Philippine Canadian Inquirer Issue #97

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JANUARY 10, 2014

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Helpless on power rates

PNoy's pick key to coalition unity

First in PH: Woman gets new intestines with transplant

Fil-Canadian in Focus: George R. Poblete

New Year Resolutions

Filipino caregiver emerges as feel good favourite of Israeli reality TV singing contest

BY ISAAC SCHARF The Associated Press

PRIME MINISTER HARPER VISITS VANCOUVER A STRONG CANADA. Several members of the Vancouver media, including Philippine Canadian Inquirer, participated in a roundtable with

Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Monday, January 7 to discuss issues about immigration, inter-provincial trade, national debt, oil and gas and family reunification. Story on page 18.

PHOTO BY DANVIC BRIONES

BY TARRA QUISMUNDO Philippine Daily Inquirer MANILA—Major donors to the Philippines’ response to the humanitarian emergency in typhoon-ravaged Eastern Visayas begged off from making any comment Monday on the reported overpricing of bunkhouses for people ren-

dered homeless by the calamity.

The United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union withheld comment on the Inquirer report on the padded costing for bunkhouses— temporary shelters regarded as critical in the continuing response two months since the emergency.

PHOTO BY MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

Foreign aid donors decline comment on alleged bunkhouse overprice

Pack your bags: 2014 is here ❱❱ PAGE 26

❱❱ PAGE 13 Foreign aid

JERUSALEM—A 47-year-old Filipino caregiver has emerged as the newest star of Israeli reality television, putting a human face on the thousands of foreign workers who toil away in menial, backbreaking jobs in this country.

Israeli viewers of the country’s myriad of reality shows have grown accustomed to successful candidates from various backgrounds, including black-clad ultraOrthodox Jews, Ethiopian immigrants and a German convert to Judaism who became a celebrity chef. But they’ve never seen someone like Rose Fostanes before. ❱❱ PAGE 7 Filipino caregiver

JANUARY 10, 2014 FRIDAY 2

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Philippine News

3 FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014

Palace: We’re helpless on power rates

BY MICHAEL LIM UBAC Philippine Daily Inquirer DON’T EXPECT Malacañang to wave a magic wand to quickly bring down power rates.

A Palace spokesperson said the Aquino administration’s efforts to mitigate the impact of the higher cost of power are constrained by the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (Epira), which is widely blamed for the unabated spikes in power rates over the years.

“So while you believe that the Executive has so much perceived power, we are limited by what the law says. There is no magic wand to wave,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte admitted at a news briefing.

She made the remarks when asked about the government’s seeming helplessness in bringing down power rates, which are among the highest in the world.

Blame the law

“It’s because of the law that we have.

Epira prevents government from being a power generator,” she said.

But Valte said that “something...can be done” as President Aquino had already asked relevant agencies to look

into the problem.

“There’s something that can be done but within the bounds of the law, that’s what I meant,” she said.

“Precisely, which is why the President had asked already the relevant agencies to look into the problem and to find possible solutions that is always within the law for us to do. Because...you know people keep asking, ‘Why don’t you build your own power plants?’ Because of the law that we have. We can’t; the government can’t do that. You can’t put money into that because it’s prohibited (by Epira).”

She said the government “welcomes amendments” to the law, but said the Executive was not the right branch of government to make the initiative.

According to her, Congress should initiate the move.

When he attended the summit meeting of Asian leaders in Japan last month, the President expressed willingness to support certain amendments to Epira and Presidential Decree No. 910 that created the Malampaya Fund.

He said he was all for mitigating the impact of higher power rates on consumers, but this should be based on prevailing laws of the land.

A record increase in power rates in

Justices, solons on collision course

BY GIL C. CABACUNGAN Philippine Daily Inquirer THE HOUSE of Representatives and the Supreme Court are on a collision course after 169 lawmakers signed a resolution seeking to defy the order of the high court to include a son of Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr. in the congressional rolls and replace Marinduque Rep. Regina Ongsioco Reyes.

Oriental Mindoro Rep. Rey Umali said the “robust support” for his resolution showed that the lawmakers were prepared to stand up to the “bullying” of the Supreme Court.

“I believe that our members have had enough of the Supreme Court’s bullying.

This time, they have overstepped their jurisdiction. We will defy them and not honor their decision,” Umali said in a phone interview.

Fifty-eight percent of the 289 House members have supported House Resolution No. 597 “reiterating adherence to the time-honored principle on the exclusivity of jurisdiction of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET) over all contests relating to the

election, returns and qualifications of its members to preserve the integrity, dignity and reputation of the House of Representatives and its members.”

Respect coequals

Umali said it was “about time that these despots get down from their high chair and respect their coequals in government. This is a clear show of force on our part. Please, huwag ninyong ipilit (don’t force it).”

Last Dec. 3, Umali gave a privilege speech attacking the high court’s undue interference in election-related issues, specifically the Marinduque election standoff between Representative Reyes, daughter of Marinduque Gov. Carmencita Reyes, and former Rep. Lord Alan Velasco.

Velasco has formally requested Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. to eject Reyes after the Supreme Court rejected with finality on Dec. 3 her appeal for the reversal of its ruling on June 25 last year upholding the Commission on Election’s (Comelec) decision disqualifying her.

areas being serviced by Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) was struck down by the Supreme Court, which issued a 60-day temporary restraining order against the rate increase of more than P4 per kilowatt-hour.

On orders from Malacañang, the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), which has supervision over power rates, have launched an investigation into reports of collusion by power suppliers after they shut down their plants simultaneously, prompting the rate increase.

Asked why the Palace was not taking the initiative of asking Congress to amend Epira, she said: “Which is why we’ve said that we welcome any initiatives to amend or at least to put forth amendments from our legislators to the Epira Law. But we would have to look into these proposed amendments before we can tell you fully that we’re on board to do this, or we don’t agree with this particular amendment.”

No timeframe

She said the “President has already given instructions to the relevant agencies to see

what we can do.”

The government, however, has no timeframe for this congressional action.

“It would be logical if you would want to sacrifice thoroughness, but trust me that it’s a priority for them,” she said.

She said the Palace was still waiting for “any specific initiatives that they (energy officials) want to push as amendments.”

She balked at suggestions that the President should just certify as urgent pending bills in Congress seeking amendments to Epira. ■

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Philippine News

JANUARY 10, 2014 FRIDAY 4

‘US must pay more for reef damage’

BY JEROME ANING Philippine Daily Inquirer IT’S ALL right if the United States has not yet paid the P58.3-million fine slapped on it by the Philippines for messing up the Tubbataha Reefs this time last year, because it has to pay more, a Filipino lawyer said.

Lawyer Edre Olalia said the United States had to pay not only for direct damages but also for other violations of Philippine environmental laws and regulations due to the grounding of its minehunter USS Guardian on an atoll in the Tubbataha Reefs.

“We’re opposed to the paltry fine assessment made by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Those responsible for the destruction of the reef must be held liable.

The United States should pay more,” Olalia told the INQUIRER in a phone interview.

Olalia, secretary general of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers, is one of the lawyers

of environmentalist and activist groups that filed in April last year a petition for a writ of kalikasan (nature) in the Supreme Court while efforts to extricate the USS Guardian from the reef were under way.

The petitioners demanded a fine more than 10 times the Philippine government’s assessment.

Olalia said he was wary about the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) statement that compensation talks were still going on between the Philippine and US governments.

He said the negotiations might become politicized and be “dribbled by the DFA” with Washington’s reported request for expanded access for its military to Philippine territory.

Similar incident in Hawaii

They compared the Tubbataha incident to the grounding of the USS Port Royal on a coral reef off Oahu, Hawaii, in 2009, which cost the US Navy $8.5 million in damages in addition to $6.5 million for repairing the reef.

Aside from compensation, the Philippine petitioners also sought a temporary environment protection order (Tepo) that would, among other things, prohibit US military ships from sailing in Philippine waters and making port calls without environmental guidelines and duties, as well as liability plans for breaches of those duties.

The case in the Supreme Court,

Petitioners willing to wait In this photo released by the Philippine Coast Guard in Manila on March 27, 2013, the bow of the USS Guardian, a US Navy minesweeper, is lifted by a crane during a continuing salvage operation off Tubbataha Reef, a World Heritage Site in the Sulu Sea, 640 kilometers (400 miles) southwest of Manila, Philippines. The ship ran aground before dawn on Jan. 17, damaging coral reef.

PHOTO FROM AP/PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD / GLOBALNATION.INQUIRER.NET

however, has lagged due to the failure of the US government to comment on the petition.

The last pleadings filed by the petitioners in October included amotion for early resolution and for the issuance of the Tepo, Olalia said.

“When there’s a case in the United States involving the Philippine government, Filipino diplomats are trembling

over there and our government would quickly comply [with the US court’s order]. But here, their counterparts are ignoring our courts. Is it because they’re a superpower? That’s why we have to change things,” he said.

“The question now is, will the Philippine government make a stand on this? We should be bold enough to assert our jurisdiction in this issue,” he said.

Olalia said that even if the US government paid the P58.3million fine imposed by the government, the Supreme Court was free to increase it and impose other monetary penalties and other sanctions.

Asked about the possibility of the Supreme Court remanding the compensation assessment to a lower court or another government body issuing the corresponding guidelines, Olalia said the petitioners would be willing to wait as long as they were assured that there would be just compensation and Philippine jurisdiction would be affirmed. ■

It’s our best treat!

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Philippine News

5 FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014

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Philippine News

JANUARY 10, 2014 FRIDAY 6

Palace won’t stop PhilHealth, SSS hikes

BY CHRISTIAN V. ESGUERRA Philippine Daily Inquirer MALACAÑANG REJECTED calls to stop the increase in Social Security System (SSS) and Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) premiums, saying the move should be understood in the context of the government’s “social protection” program.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma defended both increases, saying the PhilHealth adjustment, in particular, would spare “sponsored members,” or the so-called poorest of the poor who receive aid from the government’s conditional cash transfer program.

“There’s no plan to stop [the increases],” he said in Filipino in his weekly media briefing aired over state-run Radyo ng Bayan.

Coloma said the adjustments were the “product of thorough and consultation.”

The new rates were “evaluated and it was made sure that

they would not be burdensome but instead could be shouldered by those concerned,” he said.

Coloma said the increases would also “result in more meaningful benefits for members of the SSS and PhilHealth.”

Effective Jan. 1, the monthly PhilHealth premium of members with the lowest salaries was doubled to P200. The additional P100 contribution would be shouldered equally by the employee and the employer.

For SSS members, the monthly premium was increased by 0.6 percent. Coloma said the adjustment would cut the state pension fund’s P1.078trillion unfunded liabilities by P166 billion.

Unfunded liabilities of a pension fund are obligations at a certain time in the future for which no funds have been set aside. In the case of the SSS, its existing fund would cover liabilities only until 2041, President Aquino said in July last year.

The President said an increase was needed to ensure the viability of the SSS fund,

which he warned would be depleted 28 years from now if no adjustment was implemented.

He said the unfunded liabilities would grow by an average of eight percent yearly unless SSS revenues increased.

The President noted that since the 1980s, contributions had increased only twice but pension benefits had risen 21 times.

The 0.6-percent increase will be equally shared by members and their employers—0.3 percent is to be shouldered by SSS members and the other 0.3 percent by employers.

Before the increase, contributions were set at 10.4 percent to 11 percent of salaries of employees. Workers paid 30 percent of the contributions while employers carried the bigger share of 70 percent.

“We should understand the context of this social protection program, which includes the PhilHealth and SSS contributions,” Coloma said.

“Under the concept of social protection, the government provides aid to people who need

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it the most and it is assisted by those who have the capability to contribute, also for their own benefit, by pooling the resources,” he added.

Last year, SSS executives came under fire for gifting themselves with P1-million bonuses despite the looming increase in members’ monthly contributions.

PhilHealth officials and employees also got P1.5 billion in bonuses despite issues raised by the Commission on Audit

over the allegedly slow processing of claims.

Coloma said the PhilHealth rate adjustment was “light” considering the benefits.

He cited the “intensified point-of-care enrollment for all Filipinos belonging to Class C-3 and Class B,” effective in all 85 public hospitals nationwide.

“If you look at the new schedule of premiums, it’s clear that the additional PhilHealth contribution being implemented is light,” he said. ■

Philippine News

7 FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014

P-Noy’s pick key to coalition unity

Could choose outsider

Treñas said that the President’s choice would be the key to keeping the ruling Liberal Party’s coalition with other parties intact for the 2016 elections.

But he did not discount the possibility that Mr. Aquino could very well choose a presidential candidate from outside the LP. “It’s really not for me to say but I hope that his choice will come from us (the LP). But you know in politics, anything is possible... Only time will tell,” said Treñas.

Anointed one the key

Isabela Rep. Giorgidi Aggabao, a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition, said the President needs to anoint a successor to ensure continuity in government policy.

“The President has set out a

The diminutive woman with a booming voice has taken “X-Factor Israel” by storm and emerged as a national phenomenon. Known simply as “Rose,” she is mobbed by fans wherever she goes.

“It’s a big change in my life because before nobody recognized me, nobody knew me. But now everybody, I think everybody in Israel knows my name.

And it is very funny,” she said.

Fostanes arrived six years ago to work as a caregiver so, like millions of other Filipino workers around the world, she could send money back home to her family and her girlfriend.

She spends her days caring and cleaning for an ailing woman in her 50s. To save money, Fostanes lives in a crowded apartment in south Tel Aviv, a downtrodden area inhabited by foreign labourers, with seven others.

Until recently, Fostanes was among the thousands of Filipinos who work in similar positions in Israel. The site of Filippino workers wheeling elderly Israelis in public places is so common that the word “Filipini” has become synonymous with “caregiver.”

Several months ago, a friend encouraged her to enter the “XFactor” competition, a popular show hosted by Israeli supermodel Bar Refaeli. Standing just 1.50 metres-tall (4-foot-11), Fostanes has captured her audiences’ hearts with a surprisingly strong and soulful voice, belting out such hits as Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and Lady Gaga’s “You and I.” She is among the final five contestants and widely seen as a favourite.

Israeli singer Shiri Maimon, a judge on the show and former reality TV contestant herself, ❰❰ 1

BY GIL C. CABACUNGAN Philippine Daily Inquirer WITH PRESIDENT Aquino entering the “last two minutes” of his administration, his allies believe that his “anointed” in the 2016 elections will hold the key to keeping the majority coalition intact for, and dominant in, the next national polls.

Iloilo City Rep. Jerry Treñas, who heads the Visayan bloc in the House of Representatives, figures that the President’s enormous popularity will make him a potent kingmaker in the next presidential elections.

“The President continues to enjoy high trust ratings and whoever he chooses as his successor will be a force to reckon with in 2016,” Treñas said in a phone interview.

Based on the Social Weather Stations (SWS) report released last Dec. 28, Mr. Aquino got an average net satisfaction rating of “very good,” or plus 55 percent, in 2013, or two percentage points above his average of plus 53 percent net rating in 2011 and 2012 but seven points off his plus 62 percent net rating in 2010.

The SWS noted that the President managed to maintain the “very good” rating in most parts of the country, in the rural areas and in the ABC and E income classes, but slipped to a merely “good” rating in Metro Manila, urban areas and the D class.

Filipino caregiver...

President Aquino's allies believe that his “anointed” in the 2016 elections will hold the key to keeping the majority coalition intact for, and dominant in, the next national polls. The President is shown here with Miriam College High School Grade 11 students during the students' courtesy call at the Heroes Hall of the Malacañan Palace on January 07.

PHOTO BY GIL NARTEA / REY BANIQUET / MALACAÑANG PHOTO BUREAU / PCOO

good course for the country, as evidenced by our stellar economic growth,” he said.

Aggabao said that the majority coalition—composed of the ruling Liberal Party of Mr. Aquino, the NPC led by businessman Danding Cojuangco, the Nacionalista Party led by exSen. Manuel Villar, the LDP led by ex-Sen. Edgardo Angara and the Akbayan party-list group—would hold fast or fragment, depending on the President’s anointed one.

“Major political players within the coalition will bolt if they see [that] the common candidate is unwinnable. There is no secret to that. The challenge for the coalition is to hook a credible candidate for president that has excellent chances of winning,” he said.

Endorsing successors

Based on past election results, no end-of-term president has fared too well in endorsing the candidates they choose to succeed them.

The late President Corazon Aquino endorsed the late Ramon Mitra of the LDP, although rumors persist that she secretly supported her defense secretary, Fidel Ramos, who went on to win the presidential elections in 1992. Ramos, in turn, recommended the ruling Lakas party’s Jose de Venecia who lost to Joseph Estrada in 1998, and immediate past President

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo endorsed Lakas-Kampi’s Gilbert Teodoro, who was beaten handily by his cousin, Mr. Aquino, in 2010.

LP has best odds

Eastern Samar Rep. and LP spokesperson Ben Evardone said that with or without its coalition partners, the LP would have the best odds of retaining its hold on Malacañang through 2016 because of its popular leader and its size as the biggest political party in the country.

“I think the President will be a hard act to follow but I believe those who believe in him will also believe in his choice,” he said.

But he said the LP has to evolve into a real principled party, not a party of convenience like Lakas, the LDP and other previously dominant political parties.

“The LP should draw lessons from the debacle of major political parties, it has to reinforce its nontraditional status,” said Evardone, who was one of the dozens of Lakas-Kampi members who jumped ship to the LP in the final weeks before the May 2010 elections.

Evardone said the LP has its work cut out for it in the President’s so-called “last two minutes” and should be projecting itself as an anti-traditional (antitrapo) political party and anticorruption advocate. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

has served as Fontanes’ “mentor” throughout the season. After a recent rendition of Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful,” Maimon could barely contain her excitement.

“It was so moving. I am so proud of you. We will have an amazing journey together,” she said. “I’m speechless. It was more than perfect.”

Fostanes said she has dreamed of singing since she was a child, but suffered discrimination because of her appearance. She said she still can’t believe how far she has come.

“Sometimes I am telling myself, ’Is it true that it happened to me?” she said. “At least I can express and show the people that I have also talents and it’s not too late for me to shine.”

Fostanes said she has been a caregiver since the age of 23, working in Egypt and Lebanon before coming to Israel. She is among the roughly 10 million Filipinos, or 10 per cent of the overall population, who work abroad.

Israel’s estimated 40,000 Filipinos enjoy relative freedom, as long as they have work permits. Most remain for an agreed-upon period of time before returning home.

Fostanes said Filipinos around the world have heard about her and frequently send her text messages of support.

But her success has been tempered by the distance from her loved ones. She last visited the Philippines two years ago.

“Really I miss them, my family especially, and of course my girlfriend because this is the time I really need them beside me,” she said, with tears in her eyes. “I need their support not only because they are in the Philippines, I want them to be by my side.” ■

Rose Fostanes, the diminutive woman with a booming voice that has taken "X-Factor Israel” by storm.

PHOTO FROM OFWSTORIES.COM

Philippine News

Ampatuans buck testimonies via conference call

BY JULIE M. AURELIO Philippine Daily Inquirer A DEFENSE lawyer in the Maguindanao massacre case has asked a Quezon City court to junk the prosecution’s bid to allow witnesses to testify through a video conference call.

In a three-page pleading, Lou Bryan Macabodbod, counsel for defendants Andal Ampatuan Jr., his father Andal Sr. and brother Zaldy, said the suggestion to conduct testimonies using the Internet is not allowed under the Rules of Criminal Procedures.

In his opposition lodged before Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of Regional Trial Court Branch 221, Macabodbod said the suggested manner of presenting the witnesses’ testimonies is without legal basis.

“It means the prosecution cannot invent a procedure extraneous to that sanctioned... by the law,” the Ampatuans’ lawyer said.

In December last year, private prosecutors led by lawyer Harry Roque appealed to the court to allow two complainant

witnesses, Marilyn Reblando and Reynafe Momay-Castillo, to testify through video conference call.

Roque said the two are now based abroad and did not have sufficient funds to cover airfare for them to testify personally.

Reblando, the wife of Maguindanao massacre victim Alejandro Reblando, is now in Hong Kong where she has a pending petition for asylum. Castillo, daughter of slain journalist Reynaldo Momay, is working in the United States.

The prosecutors argued that the court could still observe the witnesses’ demeanor as they testify through video conference call, and that the defense could still cross examine them.

The opposition countered that the prosecution cannot use the lack of funds to excuse the witnesses from personally appearing in court.

Macabodbod’s pleading said that the mechanism of video conference call must be given serious thought, since the reliability of Internet connection in terms of speed, accuracy and stability are issues to contend with. ■

Former Datu Unsay town mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. was tagged as the principal suspect in the massacre that also killed 26 others including the wife and several relatives of now Maguindanao governor Esmael Mangudadatu.

PHOTO FROM NEWS.NFO.PH

JANUARY 10, 2014 FRIDAY 8

NO END TO VICTIMS’ WOES

Rains test resilience of ‘Yolanda’ evacuees—UN

BY TARRA QUISMUNDO Philippine Daily Inquirer RAINS THAT have been hitting parts of the Visayas since the end of December are “testing the resilience of communities” ravaged by Supertyphoon “Yolanda,” underscoring the need to boost early recovery programs in the disaster zone ahead of the onset of the wet season, according to the United Nations humanitarian office.

In its latest situation report released on Jan. 2, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha) also said the United Nations and its partner agencies were focusing on providing shelter and reestablishing livelihood for the typhoon survivors.

“Rainfall has displaced 54 families in Capiz province in Western Visayas and resulted in mudslides in Tacloban City.

This in reinforces the need for partners to bolster programs and support early recovery in advance of the upcoming rainy season,” the report said. Mudslides that the rains had triggered blocked major roads in Tacloban “for a few hours” it said.

It also cited possible health risks that debris and improperly managed waste might pose on residents “as the rains increase in the coming weeks.”

“The recent rains emphasize the importance of strong engagement to promote a smooth transition to early recovery, particularly in shelter and debris clearance programs.

Concurrently, humanitarian partners are actively trying to encourage private companies to become involved in waste recycling and mobilizing trucks and heavy equipment,” the report said.

Ocha said efforts were now focused on providing short-to medium-term shelter for some 4.1 million displaced people across the Visayas.

Humanitarian workers are currently identifying sites for the construction of bunkhouses and selecting beneficiaries, it said.

UN partner agencies are also www.canadianinquirer.net

Survivors of typhoon Yolanda march in the rain during a procession to call for courage and resilience.

PHOTO FROM PH.NEWS.YAHOO.COM

“raising awareness” on land use and housing, particularly areas already designated as “no-build zones,” the report said.

Cash-for-work programs are also going on, with some 290 activities either on the pipeline, being carried out or completed.

Efforts are also under way to process felled coconut trees, which may degrade or rot “in the next two months,” the report said.

Fresh supplies

A shipment of more than 500 chain saws is coming this month for distribution to villagers in worst-hit areas to process lumber out of trees felled by the typhoon, according to theOffice of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Expected to arrive at the relief hub in Cebu province between today and Jan. 14 are 38 12-meter containers loaded with shelter materials, clothing and chain saws for distribution in the worst-hit communities.

Bernard Kerblat, the UNHCR representative in the Philippines, said the second phase of the response would begin this month with the distribution of relief supplies by sea.

The first phase was rapid distribution of aid by air during the early part of the emergency.

Kerblat said the fresh shipments included 30,000 pieces of plastic sheeting and as many blankets, 1,500 mattresses and

bed sheets from the Swedish home furnishing company Ikea and clothing for 800,000 people from the Japanese clothing company Uniqlo.

“We will not be able to serve the entire population [so] we will concentrate on the most vulnerable ones,” Kerblat said.

“It’s a small initiative. It’s a drop of water. But all the drops of water pulled together make a river,” he said.

The fresh supplies are arriving just as the UNHCR has completed serving more than 300,000 of the worst-affected people in Eastern Visayas, 100 percent of its initial target for distribution of emergency aid, including shelter materials, solar lanterns and cooking utensils.

Plight of widowers

Kerblat said the additional supplies would be distributed on a “needs basis” and to get priority would be the most vulnerable, including people with disabilities, the elderly, women and children, indigenous people and another sector who should be given more attention: widowers grappling with guilt over the loss of their wives and children.

“In certain communities [that were] totally destroyed, we should also not forget not only the women and children ❱❱ PAGE 15 Rains test

Philippine News

9 FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014

First in PH: Woman gets new intestines with transplant

BY NIÑA P. CALLEJA Philippine Daily Inquirer FOR JOSEPH Pasana, the offer to have an intestinal transplant performed on his ailing wife was like a ray of sunshine in the dark and dreary charity ward of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH).

“It was a blessing for my family at a time when most of the doctors believed her chance of survival was dim,” Pasana, 43, said in an interview.

His wife Raquel, 44, who lost the use of her intestines because of a medical condition known as intussusception, got a new lease on life after becoming the recipient of the first intestinal transplant in the Philippines performed by a team of Filipino doctors last month.

Intussusception is a serious disorder in which part of the intestine slides into an adjacent part of the intestine, often blocking food or fluid from passing through and cutting off the blood supply to the part of the intestine that’s affected.

Groundbreaking event

The local medical community considers the procedure performed on Raquel Pasana a groundbreaking event for the chronically underfunded state run PGH. The team led by Dr. Siegfredo Paloyo, who finished his twoyear fellowship on multiorgan transplant at Miami Transplant Institute in Florida in the United States last year, performed the operation last Dec. 6.

