CALL TOLL FREE
CANADA’S FIRST AND ONLY NATIONWIDE FILIPINO-CANADIAN NEWSPAPER www.canadianinquirer.net
VOL. 10 NO. 86
1-888-578-7267 ext.2201
OCTOBER 18, 2013
3
4
18
26
28
Destruction of heritage churches lamented
We’ve junked PDAF
Sentence delivered in nanny case
Global Filipino: Architect Francisco Manosa
Job search tips from PCI
PH nurses in Tokyo also hurdle gap in language BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA Philippine Daily Inquirer
LOBOC TOWER This is what remains of the historic Church of San Pedro tower in Loboc, Bohol province, after a major 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck the region on Tuesday, leaving scores dead and destroying churches and buildings in and around one of the Philippines’ major tourist hubs. PHOTO BY LOBOC VICE MAYOR PABLIO SUMAMPONG
Bohol quake ‘like 32 Hiroshima bombs’ Quake kills at least 97 in Bohol and Cebu BY JEANNETTE I. ANDRADE AND NIKKO DIZON Philippine Daily Inquirer AN EARTHQUAKE with energy equivalent to “32 Hiroshima bombs” jolted the Visayas, and parts of Mindanao and southern Luzon early Tuesday morning, causing centuries-old churches and modern buildings to crumble, disrupting power and phone services, setting off
stampedes and killing at least 97 people. The nuclear bomb dropped over Hiroshima, Japan, on Aug. 6, 1945, packed power equal to 20,000 tons of TNT. The 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck at 8:12 a.m. with its epicenter at 2 kilometers southeast of Carmen town in Bohol province, known for its chocolate hills and tarsiers. Offices and schools were closed for a national holiday—the Muslim festival of
❱❱ PAGE 8 PH nurses
Canada offers condolences to Filipinos following earthquake ❱❱ PAGE 18
❱❱ PAGE 11 Bohol quake
TOKYO—It was hard enough being transplanted into a new culture. Being hobbled by a completely alien language was another burden on Joyce Paulino and hundreds of nurses and care workers sent from the Philippines to Japan under an economic agreement between the two countries. The language barrier has played a key role in dashing the dreams of many nurses and caregivers seeking permanent jobs in Japan, since the challenging national exam for them to be certified is given mostly in Japanese. As a result, very few have passed the exam. But unlike many of her fellow work-
FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013 2
www.canadianinquirer.net
Philippine News
3 FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013
Destruction of heritage churches lamented BY JEROME ANING AND JOCELYN R. UY Philippine Daily Inquirer HERITAGE CONSERVATIONISTS on Tuesday mourned the damage to historic churches in Bohol and Cebu, a major source of tourism income and cultural pride of these provinces. The Manila-based Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) said the earthquake affected heritage landmarks in Bohol and Cebu, causing total destruction or significant damage to the churches in Baclayon, Dauis, Dimiao, Loay, Loboc, Loon and Maribojoc in Bohol, all national cultural treasures or national historical landmarks; and the Sto. Niño Basilica and Cebu Cathedral in Cebu, among others. “We join the rest of the Philippines in prayer as we recover from the damage of the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that hit Central Visayas on the morning of Oct. 15, 2013. We mourn the loss of life as well as of property,” HCS president Ivan Henares said in a statement posted on his Facebook account. Henares, who is currently visiting Laos, called on the Philippine government to allot funds for the proper reconstruction and restoration of the heritage churches, which he called “priceless Philippine cultural treasures.” He also called on government cultural agencies, particularly the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), National Historical Commission of the Philippines and National Museum, “to take the lead in restoration efforts and move as one.” Tagbilaran Bishop
Tagbilaran Bishop Leonardo Medroso said his diocese was still determining how many exactly of Bohol’s historic churches were destroyed following the 7.2-magnitude quake. But the prelate cited the churches in Baclayon, Loon, Loboc and Dauis as among those that were “destroyed” by the earthquake. “The church in Loon was totally damaged. The one in Carmen also collapsed,” Medroso said in an interview with CBCP News, the official news service of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). He also reported that at least two people were trapped inside the Loon Church and had to be pulled out from the mounds of rubble and concrete. Over at Church-run Radio Veritas, Medroso also said the Church of our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Baclayon was not spared by the strong quake, its belfry reduced to a rubble and its façade suffering major cracks. Jesuit missionaries
The Baclayon Church, made from cor-
The second largest church in Bohol, the Loboc Church was originally built in 1602 and was reconstructed in 1638 after being reduced to ashes. It has also provided a beautiful backdrop to the Loboc River, one of the top tourist destinations of the island. PHOTO BY LOBOC VICE MAYOR PABLIO SUMAMPONG
al stone, is considered one of the oldest churches in the Philippines and the first seat of the Spanish Jesuit missionaries when they settled in the town in 1595. Built in 1717, the church was declared a National Historic Treasure in 1994. Photos of the 17th-century Church of San Pedro in Loboc posted on the Internet following the temblor showed only its bell tower standing. The second largest church in Bohol, the Loboc Church was originally built in 1602 and was reconstructed in 1638 after being reduced to ashes. It has also provided a beautiful backdrop to the Loboc River, one of the top tourist destinations of the island. Amid the devastation the quake has brought to many of Bohol’s iconic churches, Medroso exhorted the faithful to pray for their safety and to be alert and calm. Henares also called on heritage professionals and experts from both the public and private sector to convene and plan the proper reconstruction and restoration of the damaged cultural properties. When he was still working with the NCCA, architect and HCS secretary Richard Tuason-Sanchez Bautista went to Loboc in October 2004 to document the church. He shared schematics and unpublished pictures from the documentation mission on his Facebook account as he expressed sadness about the damage on the church, which was constructed in 1734. “[I’m] sharing what was there. In loving memory of what was there before,” he said. Asked by the Inquirer in a phone interview if the churches were “inadequately” prepared for the earthquake, he replied: “I wouldn’t say that; the churches are in good shape. As early as
the 1970s, the church authorities have undertaken rehabilitation work through the years. Buttresses were even built. It’s just that this earthquake is very strong.” Bautista, however, said that based on the pictures of the most damaged
churches that he saw, the rehabilitation “may have not resolved the issue of foundation.” He noted that aside from the façades, various late additions to or extensions of the churches also suffered structural damage. He cited the case of the Loboc Church, which lies beside a river. “When I went there, I saw the church’s perimeter walls had holes with crabs inside. It gave me shivers. I understand crab infestation was also seen in other Bohol churches. If left unchecked, these crabs can affect the stability of the churches in the long term,” he recounted. Bautista and Henares said the preservation and conservation of historic edifices, wherever they may be located, should be the concern of all Filipinos. “Sad that many people talk about heritage only when it’s gone. Hopefully this is a wake-up call for everyone,” Henares said on Twitter. The NCCA board of commissioners, in a statement, expressed its “commitment to rescue and later, rehabilitate, damaged heritage structures, many of them churches that have been part of the life of the people for centuries, in collaboration with the Catholic Church, local government officials and communities.” ■
LIFE INSURANCE:
IS THIS YOUR POLICY? FaithLife Financial is a reliable not-for-profit insurance provider that helps people build solid financial plans based on Christian principles. Exchange a hope for a plan to make an impact on what matters most — your family!
Visit faithlifefinancial.ca to learn more about our investment and insurance solutions.
RONALDO SISON, FIC Financial Representative rsison@faithlifefinancial.ca
ELLEN JANE POLICARPIO, FIC Financial Representative epolicarpio@faithlifefinancial.ca
RELLY VITO, FIC Broker avito@faithlifefinancial.ca
MARY JANE CASTILLO, FIC Financial Representative mcastillo@faithlifefinancial.ca
GREATER TORONTO
GREATER TORONTO
CALGARY
WINNIPEG
647. 457. 1592
www.canadianinquirer.net
647.895.3553
403.560 .2624
204.227.9652
Philippine News
FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013 4
Palace tells Carpio: We’ve junked PDAF SolGen to plead gov’t case BY TJ BURGONIO Philippine Daily Inquirer AS FAR as Malacañang is concerned, President Aquino has abolished the graft-ridden Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) and that’s all there is to it. Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the Palace wasn’t bothered by the comments of Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio on Tuesday during oral arguments in the Supreme Court that the provisions on PDAF in the 2013 General Appropriations Act (GAA) were “riddled with unconstitutionalities.” “You know, the President has already announced that the PDAF has been abolished. So that has been abolished,” Lacierda told reporters in a briefing, giving a hint on how the Solicitor General will present the government side on the PDAF at the resumption of the high tribunal’s hearing.
“They want to declare it unconstitutional. And so they want to make sure that it will no longer be enacted in some other time,” Lacierda said. “But, as far as the executive branch is concerned, the President has already stated that we have abolished the PDAF. He declined to say whether the abolition of the PDAF, announced by Mr. Aquino on Aug. 23, would weaken, if not prod the justices to dismiss the petitions seeking to void the PDAF in the Supreme Court. Lacierda said the executive department believed the petitioners sought to declare the PDAF unconstitutional to prevent its misuse in the future. The President announced he was scrapping the PDAF in a nationwide TV broadcast before the Million People March prompted by public outrage over an alleged P10-billion racket engineered by detained businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles that transformed pork barrel funds into kickbacks for lawmakers.
Before going on a two-week break on Aug. 28, the House of Representatives approved on second reading next year’s GAA, which removed P25.4 billion in lawmakers’ PDAF and shifted the amount to six executive departments. However, Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares noted that Congress would still be able to exercise control and discretion over the fund. “Entitlement to nominate is what transforms a fund into pork,” he said. The GAA is still in the committee hearing stage in the Senate. Unconstitutional
While grilling the counsel for a petitioner in Tuesday’s oral arguments on the petitions, Carpio drew the spotlight on three “unconstitutional” provisions in the 2013 GAA pertaining to the PDAF. These were the President’s delegation of his power to realign savings in theGAAto Cabinet secretaries, the concurrence of the Senate finance committee
and the House appropriations committee to such a realignment, and the identification of projects by lawmakers. Carpio observed that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) put in all those provisions in this year’s national budget because this was the practice in the past, although this was not reflected in the GAA before. “At first, they were cognizant that the legislators could not execute the GAA. But they forgot everything now. That’s the problem now. It’s riddled with unconstitutionalities. Correct?” he told lawyer Alfredo Molo III, who agreed with him. Lacierda disagreed with Carpio that the delegation by the President of his power to realign to his Cabinet secretaries was unconstitutional. DAP defended
Lacierda, however, declined to comment on the two other GAA provisions that Carpio viewed as unconstitutional. “I can’t argue with him on that… We will leave it to the Solicitor General to make the position. They have not spoken yet. It’s the petitioners who have spoken so far,” he said.
Lacierda said the government could also defend the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), the mechanism impounding state savings through which the government sought to ramp up spending in 2011. The DAP provided additional pork barrel to lawmakers after the Senate convicted Chief Justice Renato Corona in May 2012 for fudging his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth. “So what’s wrong with asking for their advice [on possible projects]? What is wrong is when any person abuses or steals the people’s money. That’s where the outrage should be focused on. If you’re a senator, it doesn’t mean you’re going to steal it. Spending is not equivalent to stealing,” he said. In the face of all these petitions against the PDAF and the DAP, Lacierda said Filipinos should stick to the key issue: Who stole the people’s money? “Who stole from the country’s coffers? We should run after them. We already filed a case—two cases,” he said, referring to the filing of charges in connection with the P10-billion pork barrel scam and the misuse of P900-million Malampaya Fund. ■
Pusong Pinoy
Ang tunay na Value for Money
HOMEPHONE...
SAVE & SWITCH NOW! Libreng Value Added Features: /kada buwan
Voicemail Call Waiting Call Hold Call Forwarding Voicetomail (Voice Mail to eMail)
May bonus pang tawag sa US, Canada, Hong Kong at China - 264 minutes! Pwede rin sa smartphone : Android at iPhone basta i-download ang Times Telecom app! Basic Plan Calls to Philippines
TIMES TELECOM $4.95/mo $0.11/min-landline $0.135/min -mobile
Com pany S $34.95 $0.13/min-landline $0.17/min -mobile
Com pany T $25/mo $0.13/min-landline $0.17/min -mobile
Sigurado ka sa savings.... Subscribe na!! www.timestelecom.ca/BasicHomePhone/ Additional terms and conditions apply. Call for more details. Conditions subject to change without notice.
www.canadianinquirer.net
1-888-980-8380
5 FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013
www.canadianinquirer.net
Philippine News
FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013 6
Aquino, Chinese PM quote Confucius BY CATHY YAMSUAN Philippine Daily Inquirer BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, BRUNEI—President Aquino and Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang shook hands and shared thoughts from Confucius in a chance encounter at the 23rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit here. Mr. Aquino told reporters that he had a “dialogue in passing” with Li. “[That’s] a lot better than [if ] we avoided each other,” Mr. Aquino said. The President said the Asean leaders and other officials were in the holding room with their dialogue partners when Li arrived. “When he arrived, I shook his hand. He shook mine. Then he said his piece, I said my piece. Before the [gala] dinner, we had a dialogue that was a substantial change from what had been publicly stated. Hopefully, it’s a little clearer as to what each party means,” he said.
Words from Confucius
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM – President Benigno S. Aquino III participates in the 8th East Asia Summit at the Musyawarah Hall, Brunei International Convention Center in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam on Thursday (October 10), at the sidelines of the 23rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. The East Asia Summit is a forum for dialogue on broad strategic, political and economic issues of common interest and concern with the aim of promoting peace, stability and economic prosperity in East Asia. With the theme “Our People, Our Future Together”, the Summit will discuss ways to consolidate these gains to meet the 2015 target of having an economically integrated, politically cohesive and socially responsible ASEAN Community and to ensure ASEAN’s place in the global community of nations by 2015 and beyond. PHOTO BY ROBERT VIÑAS / MALACAÑANG PHOTO BUREAU
Mr. Aquino declined to disclose what he and Li talked
about. “Can we just be more careful
www.canadianinquirer.net
[so that] I don’t add more stress to the relationship?” he said.
But he said that in reply to Li’s statement at the 16th Asean-China Summit on Wednesday, he quoted Confucius in the presence of Li. “Confucius’ [version] is more elegant. But basically, it is like, ‘Action speaks louder than words,’” he said. Reporters learned on Thursday that the Confucian saying is, “The superior man acts before he speaks and afterward speaks according to his action.” The Asean Summit closed with Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah handing over the chairmanship to President Thein Sein of Burma (Myanmar). President Aquino left after the official closing ceremonies, with the presidential plane taking off from Brunei International Airport. At the Asean Summit and other related meetings, Mr. Aquino repeatedly emphasized the need for the completion of a code of conduct in the West Philippine Sea (South China ❱❱ PAGE 15 Aquino, Chinese
Philippine News
7 FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013
Santiago says Filipinos want to spit at senators BY TJ BURGONIO Philippine Daily Inquirer
TRC Director Dennis Cunanan VIDEO GRAB FROM GMANETWORK.COM
TRC director confirms solons’ signatures genuine BY NANCY C. CARVAJAL Philippine Daily Inquirer CONTRARY TO their claims, lawmakers confirmed their signatures on letters they had sent to the Technology Resource Center (TRC) endorsing dubious nongovernment organization (NGOs), the head of the state agency has told investigators. TRC Director General Dennis Cunanan, in a sworn statement submitted to the National Bureau of Investigation, specifically referred to Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr., who has claimed that his signature endorsing NGOs controlled by Janet Lim-Napoles, the detained mastermind of an alleged 10-billion pork barrel scam, was forged. “Normally, the legislators themselves and in rare occasions their chiefs of staff confirmed the signature and endorsement letter in favor of their NGO of choice to implement their PDAF funded projects through TRC,” Cunanan said. “I sometimes personally make the calls to verify signatures, and in one occasion Senator Revilla scolded me for the delay in the release of his PDAF to a designated NGO when I called his office,” he said in an interview with the INQUIRER. Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jingoy Estrada and Revilla were among 38 people, including Napoles, charged on Sept. 16 with either plunder or malversation of public funds, in the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the Napoles-engineered racket in which state funds were allegedly diverted to dummy NGOs and kickbacks to lawmakers. Cunanan was among the 38 charged. He is expected to be released from the charges and used as a state witness, according to Levito Baligod, counsel of a group of whistle-blowers who revealed the Napoles scam to the NBI.
As a standard procedure in the TRC, signatures and endorsement letters were always validated, Cunanan said. “It is the policy and practice of the TRC to verify signatures through phone calls,” he said. Cunanan said that the lawmakers or their assigned staff had also called up the TRC to check on the status of the release of the checks for the NGOs and “verify if everything went well, like project proposals and financial plans.” He disclosed in his affidavit that there were instances between 2007 and 2009 when congressmen personally showed up in the TRC office to follow up the release of checks for the NGOs of Napoles. “Almost often the mere presence of these visitors caused undue panic among our staff and they have to be welcomed at the lobby in deference to their position in government,” he said. The Commission on Audit (COA), in a review of pork barrel releases from 2007 to 2009, found that the TRC got the biggest share with P2.613 billion among the five state corporations that were used as pork conduits. The others were National Agribusiness Corp., ZNAC Rubber Estates Corp. (ZREC), Philippine Forest Corp. (Philforest) and National Livelihood Development Corp. (NLDC).
“EVERY SINGLE Filipino wants to spit at a senator, including myself, within spitting distance. We’re severely damaged.” Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago in a telephone interview with the Inquirer on Tuesday described the depths to which the Senate had been mired in the wake of the alleged raids of billions of pesos in the past decade by senators of state coffers of funds meant to ease poverty and the plight of storm victims. “So far, it’s beyond remedy,” said the feisty senator who has been elected to the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Whether senators get around to deleting the congressional Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) in the 2014 national budget, the image of the Senate is in tatters because of the pork barrel scandal, Santiago said on Tuesday. Senate President Franklin Drilon claimed that several senators had written him of their desire to have their own pork barrel excised from the P2.268trillion proposed 2014 budget. But this might not be enough to redeem the chamber, Santiago indicated. “That’s why I’m not in a particular hurry to go back,” said the senator, who is on official leave due to chronic fatigue syndrome. The only remedy is for the senators to “voluntarily resign” and give way to young people untainted by corruption, she said. Senators Ramon Revilla Jr., Jinggoy Estrada and Juan Ponce Enrile were charged with plunder in the Office of the Ombudsman on Sept. 16, together with businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles and 34 others over the P10-billion pork barrel scam. Shortly after, Senator Estrada divulged in a privilege speech that several of his colleagues received P50 million in
Napoles got P580M
Based on the COA special audit, the TRC reportedly released to eight Napoles NGOs P580.85 million worth of pork barrel funds from Revilla, Enrile and Estrada and 23 representatives, including now Customs Commissioner Rozzano Rufino Biazon and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director General Joel Villanueva. Baligod confirmed Cunanan’s statements. He said that Cunanan was one ❱❱ PAGE 12 TRC director
www.canadianinquirer.net
additional pork barrel after the Senate convicted Chief Justice Renato Corona for dishonesty in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth in May 2012. Budget Secretary Florencio Abad has confirmed 20 senators received additional pork barrel amounting to P1.107 billion months after Corona’s conviction. Abad said the P1.107 billion was coursed through the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), an impounding mechanism for government savings introduced in 2011. The legality of the DAP has been questioned in the Supreme Court. Santiago, who voted against the conviction of Corona along with Senators Joker Arroyo, now retired, and Ferdinand Marcos Jr., said the largesse constituted bribery. Constitutional law expert Fr. Joaquin Bernas and former Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said Malacañang was not authorized under the Constitution to transfer items in the General Appropriations Act from one department to another. It turned out the senators’ priority projects received varying amounts. For instance, Drilon, then the Senate finance committee chair and pork barrel dispenser, got an allocation of P100 million; Sen. Francis Escudero, P99 million; and then Senate President Enrile, P92 million. Some senators admitted that even before Corona’s impeachment trial they were asked to submit a list of projects worth P100 million, but expressed surprise that the funds were coursed through the DAP. Santiago maintained that she advocated either instant or gradual abolition of the pork barrel, but she wasn’t among those who had written Drilon that they wanted their PDAF allocation deleted from the 2014 budget. “Abolition must be universal… We should make sure that what you renounce will go to the public,” she said. ■
Philippine News
FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013 8
PH nurses... ers sent to the Land of the Rising Sun under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (Jpepa), Paulino, 34, is one of a handful who not only mastered the language but also passed the exam for care workers on her first try early this year. Her accomplishment ensures that she can continue staying, working and earning a decent living in Japan for as long she likes. Paulino’s earnings at a nursing facility in Tokyo have been a big help to her parents and three siblings back home. She shoulders some of the household expenses, sends her youngest sibling to school, and pays for the tuition and other needs of her nieces and nephews. Paulino is happy where she is, and doesn’t plan on returning home soon. But all this did not come easy for Paulino. Learning the language while working and studying Japanese practices for the national test required skillful juggling and time management from her and many other foreign workers. So it was not a surprise that many Filipino and Indonesian nurses and care workers who are in Japan under their countries’ economic partnership agreements have failed to pass the national exam. ❰❰ 1
High failure rate
In the most recent exam for the foreign workers early this year, only 9.6 percent of nursing candidates passed, and for care worker candidates, 39.8 percent, according to Yuko Ogino, deputy director for the Foreign Workers’ Affairs Division of the Employment Security Bureau. The figure did not differ significantly from test results a year ago, Ogino said. The Japanese government has known from the start that language proficiency would be a key part of the workers’ success in Japan, she said, and it is for language training from the start. “One key element in deciding whether to accept [a candidate] or not depends on language ability in Japanese,” Ogino said in a briefing with participants of the 34th Nihon Shinbun KyokaiConfederation of Asean Journalists fellowship program. “And learning Japanese is quite a task,” she added. But since the initial language training requirement proved
inadequate, this was increased in succeeding years with the agreement of the participating countries, Ogino said. Language training
Under the Jpepa, Filipino and Indonesian candidates must have 12 months of language training, six of them to be completed before they leave their country and the next six upon arrival in Japan. Japan International Corp. of Welfare Services (Jicwels) has added more support measures to strengthen the workers’ language levels, such as e-learning and correspondence studies, mock exams and intensive seminars for the national exam, according to Ogino. Japan has given concessions to foreign workers taking the exam, such as extra time to complete the tests. It has provided English translations for technical terms and now prints the Kana, or syllables, above the Kanji characters used in the tests so that the candidates can read these even if they cannot understand the characters. Job training before test
Recently, the government allowed the nursing and caregiver candidates to extend their stay in the country for a year. The nurses and care workers first come to Japan as trainees. After completing the six-month language course, they are assigned to hospitals and nursing facilities where they undergo job training—three years for nurses and four years for care workers. After this, they can take the national exam to qualify as permanent workers. Nurses can take the annual exam up to three times, while care workers can take it in their third year of training in Japan. If they fail, they have to return home. Nurses in Japan earn P66,000 to P113,000 a month, while care workers receive P64,000 to P95,000, depending on where they work. Aside from language, the candidates must familiarize themselves with the way Japanese hospitals and nursing homes operate. The Japanese medical insurance system has been a particularly difficult area, Ogino noted.
be higher when the next batch of foreign workers takes it. She said those who had undergone the additional language training scored better when tested for proficiency. In 2014, Japan will start accepting nurses and care workers from Vietnam. The two countries have agreed to put in place more stringent language requirements for nursing and care worker candidates. Earlier, critics of Jpepa slammed the agreement for being unfair to Filipino workers. One of the things they objected to was the fact that Filipinos would work first as trainees in Japan instead of being recognized immediately as professional nurses and care workers, when those accepted into the program already have training and experience in the Philippines. They bewailed the fact that the agreement did not commit Japan to follow international core labor standards and protection of migrant health workers’ rights. According to Ogino, Jicwels staff periodically visit the facilities where workers under economic partnership agreements are assigned. Check on conditions
Jicwels checks on the conditions in the facility, for instance seeing to it if the foreign workers get enough rest days, Ogino said. It also ensures that the working contract is upheld. The foreign workers are supposed to earn the same salaries as their Japanese counterparts. “These are important because they are here under special contract under economic partnership agreements. So, it’s a sensitive issue if the conditions are not met as stated in the contract,” Ogino said. Jicwels staff are available for consultations if the workers have problems. The treatment of foreign workers varies and depends on the medical institution or facility, and Jicwels sorts it out if there are any problems, according to Ogino. Paulino, who arrived in Japan shortly after Jpepa took effect in 2009, did not have the advantage of getting all the additional language training. As Ogino noted, she was in the minority since she came before language support became sufficient.
