Philippine Canadian Inquirer Issue #126

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AUGUST 1, 2014

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Aquino graded so-so 6.1

Sona most crucial for Aquino, say solons

Global Filipino: Binibining Stewardess Ana Hernandez

Filipino-Canadian in Focus: Marie Claire Lim Moore

Clever tips and tricks!

100 babies receive designation as Philippines’ “100-millionth baby”

THE FILIPINO IS WORTH LIVING FOR

BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer PHILIPPINE POPULATION has officially hit the 100-million mark, with the birth of 100 babies in state-run hospitals across the country. Each baby was hailed as the nation’s “100,000,000th baby.” ❱❱ PAGE 4 100 babies PRESIDENT BENIGNO S. AQUINO III delivered on Monday his 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) during the Joint Session of the 16th Congress at

the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. Outside the Batasang Pambansa and in other regions across the Philippines, thousands took to the streets to decry corruption in government.

Aquino tears up in his 5th Sona

BY CHRISTIAN V. ESGUERRA, DJ YAP AND NIKKO DIZON Philippine Daily Inquirer MANILA, PHILIPPINES—President Aquino choked up, surprising his audience, and left not a dry eye in the house as he wrapped up his fifth State of the

RELEVANT SKILLS. MEANINGFUL JOBS.

PHOTO BY RYAN LIM, REY BANIQUET / MALACANANG PHOTO BUREAU

Nation Address (Sona) talking about his parents who fought for democracy, the legacy they left, and how he would not let his administration’s detractors take away the gains his presidency had achieved the past four years.

Aquino’s celebrity sister, Kris Aquino,

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Promises, Promises 2013 WWW.ISCENETV.COM

❱❱ PAGE 10 Aquino tears

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❱❱ PAGE 12

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FRIDAY 2

Philippine News

3 FRIDAY AUGUST 1, 2014

‘Glenda’ deaths inching toward 100

BY DONA Z. PAZZIBUGAN AND JULIE M. AURELIO Philippine Daily Inquirer THE OFFICIAL death toll from Typhoon “Glenda” could reach 100 with 94 listed dead and six still missing, mostly in the Southern Tagalog and Calabarzon regions, authorities said yesterday.

Reports of fatalities continued to come in as repair men struggled to restore electricity to hundreds of thousands of households still without power since the storm hit last week.

The typhoon, known internationally as “Rammasun,” has since blown into southern China where it has killed 17 people.

The majority of the Filipino fatalities were killed by falling debris and trees while many of the missing were on boats that went out to sea despite the storm, said Mina Marasigan, spokesperson of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

As a result, the head of Calabarzon’s disaster management agency asked national disaster officials to include people who live near big trees and big structures in the preemptive evacuation plan the next time a typhoon strikes.

At present, only those who live in coastal and low-lying communities are ordered to evacuate during extreme weather.

Hit by trees, walls, roofs

Most of the 67 people who were killed and 107 who were hurt in Calabarzon perished or were injured after being hit by uprooted trees, collapsed walls, falling roofs and debris. Others died from either drowning, landslides or heart attacks.

“Those living near large structures like billboards, walls, electric and communication posts, as well as trees, should also be warned and encouraged to evacuate,” Calabarzon Regional Risk Reduction and Management Council Director Vicente Tomazar said in his latest report to the disaster council.

6 more killed, 317 hurt

As of yesterday, at least six more people were feared dead while at least 317 others were reported hurt from Glenda’s onslaught in Luzon and parts of

the Visayas, authorities said.

Of the confirmed typhoon casualties so far, 67 were from the Calabarzon provinces, which include Quezon (26 dead), Laguna (17), Batangas (13), Cavite (8) and Rizal (5).

Other casualties were from Central Luzon (8 dead), Bicol (6), Mimaropa and Eastern Visayas (5 each), Metro Manila (2) and Western Visayas (1).

Eastern Visayas reported the biggest number of injuries with at least 122 persons reported hurt, followed by Calabarzon with 107 persons treated for injuries sustained during the typhoon.

The latest official estimate of damage to property in seven affected regions rose to P7.3 billion as of yesterday, according to the NDRRMC. This did not include the damage to agriculture sustained in Calabarzon.

The damage to rice, corn, high value crops, livestock and farm facilities has so far reached P6.3 billion in Central Luzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, the Cordillera Administrative Region and Metro Manila.

tocols “fell short” since their disaster teams were “overwhelmed” by the extent of Glenda’s destruction.

Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, however, trumpeted the “low death toll” from the typhoon, saying that this was “an indication that we are becoming better prepared.”

Commending local officials, Roxas said their preemptive efforts, such as evacuating

P1 billion in damage

Meanwhile, the reported damage to infrastructure in Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Eastern Visayas and Metro Manila has so far reached P1 billion.

Central Luzon and Mimaropa also reported damage to school buildings worth P30 million.

In Calabarzon, at least 106,539 houses were reported destroyed while damage to property has been initially estimated at P661.37 million. Many areas in Quezon, Laguna and Batangas had not yet submitted damage reports due to communication problems.

The Calabarzon disaster agency also asked the national government to come up with an “emergency communications strategy” during typhoons.

“The storm crippled telecommunication facilities, disrupting emergency services,” Tomazar said. Due to this, information at higher levels was limited, he added, saying that disaster authorities in Calabarzon could not even access the weather bureau for forecasts at the height of Glenda’s onslaught.

Tomazar said current disaster management plans and prowww.canadianinquirer.net

vulnerable residents to safer ground, helped lower Glenda’s casualty rate.

One death too many

While noting that the death count was low, Roxas stressed that “one death is one too many,” as he pressured local government units (LGUs) to work harder to achieve the zero casualty target of the NDRRMC. Roxas, also the vice chair for

preparedness of the NDRRMC, extended his condolences to the families of the fatalities.

He cited the Albay provincial government, which did not register any deaths, for its effective disaster risk reduction and management plan, especially in vulnerable areas.

“The disaster readiness of Albay and other LGUs in the Bicol area is something worth emulating,” Roxas said. ■

Philippine News

AUGUST 1, 2014

INC celebrates its 100th-year anniversary

100 babies...

Among the 100 is baby girl Jennalyn Sentino, born out of wedlock to 45-year-old van driver Clemente Sentino and Dailin Cabigayan, 27, on the early morning of Sunday, July 27, 2014.

Sentino explained that Cabigayan “just happened to get pregnant,” but that they “have plans to get married.”

In an underdeveloped and struggling nation as the Philippines, the exponential, growth of population poses many challenges to a government already up against many odds in providing basic services to its citizenry. Albeit, a large population also means a larger workforce; assuming that sufficient jobs can be created.

Speaking to reporters from the AFP, Juan Antonio Perez, executive director of the official Commission on Population, said: “This is both an opportunity and a challenge… an opportunity we should take advantage of and a challenge we recognise,” Perez added that although a growing population increases the nation’s workforce, it also increases the number of depen-

FRIDAY 4

❰❰ 1

BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer LOOKING WITH HOPE INTO FUTURE. Her name is Chonalyn, one of at least two

babies born early Sunday, enabling the Philippines to surpass the 100-million population mark. She was born at Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila.

The other baby, Rian, was born three minutes later in Tacloban City.

PHOTO BY RICHARD A. REYES / INQUIRER.NET

dents in a country in which, by conservative estimates, 25 percent of people are living below the poverty level.

He pointed out the need to provide services to impoverished families, while simultaneously decreasing the average number of children borne by fertile women throughout their childbearing years.

“We’d like to push the fertility rate down to two children per (woman’s) lifetime,” Perez said.

At present, statistics show that the current average is three children per woman.

The government gifted each of the 100 babies born as the “100,000,000th baby” with cake, clothing and blankets, the population

official said. He added that authorities will likewise follow-up on each of the babies over the years to next few years to ascertain that they are being given proper health services.

Baby Jennelyn’s father said that he is grateful to the government for the aid which they have pledged, but also expressed confidence in his ability to provide for both mother and child.

“I make just enough to get by but at least my job pays regularly. We will find a way to make it fit,” he said.

The Philippines, a predominantly Roman Catholic country, just recently passed the muchopposed but even more necessary Reproductive Health Bill. ■

THE IGLESIA ni Cristo church, well-known for its monetary strength, discipline, and political clout, marked its 100th anniversary on Sunday, July 27, 2014. Reports say that close to two million followers joined the celebration held at the group’s newly-inaugurated complex, the Philippine Arena.

Prior to the anniversary, the organization took reporters from the AFP on a tour of the massive Philippine Arena complex, also called the “City of Victory.” Church spokesman Edwil Zabala told the reporters that: “The pace of the spread of Iglesia… has exploded,” as they were shown around the 55,000-capacity indoor facility.

Established in Manila in 1994

by Felix Manola, the INC is the strongest local religion in the predominantly Roman Catholic country. It has since been estab-

TIPID TAWAG

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lished worldwide in more than 100 countries; with churches bearing the INC hallmarks of pointed, soaring spires.

INC’s doctrines and practices are rooted in a severe adherence to the Bible, and the church believes that only its members are eligible for salvation.

The church is also known for its extensive missionary work; more so than the Catholic Church, perhaps.

“One has to respect how much more aggressive the INC is in expanding and sustaining itself,” Louie Checa Montemar, a political science lecturer at Catholic De La Salle University in Manila, told the AFP. As a result of its solid following, numbering in the millions, INC carries significant financial and political strength in the country.

Its political strength is based on a church ruling that all members must vote in national elections in line with the endorsement of the church’s leader. ■

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Philippine News

5 FRIDAY AUGUST 1, 2014

House accepts 3rd impeach rap

Complaint says P-Noy sold out PH sovereignty to US with Edca

BY DJ YAP AND NIKKO DIZON Philippine Daily Inquirer THE HOUSE of Representatives yesterday accepted a third impeachment complaint against President Aquino, this time accusing him of selling out Philippine sovereignty to the United States through the 10year Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca).

The 67-page complaint was filed by activists in the Makabayan coalition led by its president Satur Ocampo and Teddy Casiño, a former party-list House member representing Bayan Muna.

It was endorsed by two lawmakers in the Makabayan party-list bloc in the House: ACT Teachers’ Antonio Tinio and Gabriela’s Emmi de Jesus.

The grounds for impeachment cited were culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust arising from the President’s pursuing the Edca with the United States. The Edca is an executive agreement that was signed last April which gives the United States more access to “agreed locations” in the country to boost the defense capabilities of the Philippines’ military.

Clear in Charter

“It is clear from the provisions of the Constitution that foreign military bases are prohibited unless duly approved by Congress and ratified by the Senate.

There is no such condition in Edca, which is only an executive agreement,” Ocampo said.

“But if you will look at it closely, it is a very wide and serious case of peddling our sovereignty,” he told reporters before the filing of the complaint.

At least three petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court seeking the scrapping of the agreement on questions of constitutionality.

According to a government primer, Edca is constitutional as it came about only “at the invitation of the Philippines and with full respect for the Philippine Constitution and Philippine laws.”

Separate cause of action

Ocampo said the petitions

‘NFA gave legal cover to smugglers’

BY NANCY C. CARVAJAL Philippine Daily Inquirer

The grounds for impeachment cited were culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust arising from the President’s pursuing the Edca with the United States.

PHOTO FROM GMANETWORK.COM

against the agreement would have no bearing on the impeachment case they filed.

“This is a separate cause of action. On its own, the citation of the facts here satisfies the requirements on the rules of impeachment,” he said.

Lawyer Evalyn Ursua, one of the complainants, said there should be an independent resolution of the impeachment complaint. “The House can still give importance to the impeachment complaint regardless of the Supreme Court’s decision on the petitions,” she said.

The impeachment complaint citing Mr. Aquino’s actions on Edca was the third one to be accepted this week by House Secretary General Marilyn BaruaYap. It will be consolidated with the first two complaints, also filed by Bayan groups or affiliated organizations, that raised questions about the President’s Disbursement Acceleration Program, which was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court on July 1.

No endorsement

Another impeachment complaint was filed ahead of the third Bayan complaint, but was not formally accepted by the secretary general’s office as it did not have the required endorsement of a House member.

The latter complaint was filed by the Sanlakas group led by its secretary general Aaron Pedrosa, national chair Lidy Nacpil, Leody de Guzman of the Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino, and Sonny Melencio of Partido Lakas ng Masa.

In the complaint, the peti-

tioners allege that the President committed betrayal of public trust “through tyrannical abuse of power and gross exercise of discretionary powers.”

Public funds were used and the implementation of government projects and services was stopped, revoked and suspended in order to corner appropriated funds as “savings” to be expended at his pleasure, the complainants said.

But Barua-Yap said the complaint cannot be referred to the appropriate committee unless a House member comes forward to endorse it.

Security challenges

Two other impeachment complaints that were not endorsed by lawmakers were also filed against Mr. Aquino by lawyer Oliver Lozano and former Congressman Augusto Syjuco.

In Malacañang, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. reiterated that Edca builds upon the Mutual Defense Treaty which has “served as the main platform for the strategic defense partnership between the Philippines and the United States.”

“We maintain that the Edca is a response to the evolving security challenges in the AsiaPacific Region on account of disputes among countries with maritime entitlements in the West Philippine Sea,” Coloma said.

“As in the previous complaints, we will leave it to Congress, as an independent and coequal branch of government, to assess and decide on its merits,” he said in a press statement. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

TOP OFFICIALS of the National Food Authority (NFA) gave bigtime smugglers legal cover in importing rice using farmers’ cooperatives as fronts, an investigation of rice smuggling in the country showed.

Former NFA Administrator Lito Banayo, his deputy administrator Jose D. Cordero, suspected smuggler David Bangayan/Tan and three others are among those set to be charged with economic sabotage and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act in the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“The NFA officials signed the import permits, which provided the legal cover for the suspected rice smugglers,” said a source privy to the results of the probe conducted by state investigators.

Appointed

by President Aquino in July 2010 as NFA head, Banayo resigned on Sept.

30, 2012, in the wake of reports of massive rice smuggling in the country.

He stepped down reportedly to run for congressman in the 2013 midterm elections in the first district of Agusan del Norte province.

Also to be charged with rice smuggling in the DOJ were couple David and Judyline Lim, owners of DGL Commodities, DGL Trucks andD-Force Trucking, and Leah Echeveria of Mandaue City.

Echeveria is the suspected conduit between the farmers’ cooperatives and the suspected rice smugglers.

A probe of 26 farmers’ cooperatives led investigators to recommend the filing of charges against the two former NFA officials and the alleged rice smugglers.

“The member of the cooperatives pointed to Bangayan and the Lim couple as the financiers of their import quotas through Echeveria,” said the source, who asked not to be named because he was not

authorized to talk to the media about the matter.

The source said investigators found that Bangayan and Lim used the farmers’ cooperatives in two ways.

“They used the cooperatives as dummy to acquire import permits and also used them as dummy to extract seized cargoes,” the source said.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima told the Senate committee on agriculture in January that Bangayan, aka David Tan, controlled the importation of rice by financing farmers’ cooperatives that want to bid for import permits from the NFA. NFA complicity

The source said that the complicity of NFA officials in the illegal activity was also traced to the granting of memorandums of undertaking to farmer cooperatives that were used as vehicles for the release of seized imported rice.

The source also said members of cooperatives were paid a commission of at least P10 for every sack of rice.

“They admitted that businessmen borrow their import permits and pay all the dues and were given commission in exchange for the paper,” the source said.

Based on the statements of the members of the farmers’ cooperatives the financiers facilitated the documents needed for the bidding of import permits.

Bank account, bond

Apart from providing the cash to open a bank account under the name of a cooperative, the financiers also provided the “bond” required by the NFA to the winning cooperative before an import permit was issued.

The NFA allowed farmers’ cooperatives to buy rice from abroad after it ended government-to-government rice procurement.

To cover any shortfall in rice production and to increase the country’s buffer stock, the agency bid out the permits to import the grain. The NFA is the sole authorized rice importer in the country. ■

Philippine News

AUGUST 1, 2014

FRIDAY 6

Fashion cops heckle Nancy Binay; Mommy Dionisia steals show

BY CATHY YAMSUAN AND ALEX Y. VERGARA Philippine Daily Inquirer MANILA, PHILIPPINES—Fancying themselves as the fashion police, netizens zeroed in on Sen. Nancy Binay’s gown during Monday’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) event.

“Tell her the World Cup is over and that Brazil lost. Time to return its flag,” one Facebook post read, referring to the yellow-and-green skirt panels on the gown that Binay wore to the Senate’s morning session.

Facebook also bloomed with pictures of hot air balloons and ice bags posted alongside Binay’s gown, a rather unflattering two-piece ensemble consisting of a long-sleeved blouse and multicolored, ankle-length tulip skirt.

Some also described the senator as looking like a mascot for Korean Air for the high-waisted gown that resembled the Korean hanbok or national dress.

Binay’s afternoon gown, a white number also by designer Randy Ortiz, got as much dissing for its draped bodice and serpentine skirt, with netizens comparing its front panel to the “Easter Bunny,” and its voluminous side folds to “the satin lining of a coffin.”

Getting as much attention for her outfit was Dionisia “Mommy D” Pacquiao who was tastefully garbed in an immaculate white terno lashed with a tulle skirt, its bodice studded with green sequins.

Hair pulled back in a bun and wearing simple pearl studs, she was a picture of elegance, restraint and taste, although some netizens described her gown as “Santacruzan-inspired.”

In fact, the usually flamboyant mother of world boxing champ and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao created such a commotion with her entrance on the red carpet—with kibitzers breaking protocol and crossing the velvet rope to take selfies with her—that House security personnel quickly declared the red carpet pictorial over as they herded the journalists and photographers covering the event out of the room.

Gowns and formal wear also proved to be convenient political statements in Monday’s Sona, as allies and critics wore either yellow or peach outfits to signify support for President Aquino or to call for his impeachment.

President Aquino has been under fire from several quarters over the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) that the Supreme Court had declared unconstitutional.

Glitz and glamor

For other politicians, government officials and their spouses and guests, the lingering effects of recent natural calamities and political scandals did little to dim the glitz and glamor they had been accustomed to at every Sona event.

Less than two weeks after Typhoon Glenda hit southern Luzon, including Metro Manila, politics and fashion converged anew as leading public figures strutted their stuff on the red carpet, with their respective ideas of Filipiniana finery.

Leading the pack of fashion mavericks were Sen. Loren Legarda and actress Heart Evangelista, as well as congressional spouse Stella Quimbo and senatorial ❱❱ PAGE 14 Fashion cops

STARS AT THE SONA. Heart Evangelista, Kris Aquino, Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez PHOTOS FROM INSTAGRAM AND RAPPLER.COM

www.canadianinquirer.net

Philippine News

7 FRIDAY AUGUST 1, 2014

Aquino graded so-so 6.1 Rating is lower than expected, say NGOs

BY DORIS C. DUMLAO Philippine Daily Inquirer MANILA, PHILIPPINES—A coalition of nongovernment organizations (NGOs) has given the Aquino administration a grade of 6.11 in his fourth year in office, a rating that suggests “something has been accomplished but is lower than expected.”

Based on a scale of 1 to 10 in which 10 was the highest, the rating given by the Movement for Good Governance (MGG) marked a steady improvement from the group’s annual score since 2010 but still fell short of the 7.5 minimum score to be deemed “on track” to achieve targets.

MGG, chaired by former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Solita Monsod, is advocating government transparency, accountability, integrity and honesty.

The civil society coalition started benchmarking the performance of the administration in 2010 using a scorecard system to assess the extent to which the administration has implemented the President’s platform.

MGG said the scoring was done “based on data and not on perceptions.” The administration’s total score of 6.11 for 2013 was a slight improvement over its score in 2012, based on the latest assessment issued by MGG ahead of Aquino’s State of the Nation Address. MGG gave the administration a score of 5.77 for 2012, 5.59 in 2011 and 4.53 in 2010.

By contrast, Aquino’s ratings have gone down to their lowest levels since 2010 based on perceptions. His performance and trust ratings have plunged from March to June, according to results of Pulse Asia surveys.

His net satisfaction rating has also dropped considerably during the same period, according to Social Weather Stations.

For the 2013 assessment, MGG noted with favor the increasing performance of the administration in managing the economy and public finance.

However, the coalition said that no significant improvement had been observed in the development of the agricultural

sector.

Overall, MGG lauded the achievement of targets in the government’s investment-toGDP (gross domestic product) ratio, improvement in the country’s global competitiveness, particularly in doing business, and the attainment of a peace agreement with the Bangsamoro.

But the coalition said achieving the employment generation target should be taken with a grain of salt since it was attained by lowering the target.

MGG noted the progress of the administration in achieving the goals of its infrastructure program, maintaining macro-stability, providing universal healthcare and attaining health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Efforts were made in achieving the targets in revenue-generation, promoting the competitiveness of the agricultural sector, providing post-harvest facilities and promoting agricul-

tural development in Mindanao, the group said. However, it said the results of the programs were lower than expected.

Low marks were given to government’s poverty reduction program, the export to GDP ratio, observance of the rule of law, control of private armies, the import program on basic

PHOTO BY RYAN LIM / BENHUR ARCAYAN / MALACANANG PHOTO BUREAU

commodities like rice and biosecurity (i.e. protection from pests and diseases).

MGG said there was a need to strengthen the universal healthcare program as 47.6 percent of deaths in the country involved persons unattended by physicians.

The coalition also lamented the low ratio of healthcare

workers to the population, high out-of-pocket expenses of patients, high maternal mortality rate and rising AIDS cases.

Sore points

MGG said the updated Philippine Development Plan for 2011-2016 seemed to allow jobless growth with increased povwww.canadianinquirer.net

erty.

“What else are needed? Access to opportunities, which aside from spatial considerations, includes lowering mobility costs for goods and people, and investments in education and health that build capabilities regardless of the location of people,” MGG said.

The coalition found interesting government’s admission that the country would not meet the first MDG target— halving poverty incidence from its 1990 level by 2015.

Instead, MGG noted that the updated plan had increased the targeted poverty incidence from 16.6 percent to as high as 20 percent. With a population reaching 100 million, this meant that the administration was willing to accept anywhere from 1.4 million to 3.4 million more poor than it originally intended, MGG said.

“This is shameful. But it is, unfortunately, only to be expected, with the lower employment targets and the deliberate reduction of agriculture and fishery targets. All the other attempts at making growth inclusive will just be band-aid solutions,” MGG said.

The coalition said the only bright light in the poverty situation was the conditional cashtransfer (CCT) program, which now serves 4.2 million families and has extended educational benefits up to the end of high school at a cost of over P60 billion.

“This does not lift the poor out of poverty now, but its effects in improving health and education capital of the poor will be felt after the Aquino administration. In this regard, the President’s statesmanship— taking the longer view—must be acknowledged,” MGG said.

As for the public-private partnership program, MGG said seven projects had been awarded. Another 10 received

Neda board approval while the list of projects increased to 30.

MGG said the updated target of boosting the tax effort ratio to 14.65 percent of GDP in 2014 would likely not be met.

It recognized the expressed intent of the administration in using the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) in pump-priming the economy, in supporting the needy and in improving the delivery of health and education services, while taking into account the ruling of the Supreme Court declaring part of the DAP unconstitutional.

“MGG has strong biases for the respect for the rule of law as well as the need to strengthen institutions not only for ethical reasons, but to promote stability and governance,” the group said.

It gave the administration a score of 5.00 on management of expenditures.

It said there had been significant developments in the sector over the past three years, such as the dramatic increase in the budget of the Department of Agriculture, reversal of the decline in irrigated areas, refocusing on staples sufficiency (rice, corn, banana, camote, cassava and gabi) from rice selfsufficiency and growing appreciation of crop diversification, especially tree crops.

However, the coalition said the problems of the agriculture sector were not only for the agriculture department to address, citing roads, extension services (under municipalities), research, smuggling, biosecurity, land access and credit delivery.

