Philippine Canadian Inquirer Issue #151

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VOL. 1 NO. 151

JANUARY 23, 2015

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Francis on PH visit Beautiful!

Pictures from the papal visit

Beyond mere pontification

Juan Radio welcomes new personalities

Target Corp. checks out of Canada

Pope leaves challenge for leaders’ uprightness

BY CATHERINE J. TEVES Philippine News Agency

POPE OF THE PEOPLE His Holiness Pope Francis proves to be the "Pope of the people" as he was fondly called as he goes around the Quirino Grandstand after leading the Holy Mass on Sunday, which capped his five-day visit to the Philippines.

ROLAND NABLO / PNA

Pope Francis leaves Asia after inspiring millions in Philippines and calling for unity

BY NICOLE WINFIELD AND JIM GOMEZ The Associated Press MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Pope Francis flew home Monday after a weeklong trip to Asia, where he called for unity in

Sri Lanka after a civil war and asked Filipinos to be “missionaries of the faith” in the world’s most populous continent after a record crowd joined his final Mass in the Philippine capital.

President Benigno Aquino III,

❱❱ PAGE 4 Pope leaves

Philippine Canadian Inquirer

Express Entry immigration draws begin ❱❱ PAGE 18

❱❱ PAGE 9 Pope Francis

MANILA — Pope Francis concluded Monday (Jan. 19) his five-day visit to the Philippines, leaving behind the challenge for uprightness among leaders nationwide.

“As many voices in your nation have pointed out, it is now, more than ever, necessary that political leaders be outstanding for honesty, integrity and commitment to the common good,” he said in a speech during his Jan. 16 courtesy call at Malacanang.

He raised such challenge, aware uprightness among leaders is essential in

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JANUARY 23, 2015

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FRIDAY

Philippine News

FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2015

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Senate rejects Binay bid to get questions in advance

BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA AND CHRISTINE O. AVENDAÑO Philippine Daily Inquirer

edly one of the owners of Omni Security Investigation and General Services; and Eduviges Baloloy, supposedly the personal secretary of Vice President Binay.

In a statement issued yesterday by the Office of the Vice President (OVP), the lawyer of the city officials, Claro Certeza, was quoted as saying that “officials of Makati City Hall have no intention of defying the subpoena issued by the subcommittee.”

Court if they want.

“But as a lawyer, I know of no ground to grant the request first before enforcing the subpoena ... I cannot understand why Makati City officials are on a different level or plane that they have such a right,” he added.

As for the Makati officials invoking the Supreme Court ruling on executive privilege, he said he did not think it was applicable to the local officials’ case.

for his absences were his jurisdictional challenge to the subcommittee, whose hearings he thinks are not in aid of legislation, and his request to be provided with an advance list of questions to be asked of him. He had only attended one hearing of the subcommittee.

Pimentel said he found these “unacceptable reasons for defying the subpoenas.”

“Please remember that a contempt of the subcommittee is a contempt of the committee, which in turn is a contempt of the Senate,” he said.

The other invited resource persons offered similar reasons for their absences.

SEN. AQUILINO Pimentel III, chair of the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee, has rejected the request of Makati City officials for advance copies of questions that lawmakers may raise when the panel resumes its inquiry into alleged irregularities in the city this week.

Grounds for Pimentel said contempt there was no reason In his letter to Gufor the blue ribbon ingona recommendsubcommittee to furI am not awareof any right of a resource ing that the Makati nish the city officials person . . . which will give them the right to officials be cited in ’Campaign of lies’ advance copies of the ask for advance questions, and if they’re not contempt, PimenThe camp of the Vice President questions. given, refuse to appear. tel cited the resource slammed Pimentel’s recommendation “I am not aware persons’ refusal to to cite Mayor Binay and other city offiof any right of a reappear at the sub- cials for contempt. source person, witcommittee hearings.

“The Senate subcommittee continness, or even a susHe added that the ues to ignore the constitutional rights pect in a hearing for accountability, “However, he (Certeza) believes that explanations they had offered for their of the mayor and city officials by refuswhich will give them the right to ask for they cannot be faulted for not appear- absences were insufficient. ing to provide them with questions in advance questions, and if they’re not ing in the Senate because the request They were first given show cause or- advance,” said Binay spokesperson Joey given, refuse to appear,” he said. to be furnished an advance copy of the ders to explain why they should not be Salgado.

The panel’s inquiry has delved into questions is yet to be acted upon by the held in contempt.

“This clearly shows that the hearings the alleged overprice of Makati City Hall panel,” said the OVP statement. are not in aid of legislation. They are part Building II and Makati Science Building.

Certeza said he made this request to Mayor’s reasons of a campaign of lies targeting the Vice The subcommittee has heard testi- the subcommittee as early as Oct. 29 last Among Mayor Junjun Binay’s reasons President,” he said in a statement. ■ mony that Vice President Jejomar Binay year but the body had yet to respond to had amassed kickbacks from city proj- it. ects when he was Makati mayor and had used dummies to hide his wealth, includ- High court ruling ing condominium units and a 350-hectIn reiterating his request to the subare agricultural estate in Batangas. committee for an advance copy of quesThe Binay camp has strongly denied tions to be asked his clients, Certeza inthe allegations and criticized the hear- voked the Supreme Court ruling in the ings. case of former National Economic and The subcommittee has recommended Development Authority chief Romulo that Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Jun- Neri that allowed resource persons tesjun” Binay Jr. and six others be cited for tifying in Senate committees to know contempt for failure to attend previous the questions in advance. hearings of the panel on alleged irreguCerteza was quoted in the OVP statelarities in Makati City. ment as saying that the 2008 high court Pimentel made the recommendation ruling required invitations or subpoeto the blue ribbon committee chaired by nas issued by Senate committees to conSen. Teofisto Guingona III. tain “the possible needed statute which It is only Guingona, as chair of the prompted the need for the inquiry,” mother committee, who has the power along with the “usual indication of the to cite anyone for contempt and to im- subject of inquiry and the questions relpose the penalties of warning, censure ative to and in furtherance thereof.”

FaithLife Financial is a reliable not-for-profit insurance provider that helps people build solid financial plans based on Christian or arrest. principles. Exchange a hope for a plan to make an impact on The blue ribbon committee would Rights of witnesses what matters most — your family! discuss Pimentel’s recommendations in Certeza said these were “reasonable a meeting on Jan. 26. Guingona yester- measures for the protection of the conday sent a letter to committee members stitutional rights of witnesses.”

Visit faithlifefinancial.ca to learn more about our investment and insurance solutions. informing them of the development and “And, a subpoena issued by the Senof the scheduled meeting to tackle the ate that merely commands a person matter. to ’testify on what he knows relative to the subject matter under inquiry’ gives Names of officials the party served with the subpoena the Also recommended to be cited for right to demand that he be furnished in contempt are University of Makati pres- advance with the questions to be proRONALDO SISON, MARY JANE CASTILLO, EDWARD DITCHING, ELLEN JANE POLICARPIO, Financial Representative Financial Representative Sales Manager Financial Representative ident Tomas Lopez; Makati City Admin- pounded to him,” he said. rsison@faithlifefinancial.ca mcastillo@faithlifefinancial.ca editching@faithlifefinancial.ca epolicarpio@faithlifefinancial.ca GREATER TORONTO WINNIPEG istrator Eleno Mendoza; former Makati Pimentel said the resource persons GREATER TORONTO GREATER TORONTO 647. 457. 1592 204.227.9652 416 .273 .7239 647.895.3553 City Administrator Marjorie de Veyra; could question his decision not to furMakati Assistant City Engineer Line de nish them advance copies of the quesla Peña; Bernadette Portollano, alleg- tions all the way up to the Supreme

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Philippine News

JANUARY 23, 2015

Pope leaves... moving the country inspire a society worthy of the Sri Lanka where he canonized forward. goodness, dignity and aspira- Joseph Vaz, that country’s first “In this way, they tions of the Filipino people.” saint. will help preserve the rich huCatholic Bishops ConferHis Holiness visited the Philman and natural resources ence of the Philippines (CBCP) ippines to further spread his with which God has blessed this is looking forward to March message of mercy and compascountry - thus will they be able 16, 2021 - the fifth centenary sion. to marshall the moral resourc- of Christianity’s arrival in the “My visit is above all pastoes needed to face the demands Philippines. ral,” he said at Malacanang. of the present and to pass on to “We shall therefore embark Despite inclement weather coming generations a society of on a nine-year spiritual jour- due to storm ’Amang’ (internaauthentic justice, solidarity and ney that will culminate with the tional name ’Mekkhala’), thoupeace,” he noted. sands of people Pope Francis still turned out set foot on Philto see Pope Franippine soil for cis en route to the first time and at his official late Thursday It is now, more than ever, engagements. afternoon (Jan. necessary that political leaders be Aside from the 15), delighting outstanding for honesty, integrity and courtesy call at thousands who commitment to the common good.

Malacanang, his waited for hours engagements into get a glimpse cluded the conof His Holiness. cluding mass on “It (the visit) Sunday (Jan. 18) comes as the at Metro MaChurch in this country is pre- great jubilee of 2021,” CBCP nila’s Rizal Park. paring to celebrate the fifth said in 2012.

Authorities reported that centenary of the first proclaAuthorities led well-wishers mass alone drew an estimated mation of the Gospel of Jesus who bid Pope Francis goodbye six million people.

Christ on these shores,” he said. at Metro Manila’s Villamor Air They said such attendance He hopes the anniversary Base. broke the record five million “will point to its continuing He also landed at Villamor people at the 1995 mass of thenfruitfulness and its potential to last week after arriving from Pope John Paul II there. ■ ❰❰ 1

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FRIDAY

’If Church is worldly, it’s just an NGO’

BY LITO B. ZULUETA Philippine Daily Inquirer VATICAN CITY—Saying corruption is a global scourge that’s affecting even the Church, Pope Francis on Monday called on Catholics to combat the problem by banishing “worldliness” and living simple lifestyles.

The Church is not just a nongovernment organization (NGO), he said. “When a part of the Church becomes worldly, it becomes an NGO and ceases to be Church,” he said.

“Corruption is the order of the day in today’s world, and the corrupt attitude easily and immediately finds a nest in institutions,” he told the international media aboard the Philippine Airlines flight taking him home to Rome after highly successful apostolic visits to Sri Lanka and the Philippines.

“Whether we be priests or the laity, we scandalize because the way of Jesus is difficult,” he added. “We must ask pardon for

those Catholics who scandalize with their corruption,” he said.

“It’s a wound in the Church.”

He cited his experience in 1994 as bishop when “two officials of a government ministry” offered him money to aid the poor people. “I was listening because when the offer is very big, even the saint is challenged,” he said.

But told that once the deposit was made in his account, he should give half of it to the officials, he balked.

“And I immediately thought whether to insult him or kick him where the sunlight doesn’t shine or I play the fool,” the Pope said, making the press laugh.

He said he could not accept the money because he was running only a vicariate that had no bank account. He referred them to the archdiocese that could issue them an official receipt once the donation was made. “And they left,” he said. ❱❱ PAGE 14 ’If Church’

Philippine News

FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2015

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Francis on PH visit: It rained on my parade, but beautiful!

BY LITO B. ZULUETA Philippine Daily Inquirer VATICAN CITY—Pope Francis visited the Shrine of the Madonna at the major basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome right after he arrived on Monday from the Philippines, where his apostolic visit drew millions, the biggest crowd yet of his twoyear papacy.

The Philippine Airlines (PAL) Airbus bearing the Pope, his entourage and media delegation landed at Rome’s Ciampino Airport at 5:37 p.m.

(12:37 a.m. Tuesday in Manila).

Vatican officials said the Pope performed his by now customary practice of starting and ending his foreign trips with a visit to the shrine of the Blessed Mother, offering her flowers and prayers for thanksgiving for the safe journey.

He had reason to thank Mary when he embarked last Jan. 12 on his second Asian tour amid dire security threats, compounded by terrorist attacks on a Paris publication satirizing Islam.

He went to Sri Lanka just after it had crushed the Tamil Tiger rebellion and undergone a political leadership transition, and proceeded to the Philippines, scene of an assassination attempt in 1995 against St. John Paul II by a nascent movement that became the extremist alQaida Group.

Pope’s home court

Memories of the 1995 assassination attempt were banished during Francis’ successful visit to the Philippines, called by Vatican journalist John Allen as “the home court of any Pope.”

Basking in the afterglow of Sunday’s Mass at Manila’s Rizal Park, which drew 6 million people cheering him on despite the rains, Francis said he learned from Filipinos how it was to express one’s happiness “with the heart” and without fakery.

At a press conference with the international media during the PAL flight that took him back to Rome, the Pope said of his Philippine visit: “It was challenging and as we say in Spanish, ’ pasada per agua (it rained on my parade). (But) it is

Pope Francis visits the survivors of super typhoon "Yolanda" in Palo, Leyte on January 17, 2015.

BENHUR ARCAYAN / MALACAÑANG PHOTO BUREAU / PNA

beautiful.”

Gesturing how Filipino fathers struggled to raise their children up so he could bless them and of their gratitude when he ordered his convoy to stop so he could oblige, the Pope remarked in Italian: “The gestures are not like in a protocol but they are felt with the heart.” ’My future, my love’

He praised “the enthusiasm of Filipinos that is unfeigned.”

The Pope said he had not seen in his travels in other parts of the world such eagerness of parents to have their children blessed.

“There are so many children ... As if the parents were saying this is my treasure, this is my future, this is my love,” Francis said. “That struck me. (They are saying) it is worth working hard, worth suffering. It is an original gesture borne of the heart.”

He added that he was particularly touched by parents bringing their disabled children with them. “They did not hide their children, they brought them to the Pope so he would bless them,” he said.

The Pope said the Filipinos “have joy, a capacity to celebrate.”

“It wasn’t a painted smile

that just came,” he said, “(for) behind that smile there is normal life (with its share of ) pains and problems.” ’Intense moment’

Asked what moved him most in the Philippines, Francis said that it would have to be the Mass in Tacloban City, where tens of thousands gathered to welcome him and celebrate Mass with him despite a coming storm.

Ironically enough, the Pope went to Tacloban to console the victims of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) in 2013, which killed thousands and displaced millions.

“To see the whole people of God firm, praying after this catastrophe, thinking about my sins and seeing the people, it was a very intense moment,” he said.

The Pope said he learned true resignation from the father of Kristel Padasas, a Church volunteer who died in Tacloban after a scaffolding was unhinged by howling winds and crashed on her.

The father had told the Pope that he was consoled knowing his daughter had died serving God. “It is a word that is difficult for us to understand because it www.canadianinquirer.net

has been vulgarized too much,” the Pope said. “It has been used negatively, a word that has substance—resignation. A people that know how to suffer (are a) people that are capable of rising up.” ’Grace of crying’

He did not respond directly to a question on what he felt breaking the record set by St. John Paul II in the 1995 Mass that closed the World Youth Day, which drew 5 million people.

He said what he learned from the Mass was that “Christians need the grace of crying” and they should pray for it like Moses “making water come out of the rock.”

Pointing to his meeting at the University of Santo Tomas, where he met with children rescued from the streets, the Pope said, “The poor evangelize us.”

“If we remove the poor from the Gospel, we will not understand the message of Jesus,” he added.

Next foreign trips

After two Asian tours, the Pope said he might go to Central Africa and Uganda toward the end of the year. ( See related story on this page.)

He said the trip might be “a little late because of Ebola”—

referring to the epidemic that has been stalking the continent—but he said “there is a great responsibility” he should go there.

The Pope will also visit the United States this year, touring Philadelphia, Washington and New York.

He said he would like to go to California for the canonization of Franciscan friar Fr. Junipero Serra but “there is the problem of time.”

He said he might perform the canonization in Washington where the friar, who was a missionary in California, has a statue at the Capitol.

The Pope added that since he was entering the United States through Mexico, it might be remiss if he did visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. “A war could break out,” he joked.

He said the Latin American countries that he might visit this year were Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay.

But Vatican spokesperson Fr. Federico Lombardi said “everything is still provisional.”

Rosaries for journalists

Later, the Holy Father met the 14 members of the Philippine media accredited to the papal trip in the business section of PAL. Aside from this writer, the journalists included Niño Manalo and Ana Patricia Hontiveros-Pagkalinawan, 9TV; Lynda Jumilla-Abalos and Ariel Fulgado, ABS-CBN News; Kara Patria David and Melchor Quintos, GMA Network; Arvin Rillera and Jhemmylrut Teng, TV5 Network Inc.; Marco Paolo Bombase and Wilfred Delgado Herrera, Radio-TV Malacañang; Cicero Roy Lagarde, CBCP News; and Jose Adrias Torres, UCAN News.

The journalists had each a short chat and photo-opportunity with the Pope.

All journalists aboard were later given papal souvenirs— a papal Rosary, an especially made medal showing Our Lady of Madhu of Sri Lanka, and another medal showing the Santo Niño de Cebu of the Philippines.

The Pope said his apostolic visit was a success due to the “hard work” of the journalists. ■

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Philippine News

JANUARY 23, 2015

FRIDAY

POPE ON CONTRACEPTION:

Good Catholics don’t have to breed ’like bunnies’

BY NICOLE WINFIELD The Associated Press POPE FRANCIS is firmly upholding church teaching banning contraception, but said Monday that Catholics don’t have to breed “like rabbits” and should instead practice “responsible parenting.”

Speaking to reporters en route home from the Philippines, Francis said there are plenty of church-approved ways to regulate births. But he said most importantly, no outside institution should impose its views on regulating family size, blasting what he called the “ideological colonization” of the developing world.

African bishops, in particular, have long complained about how progressive, Western ideas about birth control and gay rights are increasingly being imposed on the developing world by groups, institutions or individual nations, often as a condition for development aid.

“Every people deserves to conserve its identity without being ideologically colonized,” Francis said.

The pope’s comments, taken together with his defence of the Catholic Church’s ban on artificial contraception during the trip, signal that he is increasingly showing his more conservative bent, which has largely been ignored by public opinion or obscured by a media narrative that has tended to highlight his populist persona.

On the trip, Francis gave his strongest defence yet of the 1968 encyclical Humanae Vitae, which enshrined the church’s opposition to artificial birth control. He warned against “insidious attacks” against the family — a reference to gay marriage proposals — echoing language often used by overwhelmingly conservative U.S. bishops. And he insisted that “openness to life is a condition of the sacrament of matrimony.”

At the same time, however,

The various facial expressions of Pope Francis during his meeting with the youth on Sunday (Jan. 18, 2015) at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila.

RICO H. BORJA / PNA

he said it’s not true that to be a good Catholic “you have to be like rabbits.” On the contrary, he said “responsible parenthood” requires that couples

www.canadianinquirer.net

regulate the births of their children, as church teaching allows.

He cited the case of a woman he met who was pregnant with her eighth child after seven Cesar-

ean sections.

“That is an irresponsibility!” he said. The woman might argue that she should trust in God. “But God gives you methods to be responsible,” he said.

He said there are many “licit” ways of regulating births that are approved by the church, an apparent reference to the Natural Family Planning method of monitoring a woman’s cycle to avoid intercourse when she is ovulating.

During the Vatican’s recent meeting on the family, African bishops denounced how aid groups and lending institutions often condition their assistance on a country’s compliance with their ideals: allowing health care workers to distribute condoms, or withdrawing assistance if legislation discriminating against gays is passed.

“When imposed conditions come from imperial colonizers, they search to make people lose their own identity and make a sameness,” he said. “This is ideological colonization.” ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2015

With Pope gone, Senate goes back to work

BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA Philippine Daily Inquirer

Call for investigation

Heading the committee is Sen. Nancy Binay, the Vice President’s daughter.

The senator had said the hearing was prompted by a resolution filed by Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago calling for an investigation into the Commission on Audit’s findings of irregularities involving the fund which provides cash assistance to the poor.

Binay said the CCT hearing was not necessarily intended to stop the project, but to determine how it could be more efficiently implemented.

The blue ribbon subcommittee may also hear new testimony on the allegations against the Vice President.

Earlier, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV said a new issue concerning Vice President Binay was to be discussed at the next subcommittee hearing, and there were four to five more hearings in the offing.

Kickbacks, dummies

The hearings on the Makati issues had brought out allegations by former Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado that the elder Binay had received kickbacks from city projects and had used dummies to hide his wealth.

The Binay camp has denied the allegations and has been critical of the long-running

After Papal visit: Church urges Pinoys to put faith into action PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

AFTER A month-long break, it’s back to business in the Senate, with two inquiries on alleged irregularities involving public funds on top of the week’s agenda.

The blue ribbon subcommittee is set to resume its hearing on Jan. 22 on the allegations of corruption against Vice President Jejomar Binay during his term as Makati City mayor.

On the same day, the committee on social justice, welfare and rural development is scheduled to hold its first hearing on alleged irregularities in the administration’s conditional cash transfer (CCT) program, which has a budget of more than P60 billion this year.

hearings, which it described as farcical and intended to destroy the Vice President’s popularity among voters.

In the coming weeks, the Senate is also expected to tackle the draft Bangsamoro basic law, which would create a new autonomous region in Mindanao and flesh out a historic peace agreement between the national government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

The Bangsamoro basic law, which is being handled by the committee on local government, is one of the priority measures of Congress in the first quarter of the year.

The Senate committee on constitutional amendments will hold parallel hearings on the measure to check if it is in conflict with the fundamental law of the land which is the Constitution.

Best gift

Meanwhile, two senators called on Filipinos to continue living Pope Francis’ messages, which he delivered during his five-day visit.

Sen. Bam Aquino said that putting the Pontiff’s words into action would be the best gift the

people could give him.

Among the Pope’s messages was an exhortation to shun all forms of corruption, which diverts resources from the poor.

He also said that political leaders must have honesty, integrity and a commitment to the common good.

Disappointment

“The Pope’s visit must inspire us to eradicate graft and corruption in government.

And this needs everyone’s cooperation, vigilance and faith to make the reforms happen,” Aquino said in a statement yesterday.

Sen. Loren Legarda said she hoped citizens would heed the Pope’s concern for the environment. She expressed disappointment that many who attended his concluding Mass at Rizal Park failed to keep the area free of trash.

“I don’t think it is too hard to find a wastebasket or take the trash back home to dispose of it properly. These simple acts should be part of our attitude and lifestyle if we seriously take our responsibility as stewards of the environment,” she said in a statement. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

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posed by Typhoon Amang in his visit to the province of Leyte, which was on the storm’s track.

NASSA/Caritas Philippines, MANILA — The Catholic which is headed by ArchbishChurch through its social ac- op Tirona, has committed on tion arm NASSA/Caritas Phil- a three-year program to help ippines has renewed its pledge ’Yolanda’ survivors across nine to serve the poor and those provinces/dioceses through affected by Typhoon Yolanda the provision of disaster resil(Haiyan) following Pope Fran- ient shelters, food security and cis’ message that was primar- livelihood assistance, WASH ily centered on the poor during (water, sanitation, and hygiene) his five-day visit in the country facilities, ecosystems recovery, which culminated on Monday, disaster risk reduction trainJan. 19. ings, and community organizAccording to NASSA/Caritas ing.

