Philippine Canadian Inquirer Issue #89

CALL TOLL FREE

CANADA’S FIRST AND ONLY NATIONWIDE FILIPINO-CANADIAN NEWSPAPER www.canadianinquirer.net

VOL. 11 NO. 89

1-888-578-7267 ext.2201

NOVEMBER 8, 2013

7

9

18

26

28

Santiago says Napoles hearing a circus

Priest tells court Luy a drug addict, then backtracks

BC-Alberta pipeline negotiations

Fil-Canadian in Focus: Eleanor Guerrero-Campbell

PCI goes skin deep

SC rules Filipina’s marriage of convenience to American valid

BY JEROME ANING Philippine Daily Inquirer

BIRTH OF JUAN TV REDS, BLACKS AND WHITES. JUAN TV’s soft launch and press conference was a celebration of monumental breakthrough in Filipino-Canadian television

entertainment. It was an evening of classy, serene yet festive ambiance with well-heeled guests garbed in reds, blacks and whites, Juan TV logo’s signature colours. More photos on pages 24-25.

PHOTO BY ANGELO SIGLOS

The Unveiling of Canada’s “All-Pinoy” TV Network

BY SOCORRO-BABES C. NEWLAND IT WAS an evening of reds, blacks and whites with delectable hors d’oeuvres served buffet style. JUAN TV’s soft launch and press conference was a celebration of monumental breakthrough in Filipino-Canadian television entertainment.

Vancouver, BC’s JUAN TV has finally arrived. Held at the posh Pavilion Ballroom of Vancouver’s Sheraton Hotel Wall Centre, the night was a glittering success. It was attended by local media luminaries, would-be dealers/agents, local show business celebrities, community leaders and public servants.

PHOTO BY RAFFY LERMA

❱❱ PAGE 13 SC rules

Napoles mausoleum in upscale Taguig now a tourist spot ❱❱ PAGE 11

❱❱ PAGE 32 The Unveiling

MANILA, PHILIPPINES—For love or convenience? Either way, the marriage would be “equally valid.”

The Supreme Court has refused to nullify the marriage of a Filipino woman to an American, even if she claimed that she only wed him to acquire US citizenship.

The high court’s Third Division, in a decision dated Oct. 16, denied the woman’s petition, saying that as far as the state was concerned, the couple, regardless of their motive, freely consented to the marriage and were therefore bound by it.

“Although the court views with dis-

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013 2

The first to go

nationwide IN PRINT

We are Now Going

DAILY on the web everywhere, anywhere News at your fingertips daily

www.canadianinquirer.net

PHILIPPINE CANADIAN

CANADA’S FIRST AND ONLY NATIONWIDE FILIPINO CANADIAN NEWSPAPER

www.canadianinquirer.net

PhilippineCanadianInquirer

Philippine News

3 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013

Philippines, US disagree in talks on accord over troop deployment, Filipino defence chief says

BY JIM GOMEZ The Associated Press MANILA, PHILIPPINES—The Philippine defence chief said Tuesday that disagreements between U.S. and Filipino negotiators are prolonging talks on an accord allowing an increase in American military presence in the country.

Negotiations began in August on a defence agreement that would allow larger numbers of U.S. troops to have temporary access to Philippine military camps and bring in aircraft, ships and other equipment. U.S. troops have already been allowed to train Filipino anti-terrorism forces in the southern Philippines since 2002.

Defence Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said one key issue involves a U.S. failure to clearly accept Philippine control over and access to temporary American facilities to be set up in local camps.

“They can’t say yes or no but what will happen if we won’t have access? Those bases will look like their bases,” Gazmin said in a telephone interview.

“You can say there is a kind of an impasse, a disagreement,” he said, but added he was optimistic that the differences could be overcome.

U.S. Embassy officials did not immedi-

ately comment.

Philippine negotiators have been told to ensure that any agreement would comply with the Philippine Constitution and laws and that the U.S. would not have exclusive use of any facility established within selected Philippine military camps, Philippine officials have said.

There were also differences on how to word certain provisions of the agreement, Gazmin said.

The next negotiating session has not been scheduled. The differences mean an agreement may be reached next year at the earliest.

The Philippines’ desire to bolster its defence while engaged in territorial disputes in the South China Sea has dovetailed with Washington’s intention to pivot away from years of heavy military engagement in Afghanistan and Iraq to Asia.

Hundreds of American troops have been stationed in the southern Philippines for counter-terrorism training since 2002.

The presence of foreign troops is a sensitive issue in the Philippines, a former American colony. The Philippine Senate voted in 1991 to close down major U.S. bases. A pact ratified in 1999 allowed temporary visits such as joint exercises. ■

Philippine negotiators have been told to ensure that any agreement would comply with the Philippine Constitution and laws and that the U.S. would not have exclusive use of any facility established within selected Philippine military camps, Philippine officials have said.

EXPERIENCED, TENACIOUS, EFFECTIVE. Joseph Cuenca is your lawyer.

Joseph is the lawyer you deserve on your side. Philippine-born and educated in Europe, Asia, and Canada, he has practiced in BC for many years.

Qualified to practice law in the Philippines and Canada, Joseph is experienced in litigation and negotiation for new and established generations of clients. His tenacity on large and complex lawsuits achieves excellent outcomes for his clients.

Able to speak five languages, he has a diversified and strategic approach to clients’ needs which thrives in Canada’s multi-cultural landscape. He is effective in difficult conflicts — in family, business, or construction matters. His strong listening and negotiating skills and skillful legal approach achieve results.

Make the complex simple. Be well advised. Get effective results. Get Joseph on your side!

604.273.6411 208 - 4940 No. 3 Road, Richmond, BC www.cbelaw.com

‘Our feet were chained’ 6,000 OFWs face arrest as ‘Saudization’ begins Philippine Daily Inquirer THIRTY FILIPINO workers deported from Saudi Arabia arrived home on Monday and alleged they were abused amid a crackdown on illegal migrants in the Middle Eastern kingdom.

The deportees were among an estimated 6,700 Filipino workers stranded in parts of Saudi Arabia where an amnesty for undocumented foreigners ended on Sunday.

“They treated us like animals,” said domestic helper Amor Roxas, 46, who burst into tears while narrating her ordeal.

She claimed Saudi police rounded them up and placed them in a crowded cell for four days before they were paraded from the immigration center to the airport.

“Our feet were chained,” added Yvonne Montefeo, 32, in between sobs.

Saudi Arabian Embassy officials in Manila did not want to comment on the allegation of abuse.

The Philippines had asked Saudi Arabia for an extension of an amnesty

www.canadianinquirer.net

for illegal migrants, but Vice President Jejomar Binay said Monday that King Abdullah did not respond to the Philippine request.

With the deadline lapsing on Sunday, Binay said the Philippine request for an extension was considered moot.

And that means undocumented Filipino workers will be arrested in the crackdown on illegal migrants in the oilrich kingdom.

But Binay, also the presidential adviser for migrant workers’ affairs, said Filipino workers in the kingdom had nothing to worry about, as those who were already being processed for repatriation would not be arrested.

“Those who will be arrested are [the illegal migrants], those still working and have not yet applied [for repatriation],” Binay said in an interview on Radyo Inquirer 990AM. Stranded in Jeddah

But Migrante International, a support group for overseas Filipino workers, said 1,700 other workers remained stranded ❱❱ PAGE 8 ‘Our feet’

Philippine News

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013 4

‘They’re the ones involved, they’re the ones investigating’

BY DJ YAP Philippine Daily Inquirer “THEY are the ones involved, and now they are the ones investigating… They should resign.”

That’s the demand of Antonia Pascual, the national president of the Department of Agrarian Reform Employees Association (Darea).

The employees’ union wants Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes and other top officials to resign in the wake of reports of the agency’s release of pork barrel funds to questionable nongovernment organizations (NGOs) in 2010 and 2011.

Pascual said De los Reyes and his undersecretaries were in no position to investigate the releases of funds to the NGOs, many of which had links to detained businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles.

“We thought all the while that Team De los Reyes was clean… but now we’re seeing exposés involving millions of pesos worth of transactions,” she

Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes (left): ‘In no position to investigate’.

PHOTO FROM BALITA.PH

said in an interview.

The INQUIRER reported earlier that P230 million from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) went to 16 dubious NGOs in 2011 through agreements to distribute agricultural livelihood packages forged between local government units (LGUs) and Agrarian Reform Undersecretaries Narciso Nieto, Jerry Pacturan and Perry Felix Vil-

lanueva.

The fund releases by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) included funding initiatives made by Senators Gregorio Honasan II (P100 million) and Jinggoy Estrada (P50 million), which were approved by Senate President Franklin Drilon, who was then chair of the Senate finance committee.

De los Reyes said the fund releases were under investigation

by Undersecretary Anthony Parungao. The DAR also said it was already preparing charges against the dubious NGOs after it was found that no projects were implemented at all.

Nieto, who resigned in October last year, signed some of the agreements on behalf of De los Reyes while other contracts were signed by Pacturan, according to the earlier INQUIRER report.

Both Pacturan and Villanueva, who handled the agency’s bidding and awards committee and finance division, oversaw the release of the checks to the NGOs. Gloria Almazan, Darea secretary, said De los Reyes and his undersecretaries should inhibit themselves from the investigation, and should resign from their posts due to suspicions raised by the DAR’s involvement in the controversy.

Pascual said at the very least, De los Reyes should have suspended Undersecretaries Villanueva and Pacturan while the probe was ongoing.

In an earlier statement, Parungao said the funds allocated to the NGOs were “merely endorsed to DAR” by legislators.

He stressed that the reforms that they were starting to put in place early on precisely stipulated that all funds released to entities were subject to bidding, and gave the assurance that, save those under investigation now, no other fund disbursements were made without having undergone due process. ■

It’s our best treat!

www.canadianinquirer.net

Philippine News

5 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013

P-noy exec served as Napoles’ lawyer Rene Villa: I gave her financial advice

BY GIL C. CABACUNGAN Philippine Daily Inquirer LOCAL WATER Utilities Administration (LWUA) Chair Rene Villa served as lawyer of detained businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles for four years, making him the highest-profile government executive and Liberal Party (LP) official with direct professional links to the alleged pork barrel scam queen.

“I am a lawyer and she was my client. I had to earn a living because I was out of government then. I gave her advice on purely private, financial matters, nothing on government or political matters. Mine was a limited engagement which, if I recall correctly, started in 2006.

I quit when I rejoined government just as I did with my other clients,” Villa said.

The 49-year-old Napoles is facing plunder charges in connection with an alleged P10billion scam that funneled allocations from the congressional Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) into ghost projects of dubious nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and massive kickbacks over the past decade.

As secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Villa on July 8, 2005, joined the so-called “Hyatt 10” group of Cabinet men and government executives who left their posts in protest over allegations then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo stole the 2004 elections following the “Hello Garci” scandal.

Aside from Villa, the other Hyatt 10 members who were granted lofty posts in the Aquino administration were Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, Social Welfare Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles.

Villa said he had nothing to do with Napoles’ alleged foray into the DAR where her NGOs were able to get P200 million in agrarian reform funds in 2007 and P900 million in Malampaya funds in 2009 that were now the subject of graft and plunder cases with the Ombudsman.

“I didn’t even know she was dealing with DAR,” Villa said.

The 50-year-old Villa was appointed LWUA chair in September 2011 to replace former Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay, who was sacked for alleged misuse of the agency’s funds. Pichay is a staunch defender and business partner of Napoles.

“The professional engagement involved a coal project in Kalimantan, which involved initially a French national who was already in the coal business in China and wanted a partner to enter the Philippine market using coal from Indonesia,” Villa said.

“In the process, we became friends as she would invite me to some of her parties and the Masses she held for special occasions in her office to mark important events in her life,” he said.

Masses were said during the first Wednesday of each month in the Napoles office at Discovery Center in Ortigas, according to whistle-blowers.

“I would frequent her office because I had an office in an adjacent building,” said Villa who admitted to have been a constant “food” companion of Napoles when he was in Ortigas.

Villa insisted that he did not introduce Napoles to Senate President Franklin Drilon or his peers in the Liberal Party.

“I think she knew her way around. I was a political pariah then when I quit the government,” said Villa, a political protégé of Drilon in Iloilo province.

Drilon said that while he saw Villa in a few Napoles events, the Senate President maintained that he got to know Napoles not through Villa but through his wife who was invited by Napoles in her social functions at Heritage Park, the upscale cemetery at Bonifacio Global City, where her mother was interred in a mausoleum.

“I would like to stress that I had absolutely not signed any of my PDAF to Napoles or any of her alleged NGOs. That is on record and there is no evidence contrary to that,” said Drilon, whose photograph with Napoles has turned viral on the Internet.

senator’s nomination of a project funded by PDAF is ministerial and provided under the special provisions of the General Appropriations Act. I only endorse the senators’ request to the DBM (Department of Budget and-Management), not to the implementing agency, much less to any NGO. Documents will show that the designation of the NGO by the legislator which will implement the project is done at the level of the implementing agency,” Drilon said.

The Senate finance committee serves as the gatekeeper of pork releases of its members.

While the initial reports on the pork barrel scam focused on transactions made by Napoles NGOs in the previous administration, the subsequent testimony and documents from the whistle-blowers showed that the racket persisted and flourished under the current administration.

Napoles is scheduled to appear before the Senate blue ribbon committee on Nov. 7 after Drilon, who had waffled on summoning her, finally relented amid indignation among the senators.

Villa, who was part of the group that helped Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio form his law partnership dubbed “The Firm,” said that he ran a fairly successful legal enterprise before he entered the government.

“I was her lawyer for business transactions, mostly international ones because that is my expertise. She has lawyers other than myself for criminal and labor cases. She ran a highly compartmentalized business,” Villa said.

In a phone interview, Villa said that he did not know the roots of Napoles’ fortune and that she was already liquid when they got acquainted six years ago.

“She was very entrepreneurial with lots of business ideas. I knew she was rich because she wanted to enter into businesses that cost a fortune, like coal mining, carbon credits banking and hospital ships,” Villa said.

Gatekeeper of pork releases

Aborted coal partnership

“My endorsement as chair of the finance committee of a

In an interview with the INQUIRER, Napoles was adamant www.canadianinquirer.net

TLWUA Chair Rene Villa: “I am a lawyer and she was my client. I had to earn a living because I was out of government then. I gave her advice on purely private, financial matters, nothing on government or political matters.”

PHOTO FROM ANC.YAHOO.COM

that her fortune came from a coal business in Indonesia but she did not name the company nor her partners.

Villa said that he had advised Napoles in her aborted coal partnership deal in Kalimantan with a group of retired generals led by Hermogenes Esperon, the former chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and a foreigner who he only remembered as a “Jewish businessman with a French passport.”

The lawyer said that he was “eased out” of the discussions because the other partners wanted to keep the profits from the shipments of high-grade coal to the Philippines to a limited group.

Villa said he found out later that the coal partnership did not push through because Napoles declined to give $7.5 million demanded by her partners.

He said he did not ask Napoles if she had any other past investments in coal.

Villa said that Napoles had planned to go into trading of carbon credits, which monetized the cost of polluting the air, among industrial firms with a foreign businessman who he remembered as an “American with an Eastern European family name.” This deal did not pan out because Napoles found it too exotic, Villa said.

He said he found “brilliant” Napoles’ idea to provide hospital ships as a solution to the lack of medical facilities and high cost of healthcare in the country.

“She really had an entrepreneurial mind and she has lots of business ideas,” Villa said.

But just like the coal and carbon credits, the hospital ship business also did not materialize apparently because Napoles did not want to part with her money with too much risk at stake.

Campaign contributions

Villa said he was also unaware if Napoles had contributed to the campaign funds of the Liberal Party.

“She does these things herself, I’m not that high (in the party). They just reserve a seat for me in the LP meetings as a person of national stature,” said Villa, who ran under the Liberal Party for representative in the third district of Iloilo in 2010 but lost.

Villa said he did not have any idea about the extent of Napoles’ empire.

“When I came on board, her business was already in place.

As far as I am concerned I was just making a living. She was just a client and she was not obliged to disclose to me her other businesses,” Villa said.

“We didn’t talk politics. I guess she thinks in terms of individuals and not institutions.

She is very good in personal or individual PR skills,” he said.

“What good will I do her? I was a political pariah after I quit government with the Hyatt 10. When you are in that position with lots of money and in that rarefied atmosphere, it is good to have links,” Villa said. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013 6

Bong sues whistle-blowers

BY NANCY C. CARVAJAL Philippine Daily Inquirer NOW, IT is Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla’s turn to sue.

Charged with plunder in the Office of the Ombudsman, the Cavite lawmaker has filed a damage suit against two whistleblowers and five other people demanding that they return P502 million of his pork barrel that was supposedly given them, according to court documents obtained by the INQUIRER. Revilla filed his lawsuit in Cavite Regional Trial Court Branch 19.

He named as respondents whistleblowers Benhur Luy and Marina C. Sula and four officers of nongovernment organizations (NGOs) linked to businesswoman Janet LimNapoles, alleged mastermind of a P10-billion pork barrel scam.

The four officers were identified in Revilla’s lawsuit as Jocelyn Piorato, Nemesio Pablo, Petronilla Balmaceda and Evelyn de Leon, plus a John Doe.

Nullify allegations

Besides Revilla, 37 others have been charged either with plunder or malversation, bribery and/or graft and corrupt practices.

Among those charged with plunder with Revilla are Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile and Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” Ejercito Estrada.

In his suit, Revilla asked the court to nullify the allegations against him in the documents from the Commission on Audit (COA). These documents pertained to Revilla’s supposed use of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), or pork barrel.

He described the documents as “fictitious.”

Signatures forged

The COA sent a letter to Revilla in July 2011 asking him to confirm whether the signatures appearing on his PDAF documents were his or that of his senior staff, Richard Cambe.

Revilla said that based on a handwriting expert, his and Cambe’s signatures were

forged.

“Thus, the PDAF documents are absolutely simulated or fictitious and should be declared null and void,” he said.

Cambe has been identified by whistle-blowers, led by Luy, as the one supposedly designated

by Revilla to conduct transactions for him with the NGOs controlled by Napoles.

Revilla said the COA report, which he claimed was based on bogus documents, stated that he allocated P502.89 million of his pork barrel during the period 2007-2009 to NGOs headed by the respondents.

“The defendants should be ordered to account for and return the amounts they received through the use of fictitious PDAF documents to the government.”

Revilla also asked each of the respondents to pay moral damages of not less than P100,000 for exposing him to probable criminal prosecution.

He also accused them of exposing him to public hatred, condemnation and dishonor for their “wanton, reckless and

www.canadianinquirer.net

Sen. Revilla has filed a damage suit against two whistleblowers and five other people demanding that they return P502 million of his pork barrel that was supposedly given them.

PHOTO FROM INTERAKSYON.COM

malevolent acts and omissions, particularly in illegally and unlawfully maliciously forging the signatures of Revilla and his senior staff Richard Cambe.”

15 days

Cavite RTC Branch 19 Judge Matias Garcia II gave the respondents 15 days to reply to Revilla’s lawsuit.

The COA launched a performance audit on PDAF funds

and projects for the years 20072009. It identified the implementing agencies involved in the distribution of the PDAF money as National Agribusiness Corp. (Nabcor), ZNAC Rubber State Corp. (ZREC), National Livelihood Development Corp. (NLDC) and Technology Resource Center (TRC).

The Senate blue ribbon committee has launched an inquiry into the controversy. ■

Philippine News

7 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013

Santiago says Napoles hearing a circus More peacekeepers

off to hot spots

BY TJ BURGONIO Philippine Daily Inquirer THE SENATE cannot grant Janet Lim-Napoles immunity and her appearance at next week’s hearing on the alleged P10-billion pork barrel scam will likely be turned into a political “circus” by senators obsessed with 2016, Sen. Miriam DefensorSantiago said.

Santiago, a former trial court judge and law professor, said that neither the Senate nor the Office of the Ombudsman could grant immunity to the alleged pork barrel queen because such power belonged to the courts.

Santiago said that it was the courts that assumed jurisdiction over an accused upon the filing of charges, and only they could determine whether or not an accused was entitled to immunity in exchange for a tell- all testimony.

“If that’s the case, the rules of court regarding immunity will apply only if the courts determine that the criteria set by law are met,” she said by phone.

The Senate, which is bound by the rules of court, cannot “preempt what the court will do,” she explained.

“It’s not for the Senate to determine who is the most guilty.

The most guilty can’t be state witness,” she added.

That’s why the Senate cannot compel Napoles to testify “on the enticement of complete immunity.”

The Senate cannot guarantee immunity to a witness if he or she tells the whole truth, she said. “The Senate has no such power.”

Even the courts are hesitant about granting state-witness status to a witness “because that means that the most guilty will go scot-free because he has sung against his colleagues,” she pointed out.

If at all, the Senate can guarantee a witness that it won’t take any action for anything that he or she says, Santiago said.

Not considered state witness

In the end, the most that the Senate can do is to recommend to the Ombudsman that Napoles should not be considered a state witness.

Napoles, who is facing a plunder complaint in the Office of

BY NIKKO DIZON Philippine Daily Inquirer

Santiago, a former trial court judge and law professor, said that neither the Senate nor the Office of the Ombudsman could grant immunity to the alleged pork barrel queen because such power belonged to the courts.

PHOTO FROM WIKIMEDIA.ORG

the Ombudsman together with three senators and 34 others, has been subpoenaed to appear at the blue ribbon committee’s hearing on the scandal.

She will be arrayed against six of her former employees who have turned whistle-blower and have also been summoned to the hearing.

Sen. Sergio Osmeña III has broached the idea of granting immunity to Napoles so that she would be persuaded to rat on the lawmakers and government officials who benefited from the conversion of the Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork barrel into kickbacks over the past 10 years.

Senate President Franklin Drilon asserted that the committee could grant Napoles immunity in such a way that her testimony would not be used against her. Some of his colleagues have objected to this.

Without such immunity to coax her to divulge her ties with the senators, and given her right against self-incrimination, among others, next Thursday’s hearing may just turn into a political circus, Santiago said.

“It will turn into a circus,” she said.

Trying to be cute

She recalled that that when she was sick at home and was watching previous hearings, she observed that the ques-

tions were “intellectually challenged” and showed her colleagues’ “superficial grasp” of the issue.

Nobody is giving careful attention to the issues involved.

“Everyone’s trying to be cute,” Santiago said.

But then again, this should not be surprising at all, she added.

“What the blue ribbon committee wants to do is to turn the spotlight away from the Ombudsman and concentrate it on the senators who will be running for president and vice president. All the people involved are presidentiables and vice presidentiables,” she said of her colleagues.

Risking her life

She said the Senate’s power to conduct inquiries had been “abused” because it had been used not in aid of legislation but to “focus public attention on certain senators running for election or other public office.”

Santiago wondered aloud what new information could be extracted from Napoles that had not already been divulged in the media. By appearing in the Senate, the accused “was just risking her life.”

“She’s afraid for her life. She’s not going to risk herself so that the Senate will get her to say what it wants her to say before the TV cameras,” she said. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

AS THE Philippines saw off a peacekeeping contingent to Haiti, another group of Filipino peacekeepers is preparing to leave for the Golan Heights, the volatile border area between Syria and Israel, in December barring any worsening of the security situation in Syria, said a Department of National Defense official.

“One of the conditions we gave (for sending another mission) was to have a regular assessment of the security situation.

For example, [if] within the next six months, the situation [would have] really deteriorated, then we would pull out. But if it’s OK, then the rotation would push through,” Raymond Quilop, defense assistant secretary for strategic assessment, told reporters.

Earlier this year, Syrian rebels twice abducted several Filipino peacekeepers serving under the United Nations Disengagement Force (Undof ). They were later released unharmed.

The incident, however, prompted the Philippine government to set conditions for the continued deployment of Filipino peacekeepers to the Middle East under Undof.

Extended duty

The conditions included the deployment of Undof’s mandated full strength of 1,250 by this month; the procurement of equipment necessary for the protection and defense of the Filipino and others under Undof, and the Philippines would deploy troops on a six-month rotation.

The sixth Filipino battalion sent to the Golan Heights had

been scheduled to return to the Philippines in August but their tour of duty was extended. Led

by Army Col. Nolie Anquillano, the 300-plus Philippine contingent has been in the Golan Heights for nearly a year.

Some 330 soldiers are ready to be deployed in December, he said.

Quilop said the abduction of the Filipino peacekeepers had not deterred other soldiers from signing up for Undof.

“We could call it the positive attitude of the soldiers… the risk is part and (parcel) of their lives. So it’s nothing new to them, so to speak. Many volunteered and we did not have any problems filling those 330plus positions,” Quilop said.

Yesterday, Philippine Navy chief Vice Adm. Jose Luis Alano led the sendoff for the 157-man contingent that will represent the Philippine military and the government in the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (Minustah).

The ceremony was held at Villamor Air Base, headquarters of the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

Wage peace

“It is with the comforting thought that we are not sending them off to wage war, that is, to kill people and destroy property. We are sending them off to wage peace, that is, to ensure a secure and stable environment, to protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence and to support the constitutional and political processes.

They will be peacekeepers,” Alano said in his remarks.

Capt. Luzviminda Camacho will head the all-Navy contingent, which is expected to serve in Haiti from six to nine months. ■

GOLAN HEIGHTS. The sixth Filipino battalion sent there had been scheduled to

return to the Philippines in August but their tour of duty was extended.

PHOTO FROM CHAMELEONSEYE / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Philippine News

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013 8

‘Our feet’... in Jeddah waiting for their documents to be processed so they can return home while about 5,000 more were scattered in Riyadh, Al Khobar and Dammam and also needing consular assistance.

Migrante warned that the Filipinos “are in danger of being violently dispersed, arrested and detained by Saudi authorities” as the kingdom cracks down on illegal migrants.

The Filipinos are among tens of thousands of mostly Asian unskilled workers likely to be expelled, the group said.

The crackdown started early this year, but the Saudi government offered an amnesty to allow the workers to legalize their stay.

Binay said more than 4,000 Filipinos had been repatriated since the crackdown was announced, while 1,716 are waiting for their exit documents to be processed even as the deadline expired on Sunday. ❰❰ 3

Secretary of Agriculture Proceso J. Alcala (left) swears into office 38-year old Orlan Agbin Calayag, who was recently appointed by President Benigno S. Aquino III as the new administrator of the DA’s National Food Authority (NFA).

PHOTO FROM GOV.PH

Malacañang stands by its new man at NFA

BY MICHAEL LIM UBAC Philippine Daily Inquirer MALACAÑANG STOOD by its appointment of Orlan Agbin Calayag as chief of the National Food Administration (NFA).

“Based on an assessment of the documents provided by Mr. Orlan Calayag, he has met all the qualifications necessary to hold his current position,” said Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa.

Ochoa’s office issued this brief statement only one day after the Palace revealed that Calayag’s appointment was being reviewed by the Office of the President.

Secretary Herminio Coloma, presidential spokesperson, disclosed that Malacañang was reviewing the appointment of Calayag, a protégé of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, due to persistent reports that Calayag was a naturalized American citizen.

Crucial post

Calayag holds a crucial position as chief of the NFA, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA) that has been criticized for the recent spike in rice prices.

Calayag is a close associate of Alcala, having served as his chief of staff when the latter was amember of the House of Representatives.

Calayag’s appointment dated

July 12, 2012, indicated that his term of office would run from July 1, 2012, to June 30, 2014.

The INQUIRER obtained copies of his certificate of live birth issued by the National Statistics Office which showed that he was born in San Pablo, Laguna, to Filipino parents Nemesio Amat Calayag and Mauricia Bunquin Agbin, on July 22, 1974.

Reacquired citizenship

He, however, later relinquished his Filipino citizenship in favor of US citizenship.

