Philippine Canadian Inquirer Issue #77

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VOL. 8 NO. 77

AUGUST 16, 2013

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Husbands, wives and lovers may soon face jail time

Strong typhoon batters north Philippines

7 success secrets for Canadian Immigrants

Filipino-Canadian in Focus: Elizabeth Zetazate

Hearth and Home at PCI

New Immigration Minister meets with Filipinos in Vancouver Philippine Canadian Inquirer DURING THE weekend, Immigration and Citizenship Minister Chris Alexander visited British Columbia, which he described as “having a rich and diverse community” and “one of Canada’s best places to live.”

The Filipino community, in particular, was first in the minister’s agenda.

He participated in the Pinoy Fiesta Parade on Sunday, “walking down Fraser, in the rain and under the sun” en route to Memorial Park, where Filipino-Canadians had their annual summer picnic, in what is touted as one of the biggest gathering of Filipinos in Vancouver.

On Monday, he met with the Vancouver media to announce a modest grant to Tomas “Tatay Tom” Avendano’s Multicultural Helping House Society (MHHS), his “first spending announcement as minister of Citizenship and Immigration.”

OIL-STRUCK. Daniel Alminar shows the fuel he collected along the shores of Barangay Kanluran in Rosario after the oil spill. Suspected source is

MT Makisig in the background.

PHOTO BY RAFFY LERMA

House won’t probe pork Speaker Belmonte awaits NBI investigation

BY GIL C. CABACUNGAN Philippine Daily Inquirer DESPITE A mounting clamor for a congressional probe, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. doesn’t want the House of Representatives to touch with a 10-foot pole the alleged misuse of P10 billion

in pork barrel of five senators and 23 House members over the past 10 years.

“No. Gugulo lang (It will just get messy). (Justice) Secretary (Leila) de Lima assured me that they are on top of it and expediting it,” Belmonte said, referring to the National Bureau of Investigation’s probe of allegations by six

❱❱ PAGE 22 New Immigration

‘Letting US in good for PH troops’

Philippine Canadian Inquirer

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❱❱ PAGE 12 House won’t probe

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Philippine News

3 FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013

New threat group suspected in bombings

BY NIKKO DIZON Philippine Daily Inquirer DEFENSE SECRETARY Voltaire Gazmin said a new threat group called the Kilafah Islamic Movement was among those suspected to be behind the recent spate of bombings in central Mindanao.

Kilafah is the umbrella organization of peace saboteurs, which include the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and rogue members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Gazmin told the INQUIRER in a phone interview.

Asked about Kilafah’s objective, Gazmin said: “They just don’t want the framework agreement, the peace process.” “(It) is one of the suspects emerging from the investigation into the bombings, but there is no confirmation yet as to who is really behind it,” Gazmin said.

He said that Kilafah was organized some time ago.

Gazmin said it appeared that Kilafah was a potent threat group in terms of its ruthlessness.

“They don’t recognize anyone when it comes to killing people and inflicting harm on the public,” Gazmin said.

Earlier, an INQUIRER source in the intelligence community said Kilafah was organized by terror groups and a breakaway MILF faction that was behind the spate of deadly bombings in central Mindanao.

Intelligence agents, however, are still determining the exact motive of the groups for coming together, aside from trying to sabotage the ongoing peace talks between the government and the MILF. The INQUIRER source, who re-

quested anonymity for lack of authority to speak to the media, said Kilafah was fairly new with members coming from al-Qaida, Jemaah Islamiyah and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters headed by former MILF commander Ameril Umra Kato.

“We haven’t established their real motive yet, aside from some of them being angry over the peace agreement. Our people on the ground are still confirming some information,” the source said.

The source, however, said state security forces had already learned what the next likely targets of this new terror group were, which has prompted the police to increase their presence in these areas.

Malacañang, meanwhile, called on the media to be wary of publishing reports from unnamed sources on the spate of bombings in Mindanao and fears that the violence will reach Metro Manila.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said operations were going on against the perpetrators of the bombings but given the sensitive nature of the information, “we can’t really discuss details.”

“If you will notice, these bombings have random targets. It’s not about religion, it’s not about your affiliation, but it’s being done randomly,” Valte said in an interview over staterun radio dzRB. As for the BIFF reportedly planning a “test mission” in Metro Manila, Valte said: “You know, let’s be careful about reports like this.”

“Let’s make sure that it comes from the correct sources because as it is, we don’t want to be spreading… perhaps incorrect information,” Valte said. ■

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Philippine News

FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013 4

Study equates FOI law with low corruption

BY TARRA QUISMUNDO Philippine Daily Inquirer CONGRESS REMAINS seemingly fickle about the freedom of information (FOI) bill, but one study may well show why the Philippines should adopt such a law.

A prize-winning study at the University of Missouri found that countries with freedom of information laws “have lower incidence of corruption” and a better quality of life than nations that just recently enforced such a measure or have none at all.

The study by former the INQUIRER reporter Edson Tandoc Jr., a Fulbright scholar and doctoral candidate at the Missouri School of Journalism, found that nations long implementing legislated transparency experience less corruption.

“The findings of the study can inform countries without an FOI law—such as the Philippines—of the benefits that come with guaranteeing right to information to its citizens.

corruption to strike before they get serious about passing these laws because they will not cure the problems overnight,” Tandoc said.

Systemic corruption

The study shows that countries with mature FOI laws tend to have much lower corruption levels and higher standards of living than countries with younger laws, or no laws at all,” Tandoc said.

An FOI bill is pending in the House committee on public information, with lawmakers unable to decide whether to support the measure.

President Aquino vowed to

make the bill one of his priorities after his election in 2010, but left out the measure in his State of the Nation Address to Congress this year, making transparency advocates doubt his sincerity.

“Because it takes years for these laws to become fully effective, FOI laws should not be considered … corrective measures [only]. Countries without FOI laws should not wait for

The Philippines has long been contending with systemic corruption in the government, a problem at the core of the Aquino administration’s reform program.

Tandoc, whose study was spurred by a class on freedom of information he attended last year amid debates on such legislation here, found that the enactment of FOI laws is “not a quick fix.”

He found that countries that just recently initiated work toward transparency tended to view FOI laws as a means to stop corruption.

“Countries whose FOI implementation is rated … effective also tend to be perceived as having high corruption levels.

This means that in many countries with new FOI laws, the law is instituted not as a preventive measure but to address ongoing

problems,” Tandoc said.

“The right to information should be used as a form of regular check on the government to prevent abuses instead of being considered … a last resort when corruption has already worsened,” he said.

For his study, Tandoc compared the 2010 standings of 168 countries in the United Nations Human Development Index, Transparency International’s corruption perception index and the Center for Law and Democracy, an organization that watches the implementation of democratic principles across the globe, including respect for human rights and access to information.

Tandoc’s study won first place in the Moeller Student Competition of the Mass Communication and Society Division for the 2013 Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, an international organization of journalism educators.

He will receive his award at a conference in Washington, DC, this month. ■

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Philippine News

5 FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013

P-Noy, Leni lead happy, teary memory telling of Jesse

BY NIKKO DIZON AND TJ BURGONIO Philippine Daily Inquirer AT A DINNER to commemorate the memory of late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, President Aquino said he could not stop looking at Jesse’s smiling face on the tarpaulin onstage.

The picture captured so well Jesse’s face when he was alive and very happy, he said.

Mr. Aquino said the happy countenance portrayed on the tarpaulin was the very same grin that Jesse gave him when he teased him for wolfing down the chocolates served at one of their group meetings.

In remembering a friend and a colleague who had died tragically at the prime of his life when he was doing so much for the people, Mr. Aquino said he wanted to make sure that everyone would hold on to their fond memories of Jesse, just as he does.

The President and Jesse’s widow, Leni, now a Camarines Sur district representative, led family and friends in looking back to the times they spent with Jesse and recounting how he had touched their lives.

Nostalgia and tears

There was much wistful yearning and tears for the much-loved Cabinet secretary at the commemorative dinner held on the fifth anniversary of Kaya Natin Movement, a nongovernment organization promoting ethical government leadership which the late Robredo had helped organize.

The Robredos’ daughters, Aika, Patricia and Jillian, attended the dinner as did their father’s colleagues in government and the people he had helped, like those from the urban poor and the education sectors.

Jesse died on Aug. 18 last year in a plane crash in Masbate. He was on his way to Naga City to visit his family after attending an official engagement in Cebu province. The plane’s pilot and copilot also perished in the crash. Only Jesse’s aide survived.

“Let us admit we are advocates of so many causes. We wish for things to be this way or that. But Jesse, he did all of those already. If you have any

he did it, and turned the impossible into reality,” he told the audience that included Cabinet officials, legislators and urban poor leaders who had worked with Jesse.

The President last week directed Jesse’s successor, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, to “immediately spearhead” the transfer of informal-settler families living precariously near estuaries, creeks and rivers.

Roxas kicked off the relocation of hundreds of families from the San Juan River area in San Juan City to new homes in San Jose del Monte in Bulacan province.

They were the initial batch of the 19,440 families that the government was targeting to move from eight major waterways traversing the metropolitan capital of 13 million people by the end of the year.

Fond recollections

The late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo.

PHOTO FROM YOUTUBE.COM

doubts that we can do it, he did it. Those who say that it is impossible to do, Jesse did it,” Mr. Aquino said.

The President said Jesse was one public servant who was always honest with the people he dealt with, one who did not give false hopes to others. He was also a leader who knew how to listen to others, he said.

In his speech, Mr. Aquino said Jesse had done a lot for Naga and for the country, and it was but proper that government officials today build on his legacy.

“Could we ask more from Jesse in terms of goodness, legacy and inspiration? It would be really selfish of us to ask for more,” Mr. Aquino said.

“Isn’t it time that we took action too? If one man, Jesse Robredo, has changed our lives because of his determination to move forward despite the odds, isn’t it our duty to embrace and carry on what he has started?

We know this is Jesse’s dream, and it’s clear to us, based on the progress of the country and on the faces of our partners in transformation, we have not failed and we will not fail Jesse,” he said.

Mr. Aquino said that relocat-

ing more than 500,000 families of informal settlers in the capital seemed daunting, but Jesse’s example inspired him to plod on.

“The issue of informal settlers appears to be an enormous problem; 1.4 million families nationwide, 560,000 families in the NCR (National Capital Region) alone. And then the costs of in-city or near-city relocation or returning them to the provinces,” he said.

But Jesse’s success in relocating informal settlers in Naga City, where he served with distinction as mayor for 19 years, and looking after the settlers’ children inspired him to do the same for the metropolis and the rest of the country, the President said.

He said Jesse accomplished even more in rooting out illegal gambling in Naga, and did just as well in other areas, despite the flurry of charges filed against him by the Arroyo administration, Mr. Aquino added.

“We’re advocates of many causes, and we tend to say: ‘This is how to do it,’ ‘that’s the way to do it.’ But Jesse, without further ado, just did it. If we have doubts that we can do it, well, www.canadianinquirer.net

Jesse’s friends—Filomena Cinco, president of Nagkakaisang Mamamayan ng Legarda, Dr. Eddie Dorotan, executive director of Galing Pook Foundation, and Dr. Milwida Guevara, president of Synergeia Foundation—shared their own memories of Jesse.

Former Sen. Francis Pangilinan, who now chairs Kaya Natin, and Roxas also shared some fond recollections of Jesse.

Jesse’s widow, Leni, said Kaya Natin’s fifth anniversary that night was a gathering of her husband’s “dearest friends who continue to watch over us.”

It was an assurance to her husband, she said.

She said her husband never pressured her to join politics and allowed her to pursue her own dreams.

Leni said that when her husband was appointed to the Cabinet, she worried for him as he was not a very sociable person.

She said she always reminded their two eldest daughters who were studying in Manila not to go out so much at night so their father would have company at home.

She said she would always be thankful to all of her husband’s friends in the government, especially the President.

“The problem now is everyone thinks with just one whisper [to the President], the wish

will be granted,” she said, eliciting laughter.

In his own remarks, the President told Leni: “You can also do it by text.”

Known for his comic timing, the President made people laugh with his anecdotes about Jesse, doing much to lighten the somber mood of many in the audience.

He recalled how Jesse was a member of AIM, or the “Ayaw Iwanan ang Mic (unwilling to give up the microphone)” group in the Cabinet when they entertained themselves by singing their hearts out.

Anxious moments

Mr. Aquino vividly recalled the anxious moments a year ago when the light plane flying Jesse from Cebu City to Naga City went missing on the afternoon of Aug. 18 until his decomposing body was found in the waters off Masbate a few days later.

He said the tough part was breaking the tragic news to Jesse’s wife and daughters. As he was told that Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman was close to the family, he told Soliman, “You’re volunteering to talk to Leni.”

But the most difficult part of all was witnessing Jesse’s body being taken out of the body bag at the funeral parlor, Mr. Aquino said. He was grateful when Soliman sidled up to him, “just in case I collapsed.” It was only some days later that Soliman told the President that she had gone to him because she was also afraid she would collapse.

Actually, it was Leni and her daughters who gave him and the Cabinet the strength, not the other way around, the President admitted.

“To end, when we think that we were given the chance to be with someone like Jesse Robredo we remember how much God loves us. In the hardest of times, he sends us one who will help us, guide us and support us. Sometimes, that person takes the lead in the path we want to take,” Mr. Aquino said.

“Really at the end of our days, we want to say we lived a meaningful life. Undoubtedly, Jesse did it. He did it and there is no reason why we can’t also aspire and achieve a meaningful life in the service of others,” the President said. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013 6

Pay Piatco now, P-noy urged Airport ‘just compensation’

BY NORMAN BORDADORA Philippine Daily Inquirer AN ALLY of President Aquino has called on the administration to immediately comply with the Court of Appeals ruling ordering the government to pay the builder of Ninoy Aquino Intenational Airport Terminal 3 (Naia 3) P16.2 billion ($371,426,668) as “just compensation” for the expropriation of the airport terminal.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, the chair of the Senate committee on national defense and security, said the protracted legal dispute over the control and ownership of Naia 3 has already cost the country too much in terms of time and resources.

“This long drawn out legal tussle for the control and ownership of Naia 3, spanning more than a decade, has cost our government more than P2.3 billion for legal expenses alone, and has led to our failure to optimize the airport’s facilities,”

said Trillanes.

The Arroyo administration as early as 2004 filed a case for the expropriation of Naia 3 before the Pasay City Regional Trial Court.

The cases reached the Supreme Court, which then remanded the case to the lower court to determine just compensation for the Naia 3 contractor, Philippine International Air Terminals Co. Inc. (Piatco).

“It would be prudent for the government to implement the court order right away. It would pave the way for making Naia 3 fully operational and provide more efficient airport services, as well as boost foreign investor confidence in the country,” Trillanes said.

The appeals court ruling penned by Justices Apolinario Bruselas Jr., Rebecca de GuiaSalvador and Samuel Gaerlan pegged just compensation for Piatco at $371,426,688.24 or about P16.2 billion as of July 31.

“As a matter of principle, the

government should pay for any service rendered to it. In this case, the building of an international airport which was constructed more than a decade ago,” Trillanes said.

The trial court earlier ordered the government to pay Piatco a much lower P7.6 billion, less the P3 billion down payment that the government has given the contractor. The trial court also didn’t award any interest as part of the compensation for the airport builder.

The Court of Appeals, in its ruling dated Aug. 7, changed the trial court’s ruling by fixing the just compensation to Piatco at $300,206,639 minus the $59,483,604 paid in September 2006 for a net sum of $240,768,035.

The appellate court also ruled that upon the finality of the judgement, interest on the sum due by then shall be 12 percent until fully paid.

In computing the compensation for Piatco, the appellate court said just compensation

www.canadianinquirer.net

The long drawn out legal tussle for the control and ownership of Naia 3, spanning more than a decade, has cost our government more than P2.3 billion for legal expenses alone, according to Sen. Trillanes.

PHOTO FROM BLOG.ADOBORICE.COM

was “the full and fair equivalent of the property sought to be expropriated,” adding that “the measure is not the taker’s gain but the owner’s loss.”

“To arrive at just compensation, we simply put in the figure determined as replacement cost, which is $300,206,693 and factored in law and equity,” the appellate court said.

“Law and equity, however, dictate that interest should be imposed on the amount due Piatco,” it added.

The appellate court said that it would be unfair to withhold the collection of interest since the government has been “enjoying the income or fruits from the operation of the structure it has expropriated.” ■

Philippine News

7 FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013

Husbands, wives and lovers may soon face jail time

BY CHRISTIAN V. ESGUERRA Philippine Daily Inquirer A HUSBAND sleeping with another man, or a wife with another woman, is not a crime in the Philippines. Not yet, anyway, unless a congressman has his way.

Under existing Philippine laws, “no crime is committed,” said Albay Rep. Edcel “Grex” Lagman, who filed a bill that would penalize marital infidelity committed with gay lovers.

Apparently riding on the current popularity of a TV soap, “My Husband’s Lover,” where the male spouse falls in love with another man, the neophyte congressman said there was need to amend the “obsolete provisions” of the Revised Penal Code and “broaden the scope of what constitutes adultery.”

House Bill No. 2352 would prohibit a married man or woman from engaging in “sexual activity” with another man or woman, respectively.

Lagman said his measure would provide a “legal recourse” for an “aggrieved spouse against a husband’s gay lover or a wife’s lesbian lover.”

“The most important facet of these amendments is that a gay and/or lesbian can now be prosecuted for adultery, legally putting them on equal footing with a man and/or a woman who knowingly has sexual relations with a married person,” he said

in a statement.

At present, the Revised Penal Code states that “adultery is committed by a married woman who shall have sexual intercourse with a man not her husband and by the man who has carnal knowledge of her knowing her to be married, even if the marriage be subsequently declared void.”

Concubinage is committed by “a husband who shall keep a mistress in the conjugal dwelling, or shall have sexual intercourse, under scandalous circumstances, with a woman not his wife, or shall cohabit with her in any other place.”

Both crimes are punishable with prison terms.

“But what if a married woman engages in a sexual activity with another woman? Conversely, what if a married man engages in a sexual activity with another man?” Lagman said.

The congressman said he supported the “gender equality and rights” demanded by the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) community. But he said the concept should not be limited to the “positive side of things.”

“Meaning, equality must be upheld both in the rewards as well as in the sanctions for violations handed out by society through innovative laws,” he said.

“Every person must be prepared to accept and carry the burdens of equal liability and responsibility. That is the true essence of democracy,” he said. ■

Santiago deplores senators’ failure to stand up to Enrile

BY NORMAN BORDADORA Philippine Daily Inquirer SEN. MIRIAM Defensor-Santiago expressed disappointment that none of her colleagues in the majority rose to counter Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile’s opinion that Congress could not pass a law to impair contracts such as the one entered into by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and two water concessionaires.

Santiago, a lawyer, was referring to Enrile’s interpellation of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, who called for a Senate inquiry into the pass-on charges, such as the cost of income tax payments, of Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Corp.

‘Enrile’s ignorance’

It was Enrile’s position that Congress can do nothing to address the situation of consumers in Metro Manila and nearby areas if the concession agreement with franchise holder and regulator MWSS provided for the pass-on charges.

“The Enrile speech was an egregious example of ignorance of the law, used as a tool to bludgeon the heads of nonlawyers. I am very disappointed that none of the lawyers in the majority coalition to which I belong stood up to unmask Enrile’s ignorance,” Santiago said in a statement.

Among the lawyers in the Senate majority are Senate President Franklin Drilon, Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, Sen. Pia Cayetano, Sen. Francis Escudero, Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara and 1989 bar topnotcher Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III. Various expenses, such as those for foreign trips, entertainment and recreation, advertising, gifts, flowers and other tokens for all occasions, have been passed on to customers of the two water concessionaires, according to a consumer advocacy group.

The Water for the People Network said these expenses were on top of the P15.3 billion in income taxes that Maynilad and Manila Water passed on to consumers from 2008 to 2012. www.canadianinquirer.net

PHOTO FROM LITOSPHERE.WORDPRESS.COM

Impairment clause

Santiago said that in the 1992 case of Juarez v. Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court ruled that, “The impairment clause is now no longer inviolate; in fact, there are many who now believe it is an anachronism in present-day society .... These agreements have come within the embrace of the police power.”

She traced the police power limitation on the so-called “contract clause” or “impairment clause” as far back as 60 years ago, with the decision by the Supreme Court in the landmark 1953 case of Rutter v. Esteban, ushering in a consistent line of cases holding that police power prevail over the contract clause.

all laws necessary and proper to preserve the public security, order, health, morality, justice and general welfare.”

On Enrile’s boast that if he would be allowed to appear in court, he would certainly defeat Trillanes, Santiago said: “He does not want the Senate to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation, which is one of our duties. Instead, he wants Trillanes to file a case in court, which is no longer part of our legislative functions.”

“Under the Senate rules, that kind of boasting and selfpraise at the expense of another senator, who is a nonlawyer, constitutes unparliamentary language because it offends Senator Trillanes and the Senate as a whole,” she added.

Public welfare superior?

Different Constitution

Santiago then cited the 1993 case of PNB v. Remigio, in which the Supreme Court ruled: “The constitutional guarantee of non-impairment of obligations of contract is limited by the exercise of the police power of the State, the reason being that public welfare is superior to private rights.”

She went on to cite the 1995 case of Conference of Maritime Manning Agencies v. POEA in which the Supreme Court similarly ruled: “The freedom of contract is not absolute; all contracts and all rights are subject to the police power of the State and not only may regulations which affect them be established by the State, but all such regulations must be subject to change from time to time....”

Santiago defined police power as “the inherent and plenary power of a sovereign to make

Sought for comment, Enrile stood by his view on the inviolability of contracts.

“I have a different notion. I’m not an author of books on the Constitution but, I have enough understanding of the Constitution,” Enrile said. “Maybe she studied a different Constitution.”

Enrile said he didn’t bully Trillanes as Santiago had indicated.

“In fact, I greeted him a happy birthday. You know, she’s debating with us but she’s not on the floor. She should come and perform her job,” he said.

Told that Santiago said that she almost had a heart attack when she heard his opinion on contracts, Enrile said, “Well, good luck to her.”

Santiago has been on an extended medical leave due to chronic fatigue. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013 8

Taiwan open to OFWS again

BY TJ BURGONIO Philippine Daily Inquirer FILIPINO WORKERS are again packing their bags for Taiwan, a sign that relations between Manila and Taipei are returning to normal after a threemonth diplomatic row.

Taiwan lifted a ban on Filipino workers and other retaliatory sanctions against the Philippines after Manila formally apologized for the fatal shooting on May 9 of a Taiwanese fisherman.

Malacañang also finally released a report of the National Bureau of Investigation that recommended the filing of homicide charges against eight Philippine Coast Guard personnel involved in the shooting.

“The government of the Republic of China (Taiwan’s official title) announces that the sanction against the Philippines is removed immediately after the Filipino side has displayed apology and goodwill in written statements and action,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.

The announcement came after Amadeo R. Perez, chair of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (Meco) which handles relations in the absence of diplomatic ties, flew to Taiwan and offered an “official apology” on behalf of President Aquino.

Tensions had risen sharply after a 65-year-old fisherman was shot dead by Filipino coast guards on May 9 in waters near an island in the Philippines’ extreme north, which Taiwan also claims as part of its economic

zone.

Perez then traveled to the small southern port town of Hsiaoliuchiu to meet the family of the dead man, Hung Shihchen. In televised comments, Perez said he wished to convey “the Philippine people’s deep regret and apology to the family of Mr. Hung Shih-chen over this unfortunate loss of life of their beloved one.”

“May I respectfully present our official letter of apology to the family of Mr. Hung on behalf of our President and our people,” he told Hung’s widow, before giving her the letter and shaking her hands.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry said the Hung family and the Filipino government had reached a settlement on compensation, without specifying its content.

Taiwan said Manila had also agreed to hold further talks on a proposed fisheries agreement as part of their efforts to avoid another such tragedy while handling disputes.

Taiwan had rejected earlier apologies by Manila as inadequate and imposed a series of sanctions, including a ban on hiring new Filipino workers, an advisory urging Taiwanese not to visit the Philippines, and the suspension of trade and academic exchanges.

But diplomatic tensions eased after Philippine authorities said they had recommended homicide charges against eight Filipino coast guards for Hung’s death.

Perez had previously visited Taiwan in May as a “personal representative” of President Aquino, but his apology was rejected by the Taipei govern-

ment because he had described Hung’s death as “unintended.”

The killing caused outrage and protests in Taiwan, with President Ma Ying-jeou describing it as “cold-blooded murder” as Taipei responded with the sanctions and with navy drills.

After a three-month standoff, the announcement on the lifting of the ban on Filipino workers was a clear sign of the normalizing relations between the two countries, said an official of the Meco.

“We have heard that some workers waiting in Manila have been advised to prepare to be deployed (in Taiwan),” Meco resident representative Antonio Basilio said in a text message from Taipei.

Basilio, who was part of the Meco delegation that flew to Taipei to deliver the apology to Hung’s family, said they also received a report that Taiwan’s Council of Labor Affairs has begun processing work permits for Filipinos.

Meco could not say how many Filipino workers were replaced by workers from other countries after the May 15 ban, but estimated that at least 3,000 contracts a month were frozen since then.

Had the crisis lasted longer, Taiwanese employers would have been forced to recruit workers from other countries, Meco officials said.

“They are quite relieved,” Basilio said of the Meco staff.

