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APRIL 1, 2016

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VOL. 4 NO. 211

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CA junks Junjun Binay’s plea to stop suspension

Tourism contributes P1.4T to GDP

Jian Ghomeshi acquitted on sexual assault charges

Asia: A look at where journalists face pressure

Which diet-meal plan is best for you?

Five changes on employment insurance contained in the 2016 federal budget

LOCAL CAMPAIGN SEASON

THE CANADIAN PRESS Streamers of local candidates are hung on the walls of houses along Del Pan Bridge in Tondo, Manila, alongside national candidates in the May 2016 elections.

GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE / PDI

Most transparent polls ever, vows Bautista

BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA Philippine Daily Inquirer COMMISSION ON Elections Chair Andres Bautista said the poll body will strive to make the May 9 polls the most transparent in the country’s history, even as poll watchdogs questioned the security features of the voting machines.

At the hearing of the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Automated Election System yesterday, Bautista said all the safeguards provided for in the automated election law were in place for the 2016 polls, “and in fact, even more.”

He cited the expanded digital signatures for Board of Election Inspectors,

Fil-Can in Focus: Michele Serrano

OTTAWA — Last week’s federal budget outlined multiple changes coming to the employment insurance program that combined will have a total cost this year of $1.02 billion and almost $1.45 billion next year. Here are five key changes: 1) The Liberals are promising to add five weeks of eligibility up to a maximum of 50 weeks of regular benefits to unemployed workers in a dozen regions of the country that have seen unemployment rates rise over a sustained period.

Long-tenured workers, who tend to be older and haven’t dipped into employment insurance in years, will be eligible for 20 additional weeks of benefits up to a maximum of 70 weeks. This starts July 1, is retroactive to claims from January 2015, and is in place until 2017. Total cost over two years: $582 million.

❱❱ PAGE 26 ❱❱ PAGE 10 Most transparent

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS:

❱❱ PAGE 18 Five changes

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FRIDAY

Philippine News

FRIDAY APRIL 1, 2016

3

Ousted solon compares case MMDA all set for to Poe’s, hits SC ruling ‘no-contact’ policy

BY JEROME C. ANING Philippine Daily Inquirer

Reyes quoted the court’s ruling in the Poe case that under Article VI, Section 7 and Article VII, Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution, candidates for President, Vice President, senator and congressman “first have to run before the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, Senate Electoral Tribunal and the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal can pass upon their eligibility/qualifications.”

UNSEATED MARINDUQUE Rep. Regina Ongsiako-Reyes has joined critics of the Supreme Court’s controversial ruling that allowed Sen. Grace Poe to run for President.

In a statement, Reyes asked why the high tribunal allowed Poe, a foundling and former US citizen who reacquired Natural-born Philippine citizenship, to seek the presiComparing herself with Poe, Reyes dency after earlier disqualifying her, a said that she, too, executed an affidavit natural-born candidate with previous renouncing her foreign citizenship, not dual citizenship and known parents, once but twice on Sept. 21, 2012, and on from a lower elective post.

Sept. 21, 2015. She said these affidavits “If Poe is allowed to run, should not I, of renunciation restored her status as a with more reason, be allowed to run?” naturalborn Filipino citizen.

Reyes said, adding that she could not The court ruled that her Sept. 21, 2012, help comparing the circumstances in affidavit proved she became a Filipino her disqualification only on that date case with those in even if she had been Poe’s and pointing serving as provinout the different rulcial administrator of ings of the high court.

The two petitions Marinduque since She lamented the against me in the previous year. court’s treatment of the Comelec had Reyes, daughter Poe, whose parents been overtaken of Marinduque Gov. are unknown, as a natby the Poe Carmencita Reyes, ural-born citizen, with decision and said that if the high 10-year residency and should be thrown court allowed a eligible for the highest out forthwith. foundling with no post in the land while known parents like declaring her (Reyes) Poe to run for Presiineligible for a seat in dent, it should allow Congress when she is a natural-born citi“a naturalborn citizen, with a birth certifi- zen like her whose parents are known cate, whose parents are Filipino citizens Filipino citizens to seek public office. and are known public servants.”

She said she would raise these arguments in her petition asking the high Invoking Poe case court to revisit her case.

Reyes, who is running for a congres“The two petitions against me in the sional seat, is the first candidate to come Comelec had been overtaken by the out and invoke the court’s March 8 deci- Poe decision and should be thrown out sion in Poe’s case. forthwith,” Reyes said.

In January, the court ordered the House of Representatives to oust Reyes Open floodgates after upholding its June 2013 ruling statIn his dissenting opinion on the Poe ing that she failed to prove that she was case, Justice Mariano del Castillo warned a Filipino citizen and had complied with that the majority ruling would open the the one-year residency requirement floodgates to election protests on candiwhen she filed her certificate of candi- dates’ eligibility in relation to citizenship dacy for the 2013 congressional election. and residency as it reversed the jurispruThe runner-up in the race, Lord Allan dence set in earlier poll cases.

Jay Velasco, was declared the duly elect“I do not want to wake up someday ed lawmaker. Reyes and Velasco will and see my beloved country teeming face each other again in the elections on with foreigners and aliens posing as May 9. natural-born Filipinos, while the real Reyes said the two new disqualifica- natives are thrown into oblivion or reltion cases that Velasco filed against her egated to second or third class citizens in the Commission on Elections (Come- who have become strangers in their own lec) should be dismissed because the homeland,” the justice wrote.

Supreme Court had already ruled in the The losers in the Poe cases—the Poe case that the poll body had no juris- Comelec and the four individuals who diction to decide on the qualifications of sought Poe’s disqualification—have a president, vice president, senators and pending motions for reconsideration in congressmen. the high court. ■

Traffic scheme starts on April 15 with 250 new CCTV cams

BY MARICAR B. BRIZUELA Philippine Daily Inquirer THE METROPOLITAN Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has installed an additional 250 high definition closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras around Metro Manila in preparation for the implementation of the “no contact” apprehension policy starting on April 15.

During the agency’s weekly radio program on Sunday, MMDA No-Contact Policy head Ronnie Rivera said that they were just fine-tuning the setup and testing the quality of the feed from the cameras.

“We are checking if they can see even from afar the plate numbers of vehicles passing along designated roads,” he added.

Also being checked were the cameras’ angles to ensure that these would be in the best position to capture violations committed by motorists as well as the license plates of their vehicles.

“We are also waiting for another 100 cameras to help us with the no-contact apprehension policy,” Rivera said, adding that the MMDA would focus on traffic violations such as illegally parked

vehicles, encroaching on yellow boxes at intersections, unlawful use of the bus lanes, reckless driving and loading and unloading in prohibited areas.

The traffic scheme will initially be implemented on Edsa and C-5, including other major thoroughfares covered by the MMDA’s CCTV cameras.

MMDA Chair Emerson Carlos earlier said that the agency has 400 CCTV cameras all over Metro Manila on top of those installed only recently.

The agency, however, did not say where the new cameras were, preferring to keep their location a secret for now.

Under the no-contact policy, the MMDA will keep track of motorists’ compliance with traffic rules through its CCTV cameras. Within three days of the supposed violation, drivers will be notified by the agency and will have seven days to contest its findings. In the absence of a protest, they will receive a final notice asking for payment of the corresponding fine.

Carlos said a 15-man team stationed at the MMDA Metrobase on Orense Street in Makati City will be in charge of monitoring the footage taken by CCTV cameras. ■

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APRIL 1, 2016

FRIDAY

Transport agencies laud court ruling on Grab ops at NAIA

BY AZER N. PARROCHA Philippines News Agency MANILA — Transport agencies on Tuesday have welcomed the ruling of the Pasay Regional Trial Court (RTC) to deny the application for a temporary restraining order (TRO) to prohibit appbased ride-hailing service GrabCar to pick-up passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Atty. Winston Ginez confirmed that the court denied the application for TRO which was filed by transport service provider Airport Transport Concessionaire Association Inc. (ATCAI).

ATCAI has protested against GrabCar operations in NAIA even before the latter was officially granted permission by concerned transport agencies last March 14.

The concessionaire also described the operation of GrabCar as “semicolorum” since GrabCar only relied on stickers to operate, did not undergo the same security screening making it unfair treatment.

LTFRB, however, said that GrabCar as a transport network vehicle service

(TNVS) is regarded as part of the new transport categories under the Department of Transportation and Communications.

Only GrabCar and not GrabTaxi is allowed to pick-up and drop-off passengers at the airport.

On the other hand, the LTFRB and Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) welcomed the ruling emphasizing the need for passengers to have more modes of transport in the airport.

“It gives passengers more public transport option. The ruling justifies it,” LTFRB board member Atty. Ariel Inton said in a text message.

MIAA spokesperson David de Castro echoed Inton’s statement, assuring passengers that this will help address the shortage in public utility vehicles (PUVs) in NAIA. “The MIAA will continue to make sure that the riding public will have access to efficient public transport,” De Castro said.

De Castro, meanwhile, said that its GrabCar’s rival, Uber will also eventually start operating at NAIA after it completes accreditation requirements.

At present, MIAA and Uber are still under discussions. No definite timeline has been set for when Uber will begin operations at the airport. ■

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The PNP assured the public that there are “no validated reports of terrorist threats in Metro Manila.”

PNP.PIO / FACEBOOK

No terror threats in Metro, says PNP

BY JAYMEE T. GAMIL Philippine Daily Inquirer

tary condemned the terrorist attacks in Brussels.

“This attack cannot be justified by any ideology and has no place in any THE PHILIPPINE National Police yes- civilized society. We are also extending terday assured the public, especially our heartfelt sympathy to the victims Holy Week travelers, that there are “no of this attack in Brussels and we hope validated reports of terrorist threats in that the victims will find the strength Metro Manila.” and resolve to move forward,” Detoyato The PNP assurance came a day after said.

Islamic State (IS) bombers killed around The PNP chief, Director General Ri35 people and injured hundreds in at- cardo Marquez, has issued directives for tacks at a Brussels airport and a metro all police units “to secure vital installatrain in Belgium on Tuesday. tions and implement target-hardening “Security forces and the intelligence measures” for the start of summer vacanetwork are continuously monitoring tion. and doing their jobs,” The measures inChief Supt. Wilben clude deployment of Mayor, spokesperson additional personnel for the PNP, said in a to airports, increased statement yesterday.

This attack police foot and moReady to respond cannot be bile patrols, and de“The PNP assures justified by any ployment of police the public that sufideology and assistance desks and ficient units are on has no place road safety marshals standby, ready to in any civilized to bus terminals, searespond to any situsociety. We are ports, train stations, ation and act on conalso extending recreational areas tingencies,” Mayor our heartfelt and major roads. said. sympathy to The Armed Forces the victims of Remain vigilant of the Philippines this attack in Detoyato, however, gave the same asBrussels and we advised the public to surance: “The AFP, hope that the remain vigilant even together with other victims will find during the long holisecurity forces, has the strength and day. taken up the necesresolve to move “We ask our people sary steps to prevent forward. to report any unusual similar incidents or suspicious items from occurring in our that may be used for country,” said Col. terror acts. Security Noel Detoyato, AFP has always been a Public Affairs Office chief. shared responsibility and their vigilance “Our intensified security and intel- and cooperation are important in preligence gathering efforts are [going on] venting terrorist attacks,” he said. to monitor threat groups and deter any The PNP likewise encouraged the pubterror attempt,” Detoyato said. lic to forward reports through its hotline 09178475757 or its social media accounts Attacks condemned on Twitter (@pnppio and @pnphotline) Detoyato said the Philippine mili- or on the PNP Facebook page. ■

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2016-03-21 10:17 AM

Philippine News

FRIDAY APRIL 1, 2016

5

Kim Wong vows to ‘tell all’

BY CHRISTINE O. AVENDAÑO Philippine Daily Inquirer CHINESE BUSINESSMAN Kim Wong will face senators tomorrow to “tell all” and “correct some false testimonies” that were given to the Senate inquiry into the laundering of $81 million stolen from Bangladesh’s central bank and transferred to the Philippine financial system, reelectionist Sen. Panfilo Lacson said yesterday.

In a text message to the INQUIRER, Lacson said Wong, a long-time friend of his, had reached out to him last week.

“As per my advice, [Wong] promised to tell all on Tuesday

when the Senate hearing resumes,” Lacson said.

Wong returned to the country last week after receiving medical treatment in Singapore.

He is a key personality in the Senate inquiry into the money laundering of the $81 million, which was deposited in four bank accounts at the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp.

(RCBC) branch on Jupiter Street in Makati City.

Wong was identified by bank manager Maia Deguito as the one who told her to open the bank accounts, four of which turned out to be for fictitious persons with fake addresses.

Wong is facing a criminal complaint after the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC)

accused him of facilitating the traffic of dirty money.

Hackers stole the $81 million from the account of Bangladesh’s central bank in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on Feb. 5 and wired it to the four accounts in RCBC Jupiter branch.

The money was then consolidated into an account in the name of businessman William So Go and later converted into pesos by the remittance firm Philrem, which transferred part of the funds to Chinese casino player Xu Weikang and Bloombery Hotels Inc., operator of Solaire Casino in Parañaque City.

The AMLC said Philrem also transferred P1 billion, or $21.6 million, to Wong through his Philippine National Bank ac-

Chinese businessman Kim Wong will face senators to “tell all” and “correct some false testimonies” that were given to the senate inquiry into the laundering of $81 million stolen from Bangladesh’s Central Bank SCREENGRAB FROM AN INQUIRER.NET FOOTAGE

count of his business, Eastern Hawaii Leisure Co. Ltd. At the continuation of the the blue ribbon committee’s investigation tomorrow, Wong “will shed light and correct some false testimonies made by some resource persons who testified earlier,” Lacson said.

“Nevertheless, I told him to confer with his lawyer,” Lacson added.

One of Wong’s lawyers said his client would tell the truth at the hearing to belie accusations he was behind the money laundering scheme.

“Mr. Kim Wong is only armed with the truth. He will prove that he is not hiding and that he will fully cooperate in this investigation,” lawyer Inocencio Ferrer Jr. said. ■

Erap: Grace Poe didn’t seek my endorsement; my choice of her was dictated by my heart PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY MANILA — Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada on Tuesday pointed out that presidential candidate Sen. Grace Poe did not seek his endorsement.

Estrada said he has made his decision of supporting Poe’s candidacy, albeit “secretly,” about two months ago.

“In fairness to her, she never asked my endorsement,” Estrada told reporters when asked if the senator personally sought his support.

The Manila mayor revealed that other presidential candidates, whom he declined to identify, actually did seek his support.

“Marami ang naghihintay. Hindi na ako magbabanggit (There are a lot who waited. I will not mention who anymore).”

Estrada announced his support to Poe during his proclamation rally last Monday at Liwasang Bonifacio.

He stressed that Poe, his goddaughter and daughter of his close friend, the late actor Fernando Poe Jr., and his former running mate, Vice President Jejomar Binay, are both qualified and competent to be the country’s next leader, but he has to make his stand.

“Well, sa aking pananaw,

pareho silang pwede. Kaya lang siyempre si Grace Poe ay mayroon ding kakayahan. In fairness to her, ipinakita naman niya ang kanyang galing sa Senado (Well, in my opinion, they are both suited for the position.

But of course, Grace Poe has her own strengths. In fairness to her, she has proven herself in the senate),” Estrada said, adding that Poe “has a good potential for becoming president.”

Asked if his choice of Poe might cause Binay to harbor ill-feelings toward him, Estrada said that his decision stands.

“Wala tayong magagawa, dahil iyon ang kabig ng puso ko, ng dibdib ko, ng isipan ko (We cannot do anything, for that is what my heart and mind beats for),” he said.

“Tutal naman, pareho na kaming matagal na sa serbisyo, matagal na siyang longest mayor of Makati, naging Vice President. Pagbigyan naman natin itong mga bata (In any case, we have both served lengthy periods of time, he has served longest as Makati Mayor and became Vice President. Let us give chance to the younger generation),” he added.

Meanwhile, Estrada also explained his choice of Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos as his vice presidential candidate, saying it was “an act of grati-

tude” to the senator’s mother, former First Lady and re-electionist Ilocos Norte 2nd District Rep. Imelda Marcos.

“An act of gratitude also to the First Lady who was the Metro Manila governor before.

Marami siyang napagawa dito sa Tondo. Mga 26,000 families

ang nabiyayaan ng lupa dito sa Tondo. Tsaka ang BLISS Program niya, marami siyang natulungan ng mga housing (She has done many things for Tondo. 26,000 families have been given land. Her BLISS Program provided housing for many),” he said.

“Marami siyang nabigyan ng trabaho. Sa Parola, kahit magtanong kayo doon, sa Puting Bato, sa Baseco, marami siyang natulungang mahihirap sa Maynila (Jobs were given to people in Parola, Puting Bato, Baseco. The poor were given help.)” he added. ■

Juan Carlos | juancarloscrr@yahoo.ca | 647-828-2618 www.canadianinquirer.net

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Philippine News

APRIL 1, 2016

FRIDAY

CA junks Junjun Binay’s plea to stop suspension

BY JODEE A. AGONCILLO Philippine Daily Inquirer THE COURT of Appeals (CA) has junked a petition from ousted Makati City Mayor Junjun Binay for the court to stop his suspension, ruling that the case was already mooted by the Ombudsman’s decision ordering Binay’s dismissal.

In a decision released yesterday, the appellate court’s former Sixth Division also dismissed for lack of merit Binay’s bid to hold his father’s political rival, presidential candidate Mar Roxas and several others in contempt for enforcing the Ombudsman’s first suspension order against him on the same day that he secured a temporary restraining order (TRO) from the appellate court.

Binay, who is often seen on

the campaign trail supporting the presidential bid of his father, Vice President Jejomar Binay, was first ordered suspended a year ago while under investigation for his role in the alleged overpricing of the P2.3-billion Makati City Hall Building II. He was forced to step down on July 1, 2015, when he failed to get a TRO from a separate appellate court division to stop a second suspension order from the Ombudsman, this time while under investigation for alleged bid-rigging in the construction of the 10-story Makati Science High School building.

The Ombudsman eventually dismissed Binay in October, finding him liable for grave misconduct and serious dishonesty for his involvement in the City Hall building II project. He was banned from ever holding public office.

the case here,” the court ruled.

The Ombudsman, who was impleaded for contempt for issuing a manifestation on the case, may not be held for indirect contempt as her pleading “merely reflects her legal opinion, contains neither offensive nor derogatory language, and thus, not contumacious,” the court said.

Persuasive, not controlling Junjun Binay, who is often seen on the campaign supporting the presidential bid of his father, Vice President Jejomar Binay, was first ordered suspended a year ago while under investigation for his role in the alleged overpricing of the Makati City Hall Building II. FACEBOOK PHOTO

Contempt bid dismissed

In yesterday’s ruling penned

by Associate Justice Jose Reyes Jr., the appellate court said that in view of the Ombudsman’s Oct. 9, 2015, decision finding Bi-

nay administratively liable and imposing on him the penalty of dismissal, it found Binay’s petition questioning the March 10, 2015, preventive suspension of the Ombudsman “already moot and academic. Its dismissal based on mootness is therefore in order.”

The court also dismissed for lack of merit Binay’s contempt bid against Roxas as the then interior secretary, former Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, Makati City Mayor Romulo Peña and several police officers for defying the TRO that the appellate court had issued against his suspension.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Philippine National Police had enforced Binay’s first suspension in March last year, installing Peña as acting mayor a few hours before the Court of Appeals issued a TRO in Binay’s favor.

De Lima at the time issued a legal opinion that the TRO no longer had any effect as Binay’s suspension was already enforced when it was handed down.

‘Not contemptuous’

The appellate court found none of the respondents liable for contempt.

It said the DILG was merely performing a “ministerial duty” in enforcing Binay’s suspension.

Peña was also spared, as the court ruled that his commitment to his duties as acting city mayor was “not contemptuous.”

“A conduct, to be contumacious, implies willfulness, bad faith or with deliberate intent to cause injustice, which is not www.canadianinquirer.net

The CA also ruled that De Lima was not at fault for issuing a legal opinion in favor of the suspension order.

“A reading of the legal opinion reveals that it was not so worded as to offend this honorable court. On the contrary, it was couched in courteous language. Besides, the legal opinion made by respondent De Lima is merely persuasive and not controlling,” the court said.

Appellate court proceedings began when Binay sought to cite Morales for grave abuse of discretion for ordering his suspension last year.

He went on to file the contempt case when the local government’s department pushed for his suspension despite the TRO. The proceedings were put on hold when Morales filed a countersuit in the Supreme Court, seeking a halt to the appellate court hearings, citing the power of the Ombudsman to be spared from court injunctions while undertaking investigations.

Win-win ruling

The high court rendered a win-win ruling in November.

On the one hand, it struck down as unconstitutional the provision of the Ombudsman Act that spared its investigations from court injunctions.

On the other, the high court abandoned the condonation doctrine, which extinguishes an elected official’s administrative liabilities during his or her previous term by virtue of reelection.

Binay’s camp had cited the doctrine in asserting that he should not be held liable for the alleged irregularities in the construction of the City Hall building II, as he had been reelected.

The court’s ruling was, however, prospective, or applicable in future cases, making Binay’s case the last in which the principle could be legally invoked. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY APRIL 1, 2016

7

K-12 won’t guarantee good education–Romulo

BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA Philippine Daily Inquirer TWO MORE years of senior high school would not guarantee quality education for more than a million students unless the Department of Education (DepEd) admits the inadequacies in the preparation for the K-12 program and provides quick solutions for the problems besetting the basic curriculum.

In a recent round table interview with INQUIRER editors and reporters, Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo said the DepEd should address the complexities surrounding the education reform program—including the lack of classrooms and facilities—to ensure that students are properly educated.

According to Romulo, citing the birth pains of the K-12 is no

excuse, especially with some 1.1 million public school students shouldering the burden that would come with an additional two years of high school, such as additional expenses for school necessities.

Of the 1.4 million high school graduates every year, 1.1 million come from public schools.

“It’s easy to say that, correct, there are birth pains. But for 1 million to 1.1 million students in public high schools, they will be the ones to bite the bullet, not us. Are we sure they will be able to afford two more years that would provide no value added because the program is not ready?” Romulo said, who is running for senator in the May elections.

He said the K-12 program is a good concept but the Philippines is not ready to implement it given the lack of classrooms and facilities.

Even the voucher system that would send students from overcrowded public schools to private high schools may not be enough, he said.

Not ready

“I prefer that the DepEd admits it’s not ready, that it won’t be able to provide quality education. Maybe after one year, two years, they can implement it. At the end of the day, if it’s not ready, it would just be a burden,” he said.

“The DepEd should try to do solutions as quick as possible.

They know the problems…

They have to do something,” he said.

“If we don’t point out the mistakes, the shortfalls, the shortcomings now, what will happen is they will proceed with what they have. That’s exactly whywe have to be critical, so that they will take steps to

improve the system they have now,” he said.

The Supreme Court earlier denied pleas to issue a temporary restraining order to stop the K-12 program, paving the way for the DepEd to implement the two additional years of high school by June. That is, unless the court issues a ruling on the petitions questioning the program before the next school year starts.

Romulo noted that the department’s expectation was that nearly half—or about 48 percent—of the senior high school students would take the vocational-technical education track, which is supposed to provide them with skills that would enable them to get a job after graduating.

But he said there may not be enough jobs available for them. He noted that a memorandum of agreement between

education officials and a business group identified the local industries that may consider the technical-vocational high school graduates, but it did not identify the industries’ absorptive capacity.

College teachers affected

“Are there industries in any locality that will be able to absorb a large amount of graduates? Assuming they could not be absorbed, what would they do?” he said.

Romulo, who is chair of the House committee on higher education, stressed the importance of the issues concerning the K-12 program which, he said, would also affect college teachers.

The teachers could lose their jobs in the first two years of the program because there would be no freshmen enrolling in college at that time, he said. ■

May 9 polls to start at break of day

BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA Philippine Daily Inquirer VOTERS MAY start making for the polling stations at daybreak on Election Day, as the Commission on Elections is considering an early start to the voting—at 6 a.m. instead of 7 a.m.—to allow more time for the printing of the voter verification receipts.

Comelec Commissioner Christian Robert Lim, who heads the steering committee for the 2016 elections, said it was proposed that voting hours be designated as 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., instead of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The proposal to move the voting hours would still have to be approved by the Comelec en banc, Lim told a hearing of the joint congressional oversight committee on the automated election system.

Under the Comelec’s plan, the Board of Election Inspectors could begin preparations for the voting, which includes starting up the vote-counting machines, at 5 a.m. so they would be ready for the voters by 6 a. m.

Comelec Chair Andres Bautista said the poll body wants to take advantage of the daylight

hours. “As much as possible, we’d like to start and finish while there’s still daylight,” he said.

The Comelec decided to extend the voting hours after the Supreme Court ordered the poll body to issue printed voter receipts so the voters could check if the counting machines had recorded their choices correctly.

2 features

The Comelec initially planned to do away with the printing of receipts and just use onscreen verification. But the Supreme Court ruled that it must issue printed receipts.

Bautista said the Comelec could no longer disable the onscreen verification feature on the vote counting machines as this would entail another lengthy process.

Hence, there will be two voter verification features, one onscreen and a printed receipt, which Sen. Koko Pimentel described as an “overkill.”

Voters who see discrepancies between their ballots and the voter receipt may file an electoral protest.

Amid fears that this might be abused, the Comelec law body is considering making it an elec-

tion offense for a person to file a false claim of discrepancy between the receipt and the ballot.

“It might impact the credibility of the elections if there will be many people complaining,” Bautista said.

Meanwhile, Pimentel said he was disappointed that the Comelec has to procure scissors for the cutting of the receipts from the vote counting machines.

A machine that costs P38,000 to rent should at least have the capability to cut the receipts properly, Pimentel said.

The Comelec has approved a budget of P28.9 million for the purchase of 100,000 pairs of scissors and 93,000 receptacles for the printed voter receipts so they would not be brought out of the precincts.

Interested bidders have until April 13 to acquire bid documents at a cost of P1,000. Submission and opening of bids to supply the scissors has been scheduled for the same day.

For the 93,000 plastic receptacles, interested suppliers have until April 11 to obtain bid documents at P25,000. Total funds allotted is P27.9 million, or P300 per receptacle.

The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting www.canadianinquirer.net

A man looks for his name in the list of voters during mock elections held by the Commission on Elections. @COMELEC / TWITTER

(PPCRV) said it would help ensure that the voter verification receipts are not taken out of the polling stations to prevent vote buying.

Call for volunteers

PPCRV national chair Henrietta de Villa called for more volunteers as the group has to double the number of watchers since the voting hours are expected to be extended with the issuing of voter verification receipts.

The PPCRV will need 400,000 volunteers to man the 92,509 precincts nationwide, she said. But the group is aiming to recruit 800,000 volunteers nationwide, De Villa said.