Philippines National DirecThe beneficiaries are setor Archbishop Rolando J. Tria lected from typhoon-battered Tirona, O.C.D., the Pope’s call to areas that were least served by listen to the cries the government of the poor and and other nonthose belonging government orto the vulnerable ganizations, and We are one sector should belonged to the with the serve as a conpoorest of the Pope in stant reminder poor. helping our for everyone to As of last less put faith into acmonth, it has alfortunate tion. ready built 2,534 brothers “We are one disaster-resiland sisters, with the Pope in ient shelters, inespecially helping our less stalled 3,529 wathose fortunate brothter systems and who were ers and sisters, provided various affected especially those livelihood proby recent who were afgrams to 9,834 calamities. fected by recent families. calamities. May NASSA/Carithe Holy Fatas Philippines ther’s message of is the social acmercy and compassion rooted tion arm of the Catholic Bishin God’s love be an inspiration ops’ Conference of the Philipfor all of us. Now, indeed, is pines representing the country the right time to put Christian to Caritas Internationalis—the words into action,” Archbishop umbrella organization for Tirona said.

Catholic charities around the The Archbishop of Nueva world that works hand-in-hand Caceres added that the Pope’s with the Pope. message is a challenge for evThe budget on the ’Yolanda’ eryone, especially as it coin- rehabilitation program for the cides with this year’s celebra- first year alone stands at EUR tion of the “Year of the Poor.”

9.7 million (P563 million).

Pope Francis earlier de“The budget for the ’Yolanda’ nounced all forms of corrup- reconstruction efforts came tion which he said “diverts re- from all the Catholics around sources from the poor.” He also the world who are from the 43 emphasized the importance of Caritas Internationalis memprotecting one’s family from ber countries. This is the reason “ideological colonization” that why we put emphasis on transtries to destroy it. parent spending, which is imThe Pope did not also miss plemented at all levels through to comfort survivors of ty- regular financial monitoring phoon ’Yolanda’ and the Bohol and auditing by international earthquake despite the dangers companies,” Tirona stressed. ■

Philippine News

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JANUARY 23, 2015 FRIDAY

Pope Francis’ call to help the poor, children already part of Aquino administration’s program — Coloma

BY JOANN SANTIAGO Philippine News Agency MANILA — Heeding the call of Pope Francis to help the poor and the children is a big task but not a hard one for the Aquino administration since this is already part of its program.

In a briefing Tuesday, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Hermnio Coloma Jr. said the Pontiff’s call “is consistent with what this administration is doing since day one.”

“It affirms the government’s priority emphasis on fighting poverty principally by anchoring all government programs on a platform of good governance and anti-corruption,” he said.

Coloma said the administration is “gratified that the Pope’s message was one that is very much similar or consis- President Benigno S. Aquino III guides His Holiness Pope Francis towards the Palace Main Lobby of tent with what this administration has the Malacañan Palace during the welcome ceremony for the State Visit and Apostolic Journey to the been advocating from day one.”

Republic of the Philippines last January 16, 2015.

“We find resonance in the Pope’s mesROLANDO MAILO / MALACAÑANG PHOTO BUREAU / PNA sage and we are determined to affirm and live through concrete deeds — the He noted that for one, high school He said this program has been scrutimessage that the Pope gave during his students who belong to the family-ben- nized not only by the government itself visit,” he stressed. eficiaries of the Department of Social but by lawmakers during budget delibPope Francis, in his speech at Mala- Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) erations. canang on January 16, 2015, said ensur- conditional cash transfer (CCT) proHe said even multilateral agencies like ing social justice and respect for human gram are now covered by the program. the World Bank (WB) and other agendignity is among the important things to “This is because of the empirical find- cies such as the Millennium Challenge look into to achieve national goals. ing that those who are able to complete Corporation are monitoring the Philip“The great biblical tradition enjoins secondary education have greater pros- pines’ CCT program. on all peoples the duty to hear the pects for employment and would poten“Sa pagdaloy ng panahon, apat o livoice of the poor. It bids us [to] break tially earn higher incomes — secondary mang taon na itong ini-implement, wala the bonds of injustice and oppression, school graduates rather than if they just namang napapatunayang malawakang which give rise to anomalya. Sa pagdaglaring, and indeed loy din ng panahon scandalous, social ay napapahusay at inequalities. Reformnapapabuti pa ang ing the social strucpangangasiwa sa protures, which perpetuWe find resonance in the Pope’s message and gramang ito (As time ate poverty and the we are determined to affirm and live through went by, and it has exclusion of the poor concrete deeds — the message that the Pope been in effect four first requires a congave during his visit. or five years, there version of mind and have been no proven heart,” he said. anomalies. We have The Pontiff disalso seen the imclosed that Philipprovement and betpine bishops have requested that 2015 finished elementary school,” he said. ter handling of the program),” he added. be considered the “Year of the Poor.”

Relatively, Coloma said DSWD’s books Under the 2015’s P2.606-trillion na“I hope that this prophetic summons and other agencies involved in the CCT tional budget, the CCT program has will challenge everyone, at all levels of implementation are always available for been allocated some P64.7 billion, highsociety, to reject every form of corrup- those who have questions on the gov- er by three percent year-on-year, and tion which diverts resources from the ernment’s CCT program. this will be used to help about 4.4 milpoor, and to make concerted efforts to He made the statement when asked lion poor households. ensure the inclusion of every man and about the scheduled Senate hearing on Government data show that for this woman and child in the life of the com- the alleged anomalies in the said pover- year, about 50 percent of the two million munity,” he added. ty-alleviation program. beneficiaries will be lifted from survival Relatively, Coloma said the governColoma said the CCT is among the to subsistence and about six percent or ment continues to exceed what it has programs that received huge budget some 300,000 families will be able to achieved in terms of pro-poor programs in line with the government’s bid for a transfer bring subsistence to self-suffiamong others. more inclusive growth. ciency. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

Philippine News

FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2015

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Pope Francis...

Catholic church leaders and about 400 street children yelling “Pope Francis we love you” saw him off at a Manila air base, where the pontiff, carrying a black travel bag, boarded a Philippine Airlines plane for Rome.

Standing at the top of the stairs, the pope waved, slightly bowed his head before the crowd and then walked into the plane.

Hundreds of thousands of flag-waving Filipinos lined Manila’s streets to get a final glimpse of 78-year-old Francis aboard an open-sided, white popemobile. As he passed, many shrieked, called his name and wept in joy.

“He’s my No. 1 world leader,” said Rita Fernandez, a 63-yearold mother of four who stood on a street near the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila where Francis stayed during his four-day visit.

“He rides on a bus. He flew to Tacloban to visit the typhoon survivors despite the storm and he stops to talk to the poor. He’s a living saint,” said Fernandez, who readied a cellphone with a camera and wore a yellow shirt with the pope’s picture.

Amid the thick crowds, a man climbed up a tall ladder and unfurled a poster with a handwritten farewell message: “Dear Pope Francis, We love you! We pray for you. Pls pray for us all.”

Such passion and devotion visibly energized the leader of a 1.2 billion-strong Roman Catholic church confronted by secularism, clergy sex abuse scandals and other daunting problems.

“He was very happy with the hospitality,” Aquino told reporters. “He said he really felt the warmth.”

Francis dedicated his fourday trip to the Philippines to the poor, marginalized and victims of injustice. He denounced the corruption that has robbed them of a dignified life, visited with street children and travelled to the eastern city of Ta❰❰ 1

His Holiness Pope Francis, accompanied by President Benigno S. Aquino III, signs the official guest book at Malacanang Palace on Friday (January 16, 2015). His message at the guest book reads: "On the President and people of this beloved land of the Philippines, I ask Almighty God’s abundant blessings of wisdom, discernment, prosperity and peace."

RODOLFO MANABAT / MALACAÑANG PHOTO BUREAU

cloban to offer prayers for sur“Filipinos are called to be the 5 million who turned out vivors of Typhoon Haiyan, the outstanding missionaries of the for St. John Paul II’s final Mass deadly 2013 storm that devas- faith in Asia,” he said. in the same park in 1995. tated one of the country’s poorThe crowd estimate, which Francis dedicated the final est regions. could not be independently homily of his Asia trip to chilOfficials considered cancel- verified, included people who dren, given that the Mass fell ling the pope’s flight to Taclo- attended the pope’s final Mass on an important feast day honban on Saturday ouring the infant due to stormy Jesus. His focus weather, Marwas a reflection ciano Paynor Jr. , of the imporwho helped overHe rides on a bus. He flew to tance the Vatican see government Tacloban to visit the typhoon survivors places on Asia preparations for despite the storm and he stops to as the future of the papal visit, talk to the poor. He’s a living saint. the church since told ABS-CBN it is one of the TV. The trip few places where went ahead but Catholic numhad to be cut bers are growing short because of the weather. in Rizal Park and surrounding — and on the Philippines as the A crowd estimated by of- areas, and lined his motorcade largest Catholic nation in the ficials at a record 6 million route, said the chairman of the region. poured into Manila’s rain- Metropolitan Manila Develop“We need to care for our soaked streets and its biggest ment Authority, Francis Tolen- young people, not allowing park Sunday as Francis ended tino. them to be robbed of hope and his Asian pilgrimage with an The Vatican spokesman, the condemned to a life on the appeal for Filipinos to protect Rev. Federico Lombardi, said streets,” Francis said. their young from sin and vice so the Vatican had received the Francis made a triumphant they can become missionaries figure officially from local au- entry into Rizal Park on a of the faith. thorities and that it surpassed popemobile designed like the

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jeepney, the modified U.S. Army World War II jeep that is now an iconic minibus used by the Filipino everyman. He wore the same cheap, plastic yellow rain poncho handed out to the masses during his visit to Tacloban a day earlier.

The crowd in Manila — a sea of humanity in colorful rain ponchos spread out across the 60 hectares (148 acres) of parkland and boulevards surrounding it — erupted in shrieks of joy when he drove by, a reflection of the incredible resonance Francis’ message about caring for society’s most marginal has had in a country where about a quarter of its 100 million people lives in poverty.

In Sri Lanka, the first leg of his Asian trip, Francis pressed his call for national reconciliation by canonizing the country’s first saint, the Rev. Joseph Vaz, and visiting the war-ravaged north to pray at a shrine revered by both Sinhalese and Tamil faithful.

Vaz was a 17th century Indian missionary who revived the faith in Sri Lanka during a time of anti-Catholic persecution

by Dutch colonists, who were Protestant Calvinists.

Francis said the Sri Lankan church today wants to continue Vaz’s legacy of service to all, asking only for the freedom to preach in return. “Religious freedom is a fundamental human right,” he said.

Underscoring that point, Francis gave Sri Lanka’s bishops a replica of a 17th century decree from the then-king of Kandy allowing Catholic conversions of Buddhists — a somewhat provocative message given the recent upswing in violence by Buddhist extremists who want Sri Lankan exclusively Buddhist. ■ Associated Press writers Teresa Cerojano, Oliver Teves and Ken Moritsugu contributed to this report.

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Philippine News

JANUARY 23, 2015 FRIDAY

Tagle on Pope’s next visit to the PHL: “The Holy Father will have to decide”

BY JOANN SANTIAGO Philippine News Agency MANILA — Catholic Filipinos are greatly hoping for the immediate return of Pope Francis in the Philippines after his successful five-day State and Pastoral visit from Jan. 15-19, 2014.

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, in a briefing after the Pontiff’s departure to Rome Monday, said the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has formally invited the Pope to attend the International Eucharistic Congress to be held in Cebu in January 2016.

He said he does not know if the Pope will attend the event since he just concluded his trip

to the country.

“Tingnan natin. Kung pupunta sya, wow. Salamat,” he said.

“But it is the decision of the Holy Father. The event is there but the Holy Father will have to decide,” he said.

Tagle said people were overwhelmed right now because of the Pope’s visit, thus, he called on all the people to “spend time relishing the event.”

“The event is so deep – so deep. There is so much to reflect on, so much to pray over, so much to learn. And it is only in meditation, in prayer, in silence, that we can really get to the depths of the profound meaning of this event,” he said.

Tagle dubbed the event as “an act of communion, an act of solidarity” and “a miracle in

Archbishop Luis AntonioTagle.

itself” since people showed so much sacrifice.

For one, the Cardinal said some people woke up as early

as 2 a.m. Sunday to attend the concluding mass at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila but were not even able to go to the Luneta Park quadrant.

Tagle said the effect of Pope Francis’ visit was similar to that of Pope John II’s when the latter went to the Philippines in 1995 for the World Youth Day “but we need to allow that (effect) to deepen.”

He said everyone who were touched by the Pope’s visit should reflect on the spiritual and missionary message of the event.

“Let us think about it. Let us feel what we have thought about and then do according to the impulse of ideas and a profound spiritual and pastoral challenges,” he added. ■

our rejection as well as our acceptance of the BBL.” “In its current form, the proposed BBL is a recipe for the

disintegration of the current autonomous region unless our perspective on this matter is taken with a grain of salt,” he said. ■

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

MNLF split on Bangsamoro law

BY DJ YAP Philippine Daily Inquirer

The other resource persons included former Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Romeo Jalosjos, a convicted child rapist whose sentence was commuted.

The ad hoc committee had invited Misuari but he was a no-show, in part probably due to the standing warrant for his arrest in connection with the September 2013 twoweek siege of Zamboanga City that resulted in numerous deaths and destruction.

In 1996, the government signed a final peace agreement with the MNLF. But the Mis-

agreement with the MILF, including repealing the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao—which was created under THE LEADERS of two factions the pact with the MNLF—and of the Moro National Liberareplacing it with a new selftion Front (MNLF) that are at governing Bangsamoro entity odds with each other gave conunder the Philippine state. trasting views on the BangsamAlonto reiterated his faction’s oro Basic Law (BBL) in a House support for the BBL, noting hearing this week. that peace had been remained The inquiry was notable for elusive in Mindanao despite the absence of a third rival the previous agreements with MNLF leader, the group’s fugithe government. tive founder Nur Misuari.

“The immediate passage of The hearing was the penultithe BBL will be in consonance mate one called by the ad hoc with the inalienable right to committee on self-determinathe BBL chaired tion and cultural

by Cagayan de identity,” which Oro Rep. Rufus is why the cenRodriguez.

In its current form, the proposed tral committee MNLF facBBL is a recipe for the disintegration unanimously tion leader Abul of the current autonomous region voted for its apKhayr Alonto unless our perspective on this matter proval, he said. supported the is taken with a grain of salt.

Alonto, howpassage of the ever, recomlaw that would mended some create a new pochanges to the litical entity in BBL draft to Muslim-majority Mindanao uari-led faction accused the include the words “Allah” or but recommended a few chang- government of sidelining their “God” in the preamble and ales to the draft. pact when it signed a new peace low the Bangsamoro Congress The other MNLF leader pres- agreement with the Moro Is- to enact “traditional, indigeent, Muslimin Sema, however, lamic Liberation Front (MILF), nous” laws. expressed reservations about which was an MNLF breakaway Sema, on the other hand, was losing the gains made under group. less enthusiastic about the proprevious peace agreements The proposed BBL fleshes posed law, saying that his group with the BBL. out the terms of the peace “did not come here to register www.canadianinquirer.net

Philippine News

FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2015

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Pope’s 2015 travel wish list: Ecuador, Bolivia, Paraguay, Central African Republic, Uganda

BY NICOLE WINFIELD The Associated Press POPE FRANCIS said Monday he hopes to visit Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay this year, as well as the Central African Republic and Uganda.

The 2015 trips, still in their planning stages and not confirmed, would come on top of his planned three-city visit to the United States in September.

Francis said he planned to canonize the 18th-century missionary Junipero Serra during the Washington leg of the U.S. trip, likely at the National Shrine.

Serra is controversial today for his role in establishing nine missions in California to convert American Indians.

During the U.S trip, Francis is also expected to visit the White House and address Congress, then speak at the United Nations in New York, and participate in a massive Catholic rally for families in Philadelphia.

But he essentially ruled out travelling to El Salvador to beatify slain Archbishop Oscar Romero, saying the ceremony would be celebrated by a Vatican official, as is the norm for beatifications.

Francis, who disclosed his travel plans during an in-flight news conference on the way home from the Philippines, said the proposed African trips would likely take place at the end of 2015 to avoid the

rainy seasons. No dates were given for Ecuador, Bolivia or Paraguay, but the visits are likely in July, Vatican officials said. Francis also confirmed he hoped to visit Argentina, Chile and Uruguay in 2016 — and Peru at some point.

The Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, stressed that the travel plans were “provisional and that nothing has been decided.”

Francis said he would have loved to have entered the U.S. via the Mexican border, saying it would have been a “beautiful thing, as a sign of brotherhood and of help to the immigrants.”

“But you know that going to Mexico without going to visit the Madonna (of Guadalupe) would be a drama. A war could break out!” he said, laughing. He said a Mexico visit would come in the future.

Speaking as his plane passed through Chinese airspace, Francis again expressed his openness to going to China, and denied recent speculation that he had turned down a requested audience with the Dalai Lama out of fears of angering Beijing.

Francis said the audience was rejected as a matter of Vatican protocol. “The reason was not a refusal of the person or fear of China,” he said.

China severed relations with the Holy See in 1951 after the communists took over. Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI and now Francis have sought to mend ties. ■

Children wave to say their final goodbye to visiting Pope Francis as the Philippine Air Lines (PAL) plane bearing the pontiff took off from Villamor Air Base in Pasay City for the flight back to Rome on Monday (Jan. 19, 2015).

OLIVER F. MARQUEZ / PNA

Palace expresses gratitude for successful Papal visit PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY MANILA — The Palace has expressed its gratitude to the Filipino people for the successful five-day state and apostolic visit of Pope Francis to the country.

“We thank our countrymen for their solidarity in ensuring the safety of the Pope: From the thousands who patiently lined the route of the papal motorcade; to the organizations that encouraged mindfulness and helped maintain order during the public engagements of the Pope; and to the millions who participated in the papal activities,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a statement posted at the Official Gazette (www.gov.ph) on Monday.

“We recognize the dedication of the different church groups that worked hand-in-hand with government. Their cooperation, as they kept in mind advisories for all the events, contributed to fostering an organized and peaceful papal visit,” he added.

Lacierda also thanked the media for relaying relevant information to the people and the telecommunications companies for their cooperation in ensuring public security.

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“The gratitude of the Filipino people extends to those not directly involved with the Pope’s security—those who manned different posts, as their colleagues were reassigned to safeguard the welfare of Pope Francis and of the many who came out to see him,” he said.

Meanwhile, in a press interview after the Pontiff boarded Shepherd One (Philippine Airlines Flight PR 8010) bound for Rome, President Benigno S. Aquino III said Pope Francis was “very, very happy”, when he was asked if the Pope was glad with the reception he received from the Filipinos.

“Tuwang-tuwa siya doon sa hospitality na ipinakita (sa kanya). Damang-dama daw niya ’yung warmth (The hospitality shown to him made him really happy. He said that he really felt the warmth),” he said.

“Inulit-ulit niya ang pasasalamat sa sambayanan na talagang ikinatuwa niya ang init ng pagsalubong na ginawa (He expresses again his thanks for the warm welcome we gave),” the President added.

Pope Francis left Manila on Monday morning after his state and pastoral visit to the country, concluding his twonation Asian tour which began in Sri Lanka. ■

12

Philippine News

President Benigno S. Aquino III shakes hand with His Holiness Pope Francis during the General Audience of senior Government Officials and members of the Diplomatic Corps at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace for the State Visit and Apostolic Journey to the Philippines of the pontiff on Friday (January 16).

JANUARY 23, 2015 FRIDAY

Manila Police District (MPD) Ground Commander Senior Supt. Napoleon Coronel uses a megaphone in reminding the crowd to maintain peace and order while waiting for the arrival of Pope Francis to hold Mass at the Manila Cathedral on Friday (Jan. 16, 2015).

JOEY O. RAZON / PNA

ROBERT VIÑAS / MALACAÑANG PHOTO BUREAU

Palace defends P-Noy blast at some Church people: It was the truth PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER A PALACE official yesterday defended President Aquino from critics who were dismayed at the Chief Executive for criticizing the Philippine bishops before Pope Francis last week during his call at Malacañang on Friday.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said that the President simply told the Pope the “truth.”

“The speech was a truthtelling statement. If you review the entire text you will understand the context. It was a narrative that was historically accurate and truthful and there was no singling out of any personality,” Coloma said in a press briefing.

“It was a personal testimony of someone who experienced the events he was talking about and became President and became the leader of the country that was welcoming the Pope.

It was a truthful statement and there was no other purpose for that statement except to tell the truth,” Coloma stressed.

While the President praised members of the clergy who fought against the Marcos dictatorship, he had strong words against those he believed took the cudgels for his predecessor, detained President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, now a Pampanga representative.

A columnist called Mr. Aquino an “uncouth” host while a Catholic blogger wrote that he showed “immaturity and insensitivity” in his speech before Francis.

Bayan Muna secretary general Renato Reyes said the President could have taken the occasion “to show humility and admit that more needs to be done to help the poor especially ’Yolanda’ victims.”

Reyes said Mr. Aquino “just couldn’t rise about his own concerns and pettiness.”

“In contrast, the Pope spoke not about himself but of the need to hear the cry of the poor and to reject corruption which worsens inequality and exclusion. He spoke about social issues. The two speeches were worlds apart in depth and relevance,” Reyes said. ■

Pope Francis, accompanied by President Benigno S. Aquino III, greets and blesses government employees after the arrival ceremonies inside the Malacanang compound on Friday (January 16, 2014).

RODOLFO MANABAT / MALACAÑANG PHOTO BUREAU

His Holiness Pope Francis, accompanied by Manila Archbishop Luis Cardinal Tagle, waves and blesses the crowd before holding a holy mass with the bishops, clergy and religious at the Manila Cathedral on Friday noon (January 16, 2015).

OLIVER MARQUEZ / PNA

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Philippine News

FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2015

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(Left photo) The Philippine National Police-National Capital Region (PNP-NCR) personnel on standby along Roxas Blvd., awaiting for the motorcade of Pope Francis on Thursday (Jan. 15). (Right photo) Members of the MMDA Auxiliary Brigade assisting the PNP as the motorcade of the Holy Pontiff gathered huge volume of Catholic devotees along the road going to the Papal Nunciature from Villamor Airbase.

MARVIE A. LLOREN / PNA

Pope Francis leaving the UST complex waves to the crowd after the Holy Mass and meeting with the youth and religious leaders at the sports field of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila on Sunday(January 18,2015) before proceeding to Rizal Park.

Pope mobile goes closer to the crowd near the Rizal Monument as Pope Francis blesses the millions of Filipino devotees who attended the Holy Mass on Sunday (January 18, 2015).

GIL S. CALINGA / PNA

Pope Francis makes his farewell wave to the Filipino people before entering the Philippine Air Lines (PAL) plane that flew him back to Rome on Monday (Jan. 19, 2015) from Villamor Air Base in Pasay City after his five-day pastoral visit to the Philippines.

OLIVER MARQUEZ / PNA

People cheer as the convoy bearing Pope Francis arrives at the UST complex for the encounter with the youth and meeting with religious leaders at the sports field of the Pontifical University in Manila on Sunday (January 18,2015).

OLIVER F. MARQUEZ / PNA

JOEY O. RAZON / PNA

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Philippine News

JANUARY 23, 2015 FRIDAY

Why you need a Pope Francis in your life

BY THELMA SIOSON SAN JUAN Philippine Daily Inquirer EXCEPT FOR a friend who chose to fly out to Hong Kong to sit out the papal visit, I don’t know of anyone else who isn’t ebullient about the coming of Pope Francis to the Philippines, or isn’t interested in it, at the very least. It’s as if this very public event is bringing a personal milestone to each person’s life, no matter one’s religion or atheism or agnosticism. Why? It could be because Pope Francis—the social media Pope—has turned the papacy into a very personal matter for multitudes of people worldwide. This is one pope you not only can identify with, it’s as if you also own him.