“The government must act with dispatch against smuggling and the resistance by the Bureau of Customs regarding import preinspection by quarantine officers that will safeguard the country’s bio-security,” MGG said. ■

Philippine News

AUGUST 1, 2014 FRIDAY 8

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Member

BY CHRISTINE O. AVENDAÑO Philippine Daily Inquirer MANILA, PHILIPPINES—Vice President Jejomar Binay on Wednesday said the allegation that he and his son allowed the construction of an overpriced P1.56-billion parking building beside Makati City Hall had “no factual or legal leg to stand on.”

Binay expressed hope that a fair evaluation of the plunder complaint against him and his son, Makati Mayor Junjun Binay, would result in the Ombudsman dismissing the complaint.

Speaking before finance and business executives, he said politics and the 2016 presidential election had prompted the filing of the plunder complaint by his old political foes. But he hinted that his foes were backed by a political rival.

“This complaint is no exception, although we have been informed that this time around, our local opponents have been provided with the needed resources, financial and otherwise, by certain national interest groups, particularly a group of lawyers closely identified with a national personality,” he said in a speech before a joint meeting of the Finance Executives Institute of the Philippines and Management Association of the Philippines in Makati.

Pressed by reporters on the identity of the national personality, Binay declined to name the person.

The Vice President and his son came out to defend the construction of the New Makati City Parking Building on F. Zobel Street in Barangay (village) Poblacion, which complainants Renato Bondal and Nicolas Enciso VI of Save Makati Movement said was grossly overpriced. They said the building was the “most expensive parking building in the entire country.”

Sowing intrigue

In his speech, the elder Binay said that those behind the plunder case against him were intent on sowing intrigue between him and President Aquino.

“They want me to think that the Palace is orchestrating the filing of this baseless complaint against me and my son … to divert attention from the impeachment complaints filed against the President,” he said.

He wondered why those who filed the complaint excluded the names of their allies and party mates who were “part of the city council and were present when the council approved the ordinances they cited.”

The Vice President said that “in a fair and impartial evaluation,” the plunder complaint and other complaints he expected to be filed against him would be dismissed.

Visit building

Binay and his son urged the reporters

Speaking before finance and business executives, Binay said politics and the 2016 presidential election had prompted the filing of the plunder complaint by his old political foes.

PHOTO FROM INQUIRER.NET

to go to the building, which they said was not a parking building alone as claimed by the complainants.

They said the building housed business and service offices of the Makati City Hall.

Malicious

“It would be malicious to say that this is the most expensive parking lot,” Mayor Binay said, adding that parking was the secondary purpose for putting up the building.

The younger Binay said the city had to put parking spaces in the building because it was cheaper to put up a building than dig deeper for basement parking.

But the Binays did not give the cost of putting up the building.

The Vice President said that “in the process of constructing, the government agency is allowed to engage in variations if it’s needed in the construction.”

On the complainants’ claim that the project should have cost only P245.6 million based on the cost estimate by the National Statistics Office (NSO) for commercial buildings in Makati, he cited a Supreme Court decision that said that the NSO was not the agency tasked with determining whether a project was overpriced.

“One should ask around, go out and compare the costs,” Binay said.

Like prices of T-shirt

The Vice President likened the pricing of the building to that of a T-shirt, saying that prices of T-shirts vary depending on their style.

He said that in Makati, city officials had made it a point to construct schools and hospitals that were of high quality.

The Vice President also questioned the complaint’s allegation that the building was overpriced when the Commission on Audit (COA) had not completed its auditing.

Wait for COA audit

The younger Binay asked the media to wait for the COA audit on the building.

Since the building was constructed, the mayor said the COA had neither no-

www.canadianinquirer.net

tified City Hall of any auditing problem nor issued an audit memorandum observation on the property.

He and the others, the younger Binay said, could show proof that they followed proper procedures, such as undertaking a public bidding for the construction of the building, contrary to the allegations of the complainants.

The mayor denied the complainants’ claim that the local government could have put up the building for just P7,000 per square meter because such amount would apply only to low-cost housing units.

Aside from the Binays, 23 others were charged with plunder and violation of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act).

Politically motivated

An ally of the Binays said the timing of the filing of the plunder case against the Vice President showed that it was politically motivated.

“Obviously, it’s political in nature because 2016 is around the corner,” said Sen. JV Ejercito of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).

“If that was serious, why wasn’t it filed when the Vice President was still a mayor or shortly thereafter, in his first or second year as Vice President?” Ejercito added.

More coming

UNA secretary general Toby Tiango expects more charges to be filed against the Vice President.

“No, we’re not worried … This is not the first one,” said Tiangco, a Navotas City representative.

He said it was clear that the case filed by a group of Makati residents against Binay, his son and 23 others was motivated by politics.

Leading contender

Binay, who has announced a plan to run for president, is widely considered the leading contender in the presidential race two years before the election.

A recent Pulse Asia survey showed he was ahead by a huge margin, with 41 percent of the nationwide vote against the 12 percent of his closest competitor, Sen. Grace Poe. “The disadvantage of being on top is that there will be an increase of such kind of attacks. But whether this will affect the Vice President’s ratings is another matter,” Tiangco said.

“I think the people are smart enough to realize this is just politics,” he said.

He said he had talked to Binay about the issue, and that the latter was not bothered. “He said our lawyers are on it, and that we should not be distracted by things like this,” Tiangco said. ■ With reports from Leila B. Salaverria and DJ Yap

Philippine News

9 FRIDAY AUGUST 1, 2014

Middle ground with MILF sought

BY CHRISTIAN V. ESGUERRA AND NIKKO DIZON Philippine Daily Inquirer

Balancing act. Students from the College of the Holy Spirit in Manila makes "scales of justice" out of sticks and paper plates in a rally Friday calling for vigilance in the prosecution of high government officials accused of corruption.

PHOTO BY JOAN BONDOC

P800-M DAP funds used to fix Palace, tourism, etc.

BY GIL C. CABACUNGAN Philippine Daily Inquirer SOME P800 million from the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), which the Supreme Court recently declared unconstitutional, was spent for construction, renovation and equipment upgrade in Malacañang.

Documents obtained by the INQUIRER showed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) issued a special allotment release order (Saro) three years ago channeling P17.94 million to the Office of the President (OP) for the “proper restoration and rehabilitation of various rooms in Malacañang Palace.”

The OP had not replied to the INQUIRER’s query as of press time.

Another DAP-Saro amounting to P248.37 million was released in 2011 to upgrade Malacañang’s communication system for the Presidential Security Group. The DAP-Saro was issued through the Department of National Defense (DND).

The DND also received another DAP-Saro in 2012 for P60 million for the “rehabilitation of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) air education and training command.”

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), on the other hand, used P15 million from the DAP to repair and rehabilitate the Philippine National Police crime laboratory.

The DBM issued two DAP-Saros in 2011 for this project.

P100M for think tank

The budget department also issued a P100-million DAP-Saro in 2011 for the land purchase and building construction ex-

PRESIDENT AQUINO is seeking the “middle ground” with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) amid disagreements over the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) that was supposed to be submitted to Congress more than two months ago.

Mr. Aquino on Monday met with the government peace

penses of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), a state-run economic think tank.

This was exclusive of the P560 million in DAP funds given to PIDS for research grants in the capacity building program of leading universities.

A P20-million DAP-Saro was issued to the Department of Justice (DOJ) to modernize and build new crime laboratories for the National Bureau of Investigation.

The amount was on top of other DAP funds granted to the DOJ, such as P20 million for the purchase of new computers for the NBI; P14.2 million for the information technology upgrade of the Office of the Solicitor General; and, P7 million for the training of NBI agents.

P144M for COA

For its part, the Commission on Audit (COA) received P143.7 million in DAP funds in 2011 to buy new computers and hire more litigation experts.

The DAP also funded the Department of Tourism’s P207million “Kilometer Zero” national monument hardscape and softscape projects and P25million Cine Corregidor complex preservation project in 2011.

In 2012, the tourism department also received P1.77 billion from the DAP for the “convergence program on enhancing tourism access.”

These were part of the 1,014 DAP-Saros issued by the DBM from October 2011 to December 2013 covering P150.6 billion in savings transferred from other agencies and slow-moving projects.

Around 90 percent of the DAP-Saros were given to lawmakers. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

panel for two hours after both sides agreed to get “a little breathing space” and return to their respective principals at this stage of the talks.

Over dinner with reporters Monday, chief government negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer admitted the draft could not be submitted to Congress in time for the President’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) on July 28.

“We both think this is better than trying to rush submission in time for the opening of Congress because we feel that there

are issues that we need to continue to discuss,” Ferrer said.

She said it was not “farfetched” that Mr. Aquino would be meeting with MILF chair Murad Ibrahim “as soon as possible depending on the need.”

“Right now, we really have to go back and reflect on… what we have achieved and the fundamental starting points that will continue to serve as our basis for continuing this process,” she said.

“So [we just want] a little breath❱❱ PAGE 13 Middle ground

Philippine News

AUGUST 1, 2014 FRIDAY 10

Aquino tears... was seen crying in the VIP gallery and wiping away her tears.

The President was optimistic that his program, dubbed “daang matuwid,” could extend far beyond his six-year term so long as the public would choose the path of “transformation” and pick his rightful successor in 2016.

“To my bosses: You gave me the chance to lead our country’s transformation. If I refused the challenge you laid before me, it is like saying I will help prolong your agony and my conscience cannot take that. If I turned my back on the chance given to me, it is like turning my back on my father and mother, and everything that they sacrificed for us. That will never happen,” the President said in Filipino.

And then his voice cracked.

Regaining his composure, the President continued: “As we tread on the straight path, you chose what is good and what is right; you remained true to me—and I remain true to you.”

Some of the people in the audience stood up in one of the most loudly applauded parts of his 91-minute speech.

“The transformation we are enjoying now can become permanent with the help of the Lord. As long as our faith and trust is complete, and as long as we become each other’s strengths, we will continue to prove that ‘the Filipino is worth dying for,” “the Filipino is worth living for,” and I will add: ‘The Filipino is worth fighting for,’” Aquino said.

The President’s late parents, assassinated opposition leader Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. and President Corazon Aquino were the country’s icons of democracy, toppling the 20-year conjugal dictatorship of the late President Ferdinand Marcos and then first lady, now Leyte Rep. Imelda Marcos.

The late senator famously declared, as he continued to oppose Marcos that “the Filipino is worth dying for.”

Three years after his death, his widow, Corazon, was swept to the presidency in a four-day bloodless uprising now known as the Edsa Revolution.

President Aquino faces his toughest year yet in office, facing three impeachment cases stemming from the outlawed Disbursement Allocation Program (DAP) and the PhilippineUS security pact, the Enhanced ❰❰ 1

Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) meant as a deterrent in the country’s territorial dispute with China, and the lowest approval rating in four years.

parties after a long war and long-drawn negotiations.

“We’ve gone far because of trust. And we don’t have any plans of breaking this trust,” the President said. He said that the government now keeps to its word.

‘Second life’

Aquino spoke of a “second life” after surviving a gunshot wound in the 1989 coup against his late mother, then President Corazon Aquino.

He said he could not help but think about the gravity of the nation’s problems. He said there were times on his speaking engagements the thought came that taking the stage would be his last day. He said he had thought about someone successfully exploding a bomb, or someone with dark thoughts would return the nation to the old corrupt ways.

“Should those times happen and I am on my second life, can I tell myself I am happy with what I had accomplished?

“I am satisfied that when I am gone, many will pursue the path we have taken. Maybe that is my role, to get things going,” he said.

Filipino worth fighting for

In seeking to inspire the public toward sustaining the “transformation” achieved under his administration, the President recalled the words of his late father who said, “The Filipino is worth dying for.”

“I would like to add: The Filipino is worth living for. The Filipino is worth fighting for,” he said.

Unlike in previous Sonas, the President was relatively less combative and was more sentimental on how the gains of “daang matuwid” were now manifested in Philippine society.

Aquino opted not to assail the Supreme Court in his biggest speech of the year, despite three recent public addresses lambasting the magistrates for declaring his DAP unconstitutional.

Instead, he spoke of the need to stop certain DAP-funded projects “to ensure that we follow the decision of the Supreme Court” against the economic stimulus program.

He urged Congress to pass a supplemental budget for 2014 to fund such projects, plus a joint resolution that would “clarify definitions and concepts” apparently on the pooling and realignment of government savings.

Prior to the Sona, he attacked

Highlights of achievements Kris Aquino was tearful when her brother, President Benigno III, mentioned their parents in his State of the Nation Address on Monday afternoon.

PHOTO BY BERNARD TESTA / INTERAKSYON.COM

the magistrates and warned of a “collision” between the executive and the judiciary, which might require the “intervention” of the administrationcontrolled legislature.

the 800,000 metric tons of imported rice for “buffer stocking” would arrive by September. Another 500,000 MT would be imported soon, on top of a similar volume that could be made available in case of calamities.

Change is being felt

Faced with growing public discontent, the President sought to remind the public of the country’s political and economic conditions prior to his election in 2010, and what had been achieved under his watch.

“I think the transformation is now being felt by each Filipino and it’s up to you to continue this,” he said in Filipino.

Citing the projected water shortage in Metro Manila by 2021, he said he had approved the construction of the Kaliwa Dam Project in Quezon province and the rehabilitation of Angat Dam’s pipelines.

There’s also the Laguna Lakeshore Expressway Dike, the biggest of a total of P62.6billion public-private partnership projects approved as of December 2011. Bidding will start before the end of the year.

Aquino said the dike would reduce flooding, ease traffic in the area and clean up the waters of Laguna Lake.

On the looming power crisis, he said he had tasked Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla to coordinate with the Joint Congressional Power Commission, Energy Regulatory Commission, consumers and the entire power sector in coming up with a solution.

Petilla earlier recommended that the President be granted emergency powers so the government could purchase and operate power generators. But Aquino said the solution was “not as simple” as going to a store and saying, “I would like to buy a 600-megawatt generator and kindly install it tomorrow.”

Despite the promise of rice self-sufficiency before, the President trumpeted the importation of more rice. He said the rest of www.canadianinquirer.net

DAP casualty

A purported casualty of the Supreme Court’s decision against the DAP was the Philippine National Police, for whom new pieces of equipment were supposed to be purchased using funds pooled under the questionable acceleration budget program. The President cited the PNP’s “Oplan Lambat,” which yielded 862 vehicles and 29 firearms in Metro Manila.

Aquino assured the public that the government would go after those behind “high-profile killings” such as those of Pangasinan town Mayor Ernesto Balolong, businessman Richard King, and race car driver Ferdinand Pastor.

The creation of the Bangsamoro region only merited less than five minutes in the Sona, even though it is one of the most delicate security issues his administration is facing now because of a major snag in the peace process.

The government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panels are hammering out an “agreed version” of the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) after the latter accused the Malacañang review team of watering down the original draft put together by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC).

MILF chief negotiator and BTC chair Mohagher Iqbal was in the audience, together with fellow negotiator Datu Al Camlian. It was the first time for both Iqbal and Camlian to attend the Sona.

Seemingly addressing the MILF, the President stressed that his administration has no intention of breaking the trust established between the two

Aquino ticked off highlights of his achievements: • Of 223,615 scholars of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, 146,731 are now employed.

• Expanded conditional cash transfer worth P12.3 billion has begun this month.

• 2.5 million Filipinos now above the poverty line.

• Good fiscal management has led to lower debt-to-GDP ratio.

• 42 percent of investments at the Philippine Economic Zone Authority made within first four years of Aquino administration; remaining 58 percent made in the last 15 years.

• International Civil Aviation Organization removed “significant safe concerns on the Philippines” in 2013.

• Good labor-management relations creating climate conducive to investments.

• 12,184 kilometers of roads (equivalent to four roads connecting Laoag City to Zamboanga City) built.

• P62.6 billion worth of PPP projects awarded since December 2011.

• Major infrastructure projects: Mactan-Cebu International Airport Passenger Terminal Building, Naia Expresssway Project Phase 2, Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway, Aluling Bridge, Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3, Ternate-Nasugbu Road, Basilan Circumferential Road, Laguna Lakeshore Expressway Dike.

• Neda-approved projects: Laoag City Bypass Link Road Project, Cebu Bus Rapid Transit Project, LRT Line 1 South Extension and Line 2 East Extension, Busuanga Airport, Clark Green City in Capas, Tarlac.

• DREAM-LiDAR project under Project Noah which identifies areas to be flooded.

• 1 is to 1 police-to-pistol ratio.

• More guns, aircraft for AFP. • Additional 1.65 million Filipinos employed from April 2013 to April 2014. ■

Philippine News

11 FRIDAY AUGUST 1, 2014

Mabini still sounds painfully familiar

BY AMBETH R. OCAMPO Philippine Daily Inquirer APOLINARIO MABINI (18641903) has been reduced by textbook history into two simplistic titles: “Sublime Paralytic” and “Brains of the Revolution.”

These meaningless titles do not do justice to the hero’s life and legacy.

From June 12, 1898, when he became Emilio Aguinaldo’s closest adviser, to May 7, 1899, when Aguinaldo accepted his resignation as president of the Council of Secretaries, Mabini served as prime minister and foreign minister in the First Philippine Republic.

He drafted a Constitution because he did not agree with provisions in the draft that was eventually adopted and became known as the Malolos Constitution.

Mabini drafted a program of government and shaped early foreign affairs and diplomacy.

Central to nation’s birth

Being in the corridors of power, Mabini was central to the birth of the nation.

To understand the present, it is essential that we look back

at the past and the people who shaped the way we are.

It is unfortunate that Mabini’s life and work are not as well known even though he left two volumes of razor-sharp writings and volumes of correspondence that instruct and inspire.

These volumes are out of print and hardly read in the original Spanish. It is unfortunate that 21st-century Filipinos are separated from their past because of language. Only Mabini’s letters are available in English translation.

Mabini remains relevant today in a nation rocked by corruption. What Mabini went through before he was forced out of government sounds eerily familiar today.

Until recently, historians whispered about Mabini’s paralysis as a result of syphilis.

National Artist F. Sionil Jose used this tidbit in his novel “Po-On” and on finding out that polio was the real cause and that the rumor was spread

by Mabini’s enemies he had to rewrite part of the novel and issue an apology by way of a new preface.

Mabini did not see eye to eye with Congress, whose powers, he felt, overlapped with those

of the executive.

President warned

When he was nominated justice of the Supreme Court he had to appear before the grandfather of the present Commission on Appointments and he was told that he could not be appointed to the Supreme Court because he was lame.

Mabini replied dryly, “Why? Does the job entail a lot of walking?”

In a memorandum to the President in January 1899, Mabini warned against a provision in the proposed Constitution that decreed all appointments to Cabinet positions be approved by Congress: “In my case, for example, because Congress does not like me. I will be censured for anything I do until I will be forced to resign. The members will say that I am a despicable weakling who can swallow all insults. In short, no one can stay in the department except one who knows how to regale the representatives, do what they want, and be in cahoots with them even to do such that will be against the interests of the country and justice. Such department secretaries, even if they should do badly,

Apolinario Mabini, National Hero.

would be in the good graces of Congress, while the good ones would not be.

“What will you do if the secretaries you appoint be unacceptable to Congress? You will have to change them. And should new ones be neither acceptable, change them again of course. When this happens, no rightthinking person will accept the position except the one who has an understanding with the representatives. For this reason, you will be forced to choose their men whether you like them or not; and since you cannot govern without a Cabinet, you will have no other choice except to please the representatives.”

One could argue that Mabini

PHOTO BY NEFTALI / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

was probably protecting his own interests, but the above quote sounds painfully familiar in our time and has led some people to claim that Mabini had precognitive gifts that enabled him to foresee some of our political problems more than a century ago.

Upright man

Mabini was an upright man who was forced out of government and his example rings true today.

Knowing Mabini 150 years from the day he was born will underscore the fact that history does not repeat itself.

The task of history is to help liberate us from the past. ■

Nancy Binay tells critics: I’m promoting local fabrics

BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA Philippine Daily Inquirer MANILA, PHILIPPINES— They may laugh at her dress— but do they know she is promoting the local fabric industry?

That was Sen. Nancy Binay’s response to netizens who criticized what she wore at the Senate and during President Aquino’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) before a joint session of Congress on Monday.

The eldest daughter of Vice President Jejomar Binay on Tuesday laughed off the disparaging comments about the gown she wore, preferring to see the bright side of a glitzy political event that had guests parading in their Filipiniana finery.

Binay said the commissioning of outfits by Sona guests at least gave a boost to the local fabric industry and the designers who had crafted their

creations made of handwoven piña, jusi and T’nalak fabric (T’boli cloth).

“In fairness, it’s one way of pushing our designers and our local fabric industry. It’s job-generating. Piña has become popular so this could be a source of livelihood,” she said in a phone interview.

Good for seamstresses

Binay also said the red carpet parade could help promote Philippine fabrics, and these could even gain a following abroad.

She noted that Thai silk had become a hot commodity and the Philippine fabrics could become just as popular.

Binay also said that while some people might make an issue of how much a terno costs, making just one outfit could help many seamstresses, fabric weavers and dressmakers earn a decent sum.

Referring to the yellow and green skirt panels on the dress

Binay wore to the Senate session, one Facebook user wrote: “Tell her the World Cup is over and that Brazil lost. Time to return its flag.”

Binay’s afternoon gown, a white number by designer Randy Ortiz, was mocked for its draped bodice and serpentine skirt. One netizen compared its voluminous side folds to “the satin lining of a coffin.”

Hot air balloon

Many Sona guests arrived in elaborate or intricate Filipiniana outfits to listen to President Aquino lay down his political agenda.

In recent years, much attention has been given to what legislators and other prominent guests wore at the Sona, and some of those who came, such as Binay, did not escape the scathing comments of Internet users and fashion critics.

Many netizens poked fun at www.canadianinquirer.net

her top and skirt during the Senate session, which they likened to a hot air balloon or an ice bag. Her white gown during the Sona also received its fair share of criticism.

Sona uniform

Binay said she was not bothered by the critics and that she remained supportive of Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s earlier call for less focus on the bling during the Sona.

Santiago herself wants an official uniform for members of Congress attending the Sona.

Days before the President’s address, Binay said she backed Santiago’s call for those attending the Sona to dress simply and for a review of the dress code for the affair.

Binay stressed that she was not supporting Santiago’s call because she had been criticized for her Sona day outfits.

According to her, she takes the criticism in stride.

Red carpet walk

“I don’t want to appear I’m pushing this because I was bashed,” she said. “They can bash me all the time. I just have to respect their opinion if they don’t like what I’m wearing. I’ve also received comments saying they like what I wore.”

She said that in order to lessen the focus on the Sona fashion and bring back the attention to the real purpose of the event, she supported the idea that the red carpet walk be done away with.

“At least, we won’t have to walk for quite a distance … In a way, that’s a bit awkward because we’re not models,” she said.

Red carpets line the main entrances to the Batasang Pambansa during the day of the Sona, and many guests walk down the carpet to parade before photographers and members of the media. ■

Philippine News

AUGUST 1, 2014 FRIDAY 12

Promises, promises 2013 COMPILED BY ALMI ATIENZA, ANA ROA, MARIELLE MEDINA, RAFAEL ANTONIO, KATHLEEN DE VILLA AND KATE PEDROSO Inquirer Research

www.canadianinquirer.net

13 FRIDAY AUGUST 1, 2014

Middle ground... ing space in the meantime.”

Ferrer said both sides were going through the draft BBL, which was prepared by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), “line by line” and had gone through all 18 articles.

“The decision points will have to go through the principals,” she said. “That’s why the President gave time for this to know where we are now.”

Recalling the meeting with Mr. Aquino, Ferrer said the President “was also looking for a middle ground and affirmation of basic [principles].”

A Malacañang review team earlier returned the thick BBL draft, replete with major revisions, a move that prompted both panels to return to Kuala Lumpur two weeks ago to thresh out their differences.

They reported “modest progress” and continued the meeting last Friday in Manila.