The ideal ratio of PPCRV volunteers to precinct is four to one.

Aside from those assigned at the precincts, volunteers would be needed to man assistance desks at the voting centers and to monitor the transport of ballot boxes. ■

Philippine News

8

APRIL 1, 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.

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Member

President Aquino delivered a speech during the commencement exercises for the Master in Public Management Major in Local Governance and Development (MPM-LGD) at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañang Palace.

JOSEPH VIDAL / MALACAÑANG PHOTO BUREAU

President Aquino urges new public service graduates to pursue collective progress

BY JELLY F. MUSICO Philippines News Agency MANILA — President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday urged the new graduates of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) to pursue the straight path towards collective progress that his administration has aimed to achieve for the past almost six years.

“I encourage you to always work with vigor and passion throughout your careers in public service,” the President said in his speech at the DAP commencement exercises for the Master in Public Management, Major in Local Governance and Development at Malacanang Palace.

“Of course, the obstacles will always be there, but my hope is that, in the most challenging situations, you can look back to your time at the Development Academy of the Philippines, and gather strength from the knowledge that you are not alone—that your batchmates, along with so many like-minded Filipinos—are working in pursuit of our col-

lective progress, and that together, we will prevail,” he added.

With only three months left in his administration, President Aquino admitted that what he will probably miss the most “is being able to respond immediately to the issues pointed out by our countrymen.”

“But I am comforted whenever I see individuals like you, who are also embarking on the long—and sometimes thankless—journey of serving one’s fellowman. I am comforted because I see so many Filipinos choosing to tread the Straight Path—who are willing to pursue the difficult right over the easy wrong,” the President said.

“All the successes we have achieved over these past five years and nine months have been a result of a Filipino people that has been more engaged in the quiet work of nation building,” he added.

The President expressed faith that comes May 9 elections, “our people will choose the right path, and continue to build a Filipino nation that can care for each and every citizen, and that can truly shine on the world stage.”

“Actually, after 93 days, the responsibility will pass to another, and I am glad that we have reliable graduates like you who can continue such work regardless of what happens in May,” President Aquino said.

President Aquino said the new DAP graduates can take into consideration all the achievements and experiences of the present administration to serve them as additional knowledge and lessons that would guide them to become better public servants in the future.

“I am hopeful that over the course of your careers, you can take all these lessons into consideration—together with what you’ve learned in school—and assist those who will have to demonstrate political will to take the right steps,” the President said.

“You can make the process towards consensus that much more easier to achieve, and I am thankful to our partners from the United States government, the Development Academy of the Philippines, and most of all to you, who have committed so much time and effort in the spirit of serving our fellowman,” he added. ■

AFP verifying report of Abu Sayyaf abduction of tugboat crew PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is still verifying reports that 10 crew members of a Taiwanese tugboat were reportedly kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) while passing off Tawi-Tawi waters.

“The AFP through the WMC (Western

Mindanao Command) has received initial information on the missing crewmen of a certain foreign owned vessel in the Zambasulta area. We could not yet confirm this information and at the moment, in the process of validating it,” AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said.

“We shall issue a statement once there is certainty that the said incident actually occurred. In the meantime, all our

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forces are on alert ready to assist if necessary and help ascertain the incident,” he added.

Reports claimed that the privatelyowned tugboat had just come from Indonesia and headed for Manila when attacked by the bandits.

The tugboat was found moored at Languyan Island, Tawi-Tawi province on Sunday. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY APRIL 1, 2016

9

Janitor lectures bets on honesty

BY JODEE A. AGONCILLO Philippine Daily Inquirer FOR SOME of his friends, he is “bayaning tanga” (foolish hero) for passing up the many times he could have become instantly richer.

But to a group of businessmen from a Rotary Club, Ronald Gadayan is the type of person election candidates should emulate and look up to.

Gadayan, a 39-year-old janitor assigned to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) since 2012, is known to return lost items as valuable as P2.4 million to owners without giving it a second thought. The Rotary Club of Pasay-Sinagtala (District 3810) recently honored him for his honesty.

In front of businessmen, Gadayan talked about how honesty not only to God but also to people could help change the nation.

Over the past years, Gadayan has returned numerous valuables left by passengers at Naia—from a driver’s license with P20, jewelry and gadgets like iPad, iPhones, Apple Mac laptop of a doctor from Philippine General Hospital to $5,000 in cash that an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) left at the men’s comfort room, and pouch with jewelry and cash amounting to P2.4 million left by a Cebu businessman on a chair while awaiting boarding time.

“I am not a religious person. In fact, I don’t often go to church. But for me, being fair and honest not just to people, but most especially to God, is enough,” he said.

“If you are honest to God, everything will follow through,” he added. “You may not be rewarded, but God sees you. And it shall bear fruit at the proper time.”

What the Philippines lacks, according to Gadayan, are honest leaders. “It’s frustrating; there are not many at the top whom people can look up to. Only if the leaders are honest can they demand honest followers,” he said.

‘Mission Possible’

His challenge to the next President: Be honest not only to people, but also to God. Inspired by a feature about Gadayan’s life aired on ABS-CBN’s “Mission Possible,” the Rotary Club chapter president, Eugene Saludar, was moved into treating the janitor and his family to Ocean Park and giving him a one-night stay in H2O Hotel in Manila.

Aweek after, the club invited Gadayan and awarded him. “We are looking for people we can be proud of and emulate.

I am touched by his honesty. I mean, some of the items he returned are already thrown in garbage cans, but he still returned it,” Saludar said.

Not first time

Gadayan has been rewarded and cited

for his honesty a number of times. though. Instead he borrowed money received P25,000 from the businessman He was named “Kahanga-hangang again from the lender to whom he ear- who left the million peso-bearing pouch Pinoy” by Manila Jaycee Senate Inc. in lier pawned his automated teller machine and P300 from the OFW who misplaced San Juan City, outstanding alumnus of card. “I just can’t,” he said. his $5,000.

Caloocan High School, Spirit of Edsa Sometimes, domestic helpers he awardee in 2013, and outstanding citi- Hoax met at the airport telling him that they zen by no less than Manila Archbishop He has fallen victim to hoaxes. He was proudly shared his story with their their Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle in 2012. once told that a politician had pledged bosses abroad was enough to brighten Tagle commended Gadayan for “ex- to give him a house and lot. The offer his day, Gadayan said. emplary witnessing to live out the gos- was announced on television and radio, “It’s enough people outside the counpel by returning what does not rightfully prompting his family to go to a subdi- try know there are still good people and belong to him, aware they are Filipinos.” that the greatness is Reward or no renot measured in maward did not matterial richness but ter to him. For him, in service to others, to know that people thereby heeding the If you are honest to God, everything will follow were inspired by call of Jesus to live through. You may not be rewarded, but God his actions and that daily in honesty and sees you. And it shall bear fruit at the proper he was able to put a integrity.” time. smile on their faces The province of was enough. “I would Bulacan passed a reslove it that people olution recognizing will spread the good his honesty in 2013. vision in two jeepneys. There were no news,” he told the INQUIRER. Just last month, Gadayan was cited by house and lot, however.

“Kindness never stops; it sprouts. The Caloocan Mayor Oscar Malapitan as one Another public official from Bulacan good deed I made happened some years of the city’s outstanding citizens and announced that he would give Gaday- ago, but people are still touched by it. naming him “Honesto”—a local televi- an’s children scholarships. None came, Perhaps they all wanted a hero. An honsion character known for honesty. he said. est one,” he added.

Recently his life was portrayed in a Empty promises these are, like the Gadayan said he had this constant play titled “#PopePUlar Pano kung Pi- promises of politicians during the cam- reminder from his parents when they noy si Kiko: A Filipino musical,” direct- paign period, the janitor said. were still alive: “‘Never get anything that ed by Vince Tañada. At Adamson UniSome people acknowledged his deed; is not yours.’ I hope our next President versity, he was cited as one of the play’s some did not. Some rewarded him. He knows and does that, too,” he said. ■ five modern-day heroes whose characters resembled that of Pope Francis.

Spread the message

When visited by the INQUIRER at his home in Norzagaray in Bulacan, Gadayan said the certificates he received and his name were the only inheritance he could leave to his children.

“I don’t need rewards; I just hope the good message will be spread,” he said, noting that his supervisor, Edwin Magbitang, granted him a day leave for the interview with the INQUIRER to fulfill that “purpose.”

Although still a contractual janitor in Naia and squatting with his wife Rosalie, three children and relatives in Norzagaray and still in debt, Gadayan said he was happy and contented with what he had.

“A good name is better than riches,” he tells his children.

“Sometimes, my fellow workers in Naia laugh at me,” he said. “You keep on returning things, but you get nothing back,” he said, recalling what his coworkers told him.

The janitor said friends had tempted him many times to keep the things he had found.

In 2010, two of his three children were in hospital suffering from dengue. The iPhone left by a passenger could have been “heaven’s answer” to his problem of coming up with the money to pay for the medical bills, his friends told him.

He did not entertain the thought,

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Philippine News

APRIL 1, 2016

FRIDAY

P-Noy OKs pay hike for gov’t firms’ personnel

BY NIKKO DIZON Philippine Daily Inquirer PRESIDENT AQUINO on Tuesday signed an executive order giving the green light to salary increases for executives and employees of governmentowned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) and other government financial institutions.

Executive Order No. 203 or the adoption of a “Compensation and Position Classification System (CPCS) and a General Index of Occupational Services (IOS) for the GOCC Sector, would allow quasi-government corporations to raise their salaries to a level comparative to the private sector in line with the GOCC Governance Act of 2011.”

A Malacañang statement did not mention how much the increase would cost the government but a GOCC briefing paper on the Palace website estimated it at about P4.6 billion.

The new EO follows the President’s approval last February

of salary increases for some 1.5 million civilian and military employees (EO 201), estimated to cost the government P226 billion, after Congress failed to pass the Salary Standardization Law. Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the implementation of the CPCS would be “subject to each GOCC’s capacity to pay, ensuring the corporation’s financial viability.”

Coloma said EO 203 “covers all government-owned or -controlled corporations, government financial institutions, as well as government instrumentalities with corporate powers or government corporate entities including their subsidiaries.”

“EO 203… serves as the counterpart measure for GOCCs to EO 201… which modified the salary schedule for civilian government personnel and authorized the grant of additional benefits for both civilian military and uniformed personnel,” Coloma said. ■

Most transparent... a feature that was not used in the 2010 and 2013 elections.

“We will endeavor to make this 2016 election the most transparent in Philippine history,” Bautista said at the hearing.

Bautista made the statement even as he noted that the recent Supreme Court decision requiring the poll body to print voter receipts dealt a “curve ball” to its preparations, coming just 60 days before the polls.

Comelec Executive Director Jose Tolentino further enumerated the features of the vote counting machines to be used in the May polls.

According to Tolentino, the vote counting machines for the 2016 elections have two USB ports intended solely for the modem to be used for the transmission of results. Any other gadget inserted in these ports would not be recognized.

“So that’s our security,” Tolentino said.

He said that in the 2010 and 2013 elections, only the digi❰❰ 1

tal signature generated by the precinct count optical scan machines were used. But in the coming elections, the vote counting machine would have a digital signature, including those of two other members of the Board of Election Inspectors. The BEI’s digital signatures would act as PIN codes provided by the Comelec.

The Comelec will also be issuing a voter receipt, as directed by the Supreme Court.

As for the indelible ink, this would be placed on voters’ fingernails before the receipt is issued to the voter. The voter will then be required to drop the receipt inside a receptacle before he leaves the precinct.

Ultraviolet light sensors, first featured in the 2013 ballot, remain another security feature.

Tolentino said the vote counting machines will simultaneously save data from the main storage to the backup storage, a feature not available in the two previous automated elections. ■

Mayoral candidate Rep. Josephine Lacson-Noel accused the city police of being “slow, biased and incompetent” in solving the killings in the city, particularly the cases involving her supporters.

JAYENOEL / FACEBOOK

Malabon mayoral bet laments death of supporters, hits cops for incompetence

BY JODEE A. AGONCILLO Philippine Daily Inquirer

cia chair, another of her supporters.

Torres was shot at by two unidentified motorcycle-riding TWO BARANGAY councilors men but survived the attempt. in Malabon said to be support“These incidents and aters of a mayoral candidate, Rep. tacks make me angry…but I Josephine Lacson-Noel, were always tell my supporters to shot dead on Holy Wednesday take precautions,” Noel said. at a gasoline station in the city.

“These barangay councilors They were identified as Danare a big loss to the Malabon iel Villaluna, 42, a fire volunteer community. They were not and councilor of Barangay Cononly serving their constitucepcion, and Bienvenido Reyes ents, they were practically Jr., 40, a councilor of Barangay serving the entire city as a fire San Agustin. volunteer and Both were in ambulance drivan ambulance er for the combearing a photo munity,” she of Noel when These barangay councilors are a added. they were apbig loss to the Malabon community.

Abad, who proached by the They were not only serving their called Noel’s gunman, said constituents, they were practically claims baseless, Senior Supt. Sevserving the entire city as a fire said they have erino Abad Jr., volunteer and ambulance driver for formed an inMalabon police the community. vestigation task chief. group to invesThe shoottigate the death ing happened of the two baat a gas station on the corner the city, particularly the cases rangay councilors. They were of General Luna and Sacristia involving her supporters. also looking into the possibility Streets.

“We have theories [regard- that the killing of Villaluna and Reyes, who was shot once in ing their murder] but we are Reyes may be politically motithe chest, was rushed by by- just waiting for the investiga- vated or related to a personal standers to the Pagamutang tion [findings] of the CIDG and grudge and vendetta, he added.

Bayan ng Malabon while Vil- NPD. There were several killIn January, City Councilor laluna, who suffered multiple ings that happened in Malabon, Merlin “Tiger” Manalac, a gunshot wounds in the body, especially those involving my member of the Pusong Malawas brought to Manila Central party, and yet there are no clear bon Party led by Mayor Lenlen University Hospital. Both men, leads [or] updates,” Noel said.

Oreta, was shot dead in front of however, later died of their inShe cited the murder attempt his house in Barangay Tinajejuries. earlier this month on Victorio ros. The police are still trying to A witness told the police that Torres Trinidad, Barangay Aca- identify his killers. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

he saw the gunman escaping on a motorcycle driven by a cohort.

Recovered from the crime scene were three shells from a .45-cal. pistol.

Noel, meanwhile, told the INQUIRER on Saturday that she had sought the help of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Northern Police District (NPD) in solving the case.

She accused the city police of being “slow, biased and incompetent” in solving the killings in

Philippine News

FRIDAY APRIL 1, 2016

11

EcoWaste reiterates push for eco-friendly campaigning PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY MANILA — The EcoWaste Coalition reiterated its push for eco-friendly campaigning activities after witnessing the unabashed littering at separate rallies held Monday in Manila to proclaim the candidacy of re-electionist Mayor Joseph Estrada and former Mayor Alfredo Lim. “We find the unchecked littering at public assemblies inexcusable,” according to Aileen Lucero, EcoWaste Coalition coordinator.

“There is no justification for turning our parks and streets into dumping grounds. It’s totally unacceptable for us to litter even in the exercise of our democratic rights. It’s not right even if we know that street cleaners will pick up after us without complaining,” she said.

“It’s not too late for well-

meaning candidates to literally clean up their campaign sorties.

They should use their moral influence to request their supporters to mind their garbage,” she added.

“The public should be constantly reminded not to drop any litter and every rally should end with a clean-up led by the candidates themselves,” she said.

At the rally held in Liwasang Bonifacio, orange-clad supporters of Estrada who came in droves littered the park with campaign leaflets, cardboard hand fans, plastic bottles, polystyrene food containers, fast food wrappers, snack packs and fish ball sticks.

“We found Styrofoam containers for dinner given to supporters scattered all over the place,” Lucero said.

Meanwhile, she said that campaign materials were also littered in Plaza Miranda rally.

The EcoWaste Coalition

The EcoWaste Coalition reiterated its push for eco-friendly campaigning after witnessing the unabashed littering at rallies held in Manila.

ECOWASTE COALITION / FACEBOOK

urged all candidates and their camps to apply the following 5Rs towards eco-friendly campaigning:

1. REDUCE trash by not littering and not using campaign materials that are barely reused or recycled.

2. REFUSE overspending for campaign advertisements and materials.

3. RETRIEVE campaign paraphernalia for reusing or recycling purposes 4. RESPECT the trees by keeping them poster-free.

5. REMOVE election campaign materials immediately after the polling day.

The EcoWaste Coalition appealed to the Commission on Elections, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Department of Interior and Local Government to step up the drive for election trash reduction.

Dubbed as the “Basura-Free Election 2016,” the government-led drive seeks to promote compliance to Republic Act 9003, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, by all political parties and party list groups and their candidates and supporters in the course of the campaign. ■

Caritas Int’l turns over newly-built disaster-resilient school in Cebu PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY MANILA — A member of the worldwide Catholic charities, Caritas Internationalis, has recently turned over a newlybuilt disaster-resilient school to survivors of Typhoon Yolanda in Barangay Malbago, Madridejos town in Cebu.

According to Caritas Switzerland Chief Delegate to the Philippines Marcel Reymond, the Malbago Elementary School, which is one of the seven schools under its School Rehabilitation Program, could also serve as an evacuation center.

It was handed over in the presence of the Swiss Ambassador to the Philippines Andrea Reichlin.

“The rehabilitated school will serve as evacuation area if a heavy typhoon or other calamity strikes the area. Disaster risk reduction and mitigation strategies are an integral part of the rehabilitation program,” he said.

Reymond said the school has 12 newly constructed classrooms with re-furnished tables, chairs and multipurpose blackboards, which were designed in collaboration with the University of San Carlos in Cebu.

“In times of evacuation, the

multipurpose blackboards can be used as separation wall inside the classrooms to provide more privacy for evacuees.

During regular times they are used as shelves and for teaching,” he explained.

There is also a retrofitted computer room and principal’s office, a small canteen, a new perimeter fence, features to facilitate access for people with disabilities, a stage, and improved water and sanitation facilities.

The school, which is estimated to cost about Php 23.96 million (500,000 CHF) also employed 65 skilled and unskilled workers from the community.

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They were instructed in DRR (Disaster Risk Reduction) resilient construction techniques and are now TESDA certified.

“This would eventually pave the way for better employment opportunities in the future,” Reymond added.

Apart from these, Caritas Switzerland also conducted hygiene promotion activities for the students and taught the community to establish their own repair and maintenance program, contingency plan and evacuation plan for the school.

Malbago Elementary School, which serves as a home to a total of 500 kindergarten and elementary students, was the

second completed school in the seven barangays covered by the program.

Located at the eastern coastal part of Bantayan Island, where the majority of the people rely on fishing, farming and livestock raising, the school was among the most heavily damaged by Yolanda.

Caritas Switzerland is one of the Caritas Internationalis Member Organizations present in the country and is working together with the National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA)/ Caritas Philippines on implementing the Catholic Church’s largest rehabilitation program for Yolanda survivors. ■

Philippine News

12

APRIL 1, 2016

FRIDAY

Courageous Caitie’s story of pain, hope

BY JOCELYN R. UY Philippine Daily Inquirer THE BRUISES and wounds on 3-year-old Caitie Lucas’ frail hands and arms are more than just signs that she is fighting a disease that requires countless needle pricks and frequent trips to the hospital.

For her parents, Feliz and Jayjay, the marks on her limbs are also great reminders of Jesus Christ’s own wounds and the promise of redemption and healing.

“Before, I didn’t want to look at all the puncture wounds Caitie has on her wrists and arms. [But] I would always tell her to remember Jesus when he was nailed to the cross [and] had marks, too,” Feliz said.

“Hers, in time, will heal and these will be a great reminder of a greater testimony that Christ has given her at such a young age,” added the 30-yearold mother added.

Caitie was recently diagnosed with juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) by doctors in Singapore. It is blood cancer so rare that it strikes only one in a million children in the United States and has no known treatment protocol.

Chronicled in “Courageous Caitie,” a Facebook page her mother set up, the young girl’s story of pain, bravery and faith has captivated thousands of people, restored friendships diminished by time and distance, and moved even strangers to come together and help the struggling family of four.

Her diagnosis came after an agonizing two months of fighting the condition in two prime hospitals in Manila, where she was seen by 33 doctors and underwent several excision biopsies, bone marrow aspirations, multiple blood extractions and transfusions but still didn’t get a definite diagnosis.

Early symptoms

Early symptoms began in September last year in the form of lesions similar to mosquito bites suddenly appearing in her arms and legs. These were initially diagnosed as a simple case of allergic reaction to insect bites and later on as tuberculosis.

But three months later, Caitie’s symptoms worsened

despite treatment for the infectious disease: Her skin lesions got bad, spreading to her face, and she developed abdominal pain, an enlarged spleen and liver, and chronic diarrhea.

After nearly two months of hospital confinement that began on New Year’s Day and the medical bills ballooned to P4.5 million, three times more than the family’s savings, without a concrete diagnosis, the Lucases took a leap of faith. They flew to Singapore on Feb. 21.

Seeking medical treatment abroad meant they had to temporarily leave behind their yearold son in the care of relatives and run their business remotely so they could still raise the amount needed for Caitie’s treatment.

Feliz, a known engagement stylist, and her husband, Jayjay, a wedding photographer, run a professional wedding photography and styling studio in Manila.

Following their arrival in Singapore, Caitie underwent another battery of tests at National University Hospital, the citystate’s premier medical teaching institution. After 10 days, the couple finally got an answer as to what was ailing their little girl.

Anger

“Prior to the diagnosis, I didn’t question ‘why’ and I accepted whatever would come knowing it’s His best plan,” Feliz told the INQUIRER. “Then came the diagnosis. I honestly asked why. I got angry and almost turned my back on [God],” she said.

“I cried why it had to be Caitie. Of all the diseases, why it had to be so rare [but] after crying my heart out in honesty to God, I got to process things and realized that the journey is still better with God in the picture than to turn [my] back on Him because with Him there is hope,” she said.

Rather than look at their daughter’s ailment as a curse or a punishment from God, the parents changed their perspective and slowly learned to appreciate the little miracles and blessings it brought to their struggling family.

“Instead of anger [and the question of ] ‘why us?’ It turned to humility. ‘Why us to receive such a miracle?’ We chose to see

Jayjay said.

In Singapore, the family’s daily needs were sustained by the generosity of Filipinos working there, who would bring them toiletries and homecooked meals daily, take care of their laundry, donate blood in the middle of the night or just give them comforting words, Feliz said.

Fundraising events

“Hers, in time, will heal and these will be a great reminder of a greater testimony that Christ has given her at such a young age,” Caitie’s mom, Feliz Lucas, said.

COURAGEOUSCAITIE / FACEBOOK

the good in things,” she said.

Doctors were particularly amazed at how her daughter defied the odds on many occasions and how she was taking pain and suffering beyond her years, Feliz said.

At one point, her platelet count plummeted to a dangerous level of 3,000, but she did not bleed as other patients had with a count anywhere below 90,000, she recounted. (A normal platelet count ranges from 150,000 to 400,000.)

Caitie also never resisted needle procedures and fasting, making work easy for her doctors and nurses. When in pain, she would merely ask her parents to hold her hands for comfort and distract herself with books and videos of her favorite Bible stories, like David and Goliath.

Painting

Despite being restricted by wires and drips, even at her lowest blood mark, Caitie would continue to make her confined environment bright and cheerful by keeping busy with colorful arts and crafts and painting, her current favorite hobby.

She also did not like passing up on simple tasks like going to the bathroom for a toilet break even during her worst bouts of diarrhea or buttoning up her hospital pajamas.

“She knows how to process pain. She would eat on her own, do things on her own. Even if she’s having a difficult time breathing, she would give her best and fix her clothes, talk and try her best to walk even if it was so difficult,” Feliz said.

The little girl also knew how to ask for divine help. The mother recalled that upon www.canadianinquirer.net

hearing earlier this month that she could continue treatment as an outpatient, Caitie inquired how she could go home with an IV plug.

Prayer

The mother suggested that they pray. The little girl obeyed and implored, “Dear Jesus, please remove the wire so I can go home.”

“She is indeed more resilient than both of us. We get shattered immediately but her, it’s like nothing unusual ... the Lord really sustains her. I guess, it’s God’s way of affirming that He has this and He has been faithful in all aspects,” she said.

The deluge of support and help from childhood friends, old classmates, churchmates, colleagues in the industry and strangers touched by Caitie’s example of fortitude and composure has also surprised and overwhelmed the family.

“Friends I’ve never seen since grade school would come and visit. Strangers pump breast milk in our room, give money, blood and just give anything and everything they can to help …. Groups that have been disconnected came together after years and teamed up to create fundraising events,” Feliz said.

Having a little girl unite these people to spread generosity and exercise selflessness was another thing to be thankful for despite their tough circumstance, she pointed out.

“I realized people are drawn to our story because we are genuine in showing our vulnerability—that we are weak, that we get angry too, that we question and we struggle. But at the end of it all, we choose God still,”

Back home, various groups have voluntarily come up with a host of fundraising events— from marathon photo sessions and makeup tutorials to benefit dinners and garage sales —to come up with P15 million for Caitie’s treatment, which includes splenectomy, cell therapy and a bone marrow transplant.

Local artists, young and old, have also joined the fundraising by putting up their works for auction online. Some friends have tapped the crowdfunding platform online GoFundMe, which raised nearly half of the total amount needed for Caitie’s treatment in just 24 days.

Feliz disclosed that earlier, the family had contemplated using its tithe to the church to defray hospital expenses but decided against it. “We wanted to put God first. I think because of it, God rewarded us and literally flooded us with His riches,” she said.

Only treatment option

Caitie recently finished a short course of low-dose chemotherapy. In the next two to three months, she will be undergoing several other procedures that would bring her safely to a bone marrow transplant, the only treatment option for JMML. “It’s risky, scary and more unknown but if God was able to supply all our needs and wants comfortably in all aspects and was able to sustain Caitie for six months since September [even] without diagnosis, then the next three months is an easy leg,” Feliz said.

She said the family would move forward one day at a time, pinning its hope on the restoration and joy that would come.

“Faith is not just walking on water. It’s knowing that the one whom you put your faith into has already walked on water.

So what would stop us from following through?” Feliz said. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY APRIL 1, 2016

13

Experts warn Filipinos of Nokor threat

BY NIKKO DIZON Philippine Daily Inquirer

to send troops to the Korean Peninsula, which also involves our only strategic ally, the United States,” De Castro said.

SECURITY EXPERTS agree that while the Philippines is not a major player in the Korean Peninsula, Filipinos should watch developments because the threat of North Korea’s nuclear program has greater consequences than the maritime disputes in the wider region.

“The Korean Peninsula nuclearization issue is a flash point that represents far greater risks than what we see in the South China Sea and the East China Sea,” Aileen Baviera of the University of the Philippines told the INQUIRER in an interview.

