Philippine Canadian Inquirer Issue #24

CANADA’S FIRST AND ONLY NATIONWIDE FILIPINO-CANADIAN NEWSPAPER VOL. 8 NO. 24

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012

CANADA NEWS B.C. premier won’t sign national energy strategy until pipeline dispute resolved (On page 22)

Don’t let Toronto Die

NINO JESUS ORBETA

(On page 24)

AFTER THE STORM. Even before the rains and winds die down, members of the Manila Engineering office start removing tons of flotsom from Manila Bay thrown by the huge waves on Roxas Boulevard early Monday at the height of the Tropical Storm, “Gener.”

Philippines attracts allies to protect biodiversity

BY JOCELYN R. UY Philippine Daily Inquirer YEOSU, South Korea—For its powdery sand beaches, crystal clear waters and extensive marine biodiversity, the Philippines is not only attracting potential tourists here but also great allies in the protection and preservation of its abundant coastal and marine resources.

Joining more than 100 countries in showcasing their marine resources at the 2012 Yeosu Expo, the Philippines has set up a pavilion in this South Korean coastal province that takes thousands of visitors daily to a virtual scuba-diving expedition of its inherent shoreline and underwater opulence.

Lee Joon-hee, commissioner general of the international exposition being held in Yeosu, 455 kilometers south of Seoul, said the

Philippines, being one of the 17 mega-diverse countries in the world with an abundant marine life, deserve the best care and attention the world could offer.

“Located at the center of the Coral Triangle, the Philippines’ more than 7,000 islands have a unique and diverse marine life with vast coral reefs and sea grass beds,” Lee said at the celebration of Philippine National Day at the expo on July 22.

“It goes without saying that the Philippines has a rich marine diversity and it deserves the best care and attention we can offer,” the Korean official stressed.

Environmental preservation Lee also cited the Philippines for its interest in environmental preservation and active role in the international movement to protect marine resources.

Almost a million Koreans visit the Philippines yearly for its blue waters and white-sand beaches, he said.

Lee added that the Philippines’ worldclass diving opportunities attracted not only Koreans but also many other tourists from across the world.

Each participating country has a day for promotion at the expo, which has the theme “The Living Ocean and Coast.”

During its turn on July 22, the Philippines wowed the hundreds of thousands of visitors-mostly South Koreans-with a vivid cultural program showcasing the country’s arts and culture.

The cultural show, revolving around the theme “Islands of Diversity, Seas of Connectivity,” featured the Ballet Philippines, University of Cebu Dance Company, singers Kyla and Gian Magdangal and Down to Mars.

Britain welcomes the world as 2012 Games open (On page 25) On Minister John Yap and the Findings of the Immigration Task Force (On pages 26 and 27)

Tour Canada on Two Wheels (On page 37)

The Global Filipino (On page 42)

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News-Phils After rice, veggies target of self-sufficiency by gov’t

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012 2

US’ critical stance on garrison plan PH steers off

BY TJ BURGONIO AND NORMAN BORDADORA

Charlie Edward / Shutterstock.com

Philippine Daily Inquirer

BY KRISTINE FELISSE MANGUNAY Philippine Daily Inquirer

FILIPINOS may be picky eaters of greens, but by 2016, they should have their fill of sitaw (string beans) and kalabasa (squash) and other vegetables grown around the classic song “Bahay Kubo.”

“After rice, our next focus is to achieve self-sufficiency in vegetables,” Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said at the recent 10th National Vegetable Congress in Butuan City.

In a statement, Alcala said the Department of Agriculture (DA) through its High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) is aiming to increase domestic selfsufficiency in vegetables from 65 percent to 100 percent and beyond within four years.

Food security Food security is a priority of the Aquino administration, with rice selfsufficiency topping the agenda. In his third State of the Nation Address on July 23, the President underlined his administration’s goal of making the Philippines a rice exporter.

Once this is done, Alcala said, the attention will focus on vegetables and fish.

Through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (Amas) and HVCDP, the DA has been working to match and directly link farmers’ groups with wholesale market traders and institutional buyers, Alcala said.

The aim is to provide a comfortable profit to producers and sellers as well as a regular supply of reasonably priced, safe and good quality vegetables to consumers, he said.

For example, agriculture officials have been meeting with major vegetable traders from the Divisoria

wholesale market in Metro Manila to determine their vegetable supply and demand requirements, Alcala said.

The information will then be relayed to farmers’ cooperatives and groups, allowing them to schedule their production, harvest and delivery operations, he said.

But Filipinos, traditional meateaters, are not eating the required daily vegetable serving size requirements.

The country’s vegetable per capita consumption is estimated at 40 kilos, equivalent to an annual requirement of 3.8 million metric tons of vegetables for roughly 95 million Filipinos, Alcala said.

“Such a consumption level is just one-fourth of the recommended dietary requirement of 146 kilos per year, according to the World Health Organization,” he said.

At the vegetable congress, Alcala urged the participants to forge marketing agreements with institutional buyers and consumers, and thereafter plan their respective production and harvest schedules for each commodity.

Alternative farming areas “This should be done to obtain reasonable profits and more importantly, avoid an oversupply and sudden drop in prices,” he said.

The DA is also identifying alternative areas that are less vulnerable to flooding and drought and able to produce vegetables year round or when it is off season in traditional farming areas like Benguet, Nueva Ecija and Bulacan, he said.

This year, the DA through the HVCDP has allotted P643 million, or about half of the program’s P1.3billion budget, to undertake several initiatives to sustain and prop up the country’s vegetable industry. A similar budget is proposed next year. n

BANKING on diplomacy to resolve territorial disputes with China in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), Malacañang is distancing itself from the US criticism of a Chinese plan to put up a garrison on a tiny island in a distant part of the disputed waters.

Prominent US senators on Thursday declared the Chinese move provocative and a possible violation of international law.

US State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said the United States was pressing all parties to work on a code of conduct for the West Philippine Sea, and was concerned by “unilateral moves.”

Nuland said, “There’s a concern here that they are beginning to take actions when we want to see all of these issues resolved at the table.”

Own stand Yesterday, one of President Aquino’s press officers steered the Palace away from the US statements.

“Well, we do not know how our friends in China will take that,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said on state-run dzRB radio. She refused to comment on the US statements, saying the Philippine government had its own position on the Chinese plan to garrison Woody Island in the Paracels.

The government is getting “good results” from diplomatic efforts to resolve the Philippines’ territorial dispute with China peacefully, Valte said.

She said the disputes over Panatag Shoal off western Luzon and the Kalayaan Islands in the Spratlys were “just one of the facets of our multifaceted relationship with China.”

“We continue to talk to our counterparts for other things that concern the relationship,” Valte said.

Diplomatic protest The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) summoned Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Ma Keqing on Tuesday and handed her a note protesting China’s plans to establish a military garrison on Woody Island and the arrival of a large Chinese fishing fleet in the Spratlys.

China proceeded with its plans anyway.

On Friday, China named two senior military officials to head the garrison on Woody Island. Senior Col. Cai Xihong was named garrison commander and Senior Col. Liao Chaoyi was appointed as the garrison’s political commissar.

The Philippines has no territorial claims in the Paracels, but the DFA says China’s plan to administer the island group and the Spratlys

from Sansha municipality on Woody Island is unacceptable.

President Aquino called for restraint, refusing to comment on the military’s report that some vessels from the Chinese fishing fleet vessels had moved near the Philippineoccupied Pag-asa Island in the Spratlys.

Twenty of the fishing vessels were within 9 kilometers of the island, seat of government of the Kalayaan municipality in Palawan province, as of Tuesday, according to the military’s Naval Forces West in Palawan.

There were reports yesterday that the Chinese fishing boats were moving away from the Philippine border.

Treaty review Sen. Gregorio Honasan wants to know whether the United States believes in the Philippines’ claims in the West Philippine Sea that “China appears to be annexing one by one.”

Honasan, a former military officer, wants a performance review of the Philippines’ bilateral agreements with other countries to see whether these are doing the country any good amid threats posed by China’s increasing aggressiveness in the West Philippine Sea. “We have the Mutual Defense Treaty, we have the Visiting Forces Agreement,” Honasan said by phone yesterday. “Perhaps what we need to ask the US is whether they believe in our claim or not,” he said, referring to territories in the West Philippine Sea within the country’s exclusive economic zone.

How much?

Honasan also mentioned the commitment made by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to help the Philippines put up a “minimum, credible defense.”

“We can’t stop there,” Honasan said. “We have to ask when, where, how and, if we’re feeling rather cocky, how much?”

Honasan said the Philippines must be getting just a fraction of the US military aid to Pakistan. And yet it was in Pakistan that al-Qaida supremo Osama bin Laden had been hiding for more than a decade until the United States traced him there last year and killed him.

Honasan noted that the United States does not want to take sides in the West Philippine Sea territorial disputes. If that is so, he said, the United States can play “global policeman” and keep the contending parties in the West Philippine Sea disputes from getting into direct confrontations.

He suggested a performance audit of the Philippines’ security agreements with the United States and other countries.

“If we can’t get anything from these agreements, why should we still have these agreements?” Honasan said. n

News-Phils

3 WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012

Ombudsman wants Arroyo rearrested THE OFFICE of the Ombudsman wants Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo rearrested in connection with a plunder case even as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) appeal the bail for electoral sabotage that the Pasay City Regional Trial Court granted her on Wednesday.

Ombudsman’s Special Prosecutor Diosdado Calonge on Thursday asked the Sandiganbayan to immediately issue a warrant of arrest against Arroyo in connection with the nonbailable offense of plunder it had filed against her.

Calonge made the motion in open court, citing the “risk of flight” on the part of the former President and now Pampanga representative.

His motion came despite a holddeparture order issued by the Sandiganbayan’s First Division, which is trying the plunder case and an urgent motion by Arroyo’s counsels to suspend the proceedings and any further action on the plunder information filed by the Ombudsman.

Dismayed by the grant of bail to his predecessor, President Benigno Aquino himself is pinning his hopes on the plunder case to get Arroyo detained anew.

“Well, there is still the case pending in the Sandiganbayan. Plunder is not bailable. So we’re waiting for the decision of the Sandiganbayan,” Mr. Aquino said when asked about the options left for the government to bring her back to jail and stop her from fleeing the country.

Mr. Aquino was referring to the plunder charges filed by the Ombudsman against Arroyo, and former officials of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and Commission on Audit (COA) over the alleged misuse of P366 million in PCSO funds.

Calonge said a hold-departure order was no guarantee that Arroyo would not leave the country because she could ask the court, through a motion, to be allowed to travel.

“That she can file, and in ordinary cases, the motion to be allowed to travel is generally granted by the court,” Calonge said.

But lawyer Anacleto Diaz, lead counsel for Arroyo, said it was premature for public prosecutors to ask for a warrant of arrest when the resolution of the

Copyright by World Economic Forum, swiss-image.ch

BY CYNTHIA D. BALANA, KRISTINE L. ALAVE, TJ BURGONIO Philippine Daily Inquirer

Ombudsman charging the accused was not yet final and executory.

He said counsels of the accused were still entitled to file their respective motions for reconsideration before it within five days.

Diaz said his client received the plunder information on July 20 and thereafter filed a corresponding motion for reconsideration on July 25, well within the prescribed five-day period.

“So how can a warrant of arrest be issued when this incident is still pending resolution by the Ombudsman?” he asked.

On July 16, the Ombudsman filed the information finding probable cause to indict Arroyo, and eight former officials of the PCSO and the COA on charges of diverting PCSO operating funds to “fictitious” expenses in confidential or intelligence funds.

