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VOL. 7 NO. 74
JULY 26, 2013
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Govt disowns anti-China rallies
No guarantee new royal will be king of Canada
Filipina in Focus: Belinda Herrera
PCI takes you home to country roads
Loving Lugang
Canadians congratulate Royal Family on Prince’s birth BY PAOLA LORIGGIO The Canadian Press
NAPOLES DEFENSE. Bruce Rivera, lawyer of Janet Lim-Napoles, shows photos of whistle-blower Benhur Kilap-Kilap Luy during a press conference
in Manila. Luy was exposed as a “habitual user of drugs, having gender confusion and sexual indiscretions.” Napoles’ lawyer says this is a simple case of extortion. Please see related story on page 8. PHOTO BY NINO JESUS ORBETA
Noy: No stopping change President credits Filipinos for transformation
PHOTO FROM RT.COM
Fashion parade: The trick is to stand out ❱❱ PAGE 10
❱❱ PAGE 3 Noy: No stopping
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THERE’S no stopping change. Halfway through his six-year term, President Aquino yesterday exhorted Filipinos to discard all lingering doubts about the sincerity of his administration in completing the tasks, including achieving inclusive growth, that it set
out to do three years ago. Facing a joint session of Congress to deliver his fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona), the President said the strategy to achieve inclusive growth was to maximize opportunities for all, especially those most in need. In his speech, the President asked: “Is there any space left for doubt? Espe-
❱❱ PAGE 46 Canadians congratulate
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BY MICHAEL LIM UBAC Philippine Daily Inquirer
TORONTO—Canadians greeted their likely future king with a flurry of congratulations Monday, but the longawaited announcement of the prince’s birth didn’t seem to spark the same frenzy that surrounded his parents’ wedding. The country’s political leaders were quick to send good wishes, with many issuing statements shortly after Clarence House officially announced that the Duchess of Cambridge had delivered a son. Prime Minister Stephen Harper hailed the arrival of “a future sovereign of Canada,” calling it a “highly anticipated
FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013 2
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Philippine News
3 FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013
Noy: No stopping... cially now that we are achieving things we never thought we could achieve, especially now that we have made progress—that our shared goals are within reach? My bosses: ‘Is this really the time to have doubts?”’ Mr. Aquino said inclusive growth was the principle that was driving every initiative, action and decision of his administration. “Widespread opportunity is key to comprehensive and sustained progress. The only ones who may be left behind are the ones who did not seize the opportunity,” he said. The President was apparently responding to critics, especially Catholic bishops, who said that the benefits of economic growth that his administration had been crowing about were not trickling down to the poor. They pointed out that the country was recording jobless growth. Mr. Aquino said it was clear that Filipinos were the ones who would shape this growth. “(Y)ou are the ones who will determine whether the fruits of our labors become sweet and ripe for the picking, or if you will let them rot away, and waste the chances that this new chapter in our history has given us.” He, however, did not mention any blueprint to generate jobs for the millions who are unemployed or underemployed. He said there were no more roadblocks to treading the straight path. “Once, I was told: Noynoy, just begin the change. So we did, and we can all see how far we have come. Now, my countrymen, let us continue to stand arm-inarm. Together, let us foster, accelerate and expand the transformation of society. I am Noynoy Aquino and I proudly say to the world: ‘I am a Filipino. How wonderful to be a Filipino today,’” said the President. He did not take credit for this transformation, saying the business of “good, honest governance” was “brought about by the millions of Filipinos who have, in their own ways, big and small, pitched in and transformed the country.” ❰❰ 1
Accomplishments
In straightforward manner, he reported a harvest of notable accomplishments, with infrastructure projects even reaping huge savings for the government. He said this efficiency in managing funds had freed up much-needed resources that were channeled to education, health, social services and modernization of law enforcement agencies, to name a few. It took the President one hour and 42 minutes to describe the benefits to the people of projects that had been completed, under construction, or in the pipeline. His speech was interrupted more than 90 times with applause. Continuation of agenda
Looking ahead toward his retirement in 2016, the bachelor Chief Executive ap-
peared hopeful, saying the next presidential election was not the end but rather the continuation of the agenda for change. “There are those who always ask: What will happen in 2016? What will happen when you step down? Will that be the end of good, honest governance? Will we have reached the end of the straight path?” “My bosses, let us remember: Where did we begin? If you have doubts now, compare them to the doubts we all carried in 2010. Were we not happy enough then just to see the darkness end? Was it not enough for us to be able to replace those in power?” he asked. He said Filipinos were already experiencing change. “Change that has sprung from the seeds of kindness, solidarity and goodwill; change that was brought about by the millions of Filipinos who have, in their own ways, big and small, pitched in and transformed the country.” ‘I trust you’
After three years and less than a month as President, Mr. Aquino declared that this “straight path” mantra of leadership had not only led to efficient management of resources, but also convinced even the ultra-traditional skeptics—the Moro rebels—that change was afoot. Said Mr. Aquino: “Just look at where working together as one people has brought us: Did anyone imagine that peace would be within reach for a region that has, for the past 40 years, been torn apart by conflict? Who else could be responsible for this but the Moros who laid down their arms and said: ‘Come. Let’s talk. I trust you?’ Who else but the common Filipino citizen who said: ‘Brother, we are all Filipinos. Let us put an end to this conflict.’” He was referring to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which has signed a framework agreement with the government. The President noted that when the expansion of the coverage of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino program (4Ps, or conditional cash transfer program) was initially proposed, there were many questions about spending taxpayers’ money to alleviate the plight of the poorest of the poor. ‘Did anyone imagine?’
“Did anyone imagine that in just three years, we will have expanded the scope of our project to cover four million household beneficiaries? And isn’t it they themselves who continue to help this program succeed? Each mother who wakes up early to send her child off to school? Each child who studies hard?” he asked. He said good governance also led to increased chances of achieving rice selfsufficiency. “Did anyone imagine that a country known as the ‘Sick Man of Asia’ would, within three years of good governance, reach investment grade status? Who would have thought that all the social interventions the government is providing right now would be doable without raising taxes, apart from the sin tax? And
did they not have a part in this? Each accountant, each doctor, each lawyer who now pays the right taxes? Didn’t we all have a part in this?” he said. “For every Filipino who believes in the strength of small acts of kindness: You made this transformation possible. This is your Sona,” Mr. Aquino said. ‘This is your Sona’
He extended the same recognition to the often unheralded contributions of teachers, police officers, wise voters, students “and to all who roused their fellow citizens from apathy, those who challenged the cynics in our midst, and those who made the stubborn see reason: This is your Sona.” He said that when he was a congressman, the people of Tarlac were his strength. “When I became a senator and until now, in my presidency, the people of our country have been there. To the Filipino people, you are my strength. As we continue doing our part—and as we continue placing faith in our fellow men and in God—I tell you: ‘It will still be you who will make certain that what we have begun here will continue; you will be the ones who will make sure that we will completely eradicate corruption; you will be the ones who will make sure that we will never again stray from the straight path,”’ he said. The President reported achievements to prove that the benefits of good governance and robust economy were starting to be felt by many sectors.
Investment-grade
Besides, the 7.8-percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth for the first quarter of the year—the highest recorded GDP in East and Southeast Asia—the country had two consecutive 10-place jumps in the global competitiveness rankings of the World Economic Forum. “For the first time in history, the Philippines was upgraded to investmentgrade status by two out of the three most respected credit ratings agencies in the world, and we are confident that the third may follow,” he said. He said his administration had maintained the price stability of consumer goods and continued to reduce the portion of the national budget for paying debts, while increasing the funds for social services. Brightest spark
“We are now considered a rising tiger by the World Bank; the ‘brightest spark,’ according to the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, among other accolades that allude to the transformation that is sweeping our nation,” he said. “From the prudent expenditure of funds to the effective collection of taxes; from infrastructure development to the transparent conduct of business that generates jobs, our message to the world could not be clearer: the Philippines is ready to ride the tides of progress,” he added. ■
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Philippine News
FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013 4
Philippine president, in annual speech, calls for tougher crackdown on corruption BY JIM GOMEZ The Associated Press MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine president said Monday three years of anti-corruption reforms have banished his country’s image as the “sick man of Asia” but added he has lost patience over continuing problems such as largescale smuggling and declared a tougher crackdown against wrongdoing in government. In his state of the nation address that lasted for nearly two hours, Benigno Aquino III listed his administration’s achievements midway through his sixyear term, including a looming peace deal with the largest Muslim guerrilla group in the country’s volatile south. But critics demanded that more be done to battle poverty, unemployment and crime. Police said at least 15 people were hurt when anti-riot squads briefly clashed with
thousands of protesters demanding jobs and land for poor farmers outside the heavily guarded House of Representatives, where Aquino spoke. Aquino, whose mother was the late democracy icon and president, Corazon Aquino, and whose father was a slain senator who fought dictator Ferdinand Marcos, won the presidency in 2010 on a promise to battle corruption and poverty following two corruption-tainted predecessors. Amid a period of lethargic global economic activity, Aquino said the Philippine economy grew 6.8 per cent last year then surged 7.8 per cent in the first quarter of this year, outpacing many Asian neighbours. Standard and Poor’s and Fitch Ratings earlier this year upgraded the Philippines’ credit rating to investment grade for the first time. “Did anyone imagine that a country known as the ‘sick man of Asia’ would, within three
President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his 4th State of the Nation Address (SONA) during the Joint Session of the 16th Congress at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City on Monday (July 22). The SONA delivered by the President is a yearly tradition wherein the Chief Executive reports on the status of the country, unveils the government’s agenda for the coming year, and may also propose to Congress certain legislative measures. PHOTO BY BENHUR ARCAYAN / RYAN LIM / REY BANIQUET/ MALACANANG PHOTO BUREAU
years of good governance, reach investment grade status?” Aquino asked. While his anti-corruption and other reforms have started to turn around the economy and arrest a feeling of national drift, Aquino acknowledged that corruption, incompetence
and irregularities have continued in government, singling out the Bureau of Customs and two other agencies dealing with immigration and farm irrigation. More than 200 billion pesos ($4.6 billion) is lost to smuggling each year, he said, adding Bureau of Customs personnel
“are trying to outdo each other’s incompetence” and have failed to stop the entry even of smuggled drugs and guns. “Where do these people get the gall?” Aquino asked. “One can almost hear them say, ‘I don’t care if the weapons go to criminal elements; I don’t care how many lives are ruined by drugs; I don’t care if our fields remain barren forever; What matters is that I am rich; it’s every man for himself.”’ Aquino said his patience has run out. “You were given three years to demonstrate your readiness to change. Now, I shall pursue all of you and hold you accountable.” After Aquino’s stinging remarks, Commissioner Ruffy Biazon of the customs bureau said he had offered to resign. The heads of the Bureau of Immigration and the National Irrigation Administration resigned recently after Aquino publicly berated them for lacklustre performances. ■
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Philippine News
FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013 6
Vatican clears way for another PH saint BY JOCELYN R. UY Philippine Daily Inquirer ANOTHER Filipino martyr is on the path to sainthood. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) yesterday announced that the Vatican has cleared the way for the beatification of Manila-born Capuchin Franciscan Fr. Jose Maria de Manila (Eugenio Sanz-Orozco Mortera) in Tarragona, Spain, on Oct. 13 in a ceremony to be led by Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints. Conveying an announcement from its counterpart in Spain, the CBCP yesterday, through its official news service CBCP News, said Pope Francis may address the audience gathered for the ceremony via satellite from Rome. After his beatification, Mortera, a missionary born in Manila to Spanish parents on Sept. 5, 1880, will be known as the “Blessed Jose Maria de Manila,” He was killed on Aug. 17, 1936, in Madrid, Spain, during
the Spanish civil war. Mortera was the son of Don Eugenio Sanz-Orozco, the last Spanish mayor of Manila, and Doña Feliza Mortera. While his baptismal certificate was burned during the Liberation of Manila in 1945, his school records from University of Santo Tomas would show that he was “natural de Manila,” said the CBCP, quoting Fr. Eugenio Lopez, provincial minister of the Capuchin Philippine Province. Religious persecution
“His school records from UST showed he is ‘natural de Manila.’ All his biographies in Spain also showed he was born in Manila,” said Lopez. Records also showed that Mortera was among the 500 Spanish martyrs who died in the religious persecution of the 1930s awaiting beatification. According to Lopez, this group included 32 Capuchins, among them 20 priests and 12 lay religious brothers. Mortera will be beatified three months from now along with 33 other martyrs.
acts of violence perpetuated by Anarchist and Marxist troops against the Christian religious and their ministers. The Filipino priest was executed a month later at the gardens of the Cuartel de la Montaña, a military barrack in Madrid. Miracle required waived
Portrait of Fr. Jose Maria de Manila. PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE CAPUCHIN PHILIPPINE PROVINCE
Studied at Ateneo, Letran
Growing up in Manila, the 55-year-old martyr spent his early years studying at Ateneo de Manila, San Juan de Letran and later at UST. Following customs, he had to move to Spain when he was 16 to pursue further studies. Despite his parents’ disapproval, he fulfilled his desire to become a Capuchin priest. He had his simple profession in Lecaroz (Navarra, Spain) on Oct. 4, 1905, and his solemn profession three years later. He was ordained priest on Nov. 30, 1910.
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‘Filipino at heart’
Throughout his years in Spain, Mortera “remained a Filipino at heart” and desired to return to the Philippines in order to serve the local Church, said Lopez. “But circumstances prevented him from fulfilling his dream to come back to the land of his birth. Yet, he still offered his life for the gospel he zealously preached in Spain and longed to proclaim in his native land,” added Lopez. On July 20, 1936, several religious, including Mortera, were compelled to abandon their convents in Madrid due to the
Lopez noted that in cases of martyrdom, the miracle required for beatification can be waived. “For beatification of a martyr who died in ‘odium fidei’ (out of hatred of the faith), a miracle is no longer needed,” he said. But for Mortera to be proclaimed a saint, a miracle attributed to him must be recognized, Lopez said. “So let us start asking for his intercession,” he added. Lopez said the Capuchins in the Philippines will soon start introducing and promoting the devotion to Mortera in parishes nationwide. The Philippines currently has two saints—San Lorenzo Ruiz and San Pedro Calungsod, who was canonized in Rome in October last year. ■
Philippine News
7 FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013
‘Criminals are now heroes’ PNP chief rues allegations vs cops BY NIKKO DIZON AND JEROME ANING Philippine Daily Inquirer WITH A SERIES of alleged wrongdoings being leveled at policemen, the country’s top cop yesterday lamented that criminals now appear to be the heroes. Director General Alan Purisima, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), noted that stories are going around about the involvement of policemen in crimes. “We have to verify these reports. With so many stories coming out, even members of the media are unwittingly being used because they are fed false information. A criminal is becoming the hero. It’s now the reverse,” Purisima said at a press conference. Among the more recent allegations were that Cavite policemen and national penitentiary prison guards had accepted payoffs from escaped Ozamiz gang leader Ricky Cadavero, that Cadavero and his righthand man Wilfredo Panogalinga Jr. were summarily executed by policemen on Monday night, that a witness to the killings of Cadavero and Panogalinga had gone missing, and that policemen who recaptured drug lord Li Lan Yan alias Jackson Dy and his wife, Wang Li Na, had helped themselves to the cash and illegal drugs found in the couple’s safe house in San Juan City. Most embarrassing to the PNP so far this year was the incident in January in which policemen from Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon), with backing from military troops, killed an illegal gambling lord and 12 other men in an alleged shootout in Atimonan town, Quezon province. An investigation by the PNP itself found that incident was a “rubout,” which was confirmed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) after its own investigation. Twenty-five policemen and soldiers, including the ground commander of the Atimonan operation, Supt. Hansel Marantan, are facing criminal charges for the killings. Yesterday, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said there were
“indications” that the shooting of Cadavero and Panogalinga in San Pedro town, Laguna province, on Monday night was a rubout. “There are indications of that (rubout), but I am not prepared to say it categorically,” De Lima told reporters.
Out to discredit cops
Warning that drug lords always want to discredit the police, Purisima said that he has ordered an investigation into the allegation made in a television news report by a man who claimed to be part of the police raiding team in the Li case.
Witness not missing
De Lima denied reports that the witness to the incident and his family are missing. “They are not missing. [The NBI is] just having a hard time accessing them because the witness’ parents are hesitant and I think that is a natural feeling,” De Lima said. “[NBI agents] know where they are. They’re monitoring them,” she said. A senior NBI agent told the INQUIRER on Thursday night that officers from Quezon City Police Talipapa Station 3 took the witness and his family from an NBI team in front of the Iglesia ni Cristo compound on Commonwealth Avenue on Wednesday and took them to the house of the witness’ brother in Caloocan City. The agent said the family left there at 5 the following morning and disappeared. “We are now looking for them,” the agent said. Security moves
De Lima explained yesterday that the witness and his family are moving from place to place for security, but NBI agents know where they are. Two days before President Aquino was to address a joint session of Congress, Purisima said that the PNP follows the straight-path policy of the Aquino administration. Those who do not follow and commit wrongdoings are sanctioned, Purisima said. “We don’t let them get away with it even if they are ranking officials of the PNP,” he said. Purisima said the PNP would conduct thorough and “scientific” investigations to uncover the truth about the allegations being hurled at policemen. “What is important is if there are incidents like this, we seriously investigate it. We try to find out the truth. If they are found to be liable, they are given the corresponding punishment. Cases will be filed against them,” he said.
‘Very good cops’
“We should look into the allegations because it destroys the image of those who are directly involved. And the people who arrested (Li) are very good operatives. So if they are discredited, then what will we say? No one will work anymore. That’s the problem if they are discredited. We won’t allow it that they would be discredited just like that. We have to know who among them made a mistake. Let the ax fall on them,” Purisima said. De Lima said the NBI was expanding its investigation of the killings of Cadavero and Panogalinga to see if these were related to the Li case. Li and his wife were arrested on the same day that Cadavero was recaptured by Cavite policemen and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) agents in Dasmariñas City. “We have reasons to believe, based on [ information from] credible sources, that [ the two incidents] are related,” De Lima said, adding that she went to the house where the Lis were captured and she interviewed two witnesses. Cleaned up
De Lima said the two witnesses claimed that CIDG agents arrived at the house and “cleaned up the place” three hours before journalists got there. “The (CIDG agents) took alleged drug paraphernalia and cash. These were placed in a sack-like bag. [One of the witnesses] did not see [all] the money, only some of it [showing] through the damaged zipper. These were then loaded on another vehicle,” De Lima said. 2 witnesses credible
She said her office had obtained the plate numbers of the vehicles involved. “I think they (witnesses) are credible. They wouldn’t invent [what they said they had www.canadianinquirer.net
seen]. In fact, I had a hard time convincing those two witnesses to apply for the Witness Protection Program. We already have them,” De Lima said. At press time, 19 members of the CIDG raiding team have been relieved by their boss, Chief Supt. Frank Uyami, pending investigation. Four of them were commissioned officers, identified as team leader Senior Supt. Jose Mariano Espino, Supt. Romeo Albert Baleros, Senior Insp. Julius Garcia and Senior Insp. Elmer Ducabo. The rest are noncommissioned officers. Questions on performance
Uyami himself went to Li’s house two hours after the raid. Uyami told reporters in a separate interview yesterday that he had asked the raiding team whether illegal drugs were found in the house. He said he was told none was found. “If there are questions in our operations, in our performance, we are open to an investigation so it will be fair and we won’t be accused of hiding anything,” he added. Drug lords’ strategy
Purisima said that discrediting policemen who have been performing well, especially in the fight against illegal drugs, has been the strategy of drug lords. “They have all the money and power to do that. They have a lot of influence,” Purisima said. Purisima also said he had
called up certain agencies, which he did not identify, to help the PNP in the investigation of the allegation against the CIDG personnel. “We have deployed other operatives to look into this. I have contacted different agencies to look into this incident. We will have a report in due time. If there is an incident like this, it is impossible that other operatives do not know about it. As they say, if the fart stinks, everyone can smell it,” Purisima said in Filipino. Purisima said he had been apprised of the initial results of the PNP investigation into allegations that Cadavero and Panogalinga were intentionally killed by their escorts from the Calabarzon police. Purisima said the relieved Calabarzon police director, Chief Supt. Benito Estipona, was to submit his explanation to him by noon yesterday. Purisima said the investigative team had made a number of observations from the reenactment of the supposed shoot out that led to the killing of the gang leaders but the investigation had yet to be completed. The PNP chief declined to disclose the initial findings so as not to stir “speculations” from the public. Apparently, the report is far from complete because as Purisima said the investigation has only answered so far the “what and when” of the incident. Police culture
Purisima also said that the PNP would look into members of the Calabarzon police to try to learn why officers from the command have been involved in bloody incidents since the start of the year. “We are looking into individual police personnel, but the whole of the Calabarzon police, we don’t think (there is a breach of discipline). What is specific is, there are incidents that took place one after the other,” Purisima said. “The investigation is not yet complete,” he said. “In an incident where there are fatalities, we look at the reasons behind it. Is it the culture (among the policemen)? We have to remove that culture. We have to do something about it.” ■
Philippine News
FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013 8
‘Charge or clear solons in pork scam’ Palace denies putting squeeze on artist/ director Caparas BY NORMAN BORDADORA Philippine Daily Inquirer
LAWMAKERS implicated in the P10-billion pork barrel scam should either be charged or cleared as soon as possible to preserve the integrity of Congress, which, apart from passing legislation, also functions as a check on the power of the executive branch, Sen. Alan Peter Ceyatano told reporters yesterday. Congress’ credibility and integrity in conducting inquiries into corruption in government will be severely affected if the issues against the senators and House members implicated in the scandal are not resolved soon, said Cayetano, who is slated to become the next Senate majority leader. “It’s so important for Congress to have credibility and integrity. Our companions in the Senate and in the House have to understand that,” he said. An issue of trust
Cayetano said the issue is not about whether the constituencies of the lawmakers concerned needed the allocations given to them under the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or whether the amounts involved were huge or not. “It’s about, do people trust [the institution] or not... How will you investigate if they think some senators dipped their fingers into the fertilizer scam? So I think it’s very important that in the next few months, those involved should either be held accountable or charged or cleared so the trust can be maintained,” he said. Though he was coy about confirming the fact, Cayetano is expected to be elected by the new Senate majority as the chamber’s majority leader on Monday. But he confirmed having met on Thursday on the subject of the Senate’s reorganization with Senators Franklin Drilon and Ralph Recto, the presumptive Senate President and Sen-
ate President Pro Tempore, respectively. Cayetano made the remarks a day after Justice Secretary Leila de Lima announced that the National Bureau of Investigation was building a case against Janet LimNapoles,
entitlements examined in an investigation. “I think we should support the NBI and make sure that they have everything they need. I also urge my fellow senators and their staff to open their books,” Cayetano said. “It will be difficult if the Senate will investigate. The first question will be, will anybody believe it? Second, if there are feelings that things are getting personal, many bills will not pass,” he added. What can be done
the busi- nesswoman who is alleged to have facilitated the release of billions of pesos in pork barrel funds allocated to certain senators and congressmen to fake nongovernment organizations and similarly spurious projects. Proposed Senate inquiry
Administration ally Sen. Francis Escudero has filed a bill seeking a Senate inquiry into the PDAF scam, which was first revealed in a series of articles in the INQUIRER. Five senators—Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada, Ramon Revilla Jr., Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Gregorio Honasan—were mentioned in affidavits submitted to the NBI by six whistle-blowers as some of the lawmakers whose PDAFs were used to bankroll questionable organizations over the course of a decade. The senators involved have denied any involvement in the scam and have expressed willingness to have their PDAF
Malacañang announced the other day that it was submitting to Congress a list of policy recommendations on how lawmakers’ entitlements under the pork barrel system should be disbursed. The measures reportedly include limiting the projects that can be funded by PDAF allocations, the accreditation of involved organizations by the Department of Social Welfare and Development and limiting the number of implementing agencies. Cayetano believed limiting the amount of discretion given to lawmakers in the disbursement of the pork barrel would address many of the issues confronting the PDAF. He said having the proposed pork barrelfunded projects identified formally and listed in the budget would automatically address the problem. He pointed out that although in the current system, pork barrel projects are categorized in certain departments, much discretion is allowed the people in charge of them to decide where the funds should go. If legislators can throughout the year decide which agencies the funds would go to, there will be doubts about how the PDAF is disbursed, Cayetano said. “[But] if that’s already in the budget, you can’t say I will transfer those funds. I think many of the issues of the pork barrel—not all but many—will be addressed [by listing the pork barrel items in the budget],” he said. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net
BY TJ BURGONIO Philippine Daily Inquirer MALACAÑANG on Friday denied that comic strip artist and film director Carlo J. Caparas was the target of political harassment. Caparas, who along with three others had been stripped of the National Artist Award by the Supreme Court, has insinuated he was a victim of harassment by the administration. He is also facing a tax evasion case. Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the high court ruling stripping Caparas of the title had gone through a process in which the executive department had no hand. Lacierda also said the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) did not single out Caparas but had filed cases against many individuals for avoiding or evading the payment of taxes. “From our end, we’re not putting the squeeze on him (‘di ginigipit),” Lacierda told reporters in a briefing. The high court voided then President Gloria MacagapagalArroyo’s 2009 conferment of the award to Caparas, fashion designer Jose “Pitoy” Moreno, theater artist Cecile GuidoteAlvarez and architect Francisco Mañosa, saying the process by which they were chosen was attended by grave abuse of discretion. A group of National Artist laureates—writers Virgilio Almario and Bienvenido Lumbera, sculptor Napoleon Abueva and
painter Arturo Luz—petitioned the high tribunal to nullify the conferment. Early this month, the Court of Tax Appeals ordered Caparas’ arrest in connection with a P101-million tax evasion case. Caparas is facing a case for violation of the National Internal Revenue Code for failing to file value-added tax returns for the years 2006 to 2009. BIR investigated Caparas over two TV shows he produced which were funded by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). The two shows, titled “Ang Pangarap Kong Jackpot” and “Kroko,” were apparently part of the P1.3-billion contracts entered into by PCSO and Caparas, and for which he received a total of P850.95 million from the years 2006 to 2009. Caparas explained that the amount he received from PCSO was “net of taxes” and PCSO should have already withheld the taxes due and remitted them to the BIR. Lacierda also said that Malacañang has nothing to do with the screening of nominations for the National Artist Award by the National Commission on Culture and the Arts. “You know artists, they discuss art on a different level. So we do not really interfere. The only time that the President comes into the picture is when (the list) is elevated to the Palace. Other than that, the discussion happens down there,” Lacierda said. ■
PHOTO FROM RAKISTA.COM
Philippine News
9 FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013
De Lima: Arrest warrant for Luy issued too fast BY JEROME ANING AND NANCY C. CARVAJAL Philippine Daily Inquirer JUSTICE Secretary Leila de Lima indicated yesterday that the resolution of the charges and the issuance of a warrant for pork scam whistle-blower Benhur Luy’s arrest were too fast and said that she would ask the prosecutor general to look into the matter. The prosecutor recommended no bail for Luy. Luy will remain free despite the issuance of a warrant for his arrest, De Lima said. The Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) issued a warrant for Luy’s arrest on qualified theft charges, but De Lima said the whistle-blower had been admitted provisionally into the Witness Protection Program (WPP), putting him under government custody. If the warrant of arrest is served, it will be coursed through the WPP, then the Department of Justice will inform the court that Luy is under government protection, De Lima said. “He will not be turned over physically. We will not turn him over,” she said. “We will ask that he remain under the WPP’s protective custody. Usually, the courts agree to such a request,” she added. Judge Danilo A. Buemio of the Pasig RTC Branch 265 issued the warrant on July 9 following the prosecutor’s resolution of the complaint that Janet Lim-Napoles, the alleged brains behind the P10-billion pork scam, filed against Luy on June 25. Surprised
De Lima said she was surprised at the fast resolution of Napoles’ complaint and the issuance of a warrant of arrest
Luy and five other former employees of JLN Corp. submitted affidavits and documents to the NBI detailing how Napoles allegedly siphoned off P10 billion from lawmakers’ allocations from the Priority Development Assistance Fund, or pork barrel, over the past 10 years. Five senators and 23 members of the House of Representatives have been linked to the scandal and President Aquino has ordered an “exhaustive” investigation of what the NBI has termed the “mother of all scams.” Napoles has denied any wrongdoing, charging that the whistle-blowers are out to discredit her and ruin her reputation. Why provisional? Justice Secretary Leila de Lima
without bail. “I was surprised that there was already a warrant of arrest. In other words, [the case] has gone through the prosecutor’s office. I’m having that looked into,” De Lima said. “Actually, I discussed it with the prosecutor general (Claro Arellano). I’m going to ask him to look into the circumstances, because it seems someone... Look, the [resolution] was very fast and suddenly there’s an arrest warrant,” she said.
