Philippine Canadian Inquirer #268

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VOL. 5 NO. 268

UN Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard talks to reporters after delivering a speech in a conference tackling drug issues on Friday. Callamard’s visit surprised the government, which said it would raise the matter when a top-level delegation meets with UN experts next week. Story on page 8.

NINO JESUS ORBETA / PDI

Greens hold balance of power with three elected MLAs in stunning B.C. election

BY DIRK MEISSNER The Canadian Press VICTORIA — British Columbia’s upstart Green party achieved the historic political breakthrough they were looking for on Tuesday, winning three seats

and holding the balance of power as no party won enough seats to form a majority government.

The see-saw election battle ended with 43 Liberals, 41 New Democrats and three Greens, although recounts could

9

AFP respects US travel advisory on Palawan, yet to detect any threat

21 Big child webcam sex bust reveals rising abuse ❱❱ PAGE 11

❱❱ PAGE 17 Greens hold

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French President-elect Macron gears up for challenges ahead

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Philippine News

FRIDAY MAY 12, 2017

3

Nations critique Filipino leader’s rights record at UN body

BY JAMEY KEATEN The Associated Press GENEVA — A Filipino senator briskly defended the human rights record of President Rodrigo Duterte’s government before a U.N. body on Monday, saying his government always “seeks to uphold the rule of law” while critical Western nations aired concerns about deadly vigilante justice and extrajudicial killings in the country.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano came before the U.N.’s Human Rights Council equipped with a slide show and video excerpts of previous comments by Duterte about the Philippines’ fight against illegal drug trafficking, repeating claims that critics are smearing the Filipino government’s record and urging a distinction between “fake news” and real news.

“One: There is no state-sponsored killing in the Philippines. Two: There is no sudden wave of killings,” Cayetano said. “We are asking you — through the mechanisms of this honourable council — to interview our people, to go to our communities, to visit the Philippines and to see for yourself: The truth, the real numbers.”

“At all times, the Duterte government seeks to uphold the rule of law,” he added.

Cayetano was speaking Monday at a review of Philippines human rights record at the council, part of a process known as the Universal Periodic Review of all 193 U.N. member states. The Philippines currently has a seat on the

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, outside of his schedule, listens to the concerns raised by more than 200 farmers and farmworkers belonging to the Madaum Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association Incorporated who gathered in Mendiola.

PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

47-member council which also includes Britain, China, Cuba, Egypt, Germany, Saudi Arabia and the United States.

Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump set off an uproar in Washington by inviting Duterte to the White House, despite rights groups’ criticism of his anti-crime campaign. Human Rights Watch says it has left over 7,000 suspected drug dealers and users dead since Duterte took office in June; the Manila government contests that figure.

The two-week UPR session focuses of 14 countries including Britain, India and South Africa. Following Cayetano’s opening remarks, delegations had one minute to comment on the Philippines’ record and make recommendations.

Such reviews are mostly used to spotlight alleged abuses and urge countries to honour their rights obligations.

National ID system bill hurdles committee level

BY FILANE MIKEE CERVANTES Philippines News Agency MANILA — A House of Representatives’ panel approved on Wednesday a bill seeking to consolidate all existing government-initiated identification systems into one integrated and efficient Filipino ID system.

The House committee on population and family relations, chaired by Laguna Rep. Sol Aragones, unanimously approved a substitute bill to the 18 measures filed by House members.

The proposal seeks to create a national ID system that will streamline, integrate and simplify public and private transactions in the country.

In an ambush interview, Aragones said the Filipino ID card will contain

on its face the imprinted photograph, name, birth date, gender, and corresponding common reference number of the individual.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) shall implement and oversee the registration through the Local Civil Registry Office (LCRO).

The Filipino ID card may be used in all government transactions including applications for passport, driver’s license, availment of services and benefits offered by insurance institutions, clearances from the courts, prosecutor and the police, and other transactions requiring proof of identification.

The initial application and issuance of the Filipino ID card shall be free of charge as part of the government’s social service responsibility. A replacement fee shall be paid by the cardholder. ■

Some countries praised the Philippines’ efforts: A Chinese delegate cited Cayetano’s “very convincing” remarks and challenges faced by China and other “developing countries” to fight the drugs trade. Several Western countries in particular raised concerns about violence against journalists, the prospects of a reinstated death penalty, and extrajudicial killings.

Deputy Permanent Representative Tanya Bennett of Australia said her

country was “deeply concerned” about the reports of extrajudicial killings linked to the “so-called war on drugs, noting credible allegations of involvement by elements of the Philippine national police.”

Germany’s envoy called for the Philippines to take “all necessary measures” to stop extrajudicial killings, and the Vatican said reports of enforced disappearances were “deeply troubling.”

Cayetano argued that critics altered the definition of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines from that used under previous governments, insisting: “Suddenly, ‘extrajudicial killing’ refers to any death outside those causes by natural causes, accidents, or those ordered by courts — and we do not have the death penalty, so none are ordered by courts.”

“Make no mistake ... one death or any death or killing is one too much,” he added. “However, there is a deliberate attempt to include all homicides as ‘EJKs’ or killings related to the campaign against criminality and illegal drugs — and that these are state-sponsored, which is absolutely not true.”

He said more than 1.2 million drug pushers and users have surrendered “voluntarily” and are “being rehabilitated.” ■

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Philippine News

MAY 12, 2017

FRIDAY

‘Investigate insinuation of bribery’

BY NIKKO DIZON AND MARLON RAMOS Philippine Daily Inquirer OCCIDENTAL MINDORO Rep. Josephine Sato on Sunday supported Sen. Panfilo Lacson’s call for Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III to investigate allegations that members of the Commission on Appointments (CA) were bribed into rejecting the nomination of Gina Lopez as environment secretary last week.

“I believe inaction will be a disservice to our people and to our country. Any allegation that undermines the integrity and independence of the CA must be taken seriously,” said Sato, a CA member like Lacson.

Malacañang on Sunday defended President Duterte after Lacson chided him for making a “sweeping assault” on the Com-

mission on Appointments.

Mr. Duterte said that “lobby money” was involved in the rejection of Lopez’s nomination to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

An environment advocate, Lopez incurred the ire of big mining companies after she ordered in February the shutdown of 23 of the country’s operating mines allegedly for ruining watershed areas. She also canceled 75 mineral production sharing agreements.

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said that what Mr. Duterte said merely highlighted the existence of certain vested interests in the appointment of officials.

“This, however, does not in any way diminish the integrity of the Commission on Appointments,” Abella said in a statement.

Guidance from President

Lacson turned the tables on Mr. Duterte on Sunday as he surmised that the lawmakers who voted to reject Lopez had sought guidance from the President.

The senator noted that several CA members, like Senators Manny Pacquiao and Juan Miguel Zubiri, were known to be close allies of the President.

“There are members close to the President who have a direct line to him. I’m almost sure they first asked him [on what to do with Lopez],” Lacson said on dzBB. Lacson was among the 16 CA members who voted on Wednesday to reject the President’s nomination of Lopez, a member of the family that owns the broadcast giant ABS-CBN. Eight of the 24-member commission, including opposition Senators Franklin Drilon, Francis Pangilinan and Bam Aquino,

voted for the confirmation of Lopez’s appointment.

But Lacson lashed out at fellow CA members who stood up during the commission’s plenary session to make public their support for Lopez, saying this was a violation of the commission’s amended rules that required secret balloting.

Lacson said the action of some of his colleagues practically unmasked those who were against the nomination of Lopez.

Citing the result of the secret balloting, he said some of the lawmakers who had claimed in the media that they supported Lopez actually voted to reject her.

He argued that while some senators voiced out their support for Lopez during the plenary session, they did not formally oppose the CA decision to reject her nomination.

In a statement, Sato said she

did not question Lopez’s passion for the environment and her vigorous campaign against irresponsible mining.

Rule of law disregarded

But Sato said the tendency of Lopez to use her “prerogative over established rules and regulation, and ignore due process [was] an utter disregard for the rule of law and [showed] a lack of understanding of the function and role of the executive department.”

As a result, Lopez “inadvertently gave illegal loggers, irresponsible miners and environmental criminals a loophole or a workaround through legalese and technicalities to the detriment of affected communities and the marginalized sectors,” the congresswoman said.

Sato said Lopez had also set aside civil service rules when she hired 55 “consultants” and officials. ■

Ethics complaint filed vs Sotto

BY AZER N. PARROCHA AND MAY A. ALTAVANO Philippine Daily Inquirer MANILA — An ethics complaint against Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III was filed in the Senate on Wednesday after his controversial remark about single parents in a previous hearing with the Commission on Appointments (CA) last week.

During the hearing on the confirmation of Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo last May 3, Sotto cracked a joke about her admitting to being a single mother which caused a public stir.

A coalition of women’s groups filed the five-page complaint before the Senate Committee on Ethics, which Sotto chairs, at around 2:30 p.m.

These groups include the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women-Asia Pacific (CATW-AP), the World March of Women–Pilipinas (WMW), Pambansang Koalisyon ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan (PKKK) among others.

The complaint said Sotto “undermined national policies that have underpinned laws such as The Solo Parents Welfare Act (Republic Act 8972)

and the Magna Carta of Women (Republic Act 9710).”

It also said that he “manifested that he views single/ solo mothers as less-than others; demeaning and disparaging women in the same position and making them easy targets of jokes and ridicule.”

It noted that he “epitomizes the segment of the misogynist and macho sector of the society that considers women who are without men as less of value” and that “his language normalized the patriarchal view that men has sexual privilege over women and trivialized abandonment of responsibility over children.”

Sotto “showed his utter insensitivity and disregard to the hard work, strong will and determination of mothers who raise children on their own,” the complaint said.

Moreover, the complaint noted that not a single member of the CA corrected or commented on Sotto’s remark which they found “alarming.”

The group wanted Sotto to inhibit himself as chair of the Senate Committee on Ethics and wanted the committee to impose a sanction against him.

They also sought for all members of the CA to be rep-

rimanded for failing to correct Sotto and require all senators including their staff to undergo Gender Sensitive Training facilitated by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW).

“Ang pangunahin naming layunin sa pagsasamapa ng aming reklamo ay maunawaan ng publiko na an gaming ipinaglaban na mga batas para sa pagtatanggol at pagprotekta sa karapatan ng mga kababaihan ay hindi dapat nababalewala lalo na ng mga pinuno sa ating pamahalaan, lalo na ng mga lehislador na dapat ay nauunawaan ang mga batas na ito, sa particular yung Magna Carta of Women,” CATW-AP representative Jean Enriquez said in an interview. (“Our main objective in filing a complaint is so that the public will understand that the laws that we have been fighting for to protect the rights of women should not be ignored, especially by officials of the government officials and legislators who should be able to understand these laws, particularly the Magna Carta of Women,” CATW-AP representative Jean Enriquez said in an interview.)

Enriquez said the group did not believe that Sotto’s apology was a “real apology” and that www.canadianinquirer.net

Senate Majority Floorleader Senator Vicente Sotto III advises solo parents, led by its President Carina Javier (2nd from left), during a courtesy call.

AVITO C. DALAN / PNA

people who stayed in the streets used the same language.

Delicadeza

Sotto, for his part, said that once he receives an official copy of the complaint, he will file an indefinite leave and allow Sen. Panfilo Lacson, Vice Chair of the Committee, to take over.

“I’m Ethics Chairman and there’s a complaint against me.

It’s only proper that I file a leave out of delicadeza. I definitely have that,” Sotto told reporters in an interview.

The senator said that he has not yet read the complaint but stressed that it was a “welcome thing” and would let Lacson determine if the complaint had “form and substance.”

“I haven’t read the complaint but we live in a democracy, we have freedom of speech, freedom

of expression, freedom of the press, freedom to waste our time so it’s a welcome thing,” Sotto said.

Sotto further described the complaint as a “blessing in disguise” noting that filing an indefinite leave would mean that he would get to take a break from reviewing several ethics complaints filed against colleague, detained Sen. Leila de Lima. “…It might be another blessing in disguise because automatically I will inhibit myself then take leave from the Committee on Ethics and that will solve my dilemma with Sen. de Lima since Sen. Lacson will take over,” he added.

This complaint came a day after Sotto met with members of the Federation of Solo Parents and assured them that there will be amendments to the Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000. ■

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Philippine News

FRIDAY MAY 12, 2017

7

‘Colorum’ buses can’t use southwest terminal

BY ERIKA SAULER Philippine Daily Inquirer

Sen. Grace Poe, chair of the Committee on Public Services, presides over the public hearing of extending the validity period of a driver's license from three years to five years.

AVITO C. DALAN / PNA

5-year driver’s license validity ‘a done deal’ — Poe

BY AZER N. PARROCHA AND MAY A. ALTAVANO Philippines News Agency MANILA — The proposed measure to extend the driver’s license validity from three to five years will soon be advancing to the Senate plenary where its approval is “a done deal,” Sen. Grace Poe assured Tuesday.

Poe, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Services, made this remark during the Senate hearing on Senate bills seeking to extending driver’s license validity to five years namely SBN 271, 941 and 1224.

These measures were filed by Senate Pres. Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto, Senators Richard Gordon and Joseph Victor Ejercito, respectively. “…Referring it to the plenary is a foregone conclusion. And its approval, I can say with certainty, is a done deal,” Poe said during the hearing.

At the end of the hearing, Poe’s committee approved in principle the measures seeking to extend driver’s license validity to five years since there were no opposition proposals.

“Our committee shall now be working on a final and consolidated version of the bill and present it to the plenary soon,” she said.

In an interview with reporters after the hearing, Poe said her committee is set to prepare a report on the measure and targets its passage before the Senate adjourns.

She described extending the validity of the driver’s license as “a long commonsensical idea which should have been done a long time ago” and lauded the Duterte administration for the initiative.

The lady senator stressed that while the Executive branch has initiated steps to extend the driver’s license validity, there was a need to pass a law to make

sure it lasts during succeeding administrations.

“It is the right thing to do. It is an antired tape app that will not cost a cent to implement. It will save all the drivers in this land millions of man-hours otherwise spent in queuing to get the permit to operate a motor vehicle,” she added.

New cards

Poe said that according to the Land Transportation Office (LTO), they will start issuing the driver’s licenses with five-year validity by August.

LTO said that around PHP 526 million was included in the agency’s budget for the driver’s license.

Despite its new features, Poe said that the LTO also assured that license holders will not be paying additional fees.

Driver’s license applicants currently pay PHP820 for new license applications and PHP652.63 for license renewal.

The senator said that the cards will be engraved instead of printed since the LTO purchased the equipment and will produce the cards from now on.

Moreover, the new driver’s licenses will feature a hologram mark and “hidden” data so that traffic violations will be uploaded on the system and the barcodes in the license will reflect the changes immediately.

LTO is also in the process of revising the examination questions for license applications, especially for professional drivers, to ensure that qualified and disciplined drivers are allowed to drive.

She, meanwhile, urged the LTO to place more biometric scanners in more populated LTO offices to cut long queues. There are currently 265 LTO offices, but Poe said they should have more than that number.

At present, the contract for the fiveyear license validity has been awarded to a Filipino-German joint venture to address the backlog on the issuance of driver’s licenses. ■

THE METROPOLITAN Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is weeding out “colorum” (illegally operating) vehicles through the computerized management of buses transferring to the new temporary southwest terminal in Pasay City.

The Bus Management and Dispatch System (BMDS), first implemented in Quezon City terminals in 2013, is a database aimed at regulating the number of passenger buses on the road.

It also contains the information of registered drivers, including their unsettled traffic violations.

“You have to be on the system. Before you transfer, we stencil the chassis and engine number to make sure the vehicle has a valid registration and [is] not colorum,” Bong Nebrija, MMDA supervising officer for operations, said on Sunday.

Drivers with unpaid penalties will not be allowed to ply their routes.

Some 200 buses have already trans-

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ferred from the old terminal at Coastal Mall in Parañaque City to the new terminal at HK Sun Plaza on Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard in Pasay City. The Southwest Interim Provincial Terminal (SWIPT) can accommodate more than a thousand buses from Cavite and Batangas.

After the terminal’s soft launch on Friday, the MMDA reiterated the flow of traffic for city and provincial buses.

City buses coming from Edsa southbound should turn right on Macapagal Boulevard and enter SWIPT to unload passengers, then exit by turning right on Roxas Boulevard toward BMDS Coastal Terminal.

Upon dispatch, the city buses should exit BMDS Coastal via Macapagal Boulevard and turn right on Seaside Drive ( MIA Road) then turn left on Roxas Boulevard, right on Edsa and on to their authorized route.

Provincial buses coming from Coastal Road/Roxas Boulevard should turn left on Edsa Extension then right on Macapagal Boulevard and enter SWIPT to unload passengers. ■

Philippine News

8

MAY 12, 2017

FRIDAY

The LIGA INDEPENDENCIA PILIPINAS (LIPI) condemns the alleged bias unfounded statement of the United Nation Special Envoy Agnes Callamard, noting the Philippine Government should declare her persona non grata.

AVITO C. DALAN / PNA

Publisher Philippine Canadian Inquirer, Inc. Correspondents Jane Moraleda Cheng Ilagan Katherine Padilla Deby Mangabat Phoebe Balubar Socorro Newland Bolet Arevalo Gerna Lane Sotana News Anchor Manny Noel Abuel Administration Head Victoria Yong Graphic Designer Shanice Garcia Photographers Angelo Siglos Vic Vargas For photo submissions, please email editor@canadianinquirer.net For General Inquiries, please email info@canadianinquirer.net For Sales Inquiries, please email sales@canadianinquirer.net PHILIPPINE PUBLISHING GROUP Editorial Assistant Christelle Tolisora Associate Publisher Lurisa Villanueva In cooperation with the Philippine Daily Inquirer digital edition Philippine Canadian Inquirer is located at 11951 Hammersmith Way, Suite 108 Richmond, B.C. V7A 5H9 Canada

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Member

Palace knew I was coming, says Callamard But gov’t says it asked her to reconsider Manila trip because a Philippine delegation was visiting Geneva to see her

BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA AND JEANNETTE I. ANDRADE Philippine Daily Inquirer UNITED NATIONS special rapporteur Agnes Callamard hit out at the government on Saturday for questioning her visit here to attend a private academic event, saying that Manila knew beforehand she was coming contrary to what it claims.

But Malacañang said it was standing by its statement even as Callamard, the special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, said the government knew she was coming to take part in a two-day forum on illegal drugs also attended by other foreign experts beginning Friday.

Callamard said that she informed the government on April 28 of the trip, which she had made clear would be carried out in her private capacity, and not an official trip.

On April 29 and May 1, the government replied and reacted to her forthcoming trip, she said.

“Exchanges on this matter by phone, mail and e-mail between my mandate and the Permanent Mission of the Philippines continued until May 4,” Callamard said.

She said she rejected a statement made by presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella “stating that the Philippine government had not been informed in advance of my trip to the country.”

She stressed that the trip was not an official country visit and that it was normal for special rapporteurs to visit countries to attend different conferences and events.

But Abella on Saturday said the Philippine Mission in Geneva, Switzerland, had asked Callamard to “reconsider” her trip to the Philippines because a delegation from the country would be in Geneva at the same time for the Univer-

sal Periodic Review (UPR) of the human rights situation in the country and were expecting to see her.

“She conveniently failed to disclose that when the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) office in Geneva informed the Philippine Mission there, the mission asked her to reconsider the trip since Philippine officials would be in Geneva at the same time for the Universal Periodic Review, and were expecting to see her, that being the appropriate venue to meet,” he said.

Abella further said that Callamard’s “delayed response” to the government’s request only came on the day she left for the Philippines.

“This was neither timely nor proper courtesy accorded to a sovereign nation.

We stand by our statement,” Abella said.

Callamard also questioned the government’s claim that she did not accept its invitation to conduct an official visit to the country.

She noted that she had rejected the conditions attached to the invitation, and said she still wanted to conduct an investigation here over the thousands of deaths attributed to the President’s drug war.

ICC case is dead

“Last year, I rejected the conditions imposed by the government on the visit, as they did not comply with the rules and methods of work of Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. I look forward to a positive engagement with the government of the Philippines on issues of interest to my mandate. I remain deeply committed to undertake an official visit to the country,” she said.

Manila’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Teodoro Locsin, took to Twitter to say that Callamard’s unannounced trip came with consequences. He said a case filed against Mr. Duterte before the International Crimi-

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nal Court (ICC) by two self-confessed hit men was now “dead as a door nail.”

“Thank you Agnes, you just solidified the country behind Duterte and his drug war, and thoroughly discredited any criticism of him and it,” said Locsin, who formally assumed his post two weeks ago.

He stressed that the UN headquarters in Geneva was the “proper venue” to discuss the allegations.

“Every country in the UN— US, Israel, India, Saudi, Latin Am, EU pushing refugees out to sea—will have nothing to do with her. Curtains,” he said.

“To say she informed PH govt acknowledges that it has a say in her trip & how it affects her role as UN rapporteur.

She came anyway. Bye. “Good night everyone. Again, thank you Agnes (Callamard). The ICC case is dead. Trust me on this. Dead as a door nail,” he said.

Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, who leads the Philippine delegation to defend the government’s antidrug war at the UPR in Geneva, dismissed as “alternative facts” the accusations that thousands have died in the campaign.

“If only there was a less political, more unbiased and fair way of describing what is happening in the Philippines, we will be having a more constructive discussion rather than groups throwing alternative facts and fake news,” Cayetano told a side event attended by state representatives attending the UPR. The senator defended the Duterte administration’s campaign against crime, illegal drugs and corruption, saying they were “being portrayed wrongfully in the international community.”

Cayetano noted that there were also extrajudicial killings in previous administrations. He noted that out of 9,432 murder and homicide cases during the Duterte administration, only 1,847 are drug related. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY MAY 12, 2017

9

AFP respects US travel advisory on Palawan, yet to detect any threat

BY PRIAM F. NEPOMUCENO AND NICK DIONALDO Philippines News Agency MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines respects the US government’s decision to issue a travel advisory warning its citizens of possible kidnapping attempts by terrorist groups in Palawan but has yet to detect any threat that could compromise the safety of tourists visiting the island, a military official said Wednesday.

“We respect the issuance of (the US) travel advisory. We recognize that it is both an obligation and right of a sovereign state. We do that to our own nationals sojourning abroad,” AFP public affairs office chief

Col. Edgard Arevalo said.

In its website, the US Embassy warned its citizens against traveling to Palawan as it has received credible information that some terrorist groups are planning to abduct foreign nationals in the province.

Threatened by purported terrorist activities in Palawan are Puerto Princesa City and areas surrounding the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park.

“But in so far as that report is concerned, we have not monitored any threat specific to Palawan. But that doesn’t mean that we are taking the report lightly, although the AFP is not the source of that information made as the basis of the US travel advisory,” he added.

Whether this is a threat or

not, Arevalo said the AFP takes all reports seriously and they will continue their monitoring activities and remain vigilant of all eventualities.

He however also clarified that they are not deploying additional forces in Palawan to counter this report.

“We are not deploying more troops apart from those airmen, sailors, marines and select units of the army in the area for the moment. But definitely our techniques, tactics, and procedures are evolving to address ‘thinking enemies’ who adjust theirs, as well as pose terror threats,” Arevalo pointed out.

With this development, the AFP official urged all Palaweños to “remain calm and vigilant and actively participate in strengthening their security

Puerto Princesa City.

posture”.

“We would like to cite the Bohol experience where we defeated and frustrated the attempts of that terror group through the cooperation of the local government, the local residents, and security forces. Security is a shared concern and responsibility of everybody,” Arevalo said.

ALFONSO FERNANDEZ / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

He also urged all concerned citizens to report their observations to security forces that have the capability and capacity to validate reports on suspicious activities, individuals, unattended luggage or articles, and the like.