He said Perez has informed President Aquino about the results of their visit in Taipei. ■ With a report from AFP

According to its foreign ministry, Taiwan removed its sanction against the Philippines after the Filipino side has displayed apology and goodwill in written statements and action.

www.canadianinquirer.net

Gov’t to pay P5B for rent in 2014

BY NORMAN BORDADORA Philippine Daily Inquirer VARIOUS AGENCIES of the government will spend almost P5 billion to pay rent for office spaces in 2014, the chair of the Senate committee on finance said.

Sen. Francis Escudero, the chair of the panel that will scrutinize the proposed P2.26-trillion national budget, said this was “a waste” and proposed the government shift from renting to owning its office space in the next three years.

Escudero said the P4.745 billion earmarked in the 2014 budget for the rent of office spaces and other equipment was “a waste of much needed resources vis-à-vis long term investments and other needed capitalization.”

Escudero said reducing the whopping rent allocation could substantially help address classroom shortages and boost medical funding for indigents in all government hospitals.

“By way of policy, the government should make a shift in three years and should not be renting office space anymore,” Escudero said.

Under the 2014 budget proposal, the secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs was given the biggest rental allocation at P742.9 million.

It is followed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue at P531.5 million; the Department of Interior and Local GovernmentPhilippine National Police at P279.4 million; the Department of Trade and Industry-Office of the Secretary, P270.4 million; the Supreme Court and the trial courts, P212.8 million.

The senator said renting spaces was “like throwing money down the drain.”

“Yes, we need spaces and buildings to operate and function properly. Machines that are essential to an agency operation are a must. But renting is a short term solution with no long term gains in terms of helping us to efficiently allocate scarce resources,” Escudero said.

Escudero said he has been looking into mechanisms so that in three years’ time government agencies can already do away with renting office buildings and other equipment.

“The government should already endeavor to own infrastructure and equipment that are central to their respective operations. It’s absurd, the government owns land and we have the resources, why not build our own buildings on our own properties? Or acquire staple equipment?” Escudero said.

Escudero said the government should encourage a leaseto-own scheme which provides fund programming that does not require a lump sum expense but will allow us to eventually own the facility.

Escudero mentioned the DFA as one agency that has already configured such a scheme. He said other agencies should follow suit.

“The approach in the budget proposal, where almost all expenditures are itemized, is a first in the country’s budget history, and allows for leeway, flexibility and foresight in terms of planning for departmental spending—which includes putting up the agency’s own building,” Escudero said. ■

Philippine News

9 FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013

‘Letting US in good for PH troops’

BY TJ A. BURGONIO Philippine Daily Inquirer MALACAÑANG ON Sunday justified the forging of a framework agreement with the United States on increasing American troop presence in the Philippines amid a territorial row with China.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the government had been forthcoming on its main reason for negotiating such an agreement with the US—to boost the capabilities of Filipino soldiers.

“The increase, if ever, in the rotational presence would benefit our soldiers because they will have more knowledge and

information-sharing when it comes to upgrading our capabilities,” Valte said in an interview over government-run dzRB. Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin will brief the media on the start of negotiations at the Armed Forces of the Philippines headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo.

Both Del Rosario and Gazmin had written leaders of Congress to make a case for an increased rotational presence of American troops, arguing that this would help the country attain a “minimum credible defense” of its territory, according to an Associated Press report.

A larger American presence

would translate to more resources and training on disaster response, they also said.

The Philippines and China have been locked in a dispute over some islands in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

As its military and economic might grew, China has been asserting its claims more aggressively in the sea. The Philippines has brought a case against China before the United Nations.

Three island groups are at the center of the dispute, including the Spratlys, a chain of up to 190 islands, reefs, coral outcrops and banks believed to be sitting atop large deposits of oil and natural gas.

The agreement would be in

sync with the US pivot to the Asia Pacific by allowing the US and other allies access to existing military bases, Gazmin had said earlier.

But Gazmin had been quick to say that any such agreement would have to comply with the Constitution, which prohibits foreign bases, and the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

Chinese officials criticized the move. In the face of Beijing’s growing might, Washington last year saw the necessity to rebalance toward the Asia Pacific region and deploy 60 percent of the US Navy fleet to the Pacific by 2020.

The Obama administration has helped the Philippines upgrade its military equipment

for its own defense while Manila has agreed to allow American troops and ships to rotate through the country under the VFA. Valte maintained that any new agreement on an increased rotational presence would be forged under the VFA. “My understanding is that everything will be under the framework of the VFA. So the subject of negotiations would be the modalities on how to implement an increased rotational presence. Let’s wait for several announcements on this,” she said.

The VFA allows American troops into the country on short stays and governs their conduct. ■

Strong typhoon batters north Philippines, killing at least 1 and leaving 45 fishermen missing

BY TERESA CEROJANO The Associated Press MANILA, PHILIPPINES—A powerful typhoon battered the northern Philippines on Monday, toppling power lines and dumping heavy rain across mountains, cities and foodgrowing plains. The storm killed at least one man in a landslide and left 45 fishermen missing.

Typhoon Utor, described as the strongest globally so far this year, slammed ashore in mountainous eastern Aurora province with sustained winds of 175 kilometres (109 miles) per hour and gusts of up to 210 kph (130 mph).

Footage from ABS-CBN TV network showed a woman swept away by a raging river in neighbouring Isabela province.

The woman waved her hands

for help as she struggled to hang on to debris while being buffeted by huge waves in the muddy waters. It was not immediately clear what happened to her.

“We have no official report yet, and we do not know if up to this time she has not been rescued,” said Norma Talosig, a regional civil defence director. She said the woman lived alone in a low-lying area in San Agustin town and refused to be evacuated.

In mountainous Benguet province, a 22-year-old man died on the way to a hospital after he was pulled out from a landslide that hit the roadside canal he was clearing, said regional civil defence official Andrew Alex Uy. The typhoon triggered waves of up to 2.5 metres (eight feet) and left scores of fishermen missing.

In northern Pangasinan

province, 25 fishermen on board three boats failed to return home, said provincial police spokesman Senior Inspector Ryan Manongdo.

Twenty people from the eastern provinces of Catanduanes and Camarines Norte also were unaccounted for. Authorities were hoping they just took shelter in coves and nearby islands, said Office of Civil Defence regional director Bernardo Alejandro IV. “I hope they’re just waiting for the typhoon to pass and will show up as soon as the weather clears,” he said.

As of Monday afternoon, the typhoon had crossed the Philippines’ main northern island of Luzon and was off the country’s northwestern coast with winds of 140 kph (87 mph) and gusts of 170 kph (106 mph), government weather forecaster Jun Galang said.

www.canadianinquirer.net

Typhoon Utor (Labuyo, locally), the strongest typhoon globally so far this year.

SCREENGRAB FROM WWW.TYPHOON200.PH

He said the typhoon may intensify over the South China Sea as it moves toward China.

He said the storm carried a lot of rain but was moving fast, so the rainfall was not concentrated in one area. Utor was forecast to make landfall in Guandong, China, on Wednesday.

About 1,000 residents in the

central Philippines’ Bicol region spent the night in shelters, while Aurora province was without power, the national disaster agency said. Radio stations reported roofs were blown off and a covered basketball court washed away in Dinalungan town.

About 1,100 travellers remained stranded as passenger and cargo ferries were grounded. Classes in towns and cities on the typhoon’s path were suspended, including in Manila, the capital. Several domestic flights were cancelled.

Utor, the Marshellese word for a squall line, is the 12th of about 20 storms and typhoons expected to lash the Philippines this year. ■ Associated Press writers Joeal Calupitan, Hrvoje Hranjski and Jim Gomez contributed to this report.

Philippine News

FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013 10

97 mayors’ signatures fake; Witness: Janet took P900M in relief funds

BY NANCY C. CARVAJAL Philippine Daily Inquirer NINETY-SEVEN MAYORS of cities and towns in Luzon ravaged by Tropical Storm “Ondoy” and Typhoon “Pepeng” in 2009 supposedly received P900 million in Malampaya gas funds through bogus nongovernment organizations (NGOs) allegedly formed by businesswoman Janet LimNapoles.

Documents obtained by the INQUIRER show that the funds were released through the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the agency designated to support the rehabilitation of agrarian communities damaged by the two storms.

The DAR released the funds on the basis of written requests for assistance from the mayors of affected towns and cities.

But according to an affidavit submitted to investigators by Merlina Suñas, 59, a former employee at Napoles’ JLN Corp. and now one of eight whistleblowers in the P10-billion pork barrel scam, the Malampaya funds did not reach the local governments and instead “all went to the pocket” of Napoles.

Suñas said that aside from being assigned by Napoles as president of the dummy NGO People’s Organization for Progress and Development Foundation Inc., she also served as JLN’s coordinator in the DAR for the Malampaya fund project.

No deliveries

“There were no deliveries of funds, because the funds were immediately withdrawn three days after the checks for them, which were in the NGOs’ names, had been deposited in their bank accounts,” Suñas said. “All the cash was brought to Madam Janet.”

As coordinator, she said, she was assigned to prepare the documents for the whole project, including the letters of the mayors asking for assistance addressed to then Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman.

“Me and the staff of JLN prepared the letters of request on orders of Madam Janet,” Suñas

Jeane Napoles, Janet Lim-Napoles’ daughter, in this screencap from the video of her 21st birthday bash, is being persecuted in cyberspace for posting a photo of her graduation gift: a Porsche. Her mother is at the center of a controversy involving the PDAF and Malampaya funds.

said.

She said she and other JLN staff members also prepared another set of documents for the release of the funds. This was the tripartite agreement between the local government, the DAR representative, and the head of the NGO. Suñas said all the tripartite agreement documents she prepared bore the name of then Agrarian Reform Assistant Secretary Narciso Nieto as signatory representing the DAR. “My role was limited to the preparation of the documents.

How much was the commission or share of other parties, I have no idea,” she said when asked if she knew how much commission government officials got, if any.

The NGO heads’ and Nieto’s signatures were genuine, but the local government officials’ signatures were forged,” Suñas said.

Withdrawals

Suñas said all the letters of requests and the agreement documents were given to Napoles, who personally took them to DAR. “We knew the transaction came through when we started to withdraw the money of the NGOs on orders of Napoles,” Suñas said.

She added that checks were deposited on the day they were received.

“We withdraw money as much as P75 million a day, placed in several duffel bags on trolleys,” Suñas said.

She added that it was after the Malampaya funds were released that Napoles started her big (property) purchases,” Suñas said.

The National Bureau of Investigation is investigating Napoles for the alleged diversion of Malampaya funds.

She is also under NBI investigation for allegedly siphoning off P10 billion in legislators’ pork barrel into her bank accounts, also allegedly using dummy NGOs. Eight senators and 24 members of the House of Representatives have been linked to the pork barrel scandal.

The back-to-back storms Ondoy and Pepeng ravaged provinces in northern and Central Luzon.

Damage to agriculture caused by the two storms was placed at P27.2 billion.

Central Luzon suffered the worst damage, with 35.5 percent of its agriculture destroyed.

The Ilocos Region suffered 33.1- percent damage and Cagayan Valley, 15.2 percent. www.canadianinquirer.net

Manufactured receipts

In the Malampaya fund scam, Suñas said local governments were supposed to receive agricultural kits through the dummy NGOs. “But no delivery was ever made. All the receipts for the liquidation of the funds were manufactured,” Suñas said.

Asked if Pangandaman and Nieto were involved in the scam, Suñas replied: “Based on the vouchers received by the NGOs, they were also the signatories. We do not know the agreement between them and Ma’am Janet.”

According to the documents obtained by the INQUIRER, the P900 million was released in three tranches: on Nov. 26, on Dec. 23, and on Dec. 29, all in 2009.

Repeated donations

The documents showed that the 12 NGOs that Suñas claimed were Napoles dummies repeatedly received endorsements as beneficiaries of the Malampaya funds.

Karangyaan para sa Magbubukid, headed by Simplicio Gumafelix; Saganang Buhay, headed by Lilian Español, and Gintong Pangkabuhayan, headed by Eulogio Rodriguez, received the biggest donations, coming up to P82.5 million.

Abundant Harvest for Farmers, headed by Vannessa Eman; Bukirin Tanglaw para sa Magsasaka, headed by Gertrudes Luy; Dalangpan Sang Amon Utod Kasimanwa, headed Jesus Castillo; Ginintuang Alay sa Magsasaka, headed by John Lim; Masaganang Buhay Foundation, headed by Lorna Ramirez; Kasaganahan para sa Magsasaka Foundation, led by Genevieve Uy; Kaupdanan para sa Magsasaka, headed by John Raymond de Asis, and Tanglaw para sa Magsasaka, led by Nova Kay-Dulay, received donations nine times, in such amounts as P77 million, P75 million, and P72.5 million.

Micro Agri Business Citizens Initiative Foundation, headed

by Napoles’ brother Ronald F. Lim, received donations seven times, each time getting P55 million.

Suñas said Gumafelix is administrator of JLN and its oldest employee.

Eulogio Rodriguez and John Lim were represented by lawyers from Kapunan, Garcia, and Castillo law firm when they were invited by the NBI for questioning as heads of the NGOs involved in the alleged scam.

The same law firm represents Napoles in the pork barrel scam investigation. ■

Philippine News

11 FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013

GMA, son file bill to penalize economic spying

BY CHRISTIAN V. ESGUERRA Philippine Daily Inquirer FORMER PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has teamed up with her son in crafting a bill that would punish “economic espionage.”

Now on her second term as Pampanga representative, Arroyo and son Dato, a congressman from Camarines Sur, filed House Bill No. 1377, which seeks to criminalize economic espionage to “protect and ensure the development of proprietary economic information as an integral part of the nation’s commerce and economic

development.”

The crime is committed “by any person who steals, wrongfully appropriates, takes, carries away, or conceals, or by fraud, artifice, or deception obtains proprietary economic information.”

“We need to advance the development and lawful use of Philippine proprietary economic information by protecting it from theft, wrongful destruction or alteration, misappropriation and conversion by foreign governments and their agents or instrumentalities,” the authors said in the bill’s explanatory note.

“The development, protection and lawful exchange of

such information is essential to the competitiveness of critical segments of Philippine business and industry.”

In a statement, the Arroyos said the crime “can cost the country’s economy millions of pesos each year especially when perpetrated by foreign government and their agents and instrumentalities.”

Known as the Economic Espionage and Protection of Proprietary Information Act of 2013, the measure would slap a perpetrator with a fine “equivalent to the economic value of such proprietary information.”

The proposed law also authorizes the government to “forfeit any property constituting, or

derived from any proceeds the person obtained, directly or indirectly, from the commission of such violations.”

The forfeiture would also cover “any of the person’s property used, or intended to be used, in any manner or part, to commit, or to facilitate the commission of a violation of this Act.” Economic espionage would also penalize a person who “receives, buys, or possesses proprietary economic information, knowing the same to have been stolen or wrongfully appropriated, obtained, or converted.”

Also included is any person who “wrongfully copies, duplicates, sketches, draws, photographs, downloads, uploads, alters, de-

stroys, photocopies, replicates, transmits, delivers, sends, mails, communicates, or conveys proprietary information.” ■

Taguig not yielding Ft. Boni as Makati plans takeover Binay offers tax respite; Lani says turf row not over

BY JAYMEE T. GAMIL AND NIÑA P. CALLEJA Philippine Daily Inquirer MAKATI CITY is wasting no time making everyone know it is set to establish control in the next few days. But Taguig City is calling such move “irresponsible” and is not giving way that easily.

Change may not come that smoothly at Fort Bonifacio, especially in the upscale Bonifacio Global City (BGC), despite the recent Court of Appeals ruling that gave the revenue-rich area back to Makati’s jurisdiction after a 20-year boundary dispute with Taguig.

A day after Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay welcomed the ruling by unveiling plans to take over the area “in two weeks,” Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano said such statements were “unfortunate and irresponsible.”

“How could you issue statements that are still so far off?

Until now, the status quo is still in effect,” Cayetano said in a press conference she called at the BGC, where she was joined by several other Taguig officials. “We still have legal remedies. We will fight for this.”

“If they [try to] take control, we will assert our jurisdiction,” she said. “We just want the business community to know that the status quo is still in effect. Stay calm. Transactions

will still be with Taguig.”

But Binay pressed on, saying that to ease the transition for affected businessmen, his city government would suspend the collection of business taxes in BGC in the third and fourth quarter of the year.

Binay also pointed out that the CA had already ordered Taguig “to immediately cease and desist from exercising jurisdiction within the disputed area and return the same to Makati.”

“We understand the situation of the business community in BGC. We do not intend to collect taxes from them for the rest of the year. We can do that in January next year when they apply for business permits,” the Makati mayor said in a statement.

Along with the tax moratorium, the mayor said he would also prioritize the delivery of basic services to residents of the disputed barangays that, according to him, had been neglected for the past two decades.

“We must not forget the plight of residents of Barangays Post Proper Northside and Southside that have lagged behind in the delivery of basic services and infrastructure development, in stark contrast with the rapidly expanding skyline of the BGC,” Binay said.

Earlier, Binay said the takeover would be felt by the residents in two weeks, and that he had talked about it in meetings

with the Makati assessor, engineer, administrator, and some businessmen operating in the two cities.

Joey Salgado, Makati City’s public information chief, said Makati policemen and civilian law enforcers known as Mapsa would also be deployed in BGC “in a few days.”

But in the press conference, former Fort Bonifacio chair and now Taguig’s 2nd District Rep. Lino Cayetano, the mayor’s brother-in-law, directed a question at Binay: “What’s the rush?”

“It took years before we reached this decision. In those years, the claim of Taguig has been reaffirmed again and again.

In 2011, the regional trial court said the barangays were part of Taguig. [We] made no move to assert jurisdiction over these areas out of respect and because the communities would be disrupted,” the congressman said.

‘Embo’ villages

The disputed areas cover the socalled “embo” villages—Cembo, South Cembo, West Rembo, East Rembo, Comembo and Pembo— whose names were derived from acronyms of military units based in Fort Bonifacio when much of it was still an Army camp. They also include Pitogo and the Inner Fort barangays Post Proper Northside and Southside, which covers the BGC. Mayor Cayetano said she was www.canadianinquirer.net

Fort Bonifacio is currently the business and financial centre of Manila; Makati wants it back from Taguig.

particularly “hurt” by Binay’s pronouncements that losing Fort Bonifacio may affect Taguig’s status as a city “because they will have reduced revenues and land area,” which are factors considered for attaining that status.

“They belittle us too much.

I am saddened by these statements. What kind of satisfaction will they get?” Cayetano said.

“Over the years, businesses and citizens have been flocking to Taguig. They transfer here because they see that living and doing business here is better than in other areas. You could ask our businesses: Taguig has the lowest tax rate. We public servants worked hard on this,” she stressed.

‘You know the process’

“I appeal to Mayor Binay to be responsible and fair in his statements. You and all lawyers know the legal process would

take time. Taguig can still file a motion for reconsideration.

And if need be, we can push this up to the Supreme Court. So why confuse the businessmen and residents of Fort Bonifacio?” Cayetano asked.

The CA ruling dated July 30 lifted a preliminary injunction issued by the Pasig City court in July 1994 that had prevented Makati from exercising jurisdiction over the disputed villages.

In a ruling penned by Associate Justice Marlene Gonzales-Sison, the appellate court dismissed Taguig’s 1993 complaint for lack of merit and affirmed that the areas were within the territorial jurisdiction of Makati.

It declared as constitutional and valid Presidential Proclamation Nos. 2475 and 518, issued during the Marcos and Cory Aquino administration, respectively, which reinforced Makati’s claim over Fort Bonifacio. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013 12

House won’t probe... whistle-blowers that Janet Lim-Napoles formed a network of fake nongovernment organizations (NGOs) to loot taxpayers’ money in conspiracy with lawmakers, their key staff members and certain government personnel.

In affidavits submitted to the NBI, the whistle-blowers, led

by Benhur Luy, a relative and former employee of Napoles, claimed that up to 60 percent of the funds funneled into bogus NGOs and nonexistent projects represented kickbacks of lawmakers. The rest went to Napoles and her group.

Belmonte said that after the justice department’s investigation, the House “will evaluate the findings and decide if more is needed.” The NBI is under the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Belmonte’s stand runs counter to calls made by House Minority Leader Ronnie Zamora for the chamber to look into the scam involving the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), the official name of the pork barrel.

“The magnitude and the destructive effects of the PDAF scam must not be swept into oblivion, as the issue is destroying the trust that members of the Philippine Congress should enjoy from the people they represent,” the minority bloc said in House Resolution No. 160.

Senate President Franklin Drilon took a position similar to Belmonte’s last week as he noted that agencies like the NBI were in a better position to handle the case than a selfexamination in which, based on the view of the majority of senators, the results would not be trusted by the public.

Sen. Francis Escudero filed a resolution calling for a Senate probe of the scam, but his colleagues shot it down.

Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said a probe would be “problematic” and “senators and congressmen [might] fight among themselves.” ❰❰ 1

Many no longer solons

In explaining why the House was not keen on investigating the scam, Belmonte said “the original list is made up mostly of people who are no longer in the House and those who are

still members are at the bottom of the list.”

He said most of the 23 House members cited in the INQUIRER series on PDAF misuse had “exited” before he took over as Speaker in the 15th Congress.

“I never even heard of some of them. Some of them are even dead. To be fair, this administration has been limiting the menu since 2011,” Belmonte said.

The 23 representatives allegedly involved in the racket are Rizalina SeachonLanete, Conrado M. Estrella III, Edgar L. Valdez, Rodolfo G. Plaza, Erwin L. Chiongbian, Samuel M. Dangwa, Robert Raymund Estrella, Manuel C. Ortega, Constantino G. Jaraula, Mark Douglas C. Cagas IV, Arthur Pinggoy Jr. Federico S. Sandoval II, Victor Francisco C. Ortega, Arrel R. Olaño, Salacnib F. Batarina, Rodolfo G. Valencia, Antonio M. Serapio, Isidro E. Real Jr., Rozzano Rufino B. Biazon, Joel J. Vilanueva, Rufus B. Rodriguez, Ernesto A. Nieva and Amado S. Bagatsing.

The five senators named in the scam are Ramon Revilla Jr., Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Gregorio Honasan II. Belmonte said that of the P70 million in pork allotted yearly for a member of the House, “only P30 million is soft (projects) and could be downloaded by the agencies involved to NGOs” while the P40 million was for “hard” projects “in one’s own district.”

‘Hard to commit corruption’

“It is hard to commit corruption in hard projects and there are virtually no ghost projects,” he said.

Each senator is allotted P200 million in pork yearly.

Members of the House prosecution team in the impeachment trial last year of then Chief Justice Renato Corona expressed support for Belmonte’s stand.

Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr. said he had “no problem” investigating the pork barrel scam.

“But I think the House leadership is currently weighing the pros and cons of investigating the issue at this time considering that there are already some government agencies like the DOJ and the NBI investigating the issue.”

E B O R NO P Not impartial

“Since, the name of some House members were mentioned, an investigation by the House may not be perceived to be fair and impartial,” Tupas said in a text message.

Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo, spokesperson of the House impeachment team, said: “Congress cannot escape investigating itself if it wants the people to restore their trust in the institution. The NBI’s investigation is so far ahead at this point that it makes no sense to conduct a parallel one.”

“They’ve gathered a lot of witnesses, sworn affidavits and evidence from several whistleblowers. It would have been different if the NBI and Congress were both just at the initiatory stage,” he said.

Quimbo said the House should conduct an ethics probe “should the NBI find sufficient evidence to hold past and previous members accountable for PDAF misuse.”

Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello said that while he was for the abolition of the pork barrel, he agreed “in principle” with Belmonte’s position.

Can’t investigate self

“My personal take is that you cannot trust an agency to investigate itself, which is why it’s best for an outside agency to do it, like the DOJ,” he said.

Bello added that this was the same reason behind his decision to ask the DOJ to step in in the sex-for-flight scandal because he could not trust the Department of Foreign Affairs and www.canadianinquirer.net

the Department of Labor and Employment to come out with objective results.

“I am not familiar with the reasoning behind the House leadership’s position, maybe a fear that instead of becoming an objective process, it could degenerate into a partisan wrangle,” he said.

Like a voice in the wilderness, some lawmakers are stepping up the pressure on their colleagues to give in to calls for a congressional inquiry.

“I am frustrated and share the people’s disgust in the ‘noninvestigation’ of the PDAF scandal. I hold the belief that the Senate passed upon a golden opportunity to show and prove to our people that the ‘upper chamber’ has the moral ascendancy to bring to its logical conclusion P-Noy’s fight against corruption,” Escudero said.

Double standard

He said that after impeaching and convicting Corona on a mere “non-declaration” of assets in his SALNs (statements of assets, liabilities and net worth), “I cannot help feeling that there is a seeming double standard in how we are pursuing our common fight against graft and grafters in the government.”

“I continue to hold on to PNoy’s statement during his Sona (State of the Nation Address) that the fight will go on whoever is hit and wherever and against whom the axe may fall,” Escudero said in a text message.

He said his colleagues’ argument that the Senate should not conduct a parallel probe while another agency was already looking into the matter had “no basis” because it conducted a probe of the Cagayan de Oro bomb blast recently even though the NBI and the Department of the Interior and Local Government were still probing the incident.

ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio said Congress should not act as if it were “business as usual even as its members are accused of perhaps the largest corruption scandal in its history.”

‘Damaged institution’

“The challenge, which we in the minority are posing, is for the House to conduct an investigation of its own members that will be credible to the public. It should be able to show that it can police its own ranks.

Otherwise, it will prove itself to be an irretrievably damaged institution,” said Tinio, a member of the Makabayan bloc of militant lawmakers who announced their plan to abstain from using their pork funds and push for its abolition.