PHOTO FROM ASIAPACIFICFORUM.NET
is nothing hasty about the case and [the] warrant,” Villamor said. Another lawyer for Napoles had asked the National Bureau of Investigation to turn over Luy to a regular jail because of the issuance of the warrant of arrest, an NBI source told the INQUIRER yesterday. The source said Napoles’ lawyer, Bruce Rivera, had written to the NBI requesting that Luy be transferred to a regular jail, as the Pasig court had issued a warrant for the witness’ arrest.
Not irregular
In a statement, a lawyer for Napoles, Alfredo Villamor, tried to scotch insinuations that the issuance of the warrant on July 9 was hasty and irregular. “There is nothing anomalous about the warrant of arrest against Mr. Luy due to the qualified theft case against him. It took almost two months before it was resolved by the Pasig prosecutor’s office and more than a week before the RTC issued the warrant of arrest. It is therefore very clear that there
Unlikely to happen
But that is now unlikely to happen after Luy’s admission into the WPP. Luy’s lawyer, Levito Baligod, said the court could not insist on taking custody of the witness. “My client is a principal witness to a crime that affects public and national interests and he is under WPP custody. The court does not need to insist that he [be held in] an ordinary jail,” Baligod said.
www.canadianinquirer.net
“The trial court can’t insist on taking custody of Luy. The purpose of detaining a suspect is to prevent flight. Since he is under WPP custody, it serves the same purpose,” Baligod said. Baligod said he had brought a motion for the recall of the warrant because the preliminary investigation had not been completed. He said the court set a hearing on his motion for July 26. Countermove
Napoles accused Luy, a former aide who is also her relative, of taking out P5 million in loans from a savings and loans on her behalf but without her knowledge. She also accused him of pocketing P300,000 that she had asked him to deposit for her in her bank account. The charges came after Luy’s rescue in March by NBI agents from an apartment owned by Napoles where, according to Luy, she and her brother had locked him up to stop him from striking out on his own using her business strategy.
Asked why Luy’s protection was only provisional, De Lima replied: “It’s always like that. Provisional coverage [is given] because there will be an evaluation first. After due evaluation, the coverage will be converted into regular.” De Lima also confirmed that she and WPP officers personally met Luy at the Department of Justice on Thursday for a discussion of the whistle-blower’s request for government protection. Reporters asked De Lima if another whistle-blower in the scandal, Merlina Suñas, also a former JLN employee, would also be given government protection. De Lima replied that WPP coverage is voluntary and that Suñas has not asked for protection. “If the subject does not like to be covered, we can’t do anything,” De Lima said. “The most that we can do is try to persuade and convince [the witness to come in for protection], especially if we can see based on our assessment that there’s really a high security risk [for the witness],” she said. ■
Philippine News
FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013 10
Fashion parade: The trick is to stand out BY ALEX Y. VERGARA Philippine Daily Inquirer AT THE END of the day or, to be more precise, at the end of the red carpet, everything about yesterday’s much-awaited annual fashion event that heralded President Aquino’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) was cultural. While VIPs in richer, more mature democracies are expected to appear businesslike in smart-tailored ensembles to listen to a report of their leaders’ accomplishments and roadmap for the future, not a few of the politicians and their spouses and guests who trooped to the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City yesterday, instead of blending in, again made sure they stood out for various reasons in their respective ideas of floorsweeping and elaborate Filipiniana wear. The red carpet in the north and south wings had been rolled, camera phones were on standby and members of the media—both old and new— were waiting behind the velvet rope. And, in keeping with tradition and expectations, many of this year’s batch of Instagram-ready fashion plates did not disappoint. Leading the pack were such usual suspects as Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez, Senators Loren Legarda and Pia Cayetano, Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano, Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno and young congressional spouses Assunta de Rossi-Ledesma, Cindy Ejercito, Stella Quimbo and Tootsie Angara. As in years past, the terno proved to be the attire of choice by the majority of the ladies. Cayetano, wife of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, wore an old rose number by Taguig designer Onin Pagsisihan. The terno featured a pleated bodice that segued into a tailored skirt fashioned from huge, geometric pieces of the same fabric. Gomez again chose go-toguy Randy Ortiz who designed a dove gray terno, which combined silk cocoon and piña cloth and embellished with classic callado embroidery. The serpentine-shaped skirt with front and back godets was intricately embellished with flat and semi-embossed lace cutwork and embroidery.
Kris Aquino with her sisters and designer Paul Cabral. PHOTO FROM AQUINO’S INSTAGRAM PAGE
Angara, wife of junior Sen. Sonny Angara, also opted for Ortiz’s gun-metal gray terno made of silk gazar. In lieu of embroidery, the designer came up with overlapped ruched tulle details on the gown’s bodice for a modern twist. Black lace that peeked out of Angara’s neckline and back provided a hint of romance. Fashion maverick
Quimbo, wife of Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo, affirmed her reputation as a fashion maverick in Jun Escario’s cream-andgray ensemble consisting of a corset with a stylized and detachable panuelo. Thanks to a tulle-like petticoat underneath, the panuelo jutted out from its wearer’s back and shoulders like a starched capelet. Quimbo then paired it with a long ash gray maxi skirt with white floral appliqués. She capped off the look with a kelly green YSL clutch and matching pair of Lupe Saenz heels, a Marikina brand she herself designs and manufactures. Socialite Mons Romulo, daughter of former Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo, also reworked the terno in Dennis Lustico’s polka-dotted pink terno with black Chantilly lace detail that doubled as a panuelo. Neophyte Sen. Nancy Binay also asked Ortiz to design her a two-piece tiffany blue terno with a bodice fashioned from tiers of silk cocoon strips and a serpentine-shaped skirt with intricate embroidery.
Makati Rep. Abby Binay, the senator’s younger sister, wore an off-white piña terno with a visible gray lace appliqué underneath by Ivarluski Aseron. The designer also designed a jusi terno with pleated details for controversial actress Heart Evangelista, girlfriend of Sen. Francis Escudero. Sen. Grace Poe-Llamanzares made her debut in a white chiffon terno by Rajo Laurel. With a partly draped upper bodice, the terno had a sabrina neckline and embellished with handbeaded topaz crystals and gold Murano glass beads. Former Rep. Risa Hontiveros went classic in Joel Acebuche’s purple terno with T’nalak accents combined with lace on the gown’s butterfly sleeves. The color was her personal choice, she said, as it stands for women’s reproductive health (RH). ‘Fashionalism’
Legarda maximized the opportunity to advance her advocacy promoting hand-woven textiles by the country’s indigenous people by wearing what she coined “fashionalism”— fashion and nationalism. The ensemble consisted of a clingy, off-shoulder jersey top in black paired with a Bagobo skirt in shades of red and black and accented with layers of tinkling T’boli brass bells. Either they failed to read the memo, or Ledesma and (Pia) Cayetano deliberately ignored www.canadianinquirer.net
Congresswoman Emmeline Aglipay with sister Ella and husband Dave (background)
the dress code by both opting for black numbers that looked anything but Filipiniana. Cayetano again didn’t venture beyond her comfort zone by opting for designer Mia Orquico, who did a “Great Gatsby”-inspired number with a transparent nude-lined lace bodice and tiered tulle skirt. The only color she sported was a small pin on her chest in the form of a purple ribbon. Like Hontiveros, Cayetano, one of the principal authors of the RH law, actively supports women’s and children’s causes. Ledesma, wife of Negros Occidental Rep. Jules Ledesma, slipped into a gun-metal gray gown made of a mesh material by Cheryl Vicente. Apart from its stylized crumpled sleeves, the somber number was accented by rope-like appliqués and black stones on the waist and lower bodice. Ejercito, wife of newly elected Sen. JV Ejercito, remained loyal to Paul Cabral in a champagne terno with partly draped bodice and pleated skirt. Bling in the form of a Y-shaped crystal embellishment drew the eyes to the bodice. ‘Color of justice’
Not a few journalists had to do a double-take upon seeing Sereno, who wore what she described as “the color of justice”—a purple embroidered and semi-beaded piña terno with a floor-sweeping train by designer Charito Alunan.
Newly elected Sen. Cynthia Villar, not exactly known as a photographer’s dream, also glowed in an asymmetrical draped terno in mocha and skin-toned French tulle. As accent, designer Noli Hans added an orange chiffon detail on the bodice. Several Sona first-timers also made heads turn. Lawyer Kaye Revil, wife of Masbate Gov. Vince Revil, showed her height and slim build to her advantage by donning disparate pieces like a rust-colored Jim Thompson silk maxi skirt paired with an embroidered and cropped ecru barong by Manila Embroidery. To add some color and bling to the ensemble, she pinned a shiny brooch adorned with multicolored feathers and a slim scarf on her left chest. Like Legarda, Revil did away with a designer and followed her instincts. One of the red carpet’s freshest faces was starlet-turnedpolitician Charee Pineda. The first-time councilor from Valenzuela City glowed in Rajo Laurel’s canary yellow terno with ruched and beaded details on the bustline. After all these years, fashionista and former Sen. Nikki Coseteng hasn’t lost her touch. In an Indianinspired outfit she claimed to have fashioned from printed emerald green and teal silk fabrics, Coseteng still managed to grab the attention of photographers. ■
Philippine News
11 FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013
DPWH to Palace: Show off 32 finished infra projects BY TJ BURGONIO Philippine Daily Inquirer LET’S have a parade of achievements. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has recommended to Malacañang the inclusion of at least 32 completed state infrastructure projects during the visual presentation of President Aquino’s fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona) next Monday at the House of Representatives. In a June 14 memo to the Office of the President, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson submitted photos and videos, including testimonials, of five DPWH projects: the Aluling Bridge in Cervantes, Ilocos Sur; C-3/Araneta AvenueQuezon Avenue Interchange in Quezon City; Plaridel Bypass Road in Bulacan; Candelaria Bypass Road in Quezon; and the Ternate-Nasugbu Road and Kaybiang Tunnel in Cavite. In a memo dated July 11, Singson forwarded pictures and videos of 27 other completed DPWH projects, including nine in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
The DPWH head furnished Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras and Presidential Management Staff chief Julia Andrea Abad copies of the agency’s inputs to the 2013 Sona. In a report, a copy of which was furnished the INQUIRER, the department’s Public Information Division noted that the construction of Aluling Bridge was conceptualized during the Marcos administration in 1978. The project, using “five spans of reinforced concrete deck girder-type bridge and funded on a staggered basis, was damaged by flood waters sometime in 1990.” Nine years later, the DPWH proposed the construction of a new bridge with a new alignment. The bridge was constructed along the Suyo-Cervantes-Sabangan Road and crossing the Abra River with a total cost of P191.4 million. Reduced travel time
The project, which connected the towns of Cervantes and Tadian, Mountain Province, “involved the construction of a 180-meter concrete girder deck slab bridge, six spans of 30-me-
ter bored pile foundations, 128.5-meter road approaches and the installation of cocofiber erosion control nets.” “The Aluling Bridge now allows faster and safer movement of people, goods and agricultural products between Region 1 and the Cordillera Administrative Region. It also reduced travel time to and from Cervantes to Tadian from one hour to 30 minutes,” said Elizabeth Pilorin, DPWH public information officer. Another DPWH project, the P430-million C-3/Quezon Avenue Interchange, allows an average of 100,000 vehicles daily “nonstop crossing of the completed interchange.” “Travel time is reduced from 30 minutes to one minute, resulting to an average daily savings of P600,000 in fuel and vehicle maintenance costs,” said the department. The government saved more than P104 million in the implementation of the project, which has an original budget cost of over P534 million. It has also created at least 114 jobs in the host community. In Bulacan province, the Plaridel Bypass Road was funded
by a P2.15-billion loan agreement between the Philippine and the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The project, which forms part of the DPWH upgrading of the interurban highway system along the Philippines-Japan Friendship Highway, also “aims to ease traffic congestion in urban areas along the Maharlika Highway leading to the Cagayan Valley Road in Bulacan.” The P520-million Candelaria Bypass Road is part of the Pan Philippine Highway, one of the country’s major arterial road networks. The construction of the 7.52kilometer road, which also covered three bridges, started in August 2008 and was finally completed in June 2012. In Cavite, the P808.9-million Ternate-Nasugbu Road has reduced travel time from Manila from over four-and-a-half hours to only three hours. The 303-meter Kaybiang Tunnel, which connects the municipalities of Ternate and Nasugbu, is one of the longest road tunnels in the country. Other DPWH projects recommended for inclusion in next Monday’s Sona: Basilan
Circumferential Road; Bongao-Nali Road and BongaoPahut Road, both in TawiTawi; Bridges along Sanga-Sanga, Bato-Bato and Lapid national roads, also in Tawi-Tawi; Midsayap-Dulawan-Makar Road and Simuay-Landasan-Parang Road, both in Maguindanao; Lake Lanao Circumferential Road; Cotabato City East Diversion Road; CompostelaCateel Road in Davao Oriental; Cagayan de Oro River Basin flood control project; Nueva Vizcaya-Pangasinan Road; CordonDiffun-Madela-Quirino Road in Quirino province, among others. ■
Gov’t disowns anti-china rallies BY CHRISTINE O. AVENDAÑO Philippine Daily Inquirer THE GOVERNMENT said it has nothing to do with the planned one-day global action on July 24 by Filipinos around the world to protest against Chinese incursions in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), but will not try to stop it either. “Filipinos have all the right to express and voice out in a peaceful manner their positions and sentiments on the issue of the West Philippine Sea,” said Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez , the Department Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson. ‘In private capacity’
At a news conference, Hernandez stressed that the government “did not sanction” the Global Day of Protest to be
PHOTO FROM RT.COM
staged worldwide by the West Philippine Sea Coalition, saying these were being led by “individuals and groups in their private capacity.” “These are not sanctioned by the government, but being in a democracy, people have a right to voice out their position on different issues,” Hernandez said.
Asked whether the protests could inflame the already tense relations between Manila and Beijing, he said Hernandez said the DFA hoped it would not as people just want to express their positions on the issue. Hernandez also said the global protest action will not affect the Philippines’ arbitration www.canadianinquirer.net
case against China before the United Nations. “The arbitrary tribunal will proceed with the case based upon its rules and merits of this case so other activities I believe will not affect our case and how they will deal with this,” he said. Asked to comment on the scathing statements made
by Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying who blamed Manila for the deterioration of Chinese-Philippines relations, Hernandez said China can end the dispute by respecting the rule of law. He said the core issue as defined by Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario in the recent meetings in Brunei of the Association Southeast Asian Nations, was China’s “excessive claim violative of international law of indisputable sovereignty over nearly all of the South China Sea through its 9-dash claim.” Meanwhile, the DFA yesterday sent birthday greetings to ailing former South African President Nelson Mandela who turned 95 years old yesterday in a hospital in Pretoria. “We join with the rest of the world in wishing former President Nelson Mandela a happy birthday today,” Hernandez said at the same news briefing. ■
Philippine News
Senate presidency: Drilon hems and haws Foregone conclusion BY NORMAN BORDADORA Philippine Daily Inquirer SEN. FRANKLIN Drilon won’t come right out and say it but his election as Senate President when the 16th Congress opens on Monday is a foregone conclusion. Drilon would also neither confirm nor deny reports Sen. Ralph Recto would be the next Senate Pro Tempore. Sen. Cynthia Villar, however, revealed that her colleague in the Nacionalista Party, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, had bagged the other Senate leadership position of Majority Floor Leader. “I confirm that no one has expressed an interest in the Senate presidency from among my colleagues,” Drilon told reporters at the weekly news forum at the Senate. “Nevertheless, I will wait until July 22 before making any formal announcement on the Senate presidency,” he added. Asked about reports that Recto was a shoo-in for the second highest post of Senate Pro Tempore, Drilon said: “It came out in the media, let it remain that way.” “I would not want any news to be coming from myself because that will be preempting the election,” he said. The senators on Mondaywill elect the Senate President, Senate Pro Tempore, Majority Floor Leader, Senate Secretary and Sergeant at Arms. “So I would respectfully decline from answering questions on the election out of respect for my colleagues,” Drilon said. Villar, however, said the NP had secured the position of majority leader for Cayetano. The NP has the most number of seats in the Senate with five, one more than the seats of President Aquino’s LP party mates, including Drilon. “I will be [chair of the committee on] agriculture, Trillanes [of national] defense and Alan [is] the majority leader,” Villar told reporters in an interview over lunch yesterday. Villar said Sen. Pia Cayetano was expected to get the chair-
manship of the committee on health, while Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., was eyeing the local government committee. Villar said the NP’s chairmanship of prime committees had been settled among other members of the majority. Discussions, however, continue on secondary chairmanships. Drilon needs 13 votes to be elected Senate President. Observers believe he will have 18 on Monday morning. Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile is expected to be nominated by the minority for the post of Senate President but only for the purpose of securing for him the post of minority leader. The majority is expected to be made up of the Drilon, Recto, Teofisto Guingona III and Benigno Aquino IV of the Liberal Party; and Villar, Alan Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Marcos and Antonio Trillanes IV of the NP. Also expected to support Drilon are President Aquino’s allies Loren Legarda, Francis Escudero, Aquilino Pimentel III, Sergio Osmeña III, Miriam DefensorSantiago, neophytes Grace Poe and Juan Edgardo Angara, and members of the majority in the last Congress Ramon Revilla Jr. and Lito Lapid. Six senators are expected to form the minority. Aside from Enrile, they are the “macho bloc” Jinggoy Estrada, Vicente Sotto III and Gregorio Honasan, and newcomers JV Ejercito and Nancy Binay. The Senate and House of Representatives will elect their new leaders on Monday before President Aquino delivers the annual State of the Nation Address to a joint session of Congress in the afternoon. ■
PHOTO FROM BETA.PHILIPPINE-TRIVIA.COM
FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013 12
Group invokes people’s initiative vs dynasties BY KRISTINE FELISSE MANGUNAY Philippine Daily Inquirer INVOKING a “people’s initiative,” a group of concerned citizens filed a bill in the House of Representatives seeking the prohibition of political dynasties. In filing “The People’s Antipolitical Dynasty Act” in the Lower House on Friday, members of the Movement Against Dynasty Inc. (MAD) invoked Republic Act No. 6735, or the Initiative and Referendum Act, which states that any “accredited people’s organization” may file a petition for indirect initiative in the House of Representatives and other legislative bodies.” At the weekly Fernandina forum in San Juan City yesterday, Danilo Olivares, MAD cochair, said the group was already gathering the signatures of at least 3 percent of the population of each legislative district to back up their indirect initiative for the passage of an antidynasty law. An “indirect initiative” would force legislators to give top priority to the people’s measure in legislative processes. The 24-page proposed law, a copy of which was given to the INQUIRER, signed by Quintin Paredes San Diego, MAD chair and lead convenor, was submitted to the House’s records section. Summary procedure
Copies would also be given to the Senate and the Commission on Elections (Comelec). In the bill, the group proposed to have the Comelec declare a political clan a “political dynasty” after its members have been subjected to a summary procedure in which “substantial evidence” to declare them as such has been presented by the state. While the “accused” clan has the option of filing an appeal, the proposed bill said that as soon as a political clan is declared a political dynasty “with finality,” its members are prohibited from running or holding public office. The group defined political dynasty as “the concentration, consolidation and/or perpetuawww.canadianinquirer.net
ILLUSTRATION FROM GLOBALBALITA.COM
tion of elective public office and political power by two or more persons related to one another as spouses and/or by consanguinity and/or affinity within the fourth civil degree.” Offenses include using falsified documents to hide one’s ineligibility to run for office, and conspiring with clan members to hide a candidate’s ineligibility. Penalties include imprisonment ranging from 10-12 years, apart from other criminal liabilities. According to Olivares, the proposed law was “more comprehensive” than any other bill filed in the past. He said the group was working on gathering the signatures of at least 3 percent of the population of each legislative district so that these could be subsequently attached to the proposed law. Backing of religious groups
Aside from the fact that a total of 5.2 million signatures from all of these legislative districts were a requirement specified in RA 6735, Olivares said it would also serve as a reminder to members in Congress that those who did not pass the proposed legislation run the risk of losing “that many” votes. He said so far, the group had garnered around 5,000 signatures from Manila, Cagayan de Oro, Naga, Camarines Sur and La Union since its members began going around the country in February. He said the group had the backing of major religious
groups, such as the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, the United Church of Christ in the Philippines and the National Council of Churches in the Philippines. He said the group was set to leave for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in August to talk to Muslim groups. “Help us promote this people’s initiative,” he said, adding that political dynasties do not promote a “just” social order. Dynasties in 73 provinces
He said that of the 80 provinces in the country, 73 are controlled by political dynasties. Under the law, any duly accredited people’s organization may file a petition for indirect initiative in the House of Representatives, and other legislative bodies. “The procedure to be followed on the initiative bill shall be the same as the enactment of any legislative measure before the House of Representatives except that the said initiative bill shall have precedence over the pending legislative measures on the committee,” the law states. Advocates of a Freedom of Information (FOI)Act earlier said they were also considering using the people’s initiative law to force Congress to pass an FOI law. The majority of lawmakers over the past decades have refused to pass an antidynasty law as well as a freedom of information act. ■
Philippine News
13 FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013
Luisita land raffle proof of P-noy resolve, says Palace BY TJ BURGONIO Philippine Daily Inquirer THE DISTRIBUTION of lot allocation certificates (LACs) in Hacienda Luisita should finally put to rest any fears that President Aquino was unwilling to part with the familyowned sugar estate, Malacañang said yesterday. Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the Aquino administration has always been determined to distribute the remaining 4,099.91 hectares of the estate to 6,212 beneficiaries ever since the Supreme Court ruled that it be redistributed in accordance with the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law. “Whatever doubts that people may have, whatever doubts that some sectors may have about the distribution of Luisita, your doubts should all be put to rest. It’s happening right now,” Lacierda told a Palace briefing. First step
Lacierda said the distribution of LACs was the “first step” that would lead to the eventual distribution in September of certificates of land ownership award (CLOAs), or individual titles, to the farm workers.
