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Stop talking about problems resolved two generations ago
P-Noy name dropped to get smuggled sugar
MILF on Mamasapano: Let’s move on
Government eases rules on Syrian refugee claims
No poverty, hunger in 15 years?
HELLO TO A “NEW DAWN” Gunmen abduct 2 Canadians, Norwegian and Filipino from Philippine island resort BY OLIVER TEVES The Associated Press Sen. Grace Poe waves to supporters shortly after declaring her intention to seek the presidency in 2016. The much-anticipated but predictable announcement on Wednesday at Ang Bahay ng Alumni on the UP Diliman campus capped months of speculation about the senator's plans. The ruling Liberal party had been courting her as running for its presidential bet, former interior Secretary Mar Roxas.
Drilon presses SET on Poe
MARIANNE BERMUDEZ / PDI
Disqualification case casts doubts on her poll bid, says Senate boss BY CHRISTINE O. AVENDAÑO AND JEROME C. ANING Philippine Daily Inquirer SENATE PRESIDENT Franklin Drilon yesterday urged the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) to expedite hearings on the disqualification case against Sen. Grace Poe in order to reach a decision
before the deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy next month. The SET today opens oral arguments on the petition filed by Rizalito David, who lost the 2013 senatorial election, to unseat Poe, the front-runner in voter preference polls for the 2016 presidential election.
MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Gunmen abducted two Canadians, including a former mining company executive, aFilipino woman and the Norwegian marina manager at an upscale resort complex on a southern Philippine island, sparking an air and sea search by authorities, officials said Tuesday. At least 11 men armed with pistols and two rifles arrived on two motorboats ❱❱ PAGE 9 Gunmen abduct
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Tax exemptions for working class, not for local capitalists and foreign monopolies PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY MANILA — A MILITANT labor group is calling on organized labor to rally behind the proposed measures by Rep. Quimbo and Sen. Angara that would raise the ceiling of tax exemptions. Angara’s bill, in particular, aims to exempt monthly incomes of below P88,000 from tax obligations. The Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) argued that, “The proposed tax exemption would result into the muchneeded increase in take-home pay for wage and salaried workers who earn more than the atrociously-low minimum wage and are not covered by the orders of the regional wage boards since their creation in 1989. But more importantly, it is the height of injustice that the Philippine government could afford billions in tax breaks and incentives to foreign multinational monopolies — as cited by Sen. Angara and Rep. Neri Colmenares.” They likewise complained that despite obvious bias of the Aquino administration, “it has the gall to complain of the P30 billion that would be reduced from the nation’s coffers due to the Angara-Quimbo bill — as alleged by the finance department.” “The proposals would not cause a big loss in the tax base for the Bureau of Internal Rev-
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enue (BIR) since the increase in take-home pay will spur consumption and increase the collections for the value-added tax,” Leody De Guzman, chairperson of BMP disputed. He further explained that, “The proposal is a step towards the reform of the present regressive taxation system, which operates under the principle: “those who have less in life should have more in taxes”. At its present structure, the tax burden is borne more by work-
ers whose wages have automatic deductions for withholding taxes than by corporations that have access to various legal means of tax avoidance both to their corporate incomes and properties — contrary to the Constitutional policy for a “progressive taxation system”. The militants believe that the workers deserve a reprieve from almost six years of hardship under the neoliberal and elitist regime of Noynoy Aquino.
De Guzman pointed out that, “Despite its anti-corruption rhetoric, which is but a pretense to attack its rivals in the political opposition, public funds are still use to enrich those who are in power. As long as billions of state funds are lost to corruption, taxpayers — especially the working class who are the most tax-compliant sector of Philippine society — have every right and reason to call for less taxes, or even for a tax revolt.” “From whence do all taxes
come from? It is from the collective toil of millions of workers. Yes, all taxes, in general. Not just the deductions for withholding taxes to already starvation wages but also taxes to corporate income and property as well. In the production of goods and services being bought and sold at the market, workers create not just the commodity but also its value. They add to the existing value of materials and tools used. This “value-added” is the well-spring of wages, profit, rent, interest — all of which are subject to tax. Hence, wages should be tax-exempt not just because it is below the Constitutionally-mandated living wage. More so, since the taxes paid by employers, bankers, and landlords come from the surplus value that was created by labor but unpaid by capital,” he continued. “But lest we be charged of rescinding from our obligations to the national interest, labor must declare that it has no obligation to fund a capitalist state that is not only a coercive watchdog of the propertied elite but also as an absentee government that has abandoned the needs of its own citizenry to serve the local oligarchs and their foreign masters through its pursuit of the policies of liberalization, deregulation, privatization, and contractualization. Tax the rich, not the poor!” the veteran labor leader stressed. ■
Poe remains top presidential bet, Roxas surpasses Binay — SWS poll BY JANE MORALEDA Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA — In the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, Senator Grace Poe maintained her lead among the preferred presidential candidates while former Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II took over the second spot and displaced Vice President Jejomar “Jojo” Binay who now ranked third. The presidential preferences
survey, which was first released by BusinessWorld, showed that Poe’s current preference rate of 47 percent increased by five percentage points from her rate in the previous polls. Roxas, on the other hand, went past Binay, garnering 39 percent preference rate. The former Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) chief was recently endorsed by President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III’s as his ‘anointed one’ or preferred successor.
Binay, who used to be a frontrunner, placed second in June and third in September with 35 percent preference rate. Davao Mayor Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte, for his part, only had 16 percent which ranked him as the fourth preferred presidential candidate. The SWS survey was conducted from September 2 to 5 and had sampling error margins of three percent for national percentages and six percent for Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. www.canadianinquirer.net
Sen. Grace Poe announces her candidacy for the 2016 presidential race. FACEBOOK
Meanwhile, the SWS survey on preferred vice presidential candidates was also led by
Poe who was followed by her running mate Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero. ■
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SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
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Henares on lifting bank secrecy law: ‘There is nothing we can do’ BY JANE MORALEDA Philippine Canadian Inquirer
to entail P29-billion in revenue losses. “This is a way to collect taxes properly so that we will have room to adjust, but they (several representatives) don’t like
MANILA — With several lawmakers rejecting Malacañang’s proposal to lift the bank secrecy law, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) ComAt the end of the day, it is up missioner Kim to them. Henares may not be pushing for its passage. The anti-tax evasion measure it, so there is nothing we can was earlier pressed by Henares do,” the BIR Secretary said in a and Finance Secretary Cesar Philippine Star report. Purisima to compensate the “They want to lower the rate Congess’ income tax reform of income tax. We are suggestbill which has been projected ing a way how to do it without
increasing taxes. At the end of the day, it is up to them,” she added. Last week, several congressmen opposed Malacañang’s proposal to ease restrictions in the bank secrecy law, asserting that it may discourage businessmen and lead to the harassment of some politicians. President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, for his part, reportedly ‘scolded’ allies who allegedly supported the lowering of personal and commercial income tax rates. ■
Sen. BongBong Marcos is the son of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos. BONGBONGMARCOS.COM
Bongbong asks to stop talking about problems resolved two generations ago BY ERNIE B. ESCONDE Philippines News Agency SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos said the country must not dwell on problems about his family that he claimed were already resolved two generations ago but instead government should focus on what would make people’s lives better. “In 1986 or about 30 years ago, these were resolved. Those who were criticizing got their wish, it is finished. Let us move on,” he said. The son of the late strongman President Ferdinand Marcos said that they have addressed whatever cases were hurled in court and answered in every forum the best way they can accusations against his family. Bongbong was reacting on how he would answer accusations against his family should he run as vice-president. “Ang mga problema ngayon at kung ano solusyon ang ating pag-usapan, hindi yong paulitulit na binabanggit na kasalanan ng pamilya ko by certain elements of the press. (Let us talk on problems now and needed solutions and not repeatedly dealing on the accusations against my family),” he said. He cited the problems on traffic, water, electric power, foreign investment and hunger that stalk 12 million people that
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should be given primary concern. "These are problems we should be talking about, not problems resolved two generations ago,” Marcos said. “Let us go back to what people voted us into — to solve problems they encounter everyday to make their lives better. This is where the focus of government should be and that I will continue to focus on,” he said. In fighting corruption, Marcos said the country has enough, complete laws on anticorruption, graft and corruption. “Sundin lang ng masinsinan kung ano nakasulat sa batas at huwag ipulitika ang anti-corruption drive. Huwag kalaban lang habulin. Sa ngayon hindi yata pantay ang trato kundi depende sa kulay ng pulitika (Just follow the law to the letter and do not politicize the anti-corruption drive. Do not run only after political enemies),” he said. The Ilocano lawmaker said the law must be applied to everyone. “Alisin ang pulitika sa enforcement ng batas, palagay ko malaking hakbang para mabawasan corruption hindi lamang sa pamahalaan kundi sa private sector (Remove politics from the enforcement of laws and I think it will reduce corruption not only in government but the private sector),” Marcos said. ■
Philippine News
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
‘COURAGE AND COMPETENCE’
For UN chem weapons mission, 15 Pinoy sailors are honored BY NIÑA P. CALLEJA Philippine Daily Inquirer FIFTEEN FILIPINO sailors were honored by the Norwegian government on Thursday for their participation in a dangerous mission to transport chemical weapons from war-torn Syria last year. The decision to award Filipinos the operational medals were “rare and historic,” said Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines Erik Forner. He said this was the first time civilians were given the Norwegian military honors since World War II. “With the greatest courage, competence and professionalism, the 15 seafarers ensured that hundreds of tons of chemical weapons were transported from Syria and safely destroyed,” Forner said in a ceremony attended by officials and diplomats led by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert de Rosario. The 15 Filipino awardees were among the 41 civilian crew members onboard the cargo ship MV Taiko on a mission to implement a United Nations Security Council’s resolution requiring the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons. Six other Filipinos who were part of the crew have received their medals in a ceremony in Norway last June. Among the awardees on Thursday were Ted Jallorina, Izlwyn Marin, Charles Steven Olimba, Antonio Sidocon, Giegz Lawa, Niel Sumondong, Reynaldo Batiancela, Jake Talinting, Syldreg Guliman, Rolando Gonzales, Jayson Bonete, Rufino Pedregosa, Orlando Ramos, Genciano Cruz, and the only woman in the group, stewardess Karen Mae Rivera. One the crew members, cook Ramos, died of cancer on Tuesday. UN’s call for assistance
The eight-month operation from December 2013 to July 2014 was Norway’s response to the UN’s call for the assistance of the international community in the removal, transportation and destruction of the weapons following an attack in 2013 in the outskirts of Syrian capital Damascus that killed hundreds of civilians. Tapping the shipping company Wilhelmsen, Norway responded to the call and provided the civilian cargo ship MV Taiko and two ships from the
Norwegian Navy to act as escort vessels. The mission took place in coordination with the UN, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and other concerned states. Chemical weapons
By the end in July 2015, 700 tons of chemical weapons had been sent to several countries and destroyed. “The mission is one of Norway’s most significant contribution to the international peace and security in recent years,” Forner said. Cmdr. John Gunnar Refsnes of the Royal Norwegian Army recounted the dangers the MV Taiko team had faced during the mission. The Norwegian vessel was exposed and vulnerable to danger and was often accompanied by the sound of missiles and mortars, especially during the early part of the operations in Syrian ports. Refsnes recalled that one time, the MV Taiko crew were removing containers of chemical weapons from Syrian city Latakia and two rockets were fired. “But the crew remained calm and continued doing their business,” he said after the ceremony. But most of the time, the crew would wait until it is safe to carry on with the tasks. “We went back and forth 10 times until all the weapons had been loaded into the ship,” Refsnes said.
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‘Partido Pilipinas’ a gimmick – Serge BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA Philippine Daily Inquirer THE “PARTIDO Pilipinas” of Senators Grace Poe and Francis Escudero is a political gimmick and does not represent a definite set of principles, according to Sen. Sergio Osmeña III. Poe and Escudero, who do not belong to any political party, said the Philippines was their party and its members are the Filipinos, as they announced their team up for the 2016 elections. According to them, they were running under an “ideology and principle” they called “Partido Pilipinas.” Osmeña said a party should be based on principles and ideology. But Poe and Escudero had a lot of motherhood statements in their speeches, and it was something that he could write in one hour. “So what else is new? So they say, we’re now a party of the Filipino people, that’s a gimmick. It doesn’t stand for any set of political principles, not like in America of Europe,” Osmeña told reporters late Thursday. But Osmeña, a known political
No second thoughts
In an interview, awardee Batiancela, the 47-year-old repairman of MV Taiko, said all the Filipino crew members of the vessel had no second thoughts about accepting the job. “We knew there were risks. But for us it was an opportunity,” Batiancela, who hails from Antipolo, Rizal, said. Refsnes said that as commander of the vessel, he had made sure that everyone would go back home alive and security and safety standards in shipping the weapons were met. Rosario called the Filipino participation in the mission a “job well done.” Refsnes praised the boldness of the Filipino sailors in Norway who as of the latest count have reached to 25,000. “If I ever get a task like this again, I know where to look for my crew,” the Norwegian commander said. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net
strategist, also said that having a political party is not actually that important in Philippine politics anyway. It’s the parties that flock to the candidates, who form a group or coalition to support their campaign based on the various personalities approaching them for a team-up, he said. No candidate, if offered assistance from groups outside his own, would refuse, he noted. “It’s the presidential candidate that organizes the party and not vice versa,” he said. Officials who belong to existing parties more often than not transfer to the group of the most popular candidate, he pointed out. “I’ve never believed in the ability of any political party to deliver, and it’s been proven,” he added. Even the Liberal Party of President Aquino had various partners who joined him only in 2010, and it could not be said to have secured his victory on its own, he said. Osmeña also agrees that running independent presents advantages for candidates, including having less baggage. ■
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Sandigabayan orders the arrest of former Iloilo Gov. Tupas, 3 other co-accused for graft PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY MANILA — The anti-graft court on Monday ordered the arrest of former Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas Sr. and three of his co-accused for graft charges in connection to the alleged anomalous payment of a private company for unconsumed electricity worth Php4 million. “After a careful assessment of the records, the documents and other evidence submitted together with the information of the above-entitled case, the Court finds the existence of probable cause and so orders the issuance of a warrant of arrest against the accused,” the court said in a minute resolution dated September 14, released only to media on Monday. The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division has also directed the Bureau of Immigration to place Tupas Sr. and his co-accused under the Bureau’s Hold Depar-
ture List to prevent them from leaving the country. “This Court, in the exercise of its inherent power to use all means necessary to carry its orders into effect, more specifically, to preserve and maintain the effectiveness of its jurisdiction over the case and the persons of the accused…Hereby orders the Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration to hold the departure from the Philippines of the above-named accused and to include the names of the said accused in the Hold Departure List of the said Bureau,” the court said in a separate resolution. The Office of the Ombudsman said in their complaint submitted to Sandiganbayan on September 9, that Tupas Sr., Iloilo provincial accountant Lyd Tupas, assistant department head of the office of the provincial accountant Sandra Bionat, and general services department head Ramie Salcedo, were charged with violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt
Practices Act. The Ombudsman, in its complaint said Tupas and the other respondents has used their respective positions in “conspiring with one another” to give “unwarranted benefit, advantage and preference” to the private company Green Core Geothermal, Inc. by approving the release of a total of Php4,007,111.91 to the company between the period of December 2009 to April 2010. The payment made to Green Core was for the supposed electricity supply from September 26, 2007 to December 25, 2011, to facilitate the construction of the Iloilo Multi-Purpose Convention Center. The Ombudsman said that while the construction of the convention center did not push through, the provincial government still paid Green Core a total of Php5.88 million for the billing period of December 2009 to April 2010 even when the actual electricity consumption of the province for that period only amounted to Php1.88
million. Tupas Sr. is the father of incumbent Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr. In a joint motion submitted to the court Tuesday last week, Tupas Sr. and his three co-accused moved for the deferment of the issuance of the arrest warrant against them saying that they still have a pending motion for certiorari with the Third Division of the Court of Appeals, asking for a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the Ombudsman’s filing of the case before the Sandiganbayan. “On September 2, 2015, the Court of Appeals 3rd Division issued a resolution ordering the Office of the Ombudsman to comment on the petition, however, what the Office of the Ombudsman did as a high-handed legal strategy akin to a rapier’s thrust was to immediately file the information against the petitioners for the intention of making the TRO prayer moot and academic,” Tupas Sr. and the other respondents said. The petitioners pointed out
that a positive resolution on their petition for certiorari would mean the withdrawal of the case before the Sandiganbayan, thus, it would be proper to await the appellate court’s ruling first to protect the state from “expensive trials.” “That petitioners/accused implore the Honorable 5th Division to give them reasonable time to be heard by the Court of Appeals so that they be able to protect themselves from an open and public accusation of a crime, from the trouble, expense and anxiety of a public trial and also to protect the state from useless and expensive trials,” the respondents said. Fifth Division clerk of court, lawyer Ma. Teresa Pabulayan said that as of the moment, there is no order from the court to recall the arrest warrant issued against the accused but the prosecution was given five days to comment on the respondents’ motion to defer their arrest. ■
Aquino on Poe: What will you do to outdo what we already did? BY JANE MORALEDA Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA — With Senator Grace Poe declining the ruling Liberal Party’s offer to be their vice presidential bid and opting instead to join the presidential race in next year’s national elections, President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III still thanked the neophyte senator for acknowledging his “daang matuwid” (straight path) type of governance and challenged her to outdo the reforms he started. Aquino also welcomed Poe’s constructive criticism towards his administration and questions on his policies as he was well aware of how politics worked in the Philippines. “If I need to be criticized, why not? Just put it in the right place and context and base it on
truth,” he said in an interview. “Let’s be practical. When it comes to elections, marketing has what it calls brand differentiation. How could you say ‘we are better’ if you will not say this administration lacks this, that and there,” he added. Moreover, the President thanked the senator for informing him of her political plans before officially announcing her presidential candidacy. He then noted that voters were free to choose between former Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II’s “daang matuwid” or Poe’s “gobyernong may puso” (government with heart). “What is more important is we do not slide back to where we started. Let us not make my five years [as president] as a mere intermission then go back to the ugly truth. If they (Poe and Senator Francis Escudero) can make better of what we did,
why should we be mad? Maybe the next question is: What are the things you will do to outdo what we are doing,” Aquino said. Poe, in her privilege speech, prioritized the education, agriculture and infrastructure sectors in her platform as she believed that there was a dire need to address the public schools’ lack of classrooms and facilities; the farming and livestock propagation; and the restructuring of the numerous roads, trains and airports in the country. The senator will be releasing her presidential campaign’s comprehensive program in the coming days. Lito David, a former senatorial candidate who deemed Poe as ineligible for an elective post, slammed the senator’s declaration of her presidential bid as her disqualification case before www.canadianinquirer.net
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the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) remained pending. “She is not a great leader… She lacks respect for the process as defined by law and disrespects
her own peers in the Senate that compose a majority of the SET by pre-empting whatever decision they would make on her case,” David said. ■
Philippine News
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
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‘Mario brothers’ wanted for murder arrested in Thailand BY JANE MORALEDA Philippine Canadian Inquirer
Screenshot of the CCTV footage released by the Philippine National Police showing the moment armed men abducted four people — ncluding two Canadians — from a resort in Samal Island, Davao.
Gunmen abduct... and entered the Holiday Ocean View Samal Resort before midnight Monday on Samal Island off Davao City, military and police officials said, citing witnesses and a security video that captured part of the kidnapping. The gunmen attempted to seize an American and his Japanese companion on one of the yachts docked at the marina, but the couple resisted and escaped by jumping off the boat. The two suffered minor injuries as they struggled to break free from the kidnappers, police said. Amid the commotion, Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall and the Filipino woman, Teresita Flor, rushed out of their yacht and were taken. Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, who was the resort’s marina manager, was seized when he approached to check what was happening, said Senior Supt. Samuel Gandingan, the police chief Davao del Norte province, which includes Samal Island. Government forces later heard of the abductions and began a search. "Unfortunately, the lead time that the abductors had and the darkness of night were able to cover the retreat of the abductors," military spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla told reporters in Manila. Government forces on planes and helicopters were scouring the waters and coastal areas in the Davao Gulf. Two motorboats were found in nearby Davao Oriental province and authorities were trying to ascertain if they were the boats the kidnappers had used, Gandingan said. Norwegian officials said they have been notified about the reported abduction but have yet to independently confirm it. "We are obviously very concerned now," Olav David Sekkingstad, the father of the abducted Norwegian, told the Bergens Tidende newspaper in Norway. Ridsdel is the former chief operating officer of mining company TVI Resource ❰❰ 1
Development Philippines Inc., a subsidiary of Canada’s TVI Pacific, where he is still a consultant, a company officer said. There were no immediate booking cancellations and departures of tourists on Samal island although resort operators expect a drop in the number of visitors once news of the abductions spreads, said Araceli Ayuste, who operates two resorts. No group has claimed responsibility. Muslim and communist rebels, alQaida-linked Abu Sayyaf militants and criminal syndicates have been active for years in the restive southern region due to weak law enforcement in rural areas despite years of on-and-off government crackdowns. Communist New People’s Army guerrillas are active in the hinterlands of the Davao region, about 975 kilometres (610 miles) southeast of Manila, where they have denounced foreign mining operations and military counterinsurgency assaults. Abu Sayyaf militants are notorious for kidnapping foreigners and Filipinos for ransom in the vast Mindanao region. In 2001, Abu Sayyaf militants tried unsuccessfully to seize hostages from the Pearl Farm Beach Resort south of Ocean View during a ransom-kidnapping spree. The Abu Sayyaf abducted 21 people, mostly European tourists, from a diving resort in neighbouring Malaysia in 2000, then abducted three Americans and 17 Filipinos the following year from the Dos Palmas resort in Palawan province southwest of Manila. Abu Sayyaf gunmen are still holding other hostages, including two Malaysians, a Dutch bird watcher kidnapped nearly three years ago, and a town mayor. All are believed to be held by the militants in their jungle bases in southern Sulu province. ■
ers and earlier disclosed that there was probable cause to indict both suspects for murdering Ortega. The victim’s family, for their part, has MANILA — Former Palawan governor Ma- already been informed of the arrest. rio Joel T. Reyes and his brother, former Ortega’s daughter, Mica, said in a radio Coron mayor Mario T. Reyes, alleged mas- interview that they could not believe terminds in the 2011 the news at first but killing of journalist eventually felt relief and environmentalist that the trial on the Gerry Ortega, have realleged masterminds portedly been arrested could continue. in Phuket, Thailand The Department It can be recalled over the weekend for of Justice (DOJ) that President Be‘overstaying’ in the confirmed the nigno “Noynoy” country. arrest of the Reyes Aquino III in 2012 According to a pobrothers and earlier placed a two-million lice source from the disclosed that bounty for the capPhilippine National there was probable ture of the ‘Big Five’ Police’s (PNP) Task cause to indict which included the Force Usig assigned both suspects for Reyes brothers, forto the capture of the murdering Ortega. mer Dinagat Island wanted ‘Mario brothRepresentative Ruers,’ the Thai police ben Ecleo Jr., Army have detained the Major General Jovito brothers for eventual Palparan and Globe deportation and have Asiatique developer already coordinated with the PNP. Delfin Lee. The Department of Justice (DOJ) Of the five fugitives, only Ecleo reconfirmed the arrest of the Reyes broth- mained at large. ■
Associated Press writers Jim Gomez in Manila and Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark contributed to this report. www.canadianinquirer.net
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Customs foils ex-LTO chief P-Noy name dropped to get smuggled sugar BY JERRY E. ESPLANADA Philippine Daily Inquirer TWO YEARS after figuring in a viral YouTube video showing her playing on a slot machine in an unnamed casino, which reportedly prompted President Aquino to show her the door as Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief, former Assistant Transportation Secretary Virginia Torres recently showed up at the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to do business. She left empty-handed. The controversial ex-LTO head, said to be one of the President’s shooting buddies, gave customs personnel a big surprise when she showed up at the Customs-Intelligence Group (IG) office on Aug. 20 allegedly to negotiate the release of at least 64 shipping containers of smuggled Thai sugar worth more than P100 million. The shipments, misdeclared as general merchandise, were not covered by any import permits from the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), an agency under the Department of Agriculture. Imported through dummy firms, the sugar was part of more than 120 shipments that were the subject of at least 24 alert orders issued by the IG during the past five months. Worse, Torres allegedly dropped the name of President Aquino and suggested that the proceeds from the sale of the
illegally imported sugar would be used in the 2016 elections. Sought for comment, Customs Deputy Commissioner Jessie Dellosa confirmed to the INQUIRER that Torres “paid a visit to the IG office to appeal her case.” Dellosa, a former Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff, said that while his staff—Special Assistant Willie Tolentino, former Customs Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) chief—politely listened to Torres’ plea, “the fact that the shipments were in violation of the law cannot be overlooked.” Dellosa asserted that “the ‘who’ in illegal imports has never been a consideration in meeting the IG’s actions on Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines-related concerns.” “Each and every case is reviewed and acted upon solely on the facts and circumstances,” Dellosa said. With the late 2013 launch of the customs bureau’s reform program, the IG “has upheld total objectivity, fairness and impartiality in pursuing its mandate of protecting government interests in revenue collections and our people from the entry of contraband,” he added. Shipment not hers
Contacted by phone, Torres admitted dropping by the IG office on Aug. 20 to see Dellosa and appeal the seizure of several shipments of imported “general merchandise.”