Nurses from Vietnam
Ogino is hopeful the passing rate for the national exam will
Self-discipline
Paulino attributed her success www.canadianinquirer.net
in the exam to self-discipline, even though she had to cram since she focused mainly on her job in the first couple of years. After her six month-language course in Japan, she started working in a nursing facility in Tokyo and did not have any study period during the first year. The following year, a mentor helped her, but it was mostly about practical work. Still, she was able to study once a week, for about an hour and a half. In her third year, she was “still struggling” with the language and was worried about passing the exam. When Jicwels came by to check up on her, she told the staff that she had not really studied and was cramming. She was later sent to a training facility for caregiving. A month before she took the exam, she was still worried and asked for more help, and Jicwels and the staff in her nursing home helped her prepare for the exam. She took a oneweek vacation before the test to review on her own. Her efforts were not in vain. Certified, fluent
Now, she is not only a certified care worker but also speaks Japanese fluently. Paulino also had to adjust to Japanese culture. A challenge for her was the food, which she has found to her liking. But she has also grown to love the country and is especially fond of its winter, something that her tropical country lacks. Fortunately, she has not experienced any discrimination. She says she is lucky that her fellow staff members in the nursing facility have been nice, providing her some of the basic necessities so she does not have to spend much while in Tokyo. Her bosses have also accommodated her request to take
her rest day on Sunday, so she could attend Mass. Japan wasn’t even a dream destination for Paulino, who had wanted to go to the United States or Canada. But her journey to Japan was providential and it turned out to be “destiny,” she said. Crucial developments happened on her birthday, Jan. 27, she noted. She had been working as a staff member in a Bulacan hospital when a friend convinced her to take a caregiving course. After that, a colleague, who learned about Jpepa from the news, suggested that she apply for it. Why not? she thought. In January of 2009, she went to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration to apply. On her birthday, she got the news that she was accepted. A few months later, she was was in Japan. Four years later, on her birthday, she took the national test that would certify her as a care worker and allow her to continue working in Japan. It proved to be an auspicious date. By March, she learned she was among the few who passed. This has cemented her desire to continue working in Japan. “I want to stay,” she said. Ogino said Japan was committed to ensuring the success of its economic partnership agreements with neighboring countries, which are intended to strengthen bilateral ties. Stories like Paulino’s are very welcome. “Since we are all involved in the economic partnership agreements, the Japanese government, along with the respective governments, would like to see a higher success ratio of these candidates,” Ogino said. ■
Philippine News
9 FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013
Solgen under fire at SC
P-noy can’t abolish PDAF, Carpio tells gov’t lawyer BY GIL C. CABACUNGAN AND CHRISTINE O. AVENDAÑO Philippine Daily Inquirer ASSOCIATE JUSTICE Antonio T. Carpio refuted Malacañang’s claim that President Aquino had abolished the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), pointing out that only the Supreme Court and Congress have the power to scrap the corruption-plagued pork barrel. At the resumption of oral arguments on petitions to declare the PDAF unconstitutional, Carpio told Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza it was “irreconcilable” for Malacañang to seek the lifting by the Supreme Court of its suspension of pork barrel releases while presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda was saying up to Wednesday that the PDAF had been abolished. “Is it not true that the PDAF has been abolished? We are talking of the balance of P13 billion or P14 billion of the PDAF issue here. Why are you still asking for its release?” asked Carpio. “Does it mean it has not been completely abolished?” Jardeleza was forced to admit that only the “soft” portion of the PDAF—or livelihood projects and financial assistance programs that were abused by fake nongovernment organizations (NGOs)— was abolished while the administration was still hoping to deploy the “hard,” or infrastructure, projects this year had the court not intervened by issuing a temporary restraining order on further pork barrel releases. He argued that the President had the “general power” to stop the pork releases but “it isn’t our function to have it abol-
ished or not.” “The PDAF can only be abolished by Congress or only the Supreme Court can declare it unconstitutional,” Carpio lectured Jardeleza. “He has no power to abolish the PDAF.” Lacierda, in a press conference on Wednesday in reply to Carpio’s observation at the opening of the court hearing on Tuesday that provisions in the 2013 General Appropriations Act (GAA) covering the pork barrel were “riddled with unconstitutionalities,” told reporters: “You know, the President has already announced that the PDAF has been abolished. So that has been abolished.” President Aquino announced three days before the Aug. 26 Million People March that he had scrapped the PDAF following indignation that billions of pesos in the PDAF and Malampaya Fund had been funneled to ghost projects and kickbacks to lawmakers at the expense of impoverished rural farmers and victims of devastating storms. In fact, the House of Representatives approved on second reading on Sept. 28 before it went on a two-week break the 2014 GAA, shifting a proposed P25.4 billion in PDAF to executive departments but retaining the power of control and discretion over the fund. Following its approval in the House, the national budget will then go to the Senate for deliberations. In the hearing, Carpio also questioned the constitutional basis for the President’s power to “impound” government savings, the main issue in the controversy over the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), which the government used to realign the budget of one department to another without getting Congress’ consent.
Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio: “The PDAF can only be abolished by Congress or only the Supreme Court can declare it unconstitutional. The President has no power to abolish the PDAF.” PHOTO BY LYN RILLON / INQUIRER.NET
This was purportedly the source of the P50 million in additional pork given to senators after the conviction of Chief Justice Renato Corona in May last year for failing to declare his dollar deposits in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth. Carpio argued that only the President had the power to speed up or suspend the release of funds from the PDAF. But he said impoundment was still open to question considering that the Chief Executive is duty bound to implement the law, such as the GAA. ‘You are asking too much’
The senior justice said the government’s request to the Supreme Court to “dilly-dally” in resolving the case in order to allow the political branches to reach a solution to the issue was no different from the demand of then President FerdinandMarcos that the high tribunal agree to his padlocking Congress and allow him to rule by decree. “The court agreed and unfortunately, we had a disaster that lasted for decades,” said Carpio, referring to the habeas corpus cases questioning Marcos’ declaration of martial law in 1972.
www.canadianinquirer.net
“It is our solemn duty to faithfully apply the Constitution and you are asking us to defer, to suspend our solemn duty to faithfully apply the Constitution. I think you are asking too much.” Carpio and Jardeleza also disagreed on whether the senators and representatives were unjustly encroaching on the power of the executive to implement the spending program approved in the budget. Carpio claimed that a provision in the 2013 GAA allowed modifications or realignments on the projects identified by Congress in their lump-sum PDAF items that could only be made with the “favorable endorsement” of the Senate finance and House appropriation committees. “If the PDAF provisions on concurrence are mandatory by the court, then we would have to declare the law unconstitutional,” said Carpio, who cited a previous Supreme Court ruling on the 2008 Abakada case, which described congressional postenactment action in the budget illegal. Jardeleza argued that such an endorsement was merely recommendatory, or “directory,” and not mandatory as the De-
partment of Budget and Management (DBM) and the implementing agencies have a choice not to implement the project. The solicitor general claimed that the recommendation of the lawmakers was meant as “favorable endorsement of the decision of lawmakers to change the project.” Way off mark
Carpio said Jardeleza should not base his arguments on the 1994 Philconsa decision because this was made way before the 2013 GAA where the contested provisions were not yet in place. “If you are relying on Philconsa, then you are way off themark,” said Carpio. The Philconsa case was the first of three rulings the Supreme Court issued upholding the constitutionality of the pork barrel system, then called Countrywide Development Fund. Aside from determining whether the prior green light of the Senate finance and House appropriation committees was mandatory or recommendatory, Carpio also asked Jardeleza to look into how the PDAF had eliminated the President’s power to veto line items since the ❱❱ PAGE 12 Solgen under
Philippine News
FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013 10
Luxury-loving Napoles girl charged with tax evasion BY CHRISTINE O. AVENDAÑO AND MICHELLE V. REMO Philippine Daily Inquirer IRONICALLY, LUXURY became her downfall. Jeane Catherine Lim Napoles was charged with tax evasion on Thursday for not declaring income for multimillion-peso properties she had purchased and registered in her name, including a unit in the muchballyhooed glitzy Ritz Carlton in downtown Los Angeles, California. Since she became a registered taxpayer in 2008, the 23-yearold daughter of businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles, the alleged mastermind behind the P10billion pork barrel scam, has not declared any income. It was the turn of the young Napoles to be charged with tax evasion two weeks after her mother and father were charged with the same offense by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). Her two siblings—Jo Christine and James Christopher— are also in trouble with the law. Levito Baligod, lawyer of whistle-blowers in the pork barrel scam, said last week that he would include the two siblings in the plunder case filed in the Office of the Ombudsman for “direct involvement in the falsification and liquidation of documents” in connection with the P900 million from the Malampaya Fund that was released through the Department of Agrarian Reform in 2009. Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares said the BIR was suing Jeane Catherine for P32.06 million in tax liability, inclusive of interests and surcharges, broken down into P31.38 million in 2011 and P680,000 in 2012. This was because she did not declare an income when she was able to acquire and register in her name real estate in taxable years 2011 and 2012.
penditure method in determining the unpaid tax liabilities. Under this method, any expenditure that is in excess of reported income and unexplained wealth is considered to be the amount of unreported income. The amount of unreported income and the value of the assets are used as basis for determining unpaid tax liabilities. Henares said that based on BIR records, the young Napoles did not file an income tax return for 2011 and 2012 and that there were no records of returns proving that gifts, bequests or devises were given her. “We also checked on any donor’s tax or estate tax and we can’t find anything also. So, the presumption if you can buy something that’s worth P54.73 million, you must have earned an income net of P54.73 million,” the BIR chief said at a news briefing.
Jeane Napoles, 23, posted pictures of her luxe life online. VIDEO GRAB FROM ANC AND YOUTUBE.COM
Henares said that this was a “conservative” estimate of Jeane Catherine’s income because the BIR did not consider her living expenditures or even the cost of her partying. Henares was apparently referring to social media reports of Napoles’ partying in a Hollywood club to celebrate her 21st birthday, which got the ire of netizens amid reports about the pork barrel scam allegedly perpetuated by her mother. The revenue chief said the BIR was looking into the properties of the Napoleses “so as to find out how much they really owe the government.” Like her parents, Jeane Catherine is now facing a complaint at the Department of Justice for willful attempt to evade or defeat tax and for deliberate failure to file returns and pay tax for the two taxable years. This was in violation of Sections 51 (A)(1) (9)(a) and 74 in relation to Section 254 and Section 255 of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.
these assets. De Lima told reporters that the government was formalizing its request for US assistance through the PH-US Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty. She said the government was validating the US properties of the Napoleses and their values, and how to proceed against these assets. De Lima acknowledged that nothing could be done to stop the sale of the properties “but with the wide publicity, this can reach the US and our fellow Filipinos there. They are on notice (about these).” But the justice secretary said all was not lost because the government could still pursue the properties that the Napoleses had disposed of. “But we have to make sure what mode or what mechanism can be used to pursue these properties because the premise is these are proceeds of the crime you know, this largescale corruption. So there are methods of recovery,” she said. Henares said that even if the properties in the United States had been sold, the BIR could still go after the Napoleses by requiring them to pay taxes for the properties.
Request for US help
BIR sought IRS aid
Party in Hollywood club
Expenditure method
Among the properties was the Ritz Carlton unit in the United States, acquired in 2011 at P54.73 million and a farm lot in Bayambang, Pangasinan province, where she had a 1/9th share and which was purchased in 2012 for P1.49 million. The BIR said it used the ex-
Amid reports that the Napoleses were selling their multimillion-dollar properties in the United States, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said the government could not stop the sale of these assets pending its request for US help in freezing
She said the BIR was expecting its American counterpart— the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)—to help find any assets that the Napoleses may have in the United States. Confirming reports that the tax bureau had sought aswww.canadianinquirer.net
sistance of the IRS, Henares expressed confidence that the BIR counterpart would respond favorably given that the Philippines and the United States have a tax treaty. Under the treaty, each of the two parties may seek the assistance of the other in pursuing people guilty or suspected of tax evasion. The BIR chief said membercountries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) were expected to help out in efforts to catch tax evaders and money launderers. “Cooperation [between internal revenue agencies of member-countries] is a common practice. Noncooperative countries may be subjected to blacklisting by the OECD,” she said in a phone interview. “So, yes we [the BIR] have asked assistance of the IRS. In return, we should also help them in case they need information from the Philippines on tax matters,” Henares also said. The BIR thought of seeking help from the IRS amid reports that the Napoles family have assets in the United States, either legally or illegally acquired, for which taxes have not been paid. Henares earlier said that under the country’s Tax Code, even ill-gotten wealth and income from illegitimate sources were taxable. On Sept. 26 the BIR filed tax evasion cases against Janet Lim-Napoles and her husband Jaime Garcia Napoles in the Department of Justice.
The BIR said Janet had P44.68 million while Jaime had P16.43 million in unpaid tax liabilities for 2004 to 2012. The tax liabilities were computed based on assets of the couple that the BIR found through investigation. But Henares said the amounts of tax liabilities of the Napoles couple would increase should the BIR locate more assets and incomes for which taxes were not paid. “The assessment of their unpaid tax liabilities will keep on growing as we [the BIR] get more evidence,” she said. NGOs probed
Henares said the BIR had begun investigating assets of nongovernment organizations that Napoles had put up. “Yes, the BIR is now looking into these Napoles-owned NGOs cited in the report by the COA [Commission on Audit],” Henares said. The NGOs were said to have been used in the P10-billion pork barrel scam. Whistleblowers said pork barrel funds given to legislators were used to fund ghost projects of the NGOs. The funds were said to have been diverted to the pockets of the legislators and Napoles. Henares said the BIR would specifically investigate the contracts and deals entered into by these NGOs with the aim of determining the incomes they derived over the years as well as the corresponding taxes that may not have been paid. ■
Philippine News
11 FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013
Bohol quake... Eid al-Adha—which may have saved lives. Bohol and Cebu have declared a state calamity as the death toll rose to 97 in the two provinces, including a 9-year-old girl who died in a stampede that broke out at the queue for the cash transfer program in Pinamungahan town, Cebu. President Aquino will fly to Bohol and Cebu Wednesday to check on the damage caused by the quake. “I will be going to Bohol and Cebu tomorrow, and if possible other areas. And if our assessment is there are a lot of other things that are not being taken care of, then we will reconsider the (Korea) visit. But as of this time, the things that have to be done are being done,” the President told reporters. Senior Supt. Dennis Agustin, the Bohol police chief, reported 87 fatalities in the province based on an actual body count. At least nine others were killed in nearby Cebu province and another died on Siquijor Island, according to field reports. Agustin said Loon town accounted for at least 20 fatalities; San Isidro and Sagbayan, nine fatalities each; Balilihan, Calape and Antequerra, five fatalities each; Tubigon, Inabanga, Bilar and Catigbian, four fatalities each; and Maribojoc, three fatalities. Agustin said the towns of Clarin, Buenavista, Loay and Albor had two fatalities each. Tagbilaran City also had the same number of fatalities. The towns of Getafe, Batu-an, Baclayon, Cortes and Talibon each had one fatality. Aquino presided over an hourlong closed-door executive session of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) at the Office of Civil Defense. Combined figures from the Bohol provincial police and the NDRRMC showed that at least 164 people were injured in the province. ❰❰ 1
East Bohol Fault
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the movement of the East Bohol Fault triggered the strongest quake in the Visayas in 23 years. Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum placed the depth of the tectonic tremor at 33 kilometers. The US Geological Survey ini-
tially reported the quake as having a magnitude of 7.2, but shortly afterward lowered it to 7.1. By noon, Phivolcs had recorded 137 aftershocks in Carmen and Tagbilaran, the strongest of which was magnitude 4.3 at 9:37 a.m. Intensity IV was felt in Tagbilaran. Magnitude is the measurement of the energy released by the earthquake, while intensity measures the extent of damage caused by the quake. Limestone church crumbled
Many roads and bridges were reported damaged, but historic churches dating from the Spanish colonial period suffered the most. Among them is the country’s oldest, the 16th-century Basilica of the Holy Child in Cebu, which lost its bell tower. A 17th-century limestone church in Loboc town, southwest of Carmen, crumbled to pieces, with nearly half of it reduced to rubble. Bohol Administrator Alfonso Damalerio said two other churches in Maribojoc and Loon were destroyed. The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of Bohol also received reports of damage to old churches in Loay, Clarin and Baclayon as well as the belfry in Panglao. Photos on social media showed extensive damage not only to churches but also to modern buildings, including a university, while major roads had also been torn apart. In the immediate aftermath of the quake, authorities were struggling to reach or contact damaged areas, with power lines as well as phone networks down, and a clear picture of the disaster had yet to emerge. Neil Sanchez, head of the Cebu disaster management office, said authorities were trying to confirm reports that a school had collapsed, with an undetermined number of children trapped. “Communications lines are quite difficult here. Even the disaster risk reduction management office has been damaged. We had to move elsewhere,” Sanchez said. Businesses in Cebu were on a standstill as people rushed out of buildings, homes and hospitals. Malls and several establishments closed down for the day to allow engineers to check on their buildings. They are expected to resume operations on Wednesday. ■
Million-peso bonuses moral–SSS chief BY MICHELLE V. REMO Philippine Daily Inquirer THE PRESIDENT and CEO of the Social Security System (SSS) has defended the grant of hefty bonuses to the board of directors of the state-run pension fund, denying accusations of impropriety. “On the question of whether it was moral, I say yes,” Emilio de Quiros Jr. told a press conference. “If you need to hire people and if you are competing against companies from the private sector, you need to compensate people well,” he said. Each of the eight members of the SSS board received a performance bonus of around P1 million each for 2012. The grant of bonuses to the board, which was reported in the media at about the same time as the announcement of an increase in SSS members’ contributions beginning in 2014, was condemned by SSS employees and members and others outside the pension fund. Critics said that although the grant of huge bonuses to the SSS directors may arguably have been legal, it was definitely immoral.
people to work for them. He challenged critics to compare the bonuses given to the SSS board with those enjoyed by the executives of private banks. He implied that the bonuses received by the SSS directors were either comparable to or lower than those in the private sector. “You have to be able to get the right individuals to manage the institution,” De Quiros said. He said the SSS investment reserve fund, which determines the pension fund’s ability to pay out pensions and other benefits, now stood at close to P390 billion. It was P290 billion at the start of the Aquino administration. P100-B increase
“The fund has increased by nearly P100 billion since we started,” De Quiros said. He acknowledged, however, that the SSS fund still had a long way to go to reach the ideal level set by international standards. According to international standards, the life of a pension fund should be in “perpetuity,” meaning it
Unfair, not justified
Some SSS employees said the grant of bonuses to the board was unfair. Others said the bonuses were not justified because following up claims and obtaining funds from the SSS continued to be a tedious process. The bonuses were given in accordance with the performance-incentives system set up by the Governance Commission for Governmentowned and-controlled Corporations (GCG), under the Office of the President. De Quiros said the SSS and other government-owned and -controlled corporations needed to be competitive against companies in the private sector in order to attract qualified www.canadianinquirer.net
should be enough to cover liabilities for 70 years or more. In the case of the SSS, its fund can cover liabilities for up to 26 more years, or until 2039, De Quiros said. The relatively short life of the SSS fund is the reason it is increasing members’ contributions, by January next year, he said.
In an earlier interview, De Quiros pointed out that SSS employees also got their bonuses. In fact, he said, the SSS disbursed P276 million in performance bonuses to employees. The bonuses to employees were released in December last year, while those for the board members were distributed only last month, De Quiros said. Poor performance
He surmised that the complaints from the employees came from those who received no bonus because of poor performance. Under the performanceincentives system observed by the SSS, all the estimated 5,000 employees are graded and ranked based on performance. Those in the top 10 percent of the ranking get the maximum bonus, set at 2.5 percent of the monthly salary. Those in the middle rankings get either 1.25 or 1.5 percent of their monthly salary. Those in the bottom 10 percent get nothing. As far as the board members are concerned, the performance system states that the bonus a board member gets is equivalent to 100 percent of the total per diems he or she got for the year. The per diem is set at P40,000 per board meeting and P20,000 per committee meeting. A maximum of two board meetings and two committee meetings are held in one month. This means the bonus of a board member is mainly dependent on attendance at board and committee meetings. ■
Philippine News
TRC director... of his early resource persons in his efforts to confirm statements of the whistle-blowers, all former employees of Napoles. He explained that Cunanan was included in the plunder case to “preserve the integrity of the case because we know without him coming forward as witness he could be cleared of wrongdoing.” In his affidavit, Cunanan also said representatives of the Napoles NGOs seemed to have advance information about funds to be received by the TRC. He added that these representatives had copies of endorsement letters from the lawmakers and requests to fast track the signing of memorandums of agreement (MOA) among the project proponents. “The usual case was that even before funds from the PDAF were transferred to the center, NGO representatives already were visiting the TRC bringing endorsement letters from legislators and asking that a MOA be prepared so as not to delay implementation,” Cunanan said. He said that the TRC started receiving PDAF funds in 2005 until 2009 after the center was included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA) as one of the authorized implementing agencies for PDAF projects. ❰❰ 7
Perfunctory, ministerial
Cunanan, who was appointed by President Aquino in 2010 to head the agency, said that his role as deputy director general
of TRC in the PDAF projects was “merely perfunctory and ministerial, co-signing disbursement vouchers, checks and other documents relating to the financial transactions of the center.” All PDAF projects implemented by the TRC were jointly processed, supervised and approved by Director General Antonio Ortiz, legal officer Francisco Figura, and legislative liaison officer Rosalinda Laxamana, Cunanan said. “They were the ones who actually dealt with the offices of the legislators concerned as well as the NGO that supposedly implemented the projects,” he added. On Dec. 20, 2007, Ortiz named Laxamana alternate signatory as recommending authority to TRC’s disbursement vouchers for any amount exceeding P1 million. Ortiz was one of the 38 charged in the Ombudsman. Cunanan claimed that Ortiz issued a memorandum that bypassed him in all pork matters and that it was only when he took over Ortiz’s post that he “realized the magnitude of the transactions involved.” “I organized a committee to investigate the TRC PDAF project implementation and to write to all the NGOs concerned to rectify all of their deficiencies and liquidate all unliquidated funds,” Cunanan said. He added that on July 16, 2010, he issued a memorandum that blacklisted 44 NGOs, including eight connected to Napoles. ■
FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013 12
COA to ask erring NGOs, solons to refund gov’t P6B BY GIL C. CABACUNGAN Philippine Daily Inquirer COMMISSION ON Audit (COA) Chair Grace Pulido-Tan said that her agency would issue notices of disallowance (NDs) involving P6 billion worth of pork barrel funds that a special audit conducted from 2007 to 2009 found was illegally funneled to bogus nongovernment organizations (NGOs). “Given the scope of the audit, we expect to issue thousands and thousands of notices of disallowance. We estimate about P6 billion worth of disallowances will be made within the year,” Tan said under questioning by Justice Luis P. Bersamin during the opening of oral arguments on the abolition of the pork barrel. This means that the implementing agencies or the NGOs or even the endorsing lawmaker would be asked to refund the disallowed amount to the COA. “If they are not happy, they have the right to appeal to the Supreme Court just like the case of Congressman Cuenco,” Tan said. Tan said the COA had issued several NDs related to the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), the most recent of which was the P3.39 million appropriated by Cebu Rep. Antonio Cuenco to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) in 2004.
“The Supreme Court recently affirmed our decision,” Tan said. She pointed out that while the settlement of the NDs would extinguish the administrative aspect of the transactions, it was still up to the Ombudsman if the criminal liability of the proponents would be erased or pursued in court. Tan said that the government procurement law should be observed at every point in the flow of pork barrel funds from the legislator to the implementing agency to the handpicked NGO. “Based on COA Circular No. 2007-001, it is provided that funds granted or transferred to NGOs retain the character of
public funds. They must submit disbursement (papers) in compliance with procurement act,” she said. Tan said the COA had also reviewed PDAF releases from 2010 to 2012 and that results of its audit during these period were on its website. Justice Antonio Carpio suggested that the NGOs that received subsidies should be compelled to place these state funds in an account separate from their privately sourced money. “I think if they were only required to comply with the rules, this would have not happened,” Carpio said. ■
“For all the sins of implementation of the PDAF, the errant and corrupt must be and will be punished. But I appeal for the half a million of scholars and the half a million indigent patients needing medical aid, they are not a party to any misuse, not a party to any corruption. Please give them the benefit of the doubt,” Jardeleza said in appealing for the partial lifting of the court TRO. Associate Justice Marvic Leonen wondered if there were “ghost scholars” among those needing assistance cited by Jardeleza. Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno asserted that the main
constitutional problem in the insertion of the pork funds in the GAA since 1991 was “up to what extent should this court draw the line in the congressional participation in the budget execution stage.” Sereno said that even if the Supreme Court found the postbudget approval actions unconstitutional, there was no guarantee that Congress would undertake corrective measures. She said that the court had “decided to come together and deliberate on this with all possible speed” amid apprehensions by the petitioners that it would treat this in the usual lackadaisical judicial fashion. ■
Solgen under... pork was listed as a lump-sum appropriation with a list of projects and only a single amount for the entire Congress. Carpio noted that without the line-item veto power, the President abdicated control of the pork to lawmakers. “Open any page in the 2013 GAA, everywhere you look— schools, houses, teacher salary, everything has an amount. Look at the PDAF and it has a line for P24.79 billion and below are programs with no amount. How can the President exercise his veto power? There is an obligation on the part of congressmen to specify every line so that ❰❰ 9
the President could strike out wasteful spending,” said Carpio. After almost five hours listening and questioning Jardeleza and DBM representatives, the court concluded the oral arguments with Carpio directing all parties to submit their respective memoranda. “We have decided to come out with a decision by November to give Congress time to digest our decision when they finalize the 2014 General Appropriations Act,” Carpio said. In defending the legality of the pork barrel, Jardeleza noted that the Commission on Audit (COA), in a review of PDAF releases from 2007 to 2009, found
few instances of irregularities. No justification
Replying to the interpellation of Associate Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe, Jardeleza said, “The COA report does not rise to the level of evidence sufficient to justify the abandonment of standards in LAMP.” He referred to the court ruling on the LAMP case last year, affirming the legality of the PDAF. “There were corruption issues of government funds through ghost deliveries,” he acknowledged, but noted that there were only four audit findings that implicated members of Congress. www.canadianinquirer.net
Philippine News
13 FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013
Aquino’s net satisfaction rating falls BY GIL C. CABACUNGAN AND LEILA B. SALAVERRIA Philippine Daily Inquirer MALACAÑANG ACKNOWLEDGES that the public outrage over the pork barrel scam has dragged down President Aquino’s satisfaction ratings. “While an overwhelming majority of Filipinos remain supportive of the President and his agenda, we recognize that the increase in those dissatisfied reflects the depth of anger and disappointment of the people at the way public funds have been stolen,” the President’s deputy spokesperson, Abigail Valte, said in a briefing on Monday. Valte said that while the President was not involved in any illicit transfer of pork to bogus nongovernment organizations (NGOs) that businesswoman Janet LimNapoles had set up, “we do recognize that there is a general outrage about how these funds have been spent or how these funds have been misused, and some of that may be directed again to the present administration.” Aquino’s net satisfaction rating fell from “very good” to “good” in September, with declines across all areas, socioeconomic classes and gender, according to the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey. The results of the survey, which were first published in BusinessWorld, showed 68 percent of respondents to be satisfied and 19 percent dissatisfied, resulting in a net score of “good” at +49 (satisfied minus dissatisfied). 15-point dip
The latest net score represented a 15-point dip from the June figure of +64 (76 percent satisfied, 12 percent dissatisfied), which SWS rated as “very good.” The September rating, however, is still higher than the record low of +42 (“good”) in May last year. By geographical area, the President’s net satisfaction rating suffered its biggest decline in the Visayas, with a 26-point fall from +74 (“excellent”) in the previous quarter to +48 (“good”). Across socioeconomic classes, the President’s rating hit a record low among respondents from Class E, falling 29 points from +68 (“very good”) to +39 (“good”). Inquirer series
The survey was conducted from Sept. 20 to 23, after the Inquirer published its series of reports on the P10-billion pork barrel scam that Napoles allegedly carried out over the past 10 years, with the collaboration of certain senators and congressmen using a network of dubious NGOs. The Inquirer pork scam series started on July 12, enraging the public that led
the PDAF [Priority Development Assistance Fund],” Tinio said in a press briefing. When the issue over the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), pooled savings of agencies that augmented the PDAF allocations of lawmakers, was taken into consideration, the President could take another hit, Tinio said. “His satisfaction ratings will be lower if he does not heed the public’s call to abolish the pork barrel and abolish the DAP,” he added. Gabriela Rep. Luz Ilagan, in a statement, said Aquino could expect diminished popularity if he continued to protect his allies and fail to hold them accountable for their pork barrel funds. Pork remains
President Benigno S. Aquino III.