Like Escudero, Tinio questioned Congress’ malleable rules on who should and who should not be investigated.

“Is this the same institution that impeached Corona? Why is it that the crusading zeal against graft and corruption seems to have vanished into thin air when the House is now challenged to investigate its own?” he asked. ■

Philippine News

13 FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013

JBC to get Islamic law consultant

BY JEROME ANING Philippine Daily Inquirer THE SUPREME Court has approved in principle the appointment of a Shari’a consultant to the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), which screens nominees to positions in the judiciary.

In a one-page full court resolution, the Supreme Court also granted the letterrequest of Justice Marvic Leonen for the appointment of a “jurisconsult” in Islamic law to the JBC. “The Court resolved to approve in principle the appointment of a Shari’a consultant for the JBC and a jurisconsult in Islamic law,” the resolution stated, instructing the court administrator to make a recommendation on the matter within a period of 30 days.

Leonen earlier wrote his fellow justices about the importance of appointing a Shari’a consultant to the JBC and a jurisconsult in Islamic law, which are provided for under Republic Act No. 9044 or the amended organic act of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) that was enacted in 2001.

“I have been informed that despite the presence of so many qualified experts on Shari’a Law, the court still does not have

a Shari’a consultant for the JBC nor a jurisconsult. May I respectfully suggest that the Secretariat of the JBC and the Office of the Court Administrator be tasked immediately to look into this matter,” Leonen said.

Prior to his appointment to the Court,

Leonen headed the government negotiating panel in the peace talks with the Moro secessionists.

Leonen cited certain provisions of RA 9054 relating to the appointment of a consultant by the Regional Assembly of the Autonomous Region in Muslim

Senate to start scrimping

BY TJ BURGONIO Philippine Daily Inquirer THE NEW Senate leadership is reviewing the chamber’s expenditures, such as reducing the number of so-called oversight committees, in response to the public furor earlier this year over the grant of Christmas bonuses to the senators using public funds.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, a key ally of President Aquino, said the senators wanted to be more prudent in their spending and keen to spend less.

To achieve this, Recto said the senators planned to fund only 20 “relevant” oversight committees out of the current 35, and provide them with uniform budgets.

After all, the law doesn’t say that all these had to be funded, he said.

One example of an irrelevant committee would be that on the Special-Purpose Vehicle Act, he said.

“We have to be sensitive to public sentiment. We’re representatives of the people,” Recto said.

The matter has yet to be taken up with the minority senators, however. When the 16th Congress opened, key Malacañang ally Franklin Drilon was elected Senate President, and Juan Ponce En-

rile, the former Senate President, was chosen minority leader.

Enrile had admitted to granting P1.6 million in additional maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) to 18 senators last Christmas. Four other senators received P250,000 each.

Part of the money came from the funds allotted for the 24th seat vacated

by President Aquino when he assumed the presidency in June 2010, which were converted into MOOE. House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. also admitted giving P500,000 in MOOEto each of the 283 House members during the holidays. Some of the recipients considered it a bonus.

The new Senate majority continued to apportion committee chairmanships to administration allies.

Neophyte Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara was appointed chair of the committee on ways and means, as well as of the committee on games and amusement.

“We welcome this new challenge to lead the committee on ways and means as the new chair. Of course we would like to concentrate our efforts at polishing and improving fiscal measures to ensure that the need for additional revenue is always balanced with the protection of our underprivileged from undue tax burdens,” he said in a statement. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

Mindanao to the JBC and the enabling of the jurisconsult.

They authorized the President to appoint a qualified person as a consultant to the JBC upon recommendation of the ARMM regional governor in consultation with the concerned sectors. The person recommended by the governor shall first be confirmed by the regional assembly.

Once appointed by the President, the consultant shall sit with the JBC only to advise and be consulted by the council on matters of appointments to judicial positions in the autonomous region.

The JBC currently has two consultants: Justices Antonio Carpio and Presbitero Velasco Jr. Section 20 of the law required the regional assembly to give priority consideration to the organization of the office of jurisconsult in Islamic law.

The jurisconsult, as envisioned by the organic act, would be an “ulama,” or expert in Islamic jurisprudence, who would officially act as the “darul ifta,” or the body that issues “fatwa” or legal rulings and opinions pertaining to the application of Islamic law.

At present, there are various ulama groups scattered throughout ARMM. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013 14

Filipino Catholic population booming, Church data shows

BY JOCELYN R. UY Philippine Daily Inquirer WHO SAID that the number of Filipino Catholics has been dwindling?

According to the Catholic Directory of the Philippines, there were six million more Catholics in the country this year, an eightpercent leap from figures culled the previous year.

From 2010 to 2011, the Church counted 70,407,588 Filipino Catholics out of the country’s estimated population of 88.9 million. There were also around 1.21 million Filipinos that were baptized into the Catholic Church, records showed.

This year, the number of Filipino Catholics reached 76.18 million out of the country’s estimated population of 96.8 million. The Catholic Directory also recorded 1.37 million baptisms since last year.

Data showed the Archdiocese of Cebu had the most number of baptisms so far this year, with 90,036. The Archdiocese of Manila came in second, with 62,854 baptisms, followed by the Diocese of Masbate, with

PHOTO BY ART PHANEUF - LOSTARTS / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

55,770.

“More people are getting baptized now. Is this a sign of the growth of the Church? Not necessarily. It can be because the population is growing,” said Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz in an interview with reporters.

Cruz said that the figures reflected in the Catholic Directory were culled from parishes across the country.

“Every year, all parishes give a statistical report to the bishop of the diocese, who then adds up all the baptisms, marriages, confirmations and ordinations,

among others,” he said, adding that the data is processed by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines before a final report is submitted to Rome.

Another survey conducted in February showed that one in every 11 Filipino Catholics, or 9.2 percent, sometimes con-

Ousted National Artists can try again, Supreme Court rules

BY CHRISTINE O. AVENDAÑO Philippine Daily Inquirer EVEN IF they lost their National Artist titles, they are still eligible for the honorable award in the future.

The Supreme Court made the clarification when it nullified last month the presidential proclamation issued in July 2009 that declared Cecile Guidote-Alvarez, Carlo Magno Jose Caparas, Francisco Mañosa and Jose Moreno National Artists.

In an earlier ruling, the high court said that then President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo committed a grave abuse of discretion in conferring the awards on the four artists who did not undergo the rigorous screening process of the National Commis-

sion for Culture and the Arts and the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

No disqualification

The full text of the tribunal’s July 16 ruling, which was released only recently to the media, made it clear that the invalidation of the proclamation of the four personalities “should not be taken as a pronouncement on whether or not they are worthy to be conferred that honor.”

“Nothing in this decision should be read as a disqualification on the part of the respondents... to be considered for the honor of National Artist in the future, subject to compliance with the laws, rules and regulations governing such award,” said the high court ruling penned by Associate Justice Teresita de Castro.

Not on short list

The court ruled on a petition filed by some National Artists, cultural workers, members of the academe and the Concerned Artists of the Philippines questioning the proclamation of the four artists because their names were not on the short list submitted by the screening committee to Arroyo.

The court said that the National Artists had legal standing to question the presidential proclamation because they would be “denied some right or privilege to which they are entitled as members of the Order of National Artists” as a result of the conferment of the award on the four. The National Artists would be denied “the privilege of exclusive membership in the Order of National Artists,” the high tribunal ruled. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

The Supreme Court building in Manila.

siders leaving the Church. The study also showed that Filipino Catholics were less devout and active in attending church services.

Cruz admitted that the Catholic Church didn’t monitor how many of its flock left the fold for other religious denominations. “We only monitor those that come in [but] to me, the increase in baptisms is a very good sign,” he said.

“It still means that the Church is very much alive here,” said Cruz.

In his opinion column, “Public Lives,” sociologist Randy David in April highlighted three findings of a survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations in February: “First, that weekly church attendance has significantly gone down from a high of 64 percent in July 1991 to a low of 37 percent in February 2013. Second, that only 29 percent of Filipino Catholics consider themselves “very religious,” compared to 50 percent of Protestants, 43 percent of Iglesia ni Cristo members and 38 percent of Muslims. And finally, that 9.2 percent ( one out of 11) “sometimes think of leaving the Church.” ■

Philippine News

15 FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013

Customs workers not on high ground in bucking reforms

BY JERRY E. ESPLANADA Philippine Daily Inquirer

Too little time to purge new voters’ list

BY TJ BURGONIO Philippine Daily Inquirer AN ELECTIONS commissioner is worried that the poll body may not have enough time to purge illegal registrants from the list of over 1.8 million new barangay voters.

The huge number of new voters was more than twice the expected turnout for the barangay elections, noted Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Grace Padaca.

Padaca said there was simply not enough time to screen the 1,805,917 new registrants using the Comelec’s Automated Fingerprint Identification System (Afis).

Last month’s registration was marred by allegations that politicians used the “hakot system” or herded their supporters to register.

Besides the 1.8 million new registrants, there were also 519,086 voters who transferred to another precinct, 121,367 who reactivated their registration records and 672 who reinstated their registration records in the list of voters.

“We talked about that in the en banc (session) ... that it would be difficult to do the Afis checking now. We cannot do it at this phase of the elections,” Padaca said in an interview.

“The verification would have to be done all over the country so it takes a lot of time. We’re talking of 1.8 million (who registered) and 519,000 transferees.

That is 2.3 million already,” she added.

Padaca explained that “it would be very difficult” to use the Afis to cleanse the list of new registrants before the elections on Oct. 28 because the data of these new registrants would still have to

be encoded.

“For purposes of the barangay elections, it would be difficult to do. There is not enough time. How could you have expected this large influx, its sheer volume,” she said.

Padaca said the list would have to be screened by the local election registration boards (ERBs) relying on complaints filed against suspected illegal registrants.

“So it would just be the ERB that will screen them. But realistically, who will do that? It’s the opposing candidates. I don’t know if it’s normal for us to expect that the opposition will come from an ordinary voter,” she said.

However, the deadline for the filing of protests against illegal registrants before ERBs lapsed on Thursday.

With not enough time to purge the list of new registrants using the Afis, Padaca said the Comelec en banc would discuss measures on how to screen flying voters and other illegal registrants.

Comelec Chair Sixto Brillantes Jr. earlier said the commission had expected new registrants to number only 800,000 “at the most.”

The regions with the highest number of new registrants were Southern Tagalog (309,049), Central Luzon (193,323), Metro Manila (143,301), Western Visayas (134,545) and Central Visayas (129,557).

Padaca said the unexpected heavy turnout in last month’s special registration occurred mostly in urban areas.

“In the provinces, not so much. We had a briefing with the (Department of Interior and Local Government) and they said that there are barangays (in urban areas) with (internal revenue allotment) shares reaching P78 million.

So, that’s a big thing,” she said. ■

BUREAU OF Customs (BOC) personnel are “not standing on high ground” to question the order of President Aquino and Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima orders to shape up, according to Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon.

The former Muntinlupa City legislator has posted on his Twitter account his disagreement with the 3,000-strong Bureau of Customs Employees Association for “questioning our leaders’ evaluation of the agency.”

“We should take it as a direct order to shape up,” he asserted.

According to Biazon, “we in the Bureau of Customs should accept the fact that reforms are in order.”

“My directive to BOC officers and employees: Accept the President’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) as a challenge to prove your worth as public servants... As I’ve always said from the very beginning of my term as commissioner, Customs reforms go beyond reshuffles and chopping off heads,” he added.

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In his fourth Sona, the President lambasted the Department of Financeattached agency for allowing smuggled items, weapons and even illegal drugs into the country, and for not properly taxing imported goods.

He said: “Instead of collecting the proper taxes and preventing contraband from entering the country, they are heedlessly permitting the smuggling of goods, even drugs, arms and other items of similar nature into our territory. The Department of Finance estimates that more than P200 billion in revenue slip through our borders instead of going to our public coffers.”

“Where do these people get the gall?” the President asked.

Wearing black armbands, BOC employees last week hit back at Mr. Aquino for making “sweeping generalizations” in his Sona in which he referred to agency personnel as corrupt and inefficient.

In a statement, Bocea president Rumulo Pagulayan said Mr. Aquino’s accusations also “demoralized all officers and employees of the BOC.” “They were in complete disregard of their rights to dignity and due process as provided for in the Constitution.” ■

Opinion

FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013 16

THERE’S THE RUB

On top of the carabao

By Conrado De Quiros Philippine Daily Inquirer VOLTAIRE GAZMIN and Albert del Rosario, the defense and foreign affairs secretaries respectively, show us why our foreign affairs has always been foreign to us and why we have always been so good at defending ourselves against everyone except ourselves. You see it in their letter to Congress calling for a larger American military presence in this country.

“The Philippines,” they say, “will shortly enter into consultations and negotiations with the United States on a possible framework agreement that would implement our agreed policy of increased rotational presence.”

This is apparently consistent with the Constitution because the increased American military presence will be temporary and will not entail new US bases. The Americans will just make do with access to Philippine ones.

This should, quite incidentally, benefit us during times of calamities such as typhoons and earthquakes.

The American servicemen can always help in rescue and rehabilitation.

What arrant nonsense. The United States wants to help us in times of storms and landslides, such as those that buried Ormoc and Cagayan de

Oro, then it should send engineers and rescue workers. Then it should send relief and aid. Not soldiers. It’s like that photograph that constantly appears—of American servicemen providing dental and health treatment to kids in makeshift tents in the south. They want to help in medical and dental care, they should send doctors and dentists. Not soldiers.

Of course we can do with the United States vociferating against China’s expansionist and imperialist tendencies, however that looks like the most hilarious thing in the world. Of course we can do with the United States expressing solidarity with the victims of China’s bullying, however that looks like the most hilarious thing in the cosmos. All the other Southeast Asian countries do. True enough, the enemy of our enemy is our friend, or at least the enemy of our current enemy is our friend. A concept Vietnam itself, which used to have the United States as a former enemy, has long discovered. That doesn’t mean making the enemy or our enemy an honored guest at our house or, heaven forbid, a permanent guest there. Heaven forbid indeed, except that what heaven forbids, we are only too willing, and eager, to allow.

The promise that the increased American presence will be merely

temporary and limited is not just deluded, it is deceitful. Was the Visiting Forces Agreement ever temporary? American military personnel have been overstaying visitors in this country for the last 15 years, ever since Erap, who voted to scrap the US bases when he was still senator, agreed to the VFA. The presence has not lessened, it has increased. It has not tapered off, it has augmented.

And now under the guise or pretext

If the US wants to help us in times of storms and landslides then it should send engineers and rescue workers, or relief and aid. Not soldiers. or excuse of a Chinese threat, however real that threat is, it means to increase that presence even more.

The infuriating thing about it is that we’re the ones asking them, no begging them, to do it. Of course the United States will always try to put one over us if it serves their interests—that’s what foreign policy is for.

But for us to want to put one over our own people—well, that’s why our foreign policy will always be foreign to us.

We do know what the people want.

We saw that in 1991 when the Magnifi-

cent 12 threw out the US bases. For all the glory Cory brought to us, that point in her rule was not her brightest. She tried to rally the country to renew the bases agreement by calling for People Power at the Luneta, except that no one came. Which showed that People Power is not just something that can be summoned at will, it is something that can be summoned only by a voice that’s there in people’s hearts. The pealing of the bells, if metaphorically, that broke out after Jovito Salonga said, “The treaty is defeated,” could be heard from here to Washington.

Arguably, “increased rotational presence” is not putting up new US bases in this country. It merely means American ships and soldiers having more access to existing Philippine ones. That doesn’t make things better, that makes them worse. At least before the United States used to pay rent, however it was cheap given the aggravation of servicemen mistaking darkskinned kids for baboy damo. At least before the United States gave employment to thousands of Filipinos, even if those jobs had to do only with drugs, rock and roll and prostitution. At least before the United States gave hangars and shipyards and all sorts of infrastructure, which proved exceedingly useful when they left. Today, they get to

stay rent-free. Today, they get to enjoy R & R courtesy of the Filipino taxpayer.

There is nothing temporary about “rotational presence.” At the very least, the Chinese threat can always be magnified to look like a potential invasion, even if thus far it’s only the United States that’s been doing that sort of thing, the last only a decade ago in Iraq. At the very most, the new American strategy is to shift forces from the Middle East to Asia, China being perceived as the real threat, and a real threat not because it harbors weapons of mass destruction but because it has unleashed the tools of massive construction, or growth, while the United States declines.

For our own leaders to impose that view of life on us, that is horrendous.

Indeed for our own leaders to try to bring back, when we weren’t looking, an iniquity that took us decades to undo, after much struggle, after much agony, after much blood, sweat and tears; for them to sneak back the myth of “special relations” and the “Liberation” and the Filipino and American soldier fighting shoulder to shoulder in Bataan, that is duplicitous.

The view on top of the carabao may be nice, but it doesn’t make you the carabao. It just makes you the fly perched on top of it.

Before you are swatted by its tail. ■

AT LARGE

Pinoy celebrities and Jane Austen

By Rina Jimenez-David Philippine Daily Inquirer I HOPE this is taken in the right spirit, but “I’m Afraid of Heights (or Why I Can’t Social-Climb)” by this paper’s Lifestyle Editor Thelma Sioson San Juan, makes for perfect bathroom reading.

Described on the cover as “profiles of lifestyle celebrities,” “I’m Afraid of Heights” is a rather hefty tome consisting of generally brief essays on personalities who populate the Philippines’ social, arts, design and show-biz world, with a smattering of politicians and business folk among them. Also included in the mix are movers-and-shakers in the international scene, most of them design mavens whom Sioson San Juan met in the course of her travels.

Each essay or personality profile is short enough for a typical visit to the toilet, though one may choose to keep seated to finish a longer piece, such as that on President Aquino on the eve of his electoral victory. But more than the convenient length, what distinguishes the short articles are the depth of insight into each subject’s personality, the “telling details” that manage to sketch, in a few deft notes, portraits of human beings who before then had been depicted in the lifestyle press as

mostly clichés and fodder for gossip.

My favorite piece, perhaps predictably, is the very first profile (they are arranged alphabetically, to forestall, I suspect, any hard feelings about billing) on P-Noy. The piece had been published previously on this paper’s front page, but it deserves a second reading. This, if only because reading it now removes the piece from the postcampaign glow, and allows one to dwell further on the glimpses it gives of a man who had faced untold challenges (his father’s detention and assassination, coup attempts against his mother) yet managed to find, amid a hectic, hastily mounted campaign, the time and leisure to dwell on what sort of woman he wanted for a life partner. *** AMUSING and educational by turns is the profile of another Aquino sibling, “Queen of All Media” Kris, published when Kris was only 16. At the time, she had already announced her ambitions on Dong Puno’s talk show (I can’t forget Dong’s shocked, bemused expression), but the profile details both the innocence and the craftiness behind the plan.

Today, one appreciates the beginnings of the phenomenon that would become Kris Aquino, especially the depiction of her as “refreshing, pre-

carious, disarming, especially when she pleads her show-biz case.” Kris is one celebrity who has gone the rounds from public fondness, skepticism, scandal, and acceptance and back again—and mostly because she has adopted “full disclosure” as both a personal and professional mantra.

Another, touching long piece is that on Eugenio “Geny” Lopez Jr., who had drawn Thelma into his orbit when he

Described on the cover as ‘profiles of lifestyle celebrities,’ ‘I’m Afraid of Heights’ is a rather hefty tome. recruited her to edit the lifestyle section of The Manila Chronicle, and would then install her firmly (though not permanently) in the magazine business via ABS-CBN Publications. The portrait she paints is not just of a benevolent employer, but also of a man who felt strongly about the public service aspect of his many businesses, who made his peace with God and left a legacy of service to his family and employees.

Indeed, the “Kapitan” lives on, not just in the memories of a former employee, but in the empire he helped build—an empire that continues, in its own way, to

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be of “service to the Filipino.” *** FROM London comes news that a “genteel” campaign to ensure that British bank notes would continue to carry images of women has degenerated into a “counter-campaign of online harassment” including threats of rape and death.

And at the center of the controversy is—heavens!—no less than Jane Austen, the much-beloved novelist and chronicler of social life in Regency England. If she were still alive and writing, I have no doubt that Austen would have trained her sharp eye and trenchant pen on the issue.

For Austen was not only an early feminist, but a natural one, training her sights on England’s inequitable society by featuring strong heroines bucking tradition.

As reported in the NewYork Times, the campaign began with a blogger and co-founder of the website “The Women’s Room,” Caroline CriadoPerez. Concerned that no woman, save for the Queen, of course, would be featured on British bills after social reformer Elizabeth Fry would be replaced by Winston Churchill, Criado-Perez asked if “there were enough women of note in British history to find at least one more.” To illustrate

her point, Criado-Perez led a group of campaigners dressed up as various historical female figures, including Celtic warrior Boadicea, and handdelivering more than 35,000 signatures supporting their cause. *** INITIALLY rebuffed, the women soon found an ally in the new director of the Bank of England, who announced that Austen would soon appear in the new £10 notes.

This is when “a trickle of abuse grew into a shower of crude rape and death threats against Ms Criado-Perez at a rate of nearly one per minute,” goes the report, with others, including members of Parliament, similarly targeted.

“I’m going to pistol whip you over and over until you lose consciousness,” one Twitter user warned Criado-Perez, threatening to “then burn ur flesh.” “I will rape you tomorrow at 9pm,” a Twitter user told Stella Creasy, a Labour Party legislator.

“Shall we meet near your house?”

“If even a small thing like this, a nice middle-class debate about putting Jane Austen’s picture on the opposite side of a bank note from the Queen, causes a storm of abuse like this, what will happen when we get to bigger issues?” asked columnist Caitlin Moran. What indeed? ■

Opinion

17 FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013

PUBLIC LIVES

Law and its uncertainties

By Randy David Philippine Daily Inquirer DURING CERTAIN periods, crime acquires a high visibility, the result usually of diligent reporting by the mass media. “Moral panic” sets in, putting pressure on the police and the courts to show that justice is not asleep. Thus, for a while, the public may be treated to a flurry of arrests and a surge of decisions meting out harsh penalties to convicted offenders. In such ways do societies seek to restore the authority of the law.

There is a downside to this, however. Rights may be violated when the police are forced to resort to shortcuts in order to produce results. Judges may sometimes issue decisions aimed more at asserting the majesty of the law and deterring future violators than at dispensing justice.

Many years ago, Justice Jerome Frank of the United States Court of Appeals provoked a passionate debate by assailing what he called “the myth of the certainty of law.” A leading advocate of legal realism in his time, Justice Frank contended that a lot of things affected the process by which evidence is transformed into “facts-in-law.”

This phenomenon is of great inter-

est to scholars in the social sciences.

Using it as a takeoff point for a book chapter on “Dispute and Settlement,” the anthropologist Max Gluckman synthesized Frank’s controversial thesis thus: “Economic interests, religious values, social and individual prejudices, and even the judge’s or a juryman’s digestive state and particular dislike of witnesses’ idiosyncrasies, or their susceptibility to counsel’s arguments, might influence the course of a suit. Hence decisions of these courts cannot be predicted with assurance, and law is highly uncertain.”

My mind kept returning to this thought as I pondered a recent Supreme Court decision affirming the conviction (for graft and corruption and grave abuse of authority) of two of my colleagues in the University of the Philippines. If the high court sitting en banc upholds this decision of one of its divisions, the two professors will be sent to jail for 17 years and ordered to pay P336,000—the amount of money that was supposed to have been unlawfully collected from the government. In the wake of the media reports on the pork barrel scam, I could not help but compare this princely sum with the billions that legislators allegedly skim with impunity from their pork barrel allocations.

I am not a lawyer, and it is not my business to question the wisdom of our courts. I certainly mean no disrespect. My concern as a sociologist and as a commentator is to show why cases like this, viewed from outside the legal system, do not elicit the same kind of response they get from lawyers and judges.

Dr. Roger Posadas is accused of accepting appointments in 1995 as

Rights may be violated when the police are forced to resort to shortcuts in order to produce results. project director and consultant of a foreign-assisted project to work out the specialized curriculum of a new academic unit inside UP while he was chancellor of UP Diliman.

These appointments were issued by Dr. Rolando Dayco, acting as officerincharge of the office of the chancellor while Posadas was on an official trip abroad. Posadas oversaw the project to its completion, as a result of which the Technology Management Center is today fully operational. For his services, UP paid him, in addition to his salary as chancellor and professor, P30,000 per month as

project director for one year, and a one-time honorarium of a hundred thousand pesos as consultant. These remunerations were paid from a grant by the Canadian government.

These are normal events in university settings, where professors are allowed to augment their meager incomes from the limited practice of their professions and fields of expertise, outside their regular functions as teachers and administrators. Posadas did not hide these additional assignments, but he did not think it was necessary to get the approval of his superior, the UP president, to take them on. That was probably a mistake.

The courts have since judged these appointments to be illegal and the money paid out to him as constituting double compensation. The two professors have been pronounced guilty of conspiring to give undue advantage to Posadas, resulting in injury to the government.

One would think that, in situations like this, where an appointment turns out to be invalid, it would suffice to simply revoke it and to demand the return of whatever compensation had been paid. In severe cases, disciplinary action like reprimand or suspension might be imposed on erring officials.

But everything about this case seems to have been blown out of proportion. The then UP president, Dr. Emil Javier, went on to file administrative charges against the two professors, and, after an investigation, ordered their dismissal from the service. The board of regents softened this action into “forced resignation,” and gave them the option to re-apply for reinstatement after one year if they publicly apologized.

The two accepted this punishment with a heavy heart, believing they were being persecuted, and resigned.

That is where it could have ended.