Included in the plunder charge were former PCSO Chairman Sergio Valencia, former General Manager and Vice Chair Rosario Uriarte, ex-PCSO board directors Manuel Morato, Jose Taruc, Raymundo Roquero and Ma. Fatima Valdez, former COA Chairman Reynaldo Villar, and Nilda Paras, the head of intelligence/confidential fund of COA and Anti-Fraud Unit.

No-show at hearing All the accused did not show up at the first hearing Thursday, but their respective lawyers entered their appearances and were unanimous in asking the court to suspend the proceedings on the ground that it was premature to hear the case as the preliminary investigation had not been completed by the Ombudsman.

A day after Arroyo posted bail and walked out of a detention facility, Mr. Aquino raised a point of technicality in the ruling of Pasay City Judge Jesus Mupas.

‘Impossible’ criterion The President said Mupas appeared to have set an “impossible” criterion by demanding a corroborating testimony in the case against Arroyo from the alleged three key players: Arroyo herself, then Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. and then Maguindanao Administrator Norie Unas.

“From what I understand in Judge Mupas’ decision, there was no corroborative testimony. Based on the charges, three persons were talking— Mrs. Arroyo, Ampatuan and this was heard by Unas (the Comelec’s lone witness). So it’s unlikely that two of them would testify against themselves. That leaves just one person to testify,” Mr. Aquino told reporters after speaking at the 114th anniversary of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

“So how can we have a corroborative testimony on what the two others had talked about? It appears that the test was too high; it appears impossible to attain because nobody else heard their conversation on the issue of electoral fraud,” the President added.

Mupas granted Arroyo’s petition for bail, saying the case against her in connection with alleged fraud in the 2007 senatorial elections in Maguindanao was weak.

He said the prosecution failed to establish conspiracy on the part of Arroyo, and that the credibility of Unas was tainted with doubt.

Unas testified that he had overheard then President Arroyo order then Maguindanao Governor Ampatuan to ensure the victory of administration senatorial candidates in the 2007 midterm elections.

With the setback, Mr. Aquino said the government would pursue other options to prosecute Arroyo and keep her in the country.

Gearing for trial Smarting from the legal setback, the Comelec is gearing for a full-blown trial with at least 20 witnesses to prove that Arroyo sabotaged the 2007 elections.

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes said the trial on the merits of the case would be an all-out bid to disprove the assertion of Mupas that the case was “weak.”

Brillantes, in a media briefing, said the poll body would ask Mupas to overturn his decision to allow Arroyo to leave hospital arrest on a P1-million bail.

But Brillantes acknowledged that motions for reconsideration were often denied.

Motion for recon filed The Comelec filed a motion for reconsideration in the Pasay City Regional Trial Court late yesterday afternoon. The court has set the hearing for the motion on Monday at 1 p.m.

Brillantes and Justice Secretary Leila de Lima met Thursday to discuss their next legal move against Arroyo.

“Even though she was granted bail, we will still have a good chance of getting a conviction after the full-blown trial of the case. That’s our position,” Brillantes said.

“If the judge set it for hearing, we will attend and argue our case … If he denies our motion, we will go through the formal full-blown hearing on the merits of electoral sabotage. We will still depend on the testimony of Unas, who we think is very credible,” he added.

Brillantes said they would have to make sure that their arguments against Arroyo, given Mupas’ decision on the bail, would be airtight. The pretrial hearing is scheduled for next month.

De Lima said those trying to blame the government for having a supposedly weak case against Arroyo should understand first the case.

She said if the government had mishandled this case, the court would grant bail for Ampatuan and former Maguindanao Election Supervisor Lintang Bedol.

At the hearing in the Sandiganbayan, Ray Montri Santos, counsel for Uriarte, said suspending the proceedings and remanding the case to the Ombudsman to complete the preliminary investigation would give an opportunity to the Ombudsman to revisit the complaint.

Private prosecutor Kapunan Lorna Kapunan, acting as private prosecutor, said private counsels could not use emotional arguments to stop the proceedings as they all knew that the Rules of Court and the internal rules of the Ombudsman should be applied to the case.

Kapunan said a decision was already duly made by the Ombudsman as early as July 10, therefore a warrant of arrest should have been issued by the Sandiganbayan within 10 days, or as early as July 20.

“A motion for reconsideration will not stay (the arrest order) because this is a plunder case. So serious is the charge that the right to liberty, to post bail is suspended,” she said. With reports from Jaymee T. Gamil and Christine O. Avendaño. n

News-Phils

PH protests China Paracel garrison plan

Photo courtesy of NASA

of handling all types of People’s Liberation Army planes.

In the diplomatic note handed to Ma, the DFA urged Beijing to “fully and sincerely abide by the spirit and letter of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.” “We hope that China as a responsible country will exercise self- restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability in the region,” Hernandez said.

Panoramic image of Paracel Islands by NASA satellite

BY JERRY E. ESPLANADA Philippine Daily Inquirer

THE PHILIPPINES yesterday protested China’s decision to build a military garrison on Woody Reef in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) summoned China’s Ambassador to the Philippines Ma Keqing and handed her a diplomatic note that also objected to the arrival of a large Chinese fishing fleet near the disputed Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea. Woody Reef is part of the Paracel Islands, which are contested by China and Vietnam. While the Philippines does not have territorial claims in the Paracels, DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez said China’s plan to administer the Paracels and the Spratlys from the new city of Sansha was unacceptable.

China announced the creation of Sansha in June amid a territorial dispute with Vietnam, which had adopted a new maritime law that placed under Vietnamese sovereignty the Spratly Islands and the Paracel Islands.

China created Sansha for the administration of the Paracels and the Spratlys, including islands claimed by the Philippines.

Unacceptable Hernandez said Sansha’s jurisdiction covered the Kalayaan Island Group in the Spratlys, which “is an integral part of the Philippine territory falling under the municipality of Kalayaan in Palawan province.”

“For this reason, the Philippines does not recognize Sansha City and the extent of its jurisdiction and considers

recent measures taken by China as unacceptable,” Hernandez said.

On July 12, China announced the departure from Hainan of a fleet of 30 fishing vessels—the largest Chinese fishing expedition in recent years—for the Spratlys. The fleet arrived at Johnson South Reef, in a part of the Spratlys claimed by Vietnam, on July 15.

Philippine territory The DFA said the Philippines protested China’s deployment of 29 fishing vessels, a cargo ship and two maritime ships near Kagitingan Reef and another vessel with bow number 934 near Zamora Reef on July 18.

Kagitingan Reef is internationally known as Fiery Cross Reef. Zamora Reef is the Philippines’ name for Subi Reef, which the country contests with China, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan.

Both reefs are part of the Spratly group of islands, islets, atolls and reefs in the West Philippine Sea believed to be rich in oil and natural gas deposits.

It is unclear whether the Chinese fishing vessels have crossed into Philippine waters, but the DFA said earlier that it was verifying the exact location of the Chinese fleet.

Garrison Beijing refers to Woody Reef as Yongxing Island. On Monday, the Chinese defense ministry announced plans to build a garrison on Woody Reef.

The announcement came a month after Beijing designated Woody Reef as China’s administrative center for both the Paracel and the Spratly groups of islands.

China already has an airstrip on the reef. The airstrip is reportedly capable

Call for unity Meanwhile, Malacañang said yesterday that it would like to believe that the nation was one with President Aquino in his government’s stand on its territorial dispute with China.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that when the President, in his State of the Nation Address on Monday, called on the Filipinos to unite behind his government in the country’s territorial dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea, it did not mean that there were sectors that did not agree with the position he had taken.

“We are talking here of our country. I guess it’s safe to assume we are all for the Philippines,” Valte told reporters.

President Aquino also tried to assure the nation that his government was determined to find a solution to the dispute with China “acceptable to all.”

Standoff Relations between China and the Philippines remain tense even after Manila temporarily stepped back from a maritime standoff with Beijing at Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal) in mid-June.

The standoff, triggered by Chinese fishermen’s poaching sharks and collecting rare clams and corals at the shoal, began in early April. It temporarily ended when President Aquino ordered home two Philippine vessels due to stormy weather on June 15.

China called home its fishing vessels, but not its maritime ships. There were reports last week that Chinese fishing boats had returned to Panatag Shoal.

President Aquino threatened to send government vessels back to the shoal unless China recalled its ships and boats home. n

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012 4

Most Senate reelectionists join LP slate

BY MICHAEL LIM UBAC Philippine Daily Inquirer

FIVE of the six reelectionist members of the Senate are in the short list being drawn up by the ruling Liberal Party (LP) for the 2013 senatorial lineup, a Malacañang official confirmed yesterday.

Budget Secretary and LP stalwart Florencio Abad told the INQUIRER that Senators Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, Loren Legarda, Francis Escudero, Alan Peter Cayetano and Antonio Trillanes IV were on the list, which now counts 17.

Reelectionist Sen. Gregorio Honasan has officially cast his lot with the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), an alliance formed by Vice President Jejomar Binay’s Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan and ousted President Joseph Estrada’s Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino.

In a phone interview, Honasan said he was with the UNA coalition “but still partyless and independent with no political party affiliation/ membership.”

The five reelectionist senators are all non-LP members: Pimentel (PDPLaban); Escudero (independent); Legarda (Nationalist People’s Coalition), and Cayetano and Trillanes (Nacionalista Party).

Escudero and Legarda are also being wooed by UNA. A close friend of President Aquino’s, Escudero is “leaning towards the LP,” said INQUIRER sources privy to coalition talks.

Legarda, who has been identified with the opposition, seems bent on joining UNA’s senatorial slate, said the sources.

Abad said he found nothing strange about Senate Minority Leader Cayetano, who will deliver the “contra-Sona” today, eventually running under the administration banner.

The contra-Sona is the traditional speech delivered by the leader of the opposition in the Senate to critique the yearly State of the Nation Address of the President.

“I don’t see any problem,” said Abad. “It’s the peculiar nature of Philippine politics.” n

News-Phils

5 WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012

...from page 1 The Department of Tourism’s catchy “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” ad frequently flashed on a 218-meter-long, 30-meter-wide LED screen mounted on the ceiling of the central corridor.

Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. said the expo was very “useful and relevant” to the Philippines, whose bountiful marine resources are vulnerable to abuse and pollution.

“It is all about the ocean and the common interest in the preservation of natural resources and its sustainability,” Jimenez said in an interview after the opening ceremony of the Philippine National Day. “The Philippines, both a touristic destination and an economic power, draws a lot from the oceans,” Jimenez said. “This is very important for us. This is not something we can stay away from.”

In his speech, Jimenez said the Philippines’ rich marine and coastal resources provided tourism opportunities, as well as livelihood and income, for many communities.

Its seas connect the Philippines to the world, he said, “[f]or oceans do not separate but connect people, as the seas surrounding us demonstrate today.”

Philippine pavilion Built amid grand pavilions set up by richer countries, the Philippine pavilion sits on 267 square meters of floor space, glimmering under ornate pods resembling corals.

Its facade is a three-dimensional interpretation of coral—the foundation of marine life—and it emits a purplish glow.

From a distance, visitors can see the pavilion’s exterior glowing like the skin of the “butanding,” or whale shark, under the sea.

To give visitors a feel of the Philippines’ popular sandy beaches, the place showcases four types of sand gathered from the famous beaches of the country: pink sand from Santa Cruz Island in Zamboanga City; white sand from the world-famous Boracay Island in Aklan; black sand from Santo Domingo, Albay, and brown sand from San Lorenzo, Guimaras.