On Jan. 7, he appeared to have reacquired his Filipino citizenship, with the Bureau of Immigration under Commissioner Ricardo David issuing to him a “certificate of reacquisition/ retention of Philippine citizenship” pursuant to the Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act of 2003 (Republic Act No. 9225).

He took his oath of allegiance to the Philippines on the same date.

When Calayag was appointed in January, the DA chief described the new NFA administrator as a “balikbayan” whom he had convinced to come back and serve.

Calayag is a former “patient services specialist” at the Swedish Medical Center in Washington. He had also served as auditor of Bellevue Sheraton Hotel, loan officer of the Bank of America and relationshipmanager of KeyBank. ■

Waiting for papers

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz gave a slightly lower figure on Monday. She said 1,488 Filipinos had yet to be issued exit visas by the Riyadh government.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said 4,420 Filipino illegals had been repatriated from Saudi Arabia while 1,500 were still waiting for immigration clearance to fly home.

Information from the Commission on Overseas Filipinos showed that as of December last year, 108,000 of the 1.27 million Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia were undocumented.

Baldoz gave the assurance that the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Riyadh and Jeddah were “ready to shelter illegal” Filipinos in Saudi Arabia.

“As of Nov. 2, 727 Filipinos—428 women and 299 men— had called up the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh regarding access to shelter,” Baldoz said in a statement.

As of Monday, 206 Filipino illegals were sheltered in the Migrant Overseas Workers Resource Center in Riyadh, Balwww.canadianinquirer.net

doz said.

Supplementary budget

Baldoz also called for a P50million supplementary budget “for the needs of those who will be affected by the Saudi crackdown against Filipino illegals.”

DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah and the branches of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office across Saudi Arabia would provide assistance to undocumented Filipinos who might be arrested.

The assistance includes issuing the illegals “travel documents, if necessary,” Hernandez said.

‘Saudization’

Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the Philippines Abdullah AlHassan earlier told the Inquirer that the Saudi government would strictly enforce its immigration laws once the extension of the deadline for illegals to correct their status lapses. “[After] the expiry of the grace period deadline, the penalty or punishments prescribed in the law shall be applied strictly on any violator

among foreigners and their employers,” Al-Hassan said.

Undocumented workers in Saudi Arabia had been given up to July 3 to correct their status, but on the request of the Philippines, India, Pakistan, Indonesia and Bangladesh, King Abdullah extended the deadline to Nov. 3.

Al-Hassan said the four-month extension was “deemed enough time for those who are serious in correcting their status or in returning to their countries.”

He said the Saudi government doubled working hours at immigration centers to process the papers of a heavy volume of applicants.

With the lapse of the deadline on Sunday, “Saudization”— a policy giving priority to Saudi Arabians in hiring—goes into full swing in the kingdom.

About a tenth of the Philippines’ population live and work abroad, and their dollar remittances are a vital pillar of the economy.

A vast majority of them work as unskilled laborers or maids, and are exposed to situations where they are prone to abuse. ■ Reports from Tarra Quismundo and Jerry E. Esplanada; Kristine Angeli Sabillo, Inquirer.net; and AFP

Philippine News

9 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013

Priest tells court Luy a drug addict, then backtracks

BY NIÑA P. CALLEJA Philippine Daily Inquirer A CATHOLIC priest testified in court that Benhur Luy, the principal witness in the pork barrel scam, was a drug addict and had committed offenses in the company owned by Janet Lim-Napoles, the alleged brains behind the racket that cost the government P10 billion over the last 10 years.

But when asked by the prosecution how he learned about Luy’s alleged vices, Rev. Peter Edward Lavin, 53, replied that he had not been able to verify them.

Lavin, one of several priests who reportedly received regular stipends from Napoles, testified for the detained businesswoman in the hearing on her petition to be allowed bail in the serious illegal detention suit filed against her and her brother Reynald Lim by Luy. Lim and Napoles have claimed that they did not illegally detain Luy, but sent him into a “spiritual retreat” in the care of Lavin.

But Luy, in his complaint being heard by Judge Elmo Alameda of Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150, said Lim and Napoles kept him against his will for three months at Discovery Center in the Ortigas business center in Pasig City and in a house on Lapu- Lapu Street in Magallanes Village in Makati City from Dec. 19 last year to March 22 this year.

National Bureau of Investigation agents rescued Luy, who alleged that Napoles, in connivance with legislators, siphoned off P10 billion from the pork barrel Priority Development Assistance Fund ( PDAF) into her bank accounts through bogus nongovernment organizations.

Napoles, Luy’s first cousin and boss at JLN Corp., is detained at

a police training camp in Fort Sto. Domingo, Sta. Rosa City, Laguna province. Lim remains at large, with a P5-million bounty offered for his arrest.

In his testimony, Lavin, an incorporator of JLN Corp. according to Securities and Exchange Commission ( SEC) records, said it was Lim who told him about Luy’s vices and offenses at work and about Luy’s supposed desire to go on a spiritual retreat.

Lavin, who has known the Napoles and Lim families since 2011, said he offered to be Luy’s spiritual adviser and suggested that Luy stay in a retreat house next to a seminary in Antipolo City in Rizal province.

Alfredo Villamor, a lawyer for the defense who led the direct examination of Lavin, noted that Lavin’s statement showed that Luy was not detained and instead stayed at the Magallanes house called Bahay ni San Jose (St. Joseph’s House), where priests stayed during spiritual retreats.

Lavin said on Dec. 26, he saw Luy moving around the Magallanes house freely and talking to someone on the phone.

“There was a time I said hello to him while he was praying in the garden. There was one occasion when I saw him in the chapel (in Magallanes house) with a Bible and taking down notes,” Lavin said.

Asked what was Luy’s reply, Lavin answered, “He said he was OK.” He said hewas told by a Msgr. Josefino Ramirez, who was staying in the Magallanes house, that Luy had chosen to stay there for a retreat.

JLN incorporator

At the start of the cross-examination, Christopher Garvida questioned Lavin about his being an incorporator and one of the directors of the JLN Corp., as shown by the compa-

Atty. Bruce Rivera, then lawyer of Janet Lim-Napoles, showed nude photos of whistle-blower Benhur Kilap-Kilap Luy during a press conference in Manila in July.

PHOTO BY NINO JESUS ORBETA / INQUIRER.NET

ny’s records at the SEC. “[That is] a lie,” Lavin said. But Lavin admitted that he visited Napoles in Fort Sto. Domingo.

Lavin also said Lim had shown him pictures of Luy that he described as “too scandalous” to be shown in court.

“It shows something about having sex with men,” he said when Garvida asked for details.

When shown eight pictures that according to Garvida showed Luy “naked and appearing dizzy” and asked what was scandalous about the photographs, Lavin appeared to have modified his opinion of the photos.

“Are these scandalous?”

Garvida asked. “Not so much,” Lavin replied. “So you agreed to give (Luy) a spiritual retreat without confirming if what Lim had told you was true?” Garvida asked.

The priest admitted that he

www.canadianinquirer.net

had not been able to confirm Luy’s alleged vices.

Garvida also suggested that the priest never had a conversation with Luy apart from simple greetings.

“So you would not know if he was undergoing a spiritual retreat or he was illegally detained?” Garvida asked. “Yes,” Lavin replied. The bail hearing, where the prosecution had presented eight witness and the defense one, ended.

“We will just be waiting for the judge to issue a resolution,” Garvida told reporters after the proceedings.

Asked why the defense presented only one witness when it originally planned to present three, Villamor said: “In a bail hearing, you don’t have to present all the witnesses. We have our own strategy. And to us, (having one witness) is what the case warrants.”

During the continuation of Luy’s testimony, he was grilled over some inconsistencies between his statements in three affidavits he had submitted and the information he had given in court.

“Our lawyer Levito Baligod told me to write in the affidavits only what’s important and the rest would be testified to in court,” Luy explained, stressing that nothing was inaccurate in what he had said in court and his statements in the affidavits.

His own business

He was also quizzed about his plan to set up a business similar to Napoles’, which he stated in his affidavits.

“Yes, but not illegal,” Luy said, stressing he would propose projects that would go through public bidding and he would make sure the projects would be implemented. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013 10

Allies back President on DAP stand

BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA AND NORMAN BORDADORA Philippine Daily Inquirer ALLIES OF President Aquino defended his controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), a part of which was coursed through senators and members of the House of Representatives, saying that elected representatives knew what projects were needed on the ground. The President on Wednesday night delivered a speech on the culpability of those who channeled their Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), or pork barrel, to fake nongovernment organizations and on the benefits and legality of the DAP. The DAP, a mechanism that pools state savings to fund crucial projects, has come under fire from critics who say that it is essentially similar to the PDAF since it was made available to lawmakers for their projects.

Three Liberal Party members in the House said involving lawmakers was a practical move and approximated the budget process, where members of Congress provide inputs on how best to disburse public funds.

“While the executive has full discretion over that, it’s also best to ask stakeholders, who in this case are elected officials, to be able to state what they need,” Marikina Rep. Federico Romero Quimbo said in a phone interview.

Like power of purse

Quimbo also said getting the lawmakers involved in the DAP was akin to the role they played in the budget process as part of Congress’ exercise of the power of the purse.

The executive department’s budget proposal, when it reaches Congress, is altered or realigned to make it more responsive to what people need by allocating funds for more essential projects, according to Quimbo.

“It’s a way for the executive to gauge what are the most needed priorities in the respective areas,” he said.

Quimbo contended that mayors and barangay captains could also have access to DAP

Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, convicted and removed from office then Chief Justice Renato Corona in 2012.

Unbundling lump sums

President Aquino, who was at the flag raising and awarding ceremony at the GHQ Canopy, Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City in this photo, had the full backing of his allies.

PHOTO BY RYAN LIM / BENHUR ARCAYAN / MALACAÑANG PHOTO BUREAU

funds, depending on the needs of their areas.

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad has laid down specific mechanisms and criteria to determine where the funds could go, and these lessen the opportunity for government savings to be used for patronage, Quimbo said.

Without these mechanisms, the country would go back to the previous system in which government savings were used indiscriminately, he added.

Reportorial system

But Quimbo said the next step must be to put in place a specific reportorial system to ensure that the funds are properly used.

“In my mind, that’s the next step that will make the circle full so that a reasonable explanation can be made about how rational, legal, and needed it is,” he said.

Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone also defended Congress’ involvement in the use of the DAP. Evardone saw nothing wrong with consulting the elected representatives on what priority projects in the remotest barangays of the country should be funded.

“What is wrong and objectionable is if you pocket these public funds,” he said.

Evardone said critics, who claimed there was graft and corruption when lawmakers recommended projects to the Department of Budget that could be funded from savings, were misleading the people. “(T)he critics should zero in on punishing those who were accused of pocketing public

funds,” he said.

Some leeway for Aquino

Evardone reiterated that the President should be given some leeway when it came to disbursing public funds.

“The President is our omnipresent steward, the prime pusher of growth, the chief responder to crises. He should be vested with budgetary flexibility. We should not cripple the presidency,” he said.

Albay Rep. Fernando Gonzalez, for his part, said the President’s critics were misinformed and were using inaccurate data about the DAP. “Their allegation has no basis,” Gonzalez said.

He said the DAP issue was being muddled by certain politicians who wanted to sow confusion and to make it appear that the President had been misusing the DAP. The lawmaker said the critics were engaging in “black propaganda” because they were affected by the abolition of the congressional pork barrel, or the PDAF. They should stop harping about the unconstitutionality of the DAP, it being used by Malacañang without the concurrence of Congress, since the issue was in the Supreme Court, Gonzalez said. “Let the high tribunal decide whether the DAP is legal or not.”

Focus on prosecution

In the upper chamber, Senate President Franklin Drilon has called on the public to bring back its attention to the prosecution of those who allegedly pocketed the billions of pesos in pork barrel funds. www.canadianinquirer.net

“We should all refocus our consciousness toward ensuring that our justice system will work by punishing and jailing those who pocketed people’s money,” Drilon said in a statement.

“A successful resolution of this case will bring about drastic anticorruption reforms in the government and, more importantly, it will purge the government of corrupt officials,” he added.

Drilon said the negative propaganda campaign against the administration “steered people’s focus away from the real issue, which is corruption in the use of the PDAF allegedly committed by some lawmakers.”

“Despite efforts of detractors to link me to Janet Napoles, the evidence shows that I did not allocate any of the PDAF allotted to me for projects to bogus nongovernment organizations, most especially those linked to Napoles,” he said.

No PDAF for senators

Purportedly to bring back the people’s trust, Drilon said the Senate was instituting reforms starting with its decision to waive the use of the remaining PDAF for 2013 and its plan to abolish it in the 2014 budget.

“The DAP is simply a slogan for the utilization of savings in accordance with the provisions of the 2013 GAA [General Appropriations Act]. It’s not illegal,” said Sen. Francis Escudero, chair of the Senate committee on finance.

Drilon and Escudero, along with then Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, received the biggest fund entitlements under the DAP months after the

“For the 2014 GAA, we will unbundle most of the lumpsum amounts and require disclosure and accountability on the utilization of savings and the remaining lump sums,” Escudero said in a series of tweets after Mr. Aquino’s speech.

Escudero said information on all the funds that went through his office had been posted on his website chizescudero.com.

“We will require similar disclosure and reportorial requirements for all agencies and legislators in the 2014 GAA, especially lump sums and savings,” he added.

The House, in passing the 2014 GAA, has channeled the PDAF allocation to a few government agencies, including the Department of Public Works and Highways.

House members, however, have been given the authority, subject to stringent guidelines, to identify certain projects that will be implemented by these agencies in the lawmakers’ constituencies.

The Senate has yet to decide on how to go about abolishing its P4.8-billion share of the P25billion PDAF. Business club

In a statement, the Makati Business Club (MBC) said it recognized efforts of the three branches of government to introduce reforms, investigate allegations, and uncover the truth about the mismanagement of public funds.

“Amid the attempts to muddle the issue, we remain steadfast in our support of these processes with fervent hope that justice will, indeed, prevail,” the MBC said.

“We urge the business community and private citizens to be vigilant, to be actively informed and to take advantage of existing avenues of monitoring and reporting abuses. We ask the government to continue the aggressive pursuit of its reform agenda and ensure that all those found guilty of wrongdoing, whether inside or outside government, irrespective of political allegiance, be cast behind bars,” it said. ■

Philippine News

11 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013

EU, Japan, Australia give millions in aid for quake victims

BY TARRA QUISMUNDO Philippine Daily Inquirer THE EUROPEAN Union on Thursday allocated 2.5 million euro (P148 million) toward relief operations in the Philippines for some 350,000 people displaced by the magnitude-7.2 earthquake that hit the Central Visayas region on Oct. 15.

The EU at the same time reaffirmed its commitment to help the country amid the humanitarian emergency, the scale of which prompted the United Nations to issue an international call for aid last week.

“We have seen the destruction and suffering caused by the powerful earthquake. We stand by the people of the Philippines in this hour of need and this EU assistance reaffirms our com-

mitment to immediately respond to the needs of the families affected by the disaster,” said EU Ambassador to Manila Guy Ledoux in a statement.

The EU said the amount would go toward sustaining the delivery of emergency relief to affected areas, Bohol province in particular, which remained in need of shelter, water, sanitation and healthcare facilities.

The fund would also be used for the management of evacuation sites.

Earlier, the Japanese government donated P16.7 million worth of relief supplies for the quake victims.

The donation was made through the Japan International Cooperation Agency in heed of the UN call for aid to the Philippines.

“On Oct. 29, the government

of Japan decided to extend emergency relief goods (tents, plastic sheets etc.) worth 38 million yen (approximately 16.7 million pesos) to the Republic of the Philippines through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA),” the Japanese Embassy in Manila said in a statement.

“In the face of the serious damage and in light of the strong bond existing between Japan and the Philippines as strategic partners, the government of Japan made this decision to extend emergency assistance for humanitarian aid for those affected,” said the embassy.

The UN had launched an action plan for quake-hit Visayas, appealing for international aid amid the scale of emergency needs of some three million people affected by the temblor,

including at least 350,000 displaced.

The Australian government also earlier announced it was donating P124 million aid toward the earthquake relief effort.

The United States, India, China, Taiwan, South Korea and Malaysia had also extended aid.

The European Union said its donation would be funneled through its Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (Echo) department, which was among the first international bodies to do a needs assessment in affected areas immediately after the quake.

It had sent two humanitarian aid experts based—a regional health coordinator from Bangkok and a humanitarian aid officer based in the Philippines—to severely hit Calape, Maribojoc

and Loon in Bohol to check on the urgent needs of the quake survivors, Ledoux said “During their visit, the experts noted that most of the houses had collapsed and that access to services was difficult.

Primary healthcare and potable water supplies were also limited because water pipes had broken,” the EU said. ■

Napoles mausoleum in upscale Taguig now a tourist spot

BY NANCY C. CARVAJAL Philippine Daily Inquirer THOSE LAID to rest in the upscale memorial park must be turning in their graves.

Janet Lim-Napoles, alleged pork barrel scam mastermind, owns around 280 square meters of “lawn and estate lots” at Heritage Park in progressive Taguig City, according to an insider privy to the sale of the lots.

It was at Heritage Park that Napoles made her voluntary surrender to presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda on Aug. 28.

“The lots were under different names, but it was Ms Napoles who paid for 200 lawn lots and eight family estate lots,” where the mausoleum now stands, said the source who spoke to the INQUIRER on condition of anonymity.

“She bought all the adjacent lots of her mother’s mausoleum because she said she wants space for catering and tents when they celebrate All Souls’ Day as well as the death anniversary and birthday of her mother,” the source said.

The source said the Lim mausoleum is the burial site of Mag-

FROM PARTY SCENE TO TOURIST SPOT. The luxurious two-story Lim-Napoloes mausoleum at Heritage Park in Taguig

City has become a “tourist spot” after the Inquirer broke the exclusive stories on Janet Lim-Napoles as the alleged mastermind behind the P10-billion pork barrel scam.

PHOTO BY RAFFY LERMA

dalena Luy Lim, the mother of Napoles, who is now detained at Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna province.

“It is complete with amenities and furnishings of a high-end condominium unit,” she said.

‘Tourist spot’

The two-story dark grey mausoleum adorned with Halloween trimmings on the ground became a “tourist spot” after the INQUIRER broke the exclusive series on Napoles’ illegal transactions using public funds, according to the source.

“Madami nagpapicture (A lot of people are having their pic-

tures taken at the grave site), especially now,” the source said.

The lowest value for a lawn lot based on Heritage Park’s latest price list is P95,000 at 1.2 sq m and a family estate lawn cost around P4.6 million at 4.9 sq m.

“The worth of Napoles’ lots alone could reach around P30 million, but the cost of the construction of the mausoleum we do not know,” she said.

She added that government people who claimed they were with the Commission on Audit had also visited the mausoleum.

Said the source: “For the past four years, at least three times a year, they held a party complete www.canadianinquirer.net

with 24-hour catering and airconditioned tents.

“Usually, the party preparation began on Oct. 30 and the party lasted three days, until Nov. 1. It was a festive costume party and the kids were given chocolates and candies.

“There were nuns and lots of people arriving and going during the celebration. Plenty of cars.”

Party’s over

Emy, a dirty ice cream vendor who claimed she supplies the ice cream for Napoles every Nov. 1, showed up yesterday at the mausoleum, but was turned away by a man named Marco,

because “there was no party today (walang party ngayon)”.

Emy said she saw the developments of Napoles’ case unfold on TV but she took the chance and brought ice cream to the mausoleum but was told that no party guests were coming over.

“Madame Jenny (as Napoles preferred to be called), who was good to us, paid us P6,000 for the ice cream and gave a P1,000 tip,” Emy told the INQUIRER. Another family who had relatives buried near the mausoleum told the INQUIRER that they “kind of missed the fanfare, because they even had a stage there once and some concert, plus free food.”

“We did not know who she was. We were told when we asked that the owner was a Chinese businesswoman very close to Erap,” the neighbor said, referring to former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada.

Two men were guarding the mausoleum when INQUIRER paid the area a visit.

The INQUIRER learned that a Mass was held and Napoles’ husband Jimmy and siblings were there, but left right after the Mass. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013 12

I was trembling in fear before agents—Benhur

BY NIÑA P. CALLEJA Philippine Daily Inquirer BENHUR LUY, the principal witness in the alleged P10billion pork barrel scam, was quizzed on the witness stand in the Makati Regional Trial Court over a letter he had written to his family that did not mention that he was being detained by Janet Lim-Napoles.

Arriving at the courtroom with security escorts from the Department of Justice’s witness-protection program and wearing a bullet-proof vest and helmet, Luy appeared for the second time at the continuation of the hearing on the petition for bail of Napoles.

Napoles and her brother, Reynald Lim, are accused of illegally detaining Luy for three months from Dec. 19, 2012, to March 22, 2013, at the Discovery Center in Ortigas and in a house on LapuLapu Street in Magallanes Village, Makati City.

Luy’s rescue by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) led to the discovery of a scam in which a network of bogus nongovernment organizations founded by Napoles apparently cornered billions of pesos in pork barrel or the Priority Development Assistance

When NBI agents came to rescue him at the Pacific Plaza in Bonifacio Global City, Luy admitted that at first he did not want to go with them. He said he was trembling in fear at the sight of the NBI men. Luy said he thought they were sent to liquidate him.

PHOTO FROM SOLARNEWS.PH

Fund (PDAF) of some senators and congressmen. Luy, a relative and employee of Napoles, claimed that part of the funds were funneled back to the lawmakers.

Napoles is detained at Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, while her brother remains at large.

The lawyer leading the cross examination in the court of Judge Elmo Alameda was Alfredo Villamor.

Villamor emphasized that a letter Luy had slipped to his sister on Nov. 21 as well as a notebook diary where he had jotted down Bible verses did not mention his detention.

In the handwritten letter, Luy had asked his family to “join him in prayer, say 2,000 Hail Marys and do fasting.” Luy also asked his family to “seek the forgiveness of Napoles’ family for whatever sins they had done.”

Luy explained he was referring to the accusations of Napoles and Lim that he had made secret transactions with the chiefs of staff of certain senators and congressman involving their PDAF— a duplication of Napoles’ alleged scam.

But if this was the first opportunity Luy had to communicate with his family, and there was no one to influence him, it was

noteworthy that there was no mention of his “detention,” Villamos said.

“Yes, but I was so afraid that if (Lim) discovered it, he would view it differently...I did it to test if I would succeed. And if I did, I would (write another letter) telling my family I was in Magallanes detained against my will, my movements were guarded, and that they should rescue me,” Luy told the court.

Both the prosecution and the defense are using the Feb. 21 letter as evidence.

Asked whom he was afraid of and who ordered his detention, Luy answered “Madam Jenny,” Napoles’ nickname.

“But you did not hear Jenny say the threats nor did you see her keep you detained?” Villamor asked .

Luy said, it was Lim who told him that the order to detain him had come from Napoles.

Luy said that what prevented him from attempting to escape was knowing what “Napoles and her connections could do.”

When NBI agents came to rescue him at the Pacific Plaza in Bonifacio Global City, Luy admitted that at first he did not want to go with them.

He said he was trembling in fear at the sight of the NBI men.

Luy said he thought they were sent to liquidate him.

“Ma, ayokong sumama. Wala akong ginawang masama, Kuya Jojo, (I don’t want to go with them. I have not done anything wrong,” Luy recalled telling his mother and Lim. On the first day of the bail hearing, the defense lawyers argued that there was no need for Benhur’s rescue as shown by his refusal to be taken by the NBI. But Luy noted that he resisted at first because of fear but his mother, Gertrudes Luy, later convinced him that the NBI was on their side.

Luy also told the court that after his rescue, he discovered that all his bank accounts had been emptied.

He learned that P800,000 in his account at Metrobank had been transferred to the account of the JLN Corp. using his forged signature. He said, P207,000 from his UCPB bank account had also been withdrawn.

His dollar account containing $13,761 was closed after someone carrying his passbook and a withdrawal slip withdrew the entire amount.

Judge Elmo Alameda asked the prosecution lawyers to present all the documents pertaining to Luy’s bank accounts.

Before noon, Alameda suspended the cross examination and set its continuation. ■

Gov’t speeds up Pinoys’ repatriation

BY TARRA QUISMUNDO Philippine Daily Inquirer THE GOVERNMENT has sent two senior officials to Saudi Arabia to help speed up the processing of exit visas and the repatriation of undocumented Filipinos from the Arab country as the Nov. 3 deadline approaches for irregular immigrants to correct their status.

Jesus Yabes, the foreign undersecretary for migrant affairs, and Parisya Taradji, undersecretary at the Department of Social Welfare and Development, will meet with their counterparts and check on the condition of undocumented Filipinos awaiting either regularization or repatriation, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

“They will meet with Saudi social welfare and immigration officials to explore possible solutions to this issue and check on the condition of undocumented Filipinos both in Riyadh and Jeddah,” said Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez, the DFA spokesperson.

Saudi Arabia has given undocumented foreign nationals until Nov. 3 to correct their status or return to their home countries as it cracks down on irregular foreign workers in pursuit of its “Saudization” policy, where Saudi nationals are given hiring priority.

King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz initially set July 3 as the deadline for immigrant regularization but granted the foreign workers a four-month grace period until November in response to appeals from the

foreign governments whose nationals would be affected by the Saudization policy.

Hernandez said the government had repatriated a total 4,302 undocumented Filipinos and issued travel documents to around 9,000 others. Some 1,500 who had signified their intent to return home are waiting to be issued immigration clearances.

Fines and penalties

The DFA, however, could not say how many undocumented Filipinos remained in the Arab country who might fail to correct their immigration status in time for the deadline. Those who miss the regularization deadline face fines and penalties, including detention, Hernandez said.

The Commission on Overwww.canadianinquirer.net

Hernandez said the government had repatriated a total 4,302 undocumented Filipinos and issued travel documents to around 9,000 others.

seas Filipinos recently released its 2012 stock estimate of Philippine citizens overseas, counting some 1.27 million Filipinos in Saudi Arabia, nearly 108,000 of whom were listed as “irregular,” or undocumented.

Hernandez said officials at the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and the consulate in Jeddah continued to provide assistance to Filipinos racing

against the deadline to correct their immigration status.

He said the consulate also recently opened a shelter for undocumented Filipinos who had been encamped outside the chancery since the start of the Saudi crackdown in March.

Some 109 individuals—women and their children—had been moved to the 400-capacity shelter, said Hernandez. ■

Philippine News

13 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013

Malampaya scam next on Senate list

BY TJ BURGONIO Philippine Daily Inquirer

SC rules... dain the (her) attempt to utilize marriage for dishonest purposes, it cannot declare the marriage void. Hence, though [her] marriage may be considered a sham or fraudulent for the purposes of immigration, it is not void ab initio and continues to be valid and subsisting,” the Court said in an 11-page decision written by Justice Jose Mendoza.

The division chair, Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr., and members Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, Arturo Brion and Diosdado Peralta, concurred in the ruling.

The justices ruled that “marriages entered into for other purposes, limited or otherwise, such as convenience, companionship, money, status and title, provided that they comply with all the legal requisites, are equally valid.”

According to case records, the petitioner and her husband were married in civil rites at a Mandaluyong City court in October 2004.

In December 2006, however, the wife petitioned the Imus City Regional Trial Court for a declaration of nullity, admitting that she had only wed the American to acquire US citizenship and even arranged to pay him $2,000 in exchange for his consent.

She described their marriage as “one made in jest,” adding that immediately after their marriage, they separated and never lived as husband and wife because they never really had any intention of entering into a married state and complying with their marital obligations.

Moreover, she said, she never heard from her husband again and she was unable to pay him the $2,000 that she promised because he never processed her petition for US citizenship. The husband, served a summons in the United States, did not take part in the case.