But, President Javier, who was finishing his term, had taken the additional step of filing criminal charges before the Ombudsman. From there, the case assumed a life of its own and reached the Sandiganbayan, which rendered a judgment of conviction in 2005. It was then appealed to the Supreme Court.

Dissenting from the majority opinion which upheld the Sandiganbayan ruling, Supreme Court Justice Roberto Abad voted to acquit Posadas and Dayco, arguing that bad faith had not been proven, and firmly convinced that they “did not willfully defraud the government.” At times like this, the law does seem uncertain. ■

AS I SEE IT

Stradcom has no income, so is not liable for income tax

By Neal H. Cruz Philippine Daily Inquirer AS THE name suggests, an income tax is a tax on income. If there is no income, there is nothing to tax. So why is the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) trying to collect P300 million in income taxes from Stradcom, the IT provider of the Land Transportation Office (LTO)? Instead of earning a net income, Stradcom has been operating at a loss—P524 million in 2011.

The LTO owes Stradcom over P4 billion for services rendered. Stradcom does the registration of land transport vehicles and makes the license plates. The LTO does not want to pay, saying it does not know whom to pay since another group, the Sumbilla group, is also claiming ownership of Stradcom.

Several days ago, the Supreme Court ruled that Stradcom is owned by the Quiambao group. It said those with the Sumbilla group are neither officers, directors nor stockholders of the corporation, and that the cases the group has filed against the Quiambao group are “nuisance suits.”

Still, the LTO refuses to pay Stradcom the P4 billion that it owes the corporation, alleging that the Sumbilla group has filed a motion for re-

consideration.

But it is a well-settled rule that a decision in intra-corporate disputes is immediately executory. The reason is to allow the corporation to operate normally so that it would not suffer business reverses. The LTO, therefore, is duty-bound to pay Stradcom the P4 billion it owes the corporation.

Perhaps, because of this, the BIR is dunning Stradcom P300 million in deficiency taxes for the year 2011. But Eric Pilapil, vice president for legal affairs of Stradcom, told a press forum last Saturday that Stradcom had no net income in 2011 and, in fact, incurred a net loss of P524 million for that year.

“Stradcom’s income tax return (for 2011) declared a loss of P524 million,” Pilapil said. “There is still no net income so no income tax is due.”

The LTO paid Stradcom P1 billion in January this year, but it still owes Stradcom P4 billion. Is it this P1 billion that the BIR is taxing? But the BIR said it is charging Stradcom for “deficiency taxes in income earned in 2011,” the same year that Stradcom declared in its income tax return a net loss of P524 million. So what net income is there to tax?

Or perhaps the BIR is collecting taxes from the P4 billion that Stradcom still has to collect from the LTO.

Stradcom promises to pay the BIR the moment the LTO pays its debts.

However, it does not look like the LTO wants to pay anytime soon, not until the high court resolves the motion for reconsideration of the Sumbilla group.

Unless the problem is solved soon, things are bound to get worse. Last Aug. 5, the BIR served warrants of garnishment on Stradcom to compel it to pay the deficiency taxes.

The warrants froze whatever bank accounts Stradcom still has and the

I can understand BIR’s sometimes ‘heartless’ insistence on collecting taxes: It is short of its collection target, just like the Bureau of Customs. computers and other equipment that Stradcom uses in its operations. Pilapil said the garnishment is crippling the operations of Stradcom and may result in a system shutdown.

When that happens, the LTO will have to do the processing of vehicle registration manually, which means vehicle owners will have to wait many, many months before their vehicles can be registered and issued license plates.

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“Stradcom has done everything that it can to prevent a system shutdown,” Pilapil said, “to the extent of incurring loans, in the interest of public service. However, this garnishment further cripples the corporation’s operations on top of LTO’s continuing refusal to make regular payments.”

The LTO stopped paying Stradcom regularly in September 2011. The LTO has not been paying Stradcom for almost three years now.

“We have daily operation expenses,” Pilapil said. “We have in fact been operating at a loss just so the LTO will not experience a system shutdown…. If there is a shutdown, this must be considered a force majeure and beyond our control. We hope the LTO and the transacting public will understand and sympathize with out dilemma.” *** I can understand BIR’s sometimes “heartless” insistence on collecting taxes: It is short of its collection target, just like the Bureau of Customs.

President Aquino’s P2.26-trillion budget for 2014, the biggest in Philippine history, needs plenty of funds.

Especially because the budget department, instead of reducing or abolishing the hated pork barrel—as the general public demands because

it results in the loss, or theft, of billions of taxpayers’ pesos—has increased its appropriations in the proposed 2014 budget.

From January to May this year, the BIR has met a month’s collection target only once. But bear in mind that the BIR has set its sights on contributing 55 percent of the administration’s budget for next year—that’s a whopping P1.253 trillion to collect by the end of the year.

That is why the BIR is desperately running after alleged tax evaders, filing cases against them (but the Department of Justice is not prosecuting them) and collecting hefty fines from delinquent companies.

But why is it not running after the importers of luxury vehicles, which are an anachronism in a poor country like the Philippines? Yes, it did go after and succeeded in collecting P1 billion in taxes from PGA Cars Inc., the distributor of Porsche, Lamborghini, Bentley and Audi.

But why is it not going after the two other importers of luxury cars— CATS-MercedesBenz and BMW? Records show that the BIR has assessed CATS P1.9 billion, but this amount has remained uncollected until now.

BMW still has no assessment. Why, oh why? ■

FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013

18

Canada News

Senators keep mum on details of independent audit of Pamela Wallin’s expenses

BY STEVE RENNIE AND TERRY PEDWELL The Canadian Press OTTAWA—Key players in the spiralling Senate expense scandal were keeping quiet Monday as members of the upper chamber got their first look at a long-awaited auditor’s report into Sen. Pamela Wallin’s questionable travel claims.

A three-person steering committee from the Senate’s board of internal economy was discussing the findings and drafting its own report behind closed doors after hearing a presentation from the private accounting firm Deloitte.

“It’s interesting. I’m quite sure you will find it interesting as well,” the committee chairman, Conservative Sen. Gerald Comeau, told a group of reporters after the meeting broke for lunch.

“Some of it we were expecting.”

Wallin was audited for about $321,000 in travel and housing expenses that she has claimed since Prime Minister Stephen Harper appointed her to the upper chamber in January 2009.

The former broadcaster, who now sits as an independent, has so far paid back $38,000 to the Senate, but media reports say Wallin could be ordered to repay as much as $140,000— and that attempts were made to alter some of the claims after auditors got involved.

The auditors, who left the hearing room Monday without stopping to speak to reporters gathered outside, were expected to return later in the day to brief a larger group of senators.

The findings of the steering committee—comprising Comeau, Liberal Sen. George Furey and Conservative Sen. Carolyn Stewart Olsen—will go before the full Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration later in the day before the audit report is released on Tuesday.

Wallin has been given a copy of the Deloitte audit, Comeau said. Her office has yet to respond to a request for comment.

Pamela Wallin PHOTO FROM CANADA.COM / JULIE OLIVER, POSTMEDIA NEWS

The senator has also been invited to appear Tuesday before a Senate committee. The committee is expected to meet again at 9 a.m. ET. “She’s invited to come with the committee and to spend the day, tomorrow, with us as we progress through both the study of the Deloitte report and the report that the internal economy (board) will be making to the Senate,” Comeau said.

He added he doesn’t know if Wallin will attend, but “somebody suggested she might come.”

Liberal Sen. Terry Mercer, chair of the Senate Liberal caucus, said he wasn’t sure whether Wallin would be at the meeting later Monday when Deloitte auditors were to reprise their briefing.

“She’s invited. It’s up to her,” Mercer said.

“I don’t know what’s in the report, so I’m not sure. I mean, she has a right to defend herself, a right to obviously see it. We have to presume that she’s done nothing wrong until we’re told otherwise, until we see the evidence.

That’s what we’re going to do tonight.”

Furey, who was vocal in his objections to controversial Conservative amendments the steering committee made to a similar auditor’s report on Sen. Mike Duffy, said he has not had similar problems with the Wallin report.

“If you’re asking me if I’m happy with the discussions to date that I’m having with my two colleagues, yes I am,” Furey said.

Wallin is one of a handful of senators facing allegations of questionable spending, along with former Conservative caucus members Duffy and Patrick Brazeau, as well as Mac Harb, who is also sitting as an independent after leaving the Liberal caucus.

Duffy’s own audit identified more than $90,000 in questionable expenses and housing-allowance claims—a tab that was picked up courtesy of a now-infamous payment from former Harper chief of staff Nigel Wright.

The spending scandal has renewed calls from critics to reform or even abolish the Senate.

All politicians should be held to a higher standard and must fully disclose their expenses and justification for spending taxpayer dollars, said Liberal Sen. George Baker, a member of the board of internal economy.

“Any politician who turns around and says, ‘Oops, I made a mistake’— nope, there’s no such thing as making an honest mistake that involves the taxpayer’s money,” Baker said. “(Your expense) either pertained to your position as a member of Parliament, or it pertained to your position as a senator. There’s no grey area in between.”

The Senate’s decision to disclose reports on internal matters will put pressure on the secretive House of Commons board of internal economy to do the same, he added.

“The Senate has made a conscious decision to go public with all of these matters, and I think this will cause the House of Commons to do the same thing,” Baker said.

“Canadians will be expecting that their proceedings will be released, that their recommendations be released publicly.” ■

NEWS BRIEFS

STATISTICS CANADA DELAYS FINAL RELEASE OF NATIONAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY TO SEPT. 11 OTTAWA—Statistics Canada says it is postponing the third and final release of data from the 2011 National Household Survey, the controversial replacement for the cancelled longform census. The agency issued a statement today saying the release—originally scheduled for Wednesday—would instead take place Sept. 11. The statement attributes the delay to what Statistics Canada calls “issues in data processing that need to be addressed prior to release.” The agency says none of the previously released data is affected. The final release includes details about income levels, earnings, housing and shelter costs. The voluntary national survey was introduced after the Conservative government cancelled the long-form portion of the census in 2010, citing concerns about personal freedoms.

VERIZON IMPACTING WIRELESS STOCKS: ANALYST TORONTO—If Verizon enters the Canadian market it could hit the stock prices of domestic carriers for several years until the actual market impact of the U.S. telecom giant becomes known, says RBC Capital Markets analyst Drew McReynolds.Bell (TSX:BCE), Rogers (TSX:RCI.B) and Telus (TSX:T) have already seen their share prices impacted by the possibility that Verizon will enter Canada as the country’s fourth major wireless player, McReynolds said in a research note.

FIRST-EVER ABORIGINAL FISHING BAN ON SKEENA TERRACE—Sockeye salmon returns have plunged to historic lows in the Skeena River system of northwestern British Columbia, forcing drastic, never-before imposed, fishing closures. Commercial and non-native recreational fisheries were shut down on the river last month but, for the first time ever, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has closed First Nations food and recreational fisheries on the waterway.

Canada News

19 FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013

With home boom in 9th inning, even the good news may portend trouble

BY JULIAN BELTRAME The Canadian Press OTTAWA—Canada’s muchwatched housing market is sending out mixed signals these days— even for analysts.

A spate of fresh data and yet one more market-cooling tweak from Ottawa last week has put one of the most important sectors in the Canadian economy, and the most important assetsource for most Canadians, on a kind of death watch.

That’s because while some of the data, such as home prices and starts, is pointing to the soothing “soft landing” that homeowners, economists, banks and politicians are fingers-crossed hoping for, others, like land purchases and building permits suggest the real message is: the crash is coming.

Last week, Statistics Canada reported that building permits in the residential sector fell 12.9 per cent in June, and permits for multi-unit dwellings— mostly condos—sank even further by 18.8 per cent.

Even more frightening, re-

search conducted by RealNet Canada found than in some of the bigger markets—Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary—residential land investments for future home building has already crashed through the floor, plunging 51, 52 and 30 per cent respectively.

Muddying the picture is that a new temperature reading of the housing market from the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) being released on Thursday is likely to show that home sales are doing just dandy and likely rose significantly in July, along with average home prices.

But David Madani of Capital Economics says it is the calm before the storm.

Or as he put it in a note to clients—”homebuilders are having a Wile E. Coyote moment” as when the perpetually illstarred cartoon character realizes he has overshot the cliff and looks down to see nothing but air under his feet.

“It’s astonishing to me that people are not picking up on this. If you see volumes crash and prices still rising, you

shouldn’t be thinking everything is fine, you should see that as a warning sign,” he says.

“Here in Toronto, if you look at new home sales, we’re at near-record lows. If you think about the implication this has for home building, new construction and all the jobs that go along with that, this is quite startling.”

Some of that is yesterday’s news.

Housing sales have recently begun trending upwards again—even in Toronto and Vancouver—after almost a year’s slump brought on by Ottawa’s decision to apply the brakes on mortgages last July.

Bank of Montreal chief economist Doug Porter predicts next week’s report from CREA will show a 10 per cent surge in home sales from a year ago. He bases that on already reported data from big centres such as Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton, which all had boffo months, although there was a drawdown in Montreal and Ottawa.

Depending on whether you are an optimist or pessimist,

Canadian Inquirer

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this is either evidence of a soft or no landing, or a red flashing light.

The government’s decision last week to put a limit on the issuing of mortgaged-backed securities is an indication that Ottawa views this development as anything but reassuring.

“Arguably this is the second last thing anyone wanted to see in the housing sector, a re-acceleration,” Porter said. “That last thing people wanted to see was a hard landing.”

Good news like strong home sales is potentially bad, says Porter, on the theory that Canadians are already drunk on housing, so imbibing more means the inevitable hangover will be all that much worse.

Benjamin Tal, CIBC’s housing expert and deputy chief economist, wouldn’t go as far as Madani in predicting a price correction of as much as 25 per cent, but he agrees the time has come for caution.

“If I was a speculator, I would not be buying,” he says. “The days of flipping houses and speculating on increasing prices are clearly coming to a close.

We are in the ninth inning of this boom.”

It’s been quite a ride. From January 2006 to June 2013, average home prices have risen from about $256,000 to almost $389,000, despite very low inflation and a little hiccup called the Great Recession.

And, household debt from buying mortgages has ballooned to record levels above 160 per cent of disposable income.

The ride must end, agrees Tal, the only issue being is will it crash or simply coast.

So far, the consensus is on a slow coast, although the very real possibility of a hard crash has caused the Bank of Canada to put housing at the top of the list of domestic risks for the economy.

While housing constitutes only about seven per cent of the economy, the number underscores its impact.

Like a domino, if it topples, it triggers a chain reaction. Construction jobs are lost, household net worth diminishes, confidence drops and consum❱❱ PAGE 27 With home boom

World News

FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013 20

Suspected Islamic militants kill 44 at mosque in Nigeria; another 12 slain in separate attack

BY MARI YAMAGUCHI The Associated Press MAIDUGURI, NIGERIA—Suspected Islamic militants wearing army fatigues gunned down 44 people praying at a mosque in northeast Nigeria, while another 12 civilians died in an apparently simultaneous attack, security agents said Monday.

Sunday’s attacks were the latest in a slew of violence blamed on religious extremists in this West African oil producer, where the radical Boko Haram group, which wants to oust the government and impose Islamic law, poses the greatest security threat in years.

It was not immediately clear why the Islamic Boko Haram would have killed worshipping Muslims, but the group has in the past attacked mosques whose clerics have spoken out against religious extremism.

Boko Haram also has attacked Christians outside churches and teachers and schoolchildren, as well as government and military targets.

Since 2010, the militants have been blamed for the killings of more than 1,700 people, according to a count by The Associated Press.

The news about Sunday’s violence in Borno state, one of three in the northeast under a military state of emergency, came as journalists received a video featuring Boko Ha-

ram leader Abubakar Shekau, who gloats over recent attacks, threatens more, and even says his group is now strong enough to go after the United States.

The mosque slayings occurred Sunday morning in Konduga town, 35 kilometres (22 miles) outside Maiduguri, the capital of Nigeria’s Borno state.

A state security service agent and Usman Musa, a member of a civilian militia that works with the military, said Monday they counted the bodies at the mosque after the attack.

Musa said four members of his group—known as the Civilian Joint Task Force—also were killed when they reached Konduga and encountered “fierce resistance from heavily armed terrorists.”

Musa and the security service agent said the attackers wore military camouflage uniforms used by the Nigerian army, which they may have acquired in one of their attacks on military bases.

On their way back from Konduga, the security forces came upon the scene of another attack at Ngom village, 5 kilometres (3 miles) outside Maiduguri, where Musa said he counted 12 bodies of civilians.

Twenty-six worshippers at the mosque were hospitalized with gunshot wounds, said a security guard at the emergency ward of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. He and the state security agent both spoke on condi-

tion of anonymity because they were not allowed to give information to reporters.

Nigeria declared a state of emergency in much of the northeast on May 14 to fight the onslaught after Boko Haram fighters took over several northeastern towns and villages in this nation of more than 160 million people, which is divided almost equally between the predominantly Muslim north and the mainly Christian south.

In the video received by journalists Monday, Shekau brushes off any gains asserted by the security forces.

“You soldiers have claimed that you are powerful, that we have been defeated, that we are mad people,” Shekau says, speaking in the local Hausa language. “But how can a mad man successfully co-ordinate recent attacks in Gamboru, in Malam

Fatori, slaughter people in Biu, kill in Gwoza and in Bama, where soldiers fled under our heavy fire power?

“We have killed countless soldiers and we are going to kill more.”

He further insists the extremists’ “strength and firepower has surpassed that of Nigeria. ... We can now comfortably confront the United States of America.”

Shekau also said Nigeria’s military is “lying to the world” about its casualties. “They lied that they have killed our members, but we are the ones that have killed the soldiers.”

He apparently was referring to Aug. 4 attacks on a military base at Malam Fatori and a police outpost in Bama, both near the border with Cameroon.

Joint Task Force spokesman Lt. Col. Sagir Musa told reporters

32 extremists, two soldiers and one police officer were killed.

But when the Borno state governor called on the head of the task force to commiserate, Maj. Gen. Jah Ewansiah told him in front of reporters that they lost 12 soldiers and seven policemen. Nigeria’s military regularly lowballs casualty figures of civilians and military.

Under orders from the military, cellphone and Internet service has been cut in Borno, making communications difficult. The military says the extremists were using cellphones to co-ordinate attacks. But some government officials argue that the lack of communication prevents civilians from informing them of suspicious movements and getting help when they are attacked. ■ Faul reported from Lagos, Nigeria.

US immigration reform deal could mean extending border fence along Mexico

BY CHRISTOPHER SHERMAN The Associated Press LOS EBANOS, Texas—If the U.S. Congress agrees on an immigration reform bill, it probably will include a requirement to erect fencing along the nation’s nearly 2,000-mile (3,220-kilometre) Southwest border with Mexico.

But U.S. Customs and Border Protection isn’t even sure the strategy works. And the prospect of the government seizing more land offends many property owners in the southern-

most tip of Texas, where hundreds of people lost property during the last push for fence construction.

“I’m still totally against it,” said Aleida Garcia, who was among the Los Ebanos residents whose land was taken in 2008. She would rather have more agents patrolling the area.

The region’s lawmakers appear to agree. Three congressmen from the Texas border who support immigration reform have said they would not support any bill conditioned on the construction of more border fence.

The Senate’s immigration bill

calls for at least 700 miles (1,125 kilometres)of border fencing— half of which already exists.

But even as Congress debates the issue, Customs and Border Protection has failed to come up with any measurement of the fence’s effectiveness. The agency told Congress’ investigative arm last year that it needed three to five years to make a “credible assessment.”

Farmers and others who live near the fence report seeing immigrants scale the 18-foot (5.5-meter) steel columns in seconds. And since the fence stands in segments across www.canadianinquirer.net

miles of open farmland, there’s always the option of walking around the barrier.

David Aguilar, the Border Patrol’s chief until he retired in February, said fencing is not appropriate everywhere or sufficient by itself.

Fencing, which costs on average of $3.9 million per mile, was part of the solution that helped the Border Patrol gain control of a stretch of border near San Diego. Masses of people used to rush the border there, counting on agents’ inability to catch everyone. Now the flow has slowed to a trickle.

While the rest of the Southwest border has seen fewer immigrant arrests, authorities in the Rio Grande Valley are busy.

More than half of the Border Patrol arrests in the sector are Central Americans, who have historically taken this more direct route into the U.S. Arrests in the area are more than 50 per cent higher through the first 10 months of the fiscal year than the same period last year.

Still, the 365,000 arrests at the border last year were far from the high of 1.2 million in 2005. Most observers attribute the drop to the U.S. recession. ■

World News

21 FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013

TOKYO—A tearful Philippine woman recounted Sunday how she was kidnapped by Japanese troops during World War II and coerced into sex slavery, as she and her supporters gathered to demand Japan do more to bring justice to former “comfort women.”

Estelita Dy, 83, and her supporters met in Tokyo as part of events by the group to commemorate the day the first victim of Japanese sex slavery came forward on Aug. 14, 1991, and helped lay the groundwork for other victims, including Dy, to come out.

Dy’s supporters and rights groups are trying to gain international support to have Aug. 14 become a United Nationsrecognized memorial day, as a way to pressure Japan to do more to take responsibility for wartime sex slavery. The day falls just one day before Japan’s Aug.

15 end-of-war anniversary.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has backpedaled from Tokyo’s past apologies, saying there’s no proof Japan’s wartime government coerced women into prostitution for the Japanese Imperial Army.

At Sunday’s meeting, Dy’s supporters, including rights activists, criticized Abe’s government for its rejection of a U.N. human rights panel’s recommendations earlier this year urging Japan to more seriously take responsibility for sex slavery, better educate the public and take steps to bring justice for the victims. Rechilda Extremadura, a Philippine member of Dy’s support group, said Dy and others are the “living witnesses” of sex slavery.

Historians say there were as many as 200,000 sex slaves from across Asia, most of them Koreans.

In a tearful speech, Dy said she was kidnapped by Japanese soldiers when she went to a market to sell vegetables in her hometown on the Philippines’ Negros island in the autumn of 1944, when

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she was 14.

Dy, spotted by the soldiers, who were searching for guerrillas, desperately ran to escape, but fell down and was caught, pushed into a truck and taken to a nearby “comfort station,” where she was repeatedly raped for three weeks until American troops rescued her.

She later had a family, but kept her past secret until 1993, when she heard news about sex slavery on the radio.

“At first, I was too embarrassed to reveal my past. But I decided to do so because it would be the only way I could get my lost dignity restored,” Dy said. “I renounce war, because its victims are always women and children.”

Dy wouldn’t have revealed her past if Kim Hak-soon had not come forward two years earlier, detailing how she was

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2013 CR-V LX

abducted and forced to carry ammunition for Japanese soldiers by day and serve as a prostitute at a military-run brothel by night at age 17.

Kim’s testimony helped break the silence and brought forth more former sex slaves, known as “comfort women.” An advocacy group was formed to demand compensation from the Japanese government.

Former U.N. Under-Secretary-General Anwarul Chowdhury, who also attended Sunday’s meeting, said Kim is “a global symbol” who has helped raise international awareness and support for her cause.

Chowdhury, who was behind a landmark 2000 U.N. resolution on the rights of women and children in conflict, said he would support the group’s campaign for a U.N. memorial day. ■

Immigration

FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013 22

Philippine movie sheds lights on deportations of migrant workers’ children from Israel

BY TERESA CEROJANO The Associated Press MANILA, PHILIPPINES—A film about Filipino migrant workers in Israel who hide a 4-year-old boy to try to stop his deportation has hit close to home in the Philippines, where such emotional dramas are all too familiar to millions of overseas labourers and their siblings.

“Transit,” directed and cowritten by Filipino Hannah Espia, tells its story from the perspective of each member of two Filipino families living together—a single mother and her half-Israeli teenage daughter, a single father and his boy, Joshua—as they grapple with the Israeli government’s immigration crackdown beginning in 2009 and the decision to deport children who do not meet stringent criteria.

The crackdown followed a period of relative freedom for foreign workers to raise their families in Israel—an excep-

tional case for Filipino workers who toil overseas and send hard-earned money home to support their families. About 10 million, or 10 per cent of the overall population, work abroad, and 40,000 are in Israel, mostly as caregivers.

For children Yael and Joshua, both Israeli-born Hebrew speakers, it is a time of identity struggle. Yael, who attends school in Israel, insists she is an Israeli and only her mother is Filipino. Joshua, who is not yet enrolled, wonders aloud how he could be a Filipino when he does not even speak Tagalog and does not even like the national dish adobo. He asks how does one become Jewish and is upset when he loses a bottle containing sand from Jaffa, afraid he would forget about the land of his birth when he is finally deported.

“We’re always facing threats of deportation everywhere because Filipinos are all over the world, but this is a very rare case because it focuses on the

deportation of children,” Espia told The Associated Press.

She said she got the idea for the movie after visits to Israel and after learning about the case in which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife Sara appealed for a stay in the deportation of a 4-year-old Filipino girl.

Israel has been grappling with how to handle an influx of immigrants. The Jewish state grants automatic citizenship to Jews but doesn’t have a firm policy for others. Most Filipinos arrived legally for specific jobs, and the crackdown on illegal immigration was meant mainly to address an influx of Africans who arrived through the Sinai Peninsula and squatted in south Tel Aviv.

The government issued guidelines in August 2010 that would allow certain immigrant families to remain. It grants permanent residency to children of immigrants if they have parents who entered the country legally, attended school,

spoke Hebrew and resided in Israel for at least five years. The criteria disqualify hundreds of children like Joshua.