Paloyo, 40, said the transplant team labored for six long hours to implant the entire length of the small intestines obtained from a 23year- old brain- dead donor into Pasana.

The members of the team from the PGH Department of Surgery and Integrated Organ Transplant Unit were surgeons

Dr. Junico Visaya, Dr. Marc Paul Lopez, Dr. Sherwin Alamo, Dr. Lizza Apolinar, Dr. Bernice Navarro and Dr. Al Rahjid Jamiri, and anaesthesiologists Dr. Jo- an Trilde Ocubillo, Dr. Sheela Ann Datukon and Dr. Ruel Tasico.

Two weeks after the transplant operation, Pasana has begun to eat on her own and is on the way to full recovery, Paloyo said.

Best option for PH

According to Paloyo, in the Philippines, an intestinal transplant is the best medical option for patients who have lost most of their small bowel, unlike in developed countries like the US where patients suffering from the same illness have the medical insurance to cover a course of intravenous treatment called the total parenteral nutrition (TPN).

This form of intravenous treatment, in which nutrients are dripped through a needle or catheter placed in the vein, is resorted to when patients cannot use their gastrointestinal tract for nutrition.

“TPN costs P5,000 per bag. A patient has to spend P150,000 a month. And that’s for life,” Paloyo said in an interview at his office.

“Our patient who is confined in a charity ward obviously had no means for that. That is why we offered her the intestinal transplant,” Paloyo said.

Successive misfortunes

Joseph Pasana has been unable to find regular employment since quitting his job as a supervisor for a construction company in 2000.

“We have had such unbelievably bad luck. We have been dogged by successive misfortunes,” said Pasana, an architect who has found himself working as an electrician and painter to support his family.

The worst came when Raquel was afflicted with the abdominal disorder in 2011. “We thought it was just anorexia (nervosa) because she began losing weight and constantly vomiting the food she was taking in,” he said.

In 2012, Raquel was admitted to the PGH and was diagnosed with a disorder called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. “She recovered after a week of treatment. She even gained weight in the next few weeks and months,” Joseph said.

But in mid-October, Raquel had to be rushed to the hospital after she collapsed and began to defecate blood.

Almost her entire intestine had to be surgically removed, causing her to depend on TPN for sustenance.

Small-bowel intussusceptions

Paloyo explained that Raquel had lost the entire length of her small intestines when the upper half of her intestines were “swallowed” by the lower half, a medical condition called smallbowel intussusception.

Because of this, she was unable to absorb nutrients from food taken by mouth and had to be sustained by intravenous nutrition, which Paloyo said was both expensive and incompatible with long- term survival.

“I felt dizzy after I was told about the cost of the TPN and that it was the only way for her to live. But I never thought of giving up. If I had to sell all the things we owned, I would do it to extend her life,” Joseph said.

But he said he found hope when Paloyo approached him and offered him the transplant.

“Our days brightened up every time he ( Paloyo) updated us on the transplant,” he said.

Still rare procedure

Palayo said solid organ transplantation was routinely done

www.canadianinquirer.net

The Philippine General Hospital (PGH). The local medical community considers the procedure performed on Raquel Pasana a groundbreaking event for the chronically underfunded state run PGH. PHOTO FROM COMMONS.WIKIMEDIA.ORG

in the Philippines, but only involving the kidneys. There has been no attempt to do intestinal transplantation until last month, he said.

Even in the US, multiorgan transplantation is rarely done, with only a few medical centers offering it, he said.

Thus, when PGH Director Jose Gonzales and Department of Surgery Chair Wilma Baltazar learned about the Palayo team’s plan, they did not not hesitate to give their full support.

Since the projected expenses for the procedure was “beyond the reach of Pasana,” Paloyo said the PGH Department of Social Service pooled donors from the “I am PGH—a Person Giving Hope” campaign—the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and many anonymous “Good Samaritans” to fund the project.

Collaborative effort

“This is a big collaborative effort among individuals and groups. Imagine, we were able to do this at PGH, with the bureaucracy and all,” he said.

Fresenius- Kabi, a healthcare company, generously donated the TPN to prepare Raquel and maintain her health before the surgery.

The Human Organ Preserva-

tion Effort (HOPE) team, and the Philippine Network for Organ Sharing (Philnos) helped the team “procure (or harvest)” the small intestines from the deceased donor.

To prevent her body from rejecting the new organ, Raquel was given medications “to suppress her immune system” and allow her body to adjust to the new organ.

Isolated

She had to be isolated since the next challenge for the doctors was to enable the transplanted intestines to function and prevent rejection and infections, Paloyo said.

Raquel stayed in the surgical intensive care unit for two weeks following the surgery before her new intestines became functional and she was allowed to start eating small servings of liquids and low residue food.

Pharmaceutical companies like Sanofi- Aventis, Roche, Astellas and Novartis helped ensure the continued functioning of the new organ by donating immunosuppression drugs.

“Hopefully, we will do this again when the need arises,” Paloyo said, noting that the procedure could be done on indigent patients at the PGH with similar medical conditions. ■

Philippine News

JANUARY 10, 2014 FRIDAY 10

Leviste says twin brother owns ranch busted for drugs

BY JEROME ANING Philippine Daily Inquirer PAROLED HOMICIDE convict Antonio Leviste has denied owning the ranch in Lipa City where a police Christmas Day raid busted a drug syndicate with P400 million worth of illegal drugs.

Leviste’s lawyer Cristina Buendia sent documents to the Department of Justice (DOJ) showing that the LPL Ranch Estate in Barangay Inosluban, Lipa, where the drug bust took place, was a 100-hectare farm subdivision developed independently by Leviste’s twin brother Conrad, who had either sold or leased out lots to various individuals.

Benny Orense, the administrator of the LPL Ranch, ear-

lier said he leased property to George Torres, the alleged drug syndicate mastermind who is now the subject of nationwide police manhunt.

be circumspect in dispensing information regarding the ownership of the estate following media reports tagging Leviste as the owner.

‘No connection’

Damage to the innocent

“My client does not own any parcel or has ever had any interest or affiliation with the LPL Ranch Estate,” Buendia said in a letter to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.

The lawyer submitted a copy of a notarized contract of lease, signed by Torres and Orense on June 18, 2013, which provided for a lease period from June 28, 2013, to June 27, 2014, subject to renewal by mutual consent.

Under the contract, Torres was also supposed to have paid P217,800 in advance rentals and a P36,300 two-month security deposit. The monthly rent

Former Batangas Gov. Jose Antonio Leviste.

PHOTO FROM PHILIPPINENEWS.COM

for the property was P18,150.

Buendia also submitted the articles of incorporation of the LBJ Development Corp., founded in 1978, which is the developer of the estate. The document indicated Condrad

as the treasurer of the company.

De Lima, in an ambush interview, confirmed receiving the documents but said these would still have to be verified.

In her letter, Buendia asked authorities and journalists to

“This incident has not only caused a great deal of emotional damage to the innocent persons involved but has also put the family of Antonio Leviste in danger by falsely implicating them in illegal drug operations,” she said.

The DOJ earlier sent Leviste a subpoena asking him to produce documents regarding the property.

De Lima earlier said that Leviste could be charged criminally and his parole revoked if it were proven that he had knowledge that his property was being used for illegal drug operations. ■

2013: The year Pinoys said ‘No’ to corruption

BY TJ BURGONIO Philippine Daily Inquirer IT WAS a tumultuous year marked by the pork barrel scandal, the siege by secessionist rebels and a devastating supertyphoon, but 2013 was also a breakout year for Filipinos who said “No” to corruption, former National Treasurer Leonor Briones said.

Thanks to whistle-blowers, Janet Lim-Napoles’ alleged racket of converting P10-billion pork barrel into kickbacks through dummy foundations, forged signatures of officials, and strong under-the-table political connections came to light.

It was so scandalous that thousands across the country took to the streets to protest the large-scale misuse of taxpayers’ money, and President Aquino eventually announced it was about time the pork barrel system was abolished.

Some were ready to sweep the scandal under the rug, arguing that the annual pork barrel allocations of 24 senators and close to 300 congressmen comprised only 1 percent of the budget, but the citizens were not, said Briones, a professor at the University of the Philippines’ National College of Public Administration and Governance.

“The money is being

squeezed from (the public), so naturally their reaction is very strong,” she said by phone.

If the massive protests and strident calls for the abolition of the pork barrel proved anything, she said it was this: “We’re getting back to our senses. It’s not enough to accept things as they are. We can demand change.”

The protests had been fanned by an INQUIRER investigative report and a subsequent report by state auditors on the misuse of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), the official name of the legislative pork barrel.

Eventually, a complaint for plunder was filed against Napoles, Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Ramon Revilla Jr. and Juan Ponce Enrile and 34 others before the Office of the Ombudsman over the scam.

Former Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. acknowledged that the removal of lawmakers’ discretion in identifying projects would redound to the good of the country.

But he aired reservations on the abolition of the pork barrel, arguing that most lawmakers allotted it for scholarships and medical assistance for their indigent constituents.

“Anything that results in reaching the level of political

service to the people is good even if in the process people may have to pay the price,” he said by phone.

Otherwise, the pork barrel system was “good” as long as the money “wasn’t stolen and didn’t go into the wrong hands,” Pimentel argued.

Close on the heels of the pork barrel scandal, another controversy, this time about the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), broke out.

In a privilege speech in September, Estrada ranted about being singled out in the pork scam, but opened another can of worms when he disclosed that senators, including himself, were allotted an additional P50million pork barrel after the Senate convicted Chief Justice Renato Corona in May 2012.

It turned out three of his colleagues got a bigger allocation for their pet projects. Franklin Drilon got an allocation of P100 million; Francis Escudero, P99 million, and Enrile, P92 million.

Pressed for details, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad admitted 20 senators received additional pork barrel allotments amounting to P1.107 billion after Corona’s trial and that the fund was sourced from DAP. He said the DAP mobilized pooled savings and was a mechanism introduced in 2011 to www.canadianinquirer.net

Thousands across the country took to the streets to protest the large-scale misuse of taxpayers’ money, and President Aquino eventually announced it was about time the pork barrel system was abolished.

PHOTO BY GMANETWORK.COM

stimulate government projects—projects chosen by lawmakers.

Constitutional and legal experts, however, argued that the releases from DAP were unconstitutional because this “new animal” was never mentioned in the General Appropriations Act. The President defended it, saying only 9 percent of DAP releases in 2011 and 2012 went to projects suggested by legislators.

Observed Briones: Suddenly, the executive department and Congress swapped roles—the President and the Cabinet officials were the ones who “allocated” money while the lawmakers “implemented” projects.

“In the case of the DAP, it’s not even in the General Appropriation Act. There’s no constitutional basis. You can’t spend it

without a corresponding appropriation. The DAP has no appropriation,” Briones said, adding that DAP, like the PDAF, should be struck down as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

In November, the Supreme Court justices voted 14-0 to declare the 2013 PDAF as unconstitutional. The high court nullified all legal provisions of past and present congressional pork barrel laws. The court has set oral arguments for DAP on Jan. 28.

Pimentel, head of the Center for Local Governance at the Makati University, said the public was the biggest gainer from the DAP controversy.

The government needs to mobilize more funds to respond to rehabilitation requirements in calamity-hit areas of the country. ■

Philippine News

11 FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014

Red tape helped airport assassins pull off attack

BY NANCY C. CARVAJAL Philippine Daily Inquirer

Aquino with Arroyo during Aquino's SONA in 2011 PHOTO FROM MABUHAYCITY.COM

P-Noy not visiting GMA anytime soon, says Palace

BY CHRISTIAN V. ESGUERRA AND NIÑA P. CALLEJA Philippine Daily Inquirer PRESIDENT AQUINO will not be joining the line of visitors to the hospital suite of former President Gloria MacapagalArroyo. Not just yet.

Malacañang said a visit was not a priority for the President even in the face of pressure from some quarters that he call on Arroyo.

“Let’s just say that it’s not a priority at present,” said Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma in Filipino during his weekly press briefing aired over Radyo ng Bayan.

Coloma was asked about the possibility of a visit following the recent calls by high-profile religious and political leaders on Arroyo at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMCC) in Quezon City where she has been detained for more than a year.

Arroyo, now serving her second term as Pampanga representative, has been charged with plunder for the alleged misuse of P366 million in Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office intelligence funds. She has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

No ill intention

“He has no ill intention against Mrs. Arroyo,” Coloma said, echoing a previous statement made by the President.

Coloma insisted on the need, however, for an “accountability process.”

Coloma said Mr. Aquino did not deem as “proper” the idea of his visiting his predecessor.

“But we respect those who want to visit Mrs. Arroyo. That

is their right,” he said.

Former Presidents Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada, now the mayor of Manila, paid Arroyo a visit during the holidays.

So did Bro. Eddie Villanueva and Bishop Leo Alconga of the Jesus Is Lord Movement.

Understanding

Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz of Lingayen-Dagupan was another surprise visitor at the VMMC. Cruz said he came to seek “understanding,” having been among Arroyo’s most vocal critics throughout her nineyear term.

Cruz renewed his call to allow the former leader to be placed under house arrest, calling her continued hospital detention the government’s vengeful persecution.

“She has to be allowed to go home. She is sick. She is losing weight. She looks pale,” Cruz told the INQUIRER in a phone interview, although he described Arroyo during their meeting as being “very alert.”

Inacceptable

Cruz noted that the administration’s treatment of the former president “has a semblance of vengeance which is not acceptable anymore.”

Cruz questioned the continued hospital detention of Arroyo while those supposedly facing more serious crimes like former Batangas governor Antonio Leviste was recently released on parole. Leviste was convicted by a Makati court in 2009 of killing his longtime aide six years ago.

“Tell me, what would this government lose if it allows the former president to go home?

Prosecution is different from persecution,” Cruz said. ■

APART FROM the absence of a closed circuit television camera at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), obstructive bureaucratic red tape also provided the assailants of Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur Mayor Ocol Talumpa elbow room to carry out the crime, according to witnesses.

Based on the sworn affidavits of six witnesses, several airport policemen in uniform were standing near the entrance of the Naia terminal when the shooting happened “but did not do anything.”

An airport source said new rules had been implemented in the terminal where certain units can conduct specific action to reduce supposed “overlapping and collusion.”

“There were policemen who were even armed with rifles but all of them hid when the shooting started and did not try to run after the gunmen,” said a witness in a sworn affidavit submitted to the Pasay City court.

A police report showed that Talumpa and his family were waiting outside Naia Termi-

nal 3 while their escorts were retrieving their firearms from a releasing booth when the attack occurred.

Talumpa, his wife, a nephew and three others, including a year-old baby, were killed by gunmen on board a motorcycle minutes after they arrived at Naia Terminal 3.

Five other people were wounded in the attack, including the boy’s mother, Mary Ann Lirazan, his aunt Amalia Lirazan and his cousin, 3-year-old Diane Philip Uy. Terminal 3 is the newest among the Naia terminals. The terminals are projected to handle a combined 34 million passengers this year.

Another witness said the “delay in the return of the firearms of slainmayor Talumpa’s security gave more opportunity for the gunmen to do their job.

The witness said the firearms, when returned to them, “had no magazines, which also rendered them useless.”

It also took a long time before they were able to retrieve the firearms, the witness said.

“The mayor was getting impatient, so he went out of the airport without his escorts who went to get the guns. He saw the armed uniformed airport

police, so he was confident,” another witness said.

Virgilio Mendez, National Bureau of Investigation Deputy Director for Regional Operation Services, said the witnesses now under the custody of the Task Force are considered covered by the Witness Protection Program.

Mendez said that with the witnesses’ statements, the airport policemen who were at the scene would be invited to give eyewitness accounts.

The NBI had earlier eyed three possible and related motives in the Talumpa killing.

“The intense political rivalry between the mayor and former Mayor Kitty Nandang; the supposed strong advocacy of the slain mayor [against] illegal drugs that he suspected his political rival to be involved in; and the rido or feud between these two rival families,” the NBI said.

The police has filed in the Pasay Prosecutor’s Office charges of murder and frustrated murder against alleged gunman Marrox Genem Amlong and four counts of murder and five counts of frustrated murder against two John Does.

Amlong is reportedly a former security aide of Nandang. ■

PH caps 2013 with 4th beauty title

BY ARMIN P. ADINA Philippine Daily Inquirer THE PHILIPPINES ended 2013 with a fourth world beauty title.

Cebuana beauty Angeli Dione Gomez was crowned Miss Tourism International, besting 59 other candidates in a pageant held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on New Year’s Eve. It was a back-to-back victory for the Philippines, as Gomez inherited the crown from fellow Cebuana Rizzini Alexis Gomez (they are not related), the 2012 winner.

Gomez’s victory followed the 2013 triumphs of Miss Supranational Mutya Johanna Datul, Miss World Megan Young and Miss International Bea Rose www.canadianinquirer.net

Miss Tourism International Angeli Dione Gomez gets a heroes welcome upon arrival at the airport.

PHOTO BY RAOUL ESPERAS

Santiago.

The Philippines also had finalists in world beauty pageants last year.

Ariella Arida finished fourth in the Miss Universe pageant ❱❱ PAGE 12 PH caps

Philippine News

JANUARY 10, 2014 FRIDAY 12

PDEA: ’13 banner year for drug busts

BY MARLON RAMOS Philippine Daily Inquirer MORE THAN 800 kilos of illegal drugs with an estimated street value of around P4.6 billion were confiscated in various antidrug operations in 2013, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reported.

The total volume of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) seized from January to December was six times more than the authorities confiscated in 2012, according to Undersecretary Arturo Cacdac Jr., PDEA director general.

“The PDEA and other law enforcement agencies posted a notable increase in the confiscation of... shabu (in) 2013, an unprecedented increase in the country’s drug law enforcement history,” Cacdac said in a statement.

“This is, without a doubt, a banner year for the national an-

tidrug campaign. The revitalized interagency coordination and collaboration, the active participation of the various sectors of society and the strengthened partnerships with our foreign counterparts have made all these achievements possible,” he said.

In the past 12 months, he said, a total of 834 kg of shabu was seized in drug busts conducted by the PDEA, police and other government agencies.

This was 643 percent higher than the 112 kg of shabu seized in 2012, he said.

It was also more than the 578 kg of illegal drugs seized from 2009 to 2012, the PDEA chief added.

“The PDEA’s foremost mission is to suppress the supply and neutralize the source of dangerous drugs,” Cacdac said.

He said the authorities also destroyed marijuana plants worth P471 million after swooping down on 419 marijua-

na plantations in various parts of the country.

Biggest haul

Cacdac said the biggest haul in 2013 was the seizure of 432 kg of shabu worth over P2 billion in Subic, Zambales, by a joint team of PDEA and Bureau of Customs agents led by Customs Risk Management Office assistant chief Jimmy Guban.

On the other hand, the National Bureau of Investigation raided a house in Tondo, Manila, which yielded 62 kg of shabu with a street value of P314 million.

On Sept. 13, the PDEA Special Enforcement Service (SES) seized 45 kg of illegal drugs in an operation in Las Piñas City.

Perhaps the most notable anti-illegal drugs operation in 2013 was conducted by the PDEA and the Philippine National Police in Lipa City on Christmas Day which resulted in the seizure of 84 kg of shabu

Binay renews plea for doomed Pinoy in Saudi

PHOTO BY JAMIE MARIE ELONA / INQUIRER.NET

worth P420 million.

More importantly, the raid on the game fowl farm in Barangay Inosluban revealed that the dreaded Mexican Sinaloa drug cartel had made inroads into the country.

Cacdac said the PDEA and other law enforcement agencies carried out a total of 16,144 drug busts that led to the arrest of 8,674 suspects and the confiscation of P5.3 billion worth of dangerous drugs and con-

Vice President Jejomar Binay

Binay said Zapanta’s family was working to raise the 1.48million Saudi riyals (P17.5million) needed to complete the lower amount it hopes the family of Ibrahim will accept.

“Once again, I ask everyone to help raise funds for Joselito.

Let us start this year by helping save the life of a fellow Filipino and bring joy to his family,” Binay said in a statement.

The blood moneywas due on Nov. 12, 2012, but the deadline was extended to March 12, 2013, and was moved again to Nov. 3, 2013, upon appeal by the Philippine government.

Zapanta is due to be executed, following the lapse two months

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

ago of the extended deadline.

Payment of the blood money would pave the way for a commutation of his death sentence through the Ibrahim family’s issuance of a tanazul or affidavit of forgiveness.

Last year, the Philippine government succeeded in bringing home OFW Rodelio Lanuza, who was jailed for 13 years for the killing in self-defense of a Saudi national.

Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz paid 2.3 million Saudi riyals (P25 million) of the 3 million Saudi riyals (P32 million) in blood money for Lanuza’s release and eventual homecoming in September. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

trolled substances in 2013.

“Of the total arrested drug personalities, 73 were foreign nationals who were either involved in the selling, possession, trafficking or manufacture of illegal drugs,” Cacdac said.

He said the Ninoy Aquino International Airport InterAgency Drug Interdiction Task Group had seized some P103 million worth of shabu and cocaine from four drug couriers. ■

PH caps... and Koreen Medina finished fourth in the Miss Intercontinental pageants and Christine Paula Bernasor finished second in the Miss Scuba International contest.

Angelee Claudett de los Reyes made it to the Top 8 in the Miss Earth contest, Joanna Cindy Miranda landed in the Top 10 in the Miss Tourism Queen International competition and Aiyana Mickiewicz finished in the Top 20 in the Miss Tourism World contest, where she was also proclaimed Miss Tourism Asia. ❰❰ 11

BY TARRA QUISMUNDO Philippine Daily Inquirer VICE PRESIDENT Jejomar Binay yesterday renewed his call for contributions to save the life of overseas Filipino worker Joselito Zapanta who faces execution in Saudi Arabia.

Citing a report from Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ezzedin Tago, Binay, the presidential adviser on OFW concerns, said Zapanta’s family was racing against time to come up with the blood money to be paid to the family of the man Zapanta killed in 2009.

The family of Sudanese Saleh Imam Ibrahim has demanded 4 million Saudi riyals in blood money, which the Philippine government is negotiating to bring down to 2million Saudi riyals (around P23 million).

Of that amount, the Philippine government has raised P5.5million.

Zapanta was sentenced to death for killing Ibrahim, his landlord, during an argument over the rent in 2009. The Filipino tile fitter hit Ibrahim repeatedly with a hammer and ran off with his mobile phone.

The total volume of shabu seized from January to December was six times more than the authorities confiscated in 2012, according to Undersecretary Arturo Cacdac Jr., PDEA director general.

of Film and Television in Mactan, Cebu, earned the right to represent the Philippines in the 2013/2014 Miss Tourism International pageant when she bagged the 2013 Mutya ng Pilipinas-Tourism crown in July.

She was also proclaimed Mutya ng Crimson in the national competition.

Before her Mutya stint, Gomez was crowned 2012 Reyna ng Aliwan in a competition showcasing the country’s different festivals. She placed fifth in the 2012 Miss Resorts World Manila contest and joined the 2013 Binibining Pilipinas pageant in April.

Mutya ng Pilipinas

In an earlier interview, Gomez said she had a hard time getting sponsors to help in her quest for an international beauty title, because almost everyone was focused on relief efforts for the survivors of Supertyphoon “Yolanda.”

“I didn’t bother to ask. That was tough. Thank goodness for the Mutya ng Pilipinas organization for helping me. Without them, preparing would be harder,” said Gomez, 20, who is from Toledo City.

Gomez, who majored in film at the International Academy

Third Filipino winner

Gomez is the third Filipino to win the Malaysia-based Miss Tourism International pageant, now in its 17th year.

Her victory has made the Philippines the most successful country in the global tilt.

Maria Esperanza Manzano was the first Filipino to win the title in 2000.

Four other Filipinos advanced to the Top 5 —Sherilyne Reyes (1995), Mellany Montemayor (1998), Racquel Uy (1999) and Barbie Salvador (2010). ■

Philippine News

13 FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014

Foreign aid...

They are among the biggest donors to the relief effort, now entering its second month and gradually shifting to early recovery, including moving survivors from evacuation centers to bunkhouses pending the construction of permanent shelters.

The Manila embassy of the UK, the largest donor by far, did not issue any comment.

British aid for typhoon relief in the Philippines has reached P11.1 billion, including contributions from both the UK government and private individuals, the embassy said.

The UK has also vowed to support reconstruction in Eastern Visayas over the long haul.

The Manila delegation of the European Union also withheld comment pending its humanitarian aid department’s aid assessment this month.

The EU has so far pledged $26.8 million or P1.18 billion, according to the Philippine government portal’s Foreign Aid Transparency Hub (FAITH).

The US embassy in Manila also did not comment on the issue. A US embassy official privy to American assistance said the embassy “did not contribute any funding for the construction of bunkhouses.”

The United States has either provided or pledged a total of $88.4 million (nearly P3.9 billion) in aid to support typhoon relief and rehabilitation in the Philippines, ❰❰ 1

Members of the MILF. PHOTO FROM FLICKR.COM

MILF upbeat ahead of disarmament talks

BY NIKKO DIZON Philippine Daily Inquirer MORO ISLAMIC Liberation Front (MILF) chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal has expressed optimism that significant strides toward a final peace agreement would be made when both panels meet in Kuala Lumpur to discuss security and disarmament issues.

Iqbal said an honest discussion between the two parties at the 43rd exploratory talks would allow the completion of the normalization annex—considered a sensitive matter because it includes the laying down of arms by the secessionist Moro rebels—before April.

April is the target date for the submission of a draft Bangsamoro Basic Law— which would contain provisions of the final peace agreement—to Congress for approval.