Favorable ruling Despite opposition from the Office of

❰❰ 1

the Solicitor General, the petitioner was able to secure a favorable ruling from the Imus RTC in 2008 and from the Court of Appeals in 2011, both of which agreed that the marriage was a farce and should not have been recognized from its inception.

The OSG elevated the case to the Supreme Court, saying that the case did not fall within the concept of a marriage in jest as the parties intentionally consented to enter into a real and valid marriage. The OSG argued that consent should be distinguished from motive, the latter being inconsequential to the validity of a marriage.

The high court agreed, saying that the petition for nullity had no merit because there was a clear intention by the couple to enter into a real and valid marriage so as to fully comply with the requirements of an application for citizenship.

“There was a full and complete understanding of the legal tie that would be created between them, since it was that precise legal tie that was necessary to accomplish their goal,” the justices said.

The justices also scolded the petitioner for making “a mockery of the sacred institution of marriage,” saying: “She already misused a judicial institution to enter into a marriage of convenience; she should not be allowed again to abuse it to get herself out of an inconvenient situation.”

They reminded the petitioner that the Constitution declares that marriage, as an inviolable social institution, is the foundation of the family and shall be protected by the state.

“It must, therefore, be safeguarded from the whims and caprices of contracting parties. This court cannot leave the impression that marriage may easily be entered into when it suits the needs of the parties and just as easily nullified when no longer needed,” they said. ■

NEXT ON the list of the Senate blue ribbon committee is the alleged misuse of the Malampaya Fund.

Sen. Teofisto Guingona III, head of the committee, said he would call a hearing on the alleged diversion of proceeds from the gas project off Palawan to spurious beneficiaries after the inquiry into the P10-billion pork barrel scam.

“We will have to do the others also.

Next one on the listwould be the Malampaya,” said Guingona.

The committee is set to hear Napoles’ testimony on her alleged racket of converting billions of pesos in pork barrel into kickbacks, as well as those of her former employees-turned-whistle-blowers.

Whether Napoles talks or not, the committee has a “pretty good idea” of how the racket, involving senators and House representatives, was carried out for 10 years based on the whistle-blowers’ testimonies, Guingona said.

The senator, however, hasn’t indicated a date for the completion of the

inquiry into the pork scam.

Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano had earlier filed a resolution seeking an investigation of the alleged embezzlement of P900 million in Malampaya Fund in 2009. The fund was coursed through the Department of Agrarian Reform.

The amount, allotted for the rehabilitation of farms after devastation of powerful storms in 97 towns, was allegedly siphoned off to questionable nongovernment organizations, mostly associated with Janet Lim-Napoles.

The government collects royalties from the project which involves the extraction of natural gas from the waters off Palawan beginning 2002.

The outstanding P136-billion balance from the fund is lodged in a special account in the general fund, Treasury officials said.

Napoles and several others are facing two separate complaints for plunder at the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the pork barrel scam and misuse of the Malampaya Fund.

After Napoles’ appearance, Guingona said the committee has to decide whether to summon the chiefs of staff of senators who were also implicated in the scandal. ■

“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 NOVEMBER 8, 2013 14

Dengue blocking mosquito released in Vietnam; bacteria could be key to fighting disease

BY MARGIE MASON The Associated Press TRI NGUYEN ISLAND, VIETNAM—Nguyen Thi Yen rolls up the sleeves of her white lab coat and delicately slips her arms into a box covered by a sheath of mesh netting. Immediately, the feeding frenzy begins.

Hundreds of mosquitoes light on her thin forearms and swarm her manicured fingers.

They spit, bite and suck until becoming drunk with blood, their bulging bellies glowing red. Yen laughs in delight while her so-called “pets” enjoy their lunch and prepare to mate.

The petite, grandmotherly entomologist—nicknamed Dr. Dracula—knows how crazy she must look to outsiders. But this is science, and these are very special bloodsuckers.

She smiles and nods at her red-hot arms, swollen and itchy after 10 minutes of feeding. She knows those nasty bites could reveal a way to greatly reduce one of the world’s most menacing infectious diseases.

All her mosquitoes have been intentionally infected with bacteria called Wolbachia, which essentially blocks them from getting dengue. And if they can’t get it, they can’t spread it to people.

New research suggests some 390 million people are infected with the virus each year, most of them in Asia. That’s about one in every 18 people on Earth, and more than three times higher than the World Health Organization’s previous estimates.

Known as “breakbone fever” because of the excruciating joint pain and hammer-pounding headaches it causes, the disease has no vaccine, cure or specific treatment. Most patients must simply suffer through days of raging fever, sweats and a bubbling rash. For those who develop a more serious form of illness, known as dengue hemorrhagic fever, internal bleeding, shock, organ failure and death can occur.

And it’s all caused by one bite from a female mosquito that’s transmitting the virus from another infected person.

So how can simple bacteria break this cycle? Wolbachia is

commonly found in many insects, including fruit flies. But for reasons not fully understood, it is not carried naturally by certain mosquitoes, including the most common one that transmits dengue, the Aedes aegypti.

The germ has fascinated scientist Scott O’Neill his entire career. He started working with it about two decades ago at Yale University. But it wasn’t until 2008, after returning to his native Australia, that he had his eureka moment.

One of his research students figured out how to implant the bacteria into a mosquito so it could be passed on to future generations. The initial hope was that it would shorten the insect’s life. But soon, a hidden benefit was discovered: Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes not only died quicker but they also blocked dengue partially or entirely, sort of like a natural vaccine.

“The dengue virus couldn’t grow in the mosquito as well if the Wolbachia was present,” says O’Neill, dean of science at Monash University in Melbourne. “And if it can’t grow in the mosquito, it can’t be transmitted.”

But proving something in the lab is just the first step. O’Neill’s team needed to test how well the mosquitoes would perform in the wild. They conducted research in small communities in Australia, where dengue isn’t a problem, and the results were encouraging enough to create a buzz among scientists who have long been searching for new ways to fight the disease.

After two and a half years, the Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes had overtaken the native populations and remained 95 per cent dominant.

But how would it work in dengue-endemic areas of Southeast Asia? The disease swamps hospitals in the region every rainy season with thousands of sick patients, including many children, sometimes killing those who seek help too late.

The Australians tapped 58-year-old Yen at Vietnam’s National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, where she’s worked for the past 35 years.

Their plan was to test the Wolbachia mosquitoes on a small island off the country’s central

coast this year, with another release expected next year in Indonesia.

Just getting the mosquitoes to Tri Nguyen Island was an adventure. Thousands of tiny black eggs laid on strips of paper inside feeding boxes had to be hand-carried inside coolers on weekly flights from Hanoi, where Yen normally works, to Nha Trang, a resort city near the island. The eggs had to be kept at just the right temperature and moisture. The mosquitoes were hatched in another lab before finally being transported by boat.

Yen insisted on medical checks for all volunteer feeders to ensure they weren’t sickening her mosquitoes. She deemed vegetarian blood too weak and banned anyone recently on antibiotics, which could kill the Wolbachia.

“When I’m sleeping, I’m always thinking about them,” Yen says, hunkered over a petri dish filled with dozens of squiggling mosquito pupae. “I’m always worried about temperature and food. I take care of them same-same like baby. If they are healthy, we are happy. If they are not, we are sad.” *** Recently, there have been several promising new attempts to control dengue. A vaccine trial in Thailand didn’t work as well as hoped, proving only 30 per cent effective overall, but it provided higher coverage for three of the four virus strains. More vaccines are in the pipeline. Other science involves releasing genetically modified “sterile” male mosquitoes that produce no offspring, or young that die before reaching maturity, to decrease populations.

Wolbachia could end up being used in combination with these and other methods, including mosquito traps and insecticidetreated materials.

“I’ve been working with this disease now for 40-something years, and we have failed miserably,” says Duane Gubler, a dengue expert at the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School in Singapore who is not involved with the Wolbachia research.

“We are now coming into a very exciting period where I www.canadianinquirer.net

think we’ll be able to control the disease. I really do.”

Wolbachia also blocks other mosquito-borne diseases such as yellow fever and chikungunya, O’Neill says. Similar research is being conducted for malaria, though that’s trickier because the disease is carried by several different types of mosquitoes.

It’s unclear why mosquitoes that transmit dengue do not naturally get Wolbachia, which is found in up to 70 per cent of insects in the wild. But O’Neill doesn’t believe that purposefully infecting mosquitoes will negatively impact ecosystems.

He says the key to overcoming skepticism is to be transparent with research while providing independent risk analyses and publishing findings in high-calibre scientific journals.

“I think, intuitively, it makes sense that it’s unlikely to have a major consequence of introducing Wolbachia into one more species,” O’Neill says, adding that none of his work is for profit. “It’s already in millions already.”

Dengue typically comes in cycles, hitting some areas harder in different years. People remain susceptible to the other strains after being infected with one, and it is largely an urban disease with mosquitoes breeding in stagnant water.

Laos and Singapore have experienced their worst outbreaks in recent history this season. Thailand has also struggled with a large number of patients. Cases have also been reported in recent years outside tropical regions, including in the U.S. and Europe.

Vietnam has logged lower numbers this year overall, but the country’s highest dengue rate is in the province where Yen is conducting her work.

At the area’s main hospital in Nha Trang, Dr. Nguyen Dong, director of infectious diseases, says 75 of the 86 patients crammed into the open-air ward are infected with the virus.

Before jabbing his fingers into the stomach of one seriously ill patient to check for pain, he talks about how the dengue season has become much longer in recent years. And despite the government’s in-

creased education campaigns and resources, the disease continues to overwhelm the hospital.

If the experiment going on just a short boat ride away from the hospital is successful, it eventually will be expanded across the city and the entire province. *** The 3,500 people on Tri Nguyen island grew accustomed to what would be a bizarre scene almost anywhere else: For five months, community workers went houseto-house in the raging heat, releasing cups of newborn mosquitoes.

And the residents were happy to have them.

“We do not kill the mosquitoes. We let them bite,” says fisherman Tran To. “The Wolbachia living in the house is like a doctor in the house. They may bite, but they stop dengue.”

Specimens collected from traps are taken back to the lab for analysis to determine how well Wolbachia mosquitoes are infiltrating the native population.

The strain of bacteria used on the island blocks dengue 100 per cent, but it’s also the hardest to sustain. At one point, 90 per cent of the mosquitoes were infected, but the rate dropped to about 65 per cent after the last batch was released in early September.

A similar decrease occurred in Australia as well, and scientists switched to other Wolbachia strains that thrive better in the wild but have lesser dengueblocking abilities.

The job is sure to keep Yen busy in her little mosquito lab, complete with doors covered by long overlapping netting.

And while she professes to adore these pests nurtured by her own blood, she has a much stronger motivation for working with them: Dengue nearly claimed her own life many years ago, and her career has been devoted to sparing others the same fate.

“I love them,” she says, “when I need them.” ■

Philippine News

15 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013

Transferred collectors mulling retirement—Biazon

BY JERRY E. ESPLANADA Philippine Daily Inquirer SOME OF the 27 revenue collectors who were transferred to the newly created Customs Policy Research Office (CPRO) at the Department of Finance (DOF) are considering “optional retirement,” especially “those who had just a few years of service left,” according to Customs Commissioners Ruffy Biazon.

“Those who are younger will most likely stay in their present assignments until the end of the Aquino administration unless there’s a new direction in the ongoing Bureau of Customs (BOC) reform program,” Biazon said.

“But there’s a possibility that they’ll be tapped for the reform program,” he added.

Biazon said he felt bad that some “topperforming” port collectors were among those moved to the CPRO. “There’s even one or two who had already reached the annual collection target and even got a rating of excellent,” he noted.

But the BOC head pointed out that “sometimes in the realm of reforms, there are sacrifices that have to be made.”

Biazon neither confirmed nor denied

During the Kapihan sa Aduana media forum at customs headquarters at the Manila South Harbor, Biazon said the reconfiguration of bureau personnel was “part of a bigger plan to reform the BOC,” and that it was “not a castration of the commissioner.”

PHOTO FROM GMANETWORK.COM

that the collectors had been placed on floating status, but said it was true that the finance department had started training the collectors’ replacements.

Some DOF insiders earlier told the INQUIRER that the new BOC port collectors were “interviewed by no less

than (Revenue) Commissioner Kim Henares.”

“Those undergoing training passed the three main criteria set by the DOF for the post: technical qualification, integrity and no conflict of interest,” said the same sources who asked not to be

Gazmin belies ouster rumors, blames spin masters

BY NIKKO DIZON Philippine Daily Inquirer DEFENSE SECRETARY Voltaire Gazmin yesterday said he would not cling to his post if rumors that he was on his way out turned out to be true.

He said he only heard about the rumor from the newspapers, but added: “I serve at the pleasure of the President.”

“So if I am replaced, thank you. If I am not replaced, thank you as well,” Gazmin told reporters at the Department of National Defense in Camp Aguinaldo.

He said there was “a lot of disinformation” going around and it could be the work of administration critics or those who wanted to destroy his relationship with President Aquino.

Malacañang has denied Gazmin’s impending replacement.

Rumors that Gazmin might be removed surfaced after the military’s apparently inaccurate assessment of the concrete blocks discovered last August at Scarborough Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc, off Zambales province.

The government suspected the blocks had been placed there by China, which has

been laying claim to Scarborough Shoal.

The Philippines has accused China of aggression. As it turned out, the concrete blocks were old, with barnacles and moss covering them, according to President Aquino himself. The Chief Executive said who had placed them in the sea was now the question.

Aside from the territorial dispute with China, the defense chief has also faced other serious security issues—the Sultanate of Sulu’s revival of its claim to Sabah, the sudden and prolonged siege of Zamboanga by a disgruntled faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), as well as calamities and disasters that have killed hundreds and displaced thousands of people, among others.

His post might be interesting to some “because of the challenges every day,” Gazmin quipped.

“Your guess is as good as mine,” he said, when asked what could be the reason for the rumors that he was on the way out.

He said the disinformation could be part of the “spin” against the government amid all the corruption issues being leveled at the administration’s opponents. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

named for lack of authority to speak to the media.

During the Kapihan sa Aduana media forum at customs headquarters at the Manila South Harbor, Biazon said the reconfiguration of bureau personnel was “part of a bigger plan to reform the BOC.” He emphasized that it was “not a castration of the commissioner.”

Biazon said he would “continue to exercise what I believe is necessary for the continuous front-line operations of the bureau without going against the policies of the leadership.”

He welcomed the dismissal by a Manila regional trial court of a petition by some of the port collectors asking that the court stop their transfer to the CPRO. Biazon directed the group of protesting port collectors to report immediately to the CPRO. In denying the collectors’ petition for a writ of preliminary injunction, or an indefinite TRO, Judge Felicitas Cacanandin said that it was “not proper.”

“The court cannot enjoin an agency from performing an act within its prerogative, except when in the exercise of its authority it gravely abused or exceeded its jurisdiction,” the judge said. ■

Opinion

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013 16

THERE’S THE RUB

Running on faith

By Conrado De Quiros Philippine Daily Inquirer PRESIDENT NOY came out swinging last Wednesday night, trying to turn around what has been turned around.

“I am not a thief,” he said. “Those who have been accused of stealing are those who are sowing confusion.

They want to dismantle all that we have worked so hard to achieve on the straight path. We were stolen from, we were deceived—and now we are the ones being asked to explain?

“If you think that this will stop me from going after you, if you think that you can divert the public’s attention, if you think you can get away with stealing from our countrymen—you have sorely underestimated me and the Filipino people.”

There are a couple of strong points there.

The affirmation he is not a thief is one. The issue, lest we forget, is corruption. He is not a thief. He lives a simple life, given to simple needs and simple wants. The entire weight of his parents’ legacy has fallen on his shoulders, and he has not shirked it or shown any sign of buckling under it. He has not pocketed any money or property or resource that belongs to the people.

More to the point, he is not perceived

as so by the public. On the contrary, he continues to enjoy their trust, despite a dip in ratings. His worst enemy has not called him corrupt, not in public, probably not even in private.

The declaration of war against his enemies, or those he means to punish for corruption, isn’t a bad deal either.

It restores perspective in a radically altered view of reality, in a violently twisted picture of reality. The real culprits are the ones his government is prosecuting, not his government which they are prosecuting—in the court of public opinion in lieu of the court of law. When he begs the public not to fall for the tricks of the devil, also called PR hacks, who have been trying to turn things around, making white black and black white, his plea is not going to fall entirely on deaf ears.

Unfortunately, even these strong points have their weaknesses. The “Great Reversal” was itself largely self-inflicted. Quite mind-bogglingly, it came off the back of something so pathetically spineless. That was Jinggoy Estrada’s privilege speech charging that the senators who voted against Renato Corona got P50 million each for their pains, albeit much later in the day. I myself was astonished by that speech, and said so in a column. It was an exercise in self-immolation, which

could only have been the product of a distraught and fevered brain. Estrada practically admitted his role in the Napoles scam, not bothering to deny it in the face of a paper trail that bolstered it, and added yet another crime to it, which was accepting a bribe, though he refused to call it such.

Yet, lo and behold, instead of being sunk by that pitch, he floated, like a bloated body from the Pasig River.

Instead of taking it to him, the Palace became defensive, denying any bribery had taken place. Butch Abad

The weakness in P-Noy’s self-affirmation of character, ‘I am not a thief,’ is there as well. As everybody pointed out immediately afterward, who’s calling him so? added an even bigger blunder to that blunder, justifying the P50 million given to the cooperative senators as part of government’s economic stimulus program called the Disbursement Acceleration Program. That took on the tragedy or farce of something like, “Oh, the guy may be forgiven for running after his drinking mate with a knife, he was drunk.” The excuse itself is inexcusable. Overnight, the public

took notice of the DAP, and overnight a host of people, including friends and supporters, called its legal standing into question.

There and then, you have an object lesson in how to bungle things bigtime. If the wind changed overnight, government has only itself to blame.

The weakness in P-Noy’s self-affirmation of character, “I am not a thief,” is there as well. As everybody pointed out immediately afterward, who’s calling him so? That is not the problem. The problem, as one group, which included “Million People March” organizer Peachy Bretaña, pointed out, was that he might not be a thief, but the system was so. Specifically, pork was so, DAP was so. His refusal to do away with both, to scrap both, made him, if not so himself, a primary accessory to it.

Indeed, the problem, as yet another group, suggested, though not always in the plainest term, was that while he himself could say, “I am not a thief,” and be believed, his people could not and be so. What was clear was that the means his government was using to justify the ends was questionable. What was clear was that his government was exercising a power it did not, by law and tradition, have a right to. Could we trust P-

Noy and his people not to abuse that power? Could we trust P-Noy and his people to continue to take shortcuts with only the welfare of the people in mind?

P-Noy, probably yes, though that is problematic enough in itself. His people, no.

To buy the notion that P-Noy’s character extends to his people, indeed to buy the notion that he and his people are fellow travelers, possessed of one mind, one spirit, and one purpose is to make one hell of a leap of faith. He has a track record of being honest to the core, they do not.

He means to go away after his term, they do not. They—Mar Roxas, Butch Abad, Frank Drilon, and the other pillars of the Liberal Party—mean to stay long after he leaves.

Those are two different agendas, those are two different destinations, those are two different journeys.

Hell, those are two different roads, or daan. People who are going away, freely, unhesitatingly, blithely, may think only of doing good for the country, however what they do bends the rules. People who are staying, or mean to, ardently, desperately, atatna-atat-ly, can think only of doing good to themselves especially when what they do breaks the rules. ■

budsman Desierto. In response, Desierto ordered the military ombudsman: Archive the Pestaño case since evidence is patchy. Desierto’s record as ombudsman was so tainted that former senator Lorenzo Tañada refused to even address him directly.

Over 15 years have elapsed since the death of the victim, the UN noted.

Authorities have yet to initiate an independent investigation. No suspect was prosecuted, or tried, let alone convicted. This breached the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Like Desierto, Gutierrez also refused to see Pestaño’s parents. But in August 2007, Gutierrez wrote the UN, saying: the Pestaño slay, indeed, “merited further investigation.” She then did nothing. Zero. Zilch. Nada.

“Well, Gutierrez finally acted on the Pestaño plea: she dismissed it,” then Inquirer columnist now publisher Raul Pangalangan wrote. “To add sting to the injury, she served her dismissal order on Pestaño’s parents the day after they signed the impeachment complaint against her.”

Arrogance wilted into whimpering when, in March 2011, the House of Representatives voted to impeach Gutierrez. She became the second official after President Joseph Estrada to be impaled.

Raps ranged from Gutierrez’s inac-

tion on scams, “delay in investigation of ensign Philip Pestaño’s death,” to losing nine out of every 10 cases she filed. She was trashed for shoving under the rug charges against President Gloria Arroyo and First Gentleman Mike Arroyo in the ZTE broadband scandal.

The Supreme Court dismissed, in February 2011, Gutierrez’s bid to block the impeachment. The House impeached her with 212 votes and 46 against. (There were four abstentions.) Gutierrez bristled at the “flimsy” decision, adding she’s ready to face a Senate trial.

Gutierrez crumbled on April 29 and quit. She personally handed her resignation letter to President Aquino who promptly accepted it.

“We in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi already knew the truth right after news of Pestaño’s murder broke,” recalled Inquirer columnist Noralyn Mustafa.

“The Senate and the UN found the truth after their own investigations. But their findings amounted to nothing under the administration of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. It had to take Conchita Carpio Morales, an appointee of President Aquino, to right something unjust.”

Ramrod-straight Ombudsman Morales made a difference. “Who shall find a valiant woman?” asks the Book of Proverbs. “Far, and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her.” ■

VIEWPOINT

Backbone

By Juan L. Mercado Philippine Daily Inquirer CAN AN ombudsman who has a backbone, instead of a wishbone, make a difference?

Read last week’s Court of Appeals decision that upheld Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales’ order to fire 10 Navy men. They were implicated in the 1995 death of Ensign Philip Pestaño who refused to load hot timber and drugs.

Associate Justice Jose Reyes Jr. wrote the decision of the court’s Ninth Division: Morales rightly reversed the earlier dismissal of charges by previous ombudsmen Aniano Desierto and Merceditas Gutierrez. Both had turned a blind eye to the evidence.

“Sixteen years and four months,” noted an Inquirer editorial in January last year. “That’s how long it has taken the death of… Pestaño to be recognized for what it has been: cold-blooded murder. Conviction remains a long way off… But it offers a glimmer of hope that closure will grace this case.”

Well, conviction came—finally.

An Ateneo honor student, Pestaño graduated from the Philippine Military Academy. As BRP Bacolod City cargo master, Pestaño refused to load 14,000 board feet of illegal logs—a Sulu governor’s gift to Admiral Pio Carranza.

In September 1995, Pestaño was shot in his cabin as the ship meandered on a bizarre hour-and-a-half trip from Cavite to Roxas Boulevard.

Normally, that trip takes 25 minutes.

Logbook entries disappeared. Sans investigation, the Navy ruled within 24 hours: “Suicide.”

“Within four months of Pestaño’s death, comrades disappeared in mysterious circumstances,” the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva found.

“PO2 Zosimo Villanueva tipped Pestaño on drugs stashed in 20 sacks of rice aboard the ship,” then senator Fred Lim revealed. Villanueva was “lost at sea”— but his three companions survived. Only a bloodied speedboat was found.

PO3 Fidel Tagaytay was BRP Bacolod City’s radio operator. He vanished when summoned to testify. Wife Leonila’s efforts to trace his whereabouts were brushed off by the claim that Tagaytay was “absent without leave.”

Nobody in the Navy bothered to look.

Ensign Alvin Farone contacted Marissa, Pestaño’s sister. Marissa said he wanted “to tell what really happened to Philip.” He died before he could do so.

Then Petty Officer Carlito Amoroso moonlighted as close-in security for Admiral Carranza. Amoroso

was not a crew member of BRP Bacolod City. Yet, he tagged along on trips from Tawi-Tawi to Navy HQ unmanifested. Was he riding shotgun for those controversial logs or drugs?

Amoroso became scarce since then. Did he resign? Or has he been tucked into a low-profile post? The Navy isn’t keen on locating him, much less asking him questions. Lim fumed: “To date, as the others, (Amo-

‘Sixteen years and four months, that’s how long it has taken the death of… Pestaño to be recognized for what it has been: cold-blooded murder.’ - Inquirer Editorial, January 2012 roso) got off scot-free.”

From May to September 1997, the Senate committees on human rights and national defense examined the Pestaño case. Senate Report No. 800, written by the late Senate president and former chief justice Marcelo Fernan, concluded: Pestaño was bludgeoned, then shot and his body rigged to appear as suicide.

“Identify the persons who participated in the deliberate attempt to make it appear that Pestaño killed himself,” Fernan wrote then om-

www.canadianinquirer.net

Opinion

17 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013

AT LARGE

A listening Church?

By Rina Jimenez-David Philippine Daily Inquirer PART OF being a Church is being willing to listen, even to the most humble and simple of people. And this is the hopeful direction indicated by a recent Vatican move, as reported in the US-based National Catholic Reporter (NCR), asking national bishops’ conferences around the world “to conduct a wide-ranging poll of Catholics asking for their opinions on church teachings on contraception, same-sex marriage and divorce.”

The call, asking for the bishops’ groups to distribute the poll “immediately as widely as possible to deaneries and parishes so that input from local sources can be received, was signed by Archbishop Lorenzo Baldisseri, secretary general of the Vatican’s Synod of Bishops.

NCR reporter Joshua J. McElwee says the poll, which comes in a questionnaire sent to national bishops’ conferences globally in preparation for a Vatican synod on the family next October, “is the first time the church’s central hierarchy has asked for such input from grass-roots Catholics since at least the establishment of the synod system following the Second Vatican Council.”

The theme of the upcoming synod

is “Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization.”

The questionnaire, a copy of which was obtained by the NCR, asks the bishops to “quiz their populations on topics that sometimes have sharply divided the US church, like the Catholic teaching prohibiting the use of artificial contraception, the possibility of a divorced Catholic to remarry or receive Communion, and the number of young people choosing to live together before marrying.”

But, says the report, “while Baldisseri asks in his letter for wide consultation on the question, an accompanying letter sent with the US version of the Vatican document does not request American bishops to undertake wide consultation in their dioceses.” The letter of the US bishops only asks them “to provide their own observations.” *** How will the Philippine bishops respond to this bold challenge from the Vatican and presumably from Pope Francis himself?

So far, I have yet to read or hear of any official reaction from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), or of any corresponding effort to gather the views of Filipino Catholics from all walks of life, including those “guilty” of the perceived “transgressions” mentioned in the Vatican document: us-

ing family planning, especially modern family planning to limit the size of their families; living in under one roof without the benefit of marriage; engaging in samesex relationships; or engaging in second or third (or more) relationships without undergoing a Church annulment.

This is strange, indeed, especially given how the CBCP and individual bishops have not been shy about sharing their own views on social, cultural, spiritual and even political matters.

How will the Philippine bishops respond to this bold challenge from the Vatican and presumably from Pope Francis himself ?

Will the bishops take time to gather our views? Are they listening—or want to listen? *** Here’s a follow-up to the appeal made by the SVD Southern Province in behalf of the people and of the faithful in Bohol and Cebu. As you may well know, Bohol and Cebu were hit by a powerful earthquake recently that saw towns and structures, most painfully the heritage churches, devastated. More than a hundred people died and many hundreds more are still in evacuation centers or

camping out in the open.

