Philippine Canadian Inquirer Issue #147 by Philippine Canadian Inquirer

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VOL. 12 NO. 147

DECEMBER 25, 2014

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Communist rebels announce cease fire

Aquino is done with politics in 2016

Filipino family wants US Marine in PH custody

Nothing compares to Paskong Pinoy

Vhong Navarro top Google search in PH for 2014

P-Noy reminds youth: Life more than selfies . . . BY NIKKO DIZON Philippine Daily Inquirer

CHRISTMAS CHEER President Benigno S. Aquino III carries a child during the Pasko ng Batang Pinoy 2014 at the Kalayaan Grounds of Malacañang last Friday. The Pasko ng Batang Pinoy Project is part of the DSWD’s program to provide the street children a venue for self-enhancement through various activities to enjoy the spirit of Christmas while impeding them from going out on the streets especially this yuletide season. RYAN LIM / MALACANANG PHOTO BUREAU

2nd NBI raid on drug lord’s ‘kubols’ in Bilibid reveals more contraband BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA — A second raid on the maximum security compound of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) was conducted last

Friday by operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). This time, agents demolished “kubols” or quarters — most of which had been set-up in luxurious fashion — of convicted drug lords

❱❱ PAGE 10 P-Noy reminds

Philippine Canadian Inquirer

Pangarap: What is Doorto-Door Selling? ❱❱ PAGE 30

❱❱ PAGE 6 2nd NBI

LESS SELFIES and “Clash of Clans,” and more idealism. This was the advice President Aquino gave his audience last week during the Jesus is Lord Worldwide Youth Summit, where he exchanged banter on his love life, Pope Francis, his Christmas wish and the perils of new technology. “If we spend so much time taking selfies or strengthening the town in Clash of Clans, of course, it would really be game over for our dreams,” he said, referring to a popular video game. Professing to be “young at heart and

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DECEMBER 25, 2014

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THURSDAY

Philippine News

THURSDAY DECEMBER 25, 2014

Lacson quits as ‘Yolanda’ czar BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA Philippine Daily Inquirer FORMER SEN. Panfilo Lacson has tendered his “irrevocable” resignation as presidential assistant on recovery and rehabilitation in areas devastated by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name Haiyan). The resignation will take effect in mid-February after Lacson’s office completes the transfer of reconstruction-related tasks to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). Lacson last week said in an interview over dzBB radio that he had asked President Aquino for a transition period of one month to hand over his duties to the council. Mr. Aquino had enlisted the former senator in the massive reconstruction effort a month after Yolanda struck on Nov. 8, 2013, leaving more than 6,300 people dead, 1,000 missing and over half a million people homeless. “While the transition is ongoing, I can remain. When it has taken place, I have to slowly fade from the scene,” Lacson said. According to Lacson, whose task it was to coordinate the efforts to rebuild the Yolanda-hit provinces, his office had completed most of its duties and that it was not intended to be permanent in the first place. When the duties of the Office of the Presidential Assistant on Recovery and Rehabilitation (OPARR) are integrated with the NDRRMC, Lacson said, there could be no two leaders handling the same task.

No need for more powers

Former Senator Panfilo Lacson.

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“Otherwise, the unity of command will be lost,” he pointed out. The OPARR personnel and technical consultants and the unutilized portions of grants would be included in the transfer of responsibilities, he said. “I would like to believe he [the President] will see the wisdom of why there is a need for the transition, and why a permanent agency that is covered by a law would need to handle the task,” Lacson said. Lacson reiterated that there was a need for a permanent agency to coordinate the rebuilding and rehabilitation tasks for calamity-stricken areas, given the frequency of natural disasters in the country. He said his office was just an ad hoc body, tasked only to oversee reconstruction efforts following the onslaught of Yolanda and only in areas affected by the strongest cyclone to ever hit land. Similar task forces are set up during severe

Philippine communist rebels announce cease fires for Christmas and pope’s visit THE ASSOCIATED PRESS MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Philippine communist rebels last week declared cease-fire periods for the Christmas holidays and for the visit of Pope Francis next month. The Communist Party of the Philippines ordered its armed wing, the New People’s Army, to halt offensives against soldiers and police on Dec. 24-26, Dec. 31-Jan. 1 and during the pope’s visit on Jan. 15-19. The military earlier this week announced a month-long cease-fire with

the communist rebels through to Jan. 19, but said that operations against Muslim militants will continue. The Communist Party said in a statement that the cease-fire for the pope’s visit is “an opportunity for religious celebration and to raise outstanding issues such as military abuses and violations of human rights” and corruption. The party will mark its 46th founding anniversary on Dec. 26. It launched the armed struggle in 1969. The 45-year Marxist insurgency is one of the longest-running in Asia. Talks to end the fighting have stalled. ■

calamities, he also pointed out. “A task force is too ad hoc, but storms are not ad hoc and hit the country permanently. We even run out of letters of the alphabet [to name storms],” he said. The NDRRMC law contains a provision requiring a review of what it had accomplished by May next year, Lacson noted. Since Congress may review the law, one thing it could look into is institutionalizing rehabilitation and recovery efforts, he said.

He also said that he did not see a need to ask for additional powers since the responsibilities of the OPARR would be transferred to another agency anyway. If he had done so, he would just add another layer to the chain, he said. The OPARR has also accomplished its goals, including the submission of the comprehensive rehabilitation and recovery plan for Yolanda-hit areas, as well as the inclusion of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, he said. He said the oversight aspect was also being completed with the setting up of the “eMPATHY” website, which stands for eManagement Platform: Accountability and Transparency Hub for Yolanda. The website could be used to track down expenditures for some 18,000 projects in the multibillion-peso effort to help the ravaged provinces. Lacson also said that while he was initially frustrated in his job, since he thought he was given a lot of responsibilities but little authority, he was later able to fulfill his mandate. When international aid and help from the private sector poured in, his office was able to get rolling and was also able to build the transparency hub, he said. ■

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Philippine News

DECEMBER 25, 2014

THURSDAY

Poe pushes wiretapping bill to fight corruption BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA Philippine Daily Inquirer

tablishment, if necessary, in the course of an ongoing criminal or administrative investigation. It would also allow the Ombudsman to seize any object or SEN. GRACE Poe has filed a bill that article that could be used in its probe. would expand the powers of the Office Poe said the bill would allow the Ofof the Ombudsman, which she said were fice of the Ombudsman to create and ad“not enough to efficiently combat cor- minister its own witness protection and ruption despite its being the primary an- whistleblowing programs and to mainticorruption agency of the government.” tain its own intelligence enforcement or Under the bill, Ombudsman probers protective services unit. shall be allowed to employ wiretapping It will give the Ombudsman authoras an investigative technique when re- ity to deputize private lawyers to act as quired by circumstances. investigators or prosecutors, operating It could be employed when investigat- under its direct control and supervision, ing plunder, graft and corruption, forfei- she said. ture of ill-gotten wealth and other such In administrative proceedings, it has cases where wiretapbeen proposed that ping may be allowed penalties to be imafter an application posed by the Omfor and grant of judibudsman be implecial authority. mented even during Poe earlier pitched the election period. for an amendment to To protect Omthe anti-wiretapping budsman investigalaw to include electors and prosecutors tion fraud as one of Under the bill, from harassment, the instances when Ombudsman Poe proposed that a court could legally probers they be made imauthorize a wiretap, shall be mune from criminal, along with terrorism, allowed administrative and espionage and other to employ civil suits arising crimes concerning wiretapping from their mandate national security. as an and the regular exerPoe’s bill was proinvestigative cise of their official pelled by the “Hello technique functions. Garci” scandal, in when required which former Presiby Penalties dent Gloria Macapacircumstances. She said that any ga-Arroyo was caught person found guilty in a wiretapped conof misbehavior in the versation asking an presence of or near election officer about an officer of the Ofher lead in the 2004 fice of the Ombudsrace for the presidenman, or who would cy. Arroyo, who ran obstruct or interagainst Poe’s father, rupt its proceedings, the late actor Fercould be held in connando Poe Jr, won the election. tempt by the hearing officer subject to the approval of the Ombudsman. Granted powers The offender may be fined P5,000 or In her bill, Poe also proposes that the imprisoned for 10 days, without prejuOmbudsman be granted the power to dice to the filing of a criminal case. compel the appearance of witnesses or The senator also wants to make it the presentation of evidence at any stage unlawful for any person who receives a of an investigation or inquiry. subpoena or other request for informaThe measure would also give the Om- tion from the Office of the Ombudsman budsman the authority to examine both to disclose to any person any informabank and nonbank accounts or records tion about the orders or proceedings. and transactions, including deposits, The penalty for violation would be a trusts and investments of suspects even six-month to threeyear imprisonment prior to the filing of a case before the and a P50,000 to P500,000 fine. court, she said. “These additional powers are being proposed in order to keep the OmbudsWitness protection man from becoming a toothless tiger in It would allow the Ombudsman to en- the fight against increasingly sophister, visit, inspect or break into any gov- ticated and advanced criminals in the ernment office or public premise or es- government’s ranks,” Poe said. ■

House OKs bill defining Philippine waters BY DJ YAP Philippine Daily Inquirer AMID SEA disputes with neighboring countries, the House of Representatives has approved a bill defining the Philippines’ territorial waters over which it exercises sovereign rights to explore and exploit resources. Last Wednesday, the day it adjourned for the Christmas break, the lower chamber passed the proposed “Philippine Maritime Zones Act” under House Bill No. 4889 authored by Albay Rep. Al Francis Bichara, chair of the foreign affairs committee. “This bill is a general declaration and definition of the maritime zones under the jurisdiction of the Philippines,” said Bichara and his coauthors, Magdalo party-list Rep. Francisco Ashley Acedillo, Muntinlupa Rep. Rodolfo Biazon, and Bukidnon Rep. Jose Zubiri III. The measure provides for the sovereign rights or jurisdiction over the country’s maritime zones, acquiring for the country the “exclusive rights to explore and exploit living and nonliving, organic

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or nonorganic resources found in these zones,” in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) and other existing laws and treaties. The legislators said the statute would provide the necessary flexibility in the enactment of subsequent laws pertinent to the rights and obligations to which the Philippines is entitled and may exercise over its maritime zones in accordance with international law. They pointed out that the country, as a signatory to the Unclos, recognizes the establishment of various maritime zones and jurisdictions of coastal states, including its own, over which their sovereign rights may be exercised. The bill states that the maritime zones of the country shall be composed of its internal waters, archipelagic waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf. Maritime zones “All territories of the Philippines shall generate their respective maritime zones in accordance with international law,” according to the ❱❱ PAGE 10 House OKs

Philippine News

THURSDAY DECEMBER 25, 2014

Navy modernization going full speed ahead PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY MANILA — With 2014 coming to close, the Philippine Navy (PN) reported that its modernization program is going full speed ahead as the service is now getting more up-to-date weapons and equipment. These acquisitions will enable the PN to boost the country’s maritime defense capabilities, said Navy vice commander Rear Admiral Caesar C. Taccad He said the acquisitions include air and floating assets, infantry weapons and bomb disposal suits. First in the list is the acquisition of two vessels that address the challenges in the pursuit of Navy’s strategic maritime interests. These are the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF-15) and BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16), a 378foot weather high endurance Hamilton-class cutter from the US Coast Guard. The BRP Gregorio Del Pilar was acquired in May 2011 while her sister-ship, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, was transferred to the PN in May 2012. He added that this acquisition is intended for the Offshore Combat Force that will provide a springboard for the future acquisition of modern naval assets for the defense of our territorial waters and maritime domain.

“Complementing these floating assets are the (AgustaWestland) AW-109, a light-weight, twin-engine, eight-seat multipurpose naval helicopters. These air assets work in tandem with the PF-15 and PF-16 to enhance the maritime air patrol and surveillance capabilities of the navy and likewise for the conduct of disaster response operations,” Taccad added. The aircraft was delivered and commissioned into PN service last December. Two more, the armed versions, are expected to be delivered within the first quarter of 2015. Aside from these, he was also pleased to announce that the PN is now replacing its aged M-16 automatic rifles, used by its Marine units, with the M-4 (5.56mm) assault rifles. Taccad said these weapons will significantly contribute to the development and transformation of the Marines into a multi-mission-oriented force, capable of effectively addressing both internal and external threats. The 5,000 M-4 units were distributed to Navy and Marine outfits last November. “The M-4s (will be) augmented with 5,000 units of close combat optics, a battery red-dot type aiming device that enhance the target acquisition speed of ground troops. Further reinforcing other weapons in the rifle squad/fire team

The BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16) is one of the acquisitions that the Philippine Navy obtained in 2012 as part of an overall and ongoing upgrade strategy. PHILIPPINE NAVY / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

thereby enhancing its firepower without adversely affecting its capabilities to maneuver are the 40-millimeter grenade launchers,” the PN vice commander said. Aside from this, the Philippine Marine Corps also undertook the delivery of 220 new units of 7.62mm general purpose machine guns intended to fill the role of either a light machine-gun or medium machinegun, while at the same time being man-portable. Delivery took place early this year. “This weapon primarily pro-

vides multi-role automatic fire support weapon to Marine infantry squads and fire-teams, especially the Force Recon teams and Special Operations platoons,” Taccad added. Completing the list of the newly-acquired capabilities are the explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) suits that contain helmets, visors, suits and other EOD accessories. “These equipped the marines for the safe and effective conduct of EOD operations especially in areas where terrorist groups are operating,” Taccad stressed.

The acquisition of these assets is just the start as the Philippine Navy is set to acquire more capability upgrades under the currently ongoing modernization projects, he added. “The organization continues to sustain its bid to modernization with the scheduled delivery of strategic sealift vessels (SSV), small amphibian vehicles, force protection equipment, automatic grenade launchers and personal role radio and ongoing procurement process of major projects like frigates, anti-submarine helicopters and missile capable multi-purpose attack crafts,” the PN vice commander stated. He added that the upgrade of PN capabilities through the acquisition of new ships, small crafts and aircraft; the establishment of maritime situational awareness center and littoral observatory stations; and the formulation of the active archipelagic defense strategy have enhanced the organization’s capability for territorial defense operations, internal security operation and humanitarian assistance and disaster response. “All of these efforts at enhancing capacity and building capability serve to bring the institution closer to realizing the vision of a strong and credible Navy that the Philippines, as a maritime nation, can be proud of,” Taccad said. ■

PCSO: DSWD need not take unclaimed lotto pot BY JOVIC YEE Philippine Daily Inquirer UNCLAIMED LOTTO prizes do not just sit in the bank. The money is used to finance the program of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), according to Jose Ferdinand Rojas II, PCSO vice chair and general manager, in comments on a bill in the House of Representatives that would give unclaimed lotto prizes to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Rep. Winston Castelo of Quezon City filed House Bill 5257, the proposed DSWDEnhanced Social Welfare Program Act of

2014, that would authorize the DSWD to use the PCSO’s unclaimed lotto prizes to improve its services. Castelo’s proposal stemmed from an inquiry conducted by the House committee on games and amusement, where Rojas disclosed that from 2006 to 2013, unclaimed lotto prizes amounted to P3.35 billion. In a statement, Rojas said the public did not need to worry that unclaimed lotto prizes just sit in the PCSO’s bank accounts. “These funds are actively used to support the programs of the PCSO [that have made the agency a source of relief for Filipinos in need] in the past 80 years,” he said. Rojas said that for this year,

the PCSO had so far released medical assistance of “P16 million to P18 million daily,” a fourfold increase from 2010 when the agency released an average of P4.5 million a day. He said the PCSO charter was clear that “balances of any funds in the PCSO, including the prize fund where lotto prizes are taken from, shall revert to and form part of the charity [fund], which shall be used for health programs... and for medical assistance and services or charities of national character.” Rojas said the P3.35 billion unclaimed prizes was used to fund the agency’s charity programs. Even without the bill, Rojas www.canadianinquirer.net

said the PCSO was “more than willing to cooperate and coordinate with any government agencies, especially in the delivery of health and social services.” He cited that in times of calamities, the PCSO hands out medical supplies to the DSWD for its relief operations. At present, Rojas said 55 percent of the revenue generated by the agency from its games go to the prize fund, 30 percent to the charity fund and the remaining 15 percent to operations. The PCSO, he said, does not receive any funding from the national government. The average P8 billion that goes to the charity fund each

year helps support the agency’s flagship Individual Medical Assistance Program (IMAP) that subsidizes the hospital bills of indigent patients in need of financial help. Other programs supported by the charity fund are the ambulance donation, endowment fund, and medical equipment and medicine donation programs. The PCSO also helps support other government agencies like the Commission on Higher Education and National Museum, Rojas said. When asked if the PCSO was hoping that the bill wouldn’t be passed into a law, Rojas replied, “We’ll leave it to the wisdom of the lawmakers.” ■

Philippine News

DECEMBER 25, 2014

THURSDAY

Bring NBP to way it should be — De Lima BY TARRA QUISMUNDO, KRISTINE FELISSE MANGUNAY AND NANCY CARVAJAL Philippine Daily Inquirer KEEP THE prisons the way they are supposed to be. This was Justice Secretary Leila de Lima’s marching orders to the newly appointed officers in charge (OIC) at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), the country’s main prison facility which last week yielded a shocking haul of contraband, from drugs, firearms and cash to sex dolls and luxury comforts. De Lima, who led two successive raids into the Muntinlupa facility’s maximum security compound last week, ordered the new NBP leadership to enforce stricter security and to watch their people to make sure they did their jobs. “Strictly enforce prison rules and regulations to avert the entry of any and all contraband and the commission of prison-based anomalies,” De Lima said in texted instructions to the new officials which she showed to the INQUIRER. She said the orders were also directed at Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director Franklin Jesus Bucayu, whom she earlier credited for the success of the raids and said should not be faulted for the horrors uncovered at the NBP. Last Friday, Bucayu ordered the relief of NBP Supt. Roberto Rabo, NBP deputy chief Celso Bravo and Davao Penal Colony head Supt. Denario Tesoro, who had previously headed the Muntinlupa prison. Taking their place on Monday were Supt. Richard Schwarzkopf Jr., who was appointed NBP head, and Supt. Rachel Ruello, who will be the new deputy chief while serving as the concurrent head of the Women’s Correctional. Supt. Geraldo Padilla was named Tesoro’s replacement in Davao. De Lima directed the prison leadership to police its ranks amid suspicions that prison officials may have granted special treatment to high-profile inmates who were allowed to construct

air-conditioned and Jacuzzi-furnished private quarters for themselves and install a full-blown performance hall. Not the end of shake-up “Do regular monitoring and policing of all the prison guards and supervisors to ensure faithful execution of their duties,” De Lima said. Bucayu yesterday said the shake-up at the NBP would not end with the sacking of the three high-ranking prison officials. “The investigation is still ongoing. We will see who else, if any, has to be sanctioned,” he said. According to Bucayu, the investigation is focusing “initially” on who had allowed the illegal entry of the contraband, but that it would expand to include those who may have committed other infractions. “We will look at everything, all aspects, all facets. [We will look at] who has gone AWOL (absent without leave) for a long time, for example,” he said. The three sacked officials will be reassigned to the BuCor headquarters and may be given “only light jobs,” according to Bucayu. But a guard stationed at the NBP entrance yesterday said that Rabo and Bravo still reported for work at the NBP that day. Phone calls to Rabo went unanswered, while Bravo’s phone appeared to have been turned off. Meanwhile, upon the advice of her security people, De Lima has restricted her movements and has posted a bombsniffing dog outside her office at the Department of Justice building. “We have taken several security measures. My outside engagements, especially in open and public places, have been restricted,” she said in a text message. “The presence of the dog outside my office is just a temporary security measure while the NBP issue is still burning,” she said. De Lima also clarified that her ultimatum to gang leaders to surrender all contraband was only up to Dec. 24. ■

New Bilibid Prison, the country’s main prison facility.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

2nd NBI... and robbery gang kingpins. firearms, liquor, luxury items (such as a According to reports by ra- hot tub), a Playstation 4, a sex doll, hundio station DZMM, Justice dreds of thousands in cash, expensive Secretary Leila de Lima ordered po- wristwatches, and other contraband lice commandos to conduct a thorough from within the prison. search of five kubols used by Arman De Lima expressed her belief that the Agojo, Vicente Sy, Eugene Chua and guards are in collusion with the inmates, Benjamin Marcelo. and has issued “show cause” memos to More contraband Bilibid officials to was found, including explain how and why two air conditioning the contraband items units hidden in the were brought into ceiling of Sy’s kubol. and tolerated in the De Lima also orOperatives prison. dered a two-storey who conducted “They better have dwelling space of the an initial a good explanation, high-profile prisonraid on otherwise nanganers to be stripped of Monday seized ganib na sila (otherits luxurious fittings illegal drugs, wise, they will be in and converted into a firearms, liquor, perilous position.),” common area for inluxury items . she said. mates. . . and other Meanhwile, SenaThe justice chief contraband tors Francis Escureprimanded Bufrom within the dero and Sergio Osreau of Corrections prison. mena III, as well as (BuCor) staff and some members of the officials for their House of Represennegligence and their tatives, have called failure to monitor for the removal from the smuggling of contraband into the office of BuCor director Franklin Buprison. cayu; on the premise of lying to cover up Operatives who conducted an initial the situation, or incompetence for lack raid on Monday seized illegal drugs, of knowledge about it. ■ ❰❰ 1

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Philippine News

THURSDAY DECEMBER 25, 2014

Not so fast; acting Department of Health chief not a shoo-in for post BY NIKKO DIZON Philippine Daily Inquirer WHOA! Not so fast. Enrique Ona may be officially out of the Department of Health (DOH), but Acting Health Secretary Janette Garin may not yet claim his office. President Aquino has not yet named a successor to Ona, Malacañang said last week, so Garin has to wait for the papers officially giving the job to her. “The President has not yet decided on who to appoint (as) the successor to Secretary Ike Ona. What will happen is we will have a status quo,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said on governmentrun Radyo ng Bayan. Lacierda said Garin would remain acting secretary until “any permanent appointment has been announced.” Reached for comment yesterday, Garin said: “We’re just awaiting instructions from Malacañang. We will respect whatever is the decision of Malacañang.” Ona resigned in late November amid an investigation into the DOH’s purchase of pneumonia vaccines worth P800 million, but President Aquino accepted his resignation only on Friday. Reason unknown

Lacierda said it remained unknown why Mr. Aquino accepted Ona’s resignation. “What we were told and as mentioned by Secretary (Herminio) Coloma yesterday is that the executive secretary informed Secretary Ike Ona of the President’s acceptance of his resignation. Other than that statement, we have no information,” Lacierda said.