Baviera, who specializes in Asia-Pacific security, said the “developments in Northeast Asia have a bearing on relations among the big powers and on the future of peace in our part of the world.”

“All of Southeast Asia should care but the Philippines is especially proximate to Northeast Asian conflict zones, including ... the Taiwan Strait and the East China Sea maritime disputes between China and Japan,” Baviera said.

Nuclear tests

Under North Korea radar

That the Philippines was the first country to implement the United Nations sanctions on North Korea by impounding the MV Jin Teng has likely placed the country under its belligerent neighbor’s radar, said Chester Cabalza of the National Defense College of the

The threat of a war impacts not only on the Filipino diaspora but the Philippines’ economic ties with Asian neighbors, the experts said.

Philippines (NDCP).

On Thursday, the Philippines finally released the vessel.

The threat of a nuclear war impacts not only on the Filipino diaspora but the Philippines’ economic ties with Asian neighbors, the experts said.

The “most obvious” impact the tension in the peninsula would have on the Philippines is that some 80,000 Filipinos live in South Korea, not to mention that Seoul is a major trading partner, Renato de Castro, an international relations expert of De La Salle University said in a separate interview.

De Castro also raised another point: the Philippines is one of the countries under the UN Command that fought in the Korean War. “We are one of the guarantors of the ceasefire agreement in 1953. In case North breaks the truce, we are obliged

Presidential awards for Overseas Filipinos underway THE COMMISSION on Filipinos Overseas recently announced that preparations are underway for the Year 2016 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas. It is a biennial awards system which was institutionalized through Executive Order No. 498 as a permanent system of recognizing achievements and significant contributions of Filipino individuals and organizations overseas to Filipino communities here and abroad.

Marissa Velarde of CFO said the award is also conferred to foreign individuals and organizations that have assisted or continue to help the country, or advance the cause of Filipino communities overseas. To date, 437 individuals and organizations from 49 countries and territories were conferred the award.

Deadline for submission of nominations, including endorsement of the foreign service posts for the Year 2016

Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas is on May 31.

Nomination and endorsement forms with supporting documents should be forwarded by the concerned Post to the: Awards Secretariat Commission on Filipinos Overseas Citigold Center, 1345 Pres. Quirino Avenue corner Pres. Osmeña Highway (formerly South Superhighway), Manila, Philippines Tel. Nos.: (632) 552-4700 locals 761-767 Telefax No.: (632) 561-8160 E-mail: presidentialawards@cfo.gov.ph Website: www.cfo.gov.ph For more information the awards secretariat may be reached at tel. nos.: (632) 552-4700 locals 761-763; 765-767; fax no.: (632) 561-8160 or email address at presidentialawards@cfo.gov.ph. www.canadianinquirer.net

North Korea continues to disregard calls to abandon its nuclear weapons program, launching nuclear tests and firing long and shortrange missiles that prompted the UN Security Council to impose the toughest sanctions yet on the hermit nation.

On Jan. 6, North Korea claimed to have launched a hydrogen bomb test near its border with China.

While experts agreed that it was a failed test, Chinese authorities still ordered the evacuation of counties in Jilin province, nearest the test site.

Despite Council restrictions, North Korea continued to fire short-range ballistic missiles into the sea. It also claimed to have miniaturized nuclear warheads.

The Philippines also raises alert levels whenever North Korea conducts missile tests because the eastern seaboard of northern Luzon is along the rockets’ trajectory. In 2012, debris from a North Korean rocket landed 300 kilometers east of Luzon. ■

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Philippine News

APRIL 1, 2016

FRIDAY

Majority of Filipino voters want candidates Cebu mayor faces to prioritize family planning — Pulse Asia graft raps for nepotism

BY LEILANI S. JUNIO Philippines News Agency

similar survey in 2010.

She also added that based on the survey, most Filipinos — nine of 10 or 86 percent also want the government to allocate funding for family planning services.

The survey also indicated that 52 percent of Filipinos agree that young people aged 15 and above should have access to family planning in public

“The people have spoken.

Candidates should prioritize family planning and ensure the full implementation of the MANILA — Eight out of 10 or RH Law,” Romeo C. Dongeto, 79 percent of Filipinos say it is PLCPD executive director said important that candidates induring the unveiling of the reclude family planning in their sults of the survey. programs of action, according Other speakers present in to a recent Pulse Asia Survey. the event shared their thoughts The survey, conducted from wherein they said the slash Feb 15-20, was presented to on the country’s RH budget the media by the should never Philippine Legishappen again, lators’ Commitnoting that there tee on Population is a need to supand Developport candidates ment (PLCPD) [...] most Filipinos — nine of 10 or 86 who are pro-RH and other advopercent also want the government to to ensure that cates in a media allocate funding for family planning women will not briefing held services. be deprived of Tuesday at Max’s their right to Restaurant in have access to Scout Tuazon, reproductive Quezon City. health methods.

Dr. Ana. Maria L. Tabunda, health facilities.

They also said that it is imPulse Asia research director The questions on the sur- portant that candidates should presented the facts and figures vey was sponsored by PLCPD clearly include in their platgathered from 1,800 registered in the aim to press the current forms their support for the provoters across the country as re- and even the next leaders in the motion of RH to help empower spondents. government to fully implement more women and prevent poor Tabunda said that 95 percent the Reproductive Health Law from getting poorer by giving of the respondents said that it is by ensuring that there will be them the proper support to the important to have the ability to proper funding allocations for choice to plan the number of plan their families, an increase the implementations including the children that they want to of 5 percent from the result of a family planning services. have. ■

BY MARLON RAMOS Philippine Daily Inquirer ANOTHER MEMBER of the ruling Liberal Party (LP) has been charged in the antigraft court Sandiganbayan.

Incumbent Mayor Teresito Marinas of Barili, Cebu province, has been indicted in the Sandiganbayan for nepotism involving his designation of his brother as human resource office head of the municipal government.

The Office of the Ombudsman filed the criminal case against LP member Marinas, alleging that the mayor violated Executive Order No. 292, also known as the Administrative Code of 1987, when he appointed his brother Aniceto to the post in 2007.

In indicting Marinas, the Ombudsman said the Local Government Code of 1992 clearly states that individuals are barred from being designated “in the career service of the local government if they are related within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to the appointing or recommending authority.”

“[Marinas]… does not deny issuing the subject memorandum order in favor of his brother Aniceto,” the Ombudsman said.

It said the mayor used the appointment order for his brother as “basis for interposing his argument of ‘special assignment’ and justifying it further by the lack of qualified candidates for the position and Aniceto’s previous experience” as head of the human resource department.

In denying the charges, Marinas claimed that it was actually his predecessor, the late Mayor Robert Alquizola, who named Aniceto to the position as a “special assignment with no income” in March 2005.

But the Ombudsman ruled that there was probable cause to prosecute Marinas for violating the law that prohibits “all appointments… made in favor of a relative of the appointing or recommending authority, or of the chief of the bureau or office, or of the persons exercising supervision over him.”

The case, which was filed by a certain Kim Carmela Veloso in October 2010, has been raffled off to the antigraft court’s Third Division. ■

Tourism contributes P1.4T to GDP Investments in sector reached P76B in 2015

BY AMY R. REMO Philippine Daily Inquirer THE PHILIPPINE travel and tourism industry contributed a total of P1.43 trillion to the local economy in 2015, equivalent to about 10.6 percent of the country’s gross domestic product, according to the latest report by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).

The industry’s total contribution, which reflected not only the economic activities of directly related industries, but also the wider effects from investment, the supply chain and induced income impacts, is also expected to rise by 6.6 percent this year and further increase by 5.4 percent to P2.6 trillion by 2026, data from the WTTC's

Travel and Tourism Economic Impact 2016 report showed.

The industry’s direct contribution—a measure of the economic activity generated by industries such as hotels, travel agents, airlines and other passenger transportation services—rose to P569 billion last year, equivalent to 4.2 percent of total GDP. Direct contribution is similarly expected to grow by 6 percent to P604 billion this year and by 5.3 percent yearly to P1 trillion by 2026.

“The direct contribution of travel and tourism to GDP reflects the internal spending on travel and tourism or the total spending within a particular country by residents and nonresidents for business and leisure purposes, as well as government individual spending or

spending by government on services directly linked to visitors, such as cultural (e.g. museums) or recreational (e.g. national parks),” the report explained.

According to WTTC, investments made in Philippine travel and tourism last year reached P76 billion, or about 2.7 percent of total recorded investments.

On the back of an expected continued rise in arrivals, investments in this sector are expected to grow by 8.3 percent this year and by 5.5 percent annually over the next 10 years to P140 billion.

Money spent by foreign visitors, or what WTTC termed as visitor exports, was deemed a key component of the direct contribution of travel and tourism to the local economy. In 2015, the Philippines generated P294.4 billion in visitor exwww.canadianinquirer.net

Coron, Palawan is known for its beaches and shipwreck dive spots.

IRRI IMAGES / FLICKR

ports, a figure expected to grow by 3.6 percent this year, during which the country is expected to attract some 5.5 million international tourists.

By 2026, international tourist arrivals are forecast to hit 9.19 million, generating an expenditure of about P579.8 billion, on the back of an expected yearly growth of 6.6 percent for receipts.

As for employment, the Philippine travel and tourism in-

dustry supported 1.3 million jobs in 2015.

This figure included employment by hotels, travel agents, airlines and other passenger transportation services as well as activities of the restaurant and leisure industries directly supported by tourists.

Employment in the travel and tourism industry is seen to rise by 3.1 percent in 2016 and by 2.4 percent a year to 1.65 million jobs by 2026. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY APRIL 1, 2016

15

‘Why only Wong and Xu?’ Koko wants raps vs more ‘actors’; bank apologizes

BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA AND DORIS DUMLAOABADILLA Philippine Daily Inquirer THE ANTI-MONEY Laundering Council (AMLC) should also bring criminal complaints against officials of companies to which mysterious computer hackers wired $81 million they stole from the Bangladesh central bank last month, and not just against two Chinese businessmen in whose accounts the money had been traced, Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said yesterday. Pimentel was not satisfied with the AMLC’s criminal complaint against Chinese casino junket operator Xu Weikang and Cagayan-based restaurateur Kam Sin Wong, also known as Kim Wong, over the laundering of the stolen money through the Philippines.

He said the money passed through other parties before reaching the accounts of Xu and Wong, but the AMLC asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to file charges only against Xu and Wong on Tuesday.

Unless other people are also charged, Pimentel said he would ask the AMLC why only Xu and Wong were sued when the Senate blue ribbon committee resumes its inquiry into the scandal next Tuesday.

‘Cover-up’

Earlier, the AMLC filed a criminal complaint against Maia Santos-Deguito, manager of the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) branch on Jupiter Street, Makati City, where the hackers wired the $81 million.

Deguito’s lawyer accused the AMLC of a cover-up, saying his client was singled out for prosecution.

The $81 million was wired to

four accounts in Deguito’s bank The bank said it “recognizes branch under fictitious names, the evils wrought by money which were consolidated into laundering and will do its utan account in the name of Chi- most in the fight against it.” nese-Filipino businessman The RCBC board also acceptWilliam So Go, then converted ed a second offer of the bank’s into pesos through the remit- president, Lorenzo Tan, to go tance company Philrem, which on leave. transferred the funds to Xu and “Tan insisted on taking a casino operators Hawaii Lei- leave to allow him to focus on sure Co. and Bloomberry Ho- clearing his name in the montels Inc. ey-laundering issue a board Sen. Koko Pimentel was not satisfied with the AMLC’s criminal complaint Pimentel noted that when committee is investigating,” against Chinese casino junket operator Xu Weikang and Cagayan-based restaurateur Kim Wong, over the laundering of $81 million stolen money he asked the AMLC what it RCBC said. had against Wong, the council “So far, no evidence has been through the Philippines.

FACEBOOK PHOTO cited its discovery of his Phil- presented against Tan linking ippine National Bank account him to the issue and the board after part of the $81 million has taken cognizance of the charges against Deguito and (in Bangladesh), but it looks was remitted to Eastern Hawaii statement of Deguito before Torres next week, she said. like there were also problems Leisure Co. Ltd., of which he is the Senate that Tan had noth“The (internal) process is go- from their end. In cases where president. ing to do with the opening of ing to end by next week. The there’s a theft, they have a cause “So what happens now to the accounts that received the investigation has ended. Sanc- for action against the thief but the actors before the money $81million remittance,” it said. tions are expected to be out by not against the bank.” reached Eastern Hawaii? Who RCBC chair Helen Yucheng- next week. There are different But if the case is brought to are these actors? Philrem and co-Dee will take over the bank’s degrees of culpability and par- court, Estavillo said, “that’s the RCBC, the bank itself, and Mr. daily operations during Tan’s ticipation (among employees),” proper venue to give our deWilliam So Go,” he told report- absence. She will be assisted by Estavillo said yesterday. fense.” ers at the Senate. a management committee led Asked how high up the reAsked whether RCBC was “How come they have not by vice chair Cesar Virata and sponsibility went, Estavillo preparing for potential fines been included [in the suit]? Armando Medina, the bank an- said: “From our investigation, from the regulators, she said: There must be a reason,” he nounced yesterday. it’s very clear there’s no crimi- “We’ll just defend ourselves. added. nal collusion We will explain ourselves to the Pimentel said at the head of- regulator. We will cooperate he was not insistfice level. There with them.” ing that Philrem, were lapses by RCBC, or Go be So what happens now to the actors some personnel Internal controls charged by the before the money reached Eastern but no criminal In its letter of apology, RCBC AMLC as well.

Hawaii? Who are these actors? collusion. Defi- vowed to identify weaknesses He said he just Philrem and RCBC, the bank itself, nitely, had there in internal controls and operawanted an explaand Mr. William So Go? been criminal tions that may have facilitated nation for their collusion, the the entry of the $81 million stoexclusion from immediate ac- len from Bangladesh. the lawsuit. tion would be to “We’re engaging third-party RCBC fired Deguito and her remove these people. But we foreign consultants to just reRCBC apologizes deputy, Angela Torres, on Tues- don’t see that [happening] and view the processes so we can RCBC apologized to the pub- day. with a very high level of con- strengthen them further,” Eslic yesterday for the involvefidence, we can say there’s no tavillo said. ment of its employees in the Others to be sanctioned criminal collusion.”

“The changes that we will scandal.

Maria Cecilla Fernandezmake are in response to the “RCBC offers its sincerest Estavillo, RCBC head for legal Liabilities changing face of crime, the apologies for the involvement and regulatory affairs, said on Asked whether RCBC was more sophisticated changing of its personnel in the money- Tuesday that other branch and bracing for liabilities arising face of crime,” she said. ■ laundering scheme now subject bank officials were expected to from the heist, Estavillo said: of Senate blue ribbon commit- be meted out sanctions in the “We don’t see that they can go tee and AMLC investigations,” coming days. after us because to begin with— the bank said in a statement.

The bank would also bring we don’t know the full story

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APRIL 1, 2016

FRIDAY

ANALYSIS

PDI forum raises issues on growth of Iloilo

By Amando Doronila Philippine Daily Inquirer AT THE FORUM of the INQUIRER Town Hall Series on the Visayas held on March 17 on the campus of the University of the Philippines Visayas, the question was raised: Is Iloilo’s booming economy sustainable or is it just dependent on its political leaders, one of whom is Senate President Franklin Drilon?

The question on the theme “Iloilo’s Boom: Model or Mirage?” opened a kaleidoscopic panorama of issues, associated with Iloilo’s history and reputation as the “Queen City of the South,” for which its eminent political leaders of national stature are only marginally responsible. To begin with, Iloilo was created by a Spanish royal decree.

A Wikipedia entry on Iloilo City said: “Moved by the Ilonggo’s loyalty (to Spain), the Queen Regent Maria Cristina honored the city of Iloilo (in the name of her son King Alfonso III) with the title Muy Noble. The Royal Decree granting the perpetual title Muy Noble was signed on March 1898 by the Queen Regent. Over time, this title earned for Iloilo City renown as ‘The Queen’s Favored City in the South,’ or the ‘Queen’s City in the South,’ a title Iloilo City still claims, but is now more attributed

to Cebu City for reasons of economic progress, after Cebu eclipsed the economy of Iloilo in the aftermath of its economic decline.”

Whether or not Iloilo can keep the crown as the “Queen City of the South” on its head depends on its economic performance than on its regal provenance.

Geography Located on the southern shores of Panay Island, Iloilo City faces the Iloilo Strait and Guimaras Island across it, making a natural harbor and safe anchorage for oceangoing ships.

According to Wikipedia, the city lies on flat alluvial plain, reclaimed mostly from the swampy areas due to urbanization. It has a deep river harbor used mainly for interisland vessels. Iloilo City is a hub for trade, commerce, finance, technology, medical tourism, education and industry in the Western Visayas region.

The assets of Iloilo as the economic, political and cultural center were recognized as early as the 1990s, by a report of the Philippine Commission to the US president.

The report said: “The towns are almost all large, clean and well built.

In no other province or district are there so many churches, they are all of stone. In all towns, especially those

of the coast, there are many Europeans and Chinese half castes. The capital of the province is of the same name, Iloilo. Its houses are excellent and of good construction. It is, next to Manila, the most important commercial town as well as it exports as it imports. It has, like Manila, an ayuntamiento established by a decree and banking houses.”

In 1902, an American teacher, Mary H. Fee, described Iloilo as a “miniature edition of Manila.”

When the Spaniards arrived in Cebu in 1565, they conquered a loose tribal community built around the Islamic Tagalog Kingdom of Manila, with the help of Ilonggo warriors, and subsequently officially proclaimed Manila as capital on June 24, 1571.

Within a decade in the late 1800s, two towns of Iloilo were merged as a city—Jaro and Iloilo City. By Aug. 13, 1898, Iloilo City became the capital of Imperial Spain through the Spanish governor.

Royal decree remains Iloilo City tourism officer Benito Jimena said the city still held the “Queen City of the South” title while no formal recognition had ever been given to other places in the country, particularly to Cebu City, adding that the prestigious title was given to Iloilo City because of the then increasing

development in industry and commerce by the Queen Regent of Spain, through a royal decree on Oct. 5, 1889, and technically remains as of today.

Jimena further said Cebu, later known as the Queen City of the South, was “just a perception” given by the media, being the most progressive city in the Visayas, but that there was no official declaration such as of Iloilo City.

The sugar boom in the late Spanish era opened the entry of Iloilo City to international trade.

According to Wikipedia, after its establishment under Spanish rule, Iloilo received migrants from the West, who worked in the city’s industries operated by the Lopez, Jalandoni, Lim and Sy families.

In the late 18th century, the development of a large-scale weaving industry started the movement of Iloilo’s surge in trade and economy in the Visayas.

From textile to sugar Sometimes referred to as the “textile capital of the Philippines,” Iloilo produced looms that went to Manila and other foreign places. “Sinamay,” “piña” and “jusi” were examples of the products.

The social significance of this surge, according to this narrative, was “because of the rise of the tex-

tile industry, there was also a rise of the upper middle class.” However, with the introduction of cheap textile from the United Kingdom (Manchester) and the emergence of the sugar economy, the industry waned in the mid-19th century.

The global implication was that the waning textile industry was replaced by the opening of Iloilo’s port to the world market in 1855.

“Because of this, Iloilo’s industry and agriculture were put on direct access to foreign markets.

But what triggered the economic boom of Iloilo in the 19th century was the development of the sugar industry in its neighboring island of Negros. Sugar during the l9th century was of high demand.

Nicholas Loney, the British vice consul in Iloilo, said this led to the construction of warehouses in the port, and the introduction of new technologies in sugar farming,” according to the report.

“The rich families of Iloilo developed large areas of Negros island, which were later called haciendas.

Because of sugar’s high demand in the world market and the corresponding increase in commercial activity, infrastructure, banks, foreign consulates, educational institutions and commercial firms sprouted in Iloilo.” ■

PUBLIC LIVES

Presidential debates: to entertain or to educate?

By Randy David Philippine Daily Inquirer WITHOUT ANY doubt, last week’s presidential debate, the second in the series authorized by the Commission on Elections, was a watershed in Philippine politics. It set a new tone for political discourse by allowing the contenders for the country’s highest position to break the basic norms of civility and courtesy in a nationally televised conversation. It privileged the expression of personal animosities above the sober articulation of policy differences. It prioritized entertainment over information, and traded political legitimation for the cheap thrills of reality television.

This is not the fault of the television station that hosted the event.

There was already a strong hint of this pivotal shift in the first debate that was organized by another station last February. Entertainment is a dominant value in the operative system of the television industry.

Unrestrained, it can easily trump the need to inform even in programs ostensibly devoted to public affairs.

This is rather the massive failure

of the Comelec, whose duty, among others, is to protect the dignity of the electoral process of which the presidential debates are an important component. Let me explain.

At least three different motives are at play in these debates; they are not necessarily in accord with one another. The first is the Comelec’s expressed wish to deepen the public’s understanding of the choices facing the electorate. The second is the candidates’ desire to effectively project themselves before a huge television audience without having to pay for expensive TV airtime. The third is television’s primordial intent to produce and sell a program that is as entertaining as it is informative.

The clear winner here was television. It got what it wanted: a gripping and entertaining show where, in an atmosphere of relentless provocation, the presidential candidates were virtually goaded into baring the rough edges of their souls. Viewers were surely amused by the show, forgetting that this was not its professed goal. Expecting to be bored by a predictable debate in which scripted lines are delivered in a high-minded

tone, they were instead treated to a bare-knuckle brawl reminiscent of those reality shows where ill-mannered members of the same family savage one another on national television.

Of course, in theory, it is a candidate’s choice whether or not to succumb to the dynamics of a no-holdsbarred verbal combat. In practice, however, the choices are limited.

Some are comfortable with this format, ready to spew crude and mocking one-liners at the hapless objects of their ire. Others get tongue-tied in the face of ad hominem attacks, although, in a moment of righteous anger, they may unwittingly allow themselves to be drawn into a visceral fight they cannot hope to win.

But what benefits can politics itself possibly get from its trivialization as entertainment? Is the television exposure that is given free sufficient compensation for the further decline in respectability that the nation’s political class must suffer in the process? Or has Philippine politics sunk so low in the estimation of a cynical public that it cannot possibly go down any lower? To answer these

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questions in any sensible way, one must begin with an understanding of the function of politics.

The main function of politics is to serve as society’s mechanism for the production of collectively-binding decisions. The issues are nothing to scoff at: Should we prepare for war?

Should we allow foreign armies to set up facilities on our soil? Should we lower taxes, reimpose the death penalty, pass a divorce law, legalize samesex unions, build more coalfired plants, lengthen the period for basic education, etc.? These are just some of the hard policy questions that our elected leaders are expected to wisely decide for us.

The political system requires legitimacy in order to ensure the broadest public acceptance of its decisions. This resource comes in the form not only of reasoned justifications for decisions taken, but also of a reservoir of social esteem for the leaders who must make those decisions in our name.

What happens when we begin to view the nation’s leaders as though they were no better than street toughies given to impulsive action and careless words? To better appreciate the

import of this question, perhaps we only need to feel the despair that many thoughtful Americans today feel over the prospect of a Donald Trump presidency. As if recovering from a deep stupor, they now ask: Is this the man who will lead us, and represent the United States in the world community? To be fair, it has to be said that American media have been critical of Trump. But they forget that they were also instrumental in the glamorization of vulgarity and demagoguery in which Trump seems to excel.

I am aware of the excuse that presidential contests are equally a test of character. That a debating match in which the protagonists are permitted to directly insult one another offers a good opportunity to assess a candidate’s behavior under intense pressure. But, I wonder: In such situations, how much value do viewers place on sobriety and reasoned argumentation as against the ability to spontaneously retaliate or comically deflect an attack?

This leads us back to the question: What is the principal purpose of a presidential debate—is it to entertain or is it to educate? ■

Opinion

FRIDAY APRIL 1, 2016

17

LOOKING BACK

‘Visita Iglesia’

By Ambeth R. Ocampo Philippine Daily Inquirer AN OLD Roman Catholic custom exported to the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period, the Visita Iglesia goes back to the Middle Ages when pilgrims visited the seven basilicas of Rome on Holy Thursday as a form of penance for their sins.

Manila was then still a medieval city within the walls (intramuros), and there were enough churches within to make the required seven. Surely there is a significance to the number because some people try to outdo others by visiting more than seven churches, in multiples of seven, to get a fast pass to heaven by visiting 14, or even 21, churches!

After the Mass of the Last Supper, Filipinos file out of church and walk or ride to six more, where they spend some time before the temporary “Altar of Repose,” or they do the Stations of the Cross. There are 14 stations so the practical do two stations in each of the seven churches to make 14, while the devout do more. I must admit that my Visita Iglesia these days has more to do with history and aesthetics than devotion because it is guided by the history behind each church.

Of the many churches in Intramu- established as a Dominican mission secrated in 1926. Its nave, walls and ros, only San Agustin was left stand- for the Chinese in 1587 and having ceilings were painted by two Spaning after the Battle for Manila in become a parish in 1596. Of course, ish Benedictines, Lesmes Lopez and 1945, so it remains at the top of my much of the original church was lost Salvador Alberich. The Santo Niño list. If we are to believe the bronze through the centuries and postwar de Praga is venerated here, but if you historical marker installed on a wall renovations, but it is significant for want a bit of history, St. Maximilian in 1934, it is the “oldest church in the its connection with Lorenzo Ruiz, Kolbe said Mass in this church in Philippines”—a fact that has been one of the martyrs of Nagasaki and 1931 during a stopover in Manila en challenged recently. Its cornerstone the first Filipino saint. route to Japan from Europe. Years was laid in 1599, and the church was The third church on my list is San later he was martyred by the Nazis. completed in 1599. The church is Sebastian, off Quiapo. It was comFifth and sixth on my list are two worth a visit at any time, and it has pletely built of steel after the earlier little-known churches in Makati. It an adjoining museum, too. Miguel church was destroyed by earthquakes is unfortunate that the glitzy city for Lopez de Legazpi which the Binays is buried here; his claim credit often I must admit that my Visita Iglesia these days has more tomb lies to the left obscures its older, to do with history and aesthetics than devotion because it is of the main altar. more historic cenguided by the history behind each church.

But the tomb is said ter known as the Poto be empty beblacion de Makati— cause the British sacked the church in 1859 and 1880. The Recollect fa- Old Makati, the “navel” pusod) of the in 1762 and scattered the remains of thers chose steel that could withstand city that has two ancient churches: the founder of Spanish Manila to the not only earthquakes but also ty- San Pedro Macati and Guadalupe. winds. In the crypt you will find the phoons, floods and fire. This is one of Historians should tell us how a remains of the great 19th-century the most beautiful churches in Manila Franciscan mission begun in 1578 Filipino painter Juan Luna, and of and should be better known if only for was later turned over to the Jesuthe 20th-century nationalist histo- its connection with Gustave Eiffel. its who built the church in 1620 and rian Teodoro A. Agoncillo.