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“But I wasn’t able to talk to him. Instead, it was (Tolentino) who talked to me and took note of my request,” she said. Torres said the shipments were not hers. “I made the appeal on behalf of my friend (Philip Sy, who also showed up at the IG office minutes after Torres’ arrival),” she said. “That is why, when (Tolentino) explained to me that they could not release the sugar shipments, I reprimanded Philip. I didn’t know that they were smuggled sugar. I was told by Philip they’re general merchandise,” she said. Torres claimed that she had no knowledge of the import business. “Philip just asked me to help him,” she said, stressing “I’m not for illegal business,” referring to smuggling. Sy, described by customs insiders as a “customs player,” did not respond to this reporter’s request for an interview. Sugar planter
“I’m busy here in Tarlac. I lease property in a hacienda,” Torres said, but did not name the sugar plantation. Torres also confirmed that she had been seeing Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina, whom she described as her “longtime friend.” “It was just a friendly visit...No business at all,” she said. A source from the Office of the Com-
Philippine News
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
missioner said that during her visit, Torres was accompanied by a “certain Colonel Liwanag” and a “certain Nory,” said to be a former driver at Malacañang. Customs personnel interviewed for this report disputed some of Torres’ claims. According to them, part of her conversation with Tolentino went like this: Tolentino: “I’m talking to you because you seem to have a problem.” Torres: “Yes. The sugar that just arrived has also come under alert order. We’re asking you for advice.” Tolentino: “When was the alert ordered?” Torres: “Ah, just recently.” Tolentino: “Is that yours?” Torres: “Yes. Philip, my partner, said . . .” Tolentino: “How many containers?” Torres: “Sixty-four.” Tolentino: “If it has come under alert order, it will be difficult for us to do anything.” Torres (chuckling): “Not all, please ... And what we should do ... Maybe something just needs to be signed and the shipments can be released.” Tolentino: “But why did you not get an import permit? Before I left ESS, the Task Force Pantalan seized (eight containers). That’s also sugar.” Torres: “That’s also mine, that’s why we are going after it.” Tolentino: “Ah, it’s also yours? Wow! Why?” Election time again
Torres: “Help us, please (humming) ... It’s election time again . . . Our problem is Deputy Commissioner Dellosa ... Maybe we can meet ... There are many smugglers. Why the others . . . I’ll follow you.” A source said Torres mentioned the President’s name and claimed she had contacts at the SRA. “I have contacts there. We have an SRA permit, but it’s local . . . Don’t we grow sugarcane at (Hacienda) Luisita? Were you not reported in newspapers as grateful to the President ... ? I lease and we plant together,” Torres said. Both President Aquino and Torres hail from Tarlac province. Torres, a native of La Paz town, served as LTO head in Tarlac before the President appointed her assistant transportation secretary to head the LTO in 2010. The Sugar Alliance of the Philippines (SAP), the biggest group of sugar planters and millers in the country, said it was “very alarmed” because “if this report about Torres’ visit to the Bureau of Customs is validated, it proves that former government officials like Virginia Torres have been dropping and using the President’s good name in asking BOC officials to lift the alert orders on smuggled sugar shipments for their personal gain.” “It is likewise alarming that Ms Torres is allegedly intimidating to customs officials that the funds will be used for the coming elections,” said Manuel Lamata, chair of the SAP. Lamata said the SAP had been “re-
ceiving reports that some government officials are using their position to act as power brokers at customs.” But “this is the first time for us to hear that an official brazenly and wantonly flaunted her alleged links to the President to get away without fear that somebody might hear or report her to the President himself,” he added. “To go to the BOC to allegedly negotiate an otherwise illegal deal is an act of either supreme confidence or desperation,” he said. Bad for local farmers
The SAP warned that releasing smuggled sugar to the local market would curtail demand. “Hence, nobody will buy local sugar anymore,” the group said. “It will also harm our farmers because they will be competing against sugar that has been highly subsidized by the Thai government. That’s cheap sugar to be dumped on us. Likewise, imported sugar is not subjected to any quality control tests here, making them suspect to use,” it said. Lamata has brought the issue to the attention of former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, now the presidential standard-bearer of the ruling Liberal Party in the 2016 elections. “We wanted Secretary Mar Roxas to look into this matter,” Lamata said, recalling Roxas’ promise, made in a speech during the recent Philippine Sugar Technology convention in Cebu City, that he would support the industry. “This is a golden opportunity for Secretary Mar to prove that he indeed has our backs and that the insinuation that the funds will be used for the elections is not true,” Lamata said. He urged Roxas to “look into the activities of these smugglers, especially those who use their perceived closeness to the powers-that-be to extract favors.” “At the very least, he needs to denounce the activities of these unscrupulous officials,” Lamata said. The SAP earlier called for the resignation of Lina for allegedly allowing sugar smuggling to flourish. Lina is “no good for the industry and no good for the country,” Lamata said. Sought for comment, Lina said: “That’s his right...but I serve at the pleasure of the President.” In a letter to President Aquino, the SAP condemned the “dramatic increase in sugar smuggling during the past four months.” That “sadly coincides with the appointment of Commissioner Lina as head of the BOC,” the SAP said, noting that in a previous letter to Malacañang, it “tried to warn” the President that “Commissioner Lina’s soft stance on smuggling will be perceived by criminal syndicates as a sign that the ports are now open for business.” Lina strongly denied the SAP’s claims, saying the customs bureau’s intensified campaign against sugar smuggling was a work in progress. ■
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Drilon contented with Roxas’ showing in latest SWS survey PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY MANILA — Senate President Franklin Drilon on Monday said the spike in Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Manuel Roxas’ rating in the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey confirms upward trend of the administration bet. “The spike in Roxas’ rating shows that President Aquino’s endorsement power remains critical and cannot be ignored. It likewise shows that the public’s appreciation for the administration’s ‘tuwid na daan’ reform policies should not be underestimated,” Drilon said in a press statement. Based on the SWS survey conducted to 1,200 respondents from Sept. 2 to 5, Roxas zoomed past Vice President Jejomar Binay as the public’s preferred next president with 39 percent as compared to Binay’s 35 percent. "The rising momentum in the poll ratings of Roxas just shows that more and more Filipinos believe in what President Aquino said: Roxas is the bestsuited leader to continue and improve on the achievements already made under the present administration,” Drilon stressed. He noted that President Aquino continues to enjoy the highest public approval ratings in comparison to the preceding administration of former Presidents Gloria Arroyo, Joseph Estrada, Fidel Ramos and Cory Aquino. “His (President Aquino) endorsement remains a pivotal factor in the next presidential elections,” Drilon said. In the recent SWS poll, Aquino got a positive 41 net satisfaction rating, which is the highest rating ever received by an incumbent official who is in his or her final year in office. In the same period during their respective administrations, Arroyo got a
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negative 38%, Estrada received a positive 19%, while Ramos and Cory Aquino got positive 35% and +10%, respectively. In interpreting the survey, the Senate chief said that it is very important to look at the trends rather than to look at one survey “As I have always said, you have to look at the trend. What is the emerging trend in the last two, three or four surveys,” Drilon said. The SWS September 2015 survey, which shows Roxas taking the biggest and most significant increase by 18 percentage points, shows a continuing upward trend in Roxas’ electoral strength, said Drilon. Over the last four SWS surveys, Drilon said Roxas’ ratings showed gradual but steady increases, from 19% in November 2014 to 39% in September 2015. Drilon previously attributed Roxas’ poor showing in earliest surveys to Roxas’ reluctance to announce his candidacy. But now that Roxas announced his candidacy and with the strong backing from President Aquino, Drilon said they can expect Roxas’ numbers to continue to rise in the coming months. Meanwhile, Drilon said that the survey is clear that the corruption allegations against Binay have started to take a toll on his candidacy, as shown by the continued decline in his ratings. Lastly, Drilon believes that the survey’s margin of error of plus-or-minus three percentage points makes the five percent increase in Poe’s rating, from 42% in June 2015 to 47% in September 2015, “insignificant.” Independent presidential candidate Senator Grace Poe topped the first three candidates who will mostly succeed President Aquino. Poe, who declared her presidential bid five days ago, garnered 47 percent from 42 percent in June this year. ■
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Philippine News
SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
FRIDAY
Run, Leni, run; ‘#jumpwithleni’ hashtag launched
Army, police to investigate lumad slays
BY JULIE M. AURELIO Philippine Daily Inquirer
BY JULIE M. AURELIO Philippine Daily Inquirer
WITH THE hashtag #jumpwithleni, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda yesterday launched an online campaign to urge Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo to run for Vice President in the 2016 national elections. Lacierda posted a picture of himself on Facebook doing a jump shot, with the caption “I’ll jump with you Leni #jumpwithleni.” At press time, Lacierda’s post has earned nearly 750 likes, 37 shares, and 50 comments, with a number of them posting their own jump shot photos with the #jumpwithleni hashtag. In an earlier Facebook post, Lacierda explained the thought behind #jumpwithleni, which he based on the “What would Jesus do?” (WWJD) motto that had become popular among Evangelical Christians in the United States. “In the [Philippines] and in particular to a nice, smart, honorable lady who now stands at the crossroads, WWJD can very well mean ‘What would Jesse do?’” Lacierda wrote.
A JOINT military and police task force has been formed to investigate the recent killings of three tribal community leaders and the burning of a cooperative store in Lianga, Surigao del Sur. In a statement, the 4th Infantry Division said Joint Task Force “Tejero,” composed of personnel from the Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office and the Army’s 402nd Infantry Brigade, would speed up the arrest of three suspects in the incident. The suspects—identified as Bobby Tejero, Loloy Tejero and Gareto Layno—are said to be leaders of a paramilitary group fighting the communist New People’s Army (NPA). Charges of grave coercion, murder, arson, robbery and grave threats have already been filed against the three for the killing on Sept. 1 of Emerito Samarca, director of the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development, and lumad leaders Dionel Campos and Datu Juvillo Sinzo in Sitio Han-ayan, Barangay Diatagon, in Lianga, Surigao del Sur. The military denied it had anything to do with the deaths of the three lumads and said the suspects, leaders of the socalled Magahat-Bagani armed group, were members of a rival Manobo clan.
Jump together
He quoted the famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma: “Things can fall apart, or threaten to, for many
Liberal Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas formally asks Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo to be his vice presidential running mate in 2016. Also in the photo is Archbishop Rolly Tirona. FACEBOOK
reasons, and then there’s got to be a leap of faith. Ultimately, when you’re at the edge, you have to go forward or backward; if you go forward, you have to jump together.” Addressing Robredo, Lacierda said: “You and your daughters are not alone, we will all jump with you!” Liberal Party (LP) presidential standard-bearer Mar Roxas formally asked Robredo on Thursday to be his running mate. Robredo has expressed reluctance in running for a post higher than the Senate. She recently said she wished her husband, the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, had not died and left her to decide on her own.
Other initiatives
In a press briefing at Malacañang, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said there had been several other initiatives to convince Robredo to be Roxas’ running mate but #jumpwithleni could be the more prominent “because it was Secretary Lacierda who started it.” Valte said President Aquino was “aware of the ongoing talks with Congresswoman Robredo.” Valte, however, said she was unaware if Mr. Aquino himself had asked Robredo to be Roxas’ running mate. As of last month, the discussions between Mr. Aquino and Robredo were about a run for the Senate, Valte said. ■
Robredo considers Roxas’ offer to be his running mate BY JANE MORALEDA Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA — Camarines Sur Third District Representative Leni Robredo hoped that she would make the ‘right decision’ on former Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II’s formal offer to be his running mate and become the ruling Liberal Party’s (LP) vice presidential candidate. In an interview with radio network dzMM, Robredo confirmed that Roxas indeed visited her home in Naga City on Friday morning and offered that
she become his running mate in next year’s national elections. While not completely declining the offer, the neophyte lawmaker disclosed that she would have to think carefully before she makes the decision. She also earlier admitted that her three children were against her seeking a higher post in the coming general elections. Although Robredo has yet to make a decision, several government officials have already backed her possible vice presidential bid with Naga City Mayor John Bongat, Camarines Sur Vice Governor Fortunato Peña
and Camarines Sur Fifth District Representative Salvio Fortuno addressing her as ‘vice president.’ Roxas, for his part, would try to persuade the lawmaker’s children to allow their mother to join the vice-presidential race. Also trying to convince her to run for the country’s second highest post, her supporters launched a “one million signatures” campaign last week. Prior the LP standard-bearer’s offer, Robredo, who was the widow of late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, believed that running for vice president was ‘too soon’ for her. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net
No control
Brig. Gen. Joselito Kakilala, civil relations service chief, in-
sisted the AFP had no control over armed lumad groups, as they were not part of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit which is the legal paramilitary force under their control and supervision. “(We) are working with local government officials and lumad tribal leaders to facilitate a mediation process and stop the escalation of violence among the warring Manobo clans in the Caraga region,” said Kakilala. The Magahat-Bagani force, he added, was formed by members of lumad tribes who were former NPA rebels but now wanted to fight the communist rebels and were not part of the military’s command structure. The military said there was no direct or indirect link that pointed to the military’s involvement in the killings allegedly perpetrated by the Magahat-Bagani group. “We don’t condone these senseless killings. If you remember, we helped the police hunt down the group of Datu Bakintoy which also perpetrated the killing of people in hinterland villages. We can do the same this time,” the military official said. In a report, Maj. Gen. Oscar Lactao, 4th Infantry Division commander, described the conflict as “a tribal conflict in the context of insurgency.” This, he said, meant that one tribal group was affiliated with the NPA and was in conflict with anti-NPA lumads. Lactao said their presence in the area would be only for peacekeeping missions to prevent further bloodshed in the area. ■
Philippine News
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
Binay files new libel suit BY NIÑA P. CALLEJA AND KRISTINE FELISSE MANGUNAY Philippine Daily Inquirer
condo units from developers” in exchange for permits and tax concessions, Binay’s legal counsel Claro Certeza said in a statement.
VICE PRESIDENT Jejomar Binay on Friday filed another libel suit against former Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado for the latter’s claim during a Senate hearing that Binay had “extorted” condominium units from developers. It was Binay’s third criminal complaint against Mercado who had testified against the former Makati mayor in Senate hearings investigating plunder accusations against Binay in connection with several allegedly overpriced Makati buildings constructed during his term. The nine-page complaint filed in the Makati prosecutor’s office on Friday morning sought to prove that Mercado was “lying when he maliciously, falsely and feloniously accused the Vice President of extorting
Zero credibility
“This claim has been publicly belied by the developers themselves. It only shows that Mercado is a pathological liar and has zero credibility,” Certeza said. According to the complaint, SM Development Corp., Megaworld Corp., Robinsons Land Corp., Rockwell Land Corp. and Eton Properties had issued separate statements denying Mercado’s allegations. Ready to face charges
In a text message to the INQUIRER, Mercado said he “was prepared to face all the charges” that Binay had filed against him. “I also hope that Vice President Binay will do the same and answer all the charges instead of just saying ‘it’s all politics,’”
Vice President Jejomar ‘Jojo’ Binay
the whistle-blower added. Binay’s complaint accused Mercado of violating Article 355 in relation to Article 353 of the Revised Penal Code when he “maliciously” accused the Vice President of extorting condominium units from some developers who supposedly hoped to be issued permits or tax concessions during his (Binay’s) time as city mayor. In a Senate subcommittee hearing in November last year, Mercado claimed that Binay owns several condo units in Makati using dummies. But in his complaint, Binay claimed that Ariel Olivar— whom Mercado had accused of being Binay’s dummy for his alleged unit in The Peak Tower—had admitted to receiving instructions from Mercado himself. Olivar, an engineer, told a Senate hearing on Jan. 22 that Mercado had instructed him to use his own name as owner of the 150-square-meter unit at The Peak condominium
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in Makati that was allegedly owned by Binay. He had never met Binay, Olivar added. The Binay camp said the unit under Olivar’s name was the same unit where Mercado’s former live-in partner, Racquel Ambrosio, was found dead in 2002. Binay said several media had carried the “malicious and baseless accusations” against him, including the INQUIRER in its Nov. 19, 2014, issue under the headlines, “Only Ayalas didn’t give Binay condos” and “Only Ayala Corp. did not play ball in the sleazy ‘open secret’ property transactions in Makati City.” ‘Ill will and spite’
“Clear from the foregoing is that the damaging and ruinous claims spewed out by respondent Mercado are mere concoctions and fabrications with no other purpose than to malign, discredit, ruin my reputation and besmirch my good name as well as that of my family,” Binay
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said, noting that the “presumption of malice” applies because newspaper articles are “not privileged communication.” Certeza said the series of libel complaints filed by the Vice President “shows his commitment to answer and refute the accusations against him in the proper forum in accordance with the rule of law.” Binay said Mercado’s “libelous statements made in public” were “prompted by ill will and spite” as “they have no factual basis whatsoever and were not made in response to duty, but only with obvious intention to injure my reputation as well as those of my family.” The Vice President said he “incurred the ire” of Mercado when he did not endorse his candidacy for mayor of Makati in the May 2010 elections, and instead fielded his son Junjun Binay, who won as Makati mayor. ■ With a report by Nancy C. Carvajal
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Philippine News
SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
FRIDAY
Drilon presses... Having dropped the question on Poe’s residency last week, the SET—headed by Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio—is expected to tackle the question of whether Poe is a natural-born Filipino. In a statement, Drilon called for the immediate resolution of Poe’s case, saying the case against her raised “serious doubts” about her citizenship and “unavoidably, it also casts doubts” on the validity of her presidential candidacy. “An immediate resolution of this case will benefit everyone, but it will help the [people] most, especially as they decide whom to vote for next year. If [these questions about Poe’s citizenship remained unanswered, the voters would be confused],” said Drilon, vice chair of the Liberal Party (LP), whose presidential candidate, former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, is running behind Poe in the polls. “The sooner the SET can decide, the better it will be for all,” Drilon said. He expressed hope that the tribunal would be able to resolve the case before the filing of certificates of candidacy, set for Oct. 12 and 16. ❰❰ 1
The facts
The Senate President noted the facts cited by Poe in her submissions to the SET: She is a foundling. In 2001, she was naturalized as a citizen of the United States. In 2006, she filed with the Bureau of Immigration a sworn petition to reacquire her Philippine citizenship. In 2010, she executed before a notary public in Pasig City an affidavit renouncing her allegiance to the United States and her US citizenship. At no time after she executed the affidavit did she ever use her US passport. In 2010, she assumed the position of chair of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB). In 2011, she executed before the vice consul at the US Embassy in Manila an oath and reaffirmation of her renunciation of her US citizenship. On October 2012, she filed her certificate of candidacy as senator. “These are facts [that] can easily be stipulated by the parties involved. It is up to the tri-
bunal to apply the provisions of the Constitution and the laws concerning the citizenship,” Drilon said. Poe statement
Poe last night said she would not attend today’s oral arguments at the SET because the tribunal did not require her to be present. In a statement, Poe said her lawyers would represent her in the oral arguments. “The issues on citizenship that are to be discussed will be confined to purely legal ones as all the surrounding facts had been admitted by the petitioner,” Poe said. “I believe [this will] give my colleagues who are SET members the full opportunity to ask all legal questions they wish to ask without any hesitation. This way the truth would be better served for the benefit of the public,” she added. Sen. Vicente Sotto, who serves on the nine-member tribunal, said in a text message yesterday that the panel members could ask questions after the oral arguments. Aside from Sotto and Carpio, the other members of the SET are Senators Loren Legarda, Cynthia Villar, Pia Cayetano, and Paulo Benigno Aquino IV, as well as Associate Justices Teresita Leonardo-de Castro and Arturo Brion. The SET opened hearings on Poe’s case before the senator declared her bid for the presidency last week. She has chosen Sen. Francis Escudero as her running mate. Poe is an adopted daughter of of the late movie actor Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ) and his wife, actress Susan Roces. She married Neil Llamanzares, a citizen of both the Philippines and the United Sates in 1991 and a decade later she renounced her Philippine citizenship as she was naturalized as a US citizen. Following the death of her father in 2004, Poe decided to return home and reacquired her status as a natural-born Filipino, along with her three children in July 2006. Residency question
In separate interviews with reporters, three legal experts agreed that the SET’s dropping the residency issue against Poe last week did not clear the question of whether she met
the residency requirement for a presidential candidate under the 1987 Constitution. Article VII, Section 2 of the Constitution requires a presidential candidate to be a resident of the Philippines for at least 10 years immediately before the election. “Later on, after Poe files her [certificate of candidacy] next month, the residency issue against her can once again be revived, no longer for her senatorial bid but for her presidential bid,” said former University of the Philippines law dean Pacifico Agabin. Former University of the East law dean Amado Valdez also said the residency issue, when applied to Poe’s presidential candidacy, should be treated separately and differently. “It will be a new disqualification case once she files her certificate of candidacy for President. Even if the SET has dropped the residency issue on the present case, her presidential bid is still left hanging because of another possible disqualification case that could be filed against her next month,” Valdez added. The SET dropped the residency issue against Poe not on merits but on a technicality— the issue had prescribed. Under SET rules, a disqualification case involving residency must be filed within 10 days from the date of the candidate’s proclamation. Valdez said Poe, who migrated to the United States as a college student and earned citizenship there, still needed to prove that she had been a resident of the Philippines for at least 10 years before the May 2016 elections. “The residency must be in the concept of having domicile in the Philippines. She cannot have two domiciles, one here and another in the US. It is only when she abandoned her US citizenship that she could be considered a resident in the Philippines for purposes of the elections,” he added. Intention to return
Several allies of Poe and legal experts have earlier said the doctrine of “animus revertendi” — or one’s intention to return to his or her domicile— applied to the senator. But for litigation lawyer Raymond Fortun, who also agrees www.canadianinquirer.net
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that the residency issue could still hound Poe, the senator must be able to prove that she indeed had every intention and desire to return to the Philippines. “The big question is: What was her unequivocal act in April or May 2006 to convince the Commission on Elections and the Supreme Court that she had the desire to reacquire residency in the Philippines,” Fortun said. “It can’t be a simple ‘I buried my father’ while on a Philippine tourist visa. It can’t be ‘I visited and enrolled my kids’ while on a Philippine tourist visa,” he added. Asked what acts could unequivocally prove a desire to return to the Philippines, Fortun said, “Something permanent, such as purchase of a property—a house, condo unit, country club share, or setting up a business or other similar investment.” Poe claims she bought property here in late 2005 and built a house in Quezon City in early 2006. She also says she enrolled her children in Philippines schools in June 2005. US passport
She has also been accused of continuing to use her US passport up to 2009 for at least 21 times, based on alleged Philippine immigration logs unearthed by her opponents. Fortun said the allegation could work against Poe if taken to the courts. Earlier, the Supreme Court declared that a candidate who had renounced his American citizenship, had reacquired his Filipino citizenship, and had
taken his oath of allegiance to the Philippines but who, thereafter, continued to use his American passport for traveling was disqualified to run for public office. The Supreme Court used the ruling in disqualifying Rommel C. Arnado as mayor of Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte province, twice, in the 2010 and 2013 elections. The court said “only naturalborn Filipinos who owe total and undivided allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines could run for and hold elective public office.” Siding with Poe, election lawyer Romulo Macalintal said the senator’s case was not the same as Arnado’s. Citing her answer to David’s petition as released to the media, Macalintal said it appeared that Poe used her US passport after she executed her oath of allegiance to the Philippines on July 7, 2006. On Oct. 20, 2010, she executed an affidavit renouncing her US citizenship when she was appointed MTCRB chair, after which she claimed she never used her US passport again. “Clearly, as held by the Supreme Court in Arnado’s case, Poe’s use of her US passport before she executed her [affidavit of renunciation] did not affect her reacquisition of her natural-born Filipino citizen [status] under [the Dual Citizenship Law], as the mere use of such a passport ‘does not divest Filipino citizenship regained by repatriation.’ To reiterate, what will disqualify her is if she used the US passport after executing the [affidavit of renunciation],” Macalintal said. ■
Philippine News
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
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Binay’s VP will win if Leni runs vs Chiz — Salceda PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY LEGAZPI CITY — With two Bicolanos running for vice president (VP) in the 2016 presidential elections , who ever will be the running mate of Vice President Jejomar Binay, the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) presidential standard bearer, would be the next vice president of the Philippines next year, Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said on Monday. Salceda said Bicolanos would be divided if Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo accepts the offer of Mar Roxas, the Liberal Party standard bearer, to be his vice presidential running mate while Senator Francis Escudero, another Bicolano from Sorsogon, was earlier declared to be Senator Grace Poe’s running mate under the Partido Pilipinas. He said the scenario would place two Bicolanos pitted against each other for the second highest post while the vice presidential candidate of Binay would have to keep up a strong hold in his bailiwick and other areas. The Escudero-vs-Robredo political clash, according to Salceda, would divide Bicol, saying “no matter how you spin it, no matter what you say, we would just elect the VP of Binay.” “A vote for Leni is a vote against Chiz,” Salceda stressed, adding "The implications are: there will be no solid Bicol votes as Leni would still win in Bicol but the margin would not be solid; without the Bicol punch, it can only be hoped Binay would end up with a weak VP which he will obviously not since he has to compensate for his current weakness." Salceda said he is hoping that the interplay of spatial electoral arithmetic in Bicol Bicolanos will not vote for the VP of Binay. “I still consider Mar and Grace on the good side of history, so my minimum goal is to prevent a Binay win, but my maximum goal is a Mar-Leni win,” he said. Salceda said that with Escudero running against Robredo as VP of Poe, that trumps Robredo since it is not good for a Bicolano to fight another Bicolano unless it involves game-changing reasons. ‘Definitely, whether you like it or not Bicolanos will vote for another Bicolano,” the LP Bicol regional head said. Salceda said Bicol has only 2.6 million voters against the 54 million across the country and it has produced three senators, Escudero, Trillanes and Honasan by bloc voting. “Nilalaro tayo ng national powers without considering our ethnicity, sensitivity. Parang pinagsasabong ang mga
Bicolano (We are being played with by the national powers without cosidering our ethnicity, sensitivity. It is as if we are being made to fight like gamefowl), ” he claimed. Salceda said he will go for Robredo and see where he can push the envelope. "Hope that it will not actually elect the VP of Binay as a consequence,” he added.