PHOTO FROM LUISITA5.WORDPRESS.COM
“The allocation … should be finished by Aug. 21. Allocation is preparatory to issuance and distribution of registered CLOAs, which will happen in September,” he said. Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes last Friday raffled off future landholdings to the farm workers in Barangay Cutcut, one of the 10 villages straddling the sprawling sugar estate in Tarlac province. There are some 645 qualified beneficiaries in Cutcut, each one entitled to
6,600 square meters, or .66 ha. The militant peasant group, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), assailed the Department of Agrarian Reform’s (DAR) use of a raffle draw to distribute the LACs, describing it as “very unscientific, foolish, and idiotic.” ‘Tambiolo’ land reform
“DAR’s ‘tambiolo’ land reform shows that the Aquino government is not serious in distributing Hacienda Luisita lands to farm workers. It is an insult to
From ‘hot logs’ to school chairs BY PHILIP C. TUBEZA Philippine Daily Inquirer TO HELP address the chair shortage in schools, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) has donated 545,000 board feet of confiscated lumber, which is expected to provide armchairs for 45,000 students. Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon said the BOC donated the lumber to the Technical Education Services and Development Authority (Tesda) for fabrication into school chairs. “The seizures of these lumber materials have definitely affected the operations of these illegal logging syndicates. And I guarantee all those who may still be thinking of trying this type of illicit trade that the Bureau of Customs will always be here to stop and prosecute them,” Biazon said in a statement. “The damage caused by these seized illegally cut lumber could be irreparable. Who knows? But nevertheless, we decided to put the seized lumber to better use by donating them to Tesda,” he added. Biazon said the confiscated lumber arrived in Manila on board 68 twenty-footer container vans from Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Agusan del Norte from 2012 and 2013.
Customs officials seized the lumber shipments after they were misdeclared and did not have the required permits from the Bureau of Forest Development and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net
the life and death struggle of Hacienda Luisita farm workers,” said KMP secretary general Antonio Flores in a statement. If at all, this was proof that “CARP (the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program) is a sham,” he said. Last year, after the high court ruled with finality on the redistribution of the sugar estate, farm workers were skeptical that they would eventually own the land. In May 2012, the high court justices voted 8 to 6 rejecting the bid by the Cojuangco family to secure at least P5 billion in compensation for Hacienda Luisita and affirmed a November 2011 ruling that valued the vast sugar estate at around P196 million using 1989 prices. In November 2011, the high court voted for the distribution of the estate to the farmers. Complying with law
Lacierda said the distribution of the LACs was part of the process undertaken by the DAR in compliance with the high tribunal’s ruling. “That’s the promise after the Supreme Court decision. DAR is doing what it’s supposed to do... we’re complying with the law,” he said. ■
Philippine News
FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013 14
MMDA chair: New capital doable in 6 yrs BY NIÑA P. CALLEJA Philippine Daily Inquirer THE HEAD of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) threw his support behind the Senate bill seeking the transfer of the country’s seat of power, saying it could be done in six years at the minimum. MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino, who made a similar proposal in 2012, found an ally in Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV who had filed Senate Bill No. 655 asking Congress to create a National Capital Commission (NPC) to study the possible relocation of the national capital. “We are supporting the bill filed by Senator Trillanes. He’s right about the need to set up a commission to study the relocation of the capital as what has been done in other countries,” Tolentino told reporters on Tuesday. In a 2012 book titled “A New
MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino
City—A New Metro Manila, A New Future,” Tolentino noted that the National Capital Re-
SCREENGRAB FROM VIMEO.COM
gion was already “bursting” and faced with the problem of “overcapacity.”
He then proposed possible locations for the new urban center, such as Tanay in Rizal
province or the area covered by the towns of San Rafael, San Ildefonso and Doña Remedios Trinidad in Bulacan province. Doña Remedios in Bulacan, for example, is “a pristine area surrounded by mountains, rich in natural resources and rarely hit by typhoons,” Tolentino wrote. Unlike Metro Manila, the proposed areas are not in the range of an earthquake fault, he added. The new site “should be near Metro Manila, like Putrajaya of Malaysia is to Kuala Lumpur.” In Brazil, he said, it took only six years for the government to build the new federal center in Brasilia and replace the congested Rio de Janeiro. “The transfer of a portion of the capital will cost less than what we are losing to traffic, flood problems and disaster recovery, and all that stress the people had to go through,” he said. ■
P-noy: Set up new bus hubs to decongest Edsa Order limits terminals to the fringes of Metro BY MICHAEL LIM UBAC Philippine Daily Inquirer AS THE GOVERNMENT searches for fresh ideas to ease Metro Manila’s traffic jams, President Aquino on Thursday ordered the immediate setup of three “interim” terminals for provincial buses and commuter AUVs (Asian Utility Vehicles). The temporary transport hubs will be set up on the fringes of the capital as part of a long-delayed plan to ban provincial buses on Edsa and other busy thoroughfares. The President issued the directive through Administrative Order 40, which he signed on July 16 and was made public by Malacañang on Thursday. The interim transport terminals (ITTs) will be located at Trinoma Mall in Quezon City (for buses and AUVS in northern Metro Manila), Filinvest area in Alabang, Muntinlupa (southern) and Uniwide Rec-
lamation Area in Parañaque (southwest). The directive is expected to affect the daily routine of millions of commuters who pour in and out of the capital. The aim is to decongest the 24-km Edsa, where some 3,200 city buses pass every day out of the estimated 300,000 vehicles that use the highway. Bus-carrying capacity
Data from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority placed the highway’s maximum bus-carrying capacity at only 1,600 units daily. The AO was issued following the release of a Japanese study showing that traffic congestion in Metro Manila results in potential income losses of P2.4 billion a day and amid mounting criticism over the government’s apparent lack of political will to solve the urban problem. On July 6, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the government was seriously
considering banning provincial buses on Edsa, apart from expanding secondary roads. The temporary terminals will be used until permanent hubs north and south of Metro Manila are set up in 2016, as planned under Executive Order 67 which the President signed last year. The plan for the permanent terminals is as follows: North Interim Transport Terminal—for provincial buses and AUVs originating from provinces north of Metro Manila and entering via North Luzon Expressway, MacArthur Highway, Mindanao Avenue, Quirino Avenue or Commonwealth Avenue. South Interim Transport Terminal—for buses and AUVs originating from southern provinces and entering via South Luzon Expressway. Southwest Interim Transport Terminal— for buses and AUVs originating from southern provinces via Coastal Road or Manila Cavite Expressway. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net
PHOTO BY ART PHANEUF - LOSTARTS / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Philippine News
15 FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013
Tagle endorses ‘Boses’ as story of redemption BY JOCELYN R. UY Philippine Daily Inquirer IS THE ARCHBISHOP of Manila now a publicist for indie films? But “It’s a wonderful movie.” That’s how Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle finds the independent film “Boses” and, according to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), he is endorsing it to the followers of the Church. CBCP News, the CBCP’s official news service, said yesterday that Tagle was urging Catholics to see Ellen OngkekoMarfil’s 95minute movie that became one of the best films in the Cinemalaya festival of indies in 2008. “It is not only reflective of some of the important concerns we are facing in families, especially the plight of the children, it is also a story of redemption, how God can use friendship, compassion and music to restore broken hearts and spirits,” CBCP News quoted Tagle as saying. The film, starring Julliardtrained violinist Alfonso “Coke” Bolipata and child actor Julian Duque, is about the friendship born out of the love for music between a battered child and a reclusive violinist. First shown in 2008 at the fourth Cinemalaya and screened in local and international film festivals, “Boses” (“The Voice”) is set for commercial release through SM Cinemas across the country on July 31. “It is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the human will,” Tagle said. “I am inviting you to watch it ... please bring your families and friends to this wonderful movie,” he added. Also for students
Aside from Tagle, Fr. Gregg Banaga, the head of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) also endorsed the film to students. In a memo to CEAP member schools, Banaga pointed out that the movie tries to deal with the problem of child abuse suffered silently by many Filipino children. “The educational aspect of the movie, which can be used as an instructional tool for students from upper grades to college, prompted [us] to support it wholeheartedly,” said Banaga, whose statement is posted on the CEAP website. “Watch this movie. It may be used as [teaching tool] in Christian living, makabayan (civics) and other related subjects,” he added. “Boses” garnered six Golden Screen awards in 2009, including best director, breakthrough performance by Duque, best original screenplay, best musical score and best motion picture for drama. It won a movie child award of the year
for Duque’s performance at the Star Awards for Movies also in 2009. Music’s healing power
In the film, Duque plays the role of Onyok, a young boy who forms an unlikely friendship with reclusive musician Ariel (Bolipata). Made mute by unbearable experiences with his own father, Onyok is brought to a children’s shelter where he suffers another form of bullying until a plucky girl, Shirley, becomes his protector. An encounter with the shelter’s “mad man,” violinist Ariel, changes the course of Onyok’s life. Guilt-ridden and traumatized over a girlfriend’s death, Ariel initially terrorizes Onyok until he discovers the boy’s gift. Such a plot may seem to demand too much acting from first-time performers Bolipata and Duque, but viewers who know them are in for a surprise, as both perform like pros, they can immediately get hooked into the reel characters. “I think it’s significant to note that the movie is titled ‘Boses,’ but Onyok, its main character, doesn’t say a single word in the movie,” Bolipata said. “Music was able to reach Onyok and Ariel. A nonverbal kind of healing,” he said. Music is also central to the enjoyment of the film. Viewers will find themselves carried away by pianist Jourdann Petalver’s score. Under Bolipata’s musical direction, familiar pieces like “Ang Pipit,” “Ugoy ng Duyan,” and Vivaldi’s “Spring Concerto” were woven into the story together with Petalver’s soulful original compositions. “On a personal level, the film also opens up a way for me to deconstruct my own process as a performer,” Bolipata said. “In music, the connection to your emotions is not as direct as acting. In music, it’s more abstract, more sublimated through movement, though vibrato,” he said, adding that the experience has added depth to how he connected with his audience. “You become more aware on the stage.”
Froilan Medina and Rody Vera with cinematography by Nap Jamir, “Boses” also stars veterans Meryll Soriano, Cherry Pie Picache, and Ricky Davao. Duque said Bolipata’s participation in the film bolstered his confidence. “I was very young when the film was shot. But Sir Coke was there, I was not afraid,” he said. Duque, now a scholar for music at De La Salle Zobel School, was only 7 years old when he did “Boses.” He said the experience whetted his appetite for acting. “If I’d become an actor. I want to be like Ricky Davao,” he said in an interview during a recent cast reunion. For Davao, who plays Marcelo, Onyok’s father, that’s “flattery.” He said Duque acted so well and with so much heart. He added, in jest, that at some points the boy might have upstaged him. Resonant themes
“Boses” pushes the issue of child abuse without being vulgar or too visual. The sensitive treatment of the subject has given the film an A rating from the Cinema Evaluation Board and a following from different sectors as well. The film has enjoyed a groundswell of support, from child-focused organizations, religious groups to government
Poor kids’ house
The film was shot in and around the main house of Creative Alternatives for Social Action (Casa) San Miguel in Zambales. Established by Bolipata in 1993, Casa San Miguel is a foundation that brings music and the arts to underprivileged children. Many of the students at Casa San Miguel come from farming and fishing families. “Children need to be able to express themselves—and sometimes, their vocabulary is not enough to effectively communicate their emotions. This is where the arts come in,” Bolipata said. Directed by Marfil and written by www.canadianinquirer.net
agencies, mainly because of the hopeful theme that shines through despite the bleak situation portrayed in the film. Recently, “Boses” was presented to the members of the Vienna International Centre (VIC) Club Filipino, an organization put up by Filipinos working at the United Nations in Vienna, youth leaders from Ang Mananampalatayang Gumagawa (AMG), and to teachers invited by Ortigas Library Foundation. The film has garnered endorsements from the Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education and the CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on Youth. It was also included in a sevenfilm series for officers and employees of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) who may later be posted overseas. The screenings were sponsored by the Cultural Diplomacy Unit of the DFA. “We’re thankful for all the support we are getting. It’s unlikely that an indie film gets to be released commercially so long after it was first put out there,” Marfil said. “I have seen the film connect with all kinds of audiences: young and old, rich and poor, from Tondo to New York— they shout, cheer, and cry. I draw my strength and confidence from these reactions,” she said. ■
Opinion
FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013 16
THERE’S THE RUB
There’s the rubout By Conrado De Quiros Philippine Daily Inquirer POLICE CHIEF Alan Purisima had some interesting things to say during his press conference last weekend. Reacting to a rash of media reports showing cops to have been involved in rubouts and sundry wrongdoing, he lamented the world being turned on its head. “With so many stories coming out, even members of the media are unwittingly being used because they are fed false information. The criminal is becoming the hero.” He cautioned media to be careful because he had it on good authority that the drug lords were mounting a propaganda offensive. They were out to discredit the cops who had shown themselves to be especially effective in fighting drug trafficking. “They have all the money and power to do that. They have a lot of influence.” True enough, there’s been a spate of stories of late depicting cops to exhibit unsavory behavior. One told of Cavite cops and prison guards springing Ozamiz gang leaders Ricky Cadavero and Wilfredo Panogalinga from their cells in exchange for a bribe. The escapees were later rubbed out by the same cops. The rubout was witnessed by a couple of people who agreed to testify. The media
later reported the witnesses as missing. Another report said the cops who recaptured drug lord Li Lan Yan and his wife Wang Li Na pocketed cash and drugs from the couple’s lair in San Juan. Before this, cops in Davao City were caught on video shooting someone behind the wheel of an SUV while he had his hands clasped behind his head. He was one of three people the cops gunned down in cold blood but reported killed in a shootout. And of course earlier this year, cops from Calabarzon massacred a suspected gambling lord and 12 of his companions in Atimonan. The cops reported the incident as an encounter, but an investigation ordered by Malacañang showed the incident to be an ambush. Except for the one about the witnesses to the execution of Cadavero and Panogalinga having disappeared, all these reports are true. In the case of the witnesses, the NBI knew their whereabouts all along but were just keeping it secret. The witnesses themselves, Leila de Lima says, are credible. As is the witness in Li Lan Yan’s arresting officers helping themselves to his cash and stuff. And as are the witnesses that showed the killings at the Atimonan checkpoint were not an encounter but an execution. As to the murders in Davao, there’s a video to prove it.
So how are the media being used by drug lords who are intent on ruining the good name of top cops? Where is the false information? What makes Purisima’s remarks deeply worrisome is that they’re really just a variation of Rodrigo Duterte’s complaint, which is that when media report the rubouts, when Etta Rosales fulminates against the human rights abuses that these represent, when the public itself rises to protest them,
What makes Purisima’s remarks deeply worrisome is that they’re really just a variation of Duterte’s complaint, which is that when media report the rubouts, they are siding with the enemy. they are siding with the enemy. They are emasculating law enforcement, they are making it impossible for cops to do their jobs. They are turning the bad guys into the good guys, they are turning heels into heroes. You look at Purisima’s remarks more closely and you realize that he is merely concerned about cops being perceived as being on the take, as being bantaysalakay or carting away loot from lair,
as being complicit in drugs, illegal gambling, and kidnapping. He is not particularly concerned about cops “salvaging” suspects. The former constitutes crookedness, the latter does not. Like Duterte, he imagines that when people complain about cops “salvaging” suspects, they are being finicky, they are living in a fantasy world, they have no appreciation of the levels of viciousness in the streets which make things like this permissible, or even necessary. Like Duterte, he imagines that when people howl their heads off about rubouts, they are emboldening criminals, they are abetting crime, they are turning wolves into lambs. Proof of this is his utter silence on rubouts. He says that today’s PNP is resolved to hew to P-Noy’s daang matuwid and will punish erring cops however high up they go. But he says nothing about “erring” including cops who “salvage” suspects. He says nothing about rubout being a crime unto itself, murder unto itself, reprehensible unto itself. He says nothing about cops who are caught executing suspects being automatically fired, prosecuted and where found guilty put away for a very long time. Indeed, his remonstrations with media for allowing themselves to be duped by drug lords is a defense of it, a toleration of it, a justification of it.
About time we drew the line on rubout. Its sheer plethora, of which the recent reports are but the tip of the iceberg, must suggest it is widespread, pervasive and routine. Purisima himself talks about the need to stamp out a culture of corruption among the cops, bad eggs having a way of spreading and spoiling the entire basket. He should start with rubouts. Rubouts are a huge part of that culture of corruption. You won’t find anything more corrupt, corrupting and corruptible. Whether the cops who “salvage” suspects do so to avoid being implicated in their crimes—dead men tell no tales—or merely out of expedience or sadism or kursunada doesn’t really matter. The first merely adds another layer to the crime. The rubout is itself a crime. It foments and deepens and spreads the culture of impunity. A police force that executes suspects routinely is scarier than a syndicate that executes civilians who get in their way routinely. Power is the most vicious drug of all, it addles the brain far more violently than heroin or shabu. Media turn cops into villains when they report rubouts? The public turns cops into monsters when it complains about rubouts? Not at all. The cops who do this do a good job of it all by themselves. ■
She blew the whistle on intelligence officers sloshing in narcotics trade. Vidal Doble, of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, revealed tampering the “Garci” tapes. Primitivo Mijares was one of Ferdinand Marcos’ chief propagandists. He wrote the book “Conjugal Dictatorship” and testified against the dictatorship. Mijares disappeared in 1977 and his 15-year-old son was later found murdered. Auditors are constitutional whistleblowers. The COA has gone through pork barrel funds from 2007 to 2009, Chair Maria Grace Pulido-Tan revealed. Funds squandered already exceed P10 billion. Both administration and opposition legislators splurged. The COA’s next report will identify more legislators who squirreled taxes in dubious NGOs. “Whoever will be hit will be hit,” she said. “But what can we do?” More of the same, please. “Both the kind and extent of support that a legitimate whistle-blower should be able to expect remains unclear,” says an earlier Asian Institute of Management study titled “Whistle-blowing in the Philippines: Awareness, Attitudes and Structures.” “An explicit policy that will govern whistle-blowing” is needed.
Whistle-blowers who tell the truth make corruption a high-risk activity, Dr. Romulo Miral wrote in the AIM study. But the absence of a legal framework makes the personal costs of whistle-blowing very high. It is sometimes a “matter of life and death,” the study noted. Tell that to the family of Dacer. The PR man never made his appointment to brief former President Fidel Ramos on scams involving government. He and driver Emmanuel Corbito were intercepted by 22 military agents in Makati. Blindfolded, then strangled, their bodies were burned in Indang, Cavite. Thieves are lionized, not ostracized, here. Cash ushers them to first places at tables. Those in a position to adopt reforms are often the very persons whistles are blown at. Would Senators Ramon Bong Revilla, Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Gringo Honasan ever scrap the pork barrel? “Ti uwak uray adigos, nagisit lata,” an Ilocano proverb says. “Though a crow bathes, it remains black.” They “should take a leave of absence pending formal investigation,” Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago urged. Inaction by those involved is buttressed by a culture of impunity. People bolt from those who rock the boat with harsh truths. Jerusalem crucified its Whistleblower. ■
VIEWPOINT
Stoning whistle-blowers By Juan L. Mercado Philippine Daily Inquirer PHOTOS OF well-coiffed legislators, at President Aquino’s State of the Nation Address, will cram Tuesday’s media. Fine. But keep those festering issues up front, too. Take whistle-blowers. Benhur Luy ripped the P10-billion pork of five senators and 23 congressmen. This humongous serving of taxpayer money had been funneled into 20 bogus nongovernment organizations. Luy owes the American activist Ralph Nader. In the 1970s, Nader cobbled “whistleblower” to tag those who expose sleaze. Luy alleged he had been detained by the scam’s brains. Janet Lim-Napoles, of JLN Corp., sued Luy. Thursday, Luy badgered for—and got—provisional Witness Protection Program shield. If a warrant of arrest is served, the justice department will inform Pasig’s Judge Danilo Buemio that Luy is under government protection, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said. When whistle-blowers end up as accused, it’s time to ask: Is today’s policy to canonize thieves as crusaders? Indeed, “governments must create an environment that encourages, instead of penalizes, citizens who denounce venality,” urged the 9th International Anti-Corruption meeting in South
Africa. The Philippines and 134 other countries cobbled that yardstick. Remember “Deep Throat”? In 1972, this whistle-blower slipped to Washington Post data on White House involvement in the Watergate scandal. The uproar led to jail terms for five White House officials. Richard Nixon wrote a one-sentence letter: “I resign as President of the United States.” Vanity Fair magazine, 31 years later, reported “Deep Throat” was former Federal Bureau of Investigation associate director Mark Felt. The Post’s executive editor during Watergate, Benjamin Bradlee, confirmed the report. We have our share of “Deep Throats.” Banker Clarissa Ocampo testified that Joseph Estrada signed the notorious Jose Velarde account—which she refused to certify. Threats cascaded in. Auditor Heidi Mendoza testified on her documentation of a P510-million theft by the AFP Comptroller’s Office. Gen. Carlos Garcia has been convicted. But a partisan Commission on Appointments refused to confirm President Aquino’s appointment of Mendoza as Commission on Audit commissioner. “The nail that sticks out gets hammered down,” the Filipino axiom warns. Ensign Philip Pestaño bucked in 1997 the misuse of Navy boats to haul illegal lumber and drugs. He was
shot in his cabin. Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales reinstituted murder charges stalled for decades. Marian School of Quezon City academic supervisor Antonio Calipjo Go exposed flawed textbooks. False charges were filed against him and some columnists smeared him. After Land Bank’s Acsa Ramirez blew the whistle on tax scams, NBI agents shoved her into a police lineup which President Gloria Arroyo used for photo op.
