Philippine Canadian Inquirer Issue #149 by Philippine Canadian Inquirer

RELEVANT SKILLS. MEANINGFUL JOBS. CANADA’S FIRST AND ONLY NATIONWIDE FILIPINO-CANADIAN NEWSPAPER www.canadianinquirer.net

VOL. 1 NO. 149

JANUARY 9, 2015

310.HIRE (4473) SPROTTSHAW.COM

Trillanes says Binay involved in fund anomalies

MRT/LRT fare hike is right, says Palace

New Years fire destroys shanty town, displaces 4000

Flu season is peaking in Canada

Alaska Aces march to 27th finals appearance in PBA

House to probe airport fiasco

GUTTED, NOT GATED COMMUNITY

BY GIL CABACUNGAN Philippine Daily Inquirer

Only the concrete shells of hundreds of houses remain in Barangay Apolonio Samson, Quezon City, after a general-alarm fire swept through the area early morning of Jan. 1, 2015. Three people died and at least 4,000 families were left homeless. The fire was one of more than a dozen reported across the country as people welcomed the New Year. Read more on page 12. LYN RILLON

Escudero, Poe wants Transportation chief to explain MRT/LRT fare hike BY JELLY F. MUSICO Philippine News Agency MANILA — Senator Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero on Sunday said the Senate will summon Transportation Secretary Joseph

Emilio Abaya in its ongoing inquiry into the maintenance of Metro Rail Transit to explain the fare increase in the MRT 3 and Light Rail Transit Line 1 and 2. “We will tackle that (fare increase)

❱❱ PAGE 4 House to probe

Philippine Canadian Inquirer

New programs on Juan Radio FM 96.1 ❱❱ PAGE 31

❱❱ PAGE 6 Escudero, Poe

THE HOUSE committee on transportation will conduct a hearing on Cebu Pacific Air and the holiday fiasco at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, which left thousands of passengers complaining about flight cancellations, overbooking and bad customer service. “We will motu propio call for a hearing to find out so that we will avoid this in the future, to find out what really happened, why it caused inconvenience to thousands of commuters,” said committee chair Catanduanes Rep. Cesar V. Sarmiento. Sarmiento pointed out that even before the Dec. 24 and 25 fiasco at the airport, Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares had already complained in a privilege speech about his experience on Cebu Pacific which caused him to miss

m info@canadianinquirer.net sales@canadianinquirer.net A (888) 668-6059 facebook.com/ PhilippineCanadianInquirer twitter: @philcaninquirer

JANUARY 9, 2015

FRIDAY

“After I graduated from the Health Care Assistant Program, my employers were really impressed with my education and the skills I had developed at Sprott Shaw. Since my first experience was so successful, it was easy to choose Sprett Shaw for my next career move.”

www.canadianinquirer.net

Philippine News

FRIDAY JANUARY 9, 2015

Miriam: Thousands in tents since ‘13 BY TJ BURGONIO Philippine Daily Inquirer

United States had extended humanitarian assistance for the resettlement of the displaced through the city government. On a posting on its website, Refugees International reported that tens of thousands remained displaced, “living in deplorable conditions” in Zamboanga City. “Having endured overcrowded, unsanitary and unsafe evacuation centers in which they initially sought refuge, they now are being sent to transitional

provide financial support to allow the Zamboanga City government to deal with the humanitarian and recovery needs of the people displaced by three THOUSANDS OF people continue to weeks of fighting between government live in tents more than a year after folforces and rebels from Misuari’s faction lowers of Muslim leader Nur Misuari of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front attacked Zamboanga City in September (MILF) in 2013. 2013. “Rather than continuing to neglect And Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago their urgent needs, the Philippine govwants to know why. Santiago is seeking ernment, with the support of the United an inquiry into the rehabilitation of the Nations and donors, must prioritize people displaced by finding durable sothe siege of Zambolutions for Zamboanga City to get ananga’s forgotten IDPs swers. and recognize that “It is imperative for doing so is an imporCongress to ensure It is imperative for Congress to ensure that tant step in the rethat public funds, public funds, including those received as aid gion’s peace and recincluding those refrom foreign governments, are properly used onciliation process,” ceived as aid from to swiftly deliver much needed social services. it said. foreign governments, As the government are properly used to failed to meet its Dec. swiftly deliver much 15 deadline for movneeded social servicing the displaced out es,” Santiago said in Senate Resolution sites that lack water, health, education of the Zamboanga grandstand, more No. 1061. and livelihood,” the group said. than 1,300 families remained there, SoSantiago said US Ambassador to the cial Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman Philippines Philip Goldberg found the Halt transfer has said. resettlement program for the displaced The organization recommended that She attributed the delay to a “setback” moving slowly during a visit to Zambo- the city government halt the transfer to in the construction of houses. anga City in November. transitional sites “until humanitarian The National Housing Authority Quoting Goldberg, Santiago said many standards are met.” still lived in a stadium, even after the It pressed the national government to

‘Seniang’ toll: Eight missing, 55 killed BY JEANNETTE I. ANDRADE Philippine Daily Inquirer THE NUMBER of persons reported missing in the aftermath of Tropical Storm “Seniang” (international name “Jangmi”) rose to eight as the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) this past weekend placed the official death toll at 55. The NDRRMC report on the effects of “Seniang,” which hit the country last week, said that Argie Amoy, 20, of Kinabjangan, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte, was reported missing along with Juana Tambi, 39, of Anteguera, Bohol, and twomonth-old Ace Faunillan, three-yearold Joyce Bajenting, Jerby Caday and Maribel Caday, all of Ronda, Cebu. Also still unaccounted for were sevenyear-old Kiarah Kristy Tangcuran of Sitio San Antonio, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon, and Raymond Olavere Capon of Cabadbaran City. The official death toll was placed at 55 after Macaria Revilla, 66, of Barangay Tubod, Sibonga, Cebu, was added to the

aims to complete the permanent shelters by mid2015. The Department of Social Welfare and Development intends to relocate all the evacuees by this month. Misuari followers

Followers of Misuari, founding chair of the Moro National Liberation Front who was opposed to the peace talks between the national government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, attacked seaside villages in Zamboanga City in September 2013 but were stopped and trapped in those villages by government forces. President Aquino flew to Zamboanga City to oversee the military operations to flush out Misuari’s followers. Three weeks of fighting left 200 dead, and forced close to 120,000 people to flee their homes. Misuari, who felt left out of the talks between the government and the MILF, was suspected of instigating the attack. He fled the country after the attack failed. The government and the MILF signed a peace agreement in March last year, ending four decades of conflict in Mindanao that left more than 150,000 people dead. ■

JOIN THE TEAM:

list. Most of the 55 fatalities were from Eastern Visayas, particularly the provinces of Samar and Leyte which were hit by landslides. The 29 who were killed in the region suffocated in the landslides in Baybay City, Mahaplag and Tanauan, Leyte, and Catbalogan, Samar. Fatalities from the Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and the Davao and Caraga regions either drowned in floods or died from electrocution. Likewise, the NDRRMC said, Seniang partially damaged 2,267 houses and destroyed 455 others in eight affected regions. Damage to agriculture in Agusan del Sur was placed at nearly P2.8 million, while Barangay Cabacungan in Claveria, Misamis Oriental, reported 11 hectares of rice and corn fields destroyed, costing almost P900,000. Damage to the national highway in Gingoog City, which connects to Butuan City, was estimated at P20 million. Compostela Valley reported 288 hectares of corn fields damaged by the storm, amounting to over P1.2 million. ■

HOME OF THE CHRISTIAN ADVISOR FaithLife Financial is a reliable not-for-profit insurance provider that helps people build solid financial plans based on Christian principles. Become a Financial Representative with a company that is aligned with your Christian values, offers unique Member benefits, training and marketing support. Welcome home!

Call today to learn more about a rewarding career with us! www.faithlifefinancial.ca

EDWARD DITCHING, CFP, FIC Sales Manager editching@faithlifefinancial.ca

ELLEN JANE POLICARPIO, FIC Financial Representative epolicarpio@faithlifefinancial.ca

RONALDO SISON, FIC Financial Representative rsison@faithlifefinancial.ca

MARY JANE CASTILLO, FIC Financial Representative mcastillo@faithlifefinancial.ca

GREATER TORONTO

WINNIPEG

416 .273 .7239

www.canadianinquirer.net

647.895.3553

647. 457. 1592

204.227.9652

Philippine News

JANUARY 9, 2015

FRIDAY

Norwegian owned cargo ship sinks off Vietnam; only 1 of 19 Filipino crew rescued BY MINH V. TRAN The Associated Press

The House Committee on Transportation will conduct a probe into the cause of the massive delays at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 during this past holiday season that caused thousands of customers to experience flight cancellations, overboookings, and bad customer service. WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

House to probe... ❰❰ 1

one session day.

Consider public welfare

“The privilege of having a franchise is imbued with “After his (Colmenares) public interest. Cebu Pacific speech, I approached him and should have considered the told him that it was high time public welfare. If it is found that we called the airline com- that Cebu Pacific violated the pany to shed light on this mat- terms stipulated in the franter,” said Sarmiento in an inter- chise, Congress should not view over dzBB radio. hesitate to revoke the franTransportation Secretary Jo- chise,” said Evardone in a text seph Abaya said that President message. Aquino himself was disturbed Sarmiento said he would by the images await the comof thousands mittee on rules of passengers on whether the complaining Cebu Pacific about flight canPresident probe would be cellations with Aquino himself conducted jointhardly anyone was disturbed ly by the two from the airline by the images committees. coming forward of thousands But Western to address comof passengers Samar Rep. Mel plaints. complaining Senen SarmienSought for about flight to, vice chair of comment, Cebu cancellations the committee Pacific vice with hardly on transportapresident for anyone from the tion, has stated corporate affairs airline coming that an airline Jorenz Tañada forward to franchise could said: “We have address only be revoked not received the complaints. if there was a official resolugross violation of tion from Conthe terms of refgress as of this erence. time. We will Mel Sarmiento cooperate in the congressional also hinted that Cebu Pacific inquiry.” was already too big to be susEastern Samar Rep. Ben pended or banned from the Evardone has also filed a reso- industry because of the “poslution asking the House com- sible effects on connectivity, mittee on legislative franchises especially in an archipelago like to review the franchise of Cebu ours that might lead to further Pacific for possible violations. chaos.” ■ P-Noy also disturbed

HANOI, VIETNAM — A Norwegian cargo ship with 19 Filipino crew members sank off the coast of southern Vietnam with only one man known to have survived, officials said Sunday. Two bodies have been recovered since the Bulk Jupiter sank last Friday en route from Malaysia to China, and Vietnamese rescuers aided by commercial ships passing through the area continued to search for the others, according to

Vietnamese authorities and the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs. The lone survivor was the chief cook on the ship, but he is refusing to co-operate with rescuers, making the search more difficult, a Vietnamese rescue official told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to media. The man refused to say what happened with the ship, the official said. It wasn’t clear why he wasn’t talking. The ship owner, Bergenbased Gearbulk, said the vessel was 155 nautical miles (287

kilometres) off Vietnam with a cargo of bauxite when it sent a distress signal that was picked up by the Japanese coast guard. The Philippine Foreign Affairs said the 190-meter (623-foot) long, 56,000-ton ship sank off the coast of Vung Tau, which is about 96 kilometres (59 miles) from the southern commercial hub of Ho Chi Minh City. The rescue operation was hampered Saturday by hazy weather and high waves. Vessels from Liberia, Oman, Singapore and China were helping in the search, the Philippine Foreign Affairs said. ■

Trillanes says VP Binay involved in new Pag-Ibig fund anomalies BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said on Monday that Vice President Jejomar Binay is being investigated by “concerned government agencies” in his capacity as chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), for purported anomalies involving Pag-Ibig funds. “…Meron din kasing mga anomalyang nadi-discover dito sa position nya bilang chairman ng HUDCC na merong mga binigyan sya na mga kaibigan na mga contractors…tapos meron silang mga arrangements with Pag-Ibig (…There are also anomalies that have been discovered in his position as chairman of the HUDCC that he gave to his contractor friends …that they have certain arrangements with Pag-Ibig.),” Trillanes told reporters via a phone interview. “Ang impormasyon dyan ay yung mga mass housing projects ay binibigay nya sa mga favored contractors na meron nang arrangement with Pag-ibig so ano ito bagong anomalya ito (Information has it the he (Binay) gave www.canadianinquirer.net

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.

the mass housing projects to his favored contractors who had arrangements with Pag-Ibig so this is a new anomaly.),” he added. The senator said that his sources have indicated that the Vice President reportedly formed a “partnership” with his favored contractors, in order to be a part of the profit-sharing, and not only receive commissions from the projects awarded the contractors. “Kung magkano yung kita, hatihati sila. Iba kasi ’pag komisyon. ’Pag komisyon, you get a percentage which is less than half pero ’pag partnership or kung at worse dummy lang e you get the bulk of the profits (However much their profit was, they would split it. A commission is different. On a commission basis, you get a per-

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

centage which is less than half. But if it is a partenership, or if it is at worse fronted by a dummy, you get the bulk of the profits.),” he explained. Trillanes declined to pinpoint which government agencies are probing the alleged new anomalies, but said that the investigators of these agencies are in possession of a roster of these favored contractors who are allegedly also used as dummies for various projects. He likewise declined to give a figure, when asked how much Binay allegedly received from the anomalous transactions. “Tinitingnan pa natin kasi Pag-Ibig funds ang involved dito e (We are still looking into it, because Pag-Ibig funds are involved in this.),” he said. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY JANUARY 9, 2015

Meet NBI’s ‘rock stars’ in pork bust, biggest cases BY NANCY C. CARVAJAL Philippine Daily Inquirer IF THERE are rock stars in the National Bureau of Investigation, they are Assistant Regional Director Rolando Argabioso and head agent Rommel Vallejo. Argabioso heads the NBI Special Task Force and Vallejo the Anti-Organized Crime Division, both of which investigate highprofile cases. But they are not your regular crime investigators. Tall, fair-skinned and good-looking, both can pass for doctors with excellent bedside manners. Both men warn, however, that their looks and manners should not be taken for weakness, as these have been useful in solving a lot of big, sensational cases. They agreed to talk to the INQUIRER, but on condition that there would be no mention of their families. Although both are family men, they said that most of the time their jobs come first. The sacrifices come with the job, they said, but not without rewards. Not financially, though, as they are government employees. They just love what they are doing, they said. And they prefer to be anonymous most of the time. “Unless it’s needed and I am on the job, I identify myself as an NBI agent. Otherwise it’s better that no one knows, especially if my family is with me,” Argabioso said. It was Argabioso’s Special Task Force that investigated the P10-billion pork barrel scam in 2013, leading to the filing of plunder and graft and corruption charges against Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Bong Revilla along with businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles and 34 former and current government officials. Despite pressure from influential people, including people in the government and ordinary but well-connected citizens who wanted him to drop the investigation, Argabioso remained firm and fair in the probe into the misuse of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), a pork barrel that channeled funds to lawmakers’ projects.

“This is our job. Precisely I always bear in mind that these subjects have families and if we do not do our work well, we could hurt people,” Argabioso said in an earlier interview, at the height of the pork barrel investigation. Other porkers probed

“The magnitude of the supposed scam was so big that I could not just sit and do nothing. It was between me and my conscience, and the future of my children,” he said. Argabioso and his team of agents, mostly lawyers, are now investigating other lawmakers who allegedly embezzled millions of pesos from the PDAF through bogus foundations set up by Napoles. The investigation also led to a challenge to the legality of the pork barrel in the Supreme Court, which, after upholding it in the past, turned around and declared it unconstitutional on Nov. 19, 2013. It all started with the rescue by Argabioso’s team of Benhur Luy from illegal detention in an apartment of Napoles in a highrise residential block in Taguig City. Luy blew the whistle on Napoles’ pork barrel operation, with the Special Task Force providing him security. His disclosures provided the evidence that the NBI needed to bring charges against the three senators, Napoles and the others before the Office of the Ombudsman. This is

the gunman who shot Ebarle’s son during a traffic altercation. He is under trial for Ebarle Jr.’s murder in the Quezon City Regional Trial Court. The NBI brought charges of obstruction of justice against his mother. Argabioso was also responsible for the arrest of the killer of one of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima’s bodyguards. Also through professional persistence, Argabioso’s team found and arrested in Cauayan town, Isabela province, one of the suspects in the 2007 murder of Ruby Rose Barrameda. His team also found and secured a vital witness to Barrameda’s murder. Ruby Rose, sister of former beauty queen Rochelle Barrameda, went missing in March 2007 and was found dead, her body stuffed in a concretefilled drum, in June 2009. After obtaining the witness’ testimony, state prosecutors brought murder charges against Barrameda’s estranged husband, Manuel Jimenez III, his father, Manuel Jimenez Jr., and uncle, Lope Jimenez. Argabioso was also involved in the investigation of the death of actress Nida Blanca in November 2001, and it was he who was assigned to the deportation case of Roger Lawrence Strunk, the American partner of Blanca who was the suspect in her death. A former singer

whom human rights campaigners called “The Butcher,” but nothing happened. He was always one step ahead of his pursuers. Until Vallejo’s Anti-Organized Crime Division joined the hunt, which ended in the early hours of Aug. 12, 2014, not in a secluded place in some province but in a room above a bakery in Manila’s densely populated Sta. Mesa district. Impressed, Palparan surrendered without resistance to Vallejo’s team. He is detained in the NBI jail in Pampanga while undergoing trial. Before bagging our job. Precisely I always Palparan, Vallebear in mind that these subjects have jo’s team busted Ivler case families and if we do not do our work kidnap-for-ranIt was also Arwell, we could hurt people. som gangs and a gabioso’s team gunrunning synthat obtained dicate operated information on by soldiers in acthe whereabouts tive service. of American Jason Ivler, son and actor, Strunk committed of folk singer Freddie Aguilar’s suicide in Tracy, California, in Uncovering bomb plot sister Marlene Aguilar and who July 2007. It was also Vallejo’s team was wanted for the shooting that discovered a plot to bomb death of Renato Victor Ebarle Capture of Palparan Ninoy Aquino International Jr., son of former Presidential Retired Army Maj. Gen. Jo- Airport Terminal 3, Mall of Asia Chief of Staff Renato Ebarle Sr., vito Palparan, a former party- and the main office of real esin a roadrage incident in Que- list representative, went into tate developer DM Consunji in zon City on Nov. 18, 2009. hiding after being charged in Makati City last year. The Special Task Force traced 2011 with the kidnapping of two Acting on a tip from an inIvler to his mother’s house in University of the Philippines formant, Vallejo’s team folQuezon City in January 2010. students in 2006. lowed Grandeur Pepito GuerIvler shot it out with the NBI The administration of Presi- rero, Emmanuel San Pedro and agents, wounding two of them. dent Aquino put up a P2-mil- Sonny Yohanon to the airport He was shot but not killed, and lion reward for information on Sept. 1, 2014 and arrested was arrested. that would lead to the arrest them before they could set off Witnesses identified Ivler as of the former military officer an improvised explosive device www.canadianinquirer.net

at Terminal 3. The NBI brought charges against the three “commandos” from the group called USA Freedom Fighters of the East (Usaffe), formed by lawyer Ely Pamatong for the retaking of the Spratly island group in the West Philippine Sea from China. Later the team arrested Pamatong on a warrant not for plotting bomb attacks in Metro Manila but for scattering spikes on Edsa after being disqualified as a presidential candidate in the 2004 elections by the Commission on Elections. Raid on Bilibid

On Dec. 15 last year, Vallejo’s group, together with De Lima and NBI Director Virgilio Mendez, swooped down on New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City and discovered secret rooms belonging to prominent convicts. Found during the raid were guns, drugs, cash, jewelry, a Jacuzzi, a strip bar and sex toys. As a result of the obvious corruption in Bilibid, top prison officials were sacked and placed under investigation. Twenty prominent convicts who owned the secret rooms were moved to NBI headquarters in Manila, ending their luxurious lifestyle in prison. Vallejo’s division is now investigating the irregularities in Bilibid. More heads are expected to roll after the investigation. ■

Philippine News

JANUARY 9, 2015

FRIDAY

MRT/LRT fare hike may not be popular but it is right, Palace says PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY MANILA — The Palace this week said that the decision to increase the fares of Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3 and Light Rail Transit (LRT) Lines 1 and 2, may not be popular but it must be done. “This is not a popular decision insofar as the MRT-riding passengers are concerned, but we are doing this because this is the right thing to do,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda told reporters during a press briefing in Malacañang. Secretary Lacierda emphasized that the government has not completely cut its subsidy for the mass transport system but has merely reduced the subsidy from P12 billion last year to P10 billion this year. “We did not take away the

Commuters at the Metro Rail Transit (MRT 3) station in Pasay City. A new distance-base fare scheme went into effect on January 4, 2015. GIL S. CALINGA / PNA

subsidy. The subsidy is still there,” he said. He noted that President Be-

Supreme Court asked to stop LRT, MRT fare hikes BY FERDINAND G. PATINIO Philippine News Agency MANILA — Former Iloilo Rep. Augusto “Boboy” Syjuco this week filed a petition before the Supreme Court (SC) seeking to stop the fare hikes now being implemented by the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the Metro Rail Transit (MRT). In a 12-page petition, Syjuco asked the SC to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the implementation of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Department Order No. 2014-14 declaring fare increases at the LRT Line 1 (LRT-1), LRT Line 2 (LRT-2) and MRT Line 3 (MRT-3). LRT-1 traverses from Baclaran, Paranaque City to Roosevelt, Quezon City; LRT2 traverses from Recto, Manila to Santolan, Pasig City; and MRT-3 traverses from

North Avenue, Quezon City to EDSA-Taft Avenue, Pasay City. Syjuco also urged the SC to declare the assailed department order as “illegal and unconstitutional”. He argued that the DOTC has committed “grave abuse of authority” in the approval of the fare increase because it was implemented without “due process”. The former lawmaker further argued that the fare increase is also violative of the “Public Service Act” as well as the existing “Rules of Court” because of the failure of the DOTC to first conduct a public hearing on the matter as the basis of the fare hike and how the computation was made will be presented. Syjuco expressed the belief that if the fare increase will not be stopped, it will bring about “irreparable damage” to the public. ■

nigno S. Aquino III has already explained that the subsidy for the MRT/LRT fares needs to

be reduced so that the government could allocate its resources to regions that do not benefit

from the MRT/LRT service. “So, of the P2 billion that we can save, we are going to allocate the resources to other areas like Visayas and Mindanao,” said Lacierda. He further pointed out that the increased MRT/LRT fares are still lower than air-conditioned or regular bus fares. An air-conditioned bus traversing the Monumento-Taft Ave route via EDSA charges P42; an ordinary bus, P37; and an FX taxi, P40. The MRT meanwhile charges only P28 for the same route. Lacierda assured the public that the government will continue to improve the services of the mass transport system. “We can assure the MRT-riding passengers that rehabilitation is forthcoming. Rehabilitation has been planned this year. We are going to improve the services of the MRT,” he said. ■