National politicians, he said, come and go but political leaders on the ground and on the countryside stay to lick the wounds of their doing and undoing. When asked what he thinks about the Partido Pilipinas, Salceda said Grace Poe would just have a bunch of political leaders behind her but would not field candidates on the local level.
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“That frees them from the local intramurals, especially since politicians tend to flock to the administration party or the leading candidate, that would push more politicians towards the Liberal Party or UNA for their certificate of nomination,” he said. A political party without a local network would have to rely heavily on air power: news form, media exposure and TV commercials, Salceda said. ■
Philippine News
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SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
FRIDAY
Mass defection: Andaya leads exodus to NPC BY DJ YAP Philippine Daily Inquirer THE NATIONALIST People’s Coalition (NPC) on Friday welcomed into its fold almost 200 new members in the first “mass defection” to the country’s second largest party since Senators Grace Poe and Francis Escudero announced their 2016 ambitions this week. Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. bolted LakasChristian Muslim Democrats to take his oath as a member of the NPC on the strength of the party’s identification with Poe and Escudero, even as the party had yet to officially endorse the two senators. “I’m here to show support for the tandem of Grace and Chiz,” he told reporters. “Two days after [Poe made her announcement], we are here. What others have been waiting for—even though they won’t admit it—is happening now,” said Andaya, who served as former President Gloria Arroyo’s budget secretary. Cold feet?
On the other hand, Caloocan City Rep. Enrico “Recom” Echiverri, a member of the ruling Liberal Party (LP), made a surprise appearance at the event held inside the NPC clubhouse in New Manila, Quezon
eral hundred municipal mayors and councilors. It was founded in 1992 by businessman Eduardo “Danding “Cojuangco Jr. to launch his unsuccessful run for the presidency. From all parties
BACKED BY NPC? Senators Grace Poe and Francis Escudero will be running for president and vice president, respectively,
in 2016.
City. He, however, did not take an oath of loyalty to the party. Pressed by reporters to explain his presence, Echiverri just laughed and explained that he only accepted an invitation by NPC chair Faustino Dy Jr. “to discuss some things.” “I’m [still an LP member] now…Everything is on the table yet,” he said. But Deputy Speaker Giorgidi Aggabao, the NPC president, said he was under the impression that Echiverri was joining the NPC after the latter “signified his intentions” to do so. “We can always schedule a new oath taking once he says
he’s ready,” he said. ‘Convergence of forces’
NPC secretary general Mark Llandro Mendoza, a representative from Batangas, described the gathering as both a “convergence” of forces and a “mass defection” of members of rival parties. “This is just the start,” he said. However, the list of new NPC members was not released to the media. Mendoza said the party’s leadership was surprised by the high level of interest among local officials to join the 23-yearold NPC. “Right after the announce-
ment of Senators Grace and Chiz, many have been calling us. In the next few days, we will have more oath takings with local officials,” he said. Short of making an official declaration, the NPC is widely expected to adopt Poe and Escudero, who are both independent, as its candidates in the 2016 elections. Escudero was an NPC member until he left the party in 2009. After the ruling Liberal Party, the NPC has the most number of members nationwide at 2,000, including two senators, 50 House members, 20 governors, 20 city mayors and sev-
Mendoza said some of the new recruits were from the LP, the Nacionalista Party and the United Nationalist Alliance of Vice President Jejomar Binay. The new NPC members are all local officials, including a governor, a vice governor and several mayors, vice mayors, and councilors, and come from Metro Manila, Laguna, Batangas, Quezon, Camarines Sur and Zamboanga. At least four mayors from Batangas—Tonton Andal of Alitagtag, Jobel Hidalgo of Balete, Sofronio Ona of Calaca and Joel Portugal of Taysan—bolted the LP to join the NPC. Aggabao, however, said the NPC was not out to poach the ranks of the LP and other political parties. “We are not into raiding the membership of the other parties,” he said. Asked if the presumption that NPC would adopt Poe and Escudero was attracting new members, he said: “I cannot answer for them but I think that’s a big factor.” ■
MILF on Mamasapano: Let’s move on BY DJ YAP Philippine Daily Inquirer MOHAGHER IQBAL, peace negotiator of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), said yesterday the group stands by the results of its own investigation into the Mamasapano debacle but respects the government’s final and official version of the incident that took the lives of 44 police Special Action Force (SAF) commandos and 18 MILF fighters. It was time to move on, said Iqbal at the sidelines of a foreign correspondents forum in Mandaluyong City where he, together with presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles and government negotiator Miriam Coronel Ferrer, pushed for the passage of the
Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) to healing. Department and the Internathat would give secessionist Iqbal said there were at least tional Monitoring Team, in adMuslim rebels an autonomous five or six versions of how dition to the version of the MILF. homeland in Mindanao. Marwan, whose real name was “Let the people decide which “The findings of the MILF is of- Zulkifli bin Hir, was killed. of the versions is the truth or ficial and we hold nearest to the that as the real truth,” Iqbal said. version of what He also said happened. But, that the filing of you know, we have The findings of the MILF is official criminal charges buried this issue and we hold that as the real version against 26MILF already because of what happened. But, you know, fighters for the both the dead on we have buried this issue already deaths of the the side of the because both the dead on the side of SAF commandos government and the government and MILF are already was an “internal MILF are already resting in their graves. process of govresting in their ernment.” graves,” Iqbal told Iqbal said the reporters. MILF would not He said reviving the MamasaAmong these, he said, were stop the respondents from getpano tragedy would only open the versions of the Philippine ting their own lawyers, but the the wounds of the grieving fam- National Police, the National Bu- Moro rebel group would also ilies who were still on the road reau of Investigation, the Justice adhere to the provisions of the www.canadianinquirer.net
existing mechanisms of the peace process as this was the “binding agreement as far as the government and MILF are concerned.” The Mamasapano clash not only claimed the lives of government and Moro combatants but also severely set back the passage of the proposed BBL. At the forum, both Iqbal, Deles and Ferrer acknowledged that the BBL faced a tough road ahead but they were not giving up on the possibility that it would be signed before President Aquino steps down in June next year. There is an anxious wait for the passage of the BBL especially among the people who “need and want peace the most,” Deles said. ■
Philippine News
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
15
US, PH hold amphibious landing exercises in Luzon BY NIÑA P. CALLEJA Philippine Daily Inquirer THE PHILIPPINES and the United States will begin next week this year’s joint amphibious landing exercises in Luzon in the hope of improving response to regional issues and maritime security crises in the Asia-Pacific region. Troops from the US 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade (3d MEB), the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines will participate in the Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise (Phiblex) 2016 from Sept. 21 to Oct. 9. Cmdr. Lued Lincuna, spokesperson for the Philippine Navy, said 750 sailors will join Phiblex 2016. “The exercise will continue to enhance the interoperability between the US Marine airground task force and the AFP with the goal of improving our bilateral response to regional issues and maritime security crises within the Asia-Pacific,” the US Embassy said in a statement yesterday. To work side-by-side
Phiblex 2016, the 31st this year, will include approximately 650 US service members based in Okinawa, Japan, and Philippine sailors and marines working side-by-side to conduct a command post exercise, field training exercises, amphibious operations, combined arms training, civil-military op-
erations and humanitarian and civic assistance projects. A command post exercise in Palawan province will increase the Philippine military’s capability to plan for and execute bilateral maritime operations, the embassy said. “The field training exercises in the vicinity of Angeles-Clark, to include small arms and artillery live-fire training, will provide the Philippine and US Marine units multiple opportunities to maintain and improve their unit skill sets while sharing best practices and enhancing an already high level of interoperability,” it said. Humanitarian and civic assistance projects in Palawan will include engineering civic action projects. These were sought to improve local infrastructure in the health sector and to share medical best practices to meet the Filipinos’ medical needs. Preparation for Balikatan
The joint military exercise, according to the embassy, “sustains our strong foundation of interoperability and strengthen our working relationships across the range of military operations—from disaster relief to complex expeditionary operations.” It said the Phiblex would prepare both sides for the upcoming “large-scale exercise Balikatan” to take place next year. ■ With a report from Julie M. Aurelio
SHUTTERSTOCK
LTFRB: New class of taxis can hike fares during rush hour BY ERIKA SAULER Philippine Daily Inquirer SURGE PRICING, which is being practiced by the ridesharing service Uber but is now being questioned by a transport group, will soon be applied to premium taxis as well. According to the head of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), the agency will allow premium taxis—a newly created category of vehicles for hire—to increase their fare during rush hour under a scheme similar to one used in Singapore. “We will implement that first on premium taxis. Let us see what the market reaction will be,” LTFRB Chair Winston Ginez told reporters on Friday. Premium taxis are a new, high-end class of transport service created by the Department of Transportation and Communications. It was one of the four new categories listed under DOTC Order 2015-011 that was issued in May, along with trans-
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portation network companies or TNCs (like Uber, GrabCar), bus rapid transit and airport buses. Unlike regular taxis, premium taxis must have a 2000cc engine displacement or its electrical or hybrid equivalent, a global positioning system, and an onboard electronic payment device for credit or debit cards, among other requirements. Premium taxi operators must have a minimum of 25 vehicles per fleet, all of which must be brand new at the time of the franchise application. To date, however, the LTFRB has yet to issue guidelines for applicants. Ginez held a meeting on Friday with Uber and GrabCar regarding complaints about their jacked-up fares and “picky” drivers, as observed on the night of Sept 8. when flash floods paralyzed traffic in many parts of Metro Manila. The LTFRB chair himself noted that Uber fares went up five times the usual rate that night. He made mention of premium taxis when asked by report-
ers about the possibility that regular taxis would demand that they, too, be allowed to engage in surge pricing. “In Singapore, there’s an automatic 25-percent surcharge on the taxi meter during rush hour. We will include that in the memorandum circular that we will issue on premium taxis,” Ginez said. Ginez disclosed the plan even after the LTFRB received a petition from the party-list group 1-Utak questioning Uber’s price surges. The petition asked why TNCs were given the authority to set its own fares whereas other public utility vehicles can’t just do that without government approval. An Uber representative at Friday’s meeting explained that the fares charged by its partner vehicles are “algorithmically dictated by the system based on demand.’’ ■
Opinion
16
SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
FRIDAY
AT LARGE
Having our cars, roads, and traffic, too By Rina Jimenez-David Philippine Daily Inquirer A DEAR friend requests all her FB friends to repeat a post she was “moved” to write just before her departure for the United States. Staying with her brother in the heights of Antipolo, she noted how he had to leave home at 4:30 each workday morning to reach his workplace in Makati, with plenty of time to park his vehicle before all parking slots were taken. Then he would make the same harrowing trip back, arriving home at past 9 p.m. “This means,” she said, “that he hardly has time for his family, much less share dinner with them.” Riding with her brother some mornings, my friend was forced to make arrangements with friends living in Makati to “board” with them from early morning to her lunch and afternoon appointments. My friend is sure there is only one person to blame for the situation: PNoy himself. “He sleeps soundly in his home near Malacañang without worrying about the public,” she rants, adding: “If he was concerned at all about the traffic problem, he would do something about and it would be
solved.” Well, I don’t know. Even if P-Noy tore out all of his thinning hair in frustration and impatience, things are not so easily solved in our choked and chaotic streets. But she is right in a way: How could things have been allowed to deteriorate so badly and so fast? And if traffic doesn’t kill us, it will certainly lead to our early deaths, what with high blood pressure resulting from the stress we must cope with everyday. *** BUT let me remind my friend about the situation in her own adopted country. Visiting my sister and her family some years back, we heard stories about commuters picking up passengers (many of them strangers) in designated points just so they could take advantage of the special lanes reserved for “HOVs” or high-occupancy vehicles during high-traffic times. In Virginia, the HOV minimum was set at three occupants, but in my friend’s home state of California, the HOV minimum was set at just two. “They do love their cars here,” a nephew explained when I laughed at the generous arrangement. I don’t know if the HOV policy still exists in the United States, but just
recently, a local version was suggested here: to allow only vehicles with at least three or four passengers to traverse Edsa. I thought we Metro Manilans had reached our threshold of patience, but even this was quickly shouted down. I even overheard a self-proclaimed champion of commuters loudly protest the suggestion on radio, saying that “the roads belong to the people” and to restrict the use of major arteries was akin to depriving motorists of their rights. But something’s got to give. We lack an extensive road network while the number of vehicles on our existing roads is fast approaching an unmanageable and unsustainable level. We all have to make sacrifices, but it seems we all want to have our cars, roads and “unli” access as well. *** “WE’RE a happy people and we eat all the time,” says Archie Rodriguez, president and CEO of Global Restaurant Concepts, the outfit that has brought a number of international restaurant brands to the Philippines. This is by way of explaining why his partners and investors have decided to bet on yet another US dining franchise: Applebee’s Grill and Bar, which
has grown to be the largest casual dining brand in the world. As Rodriguez tells it, it was DineEquity, the company behind Applebee’s, which also owns another Global franchise, the International House of Pancakes or IHOP, which approached him and his partners if they were interested in opening the first Applebee’s in the Philippines. For sure, the “grill and bar” faces tough competition in the local market, since a number of other eating places already serve up much the same menu items and offer a similar ambience. What would set Applebee’s apart from its competitors? “My partners and I use one guideline when deciding on a venture,” says Rodriguez, “and that is: Would we ourselves want to go there?” This isn’t a minor consideration. Rodriguez says it takes about a year to develop a brand before they set up shop here, including having some of their personnel trained in the international chain’s headquarters and setting up a supply chain. Another consideration, adds Rodriguez, is that the offerings have to have the potential of appealing to Filipino tastes, although he notes that locals’ “palates have changed and
matured,” developing a liking even for unfamiliar flavors. *** DURING a food-testing (and tasting) last week, the Applebee’s staff indeed served up a wide-ranging feast, from the most popular items on the menu including the barbecue pork ribs and the burgers, presented in such unique combinations as burger tacos and quesadillas. Quite a pleasant surprise were the fried dumplings, which were authentically Asian-flavored, and not at all the bland “Americanized” version I was expecting. Also enjoyable was Applebee’s sangria, rich-flavored with red wine and orange juice, and infused with a variety of fruits including lemons and apples. “We want to deliver good value,” avers Rodriguez, adding that in all their branches, they aim to keep the costs of their food at a reasonable P350-500 per head. “We’re much cheaper than everybody else,” he says, at least among their category. Worldwide, Applebee’s slogan is “There’s always a reason to celebrate.” And given the price range and the quality of food served, indeed, there’s a reason for Pinoy families and foodies to celebrate, any day, every day. ■
Binay in UPLB: Tough Crowd or Smart Move? By Ching Dee Philippine Canadian Inquirer Vice President Jejomar ‘Jojo’ Binay was the first speaker at the University of the Philippines Los Baños’ (UPLB) lecture series entitled “A GE Conversation with a National Leader — A Forum on Governance, Transparency, and Social Transformation” on Sept. 15, 2015 at the DL Umali Hall. Binay was joined onstage by activist lawyer Atty. Harry Roque and Princess Jacel Kiram of the Sultanate of Sulu and Borneo. When Binay walked on stage, the students inside the hall erupted in unison, shouting “Sample! Sample!” And while the students welcomed the country’s second most powerful man with smiles and cheers, they came prepared with hard-hitting questions for the open forum. Binay’s Take on National Issues A Muslim student from UPLB’s College of Development Communication (CDC) asked Binay about his stand on lasting peace in Mindanao. Binay answers, “Everybody is clamoring for peace… Dahil walang katahimikan, ang ating ekonomiya naaapektuhan, maraming namamatay.” “Itong mga agreements na ito should be in consonance with our Constitution and other laws of Mindanao,” he adds, referring to the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).
Denise Doctolero of the UPLB University Student Council (USC) asked Binay about the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) Memo III, which includes the P2.2billion budget cut from the University of the Philippines. She also asked Binay: “As part of the current administration, what have you done for the education sector?” Binay answers by first clarifying one thing: “Wala na ako sa administration, nag-resign ako.” Binay adds that he was one of the first officials who spoke up about the government’s lack of support for state universities and colleges. He also pointed out in vernacular that the budget of the education sector will not be increased under the current administration, but then absolves himself by saying he was not appointed to that sector. A student from the College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology (CEAT) asked Binay about labor-only contracting. After brandishing his experience in championing labor and employment rights as a lawyer, Binay simply said, “Akala ko nasolusyonan na ‘yan… Ipaglalaban natin ‘yan. Ngayon ko lang narinig na hindi pa pala tapos ‘yan.” Binay on Politics Binay, who currently has three of his children in public office and a wife who was a former mayor of Makati
City, was asked about his thoughts on political dynasties and its relation to continued poverty in areas where dynasties are prevalent. “[Political dynasty] does not cause poverty, of course not. I’m willing to debate with anyone,” Binay said. “Poverty is caused by poor leadership.” “Ang importante lamang diyan sa issue ng [political] dynasty eh kung yung kandidato na kamag-anak ay nahalal sa isang malinis at marangal na halalan,” Binay explained, saying the choice of the people should prevail—no matter the candidate’s family name—so long as the candidate is competent. Binay also has choice words for the next president of the Philippines. “Presidente ng Pilipinas—hindi ka mag-o-OJT (on-the-job training) d’yan. Anim na taon lang ‘yan. Kailangan pagdating mo sa pagkapangulo, may karanasan ka na,” Binay said. Binay adds, “At the end of the day, ang pinaka importante is you can expect from the Binay administration one who has an executive ability.” Patrick Lopez, a student from the College of Agriculture, asked Binay about alleviating roughly 30% of the Filipino population who are still under poverty. Binay said he would work on economic developments with inclusive growth. Binay also touted how Makati City drastically changed for the better under his—
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and his son’s—leadership as mayor. To this, Lopez pointed out the presence of informal settlers in Makati City despite Makati’s trademark as the central business district. Binay challenges Lopez to show him these informal settlers, to which Lopez answers, “Hanapin niyo nalang po, Sir. Hindi niyo po yata nakikita.” Binay admitted that about 3-5% of the Makati City population are informal settlers. According to him, Makati has become a model city when it comes to relocating informal settlers to new housing projects. Lopez then shared he was able to visit one relocation site of Makati in Calauan, a town near Los Banos, where some of the houses even had missing roofs. “Boss, wala namang ganyanan,” Binay pleaded, saying that the strong winds in Calauan may have caused the damages. Binay also said that perhaps Lopez only listened to their detractors and urged the young student to listen to those saying good things about the Binays as well. Binay on being a part of the Aquino administration USC Vice Chairperson Yvann Zuñiga asked Binay about concrete steps to resume peace talks with militant groups. “Sinabi ko na rin sa kanila [militant groups], dito sa administrasyon na ito niloloko lang kayo na magkakaroon ng peace agreement. Wala sa ad-
ministrasyon na ito ang makakagawa ng peace agreement kasi hindi ho sila nagtitiwala doon sa kanilang kakausapin. Yun ang totoo,” Binay said. To this, Zuñiga clearly voiced out his disappointment over the country’s second most powerful man. “You are detaching yourself from the current administration whereas you are part of the current administration. So whatever you say about the current administration reflects on your performance as the current vice president of the country.” Binay reacts by saying he doesn’t have any say on matters outside his agencies unless the president gives him authority or asks for his opinion. Meanwhile, after being asked about why people should vote for him, Binay cited three reasons why people should vote for him: “Karanasan, kakayahan, at pagkalinga sa ating mga kababayan (Experience, competence, and genuine concern for my fellowmen).” Binay said he was glad that the students engaged in a lively discussion and said he took no offense at all, saying the environment was not hostile and it was typical of UP students to ask difficult but important questions. At the end of the day, did Binay really answer the questions? Did he face the student body and gave honest answers? Perhaps only Binay himself can tell. ■
Opinion
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
17
LOOKING BACK
Learning and curiosity By Ambeth R. Ocampo Philippine Daily Inquirer E. AGUILAR Cruz was a name I first encountered on the spine of a book when I was a college student desperate for a term-paper topic. When I pulled “Maynila and other explorations” off the library shelf and opened to the title essay, I expected to merely skim through it. But I read the essay in its entirety, amazed that history could be delivered with such a light touch, so different from the deadly textbook history I endured in school. I borrowed the book and read it that night from cover to cover, going back to some essays twice. Looking back, I see that my writing has always fallen short of the standard set by E. Aguilar Cruz. From “Maynila and other explorations” (1978), I explored Kapampangan folk tales and found a connection with the language and culture of my father. I asked my professor, Doreen G. Fernandez, if Cruz was still alive since he wrote about a time long gone. “E. Aguilar Cruz is very much alive,” Doreen replied. “You are likely to find him at a corner table in Café Adriatico, enjoying a cup of chocolate.”
As I planned to stalk Cruz in Malate, my father made the Kapampangan connection between Cruz and the painter Claude Tayag, son of the Angeles-based writer Renato D. Tayag. He suggested that it might be easier to go through my first cousin Corito, who had married into the Tayag family. So the appointment was set and Claude took me to Cruz’s apartment on Menlo Street off Taft Avenue. Upon entering, Claude greeted Cruz’s driver familiarly and asked if “Amba” (short for “Ambassador”) was up. Inside the apartment, Claude shifted from “Amba” to “Tatang Milio” and introduced me to an elderly gentleman in a linen bush jacket who motioned us to sit around a turn-of-the-century marble-top table where hot chocolate and ensaimada were laid out. I explained my research paper on Pampanga folk tales and Cruz provided enough stories and leads for me in 15 minutes. That done, he served the chocolate, explained the difference between “chocolate eh” and “chocolate ah” as described in Rizal’s “Noli me tangere,” then for the next three hours held forth in a conversation on things Philippine from past to present.