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
to a rally calling for the abolition of the pork barrel on Aug. 26 at Manila’s Rizal Park. Similar protest actions were staged in other parts of the country, as well as overseas. The rally in Manila that attracted some 70,000 people was considered the largest protest assembly since Aquino was elected in 2010. Another rally against the pork barrel system was held on Oct. 4 in Makati City. The SWS considers a rating of +70 and above “excellent”; +50 to +69, “very good”; +30 to +49, “good”; +10 to +29, “moderate”, +9 to -9, “neutral”; -10 to -29, “poor”; -30 to -49, “bad”; -50 to -69, “very bad”; and -70 and below, “execrable.” The survey asked 1,200 respondents nationwide “how satisfied or dissatisfied” they were with “the performance” of Mr. Aquino as President. It used faceto-face interviews and had a margin of error of plus-or-minus 3 percentage points. True issue
Valte said that while the Palace shared the public anger over pork, “no amount of clutter should confuse the true issue at hand: Public funds were stolen by elected officials and their cohorts in the bureaucracy and the private sector.” She said the President was “grateful” to the majority of Filipinos “who have not been swayed by the enemies of reform… and lauds their capacity to discern.” The President’s recent ratings dip may not be the last, according to militant lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc. ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio said Aquino could expect fewer and fewer Filipinos to be happy with his performance if he continued to ignore their call for him to abolish all pork barrel funds, and
shield his allies embroiled in the controversy. DAP
“That ratings slide is because the public has seen that P-Noy has been defending
The Makabayan bloc of lawmakers called on the public not to be fooled by reports that the PDAF had been excised from the 2014 budget. Bayan Muna Rep. Carlo Zarate said that while the term “PDAF” would no longer be found in the budget bill, the pork barrel was still alive because lawmakers could still recommend projects. Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares said it was this very entitlement to recommend projects that turned a fund into pork barrel. ■
“Attracting and retaining the best international talent to fill skills shortages in key occupations is critical to Canada’s economic success.” - Hon. Jason Kenney, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Employment and Social Development
Respond to Canada’s need for immigrants.
Become a Regulated Immigration Consultant Full-time | Part-time | Online Apply online at www.ashtoncollege.com or contact a program adviser at (604) 899-0803.
Ashton College | Vancouver, BC 604 899 0803 | 1 866 759 6006 w w w.ashtoncollege.com
www.canadianinquirer.net
Philippine News
FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013 14
Stormy weather fails to dampen warm welcome for Megan Young BY BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR. Philippine Daily Inquirer RATHER THAN fret about the inclement weather, Miss World 2013 Megan Young “worried” about the people who cheered on and welcomed her during her victory parade in Makati City on Friday, according to Cory Quirino, chair of Miss World Philippines. “She was worried they might get sick,” Quirino said. “But then she realized that they merely wanted to show how much they loved her,” the pageant official added. So touched was the country’s first Miss World by the crowd’s adulation that she decided to stand from her comfortable perch on the flower-bedecked float to wave at the crowd and blow them kisses, Quirino said.
Clad in a modern red terno that provided a cheerful contrast to the gray skies, Young was stunned “speechless” by the “warm welcome” that defied the rains, Quirino added. “She was surprised (to see) people standing on top of buildings (along Ayala) and showering her with confetti,” the local franchisee of Miss World recounted. Young, who bested 126 beauty queens from around the world to win the coveted crown in Bali, Indonesia, on Sept. 28, arrived on Thursday afternoon from London, where she will reside until the end of her reign. The festive parade was escorted by a marching band, motorcycle cops and vintage cars, but had to be cut short because of the rains and the buildup of traffic, according to Quirino. “We took a car and went straight to SM Mall of Asia (in
COME RAIN OR HIGH WATER. Gray skies and bad weather couldn’t stop the crowd from coming out to cheer Miss World
Megan Young, who gamely blows a kiss to fans and supporters during her victory parade along Ayala Avenue. PHOTO BY RAFFY LERMA
Pasay City), because Megan wanted to greet the fans who had gathered at the Atrium,” Quirino said. “She apologized for causing traffic jams, but realized it was a special, once-ina-lifetime experience.” After spending half an hour at the Mall of Asia where Young profusely thanked her support-
ers in Filipino, the 23-year-old beauty queen headed back to the hotel and called it a night. “Our baby’s sleeping now,” Quirino told the Inquirer. Young definitely needed the shut-eye because of her full schedule this weekend, according to the pageant official. She will be feted in a grand
homecoming in her hometown, Olongapo City, on Saturday, and will be guesting on a GMA 7 show, “Sunday All Stars.” A visit to the Tulay Streetchildren Foundation tomorrow has also been scheduled. With a report from Julliane Love de Jesus, Inquirer.net
3 lucky Pinoys off to space academy BY JAYMEE T. GAMIL Philippine Daily Inquirer THREE FILIPINOS will be whisked away to another world, with the lucky one to be booked a flight to outer space—literally. Out for a simulated space mission are: Hotel and Restaurant Management graduate Evan Rey Datuin, 24; freelance graphic artist; Ramil Montalvo Santos, 29; and Philippine Air Force lieutenant Mario Mendoza Jr., 31. They are off to the United States Space Camp in Florida in December. The three are the Philippine representatives to the Axe Apollo Space Academy global contest, which will send 23 people from all over the world on a pioneer suborbital space flight. The hundreds of representatives from more than 60 countries will have to pass a weeklong training in Orlando, Florida. Mendoza and Datuin were the overall champions of a national contest launched by Axe Philippines earlier this year, which was dubbed the search for the first Filipino astronaut. The contest began with online voting, which saw 28,020 astronaut hopefuls from the Philippines. It was the fourth
highest number of national contestants in the world, said Axe Philippines brand manager Gem Laforteza. Of that number, only 4,085 were short-listed to take an IQ test, and only 400 passed to qualify for the military-style obstacle race at Bonifacio Global City last August. Mendoza and Datuin secured their places by literally being the last men standing in a final test of endurance where they had to stand on a peg for hours. Lucky pick
Santos did not make the cut, but thanked his lucky stars for being selected in the Hyperdrive Promo raffle last September, which secured for him the third slot to Space Camp. Santos was introduced to the media on Oct. 5, when he and Datuin met up with visiting Brazilian aerospace doctor Thais Russomano and Filipino scientist Custer Deocaris for tips on how to survive Space Academy. Laforteza described the contest as an opportunity “to help a nation like ours to dream big.” “A lot of people are actually interested in space science, but they feel they can’t achieve that dream. When they saw we would really send them to space, it ignited those child-
hood dreams,” Laforteza said. This was true for the Cavite based Datuin, whose father was an airport engineer. “I also dreamed of becoming a pilot to know what’s out there and outside the planet,” he said. “I’m now certain this was God’s plan. Whatever your dream, as long as you do whatever it takes, give it your best and believe in God, it will be given to you,” Datuin said. The coming Space Camp trip has also reawakened childhood flights of fancy for Quezon City resident Santos. “I wanted to be the first Filipino astronaut. Ever since I was a child, I’ve loved flying paper planes. I’ve often wondered: What if the paper plane reaches space?” “Of course, it’s better if it’s me instead of the plane,” Santos said. Santos said even if he weren’t chosen, “I am already blessed and proud to represent the country” in the contest. Rizal province-born Mendoza shared the same national pride and dream of “carrying the flag of the Philippines” into space. Mendoza saw the opportunity as a step higher: “I’m already in the Air Force and I’ve accomplished so many things at this point in my life. I realized: ‘What’s next? What’s the next big dream?’ So I thought: Why www.canadianinquirer.net
not go into space? Why not be an astronaut?” Suborbital space flight
The top “graduates” of the Axe Apollo Space Academy will be among the first civilians to be launched in the two-seater XCOR Lynx Mark II spacecraft, under travel firm Space Expedition Corp., in 2014. The suborbital space flight will breach the outer space boundary of 100 kilometers above sea level, Deocaris said. With the high speed and altitude, the passengers will experience microgravity, or weightlessness, for a few minutes, he added. For most people, even that simple-sounding flight may remain just a dream, with tickets currently priced around $100,000 each, said Deocaris. But the balikbayan molecular biologist and biotechnologist is hopeful campaigns like the contest can popularize space tourism and commercial suborbital flights and make these more accessible in the future. Deocaris is also hopeful the campaign can help boost a movement to have a Philippine space agency and a local aerospace dome with space flight simulators. Pushing space science
“We have very few scientists
in the Philippines. If we can bring greater consciousness of space science, then we’ll have children interested in the sciences and pursuing science careers,” Deocaris said. “When the government sees the interest in space science, maybe they can put more money into it and push for legislation,” Deocaris added. Deocaris had invited Russomano to the Philippines for a possible partnership regarding his research on the effects of microgravity on aging, and to discuss the pending local aerospace dome. Russomano is the founder of the Microgravity Center in Porto Alegre, Brazil, the first space science educational facility in Latin America. “We’re very happy to know that there are notable people like Dr. Deocaris and Dr. Russomano who are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. As we at Axe say: ‘Fortune favors the brave,’” Laforteza said. Mendoza reminded the youth that the sky’s the limit for their ambitions: “As young as you are now, keep dreaming. I am probably at half of my life, and I’m still dreaming. Work on it. Keep believing in yourself. Harness your potentials. You can do it.” ■
Philippine News
15 FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013
Aquino, Chinese... ❰❰ 6
Sea) and following the rule of law.
Multilateral approach
By all accounts, China appeared to be more open to a multilateral approach in resolving its territorial disputes with Asean members in the West Philippine Sea. “There is a renewed sense of understanding that this is an issue that must be addressed through diplomatic means,” Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa told Filipino reporters here. That understanding was evident in the mood and atmosphere in the meetings with China, Natalegawa said. Code of conduct
He said there was no debate, even whether the code of conduct should be discussed. In last year’s Asean Summit, President Aquino called out Cambodia’s President Hun Sen for removing the code of conduct discussion from the agenda. This time around, Natalegawa said that “essentially, the focus is how to ensure progress in the code of conduct between China and Asean countries.” “What we need to be working on now is to ensure that there is no gap between what is being said and what is actually happening on the sea or on the ground, and this is why the [code of conduct] is very important to ensure that we have certain expectations on how we behave at sea and that there are no misunderstandings and miscalculations,” Natalegawa said. Philippine victory
The Philippines appeared to have scored a victory at the 16th Asean-China Summit in its pursuit of a multilateral approach in resolving the territorial disputes. China had always insisted on one-onone talks with its rivals to resolve the territorial row. Besides the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan also claim territories in the sea, home to rich fishing grounds and where islets, reef and atolls are believed to be sitting on vast energy reserves. Joint statement
In a joint statement issued after the close of the Asean-China Summit, the leaders reaffirmed a commitment to following recognized principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, in resolving the territorial disputes. “We remain committed to resolving disputes peacefully in accordance with international law without resorting to threat or use of force,” the leaders said.
The statement included the leaders’ reiteration to their “commitment and strong determination to fully and effectively implement the DOC (Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea) in all its aspects.” “In this regard, we will work toward the conclusion of a COC (code of conduct) on the basis of consensus,” they said. “We will continue to strengthen the implementation of the DOC and maintain the momentum of the regular official consultations and work toward the adoption of the COC, as provided for by the DOC, so as to enhance confidence and mutual trust, and maintain peace, stability and prosperity in the region, among others,” they said. The leaders supported the development of hot line communications that will allow a quick response to “situations at sea.” Old blocks
President Aquino said the Philippines decided not to file a protest against China over Beijing’s laying concrete blocks in Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal) off the coast of Zambales province after it was discovered that the blocks appeared to be old. He said there were already barnacles on the blocks, which indicated that they have been there for some time.
PH calls for rules-based solution to sea disputes BY TARRA QUISMUNDO Philippine Daily Inquirer THE PHILIPPINES reiterated its call for a “peaceful and rules-based resolution of all international disputes” before the United Nations (UN), warning that allowing border conflicts to drag on could fuel further uncertainties in the Asia Pacific. Addressing the UN, Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN Libran Cabactulan also told the world body that the country’s arbitration bid against China would benefit the global community as it sought to ensure freedom of navigation in the critical trading route. “It is paramount for all states to contribute in creating peace, order, stability and predictability in the seas. Allowing the disputes to fester for years … will perpetuate more uncertainties; it is untenable,” Cabactulan said at a committee-level meeting on the Rule of Law of the UN General Assembly. Echoing assertions President Aquino made before the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit in
Stabilizing factor
Despite the absence of US President Barack Obama from the Asean meetings, Mr. Aquino said the United States was seen as a “stabilizing factor” in the region amid China’s rising economic and military power. Obama canceled his attendance at the Asean meetings in Bali and Brunei because of the US government shutdown. US Secretary of State John Kerry took his place at the meetings, assuring the region that the US “rebalancing” to Asia is a “commitment.” Kerry supported Asean in pressing China for the conclusion of a code of conduct in the West Philippine Sea and called on the bloc’s members and China to cooperate in resolving territorial disputes in the sea peacefully. Asked about the role of the United States in the future of Asean, which aims to integrate as a single economy by 2015, Mr. Aquino said: “They are rebalancing and they’re shifting, pivoting to our area. They’re getting involved [with Asean countries].” Growth engine
Mr. Aquino explained that the US involvement with Asean is expected, as Asia, Asean in particular, is the “growth engine for the world economy.” So, he said, “they’re linking their future, their economic future, closer to us—‘ us’ means this entire region.” ■ www.canadianinquirer.net
Brunei this week, Cabactulan said the Philippines’ legal action against China before the UN sought to ensure unhampered navigation in regional waters, where some $5.3 trillion worth of trade pass through annually. The unresolved territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), which involves China, Taiwan and Asean member-nations the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei, was a central issue in the just-concluded summit in Bandar Seri Begawan. “[The arbitration case would be] mutually beneficial to all claimant countries and to the international community as a whole. Freedom in the high seas is essential to global peace and the stability of the international economy,” said the Philippine envoy to the UN. In January, the Philippines brought China before the UN Arbitral Tribunal to clarify maritime boundaries in the West Philippine Sea, halt Chinese incursions into the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and nullify China’s “excessive” nine-dash-line claim cover❱❱ PAGE 27 PH calls
Opinion
FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013 16
THERE’S THE RUB
What’s in a name? By Conrado De Quiros Philippine Daily Inquirer FRIENDS OF mine have been asking why I haven’t written about the Social Security System. I’ve replied that my hands are tied, the case involves my brother, Emil. But after seeing the extent to which he has been savaged in the social media and the tabloids, some of the latter masquerading as TV radio stations, I figured I’ve defended so many people unfairly attacked, why in hell shouldn’t I do that for him? It seems strange that I should be writing about the SSS, or Emil, at a time when the issue against it, or him, seems to be tapering off. But I figured as well that if I didn’t, the taint would dog him long afterward. For honest people, a good name isn’t just something, it is everything. What finally clinched it for me were several idiots calling for a congressional investigation of the SSS. Investigate what? Is this a case of corruption? No. Nothing has been stolen from the SSS. Nothing is missing from the SSS. Which is the mind-boggling thing, how you can create the impression of it by the sleight of hand of linking it to the current furor over pork and other pillage. I dare the people who have been hounding Emil to show a single centavo that has disappeared, been misplaced, or is unaccounted for under his watch.
They do that and I will stop writing this column immediately. Are the benefits and/or bonuses given to the SSS employees illegal? No. These things are not given whimsically, they follow strict rules. They go through the scrutiny of the Governance Commission on GOCCs (GCG), which reviews and approves them. The benefits and bonuses given to the SSS employees who did their jobs—which is why they are called performance-based bonuses; no performance, no bonus— were reviewed and approved by the GCG. Everything was aboveboard, everything was upfront. Nobody discovered an “anomaly,” nobody exposed an “anomaly.” There is no anomaly. Are the benefits and bonuses given to the SSS employees immoral? No. But which brings us to the heart of the matter. In the case of the SSS directors/ board members, that amounts to P1 million each. Critics and intriguers have made of this a horrendously scandalous thing, particularly given that members’ contributions have been raised. That is, wittingly or unwittingly, a gross misconception. That is, maliciously or innocently, a gross misrepresentation. The SSS is not like an ordinary government office. Government offices get regular budgets every year. The truly scandalous thing is seeing some of
them scrambling to use up their money toward the end of the year lest they be seen to not really need what they have and be given less the following year. By contrast, the SSS gets contributions from its members. That is where the misconception or misrepresentation lies. Those contributions do not remain constant or unchanged, they are used the way corporations use capital—to make profit for the company. That is what makes the SSS a corporation, albeit a government one with limits and a publicservice orientation. It supports itself and its services only by making profit.
You hear someone say: ‘I will not get my salary, I will not get my bonus, I will only work for the greater glory of you,’ that’s the time to worry. That is what Emil does, and does very well. I did not, as the intriguers keep saying, cajole Malacañang into putting him in the SSS. He was recommended by the banking community after he retired as BPI executive vice president and president of Ayala Assurance, the latter earning for him various plaudits. Has he made the SSS profitable? Has he made the SSS viable? Has he put the SSS in a position to give more and better service? Yes.
I leave the SSS to show the range of services now available to members. I’ll just cite one: Where before you needed to go to Manila to check your SSS, the amounts kept changing from province to capital, you can now know it with certainty where you are. Like an ATM, it won’t change anywhere you go. As to the SSS’ performance, it collected a net income of P36.2 billion last year when the bonuses were approved (but which were released only recently, allowing detractors to link it to the current furor over pork). Compare that with P23.3 billion in 2008 (Corazon de la Paz-Bernardo’s time) and P22.8 billion in 2010 (Romulo Neri’s time). SSS contributions had to be raised a couple of years ago and will be so again next year to meet the gigantic liabilities the SSS has incurred since the 1990s. Either that or lessen the benefits to members. The latter the current SSS finds unacceptable. The bonuses for the directors and board members are fat only in relation to ripping off or goofing off, they are not so in relation to working your ass off and hitting the ball off the park. Those benefits/bonuses are nowhere near corporate ones. You can always get someone who is incompetent, or worse crooked, who can lose you hundreds of millions of pesos in bad investment, or worse billions in theft, but which you will not see. Or you can get someone who will tell you
to your face: “I do not steal, I do not laze about, I work to give SSS members a fair shake. In return I expect my people—and myself—to be shown the same fairness.” You hear someone say: “I will not get my salary, I will not get my bonus, I will only work for the greater glory of you,” that’s the time to worry. The rest is just noise. Neri Colmenares says the SSS deserves congressional attention because its performance is subpar. Quite apart from that he might want to look at his own performance—he saw no problems with pork, enjoying millions of it before it became unpopular— he may want to present facts and figures in lieu of assertions and ululations. Ted Failon complains about the bedlam in the SSS ground floor, having nothing left to rant about after Bienvenido Laguesma took him to the classroom when he invited him to his program. What, the current SSS administration created this problem? It’s been there for a long time, as he’ll know if he will bother to check before he shoots his mouth off, and is far less of a bedlam now than before. As to those harping on Emil’s trips, well, not all who travel are like congressmen, regular or partylist. Some actually work. Emil is currently in the United States attending to the SSS concerns of the Filipinos in America and Canada. What’s in a name? Everything. ■
gender-based differences born of centuries of culture and indoctrination? Even in the world’s most prosperous societies, girls and women find themselves still at the short end of the stick, victims of violence, exploited for their labor and sexuality, and deprived of education, opportunities, freedom and agency. One thing I do know, for the status of women in Azerbaijan to rise, they must begin to work with girls, to educate them, to keep them healthy, to encourage their dreams and aspirations. Currently circulating on the Internet is the “Girl Declaration” crafted by a global coalition of young women to gain support for girl empowerment and change. No less than UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon supports the declaration, saying “I have heard from girls around the world participating in the consultation for the new Girl Declaration, and in 2015 we must address the concerns and potential of the world’s girls.” “Some 250 million girls are talking,” say the organizers, “and Ban Kimoon is listening.” *** For those interested in lending their voices and efforts for the upliftment of the world’s girls, here is the “The Girl Declaration” and if you agree with the words in it, you can share your “like” through social media. Here’s hoping
our “likes” reach the right authorities! “The Girl Declaration” I was not put on this Earth to be invisible. I was not born to be denied. I was not given life only to belong to someone else. I belong to me. I have a voice and I will use it. I have dreams unforgettable. I have a name and it is not anonymous or insignificant Or unworthy or waiting any more to be called. Someday, they will say this was the moment when the world Woke up to my potential. This is the moment I was allowed to be astonishing. This the moment when my rising no longer scares you. This is the moment when being a girl became my strength, My sanctuary, not my pain. This is the moment when the world sees that I am held back by Every problem and I am key to all solutions. This is the moment when a girl and girl and girl and 250 million other girls say with voices loud that this is our moment. This is MY moment. Yes, this is the Moment. ■
AT LARGE
Girls and women By Rina Jimenez-David Philippine Daily Inquirer THERE WERE 10 candidates in the recently concluded presidential elections in Azerbaijan, where I and other Filipino journalists joined active and retired parliamentarians and government officials from around the world as election observers. Even before the polls began, a niggling problem had already presented itself. Despite the fairly large number of candidates, including incumbent President Ilham Aliyev (who eventually won almost 80 percent of the votes) and representatives from parties like the main opposition group National Council of the Democratic Forces, the Social Democratic Party of Azerbaijan and even a “self-nominated” candidate, there was one glaring lack. There was no woman candidate. A woman had once run for president about a decade ago, we were told and, yes, about 10 percent of the Parliament is composed of women. Still, the absence of a woman from the roster of candidates speaks volumes about the distance still to be gained before gender equality becomes a reality in Azerbaijan. That seems still a long way to go. The Social Democratic candidate, Araz Alizade, asked about the role of women in Azeri society, said his party believed
in “revering and respecting the role of the elderly and of mothers.” Not much comfort for a feminist, I’m afraid. But as if to counter the perception of sexism, Alizade recalled an old saying: “The man is the head (of the family) but the woman is the neck that turns the head.” We had a good laugh at that, but sobered up when next he said that his party believes in lifting the status of women, to “support and sustain” them because “mothers bring up the children.” Uh-oh. *** Still, on election day itself, I did see proof of the pivotal role that women play in Azeri society, not just as mothers and nurturers, but also as active citizens. As in the Philippines, women are the backbone of the electoral system, serving as chairs and staff of election committees, and even dominating the ranks of election observers. At public high school No. 15, we saw an all-woman board of elections running the process of voting, checking the registration of voters, ensuring that all ballots were dropped into the see-through plastic bins, and then conducting the counting and tabulation of votes at the end of the day. The lone party representative who, it seems, braved the long day, was a woman, also a teacher like the other women in the election board. Toward evening, she
was joined by other election watchers, both of them women, too. The only time I saw a man in the premises was when a representative from the central office of the elections commission arrived to collect the tabulation forms. Oh yes, plus a technician who rapped on the door to tell the election board members that one of the closed-circuit cameras had conked out and asked them to move closer to the other camera. By the time the counting ended at past 8 p.m., it seemed as if we—the
This the moment when my rising no longer scares you. foreign observers— and the women running the precinct, had become old friends, having shared a long afternoon filled with anticipation and suspense. But the women of the election board managed to keep their composure and even sense of humor. At one point, they even managed to scare up the resources to serve coffee and biscuits. *** I don’t know what lies in store for the women of Azerbaijan. Rising prosperity, mainly from oil and natural gas, has begun to “lift all boats,” but I wonder if economic security will also result in gender equity. Will material comfort begin to erase the
www.canadianinquirer.net
Opinion
17 FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013
PUBLIC LIVES
The Supreme Court’s crucial role By Randy David Philippine Daily Inquirer A LOT of vagueness attends current discussions of the pork barrel. The lack of precision in the use of terms complicates questions like: what to abolish, who has the power to abolish, and how to reform the system. The ongoing hearings at the Supreme Court have clarified the meanings of many of the terms we take for granted. It is fascinating to see how issues are differently framed by the courts, by the media, by academe, and by the antipork movement. The main question raised to the high court is not about the pork barrel system itself, which can take various forms in different countries. It is, rather, specifically about a lump-sum appropriation found in the present national budget or the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2013, a law passed by Congress. This lump-sum expenditure goes by the name “Priority Development Assistance Fund” (PDAF), from which members of Congress are allowed to draw the funds they need for their special projects. The PDAF in the 2013 budget has a remaining balance of more than P13 billion. But, the same lump-sum provision appears in the proposed 2014 budget, with P25 billion allotted to it.