Escudero, Poe... and if there is a and that’s why I’m opposing the chairperson of the Senate subchance, we will stop it fare hike. When they presented committee on public service, and ask their commit- the budget, it was based on the said in a separate radio interment because there is no rea- old fare and the subsidy was view. son, financially and practically, also based on the old fare,” EsPoe, however, said the Senate for fare hike,” Escudero said in cudero, chairman of the Senate hearing should be done after radio dzBB interview. finance committee, explained. the Papal visit so as not to disEscudero questioned the Under the DOTC budget for rupt the preparation of the govtiming particularly of the MRT MRT for 2015, the Senate ap- ernment in the much-awaited fare hike, saying the MRT man- proved Php2-billion subsidy visit of Pope St. Francis from agement has yet to improve its for the improvement of rail and January 15 to 16. services. signaling system and Php7 bil“In deference of the Papal “The increase was unwar- lion from unprogrammed funds visit, even the DOTC, will have ranted. Untimeto focus on the ly because the safety of our services has not countrymen and improved. They our beloved Pope should improve himself. So after first their servichis visit, we will es and if they can They should improve first their call public heardo that, perhaps services and if they can do that, ing,” Poe said. Juan dela Cruz perhaps Juan dela Cruz can accept Poe clarified can accept the the fare hike. that the Senate fare hike,” Escuhearing is not dero said. intended to stop Escudero also the implementaquestioned the tion of the fare lack of public consultation be- for rehabilitation of MRT. hike that started on Sunday. fore the DOTC implemented Meanwhile, Senator Grace “That’s the job of our conthe new fare adjustment. Poe supported the proposal of cerned citizen groups which The administration senator Escudero to ask the presence of can seek the help of the court,” said the DOTC did not even Abaya in the next Senate hear- she said. mention when the Senate tack- ing on the MRT. Poe agreed with Escudero led its proposed budget for “Of course we have to call the that the MRT services should 2015. DOTC secretary. He is the best be improved first before imple“They did not mention that person who can answer,” Poe, menting any fare increases. ■ ❰❰ 1

www.canadianinquirer.net

Philippine News

FRIDAY JANUARY 9, 2015

Department of National Defense ‘misused relief fund’ COA: Huge part spent for AFP oil, repairs, etc. BY MARLON RAMOS Philippine Daily Inquirer A “HUGE portion” of the P352.5 million in emergency funding of the Department of National Defense in 2013 had been misused by the military, which spent money meant to help victims of natural disasters to pay for its fuel consumption and repairs of its offices, state living conditions of calamity victims auditors have discovered. so that their conditions may be quickly According to the Commission on Au- normalized. Though they may use the dit (COA), P843.5 million in Quick Re- same for predisaster activities, the gensponse Fund (QRF) of the DND had also uine purpose of the funds should not be remained unliquidated since 2012. disregarded,” the commision stressed. Answering the findings of the COA, Among the implementing agencies the defense department maintained which received QRF from the DND were that the emergency fund was “utilized the Army, Navy, Air Force, Office of the for the purpose it was released to DND.” Civil Defense (OCD), Philippine MiliIn its periodic audit, the COA found tary Academy, the Armed Forces Philipout that a number of projects under the pines Finance Center and the Veterans DND’s emergency fund had yet to be Memorial Medical Center. completed by its attached units despite “A huge portion of the QRF was transthe release of the budget. ferred to various bureaus under the It said the DND had spent only P6.65 (DND) for the acquisition of equipment, million, or less than 2 percent of its petroleum, oil and lubricants, training, QRF for 2013, for the purchase of relief construction/repairs and improvement items for the victims of Supertyphoon which were not all consistent with the located with QRF under (its annual bud“Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) purposes of QRF…, thus, defeated the get),” the COA said. which left 6,300 people dead and caused purpose of the fund,” the COA said. In addition, the COA auditors raised unimaginable destruction in the Visayas In 2013, it said the DND released near- doubts if the AFP Finance Center had region that year. ly P452 million to its attached agencies spent its QRF allocation of P21.1 million “The year 2013 would have been the for the purchase of rescue equipment, on relief and rehabilitation, pointing out opportune time to use the QRF for the but the procurement had not been com- that no liquidation documents had been purpose it was released due to the vari- pleted. submitted so far. ous calamities that occurred,” the COA The COA said the DND’s agencies said in a report posted on its website. spent almost P360.8 million in emer- DND defends program “However, the transfer of funds to IAs gency funding for training programs “The DND embarked on a program (implementing agencies) for projects not and for the construction, repairs and that would ensure that the capacity of within the purposes of QRF, the noncom- renovation of offices. its bureaus, most especially the AFP, pletion of the projects the first responders and the minimal liqin disaster response uidation by IAs of the operations, and the fund transfers, defeat OCD, tasked with the purpose of the A huge portion of the QRF was transferred administering a comfund,” it added. to various bureaus under the (DND) for the prehensive national As stated in the acquisition of equipment, petroleum, oil and defense and disaster General Approprialubricants, training, construction/repairs and risk reduction and tions Act (GAA), the improvement which were not all consistent with management proCOA said the QRF the purposes of QRF […], thus, defeated the gram, are enhanced,” was specifically inpurpose of the fund. the department said. tended to be used as It argued that the “a stand-by fund for requirement for the relief, rehabilitation use of QRF, like the and reconstruction programs” for resi“(The funds) have not been used for submission of budget preparation forms dents of communities affected by disas- the intended purpose of the QRF,” the and monthly cash programming, was ters. COA concluded. “contradictory” to the purpose of the “There are only a few agencies which The COA also questioned the transfer emergency fund since calamities were were appropriated with QRF and these of nearly P36 million to the OCD, saying “totally unpredictable.” were released to them by virtue of the the DND’s action did not appear “to be The DND also claimed that the liquifunctions they hold. They are bound by appropriate since the relief and rehabil- dation of the transferred funds “limits the provisions of the GAA and the el- itation activities supposed to be funded what can be utilized in preparation for, emental purpose of the funds,” it said. out of QRF are not included among the during and after the occurrence of such “On the part of DND, (the funds) were functions of OCD.” emergencies” because such situation released to alleviate the situation and “Moreover, (the) OCD was already al- may happen just days after the other. www.canadianinquirer.net

“Realistically, the preparation of a comprehensive relief and rehabilitation plan/programs should come after the postdisaster needs assessment conducted by the OCD, in consultation with (local officials) and other stakeholders. This takes time, sometimes too long for communities already in need of immediate assistance,” the DND said. Despite this, the defense department vowed that it would observe “due diligence in the utilization of the QRF and shall comply with the instructions on the strict monitoring of the projects and liquidation of fund transfers.” Early planning needed

The COA, however, reiterated that the “preparation of the plans/programs for relief and rehabilitation does not have to be done after the disaster.” “Activities for the QRF allotted each year should have been planned even before the occurrence of disaster to ensure that the needed assistance can be delivered to calamity victims,” it said. The COA also urged the DND to come up with a program of expenditures for the QRF, including relief and rehabilitation programs to help victims of natural disasters. The agency asked the DND to “closely monitor and direct the IAs to expedite the implementation and completion of the projects in order that these projects can be used to alleviate the difficulties of victims and assistance can be readily extended when needed.” ■

Philippine News

JANUARY 9, 2015 FRIDAY

People injured by firecrackers learn lessons the hard way Publisher Philippine Canadian Inquirer, Inc. Managing Editor Earl Von Tapia earl.tapia@canadianinquirer.net Community News Editor Mary Ann Mandap maryann.mandap@canadianinquirer.net Correspondents Ching Dee Angie Duarte Lei Fontamillas Frances Grace Quiddaoen Socorro Newland Bolet Arevalo Graphic Designer Shanice Garcia Photographers Angelo Siglos Solon Licas Operations and Marketing Head Laarni Liwanag (604) 551-3360 Advertising Sales Alice Yong (778) 889-3518 alice.yong@canadianinquirer.net Jennifer Yen (778) 227-2995 jennifer.yen@canadianinquirer.net sales@canadianinquirer.net 1-888-668-6059 PHILIPPINE PUBLISHING GROUP Editorial Assistant Phoebe Casin Associate Publisher Lurisa Villanueva In cooperation with the Philippine Daily Inquirer digital edition Philippine Canadian Inquirer is located at 400-13955 Bridgeport Rd., Richmond, BC V6V 1J6 Canada Tel. No.: 1-888-668-6059 or 778-8893518 | Email: info@canadianinquirer. net, inquirerinc@gmail.com, sales@ canadianinquirer.net Philippine Canadian Inquirer is published weekly every Friday. Copies are distributed free throughout Metro Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg and Toronto. The views and opinions expressed in the articles (including opinions expressed in ads herein) are those of the authors named, and are not necessarily those of Philippine Canadian Inquirer Editorial Team. PCI reserves the right to reject any advertising which it considers to contain false or misleading information or involves unfair or unethical practices. The advertiser agrees the publisher shall not be liable for damages arising out of error in any advertisement.

Member

BY LEILANI S. JUNIO Philippine News Agency MANILA — Despite repeated warnings from the Department of Health (DOH) and other concerned government authorities on the dangers posed by the use of firecrackers, many people still got injured during the recent new year’s revelry. The DOH has expressed dismay that some people seem to prefer to learn their lessons the hard way — after suffering painful injuries due to firecracker blasts. As a result, the health department has vowed to push for a nationwide firecracker ban — an initiative that is supported by the Philippine National Police (PNP). As a Philippines News Agency reporter covering the DOH beat, particularly its “Iwas Paputok” campaign from December 2014 until the first week of this year, I was able to interview some firecracker injury victims who admitted that they learned their lesson the hard way — only after what had happened to them. In fact, as a form of New Year’s resolution, they promised not to ever try firecrackers again and even spoke about the dangers of using them. One of them was Mark Jason Samia, a tricycle driver in Manila who suffered a severe eye injury due to the explosion of “pla-pla” firecracker that he bought during the 2013 new year celebration. Samia and some of his family members like his wife, aunt and a barangay leader were presented by DOH Acting Secretary Janette L. Garin to the media last Dec. 31 to heighten awareness of the public on harmful results that firecrackers can inflict. Samia said that after suffering the consequence of his wrong decision on that fateful day, he had made a promise to himself not to use firecrackers anymore. “Things were not the same for me anymore. From one fleeting moment of the happy thought of using firecrackers that produced a loud bang, the price I had to pay was heavy,” Samia said as he showed what happened to his left eye after it was hit by the firecracker blast. He added that due to that injury, the very little savings that he had from earning a living as a tricycle driver was lost due to his hospitalization. He recalled that at that time, his wife was pregnant and about to give birth and they had no choice but to seek loan to ensure that their children could continue their studies, in addition to meeting their daily needs. Samia said that because of the eye

As a result of injuries from firecracker blasts this past New Years, despite the repeated warnings, the Department of Health has vowed to push for a nationwide firecracker ban, a move that is supported by the Philippine National Police.

injury, when he returned to his job as a tricycle driver, he could not earn even PhP400 a day anymore since it was very difficult to drive with only one eye functioning. “My productivity is limited since I am not confident anymore to drive faster ...,” he added. He stressed that because of the lesson he learned in a most painful way, he had made a promise to shun away from using firecrackers. “I began telling my friends, neighbors and relatives not to use firecrackers so as not to endanger their lives and future,” he said. He also warned his children strictly not to ever use firecrackers as such had produced a “mark” on him that will always remind them that firecrackers are not safe. “Using it (firecracker) is like a gamble. You are never sure of what will happen next and what extent of damage it may bring,” he said. Samia said that since 2013, the forever

www.canadianinquirer.net

new year’s resolution of his family is “no to firecrackers.” During the round of visits of DOH officials last Dec. 31 to the Dr. Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center in Sta. Cruz, Manila as well as the Philippine Orthopedic Center and East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City, most of the patients hurt by firecrackers also made promises not to use firecrackers anymore. A minor whose hands were hit by an explosion of piccolo, a banned firecracker that accounted for most of the injuries, said he will never use firecrackers again. The boy said that because of the incident, a part of his new year’s resolution is to never use firecrackers anymore, adding he is thankful that his injury did not result to amputation, like what happened to other children victimized by firecracker blasts. “What happened to me was an awakening that children like me should not play firecrackers,” he said. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY JANUARY 9, 2015

Pope Francis to bless people at Rizal Park BY LEI FONTAMILLAS Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA — For Filipinos who wish to see Pope Francis on January 18, the Argentine Pontiff requested for him to be allowed to roam around Rizal Park so that he could bless and greet the people before the Mass starts. Thus, the organizers of the Pope’s visit will map out a route around Rizal Park in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Philippine National Police, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. According to Rev. Rufino Sescon Jr., executive secretary of the papal visit committee, concrete barriers will be set-up around the route to ensure the safety of Pope Francis. These barriers will be installed along Kalaw Avenue, Maria Orosa Avenue, Padre Burgos Avenue, Roxas Boulevard and the South Road leading to Quirino Grandstand. “That’s what the Pope wants. Even in Rome, that is done. Before the Mass, the Pope goes

The Rizal Monument at Rizal Park.

around to greet the people,” said Sescon. “He wants to really meet and bless everyone because that will be his only chance [to do so].” The Mass, which will be held at the Quirino Grandstand, is the only event open to public.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Some events are limited due to limited space of the venues which include Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, and SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. When Pope John Paul II visited the country during the World Youth Day in 1995, the

Pope also requested to roam around the area however the “human chain barriers” were not able to control the crowd. “[We] learned from that [experience] so we tapped the help of the DPWH,” said Sescon. Moreover, there will be a

minimum of 18 giant LED screens to allow crowds to witness the Mass, added Sescon. Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said that they are expecting that about five million Filipino devotees would be present durint the Pope’s mass. “Rizal Park has not expanded in the last 20 years since Pope John Paul II’s visit … as far as physical space is concerned, it can hold 1 million to 1.2 million people,” said Coloma. He added, “But considering the ebb and flow of the crowd, the numbers could go higher.” Camping out at Rizal Park before the mass on January 18 will not be allowed, Sescon noted. But the venue will be open as early as 6 in the morning. “They will secure the area days before so no one will be allowed to camp there. This is to make the event orderly and peaceful,” he said. Aside from the security barriers, there will also be 20 firstaid stations and 400 portalets installed in the park. There will also be 20 ambulances for emergency purposes. ■

Manila fireworks video gains international recognition BY AZER N. PARROCHA Philippine News Agency MANILA — Taken from what was described to be the tallest building in the Philippines, a video of fireworks displays over Mandaluyong and nearby areas has gained international recognition from a number of news websites. “Sorry, New York, Sydney and London — Manila’s fireworks dominated New Year’s Eve cel-

ebrations,” US news website Mashable noted in an article written by writer Annie Colbert. Colbert described how “colorful explosions blasted in every corner of the Philippines’ capital city as revelers set off fireworks to celebrate 2015.” Newsweek writer Zoe Schlanger meanwhile said that Metro Manila’s fireworks “won New Year’s Eve.” “Did your city hold a fireworks display on New Year’s

Eve? Probably. Was it as good as Manila’s? Probably not,” Schlanger wrote. The Independent Journal Review described the fireworks as “breathtaking” while Australian website Triple M said that Manila welcomed the New Year “with a serious bang. The two minute and 30 second video of the fireworks display entitled “Fireworks over Metro Manila NYE 2014”, which is uploaded on YouTube currently has over one million

www.canadianinquirer.net

Dozens of fireworks explosions can be seen in the distance in this screenshot of a video that shows the New Years celebrations that took place in Manila last week.

views since it was uploaded last

Dec. 31, 2014. ■

Philippine News

JANUARY 9, 2015 FRIDAY

AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes, lover of the spotlight, is in it again after airplane crash BY EILEEN NG The Associated Press KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — His airline empire began, Tony Fernandes likes to say, with the purchase of a bankrupt company for less than a dollar. Now, after years of growth that made him the king of Asian budget travel, the flamboyant Malaysian businessman is facing the horror of the disappearance of an AirAsia jet with 162 people on board. Fernandes, who built AirAsia’s regional network on cheap fares, a love of the spotlight and occasionally provocative advertising (“There’s a new girl in town. She’s twice the fun and half the price.”), was clearly exhausted by the time he met reporters last week at the airport in Surabaya, Indonesia, where the missing flight had taken off. “We are very devastated by what has happened. It is unbelievable,” he said. In an earlier tweet to his employees, Fernandes said, “This is my worst nightmare.” Fernandes pioneered regional low-cost air travel by launching AirAsia in January 2002, growing it from two planes to more than 180 by breaking the dominance of national airlines and making flying affordable for the millions of Asians entering the middle class. Today, he has an estimated net worth of $650 million. A massive air and sea search turned up fragments of AirAsia Flight 8501 in the Karimata Strait, which vanished from radar last Sunday morning about 42 minutes after taking off from Surabaya en route to Singapore. All 155 passengers and 7 crew on board were killed. Recovery efforts are now underway. The missing jet was the third major airline incident this year involving Malaysia. First came Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, which disappeared on its way to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur on March 8 and has not been found. A few months later, Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down over Ukraine. But this marks the first tragedy for Malaysia-based AirAsia, which has a strong safety re-

AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes speaking at an event. Fernandes’ airline is reeling after the crash of one of its planes this past holiday season killed over 160 passengers and crew. WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

cord. Flight 8501 was operated Shukor said. “AirAsia has sound Time-Warner’s merger with by AirAsia Indonesia, a subsid- fundamentals in terms of its AOL to enter the airline busiiary that is 49 per cent owned business model and manage- ness, a longtime dream. by AirAsia Malaysia. ment, and this crisis should not Fernandes got together with Earlier this year, AirAsia suppress its growth.” three other investors, mortboasted in its in-flight magaLast year, AirAsia flew 42.6 gaged his house and withdrew zine that its well-trained pilots million people across the re- his savings to buy the flounderwould never lose a plane. The gion. ing AirAsia on Sept. 8, 2001, airline withdrew the magazine A 50-year-old Malaysian of paying a symbolic 1 ringgit, or and Fernandes apologized for Indian-Portuguese descent about 25 U.S. cents. Three days the article, which was written and a serious music buff — he later, New York and Washingbefore Flight 370 disappeared. plays keyboards and the drums ton were hit by terrorist atFernandes also courted con- — Fernandes earned a finance tacks. troversy on the But AirAsia day that flight coasted through lost contact. An the crisis. With active Twitter its tagline “Now user with more There will be some adverse kneeEveryone Can than a million jerk reaction, but I don’t think it will Fly,” it revolufollowers, he cripple the airline . . . AirAsia has tionized cheap tweeted that the sound fundamentals in terms of its air travel in the plane’s radio business model and management, region and rehad failed and and this crisis should not suppress paid its 40 milthat all on board its growth. lion ringgit ($11.4 were safe. He million) debt later deleted the in less than two tweet. years. Shukor Yusof, an aviation degree in the United Kingdom Today, it has more than 8,000 analyst with Endau Analytics in and rose quickly in the music employees and flies to 132 desMalaysia, said Fernandes had industry, first at Virgin Group tinations in Asia. AirAsia is reacted well so far to the latest and later at Warner Music In- now a major competitor to fullcrisis, communicating properly ternational. He was appointed service carriers such as Singaand quickly travelling to Sura- Warner’s chief in Malaysia in pore Airlines and Thai Airways, baya. 1992 at age 28, the youngest which have since set up budget “There will be some adverse person to hold that post. offshoots to vie for a bigger knee-jerk reaction, but I don’t Warner CD sales jumped dur- share of passengers. think it will cripple the airline,” ing his tenure, but he left after In many ways, Fernandes’ www.canadianinquirer.net

career echoes the empire Richard Branson created at Virgin Group — both in terms of how the men love attention, and how they have expanded across industries. From short routes of up to four hours, AirAsia has expanded into long-haul flying through its sister airline AirAsia X. Through his Tune Group, which owns AirAsia, Fernandes also started a hotel chain and offers car rental, insurance and credit cards in tie-ups with banks. He was, in many ways, ahead of the industry curve, sensing a need for low-cost flights in what is now the world’s fastestgrowing region for airlines. “Air travel is made for Asia,” Fernandes told The Associated Press in 2002. “You can generally drive from one end of Europe to another or take a train, but that’s not the case here. You want to try driving from Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok? Good luck, mate!” Fernandes is a vocal leader who enjoys interacting with the public at airports and on social media. AirAsia passengers often tweet him photos of their vacations, images Fernandes then shares with his followers. In 2011, Fernandes stepped into the sports world when he bought a majority stake in the Queens Park Rangers, an English Premier League soccer club. The same year, Britain honoured him as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire and France made him an Officier de la Legion d’Honneur. He also has funded a Formula One racing team, making lavish bets with owners of competing teams. But he sold his shares in the F1 team this year. Last year, Fernandes further put AirAsia in the spotlight by hosting the Asian version of the reality TV series “The Apprentice.” Filipino Jonathan Yabut won and now works for AirAsia in his country. Since the disappearance of Flight 8501, Fernandes has focused on encouraging his staff not to buckle under the pressure. “Be strong,” he told his staff in another Twitter message. “Continue to be the best.” ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY JANUARY 9, 2015

Binay says meager office funds didn’t stop service BY NIÑA P. CALLEJA Philippine Daily Inquirer

Vice President Jejomar Binay.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

SAYING THAT he had only a “meager budget” last year, Vice President Jejomar Binay nevertheless boasted of his office’s accomplishments in 2014, down to the number of people served through medical missions and relief aid. In a news release on the first day of 2015, Binay said his office served 66,951 patients in medical missions in 21 provinces and distributed 133,346 relief packs to families affected by natural calamities last year. The Office of the Vice President (OVP) regularly conducted medical missions to different provinces and reached out to those who could neither afford to go to hospitals nor buy medicine. It also distributed relief goods to victims of fires,

www.canadianinquirer.net

flash floods and the threat of eruption by Mayon volcano. “Kahit na nabawasan ang budget ng aming tanggapan, patuloy po kaming gumagawa ng paraan upang makatulong at mapagsilbihan ang ating mga kababayan (Even if our office budget was slashed, we continue to find ways to help and serve our countrymen),” Binay said a statement. He said the removal of its social services fund resulted in a smaller OVP budget. The OVP’s budget was halved in 2014 to P217 million from P417 million after Binay himself decided to forgo the social services fund, which was described as a pork barrel. “We asked that the budget marked by the Department of Budget and Management as Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to be stricken out in September 2013,”

Joey Salgado, spokesperson for Binay, said. The Supreme Court in November 2013 declared all PDAF unconstitutional. According to its 2014 yearend report, the OVP helped 6,044 indigent persons receive medical assistance through payment of hospital bills, surgery, dialysis, chemotherapy, medicines, implants and hearing aids. The patients were mostly fromMetro Manila but some came from other regions. About 9,700 elementary students received educational support, while 8,000 students were given medals and certificates of recognition with the help of the OVP, the news release said. Binay also went to Batangas, his home province, to distribute relief packs to victims of Typhoon “Ruby” in San Juan, Rosario, Lobo, San Pascual and Lipa City. ■

Philippine News

JANUARY 9, 2015 FRIDAY

Huge, wind swept fire destroys hundreds of Philippine shanties, displacing 4000 poor families THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rice farmers in Ifugao Province, northern Philippines. The remittances from the Presidential Commission on Good Government are mandated to go to agrarian related improvement projects, such as farm-to-market roads, irrigation facilities, and bringing electricity to rural areas. WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Where did P168-Billion go? Presidential Commission seeks accounting BY JEANNETTE I. ANDRADE Philippine Daily Inquirer

Act of 2013 provides that reparation for the martial law victims come from the forfeited $356million (then estimated at P10 billion) Swiss accounts of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. According to Bautista, the PCGG would want a detailed breakdown and accounting of all the money it has remitted to the national treasury in the past 28 years to ensure that they were actually used for agrarian reform and recompense human rights victims. “It is just to monitor where the money really went and

form for distribution to farmerbeneficiaries. From dummy foundations

The funds to compensate THE PRESIDENTIAL Comvictims of human rights abuses mission on Good Government during the Marcos regime are (PCGG) is considering seekto be sourced from the late dicing an inventory of the recovtator’s forfeited $356 million ered Marcos ill-gotten assets stashed in five Swiss accounts of about P168 billion that it has under the Marcos dummy remitted to the Bureau of Treafoundations: Azio-Verso-Vibur; sury (BTr) since the agency’s Xandy-Wintrop; Charis-Scocreation in 1986. lariValamo-Spinus-Avertina; “We want to make sure the Trinidad-Rayby-Palmy; Romoney was spent wisely,” said salys-Aguamina; and Maler. PCGG Chair Andres Bautista, In 2003, the Supreme Court while conceding that a detailed ordered the accounts forfeited accounting of the in favor of the PCGG’s remitgovernment by tances intended virtue of a 1997 for agrarian reruling by the form and human It is just to monitor where the money Swiss Federal rights abuse vicreally went and make sure it is going Supreme Court, tims was beyond where it should. declaring them the scope of the to be owned by agency’s functhe Republic of tions. the Philippines. Under the Comprehensive make sure it is going where it Bautista admitted that acAgrarian Reform Program Ex- should,” he explained. counting for its remittances to tension with Reforms (CarpThe remittances from the the BTr was technically not a er), all assets recovered by the PCGG are mandated to go to function of the PCGG when the PCGG and all proceeds from Comprehensive Agrarian Re- agency was created by Presithe sale of ill-gotten property, form Program-related proj- dent Cory Aquino’s Executive except those set aside to com- ects, including the construction Order No. 1 in 1986 and when it pensate the rights abuse vic- of farm-to-market roads and was placed under the supervitims during martial law, would bridges, acquisition of irriga- sion and control of the Departgo to fund agrarian reform-re- tion facilities, rural electrifica- ment of Justice in 2007. lated projects. tion, provision of potable water Nevertheless, he said that he and credit assistance. Agricul- saw no harm in asking for a full Reparation for victims tural lands sequestered by the accounting of the P168 billion The Human Rights Victims agency were transferred to the remitted by the PCGG to the Reparation and Recognition Department of Agrarian Re- national treasury. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — A huge blaze believed to have been ignited by firecrackers razed nearly a thousand shanties and killed three people in a creekside slum in the Philippine capital, one of more than a dozen fires across the country linked to raucous New Year’s celebrations. Strong winds fanned the flames racing through nearly a kilometre (half a mile) -long row of shanties in a village in suburban Quezon city in metropolitan Manila before dawn last Thursday, said village officer Noel Carino. Firefighters struggled to get near the burning shanties because of narrow alleys. “It’s really a tragic way to welcome the new year,” Carino said. Firefighters recovered the body of a woman and two other residents who were trapped in their houses after rains helped douse the six-hour inferno. Three people were injured, including a firefighter, whose three fingers were ripped off by metal shrapnel that flew around when a cooking gas tank

exploded, the Bureau of Fire Protection said. Residents struggled to save anything they could from the fire, including cats and dogs, with many using improvised floating devices to cross a murky river and escape the flames. Bureau of Fire Protection spokesman Renato Marcial said nearly a thousand houses, mostly shanties and huts, were destroyed, displacing about 4,000 poor families. At least 17 fires have raged across the country prior to and during New Year’s revelry. Despite threats of arrest and a government scare campaign, outlawed powerful firecrackers were still used, according to the bureau. At least seven people died in two of the fires, Marcial said, adding that some of the flames were believed to have been ignited by illegal firecrackers. The Department of Health reported Thursday that more than 350 people were injured by firecrackers and celebratory gunfire in recent weeks and on New Year’s Eve. The figure is considerably lower than last year’s, but still an alarming sign of an unstoppable annual folly. ■

