Philippine Canadian Inquirer #207 by Philippine Canadian Inquirer

m info@canadianinquirer.net

sales@canadianinquirer.net A (888) 668-6059 facebook.com/ Philippine

CANADA’S FIRST AND ONLY NATIONWIDE FILIPINO-CANADIAN NEWSPAPER

CanadianInquirer twitter:

MARCH 4, 2016

@PhilCanInquirer

VOL. 3 NO. 207

www.canadianinquirer.net

China criticizes PH over South China Sea dispute

Bongbong: Let historians judge Marcos rule

Canada in 2050: land of climate change extremes

Mindfulness: how you can do it?

Zuckerberg at crossroads in connecting the globe

ONE, TWO, THREE

Save for your child’s future so their opportunities grow GOVERNMENT OF BC

DIGONG’S ‘LITTLE HEAVEN’ Presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte and partner Cielito “Honeylet” Avanceña at a recent forum on the University of the Philippines campus in Diliman, Quezon City. Story on page 15. RAFFY LERMA / PDI

‘Edsa about right vs wrong’ P-Noy: People power wasn’t about Aquino vs Marcos BY NIKKO DIZON Philippine Daily Inquirer IT’S NOT about the Aquinos against the Marcoses, but about right against wrong. As if guided by his martyred father whose statue stood behind him at the People Power Monument, President Aquino led the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Edsa People Power Revolution yesterday by countering attempts to revise history, saying martial

law was “a painful chapter” and not a “golden age,” as The New York Times put it in a front-page article. The only son of democracy icons Ninoy and Cory Aquino, the President also took to the stage to warn people that Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. could replicate the iron-fist rule of his father, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Yellow and white confetti rained on

After 60 years, President Quirino gets burial he deserves

A FEW basic steps by their family can connect B.C. children with a $1,200 kick-start to their education savings and make their future education more affordable. Minister of Education Mike Bernier was joined by representatives from Island Savings, a division of First West Credit Union, at the legislature today to show the simple steps a parent, grandparent, or other family member can take to apply for a B.C. Training and Education Savings grant. To be eligible for the $1,200, children must have been born in 2007 or later, and they must be resident in B.C., along with a parent or guardian. Families have three years to submit an application for the grant when their child becomes eligible. As well, through Budget 2016, government is investing $39 million to extend the BCTESG to eligible children born in 2006. The families of these 40,000 additional eligible children will be able

❱❱ PAGE 10 ❱❱ PAGE 12 ‘Edsa about’

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS:

FILIPINO-CANADIAN IN FOCUS InFocus.canadianinquirer.net

❱❱ PAGE 18 Save for

MARCH 4, 2016

FRIDAY

Kami po sa Manila Express ay nagbibigay ng Abot-kaya at Maasahang Serbisyo sa lahat. Mula pa noon hanggang ngayon.

Serbisyong Manila Express REM IT TA NCE

AND

C AR GO

www.manila-express.ca

West Broadway 604-736-6121

Calgary 1 (877) 502-7376

Richmond 604-279-1542

5th Street (403) 264-1100

Main Street 604-874-5571 Surrey 604-588-1975 MCE Warehouse 604-279-1544

Abot Kaya

Westwind Cres (403) 387-0022 36 St (inside T&T) (403) 452-3600

www.canadianinquirer.net

Edmonton Northtown Mall (inside T&T) (780) 478-7352 Winnipeg 1(888) 947-7376 Isabel St. (204) 947-5888

New Regina Office 1201 Osler St. 306-352-9922

Toronto 647-352-7376 North York 416-635-7376 Scarborough 416-299-8282

Philippine News

FRIDAY MARCH 4, 2016

‘We’re not blaming P-Noy for massacre’ BY JEANNETTE I. ANDRADE Philippine Daily Inquirer

remain a nation divided 30 years after Edsa,” Marcos’ campaign manager said. De la Cruz said Marcos had been “facing up to the challenge of the present and the future to unite and work for the benefit of the people.” Three decades after the Edsa People Power Revolution that ousted his father, the younger Marcos was wooing voters on the campaign trail in his bid to become the country’s next Vice President.

NOBODY IS asking President Aquino to apologize for the slaughter by troops near the Palace gate of 13 farmers demanding agrarian reform a year into the presidency of his mother. “Let’s face it. Every administration has its share of faults. He is not being asked to apologize for the Mendiola Massacre because we all know he had nothing Good shot to do with it,” said Rep. Jonathan de la He has a good shot at fulfilling that Cruz of the Abakada party-list group, ambition—polls show he is in second the campaign manager of Sen. Ferdi- place among six rivals. nand Marcos Jr., who is running for Vice If he wins, that would put him one President in the May 9 elections. step away from the presidency his father De la Cruz was reacting to Mr. Aqui- lost in the Army-backed public uprisno’s tirade against the son and namesake ing in February 1986 amid allegations of of the dictator Ferdinand Marcos, saying plunder and widespread human rights that the senator had always been forth- violations. right in his remorse over people hurt by Senator Marcos made no mention of the state’s policy under his father’s rule. that uprising when he addressed listenMr. Aquino, in his speech at the cel- ers on Monday in a poor village near Maebration of the 30th anniversary of the nila where supporters of his father live. Edsa People Power Revolution, warned Instead, he talked about how people that Marcos could emulate his father’s have suffered under leaders since his despotic rule. father’s departure, “Some things haptapping into disilpened. He has said lusionment over it was unfortunate persistent poverty they happened. He and corruption that is saddened that plague the country, things that shouldn’t as well as an ongoing have happened, hapLet’s face Islamic insurgency pened,” De la Cruz it. Every in the South, obvisaid, referring to peoadministration ously referring to Mr. ple who suffered torhas its share of Aquino. ture, abuse and were faults. He is not “Our leaders, ineven killed during being asked to stead of nurturing President Marcos’ apologize for and helping us, sowed term. the Mendiola infighting and diDe la Cruz pointed Massacre vided us into groups,” out that even if Marbecause we all Marcos told the cos was only 15 years know he had crowd of a few hunold when martial law nothing to do dred villagers, many was declared in 1972, with it. of whom chanted the senator was fachis nickname, Bonging the court cases bong, and wore red, filed against his famthe color associated ily. with his family. The Mendiola Mas“I’m fighting to sacre, or Black Thursstart a movement to day, happened on Jan. 22, 1987, during unite the Filipino people,” he said on the term of President Corazon Aquino. a sparse stage, where he stood with a Farmers who trooped to Malacañang to handful of local town officials, a far cry push for land reform Corazon Aquino from the scenes of his family’s heyday. had promised during her campaign were Marcos, 58, appears to have a strong fired at by antiriot forces. Thirteen of following among younger generations the protesters were killed and a score of who did not witness abuses during the others were wounded. 1972-81 period of martial law under his De la Cruz urged Mr. Aquino to stop father or the popular revolt that overleading the country with “divisiveness, threw him. rancor and vengeance,” saying, “Let’s When asked if he would eventually learn the lessons of Edsa properly.” seek the presidency, he refuses to an“If there is something that we should swer categorically but has not ruled it apologize [for], it’s we are sorry that we out. ■

MMDA, Ombudsman team up vs execs who let esteros stink BY MARICAR B. BRIZUELA Philippine Daily Inquirer ADDING LEGAL muscle to its yearly campaign to rid creeks and esteros of trash, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will ask for the Office of the Ombudsman’s help in suing barangay officials who allow the waterways to be polluted again after repeated cleanups by the MMDA. “After cleaning up esteros through our Estero Blitz program, we will take photos of these waterways and send these to the Ombudsman,” MMDA chair Emerson Carlos said Sunday on the agency’s weekly radio program. The MMDA official announced the tie-up weeks after 50 mayors, 50 vice mayors and about 500 other local officials across the country were charged in the Office of the Ombudsman for allowing open dumps in their localities. The complaints were filed by the National Solid Waste Management Commission against the local officials who allegedly did not comply with the waste management standards under Republic Act No. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

www.canadianinquirer.net

The MMDA chair noted that his agency had repeatedly conducted cleanup drives in various esteros in Metro Manila throughout the year but the same waterways would again stink and turn stagnant with garbage just a few days or weeks later. MMDA flood control office chief Baltazar Melgar added that the esteros they cleaned up last year were again full of garbage because of the waste coming from informal settler families living along the banks. Clogged esteros prevent pumping stations from functioning properly, thus causing flash floods in nearby neighborhoods and streets, he said. The MMDA is once again initiating summertime cleanups on Tuesday, starting at Estero de Kabulusan and Estero de Quiapo in Manila, and the waterways in Pasay City. Parallel activities will also be conducted in various public markets, a major generator of solid waste. “We have 273 esteros in Metro Manila and we will make sure that we will be able to clean them especially those in flood-prone areas,” Melgar said, adding that the campaign also seeks to eliminate breeding areas for disease-carrying mosquitos. ■

Philippine News

MARCH 4, 2016

FRIDAY

Koko wants TV presidential debates free of commercials BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA Philippine Daily Inquirer THE COMMISSION on Electionsorganized debates of presidential candidates should be aired nonstop and should not be commercial or profit-oriented events, according to Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, chair of the Senate committee on electoral reforms. Pimentel said the first round of debates in Cagayan de Oro, cohosted by the Philippine Daily Inquirer and GMA Network and aired on GMA, accommodated too many advertisements and did not give enough time for the candidates to discuss their platforms. “It should never be commercialized. This is is a presidential debate. It is a public service,” Pimentel said in a phone interview. The senator said that for the coming debates to be held in Luzon and the Visayas, the Comelec could ask its media partners to limit the commercial load of the event if they have not yet sold airtime to advertisers. “We have to give the impression that

this is not a commercial show,” he said. The second presidential debate, to be cohosted by The Philippine Star, TV5 and BusinessWorld, will be held at the University of the Philippines-Cebu on March 20. The third will be led by ABSCBN and Manila Bulletin at the University of Pangasinan on April 24. Pimentel proposed that in future campaigns, the poll body should just fund the debate and hold a bidding, in accordance with the procurement law, to determine who would air the event. This way, it could be aired without the need for advertisements, he added. “I would suggest to the Comelec to pay for the two to three hour nonstop coverage of the presidential debates,” he said. The funding could be incorporated in the Comelec’s budget every election year, he said. Earlier, Vice President Jejomar Binay expressed the same observation about the commercial load of the first debate. He said he would ask the poll body to use its own resources to hold the debates. According to Pimentel, the commercial breaks during the Mindanao debate were a waste of time for the candidates. ■

ENTERPRISE Mechanical Systems Ltd. RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL

P LUM B ING - H E AT ING - G AS F I T T ING 24 YE ARS EXPERIENCE / BONDED / INSURED / CERTIFIED

T: 604.931.7575 C: 604.612.4347

Member of Quality First TECA Back Flow Preventer Tester

High Eﬀiciency Furnace Boiler Hot Water Tank

Partner with Fortis BC

Presidential candidate and Senator Grace Poe gets a warm welcome from elderly women and men during her visit at the Ninoy Aquino Hall in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. AVITO C. DALAN . PNA

Lawyer says case of DQ’d mayor not the same as Poe’s BY TARRA QUISMUNDO Philippine Daily Inquirer AMID GROWING anticipation of the Supreme Court’s ruling on Sen. Grace Poe’s disqualification from the presidential race, the senator’s camp yesterday invoked the rule of law in dismissing comparisons between her case and that of a mayor ousted for using his American passport after renouncing his US citizenship. Poe’s lawyer George Garcia cautioned against speculation and said parties and the public should just wait for the high court’s ruling. “Let us all wait for the SC decision. It’s forthcoming anyway. Whatever it may be, we should bow to its wisdom. This, after all, is what we call as the rule of law,” Garcia said. The court is expected to issue its ruling on the urgent case soon after it was submitted for resolution on Monday, when parties submitted their respective memoranda following five sessions of oral arguments over five weeks. Garcia shot down parallels drawn between Poe’s case, which challenges the Commission on Elections’ decision to disqualify her based on citizenship and residency questions, and a recent high court ruling involving a mayor who became an American citizen and came

www.canadianinquirer.net

back. He called the ruling “inapplicable” in Poe’s case. “No rhyme nor reason to conclude that they are the same,” he said. Earlier this month, the high court affirmed with finality the disqualification of Rommel Arnado, mayor of Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, who was proven to have used his US passport after renouncing his US citizenship in 2009. The ruling nullified Arnado’s election in 2013, based on a case filed by the mayoral contender Florante Capitan, and even his victory in 2010, on the petition by his opponent at the time, Casan Maquiling. In disqualifying Arnado, the Comelec recognized Capitan as the rightful winner of the mayoral seat. Petitioners against Poe in the Comelec had cited the two cases in moving for her disqualification. But Garcia asserted that Poe never used her passport again after turning her back on US allegiance. “Records would show that there was no use of the US passport after her renunciation of US citizenship in October of 2010. The last time it was used by her was in March of 2010 or several months before said renunciation,” said Garcia. He cited Poe’s travel records before the Bureau of Immigration and entries on the US passport itself. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY MARCH 4, 2016

Binay to Chinoys: No Kim Henares in my gov’t BY CHRISTINE O. AVENDAÑO Philippine Daily Inquirer FOR THE second time this month, Vice President Jejomar Binay yesterday wooed the Chinese-Filipino community for support, assuring businessmen there would be “no Kim Henares” in his administration. The standard-bearer of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), his running mate Sen. Gregorio Honasan and their senatorial candidates were invited to speak at Chinese General Hospital in Manila by Binay’s friend, Chinese-Filipino businessman James Dy. It was the second time in less than a month that Binay had made a public pledge to name right away a new Bureau of Internal Revenue chief upon assuming the presidency, should he win the May presidential election. He gave the same pledge in a meeting with the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. on Feb. 15. Speaking in Filipino, Binay said yesterday: “Because there are businessmen here, I don’t want you to have any worries. Sa loob ng trenta minutos … wala na kayong Kim Henares (Within 30 minutes, you will no longer have any Kim Henares).” Binay drew an applause. No selective justice

Henares is known to go after

Vice President Jejomar Binay.

AVITO C. DALAN / PNA

big business and other business people. grams, particularly for the benestablishments for their tax Binay harped anew on the efit of the poor, that he came up dues. practice of “selective justice,” with when he was Makati City Binay also promised that if as well as on the scare tactics mayor. they voted for This would inHonasan, the clude implementsenator could ing a national solve the peace “yellow card” and order probBecause there are businessmen here, program that, lem in the counI don’t want you to have any worries. UNA said in a try—something Sa loob ng trenta minutos … wala statement, would Honasan also na kayong Kim Henares (Within 30 provide free mapromised in his minutes, you will no longer have any ternal, child and speech before Kim Henares). elderly care, free Binay spoke. outpatient conThe UNA sultations and standard-bearer medicines. promised that his administra- supposedly employed by the tion would observe the rule present administration. ‘Decisive’ leadership of law in filing cases against He also promised similar pro“In Makati, no one dies from

ailments because they are poor,” Binay said, adding the city government takes care of the indigents. Binay also promised to establish health centers in the country and that there would be a rural health worker for every health center. The Vice President said people would not regret voting for him in May because he would be a “decisive leader.” “The Mamasapano incident will not happen (under my presidency),” he said in a dig at President Aquino, who has been criticized for the way he handled the Special Action Force (SAF) operation to capture terrorists in Mamasapano, Maguindanao province, last year. Forty-four SAF commandos were killed in clashes with Moro rebels during the operation to capture Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, who was also killed. 100-percent support

Binay thanked Dy for inviting him and for being a friend. Dy pledged his support and that of Philippine Chinese Charitable Association Inc., Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center, and FilipinoChinese General Chamber of Commerce Inc., as well as “my entire clan and the 1.5 millionstrong” Chinese-Filipino community behind Binay. “We will give you our 100 percent support to make a difference in our future,” Dy said. ■

Drugs, abuse eyed in death of hotel manager BY TARRA QUISMUNDO Philippine Daily Inquirer FIVE days after her death, the police have yet to determine what killed a 26-year-old hotel assistant manager who was rushed unconscious to the hospital on Friday morning after locking herself up in a room with her live-in partner and three other men. Senior Supt. Ariel Andrade, Parañaque police chief, said on Tuesday that they were still waiting for the autopsy report on Edgel Jhoy Durolfo, VIP Premium Services assistant manager at Solaire Resort and

Casino. She died at San Juan de Dios Hospital in Pasay City shortly after she was brought there around 4 a.m. on Friday by her partner, Rodney Ynchausti, and three other men identified only as “Pau Egoc,” “Molo Hwang” and “Beah Lim.” Based on the initial investigation conducted by the police, the victim had bruises and contusions, leading to speculation that she may have been beaten up. Her parents also reported to investigators that Ynchausti had told them that their daughter had used drugs before she died. “So far, we are still investigating. We can’t say yet what

the cause of her death was; if it was hematoma or if there was a drug overdose since she was unconscious [when she was taken to the hospital],” Andrade said. According to him, part of the footage taken by a closedcircuit television camera at the hotel showed Durolfo entering a room on the hotel’s eighth floor with four men around Thursday midnight. Four hours later, the men were seen carrying the victim who appeared to be unconscious out of the room. “It appears she was taken to the hotel clinic first and then they were advised to go to the hospital,” Andrade said, adding www.canadianinquirer.net

that it was Durolfo’s sister, Ethel, who identified the four men. “When we were told about the incident, we went to the hospital but we did not see the four men there anymore,” Andrade told the Inquirer. He said they considered Ynchausti and his three companions “persons of interest,” since they “may have [had] something to do with what happened.” Andrade reported that police investigators went to Ynchausti’s house in BF Las Piñas on Monday but failed to find him there. He said they were also trying to find his three companions.

In a statement on Tuesday, Solaire said it was greatly saddened by Durolfo’s death as it extended its heartfelt sympathy to the family of the hotel’s “team member.” “The family has requested total privacy and does not want us to discuss further details so we must be guided accordingly,” it added, noting that authorities were already conducting an “exhaustive investigation.” “Until the investigation has been completed, the hotel’s management shall continue to give it maximum priority. The management of Solaire is extending assistance to the family at this hour of need,” it said. ■

MARCH 4, 2016

GOV20160118_Education_Print_BC Filipino Inquirer.indd 1

FRIDAY

2016-01-18 5:02 PM

www.canadianinquirer.net

Philippine News

FRIDAY MARCH 4, 2016

China criticizes Philippines over South China Sea dispute BY MATTHEW PENNINGTON The Associated Press WASHINGTON — China has accused the U.S.-allied Philippines of “political provocation” in seeking international arbitration over territorial claims in the South China Sea. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Thursday the decision by Philippine leaders to lodge a case with a tribunal in The Hague was “irresponsible to the Filipino people and the future of the Philippines.” China has refused to participate in the proceedings. A ruling is expected later this year, after the tribunal decided last October that it could hear the case. The Philippines initiated arbitration in early 2013 after Beijing refused to withdraw its ships from a disputed shoal under a U.S.-brokered deal. It contends that China’s massive territorial claims in the strategic waters do not conform with the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea and should be declared invalid. The Philippines also asserts that some Chinese-occupied reefs and shoals do not generate, or create a claim to, territorial waters. Wang blamed the Philippines for shutting the door to negotiations with China over their dispute and seeking arbitration without China’s consent. He said China was prepared to negotiate “tomorrow.” “We are neighbours just separated by a narrow body of

water,” Wang told the Center for Strategic and International Studies think-tank . “We want to contribute to the Philippines’ economic development.” Wang was in Washington this week for talks with his counterpart, Secretary of State John Kerry. Differences over the South China Sea have strained U.S.-China relations. The U.S. accuses China of militarizing a key conduit for world trade. China says Washington and its allies are responsible for raising tensions. China has conducted a massive program of land reclamation over the past two years in the South China Sea, where Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims. Adm. Harry Harris Jr., commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific, told Congress this week that China has constructed more than 3,000 acres (1,210 hectares) of artificial land there in little more than two years, compared with about 115 acres reclaimed by the other claimants in more than 45 years. Wang said China has stopped reclaiming land but other countries are continuing. Wang also said China’s military facilities on islands and reefs are needed for self-defence as other nations have already militarized surrounding shores. China also intends to build civilian infrastructure like weather stations and emergency harbours for ships in danger, he said, which would benefit the international community. ■

Government determined to implement mining law BY JOANN SANTIAGO Philippines News Agency

Earlier, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Jesus Paje said Executive Order (EO) 79, which inMANILA — A Palace executive stituted mining reforms in the on Tuesday reiterated the govcountry, is already a strict reguernment’s resolve to strictly lation that should be heeded by implement mining rules to preindustry players. vent untoward He said the incidents in minEO “mandated ing sites. the issuance of This, after the Small Scale three miners and Unfortunately, most of the operations Mining Guidea rescuer died in the area, particularly in Sitio Uno, lines/Minahang when a mining are mostly illegal. They are not Bayan which tunnel collapsed covered by Minahang Bayan permits. has been passed in the town of by the Mining Monkayo, ComIndustry Coorpostela Valley dinating Counaround on Suncil.” day. law on mining to prevent any “Unfortunately, most of the The accident in the 650-foot- accidents. operations in the area, particudeep tunnel occurred at Purok “Government is determined larly in Sitio Uno, are mostly il3 in Mt. Diwalwal, in the village to enforce safety rules and reg- legal. They are not covered by of Upper Uli after a heavy rain- ulations in the mining industry Minahang Bayan permits,” he fall. and to prevent a recurrence of said adding that local governThe fatalities were identified the reported incident in Com- ment should bank these operaas rescuer Ernesto Loquinia, postela Valley,” he said. tions. ■

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

and miners Gilbert Dayot, Reymart Pegaret and Reynante Gemino. Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the government is committed to implement the

IS-influenced youth said to be joining fighting in south BY NIKKO DIZON Philippine Daily Inquirer SOME 150 young men, suspected to have been influenced by extremist ideas, are reportedly fighting with what the military has described as “foreign and local” armed groups in the weeklong clashes in Butig, Lanao del Sur. A well- placed security official, who requested anonymity, said the young fighters have apparently been influenced by the idea of a worldwide caliphate claimed by the Islamic State (IS) jihadist extremist group. Malacañang, through Communications Undersecretary Manuel Quezon III, has declined to comment on the security official’s statement. Unverified allegiance

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

“I would be uncomfortable offhand assuming that certain conclusions could be reached. I do recall that in the past the defense establishment has pointwww.canadianinquirer.net

ed out that there may be certain small groups or individuals who proclaimed allegiance to IS but that is not to assume or to conclude that this is genuine,” Quezon told staterun Radyo ng Bayan yesterday. “It could be as much a public relations effort to try to gain media traction as something else. That being said, I defer to the Department of National Defense, which could give a more thorough and sober briefing on this matter,” Quezon added. The Third Party Monitoring Team observing the implementation of agreements in the peace deal with the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front has warned that the hiatus between now and when a “Bangsamoro law” is finally passed is a critical period, as it could be exploited by extremists recruiting fighters. Delayed peace

The five- person team, headed by former European Union Ambassador to the Philippines

Alistair MacDonald, said that “violent extremism” could result from the nonpassage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) as radicals could take advantage of the frustration of many of those who had been hopeful of the establishment of a Bangsamoro entity in Mindanao. “President (Aquino) had said in the past that delaying peace and delaying justice tied with precisely what had been warned about that there may be younger hotheads who would be frustrated by the delay and use it as an excuse to give up on the peace process,” Quezon said. “This sort of warning should inspire all of us to reach out to our Muslim brothers, to reassure them that all Filipinos are committed to the peace process. So that the leaders, on the part of our Moro brothers and sisters, who have really stuck their necks out to commit to a way forward under a united Philippines will be reassured that we remain partners of peace,” he said. ■

Philippine News

MARCH 4, 2016

FRIDAY

Publisher Philippine Canadian Inquirer, Inc. Correspondents Jane Moraleda Socorro Newland Bolet Arevalo Katherine Padilla Community Editor Mary Ann Mandap maryann.mandap@canadianinquirer.net Graphic Designer Shanice Garcia Photographers Angelo Siglos Solon Licas Vic Vargas For photo submissions, please send to editor@canadianinquirer.net Operations and Marketing Head Laarni Liwanag (604) 551-3360 laarni.liwanag@canadianinquirer.net Advertising Sales Alice Yong (778) 889-3518 alice.yong@canadianinquirer.net Emy Rose Figueroa salesphilippines@canadianinquirer,net emy.figueroa@canadianinquirer.net Nelson Wu (647) 521-5155 salestoronto@canadianinquirer.net nelson.wu@canadianinquirer.net Amelia Insigne 1-416-574-5121 amelia.insigne@canadianinquirer.net PHILIPPINE PUBLISHING GROUP Editorial Assistant Christelle Tolisora Associate Publisher Lurisa Villanueva In cooperation with the Philippine Daily Inquirer digital edition Philippine Canadian Inquirer is located at 11951 Hammersmith Way, Suite 108 Richmond, B.C. V7A 5H9 Canada Tel. No.: +1 (888) 668-6059, +1 (604) 484-9243, +1 (778) 889-3518 | Email: info@canadianinquirer.net, sales@ canadianinquirer.net Philippine Canadian Inquirer is published weekly every Friday. Copies are distributed free throughout Metro Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg and Toronto. The views and opinions expressed in the articles (including opinions expressed in ads herein) are those of the authors named, and are not necessarily those of Philippine Canadian Inquirer Editorial Team. PCI reserves the right to reject any advertising which it considers to contain false or misleading information or involves unfair or unethical practices. The advertiser agrees the publisher shall not be liable for damages arising out of error in any advertisement.