Ferrer said both sides remained focused on coming up with a “mutually accepted draft.”

By while no draft BBL will be sent to Congress when it opens next week, a Bangsamoro government should still be in place before President Aquino steps down in June 2016, MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said yesterday.

Both the government and MILF panels have been working on an “agreed version” of the BBL after the Office of the President (OP) left practically noth❰❰ 9

ing in the original version with its comments and proposed revisions.

The OP’s comments rankled the members of the MILF negotiating panel and the BTC, which drafted the law and which Iqbal chaired.

The two panels’ special meetings ended on Monday.

An INQUIRER source said the MILF was not aware that Monday’s meeting had ended before noon, as Iqbal and the other negotiators waited for the government panel to return after what was supposed to be a brief break.

Iqbal declined to comment on the abrupt end to Monday’s meeting.

Instead, he said, he was willing to work on the draft law, even if it would take both panels days, and even while the Muslims involved were fasting during Ramadan.

Iqbal, however, stressed the nonnegotiables for the MILF in the draft law.

“We registered our position in Kuala Lumpur. First, that all the issues that have been settled and all signed documents would no longer be the subject of renegotiation. Second, all the languages that were settled in the signed documents would no longer be the subject of renegotiation,” Iqbal said.

Iqbal, the often stoic, inscrutable MILF chief negotiator, admitted he was hurt and offended after seeing what he described as the “diluted” version of the draft BBL. ■

“Attracting and retaining the best international talent to fill skills shortages in key occupations is critical to Canada’s economic success.”

- Hon. Jason Kenney, P.C., M.P.

Minister of Employment and Social Development

Respond to Canada’s need for immigrants.

Become a Regulated Immigration Consultant Full-time | Part-time | Online Apply online at www.ashtoncollege.com or contact a program adviser at (604) 899-0803.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Inquirer Research reviewed the promises that President Aquino made in his State of the Nation Address (Sona) last year and found the following results based on published reports.

Sources: Philippine Coconut Authority, Jalaur River Multipurpose Project-Central Office, Department of Agrarian Reform, Inquirer Archives, Congress.gov.ph, National Mapping and Resource Information Authority, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Department of THE Interior and Local Government, Social Security System, Philippine National Police, National Housing Authority, Department of Tourism

Ashton College | Vancouver, BC 604 899 0803 | 1 866 759 6006 w w w. a s hto n co l l e g e. co m

www.canadianinquirer.net

Philippine News

AUGUST 1, 2014 FRIDAY 14

Fashion cops... wife Tootsie Angara.

Sen. Grace Poe, on the other hand, looked “presidential,” according to netizens, who posted pictures of her in an off-white creation by upcoming designer Roulette Esmilla that also had intricate embroidery.

Legarda wore an authentic Mandaya costume gifted her by the Mandaya tribe of Davao Oriental province.

“I’m doing this to celebrate the Unesco inscription on Mt. Hamiguitan as a World Heritage Site,” said the senator who was helped into the outfit by a member of the tribe flown to Manila, according to Davao Oriental Gov. Cora Malanyaon.

Legarda’s blouse had geometric designs and was accented with intricate beadwork. The skirt called dagmay was made from abaca and used natural dye. The senator’s accessories—a huge, round, silver pendant called patina and a pair of wooden bangles—were lent her by the Mandayas. ❰❰ 6

Cordillera roots

The wife of Sen. Sonny Angara, Tootsie, paid tribute to her Cordillera roots by asking designer Rajo Laurel to fashion a stylized and beaded terno using native fabrics in red and black with touches of yellow.

Laurel, one of the event’s busiest designers, accented the skirt’s chevron pattern with black and white bugle beads.

“It fuses tradition with modern and stylized elements,” Angara said, referring to her short terno sleeves.

Quimbo, a lawyer and wife of Marikina Rep. Romero Quimbo, opted for a terno-cumstylized Maria Clara gown by Jun Escario. The white number was accented with black lace on the bodice and sides of the serpentine skirt. The net-like material accenting the terno sleeves extended across the back, a design that Quimbo described as a “modern version of the pañuelo.”

Quimbo, who also designs and makes footwear, proudly showed off black satin and snakeskin shoes under the Lope Saenz label that went with her outfit.

Evangelista, the girlfriend of Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, was easily one of the afternoon’s most photographed personalities in designer Joey

Samson’s trademark off-white “caged” terno top, with fitted bodice and godet skirt.

Sen. JV Ejercito’s wife, Cindy, wore a red chiffon terno with a fine ruffle finish and horsehair trimmings by Paul Cabral.

Also in red was Pangasinan Rep. Rosemarie “Baby” Arenas in a Cabral creation made of Thai silk.

Sen. Cynthia Villar wore an orange terno embroidered with vines and cherry blossoms on the bodice that was designed by her cousin Noli Hans.

Former actress Sheila Ysrael, who came with husband Rep. Dan Fernandez and their three kids, slipped into a fully beaded and fully embroidered sea blue terno by Gideon Sy. A number of famous personalities tried to avoid the red carpet in vain.

Makati Rep. Abby Binay, who came with her daughter Martina, tried to go straight to the plenary hall, but was spotted by a group of photographers who requested her to do the red carpet. Binay, younger sister of Senator Binay, gamely obliged by cutting through the velvet rope. The Makati representative donned a fitted heather gray terno with a series of magenta trimmings on the bodice by her favorite designer, Ivarluski Aseron.

Daughter Martina had a square patch on her gown that, some observers noted, was actually a mosquito patch—a precaution, perhaps, against insect bites.

Marga Nograles, wife of Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles, made heads turn in Bobby Castillo’s off-white hand-painted Mikado silk terno.

A pregnant Timi GomezAquino, wife of Sen. Bam Aquino, asked designer Noel Crisostomo to produce something “light and easy,” and he came up with a mint green terno with beaded ribbons and pleated details on the bodice.

Fille Cainglet-Cayetano, who came with her husband, Taguig Rep. Lino Cayetano, opted for a low-key, navy blue terno made of silk gazar and accented with French lace by JC Buendia.

Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano, wife of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, wore a lavender Thai silk terno with draped details on the sleeves by her favorite designer Onin Pagsisihan.

Dionesia Pacquiao.

Senator Nancy Binay.

PHOTO FROM INQUIRER.NET

Laguna Rep. Sol Aragones, a former TV reporter, opted for a red terno with fully beaded bodice and flouncy skirt by veteran designer Renee Salud.

New fashion darling

Mommy D, the new fashion darling, could not recall who made her gown. “Basta, tagaMaynila (someone from Manila),” she told reporters.

Actress Lucy Torres-Gomez came with her husband, actor Richard Gomez, wearing a champagne-colored cocoon serpentine terno by Randy Ortiz that had baroque basketweave callado and embossed flower embroidery.

Angeline Lee-Tupas, wife of House justice committee chair Niel Tupas Jr., wore an off-white stylized barong over a magenta gown by Edgar Santiago.

Wearing Laurel gowns were Aklan Rep. Teodorico Haresco’s wife, Yulia, in an eggplant purple gown with embroidery cutouts, and Jenny Montejo, wife of An Waray Rep. Neil Benedict Montejo, who wore a serpentine terno of nude tulle embellished with lilac embroidery.

Early bird Joni VillanuevaTugna, wife of Cibac Rep. Sherwin Tugna, donned a cobalt blue satin gown, a modern take on the tapis by Jo Rubio of Bulacan province.

Cecile Guidote-Alvarez wore an aqua Maria Clara from Tesoro’s.

Kitchie Ridon, wife of Kawww.canadianinquirer.net

PHOTO FROM INQUIRER.NET / RICHARD A. REYES

bataan Rep. Terry Ridon, wore a strikingly simple terno with a beige bodice and black skirt by Toby Albrando.

Former Cibac Rep. Kim Bernardo-Lokin wore an apple green Aureo Alonzo that offset her gold necklace.

Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao went for a monochromic terno by cause-oriented favorite Joel Azebuche, whom her colleague former Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros also chose for her dramatic white jusi barong over a black sheath gown.

Quezon City Rep. Alfredo Vargas III’s wife Yasmine’s bold lip color contrasted sharply with her mint green terno by Stephanie Gan. Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson’s precocious daughter Samantha (“call me Ariel”) and her cousin Elise (“call me Cinderella”), daughter of Ilocos Sur Gov. Ryan Singson, elicited “oohs” and “ahs” with their red-carpet debut. Both wore similar-looking dresses in cream.

Cebu Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia wore an old rose, off-shoulder number by Philip Rodriguez that she paired with a brass and mother-of-pearl minaudiere.

Nueva Ecija Rep. Estrellita “Ging” Suansing chose an Aseron nude gown with red embroidery, while Senate President Franklin Drilon’s wife, Mila, wore a yellow outfit with an opera-length pearl necklace.

tress Assunta de Rossi, who walked the red carpet without her husband, Negros Occidental Rep. Julio Ledesma, a frequent absentee in House sessions.

Other attention-grabbers were Diwa Rep. Em Aglipay, who came in Boom Sazon’s body-hugging, cream-colored, neoprene terno with strategic cutouts on the sleeves and back, and model-socialite Bambi del Rosario, who posed for photographers in a blue green Mikado silk terno with a serpentine silhouette and draped bodice.

As expected, lawmakers from several cause-oriented partylist groups wore their politics on their sleeves, as they donned peach-colored barong, terno and outfits to call for President Aquino’s impeachment.

“Dapat managot lahat ng sangkot (Those who are involved must answer for it),” chanted party-list Representatives Emmi de Jesus, Luz Ilagan, Neri Colmenares, Antonio Tinio, Carlos Zarate and actress Juana Change.

“We’re supporting [the President’s] impeachment on the basis of Edca and the DAP,” De Jesus said.

Edca, or the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, with the United States aims to boost the defense capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines amid regional territorial disputes. ■

Head-turner

With a report from Tetch Torres, INQUIRER.net

Easily a head-turner was ac-

15 FRIDAY AUGUST 1, 2014

Sona most crucial for Aquino, say solons

BY GIL C. CABACUNGAN Philippine Daily Inquirer MANILA, PHILIPPINES—Will it be all gloves off or all apologies for President Aquino in his penultimate State of the Nation Address (Sona)?

Lawmakers differ on the President’s mindset going into his fifth Sona, which they agree will be his most crucial, given his declining popularity ratings, the fallout from the legal debacle of his economic stimulus program and the first murmurs of a military unrest.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. admitted that this would be the President’s “most difficult” Sona after coasting along on his popularity and “daang matuwid (straight path)” in previous years.

“Yes” was Belmonte’s curt reply when asked if the extended honeymoon of the President was over.

For Belmonte, he would rather the President focus on his priority bills in Congress and give “only passing reference to the DAP (Disbursement Acceleration Program) and his adherence to the Constitution.”

Belmonte also cautioned the President against harping on the three jailed senators—Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Bong Revilla—and more than a dozen current and former representatives indicted for the pork barrel scam, which led to the abolition late last year of the graft-ridden Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), the President’s main tool in keeping Congress in line.

“They have already been charged, that cannot be ignored. But this should not be gloated over as the investigations [are] continuing,” Belmonte said.

Hanging in balance

But Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello, an administration ally,

admitted that Monday’s Sona would be crucial because the President’s “daang matuwid” campaign promise was “hanging in the balance” because of questions about his credibility.

“If the President comes across as willing to have a constructive dialogue on the DAP and announces measures to speed up structural reforms, like completing land reform by the end of the year and restructuring the energy sector by repealing or radically amending the Epira (Electric Power Industry Reform Act), then he could reenergize his administration. A combative stance toward critics might not go down well, and I really hope he avoids that,” Bello said.

To appease his critics, the President could use the Sona to announce a change in his Cabinet in the light of the Supreme Court’s voiding of the DAP and the PDAF, according to Bello.

“Using the occasion to announce strategic replacements or reinforcements to his team might work wonders. The President does not need to convince me about his intention to continue and deepen reform. He needs to convince the people, most of whom retain goodwill toward him,” Bello said.

“I wish some people had the delicadeza to turn in their badge and ride off to the sunset, like Gary Cooper, with Grace Kelly in tow, in ‘High Noon.’

Like Fidel Castro, they could just say ‘history will absolve me,’ take the hit for their actions and just let history render its judgment on them.”

Deputy Speaker and Isabela Rep. Giorgidi Aggabao expected the President to be his feisty self. “He will be in the offensive, flaunting his achievements especially in his anticorruption agenda. The economy is not doing bad. At 5- to 6-percent GDP (gross domestic product) growth thus far this year, the economy remains robust,” Aggabao said.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said that this would be the President’s “most difficult” Sona after coasting along on his popularity and “daang matuwid (straight path)” in previous years.

PHOTO FROM WWW.ISCENETV.COM

“The DAP issue is relevant only in Metro Manila. In the countryside, the talk is how a President jailed three popular senators. I sense the President is on a warpath. In his Sona, I predict he will be less deferential to those he sees as undermining his program like the Supreme Court,” Aggabao said.

In high spirits

On the eve of his Sona, the President remained in “high spirits,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said over Radyo ng Bayan on Sunday.

“The President is determined to implement his program of governance and serve in the best manner the Filipino people,” Coloma said. “His intense commitment to deliver to his ‘bosses’ his promised reforms, to implement the priority initiatives under our Philippine Development Plan, they have not changed,” he said.

A likely major theme of the Sona is inclusive growth amid rising prices of commodities.

The government is eyeing a GDP growth of between 7.5 and 8.5 percent when Aquino steps down in 2016.

Coloma said the Sona would be accompanied by a technical report detailing accomplishments of different national government agencies and corporations. He said the report, along with a copy of the Sona, would

www.canadianinquirer.net

be uploaded to the official government website.

‘Judgment day’

Militant groups led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) and youth activists will lead a big rally against the President on Monday in what Bayan calls “judgment day for P-Noy” for “his various betrayals of the Filipino people.”

“Foremost is his failure to abolish the pork barrel system,” Bayan said in a statement. It said “Aquino’s stubborn defense of the unconstitutional and illegal presidential pork barrel (DAP) and his connivance with Congress in coming up with discreet mechanisms for the congressional pork barrel (PDAF) are clear proof that he refuses to dismantle the corrupt pork barrel system.”

Army on standby

The Philippine National Police announced that it would deploy a 10,000-strong contingent that would keep protesters on Commonwealth Avenue at the Ever Gotesco Mall area, away from the Batasang Pambansa complex. Authorities announced that 32 public schools in the area would be shut down for the day.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines is ready to back up the PNP contingent. “We will have deployments based

on what they want and need as augmentation,” said the public affairs office chief, Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala. On standby from the AFP side are a medical team, explosives and ordnance team, a K9 unit and civil disturbance management units.

Asked if the military has monitored any terror threats, Zagala said: “From our side, there is no terror threat. We are continuously monitoring our intelligence networks.”

Protests are also expected in the provinces, including Panay Island where mass actions are planned in Iloilo City, Kalibo town in Aklan province and Roxas City in Capiz province. Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo will lead speakers in the Iloilo rally.

Lawmakers hope that the President will focus on making the most of his last two years in office and scale down attacks on the Supreme Court, which had declared the DAP unconstitutional.

More careful tone

“We should now move forward,” Senate President Franklin Drilon said in a text message.

“He should just disclose his specific plans, general plans for the last two years of his administration. If he has a lot of plans, that would be long enough,” Sen. Koko Pimentel told dzBB. House Minority Leader Ronaldo Zamora said he hoped the President would adopt a more “careful” tone during the Sona instead of going in with “all torpedoes being launched.”

“In the end, a little more friendliness, a little more cordiality may go a long way toward resolving many of these difficulties,” Zamora said. “What the President needs is better lawyers and better accountants.” ■ With reports from Christian V. Esguerra and Leila B. Salaverria in Manila, and Nestor P. Burgos, Inquirer Visayas

Opinion

AUGUST 1, 2014 FRIDAY 16

THERE’S THE RUB

What a difference a year makes

By Conrado De Quiros Philippine Daily Inquirer THE LAST time P-Noy delivered the State of the Nation Address, he was triumphant. Last year’s Sona was the longest by far, lasting more than an hour. But though long, it didn’t seem interminable. Delivered in his now-trademark Filipino, where he is far more eloquent than Erap, P-Noy dwelled at length on his administration’s accomplishments, peppering his remarks with stinging rebukes of departments that had performed badly—he singled out Customs for the dubious honor—as well as those he reckoned to be corrupt. Augusto Syjuco chief of them, one of the current filers of an impeachment case against him.

The President stood on a pedestal, and the only question was: When comes such another? Who was going to continue his work? Who was going to propagate his legacy?

Then, before you knew it, things began to unravel.

A month later, the anti-pork people took to the Luneta in a largely spontaneous “Million People March” to protest pork, in the form of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF,) which the Inquirer in particular showed to have been squandered in scandal-

ous quantities through Janet Napoles’ NGOs. Government’s initial response was to defend the PDAF, arguing, one, that the legislators were in the best position to know the needs at grassroots level, and, two, that it was a fastest method of getting things to the people.

That defense didn’t sit well with the public, who became more painfully aware of the extent of corruption in PDAF over the following weeks. This was complicated by Jinggoy Estrada’s accusation that the executive had its own version of pork, a portion of which had been used to buy off the senators into voting against Renato Corona. Budget Secretary Butch Abad admitted that part of what he called the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP)—this was the first time the public heard about it—had been used to augment the senators’ budget but denied it was a bribe, it was given nine months after the Corona trial.

The revelation of the DAP, alongside its defense of the PDAF, sent government’s approval ratings spiraling down.

By November, it had gotten its lowest numbers since it came into power.

Christmas brought some respite from the buffeting government was taking, and with continuing record growth despite Supertyphoon “Yolanda,” capped by the Global Summit which drove home the point, and with

government’s determination to prosecute Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada, and Bong Revilla, for corruption, government rallied, gaining much lost ground and coming back on track.

Then the Supreme Court ruled the DAP unconstitutional.

P-Noy’s reaction to it has not been to bow down to it, backtrack from it, look for other options, it has been to stand his ground and defend the DAP to astonishing lengths. Of course you never know what surprise he might spring today at the Sona, but his utterances and moves

The revelation of the DAP, alongside its defense of the PDAF, sent government’s approval ratings spiraling down. over the last couple of weeks do not give much hope he might reconsider his position. The Cabinet was in the Senate full force last Thursday to wage an information, if not charm, offensive on it. We’ll know soon enough how their explanations will fare before the public when P-Noy faces the nation today.

There are several troubling things about that offensive however. At the very least, it comes a little too late.

The time to have advanced those arguments was when the Supreme

Court was deliberating on the constitutionality of the DAP, not after. To suggest that the best legal minds of the country to a man or woman missed the legal underpinnings of the DAP is breathtakingly presumptuous. That can’t be a persuasive argument.

While at that, the charge that the Supreme Court itself took the DAP—like shortcuts in its use of monies makes for an even less persuasive argument. I remember again a movie where an American who has landed in a French jail tries to convince his jailer to let him go. “All I did,” he said, “was to go to bed with a married woman. Surely you can understand that, you’re French.” “Ah,” his jailer said, “to go to bed with a married woman, that is French. To get caught, that is American.”

Beyond the facetious, you grant the Supreme Court did it too, two wrongs do not make a right. Why want to follow, or go in the direction of, the wrong things? That argument makes for lawlessness all around.

But far more than that, look at how skewed Abad’s argument was. The Court’s ruling, he lamented, did not grant government a presumption of good faith and puts a chilling effect on government’s push for reform. What, you turn unobligated funds into savings, a clear violation of budget rules, and the Court is obliged to presume that

you did it with the best of intentions and not complain about it? What, you engage in cross-border transfer of funds, another clear violation of budget rules, and the Court is obliged not to protest it because it would put a brake on reform?

What, you spend for things that are not in the General Appropriations Act, still another violation of the budget rules, and you put the burden of proof on the Court to prove that you did not succeed in doing right by doing wrong?

That is an Alice-in-Wonderland proposition. It sets a dangerous precedent for the next administration.

What’s to prevent Jojo Binay, who will very likely be the next president, barring an alternative, preferably Grace Poe, challenging him in 2016, from bending the Constitution every which way on the ground that he means well?

From the start, I had opposed the DAP and am astonished by the trouble government has gone to defend it, a case, as I see it, of the tail wagging the dog. It offers no institutional differentiation of the DAP from the PDAF, only the “exceptionalist” one of “Trust us, we don’t abuse shortcuts, we use it to do good.” Like I said, we’ll know soon enough how that sells with the public.

But what a pity, resting, and risking, government’s past and future on it.

What a difference a year makes. ■

arena and the adjoining outdoor parks and facilities were a purely business proposition. One would then expect it to be neutral to all groups and hospitable to all types of legitimate use—economic benefit being the primary, if not the sole, criterion for such decisions.

It is interesting to note (from a Wikipedia entry on the subject) that the ownership of the Philippine Arena is in the name of the New Era University, an educational institution founded by the Iglesia ni Cristo. I presume the university is a tax-exempt entity. That status might change once it begins leasing facilities like the Philippine Arena for nonreligious and non-educational activities on a regular basis. Catholic institutions have faced this dilemma for a long time. Article VI, Section 28, paragraph 3, of the 1987 Constitution exempts religious corporations from the payment of taxes. But that exemption does not cover incomes earned from activities that are not exclusively or directly religious, charitable or educational in nature.

The emergence of these issues is no doubt symptomatic of changing conditions in the larger society. With growing secularization, the public begins to question the special privi-

leges given to religious groups. This is particularly so when churches actively intervene as players in, for example, secular spheres like politics or business. Consequently, there has been much debate on how the religious function is to be understood, and how it is actually performed in the transition to modernity.

The level of institutionalization that the Iglesia ni Cristo has been able to attain as a minority church is truly exceptional. That it is celebrating its 100th year as an autonomous religious community in a predominantly Catholic country is due in no small measure to its ability to take care of both the spiritual and material needs of its members. But, it also owes much to its capacity to use what small political influence it wields through its unified electoral vote to ensure its survival in any milieu rather than to shape government policy.

In contrast, the dominant Catholic Church in the Philippines has tried to shape government policy without wielding meaningful political clout.

Indeed whatever residual influence it commands over governments has diminished in proportion to the modern recognition of the superiority of individual conscience over external coercion. ■

PUBLIC LIVES

The INC at 100

By Randy David Philippine Daily Inquirer THE MOST fascinating thing about the “Philippine Arena,” billed as “the world’s largest indoor multipurpose venue,” is probably not that it stands on Philippine soil but that it has been built by the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC).

Known for the distinctive architectural style of its churches, the INC usually builds small replicas of its central cathedral in nearly every town in which it has gathered a sizeable flock.

But a gigantic dome to accommodate its occasional humongous gatherings seems, at first glance, excessive and out of character even for a church that is proudly marking its centennial year.

But, perhaps like J. Amado Araneta who built the Araneta Coliseum in the 1950s and made it the centerpiece of a 35-hectare business district in Cubao, Quezon City, the elders of the INC have been inspired by a vision of a modern city rising up from the rice fields of Bocaue, Bulacan. Indeed, in addition to a venue for religious services that can hold as many as 55,000 people, a modern commercial complex and housing facilities appear to be part of the INC’s plan for Ciudad Victoria. But, as important, this awesome newly-inaugurated indoor are-

na is intended to serve as a multipurpose venue for sports, entertainment and other events.

This is all understandable in view of the close proximity of Bulacan province to increasingly congested Metro Manila. It also makes perfect sense to open a facility of this size to multiple uses even if only to generate the funds necessary to maintain it. What is not immediately comprehensible to an outside observer is why a religious group, rather than a business corporation, would undertake this venture.

The differentiation between the sacred and the profane, which lies at the core of every religion, has always posed a challenge to people of faith, particularly in the secular modern world. I guess that’s the reason why old churches are not used as party venues, and why there’s a sense of something missing when Masses are held inside a shopping mall. Still, there is no denying the fact that the sequestration of spaces for exclusive purposes has come to an end. And so even as the INC dome was originally conceived as a venue for worship, the message is out that event organizers are welcome to rent the Philippine Arena, so long as the activities to be held do not contradict the beliefs and

ideals of the INC. Thus, for instance, cockfighting that involves gambling will not be allowed.