A shanty town in Manila, Philippines. A fire broke out on New Years Eve in a shanty town in Manile. It was believed to have been caused by fireworks. The fire destroyed nearly a thousand shanties, leaving seven dead and displacing over 4000 poor families. WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Philippine News

FRIDAY JANUARY 9, 2015

Albay solon says PDAF abolition brings government closer to poor BY DANNY O. CALLEJA Philippine News Agency LIGAO CITY — After a couple of minutes waiting for his turn, a middle-aged man in farm clothes anxiously told Albay Rep. Fernando Gonzalez at his district office here Sunday that he needed help for the hospitalization of his badly-ailing son. The congressman readily reached for his notepad, wrote something on the top page and handed it over to the man with an instruction: “bring your son to the nearest government hospital, present this note to the one in-charge and all the medical attention needed will be provided, including medicines without you spending for it.” After the man left gratified with what he got, the congressman explained: “my people in need usually come to me for help and as their representative, I see to it that their needs that should be addressed by agencies are provided. It’s more convenient this time or after the abolition of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).” He said these after a quick look back at 2014, the year that marked the historic “death” of the infamous congressional pork barrel known as PDAF and expressing optimism that year 2015 will after all prove further that its abolition is of more good than harm for the people, particularly the poor. Majority members of Congress rallied against the abolition until it was ordered by Pres. Benigno Aquino III following a Supreme Court (SC) declaration in late 2013 that the traditional system of allocating in the yearly national budget minimum lump sums for each representative and senator to

use for projects of their choice in mind. That way, the governwas “unconstitutional”. ment is getting more close to “I went against the posi- the people even to those who tion of those who opposed the are in the countryside,” he said. abolition as I knew then that The corrected system, acit was already time to kill this cording to Gonzalez, has been scandal-laden system of set- clearly explained earlier by ting aside discretionary funds, Pres. Aquino that the supposed unpopularly called pork barrel, PDAF provided to every legislato lawmakers that dates back tor is now included and noted to 1922, during the American in the national budget and projcolonial period,” said Gonzalez, ects assigned to this fund have who is on his second term as been limited in scope, unlike in Albay Rep. Fernando Gonzalez. representative of the province’s the past when it could be indisthird district. criminately allotted for proj- ture needs of local government Before its abolition, every ects or programs. units and barangays; Departcongressman usually received For transparency, he said, the ment of Education (DepEd) for an annual PDAF allocation of list of these projects is upload- matters that involve educationPhp70 million, while each sena- ed on the DBM website in real al reliefs; Department of Agritor, Php200 million, whose re- time so that the public could culture (DA) for farming assisleases were via implementing review and scrutinize them, tance; and so on and so forth, he agencies contrary to public be- and for the bidding stage, all bid said. lief that the money were direct- notices and awards have been “The note I gave to the sick ly released to the lawmakers. required to be posted on the boy’s father is not actually reThis system, however, had Philippine Government Elec- quired but it gives the bearer been abused as it allowed the tronic Procurement Systems the courage to deal with the participation of legislators not (PhilGEPS). concerned government agency. just in the deIn the past, peotermination of ple in the barthe budget, but rio are reluctant also in the executo seek medical tion of projects This year, we are assured of a better attention from that oftentimes way which ensures that the public government would be marred coffers are spent with only the hospitals, fearwith corruptions public’s benefit in mind. That way, ing the charges perpetuated the government is getting more close and cost of medithrough colluto the people even to those who cines,” Gonzalez sion with friends are in the countryside. said. in the private Now everysector and govthing could be ernment agency availed of for officials. Going back to the poor man free owing to the downloading In abolishing PDAF, Gonza- who came for help in the medi- of substantial funds taken from lez said, the Aquino administra- cal need of his son, Gonzalez the former PDAF. tion has cured the flawed sys- said that “the government hos“And should something go tem and replaced it with a new pital which I referred him to wrong in the way the fund is one that actually addresses the will certainly accommodate his handled, Congress is mandated needs of the people, particular- patient because they have the with an oversight function to ly the poor instead of loading up fund under this new system, look into it,” he said. the pockets of officials. which they cannot hide, given What makes the new system “So, PDAF is dead and this its transparency features”. more exciting is that congressyear, we are assured of a betIt is also true with other agen- men need to do more legworks ter way which ensures that cies—Department of Public if they wanted to deliver the the public coffers are spent works and Highways (DPWH) goods to their respective conwith only the public’s benefit for national-funded infrastruc- stituencies.

www.canadianinquirer.net

RAPPLER

“Since we perform dual functions—national legislators and at the same time, representatives of our people to the national government --, our work at home is to find out what are needed by our constituents especially in the barangays. We submit the list of these needs to concerned agencies which in turn will validate the same for inclusion with their proposal for funding under the next year budget,” Gonzalez said. For this year, he said, his district has been assured in the national budget of over Php2 billion in projects he recommended to national agencies for funding, including medical and educational assistance to the poor, agricultural productivity, disaster control, infrastructure and water system, among others. It is as simple as that and congressmen can no longer involve themselves in the implementation of whatever project they recommended, except in the monitoring. Officials of barangays that are project beneficiaries are now the ones linked with the implementing agency, hence, barrio folk and national government workers are drawn face to face with each other making the relationship more cordial and mutual, the congressman added. ■

Philippine News

JANUARY 9, 2015 FRIDAY

‘Prison officials OK’d contraband BY NANCY C. CARVAJAL Philippine Daily Inquirer DOCUMENTS SEIZED from the so-called VIPs, or “very important prisoners,” during the raid last month at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) showed that the entry of the contraband found in their detention quarters had been authorized and approved by NBP officials. Among the seized documents was a memorandum from an NBP official dated Oct. 10, 2012, addressed to one of the VIPs who acted as a watch leader of the fire brigade of the building where his cell was located, and granting him certain privileges. “You are hereby assigned as adviser maximum fire brigade 5 work force with sleep-out privilege,” said the memo from the unnamed jail official. The order was to take effect immediately. These documents will form part of the evidence in the case buildup being conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation against former and current officials of the NBP, according to a source who is privy to the investigation. Among the documents shown to the INQUIRER were

NEW BILIBID PRISON. The National Bureau of Investigation is conducting an investigation into former and current officials

of the prison for allegedly allowing “Very Important Prisoners” to bring in and use contraband while behind bars. WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

requests for the entry of construction workers into the maximum security compound to build the house and music studio of convicted bank robbery gang leader Herbert Colangco. Passes for trucks carrying construction materials to be used for the Colangco building were also approved and signed by the same NBP officials. Colango also requested for entry passes for more than 200 people, including local politicians, city hall employees, art-

ists, hair stylists, staff and relatives. Colangco requested for a daily pass for the whole month of March 2014 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for the participants, band members and crew of his musical projects inside the maximum security compound. He also asked for and was granted permission to bring in fuel for the generators to be used in his musical shows, like “Bilibid Got Talent” and aero dancing contest.

Another set of documents also showed that the VIPs had requested for and been given approval to install air-conditioning units in their quarters. The VIPs also requested that the ban against the use of electricity during the day be waived on the promise that they would pay for the electricity. “Respectfully requesting that I be allowed to have daytime electricity at my station. Kindly be informed that the consumption for the daytime electric-

ity passes through a legal meter and will be paid accordingly,” said one of the letter requests. Last month, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima led a team of NBI and Philippine National Police personnel in two raids and searches of the detention quarters of 20 VIPs, convicted drug criminals who were suspected of continuing to run their illegal drugs businesses from inside the prison. The raids showed the VIP inmates living luxurious lifestyles in spacious condominium-type quarters, complete with modern conveniences, including a Jacuzzi, air-conditioners and a music room. They also yielded millions of pesos in cash, cell phones, shabu, drug paraphernalia, guns, Rolex watches and a sex doll. The prison quarters that were raided had been occupied by Eugene Chua, Sam Li Chua, Vicente Sy, George Sy, Tony Co, Joel Capones, Herbert Colangco, Peter Co, Amin Imam Boratong, Clarence Dongail, Tom Chua, Rommel Capones, Jojo Baligad, Willy Chua (Cai Shao Ming), Michael Ong, Jacky King, Willy Sy, Noel Martinez, Agojo Y. Dona and Hans Sy Chua. ■

Filipino among 8 missing crew after cement carrying cargo ship capsizes off north of Scotland THE ASSOCIATED PRESS LONDON — British rescue teams searched Sunday for eight missing crew members from a cargo ship that capsized north of Scotland. Searchers on two helicopters and four lifeboats were looking for survivors from the bulk carrier Cemfjord, which was carry-

ing cement from Aalborg, Denmark, to Runcorn on England’s west coast. A passing ferry in the Pentland Firth off Scotland spotted the upturned hull of the Cyprus-flagged ship Saturday. The hull sunk below the water Sunday and the 83-meter (272-feet) vessel was no longer visible, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said Sunday.

Tony Redding, a spokesman for the German shipping company that operated the vessel, said there had been no distress signal from the ship, and that the last communication with the vessel was routine. The company said seven of the crew were Polish and one was a Filipino. Another cargo ship — a car carrier — ran aground in the

www.canadianinquirer.net

Solent between Southampton and the Isle of Wight Saturday. Officials said 25 crew members were rescued, but the ship remained grounded Sunday, listing at 45 degrees. Ingar Skiaker, CEO of the ship owner, Hoegh Autoliners, said that there had been no oil leak from the vessel. Hugh Shaw, a government official leading the salvage opera-

tion, told reporters that salvers would board the ship to establish if the cargo, including cars and construction equipment, had shifted and whether that would affect efforts to refloat the vessel. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY JANUARY 9, 2015

President Aquino’s plan to pardon aged, ill inmates draws support BY JELLY F. MUSICO Philippine News Agency MANILA — The plan of President Benigno Aquino III to pardon aged and sick inmates at the New Bilibid Prison as a gift to Pope Francis has received support from Vice President Jejomar Binay. “This is welcome news that is certainly in line with the message of love and compassion that the Pope represents,” said Binay in a press statement on Monday. Binay said the impending pardon for the qualified inmates will bring hope to other inmates who have atoned for their crimes and wish to become productive members of society again. In his Christmas message, the Vice President appealed for mercy for inmates “who have recognized and have paid for their crimes should be giv-

Bomb blast in Philippines kills 4, wounds 30 THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Benigno S. Aquino III speaking to a crowd last year. The President plans on pardoning aged and sick inmates from the New Bilibid Prison as a gift to Pope Francis during the latter’s visit to the Philippines later this month. PCOO.GOV.PH

en the opportunity to rejoin society.” He also expressed hope that elderly prisoners get to spend their twilight years with their

family. Last November 27, the Board of Pardons submitted the names of 47 inmates eligible for executive clemency. ■

MLANG, PHILIPPINES — A bomb exploded at the entrance of a town market packed with New Year’s Eve shoppers in the restive southern Philippines last week, killing four people and wounding at least 30 others, officials said. Police said they have no immediate suspects in the second such attack in two months, but Muslim rebels opposed to a peace deal with the government have been blamed for similar bombings in the past. Most of the victims were shoppers buying fruits and horns used for noise-making to greet the new year, said police chief Joan Resurreccion of Mlang township in North Cotabato province. Last month, a bomb blast at

a billiard hall in the same town killed three people. “This is not a happy new year for us people in Mlang,” said Mayor Joselito Pinol. One suspect has been arrested in the previous bombing, but no group has claimed responsibility for either blasts. Minority Muslims in the predominantly Roman Catholic nation’s south have been fighting for self-rule for decades. In March, the largest rebel group signed an autonomy deal with the government, but a breakaway faction called Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters was of several vowing to continue fighting. Authorities accused the rebels of carrying out a bus bombing that killed at least 10 people early this month in a province farther north. The rebels have denied responsibility. ■

Laude case prosecutors file motion to inhibit judge from hearings vs Pemberton BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer OLONGAPO CITY, Philippines — A motion to inhibit Judge Roline Ginez-Jabalde from hearing the case against US Marine Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton has been filed by the public prosecution panel. The motion was filed as the panel called into question the judge’s transparency and neutrality in hearing the case involving the brutal murder of transgender Jennifer Laude, allegedly by Pemberton, on October 11, 2014 in a hotel room in Pampanga City. Olongapo City Chief Prosecutor Emilie Fe de los Santos, head of the prosecution panel, filed the motion on Monday. The panel pointed to Jabalde’s association with Pemberton’s legal counsel, Atty. Rowena Garcia-Flores, citing that the two women were classmates in law school.

US Marine Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton (left) and transgender Jennifer Laude (right). HARRYTHEHORSE.ASIA

“It became clear to the prosecution that the relationship between [Jabalde] and [Flores] — that of being classmates in law school — has tainted the Honorable Presiding Judge’s transparency and neutrality in the conduct of the proceedings,” the motion stated.

The prosecutors alleged that from the time the case was filed in court on December 15, Jabalde had put them on a “wait and see” status. They also claimed that the judge had been involved in a discussion with Pemebrton, in their absence, when the suspect appeared bewww.canadianinquirer.net

fore the court on December 19. They detailed that on that date, they found Jabalde talking with Pemberton and Flores inside the courtroom, without the prosecutors’ presence at the proceeding. “This scene immediately alarmed the prosecution giving

it as it does an impression that a proceeding with respect to the case was already being conducted without the presence of any public prosecutor,” they said in their 12-page motion. The motion for inhibition likewise detailed that Jabalde’s failure to arraign Pemberton gave room for his counsel to file for a petition for review before the Department of Justice. Additionally, the prosecutors said that they were not advised that the Jabalde would not be arraigning the American serviceman when he appeared before the court on December 19. “The prosecution was immediately placed on a wait and see stance — a situation which could have been easily avoided by a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ reply — and doubt has dawned upon the transparency with which the proceedings will be conducted by the Honorable Presiding Judge,” they motion indicated. Jabalde refuse to comment on the motion. ■

Opinion

JANUARY 9, 2015 FRIDAY

AS I SEE IT

Why is Comelec delaying recall election? By Neal H. Cruz Philippine Daily Inquirer THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) under Chair Sixto Brillantes should begin the new year right by no longer dredging up excuses to stave off recall elections in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, to protect the sitting mayor, Lucilo R. Bayron. Alcoben J. Goh, on March 17, 2014, filed in the Comelec a recall petition against Mayor Bayron due to loss of trust and confidence brought about by “gross violation of pertinent provisions of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, gross violation of pertinent provisions of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials, incompetence and other related gross inexcusable negligence/ dereliction of duty, intellectual dishonesty, and emotional immaturity as Mayor of Puerto Princesa City.” On April 1, 2014, the Comelec promulgated Resolution No. 9864, which found the recall petition sufficient in form and substance, but suspended all recall elections for alleged lack of funds. On April 28, 2014, Mayor Bayron filed in the Comelec a petition for the dismissal of the recall petition

for lack of merit. On May 19, 2014, ing process—which consumes three It turns out that Resolution No. Goh filed a comment/opposition to weeks in processing time—prior to 9912 is nothing but a sham, as not one Bayron’s petition with prayer for the the verification process. of the five pending recall petitions can Comelec to direct its representative Before publication and posting can proceed with verification and posting. to immediately carry out the publi- be undertaken, however, the rules on The writing of the decision to deny cation of the recall petition against recall procedure require that any mo- Bayron’s MR was assigned to ComMayor Bayron, the verification pro- tion for reconsideration filed by an missioner Luie Guia and was schedcess and the recall election. aggrieved party must first be resolved, uled for resolution by the en banc On May 27, 2014, the Comelec pro- holding in abeyance any further action. session on Dec. 16. 2014. However, it mulgated Resolution No. 9882 that Mayor Bayron had filed an omni- was not taken up during that session, suspended all recall elections as it bus motion for reconsideration and and one can only suspect that this was “does not have a line done so that a supitem budget or legal plemental motion authority to commit for reconsideration What is the Comelec waiting for? Why has it not actpublic funds for the can be filed by Bayed to deny this MR so that publication, posting and verificapurpose.” The resoron to further delay tion can proceed without delay? lution said that unthe proceedings. til Congress passes The supplemena law appropriating funds for recall clarification on April 27, 2014. To tal motion for reconsideration filed by elections, “all proceedings relative date, this has not been resolved by Bayron on Dec. 15, 2014 alleged that to… recall elections” are suspended. the Comelec en banc. Question: Why out of 40,409 signatures supporting The case was elevated to the Supreme does the Comelec need more than the recall, only 14,220 are valid, short Court which, in a 12-0 vote on Nov. 25, eight months to resolve a motion for by 5,115 to meet the required 19,335 2014, held that the Comelec committed reconsideration? The issues raised signatures for a recall election. Bayron grave abuse of discretion by issuing the in that motion were also raised by preempted the Comelec’s verification two resolutions—9864 and 9882. Bayron when he filed his comment process, which is undertaken only after In anticipation of the high court’s to Goh’s petition for certiorari and the required publication and posting to ruling, the Comelec issued another were set aside by the Supreme Court. determine if the signatures on the peresolution (No. 9912) on Nov. 18, So what is the Comelec waiting for? tition belong to registered voters with 2014, partially lifting the suspen- Why has it not acted to deny this MR active status and are not falsified. sion by allowing recall petitioners to so that publication, posting and veriThe prerogative belongs only to undertake the publication and post- fication can proceed without delay? the Comelec, and not to the elected

official being recalled, whose findings can only be self-serving. Bayron’s supplemental motion only shows the need for the official verification to resolve any doubts about the signatures’ veracity. But the motion has earned Bayron additional time to further delay the proceedings. A recall election can be done only one year after the recalled official’s assumption to office and one year before the next scheduled regular election, in essence between July 1, 2014 and May 8, 2015. The petition to recall was filed on March 17, 2014, and the Comelec resolution affirmed on April 1, 2014, that the petition was sufficient in form and substance. Since then the petition has not moved, and even the publication and posting process, which is done at the expense of the petitioner, has been held in abeyance by the Comelec. Should the Comelec further entertain Bayron’s supplemental motion, the process would further be delayed. It is obvious that the ploy is to run the clock down. If the verification process is not completed by March 2015, there will not be enough time to hold the recall election against Bayron. ■

PUBLIC LIVES

Complex times By Randy David Philippine Daily Inquirer THE STORY is told in our family that when my grandmother, Epifania, first boarded a bus for Manila to consult a doctor for her throat ailment, she took off her slippers and left them on the ground as she stepped onto the bus. It is probably not true, but it made sense. This was what old folks used to do in the provinces when they ascended the stairs of any house. I don’t think my grandmother, who rarely left her home in Pampanga to go anywhere, had previously seen the inside of a bus. In contrast, my grandson, Xavier, who is barely three, rides a public bus to school every single day, and has taken more than 30 flights in his brief lifetime. Though he lives abroad, he is not unlike other children of his generation who travel a lot with their parents for any number of reasons. Indeed, apart from the fact that more and more people are going to distant places nowadays—by land, by sea, or by air—they also begin to travel at a very young age. My two granddaughters, Julia and Jacinta, were in pre-school when they took their first international flight, whereas I was already in my 20s and a graduate student when I first traveled abroad

in the late ’60s. My late father, who which vanished into thin air with 239 and that, with tens of thousands of was a lawyer, had never been to an- people aboard on March 8, 2014, and planes in the air each day, such a deluge other country. These days, it is easier has not been found. How is it possible of data could cost billions of dollars. In to imagine a young woman barely for such a huge plane equipped with addition to being tracked by landbased out of high school leaving her remote the latest communication system radar, most jetliners also have tranvillage in Mindanao to work in Abu and transponders to go missing and sponders, radios and text data-links Dhabi than for her to settle down in leave no trace, whereas a stolen or that periodically send the plane’s coorManila or Davao City. misplaced mobile phone can easily dinates and information about engine What all this suggests is that the be located by a simple app? performance.” transportation of people is going to be There is no easy answer. A whole The AirAsia jet went missing soon one of the most complex systems in telecommunications infrastructure after the pilots requested permission the modern world. Complexity exists can pick up the emissions of a miss- to change routes and altitude to avoid when the number of elements at play ing smart phone, but it seems there is turbulence caused by stormy weathin a given state of affairs is so great no corresponding system in place for er. Were the pilots warned about the that any effective weather condition monitoring of the in the areas they How is it possible for such a huge plane equipped interplay of these elwere traversing? with the latest communication system and transponders to go ements is necessarThe probability is ily selective. The sethat they were but, missing and leave no trace, whereas a stolen or misplaced molectiveness takes the given that the flight bile phone can easily be located by a simple app? form of models that was not canceled, focus on some relationships, while aircraft. I used to imagine that now the risks involved must have been staying provisionally blind to others. that airlines offer Internet service underestimated. Or, maybe the pilots Nothing perhaps illustrates this in their flights, their pilots should be made an error, though that is quite fundamental change in the way we able to maintain uninterrupted con- unlikely. live than the closing image of 2014— tact with their ground staff. But, apAviation technology has signifian AirAsia passenger plane (Flight parently, that is not the case. cantly reduced accidents due to pilot QZ8501) abruptly vanishing from the A New York Times report explains it error by introducing systems that alradar and losing contact barely an thus: “Airlines use satellites to provide low the new planes to automatically hour after taking off from Surabaya Internet connections for passengers, adjust to changing flight conditions. in Indonesia for what was supposed yet they still do not stream data in real The latest avionics that come with to be a short hop to neighboring Sin- time about a plane’s location and con- the new aircraft basically confine gapore. Its disappearance instantly dition.” Why not? “Most airline execu- aviators to the function of monitorbrought back surreal memories of tives say there is no need for planes to ing the instrumentation panel. In a Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370, constantly transmit their locations manner of speaking, the aircraft flies

www.canadianinquirer.net

itself. For the most part, this is a great advance in systems. But this technology can also produce a disability—as someone said, pilots are less inclined to look at the sky outside to check the weather when they know that the instrumentation panel can give them accurate readings. The term that is used is “fly-bywire”—a system that relies on an electronic interface to control a flight and does away with the manual controls. As a Wikipedia entry describes it, this system “allows automatic signals sent by the aircraft’s computers to perform functions without the pilot’s input, as in systems that automatically help stabilize the aircraft.” As a motorcycle enthusiast, I welcomed the day this cutting-edge technology found its way into the two-wheelers I ride. My first big bike was a 2001 Ducati Monster S4 that, except for its speed and handling, was not very different from the small motorbikes I rode as a young student. But the new bikes in the market are now equipped with a “ride-by-wire” system that stabilizes the machine under varied riding conditions with minimal inputs from the rider. These are complex machines and they are safer to ride, but, for some reason, I have never been comfortable about leaving everything to technology. ■