Fourth on my list is close to San administered it till the order was exThe nearby Manila Cathedral is Sebastian and is another little known pelled in 1768. It is nestled in urban also worth a visit but because it was beauty: the Abbey Church of Our sprawl, and so one might miss the rebuilt after the war, it is not on my Lady of Montserrat, better known as fact that the church and the adjoinvisita list. the San Beda College Chapel. It is rel- ing Jesuit novitiate were built on The second church worth visit- atively new compared to all the other a hill that once commanded a nice ing is Binondo Church, having been churches on my list, having been con- view of the nearby Pasig River, hence

its original name “Buenavista.” San Pedro Macati used to boast of an image of the Virgin of the Rose that was venerated just like the Virgin of Antipolo. This wooden image was said to contain a crystal reliquary (now missing) that conserved a strand of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s hair!

Guadalupe is best known by three landmarks: a decrepit shopping mall, a seminary, and a funeral parlor that all obscure an Augustinian church and convent established in 1601 and placed under the patroness of the Philippines Nuesta Señora de Guadalupe. The interior of this church is new, but the outside was painted by Fernando Amorsolo and appears in many Filipino films.

Seventh on my list is the church of San Francisco del Monte in Quezon City that goes all the way back to a simple wooden structure in 1590.

This church is associated with San Pedro Bautista, one of the martyrs of Nagasaki. It is modern inside but the adjoining convent still maintains its ancient vibe.

These are my recommended churches for Visita Iglesia 2016. They are little-known churches that provide a dash of history to supplement a religious observance. ■

AT LARGE

Hope springs

By Rina Jimenez-David Philippine Daily Inquirer HOPE IS the story of Easter, the culmination of this week’s annual observance, when it seems the entire country—or at least the majority Catholics among us—pause in our daily occupations and take time out to reflect on our relations with the Higher Power. Or maybe just hie off to the nearest beach and work on a deeper tan.

But hope doesn’t have to be bathed in divine light, the representation of the Risen Lord ascending to Heaven in loosened bindings that had fallen from Him as He conquered death.

Sometimes, hope can be as simple and mundane as the first family of the United States descending from Air Force One to touch ground in Cuba.

Just a few years ago, the very notion of such an event would have been considered mere fantasy; so long and entrenched had hostilities been that at one point the island seemed the unlikely source of World War III. American commentators watching the Obamas descend the steps of the plane, trailed by a bipartisan delegation of legislators and a group of businessmen checking out potential investments in the island, at one point

seemed at a loss for words. Overtures dates, like July 26, 1953, when Fidel demonstrations or any forms of pubto end the decades of tension and put Castro mounted an attack on the lic dissent against the government an end to an embargo that left Cuba Moncada barracks, initiating a revo- or the United States, a former archisolated and impoverished began just lution.” enemy. Some shift has taken place a few years ago. It was the unlikely Another comic irony, in the face indeed! result of discreet diplomatic efforts of frantic beautification efforts like *** initiated by, another source of won- filling in potholes or painting rows ANOTHER source of hope is Canader, the Vatican. of houses in attractive pastels, is that dian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau True, much of the credit must be Cubans now joke among themselves: who, on a recent visit to the UN headlaid at the feet of Barack Obama, who “Too bad Obama can’t stay for a quarters in New York, proudly andared displease the powerful and month or a year.” nounced that “I am a feminist.” outspoken anti-Fidels in the United For sure, problems remain. Cuba Speaking to an enthused, applaudStates, as well as at the feet of Raul is unlikely to transform into a demo- ing audience of women taking part in Castro, who has taken over the reins cratic republic anytime soon, even if the annual Commission on the Staof leadership in Cuba from the leg- the expected deluge of tourists from tus of Women deliberations, Trudeau endary Fidel. But remarked that it’s it’s extraordinary high time a male To be a feminist, after all, is not just to believe in the equality how the Church feminist should no of men and women, but to actively work to see that belief come into successfully wieldlonger be considfruition... ed its influence and ered an oddity. He goodwill in a purely said that the best resecular matter: a rapprochement be- around the world, and especially from sponse to the announcement should tween two old enemies. the United States, cannot but influ- not be hossanahs but rather a shrug. *** ence Cubans’ expectations from their No wonder women love him. It’s one THE New York Times (NYT) re- government. Rallies and other expres- thing for men in positions of leaderports that Cubans have shown “a sions of disagreement had been pro- ship to say they believe in women’s great affinity for Mr. Obama through- hibited in the days leading up to the rights or support their aspirations for out his presidency.” But his popular- Obamas’ visit, even as Obama sched- equality. But it’s quite another thing ity among Cubans leapt when the US uled sessions with Cubans who have to proudly declare their “feminism.”

President announced the restora- been detained for many years.

To be a feminist, after all, is not just tion of relations with Cuba on Dec. Still, as a movie title goes: “Hope to believe in the equality of men and 17, 2014. Says the NYT: “That date is Springs.” What other more hopeful women, but to actively work to see now recited often as a new starting sign than that the Cuban government that belief come into fruition, whether point for the country, joining historic announced it would not tolerate this equality be in the field of politics,

www.canadianinquirer.net

economics or the personal domestic sphere. From what I see, it’s equality at home, in relationships, that men find most difficult to champion. Male privilege, after all, as with all forms of privilege, can be very difficult to give up, given how one’s rearing and society itself upholds, supports, encourages and cheers that privilege. *** THAT’S why an avowed feminist like Trudeau comes as such a pleasant surprise, especially as his feminism comes in such a good-looking package.

But in cheering the Canadian prime minister, feminists should not forget that the real “heroines” in the struggle for gender equality are not the few men who find the gumption to declare their affinity for women’s rights. Rather, it is the women who have fought, for generations and through history, for their own personal space and identity and with other women to get the larger society and governments to recognize and respect their rights, including the right to make their own choices.

Hope is fleeting and elusive. But with grit and will, that hope can blossom into reality, and dreams can turn into real changes in real lives. That is the promise of Easter. ■

18

APRIL 1, 2016

FRIDAY

Canada News

UBC release of uncensored personal information an ‘honest mistake’: report

BY GEMMA KARSTENSSMITH The Canadian Press VANCOUVER — The release of uncensored details about the departure of a former University of British Columbia president was an honest mistake, says a new report.

Former B.C. Information and Privacy Commissioner David Loukidelis reviewed the university’s conduct and policies after hidden attachments containing uncensored personal details about Arvind Gupta’s abrupt resignation were released to the public in January.

The review determined that the attachments were left in because a step was missed when the documents were processed.

“The incident occurred because of a simple mistake,” the

report said.

“The disclosure was an accidental result of UBC’s goodfaith attempt to be open and transparent.”

The report noted that the university has made changes in the wake of the incident on how it releases information, including implementing a checklist for access to information requests, revamping how embedded information is removed from documents and requiring a second staff member to check releases containing sensitive information.

Loukidelis recommended the school take extra care when preparing documents to be released online and look at whether additional resources are needed in the department that handles access to information requests.

The university responded

to the report with a statement saying they accept the findings and have passed the report on to the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for review.

The statement also said the school will devote more staff resources to handle access to information requests.

UBC released 861 pages of documents in response to a series of Access to Information requests after Gupta abruptly relinquished his post last August.

Included were meeting agendas, receipts, emails and an agreement dated Aug. 6, 2015 that shows UBC agreed to topup Gupta’s $446,750 salary until Jan. 31, 2016, and that he would be given a year’s leave of absence from Feb. 1, 2015 to Jan. 31, 2017, plus a $130,000 research grant.

Also included were emails

Alberta couple expecting bundle of joy times four THE CANADIAN PRESS EDMONTON — In this case it may actually take a village to raise a child — four of them to be exact — in a northwestern Alberta community.

Tim and Bethani Webb of Hythe planned to have a family when they got married last June and were thrilled when they found out not long after that they were expecting.

The thrill is now tinged with a bit of panic since the couple has learned that Bethani is expecting four identical baby girls.

“I definitely did go through some panic attacks. I’m still in such shock that I’m having quads.

I’m still waiting for it to sink in that I’m carrying four babies,” said Bethani, 22, who has been admitted to an Edmonton hospital until the girls can be safely delivered, probably in early May. No fertility drugs were involved in the conception.

“One of the nurses that works at the hospital said it was a one in 67 million occurrence,” Bethani said.

The village of Hythe, population 821 and 500 kilometres northwest of Edmonton, is rallying around the young couple. A fundraiser is scheduled for April and a GoFundMe campaign is raising cash to help with what is going to be a busy time for the Webbs.

“I think we’re going to go through at least 48 diapers a day,” Bethani laughed.

The hospital in nearby Grande Prairie is holding a diaper drive to help with the stockpiling.

Tim Webb, 23, said he was almost overcome when he heard the news.

“When I first found out I almost fell over,” he said.

The Webbs have been making busy planning for once the babies, who are to be delivered by C-section, are delivered.

“I realized that we didn’t have

a vehicle that could support four babies,” Bethani said. “We were only planning for one and we’d only bought one crib, and we were only planning on buying one car seat. And then, all of a sudden, it’s going from one to four, and having to find the car seats and find the vehicle and find the cribs and find the space.”

Tim said they will be giving up their one bedroom and move into a house with his mother, who is thrilled at having four grandbabies. The SUV will also have to go to make room for four extra passengers.

Bethani is now trying to figure out how to tell four identical baby girls apart.

“I’m probably going to have to paint their nails or put a bracelet on them or different coloured ribbons.”

As for the dad-to-be: “I think of them as blessings really. I’ll probably be pulling my hair out a year from now, but now I’m excited. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

University of British Columbia campus.

showing UBC board of governors chair John Montalbano wanted to have a “confidential discussion, not captured on email” with Gupta just days before board members received notice about a meeting where they would discuss the president’s resignation.

Montalbano himself stepped down last October after an investigation into a professor’s claims that she was intimidated

FACEBOOK PHOTO

after writing a blog post suggesting Gupta lost a “masculinity contest” with the school’s leadership.

But the documents did not reveal why Gupta left the position one year into a five year term.

The former president said in a statement that the documents were a “one-sided representation” of what happened in the months before he left. ■

Five changes...

2) Normally, new employment insurance recipients wait two weeks for their first payment. Think of it as the deductible on the insurance plan. The government is going to cut that waiting period to one week, speed up processing application processing times, and put money into government call centres to reduce the amount of time people spend on hold waiting to talk to someone. Total cost over two years: $1.05 billion, of which $957 million is for the one-week pledge.

3) New entrants to the workforce (think young workers getting their first jobs) or reentrants (think stay-at-home parents who are going back into the workforce) will be required to work between 420 to 700 hours over the previous 52 weeks to qualify for employment insurance, depending on labour conditions in their area of the country. That’s a reduction from the current 910 hours. Total cost ❰❰ 1

over two years: $567 million.

4) The “working while on claim” pilot project is being extended, as the government continues to assess whether letting claimants who work keep more of their benefits helps them transition off employment insurance and into a permanent job. The project claws back just 50 cents for every dollar they earn, up to a maximum of 90 per cent of their weekly insurable earnings used to calculate EI. Total cost over two years: $129 million.

5) Workers whose companies are facing the prospect of layoffs because of tough economic conditions can opt to work fewer hours and receive employment insurance benefits up to a maximum of 38 weeks.

The work-sharing arrangements were popular during the recession in the 2009-2010 fiscal year to prevent layoffs, and now the Liberals are going to expand the program to a maximum 76 weeks. Total cost over two years: $126 million. ■

Canada News

FRIDAY APRIL 1, 2016

19

Jian Ghomeshi acquitted on all charges of sexual assault and choking

BY DIANA MEHTA AND COLIN PERKEL The Canadian Press TORONTO — Jian Ghomeshi was acquitted Thursday on all charges of sexual assault and choking following a trial that sparked an emotional nationwide debate on how the justice system treats abuse complainants as well as raucous courthouse protests over the verdict.

Justice William Horkins said he was unable to rely on the testimony from the three Ghomeshi complainants, describing their memories of alleged abuse at the hands of the former CBC broadcaster as “shifting” and suggesting their evidence at times strayed into full-fledged lies.

All he had to go on, not unusual in sexual-assault cases, was the complainants’ credibility, which Horkins denounced without mincing words.

“The evidence of each complainant suffered not just from inconsistencies and questionable behaviour, but was tainted by outright deception,” Horkins said toward the end of his hour-long decision.

“The harsh reality is that once a witness has been shown to be deceptive and manipulative in giving their evidence, that witness can no longer expect the court to consider them to be a trusted source of the truth.”

Horkins stressed the presumption of innocence in criminal cases is “not a favour or charity” and conviction requires proof “beyond reasonable doubt.”

Nonetheless his verdict incensed some groups who predicted it would deter women from coming forward about sexual abuse.

Ghomeshi, 48, who faces a separate sexual assault trial in

June, showed little emotion at the verdict, but family members and supporters broke into broad smiles. He then left the courthouse without commenting, but his sister said the ordeal had been extremely painful for the family.

“Jian is not a symbol to us, but a beloved brother and son,” Jila Ghomeshi said. “Our hardest burden has been our feeling of helplessness as we have watched him endure a punishment that was not only prior to a verdict but prior to any semblance of due process for well over a year.”

Dozens of women chanting, “We believe survivors!” gathered outside the courthouse in frigid conditions, condemning the verdict and what they called the unfair treatment of sexual assault victims by the justice system.

As prosecutor Michael Callaghan told a crush of media that the Crown would take some time to consider the judgment, a topless woman jumped in front of him yelling “Ghomeshi guilty!” Written on her back were the words: “Women find Ghomeshi guilty.”

Police tackled her to the ground, handcuffed her and took her back inside the courthouse. She was later released without charge.

Ghomeshi’s lawyer Marie Henein issued a statement late Thursday saying the verdict was just.

“Notwithstanding the unprecedented scrutiny and pressure, the case was determined on the evidence heard in a court of law, “ Henein’s statement said.

“In our system of justice, that is what must happen in every case regardless of who is accused or what crime is alleged.

That is precisely what occurred in this case.”

The one-time host of the CBC radio show “Q,” who did not testify, had pleaded not guilty to four counts of sexual assault and one count of overcoming resistance by choking involving three women. All three testified they were in a romantic encounter with him when he briefly turned violent in incidents dating back to 2002 and 2003.

In his ruling, Horkins took pains to stress the acquittal was not the same as saying definitively the events never happened. As is common in such cases, he said, there was “no smoking gun” and all he had to go on was the testimony of the three complainants.

However, he concluded, they lied, had been manipulative and hid pertinent information about the flirtatious and at times intimate contact they had with him following the alleged assaults. While he did not fault them for their “imperfect” memories, he stressed their “suppression” of evidence and “deceptions” under oath made it difficult to trust them.

“The act of suppression of the truth will be as damaging to their credibility as a direct lie under oath,” Horkins said.

In addition, he said, the case showed the need for vigilance about the false assumption that sex-assault complainants are “always truthful.”

Lawyer Jacob Jesin, who spoke for one of the complainants, read a statement on behalf of his client in which she thanked her supporters. The trial, she said, allowed her to face Ghomeshi and tell her story publicly for the first time.

“I always understood that a conviction would be difficult,” she said in the statement. “The story may not have passed the high legal test for proof (but) it remains my position that the

www.canadianinquirer.net

Jian Ghomeshi.

evidence of the substantive issues is truthful.”

Actress Lucy DeCoutere, the only complainant who can be named, and another complainant spoke Thursday evening at a second rally outside the courthouse. They expressed gratitude for the support they have received during what they called a difficult time.

Deb Singh, who works at a Toronto rape-crisis centre, called the acquittal disappointing but not surprising.

“This is not the first time the judge has used rape myths to get perpetrators off,” Singh said outside court. “The justice system in itself has not taken any real measures to create new ways of gathering evidence for the purpose of ending sexual violence in our communities.”

Speaking to TV station CP24, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he considered the issue of violence against women “very important” and would be looking at ways to encourage victims to come forward.

“These are the kinds of discussions we need to be having as a society that values equality and respect for women,” Trudeau said.

At trial, the systematic dis-

STACEY NEWMAN / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

mantling of the complainants’ testimony by defence lawyer Marie Henein was often dramatic. In particular, Henein was able to produce emails and photographs that put the lie to their statements that they had no or only fleeting contact with Ghomeshi after the alleged assaults.

For example, one of them sent him friendly emails and a bikini photo — something she never told police or prosecutors. DeCoutere sent him an email hours after the alleged assault to say she wanted to have sex with him, and another letter days later that ended with the words: “I love your hands.”

The third complainant admitted on the stand to having deliberately misled investigators. “(She) was clearly playing chicken with the justice system,” Horkins said. “She was prepared to tell half the truth for as long as she thought she could get away with it.”

CBC fired their star host as what Horkins called the “Ghomeshi scandal” began unfolding in 2014.

“We stand by our decision,” a spokesman said after the verdict. ■

20

Canada News

APRIL 1, 2016

FRIDAY

RCMP has ‘moved beyond’ The young, the old, the sick: harassment issues 3 ways politics touched plaguing force: top Mountie Canadians this week

BY JIM BRONSKILL The Canadian Press OTTAWA — Canada’s top Mountie told the federal government last spring the RCMP had “moved beyond” internal issues of harassment and bullying through “concrete actions” that had fostered a more respectful workplace, newly disclosed records show.

RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson advised Steven Blaney, public safety minister at the time, that the problems had taken up a great deal of time and energy since he took the helm of the national police force threeand-a-half years earlier.

“I am pleased to report that we have worked hard to understand the challenges, implement measures to improve our culture, and establish a system in which destructive or discriminatory behaviours are not tolerated,” says Paulson’s May letter, released under the Access to Information Act. The Mounties followed up in September with a detailed progress report that concluded a “culture of respect has been woven into the RCMP” as a result of the various efforts on everything from recruitment and training to promotion and retention of staff, the access records show.

Recent headlines tell a different story.

Just last month, Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale expressed dismay over allegations of sexual harassment within the police force.

Goodale, who assumed the post in November following the Liberal election victory, demanded a plan to end “toxic workplace behaviour” after CBC News reported accusations of unwanted sexual touching, bullying and wanton nudity at the explosives training unit of the Canadian Police College in Ottawa.

In recent years, the RCMP has been shaken by complaints from women and men of harassment and bullying. A new law has streamlined the process for addressing conflict, giving supervisors more power to deal with disputes promptly,

but some critics fear that has opened the door to abuses.

The letter to Blaney and the September progress report both paint a rosy picture of the RCMP’s overall efforts to rid the force of oppressive behaviour and discrimination, based on 36 steps outlined in a 2013 plan.

In 2014, the RCMP received 120 complaints of workplace harassment, the second-lowest number since 2005 — progress due in part to use of informal conflict resolution, Paulson’s letter says.

Of these, 30 were deemed to be founded, representing just 0.1 per cent of RCMP employees, he writes. In addition, of all the harassment complaints made between February 2005 and October 2014, three per cent were related to alleged sexual wrongdoing, Paulson adds. “The numbers are low and decreasing with time.”

The report cites several positive developments including: - A mandatory online “respectful workplace” course that focuses on building the skills and understanding needed to prevent inappropriate behaviour; - Establishment of local employee advisory committees to provide an unfiltered forum for discussion between senior management and staff on topics such as staffing, labour relations, diversity and improving communication; - Women making up almost one-third of the RCMP’s senior executive committee.

In a foreword to the report, Paulson notes that a 2014 public service survey showed 80 per cent of RCMP employees believed the force was respectful, up from 76 per cent in 2011, while 78 per cent felt the police force respected individual differences, an increase from 67 per cent three years earlier.

For instance, the report says in a section called 2016 and Beyond, the RCMP recently launched a mental-health strategy and will soon be audited for compliance with the Official Languages Act. “We must continue to promote and maintain a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace culture that promotes employee well-being.” ■

BY HEATHER SCOFFIELD The Canadian Press OTTAWA — Even before a horde of political reporters agreed to be locked up by the government all day Tuesday in order to peruse the federal budget, a whirlwind of news was conspiring to overshadow the Liberals' first economic blueprint.

Two deadly bombs had just exploded in Brussels. Then Rob Ford died.

The next day, as MPs of all political stripes were gearing up to do battle over the government's newly charted fiscal course, Alberta Conservative Jim Hillyer died suddenly, forcing the house to adjourn early and stifle debate.

And then came Ghomeshi.

So yes, the federal budget has escaped the scrutiny of many Canadians, for the moment.

Its legacy will be significant, if stealthy — even if it wasn't in the limelight this week.

Here's how: The young

Starting in July, families with children will see some government cheques disappear, including the universal child care benefit and extra relief for low-income families. Instead, a single monthly payment: the Canada child benefit.

Income-tested and tax free, it's billed by the Liberals as simpler and more generous for lowand middle-income families.

Smoke and mirrors, argue the Conservatives, who remind Canadians that they've also lost income splitting — a particular boon to families with a stayat-home parent — and popular boutique tax credits for kids active in organized sports or arts programs.

Which families will be better off under the new system? It's difficult to say — wealthy families, definitely not; low-income households, probably.

The government's online benefits calculator (http:// www.budget.gc.ca/2016/tooloutil/ccb-ace-en.html) will be a popular place for a while. Do www.canadianinquirer.net

The federal budget has escaped the scrutiny of many Canadians, for the moment. Its legacy will be significant, if stealthy — even if it wasn’t in the limelight this week.

the math: the Liberal child benefit is worth about $5 billion more annually than all the previous Conservative measures put together. That's money in the pockets of parents.

The elderly

As advertised, the budget formalizes the Liberal promise to bring the age of eligibility for old age security and the guaranteed income supplement back to 65, after the Conservatives extended it to 67. Plus, some 900,000 single people earning less than $4,600 a year will be getting higher GIS payments.

The budget also kicks off a comprehensive rethink of retirement security: the government is launching discussions with the provinces to bolster the Canada Pension Plan. The goal is a flexible system that allows ready, willing and able participants to work after the age of 65 without financial penalty — or without penalizing those who can't keep working.

The Liberals also want to remove bad luck as a factor in retirement. For now, they argue, there's a role for government in helping those whose retirement savings are subject to the whims of the financial markets on the day they withdraw or repurpose their money. They say they want to mitigate that risk and make sure savings are secure and sufficient.

First, all or most of the provinces need to agree. Premiums will likely have to go up to pay for such enhancements, too — prompting a political fight

about whether the changes are truly worth it.

The sick

Missing from the budget was the election commitment to “immediately” begin spending on home care, to the tune of $3 billion over four years. The government said it just isn't ready — not to mention that health care negotiations with the provinces are still ongoing.

Improvements to compassionate care leave were also prominent in the election platform, but didn't make the cut in the budget — despite a raft of changes to the employment insurance system.

Assisted dying is becoming a viable option for suffering Canadians who are nearing the end of their lives. A federal bill will need to be introduced very soon in order to meet the Supreme Court's June deadline, which has already been extended four months.

In the interim, a number of terminally ill patients have availed themselves of the Supreme Court ruling in February that granted the extension. It also gave permission to anyone in search of a doctor-assisted death to go before a judge to request one.

The public has also made it clear to the government that it wants access to decent and improved palliative care alongside the right to an assisted suicide.

That has the government negotiating and looking for funding as a once-outlawed practice comes into its own in Canada. ■

Immigration

FRIDAY APRIL 1, 2016

21

Vast majority of Syrian refugees arrived healthy but challenges remain

BY STEPHANIE LEVITZ The Canadian Press OTTAWA — The vast majority of the 26,000 Syrian refugees who arrived in Canada by the end of last month showed up healthy, newly published government data suggests.

But while the study by Public Health Agency of Canada staff said the newcomers posed no risk to public health, it noted it will take time for chronic medical and mental-health conditions to present and health-care professionals need to remain vigilant.

The Immigration Department has published data on some of the newly arrived Syrians, but the public health study is the first comprehensive look at the entire group.

The researchers focused on communicable diseases among those resettled in Canada as part of the Liberal program to bring 25,000 people here by the end of February.

All applicants had medical

exams as part of the program, call for a seamless network of The incidence of those appears though how many were rejected health-care providers, support- to be higher than in the general for medical reasons is unknown. ed by community partners.”

Canadian population, said Dr. The review found of those acThe study observed refugees Anna Banerji, the pediatrician cepted, two had potential cases tend to under-report chronic who screened Syrian children as of non-infectious tuberculosis. health conditions for fear of they landed in Toronto.

None tested positive for being rejected and estimated She said it’s not unusual for syphilis or HIV. Ten were sent about five per cent of the arriv- government-assisted refugees to hospital upon arrival for pos- ing Syrians have some kind on- to have complex health requiresible communicable diseases, going health-care need. Men- ments — they are selected for rethough none settlement on the ended up a conbasis of vulneracern to public bility and medical health. Another needs contribute 54 were hospi[...] meeting their longer-term, healthto that status. talized upon arcare needs will call for a seamless It’s also comrival for other network of health-care providers, mon for settleurgent reasons. supported by community partners. ment agencies to “Larg e-scale have no inkling refugee moveof incoming ments place medical needs, pressure on but the Syrian health-care systems, both in their tal-health issues will also take program amplified the chalimmediate response and as part of time to surface, the report said. lenge with so many people arlong-term resettlement efforts,” It also found a number of riving in such a short time. the study, published this month children arrived with illnesses In her day-to-day work with in the Canadian Communicable including cancers, seizures and refugees, Banerji usually has Disease Report, concluded. developmental disorders. Mal- time for a detailed physical exam, “As Syrians integrate into nutrition and children with in- blood work, vaccinations and Canada, meeting their longer- tellectual disabilities were also parasite checks. With the Syriterm, health-care needs will observed. ans, she was just putting out fires

because of the volume of arrivals.

Linking children up with the right health care was also more difficult because of housing shortages delaying getting them out of airport hotels and into permanent homes.

“Eventually they will settle through, but it wasn’t an easy time for many families,” Banerji said.

The report noted the most immediate need upon arrival was catching up on immunizations and dental care.

In Toronto, more than 500 dental emergencies were addressed. Patients of all ages had severe diseases in their mouth and weren’t able to sleep or eat because of the pain, said Dr. Hazel Stewart, the director of dental and oral health services at Toronto Public Health.

The drive now is to connect everyone to ongoing dental care, as it’s not just a health issue, Stewart said.

“Some of them are missing front teeth, and employment becomes a challenge if you’re not able to speak and smile.” ■

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World News

APRIL 1, 2016

FRIDAY

Most Americans think US should stop South Korea says building democracy in Islamic world North Korea fired short range projectile PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY

WASHINGTON — A majority of Americans have soured on the US government’s attempts to promote democracy in Muslim-majority countries, a Rasumssen Reports poll revealed on Monday.

In contrast, nearly one third of Americans, or 28 percent, support democracy building in such countries, the poll showed.

"Fifty-eight percent (58 percent) say the United States should leave things alone," Rassmussen Reports said of the efforts by the US government to promote democracy in Islamic countries.