Iqbal acknowledged that the normalization annex was a challenging document to thresh out after over four decades of fighting in central Mindanao.

The normalization annex includes the decommissioning of firearms, the redeployment of military troops to areas outside the Bangsamoro, the creation of a Bangsamoro police, the disbanding of private armies, and transitional justice, among other things.

“These are very difficult and sensitive issues. But what’s important is an honest negotiation between the two parties.

We should try to address each other’s concerns and settle the issues,” Iqbal told the INQUIRER by phone.

Iqbal, however, said the text for the

normalization annex could be completed in the 43rd round of talks, but not its terms of reference.

A source privy to the peace talks told the INQUIRER that dealing with the private armies and shadowy kidnap-forransom groups within the jurisdiction of the future Bangsamoro—which will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) — would be a major challenge in the implementation of the normalization annex.

“How will you deal with the politicians and their private armies? The MILF can decommission their firearms but dealing with the private armies and the kidnap-for-ransom groups is a very tall order. There is pressure on both (sides),” the source, who requested anonymity, said.

The source said the MILF would be pressured to keep the peace and order in the Bangsamoro once the military leaves.

The source said the MILF wanted a gradual decommissioning of firearms, perhaps until 2031.

“They will decommission firearms completely provided there is a level playing field,” the source said, referring to a situation where there would no longer be communist insurgents, Abu Sayyaf terrorists or private armies of politicians.

The Malaysian-brokered peace negotiations are taking place only months after a faction of another secessionist group, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), staged a three-week seige of the port city of Zamboanga to protest the government-MILF talks. ■

including $26.4 million (P1.16 billion) in additional funds that US Secretary of State John Kerry announced during a visit to Tacloban City last month.

The reported overpricing of bunkhouses in the Yolanda corridor came just as the United Nations renewed its call for greater donor support for the Philippines, citing low funding for the shelter and camp coordination and camp management sectors of the overall typhoon response.

A Jan. 3 report of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said donors had contributed $608 million to the Yolanda emergency fund, including money directly provided to the Philippine government and amounts contributed to the UN’s Strategic Response Plan (SRP).

The SRP contributions have reached $328 million, accounting for some 42 percent of the UN’s appeal. The SRP is in line with the Philippine government’s Recovery Assistance on Yolanda program.

There has been a resounding public demand for transparency in the disbursement of foreign aid for Yolanda-affected areas since the onset of the emergency, particularly in social media.

The Philippine government has made several assurances that foreign funding will be used with prudence, even launching FAITH as a public portal for aid monitoring. ■

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www.canadianinquirer.net

Philippine News

JANUARY 10, 2014 FRIDAY 14

Lost ‘Yolanda’ boy reunited with mother

BY MICHAEL LIM UBAC Philippine Daily Inquirer TEN DAYS before Christmas, Gabriel Manatad was sitting on a pile of debris and filth on a deserted road in Tacloban City.

The 5-year-old boy appeared to have been abandoned, seemingly forgotten amid the ruins of a once progressive city left utterly destroyed by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” in early November.

A Red Cross volunteer, Mumar Avila, took pity on the boy.

“He saw him, brought him home and bathed him. Afterwards, he brought the boy to the Red Cross Leyte Chapter office,” said Jennifer Chico, the administrator of the Red Cross chapter in Tacloban City.

The boy later told the Red Cross volunteers that he had been separated from his family, and that their house was gone, reduced to rubble by Yolanda.

Chico said the boy appeared to have been traumatized by the hellish storm surge unleashed

by Yolanda on Nov. 8. He had been wandering in the typhoon ravaged city for weeks, hungry, destitute and lost. Nobody, he thought to himself, seemed to care about him.

The Red Cross immediately gave the boy some food, water, clothes and toys.

“We also informed the city’s social welfare department. But before the social welfare officials could arrive, [Gabriel opened up] and said that he had a family and that they were staying [where the evacuees were]. Somehow, they had gotten separated and he could not find his way back to them, said Chico in an interview.

The Red Cross quickly located Gabriel’s house—or what was left of it.

They found the area that seemed to fit his description.

“We saw an abandoned building, and from a distance we saw a woman,” recalled Chico.

“When the child called her, she immediately ran towards us, maneuvering through damaged concrete structures. She hugged the child tightly, and told us that she had been looking for him almost everywhere.

It was Gabriel’s mother, Rosanna,” she said.

Tent city

Making a big difference in

the lives of disaster victims has become the byword of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), which has found itself in the eye of countless disasters and conflicts since its inception.

The Red Cross, the international symbol of hope in times of war and disaster, has made its presence felt in Yolandaravaged areas in the Visayas in the immediate aftermath of the strongest storm to ever hit land.

PRC secretary general Gwendolyn Pang said the humanitarian agency under the leadership of ex-Sen. Richard Gordon “has undergone a modernization program that has enabled us to make a huge difference in other people’s lives.”

The Red Cross’ intervention goes beyond relief efforts, with its work touching most, if not all, aspects of disaster response and rehabilitation.

The Red Cross is now building a tent city in a vacant private lot—the South Road Properties—in Cebu City for the typhoon victims.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, who provided the 1.3hectare lot to serve as a temporary housing site, expects the tent city to be “a place of love, a place of caring, a place of serving.”

On Dec. 23, the 38 families that were staying at the Barangay Tinago gym when relief efforts first began for Yolanda victims, have been taken to the tent city.

So far, 60 tents, which can accommodate up to 10 people each, have been built in rows.

Each tent has two sections, and is provided with a solar-powered lamp.

First to arrive, last to leave

From an agency primarily identified with blood donation, the Red Cross in the Philippines has reinvented itself, providing a plethora of free services.

Gordon, the PRC chair, said the Red Cross is involved in “everything,” from emergency relief to recovery efforts and the rehabilitation of devastated communities.

“In Tacloban, we’re currently engaged in constructing school rooms for nearly 3,000 children, in cooperation with the Chinese Red Cross,” he said.

The Red Cross will also be building houses for thousands of victims like Gabriel, he said.

In fact, it has already built 47,000 houses in different areas

Iloilo and Surigao del Norte.

“Although Typhoon Yolanda has destroyed much of Tacloban, it was not able to break the spirit of the people. Our main priority now is to help these people rebuild their lives,” she said.

Victim-turned-volunteer

The tent city in Tacloban.

PHOTO FROM GMANETWORK.COM

of the country where disasters had occurred in the past.

“The Red Cross often is also the only NGO (nongovernment organization) left in these disaster areas, after all the attention from the media has gone.

We’re almost always the only ones who stay with these people, and work to help them get back on their feet,” said Gordon.

Affirmation of trust, respect

It was in the immediate aftermath of Yolanda that Gordon was elected, in absentia, as a governor of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (IFRC), the world’s largest humanitarian network, during the 19th session of the movement’s general assembly in Sydney, Australia.

The INQUIRER was with him in Cebu City on Nov. 14, when he got the news. Gordon was in the city to receive the first batch of aid arriving from Germany and Spain, which coincided with the arrival of a 12-truck convoy of the Red Cross in Tacloban City.

Noting the arrival of the two foreign planes bringing resources for its relief efforts, Gordon said the Red Cross had laid the “first step” to recovery.

He said his election to the IFRC was an “affirmation of trust and respect” for the Philippines, which has time and again displayed resilience in the face of disasters and tragedies.

As IFRC governor, Gordon will be involved in establishing, reviewing and ensuring that the global aid network’s policies are suitable and appropriate.

The former mayor of Olongapo City is largely credited with transforming the PRC from a mere blood bank and emergency relief and rescue www.canadianinquirer.net

mission agency into a dynamic organization that has expanded its scope of aid to the poor, the marginalized and victims of calamities, which include medical assistance, rehabilitation and recovery operations, and building houses for displaced residents in disaster-affected communities.

Under his stewardship, the PRC has acquired additional ambulance cars, tents, portable hospitals, modern rescue tools and heavy equipment, all in line with the PRC’s motto of “Always First, Always Ready, Always There.”

Yolanda aid

In Tacloban alone, which has a population of more than 200,000, the Red Cross has already given 71,440 food packs, 1,852 plastic mats, 1, 964 blankets, 8,737 mosquito nets, 10,410 hygiene kits, 16,923 jerry cans (water receptacles), 3,097 kitchen sets, and 34,170 units of bottled water.

A total of 2,120,500 liters of safe potable water has been delivered to the affected populations in Tacloban, serving 180, 808 individuals.

Some 14 water treatment units, producing an average of 170,000 liters of water per day, have been deployed, together with water tankers supplying water to various collecting points in the city.

More than 200 patients have also been served with 314 units of blood, thousands have been immunized, and 5,137 people have been treated during medical missions.

According to Pang, all of these services have been replicated in Ormoc City, Leyte, in Eastern Samar, Western Samar, Cebu, Palawan, Aklan, Antique, Boracay, Capiz, Negros Occidental,

Rhea Ramos, 20, a nursing student at Kolehiyo de Santa Lourdes of the Leyte Foundation, Inc., was at the Burauen district hospital in Tacloban tending to her ailing grandmother, Honoria, when Yolanda hit the city.

“We brought my grandmother to the hospital to get medical attention, but when the typhoon came, we thought we were all going to die. We tried our best to protect her from the wind and rain. We didn’t even notice the roof was blown off already, and the windows were smashed by the wind,” said Ramos.

When floodwaters reached the hospital, “we were all panicking. We tried pushing the door open, but the wind was so strong. It was only a miracle that we got out alive,” she said.

But her friends and neighbors were not spared either as the village of San Benito, where her family lived, suffered massive destruction. The family residence was completely destroyed when an electric post crashed into it.

Ramos is serving as a Red Cross volunteer, joining the agency exactly a week after the typhoon devastated Tacloban.

As for the boy, Gabriel, it turns out that his mother was a single parent with three other children to take care of. “(When we found the Manatad family), they were occupying an area of the abandoned building with a friend. They slept on a mat with a small piece of wood underneath it,” Chico said.

Chico said the Red Cross returned to the building the next day, “bringing dozens of diapers, powdered milk for the older kids, blankets, mosquito nets, vitamins, biscuits, a rubber mat and pillows for the baby.”

“We intend to check on [Gabriel’s mother] regularly to be able to continue helping her and her family. We believe that there are more people to care for, and they are just one of them,” she said. ■

Philippine News

15 FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014

‘Less Saro, less red tape’ Palace ‘open’ to reviewing school sked

BY MICHAEL LIM UBAC Philippine Daily Inquirer

the “last two minutes” of his tenure.

Funds misuse

WITH THE abolition of the special allotment release order (Saro), the Aquino administration will be hitting the ground running in 2014, Malacañang officials said.

Eliminating the need for Saros—the specific authority from the budget department that allows for the release of funds to government agencies—for all government disbursements, except for lump-sum funds in the national budget, would drastically lessen government red tape, they said.

It also signals an end to congressional and local officials’ intervention in the implementation of projects that are funded under the P2.265-trillion national budget for 2014, the biggest budget ever enacted by Congress.

He said that the new budget-as-release document policy “assures immediate release of up to 90 percent of the entire budget directly to agencies that will, in turn, deliver services to the people promptly and without delay.”

“The President is also urging the people to participate in monitoring the progress of implementing government projects and preventing misuse of public funds,” Coloma said.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte told a Palace briefing that government agencies can be expected to bid out projects as soon as possible since a Saro was no longer needed.

The agencies can also conduct prebidding activities even before the start of the fiscal year, she said.

As early as January

Simultaneous bidding

The public can expect the simultaneous bidding of national governmentfunded projects across the country to start as soon as possible, the officials said.

President Aquino is proud of this particular budgetary reform since it will eliminate the unnecessary intervention of officials in the identification and implementation of the projects, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said in an interview.

Coloma said the President wanted budgetary reforms to speed up the implementation of priority programs in

“At least ideally within the first week of January, you can already award projects. Their prebidding activities (or) their pre-procurement activities can already be conducted in the previous year.

So, ideally, by first week of January, they can issue notices of award,” said Valte.

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad last Thursday announced the abolition of Saro. That’s because the General Appropriations Act is now considered the government’s “official budget release document,” said Abad in a statement.

As a result, departments and agencies “will no longer need to secure Saros to obligate funds,” he said. ■

BY CHRISTIAN V. ESGUERRA Philippine Daily Inquirer MALACAÑANG SAID it was “open to studying proposals” to move the start of the academic calendar to September, in preparation for the “integration” of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) member countries by next year.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said the proposal would allow the country to respond to the concept of “Asean mobility” in which citizens from member countries could “study in schools with international orientation so they can use the talent and skills in different professions.”

The country’s “Big 4”—the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, University of Santo Tomas and De La Salle University—earlier proposed to start the school year in September, aligning their academic calendars with those of other top universities abroad.

Coloma acknowledged the autonomy of the four schools, but pointed nonetheless to the need for “wider consultation

Rains test... who have survived this mayhem, but also the men who have also survived this mayhem and a lot of them are widowers [and] are also among the vulnerable,” Kerblat said.

He said “very few people” noticed the plight of these widowers who were “overwhelmed” survivors of the deadly typhoon.

“A lot of these men, having lost their wives, having lost their children, all of a sudden find themselves [alone, feeling] guilty of being alive,” Kerblat said.

“They may also be providers to one or two children who may have escaped the destruction. And they are overwhelmed with the desire to go back to their traditional activities like fishing, to rebuild the house,” he added.

Kerblat said the United Nations and its partner agencies and organizations were looking for ways to deal with the situation of those men, particularly through providing them with livelihood “as early as possible.” ❰❰ 8

Greater support

Ocha called for greater private sector support for the shelter and camp management sectors, saying in a Dec. 31 report that assistance there was “lagging well behind overall funding levels.”

The United Nations said donations from around the world—foreign governments, multilateral institutions, international organizations, companies and private citizens—now amounted to $608 million, more than half of which ($328 million) was contributed to the world body’s flash appeal for its Strategic Response Plan.

The plan is “closely aligned” with the Philippine government’s Recovery Assistance on Yolanda (RAY) program, the country’s long-term rehabilitation plan for typhoon-ravaged provinces.

Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) was the worst disaster to hit the Philippines in 2013, killing more than 6,100 people with nearly 1,800 still missing.

The disaster affected 14 million people, 4.1 million of whom lost their homes. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

? among all sectors and stakeholders.”

He said a high-level technical working group was studying the proposal, citing information from Chair Patricia Licuanan of the Commission on Higher Education.

“It has to be considered that when you change the calendar of all colleges and universities, it would also affect the [academic] calendar of the secondary and elementary schools,” he said.

Quoting Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro, Coloma said: “At present, we see no urgent need to change the [academic] calendar” for elementary and secondary schools.

Coloma said school openings among secondary and elementary institutions in the Asean region varied. ■

Opinion

JANUARY 10, 2014 FRIDAY 16

THERE’S THE RUB

Looking for the alternative

By Conrado De Quiros Philippine Daily Inquirer I PROMISED myself I’d write this the day after New Year’s Day. That is the search for an alternative for 2016—an alternative, that is, to Mar Roxas and Jojo Binay.

But surely May 2016 is still a long way off?

True, but it can’t hurt to talk about it this early in the day. The last time around, there was a paucity of talent by the time elections drew nigh. The chief contenders then came down to Manny Villar, Chiz Escudero and Gibo Teodoro. All of them labored from one thing and another.

A year or so before the elections, Villar was fending off a congressional investigation for being king of the daang baluktot: He had bent the C5 to run through his properties. No one quite knew what Escudero represented, he was not associated with any issue or cause, he was associated only with Danding Cojuangco who was associated with Ferdinand Marcos. Teodoro was Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s chosen; he tried to give a face to technocratic efficiency only to freeze with “Ondoy.”

You weren’t even sure there would be elections. Or if there were, if Gloria wouldn’t be one of the candidates. She had already served two terms without

once being elected. She looked determined to stay longer, if not forever.

It took serendipitous accident, or providential design, to get the country out of that rut. Cory Aquino succumbed to cancer in July 2009 and changed the political and moral landscape overnight. Her passing brought on her son Noynoy’s coming, rebooting the entire electoral process in one fell swoop.

But we can’t always trust in dumb luck or Providence to see us through quandaries of our own making. Providence is providential only to those who provide for themselves. And dumb luck is, well, dumb.

Why an alternative to Roxas and Binay?

Because I personally wouldn’t want to live in a country run by either one of them.

I keep being asked by friends who between them I’ll go for at the end of the day. I keep answering, “Neither one.” Why on earth should I be limited to them? Why on earth should we be limited to them?

Roxas is about as welcome as a flash flood in summer. He came to mind just a few days ago, during Rizal Day, that day having been branded in my mind as the day Gloria swore on the national hero’s grave not to run in 2004. She did anyway. Roxas also said early on he had

no plans of running in 2016. He will anyway. Of course after Tacloban he’ll be lucky to win in a barangay election, but that is neither here nor there. I’ve always thought the concept of “winnability” sucked, and I have gone for candidates I thought deserved my vote whether they were winnable or not. In Roxas’ case however, it’s worth noting that his current “unwinnability” is not the product of being quixotic, it is the product of being despotic. He didn’t start out being unwinnable—he has always had P-Noy behind him—he just made himself so.

[W]ecan’talwaystrustin dumb luck or Providence to see us through quandaries of our own making. Providence is providential only to those who provide for themselves.

And dumb luck is, well, dumb.

If the point is to enlarge the scope of democracy in this country, indeed if the point is to promote true democracy in this country, democracy defined as the people actively participating in their governance, then Roxas would be the last person I’d want as president. He can’t abide dissent. He can’t even abide discussion. It’s his way or no way. The way he has tried to push out everybody in Malacañang should

give an idea of how he will run the country. And he’s not even elected, he lost the elections. Give him the powers of a president and heaven help us.

Jojo Binay is about as palatable as he.

Look at the company he kept during the last elections, it gives you a good idea of the kind of people who will be running the country if he becomes president.

The troika that headed the United Nationalist Alliance (Una) was he, Erap and Juan Ponce Enrile. Enrile is one of the three senators accused of plotting with Janet Napoles to fleece the citizens. His son, Jackie, one of Una’s senatorial candidates, lost after WikiLeaks reminded the world he remains the prime suspect in the murder of a youth during the pit of martial law. Erap is a convicted plunderer. His son, Jinggoy, is another of the three senators accused of plotting with Napoles to defraud the public.

Binay himself has been hounded by accusations of corruption throughout his political career.

Una’s senatorial slate included as well Migz Zubiri and Ernesto Maceda.

Zubiri was the fellow who served out four years of Koko Pimentel’s senatorial term, and quit only when he felt justice, or the electoral tribunal, was closing in on him. Maceda has distinguished himself only for two things.

One was to have mounted a zealous

crusade not against the corrupt but against the Brunei beauties. Two was to have been called by Arsenio Lacson “so young and so corrupt.”

This was before Binay’s own son, Junjun, figured in a scene in Dasmariñas. Of course the story was maliciously spun two weeks after the incident happened, and of course a mayor has the power to have a gate opened. But as a friend told me, why insist on something like this when you can always take a small detour like others do? P-Noy himself, my friend said, goes through the process: Each time he needs a permit for his guns, he applies for it, gets fingerprinted, and undergoes drug testing. It’s called setting an example.

The need to think about the next president even this early, indeed the need to find an alternative to the two prime contenders for the position, takes on some urgency in light of the fact that he—or she—will be coming after P-Noy. I myself think that P-Noy will come back this year with a vengeance, which will bring back again the question of who can be trusted to preserve the economic and moral gains his administration has made. Or at least who can be trusted to not mess them up. Where I stand, neither Roxas nor Binay fits the bill.

Time to search for an alternative— while there’s still time. ■

ANALYSIS

Economic recovery and presidential lethargy

By Amando Doronila Philippine Daily Inquirer THE PHILIPPINES ends 2013, a year plagued by nightmarish news, with its political leadership seeking refuge in complacency and short of fresh initiatives to give impetus to reconstruction plans for typhoondevastated Eastern Visayas.

As the country enters 2014, the Aquino administration sent out a powerful but cheerless message to the nation: A yearend feel-good report describing 2013 as “a year of challenges” despite the economy posting “some of the highest growth numbers in Asia.”

The report said it was during the year that “our collective commitment to preserve and to stand shoulder to shoulder enabled us to overcome the trials set before us, thus making the world admire and respect us all the more.”

The report talked about a “remarkable year for the Filipino—one in which “the President showed indomitable will to lead the nation forward” and “where the mandate for change was renewed in the midterm elections.” The report sounded like a preview of 2014.

Obviously. It was out of place in

the context of the desolation and humanitarian tragedy left by Supertyphoon “Yolanda.”

The report highlighted the claims of successes of the Aquino administration in the past three years. It was not only irrelevant to the concerns of the Filipino people in the typhoondevastated communities but it also made President Aquino look more remote and insensitive to the sufferings of the storm survivors.

The report was issued as propaganda to make up for the slow response of the Aquino administration to the death and destruction wrought

by Yolanda.

It cited the administration’s “successes”—ranging from “spurring economic growth, expanding social services, enhancing peace and security, combating corruption, and instituting greater reform in government, as well as to ensuring that our countrymen rise from the rubble of manmade and natural calamities.”

Those were mere platitudes cited in lieu of plans to push the reconstruction of Eastern Visayas.

An administration spokesperson, who seemed to be speaking of another country, made matters worse when she said in an interview on state-run Radyo ng Bayan: “It has

been a year of challenges not only for the administration but also for the Filipino people.”

The spokesperson went on to say: “It has been a year wherein the foresight and prudence of the President— holding fast to the long-term vision of a more prosperous, stable and dynamically competitive Philippines— has been upheld time and again.”

The yearend report said the economy in 2013 “continued its stellar performance, posting some of the high-

The report talked about a “remarkable year for the Filipino—one in which “the President showed indomitable will to lead the nation forward” and “where the mandate for change was renewed in the midterm elections.”

est growth numbers in Asia.”

It cited the old hat that the country received three major credit rating upgrades during the year, followed by approved investments totaling

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P126.5 billion—a case of counting the eggs before they are hatched.

The report claimed a 14.58-percent increase in infrastructure spending—an increase, all right, but not big enough to boost economic growth.

The report said the economy posted five consecutive quarters of at least 7-percent gross domestic product growth. For the first three quarters of the year, GDP grew above the government’s target of 6-7 percent.

But the report ignored the finding that the growth had taken place without creating jobs, with the implication for reducing poverty.

The National Economic and Development Authority believes GDP growth will still be within target this year and in 2014.

In a press briefing on Dec. 17, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said growth in 2013 would be near 7 percent. In 2014, growth would be within the 6.5-percent to 7.5-percent target set in the Philippine Development Plan.

Balisacan said he expected to implement rapidly the recovery and reconstruction of typhoon-devastated communities to help offset the probable slowdown of the economy in the first quarter due to Yolanda.

In the subsequent quarter, “we should be able to regain to the momentum,” Balisacan said.

Economic growth this year could have reached 7.3 percent to 7.5 percent had not Yolanda struck central Philippines, he said.

The impact of the typhoon on agriculture would likely slow down the economy’s growth in the first quarter to around 4.1 percent to 5.9 percent, he said.

He said the main growth drivers would be the reconstruction of typhoon-ravaged communities.

The economists are quiet about the impact of presidential initiatives as a driver of economic growth. The government’s response to calamity is a forbidden topic for public discussion.

The President went up to Baguio for a brief vacation to enable him to organize his initiatives to give the economy a fresh push.

As of Sunday, as Mr. Aquino came down from his retreat, there were no signs that he would launch any plans in the new year.

Is he ready to revitalize the devastated economy with a new found burst of energy?

The problem is that he is struggling to cast off a culture of indolence. ■

Opinion

17 FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014

VIEWPOINT

Old issues, new eruption

By Juan L. Mercado Philippine Daily Inquirer “MAD IS he?” King George II once snarled about one of his aides. “Then, I hope he’ll bite some of my generals.”

It would also be daft if any official here tried to confiscate Korans from Filipino Muslims. Both law and practice buttress liberty of faith.

The exact opposite unreels in Malaysia. The Islamic Religious Department (Jais) confiscated 300 bibles in Selangor State. In late 2009, it impounded 15,100 bibles printed in Indonesia—where eight out of 10 are Muslims.

Why? “Because they used ‘Allah’ referring to God,” BBC reported. Two Bible Society officials were briefly detained.

“We were investigated for breaking a state law banning non-Muslims from using the word Allah,” said the chair.

This is a new eruption of an old storm. At its vortex is Catholic weekly Herald editor Fr. Lawrence Andrew. He said Christians in Malaysia and other parts of the world used “Allah” in their prayer. The Federal Constitution did not ban such practice.

Indeed, Bahasa-speaking Christians used “Allah” long before the formation of Malaysia in 1965. Kuala Lumpur then splintered from Singapore, over political and religious issues.

Jais insists the Selangor Non-Islamic Religions Enactment of 1988 prohibits non-Muslims from using 35 Arabic words. These include: “Allah,” “nabi” (prophet), “injil” (gospel) and “Insha’Allah” (God willing). The gag applies to Sikh, Hindu and atheist.

Article 11(3) of the The Federal Constitution does not permit an enforcement agency of one religion to have jurisdiction or purview over religions, the Malaysian Bar said Saturday. “Appalling,” snapped Jagir Singh of the Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism. Sabah and Sarawak churches, where Christians constitute a majority, protested.