He’s all yours and represents what you want to be, indeed, what you want in life.

At a time when stress rules your life and when uncertainty, if not hardship and violence, rules the world outside, there’s a Pope Francis who gives you a feeling of security, a sense of right, even love. This pope has successfully conveyed that message even to the most jaded, cynical person out there—from the most powerful to the downtrodden, from the rich to the poor, from a winner to a loser, especially a loser.

In this day and age, the more successful or powerful

Pope Francis comforting the survivors of super typhoon "Yolanda" in Palo, Leyte on Saturday.

BENHUR ARCAYAN / MALACAÑANG PHOTO BUREAU / PNA

or wealthy you are, the more alienated you feel. The Internet or the mobile phone—indeed, the technology of connectivity—has a way of making more pronounced a person’s sense of alienation, especially in the city, in a life on the fast lane.

The oddest thing is how today’s cynical and materialistic generation, including the corporate rat racers, has come to embrace Pope Francis and appropriate him as its inspiration.

Ordinariness

Pope Francis has come to

represent a friend you need in life—something one never thought one could say of a structured institution like the Catholic Church. To the surprise of many, the Catholic Church has allowed social media to give the public a glimpse of the Pope’s ordinariness, indeed human-ness. A tyke tugging at the Pope’s habit. A pope joining the cafeteria queue.

A pope watching the World Cup with the Swiss Guards (he could root for a team?). Never has a leader’s character been conveyed so lucidly and power-

fully through social media, as in the case of Pope Francis.

As a result, you and Pope Francis are tight—or so you feel.

And a Pope Francis is exactly what you need at this point in your life because: He is a good man. And his is a goodness that is doable. Just Google his New Year’s resolutions. He restores your faith in the goodness of men—something that some jerks in your life tried to take away. He is simple. There’s a photo of him with his trainers peeking out from under his priestly garb. If

you feel lost and deprived amid the tsunami of brands you can’t afford, yet lust for, this image of Pope Francis is an instant cure to your addiction.

He doesn’t condemn gays to hell. This is comforting because your best friends are all gays.

He is merciful and compassionate. It’s good to have someone who understands why you have sinned.

He is turned off by corporate politics. Read his message to cardinals and priests and you suddenly feel you have an ally in your corporate jungle.

He doesn’t like to see his face on billboards and tarps. He wants Christ’s face on them instead. To a generation reared in an environment misshapen by trapos, this is Christ-sent.

He doesn’t preach; he talks to you instead. This is something you wish your parent did to you, and wish you could do as a parent.

With him, the poor, the downtrodden and the anguished come first. At certain points in your life, you’re one or the other, or all of the above.

He’s got your back. You feel protected—even if he hasn’t even met you. As one kid said in an INQUIRER Lifestyle interview, “Pope Francis would go from classroom to classroom to say hi!” You leap beyond belief, into faith. He is cool. Like you.

He’s only a tweet away. Just like the friend you stalk. ■

’If Church’...

Speaking in Italian, he said “institutions have branches,” so the bureaucratic setup bred corruption because there were many “many chiefs and vice chiefs.”

The Argentinian Pope said he asked once a Cabinet minister perceived to be clean how much government assistance would really reach the “interior,” and the reply was “35 percent.”

“That was in 2001 in my homeland,” he said. “Today, corruption is a worldwide problem.”

He agreed that corruption even affects the Church. He considered even Catholics working in government and secular professions as part of the Church who cause “scan❰❰ 4

dal” because of their corrupt ways.

Throwaway culture

’Really ugly’

“We Christians cause scandal,” he said.

He agreed that corruption may have reached ecclesiastical service and religious life.

“Do we consecrated bishops, priests, sisters, laity truly believe that the gravest sin and the greatest threat is wordliness? It’s really ugly when you see a consecrated man, a man of the Church, a sister, who is worldly,” he said. “It’s ugly. This is not the way of Jesus.”

Sinners and corrupt

The Pope distinguished between sinners and corrupt people.

OLIVER MARQUEZ / PNA

The Church, he said, has “many saints, saints who are sinners but not corrupt.”

“Wemust also look at the other side of the Church that is holy,” he added. www.canadianinquirer.net

The Pope thanked Filipino journalist Jhemmylrut Teng (aka “Carla Lim”) of TV5 for “having the courage to ask the question” about Church corruption.

He called corruption a form of state terrorism and linked it to his favorite concept of the “throwaway culture.”

Taking note of a journalist’s observation of the large presence of street children in Manila and of Tamil slums in Colombo, he said poor people “are the victims of the throwaway culture.”

“This is true today: They don’t just discard the paper and what’s left over,” he said. “We throw away people. And discrimination is a form of throwing away.”

“State terrorism,” he added, “this throwing away is terrorism exactly.” ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2015

15

LTFRB sets workshop on Uber controversy

BY JAYMEE T. GAMIL Philippine Daily Inquirer

These firms rely on mobile applications to connect passengers with drivers of private vehicles in the case of Uber and franchised taxi services in the case of GrabTaxi and EasyTaxi.

During the workshop, policies would be drafted defining TNCs as a new mode of public

Last year, Uber came under fire after taxi operators complained that it was offering illegal taxi services as it did not THE LAND Transportation have a franchise. This promptFranchising and Regulatory ed the LTFRB to arrest an Uber Board (LTFRB) will be conpartner-driver in October for ducting a workshop to finalize operating a “colorum” vehicle. regulations regarding onlineIn November, the LTFRB held enabled transa public hearportation servicing on whether es such as Uber, Uber and similar GrabTaxi and “online-enabled EasyTaxi. transportation In an adverservices” should tisement pubfall under govUber’s lawyer . . . insisted that Uber lished in newsernment superwas simply a“technology platform,” papers last vision. engaged in “private contracts of Friday, LTFRB At the hearcarriage” not covered by current Chair Wining, Uber’s lawLTFRB regulations. ston Ginez anyer, Donemark nounced that the Calimon of the workshop to be Quisumbing held on WednesTorres law firm, day afternoon at the main office land transportation service. It insisted that Uber was simply a in Quezon City to finalize rules would tackle rules on TNC ac- “technology platform,” engaged and regulations covering what creditation and the issuance in “private contracts of carthe board had called “Trans- of certificates of public conve- riage” not covered by current portation Network Compa- nience for vehicles operating LTFRB regulations. nies” (TNCs). under the scheme.

Calimon said that whether

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Uber’s partner vehicles should secure a franchise was still “a legal question” and that they

“would comply with appropriate regulations” once these were laid out. ■

Opinion

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JANUARY 23, 2015 FRIDAY

AS I SEE IT

‘Did you see him?’

By Neal H. Cruz Philippine Daily Inquirer THERE WERE many very touching moments during Pope Francis’ visit.

My heart broke for the little girls who cried because the Pope was not able to see them dance upon his arrival at the airport last Thursday. The Pope’s attention was drawn away by the welcoming committee of Cabinet members. The handshaking took so long because there were too many of them, and Pope Francis was then whisked away for the trip to the Apostolic Nunciature.

Those girls had been practicing the dances for so many days. They had been dancing on the airport tarmac long before the papal plane touched down. Imagine their disappointment when Pope Francis was not able to see them dance because they took him away too quickly.

Because of the Pope’s very tight schedule, the official ceremonies with public officials should have been kept to a minimum. President Aquino, representing the whole Filipino nation, would have been enough to welcome him at the airport. The Cabinet members were not needed there. They would meet him at Malacañang, any-

way. Nobody bothered to tell Fran- were not able to dialogue with His to be a jaded, hard-boiled newsman, cis about the waiting children. Had Holiness because he had to cut short but a lump always comes to my throat he known, he would have stopped to his trip due to the worsening weather. and tears to my eyes whenever I see watch them, talked to them, perhaps (Another plane that tried to take off these scenes, even just on television. even blessed them because he has a 30 minutes after the Pope’s plane did, I also cheer and clap my hands whensoft heart for children. was blown by a strong crosswind off ever I see him on television.

The next touching moment was the runway and got stuck in the mud.)

Now the greeting among friends the sight of a sea of people standing The survivors of the calamities were is “Nakita mo ba siya (Did you see in the rain at the airport tarmac in the reason he came here to the Philip- him)?” I asked a nurse if she had Tacloban. As far as the eye could see, pines, to give them comfort and hope, been watching the Pope on television thousands of people—many of whom but he was unable to do that. and she happily and proudly replied, came all the way “Nakita ko siya in from other islands person. NakipagsikI am supposed to be a jaded, hard-boiled newsman, in the Visayas and sikan ako (I saw him but a lump always comes to my throat and tears to my eyes Mindanao, as well in person. I braved whenever I see these scenes, even just on television. as from the island the crowds).” of Luzon—watched And that is true the Pope say Mass as the rain brought Isn’t it ironic that the survivors of of most Filipinos. They can watch by a typhoon pelted them.

Supertyphoon “Yolanda” who badly Pope Francis in comfort on televiIt was also touching to see the Pope needed the comforting presence of sion at home, and in close-up yet, but celebrate Mass wrapped in a clear the Pope were deprived of that privi- they would rather see him in person yellow plastic raincoat, the same lege by another typhoon? and brave long walks and many hours thing that the thousands of faithful I am also filled with emotion when- of patient waiting along crowded were wearing to protect them from ever crowds along the papal route streets to do that. Most of those who the rain and brisk wind. break out in shrieks and screams of attended the Masses and other pubDuring that Mass, many were joy and happiness and dance in the lic gatherings went to the sites the shown close-up crying in happiness streets and wave their hands at the night before to make sure they get as they listened to the words of Fran- Pope whenever he passes by. What a good spot to see him. Those who cis. Those watching in their homes is it but love that makes one want to heard Mass at the Rizal Park yesterfelt like crying, too. shout and dance and sing and clap day afternoon, were there as early It was heartbreaking that the sur- and wave at the sight, even just a as Saturday afternoon, waiting in vivors of the typhoon and earthquake glimpse, of the Pope. I am supposed the rain. Those who already saw him

came back to see him again and again.

The people feel blessed just by seeing him.

For many months and even years hence, many Filipinos would be going about their daily business remembering the happiness that they had felt when they caught a glimpse of the Pope. An old woman told me, “If the Pope comes near me. I can die then and there happily.”

When Pope Francis was telling our leaders to end corruption and materialism during his short remarks in Malacañang, many of the public officials there were looking away. Why were they doing that? They couldn’t take the truth? They were ashamed of themselves?

Now our officials know that the Pope knows that they have been sinning. God sees the truth but waits. As I said in an earlier column, God, during biblical days, sent lightning and plagues to punish sinners on earth.

Now He sends the Pope, not to punish but to reform them, and to give aid and comfort to those who are suffering. May the Pope’s latest visit spark a spiritual renewal among our leaders so that they will eschew graft and corruption because it is evil.? ■

AT LARGE

It’s time for reflection

By Rina Jimenez-David Philippine Daily Inquirer HE CONDUCTED himself with all the charm and moxie of an old-time politician. During the interminable motorcades to and from his destinations, he repeatedly stopped the vehicle he was on to take babies and toddlers in his arms, hugging them, kissing them. When he spotted elderly in wheelchairs, he would pause, offering them a few words of comfort. And during a visit to a shelter for street children, as well as during his last liturgical ritual in Manila, he took the children in his arms, giving them warm hugs, a few words of comfort, and even some tokens.

One could say Pope Francis won the hearts and minds of Filipinos wherever he went during his fourday visit. Even normally hardened TV commentators confessed to tearing up and feeling an inexplicable thrill whenever the popemobile so much as passed before their eyes. He was indeed a “rock star” Pope in a land already much besotted with religious imagery and authority.

Not surprisingly, many tweeted or posted that they felt Christ’s palpable presence “even just by watching the Pope on TV.” This, even if Pope Francis had insisted time and again

that the Catholic faithful should not lavish him with attention but rather use him as a conduit to think more deeply, feel more deeply, and bring their love to action, for Christ whose mere vicar he was.

But what to do with Filipinos’ penchant for judging and seeing things in a personal context? Often, I wondered how much of the public euphoria was due to the Pope’s charms, and how much was truly inspired by faith and piety. ** BUT now that the Pope has boarded his Philippine Airlines flight back to Rome, and we have seen the last of the white-and-yellow banners, heard the last of the “Pope Fran-cis, we love you!” chants, and are confronted only with the trash left behind by devout followers; now that all of that is over, perhaps it’s time for a more sober evaluation.

True to his chosen theme of “mercy and compassion” for this four-day visit, Pope Francis went back time and again to the need for social justice, for seeing, feeling and acting on our best intentions for our neighbors, and for showing in words and deeds our care not just for other Filipinos— especially the poor and helpless—but also for the environment, for our families, for our communities.

Now, are we ready to listen, remember, and reflect on these admonitions? Are we ready, as he counseled us, to “cry” and open our hearts to the cries of street children and the poor and neglected? The time for sober reflection has come. *** INEXPLICABLE is the word for the continued refusal of South Korean aviation authorities to grant a local airline, South East Asian Airlines (better known as Seair) permission to begin charter operations between our two countries.

The reason given by the Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, which oversees the International Air Transport Division, is that Seair has yet to get clearance from the European Union which, together with the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States and the International Civil Air Organization, imposed a ban on Philippine-based airlines six years ago.

But given reforms covered by a new law and a restructured Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, the sanctions and restrictions imposed by the three bodies have been lifted. And the only reason Seair has not seen fit to get a clearance from the EU, say airline officers, is that

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there is no need for such an action since Seair does not fly to or land in any European destination.

The hard line taken by South Korea against a Philippine carrier, says Avelino Zapanta, the Seair president and CEO, is a “sign of disrespect” not just against the airline but against “the Philippines as a country.”

This is because there is a current and applicable air service agreement between Korea and the Philippines, an agreement Korean airlines have been taking advantage of through frequent regular and charter flights to and from Manila and the popular destination Boracay. The largest Philippine airlines—PAL and Cebu Pacific—likewise have taken advantage of the agreement by mounting frequent flights to Korean destinations. ** ZAPANTA and other Seair officers are puzzled over the intransigence of Korean aviation authorities over their application for license to conduct charter flights mainly to and from Caticlan, the nearest airport to Boracay. This is because Korean airlines have already been launching charter flights to Boracay.

One other factor adds to the puzzlement of Seair officers. To service the potentially lucrative Korean

charter market, Seair has leased a plane from a European carrier that has been certified for safety by the EU. In fact, Seair has invited Korean authorities to conduct an audit of the airline in the country, with Seair shouldering their expenses. Inexplicably, South Korea refused to conduct a visual audit, saying they had already conducted an evaluation based on the documents submitted

by Seair.

What gives? South Korea is admittedly a major market for Philippine tourism, accounting for the largest number of foreign tourist arrivals.

And Seair, it must be pointed out, is one of the pioneers (if not THE pioneer) of air services to and from Boracay, and in its many years of operation has racked up an impressive safety record.

South Korea’s insistence on gaining a clearance from the EU, which is not really needed, says Zapanta, is an “unfair and unjustified” demand.

As it is, he adds, there is already a shortage of seats for the number of Korean tourists wanting to visit the Philippines. It would thus serve both countries well to encourage air traffic between the Philippines and South Korea. Why then are the Koreans dragging their feet on this issue? ■

Opinion

FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2015

17

ANALYSIS

Palace-bishops row mars papal visit

By Amando Doronila Philippine Daily Inquirer

tated area under driving rain.

POPE Francis repeated his denunciation of political corruption in the Philippines on the second day of his pastoral visit in Tacloban City on Saturday.

In the text of his homily during the Mass for survivors of the most devastating typhoon that hit the country in 2013, the Pope, in an impassioned message, denounced “so many tragic signs of evil” in the relief and recovery operations mounted in the wake of Supertyphoon “Yolanda.”

Although Francis acknowledged that the victims of the typhoon were beneficiaries of the “generosity of so many people and so many small miracles of goodness” from the international community, he pilloried the slow and chaotic response of the national government and local authorities in coming to the aid of the victims.

“You have also seen, in the profiteering, the looting and the failed responses to this great human drama, so many tragic signs of the evil from which Christ came to save us,” he said.

Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) left more than 6,300 people dead and 1,000 missing. About 1.5 million families were affected while over 910,000 families were dislocated. The Pope was prompted to make an appeal to authorities after a tour of the devas-

Greater trust “Let us pray that, this, too, will lead us to greater trust in the power of God’s grace to overcome sin and selfishness,” he said. “Let us pray that it will lead to a rejection of all forms of injustice and corruption, which by stealing from the poor, poison the very roots of society.”

After his tour, the Pontiff appeared to have been shaken by what he saw and was told by the victims, prompting him to call for fair treatment of the victims, especially the poor.

In his prepared address for the clergy and religious at Palo Cathedral, he said, “I ask that the poor of this country be treated fairly—that their dignity be respected, that political and economic policies be just and inclusive, that opportunities for employment and education be developed, and the obstacles to delivery of social services be removed.”

“Our treatment of the poor is the criterion on which each of us will be judged,” he said.

From the heart The Pope discarded his prepared homily to speak from the heart, which enabled him to identify more closely with the plight of the victims.

The Vatican press office later lifted

the embargo, telling reporters the speech could be published.

The Tacloban outburst by the Pope was a sequel to the first encounter between Francis and President Aquino during his call in Malacañang on Friday.

It was triggered by the Pope’s references to corruption without particularly referring to the Aquino administration, which has extolled his administration as the paragon of rectitude in good governance. The Pope has made the visit to the disaster area as one of his priorities.

Moral imperative At the start of his first full day of his visit, the Pope met with President Aquino and other political leaders, urging them to reject corruption and promote “honesty, integrity and commitment to the common good.”

He said: “Today, the Philippines, together with many other countries in Asia, faces the challenge of building on solid foundations of a modern society—a society respectful of authentic human values, protective of our God-given human dignity and rights, ready to confront new and complex political and ethical questions. “As many voices in your nation have pointed out, it is now, more than ever, necessary that that political leaders be outstanding for honesty, integrity and commitment to the

common good. In this way they will help preserve the rich human and natural resources with which God has blessed this country. Thus will they be able to marshal the moral resources needed to face the demands of the present, and to pass on to coming generations a society of authentic justice, solidarity and peace.

“Essential to the attainment of these goals is the moral imperative of ensuring social justice and respect for human dignity.

“The great biblical tradition enjoins on all peoples the duty to hear the voice of the poor. It bids us to break the bonds of injustice and oppression which give rise to glaring, and, indeed scandalous, social inequalities. Reforming the social structures which perpetuate poverty and the exclusion of the poor first requires a conversion of mind and heart. The bishops of the Philippines had asked that this year be set aside as the ‘Year of the Poor.’ I hope that this prophetic summons will challenge everyone, at all levels of society, to reject every form of corruption…”

Inappropriate In response to the challenge, President Aquino, after meeting with the Pope, retorted that Church officials had been overly critical of him and silent about the abuses of past political leaders.

Mr. Aquino’s reaction drew criticism that it was inappropriate for the President to drag this discourse during the papal visit.

Some of the public reactions said the President had displayed vindictiveness. Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle described it as “a commentary on the previous administration.”

In his speech, the President criticized the bishops who remained silent about the abuses and corruption of the past, but who were now very outspoken against him, to the extent that one prelate had derided him to do something about his thinning hair, “as if it were a mortal sin.”

Archbishop Tagle said, “In many of his speeches since becoming the President, [Mr. Aquino] has referred to the previous and how he has inherited some of the problems that the former administration was not able to, or refused, to address. I heard a bit of that in his speech today. While today, while the silence of some bishops was mentioned, I think it was still a commentary on the previous administration.”

He said his impression was that (the words) were deeply rooted in the President’s personal experiences, including his own sufferings during the martial law years and his appreciation of the role of the Church at the time.. ■

reports of attempts against his life.

Yesterday afternoon during the first open and public mass at Rizal Park, a man in a [ sutana] was supposed to make another attempt. And a man, Camacho, was caught with an unlicensed .32 cal. revolver with ammo (nickel-plated) without license and no reason for his loitering at our box 15 minutes before our arrival.

“The crowd in Rizal Park was estimated to be one million, three hundred thousand. The crowd in this morning’s public mass at Quezon Memorial Circle was more. At Sto. Tomas yesterday morning, while 300,000 were expected there must have been 700,000.

“The Pope visited Tulingan in Tondo and Don Bosco as well as Magsaysay Barrio. But the people were a bit disappointed that he did not go down at Tulingan Center although he did at Don Bosco.

“Monseñor Velasco, spokesman and in charge of Press Relations of the Pope hierarchy, this afternoon stated over TV and Radio that the Pope’s life had been saved by a Filipino—the Philippine President.

“And Bobby Benedicto in New York called that ‘Today Philippines con-

tinues front page prominence New York Papers Stop From New York Times Quote 53 year old President Marcos pushed Pope out of assailants reach making Mendoza stumble into Mrs. Marcos and struck Mendoza with a karate chop Unquote. Newspapers also emphasize that Mendoza is not Filipino.’ The Philippine newspapers carry the statement of Mendoza saying he is positive that it was Pres.

Marcos who parried his knife and prevented the killing of the Pope.

“I have repeatedly refused to make any statement on the incident. ‘The less we talk about it, the better,’ I said in an interview after the Pope’s departure…”

Drowned in all these accounts is Paul VI, who said nothing and continued his trip without making his wounds known. Had the people in the airport crowd known that Mendoza had drawn blood, they would have mobbed him. Had the Philippine government known, Mendoza would have been sentenced to death. Had avenging Bilibid inmates known, Mendoza would have been killed in jail.

Only the Paul VI’s quiet forgiveness kept Benjamin Mendoza alive, and that in itself is grace. ■

LOOKING BACK

The pope’s ‘Gorilla’

By Ambeth R. Ocampo Philippine Daily Inquirer BISHOP PAUL Casimir Marcinkus (1922-2006) was not known in Rome as “Il Gorilla” for nothing. He towered over most people in the Vatican Curia because he stood at 6’4” without shoes. He weighed over 200 pounds, and, like a sumo wrestler, tackled a deranged Bolivian painter who attempted to assassinate Pope Paul VI in Manila in 1970, and again in 1982 when he pushed away a deranged Spanish priest who tried to stab Pope John Paul II during a pilgrimage to Fatima. Most sources today credit Marcinkus, not Ferdinand Marcos, for saving the life of Paul VI on the tarmac of the Manila International Airport in November 1970.

During the beatification of Paul VI last year, a reliquary with his bloodstained vestments was brought out for veneration, proof that he was indeed wounded in Manila, but hid this from the public until his death. His private secretary, Pasquale Macchi, who fended off the would-be assassin in Manila, said in 1979: “If you ask me what the pope’s most beautiful smile was, it came

during the attempt on his life in Manila. After I pushed back the attacker, who had wounded Paul in the chest, fortunately not lethally, I turned to face the pope. I will never forget his sweet smile. And when he met my eyes it was as if he was somehow chastising me for the violence with which I pulled the assailant away to the police. It was as if he was enjoying a moment of inspired joy.”

All these conflicting primary sources remind me of the Akira Kurosawa film “Rashomon,” about a rape told in four different and conflicting points of view to make the viewer reflect on the difficulty of finding the truth. In the diaries of Ferdinand Marcos, he takes credit for saving the life of the pope although many eyewitnesses of the incident said, in hushed voices, that Marcos was too far away from the action to have delivered the history-making karate chop. On the evening of Nov. 28, 1970, Marcos wrote: “There are many versions of who and how the would-be assassin was frustrated from killing the Pope with his dagger.

