report from Nimfa U. Rueda

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P-Noy approved P177B for DAP, memos show

BY JEROME ANING AND CHRISTIAN V. ESGUERRA Philippine Daily Inquirer PRESIDENT AQUINO signed over the past three years seven memorandums from the Department of Budget and Management approving projects worth between P174 billion and P177 billion under the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), documents that the DBM submitted to the Supreme Court showed.

The umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said it obtained copies of the documents, which carried Mr. Aquino’s signatures, on requests for the release of funds endorsed by Budget Secretary Florencio Abad.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court ruled that the DAP was unconstitutional. The program pooled savings from various agencies for release to agencies and projects outside the budget approved by Congress to help stimulate the economy.

Among the projects approved by Mr. Aquino were the P6.5billion augmentation of lawmakers’ Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) under the item “various local projects,” some P6.5 billion in “LGU support” and P2 billion in road works for his home province of Tarlac, said Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. In the first DAP memo issued by the DBM dated Oct. 12, 2011, the President signed and approved the release of P72.110 billion.

Another document, dated Dec. 21, 2011, or 10 days after the House of Representatives voted to adopt the articles of impeachment against then Chief Justice Renato Corona, showed the President approving additional projects worth P13.379 billion.

On June 27, 2012, or about a month after the Senate voted to impeach Corona, Mr. Aquino signed and approved another Abad memorandum seeking the “omnibus authority to consolidate savings/unutilized balances and their realignment.”

Reyes said the approved projects amounted to P32 billion, including P2 billion for Tarlac roadworks and another P8.3

billion “various local projects.”

The President also approved the withdrawal of unobligated balances of national government agencies (NGAs) for “slow moving projects,” declaring them savings and authorizing their realignment.

“These measures will allow us to maximize the use of available allotments to fund and undertake other priority expenditures of the national government,” Abad wrote.

“Furthermore, these will allow us to meet our fiscal targets without necessarily impacting on our budget deficit cap this year.”

But the President placed a note saying that the P31.962 billion in additional projects Abad had listed was still “subject to further discussions.”

Abad’s memorandum came eight months after the President had authorized the DBM to pool savings to fund the DAP. “It is understood that in the utilization of the pooled savings, the DBM secures the approval/confirmation of the President,” Abad wrote.

“Furthermore, it is assured that the proposed realignments shall be within the authorized expenditure level.”

leases amounting to P10 billion.

This included again “various local projects” amounting to P4.6 billion, the biggest item for the period.

Lastly, on Sept. 25, 2013, the President approved the release of P10.534 billion for the Task Force Pablo rehabilitation plan, supposedly for livelihood, resettlement, infrastructure and social services.

Marginal notes

The DAP funds listed in the memos totaled P177.3 billion but Reyes said that some memos, including those of June 2012 and May 2013, contained marginal notes, presumably by the President, which removed some items.

“Based on the marginal notes, when Mr. Aquino presumably did not approve items, the total appears to be P174.1 billion,” Reyes said.

Bayan is calling on the Commission on Audit to conduct a special audit of the DAP expenditures.

Colmenares said Mr. Aquino knew right from the start that the DAP was unconstitutional.

“President Aquino knows that the DAP, which is basically an impoundment of budget funds and realigning these to nonexistent projects, is wrong,” Colmenares said in a statement.

He said when the President was still senator, he filed Senate Bill No. 3121 “which sought to declare then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s ‘impoundment of the budget without congressional approval.’”

Colmenares said Mr. Aquino might have forgotten it when he approved the DAP when he became president.

Sole discretion

Sought for comment, Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares described the President’s note as “damning because it shows that he had sole discretion over where the money should go.”

“It falls under the definition of pork barrel where discretion on how public funds would be spent rests on one person and that’s the President in this case,” he told the INQUIRER in a phone interview.

That the President called for “further discussions” on the additional projects “makes him the holder of P31.962 billion worth of pork barrel.”

Also listed was P1.4 billion for the rehabilitation and extension of Light Rail Transit Lines 1 and 2, and P1.96 billion for the construction and rehabilitation of rural health units.

A total of P1.337 billion was also set aside supposedly to create jobs for 93,587 youth.

May 13 elections

On Sept. 5, 2012, or one month before the five-day filing of certificates of candidacy

‘Budgetary dictatorship’ The umbrella group Bayan said it obtained copies of the documents, which carried Mr. Aquino’s signatures, on requests for the release of funds endorsed

by Budget Secretary Florencio Abad.

PHOTO BY ROBERT VIÑAS / MALACAÑANG PHOTO BUREAU

for the May 2013 midterm polls set by the Commission on Elections, Mr. Aquino signed and approved Abad’s Sept. 4, 2012, memorandum seeking the “release of funds for other priority projects and expenditures of government.” Projects for this period amounted to P5.973 billion.

On Dec. 21, 2012, the President approved the release of www.canadianinquirer.net

P33.293 billion in DAP funds, chargeable against “available savings and the 2012 Unprogrammed Fund.” The amount included the item “other various local projects” this time amounting to P2.79 billion. The 100-day election period for the May 2013 polls began on Jan. 13, 2013.

Sometime in May 2013, Mr. Aquino approved more DAP re-

“He did not ask for congressional approval for his DAP. So, he actually continued the practice of President Arroyo when he became president,” he said.

Rep. Carlos Zarate said the DAP was, in fact, “a form of budgetary dictatorship” and was unconstitutional.

“For this gravely unconstitutional act, President Aquino, Abad and all those responsible for DAP must be made accountable, in the same manner that those involved in the PDAF (scheme) are to be made accountable,” Zarate said. ■

Philippine News

JULY 4, 2014

www.canadianinquirer.net

FRIDAY 6

Philippine News

7 FRIDAY JULY 4, 2014

Pro-Napoles justice guilty SC unanimous, split on penalty for case-fixing

BY TARRA QUISMUNDO Philippine Daily Inquirer MANILA, PHILIPPINES— Except for two who inhibited themselves, all justices of the Supreme Court believe Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Gregory Ong accepted a payoff to fix a case in favor of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles but are deadlocked on whether to dismiss or merely suspend him.

An investigation ordered by Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno last January had found Ong guilty of fixing a case against Napoles and several military officials in exchange for money in 2010. The ruling came nine years after the Ombudsman filed the graft case against Napoles et al.

Sereno ordered the investigation after two whistle-blowers in the pork barrel scam investigation, Benhur Luy and Marina Sula, mentioned in a Senate blue ribbon hearing last September that Napoles had the case fixed by a contact in the Sandiganbayan and that they knew that Ong was her contact in the antigraft court.

Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez, who was tasked to conduct the investigation, found that Ong allowed himself to be Napoles’ contact in the Sandiganbayan and took money to acquit her in the irregular purchase of 500 Kevlar

helmets for the Philippine Marines worth P3.8 million.

Gutierrez recommended the dismissal of Ong, chair of the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division that handled the Kevlar case.

Guilty of gross dishonesty

“[I]t is respectfully recommended that respondent Justice Gregory S. Ong be found guilty of gross misconduct, dishonesty and impropriety, all in violation of the New Code of Judicial Conduct for the Philippine Judiciary and meted out the penalty of dismissal from the service with forfeiture of all retirement benefits, excluding accrued leave credits, and with prejudice to reemployment in any government office, including government-owned or -controlled corporations,” Gutierrez said in her May 15 report.

Court insiders said Monday that the magistrates were expected to reset the voting as initial deliberations placed the vote even at six each.

Two justices, Diosdado Peralta and Teresita Leonardo-de Castro—both former Sandiganbayan magistrates—inhibited themselves from the voting.

vote but could not be identified for lack of authority to speak on the matter.

“All 12 ( justices who participated in the voting) believe Ong is guilty. Seven votes are needed to impose properly,” the source said.

The source did not name the justices in favor of Ong’s removal or those supporting his suspension.

Until they reach a majority vote, the justices are expected to continue deliberations on Gutierrez’s report.

The antigraft court acquitted Napoles and the other accused, including her husband, retired Army Maj. Jaime Napoles, “for failure of the prosecution to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.”

The ruling was handed down nine years after the Office of the Ombudsman filed graft and malversation charges against Napoles and the other officials tagged in the case.

The case was elevated to the Sandiganbayan after the Ombudsman found that Napoles had delivered subpar Kevlar helmets from Taiwan instead of ordering them from the United States, as originally declared in the purchase.

Voting deferred

“Confidential preliminary court deliberations show six ( justices) are inclined to dismiss Ong and six are for suspension only. So the justices may defer voting to another date,” said a court insider privy to the

Dummy companies

Napoles was also found to have used fake and dummy companies during the bidding to bag the contract. The helmets were delivered two years after the contract was fully paid

‘THE INSIDE MAN’ The high court has found Justice Gregory Ong guilty of

accepting a payoff to fix the case of Janet Lim-Napoles in her favor.

INQUIRER PHOTO

on Jan. 7, 1999.

In making her recommendations, Gutierrez gave weight to testimonies of Luy and Sula during her investigation, which jibed with their statements at the Senate blue ribbon committee.

Luy and Sula, former employees of Napoles, testified in Gutierrez’s investigation on Feb. 12 that Ong visited Napoles in her Ortigas office at least two times in 2012.

Luy said Napoles had given Ong 11 checks amounting to a total of P3.10 million during one of his visits.

He said since they were cousins, Napoles talked to her about her case in the Sandiganbayan and about Ong, whom she claimed was introduced to her

by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada.

Luy said he knew Napoles fixed the Kevlar case because he kept a ledger for the Sandiganbayan case in which he listed all of her expenses, which amounted to P100 million.

He said Napoles had told him that she gave various amounts to different people during the pendency of the case.

Luy said Napoles had also told him that she gave money to Ong, “but she never mentioned the amount.”

Sula recalled how Napoles told her staff not to worry when the pork barrel scam surfaced, citing her contacts in the Sandiganbayan and the Office of the Ombudsman.

Sula said Napoles’ staff also knew that Ong was her inside man in the antigraft court.

In his testimony before Gutierrez during her investigation, Ong denied fixing the case and belied the whistle-blowers’ testimonies.

He said he visited Napoles only once to thank her for helping him meet a former parish priest of Quiapo church so he could touch the robe of the Black Nazarene as part of his devotion. ■

Youth group vs Abad: He must go to jail

BY GIL C. CABACUNGAN Philippine Daily Inquirer MANILA, PHILIPPINES–More than a dozen youth leaders led

by Kabataan Rep. Terry Ridon on Tuesday filed plunder charges against Department of Budget and Management (DBM) chief Florencio Abad, saying “a bad secretary must go to jail.”

In its 16-page complaint to the Office of the Ombudsman, Ridon and student leaders under Youth Act Now! (YAN) claimed that Abad “systematically misappropriated, converted, misused and

malversed public funds through his executive issuances and the programs implemented by him … in connivance with other government officials.”

YAN, a nationwide alliance of youth groups against pork barrel, alleged that based on last week’s Supreme Court decision declaring the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) unconstitutional, Abad conceptualized, developed and implemented the DAP himself supposedly as an economic stimulus facility.

Coddling Abad

“All the elements of plunder

exist in the instant case. The aggregate amount of plundered funds exceeds P50 million, amounting to no less than P144 billion as of 2013,” Ridon said.

He explained that President Aquino should have been included in the plunder charge were it not for his immunity from all suits while in office.

“Filing criminal charges against Abad is just the first half of the legal actions that we will pursue. We will be filing an impeachment complaint against Aquino next,” he said. “The very fact that Aquino is coddling a criminal like Abad only proves that the two of www.canadianinquirer.net

them have connived to execute this multi-billion monstrosity known as the DAP.” Payback

Ridon revealed that this plunder charge was in part “payback” for Abad’s coldhearted move to cut the budget of schools, universities and colleges in the first budget year of the Aquino administration.

“Youth groups cannot simply forget that school funds were cut in the past few years while the President enjoyed a multibillion-peso kitty fund,” he said.

Ridon also appealed to Om-

budsman Conchita Carpio Morales to expedite the investigation of Abad’s plunder case and “not give in to pressure by the Aquino administration.”

The petitioners include YAN national convenor Victor Villanueva, Ateneo de Manila student publication Matanglawin editor Dyan Francisco, YAN-Ateneo de Manila University chapter coordinator Jerome Flores, Philippine Collegian editor Mary Joy Capistrano, University of the Philippines student regent Neill John Macuha, Katipunan Kontra ❱❱ PAGE 9 Youth group

Philippine News

JULY 4, 2014 FRIDAY 8

Miriam fights lung cancer her way Publisher Alan Yong Editor Melissa Remulla-Briones editor@canadianinquirer.net Associate Editor Laarni de Paula laarni.liwanag@canadianinquirer.net Community News Editor Mary Ann Mandap maryann.mandap@canadianinquirer.net Correspondents Gigi Astudillo Angie Duarte Frances Grace Quiddaoen Ching Dee Socorro Newland Thessa Sandoval Bolet Arevalo Graphic Designer Victoria Yong Photographers Angelo Siglos Danvic Briones Solon Licas Operations and Marketing Head Laarni Liwanag (604) 551-3360 Advertising Sales Alice Yong (778) 889-3518 alice.yong@canadianinquirer.net Antonio Tampus (604) 460-9414 antonio.tampos@canadianinquirer.net PHILIPPINE PUBLISHING GROUP Editorial Assistant Phoebe Casin Graphic Designer Shanice Garcia Associate Publisher Lurisa Villanueva In cooperation with the Philippine Daily Inquirer digital edition Philippine Canadian Inquirer is located at 400-13955 Bridgeport Rd., Richmond, BC V6V 1J6 Canada Tel. No.: 1-888-668-6059 or 778-8893518 | Email: info@canadianinquirer. net, inquirerinc@gmail.com, sales@ canadianinquirer.net Philippine Canadian Inquirer is published weekly every Friday.

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Member

BY TJ BURGONIO Philippine Daily Inquirer WHEN SEN. Miriam Defensor-Santiago broke the news to her mother that she had cancer, the 91-year-old said, “Well, everyone has to go sometime.” But Santiago, 69, refuses to go. “I don’t know what the reaction of my enemies [will be]. Maybe they’ll be happy. On the one hand I might die, and then they could get rid of me. But on the other hand, I might survive and then I will get rid of them,” she told a news conference that she called yesterday to disclose her condition.

In good humor, Santiago announced that she had Stage 4 lung cancer but with a “magical” tablet, she expected to be “fully cured” in six weeks.

Santiago’s announcement surprised reporters, as they had expected her to announce a bid for Malacañang in 2016.

After disclosing her cancer, Santiago dished out the good news: She has a rare condition called “genetic mutancy,” which makes the cells in her left lung “impermeable” to cancer.

Because of this, she said, she doesn’t need to undergo chemotherapy and suffer from its side effects.

She only needs to take a chemotherapy tablet every day, she said. And only when the cancerous mass doesn’t shrink will she undergo medical treatment abroad, she said.

Cured in six weeks

“So I hope to be able to see you in six weeks, fully cured of cancer. And you’re probably feeling even envious of my status because it will give me a certain gravitas when I talk to other people about cancer,” she said, chuckling.

In the briefing, Santiago introduced herself as the only senator “who has been diagnosed with lung cancer as of last week.” She said it made breathing more difficult for her.

“I have come ... so you could see me personally before the cancer takes its ravages on my physical body. I have come to shake your hand personally, to kiss you personally because I missed you for two years ....,” she told reporters.

“However, if I’m not able to do that today, I’ll kiss you anyway when I’m dead,” she added, drawing laughter.

Santiago said she received the diagnosis by physicians of Makati Medical Center with “excitement.”

“I’m very excited. I’m not kidding. I said, ‘Yes, I’ve got cancer.’ Because now, I’m entering another dimension of my human life. That has always been my attitude,” she said.

What could have caused the cancer?

Santiago replied with a joke: “Giving troubles to my colleagues is one definite cause of cancer.”

along with this medical tablet. They assured me I can go to work,” she said.

Earlier, Santiago stepped down as judge on the International Criminal Court, citing her chronic fatigue syndrome.

In May this year, she wrote Senate President Franklin Drilon requesting an extension of her “qualified” medical leave.

Senator Santiago: "I don’t know what the reaction of my enemies [will be]. Maybe they’ll be happy. On the one hand I might die, and then they could get rid of me. But on the other hand, I might survive and then I will get rid of them.”

PHOTO FROM UNTVWEB.COM

Cause unknown

Turning serious, she said the doctors had no clue as to the cause of her cancer, as in her chronic fatigue syndrome. Still, it felt “strange” because neither she nor her husband, Narciso “Jun” Santiago, smoked.

And to her great relief, she said, doctors discovered that she was capable of genetic mutation, “perhaps from living a healthy life,” after doing a biopsy on a lung tissue.

“They discovered that I had a rare condition, which is behavioral mutancy.

By themselves, my cells in the left lung have developed a genetic mutation that makes them impermeable to cancer.

Which gives them energy to fight off cancer nearby. This, as I said, calls for behavioral therapy,” she said.

Because of this, she only needs to take a tablet, called “molecular targeting” and she grows “prettier every day.”

“This tablet is a sort of magic tablet, so that I don’t have to take anything. Just take the tablet and in effect, it will give me the benefits of chemotherapy, without the side effects,” Santiago said.

Not metastatic

The tablet would cure the cancerous cells, which are not “metastatic” or spreading, she added.

Her doctors include former Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral, who is a cardiologist, and pulmonologist Ruth Divinagracia.

She said her sister, Dr. Linnea Evangelista, was in touch with the world’s No. 1 lung cancer specialist, based at CedarsSinai Hospital in Los Angeles, California.

“After six months, they’re expecting that the mass will simply degenerate, meaning it will shrink by itself, and then it will no longer be there. If it doesn’t do that, it means things have gotten worse.

I have to go to Cedars-Sinai. For me it’s a source of great grief because it’s a very expensive hospital,” she said.

But the cancer has no effect on her work, she said.

“It doesn’t affect cancer patients.

There are some people who can get

www.canadianinquirer.net

Malacañang run threat

Santiago has also threatened to run for President in 2016.

“That’s why once I get well next month—I’m supposed to be in remission by next month—I’m going to announce my presidential candidacy,” she said, before letting out a laugh.

Santiago, who lost the 1992 presidential election to Fidel V. Ramos, set conditions for a decision to run for Malacañang.

“Well, if they don’t clean up this mess (Disbursement Acceleration Program)— because as a lawyer I look at the DAP opinion—which goes my way—as a big mess. How are you going to tie up all of these loose ends?” she said.

Prayers from Palace

But then again, she said: “Maybe God will send me another disease, so I don’t know what to do.”

Malacañang said it was praying for Santiago’s recovery “We pray for her recovery. We wish her well, we pray for her good health,” said presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda.

“In situations like any person having cancer, it is a moment to really pray for strength.... She appears to be in disagreement with [the] government [but] we will continue to pray for her strength and recovery,” he said.

In a separate statement, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said: “We are one with the people in praying for the health and recovery of Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago.”

“Despite her condition, she has devoted herself to the performance of her duties as a legislator and public servant,” Coloma said.

Santiago is a supporter of President Aquino, but it has not always been a smooth sailing for her and the Palace.

The President nominated Santiago to serve on the International Criminal Court, and she eventually became the first Filipino and first Asian from a developing country to sit on the tribunal that tries cases of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

In 2012, Santiago was one of only three senators who voted to acquit then Chief Justice Renato Corona who was impeached for his failure to disclose his assets, a requirement for all public officials. ■

9 FRIDAY JULY 4, 2014

Youth group...

Korupsyon convenor Eduardo Gabral, UP Manila Collegian editor Elizabeth Fodulla, Polytechnic University of the Philippines Catalyst editor April Joy Camacho, YAN-UP Open University coordinator Michelle Lado, Anakbayan chair Vencer Crisostomo, Student Christian Movement spokesperson Einstein Recedes, League of Filipino Students spokesperson Charlotte Velasco, College Editors Guild of the Philippines president Marc Lino Abila, and National Union of Students of the Philippines president Sarah Jane Elago.

The complainants based their petition primarily on the Supreme Court decision declaring the DAP unconstitutional, including the opinion of Associate Justice Arturo Brion who tagged the DAP as the brainchild of Abad. ❰❰ 7

THROUGH DOST GRANT ‘Good faith’ can’t save Abad

Citing “good faith” or “ignorance of the law” would not save Abad from being punished for employing a patently illegal act, according to the petitioners.

The petitioners quoted parts of Associate Justice Brion’s separate concurring opinion on the DAP that “it is not hard to believe that [Abad] can run circles around the budget and its processes, and did, in fact, purposely use this knowledge for the administration’s objective of gathering the very sizable funds collected under the DAP.” Aside from the high court ruling, the complainants also cited Janet Lim-Napoles’ affidavit submitted to the Department of Justice in May in which the alleged pork barrel scam mastermind named Abad as her mentor, a charge Abad has denied.

Noise barrage

Special note

The complaint also took special note of the illegal transfer of funds under the DAP to the Commission on Audit (P143.7 million) and the House of Representatives (P250 million). The petitioners also underscored the court decision which explicitly excluded Abad and other “authors, proponents and implementors of the DAP” from the “doctrine of operative fact” which “nullifies the void law or executive act but sustains its effects.”

“By leaving the ‘authors, proponents and implementors’ of the DAP open for investigation for their criminal, civil and administrative liabilities, the justices of the Supreme Court are in fact telling the Filipino people that the Aquino administration, especially DBM Secretary Abad, should be held liable,” said Ridon.

Militant groups on Tuesday held a noise barrage protest at Quezon City Welcome Rotunda, calling for the impeachment of Aquino.

The Koalisyon ng Progresibong Manggagawa at Mamamayan called the President the “pork barrel king” and played on the DAP acronym in banners: “NaholDAP ang Pilipino,” “Pork barrel king DAPat patalsikin.”