Critics “accuse government of tacitly condoning bible seizures to deflect anger against Prime Minister Najib Razak’s government,” BBC reported. “Poor Malay Muslims are angry over subsidy cuts likely to force up electricity, petrol and sugar prices.”

Najib’s coalition barely squeaked through last May’s elections. “It was the coalition’s worst result in more than half a century in power. The United Malays National Organization underpins Najib’s brittle coalition.

Has “religious intolerance gone intolerable” in Malaysia? Not on paper.

“Islam is the religion of the federation, but other religions may be practiced

in peace,” Malaysia’s constitution says. Kuala Lumpur signed on to the UN Declaration of Human Rights. Article 18 undergirds the “freedom of an individual or community, in public or private, to manifest belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”

Malaysia has one of the world’s strictest forms of media censorship. That is the reality. Government, for example, censored BBC’s and Al Jazeera’s reports on rallies. Nearly a hundred moves have been banned in the past decade.

Critics ‘accuse government of tacitly condoning bible seizures to deflect anger against Prime Minister Najib Razak’s government,’ BBC reported.

All newspapers need an official yearly permit to print. The licensing system allows padlocking at will and pressures publishers to toe the line.

The Star and Sin Chew Jit Poh, and two weeklies, The Sunday Star and Watan, were closed down for several months. The Star was the primary English newspaper that provided news in the opposition’s point of view. This was considered “treason.”

A July 2013 report to the Malaysian Parliament tallied 6,640 websites

blocked since 2008. Excuse: “The websites insulted Islam, the royalty, contained pornography or malicious content, or infringed copyrights.”

In one year alone, 56 books were banned by the Internal Security Ministry. That included a Bahasa translation of Charles Darwin’s “On the Origin of Species.” Works by Czech author Milan Kundera, Salman Rushdie, even Khalil Gibran, have been proscribed.

Until recently, the Internet, however remained unfettered. Not anymore. In August 2012, or specifically on Aug. 14, 2012, Malaysia Internet Blackout Day occurred. This series of coordinated protests was directed against a proposed amendment to Malaysia’s draconian Evidence Act. The amendment of Section 114A “makes individuals and those who administer, operate or provide spaces for online community forums, blogging, and hosting services, liable for content published through its services.”

This presumption of guilt goes against a fundamental principle of justice: innocent until proven guilty. It would hold publishers of websites accountable for seditious or defamatory postings even if they are not the actual authors.

The 17th UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva grilled Malaysia in its “Universal Periodic Re-

view,” the second for Malaysia since 2009. Austria and others prodded Kuala Lumpur to allow the freedom to practice, even change, religions.

Keep your pledge to abolish the 1948 Sedition Act and the Printing Presses and Publications Act of 1984, the United States urged Prime Minister Razak.

These laws leash media through permits.

“The fear is Muslims will start practicing Christianity if both groups refer to God by the same name,” Waleed Aly wrote. Do Malaysian Muslims need a form of protection from their own ignorance?

“Young, educated, urban Malays in particular, are deserting this brand of politics in droves. They’re becoming increasingly skeptical of their own privileged status. Upwardly mobile, they are unlikely to be swayed by a Mecca-oriented compass.”

Not the “old guard Malays. They confront the fact that the privileged position they’ve held for the first 50 years of Malaysian independence won’t hold for the next 50. Now they’re lashing out, as if trying to resist the death throes of their own supremacy.”

Did Waleed Aly write that in Malaysia? Of course, that would never see print there. But the Sydney Morning Herald in Australia published it. ■

AT LARGE

‘Kimmy Dora’ deserves respect

By Rina Jimenez-David Philippine Daily Inquirer I’M JUMPING into the fray and saying that Eugene Domingo as twin sisters Kimmy and Dora in “Kimmy Dora: Ang Kiyemeng Prequel” (I really don’t know how to translate kiyeme, sorry) “wuz robbed,” in showbiz parlance.

Since many reviewers had previously panned both the movie and Ms Domingo’s performance, I hadn’t held out much hope when I stepped into the movie house for my regular “Kimmy Dora” fix. But since the filmmakers said this would be the last film in the comic franchise, I couldn’t very well abandon the twins and their antics without knowing how Kimmy and Dora ended up running Go Dong Hae Enterprises, could I? And I’m glad I ignored the naysayers. I left the theater with my daughter-in-law (with whom I share a Kimmy Dora fixation as well as a fan’s devotion to Domingo) high and giddy from the laughs and inventiveness, especially after watching the postscript, a satirical “coverage” of the MMFF awards night. Talk about chutzpah!

But talk about prescience, too. Both Kimmy and Dora are nominated for best actress, but only Dora—the child-

ish, intellectually challenged sister— wins the award. At this, Kimmy erupts into a rage, denounces the film fest organizers, and walks out on the proceedings. It was all played for laughs.

But look what’s happened in real life.

The producers issued a public statement in the wake of the “snub” of the movie by the real-life MMFF jurors, saying “it was very unfortunate that ‘Kimmy Dora: Ang Kiyemeng Prequel’ and its lead actress, Eugene Domingo, did not get the right recognition due them. Its director, Chris Martinez (also the screenwriter of all three Kimmy Dora movies) was not even nominated based on the merits of the film.”

But perhaps as a consolation, Domingo won as “Star of the Night,” to recognize the “best dressed” female star in the awards rites, a twist that would have been right at home in the franchise. *** Let’s set aside the controversies for now.

What matters most, at least for this follower of the hilarious trilogy, is that, while the “Kiyemeng Prequel” proved much too predictable, it brought back the comic spirit and derring-do that characterized the other two movies. Most of all, it brought back Eugene Domingo in all her quirks and wackiness.

Could someone please create an award for best comic actress—or best actress, period—for Domingo for her body of work that defies the limits of commercial filmmaking? Or could an awards body at least recognize Domingo and her cohorts for breaking the walls of formula films and daring to create movies and characters of such originality and cleverness?

Could someone please create an award for best comic actress—or best actress, period—for Domingo for her body of work that defies the limits of commercial filmmaking?

The world, or at least the world of international film festivals, has long recognized Domingo’s talent and has repeatedly honored the movies she’s appeared in. And while she is a recognized name and presence in the local film industry, Domingo has yet to achieve the status of superstar or drama queen or icon, although I suspect that she would be the first to raise an eyebrow should someone bestow such a title on her. *** “Kimmy Dora: Ang Kiyemeng Prequel” opens with pseudo-news coverage of Kimmy’s graduation from Cam-

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bridge University as a summa cum laude. So imagine her resentment when she comes home, expecting to be escorted into the executive suite of her father’s ginormous conglomerate, only to be told that she would have to start, literally from the basement, as a trainee together with her sister Dora.

The ignominy is eased somewhat by the presence of Rodin Bartoletti (Sam Milby) who monitors the twins’ performance as they rise through the ranks, another opportunity to showcase the mad contrast and unspoken conflict between the sisters, who both, in different ways, prove amazingly incompetent and unfit for their line of work.

Kimmy must rein in her arrogance and impatience with coworkers, customers and Dora; Dora must keep her naivete in check, and stand up to her sister. Then a masked corporate terrorist shows up, and the sisters are forced to work together to rescue their father and the company.

This being a comedy, all’s well that ends well. It is madcap and maddening, combining elements of satire and cynicism. But it is also escapist and absurd. But moviegoers are laughing their way throughout. *** Being the star, Domingo is entitled to her conceits. She’s told interview-

ers about her feat of dropping the necessary pounds for a shapelier body. And throughout the movie, that new va-voom body is put on display— especially in a beach scene with Milby and her “twin.” Amazingly, though, it is Dora who steals the scene, and enjoys a kiss with Milby. Talk about the rewards of the innocent!

As the final segment in a franchise, the “Kiyemeng Prequel” pays homage to the other movies, bringing back familiar characters and “introducing” others we know from the previous films.

True, much of the freshness has been lost by now, and the element of surprise, especially the unusual dynamics between the twin sisters, is gone. But there is still much to recommend “Kimmy Dora,” not the least of which is the sheer pleasure of watching Domingo in front of the camera, confident and self-assured, not afraid of indulging in a bit of self-mockery.

If only for such self-assuredness, Domingo deserved the jurors’ nod, and “Kimmy Dora” a little more respect or recognition than it got. We’ll miss the franchise, and the twins, and hope that the people behind the movie will get over their umbrage and begin work at once on a new, fresh and delightful production—starring Eugene Domingo, of course! ■

FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014

18

Canada News

We have all the advantages of both Asia and the West here: Harper

NEWS BRIEFS

FROM THE CANADIAN PRESS

BY MELISSA REMULLABRIONES Philippine Canadian Inquirer VANCOUVER—Security appeared to have been stepped up because of the earlier events of the day.

But it was a quiet evening on Monday as members of the ethnic media—some meeting Prime Minister Stephen Harper for the first time— eagerly awaited the prime minister for a roundtable at a downtown Vancouver hotel.

Earlier in the day, two climatechange activists carried placards on the same stage as Harper during a question-and-answer event for members of the Vancouver Board of Trade.

They were ushered into a room for questioning then released. No charges have been filed.

A visibly relaxed prime minister walked into the room with Industry Minister James Moore, Members of Parliament Alice Wong and Nina Grewal, and Senator Yonah Martin.

Harper began the roundtable by enumerating the priorities of his government: a strong economy, jobs, growth, long term prosperity, strong families and for Canada to be one of

Prime Minister with members of the Vancouver media at the Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver.

PHOTO BY DANVIC BRIONES

the strongest countries in the world.

He then answered several questions fielded by members of the media on issues ranging from the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline project to national debt, immigration, the issue of temporary foreign workers and interprovincial trade.

The prime minister said it is in Canada's best interest to diversify its energy market, but his hands are tied and he could not say anything that will prejudice the federal government's position on the pipeline project.

Last month, there was a recommendation from a joint review panel that the Northern Gateway project be approved, but it included 209 conditions. The report is currently pending cabinet's review.

Harper emphasized, however, that

Canada welcomes growth but has the responsibility to ensure that the project is environmentally safe.

The temporary foreign worker program may soon be a thing of the past.

According to Harper, his government reviewed the program and the initial review showed that while there was a need for it, some businesses and unscrupulous persons have been abusing and misusing it.

"What we need is not more temporary workers, I believe we need less. I believe what we need are permanent workers; that people have a path to citizenship and become a long term part of the Canadian economy and the Canadian society."

Harper was also asked about the

TORONTO—Some braced for blizzards, others dealt with precarious flash freezes, and still more faced bone-chilling temperatures—and then there were those who endured power outages dating back to earlier bitter weather.

A mixed bag of nasty conditions led Environment Canada to issue warnings for vast swaths of the country on Monday, when many

headed back to work for the first time since the holiday break.

“It’s almost like the total meteorological lexicon of everything miserable in terms of winter is found somewhere in Canada,” said senior climatologist David Phillips.

The sheer amount of varying warnings was considered somewhat unusual even by the national weather agency that put them out.

Phillips listed some of the misery.

“From wind chill to winter storm warnings to flash freezes to freezing rain to heavy rain to strong winds;

TORONTO—Infectious disease watchers were worried in the late summer of 2013. The largest annual mass gathering in the world, the Hajj, was approaching. Meanwhile, infections with the new MERS coronavirus were mounting weekly in Saudi Arabia, where more than two million of the Muslim faithful would soon gather.

The fear was the event would give the new virus wings— a round-the-world ticket to wherever returning pilgrims might travel. It was easy to imagine MERS taking root in the slums of south Asia or Africa, fuelling outbreaks in overcrowded hospitals in some of the world's mega-cities.

In other words, becoming the next SARS.

❱❱ PAGE 20 We have

Much of country facing bitter cold, rain, wind or snow as winter packs a punch

BY DIANA MEHTA The Canadian Press

MERS SO 2013? WHERE'S THE NEW BUG HEADED?

snow squalls also.”

The winter wallop created extra headaches for many resuming their weekday commutes on the first Monday of 2014.

Some flights travelling into or out of Toronto, Ottawa, Halifax and St. John’s were also cancelled or delayed.

“Nature’s making it more difficult for us to get back to a regular normal life,” said Phillips. “The timing is unfortunate.” ❱❱ PAGE 30 Much of

NEWFOUNDLAND IN FOURTH DAY OF BLACKOUTS ST. JOHN'S—Crews in Newfoundland made progress Monday on restoring energy for thousands of people as the island entered its fourth day of power outages that were triggered by a combination of events including cold weather, a fire at a terminal station and a power plant that went offline. All schools throughout the island, including Memorial University and the College of the North Atlantic, have been shut down until Wednesday as a result of the power shortages. Warming centres have also been set up for people without power.

POLICE CHIEF WANTS SOCIAL ASSISTANCE CHANGE EDMONTON— Edmonton's police chief wants the Alberta government to consider changing the way it distributes social assistance cheques to help reduce crime against the poor and the handicapped, especially in the inner-city. John Cotter.

19 FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014

Portion of December 2013 sales will go to Typhoon Haiyan Relief

www.canadianinquirer.net

Canada News

JANUARY 10, 2014 FRIDAY 20

A newly opened restaurant along the stretch of Fraser Street is gaining popularity among Filipino Vancouverites PAMPANGA’S BEST CAFETERIA is a new addition to the Pinoy establishments along the stretch of Fraser Street, between 25th and 28th Avenue.

Pampanga’s Best Cafeteria, which opened in June 2013, is owned and operated by Imelda Rivera-Estrella.

Imelda’s love for cooking made her venture into the restaurant business. She specializes in “kakanin” or native Filipino desserts, but her expertise grew to include Filipino comfort food that we all know and love so well. And miss.

Immigrant story

Imelda came to Canada in July 1992 as a nanny. Unlike other nannies, however, she worked at her employer’s house for three days and two days in the car insurance business of her employer. Armed with a

customer service skill from her Philippine employment (she also worked in Singapore for six years), she easily adapted to her new office environment.

Thereafter, she was hired

by Nelly Vandt who owned Aling Pining Grocery to man the store. In May 1999, Nelly asked her if she wanted to buy the business. Imelda grabbed the opportunity and this practically started her onto the path of being a business owner.

To this day, Imelda and husband Noel have been running this grocery business. Imelda says that this grocery store has been their bread and butter; she was able to send her two kids to a private Catholic school mainly from their business income.

Thus, this is her advice to nannies–work hard, love what you do and don’t lose hope.

Imelda concentrates on her restaurant business, while husband Noel remains in charge of Aling Pining grocery.

The name

Imelda named her new venture Pampanga's Best Cafeteria, which is a block away from her store, to make obvious the fact that the cuisine is from the province of Pampanga, a region known for its netizen's good palate and delicious cooking.

Indeed, Pampanga is synonymous to good food, and by its name alone, customers know that they can only expect the best: the best food, a clean and tidy restaurant and the best customer service. ■ Pampanga’s Best Restaurant is located at 4279 Fraser St., Vancouver B.C. with telephone number 604-874-0010. Caterings are also accepted.

www.canadianinquirer.net

We have... efforts of the government to improve interprovincial trade since protectionist practices are limiting Canada's ability to grow economically.

Harper answered that the government has moved forward on the internal agreement on trade.

"But the real problem is that we are not just in the federal system but the courts have repeatedly restricted our ability to do things that will change this.

Without the provinces acting willingly and acting in concert with us, it is extremely difficult.

"Fortunately, in Western Canada, British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan have undertaken their own kind of pact to remove a lot of these obstacles. But that's not the case in other parts of the country.

"In the past couple of years one of the things we were trying to break down was barriers in the securities industry. Once again the court ruled against the ability of the federal government to try and regulate interprovincial trade.

"As frustrating as this is, it is just the constitutional reality of the country. Ability to change ❰❰ 18

it is restricted and for the most part we have to work with provinces who are willing partners.

In the west it's not bad; but in parts of Eastern Canada, the willingness to move forward with this is not great so it will remain a challenge."

Asked about what he wants the legacy of his government to be, Harper said he wants a Canada that can provide hardworking, law-abiding families from any background anywhere in the world the opportunity for unlimited success and security.

"We have an amazing country.

We have a modern educated society with vast natural resources. There are very few countries that have that combination. We have great diversity and yet harmony and social strength.

"We've come out of the recession with a better standing but in the longer term I want to see us as really secure as we face tremendous competition in Asia.

"But there's no reason why Canada cannot keep up with the emerging economies of Asia because we have all the advantages of both Asia and the West here.

And that's where we want to take what we have done so far." ■

World News

21 FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014

Forget 2014, poll finds worried Americans predict nation in downhill slide clear through 2050

BY CONNIE CASS The Associated Press WASHINGTON—Ask people to imagine American life in 2050, and you’ll get some dreary visions.

Whether they foresee runaway technology or runaway government, rampant poverty or vanishing morality, a majority of Americans predict a future worse than today.

Whites are particularly gloomy: Only 1 in 6 expects better times over the next four decades. Also notably pessimistic are middle-age and older people, those who earn midlevel incomes and Protestants, a new national poll finds.

“I really worry about my grandchildren, I do,” says 74-year-old Penny Trusty of Rockville, Md., a retired software designer and grandmother of five. “I worry about the lowering of morals and the corruption and the confusion that’s just raining down on them.”

Even groups with comparatively sunny outlooks—racial and ethnic minorities, the young and the nonreligious— are much more likely to say things will be the same or get worse than to predict a brighter future.

“Changes will come, and some of them are scary,” says Kelly Miller, 22, a freshly minted University of Minnesota sports management grad.

She looks forward to some wonderful things, like 3D printers creating organs for transplant patients. But Miller envisions Americans in 2050 blindly relying on robots and technology for everything from cooking dinner to managing their money.

“It’s taking away our free choice and human thought,” she says. “And there’s potential for government to control and regulate what this artificial intelligence thinks.”

Overall, 54 per cent of those surveyed expect American life to go downhill, while 23 per cent think it will improve, according to a December survey from the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Only 21 per cent predict life will stay about the same. That

minority may be onto something, however.

While no one can say what catastrophes or human triumphs are to come, contentment at a personal level has proven remarkably stable over the past four decades.

Interviews by the federally funde d Gene r a l Social Surv e y, o n e of the nation’s longest-running surveys of social trends, show Americans’ overall happiness as well as satisfaction with their jobs and marriages barely fluctuating since 1972. Those decades spanned the sexual revolution and the women’s rights movement, race riots and civil rights advances, the resignation of one president and impeachment of another, wars from Vietnam through Afghanistan, the birth of the home computer and the smartphone, boom times and hard times.

Despite the recent shift toward negativity about the state of the nation, the portion of U.S. residents rating themselves very or pretty happy stayed around 9 out of 10.

“Most people evaluate their lives very stably from year to year,” said Tom W. Smith, who has been director since 1980 of the GSS, conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago. “You don’t want massive surges and falls in personal happiness, and the fact that we don’t see that is reassuring.”

The GSS, conducted once every two years, will send interviewers back into the field in 2014. The AP-NORC Center survey asked people to rate the change in American life during the period tracked by the GSS, from 1972 to 2012.

A majority—54 per cent—say life in America is worse today than four decades ago.

Those old enough to remember the early ’70s are especially

nostalgic, as are tea party supporters and people who live in the countryside. Those who say U.S. life has declined are more apt to name politics, the economy, moral values or changes in families as the biggest difference.

The 3 in 10 who think life

and fed up,” said Callaway, who is black. “They’re realizing even if you’re not the same colour as me, you’re still a person and I’m still a person.”

As 2050 approaches, one central component of U.S. race relations will change: Non-Hispanic whites will no longer make up the majority of the population, according to Census Bureau projections.

Love and family

is better are more likely to point to computers and technology as the big change. Racial and ethnic minorities are apt to cite domestic issues, including civil rights.

The GSS offers a look at the real-time changes in American opinion, along with things that have stayed the same, and hints for the future: Equality

Some of the opinions voiced in the 1972 survey are rarely uttered today.

Back then, nearly 4 in 10 nonblacks agreed with the idea that whites had the right to keep blacks “out of their neighbourhoods.” A quarter of nonblacks said they wouldn’t vote for a black man for president, and 26 per cent of all adults wouldn’t back a well-qualified woman.

Now the president of the United States is black and a woman is the most-discussed prospect for 2016. The GSS dropped those three questions in the 1990s as results began to show they were no longer contentious.

La’Shon Callaway, a 19-yearold political science student at Stockton College in New Jersey, is optimistic that his generation will make the future brighter and that he’ll see discrimination fade over his lifetime.

“People are getting tired of it, www.canadianinquirer.net

In 1972, the sexual revolution was ablaze.

That year the Supreme Court ruled that unmarried couples had a right to birth control. “The Joy of Sex” manual was published. And then there’s “Maude,” the sitcom character who shocked Americans by getting an abortion.

Still, a third of Americans back then disapproved of a woman working if she had a husband to support her. The GSS no longer bothers asking that one.

Americans today are more worried about divorce and the increasing number of nevermarried moms. Nearly 4 out of 10 women who gave birth in 2011 were unmarried, according to the census.

“It’s very sad to me,” says Christine Hicks, 57, of Nashville, Tenn., who divorced when her two children were teens.

“It’s really hard to be a parent when you’re alone.”

Despite the social turmoil, 98 per cent of married people today say their union is happy, including two-thirds who are “very happy.” And marital fidelity remains an ideal endorsed by nearly all Americans.

The political debate over abortion shows no signs of being resolved, more than 40 years after Roe vs. Wade. Young people today are somewhat more conservative on the issue than middle-aged Americans.

Gay marriage, on the other hand, appears headed toward

future acceptance. Young people are solidly in favour, while opposition is strongest among the oldest Americans.

God

Through those decades of moral tumult, the vast majority of Americans held onto belief in God or some higher power.

Fewer than 1 in 10 say there’s no God or no way to know.

Yet ties to organized religion are slipping.

Since 1972, the number of Americans who name no faith preference has quadrupled to 20 per cent.

“Maybe it just means people are thinking for themselves and not following blindly,” says Hicks, a Tennessee state worker and Methodist churchgoer.

“But I do think the church gives families a foundation.”

Money

Recession, a stock market crash, runaway inflation and an oil crisis marred the U.S. economy in the early 1970s. Forty years later, those look like the good times to many.

Before the Great Recession hit in 2007, most people consistently said their family finances were getting better instead of worse. That’s not the case anymore. Americans are more likely to consider themselves “lower class” than ever in GSS history—8 per cent say that.

“You read every day about ’no more middle class’,” says Bill Hardy, 67, a Westerville, Ohio, investment adviser. “It’s the poor versus the rich almost.”

Whites are especially pessimistic about their prospects.

Black and Hispanic optimism surged after Barack Obama became the first black president in 2008.

Overall, about half of Americans still believe their children will have a better standard of living than they do.

“I just think they’re going to have to deal with a lot,” Hardy, who is white, said of his grown children and three grandkids.

“They’ll deal with it. Kids today are very smart.” ■ Associated Press Director of Polling Jennifer Agiesta and AP News Survey Specialist Dennis Junius contributed to this report.

Immigration

JANUARY 10, 2014 FRIDAY 22

Tories drop criminal employer ban in foreign worker rules, baffle stakeholders

BY LEE-ANNE GOODMAN The Canadian Press OTTAWA—Labour and business stakeholders say they’re baffled by the Conservative government’s recent removal of provisions from its Temporary Foreign Worker Program that would have barred criminal employers from participating.

In a notice on New Year’s Day, the government said its original proposals aimed at employers convicted of human trafficking, sexually assaulting an employee or causing the death of a worker were “too rigid and cumbersome.”

And so it removed them from its crackdown on abusers of the program.

“Instead, the amendments introduce other measures that achieve the objective of ensuring a safe workplace for TFWs (temporary foreign workers) and that allow for a more timely ability to deal with abuse,” the government said.

“Accordingly, the amendments include a condition on employers to make reasonable efforts to provide a workplace free of abuse, including physical, sexual, psychological, and financial abuse.”

The changes, meantime, have left

stakeholders scratching their heads.

“I don’t really know where that came from, because we don’t take any issue with those provisions—we’re very supportive of measures that are related to abuses of the program,” Daniel Kelly, head of the Canadian Fe d e r a t i o n of Independent Business, said Friday.

Kelly speculated t h a t p e r haps t h e p r o v i sions were removed due to legal considerations, and not because employers complained.

“I don’t get the sense this was done as a result of anyone lobbying; my hunch was this was more to ensure that it was legally compliant,” he said.

An official for the Employment and Social Development Department, how-

ever, said any suggestions that the move had weakened protections for temporary foreign workers was incorrect.

In fact, said Pamela Wong, the final regulations are every bit as effective as the draft rules first introduced last spring, and will be included in upcoming operational guidelines on temporary foreign workers.

“Let’s be clear,” Wong said in an email.

“Employers who engage in serious criminal activity, like human trafficking, sexual assault or conduct leading to the death of an employee are by definition creating an unsafe work environment, and will not be able to use the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.”

The measures were part of tough new

regulations aimed at quelling fears that foreigners are snatching jobs from Canadians. The spate of rules kicked in on Tuesday, empowering government officials to conduct workplace inspections without warrants and to blacklist employers who fail to comply.

The regulations also allow government officials to interview foreign workers about their working conditions and to demand documentation from employers proving they’ve complied with the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

The government will also no longer accept applications from employers looking to hire temporary foreign workers in the sex-trade industry. That rule is aimed at protecting vulnerable workers like strippers and exotic dancers.