Presumably, the restriction does not apply to political meetings and rallies, school graduations, homecomings and reunions. But, one wonders if the same welcoming mat would be extended to rival religious groups—like the Jesus is Lord congregation led by Brother Eddie Villanueva, or the El Shaddai community of Brother Mike Velarde, or the

What is not immediately comprehensible to an outside observer is why a religious group, rather than a business corporation, would undertake this venture.

Dating Daan group of Brother Eli Soriano, or indeed to the dominant Roman Catholic Church. One can imagine what a perfect venue for a papal Mass the entire Ciudad Victoria complex would make when Pope Francis visits the Philippines next year. Of course, it is one thing for the Catholic Church to even think of it, and quite another for the INC to agree.

It would be an entirely different matter if the lease of the INC indoor

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Opinion

17 FRIDAY AUGUST 1, 2014

VIEWPOINT

The deeper stake

By Juan L. Mercado Philippine Daily Inquirer “MARNURSURO TI tunggal kaaruba,” an Ilocano proverb says. “Each neighbor is a teacher.”

Next-door Indonesia provided a tutorial when 187 million voters, in 17,000 islands across three time zones, elected Jakarta Gov. Joko “Jokowi” Widodo as the country’s seventh president. Voters handed Widodo a 6-percentage point victory, or 8 million votes, over ex-general Prabowo Subianto US President Barack Obama led the queue of those who called Widodo to offer congratulations.

“Through this free and fair election, the people of Indonesia have once again shown their commitment to democracy,” he said.

Indeed, “the outcome defines the thrust and direction, over the next generation, for a 250 million-strong country,” said The Jakarta Post, reprinting a July 15 Inquirer column.

“It’s the first election to see power transferred from a directly-elected leader to another in what was once a dictatorship.” It bucks disputed polls in Malaysia and Cambodia and the military junta rule in Thailand.

“Jokowi is a different animal,” wrote Elizabeth Pisani in her recent-

ly published book: “Indonesia, Etc.: Exploring the Improbable Nation.”

She compares Widodo with previous presidents and concludes: “He’ll be embedded within well-formed contours of Indonesian politics—one of the most transactional political systems in the world.”

Loser Subianto claimed “an estimated 52,000 polling stations have reported irregularities.” Subianto’s wealthy tycoon-brother, Hashim Djojohadikusumo, vows to press a legal challenge.

A tarred human rights record during the Suharto dictatorship haunts Subianto. He married into power, his former wife being a daughter of Suharto. He failed to shuck off charges of human rights abuses while in the army where he led Indonesia’s special forces.

Many Indonesian activists morphed into desaparecidos allegedly on Subianto’s orders. Most were victimized during the 1998 protests that toppled Suharto. This is his third unsuccessful bid to bag the presidency.

A challenge of the 2014 election is unlikely to succeed, analysts say.

“That would not prevent Widodo from taking office in October,” predicted David Hill of Asia Research Center at Murdoch University in

Perth, Australia. “The Constitutional Court will politely hear any formal challenge, but it will find no major corruption of the election occurred.”

Indonesia is one of Asia’s more stable democracies. Its political system is mired in murky money deals that hobble economic growth. “The election of a relative outsider, with no connections to the Suharto era, represents an important opportunity to get the country back on track,” Capital Economics, an independent research firm, said in a note released Tuesday.

Widodo assumes office with less than 40 percent of lawmakers backing him, writes Simon Roughneen, the Irish journalist long based in Asia. He’ll need to emerge from the shadows of the old guard. That includes former President Megawati Sukarnoputri, a key campaign supporter. Vice President Jusuf Kalla’s party backed Subianto.

“I’ll see your election victory proclamation, and raise an unbreakable 5-year parliamentary coalition plan,” Roughneen quotes Subianto as saying. Subianto meant a “permanent” amalgam of parties in Indonesia’s incoming parliament. The bloc corrals over 60 percent of its seats. “This is an overall coalition in the national and the regional and district legisla-

tures,” declared Subianto.

Subianto’s coalition will make it difficult for Widodo to govern. They fired a warning shot across the bow even before the first ballot was cast in the presidential election. It is more democratic to make the post of parliament speaker an elected role, Subianto’s supporters argued.

Currently, the job goes to a member of the biggest party in parliament. That would be Widodo’s Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP). But, with a majority of seats, Subianto’s coalition can aim at least to win the house speaker gig in the next parliament.

Will it hold firm? Or will defectors abandon ship to join the winning party? Philippine experience shows mass defections occur and parties cross over to whoever occupies the Palace.

That is likely to fragment Subianto’s coalition. It is currently backed

by Golkar, a self-styled “party of government.” It is the second-largest party in parliament after PDIP, but Suharto’s death left a vacuum.

Kalla, Widodo’s running mate and incoming vice president, remains popular among Golkar members.

Some are already pushing to oust current leader Aburizal Bakrie, a prominent Subianto backer. Even

before Widodo is sworn in, Golkar— or a bloc of the party—could already scramble to scram fast.

“Anyone wishing to join us to build the nation will be accepted,” Widodo told Antara. An alliance reduces Widodo’s vulnerability to opposition filibuster, Roughneen writes. But it courts interest groups he would have to appease. And they’d constrict Widodo’s intent to be his own man.

What is it about Subianto twisting in the wind that resonates here?

He is the face of a generation seeking to recover what Suharto’s dictatorship squandered. That’s like Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. trying, a generation later, to reenter Malacañang after the Marcos plunder.

Younger Indonesians barely recall the massacre of dissidents. In Suharto’s hometown of Godean, they see him as a Javanese sultan. Younger Filipinos have amnesia about Ninoy Aquino’s assassination. And the Ilocos, which pretends that People Power never occurred, displays a dictator’s mummy.

Suharto’s wife Tien was dubbed “Madame Ten Per Cent.” Marcos’ widow has been called far worse.

Indonesians this year voted against a return to sleaze. Does that tutorial hint at the Filipino electorate’s choice come 2016? ■

submitted to the Office of the President in the soonest possible time,” Coronel-Ferrer added. She likewise apologized to Congress for the “longer time” they’re taking in submitting the draft law. Earlier, the panels and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process said they would submit the draft bill in plenty of time to allow for its passage and for the establishment of the Bangsamoro government before the elections in 2016.

But as political analyst Popoy de Vera said on TV, if in previous months the administration was confident of having the draft BBL passed

by Congress, in this short while the landscape and the atmosphere have changed drastically. In short, De Vera said that legislators may be showing more spirit this time around with a beleaguered executive in greater need of congressional support. Thus, no matter how praiseworthy the draft legislation is, Congress members may feel it still worth their time and effort to gain as many favors as possible by “negotiating” over key pieces of legislation. *** I HOPE this doesn’t happen.

Even if elections are, quite literally, just around the corner, with putative candidates already making their prep-

arations to run for office, there remains a lot on the plate of the President.

The BBL is just one item on that plate, and it is crucial as failure to pass the law on time would set back the efforts to end the decades-old conflict— perhaps to a point of no return.

Others would be the pending “freedom of information” law, already many years in the waiting, which many believe to be crucial to the drive for more openness and accountability from government. It had always puzzled me why P-Noy, of all presidents, would be reluctant to push this law, he who talks about the “daang matuwid” every chance he gets. Prospects for passage apparently look brighter these days, but Congress leaders must work doubletime to maneuver the labyrinthine path that legislation needs to take.

A legislator says that in her talks with “ordinary folks” in her district, the things people complain about center mainly on “quality of life,” specifically the prices of rice and other basic commodities, power outages, and joblessness. It’s quite a basic list, and one any president would have his hands full meeting. Never mind defending himself from DAP-related brickbats. ■

AT LARGE

Still defending DAP

By Rina Jimenez-David Philippine Daily Inquirer MOST Filipinos, looking back on their childhood, will remember a phrase frequently delivered by parents, usually as a prelude to a spanking.

Whenever I tried to defend myself from “charges” of wrongdoing or mischief, my mother (the disciplinarian in the family) would utter these words: “Tama na! Sumasagot ka pa!

Tanggapin mo na ang kasalanan mo!

(Stop it! You have the gall to answer back! Just admit your mistake!)” The message, I gather, was that it was bad enough that I committed the transgression, but seeking to defend myself, or argue my way out of punishment, was adding fuel to the fire, being a sign of disrespect and stubbornness.

I am not old enough to be P-Noy’s mother, but I might as well deliver the same message (as I write this, it’s a few hours before the State of the Nation Address) just before he delivers what some personages have called the President’s “most crucial” speech of his presidency.

Commentators have speculated that the defense of the DAP or Disbursement Acceleration Program would dominate the contents of the

Sona. Apparently, P-Noy feels the message hasn’t sunk in yet, despite the many times he has explained himself and his Cabinet, especially to the poorer sectors of Philippine society.

Popular sentiment, it seems, has been shaped by the tsunami of commentary and denunciation following the Supreme Court ruling that parts of the DAP are unconstitutional.

“Unconstitutional” is a heavy word that drips with implications of illegality and criminal offense; even PNoy has uttered in his defense that the “unconstitutional” action was motivated by a desire to get the economy out of the doldrums and jump start economic activity. Good intentions, in other words.

But the more P-Noy explains himself, the guiltier he looks. And the Filipino public is getting exasperated with the use of his bully pulpit to defend himself and the members of his official family. And while the solicitor general has dutifully filed a motion for reconsideration with the high tribunal, P-Noy should simply sit back and let the wheels of justice grind through their slow and painstaking ways.

It’s harder than it sounds, though.

And it will take a lot of maturity on both sides to ensure that the conflict

of opinions does not flare up into a full-blown crisis. *** STATE of the nation addresses are not just meant to give the President a forum to “report” to the nation on the progress made in the past year.

In a more specific goal targeted at his most immediate audience—the legislators gather at the Batasan—the President is also expected to make use of the Sona to “submit” his legislative agenda, to highlight his priorities and push for their early passage.

Among these priority areas, say commentators, the most urgent and vital is the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), now the subject of further negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) panels in the peace talks.

For the government, chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer has said they are finding “good solutions to the sticky issues,” adding that they had made good progress on two important articles: on fiscal autonomy and on the structure of the Bangsamoro government.

“The GPH [Philippine government] and the MILF are both committed to continue the work until the draft BBL is finished so that it will be

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FRIDAY AUGUST 1, 2014

18

Canada News NEWS BRIEFS

FROM THE CANADIAN PRESS PHOTO FROM VALESTOCK / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Failure not an option; Harper may need to compromise to get European trade deal

BY JULIAN BELTRAME The Canadian Press OTTAWA—It’s an open question whether Canada needs a free trade deal with Europe, but it is more certain that the Harper government does.

With a cloud suddenly appearing over the Stephen Harper’s “historic achievement” because of German concerns over a clause that allow firms to sue governments, free trade advocates are advising the prime minister to compromise if he has to, but get the deal done.

The German objection—signalled in a news leak on Saturday that it would not sign the agreement with the current language on investor state dispute settlement (ISDS)—has since been modified by a government official saying Germany would examine “meticulously” the deal once it has been finalized.

In a response to a media question, the European Union’s trade official in Canada, Karsten Mecklenburg, said “negotiators have almost finished their work” and only then would EU member states be asked to approve

ONLINE POST EGGS ON ANTI-FORD ACTIONS: POLICE While the weekend developments come as a shock, Europe has never been as keen on the need for ISDS as Ottawa, say analysts.

PHOTO FROM PM.GC.CA

the document.

Germany’s ambassador to Canada, Werner Wnendt, says investor protections are not a deal-breaker for his country, but they deserve close scrutiny.

“That (ISDS) is the concern of people in Germany and it’s something that needs to be taken seriously by the government,” he told CBC. He also said Canada and European nations have functioning court systems, so “the question is do we need a separate conflict resolution mechanism.”

Officials in Trade Minister Ed Fast’s office did not respond to re-

quests for an interview with the minister Monday and continued to insist “excellent progress is being made.”

A spokesman for the Canadian Chamber of Commerce also downplayed the news report.

“We have been assured by our German partners that they will not block the deal. They have had to manage their internal political issue, in the context of TTIP (talks with the U.S.),” said Emilie Potvin, vice-president of public affairs with the business group. ❱❱ PAGE 36 Failure not

Majority say health will be biggest retirement expense: BMO poll

BY LINDA NGUYEN The Canadian Press TORONTO—A NEW poll suggests that health and medical costs are the biggest financial worry for Canadians later in life.

The Bank of Montreal report, titled “Living to 100: The Four Keys to Longevity,” found that 74 per cent of those recently polled foresee medical costs as their biggest expense in their senior years.

On average, those polled expect to spend $5,391 in out-of-pocket medical expenses every year after the age of 65.

About 30 per cent believe they’ll be paying between $1,000 to $5,000 in annual medical costs, 21 per cent say they have no guess, 20 per cent expect to spend under $1,000 and 16 per cent say they expect to spend between $5,000 to $10,000.

Six per cent anticipate on paying between $10,000 to $15,000, while three per cent expect to pay between $15,000 to $20,000 or $20,000 or more.

Following medical costs, the majority (57 per cent) of those polled in the report to be released Wednesday, say their second biggest expense will be food, clothing and oth-

er day-to-day essentials, followed by housing (56 per cent), long-term care (38 per cent), travel (28 per cent), entertainment and hobbies (19 per cent), debt payments (15 per cent) and supporting adult children and grandchildren (13 per cent).

Chris Buttigieg, senior manager of wealth planning strategy at BMO Financial Group, said these are credible worries because Canadians are living longer than they ever did before.

“It’s clear there is a major demographic shift happening in our country,” he said. “As Canadians’ ❱❱ PAGE 35 Majority say

TORONTO—A Toronto man has been charged after police say an online post urged people to throw food at Mayor Rob Ford during a party in a city park. Police say they became aware Thursday of an Internet post on a Torontobased website that referred to the annual “Ford Fest” event to be held the following day at an east-end park.

MALL COLLAPSE REPORT WON’T BE KEPT SECRET OTTAWA—A discredited former engineer has lost his bid to keep parts of a report into the deadly collapse of a northern Ontario mall secret until after his criminal trial. Robert Wood argued that potentially adverse findings in the Elliot Lake mall collapse inquiry report, due by the end of October, could jeopardize his right to a fair trial on charges of criminal negligence causing death and bodily harm.

ALBERTA BREAKS PROMISE, INCREASES PAY FOR MANAGERS EDMONTON—The Alberta government acknowledged Monday that it broke its promise to freeze salaries for top managers and has instead given them seven per cent raises. That will boost salaries for top civil servants to more than $300,000 a year by 2016. By Dean Bennett.

NOVA SCOTIA JUDGE WELCOMES TWITTER IN COURTS HALIFAX—A top judge in Nova Scotia says he is surprised at the positive impact live-tweeting inside the courtroom has had after the province's judiciary recently relaxed the rules on the use of Twitter in the courts. Chief Justice Joseph Kennedy of the Nova Scotia Supreme Court allowed reporters to live-tweet proceedings during the trial of Lyle Howe, a Halifax lawyer convicted of sexual assault.

19 FRIDAY AUGUST 1, 2014

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FRIDAY 20

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World News

21 FRIDAY AUGUST 1, 2014

When disasters don’t stick to script, world struggles to give shape to grief

BY JILL LAWLESS The Associated Press LONDON—When air travel goes wrong, the modern world has given us a script to follow.

Forensic workers in coveralls descend on the crash scene.

Police tape seals off the site and keeps the full horror at a distance. There is an orderly numbering of the dead and gathering of the evidence. Bodies are repatriated, funerals are held. Eventually, there is explanation.

The bereaved, and the rest of us, take solace in science, logic, investigation, the gradual restoration of order. It’s a process that organizes tragedy into a shape the mind can process and the heart can grieve. Whether it was mechanical failure, human error or terrorism, we are reassured by the notion that knowledge brings the power to stop it from happening again.

But 2014 has been different.

Twice this year, when disaster struck two Malaysia Airlines planes, fate has torn up the script. One plane disappeared, leaving investigators combing a vast ocean, a disaster with no wreckage and no bodies.

Another scattered its remains across a vast field, where political unrest made an orderly process impossible. We have been cast adrift, unmoored from the familiar rituals that say: Despite the tragedy, we are still in control.

Cary Cooper, professor of psychology at Lancaster University in northern England, says we are forced to face the thing we hate the most: chaos.

“It’s very unsettling for people to feel there’s not a system, a process.”

Usually, to keep horror at bay, we watch the news and slot it into boxes: a war here, a disaster there (and the farther away

the better).

But two worlds collided when Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, filled with holidaymakers and AIDS researchers, was taken down by a missile fired from a war in eastern Ukraine. None of the 298 people aboard was a citizen of Ukraine or Russia.

With the crash site in a war zone, all the usual rules and procedures evaporated. Confu-

For many watching on television and computer screens, the images produced a sense of mesmerizing dread, as horrified fascination battled the urge to look away. It felt—as Shakespeare’s Macduff says in “Macbeth”—”beyond words and beyond belief.”

You could see it in the faces of the television journalists.

They sometimes seemed adrift,

ground,” said Silene FredrikszHoogzand, whose son Bryce and his girlfriend Daisy Oehlers died on their way to a vacation in Bali—two of almost 200 Dutch passengers killed. “They have to come home, not only those two. Everybody has to come home.”

She was expressing a nearuniversal human wish: to bring home the remains, observe the

sion about who was in charge, and hostile militiamen, kept international investigators away, and the disaster scene stood largely unsecured. International monitors said debris had been tampered with. There were reports of looting.

While investigators were kept out, journalists made their way in. They produced a stream of scarcely comprehensible images. Bodies and body parts where they shouldn’t be—in someone’s house, in a field, still buckled into a seat. The scorched and damaged detritus of family holidays: guidebooks, duty-free bags, teddy bears and toys.

unsure how to behave, or how much of the horror they could or should convey. Sky News correspondent Colin Brazier drew condemnation—and quickly apologized—for briefly picking up personal effects from the wreckage during a live television report.

He said it had been a momentary lapse of judgment “in a place without rules.”

Meanwhile, around the world, families of the victims looked on aghast, wondering who would impose order, uncertain when they could bury their dead.

“When I am in my bed at night, I see my son lying on the

rituals of mourning, give grief a shape and a focus.

The bereaved relatives’ wish is, slowly and partially, being fulfilled. Days after the crash, the majority of the bodies were removed in a refrigerated train, and began to be flown to the Netherlands. But while the remains have begun their journey home, the investigation is still a long way off. The Dutch prime minister has said identifying all the bodies could take months.

For another set of families there is no wreckage, no bodies and no answers.

Flight 17 was shot down less than five months after the dis-

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appearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, which was carrying 239 people from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing when it veered off course and vanished.

It is believed to have crashed in the southern Indian Ocean, but an Australian-led search has found no trace of the jet.

There’s a mind-bending possibility that it may never be found. In a world of high-tech surveillance and instant information, where we worry about governments reading our emails and companies knowing our innermost secrets, how can a passenger jet simply disappear?

For the loved ones of the dead in both disasters, the agony and uncertainty may never end.

They may never get complete closure.

For the millions of others, fascination with Flight 370 faded as life rolled on, reduced to the occasional nagging thought: Where is that plane?

The more recent crash is fresher, still fills us with horror and fascination—and an undercurrent of unease as we acknowledge that we will look away. Life will go on.

For those not directly involved, tragedies must give way to the demands of daily life, as the poet W.H. Auden knew when he wrote in “Musee des Beaux Arts” that tragedy “takes place while someone else is eating or opening a window or just walking dully along.”

The poem describes how we inevitably turn away, as in Pieter Bruegel’s painting of the mythical Icarus, drowned after flying too close to the sun on wax wings: “The expensive delicate ship that must have seen “Something amazing, a boy falling out of the sky, “Had somewhere to get to and sailed calmly on.” ■

Immigration

AUGUST 1, 2014

FRIDAY 22

Filipino church leaders raise concerns over news items regarding abuses in the live-in caregiver program

BY ONTARIO FILIPINO MINISTERIAL FELLOWSHIP TORONTO—Officers and members of the Ontario Filipino Ministerial Fellowship (OFMF) gathered on July 14, 2014 for their regular monthly meeting. An agenda item brought forward were recent news reports quoting the former CIC Minister Jason Kenney as saying that the Live-in Caregiver Program has “ran out of control” and that it has “mutated into a program of family reunification.”

The Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP) is a program under the Temporary Foreign Workers Program but is distinct because it allows participants a pathway towards permanent residence and eventually Canadian citizenship. It is a wellknown fact that over 90% of the LCP participants are women

from the Philippines.

OFMF officers are grateful to the Government of Canada for having a program that has benefitted thousands of Filipino women and their families.

However, it also needs to be recognized that the LCP has also benefitted thousands of Canadian families who would have to resort to expensive child care or elderly care services without the valuable services of LCP participants.

Rev. Teck Uy, the Ministerial President, says “we are concerned over the unfair characterization of the LCP participants who are mostly Filipinos. Majority of them came through legitimate employment contracts and have become successful immigrants

who are actively contributing together with their families in making Canada a better country.”

Officers of the OFMF rec-

ognize that no immigration program is perfect and that it will always be subject to abuse by the unscrupulous few. However char-

acterizing LCP participants in general in such a negative light by claiming that they are using and abusing the program to the extent that it has mutated into a family reunification program is grossly unfair. Since family reunification is one of the primary objectives under Canada’s immigration law, in reality, all immigration programs are in fact geared towards family reunification. Canada would not have grown into its present state without the contributions of people who came to this country either as temporary workers or as permanent residents, who eventually settle and integrated themselves, invited or sponsored their families and together helped build

the wonderful multicultural nation that is Canada today.

It must be fully recognized that Canada has greatly benefitted and continues to benefit from the LCP, its participants and their family members.

Among others, it had been estimated that these mostly Filipino LCP participants contribute between $150 to $190 million dollars in taxes annually. Aside from this substantial financial contribution, the LCP participants and their families provide valuable social, emotional, spiritual, psychological and other nonmonetary contributions to Canadian families in particular and to society in general.

As an OFMF member puts it, “It doesn’t look like a program that is out of control, but a widely successful program that benefits Canada and Canadian families regardless of ethnic background.” ■

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Immigration

AUGUST 1, 2014

FRIDAY 24

GLOBAL FILIPINO: ANA HERNANDEZ

Ana’s Tales from the Sky

BY MARY ANN R. MANDAP Philippine Canadian Inquirer THE STORY started with a flight attendant’s (FA) final take off and ended with her last landing. In between are 192 pages of clever anecdotes, gossipy bits and humorous insights into the life of a Cathay Pacific cabin crew member who spent 20 years shuttling the globe. “I had breakfast in Taipei, dinner in Osaka and lunch the following day in Hong Kong,” she wrote.

In her sharp and witty writing style, the author, Ana Algabre-Hernandez, spilled the beans on the unique lifestyle of FAs and the “myths about ladies who fly.” Binibining Stewardess, Mga Kwento ng Flight Attendant at iba pa, takes the reader with her as she journeys around the globe.

Airline travel spelled glamour and adventure for the elite troop of attractive, young ladies otherwise known as stewardesses. But it wasn’t all Hermes, Gucci or Chanel and chateaubriand steaks for them. Ana recalled countless horror stories, gross things, “hardtime,” and toxic passengers from hell, or of cunning swindlers who made it their lifetime mission to get refunds or complimentary upgrades from airlines.