“We need their vigilance and active participation to defeat terror threats,” he said. ■

Stray bullets keep San Juan school closed DepEd cites safety issue but ex-vice mayor points to politics

BY JODEE A. AGONCILLO Philippine Daily Inquirer A FOUR-STORY school building in San Juan City built at a cost of P38.8 million has remained idle for over a year after the caretaker found bullets believed to be from the nearby firing range of Camp Crame on the campus grounds.

But the son of the congressman who funded the project through his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) thinks that politics, not safety concerns, may be the reason why West Crame Elementary School on 1st Street West Crame remains closed.

In a recent interview, Department of Education (DepEd) San Juan acting schools division superintendent Joel Torrecampo said that the four-story West Crame Elementary School, although fully furnished and ready to welcome students, has yet to be utilized.

Not-so-ideal location

In fact, even before the school could open, its closure was recommended by Education Secretary Leonor Briones on Nov. 25,

2016, because “the location [was] not conducive to learning and [the] site was originally intended for the city’s housing project under City Resolution 82.”

In his letter to San Juan Mayor Guia Gomez in February, Torrecampo requested that the building, which had been accepted by DepEd, be “transferred to the local government for its proper determination of usage.” To this date, however, he said he had yet to receive a reply from the mayor.

The school building funded by the PDAF of Rep. Ronaldo Zamora is located on a 741square-meter lot bought by the city government in November 2011. The school gates are located right across the street from the Philippine National Police firing range, around 50 meters away.

When the project’s first phase was completed in 2015, it was turned over to then acting DepEd schools division superintendent Jenilyn Rose Corpuz. Torrecampo accepted phase two upon its completion in May 2016.

The four-story building, which can accommodate 750 students, has 20 classrooms and a gym at the rooftop.

Each classroom is equipped with eight fluorescent lights, two electric fans and two blackboards. There are toilets for male and female students on each floor.

Substitute school

West Crame Elementary School was supposed to cater to the city’s students who would be displaced by the projected closure of a nearby school under the jurisdiction of the Quezon City government, Torrecampo said. The school, however, remains open.

“I have been here since the building was finished. It’s such a waste that it has remained closed.

The building is beginning to show signs of disuse. Meanwhile, I have to stay here to stop robbers or trespassers,” said Roberto Ochoa, the building caretaker.

Ochoa showed the Inquirer several of the 20 bullet slugs that were found on the rooftop during and after the building’s construction.

Although no one has been hit by a stray bullet in the area, the discovery prompted the PNP to raise the height of the firing range’s perimeter fence from 3.2 meters to 6.2 meters. Work bewww.canadianinquirer.net

gan last Feb. 14 and is expected to be completed within six months.

The DepEd, however, sees another potential obstacle to operating the school, saying the lot where it stands was originally meant for a housing project for informal settlers.

“The problem was brought up only after the project was completed,” Torrecampo said in his letter to Gomez.

Dangerous for students

“Until the problems are solved, we cannot order the opening and the turnover of the school as it would be dangerous for the students,” he added.

In a previous interview, Gomez had said the school’s construction “was not the city’s decision.”

“When it was constructed, they probably did not notice that it was located right in front of a firing range,” she pointed out.

“There’s no recommendation yet from the DepEd. I think it’s up to the DepEd to decide if the school will be safe for the students or if there will be enough enrollees,” Gomez added.

“It’s the DepEd which will decide. Up to now, the school has not been turned over yet to anyone, but if it would be turned to

us, we are not sure yet what to do with it,” she said.

Politics involved?

To Zamora’s son, former San Juan Mayor Vice Mayor Francis Zamora, the issue has something to do with politics.

He and Gomez were allies until he claimed he and his father were dumped to ensure that the Estradas would remain in control of the city.

The younger Zamora ran for mayor against Gomez in last year’s elections only to lose.

“Congressman Zamora and I were happy that West Crame will have its own elementary school. It is one of the barangays with the highest population but it’s unfortunate that many San Juan students have to attend school in Quezon City,” he said.

Zamora went on to say that this was the first time he had heard of stray bullets in the area. “I’ve been [serving the city] for years but nobody was reported wounded or killed on West Crame Road. I find it amusing. The trajectory of the bullets is not toward the school.

If the issue was true, all the residents should have been told to evacuate,” he said. ■

10

Philippine News

MAY 12, 2017

FRIDAY

Pres. Duterte meets Secrecy in CA sacred to members with Davao farmers, vows to carry out genuine land reform

BY DJ YAP AND JEANNETTE I. ANDRADE Philippine Daily Inquirer

PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte had a dialogue with picketing farmers at the foot of Mendiola bridge Tuesday.

The farmers, who belonged to peasant organizations from Tagum, Davao del Norte and other parts of the Davao region, wanted to reclaim the lands that had already been awarded to them but are still controlled by wealthy landowners.

The President expressed his disappointment over the courts’ usual practice of issuing temporary restraining orders (TROs) that affect the government’s administrative powers.

“Nandiyan iyan palagi iyang TRO, TRO ninyo, hindi nakagalaw ang gobyerno. ‘Wag ninyo gawin ‘yan, kasi mabaho na style ‘yan (These TROs are always there, restraining the government),” he said.

He said he is against exerting undue influence that oppresses poor people, stressing he won the presidency through the support of the masses.

“Ibalik ninyo sa tao ‘yung lupa nila. Ipagbili ko kasi kailangan

ko pang magpagawa ng ospital, magpagawa ng eskwelahan, magpagawa ng bahay kasi nagagawan na nga itong mga sundalo natin (Return the land to the people. I still need to build hospitals, schools, housing for the military),” he said, referring to controversial properties that remain in the hands of the rich and influential.

The President instructed the Department of Agrarian Reform to distribute lands intended for farmers, so long as the properties comply with the requirements of the law.

On May 1, 200 banana plantation farm workers belonging to the Madaum Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Inc. (MARBAI) in Tagum, Davao del Norte set up a picket in Mendiola, demanding the return of land previously awarded to them.

They want President Duterte to intervene and direct Lapanday Food Corp. to turn over the lands to agrarian reform beneficiaries, end violent attacks against the farmers, and implement a genuine land reform program.

The farmers of MARBAI became the beneficiaries of the government’s land reform program in 1996. ■

A RANKING member of the Commission on Appointments thumbed down proposals to review the body’s secrecy rule after the panel rejected the appointment of Gina Lopez as environment secretary.

“Executive sessions are used among others, in order to allow free and uninhibited exchanges of opinions and in order to make decisions free from an atmosphere not conducive to good decision-making,” Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III, the CA’s majority floor leader, said.

In the case of Lopez, Albano noted that she is a scion of the family that controls the ABSCBN television network.

“In this case, the nominee is a member of a highly powerful media and business family [and] was mounting an intense media campaign [for her confirmation]. It was only prudent for the Commission to adopt those rules,” he told the Inquirer.

“On the one hand, those against her can be vilified in media while those who support her can also be suspected of currying favor [with] her family,” he said.

Albano was reacting to the statements of Senators Francis Pangilinan and Vicente Sotto III who both proposed to revisit the commission’s secrecy rules after Lopez’s rejection.

The rules have long been in ef-

Outgoing Department of Environment and Natural Resources secretary Gina Lopez turns over the DENR flag to incoming DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu.

BEN BRIONES / PNA

fect but came under public attention after confusion marred the results of the vote on Lopez, who was eventually rejected 16-8.

However, the result did not tally with what some commission members announced in media and the secrecy rule made it impossible to verify how they really voted.

But Albano said confidentiality is also important “when a public discussion can be unbeneficial to an intelligent decision” or “when playing to the crowd can disrupt the orderly flow of the proceedings.”

“Also for this reason it is unparliamentary to discuss or impute motives on a legislators action,” he said.

Some senators, however, openly admitted how they voted and even explained their their position.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, for one, admitted he voted to reject Lopez because of acts that he deemed illegal and

would have embarassed President Duterte.

In a statement from Geneva, Switzerland where he is attending a United Nations meeting, he scored Lopez for going “so low as to cast aspersions on why I voted the way I did and even accuse me of being in the pockets of the mining industry.”

He said he previously did not feel the need to explain his vote because that would have rubbed salt in Lopez’s wound.

“Because I would have to enumerate all the reasons why she is not fit to be DENR secretary. I felt it would be cruel to reject [her] then put her down,” Cayetano said.

Cayetano said he believes in responsible mining and wants the strictest and highest standards for industries that affect the environment.

He even supported Lopez when she closed down mining sites “not compliant with the highest standards.” ■

What is VP Robredo’s challenge to critics?

BY NIKKO DIZON Philippine Daily Inquirer AMID ATTEMPTS to unseat her, Vice President Leni Robredo told her detractors to keep the criticisms coming as she was not bothered by the allegations against her because these were not true.

Robredo made this statement on Saturday at a forum at St. Theresa’s College in Quezon City, where she denied being a power-hungry official who was after President Duterte’s position.

The Vice President acknowl-

edged that the members of the opposition still have to find “one solid voice” although she expressed confidence that they would soon be galvanized.

“Historically, Filipinos would always want to give the President a chance also… [But] many are not contented with what is happening. That is why I am always saying that we have to be united, to be engaged,” she said.

Robredo said that the more she tried to lead the opposition and framed discussions in the context of policies and what was good for the people, the more her critics continued to frame her dissent in the context

of a power grab.

“They frame it as an ambition for the position,” she said, referring to the presidency.

Her detractors, she said, cannot accept the result of last year’s elections.

“That I am leading [the opposition] as such I am being accused of destabilization plots, it’s not [going to] happen. There are no destabilization plots,” the Vice President said.

In fact, it was Robredo who had to deal with two attempts to kick her out of the vice presidency in a single day last week.

Hours after she paid the first tranche of the P15-million dewww.canadianinquirer.net

posit required by the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) for her counter-protest against the dictator’s son, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., on Tuesday, supporters of Mr. Duterte tried to file an impeachment complaint against her at the House of Representatives.

“I just said ‘Wow, keep them coming,’” Robredo said. The Vice President said she was not bothered by the allegations because she knew all these were untrue.

Robredo said her greatest fear for the country was the “death of democracy and the weakening of [the country’s]

institutions.”

“I think the very essence of democracy is to have a very strong institution, to make sure that it is the voice of the people being heard. And having said that, I think that it is really incumbent upon all of us to become engaged,” she said.

People should “not allow the bad to prevail over the good,” she said.

The Vice President said she was still looking forward to speaking with President Duterte.

She said the dinner invitation Mr. Duterte had extended to her has yet to be followed up by Malacañang. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY MAY 12, 2017

11

Big child webcam sex bust reveals rising abuse

BY MARTHA MENDOZA AND JIM GOMEZ The Associated Press MABALACAT, PHILIPPINES — The suspected pedophile could see people banging on his front door through his security cameras. Were they neighbours? Cops?

One had letters on her jacket. As David Timothy Deakin googled “What is NBI?” from the laptop on his bed, the Philippines National Bureau of Investigation smashed their way into his cybersex den.

Children’s underwear, toddler shoes, cameras, bondage cuffs, fetish ropes, meth pipes and stacks of hard drives and photo albums cluttered the stuffy, two-bedroom townhouse. Penciled on the wall, someone had scrawled “My Mom and Dad love me” and a broken heart. In his computer were videos and images of young boys and girls engaged in sex acts.

“Why is everyone asking about children coming into my house?” said Deakin, 53, his wrists bound with a zip tie.

Deakin’s arrest on April 20 reveals one of the darkest corners of the internet, where pedophiles in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia pay facilitators on the other side of the world to sexually abuse children, even babies, directing their moves through online livestreaming services.

The relatively new crime of webcam sex tourism is spreading rapidly, with new digital technologies sparking what the United Nations calls an “alarming growth of new forms of child sexual exploitation online.” The FBI says it’s epidemic, and that at any given moment, 750,000 child predators are online.

Almost every case stems from the Philippines, where good English speakers, increased internet connections and

The relatively new crime of webcam sex tourism is spreading rapidly, with new digital technologies sparking what the United Nations calls an “alarming growth of new forms of child sexual exploitation online.”

widespread international cash transfer systems combine with widespread poverty and easy access to vulnerable kids. There have been as many as three busts a week there this spring.

The youngest victim ever, rescued a few weeks ago, was an infant, two months old. Most are under 12.

This spring The Associated Press watched a raid, rescue and launch of a major investigation that continues to play out on both sides of the world.

“This should serve as a warning,” said NBI Anti-human trafficking chief Janet Francisco, who leads the case. “We will really catch them, with the help of our foreign counterparts. We will really put them in jail and they will die in jail.” *** Bare-chested and slick with sweat, his breath sour and glasses foggy, Deakin watched agents — including FBI computer analysts — crouch on his bed over open computers, rushing to find and preserve hidden files.

The tip that led authorities to Deakin came, as they often do, when an online international money transfer service notified an American internet provider about a suspicious account.

Western Union, PayPal, and others have reported concerns in the past — business names in this case are being withheld because of the ongoing investigation. Records in Deakin’s town house included debit cards for money transfer services, including Smart Money and Payoneer.

The raid began just before dawn, as seven vanloads of police, investigators, lawyers and social workers rolled out of Manila, past rice paddies and water buffalos, and into a town that was once a large U.S. military base, now a major red light district. The vans passed Fields Avenue, a notorious street lined with bars, strip clubs and massage parlours; shops advertise Viagra and lingerie-clad women beckon customers.

When they reached Deakin’s apartment, a small cadre went to his door. Even as they burst in, he was streaming illicit content through the Tor network, which disguised his identity.

Agents said he had a webpage open to wipe his phone clean.

They tied him up with the first thing they could grab, an iPhone charging cord, before he could hit the button.

“I’m a file pack rat,” said Deakin. “I’ve got files of frigging everything.”

www.canadianinquirer.net

AP and investigators asked him repeatedly why he had images of children engaged in sexual acts on his computer and bondage and fetish tools in his apartment.

“I’m just a costumer,” he said at first, as if the leather wrist restraints and ropes in the second bedroom were just for dress-up.

“I’m schizophrenic, you know,” he later told AP, looping his finger at his temple.

He described a series of houseguests, people he let crash in his small place from down the street, other countries. Perhaps “some Danish guy” used his computer.

And this: “There was no children in front of the cam in my house, not even dressed, as far as I know, not even with their frigging mothers as far as I know.”

At one point, he told AP the images might have inadvertently slipped in when he downloaded massive files using BitTorrent. BitTorrent is data tool used legitimately by academics and artists, but also by child pornographers and other criminals because large amounts of digital content can be moved and sorted. FBI agents looking for abusers search BitTorrent to spot people sharing exploitive images.

Hours after his arrest, wrists tied behind his back, Deakin grew nervous.

“I don’t even know what you’re frigging doing here!” he yelled. *** Deakin grew up in Peoria, Illinois, he said, “around the corn fields.” His family was splintered, his sister hated him and he didn’t finish high school, he said. He was licensed as a roofing contractor in his 30s, seasonal work which left winters free. He used the time to study computers.

Illinois court records show Deakin was arrested on marijuana and drunken driving charges several times before visiting the Philippines in 1998.

Two years later, he moved there for a job setting up internet service providers and installing Blackmagic livestreaming production programs.

“The office computers were full of pornography,” Deakin would write to Filipino authorities three years later, when an inter-office argument led to immigration charges. The charges were dismissed. He was supposed to leave the country, but he stayed, remotely running computer systems for clients around the world, and hosting, he said, tens of thousands of websites as well.

In recent years, Deakin said, he earned $30 an hour as a systems administrator. But his home was filled with junk, his refrigerator near empty. Stacks of used egg cartons fell from the shelves, and a half-eaten pot of cold rice sat on the stove.

“You know what you’ve done in this room,” an investigator told Deakin.

She showed him a photo he had of several children. Shrugging, he said one of them was probably a few doors away with her cousin. Minutes later, two ❱❱ PAGE 12 Big child

12

Philippine News

MAY 12, 2017

FRIDAY

Big child... girls, 9 and 11 years old, were rescued by police.

AP did not interview the girls Deakin told police about; victims of such raids need immediate and long-term counselling and care. But in the tranquil garden of a shelter for sexual exploitation survivors about 60 miles south of Deakin’s town house, 19-year-old Cassie described her ordeal. AP did not use her whole name to protect her privacy.

The youngest daughter in an impoverished family of 14, Cassie believed the man who came to her village and promised her a better life and family support if she would go to the city with him. When he told her he would be selling her, she had no idea what that meant.

“I was laughing,” she said.

Cassie was 12.

Within months the man bleached her dark skin, straightened her hair, and began waking her at 4 a.m. to meet customers. She started working as a cybersex model.

“He needed some girl to show her whole body in front of the camera,” she said.

He told her it was her job, in exchange for an education.

Over time, six more girls came to live in the house, and one had a baby. At school Cassie tried to act normal, hiding her secret from classmates.

At home she was terrified and thinking about suicide.

The abuse ended when her older sister found out. Furious, she went to the police.

Dolores Rubia, who runs aftercare programs for rescued girls through Washington D.C.based NGO International Justice Mission , said parents and relatives turn to online exploitation to for easy money. Some consider it benign, she said, because they think children don’t mind taking off their clothes.

But that exposure is abuse, and it often escalates. ❰❰ 11

“It’s a myth for some of them, Cloud. Once isolated, pedo- to expose their genitals using that nothing is wrong,” she said. philes now operate with virtual video streaming programs.

“That anyway, these children anonymity, sharing images and “can u get any really young are not physically touched and children, say experts. girls” he asked in one online the perpetrators are actually In 2013, online sex exploita- chat. overseas.” tion of children gained global atBradley was sentenced May 2 Buyers abroad also some- tention after researchers at the to 35 years in prison. times try to use the lack of Netherlands-based non-profit Because it’s a newer crime, contact as an excuse for their Terre des Hommes launched a legal systems grapple with how crimes. realistic-looking animation of a to prosecute. In the U.S., the “The people I was talking 10-year-old Filipino girl named buyers are typically charged to were hurting people, hurt- Sweetie. They took the fake girl with possessing, distributing or ing children in a way that I on chat groups and online fo- producing child pornography. would never have allowed in rums. Pedophiles swarmed. In In the Philippines, it’s a human my presence,” said Scott Peeler, 10 weeks, analysts identified trafficking crime. In 2015, five a former Southbridge, Massa- 1,000 men in 71 countries who people were convicted of onchusetts, middle school math had tried to get illegal images. line child sex trafficking in the teacher who admitted he tried Last year, UK-based Internet Philippines. Deakin has been to buy live video feeds of chil- Watch Foundation worked to charged with cybercrime, child dren having sex in the Philip- remove 57,335 URLs with child pornography, child abuse and pines. sexual abuse imagery. The web- child trafficking.

“I drifted into a world that re- sites were hosted on 2,416 doOfficials at both ends of the pulses me,” he said. mains, up from 1,991 in 2015. abuse agree they need to collabPeeler was orate to stop it, sentenced in and last month March to 11 1/2 the U.S. commityears in federal ted $3 million. prison.

Almost every case stems from the Philippines “It’s not just Philippines, where good English National Poa virtual crime. speakers, increased internet lice Ge. Liborioi It is an actual connections and widespread Carabbacan said crime,” said huinternational cash transfer systems they’re trying man rights attorcombine with widespread poverty to raise public ney Sam Inocenand easy access to vulnerable kids. awareness, letcio, who heads ting parents and International children know Justice Mission’s it’s illegal. One Philippines ofwoman forced fice, which supports local law The proliferation of crimes, into prostitution as a child enforcement with investigators along with new mandatory re- turned the cameras on her own and attorneys. “Online sexual porting, led to 8.2 million re- kids when she grew up, he said. exploitation is possibly the ports last year to the National “She thought that’s already most evil thing that I’ve seen.”

Center for Missing and Exploit- the norm,” he said. *** ed Children’s CyberTipline *** The first high-profile inter- related to online child sexual Deakin’s bust turned out to national case of livestreaming exploitation. That compares be one of the largest seizures of sexual exploitation of children with 8.3 million reports in the its kind in the Philippines, and was reported in 2011 out of the 17 years prior. also a first for investigators on Philippines. The proliferation One of those reports led ana- the case who caught the suspect of smart phones and wi-fi have lysts to a four-time convicted in the act. His Cheery Mobile led to rapid growth. sex offender, Louis Francis Touch HD tablet — which can Perpetrators now use bitcoin Bradley, 66, of Baltimore, be wiped clean and reset with a or untraceable credit cards. Maryland, last year. He had four digit code — had more than By livestreaming, they bypass paid at least 17 people in the 4,000 contacts. One computer digital markers law enforce- Philippines to take sexually ex- had another 13 networked into ment embeds in illegal content plicit photos of prepubescent it, from servers he said around to catch people downloading, girls and share them with him the world. There were 30 hard sharing or saving child pornog- on Facebook. He also admit- drives. raphy on computers or in the ted in March to paying women “The suspect is really a highly

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technical person, he is computer savvy, so he was able to hide several computers within the computer,” said Chief Francisco.

Investigators hope digital forensics will lead them to rescue dozens, possibly hundreds, of victims. And they expect to catch more conspirators in the wider syndicate, both in the Philippines and abroad.

Neighbours who gathered to watch the raid knew something was wrong in that house.

“No, no, not drugs,” said a man who rolled up on a bike.

“Computers. Sex. Children.”

Josue Santos, who patrols the neighbourhood on foot, said he saw seven children, 3 boys and 4 girls, heading into Deakin’s home one evening a few months ago.

Others nodded.

Bessie Geronimo, across the street, was teary-eyed. She’d seen children going in and out. Now, she wondered, could she have intervened?

“How could they do such a thing?” she asked. “Oh, I pity those children.”

Authorities from a village police substation said a housekeeper filed a complaint against Deakin last year: he wasn’t paying her, she said, and she was worried about what he was doing with children in the bedroom with the door closed.

They visited his house but had no authority for a raid.

“There are many such places,” said security officer Mike Wood.

Before Deakin was taken to jail, he asked for a cigarette.

He asked to use the bathroom.

He asked for his Bible. And he said he’d been planning to leave town.

Just one day earlier, he had texted a friend: “I’ve got to get out of here.” ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY MAY 12, 2017

13

DOJ reports to UN: Cases under EJK goes trial in courts

BY CHRISTOPHER LLOYD T. CALIWAN Philippines News Agency MANILA — Department of Justice Undersecretary Reynante Orceo said that number of cases of extrajudicial killings are now undergoing trial in various courts.

“The government has an Inter-Agency Committee created under Administrative Order (AO) 35 that works to resolve cases of enforced disappearances, torture, and other grave violations of the right to life, liberty, and security of persons. By domestic definitions, extra judicial killings applies only to victims belonging to any cause oriented groups or to those individual that advocate for similar cause,” Orceo said during his presentation to the United Nations body conducting a review of the country’s human rights situation.

The inter-agency is composed of the DOJ, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Na-

tional Defense, Office of the victims belonging to any cause “As of August 2016, there have Presidential Adviser on the oriented groups or to those in- been a total of 243 convictions inPeace Process and the Office of dividual that advocate for simi- volving 272 persons found guilty the Presidential Adviser for Po- lar causes. of trafficking. Its success earned litical Affairs.

“Hence, any crimes committed for the Philippines a Tier 1 rankIt is tasked to resolve cases of outside of these definitions are ing by the United States State Deenforced disappearances, tor- not included, and therefore, treat- partment, the highest compliance ture and other grave violations ed as regular crimes and pros- level, in June 2016,” Orceo said in of the right to life, liberty and ecuted accordingly,” Orceo added. his report. security of persons.

Orceo said the mechanism He added that as a sign of its Orceo, who was part of the pursues regular case conferences commitment to the global fight country’s delegaagainst human tion, said in his trafficking, the report that 1, 089 government has incidents had unratified the ASEdergone validaAs of August 2016, there have been a AN Convention tion by an intertotal of 243 convictions involving 272 Against Traffickagency created persons found guilty of trafficking. ing in Persons as under Adminiswell as the Child trative Order 35.