Member

To ensure today's youth will not forget about the horrors of Martial Law, the EDSA People Power Commission (EPPC) opened to the public its "People Power Experiential Museum." MARVIE A. LLOREN / PNA

Edsa museum shocks, awes millennials BY JAYMEE T. GAMIL Philippine Daily Inquirer “I VALUE my freedom more now, knowing how hard the situation was before.” This was the realization Angel Almoguerra, 15, came to after her visit to the People Power Experiential Museum at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Friday. Interviewed by the INQUIRER after she and her classmates from the Pasay City East High School finished the 40-minute tour, Almoguerra admitted she was “a little shocked” by what she saw. The museum, through performance and visual arts, depicted the atrocities committed by the late dictator, former President Ferdinand Marcos, after he imposed martial law. Its two-day run was part of the activities commemorating the 30th anniversary of the 1986 Edsa People Power revolution which resulted in his ouster. Almoguerra said while her elders and teachers had told her that there were many victims of extrajudicial killings and torture during martial law, “I never knew who they were. Now I do.” She expressed awe in particular at the museum’s “The Hall of Forgotten Martyrs,” which featured performance artists reenacting the cold-blooded killings of martial law activists and Marcos critics such as Ateneo student leader Edgar Jopson, tribal leader Macli-ing Dulag, freedom fighter Maria Lorena Barros and politician Evelio Javier. “Ninoy Aquino was the only one I knew,” she said, referring to the father of President Aquino whose assassination served as the trigger for the bloodless people’s revolution on Edsa. For Almoguerra, the museum “showed what really happened: That people disappeared or were killed because they

fought against the Marcos administration, and that was what pushed the Filipinos to fight for freedom during the People Power Revolution.” For the Edsa People Power Commission (EPPC) which put up the museum, it opted to focus more on the martial law years than the 1986 uprising. “We feel that for the past 30 years, the celebration [has been focused] on the last four days [of the Marcos administration]. We never really talk about what caused those four days,” explained EPPC spokesperson Assistant Secretary Celso Santiago. Santiago admitted that as a youngster, he was also largely unaware of the atrocities during martial law. Only 5 years old when Marcos and his family were forced into exile, he recalled that his school books dedicated just one page to the events during martial law. “I was lucky my parents told me about it, and they were at Edsa. But not everyone is as lucky as I am. I have friends who have no idea what happened. And I have younger friends who don’t care,” he said. Santiago dismissed criticisms by netizens that the museum was being used to favor or discredit some candidates for the May elections. “It is not for or against any candidate. It is a campaign for truth. What the commission wants to tell young people is the whole story. There are no judgments, just facts. Whatever effect it has on the elections, that’s not our objective,” he said. For Sherwin Dumago, 16, the visit to the museum helped him make up his mind. “My parents told me about [Filipinos uniting] to fight against martial law and usher in democracy for the Philippines; that martial law was [a] cruel [time], and that many people died,” he said. “But I also have an aunt whosaid the opposite:

www.canadianinquirer.net

That the period was a prosperous time for the Philippines,” Dumago told the INQUIRER. “I [now] believe my parents. There is so much proof here [in the museum] that many people suffered,” he said. “Some of us don’t really know [about all this] but that’s because they don’t give importance to the details of the past. Now I can tell my peers: Do more research. I hope they can experience this [museum] like we did. We [learned more] about what Edsa meant,” Dumago added. Santiago observed that the Edsa People Power Experiential Museum provided lessons not just for millennials but for martial law survivors as well. “When they came out, they said, ‘Thank you very much for telling our story.’ Some of them were thankful for the reminder [that they should tell] more young people about [their experience],” he said. “I think one of Edsa’s unfinished business is that those who went through it sort of did not give too much attention on ensuring that young people [knew] about it. I guess we all got caught up in the task of rebuilding the nation because of the mess we inherited,” Santiago observed. “Now we hope this museum becomes a movement, so that more and more people can really tell the story. Government cannot do it alone. We’re counting on those who went through it. It’s everyone’s responsibility to tell young people of mistakes we did so we don’t repeat them,” he said. The EPPC plans to set up a permanent “1986 Memory Museum” at the People Power Monument showcasing both the experiential museum and the archival data and testimonial interviews it had collected. It also hopes to set up a smaller version of the experiential museum in Quezon City. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY MARCH 4, 2016

Don’t forget Mindanao, bets urged BY NIKKO DIZON Philippine Daily Inquirer THE INDEPENDENT body monitoring the peace process yesterday said the presidential candidates in May’s national elections must take stock of the “costs of conflict” as it expressed disappointment that the Mindanao problem and the peace negotiations have not been tackled substantially by those aspiring to replace President Aquino. At the same time, the Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT) warned of “violent extremism” that could result from the stalled peace process, with the failure of Congress to pass the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which would have completed the peace agreement signed by the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in 2014. Congress adjourned on Feb. 3 to give way to the campaign for the May 9 national elections but without passing the BBL, which would have established a Bangsamoro autonomous region to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which President Aquino once called a “failed experiment.” “I suspect that we will not be able to hear (from the candidates) very much until May. If you are running for election at the national level, I fear that the problems on the peace process and Mindanao are not necessarily seen as a vote getter except for parts of Mindanao,” TPMT chair Alistair MacDonald said.

The TPMT is a body jointly established by the government and the MILF to monitor the implementation of the peace agreement. Other TPMT members are Karen Tañada, Rahib Kudto, Hüseyin Oruç and Steven Rood.

Hope for Bangsamoro

Say more

MacDonald, the former European Union ambassador to the Philippines, said it was observed that in the presidential debate on Feb. 21, “very little was said about the peace process.” “It could be helpful if the candidates could tell the public how the process might be carried on and forward to a successful conclusion under their administration,” MacDonald said. The TPMT issued its third annual public report yesterday, with members of the group discussing it at a news conference. In spite of the failure of the BBL to pass in Congress, primarily because of the clash between elite police forces and Moro rebels in Mamasapano, Maguindanao province, that left more than 60 people dead in January last year, the TPMT said it was confident that “this prize of peace remains attainable, no matter which administration takes office on June 30.” “No administration can afford to ignore the underlying costs of conflict in Mindanao— the human costs on both sides of the conflict and among the civilian communities, the economic costs of development delayed or forgone, the security and budgetary costs of having a large proportion of AFP (Armed Forces of the Philip-

The group, One Bangsamoro Movement (1-BANGSA) leaders headed by their National President Maulana “Alan” Balangi is still fighting for BBL. JUANITO GUEVARRA / PNA

pines) resources focused on internal rather than external security, and the risk of worsening a climate conducive to the spread of violent extremism,” the TPMT said in its report. Ceasefire holding

The group noted that at the very least, the ceasefire between the government the MILF continues to hold, unlike in 2008 when fighting immediately broke out after the Supreme Court declared the Moro homeland deal between the Arroyo administration and the MILF unconstitutional. “It is encouraging that there has been no violent reaction by the MILF to the nonpassage of the BBL,” the TPMT said. Still, the group said that with a majority of the Moro community now doubting a “successful outcome” of the peace process, the danger of radical ideologies brainwashing the youth has be-

come all the more plausible. They may not necessarily be members of the MILF, the TPMT said. “A perception of failure could act as fuel for those who might be tempted in this direction, or those who might wish to encourage it,” it said.

MILF chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal pointed to a need to give the Moro people hope that the BBL will be passed no matter who becomes the new President. Iqbal said the government should give a firm and unequivocal commitment that it would continue to comply with its obligations under the peace agreement, particularly passage of the BBL. He also appealed for a halt to actions that may worsen the frustration of the Moro people. Chief government peace negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said the peace agreement remained the “most viable road map for policies and legislation that we will continue to pursue under the next administration and the 17th Congress.” She said the next administration would be foolhardy to wage war and had everything to gain by pursuing peace in Mindnao. Good prospects for peace

‘Plan B’

With the failure of Congress to pass the BBL until the next administration, the group said, it is “essential to build a path forward, or a ‘Plan B,’ so the next administration can hit the ground running and the unavoidable hiatus while [it] takes stock can be minimized.” It is also important “to sustain public confidence in the process during this period of uncertainty, including through a clear affirmation of the commitment of both parties to pursuing the peace process,” the TPMT said.

In a statement, MacDonald said he was confident about the good prospects for the peacemaking effort in Mindanao, noting, among other things, that both parties have remained fully engaged with the process, as shown by the meeting between the two sides in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Feb. 10 and 11 and the statement issued by MILF chair Murad Ebrahim on Feb. 18. In his statement, Murad urged the Moro people to stay with the peace process and ignore elements who might try to instigate extremism. ■

Makati ‘chop-chop’ slay condemned by Taiwan BY NIÑA P. CALLEJA AND JODEE A. AGONCILLO Philippine Daily Inquirer THE GRISLY killing of a woman by her Taiwanese husband, who confessed to the crime after her severed body parts were found in their Makati City residence, earned condemnation from his own government. In a statement released Saturday, the Taipei Economic and

Cultural Office (Teco) in the Philippines said “we have been deeply shocked and saddened by the recent killing of Mrs. Rowena Kuo and the subsequent mutilation of her body.” The statement did not mention the name of the suspect—Yuan Chang Kuo—as it denounced the crime. “The ruthless homicide is abhorrent to this office and the Taiwanese people and actually seldom happened in Taiwan.” “Therefore, we wish to ex-

press our deepest condolences and sympathy to the next of kin of the victim at a time of grief and darkness,” said Teco, which serves as Taiwan’s de facto embassy in Manila. “As the case has already been handed over to the appropriate Philippine judiciary authorities, we have full confidence that the relevant Philippine judicial authorities will conduct a fair trial and render justice to this case.” Yuan Chang Kuo, a 46-yearwww.canadianinquirer.net

old surgeon who practiced his profession in mainland China, was charged with parricide last week in the city prosecutor’s office after the body parts of his wife were found in their house on Taylo Street in Barangay Pio del Pilar, Makati. Rowena’s head and torso were the first to be found by daughter Joan Jane Tiongco in the stockroom on Feb. 23, a day after the victim went missing. Authorities recovered the

arms and legs from the septic tank two days later. The Makati police said Kuo had admitted killing Rowena, his wife of 18 years, and that he was apparently driven by jealousy, based on accounts given by the victim’s relatives. The couple have four children. A Teco official said the office has also extended assistance to the victim’s family by providing them a list of lawyers who can give them advice during the trial. ■

Philippine News

MARCH 4, 2016

FRIDAY

AFP: 24 Islamist rebels confirmed dead in clash BY JULIE M. AURELIO Philippine Daily Inquirer TWENTY-FOUR REBELS belonging to the Jemaah Islamiyah-affiliated Maute group have been confirmed killed after government troops seized control of its stronghold in Butig, Lanao del Sur, last week. The Maute group is led by brothers Omar and Abdullah Maute. The Armed Forces of the

Philippines said the fatalities on the enemy side are only those identified by name and are included in the body count. “There could be more than 24, but unless validated we won’t report it yet,” said Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, AFP spokesperson. Padilla said that of the 24 confirmed deaths, 12 bodies were recovered. The identities of the fatalities were disclosed by the Butig local authorities. This figure is lower than

Palace fighting ‘disinformation’ about Marcos rule BY NIKKO DIZON Philippine Daily Inquirer MALACAÑANG YESTERDAY said the Aquino administration was fighting “disinformation” about martial law with facts involving events that happened under the Marcos regime, described by President Aquino as one of the most “painful episodes” in the country’s history. Communications Undersecretary Manuel Quezon III spoke after Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., a vice presidential candidate in May’s national elections, accused Mr. Aquino of sowing disunity. “The tactic of the administration, and in fact, the tactic of all those who know right from wrong is to fight disinformation with facts… What we are saying, like what the President said in his speech (at the 30th anniversary celebration of the Edsa People Power Revolution), this is not about the Aquinos versus the Marcoses; this is about the truth versus amnesia,” Quezon said on state-run Radyo ng Bayan. The facts

According to Quezon, the following are the facts: More than 75,700 people have filed claims with the Human Rights Victims’ Claims Board (HRVCB) as victims of human rights violations during martial law. About 70,000 people were

detained, accused as enemies of the state. Three hundred ninety eight enforced disappearances took place between 1965 and 1986, an average of more than 30 disappearances a year between 1976 and 1978 alone. More than 34,000 people were tortured. There were 3,240 victims of extrajudicial killings, an average of about 50 cases every year between 1976 and 1978 alone. Quezon stressed that during martial law, the dictator Ferdinand Marcos ordered the closure of seven major English newspapers, three Filipino dailies, one English-Filipino newspaper, 11 English weekly magazines, one Spanish daily, four Chinese newspapers, three business publications, one news service, seven television stations, 66 community newspapers, and 292 radio stations all over the country. National debt

Quezon also said that in 1965, the Philippines had a national debt of P2.4 billion, which had ballooned to P192.2 billion by 1985. “This means a total of P395 billion worth of national government debt at the end of 1986. This means that 58.63 percent of the GDP (gross domestic product) was given over to debt,” Quezon said. He said the Presidential Commission on Good Government had recovered an estimated P170.4 billion worth of ill-gotten wealth from the Marcos family. ■

the 42 initially reported by the Western Mindanao Command when it said it seized a stronghold of the Maute group in Butig town, where lawless elements started harassing government troops two weeks ago. On Thursday, three soldiers were killed and 11 were wounded in the firefight that led to the recovery of two M16 rifles, two rocket propelled grenades and a homemade .50-cal. rifle. The group led an attack on

the detachment of the 51st Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army in Barangay Bayabao on Feb. 20, killing two soldiers and wounding six others. The military has been conducting clearing operations since then, with intermittent fighting reported every now and then. Padilla said the government troops’ objective is to clear the town of armed lawless elements so that the situation will normalize and the residents can

finally go back to their homes. “We will not allow the residents to return until such time that we clear the area and check it for explosives, unexposed ordnance and booby traps,” the military spokesperson said. Reports from the Office of Civil Defense in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao showed that the number of displaced individuals due to the series of firefights went up as high as 20,091 individuals or 4,311 families. ■

After 60 years, President Quirino gets burial he deserves BY NIKKO DIZON AND JAYMEE T. GAMIL Philippine Daily Inquirer PRESIDENT AQUINO will lead re-internment ceremonies for President Elpidio Quirino at the Libingan ng mga Bayani tomorrow, the 60th death anniversary of the country’s second postwar Chief Executive. “This is a rare occasion,” Communications Undersecretary Manuel Quezon III said about the event, which will be attended by the Quirino family and officials of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. A motorcade from the Manila South Cemetery is expected to arrive at 11 a.m. at the Libingan in Taguig City. Quezon yesterday said on staterun Radyo ng Bayan that Quirino would be the third president to be buried at the heroes cemetery after Presidents Carlos P. Garcia and Diosdado Macapagal. The Philippine Army said the ceremony will coincide with an event at the Philippine Center in New York City commemorating Quirino’s death anniversary. Quirino was buried at the Manila South Cemetery in Makati after he died of a heart attack on Feb. 29, 1956, at his home in Novaliches. Quirino, then the Senate President pro tempore, became the president of the republic in April 1948 after the sudden death of President Manuel Roxas from a heart attack. Quirino was elected President in 1949 and ran for reelecwww.canadianinquirer.net

The transfer and re-interment of President Elpidio Quirino's remains was held last February 29, 2016. PNA PHOTO COURTESY OF PIA/NCR

tion in 1953 but lost to Ramon Magsaysay who was then his Defense Secretary. Quirino was a widower when he assumed the presidency because his wife, Alicia Syquia, a daughter and two sons were killed by the Japanese in 1945 during the Battle of Manila. Quirino’s surviving daughter, Victoria, who was then in her teens, assumed the role of first lady during his term. A statement to the media by the organizers said that “maybe because PEQ (President Elpidio Quirino) died after his presidency, he was not accorded a funeral and burial worthy of a head of state. In contrast to what PEQ did for President Manuel Roxas when the latter suddenly died of a heart attack, PEQ’s departure honors were found lacking.” “Sixty years after this historical oversight, President Quirino will finally get the departure honors he rightfully deserves as a ‘leader and statesman who piloted the Ship of State when the seas were most stormy and

perilous, and brought it safe to port with enhanced prestige and matchless gallantry’,” the statement said. Joining President Aquino at today’s ceremonies are Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Hernando Iriberri, the chiefs of the AFP major commands, Senate President Franklin Drilon, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., and other government officials and the diplomatic corps. Army spokesperson Col. Benjamin Hao said around 1,300 personnel from the Philippine Army, Air Force and Navy as well as ROTC cadets will render full military honors during the ceremony. The statement said Quirino’s tomb at the Libingan ng mga Bayani “highlights three monochromatic spokes which represent unification as well as the distinct hallmarks of PEQ’s cardinal values of tolerance, goodwill and love.” The memorial was designed by architect William Coscolluela. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY MARCH 4, 2016

Mission for cleft-lipped kids goes beyond surgery BY JOCELYN R. UY Philippine Daily Inquirer NINE-YEAR-OLD CLARISSE Sullano confidently counted one to 10 and named the pictures of objects that were flashed before her on a laptop by a therapist. While she had a bit of trouble articulating words that started with the letter “s,” Clarisse hardly sounded the way she did more than three years ago—incoherent and nasal, and only her mother could understand her. Clarisse was born with a cleft palate and a cleft lip, a birth defect characterized by facial and oral malformations. The condition caused her speech problems. But thanks to Operation Smile, she is now on the path to a normal life and a childhood without the taunts and the curious looks from strangers. The Virginiabased medical service group annually slates missions to various parts of the Philippines, offering free and safe surgery to children with cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities. Three sites

For its first mission this year, Operation Smile brought its team of surgeons, physicians, nurses and technicians to three sites—Dasmariñas, Cavite province; Cauayan, Isabela province; and Koronadal, South Cotabato province—operating on roughly 300 indigent patients. The mission on Feb. 21 to 26 was organized in partnership with Johnson & Johnson Philippines, which sponsored the operation and treatment of 60 poor children with cleft palate and cleft lip to mark its 60th anniversary in the country. Clarisse, who had undergone two reconstructive surgeries by Operation Smile since 2012, traveled all the way from Cebu to St. Paul Hospital in Dasmariñas on Tuesday with her grandaunt, Elaine Sullano, to get a

palatal obturator installed in her mouth for free. The device is a short-term prosthetics used to close defects of the palate that affect speech production. “Wherever the mission of Operation Smile is, my grandniece goes because she wants to get better,” Sullano said, as a dentist and a speech therapist examined Clarisse. “We learned that one of the missions will be here in Cavite so we came here, although she will be absent from school for a while,” she added. Sullano said she believes that with the newly installed mouth appliance combined with regular speech therapy, Clarisse will finally start to fit in and regain the confidence she lost at a very young age due to her congenital condition, which afflicts one in every 500 newborns annually in the Philippines. Wide array of services

For children like Clarisse, surgery is just the beginning of a journey to recovery and a normal life. It is for this reason that Operation Smile also provides a wide array of services, such as dental exam, speech therapy and education program, that will help in the rehabilitation and reintegration of patients into their communities, said Gian Trebol, executive director of the international charity group in the Philippines. “Throughout its 34 years, Operation Smile has developed a very solid and comprehensive cleft care program that involves multi-specialties and that doesn’t involve surgery alone,” Trebol said in an interview with the INQUIRER. “Speech therapy is very important because even if we operate on the patients but if they still speak nasally, [they will continue to be ridiculed],” he said. Speech therapist Paolo Mangune, a volunteer at Operation

Smile, said that after the surgical repair of the lip and palate, patients need to unlearn the speech production mechanism they mastered when they still had the deformity. “Surgical repair would not guarantee functional outcomes when it comes to speech so they have to learn a new mechanism once the problem has been fixed,” said Mangune, who assessed Clarisse on her first therapy session on Tuesday. Progress generally depends on the age of the patients and their persistence to do speech exercises at home, he said. Age for repair

Experts usually recommend that cleft palate repair be done not later than 2 years old so that therapy can immediately follow, as speech and language development is most crucial between 2 and 7 years old, Mangune said. “I also always tell my patients that if they don’t do the exercises at home, it won’t work even if we see them an hour every week,” said Julia Ajero, another volunteer speech therapist. It was Ajero’s first mission as a professional but she has long been exposed to the work of Operation Smile, where her mother does administrative work. Ajero said she was drawn to serve because she yearned for children with facial and oral deformities to be able to fully outgrow their defects. “It doesn’t stop at surgery

www.canadianinquirer.net

… what we want is for them to be OK with their speech, to be fully functional so that they will no longer be bullied in school, so that they will not have to quit school and will not be ashamed to recite in class,” she said. At 18, redemption may have come a bit late for Noriel Manimtim, afflicted with both cleft lip and cleft palate, but on Tuesday, he just got a shot at life brimming with new possibilities aside from endless days of fishing in a river near his home in Tayabas, Quezon province. Doctors were able to fix the deformity on his lip that extended to his nose, which drew heartbreaking jeers and bullying from classmates and friends that eventually forced him to quit school when he was in Grade 5. His father, Numeriano Manimtim, said they were told that while fixing his palate would no longer be helpful at his age, an obturator and speech therapy would help improve his speech. “This is the first time that we heard about Operation Smile and that they are providing free surgery. So when we learned about it, my son was so excited to come here,” said Manimtim, a tricycle driver. He said his son didn’t like venturing out so much because he was ashamed of his looks and how he talks but he did not mind traveling more than three hours to get free surgery in Cavite. “My only dream for my son is for him to finish his studies

and to be able to get a good job. I am just happy that he has been given hope,” he said, crying. But Noriel has other plans once he finally gets better: He will serve as a soldier in the military. It is stories like Noriel’s that drive Operation Smile to continue exploring innovations that will help it reach patients faster and at an earlier age, when chances of full restoration are still high. Trebol said the organization recently partnered with telecommunications giant Smart and the Integrated Midwives Association of the Philippines for a mobile application that would create the first database of people with cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities in the Philippines. “The mobile application will enable anybody in the Philippines to register a patient if they see one. You can input their data and take their picture and these go to a cloud, a central database that we have access to so that we will know where the patients are,” he said. Operation Smile will roll out the new mobile application within the next two months, he added. The database will help the group catch up with the backlog on facial deformity operations, he said, noting that close to 100,000 patients across the country needed help. In the Philippines, a child is born with a cleft deformity every three minutes or roughly 4,000 every year. “A small percentage of that don’t even live to see their first birthday,” Trebol said. Operation Smile is also studying programs that will provide psychosocial intervention and support so that older patients like Noriel can be integrated back into society, he said. “We really care about our patients … and what we give them really is hope for a better future,” he added. ■

Philippine News

MARCH 4, 2016

FRIDAY

‘Edsa about...’ the crowd of several thousands who gathered at the People Power Monument to recall the glorious day when Filipinos drove away the Marcoses in 1986, but the prospect of Senator Marcos being elected Vice President, a doorstep away from Malacañang, hovered like a dark cloud. Around 500 protesters blasting the Aquino administration for purportedly allowing the Marcos resurgence briefly clashed with riot police on Edsa after the celebrations, but no injuries were reported. In his speech, President Aquino belied Senator Marcos’ claims that the Philippines saw its best years during his father’s rule. “As part of the generation who suffered under the dictatorship, I tell you just as directly: The time we spent under Mr. Marcos was not a golden age,” Mr. Aquino said. “It remains one of the most painful chapters of our history—it was why so many of our countrymen mustered the courage to gather at Edsa and in other places outside Metro Manila, armed only with their faith and their principles,” he said. “We were able to unite as one people, and by the grace of God, we toppled the dictatorship without resorting to a bloody civil revolution,” he said. “Today, if the surveys are right, then the son of the dictator who still cannot see the mistakes of the past has an increasing number of supporters,” Mr. Aquino said. “If that is right, then does it also mean that we have forgotten what we once said, ‘Enough is enough; we have had it out with the lot?’” he said. “Does this mean that, today, we are being asked, ‘Can we give the possibility of martial law taking power once more, and repeating all its crimes?’” he said. “It is also true that the sins of the father should not be visited on the son,” Mr. Aquino went on. “At the same time, what I cannot understand: The dictator’s own blood had all this time to say, ‘My father did the country wrong; give us the chance to make it right,’” he said. “And yet, just think, this was what he said, ‘I am ready to say sorry if I knew what I have to be sorry for.’ If he cannot even ❰❰ 1

see the wrong in what his family did, how can we be confident that he will not repeat the same?” he said. “All I can say is, thank you, because you have at least been honest in showing us that you are ready to emulate your father,” the President said. “Do not [get me wrong]: This is not about the Aquinos versus the Marcoses; it is clear to me that this is about right versus wrong,” he added. Peace deal derailed

As an example of the likelihood of the senator doing as his father had done, Mr. Aquino said Marcos, along with Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, derailed the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). “And is it not true these two surnames were the ones who Thousands of people from all walks of life commemorate the 30th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution. BEN BRIONES / PNA pushed for a military solution against the Moros during the dictatorship?” Mr. Aquino said, were taken away from the gen- who, along with his family and from public hospitals. pointing out that the late dic- eration that came before you— his cronies, abused his position, The country has the lowest tator tolerated land grabbing where, if you reached your 30th and the price for this was the unemployment rate in a dein Mindanao, which was one birthday while fighting against lives and the freedom of Filipi- cade. of the biggest injustices to the the dictatorship, you were al- nos,” Mr. Aquino said. Mr. Aquino said infrastrucMoro people. ready lucky to still be alive.” The President said he ex- ture that took “decades in the Acknowledging that the ef“Now, at 30 years old, your pressed disappointment when- making” had finally been comforts at revisionism had partly professional life has just start- ever he was told that there were pleted under his term, such as succeeded in fooling a number ed. You have the freedom to those who say that the time of the 180-meter Aluling Bridge in of young Filipinos, the Presi- earn and to save money, to love Marcos was the “golden age of Ilocos Sur province that took 35 dent devoted nearly a third of and to start a family—the free- the Philippines.” years to build. his speech to recounting the dom to dream,” Mr. Aquino In a lengthy article, “Yearning “Let me ask: Is it right to play horrors of martial law that his said. for the ‘golden age’ of Marcos, at being blind, especially now family and others experienced “You will benefit the most if The New York Times said that that we have a government that as well. we are able to protect our free- fading memories were benefit- truly cares for the citizenry?” Nearly half ing the dictator’s he said. of those at the son in his vice “I believe that it is not our monument were presidential bid. fate to repeat the grim parts of the so-called “In fact I have our past; our fate is the sum of millennials, It remains one of the most painful wondered: We the decisions we make in the young people chapters of our history—it was why have both been present,” the President said. born after 1986. so many of our countrymen mustered President— “I believe in the greatness of The theme the courage to gather at Edsa and in where might our people. I believe that, even of the 30th another places outside Metro Manila, our country be if we are known for our paniversary of the armed only with their faith and their today if he had tience, it has its limits—and if bloodless coup principles. just stayed true those limits are reached, then that inspired to his mandate no one will be able to stop the similar moveduring his time wave of solidarity that will folments across the in office?” Mr. low,” he added. world was for them—about the dom so, God willing, you un- Aquino said. Loretta Ann Rosales, forpassing of the torch, for them to derstand the responsibility you The President said that un- mer chair of the Commission continue the change that their bear. God willing, we will all do der his administration that on Human Rights, yesterday elders began at Edsa. our part so that darkness will followed the “straight and righ- said during a visit at the People The President said the young never consume the Philippines teous path,” 7.7 million Filipi- Power Experiential Museum at enjoyed “different kinds of once more. God willing, the nos had been lifted from pov- Camp Aguinaldo, “Let us never freedom” today—from being freedom we so long dreamed of, erty. allow the Marcoses to return. able to travel without having to will never, ever be taken away More than 4 million indigent We should not let another Marbe watched by authorities, hav- from us once more,” the Presi- households benefited from the cos again in Malacañang.” ing no state-imposed curfews dent said. conditional cash transfer proRep. Leni Robredo, the Liberto being able to access informaHe emphasized that the abus- gram. al Party’s vice presidential cantion from smartphones. es of the dictatorship were neiNinety-two percent of the didate, told reporters: “If you ther “products of imagination” 100 million Filipinos enjoyed don’t have acceptance of the Lucky to be alive nor just the opinion of some. universal health coverage; wrongdoings done before, you He said the young were now “Martial law actually hapThe poorest 40 percent of the are bound to repeat these once “enjoying the freedoms that pened. There was a dictator country receive free treatment you are given power.” ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

Philippine News

FRIDAY MARCH 4, 2016

Estrada crushing illegal drugs problem in Manila PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY MANILA — Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada is taking the illegal drugs issue ‘by the horn’ even as he blamed past local administrations for the drug menace which has reached alarming levels in the Capital City as well as in the whole of Metro Manila. Mayor Estrada made the remark as he gears to launch a series of anti-drugs summits in different strategic locations in Manila to enjoin all citizens, sectors, institutions and barangays in his strong campaign against the illegal substance. Expected to partner with the city government in these anti-drugs summits include top officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). Mayor Estrada said, “When I assumed office in 2013, I inherited not only a bankrupt city but also the problem of high incidence of drug-related activities in the barangays of Manila. The illegal drugs situation in Manila got deeply entrenched in the years before I became mayor. But with our concerted efforts, we’ve been able to fight it and we have been gaining positive results.” Mayor Estrada expressed concern over the report by PDEA that 92.10 percent of all the barangays in the National Capital Region (NCR) were drug-affect-

Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada.

ed, meaning “there is a determined presence of a drug user, pusher, manufacturer, marijuana cultivator or other drug personality regardless of their number in the area.” The report further showed that 8,629

RAMON FVELASQUEZ / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

villages or 20.51% out of the 42,065 barangays nationwide are drug-affected, with the high concentration in the NCR. Caloocan City as well as cities and a town under the jurisdiction of the Southern

Comelec orders final testing of poll machines BY JOCELYN R. UY Philippine Daily Inquirer THE COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) has ordered the final testing and sealing (FTS) of the vote counting machines (VCMs) to be used in the overseas absentee voting that will start on April 9. In a resolution, the Comelec said the VCMs would be deployed to 30 Philippine posts abroad where there will be automated balloting. The posts were identified as Agana, Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, Ottawa, San Francisco, Toronto, Vancouver, Washington, London, Madrid, Milan, Rome, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Osaka, Seoul, Singapore, Tokyo, Abu Dhabi, Beirut, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Kuwait, Manama, Al Khobar, Riyadh and Tel Aviv. At least 26 Philippine posts will employ the postal manual voting system while another 26 will use the personal manual voting system.