When whistle-blowers end up as accused, it’s time to ask: Is today’s policy to canonize thieves as crusaders? Shanghaied by government agents, Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada testified before the Senate how a ZTE broadband loan, for $132 million, ballooned to $329 million. The overrun authors of this scam remain scot-free. Still guarded by Catholic nuns today, Lozada is harassed by charges. Not every whistle-blower is a candidate for beatification. Former police officer Cezar Mancao II, who offered to blow the whistle on the Bubby Dacer murder, bolted NBI custody when courts ordered his transfer to jail. Remember Mary “Rosebud” Ong?
www.canadianinquirer.net
Opinion
17 FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013
AT LARGE
The true divide By Rina Jimenez-David Philippine Daily Inquirer AS I write this, Commonwealth Avenue is a mess of the wounded and the aggrieved, both from the ranks of protesters and police, who clashed in the course of the serial exercise in democracy and demagoguery known as the “Sona protests.” Every three years or so, all roads leading to the Batasang Pambansa fill with police in riot gear and protesters in red headbands, armed with placards and huge papier-mâché figures, poking fun and umbrage at sitting officials. Meanwhile, at the Batasan itself, legislators and their significant others parade through the red carpet leading to the session hall at their fashionable best, even if some Leftleaning members of Congress had apparently prepared to wear their political colors and feelings literally on their sleeves, if not their bodices. It’s scenes like these that paint in vivid hues, without need of commentary, the true “state of the nation”—the state of divisiveness, rancor and cynicism among our political ranks, and of stubborn hope, maybe even optimism about the directions our country is taking, especially among the business sector. Maybe that’s the true divide in the Philippines these days: between the
hopelessly cynical who cannot believe in even the glimmers of prosperity appearing on the horizon; and the willingly optimistic, who believe we are well on our way not just to recovery but to lasting reform that will finally spring us out of the trap of corruption and poverty we have been mired in. *** AS THIS paper’s editorial stated on Monday, so much more remains on President Aquino’s “to-do” list. It noted that there isn’t much time remaining, midway through P-Noy’s six-year term, to “make good on all of the public’s expectations.” But remember that when he was elected president, P-Noy laid before us a most ambitious agenda, beginning with the task of correcting the mistakes of his predecessor, and more important, bringing the perpetrators of crimes against the state to justice. That initial task has taken far longer than expected, with the Supreme Court, packed with Arroyo appointees, laying down the first roadblock when it deemed the creation of an anticorruption body unconstitutional. On the economic front, the P-Noy administration has performed admirably on the first half of the equation: setting the macro conditions aright, and winning the support of the international
community with open and transparent policies that leave little room for “wiggle” (read: corruption). This, despite reports of recently surfaced anomalies that show us where a large chunk of government money has gone, or threatens to go. But the second half: ensuring that the benefits of economic growth and business surge begin to “trickle down” to the poorer classes and lift them up with the rising tide of prosperity, has yet to be achieved. “Inclusive growth”
It’s scenes like these that paint in vivid hues the true “state of the nation”—the state of divisiveness, rancor and cynicism, and of stubborn hope and optimism. is in fact expected to be one of the key themes in the President’s address. And it is the fulfillment, or frustration, of his pledge to the majority of the citizenry at the start of his term that will be P-Noy’s biggest and most significant challenge. *** AMONG those taking P-Noy to task for the slow trickling down of economic benefits to the “poor and jobless” are the Catholic bishops, who
say the country’s poor “do not feel the good economy” touted by officials. To be sure, the plight of the poor, the voiceless, the powerless, has always been a focus of the Church, which has sought through the years to leverage its power to balance the interests of the poor against those of the influential and wealthy. And yet, hasn’t the Church also been implicit in the continuing poverty of many Filipino families? I speak here, of course, of the Reproductive Health Law which is still stuck in the secretive chambers of the Supreme Court after several groups questioned the “constitutionality” of the new legislation. Although families in the wealthier sectors of society have long decided to keep their families small—they have on the average two to three children each—it is the poorest families, with little or no access to health services or to contraceptive supplies, whose “choice” has been stymied and frustrated. On average, poor couples are having more children, from five to seven, even if they are the least able to meet even the most basic needs of their children. Even if public opinion polls have shown consistently that Filipinos support reproductive health, and believe family planning is a “right” of every couple, it is still clear that without
enabling legislation, so many of them will have little means to fulfill their own reproductive goals and plans. And without power over their own fertility, many couples will be consigned to lives of poverty and hardship, the same fate the Catholic bishops decry. *** ANOTHER issue that awaits discussion and debate in both houses of Congress is the “pork barrel,” which has come under fire recently because of news reports about how this privilege has been abused. Indeed, it seems rather naïve of commentators to expect legislators— the prime beneficiaries of the pork system—to work for its abolition. The reason so many spend millions to get elected, after all, is because public office allows them to get their hands on millions of public funds. But it is equally ingenuous of people caught up in the scandal to demand an explanation of how corruption of such magnitude was able to continue, pointing out shortcomings of the Commission on Audit, when they very well know how they were able to pull off such impunity. Everybody just has to get off their high horse and begin admitting their complicity in the scandal and introducing reforms in the system. ■
AS I SEE IT
Presidents guilty of bribery in pork barrel system By Neal H. Cruz Philippine Daily Inquirer PRESIDENT AQUINO, after days of hesitation, finally noticed the anger of the people over the P10-billion pork barrel scam and ordered a “full, fair, and impartial” investigation. The National Bureau of Investigation and the Office of the Ombudsman are already doing that, so the Malacañang press release may be just for public consumption—to show the people that he is doing something about it. What the President should do, if he is sincere about stopping corruption as he promised, is not to include in his budget proposal to Congress an appropriation for the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), the polite term for the hated pork barrel, which is one of the major causes of corruption. No pork barrel, no temptation, no corruption—it is as simple as that. The greedy members of Congress cannot put it there because, under the Constitution, Congress is prohibited from adding to the budget proposal of the executive branch. It can only reduce or remove appropriations proposed by the budget department. So, no budget proposal for the PDAF, no pork barrel, no corruption. Some members of the House of
Representatives have already filed a bill prohibiting Malacañang from proposing a budget for the PDAF, but why go the roundabout way? Besides, the crooked and greedy congressmen, which compose the majority in the House, will surely vote down the bill. For years they have fattened on the pork barrel. Do you think they will willingly vote to abolish it? The excuse for the pork is that it funds the projects of the legislators and helps their constituents. Pork funds supposedly finance roads and bridges, schools, textbooks, scholars, health centers, barangay halls, basketball courts, waiting sheds, etc. But being imitation public works and education secretaries is not the job of legislators. Their job is to enact laws, not to duplicate the work of the executive branch. What will happen to their pet projects? they ask. There are regional development councils, as well as provincial, city, and municipal development councils, precisely to process and recommend local projects. Congressmen are members of all these councils. They can propose their projects in these councils and, if these are meritorious, these will be endorsed to the departments concerned. So the congressmen can still have their projects.
But the legislators want to implement the projects themselves even if that is not their job. They choose the contractor (the public bidding is a moro-moro), the place where the roads and bridges will be located, the printers who will produce the textbooks, etc. The contractors and printers, etc. kick back to the congressman at least 30 percent of the project’s budget. In the case of the P10-billion scam allegedly involving JLN Corp., there are no projects at all. The projects and persons
The excuse for the pork is that it funds the projects of the legislators and helps their constituents. But being imitation public works and education secretaries is not the job of legislators. listed on the documents as beneficiaries are all fictitious, according to the affidavits submitted to the NBI. The congressman and senator get as much as 60 percent of the pork allocation, and the rest allegedly goes to the middleman, JLN. Nothing for any project. Even when there is a real project, only half of the budget goes to the project itself. Thirty percent goes to the legislator, more to the public
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works engineers, local government officials, treasurers, clerks and others. The contractor makes do with what is left. That is why all government projects are substandard. The contractors have to cheat to make both ends meet. Many projects are not finished at all when the contractor runs out of money or runs away with it. Each senator gets P200 million a year in pork funds, and each congressman, P70 million a year. Multiply those numbers with the number of senators and congressmen and you will have the total amount of pork funds spent every year. Only less than half of that goes to the projects, so you can imagine the billions of pesos lost to corruption. Legislators claim the pork funds do not pass through their hands but go directly to the beneficiaries. Who are they kidding? The real beneficiaries, like the contractors, kick back to the legislator part of the budget as soon as they collect from the government, usually even before the construction starts. Legislators claim that if they have no pork for their projects, their constituents will not reelect them. Not true. Senators Panfilo Lacson and Joker Arroyo never collected their pork funds but they were reelected, and probably would have been reelected more times if there were no term limits.
If P-Noy were to abolish the pork barrel, he would be so popular and loved by a grateful people, he would surely be reelected if there were no term limits to the presidency. But why do presidents continue with the pork barrel system even when they know that it reeks of corruption? Because it is a means of making the legislators do their wishes. Cooperative legislators get their pork promptly; uncooperative ones don’t. Thus, the pork is being used to bribe legislators. Note that no pork allocation can be released without the President’s approval. The presidents, including P-Noy if he does not stop the pork barrel system, are all guilty of bribery. Was P-Noy sincere when he said he would fight corruption? Judge for yourself whether he is fighting or abetting corruption by continuing the hated pork barrel system. *** KAPIHAN NOTES: Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada and Vice Mayor Isko Moreno will tell the Kapihan sa Manila at the Diamond hotel on Monday what they plan to do to solve the city’s myriad problems such as, to name a few, flooding, squatting, criminality, traffic congestion, decaying slums, unemployment, and the flight of business establishments. ■
FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013
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No guarantee new royal will be king of Canada; whims of history will have a say BY MICHELLE MCQUIGGE The Canadian Press THE NEWEST member of the Royal Family is in line to be a future king of Canada. But as Prince William, his wife Kate and millions of others celebrate Monday’s birth, monarchists and republicans alike questioned the role the latest heir to the throne would play in Canadian affairs. The line of succession may seem assured with four generations of claimants currently living, but experts muse that the capricious whims of both history and public opinion could interfere with those best-laid plans. If historical precedent is any guide, royal boosters suggest that unpredictable developments within the Royal Family may prevent the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s firstborn child from succeeding to the throne at all. Even if he does, members of Canada’s republican movement firmly believe the country will have broken with its past as a constitutional monarchy and may no longer be looking across the pond for its head of state. Carolyn Harris, a royal historian and staunch monarchist, said it would be premature to assume that William and Kate’s new baby will one day grace Canadian currency. The annals of British royal history are littered with examples of secure dynasties who lost the throne through events ranging from abdication to infertility. “There are only a few instances of the crown passing smoothly from grandfather to father to eldest son,” Harris said in a telephone interview earlier this month. “If we look at the wider list of monarchs, it’s a web rather than a direct line.” King Henry VIII, one of England’s most prominent rulers, only assumed the throne after the premature death of his eldest brother. Queen Elizabeth I, herself a second-born child, enjoyed a fruitful reign that ended in upheaval and a change in ruling family through her refusal to marry and produce an heir.
BMO TO INCREASE ALBERTA BUSINESS LENDING BY UP TO $1 BILLION AFTER FLOODS
After the royal wedding, a royal baby. PHOTO FROM FEATUREFLASH | SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Even the very dynasty that received its new addition came about through a historical quirk of fate, Harris said, adding the current Queen’s father, George VI, only became king after his eldest brother abdicated to marry a divorced woman. The newest royal offspring won’t be in a position to rule for years, Harris said, noting both Prince Charles and Prince William are in line for the monarchy first. If the new arrival does take the throne, however, Harris predicts his lineage will stand him in good stead. William and Kate are widely credited with reviving Canadian interest in the Royal Family, Harris said, citing their triumphant 2011 tour that drew throngs of well-wishers on every leg of the nine-day visit. The Conservative government’s recent efforts to play up Canada’s British heritage, combined with other high-profile royal occasions, have further ensured the monarchy has a more prominent and positive place in the Canadian consciousness, she said. “In recent years, with the Diamond Jubilee and William and Kate’s marriage and now the royal baby, there’s a lot more interest in the future of the monarchy going forward,” she said. But Tom Freda, director of Citizens for a Canadian Republic, said public focus lies in the opposite direction.
He said signs of anti-monarchist sentiment abound, citing a current case in Ontario superior court in which three people are arguing that swearing a citizenship oath of allegiance to the Queen violates their constitutional rights. Public opinion and press coverage also suggest that William and Kate’s current popularity is based more on their celebrity status than their governmental role, he said, adding the youth and glamour that make them media darlings now may make them seem like relics by the time their child is ready to assume the throne. Freda, who was interviewed before Monday’s royal birth, said Canadians have grown weary of having an unelected head of state and will have successfully lobbied to implement a more democratic system by the time the newborn has come of age. More importantly, he said, the royal birth will remind the public of the value of having a head of state born on home soil. “There will be hundreds of Canadian future citizens born that same day as this royal baby, yet regardless of how smart, selfless, hard-working and proudly Canadian that child may one day become, because they were not born in the right entitled family, he or she is constitutionally barred from ever becoming Canada’s head of state,” Freda said. “In the 21st century, this is really an outrage.” ■
CALGARY—The Bank of Montreal says it’s increasing the amount of credit available to Alberta businesses by as much as $1 billion as the province recovers from the worst flooding in its history. BMO says it will be increasing the $4 billion in lending it has already authorized for the province by up to 25 per cent. Robert Hayes, the BMO executive in charge of Alberta, says the money will provide small and medium-sized businesses with more certainty as they rebuild. He says bankers will make lending decisions locally. BMO senior economist Robert Kavcic says despite the floods, Alberta’s economic outlook is bright. He says the province on pace to post above-average economic growth of 2.2 per cent this year and 3.3 per cent in 2014, as higher oil prices boost both the energy sector and provincial finances. ALBERTA MLA SAYS HE WON’T RESIGN SEAT FORT MCMURRAY, Alta—An Alberta politician charged in Minnesota with paying for prostitutes says he will not resign as a member of the legislature. Mike Allen, elected in 2012 for the governing Progressive Conservatives, was arrested last week in a prostitution sting while on a government trip in St. Paul. DAYCARE OPERATOR CHARGED IN ALLEGED POISONING KITCHENER, Ont.—A 32-year-old Ontario woman who used to operate a home daycare is facing charges after police allege she poisoned two kids. Waterloo Regional Police allege the suspect gave the children an overthe-counter eye care product that can cause abnormal drowsiness, low blood pressure, respiratory problems and decreased heart rates in young children.
Canada News
19 FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013
Canadian property insurer Intact Financial to take hit from recent disasters BY ALEXANDRA POSADZKI The Canadian Press TORONTO—One of the country’s largest insurance companies says it needs to tweak some of its property and casualty insurance plans, after announcing it will book about $257 million in expenses stemming from recent catastrophes. On Monday, Intact Financial Corp. said the costs are related to the flooding in Alberta and Toronto and the deadly LacMegantic train derailment in Quebec. “The devastation brought on by recent flooding and torrential rain is unprecedented,” said Charles Brindamour, Intact’s chief executive officer, in a statement. “The scope of the damage and destruction that we have witnessed in recent weeks is a stark reminder that we must
adapt the protection offered to Canadians to ensure it remains sustainable in light of the greater prevalence and severity of weather events.” Glenn McGillivray, managing director of the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction, said increasingly dense cities, crumbling infrastructure and the changing climate are likely to increase weather-related losses over the coming years. “We’re building more and more and putting more and more into our cities, so when you get something like a heavy rainstorm—it’s going to hurt a little bit more,” he said. Jeff Fenwick, an analyst at Cormark Securities Inc., said Intact has been focused recently on repricing home insurance products and providing more specifics around what’s covered and what isn’t. “About 20 years ago, there weren’t nearly as many people
who had finished their basement and put expensive audio visual equipment, and that type of thing, down there,” Fenwick said. “So now the magnitude of the losses when your basement floods tends to be quite a bit larger.” That means insurance costs are likely to go up for Canadians, as severe weather events become increasingly prevalent, said Fenwick. “We’ll probably start to see some rising costs as well if these things continue to become more common over time,” he said. Toronto-based Intact estimates it will record about $123 million or 92 cents per share in after-tax catastrophe losses in its second quarter. That will be mainly due to about $300 million of costs for Intact customers in Alberta following storms and flooding that swept through several communities.
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Mournful Calgary resident hopelessly viewing her flooded home and vehicle. PHOTO BY RYAN MORGAN
The financial blow to Intact will be softened by reinsurance—essentially insurance for insurance companies. The Alberta disaster, alone, will result in $105 million or 79 cents per share net of reinsurance in the second quarter ended June 30. In the third quarter, which began July 1, Intact estimates it will record an additional $134 million, or $1.01 per share, in after-tax catastrophe losses. That will include a $25 million cost associated with the Lac-Megantic train derailment that killed an estimated 47 people and devastated the small
Quebec town. The severe rain storm that impacted thousands of Intact customers in the Greater Toronto Area in early July resulted in an estimated $170 million of insurable damages, the company said. It’s unclear if the losses will surmount the $1 billion the industry booked after the fires in Slave Lake, Alta., in 2011, or the $500 million of insured losses that Intact recorded following the 2005 Ontario ice storms, said Fenwick. “This will certainly be one of the more sizable years for catastrophe losses for insurance firms,” he said. ■
World News
FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013 20
Pope Francis’ Brazil security scheme questioned following mob scene BY BRADLEY BROOKS AND NICOLE WINFIELD The Associated Press RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil—Brazilian security forces blamed each other on Tuesday for the mob scenes that erupted around Pope Francis when he was dogged by a frantic crowd of faithful Catholics after his arrival in the country. The chaotic crowds mobbing Francis on Monday afternoon raised questions about what plans are in place to protect the pontiff, and who is responsible for carrying them out. No one took responsibility for the traffic fiasco, which began when the driver of the car the pope was riding in made a wrong turn, following the lead car in an official motorcade. It was unclear who was in that first vehicle, or what agency the driver worked for. The Federal Police are mostly in charge of the pope’s security in Brazil, though when he travels to a rural part of Rio this weekend, the army will secure the massive pasture where he’ll celebrate Mass. Officials with the Federal Police who have control of the pope’s security in urban Rio told the local press that the blame belonged to Federal Highway Police. But highway police officials said they were just following specifications laid out by the Federal Police. Neither agency returned calls seeking more information on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Rio mayor’s office said it knew nothing about the plan for the pope’s travel from the airport to the city centre while even the secretary general for President Dilma Rousseff said he didn’t know who was to blame but that he was “relieved” no harm came to Francis. Rio Transportation Secretary Carlos Osorio said the Fiat Francis was riding in from the airport to the city centre inadvertently turned into the wrong side of a 12-lane thoroughfare, known as Avenida
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Presidente Vargas. Instead of taking the left lanes that were free of traffic, the car turned into the right lanes cluttered with buses and taxis, forcing the pontiff’s car to stop, he said. It wasn’t the best means to project confidence on security arrangements for a nation that saw widespread anti-government protests paralyze scores of cities last month and that’s preparing to host the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics. “I was so surprised! Maybe I’m looking at it from a foreign perspective, but it seemed odd that the people were allowed that close on the roads,” said the Rev. Joseph Tan, a priest from the Philippines, echoing the reaction of many in Rio for the papal visit. “In the Philippines, people would have gathered to get a glimpse, but nothing like what we saw. But that’s the pope’s personality, he was just being himself.” The mob scene didn’t seem to faze Francis, however. The “slum pope,” as he was dubbed in his native Argentina for the amount of time he spent in dangerous, impoverished areas, smiled as his car was surrounded. He kept his window rolled down and even kissed a baby passed into the vehicle by its mother. Papal spokesman Rev. Federico Lombardi made clear that despite the mobs, Francis wouldn’t change his decision to use an open-air vehicle and specifically planned to use the open car for the very events expected to draw the largest crowds: a speech on Copacabana beach on Wednesday, a Way of the Cross procession on Friday, and a weekend vigil and Mass in a rural part of Rio. Lombardi said the pontiff deliberately chose to use the same car he uses in St. Peter’s Square, and not the bulletproof popemobile, to be closer to people and interact with them. But that square is a closed and controlled; Vatican and Italian police ring the square, the faithful are fenced into pens, and bodyguards trail the car at all times.
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But how Vatican and Brazilian authorities decide to organize his security going forward is ultimately not the pope’s responsibility, Lombardi said. “Obviously he desires to have a possibly very direct contact with the people. This is clear, and not a militarization of the situation,” said the spokesman. “But the concrete solutions are not chosen by him.” Authorities in Brazil earlier said about 10,000 police officers and more than 14,000 soldiers would take part in the overall papal security plan, but on Monday virtually no uniformed officers were seen along the route as Francis was mobbed by the crowds. There were few barricades set up along the route and thousands of faithful easily made their way onto streets that were meant to be shut off from the public. In some places along the route, people could be seen forming “human chains” to keep the crowds at bay. About three dozen plain-clothes officers including the pope’s personal bodyguards and some Brazilian officers were seen surrounding the pope’s vehicles, trying desperately to push the crowds back Paulo Storani, a Rio-based security consultant who spent nearly 30 years on the city’s police force and was a captain in an elite unit used to clear out slums, said the fiasco seen Monday had to be analyzed in two ways. “From the point of view of a head of state, and the pope is a head of state, it’s unacceptable what happened. The proximity people had with him was a huge risk, even for his image,” Storani said. “On the other hand, in the case of a head of a church and having a charismatic figure like this pope, the situation is different because he wants to be close to the people. “The police intelligence units have to do a lot more work to detect potential threats to the pope’s security and there needs to be a bigger presence of plainclothes officers in the middle of the masses to ensure his security,” he added. There was no word on whether Francis would agree to a heavier security presence when he travels to the city of Aparecida on Wednesday, or holds a meeting with Catholic youth on Copacabana
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beach that is expected to draw a crowd of 1 million on Thursday. But many changes seemed unlikely. Francis made clear even before he was pope that the Catholic Church must stop being so closed and self-referential and go to the edges of the world to interact with the most marginalized. Many cardinals point to a speech Francis made as Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, days before he was elected pope, as the mission statement that essentially got him elected. In that pre-conclave speech, Bergoglio said the church must “move toward the peripheries, not only geographic but also existential: those of sin, suffering, injustice, ignorance and religious abstention, thought and all misery.” “When the church does not emerge from itself to evangelize, it becomes selfreferential and therefore becomes sick. ... The evils that, over time, occur in ecclesiastical institutions have their root in (being self-referential), a kind of theological narcissism,” Bergoglio said then. After becoming pope, he followed those words up with actions even before his Rio trip. His first parish visit in Rome was to a church in a poor neighbourhood on the capital’s farthest outskirts. His first trip outside Rome was to the most peripheral part of Italy, Lampedusa, a speck of an island closer to Africa than the Italian mainland, where he mourned the deaths of refugees trying to reach Europe. Francis is visiting his home continent for the first time since becoming pontiff, with his visit coinciding with the church’s World Youth Day, an event held every three years to bring young Catholics together in an effort to inject new energy in the church. He will celebrate two Masses expected to each draw more than 1 million people: one on Copacabana beach and the other in a rural pasture. He’ll also visit a slum in Rio in an area known by locals as the Gaza Strip because of its heavy violence before police “pacified” it in January, pushing out powerful drug gangs and setting up a permanent outpost. Associated Press writers Marco Sibaja and Vivian Sequera contributed to this report.