Protection Com“Since its crepact partnership ation in 2012, the committee and trainings for those involved with the United States. has processed 1, 098 incidents in investigation and prosecution.

The official said the governfor validation while 30 cases are Orceo also assured the body ment would also continue to currently undergoing trial,” Or- that the Philippine government search for ways to further imceo said in his report though he is doing everything to address prove the witness protection did not mention the nature of the problem of human traffick- program as part of the overall these EJK cases. ing, adding that the inter-agen- anti-criminality campaign.

He explained to the body that cy committee has even expand“The government’s Witness by domestic definitions, extra- ed the coverage by including Protection, Security and Benjudicial killings applies only to involuntary servitude. efit program continues to be

T&T Supermarket Commemorates Dragon Boat Festival with Innovative Flavoured Rice Dumplings TO CELEBRATE one of the most important Chinese festivals, T&T Supermarket introduces a number of new rice dumplings made with healthy and wholesome ingredients to give the traditional Dragon Boat Festival a refreshing taste. The festival falls on May 30 this year.

The iconic yet innovative “Supreme Abalone & Assorted Seafood Rice Dumpling” blends in nourishing ingredients such as abalone, dried scallop, dried shrimp, roasted pork belly, squid tentacle, and peanuts.

The fragrance of the dumpling is further enhanced by wrapping it in the poignant and aromatic lotus leaf, traditionally used to serve local dishes.

Those with a traditional palate will love T&T’s all-time bestseller, Signature Rice Dumpling from all over places include Canton, Shanghai, Sichuan and Taiwan regions, which is filled with such ingredients as roasted pork and preserved egg yolk for a savoury touch. Customers can relish in the “Braised Pork Belly Rice Dumpling”. Succulent and tender

chunks of slow-roasted pork belly and enchanting sauce give a surprising texture to this rice dumpling.

Vegetarians will appreciate the “Sweet Rice Dumpling with Quinoa”, a fusion of Western and Chinese influences. Quinoa is popular through Europe and North America continents for years, often referred as gold in health diet foods, mixed together with rice to give out a natural fragrance of sweet and gentle aroma, you can taste the health flavors.

Discerning gourmets can also choose from other popular rice dumplings, including Lye Water Rice Dumpling, Longan with Red Bean Black Glutinous Rice Dumpling, Soybean Rice Dumpling, Assorted Mushroom Rice Dumpling, etc. to celebrate the festivity.

The premium dumplings extend to a special promotion. With any purchase of 10 or more rice dumplings that valued at $3.49 each, a 10% off discount is offered to enjoy the privileged taste. Please see instore poster for more promotion details.

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availed of by individuals in accordance with certain requirements, all aimed at ensuring the security and safety of witnesses to crimes. All of these that I have mentioned are reflective of an effective and functioning criminal justice system in the Philippines that covers law enforcement, prosecution, corrections, legal assistance and judiciary.

The system is accessible to everyone,” the DOJ official added.

Meanwhile, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano who led the Philippine delegation to the UN body in Geneva, Switzerland said there had been no new wave of killings prompted by the Philippines’ war on drugs, and reports to the contrary were “alternative facts.

He also called out the Commission on Human Rights and critics of the Duterte administration, including the local media, saying they give the world an impression that unexplained killings under the intensified anti-drug war is statesponsored. ■

Opinion

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MAY 12, 2017

FRIDAY

John Hay row impact: Judge orders ex-BCDA execs’ arrest

BY MARLON RAMOS Philippine Daily Inquirer SEVEN FORMER senior officials of the state-owned Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) have been ordered arrested by a Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) over a P100-million libel case filed by the operator of Camp John Hay in Baguio City.

Ordered arrested were former BCDA president Arnel Casanova, former chair Felicito Payumo and five erstwhile members of its board of directors—Zorayda Amelia Alonzo, Ma. Aurora Geotina-Garcia, Ferdinand Golez, Elmer Gomez and Maximo Sangil.

Judge Maria Paz Reyes-Yson of Pasig RTC Branch 67 did not issue a warrant for another accused, Teresita Desierto, as she had previously posted a cash

bond for her temporary freedom.

Yson required a bail of P10,000 for the provisional liberty of each respondent for libel as defined under Article 353 of the Revised Penal Code.

In her April 10 order, a copy of which was forwarded to the Department of Justice last week, the judge instructed law enforcement authorities to “bring (the accused) before this court as soon as possible to be dealt with as the law and the rules of court direct.”

R&R in Baguio

Businessman John Roberto Sobrepena brought the case against Casanova et al. after the BCDA placed an advertisement in the Inquirer on April 10, 2012, warning the public against investing in the projects of Camp John Hay Development Corp. (CJHDevco)

in Camp John Hay, a former American rest and recreation facility in Baguio City.

The real estate magnate is the chair and owner of CJHDevco, which had been at loggerheads with the BCDA over several legal issues pertaining to the development projects inside the popular tourist destination.

In its notice to the public, the BCDA said Sobrepena was the owner of Fil-Estate Corp., which “owned and managed” College Assurance Plan (CAP), a preneed insurance firm that “failed to give educational benefits to its hundreds of thousands of plan holders.”

It also noted that Sobrepena’s company likewise ran the Metro Rail Transit Corp.

(MRTDevCo), which “owes more than P1 billion” to the government.

Interestingly, the Baguio

City prosecutor’s office threw out in November 2012 a similar complaint filed by CJHDevco against the then BCDA officials in connection with the same newspaper advertisement.

Privileged communication

Casanova had defended the placing of the ad, saying the publication of the notice was not defamatory and should be considered a “privileged communication for being fair and true commentary on matters of public interest” and that the case was just among the harassment suits filed by Sobrepena against the BCDA. But in a March 30 resolution, Yson found probable cause to order the formal trial of Casanova and the others based on the recommendation of Pasig Assistant City Prosecutor Joselito de Asas, who excluded

the Inquirer editors from the criminal suit.

The judge said the information in the advertisement “[tended] to impute the commission of a crime, or of a vice or defect, real or imaginary” against Sobrepena and that it “[tended] to injure (his) reputation.”

“After a painstaking examination of the allegations … this court holds that there is probable cause to believe that [the] accused … committed the offense charged and should be held for trial,” Yson said in a 12page ruling.

“While it could be said that it just contained information that were of public knowledge, it mentioned matters involving the business interests of the private complainant to CAP and MRTDevCo that had neither relevance nor relation to CJHDevCo,” it added. ■

PUBLIC LIVES

What set off torrent of political reaction?

By Randy David Philippine Daily Inquirer VOTERS everywhere are desperately turning to leaders from outside the political establishment, demanding bold action to rescue their countries from the incompetence and indecisiveness, the corruption and complicity, of conventional politicians.

This clamor is encapsulated by slogans like “Take back our country” or “Save the next generation.” From what? In America’s case—from a myriad of perceived threats: financial predators from Wall Street, China’s factories, radical terrorists, immigrants and economic refugees, and bad policies crafted by past administrations. In the Philippines’ case—from drug traffickers, addicts and criminals, narcopoliticians, corrupt and incompetent government officials, and crony oligarchs who profit from the use of public assets, don’t pay correct taxes, and destroy the environment.

The substantive issues chosen and the enemies targeted vary from country to country. But the form assumed by this political reaction cuts across diverse national settings. Let’s take a look at its essential features.

It feeds on latent mass resentments. It draws fervor from the

blunt rhetoric of strongmen who ity, elitism, and class exploitation.

Modernity, writes the German willfully defy the norms of states- In this, it echoes classical themes sociologist Niklas Luhmann, is manship. It shows no appreciation from the socialist movement. characterized by the existence of for the complexity of the phenomBut, neither is it Leftist. It does specialized and autonomous doena that trouble societies, equating not call for the overhaul of the mains of communication that have analysis with paralysis, and favor- property system of society, nor evolved in response to the growing bold action over thoughtful de- does it advocate the nationaliza- ing complexity of social life. These liberation. tion of private assets. Indeed, it bounded spheres—law, politics, It is populist in that it thrives on bears no resemblance either to economy, science, education, mass direct appeals to the people, to their European social democracy, where media, art, family, religion, etc.— unexamined instincts rather than the state played a major role in ful- each operate according to their reto their critical reason. It promises filling the people’s basic needs. The spective rationality and code. Try to bring the nation to greatness, or economic policies of Trump and as they might, not one of them can to restore it to its old glory, appro- Duterte remain market-oriented speak for the whole of society. Not priating sentiments reminiscent and neoliberal. even the state. of nativism. In so But more than doing, it instills a the absence of a default skepticism suprarational cenThe addictive scourge they spread cannot be stopped by for the motives ter that can coorshort-circuiting the rule of law, or by killing its victims. and behavior of dinate the affairs Global problems require global solutions. the political class, of society, what we and the capabilicall society has itties and commitment of public serHow do we account for this self spilled beyond the boundaries vants. It doesn’t think twice about sudden explosion of political re- of the nation-state. The new socichallenging the authority of estab- action worldwide? What has trig- ety is aworld society parceled out lished institutions, seeing these as gered it? into various functional domains complicit in the overall conspiracy What we are seeing here, I think, that are unevenly developed. Thus, to swindle the people. is a reaction to the dysfunctional we may speak of a world economy, a Today’s political reaction cannot consequences of modernity and global mass media, a global science easily be characterized as Rightist, the globalization that accompa- community, but we cannot speak for it does not seek a simple restora- nies it. The reaction draws its mo- meaningfully of a world governtion of the status quo ante. Indeed, tifs and energy from the varied ment, and not even of a universally it draws part of its appeal from the situations of nations. Its triggering binding legal system. emancipatory impulses of early mechanism, however, is the same The failure of the modernworld anticolonial and anti-imperialist everywhere—the exponential rise economy is most evident in its inmovements, and seeks common of social media as a platform for ability to end mass poverty and cause with those who have waged a opinion formation. Let me elabo- correct the unjust concentration sustained struggle against inequal- rate. of wealth in a few countries and

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in a small elite. It can also be seen in the unabated destruction of the environment by economic entities driven solely by the profit motive.

Existing national institutions are no longer adequate to handle these global problems.

When drug traffickers go global, no single country can stop them.

Crossing national borders with impunity, they buy their way into any territory, corrupting every sovereign authority that stands in their way. The addictive scourge they spread cannot be stopped by shortcircuiting the rule of law, or by killing its victims. Global problems require global solutions.

In the face of this barely-understood complexity, the allure of strongmen capable of bold corrective action becomes magnified in the eyes of resentful publics. Democratic processes and practices— the evolutionary achievements of modernity—lose their legitimacy as an era of political reaction sets in.

There have been previous ages of reaction in history. The one we currently face is, however, different in its reach and intensity, thanks largely to social media, which has unleashed and empowered humankind’s deepest resentments.

That said, it is an arena that also offers enough space for enlightened resistance and hope. ■

Opinion

FRIDAY MAY 12, 2017

15

AT LARGE

No zombies in these trains

By Rina Jimenez-David Philippine Daily Inquirer GUESTS AT the “Bulong Pulungan sa Sofitel” could not resist repeated references to zombies, the real stars of the Korean movie “Train to Busan.”

This was because the media forum featured a panel of officials of Busan Universal Rail Inc. (Buri), a consortium of four Filipino firms and Busan Railways that won a P3.8-billion bid in 2016 for the maintenance of the MRT-3 line.

Buri is in the news because an official of the Department of Transportation, Undersecretary for Railways Cesar Chavez, has threatened the consortium with a cancellation of its contract with the DOTr unless it fulfills its obligations to turn over 17 light rail cars and explain satisfactorily the various “glitches” that have marred the MRT’s operations recently.

In a presentation, Buri cor-

porate secretary and legal counsel Charles Perfecto Mercado showed that the other rail maintenance companies (for LRT1 and LR2) have racked up more “incidents” and yet have not been subjected to the same degree of scrutiny as Buri.

“This is because we operate on Edsa,” said Mercado, when asked why Buri seemed to be singled out for censure. MRT3 is thus the busiest of the light rail lines operating in Metro Manila, serving the biggest number of passengers ( about 350,000 a day), covering the longest distance, and certainly garnering the most attention from officials and the riding public alike.

Mercado points out that Buri’s contract only covers maintenance of the system, the overhaul of units, and total replacement of the signaling system. Issues like the long queues (“although to be fair, the beep cards have helped a lot”) and maintenance of escalators and

elevators lie beyond its area of responsibility.

The Buri officials insist that their bottom line is the safety and convenience of the millions of passengers that use the rails, a sentiment undoubtedly shared by DOTr officials. Given this common goal, perhaps dialogue and meaningful negotiations would serve everyone’s interests. *** About the most anticipated sight at the end of every international summit is the photo op or “class picture” of the various heads of state attending.

I for one look forward particularly to the lineup of leaders of Apec (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) because the dignitaries are asked to wear outfits distinctive to the host country.

Thus, we have seen them in ponchos in Mexico, silk jackets in China, leather jackets in Canada, batik cotton shirts in Indonesia, and, of course, the barong

Tagalog in the Philippines.

The class picture of the dignitaries gathered for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or Asean meet-up was rather ho-hum in contrast. Though each visiting leader was supposedly gifted with a barong or barong-dress (for Aung San Su Kyi of Myanmar), they chose to wear more conventional outfits. So there was our President standing out in his simple white barong in a sea of dark business suits. I guess we’ll have to wait for the next Apec Summit for another “costume” drama.

There was drama aplenty, though, in the course of the Asean discussions, centered mainly on the members’ relations with an absentee power: China. Though commentators waxed eager for a possible confrontation between and among the Asean countries and China, in the end the attendees made no mention of the dispute in the South China Sea.

Still, the world was drawn to the proceedings here, with media from all over the region parsing and interpreting the vague, indistinct diplomatese emanating from the discussions.

Charged with the care and feeding of the media was the Presidential Communications Operations Office led by Secretary Martin Andanar. Facing its first major international assignment, the PCOO pulled out all the stops, setting up the International Media Center at the Conrad Hotel, providing for every possible need. The PCOO also prepared background information on the issues, coverage of the ongoing activities, and even livestreaming of the proceedings.

Neither were Filipinos forgotten by the PCOO, which conducted road shows around the country mainly to better inform people about the continuing relevance of Asean on its 50th year. ■

LOOKING BACK

When did Marcos return all his wealth to us?

By Ambeth R. Ocampo Philippine Daily Inquirer ARMED WITH latex gloves and a face mask, I read through the physical copies of the Manila Chronicle in the Lopez Museum and Library. Despite my allergy to book dust, I opted to use the hard copies rather than digital ones to better appreciate the truth about the past which, to me, is a foreign country.

I was only nine years old when the events reported there were unfolding. So learning about them today is quite an experience.

Doreen Fernandez was already writing about food; Eugenia D. Apostol was on society page but covered the pros and cons of Imelda Marcos projects; and Paulynn Paredes (Sicam) was on student beat, so almost everything she churned out provided a human touch to the daily rallies and demonstrations reported on Page One. Many of the figures: Laurel,

Diokno, Aquino, Salonga, Tañada, Maceda, Melchor, Marcos, et al. are now history but some are still around like Kit Tatad who was the youngest in the Marcos Cabinet and Juan Ponce Enrile whowas senior even then.

Then and now, the news remains the same: communist insurgency in the rural areas, murder, kidnapping, transport strikes, capital flight, graft and corruption. The news materials of 2017 echo those of 1970 because it seems the Philippines and the Filipinos have not changed very much since then.

Why read the Manila Chronicle instead of the Bulletin, the Mirror, or the Manila Times?

Because Ferdinand Marcos, in his diaries, often reacted to the Chronicle columnists whose opinions he labeled vicious and biased against him. Reading both the diaries of Marcos and the Chronicle provides a perspective through opposite sides.

Marcos’ first day in office in his second term, Dec. 31, 1969, as reported by the Chronicle, started with an early morning round of golf with a former prime minister of Japan, Nubusuke Kishi, who was accompanied by Japanese ambassador to the Philippines Toshio Urabe, and Philippine ambassador to Japan Jose Laurel III. Marcos worked on some papers at 9:30 a.m. before meeting with 44 representatives of foreign governments who had attended his inaugural. These included US Vice President Spiro Agnew and Apollo 11 astronaut Eugen Cernan who presented a moon rock and a Philippine flag they brought on the flight to themoon. Marcos took the opportunity to remind them that President Richard Nixon promised Bongbong a ticket on the first commercial liner to the moon. The Spanish foreign minister presented a Katipunan flag and five bladed weapons (two sabers, two kris and a www.canadianinquirer.net

bolo) that Marcos accepted as: “symbols of courage and manhood that are returned to our land… our land was occupied but our hearts were not conquered.” Next day, Jan. 1, 1970, Marcos wrote: “[Today] I start a daily written record of my second term in office as President.

This will be kept in loose-leaf so that all kinds of materials may be attached to the binder.

Thus the background should be a treatise on the elections of 1969. This will be composed of my critique as well as the commentaries on the technique of victory.”

Marcos’ diary for the first day of the year pertains to his divesting of all his property to the Marcos Foundation, which fueled many speculations and commentaries for weeks. His entry: “Yesterday I finally transferred all of my worldly possessions to the Filipino people through the Ferdinand E. Marcos Foundation. I have been

planning this for many years but I felt that the beginning of my second term was the most propitious time. This was a decision arrived at after a long deliberation and was not the result of pique, anger, despair or emotion—nor is it just a political stunt. I have no further political plans.

“And it seems a burden has been lifted from my shoulders.

“The surprising thing is that the reaction of people seemsto be of no consequence to me. It was a noble act waiting to be done. I feel I am above all the pettiness of men and I look down on them with some contempt but with a counter balance of understanding.”

How should we read this self-referential primary source document? With extreme caution, since Marcos took to heart Winston Churchill’s words: “History will be kind to me, because I intend to write it myself!” ■

16

MAY 12, 2017

FRIDAY

Canada News Soaring house prices, shifting lifestyles driving condo craze, experts say

BY ALEXANDRA POSADZKI The Canadian Press TORONTO — Janis Isaman makes no apologies for raising her six-year-old son in a twobedroom condominium — and for eschewing the once-coveted trappings of a life in the suburbs.

“I definitely do not want a yard and I do not want anything to do with the suburban lifestyle,” says Isaman, 40, a business owner and single mother in Calgary.

The variety of urban life suits Isaman and her son, she says.

They can walk to their favourite tea shops, restaurants and the local library. And the time that would otherwise be taken up cutting grass and raking leaves can instead be spent exploring the city together.

“We have a way more abundant lifestyle because I’m not shovelling the walk, I’m not taking care of the yard.”

Isaman is part of a growing contingent of Canadian families opting for the compact condo lifestyle over the white picket fence and the sprawling suburban McMansion as space runs out in Canada’s biggest cities and housing prices remain out of reach for many.

Wednesday’s latest tranche of census numbers doesn’t delve into the specific phenomenon of condo ownership or house prices; that’s for a later release scheduled for October. But it does illustrate a waning appetite for single-family dwellings

among the millions of Canadi- Shaun Hildebrand of Urbanaans living in the country’s larg- tion, a Toronto-based condo est cities, many of whom are fa- research firm. vouring the high-rise life.

Part of it is rooted in necesToronto and its ever-morph- sity. Soaring prices for detached ing Tetris skyline has the high- homes and tightened mortgage est share of dwellings — nearly rules have caused much of the 30 per cent — in buildings of pent-up housing demand in the five or more storeys, Statistics Greater Toronto Area to shift Canada reports, followed by into the condo market.

London, Ont., at 16.8 per cent, “The result is that a greater and Vancouver, at 16.7 per cent. proportion of households are In 10 of Canada’s 35 so-called now living in apartments com“census metropolitan areas,” pared to 10 years ago,” Hildeb“single-detached houses rep- rand says. resented less than half of occuAnd while much of the past In 10 of Canada’s 35 so-called “census metropolitan areas,” “single-detached pied private dwellings in 2016,” demand for condos was from houses represented less than half of occupied private dwellings in 2016,” the the agency reported, including first-time buyers looking to dip agency reported, including in Vancouver. in Vancouver. their toes into the market, toIndeed, in B.C., the share of day that is not necessarily the square footage of condos has tsince Roz and Bob Holden single-detached houses fell case. been shrinking, with develop- traded their 3,500 square-foot from more than 60 per cent in “Anecdotally, we’re learning ers squeezing more bedrooms house — complete with four the 1980s to just 44.1 per cent in that more families are deciding into less space. The living and bedrooms, a library and a tree2016. to live in condos, due to afford- dining areas have been com- filled yard — for a two-bedroom But it will take bined into one, condo, and the Toronto resia shift in mindproducing a gen- dents say they have no regrets. set for Canadieration of condo“This is a much smaller space ans to embrace dwellers who eat but it’s all we need,” says Bob. high density livSoaring prices for detached homes and live on the “We’re very comfortable here. ing, says Isaman. and tightened mortgage rules have couch.

We don’t feel squeezed in any When her son caused much of the pent-up housing But now, that way.” was younger, she demand in the Greater Toronto Area trend is beginMaintaining a large house encountered a to shift into the condo market. ning to shift. simply didn’t make sense for lot of pushback “We’re being the retired couple, now in their for raising a child asked to design 70s, who spend much of their in an apartment. units that are time travelling.

“It’s seen as 1,000 or 1,200 Living in a condo provides a really big societal norm in ability constraints and lifestyle square feet,” says Eslahjou. “We other perks too, such as a comCanada that you move to a decisions.” really haven’t been asked that munity of friends and an endhouse when you have a child,” That has caused a shift in in a long time.” less array of dining and entershe says. “I had to resist societal the kinds of units that develIt isn’t just young families tainment options right outside pressures that what I was doing opers are building, reversing a making the shift to compact their front door. was wrong. It seems weird to decades-long trend of increas- living, either: retirees are also “We’re right on the subway people because they think that ingly tiny units. downsizing, citing travel plans line,” says Bob. “There are all kids need yards.”

Babak Eslahjou, a partner and the desire for less house- sorts of restaurants and bars There are a number of factors at Core Architects, says that work as motivating factors. that we can walk to. For us it’s driving the condo craze, says over the past 20 or so years, the It’s been nearly a decade just the perfect lifestyle.” ■

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FRIDAY MAY 12, 2017

Body of man missing in Quebec floods found; child still missing THE CANADIAN PRESS MONTREAL — More than 1,500 soldiers hit the ground Monday to help Quebecers deal with “historic” flooding that has caused widespread damage and evacuations and sparked a desperate search for a man and a toddler whose vehicle swerved off a waterlogged road into a surging river.

Quebec Provincial Police spokeswoman Helene Nepton said late Monday that the body of Mike Gagnon, 37, of SaintAnne-des-Monts, was recovered about 500 metres from where a strong current pulled the car toward the Sainte-Anne River in eastern Quebec on Sunday.

A two-year-old girl who was also in the car has not yet been found. A ground and air search will resume early Tuesday to try to find her.

A woman who was also in the car saved herself after all three fell into the water when the vehicle flipped, said Sgt. Claude Doiron.

He said the man was trying to help people who were trapped in the area.

The search continued as Quebec’s public security minister said water levels across the province would peak between Monday and Wednesday.

Authorities expect the water to start receding by mid-week, said Martin Coiteux.

“What’s encouraging is that the water levels will stop climbing,” Coiteux told a news con-

ference in Montreal. “It’s very important to reiterate that. We are reaching maximum levels.

“The water levels in the flooded areas should start going down Wednesday. It may start earlier in certain sectors.

But these levels are very high... so patience is required. But I know it’s hard.”

Heavy rains and melting snowpack across Quebec have so far flooded 2,429 residences in the province, forcing the evacuation of 1,520 people in almost 150 municipalities.

“We’re talking about historic levels of water,” said Quebec Environment Minister David Heurtel. “We haven’t seen this in more than 55 years.”

National Defence said some 1,650 soldiers were expected to be helping in the flood effort by the end of the day Monday.