The group exhorted motorists and pedestrians to join protest actions during the President’s Sona on July 28, and interspersed the speeches with whistles, thumpings and car honks.

“It is a crime to waste funds on the DAP which should have been used for public services,” said Kilusang Mayo Uno chair Elmer Labog. ■ With a report from Jaymee T. Gamil

Balut business booms into multi-million-peso venture

BY JEANNETTE I. ANDRADE Philippine Daily Inquirer MANILA, PHILIPPINES— Support from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has enabled a street food business to boom into a multi-million-peso venture in two years.

Receiving in 2012 a grant of P349,000 from the DOST’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP), couple Maricris and Calixto Huit were able to level up Marc’s Balut Processing Facility in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, and produce more of the boiled fertilized duck eggs.

From using three manually operated incubators, the couple upgraded the process by acquiring an automated 18-rack bay egg incubator with a digital thermostat control system and a load capacity of 80,000 per cycle.

Apart from going automatic, the couple was also able to get manpower development training, process improvement, and system improvement for mechanized production from the DOST. Before the grant, the facility was only able to produce up to 2,000 balut daily and posted average sales of P2.16 million in a year.

The Huits are currently able to produce 5,000 quality balut sa puti eggs everyday. For the first quarter of the year, they sold 360,000 eggs or P3.24 million in gross sales with orders

coming from Zamboanga, Basilan, Dipolog and Cagayan De Oro Cities.

From just six workers, the facility now has 22 regular personnel and the couple plans to expand the business further.

The DOST’s Setup is a nationwide program aimed at encouraging and assisting micro, small and medium enterprises to adopt technological innovations to improve their products, services, operations and increase their productivity and competitiveness.

It prioritizes assistance in the food processing; furniture; gifts, housewares, and decors; marine and aquatic resources; horticulture and agriculture; metals and engineering; health products and services; as well

as the information and communications technology and electronics industries.

Setup infuses appropriate technologies to improve products, services and operations; provides human resource training, technical assistance and consultancy services; designs functional packages and labels; assists in establishing product standards including testing; and provides assistance for technology acquisition.

Eligible for Setup is any local government unit, Philippine-based company or micro, small and medium scale business firm involved in the priority sectors willing to apply technological innovations on their existing products and services. ■

a Nursing graduate or any allied profession.

The POEA advised qualified applicants to register online at www.eregister.poea.gov.ph and personally submit the required documents (fastened in a legal size cream folder) to the Manpower Registry Division, Ground Floor, Window T, POEA Building, EDSA corner Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong City.

The required documents are detailed resume with one 2×2

picture, college diploma (for care worker applicant, diploma should be authenticated), Transcript of Records, valid PRC ID (for nurse applicants), employment certificates (for nurse applicants), valid TESDA Certificate on Caregiving (for care worker applicants), copy of valid passport, and valid NBI Clearance (for travel abroad).

The POEA has given applicants until July 15 to submit their application and documents. ■

Japan in...

Licensed nurses aged 20-35 years old with at least three years of experience and medical and psychological capability to work are qualified for the nursing position.

The same requirements are for interested caregivers except for the required certification as a caregiver by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Applicants for the position can be ❰❰ 1

www.canadianinquirer.net

Philippine News

JULY 4, 2014 FRIDAY 10

At P30 per meal, no fine Angara: College of St. dining for Gigi Reyes in prison Benilde also liable for hazing victim’s death

BY MARLON RAMOS Philippine Daily Inquirer

LAWYER JESSICA Lucila “Gigi” Reyes will spend her first weekend as a prisoner in solitary confinement at the basement of the Sandiganbayan building in Quezon City, subsisting on a P30 meal ration. Which is a far cry from the five-star catered fare at the lavish parties that she used to be invited to or host for her relatives and friends.

Reyes, who turned herself in at the anti-graft court on Friday night, narrowly avoided sharing a prison cell with ordinary criminals after the Sandiganbayan Third Division issued a minute resolution ordering the warden of the Quezon City Jail (QCJ) to submit a report on the readiness of the prison to ensure Reyes’ safety.

The court had originally released a commitment order for her to be detained at the cramped city jail.

A senior police official said Reyes “cried incessantly” upon learning that the court had committed her to a regular jail full of hardened criminals.

The source, who agreed to talk on condition that he would not be named, said Reyes could have avoided the situation if she had “honored” the agreement she allegedly made with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) last month.

“Attorney Reyes was supposed to surrender to the CIDG so she could be detained at the PNP Custodial Center. But she apparently listened to her lawyers,” the source said.

She could not stop crying when she was told that she would be taken to the city jail, he said.

Dennis Pulma, the Third Division clerk of court, on Saturday said the court gave the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) three days to inform the Sandiganbayan about the condition of the women’s detention dorm of the Quezon City Jail.

“While the court is awaiting the feedback of the BJMP about the adequacy of its facility and the means to secure the accused, she will be detained in the detention facility of the

BY LEI FONTAMILLAS Philippine Canadian Inquirer

Gigi Reyes (beside Estrada), during happier days.

PHOTO FROM STRAIGHTFROMPASTOR.BLOGSPOT.COM

Sandiganbayan,” Pulma said in a phone interview.

Family visits

He said Reyes’ family and friends have visited her.

“She has also seen her lawyers who are allowed to see her.

It’s a given,” Pulma said.

Reyes is the former chief of staff of one of her co-accused, Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, who is temporarily on hospital arrest at the Philippine National Police General Hospital in Camp Crame after the Sandiganbayan also issued a warrant for his arrest on Friday.

Enrile and Reyes were among the 54 personalities ordered arrested for plunder and graft in connection with the P10-billion pork barrel racket allegedly hatched by detained businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles.

The Sandiganbayan also issued separate arrest warrants for Senators Bong Revilla and Jinggoy Estrada on the same charges. The two are detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame.

Reyes, who is about 40 years Enrile’s junior, has been romantically linked to the senator since 1998, an allegation Enrile has vehemently denied.

First Sandiganbayan inmate

Pulma said Reyes was occupying a 23.5-square meter cell in the basement of the Sandiganbayan building.

He said Enrile’s former aide is the first to be detained in the cell, which the anti-graft court ordered constructed in December 2013 in line with the government’s “gender sensitivity

and development” program.

“Part of the government’s gender sensitivity program is to have separate detention facilities for male and female prisoners. Attorney Reyes is the first to use our gender-responsive detention facility,” Pulma said.

He said the room has a single bed, a small kitchen sink and a toilet. A stand fan had to be brought in since the room’s ceiling fan was broken, he added.

He said the anti-graft court would only provide food worth P30 per meal for Reyes, but her visitors are allowed to bring in some food.

On Saturday, she was served with rice and ginataang puso ng saging (heart of banana in coconut milk) for lunch. Reyes only had coffee for breakfast, Pulma said.

An adjacent room outside the tightly guarded cell has been designated as a receiving area where Reyes can meet with visitors, he said.

Inspection by justices

Pulma said Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje Tang, who chairs the Third Division, and division member Associate Justice Alex Quiroz went to inspect Reyes’ cell on Saturday.

He said Tang asked the security personnel about any specific concerns regarding the cell.

“It was a brief routine check as part of her duties as the presiding justice. It was not a visit in particular to accused Attorney Reyes. They never met, they never talked,” Pulma said.

He said a doctor who checked on Reyes said she was “medically OK.” ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

MANILA—Senator Juan Edgardo Angara said on Thursday that the College of St. Benilde must be held accountable for subsidiary liabilities for the death of hazing victim, Guillo Cesar Servando.

Servando, a sophomore student of St. Benilde, was reported to have died because of severe physical injuries he allegedly acquired from a hazing initiation conducted by members of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity.

“Under the Family Code, schools, for example, kapag naaksidente ‘yung anak mo, may subsidiary liabilities (when your child meets an accident, there are concomitant subsidiary liabilities). In the same way, that principle should also be applied (to victims of hazing by) fraternities,” Angara said in a Philippine Star Report .

Angara, who is a lawyer belonging to the University of the Philippine’s SigmaRho fraternity, said that this same principle is adopted by the AntiHazing Law. “In fact, it is (the school’s role) to be aware of what’s going on, and to have a—(for) each fraternity to be recognized, you must have a faculty adviser under the law,” he said.

He also cited that in UP, a faculty adviser is required for each fraternity so that he or she will be “administratively liable” for any transgressions committed by the group.

“That’s what happens in UP. There are faculty advisers.

Kapag may nangyari na gulo,

may nag-rumble for example ’yung mga fraternities, pinapatawag ‘yung mga advisers. ‘Magusap kayo, ano ba’ng nangyari dyan’ (When trouble erupts, for example if fraternities engage in rumbles, the advisers are summoned, ‘Talk, find out what happened.’)?” Angara said.

Reviewing the Anti-Hazing Law, Angara said the owner of the house where the initiation happened is also liable for the student’s death.

“And let’s run after everybody who was involved. Under the anti-hazing law, kahit wala ka doon nung hazing, kapag ikaw ang may-ari nu’ng bahay at alam mong may hazing doon, liable ka din. Mananagot ka rin dapat. Kapag ikaw ay officer ng fraternity, kahit wala ka doon, kahit hindi ka nag-paddle (even if you were not there during the hazing, if you own the house and you knew there was hazing to be committed there, you are liable. You should be held accountable too. If you are an officer of the fraternity, even if you weren’t there, even if you did not wield the paddle),” he said.

Despite what happened, Angara, like other senators who are also members of fraternities, said it is not necessary to ban fraternities.

“I don’t think you can do that.

[T]hat would be unconstitutional because the freedom of association is guaranteed under (the Constitution). A fraternity is just an association; it’s an aggrupation of persons. Hindi mo puwedeng ipagbawal ‘yan (You cannot ban that),” Angara said. ■ With reports from Philippine Star

Student Council Alliance of the Philippines members hold a rally in front of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in Manila to call for an end to hazing and fraternity-related violence.

PHOTO FROM INTERAKSYON.COM

Philippine News

11 FRIDAY JULY 4, 2014

Now it can be told: Drugs did Nora Aunor in

BY TONETTE OREJAS Inquirer Central Luzon CLARK FREEPORT, PHILIPPINES—Now it can be told. Actress Nora Aunor’s alleged use of illegal drugs in the past cost her a national artist recognition.

President Aquino on Tuesday broke his silence on the controversy, saying Aunor’s conviction for possession of illegal drugs while in the United States in 2006 was the reason he excluded her from the latest batch of national artists.

“First of all, for the record, my father (slain Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr.) was one of the fans of Nora Aunor. I admire her for what she has achieved in life,” the President said at a media briefing after he graced the 67th anniversary celebration of the Philippine Air Force on Tuesday.

He was referring to Aunor’s life, where she started selling water at a train station in Bicol, her winning the singing contest “Tawag ng Tanghalan” and her earning the distinction of being a “super-

star” among Filipino actors.

“Now, when I was faced with the nominations, there was only one question, and this is with regard to the title national artist. In my view, the honor and praise of a National Artist Award is given to people who contributed a lot to the Filipino race and someone who should be emulated,” Aquino said.

Clear message to nation

“The problem I had with this and we know this and I respect Ms. Nora Aunor, she was convicted for illegal drugs, convicted and punished. The question here is if we make her a national artist, am I sending a clear message to the nation?” the President said.

A report said Aunor pleaded guilty to possession of illegal drugs in Los Angeles in 2006.

The criminal case was dismissed in October 2007 after she complied with court requirements and underwent treatment.

But Aunor’s lawyer in the case belied Aquino’s claim, saying that the actress was not convicted.

Message to Aquino

The President disclosed his reason a day after Aunor confirmed for the first time that she was hurt by her exclusion. A photograph from the Facebook account of actor Gardo Versoza and which appeared in the Inquirer on Tuesday showed Aunor wearing a shirt with the message: “Proud to be Filipino.

Ashamed of my government.”

The illegal drugs problem has existed in the country for many years and reports say that syndicates operating cartels in West Africa and Mexico have penetrated the Philippines as a market, the President said.

“I don’t want to send a message that using illegal drugs is OK occasionally or it’s acceptable. The message must be: ‘It is always bad and illegal drugs do nobody any good,’” Aquino said.

“I cannot emphasize that message enough and at the same time raise Ms. Nora Aunor to be a national artist.”

Aquino said he knew his decision in excluding Aunor from the list of national artists would

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Actress Nora Aunor’s alleged use of illegal drugs in the past cost her a national artist recognition.

PHOTO FROM STARMOMETER.COM

be met with opposing reactions.

One camp would not find her an acceptable role model while another would insist she deserves the award, he said.

Zero tolerance for drugs

“May I reiterate that I respect her and I recognize her body of work. My problem is, we have a clear priority in stopping the illegal drugs problem. And when it comes to illegal drugs, we have zero tolerance,” he said.

The six new national artists that Aquino approved were Alice Reyes for dance; Francisco V. Coching (posthumous) for

visual arts; Cirilo Bautista for literature; Francisco F. Feliciano and Ramon Santos for music; and Jose Maria V. Zaragoza (posthumous) for architecture.

Trixie Cruz-Angeles, legal counsel of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, welcomed the President’s input.

“It places matters in perspective. We encourage discussions because it will help us craft better policies in the future,” she told the Inquirer.

‘Blessing in disguise’

Rep. Rodel Batocabe of the party-list group Ako Bicol said the President’s explanation was a “blessing in disguise.”

“If the President said that Nora was convicted, then he was misinformed. His decision to drop Nora arose from a misapprehension of facts. Therefore, the President can turn things around by reconsidering his exclusion of Nora. It’s the honorable thing to do,” Batocabe said. ■ With a report from Bayani San Diego Jr.

Philippine News

JULY 4, 2014 FRIDAY 12

Palace to senators: Account for DAP NBI probers to look into how lawmakers used outlawed funds

BY CHRISTIAN V. ESGUERRA AND JEROME ANING Philippine Daily Inquirer MANILA, PHILIPPINES— Smarting from the Supreme Court’s adverse ruling last week, Malacañang now wants senators to disclose where the enormous funds they had received from its purported economic stimulus package had gone to.

At the same time, the Palace rejected the idea of conducting a “loyalty check” among its allies in the House of Representatives following the filing of impeachment complaints against President Aquino in connection with the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).

“If you look at the beneficial effects of the DAP, how it has profited and benefited the people, do you think a loyalty check is needed?” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said on Monday in a press briefing a week after the court struck down the program as unconstitutional.

On Tuesday, the high tribu-

nal declared the DAP unconstitutional. It ruled that projects carried out in good faith could no longer be undone, but the architects and implementers of the facility could be held accountable.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima told reporters on Monday that the National Bureau of Investigation was looking into claims by whistle-blower Benhur Luy that senators had coursed DAP funding to fake foundations controlled by Janet Lim-Napoles, the alleged mastermind in the siphoning of P10-billion in congressional pork barrel allocations to ghost projects and kickbacks.

“We have the documents on that already. We are evaluating (them) to see whether we have cases against these senators and if confirmed (decide) what to do about them,” she said.

De Lima said the cases could either be referred to the Ombudsman, or the NBI could conduct its own inquiry and file a complaint later.

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad earlier admitted that 20 senators had received DAP funding from the execu-

tive branch a few months after the Senate, acting as an impeachment court, convicted Chief Justice Renato Corona in May 2012 but denied this constituted a “bribe.”

Lacierda said “it would be in the best interest of everyone to see how they spent their funds if they did receive the DAP.” “The use of the DAP funds were meant to primarily help the constituents, the countrymen. The question now is: Did the senators misuse those funds?” he said, noting that Senate President Franklin Drilon had already disclosed where his allocation had gone to.

On Abad’s list, Drilon received the biggest allocation of P100 million in 2012, followed by Sen. Francis Escudero with P99 million and Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile with P92 million.

Documents earlier obtained by the Inquirer indicated that Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Bong Revilla, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,

when the President will decide to speak on the DAP,” he said.

Also conspicuously silent on the matter was Abad, chief architect of the supposed economic stimulus program.

Last year, Aquino spoke before foreign journalists claiming that there was a conspirand Vicente Sotto III sought to channel their DAP allocations of P100 million each in 2011 to foundations put up by Napoles.

Another set of documents showed at least six administration senators proposing projects after they had been told that an additional P100-million budget was available for each of them during the same year.

The requests were coursed through Drilon, then the finance committee chair.

Lacierda said there was still no word on when the President intends to address the issue.

“We will just wait for the [time]

acy to attack his administration over the DAP. He then sought to distance the DAP from the graft-ridden Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), the congressional pork barrel, but admitted that “9 percent” of DAP money went to projects “undertaken through consultation with our legislators.”

But he did not say that 9 percent meant that P12.8 billion of P142.23 billion in DAP savings was in effect spent like in the defunct PDAF system. ■

Palace extra...

We committed no wrong,” he said.

The Supreme Court ruled only on the constitutionality of the DAP and not the liability of its implementers.

Even so, the question raised by the critics of the President and the public is who would be made accountable for what could be considered the biggest legal blow, not to mention embarrassment, to his four-yearold administration.

“It is in the interpretation of the Constitution and applicable laws on the fine details of budget execution that the views of the executive and the Supreme Court diverged,” he said.

❰❰ 3

The buck stops here

Asked if Abad has offered to resign following the high court’s landmark decision, Coloma said he had “no information on that.”

Does the buck stop with the President? “I believe that is a principle that is well recognized,” Coloma said.

The Supreme Court said the DAP violated “the doctrine of separation of powers,” as well as Section 25, Article 7 of the Consti-

Palace on defensive

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad.

tution, which cited exemptions to the prohibition against the reappropriation of government funds.

The high court also barred the practice of “funding projects, activities and programs that were not covered by any appropriation in the General Appropriations Act.” Good faith, due diligence

Despite all these, Coloma

PHOTO FROM UNTVWEB.COM

said “the executive branch exercised good faith and due diligence, in accordance with existing laws and pertinent auditing rules and procedures.”

“We believe we have been abiding by and complying with such lawful processes. We will review the decision further to gain a more comprehensive understanding of its ramifications and study the approwww.canadianinquirer.net

priate legal options,” Coloma added.

He also took note that the high court had actually “affirmed” Mr. Aquino’s authority as Chief Executive to implement the DAP “as a stimulus program to achieve economic growth and as an administrative system of prioritizing spending in the execution of the national budget.”

The Supreme Court also placed the Palace on the defensive when it said that the proponents of the DAP should be able to prove that it had implemented “in good faith” the savingsimpounded mechanism crafted by the DBM. Asked how the Palace would be able to prove “good faith,” Coloma said the administration had always followed the legal processes that include “pertinent auditing rules and procedures.”

“There are already built-in mechanisms for accountability and committed as we are to the good governance principles,” Coloma said. ■

13 FRIDAY JULY 4, 2014

2nd impeachment... bursement Acceleration Program (DAP) unconstitutional.

Oliver Lozano, described as an “ambulance-chasing” private lawyer, earlier made a similar ouster move, but congressmen said his complaint was weak and lacked substance.

Syjuco, former head of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) under the Arroyo administration, cited three grounds in his complaint, including corruption of senators and representatives in the impeachment trial in 2012 of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

“After the senators received DAP funds as a reward for the successful conviction and impeachment of Chief Justice Corona, President Aquino is likewise equally guilty of the crime of bribery together with the senators who received the DAP funds,” Syjuco said.

“Since President Aquino caused and approved the creation and implementation of the DAP fully knowing that the same is in blatant contrast with the Constitution, this puts his act to the degree of culpable violation of the Constitution,” he said.

Syjuco’s impeachment paper was signed by 20 other complainants—Josebell R. Pates, Alan Richard B. Lacson, Michael N. Balaguer, Ruel S. Caballero, Mary Jane O. Balaguer, Mario F. Mugol, James Andres Morales, Juan Carlos R. Sagre, Pedro D. Asis III, Julius A. Celis, Remegio E. Palconit, Danilo E. Parreno, Robert A. Reyes, Domingo Orcena, Wilfredo C. Mercado, Christian Jamin, Benjamin Estrella Jr., Roberto A. Tatad, Ramon Ibañez and Armando Espinosa.

But just like the Lozano complaint filed last week, Syjuco’s impeachment papers have yet to be endorsed by a member of Congress, which is on a session break.

Syjuco said he submitted his complaint to the House Records Management Service Office “to protect it from intimidation and threats from those who oppose its filing.”

The former Iloilo Representative earlier filed a libel complaint against Aquino for his tirades against him during his 2013 State of the Nation Address.

Aquino had claimed that Tesda, under Syjuco’s watch, was wracked with graft allegations.

Syjuco is facing six graft charges before the Sandigan❰❰ 1

bayan in connection with the alleged P61-million overpricing of Tesda training materials.

The Sandiganbayan has issued a hold-departure order against him.

Syjuco has repeatedly denied the charges.

Lozano request

Kabataan Rep. Terry Ridon declined Lozano’s request for his party-list group to endorse his complaint. Ridon said Lozano’s impeachment papers were “insufficient” and “weak.” Lozano refiled his impeachment complaint on Monday stressing that it was “not insufficient because it is based on the Supreme Court decision, copy attached to the supplemental impeachment complaint.”

Lozano said the President did not act in good faith in implementing the DAP because “he previously sponsored a bill to prohibit executive appropriation of government savings for being illegal and unconstitutional.”

“That the decision of the Supreme Court is prospective is not also a defense. The principle of prospective effect applies only to statutes passed by Congress,” Lozano said.

Edwin Lacierda, the President’s spokesman, dismissed the complaint, saying Syjuco was known for filing cases against the administration. “It’s beyond us to comment,” he said.

“What they do is their business, we will not comment.”

Syjuco had filed charges against known Aquino allies.