“The Manila Times, specially, has printed all kinds of stories including

that of a Times photographer, Manuel Valenzuela, who allegedly bumped into the assassin, Benjamin Mendoza, and thus revealed the dagger under the box and the crucifix, but I did not notice any shout or alarm from him.

“And some prelates claim they stopped or beat up Mendoza.

“They may have done so after he stabbed at the Pope twice and I parried his arm and chopped it twice.

“Well, today (this afternoon at about 4 PM) Mendoza cleared up everything and said that the one who stopped or frustrated his attempt to kill the Pope was President Marcos, who ‘parried his knife thrusts twice.’

Apparently, Mendoza was aiming high in the body because he said he aimed for the neck of the Pope.

“KBS carried this statement of Mendoza in their News Watch at 10:15 PM and Doroy Valencia at 10:30 PM on his Saturday night commentary in Channel 5. I suppose the papers will carry it tomorrow.

“I attach the picture of the incident and the sworn statement of Mendoza.” On Nov. 29, 1970, Marcos wrote: “The Pope left at 7:15 PM after our departure statements. We are relieved because there were repeated

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18

FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2015

Canada News

Express Entry Draw System to get economic immigrants into Canada faster set to begin at the end of January

NEWS BRIEFS

FROM THE CANADIAN PRESS

BY STEPHANIE LEVITZ The Canadian Press OTTAWA — The Conservative government’s overhaul of Canada’s immigration system hit a milestone Jan. 1, 2015 with the launch of a new system for selecting economic immigrants.

The Express Entry program is a mostly-computerized process which uses a set of criteria to assign a ranking to those interested in immigrating to Canada under the skilled worker program, skilled trades program and Canadian Experience Class program.

Though the government has long used a points system to determine who gets to immigrate, the new program is different in that it automates the process — and it also gives a big points boost those who already have a job lined up.

People with the highest rankings will then be formally invited by the Beginning at the end of January and somewhere between 15 and 25 times a year, the government to apply for the pro- government will hold draws to select candidates for permanent residency. Over the course of grams.

2015 the government is aiming to admit between 172,100 and 186,700 people this way.

The long-term goal is for the system to be used as a match-making takes far too long to bring in people selecting immigrants. service of sorts, connecting Canadian to fill vacant jobs, while those seeking employers with people who can fill to start a new life in Canada have also How will it work now open jobs for which no Canadians are complained their files languished, Under the new system, the governqualified. sometimes for years. ment will decide who can submit a “Express Entry promises to be a In part, the government has said, formal application to immigrate. game-changer As of Jan. 1, for Canadian imanyone with an migration and interest in comCanada’s econing to Canada omy,” Immigraunder an ecotion Minister Express Entry promises to be a game-changer nomic immigraChris Alexander for Canadian immigration and Canada’s tion program said last year. economy . . . It will revolutionize the way will have to cre“It will revoluwe attract skilled immigrants, and get them ate an online tionize the way working here faster. profile and regwe attract skilled ister with the immigrants, and federal job bank, get them workunless they aling here faster.” that’s because under the old system, ready have a job offer or invitation Here are five things to know about applications were processed in the from a provincial or territorial immiExpress Entry: order they were received. gration program.

That created massive backlogs and Periodically, the government will Why the change in 2012, the government decided hold a draw from the available pool of The Conservatives have sought to to wipe the slate clean, returning profiles and invite people who meet a retool the immigration system over 280,000 applications and $130 mil- certain threshold to apply for permathe last eight years to focus more on lion in fees associated with the fed- nent residency. economic immigrants. eral skilled worker program in order Employers have complained it to pave the way for a new method of ❱❱ PAGE 21 Express Entry

NO TIMETABLE TO TRAIN IRAQIS ON AIRSTRIKES OTTAWA — A senior Canadian military commander says it’s not clear how long it will be before Iraqi forces are able to call in coalition airstrikes against Islamic State fighters without Canada’s help. That candid acknowledgment

by Lt.-Gen. Jonathan Vance has critics fearing Canada is being dragged further into direct combat operations, contrary to what the Harper government has promised.

FEDS TO LOSE $4.3 BILLION FROM LOW OIL: STUDY OTTAWA — A new report by the Conference Board of Canada is predicting the oil-price collapse to cut federal revenues by $4.3 billion this year. The study also says lower crude prices will drain provincial income in 2015 — by nearly $10 billion.

IMF LOWERS ITS OUTLOOK FOR CANADIAN ECONOMY OTTAWA — The International Monetary Fund is downgrading its 2015 growth forecast for the Canadian economy as it lowers its overall outlook for global growth.The IMF’s latest economic projections say the world’s economy is getting a boost from lower oil prices.

TRUDEAU BLASTS HARPER’S ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT LONDON — Justin Trudeau is casting his refusal to be pinned down on economic policy as a sign he’s more prudent and fiscally responsible — and even more prime ministerial — than Stephen Harper, whom he accuses of making it up on the fly. The Liberal leader asserted Tuesday that the calamitous plunge in oil prices demonstrates how reckless Harper’s government has been in spending a budget surplus that is rapidly vanishing.

Canada News

FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2015

19

Canada out in front of U.S. when it comes to guiding Iraqi air strikes

BY MURRAY BREWSTER The Canadian Press OTTAWA — In helping Kurdish fighters direct air strikes against Islamic State forces in Iraq, the Canadian military may have put itself out front of even its closest ally.

The U.S. military is not using its special forces operators in front line positions, an American spokesman confirmed Tuesday.

President Barack Obama has been under pressure from Republicans, defence experts and high-profile advisers to loosen restrictions on the roughly 3,100 U.S. troops who are conducting an advise-and-assist mission similar to the one authorized for Canada by the Harper government.

Maj. Curtis Kellogg, a spokesman for the U.S. Central Command, which oversees the allied coalition, said there has been no change in American policy, which has its soldiers running

training missions on bases.

Defence experts argue that the operation needs forward air controllers to pinpoint targets for air attacks.

“Our policy has been that we are not providing that type of forward air support control from the front lines,” Kellogg said.

U.S. commanders have, in the past, defended the policy of allowing Iraqi and Kurdish fighters to suggest targets, which are then checked out by coalition surveillance drones — or aircraft, such as Canada’s CP-140 Auroras.

Canada’s commander of special forces, who says his troops have directed air strikes on 13 occasions, says their work gives the coalition confidence that the targets are legitimate.

Brig.-Gen. Mike Rouleau also said that confidence made the process faster and safer not only for Iraqi and Kurdish troops, but civilians as well.

Foreign policy expert Roland Paris of the University of Ottawa said it’s fascinating that Canada

is potentially further ahead of the U.S. when it comes to prosecuting this aspect of the war.

“The Americans could be doing it covertly. You just don’t know what you’re not being told,” said Paris, who pointed out that no other allies, including Britain, France and Australia, have acknowledged carrying out similar front-line duties.

“Based on what’s been revealed to date, Canada seems to be more directly engaged in the ground war in Iraq than even the U.S. That’s unexpected and striking.”

Paris said he could only speculate on why the situation has evolved that way. It is possible, he said, that American commanders — feeling hamstrung by administration policy — asked allies to help. It is also conceivable that Canadian commanders took the initiative.

Rouleau said his troops are doing something the Iraqis cannot. Paris wonders what happens when local forces go on the offensive later this year to retake territory from extrem-

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ists, particularly Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city.

Urban combat is much more fluid and tricky than fighting in relatively static positions, the way the campaign is conducted now.

When asked on Monday when the Iraqis will be able to direct air strikes on their own, Canada’s top operations commander Lt.-Gen. Jonathan Vance said he expects that “down the road, the Iraqi air force and army will be able to bring in, and guide on” air strikes.

The revelations sparked heated political debate Tuesday, as opposition parties pointed to earlier assurances from both the government and top military commanders that the special forces were only engaged in training.

Speaking in Toronto, NDP Leader Tom Mulcair said Monday’s news contradicts Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s promise that the special forces would not go into battle.

“Canadian soldiers are not accompanying the Iraqi forces

into combat,” Harper told the Commons on Sept. 30.

Mulcair said the lack of transparency on the part of the government is shocking.

“The prime minister has not been honest with Canadians on this issue,” Mulcair said. “He has to come clean and he has to do it quickly. Every time he was asked, he said, ‘No, they would not be involved in combat.’ And every time they were involved in combat, we asked and they said, ‘No, it is not a combat mission.’

“And Canadians deserve better than word games from their prime minister.”

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau said he has no problem with troops defending themselves, referring to a recent incident where Canadian trainers came under fire while visiting the front line and shot back.

The issue of guiding air strikes is totally separate, Trudeau said, and Harper has not been “open and frank” with Canadians since the beginning. ■

Canada News

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JANUARY 23, 2015

FRIDAY

Magnotta wants new trial in Jun Lin killing

BY SIDHARTHA BANERJEE The Canadian Press MONTREAL — Luka Rocco Magnotta is appealing his conviction in the first-degree murder of Jun Lin and wants a new trial.

Documents made public by the Quebec Court of Appeal on Monday outline several reasons for Magnotta’s attempt to have the five convictions annulled, including the one for killing Lin. The appeal centres primarily on a number of instances in which the defence suggests the judge erred in the case.

After a lengthy trial, jurors deliberated for eight days before finding Magnotta guilty on Dec. 23 of premeditated murder and four other charges in Lin’s slaying in May 2012.

The first-degree murder conviction carried a sentence of life imprisonment with no chance of parole for 25 years.

Magnotta, 32, was also given the maximum sentences on the four other charges.

The documents filed by Toronto-based lawyer Luc Leclair state Quebec Superior Court Justice Guy Cournoyer erred in a number of instances.

“The verdicts are unreasonable and unsupported by the evidence and the instructions,” one of two motions filed by Leclair read.

One motion is a direct appeal of the convictions based on questions of law and could take many months to be heard.

In it, the defence argues Cournoyer erred by: — including an instruction to the jury on motive that confused the issue of intent, planning and deliberation, all while failing to tell them motive had to refer specifically to Lin’s murder.

— failing to instruct jurors on a limited use of “bad character” evidence relating to Magnotta.

Luka Rocco Magnotta is appealing his conviction in the first-degree murder of Jun Lin and wants a new trial, claiming the judge erred in a number of instances during the case.

LUKA-MAGNOTTA.COM

— limiting the number of subjects to be covered in surrebuttal — rebuttal to the Crown’s own expert rebuttal witness.

— and allowing the jury to discuss the case from the onset instead of waiting until after closing submissions and final instructions were complete.

Leclair also argues Cournoyer erred in instructions he provided on the Section 16 mental disorder defence Magnotta employed.

In the second motion, Magnotta is seeking leave to appeal on questions of “mixed fact and law” which will require the authorization of the province’s highest court to go forward.

A spokesman for Quebec’s director of criminal and penal prosecutions says the appeal doesn’t come as a shock.

“For the moment it’s not a surprise for us because the ac-

cused was convicted of firstdegree murder, so it’s usual that the accused appeals that kind of infraction and that kind of conviction,” Jean-Pascal Boucher said in an interview.

The appeal is likely months away as transcripts need to be filed and the prosecution must also submit its reply to the appeal.

“For the moment, we won’t talk about the legal problem invoked by the appellant,” Boucher said. “We will have to do that in our factum.”

A prosecutor specializing in appeals will likely take on the case, Boucher said.

“They are specialists in that kind of case so we’ll see in the next few weeks who will be the prosecutor in this fight in front of the Quebec Court of Appeal,” he said.

The appeal documents were

dated last Thursday and include a notice that a hearing will take place in Montreal on Feb. 18.

Leclair denied to comment further when reached by telephone.

Magnotta admitted to killing and dismembering Lin but was seeking to be found not criminally responsible by way of mental disorder.

Psychiatrists who testified for the defence said he was in a psychotic state the night of the killing and couldn’t tell right from wrong.

The Crown countered the crime was planned and deliberate and that Magnotta’s behaviour and actions were incompatible with those of someone supposedly suffering from a disease of the mind.

The jury heard testimony about the gruesome details of

Lin’s death and that many of Magnotta’s actions were caught on surveillance video or in images taken by the accused himself.

They also heard about Magnotta’s upbringing and delved into medical files that showed he was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2001.

In the roughly 48 hours following the slaying, Magnotta cut up Lin’s body into 10 pieces, mailing the hands and feet to political offices in Ottawa and primary schools in Vancouver.

He also bought a plane ticket for Paris online.

When police put out a warrant for his arrest, Magnotta emptied his bank accounts and fled to Berlin on the same day.

He was ultimately arrested in an Internet cafe in the German city on June 4, 2012, where a witness said Magnotta was reading up on himself.

He was eventually transferred to a Berlin prison hospital, where a psychiatrist’s initial diagnosis was that he was psychotic.

The other charges Magnotta was convicted of were criminally harassing Prime Minister Stephen Harper and other members of Parliament; mailing obscene and indecent material; committing an indignity to a body; and publishing obscene materials.

A Montreal lawyer representing the Lin family says they have been informed of the appeal.

Daniel Urbas said the family had inquired after the verdicts about a possible appeal. He told them Cournoyer was “experienced, talented and careful” and regularly sought consensus from both prosectuion and defence.

Urbas said the family were reassured that the consensus “eliminated most any grounds of appeal for the decisions he had to take.” ■

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FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2015

21

Alaska brushes off Canada’s legal warning over ‘Buy American’ spat in B.C.

BY MURRAY BREWSTER The Canadian Press

“The reason Gov. Walker chose not to seek the waiver is that Alaskans and Americans benefit from the Buy America requirement,” she said.

OTTAWA — Alaska is refusing to budge The Canadian government signed the after the Harper government issued a FEMA order for the Prince Rupert projlegal threat over the state’s plan to build ect, which is expected to cost around on Canadian soil with exclusively Amer- US$15 million, on the grounds it hurts ican iron and steel. the country’s interests.

In fact, the Alaskans insisted Tuesday Fast’s office has said the only other that they’re moving ahead with their time Ottawa used FEMA was in 1992 project to build a new ferry terminal in in response to a U.S. attempt to restrict British Columbia — protectionist provi- trade between Cuba and Americansions and all. owned subsidiaries based in Canada.

This week, the Canadian government The order permits Ottawa to take actook the unusual step of signing a legal tion against the project’s winning bidder order to prevent Alaska from imposing if it follows protectionist U.S. legislation “Buy American” policies on the con- — action that could lead to fines against struction work in the B.C. coastal city of the contractor and police investigations.

Prince Rupert.

A conviction under FEMA could mean International Trade Minister Ed Fast a fine of up to $1.5 million for a corporawent on the offensive after the state re- tion or up to $150,000 for an individual, jected Ottawa’s demands that it aban- as well as up to five years behind bars, don a rule requiring the Prince Rupert according to information provided project to use only U.S.-made materials. Tuesday by a spokesman for Fast.

The rarely used Foreign Extraterrito“A waiver would have resolved this isrial Measures Act would enable Ottawa sue, allowing it to move forward without to impose fines and take legal action delay,” Rudy Husny wrote in an email. against the project’s winning bidder if it “Alaska is denying Canadian compacomplies with the Buy American provi- nies, on Canadian soil, the opportunity sions. to compete, and the But an official in clear benefits that the Alaska governor’s arise from our inteoffice said Tuesday grated supply chain.” that the state intends The minister to proceed with the Alaska is wasn’t immediately ongoing call-for-tendenying available for comders process and will Canadian ment Tuesday, Husdeal with Canadian companies, ny said. legal manoeuvres as on Canadian Asked about the lethey come. soil, the gal risks contractors “We’re going to reopportunity could face from Canspond to that action to compete. ada, Eckert respondif and when it oced: “We’re going to curs,” Patricia Eckert let the bid process told The Canadian proceed and trust Press in an interview. that people will make Eckert, associate their own decisions.” director for international trade in Gov. The construction project is part of an Bill Walker’s office, said the last day to agreement in a 50-year lease signed in submit bids for the ferry project is Fri- 2013 between the Prince Rupert Port day.

Authority and the Alaska Department of She said she expects Canadian compa- Highways. nies, if they choose to bid on the project, The Alaska Marine Highway has operwould be “highly competitive.” ated the terminal for more than 50 years But since the project is receiving 91 as well as ferry service between Prince per cent of its funding from the U.S. fed- Rupert and the state. eral government, and just nine per cent Eckert said if the cross-border disfrom Alaska, it must adhere to “Buy pute causes an “inordinate delay,” the American” restrictions. That means the Alaskan government is prepared to project must use U.S. iron and steel. continue its ferry service using existing Fast said Monday that Canada asked facilities in Prince Rupert for the next the governor to seek a waiver to remove several years, or until the feud is sorted the protectionist barrier. Walker de- out. clined that request, Eckert said.

“There’s no emergency,” she said. ■

Express Entry... ❰❰ 18

How to get an invitation

Upon completing a profile, every applicant will be assigned a score via a computer program.

The Comprehensive Ranking System formula assigns a score of out 1,200 based on four elements: core factors such as age and education, spousal factors, skills transferability and whether or not a person already has a job offer or an invite from a provincial or territorial immigration program.

That final factor gets an applicant an additional 600 points, which automatically leads to an invitation to apply.

The draws

Beginning at the end of January and somewhere between 15 and 25 times a year, the government will hold draws to select candidates for permanent residency.

The timing and number of people selected will vary so the government can take into account factors such as fluctuations in the labour market or the number of actual profiles in the pool.

Over the course of 2015 the government is aiming to admit between 172,100 and 186,700 people in the economic class of immigrants, so draws will

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work towards that goal.

The government will publish the date and time of each draw, the number of candidates who will get an invitation and, if applicable, which specific immigration program will be included.

What happens next

After each draw, the government will indicate how many invitations were issued and also the lowest-ranked score it accepted.

Those who receive an invitation will have 60 days to file a formal immigration application.

Until this point, all of the selection process will have been done by computer but now a real person takes over in order to review the documentation and screen the applicant.

The government says from the moment at which a complete application is received to a final decision being made will be six months or less in 80 per cent of cases.

Later in 2015, the government plans to tweak the system further, allowing employers access to the pool of applicants to proactively search for people who might be a good fit for open jobs, provided no Canadians can be found for the position. ■

22

FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2015

Pope Francis

Beyond Mere Pontification

BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer IT ALL began with a video shown to me by one of my publishers. The clip was taken by a family (whom I presumed Italian, based on their excited chatter) while they eagerly and patiently waited by the side of a small road on the outskirts of some presumably small Italian village. From their manner of dress, you could tell they were simple folk.

“This must be on the way to the summer residence,” my publisher opined. Maybe so.

Among the family members was a young man laid out in a cot. It looked to me like he was perhaps paralyzed, or gravely ill. A convoy of cars appeared in the distance, and the family grew even more excited. As the convoy neared, one of the cars suddenly pulled over.

Who should alight from the car?

None other than Pope Francis.

The celebrated “People’s Pope” prayed over the young man, hugged the old lady, kissed the baby, touched the rest of the family on the shoulder, the arm, the head. There were cheers and there were tears. After many more than merely a few moments, the Pope reentered his vehicle and drove off, waving as the car made its way to wherever their destination was.

That video made quite an impression upon my heart of hearts. You see, I am not at all religious, nor am I at all Catholic. But I know compassion when I see it.

Compassion, generally defined as God’s love in action, gets you to stop and put your own agenda aside in consideration of others. This is a rare commodity these days, in which people seem so self-absorbed and self-centered.

I was moved by what I saw, by what I felt. Little did I know that I — a non-Catholic, nonreligious, Goth-rocker-chick — had become a closet Pope fan of sorts. Gasp!

This did not seem like the mere pontification I had, on

Pope Francis leads the Holy Mass on Sunday (Jan. 18, 2015) at the Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park, Manila. The Holy Mass coincided with the Feast of Santo Nino.

OLIVER MARQUEZ / PNA

numerous occasions, seen with popes past. This somehow seemed beyond that.

And so I, along with millions of others, found myself just about glued to the television for the duration of Pope Francis’ first-ever apostolic trip to the Philippines. My mother eyeballed me with suspicion; it was, after all, unlike me to sit through a religious gathering, televised or otherwise.

I was still wary of the morethan-a-bit-over-the-top preparations of the Philippine government for the pope’s arrival (closure of the country’s international airport, massive rerouting of traffic, cancellation of classes and work , excessive spending, that sort of thing) But then again, I supposed that the paranoia was rooted in the fact that there had been assassination attempts on both Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II during their trips to the country in 1970 and 1995, respectively. The over-the-top measures were reflective of the nation being twice shy after having been bitten. These were demonstrations of Asia’s Catholic bastion employing every

possible ounce of prevention to avoid that pound of cure.

Pope-cum-Rockstar

The pope is by and large considered the ultimate Rockstar of the Roman Catholic fandom.

Viewed as the emissary of Jesus Christ, the pope is the voice of the Roman Catholic Church and the rallying point of those who adhere to its tenets.

And — most especially since Filipinos are so easily starstruck — it came as no surprise that the nation came out to greet Pope Francis with a welcome nothing short of rapturous. The body count was at an estimated 800,000 — 1M people strong, stretched throughout the streets of the papal motorcade, rhythmically cheering “We love You, Pope Francis! “ As also expected, social media went berserk with well-wishes, posts, prayers, greetings, and — from those on the other side of the fence — critical reactions and heckles. Pope Francis was given the moniker “Lolo Kiko” by his admirers. The hashtag #PopeTYSM (Thank You Sa Malasakit) was trending in no time.

There were those who called it mass hysteria, or euphoria brought on by consuming the “opiate of the masses.”

Pope Francis may have known what to expect, as he had already been cautioned by his Vatican aides, prior to their departure from Colombo, Sri Lanka, where the papal tour began: “You haven’t seen anything yet. Wait till you get to the Philippines,” they said.

Spokesperson to the Vatican, Fr. Federico Lombardi, also commented: “Ah, the Philippines. Of course, of course, Filipinos will welcome the Pope by the millions.”

How right they were.

Yes, the Pope is akin to a Rockstar. But THIS pope, in particular, most fits the Rockstar bill. With his outspoken, often impulsive manner and tendency to rock the Catholic boat with his seemingly progressive views, he has gained millions of groupies not only within the Catholic fan base, but beyond its confines, as well.

Others like me

As it turned out, there were others like me. Thousands

upon thousands of others like me.

“I’m not Catholic, I’m not religious, but…” quickly rolled off the keypads and onto the posts of many a social media-user.

They cited varied reasons for Pope Francis mania: His beaming smile; magnetic charisma; the endearing, almost boyish manner with which he conducted himself; his zeal and energy; his compassion and caring spirit; the sense of hope he imparted to people; his warmth; the spontaneity so uncharacteristic of popes, in general; the spirit of inclusion which he demonstrated…etcetera.

Even in Sri Lanka, a predominantly Buddhist nation, the pope was greeted with warmth and great fervor. Christian and non-Christian Sri Lankans numbering in the tens of thousands came out to welcome Pope Francis on his visit to their nation, to canonize their first-ever saint.

People call it the “Pope Francis Effect,” something on which I still cannot quite put my finger. Presumably because the reasons are far too intangible, although the effects are most

Pope Francis

FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2015

certainly palpable.