The troops, along with aircraft and a dozen boats, were aiding communities across Quebec, several of which were under states of emergency, including Montreal and its northern suburbs.

“We are being ready to be responsive in any form or shape that is required to meet the task,” said Brig.-Gen. Hercule Gosselin.

“So I have no concern, whatsoever, that we’re going to be able to answer the call from civil security.

Premier Philippe Couillard toured Quyon, a Quebec town that borders the Ottawa River, and applauded the sense of solidarity, community and volunteering in the community. ❱❱ PAGE 20 Body of

Greens hold... still change the outcome.

“We offered people a change that they could count on and British Columbians delivered that change tonight,” said Weaver.

Weaver spoke briefly with Liberal Leader Christy Clark and NDP Leader John Horgan, but he said it was too early to make any decisions about forming coalitions or informal working agreements with the other parties.

“Everything is give and take,” Weaver said. “We know how to compromise.”

He suggested he saw no reasons why a minority government “can’t last a full term” of four years.

But Weaver said the top priority for the Greens is removing the influence of big money from politics. Political donations from corporations and unions were election issues for both the Liberals and NDP. Green supporters chanted, cheered and clapped as the reality of the winning results started to sink in.

Christin Geall of Victoria said she was ecstatic knowing the Greens will hold the balance of power.

“This is truly historic,” she said. “I never believed it was possible, even though I’d hoped.”

Weaver was the first Green elected to B.C.’s legislature four years ago when he surprisingly defeated former Liberal cabinet minister Ida Chong in Oak Bay-Gordon Head. ❰❰ 1

CANADIAN ARMED FORCES / FACEBOOK

Green party Leader Andrew Weaver.

He is an internationally recognized climate scientist who was part of a team that shared a Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore.

In the house, Weaver gained a reputation as a prolific writer of private members bills. Several of them attracted Premier Christy Clark’s support, including a proposal to ban mandatory high heels for restaurant servers and legislation that requires post-secondary institutions to write and maintain policies to prevent sexual violence on campus.

The Greens received eight per cent of the popular vote in the 2013 election along with their lone seat, but Weaver boldly forecasted gains in areas of NDP strength on Vancouver Island and the Kootenays. They finished with more than 16 per cent of the popular vote based on Tuesday’s preliminary re-

BC GREEN PARTY / FACEBOOK

sults.

He said at the outset of the campaign that if he was the only Green elected, he would ultimately step aside as leader.

Weaver said watching B.C. invest in old fossil fuel technologies and miss opportunities to develop a sustainable and modern economy convinced him to pursue politics.

He also stuck to policy-driven messages during the campaign and criticized the NDP for pushing voters to reject the Greens to help them oust Clark’s Liberals, saying it was a form of voter suppression.

“There are people out there who feel that smear and slur are the ways to win elections,” Weaver said after voting in his Victoria-area riding Tuesday.

“That’s not our way. Our way is to inspire people to get out to vote.” ■

Policy that bars passport offices from helping disabled applicants under review

BY MICHELLE MCQUIGGE The Canadian Press

Canadian Armed Forces assisting residents in Gatineau, QC.

17

TORONTO — The federal government says it’s reviewing a policy that forbids staff in Canada’s passport offices from helping disabled applicants fill out their forms.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada says it’s looking into revising the policy, which bars staff from filling out www.canadianinquirer.net

applications on someone else’s behalf for fear of potential forgery cases.

The policy applies nationwide, and IRCC currently says Canadians requiring help with their documents should have a friend or family member complete the paperwork.

In the past five weeks, two Canadians with disabilities filed formal complaints against the policy after being denied help at Service Canada offices

in Ontario.

Both say the current approach is inadequate and presents a troubling accessibility barrier for people wishing to be able to complete passport documents with independence and confidence.

IRCC did not offer any indications as to when potential revisions might take effect.

News of the government’s ❱❱ PAGE 21 Policy that

Canada News

18

MAY 12, 2017

FRIDAY

Montreal traffic czar seeks to ease anger, mistrust about never ending road work

BY GIUSEPPE VALIANTE The Canadian Press

Jared Kushner, Senior Advisor to President Donald J. Trump.

CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF / FLICKR

Kushner emerged as conduit for Canada on NAFTA talks

BY JULIE PACE AND CATHERINE LUCEY The Canadian Press WASHINGTON — On the day the White House threatened to withdraw from the North American Free Trade Agreement, President Donald Trump’s sonin-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, emerged as a key conduit between the United States and Canada.

But his role has sparked a cross-border game of telephone and conflicting accounts about who called who first.

According to a White House official, aides to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called Kushner urgently on April 26 after seeing news reports that Trump was considering signing an executive order withdrawing from NAFTA. Kushner, who has an expansive profile that includes foreign policy, speaks regularly to Canadian officials on a range of issues.

Kushner told his Canadian counterpart that this was a matter the leaders needed to discuss themselves, according to the White House official, who insisted on anonymity in order to discuss private conversations. The Canadians asked when Trudeau should call.

After checking at the White House, Kushner called back to say Trump was ready to talk

now.

Trump has cited the call from Trudeau that quickly followed as the impetus for his decision to abandon the executive order and instead move to renegotiate NAFTA with Canada and Mexico. The president also wielded the call from Trudeau, as well as a separate call from Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, as proof that he has leverage over the other North American leaders as negotiations begin.

But accounts of Kushner’s involvement differed Monday in Canadian media reports.

According to The Canadian Press news agency, it was Kushner who first reached out to Trudeau’s chief of staff to suggest a call between the two leaders.

Kushner, who worked as a real estate executive in New York before taking a job in the White House, is seen as a more moderate influence on the president. He’s also seen as more favourable to international trade agreements like NAFTA than some White House advisers, and a phone call from him to the Canadian prime minister could be viewed as an attempt to push Trump in his direction.

A spokeswoman for Trudeau declined comment. ■ Associated Press writer Rob Gillies in Toronto contributed to this report.

Avi Friedman, a McGill University professor of architecture, agrees with Aubin.

He said boring construction MONTREAL — In Montreal it projects don’t win elections. is not uncommon for a section “Nobody cares about inof road to be closed for repair frastructure that is 100 years work, asphalted and reopened old,” Friedman said. “What to traffic for a short period of wins elections is a photo with time, only to be excavated once the mayor cutting a ribbon for again for more construction. a new community centre. But Driving through the city has the city is losing 30 per cent of become a sort of theatre of the its underground water to leakabsurd, with exasperated moage.” torists staring incredulously as While Lacasse’s position is city workers lower dirty orange not unique in Canada — Vancones from a pick-up truck to couver has someone who looks demarcate yet another work after all aspects of transportasite. tion in the city — it might be the As the November municimost challenging, due to sociopal election approaches, the economic factors. image-conscious mayor has Aside from a history of corplucked an exruption and traffic reporter the penchant out of retireof politicians ment to become for neglecting the friendly I’m here to try and reduce the infrastructure, face of the city’s counter-shocks, regarding the Montreal has constructionconstruction projects that have been the lowest home induced traffic announced over the next five to 10 ownership rate nightmares. years. out of all major Pierre LacCanadian cities, asse’s job is to said Aubin. help co-ordinate “That means roadwork to ease congestion.

Recently retired city colum- politicians don’t feel the same And perhaps more importantly, nist, Henry Aubin, who spent pressure (in Montreal) as they he will be a spokesman for all 40 years writing about Mon- do in most cities to keep up with things traffic-related, offering treal, said corruption “means unglamorous infrastructure,” citizens information about why construction companies have he said. the work is occurring and how gotten away with using inferior Homeowners, he explained, long it will last. materials.” tend to care more about city What is unknown, however, is The province is spending services as they are more firmly whether more information will $1.4 billion over the next two rooted in communities. give citizens more trust in city years to repair neglected unMontreal, a city of renters, is officials who are considered in derground water infrastructure full of tenants “who can more some quarters — with regard to as well as highways, roads and easily move if the quality of managing construction work at bridges. municipal life declines,” Aubin least — to be, at best, inept, and Major projects underway said. at worse, corrupt. in Montreal include replacing Lacasse remains undaunted, “I know the song, I evolved in the city’s Turcot interchange though he acknowledges his this system for 28 years,” Lac- and the crumbling Champlain role is to advise — not to enasse said in an interview about Bridge, as well as the creation force. his career as a traffic reporter. of an urban walkway stretching For instance, if a road is He said he knows he’ll be a sort from the St. Lawrence River to opened up for more work a of ‘punching bag’ for frustrated Mount Royal that included de- mere two weeks after it was citizens and journalists. molishing part of the raised Bo- closed, he has little power to do “I’m here to try and reduce naventure Expressway. anything about it. the counter-shocks, regarding “Montreal politicians are “I will have my say on that, the construction projects that historically more apt to devote but I won’t be the boss,” Lachave been announced over the money to razzle-dazzle con- asse said. next five to 10 years.” struction projects — the OlymAnd regarding corruption, Opposition city councillor pic Stadium is the syndrome’s such as the recent news report and transport critic Craig Sauve great symbol — than maintain- about workers allegedly desaid Montrealers will likely see ing water mains and overpass- manding bribes, he said, “That Lacasse’s hiring as a public re- es,” Aubin said. is not my mandate.” ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

lations stunt by Mayor Denis Coderre.

“We’ve had decades of wellknown and well-documented corruption in the construction industry,” Sauve said. “People are rightly cynical and that’s why it will take decades to repair the mess.”

What might not help citizens regain trust in their officials are embarrassing headlines such as a recent story by a local newspaper that reported how city workers allegedly demand bribes from entrepreneurs in order to have work finished in a timely manner.

If the bribes aren’t paid, the work is slowed or stopped, Le Journal de Montreal reported, costing entrepreneurs money.

World News

FRIDAY MAY 12, 2017

19

Nigeria presidency releases Iran’s president names of 82 freed Chibok girls attacks rival’s background in judiciary

BY SUNDAY ALAMBA The Associated Press

ABUJA, NIGERIA — Nigeria’s presidency released the names of the 82 Chibok schoolgirls newly freed from Boko Haram extremists which parents anxiously scoured to see if their daughters were released three years after their capture.

The list was published early Monday after Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari met with the young women before announcing he was leaving for London immediately for medical checkups as fears over his health continue.

Nigerians gathered in front of newsstands Monday looking at the names of freed schoolgirls in local papers.

Some parents of the kidnapped girls are in the capital, Abuja. Others stayed at their homes in northeastern Nigeria, waiting to see if their daughters were released after the mass abduction from a Chibok boarding school in 2014. Now they will be able to verify if they should make the journey. Fol-

lowing the weekend release, 113 Chibok schoolgirls remain missing.

Five Boko Haram commanders were released in exchange for the 82 girls’ freedom, a Nigerian government official said Sunday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to reporters on the matter. Neither Nigeria’s government nor Boko Haram, which has links to the Islamic State group, gave details about the exchange.

Photos released by the government Sunday showed the rail-thin president addressing the Chibok schoolgirls at his official residence Sunday evening, a day after their release.

Minutes later, the 74-year-old Buhari startled Africa’s most populous nation with the news of his departure. Buhari, who has missed three straight weekly Cabinet meetings and spent a month and a half in London on medical leave earlier this year, said he’d never been as sick in his life. The exact nature of his illness remains unclear.

Though Boko Haram has abducted thousands of people

during its eight-year insurgency that has spilled across Nigeria’s borders, the Chibok mass kidnapping horrified the world and brought the extremist group international attention.

Some parents did not live long enough to see their daughters released, underscoring the tragedy of the three-year saga.

Boko Haram seized a total of 276 girls in the 2014 abduction.

Girls who escaped early on said some of their classmates had died from illness. Others did not want to come home because they’d been radicalized by their captors, they said.

Human rights advocates also fear some of the girls have been used by Boko Haram to carry out suicide bombings.

Last year, a first group of 21 Chibok girls was freed in October, and they have been in government care for medical attention, trauma counselling and rehabilitation. ■ Associated Press writers Bashir Adigun in Abuja and Carley Petesch in Dakar, Senegal contributed to this report.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Monday that voters in next week’s presidential election do not want someone who is only familiar with “execution and imprisonment,” an apparent criticism of a hardline rival who is a longtime judge.

The semi-official ISNA news agency says Rouhani did not name any of his five election rivals in the campaign speech, but appeared to be referring to Ebrahim Raisi, who is close to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Rouhani is running for reelection as a moderate who will push for improved relations with the West and greater freedoms within Iran. His administration struck a landmark nuclear deal with worldpowers in 2015, but his push for expanded liberties has been fiercely resisted by hard-liners, who dom-

inate Iran’s judiciary and security services.

In the same campaign speech, Rouhani offered rare, if veiled, criticism of Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guard, saying those who use “public funds and money that is given for the security of the people” should not spread “hopelessness.” The Guard is believed to support Raisi.

He also referred to a charitable foundation managed by Raisi, which controls large endowments and business conglomerates, asking whether it had ever paid taxes.

On Sunday, Raisi had said the charity was exempt from paying taxes by order of the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of Iran’s 1979 revolution and its first supreme leader. Raisi said that what the charity provides to the poor is equivalent to four times the amount of taxes it would pay.

The election will be held May 19. ■

Lawyer to United: ‘This case is about more than 1 rabbit’

BY SCOTT MCFETRIDGE The Associated Press DES MOINES, IOWA — United Airlines hasn’t explained why a giant rabbit died after being flown from London to Chicago or why it had the animal cremated within hours of his death, a lawyer for the rabbit’s buyers said Monday, announcing possible legal action.

Des Moines Attorney Guy Cook, representing an Iowa group that bought the continental giant rabbit named Simon, said his clients want details about Simon’s death and an explanation of why he was cremated before a necropsy, or post-mortem examination, could be conducted.

Cook said he sent a letter to United on May 4 but hasn’t received a reply, other than a confirmation that the matter had been referred to the airline’s lawyers.

“United has taken no action to rectify this,” Cook said, raising larger questions about how the airline treats the animals it transports. “This case is about more than one rabbit.”

Simon flew from London’s Heathrow Airport to Chicago on April 20 and was supposed to fly an onward leg to Kansas City, Missouri, but he died after landing at O’Hare International Airport.

United spokesman Charles Hobart said the company had reached “a satisfactory resolution” with the rabbit’s breeder, Annette Edwards, in Worcestershire in the United Kingdom. Asked about the letter from the animal’s buyers, the cremation or other issues, he said only that Edwards was United’s customer and that she had turned down an offer of a post-mortem examination. He declined to answer other questions.

INSAPPHOWETRUST / FLICKR

News of the rabbit’s death came as the airline was struggling to repair its image following the videotaped removal of a passenger from a United plane at Chicago’s O’Hare airport. Images of the passenger, who was battered as he was dragged from the plane, circulated widely on social media www.canadianinquirer.net

and prompted condemnation and threats of a lawsuit. The passenger quickly reached a settlement with United for an undisclosed sum.

Earlier, the airline was criticized after two young girls weren’t allowed on a flight because they wore leggings.

Speaking in front of a large

video monitor displaying a photo of the dead rabbit on its side in a large crate, Cook said the group of Des Moines area businessmen who bought Simon had intended to display him at this summer’s Iowa State fair. After winning a prize for the largest rabbit, the men intended to take Simon to other events and raise money for the fair, an iconic Iowa event that stretches over 11 days in August, Cook said.

The owners are seeking the costs of buying and transporting the rabbit — estimated at $2,300 — and future earnings.

When he died April 20, Simon was about 3 1/2 feet long and weighed 20 pounds. Cook said he could have grown to weigh 40 pounds, likely making him larger than Simon’s father and the world’s biggest rabbit. ■ Associated Press writer Nelson Lampe contributed to this story.

World News

20

MAY 12, 2017

Trump’s ‘8th wonder of the world’ sold for fraction of cost

BY WAYNE PARRY The Associated Press ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Donald Trump wrote “The Art Of The Deal,” but it was Florida’s Seminole Indians who made a truly amazing deal to buy the opulent casino built by the man who is now president of the United States.

The Trump Taj Mahal, the Atlantic City casino that the real estate mogul built for $1.2 billion in 1990, went for 4 cents on the dollar when it was sold in March.

Documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission revealed the price that billionaire Carl Icahn got from Hard Rock International for the shuttered casino: $50 million. The sale was publicized at the time, though the purchase price wasn’t.

Trump, now the nation’s 45th president, dubbed the Taj Mahal “the eighth wonder of the world” when it opened. He cut most of his ties with Atlantic City in 2009, though he re-

tained a small stake in its parent company in return for the right to use his name.

That remaining stake was wiped out last year when Icahn acquired the parent company, Trump Entertainment Resorts, from bankruptcy. Icahn and Atlantic City’s main casino workers’ union were unable to agree on a new contract to restore health insurance and pension benefits, and the union went on strike in July.

In October, Icahn shut the casino down, saying he saw no way to make a profit from it, and lamenting losses of $350 million on it.

Icahn retains ownership of the former Trump Plaza casino, which shut down in September 2014.

Hard Rock, which is owned by Florida’s Seminole Indian tribe, plans to reopen the Taj Mahal in 2018 after scrubbing it of its minarets and ubiquitous mentions of Trump. Hard Rock says it plans to spend $375 million on a renovation that will draw on the world’s largest collection of music memorabilia. Hotel guests

will even be lent Fender electric guitars to play in their rooms.

Aside from seeing an opportunity in a market that seems to be stabilizing following the closing of five of its 12 casinos since 2014, the deal makes sense in another way for Hard Rock: The firm has partnered with Meadowlands Racetrack operator Jeff Gural on plans for a casino resort in East Rutherford, just outside New York City, if New Jersey voters ever amend the state Constitution to allow casino gambling beyond Atlantic City. (A referendum to allow it was soundly defeated in November).

Though new legislation will presumably be written for the next attempt at casino expansion, last year’s rules gave owners of existing Atlantic City casinos first crack at one of two new licenses that would have been created had the ballot measure passed. With its ownership of the former Taj Mahal, Hard Rock would be well-positioned for a run at a northern New Jersey casino license. ■

FRIDAY

Body of...

“We might be in the week where the water will progressively begin to drop, but there’s still a lot of work before us to deal with flooding after the water has receded,” he said.

“People are worried about what will happen to their homes.”

Couillard was also asked if the Canadian Forces weren’t called in quickly enough.

“Some people elsewhere in Quebec thought we were too fast because they didn’t see what was happening here,” he said. “But instead of pointing fingers, let’s work together to help the citizens. That’s why we’re here.”

The premier also urged Quebecers to donate to help flood victims after an announcement by the Canadian Red Cross it is setting up a relief fund.

The provincial government is contributing $500,000 and the City of Montreal is intending to kick in $250,000.

The Quebec legislature will not sit on Tuesday, allowing members to stay in their respective ridings an extra day, while Montreal’s agglomeration council will vote to extend ❰❰ 17

the state of emergency in the area by five days.

The federal government has asked employees who work in Gatineau to avoid travelling to their offices on Tuesday for a second day in a row.

The advisory applies to workers who normally travel to work via interprovincial bridges or work in federal buildings in Gatineau.

Some parts of eastern Ontario were also hit hard by flooding, and Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said the federal government was responding to a request from the Ontario government for “additional flood mitigation resources.”

Goodale noted the request did not include military help.

In Atlantic Canada, some parts of New Brunswick recorded more than 150 millimetres of rain after a nearly 36-hour nonstop downpour. And while the deluge tapered off early Sunday, New Brunswick’s St. John River had spilled its banks, forcing several road closures.

Meanwhile in British Columbia, two men remained missing as flooding continued to plague the province’s Interior. ■

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www.canadianinquirer.net

World News

FRIDAY MAY 12, 2017

French President-elect Macron gears up for challenges ahead

BY SYLVIE CORBET AND LORI HINNANT The Associated Press PARIS — French Presidentelect Emmanuel Macron laid the groundwork Monday for his transition to power, announcing a visit to Germany and a name change for his political movement and appearing with his predecessor at a solemn World War II commemoration.

Macron handily defeated far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen in Sunday’s presidential runoff, and now must pull together a majority of lawmakers for his year-old political movement to run in the mid-June legislative election.

His party is changing its name to La Republique En Marche (Republic on the Move) as it prepares a list of candidates.

Macron has promised that half of those candidates will be new to elected politics, as he was before his victory Sunday.

Macron won the presidency with 66 per cent of votes cast for a candidate. But a high number of blank or spoiled votes and unusually low turnout are signs of an electorate dissatisfied with its choices.

Le Pen says she will lead the opposition to Macron.

On Monday, a French national holiday, the president-elect joined President Francois Hollande in commemoration of the end of World War II. The holiday marks the day of the formal German defeat in World War II. It was the first time the men had appeared in public together since Macron resigned in August 2016 as Hollande’s economy minister to run for president — a decision that was received coldly by the French leader at the time, according to French media.

On Monday, though, Hollande gripped Macron’s arm before the two men walked side by side and then announced the transfer of power would take place on Sunday, a week after the election.

Monday also marked decades of peace in Western Europe, something Macron made a cornerstone of his campaign against Le Pen’s brand of populism. Le Pen called for France

People at the Carousel du Louvre are gathered to celebrate the election of the new President of France Emmanuel Macron.

FREDERIC LEGRAND - COMEO / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

to leave the European Union and drop the euro currency in favour of the franc.

Sylvie Goulard, a French deputy to the European Parliament, said Macron would make Berlin his first official visit, with perhaps a stop to see French troops stationed abroad as well.

The National Front, meanwhile, is also gearing up for a name change — if not a makeover of its ideas — after Le Pen’s decisive loss. In interviews Monday, National Front officials said the party founded by her father would get a new name to try and draw in a broader spectrum of supporters.

“The National Front is a tool that will evolve to be more efficient, bring even more people together after the number of voters we reached last night.

And so we have an immense responsibility vis-a-vis the French people, who trust us,” said Nicolas Bay, the party’s secretary-general.

Michael Roth, Germany’s deputy foreign minister, applauded Macron’s win but said the result was marred by the fact that 11 million people in France voted for Le Pen. “It mustn’t become normal that right-wing extremists and

populists achieve such strong results,” said Roth, whose portfolio includes relations with France. He suggested relaxing European Union rules on state spending to allow France to boost its economic growth.

“If Macron fails, then the next president will be Marine Le Pen and we need to prevent this at all costs,” he added.

On the financial front, European stock markets edged down in early trading as investors had been widely expecting Macron’s victory.

Though Macron’s victory is considered positive for the region’s economy and the euro currency, stocks had risen strongly in the previous two weeks on expectations of his win. France’s CAC 40 index, which last week touched the highest level since early 2008, slipped 0.8 per cent to 5,391 on Monday.

Germany’s DAX was down 0.3 per cent at 12,683 and Britain’s FTSE 100 was up 0.1 per cent at 7,301.

The euro, which had risen Sunday night in the wake of the news of Macron’s victory, edged back down 0.5 per cent to $1.0943. ■ Helena Alvez in Paris and Carlo Piovano in London contributed. www.canadianinquirer.net

21

Policy that... softened position was vide inaccurate answers. When greeted with cautious Blaevoet offered to sign a docuoptimism by some ment authorizing staff to assist of those most impacted by the her, she said no such accommocurrent policy. dation could be granted.

Andrew Gurza, who has cereBlaevoet was offered a braille bral palsy and can make limited form, which would have aluse of his hands, ran up against lowed her to read the applicathe Passport Canada stance last tion but would not provide a month when he tried to renew means of filling in answers. his passport at an office in To- Staff then discovered they had ronto. no braille forms in stock.

Gurza said he made the trip Blaevoet was ultimately told to the passport office on his she could handwrite the form, own using local paratransit and an option she said she acceptdid not have an attendant or ed to illustrate what she called support worker present with the absurdity of the policy. She him at the time. also noted that such an option Unaware of the policy, he would not be available to visualasked for assistance filling out ly impaired people who lacked the forms believing office staff handwriting skills, as well as would be best equipped to en- those with physical disabilities sure his forms were completed limiting their movements. accurately and legibly.