“The VCM shall be tested within three weeks before the start of the voting period,” stated Comelec Resolution No. 10051. But it also noted that candidates, political parties and party list groups should be advised prior the conduct of the final testing and sealing of the VCMs. The Comelec said they would be notified by the Office for Overseas Voting three days before the FTS is conducted by posting a notice of the date, time and place in the official website of the poll body. The procedure is vital to ensure the integrity, security and accuracy of the poll machines before they are used on election day. The FTS will check if the VCMs accept the ballots and if the count of the units will match that of the manual count that will be done following actual voting using 10 FTS-specific ballots, which will be fed to the machines. The overseas absentee voting is scheduled a month ahead of the election day in the country. It will run from April 9 to May 9. ■

 

www.canadianinquirer.net

Police District (SPD) have been declared as 100 percent drug-affected. The city of Manila, on the other hand, has 90.30 percent of its barangays affected, PDEA said. “Our anti-drug campaign has been relentless. We are not stopping until we shall have rid its influence in our communities,” Mayor Estrada stressed, adding, “This drug menace destroys not only our society, but also the families, especially the youth.” Mayor Estrada said the city government has gained major headway in clearing its barangays of illegal drugs. From June 2013 to December 2015, a total of 3,395 drug suspects – 786 pushers and 2,609 users – were arrested through the combined efforts of the Manila Police District (MPD), City Hall, and community leaders. In these arrests, volumes of shabu and marijuana were confiscated. Mayor Estrada has also been personally leading major drug bust operations together with the MPD, the most recent of which were: the Feb. 3 drug raid in Malate (P100,000 worth of shabu confiscated and nine persons were arrested); Feb. 9 buy-bust in Binondo (P15-million worth of shabu and seven suspects netted); and another buy-bust on Feb. 26 along Hidalgo Street in Quiapo (P4-M worth of shabu and three suspects netted). ■

Philippine News

MARCH 4, 2016

FRIDAY

Japan to supply Philippines with military equipment BY JIM GOMEZ The Associated Press MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Japan will sign an accord with the Philippines to allow Tokyo to supply military equipment to Manila, the first such Japanese defence pact in a region where both have expressed alarm over China’s island-building and other aggressive acts in disputed waters. Defence Secretary Voltaire Gazmin told The Associated Press on Saturday that the agreement he’ll sign on Monday with the Japanese ambassador in Manila is not directed against any country but aims to address gaps in the underfunded Philippine military’s capabilities. The Asian allies began stepping up defenceco-operation “even before the disagreement in the West Philippine Sea,” Gazmin said, using the name

the Philippine government has adopted for the disputed South China Sea, where its territorial conflict with Beijing has flared in recent years. “It’s not directed against any country,” he said in what appeared to be an effort to avoid provoking any hostile Chinese reaction. The Asian neighbours have openly brought their security and political ties to new levels, including by holding joint naval search and rescue drills near the disputed South China Sea last year that angered Beijing. Philippine President Benigno Aquino III and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have exchanged visits and vowed to intensify defenceco-operation, sparking talks about a possible security pact that will allow Japanese forces to hold larger drills with Filipino troops in the Philippines. The Philippines has signed such visiting forces accords with the United

States and Japan. Japan’s Emperor Akihito paid his respects last month at war memorials in the Philippines, where the largest number of Japanese invasion troops perished outside their homeland in World War II. Last year, Japan’s parliament approved contentious legislation that enhances the role of the country’s military by loosening post-World War II constraints, reinterpreting the Japanese constitution and fundamentally changing the way it uses its military. For the first time since the end of the World War II, Japan’s military can now defend its allies even when the country isn’t under attack and work more closely with the United States and other nations. The legislation has sparked protests and debate about whether Japan should shift away from its pacifist ways to face growing security challenges.

Gazmin said there has been no discussion on what defence equipment Japan can provide, but added that the Philippine military currently needs to upgrade its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. “They haven’t offered what we can buy,” Gazmin said. “There needs to be a wish list.” A senior Philippine security official said the new pact will pave the way for Japan to sell new military hardware, transfer defence technology, donate used military equipment or provide defence training to Filipino forces. It “opens the door to a lot of opportunities beyond the confines of mere equipment transfer or sale,” the official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to reporters. The Philippines, however, is restricted from reselling or transferring any Japanese-sup-

plied military equipment to a third country, the official said. Japan has forged similar pacts with the U.S. and Australia, but the Philippines is the first Southeast Asian country to have such a defence deal with Tokyo, Gazmin said. Aside from China and the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have conflicting claims in the South China Sea, a major conduit for world trade. The U.S. lays no claims to the disputed territories, but began bold attempts to promote freedom of navigation and overflight after China turned several disputed shoals into islands that rival claimants fear could be used as a springboard to project its military might and intimidate rival claimants. Beijing has said it harbours no hegemonic intent, insisting that it has the right to build in what it says has been Chinese territory since ancient times. ■

Bongbong: Let historians, not politicians, judge Marcos rule BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA Philippine Daily Inquirer HISTORIANS, not politicians, should be the ones to make an objective assessment of the rule of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, according to his son, Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. The younger Marcos was commenting on President Aquino’s call for Filipinos to oppose his bid for the vice presidency and Mr. Aquino’s criticism of his father’s martial law regime. Mr. Aquino had scoffed at claims that the elder Marcos’ rule represented a “golden age” for the Philippines, pointing out that it was actually a “painful chapter” in the nation’s history, marked by human rights violations and the plunder of the country’s resources. “Let us leave history to the professors, to those who study the history of the Philippines. It is not our job. Our job is to look at what the people need at present,” Marcos said. But he also said he would not want martial law to be declared again.

Enthusiastic residents of Umingan, Pangasinan welcome vice presidential candidate and Senator Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during his attendance at a multi-sectoral forum. AVITO C. DALAN / PNA

“Oh, God, no! Because if there’s martial law, that means we’re in crisis. We don’t want the Philippines to be in a crisis,” he said. He said the country’s leaders should focus on giving people solutions to the problems they

are facing. The Philippines’ problems now are different from the ordeals it faced three decades ago, which is why different solutions are needed, he said. Marcos, who is unapologetic about his father’s dictatorship, www.canadianinquirer.net

also said that despite criticism from Malacañang, he has felt no negative impact on his campaign for the second highest post. He said he continues to be welcomed warmly in his visits to various communities around

the country. “I am grateful to all who do not get tired of loving me, my family and all that we want to do to help the country,” he said. A recent voter preference survey for the vice presidency showed Marcos tied with Sen. Francis Escudero for the top spot. Escudero held the lead for several months. After being exiled in the wake of the 1986 People Power Revolution, the Marcoses have made a political comeback. The senator’s sister, Imee, is the governor of Ilocos Norte, while their mother, Imelda, is the congressional representative of the province. Their political victories have been attributed to the reputedly solid Ilocano vote, which includes not just Ilocos Norte, but also the other Ilocano-speaking provinces in Northern Luzon. The victims of human rights violations during martial law are conducting a campaign to oppose Marcos’ bid for the vice presidency. They have been informing voters of the horrors experienced during the elder Marcos’ regime and contesting what they say has been a distortion of the truth. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY MARCH 4, 2016

Duterte’s secret weapon gets ready for prime time BY ERIC S. CARUNCHO Philippine Daily Inquirer IT WAS a pretty swank affair at the Manila Golf Club in Forbes Park: Ostensibly a Laurel family get-together, it was actually a fund-raiser for presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte. It was the day after the first presidential debate, after which everyone seemed to agree that Duterte did better than expected. Apart from members of the tight-knit Laurel clan, a few invited guests such as actor Cesar Montano and President Aquino’s aunt-in-law Tingting Cojuangco were spotted in the crowd. There was no shortage of Duterte boosters, but many of the guests were there to see for themselves if the toughtalking Davao City mayor was the real deal, or just another lying politico. In short, it was a golden opportunity to rack up some votes and shore up support from an influential and wellheeled sector of the electorate. Only one problem: The candidate was still in Cagayan de Oro, stuck at the airport where traffic on the runway was backed up, and he was already two hours late. Lucky for him, his partner had flown in ahead to pick up the slack. And we don’t mean his running mate, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano. Unassuming, assured

Duterte’s public image paints him as an ultra-macho alpha male, and he has publicly admitted to having a string of girlfriends. When his first marriage to Elizabeth Zimmerman ended in annulment, his “philandering” was cited as one of the reasons. Because of this, a lot of people assume that his current partner must be some kind of meek, subservient doormat to put up with him.

Cielito “Honeylet” Avanceña, Duterte’s common-law wife, proved to be anything but. Dressed in a long-sleeved print blouse and brown slacks, she struck just the right tone, coming across as unassuming but assured. She spoke to the crowd for nearly 30 minutes, and fielded questions, speaking plainly. Without sounding too much like a politician, she stayed on message, as the spin doctors like to say, and allayed some concerns about the candidate. Duterte talked tough because Davao is a tough place, and he had to be tough to make it a place conducive for business. But his choice of words wasn’t always the best, she admitted. He couldn’t be a dictator, as some people fear, because it wasn’t his style, and he wouldn’t be as loved by the people of Davao if he was dictatorial. Despite his reputation as a ladies’ man, he wasn’t a male chauvinist because he had too much respect for women: He has appointed women to high positions in the Davao City administration, supported his daughter Sara when she was mayor and made Davao City a leader in supporting battered women. As for the rumored girlfriends, she would have left him long ago if this were true, Avanceña said. Charisma

“Hinamon ko na siya ng hiwalayan, just in case meron talagang totoo, ayaw naman niya,” she said. “Talagang friendly siya sa women. Babae ang lumalapit sa kanya. Pati lalaki nagpapa- selfie. Pati bakla. Hindi naman siya gwapo, bakit ganoon ang charisma niya sa tao? (I challenged him to a separation just in case he had another girlfriend, but he didn’t accept it. He’s really friendly with women and it is them who approach him. Even guys take selfies with him, even gays. He’s

Presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte.

not handsome, but he has this charisma).” Avanceña also managed to work in a few intimate details about the private Duterte that would have sounded hokey coming from him, or anyone else: He reads the Bible and prays for God’s guidance (a recent development, she admitted, at her prodding). He sometimes goes without sleep and skips meals to attend to Davao’s needs. He prefers to eat and live simply and loses his appetite when too much food is on the table. And he still cries when he visits his mother’s grave. At the end of her talk, Avanceña had the crowd eating out of her hands. Since when do people line up to get their picture taken with the candidate’s wife? If this was calculated, it was a stroke of brilliance. If not, a stroke of luck. “Hindi din ako marunong makipag-plastikan,” says Avanceña when complemented on her “performance.” “Hindi naman ako artista, wala akong pwedeng i- project, kung ano lang ako. (I don’t play games. I’m not an actress, I can’t project anybody else but myself.)” Until recently, Avanceña had kept herself pretty much out of the media spotlight. But as the

www.canadianinquirer.net

DUTERTE’S OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE

presidential campaign shifts to high gear, she’s had to take a more prominent role, sometimes accompanying Duterte in some sorties, sometimes staying in Davao to keep an eye on things while he was away on the campaign trail. Her increased visibility has raised the public’s curiosity about her. Some of the bare facts: At 46, she’s nearly 25 years younger than the 70-year-old Duterte. He was her first serious relationship, she said, although she turned vague when asked how old she was when they first met. So how come they’re still not married? “The right time will come,” she said. “God’s time.” (It’s probably more complicated than that: Duterte is said to be still close to his first wife, who was diagnosed with cancer last year.) She was trained as a nurse, and worked for four years in the US, where her Hispanic coworkers used to tease her about her name (Cielito means “Little Heaven” in Spanish.) Health issues

Her nurse’s training comes in handy because of Duterte’s health issues, which are public knowledge: He suffers from

Buerger’s disease, a potentially serious constriction of the blood vessels in the limbs caused by smoking, and occasional migraines. But his blood pressure is actually better than hers, she said, and she can assure the public that he is fit for active duty, if elected. She returned to Davao from the States shortly after their daughter was born (which makes Veronica, now 11, a US citizen). She runs several businesses in Davao, including donut franchises and a meat shop, apart from keeping house for her family. Losing her privacy, she said, remains the hardest part of supporting her partner’s presidential bid. She used to roam Davao City’s malls on her own, without a bodyguard. But last week, she complained, an Al Jazeera TV crew embedded itself into her household and filmed them for days, even when they were eating lunch. She has resigned herself to being in the public eye, and she seems ready for prime time. But is she ready for Malacañang, should Duterte win? In interviews, he has said that he would make daughter Sara first lady. “OK lang, anak naman niya ’yon,” said Avanceña. “Si Sara aayaw, hindi niya style ’yon. (It’s alright, she’s his daughter anyway. But Sara might not agree; it’s not her style).” That would mean having to leave Davao and her businesses behind. “Bahala na ang Diyos kung saan kami ilagay. (I’m leaving it up to God where he wants to put us),” she said. By the time the candidate finally arrived on the scene, the sun had gone down and half the people had left. But all things considered, it felt like a win. ■

MARCH 4, 2016

FRIDAY

30 years after Marcos’ fall, his son aims for No. 2 job By Jim Gomez The Associated Press MANILA, Philippines — Three decades after a “people power” revolt ousted his dictator father, Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was wooing voters on the campaign trail this week in his bid to become the Philippines’ next vice-president. He has a decent shot at fulfilling that ambition — polls show he is in second place among six rivals. If he wins, that would put him one step away from the presidency his father and namesake lost in the armybacked public uprising in February 1986 amid allegations of plunder and widespread human rights violations. Thirty years ago Thursday, Ferdinand Sr. and Imelda Marcos and their family fled the country after four days of massive street protests that saw rosary-clutching nuns and ordinary citizens kneeling before tanks and protesters sticking yellow flowers into the muzzles of assault rifles of pro-government troops. At a ceremony Thursday attended by President Benigno Aquino III, protest leaders and others re-enacted events from that historic revolt near a monument commemorating it. Aquino condemned the abuses, including the 1983 assassination of his father, opposition leader Benigno Aquino Jr. He criticized the younger Marcos for refusing to even acknowl-

edge his family’s misdeeds. strong following among younger The Marcoses lived in exile in Ha“If he couldn’t even see what was people who did not witness abuses waii for several years and Ferdinand wrong in what their family did, how during the 1972-81 period of martial Sr. died there in 1989. can we expect that he won’t repeat law under his father or the popular Imelda Marcos returned to the these?” Aquino said. revolt that overthrew him. When Philippines in 1991. Her husband’s Marcos Jr. made no mention of asked if he would eventually seek remains were brought home later the uprising when he addressed lis- the presidency, he refuses to answer to his northern hometown of Batac, teners Monday in a poor village near categorically. where his glass coffin has become a Manila where supporters of his faFilipino voters cast separate bal- tourist attraction. ther live. lots for president and vice-president, Imelda, now 86, went to a popular Instead, he talked about how so often candidates from different Roman Catholic church in suburpeople have suffered under leaders parties are elected. The vote is May 9. ban Baclaran district of Manila in a since his father’s departure, tapping “I am perplexed by the viability of wheelchair Wednesday to hear Mass into disillusionment over persistent Bongbong’s candidacy for vice-pres- with her aides, apparently unaware poverty and corruption that plague ident,” said Gerard Finin of the East- that a group of Marcos-era human the country, as well rights victims were as an ongoing Isinside holding a If he couldn’t even see what was wrong in what their lamic insurgency program and recallfamily did, how can we expect that he won’t repeat these? in the south. He did ing how they were not utter the name tortured and abused of Aquino, a scion of a political clan West Center in Hawaii. “The longing by troops. Imelda Marcos, who apwhose longstanding rivalry with the for a stronger and more effective peared stoic, quietly left after the Marcoses has shaped the country’s Philippine state has not faded.” communion, according to witnesses. political scene for decades. Still, sidestepping the past is Despite her reputation for ex“Our leaders, instead of nurtur- daunting in a country that still cel- travagance, best exemplified by the ing and helping us, sowed infighting ebrates the Marcoses’ downfall each 1,220 pairs of shoes she left behind in and divided us into groups,” Marcos year as a national reminder of how the presidential palace after her hustold the crowd of a few hundred vil- Filipinos once stood up to a dictator- band’s downfall, she and her children lagers, many of whom chanted his ship. enjoy a degree of popularity, particunickname, Bongbong, and wore red, In 1986, years before the era of larly in her late husband’s northern the colour associated with his family. Facebook, Twitter and cellphones, political stronghold of Ilocos Norte “I’m fighting to start a movement unarmed Filipinos rapidly massed province. to unite the Filipino people,” he said along a highway in Manila by word She has faced some 900 civil and on a sparse stage where he stood with of mouth and anti-government ra- criminal cases in Philippine courts a handful of local town officials, a far dio broadcasts to protect the defence since 1991 but has never served priscry from the scenes of his family’s minister, the military deputy chief of on time. Many of the cases have been heyday. staff and their forces who defected dismissed for lack of evidence and a Marcos, 58, appears to have a from an ailing Marcos. few convictions were overturned on

appeal. Nearly 10,000 Filipinos won a U.S. class-action suit in 1995 against the Marcos estate for torture, summary executions and disappearances with jurors awarding US$1.9 billion to the victims. More than 7,000 have been compensated after years of waiting. Imelda Marcos twice ran unsuccessfully for president but won seats in the House of Representatives, where she is running for re-election to a third and final term in May 9 elections while a daughter is running unopposed as Ilocos Norte governor. Left-wing activists, including those detained during the period of martial law, gathered at a university Monday to launch a coalition against Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vice-presidential run, dubbed the Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses to Malacanang, or CARMMA. Malacanang is the presidential palace in Manila. Coalition leader Bonifacio Ilagan, who was imprisoned and tortured during martial law, warned that if the young Marcos was elected, he would be tantalizingly close to capturing the presidency, which would give him a chance to redeem his family’s name by rewriting history. “He’s the number one defender of his father’s regime,” Ilagan said. “If he wins as vice-president, it’s almost a complete reversal of what was won in 1986.” ■

PUBLIC LIVES

The battlefield of memory By Randy David Philippine Daily Inquirer REFERRING TO the aftermath of World War II which had engulfed all of Europe, the Czech writer Milan Kundera noted: “[H]atreds withdraw to the interior of nations … the goal of the fight is no longer the future ... but the past; the new European war will play out only on the battlefield of memory.” That’s the same feeling one gets reading and hearing various accounts of the Marcos dictatorship and the People Power uprising that toppled it. Thirty years later, the protagonists in this battlefield are still fighting to keep their respective recollection of events from falling into that “great bottomless hole where memory drowns.” There are at least four versions of these events: the reformist military version, the Church version, the civil society version, and the American version—each one seeking to represent collective memory. The military version says that, after more than a decade of the conjugal Marcos dictatorship, young idealistic officers began to stir. The assassination of Ninoy Aquino in 1983 specially bothered them. Seeing how their own superiors were be-

ing sucked into the corrupt system, they started to ask questions. They sought to understand the issues for which they were risking their lives, and came to the conclusion that they were being used to prop up a regime that had lost its moral right to rule. They studied the roles that soldiers of the people could play under such circumstances. That was how the idea of a Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM) was born. While the coup d’état they hatched against Ferdinand Marcos was aborted at the last minute after loyal soldiers of the regime uncovered the plot, the reformist officers decided to make a last stand at Camp Aguinaldo. Surrounded by the local and foreign press, they called on Marcos to give up the presidency, and on their brothers in the military to join them in their cause. Ordinary Filipinos from all walks of life came to bring them food and water in an act of solidarity, after Cardinal Jaime Sin, the archbishop of Manila, came out on radio to vouch for their patriotic intentions. The Cory forces that took power after Edsa, however, denied them their rightful place in the new government, sparking widespread resentment in the military.

The Church version of this event is different. According to this account, Sin encouraged the faithful to go to Edsa not so much to support the military officers as to avert bloodshed. The cardinal thought that Marcos and Gen. Fabian Ver were about to unleash the full force of the loyal military against the rebels led by Gen. Fidel V. Ramos and Minister Juan Ponce Enrile. He wanted to preempt this. To that end, he summoned priests and nuns and seminarians to lead the Catholic flock to Edsa to peacefully intervene in this perilous impasse. That is how Edsa came to be filled with statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and how prayers and Masses overshadowed political speeches. The nonviolent overthrow of the Marcos regime by people power was nothing short of a miracle. The civil society account of Edsa is very close to that of the Church’s. In the beginning, people were mainly curious to know what was happening at Camp Aguinaldo. They were skeptical about the motives of Enrile, but they wondered what Ramos was doing there since he and Marcos’ defense minister were not known to be close. At that point, no one knew that the embattled officers had mounted

www.canadianinquirer.net

a failed coup. But, after Cardinal Sin went on air to mobilize his flock, ordinary Filipinos, who had been awakened by the brazen killing of Ninoy Aquino and later organized themselves to campaign for his widow Cory, poured onto Edsa. No one anticipated this. It became the turning point that transformed the rambling EnrileRamos press conference into the middle-class-led people power uprising that we associate today with Edsa. Previous to this, the radical Left had been very much a part of the civil society movement. But at the crucial hour, it opted to skip Edsa, believing it was an American-engineered conspiracy. This brings us to the American version that has come out in various memoirs. The US government was worried that the Philippines might descend into chaos if Marcos lost control of the situation. American officials saw that the communist New People’s Army, which had become a formidable force, could take over in the event of a power vacuum. As the national situation became more volatile, US officials prodded Marcos to renew his mandate through a snap election. But seeing that he had become gravely ill, they despaired over his probable successor, Imelda.

US officials were in contact with the reformist military officers and the moderate opposition around Cory. But, Edsa caught them all by surprise. When Cory and Marcos were sworn in as president on the same day, Feb. 25, they decided that Marcos had to be persuaded to leave the Palace peacefully. That was when the US Embassy offered helicopters to evacuate him and his family and safely bring them to Clark Air Base. From there—on the request of the new president—the Marcos party was flown to Guam and then to Hawaii, where Marcos later died in exile. There is, of course, a fifth account which I will not discuss here—the Marcos version. Its principal purveyor, Bongbong Marcos, seeks to rewrite the past by staging a calibrated return to Malacañang funded by hidden wealth. He is banking on the power of amnesia not just to redeem his father’s name, but, ultimately, to recover the billions in bank accounts and properties that the Philippine government has seized from his family. He might yet succeed—if we fail to make memory speak. Kundera is only partly correct: The battle for memory is as much about the future as it is about the past. ■

Opinion

FRIDAY MARCH 4, 2016

LOOKING BACK

‘Not only luck but also business foresight’ By Ambeth R. Ocampo Philippine Daily Inquirer BANGKOK—Edsa@30 provided an opportunity to look back into history and ask howmuch of the hopes and expectations were delivered and how many promises were broken, resulting in the mess we now endure. With the annual Edsa commemoration over, we return to the election campaign and look forward to the rest of the Pilipinas 2016 presidential debates. I reviewed on YouTube the first debate held on Feb. 21, and the barbs thrown around by the candidates reminded me of a debate between Emilio Aguinaldo, the retired first president of the Republic, and then Senate President Manuel L. Quezon that appeared in the press from July to August 1929. Aguinaldo presented a list of Quezon’s assets and asked how these were obtained on the latter’s annual salary of P16,000. He added that Quezon was a living example of government officials who enter public life with nothing and end up with a fortune. Aguinaldo challenged Quezon to explain that his fortune did not come from “de mala manera”( bad way). Quezon’s reply: “Pruebenlo (Prove it)!”