Opinion

FRIDAY JANUARY 9, 2015

LOOKING BACK

A surplus of saints By Ambeth R. Ocampo Philippine Daily Inquirer Spanish Manila was neither the sprawling Metro Manila we know today nor the “Greater Manila” of the 1960s. Because during the Spanish period, Manila meant the area enclosed within the walls, or intra-muros. Districts outside, or extra-muros, like Binondo, Tondo, Malate, or Ermita, were suburbs. It is unfortunate that the Battle for Manila in 1945 destroyed much of Intramuros, such that all we have left to remind us of the religious fervor in this medieval city are San Agustin and the Manila Cathedral. There were so many churches and chapels in Intramuros, more than needed for the Holy Week Visita Iglesia, and when one looks at the calendar of important feasts in Spanish Manila, one would see that these were associated with particular churches. Let’s continue where we left off in the previous column. April 25 was the feast of San Marcos Evangelista (St. Mark the Evangelist) that was celebrated with a litany in the Manila Cathedral. April 27 was the birthday of the Queen Regent Maria Cristina that required the attendance of the

Cabildo and the Royal Audiencia in a Spain, San Tiago Apostol (St. James Aug. 25, the “saints day” of Her Seservice at the cathedral. the Apostle aka Santiago Matamoros rene Highness the Infanta Doña Luisa May 8, the feast of the Apparition or James the Moor-slayer, a title po- Feranda, was celebrated in the catheof San Miguel (not the beer or the gin litically incorrect in our day), and also dral. Aug. 28, the feast of San Agustin, we know today but an archangel who celebrated in the cathedral. In that founder of the Augustinian order that drove Satan and the other devils into month, an image of the Virgin was first arrived in the Philippines in 1565, hell), was celebrated in the cathedral. brought in procession to the galleon was celebrated with vespers in San May 9 was the feast of Santa Poten- departing for Acapulco, carrying the Agustin Church. San Agustin was the ciana, virgin and martyr, who was wish of the city for its safe journey. patron of the Philippines, invoked considered the patroness of the PhilOn Aug. 4, the feast of Santo Do- against locusts. Aug. 30, the feast of ippines against storms and inclem- mingo (St. Dominic, founder of the Santa Rosa de Lima, patroness of the ent weather (she is Indies, was celebratnot to be confused ed in the cathedral. with Santa Barbara, Sept. 10, the feast This calendar, now obsolete, is a reminder of a time who is traditionof San Nicolas de when there was no clear separation of church and state. It ally invoked against Tolentino, patron of is a reminder of a simpler time when church feasts were the lightning). Vespers Manila for the gallehighlights of people’s lives. for Santa Potencions, was celebrated ana were held in the cathedral, and in Order of Preachers or Dominicans), with vespers in Recoletos Church. 1836—at the time this calendar was was celebrated, of course in Santo Do- Oct. 2, the feast of the guardian angels, included in the protocol manual of the mingo church. Aug. 12 was the feast of was celebrated in the cathedral. Oct. city—there was mention of the recon- Santa Clara (the Franciscan St. Clare) 4 is the feast of San Francisco de Asis struction of the church of San Andres. to whom we traditionally bring of- aka Francis of Assisi and the founder The major feast of June was Corpus ferings of eggs for good weather (egg of the Franciscans. He is best rememChristi, with an Octava celebrated in yolk in Spanish is “clara,” hence clear bered today as a saint who was kind to the cathedral and both the Cabildo weather); it was celebrated in Santa animals, but in Spanish Manila he was and the Audiencia in attendance. Clara (not the one on Aurora Boule- “Patron and Serafic Protector” of the June 29 marked the feast of Saints vard) with the Cabildo in attendance. city who is said to have appeared on Peter and Paul in the cathedral. July Aug. 15, the Feast of the Assumption the ramparts of Intramuros during a 14 was the “saints day” of the Reina (that’s why some women born on this revolt of the Chinese and chased them Regenta y Gobernadora Doña Maria day were christened Asuncion), was away. Services were held in the catheCristina celebrated in the cathedral. celebrated in the cathedral with both dral, after which the image of the saint July 25 was the feast of the patron of Cabildo and Audiencia in attendance. was taken in procession to San Fran-

cisco Church for additional services. Oct. 10, the birthday of Queen Isabel II, was celebrated. Also in October was the celebration of La Naval de Manila with an Octava in Sto. Domingo Church. Nov. 30, which we celebrate today as Andres Bonifacio Day, used to be the feast of San Andres Apostol (St. Andrew the Apostle), celebrated in the cathedral. San Andres was invoked in Manila against earthquakes. Dec. 3, the feast of San Francisco Xavier, was held in the cathedral. Dec. 4, the feast of the Lagrimas de San Francisco (Tears of St. Francis), was held in San Francisco Church. Dec. 8, the Immaculate Conception of the Universal Patroness of Spain and Indias, was celebrated in the cathedral with a procession in the afternoon. Dec. 18, the Expectation of the Virgin, was marked by vespers in the cathedral. And finally, Dec. 27, the feast of San Juan Evangelista, patron of Manila against lightning, was celebrated in the cathedral with vespers. This calendar, now obsolete, is a reminder of a time when there was no clear separation of church and state. It is a reminder of a simpler time when church feasts were the highlights of people’s lives. ■

AT LARGE

Costly celebrations By Rina Jimenez-David Philippine Daily Inquirer DRIVING HOME on the afternoon of Dec. 31, after a hasty shopping trip to Greenhills for castañas, grapes and provisions for the New Year’s feasting, we found ourselves caught in a traffic jam on White Plains. The “cause of traffic” soon became obvious: a row of stalls selling fireworks and vehicles parked in front of them, colonizing three lanes of the four-lane road. Even more annoying was the presence of men wearing violet T-shirts marked “QC police” who were “directing” traffic. They were actually facilitating the movement of the firecracker buyers who were backing out of their slots or waiting to park in front of the stalls, while merely waving along those of us who were just driving by. “And I thought the government was discouraging the sale of firecrackers,” I wondered aloud. Just minutes before, Acting Health Secretary Janette Garin was making the rounds of radio shows reporting on the toll of deaths and injuries due to early New Year revelry and advising families to be careful in the use of pyrotechnics, if not avoiding such dangerous activities altogether. But how could we discourage firecracker use when police themselves

facilitate the trade? And where were Even more alarming were the 30 just outside the walls of the country’s the fire trucks and marshals sup- cases traced to guns fired during the biggest military camp! posed to be deployed wherever such New Year revelry. Among these cases *** fiery explosives are sold? was that of 11-year-old Jercy Decym ALSO cause for concern is the stateI espied an adult male walking Buenafe Tabaday in Tayum, Abra, ment of Communications Secretary down the sidewalk from the stalls who died after being hit in the head Sonny Coloma that proposals for a carrying huge bags filled with all by a stray bullet said to be fired from ban on the sale of firecrackers need sorts of fireworks. This was shocking a .45-caliber pistol. to be “studied carefully” before by itself, but he was accompanied by Authorities said the Tayum police’s Malacañang acts on the problem. a young boy, presumably his son. So guns were inspected soon after and “We will wait for the recommendahow was he going to explain the dan- none of them had been fired. But one tion of the DOH and we will discuss it gers of careless handling of fireworks wonders if authorities had bothered once the issue has been raised,” Coloto the boy? And whose fault was it to check the unofficial or unlicensed ma was quoted in news reports. Well, should the boy end up losing a finger firearms owned by policemen, or wait. Hasn’t the health department or a hand because of made crystal clear fireworks? its position on fireBut how could we discourage firecracker use when *** works? I’m sure offipolice themselves facilitate the trade? And where were the THE statistics cials know where to fire trucks and marshals supposed to be deployed wherever speak for themput the millions curselves. rently being spent such fiery explosives are sold? Injuries and faevery New Year’s talities due to fireworks accidents went out of the way to track legal or Eve and the days before it on fielding last New Year’s Eve went down by illegal guns in the town that had been doctors in emergency rooms, provid40 percent compared to last year’s fired around midnight last Dec. 31. ing the tools needed to cut off infected figures, said Garin, and 36 percent When it comes to fireworks and limbs, sew them back on, and prevent down from the five-year average other “blazing” means to welcome tetanus and other infections. from 2009-2013. the new year, the government seems Then, without the distractions ofStill, it’s not time for self-congrat- to be speaking from both sides of its fered by firecracker sales and injuries, ulations yet. Nearly 600 cases (593) mouth. There are earnest appeals law enforcers could better focus on arof injuries due to pyrotechnic acci- to the public to stop buying fire- resting the idiots who insist on firing dents were reported, although one works, and the Department of Health their guns to “welcome” the New Year. case—that of a woman who was poi- spends millions on ads and personal What’s there to study? Sure, hunsoned after friends spiked her drink appearances to discourage the prac- dreds face the risk of losing their with a watusi fragment—was by no tice. And yet we have policemen fa- means of livelihood, and firecracker means accidental. cilitating the trade in firecrackers manufacturers, including importers,

www.canadianinquirer.net

could lose a lucrative revenue source. But the “sin tax,” for instance, likewise threatened the income of tobacco farmers and manufacturers. What happened was that, weighing the costs and benefits of smoking and tobacco sales, the government decided it could not only earn more but save more, with health costs related to lung ailments and related health problems cut down when smokers found their noxious habit too costly. *** CLEARLY, the dangers to life and limbs caused by firecrackers and indiscriminate firing of guns far outweigh the temporary “high” of a fiery, noisy and blazing welcome as we mark the transition from one year to the next. I will admit that in the last few years our family has cut out our budget for pyrotechnics and instead have been content to stand outside our homes watching the show put on by our neighbors. Why can’t more families do the same? Why can’t we be content to join public gatherings where local governments or commercial interests hold fireworks shows for public consumption and delight? I admit, a fireworks show limned against the dark sky provides a thrill like no other. But these days it is a thrill that comes at too high a cost. ■

FRIDAY JANUARY 9, 2015

Canada News

Winnipeg man accused of letting 90-year-old mother die after fall gets bail

NEWS BRIEFS

FROM THE CANADIAN PRESS

BY CHINTA PUXLEY The Canadian Press WINNIPEG — A musician who is accused of letting his 90-year-old mother die on the floor after she fell has been granted bail following an outpouring of support from Winnipeg’s music community. Ron Siwicki has also been ordered to undergo a psychiatric assessment. Dozens of supporters attended his bail hearing in a Winnipeg courtroom Monday. The frail-looking man, who is 62, quietly wept and stared at the floor as details of his mother’s death were discussed. Evidence presented at the hearing is under a publication ban. Siwicki’s lawyer, Mike Cook, said the decision came as a relief. “He’s in a state of shock,” Cook said outside the courtroom. “To lose a parent is a horrendous thing at any point in your life. Then to be accused of being at fault for the passing of your parent — and then to be detained in the remand centre — is just the most horrendous thing ... that could happen to an individual.” Cook told The Canadian Press before the hearing that police custody was the “worst possible place” for Siwicki, who has been left “grieving with strangers.” He said Siwicki was a doting son who is completely devastated. Cook told the news agency that Siwicki was complying with his mother’s wishes when she fell out of bed in mid-December. She didn’t want medical attention, so he fed her nutritional drinks until she died. He then called 911, the lawyer said. Siwicki has been in custody since being charged with criminal negligence causing death and failing to provide the necessities of life. The case is rare, Cook said, because the charges usually involve parents who don’t get their children medical attention. Siwicki’s mother lived with him and the outcome could have a broader significance as more people care for their aging parents and relatives at home, Cook suggested. “What happens with aged relatives at home? What if they don’t want care? What if they want to die peace-

DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY SUSPENDS 13 STUDENTS HALIFAX — Dalhousie University suspended 13 dentistry students from clinical duties over misogynistic comments allegedly posted on a social media site, saying it wants to ensure the safety of patients and classmates. University president Richard Florizone and the dean of dentistry announced that the fourth-year students will not be able to practise at a community clinic while a committee reviews the matter.

Ron Siwicki is accused of letting his 90-year-old mother die on the floor after she fell. Siwicki’s lawyer told the press that Ron was just complying with his mother’s wish of not seeking medical attention. FACEBOOK PHOTO

fully in their own home?” he said. “It could have a far-reaching effect.” Many who know Siwicki in Winnipeg’s music community came to his defence following his arrest, describing him as a “gentle soul” who was “not a danger to anyone.” Supporters were turned away from the courtroom Monday because there weren’t enough seats. Wendy Cameron said she has known Siwicki for 25 years and has sung alongside him in several bands. Seeing Siwicki in shackles was surreal, she said. His mother used to come to gigs with him and he used to bring home meals to her after he played a set at a Winnipeg bar and restaurant, Cameron recalled. Siwicki’s “music family” will take care of him and help him grieve properly, she said. “He’s still an honourable, kind, generous man,” Cameron said. “He’s never given up on any of his friends so why would any of his friends give up on him?”

On a Facebook page for Winnipeg musicians, friends echoed that resolve. They said Siwicki took great care of his mother since his father died years ago. “Ron has shaped his life and devoted himself to the ongoing care and support of his mother, sometimes forgoing opportunities both in business and in his social life,” wrote Michael Gillespie, who said he has known Siwicki for 35 years. “Ron would often leave gatherings of friends earlier than others in order to attend to his mother. He stated, to me at least, that he accepted that his mother was his responsibility and I know he meant that sincerely.” Henry Kreindler, another longtime friend, said Siwicki is a compassionate, caring person, who was devoted to his mother. He doesn’t deserve to be locked up like a criminal, he wrote. “Ron always carried out his mother’s wishes,” he wrote. “Perhaps this was not a wise thing to do here.” ■

HARPER AND WYNNE TO MEET IN TORONTO TORONTO — Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne were set to meet Monday night in Toronto, marking their first face-to-face talk in more than a year. The Conservative prime minister last met with the Liberal premier Dec. 5, 2013, and Wynne has since embarked on a public campaign urging Harper to sit down with her. CANADA DROPPED NEW YEAR’S BOMBS IN IRAQ OTTAWA — Canadian jets flew four attack missions against militant targets in Iraq on New Year’s Day, National Defence says. In its latest briefing on the allied air campaign against the group known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, the military says the CF-18 strikes hit fighting positions and storage facilities. FLU SEASON WALLOPING MANY PARTS OF CANADA TORONTO — It’s official. Flu season is in full swing in many parts of Canada. And virtually all the viruses circulating at this point are from the H3N2 family, which is unfortunate. That’s because the H3N2 component in this year’s flu shot isn’t well matched to the viruses making people sick.

Canada News

FRIDAY JANUARY 9, 2015

Feds fight to deny long term expats right to vote as case heads to appeal BY COLIN PERKEL The Canadian Press TORONTO — The right of longterm expats to vote in federal elections goes before Ontario’s top court Tuesday, as Ottawa fights a ruling that struck down part of Canadian voting laws. Barring Canadians from voting — in this case those who have lived abroad for more than five years — is a justified restriction in a free and democratic society, the government argues. “The residence limit to voting ensures the connection of the citizen to the place where he or she casts their vote,” the government states in its factum. “That is the social contract at the heart of our system of constitutional democracy.” In May last year, Ontario Superior Court Justice Michael Penny ruled parts of the Canada Elections Act — enacted in 1993 — were unconstitutional. In doing so, he extended the vote to as many as one million Canadians living abroad — even though a sliver of that number would likely vote in, for example, this year’s federal election. For one thing, Penny ruled, expats may well be subject to Canadian tax and other laws. In addition, mass murderers have the right to vote, the judge noted, but not long-term expats, who “care deeply” about Canada. Pierre Poilievre, the minister responsible for democratic reform, tabled the Citizen Voting Act last month in an effort to tighten the voting rules for Canadian expatriates. It would require voters living abroad to provide proof of their identity, citizenship and past residence in Canada, and allow them to vote only in the constit-

The government is trying to argue to Canada’s top court that Canadians who have lived abroad for more than five years should be barred from voting. Some Canadians are arguing that the five-year time limit is arbitrary and has no bearing on citizenship.

uencies in which they last lived. al-born Jamie Duong, 31, of Canada,” they argue in their Ottawa, which sought un- Ithaca, N.Y., and Toronto-born factum. successfully to stay the ruling Gillian Frank, 36, of Princeton, “If citizenship is not enough, ahead of last June’s byelec- N.J., argued they had only left the very act of voting evidences tions, insists these individunon-resident als’ connection Canadians need to Canada.” to have a “direct The appeal to a and meaningful” “fictitious social connection to If citizenship is not enough, the contract” simCanada and their very act of voting evidences these ply isn’t enough ridings in order individuals’ connection to Canada. to deny them to vote. their fundamenAs such, it betal democratic gan enforcing rights, the facthe five-year rule tum states. under which long-term expats Canada for educational and They also argue the Supreme could only regain the right to employment opportunities. Court of Canada has been vote by resuming residency in Both said they — in common “forceful” in refusing to strip Canada — not by just visiting. with many other expats — still voting rights from particular Two Canadians living in the have a strong attachment to groups — such as prisoners — United States launched the Canada and a stake in its future. absent any specific concern. constitutional challenge af“Five years is an arbitrary “The respondents, who are ter being denied a ballot in the limit which has no bearing proud Canadians with strong 2011 federal election: Montre- on a citizen’s connection to rights to our country, are en-

titled to the same unyielding protection.” Still, the government maintains, provinces, territories and other countries with similar electoral systems as well as their courts have found residency limits are “reasonable and justified.” New Zealanders, for example, lose the right to vote after three years of uninterrupted absence. In all, expats pay annually an estimated $6 billion in income taxes to the Canadian treasury, despite using fewer resources than their in-country counterparts. Some long-term expats — among them members of the Armed Forces and diplomats — have always retained the right to vote by way of a “special” ballot. The Appeal Court hearing is expected to take two days. ■

HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS > PRACTICAL NURSING - 75 Weeks (Biology, Math, & English Upgrade Available*) > HEALTH CARE ASSISTANT - 29 Weeks > MEDICAL OFFICE ASSISTANT - 33 Weeks > COMMUNITY SUPPORT WORKER - 49 Weeks > HEALTH UNIT CLERK - 12 Weeks*

LEARNING WITH PURPOSE SINCE 1903

7 LOWER MAINLAND CAMPUSES / 13 CAMPUSES IN BC CALL 310.HIRE (4473) OR VISIT SPROTTSHAW.COM www.canadianinquirer.net

*conditions apply

Canada News

JANUARY 9, 2015

FRIDAY

CBC executives involved with Jian Ghomeshi investigation put on leave of absence BY NICK PATCH The Canadian Press TORONTO — Two high-ranking CBC executives involved with interviewing employees in connection with the Jian Ghomeshi affair have been put on indefinite leave of absence. Chris Boyce, executive director of CBC-Radio, and Todd Spencer, executive director of human resources and industrial relations for English services, are on leave “until further notice,” according to an employee memo distributed Monday. Monique Marcotte will assume Spencer’s responsibilities while Cindy Witten will take over for Boyce. In November, the CBC said that Boyce, Spencer and director of network talk radio Linda Groen had conducted interviews with “Q” employees

about Ghomeshi, the show’s host. Since that initial investigation, the CBC commissioned labour lawyer Janice Rubin to conduct an independent probe into how the public broadcaster handled the allegations of sexual violence against Ghomeshi. CBC spokesman Chuck Thompson said that Boyce and Spencer’s leaves were not voluntary but a “management decision.” The departures were related to the Ghomeshi scandal, he said, but declined to elaborate further. “As I’m sure you can appreciate, given our obligations of confidentiality to both Chris Boyce and Todd Spencer, we won’t be making any further comments,” Thompson said in a telephone interview Monday. Boyce declined to comment while Spencer could not immediately be reached.

In the memo, meanwhile, the CBC urged employee unity. “I believe it’s especially important that we remain supportive of all our workplace colleagues where they may need it and resolute in our professionalism and dedication to the important work that we do here on behalf of Canadians,” read the note, attributed to CBC executives Heather Conway and Roula Zaarour. “We recognize this is a difficult way to start off the year, but despite our current challenges, together we will get through this, and we do have a great future.” The CBC fired Ghomeshi in October after seeing what it called “graphic evidence” that he had caused physical injury to a woman. He is also facing five criminal charges — four counts of sexual assault and one of choking — stemming from al-

The embattled Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has put two high-ranking executives in connection with the Jian Ghomeshi affair on an “indefinite leave of absence”.

leged incidents involving three women. Ghomeshi has admitted he engaged in “rough sex” but in-

sisted it was always consensual. He has been released on bail and his lawyer has said he will plead not guilty. ■

White House lets suspense linger as KXL pipeline saga reaches critical chapter BY ALEXANDER PANETTA The Canadian Press WASHINGTON — As the longrunning saga over the Keystone XL pipeline enters a critical phase, U.S. President Barack Obama is allowing suspense to linger for at least a few more days. A spokesman wouldn’t reveal the president’s intentions Monday as the new Republicandominated Congress prepared legislation that would force construction of the pipeline from Canada. “I’m going to reserve judgment ... until we actually see what language is included in that specific piece of legislation,” said Obama spokesman Josh Earnest. “I’m not prepared at this point to issue a veto threat related to that specific piece of legislation.” It’s become accepted wisdom in Washington that the president would veto such a bill given his skeptical comments

lately about the Canadian oil- wanted to see the legislation chances of it passing in this new infrastructure project, and also first, in an echo of remarks legislature, Republicans will algiven the radical recent shift in Obama himself made before low Democrats to amend it. oil economics. the holidays. That means the bill might be Indeed, Earnest listed a seHe’ll get the chance to see it significantly bigger by the time ries of concerns about the proj- soon. the debate’s done. ect at Monday’s White House A Keystone bill is expected to Democrats plan to pack briefing: it won’t lower Ameri- be introduced in the Senate as it with their own priorities. can gas prices, would create few early as Tuesday; a hearing is High-ranking Democrat Chuck permanent jobs, could impact planned Wednesday; and law- Schumer has promised provicarbon emissions and, he said, makers could start negotiating sions that would support cleanstill needs to unenergy technoldergo an as-yetogy, insist that uncompleted U.S. steel be used federal review in the pipeline, that can’t be finI think we’re going to get indication and restrict exished until a Neof how this president wants to ports of oil from braska court rengovern in the last two years and how the project. ders its verdict in he wants to work with Republicans But, speaka dispute over in Congress. ing in a weekend the route. TV interview, But when givSchumer said en a chance to he’d still advise kill the bill the White House possible add-ons to the legisla- the president to veto the bill. has, so far, kept its veto pen tion as early as Thursday before Obama would then have to sheathed. a debate begins next week on make a decision: sign the bill, Earnest not only declined to the chamber floor. or veto. If he does the latter, he say whether the White House The new Republican major- could argue that he needs more would cancel the bill — he also ity has anointed Keystone as time to complete the standard refused to say whether it hoped its No. 1 legislative priority of review once the Nebraska case Democrats voted against it. the new 2015-16 Congress. To wraps up. Earnest said the president increase the already strong He made a similar move in www.canadianinquirer.net

2012. Congress packed an unrelated bill with a Keystone provision that demanded a decision from the president within 60 days. Obama responded by signing the bill into law, then rejecting the pipeline on the grounds that he didn’t have enough time to finish his review, and forcing that administrative process to start all over again. “I think we’re going to get indication of how this president wants to govern in the last two years and how he wants to work with Republicans in Congress,” Republican Sen. John Thune told Fox News over the weekend. “This will certainly be a way in which we can measure where he’s going to come down.” Aside from the new composition of Congress, there’s another big difference since 2012: Plummeting oil prices. Opponents of the project have pointed to lower prices at the pumps and argued that the president no longer faces much political pressure to approve new energy infrastructure. ■

Canada News

FRIDAY JANUARY 9, 2015

Canadians from coast to coast take icy New Year’s Day polar bear dips BY ALY THOMSON AND LAURA KANE The Canadian Press VANCOUVER — Canadians from coast to coast braved a plunge into frigid winter waters Last week as part of annual polar bear dips held across the country. In Vancouver, a crowd of fearless swimmers that organizers pegged at more than 2,250 charged down the beach into the crisp waters of English Bay. Among the massive crowd were people dressed as Vikings, cowboys, superheroes and penguins, chanting, “Polar Bear!” and singing the national anthem. John Pentland and Chris Arcari, both 58, have been doing the swim every year together for some 36 years. Pentland always dresses as Santa Claus, while Arcari dons a Rudolph costume. “There weren’t a lot of costumes down here 36 years ago. So we just decided to dress up and it carried on. Then, as the years went on it’s always a good way to wash the reindeer off,” said Pentland. It’s now a tradition for their families and friends, with more than 25 people in their group dressed as reindeer. Pentland’s 22-year-old son, C.J., has done the swim every year of his life — beginning with his parents dipping his toe in the water when he was one. “I found this one a bit colder than the

past years,” said C.J., water dripping off his antlers. “It just seemed when we got out there, it hit you a bit harder.” “It’s nothing compared to the North Pole,” joked his brother Tyler, 21. Meanwhile, it appeared the city’s superheroes took a break from fighting crime. Charles Heffernan, 37, dressed as Batman and spoke in the caped crusader’s gravelly voice after he emerged from the 8 degree water. “It was pretty chilly, actually. Forgot my cape, forgot my leggings,” he said. “I’ll probably grab some hot chocolate, resume my life as a billionaire playboy.” Lots of international visitors took up the tradition, including a shivering Douglas Souza, 21, who travelled from Brazil to Vancouver to spend the holidays. He said his friends back home thought he was “crazy” for doing the dip. “In Brazil it’s so warm, nothing like this,” he said. “But I like this experience. It’s new.” In Nova Scotia, people donned tutus and neon Speedos as they leaped off a wharf and into the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Organizers said more than 150 people young and old braved the annual jump in Herring Cove, about 15 kilometres outside Halifax. Many wore costumes and screamed as they jumped off the wharf two by two, the air temperature hovering around -3 C.