Market exposure Since the expo opening on May 12, more than 372,000 visitors have called at the Philippine pavilion—the targeted 10 percent of the more than 3 million guests expected to go there.

On peak days, the pavilion gets 13,000 visitors a day and an average of 4,000 on slow days, according to Jeannie Sudario, planning officer of the Tourism Promotions Board.

“The Philippines’ participation in this international exposition is highly appreciated by the Korean government,” Lee said.

“I am confident that the Philippines and South Korea will continue to nurture the strong [ties] our nations enjoy. Now, it’s time to turn over a new leaf in order to protect our oceans from further deterioration.” n

Arroyo says jail didn’t stop her work

BY CYNTHIA D. BALANA Philippine Daily Inquirer DETENTION is no obstacle to delivering services.

Former President Gloria MacapagalArroyo, in a report on her achievement as representative of Pampanga’s second district, said she continued to monitor and follow up projects for her constituents even as she was being held incommunicado at Veterans Memorial Medical Center on an electoral sabotage case.

In her report, Arroyo said she had filed more than 200 bills that would benefit her constituents and the country’s economy.

One of these is a bill that would encourage corporations to spend more on projects for the poor in exchange for incentives from government. It has passed the House of Representatives and is being deliberated upon in the Senate.

Another bill that Arroyo’s report takes pride on is one that would amend the Local Government Code to allot barangays a share in internal revenue allotments which are funds that towns,

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provinces and cities receive from the national government as their share in the national income.

Arroyo’s report said all her projects were in line with the Pampanga Development Plan which she said she helped prepare with Gov. Lilia Pineda, a close friend of Arroyo.

The former president’s report listed these other achievements despite Arroyo being detained: • Developing in Porac, Pampanga, a new route for tourists going to Mt. Pinatubo • A zip line and cable car system built by a private investor in Floridablanca town that Arroyo said would boost tourism and help provide jobs to Aetas • Influx of agri-business in Floridablanca as a result of promotion campaigns that Arroyo said she had conducted • Promoting aquaculture in Pampanga’s coastal villages • Funding for the widening of Olongapo-Gapan Road, which is nearing completion. n

News-Phils Aquino to mediate Abad, Brillantes row

BY MICHAEL LIM UBAC Philippine Daily Inquirer

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino on Thursday said he was willing to act as a “referee” between Budget Secretary Florencio Abad and Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes as the two officials clashed over the drastic cut in the poll body’s proposed 2013 budget.

Mr. Aquino noted that there seemed to be “insufficient dialogue” between the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Comelec over the issue.

Brillantes the other day warned that the country may have to revert to manual balloting in the May 2013 elections because the allotment of P8 billion for the Comelec was simply not enough to fund automated elections.

He even threatened to quit as he said he had no desire to preside over a manual vote. But on Thursday Brillantes had a change of heart, describing the threat as an “outburst” during a heated moment with the media.

Mr. Aquino said Abad and Brillantes clearly needed to meet and talk again “so that there will be a convergence of needs and funding.”

“As for me, I’m used to act as a referee (so) we will talk to both of them, and it is our obligation to have a peaceful and credible election next year,” he said.

The President expressed willingness to reconsider restoring the 67 percent that was cut from the P24 billion budget that the Comelec had asked for.

“Let’s give the necessary tools to those needing it. If it would be demonstrated that there is (a budget) deficiency, it is our obligation to fill it up,” he said.

Abad, however, stood pat on the DBM’s assessment that the drastic cut from the proposed P24 billion to P8 billion was justified.

“The Comelec indeed proposed a total of P24 billion for their 2013 budget.

However, after diligently evaluating the commission’s requirements for next year, the DBM was able to set their total budget to a reasonable P13.4 billion.

This amount would have been enough for the Comelec to conduct honest, orderly and fully automated elections in 2013,” he said.

However, the initial P13.4-billion budget ceiling was later adjusted to P8.3 billion, following a “careful study of the Commission’s status of allotment, obligation and balances (SAOB) as of March 31, 2012,” he said.

The SAOB revealed that the Comelec was able to generate P5.2 billion in

savings early this year by exercising its option in its contract with SmartmaticTIM to buy the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines that were used in the 2010 elections, which cost only P1.83 billion.

Thus, the DBM reduced the Comelec’s original budget ceiling by the amount of their savings, bringing their total budget to P8.4 billion, Abad explained.

Additionally, the SAOB showed that the Comelec has unobligated appropriations amounting to P6.1 billion from 2008 to 2012. Together with its P5.2billion savings from the PCOS machine purchase, the Comelec’s total unobligated balance is already P11.3 billion.

Abad emphasized the need to study the Comelec’s proposed budget against the commission’s actual yearly expenditures, noting that year after year, the poll body spent less than what was allotted to it.

For instance, in 2010, the Comelec spent only P8.3 billion of its P10.78 billion budget.

“Our review of their previous allocations vis-a-vis their actual budget utilization history helped us trim their 2013 budget to a more realistic level,” said Abad.

Brillantes earlier explained that the Comelec did accept the P13 billion figure but had asked for another P3 billion to P4 billion more for the barangay (village) elections next year.

However, the DBM instead slashed the P13 billion to P8 billion, prompting the Comelec chief to warn that the poll body would be forced to abandon automated elections or do away with the elections altogether. He also threatened to quit.

The Automatic Election System Watch on Thursday criticized Brillantes as being “alarmist and irresponsible” for floating a “no election” scenario without basis.

AES Watch convenor Nelson J. Celis urged the Comelec to disclose to the public a full report on the expenses of the 2010 automated elections.

Congress had appropriated P11.2 billion for that exercise, of which P7.2 billion was allocated for the contract with Smartmatic.

AES Watch last April petitioned the Supreme Court to direct the poll body to open the door to public bidding for a cheaper election technology for 2013 after the expiration of the contract with Smartmatic.

The high court in June ruled in favor of the Comelec, saying that the option to purchase the Smartmatic PCOS machines had not expired and that it was a cheaper option. n

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012 6

Storm force stuns Pagasa

BY JEANNETTE I. ANDRADE Philippine Daily Inquirer

THIS WAS how a forecaster of the state-run Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) described the weather disturbance on Sunday night that dumped heavy rains and brought strong storm-type winds in Southern and Central Luzon, including Metro Manila.

While Pagasa forecasters anticipated that the southwest monsoon could absorb a shallow low pressure area and bring heavy rains with gusts to the rest of Luzon, with Tropical Storm “Gener” pummeling the extreme North, they admitted to being stunned that it brought 60-kilometer-per-hour winds typical of Storm Signal No. 2 warnings.

Weather forecaster Jori Loiz told the Inquirer that in his entire stint at Pagasa, he had never seen a pattern similar to what was experienced Sunday night.

“The shallow LPA was like a boat sent adrift on a river,” he explained, adding that the shallow LPA went inside the southwest monsoon carried within by the thick clouds it had absorbed.

He said the weather disturbance Sunday night hit Central and Southern Luzon as a monsoon surge, where the southwest monsoon merged with the shallow LPA. “We anticipated that the southwest monsoon would bring rains, winds and issued a gale warning but what we missed was the strength of gustiness,” Loiz pointed out, adding that the southwest monsoon was enhanced by Gener (international name: Saola).

“We have been monitoring the thick clouds moving towards Central Luzon but we did not include that in our 5 p.m. weather bulletin on Sunday because at the time, it was not yet qualified to be called an LPA. We only included the shallow LPA in our 11 p.m. bulletin because by then it had developed fully,” Loiz said.

He explained that the shallow LPA was embedded in the clouds and was engulfed by the strength of the southwest monsoon. This was unusual, he told the Inquirer, since LPAs usually stay on the edges.

“Gener gained strength and enhanced the monsoon, the effects of which we have been feeling for several days like

occasional to frequent rainfall and gusts,” he said.

The shallow LPA almost passed directly over Metro Manila and brought gusts of wind of up to 60 kph, almost the strength of Signal No. 2 storms.

He pointed out that no storm warning was raised because the phenomenon lasted only for two to three hours before it weakened.

“The strength of the wind was strange. We knew that there was an enhancement of the southwest monsoon but we were surprised by the wind force registered. It was typical of storms. It was 60 kph. A tropical depression would bring 55 kph winds.

Last night (Sunday) was almost signal number two,” he said.

Meanwhile, a weather bulletin issued by the Pagasa at around 11 a.m. Monday placed the center of Gener 360 km east-northeast of Aparri, Cagayan, or 290 east-southeast of Basco, Batanes moving north-northwest at 11 kph with maximum sustained winds of 105 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 135 kph.

Public storm signal warning No. 2 remains in effect over Cagayan, including Calayan and Babuyan Group of Islands and Batanes Group of Islands where stormy weather packing winds of 61 to 100 kph.

The provinces of Isabela, Kalinga, and Apayao remain under Storm Signal No. 1 where rains and gusty winds of 30 to 60 kph are to be anticipated for the next 36 hours.

Pagasa advised residents living in low-lying and mountainous areas to be on alert for flash floods and landslides while those living along coastal areas under Storm Signal No. 2 should be on guard for big waves or storm surges.

Sea travel in these areas is classified as risky while fishing boats and other small vessels are advised not to venture into the seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon, the Visayas and the eastern seaboard of Mindanao.

Estimated rainfall is from 10-20 mm per hour, categorized as heavy to intense, within the 700 km diameter of Gener.

Gener is expected to be at 210 km east-northeast of Basco, Batanes, and 340 km north of Basco and 530 km north-northwest of Basco, outside the Philippine area of responsibility. n

7 WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012

News-Phils

It’s open war on Church, bishops say

BY PHILIP C. TUBEZA Philippine Daily Inquirer

IT’S NOW open war.

Members of the influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) yesterday denounced President Aquino’s decision to push for the passage of the reproductive health (RH) bill during his State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday.

Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles said the President’s open endorsement of the bill during his Sona was a declaration of “open war” against the Catholic Church.

“Aquino declared an open war, a head-on collision against us and against the Catholic Church. So terrible, so blatantly Aquino missed the point,” Arguelles said in an interview.

“We in the prolife movements are so disgusted with these vigorous pronouncements in support of responsible parenthood,” he added.

Arguelles dismissed the President’s contention that slowing down the country’s population growth would benefit the nation. In contrast, the prelate said, the country’s booming population would drive its economy.

Real face “(Aquino’s) selective ‘ matuwid na daan (straight path)’ program shows its real face … Time is essential. Our camp must act now,” he said.

Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes, member of the CBCP Permanent Council, said Mr. Aquino’s statement was a “bad omen” for the Catholic Church and was undermining its moral authority.

“P-Noy is undermining the moral force of the Catholic Church. We have to move our people to vigilance and teach more our congressmen about the dangers of the RH bill,” Bastes said.

“Poverty, not population, must be eliminated. The more contented people are in the Philippines, the greater is our nation. Don’t kill people,” he added.

Voice of the people Malolos Bishop Jose Oliveros urged President Aquino to listen to the voice of the people, whom he noted are majority Catholic.

“P-Noy has credited the Filipino people as his bosses for the changes made by his administration.

Now he is imposing on the Filipino people his own stand on the RH bill. He should listen to the voice of the majority of our people who are Catholics,” Oliveros said.

But deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Mr. Aquino was pushing for the consolidated version of the population management bills pending in the House of Representatives.

“Remember that the President did submit as a priority measure in the 112th [legislative-executive development advisory council] meeting the draft bill

of the administration which has been consolidated with the six pending bills in Congress,” Valte told a news briefing in Malacañang.

No hurry Despite the President’s endorsement of the RH bill, the Senate leadership is in no hurry to pass the controversial bill.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile described the President’s statement as a “desire,” while Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III said it was a “very wise move” but intended more as a piece of “advice.”