In response to urgent petitions, the high court had issued a temporary restraining order on the release of the remaining PDAF for 2013. The petitioners are asking the Court to declare the fund unconstitutional on the ground that it violates the separation of powers between the legislative and executive branches of government. Prior to this, a few days before the “Million People March” at Luneta, President Aquino hastily called a press conference at which he announced that it was time to abolish the PDAF. Appearing with him in what was clearly an effort to project unanimity of intention were Speaker of the House Feliciano Belmonte and Senate President Franklin Drilon. The public was thus made to believe that the PDAF was indeed on its way to being scrapped. This is where, I think, the confusion began. Speaking for the government, Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza last week asked the Supreme Court to lift the TRO to enable the students and the sick who are listed as beneficiaries of lawmakers’ PDAF to receive the educational and medical assistance they need without delay. This prompted Justice Antonio Carpio to ask the Solgen why he thought it was still necessary to lift the TRO if the President had already abolished the PDAF. Jardeleza
had to admit that the fund was still there. Carpio then reminded him that if the PDAF is part of the GAA, and is therefore a law, then only Congress can repeal it. The Supreme Court may declare it unconstitutional, he said, but the President does not have the authority to unilaterally scrap it. Clearly, the balance from the 2013 PDAF, which is the subject of the TRO, is untouched, which is why some lawmakers are still hoping they could continue to draw from it. The
There are many things we need to unlearn about the way government works, expectations rooted in the feudal structures of our society. President may delay releases from the fund, but unless the high court pronounces it unconstitutional, the fund remains at the disposal of Congress. Congress may pass a supplementary law to satisfy public objections to the PDAF. But, at this point, given what the public has seen, no one believes that Congress is capable of coming up with anything that can protect the money from being stolen. An unequivocal ruling by the high court is therefore crucial. It would have
implications on the shape of the 2014 proposed budget, which the House of Representatives has passed on second reading. If the high court decides to treat the matter as a policy question to be settled by the political branches of government, I’m afraid this could be taken as a warrant to retain pork in the menu of Philippine politics. But, using the Constitution as a guide, our magistrates may seize this rare opportunity to lecture our politicians on the modernist values that inform our system of government. The lessons such a judicial lecture might encapsulate could include the following: (1) that the role of legislators in the budgetary process is to appropriate the funds necessary to achieve the collective purposes laid down by the representatives of the people in the national plan; (2) that, except as part of the review process of government’s performance, lawmakers must refrain from taking any interest in the actual administration of the budget after it is passed; (3) that Congress has the duty to limit lump-sum discretionary funds to the minimum necessary to take care of contingencies; and (4) that the use of public funds must always benefit the entire nation, and, therefore, social goods and services funded by public money must be accessible to every citi-
zen in accordance with a transparent and rational system of priorities and eligibility. Be that as it may, both the media and the public have already moved beyond the PDAF. They have now zeroed in on all forms of discretionary funds—particularly those under the control of the President, like the revenue from the Malampaya natural gas wells and so-called government savings. As an academic, I am astounded by the open-ended nature of the chief executive’s power over these funds. While this may be in keeping with the traditional role of the leader in our culture as chief dispenser of benevolence, it has no place in a modern political system. Indeed, there are many things we need to unlearn about the way government works, expectations rooted in the feudal structures of our society. The first of these is that leaders own government, and therefore can pass it on to their relatives as part of the family heirloom. If we, the people, are truly the boss, we do not need favors from politicians to access government. More important, we should be able to ask them at any time to account for the way they run government, and not have to wait until the next election. ■
AS I SEE IT
Why not an anticorruption summit? By Neal H. Cruz Philippine Daily Inquirer THE PORK barrel dies hard. Congressmen and senators are fighting with every trick they know to be able to keep their pork. And President Benigno Aquino III, a former congressman and senator, is also doing every trick he knows, including lying to the people, (his “boss,” he claims) to keep the pork and keep the lawmakers happy—even if it would leave the taxpayers unhappy, furious and impoverished. Everybody can see now that the pork barrel is evil and graft-ridden and the people want to be delivered from this form of thievery. The masses are doing everything they can, short of marching on Mendiola and storming the gates of Malacañang, the Batasang Pambansa, and the Senate, but the administration turns a deaf ear to them. The lure of riches is too much for it that it blinds it to what is right and what is wrong. The Million People March against the pork barrel so scared P-Noy (Aquino) that he was forced to say—to head off the march—that he has abolished the PDAF (Priority Development Assistance Fund, the polite name for the hated pork barrel), which was a barefaced lie. He abolished only the name
but not the pork itself. The pork is still hidden in the budgets of various executive departments into which lawmakers can still dip their dirty hands. Cebuanos are now preparing a people’s initiative—as suggested by former chief justice Reynato Puno who called the pork barrel “evil”—that would craft a law outlawing the pork. Several groups have filed petitions in the Supreme Court to declare the pork barrel unconstitutional, which of course the administration is fighting to the extent of lying again. When the tribunal suspended the PDAF, the administration filed a petition to lift the suspension order. During oral arguments before the Supreme Court, Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza, the government’s counsel, said that the PDAF has been “abolished,” obviously to head off a ruling of unconstitutionality by the Court. “If the PDAF has been abolished, as you claim, why are you asking us to lift the suspension?” Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio asked. Caught flatfooted, the solicitor general was forced to admit that it was not abolished totally—an admission that PNoy and his mouthpieces have been lying all this time. That’s the trouble with lying, you are caught in contradictions. Carpio lectured Jardeleza that the President cannot abolish the PDAF
because it is already a law, a lump-sum appropriation in the national budget passed by Congress. Only Congress can abolish it or the Supreme Court can declare it unconstitutional, Carpio said. The tribunal declaring the pork barrel unconstitutional would be the fastest way to end this sordid chapter in our history. But that is not 100-percent certain. The honorable justices will still have to vote on it. Already, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and Associate Justice Marvic Leonen,
The administration trumpets the ‘economic boom’ that the Philippines is experiencing, but where is that boom going? both appointees of P-Noy, have shown signs that they think otherwise. What about Congress itself abolishing it? That is like wishing for the moon. Will our greedy lawmakers abolish what is practically a gold mine for them? Even if they give in to pressure from the public, they would insert provisions that would keep the pork barrel hidden but alive in the nooks and crannies of the national budget, and most likely brazenly revive the PDAF in the future but disguised with a different name.
www.canadianinquirer.net
What about the people’s initiative? That would take too long. One million signatures have to be gathered, which the Commission on Elections still has to verify. And the Million People March, while it scared the administration in the beginning, is not having the desired effect on our public officials we, ironically, elected to their positions. So why not a manifesto against the pork barrel in particular, and against all forms of corruption in general to be drafted by business and civic associations and the captains of industry? These are the sectors that pay the most taxes, so they have the most to lose in the wholesale thievery due to corruption. Most of the money being stolen by our representatives belongs to these sectors. So they have the right to demand an end to corruption. Call it People’s Congress Against Corruption or Summit Against Corruption or any other name, but the chambers of commerce, trade associations, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, the Bankers Association, Lions, Jaycees, Rotarians, professional organizations and labor federations, etc. should send representatives to the summit. That should persuade our public officials to shun sin and tread the straight
and narrow path. These are the most respected, experienced, and knowledgeable leaders in our country. Their collective voice should shock sense and shame into the consciences of our public officials. Failing that, the next step should be a tax revolt. Without taxes, there would be no money for our officials to steal. But that would put more money in the hands of consumers who could use them to buy more of the products that our industries produce. With bigger sales, the factories and other industries would expand and employ more workers. These workers would then have money to spend on the produce that the factories turn out. The cycle will mean economic prosperity for all, not only for the capitalists as is happening now. The administration trumpets the “economic boom” that the Philippines is experiencing, but where is that boom going? Not to the people. If there is economic prosperity, why are there millions of people who go hungry, who have no jobs, no homes, and no hope? All that prosperity is going only to the capitalists, not to the masses who supply labor. In the anticorruption summit, the businessmen would be giving something back to the people. ■
FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013
18
Canada News
BC Man Involved in Nanny Human Trafficking Case Gets 18 Months Jail Time BY STELLA REYES Philippine Canadian Inquirer A VANCOUVERITE who was originally from Hong Kong, whose family is involved in a human trafficking case with a Filipina live-in nanny, has been sentenced to 18 months in jail. Justice Richard Goepel read the final sentence at the Law Courts in Vancouver, “Franco Orr has been a productive member of society with no criminal record but he must spend time behind bars in order to deter others who would violate Canada’s immigration laws.” Goepel said the Crown did not prove the nanny, Leticia Sarmiento, was subjected to humiliating or degrading treatment in the Orr residence, which would have been an aggravating factor. “Mr. Orr did profit from his employment of Miss Sarmiento due to the low-wage pay, albeit the profit was relatively modest,” the judge said. “A lack of significant aggravating factors puts this offence at the lower end of the continuum.” The judge added, “She came to Canada at the behest of the Orrs. She was misled as to her working conditions, salary and her opportunity to stay permanently in Canada.”
fine. The sentence consists of 18 months in jail for human trafficking and six months each for the other two counts, to be served simultaneously. His wife, Oi Long Nicole Huen, was acquitted of human trafficking and employing a foreign national illegally—which Justice Goepel called “a clear indication the jury did not accept all of Ms. Sarmiento’s evidence.” Nicholas Preovolos, Mr. Orr’s lawyer, said he was disappointed with the sentence and will be appealing the conviction. Reaction from the BC Premier
PHOTO FROM FACEBOOK PAGE OF LETICIA SARMIENTO
While there have been numerous cases of human trafficking convictions under the Criminal Code of Canada, Orr is the first person to be convicted of human trafficking under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The Crown had asked for a five- or six-year sentence, while defence asked for a conditional sentence of two years less a day plus a
Asked to comment on the outcome of the case during a meeting with the Filipino-Canadian media in Vancouver on Tuesday, Premier Christy Clark who worked as a professional caregiver in her early twenties said that she knows how hard it is to work in another country and not speak the language. Clark has promised to continue to build on the human trafficking office and all of the other functions of the government to make sure that British Columbia is providing a welcoming, safe place for people from around the world especially those who are start❱❱ PAGE 44 BC Man
Canada Offers Condolences to People of the Philippines Following Earthquake FOREIGN AFFAIRS Minister John Baird issued the following statement: “On behalf of all Canadians, I offer my deepest sympathies to those who have lost loved ones or have otherwise been affected by the earthquake that struck the Philippines’ central Visayas region, including Bohol and Cebu. “Canada continues to closely monitor events in the region and stands
ready to provide emergency consular assistance to Canadian citizens as required. “Canada stands in solidarity with the people of the Philippines during this difficult time.” Canadian citizens in the Philippines requiring emergency assistance should contact the Canadian embassy in Manila at (63-2) 8579000 or 1-800-1-110-0226 (tollfree within the Philippines only us-
ing a landline). Friends and relatives in Canada concerned for Canadian citizens they believe to be in the affected area should contact Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada’s 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa by calling 613-996-8885 (collect calls are accepted where available) or 1-800387-3124. They can also send an email to sos@international.gc.ca. ■
NEWS BRIEFS
RCMP REQUESTS FILIPINO-CANADIAN COMMUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN SURVEY The RCMP is interested in obtaining feedback from the Filipino-Canadian community. The information collected will further guide the RCMP’s efforts to ensure that they will meet the community’s needs. The target date for the completion of the survey is October 28th, 2013. Everyone’s involvement is key to the success of this initiative. The survey link is https://www.research.net/s/ BCRCMP_Diversity_Your-Say. FROM THE CANADIAN PRESS ALBERTA FLOOD VICTIMS IN TEMPORARY HOMES TO BEGIN PAYING RENT NOV. 15 EDMONTON—Flood victims in temporary accommodations in southern Alberta will begin paying rent next month. Municipal Affairs Minister Doug Griffiths says the province only promised rent-free living for three months to allow residents to get back on their feet following the June disaster. Payments kick in Nov. 15 and will vary depending on the number of people in a household. They will be $627 a month for one adult up to just over $1,200 for a family of four. The rent is intended to offset about 10 per cent of the province’s operating costs for accommodations, meals, utilities, TV and other services. Homeowners can apply to have rental costs covered under the province’s Disaster Recovery Program. ALBERTA’S REDFORD, B.C.’S CLARK TO MEET NOV. 5 EDMONTON—British Columbia Premier Christy Clark and Alberta’s Alison Redford are to meet next month in Vancouver to work on a joint plan to expand energy exports. The two premiers plan to talk on Nov. 5 after Redford delivers a speech to the Vancouver Board of Trade.
Canada News
19 FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013
TORONTO—The findings are startling, given years of complaints about doctor shortages and long wait times for surgeries. But a new report suggests that nearly one in six recently minted medical specialists cannot find work in their field. And one in five of the new specialists reported taking a series of short term fill-in posts— locums, in the lingo of medicine—to stay working. Physicians who reported having trouble finding work included urologists, critical care specialists, gastroenterologists, ophthamologists, orthopedic surgeons and general surgeons, though doctors from other sub-specialties were also unemployed. Steven Lewis, a health policy consultant based in Saskatchewan, suggested the report is proof reactive moves made over the last 15 years or so solved one
problem by creating another. And he said the situation the report captures will only get worse, because medical schools will continue to graduate specialists at current levels for the next few years at least. “I think we overshot the mark,” said Lewis, who was not involved in this study. “I think that there is no question that ... almost doubling medical school enrolments since the late 1990s combined with easier paths to licensure for international medical grads was the wrong thing to do. We didn’t think it through as a country.” The study was conducted for and released by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons. The principal investigator was Danielle Frechette, executive director for health systems innovation for the college. Frechette said the organization, which sets standards for physician education in the country, had been hearing anecdotes about rising numbers of unemployed doctors, so decided to assess the situation.
Lease for
86 $0 down
$
Ω
1.99 %APR
Lee Roy Jarlega
bi-weekly for 60 months. $0 Downpayment MSRP** $16,935 includes freight & PDI
Hastings St.
Gamma Ave
BY HELEN BRANSWELL The Canadian Press
2013 Civic DX
Beta Ave
New study shows 1 in six newly graduated medical specialists can’t find work
2013 CR-V LX Lease for
140 $0 down
$
Ω
1.99 %APR
bi-weekly for 60 months. $0 Downpayment MSRP** $27,630 includes freight & PDI
“KABABAYAN, SA HAPPY HONDA TAYO” WWW.HAPPYHONDA.COM
4780 Hastings Street 604 294 2111
The ensuing report, released Thursday, is based on a survey of over 4,000 newly graduated doctors and interviews with about 50 people knowledgeable about the situation—deans of medical schools, hospital CEOs and the like. The report paints a grim picture but does not recommend ways to fix it; that was not the mandate. The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons is convening a national summit in February to explore ideas for developing a co-ordinated approach to planning health system workforce needs, Frechette said. She noted a fix will not be easy. “We’re hoping that our research shows that this is not a simple issue. And
that we shouldn’t have any knee-jerk reactions, otherwise we will perpetuate this boom-bust cycle that we’ve been in. It’s like Groundhog Day,” she said, referring to the popular Bill Murray movie. Frechette suggested, however, that a national health systems workforce planning body would be an important start. Australia, Britain and the U.S. all have such an entity. The report pointed to a number of factors that have contributed to the oversupply of specialists. Poor stock market returns in recent years have meant that some older doctors—most of whom ❱❱ PAGE 23 New study
Airing 6 Days a Week on 96.1 FM on
Mon-Fri 10 -11am and Sat 11am -3p m
“Experience Vancouver’s 1st and Only Filipino Radio Programs Playing Original Pilipino Music (OPM) 6 Days a Week” and More!!!! JUAN RADIO 96.1FM with following weekday programming with DJ Babes “Ms B” Newland: MON 10:00AM—11:00AM “OPM HOT MIX MONDAY” | Current Hits and OPM Top of the Charts TUE 10:00AM—11:00AM “LOVE HITS TUESDAY” | OPM Love Hits WED 10:00AM—11:00AM “STRICTLY RETRO WEDNESDAY” | 70’s & 80’s OPM Hits THU 10:00AM—11:00AM ““POWER OF 2 THURSDAY” | Popular OPM Duet Hits FRI 10:00AM —11:00AM “OPM CROSSOVER & DANCE HITS FRIDAY” | “JUAN RADIO LIVE @10”
Bringing you your favourite OPM
Natie and Cristie Sotana
JUAN RADIO SATURDAY EDITION: 11:00AM—12:00NN IRENE “DJ I” YATCO’S OPM HOUR 12:00NN—1:00PM HEADLINE NEWS WITH GINO ECHAVEZ BALITANG SHOWBIZ WITH LADY MANGO FILIPINO-CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWS WITH FREDDIE BAGUNU
Boy Masakayan and Surrinder Varpaul
1:00PM—1:30PM BC HAPPY HOMES IMMIGRATION CORNER WITH NATIE AND CRISTIE SOTANA 1:30PM—2:00PM YAMANG PANGKINABUKASAN WITH SURRINDER VARPAUL AND BOY MASAKAYAN 2:00PM—3:00PM WEEKEND OPM POP MIX
For advertising inquiry, email us at: juanradio96.1canada@yahoo.com | Like Us on Facebook (juanradio96.1canada) | Follow Us on Twitter: juanradiocanada www.canadianinquirer.net
DJ Babes “Ms B” Newland
Irene “DJ I” Yatco
Gino Echavez
World News
FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013 20
Obama calls meeting on default threat and partial government shutdown; Reid reports progress The Associated Press WASHINGTON—Both President Barack Obama and the top Democrat in Congress reported progress Monday toward a deal to avoid a threatened default and end a two-week partial government shutdown, as Obama called for a meeting with congressional leaders at the White House to press for an end to the impasse. Congress’ failure to pass a bill temporarily funding the government led to the partial shutdown on Oct. 1, the first in 17 years. And if Congress doesn’t approve a separate measure by Thursday increasing the debt ceiling—the amount of money the government is allowed to borrow—the Obama administration says it risks default. The two normally routine pieces of legislation have become entangled in disputes over Obama’s health care overhaul and government spending. Under discussion is an increase in the debt limit so the government can continue paying its bills well into next year and a short-term funding measure that would re-open the government. Visiting a Washington charity, Obama mentioned the possible progress in the Senate and said a meeting at the White House will determine whether it’s real. The meeting was originally scheduled for Monday afternoon but was later postponed to give Senate leaders more time to negotiate. “There has been some progress on the Senate side, with Republicans recognizing it’s not tenable, it’s not smart, it’s not good for the American people to let America default,” he said while visiting a Washington charity that has retained furloughed government workers as volunteers. Otherwise, he warned, the threat of default was legitimate. “If we don’t start making some real progress both in the House and the Senate, and if Republicans aren’t willing to set aside some of their partisan concerns in order to do what’s right for the country, we stand a good chance of defaulting,” he said. After meeting twice Mon-
day with his Republican counterpart, Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid opened the Senate session by saying he was ‘very optimistic we will reach an agreement this week that’s reasonable in nature.” Moments later, Republican leader Mitch McConnell seconded Reid’s view. They spoke after what McConnell termed “a couple of very useful discussions.” While Reid said there was not yet an accord, he said he hoped to have a proposal to outline when the leaders of Congress meet with Obama at mid-afternoon. Reid and McConnell—veteran senators hardened by several budget disputes and years of negotiations—are at an impasse over yet another source of fiscal fighting: the automatic, acrossthe-board spending cuts known as sequestration and whether to undo or change them as part of a budget deal. Democrats are pressing for a higher amount of spending, while Republicans want to keep the spending at the deficit-cutting level of the 2011 law, the result of that year’s high-stakes budget battle. Officials in both parties said House and Senate negotiators would be appointed to seek a deficit-reduction agreement that could ease or eliminate a new round of automatic spending cuts scheduled to take effect in January. While the current round of cuts fell on both domestic programs and defence, the upcoming reductions would hit primarily the Pentagon. The officials said the two leaders were discussing legislation to raise the $16.7 trillion debt limit until spring. It was not clear if that would permit Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew to employ a series of steps that could add additional months to the extension, as administrations in both parties have done in recent years. In addition to raising the debt limit and reopening the government, officials said, the two leaders were discussing a possible tightening in income verification requirements for individuals who qualify for subsidies under the health care law known as Obamacare. Democrats were resisting a Republican-backed proposal
to suspend a medical device tax that was enacted as part of the health care law. The tax is widely unpopular among lawmakers in both parties, but the outcome of that disagreement remained unclear. These officials spoke on condition of anonymity, saying they were not authorized to discuss private matters. Separately, a bipartisan group led by Republican Sen. Susan Collins met for two hours Monday morning on a possible solution to the impasse. “We’re making very good progress, but there’s still many details to be worked out,” Collins said before joining her Republican colleagues at a meeting with McConnell. Unclear was whether any Senate deal would pass the Republican-controlled House by Thursday, though Senate Democrats were hoping momentum and an imminent default would pressure House lawmakers. There was no certainty that the growing anxiety among financial leaders around the world would provide the necessary jolt to Senate leaders, who represent the last, best chance for a resolution after talks between President Barack Obama www.canadianinquirer.net
and House Republican leaders collapsed. Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin said Monday that investors are growing increasingly “skittish” about the possibility of default. The bond markets were closed for a holiday, and by afternoon but the stock market rose into positive territory on the upbeat talk from Senate leaders. Christine Lagarde, the International Monetary Fund’s managing director, spoke fearfully about the disruption and uncertainty, warning on Sunday of a “risk of tipping, yet again, into recession” after the fitful recovery from 2008. The shutdown has furloughed 350,000 federal workers, impeded various government services, put continued operations of the federal courts in doubt and stopped the IRS from processing tax refunds. Some parks and monuments remain closed, drawing a protest at the National World War II Memorial on Sunday that included tea party-backed lawmakers who had unsuccessfully demanded defunding of Obama’s 3-year-old health care law in exchange for keeping the government open.
Sen. Bob Corker, a Republican, said the leaders of both parties need to be “getting on the same page.” Politically, Republicans are reeling, bearing a substantial amount of the blame for the government shutdown and stalemate. “We’re in a free-fall as Republicans, but Democrats are not far behind,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham in warning Democrats about seizing on the bruised Republican brand as leverage to win more concessions. McConnell and Republicans want to continue current spending at $986.7 billion and leave untouched the new round of automatic cuts on Jan. 15 that would reduce the amount to $967 billion. Democrats want to figure out a way to undo the reductions, plus a long-term extension of the debt limit increase and a short-term spending bill to reopen the government. The sequester cuts took effect earlier this year. They had been intended to be so onerous that they would force Washington to reach a lasting deal on government spending. But that so-called grand bargain was never reached. ■
World News
21 FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013
Explosion hits hotel in Myanmar’s main city, 1 American wounded BY ROBIN MCDOWELL The Associated Press YANGON, MYANMAR—An explosion struck one of the most prestigious hotels in Myanmar’s main city just before midnight Monday, ripping apart a guest’s room and wounding one American—one in a series of unexplained blasts to hit the Southeast Asian country in recent days. It was followed by two small explosions before dawn Tuesday in the Mandalay region, police said, adding that there were no reports of injuries. The cause of the blast in the 22-story Trader’s Hotel, located in the heart of Yangon, the country’s commercial capital, was not immediately clear. It blew out a window in the guest’s 9th floor room, shooting shards of thick glass more than 30 metres (yards) into the street, but there were no other visible signs of damage to the exterior of the building. The device apparently went off in the guest’s bathroom, scattering towels, toiletries and a red purse across the entrance way floor. A chair was overturned and part of the wooden wardrobe lifted off its hinges and lying on the ground. A 43-year-old American woman was slightly injured and taken to a Yangon hospital, police and hotel staff said. Her husband and their two children, aged 5 and 7, were unhurt. “Our consular officers in Rangoon (Yangon) have visited the U.S. citizen and are providing appropriate consular assistance,” said Sarah Hutchison, the U.S. Embassy press officer, refusing further comment due to privacy considerations. A dozen police and heavily armed soldiers with a sniffer dog entered the glitzy hotel soon after the explosion. Later, many of them crowded into the destroyed room, blocked off with yellow security tape, to inspect the damage. Others carrying assault rifles and wearing bullet proof vests strolled through the main lobby. Traders’ general manager Phillip Couvaras said in a statement that the hotel, part of the Shangri-La group, was working with authorities to investigate what happened. But “because this is an active police investigation we cannot comment further at this time,” he said. “The safety of our guests and staff are our highest priority and we are obviously monitoring the situation.” Small explosions occurred frequently when Myanmar was under 50 years of military rule, most often blamed on anti-
government student activists or armed ethnic insurgent groups. But such incidents have become rare in recent years. The country has undergone rapid change since 2011, when the former army junta ceded power to a quasi-civilian government led by retired military officers. Since then, President Thein Sein has embarked upon a series of major reforms, liberalizing the economy and the political sphere, easing censorship and freeing political prisoners. But many activists and rights groups have complained that country is still far from free, and dissent is frequently stifled. Thein Sein’s government has also struggled both to end a civil war with ethnic Kachin rebels in the north, and curb a rising wave of anti-Muslim violence that has killed hundreds of minority Muslims and displaced nearly 150,000 more in the predominantly Buddhist country since last year. No one claimed responsibility for the recent blasts, which came as the country prepares to take over the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. It will also host the Southeast Asian games in December, considered a showcase event by the government. Officials refused to say if the Traders’ explosion was caused by a bomb. But unidentified assailants planted several homemade bombs in and around Yangon in recent days, reportedly killing two people and injuring three others. The first bomb reportedly went off Friday at a guesthouse in Taungoo, a town 200 kilometres (125 miles) from Yangon, according to the independent media outlet, the Democratic Voice of Burma. It said two people were killed, but those casualties could not immediately be confirmed. On Sunday, two other homemade bombs went off in Yangon. One of the bombs, attached to the bottom of a truck parked outside a market on Yangon’s eastern side, wounded three civilians, according to a statement posted on Myanmar’s police Facebook page. Another homemade bomb exploded one at a bus stop in the west of the city, but no casualties were reported in that blast, police said. The explosions Tuesday occurred at 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. in Sagain, in Mandalay region. No further details were available. Police called on the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious packages found at bus or train stations, or at the seaport. ■ Associated Press writers Aye Aye Win, Esther Htusan and Todd Pitman contributed to this report.