People rush into the chilly waters of English Bay in Vancouver on New Years Day for the annual Polar Bear Swim. GOTOVAN / FLICKR

Dave Allan’s red, white and black the plunge to experience something new Joker makeup bled down his face as he to her: cold ocean water. emerged from the ocean water. “It’s a new thing,” she said, wearing a “It was really good. Refreshing,” he Thailand T-shirt and carrying a Canadisaid with a yell, clutching his black and an flag. “You can’t jump in cold water in white frizzy wig in his Thailand. It’s a once hands. in my life (experiGareth Whitfield ence).” of England said the Dozens gathered atmosphere and the on the wharf and surentertaining people rounding areas under is what brought him sunny skies to take in back for another the action, with many jump after his first It’s the cheering and clapplunge last year. atmosphere. ping as participants Whitfield and his All these leaped into the chilly friend John Moakes people around water. participated in here Money raised at 2014’s polar dip as dressing up, the Nova Scotia event part of Moakes’ weddoing will go to a local food ding celebrations. insane things bank. On Thursday they . . . It’s great. Hundreds of swimwere both wearing mers in Oakville, Batman costumes west of Toronto, with tutus around faced chilly temperatheir waists. tures of -2 degrees “It’s the atmoand gusts of wind as sphere. All these they plunged into the people around here waters of Lake Ondressing up, dotario. ing insane things,” One swimmer was said Whitfield before the event. “It’s wearing a mask of a horse’s head, while great.” another was dressed as the Grinch. Phaninnuch Rattana, who is from The Oakville event raised more than Thailand but has lived in Halifax for $120,000 and all funds go to support three months, said she wanted to take clean water projects in Rwanda. ■

www.canadianinquirer.net

World News

JANUARY 9, 2015

FRIDAY

AN AIRASIA PLANE BEING ATTENDED TO BY CREW. The response from AirAsia’s CEO, Tony Fernandes, and his communication team is drawing approval from families of the victims and the media alike for

their handling of the recent fatal crash of AirAsia Flight 8501. WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

In response to disaster, AirAsia and its effusive founder give lesson in managing crisis BY STEPHEN WRIGHT AND EILEEN NG The Associated Press SURABAYA, INDONESIA — If AirAsia bounces back from its first fatal disaster, much of the credit will go to its effusive founder Tony Fernandes and a well-oiled communications machine. From the highly visible compassion shown by Fernandes to details such as changing the airline’s bright red logo to a somber grey online, experts say the Malaysia-based budget carrier’s initial response to the tragedy is a textbook example of how to communicate in a crisis. AirAsia Flight 8501 crashed into the Java Sea on Sunday with 162 people on board. More than two dozen bodies have been recovered so far. It was the first deadly air accident for the 13-year-old carrier, which has made air travel affordable for tens of millions of people in fast-growing Southeast Asia. AirAsia’s handling of the disaster has drawn favourable comparisons with the bungled communications by Malaysia Airlines after Flight 370 disap-

peared March 8. But experts say the situations faced by the two airlines are so different it’s unfair to liken them. For one, it soon became apparent the AirAsia jet had crashed, while the location of the Malaysia Airlines plane has been a mystery since it vanished a short time into its flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. As a bureaucratic, state-owned company, Malaysia Airlines faced constraints that AirAsia didn’t and which resulted in its often lumbering and scripted communications. A fatal crash is typically a make-or-break event for an airline. Irrespective of the cause, the professionalism and authenticity of the airline’s response are crucial for its reputation to recover. After nearly a century of commercial aviation, airlines have accumulated a trove of experience and knowledge about how to respond to disasters, though the lessons are not always learned or applied. “Fernandes sounds authentic and credible,” said Caroline Sapriel, managing director of CS&A, which advises companies on crisis management.

“He is looking after the priorities — the families. He is showing a lot of empathy. He is using many channels to put that across.” Since Sunday, Fernandes has been constantly in the spotlight, apologizing for the loss of life. An active Twitter user with nearly a million followers, he quickly took to social media to express shock and sympathy. On television, he has not shied away from answering questions while avoiding speculation about the cause of the crash, which occurred during bad weather. “I apologize profusely for what they are going through. I am the leader of this company and I have to take responsibility,” Fernandes said at a televised news conference. Within hours of the flight disappearing from radar after taking off from Surabaya in Indonesia, he was in the city to meet with families of the passengers and crew. At the same time, the airline and its Indonesian unit in particular were issuing regular statements about the known facts in several languages and had set up a hotline for relatives. www.canadianinquirer.net

If AirAsia continues in that vein, “it is probably going to prevent a crisis from turning into a reputational train wreck,” Sapriel said. Fernandes “is the boss and everyone knows it,” said Maybank aviation analyst Mohshin Aziz. “The human factor is definitely very genuine, from the words he chooses to the facial expression.” Many family members praised AirAsia for being swift in responding to their needs. The airline was quick to arrange hotel accommodation and transport for those from outside Surabaya. “AirAsia has taken good care of us from day one,” said Ronny Tanubun, 37, who lost his 13-year-old nephew. “This is a tragedy, what can we do? It’s fated. It can happen to any airline. I am not afraid of flying with AirAsia,” he said at the family crisis centre at the Surabaya police headquarters. Still, others complained the airline didn’t provide useful information during briefings. “They are not telling us anything about the latest development. We have to find out by watching TV,” said Masykur, 52,

who has four family members on the plane. Even as experts praise AirAsia for its initial handling of the situation, they caution there is a long way to go before it can put the disaster behind it. Its share price is down 8 per cent since the crash, wiping nearly $200 million from the airline’s stock market value. There is likely to be a falloff in passengers from Indonesia, where most of the victims are from. It is an important market for AirAsia, the biggest economy in Southeast Asia and the world’s fourth-most populous nation. The accident investigation report will be of paramount importance for the families of those on board and the airline. If the investigation shows the airline is in some way to blame, it will be crucial for AirAsia to fully acknowledge that and convincingly show it is taking action to ensure that type of accident can never happen again, said Henry Harteveldt, founder of Atmosphere Research. “AirAsia will find that while it is tough to get the message across, people will appreciate their candour,” he said. ■

Community News

FRIDAY JANUARY 9, 2015

Richmond Geo-Quest draws global tourists THE CITY of Richmond’s GeoQuest program is the first official GeoTour of a Canadian city on www.geocaching.com and now joins ranks with Parks Canada, the Kennedy Space Centre, the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and other high-profile destinations around the world. “This is a wonderful opportunity for global visitors along with locals and families to discover Richmond while searching for treasures,” said Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “Searching will likely take participants to outdoor areas of Richmond many have never seen before.” Geocaching is a modern out-

door treasure hunt using a personal Smartphone or GPS device to locate hidden containers called “geocaches”. Open to everyone, the city’s program is a series of 30 hidden geocaches found in Richmond parks, on trails and at community facilities. Those who find all of the caches and complete the passport, will be give a prize. Details, along with the downloadable passport, may be found at www.richmond.ca/geocaching. Geocaching is practiced worldwide by over 6 million people and has 2.5 million hidden geocaches. ■

New GO train service on Milton Line MISSISSAUGA — The provincial government is making it easier for commuters to take public transit in Mississauga by adding new GO train service on the Milton line. Starting Jan. 5, GO Transit is adding one train in the morning and afternoon peak periods that will stop at all stations along the line. The new morning trip will leave Cooksville at approximately 9 a.m. and arrive at Union Station at 9:30 a.m. The new evening trip will leave Union Station at 3:40 p.m. and arrive in Milton at 4:38 p.m. “The announcement this

morning is really great news for Mississauga commuters,” said MPP Dipika Damerla. “During the recent election I promised to add more trains on the Milton line. I have been working with the Ministry of Transportation to add additional trains on the Milton line for some time now and I am absolutely delighted that starting January 5 there will be two new trains. I look forward to being on the inaugural train at Cooksville.” The additional train trips will reduce crowding on the Milton line, provide customers with more travel options and en-

hance the customer experience. These additions will benefit commuters in Milton, Halton Hills, Brampton, Mississauga, Etobicoke and Toronto. Building public transit and creating jobs is part of the government’s economic plan for Ontario. The four part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people’s talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, supportive environment where business thrives, and building a secure savings plan so everyone can afford to retire. ■

Embassy announces once-a-month weekend consular services THE PHILIPPINE Embassy in Ottawa recently released the schedule of its once-amonth weekend consular services. The embassy announced that it is opening its doors to clients who wish to avail themselves of its consular services. “This public service is being made avail-

able to applicants who are not able to apply for their consular documents during weekdays,” according to the public statement. The schedule for the once-amonth Saturday 9 a.m. to 12 nn services are: Jan. 10, Feb. 7, Mar.7, Apr. 11, May 9, June 13 , July 4, Aug. 1,

Sept. 12, Oct. 3, Nov. 7, and Dec. 5. The embassy meanwhile added that dates are subject to change and advised the public to check the embassy website at www.philembassy.ca for updates or call the Philippine Embassy at 613-233-1121 during regular office hours. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

Passport applicant.

Seen & Scenes: Vancouver

JANUARY 9, 2015

FOREVER YOUNG SENIORS SOCIETY The Forever Young Seniors Society of Vancouver held a special celebration on Jan. 4 to mark the new year (Photos from Freddie Bagunu’s FB).

POLAR BEAR SWIM Polar Bear Swim participants, including Filipino Canadians, enjoying themselves after the traditional New Year dip in frigid waters (Photos by Christian Cunanan).

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

Right: Del Gachallan of Coquitlam in penguin suit after braving the icy waters of English Bay during the annual Polar Bear Swim. With him is fellow UP alumnus Bert Quibuyen (Photo from Del’s FB).

www.canadianinquirer.net

FRIDAY

Seen & Scenes: Toronto

FRIDAY JANUARY 9, 2015

PCG TORONTO WINNER Consul General Junever Mahilum-West hands over the winning check of P100,000 from the DFA Retirees Foundation raffle to Ludy Manalo of PCG-Toronto (Photos from Ludy Manalo’s FB).

RIZAL DAY The Order of the Knights of Rizal Canada Chapter commemorated the 118th anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose P. Rizal at Earl Bales Park in Toronto, On. on Dec. 30, 2014. Senator Enverga encouraged guests to aspire to the ideals of Dr. Rizal and to be proud of our heritage, among others. (Photos from Senator Enverga’s FB).

SILAYAN INDUCTION The Silayan Seniors Volunteer Group of Mississauga recently celebrated their Christmas party at the Square One Older Adult Centre where they had their induction of officers for 2015-2017 headed by Tessie Buena, president. The swearing in ceremony was done by Luz Del Rosario, trustee of the Peel-Dufferin Catholic School Board Ward 6-11. Photo above shows Ernie Obcena, awarded Volunteer of the Year 2014 by Luz Del Rosario, Tessie Buena and Mila Detera (Joe Damasco, PCI Toronto).

www.canadianinquirer.net

JANUARY 9, 2015

FRIDAY

FILIPINO-CANADIAN IN FOCUS:

Jeffrey Andrion Physiotherapist

BY THESSA SANDOVAL Philippine Canadian Inquirer WHEN HE delivered the commencement address during his university graduation in the Philippines, Jeffrey Andrion (or JJ to many) recalls in his speech that he mentioned of how life is a journey and how our past experiences will allow us to go to places that we want to go. He also remembered talking about meeting people along that journey who can help us make things possible. Short of a premonition, Jeffrey continues to live the words that he uttered during his graduation from Capitol University where he earned his BSc Physical Therapy degree and receiving the department’s highest honours. Probably because of the strong influence of a Jesuit education, his commitment to social justice was first demonstrated when he and a group of Ateneo de Davao High School friends formed a non-profit rehabilitation centre in his hometown of Davao City called KAAKBAY (Kapansanan ay Akibat sa Kaunlaran ng Bayan), providing accessible therapy services to the indigent community. A two-time recipient of the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations, KAAKBAY has become an important training ground for its members, both inside and outside of the Philippines. JJ now sits as a member of the Board of Directors and was the first president of the organization. “I will always consider the KAAKBAY Rehabilitation Centre as the place where I found my passion and where my dreams were nurtured. While my work with the organization was completely voluntary, working with the people in the community not only empowered me as a physiotherapist but it also gave me hope that my profession has so much to offer to make a difference in the lives of others,” he said. While the sight of ice-capped mountains of British Columbia was a warm welcome to Jeffrey upon his arrival to Canada in 2002, his journey towards becoming a licensed physio-

therapist to his new home has cal Therapy, Jeffrey has been been very interesting, to say the involved in teaching not only least. Just like any other new- physical therapy students but comer, he needed to find a job- also other healthcare profes--whatever it was. sionals. As an award-winning While learning French as a physiotherapist, Jeffrey has third language meant being in earned highest honours from a language school the whole both the university and the hosday and working until midnight pital, having received the Exat a factory, Jeffrey’s positive ceptional Achievement Award outlook in life, coupled by his in Physical Therapy from the resilient and adaptive nature, University of Toronto and the allowed him to endure some of Schulich Award for Clinical the other jobs that he had to jug- Excellence from Sunnybrook gle just to keep the boat floating Health Sciences Centre. Workwhile completing an equivalen- ing mostly with baby boomers cy studies in physical therapy: and the older population, Jefas a gym instructor, research frey’s understanding of patient assistant, physiotherapist aide, care has not only stemmed from and a night janitor. And cer- his academic training but is also tainly, his dedication and hard of a reflection of his Filipino work paid off. After completing values where there is a strong his courses at McGill Univer- emphasis on respect for the elsity, he only not passed both the derly and the value of human oral and written components life in general. But unlike in the of the Canadian Physiotherapy Philippines, however, physioLicensure Examination on the therapists in Canada are auton- Jeffrey Andrion. first attempt but also success- omous practitioners, where the fully secured a license to prac- public can have direct access to Proposals. Jeffrey was also intice physical therapy in New their services without the need strumental in starting ICDR York, USA. of a referral from a physician. Philippines’ signature fund“I always tell everyone that He hopes that this type of prac- raiser, the annual Lecture Day, every immigrant has a beauti- tice will eventually find its way where he invites key physioful story to tell and when we in the Philippines to further therapy book authors to come find ourselves in a place where elevate the status of physical to Toronto to raise funds for everything is new and different, therapy as an important health- the organization. Currently, the we are given that opportunity care profession. working group has five disabilto start a new chapter. At the Jeffrey’s commitment to eq- ity projects operating simultaend of the day, it’s all up to us uity and social justice is further neously throughout the Philipof how we want pines. every chapter to As a life-long unfold.” But one learner, JJ’s thing is for sure: desire to unall his life, JefI always tell everyone that derstand disfrey never fails every immigrant has a beautiful ability issues to remind himstory to tell and when we find from a broader self of his perourselves in a place where everything level led him to sonal motto that is new and different, we are given York University he has learned to that opportunity to start a new where he comembrace: Per anchapter. At the end of the day, it’s pleted his MA in gusta ad augusta all up to us of how we want every Critical Disabil(Through difchapter to unfold. ity Studies. His ficulties to honmaster’s thesis ours). on landmines in Jeffrey is a full the Philippines time physiotherapist at the Sun- demonstrated by his involve- critically analyzed how the innybrook Health Sciences Cen- ment with the International terplay of politics, health, and tre, working with joint replace- Centre for Disability and Reha- culture can play a huge role in ment patients at the Holland bilitation (ICDR) based at the addressing this devastating isOrthopaedic & Arthritic Cen- University of Toronto where sue. Aside from his keen intertre, the largest musculoskeletal he is the Chair of the Philippine est on human rights, health, program in Canada. As a teach- Working Group. By organizing and disability, Jeffrey is also ing hospital of the University various fundraising initiatives interested in exploring the exof Toronto, where he holds the in Toronto, ICDR Philippines is periences of internationally status appointment of Lecturer able to fund various disability- educated healthcare profesand Clinical Practice Facilita- related projects in the country sionals working in the Canaditor at the Department of Physi- through the annual Call for an healthcare setting. As a matwww.canadianinquirer.net

ter of fact, he intends to write about this topic for his dissertation as he completes his PhD in Health (Health Policy and Equity Stream), also at York University. Jeffrey is also one of the founders and the adviser of the Society of Physiotherapists with Foreign Credentials (SPFC), a Toronto-based organization that provides mentorship on a monthly basis to internationally-educated physiotherapists that currently has more than 200 members from across the globe. “The SPFC was formed because my colleagues and I felt that there was a need for internationally-educated physiotherapists to huddle together and learn from each other. This organization has also become an important place where we have learned to nurture hope and provide the much-needed support when it’s needed. While what we do is purely voluntary, it gives me so much joy every time I learn that another member has passed the examination because that means that we have helped another individual,” he said. When people comment that Jeffrey has gone a long way from his initial journey, he always attributes it to three things: God,

FRIDAY JANUARY 9, 2015

Jeffrey Andrion (right) giving a laptop to a person with a disability on behalf of the Philippine Working Group.

family, and friends. As a person with deeply-rooted values and beliefs, he is a very strong believer that life has a purpose and that we use our lives to help make someone else’s better. Owing again to the strong influence of a Jesuit education, Jeffreyf fondly remembers that during high school, he was able to “crack the code” and earned extra academic points when the instructor challenged the class of what is meant by the phrase, “Why sell soap when you can build lives?” With that simple phrase, he was certainly already exposed to social justice and human rights at a young age. As a family man, JJ always reminds

his three-year old daughter Jamie about the value of human life and the importance of kindness and how this will go a very long way. At the same time, he shares his achievements with his wonderful wife, Gladys, who is also a trained physiotherapist and the love of his life. “Yes, life can get in the way, but my wife has always been a strong supporter in everything that I do. I am truly lucky that she is one supportive person who completes and does not compete.” Certainly, Jeffrey is also grateful that his parents are with him in Toronto and that his siblings are just a border

away: both his brother and sister and their families live in Virginia and California, respectively. Outside of work, Jeffrey enjoys taking road trips during summer. “My wife and I love taking nature trips. Aside from these, Jeffrey also enjoys reading. While he admits that he does not enjoy reading novels, he confesses that he loves to read books that touch on poverty, development, and human rights. While it is apparent that “volunteer” is almost his second name, JJ reiterates the value and power of volunteerism. “Essentially, there are two kinds of work: one that feeds

www.canadianinquirer.net

the body and the other that feeds the soul. But when you feed the latter, you nourish it not with earthly matters but of heavenly ones.” Jeffrey is a big dreamer but keeps his feet planted on the ground. At the end of the day, he knows that he does things not so much for himself but for others: whether they are known to him or not. When asked of the advice that he could give to a foreign-trained physiotherapist who wants to practice here in Canada, this is what he said: “If an internationally educated physiotherapist or whoever wants to make it to Canada, I

think the first step is to know what you really want in life. Therefore, creating your own roadmap becomes an important tool that will allow you to explore opportunities, face challenges, and overcome barriers. As a matter of fact, because this is your own roadmap, it will also give you the opportunity to do things that you have not done from your home country and Canada has so much to offer,” he said. “While giving up maybe the easiest route, always remind yourself that in order to appreciate light, you must, as a first requirement, know what darkness is all about,” he added. ■

Immigration

JANUARY 9, 2015

FRIDAY

Two temporary foreign workers are fighting to stay in Canada after an incident in which they allege an immigration consultant bungled their paperwork. The consultant denies such claims and is planning on suing the couple.

B.C. politician says case of workers facing deportation shows need for oversight BY LAURA KANE The Canadian Press VANCOUVER — The case of a young family facing deportation due to an error on their paperwork highlights the need for greater provincial oversight of temporary foreign workers, says a member of British Columbia’s Opposition New Democrats. Honorato Peralta and Vanessa Tamondong arrived in Canada from the Philippines in 2009 under the temporary foreign worker program and recently worked at a Burger King in Victoria. Their work permits expired in August, meaning they could face deportation. The couple has a two-yearold son who was born in Canada and in April they applied to the B.C. provincial nominee program, which provides accelerated immigration for foreign workers who plan to live in the province permanently. But Peralta and Tamondong alleged at a news conference last week that their immigration consultant knowingly supplied incorrect work locations

on both of their applications “Nobody would misrepresent requirements before they are and they were denied. and put their license on the eligible to hire foreign workers, “We would just like to ask for line,” he said in an interview. similar to a model in Manitoba. a chance to stay here and (be) Peralta and Tamondong also She also wants the province to given the chance to be a perma- alleged that the consultant ini- regulate labour recruiters that nent resident here so our son tially asked for $15,000 in fees, are operating in the province. could have a better life,” said but that they only paid $2,600 Peralta and Tamondong Tamondong, breaking down in because it was all they could moved to the Vancouver area in tears. afford. Sehgal strongly denied July and began working at difThe couple alleged the con- this, saying he only charged ferent Burger King locations. sultant put incorrect infor- $2,600 from the outset. Tamondong eventually picked mation on their applications Mable Elmore, a New Demo- up some shifts at the Richmond knowing that Tamondong had crat who represents Vancou- location, but only after immia work permit gration officials for the Vancouvisited the store ver area, not for and found no Vancouver Isrecord of him land. They told We would just like to ask for working there. the news confera chance to stay here and (be) Ta m o n d o n g ence that their given the chance to be a permanent a c k n ow l e d g e d application said resident here so our son could have a that he also lied Peralta worked better life. about where he at a Burger King had been workin Richmond and ing in an interthat Tamondong view with immiworked at a location in nearby ver-Kensington in the provin- gration workers, but said he felt Surrey. cial legislature, is asking the he had no other option. Their consultant, Ajay Sehgal labour minister to intervene to The couple said Seacastle Enof First Choice Immigration, keep the family in the province. terprises Inc., the company that said he would never misrepre“They followed all the rules, operates the Victoria Burger sent such information and he in- they worked hard,” she said. “I King, told them they had to use sisted he supplied the work loca- think it’s very unfair.” Sehgal as an immigration contions that were provided to him. Elmore called on the prov- sultant. He said he has obtained a lawyer ince to create a registry of comJasmin Dhillon, who works in and intends to sue the couple. panies that have met certain human resources at Seacastle, www.canadianinquirer.net

said the company offered Sehgal’s name as a recommendation but never suggested they had to use him. She said the company did not provide work locations to Sehgal. The only involvement the company had in the paperwork was to write a nomination letter for the “hard working” couple, she said. During the period that Tamondong worked in Victoria, despite not having the right work permit, the company urged the couple to move to the Vancouver area, Dhillon added. Labour Minister Shirley Bond said in an emailed statement that she cannot comment on any specific provincial nominee program application, but she said all rejected applicants have the option of re-applying. Bond is not directly involved in the selection process. “All workers, regardless of their immigration status, have the same rights and protections in B.C.,” the statement said. “This includes protection under B.C.’s labour laws, employment standards, minimum wage and workplace safety standards.” ■

Immigration

FRIDAY JANUARY 9, 2015

Second hike in a year for citizenship fees to recoup more of the cost BY LAURA KANE The Canadian Press OTTAWA — Resolving to become a Canadian citizen in 2015? It’s going to be more expensive. For the second time in a year, the Conservative government has hiked the fee it charges to make someone a citizen. The new price for processing citizenship documents has been set at $530 as of Jan. 1, up from the formerly new price set last February of $300. The government has been angling to increase citizenship fees for some time, arguing would-be citizens should cover more of the cost of processing their applications. In an analysis of the new fees, the Citizenship and Immigration Department says the higher price will allow it to recoup almost all of the $555 in costs. Put another way, the government says that’s an estimated $41 million it won’t have to be required to delay their ap- nificant impact on the uptake spend. plication as they will need more for citizenship.” In its analysis, the depart- time to save for the new fee,” When citizenship processing ment said the fee fees were first jump may imincreased from pose additional $100 to $300 in financial presFebruary, it was sures on some It is acknowledged that some may the first time people or famibe required to delay their application since 1995 there lies. as they will need more time to save had been a raise. “While the for the new fee. Then, opposianalysis assumes tion politicians that there will slammed the not be a reducjump for appeartion in overall ing haphazard, demand for citizenship as a the analysis says. arguing no specific justification result of the fee increase, it is “Overall, in the long term, was given for setting the new acknowledged that some may this will likely not have a sig- price.