“No pressure. The President knows that all legislation is open to debate,” Enrile told reporters.

“That is a statement of his desire and to the extent that we can accommodate it, we will accommodate it. But if not, then we say, ‘we beg your pardon.”

Sotto said the Senate was under no pressure to pass the RH bill simply because the President advocated responsible parenthood in his Sona.

“Everybody is in favor of responsible parenthood … that’s why the proposal of the President is good,” he said.

Sen. Pia Cayetano, a co-sponsor of the RH bill, said she was “not surprised” that Enrile and Sotto were not feeling any pressure.

“They don’t want it anyway,” she said. “I will pressure them simply by doing what is my job, which is to make sure that the bill will go through the process.” n

News-Phils

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012 8

Abu Sayyaf ‘founder’ held in Tawi-Tawi

BY JULIE S. ALIPALA, MARLON RAMOS Philippine Daily Inquirer

THE CRIMINAL Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said joint police and military troops arrested a supposed founding member of the Abu Sayyaf Group in Tawi-Tawi.

The arrest of Ustadz Ahmadsali Asmad Badron, also known as Ammad and Hamad Ustadz Idris, came two days after heavily armed bandits figured in firefights with the Scout Rangers in the hinterlands of nearby Basilan Island.

The military reported that at least nine Abu Sayyaf members were killed during the daylong skirmish.

Director Samuel Pagdilao Jr., CIDG chief, said Badron was arrested based on an arrest warrant for six counts of kidnapping in a house in Barangay Lamion, Bongao town.

Pagdilao said Badron was a cousin of the late Abu Sayyaf leader Nadzme Sabtula, alias Commander Global. He said the suspect also acted as “bagman” and “facilitator” of the regional terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI).

“Badron is one of the original members of the Abu Sayyaf … [He] was formerly under the command of the late Abu Sayyaf head, Galib Andang, alias Commander Robot,” Pagdilao said in a statement.

“He was involved in the kidnapping of tourists and resort staff in Sipadan, Malaysia, and members of the religious group Jehovah’s Witness in Jolo in 2000 and 2003,” he added.

Pagdilao said the arrest was carried out by the CIDG regional agents, the Philippine Center on Transnational Crimes, the 84th Special Action Force unit, Marine Battalion Landing Team 5, Naval Intelligence Service Group for Western Mindanao, Tawi-Tawi provincial police office and the police Regional Intelligence Unit 15.

Senior Superintendent Edgar Danao, CIDG-Region 9 chief, described Badron as “among the trusted members” of the bandit group who was assigned to keep “millions of pesos in ransom money they collected from their operations. ” Danao said the suspect was believed to be a “Jemaah Islamiyah facilitator” to the foreign members of the Abu Sayyaf identified as Maweyah, Qaem, Dulmatin and a Palestinian named Yusef.

He said Badron was also the contact of Ibni Akosta and Tuan Muktar, the

purported local operatives of JI in Mindanao.

“They are the contact persons of Hata Haipe or Ustadz Tuan Awliayah in Malaysia, [who was arrested] in 2008 in Kuala Lumpur, and other Palestinian nationals belonging to the radical group Hamas under Yusef, who is a supporter of al-Qaida in southern Philippines,” Danao said.

Schoolroom-burning In Zamboanga City, suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits burned the two-room kindergarten building of Tipo-tipo Central Elementary School in Basilan on dawn.

Major General Rainier Cruz, chief of the Army’s First Division, said the burning of the school was meant to ease the military’s pressure against the bandit group in the neighboring town of Sumisip, site of recent clashes that left 10 soldiers killed. Tipo-Tipo town is about 5 kilometers away from Sumisip.

Cruz said no one was reported hurt and that villagers helped extinguish the fire.

Colonel Arthur Ang, commander of the 104th Brigade, also said the burning of the school was meant “to divert our troops who are pursuing the lawless elements in Sumisip.”

“They were also hoping they can inflict harm by ambushing our troops who might be responding to the burning this dawn,” Ang added.

Before Sunday noon, Ang said he received an assurance from Tipo-tipo Mayor Ingatun Estarul that there would be classes today as only two rooms were affected by the fire.

Col. Ramon Yogyog, chief of the Joint Special Operations Task Force Basilan, said they could not “easily identify” those behind the burning of the school due to the “absence of law enforcers in the area.”

Operations against the bandit group continue in Sumisip, Ang said. “We believe they are just there, hiding in the mountainous areas of Sumisip,” Ang said.

But Yogyog said “there was a lull” in the fighting. “We pulled out our troops to secure back the perimeters of the cooperative plantations, especially those cooperatives that received regular threats from the Abu Sayyaf Group,” he said. He said the government troops were on a “resupply mode.”

But their intelligence gathering in the area has been intensified with help from the villagers, he said.

On Thursday last week, 10 soldiers were killed and 17 others were wounded in a clash with armed men who were harassing rubber plantation workers in Sumisip town. A wire report said the military was deploying 600 Army soldiers to hunt down the gunmen who killed the soldiers.

Col. Randolph Cabangbang, spokesperson of the Western Mindanao Command, said some members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), acting on their own, might retaliate after the reported death of three members of the Asnawi family.

Dan Laksaw Asnawi, a commander of the MILF in Basilan, is a brother of Hassan and Nurham Asnawi, who were reportedly killed in the clashes.

Jumaidi Asnawi, a son of Hassan, was also reported killed in last week’s clashes.

Cabangbang said 13 bandits were killed in the Sumisip clash.

But Jerry Aklamin, a member of the Basilan-based human rights group Kahapan, said only three bandits, none of them members of the Asnawi clan, were killed.

But he said some members of the Asnawi clan were wounded.

Taha Katoh, manager of Tumahubong Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Integrated Development Cooperative Inc., told the Inquirer that only four bandits, including former cooperative workers Wims Wakil and Juhair Bottong, were killed in the clashes.

Cabangbang, in defending his figures, said it could be that Katoh “only recognized four of those killed, not necessarily claiming that only four were killed.” n

B A M B O O

9 WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012

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LP-UNA coalition talks still on

This year, the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has allocated $192 million (more than P8 billion)— or about $16 million per month— in disability compensation for approximately 15,000 beneficiaries, more than half of them Filipino war veterans or members of their families, the US Embassy in Manila has said.

In a report posted on its website, the embassy said the funds were “in addition to the one-time lump-sum payments made to Filipino World War II veterans and their survivors as part of the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation (FVEC) Program.”

Since 2009, 18,350 Filipino war veterans or their survivors “have received a total of $221 million in onetime FVEC payments. This exceeds the 18,000 veterans estimated prior to the FVEC benefits becoming law,” it said.

Last year, benefits and services provided by the VA office in Manila included the following: Compensation and pension payments, $186.56 million; FVEC, $15.07 million; medical services, $10.7 million, and education and vocational programs, $2.12 million.

Sizeable impact The VA noted its “sizeable economic impact on the Philippines and a significant positive impact on the thousands of veterans and beneficiaries it serves in the Philippines.”

The agency’s Manila regional office is the “only VA office located outside the Unites States or its territories.”

“The VA has had a presence in the Philippines since 1922, marking its 90th anniversary in the country this year,” it said.

In 2011, VA Manila “relocated to a new state-of-the-art facility on the US Embassy grounds, providing a modern, more accessible VA for veterans needing services,” it added.

Last year, VA Manila’s outpatient clinic “accomplished over 30,000 patient visits and provided world-class health care to thousands of veterans.”

Equipment grants Since 2003, the agency has provided $6.3 million in equipment grants to the country’s only veterans hospital, the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City. The equipment included ventilators, dialysis machines, CT scans, gamma Xrays, 2D echocardiogram and MRI machines, as well as an eye center.

US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr. has said VA Manila is a “testament to the strong ties and still growing partnership between the US and the Philippines.”

Earlier, the envoy cited the “unparalleled service and sacrifice” of both American and Philippine war veterans.

Speaking at Veterans Day rites at the American Cemetery in Taguig City, Thomas said, “We owe our service members and veterans a debt of gratitude.” n

GSIS to raise pensions of members next year

BY RONNEL W. DOMINGO Philippine Daily Inquirer THE GOVERNMENT Service Insurance System (GSIS) will increase monthly pensions starting January 2013, benefiting some 107,000 members, according to GSIS president and general manager Robert G. Vergara.

Vergara disclosed yesterday in a statement that President Aquino had approved the increase in the minimum monthly benefits for old-age and disability pensioners to P5,000 a month.

Consequently, he said, pensioners who received less than P5,000 a month would, starting next year, receive the new minimum.

Those who receive more than P5,000 but less than P8,000 will be given an extra P200 a month.

Vergara added that even with the increase in the minimum pension, the GSIS would continue to apply the regular 1.5-percent increase on oldage benefits, as provided for in a board resolution approved in December 2009.

“About half of GSIS old-age and disability pensioners will benefit from the new pension increase,” he said.

“Roughly 57,000 pensioners will enjoy the new minimum pension while another 50,000 will qualify for the P200 increment.”

Vergara said the increase in the minimum pension would shave off one year in the pension fund’s actuarial life, which meant that the GSIS fund would last until 2045 instead of 2046 without the hike. n

Photo courtesy of Helene C. Stikkel

PH vets to get $192M more

BY JERRY E. ESPLANADA Philippine Daily Inquirer

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012 10

BY CHRISTIAN V. ESGUERRA Philippine Daily Inquirer

EFFORTS are under way to resurrect the proposed coalition between the Liberal Party (LP) and the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) to come up with a unified senatorial ticket in next year’s elections.

A senior political leader privy to the discussions said former President Joseph Estrada, a member of UNA’s “Big 3,” remained in contact with Malacañang through Presidential Political Adviser Ronald Llamas on the proposal.

Estrada said he had been personally told by Llamas that President Aquino, standard-bearer of the LP, has not rejected the proposal.

Estrada shares the UNA leadership with Vice President Jejomar Binay and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.

“I think it’s still alive,” said Estrada, referring to the proposed coalition.

Estrada told the Inquirer in Filipino that the last time he discussed the matter with Llamas was during the President’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) on July 23.

“We saw each other during the Sona.

He said the President had not turned it down, that the matter was not yet closed.”

The proposed LP-UNA coalition remained “alive and is still under consideration,” said another Inquirer informant, who asked not to be named for lack of authority to discuss the matter in public.

But he said that one possible stumbling block was the presence of personalities identified with former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in UNA’s senatorial lineup: Ex-Rep. Juan Miguel Zubiri

and Zambales Rep. Milagros “Mitos” Magsaysay.

“I think the LP cannot stomach Mitos and Migz, but especially Mitos because of her attacks against the President,” the source said in Filipino.

The source said that part of the proposal to unite the LP and UNA was to evenly divide (6-6) the slots for the 12-man senatorial slate.

One known objector to this proposal is Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III, a senior member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC). He has said that an LP-UNA coalition would effectively “disenfranchise” other prospective senatorial candidates. The NPC is also in talks with the LP on a possible coalition.

According to Estrada, he told Llamas that his proposal for a coalition was “done in good faith” and that it would be “a big boost for P-Noy because it would be a first in the history of Philippine politics.”

Estrada said that having a unified slate would save campaign money for both LP and UNA candidates and would provide the President with a Senate “he can control.” He said the alliance could also be limited to the 2013 elections.

When it comes to the 2016 elections, “laban-laban na (it’s a free for all),” he said.

UNA is expected to field Vice President Binay as its standard-bearer in 2016.