White smoke

There are those who say, however, that the much-touted Pope Francis Effect is nothing more than a very well-orchestrated public relations ploy schemed up by Vatican spindoctors. An article published in Salon.com on June 23, 2014 slammed Pope Francis’ progressive image as mere “white smoke and mirrors.”

“The image of Pope Francis is that he is a breath of fresh air, more progressive on social issues than his predecessor and a kinder, gentler pope. But when the facts are examined, you see that he is none of these things.

There is an enormous disconnect between who the pope really is in terms of his policies and his public relations image, as crafted by the Vatican’s PR man, previously with Fox News,” said Anna March, the article’s author.

Such as the pope’s stand on the use of contraceptives, for instance. That raised both my eyebrows. In a nation as severely overpopulated and impoverished as the Philippines, the Catholic Church’s contin-

ued ban on birth control is like a bullet to the head, when what we really need is a bullet to the reproductive parts.

So, there’s that (valid) opinion, from the other side of the fence.

Words of wisdom

times we’re too macho, and we don’t leave enough room for women. Women are able to see things with different eyes than us. Women are able to ask questions that men can’t understand. … When the next pope comes, please have more women and girls among your numbers,” Pope Francis said to a predominantly student audi-

in 2013, a visibly moved Pope Francis said: “So many of you have lost everything. I don’t know what to say to you. But the Lord does know what to say to you. Some of you have lost part of your families. All I can do is keep silent. And I walk with you all with my silent heart. Many of you have asked the Lord, why Lord? And to each of you, to your heart, Christ responds from His heart upon the cross.”

Nonetheless, there were nuggets of wisdom to be had from “Lolo Kiko.”

In his homily at the Rizal Park Mass: “We squander our God-given gifts Little did I know that I — a nonA Glimmer of by tinkering Catholic, nonreligious, Goth-rockerhope with gadgets. We chick — had become a closet Pope So where are we squander our fan of sorts.

Filipinos, at the money on gamend of the 5-day bling and drink. apostolic papal We turn in on visit? Are we at ourselves.

We a cross roads of forget to remain focused on the ence at the University of Santo sorts, or back to same-old-samethings that really matter,” the Tomas. old? Are these questions we even pontiff said.

In his meeting with families think to ask ourselves?

When asked by a 12-year-old at the Mall of Asia Arena, the Indeed, there are those who girl, formerly a street child, as pontiff encouraged everyone to think the reaction of the poputo why God allows the innocent “never give up on your dreams lace was over the top and irrato suffer, the pope answered for yourself, your family.” tional, akin to mass hysteria of that “there are some realities And to the people gathered sorts. Well, maybe it was a bit of that you can only see through under the pouring rain and all that. eyes that are cleansed by tears.” chilly wind in the city of TaI, however, see it as a reaction “Women have much to tell cloban, hardest-hit by Super of a people so burdened, and us in today’s society. Some- Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) — most likely — thirsting for

23 hope. Much as parched travelers through some arid, extreme, challenging desert would go crazy over the mere prospect — a mirage, even — of water.

Will a glimpse, an encounter, a wave, a message heard over the television or radio change anything much?

Probably not. At least, maybe not for the majority of that populace.

Will people still go back to being idiots and asses, come Tuesday, after the pope’s departure from the nation?

Probably so.

Will the Philippines still be the scumbag-infested, corrupt crap-hole that it generally can be, and often is?

Perhaps. Very likely, even.

THEN AGAIN...maybe we cannot underestimate the power a glimmer of hope can bring; to survive yet another day.

And just maybe surviving another day, fueled by hope, brings us closer to being the change of which we so like to speak. Maybe people will take it to a level that goes beyond mere pontification, past the borders of sheer popemania.

At least, that’s how I’d like to see it. ■

“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.”

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24

Pope Francis

JANUARY 23, 2015

FRIDAY

Then and Now: A Glimpse of Papal Visits to UST

BY LEI FONTAMILLAS Philippine Canadian Inquirer THE UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas (UST) is no stranger from visiting popes, having been graced four times by three different popes in the past century.

Recently, Pope Francis scheduled a five-day apostolic visit to the country. His schedule was packed from the moment he stepped out of his plane until he left the country. Despite that, he still found time to squeeze in a dialogue with the youth in UST. Many people are asking of all schools, why do popes visit UST? Why not other schools, especially since there are a lot of Catholic schools across the country?

The Only Pontifical University in PH

The complete and proper name of UST is “The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines.” It was established by Dominican missionaries in 1611.

The “Royal” title was bestowed by King Charles III of Spain, while the “Pontifical” was granted by Pope Leo XIII in 1902, and the appellative “The Catholic University of the Philippines” came from Pope Pius XII in 1947. The official title makes UST the first and only formally declared pontifical and royal university in the Philippines.

Because of its pontifical status and its role as the Catholic University of the Philippines, UST is usually included in the respective itineraries of visiting pontiffs.

Visiting Popes

The first pope who ever graced the 24-hectare university was Pope Blessed Pope VI on Novem-

Pope Francis happily joins the children as they sing "Tell the World of His Love" during his Close encounter with the youth.

Also in photo is Archbishop of Manila Luis Antonio Tagle on Sunday (January 18 2015) at the University of Sto. Tomas in Manila.

RICO H. BORJA / PNA

ber 28 1970. He met with about appreciated the “cordial and Church,” said John Paul II. 150 bishops and priests at the generous hospitality” of the After 14 years, the campus UST Medicine Auditorium. Dur- Thomasian community. welcomed back John Paul II in ing his meeting, he said that he During his visit, he called on time for the 10th World Youth appreciated the enthusiasm of the attention of the students Day Celebration. Whenever the young people and their desire and urged them to help spread a pope visits the campus, the to be involved in the Church. word about Catholic culture.

Thomasian community keeps He was also awed by the warm “As Catholics, you must con- the relics of their visit, like the welcome of the UST commu- fess Christ openly and without chair they used and even the nity. He was “contentisimo,” embarrassment in the univer- pen they held. Both visits of or in other words Blessed Paul IV most contented. and St. John Paul As a matter of II are rememfact, according bered through to the Catholic Like with all the papal visits . . . the various items Bishop Conferpeople should not forget the true preserved and ence of the Philmeaning and reason behind all this. kept in the UST ippines (CBCP), And that is to embrace each day with Museum and Blessed Paul VI renewed faith in Jesus and his word.

Central Semiwas so impressed nary.

by UST and even And just rereferred to it as cently, Pope the “University Francis visWorld of the Philippines.” sity environment that is yours. ited UST to speak to the youth The second pope to grace the In this way, you are also con- and share their insights and campus was Pope St. John Paul tributing to maintaining the thoughts about anything and II on February 18, 1981, a month Catholic character of your Uni- everything. right after the martial law fin- versity in its institutional comished. He referred to UST as mitment to the Gospel of Christ Pope Francis’ Presence “illustrious” University. He also as proclaimed by the Catholic The Pope’s visit was slated

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on January 15 to 19. His daily itinerary is full from day to night. During his first day, he arrived late and headed straight to the apostolic nunciature in Manila. The second day started off with an early meeting with President Noynoy Aquino at Malacañang Palace, followed by a Holy Mass for bishops, priests, and nuns at the Manila Cathedral. The last activity for the second day was supposed to be the meeting with the families at SM Mall of Asia Arena.

However, being the eversurprising Holy Father, Pope Francis went out of his way to visit an orphanage in Manila to spend time with children.

The third day saw Pope Francis visiting the survivors of typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) in Leyte, wherein he held a Mass despite the bad weather conditions. Despite cutting his program short, the people in Tacloban felt the blessing of Pope Francis.

On January 18, Pope Francis had the dialogue with the youth at UST, followed by his last Mass at the Quirino Grandstand. The Pope safely left the country on the 19th.

During the event, several groups also attended which include: the Archdiocesan Commission on the Youth (AYC), the Episcopal Commission on the Youth (ECY), the Catholic Educational Association (CEAP), the Association of Catholic University of the Philippines (ACUP), and the youth participants of the 2nd Philippine Conference on New Evangelization. Participants also gave their testimonies for the Pope to hear.

Like with all the papal visit – more than seeing the pontiff up close – people should not forget the true meaning and reason behind all this. And that is to embrace each day with renewed faith in Jesus and his word. ■

Pope Francis

FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2015

25

Lolo Kiko: The People’s Pope

BY CHING DEE Philippine Canadian Inquirer WHEN HIS Holiness Pope Francis found out what “Lolo Kiko” meant, he insisted that Pinoys continue calling him Lolo Kiko.

And after five days of an eventful Papal visit, it wasn’t hard to refer to him like a familiar and endeared grandfather.

Day One: Tireless

When the Pope arrived on January 15, thousands of people lined the streets to welcome him and millions of people religiously followed all media coverage—from the tarmac of Villamor Air Base to the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila where he stayed, the streets were filled with faithfuls who waited for hours just for a glimpse of the Holy Father.

From the almost five-hour flight from Sri Lanka, he swiftly disembarked the plane, and stood with President Noynoy Aquino for the national anthems and welcomed a long line of people waiting for him.

Aboard his popemobile, he stood and smiled and waved to everyone one the streets all the way to his simple quarters in the Nunciature. His stamina was remarkable. Here is a 78-year-old pontiff, missing a lung and just recovering from a five-hour plane ride, and yet his face showed no sign of weariness or fatigue.

Lolo Kiko is tireless.

Day Two: Loving

On his first morning in Manila on January 16th, he made his way to the Malacanang Palace for a welcome ceremony and a joint statement with the state leader.

Battling the harsh Philippine sun that morning, Lolo Kiko stood with the President for the national anthem upon arrival.

He then again welcomed a long line of cabinet members and Malacanang staff who eagerly waited for his historic arrival.

After walking a long pathway towards the Palace, he climbed a set of stairs—as swift as ever— to the Music Room.

He signed the Palace’s guest book and wrote: “On the President and people of this beloved land of the Philippines, I ask Almighty God’s

abundant blessings of wisdom, discernment, prosperity and peace.

16.1.2015 Francis” The President and Lolo Kiko exchanged gifts. From President Noy, a statue of the Virgin Mary the Undoer of Knots — made from the wood of a fallen Acacia tree in the Palace when Typhoon ‘Glenda’ struck — and the special commemorative Papal visit coins. From Lolo Kiko, a vintage Vatican City Atlas.

The two then took turns in sharing a joint speech in front of cabinet members, the media, and a few clergymen inside the Palace.

Lolo Kiko did not mince words and made sure he was straight to the point.

“It is now, more than ever, necessary that political leaders be outstanding for honesty, integrity and commitment to the common good… Thus will they be able to marshall the moral resources needed to face the demands of the present, and to pass on to coming generations a society of authentic justice, solidarity and peace,” he said in his speech.

President Aquino’s speech received mixed reviews, with some taking offense with some of his statements, like when he said, “there was a true test of faith when many members of the Church, once advocates for the poor, the marginalized, and the helpless, suddenly became silent in the face of the previous administration’s abuses, which we are still trying to rectify to this very day.”

After the welcoming ceremonies and speeches in Malacanang, Lolo Kiko -- still exuberant and smiling — went to the Manila Cathedral to lead the Holy Mass.

Even his Homily was straightforward.

For the clerics, he said, “As ambassadors for Christ, we, bishops, priests and religious, ought to be the first to welcome his reconciling grace into our hearts.”

For the Catholic community, he said, “it also calls Christian communities to create ‘circles of integrity’, networks of solidarity which can expand to embrace and transform society by their prophetic witness.”

After the High Mass, he made an unpublicized visit

to Tulay ng Kabataan (TNK) — an institution dedicated to help street children. The kids inside TNK were given the freedom to get close to Lolo Kiko — hugs and blessings and prayers were abundant. In the photos released by Vatican news agencies, Lolo Kiko looks refreshed—smiling that infectious smile—even more recharged for the afternoon’s events.

By 5:30 PM, he was at the Mall of Asia Arena for the ‘Encounter with Families’ event.

Upon entering the arena holding over 18,000 people, Lolo Kiko’s face lit up — as if he saw his beloved family throwing him a surprise party.

The first thing Lolo Kiko did upon entering the arena was make a beeline for the elderly and the sick waiting for him in a specific area of the venue. He blessed and prayed for sick children and the elderly, sharing casual chit-chats in between.

On stage, Lolo Kiko listened to the testimonies of three families—even learning sign language in the process.

“It is in the family that we first learn how to pray. There we come to know God, to grow into men and women of faith, to see ourselves as members of God’s greater family, the Church,” he said in his speech.

“In the family we learn how to love, to forgive, to be generous and open, not closed and selfish. We learn to move beyond our own needs, to encounter others and share our lives with them. That is why it is so important to pray as a family!”

He emphasized the need for families to stay together—especially in trying times of calamities and economic instability.

“Every threat to the family is a threat to society itself,” he reminded everyone. “Do not hide your faith, do not hide Jesus, but carry him into the world and offer the witness of your family life!”

Known for being close to the poor and the afflicted, his gestures weren’t new, but to see him in action is still a surprise.

No matter how many articles we read about his kindness, mercy, and compassion, experiencing it is an entirely different story.

Lolo Kiko is loving.

Day Three: Compassionate

His staff shared during the www.canadianinquirer.net

A boy holds a poster of Pope Francis while waiting for the Holy Father's motorcade to pass on Thursday (January 15, 2015).

JOEY O. RAZON / PNA

media briefing that no storm or typhoon will keep His Holiness from flying to the Haiyan-hit area in Leyte.

Tropical storm ‘Mekkhala’ or local name ‘Amang’ — aptly meaning ‘Father’ — was closing in on Visayas, so in the morning of January 17, Lolo Kiko flew to Tacloban City earlier than planned.

Upon landing at the Tacloban Airport, Lolo Kiko endured rains and winds. During his Holy Mass, he wore a yellow plastic raincoat just like the thousands of Visayans waiting for him and his Homily.

“When I saw from Rome that catastrophe I had to be here.

And on those very days I decided to come here. I am here to be with you — a little bit late, but I’m here,” Lolo Kiko said in Spanish. Msgr. Mark Miles helped to translate his mass in English.

“I have come to tell you that Jesus is Lord. And he never lets us down,” Lolo Kiko said.

“So many of you have lost everything. I don’t know what to say to you… Some of you have lost part of your families.

All I can do is keep silence and walk with you all with my silent heart… I have no more words for you. Let us look to Christ…

He understands us because he underwent all the trials that we, that you, have experienced.”

The yellow raincoat may have kept their bodies dry, but their eyes were laden with tears at the Pope’s words of love and encouragement.

Lolo Kiko shared lunch with several survivors of Supertyphoon ‘Haiyan’ (‘Yolanda’). In a press briefing, Archbishop Luis

Antonio Tagle said that hearing the stories of the survivors and seeing them in person has “rendered the Pope speechless.”

‘Amang’ was insistent and gathering strength as it moves closer to Tacloban, so Lolo Kiko’s trip was cut short by about four hours.

After blessing the Pope Francis Center for the Poor and greeting the Palo Archbishop a happy birthday, the Pope — with a heavy heart — had to leave.

“I am sad about this, truly saddened,” he said to the people gathered with him inside the Palo Cathedral.

Just as the full brunt of ‘Amang’ hit Leyte, the Papal plane — Shepherd One — landed safely at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

In Leyte, a VIP plane carrying several cabinet members had a mishap due to ‘Amang’ when it lost control and skidded off the Tacloban Airport runaway before take-off. No one was reported injured in the incident.

Also in Tacloban, ‘Amang’ claimed the life of a Catholic Relief Services volunteer. Kristel Mae Pasadas, 27, lost her life when the scaffolding built for the papal visit collapsed due to strong winds. In Manila, Pope Francis and Archbishop Tagle met Kristel’s father, Paulino Pasadas, to express their condolences and gratitude for Kristel’s service.

Lolo Kiko is compassionate.

Day Four: Understands

Lolo Kiko has always been fond of young people — always ❱❱ PAGE 35 Lolo Kiko

26

Seen & Scenes: Vancouver

JANUARY 23, 2015

FRIDAY

CONSERVATIVE PARTY COMMUNITY OUTREACH Jojo Quimpo, Conservative Party candidate for Vancouver-Kingsway MP, joined Jason Kenney in a community outreach where they provided updates on the Conservative government's policies, actions, plans, solutions and accomplishments.

FILCOM LEADERS ASSEMBLY The Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver hosted a meeting with Filipino Canadian community leaders hosted on Jan. 16, at Multicultural Helping House in Vancouver. Main agenda was the creation of a calendar of events for the 2015 Philippine Independence Day celebrations and the creation of an executive committee to oversee the events.

UP BADMINTON CLUB The University of the Philippines Alumni Association in BC Badminton Club (Photo from Charen Cusi’s FB).

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

Seen & Scenes: Toronto

FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2015

RIZAL TORONTO CHAPTER Photo shows Juancho (John) de los Santos, Knights of Columbus Rizal chapter commander of the Order of the Knights with wife, Irene Cabo Chan de los Santos. They are preparing more relevant programs and projects for 2015 and 2016. Those who are interested to join the Order of the Knights are requested to get in touch with him at juancho_irenedls@ yahoo.com or call 647 - 200 – 3523 (St. Jamestown News Service, Dindo Orbeso)

27

MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION ATTENDS FILIPINO EVENT Lisa Raitt, Canada’s minister of transportation, is shown in photo with Jojo Taduran, member of the board of directors of the Philippine Press Club Ontario and a lifetime member of the National Press Club of the Philippines, during one of the Filipino community events in Ontario (St. Jamestown News Service, Dindo Orbeso)

ATI-ATIHAN The Ati-Atihan festival in honor of Sto. Nino was recently celebrated in Toronto.

Federal Liberal MP-Scarborough Southwest-Toronto Nomination Candidate Michelle Serrano poses with Fairchild Broadcast Network's Talakayan Radyo 1430 AM station broadcasters and news anchors after an on air interview on Jan.17, in Thornhill, On. (Shown from L) Nelson Galvez, Bobby Achacon, Jess Cabrias, Michelle Serrano, May Cabrias, Tony A.San Juan and Joe Damasco (Photo by Nelson Galvez).

Left: Senator Tobias Enverga with wife Rosemer (Photos from Sen. Enverga’s FB).

FAIRCHILD RADIO Liberal MP Nomination Candidate for Scarborough Southwest Michelle Serrano during an interview break at Talakayan Radyo 1430 AM. (seated from L) Tony A. San Juan, Michelle Serrano and May Cabrias. (standing)Joseph Redoblado (Photo by Nelson Galvez).

PISTA NG NAZARENO AT SQUARE ONE (Left photo) Devotees flock to the image of the Nazareno during the procession in Square One, Mississauga on Jan. 10.

(Photo by ELD, PRO).

(Rt. Photo) Leading the Pista ng Nazareno is (from L) Tessie Buena, president of the Silayan Seniors, joined by devotees Dr. Solon Guzman, Medy Larter and Evelyn Cuevas (Photo by ELD, PRO). www.canadianinquirer.net

28

Community News

JANUARY 23, 2015

FRIDAY

Mable Elmore officially launches nomination campaign VANCOUVER — Mable Elmore officially launched on Jan. 17, her campaign to be the NDP’s candidate in Vancouver-East at a campaign rally at the ANZA Club.

Speaking to a packed room of supporters, Elmore pledged to build on Libby Davies’ extraordinary legacy and through a commitment to grassroots organizing and by fighting for what matters to the people of Vancouver East and to all Canadians. “When we organize and when we fight for our values, we win,” said Elmore.

“In today’s Canada, we have to take that lesson to heart like never before. Because only if we organize, only if we unite, only if we fight — together! — will we win and stop the Harper government,” she added.

Elmore was joined by community organizer Wendy Lawrence; retired union activist, Marion Pollack; historian and curator, Naveen Green; UNITE HERE! Local 40 President Robert Demand and Hereditary Chief Gordon August. They said Mable’s unique ability to organize and bring people to-

Government and Facebook join forces to support small businesses in B.C. MINISTER OF National Rev- sizes. enue and Member of Parlia“Encouraging economic opment for Delta-Richmond East portunities in an interconnectKerry Lynne-Findlay spoke to ed global economy is a priority an audience of Vancouver-area and part of Digital Canada 150, small business owners and en- our government’s plan to help trepreneurs at the launch of the our country succeed in the digiFacebook Small Business Boost tal age. We are investing to help program. The event aimed to our businesses-especially small help small businesses learn and and medium-sized businessesapply the imporadopt digital tant skills needtechnologies, aced to succeed in cess venture capthe digital world, ital, take on inaccording to a terns and much Encouraging press statement more. Our goal economic released to meis to position this opportunities dia. country’s busiin an Findlay unnesses among interconnected derscored the the world’s leadglobal economy Harper governers in adopting is a priority. ment’s efforts to digital technoloensure that the gies,” the minisright conditions ter said. are in place for Fa c e b o o k ’s entrepreneurs Small Business and small busiBoost is a netness owners to start a business working and information event and create jobs in the digital organized by Facebook’s Small economy.

Business Team to show local She noted the importance of business owners best practices social media and digital adop- and strategies on how they can tion in helping small businesses use Facebook to help grow and attract new customers and suc- manage their businesses. The ceed and further outlined how event features discussions with the government’s plan for the local companies that have used digital economy, under Digital Facebook to find new customCanada 150, is creating oppor- ers and become more engaged tunities for businesses of all with existing customers. ■

gether for social change made her the right candidate for Vancouver-East.

Before her election as an NDP MLA in 2009, Elmore was a community organizer and activist on many issues including human rights, peace and climate change. She co-founded the Women’s Rights Committee at the Vancouver and District Labour Council and was a StopWar.ca co-chair.

Since becoming an MLA, she continues to mobilize and unite people around common issues, regardless of their background. ■

Elmore.

Interwoven Stories: Textiles, Costumes, Cultures A Multicultural Fest COSTUMES AND textiles reflect thousands of years of human creativity. With the aims of expressing facets of British Columbia’s extraordinarily diverse population and improving understanding of our many artistic and cultural legacies, the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver presents Interwoven Stories: Textiles, Costumes, Cultures - A Multicultural Fest.

Curated by Jean Kares, an exhibition of multicultural costumes and textiles lent by individuals and organizations will take place at the Chinese Cultural Centre Museum from Jan. 17 to Feb. 15. The exhibition includes lenders’ stories of family and cultural connections, travel memories, and experiences of living in other countries. Viewers will discover how cultural beliefs and traditions are communicated and shared through textiles historically and today, both within and between specific cultural communities.

This project is partially funded by the City of Vancouver.

Musician Alan Lau composed theme music for the Fest. Partnering organizations include the Canadian Society for Asian Arts, Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society, Vancouver Italian Cultural Centre, and Vancouver Hanfu Culture Society.

Other activities that will take place during the fest are: Jan. 24, 2 to 4 p.m.: Hands-on www.canadianinquirer.net

Textile exhibit guests pose beside a traditional wedding gown owned by Winnie Cheung.

Clifford Belgica lent this attire of the Cordillera Mountain people in northern Philippines. Their ancestors are the creators of the awe-inspiring rice terraces often called the Eighth Wonder of the World.

workshop of fabric art and tapestry taught by artist June Yun. Jan. 31, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Symposium on textile art with speakers Jean Kares, Dr. An-

gela Clarke (Vancouver Italian Cultural Centre), Liza Wajong, and Trish Graham. The topics will cover Chinese, Italian, Indonesian and African textiles. ■

Immigration

FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2015

29

PANGARAP : SO, OUR JOURNEY BEGINS

So, What Do You Say When Walking In for a Job?