Garin takes over

Curiously, Mr. Aquino accepted Ona’s resignation although he had yet to complete his assessment of Ona’s explanation of his decision to buy the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 10 (PCV 10) instead of the supposedly more cost-efficient PCV 13. In October, Mr. Aquino sent Ona on a monthlong leave to put together an explanation for his controversial decision. Garin took over as acting health secretary, presiding over the Philippines’ response to the worsening Ebola outbreak in West Africa, including visiting on Nov. 16 Filipino peacekeepers on Caballo Island where they were quarantined after being recalled from Ebola-strick- Enrique Ona may be officially out of the Department of Health, but Acting Health Secretary Janette Garin (pictured) may not yet claim his office until Malacanang gives the word. en Liberia. WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Even as OIC, Garin shuffled personnel in the health department, including handing a Time with family Despite the television report, in President Aquino directed fourth-level directorship to the As it turned out, Ona resigned which the contents of Ona’s letter the National Bureau of Invesdancing Health Assistant Sec- on Nov. 27, or at least that’s the were read, Lacierda said no one tigation to look into the alleged retary Eric Tayag, who is also date of his letter of resignation, knew the “context” of the letter. irregularities in the procureunder investigation for the vac- in which, according to a televi“[I]t’s a matter between the ment of the vaccines. cine purchase. sion report on Friday night, he President and Secretary Ike The investigation supposTayag danced off the scene, cited the health department’s Ona,” he said. “So we will leave edly stemmed from a complaint but is still working at the DOH, achievements on his watch and it at that in the meantime.” filed directly in the Office of where Garin has The INQUIR- the President by the National become the new ER learned that Center for Pharmaceutical Acstar. President Aqui- cess and Management, and the It was also no and Ona had World Health Organization Garin who sucWe’re just awaiting instructions not yet seen each (WHO). cessfully defendfrom Malacañang. We will respect other since Ona But the WHO denied it was ed the health whatever is the decision sent his resigna- among those who filed a comd e p a r t m e n t ’s of Malacañang. tion to Malaca- plaint against Ona. P102.2-billion ñang on Monday. budget for 2015 Antipneumonia program in the Senate. Savings for gov’t The antipneumonia program Ona was supIn his expla- initially targeted 700,000 chilposed to return to work in No- expressed his desire to spend nation to the President, Ona dren under 1 year old from the vember, but Malacañang ex- more time with his family. maintained that his decision to poorest families listed in the tended his explanation leave “The President is still assess- approve the purchase of PCV 10 government’s National Housewithout letting the public in on ing the report ... Suffice it to say instead of PCV 13 was the “best hold Targeting System for Povwhat’s really going on. that since Secretary Ike Ona judgment” to “optimize limited erty Reduction. Last week, the President told issued his— or, rather, wrote a government resources.” The government ultimately reporters that he wanted Ona letter to the President about his PCV 10 is cheaper by $1 per decided to roll out a nationwide to explain “three to four more courtesy resignation, the Presi- dose compared with PCV 13, vaccination program for 1 milissues,” but did not say what dent deemed it best to accept saving the government some lion year-old children from the those “issues” were. the resignation,” Lacierda said. P231.7 million. poorest families. ■

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Philippine News

DECEMBER 25, 2014 THURSDAY

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Manila government officials have vowed to get the facilities of the “Big Three” oil companies out of the Pandacan depot by next year, but experts say it may take up to a decade before the 33-hectare property can be considered environmentally safe for other uses. WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Pandacan oil depot ‘decontamination’ pushed after Big 3 exit Cleanup can already create jobs, says exec BY NATHANIEL R. MELICAN Philippine Daily Inquirer

subjects, said PUP had actively campaigned for the removal of the depot, as strong fumes from the facility often reached the PUP campus on the other side of the Pasig River. The fumes, she recalled, caused panic among students and even led to an evacuation and the cancellation of classes several times in 2001 and 2002. “The Manila health department has long confirmed that fumes from the depot can be smelled by people across the river [and that] petroleum may have

ence and Technology and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources have committed to help with the cleanup of the depot. MANILA CITY government officials The cleanup effort itself could already have vowed to get the facilities of the generate jobs for Pandacan residents, “Big Three” oil companies out of the Gasgonia said. At present, PUP students Pandacan depot by next year, but experts are also conducting a survey of the resisay it may take up to a decade before the dents’ job skills to assess their employ33-hectare property can be considered ability once the oil facilities give way to environmentally safe for commercial or new economic activities, Atienza added. residential developments. City Hall has given Petron, Chevron Teresita Atienza, dean of the Polytechand Shell until July 2015 to move out of nic University of the Pandacan following Philippines (PUP)a Nov. 24 Supreme College of Science, Court decision ordersaid “decontaminating the oil companies ing” the land to be It will take a long time to remove any oil spillage submit a comprehenvacated by Petron in the land and for it to be revived again. We sive relocation plan Corp., Chevron Philare recommending bioremediation or the use of to be implemented ippines and Pilipinatural organisms to decontaminate the land and within six months. nas Shell Petroleum the river (next to it). Voting 10-2, the Corp. would involve high court upheld a long, technically arthe legality of Manila duous process. Ordinance No. 8027 “It will take a long time to remove already leached into the soil. We must which was passed during the term of any oil spillage in the land and for it to definitely do a cleanup here before we then Mayor Lito Atienza ordering the oil be revived again. We are recommending can build something,” said Donna Gas- companies to relocate from Pandacan. bioremediation or the use of natural or- gonia, the local government coordinator Citing the dangers posed by the depot ganisms to decontaminate the land and for the oil depot relocation efforts. to surrounding residential areas, the SC the river (next to it). Perhaps in 10 years “We don’t want another Rockwell ruling thus repealed Ordinance No. 8187 we could see the effects,” Atienza said in Power Plant to happen here,” Gasgonia passed under Atienza’s successor Ala press conference last week. said, referring to the problem then faced fredo Lim, which basically set aside the The PUP official explained that the by Rockwell Land Corp. in 1999, when earlier ordinance and allowed the depot depot, in operation since 1914, could the developer had to remove tons of con- to stay. be leaking petroleum and other toxic taminated soil and liquid at the Makati Chevron said in earlier statements that chemicals which must be extracted from City property before it could be trans- it had not been using the facility since the soil before building new structures formed into an upscale commercial and May, while Petron said it would be scalin the area. residential area. ing down its operations in the depot, with Atienza, who teaches natural science Atienza said the Department of Sci- some of its oil tanks already empty. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

Philippine News

THURSDAY DECEMBER 25, 2014

Recto warns of misuse of coco levy fund BY TJ BURGONIO Philippine Daily Inquirer SEN. RALPH Recto has warned of a possible misuse of the trust fund to be created out of the monies collected from coconut farmers during martial law. “Here we are creating another trust fund and there are so many off-budget items in the government. Before long, the people tasked to spend this money might benefit from it themselves,” he said. Three Senate bills by Recto and Senators Cynthia Villar and Paolo Benigno Aquino IV seek the creation of a trust fund out of the coco levies and of a body that would manage the fund. If at all, Recto said a portion of the principal as well as the income interest of fund should be spent on the first year for the coconut farmers. “It’s necessary to spend part of the principal immediately, not just the interest income,” he said. Villar assured her colleague

that her bill specifies percentages of the principal to be spent over a certain period to avoid possible misuse. Since Congress has yet to pass a law on the disposition of the fund, President Aquino has begun crafting an executive order detailing how the farmers would benefit from the fund. Presidential Commission on Good Government officials said the government was the “trustee” of some P80 billion in coco levy fund and assets. The Supreme Court recently granted the government’s motion for partial entry of judgment on 753.8-million shares in the San Miguel Corp., a 31-percent Series 1 block purchased through the coco levy. SC ruling

The ruling cleared the way for the funneling of P60 billion for the benefit of the 3.5-million coconut farmers. Rafael Mariano, national chair of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, said subjecting the disbursement of the

fund to the President’s approv- about this, warning that the Court decisions, the Supreme al would in effect turn it into a government ran the risk of be- Court has strengthened the “discretionary fund.” ing reversed by the Supreme role of Congress in spending “We are opposed to the EO. Court as what had happened in public funds. Because by their The fund will become discre- the Malampaya fund. very nature, these are public tionary and pork barrel because “My problem with the PD funds in trust for the coconut it’s subject to the approval of 1234, although I have not seen industry,” he added. the President. It The Malamjust so happened paya Fund repthat P-Noy is the resents governPresident. So ment revenue that will become from the sale of his discretionary Here we are creating another trust natural gas from fund and pork fund and there are so many offthe Malampaya barrel,” Mariano budget items in the government. gas fields. said in an interBefore long, the people tasked to Section 8 of view. spend this money might benefit from Presidential Without a law it themselves. Decree 910 proyet from Convides for the use gress, officials of the special said the Presifund to finance dent would be energy resource invoking Presidevelopment dential Decree 1234 to autho- it, is that this is similar to the and exploitation programs and rize the Philippine Coconut Malampaya fund. The Supreme “for such other purposes as may Authority to disburse the fund Court has decided to strike be directed by the President.” once the EO is in effect. down portions of the MalamIn a landmark ruling in NoPD 1234 outlines the pro- paya, the PD creating that, and vember 2013, the high court cedure for the use of the fund, ruled that the President can struck down this provision alwhile the EO would fasttrack only spend it for energy-related lowing the President to use the the process, the officials said. projects,” Recto said. special fund for non-energy reRecto expressed misgivings “With the recent Supreme lated projects. ■

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Philippine News

DECEMBER 25, 2014 THURSDAY

P-Noy reminds... in looks,” Mr. Aquino, The President was also asked 54, however, couldn’t why it was important to have help but be fatherly young people serving in govwhen he sounded off about the ernment. Net. Mr. Aquino answered: “The “Of course, it is up to you how youth in general is a primary you want to use the technol- motive force for change in soogy available now. But do not ciety. When you are older, when forget to be astute. Not every- you have certain sets of responthing on the Internet is true. sibilities, then you tend to comNot because something is viral promise some of the principles or trending, we should spend or the beliefs that you had when time on it,” he told some 10,000 you were younger. The young, members of the Kristiyanong therefore, are the main means Kabataan para sa Bayan ( KKB), to rekindle these principles.” on its 10th anniversary. In a way, the “older set” might The KKB is the youth arm of have forgotten their idealism, the Jesus Is Lord (JIL) Church, the President added. which is led by one of Mr. Aqui“The experience of the no’s friends, Sec. Joel Villan- older set and the strength, ueva, the head resilience and of the Technical energy of the Education and youthful set Skills Developcombined ... bement Authority But do not comes a neces(Tesda). forget to be sary component The President, astute. Not to effect chang54, said he did everything es right away,” not think twice on the Internet is Mr. Aquino about attending true. said. the youth sumAsked what he mit. wished for this “Why should Christmas, the I let pass the chance to be with President said he wants “to young people? (It) is important, make sure that Filipino families to be with young people like get in touch and rebond with myself,” the President said to each other, reunite and keep applause and cheers. that family intact ... regardless Asked “the top three things” of the distances involved. that he and Pope Francis might A Filipino-Canadian who talk about during the papal visit identified himself as Martin next month, Mr. Aquino said: said he was among the many “Perhaps we might talk about young people praying for Presthe state of the Church that we ident Aquino’s love life. To belong to. We might also talk which the chief executive reabout what we are all doing to- plied: “Maybe we should pray ward what we call the ‘Kingdom harder, but thank you!” of God’ here on earth, while we As the summit ended, Mr. are here.” Aquino agreed to pose for a Mr. Aquino, a Catholic, said selfie with Martin, with the rest he would like to thank the Pope of the young audience at Smart for showing that the Catholic Araneta Coliseum in the backChurch is very much alive. ground. ■ ❰❰ 1

President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the Youth Summit 2014 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City this past Friday. ROBERT VIÑAS / MALACAÑANG PHOTO BUREAU

Aquino says he’s done with politics when he steps down in 2016 BY NIKKO DIZON Philippine Daily Inquirer HE’S RETIRING from politics when he steps down from office on June 30, 2016, President Aquino told some 10,000 participants of a youth summit last week. “By 2016, I am retired from politics,” Mr. Aquino told members of Kristiyanong Kabataan Para sa Bayan, the youth arm of Jesus Is Lord Church during its Worldwide Youth Summit. But before retiring, he wants to ensure that the country would be in much better shape than when he first took over in 2010, the President added, cit-

ing the need for young people to have a sense of purpose despite the many distractions offered them by the social media. “There are more (distractions) during your time now that there was during my time. But here you are going toward something with meaning, something of value and something that will redound to others’ benefit. Given that, why shouldn’t I support the things that you are undertaking ... we ask ourselves what is the purpose of all the things we do?” Mr. Aquino said. He added: “I have nephews (and nieces) around your age. Definitely that is my motive force. Will they go through

what I had gone through? Will we just watch the teleseryes that don’t end and the stories (that) are just repeated?” he asked his audience. “Or perhaps you should be able to have higher goals because we already did what we had to do before we passed on to you the responsibility (of running the country),” the President said. A few months ago, Mr. Aquino appeared to toy briefly with the idea of seeking a second term to ensure the continuation of his administration’s gains, given the the poor survey ratings of the Liberal Party’s presumptive presidential candidate, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas. ■

from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.” The bill also defines the continental shelf of the Philippines as comprising “the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas that extend beyond its territorial sea throughout the natural prolongation of its land territory to the outer edge of the continental margin, or to a distance of 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which

the breadth of the territorial sea is measured where the outer edge of the continental margin does not extend up to that distance.” The Philippines shall exercise sovereign rights over those areas, including the right to explore and exploit its resources according to the Unclos and existing laws and treaties, the authors said. The bill also provides that other rights not stipulated in

the proposed law shall be exercised by the country in accordance with international law and the laws of the country. If the maritime zones of the Philippines overlap with the maritime zones claimed by other countries, the Philippines “shall delimit these zones and endeavor to resolve the overlaps according to the recognized means under international law,” the authors said. ■

House OKs... measure. Archipelagic waters shall refer to the waters on the landward side of the archipelagic baselines except as provided for under the provisions defining the internal waters of the country. ❰❰ 4

‘Belt of sea’

Territorial sea shall refer “to the belt of sea measured 12 nautical miles from the baselines or from the low-water line, as the

case may be.” The contiguous zone shall refer to the “waters beyond and adjacent to the territorial sea and up to the extent of 24 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.” On the other hand, the EEZ of the country shall refer to “the waters beyond and adjacent to its territorial sea and up to the extent of 200 nautical miles

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Philippine News

THURSDAY DECEMBER 25, 2014

State honors set for country’s first-ever Muslim national artist BY NIÑA P. CALLEJA Philippine Daily Inquirer THE COUNTRY’S first Muslim national artist, Dr. Abdulmari Asia Imao, will be accorded full state honors on his funeral as part of the government’s tribute for his contributions to art and culture. The sculptor, painter, photographer, ceramist, documentary filmmaker, cultural researcher, writer, and articulator of Philippine Muslim art and culture, passed away on Dec. 16, of a suspected heart attack. He was 78. In a statement, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) said last Thursday that the government had set a necrological tribute for the national artist on Dec. 21, 8 a.m. at Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (main theater), of the CCP. “State funeral and honors [will] follow at Libingan ng mga Bayani,” the NCCA statement added. Imao’s family welcomed the state arrangements offered to all national artists. Last respects

In a statement, the family said it was Imao’s wish to accept a state funeral upon his demise, and to hold a wake to allow family members and friends to pay their last respects and goodbyes. “We welcome and are grateful for the tribute being planned for Dr. Imao by the NCCA and the CCP,” the family said. “We will be coordinating with the said agencies for the Muslim burial rituals that [will] be officiated alongside the military honors and burial ceremonies at Libingan ng mga Bayani,” the family’s statement added.

pines, Imao taught Fine Arts at University of the East. He also set out on several photojournalistic and scholarly research work about the peoples of Mindanao. He studied and promoted indigenous brass casting techniques as well, and crafted several public art and historical installations around the country. Awards

Dr. Abdulmari Asia Imao.

YOUNG MORO PROFESSIONALS NETWORK / FACEBOOK

According to Muslim tradi- ‘Sarimanok’ where he was mentored by tion, a deceased’s body should He adopted the mythical Guillermo Tolentino and Nabe buried as soon as possible “sarimanok” of Maranao leg- poleon Abueva, who would from the time of death. ends in his paintings and sculp- later become national artists Imao, whom his family de- tures as a visual metaphor for themselves, Imao received a scribed as “a beloved brother, the depth and richness of his Schmidt and Fulbright Scholfather, grandfaarship for gradther and a creuate studies at ative soul of the Kansas UniverB a n g s a m o r o,” sity in the Unitlies in state at the He is a Muslim artist, but is also a ed States. main chapel of Filipino creative [spirit] whose style He also reLoyola Memorial and expression cut across cultural ceived two yearPark in Marikina and religious limits long fellowships City, until Dec. at the Rhode 20. Those who Island School of wish to pay their Design and Colast respects are lumbia Universiwelcome from 3 p. m. to 12 mid- native Mindanao, particularly ty in New York, and became the night, the family said. the Sulu archipelago where he first Asian recipient of a MuFondly called “Mari” by his was born. seum of Modern Art (MoMA) friends and colleagues, Imao After getting his degree from fellowship grant to study in Euled a full and colorful life as an the College of Fine Arts at the rope. artist. University of the Philippines, Upon his return to the Philip-

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Imao’s contribution to Philippine art and culture was duly recognized with several awards, starting with his being named among the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines in 1968, and given the Gawad Patnubay ng Sining by the City of Manila in 1985. He was also awarded the Gawad CCP para sa Sining in 1990 and the Presidential Medal of Merit in 2005. In 2006, Imao was declared a national artist for visual arts. Imao’s works and motifs are deeply rooted in his Muslim upbringing, but he also embraced a healthy relationship and respectful dialogue with other faiths. His wife, the late Grace Bondoc de Leon, was a devout Catholic. Their strong interfaith relationship is reflected in his paintings and sculptures, and in the attitude of his children toward art and society. Scholar, freethinker

“Dr. Imao is a true academic, scholar, a freethinker. He is a Muslim artist, but is also a Filipino creative [spirit] whose style and expression cut across cultural and religious limits,” the family said. “His faith is reflected in the exuberance of the patterns and colors of his artworks that celebrate life without borders,” his family added. ■

Philippine News

DECEMBER 25, 2014 THURSDAY

Christmas health tip: Beware of leftovers BY JOCELYN R. UY Philippine Daily Inquirer THIS ADVICE from a health expert surely won’t spoil your Christmas: Forget the diet and eat whatever you want. But make sure you maintain your weight throughout the holiday season. Dr. Sheryl Tugna, an endocrinologist, said resisting “temptations” spread out on the table during the Christmas season could be tough for Filipinos, especially those who are on a strict diet and a weight-loss regimen. “Sticking to a diet to lose weight is very hard during the holiday season so what I can advise is weight maintenance,” Tugna said at a recent health forum in Quezon City, stressing the importance of keeping body weight in check all year round to avoid obesity, a risk factor for a plethora of debilitating diseases. Lifestyle diseases

But she added that one must resume his diet or weight-loss program right after the holiday season. Every year during the Christmas season—the longest celebration in the country—health experts try to remind Filipinos to eat and drink in moderation to curb the increasing prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases, such as heart attacks, strokes and diabetes. The Department of Health (DOH) has said that heart attacks and strokes peak from December to January, making the holiday festivities in the country “bad for the health” of Filipinos. Keeping a healthy weight is also essential in preventing obesity, a risk factor for diabetes—one of the top 10 causes of death in the Philippines, according to Tugna, an expert from the Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism. 3.2M with diabetes

In 2013 alone, there were 3.2 million Filipinos recorded with diabetes, accounting for 6.01 percent of the country’s 54.5 million adult population.