World News
21 FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013
Vietnam's president dismisses US concerns on human rights ahead of Obama meet BY ALEXANDRA POSADZKI The Canadian Press
nam, part of its strategic “rebalancing” toward Asia, which is emerging as a vital partner for the sluggish economies of the West. But it wants to see the communist country release dissidents. Some officials have said progress on a closer relationship was contingent on an improved human rights record. On human rights, Sang said that in Vietnam “the fundamental rights and freedoms of the people are respected.” Asked about American concerns about the arrests of bloggers, he said: “There are a number of differences between Vietnam and the United States including those on human rights, but this is quite normal.” “It is my hope that after five years of no exchanges of highlevel visits between the two countries, my official visit to the United States this time will contribute to elevating Vietnam-US relations into a profound, efficient and substantive framework,” he said. The invitation by Obama for
HANOI, Vietnam—American concerns over the arrests of dissidents and other human rights abuses in Vietnam shouldn’t stand in the way of closer military and economic ties with the Southeast Asian nation, the country’s president said Tuesday ahead of talks in Washington with President Barack Obama. President Truong Tan Sang’s remarks, made in emailed responses to questions by The Associated Press, are a sign of Vietnam’s desire to strengthen relations with the United States, a country with which it shares concerns over Chinese assertiveness in the region. Sang’s trip to the United States is only the second such visit by a head of state since the former foes resumed relations in 1995. He will meet President Obama on Thursday. The United States is also seeking closer ties with Viet-
talks at the White House took some analysts by surprise, who suggested that Washington’s desire to shift its military and diplomatic focus to Asia had trumped its stated concerns over human rights in Vietnam. “It looks like the human rights issue is being finessed. Behind closed doors Obama can raise the concerns, but it’s obviously not going to feature prominently,” said Carl Thayer, an expert on Vietnam at the University of New South Wales in Australia. “For Obama, it is ‘how do you get more jobs for Americans.’ You sell more in Asia, that’s the larger gain.” Both sides are expected to discuss a trade pact that Washington is negotiating with Vietnam and 10 other Asia-Pacific nations, which the Obama administration wants signed by the end of the year. Two-way trade between the U.S. and Vietnam totalled $26 billion last year. Vietnam’s leaders, presiding over a stuttering economy, are also under pressure to deliver
President Truong Tan Sang PHOTO FROM EN.RIAN.RU © RIA NOVOSTI. ALEXEY DRUZHININ
stronger economic growth. The U.S. has been forging closer military links with Vietnam in recent years, with port calls and officer exchanges, but has yet to lift an embargo on lethal weapons imposed since 1984. U.S. officials have said they were considering lifting it, but there is no sign of this happening soon. Thayer said Vietnam was unlikely to purchase weapons from the United States, preferring Eastern European sellers, but that the ban was seen as discriminatory by some in the ruling party. Asked whether he wanted it lifted, Sang said “I believe it is now the time for our bilateral relations to be fully normalized
in all fields in the interests of the two countries, and for peace, cooperation and development in the Asia-Pacific region.” Phil Robertson, deputy director of Human Rights Watch’s Asia division, questioned why Sang would get a White House visit given Vietnam’s record. “Why would this happen at this time, when there has been such a concerned crackdown on freedom of expression,” he said. “Now the onus is on President Barack Obama to make sure that human rights doesn’t slip from the agenda. The United States has to publicly state its concerns and press the government of Vietnam to make real steps.” ■
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Immigration
FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013 22
ON THE MOVE
Maintain your eligibility
Tips on Achieving Permanent Resident Status
BY FRANCES GRACE QUIDDAOEN AND LEO MARCO LUI Philippine Canadian Inquirer THE INAUGURAL publication of this column, On The Move, was warmly received and we would like to thank you, the readers of the Philippine Canadian Inquirer who reached out to us with your comments and questions. We invite you to continue forwarding your comments and questions on what you’d like to see written in this column on matters relating to Canadian immigration or citizenship. What is Permanent Resident status?
Recently, we received an
excitedly composed text message from a friend. He received news via email that Citizenship and Immigration Canada is requesting his passport and photos so that he could receive his visa, along with timelines and further instructions for landing in Canada to receive his PR status. As you might imagine, this was an exciting moment of his Canadian immigration path. He was so excited to share the news with family and friends, after all his hard work, including completing his post-secondary education in Canada, finding a qualified full-time occupation, and applying under the BC PNP International Graduates program. As we reflect on our friend’s experience, we wonder what it might feel like to finally achieve a permanent resident status. To fully appreciate this milestone in one’s life, let’s review the meaning of permanent residency. A permanent resident means
that you have met the respective requirements of the immigration class or program that you applied under and that you have now officially immigrated to Canada. You remain to be a citizen of your country of origin but not yet a citizen of Canada. As you call Canada your new home or place of residency, you have many rights similar to a citizen, such as, social benefits including health care coverage and you no longer need to apply for visas or permits to live, work or study across Canada. You also have the right to apply, when eligible, to be a citizen. Likewise, you have responsibilities like a citizen, for example, paying taxes, obeying the laws of Canada. As a permanent resident, you cannot participate in the electoral system of voting for your local, provincial or federal representatives. Also, if convicted of serious criminal offense you could loose your permanent resident status and be told to leave the country.
Perhaps, some of our readers are currently working towards the goal of permanent residency in Canada. You might have come to Canada as a student or temporary foreign worker. Now that you are in Canada you must keep yourself in good status and check from time to time that you continue to be in compliance with the immigration path that you have chosen towards being eligible to become a permanent resident. Whether you had help coming to Canada or you independently went through the application process yourself, it is a good idea to continually review and monitor your intended immigration path in the class or program that you are planning to apply under. Immigration is a shared responsibility under both federal and provincial/territorial jurisdictions and so there are numerous classes and programs for you to consider applying under and to monitor on what is the right immigration path for you. In particular, when it comes to Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), these programs tend to change frequently and vary between province to province, and such changes could significantly impact your plans.
For example, last month, the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program opened a new category, the Alberta Work Experience Category, allowing eligible workers with at least two years of Alberta experience in a list of key occupations to apply to be nominated for permanent residence. Knowing this might allow you an additional path to becoming a permanent resident. Keeping track of time
If you are a temporary foreign worker, you should be aware that there is a four-year cumulative limit for foreign nationals working in Canada and this regulation came into effect April 1st 2011. This means you should fulfill your requirements and submit your application for permanent resident status before your fouryear limit is reached. This fouryear limit is not retroactive which means only the days going forward from April 1st 2011 is counted towards the four-year cumulative limit. You will not be eligible to apply for a work permit until another four-year has passed since you last worked in Canada. It is important that you keep track of your period of work and document any valid breaks ❱❱ PAGE 27 Tips on
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Immigration
23 FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013
New ESD Minister Jason Kenney to Striking foreign service keep multiculturalism under his wing workers ask government to join binding arbitration Philippine Canadian Inquirer
OTTAWA—Canada’s new Minister of Employment and Social Development, Jason Kenney, will keep the multiculturalism file to continue his ethnic outreach efforts, as reported by Postmedia. The reports are supported by senior officials saying that even though multiculturalism falls under the Ministry of Immigration, the new Minister of State for Multiculturalism Tim Uppal will be reporting to Kenney and not Chris Alexander, who is the newly appointed Minister of Immigration. Earnscliffe Strategy Group public policy specialist Geoff Norquay is less than surprised with this decision. Norquay, a former communications director for Stephen Harper the time he was the opposition leader, said that the rearrangement was all about preparing the party for the upcoming 2015 election. They believe that Kenney
played a key role in reaching out to the ethnic voters last election. “He’s been absolutely indefatigable and totally dedicated to this outreach to multicultural communities and he’s really, really good at it,” Norquay said, also adding that it’s this move is not new, since some ministers like to keep certain tasks within their employ even if they’re not included in their primary portfolio. “I think this is a significant vote of confidence on the part of the prime minister for the role that he’s been playing and a serious acknowledgment of the importance of multicultural voters to our party in the next election,” Norquay shared with Postmedia. The Human Resources and Skills Development Canada has been renamed to the new Ministry of Employment and Social Development on Monday, which preceded the new assignments, ending Kenney’s run as the longest-serving immigra-
tion minister after five years. Kenney led the department in repurposing Canada’s immigration system in an effort to answer the demands from the labour market. His new system also proved to be more effective when it comes to dealing with people who break the immigration laws, like fraudsters, and failed refugee and citizenship applicants. Not to mention Kenney’s dedication in working with and helping ethnic communities around Canada, which helped seal the fate of the Conservative majority during the last election. 42 percent of the ethnic vote in the last election was for the Conservative party, as well as 24 out of the 25 suburban posts in Toronto. This earned him the name “curry-in-a-hurry,” which granted him favour in the eyes of ethnic groups. Kenney’s efforts which showed dramatic results in the polls and about 15 new seats ready for culturally diverse ❱❱ PAGE 42 New ESD Minister
The Canadian Press OTTAWA—The union representing Canada’s striking foreign service workers is asking Treasury Board President Tony Clement to settle the dispute through binding arbitration. Tim Edwards, the president of the Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers, made the offer to Clement in a letter sent today. The letter, which sets a deadline for the offer of noon Tuesday, says the job action is having an impact on tourism, education, air transport and agriculture, and is also delaying the processing of visas and immigration applications. Clement has told the union he has made a fair and reasonable offer, and has urged its members to return to work. “If you sincerely believe that the government’s offer is ‘fair
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and reasonable,’ you should not be concerned with presenting that position to an independent third party,” Edwards writes. The union’s 1,350 members have been in a legal strike position since April, and have been staging rotating job action in Ottawa and at foreign missions. The union wants wage parity with their counterparts in other federal departments that make as much as $14,000 more for doing similar work. Talks between the sides broke down earlier this spring when Treasury Board returned to the table with no new offer. Earlier this week, Edwards and Clement engaged in a public argument over Twitter. Treasury Board has said it is negotiating in good faith towards a deal that is fair to taxpayers as well as employees. It says the foreign service jobs are well-paid and highly sought after. ■
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Seen & Scenes
MONTREAL’S PISTA SA NAYON
FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013 24
Aljur Abrenica (right), GMA Pinoy TV actor who was the guest of the Pista sa Nayon sa Montreal, Quebec, Canada held at MacKenzie King Park on July 14, 2014 which was. With him is Filipino journalist Jojo Taduran (left). - Dindo Orbeso, St. Jamestown News Service
OPM MUSIC FESTIVAL
Photos by Christian Cunanan
AT THE PIDC GALA NIGHT UMAC's Joseph Alilio (second from left) with Albert Eusebio By Manny Papa,
Vancouver Original Pinoy Music Festival 2013 was held at the Plaza of Nations on July 21 and top-billed the popular Kapuso loveteam, Aljur Abrenica and Kris Bernal, and Vancouver's very own OPM Queen, Joey Albert. A meet-and-greet with the Fil-Canadian media was also held on July 19 at Max’s Restaurant on Kingsway. Please see related story on page 32.
For photo submissions, please email info@canadianinquirer.net. www.canadianinquirer.net
Seen & Scenes
25 FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013
Sun, Perly Baguisa Alilio, Teo Paculanan and Anna photo by Ariel Ramos, St. Jamestown News Service
RCMP
UPAABC PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR
RCMP Consultation with members of the Filipino-Canadian media and leaders of the Filipino community. Photo by Bert Morelos
UP Alumni Association in British Columbia (UPAABC) members during their seminar on Options and Opportunities for Professional Development, with speakers George Verdolaga and Carlos Brosas held on July 7 at the Vancity Community Room.
MANILA EXPRESS RAFFLE WINNERS Here are the lucky Manila Express raffle winners:
Calgary : Belinda Ordonez (Laptop) Toronto: Gad William de Lara (Samsung Galaxy tablet)
Edmonton: Paquito Lesniana (Ipad Mini)
Vancouver: Noel Regalado (Flat screen TV) www.canadianinquirer.net
Winnipeg: Imelda Cadiz (Digital Camera)
Filipina in Focus
FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013 26
FILIPINA IN FOCUS
Belinda Herrera BY MELISSA REMULLABRIONES Philippine Canadian Inquirer No doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. - Desiderata FOR BELINDA HERRERA, I-Remit's Country Manager, the idea to go to—and stay—in Canada came from the most innocent, yet willful, source. In 2004, after receiving a jarring wake-up call, Belinda, her husband and her then-7year old son visited family and friends in Canada so Belinda could get the rest that her doctor ordered. After only a few weeks in Canada and loving the Canadian way of life, her son was convinced that Canada is where their family should be. But how? The past
It was a full, fulfilling life. After graduating from Ateneo de Manila, Belinda was quickly ushered to the world of banking. Working for one of the largest banking conglomerates in the Philippines for 12 years, and being a senior executive for a large property development trend setter for another 12, she has got it all. But life got in the way. “In 2003, I suffered from a heart attack which was diagnosed simply as having caused by work stress. My boss then encouraged me to take a month off, the longest vacation I’ve had in 8 years at that time. My husband and I decided to take our vacation visiting family and friends in America and Canada. Our son then was only 7 years old,” she said. It was her son who planted the idea of living in Canada, and it seemed he also got the stars to line up to make that come true. “It baffled us how a 7-year old would even recognize that Canada was the better place to build a life as a family. That was 2004. We couldn’t imagine it could happen at that time, but we were not running out of continuous prodding from friends in Canada. In March of 2007, one of my mentors and good friends mentioned a friend of his (one of i-Remit’s founders) looking for a Country Head for i-Remit Canada. They were in such a
rush to send one over that, long story short, we found ourselves on a plane to Vancouver on December 15, 2007 under a work permit specifically for i-Remit,” Belinda said. It was her first winter, which unfortunately was one of the worst winters Vancouver was going through. But it prepared her for some humbling, and other equally gratifying, experiences. Belinda Herrera (left) with BC Premier Christy Clark (center) and iRemit Global Chairman & CEO, Bansan Choa
Humbling
A senior executive in Manila enjoys certain perks and privileges; at hand, a staff that would do anything and everything for them. Belinda recalls, “The switch to Canada brought me back to the basics. It was a humbling experience to say the least. I had to actually learn how to operate on of those heavy duty all-inone printer-scanners, etc.; had to walk to do my own mails, my own banking; and buy my own Starbucks coffee, which I normally had 3-4 times in a day. And each time I had to do all these “little tasks” by myself, I was seriously disappointed with myself because I knew there was a lot of serious work waiting for me. Humbling experience indeed. There were things I had to learn over. Needless to say, I was missing my Manila way of life.” However, she only needed to look at her son to realize she has made the right decision. From TFW to PR
After her contract's expiry in June 2010, she and her family went back to the Philippines. Because of her son's prodding, she filed for an immigration application under the Canadian Experience Class. In June 2012, she was back in Canada—and to i-Remit. “Our decision to establish permanent residency in Canada was really brought by our liking for Canada and the desire to give our son a good option for his future. And what better place to return to work but in i-Remit Canada for me to be able to continue with what I have already started, and see it through its growth. It felt like coming home,” she says. Gratifying
I-Remit is a 100% Filipinoowned non-bank public corporation in the Philippines organized in 2001 with a vision of providing quality, efficient and
affordable remittance services to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and other nationalities globally. It is present in 24 countries spanning territories in the Asia Pacific, Europe, North America and the Middle East. Bansan Choa, i-Remit's ChairCEO, says “i-Remit's future direction emanates from its vision: To be the ultimate choice remittance service provider globally.” These were Belinda's marching orders: build the I-Remit brand in Canada, recruit agents, and set-up several strategic branches in this beautiful, rugged country that is only beginning to understand the phenomenon of migration. She recalls, “During i-Remit’s early years in Canada, major banks were not that keen about dealing with money service businesses (referred in the industry as MSB) as an aftermath of America’s 9-11 incident. But our business needed these major banks in order to facilitate the transfer of remittance funds from Canada to the Philippines in fulfillment of our general commitment of delivery to beneficiaries within 24 hours. This meant a lot to our Filipino remitters, especially our Filipino workers in Canada, and I-Remit was not willing to let them down just because of the limitations of Canada’s banking system. A couple of years later, by 2007, we gained the respect from the largest bank in Canada, and things have been going great for i-Remit since then.” There are several money remittance centers, but according to Belinda, the I-Remit brand is distinct. “We have set up our offices in such a way that our customers would feel like being home—a venue to meet up with friends, a social place where they are free to speak and chat at length with each other in www.canadianinquirer.net
their own dialects, watch some TFC (The Filipino Channel), have coffee and some Filipino snacks like Skyflakes, Chocnut, candies, cookies, etc.—all for free. They know we have a 24/7 customer service support centre that can answer their remittance concerns or concerns of their beneficiaries,” she says. With Belinda at its helm, IRemit Canada has made amazing progress with greater brand building, agent recruitment and staying true to its vision of providing more interesting and reliable services to Filipinos in Canada. Establishing a Filipino business
Belinda thinks it is not difficult for a Philippine corporation to make it in Canada in particular, but says “[entrepreneurs] should be open to learning the country’s rules and regulations, and exert diligence in meeting these regulations instead of exerting efforts in finding ways to get around them.” She emphasizes, “They have to be willing to go through the whole 9 yards of things rather than spend time trying to find short cuts right away. Experience is always a wise teacher. We have to be willing to be taught first. Somewhere down the road, once we become confident enough, we can actually teach our Canadian counterparts or service providers a thing or two. We have experienced this as well. That’s why we always have a mutually beneficial relationship with our Canadian counterparts, regulators and service providers.” She says, “My advice is for them to study the government regulations of Canada very well before they actually put in any amount of money to set-up so that they can gauge their ability to comply and not be placed at a disadvantage
when the time comes.” The I-Remit story continues
According to Belinda, “I-Remit in Canada will continue to search and reach out to all Filipinos in every corner of Canada, regardless of how many or few they may be in certain areas. From 4 branches in 2007, we now have 11.” The 11 includes a second branch in Calgary, the recently-set-up branch in Banff, Alberta and in Winnipeg, their first branch in the province of Manitoba. She adds, “We have about 100 agent-partners across Canada. As we speak, we have just initiated our expansion towards Atlantic Canada. We also intend to continue to be an active partner of government agencies in the Philippines such as SSS, Pagibig, PhilHealth and OWWA in providing payment services and more in-depth information especially to our Filipino workers in Canada as to the benefits that these agencies are making available to them and to their families in the Philippines. We will certainly continue to be an active supporter of civic and business organizations in Canada that likewise supports the needs of our fellow Filipinos.” Belinda is indefatigable, but she takes it one day at a time, secured in the knowledge that she is where she ought to be. ■ The Philippine Canadian Inquirer turns its focus on Filipino-Canadian entrepreneurs, top honchos, connectors, community leaders and movers and shakers who are willing to mentor fellow Filipinos in a series of entrepreneurship workshops to culminate in “The Philippine Canadian Inquirer” Appreciation and Awards Night and Gala. If you have someone in mind who fits the bill, please e-mail editor@canadianinquirer.net.
27 FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013
INFOGRAPHIC COURTESY OF LEO MARCO LUI
Tips on... from work such as extended unpaid leave, parental leave, and periods of unemployment. Some workers are exempt from this regulation and if you are not sure you should visit the CIC website or consult with an immigration professional. On a different note, and if, for instance, you are an Information Technology student who recently completed your study of an eligible 2-year diploma program and you are now wanting to work in Canada, you would qualify and must apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) within 90 days of receiving confirmation of your program completion in order to receive a 3-year open work permit. If you do not submit your application within the 90-day timeframe you will loose your chance to apply for the open work permit under the PGWPP. Please keep in mind that if you have a co-op work permit, that this is different from an open work permit. A co-op work permit is specific to giving you permission to work as part of your period of study. Having completed your school program and being ready to enter Canada’s workforce you must ask permission again from the government to legally work in Canada. Under the above scenario you would apply for an open work permit under the PGWPP that will allow you to work at essentially any job in Canada without restrictions for a period of three years. ❰❰ 22
Need help navigating the immigration process?
If you are not comfortable with the immigration process or have questions specific to your situation then you have several options to choose from. The best resource for keeping track of changes is directly from the websites of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and from the provincial/territorial governments. These pages are kept up-to-date and are the principal means through which the various governments keep the public informed of announcements and changes. Another reliable source of information about immigration are the highlights and facts presented in the news media. Also, if you conduct online research, again keep in mind that immi-
gration information and laws change frequently, and so you should always check that what you are reading is indeed current and valid. For a list of the Federal immigration programs see the following link: http:// goo.gl/HgmscC For a list of the provincial/ territorial immigration programs see the following link: http://goo.gl/D9s8N As well, you might have a local settlement agency or other not-for-profit group that might offer immigration services for low to no cost. Some organizations might even host free legal clinics for eligible individuals and often immigration professionals will volunteer their time to speak and advise at these sessions. If you wish to seek paid assistance with matters relating to immigration then be sure that he or she is a regulated immigration consultant, lawyer, notary (Quebec) or paralegal (Ontario). Licensed Immigration consultants are regulated by the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC). The ICCRC has been given the authority by the federal law granting eligible members to provide immigration services in Canada or abroad. A licensed immigration consultant RCIC requires completion of educational programs and each year must continue to upgrade their skills through professional development. Review Review Review
In general, the idea is to keep yourself aware of the options available to you and to review your specific situation from time to time to ensure that you are following your planned path or be aware of the new rules or regulations that may have affected you. Don’t take requirements such as timelines lightly as these are important and may have consequences if for example you misunderstand or missed a deadline. You also have a lot of resources available to assist with your immigration process from the various government websites, local notfor-profit resources, to possibly retaining an immigration professional. ■ Grace and Leo are licensed immigration consultants and members of the ICCRC. For questions or comments, email onthemovecolumn@gmail.com. Selected questions may be answered in this column. www.canadianinquirer.net
FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013
28
Road Trip
Philippine Roadtrip: highways, back roads and beyond BY LINGLING MARANANCLAVIER Special to Philippine Canadian Inquirer Last year, Philippine Canadian Inquirer started a series on the personal journey of author Lingling Maranan-Clavier throught he highways and back roads of beautiful Philippines. Here is part of her journey. FAILING TO get a space in the ferry for our trip to Iloilo, we decided to make the most of our stay in Bacolod and its vicinity. Gusty winds and rain were a fine excuse for us to take shelter in the famed ancestral houses of Silay City, a mere 15 kilometers away from Bacolod. The wealth spawned by the burgeoning sugar industry in the 19th and 20th centuries in the Negros provinces enabled the hacenderos to build illustrious houses, some of which have been converted into museums. First, we went to the Bernardino-Ysabel Jalandoni ancestral house. Otherwise known as the Pink House, this ancestral abode was built in 1908 and almost all of its furniture is from the period. An old caroza with the Virgin Mary is parked on the first floor of the house. Our tour guide said it is still being used during town fiestas. Upstairs, the high-ceilinged rooms are made airier by wide windows and the calados, carved art nouveau wooden pieces that allow cross- ventilation of the rooms. In the kitchen are several vintage house wares. There stands an old ceramic Berkefeld water filter brought from Germany that provided the house with clean drinking water. There is also a wooden ice chest where food was stored in the olden times. Back in the days when ice cubes were a rarity, steamboats from Massachusetts brought
Old-style iron made of hardwood
Wooden chest for imported ice cubes
A portion of the 7 kilometer bamboo walk along the Balaring mangrove
ice to the islands and were delivered to rich households for P5.00 a month. And to iron the clothes of the senor and senora, one flattened the garments between two pieces of rectangular hardwood (which surely bulked up one’s biceps,too). From the Pink House, we went to Balay Negrense, which is the ancestral house of the Gaston family. Monsieur Victor Leopold Gaston was a Frenchman who started sugar cultivation in Negros and jumpstarted the industry. His descendants continued the business, led very colorful lives, and had different ways with the family’s wealth. Today, the house could
be rented for receptions and other group events. It also has a gift shop that features artworks by Silay artists like Ian Valladarez who is a versatile sculptor working with coiled wire and terra cotta. Every 5th of November, Negrenses flock to the Balay Negrense for the annual Adobo Festival. Another Silay landmark is El Ideal Bakery (pronounced as “El Idjal”, a seaman from Silay whom I talked with at the Vancouver airport told me) which we did not want to miss for anything. Established in 1920, the bakery and restaurant is located in the Lacson-Locsin ancestral house. For food and nos-
talgia trippers, the restaurant has a wide selection of heritage recipes that have been passed on to the 4th generation of El Ideal’s owners. Cookies that were enjoyed back when Mister Donut and Auntie Anne’s pretzels were light years away in the future could be found here—senoritas, panuelitos de mangga, quinamonsil, banadas, broas, masa podrida, barquillos, piaya, and so much more. And soon to be a classic is El Ideal’s muchhankered for guapple pie. After a lunch of callos, molo soup and lumpiang ubod, we decided to visit barangay Balaring, the coastal mangrove community that is still within Silay City.
At a little past lunchtime, barangay Balaring was quiet except for the clinking of plates being washed and the faint music from a radio. People acknowledged our presence with a nod or a smile from open windows and doors, as we made our way past the houses to the entrance of the mangrove forest. A few minutes walk brought us to the gate of the 7- kilometer bamboo bridge that will take us through the mangroves, much like taking a treetop walk. The bridge was constructed by members of the Blaring Mangrove Planters Association (BAMPA) who are ❱❱ PAGE 31 Philippine Roadtrip
Road Trip
29 FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013
Laguna: A Foodie’s Delight BY CHING DEE Philippine Canadian Inquirer I SPENT my formative adult years (if there’s such a thing) in the laidback countryside of Laguna. Having laboratory classes among fruit trees and collecting leaf samples for projects, I just can’t help but fall in love with nature even if I grew up in the city. I realized that Laguna is so much more than just hot springs and belly-warming buko pie.