She enumerated other characters like the flirty husband and his suspicious wife; kleptomaniacs who stole headphones, bar cart items and toiletries from the plane; the “territorials” who hogged the armrest or occupy a whole row to sleep; the irritable ducks who cursed at everything just to exit ahead through the plane doors. Included in her “waitlist” are insensitive passengers who would pass through the aisle while the food cart was in place, and the wine and food connoisseurs who extended the meal

The author, Ana Hernandez, now finds fulfillment in writing. Her second book, which will be out soon, is eagerly awaited by readers worldwide.

Old friends Ana and PCI CEO Alan Yong at Paul’s Restaurant in SM Aura.

service till descent.

In conversational Tagalog, Ana devoted several chapters on life’s small annoyances, most of which will make the reader grin.

Ana is the wife of Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Raul Hernandez. As such, she is part of the diplomatic corps family. “I wrote in Tagalog because initially, I wanted this to be a very nationalistic book,” she said. It is her first attempt to write in the language. She recalled that when she arrived in Manila, she realized her kids couldn’t speak Tagalog very well. So in the course of helping her son with his homework in Tagalog, she was inspired to write in the vernacular. “It’s a beautiful language, we just have to patronize it,” she said.

Writing, though, has always been her love. Her journals came to about 500 pages.

“I started when I was in high school. I was editor of Republic Central Colleges’ Annual,” said the Pampanga native.

Ana explained that she wanted to dispel the myth of the stewardess, who, thanks to the 1967 best-seller, “Coffee, Tea or Me?” was portrayed as a globetrotting party girl in endless

pursuit of rich men and good times.

Her mentor and adviser, Dr. Jimmuel Naval, chair of the University of the Philippines Department of Filipino and Philippine Literature, said Ana was able to paint the body of the aviation industry including the culture of flight and those who dream of becoming flight attendants. He added that this manuscript may be considered the first written work about what happens inside the big metal flying on top of the world.

TV host Boy Abunda, her husband’s province mate, said, “No one can write this book better than Ana Hernandez because it is her story. It is her truth and a truth so naked it is almost like yours. Her words are sure and succinct. Her humor is delicious, sometimes, sardonic. Her disclosures are truthful and unapologetic. Her candor is disarming. I am a fan of Binibining Stewardess.”

Particularly giddy is her account of how her husband, identified in her book as passenger 88C, courted her. She had met him at a Thai restaurant in Hong Kong and quite remembered him for his the immortal pick-up line, “Hello,

are you Pinays?” But it was his good looks that made the three seasoned FAs swoon and had them kicking each other surreptitiously under the table.

The group exchanged life stories and phone numbers.

Ana didn’t give hers at first because she thought they would take different roads after goodbyes have been said. But the guy lingered and waited. While walking in Hong Kong to places where Filipinos hang out, the statuesque Filipina heard comments like, “Jackpot si Inday!”

(Inday hit the jackpot) or “Ate, ang gwapo ng kasama mong Tsino.” (Big sister, your Chinese companion is so handsome).

He told her once, “Pangarap kong makasakay sa eroplano na ikaw ang stewardess ko.” (It is my dream to ride an airplane with you as my stewardess.)

The next thing she knew, he was onboard her flight. She was rattled by his presence in the galley while her life’s bane, pesky passengers on board, were waiting to be served. He tried to help and deftly prevented supplies from falling out of the overhead bin and hitting her.

It was at that moment when cupid’s arrow hit her. She forgot his remarkable good looks and zeroed in on his sincerity and goodwill. “At that time, it felt like the airplane stopped in

mid-air and the two of us were left in the clouds,” Ana wrote.

Their love story led to church bells ringing and two infants’ cries. But it was her accounts of flying as a mother that were heart wrenching. Due to her intermittent flying duties, holidays and special occasions with the family usually never happened and remained dots in her calendar. So her kids became accustomed to “birth months” and alternative dates for celebration instead of actual birthdays. Ana described her thoughts and emotional pain each time she left for work. “My heart was heavier than my luggage,” she wrote. So she handed in her notice of early retirement. She relayed that her son asked if she was sad to leave the airlines. She answered, “Of course, but not as sad as when I have to go to work and leave you, daddy and your sister.”

Ana’s book, according to film and TV director Manny Palo, is “instructive and entertaining, insightful and hilarious— her book should be a required reading not only for those who dream of becoming flight attendants but also for all of us who simply love to fly.” ■ Binibining Stewardess is available at all National Bookstore branches.

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25 FRIDAY AUGUST 1, 2014

FILIPINO-CANADIAN IN FOCUS: MARIE CLAIRE LIM MOORE

Outstanding Vancouver-born Filipina-American author to launch top rated book in Vancouver

BY MANNY MASONGSONG VANCOUVER, CANADA—Vancouver will be one of the luckiest cities in the world to hold the launching of Amazon’s No. 1 Rated book on Parenting and Adult-Child relationships. MARIE CLAIRE LIM MOORE, author of “Don’t Forget the Soap” will be launching and signing her book at Chapters Metrotown in Burnaby on August 6th, 2014 and on August 7th at the Book Warehouse on Broadway in Vancouver.

These launchings follow similar events held in New York, Manila and Singapore recently.

However, the Vancouver events will be special to Claire as she was born and spent her early years here. This event will be an opportunity to meet a highly accomplished Filipina who has established herself as a woman leader in the world of banking and as a successful author. The following contain some edited excerpts from a review published about the author and her book.

About the Book

“Don’t Forget the Soap” is a heart warming family memoir through which Marie Claire (“Claire”) Lim Moore shares tips about finding balance between career and motherhood, having gratitude and giving back. The book describes how a combination of her Filipino upbringing, her United Nations exposure, Ivy League education and reminders from

Marie Claire Lim-Moore.

her mother, helped this Global Filipina banking executive able to climb the corporate ladder while keeping her feet on the ground. In “Don’t Forget the Soap,” Claire shares how she was able to travel and work around the world as part of her job, while raising her children, participate in Filipino community fund-raising activities and write. She gains recognition for all her achievements while being able to keep her ego in place and her heart at home, something that is almost impossible to accomplish these days if not for the secrets that she is sharing through her book.

In Don’t Forget the Soap, Claire shares her secrets to success, how to do well in one’s career, while at the same time, be able to handle family issues and relationships. She reflects on how her mother’s guidance, from her childhood to womanhood and their Filipino background played a role in her development as a human being

and in her success as a career woman. The rave reviews find the book an entertaining recollection of childhood memories, the excitement and challenges faced by immigrants, at the same time, serving as an inspiration to mothers who have to face the challenge of balancing their careers and family life.

Within 24 hours of releasing her e-book on Amazon last fall, it catapulted to the No. 1 spot in the Parenting and Adult-Child Relationships Category and No. 11 in Women’s Category. That is indeed quite an outstanding achievement by itself by any measure.

About Marie Claire Lim Moore

Marie Claire Lim Moore is a Filipina-Canadian-American working mother and author.

After spending the early part of her childhood in Vancouver, Claire’s family moved to New York City. That is where she attended the United Nations International School. She went

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Claire with Hillary Clinton.

on to study at Yale University where she obtained her Executive MBA Degree. Armed with high level education from such prestigious institution, Claire climbed the corporate ladder at Citibank and traveled around the world. She met her husband, Alex, while working in Sao Paulo, Brazil and they married in Manila shortly before settling in Singapore where they now both work and live.

Claire is now a Mom to Carlos and Isabel (and expecting her third child later this year) Claire’s climb to the top is punctuated by several accomplishments: At the age of 18 she was the youngest associate in the American Express Summer MBA Program and at a young age of 23, she was already a Vice President at Citibank. At age 26, Claire was selected out of Citi’s 25,000 employees to become part of Citibank’s highly exclusive CEOs for Global Leader-

ship Program. Before reaching the age of 30 Claire was already given responsibility to handle Citibank’s affluent client offering in 40 countries across Europe, Latin American and Asia.

Currently, she is Citibank’s Asia Pacific Regional Director of Global Client Banking where she is responsible for the retail bank’s global services across 14 countries that impacts 600,000 of the retail bank’s most valuable clients. This year (2014), she was selected for Citibank’s Women’s Leadership Program.

In a world dominated by male executives, Claire handled herself very well indeed.

Outside her official role as a senior executive at one of the world’s most recognized financial institution, Claire has also received several significant recognitions: She led Citigroup’s Steering Committee for Habi❱❱ PAGE 38 Outstanding Vancouver

Seen & Scenes - Vancouver

AUGUST 1, 2014

FRIDAY 26

FILIPINO SENIORS HOLD SUMMER FEST The Filipino Seniors Club of B.C. held its summer festival on July 27, at the Capri Hall on Fraser St., Vancouver B.C. Left: Consul General Neil Ferrer (4th from R) with VIP guests during the FSCBC summer event.

VFCSA ANNUAL PICNIC

Queen Mitzi Echague with escort Jojo Quimpo.

Seniors rocking it with a dance number.

FR. DION SAYS FOND FAREWELL TO PARISHIONERS Fr. Glenn Dion, rector of Holy Rosary Cathedral in Vancouver, says a fond good-bye to his parishioners in a farewell picnic at Second Beach.

Below are highlights of the picnic (photos by Angelo Siglos).

VANCOUVER MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY MARKS 40TH YEAR

VMS marked its 40th year with a celebration of music, dance, poetry and public dancing at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Members of the Vancouver Multicultural Society show their support for the festival.

Right: Vancouver Kingsway World Financial Group family members join the obstacle race Below: Hotdog-eating contest (Photos by Angelo Siglos) Young ladies have fun at the tug-o-war games.

WFG HOLDS FAMILY PICNIC For photo submissions, please email info@canadianinquirer.net. www.canadianinquirer.net

Seen & Scenes - Toronto

27 FRIDAY AUGUST 1, 2014

ART IN THE SUN

PAG power couple President Nelia Tonido and husband Frank Tonido.

The Philippine Artists Group of Canada had a live sketching and painting session at Drs. Solon and Josephine Guzman’s residence in Mississauga on Sunday July 20th 2014.

Dr. Solon Guzman poses next to his wedding portrait created by Frank Tonido.

Left: (From L) Federico Ramos, Cielo Ramos, Necie MananQuil, Maestro Romi MananQuil, Consul General Junever Mahilum West, Rose Tijam, Dr. Solon, Michelle Chermaine Ramos and Jun Afable pose in Dr. Solon’s living room next to Maestro Romi MananQuil’s masterpiece commissioned

by Consul General Junever Mahilum-West.

Maestro Romi MananQuil demonstrates his signature landscape painting techniques using oil paints.

FILIPINO DAY CELEBRATION AT THE SQUARE

Far left: PCI Toronto Joe Damasco covers the day’s events.

Left: Mayor Hazel McCallion addresses the Filipino crowd during Filipino Day. Filipinos gather at the Celebration Square for the Filipino Day Celebration on July 26.

Left: Santacruzan group, headed by Tess Buena joins the celebration at the Celebration Square in Mississauga.

Right: Actor/singer Sam Milby entertains the crowd.

Consul-General Juvener Mahilum-West post for a souvenir photo with members of the Medical Association and Phiscan group headed by Clem Cabillan and Myrna Cruz.

PCI Toronto Joe Damasco pose for a photo with the organizers and guest. (L-R) Joe Damasco, Ruffy Romano, Clem Cabillan, Mr, Benedicto, Luz del Rosario, Dr.Solon Guzman, Ms. Crombie, Mrs.& Ambassador Montesa and guest. www.canadianinquirer.net

FRIDAY AUGUST 1, 2014

28

Life hacks

Clever tips and tricks!

The Happy Hacker

BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer HACK. We hear the term a lot, these days, in reference to variety of meanings. Such as “he hacked into my computer (as in broke into the system);” and, “she is such a hack at her job (as in incompetent, ineffective, or fake).”

We also here it in the context of: food hack, beauty hacks, fitness hacks, etcetera.

What exactly is this business of hacking??? And I do not mean the illegal, criminal activity kind.

The Urban dictionary and Online Slang Dictionary define the word—as used in the latter examples—as: (v): To jury-rig or improvise something inelegant but effective, usually as a temporary solution to a problem. (n): A temporary, jury-rigged solution, especially in the fields of computer programming and engineering: the technical equivalent of chewing gum and duct tape. A quick solution that solves a problem.

A hack is, in this essence, a “cheat” or a quick-fix; sometimes effective, and other times—well, the hack turns out to be a “hack” (see alternate definition above.)

Although the term itself may be fairly new, having made its way into urban slang in recent years, the practice is as old as the hills; particularly for those who—like me—consistently found themselves holding the shorter end of the money stick.

Especially when it came to fashion. I don’t know about you, but I never really had the money to mindlessly splurge on clothing and accessories.

So I had to make do with what I had, and make sure to get the most out of what I had.

I remember spraying my hosiery with Aqua Net (it was the ‘80’s, what other choice was there?), way back early high school years, to strengthen them against runs and snags.

Clockwise: How to fit jeans without trying them / How to remove chewing gum from clothes / Use rubber bands for tight pants / Repurposed seater warmers.

PHOTOS FROM WIKIHOW

And—if they so happened to suffer the almost inevitable fate that befalls hosiery—should they have gotten snagged (which almost always meant that they would run, as well), then it was clear nail polish (applied on the snag or to the edges of the run) to the rescue.

Eyeliner remedies were also among my favorite tricks.

Rather than spend to buy two kinds—regular and Kohl (easier to smudge)—I would lightly burn the tip of the regular liner pencil, wait for it to cool down a bit, and voila, smudgy Kohl eyeliner (for all of a few second, until it fully hardened again.)

Chipped nail polish? No problem! Permanent marker always proved the reliable solution! Of course, this only works for folk like me who fancy black or red nails (you could go for forest green or royal blue, as well, and a whole bunch of other colours now; seeing as to how the selection of permanent markers has grown leaps and bounds.)

A black Sharpie or other permanent marker also came in handy for darker clothes carelessly and inadvertently damaged by bleach splatters. Colour in the spots, and almost good as new! This was also very useful for scratches on black or dark brown shoes, bags, and other leather fashion accessories.

If I found that my clothes “shrank”—which was always a good story, because I refused to admit that I gained weight—I would take a thick enough rubber band, loop it into the button hole, and use the band to fasten onto the button. This was especially useful when I became pregnant; as I was loathe to spend hard-earned money on clothes to be worn for nine months only. I bought two pairs of maternity jeans (for the latter months, when no rubber band on earth could stretch as wide as my super distended belly) and relied on Lycra dresses in cute baby-doll or empire-cut styles, which I still wore many years after my pregnancy.

Martha Stewart was a good “go-to” for hacks. Except at the

time, they were most often referred to as “home remedies.”

Perhaps my fave one learned from her: apply white wine to clothing, to get rid of red wine stains. Not only did the red wine come right off, I got to guzzle down the portion not used on the stain.

So you see, hacks saved me more than a few pennies. They also got me out of a few sticky situations (imagine me with jeans left unbuttoned at the top due to “shrinkage, of course”, or holey hosiery back when this was NOT considered a fashion statement, or a white shirt with a giant red wine blotch screaming “messy drinker in the house!!!”)

These days, hacks are not only employed by those who are on a budget, but by those

who are environmentally conscious, as well. With much emphasis on saving the earth, reducing your carbon footprint, and living according to the 3 R’s (reduce, reuse, and recycle), getting the most out of your stuff or increasing their longevity and productivity is the way to go. Mass and mindless consumerism is SO ten years ago.

Hack away, then, with some of these fabulously foolproof fashion fixes (aside from the ones I already mentioned): 1. Use a cube of ice to remove chewing gum stuck to clothes.

Yes, some of us DO get gum on our pants!

2. Stretch pinch-y shoes by putting a Ziploc (or whichever ❱❱ PAGE 31 The Happy

Life hacks: Clever tips and tricks!

29 FRIDAY AUGUST 1, 2014

Deliciously Hacked

BY CHING DEE Philippine Canadian Inquirer BEFORE, only computers and servers could be hacked. Today, everything from fashion to studying to shopping to food can be hacked.

These lifehacks are everywhere—presented to make every aspect in life easier, more efficient, and simpler. I’m not saying these hacks are just for the toolazy-to-do-real-work folks (although we are thankful for the online abundance of these hacks). These lifehacks are for everyone who wants to do the job quicker and better. And while I do love reading posts about all kinds of hacks (even, let's say, car maintenance hacks though I don't own a car), I've never truly tried them for myself.

But here are a few food and cooking hacks that I would love to try out soon.

I’ve decided to categorize each hack on levels based on its difficulty: ‘My nonexistent 3-year-old could do it’ (easy), ‘Not that scary’ (moderate/average), ‘Newbies Beware’ (difficult), and ‘Gordon Ramsay is breathing down your neck’ (more than difficult).

How to chill a soda can in two minutes

Level: My non-existent 3-year-old could do it Ran out of cold soda? No problem. You can chill soda cans in roughly two minutes through the process of ‘supercooling’ which uses three things: cold water, ice, and salt.

In a basin of water and ice, add about a teaspoon of salt. The salt will drastically reduce the freezing point of the water, which will chill the soda cans you submerge in the ice water in a fraction of the time it takes to chill in the freezer.

Separating yolks from the white with a bottle

Level: My non-existent 3-year-old could do it For kitchen newbies, the simple task of separating the egg yolk from the egg white may seem daunting (especially if the recipe calls for whipping egg whites!). But worry not, foodie neophyte—the humble plastic bottle is here to help.

Get a clean and empty plastic bottle and squeeze its body. While squeezing, place the bottle opening over the egg yolk and then unsqueeze the bottle. The bottle should’ve sucked the egg yolk inside it as you unsqueeze. Et voila—a liberated egg yolk. Simply squeeze the bottle lightly to pop out the yolk on a clean dish or bowl.

Don’t you just hate it when your pasta or soup boil over and create a huge mess? Yep, I know the feeling. This unbelievably simple trick is supposed to keep everything in the saucepan—even without a lid.

Just place a wooden spoon over the pot. The bubbles will hit the spoon handle—pop—and then roll back into the boiling pot. No mess, no fuss.

Chill wine without watering it down

Level: My non-existent 3-year-old could do it (with assistance) Prepping for a party? Serving wine?

Then be prepared. Buy a bunch of grapes, clean ‘em up, dry them, then throw them in the freezer. Use frozen grapes to chill wine without watering them down—perfect for people who love chit-chatting around the room with a glass of wine. For added sophistication, use green grapes for champagne or white wine, and use red grapes for red wine.

Healthier than butter

Level: ‘Not that scary’ to ‘Newbies Beware’ Trying to cut down on your fat intake?

Or simply ran out of butter? If you have avocados in your fruit basket or fridge, then you’ll do just fine. Avocados can be used as an equally delectable and less fatty substitute for butter in baking or cooking recipes. This is definitely something I would love to try out soon—if only avocados aren’t so expensive here.

SCREENSHOT FROM SUPERCOOL / YOUTUBE

Straw to the core

Level: My non-existent 3-year-old could do it (with quite a mess) Use a sturdy drinking straw to remove the core and leaves of a strawberry. Just insert the straw at the bottom of the strawberry and push through until it pushes out the leaf. This technique is also applicable in pitting cherries.

Insect-proof drinks

Level: My non-existent 3-year-old could do it Having a party outside or just hanging out in our backyard with drinks and a good book? Use an upside-down cup-

That stubborn rogue egg shell

Level: My non-existent 3-year-old could do it Dropped some pieces of egg shell on the egg? When this happens to me, the rogue shell will do everything it can to avoid fingers. But take this tip: wet fingers will do the trick. Tried it a bunch of times and I never had to struggle with (and accidentally scramble) an egg again.

‘The walking taco’

Level: Newbies Beware A small bag of Fritos corn chips + sautéed ground beef + salsa + guacamole + shredded lettuce + grated cheese = ‘The Walking Taco’ Now THAT is an equation that makes sense.

This is perfect for tailgate parties, picnics, camping, or just when you’re too lazy to go out and get an actual taco. Fair warning, though: This might require actual knife skills, i.e., shredding the lettuce, making the salsa.

Two-second potato wedges

Putting a spatula over the saucepan to avoid boiling over

Level: My non-existent 3-year-old could do it

Level: Not that scary Use an apple slicer (some people call it apple corer) to slice a potato and make wedges in just one to two seconds. www.canadianinquirer.net

cake liner to cover your glass/drink.

Push the straw through the middle of the cupcake liner to keep it in place.

Maximize that waffle maker

Use the waffle maker to create evenly cooked hashbrowns.

Frozen goods

Level: Not that scary For additional flare on your rather mundane chocolate drink while keeping it chilled at the same time, use some milky cookie cubes. ❱❱ PAGE 32 Deliciously Hacked

Life hacks: Clever tips and tricks!

AUGUST 1, 2014

FRIDAY 30

10 Studying Hacks to nail your exams

BY LEI FONTAMILLAS Philippine Canadian Inquirer FOR STUDENTS who love cramming on peak hours and reviewing notes a few minutes before the exam begins, now is the time to cram no more.

Though, it might really be boring and mentally exhausting to memorize the lessons word for word and analyze difficult problems days before the big day, it is still best to come to school equipped and prepared before the tests.

Melissa Harrison of Buzz Feed makes study hacking easier with her 16 Studying Hacks to Ace the Exams. Here are ten of those in her list which will really help you get that perfect score.

Use mnemonic devices

Still the most recommended technique when memorizing technical terms and facts, mnemonic devices can save you from brain drain.

Hard to grasp words and terms could easily be remembered by noting the first letter of every word and grouping them together.

Developing a story out of the key concepts can also be a big help to remember sequences and key concepts.

When having trouble remembering a list of key points, names, chemical or scientific names which are clustered in a variety that even adds to the confusion, the use of mnemonic devices can really be a great help.

YouTube offers an alternative

Tired of the same old traditional way of reading through your notes to get those ideas into your head?

Well, technology now offers you a techie way to hack that old tradition of reading and reading, and reading again.

The age of multimedia brings you a new way of reviewing your history, geography, science, math or any other subject no longer by reading, but by viewing.

With YouTube videos about anything under the sun, including your lessons in school, studying can now be as simple, hassle-free and enjoyable as watching a movie.

Coffee breaks can cool you down

Because studying can be mentally draining, taking short breaks will help the brain recharge and renew its energy.

But adding a bit of caffeine to it will increase its battery power.

Drowning your brain with a cup of coffee in a single shot before starting to burn the midnight candles may not be very effective. That’s why it’s still better to take sips during short breaks to help you refresh your mind from time to time.

Write and color your notes

Wonder what highlighter pens are for? They are literally used to highlight the notes not just in the paper but inside your brain, as well.

Using colored pens and highlighters while reading your notes will help you familiarize the lessons.

Doing this technique, you will also easily remember the important points during the day of the exam.

Another age-old studying hack is writing down your own notes. Don’t just listen to your instructor and let your brain do the recording. Your mind might fail you during the exam if you rely on it too much, so jot down notes.

Taking chunks of the bigger pie

When eating pizza, you surely wouldn’t be able to munch on the entire piece at a time, just as you won’t be able to grasp a bunch of information all at once.

This logic gives you the fifth studying hacks you must always remember.

Don’t ever crowd an entire chapter in your brain in just a single night, or two.

Learn to take things one-step at a time. The best studying schedule is not to study an entire chapter two or three days before the exam. Try dividing the chapters by lesson, and study each lesson very carefully everyday.

Focusing on the specific details of the lessons will help you familiarize the entire chapter.

You might not know it but if you study a lesson the night before and after it was discussed, you may not need to review it a day before the exam anymore.

Prepare your “cheat sheets”

This study hack is not teaching you to cheat during the exams. This hack is asking you to pretend that you’re going to cheat so you will be forced to write the important points you think will be asked during the exams.

By pretending that you need to think of the most important details that might be included in the exam, you will be able to sort a large chunk of information.

This will allow you to use your time wisely, especially during times that you need to study all your subjects, all at once.

You may also draft your cheat sheets the way you imagine the real exam to be like.

Make the cheat sheets your practice test so you will be able www.canadianinquirer.net

to efficiently familiarize yourself with the lessons that may come out in the real exams.

Reading aloud

Another age-old studying hack is to read aloud when you’re trying to memorize something.