Diabetes, if not controlled, can cause blindness, leg amputation, kidney dialysis and heart attack. Tugna said Filipinos could avoid getting sick with diabetes or aggravating their condition, especially during the holiday season—when sugary and fat-laden foods are overflowing—by kicking the bad habit of smoking, avoiding alcohol, exercising and maintaining an appropriate weight. Tugna advised that one must check one’s weight prior to all the merrymaking and partying. Whatever number appears on the weighing scale must be the same when one checks it again after the festivities, she added. “Telling yourself ‘No’ is very hard during the holiday season but keeping things in moderation is a major key in being healthy during the holidays,” she said. Weight maintenance

Tugna enumerated ways to keep one’s weight in check without passing up on all the good food and the merrymaking during the holidays. • Use a smaller plate when eating, as your mind will consider it full regardless of the size. • Don’t skip meals. This may cause intense hunger. • When eating at a buffet, take a little of many things instead of lots of one thing. • For every glass of alcohol or soft drink, chug down a glass of water. • Don’t prepare a lot of food or you will consume everything. • Use herbs and spices to flavor vegetables rather than cream or butter. • Trim as much fat in meat before cooking. • Serve fresh fish or seafood instead of red meat. • Eat anything on the table, but stop once you feel full. • Forget about taking home leftovers from the party. • Do not finish the food if you are not enjoying it. • Skip the buffet restaurants. “If you overeat this Christmas season and you feel guilty about it, then stop being lazy—do some exercise,” Tugna said.

American Ambassador Philip Goldberg said the U.S. government was “sensitive” to Filipino sentiments on the killing of Jennifer Laude (left) and agreed to have Pemberton (right) detained inside a Philippine military camp in Manila but under U.S. guard. NATIONALPOST.COM

Filipino family wants US Marine held in local jail during murder trial BY OLIVER TEVES The Associated Press MANILA, PHILIPPINES — A U.S. Marine charged with killing a transgender Filipino woman he picked up in a bar was brought back Friday to the city where the attack occurred two months ago, and lawyers of the victim say they will seek his detention in a local jail during his murder trial. Relatives of Jennifer Laude saw the suspect, Marine Pfc Joseph Scott Pemberton, for the first time since the killing as he was being photographed and fingerprinted by officers of the Regional Trial Court in Olongapo City, about 80 kilometres (50 miles) northwest of Manila. The U.S. Embassy has already rejected a request by the Philippine government to take custody of Pemberton, citing a provision in the Visiting Forces Agreement between the countries that gives Americans custodial rights over a U.S. service member facing charges while judicial proceedings are ongoing. American Ambassador Philip Goldberg said the U.S. governwww.canadianinquirer.net

ment was “sensitive” to Filipino sentiments on the killing and agreed to have Pemberton detained inside a Philippine military camp in Manila but under U.S. guard. Pemberton was brought from the camp to Olongapo early Friday under heavy guard, including U.S. armed service personnel assigned to secure him. He was whisked through a backdoor into the courtroom, evading dozens of journalists and cameramen waiting for him. After the booking procedures, he was driven back to Manila. Laude family lawyer Virgie Suarez said she expects the judge to soon rule on where he should be detained. “He (Pemberton) was not on official duty and he committed the crime in Olongapo, so he should be detained here in Olongapo,” she told reporters. Laude’s sister, Marilou, said she had “mixed emotions — scared ... and trembling with anger” when she first saw Pemberton during the booking proceedings. She said Pemberton was smiling before he saw her. “He quickly looked away from

me and never smiled again,” she said. “I wanted to come close to him to ask him why he killed my sibling, to smash his head on the wall, but there were too many (guards) around him,” she said. Philippine government prosecutors on Monday charged Pemberton with murder, saying he killed Laude, who was formerly known as Jeffrey, after he found out she was a transgender woman. Laude had apparently been strangled and drowned in a toilet bowl in a motel where the pair had checked in after meeting in a disco bar on Oct. 11, according to prosecutors. Olongapo City Prosecutor Emilie Fe de los Santos said Pemberton’s lawyers filed a motion to suspend the judicial proceedings while awaiting a Department of Justice ruling on their petition to review the murder charge. Pemberton’s lawyers could not be reached for comment. Pemberton was in the Philippines to take part in combat exercises involving thousands of American and Filipino troops. ■

Philippine News

THURSDAY DECEMBER 25, 2014

Government misses own deadline to relocate Zambo victims BY JULIE M. AURELIO Philippine Daily Inquirer THE GOVERNMENT failed to meet its Dec. 15 deadline to relocate all families displaced by the 2013 Zamboanga City siege to permanent homes due to delays in the construction of houses and other factors. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), however, stressed that the efforts of local officials, national agencies and international humanitarian aid groups should still be recognized. Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman said they would continue to provide assistance to the affected families until all victims are able to stay in permanent homes. In a statement, Soliman said 1,300 families were still staying at the Zamboanga Grandstand from a bigger number of 2,800

families in January. “Some we have already moved to permanent shelters, while others to temporary shelters as they await the permanent ones. This is still a very significant accomplishment,” she said. Soliman made the comments following Tuesday’s turnover of 40 bunkhouses and 14 single detached housing units in Masepla, Mampang which were constructed by the 52nd Engineering Brigade of the Philippine Army with funding from the DSWD and the International Organization for Migration. Earlier, she said the government would relocate the affected families to permanent housing by Dec. 15, or more than a year after the Zamboanga City siege in September last year. The National Housing Authority now targets to build all permanent shelters by the middle of next year while the DSWD aims to relocate those

still in evacuation centers to transitory sites by January 2015. Soliman cited the setback in the construction of houses and cultural concerns as contributing factors to the delay. “For example, there are 300 families who cannot go to a certain transitional area because of clan conflict. So they would not move out of the evacuation center,” she said. In some cases, some evacuees did not want to transfer to temporary shelters for fear that they would not be given permanent houses. Soliman said they had explained to the displaced families particularly those in transitory sites that their arrangements were only temporary, and that they would be moving to permanent, sturdier homes. She pointed out that in the case of the Zamboanga Grandstand, not all evacuees there

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were all victims of the bloody siege. Only those affected by the siege and previously listed in the local government’s database would be given permanent housing, Soliman stressed. So far, the DSWD has provided a total of P438.75 million in assistance to affected families, which include P95.5 million for transitional shelters and P8.75

million for the balik-probinsiya, balik-barangay, house rental and home materials assistance programs. Meanwhile, P318 million was spent on food packs and nonfood items, cash and food-forwork programs, and other basic series such as financial and educational aid, and P16.5 million for the capital seed funds and skills training. ■

Philippine News

DECEMBER 25, 2014 THURSDAY

Congress heads pat selves in back for ‘good work’ BY DJ YAP AND LEILA B. SALAVERRIA Philippine Daily Inquirer AS CONGRESS adjourned for its Christmas break last week, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. sang the praises of the House of Representatives for the “good work done in the past year” while Senate President Franklin Drilon rhapsodized over the recent improvement in the performance and approval ratings of the Senate. “I am encouraged by the performance of our 16th Congress,” Belmonte told his colleagues in a speech just before the House session on Wednesday night. “Our harvest of meaningful and responsive legislation reflects your consistent hard work,” he said, citing the enactment of 20 laws in the 16th Congress as of Dec. 17, and the approval of 350 measures on third reading out of 1,688 that were filed. Budget

Among the approved measures awaiting the President’s signature are the P2.6 trillion national budget for 2015, and the P22.4 billion supplemental budget for 2014. Belmonte also cited the approval of key laws “that bear on our country’s economic growth and productivity,” such as new republic acts allowing the full entry of foreign banks, promoting job generation through small and medium enterprises, and providing for mandatory health insurance coverage for all senior citizens. Belmonte also congratulated the lawmakers’ efforts in helping their constituents when the country was hit by another big storm, Typhoon “Ruby” (international name: Hagupit). “The good news is that relief operations conducted by both national and local governments

House of Representatives Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. sang the praises of the House for “the good work done in the past year.” WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

were up and running before, Drilon said the Senate’s im- while another 17 percent disapduring, and after Ruby’s land- proved ratings showed that the proved of it. fall. The implementation of chamber’s efforts to change and “We needed to prove that emergency measures, includ- push for laws that will help the the Senate is still deserving of ing the prompt evacuation of country have caught the peo- the respect of the people as a thousands of people in affected ple’s attention. democratic institution. Thus, areas, was key to saving so many A November Pulse Asia sur- we have passed laws that will lives,” he said. help the poor, He said he bewiden the delivlieved it is the ery of education strong spirit of and other social solidarity among The coming year will be a busy year. services and imFilipinos that We will try to finish 90 percent of our prove the econohelp get them work in the 16th Congress before the my,” Drilon said through the campaign begins. in a statement. worst calamities. Belmonte said Very busy year people should He said the be prepared for recent survey more disturbances. “Storms of vey showed a Senate perfor- showed people were “steadily all natures are bound to hap- mance approval rating of 42 being made aware of the Senpen. Nevertheless, let us re- percent, up from the 33 percent ate’s efforts to reform itself and main united. Let us allow the it got in June. introduce positive changes to light of the holiday season to Almost the same number of the country,” dispel clouds of negativity and respondents, 41 percent, were In a separate radio interview, pessimism. I am very sure of it. undecided about the Senate’s Drilon said 2015 was going to be Let’s do more!” he said. performance in November, a very busy year, with the Sen-

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ate aiming to pass almost all of its priority measures before the election season kicks in. “The coming year will be a busy year. We will try to finish 90 percent of our work in the 16th Congress before the campaign begins,” he said told dzRH Radio. Drilon touted the education measures that the Senate passed this year. These include the Iskolar ng Bayan Act that would allow top public high school graduates to be automatically admitted or get scholarship grants to state colleges and universities, and the Open Distance Learning Act that would allow the youth to complete their education even outside of school. ■

Philippine News

THURSDAY DECEMBER 25, 2014

Parents warned vs Net lingo: ‘Let’s try 8’ BY TJ BURGONIO Philippine Daily Inquirer BEWARE THE language of the Internet, Sen. Loren Legarda warned, saying that certain online terms might actually be a code for cyberpornography and sexual abuse. The senator said the public, especially parents, must beware of the subtle language of the Internet, adding that despite the Net’s myriad advantages as a tool of information and communication, it has also become an avenue for human trafficking. “Acronyms have become tools for pornography and online sexual abuse,” Legarda said in a privilege speech. She cited the number “8,” which she said might sound harmless, but has a more sinister meaning in Internet lingo. “The message ‘let’s try 8’ would seem harmless to an unknowing parent ... (but) in Internet lingo, the number ‘8’ means ‘oral sex,’” the senator said.

Human trafficking

Sense of complacency

Cybersex has emerged as one of the “many tentacles” of human trafficking, Legarda said, adding that Congress has passed the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act in 2013 precisely to address emerging new challenges. Under the law, harboring a child for purposes of prostitution or production of pornographic materials is considered trafficking, she said. Moreover, the crime is considered qualified trafficking when the offender is the parent, guardian or someone who exercises authority over the child, Legarda added. The senator said the Philippines has shown significant improvements in combating human trafficking, with the 2014 Global Slavery Index ranking the Philippines No. 1 in Asia, No. 3 in Asia-Pacific, and No. 29 worldwide out of 166 countries, in terms of government response against human trafficking.

“These numbers should not, however, give us a sense of complacency,” Legarda cautioned. “While this is laudable, we cannot celebrate just yet because we know that there are still many Filipino women, children and even men here in the country and in other parts of the world who are hoping and praying that soon they will be rescued from slavery and be able to tread on a new path for a much brighter future,” she said. The senator exhorted the public to mount a massive information and education campaign against all forms of human trafficking, including cyberpornography. “The illegal human trade is a complex web. Battling it requires a concerted effort from all sectors of society. But preventing the crime and protecting our children from trafficking can actually start at home by educating our children on how they can protect themselves (through) the responsible use of the Internet,” Legarda said. ■

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Opinion

DECEMBER 25, 2014 THURSDAY

AS I SEE IT

Prison system, personnel should be changed By Neal H. Cruz Philippine Daily Inquirer CONGRESS SHOULD seriously consider the proposal of Sen. Tito Sotto to revive the death penalty for drug trafficking and for heinous crimes like the Maguindanao massacre. Many countries in the world, particularly those in Asia and the Middle East, put to death drug traffickers. Even just drug couriers are executed in the Middle East. Because drugs are so dangerous and victimize many innocent young people. Because there is no capital punishment here, many drug cartels have moved to the Philippines. Even if they are caught and imprisoned, drug lords can still continue their nefarious activities behind bars, as the recent raids on the New Bilibid Prison (I don’t know why it is still called “New” when it is already very old) have uncovered. Note that most of the drug lords caught in luxurious “kubol” in the maximum security compound of the NBP have Chinese-sounding names. Drug laboratories raided by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency also employ Chinese workers, many

of whom cannot even speak Filipino, guards, paid with taxpayer money, three prison superintendents have which means that they mostly came protecting them from rival drug been relieved (but not charged in from mainland China where drug lords? In fact, a criminal outside pris- court), Bureau of Corrections (Butraffickers are put to death. on will want to be imprisoned if that Cor) Director Franklin Jesus Bucayu There is so much money in the is the situation in the NBP. shows no sign of remorse when he drug trade that drug lords can buy Prison guards follow orders from should have resigned outright betheir way out of prison or even ac- them. Prison superintendents allow cause what happened in the NBP unquittal from the courts. In fact, drug them to bring in luxury items, high- der his watch is shameful. lords imprisoned at the NBP have powered guns and other contraband If this were Japan, the BuCor dibeen able to bribe prison guards into their luxurious kubol. A kubol rector would have committed haraand higher prison officials so that means a small, makeshift shed. But kiri after apologizing to the nation he they have become had betrayed. Not the bosses and no in the Philippines. How can prison discourage criminals when being longer the prisonNo sign of remorse imprisoned in the NBP is like being billeted in a 5-star hotel, ers. Other prisonfrom Bucayu. In with 24-hour security from guards, paid with taxpayer moners protect them fact, Justice Secreand work for them. tary Leila de Lima ey, protecting them from rival drug lords? Because they make is protecting him, so much money from the drug trade the kubol in the NBP are like the claiming that it was Bucayu who had even inside prison. suites in 5-star hotels, air condi- informed her of what was going on at A prison is supposed to reform tioned and with the latest luxury the NBP and helped prepare for the prisoners so that they can go back to electric appliances. raid. useful lives when their prison terms Millions of pesos in cash and monBucayo himself claimed that the expire. It is also supposed to discour- ey-counting machines were found in preparation took months. Months? age others from committing crimes. the kubol, which means that a lot of Because it took so long, there was a In the case of the NBP, however, it is money get into the hands of the drug leak and the drug lords were tipped the prison guards and officials who lords. off of the coming raid—perhaps by have been reformed by the prisoners. And that is the reason the prison- the prison guards themselves—and How can prison discourage crimi- ers have been able to transform the were able to hide the smaller contranals when being imprisoned in the NBP into their fiefdoms. Money can band. The jacuzzi, bathtub, air conNBP is like being billeted in a 5-star buy anything at the NBP. ditioners, and music paraphernalia hotel, with 24-hour security from Heads must roll in the NBP. While were too big to hide and those were

what the raiders found. Bucayu claims he did not know what was going on in the maximum security compound. He has been BuCor chief for one year already and he still did not know? He has not inspected the compound even once during that time. It is supposed to be a maximum security compound but contraband—even prostitutes and sex toys—were brought in so easily. All the kubol in that compound should be demolished and regular cells built there. The first sin was committed when the first kubol by a wealthy prisoner was allowed to be built there. All the other wealthy prisoners then built their own kubol. Even in prison, the divide between the rich and the poor flourishes. The poor prisoners huddle together in cramped cells; the rich have their own, luxurious quarters. The kubol are not the only ones that should be demolished. The guards and prison officials should be changed. As in the Bureau of Customs, even if the guards are reassigned, the replacements will succumb to the same temptation. The whole BuCor system must be changed. ■

PUBLIC LIVES

Defrosting US-Cuba relations By Randy David Philippine Daily Inquirer IF YOU’RE a big powerful country, you can actually bury your relations with a small one you don’t particularly like in the back compartment of a freezer, and forget about them. Like pickled leftovers of yesteryear’s halfeaten meals, they are today hardly recognizable for what they were supposed to signify. You wonder what it was that prompted their preservation in that indigestible state. America’s relations with Cuba are like that. Explaining his decision to finally defrost them, US President Barack Obama told his country last Wednesday: “Neither the American nor Cuban people are well served by a rigid policy that’s rooted in events that took place before most us were born.” Crafted against the backdrop of the Cold War, Obama said, that policy was intended to isolate Cuba, but it “has had little effect beyond providing the Cuban government with a rationale for restrictions on its people.” More significantly, no other nation saw any wisdom or fairness in that policy. Yet it has taken America more than 50 years to free itself from this egregious blind spot. Today’s globalized generation would have difficulty making sense

of a world under the spell of the Cold er rivalry. NAM members constituted William Howard Taft once warned War. That world was split between roughly two-thirds of the United Na- the Cubans that while America had two rival social systems: the capital- tions member-nations, and more than no wish to annex their country, it ist “Free World” led by the United one-half of the world’s population. would not allow them to be indepenStates of America, and the state so- That is a tremendous collective voice dent if they could not restrain their cialist world led by the Soviet Union. that cannot be ignored. But not in a “insurrectionary habit.” Caught between these two spheres of world riven by great power rivalry. The insurrections not only perinfluence were the underdeveloped In practice, these nations’ refusal sisted but also became increasingly countries of the “Third World” that to take sides and chart their own des- radicalized under successive dictadesired to pursue their own self-cho- tiny was far from easy. The two su- tors. One of these tyrants was Gerarsen model of development—a path of perpowers that vied for their loyalty do Machado, whose excesses moved nonalignment. viewed it as a form of opportunism. Franklin Delano Roosevelt himself One of the early initiatives advo- Countries with a history of special to encourage the Cuban military to cating nonalignment was the 1955 relations with the United States like rebel. Machado’s downfall paved the Bandung Conferway for the emerence hosted by gence of a sergeant US President Barack Obama told his country last President Sukarno named Fulgencio Wednesday: “Neither the American nor Cuban people are of Indonesia. That Batista who ruled meeting brought toCuba with a heavy well served by a rigid policy that’s rooted in events that took gether the emerging hand for more than place before most us were born.” nations of Asia and two decades. BaAfrica in a common effort to com- the Philippines particularly found it tista was everything the United States plete the decolonization of their soci- difficult to pursue an independent could wish for in a Third World scouneties in a climate of world peace and course in everything they did. So did drel. Aggressively anticommunist, he mutual respect among nations. The Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia in sent for American military advisers to Philippines attended that historic their relationship to the USSR. Cuba train his army. He encouraged Amerigathering as a participant, even as the perhaps found itself in the most im- can investors to set up businesses in US government viewed the agenda of possible situation because of its close Cuba, and transformed the capital the conference with deep suspicion. proximity to the US mainland. city of Havana into a virtual American The Bandung meeting served as a Indeed, although Cuba became an playground run by the Mafia. prologue to the convening in 1961 of independent republic in 1902, AmerSo notorious for its greed and corthe more enduring Non-Aligned Move- ican troops did not hesitate to place rupt ways was the Batista regime that ment. The NAM summits articulated the country under direct military the United States later welcomed its the voice of reason in a world made rule whenever the US government demise. What America was not precrazy by the imperatives of superpow- thought it was necessary to do so. pared for was the independent stance

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that the young leaders who overthrew the Batista tyranny in the 1959 Cuban revolution began to demonstrate when they assumed the helm of this deeply impoverished and mismanaged country. Fidel and his comrade, the iconic Ernesto “Che” Guevara, knew enough of foreign affairs not to court the enmity of the United States. But, they would not be deterred from pursuing a vision of Cuban society that would be different from everything that all previous regimes had stood for. That vision was premised on the magic of popular empowerment, starting with the termination of the scourge of mass illiteracy and racism. Shunning the culture of excessive consumerism, the new government actively promoted the growth of the arts as vigorously as the sciences and technology. It introduced a system of participation and representation that avoided the dysfunctions and illusions of an electoral culture nurtured in social inequality and patronage. It tried to build the socialist person—educated and cosmopolitan, emancipated and cheerful, the epitome of solidarity in a world made selfish by capitalist culture. It was that vision that the American embargo tried to kill by consigning the entire country into the deep freezer of the Cold War. ■

Opinion

THURSDAY DECEMBER 25, 2014

LOOKING BACK

Cooking ‘ng ina ko!’ By Ambeth R. Ocampo Philippine Daily Inquirer WHEN I was interviewing cooks in Pampanga for my undergraduate thesis, culinary secrets and shortcuts that I could not understand were shared. For example, old folks would tell me things like “Nung buri meng palambutan ing carni dinan meng platu.” (Literal translation: If you want the meat you are cooking to become tender, put in a plate.) Another was “Nung buri meng masanting a color ing lulutuan mung matamis dinan meng pera.” (If you want the color of the fruit preserves you are cooking to look good, put in money.) Something was definitely lost in translation, and when I asked the cooks to explain, I realized what my modern urban cooking lacked. Traditionally, women in Pampanga are taught how to cook early in life because the Kapampangan man is supposed to be served the best. Things are not the way they were these days, and women have been liberated from the kitchen by fast food and modern appliances. Many people have forgotten the days when sinigang had to be cooked from scratch, with fresh tamarind. Today you can order sinigang for take-out or have broth instantly from

a sachet or a bouillon cube. And many appreciation for these old tips be- way that roasting barbecue over wood people do not know how it was to pre- cause we have meat tenderizers and or coal tastes different from cookpare and cook rice before the coming other sophisticated equipment to ing it in a turbo broiler. Hearty soups of the rice cooker. help soften tough meat. Artificial and stews are conveniently made in a All these things have given women food coloring is readily available, and crock pot, a complicated rice cooker, more time for themselves. Instead of why bother with cooking your own or in heavy cast iron Le Creuset pots staying in the kitchen all afternoon fruit preserves and sweets when it and pans. But if my mother were still to cook dinner, they can now do other is more convenient or even cheaper around and cooking, she would insist chores, play Candy Crush, or catch the to buy these from the supermarket? that the taste of nilaga or sinigang latest telenovela. When I look back on the cooks I in- cooked in a clay pot over a wood fire is But putting a plate in meat or money terviewed for my thesis in the early way better. My mother always waxed in fruit preserves is nostalgic about rice not so strange when before the entry of you learn that brothe rice cooker simWhen I look back on the cooks I interviewed for my ken pieces of china ply because she liked thesis in the early 1980s, I realize they are a vanishing breed hasten the boiling the bangi or burned indeed, obsolete in a fast-food culture. of the water and the rice scraped from softening of the meat, or that someone 1980s, I realize they are a vanishing the bottom or sides of a cooking pot stewing kamias in sugar, for example, breed indeed, obsolete in a fast-food that her in-laws would never touch. I would see its green skin discolor into culture. But today we see a growing used to tell her that burned rice was an unsightly brown unless it is cooked awareness for healthy eating and possible in a rice cooker if one defied in a tatso or copper pan. In the absence organic ingredients. We now see an the instructions. of the copper pan, old folks used to appreciation for traditional culinary Two years in Tokyo with a very big mix copper coins with the fruit be- ways, in what is known as the Slow freezer meant that I always kept fresh ing cooked. The coins were taken out Food Movement to counter fast food. soup stock for days when I was too when the cooking was over. This was Slow cooking is more convenient lazy to eat out. This meant browning the “pera” that old cooks were talking with a gas or electric range. No more the beef, chicken or pork bones in the about, and the trick was just as effec- trouble to gather wood and chop this oven before boiling them with leeks, tive as using a tatso. But then I don’t into firewood, as they did in the old onions, sea salt and fresh pepper. think the Bangko Sentral mints copper days—and if you live in a condo, as I do, Sometimes I asked myself if making coins like it used to before and shortly the smoke from a wood fire will set off my own stock was worth the trouble after World War II. the alarm. Old cooks will say that the because one could buy soup stock in The modern cook has no use or smoke adds to the flavor of a dish, in a cans or tetrapaks from the grocery.