The film’s focus on the conflicted “third-culture kids”— those born in another country and raised in a culture different from their parents’—adds another dimension to a recurring topic in Philippine movies that deal with overseas labourers and the emotional price exacted in missing their children’s birthdays and graduations.

Espia said that in the Israeli apartment where they shot most of the scenes, the Filipino tenant recounted how she used to hide her 6-year-old daughter under the bed to escape deportation.

“When we were shooting some of the scenes ... the Filipinos ... who were watching cried because I think that’s something they can really relate to,” Espia said.

Shooting in Israel took nine days and another day at Bangkok’s airport. The rest of the

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film, which opens and ends in airports, was shot in the Philippines.

Espia said that the main cast had to learn Hebrew for a month before shooting began.

Lessons were held via Skype and with the help of a Hebrew consultant. The movie has English subtitles.

“People have been saying that this is an ambitious film, to speak in Hebrew, but they did learn really fast,” Espia said.

“Transit,” Espia’s first fulllength feature film, won as best film last week in the local festival for independent films called Cinemalaya, in the New Breed category for fresh talents.

Veteran actress Irma Adlawan, who plays the single mother Janet, won the best actress award, while newcomer Jasmine Curtis, who portrays Yael, was chosen best supporting actress.

Espia is looking to enter it in other film festivals and says international releases for the film are being negotiated. ■

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Immigration

23 FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013

ON THE MOVE

ter was an immigrant. Canada offers unbounded opportunities and encourages you to paint your life. As Noorani puts it, “the painting you create of your life can be as big as this country or as small as a postage stamp”.

7 success secrets for Canadian Immigrants

BY FRANCES GRACE QUIDDAOEN AND LEO MARCO LUI Philippine Canadian Inquirer NAEEM “NICK” Noorani, well known motivational speaker, social entrepreneur, former publisher of the monthly magazine, “Canadian Immigrant” recently brought his cross-Canada workshop series, “7 Success Secrets for Canadian Immigrants” to Coquitlam. The event which was held in co-ordination with Immigrant Services Society of BC last July 24 drew a good number of newcomers all eager to meet Noorani and discover the road to success in Canada .

Noorani, one of Top 25 Canadian Immigrants Award 2011 winners who was born in Moombai, India and moved to Canada from Dubai 15 years ago was conducting the seminar series as a way of sharing his success story as an immigrant. He also promotes this workshop series in his online magazine for immigrant professionals, “Prepare for Canada”. Noorani was quick to point out that the 7 secrets are not actually secrets as they are mostly derived from common sense. At the start of the seminar, he asked himself, “ What is the most important thing that I can say to you so that you understand this journey to Canada?” He said that the elevator to success is broken and one should take the seven steps to success.

So what are Noorani’s 7 secrets of success? Here they are.

1. Learn the English Language.

Being understood and able to com-

4. Have a Plan B

municate effectively is very important.

Learn to speak and write the kind of English that matches your profession.

Do not be content with just being in the ESL classes, as “ESL is kindergarten”. If your language proficiency is not up to par, your education and skills are like an unpolished diamond. Noorani cited that many new immigrants go to ESL class four hours a day but does not speak English outside of their class. That is no way to learn. To be proficient in the language, one needs to study it eight hours a day – reading, writing, listening, speaking – for 90 days. Make friends with English-speaking people and practice as much as you can.

Immigrants may come from parts of the world where their profession is their identity. However, this is not true in North America where the average person changes career five times in their lifetime. Being new to Canada, you may not right away get the kind of job or be able to practice the profession you had back home, so it’s worth looking at

alternative career paths and other options. It’s always good to be flexible and have a Plan B or maybe even C or D. As well, immigrants should take a good look of their transferable skills and see how they could present these to make their prospective employers appreciate their value.

5. Move out of your ethnic silo

To appreciate and experience Canada’s diversity and to blend in the community and workplace, it benefits immigrants to make friends outside of their ethnic group. By limiting themselves ❱❱ PAGE 27 7 success

supports

2. Stay positive.

Moving to another country to start a new life, leaving home, jobs, friends and family is probably the hardest thing an immigrant could have ever done in his lifetime. Having arrived in Canada to face all sorts of challenges, it is important that one stays positive all the time and avoid doing a “BMW” (bitch, moan and whine). Noorani advised to steer clear of negative people as their negativism will surely rub off on you. Antidotes to negativity would include being grateful for everyday, counting one’s blessings and surrounding yourself with positive people. Staying focused on being positive and smiling a lot helps instead of finding things to complain about.

3. Embrace Canada

As a new immigrant, Canada is your country now and it is well to embrace it – its cultural diversity, sports and news. Immigrants will find that in the workplace, it is important to know Canada’s history, perhaps more important than knowing one’s country’s history.

Noorani recalled that John Alexander MacDonald, Canada’s first prime miniswww.canadianinquirer.net

❱❱ PAGE 27 7 success

Seen & Scenes

FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013 24

CHITO & BEA Photo shows Chito Gonzalez (right), Western Union Business Development Manager for Canada is shown in photo together with Movie and TV Star Bea Alonzo during the recent Kalayaan Community Centrre event in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Dindo Orbeso, St. Jamestown News Service, photo by Ariel Ramos

RICHMOND MARITIME FESTIVAL Richmond, BC – One hundred and eighty participants successfully completed a Nursery Rhyme Relay singing of Row, Row, Row Your Boat in a Guinness World Record attempt Friday at the Richmond Maritime Festival, that smashes the current record of 154 participants for a nursery rhyme relay.

And PCI participated!

In a nursery rhyme relay each person sings just one word. Collectively, the participants need to repeatedly sing the song’s words in correct sequence with no mistakes and in time to musical accompaniment. It took five attempts for the collective group of 180 to successfully complete the relay without any flubs and on tempo.

The world record attempt helped launch the 10th annual Richmond Maritime Festival.

IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP MINISTER CHRIS ALEXANDER AT MHHS

(Top) PCI with Minister Chris Alexander, Tatay Tom Avendano of MHHS and friends; (Bottom) Caregivers who are members of MHHS who wanted their voices heard. Please see related story on page 1 and 46.

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

Seen & Scenes

25 FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013

PINOY FIESTA 2013: UNANG HIRIT SA TAG INIT!!!

The celebrations started with a Filipino Cultural Street Parade from Fraser St. and 26th Avenue to the Memorial South Park.

Special guests at the concert after the parade were Ms. Joey Albert, Rafael Rosell and Iya Villania.

www.canadianinquirer.net

Filipino-Canadian in Focus

FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013 26

FILIPINO-CANADIAN IN FOCUS

Elizabeth Zetazate

Liz Zetazate (encircled) with her WFG team

BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer MONEY AND success. Two very big words, and rather lofty ideas.

They say the first can’t buy you happiness. But it is often deemed necessary in achieving the second.

Money can’t buy happiness; and that time-worn saying is, for the most part, still worth its weight in life’s “real” gold.

Health, joy, love: just some of the happiness-bringing things money cannot buy, for instance.

But let’s get real for a bit. Although money can’t buy happiness, it can surely help you get there.

Often a benchmark for success, those who “have” are seen as “accomplished”; while those who “lack”, well, “aren’t”.

Whatever your standpoint on this, most would agree on one thing: money, though definitely not the be-all-end-all, is a tool – a crucial one, in fact – for achieving happiness, success, and a state of satisfaction.

As for success, my personal favorite definition of the word still is – very simply put – “the ability to live life well.” I don’t quite remember who said it, or where I first heard it, but it has been my own goal since.

This is a story of a FilipinaCanadian who effectively wields money as a tool, and lives her life well. It is an inspiring story of stalwart determination, sheer guts, a “never-say-die” attitude, and concern for others.

It is the story of Filipina-Canadian entrepreneur, Elizabeth Zetazate.

Humble beginnings

Elizabeth and her family immigrated to Canada in 1989, with – like countless before her – big dreams for a better life.

And, as is most often the case, her big dreams were rooted in humble beginnings.

A midwife by training and profession, Elizabeth was faced with the dilemma that greets innumerable new immigrants: lack of Canadian experience.

This is the Achilles’ heel, perhaps, to a system deemed so perfect by those in search of a better life in the Great White North.

She spent precious resources to further her studies, in the

hopes of upgrading herself professionally; to little avail. Elizabeth found herself in a position that many before and after her have likewise found themselves: at the bottom rung, starting a long and tedious upward climb.

She started from scratch; running after the seemingly elusive Canadian experience; settling for a job as a caregiver, while continuing to dream big.

Paradigm shift

Her big dreams for a better life were fueled by a determination for a better career opportunity, and that has made all the difference towards those dreams coming to fruition.

One day, Elizabeth’s sister-inlaw set-up a meeting with an insurance agent, from whom they would take out a policy. In the course of their one and a halfhour meeting, Elizabeth asked how much money the agent had just made in that brief amount of time. The response was to shift Elizabeth’s paradigm: roughly $2,000, in an hour and a half; compared to Elizabeth’s annual income of $16,000.

It dawned on her almost instantaneously that she was in the wrong job.

Drive for success

Elizabeth marched herself down to the insurance company, shortly thereafter that fated meeting. She did not let her new immigrant status faze her; nor did she allow the fact that she had no Canadian experience get in the way. She presented herself to the company; pitching her skills with the committed determination that says “I’m going to make it!”

Elizabeth’s recollection of that meeting is nothing short of inspirational: “I was interviewed by the District Manager

and because of my perseverance, I was able to present myself as a woman with determination to do something great even though I was new to Canada, didn't know many people, had no sales experience, nor any Canadian experience. I was given a chance as I was very passionate in that I conveyed clearly that I could do something great if I was given the chance.”

And something great, she truly has done.

Elizabeth was with an insurance company called IOF Foresters for 8 years, during which time she built her sales and marketing skills.

After a corporate restructuring, she was introduced to another company called World Financial Group. And herein lay her biggest break yet.

Right place, right time

“I was very lucky because it was the right place and the right time.

It was the right place because the company had a vision of building a new industry and a mission to leave no family behind.”

This is how Elizabeth credits her success with World Financial Group, a distribution business with a vision and mission to help people grow and develop into successful business entrepreneurs.

Elizabeth identified with the company’s core values, given her own background of sheer determination towards better business opportunities.

Recognizing the potential for not just any business, but one in which her whole family could become involved, she worked with the dedication and perseverance that had become the hallmarks of her success.

After one year with the company, husband Rudy joined her full-time. Eventually, her two www.canadianinquirer.net

sons and their wives jumped on the WFG bandwagon.

But this proved to be just the beginning.

High up the ladder of success

“Because of World Financial group, I now have 178 Marketing Directors, 40 Senior Marketing Directors, and approximately 300 licensed reps in my organization. I have built multiple locations across Canada: Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer, and Vancouver,” Elizabeth shares.

She is also starting to build more locations in the United States.

“As of today, I have been with WFG for 15 years; the system has been working so well. You have got to have a system in place for your business so that the system will run it. That is the key element of running a big organization,” the business dynamo adds.

This Filipina-Canadian who dared to dream – and dream big – has indeed climbed her way up the ladder, one rung at a time.

Best of all, she has reached down to pull others up with her.

She has climbed so high up that no less than Forbes Magazine, in their August 12, 2013 issue, highlighted Elizabeth and her group among the top executive leaders earning in the $500k+ bracket.

Replicating success

Elizabeth has loads of advice to give, towards replicating her success. She shares three pointers: “First, Have a big vision – know where you want to be and what you want to become. Second, have a mission of helping others – helping others by leaving no family behind and doing the right thing the first time. And third, have a ve-

hicle that brings you to your vision – the right company, right system, right mentorship, and right compensation.”

And perhaps among my favorite mottos to live by, emphasized by Elizabeth: “We are all born into this world with the right to do something big.

Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do it!”

Dreams for the future

What lies in store for one who has seemingly already arrived?

Can there still be any possible destination; or bigger dream?

Elizabeth –who, when not on the go, enjoys healthful activities, spending time with her grandkids and family, and perhaps browsing through a favorite read (among them, Think & Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, and Hope, Vision & Action by Frank O'Dea) – answers in the affirmative.

“If you believe in something, you have to put your life into it,” she says.

“I'm going to give more people the same chance to build a business just the same as I was given, build thousands of licensed business entrepreneurs and be part of the million dollar income earners of World Financial Group,” adds this woman with boundless dreams, and an even more boundless will to live these dreams out to the fullest possible extent.

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 AUGUST 16, 2013

7 success... ❰❰ 23

to their own ethnicity, they narrow down their chance for expanding their network and understanding other cultures.

6. Take risks

Immigrants took a huge risk in coming to Canada, so why would they stop doing so after having landed? Moving out of one’s comfort zone and opening one’s mind to new possibilities and new ideas would greatly improve their chances for success. The adage, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained” definitely rings true.

7. Volunteer, Mentor, Network

Volunteering is highly valued in Canada and for new immigrants, it’s a good way to gain Canadian work experience and learn valuable things about the workplace culture. One could volunteer in organizations where they could get experience in the kind of work they were aiming for or are passionate about or

for causes they believe in. By having a mentor from your profession or line of work, navigating your career path could be an easier, smoother ride. Networking on the other hand, gives you access to hidden jobs or opportunities and boost your chances of success in Canada. There are many networking events one could attend and where one could meet people from their line of work or profession.

In closing, Noorani reminded that “everything is at your finger tips and if it would happen that you did not succeed, it would be because you did not want to.”

Grace and Leo are licensed immigration consultants and members of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council. For questions or comments - email onthemovecolumn@ gmailcom Selected questions may be answered in this column.

With home boom... ers start cutting back on other spending. On top of that, with families already highly indebted, defaults will almost certainly increase and lenders, such as banks, could find themselves taking enormous losses, dropping equity values, leading to tighter credit and slower growth. And on it goes in what economists call a reinforcing negative feed-back loop.

“If we were indeed to have a serious setback in housing it would have pretty wide implications on the economy,” says BMO’s Porter.

The consensus view is still that the market will slowly decelerate rather than brake hard, if only because the economy continues to grow, employment is holding up and most critically ❰❰ 19

with interest rates at super-low levels, borrowing is cheap.

But even Tal, who is in the soft-landing camp, acknowledges the danger. The housing market could stand to take a breather, he says.

That may be a good thing, given the exposure young people face in trying to buy even a starter home in cities like Toronto and Vancouver.

“I think the rental market will be stronger (going forward),” he predicts.

“We in Canada, especially in big cities, are fixated on buying a house the moment you graduate from university or get married. That’s not the case in many other cities in the world, there young people don’t think it a crime to rent for a time.” ■

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MABUHAY!

FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013

FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013

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We come bearing logs, frogs, and beer tubs

BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer AAAH, THE joys of a housewarming party: A chance to show-off your new digs, to appreciative—and appreciated—oooh’s and aaah’s of eager guests; the perfect opportunity for some quality time with family and friends, and maybe even an enemy or two (you may want to turn them green with envy, after all. Insert mischievous laugh here.); and a good excuse to eat and drink (unless, of course, you are the designated driver) a little too much despite the lack of a major holiday. Oh, and let’s not forget: The presents! Yippee for presents!

Cold weather and evil spirits: the unwanted guests

Looking back at its origins, the tradition of housewarming had rather humble—and literal—beginnings.

It started many moons ago, back in the days when heat in the home was as much a necessity as it is today, but less of a convenience. In the absence of central heating, each neighbor and guest to a new house would bring wood for the pot-bellied stove or fireplace, to literally “warm the house.”

The birth of the much-loved housewarming tradition.

Aside from warding away the cold, the warmth of the fire was believed to create an atmosphere to ward-off evil spirits.

Uninhabited houses were perceived a dwelling place for vagrant spirits; as such, the house was thoroughly cleaned prior to moving in. A warm atmosphere was considered vital in repelling these spirits, preventing them from returning.

Hanging the chimney hook

In France, housewarming is rooted in the tradition of Pendaison de crémaillère, or

“hanging the chimney hook.”

During the medieval times, it was common practice to invite all the workers involved in the building of the house for a meal when the construction was completed, as a way of thanking them. An interesting social experiment, I would think, if it were to be applied today.

The meal was prepared in a big pot over the fireplace; the heat of which was regulated by a chimney hook, to set the pot nearer to or further away from the heat.

This hook, which was the last item to be installed in the course of moving in, heralded the “thank you” meal, and symbolized the move into the new home.

Personalized metal beer and beverage tubs from etsy.com

Pewter Cats key hanger, author’s own. With author’s keys and mess.

Creative high-heel bottle opener from gadgethim.com

Tiffany frog figurine from Tiffany and Co.

Housewarming “How-To’s”

Though housewarming parties are generally loose and free-flowing, like most other occasions, it is always best to invite your guests in advance (proper etiquette for this would be anywhere from 2 weeks to 5 days prior). It is always fun to keep the guest list interesting, but also intimate. Go for a diverse yet still closely-acquainted group whenever possible.

Although any date after moving in works for a housewarming party, the first three months are usually devoted to settling in. Most people throw one shortly after the third month, but within the 6th month of moving in.

Some people, especially in religious parts of the world where “blessing” a new home is part of tradition, choose to hold the housewarming on the same date as the house blessing; usually done by a priest, pastor, guru, or other leader of a religious sect or order.

Aside from moving into a new home, renovating or remodeling an old one may also warrant a housewarming party. After all, any excuse for bites, booze,

and banter will do.

Potluck parties are acceptable, these days (especially among close friends and family), but you may want to coordinate the menu to some extent.

Gifts are not obligatory, but are part-and-parcel of the housewarming tradition. Fire logs, though no longer advisable and may very well draw the most curious of looks, may still be welcome in some bitingly-cold parts of Canada (halfmeant joke).

Bearers of (traditional) gifts

Next to fire logs, frog figu-

rines rank among the traditionally given gifts. Frogs are believed to symbolize good luck and fertility, and the semblance of these animals is usually given at weddings or housewarmings.

Unless, of course, the recipient is Batrachophobic. Then you may want to skip the frogs—and any other reptile, for that matter—and stick with bluebird gifts, which are also considered lucky. Then again, there is Ornithophobia to consider…

Barring logs, frogs, and bluebirds, there are a few other traditional gift items that may be appreciated for their symbol-

ism (and usefulness): • Bread : To ensure the tenants will never go hungry. A nice basketful of assorted gourmet breads (accompanied, perhaps, with a bottle of jam or two) will prove to be a welcome gift • Wine: For a cup that will always run over with prosperity.

A bottle of nice Merlot, Pignon Noir, or a crisp white wine is always well-received. Among my personal favorites are the wines

by Cassilero del Diablo; which are not only well-balanced, with a nice depth and body, they are ❱❱ PAGE 31 We come

Hearth and Home

29 FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013

“Oh, Canada!”–The Joys of Living in the Great White North

BY CHING DEE Philippine Canadian Inquirer IN 2011, Canada ranked 6th happiest country out of the 187 nations of the world according to United Nation’s “happiness index.” This result is even affirmed when the Economic Intelligence Unity released their Annual Liveable City List where 3 out of the Top 5 Cities are found in Canada: Vancouver (#1), Toronto (#4), and Calgary (#5).

What makes a city, or a country, an ideal place to live in?

The UN Human Development Index factored in various aspects such as education, health, life expectancy, sustainability, income, and equality in order to determine where life is lived at its best.

With these factors considered, Norway ranked 1st, while United States and United Kingdom ranked 4th and 28th respectively.

According to MoneySense Magazine, who released their 8th annual list of greatest cities in Canada in March 2013, it considered certain factors while brewing the list. “We looked at all the data we could find to name the communities that offer the best overall quality of life,” as they explained in their list. MoneySense took into careful consideration the residents’ income and the community’s employment situation, price of housing, weather, crime rates, medical treatment facilities and accessibility, as well as the presence of cultural activities and arts or sports events.

And while statistics are merely numbers and cannot ever quantify the locals’ personalities or the communities’ landscape, these numbers are good platforms to build your basis on why a lot of people choose to live in that certain place.

Below are MoneySense’s top 10 list of the best Canadian cities to raise kids, to retire, and even the best cities for new immigrants.

Best Places to Raise Kids

1. Calgary 2. Blainville 3.

St. Albert 4.

Strathcona County 5. Lévis 6. Boucherville 7. Terrebonne 8. Repentigny 9. Gatineau 10. Lacombe

Best Places to Retire

1. Victoria 2. Saanich 3. Kingston 4. Burlington 5. Ottawa 6. Toronto 7. Joliette 8. Saskatoon

Calgary

PHOTO FROM GRANT

9. Stratford 10. Winnipeg

Vancouver

PHOTO BY ROMAKOMA

“This is the second year Canada has topped the tables of the NatWest IPB Quality of Life Index. Its excellent working conditions, financial security and peaceful reputation have pushed Canada into this year’s pole position. As a member of the Commonwealth, Canada offers Brits common values and goals shared with the UK, helping British expats settle into the country and feel at home,” said Dave Isley, head of NatWest, to an interview for the Telegraph UK.

Best for New Immigrants

1. Burlington 2. Vaughan 3. Calgary 4.

Richmond Hill 5. Toronto 6. Oakville 7.

West Vancouver 8. Saanich 9. Markham 10. Vancouver

KnowsWhy.com noted that Canada is a great place to live in because of its excellent health care system. Run by the government, its health insurance system is 100% free and preferred by most Canadians. The indigent citizens can also avail of the public health system because it is covered by public funds.

Elderly Canadians also enjoy full benefits since the government makes sure that they have their medications free of charge.

Other than an excellent health care system both for locals and immigrants, the cost of living in Canada is considerably lower compared to other countries.

The food products are very affordable, which is why the country barely suffers from poor nutrition.

Canada’s low population density also makes it possible for legal immigrants to find a decent paying job. This is why Canada has one of the highest immigration rates in the world and the nation continues to maximize this influx of diverse manpower in order to boost its economic and demographic development.

According to NatWest International Personal Banking, British expats believe that Canada provides the best quality of life around the world. 92% of English expats in Canada rated Canada as “very good” or “excellent” in terms of their working environment, and 90% when it comes to all-over financial security.

Toronto

PHOTO FROM VALESTOCK

Whether for business or for pleasure, Canada surely delivers more than just the basic necessities. The Great White North continues to share its innate greatness with anyone who is seeking a better life halfway around the world or just above the border. With these factors in mind, together with the rest of the world, Canadians believe that they will continue to push forward and emerge on top – confirming that indeed, Canada is a one of the happiest places to live in. ■

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FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013 30

Living off the land: Homesteading catching on among many young Canadian families

BY MEGAN COLE The Canadian Press POWELL RIVER, B.C.— A growing number of young Canadian families are making the choice to move away from the city to the country to set up homesteads, live off the land and prepare food using traditional methods.

Even though Victoria Gazeley grew up on the Sunshine Coast at least two hours from Vancouver, her family lived a suburban life with a small garden in the backyard.

“My mom and dad grew up on rural properties back in the ‘40s and ‘50s, and had that in their background but had in a way rejected it as most did,” said Gazeley from her Roberts Creek homestead northwest of Vancouver.

After living in the Vancouver area for most of her adult life, Gazeley began feeling pulled to rural life, especially after having her son.

Like most modern homesteaders she was feeling it was increasingly important to become more self-reliant due to concerns about imported and genetically modified foods.

“As we’ve become more and more technology dependant there seems to be this zeitgeist of wanting to reconnect back to something a little simpler as things got crazier,” she said.

Since moving in 2009 onto a family property, which included a reclaimed log cabin, Gazeley began the blog Modern Homesteading, which documents her experiences and connects with others who have gone rural.

In addition to harvesting wild edibles like blackberries and huckleberries, Gazeley has chickens, blueberries, and a small garden.

While some modern homesteaders have moved to smaller-scale properties, Adrienne Percy and her family took on a 130-hectare farm in Fraserwood, Man. “I was starting to think may-

be what we’re doing isn’t quite sustainable,” said Percy. “We’re seeing the fabric of a lot of rural communities unwind and what is being passed off as food these days is concerning.

“People seem to have lost what used to be considered basic essential skills and I really wanted something very different for my children.”

According to Nourished Roots, the website for Percy’s farm and the workshops they give, she and her husband “traded in fancy shoes and power lunches for galoshes and preserves years ago.”

Percy had been working as a journalist when they made the decision to move to rural Manitoba.

She initially focused on giving her family a full life which included knowing how to grow, cook and preserve their food, but now she’s working to help other aspiring homesteaders learn the skills they need for rural and urban living.

“From my experience and

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A homestead surrounded by the forest at Duck Mountain Provincial Park in Saskatchewan, Canada.

from what I’m hearing from my friends I think it’s that feeling of being disconnected from really basic skills and a sense that there is another way to live,” she said.

Earlier this summer Percy’s property hosted the first Homesteaders Festival. The event sold out and more than 350 people came to participate in 27 workshops, which included beekeeping, raising goats,

fermentation and blending your own herbal teas.

“People are sensing that being able to grow your own food and share it with others was at the centre of our communities and the fabric of our life,” said Percy.

“Growing food and having these essential skills was about nourishment and survival but really it was an intimate part of our culture and heritage.” ■

Hearth and Home

31 FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013

Ask a Designer: Create a family room that works for the whole family

BY MELISSA RAYWORTH The Associated Press IN MANY homes, the “family room” is decorated with just one purpose: to withstand the impact of juice-spilling, gameplaying, cookie-eating, crayonwielding children.

The result is often a room that’s long on durability but short on style.

How can you create a stylish, sophisticated family room where grown-ups will want to spend time, while still keeping the space kid-friendly?