Democracy-building initiatives, combined with the policy of "regime change" in nations with governments that the United States opposes, has been a centerpiece of US foreign policy dating back at least to the administration of President Bill Clinton.

Examples include the US invasion of Iraq and subsequent efforts to organize a Westernstyle democracy, which many foreign policy experts blame for the rise of the Islamic State (IS), among other terror groups. Despite a similar US effort in Afghanistan, the Taliban

BY KIM TONG-HYUNG The Associated Press

Today, the Obama administration’s focus on ousting Syrian President Bashar Assad is often criticized for hampering its efforts to destroy the IS. KREMLIN.RU / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

now controls more territory than when the United States invaded the country in 2002.

US support for the ouster of Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak and Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, and Washington’s unequivocal support for the so-called "Arab Spring," is also blamed by many analysts for fomenting the rise of the IS and numerous other Islamic terrorist organizations.

Today, the Obama administration’s focus on ousting Syrian President Bashar Assad is often criticized for hampering its efforts to destroy the IS, since

Syrian forces backed by Russian air strikes have arguably proved more effective that a hodgepodge of US-backed allegedly moderate Islamic groups.

US attempts at democracy promotion and regime change have extended to other parts of the world, most notably to the Balkans, where the United States at present is engaged in attempts to change the legitimate government of Macedonia by supporting Islamic Albanian extremists as well as opposition parties and non-governmental groups, according to Macedonian media reports. ■

SEOUL, KOREA, REPUBLIC OF — North Korea fired a short-range projectile from an area near its eastern coast on Tuesday in what appears to be another weapons test seen as a response to ongoing military drills between Washington and Seoul, South Korean officials said.

The projectile was fired near the North Korean port city of Wonsan and flew about 200 kilometres (125 miles) toward an area in the country’s northwest, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

It was unclear whether the projectile crashed on land or overflew its target and landed in the sea, said a Joint Chiefs of Staff official who didn’t want to be identified, citing office rules.

He said it also was unclear whether the projectile was a ballistic missile or an artillery shell.

North Korea has fired a slew of short-range missiles and artillery shells into the sea and has threatened nuclear strikes on Washington and Seoul since the start on March 7 of the an-

nual springtime war games between the United States and South Korea.

North Korea also launched a medium-range ballistic missile into waters off its east coast for the first time since 2014 and touted a new artillery system it says could turn the South Korean capital of Seoul into a “sea of flames.”

An official from Seoul’s Defence Ministry, who also didn’t want to be named because of department rules, said it was too early to tell whether North Korea used a land target Tuesday to test the accuracy and range of its weapons.

North Korea routinely tests short-range missiles and artillery systems but tends to do more launches in times of tension with the outside world. It condemns the annual military drills between Washington and Seoul as a rehearsal for an invasion. Tensions are particularly high this year because the drills are the largest ever and follow a recent North Korean nuclear test and a longrange rocket launch. Washington and Seoul say the drills are defensive in nature and they have no plans to invade North Korea. ■

Ex-executive at investment bank charged in $95M fraud scheme THE ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW YORK — An Ivy Leagueeducated former executive at a New York investment bank was arrested Monday on charges he tried to defraud investors of more than $95 million as he led what a prosecutor called a “shameful charade” to cover his tracks.

Andrew Caspersen, 39, was charged in Manhattan federal court with securities and wire fraud after his Saturday arrest.

Prosecutors said he scammed clients of PJT Partners Inc. into investing millions of dollars in sham private equity investments from July through March. After an initial court

appearance, he was released on $5 million bail.

Dan Levy, a lawyer for Caspersen, declined comment outside court.

Caspersen has homes in New York City and suburban Bronxville, New York. He is the son of Finn M.W. Caspersen, a prominent philanthropist and former chief executive of the financial services firm Beneficial Corp.

The elder Caspersen was found dead in 2009 of what authorities said was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

PJT Partners released a statement saying it was “stunned and outraged” to discover the fraud while Caspersen was a partner in its Park Hill Group.

It said it referred the mat-

ter to federal prosecutors after learning facts suggesting improper behaviour.

“To advance his $95 million fraud scheme, Caspersen allegedly put on a shameful charade — creating fake email addresses, setting up misleading domain names, and inventing fictional financiers,” U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said in a press statement. “When confronted by a suspicious client who had invested $25 million, Caspersen had no good answers.”

The Securities and Exchange Commission also filed civil charges against Caspersen, seeking a return of ill-gotten gains with interest and monetary penalties. It said that after graduating from Princeton www.canadianinquirer.net

University in 1999 and Harvard Law School in 2002, Caspersen was a principal at a private equity firm in London before he became a managing principal in January 2013 at the New York firm.

“As alleged, Caspersen engaged in a brazen fraud by raising money under false pretenses and simply stealing the funds,” said Andrew M. Calamari, director of the SEC’s New York Regional Office. “This action amply demonstrates that even sophisticated institutional investors are not immune to financial scams.”

Prosecutors said Caspersen fraudulently solicited investors by promising investments would be safe while he convert-

ed their money to his own use without their authorization.

They said he used a portion of nearly $25 million from a charitable foundation to trade securities in his personal brokerage account, only to lose most of the money through aggressive options trading. The foundation has not gotten any of the money back, prosecutors added.

Before his arrest, Caspersen tried to solicit an additional $20 million from the same charitable foundation and a $50 million investment from another multinational private equity firm headquartered in New York, the government said.

If convicted of both charges, Caspersen could face up to 40 years in prison. ■

World News

FRIDAY APRIL 1, 2016

23

Asia: A look at where journalists face renewed pressure THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IN MANY countries across Asia, governments are growing

India: Hindu hardliners

Intimidation of journalists is nothing new in India, but it has taken on a new element under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist government.

India, the world’s largest democracy, has a relatively free press, but the current BJP government has been criticized for not trying to stop fringe rightwing elements that threaten journalists and activists in the name of patriotism.

The host of a late February newscast on whether India had become intolerant of dissent became a target of intimidation herself after

less tolerant of critical reporting, even arresting journalists and closing media outlets in some cases. A look at how and where journalists are coming under renewed pressure:

one of her guests referred to a pamphlet that called the Hindu goddess Durga a sex worker. Sindhu Sooryakumar was bombarded with more than 2,500 threatening calls accusing her of disparaging the deity. Six members of a militant group linked with the BJP have been arrested.

During a court hearing for a university student charged with sedition for allegedly making anti-India statements, lawyers beat reporters and damaged cameras and recording equipment while demanding they not cover public protests against the student’s arrest. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley con-

Japan: Tightening the screws?

Media watchers say Japanese media traditionally practices self-restraint to avoid trouble with officials in a cozy “press club” environment, weakening their commitment to serve as watchdog and resist pressure or favours. Heads of major media companies regularly dine with Abe. However, the communications minister’s statements that TV licenses could be revoked have triggered outrage from some prominent journalists, who say they violate freedom of the press and intimidate the media.

The recent resignations of three outspoken newscasters have fueled speculation of government pressure. ■ Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo

China: Setting the tone

quite freely, but now controversial comments are quickly removed.

The pinch is being felt even at more market-driven newspapers, magazines and websites that, while still technically controlled by the state, had enjoyed more latitude in news reporting. In an Orwellian example, an article posted online by popular business and finance magazine Caixin was removed because it broached the taboo topic of censorship.

Most recently, more than a dozen editors and technicians have gone missing and are believed to be under investigation after an anonymous letter calling for Xi’s resignation was posted on a government-backed news portal. Dissident writers have been detained or their families in China harassed for criticizing the secret investigation. ■ _ Christopher Bodeen and Didi Tang in Beijing

A public warning by the communications minister in February that broadcasters could have their licenses revoked if coverage isn’t politically fair is seen by many as the latest attempt to pressure journalists to toe the government line.

The government under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has strengthened its strategy to get official views prominently reflected in both domestic and foreign media on defence, World War II history and other divisive issues.

Officials complain to journalists about coverage they consider biased, while Abe gives exclusive interviews to selected media, often those sharing his views.

demned the violence, saying “it was a terrible exception.”

Sujata Madhok, secretarygeneral of the Delhi Union of Journalists, accused the BJP of targeting Muslim and Christian religious minorities and the underprivileged Dalits. “The BJP would like people to believe it’s the handiwork of the party’s fringe elements, but the fringe elements appear to be occupying the centre-stage.”

The previous Congress Party government was accused of paying lip service to minorities, but it kept Hindu hardliners in check. That’s not necessarily the case now. ■ Ashok Sharma in New Delhi

www.canadianinquirer.net

The ruling Communist Party has long exercised heavy-handed direction over news media, but recent events speak to a further tightening of ideological controls.

President and party leader Xi Jinping set the tone with visits in February to the official Xinhua News Agency, the party-controlled People’s Daily newspaper and state broadcaster CCTV. At each place, he stated that absolute loyalty to the party was the media’s highest priority.

Negative responses to Xi’s visit were censored on China’s once-vibrant social media. One outspoken critic, real estate magnate Ren Zhiqiang, had his accounts suspended. When Weibo, China’s hugely popular version of Twitter — which along with Facebook is blocked in China — first came out, people could post

Thailand: Attitude adjustment

A military junta that took power in a 2014 coup has detained journalists for what it calls “attitude adjustment,” shut TV and radio stations, banned press events and most

recently tightened visa requirements for foreign reporters.

Under new measures announced last month, only journalists working for a registered ❱❱ PAGE 40 Asia: A look

24

World News

APRIL 1, 2016

FRIDAY

Aussie PM’s re-election campaign under pressure amid financial scandal PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY SYDNEY — Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s re-election campaign hasn’t had the best of starts as the financial scandal surrounding New South Wales state branch of his ruling Liberal Party widens further.

Turnbull has taken the political gamble in calling for an early, double dissolution election where every seat in both the House of Representatives and the Senate are contested on July 2 provided the Senate does not pass his controversial bill to reinstate the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC). The bill has already been rejected by the upper house.

However, the challenge of capitalising on his popularity over the rival Labor Party has become harder after Fairfax Media on Tuesday reported Liberal Party rising star and minister for cities Angus Taylor become the second minister in a week to become tangled in the financial scandal involving alleged illegal donations the

NSW state branch.

Turnbull has consistently led opinion polls against Labor leader Bill Shorten since coming to power in a party-room coup in September 2015. However, that popularity is fading.

The New South Wales state Electoral Commission is refusing to pay the political party more than 4.4 million Australian dollars (USD3.32 million) until it reveals the details of secret donors who gave 700,000 Australian dollars (USD528,621) to the party’s Free Enterprise Foundation. Australian elections are publicly funded.

It is alleged the foundation was used by senior party figures to disguise donations from prohibited donors including property developers who have been banned from making political donations to NSW state campaigns.

Taylor was a member of the finance committee when he discussed using the controversial Free Enterprise Foundation to channel prohibited donations, Fairfax Media reported.

"Every discussion I ever had always worked on the assumption that donations would be disclosed and compliant," Tay-

lor said in a statement following the allegations, dismissing the report.

However, Turnbull has faced calls to sack federal Cabinet Secretary Arthur Sinodinos who was the branch’s financial director and treasurer during the time of the alleged illegal donations, which would make him the fourth in as many months to be replaced in the scandal plagued ruling party.

Turnbull on Tuesday continued to throw his support behind Sinodinos, insisting he has provided a detailed response to the matter raised by the electoral commission.

"Arthur Sinodinos is a very important member of the cabinet," Turnbull told reporters in Sydney.

Sinodinos says the commission has used "loose language which could convey erroneous impressions" and has sought a retraction of parts of its summary of facts.

"I have never been accused of corruption," Sinodinos said in a statement at the weekend.

"I deny any wrongdoing or illegality."

The Labor party on Tuesday called for Turnbull to stand

Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull’s re-election campaign hasn’t had the best of starts as the financial scandal surrounding his ruling Liberal Party widens further. @TURNBULLMALCOLM / TWITTER.COM

down both ministers unless they respond to the allegations candidly.

Australia’s lawmakers are set to return to parliament for a three-week sitting from April 18 after being recalled by Governor- General Peter Cosgrove on Turnbull’s advice in an effort to pass the legislation.

If the legislation to reinstate the ABCC isn’t passed, it will become the trigger for the dou-

ble-dissolution election on July 2. For a sitting government to spill both houses, a government bill must be rejected twice.

The key cross-benchers of the federal senate said they would pass the legislation if the bill is broadened to encompass concerns about corruption in other sectors other than the construction industry which is heavily aligned to the opposition Labor Party. ■

Obama calls on journalists to hold candidates accountable

BY KEVIN FREKING The Associated Press WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Monday again bemoaned the political environment surrounding this year’s presidential elections and called on journalists to hold candidates and themselves to a higher standard.

Obama spoke at the presentation of the Toner Prize, named for Robin Toner, the first woman to be national political correspondent for The New York Times. During her nearly 25 years at the newspaper, Toner covered five presidential campaigns. She passed away in 2008.

Obama said the No. 1 question he gets when travelling the world is “What is happening in America?” He said it’s because

US President Barack Obama again bemoaned the political environment surrounding this year’s presidential elections and called on journalists to hold candidates and themselves to a higher standard.

US GOVERNMENT PHOTO

people abroad understand America is the place where you “can’t afford completely crazy politics,” and they care about the most powerful nation on earth functioning effectively.

“We are all invested in making this system work. We are all responsible for its success, and it’s not just for the United States that this matters, it matters for the planet,” Obama said. www.canadianinquirer.net

Obama returned from his trip to Cuba last week and recalled the news conference he held jointly with Cuban President Raul Castro. He described the event as remarkable as the two leaders were forced to answer tough questions that were televised to Cubans, and the world.

“I don’t know exactly what it will mean for Cuba’s future,” he said. “I think it made a big difference to the Cuban people. I can’t think of a better example of why a free press is so vital to freedom.”

Obama called on the broadcast networks and producers to give reporters room to follow their instincts and dig deeper.

He said Toner proved that something can be substantive and interesting. He said elections to her were not a horse race, or about scoring the most political points, but were about issues.

“A job well done is about more than just handing someone a microphone. It’s to probe and to question and to dig deeper and to demand more,” Obama said. “The electorate would be better served if that happened.

It would be better served if billions of dollars in free media came with serious accountability, especially when politicians issue unworkable plans or make promises they cannot keep.”

Obama says he understands there are pressures “to feed the beast” with more gossipy, softer stories, but that leads to consumers failing to understand the world as well as they should, which has consequences for the country.

The Toner Prize was awarded to ProPublica’s Alec MacGillis for stories on campaign finance, lobbying and other influences on politics and governance. ■

World News

FRIDAY APRIL 1, 2016

Brazil ex-president Silva says Rousseff can stop impeachment

BY MAURICIO SAVARESE AND JENNY BARCHFIELD The Associated Press SAO PAULO — Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Monday that he believes his embattled successor and protege can survive mounting pressure in Congress for her impeachment.

Silva told international journalists that President Dilma Rousseff will be able to resist even if leaders of a major ally, the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party, announce its members are leaving her governing coalition as expected Tuesday. Both Silva and Rousseff belong to the Workers Party.

Rousseff recently appointed Silva as her chief of staff in a much-discussed move that still must be confirmed by Brazil’s top court.

Silva said he will ask Democratic Movement’s president and the country’s vice-president, Michel Temer, who is a member of Democratic Movement, to help Rousseff keep her job despite the plunge in her popularity amid Brazil’s worst recession in decades and corruption scandals.

“No one likes to support an administration that is not doing well with public opinion,” Silva said. “But we need to keep talking to” the Democratic Movement.

If Rousseff was impeached for breaking fiscal laws, Temer would assume the presidency.

Tourism Minister Henrique Alves, a member of the Democratic Movement, submitted his resignation late Tuesday.

Alves, a Temer ally, said he was following the “greatest challenge” faced by his party, which is led by Temer.

“The dialogue, I’m afraid to admit, has exhausted,” he said in a letter to Rousseff.

A recent poll by the respected Datafolha institute said 68 per cent of Brazilians favour Rousseff’s impeachment, but only 11 per cent believe they would be better off under Temer.

Silva again denied the claims that he joined Rousseff’s government to avoid arrest on corruption charges. After Rousseff named him chief of staff two weeks ago, a legal move stopped Silva from taking the post, which would protect him from any prosecution except in the country’s top court. The court is expected to make a final decision next week.

The former president said political hatred had put in Brazil “into the same climate as Venezuela” and compared attempts to remove Rousseff to the 2012 ouster of Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo.

“An impeachment without legal basis is a coup,” he said. “These are excuses

and fake arguments to shorten the term of the person who won the elections.”

Impeachment proceedings against Rousseff are based on a government watchdog’s rejection of her administration’s financial books in her first term and on another report by that same body suggesting that violations of Brazil’s fiscal laws continued last year.

The Brazilian Bar Association filed a complaint Monday with the Congress adding new reasons for impeaching Rousseff. It accused her of obstructing justice in Brazil’s corruption investigations and criticized her for granting international soccer governing body FIFA tax exempt status during the World Cup hosted by Brazil in 2014.

Rousseff sympathizers tried to block access to the lower house of Congress to prevent delivery of the complaint and clashed with lawyers from the bar association.

“The Brazilian Bar Association is pointing out the accounting tricks, the tax breaks in favour of FIFA and the intention to benefit an ally, despite the judicial investigations, granting him the privileges of a State minister,” the lawyer group said in a statement.

Government supporters have pledged to protest if Rousseff is impeached, but business leaders have said her departure would restore confidence in Brazil’s troubled economy.

After Silva’s news conference, Humberto Costa, leader of the Workers Party in the Senate, gave a speech saying that if the president is removed, Temer “will be the next to fall.”

Also on Monday, the judge in the mushrooming corruption scandal at state-run oil giant Petrobras sent Brazil’s top court spreadsheets seized from a big construction company implicated in the alleged bribery scheme.

The documents allegedly show payments to nearly 300 politicians from dozens of parties. They were seized last month from the Rio de Janeiro residence of an executive of the Odebrecht construction firm, which prosecutors say was paying bribes for inflated Petrobras contracts.

In another twist in the scandal, the Globo television network on Sunday broadcast an interview with a former Odebrecht employee who claims to have distributed bribes to politicians as far back as the 1980s. The former secretary with Odebrecht’s finance division said she gave police a list of some 500 recipients of bribes from the late 1980s.

Neither Odebrecht nor the federal police responded to emailed requests for comment on the secretary’s statements. ■ Associated Press writer Luis Andres Henao in Buenos Aires, Argentina, contributed to this report. www.canadianinquirer.net

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26

APRIL 1, 2016

FRIDAY

FILIPINO-CANADIAN IN FOCUS:

Michele Serrano: Assuring immigrants that Canada is the land of great opportunities

BY BOLET AREVALO

“YOUR ATTITUDE is the key to your success. Keep your eyes on the prize. Remember your goal and enjoy the ride.” Michele Serrano sums up what she thinks will help Filipino immigrants succeed in Canada.

Michele for sure knows whereof she speaks. She is one Fil-Canadian who may have been lucky enough to have stumbled upon a lot of opportunities for herself but really it is her attitude towards these opportunities that made them work to her advantage. While many of the opportunities were not things she dreamed of doing, she implied that she just happened to be somebody to whom you can throw tomatoes to and she will turn them into rich pasta sauce.

Excellence and Michele are thus no strange bedfellows. “I simply try to excel in everything I do,” she mused. About the string of licenses, certificates and diplomas attached to her educational achievements, Michele revealed that these were simply borne out of her desire to always become a subject matter expert on areas where she happened to find herself working on or working with, be it - Business Management, Business Administration, Human Resources Management, Finance, Accounting, Information Technology and Immigration — for all of which she formally educated herself and received her completion papers. Currently, she is still working on her CFP (Certified Financial Planner) designation.

Financial planning is an area which she thinks her expertise will be needed by the Filipino community. She realizes that financial planning is one of the two (2) critical areas of concern where she wants to be of service to her kababayans; the other being immigration. Filipino migration to Canada has already taken so many forms — caregivers, temporary foreign workers, international students, perma-

nent residents, professional and skilled workers, business immigrants and entrepreneurs and new Canadian citizens, she said.

Being a confused newcomer is a stage that most immigrants go through when they arrive and settle in a new country.

Michele was in her 3rd year of high school from Stella Maris College of Quezon City when the whole family was sponsored by her Mom’s sister, Nechita Lim-King. Mom is Monina Lim, while Dad is Franklin Serrano. They hail from Albay and Masbate. Michele is eldest of 4 sisters, the others being Madeleine, Monina Jr. and Margrethe.

As eldest and most rooted in the Philippines in terms of friends and grandmother pam- Michele Serrano. pering, Michele was the most agitated during her first few light. As more people continued own plans and make the sacrimonths in Canada. Add to that, to ask her, she had to come to fice to withdraw from the race, her need to be fully integrated terms with the reality that may to which she can only reply, “ I in high school with subjects she be this is not about her, this is can be a leader. But I can also be needed to advance to like Ca- about the need of the Filipino a good team player.” She looks nadian History and Canadian community for a voice. Not to back to what could have hapGeography, and some others discount the fact that the Filipi- pened had she decided to run. which she needed to take in the no population is the third largest “We had a strong chance and lower grade like Grade 9 or to ethnicity in the Ontario region. had I run, we could have had complete in other levels. Her “I studied the political land- that representation right now.” grandma at one point had to ask scape in this side of Canada But as fate would have it, her parents to send her back and realized that Filipinos are Michele is destined for even to the Philippines because she not represented.” True to what greater things. As of this writwas too sad and ing, she has been confused. Nevnominated by ertheless, her 35 professional parents stood and community pat in keeping We do not have to be in the organizations to all siblings inbackground all the time. Anybody become a memtact and Michele can come forward and be recognized ber of the Senhad to adapt as if he wants to serve. If I can help ate of Canada. fast as she could, anyone get to that, I will.

Modelled after whether she the House of liked it or not.

Lords, the SenMichele is also ate of Canada is aware that every Filipino may most devout Pinoys would do in composed of 105 senators, all not be as lucky as she was or as the face of difficult decisions, of whom are appointed by the malleable. In this light, she had Michele went to her mother for Governor General upon the recently allowed herself to be advice and prayed, really prayed recommendation of the Prime pushed to the center of public about it. Answered prayer went Minister. As of this writing, service. Michele said that she in the direction of getting ini- there are still 15 vacancies in used to believe that one does tiated into politics as Liberal the Senate to which Michele is not have to be in politics to be Party nominee in the Scarbor- seeking one seat. The Senate of service. For the longest time, ough Southwest Riding back in seats are apportioned among she would always be asked if 2014. A nomination she had to the four major regions of Canashe intended to run for public back out from in the end in the da — Ontario, Quebec, the Maroffice but it was not an idea she interest of party unity. Current itime provinces and the Westentertained. First, she consid- Prime Minister and Liberal ern provinces. ered herself to be a very private Party leader Justin Trudeau, By giving politics a try, Miperson. Secondly, she helps even on one occasion, spoke of her chele wants Filipinos to underwithout the benefit of the spot- magnanimity to set aside her stand that it is not bad to aspire www.canadianinquirer.net

to be at the center of the action.

“We do not have to be in the background all the time. Anybody can come forward and be recognized if he wants to serve.

If I can help anyone get to that, I will.” She confided that whenever she thinks about the possibility of getting that Senate seat, her only prayer is for the good Lord to make it happen if He believes that she will be a good senator and will make a great difference, just as she had always done for every endeavour that she pursued, for every company that she had worked for.

Chichi or Manay Chi, as she is more fondly called by friends and family, is a multilicensed career professional.

She is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), Certified General Accountant (CGA), certified HR professional and a Regulated Certified Immigration Consultant. She served as Controller for the City of Toronto Economic Development Corporation for many years before shifting to corporate Canada as Chief Financial Officer/ Controller/Corporate Secretary - Canada of Clear Channel, a world-wide media and advertising company until a few years ago when she decided to retire.

But retirement is not a word she embraces for now as she is still running her own company called Blueprint Canada. Blueprint specializes in marketing, event management, marketing, financial planning and immigration advisory services. If she does not make it to the Senate, Chichi will continue her public service but she might just decide to go back again to school and pursue her first love after all, architecture.

As in the life of Michele Serrano, many things can happen in the ways that we never imagined but as she advises, “Keep your eyes on the prize. Keep the faith. If it is meant to be, it will happen.” When things get rough, Michele wants her kababayans to remember her immigrant story. With her success, she wants every Filipino immigrant to restore their faith in Canada as the land of opportunities. ■

FRIDAY APRIL 1, 2016

27

Travel

Don’t confuse Taiwanese tourists with Chinese tourists, ambassador quips PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY

Waterfront Park in Charleston.

LEE KEADLE / SEARCHFORCHARLESTONREALESTATE.COM

City attorney: Tour licenses regulate business, not speech

BY BRUCE SMITH The Associated Press

City of Charleston they want.”

They note that no license is required for those who give free tours and “the license requiring CHARLESTON, S.C. — Charles- minimum qualifications is only ton’s ordinance requiring tour necessary if tour guides seek to guides to have a license has charge for their services.” The nothing to do with freedom of 12-page response adds that “the speech, it’s about regulating plaintiffs’ underlying purpose business, attorneys for the city for becoming a tour guide is to say. earn money, not engage in free The dispute speech.” has been playIn a response, ing out in sevattorneys for the eral historic citInstitute of Jusies nationwide.

Federal tice, which repIn Charleston, courts have resents the three three plaintiffs split on plaintiffs, argue sued in Januwhether that whether ary saying that requiring tour guides get the city licenses tour guides paid for their granted only to to have speech is immathose who pass licenses terial. a 200-question violates free “The Supreme written exam speech.

Court has made and an oral exam it clear that the violate First degree of First Amendment Amendment rights of freedom protection is not of speech. diminished merely because the The lawyers for the city dis- newspaper or the speech is sold agreed. rather than given away,” they “Plaintiffs are wrong,” attor- wrote. neys for the city wrote in a reFederal courts have split on sponse filed this month. “With whether requiring tour guides or without a tour guide license, to have licenses violates free plaintiffs may communicate whatever message about the ❱❱ PAGE 35 City attorney

MANILA — Ambassador of Taiwan to the Philippines Gary Song-Huann Lin said that there could be more tourist arrivals from Taiwan to the Philippines if they were registered under the correct country.

During the sidelines of a press conference, the ambassador said that an estimated 200,000 Taiwanese tourists visit the Philippines annually, however this number could be lower in records because immigration officers would confuse Taiwanese tourists as Chinese tourists.

“It can be confusing but it would help to classify the visitor markets better,” he said.

Taiwan is currently seventh largest visitor market to the Philippines with around 150,531 Taiwanese tourists recorded to have visited in from January to December 2015.

For January 2016, tourists from Taiwan reached 15,523 visitors which is an increase of about 30 percent compared to the 11, 804 visitors in the same period in 2015.