BY BOLET AREVALO “ARE YOU by any chance hiring?” “Oh yes, can you start today?” These are possible words to be spoken and heard in a door-to-door situation.

When you do door-to-door at mall stores, for example, you are most likely to encounter sales staff or managers who are busy at work. This particular circumstance can work both ways for you. Either you are unable to penetrate at all because no one can entertain you at the moment, or you are able to penetrate too quickly because the store manager happens to be so pressured that he feels he needs help right then and right at that moment.

The second situation got me my first store job. As soon as I decided to get a store job and do door-to-door, I walked around a large mall. On my way to a third prospect, I read this catchy tagline to a store’s name that said “Established Since 1871.” With a little bit of wit and happy-golucky decision, I said to myself that this was the store where I should apply because it was more than a hundred years old and still going strong. I should be so lucky to get a “stable” employer.

When I went over to the cashier’s counter and asked if by any chance they were hiring, she almost jumped off her cage to get me the manager. When the manager did not come out as she promised, this lady cashier brought me instead to their stockroom and introduced me to their store manager. I handed my resume, and the manager took it without even looking up because she was so busy wrapping orders.

She asked me the magic question: Can you describe yourself? Whoa, my chance to recite my WAP (work/attributes/passions)!

My WAP was strictly short, just about six sentences. But before I could even get to the third sentence, she snapped back and said, “Oh, I’m sure you know how to deal with people.

Can you start today?”

Those were perhaps the most

beautiful words I have ever or she will get your resume and dled those situations. heard during my torturous days usher you to the store manager. of job hunting. It did not mat- This is what I’m saying when I STAR Formula ter to me that I was taking on a say that door-to-door gives you I remember the technique job I had not tried in my entire an opportunity to speak right that was taught to me in one of life, yet here I was being given up to your prospective employ- the workshops I attended. The the chance to do. Excited that I er, as store managers usually STAR response method to any was going to start, I did not even have authority to hire for their situation-based question. ask how much I will be paid per branches or outlets. This is a S is stating the Situation, T is hour. Silly me. I had to rush to moment that you might have to for Task, A is for Action and R is send my son home who was wait for what feels like forever for the Result. then at the mall with me. if you were only doing your apThe STAR formula ensures So, what do that you do not you say in a doorget tempted to to-door applicagive a self-servtion? You go up ing answer to a to an employee situational quesin the store to tion. Self-serving ask “are you hirThe interview session, thus, answers always ing?” This is if becomes instant and impromptu. leave a bad taste there is no sign But it should not be to you. Before in the mouth. on the window going out there, you should have The STAR forthat says “Now done your homework. mula, however, Hiring.” guides you to If she says keep your re“Yes,” you must sponse as objecknow by now the tive and as truthrules in modifyful as possible ing or customizby focusing on ing your resume the given Situato fit the job you are applying plication via the internet. tion, your Task or your role in for. For a store job, give your The interview session, thus, it, what Action you employed version of the resume that becomes instant and im- and what the Result of that acwill show your experience or promptu. But it should not be tion was. skills at selling or dealing with to you. Before going out there, It is important to state a recustomers, or your account- you should have done your sult that will show how the ing, bookkeeping or cashiering homework, written your WAP, team or the company benefited background, or your purchas- reviewed the most asked ques- from your action or how you ing, inventory management, or tions in interviews, noted all handled the situation. For exmerchandising abilities. possible work situations that ample, Question: Describe one Two things may happen: She may be relevant to the job and situation that tested your flexwill get your resume and tell composed answers in your ibility. Answer: There was an you that you will be notified, mind as to how you had han- instance that I had to attend www.canadianinquirer.net

two meetings that conflicted in schedules because one was reset at the last minute (Situation). While I needed to attend both meetings, I obviously could not be in two places at the same time (Task). So I had to prioritize as to which meeting needed my physical presence, and since one meeting was going to discuss logistics, I asked an assistant officer who was good on administrative matters to attend the meeting instead (Action). The result was we were fully updated on both meetings and the assistant officer was happy that she was trusted to sit in that meeting (Result).

Whatever way you want to apply for a job, the lessons are the same, except may be that one is being done in a faster pace and more abbreviated form, as in a door-to-door technique.

In an on-the spot interview like this, conditions may be different as to the formality of the place, but you should keep your composure and always remain coherent. And since the interview may be more fast-paced and to the point, remember to say the most relevant information at the beginning and elaborate only when you have time.

You may also be a little more aggressive given the urgency of the situation, but do not lose your grace and dignity, even if you will have to beg for a job to feed a family.

A door-to-door application gives you the possibility of talking to your prospective employer on-the-spot. Whether it is on-the-spot or a scheduled interview, remember your STAR formula when answering a situation-based question. State the Situation, define your Task, relate the Action you took, and do not forget to relate the positive Results of that action. ■ 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

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World News

JANUARY 23, 2015

FRIDAY

This week, prices for Venezuela’s heavier crude oil fell below $40 a barrel for the first time since 2008, a decline of more than half since September. About 95 per cent of the money Venezuela earns from exports comes from its oil sales. The government has deployed soldiers to prevent stampedes and looting at markets while business leaders have warned that food stocks will run out by early March.

Venezuelans await president’s return as oil fueled revolution teeters on the edge

BY HANNAH DREIER AND JOSHUA GOODMAN The Associated Press CARACAS, VENEZUELA — When Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro returns from an urgent fundraising trip that has taken him to seven nations, he’ll find his oil-dependent economy teetering on the edge and desperate countrymen searching empty store shelves for basic goods.

In the two weeks Maduro has bounced around the globe seeking help, the government has deployed soldiers to prevent stampedes and looting at markets while business leaders have warned that food stocks will run out by early March. Political opponents are rallying supporters and foreign investors are bracing for a potential default.

The crisis is the worst since the 2002 coup that briefly ousted Hugo Chavez, Maduro’s predecessor who launched the country’s socialist revolution after winning the presidency in 1998.

“For 15 years, we’ve been hearing that the country is collapsing. But never before have we had an economic, political

and social crisis at the same time,” said Dimitris Pantoulas, a Caracas-based political consultant.

About 95 per cent of the money Venezuela earns from exports comes from its oil sales.

This week, prices for Venezuela’s heavier crude fell below $40 a barrel for the first time since 2008, a decline of more than half since September.

“The true ideology of Chavismo is a single number: the price of oil,” said Alberto Barrera Tyszka, author of a 2004 biography of Chavez. “Now that the money is running out, the only way to stay in power is by reducing democracy — more controls, more censorship, more repression.”

Venezuela’s crisis has been long in the making. Even before collapsing oil prices strangled its foreign revenue stream, the country was stuck in a yearold recession and its inflation rate raced toward triple digits.

A Datanalisis poll last month showed popular support of Maduro had fallen to 22 per cent, the lowest since he took office in 2013.

Maduro announced his Jan. 4 trip with only a few hours’ notice and along the way has

surprised many Venezuelans by adding stops, including a second visit to Russia to meet with President Vladimir Putin. In Beijing he touted a $20 billion infusion of Chinese investments, and while in Qatar announced a new financial alliance. His quest also has taken him to Iran, Saudi Arabia and Algeria. On Friday, he touched down in Portugal en route home, where supporters promised to greet him with a rally at the presidential palace.

Maduro says the harried shuttle diplomacy is securing the financial “oxygen” Venezuela needs. But observers aren’t so optimistic. Investors have been driving up the cost of insurance to protect against what they see as almost certain default.

A sense of desperation is palpable in Caracas, where some schools this week advised parents to pack toilet paper in their children’s backpacks and at least one executive-class hotel told guests to bring their own detergent if they want laundry services.

The government has deployed the military to maintain order in daylong lines snaking around blocks and has implemented rationing at governwww.canadianinquirer.net

ment-run supermarkets where prices are capped. Goods also have become harder to find on the normally thriving black market, a sign that the government is holding onto dollars earned from oil sales rather than deliver them to importers who need the money to buy merchandise.

“If you want 20 things, you have to wait in 20 lines,” Alexander Anteliz said Friday at a shop in a poor Caracas neighbourhood, where it took the store only 30 minutes to sell out of its daily supply of corn flour.

“Maybe the opposition wouldn’t be much better, but the government is clearly failing.”

Political opponents, wracked by division and infighting since violent protests last year failed to unseat Maduro, have seized on the crisis. This week, both hardliners and moderates gelled behind a common call to take to the streets to denounce the government’s failings. The main anti-government coalition, however, has yet to organize a march and protests by students — a key sector in last year’s demonstrations — have been small and sporadic.

The opposition hopes to gain momentum ahead of legisla-

tive elections later this year and take control of congress, which they hope to use as leverage to force a recall of Maduro.

Some analysts have raised the possibility of an even more dramatic scenario — a military coup. So far there’s been no outward sign of disloyalty or nervousness on the part of the armed forces, which have seen their power expand dramatically under Maduro. But observers point out similarities to 1992.

That was the last time an unpopular Venezuelan leader travelled abroad amid the throes of an economic crisis spurred by a sudden collapse in oil prices.

When then-President Carlos Andres Perez returned from Switzerland, he was greeted by an army rebellion led by a thenunknown lieutenant colonel named Hugo Chavez.

“It is not inconceivable that stakeholders, among which are the armed forces, would step in before Maduro drives the government into single digits of popularity,” said David Smilde, a Venezuelan expert who is a senior fellow at the Washington Office on Latin America.

“That would be unfortunate but is within the realm of possibilities.” ■

World News

FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2015

31

A winking president teases Republicans, and the Keystone XL pipeline

BY ALEXANDER PANETTA The Canadian Press WASHINGTON — U.S. President Barack Obama delivered a dig at the Keystone XL pipeline and drew a politically revealing standing ovation from Democrats during his state of the union address Tuesday.

It illustrated the political headwinds now confronting the Canadian oil-infrastructure project: The president voiced his increasingly blunt disdain, and a vocal cheering section from his party roared in approval.

Obama took his latest shot from the biggest political stage of the year, the annual primetime speech to Congress, with a final decision on the oilsands project expected from him within weeks.

He didn’t bother mentioning Keystone by name. But the target was obvious. The president teased Republican opponents who have made a bill on the pipeline their very first priority of the 2015-16 Congress.

It wasn’t the first time he mocked the meagre job-creation potential of the project.

But it was the first time he publicly teased lawmakers for making it a priority, instead of a massive infrastructure bill he’d rather see.

“Let’s set our sights higher than a single oil pipeline,” Obama said, drawing cheers from his party and stony silence from his opponents.

“Let’s pass a bipartisan infrastructure plan that could create more than 30 times as many jobs per year, and make this country stronger for decades to come.”

Later in the speech, he called climate change the greatest threat to future generations.

It was a rare stark passage in a mostly upbeat address.

At one point, the president rattled off a series of encouraging economic numbers with shrinking deficits, growing employment, and expanding stock markets. He mischievously pointed out that this was the exact opposite of what his opponents spent years predicting: exploding deficits and economic decline.

Staring into a congressional chamber now dominated by those Republican critics, Obama added: “This is good news, people.”

He topped it off with a playful wink. And when Republicans began a sarcastic cheer later in the speech, as he mentioned that he’d run his last election, the president interjected: “Because I won both of them.”

Since the debacle of the November midterm elections for his party, Obama has responded with some of the most aggressive actions of his presidency: reopening relations with Cuba, a climate deal with China, and a controversial executive order deferring deportations for four million immigrants.

His poll numbers have improved since then.

A Wall Street Journal-NBC survey found more optimism now over the economy than at any point over the last decade.

It also found that for the first time in two decades a plurality of respondents expressed optimism that the country was headed on the right track. And it found his personal approval at 46 per cent — his highest level in two years, comparable to Ronald Reagan’s at the same stage in his presidency, much higher than George W. Bush’s, but much lower than Bill Clinton’s.

Obama began his speech by trying to frame the story of his presidency.

It’s a story his defenders will likely be repeating for his last two years in office, and beyond.

The basic narrative chosen

by Obama is one of a presidency that began in crisis, and emerged stronger.

“We are fifteen years into this new century. Fifteen years that dawned with terror touching our shores; that unfolded with a new generation fighting two long and costly wars; that saw a vicious recession spread across our nation and the world. It has been, and still is, a hard time for many,” he said.

Then, in the key line of his speech, which the White House had flagged in a series of excerpts emailed to reporters earlier in the day: “Tonight, we turn the page.”

Jobs are now being created

Since the debacle of the November midterm elections for his party, Obama has responded with some of the most aggressive actions of his presidency, such as reopening relations with Cuba. But he has remained steadfast in his opposition to the development of the Keystone XL pipeline.

THE WHITE HOUSE / FLICKR

at the fastest pace since 1999, he said. Unemployment is now lower than it was before the financial crisis. More kids are graduating from college, more people are insured than ever, and dependence on foreign oil is lower than at any point in almost 30 years, he said.

But he lamented that too many Americans don’t benefit from that growth.

Indeed, the U.S. ranks near the bottom of OECD countries with respect to income inequality. Canada falls just below the average, but that’s still significantly ahead of its southern neighbour among the group’s 34 countries.

Obama called on Congress to introduce a child-care plan like the one that existed during the Second World War, maternal leave like virtually every other developed country today, and changes to the tax code that move away from benefiting the wealthy in favour of the middle class.

“Middle-class economics works. Expanding opportunity works,” he said.

There’s almost no chance of Obama’s main domestic-policy priorities making it into law.

Very little of last year’s speech did. But he warned lawmakers a year ago that he would take executive actions where they www.canadianinquirer.net

didn’t — and that’s what happened.

In one example from the past year, he asked lawmakers to give Americans a raise to a $10.10 minimum wage. They didn’t, so he signed an executive order guaranteeing that wage for employees of federal contractors.

Obama also asked for an immigration bill last year. When it was clear he wouldn’t get one, he responded by temporarily deferring deportations for more than four million people.

That announcement infuriated his opponents, who called the move unconstitutional. A prominent hawk on immigration, Iowa member Steve King, huffed Tuesday to his Twitter followers that one of the president’s guests in the gallery would be “a deportable,” a university student whose family is allowed to stay in the country under Obama’s order.

With the economy starting to grow, opponents have begun hitting Obama on foreign policy.

Some questioned passages in his speech that celebrated American soldiers being mostly out of Iraq and Afghanistan.

They also accused him of exaggerating military successes against ISIL. They noted the Islamist re-

bellions raging around the world — with Yemen in danger of political collapse just this week, and murders in places as distant as Nigeria and Ottawa.

The Republican response was delivered by rookie Senator Joni Ernst.

She mentioned the Ottawa attacks, and also Keystone.

“The president’s own State Department has said Keystone’s construction could support thousands of jobs and pump billions into our economy, and do it with minimal environmental impact,” said the Iowa rookie, who gained fame last year for a campaign video that referred to her past career as a pig-castrating farmer.

“We worked with Democrats to pass this bill through the House. We’re doing the same now in the Senate. President Obama will soon have a decision to make: will he sign the bill, or block good American jobs?”

Tuesday’s poll that showed increased economic confidence also asked a question about the pipeline: Two-thirds of respondents who expressed an opinion supported the project.

However, the proportion of those who expressed no opinion was almost as high as the 41 per cent who supported the project. ■

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FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2015

Entertainment JUAN RADIO ENTERTAINMENT NOTES

Pinoy Juan Radio FM96.1 welcomes new programs and radio personalities

BY BABES NEWLAND

AMONGST THE key components of Vancouver B.C.’s 1st & only Filipino radio program aired daily on Fairchild Radio’s FM 96.1 are music, news, talk and entertainment. But playing Original Pilipino Music or OPM is the intrinsic soul of Juan Radio.

The new one-hour weekday morning runs and a 4-hour extravaganza on Saturdays boast of engaging and well-established local community radio program hosts as follows:

Lita Nugid.

DJ Clark.

Tess Zamora-Sumagui.

Boy Masakayan.

BOOM MONDAY with Boom Dayupay | 10am-11am

Hitting Monday blues not with a bang, but with a boom!

Hosted by DJ Lino or more popularly known as “Boom” Dayupay of the once popular Filipino international recording group, Kulay. Boom is a celebrated Philippine Hip-Hop music record producer/songwriter; filmmaker and television producer/director. Boom takes the first slice of the week bringing in-depth interviews of famous entertainment personalities followed by popular OPM hits selections. His initial broadcasts featured interviews with exalted Canadian record producer/hit-maker, Adam Hurstfield of XoXo Music; L.A.based Filipino-American television personality, G Toengi;

Miss B.

and the effervescent singer, songwriter and former chairman of the music committee of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in the Philippines-Mr. Joey Ayala.

And that’s definitely taking Filipino radio listening experience to the next level.

BY SPECIAL REQUEST with Miss B | 10am-11am

Boom Dayupay.

Program hosted by Babes Castro-Newland, also known by her radio alias, “Miss B”.

Before she could even pass the qualifying entrance exams to take up a degree in Communication Arts at the pontifical university--University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines, Babes already started her “advice” radio program as “Miss Romantica” when she

Bambi Fonacier.

was just 17 on FM radio station DWAD. She went on to working part-time as evening DJ on DZRJ’s all-women FM station called DZUW after university.

Babes is the eldest daughter of the late singer/songwriter; and veteran political radio commentator/announcer, Ding J. Castro. On her new program,

By Special Request, Miss B reads her listeners’ requests

and dedications whilst giving in to playing requested OPM selections. Listeners can send in their requests & dedications to: missbjuanradio@gmail.com.

WELLNESS WEDNESDAY with Boom Dayupay | 10am-11am

Boom allots this special day to celebrate women’s power and femininity. He invites female personalities to candidly

Entertainment

FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2015

discuss with him On Air various subject matters pertaining to beauty of the mind and body in a no-holds-barred setting. Boom’s initial broadcasts featured local female celebrity who shared her first experiences in Polar Bear Swim & Brazilian Bikini Wax; and a celebrated female Raw Chef from the Philippines who offered various raw food recipes and how to create Sexy & Irresistible Raw Meals that are healthy and delicious.

new songs on air. To-date, there is no single established OPM artist who did not know or has not heard of Bambi Fonacier. As entrepreneur, Bambi became founding owner of the Philippines’ premier music retail chain Odyssey and the Touch Music Video digital entertainment station who also co-owned OdysseyLive with Mobius.

Catch Bambi every Saturday @11am-12noon as he takes you down memory lane playing OPM from the 70’s & 80’s.

OPM DANCE THURSDAY with Miss B | 10am-11am

SATURDAY MASHUP SHOW with Miss B | Saturday @12noon1pm

From Manila Sound Disco tunes to the 80’s OPM dance hits; to Pinoy Rock/Hip Hop/ Novelty-Reggae to Electronic Dance Music, Miss B never slows down to provide a platform of 100% pure dance music every Thursday.

PINOY CROSSOVER FRIDAY with Miss B | 10am-11am

Capping the weekdays with celebration of international-Filipino excellence & milestones achieved in music recording industry. Miss B spins various hits by internationally recognized artists of Filipino descent like Bruno Mars, Enrique Iglesias, Nicole Scherzinger, Julio Iglesias, Apl.de.Ap (Black-Eyed Peas), to name a few.

CLASSIC OPM HOUR with Bambi Fonacier | Saturday @11am-12noon

The name Bambi Fonacier became synonymous to the great era of Philippine FM radio broadcasting back in the 70’s, 80’s & 90’s prior to moving to Canada with his family about 2 years ago. From the likes of OPM stalwarts--Sharon Cuneta, Martin Nievera, Leah Navarro, Basil Valdez, Zsa Zsa Padilla & Gary Valenciano (just to name a few), Bambi Fonacier was the “go-to” disc jockey to play their

Miss B takes a bold spin of her new Saturday music & talk program. While she features popular OPM hits from the new millennium, she also created a segment called, “Vancouver City Live!” where established and upcoming local artists are invited to perform live. Miss B interviews her special guests with candid and pertinent questions in the hope of inspiring other budding local artists.

PCI WEEKEND HEADLINE NEWS with Tess ZamoraSumagui | Saturday @1pm1:30pm

Anchored by U.P. Mass Communications alumna, Ms Tess Zamora-Sumagui, this halfhour Tagalog newscast encapsulates the hottest Philippine news headlines and trending topics of the week culled from the first and only weekly Filipino newspaper distributed for free in Vancouver, Greater Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary and Winnipeg. The program also announces various significant events happening within the Filipino Community. Ms. Sumagui’s vocal registry, style and enunciation is likened to that of veteran Philippine television newscaster, Ms. Karen Davila.

ITANONG MO KAY KUYA BOY with Dominador “Boy” Masakayan | Saturday @1:302:15pm

Hosted by “Kuya Boy” Masakayan, this program is the first of its kind in Filipino radio programming in Canada.

Listeners write or dial in to ask questions and seek consultation for legal advice. Kuya Boy invites law practitioners in various fields of expertise and accepts to offer counseling for free or pro bono. Living in a society where legal fees can be very exorbitant, Juan Radio’s Itanong Mo Kay Kuya Boy focuses on reaching out to marginalized Filipino-Canadians who are in dire straits and cannot afford to pay for legal assistance. For those who would wish to participate in this program of Kuya Boy, send in your emails to: kuyaboycanada@ gmail.com or find him on FB: Itanong Mo Kay Kuya Boy. AFFAIRS OF THE HEART with Lita Nuguid & DJ Clark | Saturday @2:15-3pm

He Said. She Said. It’s usually conflicting to find two parties on an issue, more so in a situation involving just a man and a woman with no other witnesses.

But such is not the case with the effervescent Lita Nuguid & the dashing DJ Clark on their newest radio program, Affairs of the Heart. It is refreshing to find a man-woman tandem not outwitting but complimenting each other’s views and opinions on pertinent hot topics of romance.

Listeners dial in their concerns and seek for resolution to their problems. Tune in to Affairs of the Heart and find out how these two magnetic personalities articulate their messages with matching interplay OPM selections. For more program information, please email to: litanuguid@telus.net ■

33

Vice Ganda defends PNoy Interview

BY LEI FONTAMILLAS Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA — Vice Ganda said that he does not mind the negative comments brought about by his interview with President Benigno Aquino III on “Gandang Gabi Vice.”

The episode, which aired last January 4, was Vice Ganda’s New Year treat to his viewers. However, the same episode irked some people saying that the President should not have agreed to do it. “[The negative criticisms] I received were not limited to the interview with PNoy. In every episode, there are some who will like it, while others won’t,” said Vice Ganda during an interview. “It so happened that the interview was with the President, so definitely it was magnified.”

He added, “I am so happy with the result, how the people took the interview because majority of them liked it. I think only a person for every one thousand didn’t like it — those who are KJ (kill joy).”

Vice Ganda defended the interview saying that it showed the “lighter side” of Aquino saying that its refreshing to see and hear the President talk

comfortably about the questions asked about him including his receding hair line and even his past relationships.

Meanwhile, the Palace defended the President for appearing on the show.

“It trended number one and we saw from the comments that most of the comments were positive. It showed the lighter side of the President,” Presidential Spokesman Erwin Lacierda said.

He added, “Vice Ganda brought [out] the lighter side of the President and it was positive and I think people came to empathize with the President on the daily routine, on the burdens of government. I certainly hope that it showed the President, after all, is not always serious.” ■

Charice shows off slimmer figure

BY LEI FONTAMILLAS Philippine Canadian Inquirer

CHARICE PEMPENGO (@ SUPERCHARICE) / INSTAGRAM

MANILA — Charice Pempengco is looking slimmer these days.