When reading through your notes and you almost want to memorize the line, try reading it aloud and listening to the words as you pronounce it.

Sometimes it is always best to remember something spoken than something you’ve just read somewhere in your notes.

If you are the type who can easily grasp the ideas and have greater chances of recalling them when the lines are spoken to you, better find a partner who will read the notes to you, or with you.

A change of environment

Studying at the same place everyday may bore you.

Try making a list of the places where you feel like you are at your best when studying and switch your places everyday.

Being on the same area everyday may make you and your brain feel a lot more exhausted.

A change of environment will help you refresh your mind and make all your lessons easier and lighter to bear.

Sometimes, you can also associate your lessons with the place where you studied your notes to help you easily recall the things you’ve familiarized yourself with.

Pick your “study soundtrack”

While some would prefer to study silently without any sound to distract them, others want some music to boost their brain and help them fight sleepiness when reviewing.

When you are this type of person, the right way to hack the habit of listening to music while studying is to identify a particular playlist of songs you think helps you study productively.

Studies suggest that reviewing notes may be more productive on noisy environment or when coupled with the right music.

Make the deal

When studying, try to create a deal with yourself.

“I’ll reward myself with a body spa treatment after I memorize the first chapter of this subject.”

“I’ll buy a dress for myself after solving this equation.”

Making a deal with yourself will encourage you to really put on your best shoes in every studying session.

Above all these studying hacks, the most important thing you must remember is to get enough sleep, rest and relaxation before the exams.

Most students think that spending the entire night studying will actually help them get that perfect score.

Studying and not getting any sleep or rest is the worst way to ace the exams.

All work and no play, makes a wise man dull. ■

Life hacks: Clever tips and tricks!

31 FRIDAY AUGUST 1, 2014

The Happy... brand you prefer) bag half-filled with water into each of them (into the front portion), and then freeze the shoes (shoes in your freezer??? Why not!)

And because this is such a unique hack, here’s a step-bystep procedure, taken from http://www.shoemetro.com: • Fill a one-quart, freezerstrength zip lock bag with water until it is half-full. Check for leaks and remove all air from the bag.

• Place the bag of water into your shoe, stuffing it up to the toe. You may use more than one bag of water if you need to fill the shoe where it is too small.

• Keep the shoes in the freezer until the water is completely frozen. This may take anywhere between 4 to 8 hours.

• When the water is completely frozen into ice, remove the bags of ice. Your shoes are stretched!

• If the shoes are still a bit small, repeat this process until they are stretched to your satisfaction.

3. Spray shirts that have sweat stains (especially on the collar or armpit areas) with lemon juice before washing them.

4. For women: If the underwire of your favorite bra starts to poke through (ouch!), a piece of moleskin taped over the protrusion repairs the bra quite nicely.

5. Turn old sweaters into fun leg warmers by cutting the arms off. Make sure to cut at the armpit seam. Edges may require some basting to prevent unraveling.

6. Waterproof your canvas shoes by rubbing them with beeswax and then setting it with a blow-dryer.

7. Fix a stuck zipper by rubbing the teeth with a graphite pencil tip. Windex works for this purpose, as well.

8. And speaking of Windex, it can be used to safely restore the sheen to patent shoes.

9. Wash clothes inside out to help preserve their colour and life span.

10. Hydrogen peroxide is one of the best ways to remove blood stains from fabric, but you need to test the fabric for colour fastness, first. If the fabric is good to go, dab the peroxide onto the stain with a cotton ball, then blot with a clean cloth. Repeat the dabbing and blotting until the stain is gone, ❰❰ 28

then rinse with cold water.

Launder as usual.

11. To remove deodorant marks, rub the affected area with a pair of jeans. Test a hidden area first, to avoid colour transfer (a common occurrence with denim.) Or, for a simpler trick, use baby wipes to remove the marks.

12. To achieve that super soft and cottony vintage T-shirt feel, soak shirts in salt water (1 quart water and ½ cup of salt) for about three days, then wash normally.

13. Remove odours from clothes by spritzing them with a mixture of one part vodka and two parts water.

14. Suck up irksome oil stains on your clothing or purse with a dab of baby powder applied to the stain. Allow the powder to soak up the oil before shaking it off.

15. Keep your dark jeans from fading by adding a 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar to the final rinse cycle while doing laundry.

16. Remove small scratches from leather bags and shoes by rubbing a tiny bit of moisturizer into the scratch with a Q-tip.

Rub until the scratch is gone.

17. And, for one of the more mysterious hacks, you can tell if a pair of pants will fit by wrapping the waist around your neck. If the waist wraps just once around your neck from end to end without overlapping, then they pants are your size.

18. Restore your favorite accidentally shrunken T-shirt to its original size with water and a bit of hair conditioner. Soak the garment with about 2-3 tablespoons of conditioner for five minutes, lay it on a towel, and carefully stretch it back to size as it dries. Hair conditioner is also effective for softening itchy, scratchy wool sweaters too.

19. Want to get your nonskinny jeans into a skinny high boot? Not a problem. Fold-up the non-skinny jeans, put them into a long sock, and put the boots on for that skinny jean illusion.

20. For women: To save space in your underwear drawer—or in your suitcase, when traveling—roll or fold your lingerie into your bra. Also a good way to keep your bra’s shape.

Happy hacking, fashion fiends!!! ■

Want a low stress vacation? Experts suggest doing these four things

BY ANNE-MARIE VETTOREL The Canadian Press NEED A vacation to recover from that vacation? You’re not alone, say experts from the University of Ottawa.

Typical vacations do not decrease long-term work-related stress levels, according to Jane O’Reilly, a human resources professor. In other words, an employee goes away, stress goes down. He comes back, stress goes up.

What’s more, if vacation experiences are “resource-consuming”, they can leave someone even feeling more drained than before, said another human resources professor, Laurent Lapierre.

Experts say that with a little planning, though, these pitfalls can be avoided. Here are four ways to get more rest, have more fun, and avoid wasting that precious summer reprieve.

1) When people experience work-related stress during a vacation, it can be because they are “output-oriented” individuals, according to management professor Michael Miles.

“They worry about getting this done and getting that done,” he said.

Some people just need to recognize that this need to be productive is an aspect of their personality, he said.

“The one thing that I found for myself—I fall into that category—is that I make goals for my vacation itself. So for example, one of my goals for this vacation is to clean out my garage, which sounds really crazy, but it’s really relaxing. It’s enjoyable because it’s a goal and I can check it off and feel like I’ve achieved something.”

Working on personal projects and checking items off a “bucket list” can both be fulfilling alternatives to work, according to O’Reilly.

2) O’Reilly suggests two time-management strategies, to reduce stress before and after a vacation, in her own list of helpful tips.

Before leaving, she suggests making a list of all the things that need to be done, and resisting the temptation to leave www.canadianinquirer.net

things for after the break.

Miles added that this is an especially rewarding strategy for output-oriented people, because it “fits naturally for the personality that is trying to achieve things.” Leaving on a high note of productivity and accomplishment, he said, will help output-oriented people relax once they’re away.

O’Reilly’s second strategy is to “be mentally and logistically prepared for your workload upon your return. Organize your tasks based upon what is most important to get done.”

This approach, of doing the big chunks first and working through details later, is a habit of successful and productive people in general, said Miles.

3) While there are vacations that consume resources like time and energy, there are also “resource-providing” ones, said Lapierre. Colloquially, these are laid-back vacations that help people “recharge their batteries.”

He suggests dedicating time off to doing things that promote relaxation—such as massages, yoga, using a sauna, going swimming—or cultivating a talent, hobby or passion.

And, if a person must reflect on work while they’re away, Lapierre suggests focusing on the positive aspects of work rather than ruminating on the

negative.

“Taking the time to have positive work reflections and conversations with others is a highly recommended thing to do,” he said.

He also suggests keeping a vacation plan simple, so there aren’t any unexpected, stressful hassles on the way, as these drain resources and can make a holiday feel like more trouble than it’s worth.

4) Don’t count on the benefits of a single, restful vacation to carry through the entire calendar year, said Lapierre.

“Hoping that your annual vacation time is going to be the time when you’re going to recharge your batteries or recover from work really is foolish. It’s absolutely foolish,” he said. “There’s actually some pretty impressive, compelling research that shows that time that you spend away from work, that’s evenings and weekends, really has to be used wisely.”

Miles recommends people give themselves time and space for mini-vacations on a daily basis. He said he encourages people to take 20-minute walks during their lunch breaks.

On a scale both large and small, he says, “paradoxically, when you pull yourself away from work, when you come back to work, you’re more productive.” ■

Life hacks: Clever tips and tricks!

AUGUST 1, 2014 FRIDAY 32

Preventing injury around the campfire: Safety tips for summer campers

BY SADIYA ANSARI The Canadian Press TORONTO—A sobering reminder of the fatal potential of burns came earlier this month when a 53-year-old woman died after falling into a firepit at a private campsite in central Alberta.

The Red Deer woman was camping with friends near Torrington, Alta., according to provincial RCMP. She suffered third-degree burns to the majority of her body. Despite being airlifted to a local hospital and later transferred to Foothills Medical Centre—Calgary’s largest hospital—she succumbed to her injuries, said RCMP Cpl. Sharon Franks.

Park officials, like Shawn Polley, want to remind campers that these types of tragedies are entirely preventable.

Tripping into firepits is a major hazard and children in particular need to be carefully watched, said Polley, manager of emergency services with Alberta Parks for the Kananaskis Region, which is a part of the Rockies nestled between Banff and Calgary.

Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children burn prevention website suggests drawing a “safety circle” about 1.2 metres (four feet) from the edge of the fire to provide kids with a clear

boundary.

Adults can also be at risk of tripping, especially when alcohol is involved. A 2010 American study of hospital admissions due to burns from campfires and beach bonfires found alcohol was a factor in more than 60 per cent of adult injuries.

Care needs to be taken not only while the fire is burning— how you start and extinguish a fire are just as important to prevent injuries.

In parks, Polley advises using only designated fire pits.

These may be harder to find in backcountry areas, so Polley suggests campers use backpack stoves since they create small contained fires with no impact on the environment.

Additionally, Polley says never use gasoline or lighter fluid to start a fire. “We’ve had burns caused by that,” he says.

Once the fire is lit, keep it small, using three to four logs, and never rush to use additional logs that might fuel a larger fire than intended or necessary.

You’ll want to have water nearby in case the fire gets out of control. Keep a large milk jug or bucket full of water near the fire.

“Four litres would be adequate to start,” says Polley.

“That would certainly take the intensity out of a fire.”

In case of injury, Polley says campers should be equipped

with information on whether the area is serviced by 911, what emergency services are nearby and whether there will be cell reception.

While waiting for help, the World Health Organization advises to provide first aid that will “cool the burn, prevent ongoing burning and prevent contamination” in its report on child injury prevention. Remove clothing from the area to prevent continued burning. Applying cold water to a burn will also help prevent ongoing burning and cool the area.

After you’ve enjoyed the campfire, make sure you put it out properly to prevent future injury.

Sick Kids burn prevention guidelines note campfires should be put out with water, not sand, since covering a fire will retain its heat, creating a potential hazard even into the

next day.

Polley also advises to use water. “When you’re done with the fire, soak it, stir it and soak it again,” he advises. “Make sure all the coals have been extinguished.”

This will also prevent the fire from escaping and spreading through a campsite, particularly an issue in dry areas where fires can spread rapidly endangering campers and wildlife alike. ■

made of (colourful) bell pepper rings.

price. Plus: less effort in the kitchen, since most of the stuff on the salad bar are already cut up into manageable pieces.

Deliciously Hacked...

Crush some chocolate cookies and put them in each compartment of an ice cube tray.

Just fill it halfway. Next, pour in some milk to fill the remainder of the slots and place it in the freezer.

This is great for slumber parties, kids parties, or just to stay cool anytime of the day. ❰❰ 29

No more cinder block ice cream

Level: My non-existent 3-year-old could do it Cover your ice cream tub in plastic. The plastic helps to keep the ice cream soft while in the freezer. No more spoonbending catastrophes—just more ice cream to enjoy.

Edible egg molds

PHOTO BY IAKOV FILIMINOV / SHUTTERSTOCK

Level: Newbies Beware Core and slice a bell pepper cross-wise. You should have pepper rings. Place in a hot pan and crack your eggs inside the pepper. It looks like eggs in a basket, except the basket is www.canadianinquirer.net

Bang for the buck

Level: Newbies Beware Love omelets? Instead of buying ingredients piece by piece, just head over to the grocery’s salad bar and fill your container for a fraction of the

Bread winner

Level: My non-existent 3-year-old kid could do it Keeping a slice of bread with a batch of freshly baked cookies will keep the batch softer for a longer period of time. It will also keep freshly baked cake moist.

As you can see, most hacks can be accomplished by my non-existent 3-year-old kid.

They’re so easy—I don’t know why I haven’t tried all the things in this list yet. ■

FRIDAY AUGUST 1, 2014

33

Entertainment

Gretchen says, “Let them bash”; stays mum on family issues

BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer

The actress was moved to tears after the president revealed the that he has been receiving death threats.

PHOTO FROM GMANETWORK.COM

Why Kris burst into tears during PNoy’s SONA

BY LEI FONTAMILLAS Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA—TV host and actress Kris Aquino burst into tears while listening to his brother, President Benigno Aquino III’s State of the Nation Address at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City, yesterday.

The actress was moved to tears after the president revealed the that he has been receiving death threats.

The threats already started since the start of the movement against her mother President Cory Aquino in 1987.

Kris explained that she feels really bad whenever her brother would speak like its his last day.

“Ayaw naming naririnig yung

mga sinasabi niya kung hanggang dito na lang,” Kris said.

(We don’t want to hear from him when he says that he might reach his end.)

“Gusto ko umabot siya sa point na yung mga anak ni Bimby, maabutan pa niya,” she added.

(I want him to reach the point when Bimby’s children would still meet him.)

Amid the growing criticisms against PNoy after the court declaration of the unconstitutionality of the Disbursement Acceleration Program, Kris said emphasized her support for his brother.

“Yun, we’re very proud of him. We’re with him.,” Kris said. “And we want him to live a long life.” ■

MANILA—Actress-turned socialite Gretchen Barretto admits she has learned to keep her mouth shut.

Known for her often frank, outspoken ways and pointed speech, Gretchen says: “Ngayon I guess natututo na tayong tumahimik magtikom ng bibig— Tagalog ‘yon.”

Speaking to reporters at the launch of Karat World, her latest product endorsement, Gretchen shared that age has brought on a certain maturity in holding her tongue, especially where family controversies are concerned.

“I believe I’m older now. Just let God take care of everything and the truth will come out. So ‘yung mga bashing na ‘yan, let it happen and later on ‘yung katotohanan ang lalabas,” she added, when asked about the latest developments in the issues surrounding her sister Marjorie and niece Julia Barretto.

Recently, niece Julia raised eyebrows after she filed a petition to drop her father Dennis Padilla’s real surname from her own name.

“Let’s not get to that kasi parang di na ‘yon napaguusapan and Julia is very young, I don’t want to get into that. If there’s anybody who should answer, let Marjorie and Julia,” Gretchen said.

Gretchen Barreto.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GRETCHEN BARETTO’S FACEBOOK PAGE

Gretchen added that she does get affected by the nonstop controversies involving her family, and praised her sister Marjorie for her strength amidst the challenges.

“Normal naman na masaktan din ng kaunti, hindi ba? Tao lang tayo pero ang pagsubok sa buhay ay dumarating talaga ‘yan.

Pero how we face it, how we deal with it to every situation is a different story,” she said.

“Napakalakas na babae si Marjorie,” she said. “We are not perfect, mayroon kaming mga kasalanan, pero I think what we have is our faith in God. Bilib na bilib ako kay Marjorie, ‘yun lang,” she shared. ■

Entertainment

AUGUST 1, 2014 FRIDAY 34

Crawford and Garcia open up about their relationship

BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA—Billy Crawford has publicly admitted for the first time on Thursday’s episode of “It’s Showtime” that Coleen Garcia is officially his girlfriend. The admission comes seven months after the actor said he was courting his noontime show co-host.

A few days after the show, on Sunday, Crawford and Garcia were interviewed on “The Buzz” during which they talked about how their relationship status evolved.

“Sinundo ko pa siya sa airport kasi kakarating lang niya galing States. Sabi niya, ‘Can you be my girlfriend?’ Sabi ko, ‘Okay’, pero nakailang tanong siya muna,” Garcia said.

“I just felt like asking again,” Crawford added.

Garcia and Crawford revealed that they have always been transparent with each other about their feelings.

“Kasi it was like we were already there anyway and all that was missing was really the label. Pero ‘yung feelings naman, it’s been there naman,” Garcia said.

Garcia acknowledged that she considers Crawford her best friend, and also that his relationship with her family factored in to her decision to become his girlfriend.

“I think that’s what really matters to me also, that’s what I was waiting for.

I really want him to get along with my family. Pero the fact na pati ‘yung pamilya namin, they get along, it’s really a big bonus,” she added.

Crawford, on the other hand said: “She knows exactly what I feel for her. I really also just want to be the best man I can be, learn from my mistakes and be there for her.” ■

Alice Dixson auctions autographed magazines for victims of ‘Glenda’

BY CHING DEE Philippine Canadian Inquirer

The Love Is Gone.’

Bidding for a cause

MANILA—With Ms. Alice Dixson’s “revived” showbiz career, she thought of sharing her blessings with the victims of Typhoon ‘Glenda’ (international code name ‘Rammasun’) that ravaged Luzon last week, including Metro Manila. This charity auction is also an early celebration of her 45th—yes, 45th—birthday on July 28.

A blessed year

This year, Alice’s career was brought back to life thanks to TV5. She starred in several of the network’s primetime dramas like ‘Never Say Goodbye’ with Ms. Nora Aunor and Cesar Montano; and ‘For Love or Money’ with Derek Ramsay and Ritz Azul; and a comedy series with Ogie Alcasid and Gelli de Belen entitled ‘Confessions of a Torpe.’ She also did two TV-movies with the same network: ‘The Lady Next door’ with Mark Neumann, and ‘More than Words’ with Sarah Lahbati.

On the big screen, she also worked with Gabby Concepcion, Jake Cuenca, Cristine Reyes, and Andi Eigenmann on the provocative box-office hit ‘When www.canadianinquirer.net

Through her Instagram account (@ alicedixson), she auctioned off twelve copies of FHM’s December 2013 issue— with her on the cover.

According to reports, her December 2013 cover was one of the most popular issues of the famous men’s magazine.

On FHM’s Victory Party on July 9, she strutted her stuff as one of the Top 10 Sexiest Women of FHM Philippines.

Her wardrobe malfunction also got the attention of the media.

As of posting, the highest bidder is a male fan with a whopping P20,000. Bidders are still posting their offers on Alice’s Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook accounts.

The twelve highest bidders will not only take home an autographed copy of Alice’s FHM issue, but they will also have an exclusive photo session with Alice on July 25.

Bidding will continue until July 23 (Wednesday) at 2:00 PM. As mentioned earlier, all proceeds of Alice’s auction for a cause will go straight to the victims of Typhoon ‘Glenda.’ ■ With report from Ruel Mendoza, PEP.ph

Entertainment

35 FRIDAY AUGUST 1, 2014

Lyca can go to school now

BY MARINEL R. CRUZ Philippine Daily Inquirer GRAND CHAMPION Lyca Gairanod of “The Voice Kids” cannot read. She learned the songs she performed on the talent search program just by listening to them.

Life will soon change for this 9-year-old belter from Tanza, Cavite. She bagged the P1-million cash prize (tax-free) during the program’s finale on Sunday night.

Lyca’s mother Maria Nessel said she could now send her daughter, the fifth in a brood of eight, to school. “She really wants to study. She had a hard time speaking and understanding English during the show,” Nessel said in Filipino.

Even Lyca’s coach, Sarah Geronimo, said she did what she could to help the kid, who had to sing Canadian singer Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” during the live performances on Saturday night.

Lyca was also given a trust fund worth P1 million, a house and lot, a one-year recording contract with MCA Universal, a home appliance showcase and a musical instrument showcase.

Starting young

Lyca was 6 when her mom discovered her singing talent.

“We make a living by collecting and selling junk. She would sometimes surprise me by bringing home food or money— from our neighbors, she would say, who have asked her to sing,”

said Nessel in an interview after the finale at Resorts World Manila in Pasay City.

She said Lyca once asked her permission to join a singing contest during a town fiesta, and the girl ended up winning the top prize. “That’s when we discovered she could be a professional singer,” she told the Inquirer. “I still don’t know what to do now that the show has ended. Meanwhile, I will cook for Lyca anything she wants!”

The mom added: “I’m very happy that she is realizing her dreams. She wanted for us to have a house of our own. Her father is a fisherman and we live near the coast. We have to leave the place whenever the sea swells as a result of bad weather.”

Nessel recalled her conversation with Lyca the night before the championship. “She asked what would happen if she lost.

But she also told me not to worry, she’d keep joining contests.

She said, ‘Okay ka lang mama?

Huwag ka iiyak ha?’”

Winning second prize was Darren Espanto, 13, also from Team Sarah. Juan Karlos Labajo (Team Bamboo), 13, and Darlene Vibares (Team Lea Salonga), 10, came in third and fourth, respectively.

For Sarah, Lyca won not just because viewers took pity on her: “She has the talent—we can’t deny that. She was able to show everything she had, especially during the final round of the competition,” the coach said.

Lyca got a standing ovation

for her performance, with the group Aegis, of the hit song “Basang Basa sa Ulan.” During the blind auditions, Lyca already impressed the coaches with her rendition of Aegis’ “Halik.”

Coach Lea Salonga even said Lyca reminded her of the young Nora Aunor. Since then, Lyca was dubbed the “Little Superstar.”

Sarah said there was no other choice to perform with Lyca but the iconic pop-rock band. “The members of Aegis said they were amazed by Lyca’s talent. They told me that she reminded them of their humble beginnings,” the singer-actress said.

fill the gaps. Uncertainty about future health care costs and the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) has forced us to become more resourceful and to seek out other long-term solutions.”

Ottawa has been recently examining the issue of financial retirement security, as it presses ahead with a plan to introduce shared risk pension plans to federally-regulated employees. It hopes to implement the legislation, which enhances the Canadian Pension Plan, by early in 2015.

The option for the new plans would be available to the over 1,200 federally regulated plans,

including Crown employees.

The proposal does not apply to the public service pension plan, or the ones in place for members of the Canadian armed forces and the RCMP. The BMO survey was conducted by Pollara from an online sample of 1007 adults between Feb. 27 and March 3. The polling industry’s professional body, the Marketing Research and Intelligence Association, says online surveys cannot be assigned a margin of error as they are not a random sample and therefore are not necessarily representative of the whole population. ■

Both deserving

She added that she had difficulty campaigning for her two wards, Lyca and Darren. “I love them both. They both deserved to win. They were actually the viewers’ favorites. I will continue to support them after the show. My whole family has come to love the two kids.”

The finale, hosted by Luis Manzano and Alex Gonzaga, also featured performances by Darren with Martin Nievera (“You are My Song”), Juan Karlos with Gary Valenciano (“Eto Na Naman”) and Darlene with Lani Misalucha (“You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me”).

The Final Four and their coaches were also part of the opening number that likewise featured “The Voice of the Philippines” Season 1 grand champ Mitoy Yonting and finalists Klarisse de Guzman, Myk Perez and Janice Javier. ■

Paolo Bediones.

PHOTO FROM BANDERA.INQUIRER.NET

Paolo Bediones’ still mum on alleged sex tape

BY LEI FONTAMILLAS Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA—TV 5 News Anchor Paolo Bediones’ remains silent amid an alleged sex tape with a still, unidentified woman which went viral over the internet yesterday.

In a report for the Philippine Entertainment Portal, an unnamed source said that the video was made several years ago when Bediones was still with GMA 7.