Pending the President’s signal on the proposed coalition, Estrada said UNA would go on to complete its senatorial slate. So far, he said eight slots had been filled with the entry of former Sen. Richard Gordon. n

News-Phils

11 WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012

SC: Marcos kids must face wealth case THE SUPREME Court has affirmed with finality its February ruling reinstating the children of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos as defendants in the government’s P200billion ill-gotten wealth case against the Marcos family.

The court’s Second Division, however, affirmed the dropping from the charge sheet of businessman Gregorio “Greggy” Ma. Araneta III, husband of Marcos’ youngest daughter, Irene Marcos.

In a one-page ruling issued through deputy clerk of court Teresita Aquino Tuazon, the division said that all issues had been duly considered by the justices and that the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) did not raise “substantial arguments,” adding: “No further pleadings or motions shall be entertained in this case. Let entry of final judgment be made in due course.”

With the finality of the decision, the civil suit against the Marcos children—Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos-Manotoc, Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Irene Marcos-Araneta—and their mother, Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos, may proceed in the Sandiganbayan.

shipblm_2008 / Al Pacino

BY JEROME ANING Philippine Daily Inquirer

The case involves P200 billion of supposed ill-gotten Marcos wealth and covers the alleged use of the sequestered media networks IBC-13, BBC-2 and RPN-9 for the Marcos family’s personal benefit; the alleged use of the Del Soleil Apparel company for dollar salting, and the alleged illegal acquisition and operation of bus company Pantranco North Express Inc. (Pantranco).

Araneta and his wife were accused of conspiring to help President Marcos illegally acquire Pantranco.

The Sandiganbayan, in December 2005, originally ordered the case against Mrs. Marcos to proceed but dropped the cases against her children and Araneta by granting

their “demurrer to evidence,” a type of motion to dismiss that a defendant may avail of by claiming that the evidence presented by the prosecution, after it rested its case, was insufficient.

Compulsory heirs The case was brought to the Supreme Court which, on Feb. 8 this year, ruled that the three Marcos children, being the late President’s compulsory heirs, should be defendants in the case for reversion, reconveyance, restitution, accounting and damages filed against their father.

The court, however, only affirmed the dropping of the charges against Araneta.

The February ruling, penned by Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno, also suggested that President Aquino, the Solicitor General and the PCGG investigate the prosecutors assigned to the case.

The court lamented that government prosecutors disregarded procedural rules and failed to present available crucial evidence before the Sandiganbayan, which would have proven the guilt or innocence of the Marcos children as alleged coconspirators in the accumulation of ill-gotten wealth during the tenures of their parents.

The tribunal noted that the prosecutors failed to secure the originals of the documents on which they were supposed to base their case.

In possession However, although the prosecutors failed to prove that the Marcos children had connived with their parents in accumulating ill-gotten wealth, the high court held that the siblings should remain as defendants.

“Thus, while it was not proven that respondents conspired to accumulate ill-gotten wealth, they may be in possession, ownership or control of such ill-gotten properties or the proceeds thereof as heirs of the Marcos couple,” the court said. n

P-noy’s uncle faces estafa raps

BY KRISTINE FELISSE MANGUNAY Philippine Daily Inquirer CHARGES of syndicated estafa were filed yesterday against an uncle of President Aquino, Antonio Lopa, and more than 12 other members of the board of a publicly-listed corporation for allegedly diverting to another project P250 million intended for the construction of a 28-storey building on a lot in Makati City.

The criminal charges against Lopa and other members of the board of Omico Corp. were filed at the Mandaluyong City Prosecutor’s Office by Domingo Guevara Jr., chair of the board of directors of Guevent Investments Development Corp. (GIDC), and Reynaldo Guevara, chair of the board

and president of Honeycomb Builders Inc (HBI).

The complainants said the diversion of funds was a violation of the terms of a contract Omico entered into with GIDC and HBI in 1995. The two Mandaluyongbased companies are part of the Guevara Group of Companies.

In the 19-page complaint, a copy of which was obtained by the INQUIRER, GIDC and HBI accused Lopa and other members of the board of Omico Corp. of misappropriating P250 million, which was supposed to be used solely for the construction of a mixed-use condominium building on a 4,959 sq mlot owned by the complainants in the corner of Pasong Tamo Ext. and Edsa.

Lopa is a brother of Ricardo “Baby Lopa,” whose wife Teresita is a sister of

former President Corazon Aquino.

According to the complainants, the exclusive use of the funds for the building construction that was to be undertaken by Omico Corp. was specified in a joint venture agreement entered into with HBI and GIDC on Sept. 26, 1995.

According to the complainants, the money was instead lent by Omico Corp. to its subsidiary firm, Omico Kapital Inc., without any interest.

As a result, they said, no condominium building had been constructed by Omico Corp. on the lot despite their repeated demands.

“Since 26 Sept. 1995, the day the [joint venture agreement] was entered into, up to the filing of the complaintaffidavit, the members of the Board of

Directors of respondent Omico... have conspired... and acted with malice and evident bad faith in deliberately refusing to comply with respondent Omico’s obligations under the (joint venture agreement),” the complainants said.

Omico Corp.’s alleged refusal to comply, the complainants said, caused HBI and GIDC “damage and prejudice” in the amount of P596,098,863.

At the same time, since the money was raised through a public offering, the complainants said the fund diversion also caused injury and prejudice to stockholders, or members of rural banks, cooperatives and the general public—an act that they said constitutes a violation of the Revised Penal Code. n

News-Phils

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012 12

Winds of change: ‘Island of unity in a sea of diversity’

BY CATHY C. YAMSUAN, MICHAEL LIM UBAC Philippine Daily Inquirer

Loudest applause The loudest hoots and applause erupted when Mr. Aquino expressed his support for “responsible parenthood,” which many took to refer to the controversial reproductive health bill.

Sen. Pia Cayetano, principal sponsor of the contentious measure, had to turn her swivel chair and check the scene happening behind her at the session hall, while several lawmakers stood to applaud Mr. Aquino’s statement.

People in nearly all the galleries—save for the VIP section reserved for foreign dignitaries—cheered, stomped their feet and went “woo-hoo” to support the President.

Mr. Aquino paused smiled.

JPE unperturbed and Senate Majority Leader Tito Sotto, a staunch adversary of the RH measure, looked around, smiled and eventually let out a loud guffaw as he clapped his hands at what was taking place.

Despite the din, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile hardly looked up from what he was reading as he sat on a dais above Mr. Aquino.

Other well-applauded policy statements of Mr. Aquino included: His insistence that the government continue efforts to reason out with China following its provocative moves in the West Philippine Sea;

Mr. Aquino’s firm stand of “no forgive and forget” in the case of the “10 years that were taken from us” (referring to the Arroyo administration) and the Maguindanao massacre; and His persistent vow to go after grafters and their padrinos (backers).

Too long Many spectators found the speech lengthy.

Lasting about one and a half hours, it seemingly put many lawmakers and guests to sleep. Former President Joseph Estrada tried hard to stifle a yawn toward the end of the speech.

Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., seated in front of the President, was brave enough not to hide his boredom, especially since the SONA began with a reference to the oppression the Aquino family suffered during martial law, which his father—the late dictator Ferdinand Sr.—declared in 1972.

Polite Imelda His mother, Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos, looked politely at the giant screen in front of her throughout the speech.

It was not clear if Sen. Lito Lapid, an advocate of the national language, appreciated the President’s efforts to speak in Filipino.

Noticeable though was how Mr. Aquino stammered as he read statistics and other numbers in Filipino— such as the increased number of expectant mothers receiving prenatal care. He soon shifted to English.

Guests on the third floor galleries were irritated by the constant clapping of hidden individuals at the most inopportune moments. It prompted suspicion that the clappers had been planted inside the session hall to make sure the President’s speech was well applauded.

Joel Villanueva, director general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, mouthed a very discernible “thank you” to the President after he was praised for the good performance of his agency.

Traditionally, the SONA is the most well-attended political event of the year. Also seen in the VIP galleries were Vice President Jejomar Binay and former Sen. Ernesto Maceda who flanked Estrada, former Speaker Jose de Venecia and Cabinet secretaries.

Other guests included Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, who kept away from the VIP gallery, where Estrada was.

Lim is running for reelection against Estrada. Former senators present were Heherson Alvarez, Francisco Tatad, Nikki Coseteng and Ramon Magsaysay Jr. Aquino sisters Congressmen queued up to shake the hand of Commission on Elections Chair Sixto Brillantes, who was seated in the farthest row of the VIP gallery.

Brillantes’ seatmate, presidential adviser Ronald Llamas, walked all the way down to the session floor

Photo courtesy of The Malacañang Photo Bureau

GUESTS at the State of the Nation Address (SONA) told the INQUIRER that they could feel the winds of change sweeping the country with friends and foes alike willing to listen to the President’s speech.

They may be divided by conflicting ambitions but for one fleeting afternoon, at least, the country’s political leaders came together under one roof and gave the impression of “national unity,” lawmakers yesterday said as they listened to President Aquino’s State of the Nation Address (SONA).

“I think that our democracy enshrines critical thinking and debate. That makes it healthy. But today is a day for all to be united in the face of bigger and real adversaries, local and foreign,” said Marikina Rep. Romero Quimbo.

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano explained that the Sona “symbolizes an island of unity in a sea of diversity.” He said the Sona was a coming together of leaders divided by geography, creed, ideology and political persuasions.

“We are brought together by love for God, country and people, listening to the highest elected official of the land to try to find common objectives and direction,” Cayetano said.

Sen. Francis Escudero said: “At least (the country is united) for one afternoon.”

Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara preferred to use the phrase “unity in diversity.”

“Despite divergent views, the presence of all the nation’s leaders under one roof showcases Philippine democracy, which some consider messy but, in the words of Winston Churchill, is better than all other alternatives,” Angara said.

President Benigno S. Aquino III at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City, where he delivered his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) to Congress.

to give rumored girlfriend and former Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel a buss on the cheek.

The Aquino sisters—Ballsy, Pinky, Viel and Kris— arrived 40 minutes before the SONA was to start. The three elder sisters arrived with their husbands. Kris was later joined by television co-host Boy Abunda.

An obviously star-struck Rosemarie Arenas was seated two rows back but had her photo taken right behind Kris before taking her seat.

Actress Assunta de Rossi, wife of Negros Occidental Rep. Jules Ledesma, was seated by her lonesome on the last row of the gallery where the Aquino sisters were.

Actress Dawn Zulueta, wife of Davao del Norte Rep. Anton Lagdameo, sashayed in a gown right in front of the Aquinos.

Too busy chatting At around 3:38 p.m., the giant screens heralded the arrival of the President but guests in the gallery were too busy chatting. This prompted the sergeant-atarms to approach them and point to the screen.

Many of the lawmakers were unperturbed even as uniformed guards made their way to the session hall to clear the aisle where the President was to pass.

So many guests could not fit into the session hall that House officials decided to put up a viewing area at the north wing lobby. A large screen was mounted on one side of the lobby, and rows of monobloc chairs were set up. The session hall seats only up to 1,800 people. n

13 WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012

News-Phils

Arroyo looks happy at Tagaytay spa

BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA, MARICAR CINCO Inquirer Southern Luzon TAGAYTAY CITY—Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo “looked happy” inside a wellness facility here, a day after she was released from detention.

Arroyo, now a Pampanga representative, arrived at around 9 a.m. at Green and Young Health and Wellness Center in Barangay (village) San Jose.

She was wearing a printed dress and slippers and was accompanied by an elder sister, said a source who asked not to be identified for lack of authority to speak on the former President’s visit here.