The stampede killed 115 people, mostly women and children. Some were crushed to death, while others jumped off the bridge to escape and drowned. Scores more were injured. PHOTO FROM NEWS.YAHOO.COM
‘I grabbed my son and ran.’ Stampede in India kills 115 as pilgrims fear bridge collapse The Associated Press NEW DELHI—Uma Devi was halfway across the bridge when people started shouting that it was collapsing. “I grabbed my son and ran,” the distraught woman told Indian TV a day after Sunday’s tragedy in central India. “People were pushing and screaming and trying to run away from the bridge. I don’t know how I escaped.” The stampede killed 115 people, mostly women and children. Some were crushed to death, while others jumped off the bridge to escape and drowned. Scores more were injured. They were among the hundreds of thousands of Hindu pilgrims who had come to the Hindu temple in the remote town of Ratangarh in Madhya Pradesh state on the last day of a popular festival. Many bodies were pulled from the river, but officials said others may have been washed away. It was not immediately clear how many people were on the bridge when the stampede occurred, but local media said some 500,000 people visited the temple honouring the Hindu mother goddess Durga. Deadly stampedes are relatively common at temples in India, where large crowds gather in tiny areas with no safety measures or crowd control. In 2011, more than 100 people were killed at a hilltop shrine in the southern state
www.canadianinquirer.net
of Kerala. This is the second time people have died in a stampede at the exact same spot. In 2006, around 50 people died on or around the previous wooden bridge, prompting authorities to replace it with a bigger, two-lane concrete span. Adding to the chaos, police wielding sticks charged the crowd to try to contain the crowd. That prompted people to retaliate by throwing stones at the officers, said Dilip K. Arya, deputy inspector general of police, said. One officer was badly injured. Relatives crowded a state-run hospital to collect bodies and searched frantically for loved ones among the injured people being treated there. Arya told reporters Monday that 115 people had died in the stampede. He expected the toll to rise as some of the injured were in a critical condition. The state has ordered a judicial inquiry. Engineers say the bridge was not damaged, and images from the scene showed vehicles and people using the bridge after the stampede occurred. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed “deep sorrow and shock over the loss of lives” and asked local officials to help the injured and the families of the dead. “On this day of festivities, our hearts and prayers are with the victims and their families,” the prime minister’s office said in a statement. ■
Immigration
FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013 22
Report on Elderly casts Filipinos in bad light but are findings reliable? BY PROD LAQUIAN Professor Emeritus, UBC I TAKE issue with the “Filipino Elderly Wellbeing report: the plight of Filipino seniors in Canada” reported by Angie Duarte in the Philippine Canadian Inquirer, September 20, 2013 issue. It’s hard to believe, as claimed by the report that 70% of all elderly Filipinos in the Greater Toronto Area are living below the poverty line and are heavily reliant on government doles and the charity of others. The report written by Dr. Roland Sintos Coloma, Fritz Luther Pino and Frank Villanueva titled, “Life is Hard Here: the Living Conditions and Needs of Filipino Elderlies in the Greater Toronto Area” covered 250 Filipino seniors, 20 of whom were interviewed in depth. Based on
this small sample, the report concluded that “approximately 7 out of 10 Filipino elderlies in the GTA live in poverty.” It also said that elderly Filipinos primarily rely on government support for their security; housing cost is the largest expense for most of them, followed by food cost; and a sizable proportion of them rely on free or low cost health and medical services provided by community-based organizations. The report does not clearly explain how the 250 participants in the study were selected. Were they picked randomly as a representative sample or purposively drawn from individuals seeking assistance from government and community help agencies? According to the 2011 Canada Census, there were about 246,345 Filipinos in the Great-
er Toronto Area. Assuming that about 10% of these Filipinos were aged 65 and above (actually, the age pyramid for the whole Canadian population shows that 14.7% are 65 and above), there would have been 24,634 elderly Filipinos in the GTA. Were the 250 Filipino who participated in the study (1% of the cohort) selected in such a way that every person among the 24,634 elderly Filipinos was given an equal chance to be included in the sample? Obviously, if the report authors included only elderly Filipinos who went to community help centres and government welfare offices, they would have found a lot of poverty stricken respondents. Thus, extrapolating from a handpicked 250 respondents and applying the results to all elderly Filipinos in the GTA would have created
The report ignores the fact that sponsored parents and grandparents, by taking care of children, enable young migrants to enter the Canadian labour force.
serious inaccuracies. I wonder if the authors realized that because of the negative nature of their findings, the report unjustly tarnishes the reputation of all elderly Filipino Canadians in the GTA. In fairness to them, the report should have specified that the dire living conditions and needs highlighted in the report apply only to the 250 low-income elderly Filipinos studied. As it stands, the study serves
as fodder to conservatives who advocate anti-immigrant policies, especially those who target the family reunification program. In August 2013, the Fraser Institute, a conservative think tank in Vancouver published a report written by Hebert Grubel asserting that immigrants, because of their lower income, impose a financial burden of about $20 bil❱❱ PAGE 27 Report on
Are you: An Internationally Trained Professional wishing to return to your field of work in Canada? A Canadian Citizen or Permanent resident residing in BC? A recipient of foreign credentials or designations? Lacking affordable financial support to cover: Tuition fees for short-term training Professional Association Fees Qualification Assessment Examination Fees
We can HELP!
We offer a competitive low-interest loan ranging from $1,500 to $15,000! Contact us to learn more about this great opportunity.
#238- 8131 Westminster Hwy, Richmond, BC V6X 1A7 604-232-1100 fcrloaninfo@success.bc.ca www.success.bc.ca/FCRloan Funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Pan-Canadian Innovations Initiative
www.canadianinquirer.net
Immigration
23 FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013
New study... ❰❰ 19
must finance their own pension plans— have delayed retire-
some low hanging fruit—problems that should be relatively easy to address. For instance, her study noted there are jobs going for the asking. And yet while it seems inconceivable in the era of Craigslist and LinkedIn, doctors are having a hard time finding these “help wanted” ads. “Our research did discover that there are a lot of people who can’t find jobs, including orthopedic surgeons who would gladly go to where the jobs are, but they don’t know where they are,” she said. L e w i s said there are some other adjustments the system should consider. One is shortening the period of time it takes to train a specialist, which would allow planners to adjust the course more quickly if it appeared that a glut of doctors was forming. “If your whole life is going to
ment. And there has been a realignment or rationalization of tasks in health care, with nurses and physician assistants taking on responsibilities that were once left to doctors, freeing them up to do some tasks that used to fall to specialists. That effect, which Lewis called sensible, will only accelerate as less invasive treatments are brought on line. For instance, angioplasty—opening blocked cardiac arteries with balloons and stents—has replaced many open heart surgeries to bypass blocked arteries. Lewis suggested the cycle of training specialists—which typically takes about nine years—is out of sync with the cycle of assessing future medical system requirements. “Forecasting health human resource needs more than three or four or five years out is a fool’s game, because medical science changes, health needs can change, technology can change and so on.” But Frechette said there are
be doing hip and knee replacements, I think one can question whether it should take nine years of training,” he said. Another suggestion involves sharing the wealth. He said it isn’t uncommon to hear of small communities where patients have to wait to see a specialist—but the three specialists in town aren’t keen to let a fourth hang a shingle. “I think the one thing that’s clear is there won’t be a spontaneous solution that employs all of these new doctors e f f e c t i v e l y. Somebody has to make room for them,” Lewis said. “And there have to be some policy and practice changes that will make sure that the vast majority of the new entrants find a useful home in the system without driving up system costs unreasonably.” ■
Protests planned across southern Ontario over migrants’ “arbitrary” jailing The Canadian Press
90-day limit to hold migrants pending deportation, and full legal aid access for detention reviews. Migrants in the Lindsay jail have been on “strike” since Sept. 17 to protest their treatment, with some hunger striking to demand better conditions. “We have been here on hunger strike because what immigration has done is not right,” said migrant Ayad Alshmmar, who’s jailed in Lindsay. Alshmmar has been there five years and eight months, during which time he says he’s been diagnosed with cancer. “They know I have cancer, but they don’t care about it,” Alshmmar said of immigration officials. “I said you guys put me in jail and I am sick. In this situation you have to do something. You have to release me to my freedom,” he said in a release. ■
TORONTO—Rallies are planned across southern Ontario today to protest what activists say is the unfair detention of nearly 200 migrants at a provincial jail. The group End Immigration Detention says 191 detainees ordered deported are being kept locked in cells for up to 22 hours a day at the Central East Correctional Centre in Lindsay. It says some of the migrants have been held for years in what it calls “arbitrary” detention because they can’t be sent back to their home countries. The group says protests and other events are scheduled in Guelph, Kitchener, Lindsay, London and Toronto. It says migrants should never be held in maximum-security detention. It’s also calling for a
SERBISYONG
PA N G M ATA G A L A N TEAM
TEAM
TEAM
West Broadway 604-736-6121
MCE Warehouse 604-279-1544
Richmond 604-279-1542
TEAM
TEAM
Surrey 604-588-1975
Main Street 604-874-5571
HANDANG MAGLINGKOD SA INYO NG MATAGALAN Edmonton Northtown Mall (inside T&T) (780) 478-7352 Winnipeg 1(888) 947-7376
Manila Express R E M I T TA N C E
A N D
Isabel St. (204) 947-5888
C A R G O
www.manila-express.ca
www.canadianinquirer.net
Calgary 1 (877) 502-7376 5th Street (403) 264-1100 Westwind Cres (403) 387-0022 36 St (inside T&T) (403) 452-3600
Toronto 647-352-7376 North York 416-635-7376 Scarborough 416-299-8282
New Regina Office 1201 Osler St. 306-352-9922
Seen & Scenes
FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013 24
PHILIPPINE EMBASSY OUTREACH MISSION IN ATLANTIC CANADA
PASKO NA NAMAN!
The Philippine Embassy in Ottawa conducted consular outreach missions to the Atlantic provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia from 2 to 6 October 2013. The outreach missions were held in the cities of St. John’s in Newfoundland and Labrador and at Halifax in Nova Scotia, the latter being undertaken in parallel with the Economic Diplomacy Mission of Team Philippines in Canada.
Pasko na Naman! (It’s Christmas Again) featuring “Rosario Strings an held on November 23, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at the UBC Asian Centr more photos, please see page 46.
More than 500 people, more than 100 at St. John’s and above 300 at Halifax, availed themselves of the outreach service. The outreach team was led by Consul Porfirio Mayo, Jr. with Consul Flerida Mayo and Embassy staff Edna Pataunia, Merlita Halili. Josephine Gonato and Jerome Ilagan.
FJCC MEMBERS IN JERUSALEM
Pastor Teck Uy (1st from left) is shown in photo together with some of the Friends of Jesus Christ Canada (FJCC)after participating in the Israel, recently which was attended by thousands of Christians all ove Service, Romy Zetazate
LOPEZ QUEZON ASSOCIATION THANKS ALL THE SUPPORTERS
CONSULTATIONS AND ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY WORKSHOP IN HALIFAX Ambassador Leslie Gatan spearheaded all of Team Philippines in Canada – comprising all resident and non-resident Philippine diplomatic and consular officers covering Canada, in converging in the historic and emergent city of Halifax to conduct its annual policy and program planning workshop from 3 to 5 October 2013 and a consular outreach mission for Filipino nationals in Atlantic Canada at the Halifax World Trade and Convention Center.
Ms. Sena Flores, president of the Lopez Quezon Association of Toronto, thanked all the supporters of the ANCOP for their continuing efforts to sustain and maintain the housing project which will benefit the poor sector of the Philippines during the Feast of the Rosary which was held at the QSSIS Banquet Hall, Markham, Toronto, Ontario. Romy Zetazate, St. Jamestown News Service
The first ever Philippine Honorary Consular Office in Nova Scotia also formally opened in the city with Mr. Sean Sears, of the Ogden Pond Group, and Mrs. Elizabeth Eustaquio-Domondon, past President of the Filipino Association of Nova Scotia, taking on the role of Honorary Consul General and Honorary Vice-Consul respectively. Together, they will be facilitating engagements between the Philippines and Nova Scotia in the long-term.
For photo submissions, please email info@canadianinquirer.net. www.canadianinquirer.net
Seen & Scenes
25 FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013
nd Christmas Memories� will be re auditorium. For the article and
members of the congregation e Jerusalem March in Jerusalem, er the world. St. Jamestown News
SSS BRIEFING UPAABC HOLDS THANK YOU PARTY FOR CONGEN AMPESO Members of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in British Columbia (UPAABC) recently held a Thank You party for outgoing Consul General Jose A.P. Ampeso for his dedication to the Fil-Canadian community in Vancouver.
www.canadianinquirer.net
Philippine Social Security System held its SSS Briefing and On-site Services in Vancouver, BC on Oct. 13, 2013 at St. Patrick Parish Hall in cooperation with the Philippine Consulate General Office. Guest speaker was SSS Pres. & CEO Emilio de Quiroz, Jr. (in photo) Photos courtesy of Wilfredo Bagunu
FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013 26
GLOBAL FILIPINO
Francisco Mañosa’s ‘lonely’ crusade for a truly Filipino architecture
BY CONSTANTINO C. TEJERO Philippine Daily Inquirer THERE HAVE been only four National Artists for Architecture—Juan Nakpil, Pablo Antonio, Leandro Locsin and Ildefonso Santos—since the award was created in 1972, one would think the country has a dearth of world-class Filipino architects. By the time four years ago the Order of National Artists of the Philippines poised to elevate to its ranks a fifth architect, Francisco “Bobby” Mañosa, hullabaloo ensued. The list of nominees had none for Architecture that year, so Malacañang reportedly asked the Professional Regulations Commission for a name, thus Mañosa was nominated. A stellar name in his field for over five decades, Mañosa wouldn’t have imagined his name dragged into the mess. The man has made a lifelong cause of “Philippine architecture for Filipinos.” Called the most outspoken champion of indigenous Filipino architecture, he has been pushing for years to the international scene what is known as Contemporary Tropical Filipino Architecture. Now 82, and despite a heart condition, he still goes to office in Parañaque City, does on-site inspections of ongoing projects out of town, and his calendar is full for the week, as his secretary attests. Typical structure
The germ of Mañosa’s design philosophy lies in the observation that distinguishable structures such as the pagoda, the villa, the chateau and the chalet are identified with cer-
LANTANA Lane, the three-storey, four-bedroom, 14-unit residence in New Manila, is the latest masterpiece designed by the venerable architect (right) PHOTOS BY JOHN DANIEL HIRRO
tain countries and specific cultures, so it follows that our local architecture must have some structure that typifies it. Mañosa found it in the nipa hut, or bahay-kubo. He explains: “When Ferdinand Magellan came to the Philippines, he saw firsthand the bahay-kubo. Today, nearly 500 years later, drive 1 km away from the city and you will see the very same home design. Why? Because the design works—for our climate, environment, culture. It is a house with no formal architect and yet it is designed with a deep understanding of our living condition.” But since Filipinos, ever the imitators, want their houses to look like those they’ve seen abroad, overseas contract workers come home and start building structures that should better have nestled in the Alps
or the Pyrenees. That was what prompted Mañosa to do “Philippine architecture for Filipinos,” and inspired him to modernize the bahaykubo by “infusing today’s design strategies, materials and technology yet retaining its distinctive design elements.” To preserve the unique characters of our indigenous arts and crafts, he integrates into his high-tech structures such native materials as bamboo, coconut lumber, thatch, rattan, capiz shell, sawali, banig, ethnic textiles, combined with marble, metal, hardwood, concrete, glass. This design strategy is exemplified by Tahanang Pilipino at the CCP Complex, popularly known as the Coconut Palace. Designing Filipino
“I’ve been designing Filipino because interpreting Filipino design is beautiful and can
www.canadianinquirer.net
stand at par with other worldclass designs,” he enthuses. He turns down clients who won’t take his proposal to use designs inspired by Philippine culture. He made good his words five years ago by constructing his own house based on that philosophy. Known as the BahayKubo Mansion, the Mañosa residence in Ayala Alabang Village is the ultimate showcase of Contemporary Tropical Filipino Architecture. While many architects emphasize functionality in the built-form art, he seamlessly welds function and form in his structures. These range from residences to churches, commercial and institutional buildings, landmarks and resorts; even to the development of the Quezon Memorial Circle; or the restoration of historical places such as the Las Piñas church,
the Nielson Tower, Corregidor. A Mañosa structure is easily recognizable by its distinctive look. It is often inspired by indigenous forms and constructions, such as the salakot (gourd hat, as in the Coconut Palace roofing); the vinta (Moro sailboat, as in the defunct Sulo Restaurant in Makati); the native dwelling (Samal house at Pearl Farm off Davao City); even the rice terraces (San Miguel Corp. building at Ortigas Center in Mandaluyong City). Other notable Mañosa structures include the Shrine of Mary Queen of Peace, or Edsa Shrine; Mary Immaculate Parish Church; The Medical City; De La Salle Zobel School; Ateneo Professional School; Assumption College Chapel; Amanpulo; Shangri-La Mactan; the stations of the Light Rail Transit. Artistic temperament
The man possesses an innate creativity. He had wanted to study music in college, being “naturally gifted as a oido pianist,” until his father urged him to take up architecture instead at University of Santo Tomas. That early, one can deduce the artistic temperament. He is the second of three architect brothers (with eldest Manuel Jr. and youngest José) who gained prominence in the ‘70s. They managed the architectural firm Mañosa Brothers and Associates for over two decades, until he established his own firm, Francisco Mañosa & Partners, with two other architects in 1976. Thirty years later, a branding decision to change the firm’s partnership status turned it into a corporation, Mañosa & Co., Inc. Architect son Gelo is
27 FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013
now CEO and daughter Bambi heads its Interior Design; while son Dino manages the family’s real-estate company. The father stays as board chair and chief creative officer. And the premise of its design philosophy remains: “The practice of architecture today is much more than determining the relationships of spaces— how human requirements, such as working, eating, sleeping, playing, traveling and worshipping, are creatively handled to meet different needs. Architecture is no longer the sole practice of creating buildings.” Interview with ‘Bobby’ Mañosa
Francisco
What are you into these days? Today I am the chairman of the board [of Mañosa & Co.] and my three children now run the day-to-day operations of what I have started. “Chairman of the board” means I have the time to be a full-time grandfather to my seven grandkids. I also have the time now to travel with my wife Denise. Mañosa & Co., the organization I started 38 years ago, is now headed by my architect son Gelo and my interior-designer daughter Bambi. Gelo is a respected “green” architect in his own right. My other son, Dino, founded and heads the real-estate company of the family, Mañosa Properties, which is focused on boutique developments, and still maintaining our Mañosa design philosophy of “Contemporary Filipino green architecture.” Both firms are still winning awards and recognition under the leadership of my children, for their pioneering designs and works. I am very proud and grateful that all my children are just as passionate and enthusi-
astic about the practice as I was at their age. We are all aligned in waking up every morning to celebrate Filipino pride by showcasing our style of Philippine architecture and design. What are your latest projects? We have very exciting projects, some 40 projects right now on board. From residential to resorts to museums to buildings to religious projects. Bambi has begun designing and selling bespoke-furniture designs, with the Mañosa brand, for select clients. We are now able to reach out and spread the design philosophy to more people, making them appreciate the beauty of Philippine architecture. When and how did your bahay-kubo concept start? I believe it’s always been there from the start. I would say it was a host of influences in my life. My father [Manuel Sr., first Filipino sanitary engineer] was always one who reminded us, “Love your country as it’s the only one you’ll ever have,” despite his father being a Spanish immigrant. In UST, there were a few classmates of mine who had the same line of thinking, like [National Artist for Architecture] Lindy Locsin and [interior-design pioneer] Willy Fernandez. I was quite consistent in my thinking and philosophy about pushing the envelope of Philippine architecture. I can say I have never done anything but Filipino architecture, and have turned down countless projects because we were misaligned with this philosophy. I have no regrets. How did the concept evolve? The concept here is that the bahay-kubo is a house with no
architect, yet all the elements work the way they should. The high-pitched roof with long eaves protects you during the rainy season by allowing rain to quickly run down, and during the summer allows the hot air to rise and dissipate from the light materials. It’s a one-room house where cooking, entertaining and sleeping happen. The large windows allow cross-ventilation, and the indigenous materials that it is made of are affordable and easily replaceable. The local edible landscape surrounding the house becomes part of the dwellers’ diet, as well as further protecting the home from the solar-heat gain. What we do is to look into our past at the bahay-kubo and study the elements of this house to look for inspiration and design—interpret them with today’s materials and technology to last well into the future. How wide is its influence these days? I honestly cannot say how this concept or I have influenced people, but I do wish it has in a positive way. I can say that it has at least definitely influenced all who have passed through my office, and my children who will continue to carry on this truth. This crusade has been many times a very lonely one, but in the end a truly satisfying one. Any advice for our young architects? I hope they can all be proud Filipinos and practice Philippine architecture. It is their job to help guide their clients in appreciating our culture. I hope they can love their country above all, and help it however way they can through their craft as proud Filipino architects. ■
INTERIORS. Luxury, elegance, and the signature Filipino touch CCP Complex, popularly known as the Coconut Palace.
www.canadianinquirer.net
PH calls... ing almost all territories in the contested waters. China has rejected the proceedings, but the arbitration continues as the Philippines is set to file a comprehensive memorandum detailing the merits of its case by March 2014. Meanwhile, Chinese intrusions continue in the disputed waters, with its ships known to be going back and forth in shoals within Philippine EEZ. In addressing the UN, Cabactulan said the Philippines’ actions pertaining to the dispute were guided by dispute settlement provisions of the UN Charter and the 1982 Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of Inter❰❰ 15
national Disputes. He also cited provisions of “the constitution for the oceans,” the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), which the Philippines had invoked in filing the arbitration case. “A coastal state’s maritime entitlements are only those established by Unclos. No country should make expansive and excessive maritime claims in violation of international law particularly Unclos,” Cabactulan said, in tacit reference to China. The Philippines earlier accused China of a military buildup in the West Philippine Sea amid continuing incursions into the country’s established maritime boundaries. ■
Report on... lion a year on Canadian taxpayers. The ruling conservative party seems to be listening to such anti-immigrant demands. In May 2013, then Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney announced new restrictions for sponsoring parents and grandparents to ensure that these elderly immigrants do not end up on welfare or social housing. One wonders what the motivations were for conducting this study. Were immigration reforms expected by highlighting the “hard life” of Filipino seniors in the GTA? If so, the study may likely achieve the opposite effects. The high poverty level depicted and the heavy reliance on government subsidy and charity of community groups described serves to buttress the claims of anti-immigrant groups (like the Fraser Institute) that immigrants, like Filipinos, are a burden to Canadian society. Worse, the study supports the demand of anti-immigrant lobbyists that the sponsorship ❰❰ 23
of parents and grandparents be stopped completely. It ignores the fact that sponsored parents and grandparents, by taking care of children, enable young migrants to enter the Canadian labour force. Worst of all, the report does grave injustice to the majority of first generation Filipino immigrants in Toronto who came as highly respected professionals 50 years or so ago and who are now prosperous senior citizens and should not be lumped together with those living in poverty. Because of its negative findings (probably arising from the use of questionable research methodology), the study has a devastating effect on the overall image of Filipinos in Canada. It is widely acknowledged that Filipinos, as the third largest group of recent immigrants in Canada, are generally well regarded as they work hard, pay their taxes regularly, shun being on welfare, and integrate seamlessly into Canadian society. This study casts Filipinos in a bad light and makes them appear as undesirable immigrants. ■
FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013
28
oob Search
Surviving the job hunt BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer THE JOB Hunt. I can think of few things more intimidating. In today’s general economic climate of uncertainty, the phrase has taken on an even more overwhelming meaning. Couple that with an ever-increasing competitiveness in the fields of skill, expertise and education, and you have yourself a seemingly immovable mountain before you. Plus, if you are “of a certain maturity”, the situation becomes all the more nervewracking. Imagine: Sitting in the waiting room; one of many in line. Only everyone else is bright-eyed, bushy tailed, and half your age. Shudder the thought. Been there, done that. Would be happy to never have to do it again. It is, however, one of life’s necessary evils. Or, to put a more positive spin to it, one of life’s building blocks: A tool towards achievement, if you will. Unless you belong to those born with the proverbial silver-spoon, happily being fed by your friend Mr. Trust Fund, you may be able to put these job hunting tips to good use: 1. Focus. Know what it is you really want. It is much better to aim at your target, job-wise, than to shoot blind, hoping you hit something. Refine your job search from there. Knowing what you want enables you to narrow your search and devote valuable time and effort
towards applying for the positions you really want. 2. Know your strengths. Take a good, hard look at yourself and know your strengths, skills, talents and passions. What drives you? Where do you excel? Knowing these will make it easier for you to refine your job search and find the right job fit for you. 3. Set Goals. Determine how much time each week you will set aside for the job hunt. This is usually a time-consuming process, and it will work to your advantage to establish your goals prior to setting out. Be proactive in your search, and don’t give up when responses take a while to get back to you. 4. Start with a winning résumé. Target your résumé to highlight specific skills that will give you a one-up in the specific job for which you are applying. Do not embellish or make things up (this is a big no-no, and could get you in a very sticky situation down the road), but do make sure to emphasize areas that are complementary to the position you seek. My résumé reads like a recipe for chop-suey—including everything from modeling to pastoring a church youth group to writing, and lots more in between—and I am careful to taper it accordingly each time I send it out. Do consult sites with tips on building an effective résumé, as this is often the first impression a company will have of you. 5. Get yourself out there. Online avenues allow you to effectively promote yourself,
so do not hesitate to use these to your advantage. Build your “brand” up via Twitter, Facebook, etc. If you are the creative type, start a blog. Sell your skills with no apologies. The net is also an invaluable tool for networking, and is one that most everybody has access to, these days. Many job opportunities are made available through your network of peers, and their network, and so on. Take advantage of these opportunities and referrals online. Get yourself “validated” from your peers and those in your network—through peer reviews, feedback, references. This is crucial these days in landing your desired job. 6. Be the hunted. Submit your résumé to headhunters and various job-placement companies. As focused as we are on searching for a job, we sometimes forget that employers are searching for employ-
ees, as well. Make it easier for them to find you by going to the places employers rely on to help fill their vacancies. 7. Put you best foot forward. When interview day rolls around, ace it. Dress appropriately. Smile, enough to come across as pleasant, but not too much that you appear unstable. Be professional: Arrive promptly. Be prepared: Know your details, rehearse your answers, bring copies of your curriculum vitae or résumé. 8. Follow-up. Don’t let your application fall through the cracks. Unless otherwise indicated on the job posting, it is acceptable to follow-up on your application ( just not 10 times a day, please). Allow a few days to pass after submission. Also keep in mind that proper etiquette allows for up to three follow-ups; including by phone and email. 9. Don’t lose hope! Even if
you are the most mature in every single waiting line, do not lose heart. Patience and perseverance will eventually pay off, so do not give up! The day you decide to quit may very well be the day that something good finally turns up. 10. Activate the natural cycle of sowing and reaping. The world works on the principles of sowing and reaping. You see this in nature, and in almost every aspect of life on Earth. Activate this cycle in the area of your job hunt: Give freely of your time and talent—help others, volunteer when you can. Do these without ulterior motives; from a free and willing heart. These are the seeds you sow towards reaping a harvest in the area of your talents and skills. What goes around, comes around; whether you believe it or not, it eventually does. Put this to the test, and watch good things come your way. ■
Job Search
29 FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013
The cost of opportunity BY MELISSA REMULLABRIONES Philippine Canadian Inquirer OPPORTUNITIES APPEAR not to those who wait, but to those who look. The problem is, not everyone looks. Most sit on their divans and wait for the apple to fall, although there is no tree around. Okay, sometimes there is—outside—but most of the time, the leaves are not even ruffled by the wind. And these people—they wonder—why isn’t there anything happening in my life? When the cost of opportunity is nominal, a pittance. It can be bought by small talk, an exchange of looks, or a simple email. But there has to be a dash of audacity, daring, bravura. You only need a window— an opening that will give you glimpse of what is beyond —the something that is out there, and good, and waiting for you. You also need a sprinkling of imagination to spur you on so you can take the first step.