Or if I was really desperate for a quick substitute, wasn’t it simpler to make instant broth with a bouillon cube or a sachet of Magic Sarap? I have never used instant Alsa Flan to make leche flan because it is quite easy to make a richer, better-tasting one with six egg yolks, a can of evaporated milk and a can of condensed milk. The only trouble was separating the egg white from the yolk (but you can use the whole egg if you want a different texture), and caramelizing the sugar in the llanera (or, as my Spanish-speaking friends would always correct me, the flanera). In more health-conscious times, a leche flan with 36 egg yolks in a small flanera would raise eyebrows—and one’s cholesterol count. If I could, I would follow my mother’s leche flan recipe that called for duck eggs, carabao milk, and nipa or fresh nipa sugar. In my own lifetime I have seen how cooking and tastes have changed, and I hope that heritage preservation will go beyond protecting historic buildings, sites and sights and also cover the history that is contained in our palate, in our tastes, in our world. A book I hope to write someday will be on recipes and memories called “Cooking ng Ina Ko.” ■

AT LARGE

On the Christmas ‘carmaggedon’ By Rina Jimenez-David Philippine Daily Inquirer “CARMAGGEDON” last Friday had been predicted by no less than Metro Manila Development Authority Chair Francis Tolentino. Being a payday and precursor of the last weekend before Christmas (and one of the last shopping days before the feast), Tolentino had been warning motorists to either stay home or plan their trips carefully on that day, warning of horrendous traffic jams and delays of up to two-three hours on the road. I happened to have a board meeting scheduled at the Mall of Asia that day, so it was with some trepidation that the hubby and I left our home in Antipolo at 9 a.m. for my 11 a.m. appointment. We have this running joke about “not jinxing” the traffic situation whenever we encounter smooth traffic conditions on the road, so neither of us said anything when we found, to our pleasant surprise, practically empty roads on C-5 and Makati. Indeed, we encountered traffic only in the Baclaran area—but that’s a regular occurrence, anyway. We arrived at MOA by 10 a.m., only to find most shops and restaurants still closed, since the MMDA, we heard on the radio, had reached an agreement with mall owners to “open late and

close late” during these last desper- Congratulations to Chair Tolentino going through a much harder time. ate days before Christmas to decon- and to the harried and harassed traffic So even at a time of severe recession gest city streets during the heaviest enforcers. It can’t have been easy be- in the United States, Europe and othhours of the day. ing the target of sarcastic and cynical er OFW destinations, remittances in*** commentators in the previous weeks. creased rather than decreased, keepON OUR way to MOA, we also discov- But the best revenge, they say, is doing ing the Philippine economy afloat. ered another reason for the smooth your job, and doing it well! Despite the praises heaped on them commute: there were traffic enforc*** and expressions of gratitude from the ers everywhere, some of them pri- EVER since the late President Cory country’s officials, though, OFWs don’t vate security guards of subdivisions, Aquino called them the country’s seem to get any priority in terms of serdirecting traffic and keeping every- “new heroes,” overseas Filipino work- vices from the government. TAKE the one in order. ers have been hailed and honored year issue of passports. Despite being aware Perhaps Tolentino had warned in and year out. Their “heroism” is no of the absolute need for passports, about “carmaggedon” only to fore- lie. By sending home the greater part which ordinary citizens but especially stall any severe criticisms in case of their earnings to their families, OFWs need to be able to travel, the Friday lived up to Department of Forhis worst fears. But eign Affairs is taking It can’t have been easy being the target of sarcastic and the good thing is its sweet time before cynical commentators in the previous weeks. But the best rethat he didn’t just acting to meet the venge, they say, is doing your job, and doing it well! warn us about it, he projected passport pulled out all stops shortage. to prevent it. You don’t have to take OFWs have kept our economy viable, With a service agreement to print my word for it. On FB and other so- kept our balance of payments on the data information on passports expircial media networks, netizens were positive side and have been a source of ing this Dec. 31, the DFA has yet to denearly unanimous in their praise for funds in emergencies. cide on whether to start bidding for a the MMDA’s traffic management. Indeed, commentators have noted new supplier. If no supplier is decided I’m writing this on an early Satur- the “counterintuitive” behavior of upon before or soon after the contract day afternoon, and on our way to our our overseas workers and migrants. expires, the DFA will soon be unable lunch in—yes—Makati, we found the When times are tough not just in the to deliver passports to travelers who same wide open road conditions as Philippines but around the world, have an urgent need for them. we did on Friday. one would think remittances would As it is, an outdated IT system in use I don’t know if the roads will remain slow down, reduce to a trickle, if not by the current supplier for production clear for the rest of the countdown dry up completely. But perhaps they planning and printing of passports to Christmas, and I’m inclined not to know that if times are hard for them, has been breaking down, causing uspush our luck any further. But still … their relatives back home would be ers to resort to manual “intervention,”

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and causing delays in passport production. Observers also note that such manual override could lead to security breaches, putting the integrity of Philippine passports in question. Now people are asking: Why the delay within the DFA to bid out passport production? Is it because, given the looming deadlines, the old supplier—whose performance has been found wanting—is hoping to automatically extend its contract? Note that long before the issue of the expiring service agreement came up, the DFA was already facing unacceptable delays in the delivery of passports. Among the explanations offered is that out of 18 printers delivered in 2009 when the present supplier won the contract, only two are still in working condition. Some 10 new machines have been ordered, we are told, but they can be used only if a new bidder is recognized. Nobody can tell for sure why the DFA is dragging its feet on the passport issue. An aspiring bidder, we are told, has been waiting six months since it submitted its bid, but the DFA Bids and Awards Committee doesn’t seem inclined to act with dispatch. Is it because the ones most in need—our “heroic” OFWs—don’t have much by way of political capital or influence? ■

THURSDAY DECEMBER 25, 2014

Canada News

NEWS BRIEFS

Federal polls show race is tightening but can’t explain the reasons why

FROM THE CANADIAN PRESS

BY BRUCE CHEADLE The Canadian Press OTTAWA — A spate of public opinion surveys this autumn has prompted the usual end-of-year parsing of political fortunes and chin-stroking prognostications about a federal election that may still be 10 months in the future. Stephen Harper’s Conservatives are up. Justin Trudeau’s Liberals are down. Tom Mulcair’s New Democrats are out of it. Reader beware. In fact, a look at months of results from six different pollsters suggests Trudeau’s Liberals remain imperviously buoyant, Harper’s Tories have seen only marginal gains despite a number of issues breaking their way, and NDP fortunes are stalled, notwithstanding Mulcair’s widely lauded parliamentary performance. In the past week alone, national polls from recognized opinion surveyors have placed Liberal support as high as 41 per cent (Forum Research) and as low as 32 per cent (EKOS), Conservative support from 33 to 31 per cent and NDP support at 19 (Leger), 20 (Forum) and 17 per cent (EKOS). Back in September, before an event-packed fall that supposedly moved the public opinion dial, Liberals polled as high as 38 per cent (Abacus and Ipsos Reid), Conservatives were between 30 and 31 per cent and New Democrats between 21 and 23. ThreeHundredEight.com, which aggregates political polling, says the average of all public polls put Liberal support last week at 36 per cent, Conservatives at 32 and the NDP at 20. In September, those averages were 3830-22. “It’s important not to make too much of relatively small movements in the polls,” says Paul Adams, a former parliamentary reporter and pollster who now teaches journalism at Carleton University in Ottawa. Nonetheless, Adams says by looking across the various polls conducted since the summer, “the race looks significantly tighter than it has.” It’s always easy to construct a narrative around why that might be, he added—but pundits and pollsters

CANADIAN MAN SHOT BY U.S. BORDER GUARDS WINDSOR—The U.S. border agency says a Canadian man was shot after allegedly pointing a handgun at guards at the Ambassador Bridge crossing between Windsor, Ont., and Detroit. U.S. Customs and Border Protection says in a statement the man stopped his car before the inspection booth around 3 a.m. Sunday and starting walking towards border officers while waving a gun. BOY, 3, ABANDONED AT SURREY BUS STOP: RCMP

Year-end polls show that Justin Trudeau (pictured) and the Liberal Party have a narrow lead over Stephen Harper’s Conservatives heading into 2015. ALEX GUIBORD / FLICKR

should be careful with such storylines. The narrative building in Ottawa is that the Conservatives pulled out of a long malaise in October, spurred by Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s tough words for Russia’s Vladimir Putin in Ukraine, his decision to send fighter jets to Iraq and the shocking terror attacks on Canadian soil. Toss in some positive economic numbers and a suite of family-oriented, voter-friendly tax measures and it becomes clear the prime minister spent much of the fall political season playing the game his way, on familiar home soil. “Mr. Harper has his mojo back,” National Post columnist John Ivison wrote on Dec. 3. The corollary is that Trudeau’s Liberals finally started to come down off their extended sugar high, a result of the contrast between Harper’s international statesmanship and Trudeau’s inability to articulate a clear argument on military involve-

ment in the Middle East. Both the Liberals and the NDP, meanwhile, were sideswiped by bombshell allegations of serious personal misconduct from two NDP members that led to the suspension of Liberal MPs Massimo Pacetti and Scott Andrews. The narrative offers a neat story that fits many observable realities and biases alike, but finding corroboration in the polling results is elusive. “The poll information that we have in the public domain does not speak to that level of granularity,” said Adams. “The pollsters who weave these grand narratives—it’s Trudeau’s mishandling of the sexual assault or it’s ISIS or whatever—in most cases the pollsters themselves don’t have granular enough soundings of public opinion to be making those judgments.” Tom Flanagan, the University of ❱❱ PAGE 37 Federal polls

SURREY—RCMP say they have made an arrest after receiving reports that a three-year-old boy was struck in the face and abandoned at a bus stop in Surrey, B.C.Police say they were contacted about the incident Saturday morning by witnesses. BLACKBERRY FOCUSES ON GROWTH IN 2015 WATERLOO—BlackBerry is hoping not only to return to the hearts and minds of smartphone users but, starting next year, the company wants to get into their cars and homes too.With its finances slowly improving, plans are being made for the Waterloo, Ont.-based company to become a bigger player in the Internet of Things movement, which links your phone with various other technology, from your fridge to your television. POT STILL DRUG OF CHOICE IN ARMY: REPORT HALIFAX—Marijuana remains the drug of choice for members of the Canadian army, based on the Force’s latest blind drug testing report that also found cocaine is gaining popularity among some members. The report, done between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2013, found the overall drug consumption rate has been relatively stable since 2010 but suggested young, non-commissioned members were more prone to do drugs.

Canada News

THURSDAY DECEMBER 25, 2014

Stateless Yukon man, 60, ponders declaring refugee status in Canada BY KEVEN DREWS The Canadian Press VANCOUVER — Donovan McGlaughlin admits his story is hard to believe, but he wants Canadians to keep an open mind as he explains why he may have to apply as a political refugee in the country he’s called home for his 60 years. His father was First Nation, his mother Caucasian, and both were anarchists who didn’t want to register his birth because they feared he’d be taken away from them and end up in a residential school, said McGlaughlin. The ramifications of their decision have been far reaching for the Dawson City, Yukon, resident who said he’s been caught up in a life-long bureaucratic nightmare that has prevented him from obtaining any form of identification, including a health-care card. He said his problem came to a head even before he was hit by a series of heart attacks that have resulted in up to $130,000 in medical and air-ambulance bills. Nobody in government, it seems, has yet been able to help him, said McGlaughlin, who said applying as a political refugee may be his last option. “I don’t know how much harder my situation has to be without applying for political-refugee status,” said McGlaughlin. “What else is there? I mean I’m stateless. I have no rights within my own country.” His lack of status and medical troubles also have territorial and federal government bill collectors knocking on his door, looking for money from the man who has never had held full-time job. Jan. 19, 1954 is the day McGlaughlin celebrates as his birthday, although he doesn’t know the exact date. He only knows he was born somewhere between Rosebud, S.D., and Guelph, Ont., where his maternal grandparents lived. Home schooled as a child, McGlaughlin said his parents moved around Canada frequently because they were afraid of the government, and at the age of 15 he left them, surviving off farm work and “migrant jobs” like picking fruit. About 30 years ago, he hitchhiked to and fell in love with the Yukon, where he has survived ever since by hunting and fishing on First Nations’ land. Yet, because he has no birth certificate, McGlaughlin said he hasn’t been able to get a citizenship card, a Social Insurance Number or a passport, and that means he can’t get a driver’s license or even a Yukon Health Care Card. Since he has no identification, he also can’t apply for a job, vote, marry his partner who is the mother of his three children, or volunteer at their school

because a background check is required. He can’t even get on a long-haul bus, because that now requires ID, too, he said. McGlaughlin said he had an interview scheduled with a Citizenship and Immigration Canada official in October 2010, but he suffered a near-fatal heart attack and was flown to a hospital in Victoria, so he missed the meeting. The interview was rescheduled and took place in early 2011, and the official decided against issuing an order for his removal from Canada, he added. He has had three more heart attacks since that interview, one of which required his admission to a Vancouver hospital and another expensive air-ambulance flight, said McGlaughlin. Lacking a medical card means McGlaughlin is on the hook for his healthcare and transportation costs and can’t book any followup treatments, he said. Taxation problems are now his family’s latest worry. Documents obtained by The Canadian Press show the Canada Revenue Agency and Yukon government wrote his partner, Julie Dugrenier, asking her for McGlaughlin’s Social Insurance Number and 2012 tax return to determine whether she was entitled to tax benefits for their three children. In an Oct. 21 letter, the revenue agency followed up, demanding Dugrenier repay $2,249.50. McGlaughlin said he has applied under Section 5.4 of the Citizenship Act for the minister to grant him citizenship because of a “special and unusual hardship.” Nancy Caron, a spokeswoman for the federal agency, said in an email that McGlaughlin filed an application in late September, but it contained “insufficient documentation to demonstrate how long he has been living in Canada,” and the agency asked for more information in a November correspondence. “We recognize Mr. McGlaughlin lacks most forms of ID and documents that citizens would use as proof of residency,” said Caron. “CIC will consider any evidence he can provide to support his claim that he has resided in Canada for the majority of his life.” The department, she said, has yet to make a final decision on his application. Ryan Leef, the Yukon’s member of Parliament, was unavailable for an interview, but in an email, his executive assistant Kay Richter said staff have communicated with McGlaughlin. “Mr. Leef, as a general rule, opens his office to assist with all matters of federal jurisdiction,” said Richter. “We deal with many immigration related cases, and have a high resolution rate.” Don Chapman, the founder of Lost Canadians, a group that has spent years

Donovan McGlaughlin and his family. McGlaughlin’s unique status as a “stateless” person leaves him with virtually no rights in Canada. COURTESY OF DONOVAN MCGLAUGHLIN

identifying gaps in citizenship laws, said he has tried to intervene on McGlaughlin’s behalf and estimates there could be as many as 50 or 60 people across the country in a similar situation. “Quite seriously, denying Donovan citizenship amounts to a death sentence,” said Chapman in a recent email. “With no medical insurance and being a victim of a major heart attack, Donovan is doomed.” As for his refugee application, McGlaughlin was told that all applications

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must be delivered in person to a Citizenship and Immigration office, an ordeal for somebody who lives in the North, doesn’t have a driver’s licence, can’t book a bus ticket and has heart problems. McGlaughlin said he may have to make that trip by foot. “I have battled this far and will continue to as long as I can,” he said in a followup email. “Perhaps after the holiday, I may just go ahead and start walking. Until then I will be enjoying what could be my last Christmas with my children and wife.” ■

Canada News

DECEMBER 25, 2014

THURSDAY

Vancouver MLA Mable Elmore seeking NDP nomination for federal riding THE CANADIAN PRESS

faces many important issues. Libby Davies has done excellent work here over the years. She is VANCOUVER—A Vancouver an icon and an excellent model MLA is seeking the NDP nomi- of a dedicated public servant nation for the federal riding of that gave voice to the voiceless Vancouver East. in her riding,” she added. Mable Elmore currently repShe says she received many resents the riding of Vancou- phone calls to run, including ver-Kensington for the provin- from members of the Filipino cial New Democrats. community, who joined her at a Elmore says it was a tough news conference this past Sundecision to seek the nomina- day. tion but she High-profile wants to pursue New Democrat issues such as MP Libby Davies immigration, soannounced earcial justice and I came to this lier this month affordable housdecision she is stepping ing on a national after being down from fedscale. encouraged by eral politics af“I came to this many people, ter representing decision after beincluding ones Vancouver East ing encouraged from this riding. for 17 years. by many people, Va n c o u ve r including ones East is among from this ridthe poorest feding, to stand for eral ridings in nomination. I recognize it is a Canada as it includes the city’s very diverse riding with many troubled Downtown Eastside. urgent issues. I am passionate Another Vancouver New to advocate for these issues on Democrat MLA, Jenny Kwan, the national level,” said Elmore. has told reporters that she is “Vancouver-East is a richly considering seeking the nomidiverse and vibrant riding that nation. ■

Heather Forsyth named Alberta Wildrose interim leader, party hopes to rebound BY BILL GRAVELAND The Canadian Press CALGARY — Alberta’s Wildrose party has named an interim leader after Danielle Smith and eight other caucus members bolted to the governing Progressive Conservatives. Heather Forsyth is one of the five remaining Wildrose caucus members in the legislature. Forsyth, a former solicitor general who crossed the floor to the Wildrose from the PCs in 2010, will lead the party until a permanent replacement is chosen. “This is a pivotal moment for Alberta. In the pursuit of power, democracy has been swept aside,” Forsyth said in a speech to chanting supporters at the party headquarters in Calgary Monday. “There is no doubt an overwhelming number of Albertans feel hurt — who feel that the most noble notion of public life has been shattered. Folks, let there be no questions, Albertans did not lose their Opposition.” Last week Smith resigned as Wildrose leader and crossed the floor with eight others to www.canadianinquirer.net

join Premier Jim Prentice. The move was pitched as a reunification of Alberta’s right, with the defectors saying they are ideologically sympatico with Prentice. Forsyth said she and her fellow caucus members will focus on doing a better job for the 440,000 Albertans who voted Wildrose in the last election and for everyone who expects the best from their politicians. Earlier this year Forsyth indicated she would not run again due to family reasons. She said she now plans to stick around until at least the next election call expected in 2016. With the defections, the Tories hold 72 of 87 legislature seats. It remains to be seen if Wildrose will still be the Official Opposition as the Alberta Liberals also have five seats in the legislature. The NDP holds four seats and there is one Independent. Both the Liberals and Wildrose have sent the Speaker letters asking for the role. The Wildrose said it believes it has precedence on its side to keep its status. Members of the party are still

angry about the departure of Smith and their colleagues. “The other day nine of my colleagues grabbed each others hands and jumped off a cliff,” said Livingstone-Macleod member Pat Stier. “It’s been a difficult week I can tell you, but our group here are dedicated even more now. We’re strong, we’re alive and we’re going to keep holding this government to account.” Choosing the new leader won’t happen until next March at the earliest. “Per our constitution we’ve got three to nine months,” said Wildrose president Jeff Callaway. “We have to be prepared for an early election.” Callaway said it’s too early to say if there will be a leadership convention or if it can be done through a phone-in ballot. Outgoing federal Conservative MP Rob Anders was on hand for the announcement of the interim leader. He said he was there to renew his Wildrose membership card. He said he isn’t considering a run at the leadership, at least for now. “I’m not. I have no inclination at this stage.” ■