Fr. Eugene Docoy, SVD, coordinator of the SVD relief and rehabilitation effort, writes that a little more than a week after the temblor, they were able to distribute the first of the relief goods to the worst-hit towns of Bohol. On Oct. 24 and 25, writes Father Eugene, the SVD Justice and Peace and Integrity of Creation commission, together with volunteers from the University of San Carlos and Holy Name University, joined together to deliver goods to more than 5,000 families in Balilihan, Sagbayan, Danao, Catigbian, Antequera, San Isidro, and the upper Maribojoc barangays of Busao, Toril, Agahay and Cabawan. The last barangays compose the parish of Busao which is administered by the SVD. Though damaged roads made it difficult to access many areas, Father Eugene says that “with the innovative, resourceful and hardworking and quick-thinking lead organizing team, composed of veterans Bren Abrenica, Fr. Eleno Bucia and Fr. Boboy Sarabia… goods were successfully delivered.” At the same time, a 10-vehicle convoy left the gates of Holy Name University to deliver more than 5,000 packages of goods. *** “For a number of days, the volunteers did (an) impressive job of canvassing, pur-

chasing, sorting, repackaging, loading and shipping of goods,” writes Father Eugene.

“In the actual distribution, the volunteers were the ones who made sure the process was orderly and fair. They were the ones that provided the faces of the unknown donors to the beneficiaries.”

Father Eugene pays special tribute to the SVD community who went the extra mile “to provide space for the processing of goods and to make close to a hundred volunteers feel at home and welcome despite limitations in facilities, being themselves victims of the earthquake.” He makes special mention of Fr. Vic Uy, rector of the SVD community, “who, despite his senior years, drove very long hours for three days straight, first to distribute coupons to beneficiaries and then to guide the convoy to these parishes in the two days of actual distribution of goods.”

Although further collections and distribution of goods are planned, “already now we would like to sincerely express gratitude to all our benefactors and donors. You will never know how much hope and happiness are generated by your spontaneous generosity. In the midst of so much pain and desolation, what the earthquake victims need most are our prayerful thoughts and the fact that we do care.” ■

ANALYSIS

Aquino speech an abuse of bully pulpit

By Amando Doronila Philippine Daily Inquirer PRESIDENT AQUINO’S speech last week defending the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) was a landmark in the abuse of the bully pulpit privilege of the presidency in setting the agenda for public debate on contentious national issues.

The speech was hastily set up purportedly to give the President the platform to address the nation urgently to clarify the issues surrounding the scandal over the disbursements of the congressional pork barrel fund that have rocked the nation over the past four months.

Lending an atmosphere of crisis, Mr. Aquino wrapped up in 12 minutes flat his arguments on why the DAP is the answer to end once and for all the misuse of the congressional pork barrel, except that of the President’s, a point made clear as the speech unfolded on TV prime time.

As Mr. Aquino breezed through the speech, two forms of abuse crystallized—first, abuse in the disbursement of pork barrel funds at the hands of both the legislative and executive branches, feeding on taxpayer money; and second, the abuse of the so-called bully pulpit, a platform available only to the President to defend his policies,

programs and decisions, and even bully and terrorize his political opponents and critics in the private sectors.

convict Chief Justice Renato Corona for dishonesty in declaring his assets, liabilities and net worth.

Virtual monopoly The President has a virtual monopoly of the use of this platform to define the issues of any controversy involving public interest. When he uses this pulpit, there is no dialogue, only a monologue.

No other public institution designed to exercise check-and-balance functions in Philippine democracy has such a platform—neither the Supreme Court, Congress nor the press, whose freedom is protected by the Constitution, has it.

The privilege speech of legislators is nothing compared to the President’s bully pulpit. Legislators enjoy certain immunities from suits stemming from their privilege speeches.

But the immunity from suits enjoyed by the President is far broader in scope than congressional immunities, which, records show, have often been abused to promote their personal interests and denounce their enemies.

Presidents offended by press criticisms can sue—and have indeed sued— newspapers and journalists for libel.

We can’t sue the President for anything, including for misuse of public funds, such as granting additional pork barrel to senators who voted to

Foremost news maker The President’s exclusive access to the bully pulpit is founded on the dynamic of media news reporting embodied in the concept that the head of the unitary and highly centralized state is the foremost news maker in our democratic system.

Whatever he says and does—and

The President has a virtual monopoly of the use of this platform to define the issues of any controversy involving public interest. When he uses this pulpit, there is no dialogue, only a monologue. fails to do, which is often the case—is news that can’t be ignored. When the President sneezes, the entire country catches the cold. If the President is lazy, the indolence has dire consequences for economic growth.

When Mr. Aquino delivered his speech last week, the pulpit was all his.

The media didn’t interdict him. The result was the President defined the pork barrel issues narrowly according

www.canadianinquirer.net

to his perspective of regime survival, assailed by plunging popularity ratings in public opinion surveys.

The real issue in the speech was not whether he had stolen from public coffers, as he had put it erroneously.

Rather, the issue has transformed to whether the DAP, a mechanism his administration has invented to replace the discredited Priority Development Assistance Fund, would ensure the abolition of the pork barrel system or eliminate the corruption embedded in the system.

to be contradicted. There was nothing of substance in policy terms in the speech.

It was delivered against the background of Mr. Aquino’s falling popularity ratings as questions were raised about the misuse of public funds, squandering the political capital invested in the bully pulpit as an agenda-setting mechanism for reforms or political change.

Where is the change in policy direction? Where are the new initiatives in the speech?

Question of trust Another key issue raised by the speech was whether Mr. Aquino can be trusted to handle the equitable distribution of budgetary funds through the DAP, which increases his patronage resources and powers.

Put differently, can he be trusted not to abuse or misuse the growing monopoly by the presidency of patronage distribution, at the expense of an emasculated power of Congress?

A perusal of the speech fails to show it addresses these issues. How much homework may be expected from a hurriedly patched-up speech, composed in a last-minute cramming, driven by impulse to halt the nosedive of popularity ratings?

The speech was not meant or expected

Divisive approach Clarity was shortchanged in a speech intended to clear up the confusion sowed by detractors of the DAP. Clarity, the President said, starts with determining who are those with the administration or against it on the issue of the DAP. Those who are opposing the DAP are not only “corrupt officials” who would lose opportunities for graft.

They also embrace citizens who clamor on the streets for the abolition of the pork barrel, without exception.

This is a divisive approach that can only erode more deeply the waning popularity of the administration.

It took only 12 minutes to turn the tide of fickle public opinion. ■

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013

18

Canada News

Money no longer part of pipeline negotiations between B.C. and Alberta

NEWS BRIEFS

FROM THE CANADIAN PRESS

BY DENE MOORE The Canadian Press VANCOUVER—The premiers of British Columbia and Alberta say they’re prepared to work through some of the differences that stand in the way of oil pipelines through British Columbia, but they’ve effectively agreed to drop the most contentious issue: B.C.’s desire for a larger share of government royalties associated with the project.

B.C. Premier Christy Clark and Alberta Premier Alison Redford have had an uneasy relationship since Clark outlined five conditions to win her support for pipelines that would delivery heavy oil from Alberta to the B.C. coast, including a “fair share” of the project’s economic benefits.

When Clark outlined her demands last year, the request for financial compensation drew an immediate rebuke from Redford, who accused B.C. of attempting to reach into Alberta’s pockets. Clark famously described a meeting between the two leaders as “frosty.”

But Tuesday’s framework for negotiations makes it clear that money will not be part of the talks between the provinces. Instead, B.C. has agreed to take demands for financial compensation directly to the oil and

DRUG USE DURING PREGNANCY AFFECTS BABY

Premier Christy Clark during her meeting with the Filipino press in Vancouver. One of the topics discussed was the BC-Alberta pipeline negotiation.

PHOTO BY ANGELO SIGLOS

gas industry when projects such as Enbridge’s Northern Gateway pipeline are proposed Clark rejected the suggestion she had backed down from one of her key conditions, which she has always insisted were firm.

“I have always recognized we don’t know what form the economic benefit for British Columbia could take,” she said.

“It could take a whole number of different forms.”

Clark had previously refused to sign onto Redford’s push for a na-

tional energy strategy because of the dispute. On Tuesday, Clark agreed to endorse the national plan.

Redford suggested their announcement brings the provinces closer to an ultimate agreement on pipelines that would deliver Alberta oil products to the B.C. coast for export.

“After all of the discussions that we’ve had, to be able to take a look at those five conditions and know that in each of those areas there is the possibility of good progress,” she said. ❱❱ PAGE 22 Money no longer

Canadians among top seven nations for living well, says OECD ranking The Canadian Press OTTAWA—When it comes to measuring the good life, Canada is among the world’s top spots for individual well-being, according to report by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

The others in the top category are Australia, Sweden, Switzerland,

Denmark, the U.S. and Norway.

The Paris-based organization does not issue a specific ranking, but OECD officials said the countries in the highest tier scored in the top 20 per cent in all 11 major categories assessed, including income and wealth, employment, health status, housing, education expectancy and attainment, work-life balance and personal security.

Canadian scored at or near the top

in terms of having a low long-term unemployment rate, health status, housing, education and skills, social connections, personal security (low crime), and in life satisfaction.

In terms of self-reported life satisfaction, residents of Switzerland profess to be most satisfied with their lot, while those in Hungary the least. Canadians place eighth among the 36 OECD industrialized nations. ■

TORONTO—A new report says a significant proportion of Canadian women smoke tobacco, drink alcohol or take drugs during pregnancy, putting their newborns’ health at risk.

The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse report cites 2008 data showing 13 per cent of pregnant women smoked, 11 per cent consumed alcohol and five per cent used drugs.

NEW NATIONAL MUSEUM TO OPEN NEXT SEPTEMBER WINNIPEG—A new federally funded human rights museum is to open in Winnipeg next September. Officials with The Canadian Museum For Human Rights announced the Sept.

20 date on Monday.

TORONTO REMAINS DIVIDED OVER ROB FORD TORONTO—Canada’s largest city remained divided over its embattled mayor Monday after a public apology from Rob Ford failed to quell the controversy over an alleged crack video. While some saw his words as the push needed to move past a long-running drug scandal, others said little had changed for Toronto.

HEALTH-CARE WORKERS URGED TO GET ‘FLULESS’ TORONTO—Ontario is urging all health-care workers to get immunized in the upcoming flu season to protect themselves and the patients they come into contact with. The province’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Arlene King, launched the “Let’s Get Fluless” campaign Monday at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

Canada News

19 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013

Dozens of Canadians willing to pay for web sex with ‘virtual’ 10 year old girl

BY COLIN PERKEL The Canadian Press A STING operation has turned up dozens of Canadians among thousands of adults willing to pay to watch a 10-year-old Filipino girl perform sex acts on a webcam, an international children’s rights group said Monday.

The group Terres des Hommes, operating out of Amsterdam, said 54 Canadians were among more than 1,000 adults from 71 countries identified during the 10-week project.

“It’s frightening to see that these people think that the Internet is a completely lawless space,” said one of the researchers for the group, who identified himself only as Peter for fear of reprisals.

“The most shocking part of this—aside from the horrific child-abuse material that we were sometimes sent—was just the fact that it was so easy to catch these people. They have

zero risk perception.”

Detailed identification information—including names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses—was now in the hands of Interpol for passing on to national law-enforcement authorities to investigate, Peter told The Canadian Press from Amsterdam.

Canada’s Criminal Code prohibits accessing child pornography and child prostitution, so the law should be adequate for prosecution, the group said.

The sting involved setting up a pretend 10-year-old girl Filipino girl named “Sweetie,” who signed on to various public chat rooms that cater to teens and children. Predators would latch onto her almost immediately.

“Show me your legs,” one wrote. “Do you like to wear your bra?” said another. “Babyyyy how much? $$$” said one named Dirty.

As a backup, the four researchers created a 3-D animation of “Sweetie,” though it was seldom necessary to use it,

to convince the men they were dealing with a real child.

In all, 20,172 adults offered to pay between $1 and $100 using untraceable prepaid credit cards to have “Sweetie” perform a sex show via webcam— despite being told at least twice that she was only 10.

“It was so clear that these people were after 10-year-old children,” Peter said.

“Some men would say, ‘I’ll pay you $500 to see you and your six-year-old sister have sex’.”

Exploited children suffer from depression, anxiety and aggression and have no idea about normal relationships and sexuality, Terres des Hommes said.

Nor do they tend to go to the

police. The group said it knew of only six convictions for such abuse.

One occurred in June in Canada, when a 62-year-old man from North Saanich, B.C., was sentenced to five years for using a webcam to direct a Chinese father to sexually assault his young son.

In all, the researchers identified more than 1,000 predators—including 254 Americans and 110 Brits—saying they would have been able to ID far more if they had more time and resources.

Until now, Peter said, he believed police had a good handle on the webcam sex tourism.

The project has shown that’s not the case, he said.

“The idea that police are on top of this kind of child abuse is just an illusion,” Peter said.

“It was so clear that they have no fear of police. They don’t even really try to hide their identities.”

Webcam child-sex tourism is distinct from child pornography and human trafficking, which have become hardened industries controlled by international criminal syndicates, Peter said.

However, the preying in on children in other countries via webcam is still a relatively new phenomenon involving individuals and sometimes families, he said.

“It hasn’t yet hardened into a criminal industry,” Peter said.

“If police stop it now, then maybe we will be able to curb this practice.”

The group has posted a documentary about its investigation on YouTube— youtube.com/ sweetie— and begun a petition aimed at pressing authorities and politicians to do more to halt such illegal sex shows.

RCMP had no immediate comment. ■

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 NOVEMBER 8, 2013 20

Saudi crackdown on foreign workers aims to stymie dissent at home as employment needs grow

BY ABDULLAH AL-SHIHRI AND AYA BATRAWY The Associated Press RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA— Many workers stayed off the streets to avoid checkpoints looking for invalid labour papers. Thousands of others had already arranged one-way journeys home, with Saudi officials insisting that those without the right visas and documents would receive no leniency.

After seven months of warnings, a nationwide culling of Saudi Arabia’s massive foreign workforce took effect this week spearheaded by a special task force of 1,200 Labor Ministry officials combing shops, construction sites, restaurants and businesses. Police manned roadblocks to enforce the kingdom’s strict labour rules that make it virtually impossible to remain in the country without an official employee-sponsor.

More than 4,000 people were arrested by Tuesday as part of the crackdown, officials said.

But the effort means far more than just a letter-of-the-law push by one of the Middle East’s powerhouse economies.

It reflects a wider drive to trim reliance on foreign workers across the Gulf Arab states, whose rulers have so far ridden out the Arab Spring but fear that demographics may not be on their side in the future. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and other countries have aggressively supported proposals to open more jobs for their own citizens, worrying that chronic unemployment could eventually feed greater dissent and challenges to their tight grip on power.

It’s another sign of the fraying of the longstanding Gulf social contract as populations grow, costs rise and the Middle East’s upheavals change views on the streets. For decades, the twoway bargain was Gulf rulers doling out civil servant jobs and generous state benefits in return for political security. The rest was handled by the seemingly endless flow of workers, mainly from South Asia, who built the cities, tended to their employers’ children and staffed businesses running from malls to banks to supermarkets.

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and other countries have aggressively supported proposals to open more jobs for their own citizens, worrying that chronic unemployment could eventually feed greater dissent and challenges to their tight grip on power.

Now, there is concern in the Gulf palaces that the framework may be in need of a drastic overhaul with young and increasingly impatient populations.

“We want more Saudi men and women to work in the private and public sectors,” Saudi Deputy Labor Minister Mufrej Al-Haqbani told reporters Sunday just before the end of an “amnesty” period for the estimated 1.5 million foreigners—about 16 per cent of the total 9 million non-Saudi work force—who are believed to have violated residency and labour rules by leaving their sponsors, sneaking into the country or simply staying after making the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca.

Workers had until Monday to comply with the law or face arrest and deportation.

While some Gulf countries have plentiful oil and gas resources to lavish on relatively small local populations—foreigners outnumber natives about 5-to-1 in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates—the pressures on Saudi Arabia stand out. Its 27 million people are more than the populations of all the other Gulf citizens combined, and its vast oil wealth has not trickled down enough to appease domestic demands or raise up impoverished areas and slums.

Unlike other many places in the Gulf, low-income Saudis are willing to work the types of

jobs that have long been held

by Indian, Egyptian, Pakistani and Filipino migrant workers, though perhaps not for the same low wages that can be the equivalent of just several hundred dollars a month. Yet unemployment among Saudi nationals has remained stuck at 10 per cent for several years, according to the International Monetary Fund. Unemployment among Saudis under 30 years old—about two-thirds of the population—is about three times the national average.

A sharp jolt to Gulf rulers came from an unexpected corner—normally sleepy Oman— where Arab Spring-inspired protesters demanded more jobs in early 2011. Gulf governments responded in predictable fashion: opening the state vaults.

Saudi Arabia promised $120 billion to fund job creation, debt forgiveness, higher public sector wages and social programs that help young Saudis buy homes, a prerequisite for marriage. It also accelerated its so-called “Saudization” program, which seeks to require businesses to ensure that Saudi nationals make up at least 10 per cent of the work force.

But numbers tell another story. Only one-third of the 7 million new jobs created over the past decade went to Gulf nationals, according to the IMF. A report in the Abu Dhabibased newspaper The National said at least 51 million more www.canadianinquirer.net

jobs are needed by 2020 to avoid a rise in unemployment among Arab Gulf nationals.

The Saudi crackdown and other measures may whittle down the number of foreign workers, but fail to directly address deeper issues that touch all Gulf nations such as allegations of abuses of domestic help and employment rules that have been harshly criticized by rights groups.

Nearly every worker in the Gulf—from construction sites to board rooms—is directly “sponsored” by an employer who has say over exit visas, residency and work permits.

Groups such as Human Rights Watch and the International Labor Organization have accused employers of violations such as withholding workers’ passports or ignoring their demands. In May, hundreds of construction workers in the United Arab Emirates were sent back to Bangladesh, Pakistan and other countries after waging a strike to protest meal costs deducted from their pay.

Any worker who leaves a sponsor without permission to find another job is considered in violation of labour rules.

“The problem on one level is that the migrants keep salary levels low,” Saudi expert and author Karen Elliott House said. “Another problem is that Saudis are either not qualified for the jobs they want or do not want to accept the low salaries

of jobs they are qualified to do.”

The sponsorship system also has led to corruption under so-called “free visa” arrangements where Saudis posing as sponsoring employees charge up to $3,200 to import workers for businesses that do not exist.

The arrangement allows foreigners a cover to begin looking for work once in Saudi Arabia, Human Rights Watch said.

Additionally, the security sweeps do not include raids on homes, leaving domestic workers largely out of the view from authorities. In 2010, a 23 yearold woman from Indonesia was hospitalized in after her Saudi employers allegedly burned her, broke her middle finger and cut her lips with scissors.

Authorities say that since warnings were issued earlier this year, 3.8 million people renewed their residency permits and 2.7 million corrected their papers to accurately reflect their occupation and workplace. The kingdom meanwhile issued more than 1 million final exit visas, which ban people from ever returning.

Employers who hired foreign workers illegally now face up to two years imprisonment and fines up to $27,000 for each case under the new rules.

The lax oversight of the past years also has been considered a security problem for Saudi police, who face resistance from criminal gangs when trying to enter the country’s many slums. Saudi officials say the country’s 1,800-kilometre (1,100-mile) border with Yemen is breached daily by drug traffickers, al-Qaida militants and African refugees.

In the Red Sea port area of Jiddah alone, slums comprise almost 40 per cent of the city.

In the holy city of Mecca, the figure is estimated to be even higher, said a Saudi official who wished not to be named because he was not authorized to release the information to media.

Internal security, said the analyst House, is “one of the reasons they want to look under the mattress.” ■ Batrawy reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

World News

21 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013

Intelligence agency lawyers urge retention of secret data in any spy law overhaul

BY STEPHEN BRAUN The Associated Press WASHINGTON—The Obama administration’s top national security lawyers on Monday rejected the idea that the government should stop collecting copies of every American’s telephone records every day, telling an independent oversight board that it would lose valuable time if each time it launched a terror investigation it had to seek the private billing records from individual phone companies.

The lawyers also told the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board during a rare public hearing that a secret overseas Internet data-gathering program exposed last week was not an attempt to evade scrutiny by the federal intelligence court that supervises such operations. Top officials of Google and Yahoo criticized the program, in which the National Security Agency reportedly tapped into fiber optic cables that funnel the data overseas.

The government did not dispute that it tapped the cables

overseas for Internet traffic but said it wasn’t doing so to avoid U.S. legal restrictions.

Much of the board’s session Monday with government lawyers dealt with congressional proposals that would shift retention of phone and Internet records to private companies, instead of storing them at the National Security Agency. The lawyers warned that the government’s ability to conduct counter-terrorism investigations would be hampered by the loss of its massive data collections.

If Congress were to shut down the government’s collection of phone records, which it has been secretly doing since 2006, “we wouldn’t be able to see the patterns that the NSA’s programs provide us,” said Patrick Kelley, acting general counsel of the FBI. Kelley added that the FBI would not be able to weed out significant phone data if it did not have the NSA’s massive data bank to tap into, and would lose valuable time if it had to instead seek the data from individual phone companies.

Robert Litt, general counsel for the Office of the Director

of National Intelligence, said the White House is considering keeping copies of the records for fewer than five years and may reduce the types of information that it searches. But Litt and other government attorneys did not elaborate on these possibilities or offer detailed critiques of the congressional proposals they said they opposed.

The NSA’s general counsel, Rajesh De, declined to discuss published accounts describing the U.S. tapping into fiber optic cables to extract Internet data about customers of Google and Yahoo without the knowledge of the technology companies. But De insisted that the program was not an attempt to avoid the supervision of the Federal Intelligence Surveillance Court.

“That is simply inaccurate,” De said. He said news accounts about the program contained inaccuracies but didn’t say what they were.

Eric Schmidt, Google’s chairman, told CNN he was shocked by the latest revelations.

Schmidt described the operation as “perhaps a violation of

law but certainly a violation of mission.” He added that it was “clearly an overstep.” Schmidt once famously told an interviewer, “If you have something that you don’t want anyone to know, maybe you shouldn’t be doing it in the first place.”

In a blog posting Monday, the Washington Post said it did not know the exact details of how the NSA and its British counterpart, GCHQ, intercept and then tap into Internet data funneling through fiber optic cables routing information for Google and Yahoo. But the newspaper published a series of internal NSA slides that appeared to show elements of agency programs and techniques that could be used to extract consumer information as it flows across the cables.

The slides were provided to the newspaper by former NSA contract employee Edward Snowden, who is being sought by the U.S. for leaking classified information. Some of the slides, which show how the material is routed, were analyzed by technology experts, who helped explain how the information was intercepted.

The five members of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board are appointed by President Barack Obama but report to Congress. The board has set no deadline but has been meeting for months with national security officials to scrutinize the surveillance programs and their impact on civil liberties.

Two board officials said Wednesday that the panel hoped to deliver its report to Obama and Congress by the end of the year.

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to reveal the board’s plans, said the board intends to present the bulk of its report directly to Obama and Congress, without any advance scrutiny. Because the oversight board reports to Congress, it is not subject to the supervision of the White House and the Director of National Intelligence, which oversees a similar effort by a separate presidentially-appointed advisory panel, the Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technologies. ■

Kami po sa Manila Express ay nagbibigay ng Abot-kaya at Maasahang Serbisyo sa lahat.

Mula pa noon hanggang ngayon.

Serbisyong Manila Express R E M I T TA N C E

A N D

C A R G O

www.manila-express.ca

West Broadway 604-736-6121

Calgary 1 (877) 502-7376

Richmond 604-279-1542

5th Street (403) 264-1100

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

Abot Kaya

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

www.canadianinquirer.net

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

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

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

Immigration

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013 22

PANGARAP: SO, OUR JOURNEY BEGINS

So, What Logistics Do You Need as You Settle Down?

BY BOLET AREVALO

IF YOU MOVED TO BUILD A NEW LIFE, THEN START OFF RIGHT BY TRYING TO FIND A PLACE YOU CAN CALL HOME. Many sob stories have been exchanged here and there about families who once lived so comfortably in their native country finding themselves living in humble, freezing basements or square holes called “room-for-rent spaces” in their newfound country.

But migrating puts reality right in front of you. Rather than pity yourself, look at it as being given the chance to live your life all over again, to make new choices, to face up to new challenges, to win new battles and gather new victories.

Looking for the place you can temporarily call your home is indeed a challenge. It requires patience and realistic assessments. Thanks to the internet, even from your home country you can start searching for possible apartments

or rooms to rent. A friend from the country you are moving to can then physically check out the locations for you.

All you need is to learn is how to Google: Just type in “apartments for rent in (such and such location or city.)”

You will actually find too many websites because renting out is really a big side source of income for established folks.

They call it a “mortgage helper.” Some are able to pay their monthly mortgage amortization by simply renting out some parts of their houses—rooms, basements, ground floor or upper floor.

Your friend or relative can check out the place and give you feedback. This process will be even better if you can ask them to take pictures and “show you around” the house. The nice thing about being able to search through the internet is that the rental cost is almost always advertised, so you can filter your choices to only those you can afford.

The close-to-bus stop or close-toamenities factor is not really as ticklish an issue because Canada, for example, has an efficient public transportation system. The areas are also well zoned so that there will be a school nearby, as well as a church, a mini mall, a walk-in clinic,

a public library, just about the most basic services that you will need.

There is not much criteria that you can put up if you are doing it from far away, but you can always move to another place once you start getting acquainted with life in the new place. Ideally, try to find a place that will agree to a shortterm lease, such as 6 months, to give you more leeway to move out sooner.

If getting a really comfortable home is not so easy because money is an issue, then it’s crucial that the home is filled with enough love, understanding and support for one another. Even if you have to live in a basement, the warmth of home can be felt with the unity and love of family. On the light side of things, even if the weather becomes too cold for comfort, the key is simply to be able to bundle up properly.

Finding a comfortable home is your first step to starting a new life. Migrating brings you face to face with reality and home is the best place to plan for it, strategize for it, savor it or simply chill out after a frustrating day of job hunting. You will also find that home is the best place to bring home the bacon when luck comes knocking and you feel you have made the

right decision migrating.

YOU NEED A PHONE. THAT IS AS BASIC AS GETTING A JOB TO FEED YOUR STOMACH. When we migrated, there was only one important first-step decision that was almost instinctive to me, that was to seek how I could get a phone line. Your cell phone might work through international roaming, but pretty soon you will realize that roaming is expensive and will not get you anywhere near your goals as a permanent resident.

As you settle, or perhaps even before you came over, the need to communicate or stay in touch with people you left behind will be there. That will be first stabilizing factor that will console you as you settle.

However, when things are turning out not in the way that you had imagined or wanted—especially with that first job becoming so elusive—you might find yourself slowly withdrawing from your past, unwilling to speak of the frustration you feel even to friends.

Then you will realize that the connec❱❱ PAGE 44 So, What

Money no longer...

“We’re making good progress all the way along.”

The British Columbia government has opposed the Northern Gateway pipeline at a federal review but last year outlined five preconditions for her government to support any pipeline projects. The first four focused on spill response, environmental protection and consultation with First Nations.

However, Clark insisted the province receive what was vaguely described as “its fair share”—a demand that sparked a war of words between the two leaders.

Clark had previously ruled out to media going directly to the oil and gas industry to ask for money, saying last October that “the people who have the most vital interest in having it go ahead are the ones that are going to have to decide to move it forward.”

In fact, Enbridge said last year that it offered to meet with Clark to discuss the benefits of the pipeline, but she declined the offer. A spokesman in the premier’s office said at the time that it would be inappropriate for her to meet with Enbridge officials until the ongoing environmental review was complete.

Earlier this year, the feud began calming.