And the second, and the third. But some of the time, you do not even need a window—you can find or create opportunity. Here are some ways: 1. Get yourself out there. Socialize. Somewhere in that sea of people could be your shot at making it. It could be the classmate that looks as innocent (clueless) as you do, or the teacher himself (though you think you are brighter than him), or the little guy at the party (who has got big ideas), or the mom of your son’s classmate (who is a supermom), or a schoolmate from long ago you found again through Facebook (who is a marketing genius). Talk to them, try to get to know them, find common ground. Look for that window. Zoom in on what they are doing now, on what you perceive as their strengths, and how they can possibly benefit you, and you them. This latter part is important—because you also have to put something on the table. Which brings me to the next tip. 2. Attain a level of expertise. On anything. I know of someone who is an expert on Ex-
cel—the worksheet with all the formulas that 80% of us cannot even begin to comprehend. He lives in Singapore with his family rent-free in a three-floor house, with living expenses and school expenses and transportation provided for. His income is net income in all the sense of the word. Just because he mastered Excel. 3. Think out of the box. Instead of following the trends, of doing what has been proven to work, look instead for untapped markets. Internet marketing alone has a wealth of untapped markets to, well, tap—i.e., the baby boomer generation (age 50 or over), free e-book submission services, automobile lovers. Who ever thought pictures of cats in various stages of leisureliness (icanhascheeseburger.com) or mailing secrets anonymously through a homemade postcard (postsecrets. com) could generate so much buzz and so much money/opportunity? And “markets” can mean not only demographics, i.e., the female economy, the disabled (cars for the vision impaired, for example),
www.canadianinquirer.net
the geeks—but also geographic locations. For example, there probably is no broadband or internet access, or clean/potable water in the south of something. The opportunities are here and they are limitless. But there is a final step in this journey to opportunities. It is being the opportunity. A teacher in my Registered Financial Planning class said that “the measure of success is not riches, but by the number of employment—of opportunities—you have generated.” Here’s a thought from the Napoleon Hill: Are you waiting for success to arrive, or are you going out to find where it is hiding?
The poet John Milton’s words, “They also serve who only stand and wait,” may be both profound and genuine, but the true riches of life are far more likely to accrue to those who actively go out and seek them. Seldom does success come marching in accompanied by a brass band in full regalia. More often, it’s achieved by those who labor long and hard. Take the initiative, and you will create your own opportunities. There is no substitute for action backed up by a well-thought-out plan. Find the opportunity. Or make the opportunity. And then be the opportunity. ■ editor@canadianinquirer.net
Job Search
FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013 30
Conquering career fairs: Tips for individuals on how to approach mass job hunt BY LAUREN LA ROSE The Canadian Press WHETHER THEY’RE held in malls, on campuses or in convention centres, career fairs offer a one-stop shop for job seekers to connect with multiple recruiters under one roof. Yet with the prospect of meeting dozens of employers, some may be unsure how to tailor their typical approach within a large-scale setting. How can individuals prepare for career fairs and distinguish themselves among a crowded crop of equally eager job-seekers? Here are a few tips. 1. Determine the motivation for attending. It seems obvious and inherent in the event title: job fairs are for landing jobs, right? Well, not necessarily for everyone— or at least not initially. Patsy Valenzuela is the supervisor of career and employment development at Mount Royal University in Calgary. The school organizes smaller, program-specific networking events during the year in addition to a campus-wide fair in March for students seeking summer, full-time and graduate-level employment. While securing a job may be the ultimate goal, Valenzuela said some people may have other motivations for attending fairs at first, like trying to gather more information about a particular company or their field of interest. “It could be more of an exploration—you just want to build some contacts, or for some people, you just want to practise some interview skills and meeting people,” she said. “That’s a really great way to do that because it’s a safe environment where you can practise networking and introducing yourself and all of those techniques. “I think if you’re a job seeker, it’s important to know what is your goal in attending, and what do you want to get out of attending, and then prepare accordingly.” Valenzuela said job seekers also need to consider that while most employers in attendance are actively recruiting, there
are some who stake out a presence for branding purposes or to raise awareness about potential future opportunities— even if there are no vacancies at present. 2. Do your research. Readying for job fairs should be a similar process to gearing up for an interview—which includes coming dressed to impress, noted Eric Boutie, founding president of National Career Event, which organizes job fairs. “Preparation is key to participation in the fair, because you have to check before you come what kind of exhibitors are on site, and what kind of positions are open from the different companies. You have to research before coming,” said Boutie, whose organization will host four career fairs at the Montreal Congress Centre on Wednesday and Thursday and a virtual student fair beginning next January. Boutie said the feedback he receives from recruiters stresses the importance of both a candidate’s technical background or qualifications as well as his or her attitude to help ensure a good fit between the company philosophy and the character and competence of the job seeker. Being aware of the exhibitors on hand and jobs available— which will likely be posted in advance—can help potential applicants better focus their efforts, said Valenzuela. “It’s about deciding who you want to target because it’s going to be impossible to target everybody,” she said. “If you’re specifically targeting certain types of positions, then you can do that research ahead of time. Then, you can customize your resume accordingly based on that targeted approach.” While career experts generally recommend tailoring each cover letter and resume for individual applications, that can be more challenging when meeting with multiple prospective employers simultaneously. Valenzuela said it’s a good idea to bring copies of your resume that are industry-specific rather
than job-specific. “The reality is, though, a lot of em- ployers may not be collecting resumes at the time. So another strategy is to have a conversation (about): ‘How can I follow up with you to discuss this position? Where can I submit my resume? What’s the best way to do it?’ “To actually find out what they’re looking for—that’s the whole point of having that conversation. Getting a business card, getting a website and then following up and applying later,” she added. “You don’t always have to apply on the spot, especially if you’ve found out about something that’s relevant that your resume doesn’t match it exactly.” 3. Have an “elevator speech” ready. The elevator speech is a personal marketing tool of sorts, designed to offer a brief introduction containing key details www.canadianinquirer.net
about your educational or professional background. “It’s very important—either a little elevator speech about who you are and what you’re looking for, or a great introduction around asking them what you want to know,” said Valenzuela. “‘So (for example): ‘I’m Joe Smith, and I’m a fourth-year business student. And I understand from your website you have a lot of good business positions. Would you be able to tell me about some that would be good for a (fourth)-year student or soon-to-be-graduate?’ “So, you have little speeches available so that you can just get into that conversation.” 4. Keep your ears open. Busy exhibitor booths can leave individuals idling as they wait to speak with designated representatives. But Valenzuela said the time spent queuing up for a chance to chat can still be put to effective use. “There’s a lot to be said for listening and watching as well. There’s a lot of times where there’s lineups and you definitely don’t want to interrupt, but you might get a lot out of the information coming out of those conversations—informa-
tion you can use,” she
said. “Definitely take notes because the fairs are busy. There’s so many people, so many conversations, you might not remember who you spoke to or what information you learned. So it’s going to be really important to take notes and to follow up on some of those pieces of information that you’ve gathered. And for some of it, it might just be a lead or somebody’s name.” 5. Follow through with the followup. So, you’ve survived the job fair, but the work is not over, especially if you’re still keen on applying for a position. When looking to reconnect with recruiters, Valenzuela suggested the possibility of sending a thank you note following the fair. Another option when submitting a cover letter with your formal application is to refer back to the date of the initial meeting. “It’s important for people to know there are so many strategies that you can use, but you have to evaluate each time: ‘What’s going to be the best strategy for me to use in this case with this employer with this company?”’ ■
Job Search
31 FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013
Some freelancing tips BY KATHERINE MARFALTEVES Philippine Canadian Inquirer FREELANCING IS not for the faint of heart. Salaries, well, are not salaries in the usual sense of the word. The income from it, although larger than a regular salary (because the non-committal relationship would allow the freelancer to work for several companies at the same time), may not be regular, or stable. In fact, the freelancer has to run after that next gig to ensure he will be covered for the coming months. And there are little or no benefits (forget health benefits, sick leaves, vacation leaves). However, according to Freelancers.com, the number of freelancers around the world continues to increase due to “economic crises and unstable job markets worldwide”. And there are unique perks, such as having your own work schedule, being your own boss and working with your passion. Here are some tried and tested tips from professional freelancers: 1. Build your website. Seasoned freelancers believe that a website of your own can bring your freelance career farther as most clients are online 24 hours a day. Make sure that it will be highly visible by sharing it with your friends and colleagues. 2. Make your presence felt online. You can promote your credentials by sharing your knowledge online. You can write an article and answer questions in online forums and other online sites. What’s most important is you let potential clients know that you have the knowledge that can be useful to their business. 3. Socialize offline. Though, it is true that online presence
is a huge factor in your being a freelancer, being visible offline also plays a crucial role as some clients want to meet freelancers in person. You can socialize by joining a community of freelancers who either play golf or hold a forum every weekend. There are some freelancers who got their first few clients by going out with colleagues. You can also join general business groups like the local chamber of commerce or other local business organizations. 4. Prioritize the local market. As you get your hands full in looking for international markets, you might ignore potential clients right at your own town or the town near you. Make your options open to them as well as it might be an easier transaction to close. 5. Seek referrals. If your service was unfortunately not hired by a certain client, don’t lose hope because you can still ask for referrals. Make it a habit to distribute your business cards to all your clients; you never know—they might know someone who needs your service. 6. Give fair rates. As you are just building your name, you must price your service reasonably. If you quote too high, you might end up losing potential clients right away. 7. Be active in social media. Apart from your website, you must also have a professional looking profile on Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn and Twitter. 8. Don’t give up. By now, you may have faced a baker’s dozen of rejections from potential clients, but don’t worry because majority of freelancers around the globe are on the same boat. The trick is to never give up. Build your portfolio, market yourself more and continue feeding yourself with knowledge and necessary skills to keep you afloat in the freelance industry. Be brave. Don't despair. Remember the perks. Who knows, freelancing may be your ticket to that wonderful, happy future. ■
Nailing It: How to Ace that Job Interview BY CHING DEE Philippine Canadian Inquirer ON THE hunt for your dream job? Or at least just trying to find a pleasant change of pace, a more profitable employment, or a job that will let you keep the rest of your sanity? I’m sure you’ve poured hours and hours editing your resume, making sure it looks—the font, the format, the kind of paper you printed it on—and reads great, keeping in mind that a great resume should highlight your credentials and make your “weaknesses” look like commendable areas for improvement. “There isn’t as much room for failure when it comes to hiring,” Chicago-based staffing agency LaSalle Network CEO Tom Gimbel told CNN Money. We understand finding a job can be hard and quite arduous, even nerve-racking. With hundreds of applicants vying for the same job with almost the same qualifications, it can get a little tense. So, you’ve sent your resume and got the call for your initial interview. Nervous? Don’t be. You got this. Here are a few tips about acing that interview from CNN Money, Forbes, and Money Magazine. Practice Your “On Cam” Skills
In an OfficeTeam poll, 63% of Human Resources managers said they conducted initial interviews via Skype and other online platforms. In 2012, only 14% of HR managers used online resources.
www.canadianinquirer.net
Put your best foot forward and familiarize yourself with Skype or the chosen medium if they’ll schedule you for an online video screening. “You don’t want to say, ‘I’m not sure how to turn on my video,’” Lynn Hazan & Associates recruiter Anne Howard said. Double check all functions and features you will probably use during the interview. Make sure to check the big four: your internet connection, your audio settings, your video quality, and the lighting. Practice looking straight at the camera instead of your computer screen. This creates an impression of eye contact with your screener or interviewer. Even though it’s an online interview, dress appropriately and groom yourself accordingly. Make sure to pay attention to your background as well. Do Your Research
Read up and familiarize yourself with the new company—their history, mission and vision, what they do, and even their extra-curricular (charity) involvements. Explain to your interviewer why it would be your pleasure to be a part of their company. Honest Embellishment
Should you pass the first interview, you will most likely be grilled about your weaknesses on your second or third interview. Questions might even arise based on your character references’ conversation with the company’s HR staff. When the conversation starts touching on your waterloos, try
to put a more affirmative spin on some not-so-positive points of your career life. Focus on the good things and avoid bad mouthing your former employer or company. Be Adaptive, Not Hip
On a recent Adecco poll, 33% of HR managers said they keep an eye on more matured applicants because they might not be as submissive to younger management (which, let’s admit, is starting to be the trend). Remember there’s a big difference about being hip and cool vs. being adaptive. There’s also a very fine line between being open to suggestions and being a power-hungry control freak or spineless push-over. In terms of being open to working with a younger staff, Gimbel says that you should avoid saying that you worked with “a bunch of kids.” “That suggests a disregard for what this generation brings to the table,” Gimbel said. Show-N-Tell is Not Just for Kids
You want to make sure that you put your best foot forward and let your interviewer know that you have what it takes to fulfill the position they’re looking for. Not just that, you want to show them that you are above and beyond their basic requirements. “When they ask about a time you had a difficult situation, you might say, ‘Let me show you how I solved it,’” Howard said. You know what would blow their minds? Show them how you would handle one of the company’s problems. ■
FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013
32
Entertainment
FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT, CANADA!
The nightingale sings at the robin’s nest Dubbed as Asia’s Nightingale, USA-based topnotch performer Lani Misalucha performs with 23-year old FilipinoAmerican YouTube Sensation Timmy Pavino BY SOCORROBABES NEWLAND
PREMIER POP Balladeer Timmy Pavino launched his The OPM Album via a concert last October 12 at the Benaroya Hall in Downtown Seattle, WA. His piece de resistance was singing Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli’s The Prayer with “the” Ms. Lani Misalucha. She with that powerful aged-to-perfection pipes and a career that spans well over 2 decades. It was a formidable challenge that Timmy bravely took and how! What a deeply moving take on The Prayer. Everyone forgot that Timmy is just all of 23 years performing side by side Las Vegas’ “New Siren of the Strip” Awardee (2004) and who was voted “Best Singer” (staff pick) in the “27th Annual Best of Las Vegas” poll by the Las Vegas Review Journal. Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman even declared December 4 “Lani Misalucha Day”. Ms. Misalucha’s opening song number was her signature, “Bukas Nalang Kita Mamahalin”. The crowd’s full attention was instantaneously drawn towards her on center stage, donned in a classic black dress defining her svelte figure. All eyes and ears were only to her. An aptly arranged outro of ‘In Memo-
riam’ medley that she lovingly dedicated to all-time musical legends Donna Summer (McArthur’s Park), Whitney Houston (I Believe In You) and Michael Jackson (Man In The Mirror) was heartfelt and compelling. She successfully had everyone stitched down to his or her seats. But not until after delivering her last song’s final rendition that bore the mark of distinct vocal prowess. Each and everyone stood up on their feet to accord Ms. Misalucha a much deserving standing ovation. “Bravo! Bravo!”, was all you can hear. The audience clamored for more. But our “robin” was to come out again. This time, Timmy called in his Lola Nena Inocentes to join him. Lola or Mommy Nena Inocentes is Timmy’s 87-year old maternal grandmother who was also a former coloratura soprano herself. She and Timmy performed together a 1910 Filipino kundiman classic, “Saan Ka Man Naroroon” by the late Filipino famed composer-lyricist Levi Celerio. This Lola-Apo performance tandem was truly a keeper. Aaah… holding back tears became pretentious and impossible to do. What a beautiful way to culminate the night’s proceedings. Timmy Pavino has proven to all and sundry that a young budding artist like himself can be capable of delivering mature and classy all-round performances. Let alone amongst the
Timmy and Lani sing a duet
Lani Misalucha
Lani with the author and some friends.
most revered and seasoned lot in the industry like Ms. Misalucha and Mommy Nena. It took passion, discipline and dedication; lots of them. Our “robin”, this young Filipino-American YouTube sensation Timmy Pavino, has indeed done a superb job, even conceptualizing his own concert—he wrote the
overall stage scripting himself. Only a strong indication of greater things yet to come for this talented, yet extremely humble man. Live music accompaniment was by Vancouver, B.C.’s Rosario Strings under the direction of Kimwell del Rosario. Other special guests included Edward
Granadosin, Jhett Hermano, Eva Sabiniano, Natalie Nilo, Kontagious & Vancouver, B.C.’s Juan TV-PowerHouse Station Artists—Jerrica Santos, Russel Figueroa, Jenessa Escabarte, JP Nilo and Angelika Escabarte. This author provided stage direction. What a rare honor and privilege. ■
Entertainment
33 FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013
Pauleen Luna’s R ‘n’ R spot BY MARINEL R. CRUZ Philippine Daily Inquirer ACTRESS-TV HOST Pauleen Luna, whose family moved recently to a new place in Quezon City, said she found it quite ironic that she was rarely home. Luna, who is a host of the daily noontime show “Eat … Bulaga!” and a talent of GMA 7, said, “My busy schedule keeps me from spending as much time as I want at home. Sadly, I don’t get to enjoy it much. This was why I made sure to build a house that is welcoming and relaxing. I wanted it well-lit, spacious and clutter-free.” After living in a much smaller house in the same subdivision for 21 years, the Lunas transferred to their new three-story home in June 2012. The planning and construction took nine years, according to Luna’s mom Chat. “The old house was Victorian. The furniture was bulky. There were vases and chandeliers everywhere. It was very hard to move around, especially for us kids who liked to play rough games when we were growing up,” Luna told Living Stars. She has two older brothers— Bryan and Miguel. “This is why we said it would be better to have a minimalist home for a change. I also wanted the place to have a pleasant feel, especially my bedroom. I made sure sunlight gets into the room in the morning,” she added.
THE LUNAS’ new three-story home in Quezon City.
see, we discuss issues,” she explained. “I get to hang out with them only at night since I usually have my lunch at the ‘Bulaga’ studio.” Busiest spot
THE ACTRESS plans to put a plant box on this spot at the terrace.
The 25-year-old actress has repeatedly denied the rumor that the 500-square meter property was a gift from her boyfriend, comedian Vic Sotto. Prior to this visit, Luna’s mom requested that no questions on her daughter’s relationship with Sotto be asked. But Chat herself could not help teasing her daughter about the latter’s love life. Luna, who loves to cook pasta and bake pastries, said during the interview that she wanted a plant box where she could grow different herbs. Her mother commented, “Get married first, build your own house and then have your plant box.” Luna replied, “Plant
box lang kailangan mag-asawa na ako?” The actress described the furniture pieces, mostly from Metro Source and Concepts Specialists, as “modern, but still homey and not on the edgy side.” She added, “The sala or receiving area is hardly used. Our visitors are usually my friends who really don’t need welcoming. They go straight to my room or to the dining area.” Aside from the “formal” dining space, “which seldom gets used,” Luna said her family was often in the “casual” dining room that had an adjoining kitchen. “We’re the type who can’t eat without the TV turned on. We like to react to what we
The lanai is the busiest spot during weekends, according to Pauleen. In this area are two garden dining sets, a heavyduty grill by Weber Genesis and a six-foot-deep rectangular swimming pool. “It’s not kid-friendly so our young guests just stay on the shallow side of the pool,” she said. All around the lanai are bonsai plants that Chat bought. “Pauleen’s dad didn’t want too many plants so I had to settle for these,” said Chat. The house has a theater room with a 48-inch wall-mounted LCD TV and six home-theater seats. There is a game room at the basement where Luna’s dad Peter hangs out often. It contains his collection of over a hundred toy cars and motorcycles. “He orders these items online and when I go abroad for a show, he has them delivered to
where I’m staying. I really don’t know how many there are,” she said. “Dad is very quiet. He just likes to tinker and fix things. My brothers, who are also the quiet type, don’t share his interest in collecting miniatures.” Biggest bedroom
Luna’s bedroom is the biggest of all four sleeping quarters. She asked an architect friend to help her get the look she wanted. “He had a peg, but it was more masculine so I made a few changes, but the drawers, large mirror and head board were exactly the same,” she said. Her walk-in closet has the same beige-white color scheme. “I wanted it bright and cheerful. I’m always tired because of work so when I’m home I want my personal space to be relaxing,” she said. In her patio, Luna has a breathtaking view of an Iglesia ni Cristo edifice “that turns into a beautiful glowing castle at night.” She added with a laugh, “This is also where I plan to put my plant box. Bahala si Mommy kung ayaw niya.” ■
Angel Locsin wants to be the first to know BY MARINEL R. CRUZ Philippine Daily Inquirer “I DON’T want to find out about my own engagement from other people.” Angel Locsin wants to be the first to know when and if she gets engaged to be married. The actress said that was what she told boyfriend Phil Younghusband after receiving congratulatory messages from friends. “I felt really nervous. Aside from people congratulating me, many asked me when the wedding would be. I asked Phil if he granted any interview recently. He said he couldn’t remember,” www.canadianinquirer.net
Locsin said. “I honestly don’t want to find out about my own engagement that way. When that happens, I need to have my private moment.” Locsin said she breathed a sigh of relief when Younghusband said he made no such announcement. “I really don’t know if we’re ready for the next level. We both have our families as our priorities. We both have a lot of things to consider,” she pointed out. “I remember saying in interviews that I hope to get married by (the age of ) 22, but I’m 28 now. I don’t know how I’d react if I’m asked that question.” Locsin and Younghusband, a British-Filipino football star,
have been dating for two years. Younghusband, 26, is one of the frontliners of the national football team Azkals. When schedule permits, he appears on ABS-CBN’s sitcom “Toda Max,” where Locsin is a mainstay. “He’s not interested in joining show business at all. He’s just doing it for me,” the actress clarified. “Football is his life just like acting is mine. I prefer that we have different interests. I support him in his dream to represent the country through his sport.” “Toda Max” will be celebrating its second anniversary in ❱❱ PAGE 35 Angel Locsin
Entertainment
FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013 34
Don’t mess with me–Luis Manzano BY MARINEL R. CRUZ Philippine Daily Inquirer “I THINK these bashers are merely fans in denial.” Actor and television host Luis Manzano challenged bashers to tell him to his face what they said online. Manzano was reacting to posts on the microblogging site Twitter, where he has over 2.7 million followers. “When I retaliate, napipikon sila. My stand (is), if they have the guts to say it online, they should be able to take what I say online, too. If you mess with me, I’d also mess with you,” said Manzano during the recent launch of JuiceBoxx, a portable gadget charger that he endorses, in Makati City. “I think these bashers are merely fans in denial,” said Manzano, adding that he thought other show biz celebrities handled critics on the Web better than him. “Everyone is saying it’s better to keep quiet. I’m just not like that. When I got into a fight in school, the first thing my mom asked was, ‘Nakaganti ka ba?’ That’s how I was raised. If someone is going to hit you, you might as well hit back. I retaliate, but it really depends on my mood. So far, I’ve not encountered
questions on Twitter that are really personal or borderline foul.” Manzano said even rumors surrounding his romantic relationship with actress Jennylyn Mercado bounced right off him. “Apparently, I’ve been married to her twice, been engaged thrice and broken up with her twice. I don’t know how to react anymore,” he told the Inquirer. “We jokingly ask each other, ‘Tayo pa ba? Wasn’t there (a report) that we split up?’” He added, “Some people are in a hurry to get us married while some want us to break up. They should talk among themselves and come up with a single statement.” The latest buzz was that he had gotten Mercado pregnant. “That’s not true. If the rumors were all true, this one should be our second or third baby. I’d like to meet them all,” he quipped. Rumors had always been part of show business, Manzano acknowledged. “We all know the saying ‘Where there is smoke there is fire.’ One thing about this industry is that it’s also true that there is smoke even when there’s no fire. I’ve heard the weirdest things about other people that I knew were untrue. Jen and I just laugh off what we hear about us. Sometimes, I don’t even tell her what the latest rumor is because I know it’s all BS.”
How much of yourself do you share with people on your Twitter or Instagram account? There are people who appreciate the story of Jen and I. So if we go on dates, we share photos … (but) you don’t have to share every detail of your life. You should also filter. My Twitter and Instagram accounts are just me having fun. Your mom (Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos) joined Twitter recently. What advice did you give her? She has been using Twitter for a long time now—she just didn’t admit it until recently. She actually has two accounts—one is the official Twitter page for Batangas, which she handles along with her staff. Her second account is personal… She gets to follow her favorite celebrities. I don’t think there is need to give her any advice because she is anonymous on Twitter. I’m just happy that she gets to enjoy social media. How did being with Jennylyn change you? I’ve always been malambing—that’s one thing I got from my mom. But I’ve become more loving because of Jen. She’s very expressive. We’re actually guilty of doing PDA (public display of affection). In fact, when we’re with friends, they’d ask, “Hindi ba kayo naiilang?” I said we’re fine as long as we’re not making out.