World News

THURSDAY DECEMBER 25, 2014

Thaw in US relations brings hope for greater changes in Cuba, anxiety about future BY PETER ORSI AND ANDREA RODRIGUEZ The Associated Press HAVANA, CUBA — The restoration of diplomatic ties between Cuba and the United States unleashed expectations Thursday of even more momentous changes on an island that often seems frozen in a past of classic cars and crumbling Art Deco buildings. On the first full day after the surprise announcement, many Cubans expressed hope that it will mean greater access to jobs and the creature comforts taken for granted elsewhere, and lift a struggling socialist economy where staples like meat, cooking oil and toilet paper are often hard to come by. That yearning, however, was tempered with anxiety. Some fear a cultural onslaught, or that crime and drugs, both rare in Cuba, will become common along with visitors from the United States. There is also concern that the country will become just another Caribbean destination. “There are things that shouldn’t get lost, that have gone very well here even though Cubans complain,” said Nayda Martinez, a 52-year-old chemical engineer in Havana. “I don’t want the system, the country or the regime, whatever you want to call it, to change,” Martinez said. “What the people want is to live better.” That mix of optimism and concern was a common refrain Thursday among Cubans trying to digest the implications of such a seismic shift between the two Cold War rivals after more than half a century of bad blood. Trade with the U.S. will help the country develop, said 55-year-old homemaker Maria Betancourt, but she worried it would bring another kind of isolation. “I wouldn’t want to lose that uniquely Cuban solidarity, or for this to become a more consumerist or individualist society,” she said. Cuba is a place of contrasts. It matches the most developed nations in education and health indicators such as infant mortality. It has one of the lowest crime rates in the Western Hemisphere and some of the best-preserved habitat in the Caribbean, in part because of the lack of development. But the majority of islanders still work government jobs that pay just $20 a month on average. Internet access is scarce, slow and expensive. Nearly all media is controlled by the state. The Communist Party is the only sanctioned political party, and that is not open to debate. Complaining about a pothole on your street is OK, but open-

ly protesting the government can still days of the 1959 revolution. He’s allowed business. land you in jail. the sale of used cars, though the famous In addition to increased trade, there Cubans have learned to navigate their classic Chevys and Cadillacs, often kept likely will be even greater co-operation heavy handed political system and fig- road-worthy with makeshift parts, are on shared interests such as counter-narured out how to survive amid the scar- still a delight to tourists. cotics and the environment as occurs city, long lines and a chronic housing One way the society may change is between the U.S. and most other councrunch that forces families to pack three in its views of the United States. While tries, even communist ones, said Peter generations or more under one roof. many Cuban have family in the U.S and Kornbluh, a fellow at the National SecuMany are eager for rity Archive in Washchange, but no one ington. yet knows what the Cubans may have diplomatic opening to get used to the will bring. notion that they are “Life here is so not at war with the tough that if it keeps I don’t want the system, the country United States anygetting worse, there or the regime, whatever you want to call more, said Kornbluh, will be even more it, to change . . . What the co-author of “Back problems,” said Jose people want is to live better. Channel to Cuba: Marcos, a 35-yearThe Hidden History old shop employee. of Negotiations beWhile people tween Washington cheered Wednesday and Havana.” when they learned “A society that that three Cuban agents held in the feel warmly toward Americans, they has lived in the historic dark shadow of United States had been sent home as have grown up thinking of Washington the colossus of the north is now feeling part of a deal that also released Ameri- as the enemy and many blame US policy some sunlight,” he said. “The lifting of can Alan Gross after five years in prison, for Cuba’s problems. Now, they will have the general state of siege mentality that Havana was quiet on Thursday. Cubans to get used to their country and their gi- normal relations will bring is ultra-imwent about their daily routines, with ant capitalist neighbour doing normal portant.” ■ bicycle taxi drivers pedaling the streets looking for fares and fruit vendors calling out to passers-by. There was no immediate word of plans for any official celebration like the welcome home party in 2000 for Elian Gonzalez after a yearlong custody battle in Miami. Journalists from around the world were hurrying to get into Cuba, hoping to secure accreditation from a government that decides who is allowed to report from a country that many believe is at a turning point. In announcing that the U.S. and Cuba would resume diplomatic relations for the first time since 1961, President Barack Obama said he still has concerns about human rights, democracy and freedom of expression on the island. President Raul Castro said he still wants an end to the trade embargo that has choked off commerce to the island and has kept generations of Americans from being able to visit. Last year, Cuba began allowing its citizens to travel abroad without first getting permission from the government. Many now have access to consumer goods like smartphones and flat screen TVs from overseas. Not only is that likely to expand, but remittances from abroad could surge, helping people to start more businesses and repair crumbling homes. Castro has introduced economic reforms, letting hundreds of thousands of people run small private businesses and hire employees, and buy and sell their homes for the first time since the early www.canadianinquirer.net

THURSDAY DECEMBER 25, 2014

Christmas

Nothing compares to Paskong Pinoy BY LEI FONTAMILLAS Philippine Canadian Inquirer ONCE THE “*-ber months” kick in, Filipinos are automatically in their best holiday moods. Some are making their own gift list, while others are already busy planning Christmas lunches, dinners, and parties with their families, friends, colleagues, and loved ones. While the majority are already busy with Christmas preparations, our fellow Filipinos working overseas are busy too – making a living in order to provide for their families, so they can live a modest and comfortable life. Given this situation, it’s not surprising to know that hearing a simple Christmas carol is enough to make them miss celebrating the Holiday season in the Philippines. Even if other countries celebrate Christmas in a grander way, nothing beats how the Filipinos do it in their own style. Christmas in the Philippines is one of the most celebrated holidays in the country. As a matter of fact, the country has been recognized worldwide for celebrating the longest Christmas season. It starts as soon as the calendars turn to September 1 and usually ends on the third Sunday of January. What makes Paskong Pinoy unique? Here are some reasons why OFWs keep coming back home: Night Mass

It is the goal of every Filipino to complete the night mass or better known as Simbang Gabi. This usually starts on December 16 until 24. According to legends, a person who can

JEFF WEESE / FLICKR

complete the nine-day novena can make a wish and it will be granted. Attending the night masses are usually fun because Filipinos opt to go with their families and friends. Afterwards, both young and old look forward to buying local pastries and having breakfast with their loved ones before going to school or work. Christmas Goodies

It is a well-known fact that Filipinos are big eaters, and something that they look forward to during the Christmas season are the native delicacies that are only available during the holidays such as puto bumbong and bibingka. These two famous native delicacies are well-loved by both the young and of course, the young at heart.

Parties Here, Everywhere

There,

and

Aside from eating, Filipinos are also fond of partying. In areas like Metro Manila, both offices and schools organize Christmas parties as a way of celebrating the season. Office parties are made more interesting by incorporating a theme every year – from punk rock, to fairyland. It gives an opportunity for both employees and bosses to loosen up, let their hair down for a moment, and just enjoy each other’s company. Sometimes, offices also include entertainment in their program. The employees would be divided by groups and they will present either a song, skit, or dance number. Winners will be given prizes. Moreover, there are some companies that give credit for their hardworking people by awarding them

with the most-coveted “Best Employee of the Year” prize. Meanwhile, school parties are just as fun. Students prepare a special number for their families and teachers. There are also exchange gifts, donation to charity, and games.

presents to give to their loved ones, bazaars are all around. These are made up of small stalls or kiosks that sell oneof-a-kind presents and knickknacks that come in cheap prices. These bazaars also close very late at night, very convenient for employees.

Midnight Mall Sales and Bazaars

Christmas in the Philippines will not be complete without the shopping mall sales. Once December hits, a lot of malls in the Metro will entice consumers with their sale offerings. And given that Christmas is the season of giving, expect to see a lot of Filipinos inside the malls doing their last-minute shopping for their special someone, including their inaanak (godchildren). Meanwhile, for those who are looking for something unique and not-so-expensive

Visit to Santa’s Village

For the children, Christmas won’t be complete without a visit to Santa’s Village. These are usually held in malls wherein children get to have their photos taken with “Santa Claus” and even share their wishes to him in hope that they will come true. This simple bonding moment, though is not a tradition, creates fun memories for both parents and children.

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❱❱ PAGE 24 Nothing compares

Christmas

THURSDAY DECEMBER 25, 2014

Magical Christmas in Canada CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS all-month long with delightful Holiday events that fill the air with excitement. The possibilities are endless – from Christmas Express in Victoria to watching The Nutcraker ballet in Toronto, to being amazed by thousands of lights glowing throughout Van Dusen Gardens in Vancouver, gazing at the world’s tallest Christmas tree at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park to seeing unique animals made out of colored lights at Calgary Zoo’s Zoolights. Here’s Philippine Canadian Inquirer’s top picks:

Location: Grouse Mountain, 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver, B.C.

VANCOUVER

Dates: Nov. 29 to Jan. 3 Location: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, 3739 Capilano Road, North Vancouver, B.C.

• The Magic of Christmas Dates: Dec. 1 to Jan. 6, 2015 Location: Butchart Gardens, 800 Benvenuto Ave. Brentwood Bay, B.C.

• The Christmas Express Time: 4 to 9 p.m. Dates: Dec. 19 to 23 Location: BC Forest Discovery Centre, 2892 Drinkwater Rd., Duncan, B.C.

• Bright Nights Stanley Park Christmas Train Time: Matinee train – 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; Night train: 3 to 11 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays; 3 to 10 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays Dates: Nov. 27 to Jan. 4 Location: Stanley Park, Vancouver, B.C.

• Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain Dates: Nov. 28 to Dec. 24

• A Victorian Christmas at Craigdarroch Castle Dates: Dec. 1 to 31 Venue: Craigdarroch Castle Historic House Museum,1050 Joan Crescent Ave., Victoria. B.C.

• Canada’s National Gingerbread Showcase Time: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dates: Nov. 22 to Jan. 4, 2015 Venue: Inn at Laurel Point, 680 Montreal St., Victoria, B.C.

• Canyon Lights – Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

mas Food Tour Time: 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dates: Nov. 29 to Dec. 28 Price: $58.74 Location: Kensington Market, 191 Baldwin St., Toronto, On.

• Disney on Ice: Treasure Trove Date: Dec. 20 to 28 Location: Rogers Centre Price: $37 to $105.50

• The Nutcraker Date: Dec. 13 to Jan. 3 Location: Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 60 Yorkville Ave., Toronto, On. Price: $25 to $409

• A Christmas Carol Date: Dec. 2 to 27 Location: Soulpepper Theatre, 50 Tank House Lane, Toronto, On.

Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge.

• Winter Hikes

ton, AB

Location: Heart Creek Trail, Trans Canada Highway east of Las Des Arc, Calgary, AB Date: Open daily

• Cory Christopher Christmas Market & Holiday Workshops

Time: 4:30 to 9 p.m. Dates: Dec. 10 to Jan. 4, 2015 Location: Van Dusen Botanical Gardens, 5251 Oak St., Vancouver

• Holiday Magic Date: Nov. 16 to Dec. 31 Location: Bloor-Yorkville B.I. A. Ticket: Free Phone: 416-928-3553

Date: Dec. 18 to 24 Location: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 14 Ave. Northwest Calgary, AB Price: $29 to $114

Time: Tues – Wed: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thu: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fri: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sat – Sun: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Closed Mon Date: Nov. 1 to Dec. 23 Location: 10914 105 Ave. (alley entrance)

TORONTO

CALGARY

• Toy Soldier Tea

• Candy Cane Lane

Date: Dec. 21 to 24 Location: Jubilee Auditorium Calgary, 1415 14 Ave., Northwest Calgary, AB

Date: Dec. 12 to Jan. 4, 2015 Location: 148 St. between 100 Ave. & 92 Ave. Cost: Free. Bring a donation to Edmonton Food Bank

• Festival of Lights

• DJ Skate Nights

• Lion’s Festival of Lights

Dates: every Saturday night from Dec. 13 to Feb. 21 Location: Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto, On.

Time: 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. Date: Nov. 29 to Jan. 8 Location: Confederation Park, 14 St NW, South of 24th Ave Cost: Free

• Christmas in the Valley

• Zoolights

Dates: Dec. 7 to Jan. 4 Location: Todmorden Mills Heritage Museum Price: Adult - $5.31; Youth/seniors - $3; Kids - $2

Time: 6 to 9 p.m. nightly Date: Nov. 21 to Jan. 3 Location: Calgary Zoo Botanical Garden & Prehistoric Park, 1300 Zoo Road NE Calgary, AB Price: (16+) - $14, Children: $11

• Kensington Market Christ-

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• Alberta Ballet’s Nutcraker

• A Christmas Carol Date: Nov. 27 to Dec. 24 Location: Epcor Centre Price: $35 to $115.50

EDMONTON • Celebrate the Season Date: Dec. 4 to 23 Location: Alberta Legislature Building, 10800-97 Ave., Edmon-

• The Best Little Newfoundland Christmas Pageant Ever Date: Dec. 18 to 22 Location: Varscona Theatre, 10329 83 Ave., Edmonton Price: $20 to $22

❱❱ PAGE 24 Magical Christmas

Christmas

DECEMBER 25, 2014

Nothing compares... ❰❰ 22

Christmas Carolling

Another fun activity that happens during the Yuletide season is the Christmas carolling. In the Philippines, children would perform and sing in exchange for a few coins and bills. They would knock on your doors and serenade you with Christmas carols. And if you did not give them any, they will still sing you with a “thank you” song. The Christmas Eve and Noche Buena Feast

The 24th of December is celebrated by most Filipino families by going to the last of the Simbang Gabi mass and a hearty dinner after. Family members gather during midnight to welcome Christmas Day by exchanging gifts, singing carols, and even playing games. The usual yuletide fare will not be complete without queso de bola (ball of cheese), Christmas ham, fruit salad, chocolates, and some well-loved Filipino dishes. Parents also are into the habit of encouraging their children to hang their Christmas stockings for Santa Claus to fill in with gifts. The stockings are usually hanged near the window or door. The next morning, the children will wake up with their socks filled with goodies,

presents, and sometimes a note from Santa telling them to continue being good children. The Christmas Spirit

Last, but certainly not the least, nothing beats the Christmas spirit of the Filipinos. More than the decors and trappings, in the Philippines, the Christmas spirit is more heart-warming. It is the season of remembering the birth of Jesus Christ. It is all about giving not because you want to impress, but to show your loved ones how much you value them. A lot of Filipinos abroad would attest to this. And they can’t help but feel a little homesick once the holidays comes in. More so, Christmas is about spending the season with your family. Christmas day is usually celebrated traditionally by going to the church and eating out afterwards. Regardless of whether you have an elaborate fair or a simple celebration, what matters is that you get to spend the day together and cherish each wonderful moment. Christmas celebrations are indeed more fun in the Philippines - traffic jams and shopping rush madness included. It does not come surprising at all why Filipinos staying abroad would love to be with their families during the said season. After all, there is no place like home. ■

You Are Invited this Christmas & All Year Long To the Anglican Church of Canada Churches of The Diocese of New Westminster In Full Communion with Philippine Independent Church (Aglipayan Church) & the Episcopal Church in the Philippines

St. Mary’s, South Hill • The Reverend Fr. Expedito Farinas 808 East 50th Avenue, Vancouver • 604.324.3365 www.stmarysouthhill.com •••••• holy communion services Christmas Eve • 7:30pm with Pageant Christmas Day • 10:30am

‘Tis the season for togetherness, but some find solace in moments of solitude BY LAUREN LA ROSE The Canadian Press

around and stuff until you come home and go: ‘Oh, now I remember why I was alone — this is good,’” she added, laughing. TORONTO — The holidays are widely Brown’s birthday falls the week beseen as a time of togetherness to gather fore Christmas. To mark her milestone for dinners, cocktail parties, gift ex- 50th this year, she planned on spending changes and outdoor activities, yet several days in Toronto flying solo, with whether by choice or circumstance, hopes of visiting the Royal Ontario Musome find solace in seum and CN Tower, moments of solitude scouting out light during the festive displays and festive season. store windows and Laura Brown taking snapshots of lives alone for half old buildings dotted the year while her You get so throughout the city. mother is in Florida. busy with the But she’s typically While most years she holidays, some content to celebrate spends Christmas years, it’s just in even more low-key Day enjoying breaknice to do fashion. fast with her brother, nothing at all. “You get so busy his wife and in-laws, with the holidays, Brown also savours some years, it’s just solo activities, like nice to do nothing at checking out the fesall,” said Brown. “For tive light displays me, I like to just stay in her hometown of home, make up some Barrie, Ont. hot chocolate and whatever you want for “It’s a good balance for me because at your dinner — just simple.” the holidays, you have a little more freeIn a 2013 post on her website thatgrrl. dom,” said the writer, who is divorced. ca, Brown outlined several tips on how “You can kind of slack a bit there, so you to make the best of being alone during can do a little more for yourself. the holidays, like planning an event for “If you feel like being around people, each day, being of service to others as a you can go to the mall and get bumped volunteer, enjoying a spa day at home or

Magical Christmas... ❰❰ 23

• It’s a Wonderful Life Radio Show

St. Michael’s, Surrey • The Reverend Fr. Louie Engnan 12996 – 60 Avenue, Surrey • 604.591.8323 www.stmichaelschurch.ca •••••• holy communion services Christmas Eve • 7:30pm & 10pm Christmas Day • 10am

Time: 8 p.m. Date: Dec. 17 to 23; 8 pm Location: Fort Edmonton Park, 7000-143 St., Edmonton, AB

St. Michael’s Multicultural • The Reverend Fr. Wilmer Toyoken 409 East Broadway, Vancouver • 604.876.8191 www.stmikes-church.ca •••••• holy communion services Christmas Eve • 9pm with Pageant Christmas Day • 11am

• Home for the Holidays at Assiniboine Park Conservatory

WE LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING YOU!

THURSDAY

WINNIPEG

Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Date: Dec. 19 to Jan. 4 Location: Assiniboine Park Conservatory, 15 Conservatory Drive, Winnipeg, MB Phone: 204-927-6000

• MTYP presents Peter Pan Time: Dec 19 to 24 Location: Shaw Performing Arts Centre, 2 Forks Market Road, Winnipeg, AB Phone: 204-942-8898

www.canadianinquirer.net

• Canad Inns Winter Wonderland Time: 6 to 10 p.m. Dates: 15 dates between Dec 19 and Jan 3 Location: Red River Exhibtion Park 3977 Portage Ave, Winnipeg, MB Phone: 204-888-6990

• 2014 Christmas Lights Sightseeing Tour Time: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Location: Travel Manitoba Explore Centre 1 Forks Market Road Winnipeg MB Phone: 204 989-9630

• RWB presents The Nutcraker Time: Dec. 20 - 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Dec. 21 - 2 p.m.; Dec. 22 and 23 -7 p.m.; Dec. 27 - 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Dec. 28 - 2 p.m. Location: Centennial Concert Hall, 555 Main Street Phone: 204.956.0183

Christmas

THURSDAY DECEMBER 25, 2014

using the time to catch up on reading, movies or home repair projects. In the past, Brown has taken on festive-themed arts and crafts projects, like fashioning gingerbread men and snowmen out of felt to adorn the tree. “I think for people who are alone, you have to decide what it is you want — if you want quiet or if you want people or if you want more holiday stuff — because everyone’s going to be different.” Emily White, author of the national bestseller “Lonely: Learning to Live with Solitude,” said there are often lofty expectations surrounding the idea of togetherness during festive gatherings, such as Thanksgiving and New Year’s celebrations. “I don’t know that people are any lonelier on Christmas Day than they are, say, on March 19,” said White, whose new book “Count Me In” (McClelland & Stewart) is due out on Jan. 6. “There have been studies done that show that loneliness increases in keeping with societal norms and expectations. So if you have a day where the

Some people find that the holiday season is a perfect time for some alone time and reflection.

expectations for sociability are very, very high — as they are on Christmas Day — people will feel lonelier as a result. And it’s not because of the day — it’s because of the expectations attached to the day.” While some may share in those expectations in the sense of not wanting to be alone, oth-

ers may feel quite fine being solo, she noted. The Toronto-based author comes from a big family and isn’t alone on Christmas; but nonetheless, she still relishes the opportunities she has to enjoy a bit of quiet time. “Christmas is one of the days where there’s very, very little

www.canadianinquirer.net

traffic. So, one of the things I do on my own is kind of celebrate the fact that there’s no one on the road, And if it’s snowy, you can go for long walks.” White encouraged individuals who are alone to mark the occasion in whichever way they find meaningful. “This is sort of a day off from

everything. It’s a day where you can do whatever you want,” she said. “And if that’s staying home and reading a good book or calling a friend who you haven’t seen in a long time who lives somewhere far away or, in my case, going for a walk in the snow ... there’s all sorts of ways to be happy on that day.” ■

Seen & Scenes: Vancouver

DECEMBER 25, 2014

THURSDAY

VANCOUVER CONSULATE FAMILY GET-TOGETHER The Vancouver Consulate family welcomes this festive season with a traditional get-together complete with gift exchanges, party games, singing Christmas carols, dancing and a lavish spread. Here are some highlights of the event. (Photos by Anton Mandap and Marc Paco).