Clark and Redford met in Kelowna in June, while Clark was running in a bye❰❰ 18

www.canadianinquirer.net

lection, and announced a working group to collaborate on shared economic interests. During the meeting, they waxed about shared goals such as opening new export markets and declared their provinces “best friends,” though they avoided talking about the pipeline.

The proposed 1,177-kilometre Northern Gateway pipeline would deliver 525,000 barrels of Alberta oil to a tanker terminal in Kitimat, on the north coast of B.C. It has faced opposition on a number of fronts in B.C., including from First Nations, environmentalists and the province’s NDP opposition.

The project is currently undergoing a joint environment assessment review.

That panel has until the end of 2013 to complete its report and recommendations.

In addition to the Enbridge project, Kinder Morgan has proposed its own $4.1-billion Trans Mountain project that would expand an existing pipeline from Alberta to the Vancouver area.

Clark has said her five conditions would also apply to that project, or any other that involves heavy oil from Alberta.

Kinder Morgan president Ian Anderson declined requests for comment on Tuesday, leaving a Vancouver Board of Trade conference on energy immediately after Redford finished her own speech. ■

Immigration

23 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013

First Families, First Stories A Project of the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society WHO WERE the first immigrants from each community?

What was life like for them?

How did they adapt?

These are the questions asked in the “First Families, First Stories” project. This project is initiated by the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society (VAHMS) as a way to begin the process of helping communities become more self-aware by giving voice to these pioneering families and sharing the story of their arrival and settlement while a community was being built around them. VAHMS hopes this process will give each community a way to acknowledge and define its Canadian roots and begin a process of awareness of how Pan-Asian Canadians all fit into the cultural fabric of Canada.

One such story

A story from an early pioneering Filipino family in North America is narrated by Oscar Penaranda.

“Right after I turned twelve, my family left the Philippines because my father was assigned to open the first Philippine consulate in Canada. That was in Vancouver, B.C., 1956. Officially one could say that we were the first Filipinos in Canada. We were about 5 families, with some officers of the consulate being single. I attended Guardian Angels Elementary School, then Vancouver College. We lived on Haro Street, then Thurlow Street. I got in lot of fights because of Canadian ignorance of my people and my country. Folks used to ask me if we lived in trees and if we walked around in g-strings. I would answer back indignantly that we were an independent country, and paid for it with blood, not a commonwealth or one under another (the yoke of another) country like Canada is (was?). At 15, two of my friends and I bought a car for fifty dollars and took it into the woods of the Okanagan Valley and spent the whole summer like that. Vancouver was my city of firsts. First car, first learned to drive, play white sports (football team I made without knowing the rules!), first kiss, first love, first heartbreak, first fell in love with the written word, with literature. White class-

St Johns Newfoundland and Labrador old view (Prince of Wales arrival). Created by Lebreton after photo of Miot, published on L’Illustration, Journal Universel, Paris, 1860

mates used to ask me questions about Shakespeare’s words!

That’s when I discovered that literature could go beyond nationalities and races and ethnicities. That’s when I started writing, thinking that there was no one to write about my people and soon I discovered I was writing about my people here in America as well.”

Canadian Immigration, a short lesson

Outside of the early Asian arrivals—such as the Chinese, Japanese and South Asians, who came as early as the turn of the century—most of Canada’s Asian ethnic communities didn’t develop until after 1965 because of Canada’s discriminatory immigration policies.

Prior to the Second World War, Canada’s immigration policies towards its Asian populations were largely restrictive. In 1923, the Canadian government proclaimed the Chinese Exclusion Act, which excluded Chinese from immigrating to Canada and, for the next 24 years until 1947, few were able to enter the country.

Although Japanese and East Indian immigration was still allowed, it was also severely curtailed.

Canadian immigration also underwent other dramatic changes in the postwar years.

Canadian governments—federal and provincial—slowly

yielded to pressure for human rights reform from an earlier generation of immigrants and from their children. Increasingly middle class and politically active, these immigrants had participated in the war effort with other Canadians and refused to assume second-class status in the country they had helped to protect. Supported by like-minded Canadians, they rejected legally-sanctioned ethnic and racial discrimination in Canada and they demanded human rights reform.

They forced governments to legislate against discrimination on account of race, religion and origin in such areas as employment, housing and education.

And as Canada was making discrimination illegal at home, the federal government moved to eliminate racial, religious, and ethnic barriers to Canadian immigration.

In 1962, Diefenbaker’s Conservative Minister of Citizenship & Immigration, Ellen Fairclough, managed to introduce highly controversial processes that alienated both public and official support for new immigration regulations, effective February 1, which largely removed racial discrimination from Canada’s immigration policy. That policy led to the defeat of his government in the next election.

Also in 1962, the Canadian government agreed to the spewww.canadianinquirer.net

cial admission of 100 Chinese refugee families from Hong Kong. In 1963, the government made special provisions for the adoption of ‘non-white’ children.

On December 17, 1965 the Prime Minister announced the introduction of a new Department of Manpower—an amalgamation of the National Employment Service, elements of the Department of Labour, and the immigration service. This was important because it reinforced the perception of federal officers that immigration and labour needs remained linked.

Jean Marchand was to head up the new establishment, and the effect of this new arrangement was to give the Department of efforts on labourer immigrants, and to give individual provinces the responsibility for the political, social, and cultural integration of immigrants including language training.

The last vestiges of racial discrimination in immigration were gone from Canadian immigration legislation and regulations by the late 1960s. This opened Canada’s doors to many of those who would previously have been rejected as undesirable. In 1971, for the first time in Canadian history, the majority of those immigrating into Canada were of non-European ancestry. This has been the case every year since. As a result, today Canada is not just a

multicultural society; it is also a multiracial society to a degree unimaginable to earlier generations of Canadians.

The First Families, First Stories Project

The scope of this community project will concentrate primarily on the history of settlement in the metropolitan area of Greater Vancouver. Although each community’s arrival depends on very different circumstances, there is a need to acknowledge the community’s Old World and transmigrational roots. This project will primarily be on the stories and development upon the arrival of Pan-Asians and the many significant community achievements that followed after their arrival in Canada.

VAHMS will assist interested communities by offering them the tools to develop a better understanding of their community’s history through a series of workshops conducted by experienced people in the field of historical research and genealogy.

VAHMS will also assist in helping each community research and build their own historical timeline. ■ To participate in this project, please contact: Jim Wong-Chu 604-355-5795 or Esmie Gayo McLaren 604-437-6353 (esmievahms@google.com).

Juan TV Launch

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013 24

CEO Alan Yong

CEO Alan Yong and Boss Vic Del R toast with the Juan TV team and C es” Newland

EVP Socorro “Bab

BC’s JUAN TV has finally arrived. Held at the ing success. It was attended by local media lu public servants. Special highlight was the pre Rosario and his son Vincent del Rosario. They Filipino shows and movies from the Philippine www.canadianinquirer.net

Juan TV Launch

25 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013

Rosario of Viva propose a ConGen Neil Ferrer.

t, Peter Cheung

Juan TV Presiden

posh Pavilion Ballroom of Vancouver’s Sheraton Hotel Wall Centre, the night was a glitteruminaries, would-be dealers/agents, local show business celebrities, community leaders and esence of Philippine entertainment moguls— Viva Entertainment/Viva Media—”Boss” Vic Del y both flew in to personally witness the unveiling of IPTV provider of the largest selection of es to Canada. www.canadianinquirer.net

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013 26

FILIPINO-CANADIAN IN FOCUS

Eleanor “Beng” Guerrero Campbell

BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer SUCCESSFUL AUTHOR. Recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Mayor’s Medal. High-powered corporate city planner turned community development consultant.

The road has had many turns, forks, and bends for FilipinoCanadian Eleanor “Beng” Guerrero-Campbell. One thing, however, is certain: Each fork in the road has led this dynamic, passionate, and compassionate woman to higher ground.

The iffy immigrant

Eleanor, her husband, and their son (who was only 6-months old, at the time) migrated to Canada in 1978 by sponsorship of Eleanor’s sisterin-law.

She candidly recalls being a tad iffy about the move, seeing as she was right-smack in the hubbub of corporate city planning, but admits to having recognized the opportunity at hand.

“I was not sure whether I really wanted to come to Canada as my work planning Metro Manila was very interesting.

However, it was a valuable opportunity, and I thought that we could always come back if we didn’t like it,” she said.

So they relocated to their new home in Edmonton, where biting cold and overwhelming homesickness proved to be the biggest challenges they faced as new immigrants. It took a year for her to adjust to being without her large circle of family and friends in dynamic Manila, and to grow reasonably accustomed to the harsh change, weatherwise. She admits, however, that moving to Vancouver—where temperatures are more forgiving—was like “moving to Paradise.”

Eventually, Eleanor adjusted to life on Canadian soil and set forth on a journey to help other immigrants adjust, as well.

Inspiring others

Among the inspiring and treasured stories Eleanor shares is one gem from her work with the Multicultural Helping House Society.

A Filipina newcomer, a computer programmer by profession, had come in for assistance. The woman had been advised by people around her to apply for a cleaning job, and had received a dressing down from a senior leader for being “too proud” to take on such a job.

Eleanor, who was in earshot of the conversation, couldn’t help but intervene.

“As the newcomer was leaving, I pulled her into my office at Multicultural Helping House to talk with her about her options, how to find jobs in her field, walked her though the process. I told her that she owes it to herself to use her skills and education in Canada. I reminded her that if she started cleaning, she will lose sight of her goals, will become depressed, will have no time to do the proper job search,” she recalled.

Offering her more than mere words, Eleanor helped the newcomer put her resumé together and taught her some crucial interview skills. Some time and a phone call later, Eleanor happily discovered that the girl had landed a job as computer programmer at BCAAA with a salary of $50,000 a year.

“When she phoned the office to tell me she got offered, I felt so happy and inspired! There was much rejoicing in the office! Imagine the difference in her life made by that critical intervention!”

Stories like this abound within the Bamboo Network program, which Eleanor started at the MHHS. From its inception, many Filipinos have participated—and continue to do so—as mentors to newcomers, teaching them to become strong and resilient; just like bamboo.

Eleanor credits the success of the MHHS to the vast experience gained from her time as Director of the Looking Ahead Initiative at Mosaic, where she was witness to the complexities of underutilization of skilled immigrants. She was thrust into the unique position to help in the integration of skilled workers into the labour market; a mission she has carried with her ever since.

She also acknowledges her role as city planner and planning manager for various cities

in Metro Vancouver, Alberta, and Metro Manila with helping her hone her skills at facilitating common goals among diverse sectors in communities, identifying issues and problems, and coming up with well-rounded solution to these; skills she now employs in helping newcomers—kababayans and those from other ethnic communities, alike—to realize their Canadian dream.

Empowering women

Eleanor’s rich professional background includes a post with the Minerva Foundation for BC Women, an organization committed to helping women develop their leadership capacity and find meaningful work.

“It was an interesting experience to be headhunted to be the CEO of the Minerva Foundation for BC Women, a prestigious organization dedicated to empowering women through leadership, education, career development and other programs. Working with Minerva exposed me to excellent women leaders, how corporations and foundations worked, high level leadership programs, and sustainable governance in the not for profit sector,” she shared.

Enriched by others

In keeping with the cycles and laws of the universe, enriching the lives of others with the help that she extends has, in turn, enriched Eleanor’s own life.

Her encounters with a diversity of people have provided personal growth and fulfillment—even the occasional touch of humour (she recalls the time a newcomer turned down the “graveyard shift,” thinking it entailed working at an actual graveyard)—in ways she barely expected.

Despite the obvious risks of shifting from a high-income career in corporate city planning to one in consulting in community development, Eleanor shares that following her passion to help others has proven very rewarding.

“My path since the change has been very satisfying: it seemed resources just fell into place for the causes I helped, it felt great seeing lives of people you help become markedly betwww.canadianinquirer.net

SCREENGRAB FROM YOUTUBE

ter; awards kept coming, and all these experiences have enriched my life,” she shared.

So great is the overflow of her spirit from this enrichment that it has translated into a “surprising amount of artistic expression” in her retirement years, enabling her to write about things that have moved her in life.

Chronicles of life

The corporate city planner, turned community advocate has now also taken to writing as a medium of expression, and tool of upliftment and empowerment. Her latest novel tentatively titled, Stumbling through Paradise, shares a broader perspective of the immigrant experience by contrasting the events in the lives of different generations within the fictional del Mundo family.

The story is woven throughout three books, chronicling how “the later generations do better, atone for, and redeem the sacrifices of the first generation.”

“The novel flips back and forth between the Philippines and Canada and highlights some of the cultural practices and characteristics of Filipinos, including our intense Catholicism and our love for food. The novel also focuses on the multicultural theme in Canada, describing some of the racial challenges in Vancouver neighborhoods through the seventies, eighties and nineties as they affected the del Mundos, and, through one of the del

Mundo children, offers a new kind of ‘Canadianism,’” Eleanor revealed.

She shares that she sees herself in the major female protagonists of each book; having imbued them with qualities reflective of her own story: Josie’s independence and survival spirit in book 1; Sonia’s advocacy for newcomers and her search for home in book 2; and Manolita’s quest for true leadership and drive to make a difference in book 3.

Following your bliss and giving back

Ever on the go, Eleanor takes time to read, walk and cycle the city, watch movies, cook, and travel whenever she can.

Top on her reading list— which she does not hesitate to recommend to other bookworms—are “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle, “Out of Africa” by Isaak Dinesen, and all the short story collections of Alice Munro.

She says the best advice ever given her is that “it’s alright to make mistakes, just learn from them, and never do them again.”

As for her own nugget of wisdom she wishes to impart to others?

“It’s not about you, but what you can offer the world, follow your bliss, give back what you receive, and everything you do will be blessed,” she said.

Words to live by; ringing loud and true from the heart of one who has proven them out, time and time again. ■

27 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013

But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.

GOD

Love

v-7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. v-8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

is

PART 2

That’s why when we look at the commandments of the Father, the first is commandment is ‘Love God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your soul, with all your spirit, with all your strength. And the second of which is love your neighbour as yourself.’

(Mark 12:30-31) Mark 12:29-30 tell us, v-29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: v-30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.”

That kind of love became a big question mark in many minds. Many of those who call themselves Christians are not able to practice that for the simple fact that love has become so selfish that they don’t look at that as divine love but just human love and because divine love transcends everything, it even went further than loving your neighbour. He said, “Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you and persecute you and pray for them that despitefully use you.”

Matthew 5:44 tells us, “But I say unto

you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” If we hear these words, it’s different from what we think because these words are not being followed in our time. That is why the Kingdom of God is not yet here on earth, because when this is followed, the prayer of our Almighty Father will be fulfilled.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD ON EARTH He said the Kingdom of God would come down on Earth, when His Will would be done not only in Heaven, but on the Earth also. (Matthew 6:10) You know, there is so much hatred in the world today, people are finger pointing. Brick batting, mudslinging, and blame shifting. This animosity has caused division and strife in every area of society.

But there is one commandment of Jesus Christ in Matthew 7:1, “Judge not, that ye be not judged.”

THE ADULTEROUS WOMAN He said in John 8:3-11, v-3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they

v-9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

had set her in the midst, v-4 They said unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. v-5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? v-6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him.

v-10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? v-11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

That is perfect divine love at work.

(To be continued next week)

Watch

Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy on Gospel of the Kingdom aired all over Canada on JoyTV

from 5AM-8AM (Vancouver time) 8AM-11AM (Toronto time) 8PM-11PM (Philippine time) Vancouver, Victoria and Fraser Valley Region (Channel 10 in Vancouver & Channel 7 in Victoria) Toronto, Southern Ontario, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Labrador (Channel 11 in Winnipeg & via Rogers Digital Cable TV on their local channel 173) JoyTV is also available via Digital TV, visit: Novus (www.novusnow.ca) Shaw (www.shaw.ca) Telus (www.telus.com)

www.canadianinquirer.net

The Kingdom of

JESUS CHRIST The Name Above Every Name Attend our

Thanksgiving and Worship Presentation all over Canada KLC OF TORONTO

Every Sunday at 10:00 AM

KINGDOM OF JESUS CHRIST COMPOUND No. 12 Hafis Rd., Toronto M3M 2C5 For inquiries, CALL: Flor Malasaga: 647 - 994 - 8025 Anna Namalata: 416 -828 -5703

KLC OF MONTREAL Every Sunday at 1:00 PM

Novotel Hotel 1180 Rue dela Montagne Montreal, Quebec For inquiries, CALL: Bro Mario Baluyo: 514 -652- 2099 Sis Liza Degamo: 514-585-9428

KLC OF EDMONTON Every Sunday at 1:00 PM

Holiday Inn 4485 Gateway Boulevard T6H5C3 For inquiries, CALL: Sis. Alma: 1(780) 695 -9416 Bro. Mario: 1(780) 2220-993

KLC OF CALGARY Every Sunday at 1:00 PM

Ramada Hotel 708 8th Ave, SW For inquiries, CALL: Sis Leah: 1(587) 888 -2974 Sis Wennie: 1 (403) 999-0940

KLC OF WINNIPEG Every Sunday at 1:00 PM

Inkster Hall # 1833 Unit 14 Inskter Mall, Winnipeg Manitoba For inquiries, CALL: Sis Abigail Nituda: 778-926-2991

KLC OF SURREY, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Every Sunday at 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM Midweek Bible Study: at 6:00 PM

KINGDOM OF JESUS CHRIST, TNAEN Hall 13063 Old Yale Road Surrey, British Columbia VT3 3C3, CANADA For inquiries, CALL: Toll Free No.: 604-585-2991

Listen to CKJS Am Radio, 8PM-9PM every Sunday

FREE ADMISSION! If you have been blessed by this message, or if you have any questions, comments and prayer requests, you may reach The Kingdom of Jesus Christ through:

Email: info@kingdomofjesuschrist.org www.facebook.com/ApolloQuiboloy www.twitter.com/PastorACQ www.youtube.com/sonshinemedia www.smni.com www.kingdomofjesuschrist.org Canada Toll Free: 1-888-582-3514 Winnipeg: 204-951-1842 Vancouver: 604-727-8025 Toronto: 647-867-1970

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013

28

Skin Deep

Beyond Skin Deep

BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer BEAUTY. The often-elusive, much sought-after ideal. Men and women, young and old, spend hours on end and a more than a small fortune in fervent pursuit of her fleeting graces.

Like the errant knight on a quest for grand adventure, they seek after her with a Quixotic perseverance and determination; hoping against hope to grasp her forever in their hands.

But alas, she is fading. Beauty’s promises are made to be broken, at some point. The ravages of time and life work against her, conspiring against all that is deemed beautiful and worthy of praise. On the surface, that is.

There is a beauty that is far more deep-seated, and less vulnerable to external factors. The kind that goes beyond skin deep and transforms from the inside out; bringing a more ethereal and lasting quality of beauty to the surface.

As time marches on for me, and the calendar turns over a new leaf (which is me saying “as I get older” in a more gracious way), I have found myself focusing on honing “beyond skin deep” beauty. I do spend a small fortune on beauty products targeted towards fighting the dreaded “A” word (if you guessed “ageing”—ding, ding, ding!—you guessed correctly), but I do not rely solely on these.

Here are some tips I have found helpful towards growing a deeper beauty:

1. Boost your confidence.

How you feel about yourself will reflect on the outside. Most girls grow up pegging their selfworth on what others think about them, or the praise they get for their physical beauty. At a young age, a girl’s self-esteem is shaped on such superficial levels: She who does not look like Barbie; she who does not receive a Valentine card; or she who does not get asked to prom is not beautiful, for instance.

It’s time to rise above the Valentine mentality; break out of the Beauty Queen box and the shallow dictates of society to see yourself for your true worth.

Who you are—the summa total of your personality, uniqueness, talents, dreams, achievements and aspirations; even frustrations and failures; that which makes you tick; the way you live your life—is what makes you beautiful. A practical way to build your confidence is to get your words in line with the selfworth you wish to develop, and begin to speak positive things over yourself on a daily basis.

How many times have we said things like “I’m so fat”, or “I’m so old”, or even “I’m so ugly”, when we should be speaking words of life and positivity to ourselves and about ourselves.

“I am beautiful, just the way I am.” “I am worthy.” “I am fabulous!” These are the mantras we should be repeating. Confidence is beautiful, and it soars way above the physical limitations and definitions of beauty.

2. Stay healthy and strong.

Exercise. Physical fitness and strength are beautiful. Plus ex-

ercise— even just 20-30 minutes a day—releases good old endorphins; nature’s very own happy pill. Happiness is beautiful. Try brisk walking, for starters. Integrate physical activity into everyday routines: Take the stairs up and down a few flights, whenever possible.

Invest in a treadmill or stationary bicycle—perfect for days when the weather does not permit for outdoor activity, and an excellent way to incorporate exercise into your TV time. If you find you need motivation, exercise with a friend or your spouse; enroll in a class or take out a gym membership.

3. Eat well. Know your “glow” foods, and those with natural anti-ageing, anti-oxidant properties. The old adage still remains true: You are what you eat. My personal beauty food faves are broccoli and other cruciferous veggies, skimmed Vitamin D enriched milk, extra virgin olive oil (I drizzle it on everything I possibly can), almonds and other nuts, legumes, pure raw honey, deep sea fish, green smoothies (I have included the recipe, below) and other whole and raw foods. A simple formula to keep in mind: Garbage in, garbage out. If you regularly chow

down on junk and fast foods, this will eventually show up on the outside; not to mention the numerous consequences to your health, and the general sluggishness these cause.

4. Feed and express your soul. Take time to engage in activities that nourish your mind, nurture your soul, and allow your creativity to flow. Set aside some “ME” time for pampering, or to read a good book, watch a movie, catch a stage play, write poetry, listen to music, write music, dance, sing, paint, all of the above—whatever it is you enjoy. You will be a betterrounded, happier, more self-fulfilled and satisfied person for it.

5. Smile and laugh as often as you can. Countless studies have shown the time-tested benefits of a good, hearty laugh, and of smiling often. A smile not only lights up your face (thereby making you look younger and more beautiful), it makes you feel good from the core of your being. Smile and laugh lots. Also, hug lots.

6. Cultivate your spirit life.

Whatever religion or faith to which you subscribe, or the absence thereof, take some time to involve yourself in activities of a spiritual nature. Start out each day with deep breaths

and 10 minutes of quiet mediation. Find a spiritual community—whether this be a church, prayer group, yoga class, or nature advocacy.

7. Let go of negative emotions. Bitterness, unforgiveness, a judgmental attitude, envy, anger, a mean and critical spirit—these negative emotions will consume you and everything beautiful about you. Let them go, and bask in the freedom of an open heart. Quit comparing yourself with others— this only leads to dissatisfaction (if you feel you have less), or to pride (if you feel you have more.)

8. Do the work you love. Life is way too short to be stuck doing something that does not maximize your talents and that does not fulfill your being.

9. Connect with others.

Give. Open yourself to people around you. We all need that human touch; we all need a sense of purpose in life.

10. Be true to yourself.

Quit trying to be someone you are not, and realize that you are beautiful, just the way you are.

You are a masterpiece. Be as unique as you were made to be!

You are ten steps away from discovering your own true, inner, beyond skin deep beauty.

Be fabulous! ■

Skin Deep

29 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013

Confessions of a Late Bloomer

BY CHING DEE Philippine Canadian Inquirer I DIDN’T exactly grow up as a girly girl.

I didn’t enjoy dressing up or trying on my mother’s heels or her make-up. I basically just played around (rough-housing, even) and enjoyed being a kid. I just ran around with my friends and cousins, playing tag or langit lupa or agawang base. My after-school activities involved a lot of dirt and a few scratches here and there from sneaking in and playing where I wasn’t supposed to go.

My mom used to scold me for refusing to dress appropriately for school events that require parental presence. I just didn’t see the point. She resorted to scolding and bribing and even to corporal punishment for me to get ready.

That sweet set-up didn’t change much when I started high school.

I think, in general, high school meant social experimen-

tation—social drinking, smoking, make-up, dating, etc. I’ve never really experimented on make-up or dating, which probably has a lot to do with the fact that I did not enjoy dressing up or putting a lot of effort into my looks. I just went to school, ruffled the some authoritarian feathers here and there, and laughed with my friends. Dances and proms weren’t really my thing. It’s just something I have to dress up for. I mostly looked forward to the “after party.”

Attending the country’s premier university didn’t really help with my looks, either. In a university where you can show up in class wearing your pambahay (house clothes), which you wore the night before in your dorm room, wouldn’t really instill any additional “womanly skills” such as putting on makeup or planning a wardrobe.

Even after I joined the corporate world, I still did not learn any womanly grooming techniques that most ladies have already mastered in high school. I joined and embraced a compa-

ny that didn’t have a dress code, so I basically showed up at work just wearing a shirt and a pair of shorts. My footwear collection comprised of flip-flops and when I feel like dressing up, I swing for the proverbial flats.

To be honest, I would describe myself as a “selective feminist” (actual feminists, please don’t stone me). Selective because I am strongly against typecasting women because of their looks. So, I didn’t really see the point of dressing up or painting my face just for the sake of looking more attractive. Does attractiveness make you more productive? More competent?

More effective? Actually, there might be a scientific study about that in some ivy-covered hallowed hall somewhere. But my point is: I don’t have to look beautiful to do my job well. And also, I’m too lazy to dress up and wake up a little earlier just to have enough time to put on some make-up.

But three months ago, things started to change. I’m still against judging women based

DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS IMMIGRATING TO CANADA AND WANTS TO GET READY TO FIND A JOB? MOSAIC’S PRE-ARRIVAL SERVICES CAN HELP!

If you know individuals who are interested, refer them to MOSAIC’s FREE Online Pre-Arrival Employment Services!

Sign up TODAY: http://mosaicbc.com/looking-work/pre-arrival-pre-employment-services Our Vancouver-based instructor will give real-life tips and strategies to look for work the Canadian way, explain what employers are looking for, and work one-on-one with individuals to succeed in job interviews!

HOW TO REGISTER To register for these workshops or to learn more about MOSAIC’s Pre-Arrival Employment Services, contact: PrearrivalServices@mosaicbc.com In partnership with:

www.canadianinquirer.net

on their looks (except maybe in a beauty contest), but I am now in love with make-up.

I still work in a company with no dress code, but now I go to work in Makati, the country’s most prominent business district. My mom, sister, and girl friends often tell me that I should start putting on some make-up because now I work in Makati. At first, I was adamantly against it.

I got this job even without make-up during my interviews, why start painting my face now?

Eventually, they wore me down.

I decided to seek help from my officemate who sells a famous make-up brand (*cough* Avon! *cough*).

My love affair started with natural❱❱ PAGE 29 Confessions of

Skin Deep

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013 30

20 Beauty tips to get an ageless look

BY KATHERINE MARFALTEVES Philippine Canadian Inquirer YOU CANNOT stop the clock.

Well, indeed, there is no fountain of youth, but with helpful tips from beauty industry’s most sought-after dermatologists, stylists and ageless women, you will realize that aging gracefully is the next best thing for you.

Here’s how: 1. Say ‘No’ to sun exposure.

Talking about the top skin-ager out there---the UV rays. According to Paula Spencer Scott of Caring.com, too much exposure to sun can damage elastin and can cause collagen loss, leading to drooping, skin discoloration and wrinkles. Scott knows that it’s impossible to stay out of the sun all the time, so as simple as it is, she reminds her patients to cut sun exposure. But, in the event that you really need to go out when UV rays are most potent, she reminds putting sunblock with SPF 30, wearing UV-protective clothing and walking on the shady side of the street. UV rays are most potent between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so she does not suggest going out around this time.

2. Water is beauty. Quite simple. Drink at least two litres of water daily to hydrate your skin and make it look younger.