He filed a plunder complaint against Senate President Franklin Drilon over the questionable release of millions in Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF) or pork barrel for a project in Iloilo, Drilon’s home province.

He also filed plunder and graft charges against Budget Secretary Florencio Abad and Drilon for the questionable release of PDAF to Abad’s wife 10 times her regular pork barrel allocation for the lone district of Batanes.

The votes of about 96 of the 290 members of the House of Representatives are required to impeach a president, and the votes of two thirds of the 24 senators are needed to remove him from office.

But Aquino appears to be immune from any impeachment proceedings, after winning un-

Three grounds were cited in the complaint of former Iloilo Rep. Augusto “Boboy” Syjuco Jr. Syjuco, former head of Tesda under the Arroyo administration. Included in the charges are corruption of senators and representatives in the impeachment trial in 2012 of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

PHOTO BY GIL NARTEA / MALACAÑANG PHOTO BUREAU

precedented control of both Houses following midterm elections in 2013.

Vice President Jejomar Binay’s daughter and political allies in the House of Representatives have declared they would not move against Aquino in the impeachment moves.

In a press conference, Cebu Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia said the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), cofounded and comanaged by Binay, had taken a party stand to abstain from voting in the impeachment case, which would require one third of all 290 members to get through the Senate, solely out of delicadeza.

“We see that the VP is the leader and the head and he stands to gain from any impeachment moves, and out of delicadeza, I think it is the right stand that UNA should take.

Also consider the implications of supporting an impeachment proceeding or an impeachment complaint, which, if it prospers, will redound to the benefit of our own leader,” said Garcia.

“But this is not to say there is no impeachable offense, but when we vote, we vote as a party.”

Aside from Garcia, the UNA members in the House are Representatives Mar-Len Abigail S. Binay and Monique Yazmin Lagdameo of Makati City, Manny Pacquiao of Sarangani province, Tobias Tiangco of Navotas City, Sol Aragones of Laguna province, Gus Tambunting of Parañaque City and Delph Gan www.canadianinquirer.net

Lee of Agri party-list group.

Tiangco said that under House rules, “you must inhibit from voting when there’s conflict of interest, and I think there is conflict of interest here.”

Binay said members could participate in the hearing of the House committee on justice during the vetting of the complaint but they would not act as defenders of the President.

“Those are two different acts. It’s not for me to defend the President nor is it for me to prove there is merit in the im-

peachment complaint. That is the problem of the one who endorsed it and the one who filed it,” Binay said.

When asked if UNA would help the President if he needed support, Binay said: “We’ll cross the bridge when we get there. It’s hard to defend on what will be the outcome of the impeachment complaint because you cannot just blindly say ‘yes, I will defend’ or ‘no, I will not defend.’ To be honest, I have not read the impeachment complaint,” Binay said. ■

Philippine News

JULY 4, 2014 FRIDAY 14

Jinggoy still in as Binay running mate in 2016

BY CHRISTINE O. AVENDAÑO Philippine Daily Inquirer DON’T COUNT him out yet.

Despite being arrested and jailed on plunder charges, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada remains on the opposition’s vice presidential list for 2016, Vice President Jejomar Binay said yesterday.

But Estrada should not expect Binay to visit him in jail soon with assurances that they will go on the stump together when the campaign for Malacañang opens two years from now.

The senator would have to wait until the busy leader of the opposition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) finds the time to drop in on him in the 32-square-meter cell that he shares with rats and cockroaches in the Philippine National Police Custodial Center at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Being Vice President, Binay is part of President Aquino’s Cabinet and he’s expected to stand as one with the administration in the campaign against official corruption.

But that is no reason for him not to visit a friend in jail.

“Why should I not visit [him]? When I have the time.

He is a friend.... Why not?

[Should our friendship end just because he has been charged]?”

Binay said when asked by a reporter whether he had plans to visit Estrada in jail.

Three from opposition

Estrada was arrested without bail on June 23 on charges that he embezzled P183.7 million from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) in conspiracy with businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles, alleged brains behind the P10-billion pork barrel scam.

He is detained next door to Sen. Bong Revilla, who was arrested, also without bail, on June 20 on charges that he pocketed P224.5 million in kickbacks from pork barrelfunded, phantom projects proposed by Napoles.

They are expected to be joined in the PNP Custodial Center by Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile, who questioned the plunder charges filed against him by the Ombudsman in the Sandiganbayan.

Enrile is accused of embezzling P172 million from the PDAF in conspiracy with Napoles.

He is part of the triumvirate that leads UNA. The third alliance leader is Estrada’s father, former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada.

‘Subjective’ view

Senators Estrada and Revilla insist that the Aquino administration is singling out opposition lawmakers in prosecuting people responsible for the pork barrel scam. But Binay thinks that view is “subjective.” “Let’s see first

how things will go,” he said when asked about it by a reporter.

Asked whether he thought the administration was fair in going after the people allegedly involved in the pork barrel scam, Binay said everyone had an interpretation of what was happening.

When asked whether Estrada was still being considered to be his running mate in the 2016 presidential election, Binay, who has declared his candidacy for President and who leads the early presidential polls, said the detained senator remained a contender for the vice-presidency.

“Everyone is on the list. We are open to that. But it’s still early to say who will join us as the vice presidential candidate,” Binay said.

Despite being arrested and jailed on plunder charges, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada remains on the opposition’s vice presidential list for 2016, according to Vice President Jejomar Binay.

PHOTO FROM DZMM.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM

2016, Binay said the President had the right to choose his candidate, being a voter.

“That’s for him to decide. It’s not because he is President he cannot choose whom he will vote and support,” Binay said.

Not running under LP

Binay tried to scotch talk that he would end up running for president as a candidate of President Aquino’s Liberal Party.

The talk began last month when Mayor Estrada said he would run again for Malacanang if Binay would run as President Aquino’s candidate.

“You know, I cannot become a candidate of the administration because I’m from the opposition,” Binay said.

Told that President Aquino seemed to be implying in a speech in Iloilo City last week that Interior Secretary Mar Roxas would be the administration’s presidential candidate in

Plan to rig 2016 vote

Binay urged the government to start moving now to ensure that vote-counting machines for the 2016 national elections are reliable and that there will be no cheating.

He maintained that the opposition has received information that there are forces who are out to rig the 2016 elections in favor of the administration.

Binay said he first sounded the alarm when he traveled to Iloilo during the weekend to make people aware of the need to make sure the 2016 elections are clean.

He said automated counting

equipment could be used for cheating, noting that the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines used in the last elections remained problematic.

“In a sense, [I have apprehensions about the use of the PCOS] based on what I have heard that many of [the machines] are old and can no longer be used,” Binay said.

That is the reason, he said, why officials should start providing a budget for new and reliable vote counting machines.

“Let’s look for a way to have equipment that have been shown to be reliable in other countries, and that cannot be used for cheating,” Binay said.

Binay spoke to reporters on the sidelines of the 35th meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Senior Officials on Drug Matters at the Dusit Thani hotel in Makati City. ■

Manila ‘a big challenge’ in disasters, says UN exec

BY JERRY E. ESPLANADA Philippine Daily Inquirer BANGKOK—A UN official has described Manila as “a big challenge” when it comes to handling natural disasters, because of the “scale and multitude of risks facing it.”

“Actually, any big city like Manila is a challenge,” said Margareta Wahlstrom, who heads the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR).

Interviewed during the justconcluded sixth Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk

Reduction or AMCDRR in the Thai capital, Wahlstrom said Manila as a local government unit (LGU) was “a tough issue... because of very important responsibilities delegated to it by the national government.”

While the national government had “the right DRR-related policies,” the UN official said that “some LGUs do not have enough technical capability to implement these policies.”

Strengthening these LGUs would put the Philippines “in a very good space,” said Wahlstrom, who serves as UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon’s

special representative for disaster risk reduction.

Manila could also adopt “some best practices by model local governments like Albay and Cebu,” Wahlstrom said, adding that the city government and other Philippine LGUs should “enhance disaster resilience programs at the local level” by strengthening the role of women, children, the youth and persons with disabilities in disaster risk reduction planning and management.

LGUs could also “increase public investments on DRR and promote the use of science and technology in disaster risk rewww.canadianinquirer.net

duction programs.”

In a report, the Geneva-based UN International Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction cited Makati City, Albay province, as well as San Francisco town on Camotes Island in Cebu for their “best practices” on a wide range of DRR-related challenges, including early warning, legislation and food management.

Makati made it to the list for its “sophisticated and efficient disaster risk management system,” that has fully institutionalized disaster risk reduction, preparedness and emergency management (into) dedicated

organizations, (with) direct funding at the local level.

Disaster risk reduction in Makati has been “integrated into urban planning, health, disaster response and risk governance at different government levels,” according to the report.

It added that Makati also “engages all levels of society, particularly barangays, which conduct regular community dialogues to discuss risk management issues.”

Albay’s disaster risk reduction strategy “centers on relocating businesses and more than 10,000 households.” ■

Philippine News

15 FRIDAY JULY 4, 2014

Detainees at PNP want 2 partying senators out

BY JULIE M. AURELIO AND MARLON RAMOS Philippine Daily Inquirer SENATORS BONG Revilla and Jinggoy Estrada, move out.

A majority of the 70 detainees at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center where Estrada and Revilla are detained for graft and plunder charges have expressed support for the police officer who was relieved of his job for allowing well-wishers of Estrada to stay at the detention center beyond the prescribed visiting hours.

“The replacement of the warden [PNP Custodial Center Supt. Mario Malana] will not solve the problem because the problem is the two senators detained here, and the media overly focusing on them. The real solution is to transfer the senators to a detention facility suited to their situation,” the detainees said in their “appeal to the media.”

The letter in Filipino was handwritten in blue ink on seven bond paper sheets, which were left at the Camp Crame press office.

The letter, dated July 1, bore the names of 58 of the detainees, 56 of which were accompanied by signatures.

The two who did not have signatures were Jonathan Carpio and Revilla’s aide Richard Cambe, who is facing plunder charges in the pork barrel scam.

The list of signatories included, among others, alleged communist leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon; former Elections Supervisor Lintang Bedol, a suspect in a poll fraud case; “Atimonan rubout” suspect Supt. Hansel Marantan; and Supt. Rommel Miranda, accused in the 2012 kidnap-slay of businesswoman Leah Ng. The Tiamzons, in a separate statement, said they feared re-

charge and Limbaoan is now under orders to strictly implement the Custodial Center’s rules and regulations.

“I am sure he was given instructions to be more diligent in observing the rules and regulations of the custodial service,” Sindac said.

Hearing of case

The feast at the detention centre for the wedding anniversary of Senator Jinggoy Estrada and wife Precy included roasted pig, or lechon, and other delicacies from 5-star restaurants.

PHOTO FROM NEWSINFO.INQUIRER.NET

moving Supt. Mario Malana would lead to stricter rules at the Custodial Center, and only “ordinary detainees” would suffer.

Noting a “special treatment” for the detained senators, the couple asked for “humane treatment” for all detainees.

Special day till 2 a.m.

Saturday was particularly special for Estrada, who was celebrating on that day his 25th wedding anniversary with wife Precy.

The feast at the detention center included roasted pig, or lechon, and other delicacies from 5-star restaurants. The guests included some known names in the entertainment world, like Philip Salvador and German Moreno.

Under police rules, the visiting hours were supposed to last from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. but a number of guests stayed until midnight.

One visitor, actor Tirso Cruz III, stayed until 2 a.m., according to one television station.

Probable cause

For such “excesses” as allowing visitors to remain inside the detention center outside visiting hours, Malana has been sacked from his post.

Malana was charged with the offense of “less grave neglect of duty”—an administrative infraction that could bring him a suspension from 30 to 59 days.

The PNP spokesperson, Chief Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac, said the Headquarters Support Service (HSS) conducted an investigation immediately after last weekend’s incident.

“The HSS has found probable cause to charge him (Malana) administratively for less grave neglect of duty for failure to implement standing rules and regulations of the custodial service, as well as failure to comply with specific legal instructions to inform the higher headquarters or give updates on his unit,” Sindac said in a briefing.

Relaxed visiting hours

Up to last weekend, visits were allowed only on Thurs-

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days and Sundays from 9 a. m. to 3 p. m. The senators’ guests apparently overstayed their visit despite the rules.

The visiting hours have since been relaxed. Now, visits are allowed on Tuesdays to Fridays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sindac said Malana had been directed to submit an explanation for last weekend’s incident.

The explanation, however, was apparently not good enough.

On floating status

“He was not able to come up with a good reason for that incident last weekend ...” Sindac said, adding he did not know the details of the explanation.

“Suffice it to say, it was not good enough for him to be free of any responsibility.”

This means Malana is now on floating status and will be assigned in the meantime to the administrative holding section of the HSS, headed by Chief Supt. Benito Estipona.

He was replaced by Supt.

Peter Limbaoan as officer in

Malana will be allowed to air his side in a hearing of the administrative case against him.

Asked about claims by other detainees that the incident had the blessings of PNP higherups, Sindac said: “That is only an allegation.”

“His case was for failure to implement rules and regulations and failure to inform the higher-ups on what was happening in the Custodial Center. So it simply means that the higher-ups didn’t know what was happening at the Custodial Center during those days,” the PNP spokesperson pointed out.

Detainees get together

Sindac said that despite being separated, the other detainees in PNP custody managed to gather 58 signatures to support their claims, which may be an indication of a security breach.

“If it is true that the detainees are now being padlocked, if it really happened, it is a manifestation of what they perceive to be lapses in security,” Sindac said.

If Malana is found guilty of the offense of “less grave neglect of duty,” he may be punished with a minimum of 30 days suspension and a maximum of 60 days suspension without pay and allowances.

Sindac said Malana’s bonuses for the year may also be affected if he is suspended.

Asked if there were other policemen relieved aside from Malana, Sindac said Malana was the only one so far, adding: “I’d like to think he took responsibility for it.” ■

Opinion

JULY 4, 2014 FRIDAY 16

THERE’S THE RUB

Sunset Boulevard

By Conrado De Quiros Philippine Daily Inquirer IMELDA Marcos has a vision. On her 85th birthday, she glimpsed another Marcos, this time, Bongbong, making a triumphal return to Malacañang. “I see a Marcos as president. That is destiny.”

What can one say? Some people see things and they are called prophetic. Others see things and they are called delusional. It’s not hard to see which one this is.

I myself thought when I read this that at the sunset of her life—and it’s been one pretty long and Imeldific life—Imelda has finally found her perfect role. That is, of Gloria Swanson’s Norma Desmond, in “Sunset Blvd.,” a faded silent-movie actor who lives in her fantasy world, dreaming of one day making a triumphal return to the silver screen. Except that in Imelda’s case, her dream does not pertain to herself, it pertains to her son. But which is about her anyway in the extended sense of the collective Marcos ego.

One is tempted to call this tragic, except that it lacks the tragic dimensions of Swanson’s-Desmond’s case, which come from her being once a great actress. Imelda’s former luster, as well indeed as her husband’s, is totally imaginary. This isn’t tragic, this is pathetic.

This isn’t sublime, this is paralytic.

The Greeks, who made tragedy a quintessential art form, knew a thing or two about destiny, which they attributed not to an external influence but to an internal one. Destiny, they said, is character. You go by this and the conclusion is inescapable: Bongbong has no character, he has no destiny.

Put it in more practical terms, there is a difference between Bongbong and his father in the way they plotted/are plotting their course to Malacañang, in Ferdinand’s case as president and eventually as dictator. Neither of them was/is inherently charismatic—that would come later with Ferdinand, power, particularly absolute power, creating its own charisma.

Ferdinand made up for that lack by manufacturing a martial aura about him through his claimed war medals: He was presumably the most decorated soldier, Filipino or otherwise, during the War. The mystique he created made him out to be more martial than the generals, even though he was a lawyer. As Bonifacio Gillego would later show, those medals were fake, as indeed much of his life was.

Bongbong doesn’t have that at all, real or imagined, authentic or manufactured. He hasn’t got a mythical, larger-than-life mystique around him,

which helps—often decisively—to become president. The closest he has to it is his mother. But unfortunately for him, hers is a mythical, larger-than-life mystique that, unlike Cory’s, is weighed down by unsavoriness, constituting a minus rather than a plus. Think three thousand pairs of shoes and wonder if that can endear anyone—however he is just the son—to the voters.

The fact alone that many voters are looking for an alternative to Jojo Binay and Mar Roxas does not make Bongbong a viable presidential bet. I

Some people see things and they are called prophetic.

Others see things and they are called delusional. It’s not hard to see which one this is. myself do not share my friends’ anxiety that this being a forgetful country and the Marcos’ billions remaining largely intact, they could always stage a comeback. Bongbong did manage to become senator—and Imelda a representative and Imee a governor—but that is as far as they will get. Being governor and representative requires only the votes of a certain section of the population, and being senator is just one of 12.

All this, however, brings us to a relat-

ed point, which gives a twist to “Sunset Blvd.” That is the fact that the Marcos billions do remain largely intact, which is how they can even entertain the thought of going back to Malacañang.

On her 85th birthday, Imelda found occasion again to rail against Cory for pauperizing them. “Her first act (after Edsa) was to confiscate and sequester all the Marcos wealth even before we were tried.” That’s not true at all. Cory did try, but she did not manage to “confiscate and sequester all the Marcos wealth,” no small thanks to the ineptness or malleability of the Presidential Commission on Good Government which was tasked with it. That loot is still there.

We get an idea of its scale from Imelda’s former secretary, Vilma Bautista, who was caught and jailed in the United States for selling a Monet painting for $32 million, which she carted away after the Marcoses fled Malacañang in 1986. That’s not even the tip of the iceberg, that’s just a tiny corner of that tip.

That is what has allowed the Marcoses to stay around. That is what has allowed the Marcoses to fight off efforts to continue to recover the bulk of that wealth. That is what has allowed the Marcoses to run in elections and win various positions in government.

That is what has allowed the Marcoses to wage a propaganda war in YouTube to try to rehabilitate themselves in the eyes of their countrymen. That is what has allowed the Marcoses to dream the dream, or nightmare, of being able to return to Malacañang.

These things cost money, and money they have got. Oodles and oodles of it.

That is the one thing that has been lacking in all our efforts to fight corruption—recovering the loot back.

That hasn’t happened, not then, not now. It’s not enough to jail them—and the Marcoses themselves have never been jailed—it has to come alongside getting back what they stole. Quite apart from that, the money should go a long way to alleviate the plight of a desperate people, it is the only thing that can prevent them from remaining a dark specter in the horizon.

That’s true of Bong Revilla, Jinggoy Estrada, and Juan Ponce Enrile—yes, even Enrile, even well into his 100s.

And that’s true of the Marcoses.

In the end, it’s not just Imelda who’s delusional for dreaming of a comeback to Malacañang, it’s we too for imagining they and their kind won’t ever do it without our recovering their loot first.

That’s living, or dying, on Sunset Boulevard. ■

have slumped too. There has been a beef-up of government services, as mirrored by the doubling in the numbers who hold a senior citizen card.

Cruz tacks on a number of caveats: Richer and better-educated oldsters “have higher and better awareness of senior citizens privileges.” Also, “health insurance coverages remain low.” This is most apparent among older women. A mound of “unmet needs for health services” persists.

Recent laws tried to close the gap for the poorest of the elderly. Republic Act No. 9336, for example, allocates 1 percent of government agency budgets for seniors. RA 9994 mandates automatic enrollment of seniors in a financially strapped PhilHealth program. Hence, there is a need to further sharpen targeting of services. “That would be vital to ensure that limited resources will prioritize the poorest.”

Young married Filipinos value children as “investments” or “insurance” who’ll care for them when they grow old. As it turns out, many of the elderly find themselves strapped as major breadwinners even as their strength is ebbing, Office of Population Studies’ Alan Feranil notes.

When parents work overseas, the elderly are all too often roped in as surrogate parents to their grandchildren.

(In 2013, there were 1.8 million Filipinos who worked abroad. Their remittances grew by 8.5 percent.) Still, far too many of the elderly are abandoned by their children hard-pressed to support their own families. Many OFWs “become strangers to their children.”

Feranil earlier co-authored a study on “Dietary patterns and depressive symptoms among Filipino women.”

“Diets influence the biology underpinning depressive illnesses” among Filipinos, the study reports. This raises concern as more shift “from traditional to western diets, typical of a country in nutrition transition.”

From the Research Institute for Mindanao Culture, Dr. Ma. Teresa Sharon Linog analyzed the “prevalence of malnutrition and other preventable risk factors” among the elderly in Cagayan de Oro City. Among other things, she reported that poverty resulted in high nutrition risk among 53 out of every hundred respondents.

Wives give more of the limited food to their spouses. Majority have “two or three medical” concerns, including teeth loss and oral lesions.

“Deterioration of mental health is increasingly marked.”

“Ang tunob sa karaang dili mapala,” a Visayan proverb says. The footsteps of the old can never be forgotten. ■

VIEWPOINT

Footsteps

By Juan L. Mercado Philippine Daily Inquirer “GROW old along with me / The best is yet to be,” Rabbi ben Ezra says in the 1850 sonnet. That is not so here, reveal studies presented at the “Philippine and Global Perspective on Aging” at University of San Carlos in Cebu.

The elderly—60 years and above— constitute the fastest growing group today, Socorro Gultiano of USC Population Studies Foundation said. The number of middle-aged (39-49) and “near old” (50-59) folk is rising. Most are women. They’ll be the largest population cluster in a decade from now.

Within this group, the poor get the short end of what really matters: life spans. Infant mortality rates among poor families crest at 40 percent. But within the high walls of well-to-do enclaves, they’re down to 15 percent.

Yet, “life is the threshold at which all other hopes begin.”