At the time, the government argued raising the fee to cover the full cost of processing would be going too far. “Increasing the service fees for grant and resumption applications to reflect 100 per cent cost recovery would have imposed too large a fee increase and too much hardship on applicants,” the department said in its analysis for that fee change. The new fee structure is in addition to the $100 right-ofcitizenship fee which gets returned if a citizenship application is not accepted.

Anyone who applied for citizenship prior to Jan. 1 2015 will still pay the old fee. The opposition also said that it was unfair to hike fees when people were waiting years to receive their citizenship; at the end of 2013, the backlog of cases was close to 400,000 cases. But with the new fees comes a promise by the government that they’re making headway on cutting through the pile. The department says wait times for new citizens will fall to under 12 months at some point in the next fiscal year. ■

No charges after RCMP concludes investigation into P.E.I. immigration program THE CANADIAN PRESS CHARLOTTETOWN — The RCMP in Prince Edward Island say a three-year investigation into allegations of fraud and bribery involving the province’s immigrant investor program has been closed and no charges

will be laid. Their investigation into the Provincial Nominee Program in P.E.I. started after allegations involving senior government officials were sent to the federal Immigration Department in September 2011. The allegations surfaced after a former employee of the

program alleged that senior provincial officials were bribed to expedite immigration applications. The nominee program allowed foreign investors to fasttrack receipt of Canadian visas by providing about $150,000, some of which was invested in P.E.I. companies. www.canadianinquirer.net

The original program was shut down in 2008 after the federal government said it was operating outside rules that required immigrants to be actively involved in companies they invested in. RCMP spokeswoman Sherry MacDougall says though the case is closed, the investigation

could be reopened if new evidence is uncovered. In August 2012, the Canada Border Services Agency said it hadn’t found sufficient evidence to lay charges under the federal Immigration and Refugee Protection Act following its investigation into the program. ■

Immigration

JANUARY 9, 2015

FRIDAY

PANGARAP : SO, OUR JOURNEY BEGINS

So, Are You Fit to Walk? BY BOLET AREVALO You certainly need the stamina to go door-to-door. Build up on it, do your day-to-day, and you will end up gaining stronger cardio. If you had lived a sedentary life, or your last job buckled you all-day long in front of a computer, then migrating to a country like Canada should be quite a change of pace for you. That is, if you choose to move around commuting on public transit. And this is the reason why backpacks are popular here, as are walking shoes and runners. My intelligent guess is that it may be a year or so before you could be lucky enough to get your almighty driver’s license. So, the car may not have to be necessary until then. I took that in stride because I figured that one of the earliest lessons I learned coming here was to be patient. There are no shortcuts. You need to gather your victories one day at a time, especially in trying to get a driver’s license. Thus, you will need to love taking public transit. So, every time you hurry door literally means walking to You must have heard the ex- down or run to catch your bus, and fro, climbing up and down pression, “Oh, you missed the consider it a free session for stairs or moving back and forth bus.” It’s not that you got lonely your cardio. After all, the tread- on a street. It is literally walking and longed to see the bus. It re- mill and an hour at the fitness in and walking out of a store, really means you were a minute gym is at least $5.00 per hour gardless of whether there is a or a few seconds short of getting for drop-ins. If you are not yet “Now Hiring” sign or not, and to the stop and catching your employed, that $5.00 could asking if by any chance, they are bus. And you will looking for help know the feelat the store. ing, especially Again, apply when you see its the math: The tail or when you more doors you tried to run for knock on, the it or waved at it The whole point is—you need greater your in desperation. to stay fit when you go door-tochances are of You can be lucky door. This is because door-to-door hitting the jackif the driver sees literally means walking to and fro, pot. So, the more you or has the climbing up and down stairs or you are fit, the heart to wait for moving back and forth on a street. more energy you. Most of the and stamina you time, they won’t have to do this. wait. The worst If you are dofeeling is being in ing door-to-door front of the door in a mall, the and the driver conditions are closes it on your face and takes mean one more round-trip bus far better than when you are off. That happens. But no hurt fare. It will also buy you one li- doing it downtown or in the feelings. Can you imagine if bus tre of milk, a dozen fresh eggs, streets. The advantage though drivers waited for everybody and a loaf of bread. of doing it downtown is the fact who runs or waves? They would The whole point is—you need that head offices and HR denever be as efficient as they are to stay fit when you go door-to- partments are many times in now in meeting their schedules. door. This is because door-to- the store’s downtown locations. www.canadianinquirer.net

Nevertheless, store managers, even in malls, usually have the authority to hire people for store duties, especially if it is for temporary or seasonal employment. On the first week that you intend to do door-to-door, give your feet at least a day to rest. Certainly if you are not used to doing this before, you will want to break in yourself first. And your feet will tell that to you. On the following week, do it two or three consecutive days to build momentum. You will be better off getting used to the daily walk or schedule, rather than having to rest and then pick up again. Sometimes, our bodies just need breaking in and pretty soon, we will realize that they have adjusted to the pressure. And because you are still out of job and economizing, bring your water, cookies, and candies to quench thirst and hunger away. To save energy and time, it is important that you plan your itinerary for the day as to which area or which stores in the area you want to walk in. This

presupposes too that you have studied your map and your directions. There is nothing more frustrating than starting off with a place that you could not find and then grow weary in the process and not continue out of irritation. Stay fit and build up your stamina. Because door-to-door literally means walking in and out of your target stores or offices, your legs and feet will take a beating and you will need to physically prepare for that. Be really organized too in terms of your itinerary. Plan your walks and bring provisions to satisfy thirst and hunger without dipping deeper into your not-yetearning pockets or wallets. ■ Bolet is a marketing communications practitioner and dabbles in writing as a personal passion. She is author-publisher of the book: The Most Practical Immigrating and Job Hunting Survival Guide, proven simple steps to success without the fears and the doubts. Please check out https://www.amazon.com/ author/boletarevalo.

FRIDAY JANUARY 9, 2015

Entertainment JUAN RADIO’S ENTERTAINMENT NOTES

Happy new year: New programs on Vancouver’s Pinoy Juan Radio FM96.1 BY BABES NEWLAND

AS 2015 ushers in the gentle Year of the Sheep, Vancouver’s first and only Filipino radio experience playing music (OPM and international Filipino crossover mix), news, talk and entertainment bursts into more vibrant offerings of daily programming. Weekday mornings kick off with new show, “Boom Monday” hosted by Hip Hop-Rap artist/songwriter Boom Dayupay of 90’s popular international Filipino recording group, Kulay. Boom interplays music and phone-patched interviews of highly celebrated entertainment personalities

from the Philippines. Followed by Tuesday’s “By Request” with no other than yours truly, Miss B. I will surely stock up on various musical styles/genres to give in to special requests and dedications. Boom Dayupay goes back in high spirits every Wednesday on “Wellness Wednesdays” to tackle tips, places and issues pertaining to good health and well-being. Thursdays take your feet into the groove as Miss B spins her own selections of OPM Dance Music on “OPM Dance Thursday”. Friday gives tribute to international Filipino music and personalities in a slot called, “Crossover Fridays.” Weekend listening experience turns eclectic as it features exciting personalities and program formats. DJ Bambi Fonacier is a Philippine FM radio veteran

announcer prior to migrating to Canada. His Juan Radio stint at 11am-12nn comes as a slick opening salvo to a total 4-hour Saturday extravaganza. Bambi spins legendary Manila Sound ditties and OPM Retro Hits. Segued by Miss B’s OPM Top Hits & Talk Show at 12noon till 1pm. Juan Radio Weekend News Headlines & Community News with Tess Sumagui comes in at 1-1:30pm. Boy Masayakan’s program, “Itanong Kay Kuya Boy” offers free sound legal advise at 1:30-2:15pm. And finally, capping off the 4-hour Saturday routine is Lita Nuguid & DJ Clark’s “Affairs of the Heart”. This program offers compassionate advise in straightforward delivery of a good friend — in He Said/She Said manner. Weekday program has Sunday re-runs on AM1470 at 9-10pm. ■

WEEKDAYS

SATURDAYS

11am-12nn BAMBI FONACIER 12nn-1pm MISS B 1pm – 1:30pm JUAN WEEKEND NEWS 1:30pm -2:15pm ITANONG KAY KUYA BOY 2:15pm – 3pm LITA & DJ CLARK

Kathryn trends worldwide on heels of dramatic ‘MMK’ episode BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA — Netizens were all praises for teen idol Kathryn Bernardo after she skillfully took on a dramatic role in 2015’s first episode of the TV drama anthology, “”Maalala Mo Kaya.” Fans took to Twitter to gush over the young actress’ performance, causing Bernardo’s name to top the worldwide trending topic on the social media site after the drama aired on January 3. On Saturday’s episode entitled “Parol,” Bernardo portrayed the role of Daisy, an adopted daughter caring for her mother, Erlie (played by Assunta da Rossi), afflicted with cancer; and her father, Ed, (played by Smokey Manaloto), a stroke victim suffering from a heart ailment. Due to her parents’ ailments Daisy assumes the responsibility of being the family’s breadwinner. Her efforts at caring for them, in the end, prove futile, as both parents succumb to their illnesses..

For the duration of the episode, fans used the hashtag #KathrynBernardoTheMMKComeback to express their support and comments. Right after the episode aired, the hashtag took the top spot in worldwide trends on Twitter. The former child star, now teen-actress — who has been given the title “Teen Queen” of the local showbiz scene — revealed that she is she is gradually moving from cutesy romantic comedies to more mature roles on television and the big screen. ■

Entertainment

JANUARY 9, 2015 FRIDAY

Marian, Dingdong celebrates New Year and honeymoon in Boracay BY LEI FONTAMILLAS Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA — Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera travelled to Boracay to spend their first New Year as newlyweds and their honeymoon after their wedding held last December 30. Rivera brought her father, Francisco Javier Gracia Alonso, with them because she promised to bring him before he goes home to Spain. On her personal Instagram account, Rivera posted a photo of her with her husband and father with the caption, “Happy New Year! I Love You Both!” Tim Yap, who was also at Boracay with the newlyweds, posted a photo in his own Insta-

THE CANADIAN PRESS

President Benigno S. Aquino III pose for a photo ops with newly wed’s Actor Dingdong Dantes and Actress Marain Rivera after tying the knot ROBERT VIÑAS / MALACAÑANG PHOTO BUREAU

gram account the couple at the beach with the caption, “The sun shines on them: Boracay

sunset sesh with lovebirds @ dongdantes @therealmarian #DongYanHoneymoon.” ■

Congress to honor winning Filipino filmmaker PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY MANILA — The House of Representatives is set to honor writer and director Jason Paul Laxamana whose film “Magkakabaung” (The Coffin Maker) won the Best Asian Film Award for the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (NETPAC) category in the 3rd Hanoi International Film Festival (HANIFF) held in Hanoi, Vietnam on November 27, 2014. The 3rd Hanoi International Film Festival was organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in conjunction

Chris Brown canceled Philippine New Year’s Eve concert, reportedly because of lost passport

with the Hanoi People’s Committee, the municipal department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Vietnam Cinema Department. It kicked off in Hanoi on November 23 with the theme “Cinema – Integration and Sustainable Development.” In House Resolution 1744, Rep. Winston Castelo (2nd Dist., Quezon City) said out of 411 movies submitted from all over the world, 130 from 32 countries and territories were selected to attend the festival. They competed in different categories including Best Feature Film, Best Short Film, Best Feature Film Director, Best Short

Film Director, Best Actor and Actress in Leading Roles. The films were screened in National Cinema Centre, Cineplex CGV Vincom Centre, CGV Cinema Mipec Tower, August Cinema and Kim Dong Theatre with free admission. Vietnam sent two feature films and 12 short films to the festival. According to Castelo, aside from the competition, a number of activities were held on the sidelines of the event, including a workshop on cooperation on film production, a conference on independent film production and experience ❱❱ PAGE 37 Congress to

www.canadianinquirer.net

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — American recording artist Chris Brown cancelled a New Year’s Eve concert in the Philippines at the last minute, reportedly because of a lost passport, organizers said last week. Brown tweeted that “Due to unfortunate circumstances I can’t bring in the new year with you...” The organizers, Maligaya Development Corp., said they were informed by Brown’s local representa-

tives on the 31st of December that he was still in Los Angeles. “According to them, Chris Brown lost his passport the day before the scheduled event,” it said in a statement. “Hence despite having entered into a contract with us, Chris Brown would not be able to comply with his obligation to perform.” Brown was to perform along with other musical acts at the 55,000-seat Philippine Arena in the New Year’s Eve concert, which also featured a fireworks show. ■

Entertainment

FRIDAY JANUARY 9, 2015

MJ Lastimosa: I’m ready to conquer the universe BY LEI FONTAMILLAS Philippine Canadian Inquirer

competition. The other beauty queens who represented the Philippines after Raj include: Shamcey Supsup, third-runner up in 2011; Janine Tugonon, first-runner up in 2012; and Ariella Arida, third-runner up in 2013. “We deserve it. I simply can’t believe how passionate the Filipinos are when it comes to pageants. Ask them about the history of every contest and they know it,’’ said Lastimosa. “We’re always giving the best shot and hopefully, God will

to arrive earlier to promote the contest. Based on rumors, Filipino boxing champion Manny PacMANILA — The country’s repquiao will be one of the judges resentative to the Miss Unialongside supermodel Tyra verse pageant this year Mary Banks. Jean Lastimosa said that she is Lastimosa is under the menready “to conquer the universe” torship of Rodgil Flores of and to bring home the crown Kagandahang Flores beauty that is “long overdue.” camp, the same team that hanLastimosa left last Saturdled 2013 Miss International day to compete in the pageant Bea Rose Santiago, 2005 Miss which will be held at the US International Precious Lara Century Bank Arena at Florida Quigman, and current Miss International University in Earth Jamie Herrell. Doral, Miami, When asked Florida, on Januabout her ary 25. She will thoughts of the represent the other 87 girls country in the We deserve it. I simply can’t believe who are all vying most prestigious how passionate the Filipinos are for the crown, beauty show in when it comes to pageants. Lastimosa bethe world with lieves that they high hopes given are all doing that the Philiptheir best. pines has been in the Top 5 for hear our prayers. And I will do “I’ve been off the Internet five consecutive years. my best and I will enjoy it as for quite awhile. Just like any The last crown was brought much as I could.’’ other girls, I know they are dohome by Margie Moran some Some candidates already ar- ing their best and I’m doing my 42 years ago. It was the sec- rived in the US. According to best also. It’s Miss Universe and ond title of the Philippines af- the Miss Universe Organiza- everyone is preparing so hard ter Gloria Diaz won the first in tion (MUO), which is owned by to be unique. But I want to show 1969. Donald Trump, most represen- them that I’m only human and Since 2010 with Venus Raj, tatives are expected to arrive on I’m flawed,’’ she said. the country has not failed to January 6. However, Lastimosa She also added that she is make it to the Top 5 of the and four other girls were asked dedicating this pageant to her

Miss Universe Philippines Mary Jean Lastimosa.

uncle who recently passed away. “I’ve been fighting for this dream for the longest time and it is more significant now that I have the responsibility to bring happiness to my family. We’ve been losing a lot of members of

FACEBOOK PHOTO

our family for this year alone (her grandmother and grandfather also passed away in 2014). So I felt that if I will succeed in this competition, I will solve the emptiness of their feeling and I can provide more for my family,’’ Lastimosa shared. ■

HOROSCOPE ARIES

CANCER

LIBRA

CAPRICORN

(MARCH 21 - APRIL 19)

(JUNE 22 - JULY 22)

(SEPT 23 - OCT 22)

(DEC 22 - JAN 19)

Feeling the blues lately? Learn how to de-stress and treat yourself to whatever there is that will make you feel good. This is an effective way for you to clear your mind and reflect on what you have accomplished so far, and think of which areas you would like to improve on.

Nothing is constant in this life aside from change, as they say. Challenges will come your way this week and they will definitely put you on the test. Learn how to control your feelings to prevent hurting people who matter to you.

TAURUS

LEO

(APRIL 20 - MAY 20)

(JULY 23 - AUGUST 22)

A financial need may come your way so learn how to be frugal. Buy only what you need and keep your excess cash tucked away. After all, if you are financially stable, it will be easier to part with your hardearned money for the things that you want.

Be a smart worker. New projects will be handed to you this week. Prioritize them well and don’t procrastinate. Try to manage your time well by doing a checklist of all your projects so that you won’t miss out on anything that might be important.

GEMINI

VIRGO

(MAY 21 - JUNE 21)

(AUG 23 - SEPT 22)

Socialize, socialize, and socialize. Expand your network of contacts and circle of friends. Attend as many parties and events as you can this week. This will give a huge boost to your self-morale and at the same time allow you to gain new and interesting friends.

Work-life balance is what you need. Spend time with a loved one – may it be your parents, your siblings, or your special someone. After all, they are always there to support you and your career. It won’t hurt to treat them to dinner or a weekend getaway.

Pressures and deadlines will be your greatest enemies this week. Try to avoid arguments with your co-workers by scheduling a meeting or a simple conversation over coffee that will allow everyone to discuss their issues, whether these are work-related or with your colleagues.

SCORPIO

AQUARIUS

(OCT 23 - NOV 21)

(JAN 20 - FEB 18)

Don’t forget your health this week. Engage in activities that you enjoy. If you are fond of running, try to spend an afternoon in the nearby park and run a few laps with friends. Having a healthy body makes you more productive.

If you think that this week is the right time for you to look for a new job, then go ahead. There is nothing wrong in aspiring to reach the top of the corporate ladder. Review and update your CV. Brush up on your communication skills and ace that interview.

SAGITTARIUS

PISCES

(NOV 22 - DEC 21)

(FEB 19 - MAR 20)

One thing that you need to work on this week is your self-confidence. It is very easy to ace that presentation. All you need to do is to believe in yourself and make it your everyday mantra.

www.canadianinquirer.net

Never listen to rumors. If you need to confront somebody regarding a particular issue, approach that person in a very calm manner. Shouting and arguing never solve anything. Be reasonable and hear out the other party before jumping into conclusions.

Reconnect with your old friends this week. Invite them over for a quick brunch or afternoon coffee. It will be fun to discover how well they did with their lives.

Entertainment

JANUARY 9, 2015 FRIDAY

Changes to Canadians’ viewing habits has got telecom companies streaming BY DAVID FRIEND The Canadian Press TORONTO — To tear through two seasons of “Orange is the New Black” or binge-watch episodes of “Scandal”? The great TV debate raged through households in 2014 as a growing array of streaming video options opened the doors to a new world, and began to transform how some of us watch television. Some of the country’s biggest cable providers leapt into the game, launching their own answers to Netflix in an effort to prove they’re still cool. But industry watchers say fans shouldn’t get ahead of themselves when it comes to perceptions of the country’s overall viewing habits, which still lean towards cable television and over-the-air antennas. “We need to calm down,” said Duncan Stewart, a director of technology, media and telecom at Deloitte. “Even in 2015, the majority of television will continue to be consumed through traditional linear broadcasts.” Stewart estimates between five and 10 per cent of all TV viewing is happening through video streaming services, a fraction of the country’s overall time in front of the television. However, a swath of new alternatives are laying a foundation that will train younger Canadians to think differently about TV, whether its Hollywood movies or Saturday night hockey. In the final weeks of 2014, two streaming TV options hit the market: Shomi, a partnership between Rogers and Shaw Communications, and CraveTV, a similar offering from Bell. While they’re often described as an attempt to steal thunder from Netflix, both are also trying to silence the growing conversation around people cancelling their cable packages. Shomi is only available to Rogers and Shaw customers while in its “beta test,” and there are no definitive plans to make it available to people without cable. Bell’s CraveTV is available to its TV subscribers

Industry experts say that even though streaming television shows is definitely on the rise with Canadians, the majority of telivision watched in 2015 will still be consumed through traditional linear broadcasts.

and through some of the counOne of those alternatives is shedding their cable television try’s other providers, including online piracy. Consistently, the service. Telus, Bell Aliant and Eastlink. most popular downloads are A poll last spring found 39 per Rogers has built a similar shows like “Game of Thrones,” cent of about 1,000 respondents catch into its NHL GameCentre that can only be watched by at least “considered cancelling” service. cable TV subscribers who pay their paid TV subscription over The streaming video plat- for HBO. the previous six months, with 17 form is a pipeline for more The federal government per cent of those who answered than 1,000 national and out- hopes to curb the trend with saying they “seriously considof-market NHL games, but the the Copyright Modernization ered” it. Those are the highest bells and whistles of GamePlus Act, which goes into effect on levels recorded since the quar— which include terly survey bemultiple camera gan in 2010. angles for the But those figbiggest moments ures don’t acof the game — are We want our content anywhere, any count for youngonly available if time and on any device. It raises the er Canadians for you’re a Rogers bar, and all of the sudden it becomes whom cable TV customer. the new normal. isn’t even a conHere sits the sideration, Yigit anchor weighsaid. ing down the “Looking at my video streaming 12-year-old son revolution — the companies in- Jan. 1. The law requires Inter- and his friends, they spend half volved in linking viewers with net service providers to warn of their time on Instagram,” he what they want to watch, have customers they catch illegally said. made it tough to break free of downloading copyrighted mu“They’re spending half an their older services. sic, movies and TV shows. hour watching each other’s “They’ve got of one foot on But even if the new legislation short 15-second videos.” the gas, and one foot on the helps slow piracy, that doesn’t Yigit said while a series of brake,” said analyst Kaan Yigit necessarily mean viewers will short clips might seem negliat Solutions Research Group. flock to the cable providers. gible, when you factor in the “But until the demand is met, Recent findings from Yigit’s popularity of music videos on people will do whatever they firm show a growing number of YouTube, the rise in popularhave to (in order) to get their fix.” Canadians are thinking about ity of Vine with teenagers, and www.canadianinquirer.net

other social media platforms, it’s starting to make an impact. “It’s not even that audiences are shifting to a new medium to watch the same content,” he said. “Audiences are shifting to watch slightly different, and maybe differently engaging, content.” So as companies race to keep up with the growing popularity of streaming video, they’re also turning to other avenues. Bell Media is squeezing into social media with Hubub, a platform that it got behind in the fall with a $5-million investment. The service encourages users to engage in conversation about hot topics in the media as an alternative to Facebook and Twitter. Whether companies can successfully make forays into new media remains to be seen. Neither Shomi nor CraveTV have released early subscriber figures, but they almost certainly pale in comparison to the roughly four million households that several analysts have estimated Netflix has amassed in Canada since it launched here in 2010. And competition, particularly in video streaming services, will only intensify in the coming years. Already pay-TV powerhouse HBO is planning to launch an on-demand service that goes around U.S. cable providers starting in 2015, an offering that could make its way to Canada within a few years. Amazon’s streaming service has also gained acclaim, with original comedy-drama “Transparent” scoring a Golden Globe nomination. While the Amazon content is not available in Canada, the company hasn’t ruled out launching the service in the future. Each new service pushes the boundaries on expectation of viewers even further, said Sidneyeve Matrix, a media professor at Queen’s University. “It’s recalibrating our expectations for a really customized television experience,” she said. “We want our content anywhere, any time and on any device. It raises the bar, and all of the sudden it becomes the new normal.” ■

FRIDAY JANUARY 9, 2015

Lifestyle

Piano stores are closing as fewer children take up the instrument. Why are there less kids taking it up? BY DAVID PITT The Associated Press BETTENDORF, IOWA — When Jim Foster opened his piano store 30 years ago, he had 10 competitors selling just pianos. When he closed Foster Family Music in late December, not one was still selling pianos in the Quad-Cities area of Iowa and Illinois. “We did try hard to find a buyer,” Foster said. There were no takers. Stores dedicated to selling pianos like Foster’s are dwindling across the country as fewer people take up the instrument and those who do often opt for a less expensive electronic keyboard or a used piano. Some blame computers and others note the high cost of new pianos, but what’s clear is that a long-term decline in sales has accelerated. The best year for new piano sales in the U.S. was 1909, when more than 364,500 were sold. But after gently falling over the years, piano sales have plunged more recently to between 30,000 and 40,000 annually. Larry Fine, a Boston-based piano technician, consultant and author, said it is an indication of a changing society. “Computer technology has just changed everything about what kids are interested in,” said Fine, who also publishes a website offering consumer information on new and used pianos. “People are interested in things that don’t take much effort, so the idea of sitting and playing an

What was once deemed a staple activity for kids, learning to play the piano has now been relegated in favor of other activities such as sports and games.

hour a day to learn piano is not what kids want to do.” Youth sports demands also compete with music studies. “Children these days are being recruited for so many other activities, whether it’s soccer, gymnastics, or swimming,” said Robin Walenta, CEO of West Music, a music retailer with a chain of stores in Iowa and Illinois. To succeed now, Walenta said retailers must engage families in music education. Her company offers an early childhood music program that starts with 3-month-old babies. A keyboard exploration program is available for youngsters until they’re ready to begin individual lessons at age 7 or 8. Foster Family Music survived because it took a similar approach, offering digital pianos and acoustic pianos with built-

in electronics for student lessons and hosting thousands of students in large performance events, Foster said, sitting at a Wi-Fi and fiber optic-equipped Yamaha Disklavier grand piano. Walenta said those types of features on pianos help ensure the instrument continues to be a mainstay for children learning music. “On a digital piano they can practice with a harpsichord sound or a trumpet sound. It makes it more fun,” she said. “Kids these days need that kind of interaction to be interested.” When Dennis Saphir recently closed his piano store in the Chicago suburb of Wilmette, it was the end of a business his family started six generations ago in Vienna. He took it over from his father who brought the business to the U.S. during

World War II. Saphir said new piano sales are challenged by fewer parents requiring youngsters to take lessons as part of their upbringing and a glut of instruments already in homes. “We actually found ourselves competing with our own pianos that came back on the market and, frankly, nothing was wrong with those pianos,” he said. “We had serviced them and made sure customers took care of those pianos. There were lots of really excellent pianos on the market for a fraction of what the new piano would cost.” The average cost of a new grand piano last year was just over $16,000. Well-maintained pianos can make music for 50 to 70 years, said Peter Stumpf, a piano technician for the Pittsburgh Symphony

Orchestra and Carnegie Mellon University, also in Pittsburgh. Stumpf acknowledged new piano retailers are challenged by technicians like him who restore well-made used pianos and sell them at a fraction of the cost. The piano’s design, durability and new flexibility brought by technology helps keep the instrument created by Italian Bartolomeo Cristofori more than 300 years ago relevant today, said Joe Lamond, president and CEO of the National Association of Music Merchants, a music products industry trade association. “Having all the notes laid out in front of you spatially is really an important way to learn music,” he said. “It’s why it’s one of the most important instruments for people to begin on. That’s not going to change.” ■

Lifestyle

JANUARY 9, 2015 FRIDAY

Health authorities are warning that this year’s flu season could be a bad one because the flu vaccine that went around isn’t optimized for the virus that’s infecting people this time.