BY MARTHA WAGGONER The Associated Press
Munching by the Falls
The quiet town of Pagsanjan is best known for the breathtaking falls named after the town. But a stroll around the town center on a lazy Sunday afternoon brought us to a famous Pagsanjan original: Aling Taleng’s Halo-Halo. Established in 1933, Aling Taleng’s signature Halo-Halo marks its 80th anniversary this year. When we got there, the simple garage-turned-halohalo-parlor was almost packed! And once we’ve tasted their halo-halo, we finally understood why Aling Taleng’s has been a halo-halo institution for 80 years. It was absolutely delicious! For just PhP 75.00 (CAD$2.00), you get to taste authentic Pinoy cuisine in a tall glass. We even agreed that this should’ve been the halohalo that Anthony Bourdain tried. It was creamy, sweet, tangy, chewy, cold, refreshing, filling, and everything good in the world. And while most halo-halo variations all over the Philippines and abroad are topped with ube or leche flan or ice cream, Aleng Taleng’s is topped with their home-made sweetened kundol. It was a revelation! Chewy and sweet, its herb-y and fruity taste deliciously complements the cold and creamy milk. They sell the sweetened kundol for PhP170.00 (CAD$4.25) per jar, along with other Laguna delicacies that are perfect for pasalubong. Pagsanjan is also home to Calle Arco along Rizal Street. Behind its unassuming façade lies a restaurant. Charming and quaint, the restaurant has a very homey ambience. The furniture is mismatched yet works really well together, adding further depth and warmth to the
5 free things on Hatteras Island, NC, including lighthouses, a museum and a ferry
CALLE ARCO’s Spaghetti
place. Earth tones and warm colors complement the wooden furnishings, travel knickknacks, and various artworks displayed on the walls. Their bestseller is their signature Garlic Chicken, while the crowd favorite among the pasta choices is their Spaghetti, so of course we ordered both. Deprived of any ostentatious trimmings or overdone elegance, Calle Arco’s dishes are delightfully simple and will surely wow you with flavor. Their food presentation will lovingly remind you of your mom’s home-cooking. The Calle Arco Spaghetti is fit for the Pinoy palate: al dente pasta with tangy tomato sauce with just the right amount of sweetness, topped with some béchamel sauce instead of the usual grated cheese. The Garlic Chicken is a treat on its own and we understood why it’s their bestseller. The sweet and almost velvety brown garlic sauce seeks refuge within the crevices of the crunchy breaded chicken. The crispy chicken plus the smooth garlic sauce is a killer combo you will gladly take a bullet for. You would be remiss if you dine at Calle Arco without ordering their towering iced tea shake. It’s refreshingly tangy because of the lemon-flavored tea and its sweet
kick is a welcomed backnote by the time the cold concoction makes its way to your tummy. Calle Arco is also a bed & breakfast. The second level of the home-turned-restaurant has two guest rooms. For inquiries, you may contact them at 0927677-8581 and 0939-937-2429. Heaven Sent
Two jeepney rides and an hour from Pagsanjan is a place in Los Banos, Laguna more popularly known as “College.” Home to the University of the Philippines, thousands of students live around the area, that’s why this part of town is also the breeding place of dozens of great food experiences. One of which is Dal Cielo along Lopez Avenue. Translated from Italian, Dal Cielo means “heaven sent,” which you can clearly see the moment you take a look at their unique menu. Each part of your dining experience is named after a spiritual counterpart. Their glorious food is something short of a religious encounter, especially their penne pasta Bolognese, which struck the perfect balance between sweet and tangy. It was a wonderful, happy marriage between Pinoy and Italian in❱❱ PAGE 44 Laguna: A foodie’s
www.canadianinquirer.net
HATTERAS, N.C.—Hatteras Island along North Carolina’s Outer Banks is a fickle but alluring place. The island juts into the Atlantic, making it a bull’s-eye for high winds, waves and the occasional hurricane. Cautious vacationers listen to weather reports regularly to make sure they don’t need to evacuate ahead of an approaching storm. In August 2011, Hurricane Irene closed the only road across a bridge to the island, N.C. Highway 12, for weeks, and Superstorm Sandy did the same again last fall. Without the road, getting to and from the island requires two ferry rides—one from the mainland to Ocracoke Island, and a second one from Ocracoke to Hatteras. And yet the island’s appeals are irresistible—its beauty, its serenity, its calm. Yes, you can find plenty to do, such as fishing and wind surfing. But Hatteras also is the place to sit on the beach, walk on the beach and nap on the beach. The best part about Hatteras? Most of what makes it special is free. The beach
The Cape Hatteras National Seashore makes up much
of Hatteras Island, meaning there’s no development except in the seven villages—Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco and Hatteras. Some beaches are so narrow that waves lap under homes, while others are so wide that you’re out of breath by the time you get to the water, even if you’re lucky enough to stay in an oceanfront home. Vehicles are generally allowed on the beach, although not on the beaches in front of the villages during tourist season. Rules protecting birds and turtles mean driving is banned along some popular fishing areas at times so be sure to check. Details at http://www.nps.gov/ caha/index.htm . Graveyard Museum
of
the
Atlantic
Some 600 shipwrecks litter the Hatteras coastline, giving rise to its nickname, Graveyard of the Atlantic. Most of the wrecks have been blamed on Diamond Shoals, an area of shifting sand bars that extends 14 miles (22.5 kilometres) into the Atlantic. The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras is dedicated to local seafaring history. The museum’s focal point is a 12-foot-tall (3.6-meter) lens ❱❱ PAGE 44 5 free things
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Road Trip
31 FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013
Wooden bastidors where pina and jusi cloths are stretched for embroidery An old woman tends to the tree seedlings to be planted or sold
Philippine Roadtrip... also stewards of the 50-hectare coastal area. As we walked, we saw community members mending the bamboo bridge, a young woman and a grandmother, almost knee-deep in mud, potting and planting seedlings of the bakhaw, bungalon, and pagatpat trees. The people of Balaring take care of the area for ecological and economic reasons. They work hard so that all living creatures in the mangrove may survive and so that they themselves may derive earnings from selling the tree seedlings, the sea shells and crabs that thrive in the place. Anyone who stops to observe will see bright mud crabs going about their business among the sprouting seedlings. One could also hear a variety of chirps and squawks and if one has the foresight (which we did not have) to bring along a pair of binoculars, she or he could chance upon an egret, a heron, or a kingfisher. I felt lucky to have spotted a ❰❰ 28
white egret. At the end of the bamboo bridge is a 300-foot tower where one could look out over the Guimaras Strait and see the fish pens, and the comings and goings of different types of sea vessels. The next day we were able to finally board the ferry to Iloilo. I have no recollection of this trip except for the worst headache I have ever had that made me want to be some place else, outside of my physical body. After being checked and medicated by Dr. Rolando. Padilla, Jr. a very hands-on neurosurgeon in Iloilo, and a day’s rest, I was ready for a visit to the Asilo de Milo. Founded in 1912, Asilo de Milo was once an orphanage. Today, the charitable institution is run by the Daughters of Charity as a shelter for abandoned and abused elderly. But what brings local and foreign tourists to its doors are its exquisitely hand- embroidered products. The fine art of hand
embroidery was passed down and kept alive by generations of nuns, and workers, some of whom were also beneficiaries of the former orphanage. We were let into the work room by one of the staff who showed us intricately hand- stitched barong Tagalog, priestly vestments, table cloths, baby dresses, pillow cases, hats and greeting cards. Pina and jusi cloths—all worksin-progress—were stretched on rectangular wooden bastidor. The designs were drawn by hand and stitched with silk thread. An embroidered material fit for a barong takes a month to finish. That which is made of pina cloth costs around 10,000 pesos while one of jusi could be had for 8,000 pesos. The sale from the products sustains the shelter for the elderly. As souvenirs of our visit, we bought two old-fashioned embroidered handkerchiefs for the dainty price of P350.00 a piece for two thoroughly modern daughters. ■
The sugar farm worker a sculpture by Silay artist Ian Valladarez that is made of one piece of copper wire
Hard work is what it takes to protect the mangroves of Balaring
The living room of the Bernardino Ysabel Jalandoni ancestral house
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FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013
32
Entertainment
FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT, CANADA!
Pinoy Music Artists Making Waves BY SOCORROBABES NEWLAND
“ORIGINAL PINOY Music Festival” at the Plaza of Nations, 750 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver, B.C. GMA International has partnered once again with Filipino Canadian Marketing Group (FCMG) in co-presenting the annual Vancouver’s OPM Music Festival in Canada last Sunday, July 21. This year’s festivities was top billed by the popular Kapuso love team of the Aljur Abrenica and sultry actress Kris Bernal, both emerged winners of the realitybased artista search StarStruck: The Next Level. They were also met-and-greeted by local media at Max’s Restaurant Philippine Cuisine on July 19. About 5,000 people braved the sweltering sunny weather to witness and enjoy the performances of Aljur and Kris; OPM prime exponent Ms Joey Albert and local talents—KrewMatik, Supremong Musikero, Vancouver’s Philippine Consulate General’s Singing Prodigy “Jandy”, Marion Torres, Morgan Holmstrom, Ria
Jade, Reyfort Media Talents, Dynamix Band and First Inversion Band, amongst others. FCMG President, Faye Nalicat-Auyong, was quoted as saying, “our group is hoping to have a much bigger festival presentation next year wherein more noted local artists will be featured.” Vancouver’s 1st and Only Filipino Radio Experience Playing OPM 6 Days a Week—PINOY JUAN RADIO 96.1FM and Philippine Canadian Inquirer were proud media partners of this event. *** “Surrey Fusion Festival” at the Holland Park, Surrey, BC. – It was a paroxysm of colour, cultural diversity and music attended by approximatel1y 100,000 people. According to spokeswoman Gwen Kallio, “the event’s success is largely due to return audiences who’ve grown fond of the festival’s atmosphere, with some travelling from as far as Oregon to attend.” There were some 35 cultural pavilions, fun-filled activity areas for kids; and performers headlined by Zolas and K-Os. The crowd was swooned by Filipino-Canadian Pop R&B warbler and Powerhouse Station Artist Jerrica Santos as she performed on the Chevron
stage with her unique takes of pop mix hits like Girl on Fire, Rolling in the Deep and her newest electronic dance music (EDM) original “Illuminate”. Trevor Hoffman, an award winning Composer, Producer and Pianist also came out to provide musical accompaniment to Jerrica; while the latter, herself a classically-trained pianist, also took the keys halfway through her set as she rendered own original compositions. ■ babescastronewland@gmail.com
Powerhouse Station Artist Jerrica Santos
The author, with GMA stars Aljur Abrenica and Kris Bernal, Jerrica Santos, PCI’s Laarni de Paula and Juan TV’s Paolo Valdes
Sunshine Cruz jokes about ‘boyfriend’ rumors Philippine Canadian Inquirer SUNSHINE CRUZ played around with rumors that she already has a boyfriend after her estranged husband Cesar Montano allegedly confirmed the issue on Instagram. In the social networking site Instagram, she posted a photo of a man standing behind her and placed a caption: “Love you
Erlie Bentayao aka Vans #myboyfriend :p.” ABS-CBN news later said that the man was Cruz’s personal makeup artist. The actress continues to keep her silence, and posts via her Instagram account, "I’m speechless" and "Good Vibes na lang." Also via Instagram, she announced that she will be turning 36 on July 28, “I’m proud
of my age, independence and I could honestly say I’m in a much better place now. I thank God for another year. Maraming salamat po sa lahat ng bumati…” After a great performance in her comeback project “Dugong Buhay,” she is now preparing for a new television project, ABS-CBN’s upcoming fantasy series “Galema,” topbilled by Andi Eigenmann. ■
PHOTO FROM ABSCBN.COM
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33 FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013
Lebron in Manila, the bullying of Suri Cruise, Adam Levine is engaged BY PAM PASTOR Philippine Daily Inquirer
Tuesday. The little girl won hearts all over the world with her makeup tutorials and cancer vlogs, inspiring other young cancer patients with her positive outlook. “What do you want me to do, be depressed? But a little fish told me, ‘Just keep swimming, just keep swimming,’” she said to Ellen, quoting Ellen’s character Dory in the movie “Finding Nemo.” “Just keep swimming” has become the mantra of Talia’s friends and fans, with some of them getting the message tattooed. “You are one of the bravest people I know... I always wanted to meet you but someday I will in heaven,” one of her fans wrote.
HOW MUCH do you love LeBron James? Over 6,000 fans expressed their adoration for the four-time NBA MVP by lining up at Nike Bonifacio High Street to get their hands on free tickets to his Witness History Tour. Some even stayed at the venue overnight, hoping to get first dibs. Nike Philippines is bringing LeBron James to Manila for the July 23 event at the Mall of Asia Arena. For more info on the tour, follow @NikePH. Breaking hearts
Adam Levine has proposed to Victoria’s Secret model Behati Prinsloo, breaking a lot of hearts in the process. There have been a lot of funny tweets about this and this is one of our favorites: “Oh, and Adam Levine is engaged. Excuse me as I cry and eat whatever’s in my freezer.” Verbal abuse
Katie Holmes and 7 year-old daughter Suri Cruise were flocked by fans and paparazzi while walking to their car in New York. Annoyed by the attention, Suri said, “We’re trying get through!”
Faith in humanity Adam Levine has proposed to Supermodel girlfriend Behati Prinsloo (photo above) PHOTO BY ANTON OPARIN / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
and “Get out of the way!” One of the paparazzi responded: “Bye, Suri, you little brat!” When another man reacted to his remark, he kept repeating it and called her a b*tch. The video has caused outrage. This kid has been hounded by photographers since she was a baby and now she has to deal with verbal abuse? Not okay.
Sad goodbye to Talia
The news reached people through Facebook: “It is with a heavy heart that we share with all of you that Talia has earned her wings at 11:22 a.m.” Thirteen-year-old Talia Joy Castellano, YouTube sensation and Ellen DeGeneres’ honorary CoverGirl, lost her seven-year battle against cancer last
Charice gets several singing engagements in the U.S.
Charice
Philippine Canadian Inquirer Charice is determined to prove her worth, especially after admitting that she is a lesbian. One big proof: She topped the recently concluded American-based girl-on-girl website autostraddle.com’s list of 105 Hotties You Will Like Who Also Like Girls. In a live interview on GMA-7’s “Unang Hirit,” she said: "Parang walang naniniwala (laughs), pero siyempre kinakabahan (ako).” (It seems that no believes it, but of course I am nervous.)
PHOTO COURTESY OF ABS-CBN.COM
One month after her big admission, the 21-year-old singer has made headlines in the United States because of her long list of singing engagements. "Actually po sa August po kasi mag-fly po ako sa Chicago para kumanta ng national anthem sa isang event, then photo shoot po para sa magazine, then fly po ako sa Germany para sa isang event.” (I will fly in August to Chicago to sing the national anthem at an event, followed by a photo shoot for a magazine. Then, I will fly .to Germany for another event.) She will return to the Philippines in September to grace the release of her album “Chapter 10.” ■ www.canadianinquirer.net
We’d like to shake the hands of Temar Boggs and Chris Garcia if we could. The 15-yearolds rescued a five-year-old kidnapped in Pennsylvania. Jocelyn Rojas had been missing for two hours when Temar and Chris spotted her inside a stranger’s car. They chased the car on their bikes. “The guy started noticing that we were chasing him... he let her out and she ran to me and said that she needed her mom,” Temar told CNN. As the people on Reddit would say: faith in humanity restored. ■
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‘The Wolverine’ goes east Hugh Jackman’s latest film is a stylish character study of the mutant hero–with lots of ninjas BY RUEL S. DE VERA Philippine Daily Inquirer AT THIS POINT in his uncanny evolution as an artist, Hugh Jackman is known as an astonishingly versatile actor, who sang his way to an Oscar nomination as noble Jean Valjean in 2012’s “Les Misérables,” controlled robots as Charlie Kenton in 2011’s “Real Steel,” and performed sleight-of-hand as Robert Angier in 2006’s “The Prestige.” Yet he was a virtual unknown when he replaced another actor in the role of Logan, also known as Wolverine, in Bryan Singer’s game-changing 2000 film “XMen.” The film paved the way for comic book movies to become part of mainstream cinema. Playing Wolverine changed everything for Jackman as well. He has become a movie celebrity and is mostly associated with the ferocious Canadian with the Adamantium claws and the wicked healing factor, one of Marvel Comics’ popular characters. Aside from headlining the three original “X-Men” movies, Jackman’s Wolverine starred in a solo film—the well-intentioned if somewhat overloaded “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” in 2009. That movie dealt with Logan’s past, as does his second solo outing, “The Wolverine.” On the run
Interestingly, “The Wolverine” is not really a sequel to “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” but instead is a direct sequel to 2006’s “XMen: The Last Stand.” After the tragic events in that film, Logan is now a recluse in the wilderness, haunted by the ghost of his beloved Jean Grey (Famke Jannsen), when an enigmatic woman named Yukio (quirky Rila Fukushima) invites him to travel to Tokyo. During World War II, Loganwas a prisoner of war in a camp near Nagasaki when the city is devastated by the American atomic bomb. Using his powers, Logan saved a kind prison guard named Yashida, whoisnowone of Japan’s most powerful businessmen. But Yashida is dying and his last wish is to see
Megan Young submits application to Miss World Philippines Philippine Canadian Inquirer
Hugh Jackman
PHOTO FROM FEATUREFLASH / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Logan again. Upon arriving in Japan, Logan learns that Yashida seeks to prolong his life and grant Logan’s deepest desire by stealing Logan’s healing factor, enabling Logan to die. “I can make you mortal,” Yashida says. Logan refuses, but when Yashida’s empire is passed on to his beautiful daughter Mariko (newcomer Tao Okamoto), Logan goes on the run to defend her and discovers he has been de-powered. The truth behind that mystery leads to deadly, surprising places. Based on the comic books by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller, “The Wolverine” is directed by James Mangold, (“Walk the Line,” “3:10 to Yuma”) who approaches “The Wolverine” as a deep character study of Logan—what drives him and what wounds him. The man and the warrior
Mangold explores the idea of Logan seeing himself as a ronin (a samurai without a master). This film shakes itself free from most of its “X-Men” connections, and focuses on Logan the man and Wolverine the warrior. Though “The Wolverine” is full of dramatic scenes, it is also loaded with ninja-heavy action sequences, including an audacious battle on top of a speeding bullet train. Yukio proves quite adept with a blade, and Logan finds himself in hand-to-hand combat almost all through the film. Martial arts with sci-fi
It’s more of a martial arts
movie with sci-fi elements than your usual comic book adaptation. The Japanese setting allows cinematographer Ross Emery and production designer François Audouy to give “The Wolverine” a very stylish feel that is also true to the original comic book material. Those unfamiliar with the last “X-Men” films should bone up on the events in those movies to be current with the premise of “The Wolverine.” Additionally, stick around for the credits so you don’t miss anything (hint, hint). Jackman gets to employ his acting chops more than in his previous appearances as Logan, while also giving the part a hefty physicality. Fukushima’s sword-wielding Yukio makes for an energetic partner. Providing the requisite villainy is the seductive but scary Viper, a classic Marvel baddie, played with relish by Russian actress Svetlana Khodchenkova. This is the sixth time Jackman plays Logan and it is clear no one else can be “The Wolverine.” He will reprise the part in next year’s highly anticipated “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” a time-travel epic also based on a fan-favorite story arc that basically unites all of the previous “X-Men” actors. But if you really want to know what makes him tick—his “Xfactor,” so to speak—you need to witness “The Wolverine,” the art of war according to Logan, and a film that redefines figuratively and literally what he is. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net
MEGAN YOUNG, a graduating Film student and a star of the “Misibis,” recently announced via her Twitter account that she has pursued her dream to be a candidate in the Miss World Philippines by submitting her application last July 15. Her Twitter post reads: “The heat is on! @meganbata has submitted her documents for #missworldPH2013 yesterday at the QC office! Are you ready? Let’s do this! #teambata.”
Early this year, the modelactress was not allowed by the Binibining Pilipinas to undergo screening allegedly because she posed for a men’s magazine (Rogue, in its March 2012 issue). In 2009, Miss Philippines Earth titlist Sandra Seifert was also disqualified to join the Bb. Pilipinas under the same grounds. Miss World Philippines will be crowned in August, giving her one month to prepare for the 63rd edition of the Miss World pageant to be held in Indonesia. ■
Hosts Megan Young and Matteo Guidicelli
Pilita Corrales receives National Treasure award Philippine Canadian Inquirer “ASIA’S QUEEN of Songs” Pilita Corrales is the new National Treasure after being awarded thus by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). Coinciding with a concert billed, “A National Treasure,” the awarding ceremony was led by the chairman of the NCCA, Prof. Felipe Padilla de Leon, Jr. Undoubtedly a gem in Philippine music, de Leon,Jr. described Corrales, who will be turning 74 this August, as “a singer for all seasons” and the
"the very soul of the Filipino.” Ageless beauty
Noticeably, the Asia’s Queen of Songs is wrinkle-free and many presumed that it is because of stem cell therapy. But the singer strongly denied it: “I’ll pay 800,000? 1 million ba ‘yun? For stem cell? I can’t afford it. I think it’s just the attitude of the person… living a good life. Really, the most important thing is healthy eating.” Her beauty secret is simple: “10 glasses of water a day…with sea salt on the tongue. Everything you’ll have will go.” ■
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35 FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013
Thriller about Julian Assange to open Toronto International Film Festival BY CASSANDRA SZKLARSKI The Canadian Press
PHOTO FROM S_BUKLEY / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Amanda Bynes held for mental evaluation after allegedly starting fire in California driveway BY CHRISTOPHER WEBER The Associated Press THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.—Actress Amanda Bynes was hospitalized for a mental health evaluation after deputies said she started a small fire in the driveway of a home in Southern California. Deputies responding to a 911 call Monday night found Bynes, 27, standing next to the flames in the city of Thousand Oaks, according to Ventura County sheriff”s Capt. Don Aguilar. The deputies determined she met the criteria for a mental health hold and took her into custody. She can be held for up to 72 hours of observation. No charges were filed, Aguilar said. Richard Hutton and David Feldman, who are listed as Bynes” attorneys in industry databases, refused to comment Tuesday. The former Nickelodeon actress has had several run-ins with the law in California. In December, the “Hairspray” star resolved a misdemeanour hit-and-run case after entering into a civil settlement with other drivers. She was charged last fall with driving on a suspended license after it was temporarily
taken away from her following two hit-and-run cases where she was accused of leaving the scene without providing proper information. She has also pleaded not guilty to drunken driving in a separate case. Earlier this month Bynes appeared in a New York court on allegations that she chucked a marijuana bong out the window of her 36th-floor Manhattan apartment. She also has taken to social media to criticize a host of celebrities recently. In the late 1990s and early 2000s Bynes was one of the hottest actors on children”s TV. Beginning in 2000, she won four consecutive Kids Choice Awards for best television actress, the first for her role in the ensemble kids comedy-variety show “All That” and the others for her starring vehicle “The Amanda Show.” She also received Kids Choice Awards for best movie actress awards in 2003 and 2004 for the films “Big Fat Liar” and “What A Girl Wants.” Bynes, who grew up in Thousand Oaks, also starred in the popular television series “What I Like About You,” which aired from 2002 to 2006, and several TV movies before her career began to decline. ■
TORONTO—A dramatic thriller about controversial WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will open this year’s Toronto International Film Festival while hotly anticipated features from directors Steve McQueen, Denis Villeneuve, Justin Chadwick and Matthew Weiner will make world premieres. British actor Benedict Cumberbatch stars as the infamous Assange in “The Fifth Estate,” the Bill Condon-directed film that will kick off the star-studded Toronto fest on Sept. 5. Cumberbatch is also among the stars of McQueen’s “12 Years a Slave,” which tells the true story of a free black man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in 1841 and features turns from Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Paul Dano and Paul Giamatti. Festival director Piers Handling says he was struck by the number of films that deal with issues of freedom, noting that Chadwick’s “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” with Idris Elba will also debut at the fest. “It’s so much about people fighting to liberate themselves,” Handling said following a press conference Tuesday that revealed big-name gala and special presentations. “I mean that’s what Mandela is all about. We’re showing a film on Lech Walesa, of course that’s what the fight that he led in Poland is all about. (With) Julian Assange it’s all about freedom—freedom of information, freedom of access.” New films from directors Atom Egoyan, Alfonso Cuaron, Jason Reitman, Mike Myers and John Wells are also headed to the festival, widely regarded as a key platform for Oscar hopefuls. Wells has stacked his family dramedy “August: Osage County,” with A-listers including Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Ewan McGregor and Sam Shepard. It’s based on the Pulitzer Prize-and Tony Awardwinning 2007 play. Meanwhile, Cuaron helms the 3D thriller “Gravity,” which stars Sandra Bullock as a brainy medical engineer who embarks on her first shuttle mission with www.canadianinquirer.net
help from an astronaut played by George Clooney. It will also open the Venice International Film Festival, starting Aug. 28. Reitman’s “Labor Day” casts Kate Winslet, Josh Brolin and Tobey Maguire in a tale about a 13-year-old and his mother who unwittingly taking an escaped convict into their home, while Egoyan will debut “Devil’s Knot,” based on the true story of three teens dubiously convicted of killing three children in a small Arkansas town. It stars Reese Witherspoon, Colin Firth and Kevin Durand. Canadian director Don McKellar scores a prestigious gala slot for his Newfoundland-set film “The Grand Seduction,” an English-language remake of the 2003 Francophone film, “Le Grande Seduction.” It centres on a small town desperate to lure a doctor so that it can also get a factory, with Taylor Kitsch as the wooed doctor and Brendan Gleeson as a villager who does everything he can to make him stay. Myers, meanwhile, makes his directorial debut with “Supermensch The Legend of Shep Gordon,” a documentary about the wild life of the veteran music executive, who is also a longtime pal of Myers’. The fest will close with director Daniel Schechter’s “Life of Crime,” featuring Jennifer Aniston and Mos Def. Based on an Elmore Leonard novel, it’s described by Handling as “a very light, fluffy crime caper.” In the past, organizers traditionally picked a Canadian film to kick off the festivities, but more recently they have looked internationally for buzzy titles with emerging stars. The DreamWorks film “The Fifth Estate” is especially timely and should get people talking, says Handling. “Over the last five years I guess we’ve shown four international and one Canadian (film). Traditionally we used to open with a Canadian film. I think we’re open to anything at this point in time but we wanted to have the freedom to just invite anything,” he says. “If there’s a film of that kind of stature that we are excited about we would definitely open with a Canadian film but this year we are opening with ‘Fifth Estate’ and we’re delighted.”