Those measures have been applauded by labour groups. The quiet removal of provisions aimed at companies convicted of crimes, therefore, came as a significant surprise to organizations such as the Canadian Labour Congress, which the government has consulted on other changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

“It’s completely bizarre,” said Angella ❱❱ PAGE 39 Tories drop

Story Time What's your story?

A LIBRARIAN and 11 others are among the trained storytellers unleashed on Burnaby as part of an initiative employing immigrant volunteers.

Lucia Castillo is no stranger to the telling of stories. Back in Lima, Peru, where she worked as a head librarian, story time was part of the job description. Then came kids, with all the storytelling entailed by that, and a move in 2006 to Vancouver, where she picked up a master’s degree before jumping back into the job market.

Subsequently, she’s landed part-time positions in both the Burnaby and Vancouver public library systems, where—big surprise—she got herself back into the storytelling business by launching a parent/child Mother Goose program in Spanish. “I’m so happy to be doing something for the Latino kids,” she says.

And now Castillo has found another opportunity to tell stories, thanks to an innovative program initiated by the Burnaby Intercultural Planning Table.

Last spring, as part of its Welcoming Communities initiative, the group hired professional storytelling trainer Naomi Steinberg and set her loose with 12 immigrant volunteers to produce a storytelling cadre that performed at community events on dozens of occasions.

Burnaby is one of only nine Canadian municipalities in which more than 50% of the population was born outside the country, so finding an attentive audience proved to be an easy task. In the fall a second group of volunteers began their training, among them Castillo.

The storytellers emerging from the Burnaby project are something of a modern phenomenon, says Steinberg. Traditionally, in virtually every culture, storytellers took on an almost professional role, helping to instill values and preserve the culture. They functioned as both archivists, retaining stories and ideas of importance, and media people, spreading the news.

But, as is revealed by a quick glance at what some of her current batch of volunteers are doing, most of this new generation of storytellers lean toward personal narratives. These often have something to say about life in a new country and what an immigrant has to go through to get the most out of it.

For example, Rika Nagai is a young Japanese woman who came to Canada as a visitor and then met her husband, who is of Chinese descent. She tells of losing her strength and confidence after being immersed too quickly and completely in ❱❱ PAGE 46 Story Time

www.canadianinquirer.net

Immigration

23 FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014

The DART returns home from humanitarian assistance mission in the Philippines MORE THAN 80 members of the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) returned to CFB Trenton, Ontario, in December after the completion of their 40-day deployment to the Philippines to provide humanitarian assistance following Typhoon Haiyan.

The DART, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) contribution to the Government of Canada relief efforts in the Philippines, began arriving in Iloilo, Philippines, on November 13.

The DART’s more than 315 personnel were able to offer immediate assistance to Filipinos by providing water purification services, delivering food, clearing roads and supplying basic medical care to thousands of patients until local authorities and other international partners and agencies were able to contribute to their long term needs.

As of 16 December 2013, CAF members in the Philippines have: •produced approximately

493,346 litres of purified water for distribution; •treated 6,525 medical patients; •delivered approximately 230,485 pounds of food and 10,325 pounds of shelter and building materials on behalf of non-governmental organizations; •delivered approximately 59,536 pounds of humanitarian assistance goods on behalf of local authorities; •cleared 131 km of roads; and •flown 184 CH-146 Griffon sorties.

Senator Tobias Enverga, Jr., a Canadian Senator of Filipino descent, led a busload of appreciative Filipino-Canadians from Toronto to thank the DART for their work. In his brief speech, the Senator stressed that when the Philippines asked the world for help, Canada heeded the call. “DART packed their gear and deployed

swiftly to do what they do best—saving lives in adverse conditions,” he said, adding, “The Filipinos and the FilipinoCanadians are very thankful.“ The Honourable Rob Nicholson, Minister of National Defence, was quoted as saying, “On behalf of the Government of Canada and in support of other Departments, aid organizations and local authorities, the Canadian Armed Forces responded with swift determination to assist in relief efforts in the Philippines. Their contribution illustrates Canada’s commitment and our personnel’s readiness to respond to international crisis.”

The DART is a self sufficient, scalable military capability ready to deploy quickly to conduct emergency relief operations as a part of the whole of government response. It is one component of Canada’s toolkit to respond to natural disasters abroad. ■

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JANUARY 10, 2014 FRIDAY 24

FILIPINO-CANADIAN IN FOCUS: GEORGE R. POBLETE

Fifty Years of Volunteering

BY FE PACA-TADURAN St Jamestown News Service TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA—Mahatma Gandhi has said that, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others”. George Poblete has done just that for over half a century now and still is finding fulfillment and enjoyment in volunteering.

Started as a volunteer teacher and community leader

In 1962, as a young man, George started as a volunteer to teach judo as an art of selfdefense to young families at the Rizal Gym in Manila. In 1964, he was selected as a judo fighter to compete in the Asian Judo Championship. Unfortunately, he was injured in the team practices. With his management experience, this setback gave way for him to easily switch roles from that of an athlete to being the Chair and Organizer of the First Asian Judo Championship in Manila. He previously was the Vice-President of the Philippine Amateur Judo Association (PAJA) and a Board member of the Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation (PAAF). In the 1st Asian Judo Championship, he was instrumental in encouraging judokas from both communist and non-communist countries, like Cambodia, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, North & South Korea, and the Philippines to compete with each other in the judo mat. The result was a resounding success. Despite judo being considered a minor sport in the Philippines, he managed to draw attention to the sport and had extensive coverage from the newspapers, television and other media.

His background

George holds a Bachelor of

The men of the Order of the Knights of Rizal Canada Region, with George Poblete (first row, in black), Regional Commander of the Order of the Knights of Rizal Canada Region.

Science in Electrical Engineering and a Masters in Management in Engineering degrees.

He worked as a Field Engineer for an American oil company and traveled extensively all over the Philippines and other parts of the world. A sports minded person, he played basketball, badminton, golf, weightlifting & body building, and bowling.

He also is an avid photographer.

Immigration Canada

to

Montreal,

In 1966, he migrated to Montreal, Canada, where he worked as an Assistant to the Vice President of a large electronic company. In his new country, he made sure that he had some time to continue his volunteer work. Utilizing his expertise in Judo, he taught the sport to the youth and families in the community. He spent part of 5 days of his week as a volunteer at the St. Laurent Community Center. Here, he formed a high school Judo Club, taught judo to the youth in the Orphanage at N.D.G. and taught self defense to various business and community organizations.

He was also actively involved with the Filipino community.

He was elected as Vice President of the Philippine Associa-

tion of the Province of Quebec (PAPQ) and was elected the President of Philippine Association of Montreal (PAM).

Through his efforts, he was able to merge the major Filipino associations in the area, and formed the Filipino Association of Montreal and Suburbs (FAMAS) in August 1969. He was a continuing resource of the Filipinos in the community.

During the United Council of Filipinos in Canada (UCFAC) event in Alberta in 1974, he was selected as an Outstanding Filipino in Canada in the field of Engineering and Management.

Volunteered in Toronto

The Poblete family moved to Toronto in 1976. Here, he continued with his goal of helping build better disciplined youth in the community. Utilizing his Fifth Degree Black Belt, he taught as a volunteer in two schools, helping over a hundred judokas in the Scarborough area. He got involved with the Judo Ontario (where he held many executive positions) and Judo Canada, where he taught in the Coach Certification Program and Refereeing. He devoted thousands of hours in volunteer work. This was recognized in 1979, when he received

George R. Poblete (above). Below: Pastor Rev. Regulo Imperial and Deacon Eustace Beusoleil blessed the 57th wedding anniversary of George and Dolly Poblete at the Prince of Peace Church, after the candle light mass (due to the ice storm), Fr. Imperial Blesesed them in the Altar of Prince of Peace Church.

the Scarborough Volunteer Award for his dedicated service to the community. His children were also volunteers in Soccer, Judo, Scouting and Hockey. His daughter, Dr.Cecilia, also active with Judo Ontario, served as the Mudansha Registrar and later headed the Medical Staff of the Judo Ontario team. He was a volunteer teacher in Toronto for 25 years.

Recognizing he could do more for a better number in the community, He expanded his community and civic involvement by joining the Knights of Columbus and Order of the Knights of Rizal.

In the early 80’s, he joined

the Knights of Columbus, to better serve the Church, Family, Youth and the Community.

In this fraternity, he held executive positions and chaired Church and Community projects. He is an Honorary Life Member in both the 3rd and 4th degree. He formed three KC Councils in Scarborough and served as a District Deputy, overseeing seven Councils.

He received numerous awards from the Knights of Columbus.

Volunteer of the Year 2001

With his continued commitment and volunteer service to ❱❱ PAGE 38 Global Filipino

7 mon to fri 10am-11am sat 11am-3pm sun 9-10am at am 147.0

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FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014

25

New Year Resolutions Turn things around in 2014!

BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer JANUS: The two-faced Roman god of beginnings and transitions; with one face looking forward, and the other looking back. Also the god after whom the month of January is named.

On this, the beginning of the month of his namesake, I look back to the year that was 2013 in my home that is the Philippines: Record-breaking in many ways; and not necessarily for the good. Record-breaking floods, corruption, greed, storms; personal and natural.

Our nettle was tested, we endured great shaking; and those who held fast came out stronger.

It was also, however, a year of record-breaking breakthroughs for me: In work, friendships and familial relationships. And for this, I am thankful.

I look forward to 2014, and I wish I could say with any certainty whatsoever that it will be a year free from great trials and record-breaking spirit breakers.

But I can’t. None of us can.

But I can hope and believe that it will be. I can stay as positive as my own limited human spirit allows me to be. I can focus on enduring, and developing an even stronger, more persistent nettle.

I can commit to not giving up; to developing a “stickitoitivity” and tenacity possessed by that good old dog with a bone.

I do not like to “make resolutions” or big statements of

“I shalls and I shants” at the start of each year, for I find that these all too quickly fall by the wayside as the calendar rolls around and the new hope and idealism that generally accompany January give way to the romanticism that marks February. Just about everything— even things we have deemed ugly and needing change— looks good with rose-colored lenses, after all.

Instead, I RESOLVE. Or REVOLT, as the situation requires.

Although resolution implies

r resolutions,

s sticking to you TOP 5 TIPS towardver , co-founder of gender bal

according to Lyndsey Oli otient, and Guardian Profes ance consultancy Female Qu dian.com: sional at http://www.theguar sitive and present. Smart 1.) Make goals personal, po le, attainable, relevant and goals are specific, measurab t by likewise making your timely. This is accurate, bu present you are convincgoals personal, positive and coming what you want to ing yourself and already be achieve. e steps—then celebrate suc 2.) Map out small, actionabl cess along the way. e resolution, focus on the 3.) If you have more than on st reward. one that will give the bigge r o can help you achieve you 4.) Identify other people wh e sur ke ieving our goals. Ma goal. All of us need help ach st al with is someone you tru go the person you share your n a detractor. and is a supporter rather tha dles along the way There 5.) Learn to navigate any hur t ieving our goals. Know tha will often be barriers to ach to ies teg nt about devising stra they exist and think up fro get around them.

the act of resolving, merely making one is no guarantee— especially if it is simply a part of a New Year tradition. Speaking forth your resolutions becomes nothing more than lip-service designed to plump up your ego or assuage your conscience if there is no follow-through.

Writing resolutions down is a mere waste of paper if action is remiss. These are part of a good start. But beginnings are only as fruitful as their end result.

Outcome is the goal, and the path between start and finish is paved with willful determination. Or at least it must be.

RESOLVE. Commit to change, and DO IT. Perhaps some of my favorite definitions of the word are: To change or convert; to bring to a usually successful conclusion; and—decidedly my most favorite one—to render parts of (an image) visible and distinct.

What do you see in your head? What is the image you

have of yourself? Of your life situation? Whatever this image, whatever you would like to see, do what it takes to make it come to pass; do what is required to make it visible and distinct in your life!

Then there is revolution.

The things that require radical change from the roots. The things in our life that necessitate an upheaval that goes beyond simple adjustment or superficial change. That toxic relationship in which you have been since countless New Year’s ago, for instance. That bad habit you have been meaning to ditch for forever and a day, for another. These require REVOLT. And guts of steel to do it.

By all means, make you lists and grand declarations if you have to. But by even greater means, DON’T STOP THERE. ACT. Break away from the ❱❱ PAGE 38 Turn things

New Year Resolutions

JANUARY 10, 2014 FRIDAY 26

Pack Your Bags: 2014 is Here

BY CHING DEE Philippine Canadian Inquirer

Batanes

PHOTO BY BINGBING ON WIKICOMMONS AND FLICKR

BOOK YOUR flight and pack your bags—2014 is here!

Through natural calamities or man-made raucous, Filipinos and the Philippines have definitely survived and survived well. Tourists keep on pouring in and the Department of Tourism looks forward to more tourists this year.

According to Mark Johanson of the International Business Times, The Ethical Traveler suggests five “destinations of interest” for 2014: Cuba, Egypt,

Iran, Namibia and the Philippines.

“Visiting places struck by political or natural disasters like Egypt or the Philippines can help instill a feeling of solidarity, boost morale and put muchneeded money back in the hands of those whose lives have been altered by forces beyond their control,” Johanson wrote.

With that said, here are some Philippine destinations no one should miss this year according to go-to travel sites, experienced travel bloggers, and yours truly.

On his website, James Betia of www.JourneyingJames.com

ZIP CYCLING. Two bikers pedal their way on a zip line at Eden Nature Park in

Davao City’s TorilDistrict, spending the remaining days of the holiday break on the cooler side of the city before heading back to theirworkplaces in Manila.

Sagada

PHOTO BY CHING DEE

PHOTO BY MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

What did we learn in 2013?

BY KATHERINE MARFALTEVES Philippine Canadian Inquirer IT’S NEW Year again!

Though 2013 brought a series of disasters in the Philippines, it also paved the way to countless lessons that we Filipinos can learn from so we will make it in 2014. Here are some of my personal revelations, so to speak, that we can use to move our story forward (in a positive way) this year:

1. Set the right priorities.

Before the super typhoon struck the Philippines, the government (and outside organizations and media) issued safety warnings left and right, but in the end, many still died. Some meteorologists opine that the Philippines—despite the fact that it is a veteran of typhoons and other natural disasters— still lacks the right equipment and facilities to better protect its infrastructure or people. But knowing what we know now,

knowing that typhoons will only be stronger and that we are just mere mortals—can’t we make it our top priority? The millions of relief money in our disposal may make it easier. Hopefully.

2. Trust that you can depend on someone.

With the calamities that the Philippines went through last year, it was overwhelming to know that people from other ❱❱ PAGE 32 What did

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listed 10 destinations to visit this 2014. From north to south, he had it covered.

From the north, Sagada and Batad earned the 10th spot in his list. While Kalinga and Batanes made it to the 3rd and 2nd spot, respectively. According to James, visitors should enjoy Sagada and Batad while they still can, since the trees that helps maintain a cooler temperature in the area are slowly depleting.

The rich culture and deep heritage of the Kalinga Province dates back centuries ago, so he pleads to tourists to respect traditions and adjust to its customs—not the other way around.

“Go there with the purpose of learning something about the culture. Please, pretty please, get a tattoo not just for the sake of getting a tattoo (or) to brag,” he said in his blog. “Also, try to visit (the) elders and pay homage.”

James also has a very interesting advice for visitors. “Get high with everything you see and maybe help in planting rice.”

He also noted Batanes as his Top 2 destination for 2014. ❱❱ PAGE 42 Pack your

New Year Resolutions

27 FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014

12 Changes for 2014

From traditional to adorable, crafting books that encouraged and inspired in 2013

BY LEO BABAUTA Zen Habits WHAT WILL you make of the blank slate that is 2014?

What can you create? What changes can you make stick?

These are the questions to ask ourselves right now. Imagine a year from now, as we’re finishing 2014—what new habits will you have then?

You can take the usual approach and make a bunch of New Year’s resolutions, and fail at pretty much all of them.

Or you can focus on one habit a month, and use proven techniques to make them stick.

At the end of a year, you’ll have 12 new habits. Even if only half of those habits managed to stick, your life would be greatly changed.

May I make a few suggestions?

• Aim for long-term changes that will have compound interest over the years.

• Make one change at a time for maximum effectiveness.

• Find accountability to help yourself stick to the changes.

BY JENNIFER FORKER The Associated Press AS WE ring in a new year, let's not forget the crafting books that came before. A look at some of the best of 2013:

• One per month means 12 changes for the year.

Here are the 12 changes I suggest for 2014: 1. All-Day Mindfulness – in January we’re having a Month of Mindfulness in the Sea Change Program, focusing on 2. Unprocrastination 3. Exercise 4. Meditation

5. Self-compassion 6. Wake early 7. Declutter 8. Let go of expectations 9. Simple living 10. Productivity 11. Improve relationships 12. Contentment To help you stick to the changes, please visit http:// seachange.zenhabits.net/

TRADITIONAL CRAFTS: CROCHET, SOAP, JEWELRY As a longtime knitter, my New Year's resolution is to learn how to crochet. Storey Publishing has obliged with the fifth in its One-Skein Wonders series, an enticing grab bag of a book called "Crochet OneSkein Wonders," edited by Judith Durant. The idea is clever: Provide an eclectic mix of projects, including purses, toys,

hats and shrugs, that require only one skein (or ball) of yarn, proving there's more to crochet than you can shake a hook at.

Also on my list: "Crochet at Home," edited by Brett Bara (Interweave), with 25 projects, including four small nesting dolls and a copper wire-crocheted bowl. Although I'll need to start with something simpler, I can aspire to these.

"Resin Alchemy," by Susan Lenart Kazmer (Interweave), is aimed at mixed-media and jewelry artists and bursts with fantastic ideas. Learn the basics for using resin, and then let your imagination take flight in jewelry-making and other projects. ❱❱ PAGE 31 From traditional

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5th Street (403) 264-1100

Main Street 604-874-5571 Surrey 604-588-1975 MCE Warehouse 604-279-1544 Edmonton Northtown Mall (inside T&T) (780) 478-7352 Winnipeg 1(888) 947-7376 Isabel St. (204) 947-5888

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New Regina Office 1201 Osler St. 306-352-9922 Toronto 647-352-7376 North York 416-635-7376 Scarborough 416-299-8282

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C A R G O

Seen & Scenes

LIFE AFTER TYPHOON HAIYAN

JANUARY 10, 2014 FRIDAY 28

by Tess Sumagui

Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as “Yolanda”) hit the Philippines on 7 November 2013. The affected areas included Palo, Ormoc and Tacloban on Leyte Island, and Basey and Marabutan on Samar Island, as well as Culion (which used to be the world’s largest leper colony) in Palawan. However, Tacloban was one of the most severely affected areas where 90% of the city has been destroyed due to the 15 foot high storm surges.

We have seen how the different countries poured out their support by sending medical mission, food and sanitation supplies, and financial assistance. Filipinos, whether in the Philippines or abroad, have come up with fundraising events for the benefit of the typhoon victims. Composers have also been inspired to come up with songs about the devastation of the communities, relief events and the resilience and strength of the Filipinos.

In Vancouver, to express the community's tremendous gratitude to Canada and to the world, members of the Filipino-Canadian community held a Gratitude and Appreciation Rally at the Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza five days before Christmas. With the support of the Office of the Consulate General of the Philippines in Vancouver and Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer, and spearheaded by Treenee Lopez of the Global Pinoy Diaspora Canada, several community leaders, artists and supporters delivered speeches, sang and had a good time that snowy day to celebrate life after Haiyan.

GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION RALLY

In Ottawa, no less than Prime Minister Stephen Harper himself was on hand to give support and to laud the efforts of the members of the Canadian community in their several fundraising efforts.

To this date, disaster relief measures are still being implemented and this includes feeding the displaced, distribution of medical supplies, burial of found bodies, clearance of transport connections, reconstruction and rebuilding.

But Filipinos, in the Philippines and abroad, versatile and flexible, hardworking and resourceful, creative and good-natured, keep up their hopes and continue to work hard in transforming the remains of this dark and heartrending calamity into a meaningful and revolutionary episode in their lives to persist on achieving their dreams for their loved ones and restore the city and the country they call their home.

$25K FOR PHILIPPINES TYPHOON RELIEF TORONTO - Frankie Tomatto’s Italian Buffet succeeded in its goal to make the largest single restaurant contribution to the Canadian Philippines typhoon relief effort.

The Markham restaurant landmark with its giant leaning Tower of Pisa presented a cheque for $25,000 at a ceremony attended by the Consul General of the Philippines Consulate in Toronto, Juvenor Mahilum-West.

Markham City Councillor Alex Chiu also participated.

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

All meal proceeds raised on Friday, November 29th were donated through the Canadian Red Cross.

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Seen & Scenes

29 FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014

THE PEOPLE’S WORSHIP FOR YOLANDA/ HAIYAN'S VICTIMS People's Worship (Pagsambang Bayan) -- an ecumenical gathering in solidarity with the communities hit by Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan. Fr. Expedito Farinas, the new rector of the St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church, generously hosted and led the People’s Worship. Accompanying the people through the service were Rev. Brad Newcombe of Lakeview Multicultural United Church, Rev. Deb Hinksman of Ellesmere United Church, Fr. Denis Godley and Dennis Morgan of St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church, with Beth Dollaga of the Canada Philippines Solidarity for Human Rights as the Presider. Hosted by Fr. Farinas, rector of the St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church with the support of the Canada Philippines Solidarity for Human Rights.

Thank you Canada!

THE DART RETURNS HOME FROM HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE MISSION IN THE PHILIPPINES As of 16 December 2013, the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) members in the Philippines have produced approximately 493,346 litres of purified water for distribution; treated 6,525 medical patients; delivered approximately 230,485 pounds of food and 10,325 pounds of shelter and building materials on behalf of non-governmental organizations; delivered approximately 59,536 pounds of humanitarian assistance goods on behalf of local authorities; cleared 131 km of roads; and flown 184 CH-146 Griffon sorties. Story on page 23.

NO MISSION, THE CENTER OF RELIEF OPERATIONS RAISED $230,000 The efforts of the Archdiocesan Filipino Catholic Mission under the leadership of Reverend Father Ben Ebcas and with the support of other organizations like the Knights of Columbus, PCCF, Block Rosary Crusade and other organizations resulted in the collection, sorting and shipping of 948 boxes that were sent through the generous door-to-door companies to the Philippines via the Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

Solicitation of over $230,000 that was sent through Sharelife was matched dollar for dollar by the Government of Canada. In two weeks time, the total donation to the affected areas reached over 16 million pesos.

Noticing the major effort of the community, Cardinal Thomas Collins and Prime Minister Stephen Harper themselves travelled to Our Lady of the Assumption (OLA) Church and lauded Fr. Ben for his leadership, the AFCM ministries and volunteers for their unselfish and passionate efforts.

DONATIONS TO RED CROSS Money raised by several events spearheaded by and/or participated in by Friends of the Victims of Typhoon Haiyan, the Philippine Canadian Inquirer and Juan TV were turned over to the Canadian Red Cross.

A great work indeed by everyone who donated and volunteered to make a difference.

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New Year Resolutions

JANUARY 10, 2014 FRIDAY 30

Trying to eat better in 2014? Healthy snacks can curb feeling of self denial

BY SUSAN GREER The Canadian Press WITH THE excesses of the holidays behind us, it’s likely that those who had healthy eating habits before won’t have too much trouble getting back on track. But for many, establishing or re-establishing a healthy diet regimen will be harder, no matter how good the intentions of New Year’s resolutions.

Healthy snacks can be a part of getting where we need to be, but only if we exercise “‘mindful’ eating,” says Heather Thomas, public health dietitian with the Middlesex-London Health Unit.

What that means is snacking only when we are truly, physiologically hungry and then choosing snacks that “fit into healthier food categories, in alignment with Canada’s Food Guide,” Thomas explains.

“The challenge is that sometimes we eat out of habit or boredom or frustration or anxiety and we don’t think whether we’re actually hungry. That’s when that mindless eating comes into play and that’s when snacks can get a bit out of hand.”

On their website, www.dietitians.ca, Registered Dietitians of Canada warn that too much snacking can lead to unwanted weight gain. But they also not that healthy snacking is a good way to feel energized.

”Snacks can keep your blood glucose (sugar) levels stable throughout the day if you find your energy level drops between meals. This can help to curb your feeling of hunger between meals and stop you from eating too much at mealtimes.”

Snacks can also help to bridge the feelings of self-denial some people might experience if they try to drastically change their eating habits overnight. ”Coming out of the holiday season it’s a bit more challenging because we’ve been exposed to lot more of those higher-fat, higher-calorie, higher-sugar, higher-salt kinds of foods in the office, at home, at parties,” Thomas says.

“For success and for longevity of healthy eating behaviours or physical activity or whatever, it’s going to take some time.

Your eating habits didn’t happen overnight so they’re not going to change overnight either.”

She is not a fan of many commercial snacks, no matter how “healthy” the packaging claims they might be.

“For example, probably about 75 per cent of our sodium intake comes from packaged, prepared and processed convenience food.”

Instead, she recommends getting “back to basics” and making things, including snacks, from scratch so you have control over all the ingredients, including fat, sugar, salt

and overall calories.

Not surprisingly, fresh fruits and vegetables top her list of the best snacks and homemade snacks made of ingredients that are “more true to their original form.”

Having said that, she agrees there is “absolutely” room for the occasional indulgence.

“It’s all about moderation.

The trick is what’s moderation to me as dietitian is often very different from moderation to the general public. You have to recognize that it’s OK to have a couple of cookies. It’s not OK to have a row of cookies. You have to use common sense.