That visit was the first of many in a teacher-pupil relationship that lasted for over a decade until he passed in 1992. I recall that almost every lesson was centered on a meal: from fancy five-star hotels to a nameless carinderia off Remedios Circle that we referred to as “Café Raso” in comparison with Café Adriatico, where we often ended up for hot chocolate. Sometimes we dined in the back of Seaside Market in Pasay, where he chose fresh crabs and fish from the stalls. There I was introduced to live freshwater eel ( palos) and developed a taste for it cooked in coconut milk and yellow ginger. Another time we spent an afternoon in Chinatown, having peanut soup in one place, tea in another place, roast pork in another, tikoy and hopia in yet another, machang and white chicken in still another, ending up on Carvajal Street to take home fresh fruits and vegetables not available in supermarkets. There Tatang Milio led me to a section with dressed chicken, pointing out the “black chicken” whose skin was black but whose feathers were snow white. Most important, he introduced me to: kamaru (mole
cricket), betute (stuffed frog), duman, tibuk-tibuk and a galaxy of other dishes that eventually led to my undergraduate thesis on food in Pampango culture. Looking back, I realize that Tatang Milio introduced Kapampangan culture to me through my palate, rounded it off with historical and cultural context, and eventually made me appreciate what it is to be Kapampangan. The 46-year gap in our ages was bridged by a common love for books and reading. Tatang Milio gently steered my focus to Filipiniana, which led to my career as an historian. I remember that incident clearly. We had just finished a threehour lunch when he opened Mariano Ponce’s “Cartas sobre la revolucion” (Manila, 1932) to the frontispiece, covered the photo caption, and said: “Point out Ponce to me.” There were two Asian men in the vintage studio photograph and I thought it was a no-brainer—Ponce was the seated man in the suit, not the one in Japanese attire. Tatang Milio smiled and uncovered the caption that showed I was wrong. Ponce was the man dressed as a Japanese. However, the real surprise was that the seated man
in a suit was Dr. Sun Yatsen. There was a connection between our wars of independence with the rise of modern China. Tatang Milio gave me the gift of curiosity—the ability, not just to see, but, more importantly, to notice. E. Aguilar Cruz—Abe, Tatang Milio, Amba, or plain Mr. Cruz—was interested in young people and helped jump-start many careers in the arts and letters. He cooked up Jullie Yap Daza’s column name, “Medium Rare,” and gave me “Looking Back.” September being National Teachers Month, I remember those who formed me in a classroom but, more importantly, the ones who taught me out of school. E. Aguilar Cruz is unfortunately remembered today for a popular Filipino restaurant that bears his nickname, Abe, but those who were fortunate to have known or encountered him remember the lessons he imparted simply by being his curious and good-natured self. One can only hope that his kind, although rare, is not extinct. Next week the E. Aguilar Cruz Hall in the National Museum will open to the public and introduce his art to a new generation. ■
from the film “Field of Dreams,” if Corruption is at the top of her list. cy. But, apart from saying she wants you build, the voters will come. She said she would hold wrongdoers the present income tax rates cut and In this setting, ideas count for lit- accountable. That is a hollow state- intends to be stricter in collecting tle. Yet, the candidate has to be able ment. She could have explained why taxes, she gives no inkling as to where to say all the right things to attract some wrongdoers were being allowed she would raise the revenue to make the widest possible public support. to go scot-free. I would also have up for the expected shortfall. Does That is how Sen. Grace Poe’s recita- liked her to tell us where she thinks she believe in making the rich pay tion of her 20-point program last the biggest corruption in our society more? Sept. 16 struck me—a mishmash of happens, and why. What new initiaEducation is also high up in her hot-button topics that seem to have tives against this scourge would she list. It’s time, she said, that we maxibeen drawn from a content analysis launch if she became president? mize the use of digital technology of the news. She said she would pursue peace in our schools. I wonder if this enThis was not at all a program of talks with all the groups that are tails distributing tablets to all public government, but a buffet of assorted fighting the government. But the is- school pupils in mid-school and thus topics whose coneliminating printed nection to one antextbooks. It’s difCorruption is at the top of her list. She said she would hold other remained ficult to imagine wrongdoers accountable. That is a hollow statement. [...] I would unexplained. The the costs and the also have liked her to tell us where she thinks the biggest corruption in young presidential Internet connectivour society happens, and why. aspirant, more sigity required to make nificantly, offered full use of digital no clue where she stands on the hard sue has always been under what con- technology in education. Our needs issues that swirl around these topics. ditions such talks should be pursued. remain basic: more classrooms, conThese were Poe’s priorities: cor- Does Ms Poe, for example, think the tinuing teacher education, better ruption, freedom of information, Aquino administration exceeded textbooks, etc. Indeed, some sectors peace talks with rebels, the West its mandate, as some have argued, complain that the new K-to-12 proPhilippine Sea, infrastructure de- when it signed the Comprehensive gram imposes new burdens on famivelopment, road traffic, tax reform, Agreement on the Bangsamoro with lies. Does she agree? Internet speed, education, agricul- the Moro Islamic Liberation Front? Senator Poe wants to put in place ture, high cost of power, OFWs, crime Will she agree to release all detained a school feeding program in puband illegal drugs, human rights, Phil- members of the CPP-NPA as a condi- lic schools. This is a worthy advoHealth, arts and culture and sports, tion for the resumption of talks with cacy. But, again, the budgetary and climate change, tourism, and school the communist movement? logistical requirements of such a feeding program. I’m afraid I have Tax reform is another important program are mind-boggling. A presispace to discuss only a small sample topic that could have signaled the dent with a strong commitment to from this enumeration. guiding philosophy of her presiden- social reform must have a clear idea
where to get the money to support new programs like this. Will a Grace Poe presidency consider reallocating the automatic appropriation for debt service? The young senator hopes to develop the arts, culture, and sports so we could at last win a gold medal in the next Olympics. She intends to form a new department of emergency management to prepare for the consequences of climate change. Curiously, she has not said anything about one of the biggest problems that trouble the poor—the lack of housing for low-income families and those living in dangerous sites. She seeks to lower the cost of electricity, but says nothing about the one critical resource that will increasingly become scarce—water. This is the trouble when a presidential aspirant offers a list of unconnected topics rather than a clear vision of what it takes to solve the nation’s basic problems and to prepare our people for the challenges they will face in the coming years. Poe strikes me as a fast learner. But, her speech at the launch of her presidential candidacy tells me in no uncertain terms that her three-year stint in the Senate has not given her a broad enough perspective from which to tackle the complex responsibilities of the presidency. ■
PUBLIC LIVES
Grace Poe’s 20 points By Randy David Philippine Daily Inquirer IN MATURE democracies, people run for president or prime minister because there are fundamental priorities or goals they want to pursue through the political system. As these are typically complex and interconnected, no one can realistically aspire to accomplish them by oneself. Thus, modern politics involves the organization of a lead group called a party, whose task is to mobilize a constituency to support a long-term program of action. Unfortunately, we Filipinos seem to have lost our taste for party politics even before political parties have fully matured in our system. That is why, today, we have the spectacle of two politicians seeking the presidency and the vice presidency, but making a point of not wanting to be affiliated with any political party. How does a political trick like this work? First, some political impresarios search for a fresh face who, based on the surveys, appears to have a good chance of winning the presidency. Having persuaded this person to run, they then proceed to cobble together an assortment of politicians and business leaders to provide initial funding to launch the campaign. The expectation is, to paraphrase a line
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18
SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
FRIDAY
Canada News
Saskatchewan’s Wall urges oil industry to fight celebrity critics with ‘facts’ THE CANADIAN PRESS
Syrian refugees.
ALEXANDRE ROTENBERG / SHUTTERSTOCK
Syrian refugee says there’s ‘no hope’ for families who want to reunite in Canada BY LAURA KANE The Canadian Press VANCOUVER — Majd Agha wasn’t sure what he would say to a crowd of reporters gathered outside a newcomer centre under construction in Vancouver. The 22-year-old Syrian refugee didn’t prepare a speech. But still infuriated by news of a Hungarian camerawoman tripping and kicking migrants, he spoke eloquently and firmly about the need for Canada to do more. “As long as you’re Syrian, it’s going to be extremely hard for you to come to Canada,” he said in an interview at the recent event. The Canadian Press has been reaching out to Syrians who arrived here as refugees to tell their stories. Since civil war broke out in 2011, more than four million Syrians have fled the country. Agha spoke at a construction site at the Immigrant Services Society of British Columbia’s Welcome House, a $24.5-million refugee housing and support centre being built in Vancouver.
The college student knows he was one of the lucky ones. He arrived in Canada in June 2014 with the help of the United Nations Refugee Agency, after an arduous journey that led him to Russia, Lebanon, Turkey and Thailand. He was among a group of refugees who were stuck in a Thai airport while authorities refused to allow the UN access to interview them. Two months later, authorities relented and the UN moved Agha to the Philippines before bringing him to Canada. Agha is now studying bioinformatics while working parttime at a Tommy Hilfiger. His parents and one of his sisters live in Damascus, while another sister lives in Saudi Arabia. The last time he saw his family was in 2013. They talk occasionally, but the time difference makes it difficult and he fears constantly for their safety, he said. “It’s really hard, especially when you see on the news how dangerous the situation is,” he said. “You never know if they’re sleeping, or if there’s no power or if they’re not able to talk to you.”
Ideally, Agha said, his family would try to immigrate to Canada. But they do not want to leave their homes permanently — and even if they did, the application would be pointless, he said. “There’s no hope,” he said. “The application costs a lot of money, and if you’re just going to be denied, then no, it’s not worth it.” His family desperately wants to visit him. But their recent $800 application for a tourist visa was denied, with Canadian authorities citing concerns the family would stay in the country. The Conservatives pledged on Saturday to declare all displaced Syrians as refugees and appoint a special co-ordinator to speed up the intake of 10,000 migrants by September 2016. But Agha, who now sees himself as an advocate for other refugees, called on the government to focus on reuniting families who have been separated. “I hope they would be able to work this out faster, not only for me but for most people who have families back home,” he said. “Everyone is missing their family.” ■ www.canadianinquirer.net
REGINA — Saskatchewan’s premier is urging the oil and gas industry to do a better job selling itself or risk losing the battle for public opinion to celebrity critics who he says have unrealistic ideas on how quickly the world can kick carbon. Brad Wall told the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association there is a growing, vocal minority that want the industry shut down completely and they are influencing policy-makers. “We’re at some disadvantage when it comes to this argument. The other side has great scientific minds speaking out for them, like Neil Young and Daryl Hannah,” Wall said Thursday, referencing the rock singer and “Splash” actress who have been outspoken in their opposition to the oilsands and pipelines. “We don’t have a lot of glamour on our side ... but here is something else we have. We have facts. I humbly suggest to this group today that we urgently redouble our efforts to present the facts, to be disseminators of them, to be purveyors of the truth.” Wall said resource propo-
nents need to emphasize the steps Canada takes to protect the environment through advancements in technology such as carbon capture and storage. And the pipeline industry must also emphasize safety advantages to transporting oil by pipe rather than rail. He said while getting the world off fossil fuels is a laudable goal, it’s “magical thinking” to believe that it can be done quickly and painlessly. Renewable resource technology is getting better, he said, but it’s not at the point where it can be solely relied upon, especially at peak times. “Have you noticed that there is just not as many people calling for an end to fossil fuels in January in Canada?,” he said. “I’ve certainly noticed that. The fact is, with current technology, renewables can take us only so far right now.” Wall, who is facing an election in his province next year, has been an outspoken supporter of the oil and gas industry — including the proposed Energy East and Keystone XL pipelines — and he’s taken on that role with increased vigour since the election of an NDP government in neighbouring Alberta. ■
Oilsands development in Northern Alberta.
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Canada News
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
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Wynne urges elementary teachers to accept same deal as high school colleagues BY KEITH LESLIE The Canadian Press TORONTO — Elementary teachers escalated their workto-rule campaign Monday and threatened one-day strikes as Premier Kathleen Wynne urged them to accept essentially the same deals as their colleagues in high schools and the Catholic system. “I’m not happy about the fact there’s increased disruption in our public elementary schools,” said Wynne. “I don’t think kids should be caught in the middle.” The government is offering the elementary teachers virtually the same deal that was ratified last week by the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation and the Catholic Elementary Teachers Association, added Wynne. “The fact is we have been able to come to agreements with all
of the other teacher groups,” Federation said its members significant disparity” in how she said. will not take part in parent- elementary and secondary The two other large teachers’ teacher meetings or class trips schools are funded. unions voted to approve agree- and will not fill in for absent “That funding gap results in ments that included a one per colleagues. Teachers may also larger class sizes, fewer student cent bonus and a 1.5 per cent wear shirts or buttons protest- supports and poorer working pay increase, while the union ing the lack of a contract, and conditions in our elementary representing teachers in Fran- the union warned it would start schools,” he said. “The deal the cophone schools government inalso reached a sists ETFO actentative concept does absotract. lutely nothing to There are speThat funding gap results in larger close that gap.” cial situations class sizes, fewer student supports Wynne insistin elementary and poorer working conditions in our ed she was not schools that will elementary schools concerned by be addressed, the union’s decibut teacher must sion to call the be willing to acone-day rotating cept what their colleagues have one-day rotating strikes within walkouts “Wynne Wednesdays,” accepted, said Wynne. two weeks if there’s still no deal. insisting it’s never personal for “Obviously it will be a similar “Despite what the govern- her. agreement to the other teach- ment is implying, it has not of“It’s being personalized beers because...the parameters fered our members the same cause that’s a political tactic,” are set,” she said. “So my hope conditions as secondary teach- she said. “It’s not about my peris that we’ll be able to get there ers,” ETFO president Sam sonal feelings. It’s about how do quickly.” Hammond said in a release. we get an agreement that’s in The Elementary Teachers’ Hammond said there is “a the best interests of kids in this
province.” Wynne said she was prepared to explain to her granddaughter why a teacher may have the premier’s picture or name across the front of a T-shirt. “What I’ll say to her is: ‘Livvy, we’re trying to get this agreement in place, to work with the teachers so that you can have the best year possible in Grade 1,’“ she said. Hammond said ETFO’s last contract expired in August 2014, and no new negotiations have been scheduled. “If the Liberal government had stayed at the table and not walked away, it’s possible we could have reached a deal by now, and the escalation of ETFO’s work-to-rule could have been avoided,” he said. The Canadian Union of Public Employees is also trying to negotiate a new contract for 50,000 non-teaching staff in Ontario schools. ■
Investigation underway after fatal gunfire on Winnipeg area highway THE CANADIAN PRESS WINNIPEG — A 44-year-old man who was shot and killed by police on the weekend had been suffering from depression, says his mother-in-law. Haki Sefa died at the scene of the shooting late Sunday night on Highway 59, just north of Highway 44. “It’s a shock,” Janice Sefa, his mother-in-law, told CTV Winnipeg on Monday. “I’ve been estranged from Haki so I don’t know every little detail of what’s going on in his life, but I heard ... that he’s had some depression and trouble in his family.” Winnipeg police weren’t commenting on the incident. The province’s newly formed Independent Investigations Unit — which looks at all serious incidents involving police — has taken over the investigation. Executive director Zane Tessler told a news conference that officers got a call from a man’s
family on Sunday and began a search for his white work van. They spotted it inside the city and followed it to the area where the shooting took place. “There was a concern for him,” Tessler said, though he wouldn’t say if the family warned whether the man might commit any crimes. Tessler wouldn’t confirm the man shot had a gun of his own but said a firearm was found at the scene that did not belong to any of the police officers. “We’re just in the process of trying to link that to him,” he said. Tessler wouldn’t say whether the man threatened police or whether officers felt in danger but said “officers were required to use their service weapons.” No officers were hurt during the incident. Some tried to perform CPR on the man after the shooting. This is the first officer-involved shooting being looked at by the Independent Investigations Unit, which began opera-
tions in June. Tessler said the aim is not to determine whether officers acted appropriately or not; it’s to find out what happened. “We don’t begin our investigations by looking at the end result,” he said. “We’re not looking to see whether or not it’s justified from the beginning — we’re looking to gather all the available information and evidence and facts that we can accumulate and then review, analyze and let it determine where that evidence takes us to.” Anetta Fatla, who lives near the scene of the shooting, said she was watching television with her family and friend Marta Janusz on Sunday night when everyone heard sirens. “Sirens are normal here because it’s a highway here so we didn’t even notice that, but then we heard, like, a few times, shots,” said Janusz. “Then we started panicking. Especially the kids.” Janusz said she heard four gunshots one after the other. www.canadianinquirer.net
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When she looked out the window, Janusz said she saw between 15 and 18 police cars on the highway. “The children were shaking and we thought maybe some-
one will come over and say something what’s going on, but nobody (did) so?we were getting up and checking if everything is OK, if the police were gone or not,” said Janusz. ■
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SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS:
FILIPINO-CANADIAN IN FOCUS Every week, the Philippine Canadian Inquirer celebrates the unwavering Filipino spirit through a feature called “Filipino-Canadian in Focus.” The feature recognizes the achievements of Filipinos living in Canada who have shown concern for the community, success in spite of trials, and the uniquely Pinoy practice of “bayanihan.” This year, we are welcoming nominations for the next subject of “Filipino-Canadian in Focus.”
MECHANICS: - All nominees must have (a) Filipino heritage/ancestry - All nominees must be residing in Canada at the time of nomination - Nominees from all industries are welcome (e.g. medical/health, politics, community service, business, entertainment, charity institutions, etc.) - Who can nominate? Anybody.
Fill up the nomination form online by scanning the code with your smartphone or by visiting InFocus.canadianinquirer.net.
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FRIDAY
Canada News
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
Government eases rules on Syrian refugee claims THE CANADIAN PRESS OTTAWA — The Conservative government says it will speed up the processing of Syrian refugee applications in an effort to issue “thousands more” visas before the end of this year. Syrians fleeing the civil war will no longer have to prove they are convention refugees under the United Nations Refugee Agency, but will be presumed to be refugees by Canadian authorities for the purposes of vetting their applications. The announcement came Saturday afternoon from Chris Alexander, the minister of citizenship and immigration, in his east Toronto riding. Alexander said the government is “accelerating our existing commitment” to refugee resettlement, not increasing the actual target numbers. The government will also appoint a special co-ordinator to handle the overall file of Syrian and Iraqi refugees, more than double the number of staff handling sponsorship applications and will expand the categories of refugees eligible for temporary government income assistance. “Security screening will remain the top priority,” said Alexander, while assuring all medical screening and background screening will continue. Earlier Saturday, Stephen Harper announced in a press release that a re-elected Conservative government would create something called a “Maple Leaf” designation, to be awarded to no more than five to seven individuals per year. The release from the prime minister
Refugee camp in Suruc.
says new Canadians are great ambassadors, while noting that one in five Canadians — some 6.8 million — are foreign born. Harper created something of a social media storm during an election leaders’ debate Thursday in Calgary when he referred to “old stock” Canadians while defending his government’s cuts to refugee health care. New Democrats and Liberals jumped on the comment, alleging Harper is dividing Canadians by suggesting citizens can be characterized in separate categories. “We’re lucky to have millions of people who come to Canada to build a new life and also maintain close ties with their birth country,” Harper said in Saturday’s news release. “In a global economy, we have an opportunity to draw on the connections that new Canadians have to build social, cultural and economic ties to developing economies.” The Conservative party said in a background release that recipients of the proposed award must have “a track record of promoting strong links between Canada and their home country as exemplified by business investment, arts and cultural exchanges, and international development work.” Harper, NDP Leader Tom Mulcair and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau are back out on the campaign trail Sunday after a down day Saturday to regroup. The three major parties are locked in a statistical dead heat in public opinion surveys with two more leaders’ debates — one in French in Montreal and a second on foreign affairs in Toronto — scheduled over the next eight days. Canadians go to the polls on Oct. 19. ■
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World News
SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
FRIDAY
No poverty, hunger in 15 years? UN sets sweeping new goals
BY STEVEN R. HURST The Associated Press A SEASON of goal-setting begins this month as the United Nations launches a new 15-year plan to fight grinding world poverty, improve health and education and quell climate change. The Sustainable Development Goals are set for adoption by the 193 U.N. member states shortly after Pope Francis brings his activist message to the world body on Friday — a message sure to include calls to pull back from the abyss of a heating world and to spread global wealth among the neediest. More than 150 world leaders, including President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping, are expected to speak at a three-day summit dedicated to adopting the goals. That meeting precedes the annual gathering of world leaders at the U.N. beginning Sept. 28. The new goals land on the global agenda in advance of December’s world meeting in Paris aimed at a comprehensive
agreement on curbing acceler- life Federation International. efits from economic advances ating global warming. “We actually don’t have another among people who are healthThe SDGs consist of 17 broad choice. We are expanding into ier, more equal and better edugoals and 169 specific targets. our natural resources at a rate cated. They replace the United Na- which is not sustainable. And I The earlier Millennium Detions’ expiring Millennium De- don’t want to think about what velopment Goals relied more velopment Goals, eight of them, the end-game looks like in 15 on wealthy nations helping adopted in 2000. years if we don’t get this right.” poorer ones, and were devised Despite significant progress, The goals are estimated to by people working for thenthe only one of those original cost the world between $3.5 U.N. Secretary-General Kofi goals achieved before this year trillion and $5 trillion a year Annan. was halving the number of peo- between 2016 and the end of That kind of top-down apple living in extreme poverty. 2030. proach “wasn’t going to be the That was due case,” with the primarily to econew agenda, said nomic growth in Michael Elliot, China. CEO of One.org, Critics of the To make the goals realistic across an anti-poverty new goals say these different country settings, there advocacy group. they are too needs to be more opportunities for It was clear “the broad, lack accommunity engagement. new developcountability and ment agenda will lead to dishad to be truly enchantment South as well as among those in North, that it the world most in need of hope. They were the work of a long had to be universal, it had to be Supporters say there is no process involving most coun- global, that it had to have from choice but to go big in a world of tries as thousands of people the start a component that reexpanding population, growing came together in many gather- flected a whole set of concerns inequality, dwindling resources ings to hash out the new agen- on the part of developing naand the existential threat from da. It will be financed not only tions.” global warming. by the so-called “developed Roger-Mark DeSouza, di“Let’s be realistic about this. North” but also by the “needy rector of climate, security and This is about survival,” said Su- South” from national develop- population at the Wilson Censan Brown of the World Wild- ment — reaping financial ben- ter, applauds the goals and www.canadianinquirer.net
process that produced the new goals, but he worries about implementation. “That’s the crux of the matter, and I think that is still to be determined.” “To make the goals realistic across these different country settings, there needs to be more opportunities for community engagement,” he said. The 169 targets have not been fully outlined in terms of how success would be measured. “The targets become critically important to watch in New York (when the goals are officially adopted),” said Ken Conca, an expert in water development and professor at American University’s school of international service. “The things that are most wildly aspirational tend not to be the targets.” Secretary-General Ban KiMoon has praised the goals but warned that “further progress will require an unswerving political will, and collective, long-term effort. We need to tackle root causes and do more to integrate the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development.” ■
World News
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
Greece’s Tsipras gets a second chance from voters BY DEREK GATOPOULOS AND ELENA BECATOROS The Associated Press
made that when push comes to shove, Syriza will opt to keep Greece in the euro. But we note this result provides a platform upon which Syriza will continue to challenge significant parts of the ATHENS, GREECE — Alexis Tsipras’ (bailout) program,” said Malcolm Barr, left-wing Syriza party battered op- an economist at JPMorgan. ponents in a snap general election as After years of recession and tough Greeks gave the 41-year-old leader a reforms, a quarter of the country is second chance to deal with the country’s still out of work and its national debt is staggering debt and carry out major re- worth a stunning 175 percent of annual forms aimed at modernizing its govern- output. The continued hardship meant ment and economy. Greeks showed little enthusiasm during Defying opinion polls, Tsipras com- the brief election campaign. fortably beat the conservative New Tsipras supporters early Monday apDemocracy party on Sunday to retain peared forgiving. a coalition partnership with the small “He is young. We had been voting for right-wing Independent Greeks. the others for 40 years,” said Athens res“Under difficult conditions, the Greek ident Eva Vasilopoulou, who attended people have given us a clear order to get the victory rally. “We are giving (him) rid of everything that kept us stuck in a second chance. He is pure, and smart, the past,” Tsipras told supporters in cen- and I hope he will govern for many tral Athens. years.” “It’s a great victory, a clear victory, and Syriza abandoned its anti-bailout a victory of the people.” platform and billed its re-election as a Tsipras’ Syriza had 35.5 percent, with blow to crony politics from more estabmore than 95 percent of votes counted, lished parties, refusing to consider joinwhile the centering the conservatives right New Democin a grand coalition. racy trailed with 28.1 The new governpercent. ment will have a In a sign of widesmall majority of just spread discontent, After years of five seats — and little however, more than recession and time to waste. four in 10 Greeks tough reforms, Creditors are exstayed away from a quarter of pected to review the poll, and 7 perthe country is progress of reforms cent of votes went still out of work as part of the bailout to the third-place and its national next month, while the Golden Dawn, a party debt is worth government will also founded as a neo-Naa stunning have to draft the 2016 zi movement in the 175 percent of state budget. It must 1980s. annual output. also oversee a critiThe vote was held The continued cal bank recapitalizaas Greece struggles hardship meant tion program, withto cope with Europe’s Greeks showed out which depositors refugee crisis. It also little enthusiasm with over 100,000 faces further harsh during the euros ($113,000) in austerity reforms brief election their accounts will be as part of a massive, campaign. forced to contribute. third international A total of eight parbailout that Tsipras ties won parliamenwas forced to adopt tary seats, includto keep the country in Europe’s joint ing the once-dominant Socialist Pasok, currency. centrist Potami, the Greek Communist Just seven months into his term, Tsip- Party and the Centrist Union — a fringe ras lost his majority in parliament after party led by Vassilis Leventis, a politifar-left rebels in his party opposed tough cal pundit famous for his on screen outnew conditions demanded by Eurozone bursts of anger during appearances on countries for the 86 billion euro rescue his long-running late-night TV show. package: Hikes in sales and business tax“I’ve fought for 25 years to get into es, changes to public administration and parliament,” he said. “I stayed on my feet labor laws opposed by unions, and fur- knowing that the political system would ther pension cuts to address the coun- eventually fall apart. I had a hunch that, try’s dramatically aging population. one day, I’d be vindicated.” ■ The rebels, who formed a breakaway party, failed to get elected to parliament. Demetris Nellas, Costas Kantouris and “The choice appears to have been Idyli Tsakiri contributed to this report.