The 22-year-old singer is continuously posting photos of her training and her slimmer figure www.canadianinquirer.net

on her Instagram account.

In one of her photos showing her abdomen, she said, “I’m a little proud. This took me 4 months. It’s not yet perfect, but I’m getting there.”

Since July, she has been trying her best to slim down and get in shape. Last November,

she posted before and after photos showing her progress.

Aside from this, she also posted photos of her while working out with a trainer.

She has received hundreds of likes on her photos, including some that highlighted her slimmer cheeks. ■

34

Entertainment

JANUARY 23, 2015 FRIDAY

Wahlberg’s victims divided over pardon request in racist attacks committed as Boston teen

BY PHILIP MARCELO AND RODRIQUE NGOWI The Associated Press

steal beer. That attack sent one of the men to the hospital and landed Wahlberg in prison.

Wahlberg, in a pardon application filed in November and pending before the state parole board, acknowledges he was a teenage delinquent mixed up in drugs, alcohol and the wrong crowd. He points to his ensuing successful acting career, restaurant ventures and philanthropic work with troubled youths as evidence he’s turned his life around.

“I have apologized, many times,” he told the AP in December. “The first opportunity I had to apologize was right there in court when all the dust had settled and I was getting shackled and taken away, and making sure I paid my debt to society and continue to try and do things that make up for the mistakes that I’ve made.”

Court documents in the 1986 attack identify Wahlberg among a group of white boys who harassed a school group as they were leaving Savin Hill Beach in Dorchester, a mixed but segregated Boston neighbourhood that had seen racial tensions during the years the city was under court-ordered school integration.

getting hit by a rock. No one was seriously injured, but the attack left other invisible — and indelible — scars.

“I was really scared. My heart BOSTON — Victims of one of was beating fast. I couldn’t beMark Wahlberg’s racially molieve it was happening. The tivated attacks as a teenage denames. The rocks. The kids linquent in segregated Boston chasing,” Belmonte told the AP. in the 1980s are divided over Wahlberg and two other whether he should be granted a white youths were issued a civil pardon for his crimes. rights injunction: essentially a Kristyn Atwood was among stern warning that if they coma group of mostly black fourthmitted another hate crime, they grade students on a field trip to would be sent to jail. the beach in 1986 when WahlIn 1988, Wahlberg, then 16, berg and his white friends beattacked two Vietnamese men gan hurling rocks and shouting while trying to steal beer near racial epithets as they chased his Dorchester home. them down the street.

According to the sentencing “I don’t think he should get memorandum, he confronted a pardon,” Atwood, now 38 and Thanh Lam, a Vietnamese imliving in Decatur, Georgia, said migrant, as he was getting out in an interview with The Assoof his car with two cases of ciated Press. beer. Wahlberg called Lam a “I don’t really care who he is.

“Vietnamese f------ s---” and It doesn’t make him any excepbeat him over the head with a tion. If you’re a racist, you’re 5-foot wooden stick until Lam always going to be a racist. And lost consciousness and the rod for him to want to erase it I just broke in two. think it’s wrong,” she said.

Documents say Wahlberg ran Mary Belmonte, the white up to another Vietnamese man, teacher who brought the stuHoa Trinh, and asked for help dents to the neighbourhood hiding. After a police cruiser beach that day, sees things difdrove past, he punched Trinh in ferently. “I believe in forgivethe eye. Later, he made crude reness,” she said. “He was just a marks about “slant-eyed gooks.” young kid — a Wahlberg ultipunk — in the mately was conmean streets victed of assault of Boston. He and battery, mardidn’t do it speIt was a hate crime and that’s exactly ijuana possescifically because what should be on his record forever. sion and crimihe was a bad kid. nal contempt for He was just a folviolating the prilower doing what or civil rights inthe other kids junction. Trinh were doing.”

The boys chased the black declined to be interviewed by The 43-year-old former rap- children down the street, hurl- AP, and efforts to locate Lam per, Calvin Klein model and ing rocks and racial epithets were unsuccessful.

“Boogie Nights” actor wants of- including “Kill the n-----s!” unJudith Beals, a former state ficial forgiveness for a separate, til an ambulance driver inter- prosecutor involved in the more severe attack in 1988, in vened. Wahlberg was 15 at the cases, said Wahlberg’s crimes which he assaulted two Viet- time. stand out because he violated namese men while trying to Atwood still bears a scar from the injunction with an even

www.canadianinquirer.net

The actor, former rapper, and model Mark Wahlberg wants official forgivness for acts of racism he committed when he was younger and mixed up with "drugs, alcohol and the wrong crowd." Some of Wahlberg's victims say he should be forgiven, while others disagree, saying that if you were racist, you will "always be a racist."

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

more violent attack on people of yet another race.

“It was a hate crime and that’s exactly what should be on his record forever,” Atwood said. ■

AP reporters Johnny Clark in Atlanta, Steve LeBlanc in Boston and John Carucci in New York contributed to this report.

Entertainment

FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2015

Lolo Kiko... citing their importance in the Catholic Church.

On Sunday, January 18, he visited the Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas for an ‘Encounter with the Youth.’

Lolo Kiko, as usual, prepared a speech for the event, but after hearing the testimonials of former street children — particularly the tear-laden testimony of 12-year-old Glyzelle Palomar — he decided to go off the cuff.

“I am sorry I have not read the prepared remarks but reality is superior to ideas… And the reality you have is superior to the paper I have in front of me,” he explained.

In her testimony, Glyzelle asked the Leader of the Catholic Church why blameless children experience horrors like prostitution and poverty.

“Why does God allow this to happen?” she asked Pope Francis in Filipino.

Like a loving and beloved grandfather, Lolo Kiko gathered Glyzelle in his arms.

“She is the only who has put a question for which there is no answer. And she wasn’t able to express it in words but rather in tears,” he said.

Lolo Kiko also asked the crowd why there’s such a small ❰❰ 25

amount of women present, and then shared his thoughts on women.

“But women are capable of seeing things in a different angle from us, with a different eye.

Women are able to pose questions that we, men, are not able to understand."

“When the heart is able to ask itself and cry, then we can understand something,” Pope Francis said. “[The world] has a great lack of capacity of knowing how to cry.”

“It is only when Christ is able to cry that he understood what is going on in our lives… Certain realities in life are seen through eyes cleansed with tears.”

Lolo Kiko understands the importance of being real with your emotions.

Day Five: Missed

Like a beloved grandpa ready to go back home after a much awaited visit, many Filipinos didn’t want him to leave.

At around 10:50 AM on Monday, January 19, Lolo Kiko boarded Shepherd One and left for the Vatican.

The streets were still full of people waving goodbye. On his face, that same tireless and infectious smile.

Lolo Kiko will be missed. ■

35

Global News Toronto TV anchor quits after report he co-owned PR firm THE CANADIAN PRESS TORONTO — Global News says Toronto TV anchor Leslie Roberts has resigned from the network a week after media reports that he co-owned a public relations company.

A statement from Global says the resignation is effective immediately.

Global suspended Roberts last week after the Toronto Star reported that he co-owned a firm called Buzz PR and that some of the firm’s clients have appeared on his Global show.

Global News said it was never informed of his connection to the PR firm.

Roberts told the Star that he admitted it didn’t look good, but said when he sat in the anchor chair he was in journalist mode and nothing stood between him and the story.

Roberts has worked for Global since 2000 and anchored the Toronto local evening newscast.

Former Global News anchor Leslie Roberts.

Roberts issued a statement saying he was privileged to work for Global.

“I regret the circumstances, specifically a failure to disclose information, which led to this outcome,” the statement said.

Global conducted an internal investigation into the issue and

TWITTER

said it’s satisfied with the outcome.

“Global News remains committed to balanced and ethical journalism produced in the public’s interest. We will not be offering further comment at this time,” said a Global statement. ■

HOROSCOPE ARIES

CANCER

LIBRA

CAPRICORN

(MARCH 21 - APRIL 19)

(JUNE 22 - JULY 22)

(SEPT 23 - OCT 22)

(DEC 22 - JAN 19)

The stars are all rooting for you this week, my friend.

Whatever you plan to do – whether it is a new business venture or a new project at work – you will find everything to go smoothly as possible.

Stay focused and that prize will be yours.

Feeling too tired or stressed out at work? If so, take a day off and assess your priorities. You are not alone.

Many people go through this and end up victorious. A day off your daily responsibilities will also help you get back your game back.

Sometimes you need to consider that things might not go well as planned. Thus, be open to new opinions and ideas. Try to get others to pitch for the project that you are working on and learn from them as well.

Office politics are normal and sometimes they add spice to your workplace. Learn how to accept and think before you speak. Always remember that words are very powerful tool that can hurt others. What’s worse is that you will never be able to take them back.

TAURUS

LEO

SCORPIO

AQUARIUS

(APRIL 20 - MAY 20)

(JULY 23 - AUGUST 22)

(OCT 23 - NOV 21)

(JAN 20 - FEB 18)

As they say, hard work and no play makes John a dull boy.

Work smart at all times. Priorities the things on your checklist. Learn how to manage your time properly and treat yourself to a quick jaunt at the bar or at the spa.

Expect this week to be the most stressful yet. But fret not, because it will all be good stress. Yes, your bosses finally saw your potential and now is the perfect time to see them what you’ve got. Be ready to take on new responsibilities.

SAGITTARIUS

GEMINI

VIRGO

(MAY 21 - JUNE 21)

(AUG 23 - SEPT 22)

If you’re feeling a little derailed, it may be because you’re somewhat forgetting your priorities. It’s normal. We all get distracted at times, but don’t get stuck there.

Instead, try to regain your focus. It’s better when you can trust yourself to make the right decisions.

Maximize your gift of communicating to other people.

Reach out to a friend in need and you will be rewarded handsomely for spending time with others.

(NOV 22 - DEC 21)

If you are looking forward to meeting “the one,” then today is your lucky week. Where you will meet – that’s the question. Go to that party that you’re BFF is badgering you about and who knows maybe Mr. Right is just right there offering to buy you your next drink.

You will be tasked to lead a project and your colleagues will rely heavily on you. Given this, don’t be afraid to delegate the tasks, especially if you think that other people can do it better than you do.

Teamwork is the key in acing that proposal.

PISCES (FEB 19 - MAR 20)

This week will be a good one if you are planning to invest your money. May it be through stocks, life plans, or time deposits, check all options available to you before making that final choice.

After all, you need to secure your finances for future use.

www.canadianinquirer.net

Do a good deed for someone this week – whether for your father, mother, siblings, friends, or even a colleague whom you don’t regularly socialize with.

Don’t wait until it’s too late to show them how much you care and value them.

36

FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2015

Lifestyle

Even with regular exercise, excessive sitting linked to disease, premature death

BY SHERYL UBELACKER The Canadian Press TORONTO — Sitting on one’s butt for a major part of the day may be deadly in the long run — even with a regimen of daily exercise, researchers say.

In an analysis that pooled data from 41 international studies, Toronto researchers found the amount of time a person sits during the day is associated with a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and death, regardless of regular exercise.

“More than one half of an average person’s day is spent being sedentary — sitting, watching television or working at a computer,” said Dr. David Alter, a senior scientist at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, who helmed the analysis.

“Our study finds that despite the health-enhancing benefits of physical activity, this alone may not be enough to reduce the risk for disease.”

The paper, published Monday in the Annals of Internal Medicine, found that prolonged sedentary behaviour was associated with a 15 to 20 per cent higher risk of death from any cause; a 15 to 20 per cent higher risk of heart disease, death from heart disease, cancer, death from cancer; and as much as a 90 per cent increased risk of developing diabetes, said Alter.

And that was after adjusting for the effects of regular exercise.

“Avoiding sedentary time and getting regular exercise are both important for improving your

health and survival,” said Alter.

But engaging in 30 to 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous daily exercise does not mean it’s OK to then “sit on your rear” for the rest of the day.

The paper’s authors can’t say how much sitting time is too much — more research is needed to understand what represents a healthy balance between being sedentary and engaging in physical activity.

Not surprisingly, however, they found that negative health effects from prolonged sitting are even more pronounced among those who do little or no exercise.

Alter, a cardiologist, said public health messaging has long focused on encouraging Canadians to get daily exercise to promote good health — working out to strengthen the heart and circulatory system and to help prevent various cancers, including breast and colon cancer.

“We need to get sedentary behaviour on our radar and start talking about that, not just exercise,” Alter said.

In his practice, he encourages patients to stand for periods of time each day, because being fully upright burns twice as many calories as does sitting. It also helps to strengthen bones and muscles through weightbearing gravity.

Couch potatoes could try getting up during TV commercials, or perhaps watch the last 15 minutes of a hockey game standing.

He also recommends that patients get up and walk around for a few minutes every half-

hour during their waking hours.

“The bottom line is what we’re really trying to do is train people to be aware of getting up and getting walking. And once they’re on the track of ’I’ve got to get up, I’ve got to move around,’ the rest does follow.

People take stairs as opposed to taking elevators,” Alter said.

“It’s about breaking the mould of our culture, which has had us going from hunters and gatherers to sitting all the time.”

Dr. Mark Tremblay, director of Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, said the findings are consistent with a growing understanding that sedentary behaviour is a separate and distinct risk factor for major chronic diseases like heart disease and premature death.

But the relationship with physical activity needs to be figured out with further research, said Tremblay, who was not involved in this study.

“What is it in the interaction between those two, and perhaps other things like sleep? Increasingly, we’re understanding that the influence on our health is going to be dictated by the combination of behaviours,” he said.

“So if you’re someone who gets up and goes for your 30-minute jog religiously each day and then sits at your computer, the impact that that’s going to have on any particular health measure — mental health, physical health, bone density, blood pressure, whatever — may be different if you sit less. But it also may be different if you had a good

Researchers found the amount of time a person sits during the day is associated with a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and death, regardless of regular exercise.

night’s sleep the night before, or if you didn’t.

“So the total spectrum of movement within the 24-hour period is critical.”

In an accompanying editorial, Brigid Lynch of Cancer Council Victoria and Neville Owen of the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute in Melbourne, Australia, say the study’s implications are far-reaching.

However, given the variety of methods used to measure sedentary behaviour in the 41 studies — some used self-reported TV viewing time, others occupational sitting time, for instance — the overall analysis does “not allow precise identification of the duration of sedentary behaviour that puts persons at risk for chronic disease,” they write.

“Understanding the mechanisms by which sedentary behaviour increases risk for disease and the precise amounts

of sitting that generate risk may enable us to more effectively characterize the most at-risk groups within the population,” say the authors, who call for a more consistent approach in performing the research.

In order to stay healthy, people need to eat well, move well and sleep well, stressed Tremblay, who is heading a group developing Canadian guidelines for activity levels over a 24-hour period, which should be released by late spring 2016.

“This paper shows in a very robust fashion that you can be active and that in and of itself is not going to protect you from ignoring the other part of the day,” he said of the Toronto study.

“So in other words, it doesn’t give you licence to sort of sit the rest of the day because you’ve checked the physical activity box and that somehow is your insurance pill to keep you healthy.” ■

Lifestyle

FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2015

37

Flu shot offers modest protection this year in US; Canadian numbers likely lower

BY HELEN BRANSWELL The Canadian Press TORONTO — This year’s flu vaccine is offering limited protection in the United States against the virus responsible for a major wave of illness currently crashing over North America, a new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control suggests.

A corresponding assessment of how effective the vaccine is in Canada this winter is still in the works.

But there is good reason to believe the Canadian estimates will be at least as bad when they are published, probably later this month, experts say.

The study calculated how much protection the vaccine offered against getting sick enough to require medical care.

(Most people who catch the flu tough it out without seeing a doctor, making them impossible to study.)

It found that so far this year the vaccine is, on average, lowering that risk by 23 per cent, across all age groups and all the types of circulating flu viruses.

When the scientists look specifically at H3N2 viruses — far and away the most dominant virus type so far this winter — the protection was 22 per cent.

That’s not spectacular, but when the data were broken down by age groups, the picture was worse.

The study suggested the vaccine is cutting the risk for children aged six months to 17 years of age by 26 per cent. But for adults 18 to 49, the protection was only 12 per cent and for adults 50 and older, it was 14 per cent.

“It is a disappointing result,” said Dr. Edward Belongia, an influenza expert at Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation in Marshfield, Wisc., and one of the authors of the study, which was a collaboration between CDC scientists and researchers in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin.

“We do need a better vaccine. We know that. But it’s not zero. And this disease can be so severe that people should take whatever protection they can

get.” in the language of influenza centage of H3N2 drift viruses The study was published — after production starts, sub- this season than the U.S. is.

Thursday in the Morbidity and optimal protection can result.

Dr. Danuta Skowronski, a Mortality Weekly Report, a rapThe CDC report said that leading Canadian flu researchid-release journal published by about two-thirds of the H3N2 er, said where the figure in the the CDC. viruses seen this year in the U.S. U.S. is about 68 per cent, in CanMichael Osterholm, direc- were not well matched to the ada nearly all — 98 per cent — of tor of the Center for Infectious vaccine virus. the H3N2 viruses are different Diseases Research and Policy “It’s a pretty unusual year from the vaccine virus. at the University of Minnesota, when we get this much drift And as it is in the U.S., H3N2 said the poor performance of in the predominant virus and is responsible for virtually all this year’s vaccine is further therefore this low a vaccine ef- the flu activity currently being proof a better influenza vaccine fectiveness,” said Dr. Joseph seen in Canada. (That could is needed.

Bresee, head of the epidemiol- change as the season progress“This should es. Influenza B be another clarviruses often ion call for why surge late in the we need new and season.) better flu vacSkowronski, We do need a better vaccine. cines.

Twenty who is with the We know that. But it’s not zero. per cent clearly British ColumAnd this disease can be so severe is better than bia Centre for that people should take whatever zero, but it’s a Disease Control, long way from protection they can get. is working with what we need colleagues from and must evenacross the countually have,” said try to generate Osterholm, who has long cham- ogy and prevention branch of vaccine effectiveness estimates pioned the need for completely CDC’s Influenza Division. for Canada for this season. revamped flu vaccines.

Bresee said vaccine effective“I would qualify these findThe low level of protection ness of about 50 to 60 per cent ings as showing little or no prois being attributed to the fact is more the ballpark for flu. tection,” Skowronski said of the that most of the H3N2 viruses “And so year in and year out, U.S. data. in circulation are not a good obviously we think it’s very “And I don’t think we should match for the one in this year’s wise for folks to get the vac- expect the Canadian estimates vaccine. cine. This year obviously we’re to be higher, given that we have Because flu vaccine takes disappointed with the vaccine a greater proportion of drift months to make, experts select effectiveness but most years we variants (viruses).” the strains for the following get vaccine effectiveness that is She said this year’s poor winter’s shot in February each much higher.” showing is part of an ongoing year. If a virus mutates — drifts, Canada is seeing a higher per- pattern of problems with H3N2 www.canadianinquirer.net

viruses.

For starters, this family of influenza A viruses don’t grow well in eggs, which is the way most influenza vaccine is produced. As they adapt to eggs, the viruses acquire mutations that actually undermine the vaccine’s effectiveness. That can produce a double whammy when the target shifts, as it has with this year’s drifted H3N2 viruses.

All this matters because H3N2 is the nastiest of the human flu viruses currently in circulation. These viruses cause severe disease in the elderly; years where H3N2 is dominant are years when there are higher rates of influenza hospitalization and deaths.

Flu scientists who work on vaccines often talk about universal flu vaccines, a type of flu shot that would protect against all or at least many different types of flu. The goal is to develop a vaccine that one might take once in a lifetime — or perhaps every 10 or 20 years, if protection needed to be boosted from time to time.

Researchers working to find a universal vaccine claim from time to time that the science is progressing to the point where one might be possible in five to 10 years. In fact, researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York reported progress on a universal flu vaccine earlier this week.

But others are skeptical, having heard these claims many times before. And it’s unclear what motivation exists for manufacturers to shift from a vaccine they sell year after year to one that might last a lifetime, especially given that developing, testing and licensing a universal flu vaccine would cost hundreds of millions of dollars.

Skowronski said that as the world waits for a universal vaccine, the flu field should focus on improving the H3N2 component of the existing flu shot.

“There’s a big gap between what we would like to see and what we ought to and what we are currently seeing in vaccine effectiveness,” she said.

“And if this were just a oneoff, then I think we’d carry on.

But this is not a one-off with H3 viruses.” ■

38

FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2015

Business

Target Corp. checks out of Canada with plans to wind down 133 stores

BY DAVID FRIEND The Canadian Press TORONTO — What began with Target Corp. bursting into Canada with confidence over its prospects has quickly spiralled into billions of dollars in losses and a decision by the discount retailer to scamper back to the United States.

Less than two years after opening its first stores in Canada, the Minneapolis-based company has admitted defeat in the Canadian market, saying last Thursday that it could not see turning a profit here for at least another six years — a lifetime in the retail industry.

Target will close 133 stores across the country by early June, with 17,600 employees losing their jobs.

“We have not realized the significant improvement in Canadian consumer sentiment that we believe is necessary,” Target chief executive Brian Cornell told analysts during a conference call.

“Put simply, we have not seen the step-change in performance we told you we needed to see.”

Target spent more than five years weighing its entry into Canada before making the move to acquire most of the real estate assets operated by Zellers back in 2010.

Winding down those stores will prove to be a costly endeavour, with Target expecting to record about US$5.4 billion in pre-tax losses in its fourth-quarter, mostly related

Less than two years after opening its first stores in Canada, the Minneapolis-based store Target has admitted defeat in the Canadian market, saying that it could not see turning a profit here for another few years.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

to the Canadian operation.

“They really haven’t given it weren’t quite as shocked and The company said it will also a chance yet,” said Lisa Kirch suggested that Target didn’t work with an adviser to sell outside a Toronto store after connect with their needs. its real estate “I found them and expects to to be a little pricspend between ey,” said Lynn US$500 million Brough, who and US$600 visited her lomillion in cash We have not realized the significant cal Target once on the closures. improvement in Canadian consumer before she deWhile the sentiment that we believe is necessary. cided to spend possibility of her money elseTarget leaving where.

Canada has been A representatalked about for tive for Target months, some shoppers were she heard about the closures. “I said the liquidation of its Canasurprised that it happened so don’t know where everybody is dian stores was still in the planquickly after the holiday shop- supposed to go.” ning stages. ping season.

Other Toronto shoppers “The timing for store clo-

EXCHANGE RATES

sures will vary on a store-bystore basis and, until we get into the process, we won’t know that level of detail,” said spokesman Eric Hausman.

Lacklustre holiday shopping results likely led Target to decide there was no hope of turning around its fumbled plan to become a national retailer that aspired to compete with the likes of Walmart, Canadian Tire (TSX:CTC.A) and Hudson’s Bay Co. (TSX:HBC).

Target’s departure raises new questions about how the company’s absence will reshape the Canadian retail landscape, which has lost several familiar

As of January 21, 2015, from finance.yahoo.com PRICE

CHANGE

% CHANGE

CND / USD

1.2086

-0.0024

+-0.1982%

CND / PHP

36.7147

-0.0990

-0.2690%

CND / EUR

1.3990

-0.0003

-0.0231%

Business

FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2015

names over the past year.

Sony Corp. was the latest to add its name to the growing list, notifying employees this week that it was closing its remaining 14 locations in Canada. Fashion retailers Mexx, Smart Set and Jacob have also recently liquidated their stores.

Before its launch, Target was viewed as a considerable threat to Canadian retailers of all sizes, partly because its reputation with consumers was unique.