The government has stated Instead, he was told that that the current policy exists policy prevented for the protecanyone from tion of applicompleting the cants. paperwork on “Currently his behalf.

You can’t have Passport Canada Gurza said he a policy that’s and Service Canhad to return that black and ada officers are home, seek help white without not authorized completing the having any to write informaform, then wheel gradients of tion or fill out a back out to the consideration form on behalf post office to defor people of an applicant, liver the applicawho couldn’t as every passport tion. fulfil it. application form Now he hopes has the potential the governof being required ment’s effort to as documentary revise the policy will involve evidence in the prosecution of seeking input from people who a charge of forgery and because live with its effects. it could represent a potential “Just to make it accessible conflict of interest on the part for someone who can’t write, or of the employee,” IRCC said in someone who is blind or visu- a statement. ally impaired, that only covers a Blaevoet acknowledges those tiny fraction of people with dis- concerns have merit, but said abilities,” he said. “They really a revised policy must be more need to engage in public con- flexible to account for the varysultations quite quickly with a ing needs of Canadians with varying number of people liv- disabilities. ing with various disabilities to “You can’t have a policy that’s enact a policy that is accessible that black and white without to everyone.” having any gradients of considWeeks earlier, Rebecca Blae- eration for people who couldn’t voet of Windsor, Ont., had a fulfil it,” she said. similar experience at her local Both Blaevoet and Gurza office when she went to renew have filed official complaints her travel documents. and say they have heard from Blaevoet, who is totally blind, Passport Canada officials who sought help, but a clerk in- listened to their concerns atformed her that he could not tentively. fulfil her request, adding doing IRCC did not give any indicaso was “not his job.” tions as to what the policy reBlaevoet escalated the mat- vision process looks like, what ter to a supervisor, who said alternatives they’re considerPassport Canada staff could not ing or whether public consultacomplete the form for fear of tions would be part of the pro“leading the applicant” to pro- cess. ■ ❰❰ 17

22

Community News

MAY 12, 2017

FRIDAY

Team Canada 2.0 – Our Return

BY COACH M IN FEBRUARY 2016, we embarked a journey back home to the Philippines to represent Canada at the SM National High School Basketball Championships in Manila. It was the first time that an international team was invited to compete against the best high school teams in the Philippines. This was made possible through NBTC Director Coach Eric Altamirano. Back then we had so many lessons learned including a heart breaking loss to 2014 National Champions Chang Kai Shek College. But we did not go home empty handed as we were able to reach the finals of 3x3 NBTC before losing to eventual champion and crowd favorite Team Davao. James Canlas, Evyn Santiago, Robert Ocampo, Matthew Daves and Avan Nava also had college and university interest and offers. James Canlas at that time was religiously courted by National University and San Beda. It even prompted San Beda team manager Jude Roque to come to Canada and make a formal offer to James and Evyn.

A year after, we made our return and hoped to redeem ourselves at the 2017 edition. With us were NBTC veteran campaigners Evyn Santiago, Alvin Florido, Robert Ocampo, Andre Cruz, Matthew Daves with new additions Nic Malabanan, Ben Kwawukumey, Brendon Ocampo and Max Cruz. Aside from the 2017 SM NBTC we were also to participate at the 2nd Dreamers International 18U Boys Basketball Challenge at the Batis Aramin Resort in Lucban, Quezon. As usual the delegation was very excited but much relaxed compared to last year. We arrived at the dawn of March 12 and played our first game the next day against the current NCAA Jr. Champion MAPUA. We held our ground through the game even leading as much as 17 points at one time but lost 84-82 in the end game where the champs continued to persevere and had steadier nerves to win the game. But just like a wild fire in the bush news spread out around the basketball community about the Canadians giving the NCAA champs a run for their money before losing the game. Mat-

thew Daves had a monstrous game with 27 points and 19 rebounds. This prompted local university and college coaches to wake up early and watch Team Canada’s second game against New Zealand. Coaches Boyet Fernandez from San Beda, Olsen Racela from FEU, Tab Baldwin from Ateneo, Bo Perasol from UP, Jerry Codinera from Arellano, TY Tang from College of St. Benilde, Franz Pumaren from Adamson, Derek Pumaren from UE, Boy Sablan from UST, Aldin Ayo from La Salle and many others were in attendance to watch our game and scout for some players. We won our second game handily against the New Zealanders with Evyn Santiago adjudged as the Freego Best Player of the Game. The win led us to a do or die match against the newly crowned UAAP Jrs. Champ FEU for a place at the semis. Unfortunately, the game was played outside of the Mall of Asia arena and placed us in a big disadvantage due to a very hot weather condition. We played at the Palm Spring covered court and the gym was jam packed with coaches, scouts, fans and supporters. We succumbed to the heat by the third quarter and lost by 12. Although we were not accustomed to such condition and coming from a winter season in Canada we gave our best until our bodies gave up due to cramps and dehydration. But again we gained the admiration of everybody and questions roamed around about what if they have played inside the air conditioned arena would the result have been different?

Once again we have failed to advance to the semis with the loss to FEU but we got lots of invites and interest from colleges and universities coaches and

scouts after the tournament.

Matthew Daves gained interest from Ateneo, UP, FEU and UST. Nic Malabanan is being courted

by Ateneo, UP, FEU and St. Benilde – La Salle. Eyeing Evyn Santiago were Sand Beda, Arellano, UP, UST and FEU. St. Benilde and FEU requested audience with Rob Ocampo. While Andre Cruz is being considered

by Ateneo, Ben Kwakukumey

by St. Benilde and Alvin Florido by San Beda. We also had the consolation of having Evyn Santiago selected to play for the NBTC All Stars and Matthew Daves was a finalist at the Slam Dunk Competition.

The following week we were invited for a series of friendly games from interested college and universities. First stop was at the Ateneo de Manila where we personally met ex-Gilas coach Tab Baldwin. We were invited personally by Ateneo Team Manager Mr. Epok Quimpo whom I met at the NABA Inter City in Pennsylvania last year and visited in the Philippines last October 2016. Next stop was at FEU upon the invite of Coach Olsen Racela who had interest with Matthew, Nic, Evyn and Robert. We also had a chance to play the UP Maroons Junior Team arranged through a former high school mate Ramelson Labao and UST Team B through the efforts of Team Manager Gina Francisco.

We also had a courtesy visit to our Ambassador to the Philippines Hon. John Holmes at our Embassy in Makati. Here he provided us with words of encouragement for our next tournament in Lucban, Quezon.

After a day off to visit our relatives off we went to Batis Aramin Resort in Lucban Quezon where we were warmly welcomed by Pinoy Youth Dreamer Founder and Director Beaujing www.canadianinquirer.net

Acot and Batis Aramin Resort owner Chickoy and Gert Capistrano. We arrived late in the afternoon and right away splashed into the lovely pools of the resort to give ourselves a break and time to relax. We attended the opening ceremony the next day and played George Washington High School from the US for the opening. Next assignment the following day was a local team from Lucena then a game against PYD Red the next morning that completed our elimination assignment.

We topped our group and faced PYD Blue at the quarters and advanced to the semis. On our semifinals game, we again faced a gritty local Lucban team fully supported by their town mates.

The game was so intense with their Mayor watching from the sidelines. But we maintained our composure to win the game and capture the hearts of the locals. At the championship with almost everybody supporting us we faced Guam’s top ranked high school team Father Duenas who also happen to have an unbeaten record throughout the tournament. The Guam team started very hot form the outside raining threes from all corners of the basket. But the talent and skills of the Canadian players were too much to handle and when the smoke cleared out even before the final buzzer it was all Team Canada. We were crowned as the 2nd Dreamers Boys 18U International Basketball Challenge

Champs with Robert Ocampo winning the Most Valuable Player award and Andre Cruz making it to the Mythical Five.

Indeed, it was sweeter the second time around. Our return has been successful. Our overall experience has been amazing and we can’t wait for the next one.

We gained lots of friends and interest along the way. Hopefully our Fil Canadian players will take the opportunity available to them and serve as an inspiration to other players here in Canada. The seeds have been planted and we look forward to harvest the fruits in the near future. We will work to bring more opportunities to our youth for their future. To Mr. Eric Altamirano and NBTC Family I will always be in debt. Mr. Beaujing Acot and PYD Family thanks for the opportunity. Hats off to Mr. Epok Quimpo for helping us get support from SMART and Ms. Cha Junio of Kentucky Fried Chicken. Special thanks to FBL Commissioner Wallie Landicho and its directors Abe Oligane, Dome Florido, Leslie Ruiz and Adrian Vicencio for allowing Team Canada directly benefit from your Filipino Basektball League sponsors. Much respect to NABA Commish Ron Damasco and NABA family for the support and to Mr. Joaquin Taduran for the mentorship and advice. To all media outfits that helped us spread the good news to the community a big thanks from the bottom of Team Canada 2.0 hearts. ■

23

FRIDAY MAY 12, 2017

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24

MAY 12, 2017

FRIDAY

Entertainment ‘Kimerald’ breaks the ice

BY MARINEL R. CRUZ Philippine Daily Inquirer AT FIRST, Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson felt awkward being around each other on the set of their new drama series, “Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin.”

Not surprising, considering that the last project of the former lovebirds was the romantic film, “24/7 in Love,” in 2012.

“I’m sure people around us felt that, too. They knew what happened to us in the past,” Kim said at a recent media gathering for the drama series.

She, however, swore that all was finally well between her and her former boyfriend.

“You will never be truly happy unless you learn how to forgive,” declared Kim. “There are no more walls between us now.

I wouldn’t agree to do this teleserye with him if I still felt uncomfortable around him. The audience will notice that.”

The two broke up in 2010.

Things got even more tense between them in 2014 when Gerald admitted to dating Kim’s best friend, Maja Salvador. Gerald and Maja broke up a year later.

Kim said the experience had taught her to become more mature and professional as an actor. This was why she had agreed to work with Gerald again.

“After many years, I said, ‘OK, let’s do this project!’ It’s best to move on with our lives,” she pointed out.

Gerald added: “Feeling awkward around each other in the beginning was unavoidable because we hadn’t worked together for a long while, but I also knew that this reunion project was bound to happen.

“Our onscreen partnership has been so successful that a lot of our fans are still hoping and asking for us to work together again. They really waited, so they deserve this. To those who aren’t Kimerald supporters, I assure you that you will like this, too.”

On how they managed to break the ice, Kim said: “I just

Kaia Jordan Gerber, Cindy Crawford’s daughter, is the new face of Penshoppe

BY PAM PASTOR Philippine Daily Inquirer

IKAW LANG ANG IIBIGIN ABS-CBN / FACEBOOK

kept cracking jokes on the set.

Gerald is often so quiet. It’s like he is in character most of the time. He just stays in one corner, or he goes to his car whenever he is not yet needed in the scene being shot.”

Gerald said he was happy to realize that Kim “didn’t change one bit, in spite of what she had already accomplished as an actress.”

He added: “It’s amazing to see how Kim never seems to run out of energy. She’s contagious!

She has this positive effect on the cast and crew.”

They were featured in several projects after they joined the first teen edition of “Pinoy Big Brother” in 2007.

“I still didn’t have any idea how to be an actor then, but I felt secure because she was by my side. I’m not very vocal about how I feel, but I sure know how to look back and show my appreciation to the people who have helped me along the way.”

In “Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin,” Gerald is Gabriel, a triathlete from Zambales. “He is good at swimming, because he dives for mussels and sells them. He’s also a good biker because he rides it to the market to deliver fish. He is a fast runner because he does it every day to get to school,” Gerald explained.

On the other hand, Kim Chiu plays Bianca, who takes after her mom (portrayed by Bing Loyzaga), a former runner. Like Gabriel, she also competes in triathlons.

To prepare for such a physically demanding role, Kim said she started joining duathlons.

Recently, she also finished her first 21-kilometer race. “I’ve already completed 5k and 10K races. I joined the 21k race because finishers get medals,” said Kim. Meanwhile, Gerald said it felt like he was “living the dream” when he joined and finished his first 42-kilometer marathon in Los Angeles, California, in March.

“That’s why I carried the flag with me when I ran. It also felt good that there were a lot of Filipinos there rooting for me,” said the actor. “I feel embarrassed to admit this, because I know that there are a lot of Filipinos who are far better than me and are also dreaming of competing for the country. If I don’t have tapings or shootings, I will try to join more competitions.”

“Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin,” which airs daily before “It’s Showtime!,” also features Jake Cuenca, Coleen Garcia, Gina Pareño, Dante Rivero, Michael de Mesa and Grae Fernandez. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

PENSHOPPE UNVEILED their newest ambassador on Friday—Kaia Jordan Gerber, Cindy Crawford’s daughter, who is making a name for herself in fashion and entertainment. At a young age, the 15-year-old is the face of Marc Jacobs Beauty and has graced the covers of Love, Pop, Vogue Paris and done campaigns for Miu Miu and Alexander Wang.

“This year is all about making bold moves. We wanted to change it up a bit. We wanted someone who resonates fashion. Someone very fresh. We believe in her. We believe she is going to be a big it-girl in the industry,” Penshoppe brand director Jeff Bascon told Super after flying back from Kaia’s shoot. The campaign was shot in Downtown LA, and behind the lens was Taylor Tupy, a young photographer recommended by Kaia’s family. “Kaia is good friends with Taylor. He really knows what to motivate her,” Jeff said. “There was good energy, good vibes on the set.”

Everyone—from the production manager to the makeup artist—couldn’t stop remarking about how much Kaia looks like her supermodel mom. “They kept saying, ‘She looks exactly

like Cindy, she sounds exactly like Cindy.’”

Jeff enjoyed working with Kaia. “It was exciting. She’s very pleasant and she’s a really pretty girl.”

Kaia arrived at the shoot “raring to go.” “I don’t know how she does it. At a very young age, she moves very effortlessly,” Jeff said.

But away from the camera, Kaia was just a regular girl. “It was cool. It was very refreshing to see someone like her who is obviously starting to be very big, be very grounded,” said Jeff.

Kaia kept clothes from the shoot, pieces from Penshoppe’s new Denimlab collection which is already in stores. The collection features a fun mix of tops and bottoms. “We have even better fit now,” said Jeff. “We’re on a constant quest for betterment. We’re obsessed with developing and improving our craft and our products.”

During down time, Jeff had the chance to talk to Kaia about the Philippines. “We were talking about the beaches, she was looking at my Palawan photos and she kept saying, ‘I wanna go, I wanna go,’” said Jeff.

But for now, fans will get to see Kaia on billboards, on social media and in Penshoppe’s stores in the Philippines and abroad. “Kaia will be seen everywhere,” said Jeff. ■

PENSHOPPE / FACEBOOK

Entertainment

FRIDAY MAY 12, 2017

25

ABC announces revival of ‘American Idol’ next season

BY DAVID BAUDER The Associated Press NEW YORK — ABC announced a deal Tuesday to revive “American Idol,” only a year after the powerhouse music competition aired its 15th and last season on Fox. The show that dominated television in the 2000s and minted stars like Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson and Kelly Clarkson will be back sometime during the next TV season. That season starts in September, but the return of “Idol” will likely come later. Fox generally premiered each new season in January.

ABC, which agreed with producers FremantleMedia North

America and 19 Entertainment on the reboot, released few details, including whether longtime host Ryan Seacrest will return.

“American Idol” was television’s No. 1 series for nine years, peaking with 30 million viewers an episode in 2006. By its last season the average audience had dipped to 11 million and skewed older, and NBC’s “The Voice” surpassed it in popularity. Still, in today’s television world, an audience of 11 million would rank it among TV’s top 20 shows. “‘American Idol’ is a pop-culture staple that left the air too soon,” said Channing Dungey, ABC entertainment president.

“ABC is the right home to reignite the fan base.”

Carrie Underwood.

In “Dancing With the Stars,” ABC already has a competition show that has remained popular while primarily attracting older viewers.

AMERICAN IDOL / FACEBOOK

Harry Connick Jr., Jennifer Lopez and Keith Urban were the judges when “American Idol” went off the air. The show’s iconic judges were the

first: villain Simon Cowell, his sparring partner Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson.

ABC recently hired Seacrest to be co-host with Kelly Ripa on the daytime talk show “Live,” so he’s already in the corporate family — although “Live” is shot in New York and “Idol” is California-based. Seacrest, on the talk show Monday, said he had only learned of the revival last week when he read a news story about it and made a call.

“I said at the end of the series, ‘goodbye for now,’ hoping that somewhere it would come back,” Seacrest said.

He played coy when Ripa encourage him to return as host.

“Whatever you want,” he joked. “You’re my work wife. I say ‘yes’ and bow to you.” ■

Is it really ‘S Town’? Hit podcast sparks an identity crisis

BY JAY REEVES The Associated Press WOODSTOCK, ALA. — Attention is often a hard-won commodity out in the country, and sometimes it’s the last thing a little town wants.

Residents puff out their chests when a high school in a rural town upends a big-city rival to win a championship, but they’re just as likely to be deflated by some dash of infamy — a tornado that wipes out a trailer park or a neighbour who winds up on a wanted poster.

A central Alabama community is grappling with a version of the latter — the unwanted fame that comes from millions of people knowing it only as a lousy, scruffy place best described with an unprintable expletive.

Bibb County is the setting for the hit podcast “S-Town,” with the “S” standing for a vulgar word for excrement. The seven-part show was produced by Serial Productions of the similarly popular podcast “Serial” and “This American Life.”

Downloaded more than 40 million times in 114 counties since its release in late March, “S-Town” is the first podcast to reach that level of distribution so quickly, according to Podtrac, which analyzes podcasts.

More than three-quarters of

those downloads were in the don’t care,” said Browning, a month. But that “S-Town” image United States, with the United pro crappie fisherman when is grating on some people, and it Kingdom, Canada and Austra- he’s not cutting hair. all goes back to McLemore. lia rounding out the top four.

Bibb County officials have Without giving away too The podcast focuses on the been working for years to shine many spoilers: McLemore was towns of Woodstock and Green a spotlight on their commu- a Bibb County native who sent Pond, where strangers now stop nity. It’s home to about 23,000 an email to producers of the by occasionally to take selfies at residents, many of whom make “Serial” podcast with the sublocations from the show or put a an easy work commute to Ala- ject line of “John B McLemore dime atop the grave of the main bama’s biggest city, Birming- lives in S-town, Alabama.” (But character, John B. McLemore, ham, or its flagship school, the McLemore spelled it out.) who died before the show came University of Alabama, each “S-Town” tells the story of out. less than 35 miles away but in an alleged murder and another No one is complaining about opposite directions. death, and winds up focusing that. on McLemore’s But having tortured relayour hometown tionship with the portrayed as a town of Woodbackward, miDownloaded more than 40 million stock, his own sogynistic, ractimes in 114 counties since its inner demons, ist, homophobic, release in late March, “S-Town” is and a younger corrupt backwathe first podcast to reach that level of man named Tyter — at least one distribution so quickly. ler Goodson. view expressed Goodson said in “S-Town” — he’s gotten used is wearing on to people stopfolks, particularping on the road ly those who understand that The only Mercedes-Benz car outside his home to take phothings can live forever on the factory in North America is just tos, just as people who live internet. a few miles away, and a sup- around McLemore’s old home “Nothing good will come of plier to the factory is moving sometimes have to avoid cars it,” said Keefe Burt, a county into Bibb County’s new indus- stopped in the road to take commissioner whose family is trial park. Other companies are pictures of the locked gate. mentioned unflatteringly in the looking, too, Burt said, unfazed Reporters are a near-constant show. Repeatedly. so far by “S-Town.” sight at Woodstock City Hall, Some view the podcast and In Woodstock there are medi- where workers are happy to its name as a “black mark” on cal offices and a grocery store chat about the show as long as the community, said barber and antique shops, making it a their names aren’t used.

Robert Browning. lot better off than many other If any place has become a “There’s quite a few people towns its size. Unemployment pilgrimage site for fans, it is who took offence to it, and isn’t bad in the county by Ala- McLemore’s grave, atop a hill there’s a lot of people who just bama standards: 5.4 per cent last just inside the gate to Green www.canadianinquirer.net

Pond Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Goodson made McLemore’s tombstone, which has been decorated with coins, stones, a note, trinkets and a 45-rpm record in the weeks since “S-Town” was released.

“I don’t know who’s leaving all that stuff. It’s not me,” Goodson said at the graveside, where he’d stopped to pay his respects accompanied by uncle Jimmy Frank Hicks, another person featured on the show.

Just down the hill, Terry Fortenberry doesn’t know why people are going to the cemetery so often. Fortenberry, who doesn’t listen to podcasts and spends his days selling knick-knacks beside the road, said Woodstock and Green Pond seem nice enough to him, certainly not worth calling “STown.”

“It’s better than that. The people are better,” said Fortenberry, 58.

Goodson, 26, isn’t so sure.

He faces felony charges related to something that happened while the podcast was being produced, with a court date set for next month, and he no longer has his old friend John B. McLemore to talk about it all with. “S-Town,” neither the community nor the podcast, have done him any favours, Goodson said.

“It’s a sad story, especially if you’re part of it,” Goodson said. ■

26

MAY 12, 2017

FRIDAY

Lifestyle As Canada ages, elderly women confront challenges of going it alone

BY CASSANDRA SZKLARSKI The Canadian Press TORONTO — At age 80, Ada Garrison finds herself at a new beginning.

A host of new friends, activities and challenges abound since a health scare prompted her to move into a retirement home in downtown Toronto.

Six months ago she had been living alone in a two-bedroom apartment. Her 54-year-old daughter and grandson were in the unit below but she saw them rarely, as was the case with her two sons, one of whom lives in New York.

“I felt isolated,” Garrison admits of that time. “My kids were real busy and I could hear them; that was lovely, but the social time with them was skimpy.”

Meanwhile, her own circle of friends was dwindling.

“About half of them have died and that’s another reason that I felt blue. I was trying to make some younger friends, but people are swamped with work and there’s not a lot of leisure time.”

The sociable grandmother moved to a retirement home where she now finds herself “cheek by jowl” with other seniors in an atmosphere she likens to living in a college dormitory. She takes classes and goes on group outings.

Her new daily imperative: make new friends and live life to the fullest.

Garrison is part of a growing group of single senior Canadian women who are redefining what it means to age alone.

Their ranks are swelling, according to the latest tranche of data from the 2016 census, released Wednesday by Statistics Canada.

The number of elderly Canadians is soaring — a 19.4 per cent increase among those 85 and older between 2011 and 2016. Since people are living longer and women tend to outlive men, females have long had to cope with standing alone as they grew old.

Among Canadians aged 85 and older, there were nearly two women for every man in 2016, Statistics Canada found last year. For centenarians, whose ranks grew at a staggering rate of 41.3 per cent, the ratio was was five to one.

Some are widowed or divorced; others never married.

Many have children, but they live far away amid housing and employment pressures. Some liken becoming a single senior to reinventing themselves entirely.

“There is a lot of reinvention because you’ve got another 30 to 35 years of life and why do what you’ve done before?” says 68-year-old Adina Lebo, who never married and lives alone in Toronto but finds support from a tight circle of female friends.

“Some of my friends started little businesses, like dog walking, or they took their mum’s cookie recipe and started making cookies and selling them at the local bakery and local fairs. Other people have gone into business with Airbnb and turned their home into a revenue-producing (business).”

Leslie Brodbeck, 71, says she found “a new confidence” after her husband died suddenly of brain cancer in 2008.

“I went to the bank, for instance ... and negotiated a bridge loan all by myself. I had never done anything like that in my life,” says Brodbeck, who lives in London, Ont. “I want to be a person that’s vibrant and involved, not someone who sits at home and knits.”

And while it’s long been true that the people who approach 100 are mostly women, men are starting to close the gender gap, says Nora Spinks, chief executive officer of The Vanier Institute of the Family.

In 2001, there were 2.3 women for every man in the 85-andover group, Statistics Canada said Wednesday. In 2016, that ratio was down to 1.87.