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World News
SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
FRIDAY
Pope meets with Fidel, misses out on dissident greeting BY NICOLE WINFIELD AND MICHAEL WEISSENSTEIN The Associated Press HAVANA — Pope Francis flies to eastern Cuba on Monday for the next leg of his pilgrimage after having met with both Raul and Fidel Castro but missing out on an encounter with Cuban dissidents. The Vatican stressed that no official meeting had been planned with the dissidents. The Vatican embassy in Havana did make calls to some leaders “as a sign of attention to these people,” the Vatican spokesman said, but in the end the dissidents were prevented from reaching the cathedral where the greeting was planned. The Castro meetings went off without a hitch. The Vatican described the 40-minute session with Fidel Castro at the former president’s home as “informal and familial,” with an exchange of books and discussion about big issues facing humanity, including Francis’ recent encyclical on the environment and the global economic system. Video of the encounter broadcast on Cuban state media showed the 89-year-old Castro chatting animatedly with Francis and shaking the pope’s hand, the pope standing in his white vestments and Castro sitting in a white button-down shirt and Adidas sweat top. The meeting brought together the leader who shaped Cuba for the last half of the 20th century
and Latin America’s first pope, who is credited by many Cubans with opening a path to the future by mediating the warming diplomatic relations between their country and the United States. After his Cuba visit, the pope flies to Washington for his first ever trip to the U.S. Francis called on Castro after celebrating Mass in Havana’s main plaza on his first full day in Cuba. In his homily delivered under the gaze of a metal portrait of revolutionary fighter Che Guevara, Francis urged Cubans to care for one another out of a sense of service, not ideology. He encouraged them to refrain from judging each other by “looking to one side or the other to see what our neighbor is doing or not doing.” “Whoever wishes to be great must serve others, not be served by others,” he said. “Service is never ideological, for we do not serve ideas, we serve people.” It was a subtle jab at the communist system, which even the Vatican spokesman didn’t deny. “The pope doesn’t tend to make explicitly political speeches, but he has some general principles and everyone is free apply their different experiences of life on them,” the Rev. Federico Lombardi said. Many Cubans complain about the rigidity of the Cuban system in which nearly every aspect of life is controlled by the government, from cultural institutions to block-level neighborhood watch commit-
tees. While the system has softened in recent years, Cubans can be excluded or lose benefits if they are perceived as being disloyal to the revolution. Cubans are also increasingly concerned about growing inequality, in which those with access to foreign capital live lives of relative luxury while others can barely feed themselves, generating jealousy and division. “Being a Christian entails promoting the dignity of our brothers and sisters, fighting for it, living for it,” Francis told the crowd. At one point, Francis was approached by a man who grabbed onto the popemobile and appeared to be speaking emotionally to the pontiff, who touched him on his hand and head before he was pulled away by security agents. Video showed what appeared to be the same man throwing leaflets in the air, and backers of a Cuban dissident group said on Twitter he was a member of the opposition. The head of the opposition group Ladies in White said 22 of 24 members of her group who wanted to attend Mass were prevented from going by Cuban security agents. And two other well-known Cuban dissidents said agents detained them after the Vatican invited them to the pope’s vespers service at Havana’s cathedral. Marta Beatriz Roque and Miriam Leiva said they received invitations from the office of the papal ambassador in
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Havana but said they were arrested as they tried to travel to the cathedral. “They told me that I didn’t have a credential and that I couldn’t go to the pope’s event that was taking place there in the Plaza of the Cathedral,” Roque said. Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, said that some dissidents were invited to events to receive a greeting from the pope but that he didn’t know why the greeting didn’t take place. Francis met for an hour with Fidel’s brother Raul, a declared atheist who, perhaps jokingly, has said he likes the pope so much he is thinking of returning to his Catholic roots. Francis
thanked the 84-year-old leader for his pardon of thousands of petty criminals before his arrival. Castro presented the pontiff with a huge sculpture of the crucified Christ made of oars by the artist Kcho and a painting of the Virgin of Charity of Cobre, Cuba’s patron saint. Francis is due to visit the shrine to the virgin near the eastern city of Santiago on Monday evening, after making a brief stop in the city of Holguin for a Mass. ■ Associated Press writers E. Eduardo Castillo and Anne-Marie Garcia in Havana and Christine Armario and Andrea Rodriguez in Holguin, Cuba, contributed to this report.
JPMorgan Head: CEOs don’t have all it takes to be president THE ASSOCIATED PRESS THE CEO of one of America’s most powerful financial companies said Sunday that CEOs have some attributes that would serve a president well, but running the country might be better left to a politician. In an interview being broadcast Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon was asked by host Chuck Todd whether a CEO
would make a good president. Two Republican presidential candidates, Donald Trump and Carly Fiorina, have experience as chief executives. “I think some of the attributes could be good. Running things, knowing how to run things, knowing how to get good people involved,” Dimon said. But Dimon added, “It’s not sufficient. I think you have a whole ‘nother set of attributes. I think it’s really complex — politics. It’s three-dimensional chess.”
He said he has a lot of respect for how hard politicians’ jobs are. “When I go to Washington, I don’t walk away saying, ‘It’s terrible,” he said. “I’m saying, ‘my God, they’re dealing with some really complex stuff, and it’s not that easy to do.’“ Dimon, who steered the nation’s largest bank by assets through the perils of the Great Recession, also said he doesn’t expect something in return when he gives money to candidates. Donald Trump, whose www.canadianinquirer.net
candidacy Dimon refused to comment on specifically during the interview, has repeatedly said that when he donated to candidates in past elections he expected favors. Trump has called his competitors for the Republican presidential nomination “puppets” for accepting donations. Dimon noted that JPMorgan doesn’t give to presidential candidates. In a potential blow to Hillary Clinton, whom he supported
and gave money to in 2007 and 2008, Dimon declined to say whether he would support her as the Democratic presidential candidate or even whether she would make a good president. “I’m still a Democrat. But I am not going to vote — knee jerk for any one party or any one thing,” he said. “I’m gonna look the individual in the eyes. I’m gonna look at their person and how they feel about people... and decide who I think should be president.” ■
World News
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
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Pope of the poor arrives in US denying he’s a liberal BY NICOLE WINFIELD AND RACHEL ZOLL The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The pope of the poor arrived for his first-ever visit to the world’s wealthiest superpower Tuesday denying he is a leftist and riding in a frugal little family car, windows rolled down. Pope Francis’ chartered plane from Cuba touched down at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, where President Barack Obama and his wife and daughters paid him the rare honor of meeting him at the bottom of the stairs on the red-carpeted tarmac. Presidents usually make important visitors come to them at the White House. Emerging from the aircraft to loud cheers from a crowd of hundreds, the smiling 78-yearold pontiff removed his skullcap in the windy weather and made his way down the steps in his white robes. He was welcomed by a military honor guard, chanting schoolchildren, politicians, and Roman Catholic clerics in black robes with vivid sashes of scarlet and purple. Joe Biden, the nation’s first Catholic vice president, and his wife were among those who greeted him. Eschewing a limousine, the pope climbed into the back of a little Fiat sandwiched between huge black SUVs. He promptly rolled down the windows, enabling the cheering, whooping crowds to see him as his motorcade took him to the Vatican diplomatic mission in Washington, where he will stay while in the nation’s capital. The choice of car was in keeping with his simple habits and his stand against consumerism. His decision to roll down the windows reflected his penchant for trying to connect to ordinary people despite the tight security around him. During his six-day, threecity visit to the U.S., the pope will meet with the president on Wednesday, address Congress on Thursday, speak at the United Nations in New York on Friday and take part in a Vaticansponsored conference on the family in Philadelphia over the weekend. The Argentine known as the “slum pope” for ministering to the downtrodden in his na-
The Obama family welcomes Pope Francis to the US.
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tive Buenos Aires is expected to get anywhere close to Fran- reporters he will not use his to urge America to take better cis. speech to Congress to call specare of the environment and the For all the attention likely to cifically for the U.S. to lift the poor and return to its founding be paid to Francis’ speeches, in- Cold War-era trade embargo ideals of religious liberty and cluding the first address from a against Cuba. open arms toward immigrants. pope to Congress, his more perHe arrives at a moment of During the flight, Francis sonal gestures — visiting with bitter infighting across the defended himself against con- immigrants, prisoners and the country over gay rights, immiservative criticism that his homeless — could yield some of gration, abortion and race relacondemnation of trickle-down the most memorable images of tions — issues that are always economics makes him a com- the trip. simmering in the U.S. but have munist. “What the pope does in the boiled over in the heat of a pres“I am certain that I have nev- United States will be more im- idential campaign. er said anything beyond what portant than what he says,” said Capitol Hill is consumed by is in the social doctrine of the Mat Schmalz, a religious studies disputes over abortion and fedchurch,” he said. He said some professor at Holy Cross college eral funding for Planned Parmay have misenthood after interpreted his hidden-camera writings in a way videos showed that makes him its officials talksound “a little bit There are a lot of things he will say ing about the more left-leanabout capitalism and about wealth organization’s ing,” but he said inequality, but many Americans and practice of sendthat’s wrong. politicians have already made up ing tissue from Joking about their minds on these issues. What I aborted fetuses doubts in some would look for is a particular gesture, to medical requarters over an unscripted act, that will move searchers. While whether he is people. Francis has truly Cathostaunchly upheld lic, he said, “If I church teaching have to recite the against abortion, Creed, I’m ready.” in Worcester, Massachusetts. he has recently allowed ordiFrancis is the fourth pope “There are a lot of things he will nary priests, and not just bishever to visit the United States. say about capitalism and about ops, to absolve women of the sin. Francis’ enormous popular- wealth inequality, but many Francis’ visit comes three ity, propensity for wading into Americans and politicians have months after the U.S. Supreme crowds and insistence on using already made up their minds on Court legalized gay marriage, an open-sided Jeep rather than these issues. What I would look putting U.S. bishops on the a bulletproof popemobile have for is a particular gesture, an defensive and sharply dividcomplicated things for U.S. unscripted act, that will move ing Americans over how much law enforcement, which has people.” they should accommodate remounted one of the biggest seIn Cuba, Francis basked in ligious objectors. The pope has curity operations in American the adulation of Cubans grate- strongly upheld church teachhistory to keep him safe. ful to him for brokering the re- ing against same-sex marriage The measures are unprec- establishment of diplomatic re- but adopted a welcoming tone edented for a papal trip and lations between the U.S. and the toward gays themselves, saycould make it nearly impossible communist island. ing, “Who am I to judge?” when for many ordinary Americans On the plane, though, he told asked about a supposedly gay www.canadianinquirer.net
priest. Americans are also wrestling anew with issues of racism. A series of deaths in recent years of unarmed black men at the hands of law enforcement has intensified debate over the American criminal justice system. Francis will see that system up close when he meets with inmates at a Pennsylvania prison. U.S. bishops, meanwhile, expect Francis will issue a strong call for immigration reform, a subject that has heated up with hardline anti-immigrant rhetoric from some of the Republican presidential candidates, especially Donald Trump. Francis, the first Latin American pope, will be sending a powerful message on that front by delivering the vast majority of his speeches in his native Spanish. “Our presidential candidates have been using immigrants as a wedge issue,” Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski said. “It’s our hope that the visit of Pope Francis will change this narrative.” Francis’ most eagerly watched speech will be his address to Congress. Republicans and many conservative Catholics have bristled at his indictment of the excesses of capitalism that he says impoverish people and risk turning the Earth into an “immense pile of filth.” Many conservatives have likewise rejected his call for urgent action against global warming. Nevertheless, Francis enjoys popularity ratings in the U.S. that would be the envy of any world leader. A New York Times/CBS News poll conducted last week found 63 percent of Catholics have a favorable view of him, and nearly 8 in 10 approve the direction he is taking the church. Just how far Francis presses his agenda in Washington is the big question. Paul Vallely, author of “Pope Francis, The Struggle for the Soul of Catholicism,” predicted both “warmth” and “some finger-wagging” from the pope. “He won’t necessarily confront people head-on,” Vallely said, “but he’ll change the priorities.” ■ AP reporter Erica Werner contributed from Washington.
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SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
FRIDAY
GLOBAL FILIPINO:
The Making of an Epic
Award-winning filmmaker Jerrold Tarog sits down with the Philippine Canadian Inquirer to talk about ‘Heneral Luna’, his craft, and making it to the Oscars BY CHING DEE Philippine Canadian Inquirer
smile.) For 31 days in the span of three months, the team shot scenes from various locations in Ilocos, Tarlac, Laguna, Batangas, and Bataan — using digital manipulation and onset production to turn modern day locations into 1898 Philippines. And in those days, Jerrold and his team worked hard to make sure every scene was as unburdened with high falluting words, resulting to a more natural discourse between the characters.
WHEN AWARD-WINNING filmmaker Jerrold Tarog (‘Sana Dati,’ ‘Confessional’) started playing with the idea of making a historical movie, he knew he didn’t want any of the usually glorified heroes from school textbooks. He wanted something more. He wanted a complex “anti-hero.” Enter Gen. Antonio Luna. Historical movies are nothing new, often assigned as required viewing for history classes. But “Heneral Luna” is no ordinary historical film. It gives more than justice to its genre — it is a historical epic.
The Death Scene
The Beginning
“Heneral Luna” follows the life and tragic death of Gen. Antonio Luna, a brilliant Ilustrado who became one of the country’s greatest military tacticians. The General is also famous for his temper, intensity, and boisterous laughter. The movie was based on Vivencio R. Jose’s book “The Rise and Fall of Antonio Luna” and Jerrold admits this is his biggest project so far. With over 500 extras plus the main cast and crew, it took more or less three years to complete the movie. But the original script itself — written in English by Henry Francia (†) and Executive Producer Eduardo Rocha — was 17 years old when Jerrold asked their permission to turn their words into film. “Malakas ‘yung feeling ko na maraming makaka-relate sa kanya given na ‘yung struggles niya noon ay struggles pa rin natin ngayon,” Jerrold said. (I have a good feeling that a lot of people would relate to him, given that his struggles back then are still our struggles today.) The Perfect Cast
In order to achieve the delicate balance between drama and comedy with the Philippine-American War as the backdrop, Jerrold and his team at Artikulo Uno Productions had to make sure they have the
Award-winning filmmaker, writer, director, composer, and musical director Jerrold Tarog. LEOVIC ARCETA
perfect actor for each role. The Line Between Fact and sure every detail was correct. For the role Luna, Jerrold Fiction Jerrold said all this attention to shared three actors were conThe beginning of the movie detail was the main difference sidered: John Lloyd Cruz, Mark shows a disclaimer saying “cre- of “Heneral Luna” compared to Abaya, and John Arcilla. Cast- ative liberties” have been taken his previous projects. ing Cruz would ensure a box-of- in making the film to accentufice hit, but his contract at that ate the story. Jerrold openly The Importance of Comic Relief time kept Cruz from working pointed out which parts of the If you’ve already seen the on other projects. movie were embellished with movie, you’d know how the Jerrold refilm struck the called feeling perfect balance relieved when between histhe producers torical accuracy agreed to take on I have a good feeling that a lot of and natural diathe route of inpeople would relate to him, given logue. According tegrity in buildthat his struggles back then are still to Jerrold, one ing the film. This our struggles today. of the goals of left Abaya and “Heneral Luna” Arcilla bidding was to “portray for the role of the heroes as human feisty general. fiction, but for the sake of those beings — flaws and all.” “Pareho silang may (they both who haven’t seen the movie Despite the gravity of the have this) fire… but we went yet, this author won’t discuss it film’s message, the movie was with John (Arcilla) because he here. also intentionally peppered was more experienced,” JerDespite fictional content, a with moments of comic relief rold said, adding that he’s still painstaking amount of research as homage to the unbreakable thankful that Abaya agreed to and consultation with histori- Filipino spirit. do a cameo in the movie as the ans and experts were still done “‘Yung idea na ang Pilipino sa younger Antonio Luna. in order to keep the story as his- gitna ng calamity, may mahahIt goes without saying that torically accurate as possible. anap na katutuwaan ‘yan,” JerArcilla was tailor-made for the From the General’s outbursts rold said. “Tapatan mo ng camrole of Antonio Luna. From his to the buttons of the military era, ngingiti ‘yan.” stance to his mustache to the uniforms, the team worked day (The idea that Filipinos, even indefatigable fire in his eyes, and night — some even had to in the middle of a calamity, will he lived and breathed the Gen- go through a balikbayan box of find something amusing… Point eral’s intensity. research material — to make a camera at them and they’ll www.canadianinquirer.net
Spoiler Alert: Gen. Luna dies. The General’s death is one of the most heartbreaking things this author has ever seen. And all that heartbreak, according to Jerrold, was intentional. “Ang ini-imagine ni Ed Rocha was something closer to [Quentin] Tarantino, with all the blood and gore,” he recalled. “[We decided] na madugo parin pero mas masakit panoorin, ganon nalang ‘yung treatment namin.” (Ed Rocha was imagining something closer to the films of Quentin Tarantino, with all the blood and gore… We decided to still make it bloody, but more painful to watch, that’s the treatment we went with.) The movie’s vague portrayal of who’s the bad guy and who’s the good guy was intentionally done to keep the audience thinking, according to Jerrold. “Bahala silang lumabas na may sarili silang interpretation (It’s up to them to walk out with their own interpretation),” he said. “‘Pag napanood niyo ‘yung pelikula, pwede mo siyang tignan as Luna vs. Aguinaldo, or mga probinsya vs. Cavite, pero itapon niyo lahat ‘yon. Ang mas tignan niyo ‘yung angle na Filipino vs. Filipino,” Jerrold pointed out during one of their school visits in Cavite. (When you watch the movie, you can look at it as Luna vs. Aguinaldo, or the provinces vs. Cavite, but throw all [those ideas] away. You should look at the angle of Filipino vs. Filipino.) Indeed, the General’s last minutes are not for the faint of heart. But true to historical
Immigration
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
accounts, the brutal murder of Luna today just stands as another reminder of the movie’s famous line: “May mas malaki tayong kalaban kaysa mga Amerikano, at ‘yun ang ating mga sarili.” (We have an even greater enemy aside from the Americans, and that’s ourselves.) The Trilogy
Jerrold has solid plans of making two more historical epics after “Heneral Luna.” “It’s sort of like an Aguinaldo trilogy,” he said. “The sequel is [already planned] in my head. If hindi man with the same financer, I’ll find another way to make it happen.” He plans on making a followup movie to “Heneral Luna” depicting the life of Gregorio Del Pilar, one of the youngest officials in the Philippine military and an alleged henchman of Aguinaldo. Jerrold said he’s already planned the Battle of Tirad Pass in his head. The last movie in the trilogy will be about the presidential race between Aguinaldo and Manuel Quezon. For him, his historical epics are “not about cleaning up the
names of certain people,” but it aims to show the infighting among Filipinos. The Overwhelming Support
When “Heneral Luna” debuted on September 9th, it was being shown in over 100 cinemas nationwide. On their second week, the number of cinemas dwindled to half. But as of posting, the historical epic is back on more than 100 cinemas. The movie is going strongly into its third week. With the pleasant surprise of the success of “Heneral Luna” — despite several establishments declining to show support for the movie before its premiere — Jerrold said he was not expecting the people’s positive response. “Sanay na ko sa ganon, mas nagulat nga ako na dumadami (ang cinemas). Mas sanay ako sa disappointment,” Jerrold said. (I’m used to that, I was actually surprised that the number of cinemas is increasing. I’m more used to disappointment.) He adds, “You don’t make movies expecting [great] response. You just go in there, do your best to tell the story, and
just cross your fingers.” For Jerrold, making the movie was about creating something entertaining with a strong social significance. “We were trying for something higher, trying to transcend the idea of movie promotions,” he said. “We’re making this an act of nation building.” As of posting, their marketing team is also in the process of planning a U.S. theatrical release in October or November of this year, with hopeful plans of a Canadian premiere, as well. Jerrold also assured this writer that a DVD release of “Heneral Luna” is in the works. With the huge success of the movie, “Heneral Luna” has been chosen by the Film Academy of the Philippines as the country’s official entry to the 2016 Academy Awards for the Foreign Language Film category. Jerrold, being a veteran of international film competitions and festivals, sent a message to the Philippine Canadian Inquirer, saying, “We made ‘Luna’ with the Filipino audience in mind and that’s all that matters to me personally. Anything outside of that is a welcome bonus.” ■
rads G d e l l Po bs!! o J t e G
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L-R: COL. MANUEL BERNAL (Art Acuña), COL. PACO ROMAN (Joem Bascon), CAPT. EDUARDO RUSCA (Archie Alemania), GEN. ANTONIO LUNA (John Arcilla), GEN. JOSE ALEJANDRINO (Alvin Anson), CAPT. JOSE BERNAL (Alex Medina) HENERAL LUNA FACEBOOK PAGE
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Community News
Archbishop Lagdameo visits Vancouver REV. ANGEL N. Lagdameo, DD, Archbishop of Jaro and former president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), will visit Vancouver and officiate at two masses to be held at St. Matthew’s Parish in Surrey, B.C. on Oct. 1 and 2. The visiting church leader, Global Spiritual Director of Bukas Loob sa Diyos (BLD) Catholic Covenant Community, will officiate a retreat mass at 7 p.m. on Oct.1, for BLD members followed by a fellowship gathering on the same evening. On Oct. 2, he will officiate at another mass, open to the public, at 8 p.m. which will include the anointing of new BLD covenanted disciples. A fellowship gathering will follow. Archbishop Lagdameo’s short visit in Vancouver will include a courtesy call with Archbishop Michael Miller, C.S. B., of the Archdiocese of Vancouver. The BLD Global Spiritual Director was born in Lucban, Quezon. He was ordained priest on Dec. 19, 1964, and was appointed auxiliary bishop of Cebu on June 19, 1980. At the same time, he was appointed titular bishop of Oreto. He became coadjutor bishop of Dumaguete on Jan. 31, 1986, and was installed as its
Archbishop Lagdameo.