Schooling makes a crucial difference.

Infant deaths crested at 32 out of every hundred born of mothers stuck with skimpy elementary schooling. It is different with mothers who reached college. Their infant deaths were tamped down by a third. Poorer and less educated women also bore more kids: five compared to two in richer homes.

Life spans for Filipinos have been on the upswing. Male life expectancy in 1970 was 57 years and rose to 66 in 2013. Women tend to live longer; their life expectancy, which stood at 61 years old in 1970, climbed to 72 in 2013. Good enough? See that in an international context. The “UN Human Development Report” states that 2013’s average life expectancy for Thais stood at 74. It was 79 years for Cubans and 81 for Singaporeans. In next-door Hong Kong, it is 83—and rising.

Given this age-structural transition, policymakers need to play closer attention to the “double burden of disease and malnutrition,” Gultiano suggested. “Majority of the children, who will become young adults, come from the poorer homes. Whether most of them will actually survive to old age is the question.”

Sure. There’ve been greater strides in the length of remaining life among Filipinos who turn the corner of 60 years in age, UP Population Institute’s Grace Cruz told the conference.

“But there is a substantial gender gap.” More elderly women than men wheedle away “their remaining life in functional difficulty or inactive state.”

Longer life spans, over the last four decades, benefited the youngsters more than the elderly. And “the

female older people” squeezed more advantage “than their male counterparts” did. Health gains translate into “longevity gains.” This is most marked in the sharp dip in infant mortality rates over the last 25 years.

In 1990, 57 kids out of 1,000 live births died. That slumped to 23 in 2013. Yet, that dip will not be enough for the Philippines to meet its commitment under the Millennium Development Goals’ 2015 target of 19 deaths per thousand births.

Consistently, the research data revealed “improvement in func-

The elderly—60 years and above—constitute the fastest growing group today.”—Socorro Gultiano, USC Population Studies Foundation tional heath status.” You see that in the shrinking numbers of those afflicted with at least one difficulty— e.g., walking, feeding, dressing and bathing. “Functional health status improved across all age groups. Overall, elderly women will spend more of their twilight years in disability.”

How do you explain this shift? More Filipinos are staying in school longer, Cruz said. Smoking and drinking rates

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Opinion

17 FRIDAY JULY 4, 2014

LOOKING BACK

Marcos, Jesuits, and martial law

By Ambeth R. Ocampo Philippine Daily Inquirer WE are always wary of people who claim to have a hotline to God. In the age before the cell phone, a time when we had rotary rather than pulse or tone phones, an academic from the University of the Philippines rose during a forum on Filipino spirituality and showed the audience a piece of paper with a crudely drawn telephone dial.

With this she spoke to God because she had His private number, a direct line! God. In those days, mediums and seers went into a trance and spoke in a child’s voice (the Santo Niño!), or a woman’s voice (the Virgin Mary!), or a man’s voice (Jose Rizal! Andres Bonifacio)! There was the “Bionic Boy” who claimed to have been legally adopted by Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos. He could make overseas calls with a toy phone! When I write the footnotes to martial law, people will presume I have been influenced

by Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s “magic realism.” Well, history can really be stranger than fiction.

Marcos undertook an abbreviated form of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola during Holy Week 1972.

In Mirador, the Jesuit retreat house in Baguio, Marcos grappled with the idea of martial law and asked God for a sign.

On March 28, 1972, he scribbled: “I came in at about 8.20 for the meditation which started at 8.15 am.

Late because I had to settle several matters before I could go on retreat, one of which was the wish of the children to go back to Manila inasmuch as they had nothing to do since none of their crowd had as yet come up…

Imelda was upset by the restlessness of the children.

“Somehow, this and other problems that have arisen in the past month have made my retreat more urgent. I have to think out the plans that I have drawn up. This includes: the report on increased subversion, the arson, the acts of terrorism in the Metropolitan area, the continued shipment of arms for the subversives, their recruitment and training and the renewed activities of the front organizations. And we have had to review the eventual use of the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus and even the proclamation of martial law.

“So I talk to God in my retreat, asking for guidance, knowing that he sees me as I am—a man with strengths and weaknesses. I keep no

secret from him as he has watched me in my nakedness.

“More than the reading and the thinking it is this quiet and continuous conversation with God that I attain.

“I have just come from the chapel where I prayed fervently that He may be with me always.”

The next day, March 29, 1972, Marcos listed: “1. Decision to make: Subversions, the media. 2. List down the countries

Did God give Marcos a sign for the imposition of martial law, or was it a wrong number? History should give us an answer. with which we have an unfavorable trade balance. Organize the exporters to make special efforts to export to them. Start out with Australia.

3. Assign special salas or courts for cases of anti-graft, corruption, malversation, dishonesty of government officials. 4. M[anila] I[international] A[irport]. Kearns visit, April 4-6. Include new International Airport. 5.

Post Office-Appt. Tanabe.

“My own Spiritual Exercise. I asked the Lord for a sign. And he has given it. In the meditation this

morning the following thoughts were brought out.

“My job is too heavy. But your will not mine be done.

“The permissiveness of society must be balanced by authoritativeness. The two poles must be given weight and equal importance.

“Then in the Exercise—is it for the glory of God that there be authoritativeness? Yes for we return order where there is chaos.

“Fr. Ferriols spoke of recognizing the Relative of the Absolute and the Absolute in the Relative. As well as need for competence.

“Spiritual Exercises on the Specific Problem of Martial Law. There are certain themes that one must be sensitive to. Thus relativity. Food is good.

But meat not always good. Thus, if one has had an appendectomy, meat is not good. This is the relative value of meat.

Nor is cyanide to be taken at all. This is the absolute value of certain things to be taken. So I conclude that freedom is not always good. There may be periods in a country’s life when it is like meat. For the time being it must be curtailed or denied.

“And the permissiveness of our society has spawned the many evils that will wreck our Republic. It must now be balanced with authoritativeness

and that is martial law. However, I put as a condition the occurrence of massive terrorism which would alarm the people as well as the authorities.

“And the discussion on authoritativeness to balance permissiveness comes incidentally in answer to some inquiry as to the problem of parents over teenaged children. The Father spoke of the problem of the Ateneo, where in the 1960s, the authoritativeness of the decade was balanced by the Ateneo with permissiveness by the Ateneo administration. And now the K[abataang] M[akabayan]s who profess attention and ‘nagwawala’ nothing is evil or immoral. This has resulted in disorder in the mission to train and give competence in chemistry, economics, engineering, etc. which even the KMs with their avowed desire for a new society would need.

“So Father [Jose] Cruz, our former retreat master, has instituted authoritativeness which has made him unpopular but may have saved the Ateneo.

“But that this should be talked about when not in the subject of the meditation. This is the sign that I have asked of God.” Did God give Marcos a sign for the imposition of martial law, or was it a wrong number? History should give us an answer. ■

AT LARGE

Brotherhood and sisterhood

By Rina Jimenez-David Philippine Daily Inquirer FIRST, a story about brotherhood— brotherhood gone awry. There has been an “outcry” in the last few days against fraternities in the wake of the death of Guillo Cesar Servando, 18, as a result of the beating he received from his “brothers” during the initiation rites for neophytes of the Tau Gamma Phi. Stomach-churning certainly was footage of what seemed to be Servando’s last moments, recorded by security cameras in a condominium near his and the other neophytes’ school, the College of St. Benilde.

St. Benilde is not only run by the La Salle Brothers, it is also the school where my own son went to college.

So the story held more than passing interest for me. But I couldn’t believe the footage showing Servando and the other neophytes—John Paul Raval, Lorenze Agustin and an unidentified 17-year-old—entering the building, staggering toward the elevator and, when Servando collapsed inside the tight confines of the car, being dragged toward the unit occupied by Raval. An investigation found that upon entering the unit, Servando rushed to the bathroom and collapsed. He was dead

on arrival at the hospital.

I can only imagine how his parents must have felt upon catching sight of their son’s final moments. A sophomore at St. Benilde, Guillo reportedly told his father that he was being recruited for Tau Gamma Phi, a process that amounted to harassment. He concealed his decision to join the fraternity from his parents, motivated perhaps by threats to his safety if he backed out.

Certainly, I don’t think he ever imagined dying in the hands of his brothers. *** And there lies the irony of fraternities and their deadly initiation rites, as well as their penchant for violence and “rumbles.”

The father of another fraternity casualty, Edgardo Venturina, whose son Dennis died in the course of a confrontation between his frat Sigma Rho and Scintilla Juris, advised the elder Servando to gird for “a long legal battle.” Dennis, a student of the University of the Philippines, died of his injuries in 1994, but it was only last June that the Supreme Court upheld the conviction of five Scintilla Juris fratmen for his death. And that’s even a rare “happy ending” in the long and painful history of fraternity deaths, injuries, mayhem and maiming.

And just a few days after reports of Servando’s death, now surfaces another story about the injuries sustained by another UP student, although no details were forthcoming as UP administrators cited the family’s desire for privacy.

Over the years, we have puzzled over the strange attraction that fraternity membership holds for the young men who risk life and limb just to be called “brother.” Theories for this abound: the call of brotherhood and camaraderie, the need for group support in one’s studies and social life, the prestige of joining a group of influential alumni.

But let me suggest another rationale: the tribal urge, the primal calling for “belonging.” The masculine imperative to prove one’s manhood and bravery makes this longing to belong risky and dangerous, though, unleashing savagery and one-upmanship. *** And now, a story about sisterhood.

At the recent Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, held in London and attended by luminaries led by actor Angelina Jolie, a Filipino peace activist was proclaimed the lead convener of a 16-month Global Campaign on Women, Peace

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and Security that’s been dubbed “Women. Seriously!”

“Women are indispensable to durable peace,” Irene Santiago said in her address, declaring that women will no longer be content staying in the “underside of history.” Women, she added, should be found “at the peace negotiating table and everywhere else where decisions are made about ending war and building peace.”

“Women. Seriously!” aims to create a broad-based movement whose adherents believe that “women are indispensable to peace” and who recognize that “women are more than just victims in conflict, they are also agents of change, representing untapped potential for creating a more peaceful, secure and just world.” *** With Santiago as lead convener, the group includes 2011 Nobel Peace Laureate Leymah Gbowee of Liberia; Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury of Bangladesh, who was president of the United Nations Security Council when Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security was passed; Ambassador Swanee Hunt, former US ambassador to Austria and founder and chair of The Institute for Inclusive Security; and Ambassador Melanne Verveer,

inaugural US ambassador for Global Women’s Issues and current executive director of the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security.

Other members include Baroness Mary Goudie, senior member of the British House of Lords and member of the board of Vital Voices; Winnie Byanyima, executive director of Oxfam International, director of gender and development of UNDP, and former Ugandan member of parliament; Ruth-Gaby Vermot-Mangold, copresident of PeaceWomen Across the Globe and former member of the Swiss National Council and Council of Europe; Luz Mendez, former negotiator of the Guatemala peace talks and vice president of the National Union of Guatemalan Women executive board; and Madeleine Rees, secretary general of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2015.

The chairs of the Global Summit— UK Foreign Secretary William Hague and Jolie—endorsed the campaign and congratulated the conveners for their efforts “to promote the leadership of women in peace and security.”

The campaign culminates in October 2015 during the 70th anniversary celebration of the United Nations. ■

FRIDAY JULY 4, 2014

18

Canada News

No queue jumping for surgery for children of affluent families: Report

NEWS BRIEFS

FROM THE CANADIAN PRESS

BY HELEN BRANSWELL The Canadian Press TORONTO—A new Canadian study suggests that children from less affluent families don’t have to wait longer for needed surgeries than kids who are well off.

Researchers from Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children conducted the study, which looked at nearly 40,000 surgeries done at the hospital between 2005 and 2011.

Senior author Dr. James Wright says the goal was to see whether socio-economic status affects how fast children make it through the system when they need operations.

Wright says the researchers did not know going into the study whether family income played a role in surgical wait times among pediatric patients in a publicly funded healthcare system such as Canada’s.

Children’s postal codes were mapped against census data, which can be used to estimate what people earn depending on where they live.

The study is being published in the journal Pediatrics.

Even though one would expect a publicly funded system to be less in-

OTTAWA EASES WAY FOR SMALL WIRELESS CARRIERS

According to a study being published in the journal Pediatrics, sick children from lower income households do not have to wait longer for treatment than more affluent kids.

fluenced by a patient’s wealth than one that requires citizens to purchase their own health-care coverage or acquire it through their employment, Wright says socio-economic status can still be a barrier to care in the Canadian system.

Wright, the hospital’s chief surgeon, says until assumptions are tested, one simply cannot know.

The researchers looked at two wait periods—the time between when children were referred to a surgeon by their family physician or pediatrician, and the time from the decision to proceed with surgery to the operation itself.

In neither case did children from

lower income households wait longer than more affluent kids.

“As the surgeon in chief at the Hospital for Sick Children, as a practising orthopedic surgeon, as a member of society, I’m very pleased to see that for this segment of the population ... which we tend to value and place priority on, that we’re able to stand up proudly and say at least in our hospital that socio-economic status doesn’t appear to be a barrier to care,” Wright says.

“That’s a good finding. It’s good for families and it’s good for the system.”

The Hospital for Sick Children cares ❱❱ PAGE 34 No queue

Applications suggest waning interest in Harper’s volunteer awards

BY MELANIE PATTEN The Canadian Press OTTAWA—Canadians appear to be losing interest in a controversial awards program linked to Stephen Harper’s office.

The Harper government launched the Prime Minister’s Volunteer Awards in 2011, to honour 17 Canadians across the country each year for their volunteer work.

Critics and focus groups said the honour was tainted by politics be-

cause it was associated with a sitting prime minister rather than a neutral person, such as the Governor General.

Even so, in the first year there were 751 nominations for awards worth $5,000 and $10,000 each, cheques that must be directed to a non-profit group selected by the winners.

That number fell to 482 nominations in the second year of the award, despite a concerted campaign to stir interest, and after the applications deadline was extended by six weeks.

And this year, the number arriving by the extended June 23 deadline fell to 315, or less than half of the original number.

Some of those applications may still be rejected as the secretariat running the awards vets the forms for eligibility and completeness.

Details of nominations process were obtained by The Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act from Employment and Social Development Canada, which ❱❱ PAGE 21 Applications suggest

TORONTO—The federal government offered a new source of hope for Canada’s small wireless companies, giving them a shot at highquality wireless spectrum earlier than expected and limiting how much can be purchased by the country’s largest players. Industry Minister James Moore said Monday that the government will hold an auction of high-quality AWS-3 spectrum early next year and set aside about 60 per cent of the available capacity for the companies that have emerged since 2008.

TENS OF THOUSANDS IN MARITIMES STILL WITHOUT POWER AFTER WEEKEND STORM HALIFAX—Tens of thousands of people are still without power in the Maritime provinces today following post-tropical storm Arthur. About 93,000 NB Power customers are still in the dark, while Nova Scotia Power says more than 50,000 of its customers still don’t have power.

PCS, NDP WARN OF JOB CUTS, TAX HIKES TORONTO—Ontario’s Liberals may have won a majority June 12, but they have no plan to eliminate a $12.5 billion deficit without cutting jobs or raising taxes, the opposition parties charged Monday. In the first question period of the summer session, the Tories and NDP pounced on last week’s decision by Moody’s to lower Ontario’s credit outlook to negative while expressing concerns about the province’s ability to balance the books by 2017-18.

PROSTITUTION BILL ‘DEFENSIBLE,’ SAYS MACKAY OTTAWA—Justice Minister Peter MacKay says the government’s new prostitution bill is constitutionally sound, but he fully expects it will be challenged again at the Supreme Court of Canada. MacKay was the first witness today as a marathon round of hearings by the House of Commons justice committee on the Harper government’s new prostitution bill got underway.

19 FRIDAY JULY 4, 2014

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JULY 4, 2014

FRIDAY 20

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World News

21 FRIDAY JULY 4, 2014

Argentina economy Japan issues warnings, residents minister meets court evacuate as powerful typhoon heads appointed mediator toward islands of Okinawa to resolve debt impasse

BY ELAINE KURTENBACH The Associated Press

BY MATTHEW CRAFT The Associated Press NEW YORK—Argentina’s economy minister kicked off in New York negotiations aimed at resolving a dispute with creditors over unpaid debts that could lead to the country’s second default in 13 years.

In a muchanticipated meeting with a court-appointed mediator, Axel Kicillof reiterated his g overnment’s request that a New York judge presiding over the case extend a July 30 deadline for Argentina to pay some $1.5 billion awarded bondholders.

Many of the creditors are hedge funds who bought Argentine bonds on the cheap and then rejected Argentina’s restructuring offer following its record $100 billion default in 2001.

Kicillof dodged a group of Argentine journalists gathered outside the Park Avenue law office where the five-hour meeting took place and slipped into a black SUV without taking any questions. Onlookers surprised

by the fuss chased the pack and screamed out “Derek Jeter, Derek Jeter,” confusing the 42-year-old finance chief with the New York Yankees shortstop.

In a statement later, Kiciloff said that Argentina remains willing to continue dialogue aimed at a fair solution to the impasse that doesn’t affect the vast majority of its creditors who exchanged the defaulted bonds for new ones and whose future payments are at risk. U.S. District Judge Thomas Griesa has said it would be illegal for Argentina to make a payment to other bondholders without paying the holdouts.

President Cristina Fernandez and her predecessor, her husband Nestor Kirchner, have so far refused to negotiate with the plaintiffs led by New York billionaire Paul Singer’s NML Capital Ltd., who spent more than a decade litigating for payment in full rather than agreeing to provide Argentina with debt relief.

Kiciloff is scheduled to return to Buenos Aires later Monday. ■

TOKYO—Japan braced Tuesday for destructive winds and huge waves as a powerful typhoon churned toward the southern islands of Okinawa after sparing the Philippines.

Typhoon Neoguri was expected to reach Okinawa later Tuesday, packing sustained winds of 198 kilometres (123 miles) per hour and gusts up to 270 kph (168 mph), the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

It said the storm could be one of the strongest to hit Japan in decades, generating waves up to 14 metres (46 feet) high.

“There is a risk of unprecedentedly strong winds and torrential rains. Please refrain from nonessential outdoor activities,” Meteorological Agency official Satoshi Ebihara told reporters at a news conference.

The agency issued a special warning for violent winds, heavy rain and flood tides. The storm’s slow movement could add to the potential damage, weather forecasters said.

Television reports showed workers in Okinawa tying braces onto palm trees to help minimize damage. Early Tuesday, the national broadcaster NHK said 450 people were evacuated on Okinawa’s main island and thousands of homes were without electricity.

Typhoon Neoguri reached Okinawa Tuesday.

PHOTO FROM OILFREEFUN.COM

Government leaders held an emergency meeting and urged local governments and residents to take maximum precautions.

Forecasts show the storm tracking toward Kyushu island and then across Japan’s main island of Honshu. It is forecast to lose some power over land, but winds and heavy rains could cause landslides and other damage, Ebihara warned.

The typhoon comes on the tail end of Japan’s summer rainy season, and landslide warnings already are in effect

for some areas due to those seasonal downpours.

The Philippines was spared from the ferocious winds of Neoguri, which blew closest to land late Monday when it roared about 480 kilometres (298 miles) east of the northernmost province of Batanes, government weather forecaster Gladys Saludes said.

While the typhoon did not make landfall, it intensified the southwest monsoon, dumping heavy rains to some western Philippine provinces, she said. ■

could get behind, and turned it into a Conservative-only event,” Andrew Cash, one of the disinvited New Democrat MPs, said at the time.

This year’s nominations opened Feb. 27 and were to close on May 9, a 10-week period. Employment Minister Jason Kenney extended the period to June 23—an additional six weeks—after officials warned that only 134 potential nominations had come through the door.

The small numbers followed an outreach campaign that in-

cluded “email blasts” to 50,000 non-profit organizations, 190,000 emails associated with chambers of commerce, newsletter postings and many other ads and reminders.

The awards ceremony this year was held Feb. 27 in Toronto, with Harper personally presenting a medal and certificate to each winner, and having his picture taken with them.

Employment and Social Development says 47 per cent of Canadians volunteer their time, in work estimated to be worth some $14 billion. ■

Applications suggest... administers the awards program.

Asked about the declining numbers, a spokeswoman for Candice Bergen, the junior minister responsible, said only that the department has been trying to stir up interest.

“Outreach efforts and processes continue to be adapted to improve the program’s delivery,” Christine Csversko said in an email.

Before launching the awards, the government commissioned a $64,000 focus-group study

by Harris-Decima, which can❰❰ 18

vassed members of the public as well as representative of volunteer groups.

The awards would be “perceived as political in nature” if they were associated with the prime minister, said the November 2010 report, citing a majority of participants.

The new awards are in addition to an existing federal volunteer award, the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award, given annually to groups and individuals since 1995.

Political controversy tainted

the prime minister’s awards last year when it was revealed that opposition MPs were not invited to a ceremony on Parliament Hill in December 2012.

Five NDP and two Liberal MPs were originally on guest lists because their constituents were receiving awards, but their names were removed sometime before the ceremony, documents released under access to information showed.

“The prime minister is taking what really should be a nonpartisan awards ceremony, and something that all Canadians www.canadianinquirer.net

Immigration

JULY 4, 2014

FRIDAY 22

ON THE MOVE

The New Temporary Worker Program the rule that Canadians cannot be laid-off or have their hours reduced at a worksite that employs temporary foreign workers.