“A healthy diet’s not going to be made or broken with a day’s worth of unhealthy snacks, but it’s the overall pattern that’s more of a concern. You want to have intake of a wider range of different foods, including fruits and vegetables, milk and alternatives, meats and alternatives.

Foods that fit into your regular healthy eating pattern are more important than the ones that are higher in sugar, higher in salt, higher in fat.

“Behaviour change is hard and it takes time and commitment and it might take some failures before things move forward and that’s normal.”

Specific suggestions for healthy snacks from Registered Dietitians of Canada include one medium fresh fruit, a large stalk of celery with 60 ml (1/4

cup) of low-fat, low-sodium cottage cheese, 175 ml (3/4 cup) low-fat yogurt, 500 ml (2 cups) air-popped or low-fat microwave popcorn, three or four plain cookies such as arrowroot, ginger snaps or graham crackers, 30 low-salt pretzels, 250 ml (1 cup) raw vegetables with low-fat salad dressing or

dip or 30 ml (2 tbsp) of unsalted peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts, cashews walnuts or soy nuts.

“We’re so hard on ourselves when we get off track,” Thomas says. “We get so down on ourselves. We just have to remember that any movement toward a healthier lifestyle is a movement in the right direction.” ■

came just a week after a wicked ice storm left hundreds of thousands without power in parts of Central and Eastern Canada.

“In Ontario we’re seeing a whole plethora of weather warnings,” said Phillips. “In some communities they’ve got four to choose from, it’s like pick your poison.”

Toronto and Windsor, Ont.,— which were expecting wind chills from -35 C to -40 C into Tuesday—were among some communities which issued extreme cold weather alerts while urging those who were homeless to seek shelter.

Authorities in Ontario urged caution on icy roads and slushy

sidewalks and warned motorists to take care in communities that were expecting blowing snow and whiteout conditions.

It was a slightly different story in Quebec, where warmer temperatures meant Environment Canada issued rainfall warnings for Quebec City and surrounding areas, although communities in the northern parts of the province faced blizzard warnings.

In Atlantic Canada, freezing rain and rainfall warnings were issued for much of New Brunswick, eastern Nova Scotia, P.E.I. and parts of Newfoundland.

Those warnings added to the problems being faced by thou-

sands in Newfoundland, who were experiencing their fourth day of power outages brought on by a combination of cold weather, a terminal station fire and a power plant that went offline.

A mass of cold Arctic air, combined with a warmer weather system that had come up from the U.S., had led to much of the recent variety of inclement conditions, said Philips.

Environment Canada warned, however, that the milder temperatures in the eastern part of the country would be short lived.

“The cold polar arctic air will now flood the eastern part

of the country and will almost freeze everything instantly,” he warned. “That’s why we have these flash freezes. It’s going to be a messy situation.”

Some communities, including Toronto, Halifax, Montreal and Quebec City, were expected to see a drastic drop in temperatures by Tuesday.

Those seeking some relief from winter’s wrath were urged to look forward to the weekend.

“Just wait it out,” said Phillips. “By the end of this week, we’ll be into a January thaw in the east and while not thawing in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, instead of having highs of -25, we’ll have highs of -4.” ■

Much of...

Southern Saskatchewan and southern Manitoba experienced some of the most bitter cold, where communities longused to chilly conditions were lashed by frigid gusts which prompted a series of wind chill warnings.

“We’re seeing wind chills that are into the minus 50, which would freeze flesh in less than five minutes,” said Phillips, who warned residents to bundle up.

Meanwhile, communities in northern and southern Ontario were warned of flash freezes, wind chills and even snow squalls in some areas.

The latest blast of winter ❰❰ 18

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New Year Resolutions

31 FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014

Justices, solons... ❰❰ 3

Citizenship, residency

The Comelec canceled Reyes’ certificate of candidacy because of questions about her citizenship and her lack of residency to run for the post.

Reyes defeated then Congressman Velasco in last year’s midterm elections by a margin of roughly 3,800 votes, paving the way for her proclamation as representative of Marinduque.

Rightful House member

Martha Stewart's "Favorite Crafts for Kids".

A page from the book, "Creating Art at the Speed of Life".

PHOTO FROM STUDS-AND-PEARLS.COM

PHOTO FROM FLICKR.COM

From traditional...

Handmade soap pops up at farmers and crafts markets with increasing regularity. In "Soap Crafting" by Anne-Marie Faiola (Storey), the entire process, including moulds and additives, is explained in a simple format and with lots of photos.

If you've wanted to try "saponification" (the chemical reaction that occurs in soap-making) but shied away from the caustic materials, particularly lye, this book might entice you to explore the basics. ❰❰ 27

FOR KIDS, AND THE YOUNG AT HEART "Martha Stewart's Favorite Crafts for Kids" (Potter Craft) surveys years of the magazine's projects and packs the best for kids into one handy tome.

There are friendship bracelets, sewing projects and tie-dye.

Some of the best are scientific experiments, such as growing salt crystals and making a giant bubble wand.

"Photo Doodles" (Quirk Books), by ViiZ—the creative team of Vahram Muratyan and Elodie Chaillous of Paris—provides pages of black-and-white photographic images for kickstarting creativity, from blank postcards to a garden gnome who needs a home.

"Fabric Paper Thread," by Kristen Sutcliffe (C&T Publishing), offers simple crafts primarily for teens and anyone new to embroidery. Basic stitches are explained, and the copious photos help. My two

teenage girls liked the no-sew leather bracelet and the beaded tassel necklace.

"Pom-Poms!" by Sarah Goldschadt and Lexi Walters Wright (Quirk Books) puts the easy-tomake, soft-and-squishy pompom to new use: in bouquets, on pillows and curtains, and made into rings and brooches. Three methods for making pom-poms are explained, and suggested materials include recycled Tshirts and plastic bags.

"Beastly Crochet," by Brenda K.B. Anderson (Interweave), includes 23 scary-cute critters for play and wear. The sugar skull shoulder bag may appeal to the teen crowd, while younger kids might enjoy wearing the fanged bunny slippers.

INSPIRATIONAL Two books from Amphoto Books help parents, bloggers and others take better photographs. "Your Child In Pictures," by Me Ra Koh, shares tips for catching toddlers and young children at their best.

For photographing older kids, her tips include inviting creative collaboration, asking permission and allowing for prep time. She offers guidance on which everyday moments deserve capturing, and her technical advice shines. Meanwhile, "A Beautiful Mess," by Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman, covers portraiture, lighting, backdrops and other tricks for getting a professional look. The book stems from the sisters' blog of the same name.

"Tie-Dye: Dye It, Wear It, Share It" by Shabd Simon-Alexander (Potter Craft) comprehensively covers the history, dyes, fabrics and methods of tie-dye. Nearly two dozen patterns are shown in projects that give tie-dye an upscale appeal.

"Fabric Surface Design" by Cheryl Rezendes (Storey) describes techniques such as stamping, silk-screening and image transfers for designing one's own fabric. It's thoughtprovoking, and the section on traditional marbling techniques is intriguing (there are even instructions for marbleizing with shaving cream, which might be fun to do with kids).

"Creating Art at the Speed of Life" by Pam Carriker (Interweave) encourages artists to take risks, stretch skills and explore new media. It begins with advice on handcrafting an art journal for exploring colour, texture, light and more during Carriker's 30-day plan.

There are few crafting books as gorgeous as "Lena Corwin's Made by Hand" (STC Craft/A Melanie Falick Book), a hefty hardcover teeming with projects from this textile designer and illustrator and her creative friends (including the author of the tie-dye book above). From weaving and knitting to printing and beading, the projects are fitting for solo work or a crafting party. Crochet's five basic stitches are illustrated, so I may be learning crochet sooner— and faster— than I'd planned. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

House leaders led by Belmonte have stood by Reyes as the rightful House member pending the resolution of Velasco’s protest with the HRET, which they argued had the constitutional mandate to rule on electoral protests filed after a winner had been proclaimed.

The HRET is composed of three associate justices of the Supreme Court and nine House members.

Umali suggested that the magistrates just respect each other’s turf. “Anyway, the Supreme Court is well represented in the HRET, so it should allow that body to decide the case.”

Umali said the court decision on Reyes contrasted sharply with a similar case in Quezon province involving another Liberal Party member, Toby Tañada, against proclaimed Rep. Angelina Tan. “The high court recognizes HRET jurisdiction in the case of Representative Tan but not in the case of Representative Reyes. Where lies the difference?” Umali said.

Flip-flopping

In his privilege speech, Umali railed against the tribunal’s flip-flopping on the pork barrel and made a veiled threat to impeach the magistrates.

He noted that the Supreme Court had long upheld the legality of the Priority Develop-

ment Assistance Fund (PDAF) but only to turn around last November and declare it unconstitutional.

He said the tribunal declared unconstitutional the PDAF largely because of the broad public opposition to the corruption-laced pork barrel system triggered by the exposé on the dubious nongovernment organizations set up by Janet Lim-Napoles, alleged mastermind of the P10-billion pork barrel scam.

Tens of thousands of people staged rallies across the country last year, the biggest of which was the “Million People March” in Rizal Park in Manila, to call for the scrapping of the PDAF. Whistle-blowers claimed that lawmakers pocketed up to 50 percent of the projects funded by their PDAF allocation.

Before the court ruling, senators received P200 million each in annual PDAF while House members got P70 million each.

‘Playing to the crowd’ “The justices are obviously playing to the crowd to regain credibility after one of their own (former Chief Justice Renato Corona) was stripped of his robes last year,” Umali said.

The House impeached Corona and the Senate impeachment court found him guilty of one of the charges against him for not declaring his dollar holdings in his statement of assets liabilities and net worth.

“They are justices, their decision should be based on the law and not opinion polls. If they want to be popular, they should run for office first,” Umali said.

He said the recent decision of the Supreme Court to issue a temporary restraining order against the rate hike of Manila Electric Co. was another case of the magistrates’ tendency to “ride on” popular opinion.

“They are desperate to regain their credibility even at the expense of justice,” Umali said. ■

JUSTICES VS LAWMAKERS. There’s no love lost between the two equal branches

of government—the House of Representatives and the Supreme Court of the Philippines—over several celebrated cases.

INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS

New Year Resolutions

JANUARY 10, 2014 FRIDAY 32

14 Cheap Fitness Tips for 2014

BY ANDREA WOROCH The Associated Press IT’S NO surprise that “losing weight“ is the number-one New Year’s resolution for 2014, with 38 percent of all resolutions being weight-related. Meanwhile, 34 percent of resolutions are money-related, with many people hoping to spend less and save more this year.

Resolutions are easy to make and tough to keep, with a measly 8 percent of Americans achieving their New Year’s goals. Kill two birds with one stone this year by picking up some of these cheap health tips for 2014.

1. Say "Cheese!" A study on human responses to smiling conducted by the University of Kansas and reported in Psychological Science found that those who grin feel better emotionally and physically, especially during difficult situations. Smiling also helped lower stress and improved heart health.

2. Walk. The popular step counter, Fitbit, recommends taking 10,000 steps each day while the average American only takes 5,000. Add extra steps to your daily routine by opting for a parking spot at the back of the lot, going for a workwalk meeting with your colleagues, and skipping the escalator or elevator in favor of the stairs which helps you burn 40 percent more calories!

3. Stand Up. Those who spend most of the day sitting— whether at a desk for work or after hours slouched on the couch watching TV—could be at increased risk for cancer and

What did...

heart disease. When at work, make sure to get up every hour and move around, use a standup desk or take a conference call for a walk. Set reminders on your computer to get up a few times throughout the day to stretch your legs.

4. Buddy Up. Having a friend to workout with will keep you accountable, challenged and simply make it more fun. Plus, you can split the costs of personal training sessions, share healthy recipes and always have a seat saved at spin class when you’re running late!

5. Know the Numbers. Knowing calorie, fat and sodium content of food can help you better understand what to eat and what to avoid. This is especially important when eating out, since the calorie and fat content of dishes can be misleading. For example, a diner at Applebee’s might be surprised to learn the Bacon Cheddar Cheeseburger has less calories, fat and sodium than the Oriental Grilled Chicken Salad.

6. Grab a Fitness Coupon. If you find yourself in need of new gear or equipment, be sure to shop smart with coupons. Use your smartphone to save on everything from new workout clothes to fitness equipment to vitamin supplements. The free Coupon Sherpa app, for example, has coupons to Sports Authority, Vitamin Shoppe, Big 5 Sporting Goods and more. Even your local fitness center may offer coupons for newbies, so ask before signing up.

7. Buy a Bike. Riding your bike can boost your energy by 20 percent, according to a study reported by Women’s Health

magazine. Use your bike to get to and from work, run errands around town and meet up with friends for brunch on the weekend.

8. Go Online. There are tons of great sites that offer free workout videos at home with cardio and strength-training moves. Check BodyRock for high-intensity interval training workouts. If you’re looking for something more mellow, check out the free videos at YogaDownload and stretch your way to a leaner body!

9. Swap DVDs. You probably have a few workout DVDs collecting dust in your media center. If you’re sick of the routines, call up some friends and organize a DVD swap to get fresh workouts for free! Better yet, schedule a time to do the workout with a friend so you’re more motivated to get up and go.

10. Shop Garage Sales. There are tons of treasures waiting to be plucked up from garage sales in your area and it’s a great way to get cheap work-

out equipment like dumbbells, benches, jump ropes and even cardio machines. Review your daily newspaper for upcoming listings or simply go for a spin around town on Saturday morning to find signs pointing you to various sales.

11. Buy a Scale. People who use a scale on a daily basis were found to maintain their body weight which is crucial to heart health. According to a study reported on by Prevention magazine, daily weighers dropped twice as many pounds as weekly weighers. The article also suggests basic, cheap scales are preferable to high-tech ones that also purport to measure your body fat and muscle weight. Win win!

12. Hit the Hay. Getting a minimum of seven to eight hours of Zs is crucial for well being, brain power and weight maintenance. If you’re having trouble falling asleep, review your bedtime rituals. Make sure your TV and gadgets are turned off 30 to 60 minutes be-

fore bed as the light keeps your mind racing.

13. Eat Colorful Food. Eating the suggested daily portions of vegetables and fruit are crucial to overall health. The more colorful your plate, the more nutrients you consume to fight fat and disease. When shopping for produce, choose organic wisely and avoid paying a premium for fruits and veggies with tough skins.

14. Use Body Weight for Resistance. Fancy gym equipment, weights and punching bags come at a price and aren’t necessary to achieve your fitness goals. In fact, your own body weight is all you need to get in shape! From lunges to push ups to tricep dips, there are tons of moves you can do at home or at the office during your lunch break using your weight as resistance. There are also items in your home that can double as workout tools, like panty hose as resistance bands or canned goods and bottled water as dumbbells. ■

countries also care.

Actually, they don’t just care, but they are there to help in every way that they can. Philippine government officials (at least some) had also shown that they can unite in times of great need of their countrymen.

So let us leave all the worries that we are alone because we really are not. Not to say that we should be overly-dependent, but let’s relax our vigilance on trying to make it alone. It does feel good to know that someone is there to catch us when we fall (whether it’s our fault or not).

It makes the journey is much

more bearable.

Christmas because he still has his family to celebrate it with.

Looking at the good side of life, I can say this is one amazing trait of the Filipino. Indeed, a second life is enough reason to smile and bounce back again.

Shame on us who complain and nitpick on every tiny hurdle that life throws our way.

❰❰ 26

www.canadianinquirer.net

3. Nothing is permanent.

We all saw it: neither wealth nor power saved anyone who was on the path of the storm. It was the great equalizer, and the reality that unfolded before our eyes was very humbling to say the least.

The lesson: everything that we have right now can be taken away from us at anytime. Preparation is key. And it might help if you’ve been good.

4. Look at the brighter side of life.

I heard a typhoon victim said that he will still have a happy

5. Have faith.

Believe that everything can happen if we believe in ourselves, in the people that we trust, and in our Creator, who made all these victories and sufferings (and then victories, again) possible. ■

FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014

33

Entertainment

FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT, CANADA!

“#Round 3” Album: The Brand-New Elise Estrada BY SOCORROBABES NEWLAND

SHE HAS catapulted herself to become North America’s first Asian (Filipino-descent) Pop Star with a reported audience of over 884 Million in Canada alone (according to BDS); and over 115,000 Reporter Spins @ Canadian Radio. Yes, the Canadian music scene is a-buzz once again with Canada’s only pop princes Elise Estrada’s sassy style and killer new tune, “U Don’t Need 2 Know” from her new album, #Round 3.

Not too many moons ago, Elise propelled her way to fame with her catchy and bouncy debut single, “Insatiable”. Since then, she has had 10 series of consecutive hits that included “UnLove You”, “Lipstick”, “Crash & Burn”, “One Last Time”, “Poison” and the antibullying ditty, “Wonder Woman”, dedicated to teenage bullying fatal victim, Amanda Todd.

All sales proceeds of “Wonder Woman” were donated to the Amanda Todd Legacy Foundation.

Elise has received tons of recognition awards including a Canadian Radio Music Award and a Juno Award Nomination. She also had starring roles on TV,

feature films and has landed in a multitude of magazine covers.

She has shared centre stage performances amongst this planet’s musical giants to include Rihanna, Lady Gaga, The Backstreet Boys & 50 Cent. Clearly, Elise Estrada has consistently proven her massive star power appeal.

With well over 11 Million YouTube views, Elise is back on track. She has inked new album deal with XOXO Entertainment & Universal Music through her manager/partner, Adam Hurstfield. And it’s now all systems go for the launch of fun, tongue & cheek single, “U Don’t Need 2 Know”.

Launching on iTunes and other online hubs on January 14, 2014, this cut takes across a gutsy cajoling spin on the mundane perception of human existence. Estrada spews cleverly revealing verses with her signature chops on chorus parts. The track takes you back in time to the epic days of blaring “Mr. Big Stuff” with its funk rhythm guitars, pulsating base line grooves and pumping horn section.

“We live in a very self-conscious world and we all have our secrets to make ourselves feel good; even myself. But sometimes, there’s a chance of a slip up, putting you in a rather embarrassing position. You just have to laugh it off and keep being you!” Elise was quoted as

saying about her latest single.

“U Don’t Need 2 Know” is just a teaser of exciting surprises coming in tow with Elise Estrada’s highly anticipated 3rd album “#Round 3”. It is produced

by Adam H. (Ray J, Ne-Yo, Def Leppard, Loverboy, Rosette, Mary Zilba), mixed by Grammy Award Winner, Orlando Cal-

zada (J-Lo, Lady Gaga, One Direction, Destiny’s Child), and Mastered by Larry Lachmann (John, Legend, Whitney Houston, Edwin McCain). The Elise Estrada #ROUND3 album is scheduled for release in early 2014 via XOXO Entertainment Corp. and Universal Music Canada. For more information,

contact: Adam H. Hurstfield & Jackie Sonegra @(604) 628 5333 or email at info@xoxoent. com; www.xoxoent.com www. instagram.com/eliseestrada; www.facebook.com/TheOfficialEliseE; www.twitter.com/eliseestrada; www.youtube.com/ eliseestrada; www.elise-estrada.com ■

Entertainment

JANUARY 10, 2014 FRIDAY 34

MMFF jurors dared to reveal selection process

BY MARINEL R. CRUZ Philippine Daily Inquirer CHRIS MARTINEZ, director of “Kimmy Dora: Ang Kiyemeng Prequel,” has challenged the jurors of the recent 39th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) awards ceremony to go public about their selection process for winners.

Martinez’s comment came on the heels of a statement made by “Kimmy Dora 3” producers, who said they found it “unfortunate” that the prequel, its lead star Eugene Domingo and Martinez “did not get the right recognition due them.”

In a statement, the producers lamented the fact that Martinez “was not even nominated based on the merits of the film.” The comedy was coproduced by Piolo Pascual, Ericson Raymundo, Joyce Bernal and Shayne Sarte.

Martinez said he was “shocked” when he learned that his team, which included sound and music engineers and cinematographers, did not even get a single nomination. “We all worked hard to be able to come up with a technically polished film. My staff deserved to be nominated,” he told INQUIRER by phone. “We all want to know how the jurors came up with the winners.”

The producers’ statement likewise read, “A lot of people from various sectors in the industry share our sentiment [as expressed in] their articles and blogs citing the film’s production excellence.”

Bernal, who is also the editor of “Kimmy Dora 3,” won Best Director for her work in “10,000 Hours.” Loosely based on the life of former Sen. Panfilo Lacson, the film bagged 14 awards, including Best Picture, during the awards ceremony held on Dec. 27.

Martinez also questioned Maricel Soriano’s winning the Best Actress award for her performance in Wenn Deramas’ “Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy.” The director pointed out, “It’s a supporting role. If there was anyone from that movie who should win an award for a lead role, it should be Vice Ganda for portraying any of his four characters. I’m not questioning Maricel’s talent. I’m one of her fans. I just want to know how the judges

Chris Martinez, director of “Kimmy Dora: Ang Kiyemeng Prequel” PHOTO BY ROMY HOMILLADA

picked her as Best Actress for playing a supporting role.”

During the awards show held at the Meralco Theater in Pasig City, “Kimmy Dora” lead actress Eugene Domingo quipped that her Female Star of the Night award was a consolation prize for not winning the Best Actress trophy.

As of Jan. 3, “Kimmy Dora 3” was in fourth place in the box-office race that featured seven other entries. Marlon Rivera’s “My Little Bossings” was in first place, followed closely by “Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy” (second place) and Frasco Mortiz’s “Pagpag: Siyam na Buhay” (third place).

“We’re pleased with the positive feedback we received,” said Martinez. “Those who have seen it appreciated the fact that it was technically polished and that Eugene gave a brilliant performance.”

“As producers, we feel what matters more now is that moviegoers enjoy the film and leave the theaters delighted and happy,” the producers’ statement read.

On his Facebook account, Martinez said he was pleased to have heard young viewers “laugh and giggle” in the movie house. “They even scream during chase scenes! Priceless!”

He also posted his view on the call for the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)—the lead agency organizing the annual film fes-

tival—to relinquish its control over the MMFF. “It’s time for control to be given back to industry people,” he said in Filipino. “Aside from being bullies, [MMDA officials] are narrowminded and hot-tempered. It’s better if they just focus their attention on solving the traffic problem during Christmastime… Were they really angry and tried to get back at us? Ang pikon laging talo.”

Martinez was referring to the rumor that some MMDA officials felt offended by the last scene in the movie, and that they tried to get even by snubbing “Kimmy Dora 3” during the awards show. “It’s like being sent to the principal’s office all over again,” Martinez posted on Facebook a day after the ceremony. “Well, I’m not sorry. I will not change. This is my brand of comedy—love it or hate it. Deal with it. I’m here and I am here to stay. Kung hindi n’yo masakyan, kayo ang may problema.”

Here are excerpts from the INQUIRER interview with Martinez.

Do you really think there’s truth to this rumor [that his film offended MMDA officials]?

My producers have questions that they hope the organizers could answer. If they really think we should be reprimanded because of what we did, then they should sit down with us and tell us why. www.canadianinquirer.net

Why did you choose to complicate filming by using the Modula technology?

We did it because we wanted to use a more advanced way of telling Kimmy and Dora’s story. This technology replicates camera movements many times. It is very precise and is perfect for multiplying characters. Here, you see characters done by a single actor walking together, touching each other.

It aids storytelling. It helps you believe that Kimmy and Dora are two different people.

It’s expensive to use. It’s difficult to program but once you’ve gone past that hurdle, it’s easy to use. We normally start at 8 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. for just one sequence. It’s that complicated, but we would clap and congratulate each other on the set whenever we see the results.

that hectic.

I’m also the scriptwriter. I’m pleased that I was able to put my vision into film.

Were there any disagreements between you (and Bernal)?

We disagreed about a lot of things but we were able to meet halfway. She had a lot of suggestions on how to improve the movie’s overall look.

What were your conditions before agreeing to direct the movie?

I really pushed for the use of motion-control technology. I also got to pick my cinematographer and production designer. I wanted people I trusted to be part of this project.

Wasn’t this an added burden to Eugene?

Yes it was. She felt uneasy about it in the beginning, but was pleased after seeing the effect. Of course she still had doubles here. We didn’t get to use the Modula in all of the scenes since it’s quite pricey.

What did you learn from this project?

It was my first time to shoot twins and I realized how hard it was—mahirap na masarap. I also realized how exciting it was to shoot action scenes, and that the experience wasn’t different from directing a musical. It’s like dancing—you rehearse, you have to have the proper timing and rhythm.

How were you convinced to direct this movie?

Eugene and Joyce (who directed the first two installments) talked me into doing it.

At that time, I was still waiting for some of my projects to push through so my schedule wasn’t

Eugene refuses to make another “Kimmy Dora” film. What’s you’re opinion on this?

The team is satisfied with only three, but I’m OK to have more. Puwede rin naman solo— we focus on Kimmy first and then on Dora. ■

Entertainment

35 FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014

At 71, Martin Scorsese provokes again with the hotly debated 'Wolf of Wall Street'

BY JAKE COYLE The Associated Press NEW YORK—In "The Wolf of Wall Street," out-of-control stock broker Jordan Belfort is initially furious when a Forbes magazine profile turns out to be a hatchet job labeling him a "twisted Robin Hood who takes from the rich and gives to himself and his merry band of brokers."

But Belfort, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, is quickly schooled on the rules of publicity. The next morning his office is overrun with rabid young brokers desperately waving resumes, dying to join his merry band.