OFFICE YULETIDE PARTY Alan Yong (6th from L) treated his staff from Philippine Canadian Inquirer, Juan Radio, Symphony 8 and Times Tel to a scrumptious Christmas lunch on Dec. 17, in Richmond, B.C. (Photo from Laarni Liwanag)

INVISIBLES AND DISPOSABLES The situation of temporary migrant workers in Canada — the invisibles and the disposables — was seen through the lens of poetry and stories read by Raul Gatica, Vicente Juarez, Joiden Ordinario and Erie Maestro; through the tapestries of Bert Monterona; through the collection of photographs by Luz Rosas; and situationners by Gil Aguilar, Alejandra Henao and Beth Dollaga. The program was organized by Migrante BC.

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

THURSDAY DECEMBER 25, 2014

Seen & Scenes: Toronto

AN HARONG HOLIDAY BASH An Harong Orgranization recently held its Christmas Party, at Qssis Banquet Hall. This non-profit organization has been helping the children of 27 barangays in Bicol Region.

OUR LADY OF ASSUMPTION CHURCH The Christmas celebration of Our Lady of Assumption Church (OLA) was held on Dec. 13. Even senior citizens believed in Santa, and requested him to give their Christmas gifts. Federal Finance Minister Joe Oliver spent time posing with kids and their parents before delivering the federal governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas message.

TALAKAYAN RADYO FilCan communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pioneering Talakayan Radyo 1430 AM family celebrated a simple 10 -year broadcast anniversary and pre-Christmas party with staff and special guests on Dec. 13, at Century Palace Restaurant, Markham, On. Shown are: (Sitting from L) Jocelyn A. San Juan, Jess Cabrias, Rafael Nebres, and Rose Osena. (Standing from L) Tony A. San Juan, Bobby Achacon, Col.Delio Osena, Lorna Achacon, Mirco Cabrias, Doris Dayno, Ted Dayno, May Cabrias, Makayla Cabrias, Agnes Miranda, Norma Carpio, Cecile Esguerra and Pedro Carpio. (Back row) Karen Pascual-Binaday, Charlotte Cabrias, Mitch Cabrias and David Cabrias. www.canadianinquirer.net

Community News

DECEMBER 25, 2014

THURSDAY

FilCan runs for MP nomination Winter tour sign-up extended BY TONY A. SAN JUAN, OCT

A FILCAN community leader has thrown in her hat in the political arena. Michele Serrano, a committed community figure in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), is running for the Scarborough Southwest federal riding nomination in Toronto. The electoral district is one of two high-profile areas in the GTA with two political aspirants of Filipino heritage. These are Michele, a Filipina professional and another, a pastor. Serrano, popularly known to family and friends as “Chichi”, is vying for nomination to become the official candidate of the Liberal Party for member of parliament in next year’s federal election. A multi-licensed career professional, Serrano has been certified to practice in four major industry sectors. As a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and as a Certified General Accountant (CGA), she held senior management positions in both public and private sectors. She was controller for the City of Toronto Economic Development Corp. for many years. Michele built a career in corporate Canada and transitioned herself from corporate life two years ago to be chief financial officer/controller/corporate secretary of Canada for Clear Channel, a world-wide media and advertising company. Being a Regulated Certified Immigration Consultant (RCIC), she continued working even after retiring from the corporate world. The decision to be a RCIC was born out of her desire to help people, especially fellow Filipinos, realize their dreams of being reunited with their family, of coming to Canada and of having a better life. As a financial advisor, she focuses on retirement planning to ensure that people are taken care of in their senior years. Her goal is to educate people on how money works and how they can make the most of their budget and be stress-free in their retirement years. “Currently, I am completing requirements to be a Certified Financial Planner, in order to provide better advice and value in investing clients’ resources,” she said. Born in Quezon City, Philip-

Serrano.

pines to Franklin and Monina Serrano from Albay and Masbate, she studied at Stella Maris College in the Philippines. She also finished her secondary education at St. Joseph’s College School in Toronto. Michele attended the University of Toronto, Ryerson University, Seneca College and Humber College where she received degrees and certificates in Business Management, Business Administration, Human Resources Management, Accounting and Information Technology and Immigration. “I will listen, act and get results for the Scarborough Southwest and together, we can make it happen,” she vowed. The pledge came several months after knocking on many doors in Scarborough Southwest. “I have listened to many residents but it is not enough to just listen, something should be done about it. When I hear our kababayans say, “pare-pareho lang kayo, magaling kung may kailangan. I say, ‘ibahin niyo po ako. eto po ang card ko, hindi po magbabago ang number, win or lose kung mayroon akong maitutulong tumawag po kayo.’” Being a Filipino social activist and feminist leader, there are many things Michele has done anonymously as she is more concerned about getting things done rather than getting the credit. She reasoned out, “It was more effective and fulfill-

ing to work behind the scenes and watch something unfold and evolve.” Michelle added, “One thing I would like is to be an example of a successful immigrant story to prove to our kababayans that Canada is indeed the land of opportunity, anything is possible and you can make it happen!” Learning about her nomination drive, several professional and community organizations are endorsing and supporting her political journey. Among the associations are Scarborough Ontario Seniors Association, Federation of FilipinoCanadians, Ontario Filipino Womens Club,and Philippine Canadian Guardians Brotherhood, including leaders like Fr. Terry Gallagher of Scarborough Foreign Mission , Zeny Uy of Our Lady of Assumption Parish, Rafael Nebres of Bicol Canada Community Association, Dr. Victoria Santigao and Agnes Miranda of World Financial Group Her Scarborough Southwest Riding encompasses the boundaries of Victoria Ave. in the west, Markham Rd. in the east, south of Eglinton Ave. East and down to Lake Ontario. She is enlisting the utmost support of kababayans residing or are voters in the riding to register as members of the Liberal Party. Michele may be contacted at Tel. 416-9889613 or email: michele_serrano@ hotmail.com. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

THE PHILIPPINE Embassy in Ottawa announced that it has extended the registration deadline for Winter Escapade to Dec. 29. Amb. Petronila Garcia, renewed her call for members of Filipino communities and Canadians to sign up for this special tour in five Philippine destinations from Jan. 30 to Feb. 6. “Rajah Tours, our ground handler, and the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) have conducted their final inspection of the sites to be visited and our schedule of activities in Dumaguete, Siquijor/Apo Island, Bohol, Cebu and Makati will be finalized shortly with the possible addition of two more hosted dinners,” she said. Starting at CAD 1,185 for five destinations over eight days and seven nights, Winter Escapade rates promises real value for money and an exceptional experience of our countries fa-

mous sights, culture and hospitality,” Ambassador Garcia added. The deadline was extended upon the request of interested parties. For additional information, contact Consul Flerida Ann Camille Mayo at (flerida. mayo@philembasst.ca) or call 613-233-1121. ■

Vancouver Consulate reminds community to drive safely this winter THE PHILIPPINE Consulate General in Vancouver mourns the death of three more Filipino citizens who perished in another deadly car accident in Alberta over the weekend. In an advisory issued on Dec. 20, the consulate said, “We condole with their next of kin and the rest of the Filipino community, and extend our assistance to expedite the repatriation of the remains of the victims, in accordance with the desires of their loved ones.” In view of the alarming incidence of deadly road accidents involving Filipino citizens, the Philippine Consulate General calls on the community to avoid driving when road and weather conditions are bad, or if such trips cannot be avoided, observe extraordinary caution to prevent accidents. In line with this, the consulate strongly advised the community to consider the following practical tips from

Transport Canada: • Get your vehicle ready for winter. • Install four matching winter tires. • Pack an emergency kit. • Learn and practice winter driving techniques before you need them. • Plan your trip, check road and weather conditions. • Remove all snow from your vehicle before each trip. • Give yourself extra travel time in bad weather. • Avoid using cruise control on slippery roads. • Travel with a fully charged cell phone. • Slow down and wear your seatbelt. For more advice on specific driving conditions or situations, the community is enjoined to consult RCMP driving advisories and driving tips offered by ICBC and other provincial authorities. ■

Immigration

THURSDAY DECEMBER 25, 2014

Hurdles hamper border agency’s pursuit of crooked immigration consultants: memo BY JIM BRONSKILL The Canadian Press OTTAWA — Reluctant witnesses, scant evidence, and limited time and resources pose serious challenges when it comes to investigating crooked immigration consultants, the Canada Border Services Agency says. Agency president Luc Portelance tells Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney in a newly disclosed memo that fraudulent activities involving unscrupulous consultants “threaten the integrity of Canada’s immigration program.” The correspondence highlights the latest headaches confronting federal officials in their long battle against criminals who take advantage of people desperate to come to Canada. The memo, released under the Access to Information Act, says the border agency has received more than 700 referrals of suspected consultant-related fraud for criminal investigation since 2008. About 140 of these have resulted in investigations. Over the last six years, the Public Prosecution Service of Canada has accepted 22 cases, with 13 resulting in guilty con-

victions and several others still sources, and statistical reportmaking their way through the ing often does not truly demcourts, the memo adds. onstrate the significant amount In 2013-14, the border agency of work being undertaken at a opened 40 investigations into given time,” it says. consultant fraud — the highest “Additionally, obtaining evinumber in the last six years. dence of consultant fraud con“Most of these cases are still tinues to be a challenge.” under active investigation,” the Immigration applicants are memo says. “often hesitant” to report conHowever, consultant fraud sultants, as they were either cases are among the most complicit in the misrepresentatime-consuming and resource- tions or they remain convinced intensive investigations, Por- their consultant can help them telance notes. gain status in Canada, PorIn August the border agency telance says. laid four charges against an Ed“Many applicants fear remov- documentary evidence for use monton consultant who alleg- al from Canada as they did not in court. edly provided her clients with acknowledge using a represenPortelance suggests creatforged documents — charges tative for a fee or consideration.” ing a ticketing-type offence for that came three “non-complex years after the and low-priority agency received cases” that do a complaint not warrant full against her. Over the last six years, the Public prosecution. Obtaining eviProsecution Service of Canada has Such cases might dence to prove accepted 22 cases, with 13 resulting involve providintent of a crime in guilty convictions and several ing or advertisoften includes others still making their way ing immigration several search through the courts. advice for a fee warrants, prowithout authoriduction orders, zation. interviews and However, he surveillance operations, PorIn addition, contracts be- says, this would require consultelance says in the memo. tween shady consultants and tation with federal and provin“The focus on complex cases prospective newcomers are cial players and amendments to creates a significant pressure often verbal — with payments immigration law. on (border agency) time and re- made in cash — leaving little The agency is using its intelli-

gence-gathering and analysis to better understand the problem, as well as working closely with partners including Citizenship and Immigration Canada and the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council, Portelance adds. Priorities for the agency’s 200 criminal investigators include consultant fraud, human smuggling, marriages of convenience, export violations, weapons and tobacco smuggling, commercial trade fraud, and food, plant and animal offences, the memo reveals. The aim is to tackle high-risk offences that will “have the greatest impact on the nation’s economic and social well-being.” ■

Ottawa closes case: No hope for deported Pakistani woman to return to Saskatoon THE CANADIAN PRESS

Jamila Bibi.

TRIBUNE.COM.PK

SASKATOON — The lawyer for a woman deported to Pakistan says there is no hope left that she will be allowed to return to Saskatoon. Bashir Khan told CTV Saskatoon that Jamila Bibi’s case has been closed by the federal government. Bibi’s deportation order was enforced three months ago following a 2009 decision by the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Board to deny her refugee status. She can’t re-enter Canada unless Immigration Minister Chris Alexander authorizes www.canadianinquirer.net

her return — something Khan doesn’t believe will happen. A document Bibi filed with the refugee board says she fled Pakistan in 2007 after she was attacked and woke up in prison facing charges of adultery and prostitution. The mother of six feared her life was in danger and that she could be the victim of a socalled honour killing if she returned to Pakistan. “I had some hope,” Khan said after the government closed the file Monday. “That’s all dashed. There’s nothing else left.” He said her deportation order bans her from re-entering Canada for life.

Bibi’s submission to the refugee board said she was tortured in Pakistan and her clothes torn off in the attack. Her husband’s accusations of adultery, which were proven false, stemmed from a decadeslong family dispute over land ownership. The board ruled her life was not at risk if she returned to her home country. A friend of Bibi’s has said the 65-year-old woman immediately went into hiding upon her return to Pakistan in September. Khan said he has not spoken to Bibi since her deportation. “I’ve never heard from Jamila and I don’t think I ever will.” ■

Immigration

DECEMBER 25, 2014

THURSDAY

PANGARAP : SO, OUR JOURNEY BEGINS

So, What is Door-to-Door Selling? BY BOLET AREVALO IF YOU have been here for a while and still do not have a job, most probably, you have not tried applying for a job door-todoor. In sales promotions, there is a technique called door-to-door. It is a selling technique where the seller literally knocks on the prospective customer’s door to introduce the product in the hopes of closing a sale. The technique is usually offthe-shelf and can be used at any particular time and circumstances that the company sees necessary. It also depends on the kind of product or service that is sold, because not all can be literally peddled around. Thus, on the one hand, the technique easily caught popularity for products that you do not need to physically carry around, like insurance, investments and other intangible

products or services. I have been in marketing and have done a lot of product promotions for quite a number of years in my past professional life. I have seen how different selling methods work for what, when, and how. I can distinguish which technique works for what, when and how. I can package products and make them attractive and more saleable. I can create a message, put

it on board and spread it around to catch attention and eventually sell. I was very good at that. However, never in my whole life did I imagine having to sell myself door-to-door just to get my first local experience. Yet, I did it. But the saving grace is I did it not because my family was already starving, thank God, but because I was inspired and challenged by a good friend of mine who came to Canada

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and in less than two weeks was already working. She used door-to-door. You want to know how effective it is? We talked about it on a Saturday night over dinner. The following day, Sunday, I went to a mall and in the third store that I entered, I got a job. And I applied for a job I had never done before in my entire life. Was I just lucky? Lucky or not, there is no sub-

stitute from being able to get a chance to meet your prospective interviewer and employer right at first meeting. It may take you a hundred emailed resumes before you can even get to hear from, much less see, one right person from a company you wish to apply with Being at the right place at the right time? Perhaps. But how can you be in the right place if you do not go? And how can you be in the right time, when you are not there? Mine and my friend’s tales are definitely not the only amazing success stories of job hunting using door-to-door technique. A classmate in a seminar got a job on the second day of his landing. He went to a store and handed in his resume. He was told that they found him overqualified for the job. He looked at the store manager in the eye and said “I have just arrived. I do not have much money to spare and I have a family to feed.” Can you do that if you ❱❱ PAGE 34 So, What is

Immigration

THURSDAY DECEMBER 25, 2014

www.canadianinquirer.net

THURSDAY DECEMBER 25, 2014

Entertainment Senator Sotto says Sharon Cuneta to be good Pasay mayor BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Senator Vicente Sotto III said on Wednesday that megastar singer-actress Sharon Cuneta would be good as mayor of Pasay City. Sotto, who helped to catapult Cuneta into stardom, said on Wednesday: “Kung ako ang tatanungin, sapagkat ako ang naghubog, ako ang nag-imbento ng showbiz career nya, puwede ko ring iimbento ang political career nya kung gusto nya (If you’ll ask me, I was the one started and built her showbiz career. I could also invent her political ca-

reer, if she wanted to.)” “Magiging magaling na mayor ng Pasay yun.” (She would make a very good mayor of Pasay.),” the senator, who is Cuneta’s uncle, added. Cuneta’s late father, Pablo, held the position of Pasay City Mayor for many years. Sotto made it clear, though, that this was merely his own personal opinion and that he had not yet broached the matter to Cuneta. “Hindi n’ya alam. Ako lang,” the senator said. (She doesn’t know about it. This is just me talking.),” he said.

Billy Crawford and Coleen Garcia.

PHOTO FROM CRAWFORD’S FACEBOOK PAGE

Coleen: Billy inspires me BY LEI FONTAMILLAS Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA — Actress and host Coleen Garcia reacted to comments saying that her current boyfriend Billy Crawford is not right for her because of their 10-year age gap. “He inspires me, really motivates me to be the best person I can be,” said Garcia in defense of her partner. “I’ll stand by his side because that’s what partners do.” Garcia also shared that she even talked to her mother about Crawford when they were just starting out with their relationship. “My mom asked if I was sure it’s worth it. I said it’s not easy

to be with me, any more than it is easy to be with him. Whatever problems he is experiencing outside our relationship, I had nothing to do with,” she explained referring to Crawford who was charged with malicious mischief and disobedience after making a scene in a precinct in Taguig City. She added, “Billy has been a very good boyfriend, so far. He’s a very caring partner to me. Everything that I am looking for in a guy, I found in him. I’m not saying he’s already perfect, I just feel that he’s the perfect partner for me.” She also believes that Crawford will be there for her all the time. “I know that whatever happens, he will support me

and will never pull me down. He’s very honest to me. I feel like I’ve found not just a partner, but also a friend whom I can share all of my problems with and who will always understand me,” explained Garcia. She added: “I wouldn’t be with someone unless I believe that this person is really the one for me. A relationship is all about work and commitment. When your relationship is tested, that’s when you see how much you love each other.” Aside from her love life, Garcia is also busy with several upcoming projects including a local adaptation of “Pasion de Amor.” She will also be part of a new film by Gino Santos under Star Cinema. ■

Entertainment

THURSDAY DECEMBER 25, 2014

Coco says: ‘Awards more important than box office success’ BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer

Newly crowned Ms Arizona, USA 2015 Maureen Montagne waves to well wishers upon her arrival last week at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 in Pasay City. She will be here for a two-week pictorial around the country for her vying the Ms USA 2015 pageant and to promote our country. She was a runner-up in the 2012 Mutya ng Pilipinas. AVITO C. DALAN / PNA

Aiza, Liza make plans to have a baby BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer RECENTLY MARRIED couple, singer Aiza Seguerra and actress Liza Diño have expressed their desire to have a biological child. In a live interview on “Aquino & Abunda Tonight” on Tuesday, Seguerra and Diño revealed that they have already consulted with experts at a fertility clinic in the United States in order to enable the conception and pregnancy. Seguerra — who openly identifies as a transgender man — has taken the role of “padre de familia;” acting as father to Diño’s daughter from a prior relationship. During Tuesday’s interview, the couple voiced their opinions about same-sex marriages, and addressed issues raised by critics thereof.

Aiza Seguerra and Liza Diño.