LMIA Fee

BY FRANCES GRACE QUIDDAOEN AND LEO MARCO LUI THE TEMPORARY Worker Program (TFWP) was launched as a limited and last resort measure to bring in foreign workers in recognition of the fact that foreign workers of varying skills and job categories are vital to Canada’s economy and that not all jobs can be filled or are wanted, by Canadians. Recently, the program has come under intense scrutiny following a growing criticism from various sectors that hiring TFW especially in regions or provinces with high unemployment rate has been seriously undermining Canadians’ opportunities in the labour market. As well, abuses suffered

by TFWs in the hands of employers have been a serious concern over the years.

In response to the public backlash on the TFWP, the government overhauled the program. On June 20, 2014, the new Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) was introduced, featuring the following main reforms: • Labour Market Opinion (LMO) is replaced by Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) which involves a more rigorous scrutiny of the employers application to bring in a TFW • Application fee for an LMO of $275 per position has increased to $1,000 per position for an LMIA • The main criteria for administering the program will be wage levels. Jobs are categorized as low-wage and high-wage.

• Caps on Low Wage TFW limiting the number of TFW that an employer can hire • Duration of work permit for TFW reduced from maximum of 4 years to 2 years • Stronger enforcement, more frequent inspections and stiffer penalties Labour Market Impact Assessment

The process to hire a TWF begins with the filing of an application for an LMO (now LMIA) by the employer with the Employment Services Development Canada (ESDC) and submitting all the required documentations including proofs of advertising to give Canadians the first chance at applying for the job.

The new LMIA process is more comprehensive and rigorous in terms of providing proofs and documentations of the recruitment effort for local workers. Employers must now also attest they are aware of www.canadianinquirer.net

Until July 2013, there was no fee for an LMO application. A fee of $275 was being collected starting June 2013 until June 20, 2014 when the fee was increased to $1,000 per position. The fee will be evaluated and adjusted to ensure that it adequately covers the government’s expense of processing an application.

New Criteria based on Wages

The criteria for administering the TFWP based on skill level and type in accordance with Canada’s National Classification Occupation (NOC) has been replaced by wage criteria. The primary categories under the new TFWP are: High-wage. Positions at or above the provincial/territorial median wage. Examples are managerial, scientific, professional and technical positions as well as the skilled trades.

Low-wage. Positions below the provincial/territorial median wage; examples of low-wage occupations include general labourers, food counter attendants, and sales and service personnel.

Primary Agricultural Stream. Includes positions related to on-farm primary agriculture.

Highest-demand, highest-paid or shortest-duration. In-demand occupations (skilled trades), highly paid occupations (top 10%) or short-duration (120 days or less) will have a short processing time.

Cap on Low-Wage Temporary Foreign Workers

Before the reforms, there was no limit on the number of TFWs that an employer can hire and thus, many companies created their business models based on the TFWP notwithstanding that the program was meant to bring TFWs into Canada on a temporary basis and for a limited period. Now, employers with 10 or more employers may hire low-wage TFW corresponding to only 10% of the proportion of their workforce per worksite. A couple of years are allowed employers over the 10% cap to adjust to the new cap.

Refusal to process LMIA applications

The government will refuse to process LMIA applications for low-wage, lowskilled occupations that require little education or training from employers in the accommodation and food service sector and retail trade sector in eco❱❱ PAGE 36 The New

23 FRIDAY JULY 4, 2014

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JULY 4, 2014

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FRIDAY 24

25 FRIDAY JULY 4, 2014

FILIPINO-CANADIANS IN FOCUS:

Rufino and Elvira Olivar

BY MARY ANN R. MANDAP Philippine Canadian Inquirer FOR RUFINO Olivar, regarded as the first Filipino licensed dentist in Canada, the road to success did not follow a straight path. It took him to places where few had been, and along the way, he developed skills, picked up tools of the trade, and most importantly, met the person who was to become his inspiration the rest of the way.

In 1957, as a newly-minted dentist from the Philippines, Rufino became part of the 1957 U.S. State Department’s Exchange Visitors’ Program, aimed at providing medical professionals more extensive trainings in their fields.

Rufino remembers feeling ecstatic about going to the land of opportunities. “I was really excited! I dreamt of staying in the U.S. permanently, but of course, there were restrictions. But I was determined to accept whatever was offered to me,” he said.

The course changed his life and set him on a career path.

For five years, Rufino gained experience at various hospitals in Tennessee, Iowa, New Jersey and New York. In the Big Apple, he fell in love.

He met his wife, the former Elvira Tensuan, at the same building he stayed in. She was then living with her cousins and working as a medical technologist at the St. Joseph’s Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. According to Elvira, “Ours wasn’t love at first sight. He was friends with my cousin so we hung out.

Eventually, he started calling me up and visiting me,” she recalled. They got married and settled in New Jersey, where they had Nanette, their firstborn, now also a dentist.

Montreal

They transferred to Mon-

The Olivar family.

treal, Canada after the five-year visa of Rufino expired. Fortunately, he got a job at the Royal Victoria Hospital where he stayed for two years as a dental resident. But in order to legally stay in Canada, Rufino was required to go back to school.

He then enrolled as a dentistry student at McGill University, ranked number one in Canada in the Medical Doctoral category by the Maclean's University Rankings report. “McGill was the Harvard of Canada, according to my research,” he said.

After a year, Rufino got his degree, took the national dental board and passed it in 1965. This gave him the licence to practise in all provinces except Quebec.

He attributes his good fortune to sheer luck and a healthy dose of determination. Armed with double dentistry degrees from the Philippines and Canada, Rufino felt he can conquer the world.

Vancouver

The soft-spoken and unassuming gentleman was enticed by stories of beautiful Vancouver. “We heard about this city, one of the few places in the world where you can go up skiing in the morning and then go sailing in the afternoon. Weather is mild and there wasn’t much snow.” In February 1966, he packed his belongings and

Elvira and Rufino Olivar.

brought his family of four to the breathtaking coastal city.

He recalled that they were excited about the transfer but were apprehensive as they didn’t know anybody except for his cousin. Rufino immediately worked with Vancouver City Health Services and was stationed at the Vancouver General Hospital. “During lunchtime, I would walk around the lobby and see Filipino nurses. That’s how I knew them. They were the first Filipinos I encountered,” he said. There were very few Filipinos then, according to Rufino. “There were about 200,” he guessed.

He worked full-time with the hospital for two years. In 1968, he set up his own practice in Surrey, B.C. He continued to be affiliated with Vancouver City Health Services. According to Rufino, he chose Surrey for his clinic site because there were not many dental clinics there.

“I was booked for three months when I opened my clinic.” Back then, he said there were only two or three Filipinos in Surrey.

Elvira, for her part, was a stay-at-home mom. She recalls that at that time, there were no caregivers to help mothers with their young. Also, their son, Kenneth, was hearing impaired and had poor kidneys. “My son needed special attention,” she summed it up.

Later, she had another daughter, Blanche, now a dental hygienist.

Filipino community

Rufino was offered to head the Filipino Association of B.C. (FABC), a non-profit organization originally formed by the first Filipino families who settled in British Columbia in the late 1950s. Many consider FABC the “mother” of all Filipino organizations in B.C. But uncharacteristically, Rufino did not jump on this opportunity to lead the group. He valued humility and a simple life ahead of prominence. “I declined to be president because I didn’t have training in organizing and I was busy with my practice and the Vancouver Public Health Service,” Rufino said. Years later, the opportunity to head FABC came up again, and once again he refused.

But he never refused cries for help from Filipino friends.

Their house was always open to fellowmen in need of shelter or a place to meet and to party.

According to him, the Filipino families then were close-knit.

“We were all friends and we stuck together. Not like now, you don’t even know people now,” he said.

Challenges

“It’s so easy to get discour-

aged,” Rufino said about living abroad. He considered enrolling in a Canadian school, qualifying for the licensing exam and acquiring immigration status in Canada as his toughest challenges. He said he overcame these by persevering and by looking forward. “I don’t look back,” he added.

Elvira meanwhile recalled easily adjusting to life abroad.

“There were so many things to see,” she said. There were no Filipino restaurants then in Vancouver, so they cooked their own food or they would go to Chinese restaurants to eat.

Advice

To new immigrants and professionals, Rufino recommends preparing themselves to take the licensing exams. On the other hand, Elvira cautioned Filipinos not to expect too much.

“Be ready to accept disappointments, especially in jobs. You just have to work your way up and put in a lot of time and energy in what you do,” she said. explorAsian

The Vancouver Asian Heritage Society honored Rufino and Elvira, together with four other couples in the FilipinoCanadian community with Community Builder Awards during the recent explorAsian festival. ■

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Seen & Scenes - Vancouver

JULY 4, 2014

FRIDAY 26

INDEPENDENCE DAY RITES CULMINATES IN PHILIPPINE-CANADA FRIENDSHIP BALL Filipino Canadians in Metro Vancouver celebrated the Philippine-Canadian Friendship month with a culminating event on June 28, at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown in Burnaby. This friendship ball was organized by the Multicultural Helping House Society, Barangay North Vancouver Filipino Community Centre, Victoria Bayanihan Community Centre and the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver.

Highlight of the event was the surprise appearance of Florante, a well-loved folk singer and guitarist from the Philippines, who rose to fame in the 70s with popular hits like Pinay, Ako’y Pinoy, Sana, Si Tatang, Ako and Nanay mo Lang.

MP for North Vancouver Andrew Saxton was guest speaker. Photos by Christian Cunanan

KABABAYANG PILIPINO PRESENTS TANGHALAN SHOWCASE

MALAYSIA HOSTS ASEAN LUNCHEON

Kababayang Pilipino (KP) presents, “Tanghalan-Showcase’s first dance in Act One called, “Elements” with each dancer representing one of four elements: earth, wind, fire, and water. Photo By Leah Villalobos

Welcoming ViceConsul Rogelio Villanueva (L) to Vancouver.

MP DON DAVIES HONORS FILCANES INDEPENDENCE DAY EVENT

KP’s 21st anniversary performance on June 29 at the Massey Theatre is, according to Executive Producer Veejay Correa, a reflection of our beautiful Philippine culture. Photo by Flip Vision

MP Don Davies graced the Filipino Canadian New Era Society of B.C. celebration held recently at the Capri Hall on Fraser St., Vancouver. The event marked the 116th anniversary of Philippine Independence, coronation of little Miss Philippine Independence and Ms. Philippine Independence.

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

Asean Consuls General of Vancouver (ACGV) and their colleagues held a farewell luncheon in honour of Consul General Bambang Hiendrasto and Consul Arief bin Muhamad. The ACGV event at Silkway Halal Cuisine on June 26, likewise welcomed Consul General Sutthiluck Sa-Ngarmangkang of Thailand and ViceConsul Rogelio Villanueva of the Philippines. Photos

by Pedro Nocom

Seen & Scenes - Toronto

27 FRIDAY JULY 4, 2014

DOORS OPEN FOR ‘SOUNDS OF NEW HOPE’ Eric Tandoc is a community organizer, filmmaker, DJ, and chairperson of the progressive Filipino youth organization, Anakbayan Los Angeles. He is currently touring the film utilizing video DJing technology to manually re-edit the film live while incorporating musical performances inbetween scenes.

Filipino-American MC Kiwi on June 25, screened his film, “Sounds of a New Hope,” about his work using hip-hop as an organizing tool in the people’s movement for national liberation and democracy in the Philippines.

WREATH-LAYING CEREMONY AT RIZAL BUST Consul General Junever Mahilum West (middle) is assisted by Regional Commander George Poblete, KGCR of the Order of the Knights of Rizal (OKOR) and Emmanuel (Manny) Yanga, Chapter Commander of the OKOR Scarborough Chapter, during the wreath-laying ceremony before the statue of Dr. Jose P. Rizal at the Earl Bales Parks, Bathurst Ave., Toronto, Ont. in celebration of his 153rd birth anniversary on June 19. Dindo Orbeso, St. Jamestown News Service. Photo by Aristeo Mondragon.

MORE INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATIONS Re-enactment of the execution in Bagumbayan of Filipino priests Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora.

Above: Senator Enverga (2nd from L) with Knights of Rizal

Below: Senator Enverga (9th from L) with members of the Philippine Artists Group.

Left: Little Miss Philippines Canada 2014 candidates and other Fil-Canadians wave Philippine flags during an Independence Day celebration. www.canadianinquirer.net

FRIDAY JULY 4, 2014

28

Sizzling Summer Boyz to Men: A Story about Manhood

BY CHING DEE Philippine Canadian Inquirer BACK IN May 2009, I had the privilege of joining a medical and dental mission to the island communities (four baranggays) in the Calamian Group of Islands in Palawan, specifically around Coron.

Part of our mission was to provide much needed medical consultation and medicine to locals, who would otherwise not go to the hospital for two reasons: First, the nearest hospital is very far and can only be reached by boat; second, they don’t have the financial resources to go and see a medical professional.

We conducted medical consultations, free prescription, we delivered free medications, and even performed minor surgical procedures. And yours truly—despite having zero medical knowledge (save for binge watching ‘E.R.’ and ‘Grey’s Anatomy’)—was given the opportunity to assist in those medical procedures.

During our medical mission in the town of Banuang Daan, one of our doctors allowed to me to do an important procedure on my own. This may very well be more of a rite of passage rather than a (minor) medical procedure. This procedure allows patients to walk in our medical tent as a boy and leave the tent as a ‘man’ (so they say).

That afternoon in some remote island village somewhere in northern Palawan, I circumcised boys.

Turning boys into men (well, sort of)

Doc Nesti, one of our missionary doctors, showed me (and a couple of nurses with us) how to do it. He demonstrated twice and then let me do it to a few patients as he looked over my shoulder. On my third patient, he let me go solo so he could also take care of other pa-

Author with "patients" at the town of Banuang Daan.

"Tuli" or circumcisions are usually done during the summer in the Philippines.

tients. To be honest, I remember snipping and then looking behind me for Doc Nesti’s approval—only to find out he’s moved on to other patients.

It may sound gruesome, but to be perfectly honest, I can still remember the adrenaline rush of administering anesthesia, cutting, and snipping. I was too excited to care about the gore.

The first thing I had to do before ‘turning boys into socalled men’ (at least anatomically to some people) was to check it they’re ready to be cut.

Doc told me about the factors to consider, including age and certain stuff I would rather not describe in this article. Usually, I still ask Doc if the patient’s ready before I stick a needle on the boy.

Speaking of sticking a needle on the boy, I remember having a brief Meredith Grey feeling as I filled the syringe with general anesthetic. I remember lifting it to eye level to make sure there were no bubbles. For some reason, there was something so TV-ish with that practice.

liberation of a boy’s body part from surrounding foreskin to manhood.

While society may think and impose on pre-adolescent (and might I say extremely impressionable) boys that getting circumcised means turning into a man, I kept on using quotation marks and disclaimers like “sort of” and “so-called.”

I just couldn’t bring myself to agree on some people’s belief that being a man means having no foreskin. On a personal note, I think people don’t even consider neither the biblical history nor the medical importance (or lack of it) of the procedure, especially pinoys. Since I was in elementary, I got the impression that if a boy is ‘supot’ (uncircumcised), then he is less of a man than the others.

This is the kind of thinking we are leading today’s children and our future children to believe.

I’m sure many people share my reluctance to equate manhood with a man’s body part.

A man’s essence is more than what’s dangling between his

Before injecting, I had to take two fingers to press the base of the ‘surgical area’ to look for the right spot to administer the numbing fluid. Once injected, massaging the base was important to make sure the drug goes where it should go. One minute and a generous wiping of povidone iodine later, the initial cut can be made.

“Aim well,” I remember thinking to myself. “Keep your hands steady.”

And I did. I aimed well. I kept my hands steady—steady enough for at least seven patients.

It took about two cuts on the average. Once I’ve made the cuts and cleaned up the blood, I’d tell Doc so he could check my work and stitch up the boy.

I remember asking if I could do the sutures, too.

“Maybe after a year in medical school,” Doc answered in Tagalog with a smile.

My Reluctance

As I’m writing this, I realized my reluctance to equate the

legs, in the same way that a woman is more than her charm or wits or her ‘lady parts.’

In my own point of view, a man knows how to protect himself and the ones he care about.

A man knows how to take responsibility and action. A man knows when to step back and when to step in. A man doesn’t seek to understand the nuances of his partner—be it a woman or another man—but he seeks to love his partner no matter what. A man doesn’t flee from a problem, he faces it with a solution (or at least with courage).

A man knows when he made a mistake and he is man enough to own up to it, make up for it, and do better next time.

These things don’t just apply to men, I tell myself. A man is all that and many other things I might never know because, well, I’m not a man.

So, yeah. While those patients may have walked into our make-shift clinic as preadolescent boys five years ago, I certainly hope they’re walking as men now. ■

Sizzling Summer

29 FRIDAY JULY 4, 2014

5 cool summer camps for kids

BY THESSA SANDOVAL Philippine Canadian Inquirer SUMMER CAMPS do not just provide a fun environment for your kids, but also teach them many valuable skills, like leadership and social skills, which will help them in the time to come. Camps give them the opportunity to go out of their comfort zones and make new friends aside from their classmates as well.

According to an article published by the American Camp Association, “For years, campers' parents have reported that when their children return home from camp, they are more caring, understand the importance of giving, are more equipped to stand up for what they know is right, and are willing to be more responsible.”

Having mentioned all those benefits, summer camp does sound like a good idea, right? If you haven’t thought of a camp where to send your child this

PHOTO FROM DEVIANT ART_ CC BY-NC-ND 3.0

French Solutions SCREEN GRAB FROM RP4K'S YOUTUBE VIDEO

summer, then consider these five cool camps: Real Programming (RP4K)

for

Kids

If you often worry about the amount of time your kids spend playing video games, RP4K might just change your view about these games. In an RP4K summer camp, children will be creating and programming video games instead of playing them. It offers the most complete appli-

cation of math, physics, creativity, problem solving, and communication skills. Kids and teens will learn how to use an industrystandard programming software and real programming languages like Visual Basic, Java, C# and C++. Classes are offered in Toronto, Ottawa, Oshawa, London, Waterloo, Etobicoke, Richmond Hill and Oakville (Ontario).

Contact detail/s: 416-4699676/ info@realprogramming4kids.com

French is an official language of Canada as well, so it is important to have a basic or working knowledge of it. Why not use the summer break as a time for your kids to learn Francais in a fun way? “Le Camp Alouette”, French Solutions’ summer camp this year, is designed to help kids improve their French oral communication skills while participating in activities such as communication circles, drama, songs and kinesthetic, arts and crafts, and sports. This

Markham-based school offers three separate camp programs for learners of all levels: Beginner French, Core French, and Francophone and French Immersion.

Contact detail/s: 905-2016282/ inquiries@frenchsolutions.ca Chef School

From the name itself, this school is for young aspiring cooks. A challenging culinary program is being offered every ❱❱ PAGE 40 5 cool

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Sizzling Summer

JULY 4, 2014

FRIDAY 30

A Paleo Kind of Summer

BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer AH, SUMMER. Bringer of all things we love: Outdoor barbeques with family, friends, and cold beers; vacations, far and near; stay-cations, at you favorite hotel; longer days; warmer days (a welcome respite, in parts of the world like Canada); walks in the park; all those fun things.

Oh, summer. Bringer of things we love to hate: Realizing that those extra Christmas pounds still haunt us like yesterday’s ex-boyfriend or exgirlfriend; and, what’s worse, swimwear is generally unforgiving. And what is summer without the donning of swimwear, after all?

Don’t chuck your bikini (or board shorts) out just yet.

Those Baywatch dreams MAY still be within your grasp. If not for THIS summer, then the next one, for sure.

How? Paleo diet, to the rescue!

Paleo what now???

The Paleo or Paleolithic diet: as hot as fitness topics and trends go these days, this one is possibly the hottest. In fact, it is sizzling. Tsssssssssss.

It is SO hot, that it has also gained its fair share of criticism and controversy; with an anti-Paleo episode of TED talks making the rounds online. For more on that issue, you may visit http://www.nerdfitness.com/ blog/2013/04/08/the-paleo-diet-debunked/ if you care to.

The phrase “Paleo diet” is thrown around by experts and posers alike, fitness gurus and wannabe’s, and just about everyone in between. Junkies of whatever-the-latest -crazemay-be (latching on to every trend, every time) and firsttimers alike have all jumped on the Paleo bandwagon with as much gusto as a Paleolithic hunter-gatherer to his prey.

But what is this Paleo diet, all about really?

Now I am not all about the craze of things; as I have said many times over, in previous

writings. BUT I must admit, I have seen some pretty dramatic results with this particular diet craze. Not just physique-wise, what with the drool-worthy sculpted abs of Paleo advocates, but physically—health wise—as well. So I must admit, at the very least, my curiosity is piqued.

CAN EAT: Grass-produced meats, fish/seafood, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables,

Lean, mean Paleo machines

eggs, nuts, seeds, healthy oils (olive, walnut, flaxseed, macadamia, avocado, coconut), ghee, natural butter, natural fats.

The Paleo diet is just one stretcher on the bigger umbrella; the Paleo lifestyle. The diet is quite possibly the most pursued aspect of this lifestyle, given its numerous benefits and the promise of a healthy, lean, and strong physique. One look at the chiseled stomach muscles and enviable, toned bodies of lean, mean Paleo machines—in the guise of men and women—is enough to convince most. Delving deeper into the matter reveals not only body beautiful on the outside, but health, on the inside.

It has been called many things, this Paleo diet: Caveman diet, the Primal Diet, or the Hunter-Gatherer diet. It

has also inaccurately been confused as the Atkins Diet, Southbeach Diet, Mediterranean Diet, or Zone Diet.

It has also “given birth” to different offspring; variations of the diet, it would seem, such as the Whole30 Program, which is almost equally popular.

First off, it is not really a “diet;” at least, not in the traditional sense of the word.

In the simplest sense, it is a lifestyle adjustment, founded largely on the way the human diet was originally intended to be. It has been touted as the “world’s healthiest diet,” and is based on the straightforward understanding that the best hu-

man diet is the one to which we are most genetically adapted and suited.