How did you influence Jennylyn? I don’t want to impose but, according to her, she has become more fun-loving. She’s now more makulit, which is a good thing. I think we all have that kulit persona, but most of us are too shy to show it. Now she’s able to break her own walls. Jennylyn once said her son Jazz enjoyed your company. How has your relationship with the kid progressed? It’s OK for Jen to talk about Jazz, as she is his mother, but I’d rather not [talk about him]. I want to show respect for Jen by not bringing Jazz’s name into anything. That is also showing respect for Patrick (Garcia), who is the father. If there are two people in the world who should talk about the boy, it’s them. ■
‘Transit’ wins special prize in Busan BY BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR. Philippine Daily Inquirer MANILA, PHILIPPINES–Filipino filmmaker Hannah Espia’s “Transit” was cited a special mention in the New Currents section of the 18th Busan International Film Festival, which concluded in South Korea today, Saturday. Producer Paul Soriano, who confirmed the news to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, said the New Currents jury described “Transit” as “a moving account of migrant life in Israel.” “The New Currents jurors awarded the special prize to ‘Transit,’ because it focused on an unknown dimension of life,” Soriano explained. “Transit,” which won best film and nine other awards in the Cinemalaya’s New Breed section last July, was recently chosen as the country’s entry to the best foreign language film category of the Oscars. “This is a big boost to our Oscars campaign,” said Soriano. “It has been a great week for our film. We earlier received good reviews from Variety and Hollywood Reporter.” www.canadianinquirer.net
“We feel so blessed,” Espia told the Inquirer via SMS. Both Soriano and Espia attended the Busan fest. Korea’s “Pascha” and Mongolia’s “Remote Control” share the top prize in the New Currents competition of Busan. ■
SCENE from “Transit,” shot in Israel, with (from left) Omer Juran, Marc Justine Alvarez and Jasmine Curtis-Smith
Entertainment
35 FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013
Angel Locsin... November. Locsin admitted she felt depressed when lead actor Robin Padilla decided to leave the show. “Adjusting was hard when he left, but we respect his decision. He had to resign to give priority to his movie commitments,” she said. “I asked the other cast members, ‘Can we do the show by ourselves? Must we step up?’ We’re very thankful when Ms Ai-Ai (de las Alas) agreed to join our group.” ❰❰ 33
Down-to-earth
Locsin did not think AiAi would accept the offer. “I thought, since she was already a big star, she would want her
own show and not just be a replacement for another actor,” Locsin explained. “I was surprised to learn how down-toearth and honest Ms. Ai was as a person. The funny Ai-Ai you see on TV is the same person you get to bond with off-cam. Wala siyang ere.” She added, “It’s amazing that, despite her stature, Ms. Ai doesn’t mind hanging out and sharing funny stories with the rest of the cast. I remember feeling tense to be working with her for the first time. I even told our director (Malu Sevilla) about my worries. Direk said Ms. Ai was one of the easiest people to work with and Direk was right.” During a visit to the “Toda
Max” set inside the ABS-CBN compound in Quezon City, Locsin gamely answered current issues, like her alleged nude photos circulating on the Net. Locsin said she chose not to pay attention to them. “The pictures have been posted on websites again and again. I can’t do anything about them so I just close my eyes. I’m sure that they’re not mine anyway. What’s important to me is that my family and the people close to me know the truth,” Locsin stressed. “I have nothing to say to people who benefit from spreading fake pictures of innocent celebrities—I don’t know them personally. All I know is that I’ve done nothing to de-
serve what they did.” The actor refused to be judgmental of other people who got involved in sex scandals. “I have a friend who has a sex video, but this doesn’t change how I look at him. I still respect him. He is still one of my closest friends,” said Locsin, referring to Parokya ni Edgar frontman Chito Miranda. The singer’s video with his girlfriend, actress Neri Naig, was the subject of many show biz stories last month. Locsin also addressed rumors she would once again play the role of the Mars Ravelo superheroine “Darna,” now that the Kapamilya network had acquired the rights to it. “I don’t mind doing it again.
Portraying the role helped boost my career,” she said. “Let’s just wait for the network bosses’ decision. I also would not take it against them if they decide to give the role to someone younger. I don’t want to rob others of the chance to be Darna, especially since I’ve already experienced playing it.” Locsin first wore the Darna costume when the series aired on GMA 7 in 2005. It holds the record of being the first primetime series to reach a rating of 47.1 percent (according to AGB and AC-Nielsen) during its pilot episode. In 2009, the series aired on GMA 7 once again, with Marian Rivera in the title role. ■
Juday defends Sharon BY MARINEL R. CRUZ Philippine Daily Inquirer SANTOS AND Cuneta became close friends after starring in the 2002 family movie “Magkapatid.” “People are taking this against Ate Sharon, ’ wag naman sana. She is just looking after the people she cares for,” Santos told reporters during the press conference launching her newest game show on ABSCBN, “Bet on Your Baby.” Santos said she had also been closely monitoring the pork barrel controversy, especially because the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filed a tax evasion case against her in 2003. She was cleared of that case in January by the Court of Appeals. “It is our duty to pay taxes as Filipinos, but it’s also our responsibility to know where our hard-earned money goes. I’m saddened by what is happening. My heart feels like it’s going to explode,” Santos said. “SHE HAS all the right to speak out. I’d do the same thing if my husband was falsely accused of doing something illegal,” said Judy Ann Santos in defense of fellow actor Sharon Cuneta who took to Twitter to defend husband Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan against allegations of involvement in the pork barrel scam. Cuneta was reacting to Sen. Jinggoy Estrada’s privilege speech where he mentioned
Pangilinan as among the politicians who misused the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF). Santos said, “I understand what Ate Sharon is going through. She merely expressed her views because the issue concerned her husband. This is normal. I don’t think people would react so much if she’s just an ordinary person and not a celebrity.” “I paid [the penalty imposed by the BIR] with my blood, sweat and tears. I want to know where my money went.” Santos signed recently a twoyear guaranteed contract with ABS-CBN. Aside from hosting the weekly game show “Bet on Your Baby,” she is also expected to appear in a reality program and a drama series before 2015. Is the show a big factor in your decision to renew your ABSCBN contract? The renewal was already agreed upon long before “Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala” ended. It was put off because I asked for a break. I didn’t do it para magpakipot. I just didn’t want to [discuss it with] ABS-CBN at the time because I wasn’t exactly on good terms with some of them. I resumed discussions when I was already feeling OK. Other networks wanted to meet with me but no meeting pushed through. I didn’t want people to get the wrong impression— na nagpapa-presyo ako. I asked for a break because I felt I needed
to change my mindset. Your husband Ryan Agoncillo’s contract with TV5 has expired. Does he plan to return to ABS-CBN? "Ryan has always felt welcome here in ABS-CBN. It’s just that he has to take into consideration a lot of things ... He has already talked with other networks before meeting with ABS-CBN. Ryan and I are alike in the sense that, if we’re satisfied with our home network, we don’t feel the need to meet with others." Can you share some of your disappointments with ABSCBN? That’s already (in) the past. There was a miscommunication between my camp and ABS-CBN’s. The network wanted to move my show (“Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala”) to a much later time slot but I didn’t agree (and) the program was canceled. I admit that I was selfish, but I only wanted to protect my interest... Was this traumatic for you? It was more a learning than a traumatic experience. I’m sure that, like me, ABS-CBN has also learned a lot ... It made our relationship deeper. We’re now more open when it comes to expressing our feelings, our concerns. What has being a mother taught you? www.canadianinquirer.net
Judy Ann Santos with Sharon Cuneta PHOTO FROM STARMOMETER.COM
You become selfless (as) a mother. You look forward to going home (to) tend to them (kids) before they go to sleep. Now, I smile more often. I’m happy and complete. You’re in an industry that makes a lot of demands on your time. Can you share some of your best practices in balancing motherhood and acting? I have what I call my management team. Before I agree on a project, it presents me a work schedule. Normally, I ask for two free days if I have to work for three straight days. If this is not possible, I ask to go home early or get a later call time in the morning. It’s important
that I see my children before they go to sleep at night and before I leave for work. I’ll feel sad and incomplete if I don’t get to hug and kiss them everyday. They keep me going. The hardest time is when one of them is sick and I can’t tend to him or her because I have a show biz commitment. That’s why guilty parenting happens. I feel kailangan kong bumawi. How do you rate yourself as a mom? I give myself a 7. I’m a handson mom but I know I still have a lot of things to improve on. I feel guilty when I’m away, working three times a week on a teleserye. ■
Entertainment
FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013 36
Bridget Jones grapples with grief, middle age and Twitter in Helen Fielding’s new novel BY JILL LAWLESS The Associated Press LONDON—Readers, there is good news and bad news. Bridget Jones is back. But— brace yourselves—Mark Darcy is dead. Fans have been shaken by the revelation, leaked ahead of publication of “Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy,” the third book in Helen Fielding’s series about the diary-writing singleton. He may be fictional, but the demise of Bridget’s handsome lawyer lover—played on the big screen by a smouldering Colin Firth— was headline news. “I turned on the news and there was the Syrian crisis, and then ‘Mark Darcy is dead,”’ Fielding said, amazed. “It’s quite extraordinary for a fictional character to be treated as if they’re alive. I sort of think, hats off to Colin, because really he inhabited that character.” The reaction is a testament to the hold of Fielding’s characters on the popular imagination. In ditsy, indomitable Bridget, she created an archetype. (In Darcy she borrowed one, from the brooding Mr. Darcy of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”). Bridget, created for a series of 1990s newspaper columns, was a 30-something Londoner looking for love and career fulfilment while enduring the condescension of “smug marrieds” and confessing her many insecurities in her diaries: “Alcohol units 7, cigarettes 22, calories 2,145. Minutes spent inspecting face for wrinkles 230.” In “Mad About the Boy” she is still counting calories and booze, though cigarettes have been replaced by nicotine gum. Bridget is now a 51-year-old widow with two young children, convinced she will never find romance again. Fielding said she had no choice but to kill Darcy so Bridget’s story could move on. “The book I wanted to write was not about domesticity, married life. It was about Bridget struggling with what life throws at you,” Fielding said over lunch at the London gastropub where she likes to write in the daytime.
Bridget Jones’s Diary author HELEN FIELDING PHOTO FROM FEATUREFLASH / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
“It was Bridget being single with two children in the age of technology. And rediscovering her sexuality. She was a mother and she lost it amid the nappies and the busy-ness. I think lots of women go through that.” Breaking the news of Darcy’s demise to Firth, who starred opposite Renee Zellweger in the film adaptations of “Bridget Jones’s Diary” and “Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason,” was surprisingly tough. “I was really nervous, and I had to make sure that he had someone with him and they were sitting down. And then I said, ‘Colin, I’ve got something really bad to tell you.’ “And then I suppose I just said ‘You’re dead,’ which is an odd thing to say to anyone. And we were both upset, but at the same time we were laughing.” “Bridget Jones’s Diary,” published in 1996, turned Fielding from a freelance journalist into one of Britain’s most successful writers. The novel and its 1999 sequel have sold 15 million copies. For years, Fielding resisted writing another installment. She was drawn back into Bridget’s world by a desire to write about the lives of middle-aged women, who often face stereotyping, just as the single Bridget did in the earlier books.
“There was the idea of ‘tragic, barren spinster’ because she was unmarried in her 30s,” Fielding said. “It was real then. You were Miss bloody Havisham if you didn’t have a boyfriend at 35. And I think the same is true of the middle-aged woman now. “When I was in my 20s, I couldn’t imagine that life would continue beyond 40, really,” she added. “I couldn’t imagine there would still be dating and going out and getting drunk with your friends and worrying about calls or texts that hadn’t come, and what to wear.” In “Mad About the Boy,” Bridget’s romantic misadventures are overshadowed by loss and the fear of aging—but a strong comic vein remains. “I think most of the things I write are a mixture of dark and light,” Fielding said. Life is “not all sailing along marvelously, nor is it ‘Oh, we’re in a well of despair.’ People hit tough times, and then their friends get round them and cheer them up and then they keep buggering on.” As in the previous books, Bridget can lean on old friends Jude, Tom and Talitha, as well as disreputable former paramour Daniel Cleaver. She navigates the treacherwww.canadianinquirer.net
ous world of online dating sites and Twitter, and acquires a 29-year-old boyfriend named Roxster. The book also introduces Mr. Wallaker, a teacher at Bridget’s son’s school with whom she instantly clashes. But wait—is that a spark between them? (Hint: Fielding says her dream casting for a movie adaptation is Daniel Craig). Bridget has always contained elements of Fielding, who is 55 and, like her character, lives in one of the nicer areas of North London with two young children. She is separated from their father, American comedy writer Kevin Curran. There are glimpses of Bridget in the writer’s quick wit and sense of the absurd—though Fielding exudes a considerably greater sense of control than her hapless heroine. “Mad About the Boy” suffered its own Bridget Jonesstyle mishap when 40 pages from another book, a memoir by actor David Jason, were inserted into the British edition by mistake. And some of the reviews have been less than glowing: not everyone hails mishap-prone, insecure Bridget as a 21st-century heroine. Guardian newspaper columnist Suzanne Moore
wrote a piece headlined “Why I Hate Bridget Jones,” condemning the character as “vapid, consumerist and self-obsessed” and the book as anti-feminist. Fielding has heard that argument before. She said that if women can’t make fun of themselves, “we haven’t got very far at being equal, have we?” “And also, I think that is the way women communicate with each other, often, privately. They talk about their frailties, their mess-ups, their weaknesses, their vulnerabilities, and they are funny about it and they support each other. “I was surprised with the first book, with the women who told me they identified with it— powerful, successful women, saying ‘Oh yes, I have that problem with tights being all tangled up.’ And it’s not just women, either. (Prime Minister) David Cameron was in the papers not so long ago ... and he said that he’d get in a situation when he’s got the kids in the back of the car and he gets a head of state on the phone: ‘Will you shut up, I’ve got the Israeli prime minister on the phone!’ “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy” is published in the United States by Knopf on Tuesday. ■
FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013
37
Lifestyle
Young plagiarist will do community service–in true Calidad Humana spirit BY CONSTANTINO C. TEJERO Philippine Daily Inquirer
THE REAL WINNER. “We Are Blessed:Our Spirits Undaunted and Laughter
Pure,” by Medardo Marquez. PHOTO BY ANDREW TADALAN
A SECOND awarding ceremony for the winners of the Chilean embassy’s National Essay Photography Competition, with the theme Smiles for the World, was held Oct. 3 at the salon of Ambassador Roberto Mayorga’s residence at Forbes Park, Makati City.
“This is the definitive, more intimate awarding ceremony,” said Antonio Torralba in his introduction during a brief program. He was alluding to the bigger Sept. 18 affair at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) that erupted into a serious plagiarism issue. Torralba, an associate professor at University of Asia & the Pacific, was one of the 12 on the jury that inadvertently gave the highest award to a
photograph that turned out to have been stolen from the Internet by a 22-year-old graduate student. In the ambassador’s residence, the prize was instead given to the first runner-up, a black-and-white entry by 55-year-old Bacolod businessman and photography hobbyist Medardo Marquez. The affair was covered by
and buy our favorite palabok that my wife, Lilia, describes as “the best palabok in town.” Her store is like a one-stop grocery outlet where one finds almost everything— cooked native food and delicacies; there are also some canned goods, household items like walis tambo, tingting, Tagalog movies on CDs and even Balikbayan boxes. She’s also an authorized partner/ dealer of LBC Balikbayan box mover, ABS-CBN TFC Box subscription, and Ria Money Transfer. One of the groups of people
who would surely miss her are the publishers of the various community papers because her store is their one big distributing/show window for their respective papers. Charry is carrying all newspapers in her store simply because many of our kababayans are frequenting her place daily; come and visit her store any time of the day and you will always find Pinoys busily buying various stuffs there. It’s about time you enjoyed your retirement, Charry! Surely, we’ll miss you! ■
❱❱ PAGE 39 Young plagiarist
CHARRY’S FINE FOODS
Charry is retiring; we’ll miss you BY WILLIE JOSE A FEW days ago, I went to Shoppers DrugMart on Eglinton and Danforth to buy some discounted stuffs. But when I got there, the pop soda, toilet papers and washing detergents were all gone. So what’s the lesson? On the very day, the discount flyers are out, don’t waste time, be an early bird, dash to the store—and surely you won’t miss your target. However, this is not the subject of my column today. Let me continue my story, Though I missed buying these items, I didn’t want to head home empty-handed, so what came to mind was Charry’s Fine Foods that is just a few meters away from Shoppers. When I reached the place, what caught my eyes was the big sign at Charry’s store which says “ Store for lease, Lease expiring.” Suddenly, I felt some uneasiness, I couldn’t imagine this store which has been serving the Filipino community since 1993 is coming to an end.
Upon entering the store, I immediately saw Charry and asked her if she’s retiring, “ Yes, I’m retiring…. it’s about time,” she said with some tinge of sadness in her look. “When my friends and other customers learned about my impending retirement, maraming nalungkot at ang iba ay umiyak [many were saddened, and some even cried],” she said. Charry added, “They even asked me if I have some plans to continue cooking native dishes at home so they could order take-out food.” “I told them, no—mine is a total retirement but I’m also thinking of visiting the Philippines. About my other plans, I don’t know yet, time will tell, bahala na, “Charry said. When I asked her why she’s retiring, Charry simply told me that “senior na ako at nakakapagod din [I am a senior and it has been tiring]. Before I opened this store, I had worked in an oil company for 20 years; and there’s another 20 years doing this business.” For 20 years, Charry has
been managing the store with the help of two members of her family: her beloved husband, Danny and a grown-up son. I’ve seen that running this kind of business is not easy; it’s all hard work. Could you imagine that while I was doing a short interview with Charry for this article, most of the time, our conversation was interrupted by frequent calls from her customers. And all I could do was just to say hello to Danny, who was then very busy cutting some vegetables in the kitchen. At one point, Charry had to beg off for a few minutes because she had to attend to one customer who came by asking for a can of potted liver spread. When my family and I arrived here in Toronto in 1994, it was in this store where we met Charry and her husband, Danny and I think it was in their store where we first tasted her pancit palabok and bought walis that year. And from that time on, Charry has become a family friend and our suki—and from time to time we would visit her store
Lifestyle
FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013 38
What to be wary about in an art auction BY CONSTANTINO C. TEJERO Philippine Daily Inquirer ART HAS always been a commodity. Andy Warhol in the 1960s and Damien Hirst in the ‘80s had already underscored that. At no time is this commodification of art more emphasized than during auctions. A country’s prosperity is reflected in its art boom, in both production and auction. It can only mean that art sells and people buy. With the economic recovery of Japan in the postwar years and the petrodollars of the Middle East in the ‘70s, there followed rampant art patronage and rabid auction bidding by Japanese and Arabs in succeeding decades. Now that our country is experiencing “the most dynamic and rapidly improving economy” in the world, that certainly bodes well for both Filipino artists and prospectors. Expect, therefore, for art auctions to become commonplace. On Sept. 14, starting at 2 p.m., Salcedo Auctions is holding one, what is billed as Important Philippine Art, on the ground floor of Three Salcedo Place, 121 Tordesillas St., Salcedo Village, Makati City. Pieces to be auctioned off include paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints by old masters and contemporary artists. Among the highly valued items: “Fish Vendors,” by Anita Magsaysay-Ho; “Market Scene,” by Vicente Manansala; “La Mediterranea Desde Barcelona,” by Federico Aguilar Alcuaz; “Life Class Setting,” by BenCab; “Women Bathing by the Stream,” by Fernando Amorsolo; “Woman Reading a Book,” by Fabian de la Rosa; “Head of a Moroccan Legionnaire,” by Juan Luna; “Carnival Walls,” by Arturo Luz; untitled pieces by José Joya. Thriving industry
Salcedo Auctions is the only auction house in the country specializing in the sale of “fine art, jewelry, decorative arts and collectible accessories by leading local and international artists and artisans.” It was established three years ago by Richie and Karen Kua Lerma in a 135-sq m floor area,
when the couple returned after living for some time in Sydney, and having observed how public auctions worked there. This year the space has expanded to 310 sq m, a cavernous hall with white walls lined with masterworks, accommodating 300 people, a third of whom are active bidders. It mounts eight auctions a year: Mixed Category in February, June and November; Important Philippine Art in March and September; Books and Maps in June. There had been auctions in the country but it is only recently that it has been thriving. Now there are about five art galleries also doing auction. “That’s a wonderful sign—I welcome other auction houses,” says Lerma. “But it becomes a problem if you have a financial interest in the pieces you’re auctioning off, because you can jack up the prices. That’s very dangerous. It is a bastardization of the auction process. If you’re a gallery-owner, you want to dispel the notion that you’re selling your inventory.”
RICHIE Lerma of Salcedo Auctions shows off masterworks on the block. PHOTO BY JOSEPH AGCAOILI
“FISH Vendors,” by Anita Magsaysay-Ho
International standards
Lerma, adviser of Salcedo Auctions and director and chief curator of Ateneo Art Gallery, calls for the application of international practice in local auctions: transparency, professionalization, standardization. He says he is open to starting an association of auctioneers to regulate ethical standards, “so people [the buyers] wouldn’t make costly mistakes.” According to international standard, auction estimate must be included in the catalogue. This is the price range an item is expected to sell. What happens is, there is baiting, when auctioneers publish a fake price for a piece, often very low, to lure buyers. There is also shill bidding, when auctioneers plant bidders or secretly bid for the piece themselves to rig its price. Lerma cites four fundamentals for a proper auction, for the regulation of the proliferation of fly-by-night operations. “First,” he says, “is there a consignment contract between the owner of the piece and the organizer of the auction? The contract should state what the reserve price is, which can never be higher than the published
“MARKET Scene,” by Vicente Manansala
price. In a real auction, when bidding stops, you’re required to sell at the list estimate.” That means, when the hammer falls, the auctioneer is forced to sell the piece if it reaches the reserve price, the minimum agreed upon by the auctioneer and the item’s owner, which should not be higher than the auction estimate. Fraudulent behavior
Second, Lerma insists the provenance of a piece proffered to the public should be transparent. Documentation of the history of its ownership should be included in the auction catalogue. “That’s very important,” he says. “Where did the owner get the piece he’s selling? If its authenticity solely lies on a certificate, better stay away from it, because a certificate is not a guarantee.” Third: “If you’re doing auction, no more gallery. Otherwise there will always be the question that you may be sellwww.canadianinquirer.net
“THE ARTIST’S Studio,” by Federico Aguilar Alcuaz, one of the highly valued pieces from the Important Philippine Art auction
ing your own inventory. If you jack up the price of something you own, that’s fraudulent behavior. So who’s going to trust the auction process, which is supposed to be fair and transparent?” Finally, an auction house should have experts and specialists on staff, as the buying public deserves to be assured of the authenticity of the pieces on the block. “It is your business to ensure that what you’re selling is authentic,” Lerma emphatically says. “Even if it’s only an opinion, it should be backed up by specialist’s knowledge and not just a certificate, because a certificate can be faked. At the end of the day, it’s all about reputation and trust.” Permanence of art
The phenomenon of art auction is such that the permanence of art (the real worth of an artwork regardless of its market value) is being superseded by the temporal (what
is trendy, popular or saleable). People have started wondering whether a best-selling piece, for instance, is really great art or just great investment. Artists like Romeo Lee, José Legaspi, Alwin Reamillo, Henri Cainglet, Manuel Ocampo and Jehu Bitancor are nowhere near as saleable as their mainstream contemporaries, but one can see that theirs is an art that has more authenticity and courage than many or most. Being a bestseller shouldn’t be equated with an artwork’s intrinsic value; otherwise, Dan Brown is a great writer. We remember in the early ‘90s when a Japanese collector set the record at public auction with the multimillion-dollar purchase of a Van Gogh. A few were incredulous, snickering, because why would anyone pay nearly $100-million for such a roughshod portrait? Well, that painting is still the highest price paid for art at an auction, inflation considered— so it’s your loss, guys. ■
Lifestyle
39 FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013
Young plagiarist... the trimedia and attended by diplomats, media personalities and friends. Ambassador Mayorga says this is the first and only competition of its kind in any country. Now on its second year, it is a project of the embassy’s initiative Calidad Humana, which aims to highlight the positive characteristics of a particular people, avoid the negative aspects, to preserve and cultivate the humanness of the world. “This is to disseminate the Filipino personality throughout the world,” says Mayorga. “We internationalize the project. Filipinos are different in their resiliency, constructive spirit—and friendship, of course. Filipinos in general give more concern for others than material things. They have more compassion. And the smile you have here is an internal smile, not just of the face. Take care of it.” ❰❰ 37
A striking image
The photo competition was coordinated by the Chilean ambassador, a University of Santo Tomas representative, and Torralba. It was the effort of 22 corporate and university (UST, De La Salle University, Ateneo de Manila, University of the Philippines, UA&P) partners. There were 350 entries. Twelve jurors (presidents of universities and corporations) selected 100, cut the number to 30, then reduced it to the Top 7. Three final jurors—Mayorga, Torralba and industrialist Oscar Lopez—interviewed the competitors to determine who would best represent the Filipino calidad humana (human quality). “So as not to be technical about it,” explains Torralba, “because it is not necessarily a photo competition, it is not only the quality of the photography, but something that would showcase the Filipino qualities of cheerfulness, resiliency and compassion through the Filipino smile.” The first-prize winner would receive $1,000 from the Chilean embassy; a high-end cell phone from Smart Communications; and a round-trip plane ticket to Chile and Brazil courtesy of Coca-Cola, for the winner to disseminate the Calidad Humana message.
The awarding ceremony was held at the CCP during the National Day of Chile. The entry titled “The Mettle of the Filipino Spirit” grabbed the top prize. It is a striking image described as that of “a boy who helps his father in farming seaweeds along a coastal community in Zamboanga province.” It was later revealed to be that of an urban kid in Brazil frolicking with friends in the water, titled “Neptune, King of the Sea,” and the image taken from the online photo-sharing site Flickr. A complaint was sent by the photo’s owner, Gregory John Smith, a Norwegian national, social entrepreneur and founder of Children at Risk Foundation based in Brazil. Mayorga says Smith has asked if he could have the prize money. “He can’t,” says the ambassador. “Because this is a competition for Filipinos. The photo must be taken by a Filipino, and, more than the photo, it is cultural. It is a message of invitation for a more compassionate world. But I invited him that abroad he could collaborate with us on the initiative.”
in the context of the Philippines today. It has brought about reactions from people who have called or written to us, encouraging us to move forward with force and faith. It is for these reasons that soon we will be announcing upcoming events of painting, music, literature, sports, with the goal to spread the values of this project.” The essential smile
The third prize goes to “Don’t Worry, Be Happy: Of Lines and Smiles,” an image of four women of Banaue widely beaming, by freelance photojournalist and painter Arnold Jumpay, 46, from Capiz. The second prize goes to “The Most Important Language: Smiles, Even Through Our Skin,” of a tattooed old Cordillera woman with a toothless
Shame and redemption
In the wake of the scandal, the culprit was barraged with brickbats in the social media. Said one: “Pasok ka na, boy! Naipasa mo ang training para maging politiko ng Pilipinas—a future senator of the Republic of the Philippines.” Said another: “Check n’yo rin camera n’ya. Baka stolen.” Wicked, wicked—but that’s the shame he has to live down. After the young man apologized to the photo’s owner and the Chilean embassy, Mayorga offered him the chance to redeem himself through Calidad Humana, by doing some community service in a depressed area of the metropolis. “The essence of Calidad Humana is human compassion,” the ambassador said in his speech during the program. “Instead of punishing him, we will do our part to redeem him in a long process, wherein a change in his conduct will be evident.” He marveled at the mysterious ways of God which could transform negative things into something positive. “This incident is very special www.canadianinquirer.net
smile, by freelance photographer Hannah Maria Reyes, 22, from Makati City. Marquez’s piece, “We Are Blessed: Our Spirits Undaunted and Laughter Pure,” is the only one in black-and-white. It shows three laughing children the photographer says were nomadic barrio kids he found one time he was trekking on a hilly part of Binalbagan town in Negros Occidental, where his family has an hacienda. “I’m really into outdoor photography,” he says. “I do mountain-climbing, hiking.” For his winning entry, taken over 10 years ago, he used a Vietnam War-vintage, Japanese-issue Nikomat FT3 (cheaper version of Nikon), which he says he’s been using since 1985. “I prefer black-and-white,” he says, “as you don’t get the
distraction of color. There’s no ifs and buts about it; you know if it’s a good picture or a bad picture. You relish the challenge.” Though he’s into the hauling business (petroleum), he also draws, dabbles in photography and writes essays, just to express himself. He still uses film and has his own darkroom. “I just love to take photos,” he says. “I’ve not exhibited them. I just archive them. Ang importante lang is to document the moment, to express feelings.” In his brief remark on receiving his award, Marquez showed a warm regard of humanity: “Calidad humana is a choice. In spite of what happened, its highest manifestation can be seen in magnanimity and forgiveness. By nature, man has honor and dignity.” ■
Business
FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013 40
BSP quashes property asset bubble fears BY DORIS C. DUMLAO Philippine Daily Inquirer THE BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas sees “no definitive evidence” of an asset price bubble in the Philippine property market, citing strong economic fundamentals and improved monetary conditions supporting actual demand for real estate. In a forum organized by The Asset Magazine and Banco de Oro Unibank, property experts, including developers and a global real estate advisory firm, echoed the central bank’s sentiments, citing healthy demand in the residential, retail and office segments alongside im-
proving demand for industrial and tourism-oriented property. According to BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo, the property upswing in the country was “fundamentally supported,” citing the big backlog of housing demand from end-users, rising trade activities and the business process outsourcing industry which, in turn, helped boost demand for office and commercial space. And now that the Philippines has secured an investment grade from all major international ratings agencies, demand for local office and commercial space will continue to grow in the next few years, Guinigundo told those who attended the forum.