Three design experts—Brian Patrick Flynn of decordemon. com and Flynnside Out Productions; Betsy Burnham of Burnham Design; and Jon Call of Mr. Call Designs—offer some advice: Strong fabrics

“Design technology and textiles are catching up with our family-friendly lifestyle,” says Burnham. “There are so many outdoor fabrics, so many amazing vinyls” that are durable and easy to clean, but also look good.

Burnham is a fan of Holly Hunt fabrics treated with Nano-Tex, which resists spills and stains without changing the fabric’s texture.

Indoor/outdoor rugs are another great option now that they’re being made with materials soft to the touch.

Flynn, who often uses Sunbrella indoor/outdoor fabrics, suggests upholstering with removable slipcovers for easy cleaning.

When choosing slipcovers, “washed linen is great since it’s meant to look worn-in and super casual.” He’s also a fan of very dark denim: “Navy blue and charcoal are my go-to choices for denim slipcovers since they look more tailored than basic beiges or creams.”

NEAT SOFAS Call recommends skipping sofas that have three or four seat cushions and several more cushions across the back. “If you’ve got kids playing and jumping on those,” he says, you’ll constantly be finding the cushions out of place or on the floor.

Instead, he says, pick a sofa

with one large seat cushion and no separate cushions along the back—”something tailored and clean looking” that won’t need its cushions adjusted constantly.

Multi-use tables

Family rooms are built for entertaining, so think about flexible seating, Burnham says.

“Maybe a side table that’s also a stool, or a coffee table that’s also a bench or an ottoman.”

Kids can use an ottoman as a surface for games, while adult party guests can use it as seating.

Opt for tables with rounded corners for safety in rooms where kids often play, Flynn says, and choose tables with “metal or weathered wood tops.

Metal tops can withstand heavy wear and tear, while weathered wood is intended to look worn, so as kids take their toll on the pieces, it simply adds to the intended look.”

Varied lighting

Rooms that do double-duty need lighting that does too, says Call.

“When you have adults over or if you’re watching TV or it’s a more intimate moment, you want a lamp by the sofa, at eyelevel or below, to create intimate pools of light,” he says.

But kids doing homework or art projects need the brighter light that overhead fixtures provide. Make sure your family room has both.

Extra storage

Have a place for everything, Burnham says, so toys and other kid-related items can be put away easily at the end of the day.

She recommends a wall of builtin cabinets with doors, so kids’ clutter can be easily stashed, at hand but out of sight.

She also suggests creating storage space in the family room for a few fragile or valuable items that aren’t kidfriendly.

“You can have a cashmere throw in the cabinet that you pull out for the adults,” Burnham says. By storing these things in the room, you’re more likely to really use them, yet they’re protected from the kids’ play.

Flynn also recommends

built-ins, and suggests “adding colour and pattern to their back panels.”

“I usually use large-scale patterned wallpaper,” he says. Consider nautical styles: “They’re casual and fun, and they don’t take themselves too seriously.”

For additional storage, Flynn says, replace coffee tables with “upholstered storage ottomans complete with safety locking mechanisms, which prevent little ones from getting inside of them to hide, and also protecting any little fingers from hinges.” He suggests upholstering ottomans with indoor-outdoor fabrics so they’ll withstand spills and sticky fingers.

Bold colors

In a high-traffic family room, Call suggests sticking with deeper colours rather than whites or pale shades.

Flynn agrees: “The one colour I use more than any other in family-centric spaces is navy blue,” he says, because it can appeal to the whole family. He recommends Seaworthy navy from Sherwin-Williams: “It has just the right amount of purple in it to make it bright instead of dark.”

“Red is another high-energy hue which works great in family rooms,” Flynn says, which works well with most other colours, especially black-brown, navy blue and charcoal.

Playful decor

Don’t hide the fact that the room is being shared with kids, Flynn says.

“Embrace it. Work children and playfulness into the design of a family room’s esthetic,” he suggests.

On the walls, he likes to use “pop art or original photography of toys, especially vintage toys, or black-and-white candid photography of the family blown up to an enormous scale” to personalize the room.

“Kids and pets are a huge part of our lives. Since we love them more than the sofas and chairs they sit on, why not make them as much as part of a room’s decoration as its furnishings?”

Flynn says. ■

We come... ❰❰ 28

relatively easy on the purse, with an interesting legend to boot.

• Salt:To give new life a touch of savor. Think nice, pink Himalayan Sea Salt; Kosher Salt, other fancy salts re-packed in glass jars. Perfect!

• Candle: To spread light and wisdom. Scented, decorative candles are a tried-and-tested favorite. A variation to this would be a nice oil-burner, with tea lights and scented oils.

• Honey: For a sweet life in a new home. There are many, gourmet variants: Truflle honey; wild or raw honey; flavored honey; among others.

• Rice: A symbol of fertility.

Package in a nice jar, canister, ceramic container for that special touch.

• Broom: To sweep away evil.

Functional, too.

• Olive Oil: Brings health and vitality. You don’t have to be a chef to appreciate a nice bottle of extra virgin olive oil.

• Live Plant: Symbolizes long life or residency. Small, hardy plants are best.

Food items such as apple pie, a side of bacon, and a sack of flour are also among traditional, historical gifts. You can bring a side of bacon over to my house any time. Just so we’re clear.

imagination’s the limit, as almost anything can be personalized, in this day and age of hightechnology.

• Quirky key hanger—I adore - and still use - the one I received years ago.

• Cheese knives and cutters— Throw in an oddly-shaped cheese board, and this will be a gift that will receive much gratitude.

• A unique bottle opener or corkscrew—Loads of fun, and definitely highly-functional.

• A vintage/one-of-a-kind conversation piece—A friend gave me a mirror sourced at a vintage shop; it is unique, interesting, has a small chip, and I absolutely love it.

• Decorative or unusual table lamp, or light accent—Easy to find, these days. Stick with a piece that is neither too large, nor too outlandish.

• Beer tub—For nice, cold brews served stylishly. Need I say more?

• The gift of fun—A classic board game, party game, puzzle, card game all make wonderful gifts.

For more unique and clever gift ideas, check out Made In Canada Gift Ideas at http://o. c a n a d a . c o m / 2 0 1 2/0 6/0 4/ made-in-canada-gift-ideas-under-150/.

Hot gift items to warm a house

Whatever gift you settle for, remember that the best present to warm any new home is the joy and love that can only come straight from the heart. And that is definitely cheesy enough to slice with the new cheese cutter and oddly-shaped board. ■

On a less traditional note, here are some gift suggestions that are fun to give, and even more fun to receive: • Personalized gifts—Stationery; monogrammed towels; decorative storage boxes; your

Vintage conversation piece mirror, author’s own.

www.canadianinquirer.net

FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013

32

Entertainment FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT, CANADA!

2013 World Hip-Hop Dance Championships—Canada Reigns Supreme BY SOCORROBABES NEWLAND

Neri Naig playing with some aetas PHOTO FROM THE FACEBOOK PAGE OF ALFONSO MIRANDA JR.

Chito Miranda defends girlfriend against bashers Philippine Canadian Inquirer CHITO MIRANDA became Neri Naig’s knight in shining armor when he defended her against her bashers.

After apologizing to the public about their leaked sex video, the 37-year-old Parokya ni Edgar vocalist on Wednesday posted on Instagram a photo of Naig mingling with some aetas, with a caption describing the kind of person his girlfriend is.

Miranda described the 27-year-old actress as “happy and content” despite not being as popular as other artists.

The caption reads: “This is my girlfriend, Neri. She’s an actress. Though she is not as sikat as the others, she is happy and content. :) Not many people know this, but whenever she has time to spare, she’d go and visit her favorite aeta village along with her friends, and hang out with the aetas, simply because she enjoys it. :).”

Chito adds that Neri would, at times, act as a teacher to some children by helping them learn to read. His girlfriend, according to the rocker-songwriter, would also “collect and bring used, worn-out school books” so out-of-school children will have something to read.

His post adds, “She’d bring snacks, and sometimes would even set up games for the kids in

the community. :) She was never applauded for this, nor was she famous for it, and also had no major reasons for doing it. No floods. No calamities. Nothing. She does it because she loves doing it. Aside from fishing, gardening, and taking care of her pets, this is what she does on her spare time.”

Still in defense of his girlfriend, Miranda posts the following message on Instagram: “I don’t really care what other people think or say about me, but I do care about what they say about my girlfriend, and I have one simple question for those who have a problem with her, regarding their self-righteous beliefs and opinions on morality, tastelessly expressed through their hateful comments: What do you do on your spare time aside from bashing helpless girls on the internet? Whatever it is, I honestly hope it makes you happy. Me and my girlfriend are NOT saints obviously (me, being very far from it), but she is a good person and those who really know her, know that she is. And I love her very much. :) Sa lahat ng mga openminded na tao na patuloy na nag pakita ng respeto at pagmamahal sa amin ni Neri, regardless of what we are going through, maraming maraming salamat po.” (To all open-minded people who continue to show respect and love to me and Neri, regardless of what we are going through, Thank you very much). ■

THIS YEAR’S World Hip Hop Dance Championships belonged to Canada. For the first time in the competition’s 12-year history, a single country captured gold in all three age categories at the recently concluded World Finals at the Orleans Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. In front of a nervously cheering crowd of 9,000 people and international celebrities like D-Trix (of America’s Best Dance Crew), Tony Basil and Drake, furiously talented Canadian team FLIP bagged 1st Place for the youth category (ages 8-12), followed by fellow Canadians BROTHERHOOD (ages 13-17 under Vancouver BC’s Praise Team ban-

Brotherhood

Senior Showcase

ner) and Canada’s ROCKWELL FAMILY in the adult category (18+ yrs.). Only in the mega crew division did the Canadians fall short behind the New Zealand’s Royal Family, which won the category for the third straight year.

Canada’s Praise Team Sr. Showcase won Silver.

A special featured article on Praise Team was released in this column under various age bracket dancer divisions. PT’s winning division crew Brotherhood comprises of dancers Michael Delleva, Francis Aranton, Jesko Guiang, Adrian Vendiola, Jacob Soriano, Dave de Guzman, James Tejada and Jerome Hocson; with choreographers Scott Forsyth and Alo Galedo.

Praise Team Sr. Showcase ran away with the Silver prize under MegaCrews Category with dancers Kevin Locsin, Larissa Simpson, Menelaine Valencia, Abby Zaporteza, Michael Del-

leva, Francis Aranton, Adrian Cabanos, Joanna Reyes, Anthony Grant, Carmen Delos Santos, Alicia Soo, Scott Forsyth, Tyron Calaquian, Gabriel Galedo, Aiko Yajima, Navid Charkih, Jacob Soriano, John Batica, Joanna Balaois, Wendy Ubial, Adrian Vendiola, Maria Villanueva, Angela Mendoza, Delfina Afoakwah, Jesko Guiang, Marielle Macaraeg and Melissa Medalla. Choreographers: Missy Reyes, Matthews Flojo; and Assistant Creative Crew: Mickee Reyes, Lanie Valencia, Gino Coronado and Alo Galedo. And while teams Japan and New Zealand saw the podium in multiple competition categories, the event clearly belonged to the northerners. Or as they say at the annual Olympics of hip hop dance, “CA-NADA WHAT!” And, yes, it’s the world’s most celebrated dance event. ■

Entertainment

33 FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013

Heart Evangelista goes A Transgender won Best Actor in the daring in new film 9th Cinemalaya Film Festival Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA, PHILIPPINES—After going through a lot of changes in her life, actress-TV host Heart Evangelista said she is now ready to portray a different image in her upcoming project under Viva Films, titled “Trophy Wife,” where she will star alongside Derek Ramsay, Cristine Reyes, and John Estrada.

She said: “I’m already 28-years old and I feel that this is the time to really get into something different. My life has gone through a lot of changes this year and it has helped me a lot to grow and make decisions for myself.”

She adds: “Kaya itong project na ito, this is the first decision that I made for myself na walang nakialam.” (This project is the first decision I made for myself without anybody interfering.)

“I told the people at Viva that I am open to many things now. Huwag silang matakot na ipagawa sa akin ang mga ganitong mga eksena [Let them not be afraid to have me do these scenes] because I will have an

open mind about everything.

“Basta [As long as] it’s done in good taste at hindi nakakaoffend sa pagkababae ko [and it doesn’t offend my being a woman], I am willing to do it.”

She also revealed that she is okay in doing a movie with her ex-boyfriend Jericho Rosales, adding that she’s very happy with her life, enabling her to work with someone from her past.

The former teen star confessed that she and Jericho have already moved on.

When asked if she consulted her boyfriend, Senator Chiz Escudero about her new daring film, “When it comes to my career, ayaw niyang makialam [he doesn’t want to interfere]. Though I want him to get involved naman, but he would rather not kasi wala naman (also) daw siyang alam sa ganitong trabaho [because he said he doesn’t know anything about this line of work]. I appreciate that he lets me decide on what I want to do with my career. Nakita naman niya ang maturity ko [he can see how I’ve matured] and he trusts me with my decisions.” ■

PHOTO FROM THE FACEBOOK PAGE OF HEART EVANGELISTA

Philippine Canadian Inquirer MANILA, PHILIPPINES— Transgender Mimi Juareza doesn’t really mind if he won the Best Actor rather than the Best Actress award in the 9th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival held at the main theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

What’s important for him is the fact that his work was given due appreciation.

Juareza was praised by the festival’s jury for “his bold take on a gender-bending role” in Eduardo Roy Jr.’s “Quick Change.”

Though, it was only Mimi’s first acting stint, his director

said his acting is “natural.”

In an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Roy said, “Luckily, he was a good actor to begin with. We only had a twoday workshop before the shoot.”

Meanwhile, Joey Paras won the best supporting actor for also portraying a gender-bending role in “Babagwa” in the New Breed section.

Winners in the indie fest were comprised of veterans and newcomers alike.

Hannah Espia’s “Transit” and Jerrold Tarog’s “Sana Dati” brought home the most awards.

Espia, a newbie in filmmaking got 10 Balanghai trophies in the New Breed section for her film

“Transit” which tells the story of Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Israel whose children face deportation.

Awards given to “Transit” include best film, best director, best actress for theater veteran Irma Adlawan and best supporting actress for show-biz newcomer Jasmine Curtis-Smith.

While Tarog’s “Sana Dati” which tells the story of a bride being followed on her wedding day by a strange videographer, won 8 awards in the Directors’ Showcase—including best film, sound, music, editing and direction (for Tarog) and production design (Ericson Navarro) and cinematography (Mackie Galvez). ■

Resident psychologist needed for kiddie show Review board and ABS-CBN issue joint resolution to address viewer concerns about ‘disturbing’ content in ‘Goin’ Bulilit’

BY BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR. Philippine Daily Inquirer “GOIN’ BULILIT’ was in trouble and a child psychology expert was called in to intervene.

As a result of a meeting called last week, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) and ABSCBN representatives came up with a joint resolution to address concerns raised by viewers over “disturbing” content in the children’s show.

Eugenio Villareal, MTRCB chair, told the INQUIRER that the network would (1) appoint a resident child psychology expert, (2) set in place a postreview mechanism for at least three months, and (3) closely collaborate with the MTRCB. In a statement, Bong R. Osorio, ABSCBN’s head of Corporate Communications, confirmed that the resolution included consultation with specialists on proposed sketches or gags when necessary and posting of appropriate advisories or disclaimers before the show. Osorio explained, “These measures were formulated…to protect the best interests of the www.canadianinquirer.net

child.”

Last week, the board summoned network representatives to a “mandatory conference,” to discuss episodes of the show that “compromised the innocence of both child actors and child viewers.”

Religious insensitivity

In its own statement, the board pointed to scenes with “children [delivering] dialogue about inflicting harm on others, insulting one’s spouse, electoral fraud and committing crime.”

The statement said there had also been instances of religious insensitivity.

Villareal said, the network submitted a proposal of remedial measures for the show as required in the resolution. The proposal is being evaluated by an ad hoc committee composed of board members Noel del Prado, Antonio Veloso and Carmen Musngi.

Candid, challenging

Villareal described the meeting as “candid and challenging… marked by the network’s desire to cooperate.”

For the first time, the panel was aided by a volunteer child

psychiatrist provided by the Philippine Psychiatric Association (PPA), with which the board recently signed a memorandum of agreement.

A short advocacy video, with the theme, “what children see, children do,” was shown during the meeting.

Villareal pointed out: “All that we do [in the MTRCB] takes into account the primacy in society of the best interest and well-being of children.”

He said the board sought “to promote authentic selfregulation [while] encouraging free expression and creativity” in the entertainment industry. “The board’s rating system is founded on the welfare of children… who are impressionable and not fully capable of critical judgment,” he elaborated.

On July 27, the MTRCB held a Family and Child Summit, where experts, educators and parents “expressed very grave concern” over the ability of children “to assimilate and imitate what they hear, see and experience in media.” ■ With a report from Allan Policarpio

Entertainment

FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013 34

Young actress goes from rebel to real Fil-australian Jessica Connelly follows her father’s fashion advise: ‘Stick to what you were born with’

BY MARINEL R. CRUZ Philippine Daily Inquirer NATURAL IS better, says Jessica Connelly, who admits she was a rebel at 15, with a short blonde bob and nose piercings.

“I was the opposite of what I really looked like [then]; I even had a fake tan,” the Fil-Australian actress tells Living Stars. “When my dad said, ‘You look so much better when you stick to what you’re born with,’ I dyed my hair dark and let it grow long again. I also stopped doing stuff to my skin and embraced the fact that I was white.”

Jessica, now 20, recalls the reason for her decision to go blonde. “This happened in Australia. Someone told me, I looked scary, like that girl Sadako from ‘The Ring.’ I was very affected by that. I cut my hair really short, like Rihanna’s.”

When Jessica was 16, her family decided to live permanently in Cebu, her mother’s native province. She relates, “I was finishing high school at that time and didn’t want to go to college. I just wanted to be a singer. Dad said he’d let me, if I wanted to go to the Philippines with the rest of the family.”

In 2012, Jessica signed up with talent manager Betchay Vidanes. She joined the reality program “Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition 4 Uber,” and then joined ABS-CBN’s Star Magic. She was cast in the drama shows “Angelito: Batang Ama” (2012) and “Paraiso” (2013).

“I’m enjoying show biz,” Jessica says.

“My dream is to record an album.”

Clothes

Jessica keeps a plum Topshop dress that she wore on PBB. “I used it only inside the PBB house. I gained weight inside and could no longer fit in it.”

She considers her black vintage dress she bought for a birthday costume party special. “It’s a 1920s thing. I woremy hair vintage-style, too, and wore red lipstick, pearls and a head band. It was so memorable.” She has a beige vintage dress from Forever 21 that she hasn’t worn. “I lost weight so it’s loose. I like the satin and lacy fabric.”

When in a boyish mode, she dons an oversized cardigan that used to be her brother’s. “I just wear it with jeans and high heels when I go out. I steal a lot of my brother’s stuff.”

She holds up a hand-painted skirt.

PHOTO FROM FACEBOOK

“This is from an ex-(PBB) housemate, who is wheelchair-bound,” Jessica says.

“He gave it to me when I got evicted. I was surprised, because it wasn’t like him to do that.”

Finding the perfect pair of jeans is always a challenge for her. “I don’t have a normal figure,” she explains. “My hips are big! The best-fitting denims for me are from Mango and Forever 21. I avoid light-colored fabrics because they make me look bigger in photos. I also love jeggings (tight stretch jeans). They look good, and are comfortable.”

Bags

Jessica’s everyday bag is a black leather piece from Zara. “I got this slouch bag because I always have to carry a lot of things around lately. The design is perfect for any outfit. It’s comfortable and isn’t so expensive. It holds up my stuff well.” She also likes products from the Australian brand M!mco. “I bought this, my first designer bag, when I was 13. Until now, the leather still looks nice.”

Jessica says she never really liked carrying bags or clutches when she was younger. “Every time I’d go out, I’d make my friends put my phone or wallet in their bags. This is the first piece that I actually liked,” she says of a red-gold clutch from Zara. “It was on sale when I saw it. It really stands out. I also have a clutch, in patent leather and suede, that I used when I attended the Star Magic Ball.”

She then shows a Forever 21 studded clutch, which she described as “nicer and sturdier” because it’s made of hardcase shell.

Accessories

“I’m obsessed with rings. I have a ridiculous amount of them,” says Jessica.

“I get a lot from Forever 21 or in department stores. Those in flea markets are cheap but also look really good. I like vintage designs and anything that’s gold.

I buy stuff that are unique, like these pieces with animal designs. I also have stuff sent from Australia.”

In looking for interesting pieces, Jessica advises shoppers to have loads of www.canadianinquirer.net

patience. “You also have to know what you like. If you just try to buy what everyone else is wearing, that won’t work.

I remember buying feather earrings just because a lot of people have been using them. It had been a waste of money.”

Even while she has many watches, like the “really blingy ones” from Forever 21, Jessica still prefers to use her Gucci piece, a hand-me-down from dad. “I like manly things. This is the first proper watch I own. “ Jessica’s favorite pair of sunnies was a birthday gift from actor Stefan Alino.

“He gave this to me because I said I had wanted the one used by (Hollywood actress) Megan Fox, who is one of my idols,” she says.

“When I was younger, I’d save money to buy Dior or Channel shades. They have crazy designs so I don’t use them anymore. I think they’re just a waste of money. I’ve learned to become more simple in terms of style.”

Gadgets

Jessica confesses to not being a gadgets girl. “I only buy what I need. I don’t try to own too much stuff just because they’re new and in fashion,” she explains. “Before I switched to iPhone, I used BlackBerry Bold. It has been through everything, even a drop from the balcony.”

She adds: “I suggest that everybody get an iPhone. I’m now addicted to Instagram and all the other apps. I used to have an iTouch, but decided to go back to the classic iPod—all my favorite tunes are in there.” Tunes in Jessica’s iPod are mostly R&B, soul and rap. “It contains tunes from Kanye West, Alicia Keys, Jay Z, Lauryn Hill, Aaliyah, Baby Face, Beyonce and Cris Brown, as well as Aretha Franklin and BB King.”

Cosmetics

The actress used to have a really bad case of acne so she could not wear thick makeup on her face. “The best brand for me is Laura Mercier. Its powder and cream-based foundation are so light. A little blob of cream covers your whole face. It’s worth its price.”

For lip color, Jessica advises: “Every girl has to own a red lipstick. When I don’t like it too strong sometimes, I just dab it on my lips. I also use a lot of hot pink. I like colors from L’Oreal, Mac and Lancome.”

“Girls who cover their faces with makeup too much tend to lose the sparkle in their eyes,” she observes. “The really important thing is to have wellshaped eyebrows. Also, remember to match your powder with your skin tone.

Less is better, especially if you have nice skin… I’m also not into big fake lashes and dark smokey eyes.” ■

Entertainment

35 FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013

Gozon: The show, not the station, makes an artist ‘I tell you, pag mag-e- expire na ang mga contracts ng halos lahat ng talents, may maririnig ka na kinukuha sila ng ibang network—that’s normal’

BY MARINEL R. CRUZ Philippine Daily Inquirer “POPULARITY, TALENT, attitude.”

These are the top three things that GMA network president and CEO Felipe L. Gozon considers before adding an artist to the Kapuso roster.

While he did not discount the possibility of hiring more talents from other networks, Gozon said, “GMA 7 is developing a lot of inhouse talents.

We’ve put two people in charge of our Artist Center—Simon Ferrer for endorsements and branding, and David Fabros for development and recruitment.”

Gozon sat down to lunch with INQUIRER after formally signing an agreement with Avon Philippines to produce the drama series, “Prinsesa ng Masa,” which stars Kris Bernal. The show premieres Sept. 23.

“I like the story of ‘Prinsesa ng Masa.’ It’s not hard sell,” Gozon said. “Avon came in after we approved the concept. But we’ve worked with the brand for a long time now. It just so happened that the products and the show seemed a perfect fit.”

Excerpts from our chat: Were you surprised by the success of “My Husband’s Lover”?

I told our production people that what we needed was a show that was different from most. A few years back, we were successful with fantasy-adventure shows.

Actually, “Mundo Mo’y Akin”

is faring better than MHL in terms of ratings. But people don’t talk about it so much.

This only means maraming Pinoy na MHL (gay). Marami rin sigurong MWL, or My Wife’s Lover. (Laughs) Seriously, we never thought it would be this successful. We approved it only because it was… different. No, we weren’t worried about how some people would react. From the start we agreed it would depend on the treatment.

We were surprised it was GMA 7 that did it.

Kami talaga ang gagawa n’on because we are risk-takers. We always try new things. MHL became popular because of its story line. Dennis (Trillo) and Tom Rodriguez aren’t real [gays]; that’s why audiences appreciate them. Lumalabas ang galing nila [in acting]. As I always say, it’s the program that makes an artist; not the station.

What’s your reaction to Ogie Alcasid’s transfer to TV5?

In fairness to Ogie, he spoke with us before leaving. We couldn’t match TV5’s offer— bibigyan pa kasi siya ng [executive position]. I wished him luck.

Because you thought he would need it?

You all know what’s happening there [at TV5]. How long can that go on? No offense; I’m just being frank. They have been incurring really big losses.

BOB BRIDDON, Avon president for Asia Pacific and the Philippines; Kris Bernal and Felipe L. Gozon, GMA 7 president and CEO, on Wednesday after signing a partnership for a TV series.

Does this mean a merger is out of the question?

What merger? I have not heard of any. Is MVP (Manny Pangilinan, TV5 chair) buying GMA7?

You’ll have to ask him. As for me, I am not going to buy TV5.

How about Regine Velasquez?

She just renewed her contract with us. We’ve never had any problem with Regine. Former GMA 7 executive Wilma Galvante has transferred to TV5 and is active again.