The ambassador meanwhile expressed his support anew for efforts of the Aquino administration to boost tourism digits through its “Visit the Philippines 2015” (VPY2015) and

“Visit the Philippines Again 2016” (VPA2016) campaigns.

With the launch of Taiwanese low-cost carrier V Air’s maiden flight from Taipei to Manila last Sunday (March 27), he said that he expects tourists from Taiwan to visit the Philippines and likewise, tourists from the Philippines to visit Taiwan.

He further said that inaugural flight was a good followup to the amendment of the aviation agreement between Philippines and Taiwan in 2014.

Moreover, he expressed confidence that it will not be long before the Philippines meets its target of acquiring 210,000 visitors from Taiwan annually. ■

Shanghai Disney resort triggers travel surge PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY SHANGHAI — The June opening of the Shanghai Disney Resort, Disney’s first theme park in the Chinese mainland, triggered a sales rush after tickets became available Monday.

Major authorized online tour operators, including Lvmama, Ctrip and Shanghai Spring International Travel Service, have reported a surge in bookings for tour packages related to the park, which is scheduled to open on June 16.

Lvmama said a two-day, onenight package with park pass and hotel accommodation has been the most popular. "People have been calling in to ask about the package, and bookings have grown steadily since Monday," said a Lvmama employee.

Ctrip, China’s largest online

travel agent, said packages that combine the Disney resort with nearby towns are also popular. It said bookings were made by residents from more than 60 cities, including inland cities such as Wuhan and Changsha.

Ctrip now offers 70 packages related to the resort. Data showed budget hotel prices near the resort have risen more than 50 percent since tickets went on sale.

On Monday, park passes for the resort’s opening day were snapped up in minutes. Industry analysts said the park’s debut will help boost tourism in the Yangtze River Delta.

Shanghai Haitong Securities analyst Wang Liting said the park has benefited the transportation, hotel, tourism and retail sectors.

Disneyland will bring an increase in visitors to Shanghai and neighboring cities, said Xue

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Peipei, an analyst with Shanghai Huatai Securities, and nearby tourist destinations such as Wuzhen, a historic water town about 130 kilometers from Shanghai, will also see more visitors.

He Jianmin, director of the tourism management department of Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, said the park will drive coordinated development of cities in the Yangtze River Delta.

The Shanghai Disney Resort is Disney’s sixth resort worldwide. Construction began in 2011 in Pudong New District.

The resort is expected to attract 10 million visits each year, according to Shanghai Shendi Group, Disney’s Chinese partner. However, professor He Jianmin estimates that with growing momentum in the tourism sector, visitors could top 16 million per year. ■

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Travel

APRIL 1, 2016

B.C.’s Wild Pacific Trail: a magical, powerful edge of ocean hike

BY DIRK MEISSNER The Canadian Press UCLUELET, B.C. — Oyster Jim says walking Vancouver Island’s Wild Pacific Trail is a journey along the edge of the open Pacific Ocean, with its majesty, power and beauty in full view.

Many agree, as the eight-kilometre nature trail near Ucluelet, B.C., about 300 kilometres northwest of Victoria, has been ranked the top outdoor attraction in the province by TripAdvisor and among the travel ranking site’s top 10 in Canada.

Waves as high as houses crash against the rocks at the iconic Amphitrite Point lighthouse, once toppled by a massive wave. Migrating grey whales are spotted from easy-access trail-viewing areas,

and huge cedar trees, hundreds of years old, reach for the sky.

“For wildlife viewing and for just spectacular views, even when it’s blowing and it’s going, it’s special,” said Jim Martin, known locally as Oyster Jim and widely regarded as the person whose search for shoreline fishing holes spawned the trail’s creation.

“When it’s sunny and flat, it’s special.

It’s a great experience every day,” he said. “I call it streaming postcards.”

Martin’s can-do quest to build a worldclass trail became the focus of the 2009 documentary “Walking on the Edge,” narrated by Vancouver-born actor Jason Priestley.

Martin arrived in Ucluelet from Colorado in the late 1970s and his vision for an ocean-side trail eventually became a community endeavour, with the origi-

FRIDAY

STEPHEN COLEBOURNE / FLICKR

nal 2.6-kilometre loop at the lighthouse beaches were to the right and Tofino was opening in 1999. Martin can still be to the right.” found today tweaking the trails and welBut serious industry downturns in the coming visitors.

1990s saw Ucluelet embrace its natural “The thing that sets the Wild Pacific assets and the Wild Pacific Trail, now Trail apart is this is a totally unique sec- managed by a community board, has betion of shoreline uncome a prime attraclike anywhere else,” tion. he said. “It fronts “And now, even onto the open Pacific though we’re a small Ocean. It’s not typimarket, we’re batcal like a beach. This Waves as high tling with the big gives you all differas houses crash guns,” said Martin. ent kinds of vistas against the rocks “We’ve been TripAdand everything is difat the iconic visor’s top attraction ferent and interestAmphitrite Point in B.C.” ing. There might be lighthouse, Martin prides himtranquil pools. Then once toppled self on the trail’s easy there will be a vertiby a massive accessibility and its cal cliff edge where wave. Migrating free admission. the wave action is grey whales are “The trail is built spectacular.” spotted from for everyone, chilUcluelet, a oneeasy-access traildren, all the way to time logging- and viewing areas, people with walkers fishing-dependent and huge cedar and in wheelchairs,” village of about 1,600 trees, hundreds he said, laughing. people, has embraced of years old, “It’s wheelchair acthe trail as its ticket reach for the sky. cessible as long as to tourism opporyou have a big guy tunities. Ucluelet is pushing you.” about 40 kilometres Martin said the south of Tofino and gravel trail bed pronear Pacific Rim Navides an accessible tional Park, one of the West Coast’s most hiking surface and numerous entry and popular vacation spots. exit points allow people to hike over a “Ucluelet was never happy with tour- period of days or do the full distance in ists,” said Martin. “In fact, they told the one day. hippies to stay away. The reputation “From Day 1, I told people this is a kind of made everybody turn right at the world treasure,” Martin said. “This is an (Tofino-Ucluelet) junction because the eighth wonder of the world.” ■

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FRIDAY APRIL 1, 2016

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T PhilCanInquirer

m info@canadianinquirer.net sales@canadianinquirer.net

A (888) 668-6059

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Community News

APRIL 1, 2016

FRIDAY

Vancouver Consulate conducts first consular outreach in Fort St. John

TV host Michelle Chermaine (L) and Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach (R) chat about bullying and feeling confidently beautiful in your own skin.

MICHELLE RAMOS

Miss Universe shares uplifting message for International Women’s Day

BY MICHELLE RAMOS DURING HER brief visit in Toronto, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach shared her personal experience dealing with cyber bullies growing up and her thoughts on conventional beauty standards.

Many young girls suffer from low self-esteem, negative body image and eating disorders because they are constantly bombarded with unrealistic conventional beauty standards by the media and fashion industries.

In her interview with Mi-

chelle Chermaine that started making rounds on the internet on International Women’s Day, Pia answers the question, “What advice would you have for a girl who feels she’s not conventionally beautiful?”

As a naturally stunning beauty who is genetically blessed to fit the fashion and pageant industries’ standards, she shared her thoughts on the subject of conventional beauty standards.

“Nobody is ever conventionally beautiful because beauty is subjective.” Pia says. “For one person, you could be the most beautiful woman, and then for

another person, that other person could have a different perception of beauty altogether so you can’t please everybody.

Even in beauty pageants. Beauty pageants…there’s really…it’s a set of judges and judges are people and they have their different tastes. So, what I can say is, just embrace what you have.

Work on what you have. Stand out. Be unique. Don’t be afraid and that’s when the true colors will come out,” she shared. ■ Watch the full interview here: http://www.facebook.com/MichelleChermaineArt

THE PHILIPPINE Consulate General in Vancouver conducted its first consular outreach in Fort St. John, B.C. from Mar. 16 to 18, at the Northern Grand Hotel.

Fort St. John, also known as the “Energetic City” due to its vast natural gas resources is home to the largest concentration of Filipinos in Northeastern B.C. Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer led the outreach team in processing a total of 472 passport applications and providing notarial, NBI and civil registry services. There were three former Filipino citizens who took their oath under RA 9225 or the Dual Citizenship Act. Officials from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (Polo) in Vancouver also provided labor services.

During the visit to Fort St. John, Ferrer took the opportunity to meet with local officials such as Mayor Lori Ackerman, MP Bob Zimmer and MLA Pat Pimm. The said officials were all praises for the Filipinos due to their work ethics, dedication and reliability.

Consulate officials also met with Chamber of Commerce President Tony Zabinsky and Executive Director Lina Hansen to discuss the business climate and investment opportunities in the city taking into consideration its vast natural gas resources and the projected developments in the LNG industry.

Ferrer and Labor Attaché Jaime Gimenez met with the owners and managers of business establishments in Fort St. John to discuss issues affecting Filipino temporary foreign workers.

They were given a brief tour of the Spectra Energy gas plant in Taylor, one of the company’s 19 natural gas plants in British Columbia which extracts and processes natural gas for use in electric generation, residential heating/cooking, manufacturing and transportation.

The successful visit to Fort St. John was made possible through the active support and cooperation of North Peace Filipino Canadian Bayanihan of Fort St. John and Barangay Fort St. John. ■

FilCan elderly missing THE NEW Westminster Police Department (NWPD) is asking for the public’s assistance in locating 73 year old Leticia Alvaro. Mrs. Alvaro is an elderly Filipino female standing approximately 4’10 inches tall with a medium build, and short black and grey hair. Mrs. Alvaro has Alzheimer’s, is diabetic, and has previously gone missing.

Mrs. Alvaro was last seen today at about 10 a.m. at a business in the 500 block of 6th Street, wearing a grey sweater, grey pants, and a red or green jacket, with white tennis shoes.

“Our patrol officers are actively looking for Mrs. Alvaro, and we are asking for the public’s assistance to help find her,” stated Media Relations Officer Acting Sergeant Jeff Scott.

For any information, please called NWPD at 604-525-5411. ■

Consul General Neil Ferrer and Consul Rogelio Villanueva, Jr. are led by Spectra Energy officials during a gas plant tour at the company's facility in Taylor on Mar. 19, 2016.

Consul General Neil Ferrer and Consul Rogelio Villanueva, Jr. poses with Filipino community leader Alan Yu and Spectra Energy officials.

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FRIDAY APRIL 1, 2016

Entertainment

‘Saigon’ audition memories

BY BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR. Philippine Daily Inquirer AS “MISS Saigon” wrapped up its latest round of auditions in the country on March 21, it’s best to hear from former cast members of the mammoth musical’s West End, Broadway and Manila productions.

These “Saigon” veterans share memories of those nervewracking days in front of such an esteemed panel as the show’s producer Cameron Mackintosh, original director Nicholas Hytner and composer Claude Michel-Schönberg and lyricist Alain Boubil.

Here’s “the movie in their minds.”

Isay Alvarez, Gigi: I remember seeing familiar faces auditioning like me. I sang Barbra Streisand’s “People,” which was my usual audition piece. I didn’t really prepare because, at the time, I was very active in theater and the lounge-act scene. In effect, I was in shape.

Jamie Rivera, Kim: I wasn’t supposed to audition. I only accompanied my friend, Ricky Ongtengco, who then persuaded me to try my luck. Problem was, I didn’t know any of the songs from the play. So I sang Streisand’s “A Piece of Sky,” from “Yentl.” Later, the production team brought me to New York, then to London, for

further tryouts. I guess they liked me because I was so small and petite… that the audience would readily take pity on me.

Ima Castro, Kim: I drove all the way from my hometown (Quezon) early morning, to make it to the registration. I auditioned without the knowledge of my manager Tito Boy Abunda. I went to the open auditions (cattle call). Then, Mr. Dong Alegre and his staff realized it was me and immediately transferred me to the closeddoor sessions. I sang “I’d Give My Life for You.” Then, the panel told me to approach the piano. We started working on “I Still Believe” and other Kim songs. The rest is history.

Since I was 12 years old, my dream was to be part of “Miss Saigon.” I knew the entire musical like the back of my hand.

It was a very long preparation, indeed.

Joanna Ampil, Kim: I remember that day very vividly—July 7, 1992—at the PICC (Philippine International Convention Center). I prepared “It’s Her or Me (I didn’t realize it was an Ellen song),” “Movie in My Mind” and all the rest of Kim’s songs.

It was a week-long process of singing, acting and dancing.

Claude-Michel and Nick Hytner were both in Manila, along with the rest of the creative team.

It was my first audition, and

I brought a minus-one tape of “Home,” from “The Wiz.” I sang it and was given the music to learn for the recall.

The dance audition was the toughest. I had to ask someone to prep me. Also, “walking like a prostitute” was hard. I didn’t know how to do it, but I guess that’s how they saw the Kim in me then. I remember Nick Hytner staring at me and watching my moves intently. A couple of months later, they told me I was to fly to London in a month to play Kim! Michael Williams, Asian swing: I don’t remember the exact date anymore, but I do remember singing “Something’s Coming” from “West Side Story.” I was very ill-prepared because I was doing “Little Shop of Horrors” with Repertory Philippines then. It was a very popular show and we had many performances. We were on our last weekend and I was already losing my voice. I had laryngitis and pharyngitis. It was very difficult for me to sing, but I went anyway and got in!

As Asian swing, I covered all the Asian ensemble parts and some featured parts if I had to—apart from my own track in the show.

I played a Vietnamese, danced as one of the Johns in “American Dream,” drove the limo and was one of the Bangkok barkers. I had to know all the different parts and be ready to go on

Miss Saigon at Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne.

RANDY ESCALADA / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

at a moment’s notice.

Robert Seña, The Engineer: My experience with “Miss Saigon” was providential. It wasn’t planned. I was already contented with my career and had no idea I’d get to work abroad. I was so clueless and didn’t know “Miss Saigon” or who Cameron Mackintosh was.

I was at home when a call from the staff of Dong Alegre woke me up. Then, another colleague persuaded me to audition. So I went to the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP)—in puruntong shorts and loose shirt! I sang Steve Green’s “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” While I was singing, the panel members were just looking at my CV. Then, Mr.

Schonberg asked from what musical that song was. I said it was a Gospel hymn. Three callbacks later, I finally got in. From Swing to Thuy and The Engineer.

Jon Jon Briones, The Engineer: I was working as one of the facilitators for the tryouts, handing Cameron the head shots of the auditionees. So, I think he was confused when I handed him mine. I sang “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” (from “Les Miserables”).

I didn’t really have time to prepare because I was working for the audition team the whole time, from early morning to late evening. But when I got to ❱❱ PAGE 35 ‘Saigon’ audition

Lav in the cineplex

BY BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR. Philippine Daily Inquirer

Filmmaker Lav Diaz.

FENERLI1978 / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

IT MAY seem unthinkable a decade ago, but a Lav Diaz film has just opened in a cineplex near you.

Make that an eight-hour Lav Diaz historical epic!

Adding to the sheer extraordinariness of this cinematic landmark is the fact that Star Cinema, known largely for romcoms, is distributing “Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis,” which won www.canadianinquirer.net

the Silver Bear Alfred Bauer Prize at the Berlinale last February.

Diaz has been touring schools these past few days, to encourage students to watch the film on Black Saturday—especially since “Hele” is facing stiff competition from a certain superhero franchise that shall remain nameless.

But then again, Lav has Piolo Pascual and John Lloyd Cruz—not to mention a mighty ensemble of some of the finest Filipino actors—on his side.

Here’s Lav, uncut: What are your thoughts on “Hele” being shown in theaters?

The long struggle to push some changes in cinema is happening. It’s quite surreal to see a giant tarpaulin of “Hele” on the walls of ABS-CBN. It’s mindboggling that a big studio is promoting an eight-hour film, by Lav Diaz.

Why should Filipinos take time to watch it? ❱❱ PAGE 32 Lav in

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Entertainment

Lav in...

The film is about them, about us, Filipinos, about our psyche, our culture. This is about the Philippine Revolution of 1896, the Katipunan revolt that gave birth to our nation. This is about the two novels of Dr. Jose Rizal, his great vision of nationhood.

This is about Gregoria de Jesus’ search for the body of Andres Bonifacio. This is about the search for the Filipino soul.

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Why is it important to tell this story?

It’s my responsibility as an artist, as a cultural worker and as a Filipino. It’s imperative to create discourse among our people once they’ve seen the film, or once they’ve realized what the film is all about.

What are some tips you would like to share with viewers?

I demand greater commitment from them. I shall ask them to put their souls into it.

What was Berlin like for you?

Berlin was fun. It was a big bonus. We got the Silver Bear for our dear Pilipinas.

What was your encounter with jury president Meryl Streep like?

Very surreal, indeed. She loved the film. She loves our actors. Espesyal ang pagtrato niya sa grupo ng “Hele.” (She gave the “Hele” team special treatment.)

What were the foreigners’ common questions about the film?

The film demanded greater research and interaction on their part. Understandably, for foreigners, they’ll have a hard time relating to the characters in the film, at first, as I introduced lots of historical characters, plus Filipino mythological creatures.

And this is where you can separate the real good film critics and scholars from the lazy ones.

The good ones do their homework and make some effort to understand Philippine history and culture. The lazy ones will easily dismiss you or churn out some shallow reading of the work.

How does it feel to have Piolo and John Lloyd in your film?

Via their stature, propagating the film is easier. They’re great actors. They understand that they have a big responsibility to our culture. ■

APRIL 1, 2016

FRIDAY

Crying scenes therapeutic for broken-hearted Jessy

BY MARINEL R. CRUZ Philippine Daily Inquirer JESSY MENDIOLA said crying her heart out on the set has helped speed up the healing of her broken heart.

As her character Grace Fontanilla in the recently concluded Kapamilya teleserye of “You’re My Home,” Jessy had a lot of crying scenes, which she considered “therapeutic.”

“I remember that there wasn’t a day at work that I didn’t have to cry or break down. Luckily, I had something to focus on while I was going through a difficult time in my personal life,” she told reporters present at the recent first anniversary party of the video streaming service group, Hooq.

Jessy and Xian Lim are Hooq’s newest endorsers.

Jessy denied there was something romantic brewing between her and JC de Vera, who plays her lover, Christian Vergara, in the series.

Not real

“I’m glad people still like our

tandem even though nothing is happening between us in real life,” she said.

Jessy insisted that she wasn’t ready for love. “It’s far from my mind right now. I’m discovering a lot of things about myself now that I’m not looking for love. Who would have thought that I’d like scuba diving, kayaking and snorkeling?

You’ll know more of yourself when you’ve reached what you thought was the lowest point in your life, and eventually survived it.”

In November last year, Jessy broke up for the second time with actor JM de Guzman, whose family reportedly decided to send him to a rehabilitation facility due to drug dependence. (They were together for two years before their first breakup. They got back together in April 2015.)

Traumatic

“The experience was very traumatic,” the actress admitted. “You move on, one step at a time. I’m slowly getting there.

Of course, you have to believe in yourself in order to love again. I

came to a point where I doubted if anyone would still love me.”

If she had her way, Jessy said she would not discuss the issue anymore. “I don’t want to be accused of using him (JM) to promote myself. He was once a part of my life. He is very dear to me,” she explained.

She took a lot of flak from netizens for publicly talking about the breakup.

Jessy chose to ignore them “although, admittedly, there were days when I talked back.”

Defender

“Even my mom gets fed up sometimes, so she defends me,” she shared with INQUIRER. “I understand her. She’s my mom, and she would do everything to defend me.”

Asked whether she was still willing to fight for love despite her traumatic experience, Jessy answered in the affirmative, but added that “I don’t search for love anymore. I wait patiently.

I’m in no hurry. It’s funny because while you’re waiting for the right guy, you also discover a lot of things about yourself that you should improve on.” ■

Coco gets his creative juices flowing

BY MARINEL R. CRUZ Philippine Daily Inquirer MANY ARE unaware that Coco Martin, aside from being the lead actor of the top-rated action drama series, “Ang Probinsiyano,” is also a part of the program’s creative team.

“As in my previous television projects, I'm very much involved here. I want to prove that actors are good, not just at working in front of the camera,” said Coco, who plays the heroic cop, Cardo, in the series.

This week, his mission is to rescue his nephew, Junior (Lei Andrei Navarro), from the hands of kidnappers who are also members of an organ-trading syndicate.

“I learned a lot from Direk Brillante Mendoza and Bing Lao,” said Coco of his director and writer, respectively, in a number of indie movies

that he was part of in the early 2000s. “I observed and listened to them while at work. When I started doing projects for TV, I made sure to participate in the brainstorming sessions.”

He works hard at maintaining a good working relationship with the people on the set.

“They look at me as their leader.

When I have ideas, especially on how to improve the program, I share it with the production team. I’m not in favor of making just one character shine in this series. I want the program to be a showcase for a lot of talents.”

The show also features Maja Salvador, Bela Padilla, Arjo Atayde, Pepe Herrera, Agot Isidro, Albert Martinez and Susan Roces, who plays Cardo’s Lola Flora.

Relevance

“We try to make episodes that are relevant to the times. We create characters that inspire

Coco Martin.

and encourage the audience to do good,” Coco said in Filipino.

“These heroes aren’t hard to find. They aren’t necessarily policemen like Cardo. We see them in ordinary men who are always ready to help others.”

He said he was able to relate www.canadianinquirer.net

KARL IVAN SAN LUIS / FLICKR

easily to the character because “like me, Cardo came from a poor family. He worked hard to be able to fulfill his dreams, and he did this with his family in mind. I like that he is also concerned with the welfare of his community. I consider him a hero.”

The actor also finds strength in the lola characters in all of his TV series. “This is because, in real life, I was raised not by my parents but my grandmother. I always say, my leading lady is my lola. I have one in most of the shows I was part of,” said Coco, such as “Juan dela Cruz,” where he worked with Gina Pareño as Lola Belen; “Walang Hanggan,” also with Roces as Manang Henya; and “Tayong Dalawa,” with Pareño as Lola Gets.

This week’s “Ang Probinsyano” also features Gelli de Belen, who plays a mother desperate to prolong the life of her dying son. Eric Quizon likewise appears on the show as a doctor who harvests kidneys from unwilling patients and sells them to his millionaire clients. Cardo teams up with fellow police officer Glen (Salvador) to hunt down the gang responsible for Junior’s disappearance. ■

Entertainment

FRIDAY APRIL 1, 2016

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‘Batman v Superman’ shrugs off bad reviews, opens to $170M

BY JAKE COYLE The Associated Press NEW YORK — Faster than a speeding bullet and impervious to lousy reviews, the superhero faceoff “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” rebounded from a smack down from critics to debut with a massive $170.1 million in North America, the sixth best opening of all-time.

The stakes were high for the Warner Bros. release, which cost $250 million to make and about $150 million to market.

But the studio’s bid to launch a DC Comics universe to rival Marvel’s empire was met with persistent PR pains and numerous changes in the release date.

It fought skepticism over Ben Affleck’s casting as Batman and a barrage of bad reviews earlier in the week. Things were bad enough to spawn a ubiquitous viral video of “Sad Ben Affleck,” which took the actor’s response to the reviews and scored it with Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence.”

But the allure of seeing two of the most iconic superheroes battle it out was enough to set a record for the best pre-summer debut. “Batman v Superman” also grossed $254 million overseas, bringing its global total to $424.1 million for the weekend.

The mighty debut was met with a huge sigh of relief by Warner Bros. which invested its full marketing power in “Batman v Superman.” The film, directed by Zack Snyder, is the first

of 10 DC Comics adaptations planned by the studio over the next five years. Along with pitting Henry Cavill’s Superman against Batman, it introduces a number of other heroes soon to get starring roles, including Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) and the Flash (Ezra Miller).

Audiences gave the film a mediocre B CinemaScore, which suggested some moviegoers agreed with critics. But many fans (a good number of whom bought tickets well in advance) were undeterred.

“There was a disconnect there between what critics wrote and the fan interest,” said Jeff Goldstein, head of distribution for Warner Bros. “What we’re seeing is a huge amount of repeat business.”

“Batman v Superman” dominated Easter weekend with the kind of blockbuster performance usually reserved for Memorial Day or July 4th. In second was the Disney Animation hit “Zootopia,” with $23.1 million in its fourth week of domestic release. The go-to family release of the season, it has earned nearly $700 million globally. Universal’s “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2,” a sequel to the 2002 hit romantic comedy, debuted with $18.1 million — effective counterprogramming to the male-centric “Batman v Superman.”

Opening well above the $116.6 million debut of Snyder’s Superman reboot “Man of Steel,” “Batman v Superman” again proved that among comic-book heroes, Batman (who took

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first billing from Superman, naturally) is second to none.

The opening surpasses previous Batman installments “The Dark Knight Rises” ($160.9 million) and “The Dark Knight” ($158.4 million).

“It proves that the concept is bigger than negative reviews,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for comScore.

“There was no way that if you’re a comic book fan or just a movie fan that you’re going to miss out on a match-up of such iconic characters. Audiences have to see the movie for themselves.”

The big weekend also breaks a poor stretch for Warner Bros., which was hobbled by a number of underperforming releases like “In the Heart of the Sea,” “Pan” and “Point Break.”

If the estimate Sunday holds, “Batman v Superman” will be Warner Bros.’ best opening

ever, topping “Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows Part 2” ($169.2 million).

“We all know that studios have dips and you can’t hit it out of the ballpark every time, although we try,” Goldstein said. “And we had a little bit of a dip in 2015, no question. We always believed in our upcoming slate. We knew it was just a matter of getting to the films.”

Whether word-of-mouth will be good enough to help “Batman v Superman” maintain its record-setting pace in the coming weeks remains to be seen, but the March release date means it will have little competition. The film soaked up IMAX, 3-D and large-format screens, drawing a 62 per cent male audience.

“At the end of the day, a superhero movie can be a box-office superhero any month of the

year,” Dergarabedian said. “For Warner Bros., this is a seminal moment. It proves how quickly fortunes can rise and fall based on your slate of films. This was a bet that paid off really big for the studio.”

Warner Bros. will hope the success continues for its next DC Comics property, the allvillain team-up film “Suicide Squad,” due out in August. Marvel and the Walt Disney Co. may also have been eyeing the result of “Batman v Superman” with interest. Their next installment comes in May with “Captain America: Civil War,” which likewise pits two heroes (Iron Man and Captain America) against each other.

Such a clash may feel like a repeat to moviegoers. More likely, “Batman v Superman” whetted appetites for more superheroon-superhero violence. ■

Judge to consider fate of Dickinson lawsuit against Cosby

BY ANTHONY MCCARTNEY The Associated Press LOS ANGELES — A judge will consider Tuesday whether to dismiss a defamation lawsuit filed by model and TV host Janice Dickinson against Bill Cosby.

Cosby’s lawyers are seeking dismissal of the case Dickinson filed last year after the comedian’s then-lawyer denied her allegations that Cosby drugged

and raped her in 1982. Dickinson contends the denials in which she was called a liar caused her to feel re-victimized.