Spinks credits better illness detection, medical treatment and preventative care with pushing male life expectancy to increase at a slightly higher rate than that of women.

But older women still live longer, and many are alone.

Spinks says it’s not surprising many seniors describe feeling a newfound freedom, since it often follows a lifetime of sequential caregiving.

“First you look after your kids, then you look after your parents, then you look after your spouse, then you look after your friends,” she says.

“You’re taking care of others from the time you’re in your 20s — maybe late 20s, early

www.canadianinquirer.net

30s — right through to your 60s, and then all of a sudden, you get to focus on you. And for a lot of women that’s very liberating.”

It’s something Bev Farrell sees everyday in her work at Third Age Outreach, a geriatric service out of St. Joseph’s Health Care in London, Ont. As a “therapeutic recreation specialist,” she helps older adults find meaningful activities such as exercise, crafts or card games.

She recalls helping a widow who was foundering after a decade spent caring for her ailing husband.

“She had to give herself permission to have fun, because she felt a little guilty at first.”

Lebo, chair of the Toronto chapter of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons, says one of the biggest concerns of members is the fear they will outlive their savings.

Health care, housing, transit

and social supports are all big concerns, but she has struggled to find steady employment since being losing her job five years ago.

She finds support from older single women who share her struggles and can offer a helping h a n d w h e n needed.

“We’re basically looking after ourselves and helping each other,” says Lebo, who also looks after her 96-year-old mother.

“I have friends who’ve said, ‘Adina, we’ll be calling you to assist us on medical things that require a second person and please call us,’ so that’s an unwritten bond.”

Meanwhile, older seniors like her mother are at greater risk of spending more time alone, says Lebo, especially when illness is involved and it becomes impossible to leave the house or entertain visitors.

Brodbeck’s advice, meanwhile, is the same as that she gives her children: plan ahead while you can and celebrate every stage of life.

“Look to the future, don’t dwell on the past, but live every day. Because you never know what’s around the corner and that’s what my husband’s death taught me.” ■

Lifestyle

FRIDAY MAY 12, 2017

27

Amazing restoration of San Agustin Church Against all odds, Escuela Taller artisans, with cast of experts, do their most challenging task so far

BY ERIC S. CARUNCHO Philippine Daily Inquirer WHO KNEW heritage conservation could be so complicated?

The restoration of the choir loft of the nearly 450-yearold San Agustin Church in Intramuros, one of the treasures of Intramuros, is a case in point.

For the last 29 months, artisans from the Escuela Taller de Filipinas have been engaged in a heroic effort to bring this portion of the church back from the brink. Pitching in is a revolving cast of experts: art restorers, conservators, scientists and architects.

Against all odds—including a severly limited budget—it looks like they're going to pull it off, and just in time for this year's Araw ng Maynila on June 24.

“It is difficult, tedious work, but it has been very fulfilling,” says the project manager, historian Dr. Esperanza “Chita” Bunag Gatbonton, whom everyone in the project calls “Mrs. G.” “I keep telling people, you see the finished product and you marvel,” she says. “But I see the people [who worked on it] and how they progressed from merely doing the work mechanically, to liking their craft and talking about it. I tell them, ‘everything you do has to involve the brain, not just the hands.’

It's very rewarding when you see it.”

Doubly so, since her work plans were initially met with skepticism.

“They told me, ‘this is a heritage church, and you're going to entrust it to new graduates without any experience?,’” she recalls. “It raised a few eyebrows.”

Underprivileged youths

Escuela Taller is essentially a training center where underprivileged youths are trained in carpentry, ironworking and masonry, with a focus on restoring heritage structures. In short, it's a livelihood project, funded in part by a grant from Agencia Española de Cooperación Internaciónal para Desarollo, the Spanish government's foreign aid agency.

Since it was founded in 2009, graduates of the school have worked successfully on many

historic structures, including the Malate and Sta. Ana churches.

The San Agustin Church choir loft is its most challenging project so far.

The bulk of the work centers on restoring the ornate silleria de coro, the double rows of 68 intricately-carved high-backed chairs in which the members of the choir were seated, which is nearly as old as the church itself; and the trompe l'oeil ceiling mural which was originally painted in 1876.

Time, the tropical climate and numerous ill-advised efforts at restoration over the decades had not been kind to these historic artifacts.

Termites had attacked the wooden chairs, and over four centuries of alternating dry and rainy season had warped and twisted most of them. At some point in the 1960s, says Gatbonton, they had been painted black in an attempt to termiteproof them.

Meanwhile, the high humidity had caused the adobe stones used to create the loft's high vaulted ceiling to “sweat”. As a result, the latex paint used in the last attempt to “restore” the ceiling mural started flaking off in ragged patches.

‘Silleria’

According to Gatbonton, the silleria was said to had been made by carvers from Macau commissioned by Miguel Garcia Serrano, the prior of the Augustinians in Manila, sometime during his term from 1608 to 1614. It was described as being carved from molave wood, with ivory inlays.

In the 1970s, Fray Niceforo Rojo O.S.A. attempted to renovate the choir loft, which had, by then, fallen into disuse. He stripped off the black paint to reveal that the inlays were not ivory as described in the records, but a white hardwood.

Further analysis revealed that most of the chairs were actually carved from narra. Others were carved from yakal, tindalo and other indigenous woods.

This, with the preponderance of Malay as well as Chinese design motifs in the carving, and the lack of documentary proof that the chairs were made in Macau, have led Gatbonton to

SHANICE GARCIA / PCI

conclude that the silleria was made by local craftsmen. At the time it was common for the Spanish to employ both Filipino and Chinese workers in building churches.

In any case, the important thing was to restore the chairs.

Some of them had been so badly eaten by termites that new members had to be hand carved from fresh wood.

Not in curriculum

Amazingly, despite their lack of experience, the Escuela Taller craftsmen rose to the challenge. “I used to think only Chinese carvers could do this kind of work, but one of my carvers was so talented that he was able to do it without any preliminary drawings, just straight into the wood. He became our lead carver.”

Similarly, the team had no idea how to do wood inlays—the subject had not been covered by their curriculum in Escuela Taller. Gatbonton found a tutorial on wood inlays online, and with some trial and error, the artisans eventually learned how to recreate the intricate wood inlays with an inexpensive power saw.

“It came out very well,” she says. “It was amazing. It became our policy that if they wanted to try new skills, they may. Now they can discuss and find solutions on their own, they don't need to consult the master carpenter. It has become part of the learning experience.

There's a professionalism entering into it. And because this is important work and they're doing it very well, the managewww.canadianinquirer.net

ment of Escuela Taller allowed me to pay them more.”

To further instill pride in their workmanship, Gatbonton encouraged them to carve their initials on the finished work— in an inconspicuous spot, of course.

The ceiling mural posed a different set of challenges, chief of which was the state of the adobe blocks on which it was painted.

The high moisture content had caused the adobe to crumble in some parts, while also causing the paint to flake off.

Controlling humidity was essential if the mural was to be saved. Several experts were consulted to analyze the stones, trace the source of the moisture, formulate an appropriate kind of mortar just so art restoration specialist Guy Custodio would have a stable surface to paint on.

Original mural

Even with this painstaking prep work, the problem remained: Which version of the mural to restore?

The original mural was done by Italian scenographers Giovanni Alderoni and Cesare Debella in 1876, in the trompe l'oeil style that was the craze in Europe at the time, that is to say it was painted to look as if the decorative details had been carved into the stone, and not painted.

But over the decades, various attempts had been made to “restore” the painting. A photograph taken by Niceforo Rojo in 1970 appears to show the mural having been painted over.

Sometime in the 1990s, a cer-

tain Ben Cabesada was commissioned to repaint the mural.

Unfortunately, the latex paint he used had begun to disintegrate with the high humidity.

To reveal the earliest version, the project team used the strappo technique to detach the mural from the wall. By gluing layers of Japanese paper and two kinds of cheesecloth on to the mural with a special Japanese fish glue, then peeling it off—just like a leg wax—they revealed the earliest version.

“The one made by Alderoni and Debella was monochromatic, but this one had a variety of colors, such as gamboge yellow and cinnabar,” says Gatbonton.

Working with this layer, plus the photographic record made

by Rojo, Custodio was able to recreate the mural using the secco technique where the pigments are applied onto dry plaster.

Perhaps the most difficult aspect of any restoration effort is balancing the need to preserve a heritage structure such as the San Agustin Church with the needs of the people who use the structure.

This can be further complicated by the overlapping jurisdictions which often cover such historic structures.

For instance, San Agustin is a Unesco World Heritage Site, a National Historical Landmark under the National Museum and also falls within the purview of the Intramuros Administration.

But it is also an active place of worship under the administration of the Augustinian order and a favorite venue for high society weddings.

“There's always a conflict between conservation and use, specially if it's used for 21st century needs,” says Gatbonton. “The people getting married in San Agustin want air conditioning, but you have to consider the effect of relative humidity and heat and cold on ancient stones and wood. One time they used electric fans with mist. That almost gave me a heart attack!”

It is possible to find a balance between preservation and use, says Gatbonton. In the end, she adds, it is the stakeholders who should have the final say. ■

28

Lifestyle

MAY 12, 2017

FRIDAY

RIGHT AT HOME:

New pedestal sinks are perches with panache

BY CEDAR BURNETT The Associated Press

SECOND CITY WORKS / FACEBOOK

Improv at work: Second City course translates unscripted skills to corporate world

BY LAUREN LA ROSE The Canadian Press TORONTO — Consultant Melissa Madian wanted to help her clients navigate the fast-paced world of sales. But rather than focusing on corporate culture, she turned to a comedy juggernaut for a new skill to add to her tool kit: improvisation.

“Sellers have to be improvising all the time with our customers because there’s not one set script,” says Madian, owner of Toronto-based consulting firm TMM Enablement Services.

“You need to be ready in that moment of truth to be able to listen to what the customer is saying, and then improvise and adjust based on what they’ve said so that you can come to a solution together. I think a lot of the foundational items that you learn in improv are absolutely applicable in a business environment.”

Madian had previously attended training at Second City Works, the business arm of the famed comedy company, and returned to enrol in RewireU, a new educational program designed to help businesses boost on-the-job efficiency through improv.

“It used to be B2B (business to business), we now talk about H2H — human to human,” says Kevin Frank, artistic director of

the Second City Training Centre.

“That’s the storytelling of your own story, listening to the story of your client, telling the story of your company, and those kind of tools are what we do.

“We’re storytellers. We know how to craft a great story based on the truth and honesty of what we are; so we help companies and business managers be authentic about their story so that they can relate one-onone with their client and their teams.”

Following a post-lunch warmup, Madian joined her RewireU classmates in a series of exercises testing their abilities to think on their feet and forge bonds of trust. Fellow participants included a holistic doctor, consultants, and individuals from a variety of sectors, including retail, finance and tourism.

In one exercise dubbed “A Bunch of...” they branched out into smaller groups to take turns reciting a common story punctuated by their own punchlines. Regardless of whether their improvised endings elicited a hearty belly laugh or groan, the response from their peers was always the same: unconditional support, kudos and warm applause. The practice is designed to promote inclusivity and give participants the confidence to take a risk knowing that their delivery will have a soft landing.

Frank says they have attendees self-evaluate their experiences within the exercises and tie them back to business culture to explore the parallels they see within their own work environments.

“There’s a lot of evaluation, there’s a lot of debrief that allows our participants to say, ‘All right: it’s one thing to do this exercise in a workshop — how is it going to affect my workplace and the way I do business?”’

The Second City has also teamed with the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, which is researching the impact of improv tools on business practices.

“Those studies will allow us to quantify the effects of our training on business leaders and managers in the industry,” says Frank.

He recognizes each individual arrives at RewireU with their own skill sets and comfort level and will evolve at different rates — particularly those who may initially seem more reserved.

“I think (the term) introverts is sort of a blanket description. What are the reasons that you aren’t stepping out?” asks Frank.

“Is it because you are a perfectionist? Is it because you’re cautious? Is it because you don’t want to offend people?

Let’s go down to the core of that and work on those skills.” ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

IF YOU’VE got a powder room, chances are there’s a pedestal sink in it. The lavatory perches have long been the go-to option for small bathrooms, and even for full-size spaces where a less imposing fixture is desired.

The simple bowl-on-a-stick concept has been given some imaginative rethinking in recent bath collections, and some are downright statement pieces.

Designers are experimenting with materials like stone, metal and wood, and coming up with interesting textural compositions.

Some pedestal sinks resemble works of art, with elaborate painted motifs, or sculptural silhouettes.

Kallista’s Papion pedestal sink has a bow-tie silhouette; in black with a white sink, it’s got a men’s dress-wear look, and in solid white, its spare modernity is no less elegant. Barbara Barry’s transitional-style Tuxedo sink for Kallista features an ample sink surround for soaps and hand towels. (www.kallista.com) Those looking for a more traditional style might appreciate Kohler’s Prairie Flowers or English Trellis pedestal sinks. Both have a painted floral pattern that would look pretty in a gardenthemed powder room or girls’ bathroom. (www.kohler.com) The totem shape is emerging as a trend. In some, the sink and base become one, so the fixture resembles a ceramic bongo drum; Hastings Tile & Bath has an attractive one that comes in a range of finishes, including metallics and patterns.

Also at Hastings, a striking Tulip pedestal, available in Ferrari red, or gold or silver leaf. (www.hastingstilebath.com) In Stone Forest’s organic contemporary collection, columns of basalt are honed or left natural, and vessels are mounted atop.

The fixtures can be had as one, two or three columns, so the sink can rest on one while the others are landing zones for towels and toiletries. (www.stoneforest.com) Luxury bath company Maison Valentina used the effect of a rock slab cracking after being

frozen to create the Lapiaz pedestal sink. A column of mirrored aluminum is run through with a sliver of burnished gold lacquer, and a freeform, gold-toned aluminum sink rests on top.

The studio’s Newton pedestal sink is crafted of hand-cast brass spheres that are forged and stacked, then given a coat of inky black lacquer; a gold sink nestles inside the structure like a celestial bird bath. (www.maisonvalentina.net) Inbani’s Tambo integrates the washbasin into a wall-mounted column, and then there’s a portable, recessed storage base with one or two shelves that can be had in a range of colours, creating a sleek, minimalist fixture. (www.inbani.com) Customize your bath by selecting slim or curvy glass, nickel or brass legs, and then adding an interesting sink; Waterworks and Urban Archaeology have options. (www.waterworks.com ; www.urbanarchaeology.com) Storage can be an issue with these vanity-less sinks, but Seattle-based professional organizer Annie Traurig has some suggestions. Etageres, slanted ladders and even dressers can do the job of stowing toiletries and other supplies, while adding personality.

No room on the floor? A little vertical space may be all you need; just get creative.

“Start by installing small floating wall shelves,” says Traurig.

“I’m telling you, you’ll marvel at the wonders of a small slab of wood screwed onto your wall.”

Ronbow’s Pebble sink, designed by French designer Ora Ito, doesn’t have a base but mounts to the wall, along with matching mirrors — all crafted in a free-form, organic pebble shape with a wood-like finish and an integrated, solid-surface white sink. (www.ronbow.com) Finally, for the truly adventurous bathroom, there’s Falper’s Wing sink, designed by Federico Lombardi. It’s another with no base, but it doesn’t need one. Two swoops of ceramic on both sides of the sink resemble a crane’s expansive wings, and the result is a dramatic work of functional wall art. (www.falper.it) ■

29

FRIDAY MAY 12, 2017

Sports Sharapova more disappointed to lose early than to detractor

BY TALES AZZONI The Associated Press MADRID — To Maria Sharapova, the most disappointing part of leaving the Madrid Open was doing so in the second round.

Not losing to arch critic Eugenie Bouchard.

Sharapova will more than likely meet Bouchard again, and have another shot at beating the Canadian who wanted her banned for life for doping last year and openly called her a cheater.

More important for Sharapova for now was tournament play, winning matches, getting match fit and her ranking up to where it was before her 15-month ban.

Sharapova’s ranking rose from nothing to 258 after

reaching the semifinals in Stuttgart two weeks ago, in her first tournament after her ban.

Going only two rounds in Madrid, where she won in 2014, will bump her up into only the low 200s.

Her aim is to quickly lift her ranking so it’s good enough to automatically qualify for main tour events, to at least 150, which would get her in the French Open this month.

That would mitigate her reliability on wild cards that a lot of her fellow tour players have opposed. The players believe Sharapova, after doping, should have gone through qualifying, worked her way back from the bottom instead of receiving free passes into main draws.

She has declined to enter that debate.

Like at Stuttgart and Madrid,

where she was a former champion, Sharapova has a wild card into the Italian Open next week. Rome was the first to offer her a wild card while she was suspended, and the three-time champion (2011, 2012, 2015) was grateful.

Her effort to automatically qualify for the French Open could become moot next week when organizers announce whether they will give one to Sharapova, the champion at Roland Garros in 2012 and 2014.

In the meantime, losing in the second round at Madrid stung.

“I would be worried about myself if I sat here and said I’m pretty happy with losing a tennis match, no matter who I face, no matter what round it is, whether it’s the first round or final of a Grand Slam,” she

TATIANA / FLICKR

said on Monday after losing to Bouchard.

“I’m a big competitor. What you work for for so many hours every single day is to be on the winning end of matches. Of course I’m disappointed. That’s what’s going to make me a better player. That’s what’s going

to win me more tournaments and more Grand Slams.”

Sharapova said she still needed to regain the confidence for critical points in a match.

“There’s no way to train but be a part of it,” she said. “To find myself in those situations, come up with the goods ...” ■

PHL’s Araneta elected Russian coach impressed to FIFA Council with Filipino gymnasts

BY JEAN T. MALANUM Philippines News Agency MANILA — Philippine Football Federation president Mariano Araneta Jr. was among four officials elected to the International Football Federation (FIFA) Council during the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Congress in Manama, Bahrain on Monday.

Also elected were Mahfuza Kiron of Bangladesh, Zhang Jian of China, and Chung Mong Gyu of the Republic of Korea.

“I’d like to thank everyone for having supported us and we promise not to let them down.

We will do our best when representing Asia at the FIFA Council,” Araneta (second from left in photo) was quoted as saying in a report on AFC’s official website.

According to the report, the

addition of three more AFC officials to the FIFA Council is part of the reforms being implemented by the world governing body in football.

FIFA also wants to increase the role of women in football governance by having one female representative from each confederation.

The FIFA Council members will serve until 2019.

“I’m grateful to have been elected. It is an honor. I will always look to further develop women’s football in Asia and I am fully committed to that,” said Mahfuza Kiron.

“Thank you so much and thanks for your support. I will be the voice of the AFC whilst at FIFA. We have our Vision and Mission, so I will try my best to work with the AFC member associations and raise the level of football throughout Asia,” said Zhang Jian. ■

BY JEAN T. MALANUM Philippines News Agency MANILA — Coach Georgii Genrikhovich Vagner was impressed with the country’s young talents who are taking part in the ongoing joint training sessions carrying the theme “Building Bridges Through Gymnastics” between the Philippines’ and Russia’s gymnastics federations.

“Filipino gymnasts have a great potential,” Vagner said through an interpreter during an interview Tuesday at the PSA Forum at the Phoenix Hotel in Pasay City.

Vagner was accompanied by coaches Sergei Vladimirovich Shtatenko, Mikhail Viktorovich Batkovskii and Kristina Viktorovna. Also present were Russian Embassy Vice Consul Dmitry Petrov and press attawww.canadianinquirer.net

che Natalia Nanmova.

Vagner of the Artistic Gymnastics Federation of Russia heads the 15-member delegation composed of some of Russia’s elite coaches and gymnasts who are training and exchanging techniques with the Philippine junior team and selected coaches and athletes from leading local clubs Alpha Gymnastics Philippines, Club Gymnastica and the Gymnastics Academy of the Philippines.

The Philippines has extended the invitation to Russia after eight junior Filipino athletes joined and won four medals (one gold, one silver and two bronzes) in the National Far Eastern and Siberian Sports Gymnastics Championships held on Jan. 8-18 at Blagoveshchensk, Amur Region in Russia. It was the first time for the young Filipino gymnasts to compete against some of Rus-

sia’s most talented athletes.

“This is a groundbreaking event,” said Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion, referring to the two-week joint training sessions that began on May 3 at the Gymnastics Hall inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

“We are excited for our gymnasts and coaches as they will benefit greatly from their Russian counterparts who bring with them a wealth of skills and knowledge culled from the strong and solid history of Russian gymnastics excellence,” added Carrion, who will head the Philippine delegation to the Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia in August.

The Philippine Sports Commission has coordinated with the Russian government through their embassy and consul here on the visit of the Russian delegation. ■

30

MAY 12, 2017

FRIDAY

Business Euro dodges new crisis with Macron win, but needs fixes

BY DAVID MCHUGH AND BARRY HATTON The Associated Press LISBON, PORTUGAL — Vitor Rodrigues remembers when they told him in the 1990s that the euro would bring affluence.

The owner and only full-time employee of the Leituria bookstore on a leafy street in Lisbon’s Estefania district says he believed it.

“Now I feel very disenchanted,” the 47-year-old says at his cash register. “The euro has served macro interests, not the man in the street. It’s been good for banks and for political careers but it hasn’t brought us any great benefits.”

The euro, the target of populist politicians who claim it has inflicted undue economic pain on Europeans, has a new lease on life after Emmanuel Macron, a firmly pro-euro moderate, won the French presidential election this week. His rival, the right-wing Marine Le Pen, had wanted to pull France out of the bloc, with likely painful consequences for the currency.

But even Macron acknowledges the need to strengthen and reform the euro. He will find it, however, an uphill battle.

There are political logjams making the currency more resistant to market crises and to end its most painful shortcoming — a reliance on crushing budget austerity to fix countries whose finances and economies run into trouble.

Countries that ran into heavy debt — Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Cyprus and Spain — got bailout loans from the other members in return for massive cuts to public spending. That caused job losses, pushed families into poverty and hurt company earnings.

It pitted creditor countries like Germany and the Netherlands against the often resentful debtors. And even countries like France or Italy, large econo-

mies that are struggling to grow but did not need bailouts, have had to focus on public spending cuts to meet euro rules.

The eurozone is growing and many of these economies are now doing better. The EU’s regular Eurobarometer poll shows 56 per cent agree the euro is good for their country, with 33 per cent saying it’s bad. Even in Greece and Portugal, majorities support the euro. But the brutal bailout experience has left the kind of disenchantment Rodrigues conveys.

He says he and people he knows have undergone years of Emmanuel Macron celebrate his placement in the first round of the French presidential election, which he ultimately wins. steady erosion of their buying FREDERIC LEGRAND - COMEO / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM power. “Someone in an average job, say middle management, petitive in international trade. case. The European Central automatically provide collecearns less now than they did be- And there was no large central Bank took market pressure off tive assistance when recession fore the euro,” he said. treasury to even out recessions. government finances by offer- strikes an individual country.