3. Work that body out.

When beauty is being talked about, having a fit body will never be out of context. A breeze walk in the morning is the simplest form of exercise that you can engage in. But you can also consider enrolling in a gym to achieve the fitness level that you want. What’s important is you keep on moving.

4. Project a white smile. A smile lightens up your face. But a white smile makes you look younger. Drinking coffee, tea or wine may cause stains on your teeth; so, as much as you can, limit the intake of these beverages. “I avoid stained teeth by drinking my coffee quickly.

If you sip it over the course of an hour, it keeps coating and recoating. The same goes for other staining liquids, like tea and dark juices.”—Elisa Mello, DDS, cosmetic dentist, New York City Some women have bizarre beauty secrets, such as applying baking soda on their teeth to whiten it. But if you’re not a fan of this, you can simply use toothpaste with specialized whitening agent and some whitening strips. A beauty expert suggests wearing a red lipstick to project your white teeth even more.

5. Coffee on thighs. Talking about strange beauty secrets, there are women who apply coffee granules on their thighs to lessen the appearance of

cellulite. While others find it weird, some attest that it is indeed helpful.

6. No to dry, scaly lips. A lip balm with SPF protection can do the trick. That simple.

7. Drinking milk and cranberry juice. Just like drinking water, indulging with a few glasses of milk and cranberry juice is believed to be helpful in combating aging.

8. Strawberries on the face to lessen the appearance of freckles.

9. Sleeping on your back can reduce wrinkles. Some women believe that sleeping on their backs helps in preventing lines from appearing on their faces.

Also, a few believe that sleeping on a silk pillow case can prevent the appearance of wrinkles.

10. Healthy diet. Broccoli and fish oil are two foods that can help in delaying the aging process. “Anti-inflammatories are the best anti-agers out there.

From improving heart and immune functions to helping hair grow and skin look supple, they truly do wonders. I take three 500 milligram capsules of omega-3 fish oil in the morning and at night. I look for labels that say, ‘molecularly distilled for purity,’ which means pesticidefree.”—Arlene Noodleman, MD, medical director of the Age Defy Dermatology and Wellness Center, Campbell, Calif.

11. Removing make-up.

While make-up adds glam-

to be really lucky indeed. The shade worked really well with my complexion, almost as if I’m not wearing lipstick. At first, I just dabbed the tip on my lips, making sure I don’t put on too m u c h for the fear of looking gorish, b u t then I learned the art of sweeping your lipstick across your lips to make them look more plump and kissable.

I now have three tubes of lipstick varying hues of orange and red for any time of the day.

I just love how

our to your overall look, it can also damage your skin if not removed properly. Therefore, dermatologists cite the religious removal of make-up as an effective and simple way to achieve an ageless look.

12. Cucumber and tea bags on eyes to freshen them up.

I have been doing this beauty regimen for quite some time already, and I can really say that it’s really helpful, most especially after working for long hours.

13. Brush talcum powder through hair to freshen it up.

14. Pinch cheeks to give a natural blush. This may sound silly, but believe it or not, it worked for many women, according to a U.K. study.

15. Shave legs with hair conditioner. Some women confessed that their legs are smoother than ever after using hair conditioner to shave their

legs. Not bad to try.

16. Fish pedicures. Many women attest to its effectiveness.

17. Steam face in water with fresh herbs.

18. Apply whisked eggs to hair to make it shiny. An alternative beauty regimen of many ageless women.

19. Avoid stress. Easier said than done. Agree? While it is almost impossible to avoid stress amid your looming deadlines at work and some demanding family issues, beauty experts suggest relaxing a little bit to loosen up those stressed muscles on your body.

20. Stay positive. Looking younger all boils down to having a positive outlook in life.

Applying the abovementioned beauty regimens will not matter if you fail to look at the brighter side of life. Smile. Give. Understand. Forgive. Move on. ■

Then, to complete my makeup starter kit, I raided the mall for some blush (with no less than my boyfriend in tow). I settled for the most expensive blush I can afford (well, more like the one I decided was worth it) and it make me look s u n k issed— as if I just s p e n t an afternoon frolicking under the sun and my cheeks can’t help but radiate with a pinkishreddish hue, ready to beguile any unwitting human (okay,

maybe that’s a bit too much).

I am currently contemplating on taking my make-up skills to the next level: eye make-up. If only I could get over my fear of accidentally poking my eye out with my eyeliner or mascara.

In the past three months, I learned that women shouldn’t be judged based on how they look, but if they truly enjoy dressing up and dolling up, then there’s nothing in the world that should stop them. I think beauty really is subjective—it depends on how you see yourself.

If a little blush here and a little lipstick there will help make you feel like you can take on the world, then go ahead, girl! Paint the town red! ...or lucky orange, whatever compliments your skintone. ■

Confessions of... toned pressed powder, which made my pores and facial blemishes disappear with just a few strokes. My face, right before my very eyes, became brighter, clearer, and radiated a more natural glow instead of my usual pale or pasty or oily complexion. I honestly could not believe how a simple swipe erased my facial imperfections (do we have pressed powder for the soul?).

Then I tried on some lipstick.

With expert guide from my officemates, I chose a reddishorange hue, which they said would compliment my fairto-beige skintone (depending on my mode of transportation that day). I chose a color called “Lucky Orange,” which proved ❰❰ 29

it transforms my face from “I couldn’t care less about how I look” to “don’t hate me ‘cause I’m beautiful.” www.canadianinquirer.net

Skin Deep

31 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013

“Panay Pinay”

A Beautiful Method to Find Peace of Mind

Why Filipinas win beauty pageants

BY CHING DEE Philippine Canadian Inquirer MORE THAN the crown and the sash and the giant arm of flowers, being a beauty queen entails dozens if not hundreds of responsibilities during her reign and sometimes even after she’s passed on the crown.

The crowned beauty must accomplish more things by 9 AM than most women will accomplish in a week, for example: getting a workout to maintain that beauty queen bod. She also has a long list of media appearances and interviews lined up, volunteering chores and ambassadress tasks for various worthy causes and advocacies that they are expected to champion while looking their best. I myself have wondered if beauty queens ever sweat. Beauty queens are also expected to be the perfect examples of femininity: beautiful, smart, kind, and civic-conscious. From the perfection of their hair to the perfection of their impromptu speech, they are supposed to look and sound flawless.

Even runner-ups are not spared from beauty queen errands. Albeit less than the winner’s list, runner-ups also bear enough workload to make any woman look losyang, but not them. No, sir. They definitely do it with enough grace and beauty that would make Martha Stewart proud.

With so many duties lined up for one year since their coronation, it is important to point out how many FIlipinas accomplished their fair share of beauty queen errands—and for good reason.

Exotic Beauty

From the subtly bronze complexion of Pinays to expressive and deep eyes and dark, ivory hair, it’s no wonder we’re quite a beauty to behold. Add some make-up to make the Pinay’s delicate features pop and you’ve got a sure stunner on stage.

Even former United States President Richard Nixon was not immune from Pinays’ awardwinning beauty. He said of 1969 Miss Universe Gloria Diaz, “The Americans conquered the moon, but the Philippines has conquered the universe.” In the same year, American astronaut

Neil Armstrong landed on the moon and made “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

BY LEO BABAUTA Zen Habits

That Smile

A beauty queen’s best accessory, other than her crown, is her smile. From the curve of their not-too-plump-not-toothin lips (with the most gorgeous shade of lipstick to compliment their skintone) and their perfectly white and straight teeth, angels sing in unison whenever a beauty queen smiles. Filipinas nailed The Beauty Queen Smile by simply radiating their innate joy.

In fact, as proof of that universe-conquering smile, beauty pageant analysis site Missosology.org said that the Philippines has the most number of “Miss Photogenic” awards.

Toned Physique

Filipinas, by nature, are quite petite. Blame it on (or thank) the Malay race. The Philippines is also a tropical country, so burning calories by simply breathing under the hot tropical sun is enough for most Filipinas (don’t stone me). However, beauty pageant contestants confess that they workout in order to achieve a body worthy of the coveted crown and the results are absolutely worth it.

But let’s admit it—they don’t need much work.

2013 Miss World Megan Young shared a few weeks ago that she achieved her Miss World body by working hard with a few gym trainers. She reportedly worked on her “problem areas,” which are her thighs and shoulders.

“Once we got rid of the flab, her natural beauty came out.

She has a long neck and small, lovely face,” said Jonas Gaffud, Young’s gym trainer.

Pretty Witty

Filipinas are resourceful and often quick on their toes. Just ask these crown-winning answers from several Miss Philippines in the past.

Then 18-years-young Gloria Diaz was full of confidence when she answered the question, “If a man from the moon landed in your hometown, what would you do to entertain him?”

Smiling and as if simply conversing with a friend, she an-

swered, “Oh! Uh, just the same things I do. I think if he has been on the moon for so long, I think when he comes over he wants a change, I guess.” Her wit and candor earned her the Miss Universe crown.

Remember in 1993 when Ruffa Gutierrez breezed through her Q&A and quoted Saint Antoine de Exupery without batting an eyelash? Yeah, we remember, too. To the question, “How would you tell a girl who’s suffering from low self-esteem to feel better about herself?”

Ruffa answered without missing a beat, “Well, I’ll tell her to believe in herself because it’s not only physical beauty that’s important but also inner beauty. Like what the Little Prince said, ‘What is essential is invisible to the naked eye.’ And I believe that character and personality are more important than physical beauty.”

2011 Miss Universe runnerup Shamcey Supsup stuck to her guns and managed to finish the Q&A portion unscathed after being asked a rather controversial question. Well, controversial because of her answer. The judge asked, “Would you change your religion to marry the person you love? Why or why not?” To which she answered, “If I have to change my religious beliefs, I would not marry the person that I love because the first person that I love is God, who created me. And I have my faith and my principles and this is what makes me who I am. And if that person loves me, he should love my God too.” The thing I like most about Shamcey’s answer is the confidence in her delivery that didn’t come from her wit, but from her deep-seated conviction.

When asked, “How many islands are in the Philippines?”

Binibining Pilipinas contender Charlene Gonzales answered the question with another witty and unforgettable answer, “High tide or low tide?” This one-liner quickly became a quotable quote. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

HOW MANY times have you gotten upset because someone wasn’t doing their job, because your child isn’t behaving, because your partner or friend isn’t living up to his or her end of the bargain?

How many times have you been irritated when someone doesn’t do things the way you’re used to? Or when you’ve planned something carefully and things didn’t go as you’d hoped?

This kind of anger and irritation happens to all of us—it’s part of the human experience.

One thing that irritates me is when people talk during a movie. Or cut me off in traffic.

Or don’t wash their dishes after eating. Actually, I have a lot of these little annoyances—don’t we all?

And it isn’t always easy to find peace when you’ve become upset or irritated.

Let me let you in on a little secret to finding peace of mind: see the glass as already broken.

See, the cause of our stress, anger and irritation is that things don’t go the way we like, the way we expect them to.

Think of how many times this has been true for you.

And so the solution is simple: expect things to go wrong, expect things to be different than we hoped or planned, expect the unexpected to happen. And accept it.

One quick example: on our recent trip to Japan, I told my kids to expect things to go wrong—they always do on a trip. I told them, “See it as part of the adventure.”

And this worked like a charm.

When we inevitably took the wrong train on a foreign-language subway system, or when it rained on the day we went to Disney Sea, or when we took three trains and walked 10 blocks only to find the National Children’s Castle closed on Mondays … they said, “It’s part of the adventure!” And it was

all OK—we didn’t get too bothered.

So when the nice glass you bought inevitably falls and breaks, someday, you might get upset. But not if you see the glass as already broken, from the day you get it. You know it’ll break someday, so from the beginning, see it as already broken. Be a time-traveler, or someone with time-traveling vision, and see the future of this glass, from this moment until it inevitably breaks.

And when it breaks, you won’t be upset or sad—because it was already broken, from the day you got it. And you’ll realize that every moment you have with it is precious.

Expect your child to mess up—all children do. And don’t get so upset when they mess up, when they don’t do what they’re “supposed” to do … because they’re supposed to mess up.

Expect your partner to be less than perfect.

Expect your friend to not show up sometimes.

Expect things to go not according to plan.

Expect people to be rude sometimes.

Expect coworkers not to come through sometimes.

Expect roommates not to wash their dishes or pick up their clothes, sometimes.

Expect the glass to break.

And accept it.

You won’t change these inevitable facts—they will happen, eventually. And if you expect it to happen—even see it as already happening, before it happens— you won’t get so upset.

You won’t overreact.

You’ll respond appropriately, but not overreact. You can talk to the person about their behavior, and ask them kindly to consider your feelings when they do this … but you won’t get overly emotional and blow things out of proportion.

You’ll smile, and think, “I expected that to happen. The glass was already broken. And I accept that.”

You’ll have peace of mind.

And that, my friends, is a welcome surprise. ■

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013

32

Entertainment

The Unveiling...

Special highlight was the presence of Philippine entertainment moguls— Viva Entertainment/ Viva Media—”Boss” Vic Del Rosario and his son Vincent del Rosario. They both flew in to personally witness the unveiling of IPTV provider of the largest selection of Filipino shows and movies from the Philippines to Canada.

What an evening of classy, serene yet festive ambiance with well-heeled guests most if not all garbed in red, white and black ensembles responding to celebrate Juan TV logo’s signature colors. Chancing upon Vincent del Rosario, he quipped, “Daddy and I are so happy to have been accorded with such rousing welcome and hospitality by Juan TV team comprising of passionate and competent professionals. Even for that alone, we feel so much at home in Vancouver working with the group. Success of Juan TV and Viva alliance can only be imminent.” Said partnership was a culmination of continuous negotiations since the partners’ first introduction in February this year. Channel Viva (Home of the Stars) and PBO (24-hour Movies) are two main linear offerings of Juan TV from Viva.

Other linear channels include Kapatid 5 and Aksyon TV. And its own channel—CHANNEL JUAN—as Canada’s newest and only Filipino television channel with locally produced news reporting and entertainment shows.

According to Juan TV CEO, Alan Yong, “producing wellthought of, good quality local ❰❰ 1

Jerrica Santos, Adam Hurstfield, Juan TV CEO Alan Yong and Elise Estrada

MLA Mable Elmore with Rich Abarquez

The author during her speech

shows can be costly and time consuming. However, having full-time top caliber creative and production team on board, it is conceivable that such types of programming will eventually become added attractions on top of more established shows from the Philippines.” At the creative helm is no other than prolific musician/songwriter turned cinema/videographer Boom Dayupay. Dayupay was also former band member/ founder of Kulay, the forerunning group of the nascent hiphop movement in the Philippines back in the 90’s. Other creative geniuses of Channel Juan are Andrew Nguyen (Lemongrass Films), Jomari Dumalasa (Flipvision Photography) and Filipino-American lifestyle photographer/videographer Krister Jann Castro (www.kristercastro.com).

Vancouver’s Powerhouse

Station artists and Channel Juan show, Hashtag #Pinoy’s Tisha Newland and Andre Endique were program hosts.

Other Powerhouse artists Jerrica Santos, Shawn Carbonell, Dominique Mailleux, Andrea Legaspi, Chantel Cruz, Mia Torres and Lucky Aces provided musical spot numbers.

Very special guest who came all the way from Seattle WA to support Juan TV was FilipinoAmerican Pop Balladeer and Star Records’ Timmy Pavino.

Filipino-Canadian pop R&B princess and Canadian Juno Nominee Elise Estrada graced the occasion escorted by her dashing manager/songwriter and XoXo Records’ Adam Hurstfield.

Kudos to all who worked indefatigably for the success of this event like VP Marketing Gigi Astudillo, Graphics Design Head Victoria Yong, Graphics

Creative geniuses Andrew Nguyen and Boom Dayupay with the author (rightmost) and some hosts/guests of Juan TV shows.

Design/Animation Assistant Tosca Newland, Marketing Manager JP Nilo, Overall Production & Sales Coordinator Andre Endique, PCI Editor Melissa Remulla-Briones and the rest of staff and volunteers.

According to Juan TV President Peter Cheung, “there are 2 more linear channels currently under negotiation. By the 1st quarter of 2014, we hope to establish 7 channels in total. Full network launch is on November 18. And as a special treat, we are giving away free subscriptions until December 31st. In

stages, Juan TV can watched in any devices—traditional TV sets, smart TVs, smart phones, tablets and laptops/computers.”

Overall, it was an affair to remember. As one of noted guests Tom Choy was quoted as saying, “it’s a Juan-derful TV Package!

Juan-of-a-kind-show!” Indeed!

“Juan Life. Juan Love.”… a rather hackneyed adage. But it aptly describes the newest and latest innovation in television viewing to entertain Filipinos overseas. Today, it’s Canada. Tomorrow, the world… ■

Entertainment

33 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013

Shamcey, bride in waiting Her no-nonsense beauty regimen will ensure her radiance on her wedding day

BY BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR. Philippine Daily Inquirer ON MEETING Shamcey Supsup—the woman who made famous the “tsunami” walk— in person, you would be struck by how delicate she is, contrary to the perception that she is a feisty and fiery beauty queen.

At her launch as one of the endorsers of the Watsons’ chain of health and drug stores, along with fellow beauty queen Venus Raj, she brought more books than gowns.

Supsup was not into frilly and fancy stuff before becoming Binibining Pilipinas Universe in 2011 and placing third runner-up in the international pageant that same year.

She would rather buy books than designer bags and shoes.

Her love for books helped her excel in school, graduating magna cum laude with a degree in Architecture from the University of the Philippines.

She also topped the national licensure examinations for architects.

This year, she is preparing for another milestone—but this time it is romantic, not scholastic. She got engaged in June to her boyfriend of two years Lloyd Lee. The wedding is set for December. There was a minor glitch when she lost her wedding ring in Nueva Ecija where she judged a pageant.

(Following Chinese custom, Supsup started wearing her wedding ring on the day of her engagement to Lee.) With or without expensive gems, she is expected to make a radiant bride.

Although busy preparing for her wedding, Supsup found the time to offer some advice to Ariella Arida, the Philippines’ bet in this year’s Miss Universe pageant to be held in Russia.

Supsup acknowledged that there was tremendous pressure on Arida, especially because her predecessors did well in the contest. Aside from Supsup’s third runner-up finish in the competition, Raj was fourth and Janine Tugonon, first.

Supsup advised Arida to remain calm. “If we were able to make it, she could, too,” she said. “She is not different from

us. Stars just aligned for us. If she is destined to win, it will happen. But she needs to prepare and listen to people who have her best interests at heart, like her family.”

“I want shoes that are stable,” she said. “Some shoes look pretty but are painful when you walk.”

As for colors, she prefers classics. “Nude, black, gold and silver.”

Clothes

“Before I joined Binibini, I never shopped,” Supsup said.

“My mom (Marcey) bought clothes for me. At a glance, she can tell right away if the clothes would fit.”

Supsup admitted to being a finicky shopper. “I take a long time … before buying anything.

I ask myself countless times: Do I really want it? Is it worth it?” She is not an impulse-buyer. Since Supsup and her mom wear the same dress size, “I often borrow (clothes) from my mom.” But after becoming a beauty queen, she had to add to her wardrobe considerably.

Gowns

Most of her gowns are by Eric de los Santos, who has become “a good friend.”

She prefers slim and tapered silhouettes over flowing ball gowns. “I get scared that someone would step on my train,” she said.

Although she is open to modish styles, she would rather avoid designs “that are too revealing.”

“I don’t like tube tops. You have to pull them up all the time, worrying about a wardrobe malfunction (constantly),” she explained. Supsup gives priority to comfort. She had no color preferences but noted that “sheer, nude fabrics are now in vogue. I also like gowns with intricate beadwork.”

As for her wedding, Cherry Veric will create the gown for the ceremony and Francis Libiran for the reception.

Shoes

The woman who made the “tsunami” walk look so effortless was not a big fan of stilettos as a teener.

“Prior to joining the pageant, I only had two pairs of footwear: rubber shoes and tsinelas (flip-flops),” she revealed.

Post-Binibini, she was forced to start an extensive shoe collection. She wears size 8 1/2 to 9 shoes.

Bags

She has a modest collection that includes a favorite tote.

“When I travel, I take this Longchamp bag with me,” she said. “It’s lightweight. Other bags are heavy even when empty.”

She said she usually carried a lot of stuff. “I bring everything,” she said. “Wallet, cell phones, tablet, gadgets.”

Another favorite is a satchel

by London Fog. Most of her bags are gifts.

“My makeup kit was a present from a friend.”

BEAUTY queen shows off her collection which she only started after winning in Binibing Pilipinas.

PHOTO BY AUGUST DELACRUZ/INQUIRER

Cosmetics

As a former Binibining Pilipinas, she has mastered the fine art of makeup.

She trained under Albert Kurniawan of Aces and Queens.

Kurniawan will do her makeup on her wedding day.

“He let me practice with his old makeup kit until I got it right.”

In her kikay kit are “blocking pressed powder, lipstick, lip balm, eyebrow pencil, eyeliner, false eyelashes.”

She researches cosmetics, too.

Accesories

She was not too fond of bangles and baubles before becoming a beauty queen. “I didn’t know how to pick accessories.”

Now that she is a celebrity, she has gotten used to wearing accessories.

For everyday, casual wear, she is partial to “long necklaces with huge pendants.”

“These pendants come in various colors. They go well with any outfit.”

For formal wear, she prefers small studs.

Watches

A favorite is a Titan watch, a gift from the store’s owners. It is just the right shape, size and style. “I want a watch that’s sleek and elegant,” she said.

“Something that is feminine and glittery.” www.canadianinquirer.net

Gadgets

She never leaves home without her gadgets. The Samsung endorser is always doodling on her tablet.

In her spare time, she would design homes. She is currently hosting the show “Interior Motives” on the Lifestyle Network.

She revealed she already had her dream house in mind. “I am into sustainable development. I want a modern home with the ambience of a tropical resort.

Cozy, with lots of greenery, straight lines and wood.”

She loves taking and collecting pictures of home interiors.

She admitted to being awed by modern technology. “When I am abroad, I stay in touch with friends through Twitter and Facebook.”

Swimsuits

Growing up in General Santos City, she never wore swimsuits. She would don shorts and T-shirts at the beach.

“I’m still very conservative,” she said. “The first time I wore a bikini was for the pageant.” And that would be the last. “When you Google (me), all these swimsuit photos pop up. I did many swimwear pictorials as a beauty queen (because it was) part of my job. Those photographs are more than enough,” she said.

Books

The certified bookworm said, “I grew up in the province. We didn’t have television sets and video games to keep us preoccupied” so she turned to books for entertainment. “That’s how I developed my love for reading,” she said. “My mom, however, thought fiction was a waste of time and money. She wanted me to stick to textbooks.”

Since she was not allowed to buy novels, she borrowed from friends. A schoolmate lent her the complete set of Nancy Drew mystery books. She later moved on to Agatha Christie novels. “My favorite is ‘Spider’s Web.’” She discovered the fantasy world of JK Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series when, in high school, she stayed in Japan for two months, under a student exchange program.

“My host family bought me my first ‘Harry Potter’ book,” she recalled. “I finished it in one night—in one sitting. The second ‘Harry’ book, I speedread in two nights.”

She read all seven “Harry Potter” novels.

Other favorites are JRR Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy.

Now, she is reading Bong Ong. “A lot of people can relate to his humor. His outlook is very Filipino.” ■

Entertainment

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013 34

James Yap still barred from visiting his son

What made Robin accept BB’s new persona

BY KATHERINE MARFAL-TEVES Philippine Canadian Inquirer

BY MARINEL R. CRUZ Philippine Daily Inquirer

JAMES YAP is happy with his present relationship with Italian girlfriend Michela Cazzola. Reports said that he even brought Cazzola to his hometown in Escalante, Negros Occidental during the long All Saints’ Day weekend.

But as for Atty. Lorna Kapunan, Yap’s legal counsel, her client’s happiness is not yet complete as he was not still given the chance to visit Bimby, his son by ex-wife Kris Aquino for quite some time now.

Kapunan explained that four months after a Makati court laid down the terms of her client’s visitation rights, Kris, still, has not been allowing James to visit or spend time with Bimby.

She said that they may file a complaint if Kris continues to resist James’ request to visit their son. Kapunan appealed to Kris to follow what was agreed upon in court.

Meanwhile, Kris’ lawyer, Atty. Sigfried Fortun quickly refuted Atty. Kapunan’s claim, “The court order on visitation requires James to fetch Bimby in his residence. Kris has been waiting for James

to tell her what time he is fetching their son. She has received no messages from James to this effect. Kris is compliant with all court orders relating to visitation and she has no intention of violating those or depriving James of his right to be with his son.”

But the dilemma here is due to a permanent protection order against James.

He is still prohibited from visiting Kris’ residence.

FACEBOOK PAGE OF JAMES YAP

ACTION STAR Robin Padilla, who did not want to acknowledge his openly gay brother BB Gandanghari in the past, said he was ready to produce the latter’s gay-themed movie.

This, however, does not mean he would be a champion of gay rights.

The film would feature Gandanghari, Padilla and his daughter Kylie, the actor said.

“I will play a marine, who is a medal of valor recipient. BB will portray an MMA (mixed martial arts) fighter. He started training in aerial jujitsu recently. I’m so amazed by him—he hung some eight feet above the ground. That required discipline and the ability to conquer one’s fears.”

As to being an advocate for gay rights, Padilla said, “That’s BB’s role. I already have my hands full fighting for Muslim rights and the right to education of our youth.”

Padilla recalled an incident that led to his change of heart. “My son Ali was vacationing here when BB got sick. I tried to explain to Ali what his Tita BB was… When I was done, Ali replied, ‘It’s just respect, Pa.’ That hit me hard. I realized I was not giving BB the respect he deserved; that I was at fault. Everything changed after that.”

Since the incident, Padilla said his relationship with BB had improved tremendously. “However, I make sure Mariel (Rodriguez, his wife) is around when I’m with BB. Mariel creates balance. I sometimes feel ill-at-ease around BB, who has changed so much. He’s no longer the brother I knew. Mariel would sometimes remind me, ‘ babae na ‘yan.’”

Greatest lesson

Padilla shared with the INQUIRER the greatest lesson he learned from the experience. “What the Koran and the Bible predicted has already come true—our days here on earth are numbered. Let’s stop fighting and start treating each other with respect. Let’s forget about gender issues. Let’s just all be happy for each other.”

Padilla’s contract with his current home network ABS-CBN expired recently. “Gusto ko nang lumipat,” the actor said during the renewal of his endorsement contract with the cellular service provider Talk ‘N’ Text.

He appeared in three Kapamilya shows—”Guns and Roses,” “Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw” and “TodaMax”—after he signed up with the network two years ago.

End of contract

“I will join the network with the best

www.canadianinquirer.net

“I make sure Mariel (Rodriguez, his wife) is around when I’m with BB. Mariel creates balance. I sometimes feel ill-at-ease around BB, who has changed so much. He’s no longer the brother I knew.”

PHOTO FROM FACEBOOK

offer. I want substance. I want to work on projects that will make a difference.

I’m not getting any younger,” said the 43-year-old actor. “I have nephews who are very capable of playing the part— Daniel, Ralph and RJ. My daughter Kylie, pa- cute din ‘yon.”

Padilla added, “ABS-CBN treated me well, but I want to produce my own shows. I’m looking for a station willing to take me in not just as an artist, but also as a producer. I’ve been producing movies. Iwant to try TV this time. Iwant shows that are related to history.”

The actor said he left the sitcom “TodaMax,” which he started with comedian Vhong Navarro, because he wanted to focus on his movie commitments. “It’s hard to make people laugh. It’s more difficult than doing action movies. I realized that I’m already too old to work long hours. I feel weak when I lack sleep.

I spoke with Ma’am Cory (Vidanes, ABSCBN channel head) about my problem and she understood.”