A decision on Cosby’s motion had been delayed to give attorneys on both sides time to address questions by Superior Court Judge Debre Katz Weintraub.

Tuesday’s hearing comes a day after Dickinson revealed she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and would have

to undergo surgery and radiation treatment.

Cosby’s attorneys are seeking a dismissal of the case because they say Dickinson has given differing accounts of her interactions with Cosby over the years.

They also contend letters Cosby’s former attorney sent to reporters denying Dickinson’s claims were protected legal communications.

Dickinson’s attorneys have said a jury should determine www.canadianinquirer.net

the outcome of the case, and the letters by Cosby’s ex-attorney should not receive special protection.

Dickinson sued Cosby in May over his denial of her claims that he drugged and raped her in Lake Tahoe in 1982. She says she tried to include the story in a 2002 memoir, “No Lifeguard on Duty: The Accidental Life of the World’s First Supermodel,” but her publisher refused.

She was also a cast member of VH1’s “The Surreal Life” and

UPN’s “America’s Next Top Model.”

Dozens of women have accused Cosby, 78, of sexual abuse, but the statutes of limitations in most instances have passed.

The comedian has been charged with sexually assaulting a former Temple University worker at his suburban Philadelphia home in 2004. He remains free on $1 million bail in the criminal case, which is on hold amid an appeal. ■

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APRIL 1, 2016

FRIDAY

Lifestyle

Seeing holes in effort to bridge ‘word gap’ in poor children

BY MATT O’BRIEN The Associated Press PROVIDENCE, R.I. — When former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced his foundation was awarding $5 million to launch Providence’s high-tech idea to improve the vocabularies of the city’s youngest children, he said he hoped the pilot could take root in Rhode Island and spread across the nation.

Three years later, more than 500 families have participated in Providence Talks, which uses wearable audio recorders to count every word spoken by toddlers and their parents in low-income households.

But whether the pioneering program is a national model or just an interesting concept hasn’t been settled.

Most child development experts agree on one thing: Poor preschool children hear far fewer words than wealthy children. That can lead them to fall behind in building early literacy skills, and, when they grow older, to do poorly in school.

Providence’s program was envisioned as a way to close what’s called the “word gap” by encouraging parents to speak more with their infants and toddlers.

Social workers regularly visit homes, delivering charts that show how many words were spoken each hour and day — excluding from TV and radio.

They talk about methods to boost the count and enrich conversations, from reading picture books to chatting about the texture of peanut butter or vegetables while walking down the supermarket aisle.

And while the program’s own self-evaluation last year found that participating parents are talking more with their kids, the results for children are inconclusive and might not be known until they grow older.

No one promised immediate success, but devoting so much

Most child development experts agree on one thing: Poor preschool children hear far fewer words than wealthy children. That can lead them to fall behind in building early literacy skills, and, when they grow older, to do poorly in school.

to an unproven program wor- soon as children are born. The the proudest, day of my adminries some experts. program prizes a rich variety of istration,” said former Provi“It’s a really well-intentioned words but doesn’t preference dence Mayor Angel Taveras. program and I very sincerely any language — an essential in- His successor, Jorge Elorza, hope it succeeds, but it doesn’t gredient in a city where 40 per who took over last year, also have any firm basis in existing cent of residents are Latino. supports the program, which research,” said James Morgan, Darly Niebla said it didn’t has its own office inside Provia Brown University professor take long for her 1-year-old dence City Hall. of cognitive, linguistic and psy- daughter, Gracey, to get used “We’re hopeful this is a model chological sciences who studies to wearing a recorder attached for the rest of the country and early childhood literacy and has to a vest. A pediatrician recom- raises awareness of parents been an adviser to the program. mended that she and her hus- across the county and really “Providence Talks is one huge band join the program because across the world,” Taveras said. field study. But that’s not what the girl wasn’t talking yet. NieThe concept is already exBloomberg inpanding in other tended it to be,” cities. The LENA Morgan said. “If Research Founthis should end dation, the Coloup failing, peoNow they are MPs, putting their rado non-profit ple will throw professional backgrounds to use at organization up their hands the Commons’ heritage committee that developed and say nothing studying the state of local media in the recording works, and that’s Canada. device, launched that.” two new proMorgan’s skepgrams last year ticism hasn’t deusing the group terred Providence Talks boost- bla said she was already accus- session model in Huntsville, ers from trying to scale up the tomed to conversing with her Alabama, and the San Mateo program to reach at least 2,500 kids — her older daughter was County Library system in Califamilies by late 2017. chatty from an early age — but fornia. It will expand this spring With nearly two more years home visitors coached her to to Minneapolis, Houston and before Bloomberg’s grant is try other tactics, such as getting Ames, Iowa. supposed to run out, organiz- on the floor with Gracey to enExpectations are high after ers are enrolling more families gage her more directly. the Providence pilot attracted by doing group sessions in adBeating about 300 other cit- international attention and dition to personalized home ies for the $5 million grand was featured in lengthy provisits. An outreach campaign prize of Bloomberg Philanthro- files from the BBC to The New at the city’s main birthing hos- pies’ Mayoral Challenge was Yorker magazine. Bloomberg pital spreads the message as “probably the proudest, if not chose the program because it www.canadianinquirer.net

addresses a challenge many cities face and can be spread elsewhere if it works, said James Anderson, who leads Bloomberg Philanthropies’ government innovation program.

Anderson isn’t worried that the bold idea is still just an experiment. He said the city has already adapted and strengthened its model after learning from early weaknesses and successes.

He said the preliminary results are “early but promising.”

“Providence will be continuing to monitor and assess the program as it ramps up,” he said. “The ultimate assessment of impact will be kindergarten readiness and school performance.”

And while Morgan cautioned against investing too much money before study trials can measure the program’s effectiveness, his fellow adviser Ken Wong, a professor who directs Brown University’s Urban Education Policy Program, was more willing to take the leap.

“In about four years, we’ll definitely be able to share with a lot of people what we’ve learned,” Wong said. “If it doesn’t work, then we can really learn from this intervention. And if it does work it could have tremendous implications in narrowing the achievement gap.” ■

Lifestyle

FRIDAY APRIL 1, 2016

35

Which diet-meal plan is best for you?

Some wives of senators and congressmen resort to these choices to prepare for the Sona red carpet

BY ANNE A. JAMBORA Philippine Daily Inquirer INVESTING IN a dietmeal plan delivery service is now more affordable than ever, with some companies delivering at a weekly price of P2,000 or below, or about less than P300 per day.

But with a rate that low— P300 is about the same price you’d pay daily for fast-food meal budget—how are consumers assured of quality?

Losing weight does not just demand iron-will determination from dieters—there’s a science you follow if you want it done the acceptable healthy way.

Which diet principles exactly are these affordable diet-meal plans following?

Dependable brand

One dependable brand has been delivering diet-meal plans since 2006. Jill Ignacio Busuego, also known as Chef Jill, has been in the catering business since 1992.

At the height of the popularity of South Beach Diet, and for her brand, Delicioso, to find a niche, she decided to start her diet-meal delivery.

Since kicking off her project with the South Beach Diet, she has now expanded her menu to include Cohen, Dukan and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), and has even come out with two of her own: Healthy Food and Calorie-Count mealplans.

Chef Jill says she studied all these diets, even tried them herself over the years. Today she can whip up a meal plan in less than a minute for someone who wants to lose, say, 20 pounds.

“If you want to lose weight, there are principles to follow, a science behind these diets.

These principles are especially helpful when you’re over 40 and your metabolism begins to slow down. Weight loss is guaranteed as long as you follow the program,” says Chef Jill.

South Beach Diet, more than a decade after the publication of its book, is still the first choice for many dieters.

Developed by American cardiologist Arthur Agatston, it promotes a meal plan that’s high in fiber, low-glycemic carbs, lean protein and unsaturated fats.

One of the come-ons of this diet, says Chef Jill, is probably its larger portion sizes.

As a chef, she says she has made it her mission to make sure her clients get the best experience possible while on a diet. That means everything has to taste good.

Since food is delivered the night before, it is prepared in such as way that reheating won’t cause the food to become dry.

Loyal following

A diet that’s winning a loyal following is Dukan. Made popular by Catherine (Kate Middleton), the Duchess of Cambridge, who slimmed down

Losing weight does not just demand iron-will determination from dieters— there’s a science you follow if you want it done the acceptable healthy way.

two dress sizes before her wedding day, it is a protein-based nutritional approach designed by the French nutritionist and dietician Dr. Pierre Dukan. (A general practitioner, Dukan was struck off France’s medical register in 2014 for promoting his diet commercially.)

“With Dukan, I lost 12 pounds in eight days. But some people don’t like it because it requires them to exercise at least 20 minutes a day,” Chef Jill says.

Cohen, the diet of choice of many celebrities, was developed by international specialist Dr. Rami Cohen.

It is an individually adapted weight-loss program based on age, blood test and gender. It’s a lifestyle program that measures food by weight, so that explains why people who do not like to be hassled with measur-

‘Saigon’ audition... the final callback, my boss (Dong Alegre) told me to stop working and just concentrate on my audition.

Lea Salonga, Kim: I no longer remember the exact date, but I went to the invitational audition, not the open call. So many professional singers went to give it a try.

For three days, I rehearsed “On My Own” (“Les Miz”), and nothing else. I prepared with our pianist from “The Fantasticks,” which I was doing at the time. He came over to the ❰❰ 31

ing would rather opt for the services of Chef Jill.

Under her service, food is individually tailored; each pack is carefully labeled with the client’s initials to avoid the inadvertent swapping of meal plans.

A chunk of Chef Jill’s clients are celebrities and personalities. Even politicians and their partners seek out her help. Come State of the Nation Address (Sona) time, her kitchen gets extra busy preparing meal plans for wives of congressmen and senators who want to lose weight to look their best on the red carpet.

Least popular

The least popular diet would be the extreme, overly restrictive HCG diet. The program requires injection of HCG hormone coupled with a calorierestricted diet ranging from

500800 per day. (In the United States, HCG, used mainly to treat fertility issues, has not been approved for over-thecounter use or weight loss.)

HCG is one of the most controversial diets, its critics pointing out that the calorie-restriction alone is bound to make anyone lose weight whether or not he/she gets his/her daily dose of HCG shots or not.

Still, due to some requests, Chef Jill has this among her staples.

“It’s the least popular because HCG is so easy to prepare,” she says.

Chef Jill, who says she taught nutrition for a while, also developed her own Healthy Meal (meant for those on maintenance) and Calorie-Count meal plans (for those who like to count calories instead of measuring food by weight or size).

Delicioso also creates meal plans for people on special diets, such as those with gout, diabetes, hypertension, allergies.

“Each disease has its own list of food [that patients] can and cannot eat. We customize this following the principles that we already employ. Sometimes the nutritionist will give me the requirements, and I use that info to look for the most suitable diet,” she said.

Packages may contain nutritional information upon request. A typical 14-day meal plan costs more than P10,000, or about P600-P800 per day. ■ Delicioso, 0917-8223354 or 0917-5289628, or e-mail deliciosophilippines@gmail.com.

City attorney... house and just played the song over and over again. I had also listened to Frances Ruffelle’s recording of it from the original Broadway cast album.

So at the audition, I shook everyone’s hands, then headed to the X on the floor and sang.

After I was done, Nicholas Hytner said I did very well, and asked if I could sing another song. The one thing that popped into my mind was Whitney Houston’s version of “The Greatest Love of All.” Claude-Michel said: “But sing it your way, darling.”

I went to the pianist, to ask if he knew the song. Then, I headed to the X, praying it would be in my key. And it was.

After singing, they asked some questions. Like, what was the biggest audience I ever performed for? I said, around 10,000 people when I opened for Stevie Wonder, but I’m not sure because it was very dark.

Then, they asked me to take my ponytail off—probably, to check the length of my hair.

Then, I got a callback. That’s when I started learning music from the show. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

speech. An appeals court agreed with a lower court decision upholding a New Orleans license requirement while the courts have thrown out the District of Columbia requirement.

After a lawsuit challenging licenses was filed in Savannah, Georgia, the city council voted last October to repeal a requirement for a written exam.

Attorneys for Charleston note that in upholding the New Orleans ordinance, the courts found that the city interest was not in regulating what was said ❰❰ 27

on a tour but “making sure tour group participants get what they pay for,” namely a safe tour “conducted by someone with a minimum quantum of professionalism.”

If the license only related to visitors getting “some official version of the truth,” the court found, New Orleans would have prevented vampire and ghost tours there. Ghost tours are also offered by guides in Charleston.

U.S. District Judge David Norton has set an April 19 hearing in the Charleston lawsuit. ■

36

APRIL 1, 2016

FRIDAY

Business

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau makes Bombardier CSeries sales pitch in Toronto

BY ALEXANDRA POSADZKI The Canadian Press TORONTO — The federal government is still carefully reviewing Bombardier’s request for US$1 billion, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday as he extolled the virtues of the company’s CSeries plane despite lagging sales.

Trudeau was in Toronto to promote the federal budget’s impact on families, but instead he found himself making a sales pitch on the merits of the CSeries passenger aircraft.

“The CSeries jet is an exceptional jet that is going to show Canadian innovation and quality manufacturing to the world,” he said. “That’s why it’s important to make sure that the Canadian aerospace industry is strong, not just in the short term, but in the medium and long term.”

Late last year, Bombardier asked Ottawa for assistance as it encountered trouble trying to sell the CSeries. International competitors have gobbled up contracts as Bombardier’s sales of the jet have waned.

Trudeau declined to say Thursday whether the government has set a deadline on its decision.

ART BABYCH / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

The notion of providing support to Bombardier (TSX:BBD.B) could prove awkward for Trudeau in Toronto, where the Montreal-based aerospace manufacturer is reportedly considering outsourcing work.

The Globe and Mail, citing sources it said were close to the matter, reported earlier this week that Bombardier plans to relocate about 200 jobs that help assemble the company’s

Q400 planes from Toronto to Mexico and China.

Bombardier has not confirmed the report but said it is exploring ways to reduce costs of its Q400 planes, including reviewing work packages and supplier contracts.

When asked how it would be in the best interests of taxpayers to provide federal aid to a company considering sending Canadian jobs elsewhere, Trudeau highlighted the ben-

efits of the aerospace sector to the country’s economy.

“The aerospace industry in Canada is responsible for thousands upon thousands of jobs and they’re exactly the kind of high-quality, innovative jobs that are deeply linked to the knowledge economy we need to continue to build on,” he said.

“That’s why we’re looking very seriously at the possible support for Bombardier.”

The Quebec government

promised last fall that it will give US$1 billion to support the Montreal company.

Also Thursday, Transport Minister Marc Garneau introduced changes to the Air Canada Public Participation Act that are intended to prevent lawsuits by giving Air Canada more flexibility over where aircraft maintenance work is done.

The Quebec government had launched a lawsuit against the airline (TSX:AC), arguing it had breached its legal obligations under the 1988 legislation by not performing enough maintenance work in the province.

The government dropped the lawsuit last month in exchange for a promise by Air Canada to have heavy maintenance work on its planned fleet of CSeries planes carried out in the province for at least two decades.

The proposed amendments introduced Thursday say the company may change the amount of maintenance work it performs in Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba, as well as the level of employment it maintains for that work.

“It is important for the government of Canada to allow air carriers equal opportunities to compete in an evolving air sector,” Garneau said in a statement. ■

WHO urges more oversight in wake of China vaccine scandal

BY LOUISE WATT The Canadian Press BEIJING — China must exert stronger oversight over vaccines sold on the private market in the wake of a developing scandal involving expired or improperly stored vaccines, the World Health Organization said Tuesday.

Dr. Lance Rodewald of WHO China’s immunization program told reporters that the ongoing investigation into the

“troubling” scandal that came to light last month would help identify ways to tighten regulation of the private market in vaccines.

“What we’re seeing here is problems on the private sector distribution side,” Rodewald said. “The vaccines that are in the private sector need to be managed, stored, handled, distributed and used in accordance with recognized standards.”

Chinese police say a woman and her daughter, who are now

in detention, are thought to have sold nearly $100 million worth of the suspect products nationwide since 2011.

More than 130 people have been questioned and 69 criminal cases filed in connection with the pair. A total of 29 pharmaceutical companies are suspected of selling the faulty vaccines and 16 institutions of buying them.

The scandal reinforces longstanding public concerns over the safety of China’s food and medicine supply fed by scanwww.canadianinquirer.net

dals involving phoney infant formula, snacks tainted with chemicals and phoney or defective medications, including vaccines.

Rodewald said that the WHO has full confidence that vaccines in China “start their life safe, pure, potent and effective.”

He said that confidence applies both to the free and mandatory vaccines provided by the government for all children, as well as the voluntary vaccines available on the private mar-

ket. Investigators say the latest scandal involves the voluntary, or secondary, vaccines, including those given to children to protect against maladies such as pneumococcal disease and rotavirus gastroenteritis.

Overseen by China’s Cabinet, a joint task force from the China Food and Drug Administration, the health ministry and national police force is investigating how the faulty vaccines entered the distribution network, the official Xinhua News Agency reported Monday. ■

Business

FRIDAY APRIL 1, 2016

37

Economists want bank secrecy laws relaxed

BY DORIS DUMLAOABADILLA Philippine Daily Inquirer A GROUP of prominent economists and sociopolitical thinkers has called for the implementation of a biometric-based national identification system, the easing of stringent bank secrecy laws and the strengthening of the anti-money laundering law to prevent more inflows of dirty money into the Philippine financial system.

The Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF), an organization advocating good governance, market-friendly economic reforms as well as economic and political liberty, issued a statement on Thursday calling for these reforms in view of the recent laundering of money stolen from the Bangladesh Central Bank using the country’s financial system and casino industry.

The Philippines’ capability to combat money laundering has come under global scrutiny after some $81 million stolen by computer hackers from the account of the central bank of Bangladesh with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York slipped into the country through the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. branch in Jupiter Street, Makati, and found its way to local casinos and other entities.

This recent development, the FEF said, has “demonstrated the need to strengthen the authority of government to prosecute those who criminally violated the AntiMoney Laundering Act (AMLA).”

“The Philippine financial system is put at risk when banking and anti-money laundering authorities are blocked from uncovering the truth about offenses of money laundering

due to the current bank secrecy laws,” the FEF said in a statement dated March 24.

“Money laundering using the Philippine financial system is already adversely affecting our overseas Filipino workers by increasing their remittance costs,” the FEF said.

The FEF supports the relaxation of certain provisions of the bank secrecy law that impede investigation by banking and antimoney laundering authorities of suspicious accounts for the prosecution of money laundering, drug dealing, terrorist activities and other major crimes.

“Criminals will be put on notice that they cannot use the bank secrecy law to hide the movement of ill-gotten wealth and will be deterred in using the Philippine financial system in the first place,” the group said.

No less than Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr., who also chairs the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), has lamented the fact that the country’s stringent bank secrecy law has hampered efforts to prevent money laundering, such as the crossborder remittance of dirty money from Bangladesh.

The FEF also supported calls for Congress to amend the AMLA to cover casinos, real estate transactions, and art purchases—sectors which have been excluded from the coverage of the law during the last time that the local enabling law was amended.

The economists also supported calls to give the AMLC the power to immediately freeze suspicious accounts under certain conditions.

At present, AMLC needs to ask for an order from the Court of Appeals to be able to freeze suspicious transactions. ■

Demand for office space seen further strengthening

BY DORIS DUMLAOABADILLA Philippine Daily Inquirer THE PHILIPPINES will see a record increase in office property supply this year and breach the one-million square meter fresh annual supply next year.

The economic turmoil in China and Europe, however, will only intensify demand for outsourcing such that there won’t be too much excess supply for long.

This is the assessment of property veteran David Leechiu, who recently putup his own property consulting firm, Leechiu Property Consultants, after leaving the Jones Lang Lasalle group.

“It’s been really crazy. The market has been very good,” Leechiu said in an interview with INQUIRER last week.

“You see the correlation. Bad news comes out and in a few weeks, many of the clients of these service are saying , ‘hey I’ve got this demand now for 1,000 seats, 2000 seats..’ so whenever there’s crisis overseas, that immediately translates to cost-cutting measures and outsourcing of services to the Philippines,” Leechiu said.

As such, Leechiu said he was not concerned about the big influx of office property space up for completion this year and next year.

Last year, about 614,000 square meters (sqms) in office space supply were made available, and another 979,000 sqms will be added this year. By next year, the additional inventory www.canadianinquirer.net

is estimated to reach 1.1 million sqms.

“Eighteen months ago, when I saw these numbers, I was a little concerned. Now I’m not because today, 55 percent of the stock in 2016 is either leased out or about to be leased out. The 45 percent—which is not a big number anymore—will be leased out before the year ends and it’s only March,” Leechiu said.

Based on his 20-year experience in the property consulting business, Leechiu said 70 percent of leasing activity usually took place in the last five months of the year.

“So I’m excited. If we have leased out 55 percent of space as early as March, what more can come in 2016 end-year?”

Leechiu said, adding that deals were becoming bigger in terms of footprint and higher in terms of rental rate.

Leechiu said rising urgency was shaping up as a trend amid the economic turmoil in other parts of the globe. During the US economic boom in 1995 to 2007, he said clients would usually try to look for the “next Philippines,” trying to experiment with outsourcing in other places like Vietnam, Costa Rica, Africa, Cairo or Eastern Europe like Poland. “But now, (the tendency is to decide) I need to go now, how fast can I ramp up?” he said.

These days, Leechiu said firms in need of outsourcing services would no longer have time for experiments, for putting a bit of operations here or there. “It’s all about scale and speed now,” he said.

Asked whether his firm was

seeing new names of companies seeking business process outsourcing (BPO) opportunities in the Philippines, Leechiu said new names were coming in from sectors such as healthcare and construction-related services.

These are the companies willing to build BPO operations from scratch to as many as 2,000 seats in three to four months, he said.

“It’s not just finance and accounting anymore. It’s construction-related. And why?

Because there’s no construction of relevant scale in the Middle East. There’s none in Europe, none in China,” he said.

While construction specialists and laborers would previously go to other places like China, western Europe and Middle East for work, he said the big companies like architectural firms, engineering firms, are outsourcing to the Philippines. And they are either doing it through third parties or doing it themselves. The phone companies are doing the same thing and it’s not just from the US. There are Mexican/Latin American, European companies, Australian companies coming in,” he said.

As such, he said it was still very exciting for the Philippines now and noted that demand was spilling over to new places.

Other potential BPO growth areas identified by Leechiu are Tuguegarao City (Cagayan), Puerto Princesa (Palawan), Tagbilaran (Bohol), Kalibo (Aklan), Calamba City (Laguna) and Batangas City (Batangas). ■

38

APRIL 1, 2016

FRIDAY

Sports

Canada falls 3-1 to U.S. in women’s world hockey

BY DONNA SPENCER The Canadian Press KAMLOOPS, B.C. — For the third time in as many starts against the United States, Emerance Maschmeyer wasn’t rewarded for her hard work.

Canada didn’t capitalize on a 36-save performance by its goalie. The host team fell 3-1 to the U.S. to open the women’s world hockey championship Monday in Kamloops, B.C. Maschmeyer got the nod over veteran Charline Labonte in part because of her performance at November’s Four Nations Cup in Sundsvall, Sweden.

The 21-year-old from Bruderheim, Alta., stopped 30 shots in a 3-2 overtime loss to the U.S. in the final. Her debut against Canada’s archrival in the preliminary round there was strong, but the team squandered her 27-save performance in a 3-0 loss.

The world championship opener was a variation on that theme. Canada mustered 23 shots on net and scored one power-play goal in their Pool A game against the defending champions.

“It’s always disappointing getting a loss, especially against the U.S.,” Maschmeyer said.

“It’s frustrating, but we’re going to use this as momentum and we’re going to get them when it counts.”

Brianna Decker scored the eventual game winner at 13:55

when Canada’s Meaghan Mikkelson was serving a high-sticking minor. Hilary Knight scored even strength and into an empty net in the third. Alex Rigsby earned the win with 21 saves.

Laura Fortino countered with the Canada’s lone goal in front of a full house at the 5,400-seat Sandman Centre.

“There’s no medal being given out tonight from that game, so we’ve got to keep going and focus on the next game,” said Canadian captain Marie-Philip Poulin.

Finland downed Russia 5-3 in Monday’s other Pool A matchup. Switzerland doubled Japan 4-2 and Sweden edged the Czech Republic 3-2 in Pool B. Canada faces Russia and the U.S. takes on Finland on Tuesday for their second games in as many days to open the tournament.

The top two teams in Canada’s pool earn byes to Sunday’s semifinals. The bottom two meet the top two from ‘B’ in Friday’s quarter-finals.

The U.S. power play was 44 per cent successful at last year’s world championship in Malmo, Sweden, where they scored three goals a man up in the final en route to a 7-5 win over Canada.

The Canadians posted key kills in the first and second periods Monday, but needed another in the third. Decker turned a rebound off a Monique Lamoureux blast from the point into the game winner. ■

ROGER ALCANTARA / FLICKR

‘Pacquiao ready to fight Bradley’

BY ROY LUARCA Philippine Daily Inquirer HOLLYWOOD — Like a recharged battery, Manny Pacquiao was full of power and energy in sparring and training Saturday.

He was so impressive that chief trainer Freddie Roach promptly declared that Pacquiao is “ready to fight (Timothy Bradley) tomorrow.”

“Yes, he’s ready,” Roach told Filipino media at his Wild Card Gym here. Reinvigorated by a training break given him

by Roach Friday afternoon, Pacquiao seemed like a young fighter again throughout the two-hour afternoon session.

He ran circles around sparring partners Ghislain Maduma for five rounds and Lydell Rhodes for four rounds, even busting the lip of Congolese-Canadian Maduma, who mostly imitates Bradley’s offensive stance.

www.canadianinquirer.net

Pacquiao’s intensity and ferocity spilled over to the mitts session, where he repeatedly tagged Roach with crisp combinations, whose impact produced sounds that reverberated up to the parking area of the closed door gym.

The eight-division world champion also displayed extra aggressiveness while working on the heavy bag, the doubleend bag and the speed ball with impunity.

For a while there, the 37-yearold Pacquiao had looked like in his mid-twenties.

Assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez later predicted a swift ending.

“Basta itutumba natin yan (We’re going to knock him out),” said Fernandez, referring to Bradley, who has never been stopped in compiling a 33-win, 1-loss-1 draw, record spiced by 13 knockouts. That lone defeat dealt the 32year-old Bradley was by Pacquiao in their re-

match in 2014.

Roach’s decision to give Pacquiao a break Friday apparently did wonders as the Sarangani congressman breezed through the five-kilometer early morning run from his home in North Plymouth to Pan Pacific Park.

After a good rest, Pacquiao was energized for the afternoon workout.

“He looks good, he looks sharp,” said Roach. “He’s training as hard as ever.”