“She looked happy. She even laughed and smiled at me,” said the source who

was briefly allowed to meet the former President at noon.

Arroyo was released on Wednesday from eight months in detention at Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City after posting a P1-million bail in connection with an electoral sabotage case. Reports said she was here to seek treatment for her illness.

The source said Arroyo was not wearing her neck brace and was lying in bed most of the time.

“I heard that they were going to do some laboratory tests on her,” the source added. An intravenous fluid pack was attached to Arroyo.

Another source who received information from some staff members of the facility said the former President would be staying at the wellness center until Sunday.

Cop who blocked Aquino’s convoy axed

But Elena Bautista-Horn, an Arroyo spokesperson, said the former President would check out today from the health facility and would go directly to her district in Pampanga.

The wellness center is run by Antonia Park, a Filipino oncologist.

Park is known for treating her patients, among them well-known personalities and court judges, with herbal medicines and an organic diet.

The source said a sister of Arroyo was also a longtime patient of Park.

Cielo Macapagal-Salgado, a former vice governor of Pampanga province, claimed to have survived two forms of cancer through intense prayers.

Horn said the visit to the alternative medicine facility was suggested by the former President’s sister.

2012 Southeast Asian Cultural Arts Festival Saturday August 18, 2012

North Pond, Burnaby Central Park

BY MARLON RAMOS Philippine Daily Inquirer SENIOR Police Officer 2 Ricardo Pascua, the Quezon City policeman who refused to yield to President Benigno Aquino III’s convoy last week, has just joined the ranks of millions of jobless Filipinos.

Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo Wednesday ordered Pascua’s name dropped from the roster of the Philippine National Police (PNP) after a review of his career records showed that he had in fact been ordered dismissed twice by the People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) in Quezon City.

In a statement, Robredo said that he had instructed PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome to sign an order “officially dismissing” the erring policeman from the service after the National Police Commission (Napolcom) found out that Pascua was reinstated under questionable circumstances. “[Pascua] cannot feign ignorance that he was dismissed twice … by two separate [PLEB] offices in Quezon City [after he] managed to allegedly ‘fix’ one [of the] cases but completely ignored the other,” Robredo said.

Horn said Arroyo agreed to try the new treatment because she had already undergone three surgeries. She also has limited options because she has a hold-departure order that prevents her from seeking treatment abroad.

Acknowledging that the former President’s freedom was temporary, her family would make the most of it, Camarines Sur Representative Diosdado “Dato” Ignacio Arroyo said.

Dato said that all of his mother’s grandchildren slept in her room the first night she was at her home in La Vista in Quezon City, and that his father, sister and elder brother were also there. With reports from Juan Escandor Jr., Inquirer Southern Luzon; and Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon. n

(see map at MonsoonSociety.org)

The interior secretary said that on Tuesday, Napolcom Commissioner Eduardo Escueta presided over a meeting of the body to look into the supposed loopholes and negligence in the issuance and implementation of dismissal orders for policemen.

Citing records of the Napolcom, Robredo said Pascua was first fired from the PNP on June 30, 2001, after he was found guilty of “robbery/ extortion” by the PLEB District II-A office based on a complaint filed by Amalia Buenaventura-Peregrina.

He added that the policeman was again recommended for dismissal by the Quezon City PLEB District III on Dec. 10, 2002, based on a grave misconduct case filed by Siony V. Tabuac.

Said Robredo: “SPO2 Pascua later made an appeal for both cases before the Napolcom Regional Appellate Board, but [it] affirmed the PLEBs’ decisions.”

Pascua was allowed by the PNP to return to active service after he subsequently won a favorable decision in the case filed by Tabuac.

However, the ruling in the complaint filed by Peregrina was upheld by Napolcom. n

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News-Phils

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012 14

15 WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012

News-Phils

Carpio: An outsider as Chief Justice demoralizing

BY CHRISTINE O. AVENDAÑO, JEROME C. ANING Philippine Daily Inquirer PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino risks demoralization in the judiciary if he breaks tradition and picks an outsider to replace ousted Chief Justice Renato Corona.

“You have impeached the Chief Justice and his person, you have not impeached the rest of the court,” acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio told the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) on the third day of its nationally televised hearing to recommend a successor to Corona.

The 62-year-old Carpio acknowledged Mr. Aquino’s constitutional prerogative to appoint an outsider from the short list of three candidates for Chief Justice to be submitted by the JBC on July 30.

“I will not deny that it will be bad for their morale,” Carpio warned, referring to the ranks of the judiciary and noting that the only instance an outsider was named top magistrate was during World War II when the country was occupied by the Japanese.

“The tradition encourages the incumbents in the appellate court, including the Supreme Court, to look forward to the day that they will be senior and will have the chance to be Chief Justice,” he said.

He said he did not think it was necessary to appoint an outsider to reform the judiciary and stressed that decisions are not reached in the Supreme Court as a body and only after extensive debates. “We are not a club, we have heated discussions.”

Carpio’s questioning lasted more than two hours—the longest during the day. Also interviewed yesterday were Associate Justice Teresita Leonardode Castro, University of the East law dean Amado Valdez and Ateneo law dean Cesar Villanueva.

The council will interview four more nominees today, wrapping up the screening of 20 aspirants that began on Tuesday. It will submit a short list to the President on July 30.

Iloilo Representative Niel Tupas asked why Carpio remained silent on accusations by Corona that the acting Chief Justice had a hand in his removal. Carpio explained that he did not want to inhibit himself from cases in the high court involving Corona. He also said he believed the accusation would be found to be untrue.

Conspiracy theory Carpio also denied the allegation that he had schemed with President Aquino and Transportation Secretary Manuel Roxas to oust Corona, saying he never talked to them. He even said people were saying he would not get the position of Chief Justice because he was not close to the President.

Pressed by Tupas on that allegation, Carpio told the congressman: “You would know that because I never talked to you.” This drew laughter from the audience.

Corona also said that he did not think Corona’s impeachment trial was an affront to the judiciary, explaining that the Constitution gave Congress the power to impeach officials.

Carpio disagreed with the assertion

by Associate Justice Roberto Abad, also a nominee, on Wednesday that Corona’s impeachment trial had left a “wounded” judiciary.

Carpio said that the impeachment was “directed at a person” and the high court members were not affected.

But he said the impeachment trial brought up problems about the judiciary, including clogged dockets and allegations of corruption.

“It has come out to the fore because of the impeachment and we have to address it because of the perception of the people,” he told Tupas, head of the House prosecution team that was repeatedly slammed during Corona’s trial for being unprepared.

Disappearing Tupas The Congress representative in the JBC left the panel after his questioning of Carpio, as he did the past three days of interviews, which he did not attend in its entirety. Tupas, along with Senator Francis Escudero, is appealing

the Supreme Court decision allowing only one representative from Congress in the JBC. Asked by Tupas what he would have done if he were in the shoes of Corona and was facing removal, he said he would have allowed the impeachment process to proceed “in a dignified way.”

Tupas asked Carpio if he would have resigned to save the nation the agony of undergoing a trial. “If I misdeclared my SALN (statement of assets, liabilities and net worth) to that extent, then I would resign right away,” he said.

To the query of JBC member Jose Mejia, Carpio also said court members never discussed the impeachment of Corona when he was on trial in the division-level or when they were in en banc meetings and that he found this “weird.”

World Bank fund Justice De Castro was asked about allegations that the Corona court had misused World Bank loans for the Supreme Court’s Judicial Reform Support Program.

De Castro, who chairs the program’s management committee, said the total funds questioned by the bank were around $115,000, which she said was a “small percentage” of the total $21-million loan. The World Bank originally listed about $160,000 worth of “ineligible” expenditures.

She said items questioned by the bank included the payments made to an employee who lectured on docket declogging and another who talked abroad about the Supreme Court’s Justice on Wheels program and lunch for the visiting chief justice of Guam.

De Castro said the expenses for such events should have been deducted from the World Bank fund. If there was

no consent, the expenses should have been taken from the government fund.

“They were not disallowed. There was just a problem of where to charge the amount. Those were minor expenditures. Nothing spectacular about the disturbance of those funds.

And I’d like to point out ineligible does not mean irregular. It only means that it should be charged to the loan because according to them (WB), we did not secure their agreement,” she said.

“None of the justices ever touched money in that loan,” De Castro said, adding that it was the Project Management Office that was in charge of disbursing the expenses. The terms of the loan ended last month, she said.

Excessive court fees Valdez, on the other hand, raised the issue of excessive court fees that he said was unconstitutional and deprived people of access to justice. Asked by retired Court of Appeals Justice Aurora Lagman if he would stop this, Valdez said, “We have to be reasonable, find a middle way.”

With a vast experience on agrarian reform law, the UE law dean also was asked about his stand on the issue of just compensation in the case of Hacienda Luisita, the estate owned by the family of President Aquino that the high court had ordered to be distributed to its workers.

“You have to go to the table and compute how much reward had been received (by the family) and appeal to their patriotism so farmers have this land.” But Valdez also said an inventory should be made for beneficiaries of land reform in general to see if “we are able to achieve the purposes of land reform.”

Villanueva, a former dean of the Ateneo Law School, said he wanted the Supreme Court to be primarily a constitutional court.

“It should not overburden itself with [ordinary] cases, it should concentrate on important cases,” he said. Focusing on constitutional issues, he added, would make the court a “true pillar” of democracy.

Villanueva said his judicial philosophy was that the Supreme Court “should serve the needs of the country.”

He said his top three priorities were to unite the judiciary, come up with a road map for the judiciary and ease the case loads of the judges and justices. n

News-Phils

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012 16

22 vie for SC ‘primus inter pares’

BY CYNTHIA D. BALANA Philippine Daily Inquirer WHO AMONG the 22 nominees vying for the post of Chief Justice has “proven competence, integrity, probity and independence?”

Competence, as provided in the Constitution, implies superior intellect as shown by impressive academic qualifications and training in various facets of the law.

But superior intellect alone is not enough if it is not matched by management skills. The position involves overseeing an independent branch of the government that exercises jurisdiction over the judiciary—from the Regional Trial Courts to the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court itself.

Given the public outcry to overhaul the judiciary following the impeachment and subsequent removal of Chief Justice Renato Corona, the criterion of independence has become a major consideration.

Independence means upholding the Constitution and the laws of the land without being swayed by any personal or partisan considerations, and pursuing reforms in the judiciary without being unduly influenced by entrenched interests and existing power blocs.

Against the backdrop of the Corona trial, some legal experts insist now is the time for an outsider to head the highest court of the land in order to give way to a top-to-bottom overhaul of the judicial system.

President Aquino himself has indicated he is open to the possibility of appointing an outsider. And an outsider may just be what the judiciary needs.

All outstanding The nominees now being considered by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) are all outstanding men and women who have excelled in their profession.

The JBC, mandated to screen the candidates and come up with a short list from which the President will select the next Chief Justice, began interviews yesterday.

In alphabetical order, the 22 nominees are Supreme Court Associate Justice Roberto A. Abad; Presidential Commission on Good Government Chair Andres Bautista; Associate

Justice Arturo D. Brion; professor Soledad Cagampang-de Castro; acting Chief Justice Antonio T. Carpio; Justice Secretary Leila M. de Lima.

Human rights lawyer Jose Manuel I. Diokno; Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Teresita J. Herbosa; Solicitor General Francis H. Jardeleza; women’s rights advocate Maria Carolina T. Legarda; Supreme Court Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro; lawyer Rafael Morales; former University of the Philippines law dean Raul C. Pangalangan; Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez.