Many Canadian shoppers would trek south of the border to wander the aisles of U.S. Target stores in search deals and products they couldn’t find at home.

But when Target arrived in Canada the story wasn’t the same, and complaints flooded social media about empty shelves, high prices and a selection that fell short of expectations.

“Canadian consumers walked in expecting the American store experience and got this watered down version,” said Brynn Winegard, a marketing analyst at Winegard and Company.

Winegard believes Target’s U.S. executive team misjudged the market and went in with a preconceived notion that Canadians would greet them with open wallets. She points to the company’s first domestic advertising campaign as an example of how confidence overshadowed reality.

The commercial featured a woman riding a motorcycle past some of the country’s famous tourist spots and cities before splashing the screen with its logo, saying “Target loves Canada.” Winegard said was too soon for the company to be presenting itself as part of the culture.

“We have a lot of great Canadian retail brands, and we didn’t need Target to be Canadian,” she said. “We needed them to be the company they’ve been in the U.S.” Target’s decision to leave Canada comes as the parent company tries to please investors with better quarterly profits. Just over a year ago, the company suffered a massive security breach that saw credit and debit card information for 110 million North American customers stolen by hackers, which had a rippling effect on its overall business.

“It’s clear that our US business has fully healed from those dark days, but that is not enough and we’re not yet where

we need to be in the U.S.,” the company’s chief financial officer, John Mulligan, told analysts on Thursday.

“With today’s decisions we can focus all of our resources to go beyond healing the U.S. business and continue our work to make it stronger.”

The company said it would provide US$175 million of credit to fund Target Canada’s operations while it winds down under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act, or CCAA, the Canadian equivalent of Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States.

What remains to be seen is whose hands Target’s 133 stores land in over the coming months — but there could be interested bidders aplenty.

“There’s going to be a number of retailers who are going to want to get their hands on (some of ) these stores,” said Antony Karabus, chief executive of HRC Advisory, a firm that consults with retailers.

“But I think some of them are going to sit empty for awhile.”

Prior to Target’s arrival most of the former Zellers properties were considered rundown and mostly in unattractive locations. When Target acquired the stores, the company tore up the floors and refreshed lighting to reflect its trademark red and white appearance.

Target ultimately spent about $10 million on each location, both the inside and outside, which could prove to be a selling feature when the stores hit the sales block.

Some potential bidders include Walmart, Canadian Tire, and grocers like Loblaw (TSX:L), analysts suggested.

Even Canadian retailers who have recently closed underperforming stores, like Sobeys and Rona (TSX:RON), could also find assets in Quebec and elsewhere to gobble up in the process, said Karabus.

Target says the stores will remain open during a court-supervised liquidation period and it’s working to ensure employees are paid at least 16 weeks of severance.

RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX:REI.UN) owns 26 of the properties where Target stores are located, saying on average they have a remaining lease term of 12.7 years. Canada’s largest real estate investment trust said the properties represent just 1.9 per cent of total annualized rental revenue. ■

39

Richest 1% to own more than the rest by 2016: report PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY LONDON — The combined wealth of the world’ s richest 1 percent will overtake that of the other 99 percent in 2016 unless the current trend of rising inequality is addressed, Oxfam International, an Oxford-based charity aims to fight global poverty, warned on Monday.

In its report released a day ahead of the annual World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Oxfam said the richest 1 percent have seen their share of global wealth increase from 44 percent in 2009 to 48 percent in 2014, and it is expected to rise to more than 50 percent next year.

The average wealth of the so-called global elite is US$ 2.7 million per adult.

Of the remaining 52 percent of global wealth in 2014, almost all (46 percent) is owned by the rest of the richest fifth of the world’s population, which means the other 80 percent share just 5.5 percent of the global wealth. It is equal to around US$ 3,851 per adult, which is only equivalent to 0.14

percent of the average wealth of the richest 1 percent, Oxfam data showed.

It warned that the "explosion in inequality is holding back the fight against global poverty at a time when one in nine people do not have enough to eat and more than a billion people still live on less than US$ 1.25 a day."

Winnie Byanyima, executive director at Oxfam, said in a press release: "Extreme inequality is not just a moral

wrong. We know that it hampers economic growth and it threatens the private sector’s bottom line."

The international charity body suggests a seven-point plan for governments to tackle the issue.

It includes a clamp down on tax dodging, investment in universal, free public services, sharing the tax burden fairly, introducing minimum wages, equal pay legislation and ensuring adequate safety-nets. ■

WB: Reviving PHL electronics sector backs economic growth

BY KRIS M. CRISMUNDO Philippine News Agency MANILA — The World Bank (WB) has urged the Philippines to implement measures that will help the local electronics industry rebound in order to support the country’s economic growth.

In its Philippine Economic Update (PEU), World Bank said only the Philippines has not yet fully recovered among major electronics exporting country in the region despite global demand has recovered.

“This strongly suggests that the problem lies in the country’s competitiveness,” World Bank said.

World Bank cited local industry’s top concerns which made www.canadianinquirer.net

the domestic electronics sector less competitive in the region including high electricity cost, insufficient infrastructure leading to high logistics cost, and cumbersome trade regulations.

The government has a big role to play in addressing the said concerns such as: *ensuring reliable power supply and competitive electricity cost; *increasing infrastructure budget and delivering projects on time; and *cutting costly trade regulations through automating processes, reducing paperwork, simplifying procedures, and modernizing the ports system.

“Successful implementation of these recommendations can help the country seize the window of opportunity brought

about by China’s economic rebalancing. Given China’s rising labor costs, which has grown over six-fold from 2000 to 2012, several electronics firms currently in China will be looking for alternative production facilities in the coming years,” World Bank noted.

“The Philippines will be in a good position to attract these investment outflows if it can decisively address the binding constraints that the sector faces,” it added.

Electronics industry contributes the largest in the country’s exports revenue or sharing 40 percent of the total exports.

In the first eleven months of 2014, electronics sector’s earnings grew by 7.9 percent to USD23.5 billion from same period in 2013 at 21.8 billion. ■

40

FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2015

Travel

Thanks to the exposure from the recent movie "Wild" starring Reese Witherspoon, the Pacific Crest Trail is expected to have a record number of hikers this year.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Pacific Crest Trail expecting more hikers this year thanks to ‘Wild’ film and book

BY BETH J. HARPAZ The Associated Press MORE HIKERS are expected on the Pacific Crest Trail this year thanks to the movie “Wild,” according to the Pacific Crest Trail Association, which preserves and promotes the trail.

The book “Wild,” which has been a bestseller for nearly two years, led to a small increase in inquiries about the trail, “but the movie seems to have had a much bigger effect,” said Jack Haskel, trail information specialist for the Pacific Crest Trail Association. “This past December, compared to last year, our website traffic went up 300 per cent.”

Requests have also increased for permits for long-distance hikes on the trail.

The PCT starts near Campo, California, outside San Diego at the Mexican border, and stretches 2,650 miles (4,264 kilometres) through California, Oregon and Washington.

It ends in Washington’s remote Pasayten Wilderness at the Canadian border.

Since the 1950s, only 3,346 people have reported hiking the entire length of the trail, but that number has been rising each year — even before the book and movie brought more attention to the trail.

When Haskel through-hiked the PCT in 2006, 300 people set off to walk the entire route, and about 120 completed it. In 2014, more than 1,000 hikers attempted a through-hike, and about half made it.

Cheryl Strayed, author of “Wild,” hiked 1,100 miles (1,770 kilometres) of the trail as she recovered from drug abuse, divorce and her mother’s death.

Reese Witherspoon received an Oscar nomination for best actress for her portrayal of Strayed. Laura Dern was nominated for best supporting actress as Strayed’s loving, freespirit mother. “’Wild’ is the largest media event ever for the PCT and millions are hearing about it now and are being inspired,” Haskel said.

Both the book and film offer a realistic look at the challenges

and rewards of the trek. Strayed ran out of drinking water, slogged through snow and rain, and bloodied her feet in hiking boots a size too small. She had a few frightening encounters with people she met along the way, but also experienced kinship and kindness. Ultimately the trail’s serenity and natural beauty helped heal her damaged soul.

There are no comprehensive statistics on female PCT hikers, but anecdotal observations suggest more women are hitting the trail, too, from fewer than 10 per cent of hikers in past years to 30 per cent now, Haskel said.

“There are definitely more women out hiking,” Haskel said. “I hear from women who are inspired by ‘Wild.’ And who knows what this season will bring.”

Hikers hoping to do the whole trail typically start in April or May and end in September, walking more than 20 miles (32 kilometres) a day for five months, with a day off now and then to recuperate and resupply. Timing is critical: Start

too early in the spring and you face flooded creeks and snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

End too late in the season and you’ll hit snow in the Northern Cascade mountains.

In addition to endurance and careful planning, long-distance hikers also need to think about money. A through-hike can easily cost $6,000, including the flight to San Diego, food for five months and gear like maps, backpack, sleeping bag and tent. “People who head out with $3,000 often find they’re running out of money,” Haskel said. Through-hikers also typically wear out four or five pairs of trail-running shoes, which are the preferred footgear these days, rather than the boots that caused Strayed agony when she hiked the PCT in 1995.

But you don’t have to hike long distances to enjoy the PCT. You can go for a few hours, a day or an overnight. The PCTA website recommends many popular, accessible options, including Mount Baden Powell near Los Angeles; Mount Rainier and Goat Rocks near Seattle;

and the Cascade Locks and Bridge of the Gods near Portland, Oregon, where a scene in the movie was shot.

The PCTA has also launched a campaign, with Strayed’s support, using the hashtag #responsiblywild to promote safety and “leave no trace” practices. Those include protecting water quality, burying human waste, packing out trash and building safe campfires.

“There are a whole lot of people that are going to be inspired to hit the PCT because of ‘Wild’ and we really care about making sure that people are travelling safely,” Haskel said.

And stay tuned for Hollywood’s next hiking movie when “A Walk in the Woods” comes out later this year starring Robert Redford and Nick Nolte.

If “Wild” touched your heart, this one may tickle your funny bone: It’s based on Bill Bryson’s entertaining book about two middle-aged, out-of-shape buddies attempting to walk the 2,189-mile (3,522-kilometre) Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. ■

Travel

FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2015

41

Cheaper fuel will help airlines pad profits; passengers unlikely to share through lower fares

BY DAVID KOENIG The Associated Press DALLAS — Airlines will save billions this year thanks to cheaper jet fuel, but they aren’t likely to share the bounty with passengers — not while so many flights are already full.

Instead, the airlines will use their windfall to pay down debt and reward shareholders.

Airline CEOs worry that oil prices could just as easily go higher. They hope consumers benefiting from cheaper gasoline will splurge on airline tickets. But the biggest reason airfares aren’t falling: Planes are plenty full at current prices.

Fuel is the biggest single expense at most airlines, and spot prices for jet fuel have tumbled by half since mid-September.

If prices stay around these levels, U.S. airlines could save $20 billion this year by some estimates.

The road to fuel savings at an airline isn’t always as simple as it is for a driver at a gas station.

Airlines often buy contracts known as hedges to protect themselves against sudden upward swings in fuel prices.

However, when the price of oil

crashes, those contracts can on fuel, even with hedging lossDelta’s results on Tuesday are lose a great deal of value. Ana- es. He said Delta will pay down expected to be followed with lysts say the accounting losses debt and reward sharehold- strong fourth-quarter reports will be more than offset by low- ers by buying back company later this week from United and er fuel prices. shares, which raises the value of Southwest, and next week by For example, Delta Air Lines the remaining stock. As for pas- American Airlines.

Inc., the nation’s third-biggest sengers, he suggested that they Travelers who expect airfares airline company, reported can shop around. to drop when fuel becomes Tuesday that it spent $342 mil“The marketplace is incred- cheaper assume that airlines lion less on fuel in the fourth ibly competitive, and there are calculate ticket prices based on quarter than it did a year ear- always differences in fares,” their costs. lier. But it reported a $712 mil- Anderson said.

That used to be true, says lion loss because it had to write The prospect of cheaper fuel Robert Mann, a former airline down the value executive who of future fuelnow consults to hedging conthe industry. A tracts by $1.2 bildecade or more lion.

The industry is full at these prices . . . ago, a financialAirlines won’t You couldn’t stimulate additional ly weak airline benefit equally revenue by cutting prices. would cut fares from cheaper to sell tickets and fuel because raise desperately some, like Delta, needed cash by will suffer losses filling seats that on their hedging strategy. The led Moody’s Investors Service would otherwise fly empty. Not biggest winner could be Ameri- to raise its outlook for airlines anymore. can Airlines Group Inc., which this week from “stable” to “pos“The industry is full at these generally does not hedge. itive.” Moody’s analysts say that prices,” Mann says. “You Airline executives also cite if crude oil is $55 per barrel all couldn’t stimulate additional the volatility of oil prices — year long — it was trading for revenue by cutting prices.” they spiked to records in 2008, $48 on Tuesday — fuel costs at Mergers have left four airline collapsed, then surged again seven of the biggest U.S. airlines companies controlling more until the recent drop — as a rea- will fall about $20 billion in than 80 per cent of the U.S. marson not to cut fares now.

2015 compared with last year. ket. And they have been very Delta CEO Richard Anderson Even with hedging give-backs, slow to add new flights. That said Tuesday that his airline ex- they will come out ahead by $15 makes planes more crowded. pects to save $2 billion this year billion, Moody’s says.

U.S. airlines are filling more

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than 85 per cent of their seats in some months — close to record levels, according to the government.

“Right now the airlines have a great balance of supply and demand, and they are using it to ratchet up fares,” says Jim Corridore, an airlines analyst for S&P Capital IQ. By last summer, U.S. airfares had increased 5 per cent in a year and 31 per cent in five years, according to government figures.

Besides, Corridore says, passengers didn’t offer to pay more when fuel prices were high.

Some analysts worry that airlines will use cheaper fuel to justify adding lots of flights, which could drive down fares. So far that hasn’t happened in the U.S., although for reasons other than cheap fuel there is overcapacity on some international routes.

There is an increasingly popular view within the industry that cheaper oil might even lead to higher airfares. The theory goes that consumers who are saving money on gasoline and heating bills now have extra cash to spend on travel.

Moody’s says that is one reason travel demand will grow at least 5 per cent this year. ■

Long term forecast taken from: www.weathernetwork.com

CALGARY

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42

FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2015

Sports

Super Bowl pits defending champ Seahawks against Patriots, top team of 2000s

BY HOWARD FENDRICH The Associated Press

heading to the franchise’s third Super Bowl — as 1-point favourites, while others made the game a pick ’em.

New England reached its eighth Super Bowl, equaling the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers for most in league history. It’s the sixth time in the past 14 years the Patriots have made it this far; they won trophies after the 2001, 2003 and 2004 seasons.

But they lost in their past two Super Bowl appearances, after the 2007 and 2011 seasons, both times against Eli Manning and the New York Giants.

“It’s hard to compare, year to year. I think every situation’s different,” the 37-year-old Brady said. “We’ve had a lot of good teams in the past. This one is going to have to win a very important game to kind of leave our legacy.”

Here are some things to know about the Super Bowl:

play — or as widely known for his confidence — but intercepted Brady, and Seattle won 2423. That game was best known for what happened afterward: Sherman’s taunting tweet aimed at Brady. Something else to think about: Will Sherman’s injured left elbow be OK in two weeks?

TOM BRADY against ol’ pal Richard Sherman and the rest of the best defence in the NFL. Russell Wilson against Darrelle Revis, former teammate Brandon Browner and whatever schemes Bill Belichick dreams up.

Slow starts, fast finishes Marshawn Lynch and LeGarNeither of these teams rette Blount and their toughlooked all that good early in the to-tackle running styles. season. The Seahawks started The occasional well-designed 3-3, making preseason talk of — and well-executed — trick play. a dynasty seem silly; the PatriThere is a lot to look forward ots began 2-2, and folks were to when Wilson’s Seattle Sesaying Brady was washed up ahawks, the defending chamafter a 41-14 loss at Kansas City pions, take on Brady’s New on Sept. 29. So much for any of England Patriots, the dominant that. Seattle is now on an eightfranchise of the 2000s, in the game winning streak, including Super Bowl at Glendale, AriSunday’s stirring 28-22 overzona, on Feb. 1. Seattle can betime victory over Green Bay come the first team to win confor the NFC championship afsecutive NFL championships ter trailing 16-0. New England, since Brady, Belichick and Co. meanwhile, won 10 of 11 games did it a decade until dropping ago. its meaningless In nearly a regular-season half-century of finale. “You don’t Super Bowls — In nearly a half-century of Super want to judge this will be the Bowls — this will be the 49th — your team af49th — there’s there’s never been this long a stretch ter three or four never been this without a repeat champion. games into the long a stretch season,” Brady without a repeat said after beatchampion. ing Indianapolis On Super Sun45-7 for the AFC day last year, the Seahawks beat You mad bro? title, “and it’s important not to Peyton Manning and the DenThe last time these two teams ride the roller coaster.” ver Broncos 43-8. met was in October 2012, when After Seattle (14-4) and New Wilson was a rookie who threw The QBs England (14-4) won their con- for the go-ahead touchdown Will Brady win his fourth ference title games at home with less than 90 seconds left, Lombardi Trophy? Will Wilson Sunday, some Las Vegas sports Sherman was not yet as highly win his second? Brady owns books had the Seahawks — regarded for his cornerback all sorts of post-season QB re-

The Vince Lombardi trophy, given to the NFL team that wins the Super Bowl each year.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

cords, including 49 touchdown passes and six trips to the Super Bowl. Wilson, meanwhile, is 10-0 for his career in games against quarterbacks who own at least one ring — but only because he overcame four interceptions and a halftime quarterback rating of zero to rally Seattle in the closing minutes against Aaron Rodgers on Sunday. “I just continue to believe in our guys,” said Wilson, who wept after beating Green Bay. The coaches

New England’s Belichick owns a record 21 post-season wins. Seattle’s Pete Carroll preceded Belichick as New England’s coach, then was a national title-winning college coach at Southern California, before re-

turning to the pros. Both come from defensive backgrounds.

Neither is afraid to call a trick play. Punter Jon Ryan’s touchdown pass on a fake field goal for Seattle’s first points Sunday.

One of Brady’s three TD tosses against the Colts went to left tackle Nate Solder. A week earlier, receiver Julian Edelman threw a 51-yard pass.

Lynch’s silent treatment

Lynch, who ran for 157 yards against the Packers, has been docked $100,000 by the NFL for violating the league’s media policy, making a habit of either ignoring reporters entirely or offering one-word answers.

Will he show at the annual circus that is Super Bowl media day? ■

43

FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2015

www.canadianinquirer.net

Seen and Scenes

44

JANUARY 23, 2015

BEA JOY

FRIDAY

WINNIPEG PASTORS

Winnipeg's representative to the 2015 World Championships of Performing Arts, Bea Joy, will have a special performance on Mar. 28 at the Club Regent Event Centre.

Pastor Jun Escosar speaking before Christians in Winnipeg (Photo from FB of Rene Estabillo).

Brunch with men of God (Photo from Rene Estabillo’s Fb).

The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT), with the help of GTT International/ Majestic Vacations, recently conducted a presentation in Chicago highlighting the Philippines as a “Twin Destination” with our neighboring countries in Asia. Partner airlines - Qatar, Eva, Asiana, Korean, China, Japan, ANA, and United representatives graced the event.

Weathering Chicago's chill.

Philippine Department of Tourism Team North America working tirelessly to position the country as a premier travel destination in the region and the world.

(Photo by Gab Agcaoili).

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

Dinner with colleagues in the tourism industry (Photo by Gab Agcaoili).

TOURISM ATTACHES IN CHICAGO

www.canadianinquirer.net

Events

FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2015

Lav-2-Laff in Edmonton

By GSP Promotions WHEN/WHERE: 6 p.m., Feb. 8, at Fantasyland Hotel Banquet Hall MORE INFO: a pre-Valentine show featuring Daniel Matsunaga, Aldred Gatchalian, Ate Gay, Cacai and Renzo. Call Bethel at 780-710-1249; Arlene at 780-267-5630.

CANADA EVENTS

Manny Pacquiao Movie WHEN/WHERE: Jan. 23, at Carlton Cinema, 20 Carlton Street at Yonge Toronto, ON MORE INFO: NUNAVUT Directed by Ryan Moore, interview with Joshua Shultz

YUKON

45

View all events by scanning this QR code or visiting

http://bit.ly/ PCI-Events

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES Acoustic Night with the Soloistas – Canada Tour

WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m., Feb. 27, at John Bassett Theatre, Metro Toronto Convention Centre North Bldg., 255 Front St. West, Toronto, On. 7:30 p.m., Feb. 28, at Century Casino, 1010 42 Ave. SE, Calgary, AB MORE INFO: Featuring DJ Mike (formerly of Akafellas), Jimmy Bondoc, Luke Mijares, Paolo Santos and Jinky Vidal

BRITISH COLUMBIA ALBERTA

MANITOBA

SASKATCHEWAN

Winter-Spring Training 2015

By ISS of BC WHEN/WHERE: 14 Saturdays till 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 Interwoven Stories: Textiles, Costumes, Cultures – A Multicultural Fest By the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver WHEN/WHERE: Exhibit runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tuesday to Sunday till Feb. 15, at the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver at 555 Columbia Street, Vancouver, B.C. Drop-in Conversation Circles for Work Permit Holders (Burnaby)

By Mosaic WHEN/WHERE: 1 to 3 p.m., till Mar. 21 Saturdays at Brentwood Community Resource Centre, 2055 Rosser Ave., Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Call 604-292-3907 for details.

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. Maharlika Awards 2014

By Reyfort Media Group WHEN/WHERE: Jan. 31, at Hilton Vancouver Metrotown (6083 Mckay Ave., Burnaby) MORE INFO: Call 604-436-2103/ 604-588-6397 Sinulog 2015

By Bisdak Christian Society of Vancouver WHEN/WHERE: 6 p.m., Feb. 7, St. Patrick Church Gymnasium, 2881 Main St., Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Tickets: Adult - $15; Children - $5

ONTARIO

QUEBEC

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

NEW BRUNSWICK 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, up to 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. www.canadianinquirer.net

Fabric Art Workshop led by June Yun

By Chinese Cultural Centre WHEN/WHERE: 2 to 4 p.m., Jan. 24, at the Chinese Cultural Centre Museum, 555 Columbia St., Vancouver, B.C. Textile Art Symposium

By Chinese Cultural Centre WHEN/WHERE: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Jan 31 at the Chinese Cultural Centre Museum, 555 Columbia St., Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Symposium speakers: Jean Kares, Dr. Angela Clark, Liza Wajong, Trish Graham Dinner and Dance

By Dream Hoops Academy WHEN/WHERE: 6:30 p.m., Jan. 31 Renfrew Park Community Centre at 2929 E. 22nd Ave., Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Contact Eden Obuyes 604-8259313 or email nedesobuyes@hotmail.com Ticket - $20.

Valentine Dinner Dance for a Cause

By Alpha Phi Omega Alumni Association of British Columbia WHEN/WHERE: 6 p.m., Feb. 8, Riverside Banquet Hall, 14500 River Road, Richmond, B.C. Valentine Dinner and Dance

By VFCCA and Western Union WHEN/WHERE: 6 p.m. Feb. 8, at Cedar Hill Recreation Centre 3220 Cedar Hill Rd., Victoria, B.C. MORE INFO: Tickets at $22/pax

FRIDAY JANUARY 23, 2015

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FRIDAY