Wilma didn’t transfer; she retired. She joined TV5 a year [after she left GMA 7].

What’s Richard Gutierrez’s status?

He didn’t renew his contract.

Marian Rivera’s contract is also up for renewal.

Just wait, something will happen that I’m still not at liberty to say. And no, Marian [and boy-

friend Dingdong Dantes] will not get married yet. ‘Di pa ako kinukuhang ninong—biro lang.

I tell you, pag mag-e- expire na ang mga contracts ng halos lahat ng talents, may maririnig ka na kinukuha sila ng ibang network—that’s normal.

What’s in store for Raymart Santiago and estranged wife Claudine Barretto over at GMA7?

I don’t know if Raymart has an existing contract with us. We’ve never had any problem with him, either. Our contract with Claudine expired quite a while back and was not renewed.

What can you say about your daughter’s (Annette GozonAbrogar) performance as a network executive?

I’m her father so to answer that would be self-serving.

With regard to the [Sarah La-

hbati] issue, I know she can handle it because she’s a better lawyer than I am. It’s good that she can now practice law at ‘di puro GMA 7 ang inaatupag.

How do you make your actors’ working environment more comfortable?

Most of them have vans where they can sleep or rest when they are not needed on the set.

What’s the latest on the network’s digitization project?

At this point, our concern is how to monetize our investment.

What digital TV model does the network plan to use?

We want to follow the European model, which is superior to its Japanese counterpart.

The Japanese model offers a maximum of eight channels; the European model, up to 16. ■

Jericho Rosales got engaged to Kim Jones on Jones’ birthday Philippine Canadian Inquirer

PHOTO FROM JULIA ARENAS’ INSTAGRAM

JERICHO ROSALES is now engaged to model-host Kim Jones!

What’s even more special is that it happened on the birthday of Kim on August 4 at the New Life Christian Center in Alabang.

Those who attended the church service were surprised, seeing one of the most eligible bachelors in the country down on his knees professing his love for Kim. For Angeli Pangilinan, Jeriwww.canadianinquirer.net

cho’s manager who also attends the same service, the proposal was “simple and sweet.”

The Urian awardee expressed his happiness on Instagram, “I love you, Miss Jones. You are the love of my life. Thank you for saying YES (to forever) to me. Happy birthday! God is amazing! Yeeeeeehaaa! We are #engaged !!!! #jackpot.”

Jones, in reply, thanked her fiancé for making her the happiest girl in the world.

“Matagal ko nang pinagdasal ito. Three months ago pa. I start-

ed to pray and asked myself kung ano ang gusto ko sa birthday ko (September 22). Ang sagot na nakuha ko si I want a wife for my birthday. Matagal na itong desire ko.” (I have prayed for it three months ago. I started to pray and asked myself what I want for my birthday (September 22). The answer that I got was I want a wife for my birthday. It has been my desire for a long time now).

Rosales and Jones are planning a beach wedding as they both love to go surfing. ■

Entertainment

FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013 36

Lea Michele tearfully thanks fans at Teen Choice Awards following Cory Monteith’s death

BY ALICIA RANCILIO The Associated Press Vancouver’s 1st and Only Filipino Radio Experience Playing Original Pilipino Music (OPM) 6 Days a Week” and More!!!!

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LEA MICHELE made her first public appearance following the death of her co-star and real-life boyfriend Cory Monteith at the Teen Choice Awards.

Monteith, who co-hosted the Teen Choice Awards in 2010, was found dead July 13 in Vancouver, British Columbia. An autopsy revealed the 31-yearold actor died of an overdose of heroin and alcohol.

He and Michele played an on-again, off-again couple in the popular Fox series “Glee” and dated off-screen for about a year.

Michele won Choice TV Actress in a comedy for her role on “Glee” and took the stage tearfully Sunday address the audience while wearing a necklace that said “Cory.”

“I just wanted to be here today to personally thank all of you and tell everyone out there how much all of your love and support has meant to me over these very difficult past few weeks,” she said.

She dedicated the award to Monteith saying, “For all of you out there who loved and admired Cory as much as I did, I promise that with your love we’re gonna get through this together. He was very special to me and also to the world.”

She went on to say that “We were very lucky to witness his incredible talent, his handsome smile and his beautiful, beautiful heart so whether you know him personally or just as (his ‘Glee’ character) Finn Hudson, Cory reached out and he became a part of all of our hearts.”

“Glee” also won Choice TV Comedy and cast member Amber Reilly said, “Although we lost someone that we really love and that you guys love too we are very fortunate to come back to a show where we feel the love of family and Cory was like a brother to us.”

On the teal carpet prior to the show, another “Glee” star Naya Rivera, said it was therapeutic for the show’s cast to be together since Monteith’s death.

Lea Michele

PHOTO BY DFREE

“It’s really good for us to be able to be all together and be in the same room and celebrate people loving what we do.”

There were also lighthearted, silly moments during the show, ripe for the screaming teens in the audience.

One Direction kicked off the night with their new song “Best Song Ever” while later in the show hosts Darren Criss and Lucy Hale got Harry Styles to twerk as the audience went wild.

Some of the show’s celebrity presenters tried to use the opportunity as teaching moments for the younger audience.

“Tonight means your vote matters,” said “Scandal” star Kerry Washington with “The Vampire Diaries” actor Ian Somerhalder, of the more than 150 million votes cast, setting a new record for the show.

Ashton Kutcher received the Ultimate Choice Award and after joking, “Let’s be brutally honest. This is the old guy award,” said he wanted to impart some life-lessons to his younger fans.

“The sexiest thing in the entire world is being really smart and being thoughtful and being generous,” he said.

Actress Rebel Wilson used her time on stage winning the Choice Movie Actress Comedy award for “Pitch Perfect” to get vulgar. She made an off-colour joke about One Direction’s band name that was muted out by producers.

This year’s telecast was from the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, Calif. ■ Associated Press writer Nicole Evatt in Los Angeles contributed to this story.

FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013

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Lifestyle

Junk food banned, healthy eating tips offered to athletes at Canada Summer Games

BY LOIS ABRAHAM The Canadian Press TORONTO—Athletes who crave fries have had to forgo them at the Canada Summer Games village, which has been declared a junk food-free zone.

Instead, the young competitors are being given a huge variety of nutritious offerings with no cap on how often they can drop by the cafeteria each day.

“The whole point was to try and get athletes off on a good start,” with adequate nutrition to help them perform better, said Christiane Azzi, a nutritionist with Sodexo, which is dishing up the food at Bishop’s University in Sherbrooke, Que., site of the 17-day event which wraps Saturday.

TV personality and cookbook author Michael Smith, who ran the kitchen for Sodexo in Whistler, B.C., during the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games, chose recipes he thought were suitable for athletes.

Azzi says she and Canada Summer Games head nutritionist Martin Frechette then reviewed them to “make sure they have good carbs, they have adequate protein, they have fat but not too much fat and they’re not too heavy for competitions.”

In the Games village, athletes are tempted by made-to-order omelette, pasta and stir-fry stations. There are deli bars, where they can make their own sandwiches, salad bars, two daily soups and a cold bar with cottage cheese and fresh-cut fruit.

Entrees include lasagna, beef stew and chicken tagine and there are also gluten-free and kosher choices.

Even the pizza has been given a healthy twist with wholewheat crust, vegetables and not too much cheese.

“There’s something for everybody,” said Michael Little, food and beverages manager for Sodexo, who is based yearround at Bishop’s. “If you have specific dietary needs you can

have a meal made right in front of you.”

Little said the athletes don’t seem to mind not having junk food. “People just kind of fall into (eating junk food). Since there’s so many hot and fresh options, it’s easy to eat well.”

Members of the B.C. women’s volleyball team, which won a silver medal, appreciated the healthy choices.

“There was always lots of fruits and veggies, which was really important for us, lots of salad and stuff like wraps and sandwiches,” said power hitter Kaitlynn Given, 19, of Kelowna B.C. “Then there was stuff for post-game. Big meals like pastas and full dinners, stuff we’d expect at home.

“My favourite food was probably just the different varieties of fruits and stuff. For us, it was really important just to get all of the food groups in. We focused on nutrition a lot before we came here so I think it was important we kept that up once we got here.”

A program called 3-2-1-Go! being premiered at the Games advises athletes what to eat three hours before, two hours before and one hour before competition.

“You don’t eat the same way three hours before as you do one hour before,” Azzi said from Laval, Que. ❱❱ PAGE 39 Junk food

Facebook releases stats about Canadian usage; 19M monthly users, 14M daily

BY MICHAEL OLIVEIRA The Canadian Press TORONTO—More than 19 million Canadians are now logging onto Facebook at least once every month—that’s more than half the population—while 14 million check their newsfeed every single day, according to a batch of new statistics being released by the social network on Wednesday.

Of Facebook’s Canadian users, 13 million are accessing the site at least once a month on a mobile device, while 9.4 million use a phone or tablet to interact with the social network daily.

Although desktop users still

outnumber mobile users by a large margin, overall mobile usage has now exceeded traffic via computers.

“Mobile is a rocket ship ... if you look at interactions per day, people are way more engaged on mobile devices than desktop devices,” said Jordan Banks, managing director of Facebook Canada.

“Consumer behaviour is just fundamentally changing these days and so whereas it used to be that somebody would jump online maybe once a day and they’d do it from their PC, people are now online multiple times a day and they’re online across a whole variety of different devices, the majority of

which are mobile.”

Banks said daily Facebook usage in Canada is higher than both the global and U.S. averages.

“One of the things (studied) is the percentage of monthly users that come back daily. Sixtyone per cent is pretty much the global average, in the U.S. that number is somewhere around 70 per cent and in Canada it’s 74 per cent.”

Facebook is releasing the data largely to help make its case to marketers that more ad money should be spent on the social network.

“If you think about the right people getting the right message at the right time and then

targeting that against the right business objective, we feel we have a platform that is by far and away the best in Canada to do that,” Banks said.

“If you look at traditional media, people generally thought about reach across TV or across newspapers and that’s been a primary form of reach. And I think now what you see is by virtue of us having the 19 million Canadians in any given month and 14 million every single day, Facebook is now a primary form of reach for (advertisers), because not only can we reach people at a huge scale but we can target them in a way that has never been available before.”

Although some users have griped about the increased presence of ads on the site, Banks points out that usage hasn’t decreased.

“In your newsfeed, maximum you’ll see one out of every 20 posts is going to be an ad,” he said.

“We are constantly doing user research and test groups to see what type of effect do ads have on user behaviour and what we’ve seen is at the current five per cent ads-innewsfeed ratio there’s no material effect on the satisfaction of users.” ■

Lifestyle

FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013 38

Aurea Carballo González: A romantic who wrote about love and lived it The life and words of the late fictionist and essayist, who would have turned 100 last July 19, are celebrated by a family-published second book

BY RUEL S. DE VERA Philippine Daily Inquirer LUMINOUS IS THE life lived in the comfort of lovingly crafted words and the embrace of much-nurtured family. This is a truth that Aurea Car-ballo González knew from her devotion to both. Mother and wife, teacher and storyteller, she waited until relatively late in life to publish her stories as well as her first book.

Though she passed away in 2007, her family remembered her last wish: to have a second collection of her writing published. Last July 19, the day she would have turned 100, that wish came true when the González family launched “On Wings of Love: Stories and Essays by Aurea Carballo González” at Ayala Museum in Makati City.

Because her stories had been published exclusively in women’s magazines over a long period of time, González is relatively unknown to contemporary and mainstream readers, a situation that is rectified by the publication of her second book. This is the best time to become acquainted with the life and words of González. According to the book’s afterword by daughter Jenny González, Aurea “Auring” Carballo was born July 19, 1913, in Santa Cruz, Manila, the third of six children to Don Conrado and Doña Josefina Carballo. An early and avid reader, she would sometimes be chided for propping a book on her lap during dinner. Her father encouraged her and she learned a thing or two from her mother, a natural storyteller.

She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Education, majoring in English from St.

PHOTO of Aurea Carballo González and lawyer Delfin González : Devotion to home and family, and time to spare for writing.

PHOTO BY KIMBERLY DELA CRUZ | INQUIRER.NET

Theresa’s College, Manila, in 1934. She wrote the lyrics to the STCM school hymn, with music

by Angeles RodriguezLopez—a pressure-filled event that she would later write about in an essay titled “A Song is Born.”

While she later wrote about the elusiveness of true romance, her own life was bursting with it ever since she met indefatigable lawyer Delfin González in 1937 and married him in 1941. Together, they enjoyed motion pictures, music and, of course, lots of books.

They had five children: Federico, also known as “Dickie”; Jaime, known as “Jimmie”; Jorge; Delfin Jr., known as “Chito,” and Maria Regina, known as “Jenny.”

In a 2004 essay for the INQUIRER column High Blood, she wrote about Delfin: “She is mar-

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ried to a man who does not sit in a corner and whispers his needs.

He is a perfectionist; therefore, he demands, he criticizes. Although he is generous and kind to a fault, he keeps everybody on his toes. She cannot afford to be lazy, or old, or apathetic. Yes, he keeps her on the ball as they say.

Thank heaven for him.” Delfin González Sr., is several months younger than his wife and will turn 100 in June 2014.

Writing housewife

Even as she was raising her children, González unerringly set aside the siesta hour to do her writing. She actually wrote her first short story when she was only 15 back in 1928. She continued to write whenever she could find the time, but published her first story, “The House at the End of the Street,” in Women’s Magazine in 1975, when she was already 62. That particular story ended with a tender moment that she had probably known from real life: “Quietly, my husband took my hand and his strong clasp comforted me. The tears cooled my cheeks and dried in the warmth of my smile.”

She published more stories and won prizes for them in the coming years, some in the inwww.canadianinquirer.net

fluential Mr. & Ms Magazine.

González wrote her stories under pen names, most memorably as “Freda Jayme,” a play on the names of her first two children.

Her stories were clear-eyed reflections of the circumstances of relationships, never overly sentimental or mushy. Her characters talked like real people and experienced the highs and lows of real life.

In a 2005 interview with the INQUIRER, González said, “I really love writing. There’s personal satisfaction in it for me. I enjoy putting down my thoughts on paper.”

As for the love stories she’s known for, she said, “Most love stories nowadays are very physical. They’re mostly about sex and the physical aspects, but love can also be about friendship, ardor, companionship.”

She was already in her 80s when her first book, “Catch Me a Firefly,” a collection of her short stories, was published by The Bookmark Inc., in 1998. It was a moment González clearly savored.

She relived the experience when “Catch Me a Firefly” was republished in Mumbai, India, in 2003.

It took 15 years, but her second collection, the handsome, limited- edition hardback “On Wings of Love,” was not only the best remembrance of González as a writer, but it was also something she had long wanted. In preparation for its publishing, Jenny flew in from Canada and pored through González’s body of work for three years.

Jenny described working on the book as making up for lost time, as “it’s the closest I’ve felt of her.” Jenny characterized González’s essays as “a trip in a time machine” and said that her mother was “a weaver of short stories, a romantic and an insightful essayist.” At work’s end, “On Wings of Love” held 10 selected short stories and eight essays.

Legacy

At the private and intimate launch, eldest son Dickie was the master of ceremonies. After reading an excerpt from the short story “The House at the End of the Streets,” granddaughter Miren González said she got her love for books from her lola, as well as “a legacy that is so strong” and “a zeal for life.”

The launch also reflected González’s deep generosity for the young and less privileged.

Dickie said, “Mama always had concern for children,” and

the family founded the Aurea Carballo González Memorial Fund for street children in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, under the care of the Tuloy Foundation Inc. Tuloy Foundation founder Fr. Rocky Evangelista, SDB, explained that “we are all inspired by lives touching other lives” and said that González “shared her life fully with her family and the children even when she was gone,” describing her life as “a blessing.” It is important to note that all the proceeds from the sales of “On Wings of Love” would go to The Tuloy Foundation. (For inquiries, e-mail fireflypublishinghouse@gmail.com.)

Surrounded by the closest of family and friends, Delfin González Sr. thanked everyone for coming to “the happy event” and said: “If this were a conspiracy, I’d only be an accessory after the fact.” He went on to explain: “The major work of Auring is not the two volumes.

“She also produced what I would call a quintology of biographies.” At this point, he mentioned the names of their children. “I am glad to report that I am a coauthor with her.”

Jenny told the INQUIRER that had her mother still been alive, González would have been happy “to see all of her children stand up and talk about her as well as be leaders of the family.”

In his commentary on the book, literary critic and literature professor Isagani R. Cruz said: “The core of this book we are launching today consists of the love stories. These are not your usual boy-meets-girl, boyloses- girl, boy- gets- girl stories.

She created characters that are more complex than that. Boy does not always get girl nor the other way around. Her stories do not always have happy endings, at least in the way most readers understand what living happily ever after means. But many of her characters do live happily ever after, or even after.”

“We know, from the pains they took in compiling this book in honor of their mother, that the children of Aurea also love to tell stories, their mother’s stories and as we have seen today, stories about their mother,” Cruz said. “We are also told by the children that Aurea’s dying wish was to have a collection of her stories published, to follow an earlier collection.”

“In her journal, which Jenny quotes, Aurea wrote, ‘This is my book. The book of my life as I pronounced it to be.’” ■

Lifestyle

39 FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013

An elderly Pinoy traveler is fined $300 Pinoy Pride Vancouver for undeclared one apple at US border Co-Presents Filipino

BY WILLIE JOSE WHAT COULD have been a supposedly relaxing and stressfree vacation for an elderly woman unexpectedly turned into a nightmare after the US border guard ordered her to pay the $300 fine for failing to declare an apple in her bag.

“Please write my story to serve as a warning to our kababayans who might be unaware of the dire consequences of failing to declare even one apple to customs officers while at the US border.”

A 73-year-old Filipina woman whom I met recently at a shopping outlet in the US made the above plea to me—and while she was sitting on a bench with two old women, I approached them simply to say “hello, kamusta na kayo?”

A few minutes later, with teary eyes, she began telling me her story and unloading her big disappointment that was weighing her down—that she lost her shopping money when she was asked to pay a fine of $300 after the customs officer

had found one apple in her bag.

Knowing that her experience is a good story to write about, I identified myself as a journalist and asked her if it’s OK to write about her story— she agreed and only requested that her name not be identified.

I inquired if that was her first time to travel to the US, thinking that it might be the reason why she didn’t know the requirement that she must declare all the stuff she had with her to the border officer.

“This is not my first time, I have traveled many times and I know that I’m not supposed to bring in fresh fruit. But the whole point is I really forgot about this apple in my bag.” she said.

“I could have declared it if I knew I had it in my bag but the

real problem was I honestly forgot that I had one in my bag.

I didn’t know about it until the customs officer had found that one apple,” she added.

“Why did you lie to me?” the officer immediately said.

But despite my explanation that I didn’t know I still had an apple in my bag, this guy just ignored my plea.

Then, he ordered me to sit down, as he started to search my handbag, telling me that if “I don’t have enough money to pay for the $300 fine, I could use my credit card.”

“In a situation like that, I was at a complete loss on what to do, knowing that it was useless to reason with this customs officer, so I just paid the fine and signed some papers there. When I came back to rejoin our group, my friends were surprised to see me crying; then, on learning what had happened, they comforted me, saying ‘hayaan mo na lang yun’.”

rice, pasta, potatoes, legumes, whole-grain bread or starchy vegetables like corn or potatoes are ideal. Another third of the plate should be colourful fresh vegetables, with the remainder of the plate protein, from beef, pork, fish, chicken or certain beans. Dessert can be fruit and yogurt with a glass of milk.

When the competition is two hours away, she advises something to sustain but not a full meal, such as half a tuna sandwich with carrots and a glass of milk. When exercise is one hour away, energy is needed but not anything heavy or fatty and minimal protein because it’s too hard to digest. A banana and yogurt or a bowl of cereal with fruit will work.

Refuelling within an hour after exercise is just as important to replenish glycogen, Azzi said.

A snack like peanut butter on toast with fruit or yogurt and fruit with a meal following in the next couple of hours is ideal.

Little said the athletes seemed to be enjoy interacting with the cooks, some of whom are trained nutritionists. “It’s not every day you can have your omelette made by a nutritionist, so just the freelance advice that we can give on the fly I think there’s a lot of value in that,” he said.

Beamish said she liked the “ton” of choices available along with the tips.

“When you’re young you need a lot of guidance as to what you should eat and I think here because there is a lot of younger athletes it was really good because you saw a lot of young athletes eating what they should be where in comparison to the U-15 games they didn’t have that program so they weren’t always making the best choices for their body and themselves,” she said. ■

❱❱ PAGE 44 An elderly

Junk food...

“You can’t eat a full meal one hour before.

You won’t have digested, you’ll be nauseated, you won’t have the energy. But you can eat a small snack with a bit of carbs, a bit of protein, just to say you’re not hungry any more and you can do your activities.”

Brianna Beamish of Surrey, B.C., outside hitter for the volleyball team, said “it was really good just for having a constant reminder of what we should be eating before the match, what we should be eating after the match, just stuff you wouldn’t always remember.

“I know a lot of our girls looked at it and it was really helpful,” the 19-year-old added.

Three hours before a competition, athletes can eat a complete meal, with one-third of the plate carbohydrates to help replenish glycogen, a source of energy stored in the muscles that’s depleted during excercise, said Azzi. Brown ❰❰ 37

With files from John ChidleyHill in Sherbrooke, Que. www.canadianinquirer.net

Film Bwakaw at the 25th Vancouver Queer Film Festival VANCOUVER, BC—Pinoy Pride Vancouver is co-presenting Bwakaw, a film about a gay man in his seventies who cares for a stray dog he names Bwakaw.

This is PPV’s second year as a community partner at the Vancouver Queer Film Festival (VQFF).

“We are thrilled that VQFF is providing an avenue for Filipino films to have exposure in the international film scene,” said Pinoy Pride Vancouver Cochair Stella Reyes. “This film was selected as the Philippine entry for the Best Foreign Language Oscar at the 85th Academy Awards. The scenes are riveting and we encourage our kababayans (fellow Filipinos) to come to the screening to enjoy this masterpiece from Writer/Director Jun Robles Lana.”

Bwakaw stars Filipino veteran actor Eddie Garcia as Rene, a grumpy and closeted elderly man who develops a unique attach-

ment to his dog, Bwakaw. Garcia, who is a straight man in real life, won Best Actor for Bwakaw at the Asian Film Awards.

The film itself has received nine awards from Philippine and international festivals, including a Special Mention for its director at the Tokyo International Film Festival. Bwakaw has been doing the rounds at international festivals from Manila to New York, and it continues to touch film audiences around the world with its focal message on giving importance to how we appreciate our lives.

Bwakaw will be shown on Saturday, August 24 at 6:30 pm at the Cineplex Odeon International Village Cinemas in Vancouver.

Tickets are available online at www.queerfilmfestival.ca and will also be available for purchase at the ticket booths at Cineplex Odeon International Village. ■

Business

FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013 40

Top Financial Tips for Newcomers to Canada

Who says investments don’t come with guarantees?

SIX-IN-10 (60 per cent) newcomers lack confidence in their financial knowledge, particularly about using credit, during their first year living in Canada, according to research by RBC Royal Bank®. But confidence rises the longer new immigrants are in the country, up to 92 per cent among newcomers who have lived in Canada between two and five years.

Establishing a new life in a new country can take up a lot of time and money, but planning can make the transition much smoother.

“You want to feel at home as quickly as possible, but you don’t want to drain your savings upon arrival with unexpected costs,” said Paul Sy, director, Multicultural Markets, RBC. “Uncertainty can be overwhelming as you start a new life in a new country. But the right advice and financial tools are important to ensuring a stable future.”

Sy offers the following tips to help make the first year of living in Canada more manageable: • Put together a financial plan –Whether it’s buying that first home, or putting your children through school, creating a financial plan as soon as possible will help you stay on track to achieve your goals.

Sitting down with a financial professional to go through your immediate expenses can help to ensure easier settlement in Canada, while staying on the right financial track to build your new life.

• Make sure your money is working for you – Growing your money is important to building a strong future. There are many options available that let you save your money and generate returns to help to build your wealth • Start building your credit history from day one – It is essential for newcomers to establish a Canadian credit history.

This helps lenders assess you as a client and makes it easier to access credit for the purchase of a car or house down the road.

One of the best ways to do this is to have a Canadian credit card and use it wisely.

THE MARKETS have taken a beating these last few years.

Even when it is looking brighter than in 2007/2008, investors are still hesitant on investing in equities because of the volatility recent history has presented.

The return of their initial investments is just as important as getting a return on their money.

Is there something out in the marketplace that can guarantee that you don’t lose capital even if the markets turn?

Welcome Segregated fund policies! A segregated fund is similar to a mutual fund in that it is a pool of money invested in a wide variety of securities provided through an insurance company.

They are usually a good long term investment tool for people, especially if you are retiring or own a small business as they take out equity risk long term. Since they are contractually life insurance contracts, there are certain protection features that may be beneficial to the investor.

One such advantage is that they carry maturity and death benefit guarantees. Segregated fund policies protect part of all

Managing Credit in Canada

Among the above tips, build-

ing a credit history in Canada is actually listed as one of the top challenges facing thousands of newcomers that settle here every year, with many feeling “overwhelmed” by it, according to RBC Royal Bank research.

Almost one-fifth of newcomers (17 per cent), who have been in Canada less than a year, say they feel overwhelmed by all the talk about the need for credit history. That number more than doubles to 43 per cent among newer Canadians the longer they are in the country.