The times, they are a-changing

At the very core of the principles of Paleo is this: Based on scientific research, human genetics, paleontology, archaeology, and anthropology, human composition and the human genome has remained 99.99% the same as human make-up 15,000 years ago. Furthermore, we also know that agriculture has been around since 10,00015,000 years ago, as well. Highly processed foods, on the other ❱❱ PAGE 32 A Paleo

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Sizzling Summer

31 FRIDAY JULY 4, 2014

‘To-Go’ Checklist: 10 Summer Attractions in the Philippines

BY LEI FONTAMILLAS Philippine Canadian Inquirer THE SUMMER heat is finally here! Now is the best time to keep the sweaters, jackets and long-sleeved shirts in the closet. This season is the best time to pack your bags with the best summer clothes and prepare your pocket for a summer getaway! The white sand beach, the crystal clear ocean and the cold, green pine trees await you in this year’s summer season.

But before you turn yourself to the ‘pack-up’ mode and start choosing the best summer outfit you want to wear, the first word that might be bothering you now is “WHERE.” Where should I spend my summer vacation?

Being a country rich in awesome hotspots during summer, that question might be problematic when considering to spend the summer adventure in the Philippines as there are many beautiful options to choose from.

But to make the decisionmaking less burdensome, Islands of the Philippines website offers a list of the 10 best summer attractions to visit in the Philippines: Camiguin Island

Ever imagined spending a day or two in one of the amazing beach setting usually shown on movies? Camiguin Island is the best place to go!

The island is oftentimes dubbed as the ‘favorite’ shooting site of local Filipino movies.

Its white sand beach and cool blue waters make its landscapes and seascapes extraordinarily perfect not just for filming but also for enjoying an awesome beach escapade this summer season.

Boracay Island

An amazing summer experience is still best spent in an island which placed the country in the world’s list of top island getaways. Boracay, up to now, is still voted by international travelers as the country’s best island destinations during summer, Lenten season and Christmas holidays, Not only is the island world-

famous for its fine white beach sands but it also boasts of world-class hotels, water sports activities and island night clubs for party-goers.

Baguio City

A summer adventure list in the Philippines will not be complete without the country’s summer capital. Baguio, a city located some 1,500 kilometers above sea level, is the only city in the country that doesn’t experience summer’s extreme heat. It has a mild to cold climate anytime of the year, which makes it a top tourist destination for both local and foreign visitors who want a brief escape from the summer heat.

Who wouldn’t love a nice warm cup of coffee underneath the fresh, cool breeze of Baguio’s sweet-smelling pine trees?

Ayala Center Cebu Terraces.

Dumaguete City

For nature lovers, a breathtaking view of a spectacular sunset and sunrise is surely more than enough to complete a fun-ride this summer season.

Where else in the country would you go for a walk to witness a scenic view of the sun rising in the morning and setting at night? For travelers in the Visayas region, there is no other place but Rizal Boulevard in Dumaguete City.

More than the serene atmosphere provided by their spectacular views, and whitesand beaches, Dumaguete is also known to local and foreign tourists as the most friendly place in the Visayan region.

Hundred Islands National Park

Island hopping is another best way to explore a country known for being composed of more than 7,000 islands.

And the only way to witness as many islands in a day is to explore the Hundred Islands National Park, a major attraction located in the lowlands of Northern Luzon.

Three major islands including Governor Island, Quezon Island and Children’s Island were developed by the government to improve tourism in the area.

Roxas City

For tourists wanting to spend

Camiguin Island coastline.

summer in one of the cities in Italy, Roxas is the right place to go.

The city provides a breathtaking Venice-like view with its famous bridge connecting the city’s northern part to the south.

But there is more to this amazing view in Roxas. Being the country’s seafood capital, the city is also famous for its fresh and unique seafood recipes that will add more flavor to your summer adventure.

Ilo-ilo City

Talking about more summer food this season, Ilo-ilo is another city in the country which will boost your summer-season appetite.

It is known for its world-famous Lapaz Batchoy, a native noodle-soup recipe and other famous biscuits like barquillos and biscochos.

But apart from the food, the city will also complete your summer adventure with its white-sand beaches with www.canadianinquirer.net

Dumaguete Boulevard.

crystal blue waters and protected coral reefs.

Bohol City

A summer trip to the country’s Visayan region will surely not be complete without a glimpse of Bohol City’s Chocolate Hills.

Bohol is also the best place to see the smallest living mammal in the world.

Other activities which tourists would never want to miss in Bohol include a beach adventure in Panglao Island and an unforgettable lunch in a floating restaurant at Loboc River.

Cebu City

Known for being one of the three major islands in the Philippines, Cebu City is not only famous for its historical significance but also for the worldfamous activities it has in store for tourists during the summer season.

Aside from the white-sand beaches that compare even

with world-famous Boracay Island, Cebu’s Mango Avenua and Close Island are among the city’s list of must-see places.

Being the jump-off place to other popular destinations in the country during summer which includes Dumaguete and Bohol, Cebu is a must-not-miss city this summer season!

Davao

For a more adventurous summer escapade, Davao City is one of the best places to visit.

Mountain climbing, hiking and trekking is still best done in the country’s highest mountain, Mt. Apo, found in Davao.

Surrounded by the clear blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, Davao is also among the country’s best places for beach and island adventures.

Now that an idea of the “WHERE” is finally set, the next best thing to do is schedule the flight and proceed on the “pack-up” mode before the summer season bids goodbye. ■

Sizzling Summer

JULY 4, 2014 FRIDAY 32

5 cool... hand, began only 200 years ago. Human existence, however, dates back 8 million years.

From these facts, we see that despite human genetic composition remaining predominantly the same, lifestyle and diets have change dramatically with the changing times. They have, in fact, radically changed since 15,000 years ago; and even more radically—almost completely—since the dawn of the first man and woman.

The human race went from hunting and gathering (like Paleolithic men and women) to agriculture and farming; but our bodies have not adjusted well to the change.

Unfortunately, these changes have not necessarily been for the better. Health and overall well-being have been sacrificed at the altars of modernity and industrialization.

It is no secret that people today consume way too much of the wrong kinds of fat, sugar, carbohydrates, and processed food; resulting in countless issues of weight and well-being.

Razor’s edge (and some scientific facts) ❰❰ 30

Athlete-turned-Paleo-freakcum-advocate, Greg “Caveman” Parham, applies Occam’s Razor (the process which states that among competing hypotheses, the one with the fewest assumptions should be selected) to delineate specific scientific points that build the foundations for the Paleo diet: 1. Refined carbohydrates rapidly elevate blood sugar.

2. In order to counteract this high blood sugar, your body releases insulin.

3. Your body can only store so many carbohydrates. You have unlimited fat storage; however, insulin tells your body to store any excess carbs as fat.

4. Protein, fat, and micronutrients do not spike blood sugar.

They do raise it, but not to the extent that muscles and organs can’t absorb them.

5. A diet high in processed carbohydrates promotes an acidic environment in your body—plant foods promote an alkaline environment.

6. A diet high in grains increases systemic inflammation.

Healthy fats and plant food reduce inflammation.

So, in English, a diet high in

grains, and refined /processed carbohydrates and sugars = NOT good. A diet high in protein, micronutrients and natural fat = GOOD. Paleo-approved eats

In a nutshell (for the indepth study of these principles would fill the pages of a medical or health journal, just about), here’s what you CAN and CAN’T eat, if you choose to try the Paleo way. Those to-die-for sculpted beach-ready abs come at a price, you know.

CAN EAT: • Grass-produced meats • Fish/seafood • Fresh fruits • Fresh Vegetables • Eggs • Nuts • Seeds • Healthy oils (Olive, walnut, flaxseed, macadamia, avocado, coconut) • Ghee • Natural butter • Natural fats CANNOT EAT: • Cereal grains • Legumes (including peanuts—shock of shocks! Peanuts are legumes, not nuts!)

A diet high in grains increases systemic inflammation. Healthy fats and plant food reduce inflammation.

• Dairy • Refined sugar • Potatoes • Processed foods and meats • Salt • Refined vegetable oils • Candy / Junk / Processed Food The good news is…Bacon, believe it or not, is allowed as a Paleo meat! As long as it is naturally cured, that is. Just thought I’d throw that in there, for some cheer and comfort for

those planning to embark on this journey.

This is not to say that you should go all-out Paleo, as in, RIGHT NOW. Be sensible. As with any lifestyle or dietary change, it is always best to consult with your family practitioner, nutritionist, or doctor. But if you are curious about Paleo, just as I am, then—at the very least—this article may have served to satisfy that interest eve a tad. ■

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FRIDAY JULY 4, 2014

33

Entertainment

Liza Soberano to work with Enrique Gil

Vhong snubs hearing for the second time

BY LEI FONTAMILLAS Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA—The new teen star, Liza Soberano will be working with leading man Enrique Gil in Star Cinema’s upcoming film, “The Bet.” The teen star said in an interview with ABS-CBN News that she already did some workshop and story conference for the movie which was based on the hit book written by Kimberly Joy Villanueva.

“Nag-story con kami, nagscript reading at after that nagbonding kami, nag-karaoke kami. Sobrang saya at nakilala namin ang isa’t isa sa workshop.

Nung una nahihiya ako, feeling ko hindi ko sila masyadong ka-close nung una, nung medyo tinutukso nila ako and everything medyo nag-warm na,” she shared.

(We already did story conference, script-reading and after that we had a karaoke bonding. I’m so happy that we have known each other in the workshop. At first, I was really shy; I thought I will never be close to them. At first they were still teasing me, now the atmosphere is already getting warmer.)

“It’s really fun to be with him especially on set kasi kahit pagod na siya ay nagapapatawa pa din siya so hindi ka din mapapagod sa kanya (because even when he is so tired already he will still crack jokes so you

BY LEI FONTAMILLAS Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA—For the second time now, actor and television host Vhong Navarro ignored another mediation hearing for the grave coercion case he filed against Deniece Cornejo, Cedric Lee and several others.

The actor’s lawyer Alma Mallonga explained in an interview for the Philippine Star that Navarro did this because he does not consider settlement as an option in the case he filed.

“Vhong had already formally rejected settlement as an option in the serious illegal detention case. The mediation is supposed to deal only with the civil aspect of the grave coercion case. The mediation has been reset one last time with Vhong being directed to per-

Liza Soberano.

won’t get tired),” Soberano added.

The movie is about the main character, Drake, who bet that he will make Sophia fall for him in just 30 days.

“I’m really, really happy and nervous at the same time, kasi nga (because) I didn’t start out as bida (the main character) sa teleserye (in a

sonally appear on August 4,” Navarro’s lawyer told the Philippine Star.

Navarro also snubbed the first mediation hearing by the Taguig City Metropolitan Trial Court (MTC) Branch 74 last June 2.

“You will note that after the last mediation, Cedric (Lee) denigrated Vhong and publicly expressed that no settlement was possible,” Mallonga said.

However, the court explained that Navarro should stop ignoring the hearings.

If he really does not want to settle, he was advised that he still should attend the hearings and enter a refusal to settle with the respondents.

Navarro filed the case against Cornejo and six other respondents after he was allegedly mauled in Cornejo’s condominium unit. ■

PHOTO FROM FACEBOOK

teleserye) so it’s going to be harder for me to adjust to this. Kasi, (Because) when it’s a movie, it’s a really big thing and people pay to watch. You really have to be good kasi ayaw mo naman na ma-upset sila kapag napanood nila (because you don’t want them to get upset while they are watching),” Soberano said. ■

Vhong Navarro.

WIKIPEDIA PHOTO

Entertainment

JULY 4, 2014 FRIDAY 34

Maja: Playing a mistress was a risk that paid off

BY MARINEL R. CRUZ Philippine Daily Inquirer “CHOOSING TO portray a mistress was a big risk for me. Nobody would want to be associated with a home wrecker,” said Maja Salvador, who played the controversial character Nicole Esquivel in the recently concluded series “The Legal Wife” on ABS-CBN. “Luckily, viewers are smarter now than before, and able to distinguish Nicole from the real me. They would say, ‘We hate Nicole, but we love you, Maja,’” she said. “I was used to young girls and teenagers asking for souvenir photos with me during mall shows, but since the show, even fathers and grandmothers have been approaching me.”

Maja confessed that she herself had difficulty understanding her character in the beginning, “More so, make the viewers understand her… I had to make them know what she’s going through so they wouldn’t hate her, so they’d see her side.” The series also featured Angel Locsin as Monica de Villa, Nicole’s best friend and wife of her lover Adrian, played by Jericho Rosales.

The program finale, which aired last month, drew mixed reactions from viewers.

“Some hated it; some liked it,” Maja said.

“Viewers were loyal to the show because it was realistic. That was why we didn’t include kidnapping or murder scenes usually included in local soap series.”

Now that “The Legal Wife” has ended, Maja said, she could finally focus on preparing for her one-night concert on July 12 at the Music Museum titled “Maj: The Legal Performer.”

How would you have ended “The Legal Wife”?

I already like how our writers chose to end the show. It’s interesting that, when Nicole destroyed a family, she also ruined herself—she lost her son. The lesson that Nicole’s experience tried to impart to viewers was that you shouldn’t depend on another person to make you feel happy and complete. If there is to be another conclusion to it, I think the legal wife should end victorious. However you look at it, it was Nicole who made the mistake.

Your boyfriend Gerald Anderson says he prefers not to work with you. What’s your take on that?

We’ve talked about it. We both think

it’s better to keep our relationship separate from our work. This way, we can protect and preserve it.

Will you let him watch your concert?

I have invited him, but I know he’s busy with “Dyesebel.” It depends on whether or not he has work that night. I hope he doesn’t tell me if he makes it. I don’t want to feel self-conscious. I’ll be performing with Rayver Cruz, Enchong Dee, Enrique Gil and Piolo Pascual.

What songs will be included in your repertoire?

It’s important that I perform the theme song of “The Legal Wife.” I’m rehearsing it with my voice coach. I’ll also do a medley of songs by Jaya. I’m a huge fan. I always sing her songs in videoke joints. I want the opening number to be upbeat.

I have yet to come up with the final lineup, but there will be songs by Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez and Britney Spears.

I want to make sure there’ll be dancing, because it was through dancing that people first noticed me.

I will try hard to be what the title suggests, a total performer. I want to give my best in every single production number.

Does “Dahan-Dahan,” the song you composed, refer to your own career path?

It actually does! When I started in this business I didn’t aim to be a superstar. I said I wouldn’t rush because I’d eventu-

Maja in “The Legal Wife.”

ally get to where God wants me to be. I’m thankful that I’m given the right projects. I’m grateful to “The Legal Wife” because it had a huge impact on my career.

What else do you want to achieve as an artist?

I still dream of working with a lot of fellow artists. The next series I’m doing for ABS-CBN is a dream project, too.

I’ll be working with some of the biggest stars in the industry.

I’m also happy that I got to penetrate the music industry. (Maja’s album “Believe,” released by Ivory Music and Videos, recently got a Gold Record award.)

This means that, if I’m not working on TV and movie projects, I have something else to focus on—making music and performing. I’m glad I can offer a lot of things to my supporters. ■

No queue... for the sickest of the sick among Ontario children, and even draws patients from beyond the province’s—and Canada’s—borders.

As such, Wright acknowledges that its performance may not be typical of what would be experienced by children waiting for less pressing operations—say a tonsillectomy—at a community hospital.

Still, he notes that children’s surgeries often have an urgency to them, a need to correct something before a developmental window closes and life-long consequences ensue. Adults sometimes have surgeries for non-urgent reasons—to fix a deviated septum to ease breathing or reduce snoring, for instance. But children rarely go under the knife unless there is a compelling and often time-sensitive reason.

“It’s much more: ‘Gee, if we don’t do this someone won’t be able to see for their whole life. Someone won’t be able to hear well. Someone’s language, if they don’t have an implant in their ear, their language will never develop,”‘ Wright explains.

Health system analyst Steven Lewis says while the study’s findings may not reflect circumstances children face at general and community hospitals, he wouldn’t be surprised if they too treat kids like this. ❰❰ 18

www.canadianinquirer.net

“I think there may be an underlying enhanced commitment to equity for kids,” says Lewis, an independent consultant based in Saskatoon.

“I think people take it pretty seriously, when there’s a kid who’s got a problem....

Any unconscious tendency to be a little blase about equity in terms of adults may be set aside when it comes to kids.”

That doesn’t mean to say that children always get treated as quickly as experts advise.

The study found a third of patients waited longer than pediatric experts recommend for their surgical consultation—the first wait time measured—and 28 per cent waited longer than recommended for the consultation-to-operation period.

The national push to reduce healthcare wait times over the past decade resulted in the establishment of wait-time guidelines for pediatric surgeries, which were published in June 2010.

Wright, who was part of that process, says targeted funding from the Ontario government has shortened the wait times for pediatric surgeries, so the 33 per cent and 28 per cent figures—aggregates for the full six years studied— would currently be lower. ■

Entertainment

35 FRIDAY JULY 4, 2014

Kathniel: Thrill is still there

Priscilla Presley tells upset fans to ‘calm down’

BY MARINEL R. CRUZ Philippine Daily Inquirer

The Associated Press

TEEN STAR Daniel Padilla claimed that there was nothing violent nor criminal in his portrayal of a gang leader in his latest romantic film with Kathryn Bernardo, “She’s Dating the Gangster.”

“The word gangster can mean different things. It can mean a mob member. But our movie is about a group of friends whom Kathryn’s character Athena describes as maangas (cocky).

There is nothing violent about them at all,” Padilla explained during the movie’s launch.

Padilla insisted that there was nothing in his personality that could be likened to a gangster.

“I’m not a bully. I don’t disrespect women. Although may angas, I’m neither wild nor violent,” he said.

Bernardo, for her part, said she couldn’t imagine herself dating a gangster in real life. “I can’t go out with someone who cuts classes or is a war freak,” she pointed out. “I’m not being judgmental. If I see that a person has good intentions, though, I may still try to get to know him.”

The 18-year-old added: “I prefer someone who’s a cross between a gangster and a good guy—respectful, kind and loyal, but, at the same time, always ready to protect me.”

Directed by Cathy GarciaMolina, “She’s Dating the Gangster” is an adaptation of Bianca B. Bernardino’s bestselling novel of the same title. It sold over 70,000 copies on paperback and has over 600,000 readers on the online site Wattpad. The film opens on July 16.

No-camera date

Asked for his idea of a per-

fect date with Bernardo, Padilla volunteered: “When we’re together and there’s no camera, I already consider that a date. We share a lot of good memories together and I cherish them all.”

He said one of the most memorable experiences he’s had with Bernardo was a trip to the foot of Mayon Volcano in Albay province.

“We shot some scenes there for this movie. We rode an ATV (all-terrain vehicle) together.

It was both our first time to see Mayon,” Padilla recalled.

Many firsts

For Bernardo, their thrilling experience at Skywalk X of the Macau Tower in Macau, China, was unforgettable. “Since we work together, I share lots of firsts with DJ (Padilla’s nickname). We’ve had several trips abroad. He’s the type of guy who will exert extra effort to make a girl feel special,” she said.

Asked to share the ups and downs of being Padilla’s leading lady, Bernardo said: “It’s something that I take very seriously.

It means my bosses believe in my talent.”

Bernardo has been acting since 2003. “Being a leading lady gives me the chance to portray different and more challenging characters. It gives me the opportunity to do things that I can never do in real life.”

Padilla said of their love team: “Kathniel is not like other tandems we’ve seen in the past.

We know that our idols didn’t become successful just because of their good looks. They all had patience and dedication.”

Padilla added: “Right now, Kathryn and I are busier than ever … After doing four movies with her, the excitement is still there.” ■

MEMPHIS, TENN.—Priscilla Presley is asking fans of her late ex-husband Elvis Presley to “please calm down” after a report that two jets once owned by the singer could be removed from Graceland.

Fans have posted critical comments on Facebook since The Associated Press reported last week that Elvis Presley Enterprises informed the owners of the Lisa Marie and the Hound Dog II to prepare to remove the planes when their agreement ends next April.

Elvis Presley Enterprises operates the Graceland tourist attraction, and OKC Partnership owns the planes.

On July 2, Priscilla Presley posted a comment on her Facebook page saying: “I see your posts about the planes. Please calm down, we’re in the midst of negotiations. It’s as simple as that. Thank you.”

On Sunday, she posted another statement.

“I’m reading what you are saying, but listen, the people who own the plane put the release out to intentionally upset everyone. We’re on top of it. Thank you for your trust in us. We will soon be putting out a release about some new and exciting things happening at Graceland.”

It was not clear from the posting if the mention of negotiations means there’s a possibility the planes could remain at Graceland. Some of the Facebook comments were support-

PHOTO FROM ENTERTAINMENT.INQUIRER.NET

PHOTO FROM ENTERTAINMENT.INQUIRER.NET

ive of Priscilla Presley.

The planes were bought by Elvis Presley in 1975 and used on concert tours. They were sold after his death on Aug. 16, 1977, and were eventually purchased by OKC Partnership in Memphis.

OKC Partnership and Graceland agreed to bring the two jets to Graceland in the mid1980s. Their agreement called for OKC Partnership to receive a cut of ticket sales in return for keeping the planes there.

Earlier this year, Elvis Presley Enterprises sent a letter to OKC Partnership’s K.G. Coker, asking Coker “to make arrangements for the removal of the airplanes and the restoration of the site on or shortly after April 26, 2015.”

Coker said Monday that the contents of the letter were released after he was contacted

by a reporter and he has not negotiated with Elvis Presley Enterprises since the AP story was published. Coker has acknowledged that he and his partners would lose money from ticket sales if the planes were removed.