“It was an old video of two consenting adults when Paolo was

still with GMA,” the source said.

Bediones hosted several shows in the Kapuso Network including Extra Challenge and Survivor Philippines before he transferred to TV5 in 2009.

The host was earlier cited in a blog article to have confirmed that he had a sex tape but was confident that it will not be leaked over the internet.

The blog, as quoted in the Philippine Entertainment Portal also said that copies of the videos were already destroyed.

Bediones still has chosen to remain silent amid the controversy. ■

Majority say... longevity continues to improve, they should account for the health and financial issues that come with the possibility of living a longer life.”

The survey found that a quarter of those polled admit to not having a financial plan for retirement, something that is key to financial stability in old age, said Buttigieg.

“The need for financial security becomes more apparent as we age,” said the report. “When regular employment income is no longer part of the equation, the wealth accumulated during your working years may help to ❰❰ 18

www.canadianinquirer.net

PCI and Sprott Shaw College is in need of a pool of part time Tagalog teachers for their Vancouver and New Westminster Campus.

Submit resume to info@canadianinquirer.net.

Only those shortlisted will be contacted.

Entertainment

AUGUST 1, 2014 FRIDAY 36

‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ relaxes Marvel’s seriousness, but not enough

BY JAKE COYLE The Associated Press AT THE height of their powers, our overlords at Marvel have deigned to prove, like an emperor tolerating a court jester, that they do, in fact, have a sense of humour.

The Marvel universe, of course, isn’t entirely lacking comedy, as we’ve seen in “Iron Man” and “The Avengers.” But on the whole, the Marvel kingdom is built on an unshakable foundation of self-seriousness.

The comic book studio seems to fear that if the solemnity of its fiction isn’t diligently guarded, people might start questioning whether all these men in spandex merit quite so much attention.

Yet “Guardians of the Galaxy,” a 3-D space opera about a ragtag crew of mercenaries, is Marvel’s most irreverent film yet, and has a welcome, slightly self-mocking tone that dares to suggest intergalactic battles over orbs might actually be a tad silly.

This is all very much to the good, but the problem with “Guardians of the Galaxy,” directed by James Gunn, is the weakness of the comedy it wears so proudly. It takes more

than a soundtrack full of ‘70s tunes, a talking raccoon and a few gags about “Footloose” to be funny. It’s “zany” in quotes.

As if demonstrating its tonal distance from Marvel’s other planetary bodies, “Guardians of the Galaxy” takes place at the far reaches of space, where we find Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) skipping along on an abandoned planet. He removes his mask, presses play on a Walkman and does something normally sacrosanct in Marvel-land: He dances. Blaring is the irresistible 1974 hit “Come and Get Your Love” by Redbone, the first of many such old radio hits.

The music, as we learned in the prologue, is from a mixtape given to Quill as a child by his cancer-stricken mother shortly before her death. Distraught, he rushes outside only to—in quite the double-whammy—be beamed up by a spaceship.

Twenty-six years later, Quill is a Han Solo-like scavenger who stumbles across a silver orb also sought by some powerfully evil forces: Ronan the Accuser (Lee Pace, obscured by makeup but still a severe presence) and his boss, Thanos (Josh Brolin).

The warm spirit of “Guardians” owes much to Pratt, the guileless, formerly doughy “Parks

Movie poster.

PHOTO FROM BOOKYURT.COM MOVIE POSTER.

and Recreation” star; his casting in inspired.

The resulting scrum for the orb introduces several more seekers: the green-skinned Gamora (Zoe Saldana), the hulking Drax (Dave Bautista) and a CGI odd couple: a bitterly sardonic raccoon named Rocket (Bradley Cooper) and his sidekick, a talking tree called Groot (Vin Diesel) who looks like he sprouted from

“The Lord of the Rings.” All reluctantly unite like a sarcastic “Dirty Dozen.”

The Guardians, who were first introduced in a 1969 comic, are far from Marvel’s star players. But their not-primetime-player status is freeing to Gunn, whose 2010 comedy “Super” starred Rainn Wilson as a wannabe crime fighter. He wrote the film with Nicole Perlman, clearly aspiring for a rol-

ronment, experts suggest.

Lee says Germany is not so worried about Canadian firms launching a flood of lawsuits against European countries, but what more naturally litigious and deep-pocketed American firms would do if given the chance.

While the weekend developments come as a shock, Europe has never been as keen on the need for ISDS as Ottawa, say analysts.

As a 2012 German document points out, “Canada is a demander in the field of investment protection.”

European member states did give negotiators a mandate to negotiate ISDS—something that was not done with the U.S. talks. Since then, however, Germany has been hit with a multibillion lawsuit from energy

companies—including a Swedish firm—over its decision to shut down nuclear reactors by 2022. That’s exactly the kind of scenario that could play out under the ISDS chapter.

In January, the European Commission launched a public consultation process on ISDS using the proposed chapter in the Canada deal as an example.

“This shouldn’t be a surprise because the Germans and other European countries have been raising concerns about ISDS for some,” said Don Davies, the NDP’s trade critic.

From his point of view, Davies said jettisoning the chapter from the agreement would improve the agreement, although it would give a black eye to the Harper government, which has been denouncing left wing groups like

licking adventure in the mould of “Indiana Jones” or “Star Wars,” which the movie’s poster evoked.

But the film is terribly overstuffed and many of the jokes get drowned out by the special effects. Presumably awaiting meatier work sequels to come, fine actors like Glenn Close, John C. Reilly and Benicio Del Toro come and go with just a few lines. (How can a movie seeking humour in outer space not utilize Reilly?)

The pervasive movie references detract from the stab at freshness, and “Guardians” depends all too much on the whimsy of ‘70s anthems for an original beat. Others, eager for any playfulness from Marvel, will surely be more excited by “Guardians of the Galaxy.” To them I quote Solo: “Laugh it up, Fuzzball.”

“Guardians of the Galaxy,” a Walt Disney Studios release, is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America for “intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and some language.” Running time: 121 minutes. Two stars out of four. ■ MPAA definition of PG-13: Parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Failure not...

But trade experts who have followed the talks closely say Germany was almost certainly sending a message that Ottawa had better heed, or risk losing the agreement.

That would be bad for Canada’s economy, they say, even though Statistics Canada figures show exports to the EU have rebounded smartly from last autumn. But given the importance Harper has put on the pact, failure would be politically damaging entering into an election cycle.

“Harper’s competitive advantage is that he is a superior manager of the economy, that he can do trade deals big and small. But if he can’t close on what he calls the biggest, most comprehensive free trade deal in history, it’s ❰❰ 18

going to hurt a lot,” said Ian Lee, an economics professor at Carleton University.

Trade lawyer Lawrence Herman said Canada should go back to the drawing board on investment protection if it has to, and even be prepared to drop ISDS altogether to get the deal done.

“Its value may be overstated,” he said. “None of the 200 pending arbitrations under the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes involve Canadian companies suing European governments.”

A more palatable approach would be to re-work the ISDS to offer foreign investors less scope to sue over government policy choices, particularly on initiatives to protect the envi-

www.canadianinquirer.net

the Council of Canadians for fear mongering on ISDS. Davies notes that currently ISDS gives more leeway to foreign firms than domestic. The former can take a case to an international panel whose decisions are final; whereas domestic firms have redress only in the country’s courts, whose rulings can be appealed.

One thing the latest development does show, said Davies and Liberal critic Chrystia Freeland, is that Harper was premature in announcing an agreement in principle last October.

“I’m glad they announced it,” said Freeland, who believes a free trade agreement with Europe would benefit Canada. “I just wish that they had had a deal.” ■

FRIDAY AUGUST 1, 2014

37

Lifestyle

Silent retreats: A historic tradition resonates in the harried 21st century

BY KAREN SCHWARTZ The Canadian Press A VERY pregnant Juliana Berger took a five-day trip with her husband and didn’t speak to him once.

They weren’t fighting. They were attending a silent retreat.

Berger, 33, a web developer, had attended a number of silent retreats over the past decade.

Her husband, Jonathan Mann, a 32-year-old songwriter, had never been.

Like so many people these days, the New York-based couple wanted a break from the stress of daily life.

“I thought the stillness would help me connect with my baby,” said Berger, who was nearly eight months pregnant at the time.

Silent meditation transcends most religious traditions, and can be traced back thousands of years.

Today’s retreats last from a day to several weeks and take place at monasteries, colleges, spas, hotels, and even hospitals.

“It’s not really a vacation,” cautioned Robert Epstein, senior research psychologist at the American Institute for Behavioral Research and Technology and professor of psychology at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji. “It’s a very unusual experience, which can certainly be beneficial, but it’s difficult in some respects, because it’s a time when you are alone with your thoughts. And you can hear your thoughts very clearly.”

For some people, hearing those thoughts can be difficult, though by having time and space to think them through, some people are able to “exhaust the most disturbing ones and throw them away,” he said.

Berger and Mann both experienced what they described as a transformation during their

stay earlier this year at the Buddhist-influenced Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts.

The retreat wasn’t completely silent. There were teachers, lectures, small group sessions and some necessary words exchanged while cooking the vegetarian meals - but none to each other. Each of the 90 participants had their own modest single room.

The retreat had activities scheduled from 5:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. There were about eight daily periods for sitting, along with set times for walking, yoga, group interviews, working, eating, chanting, meditation instruction and lectures on Buddhist philosophy.

Mann said he’s never been

good at being still and found a 45-minute meditation on the second day physically painful and emotionally frustrating.

Afterward, he went to his room and wept in what he described as, “the most violent emotional reaction” he’s ever had.

“The meltdown helped a lot,” he said, explaining he decided to stop trying so hard. He started moving about during the meditation periods and allowed his mind to wander.

As a result, he relaxed, and “some moments of clarity came,” he said. He realized how much anxiety he carries.

Berger, too, found that she had to stop trying to control things. She had planned, for example, to get lots of rest, but that didn’t happen.

“I ended up having terrible difficulty sleeping and had to sit with fatigue, exhaustion and frustration,” she said.

“When I sat with the part of myself who was trying to control and protect and had compassion for her, I experienced a profound transformation,” she said. “I was able to experience joy in the present moment: a beautiful walk, a glorious nap, one breath in, one breath out.”

Other retreat philosophies offer participants more time to go at their own pace.

For instance, the four-day retreats offered to students and faculty by Fordham University, in New York City, have some scheduled prayer and a brief daily meeting with a spiritual director, but the rest of the time

is for personal reflection.

“I always suggest to people to get out into nature,” said Carol Gibney, an associate director of the campus ministry and director of Ignatian programs.

Gibney has facilitated the Jesuit school’s retreats for the past dozen years, and after working with hundreds of participants, offers this advice: • It takes at least 24 hours for a person to move past the point of “monkey brain” - racing from one thought to another and begin to relax. Once a person relaxes, there tends to be a heightened awareness of things both internal and external.

• The stillness evokes all kinds of feelings, including frustration and even grief.

“Compassionate awareness is what emerges,” she said. “Compassion for oneself; for feelings that they might have buried and pushed aside.”

• In choosing a retreat, be an educated consumer. Consider the mission of the retreat house, read reviews and talk to friends.

• With retreats increasing in popularity as people try to get away from their frenetic lifestyle, “Think about what you’re getting away from and what you’re going to,” she said.

• Finally, she advises: “Be open. Expect to be surprised.”

Berger agrees.

“Going on a silent retreat is a journey,” she said. “When you take away all of the energy we put into communication, it is redirected to the parts of your life you normally ignore.

I would recommend it to anyone.” ■ If You Go...

INSIGHT MEDITATION SOCIETY: Barre, Massachusetts; http://www.dharma.org/ meditation-retreats/retreatcentre/retreat-cen http:// www.d . Fees vary by type and length of session.

AUGUST 1, 2014 FRIDAY 38

Outstanding Vancouver... tat for Humanity International Jimmy Carter Work Project in 2004; made cover of USA TODAY magazine for its “Annual Make A Difference Day” Award” in 2004; “Hillblazer” on Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign in 2008; Recipient of US President’s Volunteer Service Award in 2007, 2008; Keynote Speaker at Yale Alumni Association, Philippine Consulate of New York, Citi Women’s International Women’s Day, and Financial Women’s Association of Singapore; She’s been invited as guest on news programs that reached millions of Filipinos worldwide (GMA News To Go, Solar Daybreak); Regularly ranked among leaders in the AsianAmerican professional community and her experiences have been written about in The New York Times, USA Today, Smart Parenting, Good Housekeeping and People Asia; In 2014 she was selected part of the S.H.E. Summit Remarkable Women Series alongside 200 female leaders and role models such as model activist Christy Turlington Burns, philanthropist Jennifer Buffet, designer Tory Burch, and c-level executive Susan Sobbott. ❰❰ 25

Family Foundation

As a native of Vancouver, Claire is familiar to friends and relatives who have known her and her family when she was growing up in Coquitlam. Her dad is Jose “Didi” Lim, a son of a Filipino diplomat who, while in Vancouver, was very active in the Filipino community being the first and only Honorary Member of the UP Alumni Association (UPAA) and as the president of the Philippine HELP Foundation (HELP). HELP is a group that was established to help the poor in the Philippines. In the 80’s, Didi led the Cory Aquino for President Movement, mobilizing Filipinos in Vancouver to support Cory Aquino during the “People Power” fight to topple the Marcos regime. As a son of a Philippine Consul-General, Didi has lived in various countries where his dad was assigned including Egypt, Italy and Pakistan. Claire’s mom, Lenore Lim, is a teacher by profession. The family moved to New York when she was hired as a teacher at the United Nations International School where Claire also attended high school. Lenore has developed exceptional artistic

skills and herself has established a reputation as an international artist exhibiting her works in cities around the world. She also has published a book featuring a collection of all her art work. Claire’s brother, Justin, attended McGill University in Montreal where he obtained his Masters Degree in Law. He has passed his bar exams and is a practicing lawyer in both New York and New Jersey. This solid foundation of professional parents, Filipino cultural influences, strong religious beliefs, hard work, discipline, great attitude and dedication to her professional and personal goals were factors that helped mould Claire as a person of outstanding character and great leadership abilities. She is indeed a superstar in her chosen field, but best and most important of all, in spite of the challenges and demands of her profession, she remains a supermom to her kids.

Filipinos everywhere should be made aware of the accomplishments of Filipinos like Claire who, like Manny Pacquiao, the Philippines’ modern national hero, is an example of someone we should emulate and be proud of. She is a good symbol of what a Filipino, male or female, can be. For all moms out there, Filipinos or not, Claire’s book is something that should not be missed. “Don’t Forget the Soap”, will not only entertain you, but it will definitely serve as an inspiration for you to be able do the same thing as she has done—be a successful career woman and be a mother at the same time. Claire has shown that that is indeed possible. ■ The author is the Chairman and former CEO of Basilica Software Corporation of Vancouver, developer of the software being used by various companies including the giant SM Group of Companies in the Philippines and other organizations to manage their IT operations. Manny has known the Lim family since moving to Vancouver from Toronto in the early 80’s and was associated with Didi through the Philippine HELP Foundation for which he was elected president after Didi and family left for New York. Manny has been a journalist from his high school days in the Philippines, through his university years in Toronto and has contributed to various publications here in Vancouver.

PCI's Q&A with Marie Claire Lim Moore Author of “Don’t Forget the Soap” Q: What is your immigrant story (how did you adjust to the move, challenges faced)?

Claire: I was actually born in Vancouver so it was my parents who went through the move and transition. That said, my brother and I still had “the immigrant experience.”

Book excerpt: • hand me down clothes – actually, hand me down everything • knock off Barbies (the plastic version where the knees didn’t bend) • relatives staying with us for weeks (or months) at a time • our family staying with relatives for weeks (or months) at a time • sponsoring Lolo and Lola who would live with us • never traveling light – the balikbayan box would often be our second piece of luggage • canned foods prepared gourmet style • McDonalds as a special meal out • “extending” food and beverages (e.g., one packet of Swiss Miss would make 2-3 cups of hot chocolate) • never throwing anything out (someone in the Philippines could use that) I love recounting these “immigrant experiences” with my fellow second generation cousins and friends. We can spend hours talking about Spam or the Libby’s Corned Beef “key” or reminiscing on how we would all fit into one car.

These stories make us appreciate what we have today. Most of us are now married and with our own families. Our kids are used to eating out at least a couple of times a week, they often get the latest toy gadgets before

Claire with her family.

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they know they want them and vacation hotels are standard fare.

Q: What and how was your journey as a writer? When did you know that you were going to write Don't Forget the Soap?

What was the process like for you?

Claire: I have always enjoyed writing and for a long time now I’ve been thinking about writing a book about things I’ve learned from my mother.

When I was single and living in New York this book was going to be all about tips for living in the city. Things you should have in your closet.

Things you should have in your pantry. How, contrary to popular belief, you can have a great apartment, job and boyfriend all at the same time. I had lots of ideas but not necessarily the focus and discipline to sit down and do it.

Fast forward to a few years later. I’m married with two kids and living in Singapore. I still have a bunch of tips from my mother I want to share. But this time they’re not just about what to wear, where to go, what to eat. Now I spend more time thinking about what to teach my kids, how to make sure they appreciate all the wonderful things they have, how to balance career and family, etc. And this time I do find the motivation and discipline to sit down and do it.

The timing happened to work nicely since I was on 4 maternity leave from work. I know it sounds ironic to say I found time while on maternity leave but I’m very lucky to live in Singapore and even more lucky to

have great help from our nanny.) Once I decided to do it, the topics and stories started flowing.

That said, while writing the manuscript was easy enough, because I had spent my whole career in banking and financial services I didn’t know the first thing about writing and publishing a book. I’ve known many people in the past who worked on their book projects for years. Some eventually got published; others never did.

Even those that were published never reached the number of people the authors had hoped. I knew these were the challenges I would face when taking on this endeavor. Writing a family memoir was something I had been thinking about doing for awhile but it was hard to find time to do this while juggling between managing our Global Client business at Citi and my roles as wife and mother. When I was expecting my second child, I saw a window of opportunity to work on this project during my four month maternity leave. I wrote most of the book with my newborn daughter sleeping on my lap and I leveraged technology as well as my informal Filipino women’s network to write and publish the book during this limited time. I discovered countless digital tools for editing, book design and publishing and through social media I was able to reach audiences around the world. Because of all the support I received, the book topped Amazon’s Hot New Releases in the Parenting and Women’s Memoir categories. Soon it got picked up by various press and social media and more oppor-

Lifestyle

39 FRIDAY AUGUST 1, 2014

tunities have followed.

Q: What is your most favourite anecdote/story in your book?

Why? Claire: Don’t Forget the Soap is the name of the book because it actually is my favorite story in the book. I had just come back from a work assignment in Sao Paulo, Brazil and one of the reminders from my mother was fresh on my mind. When we were growing up, my parents were new immigrants to Canada and the US. We had everything we needed but it was a simple life. Socializing took place at each other’s homes, we very rarely went out to eat; if you did travel somewhere you stayed with family so hotels were extremely special. When we did begin staying at hotels the little soap and shampoo bottles were so novel. We would take or send them back to the Philippines and it would be such a special treat to anyone who received them. When I was living in Sao Paulo I was staying at the Marriott Executive Apartments.

Bedsheets and towels would be changed every day, soap and shampoo would be replaced, etc.

At first I was putting them aside as I had always done so we could send back to the Philippines but after a couple weeks I couldn’t be bothered anymore. Then my family came to stay with me over Christmas. My mother was so disappointed when she learned I hadn’t been saving anymore soap to bring back to the Philippines. Since then Don’t Forget the Soap has been code for Don’t Take Things for Granted.

Q: In the book, it is very apparent that you were very lucky in the way that you were brought up. Would you change anything?

Claire: Not a thing.

Q: Successful career woman, writer of a best-seller, mother, wife, daughter—and not necessarily in that order. How do you do it? Any tips?

1. Make your own rules. When I was first considering this job in Singapore many people warned me that I wouldn’t be able to see my kids during the week. “They work late in Asia,” it is commonly known. This turned out to be true but I’m glad it didn’t dissuade me from coming. When I first got here, I followed what seemed to be the default schedule which meant a later start to what I was used to in New York and a later end.

Not only did I find myself stay-

Citi, some are entrepreneurs doing business out of their homes, and some are climbing Mount Everest to raise funds for humanitarian causes. It’s true what they say: the more often people with different perspectives come together the more creative ideas emerge.

For me, personally, everything about writing my book was inspired by being surrounded by so many wonderful women.

Claire signing books during her book launch at Bonifacio Global City in Manila, Philippines.

ing late in the office but when I got home, because I was managing the Global Client business, I was also on evening calls with New York. After a few months I realized I would need to adjust my schedule to make time for family. When you’re a professional you know what you need to do to get the job done. Being at the office when my kids were having dinner and going to bed was not required to get the job done. I made a schedule that worked for me and had no negative impact on my boss or my team. I came to the office early and got home in time to have dinner with my kids and then got back online to answer emails and take calls after they went to bed. Had I listened to all the people telling me not to take this job while my kids were young I would have missed out on an incredible opportunity to work in Singapore.

2. Achieve an integrated life.

One of my first female mentors in New York loves to tell stories about how when she joined the bank she used to dress like a man. “The navy blue shoulderpadded suits of yesteryear,” she would call her work attire. She also says she never discussed her personal and family life at the office out of fear it would show a lack of commitment to work. She now often comments on how great it is that times have changed not just because women can dress like women but also because they no longer have to lead a one-dimensional

life.

For me, one definition of success is achieving an integrated life. One where my work colleagues know my family, my side projects, etc. When I first wrote my book I didn’t talk about it at work because I thought I needed to compartmentalize the two. Maybe subconsciously I did fear it would show a lack of commitment to my job. To my surprise, once my bosses and colleagues found out about the book they were incredibly excited for me and Citi has become one of my biggest supporters. The book has actually been a great platform to talk about the global products and services I manage at Citi because they are actually part of my everyday life.

My family and I also try to integrate calendars. I schedule work and networking drinks when I know Alex and the kids are also busy. Alex and I also try to schedule our evening calls on the same nights of the week so we can have free nights on the same days.

If I didn’t learn how to integrate my personal, social and professional life it would be impossible to find my balance.

3. Connect with other women. Formally and informally.

I’ve become a lady who lunches.

A working lady who lunches.

Regularly I get together with a group of women and get inspired by different ideas and perspectives. Some of us work full time for big companies like www.canadianinquirer.net

Q: What advice could you give to those Filipino writers who perhaps would like to follow your path and write their best-seller?

Claire: I consider myself very lucky. I had a great example of how you could pursue career and family. Growing up with my mother, I saw firsthand how you could have dinner every night with your kids, have a successful career, even pursue your passion projects on the side until they morphed into your career, and give back to your community. I have always admired my mother for this but especially after having children of my own I fully appreciated how successfully she balanced her life.

I decided to write a book about it while I was on maternity leave last year. Don’t Forget the Soap is actually a story about people who have inspired me, first and foremost my mother. I know the title might not resonate right away but the underlying themes of the book are finding balance, having gratitude and giving back. And my stories are about being inspired to do all three.

My mother was not inspiring in the traditional commencement address kind of way. We’re all familiar with Steve Jobs’ iconic speech at Stanford when he famously said, “The only way to do great work is to do what you love.” My mother didn’t say things like this. As a new immigrant to the US and Canada, she was always very practical. She wanted me to be financially independent as soon as possible and then figure out a way to do what I love.

This wasn’t to say there was no room for passion. My mother has always been incredibly passionate about art but her full time job as we were growing up was in early childhood.

Being a teacher at the United Nations International School allowed her to have the same schedule as her kids, it paid the bills and she was naturally great with children. That said,

she found ways to continuously incorporate art into her life whether it was organizing exhibits for students or helping emerging artists present their works. She also pursued her art in the evenings. She would spend all day with 18 five year olds, work on a church fundraiser while my brother and I did our homework, sit down for dinner with the family and then she was off to the art studio for the remainder of the night to work on her pieces. Eventually her work became picked up and noticed by influential members of the United Nations community (including UN Secretary General Kofi Annan) and soon she was exhibiting all across the globe.