Portugal hoped to graduate Roberto Gualtieri, who chairs ing to buy the bonds of governGualtieri says the first step is from being a low-wage econ- the committee on economic ments facing excessive borrow- to avoid reducing deficits too omy with membership of the and monetary affairs in the Eu- ing costs. Member countries set aggressively and to take a more euro in 1999. But the low inter- ropean Parliament, thinks the up a bailout fund, the European balanced approach that would est rates that came with its link- need for new steps is widely Stability Mechanism. include more investment age to stronger economies like enough recognized that action So far, the 19 governments spending — and then tackle imGermany invited overspending. could follow the German elec- have not been willing to go provements to the make-up of Portugal dug itself deep into tion in September. farther. In particular, the idea the euro. debt and needed a 78-billion“I hope that after this elec- of giving the European Union The euro’s “current construceuro bailout in 2011. toral cycle, we will have the central taxing and spending tion is clearly suboptimal, but I Portugal’s finances are political conditions for provid- authority remains anathema to disagree with those who conhealing, but only after years ing more investments, more Germany, the biggest and most sider it structurally unsustainof cutbacks, including wage reforms, and better and more politically powerful member. able and permanently on the freezes and pension cuts. The completed economic and mon- Germans don’t want to get the verge of collapse,” he said. “I average monthly salary in the etary union,” Gaultieri told The bill for other countries’ troubles have seen in the recent years private sector, also before tax, Associated Press. “The great in a so-called “transfer union.” many predictions about the imis around 1,100 Their view is minent dissolution of the euro, euros ($1,200). that countries and they have always proven to Worst hit has that want more be wrong.” been Greece, growth can do EU jobless insurance, for inwhich saw its Even in Greece and Portugal, what Germany stance, could provide a crisis economy shrink majorities support the euro. But the did in 2004: pass cushion but avoid permanent by a quarter. brutal bailout experience has left the tough, pro- busi- transfers by requiring the asShuttered storekind of disenchantment Rodrigues ness reforms sisted country to pay the money fronts litter conveys. that cut long- back over time once the econodowntown Athterm jobless my improves. The EU policyens. Whole famibenefits and making process could take up lies can be seen made temporary deposit insurance again after lining up for free meals at a victory of Macron is an encour- work arrangements easier. the German election. growing number of soup kitch- aging signal in this direction.”

So what’s the answer? One “A healthy euro is in Germaens.

There already have been a few proposal is to add EU-wide de- ny’s interest, it is in everyone’s What went wrong? When fixes. Supervision of the biggest posit insurance. That would interest,” Gualtieri said. “We trouble arrived, member coun- banks was toughened by hand- add more insulation against are not asking anyone to pay... tries found that joining the ing it to the European Central bank crises and market panic. We could do far better and we euro had taken away important Bank, to prevent the cost of Another is some more limited should do better.” ■ safety valves. They could not bailing them out from forcing form of central fiscal help —

let their currency fall in value governments to require bail- such as EU-wide unemploy- McHugh reported from Frankto make themselves more com- outs themselves, as in Ireland’s ment insurance that would furt, Germany. www.canadianinquirer.net

Business

FRIDAY MAY 12, 2017

31

Stock index seen Incoming BSP chief vows to testing 8,000 level promote greater financial inclusion

BY DORIS DUMLAOABADILLA Philippine Daily Inquirer THE LOCAL stock market, which has bounced back to bull market territory, is seen rising and pushing the main index to 8,000 levels in the short run.

Last week, the main- share Philippine Stock Exchange index ( PSEi) racked up 180.98 points or 2.4 percent to close on Friday at 7,841.99, the highest level seen in eight months.

Jonathan Ravelas, chief strategist at BDO Unibank, said the stock market was perked up by optimism that the first phase of the Duterte administration’s tax reform package would be passed by June 2 this year after the House of Representatives committee on ways and means approved a consolidated bill imposing a P6 diesel tax and increasing levies on other oil products and on cars.

“The recent break above 7,800 levels signals we are back to bull market territory,” Ravelas said, noting that the local stock barometer had already

climbed by 20 percent from the recent bottom of 6,500.

“Chartwise, the week's close at 7,841.99 highlights the market has the momentum to assault the 8,000- 8,150 levels in the near term. Any pullback, if any, is limited toward the 7,6007640 levels,” Ravelas said.

“The market is starting to price in the passage of the tax reform this year. We are still in a bull market. However, its sustainability, given where valuations are, depends to a large extent on the passage of the tax reform. To justify higher valuations, the Philippines needs to break out of the 6- to 7- percent GDP (gross domestic product) growth rate range,” BPI Securities president Michaelangelo Oyson said.

Citigroup sees the Congress passing the tax reform bill by the third quarter of this year or to early fourth quarter at the latest.

“While still in early days, we believe the committee bill despite the ' modifications' sends a positive signal of fiscal reform,” Citi economist Jun Trinidad said in a research note. ■

China compiles... research institutes to write entries and it is slated to go online next year. Jiang said initially the encyclopedia will just be in Chinese, but they are also doing research to see how viable an English version would be.

Wikipedia is edited and maintained by hundreds of thousands of volunteers around the world, and has more than 40 million articles encompassing nearly 300 languages. More than 900,000 entries are in Chinese, compared with more than 5 million in English.

“There is Chinese content on Wikipedia too, but sometimes it is not as accurate as it could be,” said Jiang, the senior editor.

Jiang said that as Wikipedia’s content is generated by users, they can create more entries faster. “But we try to eliminate self-promotion and inaccuracy as much as possible.”

Zhang, the professor of history of science and technol❰❰ 33

ogy, said the online version will make it easier to reach more people, particularly young readers.

To create the history of science and technology entries, Zhang said professors from the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Natural Sciences first hold meetings with veterans and young experts in their fields to form a committee. The committee will then find the most authoritative person on the topic to write the draft, including sometimes foreign experts, said Zhang, who is director of the institute.

The draft is reviewed by a section chief editor and then the committee.

“If there is a difference of opinion, all deputy and chief editors should participate in the discussion and figure it out together,” Zhang said. “We will reason things out with the author until we reach an agreement, or change the author.” ■

BY JOANN SANTIAGO Philippines News Agency MANILA — The Duterte administration’s bid to elevate the lives of the poor got another boost.

This as incoming Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Nestor A. Espenilla Jr. vows to push for greater financial inclusion and ensure more financial system reforms.

Espenilla, who was appointed

by President Rodrigo R. Duterte Monday as successor of BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr., who will step down from his two six-year terms on July 2, 2017, vowed to continue the strong policies the central bank put in place in the past years.

“I would characterize it as continuity plus, plus. It’s all about continuing what we have been doing in our constant surveillance of the monetary and financial system to make sure that it is resilient and stable,” he said in a press conference at the BSP Tuesday.

“At the same time, we have increasingly strengthened our commitments to promoting financial inclusion to create a financial system where no one gets left behind. And where there is strong protection of financial consumers,” he said Espenilla, who joined the central bank in 1981, is currently the head of the central bank’s Supervision and Examination Sector. He was appointed as Deputy Governor in April 20, 2005.

He graduated Magna cum Laude from UP Diliman School of Economics with a Bachelor of Science in Business Economics in 1980.

He took his Master in Business Administration Honors Program at the UP College of Business Administration. He also attended the Graduate Institute of Policy Science in Tokyo, Japan.

Among his other professional experiences is the Assistant to the Executive Director (Western Pacific) of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The BSP’s financial inclusion program has been cited by international organization several times. www.canadianinquirer.net

Newly-appointed BSP Governor Nestor A. Espenilla Jr. (centre).

PCOO PHOTO

In 2015, the country’s microfinance sector was ranked by the Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) as first in Asia and third in the world, after Peru and Colombia, in terms of regulatory environment for financial inclusion.

Espenilla said he has “always been focused on promoting reforms in the financial system” and he plans to continue this through reforms that targets to promote efficiency of financial system functions.

“It is really where the market orientation of the monetary policy comes in. Our openness to look into the regime of controls on the foreign exchange.

These are all meant to potentially ease the cost of doing business and promoting the agility of our economy. So that supports very well the government’s broader agenda of faster and inclusive growth,” he said.

Espenilla said firming up of financial regulatory framework is a must in ensuring that it is at par with global standards.

He said reforms would continue not only in the banking system but the financial system as well “so that it is going to be more responsive to the broader economy.”

“We’re also very keen to heighten the degree of protection towards financial consumers,” he said, stressing that the central bank was “deeply committed to protecting the integrity of the financial system against criminal elements.”

“These will be the defining elements of my term as a governor of the Bangko Sentral,”

he said.

“I know the challenge and the burden of the job. Of course I can’t complain because I have sought it. I have prepared for it and I am determined to do it,” he said.

Espenilla said the inflationtargeting policy framework would be maintained and decisions on monetary policy would remain data-driven.

“Don’t expect a significant departure from that process of constantly reviewing the environment…What could improve is ability to capture information and process that data into actionable policy, but directionally, there is continuity,” he said.

Asked about the possible actions of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) on the alleged illegal transactions of President Duterte, Espenilla declined to answer affirmative, saying he has yet to assume the highest BSP post.

Among the jobs of the BSP Governor is chair of the policymaking Monetary Board (MB) as well as the AMLC. Espenilla explained that among the Council’s mandate was to “faithfully implement the anti-money laundering laws.”

“Faithful implementation means complying with the provisions of the law. So when it is my time to chair the Anti-Money Laundering Council then we will have to evaluate the standards by which we are able to comply with the law. And from there decide on what measures to take,” he added. ■

32

MAY 12, 2017

FRIDAY

Technology How Burger King revealed the hackability of voice assistants

BY MAE ANDERSON The Associated Press NEW YORK — Burger King pulled a pretty juicy marketing stunt last month that drew plenty of attention — not just to the Whopper, but also to the intrinsic vulnerabilities of a new type of voice-activated gadget.

The fast food chain’s 15-second television ad targeted Google Home, a speaker that can answer questions and control other smart appliances.

When an actor in the ad said “OK, Google” and asked a question about the Whopper, Google Home obediently began reading the burger’s ingredients in homes around the country — effectively extending the commercial for however long it took someone to shout “OK, Google, stop!”

Google and Wikipedia quickly made fixes to shut it down.

Though annoying, the stunt may have done some good by highlighting how easy it is to hijack such devices. (Just imagine a burglar spying a voice assistant and asking it to unlock all the doors.) It could also speed the development of home voice assistants with better security.

“It’s a wakeup call,” said Earl Perkins, a digital security analyst at the research firm Gartner. “It’s a harbinger of things to come.”

Trigger warning

Voice assistants such as Google Home, Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Echo devices have always been susceptible to ac-

cidental hijack. A Google ad block them. during the Super Bowl that used the phrase “OK, Google” Threats and countermeasures reportedly set off people’s deAmazon already makes sure vices. And in a January story its TV commercials and those of that briefly turned a family into its partners can’t inadvertently media celebrities, a woman’s trigger the speaker. Developers 6-year old daughter ordered that provide Echo with “skills” a dollhouse and sugar cook- that let it, for instance, order ies simply by asking Amazon’s pizza, are also prohibited from voice assistant Alexa for them. creating Alexa commands that Since the devices are so new would trigger ads. Google says — the Amazon Echo debuted it also has techniques to block in 2015, Google Home last year TV ads from activating Google — they’re still having growing Home. Neither company propains. And they’re growing in vided details on those techpopularity; Consumer Intel- niques. ligence Research Partners esVoice assistants are still in timates that Amazon sold 3 their “very early days,” Google million Echo devices in the U.S. says; the company plans to in the fourth quarter of 2016, “monitor and learn as we go.” bringing the total to more than Hackers might also be a 8 million. Amazon doesn’t re- threat. But because voice aslease sales figures. sistants are so new and limited Many experts believe that in scope, more established condeliberate attempts to trigger nected devices such as webvoice assistants will be short- cams, routers and printers pose lived.

Among other things, brands have to face the consequences of poI don’t think this is going to be tentially annoynext great wave of cybercrime. ing millions of people.

“Burger King was doing what the Burger more of a threat for now.

King brand is known to do, stir “It’s not that we won’t see controversy and make sure it some creative or unique ingets lots of coverage,” Forrester stance (of hacking), but I don’t principal analyst James Mc- think this is going to be the next Quivey said. “Very few brands great wave of cybercrime,” said want to do that.”

Steve Grobman, chief technolOf course, spammers and ogy officer at the security comother bottom-feeding market- pany McAfee. ers can still try to implement the technique. But voice assis- More security to come tants already have a few ways to But before long, the devices

www.canadianinquirer.net

Burger King's Connected Whopper ad.

are going to need better security. “When you move into a world of voice, some of the rules that we’re accustomed to, related to security for computers, change,” Gartner’s Perkins said.

Exactly how that works could depend on exactly what task a voice assistant is performing. Asking about the weather requires less security than say, shopping or accessing a bank the account.

Amazon already has options for setting up security codes to shop, make financial transactions or unlock and start cars.

Of course, someone could always overhear you reciting a security phrase. A better solution, and one that companies are hard at work on, would be to identify a person’s voice, much the way Google and Facebook identify faces today. Beyond improving security, that technology could help the device

personalize recommendations or even ads for the individual, not the whole family.

Apple already lets users voice-train its Siri digital assistant so it’s more likely to activate only when it hears a specific voice. Amazon has a voice training option for Alexa.

Google Home can recognize up to six different voices, though it won’t prevent unauthorized users from activating the assistant.

Experts suggest that companies will eventually add cameras to voice assistants. Amazon’s new Echo Look has a camera, but it’s for offering fashion advice. Combining a facial scan with voice recognition would definitely beef up security, although they’ll also create new privacy concerns.

“Without any security or minimal security, (voice assistants are) going to be a fat target,” Perkins said. “There will be all kinds of innovation associated with compromising these systems.” ■

Technology

FRIDAY MAY 12, 2017

33

Uber setting up Canadian driverless car lab headed

by Toronto AI expert

China compiles its own Wikipedia, but public can’t edit it

BY COLIN PERKEL The Canadian Press

BY LOUISE WATT The Associated Press

TORONTO — Uber has hailed a prominent artificial-intelligence academic to lead a driverless-car project in Toronto — the ride-hailing company’s first such research hub outside the United States, its CEO announced Monday.

In a blog post, Travis Kalanick said he was proud to have Raquel Urtasun, an associate professor at the University of Toronto, on board. He described her as “one of the world’s leading researchers” in the fields of machine perception and artificial intelligence.

“Raquel will remain in Toronto to lead a new branch of our advanced technologies group — our first outside the U.S.,” Kalanick said in his blog.

“Raquel’s work focuses on developing the software that allows self-driving cars to ‘see:’ recognizing objects so they can navigate the world smoothly and safely.”

In an interview from San Francisco, Urtasun told The Canadian Press discussions with Uber began a few months ago. The lab has now begun operation with her and eight of her students with dozens of people still to be hired in the “near future” from what Kalanick described as the region’s “impressive” talent pool.

A key area of focus, she said, will be what is called perception — essentially the brain of the self-driving car. That means coming up with formulas to interpret information from sensors such as video cameras about what’s happening around the vehicle — nearby cars, pedestrians, cyclists — and predict what they might do in the coming seconds.

“It’s a complicated task and this is why we don’t have selfdriving cars everywhere right now, but it’s definitely not an impossible quest,” Urtasun said.

The lab will also focus on “localization.”

“In any point in time, the car needs to know where it is in the

BEIJING — It’ll be free. It’ll be uniquely Chinese. It’ll be an online encyclopedia to rival Wikipedia — but without the participation of the public. And don’t expect entries on “Tiananmen Square 1989” or “Falun Gong spiritual group” to come up in your searches, either.

Scholars and experts handpicked by Beijing to work on the project say only they will be able to make entries — the latest example of the Chinese government’s efforts to control information available on the internet.

The scholars say truth is their guiding light, and their editing and review process is a rigorous one. If there is a difference of opinion, a committee should figure it out, said Zhang Baichun, chief editor of the history of science and technology section.

“Of course, science does not come from democratic votes, to convince others you will have to present the most convincing proof,” he told The Associated Press.

The effort to compile 300,000 entries that span science, literature, politics and history is being led by the ruling Communist Party’s Central Propaganda Department, which guides public opinion through instructions to China’s media, internet companies and publishing industry as well as overseeing the education sector. It has instructed the Encyclopedia of China Publishing House, known for its offline Chinese Encyclopedia, to produce it.

The ruling party has struggled to manage public opinion in the internet age, when citizens can comment on news and topics of outrage and post photos of protests on social media — at least until such messages are scrubbed away or rendered unsearchable by censors. China also regularly blocks overseas sites including Facebook and Twitter, and has periodically blocked Wikipedia’s English and Chinese versions. Current-

Raquel Urtasun.

world,” she said.

Urtasun said she was not concerned about joining the company that is facing a lawsuit from Google’s self-driving car unit. The claim alleges Uber used stolen trade secrets to develop sensors for its autonomous vehicles. Urtasun said her research area is in a different area.

“If I had doubts that Uber did something wrong, I would never have joined the company,” Urtasun said.

She also acknowledged her hire as a high-profile woman by a company looking to change an image some have attacked as misogynist, saying she discussed the issue with Kalanick.

“The company is doing everything necessary to change whatever the remaining issues are,” she said.

The associate computer science professor, originally from Pamplona in Spain, has previously been an assistant professor at the Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago and a visiting professor in Switzerland.

Her research interests include machine learning, computer vision, robotics and remote sensing.

In February, she was awarded a fellowship given each year to Canada’s top six scientists and engineers for her work on machine perception for self-driving cars.

While she won’t predict when

CS.TORONTO.EDU

self-driving cars might become a common sight, she does say those able to ply simple, controlled routes might be in place “relatively soon.”

Kalanick said Toronto has become an important hub of artificial intelligence research, which he called “critical to the future of transportation.”

“That’s why we’re also making a significant multi-year financial commitment as a platinum sponsor of the Vector Institute, which Raquel helped to set up as a co-founder,” Kalanick said.

Urtasun is one of the cofounders of the independent, non-profit institute set up in March. Its aim is to push Canada to the forefront of research into artificial intelligence.

The new lab will focus on improved mapping for autonomous cars but the company, which also does driverless-car research in San Francisco and Pittsburgh, said it had no plans to actually test the vehicles in Toronto.

“Self-driving technology promises to make our roads safer, our environment healthier and our cities more livable,” Kalanick said. “While there’s still a lot of work to be done, we believe that the combination of our global ride-sharing network with the cutting-edge software and hardware being built by our teams will make this vision a reality.” ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

ly, the Chinese Wikipedia is inaccessible on the mainland.

Jiang Lijun, senior editor at the Encyclopedia of China Publishing House, said they had met with a team from San Francisco-based Wikipedia to learn from their experience.

China has had a private sector version of Wikipedia since 2006, run by Baidu, the operator of the country’s most popular internet search engine. It has more than 14 million entries, and more than 6 million people have edited it, according to its website.

Jiang said Thursday that they plan to have entries on political leaders, the history of the Communist Party, and subjects such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence and the European Union.

The online Chinese Encyclopedia will focus primarily on entries that are less likely to change as opposed to recent events, and with academic value, “while also trying to strike a balance between that, being timely and what people are searching for,” she said. She declined to comment on how events that are politically sensitive in China, like the Cultural Revolution and the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, would be treated.

Qiao Mu, an independent media analyst in Beijing, said the Chinese Encyclopedia would be “quite different” from Wikipedia because of the need to toe the line on political taboos.

“If it’s not blocked in China, the publisher must accept censorship, either self-censorship or censored by authorities,” he said.

He said the encyclopedia would likely present a single, official version of sensitive historical events, and exclude items like the Tiananmen crackdown and the outlawed Falun Gong spiritual group, which “never exist on the internet.”

The publishing house behind the Chinese Encyclopedia is paying 20,000 scholars and experts from universities and ❱❱ PAGE 31 China compiles

MAY 12, 2017

34

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IN HOME CAREGIVER NANNY - ONTARIO

Permanent – Full time $26.50 hourly for 40 hours/week Work Setting: Property and Real Estate Law Employer: Event Tours Realty Location: Scarborough

Sudduf/Aaraz #2584 Valley Ridge Road Oakville ON L6M 5H5.6479962273 email:ahraaz.wyne@gmail.com

Dhona Ursua #05 Bay St. Blvd.Scarborough ON M1T3P4 647.937.2884 dhonarizaursua@yahoo.ca

Chirstopher/ Jennifer #08 Columbine Ave. Toronto ON M4L1P3 Email: jennifer.posnikoff@bell.ca

Jillian Tishman #226 Arlington Ave.York ON M6C2Z5 ph:416.277.8043 email:supremeccc@yahoo.com

Mark Polanco#77 Winter Ave.Scarborough ON M1K4M2.Ph.647.686.6341.email:polancomark@yahoo .com

Julie Mcewen #32 Leuty Ave Toronto ON M4E2R3 ph:4168011276 e: julieannemcewen@yahoo.ca

Caryl Morante @Toronto ON e:supremeccc@yahoo.com.6479962273

Knowledge of English language is a must; College graduate or other non-university certificate or diploma; work experience at least 2 years to less than 3 years; area of work experience –Statistics, Reports and records, Invoices, Financial statements, Correspondence, Contracts, Charts, tables, graphs and diagrams; knowledge of Business Equipment and Computer Applications - MS Excel; MS PowerPoint; MS Word; Electronic mail; MS Outlook is essential

Liza Sotto#51 Hawkview Blvd.Woodbridge ON L4H2E2 Email:lizavillanueva173@yahoo.ca.Ph.905.553.0681

Marlyn Fabros#201-12 Donora Dr Toronto ON M4B1B4 647.701.1392 e:supremeccc@yahoo.com Mayra Cosico #550 Steddick Crt Unit 37 Mississauga ON L5R3S8 Ph:647.998.8042 e:supremeccc@yahoo.com

Pays $11.54/ hour. Care for a Child/children. Permanent. Full time. 8hrs/day.40h/wk.

Benf:OHIP.WSIB Req:Completion of Canadian High Sch.At least have experience in 1-2 years as a Nanny or FT Caregiving Training Sch. JOB TASK: Look after child/children, meal preparation, inddor / outdoor companionship, light housekeeping.

Apply by email to: hr@eventtoursrealty.com

Wanted:

IN HOME CAREGIVER - ONTARIO Irene Kukuk #28 Grandriver Crt. Brampton ON L6S2J8 647.537.9844. Supremeccc@yahoo.com ph:6479962273

Marilyn Uniana #784 Arthur Park Ave.Woodstock ON N4T9G7 email:supremeccc@yahoo.com ph:6479962273

Aurora Bonaldi#67 Strathburn Blvd North York ON M9M2K8 dbonaldi@sympatico.ca Ph:6479962273

Supriya Gupta #68 Truman Rd Willowdale ON M2L2L6 Ph:6479962273 E:supriyagupta27@yahoo.ca

Delia Mercedes Dela Cruz #265 Wright Cres Ajax ON L1S5S5 647.2812774 E:merdela59@yahoo.com

Pays $14/ hr. Permanent.Full time.8 hrs/day.40h/wk.Benf:OHIP.WSIB Req: Completion of Canadian High Sch.At least have experience in 1-2 years as a FT Caregiving Training Sch. Companionship indoor/outdoor.meal preparation, cooking, household chores.help in handing the needs during the toileting, eating.

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call/sms: 647.996.2273

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FRIDAY MAY 12, 2017

35

Travel Brazil’s Ilha Grande has what Rio does not: clean beaches

BY PETER PRENGAMAN The Associated Press

waters while monkeys jumped between trees.

The island, about 77 square miles (200 square kilometres), is pristine in large VILA DO ABRAAO, BRAZIL — One of part because of an unusual history gothe first things visitors will notice about ing back to the 16th century Portuguese Ilha Grande, or Big Island, is that there colonization. It has been a pirates’ lair, a are no vehicles. The local government leper colony and most recently, home to prohibits private cars, maintaining the a maximum security penitentiary that laid-back rhythms that islanders say are housed some of Brazil’s most violent central to their identity. criminals, along with political prisoners Dirt and sand paths that run parallel during part of the 1964-1985 dictatorto the many beaches, however, often do ship. have travellers: scores of crabs scurrying Various rebellions and headlineacross at a leisurely pace that only picks grabbing escapes created headaches up if a human approaches. for islanders and kept investors away.

“Life here is simple,” said Rodison In 1994, however, the Candido Mendes Marcos, a 48-year-old boat operator prison was closed and demolished. A few born and raised here. “We don’t need a years later, the State University of Rio watch, or a tie or cars.” de Janeiro opened a research centre to For foreign and Brazilian tourists study the environment and sustainable alike, that slowed development means development. this tropical island can offer something Today, there are numerous pousadas, Rio de Janeiro and surrounding areas or guest houses, in Vila do Abraao, which have not been able to for years: clean has about 3,000 residents. There are beaches. Ultimately it was a search for also offbeat places to stay, from beachunsullied ocean, where my wife and front villas to isolated jungle dwellings.