“Our research shows new Canadians understand that building their credit history is an important part of establishing their life in Canada, particularly when they are ready to buy a car or house,” said Paul Sy, director, Multicultural Markets, RBC. Misconceptions abound when it comes to credit building for newcomers to Canada.

Some believe your credit profile improves if you earn a lot of money or that it depends on your age. But lenders look at a host of factors when you want to borrow money, including your credit history, ability to pay bills and your total net worth.

Here are some tips to help set new Canadians on a strong credit path: • Build your credit history as early as possible. Getting a credit card is often the easiest way to start building a credit history. By making purchases and paying them off on time each month, you are establishing a record of responsibility.

• If you are unable to pay the balance on time, make sure to at least pay the minimum balance. You’ll save on interest charges and still help build your credit history.

• Check your credit report at least once a year to make sure it’s accurate. You can request your report from Equifax or TransUnion, two credit reporting agencies in Canada, to see where you stand. A score is on a scale from 300-900 and the higher the score, the better your credit.

To learn more about how RBC helps newcomers get financially prepared for life in Canada, please visit: rbc.com/ needcredit ■

of your initial capital investment by offsetting market fluctuations at specific times. You can choose either 75% or 100% of the investment market value or the guaranteed amount – whichever is higher – and a maturity date (usually a long term time frame) or upon death. In the event of death, proceeds are passed to a named beneficiary. So if the market declines, you will receive the guaranteed amount at the maturity date. If the markets go up significantly, you will receive the market value which is higher than your initial investment.

Another benefit is the resetting to lock-in market gains. What this means is that at the anniversary date of your policy, if the investments in your portfolio go up, you are able to lock in the investment gains by adjusting the maturity guarantee within the policy. This is done if the market value is greater than the maturity or death benefit guarantee amount.

This way, you are guaranteed a return after your maturity date is complete. Maturity resets occur up to 15 years prior to maturity guarantee date while death ben-

efit guarantee resets occur on the last policy anniversary prior to the youngest annuitant’s age 70.

Mind you, fees are higher for segregated funds than they are for mutual funds. The reason for this is that you are paying for the guarantee of your investment as well as ensuring that your money bypasses probate and creditors in the event of death.

This way, your investment will go to your loved ones without CRA taking their share, putting the power back into the hands of the beneficiary. Furthermore, segregated fund policies are not made public so you there is no need to divulge the name of the beneficiary to anyone.

So are segregated funds right for you? If you like some level of guarantee for the long term money you invest in, and are not concerned with higher fees, I am more than happy to help and see if this is a strategy that can be a PART of your overall financial plan. ■ Joe Tablan | Financial Security Advisor | joseph.tablan@f55f.com or www.joetablan.com

BCDA to bid out lease contracts for two lots Development of property along SCTEX seen enhancing motorists’ convenience

BY AMY R. REMO Philippine Daily Inquirer STATE-RUN BASES Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is set to bid out long-term lease contracts covering two proposed service areas along the Subic-ClarkTarlac Expressway (SCTEX).

The development of these services areas is expected to “enhance the convenience of motorists plying the 94- kilometer toll road,” said BCDA President Arnel Paciano D. Casanova in a statement issued.

The two service areas are the Concepcion Service Area and the Macangcung Service Area, both in Barangay Santiago, Concepcion, Tarlac.

The Concepcion Service Area is at the Clark-bound/ south-bound direction of the Clark-Tarlac segment while the www.canadianinquirer.net

Macangcung Service Area is at the Clarkbound/north-bound direction.

According to Casanova, the winning bidder will have to put up the prescribed facilities and amenities of a service area, including a gasoline station, rest rooms, sufficient and adequate parking slots, emergency first aid station, potable water and lighting system, emergency vehicle repair shop and convenience stores.

Casanova added that interested bidders could opt to bid for both lots or just one, the lease term for each will last for 25 years, renewable for another 25 years upon mutual agreement of the BCDA and the winning bidder.

Nena D. Radoc, chair of the Asset Disposition Program Committee, noted that the minimum acceptable starting annual fixed lease for each

service area would be P2.245 million, effective only on the second year and which will be subject to an annual escalation of 5 percent.

Upon contract signing, the winning bidder should pay BCDA the fixed lease for the three years covering years two to four of the lease term.

Starting on the fifth year of lease, the lease amount shall be the higher of either the fixed lease, as adjusted based on 5 percent escalation rate a year, or share in the revenues of the lessee from its operations and sub-lessees’ revenues, equivalent to 2.5 percent of net sales plus 0.15 percent share of net sales of petroleum products and lubricants.

A pre-bid conference will be held on Aug. 20 to give prospective investors a chance to discuss the bidding process and the planned development. ■

Sports/Horoscope

41 FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013

Of Spectators and Sportsmanship How Filipino Basketball fans reacted to Gilas Pilipinas’ defeat

BY CHING DEE Philippine Canadian Inquirer PASAY CITY—THE crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena arrived with a bang and went home with heavy hearts after Gilas Pilipinas endured an 85-71 defeat against the bigger and taller team of Iran Sunday night.

Once the feature of every social network site, Gilas Pilipinas suddenly fell to the backburner after they lost the gold medal to the FIBA-Asia Men’s Championship. Though donning silver medals, Gilas Pilipinas still ranked second and will still qualify to the FIBA World Cup in Spain in 2014.

The Prognosis

Two key players of Gilas Pilipinas were not able to contribute full-force during Sunday’s

game. Marc Pingris was nursing an injured leg, but still managed to play the game mostly relying on his good leg and warrio-like determination. Meanwhile, center Marcus Douthit is injured, leaving the rest of the Gilas Team fending off seven-foottwo center Hamed Haddadi the best way they know how. But without a legit center, Gilas’ defense ultimately crumbled under Iran’s towering assault.

Hamed Haddadi, Iran’s 28-year-old center, was the juggernaut that pummelled through the Philippine teams’ defense—hauling 29 points, 16 rebounds, and 2 blocks at the end of the game.

Meanwhile, Gilas top-scorer and point guard Jason Castro managed 18 points, and joined Haddadi in the FIBA-Asia Men’s Mythical Five. The other three members of the Mythical

SATISFYING 2ND PLACE. The top three teams Iran, champion; Philippines, in second place; and South Korea, third, pose with

their respective officials during the award ceremony at the close of Fiba Asia in MOA Arena. Despite the runner-up finish, the Philippines secured a slot in next year’s Fiba World Cup in Spain.

PHOTO BY NUKI SABIO/PBA PHOTO

Five are Korean shooting guard Kim Min Goo, Chinese Taipei’s forward Lin Chih-Chieh, and Haddadi’s teammate power forward Oshin Sahakian.

The Aftermath

As the Filipino heroes of the hardcourt rested their tired bod-

ies and tried their best to look at the bright side (that of qualifying to the World Cup series, besting fierce rival Korea in the semis), a storm was brewing outside the court and on the screens in thousands of spectators’ homes.

Social media is now the medium of choice for protesters

and haters and advocates. What was once taken to the streets is now taken online. The hands that once wielded banners and tarps and signs fighting to be heard now hold tablets and mobile phones. ❱❱ PAGE 44 Of Spectators

HOROSCOPE ARIES

CANCER

LIBRA

CAPRICORN

(MARCH 21 - APRIL 19)

(JUNE 22 - JULY 22)

(SEPT 23 - OCT 22)

(DEC 22 - JAN 19)

You may want more freedom in a certain situation, Aries. Perhaps it’s your emotions that you want to distance yourself from, or it feels like someone is smothering you. On the one hand, you long for company and intimacy to fill an inner void. On the other, you resent having to be so needy. Make sure you’re whole before you sink too deeply into a relationship.

TAURUS (APRIL 20 - MAY 20) You may need to use charm and wit to ease a tense situation, Taurus. Gridlock could be making you feel uncomfortable. Your solution to the problem is to put on a happy face and divert attention from the difficulty by telling some jokes. Realize that this technique will delay having to face a particular situation for a while, but it certainly won’t keep you from ever having to deal with it.

GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUNE 21) Your emotions are active, Gemini, and could be popping up in powerful outbursts. There’s momentum building within that you shouldn’t ignore or suppress. Perhaps you feel that what you have to say isn’t appropriate for the situation. More than likely, it will do more harm than good to ignore these feelings rather than get them out, even when it seems disruptive to do so.

You may have a feeling that if you don’t have something positive to say, you shouldn’t say anything. This idea could keep you tongue-tied today, Cancer. If you’re frustrated, angry, or hurt, address the issue openly. Don’t feel like you have to be the one who cheers up everyone else. Let someone else have a turn for a change. You’re only harming yourself by pretending that everything is OK when it isn’t.

This is one day when you feel on the edge of either an emotional breakdown or a triumphant epiphany, Libra. To ensure a positive outcome, don’t take yourself too seriously. There’s a degree of intensity to the day that’s likely to make everyone feel they’re wound up like a spring. One careless move could set off disaster. Do what you can to ease the tension rather than add to it.

You may feel like you’re doomed if you do and doomed if you don’t, Capricorn. You may feel very opinionated about a certain issue, but you know that expressing yourself is likely to cause someone else to feel threatened or upset. But if you keep these thoughts to yourself, you’re going to feel resentful and perhaps even used.

You’re better off expressing yourself honestly.

LEO

SCORPIO

AQUARIUS

(JULY 23 - AUGUST 22)

(OCT 23 - NOV 21)

(JAN 20 - FEB 18)

Don’t skimp when it comes to taking care of your physical health, Leo. In an effort to save money, you may not bother getting dental checkups, or you could opt for the least expensive doctor in the book.

Nothing is more important than your health. Treat your body with the honor and respect it deserves.

You may have no trouble doing for others what you know you should be doing for yourself.

Just because everyone else is walking on eggshells doesn’t mean you need to, Scorpio. Your upbeat spirit will be more welcome than usual due to the drama around you. Be careful of falling into the role that you know others want you to play. It’s easy to take on the role that’s in front of you, but this doesn’t always help the situation. Read from your own script, not someone else’s.

VIRGO

SAGITTARIUS

(AUG 23 - SEPT 22)

(NOV 22 - DEC 21)

Keeping things in balance may be more trouble than it’s worth, Virgo, so don’t force the issue. Sometimes it’s necessary for our personal growth to let the pendulum swing all the way to one side. The more you can let go and accept that everything isn’t going to always be peaceful and harmonious, the better able you will be to deal with the sudden emotional turmoil that is bound to arise.

Your tremendous sensitivity in a certain situation could be causing you to jump to conclusions that are keeping you from seeing the truth, Sagittarius. Your tendency is to assume things before you have all the facts. You may assume the worst, making you more stressed about the situation than you need to be. Don’t worry about things you don’t know to be true.

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You may find yourself bursting into tears for no apparent reason today, Aquarius. Seek comfort in sitting by a body of water where you can let your emotions flow.

Tension builds as the storm draws near. Once it has passed, however, there is calm as the sunshine pierces the clouds. This time of peace and serenity may seem far off, but it’s closer than you think.

PISCES (FEB 19 - MAR 20) Unexpected emotions are going to come out of nowhere and cause havoc, Pisces. Be prepared to deal with the expected. The key is not to overreact.

The calmer and more stable you can stay, the better off you’ll be. Dealing with the situation in a reactive outburst will only turn the scene into an explosive rage. Count to ten or sit by yourself for a while before you deal with the problem.

FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013

42

James’ Journey

Travel

Mula Aparri hanggang Jolo and more.

BY CHING DEE Philippine Canadian Inquirer JAMES BETIA has certainly made a name for himself for traveling the entire Philippine archipelago in just 100 days.

Not only did he go backpacking around the country, but he did it the cheapest way possible.

For James, traveling doesn’t have to break the bank. It only has to do with your wanderlust—an innate desire to travel and explore that can only be satisfied when you put your most adventurous foot forward.

An Awakening

James started traveling a little when he was in college, but really took it by heart after quitting his job as a school administrator. A routinary workbehind-a-desk, nine-to-five job just didn’t cut it for him.

“I ask myself if I want to teach [for the rest of my] life and [my] answer was a resounding NO!” Now, he spends his time wherever his wanderlust takes him. Surfing in Baler one weekend, then helping out less fortunate kids in Jomalig the next.

Other than helping out and giving back to the country that blessed him with so many things to explore, James’ motivation in documenting his escapades is his future family.

“I wanted to chronicle my life’s journey here on earth [because] I want to give my future kids and grandkids an inspiration, [something that] they can be proud of. Me as [their] dad and granddad, telling their peers stories of my adventures, the crazy things I did for the love of traveling.”

Traveling Essentials

James professed that he cannot travel without his hammock, a water bottle, and his Macbook Air. Avid readers of his travel blog knows that he’s

spent many-a-nights swinging in his hammock between trees, enjoying the rush of the ocean waves and the dazzling nightsky above.

Although he enjoys lavish accommodations every once in a while, James is an advocate of traveling on a shoestring.

“When Filipinos think of traveling, they always think of a grand vacation and end up staying at home [because they couldn’t afford that grand getaway]. I always tell them that traveling can be cheap and you don’t need a [huge] stash of cash to enjoy a certain place.”

To save money while traveling, James has a few tips. “Bring a water bottle. You [don’t just] save on water expenses, you also help reduce plastic waste.”

He also adds to keep a stash of instant coffee to save on caffeinated beverage expenses.

Second, “do as the locals do— take public transportation, eat local delicacies, visit the public market, and stay at homestays.

Try to enjoy the destination from a local’s perspective.”

Lastly, he said you should plan ahead. “Book your flights early, contact friends around the place, read blogs/sites that can give you the latest update [about your destination].”

He has also encountered his share of foreign travelers, often enjoying simpler amenities when compared to local tourists—something that he is also very fond of.

“I always encourage foreigners to go and ask the locals, stay away from tourist traps because off-the-beaten-path destinations is [where you’ll find] the real Philippines.”

“It’s more fun in the Philippines”

When asked about his favorite destination in the country, James answered without missing a beat.

“I love Kalinga province. Going there, you will be greeted with centuries-old Narra trees

Hammock in Batad

Taraw Ridge, El Nido, Palawan

and acres and acres of rice terraces. You wouldn’t believe that it was engineered [and built] by bare hands and feet.

Plus the culture is almost the same [as] 50 years ago—they still tattoo their bodies, and the more the tattoos [you have], the higher your social significance. And it’s really far from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis.”

Among his too-many-tomention travels and adventures, James shared that two of his most unforgettable experiences while backpacking around the Philippines were

Surfing in La Union

“swimming with the whalesharks in Donsol, Sorsogon and seeing a 100-kilo green sea turtle lay eggs under my hammock in Davao Oriental.”

Of course, traveling has its share of misadventures. James isn’t spared from unwanted events. “I can’t think of any [unwanted experience here] because the Philippines is so warm toward travelers and strangers. The most danger I’ve ever been into while traveling was when I got held up in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. They took my passport, travel money, and camera.”

What’s next for James Betia?

James is now starting a new chapter in his life - figuratively and literally. He is currently writing his book about his 100day escapade around the Pearl of the Orient, and he plans to have it published soon.

One can truly say that he is living The Life. And for James, he really is living the life he only dreamed of in the past.

When asked about his tips for aspiring travelers, he only has three words of advice: “Buy a map, start exploring your own locality, and have a travel destinations bucket list.” ■

FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013

43

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FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013 44

An elderly...

Of Spectators...

“I fully know and understand well that these officers have a duty to do but the way that officer treated was very a disgusting: he didn’t give me the respect I deserve considering that I’m an old woman,” she said.

“I learned later that another Filipino elderly woman who was with us in our group tour had also been fined $300 for having an undeclared one tomato in her bag”, she said.

For my part, I would like to advise you, our dear readers, most specially the elderly in the community to make sure that you prepare for your travel: visit the US Customs and Border Protection website, read and learn the food stuffs which are for personal use (fruits, cheese, meat etc.) that are admissible (or inadmissible) to the US. For example on the topic “Travelers bringing food into the U.S. for personal use”, it says that: “You may be able to bring in food such as fruits, meats or other agricultural products depending on the region or coun❰❰ 39

try from which you are traveling.

Restrictions are placed on these products to protect community health, preserve the environment and prevent the introduction of devastating diseases to domestic plants and animals.

Failure to declare food products can result in up to $10,000 in fines and penalties” However, as I’ve checked the website myself, the list of food stuffs that can be allowed to enter the US is quite long and I don’t think most of our elderly kababayans in the community would have the time to read and remember them.

And among our old men and women, there seems to be some gray area between forgetting and failing to declare—but certainly they cannot do anything about it. As they say, ignorance of the law excuses no one.

So, to make your US vacation truly relaxing and stress-free, just bring your passport and enough money to cover your travel expenses—and whatever food you have as your baon, eat and drink it up before reaching the border.

Enjoy your travel. ■

After Sunday night’s game, many Filipinos took the loss too hard. Several Gilas supporters started bashing FIBA Asia Most Valuable Player Hamed Haddadi, Iranian center and former Phoenix Suns center, on his Facebook timeline.

The racial comments were in Filipino (Tagalog), mainly about Haddadi’s (or the Iranian people in general) characteristics that have very little influence on his performance as a basketball player. Fans flocked to Haddadi’s Facebook timeline to throw racial slurs and nasty comments about the player and not the game. In the end, Haddadi did not offer any statement about such derogatory slights against himself, his team, or his people.

Just two months ago, after a ‘friendly’ football match between the Philippine Azkals and Hong Kong team, HK locals deliberately threw debris and racial slurs against the Azkals and their supporters after the game. The untoward events happened after the HK team suffered a 1-0 loss against the ❰❰ 41

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Azkals. About a week after the match, the Philippine Football Association has asked Federacion Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) to investigate the events that transpired during and after the said match.

FIlipino supporters also filed a formal complaint to the proper authorities, citing that several HK locals assaulted them with water bottles, obscenities, and disrespectful gestures.

Putting the “man” in “sportsman”

The Gilas Pilipinas team is certainly heartbroken over the loss, but not totally defeated. In fact, as if hit by the nostalgia bug, Marc Pingris recalls huddling with his teammates for the last time and yelling “Puso!” (Heart!) right before heading into battle.

More than the loss, the teammates shared that they will miss working with each other on the hardcourt. After 11 days of hardwork, perseverance, dedication, and faith in one another—a silver medal hangs around each player’s neck, together with a sure ticket to the FIBA World Cup in Spain next year.

“Kung ako ang tatanungin mo, ayaw ko pa matapos yung pagsasama namin kasi kakaiba yung samahan na binuo namin lalung-lalo na nung ipinaglaban natin itong bansa natin at itong watawat natin (If you ask me, I wouldn’t want this bond to end just yet because we formed something special, especially when we were fighting for flag and country),” said forward Ranidel de Ocampo in an interview with Inquirer Sports.

“Sana tumatak na kami sa isip at puso ng mga Pilipino na sa isang sandali sa 2013, nakilala tayo sa buong Asia at nakapasok tayo sa world basketball (I hope that it will be etched in the minds and hearts of every Filipino that for one moment in 2013, we were known in all of Asia and we made it to world basketball),” De Ocampo hoped.

More than the glory, it is evident that the Gilas Pilipinas players treated the games as a lifechanging privilege to serve under one banner: the Philippine flag.

“We’re part of history,” said Gilas guard LA Tenorio. “This team is very special.” ■

FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013

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Canada

FRIDAY AUGUST 16, 2013 46

New immigration... ❰❰ 1

Background

Minister Alexander follows in the footsteps of the Hon. Jason Kenney, and in his own words, he had big shoes to fill.

However, it is looking like a comfortable fit.

Minister Alexander was Canada’s ambassador to Afghanistan between 2003 and 2005 and deputy special representative of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan between 2005 and 2009.

He also wrote the book, The Long Way Back: Afghanistan’s Quest for Peace.

Tatay Tom, in meeting Minister Alexander for the first time since he put on the hat of Immigration Minister, was pleasantly surprised. “Nagulat ako. I think he is a very knowledgeable person. Very natural siya and it seemed he understood a lot of questions on settlement, and he was honest to tell us that there’s still a lot of work to be done. More than anything, I think, is that he is a sincere guy.” He added, “I was impressed today. I think he is going to give us some help and support for our programs, especially our program in Manila.”

MHHS launched its Manila office in April of this year, the mandate of which is “to inform and assist those Filipinos who are about to leave the country to live or work in Canada, by giving them the information that are usually missing from the usual info packages provided by other agencies.”

Cornerstone

Minister Alexander announced, “What we are celebrating today is a strong partnership on the issue of settlement and on issues of perfecting the great experience of immigration to Canada.”

He thanked the MHHS for assisting CIC in its goal of helping newcomers “achieve quick successful integration both into the labour market and into their new communities,” realizing that those who come “want to work, have the skills to work, have the energy and drive to work.” He adds, “We must not stand in their way.”

According to the minister, MHHS is “one of those dedicated community organizations on which we count to get settlement services” and the CIC is supporting its latest initiative, a seminar entitled, “A Celebration of Cultural and Social Entre-

preneurship” via an $8,000 grant.

Issues of diversity, multiculturalism and the principles of federalism, democracy, constitutionalism and the rule of law, and respect for minority rights will be discussed in the 2-day seminar. There will also be talks by community entrepreneurs, academics, and representatives from NGOs from British Columbia and Asia; multicultural showcase by local Southeast Asian cultural groups; and workshops on community social entrepreneurship.

According to Tatay Tom, “The intent is to provide a platform to discuss handson experiences of sustainable business models with social and cultural meaning that have generated economic benefits for low-income population within communities. The workshops will also allow participants to discuss proposals for such undertakings and to build networks for would-be social entrepreneurs.

“The event has a two-fold focus in terms of meetings the needs. First of all, there is a domestic focus. Surrey and other towns and cities in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia have become increasingly diverse in recent years and are now home to a large number of people of Asian heritage. While many of these people have prospered there are also significant pockets of poverty. The aim of the event is to explore how social entrepreneurship and the creation of socially oriented enterprises that draw on the cultural heritage of these communities can promote development. Second, is an interest in promoting socially relevant economic development within poor communities in Asia as part of Canada’s general international development agenda and particularly development that is linked to transnational relations between British Columbia and Asia.”

Minister Alexander stressed the importance of interaction and these events in that they “promote social integration and promote a kind of reflection, a kind of mutual respect and mutual responsibility,” saying further that “it is those that bridge several communities.”

“When people of different languages are brought together, they discover new reasons to be together which strengthens and builds a peaceful and pluralistic society,” according to the minister.

Publisher Philippine Canadian Inquirer Editor Melissa Remulla-Briones editor@canadianinquirer.net

Hon. Chris Alexander.

Finding solutions

In his speech, the minister renewed his commitment to immigration that “continues to evolve, is faster, more flexible, more responsive, in accordance with our economy and our main drive”, clarifying that future immigration policies “will be tightly linked to skills and the requirements of Canada’s economy.”

On the Q&A with the media which followed, he fielded questions, among others, on the failure of the business immigration program. “It has not worked as many of us had hoped. People [did not stay and] went elsewhere and so we didn’t get the results we were looking for.” He said that it was due for an overhaul.

On underemployed and unemployed professionals already in Canada, he said the government through the Hon. Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development, has announced plans to create a global job bank modeled after New Zealand’s immigration system. This is meant to solve the situation where low-skilled temporary foreign workers are hired in Canadian communities with double-digit unemployment. He said jobs will no longer be offered to temporary foreign workers “if the job has not been advertised on the job bank for a pretty long period.”

On family reunification, a concern for the live-in caregivers, he said, “It will remain central to our immigration program. All Canadians understand that husband and wife are better off here with their spouse, and ultimately with their children; where possible, with their parents and grandparents. “ Melissa Briones and Gigi Astudillo contributed to this report.

MHHS' Celebration of Cultural and Social Entrepreneurship A 2-day Conference Day 1: September 21st, Time 2:00PM – 4:15 PM, SFU Surrey Campus, 250-13450, 102nd Avenue, Surrey Room 2600: Westminster Savings Lecture Theatre The Day 1 program includes performances highlighting different Southeast Asian cultures by local non-profit organizations and communities. Those attending will enjoy beautiful, intricate performing arts and traditional costumes representing the heritage of various Southeast Asian cultures that continue to be practiced in Canada.

Day 2: September 28th, Time 10:30AM - 4:00PM SFU Harbour Centre Campus, 515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver Room 1600, Canfor Policy Room The Day 2 program includes international and local guest speakers as well as a panel discussion about multiculturalism and the relationship between business and culture.

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Associate Editor Laarni de Paula Correspondents Lizette Lofranco-Aba Gigi Astudillo Angie Duarte Maria Ramona Ledesma Katherine Marfal Frances Grace Quiddaoen Agnes Tecson Ching Dee Graphic Designer Victoria Yong Jennifer Yen Illustration Danvic Briones Photographers Solon Licas Angelo Siglos Operations and Marketing Head Laarni de Paula (604) 551-3360 laarni.liwanag@canadianinquirer.net Advertising Sales Alice Yong (778) 889-3518 alice.yong@canadianinquirer.net Antonio Tampus (604) 460-9414 PHILIPPINE PUBLISHING GROUP Editorial Assistant Phoebe Casin Graphic Designer Shanice Garcia Associate Publisher Lurisa Villanueva In cooperation with the Philippine Daily Inquirer digital edition Philippine Canadian Inquirer is located at Suite 400, North Tower | 5811 Cooney Road, Richmond, B.C., Canada Tel. No.: 1-888-668-6059 or 778-8893518 | Email: info@canadianinquirer. net, inquirerinc@gmail.com, sales@ canadianinquirer.net Philippine Canadian Inquirer is published weekly every Friday.

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