Meanwhile, Elvis Presley Enterprises and OKC Partnership are embroiled in a lawsuit filed May 27 in Shelby County Chancery Court over a dispute about how tickets to the airplane exhibit are sold.

The tickets have been bundled in a package that includes the tour of the Graceland mansion, but Graceland’s operators want to “unbundle” it and sell the airplane tours as a separate ticket.

The pricing for the packages, which offer different levels of access, are currently $37, $42 and $72 for adults. ■

Vandolph on Zsa Zsa: ‘I wish her happiness’

BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer

Danial Padilla thinks his tandem with Kathryn Bernardo is different from past love teams.

This Tuesday, July 1, 2014, file photo shows the Lisa Marie, one of two jets once owned by late singer Elvis Presley, which is part of the Graceland tourist attraction in Memphis, Tenn.

MANILA—Actor Vandolph Quizon, one of the sons of the late, great comedy king Dolphy Quizon, said that he is happy for his stepmother, Zsa Zsa Padilla, who is dating once more.

Vandolph told reporters from www.canadianinquirer.net

ABS-CBNnews.com on Friday that Padilla, Dolphy’s partner for over 20 years, deserves to be happy following his father’s passing.

“I’m happy for her. Buhay niya ‘yon, she needs to be happy din, so okay ‘yon. At least nahanap na niya ‘yung kung saan siya sasaya ulit,” Vandolph said.

“Yes, yes, of course [I wish

her happiness],” he added.

Dolphy, who passed away in July 2012 after a two-year battle with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), fathered one child, Zia, and adopted another one, Nicole, with Padilla. He had 18 children, in all.

Padilla confirmed earlier this year that she is currently dating architect Conrad Onglao. ■

Entertainment

JULY 4, 2014 FRIDAY 36

Halle Berry as an astronaut and strangely expectant mom on CBS’ sci fi thriller ‘Extant’

BY FRAZIER MOORE The Associated Press NEW YORK—Don’t hate Halle Berry because she’s beautiful.

She’s certainly a welcome TV presence this summer as the star of “Extant,” a 13-episode thriller on CBS where she plays Molly Woods, an unexpectedly expectant astronaut. It premieres Wednesday (9 p.m.

EDT).

The premise of the show— that Molly was somehow impregnated while on a solo yearlong outer-space mission— seems on its face outrageous funny business. As in, unintentionally funny.

But “Extant” turns out to be smart and engrossing, with a meditative, gently futuristic touch (check that high-tech garbage can) that draws the viewer in.

And, of course, it boasts Berry, who is not only a delight for the eye but also a marvelous actress, with an Oscar for her 2001 film “Monster’s Ball” as solid evidence.

At the start we find Molly adjusting to life back on Earth with her scientist husband,

Oliver Martinez and Halle Berry at the "Extant" premiere screening at the California Science Center on June 16.

PHOTO BY HELGA ESTEB / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

John (Goran Visnjic), and Ethan, their adorable young son (Pierce Gagnon). Ethan, as we soon find out, isn’t biologically theirs, or biological at all, but, instead, a robot. Or rather, a “humanic,” designed by John to satisfy their childless state (Molly had been told she couldn’t conceive).

John not only loves Ethan as if he is their own flesh and blood, but also sees him as the proto-

The New...

Reducing the Duration of Work Permits

The duration of work permits for low-wage positions will be limited to a maximum of 1 year, reduced from 2 years before.

Thus, employers of low-wage TFW must reapply every year for an LMIA. The new work

permit duration does not apply to temporary foreign workers currently in Canada holding valid work permits.

Enforcement and Penalties

ESDC and CIC were granted broader inspection powers and more inspections will be conducted over time to ensure compliance. Ban and stiffer penalties, up to $100,000 may be imposed for employers who break the rules.

Source: Government news releases on the new TFWP) ■ Grace and Leo are licensed immigration consultants and members of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) . For questions or consultations, they could be reached at onthemovecolumn@ gmail.com or by phone at (778) 840-4295 – Grace and (778) 227-7679 – Leo.

loosed on the planet, they just might rise up against their human masters. But that’s a possibility John indignantly rejects.

Maybe he shouldn’t. Molly soon finds that dear little Ethan is displaying flashes of psychopathic attitude.

But she has other worries.

She is hard-pressed to explain her pregnancy, and what to expect now that she is expecting.

She is haunted by not one but

Online

http://www.cbs.com

Want to see your dream doughnut on Tims menu?

Here’s your chance The Canadian Press TORONTO—One lucky Canadian will have the chance to add their dream doughnut to the Tim Hortons menu and walk away with $10,000 as winner of Duelling Donuts contest, launched by the iconic bake shop today.

Home chefs have until Aug. 1 to whip up a uniquely delicious doughnut. Contestants will first have to create a virtual doughnut on the contest site and argue their case in a written submission.

Eight finalists will defend www.canadianinquirer.net

their culinary creation to a celebrity panel, including actor Jason Priestley, musician Jann Arden and pastry chef Anna Olson.

After the panel chooses four submissions to advance, the fi-

nal word on who will walk away with the prize money will be left to an online vote. The winner will be announced Aug. 28.

Tim Hortons launched the contest last year, attracting 63,000 submissions. The idea came from a Jason Priestley cameo on “How I Met Your Mother,” where Priestley created a doughnut named after himself. A Tim Hortons chef made the Priestley Doughnut a reality and public interest inspired the idea for a contest where anyone could design their own doughnut.

Last year’s winning submission was the Tortoise Torte—a chocolate, caramel and pecan creation—by 39-year-old Andrew Shepherd. ■

PHOTO BY NILOO / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

nomic regions across Canada that have an unemployment rate of 6% or higher. These jobs are food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related occupations; light duty cleaners; cashiers; grocery clerks and store shelf stockers; construction trades helpers and labourers; landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers; other attendants in accommodation and travel; janitors, caretakers and building superintendents; specialized cleaners; security guards and related occupations ❰❰ 22

type of a new class of robot that can be raised from “childhood” and instilled with human values, “programmed by a day-to-day human experience,” as John tells a group of potential funders for his Humanics Project. “The humanics brain learns right from wrong, good from bad, the same way we did.”

Of course, the success of this venture could lead to disaster.

Were millions of humanics

two dead (or are they?) astronaut colleagues.

And she is being investigated by her bosses at the private-sector International Space Exploration Agency for a suspicious 13-hour gap in her in-flight record-keeping. She had secretly pulled a Rose Mary Woods and erased the onboard video to hide a very strange event.

“Extant” makes effective use of familiar storytelling tropes: the evilness of big business and science gone awry in an atmosphere of growing danger.

“Don’t trust them,” Molly is admonished by a shadowy figure at the end of the hour.

“Who?” she asks.

“Anybody.”

The series was created, and the premiere written by, TV newcomer Mickey Fisher. He brings a fresh take on high-tech paranoia, while addressing a timeless theme: the blessings and pitfalls of God-given free will, exercised here by an adorable machine.

All that, plus terrific Halle Berry, mysteriously carrying who-knows-whose child. ■

Lifestyle

37 FRIDAY JULY 4, 2014

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS:

FILIPINOCANADIAN IN FOCUS Every week, the Philippine Canadian Inquirer celebrates the unwavering Filipino spirit through a feature called “Filipino-Canadian in Focus.”

The feature recognizes the achievements of Filipinos living in Canada who have shown concern for the community, success in spite of trials, and the uniquely Pinoy practice of “bayanihan.”

This year, we are welcoming nominations for the next subject of “Filipino-Canadian in Focus.”

MECHANICS: - All nominees must have (a) Filipino heritage/ancestry - All nominees must be residing in Canada at the time of nomination - Nominees from all industries are welcome (e.g. medical/ health, politics, community service, business, entertainment, charity institutions, etc.)

- Who can nominate? Anybody.

Fill up the nomination form online by scanning the code with your smartphone or by visiting InFocus.canadianinquirer.net.

www.canadianinquirer.net

FRIDAY JULY 4, 2014

38

Lifestyle

The Holy Cross Mission Trip to the Philippines

BY REBECCA WAITHE FROM MARCH 18th to the 31st, I accompanied 32 other grade 11 and12 students, 6 teachers, and Father Patrick Teeporten from Holy Cross Regional High School, and travelled to Manila, Philippines to build six homes for the poor in the communities of Avanai in Quezon City and Our Lady of Banneux Village in San Mateo.

Since the beginning of last May, our team began preparing for our mission trip. We coordinated our visit through the Catholic organization, ANCOP, which stands for “Answering the Cry of the Poor”. The organization’s work includes building homes for the poor and sponsoring children in the Philippines, India, and Nigeria.

Without the help of our sponsors and donators, our dreams of reaching the Philippines would have never been possible.

When the day finally arrived to depart for Manila, the pres-

The Holy Cross Mission Team from Surrey, BC.

Rebecca Waithe goofing off.

Chanelle Crasto (left) and Rebecca Waithe (right) take a break from working and make friends with the local kids.

sures of packing, fundraising, and cramming in basic Tagalog,

PCI and Sprott Shaw College is in need of a pool of part time Tagalog teachers for their Vancouver and New Wesminster Campus.

Submit resume to info@canadianinquirer.net.

Only those shortlisted will be contacted.

fell at ease. We boarded our 14 hour flight and arrived to 33°C temperatures. However, the heat that we encountered could never compare to the warmth we received from the families we were sent to help in the town of Avanai.

Building houses in the scorching and humid temperatures was mentally and physically exhausting, but witnessing firsthand the smiling faces of the people for which we were building inspired us to work even harder. Each brick we carried brought us closer to reaching our building goals.

Our work also included mixing cement, sanding down uneven walls, pilling and transporting heavy pounds of rubble, and painting the completed houses. We were extremely grateful for the many local workmen who contributed their construction skills.

Even though we were equipped with steel-toed boots and work gloves, these men surpassed our workloads while laboring in

ratted t-shirts, bare hands and broken flip flops.

It was tough to concentrate on building when playing with the local kids became such a highlight. Every time we would step off our bus, the children would run to us with open arms. They called us their older brothers and sisters. “Ate Rebecca!” would greet me on a daily basis. Although a few of our mission team members could speak Tagalog, there was definitely a language barrier.

We were able to overcome it through sign language, lots of high fives, and a few basic Tagalog phrases taught to us by the local teenagers. To them I say “Salamat!” Whether it was playing hopscotch or a friendly game of basketball, we all grew very connected to the children.

As well as our two building sites, we visited many other charity organizations. Our first stop was to the Missionaries of Charity in Tondo. The Sisters of Charity aid children who are hydrocephalic or endure other ailments such as scoliosis.

There we fed and spent time with the children telling them stories about life back home in Canada.

Our next stop was to one of the poorest areas of Manila. We went to the St. Martin de Pores Center for Children. They provide out of school care for the local children giving them at least one meal per day.

Our final stop was to The House With No Steps in Cainta. This organization fights for the rights of Filipinos who are physically disabled and provides job opportunities for them. We were able to experience their lifestyles by touring around in wheelchairs and participating in their assembly line work.

After many tears were shed, we left Manila for home. It was then that I was able to reflect on my trip. My experiences that I have from the Philippines will never be forgotten. The optimism that the people have amazes me. These villagers literally have only basic necessities, but still manage to find happiness without the needs of new gaming systems or even a proper roof over their heads.

Many displayed great faith and a deep love for those around them.

Growing up in Canada, I’ve never had to worry about whether or not my family will have food on the table or if we have enough money to send me to school. I will never be able to repay the Filipino families who offered me insight on true happiness. My need for “things” has decreased substantially.

I hope that one day I can return back to the Philippines to thank the villagers and finish the work that my mission team had only begun for the communities there. ■

Lifestyle

39 FRIDAY JULY 4, 2014

Filipino show recognized at 2014 National Campus and Community Radio Awards

BY ARTEMIO BORBA A SMALL Toronto not-forprofit Filipino radio production has been accorded significant recognition by the National Campus and Community Radio Association (NCRA).

Radyo Migrante’s “A night of poetry: Trip to the memory lane of the First Quarter Storm” has received Honourable Mention for Third Language Programming from the 2014 NCRA Awards in Victoria, BC where the competition had the highest number of submissions to date with some coming from the more established radio programs.

Radyo Migrante’s entry was broadcast last January 26 on CHRY 105.5 FM. It featured the turbulent

years before the Martial Law was declared in the Philippines.

The period of unrest started from January to March of 1970 thus it has been dubbed the First Quarter Storm (FQS).

Produced by Rhea Gamana, the show featured poetry reading by Akdaan collective members Pet Cleto, Lui Queano, Ysh Cabana and Mary Parreno. It also included an interview with Enrico Esguerra, who had firsthand accounts as a student then and a witness to the holding of massive rallies, and different peoples demonstration at the height of the FQS. According to the NCRA Membership coordinator Kari Benninghaus, the show scored very high on the judges’ books with a total mark of 91/100.

“Only those within 3 points of the winners received honour-

able mentions, so that goes to show how close many of the entries were to one another,” Benninghaus added.

Since 1993, NCRA Awards honour amazing programming, people and activities from the campus and community radio sector nationwide, reflecting the range and diversity of community radio across Canada.

The Third Language Award recognizes exceptional spoken word programming in a language other than French or English.

Radyo Migrante’s level of success in Toronto has never been achieved by a Filipino broadcaster before.

Upon receiving the news, Gamana remarked “Thank you NCRA for the recognition, to CHRY Community Radio for the endless support you pro-

vide the collective, and to our dear listeners, for your unending support to Radyo Migrante! As we always say, we will strive even further to deliver news and information that matter to our kababayans in Canada, Philippines and around the world.”

Radyo Migrante is a collective that works within the Filipino community and addresses the issues that Filipino migrants face across Canada and connects them to the news that is happening within the Philippines. The program has a strong focus on worker’s rights, social and environmental justice and creates critical and accountable media that fosters a community-led movement.

Over the years, the radio show has drawn on local talents of

Filipino personalities, has given voices to the common people and has brought forth the daily experiences of Filipino workers across Canada. Radyo Migrante has been providing top quality spoken word content since its first broadcast in the summer of 2007 (see inset). ■ To see the rest of the winning entries, visit http://www.ncra.ca/ awards/201314-awards

Spending time in Margaritaville? Online alcohol calculator shows just how much you’re drinking

BY LAURAN NEERGAARD The Associated Press WASHINGTON—How strong is that pina colada? Depending on how it’s made, it could contain as much alcohol as two glasses of wine.

The National Institutes of Health is trying to spread the word: Take a look at its online alcohol calculator to see how much you’re really drinking with those summer cocktails.

A “standard drink” is the amount of alcohol in a 12-ounce beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits. It’s a useful way to track alcohol consumption. But the multiple ingredients of mixed drinks make for a harder count.

“Most people don’t realize how much alcohol is actually in a drink,” said Dr. George Koob, director of the NIH’s National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

“Obviously it depends on the bartender and who’s mixing the drinks,” Koob adds.

Recipes matter: The calculator’s pina colada example, for

instance, assumes it contains 3 ounces of rum. Plan on using 2 ounces instead? The calculator adjusts to show it’s like 1.3 standard drinks.

What about a margarita?

The calculator concludes it’s the equivalent of 1.7 standard drinks, if made with 1.5 ounces of tequila, an ounce of orange liqueur and half an ounce of lime juice.

A mojito? 1.3 standard drinks.

A martini, extra dry? 1.4 standard drinks.

Other favourites? Type them in: http://rethinkingdrinking. niaaa.nih.gov/ToolsResources/ CocktailCalculator.asp.

Beyond beverage choice, Koob, who specializes in the neurobiology of alcohol, has some tips: Summer heat

Heat increases thirst but alcohol is a diuretic, Koob notes.

So in addition to the usual advice to pace yourself—no more than one standard drink an hour—Koob says to stay hydrated by alternating some water or club soda with the alcohol.

Holding your alcohol

Gender differences

Women’s bodies react differently to alcohol, and not just because they tend to weigh less than men. They don’t metabolize alcohol as quickly, and their bodies contain less water. On average, it takes one less drink for a woman to become intoxicated than a man of the same weight, Koob said. The NIAAA’s definition of low-risk drinking for women is no more than seven drinks a week and no more than three drinks on any single day, while for men the limit is no more than 14 drinks a week and no more than four drinks on any single day. www.canadianinquirer.net

Beyond drinking and driving

The July Fourth holiday weekend historically is dangerous on the highways: 38 per cent of fatalities involved alcohol-impaired driving in 2011, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

But alcohol also doesn’t mix with boating, or swimming and diving, Koob warns. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol use is involved in up to 70 per cent of adult and adolescent deaths associated with water recreation.

What determines why one drink is plenty for one person while another routinely downs two or three? Genes play a big role. So do environmental factors, such as getting used to drinking a certain amount. That tolerance is a balancing act, Koob says. He cites research showing the person who can drink others under the table is at higher risk for alcohol problems later in life than is someone more sensitive to its effects.

When alcohol is a problem

Alcohol use disorders affect an estimated 17 million Americans. There are two medications that can help, targeting different steps in the addiction cycle, Koob said. More medications that work in different ways are needed, but changing lifestyle, cognitive therapy and support groups all play a role, he said.

Medications “are never going to cure the disease,” Koob said.

“What they will do is help you on the way.” ■

Business

JULY 4, 2014 FRIDAY 40

Can you sell your life insurance policy?

BY SUSAN YATES CAN YOU sell your life insurance policy as you would any other financial asset? Surprisingly, it is possible to do so in some provinces. Though the practice raises hackles in the insurance industry, it is well established in the U.S. and is the basis for a billion-dollar life settlement industry. In Canada, it’s not as common. But if you are able to do so, should you? And under what circumstances?

First, though, to understand who gets what in a settlement, let’s first review the parties to a life insurance contract.

The life insurance “policy owner” is the person who pays the premiums and therefore “owns” the policy. This person makes the decisions about the contract. The “life insured” is the person whose health forms the basis for the contract. He or she can be the policy owner or another person entirely. When the life insured dies, the death benefit is paid to the beneficiary, whoever that may be.

An exception occurs in the case where an “irrevocable beneficiary” is named in the policy. As the term suggests, an irrevocable beneficiary cannot be changed, or revoked, and any decisions in regards to the policy must be approved by the irrevocable beneficiary. This would include a sale or transfer to a third party.

Selling a life insurance policy

A life insurance policy is typically sold in two ways: A viatical settlement. A life insurance policy may be sold by a policy owner to a third party, often an investment company, at some agreed-upon percentage of face value, when the life expectancy of the life insured is shortened, usually as a result of terminal illness. This provides a ready source of cash to the original policy owner. The new owner continues to pay the premiums of the policy and receives the death benefit when the life insured dies. In an industry famous for its impenetrable jargon, this transaction is called “viatical settlement.”

Viatical settlements became common in the US in the 1980s when the AIDS epidemic was responsible for the death of many men, most of whom were middle-aged or younger. They needed the value in their life insurance to pay for their health care while alive.

Unfortunately, the industry that sprang up to buy these policies was immediately tarnished by unsavory practices.

Some were reputed to use highpressure sales tactics, leaving an impression that people on their death beds were being taken advantage of. As a result, many firms in the business were shut down.

A life settlement. Unlike a viatical settlement, a life settle-

ment is the sale of the policy by the policy owner only to extract the value of the policy. The health or expected life span of the life insured doesn’t come into the picture at all.

In this type of transaction too, a value for the policy is determined by its buyer, typically somewhere between the policy’s cash surrender value and its face value. The owner transfers policy ownership to the buyer, receiving the agreed cash payment in return. The new owner then becomes the beneficiary of the policy. The new owner continues to pay premiums and receives the death benefit when the life insured dies.

In Canada, the settlement process is given the unfortunate moniker “trafficking,” or trading in life insurance. Only three provinces permit the practice: Nova Scotia, Quebec, and Saskatchewan. This means

policy owners in these provinces can sell their policy if they can find a buyer.

A growing industry…in the U.S.

Quietly, in the U.S., life settlements are regaining popularity and replacing the more questionable viatical settlements, for some very sound reasons.

A life settlement pays two to three times the policy cash surrender value. So, if a beneficiary dies, the policy owner might want to retain the value in the policy.

More often, a person may simply no longer want or need a policy, in which case the options are typically limited to letting the policy lapse or taking its cash surrender value. But if a policy owner no longer needs a policy and can obtain a higher sum through a life settlement than a surrender, why not take advantage? After all, the policy

owner has paid for the policy through premiums, so doesn’t this make the policy his or her asset?

I share the opinion of the Moshe Milevsky, the highly regarded professor of finance at York University, who said, “If you can sell your unwanted stamp collection on eBay, why not your insurance policy?” As I pointed out, today, only three provinces allow the practice, but there is a move afoot to permit life settlements more widely across Canada with proper regulatory oversight.

Is it an investment?

Life settlements are often pooled by investment companies, usually based in the U.S., and sold as an investment.

These pools are considered an asset class and are available to accredited Canadian investors, that is, only to investors with the requisite knowledge and level of net worth. Treat these with a great deal of caution, and never invest without objective, expert third-party financial advice – that is, from someone not connected in any way to the person selling this type of investment product. But that’s another story. ■ Courtesy Fundata Canada Inc. © 2014. Susan Yates president of the Centre for Life Insurance and Financial Education (CLIFE), This article is not intended as personalized advice.

5 cool... summer to youngsters who want to pursue their passion in cooking. At the summer camp, kids and teens will not only learn cooking skills, but will also develop important life skills such as working as a team, applying math and science, and developing creativity through cooking. Every day, students will get to prepare a threecourse meal and then enjoy the cooked meals at the end of the class. Students will also learn about a new cuisine daily, like Italian, French, and Chinese cuisines. Classes will be lead by a chef-instructor and a chef assistant.