bishop on Aug. 2, 1989. He became the Archbishop of Jaro on Mar. 11, 2000. Bukas Loob sa Diyos is a Filipino name which translates to “Open in Spirit to God.” The name reflects the BLD’s country of origin, the Philippines. Today, however, members of the community live throughout the world. A large number of members live in North America and call Canada and United States home. The community is Roman Catholic in its essence, charismatic in its activities, and faithful to the Magisterium of the Church. Each BLD district is under the ecclesial authority of the local Archdiocese. This ensures that all activities and teachings of BLD Districts are in accordance with official doctrines and dogmas of the Church, BLD-Worldwide is under the pastoral authority of Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo. The Vancouver District Spiritual Director is Rev. Nixon D’Silva, SFX. BLD offers Marriage Encounters, Singles Encounters, Youth Encounters, Family Encounters, Solo Parents Encounters, and Life in the Spirit Seminars. All encounters are headed by a spiritual director, a Roman Catholic priest. ■
SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
FRIDAY
PH film joins Toronto film fest BY MICHELLE CHERMAINE RAMOS AFTER A remarkable victory bagging all the awards at the Sinag Maynila Festival this year including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and Best Production Design, Lawrence Fajardo’s Imbisibol (Invisible) premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 14, at the Scotiabank Theatre in downtown Toronto. Days prior at a private cocktail party, the Imbisibol cast and crew chatted with PMNTV in an exclusive interview on the making of the movie and why the story is so close to their hearts. Aptly titled Imbisibol, the movie tackles the individual emotional and physical hardships of undocumented OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) in Fukuoka, Japan, trying to remain unseen due to their illegal status. Produced by Brillante Mendoza, Wilson Tieng and Krisma Fajardo, the film is based on a one-act play written by Herlyn Gail Alegre for the Virgin Labfest and was eventually expanded into a full-length screenplay in collaboration with screenwriter John Bedia and director Lawrence Fajardo. The story is set around Christmastime in the 1990s in Fukuoka, Japan and stars seasoned thespian Bernardo Bernardo, Ces Quesada who won the Best Actress award at Sinag Maynila, Allen Dizon who won the Best Actor award, Ricky Davao, JM De Guzman, JC Santos and Onyl Torres. “The 1990s was the decade in which the Japanese government decided to start evicting the Filipinos out of Japan because the majority of them were illegal workers,” explained screenplay writer John Bedia. So what makes Imbisibol different from other OFW themed movies? Unlike previous popular films about the OFW life, which leaned towards comedy or romantic drama, Imbisibol does not shy away from exposing the dark gritty truth of what many OFWs face every day. However, despite dealing with mature subject matter such as Allen Dizon’s character Manuel’s desperate situation as a male sex worker, Fajardo directs the scenes with such www.canadianinquirer.net
Veteran comedian/actor/director Bernardo Bernardo who plays Benjie, Ricky Davao’s gay lover in the film, jokes with PMNTV host Michelle Chermaine about his Marlon Brando moment and the challenge of delivering his lines in Japanese while filming Imbisibol.
subtlety and finesse by telling the story without resorting to nudity, making the film safe for kids to watch. Fajardo and his team decided from the get-go that if they were going to do a movie on the lives of illegal aliens, they were going to make it as authentic as possible. Production Manager Kimmy Maclang and John Bedia sought out and interviewed real illegal Filipino workers during their extensive research for the development of the script in their efforts to make the movie as realistic as possible. So how did they gain the illegal OFWs’ trust? “Sometimes I don’t think we ever did,” Maclang says. “They were scared and thought we were from the government.” Fajardo’s team had to endure the challenges of long shooting days to complete the entire film in Japan in only fourteen days in the bitter cold winter. “We started at eight or nine a.m. and we’d finish at one a.m. My AD was Japanese as well as the camera and lighting crew so we had to adjust because they weren’t used to the “Filipino way” of filmmaking,” Fajardo chuckled as he explained how their Japanese crew were culture shocked by the extended shooting times. “ Bernardo related to the Imbisibol characters as he spoke of his personal experience as an OFW in the US before his comeback in the Philippines and explained why he was so emotionally invested in the project. “This is still happening, the plight of overseas contract workers who uproot themselves from their Filipino lives, separate themselves from their families, in order to give their children a better life, a bet-
ter chance to survive and succeed and get educated.” he says. “ And I want the relatives that are left back home who don’t know what’s happening, who just spend the remittances not thinking that maybe their relatives are just picking up the money from the floor or off trees…that there are a lot of sacrifices involved. “The film is a tribute to the OFW or “Bagong Bayani” as Bernardo calls them in reference to how their hard-earned remittances are helping keep the Philippine economy afloat. Krisma Fajardo shared a message for the children of OFWs back home. “For the kids out there, don’t take their (OFW’s) hard work for granted because most people think it’s so easy and that just because you’re in another country, it’s exciting and fun and something new. But I’m sure if you ask them (the OFWs), they would rather just be in the Philippines taking care of their families if they could.” The first public screening had the audience in shock as the story came to its emotional climax and ended with a lively Q&A session and meeting with the cast and crew. For many moviegoers, the story hit close to home as almost everyone is or has a relative or friend who is an OFW. Imbisibol will also be playing at the Focus on Asia Fukuoka Film Festival in Japan. It will also be premiering at the Silk Road International Film Festival on Sept. 23, in Fuzhou, China. With their growing fan base and upcoming screenings and films under development, the one thing that is for sure is this unstoppable team will be anything but invisible. ■
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FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
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SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
FRIDAY
Entertainment
Who does Binay want to portray him in his biopic? BY CHING DEE Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA — Vice President Jejomar Binay wants Kapuso heartthrob Alden Richards to portray him should a Binay biopic be made in the future. According to Binay, there’s nothing impossible in movies. “Sa sine, wala namang imposible. Itinutugma kung ano ‘yung kailangan,” Binay said in a press conference Tuesday. “Kaya nabanggit ko [si Alden] kasi sikat na sikat. Importante sa sine ‘yung sikat na artista para at least may crowd na darating dahil sa kaniya.” (In movies, there’s nothing impossible. They will match what needs to be matched... So I said Alden Richards because he’s really famous. Being a fa-
mous celebrity is important in movies, at least a crowd will be there.) With the success of the AlDub love team of Richards and “Yaya Dub” played by Maine Mendoza, reporters asked Binay if he wants Mendoza to play his wife Elenita should a biopic happen in the future. “Itatanong ko mamaya (I’ll ask her later),” was the Vice President’s reply. Binay openly said he hopes to bring in the AlDub love team as political endorsers, but just last week, Sen. Tito Sotto announced that both Mendoza and Richards will not be joining any political campaign and will not be endorsing any political candidate or party. Sotto has been part of the longest running noontime variety show ‘Eat Bulaga’ where Aldub started. ■
Binay wants ‘Pambansang Bae’ Alden Richards to portray him in his biopic. FACEBOOK PHOTOS
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GMA KAPUSO PRESS RELEASE
Vice Ganda on AlDub: We have to keep up with the competition BY JANE MORALEDA Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA — With ABS-CBN’s noontime show It’s Showtime having better ratings lately, Vice Ganda shared how the network’s management and the show’s host and crew felt happier. “In fairness… Sabi nga ng [ABS-CBN] management, masaya na sila. Kasi they were only praying for two points [increase], but God [gave] us six points, sabi nila,” Vice Ganda said in a Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP) report. (In fairness… The ABS-CBN management said that they were already happy. Because they were only praying for two
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points increase, but God gave us six points, they said.) “So, nung ibigay yun sa amin, na-boost ang morale naming lahat (So, when that was given to us, our morale was boosted),” he added. The comedienne-host also admitted that It’s Showtime’s previous ratings indeed worried them which led them to think of better ways to be more appealling to the audience. “It’s competition, pero (but) it’s nothing personal. You have to keep up with what the competition dictates in the audience,” he said. “[Pero] siyempre, alangan naman na iniwan ka nang milyamilya, kahit sino naman, kahit atleta ka, kung nagtatakbuhan na at nakita mong umaalagwa
na siya, gagawa ka ng paraan kung paano ka-catch up, di ba?,” he added. (But of course, when you’re miles behind, whoever it may be, even if you’re an athlete, when they’re running and you see one going further ahead, you will think of a way how to catch up, right?) It can be noted that the ratings of GMA’s noontime show Eat Bulaga soared when their kalyeserye segment’s on-screen loveteam, ‘AlDub,’ became popular. But with the new face of ‘Pastillas Girl’ seen in It’s Showtime’s ‘Madam Bertud’ segment, data from the Kantar Media/TNS showed that the gap between the two shows became smaller. ■
Entertainment
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
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Philippines’ sexuality guru Dr. Margarita Holmes debuts talks, book launch in Canada BY BABES CASTRONEWLAND
BRACE YOURSELVES, Vancouver! Prepare to be empowered by your innermost sensuality devoid of malice and inhibition. Uphold your healthy sexuality, self-worth and confidence as highly celebrated clinical psychologist; sex therapist; and bestselling author—Dr. Margarita Gosingco Holmes speaks in Canada for the very first time. Her visit coincides with the launch of 25th anniversary edition of her very first bestselling book, “Life, Love, Lust: Straightforward Answers to Provocative Questions”. Dr. Holmes will provide free speaking engagements and book autograph sessions on Thursday, 25th September at 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (Vancouver Public Library); Friday, 25th September at 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Richmond Public Library), followed by another same day appearance at UBC’s Liu Institute at 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. For Filipino-Canadian baby boomers that once were avid follow-
ers of Dr. Holmes’ street-smart wit, candor and humor, this comes as a pleasant surprise to finally being able to meet their idol up close and personal. Feel free to ask the most salacious questions. Dr. Holmes will be more than ecstatic to provide expert insights in a no-holdsbarred fashion. But who is Dr. Margarita Holmes? For those who have migrated to Canada long before her name rose to great prominence back home, Holmes graduated magna cum laude and was adjudged “Most Outstanding Graduate for 1973” by the UP Alumni Society. She’s a Professorial lecturer at the University of the Philippines and consultant at the Department of Health. Holmes is a speaker (plenary and otherwise) at many conventions of international and national societies, including scientific meetings and round table discussions of medical associations. She’s a regular contributor on Philippine television who pioneered the first TV show, No Nonsense with Dr Holmes, dealing exclusively with psychological issues for six seasons. Her most memorable stint for six years was
Margarita Holmes.
in Teysi Ng Tahanan with ace comedian/TV talk show host, Tessie Tomas. Recent TV projects have been on TV5’s Face to Face and GMA 7’s Tonight with Arnold Clavio. Holmes is a columnist at Abante, Abante Tonite, Playboy and rappler.com. She recently wrote for Business Mirror and Opinyon. A former columnist at Philippine Daily Inquirer,
Manila Times, Cosmopolitan (Magazine Philippine Edition), Illustrado (Dubai) and many others. She has authored 18 books, nine of which are in Tagalog that include best known titles-- Buhay Babae, Buhay Lalaki, Buhay May-Asawa and Naiibang Pag-Ibig. Her most recent books are Love Triangles and Imported Love which she co-authored with her husband,
Jeremy Baer. Holmes describes her asawa (partner) of many years as “a columnist, author, retired banker, astute and intelligent.” What can you expect from Holmes’ bestselling 25th anniversary edition of Life, Love, Lust? A lot. Much more stuff you thought you already knew or would never want to know about. Topics like erectile dysfunction, frigid women and clumsy men, masturbation, premature ejaculation, fetishes, porn, infidelity, self-abuse, sexsomia, sex after menopause, fapping, excessive lubrication and size. If you’re looking for a lofty speaking series that will provide combination of value, sexual enlightenment and true grit, make your way to all the aforementioned locations and join Dr. Holmes. While you’re at it, don’t forget to grab a copy of her bestselling book and have it autographed. After all, “Life, Love, Lust” has already sold 45,000 copies! Now that is something not inconsequential. ■ Comments are welcome at babescastronewland@gmail.com
Emmy wins for Viola Davis, Jon Hamm, ‘Transparent,’ ‘Veep’ BY RYAN VAN HORNE The Canadian Press LOS ANGELES — Long-standing barriers fell at Sunday’s Emmy Awards as Viola Davis became the first non-white actress to claim top drama series acting honors, Jon Hamm finally won for “Mad Men,” and “Game of Thrones” overcame voters’ anti-fantasy resistance to snare the most trophies ever in a season. An emotional Davis, who won for her portrayal of a ruthless lawyer in “How to Get Away With Murder,” invoked the words and spirit of 19th-century African-American abolitionist Harriet Tubman. “I can’t seem to get over that
line,” she quoted Tubman as saying. “The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity,” Davis added. “You cannot win Emmys with roles that are simply not there.” “Empire” star Tariji P. Henson, another black nominee in the category, stood and applauded Davis’ win. Other African-American actresses who prevailed Sunday were Uzo Aduba and Regina King, who won for supporting performances. “Mad Men” star Hamm claimed the best drama actor Emmy that eluded him seven times before. He bypassed the steps to the stage, scrambling onto it on his stomach.
“There has been a terrible mistake, clearly,” said Hamm, who played troubled ad man Don Draper in the series that ended its run without adding another best-drama trophy to its haul of four previous wins. It lost to “Game of Thrones,” which became only the second so-called “genre” series, after sci-fi drama “Lost,” to win. The blood-soaked fantasy saga won a combined 12 Emmys on Sunday and at the previous creative arts awards, eclipsing the nineawards record set by “The West Wing” in 2000. With a total of 26 Emmys since it became eligible to compete in 2011, “Game of Thrones” is tied with “Hill Street Blues” and “The West Wing” as the mosthonored drama series ever. Sitwww.canadianinquirer.net
com “Frasier” remains the overall winner with 37 awards. Peter Dinklage nabbed the best supporting drama actor award for “Game of Thrones,” which also won writing and directing trophies. Tracy Morgan, the actor-comedian seriously injured last year in a car accident, made a triumphant return to reveal “Game of Thrones” the best drama series. Host Andy Samberg noted that the 67th Emmys coincided with the 67th birthday for George R.R. Martin, whose novels are the basis for “Game of Thrones.” A smiling Martin was in the theater audience to accept the congratulations, and was onstage for the big win. The victory came despite criticism of the show last sea-
son for a rape scene. On the comedy side, political satire “Veep” claimed the top series award that had gone to “Modern Family” for five consecutive years. Jon Stewart is gone from “The Daily Show” but not forgotten by Emmy voters, who gave the late-night show the best variety talk series award Sunday over two hosts who have moved on, Stephen Colbert and David Letterman. Stewart, who left the “Daily Show” earlier this year, warned the theater audience that the perils of leaving TV include no applause or free food. “To everybody on television, I just want to tell you, cling to ❱❱ PAGE 32 Emmy wins
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Entertainment
SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
FRIDAY
‘Room’ wins top prize at Toronto International Film Festival BY VICTORIA AHEARN The Canadian Press TORONTO — A seemingly cloudy Oscar race became a little clearer on Sunday as the Toronto International Film Festival awarded the harrowing drama “Room” the People’s Choice prize, an honour that is often a predictor of Academy Award success. The Canadian-Irish film stars Brie Larson and eight-year-old Jacob Tremblay of Vancouver as a mother and son who live in a shed that he thinks is the entire world. Ireland’s Lenny Abrahamson directed the suspenseful yet touching tale that’s based on Canadian author Emma Donoghue’s celebrated novel. It won the $15,000 Grolsch People’s Choice Award at the end of an 11-day festival in which there appeared to be no clear front-runner. “We shot this film in Toronto and it’s incredible that this happened,” said ‘Room’ producer David Gross. “I know it’s rare ... that a Canadian film actually wins this award.” Festival director Piers Handling said the balloting on the prize was “very, very close.” “‘Room’ kind of ignited au-
diences,” he said. “I think it’s a very serious film but it’s a very emotional film.” The film even had Scottish star Gerard Butler “bawling’’ when he saw it at the fest, said the distributor, noting they urged the actor-producer to view it after hearing he was looking to cast a 10-year-old boy in his next film. “When you get the toughest guy in Hollywood bawling in one of the screenings, you think you’ve got something special,” said Noah Segal, co-president of Toronto-based Elevation Pictures. Last year’s People’s Choice winner was “The Imitation Game,” which went on to get eight Oscar nominations, nabbing one golden statuette for best adapted screenplay. Several previous People’s Choice winners have also gone one to nab best picture at the Oscars, including “12 Years a Slave,” “The King’s Speech,” and “Slumdog Millionaire.” Another Canadian film won a major prize at Sunday’s event — the inaugural Platform award. Veteran Canadian documentary maker Alan Zweig’s “Hurt,” a portrait of disgraced runner Steve Fonyo, beat out 11 other titles to win the $25,000 award that was chosen by an international jury.
“Room” beat out first runnerup ``Angry Indian Goddesses’’ and second runner-up “Spotlight,” Tom McCarthy’s starstudded journalism thriller that was one of several festival films that received strong reviews. Other top titles with critics at the fest included Ridley Scott’s outerspace tale “The Martian” starring Matt Damon, JeanMarc Vallee’s “Demolition” starring Jake Gyllenhaal, and Scott Cooper’s gangster thriller “Black Mass” starring Johnny Depp. “Overall I would say it wasn’t necessarily the best TIFF as in recent years,” said Jake Coyle, film writer for the Associated Press. “A number of the stronger films at the festival had played at other festivals, like Venice or Telluride or Cannes.” Handling conceded there wasn’t “one breakout film” at the fest this year, but he still felt it “was a really, really strong year.” “Sometimes when you have a breakout film, it’s nice, you know, a buzz film like ‘12 Years a Slave’ or ‘The King’s Speech’ or ‘Slumdog Millionaire,’ and everyone coalesces around that,” he said. “But I think that puts some of the other really good films into the shadows. This year I think
it was just a strong year for that type of ... artistically driven commercial cinema.” Other award winners on Sunday included Andrew Cividino’s “Sleeping Giant,” which took the City of Toronto Award for Best Canadian First Feature Film. Stephen Dunn’s “Closet Monster” won the Canada Goose Award for Best Canadian Feature Film. Film critic Anne Thompson praised this year’s fest for the amount of awards contenders it had, noting it’s also a “buyers’ festival” where many films get
the most amount of notice. “Room,” for instance, premiered at the Tellurude Film Festival before going to Toronto — but TIFF is where it really took off. “It needed to do this, it needed to go to Toronto and really hit with everyone there and it did,” said Thompson, founder and editor-in-chief of daily entertainment industry blog Thompson on Hollywood at Indiewire. “And now Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay are very strong actor contenders in the Oscar derby.” ■
plays a man journeying toward womanhood. Jill Soloway, who based the series on the life of her own “moppa,” as she calls her parent, used her directing trophy acceptance speech to ask for equal rights for transgender individuals. “It is legal in the majority of U.S. states to refuse to rent to trans people,” she said, saying the country has a civil rights problem that must be addressed. Aduba won the supporting actress in a drama trophy for “Orange is the New Black,” which was switched under academy rules this year from comedy competition. She won a guest actress award last year for her portrayal of the series’
character known as “Crazy Eyes.” Emmys voters didn’t give up their fondness for choosing the familiar over the groundbreaking in other categories as well. Julia Louis-Dreyfus was honored as best lead comedy actress for “Veep” for the fourth time. Allison Janney of “Mom” and Tony Hale of “Veep” were repeat winners for supporting comedy acting honors. Janney, who plays a dysfunctional parent, thanked series producer Chuck Lorre for creating a deeply flawed character and “thinking of me to play her.” “This is nuts,” said Hale, thanking his show’s writers and lauding his fellow nominees: “You make me laugh hard.”
“Olive Kitteridge,” based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Elizabeth Strout, nearly swept the limited series categories, with six trophies including the top award and lead acting honors for Frances McDormand and Richard Jenkins and a supporting award for Bill Murray. King of “American Crime” won supporting actress honors for a limited series. “Inside Amy Schumer” won for best variety sketch series. “The Voice” won a best reality series trophy, breaking the hold that “The Amazing Race” long had on the category and snaring an award that always eluded “American Idol.” Samberg kicked off the ceremony with a video in which he
made elaborate fun of the overload of TV programs available. “So many shows, so little time,” he sang, before entering a “TV viewing bunker” to binge-view on all the nominated shows. A bearded, shaggy-haired Samberg emerged to boast to contenders Jon Hamm and Kerry Washington that he had them and everyone else covered. Appearing on stage, groomed, Samberg touched briefly on the political scene. “Sure, Donald Trump seems racist,” he said. “What else?” HBO dominated the Emmys with 43 awards, followed by NBC with 12, Comedy Central and FX Networks with eight awards each, ABC with six and Amazon with five. ■
SCREENSHOT FROM ‘ROOM.’
Emmy wins... it as long as you can,” joked Stewart, who’s turning over “Daily Show” to Trevor Noah. Besides Colbert, who left his Comedy Central show to become host of CBS’ late-night show, the tough competition included another channel alum, John Oliver, for his HBO series. “Transparent” emerged as an early winner, capturing a best comedy actor trophy for Jeffrey Tambor and a directing award for its creator, and giving both winners a chance to pay tribute to the show’s transgender themes. “I’d like to dedicate my performance and this award to the transgender community. ... Thanks for letting us be part of the change,” said Tambor, who ❰❰ 31
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33
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
Lifestyle
Filipino editions of John Green’s novels headline National Book Store’s translation series
‘The Fault in Our Stars’ and three others of the best-selling Young Adult novelist’s books now available in Filipino from the retail giant, along with Marivi Soliven’s ‘The Mango Bride’
BY RUEL S. DE VERA Philippine Daily Inquirer JOHN GREEN is the rock star novelist who has helped propel Young Adult (YA) books into the popular culture stratosphere with bittersweet, compelling work like “The Fault in Our Stars” and “Paper Towns,” both of which were adapted into major motion pictures. Just as those movies brought new followers for the bestselling novels — beyond the YA market — National Book Store (NBS) now brings another new audience for Green’s books with its Filipino editions. NBS commenced its series of Green translations in 2014 with “The Fault in our Stars,” translated by bilingual award-winning writer Danton Remoto. NBS purchasing director Xandra Ramos-Padilla says translating writers like Green began as an offshoot of the retail giant’s bringing in international authors. “The idea to translate books began when we started bringing in more foreign authors to the Philippines,” Padilla explains. “Seeing the enthusiasm and support of the fans for the authors, we realized that there is a great potential to not only expand readership but also make the books more accessible by making translated editions available. In translating books to Filipino, we aim to reach a new set of readers and also celebrate our national language.” The inaugural choice of Green was a no-brainer. “John Green is one of the most widely read authors today. All his books have been and continue to be big bestsellers in National Book Store and the world,” she says, noting that the Filipino editions of “Stars” and “Towns” were released in time for the release of the movie versions.
them? So we retained them and used footnotes.” In the process, Siy says they figured out that the Filipino language can, indeed, express the feeling and sensibilities of foreigners. Additionally, Filipino can bridge the generational gap with readers, just as readers from different generations enjoy Green’s work. She notes that the Filipino editions would be easier to understand for Filipino readers and encourage them to read longer novels as “Towns” is thicker than most novels in Filipino. Translation is part of the evolution of any country’s literature, Siy explains. “Literature goes two ways. Something comes out. Something goes in. In this way, readers can go very far.” New offerings
Author John Green.