They also revealed they will be having another ceremony here in the Philippines to symbolize and celebrate their

union. Seguerra Diño tied the knot on December 8 in an intimate and low-key ceremony in California, USA. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

MANILA — In a live interview on “Aquino & Abunda Tonight,” actor Coco Martin said that he would rather receive numerous awards for his craft than be a box-office smash. The 33-year-old actor — who began his career in the independent film sector — elaborated that in his opinion, receiving critical acclaim for his work is more important than topping the box office charts and is by far more rewarding. “Kasi siguro nanggaling ako sa indie, ‘yung f u lf i l l m e n t nandoon eh. Mas nasanay ako doon (Maybe it is because I came from the indie scene, and that is where fulfillment lies. I have become used to that.),” Martin said. Martin also clarified that he is not looking for romantic involvement,

at the moment, and that he only vaguely recalls having “female visitors” on the set of “Feng Shui”; as alleged by co-star Kris Aquino. “Hindi ko siya hinahanap. ‘Yung nangyayari sa akin ngayon na madaming blessings na dumadating, ayaw ko nang pakawalan kasi may time para diyan (love life). Lahat ng ginagawa ko ngayon para sa pamilya ko eh, at sa magiging sarili kong pamilya (I am not looking for it (romantic involvement). Many blessings are pouring into my life, right now, and I do not want to lose sight of this, because there is a time for that (love life). Everything I am doing is for my family, and for my own family, in the future.),” he said. ■

Entertainment

So, What is... faxed or emailed your Going door-to-door selling resume? yourself may be something We are, of course, you haven’t tried before, but talking about jobs here, and it can be fun and rewarding. not yet a career. But who knows Trying door-to-door may give how many successful careers you the satisfaction of being out there started with a door- able to talk to a prospective to-door, give-me–any-job ap- employer on the spot, which proach? Or just how you could may seem to take forever if stumble into what fate has de- you just emailed a resume.The signed for you if you did not door-to-door approach may go out looking for it and spoke get you a job, and not yet a cabravely of what you need and reer, but it can also open up what you can do avenues for you for a living? to find a new Or how the career path or self-confidence go back to your and strength of Lucky own. ■ character were or not, restored with there is no Bolet is a marketone successful substitute ing communicajob search by from being tions practitioner knocking on an able to get and dabbles in employer’s door? a chance to writing as a perThat was what meet your sonal passion. door-to-door did prospective She is authorfor me. interviewer publisher of the Think about and book: The Most your chance to employer Practical Immistand up in front right at first grating and Job of a prospective meeting. Hunting Survival employer, speak Guide, proven for yourself and simple steps to convince him success without that he needs the fears and the you there, and right now. Only doubts. Please check out https:// the door-to-door technique will www.amazon.com/author/ do this for you upfront. boletarevalo. ❰❰ 30

DECEMBER 25, 2014 THURSDAY

Vhong Navarro is Google Philippines’ top search in 2014 BY LEI FONTAMILLAS Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA — TV host and actor Vhong Navarro is the top of 2014’s overall top trending searches according to Google Philippines. Navarro was mauled early this year by businessman Cedric Lee after allegedly being sexually involved with model Deniece Cornejo. Aside from Cornejo, beauty queen Roxanne Cabañero also accused Navarro saying that the actor raped her way back in April 2010. However, both cases were dismissed by the Department of Justice (DOJ). Joining Navarro in the top search list of Google Philippines include were Flappy Bird, Robin Williams, “Rude” (Magic!), “Frozen,” Lee, Paolo Bediones, Jennifer Lawrence, Malaysia Airlines and “Meteor Garden.” Meanwhile, all three — Lee, Cornejo, and Cabañero — are part of Google Philippines’ Top

Vhong Navarro.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

10 Newsmaker List for the year. Also included are child singer Darren Espanto, professional basketball player Paul George, former model Helena Belmonte, ex-Philippine Basketball

Association player Bryan Gahol, champion skater Michael Christian Martinez, Crimean prosecutor Natalia Poklonskaya, and drowning victim Michelle Ann Bonzo. ■

HOROSCOPE ARIES

CANCER

LIBRA

CAPRICORN

(MARCH 21 - APRIL 19)

(JUNE 22 - JULY 22)

(SEPT 23 - OCT 22)

(DEC 22 - JAN 19)

This is the best time to express gratitude to the people around you. You’ll get a lot of the positive vibes you need this week by saying ‘thank you’ to those who have made your days better.

Stop wasting excess energy on activities that won’t add to your total growth. Now is the best time to save and store it for future use. Tomorrow will be another challenging day and you will be needing a full-battery power pack so, recharge!

You might be having troubles processing the ideas of the people around you. This might be because of your tendency to always take the lead and manage things the way you see it. It’s time to open-up and let them take charge, Libra.

You need to start writing down your plans for the coming week. You will be faced with a lot of tasks to do and your personal errands might mess-up with your work-related tasks. Lay down your cards and plan, Capricorn. That’s the only key.

TAURUS

LEO

SCORPIO

AQUARIUS

(APRIL 20 - MAY 20)

(JULY 23 - AUGUST 22)

(OCT 23 - NOV 21)

(JAN 20 - FEB 18)

Things will be getting a little intense for you this week. Your personal and professional priorities will be dragging you to the point of giving up, but you have to hold on. Saying no should not be an option, always remember that, Taurus.

Find some time to indulge yourself in doing something creative this week. You will be having more time to spend for those things so don’t lose the opportunity. Simple art tricks that you’ll learn today will make you the big boss tomorrow!

Things will be going around you a little faster this time, so pay attention! You have to be quick in making decisions and taking actions especially on things that involve work and your profession.

GEMINI

VIRGO

SAGITTARIUS

(MAY 21 - JUNE 21)

(AUG 23 - SEPT 22)

(NOV 22 - DEC 21)

Someone will give you a big task in the weeks to come. Don’t lose hope though. These challenges are just part of the bigger test. Conquer this and you’ll be rewarded in the days to come.

Your strength in fighting for your values will be tested this week. Something big will challenge your patience in the week to come so hold that emotional tension in. It won’t do you any better. Be still, and righteous all the time.

It’s about time that you learn to trust your instincts. Sometimes the logic of things will not make you come up with better answers to your queries. Listening to your inner self will be very helpful in the coming days.

www.canadianinquirer.net

Feel free to speak your mind. You’ve been holding in a lot of ideas, a lot of opportunities to bring success to your doorsteps. Now is your chance to free it all up and open your window to a greener pasture.

PISCES (FEB 19 - MAR 20) Do not imprison yourself in that negative mindset that stops you from doing what you really wanted. You are the only person who can free yourself from those fears that stop you from going to the direction of your passion. Choose what you really want, Pisces and all the best will follow.

Entertainment

THURSDAY DECEMBER 25, 2014

Obama: Sony made mistake in shelving film under pressure by North Korea hackers; vows response BY ERIC TUCKER AND TED BRIDIS The Associated Press WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama declared Friday that Sony Pictures Entertainment “made a mistake” in shelving a satirical film about a plot to assassinate North Korea’s leader and pledged the U.S. would respond “in a place and manner and time that we choose” to the hack attack on Sony that the FBI blamed on the communist government. Speaking of Sony executives, Obama said at a year-end news conference, “I wish they had spoken to me first. ... We cannot have a society in which some dictatorship someplace can start imposing censorship.” Obama said he imagined situations in which dictators “start seeing a documentary that they don’t like or news reports that they don’t like.” The president spoke not long after the FBI accused the North Korean government of being responsible for the hacking attack against Sony, providing the most detailed accounting to date of the digital break-in. Obama’s pointed criticism of Sony shifted focus to whether the studio would reverse its decision, as some leading celebrities — including actors George Clooney and Sean Penn — have recommended. “Sony is a corporation. It suffered significant damage. There were threats against its employees. I am sympathetic to the concerns that they faced,” he said. “Having said all that, yes, I

think they made a mistake.” The administration earlier in the day formally accused North Korea’s government of being responsible but offered few hints about how it might retaliate. Its evidence: The U.S. detected communications between computer Internet addresses known to be operated by North Korea and hacking tools left behind at the crime scene, which the FBI said contained subtle clues linking them to that country’s government. The decision to openly blame North Korea — which involved the State Department and U.S. intelligence agencies — escalated an intriguing global game of brinkmanship. It included the disclosure of confidential Sony emails and business files and threats of terror attacks against U.S. movie theatres until Sony agreed to cancel the Christmas Day release of its comedy, “The Interview.” The hackers had demanded that withdrawal partly over a scene depicting the assassination of North Korea’s leader. “The FBI now has enough information to conclude that the North Korean government is responsible for these actions,” said the U.S. statement, which was not attributed to any official by name. It added: “North Korea’s actions were intended to inflict significant harm on a U.S. business and suppress the right of American citizens to express themselves.” The statement included a general promise to impose “costs and consequences” on any person, group or government using cyberattacks to threaten the U.S. or its inter-

ests. Obama wasn’t any more specific. “They caused a lot of damage, and we will respond,” Obama said. “We will respond proportionally, and we’ll respond in a place and time and manner that we choose. It’s not something that I will announce here today at a press conference.” North Korea has denied it was involved but praised the hacking as a “righteous deed.” On Friday, a North Korean diplomat to the United Nations, Kim Un Chol, declined to comment on the American accusations. In a taunting new email, the hackers told Sony that executives were “very wise” to cancel the movie’s release and said they planned no further disclosures of Sony’s confidential materials “as long as you make no more trouble.” The message warned Sony never to release the film “in any form,” including on DVD. In Hollywood, Clooney said the entertainment industry should push for immediate release of “The Interview” online. In an interview with the trade site Deadline, Clooney urged Sony to “do whatever you can to get this movie out. Not because everybody has to see the movie, but because I’m not going to be told we can’t see the movie. That’s the most important part.” Penn said: “By caving to the outside threat, we make our nightmares real. The decision to pull ‘The Interview’ is historic. It’s a case of putting short-term interests ahead of the long term.” The evidence implicating North Korea previously was described as largely circum-

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stantial, including unspecified clues in the hacking tools left behind and the involvement of at least one computer in Bolivia previously traced to other attacks blamed on North Korea. Now, the FBI said, clues included similarities to other tools developed by North Korea in specific lines of computer code, encryption algorithms and data deletion methods. More significantly, the FBI discovered that computer Internet addresses known to be operated by North Korea were communicating directly with other computers used to deploy and control the hacking tools and collect the stolen Sony files. The FBI noted in its statement that it worked closely on the investigation with “other U.S. government departments and agencies.” Those included the National Security Agency, a person familiar with the case said on condition of anonymity because some information NSA was providing in the case was highly classified. An internal FBI investigative document obtained by The Associated Press identified the computers in the Sony hacking as operating in New York, Thailand, Poland, Italy, Bolivia, Singapore and Cyprus. At least three were still functioning Friday, responding online to Internet test signals transmitted by the AP. The hackers previously published some of

the stolen materials with a message that included five addresses using an anonymous email service in France. U.S. options for acting against North Korea are limited. The U.S. already has severe trade sanctions in place, and there is no appetite for military action. Even if investigators could identify and prosecute the individual hackers believed responsible, there’s no guarantee that any located are overseas would ever see a U.S. courtroom. Hacking back at North Korean targets by U.S. government experts could encourage further attacks against American targets. Evans Revere, a former State Department official and specialist on Korea, said if U.S. officials connect North Korea not only to the hacking attack but to the threats to carry out 9-11-style attacks against movie theatres, a case could be made to put North Korea again on a list of state sponsors of terrorism. That designation now is held by Iran, Sudan, Syria and Cuba. North Korea was on the list for 20 years until it was taken off in 2008 by the Bush administration during nuclear negotiations.. ■ Associated Press Writers Jake Coyle in New York and Cara Anna at the United Nations contributed to this report.

THURSDAY DECEMBER 25, 2014

Lifestyle

Gift Guide: Household products come with connectivity, but is that worth the higher price? BY ANICK JESDANUN The Associated Press DO YOU really need an app to tell you to brush and floss? It seems every household appliance is getting some smarts these days, meaning some connection to a phone app and the broader Internet. But then what? To give you a feel for what that connectivity brings, here’s a closer look at a few “smart” products for the home. There are plenty more if you look around. As I tried these out, I kept thinking to myself whether these products really needed that connectivity. You’ll need to decide whether the benefits are worth the higher prices. The smart toothbrush

I tested the Oral-B Pro 7000 SmartSeries electric toothbrush with Bluetooth connectivity. A free app that goes with it has a timer that tries to make sure you spend two minutes brushing — 30 seconds on each quadrant of your teeth. The app then reminds you to brush your tongue, floss and rinse with mouthwash. It sends me notifications when I haven’t been doing that consistently (oops!). The app also offers weekly and monthly charts on your brushing activities. I was skeptical when I started using this toothbrush. It relies a lot on self-reporting. Although the toothbrush will warn when you’re putting too much pressure on your teeth, it can’t tell whether you’re actually brush-

The Oral-B Pro 7000.

The Mr. Coffee coffeemaker. MACRUMORS.COM

ing your entire mouth. You the 5000, retails for $159 and feemaker lets you schedule can spend the entire two min- does most of what the 7000 brewing or start the machine utes on one area, even as the does, with the exception of an remotely, such as when you’re app tells you to move on. And extra mode for tongue cleaning. still in bed or a few minutes flossing? I was pressed for time Both are more expensive than from the front door. It won’t do getting to my dentist appoint- the $65 to $100 retail prices for the more annoying tasks of rement, so I told the app I flossed standard Oral-B electric tooth- filling the water and replacing that morning — even though I brushes. It’s possible for family the coffee grounds, though. didn’t. I find it takes But after I more work to unswitched back to lock the phone, a manual toothopen the app brush, I found I find it takes more work to unlock and launch the myself graduthe phone, open the app and launch brewing than to ally reducing my the brewing than to walk over to the walk over to the brushing time. coffeemaker. coffeemaker. If I I also stopped hit the brew butflossing and doton just before ing all those othjumping in the er good things. shower, the cofThe connected toothbrush members to share the device — fee’s ready by the time I’m out. won’t go beyond what you can with different brush heads, of What would really make the do with a timer and self-disci- course — but it’s cumbersome coffeemaker smart is to observe pline, but it proves useful when and not really designed for that. when I shut the snooze on my you lack both. phone alarm, as that’s when I’m The model I tested isn’t out The smart kitchen ready to get up. until next month, likely for A Smart Optimal Brew ediI recognize that most people about $220. A cheaper model, tion of the Mr. Coffee cof- have bigger living spaces than

DEMANDWARE.EDGESUITE.NET

I do. So if the coffeemaker is downstairs, it might be useful to start it remotely before the shower. But you can already do that with timers. To justify the smart coffeemaker, your sleeping patterns would need to be so unpredictable that you’d need to change that after you wake up. The device costs $250, or about $20 more than a comparable model without the smarts. That’s not a huge price difference for the benefit. The coffeemaker uses WeMo’s app from Belkin, which means the coffeemaker might one day coordinate with light switches, motion sensors and other WeMo-enabled products. Another such WeMo product is a $130 Crock-Pot slow cooker. It allows you to adjust cooking times and temperature remotely, if you’re running late from work, for instance. It’s more than twice the price of a regu-

Lifestyle

THURSDAY DECEMBER 25, 2014

Withings’ Smart Body Analyzer. WITHINGS.COM

lar Crock-Pot, so it’s a tougher sell than the coffeemaker. I feel uneasy about leaving a cooking appliance on all day, but the manufacturer points out that people do that with timers already, and the app lets you verify whether you remembered to turn it off. Both of these kitchen products feel first generation. They’ll need more functionality through software updates in the future. The smart scale

Although I wanted to call Withings’ Smart Body Analyzer

dumb for telling me I gained 5 pounds, I verified that with a scale at my gym. Sigh. Once I got past that, I found it to be one of the more useful connected products. You have to stand on it for longer than a typical bathroom scale as it logs your weight, body fat, heart rate and air quality. That data will automatically transfer to an app — the same one used by other Withings’ products, including a fitness tracker. The app also takes advantage of Apple’s HealthKit system to sync with Apple’s Health app and data from rival vendors.

Even without all that syncing, it’s great to be able to track your weight over time (the heart rate, not so much, as that changes depending on whether you just exercised). I’ve tried over the years to track my weight with a spreadsheet, but I keep forgetting (perhaps on purpose) after stepping off the scale. Up to eight people in a household can use the same scale. It will send readings to the right profile, based on a comparison with past weights. There’s an extra step if you’re similar in weight to someone else. The multi-sensor scale retails for $150. A version that does only weight goes for $100. Although you can get a regular scale for much less, connectivity makes sense here. Manufacturers need to give consumers a good reason for having that connectivity — and in this case, Withings does. ■ Online

Toothbrush: http://www. oralb.com/ bluetooth-toothbrush Coffeemaker: http://www. mrcoffee.com/coffeemakers/ BVMC-PSTX91WE.html Scale: http://www.withings. com/us/smart-body-analyzer. html

www.canadianinquirer.net

Federal polls... Calgary political science professor and former right-hand man to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, says it’s not just the public and pollsters who are searching for answers. “The parties won’t have any polls showing anything different,” he said in an interview. “I never saw any internal polls that had any magical insight.” Canadian political parties, said Flanagan, simply don’t have the resources to conduct routinely the kind of massive surveys—samples of 10,000plus respondents—that can pinpoint specific, number-moving issues and their demographics. That will change in the immediate run-up to an election, when parties will poll heavily in order to lay out an advertising strategy and finalize their platforms. “But in general, people in the parties have the same kind of information you have as an outsider,” said the former Conservative insider. “You can take the obvious from the trend in the polls. I think it’s valid—for the time ❰❰ 18

being—that the Conservatives have rebounded somewhat. They haven’t caught up to the Liberals, but they’ve narrowed the gap.” Adams, the former journalist and pollster, and Flanagan, the former political operative, agree on another point about this year’s polling. “It’s a reminder that a minority (government) is the likeliest case out of the next election, rather than a majority,” said Adams. Flanagan said it’s possible to see a path to a Liberal or Conservative majority, but a minority appears more likely. “Considering that the difference between getting 35 per cent of the vote and 40 per cent of the vote is the difference between a majority and a minority government—and the difference between getting 30 and 35 is the difference between losing and maybe squeezing through with a minority—well, fivepoint differences like that are getting pretty close to the margin of error in most polls,” said Flanagan. “We just can’t expect more than polls can deliver.” ■

THURSDAY DECEMBER 25, 2014

Business

Influx of luxury retailers leave Canadians rich for choice but will they spend? BY LAUREN LA ROSE The Canadian Press TORONTO — With the arrival of Nordstrom north of the border in Calgary and Saks Fifth Avenue waiting in the wings, the U.S. department stores are joining an increasingly crowded field of players banking on Canadian fans of high-end goods to spread the love — and wealth — to their shops. Homegrown brands are bracing for the influx of fresh competition by shoring up or bolstering their operations. Luxury menswear retailer Harry Rosen has enlarged four of its existing locations and has three major stores opening in 2015, said chairman and CEO Larry Rosen. “It became obvious to us two, three, four years ago there was going to be an American invasion in our segment of retail, that a number of department stores were going to come here, and we obviously sat back to develop a strategy,” Rosen said in an interview. “When we sat back and we thought about it, we realized that we could turn an increasingly competitive situation into a positive — into a competitive strength.” With Holt Renfrew poised to open new locations and expand existing major stores in the coming years and Quebecbased retailer Simons readying to launch in cities across the country beginning in 2015, Canadian consumers will be rich for choice with the imminent boom in luxury offerings. Yet with so many locations selling

upscale, big-ticket items, will homegrown shoppers be able to shell out enough to support all of the competing players? Ernst & Young partner Daniel Baer said what distinguishes many of the high-end retailers entering the marketplace is that they’re concentrated in major urban centres like Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal and are opening limited stores in those cities. “They’re relatively targeted where there are people that have disposable income and where there is, as well, the ability to attract tourist dollars,” said Baer, who also serves as national retail and consumer products industry leader for Ernst & Young. “I think there will be the right balance in those marketplaces. Where it will become a little more interesting in my mind is when you’re competing with a lot more stores in that aspirational upper middle class, because in that tranche, they are looking at a lot more stores, in fact,” he added. “That’s where I think the competition will be especially fierce: the Nordstrom Rack, hr2 of Holt Renfrew fame, the (Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th) — that category.” Brynn Winegard, a marketing expert with Winegard & Company, says Canadians tend to be more value-conscious and less price sensitive compared to Americans. “We are a lot more accepting of higher prices if we believe the value is there. And our economy is one that is padded enough that our consumers, our people, stay fairly affluent through the

Canadians in major urban centers are expected to spend money at the various American retail outlets, such as Nordstrom, that are setting up shop north of the border. WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

business cycle,” she said. “Our retailers and our consumer spending doesn’t shift or sway as much through the business cycle — as an example — we see in the U.S. What that means for Canadian retail in general ... is that Canadians — even in downturns — have good affluence in order to be able to spend.” Winegard said there is also a category of consumers who practise what she describes as “prestige shopping” where they’ll skimp on “low involvement” categories of goods and spend more on those in the “identity” or “high involvement” categories. “My example is always the following: people who will go to Wal-Mart for socks and Holt Renfrew for denim — and there’s a lot of them.” Saks Fifth Avenue is slated to open its first two Canadian lo-

EXCHANGE RATES

cations in Toronto in 2016. Nordstrom recently launched north of the border at the Chinook Centre in Calgary, and is set to open additional stores at the Pacific Centre in Vancouver and Rideau Centre in Ottawa next year. Toronto will be home to three Nordstrom locations: Yorkdale Shopping Centre and Toronto Eaton Centre in 2016 and at Sherway Gardens in the city’s west end in 2017. While luxury retailers may be counting on outside visitors to spend, Trendex North America president Randy Harris questioned whether such hopes will translate to real sales. “People keep talking about the tourist business, but the question is, is a tourist coming into downtown Toronto going to get on a bus and go to Sherway Gardens? I don’t think so,” said Harris,

whose Toledo, Ohio-based marketing research and consulting firm specializes in the Canadian and Mexican markets. “When people talk about ‘We’re going to get increased tourist business,’ I really wonder if we are or not. And remember, there is no city in the world where there are three Nordstroms as close to each other as there (will be) in Toronto.” Yet the success seen by retailers at Yorkdale — a launch pad for many first-to-Canada standalone stores like Versace, Jimmy Choo, Mulberry and Kate Spade New York — may provide hopeful signs to competitors in the luxury category. Yorkdale general manager Claire Santamaria said retailers housed within the mall often perform better than they expected. “We’ve seen that for years,” she said. “We really started that branch into luxury with Holt Renfrew ... and then with Tiffany, and then we had Burberry. And each time we had one of these brands open in the shopping centre, we often found that they underestimated that consumer demand.” Baer said luxury retailers don’t compete for customers solely on product but also service — a tool he described as a “critical differentiator.” The challenge for companies will be to ensure that they provide the experience to which people are accustomed, and deliver on what people’s perception of the brand is, he added. “It’s hard to recover if you don’t meet that offering right off the bat.” ■