Contact detail/s: 905-2735558 ❰❰ 29

Bricks 4 Kidz

Is your child crazy about building houses, skyscrapers, bridges, and random infrastructure using Lego bricks?

At Bricks 4 Kidz in Mississauga, Ontario, children who love Lego will be engaged in hands-on curriculum programs designed to trigger young children’s imagination based on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. This summer camp offers an extraordinary atmosphere where students can build unique creations, play games, and have loads of fun. Camps have different themes as well, such as “Mining and Crafting”, “Ninja”, “CHI Challenge”, “Super Heroes Academy”, and “Jr.

Robotics.”

Contact detail/s: 647-5002483 Waterloo Wellington Aviation Centre

For the young ones who dream of flying, the Summer Aviation Youth Camp being offered by the Waterloo Wellington Aviation Centre (WWAC) will be a rewarding, memorable experience. The camp introduces youth ages 13 to 16 to aviation, both on the ground and in the air. Certified flight instructors will be teaching lessons in flight theory, airmanship, navigation, meteorology, and radio theory. This unique five-day program also include a three hours flight training in www.canadianinquirer.net

Check out the Waterloo Wellington Aviation Centre.

PHOTO FROM WWFLIGHTCENTRE.COM

a Diamond Ketana or Cessna 152, a group sight-seeing flight around the CN Tower, airport tours, and a simulated experience. For the very first time,

WWAC is offering two full campership bursaries this summer.

Contact detail/s: 519-648-2213/ info@wwflightcentre.com ■

Sports/Horoscope

41 FRIDAY JULY 4, 2014

NCAA suggests contact limits for football practice among several guidelines from safety summit

BY ELAINE KURTENBACH The Associated Press THE NCAA is suggesting that football teams hold no more than two contact practices per week during the season in guidelines that grew out of a safety and concussion summit early this year.

Practice limits were among several recommendations released Monday by the NCAA, which called them guidelines that could change “in real time” rather than rules passed through legislation.

The practice guidelines also recommend four contact practices per week during the preseason and no more than eight of the 15 sessions during spring football. The NCAA already has legislation regarding preseason

and spring practices.

The governing body of college sports is also suggesting that schools have independent doctors to evaluate injuries and a “return to learn” process for integrating athletes back into their academic work after they have been diagnosed with a concussion.

By recommending the regular-season limit of two contact practices per week, the NCAA is essentially joining a growing chorus in college football. It’s already in place in the Ivy League and Pac-12, and many teams have cut back on the number of contact practices, defined as any workout involving tackling or full-speed blocking.

“When we were working with the coaches and talking to them about this, it was amazing to see how many already were self-regulating because they realize that

when the kids are beat up, they just aren’t as ready to perform as well,” Dr. Brian Hainline, chief medical officer for the NCAA, told The Associated Press. “And some of them have a very illuminated view of this because they also understand that when kids are beat up, they’re at a greater risk of injury.”

There isn’t overwhelming evidence that a reduction in contact practices leads to fewer concussions, but common sense is at play for coaches who are cutting back on contact work, said Scott Anderson, Oklahoma’s athletic trainer and president of the College Athletic Trainers’ Society.

“We’re acting on what we know,” Anderson said. “The more contact, and the more intense the contact, the more likely that a concussion is to occur.”

Hainline said one of the highlights for him coming out of the Safety in College Football Summit in Atlanta in January was a suggestion for schools to develop a program for getting athletes back up to speed academically after they sustain a concussion. Most of those discussions historically have involved getting a player ready to return to the field.

“It’s not only talking about the health and safety of the studentathletes,” Hainline said. “It’s a concussion guideline where we’re saying, ‘Look, these kids are students first and we have to make certain that if they have a concussion, there’s a good return-tolearn pathway for them.’”

The guidelines suggest that medical decisions regarding players should be made “independently of a coach” and that

a physician should be a medical director over a head athletic trainer. That medical team should have “unchallengeable autonomous authority” regarding a player’s return to the field.

“What we’re (trying) to establish with these guidelines is the perception and the reality that the physician is the lynchpin,” Anderson said.

Hainline and Anderson also said they wanted concussion and medical evaluation protocols used in all sports, even though the summit only said football in the title.

“It was really athlete safety, knowing and understanding that the concussion experience isn’t just a football issue,” Anderson said. “It extends to virtually all athletes in all sports, some at greater risk than others.” ■

HOROSCOPE ARIES

CANCER

LIBRA

CAPRICORN

(MARCH 21 - APRIL 19)

(JUNE 22 - JULY 22)

(SEPT 23 - OCT 22)

(DEC 22 - JAN 19)

Today you will realize the importance of doing what you need top do. The past weeks have been a little tough because you have been prioritizing your ‘wants’ over your ‘needs.’ The stars would like to remind you that this is not the best way to deal you’re your priorities in life especially in your career. Keep a straight eye on your main goal and you will never lose sight of success.

TAURUS

Remember this principle today: the stars will stop guiding you the moment you stop believing in yourself. Tides will forever be in your favour only if you believe that you can and you will. Confidence is still the best armour you’ve got to continue fighting. Good things will come your way if you are convinced that you deserve to receive them, so don’t stop believing.

The stars want you to know that the heavens will bless those who know the word “patience.” Yesterday you have been a bit paranoid of the negative possibilities that might never happen. Today, you must not let your emotions get in your way to showing off the best in you. Never let your temper bring you down. Remember that “patience” is your keyword to survive this day.

LEO (JULY 23 - AUGUST 22)

(APRIL 20 - MAY 20) Your friends will keep telling you that the goals you are trying to pursue are just so impossible to reach. They might even mark your dream as something that is ‘too good to be true.’ Do not listen to them. Instead, listen to what your heart is saying. Whatever happens in the end, it is still better to regret because you have failed rather than regret for never trying at all.

The absence of faith and trust will give you some trouble today. Do not forget that those two elements are essential in keeping personal and professional relationships stable, healthy and growing. Doubting others will not bring you any good. The stars are telling you that the only way to avoid conflicts today is to learn how to develop faith and trust by freeing yourself from unnecessary doubts.

GEMINI

VIRGO

(MAY 21 - JUNE 21)

(AUG 23 - SEPT 22)

Today you will have an epic battle against time. Deadlines, homework, personal errands and a lot of stuff at work and at home will be bothering you today.

Maximize your time by making a list of things that you have to do. Prioritize those that are urgently needed. Do not let time control you, so do the opposite. Get hold of your schedule and consume every moment wisely.

Too much stress can cause negative effects not just on your personality and on the impressions you create on others, but more importantly, stress can do more harm on your health. Instead of worrying too much about things that won’t make you any better, try focusing on positive thoughts. You hold the future at the palm of your hands and you have the power to control it, so better stop worrying.

SCORPIO

AQUARIUS

(OCT 23 - NOV 21)

(JAN 20 - FEB 18)

You are a risk-taker, a life-changer and a bringer of news that might not be easily accepted by your peers. You might be having a hard time convincing people around you about the changes you want to create.

Some may even try to oppose your decision and convince you to change your ways. Try considering their opinions but don’t let them change what you think is right. Learn how to fight for your beliefs.

You might have been crowding yourself with negative emotions from an event in the past that has caused you too much pain. Today is the best day to finally let go of that painful memory. Forgive yourself and other who might have caused you that pain. It is never healthy to keep on bearing that grudge. Life is best when lived with peace of mind, heart and soul.

SAGITTARIUS

PISCES

(NOV 22 - DEC 21)

(FEB 19 - MAR 20)

The stars show how this will be a lucky day for a light-warrior Sagittarius. You have to be someone strong and unbreakable. No matter how stressful this day may be, you will always find a way to brighten it up. The best way is to fill your mind with positive thoughts.

Only through that way that you will also be able to bring light and cheer up the people around you.

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Luck will come your way today if you learn the value of honesty. You can only be truly happy when you are free, and you can only be truly free when you let nothing but the truth into your life. Be true to others and to yourself. White lies may be convenient at times but there is nothing better than being true and living with nothing but the truth.

Call this, your own personal “thanksgiving day.” Find sometime to appreciate the good things others have done for you today. You might now know it but taking them for granted might have been causing them to keep ill feelings against you. It’s the best day to express gratitude so go ahead and say, “thank you,” with a smile and a warm hug.

FRIDAY JULY 4, 2014

42

Travel

Capping summer with fun moments in Surigao del Sur, Philippines

BY JAY DECENELLA Special to Philippine Canadian Inquirer CRYSTAL-CLEAR WATER flowing quietly in a bottomless cave, a group of islets dotting turquoise blue waters, and sandbars that could be mistaken for the shoreline give the mental image of picturesque tourist attractions commonly seen in the Atlantic and Mediterranean seas.

But equally captivating—if not more so—are the tourist destinations that lie in the eastern coast of the Philippine island: Mindanao's Surigao del Sur. ‘Enchanted River’

Enchanted River in Barangay Cambatong is a 30-minute ride from the town proper of Hinatuan, which is another 40-minute ride from the town of Mangagoy, where we were fortunate to receive accommodation from the Corro family, who showed gestures of the quintessential hospitality inherent among Filipinos.

To reach it, take a flight to Butuan airport. Private vehicles such as vans could be rented for Php3,000 (CAD$70) to take you around Surigao del Sur. Many tales about the Hinatuan River (its official name) have spread by word of mouth: that the river is haunted by supernatural beings protecting the serene body of water, thus its popular brand, "Enchanted River."

Accompanying the mystical legends of Enchanted River is the translucent water through which visitors could see even the deepest part of the cave’s mouth underneath. One might think that it is where the water comes from, but nobody could tell with certainty its source.

Any attempt at determining the river’s depth is a foolhardy game of chance because the

The Enchanted River in Barangay Cambatong.

Just four of the 7,107 amazing Philippine islands.

cave serving as riverbed remains unplumbed, and every single diver that had previously tried to measure its depth succeeded only in failing yet again.

One of the favorite comeons—which draws up a curious crowd—is the “feeding time” at 12 noon. A bell starts ringing, signaling that it is time for everyone to stand aside; a caretaker then throws leftover food into the water. As soon as his hands pitch over the hodgepodge of food scraps, schools of fishes spring up from underneath the water to race towards the food; in the process, revealing their silvery scales to the enthralled audience.

This "meal time" is accompanied by the “Hymn of Hinatuan” as the jocund creatures appear to dance to its rhythm.

Guests are charged an entrance fee of Php30 (CAD$0.80) and another Php100 (CAD$2.50) for the cottage. But a word of caution: be sure to bring with you a super size umbrella in case of showers.

never be complete without the adrenalin-inducing hopping to the premier quartet consisting of Buslon, Naked, Hagonoy and Hiyor-hiyoran islets (though we managed to visit only the first three for lack of time).

Standard rates for boat rental start at Php1000 (CAD$25) for two islets, P1,500 (CAD$35) for the premier quartet and P2,000 (CAD$50) for all islets. The pump boats can carry up to 20 passengers.

We were ferried first to the Hagonoy islet, which has been named after a kind of weed that had once grown among its bed of fine white sand. Onlookers from a distance could only marvel at the sight of a miniature desert engulfed in a deep blue oasis.

We basked in the sun and frolicked in the fine bed of powdery sand, of course with the usual photo op to provoke envy among dear friends. I was thinking, as we were leaving Surigao two days later, that Boracay could not stand in comparison with Britania Islands. It is a haven far from the bustle of city life and free from the dire prospect of devastation on the pretext of progress.

After a few minutes of prancing in Hagonoy, we hurried to our next destination: Naked

Britania Islands

As if the fun moments at Enchanted River were not enough, we renewed all our strength in anticipation of more excitement and thrill at our next stop: Britania Islands.

Previously insignificant to residents, the group of 24 islets across Lianga Bay facing the Pacific Ocean is now a famous tourist spot in the town of San Agustin, providing lucrative livelihood to the locals.

Swarming the coastal lines of Brgy. Britania are rows of pump boats for rent for guests wanting to go island hopping, which is the primary attraction of the place. For Php1,500 (CAD$35), we managed to explore the pristine beauty of the islets, majority of which are densely populated by a jungle of vegetation and others completely bare.

All of the white-sand-laden islets conjure up the image of Poseidon’s court in Greek mythology. From a distance, they also appear like the large mass of earth hurled by the skies at the high seas in popular Filipino folklore (where a weary eagle in search of land to alight upon tricked the two factions into a violent crossfire of rocks and waves). This explains in fancy why the ocean is encumbered with boulders of varying sizes.

Britania deserves to be ranked as one of the must-visit places in the Philippines; it is comparable to the Hundred Islands of Pangasinan.

A visit to Britania would

island. The inspiration for its name is simple: the barren field does not grow any kind of vegetation. As we approached the islet, I had the impression that Naked must have been a piece among the clouds that had fallen off the sky when Gravity took its first and final nap.

Naked Island is an elongated sandbar just 10 minutes of ride away from Hagonoy. The two islets are almost comparable with respect to size and appearance, the only differences being that Hagonoy grows a few coconut trees and Naked is a place sprawled with small and rough stones.

The largest among the islets we visited was Boslon, where thick bushes of vegetation finally abound. The islet is also a favorite site for photo sessions against a grotto as the backdrop.

It was already a little before 7 p.m.— a tussle between darkness and light—when we completed the island hopping. Everyone in the group could still smell the salted breeze of the sea.

A piece of advice: find a resort nearby to rinse off the seawater and to spend the night. We were billeted at the Solar Lodge & Beach Resort, courtesy of the Apolinario family, for whose warm showcase of hospitality we will forever be grateful. ■

Travel

43 FRIDAY JULY 4, 2014

World’s largest folk art market draws tourists and fashion houses to Santa Fe The Associated Press SANTA FE, N.M.—Santa Fe’s famed summer market season opens this weekend with the International Folk Market, the world’s largest folk art market and one dedicated to helping artisans from impoverished nations start their own businesses.

And as the popular market celebrates its 11th anniversary, it is drawing more than just tourists and locals. Organizers say designers from some of the most prestigious fashion brands are headed west to find inspiration for ethnographic prints and one-of-a-kind handmade pieces that are increasingly popular in the fashion world.

“We’ve had many fashion experts shop the market, visionary designers from Donna Karan, Yves Saint Laurent, Anthropologie, and Coach among them,” said market founder

PHOTO FROM SANTAFE.ORG

Judith Espinar. “We keep hearing that the market is a creativity hotspot, a place to exchange ideas and inspire and be inspired_for artists, retailers, collectors, and visitors alike.”

This year, more than 160 artists from 62 countries will be selling their work, including includes scarves, jewelry, tex-

tiles, basket and host of other art pieces.

The market is expected to draw 25,000 visitors from Friday to Sunday. It brings some of the world’s finest artisans from far-flung and often poverty-stricken locales, helping participants with travel costs and giving them training for

www.canadianinquirer.net

building businesses and co-operatives when they get home.

Over the years it has logged $19 million in sales, 90 per cent of which goes home with the artists.

“On a trip to India recently, I was reminded of how hard it is to find high quality, handmade folk art,” said Peter Spe-

liopoulos, creative director of the Donna Karan Collection. “I kept thinking about the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market, and what a well-curated selection of the world’s folk art is there. In a weekend you have access to the highest quality art, at good prices, from a world of cultures-- and you feel the richness of interacting with the actual artists themselves. It’s amazing.”

The folk art event is one of a series of markets taking place in Santa Fe this summer, including markets specializing in Spanish and Indian art and antiques. ■ If You Go...

International Folk Art Market: July 11-13. Note some events are sold out; http:// www.folkartalliance.org/ Santa Fe Summer Art Markets: Schedule http://santafe.org/Visiting_Santa_Fe/ Things_to_Do/Summer_Art_ Markets

Seen and Scenes - Calgary and Edmonton

FILIPINOS JOIN IN CALGARY STAMPEDE ACTIONS Alice Cabagan, an enthusiastic volunteer, provides breakfast to Calgary Stampede guests.

JULY 4, 2014

FRIDAY 44

PHILIPPINE CULTURE SHOWCASED ON CANADA DAY Filipino Canadians from Vancouver proudly commemorated Canada’s 147th birthday by taking part in the downtown parade, said to be the largest Canada Day celebration outside the nation’s capital. Photos from Lu Lauron and Freddie Bagunu’s FB

Calgary Stampede visitors don their cowboy hats and checkered shirts.

Kyle Sicat gives out western-style hotdogs as part of the Calgary Stampede tradition.

The Manitoba Filipino Street Festival group participating in the Calgary Stampede, with the Filipino Empowerment group of Calgary. Photo from Filipino Empowerment FB

PCG VANCOUVER GOES TO YUKON The Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver led by Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer held an Outreach Program in Whitehorse, Yukon on June 26 to 27, at the Multicultural Centre of Yukon on Stickland St., Yukon. Ferrer also met with Senator Daniel Lang and Member of Parliament Ryan Leef and had consultations with the Canadian Filipino Association of Yukon headed by Mike Buensuceso. Some 2,000 Filipinos now reside in the westernmost and smallest of Canada’s three federal territories.

An Overseas Voting registration centre was set up at the site to enable qualified Filipino-Canadians in Yukon to register as overseas voters for the 2016 polls while a handful of them reacquired their Filipino citizenship through the Dual Citizenship Law. Photos from Consul Melanie Diano

Oath-taking of dual citizens

Above: Consul General Neil Ferrer (3rd from L) with Senator Daniel Lang (first from L), MP Ryan Leef (2nd from L) and Consul Melanie Diano.

Below: Councillor Jocelyn Curteanu (R) accompanied Congen Neil Ferrer and Consul Melanie during a courtesy call with Mayor Dan Curtis (2nd from L).

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

Congen Neil shares a light moment with Filipino Canadians in Yukon.

Events

45 FRIDAY JULY 4, 2014

CANADA EVENTS

YUKON NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

MANITOBA

SASKATCHEWAN

QUEBEC ONTARIO

Elder Abuse

By Seniors Brigade Society of B.C. WHEN/WHERE: 1:30 to 5:30 p.m., July 11, 18 and 25 at the Edmonds Community Centre 7433 Edmonds Street, Burnaby B.C. MORE INFO: free snacks. Call 604453-5885, 604-325-5260 Youth YouTube Mini Drama Project

By Mosaic WHEN/WHERE: 11 a.m to 2 p.m., July 11-25, at the Brentwood Community Resource Centre, 2055 Rosser Ave., Burnaby MORE INFO: Registration required.

Call 604-438-8214 ext 114 Burnaby Village Museum Field Trip for Newcomers

By Mosaic WHEN/WHERE: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., July 13, at Burnaby Village Museum sign, 6501 Deer Lake Ave. Burnaby, B.C. MORE INFO: Registration required.

Call 604-438-8214 Officers Meeting By the Victoria Filipino Canadian Seniors Association WHEN/WHERE: July 12 at the Bayanihan Centre, 1709 Blanshard St., Victoria B.C.

http://bit.ly/ PCI-Events

NUNAVUT

BRITISH COLUMBIA ALBERTA

View all events by scanning this QR code or visiting

New Westminster Philippine Festival Kick-Off Picnic

By Salve Dayao WHEN/WHERE: 12 noon, July 13 at NW Pier Park, New Westminster, B.C. 3rd Vancouver's Original Pinoy Music Festival By the Filipino Canadian Marketing Group & GMA Pinoytv WHEN/WHERE: 12 nn to 6 p.m., July 19, at the Plaza of Nations MORE INFO: Free Admission. Enjoy a free concert in Downtown Vancouver featuring the Philippines' Queen of Soul, Jaya.

Fil-Canadian Friendship Day By the Filipino-Canadian New Era Society WHEN/WHERE: 12 noon to 6 p.m., July 20, Capri Hall 3925 Fraser St., Vancouver, B.C. Foundation Day Potluck Picnic By the Victoria Filipino Canadian Seniors Association WHEN/WHERE: July 27 at Kinsmen Park, Gorge Road, Victoria, BC MORE INFO: This picnic is for members of VFCSA, their family and friends

Music Throwback with Randy Santiago, Gino Padilla & Fe de los Reyes

By Pinoy Times WHEN/WHERE: 6 p.m., July 25, at the Polish Canadian Cultural Centre 3015 15 St., NE, Calgary NEWFOUNDLAND MORE INFO: Call 403-9752150 or email pinoytimes@gmail.com Music Throwback with Randy Santiago, Gino Padilla & Fe de los Reyes

By Pinoy Times and MY 780 Creative Solutions WHEN/WHERE: 5 p.m., July 27, at Ramada Edmonton Hotel & Conference Centre 11834 Kingsway Ave., Edmonton MORE INFO: For tickets call 1-888-666-4259

Mabuhay Cup 2014 Invitational Slates Tourney

By Philippine Independence Day Council WHEN/WHERE: JULY 25-27 at the Downsview Park's HoopDome, North York, Toronto.

MORE INFO: contact mabuhaycup@yahoo.ca Workshop on WordPress, Microsoft Basics

By Digital Ink Group (DIG) with FilCore Support Group WHEN/WHERE: 1 to 3 p.m., July 26, at the Canada International Career College (CICC), at Unit 100, 345 Wilson Ave., Toronto, ON, M3H 5W1.

MORE INFO: To reserve a seat in the workshop, contact Odette Montelibano at 416-743-9610, or send an e-mail to odette@ odette-montelibano.com; or e-mail Christine Salubre, FilCore Support Group chairman at mcsgurdag@gmail.com.

Fiesta ng Kalayaan

By Kalayaan Cultural Community Centre WHEN/WHERE: 12 nn to 10:30 p.m., July 27, at the Mississauga Celebration Square

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To have your events featured on PCI, please email events@canadianinquirer.net

FRIDAY JULY 4, 2014

46

CANADA

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FRIDAY 48