I would feel comfortable letting our Companies offer excursions that range three young sons swim, that attracted from some of Brazil’s best snorkeling us. and scuba-diving The island is a to walking tours three-hour trip from through rainforests Rio, but no highway teeming with life. or bridge connects it All the huffing Then there are the to the mainland. Sevand puffing dozens and dozens of eral boats a day traand sweating beaches that are both verse a small stretch felt worth it postcard-worthy and of sea from three difonce there. often empty. ferent ports. The relLooking down, “Look at this waative isolation means we saw blue ter,” said Felipe Ricellphone service is ocean waters cardo Brito, who sells spotty, and Internet while monkeys caipirinhas, a mix of often feels nonexisjumped the national alcohol tent. In short, it’s a between trees. cachaca and limes, on place to disconnect Feiticeira Beach. “It’s while feeling strong totally clean. There is connections because no sewage. You can everybody appears to breathe pure air.” know everybody.

That is not the case on most beaches “Oh, you are going to the place of Alex, in and around Rio de Janeiro, the city the French guy,” a man told me after we that hosted the 2016 Summer Games. arrived in Abraao and asked directions An 18-month investigation by The Asto Bica Beach. “Let me get you a taxi sociated Press during the run up to the boat.”

Olympics found dangerously high levels Our Airbnb bungalow was another of bacteria and viruses in Rio beaches.

10 minutes away by wobbly motorboat. Only a little more than half of the sewage Then we climbed the equivalent of six in Rio is treated, meaning that each day flights of stairs on a steep path through tons of fecal matter ends up in the Gualush tropical forest. All the huffing and nabara Bay and surrounding beaches. puffing and sweating felt worth it once Still, while Ilha Grande doesn’t have there. Looking down, we saw blue ocean a sewage problem, it’s far from an envi-

Swimming and enjoying the beach and nature of Lopes Mendes in Ilha Grande, Rio, Brazil.

ronmental paradise. For example, amid a deep economic crisis in the country, the island has struggled with garbage collection.

Earlier this year, the island captured national headlines when hundreds of bags of garbage were strewn throughout Vila do Abraao. The local government switched garbage providers and has promised to regularize service. Still, the problem periodically pops up, irking islanders and creating eyesores. When we visited in February, crabs could be seen among the garbage.

There are also worries about overdevelopment. Much of the island is protected wildland, but Brazil has a history of big money interests winning out against environmental protections.

Last year, the environmental secretary of the state government invited Ilha Grande residents to present ideas about the future, from development projects to environmental issues. While billed

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as a way to build consensus, many residents were suspicious that it was really just a precursor to ramming through big changes.

As the island opens up, its industries and demographics are changing. While fishing is still a central industry for many residents, increasingly fishing and crab boats are used to ferry around tourists. And some tourists like it so much that they are finding ways to stay.

“Now there are Argentines, Brazilians from other states and hippies living here,” said Selma dos Santos Garcia, a 34-year-old Ilha Grande native who sells snacks on the beaches. “And we are at the mercy of tourists.”

If You Go...

ILHA GRANDE: http://www.visitbrasil.com/en/destinos/ilha-grande/. When choosing lodging, remember that you must walk or take taxi boats to all accommodations outside Vila do Abraao. ■

36

Travel

Biliran town upbeat of Higatangan Island’s future as tourist haven

BY VICKY C. ARNAIZ Philippines News Agency NAVAL, BILIRAN — The local government here is eyeing more tourists to visit picturesque Higatangan Island this year with intensified promotion in a bid to make it one of the region’s top destinations.

Naval Mayor Gerard Espina voiced this optimism days after the first Higatangan Summer Festival, which had drawn about 4,000 visitors to the island with white beaches and exotic rock formations.

The island is also blessed with long stretch of coral sandbar, lagoon, a cave near the shoreline, an ideal site for sunrise watching, and a watch tower.

“The festival is a litmus test for our tourism and investment promotion in the town. I am more happy and overwhelmed by the turnout of people in the island,” Espina told reporters on Friday.

The local government held the festival on April 30 and May 1 with activities such as kayak competition, kite flying, boat

race, body-building, mat weaving, beach volleyball, henna tattoo, beach volleyball, concert at the beach, and many more.

“We want to have a vibrant tourism industry in the town and for more investors to come to generate more employment for the locals,” Espina added.

The local government introduced a home stay program with a charge of PHP150 per person.

The mayor asked village officials to engage the community to help maintain the cleanliness of the island.

Higatangan Island, which is part of Naval town, is separated from the main Biliran Island by a narrow channel located in the north west tip of Leyte. The name Higatangan is derived from the word “atangan” meaning to wait for.

The tourist haven can be reached through a 45-minute boat ride from Naval port. The town is about 116 kilometers away from Tacloban City, the regional capital. There are regular trips to Naval from Tacloban and Ormoc City in northwest Leyte.

MAY 12, 2017

FRIDAY

Utah’s boring? Jazz fans offer nightlife choices to Warriors

BY BRADY MCCOMBS The Associated Press SALT LAKE City leaders and tourism officials playfully jabbed back at Golden State Warriors players who bemoaned the lack of nightlife in Utah, hoping to combat the predominantly Mormon state’s reputation as a boring place where it’s tough to get a drink.

The tourism agency in the state capital launched a new website and video Monday titled, “There’s nothing to do in Salt Lake” that features people enjoying drinks and food at popular breweries, bars, restaurants and sporting venues. The words “no fun” and “no drinking” sarcastically flash across images in the video.

Scott Beck, president of Visit Salt Lake, sent a letter to the Warriors to accompany the video, saying the city can’t wait to host the 2015 NBA champions as they face the Utah Jazz in the Western Conference semifinals this weekend.

“In case you do stumble across something to do while here in Salt Lake, all of our bartenders and servers are on notice to keep you up late!” Beck

wrote.

Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski tweeted at the Warriors Monday that they seem “concerned about where to cry in your beer. Plenty of places.

1st drink’s on me.”

The campaign comes after some of the Warriors players talked about wishing they were playing the Clippers instead of the Jazz, mostly for the chance to have some time off in Los Angeles rather than Salt Lake City.

Andre Iguodala told ESPN that Utah can “lull you to sleep” and make you think, “Man, let’s just get out of here.”’ Matt Barnes said declaratively: “There’s no nightlife in Utah.”

Jazz forward Joe Ingles, an Australian who has played in Utah for the last three seasons, jokingly suggested that Warriors players rent a jet to fly to LA or use his car to drive to Las Vegas.

Tourism officials are used to dealing with the perception that Utah is a dull, quiet state where the only thing to do is ski, hike or visit family-friendly entertainment options tailored for kids. The reputation is based largely on the influence of the Mormon church, which

teaches its members to abstain from drinking alcohol.

“It was a little bit of deja vu,” Beck said Tuesday, laughing about when he read the Warriors’ comments. “It was like, ‘Oh no, not again’ and then, ‘Wait a minute, this is an opportunity.”’

Beck’s team then created the website, produced the video and rolled out a social media plan.

“Everybody knows we have great red rock and everybody knows we have great snow, but they don’t know we have this incredible urban core,” Beck said.

Several Salt Lake City residents scoffed at the opposing team’s comments.

“The Warriors were misinformed,” said Welby Evangelista, 46, who lives in Salt Lake City. “This is a town that has many things to offer ... if you are looking for a bar, there’s 30 bars around us. You just have to look.”

Beck said his office is discussing options with Jazz officials about possible events over the weekend to have more fun with the Warriors.

“We’re floating around some really good ideas,” Beck said. ■

DOT includes Leyte’s Cuatro Islas in cruise tourism

BY AEROL B. PATENA Philippines News Agency HINDANG, LEYTE — The picturesque four small islands, located off the towns of Inopacan and Hindang in the southern part of Leyte, have been considered as one of the region’s destinations for cruise tourism this summer.

The islands of Digyo, Apid, Mahaba part of Inopacan town and Himokilan of Hindang town also collectively known as Cuatro Islas Protected Landscape and Seascape.

“Cuatro Islas is very much prepared for tourism because for the past few years every time we attend travel fairs, it is one of the places with the most inquiries,” said Department of Tourism regional office senior

tourism officer Rina Apostol.

The destination has been added for cruise tourism on top of Limasawa, Southern Leyte; Kalanggaman in Palompon, Leyte and Capul in Northern Samar.

A cruise ship is expected to arrive in the region later this month with a visit to the Cuatro Islas included on its itinerary.

The islands’ pristine waters, white sand and being declared as protected areas are among their attractions for the tourists.

Of the four islands, Digyo is considered the smallest occupying 4.5 hectares but is the most popular among tourists.

Diving, snorkeling, and kayaking are the activities to be done in the islands aside from swimming.

Sunset from one of the four islands belonging to the Cuatro Islas group.

MAXIMILIAN FELKEL / CC BY-SA 3.0

Apid is the farthest island with boat makers and mat www.canadianinquirer.net

weavers among its residents.

Mahaba Island, the second

largest island, is named due to its elongated shape with majestic rock formations. But its hidden treasure is a small lagoon about 10 minutes’ walk from the shoreline where rare species of small red shrimp are found.

There is also a cave on the island that is the haven for the furious nut-cracking coco crabs locally known as “tatus” or “alikway.”

The island is also home to the endangered mangrove species locally called “bantolinao.”

Himokilan is the largest of the four with 48 hectares land area and is shaped like a large boat floating above blue waters.

The site also offers the best spot and trails for camping and mountain-trekking, exploring the cave and bats watching. ■

FRIDAY MAY 12, 2017

37

Food Use aquafaba in recipes for french toast, waffles and pulled jackfruit, pavlova THE CANADIAN PRESS FINDING A replacement for eggs can be one of the biggest challenges for vegan bakers or people with sensitivities or allergies. Aquafaba, or the brine from legumes like chickpeas, is a dream come true because it can be used as a substitute for eggs in sweet and savoury applications.

Rebecca Coleman, author of the new cookbook “Aquafabulous! 100+ Egg-Free Vegan Recipes Using Aquafaba” (Robert Rose Inc., www.robertrose.ca, 2017), says the liquid opens up a lot of other avenues, too, such as in vegan mayonnaise and nut-free cheese.

Because it can take up to 10 minutes to whip aquafaba like egg whites, she suggests using a stand mixer. You won’t get the correct result with a blender, though an immersion blender can be used for mayonnaise.

A rule of thumb is that 45 millilitres (three tablespoons) of aquafaba is equivalent to one egg and 30 ml (2 tbsp) of aquafaba equals one large egg white.

When beaten, 45 ml (3 tbsp) of aquafaba will make 250 to 500 ml (1 to 2 cups) of meringue (whipped aquafaba).

Coleman keeps aquafaba in a mason jar in the fridge for seven days once she opens a can of chickpeas. It can also be poured into ice-cube trays and frozen for up to six months. Pop frozen aquafaba cubes into a selfsealing plastic bag. They can be thawed overnight in the fridge or in a bowl in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Each cube is about 30 to 45 millilitres (two to three tablespoons), just the amount called for in many recipes.

Here are three vegan recipes developed by Coleman using aquafaba.

Coconut french toast

Coconut is integrated into every layer of this decadent french toast.

It’s important to use canned coconut milk rather than coconut beverage because this recipe requires its thickness and viscosity.

French bread, which is a larger artisan loaf with a crispy crust, is often vegan. Check the ingredients list or ask your baker to ensure it contains no eggs, dairy, butter or honey.

To toast coconut flakes, place them in a dry skillet over low heat, stirring constantly, until they are slightly golden on the edges, 5 to 7 minutes.

This recipe is nut-free and soy-free.

• 125 ml (1/2 cup) unsweetened coconut milk • 60 ml (1/4 cup) aquafaba • 30 ml (2 tbsp) pure maple syrup (plus more for serving) • 5 ml (1 tsp) ground cinnamon • 30 ml (2 tbsp) coconut flour • 4 slices white french bread • 30 ml (2 tbsp) coconut oil, divided • Coconut Whip (recipe follows) • Toasted unsweetened coconut flakes In a small bowl, combine coconut milk, aquafaba, maple syrup, cinnamon and coconut flour. Whisk until well blended.

Pour coconut mixture into a large shallow dish (a baking dish works well). Place bread in coconut mixture and let it sit for a couple of minutes to absorb liquid. Flip and let sit for a couple more minutes.

Meanwhile, in a non-stick skillet over medium heat, heat 15 ml (1 tbsp) of the coconut oil.

Fry 2 slices of bread on one side until crispy and brown around edges, about 3 minutes, then flip and cook on other side for about 3 minutes. Repeat with remaining bread.

Place 2 slices of french toast on each plate. Top with a dollop of coconut whip and sprinkle with toasted coconut. Serve with additional maple syrup, if desired.

Makes 2 servings.

Coconut whip

Coconut whip is a whipped cream substitute that is a little richer and thicker than basic meringue.

• 1 can (400 ml/14 oz) coconut milk Place can of coconut milk in refrigerator overnight. (This allows the solids and liquids to separate.)

Chill mixer bowl and wire whisk attachment in the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes.

Attach wire whisk and mixer bowl to stand mixer. Carefully open can of coconut milk, making sure not to turn it over.

Scoop out solids that have risen to top and place in bowl (set aside thin liquid for another use).

Set speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes. Increase speed as high as it will go; beat until fluffy and peaks form, 4 to 5 minutes. Use immediately.

Makes 250 ml (1 cup).

Cornbread waffles and pulled jackfruit

This is Coleman’s vegan version of the popular brunch dish of chicken or pulled pork and waffles. She uses jackfruit, which has a texture that mimics meat.

“It’s pretty amazing and it’s the kind of dish that you can feed to carnivores and they’ll be like, ‘What is this?’ because it’s very convincing looking,” she says.

Because the cornbread waffle recipe is low in fat, she advises greasing the waffle maker well, even if it has non-stick plates, to ensure they don’t stick. If you are having a tough time getting the waffles off, try cooking them for an additional minute or two.

If needed, keep waffles warm in a 100 C (200 F) oven. Place on a baking sheet in a single layer until ready to use.

Make sure to use sugar that has not been filtered through bone char because it’s not veg-

Make vegan whipped topping with aquafaba.

an.

Do not use a nut milk if you want to keep this recipe nutfree.

• 125 ml (1/2 cup) unsweetened non-dairy milk • 15 ml (1 tbsp) apple cider vinegar • 125 ml (1/2 cup) all-purpose flour • 30 ml (2 tbsp) granulated sugar • 125 ml (1/2 cup) cornmeal • 10 ml (2 tsp) baking powder • 5 ml (1 tsp) salt • 30 ml (2 tbsp) aquafaba • 0.5 ml (1/8 tsp) xanthan gum • 60 ml (1/4 cup) vegetable oil • Pulled Jackfruit (recipe follows), warm • Bourbon Maple Syrup • 375 ml (1 1/2 cups) maple syrup • 30 ml (2 tbsp) bourbon In a small bowl, combine non-dairy milk and apple cider vinegar. Let stand for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cornmeal, baking powder and salt. (Use an immersion blender, if desired.)

In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine aquafaba and xanthan gum. Set mixer speed to low and beat for 2 minutes. Increase speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes. Increase speed as high as it will go and beat mixture until stiff peaks form, 4 to 6 minutes.

Preheat waffle maker to me-

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dium, then oil or spray lightly.

Add oil to milk mixture and mix well. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, dig out a well in centre of flour mixture. Pour milk mixture into well. Stir until combined. Carefully fold in whipped aquafaba.

Pour 60 ml (1/4 cup) of the batter per waffle square and cook for 7 minutes or according to manufacturer’s directions.

Transfer to a plate.

Bourbon Maple Syrup: Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, warm syrup and bourbon, just to the boiling point, whisking well.

Top each waffle with a scoop of warmed pulled jackfruit.

Serve with bourbon maple syrup to pour over top and extra barbecue sauce on the side.

Makes 4 servings.

Pulled jackfruit

Pulled jackfruit can be made up to three days in advance, stored in an airtight container in the fridge and rewarmed before serving.

Buy canned jackfruit packed in brine (not syrup) from Asian grocery stores and well-stocked supermarkets or online.

• 60 ml (1/4 cup) vegetable oil, divided (approx) • 1 medium onion, finely chopped, divided • 6 cloves garlic, minced, divided • 125 ml (1/2 cup) ketchup ❱❱ PAGE 38 Use aquafaba

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Food

MAY 12, 2017

Caramelized tofu and lots of veggies become tasty, pretty

BY MELISSA D’ARABIAN The Associated Press IF YOU aren’t a tofu fan, listen up. This just might be the recipe that turns it all around for you, like it did for my husband and daughter.

I toss extra firm tofu cubes in a lightly spicy (or not; your call) peanut sauce and then roast it until the edges are golden and lightly caramelized.

These slightly sweet, peanut-ty cubes sit atop a bowl filled with enough veggies to load up on an array of vitamins, including some makeshift zucchini and carrot noodle-like ribbons.

To make this a satisfying meal, I add brown rice, which is more filling than the more traditional rice noodles, and more filling than just sticking with the “veggie noodles.”

I love the combo of cold veggies paired with warm rice and just-cooked tofu, but this dish works perfectly as a brown-bag option, served cold or at room temperature. Plus, it’s pretty, with the array of vegetable colours, so it will brighten up your lunch, even if you are working through it, eating at your desk.

If you haven’t considered including tofu even occasionally into your meal rotation, this ingredient is worth a second look.

A 3-ounce-serving has about 10 grams of protein, and offers one-quarter of the day’s calcium, plus a nice smattering of other minerals — all for about 90 calories.

Plus, tofu is incredibly wallet-friendly. Even organic, non-GMO tofu can be had for a couple of dollars a block. Tofu can be a divisive ingredient, I realize, so feel free swap it for chicken or shrimp, a handful of cooked white beans, or even leave it off entirely — the bowl is filling on its own. No matter how you prepare it, you’ll want to include this Thai Peanut Veggie Bowl in your repertoire.

Thai peanut veggie bowls

Servings: 4 Start to finish: 20 minutes

• 2 tablespoons peanut butter (smooth or chunky) • 1 tablespoon honey • 2 tablespoons lime juice, plus

1 additional tablespoons • 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar • 1/4 cup reduced sodium soy sauce • 1 tablespoon olive oil • pinch dried red pepper flakes (optional) • 1-4 tablespoons water, depending on texture • 1 12-ounce block of organic extra firm tofu, blotted dry, cut into large cubes • 4 cups baby spinach • 1 cup shredded red cabbage • 2 medium zucchini • 2 medium carrots, peeled • 1/2 red pepper, cut into small sticks • 1 1/3 cups cooked brown rice, warm • 1 green onion, chopped • 1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs: cilantro, mint, basil (or mixed) • Salt and pepper, if needed Preheat the oven to 400 F. and line a baking tray with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, place the peanut butter and honey and microwave long enough to soften, about 10 seconds. Whisk until smooth.

Add in the lime juice, vinegar, soy sauce, olive oil and red pepper flakes (if using) and whisk until smooth. Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time until thick, but pourable sauce is created.

Remove half of the sauce to a

small bowl and set aside. Toss the tofu cubes in the remaining peanut sauce in the medium bowl until coated. Place on the parchment paper and bake until edges begin to caramelize, about 20 minutes, turning halfway through bake time.

Meanwhile make the zucchini and carrot ribbons by using a vegetable peeler to make as many long, wide strips as you can from each vegetable.

Layer in four individual bowls (or to-go containers if making brown bag lunches): spinach leaves, cabbage, red pepper, warm rice, carrot and zucchini ribbons, green onion and fresh herbs.

Top with hot peanut-roasted tofu. Add the final tablespoon of lime juice to the reserved peanut sauce and drizzle over the bowls and serve, adding salt and pepper if desired.

Chef’s Note: Chicken tenders or shrimp could be used instead of tofu; adjust the cook time accordingly. Or skip the roasting, and just top the bowl with pre-cooked chicken, shrimp or white beans.

Nutrition information per serving: 316 calories; 116 calories from fat; 13 g fat (2 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 508 mg sodium; 36 g carbohydrate; 7 g fiber; 13 g sugar; 17 g protein. www.canadianinquirer.net

FRIDAY

Use aquafaba...

• 75 ml (1/3 cup) seasoned rice vinegar • 60 ml (1/4 cup) packed brown sugar • 15 ml (1 tbsp) Dijon mustard • 15 ml (1 tbsp) tamari • 30 ml (2 tbsp) pure maple syrup • 2 ml (1/2 tsp) liquid smoke • 2 cans (each 565 ml/20 oz) young green jackfruit in brine • 10 ml (2 tsp) chili powder • 5 ml (1 tsp) ground cumin • 5 ml (1 tsp) smoked paprika ❰❰ 37

Barbecue sauce: In a small saucepan, heat 15 ml (1 tbsp) of the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add 75 ml (1/3 cup) of the onion and 15 ml (1 tbsp) of the garlic. Cook, stirring, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, mustard, tamari, maple syrup and liquid smoke. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until thickened. Remove from heat and let sauce cool slightly.

Transfer sauce to a blender and blend on high until smooth (or use an immersion blender).

Drain jackfruit through a colander, discarding brine. Remove tough centre core of each piece (the tops of the triangles).

Discard any seed pods (these are all edible; they’re just not esthetically pleasing). You’ll be left with shreds of jackfruit.

Pull them apart with your fingers.

In a large skillet, heat remaining oil over medium-high heat. Add remaining onion and minced garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add chili powder, cumin and paprika. Add jackfruit and stir to coat. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally and adding more oil if needed, until edges of jackfruit start to get a bit crispy and brown.

Gradually add barbecue sauce 30 to 45 ml (a few tablespoons) at a time, mixing well.

Add just enough to make mixture juicy and cohesive but not too runny. Serve remaining sauce with waffles.

Fruit pavlova

Simple but elegant, pavlova looks like fluffy clouds topped with macerated fruit. In the summer, top the meringue with seasonal berries and in the winter use figs and pomegranates.

Make sure to use sugar that has not been filtered through

bone char because it’s not vegan.

This recipe is gluten-free, nut-free and soy-free.

Pavlovas • 150 ml (2/3 cup) aquafaba • 60 ml (1/4 cup) granulated sugar • 1 ml (1/4 tsp) cream of tartar • 10 ml (2 tsp) vanilla extract Assembly • 750 ml (3 cups) mixed berries, such as hulled strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries • 30 ml (2 tbsp) granulated sugar • 1 recipe Coconut Whip (see recipe above) Pavlovas: Preheat oven to 100 C (200 F). Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with wire whisk attachment, place aquafaba, sugar and cream of tartar. Set mixer speed to low and beat for 2 minutes.

Increase speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes. Increase to highest speed and beat mixture until fluffy and peaks form, 4 to 6 minutes. You should be able to turn the bowl upside down without the meringue budging.

Drop about 125 ml (1/2 cup) meringue onto prepared baking sheet. Swirl it around with the back of a spoon so it forms a nest. (You can also do this with a piping bag if you want your pavlovas to be less rustic looking.) Repeat to make 6 nests, spacing at least 5 to 7.5 cm (2 to 3 inches) apart.

Bake in preheated oven with one pan on right side of upper shelf, the other on left side of lower shelf, for 45 minutes.

Switch pans, then bake for another 45 minutes, until pavlovas are dull and have a solid crust on top. Turn off heat and leave in the oven overnight to set.

Meanwhile, place fruit in a large bowl and sprinkle sugar over top. Stir well, cover and transfer to fridge overnight.

Remove pavlovas from oven.

Place in serving bowls or on plates and top with fresh fruit and a dollop of coconut whip.

Makes 6 servings.

Source: “Aquafabulous! 100+ Egg-Free Vegan Recipes Using Aquafaba” by Rebecca Coleman (Robert Rose Inc., www.robertrose.ca, 2017).

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MAY 12, 2017

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