Flu season is peaking in many parts of Canada; the sick should head to bed BY HELEN BRANSWELL The Canadian Press TORONTO — It’s official — flu season is in full swing in many parts of Canada. Health authorities were warning all fall that this could be a bad flu season, because of the type of virus that is most commonly infecting people and the fact that this year’s flu vaccine doesn’t offer optimum protection against it. Other viruses are circulating too, adding to the general confusion about what influenza actually is and how much of the illness being seen at the moment is due to flu viruses. We asked some experts to explain what they are seeing this flu season: Question: Is this year worse than other recent years? This seems to be shaping up to be a pretty active influenza season. It started early, with a lot of virus around in December. Flu seasons that start to pick up before Christmas can take off, because the multi-generational mixing at family gather-

ings is a perfect way for influen- the season peaked a little later component in it; it does every za to transmit from toddlers and in 2013-14. year. But when experts met last tykes to grandmas and grandpas The numbers are worse than February to select the strains — and mums and dads as well. two years ago, but better than for this year’s flu shot, a parBut when flu peaks over the three seasons ago in terms of ticular type of H3N2 was domiholidays, a few factors can com- hospital admissions for influ- nant. Since then, new varieties bine to make it seem like there enza thus far, she says. have emerged and they are difis a lot of it around. “So yeah, it’s a busy year.” ferent enough from the vaccine Family doctors may work virus that it is assumed the flu reduced hours, so people who Question: Is there something shot will only offer modest prodo seek medical care may turn different about this flu season? tection against them. to hospital emergency depart- Isn’t there a virus circulating Even in the best years, flu ments. Or people who get sick that isn’t in the flu vaccine? vaccine doesn’t offer complete when they are away from home Almost all the influenza ill- protection. Some people who visiting family get a shot will may have to go still get sick. In to an emergency a year like this room because one, when there they don’t have a Flu seasons that start to pick up is a mismatch local doctor. before Christmas can take off, between the cirHospitals opbecause the multi-generational culating viruses erate with remixing at family gatherings is a and the vaccine duced staffing perfect way for influenza to transmit. virus, you would levels over the expect to see holidays — docmore infections tors and nurses in vaccinated want time off people. too — so it doesn’t take much ness in Canada to date this year But that’s not the biggest to stress the system, suggests has been caused by a family of driver of flu infections this year. infectious diseases expert Dr. influenza A viruses called H3N2. After all, most people in Canada Allison McGeer. When those viruses dominate, don’t get a flu shot. Most years McGeer, who heads infec- doctors expect a severe flu sea- fewer than one in three people tion control at Toronto’s Mount son. For reasons that aren’t fully are vaccinated against flu. Sinai Hospital, says so far this understood, H3N2 viruses are For the unvaccinated, the year influenza rates seem to be really hard on the elderly. changes in the H3N2 viruses on a par with last year’s, though The flu shot has an H3N2 mean they too are more likely www.canadianinquirer.net

to get sick this year. The antibodies their immune systems would have generated after previous bouts of influenza won’t protect as well against the new viruses. In fact, the unvaccinated people actually make up the bulk of what influenza expert Dr. Danuta Skowronski describes as “a tidal wave” of flu activity the medical system is seeing this year. Question: So a vaccine mismatch doesn’t mean these viruses are more dangerous? In a word, no. H3N2 viruses are especially hard on a vulnerable portion of the population, older adults. And the ones circulating now are different enough that more people may be at risk of getting infected. But the viruses aren’t inherently more dangerous. Question: How do I know if I have the flu? Most people who contract influenza don’t get sick enough to need medical care. And most of those who do see a doctor are not actually tested — the diagnosis is made based on symptoms. It can be easy to mistake an

Lifestyle

FRIDAY JANUARY 9, 2015

infection caused by one of the multitude of other cold-causing respiratory viruses for influenza. But there are some classic symptoms that can help you figure out if what you have is influenza, says Skowronski, who is with the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control. For starters, flu comes on abruptly. “You go from feeling well to feeling like death warmed over within a few hours,” Skowronski explains. Most people who have influenza will have a fever, which is part of the immune system’s response to infection. Senior citizens may not, because their immune systems are not as effective as they were when they were younger. Muscle aches and lethargy are also classic features of influenza. “With other things like rhinovirus, you kind of feel under the weather. You’ve got a runny nose or a sore throat or congestion. But you can push on with your day,” Skowronski says. “With influenza you feel completely depleted. You feel really like the energy has been sucked out of you. And you need to take to bed.”

much choice. The only place you’ll want to be is in bed. Skowronski prescribes rest and rehydration, to replace the fluids you lose through sweating out the fever. Most people will come through a bout of flu without any problems and without the need for medical help, she says. “It’s miserable illness. It’s nasty.... But they’re going to recover fully without any intervention. They should stay home so they’re not clogging the medical care system for those who actually truly do need it — which are the high risks (groups).” Give yourself time to recover, she says. And taking yourself out of circulation contributes to limiting the spread of influenza viruses. People with flu are most infectious when they have the most symptoms. If you are sneezing and coughing at work or on public transit at that point, the people sharing those spaces with you won’t appreciate the fact you are trying to soldier through your illness. The period of contagiousness lasts for about five days after the peak of symptoms, she says. “That’s why we say: ‘Fever and cough, take the week off.’”

Question: If I don’t have flu, what do I have? Lots of viruses cause what medicine refers to as ILI — influenza-like illnesses. Rhinoviruses, which are the most common cause of colds. Parainfluenza viruses. Adenoviruses. Some coronaviruses. And respiratory syncytial virus, also known as RSV. Winter is also peak season for these bugs. And right now, there is a lot of rhinovirus and RSV activity, says Dr. Doug Sider, medical director for communicable disease prevention and control at Public Health Ontario. Sider says this co-circulation of viruses can make things confusing for the public. “If you’re under four (years of age) and you’ve got ILI, you’ve got probably a one-in-four, one-in-three chance that it’s influenza versus one of the other respiratory viruses,” he says. “So I think this is a real challenging season. Because as you can imagine, there’s all sorts of mixed conclusions from this.”

Question: When should I seek care? How do I know if my child or my elderly parent’s infection requires a doctor’s care? Flu can be life threatening, with the very young and the elderly more at risk of severe illness than young adults. Anyone who has a high fever that won’t abate or is having difficulty breathing should get medical care. “Those are hallmark signs you need help. Never should you ignore difficulty breathing,” Skowronski says. With young children, she says parents should trust their gut instincts. “If the child has high fever, doesn’t seem to be turning the corner, isn’t eating or feeding, then they may want to get that child seen as well. Because the very young are more susceptible to more severe outcomes.” With the elderly, a severe flu infection may initially be harder to spot, because fever may not be present. Look for someone who is having trouble bouncing back, who isn’t eating or drinking fluids much. “It may be a slow case of ‘the dwindles’ you might call it,” Skowronski suggests. ■

Question: If I have the flu, what should I do? You probably won’t have

ASK A DESIGNER:

Post-holiday calm a good time to think about making a better kitchen BY MELISSA RAYWORTH The Associated Press ANOTHER HOLIDAY season has passed, and with it the marathon cooking and baking sessions. The hours spent using every kitchen appliance and inch of counter space had a potential benefit more lasting than a good meal: When we really use our kitchens, we discover what does and doesn’t work in this very important room. Remodeling a kitchen can be expensive and challenging, but you can make substantial cosmetic changes with just the help of a painter and electrician, says interior designer Betsy Burnham of Burnham Design in Los Angeles. And if you’re ready for even bigger changes, it’s still

possible to stay on budget and create a gorgeous kitchen with a minimum of stress. Step one is deciding what really needs to be done. Can you work with the appliances and cabinets you’ve got, or is it time for a full-scale remodel? Step two is the budget, coming up with a realistic estimate for each expense, says designer Brian Patrick Flynn of Flynnside Out Productions. Then, the fun can begin. Three areas where a little improvement can go a long way: Storage

A smoothly functioning kitchen has space for everything to be stored away, within reasonable reach. Can you achieve that with your current cabinets? If so, Flynn suggests

keeping them and just replacing or refinishing the doors. “Cabinetry installation adds a lot to a budget,” he says, “so saving by simply reusing what you’ve got can be a massive help.” If your cabinet doors are stained wood, consider painting them. Then, change the hardware. Drawer pulls and cabinet door handles “can make or break the look of the space,” says Lee Kleinhelter of the Atlanta-based design firm Pieces. Take time choosing new ones. Flynn agrees: “I always use high-end hardware regardless of how high or low my budget is,” he says. “Adding an interesting metal and finish to your doors just really adds character and uniqueness. You can never ❱❱ PAGE 43 Post-holiday calm

Congress to... from the Philippines, a film project market, HANIFF 2014 Campus for talents and an exhibition to introduce Vietnam’s film scene and popular destinations. The Coffin Maker, produced in the Kapampangan language, tells the story of a casket factory worker, played by actor Allen Dizon, who brought up his eight-year old daughter alone after his wife left him, and then accidentally caused the death of the girl by administering the wrong medication. It presented the coffin maker’s attempts at erasing his guilt and remorse even as he faced difficulties in getting his daughter’s body discharged from the hospital and buried her. Dizon won the Best Actor Award for this film. He won his first international Best Actor award for the same movie at the 9th Harlem International Film Festival in New York held on September 14, 2014. Meanwhile, this was the very first international film award for Laxamana, who graduated from the University of the ❰❰ 32

www.canadianinquirer.net

Writer and director Jason Paul Laxamana.

Philippines College of Mass Communication, and champions locally produced films by organizing film festivals and workshops. He is currently the Luzon Representative of the National Committee on Cinema (NCCA SCA). According to the Cinemalaya’s website, while an undergraduate student, he became a production assistant under directors Jeffrey Jeturian and Maryo J. De Los Reyes. He worked as script supervisor in Star Cinema’s “A Love Story,” a 2007 film by De Los Reyes. In 2008, he worked in the same position in Brillante Men-

FACEBOOK PHOTO

doza’s “Serbis.” After making various Kapampangan short films and music videos in his home province, he made his first feature film in 2010 when his screenplay for “Astro Mayabang” became a finalist in the Cinema One Originals Gil Festival in 2010, which won the Audience Choice Award. In 2012, he successfully completed the Star Cinema Scriptwriting Workshop under Ricky Lee and Amor Olaguer. “Laxamana deserves all the praises, honors and recognition for bringing pride, glory and honor to the country,” Castelo said. ■

FRIDAY JANUARY 9, 2015

Business

TV isn’t dead, but set makers and service providers focus design on growing online viewership BY ANICK JESDANUN The Associated Press LAS VEGAS — Does anyone just watch TV anymore? The dramatic shift toward online and mobile viewing is driving television set makers to design as much for streaming video as for watching broadcast or cable channels. Traditional TV is far from dead, but these days viewers care less about watching shows live and even prefer saving certain series to watch all at once in an evening or weekend of binge-watching. Broadcast networks and hundreds of cable channels share viewer attention with thousands of online services, including amateurs creating their own series on YouTube. Already, Netflix has outbid traditional channels for hits such as “House of Cards.” And Dish this week announced it will sell online access to a bundle of channels including live sports network ESPN for just $20 a month. Online video will account for a third of all video viewing in 2020, up from about 10 per cent in 2013, predicts The Diffusion Group, a research firm that specializes in Internet video. So how to keep the television set, that focal point of the American living room for decades, relevant? Design for online video. At the International CES gadget show this week in Las Vegas, TV makers unveiled new models with 4K resolution, or four times the clarity offered by today’s high definition TVs. They are pushing the features even though not a single TV channel is yet available in 4K. But Internet services such as Netflix, Amazon and M-Go are starting to offer 4K video. Sony on Monday promised to create more 4K content to watch on those sets. Four popular shows from its entertainment division — “The Goldbergs,” “The Blacklist,”

TV Makers are hoping that super hi-def TVs with 4k resolution will help appease the growing consumer demand for higher and higher definition streaming television content. JOHN KARAKATSANIS / FLICKR

“Masters of Sex” and “The And Internet connectivity is than 23 million of the units will Night Shift” — will soon be becoming standard in sets, the be 4K TVs this year, about 2.5 available in 4K and it’s working way all TVs are colour now. LG times the shipments in 2014. with partners including Netflix and Samsung also have ways That’s even with the exploand YouTube to deliver more to easily switch video between sion of viewing on tablets and 4K streaming video. TV and mobile devices, so that smartphones. “It’s going to be the first for- if you’re watching a movie on People tend to use phones mat primarily driven by stream- a phone, you can continue it and tablets while travelling or ing,” says Jim Funk, a senior on your TV as soon as you get for shorter video, says Tim Alesvice-president at si, head of new Roku Inc., which product developmakes streaming ment for home TV devices. entertainment at Beyond 4K, When I want a full home LG Electronics Sharp developed entertainment experience, especially USA. For a fullan engineering with my family and friends, the TV is length movie, trick to make its still the best way to do that. viewers want to high-end set look replicate the theeven sharper. atre in the home. Samsung added That’s only done a nanocrystal through a big TV semiconductor layer to make home. set. colours purer and the screen The Consumer Electronics “When I want a full homebrighter. LG is pushing organic Association expects TV sales to entertainment experience, LED screens with richer co- increase 2 per cent to 251 mil- especially with my family and lours and pure black — the kind lion units this year. The aver- friends, the TV is still the best typically limited to smaller dis- age screen size is projected to way to do that,” agrees Tim plays such as phones because of be 40 inches, up from 31 inches Baxter, president and chief price. in 2007. CEA predicts more operating officer of Samsung

Electronics America. And just as TV makers are hopping on the online train, so are content providers. Traditional channels are becoming available without the need for a cable or satellite subscription. Satellite TV provider Dish Network Corp. is the latest, offering its Sling TV package of channels, including ESPN and CNN, for delivery entirely over the Internet. The availability of ESPN addresses a major reason people still keep their TV service — live sports. Sony also has an Internet television service expected to debut by the end of March — PlayStation Vue — and HBO and Showtime plan to debut Internet-only subscription offerings this year. The packages are aimed at the millions of so-called cord-cutters or “cordnevers” that find cable and satellite bundles too pricey and don’t subscribe to either, turning instead to Hulu, Google’s YouTube and Amazon. Lesley H. Stahl, 31, is one potential customer of an Internet-only offering. She and her husband never considered cable when they bought a new house in Sunnyvale, California, figuring they had been mostly watching video online anyway. But Stahl says she would be cautious about subscribing to new channels, as she’s used to just waiting until Hulu or Amazon gets the show. She said costs for individual subscriptions add up, and there’s only so much time to watch. “There’s not any one TV show I’m so addicted to that I’m going to pay extra,” she says. “At a certain point, we’re just spending a whole lot of money.” These Internet offerings alone won’t accelerate cancellations of cable or satellite services, says Joel Espelien, senior analyst for The Diffusion Group. But they might get more people to downgrade to lower tiers, he says, and use the savings to buy specific channels or services of interest. Or a brand-new 4K TV? ■

Business

FRIDAY JANUARY 9, 2015

Canadian auto sales set new annual Philippines urged record, topping mark set in 2013 to make manufacturing sector competitive, raise agricultural productivity THE CANADIAN PRESS

BY LESLIE D. VENZON Philippine News Agency

duction networks resulting in a more dynamic manufacturing sector can be a source of that increased demand,” it noted. MANILA — The Philippines Likewise, it said investments needs to undertake measures have to be made to increase the to make the manufacturing access of the poor to quality edusector more competitive and cation “so that they can take adincrease the productivity in the vantage of employment opporagriculture sector in an effort to tunities that are not available to promote inclusive growth and most of the poor right now.” reduce poverty. Alongside an industrial polA study reicy that aims to leased by governdevelop local ment think tank firms, an earPhilippine Instilier study also If the tute for Develsuggested that government opment Studies the government aims to (PIDS) indicated must carry out reduce that the manusome measures poverty facturing sector that would immore provides employprove the investquickly, it ment opportuniment climate is equally ties for the poor in the country important and also offers and increase the to increase relatively higher participation productivity wages compared of local firms in also in the with agriculture, higher segments agriculture which is the maof the industry sector. jor employer value chain. of chronic poor However, it workers. recognized that “However, exthe manufacturpected high productivity em- ing sector employs only 8.3 perployment opportunities from cent of the total workforce, of the manufacturing sector were which 23 percent are less edunot fully realized due to some cated. bottlenecks in the sector. This It is thus unlikely that the partly explains the persistence manufacturing sector can of poverty in the Philippines,” quickly absorb all the excess it said. labor in the agriculture sector, The PIDS study underscored where 74 percent of the chronic the need to increase the de- poor workers are currently emmand for less-educated work- ployed. ers to absorb the significant “If the government aims to number of less-educated work- reduce poverty more quickly, it ers among the poor. is equally important to increase “Regional economic integra- productivity also in the agricultion that leads to regional pro- ture sector,” the study said. ■

TORONTO — Canadian auto sales soared to a record in 2014 as truck-loving drivers pushed sales up 6.1 per cent to smash the previous high-water market set in 2013. According to sales data compiled by DesRosiers Automotive Consultants, automakers sold a total of 1,851,373 new vehicles in Canada last year, up from just more than 1.7 million the previous year. December sales were up 16.1 per cent to 131,393 compared with December 2013. “This is the second year in a row that Canadians bought a record number of light vehicles,” DesRosiers said in a report Monday. The increase came as truck sales for the full year grew 11 per cent to total 1,087,581 from a year earlier. However, car sales slipped every so slightly to 763,792, compared with 764,382 in 2013. DesRosiers noted that 14 automakers posted new sales records in 2014. Ford Motor Company of Canada Ltd. posted its best year since 1997 to stake its claim as the top-selling automaker in the country as increased truck sales offset lower car sales. The automaker narrowly edged Chrysler Canada which saw its sales grow faster than Ford, but fell just short in total sales. “Ford moved into the number one position in September and didn’t look back, hanging onto the lead to the end of the year,” DesRosiers said. Ford said it sold 291,951 cars and trucks last year, up 2.9 per cent from 2013. Truck sales totalled 229,603, up from 215,247, while car sales slipped to 62,348

EXCHANGE RATES

A worker installs parts into a Ford automobile in an Oakville, Ontario car manufacturing plant. WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

from 68,341. “We delivered another topselling year by focusing all our efforts on what’s right for our customers,” Ford Canada president and chief executive Dianne Craig said in a statement. For December, Ford sold 22,640 vehicles, including 5,142 cars and 17,498 trucks. That was up from 16,161 vehicles in December 2013, including 2,923 cars and 13,238 trucks. Meanwhile, Chrysler said it set a new record for annual sales in 2014 as the tally of vehicles sold for the year was up 12 per cent at 290,004 cars and trucks for the year. Chrysler said truck sales for the year totalled 255,119, up 20.1 per cent, while car sales amounted to 34,885, down from 47,514. The automaker finished the year by posting a nearly 40 per cent gain in December sales compared with a year ago. Chrysler sold 21,613 vehicles for the month, up from 15,445 a year ago. Truck sales for the month totalled 19,863, up from 13,907, while car sales improved to 1,750 compared with 1,538. General Motors of Canada was third among the North

American automakers as its sales for 2014 totalled 249,800 vehicles, helped by a record year for GM pickup trucks. GM’s total for the year was up more than six per cent from 234,944 in 2013 as truck sales gained 6.2 per cent and car sales rose by 6.5 per cent. The overall increase came as GM said it finished 2014 with a strong December, helped by sharply higher car sales. Sales in December totalled 19,247, up 13 per cent from December 2013. The increase for the final month of the year came as car sales increased 22.9 per cent to total 5,880 from December 2013. Truck sales for the month totalled 13,367, up 9.1 per cent . Meanwhile, Toyota Canada said it sold a total — including its Toyota, Lexus and Scion nameplates — of 200,851 vehicles, up from 195,359 a year ago. Truck sales accounted for 99,928 sales, up from 92,781 in 2013, while car sales slipped to 100,923 compared with 102,578 the previous year. For December, Toyota Canada sold 12,415 vehicles, up from 12,348 in December 2013. Truck sales totalled 7,193, up from 6,724 a year ago, while car sales fell to 5,222 from 5,624. ■

As of January 7, 2015, from finance.yahoo.com PRICE

CHANGE

% CHANGE

CND / USD

1.1836

-0.0003

-0.0253%

CND / PHP

38.0325

+0.0015

+0.0040%

CND / EUR

1.4059

+0.0005

+0.0340%

www.canadianinquirer.net

FRIDAY JANUARY 9, 2015

Travel

Toronto’s Design Exchange explores pop culture, offers different experience BY DIANA MEHTA The Canadian Press TORONTO — Nestled in the very heart of Toronto’s bustling financial district lies a space where elements of contemporary popular culture — ranging from edgy pieces of clothing to funky crockery — invite visitors to contemplate the items that surround them and what they say about society. That place, housed in what was once Toronto’s original stock exchange, is the Design Exchange, which bills itself as Canada’s only museum dedicated to the pursuit of design excellence and the preservation of design heritage. An alternative to some of the other museums in a city with no shortage of attractions, the Design Exchange allows visitors to better understand their connection with various facets of design. “Design is all around us. You can’t possibly say that you’re not interested in it if you’re interested in living in this world,” said fashion icon Jeanne Beker, who guest curated the “Politics of Fashion/Fashion of Politics” exhibit currently on display at the museum. “Maybe years ago design was thought of as something that was a little more esoteric, but now I think we’ve embraced it.” As a museum dedicated to celebrating design, Beker notes that the Design Exchange has gone to lengths to make its displays “very user friendly.” Visitors can meander through collections laid out with informative panels, pause at junctions where they can watch videos and, if timed right, can also take advantage of scheduled talks which delve deeper into the themes of exhibits. The exhibit, which Beker curated and runs until Jan. 25, features a number of pieces of clothing that make a statement. Visitors can contemplate mannequins sporting items

Politics of Fashion | Fashion of Politics is showing at the Design Exchange, Canada’s Design Museum, until January 25. FACEBOOK PHOTO

that include a pant suit printed of the rotating exhibits the scale 3D printing and how it with the faces of Woodstock, museum has featured since re- can impact architecture. Lata gold sequined leopard print vamping in 2012 to widen its er, in July, it will host an exburka and a dress once worn appeal to the general public. hibit that will be linked to the by Margaret Trudeau, wife of “Before it was very industry Pan Am Games, being hosted former prime minister Pierre focused and very academic fo- in the Toronto region this Trudeau. There’s also one of the cused ... what the new mandate summer. world’s first controversial mo- and new vision called for was “It’s called ‘Smarter, Faster, nokinis, a wedding dress made something that you and I can Tougher,’ an exhibition on out of a parachute and clothing come off the street and be like, sport, fashion and tech,” Bocthat belonged to cia said of the Prime Minister Pan Am exhibit. Stephen Harper “Basically we’re and his wife. going to look at “The whole the evolution of idea of fashion Design is all around us. You can’t sportswear.” and politics has possibly say that you’re not The common always intrigued interested in it if you’re interested thread linking me because ... in living in this world. the various difboth are totally ferent exhibits consumed with is the museum’s image and both overarching viare about comsion, said Boccia. munication,” said Beker, who ‘OK, cool,”‘ explained Nina Boc“Our mandate is to present hoped viewers would leave with cia, the museum’s marketing an exhibition, a survey of whata sense of the potential power manager. ever the content might be, and fashion has. “Another layer of that is to how it relates to you currently. “I think the choices that we show how design really inter- It’s really about our connection make in fashion sometimes can sects with everything that we to contemporary culture and tell us a lot about who we really see and deal with and experi- what you’re currently living,” are and certainly communicate ence on a daily basis.” she said. our ideologies to others.” The museum’s next big exWith the current exhibit, for Beker’s collection is just one hibit is set to explore large- instance, the museum explored

the intersection of fashion, graphic design, cultural movements and politics, Boccia explained. The upcoming 3D printing exhibit will analyse the overlap between technological innovation, architecture and the way we live in today’s world, she added. “I think at the core of all the shows, while they’re so vastly different, it’s really about how do all these disciplines intersect and how do they apply to our everyday life.” An added bonus to the exhibits is the fact that many pieces are sourced from the private vaults of collectors, Boccia noted. “You’re going to see things that probably wouldn’t have otherwise had an opportunity to see,” she said. “That’s part of what we do too — we want to bring content that you can’t find anywhere else.” The exclusive nature of some of the museum’s current artifacts resonated with Jo Jennings, a resident of London, Ont., who visited the museum for the first time last week. “You’re kind of a lot more closer with the artifacts and there are very defined spaces as well. I think that allows you to sort of see them in a different way rather than some of the bigger galleries,” she said. “It’s more contemplative.” The variety afforded by the museum’s changing exhibits can also be a draw, noted Sheyla O’Flynn, whose second trip to the museum was markedly different from her first. “I like that it rotates here and it’s sort of like the one exclusive. You’re not distracted by anything else,” said the 74-year-old Vancouver resident who had brought her two grandchildren to the exhibit. “I think it’s trying to do something that’s cutting edge and bring awareness to people.” ■ Find more information on the Design Exchange’s rotating exhibits at www.dx.org.