The reaction to Martin Scorsese's portrait of Wall Street excess has been comically similar.

It's been judged by some critics and moviegoers as a glorification of unchecked greed. But the movie's bad reputation as an orgy of drugs, sex and money (not to mention a reportedly record-setting 506 F-bombs) has also drawn eager crowds. In two weeks, the film has made $63.3 million at the box office and will likely become, if not an outright

hit, one of Scorsese's highestgrossing pictures.

"The Wolf of Wall Street" has turned into easily the most debated film in an award season otherwise lacking much controversy, aside from some scattered fact-bending concerns.

Scorsese and DiCaprio have been on damage control in recent days, defending their film as a thought-provoking portrait of decadence run amok. Nearly every film critic and countless moviegoers have weighed in on the morality of "The Wolf of Wall Street": whether the film enjoys Belfort's hedonistic high a little too much, or if tapping into the thrill of self-indulgence is actually the point.

"He does it because he can," Scorsese said in a recent interview. "If you can do anything because you can, what are we as people? Can we easily fall into it? I think so."

The largest missive came when LA Weekly published an open letter by Christina McDowell, the daughter of a lawyer Belfort worked with, in which she described the hard realities of those victimized by

the shady penny stock dealings of Belfort.

"Your film is a reckless attempt at continuing to pretend that these sorts of schemes are entertaining, even as the country is reeling from yet another round of Wall Street scandals," McDowell wrote.

To the critics of "The Wolf of Wall Street," the nearly threehour film fails to sufficiently judge the actions of its characters or depict the victims of Belfort's recklessness. The Wall Street Journal's Joe Morgenstern called the film a "hollow spectacle." It should be noted, though, that the Journal's dismissal might be considered a badge of honour for any movie about Wall Street.

And since the movie is based on Belfort's memoir, the former broker, who was convicted of fraud and served 22 months in prison, has profited from the making of the film, whether monetarily or in publicity for his motivational speaking. He also makes a brief cameo in the movie.

As part of his sentence, Belfort was ordered to repay de-

frauded investors $110.4 million, a figure he's unlikely to ever approach fulfilling. A portion of his income goes toward a victim compensation fund.

Belfort has said he's turning over all profits from the movie to the government.

The backlash, though, may be taking indignation for Belfort, who received a relatively soft sentence after giving evidence against his colleagues, and misplacing it on the movie. In an interview, DiCaprio called the film "a biography of a scumbag."

"I understood how Jordan must have felt," DiCaprio said.

"These people idolizing you even though I'm preaching to them about screwing people over to its ultimate degree."

Much of the film focuses not just on Belfort's rise from a lowly Long Island penny stock broker to a hugely wealthy and powerful figure but on the panting excitement his audacity inspires. In one of the movie's most famous scenes, one played frequently in advertisements, Jonah Hill's character quits his job minutes after hearing how much money DiCaprio makes.

The ominous concluding image of the film (spoiler alert) is of a rapt audience soaking up Belfort's motivational speaking. More than anything, the film questions this innate allure of greed, leaving moviegoers to question their own culpability in a system that rewards Belfort's behaviour. The New Yorker's Richard Brody wrote: "Those who are decrying its extremes are maintaining their own innocence, protesting all too much their immunity to its temptations."

Scorsese said he "didn't want to stand back and say, 'This is bad behaviour."'

"It's not for us to say. It's for us to present," he said. "And obviously it's bad behaviour. Obviously the values are twisted and turned upside down."

It's not every day that a 71-year-old filmmaker (whose "Goodfellas" shares much with his latest movie) releases a film that provokes like "The Wolf of Wall Street" has. Said Scorsese: "If it raises the ire of some people, that might be a good thing because it makes you think about it." ■

John Prats and Isabel Oli to tie the knot in 2014

Kris Aquino renews contract with ABS-CBN

Philippine Canadian Inquirer

Philippine Canadian Inquirer

MANILA—As 2014 ushers, speculations arose that celebrity couple John Prats and Isabel Oli will be tying the knot this year.

This, after Prats shared a photo on Instagram, showing him kissing Oli’s forehead, with the caption: “#Happynewyear @isabelolifee next year magkasama na tayo pag pasko at bagong taon ah;) #happynewyear din sa family mo;) God bless sa lahat.”

Meanwhile, Oli’s reply was: “God bless you my love!!!

Blessed new year to u Hubb @ iamjohnprats” It will be recalled that in October 2013, Prats admitted that his girlfriend is ready to walk down the aisle anytime, saying,

MANILA—All the speculations that she will be transferring to another network has ended when host-actress Kris Aquino announced on Monday that she has renewed her contract with ABS-CBN. The in-demand TV host posted on her Instagram account: "My manager Deo Endrinal continued talks w/ our ABS bosses during the Christmas break & it is w/ much joy that I share w/ you that we have RENEWED my ABS-CBN contract. I am grateful to my ABSCBN bosses, Sir Gabby, Ma'am Charo, and Tita Cory for the trust, value & importance they have given me.”

"May I set the record straight? 1) I never met w/ any

PHOTO FROM JOHN PRATTS INSTAGRAM

"I know she's ready anytime.

Siguro (Maybe) that's what I like about her. Hindi siya kagaya ng ibang artista ngayon na focused sa career (She’s not like other artists who are so focused on their careers). Maganda sa kanya kasi nakikita niya ang sarili niya to be a housewife.

(What’s beautiful about her is she sees herself to be a housewife).”

Prats also revealed last year that he was preparing a special proposal for Oli. Last December, the two celebrated their 11th month as a couple. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

GMA officials but I am grateful to them for the generous coverage they gave My Little Bossings, primarily because of their longstanding partnership w/ Vic Sotto & the Eat Bulaga family. 2) I had met w/ MVP (Manny Pangilinan) in October & again Dec 23 of 2013," Aquino explained.

"What I have become as a host, entertainer & producer came about because in 1996 FMG who was then president of ABS-CBN told me, 'Come back home,'" she said, referring to Freddie Garcia, who later became her co-judge in the reality talent search "Pilipinas Got Talent."

"I would just like to give a shoutout to @cvvidanes for being an inspiring boss who has not only my respect, but my love," she said. ■

Entertainment

JANUARY 10, 2014 FRIDAY 36

'Pretty Little Liars' actress Sasha NY Film Critics apologize Pieterse teases what's next now that for heckling of '12 Years we know she's alive a Slave' director Steve McQueen at banquet

BY ALICIA RANCILIO The Associated Press

NEW YORK—"Pretty Little Liars" has hooked viewers with the twists and turns of four friends who are repeatedly tormented and tricked in their fictional town after their queen bee best friend Alison DiLaurentis is murdered.

That's why many fans were shocked in the show's annual Halloween episode when it was revealed (spoiler alert!) that Alison was alive and had been in hiding this whole time.

The series resumes its fourth season Tuesday at 8 p.m. EST, and actress Sasha Pieterse (Peter-Suh), who plays Alison, says even though "the girls find a little bit of satisfaction" in new episodes, all isn't roses in Rosewood, Penn.

"There's so much that they've been through and to know that Alison was alive and didn't do anything when certain things happen to them I think that they're going have to deal with that because that's painful, too.

I think they're happy that she's alive and probably pissed off," laughed Pieterse in a recent interview.

Now that we know Alison is alive, Pieterse will play a more

The Associated Press

Sasha Pieterse

prominent role in episodes to come.

Pieterse says the big questions now are "where has she been hiding and who has she been hiding from."

Dead or alive, the 17-yearold South Africa-born actress is thrilled to be a part of such a popular series.

"TV is so fickle. We get 24 episodes a season. That doesn't happen as often anymore. It's a great blessing to be working nine months out of the year."

She recalls first auditioning to play the character of Hanna (the role went to Ashley Ben-

PHOTO BY JOE SEER / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

son) and filming the pilot when she was just 12 years old.

Besides being a hit in the U.S., the show is also very popular internationally with fans in Brazil, France, the UK and the Philippines.

"It's funny to hear it in other languages," mused Pieterse.

For fans that can't wait to see how the series unfolds, Pieterse advises a great way to get answers is by re-watching old episodes.

"If you go back and watch again you'll pick up little pieces," she teased. "There are things to find." ■

NEW YORK—The New York Film Critics Circle has apologized for the heckling of "12 Years a Slave" director Steve McQueen at the group's awards banquet.

When McQueen was presented the best director award Monday night by Harry Belafonte, critic Armond White allegedly jeered McQueen as "an embarrassing doorman and garbage man."

In an email to "12 Years a

A scene from "12 Years A Slave."

Slave" distributor Fox Searchlight first posted online by Deadline Hollywood, NYFCC chairman Joshua Rothkopf apologized to McQueen for "the crass bit of heckling" he encountered. Rothkopf said he was "mortified" that it came from one of the group's own members and pledged "disciplinary action."

White did not immediately respond to an email Tuesday.

The CityArts editor is well known for his contrarian film reviews. He panned "12 Years a Slave" as "torture porn." ■

PHOTO FROM CRAVEONLINE.COM

Nigella Lawson says she's moving on after 'mortifying' courtroom claims about her private life The Associated Press

Nigella Lawson

PHOTO BY JOE SEER / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

LONDON—Nigella Lawson says having her private life raked over in a London courtroom was “mortifying” but she is putting the case behind her.

The celebrity cook testified last month at the fraud trial of two former aides, who were ultimately acquitted of funding a luxury lifestyle with credit cards loaned to them by www.canadianinquirer.net

Lawson and her ex-husband Charles Saatchi.

The trial was overshadowed by allegations about Lawson’s and Saatchi’s domestic life, including claims that Lawson regularly used cocaine.

She denied regular drug use, although she admitted taking cocaine a handful of times.

Lawson, 53, told ABC’s “Good Morning America” on Thursday that “to have not only your private life but distortions of

your private life put on display is mortifying. ” She insisted she has moved on.

“Since then I’ve eaten a lot of chocolate, had a very good Christmas and I’m into the New Year,” she added.

Lawson, author of “How To Be A Domestic Goddess,” was on the show to promote “The Taste,” a TV cooking show in which she stars with Anthony Bourdain. ■

FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014

37

Lifestyle

Stop Putting Up and Start Speaking Up!

BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer LIFE ON these Philippine islands. Most of us who are honest enough will admit that there is a lot with which we “put up”.

Far too much, actually.

Insane traffic. Even more insane (insaner???) greed and corruption. Dirty, stinky streets. Dirtier, stinkier politicians. Inefficient systems. Absolute lack of system. Inflation that is way higher than income, and income that is way lower than our dreams. Unattainable housing (a 12-foot square meter shoebox of a condo is considered a dream. Sigh.) Noise. Pollution. “Bahala na”, “Puede na”, Bukas na”, “Ha-YA-hay.” You get the picture. The very surreal underdeveloped picture.

And don’t even get me started on the chaotic commute. We put up with crappy buses, rude conductors, reckless drivers who fancy themselves Andretti wanna-bes. Ever since the recent bus accident on (OFF, more accurately. The bus flew off the Skyway, killing 18 people.) the Skyway, I find myself standing at the bus stop, checking bus tires as I let bus after bus after bus to my destination go by; each one failing the “doyour-tires-still-look-more-like actual-treaded-tires-and-lesslike-glazed-sugary-doughnuts” test.

I stand there like a crazy person, looking down, inspecting; but I don’t care. Buses can’t fly, and neither can I. But there are times, when in a rush, I have to jump on the second or third bus I see. Last Sunday was one of those days and luckily (or so I thought), the third bus happened to be a nice yellow Sunlong Bus. I used to like those Sunlong buses. Used to being the operative phrase.

I got on board, happy to find a seat right behind the driver, and

settled in for my usual noontime southbound trek; glad to be out of the noxious carcinogenic exhaust, sweat-inducing humidity, and overwhelming smell of barbeque cooking at the corner stall. “Eau de commutere Pinoy” is what I call the mix.

A few minutes from the stop, the bus stalled. That should have been my first red flag, but I hoped it was a fluke or something insignificant. Or kuya’s over-excitement at seeing a comely girl crossing the road.

En route, I noticed that kuya Andretti (of course he was speeding) had to keep pumping the brakes to get the bus to come to a full stop. The brakes made a screeching noise akin to a dying animal. Not good.

A few meters after we entered the Skyway, the bus stalled again. The driver started it back up, mumbling something under his breath to the conductor. Conductor (who could have auditioned for a role in Dumb and Dumber and landed a lead) looks out the door and mumbles something back. Bus picks up speed (Duh. Slow down ‘coz the bus is broken? Pffffft. Not in these parts, we don’t!), starts to swerve a bit, and then stalls again; lurching forward and throwing us just about off our seats.

Passengers were gasping, muttering invectives (or was that just me???), and asking to be let off to wait for another bus in the middle of the stretch of Skyway. A pregnant lady two seats from me starts to hyperventilate and says she is getting “very stressed.”

Kuya says it’s ok, another one of their buses was right behind them and should be on the road very soon. Dumb or Dumber (not sure which role he landed) conductor has a cellphone that he cannot use to call the other bus ’coz he is out of load. Kuya starts up the engine again, forc-

The rickety yellow busmarine.

ibly and to the protestations of the passengers, as Dumb or Dumber looks out the door again and shrugs.

At that point, I asked the driver why on earth they didn’t just take the bus to the garage already, given the condition.

His answer floored me. “PAPUNTA NA TALAGA KAMI SA GARAGE. (We are, in fact, on our way to the garage.)”

So my next question was, If you knew it was broken, why did you still pick up passengers??? His answer drove me through the roof. “YUNG GARAGE NAMIN NASA ALABANG, EH, PA-ALABANG DIN NAMAN KAYO, DIBA? (Our garage is in Alabang, and you are all going to Alabang anyway, right?)”

After being floored and shot through the roof, I attempted to regain my composure. I replied: “Eh, alam mo pala na sira! Kuya, tama ba na nilalagay ninyo sa peligro ang buhay ng mga pasahero? Tama ba yon?

Kung kailangan ninyo pumunta sa Alabang para i-garahe ito, trabaho mo yun. Bakit mo dinadamay ang mga pasahero mo?

(Why, you knew it was broken, after all! Is it right that you

“Eduardo dela Cruz eees my name! Chismosa ka!!!”

jeopardize the lives of your passengers? If you need to bring the bus to Alabang, that’s your job! Why jeopardize the lives of your passengers?)”

He chuckled and said “hindi naman kayo mamatay ah! (You won’t die anyway!),” as the bus came to yet another screeching stall, swerving near the Skyway railing.

Dumb or Dumber yells out that the other bus was behind them; we all hurriedly made our way to the exit, and waited alongside the Skyway railing.

But not before I snapped a photo, hand shaking from fear and fury, of the bus details, with the firm promise of reporting the bus.

We got to the South Station terminal, shaken and definitely stirred. Pregnant lady was still breathing funny, and I was still fuming. I sat at the terminal, waiting for my transit bus. Who should pull up about 20 minutes into the wait? The driver from hell and the village idiot in their rickety yellow busmarine.

I asked the dispatcher at the terminal if he knew the name of the driver. No ma’am, he’s new, came the reply. I decided to take more snaps of the bus,

eager to file my report.

As I snapped some more shots, the driver opened the door and yelled in broken English, while striking an idiotic smug peace-sign pose, “CAMAAAAN! You gannna take my feechture too?!? Take my feechture! Go report me, kasi chismosa ka!!! (’coz you’re a gossip!!!)”

I got on the bus. Took his picture, flashed my press ID, demanded his name.

“Eduardo dela Cruz eees my name! Chismosa ka!!!”

I got off the bus.

The terminal guard gave me a thumbs up, as he told the driver to pipe down and get the bus out of the way.

There’s a lot that we put up with in this country. Too much, in fact. And we do so because we love this place, and because there still is so much that is good.

But BECAUSE we love this place, and BECAUSE there is still so much that IS good, we shouldn’t “put up” anymore.

Lest even that which is still good turn bad, as well.

Stop “putting up,” start “speaking up”—it’s time.

Chismosa na kung chismosa. ■

Lifestyle

Turn things... ❰❰ 25

same-old-same-old pitfall of talking the talk without walking

the walk.

We all know the highly overused cliché. All together now, with feeling: Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.

ENDURE. Hang in there, however you possibly can.

We need to keep in mind— ever before our consciousness—that whatever is worth achieving is also worth the effort and the sacrifice. This should be our mantra, as we work towards bringing about change, drastic or otherwise.

GUTS. GUMPTION. These will turn things around for us and achieve the change we desire in 2014.

And as we resolve or revolt, there will be times we will have do so alone. But most times we do so with the support of those nearest and dearest to us. And sometimes, even with help from strangers and those for

whom we have no particular fondness (I refrain from using the word enemies so early in the year. Maybe in two weeks or so. Smile!)

This is one of life’s comforts: The fact that we do not have to always go through it alone.

Those with whom we journey help us to endure. They teach us valuable life-lessons along the way. They make the trek all the more interesting and—hopefully—all the more bearable and worthwhile. They are the sugar to our spice; the sweet to our bitter; or the other way around, as the case may be. They are those for whom we are thankful, new year after new year.

Looking to the recent past, and to the future that unfolds with the month of the god with two faces: Let us look back and learn; let us look forward and hope; let us look to the now, and endure. And let us change and grow throughout this whole process.

Cheers to 2014! ■

JANUARY 10, 2014 FRIDAY 38

New Year's Day polar bear dippers across Canada take icy plunge

BY KEVEN DREWS The Canadian Press VANCOUVER—Snow and subzero temperatures may have been on the minds of many polar-bear swimmers across Canada on Wednesday, except in southwestern British Columbia where the thermometer climbed well above zero.

At Vancouver’s English Bay, a water temperature of 8C, an air temperature of 6C and a lack of wind combined to create the right conditions for a record-breaking swim, said city spokesman Sean Healy.

“This year we had 2,550 swimmers at the polar bear swim, which is a record, previously eclipsing a record of 2,246 in 2011, with approximately 10,000 spectators,” he said.

In fact, just before participants sprinted into the water, organizers warned revellers not to stay in the water longer than 30 minutes.

Minutes later, though, the race was on, and swimmers— sporting everything from bikinis to Santa Claus suits, and even a first communion dress— were racing for the ocean.

“I heard if you do it, you can call yourself a real Canadian,” said Stuart Irvine-Brown who was visiting from Australia’s Gold Coast and was wearing a red Speedo-like swimsuit.

POLAR BEAR SWIMMERS (from L to R) Boom Dayupay (partly hidden), Del Gachallan, Danvic Briones, Ryan Ferrer, Rich Abarquez, Dante Aviso and Sammie Jo Rumbaua represented the Philippines in the Polar Bear Swim 2014 held at the English Bay in Vancouver on January 1.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SAMMIE JO RUMBAUA.

On the beach, too, was Tracey Clarke of Surrey, B.C., who said she spent two hours preparing for the swim, painting her face so she resembled a zombie and donning her daughter’s white, first-communion dress.

“I love it,” she shouted while emerging from her 20th polarbear swim. “Why not? It’s refreshing. You bring in a new year. Out with the old, in with the new.”

Also present was Eri Okinaga who said she returned to Vancouver from Japan to participate in her first swim.

“We promised, you know. I went back to Japan but I came back for this ... and we are cra-

zy,” she said.

Meantime, Goldie Hoffman, a former resident of New York and Montreal, wore a pink wig, a black-and-white body suit and green bikini to what she said was her first polar-bear swim.

“It’s something new, and I want to usher in the new year doing something really crazy.”

There were a number of other events that took place in BC. In Oakville, near Toronto, people clad in bathing suits braved frosty air as they waded into the frigid waters of Lake Ontario.

Swims took place in a number of other communities including Halifax and Calgary. ■

Ministries, working as Course Conductors in the Marriage Preparation program, Communion Ministers, Greeters and in other capacities.

Working together, they manage to volunteer effectively.

Their assistance is very much appreciated by their Pastors and Deacons, extended families and friends in the community.

Doing volunteer work has without a doubt, kept this couple young.

In 2012, Sir George was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal by the Canadian Government for his extensive community work.

Blessed with six children (all University of Toronto graduates)

and fourteen grandchildren (10 are university students, 3 have completed/ completing their post graduate studies), the Poblete couple just celebrated their 57the Wedding Anniversary this Christmas season. Their Pastor aptly wished them “a very long life, so they can serve the Church and the community more.”

Volunteering is essential in all communities. There is a growing need for community members to take part in activities which will benefit the quality of our standard of living. Let George Poblete’s more than 50 years of volunteering endeavors inspire and encourage us to help others and make a difference. ■

Global Filipino... the community, then Mayor Mel Lastman awarded him the “2001 Volunteer of the Year Award“ in Toronto.

In early 2000, he pursued his active work in the Order of the Knights of Rizal (an international fraternity aiming to emulate the good works of the Philippine national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal and help in the cultural and civic work). With his close involvement with the Rizal Supreme Council in Manila and with international Regions, he earned his KGCR (5th degree, the highest rank level in this fraternity). He is presently the Region Commander for Canada, managing operations ❰❰ 24

in Canada, promoting civic and cultural projects.

George’s wife, Dolly, is also actively involved in community and Church endeavors. The couple joined the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre (a religious and charitable organization, whose main objective is to maintain Christianity in the Holy Land). He and his wife were conferred as KC*HS and LC*HS, the only Filipino-Canadian couple to earn the highest level rank in the Toronto Lieutenancy, for their service to the order.

At this stage of their lives, he and his wife devote a lot more time to their involvement with the religious, church and community work. They are both

very active in the Block Rosary of Toronto (+30 yrs.), IHM Block rosary (+35 yrs.) and Barangay Sang Birhen of Mississauga (25 yrs). The Block Rosary of Toronto is known as the best organized block rosary group in Ontario, perhaps even the entire Canada. Their main objective is to get families to pray the Rosary together. This group is now composed of over 600 families in Toronto.

George and Dolly, who is an octogenarian, continue to serve the Rosary Apostolate in the Scarborough Catholic schools, conducting 2-3 classes a month in three schools.

They are both actively involved in their Parish Church www.canadianinquirer.net

Lifestyle

39 FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014

Tories drop...

MacEwen, a senior economist at the organization who quibbled with the government’s apparent stance that the provisions were redundant.

“They’ve watered it down, which is completely unacceptable. It’s not like we convict employers in this country very often—the bar to convict employers in the first place is very high, so it doesn’t make a lot of sense.”

She agreed that legal considerations might be at play on behalf of the government.

“It might be something that the department itself found that it wouldn’t be able to enforce it or it didn’t have the resources to enforce, because it doesn’t seem like a popular move for anyone,” MacEwen said.

The crackdown on temporary foreign workers followed last spring’s uproar over laid-off workers at RBC being ordered to train their replacements, including those who came to Canada on TFW permits. A B.C. mining company was also in hot water for hiring more than 200 Chinese workers after an ad seeking Mandarinspeakers failed to attract Canadian applicants.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business accuses the government ❰❰ 22

Texting, dialing cellphone while driving raises crash risk especially for teens, study finds

BY MARILYNN MARCHIONE The Associated Press A SOPHISTICATED, real-world study confirms that dialing, texting or reaching for a cellphone while driving raises the risk of a crash or near-miss, especially for younger drivers. But the research also produced a surprise: Simply talking on the phone did not prove dangerous, as it has in other studies.

This one did not distinguish between handheld and hands-free devices—a major weakness.

And even though talking doesn’t require drivers to take their eyes off the road, it’s hard to talk on a phone without first reaching for it or dialing a number— things that raise the risk of a crash, researchers note.

Earlier work with simulators, testtracks and cellphone records suggests that risky driving increases when people are on cellphones, especially teens. The 15-to-20-year-old age group accounts for 6 per cent of all drivers but 10 per cent of traffic deaths and 14 per cent of police-reported crashes with injuries.

For the new study, researchers at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute installed video cameras, global positioning systems, lane trackers, gadgets to measure speed and acceleration, and other sensors in the cars of 42 newly licensed drivers 16 or 17 years old, and 109 adults with an average of 20 years behind the wheel.

The risk of a crash or near-miss among young drivers increased more than sevenfold if they were dialing or reaching for a cellphone and fourfold if they were sending or receiving a text message. The risk also rose if they were reaching for

something other than a phone, looking at a roadside object or eating.

Among older drivers, only dialing a cellphone increased the chances of a crash or near miss. However, that study began before texting became more common, so researchers don’t know if it is as dangerous for them as it is for teens.

Engaging in distractions increased as time went on among novice drivers but not among experienced ones.

The National Institutes of Health and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration paid for the research.

Results are in Thursday’s New England Journal of Medicine.

David Strayer, a University of Utah scientist who has done research on this topic, said the findings that merely talking on a phone while driving was not dangerous is “completely at odds with what we found.”

The study methods and tools may have underestimated risks because video cameras capture wandering eyes but can’t measure cognitive distraction, he said.

“You don’t swerve so much when you’re talking on a cellphone; you just might run through a red light,” and sensors would not necessarily pick up anything amiss unless a crash occurred, Strayer said.

As for texting, “we all agree that things like taking your eyes off the road are dangerous,” he said.

At least 12 states ban the use of handheld cellphones while driving and 41 ban text messaging. All cellphone use is banned by 37 states for novice or teen drivers, says the National Conference of State Legislatures, citing information from the Governor’s Highway Safety Administration. ■

www.canadianinquirer.net

of taking aim at big corporate abusers with its flurry of new rules while small businesses get caught in the crossfire with a Temporary Foreign Workers Program now bogged down in red tape and ballooning fees.