GAGE SKIDMORE / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Remoto says it took three learned to appreciate and give with its philosophical undermonths to finish translating value to having books translat- tow.” “Fault,” a book “with such de- ed to Filipino despite the initial NBS has since followed up ceptive depth. This is not your reluctance,” Padilla says. “Now, “Fault” with three other Green usual shallow love story; it twins it’s become a must for them to translations in 2015: “Looklove and death ing for Alaska” in one stunning translated by novel.” “The Julz E. Riddle, most difficult “An Abundance part was transJohn Green fans have learned to of Katherines” lating the poappreciate and give value to having translated by ems of William books translated to Filipino despite Luna SicatCleShakespeare, TS the initial reluctance. to and “Paper Eliot, Williams Towns” transCarlos Williams lated by the husand Wallace Steband-and-wife vens that John Green quoted in add the Filipino edition to their team of Ronald V. Verso II and his novel,” he says. “These are John Green collection.” Beverly “Bebang” W. Siy. masters of the literary genre — Remoto describes the auThe author of the memoir I approached my task with fear dience for his translation as: “It’s a Mens World,” Siy says and trembling.” “Those who cannot read in that translating the humor in English, and they are many; and “Towns” was a challenge, beSuccess those who want to read (‘Fault’) cause humor can be culturally “Stars” proved a success at in Filipino. Many Filipinos specific. “We had difficulty with the bookstores, now on its third know only functional English John Green’s metaphors,” she printing and sold over 5,000 and will have difficulty diving says in Filipino. “There were copies. “John Green fans have deep into this novel of Green, so many. How do you translate www.canadianinquirer.net
NBS is continuing its translation series beyond John Green as it has just released new offerings. Another YA stalwart, Kiera Cass is represented through the Filipino editions of her “The Selection” series, just in time for Cass’ return to the Philippines in September. The “Selection” books were translated by Susie R. Baclagon-Borrero. US-based Filipino author Marivi Soliven’s novel “The Mango Bride” — published in the United States by Penguin Random House — receives the literary translation treatment thanks to Remoto, with a new cover by artist Robert Alejandro. The translation was launched at the recent Philippine Literary Festival 2015. Padilla says NBS has more in store as far its translations are concerned. “Besides textbook and Filipino classics reprints, translations have become a priority for the National Book Store publishing imprint,” she concludes. “We continue to acquire rights to translate more books. You will see more translated editions, hopefully, in the coming months.” ■
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Lifestyle
SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
FRIDAY
Making baby food from whole foods sets up lifetime of healthy eating, say authors BY LOIS ABRAHAM The Canadian Press TORONTO — It may be tempting to buy jars of prepared baby food, but you might not be doing your child any favours nutritionally, says holistic nutritionist Jill Hillhouse. In “The Best Baby Food: 125 Healthy & Delicious Recipes for Babies & Toddlers” (Robert Rose), co-author Hillhouse offers tips on introducing babies to real food and tempting toddlers with a variety of flavours and colours. She says some commercial baby foods may have additives like tapioca starch or potatoes. “Not to say that potatoes don’t have value. (But) if it is a meat product or a broccoli product, then shouldn’t we want to get all those nutrients? You’re diluting it,” says Hillhouse. She cites a 2013 study from the department of human nutrition at the University of Glasgow that found commercial
baby foods designed to be “first foods” had more calories than formula milk and fewer nutrients than homemade foods. In other words, she says, babies would need more food to get the same amount of nutrients that they were getting from formula. This can set up a lifetime habit of eating large amounts of nutrient-poor processed food. Chef Jordan Wagman and Hillhouse seek to banish the mindset that kids should eat bland food. “It’s kind of incredible when you think about infants around the world. They’re eating spices and herbs pretty much everywhere else except in North America,” says Hillhouse. “I don’t know why we need to feed them just plain rice and that kind of stuff, and from a nutritional perspective it certainly doesn’t make any sense.” Included are recipes for first foods such as pureed vegetables and integrating meats and fruits for those aged six to nine months. Fennel, eggplant, quinoa, hummus and bok choy
are suggestions for when babies near their first birthday, and recipes for toddlers include oven-roasted artichokes, salmon cakes and jasmine rice with butternut squash and saffron. “It’s important to open the palate, expose little people to all sorts of tastes so they get used to it,” says Hillhouse. The authors also advise introducing foods in a wide range of colours. “We know that the deeper-coloured fruits and vegetables and their skins have so many great properties to them
so it’s wonderful to include them, not just visually.” Hillhouse suggests trying to carve out an hour or two every so often to prep some pureed foods. Once a baby graduates to food, he or she eats only a few tablespoons at a time, the equivalent of a couple of thawed chunks frozen in ice-cube trays. “Do up a whole bunch of icecube trays and you’ve got a ton of food,” she says. “You get the time back over the next four weeks while using up those foods.”
A huge challenge for many parents is satisfying picky eaters. Be careful not to reveal your own dislikes, Hillhouse says. Children notice when a food appears on their plate but not on a parent’s dish. Hillhouse also recommends organic produce when possible for youngsters. “Pesticides have a much stronger effect on small bodies and it’s well documented that they’re more detrimental to small children than they are to the rest of us.” Included in the book is a list generated by the Environmental Working Group in the U.S., which has identified 20 fruits and vegetables containing the most pesticide residue unless organically grown, and 15 of the least contaminated fruits and vegetables. “The key message with organics, I still believe, is it matters more that you actually eat fruits and vegetables, whether or not they’re organic,” says Hillhouse.
Safety experts agree with courts that kids under 10 shouldn’t stay home alone BY LAUREN LA ROSE The Canadian Press TORONTO — A B.C. Supreme Court ruling that found an eight-year-old is too young to be left home alone is being supported by some safety experts who say kids aren’t fully ready to stay solo at such an early age. The child in the case, known as A.K., was staying home unsupervised on weekdays after school between 3 and 5 p.m. while his mother, B.R., was at work. A social worker was made aware of the situation and told B.R. that kids under age 10 couldn’t be left alone. B.R. went to court to challenge a supervision order for A.K., arguing that kids mature differently and that there was no law indicating how old youngsters should be to stay home alone.
She lost and the B.C. Supreme Court subsequently upheld the trial judge’s ruling that kids under 10 couldn’t be safely left unsupervised at home. The Abbotsford, B.C.-based organization Kidproof Safety offers an At Home Alone program which is recommended for youngsters 10 and up. President Samantha Wilson says many parents have wanted to enrol their eight- and nine-year-olds in the program — a move that is “strongly discouraged.” “A lot of parents think (children are) mature and they’re responsible — which could be very true,” Wilson says. “But what we have to remind them is that child still only has eight years of life experience to draw from in case of an emergency or if something happens, which often parents don’t think about. I’m not even convinced all kids at 10 should be left at
home alone. But at 10, they’re really at the age that they’re starting to be able to think about making safe choices, thinking about thinking critically about situations.” Parents have to assess whether their kids have the mental ability to react to an emergency, such as a fire, says Lewis Smith, communications and media program co-ordinator with the Canada Safety Council. “Is the kid mature enough or smart enough to react appropriately? That’s the kind of thing that oftentimes is lacking when parents leave younger kids at home,” says Smith. Janice Quirt has asked her nine-year-old son, Josh, about his willingness to be home alone — even for a short period — and he’s simply not ready. Still, the Orangeville, Ont., resident has made an effort to go over emergency plans with Josh and her www.canadianinquirer.net
five-year-old daughter Daisy. She ensured they’re capable of using the phone for calls and texts. “Everyone’s so different,” says Quirt, a contributing editor to SavvyMom.ca. “I have a hard time thinking that you could possibly say that all eight-year-olds are not mature enough to be home alone. I think that some of them definitely are, and that the people that know best are their parents. Unfortunately, I’m sure there are some cases where that’s not the best judgement call, and that’s important then to have that investigated and make sure that the child is safe and not put in an uncomfortable position or an unsafe position. But I think by and large parents are a very good judge of their kids’ responsibility and comfort level.” Wilson says parents should not only ask their kids if they’re
ready to be home unsupervised, but also pose questions about “realistic situations” that could arise, like an unexpected knock at the door or a parent coming home later than planned. Parents should ensure the home environment is safe with all doors and windows locked, as well as having a fire extinguisher in place. An adult should also be available somewhere nearby if the child needs help in an emergency, Wilson says. Both Wilson and Smith agree that parents should give kids a test run of being on their own before leaving them alone for more extended stretches of unsupervised time. “We really don’t recommend long periods of time for anyone under 15 or 16,” says Smith. “If a child is being left home alone for the first time, a couple hours at most should be the goal.”
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FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
The Cochero as tourist guide
Travel
BY SIMON C. DILAN Philippines News Agency TUGUEGARAO CITY — Gregorio Paddayuman started his romance with his horse-drawn rig (Calesa) when he was barely 20 years old in Barangay (village) Capatan, Tuguegarao City. Now 73 years old, it comes as a shock that he is about to meet foreign and local individuals, ride on his calesa even, as they visit Cagayan province. “It’s more fun in Cagayan,” he might tell these visitors as the Department of Tourism (DOT) has tapped him along with nine other drivers to help promote the latest Philippine tourism slogan. He is now an official tourist guide on wheels. Paddayuman is just one of the 10 cocheros and eight tricycles drivers from Tuguegarao and Penablanca who were given a two-day seminar by the Department of Tourism Region II on local to guiding and effective customers service. Residents were awed when cocheros proudly passed through major streets in the city with their dressed-up DOT Tuguegarao calesas to launch their partnership with the agency. On the bodies of the calesas are Cagayan Valley tourist destinations proclaiming the slogan of
the department. DOT regional director Officer-InCharge Lelia E. Blancaflor, said “We always believe in the power of the calesa in terms of its role as public transport and an information vehicle for our advocacies.” Thru the DOT, the trained cocherotourist guides now have a ready market the local and foreign tourists who want to see Tuguegarao and Penablanca on board a calesa or tricycle.
This is the first time that the local horse-drawn carriages were utilized in a government project, Paddayuman said. “Some agencies just paint our calesas with their programs and projects, launch them thru us and that’s it,” one of the cocheros said. The DOT went to step further when they decided not only to utilized the calesa as a rolling tarpauline but likewise asked the cocheros to do the guiding themselves. In Tuguegarao, official records claim the calesas have been once the king of the road in this part of the country from the 1880s until the early 1970s when Japan started to flood the market with motorcycles and scooters. Already a part of Cagayan Valley’s history and a cultural heritage of the Ibanags, the calesa remains unfazed as
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it continues to be a part of the town’s public transportation system up to this time. In 2002, to preserve its historical and cultural significance, the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) of the city, thru the Ibanag council for culture, passed a resolution declaring the calesa as part of its local heritage. It likewise allowed them to blend with the more than 10,000 tricycle now plying all roads in the city despite traffic congestion. The tourism department finally discovered a novel way to sell Cagayan Valley on wheels. It may be an experience for the tourists to roam the streets and suburbs of the city thru a horse and carriage. The Ibanag calesa is truly an experience in itself.
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SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
FRIDAY
Business
Policy toolkit for healthy women, economy Gender-balanced policies to ensure inclusive growth BY AMY R. REMO Philippine Daily Inquirer
retary Paulyn Jean B. RosellUbial noted that while compliance to the health toolkit was voluntary among Apec member economies, stressed the significance of pursuing the recommendations as there had been evidence of significant economic improvements and other collateral benefits in involving women in the economy. According to Rosell-Ubial, the Philippine Department of Health, for instance, is already looking at providing grants of up to P500,000 for each company that will comply with the health toolkit. The agency is setting aside P5 million to pilot the project with an initial 10 companies. “We are asking our private sector partners in an economic zone in Pampanga to adopt the tool kit in the form of score card. The DOH will give points
THE ASIA-PACIFIC Economic Cooperation (APEC) recently launched a health policy toolkit, which contains a menu of concrete recommendations geared toward boosting the participation and contribution of women to the regional and global economy. Presented in recent briefing, the “Healthy Women, Healthy Economic Policy Toolkit” is expected to make it easier for APEC gallery. governments and businesses to introduce health policies that facilitate the participation red for those below 70 points,” of women in economies, thus Rosell-Ubial explained. opening the door to potential“We will give grants to those ly significant improvements with green scores. The grants in social mobility and growth will be used to enhance proacross the region. grams and document the effect The Policy of such programs Toolkit is seen to on workplace benefit some 865 productivity and million women business imidentified to The new opportunity we have today provement. In have the potento define gender-balanced health the next Apec tial to contribpolicies and support implementation meetings, we will ute more to their work bodes well for the building of be sharing these economies. The inclusive economies into the future. experiences with recommendaother econotions presented mies,” she added. have been clasTrade Undersified into five secretary Nora areas: Workplace health and to these companies that adopt K. Terrado, in the meantime, safety; health access and aware- certain practices identified in stressed the significance of the ness; sexual and reproductive the toolkit. If they get higher health toolkit and of women health; gender-based violence, points, 90 or higher, they get contributing to their respective and work life balance. a green mark; yellow mark for economies across the region. Philippine Health Undersec- a score between 70-89; and “Women in the Apec repre-
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sent more than 50 percent of its population. Currently in the 21 Apec economies, 600 million are in the labor force. When health barriers inhibit women from entering and remaining in the workforce, it costs the economies a lot of money. A United Nations report states that limits to women’s participation across the Apec region cost the economy $89 billion every year. Literally, healthy women population means healthy economies,” Terrado noted. “There are ample public and private support for advancing women’s economic empowerment. The problem is where to start. The toolkit being launched today provides that framework and a map on how to prime the initiative. The Department of Trade and Industry and the DOH have made
significant progress in working with the private sector and Apec to realize our objective of concretizing into action the consensus reached in various Apec fora for making women as prime movers of inclusive growth,” she added. “There is a real need to narrow gaps in the understanding of the relationship between women’s health, participation in the economy and economic outcomes,” concluded Belén Garijo, CEO of Merck Healthcare, who also served as co-chair of the Experts Group that oversaw the drafting of the toolkit. “The new opportunity we have today to define genderbalanced health policies and support implementation work bodes well for the building of inclusive economies into the future.” ■
As of September 23, 2015 from ca.finance.yahoo.com PRICE
CHANGE
% CHANGE
1.3269 35.2525 1.4775 2.0305 1.1136 0.7042 120.1300
-0.0006 +0.1137 +0.0000 -0.0089 +0.0006 -0.0042 +0.0050
-0.0482% +0.3235% +0.0002% -0.4388% +0.0539% -0.5901% +0.0042%
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Business
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
37
Gov’t to push pro-small business policies in WTO meet BY AMY R. REMO Philippine Daily Inquirer THE PHILIPPINES has been appointed as vice chair for the World Trade Organization’s 10th Ministerial Conference, where Trade Secretary Gregory L. Domingo will push for a stronger commitment among members to pursue trade policies that will benefit the micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs). Domingo said on the sidelines of the Procter & Gamble workshop yesterday that he will be flying to Geneva, Switzerland, by the end of the month to meet with the committees involved for the preparations of the WTO Ministerial Conference 2015, which will be held in Kenya in December this year. This is also where the trade chief intends to put forward his proposal to put the MSME agenda at the front and center as what he is currently doing in the ongoing meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) group. Domingo, who is set to retire as trade chief at the end of December this year, explained that the country’s goal will be to push forward the Boracay
SME: Small and Medium Enterprises.
Action Agenda to Globalize MSMEs, which was adopted by the Apec trade ministers last May, in the hopes that WTO members, in turn, will craft a similar trade agreement containing policies that will enable MSMEs’ participation in international trade and global value chains. “I’m hoping we can interest them in having something similar to the Boracay Action Agenda,” Domingo said. “We want to push this agenda, which will serve the interests of small business seeking to be part of the international trade. We are pushing towards adoption but with WTO, it will take time. But this will get them
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started. Because this is the right thing to do, it will be easy to sell this agenda to members,” he added. The Boracay Agenda is an action-oriented initiative supported ongoing work to address the barriers faced by MSMEs in international trade. The priority areas for cooperation and action were identified as trade facilitation, ecommerce, financing and institutional support. This agenda, which seeks to put MSMEs at the front and center of the region’s trade cooperation work, was deemed crucial considering that more than 90 percent of the establishments in Apec member states are MSMEs. ■
Japan still upbeat with PHL’s business environment BY KRIS M. CRISMUNDO Philippines News Agency MANILA — Japanese firms remain optimistic with the business environment in the Philippines, Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) Executive Director Nobuo Fujii said. Fujii said that despite the Philippines will have its national elections next year, Japanese companies are still upbeat in investing in the Philippines than in other countries in the region. “It’s [election] is a political matter,” he said. “[But, there is] much better
situation here than in other [countries],” he added. The JCCI executive noted that operations of different investment agencies in the country still continue even with the transition of new leadership. Fujii also mentioned that the slowdown of Japan’s economy pushes Japanese firms to invest in other countries, including in the Philippines. Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data show Japan’s investments in major investment promotions agencies in the country during January to March 2015 period reached PhP7.15 billion, sharing the bulk or 33 percent of the total investments in Q1 this year. ■
The outflows, however, were the brokerage said. Initial sup- ed weak intraday close together lower than the level seen in the port is seen at 7,000 and resis- with low price momentum. previous week. tance at 7,200. “We need prices to hold above “Moving forward, we expect Luis Gerardo Limlingan, 7,110 this week in order to keep outflows to continue despite managing director at Regina the bullish setup intact and ralthe Fed’s decision to defer hik- Capital Development Corp., ly toward 7,272 resistance. Othing rates as the US economy said that despite the resistance erwise, it is very likely that the continues to index will suffer strengthen,” AB from corrections Capital said. to (as low as) AB Capital 6,860,” Limlinsaid that other Moving forward, we expect outflows gan said. technical indicato continue despite the Fed’s Limlingan tors were showdecision to defer hiking rates as the added that invesing mixed signals US economy continues to strengthen. tors would have with the relative to be cautious of strength index index volatility (RSI) pointing to and sharper infurther consolitraday moves. “A dation and that the index was breach last week, there would cautious position is still raised now near “overbought” levels. likely be corrective pressures this week, especially since some As such, outlook for this week this week. He noted that the last issues have already recovered remained “bearish-neutral,” three trading days had indicat- above their long-term moving
averages. On the other hand, we recommend taking profits on trading positions or sell those which are now trading near resistance,” he said. Banco de Oro Unibank chief strategist Jonathan Ravelas said the stock market was expected to trade within a range of 6,900 and 7,300 this week. “A close above 7,300 could call for further upticks to 7,500,” he said. The US Fed’s decision to keep interest rates unchanged last week indicated growing sensitivity to external developments, particularly on the economic woes of China. But as it has only prolonged the waiting game on the interest rate liftoff, many are expecting further volatility in global markets. ■
Profit-taking seen BY DORIS DUMLAOABADILLA Philippine Daily Inquirer MOST LOCAL stocks are seen succumbing to profit-taking this week after a six-day run-up triggered by the much-anticipated decision of the US Federal Reserve to defer any interest rate increase. Last week, the main-share Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) gained 220.53 points or 3.19 percent to close on Friday at 7,131.91 points. Local stock brokerage AB Capital Securities noted that despite last week’s rise, net foreign outflows amounted to P1.2 billion last week, excluding the block sale of LaFarge Republic Inc.
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38
SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
FRIDAY
Sports
Defensive miscues lead to Blue Jays’ second straight loss to Red Sox BY JOHN CHIDLEY-HILL The Canadian Press TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays’ usually smooth defence was due for a misfire. Toronto had three errors and other defensive miscues as the Boston Red Sox rallied past the Blue Jays 4-3 on Sunday afternoon, their second straight loss. “We’ve been playing outstanding defence so we’re due for a clunker like this,” said starting pitcher Mark Buehrle, who was charged with an error in the fourth inning. “We’ve just got to come back tomorrow and be ready for the Yankees.” The Blue Jays open a crucial three-game set with the New York Yankees on Monday in Toronto. Sunday’s loss combined with the Yankees’ 11-2 win over the Mets narrowed the Blue Jays’ lead over New York in the American League East standings to 2 1/2 games. Buehrle, who has won four Gold Gloves (2009-12), pitched six solid innings, giving up eight hits and three runs. Relievers Liam Hendriks, Brett Cecil, Mark Lowe and LaTroy Hawkins all came out of Toronto’s bullpen. Lowe allowed Pablo Sandoval’s decisive run for the Red Sox (71-77), although he had reached base on an error by Cecil. Cecil (3-5) earned the loss as a result. “Unfortunately, a lot of things didn’t go our way,” said catcher Dioner Navarro. “But we’ve got to go through that ad-
Toronto Blue Jays.
versity. We’ll be alright. We’re time to go back and tag him, so two-out double, but that was as right where we want to be.” I stood my ground,” said Na- close as Toronto got to tying the Navarro had a home run for varro. “Unfortunately the ball game and forcing extra innings. Toronto (85-64), while Ben Re- hit the lip of the grass and kinda Rich Hill (1-0), making his vere had an RBI single. shot up on me. I think if the ball second MLB start since 2009, Jackie Bradley struck out 10, Jr. drove in Sangiving up seven doval with a sachits and three rifice fly to deep runs over sevcentre field for The debate over balancing the en innings for the winning run budget has, at times, dominated Boston. Noe in the eighth inpolitical discourse during the election Ramirez pitched ning. Outfielder campaign. an inning of Kevin Pillar scoreless relief made an impresbefore Robbie sive throw to try Ross Jr. came in to get Sandoval out at home, would’ve hit the grass only I for the save. but the ball skidded on the hop would’ve had a better chance.” Navarro put the Blue Jays to Navarro and bounced away. Russell Martin, pinch hitting ahead 2-0 with a two-run shot “I knew if I was going to move for shortstop Ryan Goins in the just to the right of the left-field to go get (the ball before it ninth, brought the 46,743 in foul pole. He drove in Edwin bounced) I wasn’t going to have attendance to their feet with a Encarnacion who had led off
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the second inning with a single to left field. Toronto continued to rally after Navarro’s homer, as Kevin Pillar reached base on a dribbler to first, sliding into the base. Goins then hit a single and Revere made it 3-0 with a single that plated Pillar. Xander Bogaerts’ smart base running chipped away at Toronto’s lead, scoring on an error charged to Buehrle. David Ortiz had grounded out to first baseman Chris Colabello, with Buehrle covering the bag. Bogaerts ran to third base when he realized none of the Blue Jays were covering it and Buehrle’s throw bounced past Josh Donaldson into foul territory, allowing the Red Sox shortstop to score. Boston’s Travis Shaw tied it at 3-3 with an RBI single in the fifth inning, driving in Mookie Betts and Bogaerts with a hit to shallow left field. Betts had reached first on what could have been a double play by second baseman Cliff Pennington, but his throw to Colabello was off the mark. “It was costly we didn’t turn that double play. That led to a run,” said Blue Jays manager John Gibbons. “But it’s tough to complain about the defence for the last couple of months. If we don’t score a lot we’re going to have trouble winning. That got us again today.” Goins’s error in the sixth inning allowed Bradley to reach first, but a pop fly by Betts ended Boston’s inning without any runs scored. ■
Sports
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
39
Pacquiao eyes Khan for next year BY ROY LUARCA Philippine Daily Inquirer
‘Pambansang Kamao’ Manny Pacquiao.