The 11-day festival will also mark the world premiere of Villeneuve’s “Prisoners,” which stars Hugh Jackman as a father pursuing his missing six-year-old daughter with help from a detective portrayed by Jake Gyllenhaal. Other potential highlights include: Montreal director JeanMarc Vallee’s “Dallas Buyers Club,” a fact-based drama about an HIV-afflicted Texas electrician starring Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner and Jared Leto; “Third Person” from London, Ont.-born director Paul Haggis, which follows three couples in three cities and stars Liam Neeson, Mila Kunis and James Franco; and “You Are Here,” the feature-film debut of “Mad Men” creator Weiner that stars Owen Wilson and Zach Galifianakis as childhood friends who struggle to handle a large inheritance. Handling says Canadian directors Villeneuve and Vallee have each grown into “incredible filmmakers.” “And both of them I think have made films that I think will surprise people,” he says. “We’ve followed Denis since he was a young filmmaker, the same with Jean-Marc, so it’s wonderful to see them arrive in the international stage. JeanMarc closed the festival a few years ago with ‘The Young Victoria,’ Denis’s been here a number of times before with a film. (They are) two of the supreme talents working in Canada.” The festival will also feature the directorial debuts of several well known-actors, including Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s “Don Jon,” Keanu Reeves’ “Man of Tai Chi” and Jason Bateman’s “Bad Words.” One of the last performances by James Gandolfini will also be unspooled, when Nicole Holofcener’s comedy “Enough Said” makes its world premiere. The “Sopranos” star, who died last month, plays the love interest of a divorced woman played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus. The Hollywood Reporter reports that another posthumous release comes by way of “All The Wrong Reasons,” an ensemble drama co-starring late “Glee” star Cory Monteith as a department store manager. Festival organizers would not confirm whether the film will join the lineup. ■
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10 things to know about royal baby traditions in Britain BY SYLVIA HUI The Associated Press LONDON—Prince William and Kate are seen as the new face of a centuries-old institution, keeping the best of traditions while moving forward with the times. Here are 10 things to know about the royal baby in relation to royal births of the past: Homebirthing
Most people take a hospital birth for granted these days, but just a few decades ago the custom among royals—as it was among commoners—was to give birth at home. Queen Elizabeth II was born at 17 Bruton Street in London, a private family home, and she gave birth to her sons Charles, Andrew and Edward in Buckingham Palace. Her only daughter, Princess Anne, was born at Clarence House, also a royal property. That changed by the 1980s, when Princes William and Harry were both born at the private Lindo Wing of St. Mary’s hospital in central London. Home schooling
For a long time, royals were educated in private. The queen was taught at home by her father, tutors and governesses, and never mingled with commoners at a school, college or university. Charles was the first royal heir to have gone to school, and William and Kate, who were both educated at independent schools, will doubtless have their child do the same. Dads in the delivery room
William has said he “fully intends” to be there with Kate when she gives birth, in line with the expectations of many modern parents. He follows in the footsteps of his father,
Charles, who declared how much he relished being in the delivery room in a letter to his godmother, Patricia Brabourne. “I am so thankful I was beside Diana’s bedside the whole time because by the end of the day I really felt as though I’d shared deeply in the process of birth,” Charles wrote shortly after William’s birth. Things were quite different when Charles was born. When the queen (then Princess Elizabeth) went into labour, her husband, Prince Philip, was off playing squash in the palace—out of restlessness, not indifference, noted Charles’ biographer Jonathan Dimbleby.
ness the birth. How many names?
Apart from the baby’s gender, the biggest guessing game ahead of the royal birth has to be the name. Most royals have three to four first names, usually in a combination that honours previous monarchs or
And the last name?
The royals don’t require a surname. The correct title when referring to the royal baby will be His or Her Royal Highness Prince or Princess (name) of Cambridge. If required, current members of the royal household may use Mountbatten-Windsor, the surname adopted in 1960 for all of the queen’s children. (That name combines Windsor, the family name adopted by King George V in 1917 to replace Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, and Prince Philip’s family name, Mountbatten). Prince William, t h e heir of
A plain old easel vs. Twitter
The traditional way the palace announces a royal baby’s birth to the world is as quaint as it gets: A messenger with the news travels by car from the hospital to Buckingham Palace, carrying a piece of paper detailing the infant’s gender, weight and time of birth. The bulletin is then posted on a wooden easel on the palace’s forecourt for everyone to see. In the old days the announcement was made to the wider public by a reader on radio, but today that’s replaced by the Internet and social media: As soon as the bulletin is fixed on the easel, officials will post the news on Twitter to millions of followers worldwide. To nanny or not?
Official intruders
In the early 1900s—and probably before—custom dictated that government officials should be present when a royal was born. When the queen was born in 1926, for example, the home secretary was present among the doctors. The current home secretary, Theresa May, said the centuries-old tradition required the official to attend “as evidence that it was really a royal birth and the baby hadn’t been smuggled in.” Fortunately for Kate—the practice was abolished years ago by George VI. The custom is thought to have been linked to the so-called “warming pan plot” of 1688, when rumours swirled that the supposed child of James II was sneaked into the delivery room in a long-handled bed-warming pan. Some 40 to 60 people were said to have dropped in to wit-
sic Room.
relatives. The queen’s full name is Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, after her mother, greatgrandmother and grandmother, and William’s full name is William Arthur Philip Louis. If you believe the bookmakers, the royal baby’s first name is most likely to be Alexandra, Charlotte, Elizabeth for a girl, and George or James for a boy. In any case, it could take a while for the public to find out the future monarch’s name. When William was born, it took a full week before his name was announced.
Charles, the Prince of Wales, is known as Flight Lt. Wales when on military duty. Christening?
Royal babies tend to be officially christened several days to weeks after they are born, and there are a few potential places this could take place for the new baby. The queen was christened in the private chapel at Buckingham Palace, while both William and his father Charles were christened in the palace’s Mu-
William and Kate have not made any public announcements about hiring a nanny to help them bring up their child. Many expect the couple to be more hands-on parents than earlier generations of royals, and some have speculated that because of the couple’s close ties with Kate’s parents, Michael and Carole Middleton will also have a big role in helping Kate with the baby. Nannies have always been central to bringing up royal babies. Charles was famously close to his nannies, and William and Harry also enjoyed a bond with their former nanny Tiggy Legge-Bourke—who was so well known that she herself frequently appeared in the news. A welcome with a bang
Some things don’t really change. A 62-gun salute from the Tower of London and a 41gun salute from Green Park, near Buckingham Palace, will welcome the baby into the world with a bang, just as it did when previous royals were born. If the baby is born on a weekday, the salute will be mounted within six hours; if it’s a weekend birth, the salute will wait until Monday, the Ministry of Defence says. ■
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Canadian scientists helping to unravel the secret of the universe’s existence BY VIVIAN LUK The Canadian Press VANCOUVER—Science is one step closer to solving one of the most profound mysteries in the cosmos due to what an international team of physicists say is an unprecedented observation about a fundamental particle in the universe. Representatives from a team of 400 scientists from 11 countries, including Canada, revealed Friday that, for the first time, a muon neutrino was seen transformed into an electron neutrino— something never witnessed before. The observation, announced at the European Physical Society Conference on High Energy Physics in Stockholm, allows for the possibility that neutrinos’ counterpart, anti-neutrinos, may not behave in the same way. If that’s the case, it may help explain why the universe is made up of mostly matter and not antimatter—a phenomenon that scientists have been trying to unravel for years, said University of British Columbia physicist Hirohisa Tanaka. Tanaka, who led a group responsible for analyzing data in the neutrino experiment known as T2K, said neutrinos come in three types and are intrinsically linked to matter. Their counterparts, anti-neutrinos, also come in the same three types, and are similarly linked to anti-matter. When the universe was created, the Big Bang converted energy into matter and antimatter—two materials that destroy each other when they come into contact. “In some sense, we’re asking why anything exists at all, if it wasn’t annihilated by equal quantities of matter and antimatter,” Tanaka said in an interview. “There’s some kind of imbalance that occurred when the matter became dominant, and that is something that we can’t explain.” Antimatter has been the fodder for many science fiction enthusiasts, used to power starships in Star Trek, and threatened to annihilate the Vatican in
the popular 2000 novel Angels and Demons. In the T2K experiment, scientists created muon neutrinos with a particle accelerator at a facility on the east coast of Japan and shot a beam of them through the ground. Three hundred kilometres at the other side of the country, the neutrinos were observed in a massive detector called the Super-Kamiokande. The project began in 2010 and was interrupted in March 2011 when the earthquake severely damaged the accelerator. But Tanaka said through a “heroic effort,” the team managed to pull everything back together in six months. Tanaka said scientists had always deduced muon neutrinos could transform into electron neutrinos, but this is the first time anyone has seen one disappear and the other appear. Now scientists want to see if neutrinos’ counterparts will do the same thing, he said. If it turns out that anti-muon neutrinos do not transform into anti-electron neutrinos at the same pace, then that could point to an asymmetry between electron neutrinos and anti-electron neutrinos. While that imbalance doesn’t necessarily solve the matter-antimatter conundrum, it’s a start, said Tanaka. “There are a family of particles, and by studying one, you can sort of infer some of the properties of others in the family,” he said. “And it’s actually other members of the family that we believe are responsible for this imbalance in the universe.” Tanaka said to see whether an imbalance exists between the way muon neutrinos and anti-muon neutrinos transform, an enormous cavern would need to be dug out of a mountain to fit in a much larger detector—a project that is currently in the proposal stage. “By studying these elementary particles, we’re sort of looking at the universe near the time of the Big Bang,” he said. “It gives us a glimpse into what might have happened, what particles where doing, and explaining how the universe started from the Big Bang to where we are now, with galaxies, and molecules and...people.” ■
35 years, 268 stores, 13 brands–how an ‘80s shoe company became the only one of its kind left standing ‘We continue to sharpen our saw. We are, after all, against behemoths,’ says Arturo Alli Jr., COO of Celine Marketing Corp. BY CHECHE V. MORAL Philippine Daily Inquirer IN RETAIL, if you don’t adapt, you lose. You fail to evolve, and you’re booted out of the game for good. It seems adapting and evolving are two things Celine Marketing Group has had no trouble doing. The 35-year-old shoe company behind such labels as CLN (formerly known as Celine), CMG and Traffic, is practically the only one left standing among the key players in local shoe retail from the 1980s and ‘90s. While its contemporaries’ presence in major malls has tapered significantly in the last decade, CMG has sprouted to 268 stores nationwide, with 66 boutiques for its flagship brand, CLN, alone—all com-
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panyowned. It has weathered competition, even from global brands that continue to pose a challenge to homegrown labels. “I believe only those who continue to understand who their consumers are and offer differentiated products not only survive but profitably compete,” says Arturo Alli Jr., chief operations officer of Celine Marketing Corp. He notes that nearly all of the company’s competitors in the early ‘80s are all but gone. “At their height, they each had about 60 stores; now they’re mostly out of SM.” Success story
From a single brand, CMG now has over 13 labels under its portfolio, and ❱❱ PAGE 38 35 years
Lifestyle
FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013 38
Regularly skipping breakfast raises risk of heart attacks 27 per cent, a new study suggests BY MIKE STOBBE The Associated Press ATLANTA—Another reason to eat breakfast: Skipping it may increase your chances of a heart attack. A study of older men found those who regularly skipped breakfast had a 27 per cent higher risk of a heart attack than those who ate a morning meal. There’s no reason why the results wouldn’t apply to other people, too, the Harvard researchers said. Other studies have suggested a link between breakfast and obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and other health problems seen as precursors to heart problems. “But no studies looked at long-term risk of heart attack,” said Eric Rimm, one of the study authors at the Harvard School of Public Health. Why would skipping breakfast be a heart attack risk? Experts aren’t certain, but here’s what they think: People who don’t eat breakfast are more likely to be hungrier later in the day and eat larger meals. Those meals mean the body must process a larger amount of calories in a shorter amount of time. That can spike sugar levels in the blood and perhaps lead to clogged arteries. But is a stack of syrupy pancakes, greasy eggs and lots of bacon really better than eating nothing? The researchers did not ask what the study participants ate for breakfast, and were not prepared to pass judgment on whether a fatty, sugary breakfast is better than no breakfast at all. Other experts agreed that it’s hard to say. “We don’t know whether it’s the timing or content of breakfast that’s important. It’s probably both,” said Andrew Odegaard, a University of Minnesota researcher who has studied a link between skipping breakfast and health problems
like obesity and high blood pressure. “Generally, people who eat breakfast tend to eat a healthier diet,” he added. The new research was released Monday by the journal Circulation. It was an observational study, so it’s not designed to prove a cause and effect. But when done well, such studies can reveal important health risks. The researchers surveyed nearly 27,000 men about their eating habits in 1992. About 13 per cent of them said they regularly skipped breakfast. They all were educated health professionals—like dentists and veterinarians—and were at least 45. Over the next 16 years, 1,527 suffered fatal or non-fatal heart attacks, including 171 who had said they regularly skipped breakfast. In other words, over 7 per cent of the men who skipped breakfast had heart attacks, compared to nearly 6 per cent of those who ate breakfast. The researchers calculated the increased risk at 27 per cent, taking into account other factors like smoking, drinking, diet and health problems like high blood pressure and obesity. As many as 18 per cent of U.S. adults regularly skip breakfast, according to federal estimates. So the study could be important news for many, Rimm said. “It’s a really simple message,” he said. “Breakfast is an important meal.”
“WE’RE creating products that will allow us to compete in affordable luxury, apart from our value pricing,” says Alli. Bag and shoes from CMG
35 years... it’s adding more as it becomes aggressive in its move to license, distribute, acquire and merge with other brands. Apart from shoes, the multi-brand shop’s offerings now include accessories and apparel. Recently, it acquired an 80-percent stake in the Singapore-based Chocolate Schubar brand, originally brought in by the group of Ruby Gan. It also distributes Staccato, and owns Figlia, Figliarina, SO! Fab, Shubizz, as well as the shoe license for Barbie. For the first time, it also participated in the recent Singapore trade show, Blueprint, to attract international buyers. The local shoe industry might have suffered tremendously from global competition in recent years. But “Filipinos still buy Filipino,” Alli believes. “Bench would be one of your success stories,” he adds, referring to the local apparel behemoth, which has expanded globally with stores overseas. Filipino brands have an opportunity to go international, he says. At the Blueprint regional trade show, Alli reports they received inquiries from the American boutique chain Anthropologie, as well as distributors from the Middle East and Indonesia. ❰❰ 37
Beginnings
Like its contemporaries, CMG began as a one-store setup in 1978. It was founded by a couple named Ben and Vicky Chan (the CMG chair is a namesake of the Bench founder, no relawww.canadianinquirer.net
tion). As the local shoe industry succumbed to the high cost of manufacturing and the competition posed by cheap China imports, the couple rode the tide and adapted to the challenges. Even as the shoes they sell are now also sourced from China and Malaysia, a good portion of their merchandise are still proudly Marikina-made. “It’s our way of giving back to the community,” Alli said. “It’s also our way of differentiating our product offering.” CMG never owned factories, but it has longtime relationships with local shoemakers, where it continues to subcontract made-to-order styles. “And even as we want to increase Philippine-made, very few now make shoes here.” Alli likens CMG’s approach to MercedesBenz as, he says, the company revises its “brand architecture.” “Mercedes-Benz doesn’t differentiate. It targets different strata. There’s B Class for entry-level, then C, E, S Classes, etc. That’s what we’re doing; we’re stretching the brand equity. We’re not lowering prices but we’re creating products that will allow us to compete in affordable luxury, apart from our value pricing.” Alongside the local- and China-made footwear offerings, the Chan couple is bringing in Italian-made shoes at the P8,000 to P12,000 range, categorized as affordable luxury. “There will always be a sector that will go for value pricing. Then there will always be those who will go for a millionpeso Hermès bag.” Alli adds, “Your brands can’t
be everything to everybody, but it must be everything to the target market.” Which means, the company takes to heart what consumers think of each of their brands. “The unvarnished truth, good or bad.” Beyond product
Succeeding in retail is beyond product, says Alli, who, retiring after four decades in the fastmoving consumer-goods industry—at Procter& Gamble, and Johnson & Johnson—joined CMG just a year ago. “Fashion isn’t difficult to understand because I am a consumer,” he adds. “What CMG has learned for over 30 years is that we’re good at service. Take out the label and you can’t distinguish it from other brands. We source from the same suppliers. But customers want to be attended to properly. So we continue to sharpen our saw. We are, after all, against behemoths.” CMG remains a privately owned company with some 600 employees. The nextgeneration owners are now in training to take on more responsibilities in the firm. One son, for instance, started and runs Traffic, an affordable line of fashionable and well-made men’s shoes. Alli says CMG will continue to undergo changes in the coming months. New labels are being brought in, while Celine will make its complete transition to CLN, and will involve more than just a name change. “We respect competition,” says the COO, “but we’re not intimidated by it.” ■
Business
39 FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013
Gov’t pins hopes on revival of manufacturing More jobs, higher income seen with rise of industry BY PAOLO G. MONTECILLO Philippine Daily Inquirer THE AQUINO administration is confident that a solid foundation is being laid for the Philippines to rebuild its manufacturing industry and retake its position as one of Southeast Asia’s leading exporters. The revival of the country’s manufacturing sector will allow the economy to experience the kind of growth that leads to more jobs and higher income levels, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said. The country’s healthy growth in the past three years, driven largely by remittances that fuel domestic demand, has helped improve the Philippines’ image from one that is marked by mere booms and busts. “We can still get back our manufacturing industry,” Balisacan said during an interview with INQUIRER editors and reporters. The country will need a favorable investment climate if it
hopes to “sustain confidence in the economy,” he added. In line with that goal, he said, the administration plans to further boost its infrastructure development program to address major bottlenecks, particularly in the transportation and energy sectors. “If there is any single factor that investors are looking at, not just foreign but even our own domestic investors, it’s the quality of our infrastructure and backlogs of all kinds, from power to transportation, from airports to piers,” Balisacan said. The government plans to raise infrastructure spending to 20 percent of the national budget by next year from this year’s 16 percent. By 2016, President Aquino’s last year in office, spending may stand at 25 percent of the national budget, the equivalent of roughly 5 percent of gross domestic product. Also, officials are working to speed up the rollout of various bigticket projects under the administration’s public-private
partnership (PPP) scheme, where the bulk of the money to be spent will come from the private sector, he said. “Admittedly, we have overestimated the speed by which one could move PPP projects,” he said, citing procurement hurdles that most Cabinet officials had not foreseen when the PPP promises were first made. The administration, he said, has admitted that most PPP projects may not be completed by 2016. “But the President does not
really care who inaugurates these projects,” he said, noting that the construction of new roads and train lines has already started. In the past three decades, the Philippines suffered from misguided policies and mismanagement that led to the decline of the manufacturing sector— the industry that generates the most jobs, Balisacan said. The failure of past administrations to develop the country’s infrastructure aggravated energy problems and
created logistics bottlenecks that choked production, he said. As a result, the service sector and domestic consumption, supported by remittances from migrant workers, have become the country’s main growth drivers. Balisacan said that, while this has been a welcome phenomenon, the country still needs to build up manufacturing, which has the potential to create better-paying jobs and more stable employment, enabling more people to rise out of poverty. ■
Private sector remains ‘very optimistic’ BY AMY R. REMO Philippine Daily Inquirer THE BUSINESS community remains “very optimistic” of the prospects in the final half of President Aquino’s term as it looks forward to hearing the pronouncements in the Stateof-the-Nation Address. “I expect to hear a lot about creating jobs and the things that are necessary to create jobs, to improve the quality of workforce and hopefully [the government will be more] attentive to the requirements of businessmen,” noted John Forbes, senior advisor at the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines. “[It is the] private sector [that] has to bring jobs [while] the government sets the proper policy framework and the investors respond via investing,” Forbes told reporters. According to Forbes, there were a lot of areas where the government could improve
on such as infrastructure, the spending for which is expected to surge by 2016. He further noted that if budgeted properly, investments in the country’s infrastructure would “make a difference” and could “make the economy more efficient.” Such investments would be significant for the economy considering that there was now “more interest” in the Philip-
pines from foreign investors with the government seeing “higher levels of growth, a lot of reforms in the last several years, and good international publicity,” Forbes added. The business community is also looking forward to hear “ideas” based on the letter sent by the country’s biggest business groups and the Joint Foreign Chambers to President www.canadianinquirer.net
Aquino last month. In their letter, the business groups asked the Aquino administration to implement critical and strategic measures that would enable the Philippines to continue being one of Asia’s fast-rising economies. These recommendations concerned infrastructure, power and regulatory and policy reforms, which are aimed at gen-
erating the “greatest impact in achieving our shared vision of inclusive growth through job generation, poverty reduction and global competitiveness.” One of the recommendations is the enactment of an effective anti-trust law and competition policy to create a level playing field and, in turn, encourage more productive investments in light of an impending Asean integration in 2015. The groups also underscored the need to “overhaul the Bureau of Customs and to create an oversight body with private sector representation” as smuggling continued to derail government efforts on revenue collection and job generation. Strategic transportation infrastructure projects must likewise be accelerated and implemented at the soonest time. The groups also strongly urged the rationalization of existing incentive-giving laws to further spur investments in crucial and strategic sectors. ■
Sports/Horoscope
FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013 40
Del Rosario, Arevalo Jr World golf champs BY MUSONG R. CASTILLO Philippine Daily Inquirer SAN DIEGO, California—After rededicating herself to the game just over a year ago, Pauline Del Rosario churned out the performance of her young career on Thursday (Friday in Manila) to become a world junior champion. The high schooler from De La Salle-Zobel birdied the final hole of The Country Club of Rancho Bernardo, polishing off a flawless fourunder-par 68 to complete a swashbuckling comeback and nip local heroine Haley Moore by a shot in the girls’ 13-14 division of the Callaway Junior World Championships. It was a victory that touched off the Philippines’ two-title harvest as Kristoffer Arevalo triumphed in the same comefrom-behind style with a 68 at Morgan Run Resort Club, giving him a three-shot victory
over Thailand’s Puwit Anupansuebasai in the boys’ 13-14 play. “It’s a great and happy day for Philippine junior golf,” said Luigi Tabuena, president of the Junior Golf Federation of the Philippines. “Kristoffer and Pauline again proved that we can be world champions even with our limited resources. It’s the trademark Filipino fighting spirit shining through.” The twin successes partially made up for the heartbreak of Mikhaela Fortuna’s collapse in the girls’ 11-12 division. After holding the lead for two rounds, Fortuna struggled to a closing two-over-par 75 to finish second by three shots to Japan’s Miyaki Tezuka at Rancho Bernardo Inn. After drawing level with the American—for the first and only time in three rounds—with a routine par on the 16th, Del Rosario finished off Moore in style by hitting a 40-yard wedge on the par-5 18th to within a
foot of the cup for the titleclinching birdie. That shot gave Del Rosario a 10-under 206 total, breaking the hearts of residents and local media here who were waiting for the emergence of a new junior world champion from San Diego. Laurie Rinker was the last from the area to triumph in 1977. Arevalo tallied a 12-under 204 with Anupansuebasai, a member of the Lion City Cup team of Thailand that played at Sherwood in Cavite last month, shooting a 66 to nip South Korea’s Won Jun-lee (68) by a shot for second place. It was the first Junior World title for Del Rosario, who, after finishing second in the 10-under class here three years ago abandoned the game indefinitely. Moore still had a one-shot lead on the Filipino going to the 16th tee only to hit a wayward drive that resulted in that crucial bogey. Paphangkorn Tavatanakit of Thailand, tied for the lead with
Moore at the start of the round, was third at 210 after a 73. Tezuka, one-down at the start of the day, fired a 71 for 215 to win comfortably after Fortuna went three over after 11 holes. She dropped two shots on the par4 ninth and by that time, trailed the Japanese by three shots. Meanwhile, over at windy Torrey Pines North, Daniela Uy cracked par for the first time, returning a two-under 70 but still found herself losing ground to American Mariel Galdiano in the girls’ 15-17. Uy, a veteran campaigner in this event, had 214 over 54 holes for solo second, but Galdiano padded her overnight lead to six after carding a second straight 69. Gigi Stroll of Beaverton, Oregon, was in third spot, a shot behind Uy after a third-round 73. Filipino-American Rico Hoey all but blew his historic repeat quest in the premier boys’ 15-17 division at windy Torrey Pines after ballooning to a third-round 79, leav-
ing him seven shots off the pace going into Friday’s final round. Pint-sized Rupert Zaragosa, the reigning national champion back home, was 13 shots off at 223 after carding another 75. Jungolf president Tabuena also cited the Filipinos’ strong performances in the other divisions, including Jed Dywho tied for fourth and Eagle Ace Superal who landed fifth in the boys’ and girls’ 9-10 years, respectively. Aidric Chan shared fourth place in the boys’ 11-12, Bernice Ilas tied for sixth and Sam Bruce tied for ninth in the girls’ 1112, and Anya Cedo finished seventh in the girls’ 6-under. Dy and Ilas were the stars of a similar PH victory double last year in the boys’ 78 years and the girls’ 9-10 years. Uy and Superal will shoot for the country’s first-ever team victory when they start five shots ahead of Japan, 432-437, on Friday. ■
HOROSCOPE ARIES
CANCER
LIBRA
CAPRICORN
(MARCH 21 - APRIL 19)
(JUNE 22 - JULY 22)
(SEPT 23 - OCT 22)
(DEC 22 - JAN 19)
Your sense of self may be challenged today, Aries, and you might have trouble keeping your seat during the joust. Keep in mind that the way others see you isn’t necessarily the way you are. Don’t feel like you have to change direction to please anyone. Your only responsibility is to you. Bizarre events may occur, urging you to change your thinking.