When I would say things like, “One day when I stop working I can finally focus on the book I’ve wanted to write,” she would respond with, “No need to wait.

Just manage your time and you can do it while working. It will be even more rewarding.”

When I had my second baby last year I saw a window of opportunity during my four month leave. In the US I highly doubt I would be able to say I found time while on maternity leave but I’m very lucky to live in Singapore and even more lucky to have great help from our nanny.

I wrote most of the book with my newborn sleeping on my lap and not having to worry about keeping the house in order was a life saver.

And once again, my mother turned out to be right. Writing the book when I did turned out to be more personally rewarding than I could have ever imagined. I had most of my manuscript ready by the time I returned back to work and in a matter of months through my informal women’s network I had a professional editor, book designer and publisher all helping me launch the book. I’m so glad my mother instilled in me the confidence to work on the book even with my job at Citi and young children at home.

Q: What is next for Marie Claire Lim Moore?

Claire: I hope to continue growing my career in financial services and connecting with people around the world during book signings and speaking engagements. I’ve always been passionate about career-family balance and now have regular opportunities to speak with others about career, family, and dreams. ■

Business

PCTC Elects New Board Members for Year 2014 -2015 THE PHILIPPINES Canada Trade Council ( PCTC ) of Vancouver, B.C. had its Annual General Meeting (AGM) last July 03, 2014 where a new board of directors were elected for fiscal year 2014 - 2015.

Leo Valdes, the outgoing President, reported on last year’s activities and accomplishments such as the successful fund raising project for Typhoon Haiyan victims, and the approval of PCTC’s continuance under the Not-For-Profit Act. During the AGM, special recognition awards were also given to corporate member Corinthian Distributors (principals Kenneth Co and Vincent Uy) for outstanding business, and to PCTC officer Edmundo Guevara for his legal contribution to PCTC’s continuance.

Elections committee head Grace Santos-Ocampo proclaimed the new board. New officers for year 2014- 2015 are as

follows: 1. President: Wilfred S. Victoria 2. Vice President: Ray Lino 3. Directors: a. Gigi Astudillo b. Mary Tecson c. Gerry Reonisto d. Cristie Lane Sotana e. Gary Manansala f. Alan Yong g. David McGroty Former president Leo Valdez will remain in the board as an advisor. Federal reports show a marked increase in trade between the Philippines and Canada, with imports surpassing the $1billion mark in 2013. The new officers plan to help further boost better trade relationships between the two countries. ■ For more information about PCTC, please visit www.pctcnet.org or like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ groups/pctcbiz/.

AUGUST 1, 2014 FRIDAY 40

An ongoing challenge for newcomers: overwhelming choices in banking products NEWCOMERS TO Canada often face challenges surrounding banking in Canada when they first arrive—most notably, finding out which banking products are right for them. In a new poll by the Royal Bank of Canada, 44 per cent of newcomers said they didn’t know which banking products would be best suited to their needs, while almost a third (29%) said they felt overwhelmed by the choices available.

“There are a number of difficulties that newcomers have when it comes to navigating Canada’s banking system, and we’ve worked to make it easier,” said Christine Shisler, director of multicultural markets at RBC. She added that while there are a number of different choices, banks today offer products that are specific to

newcomers and address their particular needs as they set up their lives in Canada.

“There are so many options in the marketplace, and we have worked to provide easy, accessible and customized options for newcomers,” said Shisler.

“The poll showed that one-third of new immigrants found lack of a credit history to be a problem, and our programs have been updated to make it easier for this group to secure credit products. We offer a no-credit-history required credit card to newcomers, which is often a key step in quickly building a Canadian credit history. My recommendation would be to go into a

branch and speak to a financial advisor—they are the experts and will be your best resource in making sure you have the right solution.”

RBC recently updated its suite of products for newcomers, including no-credithistory-required for mortgages and auto loans. Their financial advisor will be able to help newcomers understand what is available to them, and help to ensure that they are set up for financial success—including personalized advice and help all along the way—today, tomorrow and in the future. For more information, please visit any RBC branch or online at rbc.com/ welcomecanadacredit. ■

Is life insurance an ‘investment’?

BY ROBYN K. THOMPSON, CFP, CIM, FCSI IF YOU’VE ever shopped for life insurance, you’ll know you can quickly get tangled up in a thicket of plans, policies, terms, exclusions, riders, benefits, and all the other paraphernalia that comes with talking to an insurance agent. The biggest of these is the pitch that life insurance can be an investment. Some types of insurance do have an investment component. But is it worth it?

First, a quick intro to life insurance. There are many types of life insurance policies. “Termlife” policies, for example, offer pure protection—there is no investment component. You pay your premium and your life is insured for the stated amount for the specified length of time.

Period. It’s a cost-effective way to buy insurance, especially for young families.

Permanent insurance

Alternatively, there’s a type of insurance called “permanent life.” Broadly, with these types of policies, you pay premiums on a

monthly basis for a specific period of time, but the premium payment funds both an insurance component and an investment component by which the policy gains a cash value. The growth in cash value is tax-deferred and can be used as collateral for a loan or can be withdrawn to fund other financial goals.

There are basically two forms of permanent life insurance: whole life and universal life. The premiums for these are considerably higher than for straight term life insurance. Both whole life and universal life policies provide protection, grow your investments, and defer tax. Upon death, your beneficiary will receive the amount of the insurance policy tax-free, as well as any accumulated savings components, which would be subject to tax. But there are key differences.

Whole life locked in

As the name suggest, “whole life” insurance does not have a term, and stays in force until you die. It has level premiums that fund both the insurance component and the investment component that builds up a

cash value.

In a whole life policy, you have no choice over the investment component. The insurance company will invest the funds at a very conservative rate, and it takes a long, long time to generate positive returns. There is also some risk involved, as you are investing your money with a single company. Canadian banks and insurance companies are among the most financially sound on earth, but you still have to be aware of the risk involved, however small it might be.

Universal life for some flexibility

Universal life also offers both insurance and investment components, with the key difference that you can alter the premiums, size of death benefit, and amount and type of investment component (as specified by the policy) if your life or financial circumstances change. In addition, unlike whole life insurance, universal life insurance allows you to use a portion of your accumulated savings to pay premiums.

The major advantage to this type of policy is that you have control over the investments. www.canadianinquirer.net

When you are ready to withdraw money from the investments held within the policy, the cost base is equal to the sum of all your premiums – the amount used for both the insurance and investments. This will increase your cost base, so you will pay less tax once you sell your investments within the universal life insurance policy.

Weigh your options

These types of insurance policies might be suitable if you are looking for three types of solutions in one product: life insurance, long-term low-growth savings; tax deferral. The big question is whether the investment portion of a permanent policy is worth the cost.

With a universal life policy, you have a bit more leeway in choosing investments among those allowed by the contract, but it’s often a choice that boils down to either fixed-income or specified mutual funds. Again, you have to weigh the risks of giving up investment diversification over the long term in return for an insurance component and an ending cash value.

Buy term, invest the rest

In general, while they have their uses in some situations, most advisors recommend staying away from permanent life insurance policies, whether whole life or one of the many flavors of universal life. For many people, the old saying to “buy term and invest the rest” is probably the most sensible solution if you’re considering a life insurance policy as an investment. It means simply that you buy term life insurance and then invest the difference in premiums, fees, commissions and charges that you would have paid for a whole life or universal life policy.

In any case, it’s important that you speak with your independent financial advisor (one not tied to selling insurance products from a specific company) to determine both your investment and insurance needs in the context of your overall financial plan. ■ Courtesy Fundata Canada Inc. © 2014. Robyn Thompson, CFP, CIM, FCSI, is president of Castlemark Wealth Management.

This article is not intended as personalized advice.

Sports/Horoscope

41 FRIDAY AUGUST 1, 2014

Massive Calgary camp kicks off Hockey Canada’s under 17 renovations

BY DONNA SPENCER The Canadian Press CALGARY—Hockey Canada begins an overhaul of its under-17 men’s program this week by bringing together more than 100 of the country’s best 16-year-olds for a new camp.

Along with 54 coaches, equipment managers and medical staff, the nine-day camp in Calgary will be “massive,” according to Scott Salmond, vicepresident of hockey operations at Hockey Canada.

“You can imagine how many trainers we need,” Salmond said.

Ninety-six skaters and a dozen goaltenders from across Canada will descend Tuesday upon the Markin MacPhail Centre, which houses Hockey Canada’s headquarters, an Olympic-sized rink and three NHL-sized surfaces.

The horde will be divided into teams. In addition to playing three games, each player

will participate in on-ice skills development and learn national-team systems.

Their fitness will be tested, they’ll be fitted for equipment and they’ll participate in seminars on everything from media relations to nutrition.

Among the players summoned are Toronto defenceman Jake Chychrun, the first overall pick in this year’s OHL draft by Sarnia. Defenceman Luke Green of Bedford, N.S., was the first player drafted in the QMJHL by Saint John. Edmonton forward Tyler Benson was chosen first in last year’s WHL draft by Vancouver.

Sixty-six invitees will be chosen to represent their country at the revamped World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

The date of the annual tournament held in Canada has been changed as well as the host country’s participation in it.

Instead of five teams representing Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, West and Pacific regions,

Canada will enter three teams mixing players from different parts of the country.

That means the Canadians will now play in the tournament under the banner of their country, and not their geographical region.

“We expect to have a large majority of our players identified at the camp and then go out and scout the remaining few on the bubble once the camp is over and before we name our teams,” head scout Ryan Jankowski said.

The World Under-17 Hockey Challenge has traditionally been held in late December during its 22 years, but the event will be Nov. 2-8 in Sarnia, Ont. That date was changed to allow young hockey players to go home for the December holiday break. For those major junior teams with players away at the world under-20 championships, the younger players on those clubs will get more ice

time, Salmond said.

Canadians in the Under-17 Challenge have gone on to play for the under-18, under-20, world and Olympic men’s teams. The tournament includes European countries as well as the United States.

Ilya Kovalchuk, Rick Nash, Marc-Andre Fleury, Alex Ovechkin, Patrick Kane and Nathan MacKinnon are among the 1,300 NHL draft picks who have participated in it, according to Hockey Canada.

The new camp was conceived to give Canada’s 16-year-olds intensive preparation for the world stage sooner under the slogan “The Canadian way,” Salmond explained.

“Our idea is to identify our best players earlier and then to have them play together more often,” he said. “When they were in a regionalized model, I think we were still doing a good job of identifying our best players regionally, but not nationally. They stayed in regional

model until they came through to under-18s.”

“Now, we have the best players in the country and they come all to one place. We end up picking three teams that will have no regional bias. Kids from Quebec will play with kids from Alberta. It gives us an opportunity for our best players to be mixed together and for them to play together more often.”

Of the 108 players summoned to Calgary, 10 are from B.C., 14 are Albertans, two are from Saskatchewan, six are Manitobans, Ontario has 40 and Quebec has 25. Nova Scotia will have nine players at camp and there are two from Newfoundland and Labrador.

The provincial branches of Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon are not represented among the skaters.

“There are some branches who don’t have a player coming from the 108,” Salmond said. ■

HOROSCOPE ARIES

CANCER

LIBRA

CAPRICORN

(MARCH 21 - APRIL 19)

(JUNE 22 - JULY 22)

(SEPT 23 - OCT 22)

(DEC 22 - JAN 19)

You’ve been feeling bad lately because of an unfavourable remark from an old friend. Try to keep that criticism at the back of your mind. Sometimes it’s best to just smile that negativity away and keep living on without being affected by negative judgements.

Keep that grudge away and leave those troubles locked in a place you wouldn’t see.

You are surrounded with good friends who won’t let you down.

Be thankful. There might be times that you find your friend’s advice to be unnecessary, but the fact they wasted time and energy complaining about the things they believe you should change, is something you have to be thankful about. Take it as a challenge to change for the better.

It might be fun to hear Cinderella’s story, but allowing it to change your views of reality may not be good enough. The more you hold on to something that’s inexistent, the more you fail to appreciate what’s really there. Instead of forcing yourself and the people around you to be some kind of a character in a fairytale story, why not write a story of your own, different from all the rest?

A special someone will add some spark in your life this week. Life has been a bit boring with the same-old habits, practices and routines. But this week, you’ll find someone who will give you some excitement. There is just one requirement for this: open your eyes and see. The moment you miss appreciating what’s in store for you, might be the most unfortunate moment of your life.

TAURUS

LEO

SCORPIO

AQUARIUS

(APRIL 20 - MAY 20)

(JULY 23 - AUGUST 22)

(OCT 23 - NOV 21)

(JAN 20 - FEB 18)

Take time to realize the importance of living a balanced life.

Spend some time outside of the office with your friends and family. It’s good to be extra dedicated to your work, but too much won’t do you any better. Remember that happiness from your family and loved ones is way different from the joy you’ll get out of a successful career.

Understanding and listening are the must-have traits you should be practicing this week. Transactions may not fall right in place if you will only listen to your views.

Try opening up the floor to your partner’s opinions.

When it comes to love, and even in your career, success comes when you’re at your best mood to listen and give room to what others have to say.

You have kept things disorganized the past weeks, Scorpio.

Try looking back and finding out which part of your decisions brought you a tangled situation today. You don’t need a time machine or any time-travelling device to look back, make an effort to recall all your actions, good or bad, and change what needs changing.

GEMINI

VIRGO

SAGITTARIUS

(MAY 21 - JUNE 21)

(AUG 23 - SEPT 22)

(NOV 22 - DEC 21)

You keep on searching for something that really isn’t worth searching for. The more you look outside the window of your house, the more you miss the beauty of that home that sheltered you for years.

The more you keep running after someone you really don’t know, and you really don’t deserve, you miss the opportunity to be happy with those who will leave everything to chase after you.

PISCES (FEB 19 - MAR 20)

The stars are reminding you to minimize stress by ignoring the unnecessary details that will only exhaust your time. When you waste your time complaining on the things that really wouldn’t make you productive, you lose the opportunity of being able to taste the main dish life has specially prepared for you. Skip the drama and mind your priorities.

There might be some conflicts with your family and career this week. But don’t get bothered. The strength of your spirit will be your anchor on those shaky days. Just keep that spirit up and maintain that positivity that radiates from your inner being. You might not know it but, you, Virgo have the power to turn things your way. So, hold on to that hope and be brave!

To accomplish the things you have to do, you must set the goals right before driving. Someone will tell you that what you need is a sense of direction. Those are the heaven’s way of letting you know that you can only get to the peak of you have your compass and your map with you. You may be an experienced traveller but the rules of the journey and the entire landscape changes through time.

www.canadianinquirer.net

You’ve been really tired of the fighting lately. Whether it’s a fight with a friend, a family member, your boss, your officemate, or maybe with just yourself, don’t lose hope. Fighting is only there when you allow it to be there. Always remember that you were always trained to get along.

AUGUST 1, 2014 FRIDAY 42

www.canadianinquirer.net

FRIDAY AUGUST 1, 2014

43

Travel

Considering a group tour for your next trip?

Here’s how to pick the tour that’s right for you The Associated Press NEW YORK—Group tours sound easy: Choose a destination and the tour company plans your trip, delivering you to hotels, restaurants and attractions. You don’t have to Google or organize a thing.

But how do you find the right tour to begin with, one that fits your age, activity levels and preferences for lodging, dining and sightseeing? And what’s the difference between the $2,000 tour and the $8,000 tour to the same place, the same week?

Here are some tips.

Start your research

Travel agents can recommend tour companies to match your interests and demographics. One place to start your own research is USTOA.com, the website of the U.S. Tour Operators Association, which represents 160 brands, including overseas companies with U.S. offices. USTOA.com’s “Find your dream vacation” widget lets you search by destination, tour company and activity—from birdwatching to Oktoberfest.

Tour listings at TourRadar.com also include ratings for comfort level and how physically demanding tours are. And many of TourRadar’s partners include age recommendations. Topdeck tours, for example, list an 18-39 age range because they cater to a young party crowd. TourRadar also embeds reviews from recent travellers along with messages about upcoming departures.

Comments like “Who is ready to party on this trip?” and “I’m stoked!” show the vibe for an Amalfi Coast trip. TourRadar’s Meet app helps travellers connect

with others on the same itinerary with comments like, “We’ll be in Rio a few days early, anyone keen to join us to see some sights?”

What you get for your money

Most group tours cover all hotels, guides, transportation to places on the itinerary and admission to attractions— though activities like zip lining may be extra. Most meals are usually covered too, but ask what, if any, are not. If you want more than standard fare, ask: Is breakfast and dinner taken in the hotel every day, at chain restaurants, or at momand-pop cafes? The larger the group, the harder it is to dine in small, offbeat eateries.

Airfare to and from your home city is not included in tour costs.

The two biggest

cost factors in any tour, according to USTOA President Terry Dale, are group size and type of accommodations. An intimate group tour with eight or 10 travellers staying at fourand five-star hotels can easily be four times the cost of a large group in three-star lodging at the same destination.

Budget tours sometimes save money by booking hotels outside city centres. That makes it difficult to explore on your own when there’s downtime, so ask whether accommodations are in central locations, near major attractions or outside of town.

Time of year affects price, too. Holidays and summer— when you’re competing with kids on school vacation—are usually more expensive. Fall is often cheapest except for plac-

es like New England where fall foliage is a draw. Unlike cruises and hotels, group tours don’t usually have last-minute deals, but booking well ahead may get you a discount. Pick a few companies, subscribe to newsletters and follow them on Facebook to watch for deals.

As for tipping guides, some luxury tours include tips, Dale says, but most tours suggest tipping 3 per cent to 5 per cent of the trip cost, or $6-$8 per day for tour managers, and around $4 a day for local guides.

Interests and activity levels

You may think nothing of walking a few miles or spending hours on your feet exploring new places. But that’s not realistic if you’re normally sedentary or have physical limitations. So ask: Does the tour offer sightseeing mostly through bus w i n -

dows, by trekking up mountain trails, or by walking around neighbourhoods?

Group tours cover every interest under the sun, from volunteering, photography, wineries, history and the arts, to winter sports, biking, hiking and wildlife. If you’re a foodie, look for culinary themes, where you might meet a chef, visit markets and farms, or dine in someone’s home.

Even for classic itineraries, there’s a range of options, from check-the-box visits to top 10 attractions, to behind-thescenes meetings with curators, artists and activists.

The dreaded single supplement

Solo travellers usually pay more because they are single occupants in hotel rooms designed for two. Single supplements can raise tour prices anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.

Some companies help single travellers find compatible roommates. Friendly Planet Travel has a roommatematching service introducing like-minded solo travellers booked on the same trips.

If, after speaking by phone or meeting, single travellers think they’re compatible, they can share a room, saving up to $500 a person, according to Friendly Planet President Peggy Goldman. Solos can also look for roommates on Friendly Planet’s Facebook page. Cosmos tours also offer travellers the option to share a room through a “guaranteed share” program.

TourRadar.com’s Meet app also allows single travellers to connect. And because many of TourRadar’s operators are geared to younger travellers, accommodations range from hostels to tents that easily accommodate solo travellers, avoiding the dreaded single supplement. ■

Seen and Scenes

AUGUST 1, 2014

FRIDAY 44

Members of the Filipino community in Ottawa view the exhibit.

Members of the community brought to life Mabini’s words with the reading of Dekalogo which stirred admiration for the man and his enduring legacies for the country’s foreign relations, civil service and legislation (photo by Ben David)

MABINI FETED IN OTTAWA

Chargéd’Affaires Eric Gerardo E. Tamayo walked the guests through the life of the “Brains of the Revolution,” from his humble origins in Tanauan, Batangas to his rise to the top of General Emilio Aguinaldo’s cabinet.

FILIPINOS RAISE FLAG IN FORT MC

Auburn Bay, Calgary hosts the Ironman 70.3 Triathlon.

Its course, according to reports, is one of the most challenging in the Ironman series and has been voted one of the ‘Top Ten Most Scenic Triathlons in the World’ by Triathlete Magazine. Hundreds of athletes from around the world joined the event which began with a 1.2-mile race around the private 43-acre Auburn Bay Lake. From the Auburn Bay Beach, the triathletes proceeded to Muster Point where they grabbed their bikes and started a 56-mile bike loop course through the Rockies, ending at Glenmore Park.

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

Fe de los Reyes

Gino Padilla with adoring fans.

Randy Santiago singing his ‘80s hits.

MUSIC THROWBACK SCENES

Right: Concert producer Connie Kriaski with Evelyn Lopez

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Events

45 FRIDAY AUGUST 1, 2014

PiM’s Local Charity Launch

By PiM Foundation and Calgary Dream Centre WHEN/WHERE: August 17 at the Dream Center 4510 Macleod Trail South, Calgary

CANADA EVENTS

YUKON NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

Vancouver Pride Parade

By Vancouver Pride Society WHEN/WHERE: 12 noon, August 3 on Robson St., through downtown West End to Sunset Beach.

MORE INFO: Over 150 floats Don’t Forget the Soap Book Launch and Signing

By Marie Claire Lim-Moore WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m., August 6, Chapters Indigo Metrotown, 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby, B.C. MORE INFO: Visit http://bit.ly/ dontforgetthesoap or follow the author at www.facebook.com/dontforgetthesoap or www.twitter/com/ MarieClaireLM

NEWFOUNDLAND

MANITOBA

SASKATCHEWAN

Dimasalang Expressions

By Dimasalang III International Group of Artists WHEN/WHERE: August 1 to 30, at the Vancouver Moat Gallery, Vancouver Public Library, 350 W. Georgia St., Vancouver, BC

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NUNAVUT

BRITISH COLUMBIA ALBERTA

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ONTARIO

Coquitlam Fall Training 2014

By ISS of BC WHEN/WHERE: Training will be delivered over 14 Saturdays from Sept. 13 to Dec. 13 at the Immigrant Services Society of B.C. #200C- 504 Cottonwood Ave. Coquitlam B.C. MORE INFO: Application deadline is Aug. 8. Contact Liza @ 604-3958000 ext. 1706 Wency Cornejo Live in Victoria

By Even 8 Events Production WHEN/WHERE: 6 p.m., August 9, First Metropolitan Church 932 Balmoral Rd., Victoria MORE INFO: with special guest Goldie. For tickets, call 250-984-1620 JIL Church British Columbia Anniversary Celebration

By JIL Canada WHEN/WHERE: 1 p.m., August 17, at the Massey Theatre MORE INFO: Visit www.JILCanada. com

ANCOP Walk 2014

By Ancop Canada WHEN/WHERE: 8 a.m., August 24, at Burnaby Central Park

QUEBEC

A Ba Ka Da atbp By the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa WHEN/WHERE: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., August 16, at the Tahanang Rizal, 8 Rothwell Drive, Ottawa MORE INFO: A day of fun and learning for Filipino-Canadian children. Orientation on Filipino language, history, dance, songs, games and food. Open to Filipino-Canadian children aged 6 to 13.

Filipinas Expo & Multicultural Trade Show

By Philippine Chamber of Commerce-Toronto in collaboration with Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines WHEN/WHERE: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., August 16, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Hall A, North Bldg.

MORE INFO: General Admission $12. Kids 10 & under are free.

Gala Dinner Dance Fundraising By the Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan (FCAV) WHEN/WHERE: August 16 at La Gondola Banquet Hall, 227 Bowes Road, Vaughan, On. MORE INFO: For the renovation and beautification of Patricia Kemp Community Centre, home of FCAV and many other local community groups.

Coconut Festival Canada 2014 WHEN/WHERE: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., August 24 at Artscape Wychwood Barns – 601 Christie St., Toronto, On. MORE INFO: Health lectures, talks and cooking demos, food and health vendors, artisan merchandise and many more.

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FRIDAY AUGUST 1, 2014

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AUGUST 1, 2014

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FRIDAY 48