As a background, it should be re- parked inside; business interests Balintawak property then valued at membered that Aguinaldo refused an in many corporations and compa- P3 million, that was to become part invitation to join the 1922 Philippine nies (not fully detailed except for a of the future capital we know today Independence Mission to the United P50,000 share in a compania aser- as Quezon City. States, saying it was a junket and a radora or lumber mill in Calauag, In response, Quezon said he was waste of public funds. During the so- Tayabas, his home province); vast not as rich as Aguinaldo had painted called Cabinet Crisis of 1923, Agui- properties that include a coconut him out to be. He explained that he naldo sided with US GovernorGen- plantation with an estimated 25,000 was able to acquire property from the eral Leonard Wood against Quezon. trees and cattle pasture in Tayabas, as earnings on his Mandaluyong propIn a January 1927 meeting of the Vet- well as land in Baler and Infanta that erty that was a mere 1/11 share of an eranos de la Revolucion, Gen. Panta- were in the path of a future railroad estate he bought from Mr. Whitaker leon Garcia described Aguinaldo as track; a fishpond in Pampanga valued and Mr. Ortigas in 1920 for P100,000 “the instrument of imperialism in at P60,000. that he borrowed from the Philipthese islands.” That same month the Properties in suburban Manila pine National Bank with a guarantee Bureau of Public Lands said Aguinal- (later integrated at the beginning of from Tomas Earnshaw. He also said do was squatting on public property World War II as “Greater Manila”) in- he earned much from his property in Paliparan, Cavite, in San Juan that and gave him the was reinvested, Surprisingly, Quezon did not stop at explaining all the option to acquire adding to the propproperties in Aguinaldo’s list. He even provided, or bragged the land or else it erty he bought from about, assets that Aguinaldo did not know of... would be put up for Hoskins with an adpublic auction. Agujacent lot acquired inaldo reacted by from Antonio Brias expelling Garcia, Tomas Mascardo, cluded: property in the Mandaluyong at P12,000. Quezon and others from the Vetera- Dominican friar land of San Felipe Surprisingly, Quezon did not stop nos de la Revolucion. Nery measuring 2,700 square meters at explaining all the properties in In July 1929, the Philippine Na- that were sold as lots; a house and lot Aguinaldo’s list. He even provided, tional Bank made public Aguinaldo’s in San Juan del Monte acquired from or bragged about, assets that Aguioutstanding debt of P80,000 and de- C. M. Hoskins, a real estate owner, at naldo did not know of, which includmanded payment. Aguinaldo replied P40,000 (in another list, assessed at ed: P10,000 profit on a house and by presenting a list of Quezon’s as- P45,000); a house and lot acquired lot he had bought and resold; land sets, as follows: from a certain Mr. Gibs, son-in-law of acquired from Brias for P12,000 that Quezon’s home in Pasay valued Judge Johnson, for P75,000; and the was adjacent to the Hoskins propat P100,000 and a number of cars crown jewel: a onethird stake in the erty he owned; P24,000 profit on

shares that he held in the Englishlanguage newspaper Manila Times and the Spanish language La Vanguardia. What is intriguing in Quezon’s reply to Aguinaldo is the admission that he received some rather expensive gifts of land: property in Sariaya that was presented to him by the Rodriguez family for reasons not stated, and property in San Juan del Monte that he had christened “Dalagang Bukid” (a reference perhaps to the 1919 film starring Atang de la Rama), received as a present for bringing home the Jones Law! I can only imagine what the feisty Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales would have made of these gifts if these were made to a government official today. Quezon’s reply to Aguinaldo’s challenge was quite telling: “The only thing that my business transactions show is that not only have I been lucky in some of them, but also, in all modesty, I may say that I am not entirely lacking in business foresight.” The question that historians will have to answer today is: Were Quezon’s assets gained from business foresight, or was the urban development of Manila tied to the rise of Quezon City? ■

AT LARGE

Another ‘Rebel’ story By Rina Jimenez-David Philippine Daily Inquirer “WELCOME TO the other ‘Rebel’ concert!” prima ballerina and Ballet Manila artistic director Lisa Macuja Elizalde joked as she addressed the audience before the start of the invitational gala performance of “Rebel: Edsa 30.” She was referring obviously to the “Rebel Heart” concert taking place a few kilometers away at the Mall of Asia Arena, drawing thousands who had shelled out astronomical sums for tickets to the first-ever performance of Madonna in Manila. But those who could not afford to see Madonna in the flesh, or who chose to celebrate otherwise, had little reason to regret being inside the Aliw Theater on Thursday evening. For taking place onstage was an artistic interpretation of the events and personalities that dominated the country’s—nay, the world’s—attention 30 years ago. Who would have thought the historic confrontation between the Marcoses and the Filipino people— embodied by Ferdinand and Imelda on one hand and Ninoy and Cory on the other—would someday lend the

artistic seed to a ballet based on the tale of Spartacus? But come to think of it, the parallels between the two stories are easy to glean. The story of a gladiator-turnedleader in a slave uprising against the Roman Empire lends itself easily to adaptation to tell the story of a people rebelling against a conjugal dictatorship and willing to sacrifice life, if need be, to win their freedom. As the creators proclaim: “There is a rebel within us all.” And it is a realization we need to ponder and decide how to bring to fruition in this time when we are at a crossroads, whenwemust decide, through the ballot, what road we “rebels” will take toward the future. *** “REBEL” opens with a scene within and without the Palace, with Imelda and Ferdinand partying with their guests even as angry protesters, with Ninoy and Cory in the lead, mass outside the gates, raring for a confrontation. The set is itself a symbol of social stratification. A huge monolith sits in the center, with steps leading up to a ledge on top where an elaborate “throne” sits. I thought it reminded one of the facade of the Edsa Shrine, while at times it also bore a resem-

blance to the CCP Main Theater and its huge gray slab of frontage. Both Cory and Ninoy, Imelda and Ferdinand are studies in contrast. Toward the middle of the ballet, Ferdinand is seen weakening, while Imelda assumes increasing control over the state apparatus. Cory is seen yearning for a life of quiet and privacy, while Ninoy is shown unwilling or unable to resist the call of engagement with the struggle against the couple in the Palace. The protesters are embodied by Juan de la Cruz and Jose, an archetype and an historical figure who are meant to stand in for all Filipinos struggling to break free. Observing and by turns lamenting and spurring the action is Inang Bayan, a figure whose presence inspires and enlivens the flagging spirits of the rebels and rebels-to-be. *** MACUJA essays the role of Inang Bayan, while Joanna Ampil, a stage performer of international caliber (“Miss Saigon,” among other roles), lends Inang Bayan her voice, punctuating the original “Spartacus” score by Aram Khachaturian with more familiar, and beloved, Edsa anthems like “Magkaisa,” “Bayan Ko” and “Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo.”

www.canadianinquirer.net

I was pleasantly surprised at the sight of the Ballet Manila company. As Macuja puts it in her notes, the company is at present predominantly made up of young men, and she had always been searching for material that would do justice and provide enough dance roles for her danseurs. “Rebel” was thus partly motivated by this desire for stronger material for a largely male company, and it indeed provides strong, vigorous dancing in the many mano-a-mano confrontations. The leads do not disappoint. Essaying Imelda are Tiffany Chiang and Abigail Oliveiro, while Cory is portrayed by Katherine Barkman and Dawna Mangahas. Dancing Ferdinand are Gerardo Francisco and Brian Williamson, with Francisco earning spontaneous applause with his prowess. Ninoy is strongly personified by Rudy de Dios and Mark Sumaylo. Mention must also be made of the support provided by the artistic staff, most notably costume designer Jeffrey Rogador, who hews close to “street style” even as he provides artistic flourishes like the Philippine flag theme in the costumes of the two Inang Bayan figures. Likewise commendable are production designer Mio Infante, lighting designer Joa-

quin Jose Aranda, and projection designer Ga Fallarme, who provides historical context with footage of important events in recent history. *** LIKEWISE worthy of note is the ABSCBN Philharmonic under the baton of Gerard Salonga. They confidently lend musical support to the dancers, while imbuing the “Edsa anthems” with new relevance and meaning in new and reimagined arrangements. What a satisfying experience it is to embark on a ballet voyage with live orchestral music in the background! In his notes, choreographer Martin Lawrance says he chose “not to create a ballet that is a dance/history lesson, but rather make parallels between the twoevents and the main characters.” Indeed, the ballet recalls all the passion and fervor of those four days of Edsa I, while putting those events in the context of older stories of struggle and strife. At the end of the ballet, the audience stood up not just to pay tribute to the heartwarming performance but also to give release to the pentup emotions that had built up during this 30th year commemoration. Kudos, Ballet Manila! Indeed, let us not forget! ■

MARCH 4, 2016

FRIDAY

Canada News

‘A helluva lot of money:’ Low oil prices put Alberta on track for $10B deficit BY DEAN BENNETT The Canadian Press EDMONTON — Alberta Finance Minister Joe Ceci says the prolonged cratering of world oil prices is expected to saddle his province with a $10.4-billion deficit in the next budget. “It’s a lot. It’s a helluva lot of money,” Ceci admitted at a legislature news conference Wednesday. “That is simply the reality of our circumstances.” In last fall’s budget, the province projected a $5.4-billion deficit for the 2016-17 fiscal year. Ceci said the new $5-billion figure would be on top of that. “This is the steepest and most prolonged slide in oil prices in recent history, dropping more than 70 per cent in the last year and half,” he said. “Projections for a quick recovery have proven wrong. This

is a once-in-a-generation challenge.” Oil and gas have long been the mainspring of Alberta’s economy, delivering multibillion-dollar surpluses earlier this decade. But the benchmark price for oil has fallen from a high of more than $US100 a barrel in June 2014 to around US$30 today. Every $1 drop in the average price of oil over the course of a year drains $170 million from Alberta’s coffers. Ceci also said he can no longer promise to balance the books by 2020 and added he can’t set a new target date for when that might happen. He emphasized the province will stick to its plans to avoid cuts in front-line jobs and critical services, to find savings where possible and to take on debt to create jobs in the construction of roads, schools, and hospitals. “We won’t respond with

Save for... to apply for the grant later this year. Since the launch of the B.C. Training and Education Savings Grant in August, more than 9,000 applications have been approved for a total of $8.1 million in grants. B.C.’s ❰❰ 1

credit unions, with more than 350 branches, were the first major financial institutions to offer the BCTESG. BMO Bank of Montreal was the first bank to sign on so people could apply for the grant in their 100 branches. ■

knee-jerk cuts to make a bad situation even worse.” The government won’t create new taxes, increase existing ones or introduce a provincial sales tax, he said. Nor are there plans to use any of the $19-billion in the Heritage Savings Trust Fund to reduce some of the red ink. Alberta is now almost $19 billion in debt. Most of that money is being used for capital projects. The plan is to continue borrowing in the coming years to pay for capital and, if necessary, operating costs. The debt by decade’s end had already been projected to hit almost $48 billion, but that was before Ceci’s $5-billion bombshell Wednesday. Ceci said the 2016-17 budget is to be introduced in early April, but he wouldn’t give a date. Opposition Wildrose critic Prasad Panda said no one blames the NDP for the collapse in oil prices, but the gov-

Alberta Finance Minister Joe Ceci.

ernment is not dealing with it. “Their plan is not working,” said Panda. “How they’ve responded to the situation is hurting Alberta’s economy.” Ceci’s third-quarter update Wednesday for 2015-16 shows the government expects to run a $6.3-billion deficit this fiscal year, which ends March 31. That’s almost $200 million more than was forecast in the fall. The update shows that the

CONNOR MAH / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

cash crunch is burrowing deeper into Alberta’s economy. Personal income tax revenue is down, while housing starts and car and truck sales are expected to continue to drop. Oil and gas investment is expected to slow by 20 per cent in 2016. Alberta also expects to see a net population outflow of 6,000 to other parts of Canada this year — the first such decline since 2010. ■

Amounts of Ontario student grants will rise with inflation, tuition: minister BY ALLISON JONES The Canadian Press TORONTO — Grants that will make tuition free for thousands of students will increase along with tuition fee hikes, Ontario’s colleges and universities minister said Tuesday as opposition parties clamoured for more details on the new program. The Liberal government announced in its budget last week that it is combining existing programs to create an Ontario Student Grant, which would entirely pay for average college or university tuition for students from families with incomes of $50,000 or less. Under the new program, half www.canadianinquirer.net

of students from families with incomes of $83,000 will qualify for non-repayable grants to cover their tuition and no student will receive less than they can currently receive. The government is defining average college tuition as $2,768 and average university tuition as $6,160, for arts and science programs. A cap on tuition hikes that had limited increases to an average of three per cent annually ends next year, as the grants are set to take effect. “If the tuition fees go up, the grant goes up as well, so the grant is indexed to tuition fee increases,” Training, Colleges and Universities Minister Reza Moridi said Tuesday. The NDP is not convinced

that will happen, since they said they had tried to get answers on it since the budget was released last Thursday. “We raised issues around whether or not this fund would be indexed to inflation, whether it would be indexed to tuition increases and those are questions that we have,” said deputy leader Jagmeet Singh. Once the three-per-cent cap expires in 2017, Moridi said there “maybe” will be a new once introduced. The maximum OSAP debt level will also be limited to $10,000 annually for higher-income families. Financial assistance will still be offered to students who have trouble repaying their loans, the government said. ■

Canada News

FRIDAY MARCH 4, 2016

Canada in 2050: land of climate change extremes at current emissions levels BY BOB WEBER The Canadian Press EDMONTON — Canada is a land of extremes, from car-freezing cold to crop-searing heat and drenching rains to drought. But you ain’t seen nothin’ yet. By 2050 — within the life expectancy of most Canadians — scientists say that if current emissions levels remain unchanged, climate change will be well established. It will be warmer: a crosscountry summertime average of about two degrees. It will be wetter, mostly, by about five per cent. Those modest figures may sound good to a country that describes summer as four months of poor sledding. And global warming will bring perks, such as the chance to grow different or more abundant crops. But gentle averages, however, are not what Canadians will experience. Climate change will feed into Canada’s already considerable natural variability — and not to smooth it out. “The kind of changes one anticipates are more likelihood of drought or more likelihood of wet periods,” said Greg Flato, Environment Canada’s top climate modeller. “If you think about temperature extremes, as the climate warms the likelihood of getting a very hot extreme becomes greater; the likelihood of getting a very cold extreme becomes less likely.” The extra rain, for example, is unlikely to fall in a gentle spring shower. Look for it in great flooding downpours or winter rains that drain before they can nourish crops. John Pomeroy, a Canada research chair in water resources at the University of Saskatchewan, points out the amount of water that falls as snow has already declined by one-third

on the Prairies. The number of multi-day rains has increased by half. “Farmers need to adapt to that, to being inundated and flooded quite a bit,” he said. Heat-loving crops like corn could become much more common in Canadian fields. But water availability could limit the advantage of a longer growing season. Southern Canada’s modest precipitation gains are expected to be lost through higher temperatures. Forest to prairie

MICHAEL MURAZ / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Milder winters allow mountain pine beetles to survive and Geological Survey of Canada. crease — as long as fishers can infect forests in Alberta and “Glaciers in the Rocky Moun- sail further north. Saskatchewan, killing trees and tains are pretty much going the “Smaller-scale fisheries may turning parched and overheat- way of the dodo bird,” he said. not be able to fish from their home ed forests into tinder boxes. Nor do the changes stop with ports a lot further,” Cheung said. Wildfire seasons already be- the land. Commercial fisheries could gin weeks before they used to. “We are already seeing (fish) also open in an ice-free Arctic In the Northwest Territories, species shifting their distribu- Ocean, with turbot, Arctic cod where temperatures are climb- tions,” said William Cheung of and Arctic char. But much sciing faster than almost any- the University of British Co- ence is needed to determine if where on earth, the 2014 fire lumbia. “Warmer water species those fisheries are sustainable. season set a record of 3.4 mil- from the south are appearing in “It will be risky,” Cheung lion hectares of scorched forest. the north area and some of the said. “Once fisheries have deAspens, the most common (northern) species are suffer- veloped, it’s very difficult to leafy tree in the boreal forest, ing because the ocean becomes scale it down.” are dying at twice their historic too hot for them.” norm, “part of a The hidden larger-scale patdriver tern of climateCanadians will related dieback also have to deal episodes,” says Climate change will feed into with climate Natural ReCanada’s already considerable natural change’s global sources Canada. variability — and not to smooth it impacts. By 2050, look out. “It complifor big parts of cates the U.S.the boreal forCanada relationest’s southern ship,” said Rob fringe to be brand-new prairie. Look for overall catches off the Huebert from the Centre for “Drought-prone spruce will be Pacific coast to decline between Military and Strategic Studies lost first, followed by pines and four and 11 per cent by 2050, at the University of Calgary. then aspen, to be replaced by Cheung said. Salmon hauls will “We know that in the southsome form of prairie grassland,” drop between 17 and 29 per cent, west (U.S.) they’re pretty much said a 2009 report from the Cana- herring by up to half. getting maxed out in terms of dian Council of Forest Ministers. There is, however, good news. available water sources. In a Glaciers, an important source West coast fishers can look United States that is waterof water for western cities dur- for more pacific sardines and deprived, they’re automatically ing low-snow years, are on their manila clams. In the Atlantic, looking northward.” way out, said Mike Demuth of the catches are expected to inClimate will be a hidden

www.canadianinquirer.net

driver behind many difficult foreign situations, said Huebert. Refugees, fleeing expanding African deserts or the strife caused thereby, will be knocking on Canada’s door. “What I’m seeing is an acceleration in the collapse of some of these societies and it seems to be coming from the expansion of the desert,” Huebert said. “(Climate change) definitely seems to be an intervening variable that is exacerbating the situation. “It’s the accelerator of what’s already a bad situation.” Some worry current predictions are too conservative. “All the work we’ve done may be falling apart because nobody expected to see the Arctic exploding with heat,” said University of Lethbridge climate modeller James Byrne. Even with this year’s El Nino, Byrne said the Arctic is falling apart faster than anyone thought it would. January was the ninth straight month of record-breaking global warmth and saw the greatest departure from average of any on record, says NASA. It was hottest in the Arctic — four degrees above normal. “The scenarios are challenging to interpret at this point,” Byrne said. “How much faith can we really have in them? I’m worried about that.” Most climatologists say the big impacts — especially if the world doesn’t reduce its carbon emissions — don’t even start until after 2050. Climate change forecasts, said Flato, only predict more uncertainty. “We don’t know where that ultimate change will be,” he said. “It’s a bit worrisome, not knowing what the future will be for my son or my grandchildren. The uncertainty of where it will get to is a worry to me.” ■

Canada News

MARCH 4, 2016

FRIDAY

Minister McCallum to repeal parts of C-24

Catholic health provider cautious about assisted dying ahead of new law

CIC.GC.CA

BY GEORDON OMAND The Canadian Press

OTTAWA, ON — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister John McCallum introduced legislation to amend the Citizenship Act, providing greater flexibility for applicants trying to meet the requirements for citizenship and help immigrants obtain citizenship faster. “The Government is keeping its commitment to repeal certain provisions of the Citizenship Act, including those that led to different treatment for dual citizens. Canadian citizens are equal under the law. Whether they were born in Canada or were naturalized in Canada or hold a dual citizenship,” said Minister McCallum. Among the changes, the Bill: An Act to Amend the Citizenship Act, would repeal provisions that allow citizenship to be revoked from dual citizens

who engage in certain acts against the national interest. All Canadians who commit crimes should face the consequences of their actions through the Canadian justice system. The Bill also proposes to reduce the time permanent residents must be physically present in Canada before qualifying for citizenship by a full year. Recognizing that immigrants often build an attachment to Canada before becoming permanent residents, the proposed legislation would credit applicants for the time spent in Canada as temporary residents or protected persons. The age range to meet French or English language requirements and pass a knowledge test to qualify for citizenship, would change to 18-54 from 1464. The changes support our goal of removing barriers for immigrants to build successful lives in Canada. ■

The Honourable John McCallum, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and the Honourable Jane Philpott, Chair of the Ad Hoc Cabinet Committee on Refugees and Minister of Health provide a year-end update on Canada’s plan to resettle 25,000 Syrian refugees.

“This will be done presumably within the interim structures established in other health-care facilities in the region.” The memo came to light as parliamentarians tasked with exploring how Canada should craft its assisted-suicide laws recommended that all publicly funded hospitals be required to offer the right to die to clearly consenting adults suffering intolerably from irremediable medical conditions. Their report encourages legislators to take into account a doctor’s right to conscientiously object, but also calls for

Assisted-suicide advocates celebrated the news, describing the committees conclusions as thoughtful and balanced. VANCOUVER — An internal Shanaaz Gokool, CEO of Dying memo from a Roman Catholic With Dignity Canada, singled out health-care provider in Vanthe recommendation that the couver reminds its leadership service be available at all publicly team that physician-assisted funded medical facilities. dying violates the Catholic faith “This is one of the pieces and until the law changes the where the rubber is going to hit service will not be provided. the road for access,” Gokool said. The memo from management “These are institutions that at Providence Health Care says receive public funds and they that while the organization should honour patients’ charcurrently forbids the practice, ter rights to an assisted death.” it will monitor and conform to A faith-based organization’s the law as it takes shape. Provimoral positions may not reflect dence operates the beliefs of all 10 facilities, inof its staff, she cluding St. Paul’s, added. the only hospital B.C. Humanin Vancouver’s These are institutions that receive ist Association West End. public funds and they should honour executive direcLast year, the patients’ charter rights to an assisted tor Ian BushSupreme Court death. field said he was of Canada struck pleased with the down the ban on work that came physician-assistout of parliamened dying, and the government regulations that require those tary committee. The association has until June 6 to come up physicians to provide a patient provides a voice for atheists, agwith replacement legislation. with a referral. nostics and non-religious in B.C. “(Physician-assisted dying) The Coalition for HealthBushfield expressed frustracontradicts the basic tenets of CARE and Conscience criticized tion over Providence Health Catholic health care, wherein the committee report on Thurs- Care’s stance on assisted suilife is held to be sacred from con- day for not going far enough to cide. ception to natural death, and not protect the rights of health-care “There are religious viewpermitted in Catholic health care workers and facilities. points that oppose blood transinstitutions such as Providence,” Forcing these institutions to fusions,” he said, making an read the memo, dated Feb. 16. offer a service that infringes on analogy to religious opposition Requests for assisted suicide their religious beliefs tramples to physician-assisted dying. from patients who have secured on their constitutional right to “Yet I can’t imagine we would the required exemption from freedom of conscience and reli- be OK as a society funding a B.C. Supreme Court will be gion, said Larry Worthen, exec- hospital that refused to provide treated on a case-by-case basis utive director of the Christian blood transfusions and having to find a final solution, said the Medical and Dental Society of it be the main hospital in downdocument. Canada, in a statement. town Vancouver.” ■

June preliminary hearing for suspect in deaths of Alberta father, child BY BILL GRAVELAND The Canadian Press LETHBRIDGE, ALTA. — Family members of a slain two-yearold girl and her father were in court for the first time Friday to witness the appearance of the man accused in the crimes. Derek Saretzky appeared briefly via closed-circuit television from the Calgary Remand Centre. He is charged with firstdegree murder in the September

deaths of Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette and Terry Blanchette. Saretzky, 23, is also charged with committing an indignity to the little girl’s body. Hailey’s maternal grandmother, Terry-Lynn Dunbar, was one of the relatives at the Lethbridge courthouse, but declined comment. A victims services member, who accompanied the family, said she was helping them navigate the court system. Dunbar posted a statement

in September after the bodies were found. “As a mother and (formerly) grandmother my pain is unimaginable at the loss of my only grandchild in such a horrific manner,” she wrote. “The Dunbar and Blanchette families will be forever broken.” After a lengthy psychological assessment, Saretzky has been found fit to stand trial. A preliminary hearing, which is to determine if there is enough evidence for a trial, is scheduled www.canadianinquirer.net

for 10 days starting June 20. He was arrested after Blanchette’s body was found in his Blairmore, home in the Crowsnest Pass of southwestern Alberta on Sept. 14. Authorities couldn’t find Hailey and issued an Amber Alert that stretched across Western Canada and into the United States. Her body was found a day later in a rural area near Blairmore. News of the girl’s death broke during a candlelight vigil where

residents of the tight-knit town had gathered to pray for her safe return. Police have said Saretzky and Blanchette were acquaintances, but have not elaborated on how the two men knew each other. The little girl’s mother, Cheyenne Dunbar, has described Saretzky as an old friend to whom she hadn’t spoken in years. Saretzky’s family is well known in the blue-collar mountain town as owners of a drycleaning business. ■

Canada News

FRIDAY MARCH 4, 2016

‘We are in a state of shock:’ First Nations declare health emergency BY COLIN PERKEL The Canadian Press TORONTO — First Nations leaders from northern Ontario declared a public-health emergency on Wednesday related to what they called a dire shortage of basic medical supplies and an epidemic of suicides among young people. The declaration — essentially a desperate plea for help — calls for urgent action from the federal and provincial governments to address a crisis they said has resulted in needless suffering and deaths. “We are in a state of shock,” Grand Chief Jonathan Solomon of the Mushkegowuk Council said wiping away tears. “When is enough? It is sad. Waiting is not an option any more. We have to do something.” The declaration calls on governments to respond within 90 days by, among other things,

meeting with First Nation leaders and coming up with a detailed intervention plan that includes ensuring communities have access to safe, clean drinking water. At a news conference at a downtown hotel, the leaders screened a video of Norman Shewaybick, whose wife Laura died last fall shortly after going into respiratory distress in their remote community in Webequie. As the desperate husband held her hand, the nursing station in the community ran out of the oxygen that might have saved her life. “We hear stories like this almost on a daily basis,” said Alvin Fiddler, grand chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, which has 35,000 members in 49 communities across the northern Ontario. “It’s not like the government doesn’t know these things.” Fiddler cited the cases of two four-year-olds who died of

rheumatic fever caused by strep throat in 2014, and suicides by children as young as 10. Governments, the leaders said, have failed to act on numerous reports about the deficiencies in health-care services, including one from the auditor general last year, and another aboriginal leaders delivered in January on the rash of suicides, the latest just last week in Moose Factory. First Nations communities, many still dealing with the brutal after-effects of the residential school system, are rife with diseases such as hepatitis C and diabetes that should have been prevented or better treated, are short on medical supplies and basic diagnostic equipment, and have a serious substanceabuse problem, the leaders said. What’s clear, they said, is that federal and provincial health policies have failed them, resulting in a substandard level of health care mainstream Canada would never tolerate.

“We’re talking about discrimination” said Isadore Day, Ontario regional chief. “We’re talking about institutional racism in Canada’s and Ontario’s health-care system.” Day said First Nations are hoping the new Liberal government in Ottawa will finally respond after years of seeing their pleas for help fall on deaf political ears. “We have recently come out of a decade of darkness under the previous Harper government,” he said. “As Canada and the provinces and territories look at a new health accord, they must understand... the cost of doing nothing over the last decade has had a drastic impact on the people of the North.” In the House of Commons, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was well aware of a “tragedy” that extends beyond northern Ontario to across the country.

“We need to fix a relationship that has broken over the past decade, and indeed centuries, between Canada and indigenous peoples,” Trudeau said in response to questions from New Democrat Leader Tom Mulcair. “This government has pledged a new relationship: putting real money forward to build support on infrastructure, on health, on a broad range of things, and creating a true nation-to-nation relationship.” Ontario’s aboriginal affairs minister, David Zimmer, said he hoped to talk to provincial and federal health ministers as well as to Fiddler about what he called the serious problems. “Health issues for First Nations, especially in the remote communities, are always a challenge and, in cases, are in fact emergencies,” Zimmer said. “It’s something that we all have to tackle. It’s everybody’s responsibility.” ■

Canadian donations to Syrian relief appear to fall short of government goal BY STEPHANIE LEVITZ The Canadian Press OTTAWA — The dollars are still being counted, but the amount of money donated by Canadians for overseas Syrian relief efforts will likely fall well short of the maximum $100 million the government had promised to match. But a spokesman for a coalition of aid groups said it was unlikely that number was ever going to be met and the pressure is now on aid agencies to find other ways to get public support for the humanitarian crisis created by the five-yearold Syrian civil war. The matching program for Syrian relief was created last fall and was supposed to close at the end of 2015. By then, about $12.2 million had been raised and the Liberals extended the deadline until Feb. 29 to try and bring in more. Three groups — UNICEF, World Vision and the Humanitarian Coalition — say they pulled in about $10.3 million in

total during the entire matching period. Officials at UNICEF were reaching out even in the final hours, said spokesperson Tiffany Baggetta. “We have seen an increase in donations to our Syrian crisis response through January and February — particularly in the last couple of weeks,” she said. Baggetta said two major donor events brought in $200,000 for the fund in the last week. Deadlines are among the reasons matching funds work as an engagement tool, said Nicolas Moyer, the executive director of the Humanitarian Coalition, which is made up of CARE, Oxfam, Plan Canada and Save the Children. Still, he said he never expected the total to hit $100 million, calling it a political number, not one grounded in policy. “We’ve never seen that kind of result for a conflict like this in Canada,” he said of why that goal was unrealistic. “It’s something that had already been in the news for four years. Past experience did not

suggest we would be in that realm.” The challenge now, Moyer said, is for aid agencies to figure out how to get to that realm. Even as a fragile truce holds in Syria, the majority of the population is living in extreme poverty, without secure access to food, water or shelter. Regular UN requests for money remain underfunded and the nature of the conflict has also seen aid unable to reach some of the most vulnerable populations in the country. Meanwhile, more than 4.7 million people are registered as refugees with the United Nations in countries in the region, while hundreds of thousands more have fled to try and find safety in Europe. Among those who fled was the family of Alan Kurdi. The toddler drowned; a photograph of his dead body on a Turkish beach made him a household name around the world. Kurdi had relatives in Canada, which brought the crisis home for many and turned it into an unexpected campaign issue for www.canadianinquirer.net

Syrian woman with child sitting on the ground after arriving from Serbia and waiting for the buses to continue the journey. PHOTOMAN29 / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

the Conservatives, prompting, among other things, the launch of the matching fund. The $10.3 million the three groups raised in the six months of the matching period is only slightly higher than the amount the Red Cross has raised since it started fundraising for overseas Syrian relief in 2013. Since then, they’ve brought in about $9.6 million.