TAURUS (APRIL 20 - MAY 20) As you follow the path toward acquiring the latest, greatest, fastest, and best, you may have left behind some fundamental values, Taurus. Don’t lose sight of the principles that make up your foundation. You could be shaken today when your ego goes on trial for pig-headed behavior. Stay in check and be conscious of the way you project yourself to others.
GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUNE 21) Key in to your sensual, beautiful nature, Gemini. Take time each day to tend to your soul and make sure it gets the nourishment it needs to radiate into the world. Unexpected people are likely to appear out of nowhere, so don’t be surprised when a former lover comes knocking on the door. Events from the past may travel to the present in order to teach you a valuable life lesson.
You may feel a nervous restlessness today that’s urging you to get moving, Cancer. A journey to one place may send you off to another, which may take you on an adventure to some completely different place. It may seem like you’re on a crazy scavenger hunt. The energy of the day could leave you feeling ragged, but don’t give up. Your persistence will pay off in the end.
Don’t automatically think that beauty has to be defined by old-fashioned standards, Libra. It’s time to change the definition. There is no need to squeeze yourself into a socially constructed mold that doesn’t resonate with who you truly are. Your job isn’t to try and make sure everyone loves you. There’s only one person you need to satisfy and that is you.
Your new approach to things might get some flack from superiors today, Capricorn, but don’t let that stop you. Realize that your independent and somewhat rebellious nature helps to keep the world in balance. Don’t give up the fight when authorities insist that their way of doing things is best when in fact it’s simply old. Use your will and determination to combat the forces from above.
LEO
SCORPIO
AQUARIUS
(JULY 23 - AUGUST 22)
(OCT 23 - NOV 21)
(JAN 20 - FEB 18)
A good tip to remember is to be careful about what you say about other people, Leo. If you’re speaking about someone who isn’t present, act like he or she is. What’s your motivation for saying the things you say? Is it necessary to speak in such a way? A negative comment about someone is going to resonate through the cosmos. People could lose trust in you.
Issues may get a little heavier than you’d like today, Scorpio. Your job is to infuse some levity and humor into the situation. Your adaptability will be put to the test as other people remain steadfast in their opinions. Be conscious of how you use your words. Other people, especially superiors or elders, may be offended by careless, offhand remarks.
You might be called upon to choose between two ways of handling a situation, Aquarius. The old way suddenly conflicts with the new. Which way are you going to proceed? Don’t be thrown off course by fast talk and neon lights just because they grab attention. On the other hand, don’t assume that the way that has worked forever is still the best. Use your intuition to choose the best route for you.
VIRGO
SAGITTARIUS
PISCES
(AUG 23 - SEPT 22)
(NOV 22 - DEC 21)
(FEB 19 - MAR 20)
You may need some time alone today to bring yourself back to center, Virgo. Independence is the key idea to keep in your back pocket. Make sure you’re not becoming a victim to a commitment you made long ago. As the landscape changes, you must also change. Stubborn actions will be detrimental on a day like this. Be honest and grateful for the things you have.
If the doorknob doesn’t turn today, Sagittarius, don’t force it. You will only break it. Perhaps you need to try another door. If things don’t flow smoothly into place, then they probably weren’t meant to be. Life shouldn’t always be a struggle. Your job is to enjoy it. Remember that the next time you’re in a long line. View the situation as a period of rest.
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Unexpected events could shuffle the cards when you least expect it, Pisces. If you haven’t kept a close eye on the deck, you might get thrown for a loop. Don’t be discouraged. Everyone else is playing under the same rules as you. If the dealer seems crooked, go to another table. Don’t fall victim to the same trick twice.
FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013
FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013
VISIT PCI ONLINE!
Loving Lugang BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer IT ALL started with a game of tennis. Dynamic business couple and tennis aficionados, Peter and Anabelle Chua, had flown to Beijing in 2009 to watch the Beijing Open. Feeling peckish after a late-night tennis match, the couple was advised to stop in at the Bellagio Café; a hip Taiwanese restaurant, open after-hours. The Chua’s so enjoyed the fare that they sought to open a franchise in their hometown of Manila. And sought, they did. After many lengthy negotiations, approval was given to open Lugang Café outlets in the Philippines (to address any confusion, the café goes by the name Bellagio within China, and Lugang elsewhere). The rest will perhaps go down in food history. At the very least, it is making food history among Manila’s discriminating diners. In fact, the café has landed a spot on the Asia’s Tatler Dining’s “Best Philippine Restaurants” list two years in a row, in 2011 and 2012. Not a Chinese restaurant
Contrary to popular opinion, Lugang Café is not a Chinese restaurant. It was first described to me as such, along with other adjectives all proclaiming an amazing encounter with food: delicious, fantastic, super yummy. As I soon enough discovered for myself, it is all that. But it is not Chinese, and their menu, not your traditional Cantonese offerings. Lugang Café is, in fact, Taiwanese. Delectable dishes from the region are served up, infused with modern flair and nuances in flavor that set them apart from their Cantonese counterparts. Diners often pick up on the difference, but all issues are put to rest by the discovery of the café’s Taiwanese roots; akin to an ”Aha!’ or
MABUHAY!
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patch-of-blue moment, bite after scrumptious bite. As it turns out, the café is named after a small coastal town in northwest Taiwan. Lugang was once the most populous town in the region, and an important historical sea port which was crucial to the trading industry. The town – now urban and bustling, whilst maintaining its local charm – is also the birthplace of the café’s founder. The “L- factor”
The Lugang factor is at once apparent. Great care has been taken to ensure a distinctive dining experience at every one of its outlets. As I walked in to the branch at Mall of Asia (by gracious invitation of the café owners and then Dining Manager, Mylene Roman), I immediately noticed the absence of the usual big, round tables, topped with red cloths and lazy Susan’s. Again, “not a Chinese restaurant”. In place of these: steel and glass interiors, modern chandeliers, touches of abstract art, with hints of traditional Asian elements. The atmosphere is a tad avant-garde, without being overwhelming; it is steely, without being cold and intimidating. The afternoon was off to a great start. Almost immediately, as well, I noticed that service personnel were equipped with communications gadgets. No yelling over restaurant din here, thank you very much. Communication is done efficiently, from table, to server, to kitchen. This, of course, is all part-and-parcel of the café’s commitment to excellent service. In my later correspondence with Katrina Chua, Lugang Store Operations Manager, I discovered that the café franchise has a total of fourteen Chinese Head Chefs, responsible for training all Filipino chefs. Additionally, Filipino chefs who exhibit potential are sent to Shanghai for further training.
Lugang Café at the Mall of Asia welcomes you!
With our orders taken (and me sipping on a tall, luscious and super yummy drink of cranberry juice with fresh mango puree and tiny tapioca pearls), we relaxed and chatted up quite a storm; a dead-giveaway to the excitement, just simmering beneath the surface, borne of hunger and expectancy of a delicious meal.
Lugang’s super popular Xia Long Bao soupy dumplings are hearty and truly satisfying
From simple joys, to seamless pleasures
With the food set down, the feasting commenced. We started with an appetizer of shrimp balls breaded with toast; an amazing combination of minced shrimp, coated with crushed toast, and deep-fried to perfection. Served with a pleasantly tart sweet-sour sauce, this appetite-opener was an instant hit with me. Delicately crispy on the outside, with a tender shrimp-center, I simply could not get enough. Order this ahead of the entrées, as it is made fresh from scratch and takes longer than other dishes to prepare. Next up, Lugang’s famed Xia Long Bao. Let me tell you, it isn’t famed for nothing. We tried their newest variant, Kimchi Xia Long Bao, and each bite was an explosion of soupy, hearty goodness. Flawlessly steamed and packed with flavor, the slightly tangy Kimchi complemented the savoury minced pork rather nicely. I say ❱❱ PAGE 42 Loving Lugang
Lugang’s chicken topped with scallions and ginger oil is an exquisite must-try dish.
Only the freshest of ingredients go in to making Lugang’s dishes; the steamed fish head with red peppers just about melts in your mouth!
Dining
FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013 42
Go For the Food (and Statue of Liberty view): Brooklyn Crab in NYC's Red Hook neighbourhood BY BETH J. HARPAZ The Associated Press NEW YORK—In the last 40 years, Brooklyn has evolved from a joke to the ‘hood to a brand. Today, neighbourhoods all over the borough are flourishing. The working-class industrial neighbourhood of Red Hook has been part of that transformation, with shopping, restaurants and waterfront parks drawing a steady stream of visitors. One of Red Hook’s most popular eateries is Brooklyn Crab. Its open-air, three-story building offers a friendly, funky bar at street level; picnic tables with colorful umbrellas up one flight; and a roof deck with a view of the Statue of Liberty. The backyard has a mini-golf course. Brooklyn Crab’s menu is straightforward, but the quality and flavours stand up to any New England seafood shack. Try raw oysters, creamy chowder, fried scallops (huge and sweet), crab bites (fritter balls served with Cajun aioli), and of course, divine crab rolls—fresh meat with a little mayo and lemon on a toasted bun. Do not fear the whole crabs: Waiters gladly provide advice on get-
June 2012, just five months before Superstorm Sandy hit, flooding much of Red Hook and knocking out power for weeks. Luckily the restaurant suffered little damage and helped feed locals and volunteers while the neighbourhood recovered. Today, Vipond says, business is back, “with 100 bikes parked out front” on nice days. Other eateries worth visiting in resurgent Red Hook include the slightly upscale Good Fork, Fort Defiance, known for great cocktails, and if you prefer lobster rolls over crab, Red Hook Lobster Pound. For Statue of Liberty views, check out Louis Valentino Jr. Park & Pier, or head to Fairway’s rear patio and parking lot. ■ If You Go...
PHOTO FROM BROOKLYNCRAB.COM
ting meat out of the shell. For dessert, try the key lime tart, or walk a few blocks to the bakery that makes them, Steve’s. Getting to Red Hook is an adventure for New Yorkers and out-of-towners alike. Tamara Vipond, whose husband and a friend co-own Brooklyn Crab, says they get a lot of calls ask-
ing, “How do I get there?” Options include the F subway train to Smith-Ninth Street and then the B61 bus, or a water taxi from Manhattan, free on weekends through Labor Day. The ferry brings shoppers to an Ikea two blocks away—it’s not unusual for diners to show up laden with Ikea boxes and
Loving Lugang... flawlessly steamed because this is a tricky dish to prepare: after all, it is a dumpling filled with hot soup contained within a thin flour wrapper. Then, the impeccable bestselling main dishes: fish head with red bell pepper, and chicken topped with scallion and ginger oil. Digging into the fish head was like slicing butter with a hot knife. Chunks of fleshy Imelda fish slid right off the bone. In my mouth, another sensation entirely. The fish, perfectly infused with spices and red peppers, was as fresh as they come (short of still being alive) and just seemed to melt away with each bite. Lugang’s chicken topped with scallions—a sumptuous take on the Singaporean favor❰❰ 41
bags—and to the Fairway supermarket located in a massive brick warehouse across from Brooklyn Crab. If you have a car, Red Hook is the rare New York City neighbourhood with decent street parking. Vipond can also recommend local cab companies. Brooklyn Crab opened in
BROOKLYN CRAB: 24 Reed St., Red Hook, Brooklyn, 718643-2722, http://www.brooklyncrab.com . FERRY TO RED HOOK: http://www.nywatertaxi.com/ tours/redhook OTHER RED HOOK EATERIES: Good Fork, 391 Van Brunt St.; Fort Defiance, 365 Van Brunt; Red Hook Lobster Pound, 284 Van Brunt; Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pies, 185 Van Dyke St.
New ESD Minister... ite, Hainanese chicken—is a winner, as well. Juicy broiled chicken topped with a highly pleasant concoction of ginger oil and finely minced scallions. Exquisite! To finish off, a light and refreshing dessert of fruit custard topped with fresh fruit pieces. And hot jasmine tea, of course. Every dish was as palatable to the eye, as to the mouth: a riot of happy colors; simply, yet masterfully presented. Tastes were amazing, with a spot-on balance of flavour; almost like a thrilling gustatory tightrope act. Each mouthful was a marriage of simple joys and culinary skill. The finest, freshest ingredients turned into signature masterpieces by artists in the kitchen; creating a sum total of seamless dining pleasure.
Eat well, enjoy good food
I looked up a bunch of different translations for the phrase Bon Apetit – music to every foodie’s ears – by way of an appropriate ending to this piece. If the internet is to be trusted, the closest Taiwanese translations are: 食福 (chiáh hok) - Eat well, enjoy good food; 食 卡飽 (chiáh kah pá) - Eat till satisfied; 食氣 (chiáh khì) - Eat up. I thought it would be the perfect ending, and I will leave it up to you to pick which phrase you like best. But not until after you’ve had your own Lugang experience. ■ Lugang Cafe branches are located at Mall of Asia, and Northeast Greenhills. Watch out for the opening of their SM Aura and Glorietta-2 branches! www.canadianinquirer.net
Ontario in the House of Commons for the coming elections will definitely make all parties to make serious strategies in reaching out to the millions of ethnic voters. While Kenney’s efforts showed such results, True North Public Affairs strategist Keith Beardsley reminds everyone about the “(Justin) Trudeau factor,” since most multiracial groups have always voted Liberal because Justin’s father, Pierre Trudeau, is significantly popular among their groups. “Bottom line is … the Tories owe some of their majority success to their penetration of the multicultural communities and they can’t let up or take these communities for granted,” Beardsley said, adding, “Kenney likes that role and is respected by the communities, a good person to leave in charge ❰❰ 23
with Uppal to assist.” However, not everyone is pleased with the shuffling in the newly named ministry. Jinny Sims, an NDP immigration critic, is not keen on hiding her displeasure in Kenney’s “election strategy” to use Uppal, a Sikh, as an “ethnic face” to appeal to the multicultural sector. She further adds that Kenney is a “master” at cloaking political ambitions and motives under good-meaning multiculturalism. Sims believes that the ethnic groups need real help, like efforts in changing the Eurocentric education platform in Canada, as well as a national initiative to appreciate and participate in various cultural celebrations. ■ With report from Tobi Cohen, Postmedia.
FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013
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5 free things... made in 1854 for the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. It’s known as the first-order Fresnel lens (first order refers to size, Fresnel was the name of its designer). Other artifacts include an Enigma machine from a German U-boat, used to encrypt and decode messages, and a display about Billy Mitchell, who proved in the 1920s that airplanes could sink battleships, an idea that other military leaders of the time openly ridiculed. In September 1923, Mitchell’s bombers sank two obsolete warships off Cape Hatteras from the air to prove his point. The local airfield is named after him. Admission is free; donations are encouraged. Details at http://www.graveyardoftheatlantic.com/index.htm .
States. It was moved in 1999 to protect it from beach erosion. Details at http://www.nps.gov/caha/ planyourvisit/climbing-the-cape-hatteras-lighthouse.htm and http://www. nps.gov/caha/historyculture/bodie-island-light-station.htm
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Ferry from Hatteras to Ocracoke
Bird walks, moving islands and more
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offers numerous opportunities to learn about nature, many of which are free. One new program teaches visitors (and maybe some residents) about barrier island migration and why the ocean keeps cutting into N.C. Highway 12, creating new inlets. About 400 species of birds live in the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, and the USFWS offers free tours three days a week from late spring to mid-autumn and at least once a week the rest of the year. Details at http://www.fws.gov/al-
ligatorriver/spec.html Lighthouses
The National Park Service charges admission to climb both the Cape Hatteras and Bodie (pronounced bah’-dee) Island lighthouses. But nothing stops visitors from looking at the lighthouses and ad-
miring them from the ground. Bodie Island just underwent a $5 million makeover and was opened to the public in April for the first time in its 141-year history. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, recognized by its famous black-and-white barber pole stripes, is the tallest brick lighthouse in the United
At the end of Hatteras Island, near the museum, you can take a free ferry from Hatteras Island to Ocracoke Island, which is still part of the national seashore. The ferry takes about 40 minutes. On Ocracoke, you can visit a British cemetery and the Ocracoke Lighthouse, built in 1823 and noted for its white exterior. The Ocracoke cemetery has four of the 34 victims from the HMS Bedfordshire, which a German torpedo struck and sank on May 12, 1942. A fifth body washed up on Hatteras Island and is buried there, next to a British sailor from the merchant vessel San Delfino, which was also torpedoed by the Germans. Details at http://www. nps.gov/caha/historyculture/britishcemetery.htm and http://www.nps.gov/ caha/historyculture/ocracoke-islandlighthouse.htm ■ Martha Waggoner can be reached at http://twitter.com/mjwaggonernc
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Laguna: A foodie’s... fluences. Their cheesecake was very soft and creamy. The saccharine hint from the graham cracker crust was the perfect foundation for the zesty cheesy custard filling. The fruity toppings added a whole new depth to the entire cake, making every bite even more memorable. Their servers might as well have come from heaven as well, because they are very well trained and polite, which is a ❰❰ 29
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refreshing change from the sad service from other establishments in the area. When in Dal Cielo, do not forget to check out their mural of UP Los Banos’ Freedom Park and Parade Grounds. And since you’re already there, go ahead and check out the actual Freedom Park found inside the 104-year old university. Walking around the campus would be a great way to sweat off the poundage you surely added while in Laguna. ■
FRIDAY JULY 26, 2013
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Publisher Philippine Canadian Inquirer Editor Melissa Remulla-Briones editor@canadianinquirer.net Associate Editor Laarni de Paula
All eyes are on Britain and the Royal Baby.
PHOTO BY DUTOURDUMONDE / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Canadians congratulate... moment for Canadians given the special and warm relationship that we share with our Royal Family.” Gov.-Gen. David Johnston also congratulated Prince William and his wife Kate, saying that as a father of five, he knows well “the elation that a new arrival brings to a young family.” Even those opposed to the monarchy welcomed the prince’s arrival. Tom Freda, director of the organization Citizens for a Canadian Republic, said any news involving the Royal Family renews the debate over the relevance of a monarchist system, “and debate is good.” Several national landmarks—including the CN Tower, Niagara Falls and Parliament’s centre block—shone blue Monday night in honour of the newborn prince. Anticipation surrounding the royal baby had been building in recent days, but even royal-watchers recognized it hasn’t rivalled the near-obsessive excitement that ushered in the royal wedding two years ago. “The anxiety and the anticipation that goes along with it is a little more subtle and a little more long term,” said Cian Horrobin, a spokesman for the Monarchist League of Canada. “But when the moment finally hits, it’s just as exciting if not more so than the wedding,” because it marks the beginning of a lifelong relationship with the prince, he said. Carolyn Harris, an expert on royal history at the University of Toronto, said the lack of a clear due date has kept fans of the Royal Family from planning any elaborate celebrations as they did for the royal wedding. ❰❰ 1
“It’s impossible to plan a party in advance for the day the baby arrives because there’s been so much uncertainty about the due date and the royal baby’s arrival,” she said. “With the wedding, there was a clear date that this was taking place for all those who were interested to pay attention to.” In Toronto, a TV screen in the lobby of the Royal York hotel was set to the BBC throughout the day for the latest updates from London. When news of the birth broke midafternoon, hotel staff handed out flutes of bubbly to a handful of people who lingered near the screen. The same hotel had been packed with women in ornate hats the morning of April 29, 2011, when it held a special breakfast tea service for those wanting to watch the royal wedding. Still, sisters Linda and Deanna Whaley could barely contain their enthusiasm at the chance to publicly mark the occasion. “My sister turned 60 today, and we were hoping the royal baby would share her birthday, and sure enough, here he is. We’re very excited,” Linda Whaley said. “I think Kate and William are going to be fantastic parents and Princess Diana’s sitting right on that baby’s shoulder.” The hotel, which prides itself on having a special connection to the Royal Family because several members have stayed there, set up a special display that included a guestbook where well-wishers could leave a message for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Spokeswoman Sonya Singh said the display has been up for two weeks but had drawn more attention in the past
few days. A second guestbook was brought out just after noon Monday and every few minutes, another person stopped to add a message for the royal parents. Many left simple congratulations but others penned more effusive tributes. “Dear William and Kate, You are conducting yourselves with dignity and grace and are bringing honour to the monarchy. Many of us in Canada are very fond of you and wish you much happiness in your new lives together and as parents. May God bless you and keep you,” one read. Teresa McRae, who is visiting from London, Ont., left a message in the guestbook before the prince’s birth was announced. She called the prospect of a royal infant “exciting,” but admitted she’s not making as big a fuss as she did for previous milestones in the monarchy. McRae organized a celebratory breakfast for the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana, watched Diana’s funeral with friends and hosted a pre-dawn viewing party for Prince William and Kate’s wedding. But she’s made no such plans for the birth, citing “a busy summer.” Georgina Robertson and her friend Geraldine Hertgers examined the display early Monday, pausing just long enough to pose for a few photos. Robertson, who lives in the Toronto area, said she feels a special connection to Prince Charles because she is also set to become a grandparent for the first time. Hertgers, in town from British Columbia for a dairy farmers conference, didn’t share her friend’s enthusiasm. “I’m here because she’s into it,” she joked. ■
Erratum: The article entitled "Filipino Nanny Involved in First Human Trafficking Conviction in BC" appearing in PCI Issue dated July 12, 2013 was actually written by Stella Reyes, Special to Philippine Canadian Inquirer. We apologize for the error.
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