Travel

FRIDAY JANUARY 9, 2015

Go For the Food: For an Emirati taste in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, skip the malls and camel burgers BY AYA BATRAWY The Canadian Press ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — The main road connecting Abu Dhabi with Dubai is a long stretch of highway that runs through the desert — a stark reminder of how this country on the eastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula once looked just 40 years ago before an oil boom. In both metropolises, foreigners far outnumber the locals. The two emirates are home to countless Western food chains and ultrachic, reservations-only celebrity-chef restaurants imported from London, New York and Los Angeles. They both boast ultramodern skylines with architecturally stunning skyscrapers, opulent hotels and huge shopping malls, a testament to the Gulf’s penchant for swagger, luxury and Western imports. However, the road linking Abu Dhabi to Dubai is surprisingly unadorned, functional and subdued. It seems only natural that the austere chain of Emirates Guest Cook Restaurants found a home along this highway.

Emirati dishes of lamb, bring each party a large platter ion. My colleague, who hails chicken and fish are served on to share and eat by hand. from Iran, had the fish, which is heaping beds of spiced rice in a I went for the chicken ma- cooked in a similar way across down-to-earth environment at jboos, also known as kabsa both sides of the Persian Gulf. bargain prices. It’s where Emir- across the Gulf. Unlike some Other popular Emirati dishes atis and Gulf Arab visitors come Indian cuisines, Emirati dish- on the menu include mandi, for the region’s most important es are not particularly spicy. an originally Yemeni meat and meal of the day — lunch. The The majboos was steamed and rice dish slow-cooked in a tanplace is busiest door clay oven, between noon and biryani, a and 3 p.m. uniquely South The simple Asian import. formula here is And just to heavy portions be clear, here is that are light on And just to be clear, here what you won’t the wallet. Dishis what you won’t find on the find on the es range from menu: kitsch dishes like camel menu: kitsch around 20 dirburgers and Lebanese mezze dishes like camhams ($5.50) for like hummus and baba ghanoush. el burgers and single portions That’s because neither is true in form Lebanese mezze to 40 dirhams to the local cuisine. like hummus and ($10.50) for fullbaba ghanoush. sized meals for That’s because two or more neither is true in people. All meals form to the local at the Emirates cuisine. Guest Cook Restaurants in- boiled with black pepper, cumThe menu at Emirates Guest clude a side of tomato and on- in, coriander seeds, ginger, bay Cook Restaurants is an authenion salsa and a few cucumber, leaves, cinnamon and cloves. tic fusion of South Asian and carrot and lemon wedges. The rice was topped with copi- Iranian spices, flavours that The platters are served two ous amounts of tangy dried red for centuries have landed on ways: either on dining tables currants. the shores of this ancient trade downstairs or in traditional For my husband, I ordered a route linking India with the Arabian-style upstairs. Up- take-out portion of the chicken British Empire. stairs is where guests sit on a madfoon, cooked underground Just take the owner Nasser carpeted floor in private nooks in a clay oven. The rice was in- Ibrahim Hossein, who goes by lined with pillows. Waiters fused with pieces of fried on- the name Abu Mansoor. An en-

WEATHER FORECAST VANCOUVER

10 Sat

Sun

Mon

Tues

Wed

Thurs

16 Fri

trepreneurial 40-year-old man with a wide smile, two young children and a third on the way, Abu Mansoor is originally from Shiraz in southwest Iran. He moved to the Emirates in the early 1990s, married an Emirati woman and acquired Emirati citizenship. He opened three restaurants next to one another in the same roadside strip of sleepy storefront shops. One offers Iranian food, the second Emirati food and the third grilled meats. So how hard was it to find a locally-owned restaurant that serves only local food? Well, very hard. Most website searches for Emirati restaurants direct you to malls or hotels that offer a loose mix of Mediterranean cuisine and a few local dishes. Emirates Guest Cook Restaurants has no website or Facebook group, and the few references to it online list the wrong number. I heard about it through word of mouth from a colleague whose Emirati mother orders from there. Not without irony, it’s easy to spot across the highway from a giant European hypermarket and mall named Deerfields Townsquare. ■

Long term forecast taken from: www.weathernetwork.com

CALGARY

EDMONTON

WINNIPEG

TORONTO

7°C

-2°C

-9°C

-24°C

-15°C

5°C

-3°C

-4°C

-24°C

-11°C

9°C

-4°C

-9°C

-18°C

-4°C

7°C

-6°C

-8°C

-17°C

-8°C

5°C

-4°C

-9°C

-21°C

-8°C

7°C

-4°C

-8°C

-23°C

-10°C

7°C

-2°C

-6°C

-22°C

-9°C

www.canadianinquirer.net

FRIDAY JANUARY 9, 2015

Sports

Alaska marches to 27th finals appearance in PBA BY JELLY F. MUSICO Philippine News Agency MANILA — Alaska held Rain or Shine scoreless in the final two minutes to escape a hardearned 79-76 victory on Game Six of the semifinals on Sunday night to advance in the PBA Philippine Cup finals at the Araneta Coliseum. It was the Aces’ 27th finals appearance in the Asia’s first professional basketball league. Veteran Dondon Hontiveros came out unstoppable from the three-point area, hitting all his five triples in the fourth quarter, including two in the final two minutes that helped the Aces clinched the series at 4-2. ”I was not expecting that

(5 triples). I just played hard, played what we practiced,” said Hontieros who returned to the All-Filipino Cup finals against his former team San Miguel Beer. The Beermen swept Talk ‘N Text in the other semifinals affair. The Elasto Painters rallied in the third quarter and entered the fourth quarter with 6056 lead but they failed to stop Hontiveros who finished with 17 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter. Actually, the Elasto Painters had the upperhand, 76-73, on a three-pointer by Jeff Chan going into the final two minutes but Chan missed two triples including one that could have sent the game into overtime. ”I’m happy for my players.

They played intense defense. We kept our identity that we played first good defense and we showed the character of our team,” Alaska coach Alex Compton said. Calvin Abueva also played big with near double-double, scoring 15 points and grabbing 9 rebounds while Sonny Thoss added 11 points for the Aces. Chan topscored with 14 points while Raymond Almazan completed the Rain or Shine’s only two players in double-digit output with 11 points. The best-of-seven championship round will start on Wednesday. The scores: ALASKA 79 — Hontiveros 17, Abueva 15, Thoss 11, Baguio 6, Manuel 6, Menk 6, Jazul 5, Ex-

ciminiano 4, Dela Cruz 4, Casio 3, Banchero 2, Eman 0, Dela Rosa 0, Espinas 0. RAIN OR SHINE 76 — Chan 14, Almazan 11, Uyloan 9, Arana

9, Belga 9, Lee 7, Ibanes 6, Norwood 4, Tang 4, Quinahan 3, Teng 0, Tiu 0, Cruz 0. The quarterscores: 20-16, 3628, 56-60, 79-76. ■

Former youngest PH world champion gets big break in 2015 PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY CEBU CITY — The country’s youngest ever boxing world champion at 19 years old, Marvin Sonsona, could be back in the limelight this year. Sonsona, who became a world champion with a unanimous decision win against Jose Lopez for the World Boxing Organization super flyweight title on Sept. 4, 2009 in just his 13th fight as a pro, is being eyed to take on the tough Jayson Velez in a World Boxing Council featherweight title eliminator bout. The winner of the bout between Sonsona (19-1, 15 Kos) and Velez (22-0-1, 16 Kos) will become the mandatory challenger of world champion Jhonny Gonzales (57-8, 48KOs). The veteran Gonzales has more knockout wins than the combined total fights of both Sonsona and Velez. “There is no date yet but that fight has been pending for a while and it will definitely happen [in 2015],” said his manager Cebuano Samson Gello-ani.

Sonsona has been on a come- defense against Alejandro Her- Vazquez handed him his only back trail for years since losing nandez. loss so far, stopping the young his world title on the scales. Though the fight ended in a Cebu-based fighter out of GenIn 2009, he blazed his way draw, one fight after becoming eral Santos City in four rounds. into Philippine boxing, com- the youngest champion from And just like that, the once ing out of nowhere to beat the Philppines, Sonsona set promising career of the young Jose Lopez (39-7-2) by unani- another Philippine record by boxer ended. mous decision to win the WBO reigning for just two months He picked up the pieces again, 115-pound world title. and 17 days. one year and eight months after After becoming a world Sonsona took a break for a his only loss and won a unanichampion at 19 years old, one month but started preparing mous decision against Carlos month and two Joan Jacobo weeks, he be(14-2-1), but that came the latest unanimous decitoast of Philipsion victory was pine boxing. far from impresHe even got It was only this year that the sive as Jacobo compared to boxer who earned the nickname had been priManny Pacquiao, Marvelous showed he still has it. marily fighting who won his first patsies before world title–the taking on SonWBC 112-pound sona. title–13 days beThough Sonfore he turned 20 sona had two years old. again after he got another world more tuneup bouts in small Like Pacquiao, Sonsona is title shot, this time for the WBO events in Cebu it seemed his cafrom General Santos City but super bantamweight crown. reer was going nowhere as the has been training in Cebu. To avoid the weight troubles bouts came more than a year But before he could even start that hounded him in the super apart. living up to the hype of being flyweight division, his handlers He knocked out journeyman the next Pacman, he stumbled. decided to let him fight in the Carlos Fulgencio (19-6-1) in five He was forced to vacate his 122-pound division, skipping rounds on March 17, 2012 and world title after coming up al- the 118-pound junior bantam- 18 months later, forced Jason most three pounds over the weight division altogether. Egera (21-8) to retire on Sept. 7, 115-pound limit in his first title It still didn’t matter as 2013 in a small event in Balam-

ban. It was only this year that the boxer who earned the nickname Marvelous showed he still has it. On Feb. 22, he stopped onetime world challenger Akifumi Shimoda (28-4, 12KOs) in just three rounds for the WBO international featherweight title and on June 7, finally got back at his tormentor Vazquez with a sweet split decision win for the vacant North American Boxing Federation title. Sonsona knocked down Vazquez in the first round to win, 96-2, 96-92, in two cards, while the other judge had it 9692 for Vazquez. Now 24 years old, Sonsona, who is now a grizzled veteran after seeing so many ups and downs in his career is 19-1, with 15 KOs. “”He will be training in Manila and in Florida for his next bout under Jun Agrabio,” said Gello-ani. This year, he could get a shot against the dangerous Gonzales, a three-weight division champion from Mexico if he wins his next bout against Velez. ■

Sports

FRIDAY JANUARY 9, 2015

Palestinian team aiming for knockout stage at Asian Cup; not in Oz merely to make up numbers BY JOHN DUERDEN The Associated Press WHILE IT didn’t generate anything remotely like the attention of Germany’s 7-1 thrashing of Brazil at the World Cup, the Palestinian team’s 1-0 victory over the Philippines in the AFC Challenge Cup final may have been one of the most significant international football results of 2014. The teams, both outside the top 100, met at the Maldives in May, with the winner guaranteed a spot at the Asian Cup. And so it was a momentous win for the fledgling Palestinian team. And that set the newcomers on course for a big debut against defending champion Japan at Newcastle, Australia, next Monday. While the Palestinians are outsiders against continental heavyweight Japan, subsequent group games against Iraq and Jordan will likely be more important in determining whether the Cup rookies can surprise a continent by making the last eight. “Japan is the best team in the group,” coach Ahmad Al Hassan said after arriving in Australia. “The chances of the other three teams, however, are equal and we will be trying our best to get the best results for Palestine.” Following victory in the AFC Challenge Cup, the Palestinians performed strongly at the Asian Games; a largely under-23 tournament that features more countries than any other Asian competition. The Palestinians had never won a game at previous Asian Games, but in South Korea they topped a group containing Tajikistan, Singapore and Oman. Finishing first was rewarded with a second-round match against Japan, resulting in a 4-0 defeat. The senior squad was in good form leading into the trip Down Under, with wins over Taiwan, India, Pakistan and India in friendlies, a 0-0 draw with China and a 1-0 loss to Uzbekistan. There have been issues. Not only will the team be without

the injured Swedish-based midfielder Imad Zatara in Australia, but Jamal Mahmoud quit as coach in September after three successful years in charge for reasons that are still not completely clear. Al Hamad, who had spent the previous two years as technical director for the national federation was appointed as the replacement. On top of the changes and challenges of working with limited facilities, the team must constantly deal with the political and security difficulties at home. All but six players in the 23man squad are based in the Palestinian territories. Holding training camps and travelling overseas has been problematic due to difficulties obtaining permits. The Palestinian federation has complained about Israeli travel restrictions on some of its players in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, a territory ruled by the Palestinian Islamic militant group Hamas. Israel has cited concerns about possible attacks by Palestinian militants as the main reason for sweeping restrictions on movement that affect most Palestinians, including athletes. To be competitive, much depends on the experience of the Palestinian players who live abroad. Ashraf Nu’man, who scored the only goal of the AFC Challenge Cup final against the Philippines, plays for Al Faisaly in Saudi Arabia. Avoiding defeat in the opening game against Japan would be considered a major success. The big game comes against 2007 champion Iraq, a talented but unpredictable team — as it demonstrated when finishing bottom of its group during November’s Gulf Cup. That failure led the Iraqi FA to hire a new coach. Following that is a group game against Jordan, also getting to grips with a new coach. Former English international Ray Wilkins, a one-time midfield star for Manchester United and Milan, was appointed in September. ■

Post-holiday calm... go wrong with dull kitchen toward grey-painted thing trendy. “Classic and simblack pulls and knobs, cabinets, and we’ve found our- ple is where it’s at,” says Burnand I’m also a huge fan selves experimenting with co- ham. of antique brass. When it comes lour.” Her office is currently to silver tones, I try to stay clas- designing one kitchen “that’s Seating sic and go with polished nickel.” predominantly a sophisticated A new table and chairs can If you do need to add or replace cream colour, and another that update a kitchen’s look and cabinets, Burnham suggests will have dark, olive-green cabi- make it more comfortable. But having them custom-made. It nets and a textured, black-stone it’s tempting to sacrifice funccan be expensive (Flynn esti- countertop.” tion for style. Don’t. mates that ready-made cabinets Homeowners are also get“We all live in our kitchens,” cost about one-third as much as ting more creative and saving says Kleinhelter, “so it is imporlower-end custom designs). But money with materials like con- tant to have comfortable and they are worth the investment, crete. Concrete tile is “an inex- durable seating.” Burnham says. “You’ll get well- pensive material that comes in Stools are popular, and Burnmade pieces, built to your needs, an incredible array of colours ham says designers in her office that will last through time, kids and patterns,” Burnham says, love the simple, clean look of a and tons of use.” row of stools arRather than ranged along a adding cabinets bar or kitchen with doors, she island. But, she suggests installsays, comfort is ing drawers. When we really use our kitchens, we key: “We find “Deep drawers discover what does and doesn’t work most clients like provide excelin this very important room. seats with backs lent storage for and arms.” pots and pans, Also, choose and even overseating that’s size plates,” easy to clean and Burnham says, “and banks of and “it works for backsplashes durable. “I love to use vinyls or drawers just look cool.” or kitchen flooring, and really faux leathers,” says Kleinhelter, makes a statement.” “because it is so easy to clean, Fresh colors and materials Try mixing affordable ele- but still looks polished.” Painting kitchen walls can be ments with higher-end ones: Burnham’s favourite for seat“a quick, inexpensive solution “Basic butcher block is my fa- ing: the natural texture and to a kitchen remodel on a low vourite countertop because of style of rattan. budget,” Kleinhelter says, and its classic appeal, and it’s inWhether you’re simply buy“any colour can work.” But she sanely affordable. By juxtapos- ing a new table and chairs or advises clients that kitchen de- ing it with a unique backsplash, beginning to plan a full kitchcor “should work with the rest like a mosaic marble or rustic en remodel, Flynn offers one of the house.” Bring in colours stone, it looks more high-end,” last piece of advice: Take time that appear in nearby rooms, or Flynn says. “My biggest splurge to choose the things you restick to a neutral palette. on kitchens is usually my light- ally want, and be patient if the If you’re trying to update ing and backsplashes.” project takes longer than you’d your kitchen’s look, Burnham And choose colours and ma- hoped. What matters is the fisays “there’s been a shift from terials you’ll be happy with nal result, not how many weeks the once-ubiquitous all-white long-term, rather than some- or months it took to get there. ■ ❰❰ 37

www.canadianinquirer.net

Seen and Scenes

JANUARY 9, 2015

FRIDAY

VICTORIA NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATION The Victoria Filipino Canadian Caregivers Association welcome the new year with friends, families and an abundance of food. (Photos by Mary Lee Jetko).

RIZAL DAY RITES IN QUEBEC

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

Senator Enverga and wife Rosemer joined the Knights of Rizal Montreal Chapter in commemorating the 118th martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal. Highlight of the event was the wreath laying in front of the bust of the country’s national hero.

www.canadianinquirer.net

Events

FRIDAY JANUARY 9, 2015

Diversity & Inclusion Charter of Peel Community Forum: Impact Assessment WHEN/WHERE: 6 to 9 p.m., Jan. 21 at Century Gardens Recreation Centre, 340 Vodden St. East, Brampton ON, L6V 2N2 MORE INFO: Free of Cost, open to the public. Registration is open until Jan. 21.

YUKON

CANADA EVENTS

NUNAVUT

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

http://bit.ly/ PCI-Events

NEWFOUNDLAND

MANITOBA

SASKATCHEWAN

View all events by scanning this QR code or visiting

2nd Winter Escapade By the Department of Tourism, Philippine Embassy and the Consulates of Toronto and Vancouver WHEN/WHERE: Jan. 30 to Feb. 6, Manila, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor, Dumaguete MORE INFO: Go online www.winterescapadeph.com for details.

BRITISH COLUMBIA ALBERTA

ONTARIO

QUEBEC NEW BRUNSWICK

34th Annual Ati-atihan Festival By the Aklanon Sto. Nino Association of BC WHEN/WHERE: 5:30 p.m., Jan. 10, St. Patrick’s Church Gym, 2881 Main St., cor. 12th Ave., Vancouver, B.C. Winter-Spring Training 2015 By ISS of BC WHEN/WHERE: 14 Saturdays from Jan. 10 to Apr. 18, at the Immigrant Services Society of B.C., Royal City Centre – Rm. 280 610 – 6th St., New Westminster MORE INFO: Contact Liza at 604-395-8000 ext. 1706 or email: liza.delarosa@issbc.org General Assembly of FilCan Community Leaders By the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver WHEN/WHERE: 5:30 p.m., Jan. 16, Multicultural Helping House Society, 4802 Fraser St., Vancouver, B.C. San Pablo City Fiesta By Seven Lakes (San Pablo) Assn. WHEN/WHERE: Jan. 15 at the Immaculate Conception Church, 8842-119 Street in Delta, B.C. MORE INFO: Contact Leo Cunanan, Sr. at 604-9803218 or Senen Alcos, 604-581-3570. Email: leo_cunanan@shaw.ca Kamikaze Comedy By Art Factora and Patrick Maliha WHEN/WHERE: 9 p.m., Jan. 16 at 1261 Hamilton St., Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: $5 cover

Interwoven Stories: Textiles, Costumes, Cultures – A Multicultural Fest By the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver WHEN/WHERE: Exhibit opens on Jan. 17, 2 to 4 p.m., at the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver at 555 Columbia Street, Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Exhibit Dates: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday to Sunday, Jan. 17 to Feb. 15. 17th Anniversary Dinner & Dance By Friends of Sto. Nino Association of B.C. WHEN/WHERE: 6:30 p.m., Jan. 25, St. Patrick’s Gymnasium 2881 Main St., Vancouver, B.C. 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 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

Burnaby Seniors’ Club Free Activities for Immigrant Seniors By Mosaic Settlement Services WHEN/WHERE: (Burnaby North) Beginners’ English Practice – Jan. 21 to Mar. 5, Wed., 9:30 to 11:30 a.m Taichi – Jan. 23 to Mar. 27, Fri., 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. English Conversation Circle – Jan. 23 to Mar. 27, Fri., 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Brentwood Community Resource Centre, 2055 Rosser Ave., Burnaby B.C. (Burnaby South) Upper Beginners’ English Practice – Jan. 12 to Mar. 23, Mon., 9:30 to 11:30 Beginners’ English Practice – Jan. 23 to Mar. 27, Fri., 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Knitting Club – Jan. 20 to Mar. 27, Tues., 2 to 3:30 p.m. Seniors’ Conversation Circle – Jan. 8 to Feb. 12, Thur., 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Mosaic Burnaby Centre for Immigrants, 5902 Kingsway St., Vancouver, B.C.

To have your events featured on PCI, please email events@canadianinquirer.net www.canadianinquirer.net

FRIDAY JANUARY 9, 2015

CANADA

Do you have a question about God? Faith? Salvation? Ask Bro. Eli and the Bible will answer

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 Visit us at the Old Path Calgary Coordinating Center 3839 B Burnsland Rd. SE Calgary AB T2G 3Z4 e-mail: mcgi.calgary@gmail .com*403-975-3079 or 403-402-1126

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

FRIDAY JANUARY 9, 2015

www.canadianinquirer.net

JANUARY 9, 2015

www.canadianinquirer.net

FRIDAY