The vast majority of the funds did come from after the matching program was announced, the agency said, but they won’t know the final amount eligible to be matched until they finish processing donations. All aid groups participating in the fund have until the middle of this month to declare their final totals to the government. ■

MARCH 4, 2016

BURNABY SQUARE – 2ND FLOOR Unit 201 – 7885 6th Street Burnaby, BC V3N 3N4

Phone: (604) 553-4000 Fax: (604) 553-4100 E-mail: appointments@bc-ice.com Webpage: www.bc-ice.com We offer FLEXIBLE HOURS including early mornings, evenings and weekends! www.canadianinquirer.net

FRIDAY

FRIDAY MARCH 4, 2016

TAWAG NA SA PINAS!

PURE CHANNEL

5cl FFO OR R

AS A S

PEE P R R

www.purechannel.ca/5cPhils

LLO OW W

AS A S

M M IIN NU UTT EE

WHY PURE CHANNEL? NO HIDDEN CHARGES

NO CONNECTION FEES ONLINE STATEMENT VIEW CALL DETAILS ONLINE

www.canadianinquirer.net

World News

MARCH 4, 2016

FRIDAY

Pentagon starts aggressive cyberwar against IS BY LOLITA C. BALDOR The Associated Press WASHINGTON — Not long after Defence Secretary Ash Carter prodded his cyber commanders to be more aggressive in the fight against Islamic State, the U.S. ramped up its offensive cyberattacks on the militant group. According to several U.S. officials, the attacks are targeting the group’s abilities to use social media and the Internet to recruit fighters and inspire followers, U.S. officials told The Associated Press. U.S. officials confirmed that operations launched out of Fort Meade, Maryland, where the U.S. Cyber Command is based, have focused on disrupting the group’s online activities. The officials said the effort is getting underway as operators try a range of attacks to see what works and what doesn’t. They declined to discuss details, other than to say that the attacks include efforts to prevent the group from distributing propaganda, videos or other types of recruiting and messaging on social media sites such as Twitter, and across the Internet in general. Other attacks could include attempts to stop insurgents from conducting financial or logistical transactions online.

The surge of computer-based told commanders that beefing years, it was still focused on military operations by U.S. Cy- up cyberwarfare against the the cyberthreats from nations, ber Command began shortly af- Islamic State group was a test such as Iran, Russia and China, ter Carter met with command- for them, and that they should rather than building a force to ers at Fort Meade last month. have both the capability and the block the communications and Several U.S. officials spoke will to wage the online war. propaganda campaigns of Inabout the cyber campaign on But the military cyber fight ternet-savvy insurgents. condition of anonymity be- is limited by concerns within “He was right to say they cause they were not authorized the intelligence agencies that could be more forward leaning to discuss it publicly. Much of blocking the group’s Internet about what they could possibly the effort is classified. access could hurt intelligence do against ISIS,” said James Carter mentioned the opera- gathering. Lewis, a cybersecurity expert at tions briefly Thursday, telling a Officials said Carter told com- the Center for Strategic and InHouse Appropriations subcom- manders that he the U.S. to be ternational Studies. “You could mittee only that Cyber Com- able to impact Islamic State op- disrupt their support networks, mand is beginning to conduct erations without diminishing their business networks, their operations against the Islamic the indications or warnings U.S. propaganda and recruitment State group. He declined to say intelligence officers can glean networks.” more in a public However, setting. Lewis added, the The more U.S. needs to be aggressive atcareful about tacks come after Several U.S. officials spoke about disrupting the months of presthe cyber campaign on condition of Internet to insure from Carter, anonymity because they were not sure that attacks who has been authorized to discuss it publicly. don’t also affect frustrated with civilian networks the belief that the or systems needPentagon — and ed for critical inparticularly Cyfrastructure and ber Command — was losing the about what the group is doing. other public necessities. war in the cyber domain. On Jan. 27, Carter and MaU.S. officials have long been Late last year Carter told rine Gen. Joseph Dunford, stymied by militants’ ability to cyber commanders they had chairman of the Joint Chiefs of use the Internet as a vehicle for 30 days to bring him options Staff, went to Fort Meade for an inspiring so-called lone wolf for how the military could use update. attackers in Western nations, its cyberwarfare capabilities Officials familiar with Cart- radicalized after reading propaagainst the group’s deadly in- er’s meetings said the secretary ganda easily available online. surgency across Iraq and Syria, was frustrated that as Cyber “Why should they be able and spreading to Libya and Command has grown and de- to communicate? Why should Afghanistan. Officials said he veloped over the past several they be using the Internet?”

Carter said during testimony before the defence appropriations subcommittee. “The Internet shouldn’t be used for that purpose.” He added that the U.S. can conduct cyber operations under the legal authorities associated with the ongoing war against the Islamic State group. The U.S. has also struggled to defeat high- tech encryption techniques used by Islamic State and other groups to communicate. Experts have been working to find ways to defeat those programs. Cyber Command is relatively new. Created in 2009, it did not begin operating until October 2010. Early on, its key focus was on defending military networks, which are probed and attacked millions of times a day. But defence leaders also argued at length over the emerging issues surrounding cyberwarfare and how it should be incorporated. The Pentagon is building 133 cyber teams by 2018, including 27 that are designed for combat and will work with regional commands to support warfighting operations. There will be 68 teams assigned to defend Defence Department networks and systems, 13 that would respond to major cyberattacks against the U.S. and 25 support teams. ■

Lavrov, Kerry hail start of ceasefire in Syria PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY MOSCOW — Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry hailed the start of ceasefire in Syria in the phone talk on Saturday held at the US request. Also, Lavrov and Kerry discussed prospects for resumption of the intra-Syrian talks and drafting of the UN Security Councils’ resolution on North Korea, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said. “The foreign ministers hailed the start of the cessation of hostilities in Syria and proceeded with discussions about modalities for its full implementation, including a more intensified coordination between defense

agencies of Russia and the United States on a systematic basis,” the ministry said. “Prospects for resumption of an intra-Syrian negotiating process seeking to find a political solution to the conflict with the assistance of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) have been the focus of the talks as well,” it said. The foreign ministers “especially substantiated the importance of close cooperation in these issues between Russia and the United States as the ISSG co-chairs,” the ministry said. Along with this, North Korea was the focus of the phone conversation. Lavrov and Kerry “discussed preparations for working out UN Security Council’s new res-

olution in response to Pyongyang’s nuclear missile activities violating the UN Security Council’s valid decisions,” the ministry said. “Lavrov pointed out that the international community’s reaction should be firm and aimed at cutting off the channels supplying North Korea’s nuclear missile programs but apart from that should take into consideration the current difficult humanitarian situation in that country and so should not inflict any damage on foreign partners’ legitimate ties with it (North Korea) in civilian sectors of the economy,” it said. Besides, Lavrov and Kerry spoke about certain issues on the bilateral agenda, the Russian foreign ministry said. www.canadianinquirer.net

UN Chief’s spokesman says first day of Syrian ceasefire decreased violence UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 28 (PNA/Sputnik) — UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that the first day of the ceasefire in Syria led to reduction in violence in the conflicttorn country. On Monday, Russia and the United States reached an agreement on the ceasefire in Syria. The ceasefire, which excludes such terrorist groups as Islamic State (Daesh) and the Nusra Front (outlawed in Russia) took effect at midnight on Saturday Damascus time (22:00 GMT on Friday). “This is just the first day. So far the cessation of hostilities has led to reduction in violence.

A mechanism had been put in place by those who have influence on the parties to help defuse tensions and facilitate the cessation of hostilities to take hold,” Dujarric told RIA Novosti on Saturday. Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with forces loyal to President Bashar Assad fighting against a number of opposition factions and extremist groups. The international community, including Russia and the Unites States, has been making efforts to settle the crisis. The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution endorsing the Russia-US agreement on the cessation of hostilities in Syria on Friday, shortly before the ceasefire came into force. ■

World News

FRIDAY MARCH 4, 2016

Russia allowing new access to besieged Syrians, says UN food agency chief BY MIKE BLANCHFIELD The Canadian Press

over its skies and politically at the Security Council — she said she appreciates what they are doing now. She said Russia helped the WFP in OTTAWA — The head of the United Na- Wednesday’s air drop of 21 metric tons tions World Food Program says she ap- of aid over Deir el-Zour, which has been preciates Russia’s assistance in helping controlled by extremists from the Isit reach hungry, besieged parts of Syria lamic State of Iraq and the Levant. in recent days. The WFP has also reached the beRussia’s deal with the United States sieged city of Modamiyeh twice in last 10 to cease hostilities in Syria has resulted days, its first access since 2013, she said. in more food reaching hungry people Cousin said Syria’s deterioration in the cities of Modamiyeh and Deir el- leaves her sad, “but I don’t have the luxZour, said Ertharin Cousin, the WFP’s ury of becoming disillusioned.” executive director. The situation, she said, “is making her The U.S. and Russia have agreed to more strident and vocal about the efcease hostilities in Syria at midnight Fri- fects of a failed political solution” by all day in what many see as the best pros- parties. pect for ending its five-year-old civil war “These are children, these are moththat has left 250,000 people dead and ers, these are grandmothers who lived in forced 11 million to flee their homes. a country that not only fed itself before “The good news is that Russia’s recent this crisis, (but) was also the breadbasagreement with the U.S. has resulted in ket for the neighbours (and) has now access that previously, we as humanitar- lost 35 years of development, where the ians, were not able to achieve,” Cousin children were some of the best educated said in an interview in the Middle East.” with The Canadian Many of those Press. children have now The United States been out of school for has accused Syrthree to five years, ian President Bashar We are hopeful she added. Assad of implementthat the ceasefire Cousin said she ing a “surrender or that’s been generally asks for starve” policy that negotiated more money everyit sees as a violation will result in an where she goes, but of the rules of war. opportunity for she’s not pegging the The U.S. has also aca longer term success of her trip on cused Russia of levceasefire that can getting an additional elling airstrikes not begin the political financial commitat terrorists but at discussions that ment. moderate opposiare necessary... She did add, howtion groups fighting ever, that she’d like Assad. to see more longCousin, who is in term development Ottawa for talks with dollars from Canada. the new Trudeau She said she wants to government, said she hopes the current preserve the continuation of what she Russia-U.S. deal leads to a long-term called the steadfast support of past Caceasefire that will end the misery for nadian governments. Syria’s innocent civilians. “WFP has demonstrated to the Cana“We are hopeful that the ceasefire dian people that we’re a good spender of that’s been negotiated will result in an taxpayers’ dollars,” she said. opportunity for a longer term ceasefire “That position has given us the ability that can begin the political discussions to work well with the different governthat are necessary to end what is a hu- ments here in Canada.” manitarian crisis that is the direct result Cousin met Thursday with Internaof failed political action.” tional Development Minister MarieCousin visited Syria in 2014 to see the Claude Bibeau. She also said that the devastation first-hand and gauge the Liberal government’s commitment to ability of her agency’s ability to reach the environment will ultimately help starving people. her agency feed more people in climateImages of starving Syrians have affected areas. shocked the world, and while she “Having Canada back involved in cliwouldn’t comment on Russia’s past ac- mate issues in a very vocal way will make tions — in support of Syria militarily a difference for those we serve.” ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

World News

MARCH 4, 2016

Early election results point to gains by Iranian moderates BY NASSER KARIMI The Associated Press TEHRAN, IRAN — Partial election results in Iran on Saturday point to major gains by reformists and moderates who favour expanding freedoms and engaging with the West, and who defended the recently implemented nuclear deal with world powers against opposition from hard-liners. Friday’s election was the first since last summer’s agreement was finalized, lifting international economic sanctions in exchange for Iran curbing its nuclear program. U.S. officials had hoped the deal would strengthen President Hassan Rouhani and other moderates, paving the way for greater co-operation on other regional issues. Reports in the semi-official Fars and Mehr news agencies showed hard-liners losing ground in the 290-seat legislature. None of Iran’s three main political camps — reformist, conservative and hardline — was expected to capture a majority, but the reformist camp is on track for its best showing in more than a decade. Reformist candidates were set for major gains in Tehran, which sends 30 representatives to the chamber and is seen as a political bellwether. Partial results released by the government showed 26 reformists among the 30 front-runners and just one hard-liner. Mohammad Reza Aref, the most prominent reformist candidate, was at the top of the list, and the sole hard-liner, Gholamali Haddad Adel, was 10th. Some 1.3 million ballots have been counted in Tehran, where turnout is expected to exceed the 2.6 million who voted in 2012. Partial results from Tehran showed moderates also gaining ground in the 88-member Assembly of Experts, which will select the successor to 76-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s top decision-maker since 1989. Rouhani and former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a relative moderate, led in Tehran, which will send 16 candidates to the assembly, the official IRNA news agency reported. Just two hard-liners are currently among the 16. The current assembly has six hard-

Migrants stranded on Greece’s highways as borders close BY COSTAS KANTOURIS AND NICHOLAS PAPHITIS The Associated Press

President Hassan Rouhani casting his vote in the elections. PHOTO FROM ROUHANI’S TWITTER ACCOUNT

liners from Tehran. IRNA initially reported the Assembly of Experts results as final, but later both IRNA and state TV said they were based on a partial tally. Both Rouhani and Rafsanjani currently sit in the assembly, which is elected every eight years and at present includes around 20 moderates. There were no immediate results from other constituencies, and vote counting was still underway. The final results from the elections are expected on Monday. In a statement, Rouhani thanked Iranians for taking part in the election and urged unity, calling for a “new chapter in the growth of the national economy by using domestic strength and foreign opportunities,” a reference to Iran’s openness to foreign investment now that sanctions linked to its nuclear program have been lifted. Iran has dozens of political groupings and organizations, but no major, longstanding parties like in the West. Broadly speaking, the election is a showdown between hard-liners in one camp, and relative moderates supporting Rouhani and reformists on the other. There are also independent conservatives not aligned with either bloc. Nearly 55 million of Iran’s 80 million people were eligible to vote. Participation figures were not immediately available, but Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli on Saturday said turnout likely exceeded 60 per cent based on the partial counting of the votes. Polls closed at midnight and officials immediately began counting the ballots. In the capital, officials counting the ballots in three different districts

told The Associated Press that reformists were leading their hard-line rivals. The officials requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak with reporters. A substantial reformist bloc could herald a major shift in Iran’s internal politics. The hard-line camp is largely made up of loyalists of Rouhani’s predecessor, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who during his two terms in office stoked tensions with the U.S. and cracked down on dissent. Ahmadinejad also alienated large sectors of the conservative camp, leading some moderate conservatives to ally with reformists in this election in a bid to reduce the power of the hard-liners. Reformists last rose to power with the 1997 election of President Mohammad Khatami, followed by 2000 parliamentary elections that brought a reformist majority for the first time. The movement pressed for an easing of Islamic social restrictions, wider freedom of expression and better relations with the West. But their hold on power was broken in the next election in 2004, when reformist candidates were largely barred from running. Ahmadinejad’s victory in 2005 sealed the movement’s downfall. Reformists were virtually shut out of politics until Rouhani was elected in 2013. The presidential election in 2009 was followed by mass protests over alleged voting fraud, but other past elections in Iran have been held without any major disputes. However, the Guardian Council has the right to vet candidates, and this year it disqualified all but 200 of the 3,000 reformist candidates who had hoped to run. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

FRIDAY

IDOMENI, GREECE — Groups of frustrated migrants, including families with small children, walked along northbound Greek highways Thursday hoping to reach Macedonia after authorities stopped their buses to ease a bottleneck on the practically blocked border. It was yet another sign of Europe’s failure to address its worst immigration crisis since the end of World War II. As some 2,000 migrants per day cross illegally into Greece on their way to a better life in the continent’s wealthier north, restrictions imposed by Austria and Balkan nations have left thousands trapped in the financially broken country — which has seen nearly a million arrivals since January 2015. The Greek government underlined its annoyance Thursday by recalling its ambassador to Austria for consultations — “in order to safeguard friendly relations” between the two states, said Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias. Greece does not detain people entering the country illegally if they are from Syria, Iraq and several other countries whose citizens are considered eligible for asylum. Defence Minister Panos Kammenos said about 20,000 migrants are stuck in the country, and pledged to set up new camps near the Macedonian border within the next 10 days that could host them all in “decent” conditions. “We want to at least ensure that these people are not on the highways, or out in the fields, that there are no children on the roads,” he said. Many of the migrants walking along highways Thursday gave up after a few kilometres (miles) and were moved on by police to the next stopping point on the route north — usually a gas-station parking lot. Others managed to find taxis to the Idomeni border crossing, where about 2,800 people were waiting, some for up to four days. But Macedonian authorities only allowed about 100 people to enter on Thursday.

Nadica V’ckova, a spokeswoman for Macedonia’s crisis management department, told the AP that the country was restricting the entry of migrants to match the number leaving the country. Damascus pharmacist Wassim al Mousalli, 37, said he, his wife and children aged 3 and 6 spent two days camped by the Idomeni crossing. “We spent the night in a small tent, the children were very cold,” he said. “I want to reach Germany, and my main question is why are the borders being kept closed.” About 2,000 people arrived Thursday in ferries from the islands at Piraeus, the port of Athens, and nearly 800 more were expected by midnight, the Merchant Marine Ministry said. Normally, they would then take buses straight to Idomeni. But authorities said 40 buses carrying 2,000 migrants were stopped at various points along the country’s main 500-kilometre (310-mile) highway leading north from Athens, to ease the buildup at Idomeni. Traffic has also been slowed by tractor blockades by farmers protesting bailout measures. “It took me 20 hours to get here. The police kept stopping us, but I couldn’t wait,” said 23-year-old Syrian university student Walaa Jbara, speaking near the border and clutching his smartphone. In Athens, two men hanged themselves from a tree in central Victoria Square, an informal staging point for refugees and economic migrants arriving from the Aegean Sea islands, where about 300 people were gathered Thursday. Police said the men, who were rushed to hospital, one unconscious, had tried to draw attention to their predicament. Greece as well as international aid agencies have strongly criticized Austria and Balkan counties for the new transit rules. “All it will do is exacerbate an already grave humanitarian crisis and put the most vulnerable at increased risk,” said Kirk Day of the New York-based International Rescue Committee. ■ Konstantin Testorides in Skopje, Macedonia, and Elena Becatoros and Derek Gatopoulos in Athens contributed.

FRIDAY MARCH 4, 2016

Travel

New Zealand — home of bungee jumping — is an adventure capital BY JEREMY HAINSWORTH The Associated Press QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND — For travellers wanting to take in the mindbogglingly stunning scenery of New Zealand’s South Island while getting a high-octane shot of adrenaline, Queenstown and the surrounding Fiordland area are bucket-list must-dos. Queenstown is not only an adventure tourism capital, but it’s also home to an important place in bungee-jumping history. In November 1988, from Queenstown’s Kawarau Bridge, bungee pioneers A.J. Hackett and Henry van Asch launched one of the world’s first commercially operated bungee jumping sites. More than 27 years later, Kawarau Bridge Bungy remains renowned as one of Queenstown’s most exhilarating activities. While a 141-foot (43-meter) jump might sound insane, not to mention fearpunching and adrenaline-driving, there are those who want more. The region also offers a plethora of other buzz-filled activities sure to knock the complacency out of any travel-weary adventurer. On the list of activities to consider are skydiving, jet boating, kayaking, whitewater rafting and rainforest trekking. And Queenstown can provide it. When it comes to skydiving, jumpers leave the planes operated by NZONE Skydive Queenstown at more than 16,000 feet (4,900 metres) above sea level, well above peaceful Lake Wakatipu and the 2,319-foot (707-meter) heights of the craggy Remarkables mountain range that rivals western Canada’s Rockies in magnificence. There are few, if any, other places in the world where you can do some scenic mountain sightseeing while plunging at a velocity of 124 mph (200 kilometres per hour) for 10,000 feet (3,050 metres) of free fall. In 60 seconds. There are several jump options but my friend Andrew Benson and I went all the way and chose 15,000-foot (4,570-meter) jumps with experienced tandem skydivers. If you’ve never fully experienced being totally present in the moment, skydiving is the only way to go. Nothing else is happening as you plummet earthward before the canopy opens above you. “Do it with someone whose smile gives you joy,” Andrew said.

NZONE also provides skydiving photographers to capture your jump for an extra fee. We took them up on the offer and wound up joining hands with our photographer in mid-air. The mind-blowing rush of the free fall lasted 60 seconds after which we enjoyed five minutes of sailing through clear skies under the chutes’ canopies. Next, a short bus ride from Queenstown’s centre took us to Shotover Jet’s Shotover River launch site. There, we donned black water slickers, emptied our pockets and strapped in for the speedboat ride. The half-hour trip took us at an exhilarating 75 mph (121 kilometres per hour) through the river’s twisting narrow canyons. We could almost reach out and touch canyon walls as the driver took hairpin bends and did 360-degree turns at high speed. “Keep your arms inside the boat,” driver Mike Topp warned us. Indeed, passengers are warned to alert staff if they suffer from a back or neck conditions. Then, a Real Journeys cruise took us through a howling gale through Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Area, and out onto the Tasman Sea. As the threemasted Milford Mariner turned to reenter the sound, waves blasted the side of the boat. We got soaked but Andrew was dancing with glee like a little kid as I howled and grinned. Around us, mist-embraced mountains poured waterfalls thousands of feet into the sound’s waters. While most enjoy a more sedate cruise on sunnier days, we leaned at angles approaching 45 degrees on the bow in winds approaching 70 kilometres an hour (43 mph). It had been our intention to fly in by helicopter and kayak the sound with some hiking through the coastal rainforest. We went for the cruise when the weather dampened the original plan. Either way, we were going to get wet - and we didn’t care. Another option for the sound is the four-day hike of the Milford Track, reputed to be one of the world’s best hikes. Next time! In all, we spent two weeks in New Zealand, exploring the Coromandel Peninsula’s beaches, skirting Tongariro National Park to see Mount Ngauruhoe, which was used as a stand-in for the fic-

Pipeline Bungy Bridge in Queenstown, New Zealand is 240 feet (73 meters) high! DAVID HOLT / FLICKR

tional Mount Doom in “The Lord of the Rings” films, and watching little blue penguins tumble out of the sea at night onto the beach at the Otago Peninsula near Dunedin. However, it was Queenstown with its high-octane thrills that captured our hearts and leaving us gasping breathless for more. Or, at the very least, lying on the grass after we got our skydive suits off gazing at others descending and muttering, “Man, what a ride.” ■ If You Go:

QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND: Adventure activities are offered by nu-

www.canadianinquirer.net

merous companies around Shotover and Camp streets, where the visitor information centre is also located. If you arrive by camper van, use a designated campsite as you can be fined for camping in an unapproved spot. Shotover Jet, http:// www.shotoverjet.com/, NZone Skydive, http://www.nzoneskydive.co.nz/home, Real Journeys Milford Sound Nature Cruises, http://bit.ly/1sB8CMX. Queenstown is a year-round destination but transforms into a ski resort during the winter (June, July and August are the coldest months there). GETTING THERE: International travellers typically fly to Auckland, New Zealand, and from there to Queenstown.

Travel

MARCH 4, 2016

FRIDAY

Early arrival of icebergs near Newfoundland coast set off social media buzz BY SUE BAILEY The Canadian Press

Ottawa River at Lacs-du-Témiscamingue.

P199 / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Quebec to spend $36 million on northern wilderness park dev‘t THE CANADIAN PRESS TEMISCAMING, QUE. — The Quebec government says it will spend $36 million to develop Parc national d’Opemican, a 252-square-kilometre tract of lakes, rivers and old pine forests in the Abitibi-Temiscamingue region along the Ontario border. The work, expected to be completed in about three years, will include the creation of a main park hub, Pointe-Opemican, on Lac Temiscamingue. The site was a centre of forestry operations in the region for about a century, until the 1980s, and needs to be decontaminated to remove metal, fuel, lead and other materials left by the industry, park direc-

tor Dany Gareau said. Heritage forestry buildings will be restored for use as museums. Two secondary hubs will be dedicated to activities including canoeing, kayaking and fishing. Hiking trails will be developed along the Kipawa River, a top-ranked destination for river kayaking, Gareau said. The park, created in 2013, will remain open to visitors while the work continues. The provincial government projects annual economic benefits for the region of $7.5 million when the park has reached its full potential in about a decade. The southern edge of the park is about one hour’s drive north of North Bay, Ont. ■

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — Nature’s frozen carvings drift through Iceberg Alley each spring and summer but early arrivals near Newfoundland’s eastern shores have already lit up social media. Eric Abbott did a double take in mid-January when he first saw a giant slab off Elliston, N.L. Since then, his photos of it and another water-sculpted berg off the pretty coastal town of Bonavista have drawn admirers from around the province and beyond. “Most of the time I’ve seen them in March or April,” he said in an interview. “There’s people saying ‘Eric, you think they’ll be there in March month?’ I say: ‘My darling, the one in Elliston is grounded, it’s only shifting back and forth. I allow it’ll be there in August.”’ Many Newfoundlanders who posted photos of an iceberg spotted in mid-February off Signal Hill in St. John’s said it’s the earliest they can remember big ice showing up. Byron Briggs, superintendent of Atlantic region ice operations for the Canadian Coast Guard, said it’s not unusual to have icebergs off Newfound-

land’s east coast this time of year. “The difference being this time, some of them are close enough to shore for people to see. In 2014 there were definitely more bergs than there are now, but most of them were about 100 miles off.” Only ships out to sea would have caught a glimpse, Briggs said in an interview. Icebergs have to be within about 20 kilometres of shore to be visible from land, he added. Gabrielle McGrath, commander of the United States Coast Guard International Ice Patrol, has done recent surveillance flights over the region. The patrol was formed after the Titanic disaster in 1912, and works with Canadian partners to track icebergs in North Atlantic shipping lanes. More than 20 bergs have so far been spotted in those lanes and many more originating from Greenland glaciers are heading south, McGrath said in an interview. “It’s hard to give a prediction exactly, but I think there is a potential to have a decent amount of icebergs this year.” McGrath said an interesting weather pattern of cold and warm spells combined with storm systems help explain a few things. “Some of the bergs have been

pushed onshore maybe a little earlier than they would in the past.” Icebergs photographed close to Newfoundland and Labrador coastlines in past years have reached 45 metres in height while long, flat tabular giants have been estimated at five kilometres in length or more. Waves mould them into spectacular shapes that resemble cathedrals, pyramids and glass archways streaked with blue — and sometimes running with waterfalls. They are believed to be at least 12,000-year-old specimens of pure water. Cecil Stockley, owner and operator of Iceberg Man tours in Twillingate on Newfoundland’s northeast coast, takes groups out starting in May. In recent years he has hosted visitors from across North and Central America and as far away as Russia, China and Japan. “They come looking for icebergs.” To avoid disappointment, Stockley urges tourists to check in with local operators before they make the trip. The luckiest visitors see a natural wonder that never fails to amaze him. “It’s the history they can reveal,” he said. “It’s the raw beauty.” ■

Hydrate often and other tips on how to handle long flights BY ALICIA RANCILIO The Associated Press NEW YORK — Professional nomad Brandon Presser (he’s written more than 50 travel books) has been on countless long flights. He can’t help your seat assignment (i.e. a last row, middle seat by the bathroom) or boredom but Presser does have tips for flying so you’re ready to hit the ground running when you arrive. Pack smart

“I pack pretty methodically

for a long flight in my carry-on. I have a kit that has everything that you would want, eye drops, Advil, moisturizer.” Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate

“I drink a ton of water, mostly because it gets you up to go to the bathroom and you stretch your legs. Drinking a lot of water really helps. And drinking way more than you think. Way more. Have you seen what an empty (water) bottle looks like at the end of a flight? All crumpled? That’s what flying does to your insides. If you’re like, ‘Oh, I’ve had a litre of wa-

ter. I’m fine.’ No, no, no. Drink two.” Avoid alcohol

“Don’t drink alcohol on a flight. I mean, it’s fun but it really does damage. I find that I bounce back a lot quicker than everyone else because I follow these very simple things.” Skip the sleeping pill

“I never take sleeping pills on a flight, ever, just in case I need to be lucid. Take a sleeping pill when you get there and get checked into the hotel and it’s really time to go to bed.” ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

Before you get to your dream destination, make sure you are prepared for the flights back and forth.