Roach should know as they’ve been together since 2001, when Pacquiao wrested the International Boxing Federation super bantamweight title from South African Lehlo Ledwaba in a major shocker.

After the 28-round workout Saturday, Pacquiao returned to the ring and did his abdominal exercises with help from assistant trainer Nonoy Neri and supervision from strength and conditioning coach Justin Fortune. ■

Sports

FRIDAY APRIL 1, 2016

39

Guirado, Azkals all N.S. athlete with partial limbs inspires set for North Korea in video: ‘There are things I can do’

BY CEDELF P. TUPAS Philippine Daily Inquirer ALMOST 37 years old, current national team skipper Juani Guirado knows there’s not much time left in his international career.

The veteran defender is relishing what he feels will be his last few matches with the Azkals as he shifts his focus on CeresLa Salle, which is seeing action in the AFC Cup, and his growing family in Malaga, Spain.

The Azkals have been hit by a rash of retirements from veteran players like Rob Gier, Jerry Lucena and Paul Mulders, who all quit the team this year.

Guirado could be the next to go although he showed in the 0-1 defeat to Uzbekistan in Tashkent that he still has plenty left in his tank to help out the squad which faces North Korea in its last World Cup Qualifying

game at Rizal Memorial Stadium tomorrow.

“Right now, I just want to make the most out of the experience, do everything I can to help the team,” said Guirado, whose kids and wife live in Spain.

Responding to coach Thomas Dooley’s challenge to fight for 90 minutes against a formidable home side, Guirado responded with a commanding performance at the backline, coming away with crucial blocks and tackles to limit the Uzbekistan to just a single goal.

With North Korea expected to go all out in a bid to supplant the Uzbeks in topping the group, Guirado is bracing for his toughest challenge yet.

“I’m sure he would want to retire with a really good game especially against a strong team like North Korea,” said Azkals manager Dan Palami. “I think he will use that as motivation. Maybe we will see him at his best on Tuesday.” ■

Bustos’s second half goal leads Canadian under 20 soccer team THE ASSOCIATED PRESS DONCASTER, UNITED KINGDOM — Marco Bustos’s secondhalf goal proved to be the winner as Canada’s under-20 men’s soccer team stunned England 2-1 in an exhibition game Sunday.

Bustos scored at the 68-minute mark to put Canada ahead 2-0. The 19-year-old Whitecaps FC midfielder’s goal proved to be a big one as three minutes later Chelsea midfielder Kasey Palmer scored for England before 3,264 spectators at Keepmoat Stadium.

“Great win against England!!” Bustos tweeted after the game. “Happy for the boys and the work we put in.

“Future is bright for ?CanadaSoccerEN.” Palmer’s goal was set up by Marcus Rashford, a rising star with Manchester United who has five goals in eight appear-

ances with the club.

Kadin Chung, a native of Port Coquitlam, B.C., and 17-yearold WFC2 fullback, opened the scoring for Canada just 14 minutes into the first half.

The win was a successful cap to an eight-day camp for the Canadian squad. Coach Rob Gale used the gathering to emphasize player development.

“We worked on creating a culture within the camp,” said Gale. “These boys faced quality this week and they have been first class — that’s what led to the result.”

England defeated Canada 4-1 in a closed-door exhibition Thursday, scoring three times late in the second half. On Sunday, Gale opted to go with a younger starting unit.

“We told them to believe in their talent, to express themselves, and to just play,” said Gale. “It is a good experience for this group of players.” ■

BY MICHAEL TUTTON The Canadian Press HALIFAX — A rugby player without full limbs has become an inspiration to others across the country, after a viral video depicting her doing crossfit workouts with multiple pullups and lunging across a gym floor with a 16-kilogram weight.

Lindsay Hilton allowed the CrossFit OnSide gym in Halifax to put the video on Facebook on March 9, and within a few hours it had six million viewers.

The video shows the 30-yearold rugby player and coach striding across the gym with a bar on her shoulders, throwing her body to the ground for a series of burpees, and using homemade prosthetics with hooks to pound out a series of pullups.

Hilton was born with one arm ending before the elbow and the other just after the elbow, and with both legs ending before the knees.

Her video was shot originally as a way to critique her crossfit techniques, but Hilton has been surprised by how it is inspiring amputees and people who use prosthetics to head to local gymnasiums worldwide.

“The best reaction I’ve gotten is that a few people I know that are missing limbs have contacted me and said, ‘This is really neat that you can do this, can you give me some more information?”’ the 30-year-old said during a telephone interview.

“I like the fact that it’s out there so that other people who don’t think they can do exercise can see that they can.”

Blaike Holding, a 27-year-old office administrator from Abbotsford, B.C., whose limbs were amputated at the age of five, says the video has motivated her to head to a local fitness centre.

“I’ve always avoided going to the gym because ... I’ve never had anyone else know how to help me out. So I’ve avoided it.”

“Seeing her do the crossfit and some of her yoga videos have made me realize there are things I can do.”

Holding said strengthening exercises can be particularly helpful to amputees, as they have to use far more energy www.canadianinquirer.net

She also said improving muscle tone and keeping weight under control helps with overall health and mobility, and can avoid having to acquire new prosthetics due to weight gain.

SCREENSHOT FROM YOUTUBE

than a person with full limbs to walk or run.

She also said improving muscle tone and keeping weight under control helps with overall health and mobility, and can avoid having to acquire new prosthetics due to weight gain.

However, she will need to adapt the workout to her own body and limbs.

“I know my boundaries and limits. ... Some younger amputees should get checked (by a doctor) a bit first,” she said.

Karen Valley, the director of the national amputee centre with the War Amps, a Canadian organization that supports people with missing limbs, said in a telephone interview that there are about 23,000 people who are missing limbs or parts of limbs registered with her group.

She said the video is relevant to any Canadian looking to push their fitness boundaries, but amputees may be particularly inspired.

Valley, an amputee herself, said she’s also going to head to a gym with the video reference in hand.

She also said she hopes that amputees don’t directly compare their fitness levels with the video, or set unrealistic ex-

pectations for their own athletic performance.

“It definitely could be a concern for someone who might look at it and finds it depressing or (feel) I’ll never be able to do that,” she said.

“But she (Hilton) really portrays that positive attitude and encourages others to be positive.”

Jenny Jeffery, the co-owner of CrossFit OnSide, said Hilton gained her first month’s membership in September at the gym through a burpee contest after a rugby game.

“Every since then it’s been trial and error. ... She went to Canadian Tire and got some chains and then some velcro straps and said, ‘Why don’t we try this?”’ said the trainer.

She said she and Hilton worked together to adapt prosthetics to allow the athlete to do pullups, rowing and other exercises.

Hilton says she sees the video as just a natural extension of living her life fully, an attitude her parents and friends have encouraged throughout her childhood.

“I was born missing my limbs ... and I never really thought that was holding me back,” she said. ■

40

APRIL 1, 2016

FRIDAY

Technology

Wanted: Web developers and coders for Canada’s technology ‘gold rush’

BY LINDA NGUYEN The Canadian Press TORONTO — Three years ago, Erik Dohnberg was working at the Genius Bar at an Apple store in London, Ont. He’d been there for 10 months after graduating with an information and media studies degree from Western University when he decided he wanted more.

With the intention of starting up his own business, Dohnberg signed up for a nine-week boot camp at Bitmaker Labs, a web developer training school in Toronto.

Within two weeks of completing the boot camp, Dohnberg had 16 job interviews and received two job offers. One of them was from Bitmaker Labs.

Dohnberg said he doesn’t regret going to university, but also doesn’t think it prepared him to get a real job. Most of his classmates went on to graduate studies.

“It was education for the sake of more education,” said Dohnberg, now an admissions manager at Bitmaker.

“I can write a hell of an essay on Star Trek and Star Wars fan fiction but really, that’s irrelevant to practical skills. I’m a

good writer but that’s about it.”

Tech skills programs like the ones at Bitmaker Labs have been sprouting up over the past few years in response to a tech talent shortage in Canada. It’s a problem that has been bubbling to the surface, as more startups open up shop and try to recruit from an already-small pool of Canadian coders and developers.

A report released earlier this month by the Information and Communications Technology Council estimates that 218,000 tech jobs will be created in Canada by 2020. It warns that it could cost the economy billions of dollars in lost productivity, tax revenues and GDP if Canada doesn’t address the tech skills gap.

“It is imperative that this challenge is tackled, especially if Canada wants to secure its place as a competitive leader in the global economy,” the 57page report says.

At Bitmaker, courses range from weekend boot camps to an intensive nine-week course for $9,000. The school believes anyone can learn how to code and its students include everyone from college and university dropouts to ex-engineers, investment bankers and skilled labourers. Bitmaker has also

enrolled computer engineer and science graduates looking to update their skills.

Dohnberg said such boot camps are still not producing workers fast enough to meet the demands of the ever-evolving tech industry, making it vital for colleges and universities to tailor their programs for jobs in the sector. “(Universities) are not focused on education. They’re focused on grades and a piece of paper at the end, because for decades, that has been the way you get a job and open up new opportunities,” he said.

“Now that’s not enough. Universities need to start understanding how people actually learn and come up with innovative ways to imparting education to those people.”

Vancouver-based Lighthouse Labs, which also runs web developer boot camps, sees its role as completely separate from that of a post-secondary institution.

“We consider ourselves complementary to university. We’re not trying to undercut it or disrupt it,” said Jeremy Shaki, Lighthouse chief executive and self-proclaimed “chief talking officer.”

“The challenge is this industry changes pretty quickly, and

down “a blitzkrieg against freely reported news and information.”

Thai journalists have faced a barrage of pressures over the past two years. One prominent editorial cartoonist from the Thai Rath newspaper was detained twice and warned he could be prosecuted if he continued to satirize the junta chief in his drawings. A senior writer for The Nation newspaper who was openly critical of the coup was detained twice and ultimately fired.

A few foreign reporters have

had their visa applications denied since the junta took power, according to the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand, which itself has had several events banned by the junta. ■ Jocelyn Gecker in Bangkok

The tech industry is also struggling to keep workers in Canada, something he says is due to a lack of culture here for developers and coders.

the way universities are set up — they’re not meant to reflect the industry needs at their current state. They’re meant to provide a deeper learning so people have a solid academic experience.”

The eight-week boot camp at Lighthouse accepts one out of three applicants, with the deciding factor being motivation, a coding background and a willingness to do hard work.

“We don’t take people who are in it for the gold rush,” said Shaki.

The tech industry is also struggling to keep workers in Canada, something he says is due to a lack of culture here for developers and coders, which makes it easier for them to be lured to hot spots like Silicon Valley and New York where sal-

aries are higher.

Shaki estimates that a starting salary for a web developer in Toronto would be around $46,000, whereas in San Francisco, the average beginning salary is about $90,000.

Langis Roy, dean of graduate studies at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology in Oshawa, Ont., says post-secondary institutions are aware that they need to adapt to a more technological world because that’s where the jobs are.

That includes everything from providing students with training on professional software, encouraging entrepreneurship and setting up tech incubators.

“We need to serve the industry and market-driven needs,” said Roy. ■

jib about the scandal during his visit to eastern Sarawak state.

The duo were released and deported after the Australian government intervened.

At issue is more than $700 million deposited into Najib’s bank accounts in early 2013.

Critics accuse him of corruption and say the money came from indebted state investment fund 1MDB, which he founded in 2009. The attorney-general has cleared him of wrongdoing, saying most of the money was a donation from Saudi’s royal family.

Malaysia’s government has

also blocked some new websites, including popular news portal Malaysian Insider, over critical reports of the government. The portal, owned by the Edge Media Group, shut down recently, citing a loss of income caused by the government’s ban.

Last year, the government also suspended two newspapers under the Edge group over its coverage alleging corruption at 1MDB. The Edge challenged the government’s suspension in court and succeeded in getting the ban lifted. ■ Eileen Ng in Kuala Lumpur

Asia: A look... news agency will be able to obtain or renew journalists’ visas, a move that press freedom groups say would bar some freelancers from working in the country.

Media freedom groups say the junta has used the pretext of maintaining peace and order, after years of political upheaval, to employ a massive campaign of censorship and intimidation in what was once considered a bastion of free press in Southeast Asia. Reporters Without Borders has called the crack❰❰ 23

Malaysia: The $700 million scandal

The government is cracking down on media as a financial scandal engulfs Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Two Australian TV journalists were briefly arrested this month after they tried to question Nawww.canadianinquirer.net

Technology

FRIDAY APRIL 1, 2016

41

Microsoft axes chatbot that learned a little too much online

BY BRANDON BAILEY The Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO — OMG! Did you hear about the artificial intelligence program that Microsoft designed to chat like a teenage girl? It was totally yanked offline in less than a day, after it began spouting racist, sexist and otherwise offensive remarks.

Microsoft said it was all the fault of some really mean people, who launched a “co-ordinated effort” to make the chatbot known as Tay “respond in inappropriate ways.” To which one artificial intelligence expert responded: Duh! Well, he didn’t really say that.

But computer scientist Kris Hammond did say, “I can’t believe they didn’t see this coming.”

Microsoft said its researchers created Tay as an experiment to learn more about computers and human conversation. On its website, the company said the program was targeted to an audience of 18 to 24-year-olds and was “designed to engage and entertain people where they connect with each other online through casual and playful conversation.”

In other words, the program

A screenshot of Tay's controversial Twitter profile. Her tweets are currently locked.

used a lot of slang and tried to provide humorous responses when people sent it messages and photos. The chatbot went live on Wednesday, and Microsoft invited the public to chat with Tay on Twitter and some other messaging services popular with teens and young adults.

“The more you chat with Tay the smarter she gets, so the experience can be more personalized for you,” the company said.

But some users found Tay’s responses odd, and others found it wasn’t hard to nudge Tay into making offensive comments, apparently prompted by repeated questions or statements

that contained offensive words.

Soon, Tay was making sympathetic references to Hitler — and creating a furor on social media.

“Unfortunately, within the first 24 hours of coming online, we became aware of a co-ordinated effort by some users to abuse Tay’s commenting skills to have Tay respond in inappropriate ways,” Microsoft said in a statement.

While the company didn’t elaborate, Hammond says it appears Microsoft made no effort to prepare Tay with appropriate responses to certain words or topics. Tay seems to be a version of “call and response”

technology, added Hammond, who studies artificial intelligence at Northwestern University and also serves as chief scientist for Narrative Science, a company that develops computer programs that turn data into narrative reports.

“Everyone keeps saying that Tay learned this or that it became racist,” Hammond said.

“It didn’t.” The program most likely reflected things it was told, probably more than once, by people who decided to see what would happen, he said.

The problem is that Microsoft turned Tay loose online, where many people consider it

WEATHER UPDATE VANCOUVER

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entertaining to stir things up — or worse. The company should have realized that people would try a variety of conversational gambits with Tay, said Caroline Sinders, an expert on “conversational analytics” who works on chat robots for another tech company. (She asked not to identify it because she wasn’t speaking in an official capacity.) She called Tay “an example of bad design.”

Instead of building in some guidelines for how the program would deal with controversial topics, Sinders added, it appears Tay was mostly left to learn from whatever it was told.

“This is a really good example of machine learning,” said Sinders. “It’s learning from input. That means it needs constant maintenance.”

Sinders said she hopes Microsoft will release the program again, but only after “doing some work” on it first.

Microsoft said it’s “making adjustments” on Tay, but there was no word on when Tay might be back. Most of the messages on its Twitter account were deleted by Thursday afternoon. “c u soon humans need sleep now so many conversations today thx,” said the latest remaining post. ■

Long term forecast from www.theweathernetwork.com CALGARY

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Events

42

Tunog ng Pagbabago

By Filipino Canadian Toronto On. Duterte Cayetano Movement and Prestige By Night WHEN/WHERE: 7 to 10 p.m., Apr. 1, at 4544 Dufferin St., Toronto, On. 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 Tagalog Class

By Filipino Center Toronto WHEN/WHERE: 10 to 11 a.m., every Saturday,YUKON Filipino Centre Toronto

APRIL 1, 2016

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.

Forum on Good Governance by Loida Nicolas Lewis

By Global Pinoy Diaspora WHEN/WHERE: 6:30 p.m., Apr. 9 at St. Bonaventure Parish Centre (Toronto) MORE INFO: Topic: How the values of anti-corruption can firmly take root in Filipino society.

FRIDAY

CANADA EVENTS

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

View all events by scanning this QR code or visiting

http://bit.ly/ PCI-Events

Consular Outreach in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island By theNUNAVUT Philippine Embassy in Ottawa Homework/Tutorial ClassNORTHWEST WHEN/WHERE: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Apr. 12; TERRITORIES and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Apr. 13, at Calvary

By FCT WHEN/WHERE: 11a.m. to 12 nn, every Christian Church Gym, 9 Capital Dr. cor Saturday, Filipino Centre Toronto, 597 Route 2, Charlottetown, PEI

BRITISH COLUMBIA ALBERTA

SASKATCHEWAN PICPA Seminar on Income Tax Preparation

By Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants WHEN/WHERE: 2 to 6 p.m. Apr. 2, at Bonsor Community Centre Program Room 6550 Bonsor, Burnaby, B.C. MORE INFO: Call 604-551-3360 to reserve a seat.

Limited seating.

Free Tax Clinic for Low-Income Newcomers

By Mosaic WHEN/WHERE: For full eligibility criteria, please visit www.mosaicbc.com/settlement-services. Call to make an appointment: Vancouver: 604-254-9626 (serves permanent residents, work permit holders and naturalized citizens). Burnaby: 604-438-8214 (serves permanent residents only) Recent Works by Joanne Frewer and Bert Monterona

By Ferry Building Gallery WHEN/WHERE: up to Apr. 3 at Ferry Building Gallery, 1414 Argyle Ave., West Vancouver, B.C. 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 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 MORE INFO: Receive a certificate or skills training in retail or administration; job search workshops; and strong employment opportunities.

10 Weeks of English Conversation

By South Vancouver Neighbourhood House

NEWFOUNDLAND

MANITOBA ONTARIO

QUEBEC

WHEN/WHERE: up 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 Anna de Quito 604-763-2210.

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 Love, Mercy and Forgiveness: Pope Francis and the Future of the Catholic Church

By St. Mark’s College and Newman Club at UBC and the Newman Association of Vancouver WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m., Mar. 31, at St. Mark's Chapel, 5935 Iona Dr., Vancouver (UBC) MORE INFO: Most Rev. J. Michael Miller, archbishop of Vancouver will offer his thoughts on the matter.

Wine and cheese reception to follow.

Multicultural Women’s Conference & Fair

By Canadian Immigrant WHEN/WHERE: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mar. 31, at Croatian Cultural Centre 3250 Commercial Dr., Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Free Admission Information & Conversations for Work Permit Holders

By Mosaic WHEN/WHERE: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Apr. 2, 16, 23 & www.canadianinquirer.net

30 at the Mosaic Community Room, 1720 Grant St. Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO:NOVA Call Lam: 604-254-9626

SCOTIA

Canadian Citizenship Preparation

By Mosaic WHEN/WHERE: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Apr. 6 & 7 at New Westminster Public Library Main Branch, 716 6th Ave. NW, B.C. MORE INFO: Call Faustin: 778-591-9334 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. Raymond Maliwat Art Exhibit WHEN/WHERE: 7 to 9:30 p.m. Apr. 7, at Evergreen Gallery Cannabis Dispensary 2868 West 4th Ave. Kitsilano,Vancouver B.C. Greased Lightning Spring Dance

By University of the Philippines Alumni Association in BC WHEN/WHERE: 6 p.m. to 12 mn, Apr. 9, at St. Monica Parish Hall, Richmond, B.C. MORE INFO: Tickets at $20 includes dinner Forum on Good Governance with Loida Nicolas Lewis

By Global Pinoy Diaspora Canada and Vancouver Friends for Mar and Leni WHEN/WHERE: 1:30 to 4 p.m., Apr. 10, St. Patrick’s Parish Basement, 2881 Main St., Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Call Treenee Lopez at 604-773-9192.

I Belong Support Group

By Mosaic WHEN/WHERE: 5:30–7:30 p.m., Apr. 11, at Mosaic Vancouver, B.C. MORE INFO: Call Darae: 604-254-9626

APRIL 1, 2016

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APRIL 1, 2016

FRIDAY

Food

Knowing how to slice, cook your onions makes big difference

BY SARA MOULTON The Associated Press

cessor — the more fumes it gives off.

There are any number of quaint folk remedies for this problem. Put a piece of bread in your mouth while you’re chopBACK IN the ‘80s and ‘90s, I used to ping. Do your chopping near a running work behind the scenes with Julia Child faucet. And so on. None of them works. during her appearances on “Good MornWhat does work — at least when you’re ing America.” It was my job to prepare chopping up a lot of onions — is wearthe food she would put before the cam- ing onion goggles. Modeled on welder’s eras. goggles, these babies prevent the onion’s Once, when I knew in advance that I fumes from reaching your eyes. But the couldn’t be there for one of her upcoming best everyday tactic is to chop or slice appearances, I invited a pal of mine — a the onion quickly and with a very sharp culinary professional knife. Chilling the — to try out for the gig. onion for an hour or We prepped the food two ahead of time as usual, and at the end also is a good idea. of the day I thought The more roughly Having managed my friend had done a an onion is treated to blunt an onion’s dandy job. Julia flatly — such as when ability to bring you disagreed and said it is chopped with to tears, let’s turn she wouldn’t hire her. a dull knife or to the correct way I was flabbergasted. pulsed in a food to slice one, a la Ju“Why not?” I asked. processor — the lia. Lengthwise, not “Because she sliced more fumes it crosswise, is the way the onions the wrong gives off. to roll. Cutting an way,” Julia replied. onion in half through Yikes! I simply the root end and then hadn’t focused on slicing it from stem how my friend sliced to stern stimulates the onions. I didn’t think this detail was far fewer sulfur fumes. These lengthwise that important. But all these years later, slices also happen to hold together much I realize Julia was right. Exactly how better than crosscut slices, precisely you slice an onion makes a difference. because you’ve sliced with the grain inSo does how you cook it. stead of against it. This is especially imEveryone knows that chopping on- portant for a dish like onion soup, when ions can literally bring tears to your you want the slices to maintain their eyes. Here’s why. When an onion’s cells shape. are ruptured, they give off pungent sulFinally, we come to how to cook an fur fumes. The more roughly an onion onion, which affects not just the flavour is treated — such as when it is chopped of the onion, but of the whole dish. If with a dull knife or pulsed in a food pro- you throw it into a hot pan and quickly

There are any number of quaint folk remedies for this problem. Put a piece of bread in your mouth while you’re chopping. Do your chopping near a running faucet. And so on. None of them works.

saute it over high heat, the onion and the dish it’s added to will be bland. If you do it slowly over low heat, you’ll maximize the onion’s flavour.

All of these tips apply to making my Alsatian onion pie. The French call it tarte flambee. The Germans call it Flammkuchen. It strikes me as more like a pizza than anything else. I tasted it for the first time on a river cruise in France a couple years ago, and I was really knocked out by its combination of simplicity and big flavour. Accompanied by a fresh salad, this treat would make the perfect light supper for the beginning of spring.

ALSATIAN ONION PIE

Start to finish: 1 hour 15 minutes Makes three 10- to 12-inch pizzas • 6 ounces bacon, thinly sliced crosswise • 4 cups thinly sliced yellow onion • Kosher salt and ground black pepper • 8 ounces creme fraiche • 1 large egg yolk • Pinch nutmeg • 1 1/2-pound ball purchased pizza dough, room temperature • 3 ounces coarsely grated Gruyere cheese In a large skillet over medium, cook the bacon, stirring, until it starts to brown, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer the bacon to paper towels to drain and pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the fat from the skillet. Return the skillet to medium heat and add the onions. Cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until very soft, about 10 minutes. Remove the cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden,

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about another 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then set aside.

Heat the oven to 500 F. Arrange one of the oven racks on the oven’s bottom shelf.

In a small bowl, stir together the creme fraiche, egg yolk, nutmeg and a pinch each of salt and pepper.

Divide the dough into 3 even pieces.

On a lightly oiled surface, roll out each piece into a 10-by-12-inch rectangle about 1/8-inch thick. Transfer each to a 15-by-17-inch sheet of kitchen parchment. The dough may shrink and lose its shape. If so, roll it again on the parchment.

One at a time, transfer each piece of parchment and dough to a bak sheet (unless your oven can fit 2 sheets on one shelf, you’ll need to bake these one at a time). Spread a third of the creme fraiche mixture over the piece of dough on the baking sheet, then top with a third of the onions and bacon. Sprinkle with a third of the cheese, then bake on the oven’s lower shelf for 10 minutes, or until the crust is crisp. Repeat with remaining dough and toppings. Serve right away.

Nutrition information per half pizza: 640 calories; 310 calories from fat (48 per cent of total calories); 35 g fat (16 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 120 mg cholesterol; 1260 mg sodium; 60 g carbohydrate; 4 g fiber; 6 g sugar; 17 g protein.

Sara Moulton is the host of public television’s “Sara’s Weeknight Meals.” She was executive chef at Gourmet magazine for nearly 25 years and spent a decade hosting several Food Network shows, including “Cooking Live.” Her latest cookbook is “Home Cooking 101.”

Seen & Scenes: Vancouver

FRIDAY APRIL 1, 2016

45

ATENEO MARCH MADNESS BASKETBALL The Ateneo Alumni Association of BC headed by Amado Mercado III provided fans with a glimpse of the university’s strong basketball tradition during the recent March Madness Basketball Tournament held in Richmond, B.C. (Photos by Amado Mercado III).

DUTERTE CAMPAIGN The Duterte for President Movement Vancouver Chapter gathered Duterte supporters at their Vancouver headquarters in preparation for the upcoming grand rally (Photos by Christian Cunanan).

GREATWAY FINANCIAL TRAINING Greatway Financial's lead mentor Marlon Antonio facilitated a three-day intensive training to its growing advisors at their Henning Drive, Burnaby office. Marlon’s life story and passion in the industry has served as an inspiration to his growing 1,200 licensed advisors.

Greatway Financial specializes in insured retirement plans thru BMO and Equitable Life. The company has grown to 10 offices across Canada with head office in Calgary.

BAE IN THE CITY Bae in the City - Canada Tour with Alden Richards, Rocco Nacino and Kim Idol with special guest Jerrica Santos, rocked Vancouver’s Massey Theatre on Mar. 26 (Photos by Christian Cunanan). www.canadianinquirer.net

46

Seen and Scenes

APRIL 1, 2016

FRIDAY

QUEEN OF MANITOBA Pictures taken during the recent pre-pageant show of the 2016 Queen of Manitoba Filipino Street Festival (Photos by Rollan Temporosa).

AIDA CHAMPAGNE Here are some scenes during the grand opening of the official Aida Champagne – Manitoba Liberal Party campaign office on Mar. 21 (Photos courtesy of Aida Champagne FB page).

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

47

FRIDAY APRIL 1, 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.

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APRIL 1, 2016

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FRIDAY