Commission on Elections Commissioner Rene V. Sarmiento; Supreme Court Associate Justice Maria Lourdes A. Sereno; lawyer Manuel DJ Siayngco Jr.; University of the East law dean Amado D. Valdez; Supreme Court Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr.; lawyer Vicente Velasquez; former Ateneo law dean Cesar Villanueva; and former Executive Secretary Ronaldo B. Zamora.

The nominees can be grouped into five convenient clusters—associate justices; academics; government executives; lawyers; and legislators.

While the nominees are all lawyers, only those who make a living primarily from the practice of law, although they may have been in the three branches of government at one time or another, are being considered.

Academic excellence If brains or superior intellect were the main criterion, most nominees would fit the bill.

Consider this: Abad is a dean’s lister at Ateneo de Manila University where he earned his law degree while Brion graduated with a law degree from Ateneo in 1974, cum laude as well as class valedictorian, and went on to top the bar examinations in the same year with a grade of 91.65 percent.

Carpio graduated cum laude and valedictorian in 1975, and placed sixth in the bar.

De Castro earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, cum laude, in 1968, and law degree in 1972 among the top four of her class in UP. Sereno is an economics major from Ateneo and studied law in UP where she topped her class, graduated cum laude in 1984, and placed 14th in the bar exams the same year.

Velasco obtained his AB degree in Political Science from UP, finishing

the course in only three years. He went on to take up law in UP, and graduated eighth in the class of 1971 with a grade of 1.79. He placed sixth in the bar exams that same year with a grade of 89.85 percent.

Among the academics, the standouts are Pangalangan, an expert on constitutional and international law; and Villanueva, a former dean of the Ateneo Law School where he graduated cum laude and class valedictorian in 1983. Villanueva also obtained a Master of Laws from Harvard in 1989 and placed second in the Philippine bar examinations in 1981.

Gov’t officials From the government, Bautista is the holder of a Bachelor of Science degree in Legal Management from Ateneo in 1986, a Bachelor of Laws degree (valedictorian) from Ateneo in 1990, and a Master of Laws from Harvard in 1993.

De Lima graduated in 1980 from De La Salle University with an AB degree in History and finished her Bachelor of Laws degree (salutatorian) at the San Beda College of Law in 1985.

Jardeleza graduated salutatorian/cum laude from the UP College of Law in 1974, then moved on to place third in the bar exams the same year. In 1977, he obtained his Masters of Law from Harvard.

Among the lawyers, Diokno, the founding dean of De La Salle College of Law, chair of the Free Legal Assistance Group, and one of the country’s foremost human rights lawyers, is not a pushover. Diokno studied law at Northern Illinois University and graduated Juris Doctor of Laws, magna cum laude, in 1986.

Morales is an acknowledged expert in banking, finance, securities, investments, mergers and acquisitions.

He became a member of the Philippine Bar in 1975. He is a UP graduate (B.A., cum laude, 1970; LL.B., cum laude and class valedictorian, 1974).

Among the legislators, Zamora is a UP graduate.

At 18, he became the youngest ever editor in chief of the student newspaper, Philippine Collegian. In 1965, he earned a degree in Political Science (magna cum laude) and in 1969, Bachelor of Laws degree (magna cum laude). The valedictorian of his law class, Zamora topped the 1969 bar examinations.

Management expertise Those with proven outstanding management expertise include Brion, who became a member of the Supreme Court in March 2008 after a two-year stint as secretary of labor and employment, and Carpio, acting Chief Justice who served for four years as chief presidential legal counsel under the Ramos administration until 1996, and De Castro, a former presiding justice of the Sandiganbayan.

Pangalangan and Valdez also have sufficient managerial expertise as dean of law schools.

Among the outstanding government executives are Bautista, De Lima, former chair of the Commission on Human Rights, Herbosa, Jardeleza and Sarmiento.

Cagampang-de Castro used to be the executive director of the Minerals Development Council under the Office of the President, while Diokno is the founding dean of De La Salle College of Law, and chair of the Free Legal Assistance Group.

Legarda is founding chair of the Child Justice League, a foundation dedicated to providing free legal assistance to abused children and children in conflict with the law.

Morales was chosen as the leading lawyer in corporate and commercial law by The Asia Pacific Legal 500 in 2004 and was on the list of the 2003 International Who’s Who of banking lawyers.

Rodriguez served as vice governor of Misamis Oriental from 1984 to 1987 and was head of the Bureau of Immigration from 1998 to 2001.

Zamora, first elected as assemblyman of the defunct Batasang Pambansa in 1978, became a member of the executive committee in 1981 and also served as majority leader and as minority leader in the House of Representatives as well as executive secretary from 19982001.

He served as a member of the Executive Committee under the Marcos administration (19781984); minister of state, Department of Public Works and Highways (19781984); member, Board of Regents, University of the Philippines at various times from 1972 to 2001); and presidential assistant for legal affairs (1975-1978); and assistant executive secretary for legal affairs, Office of the President, (1972-1975). n

News-Phils

17 WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012

Aquino slams news delivery during TV network’s bash

BY TJ BURGONIO Philippine Daily Inquirer WHY GREET viewers a “Magandang gabi, bayan (Good evening, nation)” when you’re dishing out bad news?

President Benigno Aquino III lashed out at executives, producers and staff of ABS-CBN’s “TV Patrol” for highlighting the negative in their early evening news program during the show’s silver anniversary celebration at the Manila Hotel.

Mr. Aquino was particularly alluding to the program’s news main anchor, former Vice President Noli de Castro, whom he criticized for what he called his skeptical, outof-place snide remarks about otherwise good stories by the field reporters.

Mr. Aquino said that in October 2011, the program aired a story about a 200-percent spike in passenger arrivals at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.

‘Good news’ “This is good news. In spite of this, one of your news anchors managed to comment, and I quote, ‘Nasa Naia 3 ka kasi; kung nasa Naia 1 ka, doon malala (That’s because you’re in Naia 3. If you were in Naia 1, it’s terrible there),’” he said.

“It made me wonder, what has the report about Naia 3 got to do with Naia 1? Has anybody said Naia has

been fixed? If someone did, it’s not us. Perhaps he has forgotten the structure is 30 years old,” the President said in Filipino.

“It got me to thinking: Didn’t the commentator hold the reins of government for six years? Let’s say they only inherited the problem. But what they passed on to us is a much older problem. He had been given six years to help fix the problem he’s complaining about. And now that we’re dealing with the problem, we still hear comments like that and it hurts,” the President said.

Praise for ‘TV Patrol’ Mr. Aquino spoke before a crowd of ABS-CBN executives, led by chair and chief executive officer Gabby Lopez, president Charo Santos-Concio and news and current affairs division head Ging Reyes as well as officials and staff of “TV Patrol” in the hotel’s Fiesta Pavilion.

Mr. Aquino started off on a light note, recalling how as a youngster, he used to tune in to “Radyo Patrol” for instant news especially when the power had been cut off by a storm.

He praised “TV Patrol” for its courage and determination in bringing news and information to the public, especially in times of disasters, for the past 25 years and being the source of accurate reporting “when there are doubts in the minds of the public about certain issues.”

Term limits won’t be messed with–JPE

BY CHRISTIAN V. ESGUERRA Philippine Daily Inquirer SENATE President Juan Ponce Enrile yesterday opened the upper chamber’s third regular session in the 15th Congress, and slammed the door on term extensions for elected officials in the renewed drive to amend the Constitution.

In a speech, Enrile said Charter change could become a major issue in the chamber but maintained that any amendments to the Constitution would be limited to its economic provisions.

“Let me be very clear about this–we will agree to such a move to amend the Constitution but only with respect to the economic provisions of the present Charter,” he said.

“Speaker Feliciano Belmonte and I do not seek to revise the Constitution.

Rather we seek to amend only certain economic provisions so that there will be more flexibility in the ownership of certain industries, particularly those involving the exploration, development and utilization of our natural resources.”

In a later interview, Enrile ruled out amending other provisions of the Constitution, such as one setting the term limits of government officials.

“It will not happen because the two houses agreed and we will pass the resolution. You will see whether we are

going to tinker with other provisions of the Constitution,” he said.

Enrile said only he and Belmonte were pushing for amendments. He said he had not discussed the matter with his Senate colleagues.

“I have to discuss it with them. I cannot assume their concurrence but I will explain the thrust of our proposal,” he told reporters.

Enrile in his speech laid down the Senate’s legislative agenda, one focused on helping spur the economy by improving the business climate.

“The improvement of the economy is a vital government concern. But our way of allowing business to prosper must be guided, not only by a sense of free enterprise, but also by the spirit of stewardship,” he said.

“Your Senate, as part of this government, wishes to generate an economic climate that encourages the creation of goods and services in a playing field that is intentionally made fair for all,” he said.

Enrile said the upper chamber would prioritize measures such as the one seeking to “prohibit or discourage the formation of anticompetitive mergers and anticompetitive conduct.”

“In order to protect our people, we must ensure that prices are dictated by the market and not fixed as a result of any corporation’s control over the quantity of products produced,” he said. n

But for most of his speech, he zeroed in on De Castro’s remarks on some of the stories, including last month’s rescue of an abducted Burmese boy by the National Bureau of Investigation and the dialogue between Transportation Secretary Mar Roxas and public transport drivers on the transport fare hike.

Burmese boy rescue The rescue had all the elements of a good story: The authorities got a tip, and they acted on it, rescuing the victim and the boy was reunited with his parents, Mr. Aquino said.

“Everybody was happy except our anchor who managed to remark that maybe the rescue operation was set up and that a ransom was paid,” Mr. Aquino said.

“No matter how the reporter explained the operation— that the NBI conducted its own surveillance and that they had chanced upon the boy without anybody guarding him—the anchor kept pushing his point,” he said.

“Surely, while patrolling every nook and cranny of the country, you’d stumble upon a positive story that could be a source of inspiration and hope for our countrymen. It’s doubtful that if you air this news, the TV and radio sets of your avid listeners would go on fire,” the President said.

He clarified that he was not asking the network to project a good image of the administration but to present a balance of good and bad news. n

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Opinion

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012 18

THERE’S THE RUB

Altered state

BY CONRADO DE QUIROS Philippine Daily Inquirer FIRST OFF, a couple of impressions.

One is that P-Noy has just cemented his position as the best speaker among all the postwar presidents. Including Magsaysay, including Marcos, including Erap. He doesn’t go for bombast, he goes for heart-to-heart.

And with it manages to hold the attention of an audience for a long period of time. Last Monday’s Sona was as long as it got—I myself felt it was too long. But I didn’t see anyone, including stalwarts of the opposition, yawning his mouth off. Maybe they were looking for things to criticize, as P-Noy himself suggested they were wired to do. But they were listening.

That is no small feat.

His advantage is that he writes his own speeches. I doubt his predecessors ever did.

He gets inputs from his staff, but in spite of the egregiously tactless, and quite wrong, claims of some of them that they are to be credited (or blamed) for the crafting of his speeches, he does it himself. The major ones, specifically, like the Sona. Last Monday’s, as indeed his previous two, carried the stamp of his personality and his thinking. That’s what gave them sincerity. That’s what made people, whether they were determined to believe him or not, listen.

Two is the stroke of brilliance of apprising the people of the state of their being in Filipino.

I said it last year when the power of Filipino as the language for the Sona became patent. That power has been unleashed even more today. I doubt the audience at the Batasan, never mind the far bigger one watching TV, would have hung on to P-Noy’s words if those were in English. The use of Filipino is a humongous message enough in itself, affirming as it does P-Noy’s pitch that his Sona is a “report kay Boss.” P-Noy’s boss is not the foreign diplomat, he is the driver, laborer and housewife listening to him on TV or radio. You do not report to that boss in English, you report to him in the language he understands.