FRIDAY MARCH 4, 2016

www.canadianinquirer.net F PhilippineCanadianInquirer

T PhilCanInquirer

m info@canadianinquirer.net sales@canadianinquirer.net

A (888) 668-6059

www.canadianinquirer.net

Community News

MARCH 4, 2016

FRIDAY

Senator Enverga concerned about report on assisted dying SEN. TOBIAS C. Enverga Jr. received the final report of the Special Joint Committee on Physician-Assisted Dying with great concern. “I am morally and ethically opposed to any action that ends another human being’s life, and that denies a person the natural life cycle from conception to natural death,” said Senator Enverga in a statement following the tabling of the report in both houses of Parliament. “Bishop Samuel J. Aquila once said, ‘… we must have the courage to proclaim the culture of life for the common good of society. This is a duty and responsibility …’ I am taking this duty seriously in my work as a senator and will do my part to ensure that we protect those

most vulnerable in our society from severe risk of harm,” the Senator added. The report is the latest step in the process to comply with the Supreme Court of Canada’s judgement in Carter v. Canada (Attorney General), which has given Parliament until June 6, to provide a legislative framework under which persons can obtain assistance in ending their lives before natural death occurs. “I am reading the report with grave concern, noting a clear lack of safeguards and protection of the vulnerable that are found in other jurisdictions’ relevant legislation on physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia. This report opens the door for minors, persons below the age of 18, to access as-

sisted dying three years down the road; it recommends that persons with psychiatric condition should not be excluded from receiving medical assistance in dying; and it recommends forcing physicians who oppose the practice based on their conscience to refer patients to other willing physicians, rather than providing information to the patient and reporting the patient’s wishes to a government agency. There is still much study needed, and I will ensure that the voice of those who are concerned about this report is heard in the Senate of Canada when we debate the report and the forthcoming legislative proposals from the government,” Senator Enverga concluded. ■

Local artists sizzle for a cause THE RECENT post-Valentine benefit concert for Team Canada Crossover in Markham, ON started with Elle Romano, a local music artist and set the tone of one of the evening's main performers- Keena Cerezo. Keena Cerezo of Josie De Leon Performing Arts came in for her set (five songs in a row) with a punch as she glides in perfect execution with her every song. Keeana was a firepower, at times, incredibly intense. Her movements, a trademark of a singer who knows how to deliver were precise and lovely. The guests were glued on their seats as this young musical talent from Whitby, Ontario perfectly control her platform. It was beautiful, it was electrifying. She was moving gracefully and her vocals drowned the room with so much energy. This is a new Keeana Cerezo and she just revealed herself. What a gorgeous performance. It was like she has completely departed from her old mellow performances. But aside from sharing her musical talent, Keena understood the essence of her performance that evening wasn't about earning money. It was an all out support to a group of high school boys who love to play basketball comprising Team Canada Crossover who are leaving to compete in the Philippines. Keena gave her

Performers for a cause.

heart out and letting her performance electrify the moment. Young artists are taught the value of being supportive and the importance of community. This one night performance does not just showcase a gifted artist. It is also a valuable memory of taking pride in helping a noble undertaking. It will be remembered and as member of the community myself, we will all look forward to a successful career in music. Raffy Gomez punctuated and raised the curtain for the finale performer- Fienness Mendoza. She is hardly seen in public and other gatherings except when performing for charitable projects. Fien is content living invisibly like many 14-year-olds who prefer to stay home. On or-

dinary days, she's one of those blending in well among ordinary people. But behind the quiet persona, a voice that spew emotional arrows putting her audience in utmost reverie. Fien’s voice is calm and subtle you wanted to exit the door for a smoke but before you reach the door knob comes the knock out. She transposes. One needs to go back to his/her seat before she reached the high notes. That moment when this young emerging music artist dismantle her beautiful face and puts you in a trance; it's incredible. Her voice is smooth, appealingly sweet. It is this kind of vocals reminiscent of Whitney Houston, or perhaps, Jennifer Hudson that penetrates your soul. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

File photo of Senator Enverga attending the committee as an observer.

Coalition for worker rights calls for changes in Foreign Worker Program THE COALITION for Migrant Worker Rights Canada (CMWRC), the representative body of migrant workers in the country, is calling for an end to the discriminatory practice of tying migrant workers to specific employers and transition towards permanent immigration status upon arrival for all migrant workers. With membership in six provinces, the CMWRC is a coalition of organizations representing Canadian born and migrant worker groups from coast to coast to coast, aimed at improving work conditions for all workers. CMWRC believes that the review of the program must result in improved living and working conditions for caregivers, seasonal agricultural workers and other low-wage temporary foreign workers that make up the Temporary Foreign Workers Program. “Under the previous government, we saw a $1,000 processing fees imposed on employers which was sometimes downloaded to the workers themselves; a restriction of four years for workers to stay here; and many exclusions on migrant

worker permits which made it so that workers couldn’t leave bad jobs,” says Marco Luciano from Migrante Canada which represents migrant workers in Alberta. “Any review of the Foreign Worker Program should end these exclusions and move towards open work permits and ensure permanent status on landing.” Under current laws, work sites with over 10 workers are subject to progressive “caps” on the percentage of migrant workers in their total workforce each year, from 30%, to 20%, to 10% in July 2016. Migrant workers as a result are forced out of jobs they have held for years. No new permits are being issued in food, retail and accommodation sector regions with unemployment greater than six percent, this has effectively locked workers already here in to their jobs greatly increasing the chances of exploitation. “Canada has a seasonal economy, and seasonal industry has come to depend on migrant workers to keep things running,” says Josie Baker of the ❱❱ PAGE 32 Coalition for

FRIDAY MARCH 4, 2016

Entertainment

Pokwang nixes Madonna makes surprise visits comedy queen title to Manila children’s shelters BY MARINEL R. CRUZ Philippine Daily Inquirer COMEDIENNE POKWANG refuses to be called the reigning Kapamilya comedy queen, admitting that she still has a lot to learn as an actress. “Accepting that title will put too much pressure on my shoulders. I’m just happy because I’m slowly able to achieve my life goals,” Pokwang said at a recent media gathering for her latest soap series, “We Will Survive.” She further explained: “I still have a lot to improve on as an actress. That’s what I want to focus on right now.” Pokwang, who has been in the business for 12 years now, said she had her share of problems that she thankfully was able “to survive.” “The saddest was when our noontime show, ‘Wowowee,’ was replaced (in 2010),” she said. “I really loved that show. I enjoyed hosting so much.” She continued: “I was able to survive it because I had the full trust of my network bosses. They took care of me by giving me worthwhile projects.” Pokwang plays Wilma in “We Will Survive.” She will work closely with another comedienne, Melai Cantiveros, who plays Maricel. “I may be older than Melai and act like her big sister most of the time, but I also learn a lot from her—like how she handles her married life. She’s actually

Comedienne Pokwang.

very mature,” Pokwang shared with the INQUIRER. “Her life story is inspiring. I’ve been her supporter since she joined ‘Pinoy Big Brother’ and actually voted for her.” Also part of the cast are Regine Angeles and Bea Saw, who play Wilma and Maricel’s friends, Sheila and Ana Fe, respectively. Business unit head Ginny Monteagudo-Ocampo said her team chose “WeWill Survive” as the followup to their successful drama show, “Ningning,” because “the characters of Melai and Pokwang are unique and refreshing.” Resilient survivors

“Filipinos are very resilient. We’re survivors, and we should be proud that we are,” she observed. “The show will highlight the Filipino people’s strength and ability to face problems not just as individuals, but as a nation.” “We Will Survive” will replace the ABS-CBN drama, “Pasion de Amor,” today. Pokwang admitted to feeling apprehensive because, she said, her program has big shoes to fill. “The show will offer something new—a different flavor to the usual fare. The gorgeous cast members of ‘ Pasion de Amor’ showed their abs. Mayroon din kaming abs, nasa mukha nga lang.” “We Will Survive,” directed by Jeffrey Jeturian, also features Carlo Aquino, Jeric Raval, Alcris Galura, Maris Racal and Vangie Labalan. ■

SCREENSHOT FROM YOUTUBE

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Madonna made surprise visits to two Manila shelters for orphans and street children, taking selfies with kids a day before the pop star begins her two-night concert stint in the Philippine capital. Pictures on her Instagram account showed her carrying a baby in one arm while holding hands with a girl guiding her on a tour of the Hospicio de San Jose orphanage on Tuesday. At the Bahay Tuluyan shelter for street kids, she sat on a tarpaulin mat with children. “Chillin’ with my Homies at the Bahay Tuluyan Foundation Inc. giving shelter to orphans street children trafficking/ abuse victims in Manila!!” Madonna captioned a selfie taken with three kids as they lay on the mat. Officials at the shelter were told Monday that Madonna’s dancers were going to visit, but they did not find out that Madonna herself was also coming until an hour before her arrival, said Catherine Scerri the deputy executive director of the Ba-

Pop icon Madonna on tour.

hay Tuluyan. She said the children did a couple of dances before being joined by Madonna’s dancers. Madonna asked the officials about the centre’s program and whether the children attended school, but she spent most of her 45-minute visit with the kids, Scerri added. Anne dela Cruz, an official with the Hospicio de San Jose

YAKUB88 / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

orphanage, also said Madonna’s visit was a surprise, but declined to give further details. Madonna’s staff asked both facilities not to take photos of the visits, officials at the centres said. Madonna plays Manila’s Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday and Thursday, the latest stops on her “Rebel Heart” world tour. ■

Fifth time’s the Oscar charm for best actor DiCaprio BY LYNN ELBER The Associated Press LOS ANGELES — After five nominations, Leonardo DiCaprio finally got his Oscar. And he couldn’t resist sharing it with planet Earth. The environmentally minded actor, who was honoured Sunday as best actor for “The Revenant,” split his acceptance speech between lauding colleagues including his Oscarwinning director, Alejandro Inwww.canadianinquirer.net

arritu, and calling for action to combat global warming. “Climate change is real. It is happening right now,” DiCaprio said. “It is the most urgent threat facing our entire species, and we need to work collectively together and stop procrastinating. We need to support leaders around the world who do not speak for the big polluters or the big corporations” but for all people. DiCaprio was the Oscar front-runner for his portrayal of frontiersman Hugh Glass in

the revenge tale. His first acting nod, for a supporting role, came in 1994 for “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape,” followed by lead actor nominations for “The Aviator,” “Blood Diamond” and “The Wolf of Wall Street.” It was Inarritu who finally brought him Oscar gold. The Mexican filmmaker himself had a big night, winning his second consecutive director trophy after last year’s honour for ❱❱ PAGE 32 Fifth time’s

Entertainment

Cooper Institute who works with migrant workers in Prince Edward Island. “We need to rebuild our rural communities, but we have to face the reality that thousands of our neighbours are captive workers tied to a single employer, unable to re-unite with their families. We need to ensure that migrant workers have the same rights as everyone else.” “Migrant workers are still being talked about as if they were an endless commodity Canada can bring in and send away whenever they feel like. There is no mention about the human and labor rights abuses this program gave way to, and the only issue that seems to be a problem is whether Canada has enough of this "product" or not,” says Enrique Illanes from the Immigrant Workers Centre that supports migrant workers in Quebec. “We need to shift the discussion to how to reformulate a program that leaves many workers unprotected and exposed, as well as ensuring labor and human rights for all workers in Canada.” “For the last 50 years, the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program (SAWP) has brought tens of thousands of migrant workers from the Caribbean and Mexico annually to work in fields across Canada. These workers who risk life and limb in often unsafe work conditions to put food on the table,” says Chris Ramsaroop of Justicia for Migrant

Workers that supports agricultural workers in Ontario. “This government has the opportunity to end half a century of injustice, and ensure permanent immigration status on landing for agricultural workers.” “Migrant caregivers take care of children, the sick and the elderly, they safeguard our future and do critical work that benefits Canadian families and the Canadian economy. Their right to apply for permanent residence was taken away by the previous government and replaced by a quota that restricts their ability to stay. Tied work permits make it nearly impossible for caregivers to switch jobs if they are in exploitative employment situations,” says Natalie Drolet of the West Coast Domestic Workers Association which serves Caregivers in British Columbia. “Caregivers should be able to switch jobs like other workers in Canada, and have open work permits immediately, as well as permanent immigration status on landing.” “Here in Manitoba, we have seen that strong regulatory protections against recruiters, and providing decent healthcare and labour protections results in better work for everyone,” says Diwa Marcelino with Migrante in Winnipeg, MB. “Now it is time for the federal government to keep its end of the bargain, and extend federal protections.” ■ Coalition for Migrant Worker Rights Canada

Fifth time’s... “Birdman.” “As the history of cinema unfolds, you have forged your way into history these past two years. What an unbelievable talent you are,” DiCaprio said of the Mexican director. He also reached back to his past to recognize others including Martin Scorsese, who directed him in several films including “Wolf” and “The Aviator.” The director taught “me so much about the cinematic art form,” DiCaprio said. Backstage, the actor was asked about the pre-Oscar support for him, including on social media. “It all feels incredibly sur❰❰ 31

FRIDAY

All the general’s men

Coalition for... ❰❰ 30

MARCH 4, 2016

real,” he said. Picking up the climatechange issue again, DiCaprio said he is as obsessed with the issue as he is with filmmaking, and appreciated having the chance to reach millions of Oscar viewers with his message. “I feel so overwhelmed with gratitude for what happened tonight, but I feel there is a ticking clock out there” demanding action, he said. He’s working on a documentary that has taken him around the world and put him contact with experts on the subject. He called on voters to support leaders who recognize the peril, not those who deny science and are on what he called “the wrong side of history.” ■

Three stars of ‘Heneral Luna’ were ‘surprised’ that a historical film became a hit BY BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR. Philippine Daily Inquirer WHEN JERROLD Tarog’s “Heneral Luna” was shown at the INQUIRER office recently, as a 30th anniversary treat to the paper’s employees, three of the historical epic’s stars dropped by for a postscreening chat as well. Epy Quizon (who played Apolinario Mabini), Alvin Anson (Gen. Jose Alejandrino) and Jun Jun Quintana (Jose Rizal) candidly admitted that they were “surprised” by the film’s unexpected success. They have seen the movie more than once (Anson watched it at least 10 times). Anson and Quintana gladly watched it again when it was screened to inaugurate the spiffy, 60-seater art-house Cinema ‘76, established by the same team behind “Heneral Luna”—Artikulo Uno, Buchi Boy and Tuko Films. (Cinema ‘76 is at 160 Luna Mencias St., San Juan.) The three actors, who auditioned for their respective roles like the rest of the cast, are still slightly bemused by the hype and hoopla—but they are keenly aware of the movie’s importance to, and impact on, filmmaking in particular and Philippine society in general. Were you surprised that “Heneral Luna” was a hit? Alvin Anson (AA): We were all taken aback. Epy Quizon (EQ): I never thought it would become a hit. We couldn’t believe it at first. On the first week, we were all depressed. AA: In the first few weeks, only students watched it with us in the theaters. Jun Jun Quintana (JQ): We never thought it would click with the audience. We took a big risk in making a historical film. We were glad that it did well. When did you notice the turnaround? EQ: We realized it was doing well when we started receiving invitations for all sorts of engagements. Every day, we had an invitation to attend this or that event. Bosses of big companies, who used to ignore us, www.canadianinquirer.net

HENERAL LUNA MOVIE / FACEBOOK

started having selfies taken with us. JQ: Two weeks after it opened, I found out on Facebook that it was getting a lot of attention from people. AA: We really have to thank the people on social media. They were the ones who made it a hit. The movie was already pulled out by some cinema chains, but it was brought back when it exploded online. And it was shown in theaters for nine weeks! Is it true that someone asked you why Mabini, the Sublime Paralytic, was always seated in the film? EQ: Yeah! I was in a Persian restaurant and young fans asked me who Mabini was… Days later, a similar meme was posted online, asking why Mabini was always seated in the movie. I just had to write a comment on Facebook. It gave a negative impression of our educational system. Then, it became a big issue and reached President Aquino. Coincidentally, I hosted a Knowledge Channel workshop for school superintendents and (Education Secretary) Brother Armin Luistro was present. Hats off to Brother Armin. In his speech, he acknowledged that there was a problem, and that it was everyone’s concern— not just the educators, but every Filipino should get involved. It’s our responsibility to teach the youth about our history.

Is that the reason to keep making historical films? AA: What was equally important was the approach of Jerrold… The storytelling was modern and not boring. At the end of the day, it has to be entertaining, too. Otherwise, it might look like a documentary. EQ: The secret was the characters were not put in a box. We saw the people behind the heroes. They were humanized. And the language and humor were very Filipino. JQ: We should know about our past so we would understand the present condition of our society. What was the shoot like for you? JQ: We rehearsed Rizal’s execution scene a day before the actual shoot. It went well naman. Very fluid. The most complicated part was the timing of the gunshot. But we were able to execute it properly. It was the cameraman who got tired, because it was a long, continuous shot with no cuts. EQ: I didn’t really have to prepare, because Mabini is one of my childhood idols, along with Rizal and Andres Bonifacio. I am a chess player and for me, Mabini was the best strategist during the revolution. AA: As early as the audition phase, I saw that things were very organized. We were even asked to sign a nondisclosure form—to keep the process a secret. ■

Entertainment

FRIDAY MARCH 4, 2016

Toronto pop sensation the Weeknd turns to hometown label Dalla for formal wear BY LAUREN LA ROSE The Canadian Press TORONTO — The Weeknd has catapulted to international stardom, but the Toronto pop sensation has stayed fashionably faithful to his hometown — and Hussein Dhalla has reaped the benefits. The Toronto designer behind the menswear label Dalla dressed the Grammy winner and Oscar nominee for recent events south of the border. The fashion house shared images on Instagram of the Weeknd sporting a sleek black tux at an American Music Awards bash hosted by hip-hop mogul Sean (Diddy) Combs. The singer-songwriter also wore a lush cobalt blue jacket with black trim designed by Dhalla at a New Year’s fete. “He’s a really cool guy,” Dhalla said backstage following his runway show at Toronto Men’s Fashion Week. “I look at him like I look at any other client, and I look at the end result of what I want to

KAYLA JOHNSON / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS / CC BY 2.0

do. I look at it as a project and what we’re trying to achieve with the look of what we’re doing. It’s great working with him. He’s a really humble guy, and it’s a great opportunity.” Last fall, Dhalla met oneon-one with the Weeknd (real name: Abel Tesfaye) in his hotel room for about two hours where he was able to learn more about the acclaimed artist and

his style. “It’s more about just putting on clothes — it’s about building relationships. So, we got to build a really good relationship at the same time.” The self-taught designer and stylist has managed to carve out his own niche in the ever-evolving menswear realm, with plans to open a flagship location in Toronto’s fashion district this May.

He looked to deliver a modern spin on the Middle Ages with his fall-winter line unveiled at Toronto Men’s Fashion Week. Models sported chain-mail head coverings and vests, which offered a striking contrast to crisply tailored outerwear in black, white and grey hues. Jackets boldly featured largescale houndstooth prints, horizontal stripes, fur-trimmed

collars and shimmering fabrics. The collection also played with proportion, with asymmetrical hems and collars and eyecatching accents like oversized safety pins. “It was a medieval theme, very dark, very edgy,” said Dhalla. “I’ve been known, when I first started, to be a guy who makes really nice tuxedos. And I wanted to show people something different in this collection. I didn’t focus too much heavily onto blazers or sport coats. I focused more on pants and three-quarter length jackets and even other blazers that weren’t traditional. “I wanted it to be very regal and royal and elegant, and I felt that these are the textures and materials I need to use to get that look.” And who does Dhalla have in mind when he’s designing his line? “I think it’s for a guy that maybe wants to take a risk, or a guy who’s confident in being able to stand out in a very elegant and classic way.” ■

Clergy victims doubt “Spotlight” Oscar win will bring change BY DENISE LAVOIE The Associated Press BOSTON — Victims of clergy sexual abuse are reveling in the Oscar won by “Spotlight” — the story of The Boston Globe’s investigation into the scandal — but say they don’t hold out much hope that the elevated status from the film’s Best Picture award will prompt changes at the highest levels of the Roman Catholic church. “Spotlight,” starring Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams and Mark Ruffalo, covers the Globe’s work to uncover how dozens of priests in the Archdiocese of Boston had molested and raped children for decades while church higher-ups covered it up and shuffled abusive priests from parish to parish. The film was released in November to accolades from victims who said it gave them a sense of validation after years of

struggling in silence. Even Boston Cardinal Sean O’Malley — appointed to replace Cardinal Bernard Law after he resigned in disgrace — called “Spotlight” a “very powerful and important film.” But victims say they have little hope that the film’s new status as an Oscar winner will lead to some of the things they’ve called for over the years, including complete transparency by the church and the criminal prosecution of church leaders who knew about the abuse but didn’t report the perpetrators to police. “I don’t think the Vatican or the archdiocese will necessarily do more,” said Robert Costello, 54, who was sexually abused by a Boston priest from the late 1960s through 1976. “I think what (the film) is going to do is educate the general public as to what their response or lack of response has been,” said Costello, who agreed to a

civil settlement with the archdiocese. The Globe series was followed by revelations of sex abuse in dioceses around the world. The series won the Pulitzer Prize for public service in 2003. Alexa MacPherson, who was abused in a Boston parish for more than six years starting when she was 3, said she thinks it’s “wonderful” that “Spotlight” won the best picture award, but adds: “The Vatican has been talking the talk, but they haven’t been walking the walk.” “We want to be able to prosecute people criminally for the crimes they committed and not have them hide behind the sanctity of the Vatican walls,” said MacPherson, who also received a civil settlement. Walter Robinson, who led the Globe Spotlight Team that broke open the scandal in 2002, said he believes the film had already had a huge impact — on www.canadianinquirer.net

victims and the church itself — well before it received Oscar awards Sunday for best picture and best screenplay. “We’re at a moment now where bishops around the world are praising the film ... signals that perhaps the church will become more serious about dealing with a problem that still continues,” said Robinson, played by Michael Keaton in the movie. The renewed attention “Spotlight” is receiving comes as one of the highest ranking officials in the church, Vatican finance chief Cardinal George Pell, testifies this week in a public hearing of Australia’s Royal Commission investigating the church’s response to the abuse scandal there. The Vatican newspaper on Monday praised the movie for giving voice to the “profound pain” of the faithful. L’Osservatore quoted producer Michael Sugar’s accep-

tance speech — “Pope Francis, it’s time to protect children and restore the faith” — saying even his appeal was positive. Vatican Radio also praised “Spotlight” as a “rigorous and authentic” reconstruction. The reaction represents a dramatic shift by the Vatican from a decade ago, when the Vatican paper of record was a vehicle for ringing defences of how the Holy See had responded. Boston attorney Mitchell Garabedian, who has represented more than 2,000 clergy sex abuse victims, said that since the movie’s release, he’s received calls from approximately 50 others. “The range of victims coming forward now is anywhere from 25 to 80 years old,” Garabedian said. “The movie has given survivors a sense of self-esteem and self-respect that has been stolen from them and is now being returned.” ■

MARCH 4, 2016

FRIDAY

Lifestyle Living Foundation, who helped bring mindfulness, meditation and yoga to New York city public schools. Instead, mindfulness should be a natural byproduct of a daily meditation practice. “When you just tell someone just go close your eyes and meditate, it can become like a torture. There are a bunch of thoughts and you don’t know want to do with them. Sometimes you feel more restless being aware of all those thoughts,” says Richmond. What kind of classes and apps are out there?

At Unplug Meditation in Los Angeles, students can choose classes to unblock chakras, cultivate intuition or a breathing class set to modern music for $22. In Central Park, 1,500 people signed up for a free group meditation this summer called The Big Quiet and 800 people sold out a New York concert venue, paying $20 to sit in silence. “It’s one of the most profound the moment attitude. chusetts General Hospital. “It experiences you can share with “We’re just ingesting, ingest- challenges this conventional other humans, especially when ing information all day long,” wisdom that as we get older our you’re in the hundreds. There’s Fletcher says. brains shrink in size. That’s true something about being in quiet Adds Salzberg: “We get for most people, but for people and sharing that with a group caught in these spirals of ad- who do have a consistent regu- that creates almost like a vordiction. You remain unful- lar mind body practice that may tex. It’s t like the collective enfilled. That’s why we seek more not necessarily be the case.” ergy of the room starts to swirl and more intensity and more together,” said event organizer and more stimulation in or- I started on my own and it’s Jesse Israel, whose invite-only der to feel content and it never making me feel anxious. Is that Medi Club in New York has works.” normal? grown to 1,000 people who vie Experts stress the impor- for 200 spots at monthly meetAre there any real health tance of starting with a teacher ups. benefits? or one of the numerous apps Emily Fletcher is the host Experts say mindfulness or online videos. For some, a of a new podcast for Gaiam’s offers a rest for the brain, in- YouTube meditation video or a recently launched-app, which creased productivity and the mindfulness exercise without offers nearly two dozen teachability to turn off the unfulfill- guidance might feel forced and ers from different lineages for ing autopilot of the daily grind unfulfilling at first. $2.99. Most are between four and instead live to 15-minutes in the present and Fletcher’s moment. offering include “The mind guided visualbody connection The point is to prevent your mind ization for a first isn’t just somefrom wandering, projecting fear and date, sports perthing you feel. worry from the past and future and formance and There is a physitraining yourself to accept and enjoy test taking. 1 Giology that begins the moment. ant Mind’s free at the molecular app includes level that goes sessions beall the way to the tween 10 and 20 organ level,” said Dr. Darshan “The more you push the minutes with a guide, music or Mehta, medical director of the mind, the more it will do the silence. Headspace’s popular Benson-Henry Institute for opposite,” says Annelies Rich- app offers 10-minute guided Mind Body Medicine at Massa- mond, a director at the Art of meditations. ■

Why mindfulness has become a trend and how you can do it BY KELLI KENNEDY The Associated Press FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. — Drop-in meditation studios are proliferating in major cities like New York and Los Angeles and medi meet-ups are becoming the new book clubs as more people are craving ways to unplug, pushing meditation practices and mindfulness movements from hippie to mainstream. We asked leading meditation and mindfulness teachers to help demystify these ancient traditions. What is mindfulness?