Padilla has produced two action movies—”10,000 Hours,” loosely based on the life of Sen. Panfilo Lacson and “Kuratong Baleleng,” about the notorious organized-crime syndicate.

Under Padilla’s endorsement contract with TNT, he would be a representative of the company in its partnership with the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation (YBHF), a national movement that pools funds for the education of the youth in partner communities around the country.

The YBHF started by providing boats to transport kids in Zamboanga’s mangrove villages to their schools. It has since expanded by offering scholarships and supplies and conducting medical missions and livelihood programs in 13 communities nationwide.

“Sadly, this (should be) the responsibility of the government (but) I don’t think our officials are aware that these things are happening,” Padilla said. ■

Entertainment

35 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013

Pauleen: What Vic and I have is true love She says romance with Bossing is serious… she keeps him young and he has taught her maturity

BY BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR. Philippine Daily Inquirer ACTRESS PAULEEN Luna said her easygoing, laid-back personality proved to be a plus factor in her relationship with “Eat Bulaga” cohost Vic Sotto.

She acknowledged that they both had learned a lot from each other.

She taught him to be mellow; he inspired her to mature, both personally and professionally.

She may be unaware of it, but Bossing Vic’s humor had undoubtedly rubbed off on her, too. She put these newly honed comedic skills to good use in her latest indie film, Alvin Yapan’s “GayDar,” which opens Nov. 13 in theaters nationwide.

“GayDar” will be her birthday treat to her fans, as she will turn 25 on Nov. 10.

She conceded that she might have picked up her “comic timing” from Bossing and the rest of the “Dabarkads.”

INQUIRER caught up with Pauleen at the recent Dickies fashion show at the SM Mall of Asia. On the ramp, she exuded the same no frills self-assurance that was often on full display in the GMA 7 noontime show “Eat Bulaga.”

Fresh from the catwalk, she granted an exclusive interview with the INQUIRER, opening up about her romance with Bossing.

Here are excerpts from Pauleen’s chat with the INQUIRER. You are always asked about your wedding plans.

Oo nga e. It should not come from me. It’s not something that a girl should volunteer.

Do you discuss it as a couple?

Sometimes we do. But it’s not something that’s decided by a girl alone.

Do you feel pressured?

I sometimes pity him. It’s as if people are pressuring him to get married.

But right now in our relationship, we are very happy. Like what I’ve said before: We are not fooling around. What we have is something really serious.

We’ve been together for quite a while now. To those who judged us at the start, I can only say one thing: Only time will tell if what we have is real or superficial.

We don’t have to exert extra effort to convince them that what we have is true love.

What did you learn from him?

I learned a lot from him: from the facts of life to handling business and dealing with real-life situations. He also helps me a lot when it comes to my career.

Sometimes he tells me that I’m too nice to people. He gives me small pieces of advice. Of course I listen, because he’s a veteran in the industry and he’s very important to me.

What did he pick up from you?

Aside from youth? (Laughs) Maybe I taught him how to have a good time. I’m very relaxed …

I’m a no-pressure, stress-free kind of person. I’m not the type who panics easily.

Does being in a relationship with a comedian make you funny, too?

Well, hindi naman siguro (not really).

Is it because he’s quiet?

If it’s just the two of us, he’s hilarious. He’s a comedian in front of a crowd… then becomes reserved among a few friends.

But when we’re together, he tends to break down his walls.

He’s very funny in private.

Funnier actually, because he’s not trying. His being a natural comedian comes out. Well, it’s also very easy to make me laugh. I’m the No. 1 fan of his jokes.

Does humor help the relationship?

Oh yes! Nothing beats a relationship filled with joy and laughter. Even if you go through rough times, if your partner manages to cheer you up, it makes things lighter.

Is it true that you will spend Christmas abroad?

I will be traveling with my family to Japan. Vic will not be with us. It’s just me and my family. It’s special because it’ll be our first time in Japan and it’s winter pa. My first time to see, feel, touch, smell snow! My first time to have a white Christmas.

I am very excited because I love sushi, sashimi, Japanese food in general. My brother is looking forward to visiting Disneyland and DisneySea. It’ll be fun.

What are your birthday plans?

Actually, I have no plans. Definitely, I’ll just be in the country.

Maybe someone is planning a surprise?

I don’t know. I am not expecting anything! With the way

VIC SOTTO and Pauleen after the premiere of “GayDar.” PHOTO FROM INSTAGRAM

things are going now, I am just happy to have a peaceful and simple life. I am not looking for anything big and grand.

What was it like working with Rafael Rosell and Tom Rodriguez in “GayDar”?

Rafael and I share the same birthday and we worked together in (the ABS-CBN series) “Marina” years ago. It’s my first time to work with Tom. It’s very easy to work with them.

What was it like working with director Alvin Yapan?

He’s very quiet. Before the start of the shoot, he told me that he hoped to be more vocal … that was his weakness daw.

He’s too shy to give instructions to his actors. It seems he never gets mad. So our shoot was hassle-free.

How does it feel that Bossing Vic is supportive of “GayDar”?

He attended the premiere.

It feels good because our indie film is not as big as the mainstream movies that he does.

He’s a pillar in the industry.

Direk Alvin said it was overwhelming that a top comedian like Vic supported our little rom-com.

What were Bossing’s comments about “GayDar”?

He liked it. At first, he wasn’t laughing. But he later explained that he never laughs out loud, even when he watches his own movies. Eventually, I heard him giggle. Our movie has a cute plot. Direk Alvin said your training in “Eat Bulaga” came in handy in this film.

I play a girl who’s a babaeng bakla (a woman who acts like a gay man). The role somehow requires comic timing.

How did your stint in “Eat Bulaga” help in this film?

Every day, I am surrounded by comedians in the studio. After only a year or two, anyone would surely become funny, too. And I’ve been in the show for over eight years.

The show really helped me shed my inhibitions. If you do comedy, you shouldn’t be shy.

You should be confident and straight-to-the-point in delivering jokes. You do the character Poleng in the show.

The very glamorous Poleng! You are not afraid to look silly?

You should bear this in mind: If you are still trying to look pretty while doing comedy, it won’t work. ■

Geoff Eigenmann loses weight for a TV show

BY KATHERINE MARFALTEVES Philippine Canadian Inquirer

PHOTO FROM FACEBOOK PAGE OF GEOFF EIGENMANN

ACTOR GEOFF Eigenmann had prepared long enough for his TV comeback via GMA-7’s fantasy series “Adarna.”

According to his actress-girlfriend Carla Abellana, he is so www.canadianinquirer.net

focused on losing weight.

It will be recalled that he received a “fat memo” from GMA7. He said, “When I started in GMA, I was 160 pounds. When I got the memo, I was 210. So, malayo talaga. (So, it’s really far). I have to take action. Para sa akin din naman ‘yun, eh.” (It’s also for my own good).

The Kapuso actor needed

to go through a strict diet and martial arts lessons for four months. He had already lost 40 pounds, so his weight now is 170 pounds.

In an interview with “24 Oras,” he said, “I decided to go back to the gym (to) better myself and start looking right.”

He also announced, “Geoff Eigenmann is back!”

Entertainment

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013 36

JFK shooting: TV stars remember where they were when they heard the news

BY BILL BRIOUX The Canadian Press LIKE THE moon landing or the attack on the World Trade Center, anyone in a certain age group remembers where they were when they heard U.S. president John F. Kennedy had been assassinated. Kennedy’s murder in Dallas, on November 22, 1963, shocked the world.

Television had everything to do with its impact. Time seemed to stand still as millions across North America followed the story live. For the first time in history, millions could attend a funeral, witness a second murder (the shooting, in custody, of the president’s alleged assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald) and see a famous family deal with grief. There was no YouTube, Twitter or Facebook to spread that sorrow, only the one tragic story, played for days, on blackand-white TV screens in every household.

Regularly scheduled programming was shelved. Work on some TV shows stopped.

“The Dick Van Dyke Show” taped that week’s episode without its usual studio audience, packaging that week’s show with “canned” laughter—the only time that happened in the entire run of the series.

There will be a hint of how omnipresent that story was in these next few weeks as television marks the 50th anniversary of what, to many, remains the most fascinating unsolved murder mystery of our time.

Rob Lowe and Ginnifer Goodwin play JFK and his wife Jacqueline in an adaptation of Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard’s bestseller, “Killing Kennedy” (National Geographic Channel, Nov. 10). History has the documentaries “JFK Assassination: The Definitive Guide,” and “Lee Harvey Oswald: 48 Hours to Live.” Both air as part of a full day of assassination-related programming on Nov. 22.

I was in Grade One at Our Lady of Peace School in Etobicoke, Ont., when our teacher, appearing shaken, wheeled in one of those boxy, black and

white TV sets that sat high up on those chrome stands. We watched and listened as CBS news anchor Walter Cronkite gave us a history lesson none of us ever forgot.

Here, in their words, is where some of today’s TV stars were on that November day: Jon Voight (“Ray Donovan”): I was in New York City.

I was right next to a subway entrance and it was a hot day.

I heard people buzzing. It was an interesting thing. Communication is interesting. When people have a certain emotion, it travels very quickly, especially that kind of trauma. You hear somebody almost fainting— “OOOO!” “What, What is it?” “The president is dead. He’s been shot.” Oh my God. First thing I did I called my wife and tried to calm everybody down.

I remember vividly the feeling.

Len Cariou (“Blue Bloods”): I was in Winnipeg. And you know what was really bizarre?

Watching an episode of “The Twilight Zone” in which there was an assassination. “The Twilight Zone” had gone back to the assassination of Lincoln. I was in a pub, believe it or not.

I’m sure it was a rerun. They were talking about the assassination of Lincoln on “The Twilight Zone.” And the assassination of Kennedy happened the next day.

Don Ferguson (“Air Farce”): I was in my first year of college (Loyola, now Concordia, in Montreal) when we heard the news. I remember everyone—students, teachers, cafeteria staff, etc.—being stunned.

Class routines disappeared. All we did was talk all day about what had happened and what it might mean. The United States was the best country on earth, President Kennedy was the coolest leader in the world, and not a single person saw this coming. It was unimaginable. A total shock that the president could be so “un-safe” in his own country, surrounded by his own countrymen. It was a rude awakening to what perils adult life and the future might hold.

Mark Harmon (“NCIS”): I think I was in fourth or fifth

grade. No TV set, just an announcement. I just remember as a kid being impacted where the room was quiet.

Gordon Pinsent (“Republic of Doyle”): (My wife) Charmion and myself had just moved into our very first address, and were shifting our first furniture about—with added vocals— when Kennedy’s assassination flashed on; and we were silenced all the way from Dallas, as we watched it unfold... for days.

Art Hindle (“E.N.G.,” “Dallas”): I was working at Simpson’s as Christmas help in the men’s department on the main floor. Although usually busy, our department got suddenly very slow and those people walking through looked sad and distant. Then a friend called me. He was in the hospital for minor injuries from a car accident and had a TV in his room— a rarity in those days. He said, “Did you hear the President was shot?” I assumed he was joking and waited for the punch line.

It never came. The next few days were a blur of half-mast flags, Cronkite, a second assassination, paranoia and a feeling among young liberal idealists like me that the world had suddenly become a different place.

Ted Danson (“CSI”): I was at Kent School for Boys (a private school in Connecticut). I was on my way to Latin class and the TV was on in the seniors’ common area where us younger folks weren’t allowed. I stopped to look for a second and ran to my Latin class late. They said why, and I told them why and they were furious that I would have made up such a horrible thing to cover up being late.

Margo Martindale (“The Millers,” “The Americans”): I was in May Drug Store in Jacksonville, Tex., eating cream of mushroom soup with Cheetos in it. I was in the Seventh Grade, and wore a body brace at the time. I was allowed to go early to order food for everyone because I had a disability. We were leaving lunch, paying, and heard it on the radio. Nobody believed it at the time.

David Suzuki (“The Nature of www.canadianinquirer.net

PHOTO BY THATSMYMOP / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

John Voight: First thing I did I called my wife and tried to calm everybody down. I remember vividly the feeling.

PHOTO BY FEATUREFLASH / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Len Cariou: They were talking about the assassination of Lincoln on “The Twilight Zone.” And the assassination of Kennedy happened the next day.

PHOTO BY S_BUKLEY / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Things”): I was in my new lab at the University of British Columbia where we all “pushed” fruit flies. We kept the radio on and suddenly an announcer broke in to tell us Kennedy had been shot and very soon after that he was dead. The lab went dead silent as we listened to the radio and I remember the professor in the next office coming in and giving us hell for having the radio on so loud.

Syme Jago (“The Forest Rangers”): I had just turned 10 years old and we were filming “The Forest Rangers” up in Kleinburg, Ont. We were working in the studio and part way through the day the news broke

that Kennedy had been assassinated. I don’t think I really knew what that meant but I did realize the tension in the studio was suddenly so strong. Even though we were still shooting on one set, the crew, office staff and others were all gathered around a radio on another set listening to the on-going broadcast. I think it was the first time I had ever seen adults cry. As a child, even though I didn’t really understand what was really happening, I knew something major was going on and I still remember it strongly today. ■ Bill Brioux is a freelance TV columnist based in Brampton, Ont.

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013

37

Lifestyle

In place of runway show, a fashion pictorial LA-based fashion label opens its flagship store at the new Shangri-La Plaza mall’s East Wing with a fresh take on how to showcase its collection

BY ALEX Y. VERGARA Philippine Daily Inquirer BUSINESSWOMAN KAT Florencio and director Robby Carmona did away with the usual fashion show recently, to give guests a peek instead at what goes on behind a real photo shoot.

The shoot, featuring today’s hottest models and fashion icons wearing BCBGMAXAZRIA’s Fall 2013 collection, was timed with the recent opening of BCBG’s flagship store at the new Shangri-La Plaza mall’s East Wing.

Since Linear Group became the Los Angeles-based fashion label’s exclusive Philippine representative sometime in 2012, the company has opened two smaller BCBG boutiques at Bonifacio High Street and Greenbelt.

“The Shangri-La store is very special to us,” said Florencio, director of Linear Group. “As our flagship store, it’s the only store that carries BCBG’s runway line.”

Brand ambassadors Xandra Rocha, Jessica Kienle, Mikaela Lagdameo and Maggie WilsonConsunji were tapped to channel four key personalities that mirror BCBG’s clientele: visionary, socialite, connoisseur and urban rocker.

They shared the scene with eight professional models wearing selected ensembles from the brand’s fall and Lady Remix lines consisting of edgier, more streamlined pieces.

Contrasting neutrals

BCBG’s fall collection consisted of contrasting neutrals, subtle prints and hints of color such as red, maroon, salmon and royal blue. Vintage-inspired dresses incorporating tiers and strategic panels of lace, and tailored pieces with neutral trimmings and color

blocking were among this season’s dominant looks.

Fabrics ranged from soft materials like silk and georgette, to more rigid ones like cotton canvas, eco-leather and silk jacquard. The general silhouette was close to the body.

“Since I’m also the merchandiser, I personally choose the looks that would work in our weather,” said Florencio. “Except for a few textured jackets, we don’t carry a lot of outerwear. But we also have a line of shoes, bags and accessories.

Come summer, we will be introducing swimwear.”

Florencio and her team also followed the design directives of BCBG when it came to constructing the stores. An inhouse team of carpenters executed BCBG’s designs down to the last detail.

“All furniture and fixtures also came from the US,” she said. “So, the look of our stores is no different from the interiors of BCBG’s other stores the world over.”

Unexpected twist

In keeping with the show’s photo shoot theme, Carmona tapped makeup artist Jigs Mayuga and fashion photographer Paolo Pineda. But the evening’s most unexpected twist came courtesy of Ria Bolivar, one of the country’s top models.

Instead of joining the photo shoot, Bolivar, dressed in BCBG’S printed ensemble consisting of skinny pants and loose jacket, did the styling.

“I know Ria,” said Carmona.

“She’s my ‘ daughter.’ She’s one model who has a natural eye for style. But to save on time, we already preselected the pieces based on BCBG’s current collection.”

Partly made-up and dressed models and brand ambassadors sat one at a time on Mayuga’s chair for quick, last-minute touch-ups before heading to

LINEAR Group director Kat Florencio (third from left) with Jessica Kienle, Maggie Wilson-Consunji, Mikaela Lagdameo, Xandra Rocha and event host Tricia Centenera

Bolivar, who tweaked their looks by making them wear, say, a jacket or an accessory or two.

Dynamic and interactive

Before sending them off to Pineda, Bolivar also checked if the women’s hair and makeup were impeccable by making sure, for instance, that there were no lipstick stains on their teeth and that every single strand of hair was in place.

Each woman stood behind a lit white canvas before striking a series of poses in front of Pineda’s lens. The results were instantaneous, as each subject’s series of images were beamed on a projector for everyone to see.

Compared to a typical ramp show, which usually lasts from 20 to 30 minutes, the BCBG photo shoot was over in 12 minutes, said Carmona.

“Kat and I wanted a more dynamic and interactive show,” he said. “I’ve done all sorts of shows, and this, by far, was one of the most interesting concepts I did. That’s why when we were supposed to rehearse, I suddenly nixed the idea. After all, this was supposed to be a photo shoot. It should be spontaneous.” ■

MODEL Ria Bolivar takes a break from modeling to dabble in fashion styling.

BRAND director and chief merchandiser Kat Florencio gets items that are suitable to the country’s tropical weather and Filipino fashion sensibilities.

Lifestyle

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013 38

Under one roof: Multigenerational family living can offer added comforts at home

BY LAUREN LA ROSE The Canadian Press WITH A baby on the way, Will Stroet and his wife, Kim The, realized their two-bedroom condo—which doubled as a work space—simply wasn’t going be sufficient.

Fortunately, the couple received an offer that was too good pass up: an invitation from Stroet’s parents, Bill and Marion, to move in.

Their daughter, Ella, is now 3 1/2. Four years since they laid down roots in a duplex in the Vancouver neighbourhood of Kitsilano, they’re all still there: grandparents, parents and child, together under one roof.

“It’s not only that we have more space, we also have the benefit of having my parents around and they can help with child care,” said Stroet, 35, a children’s musician and star of “Will’s Jams” airing on Kids’ CBC. “We keep an eye on the house when they’re both away. ... They like knowing that there’s someone here keeping an eye on things. It’s pretty good.”

Art has imitated life of late with multigenerational family living providing comedic fodder on TV. The short-lived “How to Live with Your Parents (for the Rest of Your Life)” featured Ottawa-born Sarah Chalke as a single mom moving back in with her parents following divorce. Freshman sitcoms “Dads” and “The Millers” centre on parents who move in with their adult children.

According to Statistics Canada, the 2011 census revealed there were 362,600 multigenerational households among more than 13 million private households across the country. Among them, the middle generation in 60.1 per cent of homes included a couple with children, while 36.5 per cent were lone parents.

There was also an increase in the number of children sharing homes with their grandparents—including living arrangements where a parent may or may not be present. More than 269,000 kids aged 14 and under—or 4.8 per cent—lived with at least one grandparent in

For some families, costs of housing, child care and the need to be in close proximity to aging or ailing relatives makes the option of sharing a space appealing.

2011, compared to 3.3 per cent in 2001.

In many cultures, the concept of multiple generations of families living together is quite typical and expected, noted Lynda Ashbourne, a family researcher and family therapist.

“There are culturally constructed roles for what the grandparents will do, what the parents will do, who shares in looking after children in the household and who brings in income and works outside of the home,” said Ashbourne, an associate professor in the department of family relations and applied nutrition at the University of Guelph.

Where problems may arise is when cultural expectations and ideas about family run counter to what was previously viewed as the norm.

“What becomes more challenging is if you’ve grown up in a culture or family that really kind of privileges or honours the idea of independence and self-sufficiency,” Ashbourne said.

“Those ideas that then would lead grandparents to believe they don’t have to or shouldn’t have to be involved in child care because they’ve done that work and now they have to have—or would like to have—more independence.”

The same applies to parents who don’t want others involved in raising their kids, or teens who may be at odds with having too many adults involved in decision-making and care, she added.

Yet for some families, surging

costs of housing, child care and the need to be in close proximity to aging or ailing relatives makes the option of sharing a space appealing. And beyond the inherent financial benefit, living in close quarters with members of the extended family is viewed by those who’ve embraced the concept as a way to further strengthen familial ties.

In the case of Stroet, their existing home was constructed with a ground-level suite so that his grandfather could move in. It also has an upstairs area—where Stroet lives now— built to be more suited to a family home. Stroet’s grandfather lived with Stroet’s parents for nearly a decade before he died at age 96.

“Living with my parents as he aged and then passed away, it probably helped him live ... five years longer than he would’ve had he lived on his own. And certainly, the quality of his life was much, much better being with family.”

Stroet said that there is a “communal feel” to sharing a home with his parents.

“It’s not the sort of feeling that we’re in two very separate living spaces. We have our own privacy and everything, but we definitely interact a lot, and certainly a lot more than we would if we were living somewhere else.

“I think everyone benefits from that. I know my daughter really loves it, my parents really love it, and honestly, I really like it, too.”

After selling their home in www.canadianinquirer.net

2008 during the U.S. economic crisis, Jessica Bruno, her husband and son returned to her childhood home to live with her parents. Initially intended as a temporary measure while they looked for another house, they never ended up leaving. And in 2011, her grandparents joined them.

The home in Sutton, Mass., just west of Boston, is about 5,500 square feet and sits on an acre of property. The renovation process included a basement overhaul, the addition of rooms, bathrooms and another kitchen, as well as the construction of another driveway with a separate entrance. She documents their do-it-yourself projects, family photos and more on her blog, Four Generations One Roof, which receives significant traffic from Canadian visitors.

“We could totally afford to build our own house and live on our own, but we just split everything. It just kind of works,” said Bruno, 41.

“My mother does the bills at the end of the month and gives me a white piece of a paper with a breakout of what I owe, and it’s half of everything.”

Bruno said her parents are “awesome” and she relishes being back home with them, particularly since her seven-yearold gets to spend considerable time with his grandparents and great-grandparents.

“If I have an issue or a problem with something, it’s all about communication. I mean, that’s the key,” said Bruno, who also has two stepdaughters who

visit on weekends and holidays.

“My mom and dad have been really cool about letting me renovate and decorate the section that my husband and the kids and I, we all share. ... So they’ve been really good about letting me just do my own thing in my space.”

Bruno said she’s received many emails from families in similar circumstances inquiring about how they manage household finances and responsibilities.

“Either parents are moving in with their grown kids or kids are moving back in with their parents. I’m not the only one doing this,” she said. “I think it’s really, really prevalent and it’s only going to continue.”

Before setting up house, Ashbourne said it’s important families are upfront in addressing potential conflicts that may surface, as well as how to balance privacy and togetherness.

With three, four or more adults involved in raising children, being able to discuss and determine who makes ultimate decisions and establishes bottom-line rules is critical.

“If you’re asking a grandmother to handle a behavioural problem in a certain way that she feels uncomfortable with, that’s not good for her or the child or for you as a parent,” Ashbourne said.

Preteens and teens should also be involved in discussions pertaining to the reasons behind the living arrangement, potential challenges and how problems will be resolved. ■

Lifestyle

39 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013

Wonder Woman, Capt. Jack Sparrow, the Black Swan—in yoga poses

From New York to Milan, Bikram yoga always has a special Halloween costume class

BY ANNE A. JAMBORA Philippine Daily Inquirer IT’S YOGA in a sweltering “steam room,” but with a twist.

There was Wonder Woman in a Standing Bow pose, the Black Swan doing the Balancing Stick, and Captain Jack Sparrow in a Toe Stand posture. Even Miley Cyrus and that naughty foam finger dropped by—to teach the class, no less.

That’s right. The Halloween spirit also descended upon the sacred grounds of yogadom, to the delight of many devoted yogis.

“This is a fun day for everyone. The challenge is they should still look good after the class inside a hot room,” said Olay Aninion, laughing. Aninion, who came as the controversial Miley Cyrus, is the studio director of Bikram Yoga Manila Makati branch (15/F, 88 Corporate Center, 141 Valero cor. Sedeno St., Salcedo Village).

That meant waterproof makeup, comfortable, breathable fabric and not much on the head such as wigs and headdresses—if they could help it.

Some, however, dared to test their limits.

Lady pirate

The young Tanya Tanoy dressed as a lady pirate and came wrapped in heavy, warm velvet she bought in Baclaran.

Her costume last year was no less warmer—as Yellow Bird from the popular Rovio Entertainment video game Angry Birds.

Ellen de Roca dressed as a princess in gown by wearing a Middle Eastern-inspired ensemble of light velvet fabric. It was a dress she bought on one of her travels abroad.

Nina Ongpin, who came in as Natalie Portman’s dark Black Swan from the movie of the same title, was anxious to see if her costume would hold up through the 90-minute ordeal, er, class. (It did. And she snagged the Best Female Halloween Costume award.)

To achieve the Black Swan look, Ongpin fashioned a black

tutu from a tulle wrapped around her waist, then attached ribbons and feathers on her laced top. “I was nervous at first,” she said. “I thought I would be the only one in costume here today. But now I see everybody is dressed up and so game. I’m so happy now.”

‘Long-lost cousin’

Tessa Jacomina said that had she known about the Halloween Costume Class and party a month ago, she would have come as Marie Antoinette, complete with a wig and layers of clothes. Instead, she showed up as Marie Antoinette’s “longlost cousin,” a showgirl—a character she made up by donning a Victorian-inspired choker, a pink feather headdress and a pink lacy dress embellished with ribbons.

“I’ve always been fascinated by that era, how the women dressed up and looked so feminine,” Jacomina said.

The Best Male in Halloween Costume award went to Igo Gan, who came in the most comfortable Captain Jack Sparrow costume he could find. The dreadlocks and Captain’s hat that he never took off in the entire class must have given him the workout he needed before the Halloween party that followed.

“There was a time I came in as Superman. All that tight clothing was really way too hot,” said Gan, who has been attending Bikram yoga for six years now.

The winners took home travel kits from Ralph Lauren and toiletry kits. Yogi Lynette T. Mesa judged the participants based on creativity, effort (holding the poses) and durability of the costumes. And, in the spirit of the Halloween tradition of trick-or-treat, Aninion gave away lollipops to students who were able to hold their postures while in costumes.

ally here to have a good time,” Aninion said.

Bikram yoga is a 90-minute class consisting of a series of 26 poses and two breathing exercises (pranayama), executed in a 40- to 50-degree heated room.

All postures, save for the last one, is repeated twice.

“Pranayama opens up the lungs, warms up the muscles and opens up your senses,” said Aninion.

Aninion took over the helm of the Makati studio three years ago when its founder, Tristan Choa, decided to retire. The Halloween Costume Class is an annual event in Bikram Yoga. ■

Something different

“From New York to Milan, just about almost everywhere in the world, Bikram yoga always has a special Halloween costume class. It’s something different. And everyone is rewww.canadianinquirer.net

YOGIS loosen up during the annual Halloween Costume Class.

PHOTO BY ALANAH TORRALBA / INQUIRER

VICTORIAN showgirl Tessa Jacomina, left, doing the Half Moon pose

Business

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013 40

Challenges abound for Twitter ahead YAMANG PANGKINABUKASAN of and beyond initial public offering Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA)

BY MICHAEL LIEDTKE AND BARBARA ORTUTAY The Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO—Twitter has built a digital town square that’s teeming with activity but riddled with financial potholes. Seven years after co-founder Jack Dorsey sent the first tweet through the online messaging service, more than 500 million posts are shared each day by everyone from the Dalai Lama to Justin Bieber.

But all the chirping hasn’t translated to profits—nor is it expected to any time soon.