MANNY Pacquiao won’t sulk even if he doesn’t get a rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr. He will resume fighting next year and he is ready to battle anybody promoter Bob Arum will pit against him in the ring. “I’m OK. Whether there is a second (bout with Mayweather), it’s not a problem,” Pacquiao told the Associated Press Wednesday. “I heard he has retired, so it doesn’t matter.” If Mayweather stays retired, Amir Khan leads the list of possible foes for Pacquiao next
year. Next to Khan (31-3, 19 knockouts) are American Terence Crawford (26-0, 18 KOs), who is also under Arum’s Top Rank, and Briton Kell Brook (35-0, 24 KOs). The unbeaten Mayweather beat Pacquiao in boxing’s richest fight on May 2, and after besting Andre Berto last week for his 49th win, announced his retirement. Pacquiao is still recuperating from the arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder to repair a rotator cuff tear on May 6 in Los Angeles. Khan told skysports.com Tuesday that there are ongoing talks for him to fight Pacquiao, whomhe sparred with several
times at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Hollywood. Arum told boxingscene.com Wednesday that he has also added Argentine brawler Lucas Matthysse (37-3, 34 knockouts) and Mexican great Juan Manuel Marquez to the list of Pacquiao’s probable opponents. Marquez knocked out Pacquiao in their fourth showdown on Dec. 8, 2012 and announced that there’s no need for a fifth installment of their epic rivalry. According to the AP, Pacquiao is also waiting to see if US boxing authorities will sanction Mayweather for taking an intravenous drip after the weigh-in for their (May 2) fight in Las Vegas. ■
Maple Leafs getting used to practices Biado, Orcollo tow 3 under new coach Mike Babcock other Pinoys into last 32 BY RYAN VAN HORNE The Canadian Press
“I think we’re past last year. This is a new year and I think you saw what was expected,” captain Dion Phaneuf said. “There was some real good work put in by everyone here at camp and I thought it was a great start for our whole team.” Fans in Halifax gave the players a warm welcome and the players say they got a morale boost from that. They also went golfing and visited a navy frig-
ers homework by asking them to watch game tape of the Detroit Red Wings, the team he coached for 10 seasons, includHALIFAX — New Toronto Maing four seasons of 50-plus wins ple Leafs coach Mike Babcock’s and a Stanley Cup title in 2008. practices are fast-paced and “We’re going to play better force players to think quickly as and faster and we’ve got a lot of they would in a game. work to do,” Babcock said. “There’s not much standThe team will split into two ing around. It seems like evsquads Monday for home-anderything’s pretty snappy,” says home exhibition games against Peter Holland, who is entering Ottawa and play another game his third season Tuesday in Monwith the Leafs. treal, but Bab“There’s not cock planned to much time at the make cuts Sunboard. Usually The two sides will next agree on day night. he’s verbalizing who the chair of the three-person Defenceman what he wants us arbitration panel will be. Andrew Nielsen, to do.” a third-round Babcock is also pick by the Leafs quick with his this summer, whistle if players aren’t doing a ate to do some team bonding. said it was great to have the drill correctly. Phaneuf said the first three coach on the ice. “When he’s stopping the days of camp were a crash “Those little things that can drills short, it’s to make sure course in the type of hockey be taught now and taught earwe’re in the right position and Babcock is known for. ly are going to come in handy it’s to help us get better quick“There was lots of informa- come January when they’re er,” Holland said. “That’s good. tion, but we expected that. He’s pushing for the playoffs,” I mean, at this point of the a very detailed coach,” Phaneuf Nielsen said. season especially, he wants to said. “You’ve got to be a sponge.” The lanky defenceman, who make sure we’re doing things Mitch Marner, the Leafs’ is likely to return to the Lethright and hopefully it becomes first-round pick this past sum- bridge Hurricanes of the Westsecond nature.” mer, described Babcock’s prac- ern Hockey League, says he will The impromptu lessons hap- tices as “crazy.” hear Babcock’s booming voice pen to veterans and prospects “They’re explosive,” Marner playing in his head all year long. alike as the new coach runs said. “it’s a lot of fun to be out “I was already kind of hearthem through breakout drills there when he’s coaching.” ing him in my head this weekdesigned to reduce the bungling On top of trying to hammer end,” he said. “I’m going to take that leads to turnovers and hav- home the finer points on the everything I learned here and ing to play too much defence. ice, Babcock has given play- take it back to junior.” ■ www.canadianinquirer.net
BY ROY LUARCA Philippine Daily Inquirer FORMER golf caddy Carlo Biado and fancied Dennis Orcollo posted contrasting victories Wednesday to tow three other Filipinos into the final 32 of the 2015 World 9-ball Championship at Al Arabi Sports Club in Doha, Qatar. The 31-year-old Biado, who shifted to billiards full-time in 2004, trounced veteran compatriot Lee Vann Corteza, 11-5, while Orcollo lived up to hype with an 11-1 crushing of Mishel Turkey, the last Qatari in the fold. Biado, currently ranked No. 4 by the World Pool-Billiard Association, next tangles with the dangerous Ko Pin-yi of Chinese Taipei Thursday night.
Other Filipinos who stayed in contention for the $30,000 champion’s purse were the veteran Warren Kiamco and rising stars Jeffrey Ignacio and Oliver Medenilla. Kiamco, rated No. 5 by the WPBA, subdued Raymund Faraon, 11-7; Ignacio whipped Canada’s Jason Klatt, 11-5; while Medenilla, an overseas Filipino worker, tamed Poland’s Karol Skowerski, 11-4. Qatar-based Antonio Gabica and Johann Chua headed to the exits following defeats to Russian Ruslan Chinakov, 5-11, and Japanese Yukio Akagariyama, 115, respectively. The multi-titled Orcollo is hoping to duplicate the feat of Francisco “Django” Bustamante, the last Filipino to rule the prestigious $200,000 tournament in 2010. ■
40
SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
FRIDAY
Technology
South Korea-backed app puts children at risk BY YOUKYUNG LEE AND RAPHAEL SATTER The Associated Press SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA — Security researchers say they found critical weaknesses in a South Korean governmentmandated child surveillance app - vulnerabilities that left the private lives of the country’s youngest citizens open to hackers. In separate reports released Sunday, Internet watchdog group Citizen Lab and German software auditing company Cure53 said they found a catalog of worrying problems with “Smart Sheriff,” the most popular of more than a dozen child monitoring programs that South Korea requires for new smartphones sold to minors. “There was literally no security at all,” Cure53 director Mario Heiderich said. “We’ve never seen anything that fundamentally broken.” Smart Sheriff’s maker, an association of South Korean mobile operators called MOIBA, acknowledged making mistakes but said it had plugged the holes flagged by researchers and was now making daily security checks. “We were overconfident as there were no security or hacking issues for more than three years,” said Noh Yong-lae, the MOIBA manager in charge of the app. Smart Sheriff and its fellow surveillance apps are meant to serve as electronic babysitters, letting parents know how much time their children are spending with their phones, keeping kids off objectionable websites and even alerting parents if their children send or receive messages with words like “bully” or “pregnancy.” In April, Seoul required new smartphones sold to those 18 and under to be equipped with such software, a first-of-itskind move, according to Korea University law professor Park Kyung-sin. The Korean Communications Commission has promoted Smart Sheriff and
SHUTTERSTOCK
schools have sent out letters to once. weren’t impressed with Smart parents encouraging them to “Smart Sheriff is the kind of Sheriff or its fixes. download the app, which is free. babysitter that leaves the doors Ryu Jong-myeong, chief exSometime afterward, Citizen unlocked and throws a party ecutive of security firm SoTIS, Lab, based at the University where everyone is invited,” said said the app did now appear to of Toronto’s Munk School of Collin Anderson, an indepen- be encrypting its transmissions. Global Affairs, and Cure53, act- dent researcher who collabo- But he was scathing about some ing on a request from the Wash- rated with Citizen Lab on its of the other failures uncovered ington-based Open Technol- report. by Citizen Lab, giving Smart ogy Fund, began sifting through MOIBA says it quickly fixed Sheriff’s server infrastructure a Smart Sheriff’s code. the app, but every security pro- security rating of zero out of 10. What they found was “really, fessional the AP spoke to was “People who made Smart really bad,” Heiderich said. skeptical. Sheriff cared nothing about C h i l d r e n ’s protecting priphone numbers, vate data,” he birth dates, web said. browsing hisKwon Seoktory and other If they knew that the apps infect and chul, chief execpersonal data endanger their children, I don’t think utive of computwere being sent any South Korean parents would want er security firm across the Intertheir children to have this monitoring Cuvepia Inc., net unencrypted, app. said the lingermaking them ing weaknesses easy to intercept. meant children’s Authenticadata was still at tion weaknesses risk. meant Smart Sheriff could “We suspect that very little “From a hacker’s point of easily be hijacked, turned off of these measures taken actu- view, (the door) stays open,” he or tricked into sending bogus ally remedy issues that we’ve said. alerts to parents. Even worse, flagged in the report,” AnderMany smartphone applicathey found that many weak- son said, adding that he be- tions are unsafe, leaking private nesses could be exploited at lieved at least one of MOIBA’s data or sending or storing it in scale, meaning that thousands fixes had opened a new weak- risky ways. or even all of the app’s 380,000 ness in the program. But Citizen Lab Director users could be compromised at Independent experts also Ronald Deibert said Smart www.canadianinquirer.net
Sheriff, a government-mandated program intended to monitor the intimate moments of so many children’s lives, merited special scrutiny. “This is not just a fitness tracker,” Deibert said. “It’s an application meant to satiate parents’ concerns about their children’s use of mobile or social media, which is in fact putting them at more risk.” Park, the law professor, said the security flaws should push the government “to revisit the whole idea of requiring a personal communication device to be equipped with software that allows another person to monitor and control that device.” Some South Korean parents may soldier on with Smart Sheriff regardless. Lee Kyunghwa, a mother of two who leads a parents’ group that endorses child surveillance, says all the app needs is an upgrade. “If mothers feel happy thanks to the app, it is still helpful,” she said. But Kim Kha Yeun, a general counsel at libertarian-minded Open Net Korea, predicted that the revelations would turn parents against the technology. “If they knew that the apps infect and endanger their children, I don’t think any South Korean parents would want their children to have this monitoring app,” she said. The research has already prompted one mother to say she’s uninstalling Smart Sheriff. Yoon Jiwon told The Associated Press that she had previously been put off by the way in which the battery-hungry app kept sending her misleading alerts about her sons being bullied. That prompted her to cross-examine them about each chat and text message, breeding frustration and mistrust. She plans to uninstall the app after learning about the security weaknesses uncovered by Citizen Lab and now says Smart Sheriff was not a good way of interacting with her children. “It’s just not right for a mom to snoop on everything,” she said. ■
Technology
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
41
With smartphones watching, on-field mistakes go viral fast BY STEVE MEGARGEE The Associated Press KNOXVILLE, TENN. — When players hear all week about the importance of playing with passion, sometimes they end up showing too much at the wrong time. Waiting to catch them is a stadium full of smartphonewielding fans, and millions of viewers snapping Vines of game broadcasts to share on social media posts. Missteps are more public than ever before, and that’s a lesson a few players learned the hard way last week. Oklahoma safety Hatari Byrd pointed a middle finger toward the stands, and linebacker Eric Striker shouted foul language while vocalizing his opinions on the Southeastern Conference following the Sooners’ 31-24 overtime victory at Tennessee. BYU offensive lineman Ului Lapuaho was caught punching a Boise State player in the groin during the Cougars’ 35-24 triumph. They all raised a question: When you spend the entire week amping up for four hours
each Saturday, how do you suddenly tamp your emotional level back down once the whistle blows or the final horn sounds? “There are no excuses,” Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said. “But these guys — and you’ve seen it with some NFL guys — they play out there in a controlled rage. I mean, you don’t just go out there and be all mildmannered and everything works out for you. That’s not realistic. And then immediately you have that rage going on, and all of a sudden there’s everybody, and it doesn’t work sometimes.” What Byrd, Striker and Lapuaho did all went viral last weekend after getting caught on camera, either by television or a smartphone. Striker said Tennessee coach Butch Jones told him after the game that “you’re a hell of a player, but have some damn class,” though Jones said he meant to compliment the linebacker and that the attention their conversation received was “overblown.” Coaches note that these types of actions have been going on for years. The difference now is that with every fan in the stands and in front of televisions grip-
ping a smartphone, any potential misdeed is more likely to be seen, over and over again. “It’s just the heightened level of scrutiny with social media, cameras, with everything,” Jones said. “It’s still a very emotional game. A lot of people invest a lot of emotions in it, but I think there’s just a higher level of scrutiny. It’s technology.” Players understand. After all, many of them have their own Twitter and Instagram accounts and realize anything they do — on or off the field — could end up online. “I just know that everywhere I go and everything I do, someone is watching,” Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson said. “And even if you think you’re by yourself or alone, someone is going to see. For me, I just try to stay straight and stay in my own lane and do what’s right.” In the age of social media, coaches find themselves sending messages that occasionally are at odds with each other. They want their players on an emotional high for each game while carefully avoiding the type of misstep that occurred at Tennessee and BYU.
Arizona State senior associate athletic director of football Tim Cassidy said his school has coaches and administrators on the sidelines helping prevent any potential conflicts between players and fans. Cassidy said Arizona State’s players are reminded that “you can’t focus on the game if you’re chit-chatting or going back and forth with anybody who paid $70 to come watch you play.” Nebraska coach Mike Riley said it’s really tough not to respond at times. “But that’s the kind of thing we’re going to have to deal with,” Riley said. “There is so much of it that is so much fun about the passion and emotion of football, and then there is some hard stuff like that.” Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze puts it in simpler terms. “We live in a glass house — coaches and players,” Freeze said. And yes, it isn’t just the players who need reminders. Coaches have also been caught in tough situations recently. Nevada athletic director Doug Knuth said the school was fining coach Brian Polian $10,000 for his sideline behavior, which resulted in two unsportsman-
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like conduct penalties during a 44-20 loss to Arizona. Polian was caught screaming and chasing referees along the sideline several times. The school also announced it would place an administration official on the sideline during games. Florida coach Jim McElwain apologized this week - and noted even his mother was mad at him - after his Saturday night tirade toward Gators running back Kelvin Taylor went viral. Taylor celebrated a touchdown by making a throat-slashing gesture during a 31-24 victory over East Carolina, prompting McElwain to yell, “Look at me! Don’t look down! (Expletive) be a man!” “I don’t feel good about it,” McElwain said. “As you know, this is a very public job. This is a public thing that we do. I understand that I have a long ways to go and I make mistakes.” And more often than not, those mistakes will probably wind up on video. ■ AP Sports Writers David Brandt, Cliff Brunt, Kareem Copeland, Pete Iacobelli, Mark Long, John Marshall and Eric Olson contributed to this report.
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Events
42
Doors Open Calgary By the City of Calgary and Doors Open Calgary Association WHEN/WHERE: Sept. 26 to 27, Participating Sites: Animal Services Centre Asphalt Plant Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) - Canada Task Force 2 City of Calgary Fleet Services City of Calgary Investment Recovery & Surplus Store Cliff Bungalow - Mission Arts Centre City of Calgary Information YUKON Technology
SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
Fire Stations - Open Houses Glenmore Water Treatment Plant Inglewood Bird Sanctuary & Colonel Walker House Municipal Building Complex and Historic City Hall North Mount Pleasant Arts Centre Public Art Collection Warehouse Ralph Klein Park Reader Rock Garden & Union Cemetery Sign Shop - Traffic Operations Shepard Waste Management Facility Southland Leisure Centre Traffic Management Centre Youth Employment Centre
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New WelcomePack Canada Distribution Centre By WelcomePack Canada Inc. WHEN/WHERE: 1 to 5 p.m., Mon, Tues, Thu & Fri at the Filipino Centre Bldg., 597 Parliament St., Suite 103, Toronto, On MORE INFO: Call (416) 928-9355
Homework/Tutorial Class By FCT WHEN/WHERE: 11a.m. to 12 nn, every Saturday, Filipino Centre Toronto, 597 Parliament St., Suite 103, Toronto, ON MORE INFO: For registrations, call 416-928-9355. The office, at 597 Parliament St., Suite 103, Toronto, Tagalog Class is open on Mondays, Tuesdays, By FCT Thursdays and Fridays from 1 to 6 NEWFOUNDLAND WHEN/WHERE: 10 to 11 a.m., p.m. every Saturday, Filipino Centre Toronto, QUEBEC Toronto
NOVA SCOTIA
Canadian Citizenship Preparation WHEN/WHERE: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Sept. 28 & 29, at Tommy Douglas Burnaby Public Library, 7311 Kingsway, Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Call Joy at 604-438-8214 ext 211 Artist Chito Maravilla Solo Exhibit WHEN/WHERE: Exhibit run: Up to Sept. 30, Newton Cultural Centre 13530- 72Ave., Surrey, B.C. MORE INFO: www.chitomaravilla.com or call 604716-9143 Temporary Foreign Workers Uncontested Divorce Clinic By Law Courts Center WHEN/WHERE: Saturdays from 2 to 4 p.m., at the Justice Education Society at the Provincial Court of BC Room 260 800 Hornby St., Vancouver B.C. MORE INFO: To book an appointment, call/text 778-322-2839 or email: tfw.divorce@gmail.com Seniors Book Club By the Richmond Public Library WHEN/WHERE: Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. to 12 nn, at the Brighouse Main Branch, the Living Rm., 7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond, B.C. MORE INFO: Seniors ages 55 and older are invited to read books and exchange ideas with likeminded. To register visit any branch of Richmond Public Library, call 604-231-6413 or register online at www.yourlibrary.ca/events
Practise Your English at the Richmond Public Library By Richmond Public Library WHEN/WHERE: 10 to 12 nn, up to Dec. 11, the English Corner, Richmond Public Library, Brighouse (Main) Branch, 2nd floor Community Place Room, 7700 Minoru Gate. Dr. Holmes on Life, Love & Lust By Vancouver Public Library, U.P. Alumni Association in B.C. and Richmond Public Library WHEN/WHERE: 6:30 to 8 p.m., Sept. 24, Vancouver Public Library Central Branch, 350 W. Georgia St., Vancouver, B.C.; 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Sept. 25, Brighouse Branch, 100-7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond, B.C. MORE INFO: The subject of sex remains deeply personal--even taboo--in this day and age. It is a social minefield capable of inducing both distress and hysterical laughter. Sex therapist, clinical psychologist, and author Dr. Margarita 'Margie' Holmes, a popular no-nonsense sex therapist in the Philippines, tells us why through her dazzling humour and straightforward answers to the provocative questions. Afternoon Delight with Margie By UPAABC WHEN/WHERE: 4 p.m., Sept. 26, at the Frat House (2800 No. 4 Rd., Richmond, B.C.) MORE INFO: Potluck Dinner www.canadianinquirer.net
Ely Buendia Greatest Hits Live in Vancouver By TFC and Aller Granado Lim Productions WHEN/WHERE: 6:30 p.m. Sept. 27, at Massey Theatre, 735 Eight Ave., New Westminster, B.C. Dinner & Rally with Jojo Quimpo By Conservative Party WHEN/WHERE: 5:30 p.m. Oct. 2, at Fraser Court Seafood Restaurant, Vancouver B.C. Bo Sanchez’s Kerygma Grand Feast By Light of Jesus Family WHEN/WHERE: 6 to 9 p.m., Oct. 2, Broadway Church, 2700 E. Broadway, Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Ticket price: $20 Family & Friend Caregivers Forum By Hub WHEN/WHERE: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Oct. 3, at South Vancouver Neighborhood House 6470 Victoria Dr., Vancouver, B.C. Permanent Resident Preparation By The Victoria Filipino Canadian Caregivers Association WHEN/WHERE: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 4, at the Bayanihan Community Centre, Bayanihan Community Centre, 1709 Blanshard St., Victoria, B.C. MORE INFO: Register with Erwin de Guzman 250885-8972; Aida Caliguiran 250-888-9288; Edilyn Pampo 250-891-4941; and Robelyn Penaranda 250-891-8515.
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SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
FRIDAY
Sweet Fix
Cinnamon Brown Sugar Pastry Tarts BY ALISON LADMAN The Associated Press READY TO get retro with your baked goodies? How about a batch of do-it-yourself toaster pastries? CINNAMON-BROWN SUGAR PASTRY TARTS
Start to finish: 2 hours Servings: 12
Banana Bread with Chocolate and Crystallized Ginger BY KATIE WORKMAN The Associated Press BECAUSE I find myself with overripe bananas pretty much every other week, our family eats a lots of banana bread. The freezer also has become sort of a halfway house for wayward over-ripened bananas. But if you like to cook (and I do) and you hate throwing food away (again, me), then over-ripened bananas are a gift, a gateway ingredient to something delicious. This particular banana bread came about because I have a big thing for crystallized ginger. My father's father introduced me to it when I was a kid. He adored it, and even though he was born in Brooklyn in 1903, he was somehow attuned to the fact that ginger is a healthy ingredient, which in those days was not something all that widely known outside of Eastern cultures. Bernie Workman, ahead of his time. He would have loved this bread studded with nuggets of chewy sweet ginger and bits of melty chocolate. If you use a glass loaf pan versus a metal one you may need a few extra minutes of baking time. This recipe also makes
great banana muffins. Line 12 regular muffin tins with paper liners. Fill them evenly with the batter, filling them about threequarters of the way full. Bake for 23 to 27 minutes, or until the muffins spring back when pressed lightly at the centre. Let them sit in the tins on wire racks for 5 minutes, then gently turn them out of the tins and cool them upright on the rack. Eat warm or at room temperature. BANANA BREAD WITH CHOCOLATE AND CRYSTALLIZED GINGER
Start to finish: 1 hour (20 minutes active), plus cooling Servings: 12 • 2 cups all-purpose flour • 1 teaspoon baking soda • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips • 1/2 cup chopped crystallized ginger • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature • 3/4 cup sugar • 2 large eggs • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 2 large very ripe bananas, peeled and mashed (about 1 cup mashed) • 1/2 cup sour cream or plain
Greek yogurt Heat the oven to 350 F. Butter or coat with cooking spray a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan. In a small bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda and salt. Mix in the chocolate and the ginger. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then add the vanilla. Blend in the mashed bananas and sour cream. Switch to a wooden spoon and add the flour mixture in batches to the wet mixture, mixing just until each addition is incorporated. At the end, the batter should be barely blended (it will be thick). Transfer the mixture to the prepared loaf pan. Bake until a toothpick or wooden skewer inserted at the centre comes out clean, 40 to 50 minutes. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then turn the loaf out of the pan and finishing cooling upright on the wire rack. ■ Katie Workman has written two cookbooks focused on easy, family-friendly cooking, “Dinner Solved!” and “The Mom 100 Cookbook.” She blogs at www. themom100.com. www.canadianinquirer.net
For the pastry dough: • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour • 1/4 cup granulated sugar • 1 teaspoon kosher salt • 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes • 2 eggs • 3 tablespoons heavy cream • 1/2 cup water • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract For the filling: • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar • 1 tablespoon cinnamon • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour • 1 egg • 2 tablespoons melted butter For the glaze: • 3/4 cup powdered sugar • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar • 2 tablespoons milk • 2 drops cinnamon oil (or 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon) To make the pastry, in a large bowl combine the flour, sugar, salt and butter. Using a pastry blender or your fingers, work the butter cubes into the flour until the mixture looks mostly like coarse meal but with some pieces as large as peas. In a small bowl, beat together the eggs, cream, water and vanilla until smooth. Pour the liquid into the butter-flour mixture and stir together first with a wooden spoon, then with your hands, mixing until a cohesive dough forms. Use a little bit of extra flour on your hands if the mixture is too moist. Pat the dough into two 8-by-5-
inch rectangles that are about 1/2 inch thick. Wrap each with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour. Meanwhile, make the filling. In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, cinnamon and flour. Add the egg and melted butter and stir until thoroughly mixed. Cover, refrigerate and set aside. When the dough is chilled, heat the oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with kitchen parchment. On a counter lightly dusted with flour, roll 1 piece of the dough out to a 12-by-15inch rectangle. Use a paring knife to cut the dough into 12 pieces, about 3-by-5 inches each. Arrange the pieces on the prepared baking sheet, leaving 1 inch between them. These will be the bottoms of the pastries. Divide the filling among the bottoms, using about 2 teaspoons of filling per pastry. Spread the filling evenly over the dough, leaving a 1/4-inch border all the way around. Roll the second piece of the dough out to a 12-by-15-inch rectangle. Use a paring knife to cut the dough into 12 pieces, about 3-by-5 inches each. Top each pastry with one of the dough pieces, lining up the edges with the bottoms. Use your fingers to crimp the edges all the way around. Use a knife tip to poke a few vent holes through the centre of the tops of the pastries so steam can escape. Place in the freezer for 10 minutes. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. It’s a good idea to gently lift a pastry with a spatula to check that the bottoms are lightly browned as well. Allow to cool for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to finish cooling. To make the glaze, in a small saucepan over medium, combine both sugars, the milk and cinnamon. Heat until the sugars are dissolved. Drizzle over the finished pastries. ■
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
Seen & Scenes: Vancouver
13TH ANNIVERSARY The Filipino-Canadian New Era Society celebrated its 13th anniversary Sept. 20, at the Alpen Hall on Victoria Drive, Vancouver, B.C. with the coronation of its anniversary queen and princess. In photo is Princess Angelica Joy Van Woerden with Ethan David, 2015 Junior Grand Champion Vocalist of the World.
KAMAYAN NIGHT AT BAYANIHAN CENTRE Princess Angelica with escort and grandparents.
The Bayanihan Community Centre in Victoria, B.C., was the recent battleground of a fundraiser-boodle fight organized by the Victoria Filipino Canadian Caregivers Association.
FILM SHOWING The film, “1st ko si 3rd,” starring veteran actress Nova Villa, was shown on Sept. 18, at the Sunset Community Centre in Vancouver, B.C. after a successful U.S. tour. In photos are Nova Villa and Director Real Florido with Vancouver fans.
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INTERNATIONAL FILM FEST Multi-award winning cast and crew of “Imbisibol” at the recent Toronto International Film Festival with PMNTV host Michelle Chermaine Ramos (Photos by Ariel Ramos and Michelle Chermaine Ramos)
OUR LADY OF ASSUMPTION CHURCH
I-REMIT WITH PUBLIC FIGURES Pictures taken during the information session organized by Liezl Chavez and Jeanette Rosales at the Our Lady of the Assumption Church on Sept. 19 (Photos by Amelia Insigne).
Pictures taken during the information session organized by Liezl Chavez and Jeanette Rosales at the Our Lady of the Assumption Church on Sept. 19 (Photos by Amelia Insigne).
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