Mindfulness is staying connected to the present moment. “You start to let go of all the accumulated stress and information. So it’s not only a time to not ingest, it’s a time to let the body let go,” says Emily Fletcher, a former Broadway actress and founder of Ziva Meditation in New York which offers in person and online training. Mindfulness also can help curb overeating and other unhealthy habits. The reason: Practicing mindfulness makes one feel more satiated — rath-

er than, for example, rushing through a sandwich while continuing to work, practitioners learn to enjoy every bite, says meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg. What’s the difference between mindfulness and meditation?

While meditating is usually associated with a sitting practice often guided by the breath, mindfulness extends that practice into everyday life and focuses on cultivating awareness in the present. Sometimes compared to mental strength training, mindfulness can be practiced washing the dishes, driving to work, brushing your teeth and during other routine tasks. The point is to prevent your mind from wandering, projecting fear and worry from the past and future and training yourself to accept and enjoy the moment. Why has mindfulness become such a buzzword?

Experts say it’s the antidote to the fast-paced tech world we live in. There’s slowly been a backlash against a distracted, multi-tasking lifestyle to one that is more self-aware, live in

www.canadianinquirer.net

Lifestyle

FRIDAY MARCH 4, 2016

Leap Year has a rich history in marriage proposals BY LEANNE ITALIE The Associated Press

Retail store Fashion 21 is a popular fast-fashion chain.

Italy’s fashion elite resists tendency toward fast fashion BY COLLEEN BARRY The Associated Press MILAN — Behind the scenes at Milan Fashion Week, the industry’s future is shaping up to be a game of fast vs. slow fashion. Word has rippled across the Atlantic Ocean and the English Channel of a movement to speed up the fashion cycle and strut runway creations straight into store windows and consumers’ shopping bags. But that notion faces resistance in the Italian fashion system. Italy, after all, gave birth to the slow food movement in the late 1980s after the arrival of the first McDonald’s in the heart of Rome, seen as an affront to the nation’s world renowned tradition of culinary excellence. So, too, is this new interpretation of fast fashion an anathema to Italian craftsmanship. Carlo Capasa, president of Italy’s fashion chamber, said Italian fashion is driven by “a spirit to create desire,” whereas fast fashion is “to satisfy a need.” “The different between creating a desire and satisfying a need is the difference between slow fashion and fast fashion,” he said. Not only does it take time and research to create fashion innovations — both in terms of innovative designs and new techniques — it takes time for the public to fully grasp them, he said. “Because if a creator is a true creative, he is proposing something that doesn’t really exist,” he said, making the incubation period between presentation and sale important “for people to understand the message.”

Mario Boselli, the honorary chairman of Italy’s fashion chamber, views the debate as a contrast between the U.S. and U.K. business models in the fashion industry and the approach favoured by the French and Italians. “New York has always been the land of branding and marketing. We and France, we are more the area of creativity and manufacturing,” Boselli said. “I think the logic is different. They follow their interest, we follow ours.” And what if consumers can’t wait? “The world is wide and varied,” Boselli replied. Designers themselves see an inherent danger in immediately gratifying the push for novelty, what Ennio Capasa, the founder of Costume National, called “the crisis of Twitter” that has caused youth to quickly grow tired of things. “The risk of satisfying the market is to not spark emotions. The system becomes flat, less emotional. It does not favour us designers,” said Ennio Capasa, who is also the fashion chamber president’s brother. For Fausto Puglisi, an Italian designer who first found success in the United States, the idea of shortening the cycle is wearying. “People should understand, if you make something that is about research and luxury and beauty, it needs time,” Puglisi said. “I don’t understand what is going to happen in the future. We can kill ourselves.” “This is another story,” Carlo Capasa said. “This is communication. If that becomes a form of communication, this is good.” ■

NEW YORK — Leap Year is more than just a quirky thing that happens to newborns on the occasional 29th of February. The extra day that rolls around every four years, including 2016, includes a world of lore related to women — gasp! — popping the marriage question to men. Here’s a look at that magical mark on the calendar as it relates to love and marriage, courtesy of Monmouth University historian Katherine Parkin, who has researched the topic. Glittering mockery

The year was 1904 when syndicated columnist Elizabeth Meriwether Gilmer, aka Dorothy Dix, summed up the Leap Day proposal tradition this way: “Of course people will say ... that a woman’s leap year prerogative, like most of her liberties, is merely a glittering mockery.” Parkin said this pre-Sadie Hawkins tradition, however serious or tongue-in-cheek, could have empowered women but merely perpetuated stereotypes. The proposals were to happen via postcard, but many such cards turned the tables and poked mean fun at women instead. The end result? Leap year, according to Parkin, served to reinforce traditional gender roles. The marketing

Advertising perpetuated the marriage games in Leap Years. Parkin, in a 2012 paper in the Journal of Family History, offered one solid example. A 1916 ad by the American Industrial Bank and Trust Co. read thusly: “This being Leap Year day, we suggest to every girl that she propose to her father to open a savings account in her name in our own bank.” That, Parkin said, further undercuts the idea that Leap Year somehow offered a breath of independence. Baseball Digest took to running articles showing off bachelor players during some Leap Years in the 1950s and ‘60s, listwww.canadianinquirer.net

ing them by hair and eye colour, religion and whether they batted left or right. “They were trying to persuade women they were a good catch,” Parkin said. “They encouraged single women to window shop.”

World War II. The women outnumbered the men. There was a stag line and women were allowed to cut in on dances. “Women were in control and had charge of the night,” Parkin said. The postcards

Origins of leap proposals

There’s a distant European past. One story places it in fifth century Ireland, with St. Bridget appealing to St. Patrick to offer women the chance to ask men to marry them, Parkin wrote. Another tale is focused on Queen Margaret of Scotland and a law she supposedly passed in 1228 ordering a man reluctant to accept a woman’s proposal to pay a fine or present her with a silk gown to make up for his bad attitude. “I think that’s all pretend,” Parker said. Nobody really knows where it all began. “We know that (cartoonist) Al Capp started Sadie Hawkins. We can see that history unfold. This is more anomalous than that,” she said. As for the existence of Leap Year itself, history has it that in 46 BCE, Julius Caesar came up with the adjustment to ensure the seasons remain aligned with the calendar. Further adjustments were needed when the Gregorian calendar came along. Leap year parties

By the 1780s, there were leap year parties that allowed girls to ask boys for a dance — but on just the one night. Ellen Tucker Emerson described the experience in an 1860 letter to her dad, Ralph Waldo Emerson. She said a promenade was held after the dancing with the boys leaning on the girls’ arms and being fanned. “It was very funny and they all had a rousing time,” she concluded. One elite Leap Year party was held in New York City every four years, starting in 1924 and continuing through 1968. It was one of the most prominent, held at times at the RitzCarlton, and was skipped just one time in that period, during

Based on a longstanding Valentine’s Day tradition of “using the mail to court and shame,” penny postcard makers produced Leap Year cards in the early 20th century, Parkin said. Most used humour to “dissuade women from actually exercising their prerogative to propose.” Guns were common in the imagery as early as 1904, depicting women using them and other weapons such as bows and arrows, lassos and nets to snare men. The other tool depicted on the cards was money, with women holding bags of it to set their marriage traps. Dix returned often to Leap Year issues throughout her nearly 50-year career, urging women to give up the idea of proposing by letter or postcard. She counselled them to come right out with it in person. Though Leap Year was filled with biting humour, marriage was no joke to Dix. She had been pressured into marriage by her family and found herself supporting them both due to her mate’s mental illness and inability to hold a job. In 1928, she wrote: “The right to pop the question is the only right that men have now that women do not possess. They have the same right that men have to vote, to own property, to attend institutions of higher learning, to follow any business or professional career for which they have the brains and a hankering.” Dix continued: “The only masculine right that is denied them is the right to choose their mates. And this is the greatest right of all, for the privilege of helping pick out the town dogcatcher or deciding on who is going to be President for the next four years is a poor thing compared with the privilege of picking out the father of your children and the man with whom you are going to have to live for the next forty years.” ■

MARCH 4, 2016

FRIDAY

Business

Further economic liberalization in PH pushed BY DORIS DUMLAOABADILLA Philippine Daily Inquirer THE NEXT Philippine president must be able to champion economic liberalization as a way to boost the country’s productivity and global competitiveness, and to attract more foreign direct investments (FDIs), an economist from American banking giant Citigroup said. In a Feb. 19 research note “Philippines Economics View: Candidates’ Evolving Policy Agenda and Continuity Risk Implications,” Citi Philippines economist Jun Trinidad said the presidential candidates’ recognition of the infrastructure gap and potential links to improving agriculture, and industrial competitiveness was easing continuity risk. But just like in previous elections, the economist said most presidential candidates held a strong ‘insular’ bias “perhaps due to domestic poverty and other economic issues closest to the heart of the average voter.” Outside the infrastructure issue, the research noted that most candidates have failed to articulate their stance on amending the foreign ownership limits of the 1987 Constitution. “We believe liberalizing the foreign investment negative list (FINL) by allowing higher foreign ownership limits, which set a maximum of 40 percent for infrastructure, utilities and most service sectors (except BPO and banks), would offer strong investment opportunities, and fewer constraints on foreign investor participation in the big-ticket PPP (publicprivate partnership) projects,” Trinidad said. Trinidad said easing the FINL and amending the economic restrictions in the constitution could entice more local and foreign investments and expose these sectors to global business

Tax group blasts Pfizer, urges stop to its tax cutting deal BY LINDA A. JOHNSON The Associated Press

Trinidad said easing the FINL and amending the economic restrictions in the constitution could entice more local and foreign investments.

practices, new technologies and management systems. “Liberalizing FINL offers a strong positive signal to the investor community while completing the basic legal work the country needs to be fully committed to TPP (Trans-Pacific partnership agreement) and other free trading agreements, which include granting foreign investors/trading partners liberal access to the services industry/markets,” he added. TPP is an an economic grouping of nations intending to boost trade and investments by dismantling trade barriers. In the Asean, only Singapore and Vietnam have so far signed up but the Philippines has expressed interest to join in the future. The Citi research noted that most candidates had expressed strong bias to prioritize agriculture among the economic sectors that need strong fiscal support. However, it noted that not many specifics were offered on how to modernize agriculture other than to provide agribased infrastructure and establish economic zones. The research also looked at potential ‘bluesky’ economic effects assuming the infrastructure pledge and constitutional amendments go through during the term of the next ad-

ministration. It assumed $1 billion in investments going to the electricity, gas and water and key service sectors arising from the liberalization of FINL. Infrastructure spending pledges of the same amount were assumed to directly benefit the construction sector. Potential output lift was largest for electricity, gas and water (16.6 percent) sector while total output gains exceeding 0.7 percent were registered by the construction sector due to infrastructure lift, transport, storage and communications and other services. Consistent non-gainers from other sector’s good fortune were government services, perhaps due to non-existent output linkage with other sectors and construction. Using the same treatment in the other sectors, Citi saw additional GDP growth of more than 0.5 percent in the following sectors: trade and repair, financial intermediation and real estate, renting and other business services. Growth in these sectors also sparked incremental growth for the rest. The most impressive result is likely on manufacturing, with a GDP gain of nearly 1 percent— the highest growth result in this simulation. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

A CONSUMER group is accusing Pfizer of seeking to avoid $35 billion in U.S. taxes with its plan to buy fellow drugmaker Allergan in a deal structured to nominally move Pfizer’s address to lowertax Ireland, Allergan’s home. In a report released Thursday, Americans for Tax Fairness says that would also slash future U.S. taxes paid by Pfizer Inc., which will keep its operational headquarters at its New York City base. Pfizer would still have to pay U.S. taxes on income earned in the country, but not overseas. The group has been urging federal regulation changes to block not just the Pfizer deal, but a surge of other companies in various industries doing deals termed “tax inversions” to slash their U.S. tax bills. That lost revenue ultimately comes out of the pockets of consumers and other taxpayers. Americans for Tax Fairness also accuses Pfizer of gouging Americans with frequent and excessive price hikes on its medicines while benefiting from multiple loopholes and tax deductions that reduce Pfizer’s average global tax rate to 6.4 per cent. That’s well below the 24 per cent Pfizer has claimed. At a news conference in Washington, the group and five Democratic members of the House said the federal government can and should block Pfizer’s $160 billion acquisition of Allergan. Pfizer, the world’s second-biggest drugmaker by revenue, says the deal is set to be completed in the second half of 2016. “This is theft, what Pfizer is doing,” Frank Clemente, executive director of Americans for Tax Fairness, said in an interview. “This is a company that’s extremely profitable. It’s ripping us off in two ways. It’s dodging taxes and jacking up prices.”

He said that while Congress won’t pass laws to address inversions and other questionable tax-lowering strategies during an election year, the Treasury Department could set new rules that would eliminate at least part of those tax savings. That could discourage Pfizer and other companies from pursuing inversions. In a statement to The Associated Press, Pfizer said, “The proposed combination of Pfizer and Allergan will create a global, R&D-focused company with the ability to lead in the quest to find cures and treatments for patients with the most feared diseases and conditions of our time, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, cancer and rare genetic disorders. “This transaction is not structured to move jobs out of the United States, where we conduct the majority of our research,” Pfizer wrote. A company spokeswoman declined to address the contents of the 28-page report, which doesn’t mention the deal’s impact on U.S. jobs. But it discusses Pfizer’s impact on U.S. patients and taxpayers in depth. It says that in recent years, Pfizer has repeatedly raised prices of its top-selling drugs, including erectile dysfunction pill Viagra, pain treatments Lyrica and Celebrex, and antibiotic Zyvox. Pfizer raised prices on those and three other drugs on average by 39.2 per cent from 2013 through 2015 — 23 times overall inflation then. This year, it’s already raised prices on about 60 drugs by more than 10 per cent on average. The tax group states that patients in Ireland pay about onetwelfth what Americans do for Pfizer’s seven top drugs. That’s because Ireland and virtually every country except the U.S. sets limits on drug prices. The group suggests Pfizer cut its drug prices in the U.S. to what it charges in Ireland. ■

Business

FRIDAY MARCH 4, 2016

Presidential bets asked to present agri plans Inclusion of farm sector issues in debates proposed BY RONNEL W. DOMINGO Philippine Daily Inquirer A COALITION of five groups advocating the advancement of the agriculture sector called for a presidential debate that will give the candidates more time to speak, hopefully, about their platform for the rural folk. The coalition is led by Alyansa Agrikultura and includes the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. (Pcafi), Coalition for Agriculture Modernization in the Philippines (Camp), Pambansang Koalisyon ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan (PKKK) and Agriculture Fisheries 2025 (AF2025). Pcafi represents agribusiness operators, including 32 organizations along the agricultural commodities value chain. Camp represents the academe and is composed of professors and scientists from universities and research institutes.

PKKK has chapters spread across 42 provinces while AF2025 is described as representing different agriculture stakeholders. Emil Q. Javier, Camp spokesperson and a former president of the University of the Philippines, said in a briefing that the debate held in Cagayan de Oro City was a big disappointment. “We waited for them to discuss their plans to uplift our agriculture sector, but what we heard were lofty words bereft of meaning,” Javier said. “But what can you expect to say in just 30 seconds?” AF2025 spokesperson Roberto Amores agreed, saying that aside from having more time to talk, future debates should have agriculture as a topic for discussion. “We want to hear about their programs for agriculture which, having been expressed, will be part of their commitments if elected,” Amores said.

Coalition convenor Ernesto M. Ordoñez agreed, saying that “farmers need more than just a few seconds of sound bites.” The five groups submitted their proposed priority initiatives for the sector, including making the Department of Agriculture an effective bureaucracy. They said that, like the Department of Trade and Industry, the DA should submit to the Philippine Institute of Development Studies a road map for the agriculture subsectors. The DA should also require its units to achieve a globally accepted management system such as ISO 9000, they added. Second, the coalition said the DA should form agriculture and fisheries councils that would ensure the participation of stakeholders, especially in monitoring how the department spends its budget. Third, the five groups said the DA should provide support to

“We want to hear about their programs for agriculture which, having been expressed, will be part of their commitments if elected.”

some 17,000 agriculture extension workers who were working within local government units. Fourth, they demanded greater funding that would provide farmers and fishers better access to credit and insurance. Fifth, provider farmers and fishers subsidies and technical support in order to make Philippine agriculture globally

competitive. Sixth, the coalition wants the new President to ensure that farmers and fishers actually benefit from initiatives such as agrarian reform, fisher resettlement program, competitiveness-enhancing measures for food selfsufficiency, and the fund and assets from the coconut levy. ■

IMF’s Lagarde, other G20 finance VIPs urge action on reforms BY JOE MCDONALD AND ERIKA KINETZ The Associated Press SHANGHAI — Officials at a global finance meeting Friday urged governments to speed up promised job-creating reforms instead of relying on stimulus to perk up slackening growth. The clouded global outlook has upped pressure for reassurances and action from the finance ministers and central bankers gathered in Shanghai for a meeting of the Group of 20 major rich and emerging economies. But the leaders have sought to squelch expectations the meeting will produce specific growth plans. Christine Lagarde, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, said governments should act faster on reforms promised at a G-20 meeting in 2014. That list included some 800 commitments meant to simplify regulations and boost trade, investment and technology development, but many have yet to be carried out. “Policymakers do not need

to invent yet another trick, but they need to deliver steadily on the commitments they have made,” Lagarde said at an event organized by the Washingtonbased Institute of International Finance alongside the Shanghai meeting. Referring to monetary and fiscal policy and structural reforms, Lagarde said, “There has to be action on all fronts.” Others at the meeting include U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew and Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen; China’s finance minister, Lou Jiwei, and central bank governor, Zhou Xiaochuan; Mario Draghi of the European Central Bank and their counterparts from Europe, South Korea, India and South Africa. Global growth is at its lowest in two years and forecasters say the danger of recession is rising. The IMF cut this year’s global growth forecast by 0.2 percentage points last month to 3.4 per cent. It said another downgrade is likely in April. Central banks still have room to use interest rate cuts and other stimulus but need govern-

ments to follow through with promised economic changes, said Mark Carney, head of the Bank of England. “Global growth has disappointed because the innovation and ambition of global monetary policy has not been matched by structural measures,” Carney said at the IIF event. “In most advanced economies, difficult structural reforms have been deferred.” Germany’s finance minister, Wolfgang Schauble, said fiscal stimulus has “reached its limit” and his government will not agree to more co-ordinated spending in the event of further deterioration in the global economy. He urged other countries to deliver on reforms instead. “We are not lacking in policy proposals,” he said. “We are lacking in policy implementation.” Lew said Washington wants G-20 governments to reaffirm pledges to avoid weakening their currencies to boost exports. “It doesn’t lead anywhere good,” he told reporters. “I hope we can get a commitment www.canadianinquirer.net

to avoid that.” A key concern in global financial markets, despite repeated Chinese denials, is that Beijing might weaken its yuan to support struggling exporters. That expectation has driven an outflow of capital from China that spiked to a record $135 billion in December. Following complaints China fueled volatility in global markets by failing to explain policy changes, Lew appealed for clarity from Beijing. “The exchange rate policy is one in particular that needs to be clearly communicated,” he said. The Chinese hosts hoped to use the meeting to promote their campaign for a bigger voice in managing global trade and finance. Instead, the communist government is scrambling to defend its reputation for economic competence following stock market and currency turmoil. Earlier Friday, China’s central bank chief promised to avoid weakening the yuan as he tried to reassure nervous financial markets about his govern-

ment’s handling of its economy and currency. “We will not resort to competitive depreciation to boost our advantage in exports,” said Zhou Xiaochuan, governor of the People’s Bank of China, at a news conference. The foreign view of China’s economic health was shaken last year by a stock market collapse that wiped out $5 trillion in paper wealth. Its main market index fell by an unusually large daily margin of 6.4 per cent on Thursday but gained 1 per cent on Friday. Speaking at a separate event earlier Friday, Zhou assured his audience the Chinese economy is robust after last year’s growth slowed to a 25-year low of 7.3 per cent. He noted that it still was among theworld’s strongest performances. “China’s economic fundamentals remain strong,” he said. “The Chinese economy will continue to grow at a moderate-to-high pace.” ■ McDonald reported from Beijing. AP researcher Dong Tongjian contributed.

MARCH 4, 2016

FRIDAY

Sports

Curry hits winning 3, sets record as Warriors beat Thunder BY CLIFF BRUNT The Associated Press OKLAHOMA CITY — Stephen Curry had no clue how far from the hoop he was. He just knew it was time to shoot. His 3-pointer from well beyond 30 feet with 0.6 seconds left in overtime gave the Golden State Warriors a 121-118 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night. “Honestly, I don’t know exactly where I am, so it’s not like I’m calibrating in my head, all right, 38 feet, 37, 36,” he said. “Just literally, you’ve got a sense of — I’ve shot the shot plenty of times, you’re coming across halfcourt and timing up your dribbles, and you want to shoot before the defence goes in. And that was pretty much my only thought.” Golden State, with the best 58-game record in NBA history at 53-5, became the first team since the 1987-88 Los Angeles Lakers to clinch a playoff spot in February, a Warriors spokesman said. The post-season berth was secured about an hour before Curry’s scintillating shot, when Houston lost to the San Antonio Spurs. That assured Golden State will finish no lower than eighth in the Western Conference. Curry finished with 46 points, and his winning shot was his 12th 3-pointer, tying the NBA single-game record. Warriors forward Draymond Green thought Curry had time to get closer to the hoop before the release. “What was that, 40 feet?” Green asked. “That’s absurd.”

Golden State guard Klay Thompson is beyond the point of being surprised anymore. “Everybody in this locker room, we’ve seen him practice from that range every day,” Thompson said. “He’s got the greatest range I’ve ever seen. He makes it look so effortless.” Curry also broke his own NBA record for 3s in a season, leaving the new mark at 288. “I never would have thought at this point in the season I would be closing in on 300 and all that kind of stuff,” he said. “That doesn’t make sense to me. I’ve always tried to push the envelope and keep getting better, but a lot has to go right to get to this point.” Thompson scored 32 points and Green had 14 assists for the Warriors, who won their fifth straight. Curry, the league’s scoring leader and reigning MVP, missed about six minutes of the third quarter with a left ankle injury. He drove to the basket and rolled the ankle before Thunder guard Russell Westbrook stepped on it. “It was a little nerve racking,” he said. I wanted to make sure I was OK. I had to get it re-taped. It was painful.” Kevin Durant led the Thunder with 37 points, but he fouled out in the first minute of overtime. Even without him, Oklahoma City was in position to win. The Thunder played one of their better defensive games of the season and shut down the other Warriors players from beyond the 3-point line. “I thought all of the guys really played their hearts out and did a lot of good things,” Oklahoma City coach Billy Dono-

the fourth quarter, but the Warriors rallied. Thompson made a 3 from the left corner to cut Oklahoma City’s lead to 100-99. It was the first 3 of the game for any Warriors player other than Curry. Durant responded with a 3-pointer with 14.5 seconds left to put the Thunder up 103-99. Thompson quickly scored a layup, then the Thunder turned the ball over, and Andre Iguodala was fouled with 0.7 seconds left. Iguodala made both free throws to tie the score at 103 and force the extra period. Stat lines

The Thunder lost despite out-rebounding the Warriors 62-32. Quotable

Green, on Curry’s mentality before the final shot: “When he pulled up, he looked like, ‘Ah, whatever, it’s going in,’” Green said.” Tip-ins

Stephen Curry.

van said. “It’s disappointing to come up short like that, but I think there is a lot we can take from it in terms of what we can do and what we are capable of doing defensively with a tremendous amount of energy and focus.” Westbrook had 26 points and

www.canadianinquirer.net

KEITH ALLISON / FLICKR

13 assists, and Serge Ibaka had 15 points and 20 rebounds for the Thunder. The Warriors won the previous meeting with the Thunder 116-108 at home on Feb. 6. The teams play again Thursday at Golden State. Oklahoma City led by 12 in

Warriors: Curry has made a 3-pointer in an NBA-record 129 straight games. ... C Anderson Varejao played in his third game with the Warriors. The Cleveland Cavaliers traded him to Portland and the Trail Blazers waived him, allowing Golden State to pick him up. Thunder: Durant has scored 20 or more in 44 straight games. ... Durant was presented with the Western Conference Player of the Month award for January before the game. ... Oklahoma City scored the game’s first eight points. ... Durant fouled out for just the fourth time in 621 career regular-season games. ■

Sports

FRIDAY MARCH 4, 2016

Alaska Jr. NBA Camp reaches out to kids at the grassroots level

Ronaldo: Madrid could be 1st if everyone was at his level

BY VANESSA B. HIDALGO Philippine Daily Inquirer

BY TALES AZZONI The Associated Press

WHETHER YOU are wearing slippers or the new Air Jordans, you can still be the best basketball player of this generation. These are the words of NBA coaches to their wards during the daylong clinic held at Don Bosco Technical Institute in Makati City last month. “Basketball should act as the equalizer. Whatever your status in life, as long as you can play the game, you have a chance to make it big,” said Carlo Singson, NBA Philippines managing director. Over 300 participants atNBA coaches include Craig Alaska’s marketing director. tended the event co-presented Brown, Jeff Christensen and On the matter of finally havby Alaska where their funda- Chris Sumner along with Alaska ing a fullblooded Filipino in the mental skills were sharpened. Power Camp coach Jeff Cariaso. NBA, Singson believes that it’s The goal now shifts to grassThe selection of 10 Junior only a matter of “when” not “if.” roots level in an effort to help NBA and five Junior WNBA “We have so many talented grow and improve the youth All-Stars will be the culmina- Filipinos here. We just have national experience for players tion of the event. An overseas to instill the right habits. Even and coaches. NBA experience trip together the coaches are talented. So we The program is free and open with fellow Junior NBA All- have elite camps to teach them to boys and girls between the Stars from Southeast Asia is the how to coach or improve their ages of 10 to 14. top plum for the participants. coaching skills,” he said. This season, the program will “The Philippines is our top Aside from player camps and reach more than 6.5 million market. Our challenge is how clinics, the 2016 NBA coach youth in 32 countries. to satisfy the fans. Activities of the year started last Jan. The Junior NBA is comprised like this that has been in the 22. Led by coaches Brown and of four stages: Sumner together skills clinics in with Cariaso, 10 school commuJunior NBA and nities, Regional Junior WNBA Selection Camps, We have so many talented Filipinos coaches will be a National Trainhere. We just have to instill the selected as fiing Camp and an right habits. Even the coaches are nalists and to be NBA experience talented. trained at the trip. National TrainThe skills clining Camp. ics will be held On the subnationwide from January to running for nine years is where ject of the Filipinos lacking April with stops in Bukidnon, we conduct free clinics for the in height, Singson deems it as Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Dagu- youth and coaches. a nonproblem. “What height pan, Davao, Iloilo, Metro Manila “We believe that basketball is problem?” he asked. “The and Puerto Princesa. In addition, not for the elite but for every- height problem should be comnew locations include Batangas, body. So we provide equal op- pensated with skills and right Catanduanes and Cavite. portunity for them to learn and attitude. They don’t need to be Outstanding players from hone their skills,” Singson said. six feet tall to play basketball,” each location will be handHe said that one of NBA’s he said. picked to showcase their skills goals in PH is to create a path“The program continues to in tryouts during regional se- way for coaches and players positively impact the lives of lection camps. The top 50 boys to succeed. “We want them to children, parents and coaches. and 24 girls from the regional have the Star value. Star being It reinforces the positive values selection camps will advance to an acronym for Sportsmanship, that go beyond the four corthe National Training camp in Teamwork, positive Attitude ners of the court. Together with Manila on April 22 to 24. and Respect,” he adds. Alaska, we are committed to The regional training camps “These holistic programs providing world- class basketwere held in Baguio (Feb. 20 to train children to be confident, ball instruction to more com21), Davao (Feb. 27 to 28), and disciplined and hardworking munities to further our miswill be held in Cebu (March 5 to because Alaska Milk Corp. aims sion of encouraging an active 6) and Metro Manila (April 9 to to prepare them to be winners lifestyle among Filipino youth,” 10). in life,” said Blen Fernando, Singson said. ■