Specifically, he said, growth in rental rate has been benign, especially in the office space market. Also, across the region, there is still a potential for a “re-rating “of prices given that real property prices are still one of the cheapest in Asia. In terms of real estate financing, he added, the levels are lower than that seen before 1997. And although loans have been growing by double-digit rates, loans to other sectors have been on the rise as well. Guinigundo said government spending—which also helped boost the country’s economic growth rate to 7.5 percent in the first half—was likewise driving construction activities.
The monetary official is not worried about speculative activity in the property market and the release of over P1 trillion from the BSP’s special deposit accounts. “The profile of lenders to the BSP, through SDA, is quite different fromthose going to the real estate market. In the first place, not everyone going to real estate is a speculator. Some of these are investments, some are from end-users buying their first home. Not every single demand going to real estate is speculative,” Guinigundo told reporters after his speech. “While it is true that you’ll be releasing more than a trillion pesos in SDAs, and 30 percent
of that actually went out at the end of July and the rest [will go out] by end November, I think the numbers will indicate that most of them actually come back to the BSP, this time as bank (placements in) SDA. In other words, there’s a return to the SDA facility of the BSP, in which case, we’re able to mop up the excess liquidity.” On the other hand, he said, those going to other instruments like peso time and savings deposits could be lent out to fund other economic activities. “This is consistent with our objective: We want to push out funds that can help deepen and develop the capital markets,” he explained. ■
Bangko Sentral ready for US default Regulator sees no threat Enough monetary tools to protect economy to inflation this year BY PAOLO G. MONTECILLO Philippine Daily Inquirer LOCAL monetary authorities are prepared for the worst, having a wide range of tools that can be deployed if the current impasse at the US Congress turns the world’s most traded security—US treasuries—into toxic assets. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said it remained confident that US lawmakers would not be foolish enough to let the world’s largest economy reach its legal borrowing limit, which would force it to default on some of its loans. “It is unthinkable that the US government will not resolve this stalemate between the US executive and the legislature because market sentiment will turn against the US,” BSP Deputy Governor Diwa C. Guinigundo said. “They’re all aware of the implications of a US government not able to pay or amortize or pay back their obligations.” In an e-mail to reporters, Guinigundo said that should the US government default on its loans, the BSP had enough tools to ensure that liquidity— or cash—keeps circulating in the economy. This followed statements by Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima last week warning
that a US default might have consequences worse than the effects of Lehman Brother’s collapse in 2008. “Their Congress has to realize the implications of defaulting on $12 trillion of outstanding debt, almost 23 times the $517 billion in debt which forced Lehman Brothers into bankruptcy in 2008,” Purisima said. “Whenever there are crises like this, the first thing that gets affected is liquidity,” Guinigundo said. He said local banks have a “big” exposure to US treasuries, which are still considered one of the safest, if not the safest, investment for any fund manager. He said that in case IOUs issued by the US government have to be written off, banks would naturally resort to preserving their cash positions. This would result in banks lending less to their clients and to one other, restricting the flow of money that the economy needed to run. One of the measures the BSP can tap to resolve this is its peso rediscounting facility, which allows banks to exchange their receivables for cash. The peso rediscounting budget of the BSP was earlier cut to P20 billion last year from a high of P60 billion at the height of the
global financial crisis in 2009. Guinigundo said the BSP was also willing to be a “lender of last resort” for banks that need dollars to lend to their clients. These dollars would come from the central bank’s foreign exchange reserves, which reached $83.03 billion as of the end of September, good for nearly a year’s worth of imported goods and services that the country needs. “On top of that, if there is monetary space, then we can review the present monetary stance. If we need to bring it up then we will do it, if there is scope for keeping it steady then we will keep it steady,” Guinigundo said. Other emerging markets have already moved to address the possible effects of a US default due to the possible failure to pass legislation that would allow the US to refinance its loans. Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing said it now classified some short-term US treasuries as riskier assets, forcing investors to put up more of these instruments as collateral seeking new loans. ■
www.canadianinquirer.net
BY PAOLO G. MONTECILLO Philippine Daily Inquirer CONSUMER PRICES are expected to remain stable this year and the next, despite the weak global conditions that continue to upset local financial markets. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said inflation for the year would likely average near the low-end of the Monetary Board’s 3 to 5 percent 2013 target range. By next year, inflation may also fall below the midpoint of the same target range. “There could be some increase but, on the whole, we’ll still be well within the target,” Tetangco yesterday told reporters. “In fact for 2013 ... we’re slightly below the target at this point.” In the nine months to September, inflation averaged 2.8 percent. In September alone, the rate of rise in consumer prices accelerated to 2.7 percent from 2.1 percent the month before. Data from the NSO showed that the following commodity
groups registered a faster rate of rise in September compared with August: food and nonalcoholic beverages; alcoholic beverages and tobacco; housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, and health. Inflation for food alone accelerated from 1.8 to 2.5 percent month-on-month. “Even if there is some increase, [it is likely] that we’ll be closer to the lower end of the target range,” Tetangco said. “The estimate is that inflation for 2014 will be below the midpoint of the target range.” With inflat i o n seen to remain stable, the regulator may retain monetary policies that support economic growth. The BSP’s benchmark overnight borrowing and lending rates are currently at record lows of 3.5 and 5.5 percent, respectively. Yields on special deposit accounts also stand at 2 percent across all maturities. Tetangco earlier said the BSP would likely keep the current policy rates until the end of the year. ■
Sports/Horoscope
41 FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013
Pinoy figure skater qualifies for 2014 Winter Olympics BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer DESPITE THE absence of winter in the country, the Philippines has managed to produce quite an amazing figure skater; amazing enough to qualify to compete in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia. Sixteen-year-old Michael Christian Martinez secured a spot in the top 10 of the Nelhorn Trophy 2013 qualifying games, thus making it on the roster of athletes off to Russia in 2014. He garnered a score of 194.08 points in the event held on September 28 in Germany, landing 7th in the men’s skating category. Nobunari Oda of Japan bagged the gold medal for the event, followed by American
Jason Brown and Canadian Jeremy Ten. Athletes from Russia, Israel, Romania, Australia, Ukraine and Italy also made it to the men’s skating category of the 2014 winter games. This marks the first time the Philippines will be sending a figure skater off to the event. The last athlete to represent the country at the Winter Olympics was skier Michael Teruel, who took part in the 1992 games held in France. The Philippines has not managed to qualify for the games for the last 22 years, with a failed attempt from snowboarder Eden Serina to enter the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Another Filipino participated in the Nelhorn Trophy 2013 in Germany, but did not make the Olympic cut. Alisson Krys-
tle Perticheto placed 18th in the ladies’ category. Martinez, who hails from Muntinlupa City, began figure skating in a shopping mall ice rink in 2005. He entered his first competition in 2008, becoming the first Filipino skater to perform a triple Axel in a competition. He trains two months a year in the U.S, under the watchful eye of his mother, who is part of his coaching team. Martinez also spends time training with Ilia Kulik, who won in the 1998 Olympics for Russia. The teen skate-whiz cites 2011 World Champion Patrick Chan of Canada as his idol on the ice. For more on Martinez, check out his biography on the official site of the International Skating Union. ■
Michael Christian Martinez at the Nebelhorn Trophy 2013. PHOTO FROM ZIMBIO.COM
HOROSCOPE ARIES
CANCER
LIBRA
CAPRICORN
(MARCH 21 - APRIL 19)
(JUNE 22 - JULY 22)
(SEPT 23 - OCT 22)
(DEC 22 - JAN 19)
Unexpected expenses, perhaps for house repairs, might require some budgetary juggling. You might have to rob Peter to pay Paul. This will probably offend your practicality, but it’s only temporary. With your sound financial sense, you’ll be able to balance your budget again soon. Your diet over the next few days may include a lot of peanut butter sandwiches.
TAURUS
Friends and lovers alike may take unfair advantage of your good nature. Some may want you to do them favors. Others might want to use you as a sounding board for their problems. You won’t want to turn them away. If you can’t avoid them, you should learn to say, “I’ll help you later!” You can only be in one place at a time, and there are only 24 hours in a day.
Someone may approach you talking about investments. This person may make whatever he’s pushing sound like a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Remember the adage, “If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is!” If you’re interested in what this person has to say, wait a few days and then check with an unbiased source. It always pays to be cautious!
LEO (JULY 23 - AUGUST 22)
(APRIL 20 - MAY 20) Surliness on the part of a partner could catapult you into a gloomy mood. Your friend isn’t communicating very well, and you probably wonder if it’s something you said or did. Chances are it’s not. All signs indicate that it’s business. Don’t try to force your partner to share these concerns with you, as this will only cause further retreat. Your friend will talk when the time’s right.
GEMINI
Family members might have too much on their minds today and ask you for more help than you’re prepared to give. Make sure you stay calm and focused so you can decide which difficulties are most urgent and need to be handled first. Don’t be afraid to tell others your decision. When possible, give advice rather than help. Sometimes that’s all people really need.
A tremendous burst of creative energy regarding a cherished project could hit today. Inspiration could strike, and you’ll want to turn as much of that into physical reality as possible. Don’t be disappointed if your insights are exhausted quickly and you hit a roadblock. Don’t try to force it. Stop working for now and take it up later. The inspiration will come again!
SCORPIO
AQUARIUS
(OCT 23 - NOV 21)
(JAN 20 - FEB 18)
Today you may feel like you’re brimming over with physical energy. You have a lot of energy, but it isn’t a good idea to go climbing mountains, running marathons, or swimming long distances right now. If you don’t pace yourself, you could be exhausted by midafternoon. You may be temporarily operating on nervous energy and limited stamina.
Today you could be in the public eye in some way. Perhaps you’re teaching a class, giving a lecture, or leading a discussion group. Whatever it is, don’t be surprised if you alternate between inspired and free-flowing articulation and total mental block. When the latter happens, ask for questions. That’ll give them a chance to speak and get your brain going again.
VIRGO
SAGITTARIUS
PISCES
(AUG 23 - SEPT 22)
(NOV 22 - DEC 21)
(FEB 19 - MAR 20)
(MAY 21 - JUNE 21) Too much partying could have you feeling a little under the weather. The food and drink may have been great, but today you’d better eat plain but nourishing food. You may not be inclined to exercise, but a brisk walk or yoga class might be just what you need. It will also clear your head. You should be yourself again by midafternoon.
Today you might spend time helping a sibling or neighbor prepare for a trip. Or more than one person could ask you for advice on business matters, legal papers, investments, homework, or other intellectual concerns. Try not to spread yourself too thin or you won’t be much use to anybody, least of all you. If it doesn’t all get done today, there’s always tomorrow.
Responsibilities may be weighing on your mind today. Perhaps you’ve promised someone help but don’t have the time and energy to come through right now. Don’t be afraid to tell the person. Between the two of you, you can work something out that creates a win/win situation so your friend gets the needed help and you don’t tire yourself out. A little ingenuity is all it takes.
www.canadianinquirer.net
Today you could be in the public eye in some way. Perhaps you’re teaching a class, giving a lecture, or leading a discussion group. Whatever it is, don’t be surprised if you alternate between inspired and free-flowing articulation and total mental block. When the latter happens, ask for questions. That’ll give them a chance to speak and get your brain going again.
FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013
42
Travel
Restored lighthouse keepers’ cottages Cebu, Iloilo, Vigan make a historic retreat in St. John’s, N.L. it on New7Wonders
Cities “long list”
BY SUE BAILEY The Canadian Press ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—Dawn first breaks in North America over the Fort Amherst lighthouse on the continent’s most easterly gateway at the Narrows leading to St. John’s, N.L. That’s where you’ll find, on a rocky ledge hanging over the mighty North Atlantic, two cottages that once belonged to the head and assistant lighthouse keepers. For more than 200 years a beacon has shone from that cliff each night. During stormy or socked-in weather, the baleful sound of its foghorn rings out over the sea. For more than a decade after the light was automated in the early 1980s, the humble homes were left to deteriorate. They were very nearly beyond repair when Jack Power, son of former lightkeeper Leo Power, fixed up one of the houses as his private retirement home and turned the other into a museum. Ten years later in 2006, his nephew Peter Gill agreed to take over the property. He and his wife, Nicole Gill, spent years turning the two- and threebedroom cottages into a unique oceanside retreat where rustic history now meets modern comforts as waves crash on the rocks below. The little white clapboard houses are known today as Fort Amherst Vacation Homes. And with virtually no paid advertising, they have become a popular destination for visitors from across Canada and the world. “If you really want to experience what Newfoundland has to offer and you’re a little bit on the adventurous side, you might want to check this out,” said Peter Gill. “In one direction you’re seeing the city over here,” he said, pointing to the colourful skyline of St. John’s, which promotes itself as North
BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer
View from Signal Hill National Historic Site. PHOTO FROM VRBO.COM
America’s oldest city. “In the other direction you’re staring out at the great Atlantic Ocean where you can see all kinds of different wildlife. I’ve seen many different species of whales, even killer whales, sea turtles, sea otters. You never know what you’re going to see.” In addition to being the site of the province’s first lighthouse, Fort Amherst’s long military history stretches back to British-French warfare in the 1700s. Battlements later built to help defend the highly strategic harbour from German Uboats in the Second World War are still visible. Earlier fortifications were named for William Amherst who recaptured St. John’s from French forces in 1762, ending a century of colonial fighting over Newfoundland’s rich fishing grounds. “Waking up in the morning when you see the sun coming up, every single time you really could be the first person in all of North America to see the sunrise,” Gill said. The much photographed point of land jutting out into the ocean is also an ideal place to watch icebergs drift past in spring. Nicole Gill described heartfelt inscriptions in guest books that offer thanks from visitors
from as far away as Albania and Sydney, Australia. “Day 1 and it feels like a fantasy,” wrote one. “Couldn’t ask for a more beautiful setting.” Gill laughed when asked how guests react when the foghorn next to the houses goes off. “We don’t shy away from the fact it’s an active lighthouse,” he said on a rainy day as the horn’s muted wail called out at intervals. “But you know we raised our first daughter here and it was never an issue. “The lighthouse points straight out to the ocean so it’s more of a dull sound and where it’s every 21 seconds, it gets a little cyclical,” he added. “For some people, it will put them to sleep.” Nicole Gill said the lighthouse perch overlooking arrivals and departures of vessels ranging from fishing boats to massive cruise ships is a big part of the experience. “Being from Newfoundland, I think we’re inherently tied to the ocean. Just being so close to it, and being able to observe the comings and goings and the connection to the sea, is something that’s really unique. “Usually the only regret people have is that they have to leave. So that’s not a bad complaint.” ■
THE CITIES of Cebu, Iloilo and Vigan have made it on the “long list” of 77 cities being considered by Swiss firm New7Wonders for the New7Wonders Cities list. If they make it to the short list—and eventually, to the list of 7—they will join the Puerto Princesa Underground River as one of the world-wide wonders recognized by the firm. The Subterranean River in Palawan was named one of the New7Wonders of Nature in November of 2011. Cebu, Iloilo and Vigan bested more than 200 other cities vying to get on the long list, which was based on the results of online voting which began in March 2012. The “long list” of 77 cities was revealed on October 7 by New7Wonders President Bernard Weber. More than 300 cities were initially considered, gathered from nominations sent in from across the globe. “Global in its scope, this remarkable New7Wonders long
list reflects the energy and culture of the city at its best,” Weber said in the New7Wonders website. “[C]ities remind us of the possibilities of civilization when, for the first time in history, more than half of the world’s population live in cities,” he added. Eventually, the selection will be narrowed down to 28 out of the 77 cities. Online voting will resume on October 21, and the top 7 cities which emerge from these results will be announced at the end of 2014. Weber expressed his hopes that the campaign will be a “catalyst for discussing everything from urban planning to metropolitan governance, from tourism to architecture.” The campaign for the New7Wonders Cities is the third global voting drive by the Swiss firm, preceded by the manmade New 7 Wonders of the World and the New7Wonders of Nature. “My hope is that the New7Wonders Cities campaign will generate debate about the challenges cities face… and how they are responding to them,” Weber pointed out. ■
The cities of Cebu, Iloilo and Vigan have made it on the “long list” of 77 cities being considered by Swiss firm New7Wonders for the New7Wonders Cities list. PHOTO FROM PHILIPPINES CITIES FOR NEW 7 WONDERS CITIES / FACEBOOK
FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013
43
CANADA
DRIVING SCHOOL Lady Instructor Available Advance Training Courses • Brush Up • Certification Courses Class 5 Basic • Driving Courses • Gov’t Approved
1-587-718-9666
FULL COURSE $399 plus GST for Northeast only Prices may vary according to location
Cecilia Lai
Mortgage Associate • 1st Time Home Buyers • 2nd or 3rd Mortgages • Refinancing • Debt Consolidations • Renewals/Early Switches • Self-Employed • Commission Based • Canadian Citizens • Landed Immigrants • Non-residents • Good Credit, Bad Credit • No Credit
Korean/Japanese straightening $100.00 * includes hair treatment Hair cut $25.00 * includes wash & blow-dry Colour $50.00 * includes cut, treatment & blow-dry
Phone: 780-903-1818 Fax: 780-487-0002 Email: cecilialai@invis.ca www.cecilialaimortgage.ca
Call for appointment
416-886-9123 Jessica Ko
(13+ years of experience in Korea and Canada)
PHILIPPINE CANADIAN
CANADA’S FIRST AND ONLY NATIONWIDE FILIPINO CANADIAN NEWSPAPER
News at your Fingertips
www.canadianinquirer.net
For your daily dose of the most current and up to date Philippine and Canadian news!
www.canadianinquirer.net
FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013 44
BC Man... ing at the lower end of the ladder and making their way up. “We have an obligation in our society, in our government and in our neighbourhoods to look after them. We need to be in the forefront of that battle and the last thing any of us would want is that our province would become a haven for human smugglers and exploiters.” ❰❰ 18
Sarmiento is still a victim but is also a heroine
After the two-hour hearing, Sarmiento together with those who supported her in the community like the staff of West Coast Domestic Workers Association, Migrante BC and MLA Mable Elmore (Vancouver-Kensington) headed to the WCDWA office on Tuesday afternoon. Sarmiento said she had mixed reactions but is still pleased with the outcome of the case. “Nakinig lang ako kung ano ang resulta. Nasisiyahan ako at hindi nasisiyahan kasi ang inaasahan ko ay 5 years. Pero yung lang nga ang pataw. Okay na din kasi at least may hustisya na nakamit at nakulong siya. (I just listened and waited for the final sentence. I am happy and at the same time unhappy. I was hoping for a 5-year sentence but that is what the jury has decided on. Justice was served and he will spend some time in jail and I am okay with that).”
Elmore praised Sarmiento for being tough during the whole trial. “It is a classic case of Employer versus the Employee, they really targeted her credibility. But she held up very well, she is truly an inspiration. This is still a positive verdict. It is also a very significant case not just here in BC but throughout the world.” Sarmiento said that she is reminding all domestic workers to not be afraid. “Ang message ko sa iba pang domestic helpers, huwag kayong matakot. Kung nagkakaroon man ng ganitong pangyayari sa inyo, lumapit kayo sa mga kinauukulan para magkaroon din kayo ng hustisya. At para wala nang domestic helper na inaabuso at mabawasan ang mga naga-abuso. (My message to other domestic helpers is don’t be afraid. Go to the proper authorities so you can have justice if something like my case would happen to you. And also to avoid further abuse from your employers and so there would be less abusive employers.)” Sarmiento has been away from her family in the Philippines for 7 years now. She has not told her family about her ordeal in Canada, they just know that she is currently unemployed as she left her employer’s residence. They do know that she is under the care and protection of a women’s centre. She remains steadfast in her faith and is looking forward to attaining her Permanent Residency status in Canada. ■
www.canadianinquirer.net
supports
FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013
45
CANADA
BEAUTIFUL HOME FOR SALE
“DECORATE YOUR OWN EVENT”
INVENTORY WHOLESALE CLEARANCE
4br - 2,450 sq. ft.
Exquisitely designed for all occasions
. Decorations . Event Planning . Floral and Balloon Arrangements . Gift Baskets 604.889.8219 Lucy’s Creative Design Inc.
Must see - Call for appointment
A perfect location adjacent to Ayala Alabang Village in the Philippines, and with the extension of the SKYWAY to Alabang, the Makati Business District and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport will be a mere 20-30 minutes drive to Versailles.
2 Storey, Single Detached House Master's Bedroom w/ Balcony 2 Bedrooms w/ Individual Toilet & Bath Maid's Room w/ Toilet & Bath Dining Room w/ Lanai Carport for 2 to 4 cars Clubhouse amenities
Clubhouse
PHP15 Million FURNISHED
Contact info: abmailings@gmail.com cell: 778.998.9651
PHILIPPINE CANADIAN
CANADA’S FIRST AND ONLY NATIONWIDE FILIPINO CANADIAN NEWSPAPER
News at your Fingertips
www.canadianinquirer.net
For your daily dose of the most current and up to date Philippine and Canadian news!
FLY
NOW
NEED MONEY? WE CAN HELP We provide personal loans at rates which are highly competitive, with straight forward, fast and personal service.
Call us now - 604.655.4060 PAY LATER
Refer a friend and earn $20 www.cornerstonecredit.ca
Advertise with Us at
sales@canadianinquirer.net | 1-888-668-6059
www.canadianinquirer.net PHILIPPINE CANADIAN
For your daily dose of the most current and up to date news
www.canadianinquirer.net
CANADA’S FIRST AND ONLY NATIONWIDE FILIPINO CANADIAN NEWSPAPER
Canada
FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013 46
Publisher Philippine Canadian Inquirer Editor Melissa Remulla-Briones editor@canadianinquirer.net Associate Editor Laarni de Paula Correspondents Gigi Astudillo Angie Duarte Maria Ramona Ledesma Katherine Marfal Frances Grace Quiddaoen Agnes Tecson Ching Dee Socorro Newland
Pasko na naman! with Rosario Strings and the Singing Nannies and Friends IT’S CHRISTMAS time again and the Vancouver Committee for Domestic Workers and Caregivers Rights (CDWCR) is celebrating the season with a festive fundraising event. Dubbed Pasko na Naman! (It’s Christmas Again), the celebration will be held on Saturday, November 23, 7:00 to 9:00 PM at the UBC Asian Centre auditorium, 1871 West Mall, UBC campus. The event is sponsored by the Centre for Southeast Asian Research (CSEAR) of UBC’s Institute of Asian Research. The program features the “Rosario Strings and Christmas Memories” and includes English and Filipino Christmas songs, folk dances, and other musical numbers. Opening the program will be the maiden performance of CDWCR’s “Singing Nannies and Friends.” For their debut, they will sing Tagalog Christmas carols such as Pasko na Naman (It’s Christmas Again!) , KayTahi-
mik ng Paligid (Filipino Silent Night) and Ang Pasko ay Sumapit (Christmas has Come). Popular television personality Marieton Pacheco of ABS-CBN will be the program’s emcee. The show is produced by Kimwell del Rosario of the Rosario Strings. For the past 20 years, CDWCR, a non-profit organization of volunteer caregivers and domestic workers has assisted newly arrived caregivers find a better life in British Columbia. This CDWCR fundraiser will support an expanded new series of educational and training programs that include: learning new skills in child care and elderly care, information on the legal rights and responsibilities of caregivers, personal financial management, and preparation for permanent resident status and citizenship in Canada. In particular, the funds raised will upgrade the caregivers’ skills through a Red Cross certified
Training Course in First Aid and Cardiac and Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) methods and the use of Automated External Defibrillator machines. Fundraising tickets are at $20 and are available at: Again Treasures Unlimited, 1868 West Broadway, ½ block west of Burrard, Tuesday to Saturday, 2:00 to 5:30 PM; UBC Institute of Asian Research, 1855 West Mall, UBC campus, Monday to Friday from 9AM to 4 PM only; Julie Diesta, CDWCR Coordinator, (778-881-8345) or Helen (604-3261118), and Gina’s Hair Salon, 4227 Fraser Street, (604-872-5435). Donations of any amount and checks payable to CDWCR are gratefully accepted. Philippine Canadian Inquirer, Juan Radio and Juan TV are partners of this event. ■ Photos from the practice of the Singing Nannies are courtesy of Julie Diesta.
Graphic Designer Victoria Yong Jennifer Yen Photographers Solon Licas Angelo Siglos Danvic Briones 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. Copies are distributed free throughout Metro Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg and Toronto. Member
www.canadianinquirer.net
47 FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013
www.canadianinquirer.net
FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013 48
www.canadianinquirer.net