As of December 23, 2014, from finance.yahoo.com PRICE

CHANGE

% CHANGE

CND / USD

1.1614

-0.0022

-0.1891%

CND / PHP

38.4253

+0.0746

0.1944%

CND / EUR

1.4208

-0.0020

-0.1433%

Business

THURSDAY DECEMBER 25, 2014

Publicity from Korean Air EU lifts duties on PH products exec’s ‘nut rage’ outburst gives Hawaii’s macadamia industry a boost BY AMY R. REMO Philippine Daily Inquirer

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

known outside of Hawaii and the West Coast. If they were as well-known in the Central and HONOLULU — A Korean Air Eastern U.S., there wouldn’t Lines executive’s tantrum over be enough nuts to supply debagged nuts in a first-class mand.” cabin is drawing enough attenAlmost all of Hawaii’s macation to give Hawaii’s $38 mil- damia nuts come from the Big lion macadamia nut industry a Island. They are also grown in boost. Australia, CenCho Hyun-ah, tral America and an airline viceSouth Africa. president of “If anything cabin service and should be served If anything daughter of the on a silver tray, it should be company’s chairshould be macaserved man, ordered a damia nuts,” on a silver flight attendant Richard Schnittray, it off a Dec. 5 flight zler, president of should be from New York Hamakua Macamacadamia City after she damia Nut Co., nuts. was served macsaid with a laugh, adamia nuts in a referring to the bag instead of on inflight outburst. a plate. “It’s a high-qualThe incident dubbed “nut ity nut. It’s understandable how rage” imploded her career, em- that can happen.” barrassed her family and led to He said it would be difficult an unexpected boom in sales of to track a recent surge in sales macadamias in South Korea. because sales are always up Some producers told the Ho- during the holiday season. nolulu Star-Advertiser Macadamias are now a housethat it’s also helping Hawaii, hold name in South Korea, and home to more than with curiosity about their taste 700 macadamia nut farms piqued, sales are booming. and eight processing plants. South Korea’s largest online “Any type of publicity is shopping retailer, Gmarket, good for the industry,” Hawaii owned by eBay, said macadamia Macadamia Nut Association nut sales jumped 20 times from President John Cross said. one week to the next earlier this “Macadamia nuts are not well- month. ■

PHILIPPINE FIRMS will soon be able to export over 6,200 products to Europe at zero duty, after the European Union Parliament approved last week the country's inclusion in its new generalized scheme of preferences (GSP+). The move will not only significantly boost investments, jobs and Philippine exports to Europe by as much as 611 million euros–or roughly P38 billion–it will also strengthen the country's pitch as an attractive production hub in Asean (Association of South East Asian Nations). In a statement, the EU delegation to the Philippines said the decision of the European Parliament would provide for the duty-free entry of some of the country's most important exports, including processed fruit and foodstuffs, coconut oil, footwear, fish and textiles. “This is very good news for the Philippines as it will bring tariffs to zero for two-thirds of the tariff lines, including strategic products the Philippines already exports to the EU. This will immediately translate to savings of tens of millions of euros per year in foregone customs duties," EU Ambassador Guy Ledoux said in a statement. "Apart from giving a dramatic and immediate advantage to Philippine exports, the EU concession significantly improves the attractiveness of the Philippines as a destination for new agricultural and manufacturing facilities for products that will now enjoy duty free access to the EU. This gives the Philippines a comparative advantage and represents very tangible EU support for the Philippine strategy to increase exports and investments, and diversify its industries. The bottom line is more jobs for Filipinos in the Philippines," Ledoux said. The Philippines had already been a beneficiary of the EU's Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP). But this GSP program covered 6,209 tariff lines, of which only 2,442 lines could be exported at zero duty. Data showed that total eligible exports to the EU under the GSP in 2013 amounted to 1.69 billion euros, or 33 percent of www.canadianinquirer.net

The European Union has lifted duties on Philippine products such as pineapple juice which is likely to attract new industrial investments.

total exports to the EU. Actual utilization was around 64 percent, or 1.08 billion euros, but this figure is set to rise as a result of GSP+. According to the EU, the greatest likely benefit of GSP+ was its attraction of new industrial investments in sectors where relatively high tariffs were being slashed to zero. These include established Filipino exports that are labor intensive such as pineapple juice (currently 28.5 percent); garments (currently 5 to 9 percent); preserved fruits (currently 6-9 percent); tuna (currently 20.5 percent); fruit jams and jellies (currently 20.5 percent), and footwear (currently 11.9 percent). Based on earlier projections by the Department of Trade and Industry, product sectors with the highest projected increases under GSP+ were animal or vegetable fats and oils (231.2 million euros), prepared foodstuffs (151.2 million euros), textiles and garments (79.7

million euros), footwear, headwear, umbrellas (28.5 million euros), and chemical products (17.1 million euros). These projections are expected to translate to 267,587 jobs in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors. The country's inclusion in the GSP+ will be a big boost to the Department of Trade and Industry's strategy to further increase bilateral trade and investments between the Philippines and the European Union. The expanded GSP+, which took effect in January 2014, will eliminate duties on 61 percent of Philippine products eligible under the general GSP, as it covers a total of 6,274 products, all of which will be subjected to zero duty. Trade Undersecretary Adrian S. Cristobal Jr. led a highlevel Philippine delegation to a meeting in Brussels earlier this month to make a final push for the country's GSP+ application. ■

THURSDAY DECEMBER 25, 2014

Travel

Christmas Getaways in the Philippines BY CYRA MORALEDA Philippine Canadian Inquirer THE MUCH-AWAITED Christmas to New Year break has finally arrived. People feel the holiday spirit as decorations and flickering lights surround houses, the aroma of puto bumbong and bibingka fill churches, and children singing Christmas carols appear at doorsteps as soon as the “-ber” months start. Aside from these and the anticipated generous gift-giving, it is also this time of year where people unwind from the daily stress of work and bond with families and friends. Many find this as an opportunity to relax at home and have dinner with relatives for the occasions. But for the travel junkies who want to escape the complexities of city life and explore the subtleness of provinces, here is a list of places to visit during the long break. Christmas Capital: Fernando, Pampanga

The Giant Lantern Festival in Pampanga. PAMPANGA’S OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE; COURTESY OF ROBBY TANTINGCO

Boracay beachfront.

ANGELO JUAN RAMOS / FLICKR

San

San Fernando sets the holiday spirit aglow with the Giant Lantern festival, locally known as “Ligligan Parul.” The festival showcases a competition of eye-dazzling electric lanterns with bright lights and kaleidoscopic patterns. The grand parols, that can be as high as 15 meters, are crafted by local artisans from several barrios. The colorful lanterns not only capture the hearts of the children but also bring the message of light and hope to all. Tropical Island

Christmas:

Boracay

Be captivated by the small tropical island’s charm and beauty. Boracay, one of the country’s top tourist spots, is famous for its fine white sand beaches, bustling nightlife and unending parties. Aside from swimming and sunbathing, tourists can enjoy an array of other activities such as scuba diving, windsurfing, parasailing, kiteboarding, jet skiing, and many more. Boracay is definitely the best place to visit for those who want a warm experi-

Burnham Park.

ence in the cold season. Cold Christmas: Baguio City

Those who prefer a chilly experience, on the other hand, can opt for Baguio. Take a stroll and enjoy the beautiful landscape, quaint cottages and wide open areas at Burnham Park. Ravel the beauty of the flora and fauna at Botanical Garden. Pick fresh strawberries at the Strawberry Farm. Go for bargain shopping at the Session

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Road. And don’t forget to visit Baguio Country Club’s Christmas Village and experience snow – artificial snow, that is. Weekend Batangas

Destination:

Laiya,

For those who want a beach experience but only have a few days off, Laiya, Batangas is the best bet. The lovely province, only a few hours away from Manila, boasts its long expanse of sand and pristine waters. Kick back,

A beachfront in Laiya, Batangas.

relax and enjoy the tropical ambiance. Swim in the beach while embracing fresh air. Eat delicious Batangas specialties such as tawilis, kilawin, maliputo and other sumptuous local cuisine. Exciting Adventure: Princesa, Palawan

Puerto

This popular tourist spot is famous for its Underground River, hailed as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. The 8.2-kilometer river fea-

SHANICE GARCIA / PCI

tures limestone karst forests and many stalactites and stalagmites formations to adore. Aside from its river’s splendor, travelers can also go island hopping, snorkeling, spelunking, trekking, and then relaxing in one of its quiet white sand beaches. All these activities make Puerto Princesa a mustsee this holiday break. Indeed, celebrating the holiday season is more fun in the Philippines! ■

Travel

THURSDAY DECEMBER 25, 2014

8 Must-see Places for a Unique Christmas Experience BY CYRA MORALEDA Philippine Canadian Inquirer THE PHILIPPINES is one of the world’s top countries known to celebrate the Christmas season with much fun and merriment. So for those who want to enjoy the spirit of the holidays, here are must-see destinations, attractions and festivals to visit with families and friends. House of Santa: Casa Santa Museum, Antipolo

Tour around and be awed by the biggest Santa Claus collectionsin the country. This house has over 3,000 different Santa Claus items of different sizes and forms. From figurines to Santa blankets, Casa Santa Museum has them all. Street of Lights: Policarpio Street, Mandaluyong

Take a walk along the famous street and be amazed by every house intricately decorated with colorful Christmas lights from gates to roofs. They are also nicely decorated with Belens, Christmas lanterns and Santa Clause items. Surely everyone can feel the Christmas spirit kept alive in this place.

COD Christmas Greenhills Shopping San Juan

Show: Center,

Greenhills Shopping Center features Christmas-themed plays with moving mannequins as cast showcasing Filipino Christmas stories accompanied by colorful lights and lively music. Watch the brilliantly designed and orchestrated play with this year’s theme: “The First Christmas.” Then after the show, score a bargain at their Christmas Night Market and Christmas Bangketa Fair. Casa Santa.

Lights and Sounds Show: Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati

Sit below the trees and experience the Ayala Triangle Gardens light up during this season. Be delighted by the popular park’s much-talked about dancing lights where more than a million LED bulbs come to life in synchronization to Christmas medleys. This starry show is free for everyone to see. Maytinis Festival: Kawit, Cavite

Kawit Cavite celebrates its well-loved Maytinis Festival every Christmas Eve. Witness this old Kawit tradition of the dramatic reenaction of St. Joseph and Virgin Mary’s search

FACEBOOK PHOTO

for a place to stay in Bethlehem. Picturesque floats depicting other biblical scenes and portraying religious characters are also displayed in a procession down the streets. Giant Christmas Tree: Tagum City, Davao del Norte

The 78.56-feet Giant Christmas Tree, decorated with thousands of colorful twinkling rice bulbs, is located at the center of Tagum City Freedom Park. Its steel structure is adorned with decorative shapes such as stars and angels. And on top of the iconic tree is the Eagle Wings as main highlight. Look up to the

glistening tree together with than 5,000 locals and visitors jam-packed in the park.

season.

Belenismo: Tarlac

Get a feel of Christmas around the world in one place – Malinao. Enjoy and take photos of various tourist destination replicas such as the Eiffel Tower, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Taj Mahal, Pyramids of Egypt, Statue of Liberty, Golden Gate Bridge, and many more. At night, these replicas are illuminated by thousands of colorful lights. Truly, these places never fail to give residents and tourists alike some happiness and excitement this festive season. ■

Tarlac, dubbed as the Belen Capital of the Philippines, showcases its yearly iconic Christmas exhibitions of lifesized Belens or Nativity of the Holy Family crafted by local artists from various barangays, parishes and schools among others. The Belens, made by recycled materials, are lighted by hundreds of bulbs. Invite family and friends to come along and recite a prayer beside the Nativity scene in this blessed

WEATHER FORECAST VANCOUVER

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Christmas Albay

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Malinao,

Long term forecast taken from: www.weathernetwork.com

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www.canadianinquirer.net

THURSDAY DECEMBER 25, 2014

Sports

‘In control’ Mayweather insists on May 2 fight BY ROY LUARCA Philippine Daily Inquirer IF MANNY Pacquiao and his promoter Bob Arum want the fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. to push through, they must do what they are told, the brash undefeated American said. “I’m in control,” Mayweather said in an interview with FightHype.com that appeared on YouTube. “When I say I’m ready to go, I’m ready to go. I fight when I want to fight.” Mayweather called out on Pacquiao earlier this week to fight him, but wants the much-

awaited clash to happen on May 2. Arum finds the date unacceptable, however, as it has reportedly been reserved for a big fight between Miguel Cotto, a Puerto Rican, and Canelo Alvarez of Mexico. According to Arum, the May 2 weekend is part of Cinco de Mayo, an important Mexican holiday when Mexican fighters are usually given priority to fight in the main event. Mayweather said that if Arum really wants to honor the Mexicans, the Cotto-Alvarez fight should be held in Mexico. He also insisted that Pacquiao is in no position to negotiate.

Describing himself as the “Aside” and Pacquiao as the “Bside”, Mayweather said he was in the same predicament when he fought and beat Oscar De La Hoya, formerly boxing’s poster boy, in 2007. He said that since he was the “B-side” then, he agreed to whatever De La Hoya wanted— everything from fight weight, gloves and venue to revenue sharing. All he needed to do then was show up for the fight, said Mayweather. Now that he is “in control,” Mayweather wants a complete say on the fight with Pacquiao, who always acts in consultation with Arum. ■

Floyd Mayweather.

CHAMBER OF FEAR / FLICKR

Despite Suzuki loss, Azkals still SEA top team

Three-way fight for PSA Athlete of Year award

BY CEDELF P. TUPAS Philippine Daily Inquirer

THE PHILIPPINES may be out of the running in the AFF Suzuki Cup, but the Azkals will still finish the year as the topranked team in Southeast Asia. Despite dropping a couple of places to No. 130, the Azkals kept their status as the region’s best team in the latest International Football Federation (Fifa) rankings. The rankings, which put weight on results of the past four years, remain a strong indicator of the Azkals’ development since 2010 when they hovered near the bottom of the chart. “The rankings really show how far our team has come but we also know that we need to take another big step in the next few years to justify our ranking,” said Azkals manager Dan Palami. “We are still putting in effort and resources to develop a team that the country will continue to support and be proud of.” The Azkals collected 220 points for the month with emphatic wins over Laos and Indo-

A COUPLE of gold medalists in two major events and a world boxing champion head the shortlist for the Athlete of the Year award to be given during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards Night in February next year. Asian Games BMX champion Daniel Caluag, Youth Olympic Games archery gold medalist Gabriel Moreno and world boxing champion Donnie Nietes are in the running for the highest individual honor handed out by the country's oldest media organization. Caluag ended up as the lone saving grace for the Philippines in the 17th Asian Games in Incheon last October after ruling the BMX event. The golden performance was the sole bright spot in what was a largely disappointing campaign by the Philippines. Nietes is poised to surpass the record set by the late Ga-

nesia in the Suzuki Cup taken into account. The victory over Indonesia is the first in 80 years by the Philippines. Azkals coach Thomas Dooley downplayed the rankings saying it could be misleading after the Azkals crashed out of the semifinals of the Suzuki Cup for the third straight time. “The Fifa World Ranking is never really a measurement of where things stand,” he said. “You do not play the same

games. Some teams play more games, some less and the opposition is of a different standard. The Fifa rankings do not show which team is better and which is not.” Thailand, which is ranked 142, eliminated the Philippines, 3-0, on aggregate in the Suzuki Cup semifinals. The Thais are actually on track to win a fourth crown after prevailing, 2-0, in the first leg of the finals against Malaysia. ■

briel “Flash” Elorde as the longest reigning Filipino world champion. The Bacolod-bred boxer has been undefeated the past seven years during his reign as minimumweight and light flyweight champion, respectively. Moreno struck gold in the mixed team side event of archery in the Youth Olympic Games after partnering with China’s Li Jiaman. With the victory, Moreno became the first Filipino to win a gold in the meet. Presented by Milo, the PSA Awards Night will feature the best and brightest in Philippine sports for 2014. Major awards and citations will also be given. The PSA will also hand out the President’s Award as well as the Executive of the Year, National Sports Association of the Year, the Tony Siddayao Awards for outstanding athletes aged 17 or younger, Lifetime Achievement Award, Sports Patron of the Year, Posthumous, and the Milo Outstanding Athletes (boys and girls). ■

THURSDAY DECEMBER 25, 2014

www.canadianinquirer.net

Seen and Scenes

DECEMBER 25, 2014

THURSDAY

SEASON’S CELEBRATION Filipino Canadians in Calgary celebrated the Season with Alberta Premier Jim Prentice and MLA Manmeet Bhullar on Dec. 19, at Monterey Park Community Hall in Calgary (Photos from Anita Ferrer’s FB).

YUKON YULETIDE The Canadian Filipino Association of Yukon spreading Yuletide cheer.

VICTORIA FILCAN SENIORS The Victoria Filipino Canadian Seniors Association dancers performed several dance numbers Dec. 17, at Ross Place Retirement Residence to the delight of resident seniors.

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

Events

THURSDAY DECEMBER 25, 2014

CANADA EVENTS

YUKON NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

NUNAVUT

http://bit.ly/ PCI-Events

Simbang Gabi By JIL Cornerstone Toronto WHEN/WHERE: 7 to 9 p.m., Dec. 22, 23 & NEWFOUNDLAND 24, JIL Cornerstone, 85 Christie St., Toronto

MANITOBA

SASKATCHEWAN

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Assumption Parish Variety Benefit Show WHEN/WHERE: 2 to 5 p.m., Dec. 28, at Assumption Church, 320 Olmstead St., Ottawa, On. MORE INFO: Fundraising for victims of Typhoon Hagupit

BRITISH COLUMBIA ALBERTA

ONTARIO

QUEBEC NEW BRUNSWICK

Free Tagalog Lessons By Philippine Language School WHEN/WHERE: ongoing every Saturday, 2 p.m., at Sprott Shaw College (walking distance from Rupert Station). MORE INFO: Learn conversational Tagalog for free. Course will lead to regular Tagalog curriculum from K-12 in 2015. Call 694-551-3360 or 778-239-0500. Shipyards Christmas Market By Northshore Green Markets WHEN/WHERE: Fridays, 5-9 pm; Sat. 12- 8 pm; Sun 12- 6 pm, up to Dec. 23, 15 Wallace Mews, North Vancouver, B.C. Christmas Eve Mass By Holy Rosary Cathedral WHEN/WHERE: 5:10 pm, 9 pm, and 12 mn. Holy Rosary Cathedral, 646 Richards St., Vancouver, B.C. Christmas Party Dinner and Dance By LuzViMin Bisaya Association of BC WHEN/WHERE: 5:30 p.m., Dec. 27 at St. Patrick Parish Gym, 2881 Main St., Vancouver, B.C.

New Year’s Eve Ball 2014 WHEN/WHERE: 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Dec. 31, Holiday Inn Vancouver Centre, 711 W. Broadway Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Ticket at $75, attire: formal My Tween & Me Multicultural Mom’s Support Group By Mosaic WHEN/WHERE: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Thursdays, Dunbar Hts. Church 3320 Crown St., Vancouver MORE INFO: call Daisy 604-254-9626 ext. 273

New Year’s Party 2015 By Filipino-Canadian Community of New Brunswick WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m., Dec. 31, at Frank’s Finer Diner in Fredericton, New Brunswick

English Corner By Richmond Public Library WHEN/WHERE: 10 to 12 nn Fridays, Jan. 9 to Feb. 27, and on Sundays, Jan. 11 to Mar. 1 at the Brighouse (Main) Branch, 2nd floor Community Place Rm., 7700 Minoru Gate. MORE INFO: To register, visit any branch of Richmond public Library, register online at www.yourlibrary.ca/events or call 604-231-6413

Happy New Year 2015 By Java Jazz Bistro WHEN/WHERE: Dec. 31, Java Jazz Bistro at 412 6th St., New Westminster, B.C. MORE INFO: $45 All night buffet, karaoke & live band

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THURSDAY DECEMBER 25, 2014

CANADA

Do you have a question about God? Faith? Salvation?

www.theoldpath.tv / www.mcgi.org

Ask Bro. Eli and the Bible will answer

Visit us at the Old Path Calgary Coordinating Center

3839 B Burnsland Rd. SE Calgary AB T2G 3Z4 e-mail: mcgi.calgary@gmail .co m 403-975-3079 o r 403-402-1126

HIRING FULL TIME BINDERY WORKERS

Do you want to learn how to make exquisitely handcrafted books & boxes? Are you a detailed person? Are you good with your hands? No bindery experience? We will train you!

Email your resume to info@irisbook.com

www.irisbook.com

Burnaby : Walk from Production Way Station / Parking

AD SALES The Philippine Canadian Inquirer—Canada’s first and only nationwide Filipino-Canadian newspaper, is looking for dynamic sales executives from Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, and Edmonton. Each sales executive must be a dynamic self starter who will treat this opportunity as their own exclusive business with the potential to earn serious money. That’s just Step 1. Wait till you hear about Step 2. Interested? Send us your resume now and let’s change your life! Email your resume to info@canadianinquirer.net

www.canadianinquirer.net

THURSDAY DECEMBER 25, 2014

www.canadianinquirer.net

DECEMBER 25, 2014

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THURSDAY