MADRID — Cristiano Ronaldo says Real Madrid could be leading the Spanish league if everyone on the team was at his level. After a 1-0 home loss to rival Atletico Madrid on Saturday virtually ended the team’s chances of winning the title, Ronaldo criticized Spanish media for blaming him for the team’s poor performances and said that things could be different if others players were playing like him. “It bothers me when it’s said that Madrid is struggling because Cristiano is struggling. It feels like you are after me,” Ronaldo said. “If everyone was at my level, perhaps we would be in first place.” The Portuguese striker later tried to downplay his comments, telling local media he was referring to his “physical level.” “I’m not better than anyone,” he said. “I was talking about the physical level, about the injuries.” Speaking calmly in a rare appearance in front of reporters after the game at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Ronaldo clearly expressed his dissatisfaction with how he’s being treated by Spanish media. “A lot of times you are unfair, you ask me (tough) questions and you question my value,” he said, using a few expletives. “It’s always been like this in Spain, all these years. By your point of view, it looks like I’m playing like (expletive). And in reality, the numbers don’t lie, statistics never lie. Just look at the statistics, it’s easy.” Ronaldo had nine goals in the

www.canadianinquirer.net

Cristiano Ronaldo.

team’s previous seven matches entering Saturday’s derby, including seven in his last three games at the Bernabeu. He squandered a few good chances on Saturday, though, and last week missed a decisive penalty kick in the 1-1 league result at Malaga. Ronaldo said the absence of injured starters was what was keeping Real Madrid from contending in the Spanish league. “Unfortunately we are without our best players. That makes things more difficult,” Ronaldo said. “I’m not depreciating the other players, but if a team doesn’t play with its best players, it’s hard to win a long competition like this one.” Real Madrid has been without Gareth Bale and Pepe because of injuries, and on Saturday coach Zinedine Zidane also could not count on left back Marcelo. Striker Karim Benzema returned to the squad after missing a game because of a back problem, but had to be substituted at halftime. “I like when I’m playing with these players,” Ronaldo said. “And when they are not playing, it makes everything more difficult.” After 26 rounds, Real Madrid is four points behind Atletico Madrid and nine points behind leader Barcelona, which hosts Sevilla on Sunday with a chance to tie Real Madrid’s record of 34 unbeaten games in all competitions set in 1988-89. “We will keep fighting, but we have more hopes in the Champions League,” Ronaldo said. “It’s a competition we start from scratch like everyone else. But, like I said, if you don’t have the best players, you are not going to win it.” ■

LUDOVIC PÉRON / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS / CC BY-SA 3.0

MARCH 4, 2016

FRIDAY

Technology

Facebook’s Zuckerberg at crossroads in connecting the globe BY BRANDON BAILEY The Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO — Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg likes to boast that his 3-year-old effort to bring the developing world online has reached millions of people in some of the world’s poorest nations. But a central element of his Internet.org campaign was controversial even before it was shut down in a key market this month. Indian regulators banned one of the pillars of the campaign, a service known as Free Basics, because it provided access only to certain preapproved services — including Facebook — rather than the full Internet. That leaves the social media mogul at a crossroads. Though he has vowed not to give up, Zuckerberg hasn’t said whether he’ll alter his approach. Facebook declined to make executives available for comment. Zuckerberg could shed light on his plans when he speaks Monday at Mobile World Congress, an annual industry event in Barcelona, Spain, where he has touted Internet.org in previous years. “Everyone in the world should have access to the Internet,” Zuckerberg wrote on Facebook this month, arguing that online connections can improve lives and fuel economic development. To achieve that goal, Zuckerberg has high-flying dreams for someday providing Internet connections through a network of drones, satellites and lasers. But his near-term plan is simpler: Facebook works with wireless carriers in poorer nations to let people use streamlined versions of Facebook and certain other online services, without paying data charges. While the drones may someday connect people in areas too remote for cables or cell towers, Free Basics is intended for people who live in areas with

Internet service but still can’t have Internet access before, reafford it. gardless of whether they’re curA low-income resident of rently active. urban Manila, for example, On the Internet.org website, can use Free Basics to view the mixed in with videos about imPhilippines’ GMA News site. poverished students using Free “He can be informed. He can re- Basics to study and labourers search. He can read the news,” starting small businesses, FaceEderic Eder of GMA News said. book boasts more than 1 bilThe program varies by coun- lion people “have access” to the try, in offerings and effective- service. That’s the combined ness. population of regions where it’s In South Africa, for instance, available, not the number of usFacebook partnered with the ers. third-largest wireless carrier, Free Basics is now in 36 counCell C. But Johannesburg resi- tries. It was suspended last year dent Priscilla de Klerk said she in Egypt, on the anniversary of couldn’t get Free Basics to work anti-government protests that on her phone. were organized partly on FaceBRIAN SOLIS / WWW.BRIANSOLIS.COM / BUB.BLICIO.US “Cell C is much cheaper as far book. An earlier version of Free Mark Zuckerberg. as everything else is concerned, Basics, known as Facebook Zero, but their free Facebook is not a was shuttered three years ago its technical requirements for the concept of “net neutrality,” reality,” she said. in Chile, after authorities said systems with limited capacity. which says all websites and apps Last fall, Facebook an- Internet providers couldn’t of- Zuckerberg also changed the should be treated equally by Innounced a major expansion in fer discounts for accessing some program’s name to Free Ba- ternet providers. They’re now Africa, where another regional content but not others. sics, after critics complained studying whether “zero rating” carrier, Bharti Airtel, said it will Similar concerns turned In- “Internet.org” sounded like a programs, which offer some offer Free Basics in 17 coun- dia into the program’s biggest non-profit, when it’s part of a content for free, should be altries. battleground. for-profit company (the overall lowed. Net neutrality support“They’re getting a lot of tracFree Basics enrolled more campaign is still called Inter- ers are hoping India’s decision tion in Africa,” said Danson than 1 million Indians in its net.org). will influence other nations. Njue, a Kenya-based telecom first year, according to FaceBut opponents still worry Facebook has also launched analyst with the that Facebook a program that helps Internet Ovum research could change re- providers offer reliable Wi-Fi firm. Tech riquirements at service in underserved areas vals Google and any time, force at affordable rates and withMicrosoft also The government should not allow big competitors to out limits on content. The prohave programs players to monopolize the Internet. pay higher rates gram’s been limited to tests in a to expand Interto get into the few countries. net access, he program, or even The giant tech company could noted, but their block services use its resources and clout with approaches are that run afoul of carriers to offer a similar wirecontent neutral and involve book’s wireless partner, Reli- powerful politicians. less service, perhaps at limited extending networks to under- ance Communications. But “The fact that it could decide speeds or volume, but without served areas. critics, including many in the what apps could be hosted ... any restrictions on content, Facebook doesn’t pay wire- country’s growing tech commu- was a huge problem for me,” said Josh Levy of Access Now, less companies for the cost nity, complained it was a preda- said Basit Zaidi, a New Delhi at- a non-profit that supports net of Free Basics. Carriers make tory scheme: If low-income torney. neutrality. Zuckerberg has sugmoney if new users eventu- users couldn’t afford anything As Indian regulators began gested in the past that such a ally move to a paid data plan. besides Free Basics, opponents studying the issue, Facebook service would be too expensive Facebook also says it makes no said, that meant Facebook was drew more resentment with a and difficult to offer. money, as it doesn’t show ads, deciding which online services public-relations blitz that critSome Indians, meanwhile, though Zuckerberg has con- the nation’s poor could use. ics called heavy-handed and pasay their country could have ceded it benefits from gaining “The government should not tronizing. The regulators effec- benefited from Free Basics. users in the long run. allow big players to monopolize tively banned Free Basics after “Ultimately, something is While the company hasn’t the Internet,” said Manu Shar- concluding Internet providers better than nothing, even if that released detailed usage figures, ma, who runs a software devel- shouldn’t be allowed to charge something is flawed,” said Uday Facebook says Free Basics has opment company in New Delhi. different rates for certain ser- Singh Tomar, a software engibrought more than 19 million Facebook responded last fall vices, because that discrimi- neer in New Delhi. “If a person people online for the first time. by announcing it would open nates against other content. is hungry and getting nothing, a That counts any user who didn’t Free Basics to any app that met U.S. regulators have endorsed free meal is good enough.” ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

Technology

FRIDAY MARCH 4, 2016

Companies experiment with build your own smartphone programs BY ANICK JESDANUN The Associated Press NEW YORK — If you could build your dream smartphone, what would it look like? Now suppose you could put it together yourself. That’s the promise of modular design, a new concept in smartphones that would basically let you snap together different components like Lego blocks. Say you want a great camera. Snap! A vivid screen and good sound because you watch a lot of video? Snap! But maybe you could live with a smaller battery because you spend most of your day at home or work. Snap! Sure, phones now offer choices in colour and storage. Motorola goes a bit further in letting you choose custom backs made of wood or leather. But the rest of the phone is pretty standard. You’re stuck with the processor, battery and other hardware chosen by Motorola, Apple, Samsung and other tech companies. With modular design, you could just pay for the components you need instead of settling for whatever manufactur-

ers put in their designs. And instead of buying a new phone every year or two, you could just upgrade individual parts as they wear out or become obsolete. LG is dipping its toes in the modular-design concept with its upcoming G5 smartphone, announced this week at a wireless conference. The bottom of the phone pops out to let you swap in new hardware. For starters, you’ll be able to attach a camera grip with physical shutter buttons or insert a high-fidelity audio system if regular MP3-quality sound isn’t good enough for you. Google’s Project Ara, which isn’t making products yet, is also outlining a modular-design approach that starts with a structural frame and lets you add cameras, sensors and batteries. Google figures a phone could cost as little as $50 using the most basic parts. A Dutch startup called Fairphone is selling the $580 Fairphone 2 online. Though it comes assembled, you can replace the screen for less than $100, or the camera for $40. An expansion port will let people add components — perhaps for wireless charging or mobile payments —

that Fairphone or outside parties make in the future. Chinese phone maker ZTE has circulated concept designs. Other startups exploring modular phones include Finland’s PuzzlePhone (as in the components fit together like a puzzle). Modular phone design is similar to how hobbyists build their own personal computers or soup up their cars. But there’s no guarantee the idea will take off. For one thing, modular design is itself a trade-off. Many consumers want phones to be thin, light and power efficient, and that means all the parts have to be tightly integrated. You give that up when you go modular. Samsung, for instance, rejects modular design, preferring to offer “the best combination of features and functionality” in a compact and elegant design, says Justin Denison, Samsung’s senior vice-president for U.S. product strategy and marketing. Modular design also isn’t easy. Project Ara missed its 2015 target for a pilot project in Puerto Rico and suggested in cryptic tweets that designing modules has proven more complicated than expected. Google

What will your dream phone look like?

had no further comment. Ronan de Renesse, lead analyst for consumer technology with the research firm Ovum, says many parts in current smartphones are designed specifically to work together. Swap in a new camera or screen, and the older processors might not know what to do with it. The camera might stutter, the screen might blink, and both might drain the battery faster than expected. Lego-like parts also could allow dust or water to intrude into the phone’s innards. Their connections might also give way over time. “I don’t think those phones are going to be reliable enough for the mass market,” de Renesse says. There’s already some buzz around the phones. Fairphone has sold about 35,000 units and is targeting 150,000 this year. The company says many of its customers are environmentally conscious about e-waste and

WEATHER UPDATE VANCOUVER

Sat

Sun

Mon

Tues

Wed

Thurs

11 Fri

don’t need up-to-the-minute advances in phone technology. Many big phone makers introduce features just to have something to brag about in ads, says Miquel Ballester, Fairphone’s co-founder. “I don’t really think it’s always what the customer is looking for.” Even if the appeal is limited, the concept could have broader influence. LG’s G5 isn’t fully modular, as users couldn’t replace processors, cameras and screens themselves. LG’s Frank Lee says the modular design for now is mostly about enhancing the phone’s capabilities with optional features. But perhaps one day, he says, people will be able to swap in a slower, but more power-efficient processor on days they’ll be away from chargers. In the future, he says, “we won’t be referring to them as phones anymore.” ■

Long term forecast from www.theweathernetwork.com CALGARY

EDMONTON

WINNIPEG

TORONTO

10°C

12°C

3°C

-9°C

-3°C

7°C

5°C

-2°C

2°C

-3°C

7°C

5°C

2°C

-1°C

3°C

5°C

3°C

0°C

-6°C

8°C

5°C

3°C

-5°C

10°C

6°C

5°C

2°C

-5°C

7°C

9°C

5°C

-5°C

5°C

www.canadianinquirer.net

Events

MARCH 4, 2016

Angellica Samson Cruz Fundraising Concert WHEN/WHERE: 5 p.m., Mar. 19, at South Pointe Community Centre 11520 Ellerslie Road, Edmonton, AB MORE INFO: with special guests Jess Valdez Switch Band and Delerium Band

CANADA EVENTS

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

YUKON

NUNAVUT

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

BRITISH COLUMBIA ALBERTA

FRIDAY

MANITOBA

SASKATCHEWAN Goldilocks Grand Opening in Burnaby By Goldilocks WHEN/WHERE: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mar. 3, Unit 102, 3728 North Fraser Way, Burnaby, B.C. Conversational English Class By Multicultural Helping House Society and Welcome BC WHEN/WHERE: 3 to 4:30 p.m., Saturdays up to Mar. 5, at Rm. 203 MHHS 4802 Fraser St., Vancouver, B.C.or sanzidah@helpinghouse.org MORE INFO: Call Sanzida 604-879-3277 Canadian Citizenship Preparation Workshop By Mosaic WHEN/WHERE: 1:30–4:30 p.m. March 7 & 8, at Mosaic Vancouver, 1720 Grant St. Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Call Joy at 604-254-9626 ext 484 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 778322-2839 or email: tfw.divorce@gmail.com RetroWorld RetroSpect Reunion Concert Tour 2016 WHEN/WHERE: 1st show 6 p.m.; 2nd shoe 9 p.m., at The Columbia Theatre 530 Columbia St., New Westminster, B.C. MORE INFO: Gold $58; Silver $38 Free Money Tips for Newcomers (English with Tagalog language support) By Mosaic WHEN/WHERE: 1:30–3:30 p.m. Mar. 13, at Mosaic Burnaby Centre for Immigrants, 5902 Kingsway St., Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Call Joy at 604-438-8214 ext 211 English Now: No Cost Language Training for Jobs

ONTARIO

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

View all events by scanning this QR code or visiting

http://bit.ly/ PCI-Events

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 416928-9355. The office, at 597 Parliament St., Suite 103, Toronto, is open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 1 to 6 p.m.

Tagalog Class By FCT WHEN/WHERE: 10 to 11 a.m., every Saturday, Filipino Centre NEWFOUNDLAND Toronto, Toronto

QUEBEC

in Administration or Retail By ISS of BC MORE INFO: 604-684-2325 or englishnow@issbc.org Skills Now: Project-based Training for Immigrants in Retail and Administration By ISS of BC WHEN/WHERE: Call or email at 604-684-2581 (ext 2193 Nanki) skillsnow@issbc.org 10 Weeks of English Conversation By South Vancouver Neighbourhood House WHEN/WHERE: Feb. 1 to Apr. 9, 18 locations in Metro Vancouver, MORE INFO: Call Amie to register – 604-324-6212 ext 142 Mentoring Programme for Immigrant High School Students: Breakfast & Baon 101 By Mentorship & Leadership for Youth Programme WHEN/WHERE: 10 a.m. to 12 nn at Corpus Christi College (near UBC) 5935 Iona Dr. Vancouver BC. Free pick up and drop off service. MORE INFO: Meet young professionals plus learn to cook. Call/text Kyle Andrews at (778)896-0661 I Belong Support Group By Mosaic WHEN/WHERE: 5:30 to7:30 p.m., Mar. 14, Mosaic Burnaby Centre for Immigrants, 5902 Kingsway, Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Call Darae 604-254-9626 Free Counselling Support Group By Mosaic WHEN/WHERE: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., every last Monday of the month at Mosaic Burnaby Centre for Immigrants, 5902 Kingsway, Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Call Darae (604)254-9626 Youth Group for Education & Employment By Mosaic www.canadianinquirer.net

WHEN/WHERE: 1:30–3:30 p.m. every Monday until Mar. 29 at MOSAIC Burnaby Centre for Immigrants, 5902 Kingsway NOVA St., Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: SCOTIA Call - Solmaz at 604-438-8214 ext 120 ESL Book Club By Vancouver Public Library WHEN/WHERE: 3 to 4:30 p.m., Mar. 19, Apr. 16 and May 28, Champlain Hts. Branch 7110 Kerr St., Vancouver, B.C. Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) Breakfast Meeting By BCBP-Vancouver Mission WHEN/WHERE: Every 3rd Saturday of the month at 8:00-10 am at Smokehouse Sandwich Co. 5188 Westminster Highway, Richmond, BC, Free breakfast for first-timers. This month's schedule is March 20 MORE INFO: Call Alex (778) 882-0850 / Bing (778231-3207) / Bob (604) 782-1440 / Reggie (604) 4454120 or email: regino.llaguno@yahoo.com Seniors ESL Conversation Circle By Vancouver Public Library WHEN/WHERE: 1 to 2:30 p.m., Thursdays up to Apr. 7, Champlain Hts. Br., 7110 Kerr St., Vancouver, B.C. Sharing Cultures Community Dinner: The Philippines By North Burnaby Neighborhood House WHEN/WHERE: 6 to 8 p.m., Mar. 11, at Stoney Creek Community School, 2740 Beaverbrook Cres., Burnaby B.C. MORE INFO: Tickets: Adult - $5; Children - $3; Under 3- free Migrante BC Fundraiser Gala for Migrant Workers By Migrante WHEN/WHERE: 6 p.m., Mar. 18, at Holiday Inn, West Broadway, 711 W. Broadway, Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Special guest speaker: Atty. Fay Faraday

MARCH 4, 2016

CANADA

F ill Unused Capacity

NOW HIRING! Grill Cooks

C ash Savings B ill More Hours E xtra Income If you want new customers, more sales and are looking for ways to save cash, call First Canadian Barter Exchange. 604.759.3223 / info@barterfirst.com

Do you have a passion for food? If you want to work in a fun, fast paced environment that specializes in great burgers we want to meet you! We have immediate full and part time opportunities for grill cooks. We’re looking for outgoing people with restaurant experience that aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and get the job done.

WE OFFER: Paid Training • Competitive Wages • Tips Free Uniforms • Flexible Schedules This is a great opportunity for service oriented people who want to work at one of the hottest concepts in the burger industry! Email your resume to lougheed@fatburgercanada.com www.fatburgercanada.com

"The Travel Partner You Can Trust!"

50011720

905-747-0909 CALL US NOW for SPECIAL AIRFARES to the Philippines!

www.polaristravel.ca

support@polaristravel.ca

248 Steeles Ave. W. Unit 5, Vaughan ON. L4J 1A1

Toronto Enquiries: salestoronto@canadianinquirer.net Philippine Enquiries: salesphilippines@canadianinquirer.net

www.canadianinquirer.net

Tel: (1) 647-521-5155

MARCH 4, 2016

FRIDAY

Food

Visiting French chefs scramble Palestinian cuisine BY MOHAMMED DARAGHMEH AND DANIELLA CHESLOW The Associated Press RAMALLAH, PALESTINIAN TERRITORY — At a time of simmering Mideast tensions and rising malaise, a group of French chefs recently visited the West Bank to bring a little joie de vivre to Palestinian kitchens. The eight chefs visited restaurants in Ramallah, Hebron, Nablus and east Jerusalem in a weeklong event earlier this month sponsored by the French government, which prides itself on culinary diplomacy and has held similar events in Japan, Brazil, India, Morocco and elsewhere. A parallel festival began four years ago and ran concurrently in Israel. Many Israeli chefs train in Europe, and in the last 20 years, a cosmopolitan Israeli cuisine has emerged, incorporating techniques and flavours from across the Jewish diaspora — everything from Moroccan couscous and Libyan fish stews to German potato pancakes and Austrian-inspired chicken schnitzel. By contrast, Palestinian cooking has remained steeped in local and Middle Eastern recipes, thanks to a strong agrarian tradition and a shortage of clientele with disposable income. Dishes lean on chickpeas, lentils and rice, often spiced with cumin, drizzled in olive oil and accompanied by sides like hummus, tabbouleh and yogurt. Palestinian food also draws on Levantine flavours like zaatar — a thyme-like herb — as well as sumac and pomegranate molasses. Ramallah, seat of the Palestinian Authority, has seen dozens of new restaurants and cafes open in recent years, serving Palestinian, Lebanese, Mexi-

small touches Dreyer introduced. “He poached sliced garlic in milk for two hours, then dried it and then deep fried it,” Sakakini said. “And then used it as a garnish. They looked phenomenal. I never tried this before.” In the southern West Bank town of Hebron, Mahmoud Halaika worked with Vincent Lucas — who cooks in a Michelin-starred restaurant in southwestern France. The two prepared steak in a creamy mushroom sauce alongside lamb neck stuffed with aromatic rice and served with yogurt — a Palestinian specialty. Halaika said he loved preparing food as a child and spent six years cooking in an Israeli restaurant outside Tel Aviv, where he earned a good salary but feared that authorities would discover he was sleeping in Israel illegally during the week. He eventually moved back to Hebron and took a job cooking for half the pay at the Pasha Palace restaurant, where a local clientele enjoys Palestinian fare in a leafy courtyard. Hebron, which has long been a flashpoint for Israeli-Palestinian violence, sees few tourists, making the chef’s visit all the more special. “We learned their techniques. Their slow cooking,” HaPalestinian cooking has remained steeped in local and Middle Eastern recipes, thanks to a strong laika said. agrarian tradition and a shortage of clientele with disposable income. Back in Ramallah, Sakakini said the festival was a bright spot in a challenging can, Japanese and Italian fare. But most ing bread, cakes and macaron cookies to time, when business has fallen by 30 per cooks learn on the job. the 32 students at the Caesar Hospital- cent due to renewed Israeli-Palestinian “Someone wanted to work for us after ity College in Ramallah, which Nimer violence. he came from a construction site. An- opened earlier this year to train staff. The last five months have seen nearother one dropped out of high school,” At the Orjuwan restaurant nearby, co- daily Palestinian attacks, mainly stabsaid Jamal Nimer, owner of the Caesar owner Saleem Sakabings in the West Hotel in Ramallah, which opened five kini said visiting chef Bank and east Jeruyears ago. “You have to teach the people Alex Dreyer helped salem, which have how to work.” his staff master bakilled 27 Israelis. That’s where the French come in. sic techniques as I liked the Israelis have killed One of the chefs gave lessons in bak- they prepared a spePalestinian more than 160 Palescial menu featuring food, because I tinians in the same salmon in hollandathink it’s a very period, most of whom ise sauce, a lamb rack specific flavour Israel identified as served over herbthat anyone can assailants. Israel has infused mashed poenjoy. The flavour blamed the violence tatoes and an apple is so bold and on Palestinian intarte tatin. beautiful. citement, while the “I liked the PalesPalestinians say it is tinian food, because rooted in frustration I think it’s a very speat decades of occupacific flavour that anytion and dwindling one can enjoy,” said Dreyer, who works hopes for independence. as a chef in Paris. “The flavour is so bold “The political situation in the Middle and beautiful.” East is very dull and depressing,” SakaSakakini said he was grateful his doz- kini said. “There’s an intifada, we have en kitchen staff could get a master class checkpoints ... To work with people in using the “sous vide” appliance, which who are otherwise unattainable gives cooks meat or vegetables uniformly via us the chance to believe in what we are a hot water bath. He also relished the doing.” ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

Seen & Scenes: Vancouver

FRIDAY MARCH 4, 2016

PICPA VANCOUVER CHAPTER PICPA Vancouver Canada held its induction of Board of Directors and officers for the term 2016 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2017 at a breakfast ceremony held on Feb. 27, at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Surrey, BC with Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer as the inducting officer and guest speaker. Maria Pamela Gonzales, the newly-inducted president took over the presidency from Shailene Caparas. (Photos by Shirley MacNutt)

SPEAKER SERIES The Philippines Canada Trade Council sponsored a forum on Real Estate Outlook and Small Business and Corporate Taxation with Ozzie Jurock, a Vancouver-based entrepreneur, real estate advisor, columnist and author. He is currently the president of Jurock Publishing Ltd; and Mel Cruz, former president of the Association of Filipino Canadian Accountants. Deputy Consul Mandap presented the plaques of appreciation to the motivational speakers (Photos by Gigi Astudillo).

GARAHE CAR SERVICES Another FilCan business opens in Richmond, B.C. with the grand opening of Garahe Car Care Services on Feb. 28. Richmond Councillor Bill McNulty cut the ceremonial ribbon formally opening the car shop to clients in Metro Vancouver (Photos by Manny Noel Abuel).

www.canadianinquirer.net

Seen and Scenes

MARCH 4, 2016

FRIDAY

ROUND-TABLE DISCUSSION A round-table discussion on Temporary Foreign Workers was held recently at the Bayanihan Centre in Victoria, B.C.

TOWN HALL MEETING MP Michael Levitt (York Centre, Toronto) held a town hall meeting at Antibes Community Centre with all levels of government officials. Discussed were concerns like pension, economy, refugees, and immigration. Among those who attended the meeting were Nenette, Bambam, Merfa, Anne, Rose Tijam (president of Philippine Press Club Ontario), Michelle Serrano, May and Steve, Tess and Mon Torralba (publisher of Makingwaves Newspaper), Rolly Mangante, Willie Reodica and Annie (Photos by Ariel Ramos).

CALGARY CONSUL GENERAL DFA Asst. Secretary Julius Torres recently assumed the post of consul general in Calgary, AB. The new consular office in Calgary will serve over 120,000 Filipinos in the province of Alberta. In photo is the new consul general (L) with Quay Evano at the Calgary Airport and with other FilCans at Pacific Hut Restaurant. (Photos courtesy of Miguel Caoile Jr.)

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

FRIDAY MARCH 4, 2016

Don’t limit your dreams Be diﬀerent!

Become an Independant Financial Consultant Becoming an independent financial consultant has been a huge stepping stone for many who join Greatway Financial. This has enabled them to achieve their financial goals and dream bigger. It is not full-time but part-time. They do it at their own time. You too can have that opportunity to write your own pay cheque! What do Greatway financial consultants do? They passionately share their blessings with others by educating others about finances.

www.canadianinquirer.net

MARCH 4, 2016

www.canadianinquirer.net

FRIDAY