Among the new restrictions is the elimination of the so-called 15 per cent rule, which allowed companies to pay temporary foreign workers 15 per cent less than the going rate for any given position as long as the employer had paid Canadians that lower rate as well.

Ottawa also began charging a $275 fee for companies applying for a TFW permit, and required employers to prove they’d made every effort to fill their openings with Canadians before turning to foreign workers.

Provinces such as Saskatchewan and Alberta have been quietly urging the government for months to ease up on the restrictions. Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall even made a face-to-face appeal to Prime Minister Stephen Harper on the issue in November.

Boom provinces say their economies are hungry for the type of skilled workers that aren’t readily available in Canada due to a skills shortage that the Canadian Chamber of Commerce calls one of the top barriers to Canadian competitiveness. ■

Business

JANUARY 10, 2014 FRIDAY 40

YAMANG PANGKINABUKASAN

Planning a Successful 2014 HAVING A job and earning a paycheck are important steps toward personal financial success and freedom from government assistance. However consistent income is not always followed by the best decisions on how to spend that income wisely. Most people, if not all, have attitudes in handling their money: “I’ll get someone else to handle my finances“, “I’ll simply live paycheck to paycheck”, or “I’ll think about handling my finances later when I start earning more.” If that’s you, you must sit down and check your status. You need to relive how you have been spending your money. You may find that you have poor spending habits, putting off taxes, paying for unnecessary expenses, or missing some deductions.

You need to understand your cash flow, investments, insurance coverage, estate plan and taxes. Once you identify your status, it is easier to recapture that money and find better ways to build your wealth. With an open mind and through effort, find advancement in knowledge of money. Because when people are unaware of how money works, they often go into debt. However, this knowledge on how money works is not obtainable from school. Most undergraduates and even university graduates lack basic skills in

Regulator to allow peso to depreciate further

BY MICHELLE V. REMO Philippine Daily Inquirer

personal financial management.

How come we never learned what to do with our paycheck, only just how to make one?

When we are given a paycheck, we are also given the freedom to spend it but it is up to each individual to decide how they will apply their financial wisdom in using their paychecks.

We have no insight on the basic principles of earning, spending, savings and investing.

In addition, people most of the time do not want to switch up their financial routine to new ideas. Knowledge will enable you to have variety of options and opportunities to deal with your financial matters.

People go and depend wholly on the bank simply because they do not know where they can get the proper financial advice because of the fear of making the wrong decisions themselves. People still have myth

about banks even though we are defeated by banks every day.

Don’t wait and hesitate before making your first step toward your financial security, or it will be too late. Start to review your financial situation regularly.

Discard your old ways and start devising new, structured plans.

A financial planner can give you a window to view your financial status and help you organize your finances. Realize your old ways and change: track your finances and you will be nearer to achieving a financial success with your current budget. ■ For more information about this topic and other valuable financial information call 788 554 1114 or listen to our weekly radio program—“YAMANG PANGKINABUKASAN” every Saturday from 1:00pm to 2pm on JUAN RADIO 96.1 FM, hosted by Surrinder Varpaul and Kuya Boy.

THE BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas will allow the peso to depreciate further this year, as dictated by market forces, stressing that a hands-off policy on the exchange rate is good for the economy.

In one of its latest publications, the central bank said it would keep its policy of allowing the exchange rate to be determined by actual, rather than artificial, demand and supply conditions in the market.

But the BSP also said it would intervene, particularly by buying and/or selling currencies in the market, whenever the peso turns volatile.

“The BSP will continue to adhere to a market-determined exchange rate policy. This implies that the BSP will not set out to reverse the underlying trend of the peso, but only to smooth out volatility in the exchange rate,” the monetary authority said in its quarterly report on economic and financial developments.

Currency traders noted that the peso started to weaken in 2013, and the trend could continue through 2014. The peso closed at 44.395 against the US

dollar on the last trading day of 2013, depreciating by about 8 percent from 41.05 reported the previous year.

The downtrend of the peso in 2013 marked a reversal seen in 2012, when it became one of the fastest appreciating currencies against the US dollar.

The peso’s depreciation came about just as the US Federal Reserve mulled over the gradual withdrawal of stimulus funds injected into the US economy.

Part of the funds spilled over to emerging markets, like the Philippines, in the form of portfolio investments. The US Fed’s “tapering” decision would lead to a withdrawal of securities investments from emerging markets.

Meantime, the depreciation of the peso, which makes imported goods more expensive, will add pressure on domestic prices.

The country is already being threatened by rising oil and energy prices.

But the BSP expressed confidence that inflation would remain within the official target range of 3 to 5 percent this year. Officials said favorable supply conditions and improving production capacity of the country’s manufacturing sector would help keep inflation manageable. ■

More workers lost jobs in 9 months to Sept.

BY RONNEL W. DOMINGO Philippine Daily Inquirer THE NUMBER of retrenched workers in the January-September period of 2013 totaled 33,657, surpassing the previous full-year figure.

The Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics (BLES) said that, throughout 2012, 31,778 people lost their jobs.

Most companies cited “economic reasons” as the reason why they had to lay off workers.

In 2011, 35,526 workers lost their jobs.

However, the number of establishments that said they did displace workers in 2013 dropped to 1,764 in the first nine months.

In 2011, 2,211 companies reported that they had to fire workers. That figure decline in 2012 to 2,064 firms.

In terms of regions, more workers in Metro Manila (16,041) lost their jobs as of September last year. Retrenched workers in Central Luzon totaled 5,943, while in Western Visayas, 4,530 were fired from their jobs.

Based on the latest Labor Force Survey of the National Statistics Office, the unemployment rate in October 2013 stood at 6.5 percent.

This means that, of the country’s 45.33 million-strong labor force, 2.6 million could not find jobs. Compared to a year before, the number of unemployed Filipinos declined by

about 161,000.

The statistics agency also reported that the number of Filipinos who sought additional hours of work totaled 6.77 million during the same period—387,000 less than that of the year before.

The BLES is giving more attention to data on the underemployed, which it says provides a better picture of the Philippine labor market.

According to the agency, knowing that for example more than one out of five Filipinos who had jobs did not have enough work or were not paid enough was more alarming than knowing that less than one out of 10 didn’t have a job.

The BLES noted that the International Labor Organization www.canadianinquirer.net

has long recognized that unemployment statistics have more relevance in industrial countries than in developing ones.

In industrialized countries, “the labor market is oriented toward paid employment, and the channels for the exchange of labor market information exist and are widely used,” BLES

said. “The same, however, cannot be said for developing countries, particularly in economies where agriculture remains dominant or is a significant sector, and where the labor market is characterized by a high prevalence of self-employment and employment of unpaid workers.” ■

Sports/Horoscope

41 FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014

Team Canada: Kunitz, St. Louis among final tough decisions for Yzerman's staff

BY STEPHEN WHYNO The Canadian Press TORONTO—For more than four months, Team Canada’s management staff anguished over these decisions.

Still, it took until 1 a.m. ET Tuesday—10 hours before the team was to be unveiled— for executive director Steve Yzerman and his staff to come up with a final 25-man roster for the Sochi Olympics.

“We had gone out last night for dinner and came back. We were down to a couple of names and it was a real strong, healthy debate,” St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said.

“At some point we had to stop at 25. When we got to that last name, we shook hands and said

we’re excited about this team.”

With another gold medal the only measure of success, Yzerman, Armstrong and the rest of the management team read off names one by one, listing the group they hope will get the job done. Chris Kunitz, Patrick Marleau and Jeff Carter had their names called, while Claude Giroux, Logan Couture, Martin St. Louis and many others got phone calls from the staff delivering the bad news.

“The calls this morning to the guys that weren’t making it, those are real difficult calls,” Boston Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli said at Tuesday’s news conference. “It kind of leaves an empty feeling in your stomach.”

As difficult as those decisions and conversations were, they were necessary.

In the final analysis, Canada chose to put together a team of “different dimensions,” in the words of Detroit Red Wings GM Ken Holland. Kunitz brings natural chemistry with Sidney Crosby, Marleau a mix of speed and scoring and Carter a nose for the net.

By the time the management team—made up of Yzerman, Holland, Chiarelli, Armstrong, Kevin Lowe, Hockey Canada executive Brad Pascall and coach Mike Babcock—got down to the final meeting, there was a general consensus on all three goaltenders, seven defencemen and 11 or 12 forwards.

Then it got down to brass tacks.

“The decisions, the latenight wrangling, it’s like you go over things four, five, six,

seven times,” Chiarelli said. “Is this the right reason? Is this the right guy? What’s the right reason? We talked about four or five guys at the end, and you have second thoughts, and you just got to be firm on what you believe and the fit.”

Whether Yzerman wanted to acknowledge it publicly or not, Kunitz ultimately fit because of his production alongside Crosby, to the tune of 23 goals and 24 assists this season. Yzerman pointed to Kunitz winning the 2009 Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins and his 2008 world championship appearance for Canada, but this was always about Crosby.

“A lot of people have asked me, ’Is Kunitz being helped

by Sidney Crosby?”’ Yzerman said. “They help each other.

He’s a tremendous player and ultimately, we asked ourselves, ’Does he belong on this team?’

And the answer is ’Yes.’ ” The same went for Marleau, one of 11 returning players from the team that won gold at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver who fits as a natural left-winger. Carter, the last cut four years ago when Canada was waiting on Ryan Getzlaf’s injury status, also earned a spot based on a need for pure goal-scorers.

With only 25 spots to fill, that meant saying no to a few players who were either considered locks at some point in the process or seemingly played too well to keep from going to Sochi.

A reported hand injury ❱❱ PAGE 46 Team Canada

HOROSCOPE ARIES

CANCER

LIBRA

CAPRICORN

(MARCH 21 - APRIL 19)

(JUNE 22 - JULY 22)

(SEPT 23 - OCT 22)

(DEC 22 - JAN 19)

A close friend or love partner you haven't seen for a while could finally make arrangements to see you, Aries. You therefore could spend much of the day in a great mood, looking forward to the encounter ahead. You'll have a lot of fascinating information to share. It might be a good idea, however, to cut your visit a little shorter than you'd like and make arrangements for another meeting.

A goal that you may have been working toward for a long time might still seem very distant right now, Cancer.

Therefore, today you could actually find yourself giving up on it. This doesn't imply that what you want will never happen. In fact, sometimes letting go of a dream can actually cause it to manifest. Remember this when you start to brood on your lack of success so far. All is not hopeless!

A trip that you wanted to take may have to be postponed, Libra, probably for financial reasons. You'll want to make the journey in the company of someone who's financially strapped right now. This could be disappointing, but remember that this is only a delay.

You'll be able to have your vacation at a later date.

Don't be afraid to start making the arrangements.

By that time, your friend should have the money.

Generally, you tend to be rather ingenious where work is concerned, Capricorn, but today you may feel that the fountain of innovation has totally dried up. No matter how hard you try, you probably won't be able to muster any new ideas whatsoever. Chances are your biorhythms are low, and therefore your mind is working at a slower pace than usual. Concentrate on routine tasks today.

TAURUS

LEO

SCORPIO

AQUARIUS

(APRIL 20 - MAY 20)

(JULY 23 - AUGUST 22)

(OCT 23 - NOV 21)

(JAN 20 - FEB 18)

The house might seem rather empty today, Taurus, as most of the other members of your household are probably out and about. This is, however, a good time for you to take care of some projects of your own that you've been putting off. They might be tedious and rather boring, but think how good you'll feel when they're finally done! In the evening you might entertain some visitors. Enjoy your day.

A member of your household may be having troubles, Leo, and therefore you might consider staying home from work in order to help them get through it all. Nonetheless, you have career responsibilities that you need to fulfill. Whether to stay home or go to work may be a difficult decision to make today, but be sure you weigh all possible factors. Probably your housemate will insist that all is well and send you to work.

The need to complete an important task could have you mustering a far higher level of self-control than you're used to, Scorpio. Perseverance and determination could dominate your mood, and therefore you could accomplish wonders. However, be sure to take breaks occasionally, and remember to relax from time to time. Your work will only suffer if you neglect your body. Pace yourself!

A crisis of values may confront you today, Aquarius. Someone you care about might need you to do something for them that you don't feel comfortable doing, and this could put you in a tough spot. You probably won't want to do it, but your friend needs your help. Consider every possible contingency before saying yes or no. Reflect on how the results could affect both you and your friend.

GEMINI

VIRGO

SAGITTARIUS

PISCES

(MAY 21 - JUNE 21)

(AUG 23 - SEPT 22)

(NOV 22 - DEC 21)

(FEB 19 - MAR 20)

Someone close to you might not be feeling very well, Gemini, and you might feel the need to remain nearby and take care of this person. By all means do this. However, bear in mind that your empathic abilities are operating at a very high level today, and therefore you could actually experience some of their discomfort. Be sure to protect yourself psychically by keeping the white light around you if you want to avoid feeling ill yourself.

An important career concern could require considerable effort on your part today in order to enable you to advance whatever it is you're trying to accomplish, Virgo. At some point during the day, you may be plagued by doubts as to your ability to do this. However, don't let this cause you to panic. All you need is to muster a little energy and stay focused on the task at hand.

A business or romantic partner could be in a rather schizoid mood today, Sagittarius. You'll probably spend a lot of time together, and during the course of the day your friend could jump between enthusiasm and gloom. This could drive you crazy, as you won't know how to respond. All you can do is make sure all attention stays focused on the issues at hand.

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Today you might feel a little gloomy without knowing why, Pisces, and you could spend a lot of time trying to find a reason. There probably isn't any concrete reason. It's likely that you're simply responding to low biorhythms. This is, therefore, a great day to go for a workout. This way you can get the endorphins going and feel a lot better by late afternoon.

FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014

42

Pack Your Bags: 2014 is Here “In Sabtang, elders would open their windows and doors just to greet us good morning,” he recalled. “Batanes is like traveling 50 years ago.”

He concludes, “A lot has been said of the Marlboro Country, lighthouses and incredible hills so I would not add to that. Food is amazing and you have to seize airline promo tickets if you are planning a ticket. Don’t try to cram everything on a 3D/2N stay as it defeats the purpose of experiencing Batanes. Don’t miss Sabtang too and if you have extra time, do visit Itbayat.”

In Visayas, James noted several destinations as well.

In Top 9 is Camiguin, dubbed as the “Island Born of Fire” because of the numerous volcanoes in the island. “Its charm rests on the locals and the volcanoes that make this one unique destination. Underwater charm is also great as I’ve seen a critically endangered hawksbill turtle the last time I did snorkeling at Mantigue island,” James said. Abby Yao of www.AirAsia.com also named Camiguin as the 6th must-see beach in the country.

Calaguas in Camarines Norte is Top 8 and earned the coveted spot in Isla Lipana’s list of “Top 10 Emerging PH Tourism Destination.” Beach bums and adventurists alike will fall in love with Calaguas’ white sand, crystal blue waters, and the feeling of vacationing in your very own island.

Siquijor is James’ Top 5.

“Siquijor has been a favorite destination when I just want a break from everything. Apart from the secluded white sand coves, number of pristine waterfalls and fantastic sunsets, I like its off-beat charm and lovely locals. I consider it paraiso and waking up in front of a beach with coconut trees swaying just takes away every stress ❰❰ 26

Travel

in my body,” he wrote on his blog.

And I couldn’t agree more. I also had the privilege of visiting Siquijor in 2013 and it’s one of the safest, most relaxing, most beautiful places I have ever been to. James also has a note for the wise, to which I agree.

“If you still believe in “kulam” (witchcraft) or potions, I think you belong to the past century.

Go now and visit Siquijor,” he said.

Siquijor is a place of gentle and friendly people. Stories and lore about witchcraft and paranormal creatures still abound, but once you experience the Island of Fire for yourself, you will understand that lore is just lore and you get to create your own stories once you’re there. Stories of adventure and relaxation and getting back with nature.

In Mindanao, James suggested a visit to Lake Sebu in South Cotabato. “A visit to the National Living Treasure awardee, Be Lang Dulay, is definitely a must when in Lake Sebu. Her handicraft is like the stone carvings you see on the walls of Angkor Wat only depicted on a weaving called T’nalak, a cloth waved using abaca fiber. On a T’nalak cloth one would easily see the patterns that surrounds a life of each T’boli tribe. These weavings are unique to each other since they are weave according to the dreams of the master weaver,” he encouraged.

He also encouraged tourists to visit the otherwise averted province of Tawi-Tawi. “If safety is your concern, I would say that Bongao, Tawi-Tawi is my second safest place in Mindanao, Davao City being #1. What I love about Bongao, TawiTawi is its color—vibrant and alive, bustling with life from the colors of their public utility tricycles to the color of their clothes,” he wrote.

For his top pick, he hailed the islands of El Nido and Coron in

Camiguin

El Nido

PHOTO BY VLAD RUD ON WIKICOMMONS

PHOTO BY PHILIPPINE FLY BOY ON WIKICOMMONS

Palawan as the top Philippine destination for 2014. AirAsia. com also named El Nido as its 2nd most worthy destination beaches in the Philippines.

While the oh-so-famous travel site Lonely Planet included Palawan in their list of destinations to watch out for in 2014, together with tourism big guys Greece, India, Italy, and Bulgaria.

“What I like about El Nido is the Taraw Cliff Climbing. It’s a 2 hour or so cliff climb from the town proper. From the cliff you have an unobstructed view of Bacuit Bay,” he said. “The El Nido bay, the boats docking to shore after island hopping the whole day, the sun slowly setting on the west, the lush green forest on my south, the Cadlao island and the town center. I even saw Nacpan beach on the horizon.”

“Speak of palm-fringed powdery white beaches, crystal clear lagoons, stunning lakes and towering limestone karst and you are brought to Coron. But wait there’s more,” James boasted.

“If you think what’s above is enough, you are just scratching the surface. Coron boasts of its

Coron

PHOTO BY CHING DEE

Siquijor

PHOTO BY CHING DEE

world-class dive sites—WW II Japanese shipwrecks, thermocline lakes, Cathedral Cave, coral gardens and more.”

Speaking of AirAsia, Yao also listed 5 other must-visit beaches in the country. For the party animal, there’s Boracay.

For adventures of gigantic—as in whale shark—proportions, there’s Oslob in Cebu where you can swim next to the largest fish in the planet. If you just want to laze around and be a beach bum, then head to Panglao and Pamalican Islands in Bohol. For an experience even more precious than pearls, go to the Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte. They weren’t kidding when they said that it’s “the island that has it all.” Aside from the luxury resort The Pearl Farm, azure seas and picture-perfect landscapes will greet you upon arrival and will beckon you to stay longer than you planned. For AirAsia’s top pick, they chose The Last Frontier—Tubbataha Reef. One of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Philippines, tourists described the reef as a “true un-

derwater jungle.” The staggering amount of ocean life within the area is beyond compare and a definite must-see for everyone who can afford to do so.

Other famous travel bloggers also shared their top 3 Philippine destinations for 2014.

Edgar Alan Yap of www.EazyTraveler.com chose Isabela and the Visayan islands of Dinagat near Southern Leyte and Biliran in Eastern Visayas.

Tourism professor and professional travel blogger Ivan Henares of www.IvanAboutTown.com answered “Bohol, Bohol, Bohol!”—both for restorative tourism after the massive 7.8-magnitude earthquake and for his love of Bohol and the Boholanos.

Lastly, travel and architecture photographer Estan Cabigas of www.Langyaw.com shared, “For food, architecture, history and culture—Iloilo, especially with refurbishing of Calle Real and similar plans; Bohol for beaches, cave pools, caves and mysticism, and lastly, Northern Mindanao for adventure and thrills.” ■

FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014

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Story Time... two foreign cultures—Canadian and Chinese—but gradually getting her groove back, thanks in part to participation in activities such as storytelling.

Diana Ng’s story is multigenerational. Although a Canadian resident since 1969, she was born in Hong Kong to a family already split in half by Canadian immigration policies that prevented families from joining men who had emigrated to find work. Perhaps somewhat charitably, Ng has always looked upon Canada as a place of humanity and democracy, and in trying to live those ideals found herself regarded by others as a strong and independent woman—characteristics she can trace right back to a grandmother who, as a toddler in China, refused to have her feet bound.

Then there is Emma Baik, who arrived from Korea in 2004 with her husband and a young daughter. Her story is about optimism and pessimism—with a little war of the sexes thrown in for good measure. That’s because Baik’s husband is a positive thinker, while she is more inclined toward negativity. Baik relates this with quiet, sweet humour, telling the story of how her husband wished to abandon his career to follow a dream of launching a landscaping business, despite no experience whatsoever. He is now taking classes, the Baiks are growing their first garden, and one other ❰❰ 22

Publisher Philippine Canadian Inquirer Editor Melissa Remulla-Briones editor@canadianinquirer.net Associate Editor Laarni de Paula

Rebekah Mahaffey, Narges Govahi, Jan Taylor and Young Kim at the Burnaby Public Library Storytelling Festival.

thing is growing too—Emma’s optimism.

Lucia Castillo already knew her way around a story before undertaking the training process, but she marvels at some of the techniques passed along by Steinberg. And whereas most of the other participants opted for personal stories, she tells a traditional Peruvian tale set high up in the Andes, in Cuzco, which many Canadians know as the jumping off point for Machu Picchu.

Why a traditional tale? Castillo says it’s a story that has stood the test of time and one to which children and adults as well as adults can relate. But more than that, while she personally understood that moving to another country would be hard, she couldn’t imagine just how hard.

“I didn’t want to talk about my own expe-

rience coming to Canada because I was worried I might cry,” she explains. It’s something, she adds, that has happened to many of her storytelling colleagues.

In Castillo’s story—which she relocates, incidentally, to Burnaby Heights— a poor woman compliments a baker on the wonderful smell of the bread she cannot afford to buy, only to have the stingy baker charge her for the privilege of sniffing. The dispute ends up in front of a wise judge, who determines that— but oops, terribly sorry about this: relating his decision would spoil Castillo’s story, and you really should hear it for yourself. You’ll find it on the BIPT website, as well as information about upcoming appearances by Burnaby’s roving band of storytellers. www.bipt.ca ■

Team Canada... couldn’t have helped Couture’s chances, though his not being named just in case speaks to Canada’s desire to go in another direction. A slow start hurt Giroux’s chances, and though Yzerman said there would be no hard feelings for him not attending Olympic orientation camp, that did not reflect well.

Three Vancouver Olympians who still warranted serious discussion didn’t get to come back: Eric Staal, Joe Thornton and Mike Richards.

Staal struggled early and suffered a lower-body injury last week. Thornton’s 48 points weren’t enough to offset his inability to play wing on the bigger, international-sized ice surface.

“You know what—Claude Giroux, Joe Thornton—all these players, I can go on and on,” Yzerman said. “I’m going to have to walk into rinks and see these players as well and I don’t feel good about not putting any of them on the team.”

The toughest cut was St. Louis, who didn’t make it in 2010 and looked like a no-doubter this time based on winning the Art Ross Trophy last season.

Yzerman, who also serves as GM of the Tampa Bay Lightning, got to tell injured star Steve Stamkos he was on the team ❰❰ 40

Correspondents Gigi Astudillo Angie Duarte Maria Ramona Ledesma Katherine Marfal Frances Grace Quiddaoen Agnes Tecson Ching Dee Socorro Newland Lizette Lofranco-Aba Graphic Designer Victoria Yong 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 PHILIPPINE PUBLISHING GROUP Editorial Assistant Phoebe Casin

but couldn’t say the same to his captain, St. Louis.

“All I can say is that Marty’s been a tremendous player for us,” Yzerman said.

“This year with a transition to a much younger group and Stammer being injured, he’s been a tremendous leader, he’s played extremely well and he’s been great for our younger players. I can honestly say that’s not a decision that I enjoy making.”

But it wasn’t about enjoying the decisions as much as making them. Others, like Jamie Benn, Matt Duchene and Patrick Sharp made it nearly impossible to keep them off the team.

Jonathan Toews, Rick Nash, Patrice Bergeron, Getzlaf and Corey Perry round out the forwards returning from 2010, and there couldn’t really be a true Canadian Olympic team in 2014 without young superstar John Tavares.

On defence, the top six of Duncan Keith, Shea Weber, Jay Bouwmeester, Alex Pietrangelo, Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Drew Doughty came easy. Dan Hamhuis made it as the final left-handed shot, while P.K. Subban got the final right-handed spot after much debate.

“P.K. is a guy that provides a dimension—the ability to transport the puck, run a power play,” Holland said. “He can

make a big play to win you a game. He can be a game-breaker.”

In goal, Armstrong said there wasn’t much late debate after the management team reached a consensus on Roberto Luongo, Carey Price and Mike Smith.

Luongo was in goal in Vancouver when Canada won gold four years ago, while Price’s world junior experience and recent NHL play made him an slam-dunk choice.

Babcock wouldn’t name a starter for the Feb. 13 opener against Norway on Tuesday for a very specific reason.

“What we did is we chose three goalies that could start because with the injury situation in the National Hockey League, to say this guy’s your starter, I think you’re foolish,” he said. “Who can win any game? And that’s what we tried to do.”

This group won’t be charged with winning just one game but many. Remembering the small margin of error in Vancouver, Yzerman hopes the calls made now pave the way to gold in Sochi.

“In our position we’ve got to make (a decision), and today we can’t pull the eraser out and change a name,” he said.

“Every one of us in Canada has an opinion on who should be on this team and nobody’s wrong. Nobody’s wrong because they’re all really good players.” ■

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