As Twitter prepares to complete its initial public offering of stock this week, the San Francisco company’s history of losses totalling nearly $500 million is raising questions about its ability to turn a cultural phenomenon into a sustainable business.

Twitter’s IPO promises to be another touchstone in the Internet’s evolution from a geeky backwater to a wellspring of world-changing innovation and jaw-dropping wealth. In that sense, the company’s stock market debut shares parallels with the IPOs of two rivals: online social networking leader Facebook Inc., which went public nearly 18 months ago, and search engine leader Google Inc., which made the leap to Wall Street in 2004.

But Facebook and Google were already profitable by the time they went public. By contrast, Twitter’s coming out is a throwback to the late 1990s, a more perilous time in Internet investing—when hundreds of dot-com companies completed IPOs without ever having earned a profit.

“They have a nice and interesting base to build upon, but an exciting business with lots of users doesn’t necessarily generate returns,” says James Gellert, CEO of Rapid Ratings, a subscription service that examines the financial health of companies.

Rapid Ratings gives Twitter’s financial fitness a rating of 19 on a scale of 100. Gellert says that 90 per cent of the companies with a rating below 40 have defaulted on their debt at some point. By comparison, the firm rated Face-

book at 73 just before its May 2012 IPO and Google at 80 ahead of its August 2004 offering.

With 232 million users and an IPO poised to as much as $2 billion, Twitter is unlikely to go bust like so many of the companies that disappeared after the dot-com bubble burst in 2000.

So many investors are optimistic about the company’s future that Twitter on Monday seized on the demand for its stock and raised the projected price range of its IPO to $23 to $25 per share, up from an earlier target of $17 to $20.

Despite that enthusiasm, Twitter faces a slew of hurdles that range from an outsize proportion of international users— who generate less revenue than their U.S. counterparts—to concerns about a slowing rate of growth at a time when its user base is less than a quarter of Facebook’s.

Although they both compete for people’s attention and posts, Twitter and Facebook work differently.

Facebook gives its users control over who’s in their social circle and which of their online friends can see specific posts.

Twitter is set up so users can “follow” anyone—whether it’s a celebrity, politician, sports star or a pithy teenager—who also has an account on the service.

This flexibility makes Twitter like an open book that can be read by anyone. Unlike Facebook, Twitter restricts each post on its service to no more than 140 characters.

Twitter’s openness has left the service with a bit of an identity problem. While Facebook is known as a to connect with friends and family and LinkedIn is the go-to place for exploring career opportunities, Twitter’s purpose is more difficult to define, says Scott Kessler, an analyst with S&P Capital IQ. In its IPO paperwork, Twitter highlights the simplicity, accessibility and spontaneity of its service and depicts it as one big conversation. Gartner analyst Brian Blau believes many people see it as a “giant party line.”

Blau’s analogy is apt. Long before Twitter, a party line was a telephone line shared by multiple subscribers. Think of it as a line for you, your neighbour and

maybe Mrs. Smith around the corner. In rural areas, an entire town might share a single party line. If the line was in use, other subscribers could pick up their telephone and either eavesdrop or join the conversation.

Jumping into the discussion is alluring to the chatty and vivacious, but intimidating for those who are still unsure of their voice. Twitter will have to find ways to get more users to overcome their timidity so they become more active—and more attractive targets for advertisers. According to a recent Associated Press-CNBC poll, 29 per cent of people with Twitter accounts never tweet at all.

Twitter’s user growth is already slowing, triggering alarms among some analysts.

It took Facebook eight months, from August 2008 to April 2009, to go from 100 million to 200 million users. For Twitter, it was 15 months, from September 2011 to the following December. Facebook, only two years older than Twitter, now has 1.2 billion users.

Beyond Facebook and LinkedIn, Twitter also faces competition from up-and-coming startups such as Instagram, the wildly popular photo-sharing app owned by Facebook, Pinterest Inc. and even the likes of Snapchat, a service that lets users send photos and videos that disappear in less than 10 seconds. There’s also a host of emerging social networks for niche audiences such as members of the military, the visually impaired, doctors and people who want to connect with their neighbours.

“Users’ attention and time is becoming more fragmented, and so is the advertising revenue,” says Larry Chiagouris, a Pace University marketing professor who studies social media.

Last week, Facebook surprised investors by acknowledging that fewer young teenagers are logging in to its site daily, a trend that threatens to undermine the social network’s vitality. This hasn’t emerged as a major problem for Twitter, but it probably will have to keep spending heavily to develop features to keep the younger part of its audience hooked. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

BY SURRINDER VARPAUL AND KUYA BOY INFORMATION ON Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) is everywhere—brochures from the bank, advertisements on TV, and promotion videos on internet. You may already have sufficient information about it. The real question is, do you have the right information about TFSA? A Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) is a flexible investment solution. A TFSA itself is not an investment—it’s a registered plan, a type of account that holds investment assets including many different types of funds such as Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs), mutual funds and bonds, depending on an investor’s preferences and risk tolerance.

Your investments and savings will grow tax-free throughout lifetime. Canadian residents, age eight-teen and older with a Social Insurance Number, can contribute up to $5,500 annually to TFSA. Advantages of a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA)

• Investors do not pay tax on investment earned income, in-

cluding interest income, dividend or capital gains and tax free money grows.

• Investors do not only avoid tax on TFSA withdrawing, but furthermore, there is no need to worry about penalties.

• Unused TFSA contribution room is carried forward and accumulates in consecutive years.

• Contributions are not tax deductible.

• Both earned incomes or withdraws from TFSA do not affect eligibility for federal income tested benefits and credits, such as Old Age Security, the Guaranteed Income Supplement, and the Canada Child Tax Benefits.

• There is no minimum balance and no fees.

Since 2013, the contribution limit of a TFSA has been raised to $5,500 by the Federal Government. Any contributions above that amount would be subject to tax unless you have carried over contribution room from previous years. TFSA offers wide range from conservative to aggressive of investment depending on your objectives. You may even hold multiple TFSA accounts, as long as your annual ❱❱ PAGE 44 Tax-free Savings

Sports/Horoscope

41 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013

Spoelstra says coaches need to be aware of what’s happening in locker room The Canadian Press TORONTO—Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra says the Dolphins harassment case shows that coaches need to know what’s going on in their locker-room.

“I’ll tell you, it’s certainly something we all have to be aware of now,” he told reporters before the Heat’s NBA game against the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night. “You don’t want to take it for granted.

“We have a very close-knit group. We have a lot of different personalities in this lockerroom. At times it can be very light-hearted. You have to have thick skin to be in our lockerroom. You also have to have a little bit of a different personality and have some confidence to

be in our locker-room.

“Our guys have a sense of when not to take it over the line but there’s not a handbook on this. And the more awareness that we’re all forced to take on this issue, I think is better.”

The NFL is investigating the troubled relationship between Dolphins offensive linemen Jonathan Martin and Richie Incognito.

Incognito has been suspended indefinitely by coach Joe Philbin for his treatment of Martin, who quit the team last week because of emotional issues.

Heat star LeBron James said there are no issues in his team’s locker-room.

“We’re OK here,” said James.

“We’re a very, very close group, and obviously we laugh and joke and we get on each other,

we all get on each other. But we never cross that line, man.

“What’s going on with the Dolphins, that’s a sensitive subject, I don’t want to harp on what’s going on there because I don’t know all the information, but as far as our team, we don’t need to take a step back and look. We know what we’re about.”

The harassment of Martin included text messages that were racist and threatening, according to The Associated Press citing two people familiar with the situation.

Incognito, a ninth-year NFL pro, is white. Martin, in his sophomore season, is biracial.

It’s unclear whether Dolphins coaches or management knew of any harassment between the players before Martin left the team.

B.C. Lions coach Mike Benevides echoed Spoelstra’s sentiment, but added it’s impossible to be aware of absolutely everything that goes on in the lockerroom.

“Over time, whether it’s the leadership group, whether it’s a certain veteran, whether it’s our training staff or doctors, for the most part, you always know what’s going on. It’s hard not to know if it’s to that extent,” he said.

“You don’t know what’s going

on with all these guys. There’s 60 different personalities and lifestyles, but I think it’s important that you have enough communication between your players and your committed people that are in your organization to know those things.”

“It is impossible to know everything that happens on the 24-hour clock,” he added.

“That’s impossible.”

With files from The Associated Press

HOROSCOPE ARIES

CANCER

LIBRA

CAPRICORN

(MARCH 21 - APRIL 19)

(JUNE 22 - JULY 22)

(SEPT 23 - OCT 22)

(DEC 22 - JAN 19)

Today you might think you look awful and perhaps want to go out and change your whole look. Buy some new clothes and go for a workout. Even though you probably look pretty good, these activities make you feel good and increase your self-confidence. Your self-image is proportionate to your state of mind. You might just feel a bit down now.

TAURUS

You might have to work just a little harder to make money now. This might involve putting in extra time on a task, or it could simply mean that you have to make a few extra trips to the bank. Artistic insights might not be coming as profusely as usual, but this is all right. Relax and let things be, and the ideas will start coming again.

A close friend or romantic partner might not seem communicative today and you might wonder whether this person still cares for you. He or she is experiencing a few difficulties, perhaps involving money, and so isn’t particularly good company. Listen if your friend wants to talk, but otherwise just be there. That’s what is important anyway.

LEO

SCORPIO

(JULY 23 - AUGUST 22)

(APRIL 20 - MAY 20) Today you might feel unloved even though there’s no real reason for it. Your relationships should be pretty strong, but your biorhythms are down so you might be lacking in self-confidence.

Phone a close friend and get together. Go shopping or to a movie and raise your spirits.

By the end of the day you’ll feel like your old self again!

GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUNE 21) Plans to get together with friends tonight could be delayed by responsibilities. It won’t stop you but it will mean getting together a little later.

Someone close to you might feel a little down and seek a sympathetic ear. Try to get this person to forget his or her insecurities and see the situation as it is.

Home responsibilities may increase markedly today, leaving you feeling like you’re the only member of the household getting anything done. You might give in to gloom, but don’t dwell on it for too long. You will feel a lot better if you pitch in and take care of whatever needs to be done and then treat yourself by going out to celebrate.

AQUARIUS (JAN 20 - FEB 18)

(OCT 23 - NOV 21) A delay in receiving acknowledgment of some sort could happen today. This might be disappointing, but don’t let it get you down. You’ll receive it, just maybe not on time! This isn’t a good day to execute any legal contracts or start a vacation.

It’s a great day to take care of mundane tasks.

Get busy!

Do you have a garden or some houseplants that seem a little droopy? Don’t worry about whether or not they’re all going to die. Revive them! You might feel that some things are more trouble than they’re worth. Give yourself space to be gloomy for a while and then perk yourself up.

Buy yourself a present.

VIRGO (AUG 23 - SEPT 22) Don’t worry. The world economy is in pretty good shape and you should be, too. Equity in property investments could be down, but they should recover shortly. Go with the flow and don’t believe everything you read or hear.

SAGITTARIUS

PISCES

(NOV 22 - DEC 21)

(FEB 19 - MAR 20)

Today close friends, a love partner, or children may appear to be in a quiet, melancholy mood. You might wonder if you’ve done something to cause it, but it probably has very little to do with you, if anything. Responsibilities could be weighing on everyone, including you. The only answer is to pitch in and take care of business.

Then treat yourselves afterward!

www.canadianinquirer.net

Hurry up and wait is today’s phrase. A visit from a close friend, love partner, or colleague might be delayed, perhaps because of something regarding money or possibly the arts. It keeps you trapped waiting, unable to go anywhere. At times like this, it’s best to distract yourself. Find something to do that engrosses you and the time will go by more quickly.

You’ve been doing well financially. You want to do better, but you might feel temporarily discouraged.

It seems you have to keep working harder to keep up the pace. This is more the result of low biorhythms than any true assessment of your situation. Today you might have to work a little harder, but you’ll get the results you want.

Tomorrow will then be easier on you.

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013

42

Travel

Driving to Spain’s pueblos blancos: Ancient villages between mountains and the Mediterranean

BY GIOVANNA DELL’ORTO The Associated Press SETENIL DE LAS BODEGAS, SPAIN—As dusk light slanted across this southern Spanish hamlet, the whitewashed houses and the cliffs they’re carved into turned golden.

A gaggle of boys perched on a low wall, smartphone cameras at the ready, while clusters of animated old men converged where a minuscule one-way alley merged with a sharp, uphill right corner into a marginally larger street.

Stuck in that corner, brushing the ancient stone houses on both sides, was an incongruous cherry-red rental minivan. At the wheel, enjoying neither the beauty nor the Old-World camaraderie, sat I. A driving tour to Andalusia’s pueblos blancos, or white villages, is a highlight of any trip to Spain—as long as you don’t try to drive through them. (Note to self: Learn to drive a stick shift so you are not saddled with giant vehicles with automatic transmission.)

During two trips in late January and early June, I took a few days off from the big stars of the region—the stunning cities of Seville, Cordoba, and Granada—to roam the countryside.

I explored seven pueblos blancos: Some are hidden in fog-shrouded mountain valleys, others look out to the Mediterranean, others still rule the farmland from atop rocky hilltops.

From the road, all look like the perfect incarnation of the whitewashed southern European village fantasy, sprinkled with pale pink fruit tree blossoms in winter and bright purple bougainvillea creepers in summer. Within their cool, hushed alleys lie centuries-old monuments, many reflecting the region’s history as the last

stronghold of Islamic domination in Europe before Christian armies reconquered it.

And within them also lies Andalusia’s bounty: that most prized of hams, jamon iberico de bellota, all manner of fried seafood and marinated olives, and the dirt-cheap hoppy beer I badly needed after untangling the unscathed rental from its 1.5-meter-wide (5-foot) street grip.

Cliff-top citadels

The cliff-top pueblos I visited, Arcos de la Frontera and Zahara de la Sierra, represent opposite ends of the spectrum as tourist destinations.

Arcos, a short hop off the main freeway connecting regional capital Seville with the spruced-up port city of Cadiz, has a long list of impressive churches and palaces huddled inside its walls. I spent a morning climbing up its steep stonepaved alleys, lined with flower pots and wrought-iron grilles, and more than a smattering of tapa signs in English.

The dark castle of Zahara, deep in the olive-studded countryside, looms over a handful of tightly packed houses hanging to the rocky outcrop jutting into a man-made lake. The village is so tiny, and the roads so remote, that I found plenty of villagers taking their afternoon paseo, or stroll, along the main highway.

Canyon-dwellers

Ronda and Setenil are the equivalent extremes for the canyon-hugging pueblos. The latter slithers deep underneath the ledges of river-eroded rock, its cave-like homes and grocery stores evoking a contemporary version of the native dwellings in the American Southwest.

The ancient part of Ronda is separated from the new by a vertigo-inducing 100-meter (328-foot) river gash called El

Andalusia, Spain

Canon del Tajo, which tonguein-cheek locals call the canyon of a common Spanish profanity that escapes many first-time visitors when they peer into the abyss from the 18th century bridge.

I crossed it, on foot, one January evening, before a deep mist rose from the roaring river below. A short walking tour took me past many ornate churches, balconied buildings and palmand-plane fringed parks to two major examples of the mixed Islamic and Christian style that characterizes Andalusia.

The top attraction is the solid, twin-towered Palace of Mondragon, which was the residence both of Muslim rulers and then Christian conquerors. But perhaps my favourite stood solitary in a tiny square— a 14th-century brick minaret turned bell tower with a typically Islamic horseshoe arch.

Also tucked away, in the new town near the celebrated 18thcentury Plaza de Toros that many consider a cradle of Spanish bullfighting, was my other Ronda favourite: the tavern Bodega el Socorro.

In the spattering rain, I followed there a steady stream of hungry faithful that emerged from a packed, incense-filled Mass with the visiting bishop.

Like them, I made a serious

dent into the forest of overhanging hams from acorn-fed, black-hoofed Iberian pigs.

Mountain-hugging hamlets

In the mountains south and west of Ronda is a profusion of isolated pueblos, including an unusual azure one, Juzcar, which was painted that way in 2011 as publicity for a Smurfs movie.

My pick was Grazalema, fitting snugly in the crag of a fircovered, fog-shrouded mountain. I reached it by climbing more than 1,500 metres (5,000 feet) on twisting roads that looked more Swiss than Spanish.

Between the two 17th-century churches that bracket its nucleus of terra cotta-roofed homes are many reminders of its long history, including a water fountain with two wideeyed faces as water spouts, said to date to Visigoth times.

Seascapes

For my last stop, I visited two pueblos keeping watch over a spot where the Atlantic and Mediterranean meet, waters that once brimmed with pirates.

The first, walled Vejer de la Frontera, winds itself like a conch shell around a hilltop castle and even boasts a couple

of windmills.

The latter, the former Islamic stronghold of Frigiliana, looks out over Nerja, a popular, pretty beach resort town, and hills covered in avocado plantations.

Potted flowers, brightly painted door and window frames, and scores of ceramic shops give bursts of colour, but keep looking down: The intricately black-and-white pebble mosaics that pave its alleys and steps are the true standout and just as beautiful as the celebrated ones in Italy’s Riviera, some 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometres) east along the Mediterranean coast.

I watched the sun set from an outdoor cafe at the bottom of Frigiliana’s cliffside historic centre, sipping a beer and munching tart green olives— for a total bill of less than $2— while I waited for my ride.

For my last pueblo blanco, I left the driving to the public bus.

If You Go...

ANDALUSIA, SPAIN: http:// www.andalucia.org/en/.

GETTING THERE and AROUND: The region’s most convenient airport is in Seville, where you’ll find major car rental companies. I used the online broker http://www. pepecar.com, which was significantly cheaper through prepayment.

WHERE TO STAY: Ronda makes the perfect base for a driving loop through the region, with many choices for hotels and restaurants, http://www. turismoderonda.es.

Rooms and restaurant terraces at the Don Miguel hotel—http://www. hoteldonmiguelronda.com/— look into the gorge and toward the bridge. In Nerja, I stayed at the seafront Paraiso del Mar— http://www.hotelparaisodelmar.es—whose terraces cascade down to a wide beach lined with paella eateries. ■

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013

43

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!

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?

3 3 3 3 3

Times Tel, the leading long distance provider primarily for the ethnic market, has a brand new addition to our Telemarketing department to fill with a group of strong, qualified, professional and sharp sales associates who will make outbound calls to existing customers! These positions are in Richmond, British Columbia.

The ideal candidate should be enthusiastic and possess professionalism, great listening and closing skills. Must have a positive attitude and the availability to work from 11am until 7pm Mondays to Fridays and weekends. Basic computer skills, communication skills and phone skills are a must!

Interested candidates please submit your resume with cover letter to hr@timestelecom.ca.

Save Cash More Exposure New Customers Get A Competitive Edge Enhance Your Lifestyle Does this appeal to you?

Contact us today to learn more:

Korean/Japanese straightening $100.00 * includes hair treatment Hair cut $25.00 * includes wash & blow-dry Colour $50.00 * includes cut, treatment & blow-dry

604.759.3223 info@barterfirst.com www.barterfirst.com

Call for appointment

416-886-9123 Jessica Ko

(13+ years of experience in Korea and Canada)

72 Steeles Ave West Unit 5

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

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013 44

Tax-free Savings... ❰❰ 40

contributions are under your contribution limit. (Additional deposits may be subject to tax.)

Description

A Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) is a tax-deferred account designed specifically for retirement savings. Any resident of Canada under the age of 71 who has earned income may establish and contribute to an RRSP.

Objective

To provide individuals with an account into which they may contribute tax-deferred dollars that may be used for retirement.

Suitability

Anyone under the age of 71 who has earned income to save for retirement.

Features

• Tax Deferral: All investments within RRSP will grow tax-deferred until removed.

• Income Tax Deduction: Contributions to your RRSP are deducted from your gross income, lowering the taxable amount. The deadline to make contributions eligible for deductions on your 2013 tax return is March 1, 2014. You can also deduct previous contributions from 1991 forward, if you did not deduct it for

any other year and if it is less than your deduction limit for 2012.

• Flexibility: Contributions can be invested to meet your personal objectives.

• Contribution Limits: In general, an individual’s RRSP contribution limit is determined by taking the littlest of 18% of the individual’s previous year’s earned income and the current year’s RRSP dollar limit. Money contributed to a company pension plan and unused contribution from previous years adjusts an individual’s contribution room.

• Conversion: RRSPs must be converted to Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) by the end of the year you turn 71.

• Account Consolidation: Edward Jones offers you an opportunity to consolidate all of your RRSP holdings into one account. This allows you to easily monitor your investment strategy. Additionally, you can make this year’s contribution at the same time as you consolidate your holdings.

For more information about this topic and other valuable financial information listen to our weekly radio program — “YAMANG PANGKINABUKASAN” every Saturday from 1:30pm to 2pm on JUAN Radio 96.1 FM, hosted by Surrinder Varpaul and Kuya Boy.

So, What... tions we are talking about here will focus on the need to spread yourself and gain more knowledge of what is going on around you in this new place that you have moved to.

You must use your phone to call friends here to ask for job leads, to call companies regarding possible openings, and to receive invitations to parties where you can meet other people.

Do you need a landline or a mobile phone? A landline will always be cheaper than a mobile phone because it allows you unlimited access to local calls. If you have somebody in the family who can be efficient at taking calls while you are out job hunting or attending workshops, then a landline will be good enough while you are in a tight budget.

My first mistake was getting a mobile post-paid plan only to realize how expensive it ended up being and how little I needed it in the first months that we were here. Nothing beats quick-witted decision-making. Having realized that mistake, I had to compute how much more it would cost me to continue on with the plan against paying the penalty of terminating the contract. I opted out of the contract as soon as I could. I can always get a prepaid cell phone if the need calls for it.

However, if you are single or coming alone, and there is nobody to take calls for you at home, then you have two options: Either make sure your landline phone has a voicemail facility or an answering machine, or secure a mobile phone you can take with you anywhere you go. Since you will be waiting for some calls that may come from jobs you have applied for, make sure your recorded messages are as formal and polite as possible.

If you must buy a mobile phone, weigh very well which plan—whether postpaid or prepaid —will be most economical and efficient for you. Of course, the best is if you are living with a friend or relative or tenant who will allow you to ❰❰ 22

www.canadianinquirer.net

use his landline phone to make some local calls from home. But you cannot expect that generosity every single day.

What could be irritating about some mobile phone systems is that incoming calls will be charged to your credits or to your plan. Certainly, you will not mind if the incoming call is what you expect or wanted, but think of the hundreds of telemarketers who can get hold of your number—no thanks to your phone company who sells your number for a song.

That does happen.

When making calls for work or job postings, make sure you know what area codes are considered local to the phone you are using. Also seek out for these companies’ 1-800 numbers so that your calls will not be considered long-distance calls. Some efficient phone companies will warn you that you have dialled an out-of-area or international number, so that cautions you as to whether you should proceed with the call or not.

The need for communication can never be understated. While you need to scrimp, consider getting a phone as basic in your job search. Staying connected and reachable will improve your job of job hunting.

Nobody ever said that our journey, will be easy. But as I write and as you read, we share our strengths and we can hold to the promise that “Where two or three are gathered in My name, there I am in the midst of them,” Matthew 18:20.

Bolet is a marketing communications practitioner and dabbles in writing as a personal passion. She is author-publisher of the book: The Most Practical Immigrating and Job Hunting Survival Guide, proven simple steps to success without the fears and the doubts. The book is available in Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Chapters/Indigo, the Reading Room and other online bookshops worldwide, and in National Book Store and Power Books in the Philippines. Please check out https:// www.amazon.com/author/boletarevalo.

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013

45

CANADA

“DECORATE YOUR OWN EVENT”

INVENTORY WHOLESALE

AD SALES

30% Sales Commission

CLEARANCE

Exquisitely designed for all occasions

. Decorations . Event Planning . Floral and Balloon Arrangements . Gift Baskets

The Philippine Canadian Inquirer–Canada’s first and only nationwide Filipino-Canadian newspaper, is looking for dynamic sales executives from Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, and Edmonton.

604.889.8219 Lucy’s Creative Design Inc.

Must see - Call for appointment

Each sales executive must be a dynamic self starter who will treat this opportunity as their own exclusive business with the potential to earn serious money.

Be part of an amazing in-store team!

Be your own boss–work at your own effective pace–and earn a huge 30% sales commission!

We are currently recruiting for Sales Associate and Customer Service Representative to join us in Promenade, Toronto.

That’s just Step 1. Wait till you hear about Step 2.

We’re looking for confident, sales and customer service oriented team players with: · Passion for telecom products and services · High standards of customer service · Excellent English communication skills · Previous retail experience

Interested? Send us your resume now and let’s change your life!

Email your resume to info@canadianinquirer.net

You will be responsible for: In return, we will provide you with: · Selling long distance, · Professional sales training homephone, Filipino TV · Ideal pay package with channels commission and incentive · Providing an opportunities* exceptional customer · Career growth with service experience internal promotional · Sharing product opportunities knowledge information · Flexible hours Interested candidates please submit your resume with cover letter to hr@timestelecom.ca.

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

Seen & Scenes

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013 46

Publisher Philippine Canadian Inquirer Editor Melissa Remulla-Briones editor@canadianinquirer.net Associate Editor Laarni de Paula

SEMINAR ON PHILIPPINE BIODIVERSITY ISSUES A seminar on “History, Social Institutions, and the Philippine Biodiversity Crisis” was held at the Liu Institute, UBC on October 30, 2013. The Speaker was Dr. Raul Suarez, professor at the University of California at Santa Barbara who has published over sixty papers on experimental biology, comparative physiology, and zoology in prestigious journals in the US and around the world. Dr. Suarez attended Ateneo and UP before completing his doctorate degree at UBC. He was introduced by Ty Paradela of the Liu Institute of UBC, the seminar sponsor.

According to Dr. Suarez, the Philippines is known to biologists as a center of great biodiversity, as well as for being an environmental disaster. Ninety per cent of land area in the more than 7,000 islands was once forested and most land species evolved as land specialists. At present, only less than 20% forest cover remains and the Philippines has the largest number of threatened endemic species in the world. The rule of the elite class, extractive economic institutions, and corruption contributed to the degradation of humans and nature.

A discussion followed the presentation, and many expressed concern over the current state of affairs in the Philippines. Some felt pessimistic and thought that whatever is being done by the government now is “too little, too late.”

Many of the attendees were graduate students from the Asian Studies program at UBC. Dr. Nora Angeles, a Filipino professor at UBC also attended as well as Hon. Mable Elmore, MLA. Several UP alumni were also present, namely Erie Maestro, Pining Suarez, Bert Quibuyen. It was a very interesting and informative session.

WORLD VISION

“Papa God, hunonga na ang linog. (Papa God, please stop the earthquake),” This has been the prayer of quake survivor Randel Mark, 4, every time he feels the strong earthquakes and aftershocks.

This makeshift tent has been the temporary home to child survivors in Sagbayan, Bohol, affected by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake. There are seven families inside this makeshift tent, with more than 20 people sleeping there, including children.

Correspondents Gigi Astudillo Angie Duarte Maria Ramona Ledesma Katherine Marfal Frances Grace Quiddaoen Agnes Tecson Ching Dee Socorro Newland 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

World Vision Philippines emergency response team distributed relief goods—food items and hygiene kits— to more than 800 quake-affected families in Sagbayan, Bohol, which was the epicenter of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck Central Visayas.

Philippine Canadian Inquirer is published weekly every Friday.

Copies are distributed free throughout Metro Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg and Toronto.

Please note that World Vision is accepting donations to help those in need through its Disaster Response Fund. We would encourage readers who wish to make a donation to call World Vision at 1-800-268-5528 or to visit us online at World Vision Canada’s website at www. worldvision.ca

Member

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

47 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013

www.canadianinquirer.net

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013 48

www.canadianinquirer.net