It was a dazzling sight, the foreign guests looking at the world with furrowed brows while concentrating on the translation in their earphones. Which is as it should be. In the past, it was the audience out there, if not inside the Batasan, that looked at the world with furrowed brows wondering what the hell their president, real or fake, was talking about. If, as in the case of P-Noy’s immediate predecessor, they wondered at all; if, as in the case of P-Noy’s immediate predecessor, they listened at all. But talk of things being lost in the translation: If P-Noy’s predecessors’ Sonas sent any clear message at all, it was that the state of the nation was that Filipinos were second-class citizens in it.

There were many highlights in P-Noy’s speech, but the one I thought pretty much summed things up was the part where he said his critics were always asking: “Can you eat

anticorruption?” To which his answer was: “But of course.”

His government’s accomplishments were proof of it. Of course you can quibble with some of the items in his laundry list, which indeed the usual suspects promptly did. Reductions in unemployment are always a tricky thing, which depend on your definition of employment. The sudden spurt of growth seems to have come from the spurt of government spending after it had held on to the money like a miser last year. The question now is whether that can be sustained after that stimulus goes. And the claim that if the weather permits we could be exporting rice next year rests on one very big if in these days of El Niño and La Niña.

But even with these, you have got to be impressed with what government has done in virtually every department, particularly those that directly impact on the poor. In education, government has removed the backlog in classrooms and textbooks and raised the budget for schools and state universities. In agriculture, government has banished the “unlimited rice” mentality (P-Noy’s words) of importing rice in limitless quantities, and brought the country to near-sufficiency in rice production. In health, 85 percent of all Filipinos now enjoy Philhealth, allowing them to care for their sick without having to worry where their money would come from.

True enough, you have a decent government, there are no limits to what you can do. There are no limits to how high you can rise from your

prostrate—and hungry—state. Yes, you can eat anticorruption.

But more than that your body can eat anticorruption, your soul can devour it, too.

Never underestimate the power of justice. That is what gets a country going, that is what gets a people surging.

In the end, the power of P-Noy’s Sona last Monday lies in that it gives you a sense that, whether by small steps or by leaps and bounds, this country is finally moving forward, or indeed finally moving on, the favorite mantra on the past regime. It gives you the sense that things are changing, that the rotten ways of the past are disappearing, that this is truly a country under new management. It gives you the sense that if a new energy, a new outlook, a new spirit is taking hold of the bureaucracy as well as the citizenry, we can do with a lot more “Noynoying.”

It stands to reason. If corruption is selfperpetuating and sinks the country in its bog, then decency is self-perpetuating, too, and lifts the country on its wings. If corruption breeds a culture, a culture of impunity, of gulangan, of lying, cheating and stealing, then decency is a culture, too, a culture of possibility, of bayanihan, of doing, aspiring, and transcending. Yes, you can eat decency, in the same way that you can eat honesty and integrity and pride in being a Filipino, in more ways than with rice and patis.

What is the state of the nation? P-Noy left the Pinoy in no doubt about it last Monday.

The state of the nation is an altered state. n

AT LARGE

Rhetoric and a glass half-full

BY RINA JIMENEZ-DAVID Philippine Daily Inquirer

BY NOW, after three State of the Nation Addresses, we have become familiar with the stylistic flourishes that President Noynoy employs. One such approach is the shift to the individual and personal after summing up the “macro” accomplishments of his administration.

This time around, he resorted to assuring ordinary Filipinos that whatever achievements he could boast of, whatever benefits they enjoyed, were not the work of P-Noy alone, or of his officials, but of the people themselves: “Kasama ka sa gumawa nito (You are part of this accomplishment).”

I was tempted to ask, though I did not do so out loud, if P-Noy was also implicating all of “us” in the shortfalls and failures of his administration. Opposition congresswoman Mitos Magsaysay, who is touted as joining the UNA senatorial slate in next year’s polls, was quick to cite statistics on hunger, self-rated poverty and the rising costs of electricity and fuel when interviewed by a dzIQ reporter.

And indeed, these were neglected areas in the President’s otherwise sweeping address.

Then again, as I pointed out during the post-Sona analysis (with anchor John Susi and “mom blogger” Noem Lardizabal-Dado over dzIQ), the Sona is not just a “report card” on the administration’s performance in the past year. It

is also a “road map” of the year to come, as well as a clarion call to the nation to follow wherever it is the leadership wants to take us. You do not dilute the power of inspiration with a recital of failures. In fact, you want your audience to forget them at the moment. The time for difficult explanations and convoluted reasoning, though necessary, is not at the Sona. *** But Noem and I believed that P-Noy did neglect key areas in his speech. One was the “Right of Information” bill, which almost passed in the last Congress, but seems doomed to start from scratch in the next, due in large part to the reluctance of the executive to endorse it.

Noem in particular was upset because, she said, the “blogging” community felt that access to government documents was necessary if they, otherwise ordinary citizens, were to gain the information they needed to make thoughtful commentaries.

I was amused at the elated response of the reproductive health community at P-Noy’s mention of “responsible parenthood” in relation to the never-ending shortfall in classrooms, books and school supplies. Many, including leaders of family planning groups and even Rep. Edcel Lagman, main sponsor of the RH bill, chose to see the glass half-full, saying this was by way of a subtle endorsement of the controversial bill.

I thought the President could have said more.

And as Sen. Pia Cayetano pointed out: “He should just have come out with his support for the reproductive health bill if that is what he

meant.” Still, this did not escape the ire of the Catholic bishops, with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines in what appears to be a knee-jerk response, tartly saying that P-Noy did not “really” mean support for responsible parenthood, but support for contraceptives.

A piece of advice for our President: You will never shake the bishops from their staunch opposition to reproductive health, family planning, or even responsible parenthood.

Sugarcoating your terms will not soften their stance. Test their public support by saying what you really mean, and by endorsing the RH bill. Then you can try smoothing their ruffled feathers. *** But I will admit I was somewhat swept away by P-Noy’s Sona rhetoric. And what he said is true. Filipinos now have greater reason to hold our heads up high. To borrow a phrase from Reagan’s campaign: It’s morning in the Philippines.

Only the most churlish, I think, would begrudge the rosy economic figures and the growing optimism among the business community, investors, and potential call-center employees.

But I would caution P-Noy from harping too much on the gulf between the rosy predictions of the foreign media and the locals’ persistent criticisms and cynicism. If I recall right, his mother, too, aired the same complaints. But part of being President is being able to put up with homegrown criticism, even if, as then President Fidel Ramos once said of the media:

“Reading our newspapers, there are days I want to commit suicide; on other days, I want to commit homicide.”

However nettlesome, critical media are one of the blessings of democracy. A leader needs people who tell him the truth, who point out the gaps where supporters will only see achievements. The media can be allies— uncertain and wavering, true—but ultimately useful in that they tell the truth even if it is uncomfortable or unwelcome. Only then can a leader find his way to his ultimate destination. *** I saw for the first time a current picture of James Holmes—the Colorado shooter was seated in a courtroom with his court-appointed counsel.

You don’t know whether to laugh out loud or hiss in anger at this innocent-looking person with a mop of hair dyed a ridiculous shade of orange. He doesn’t look so much like The Joker as a twisted version of Ronald McDonald.

Still, there he sat, goggle-eyed and seemingly out of it. I “felt the pain” of some of the parents of victims in the shooting, beholding this young man and wondering how such an appearance of innocence could harbor so much homicidal wrath.

Reports said it may take up to a year before Holmes’ trial can get underway. Maybe America can use the intervening days to ponder whether it can still afford such lax gun laws that anyone, even an orange-haired though intelligent misfit, can buy high-powered weapons and order thousands of rounds of ammunition online. n

Opinion

19 WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012

LOOKING BACK

Silk socks for the President

BY AMBETH OCAMPO Philippine Daily Inquirer TRACING the footsteps of our heroes abroad is easier than tracing their footsteps in the Philippines, where street names and landscapes change so often. Aside from heritage sites and structures, we should also preserve street names. We should oppose the renaming of any street over 50 years old because it has been “sanctified by usage.”

Trailing Artemio Ricarte in Yokohama, I was first directed to the memorial in Yamashita Park, but I insisted on finding the place where he lived, the site of the “Karihan Luvimin” that was probably the first Filipino restaurant in Japan. The address he provided was: “Artemio Ricarte Vibora. Karihan Café. No. 149 Yamasitacho, Yokohama, Japan malapit sa Post Office at Kagacho Police Station.” This exact address still exists; on it now stands the upscale Chinese restaurant Heichinrou. However, we have been informed that the original plot of Ricarte’s restaurant was subdivided, hence the Karihan Café might actually be located in a lower-end panciteria.

Mariano Ponce lived in Yokohama earlier than Ricarte. His address was 637 Miyokoji Yama, Kitagata, Korakigun. In August 1898 Ponce wrote: “I live in an exotic place outside the boundary of Yokohama. Korakigun is in the second electoral district (Yokohama being the first) of Kanagawa Ken or

Kanagawa Prefecture. Our house has paper windows and a plank floor. It is situated at a height, near the terrace of a Buddhist temple and cemetery. From the first hours of the day till the late hours of the evening we hear the continuous beating of drums in the temples that serve to call the attention of the divine to the prayers of the faithful.”

Like his friend Jose Rizal, Ponce was multilingual. Unlike Rizal, however, Ponce found it difficult to memorize Japanese words. I think Rizal learned quickly because he had Usui Seiko to teach him, so Ponce followed his example and took a Japanese wife named Okiyo Udanwara. Ponce travelled to Tokyo frequently to meet up with the Japanese he had met and befriended in Europe.

In the two famous photos with Sun YatSen taken in his Korakigun home, Ponce is in Japanese attire.

Another way to reconstruct Ponce’s life in Japan is to look at his expenses, as detailed in a letter to Galicano Apacible in March 1899: “Expenses for December 1898: winter overcoat $9.70; trip to Kobe to receive the Commission 119.97; kitchen expenses etc.

85.49; gifts for Christmas and the New Year 37.10; topcoat 23.00; a pair of armchairs 8.00; wool shirts 4.50; writing desk 7.00; entrusted to Mr. Agoncillo 40.00; a desk clock 3.00; 10 marks for photographs 5.60; a winter suit 30.00; two mattresses 8.00;

a blanket, gloves and a Japanese topcoat for house wear 14.40; a portfolio 4.30; 12 photographs 4.00; postage and telegraph 14.66; four trips to Tokyo to accompany the Commission 18.78; two invitations to Japanese friends 42.60; house, servant, transportation and other small expenses 26.00 “Expenses for January 1899: kitchen expenses etc. $89.64; silk shirts and socks for the President 109.00; A. Weinberger & Co. a telegraphic consultation to Europe 64.68; telegraphic reply to the above 38.70; Telemetro entrusted to the Director of War 10.00; trips to Tokyo 39.06; Cigars and cigarettes 6.00; one dozen handkerchiefs and travelling mirror 5.00; 100 calling cards 1.25; some décor for the sala 4.79; trip to Kamakura with some friends 9.00; embarkation of General Riego and Sr. Rivera 3.69; doctor and medicines 17.00; a pair of shoes 4.75; postage and four telegrams 49.80; house and servant 20.00; lavandera and small expenses 15.00; reproduction of the photographs taken by Mr. Luna; Smoking jacket 33.00; advance for things entrusted to Lichauco 30.70; books: International Law 2.35, Civil Code of Japan 6.00, Almanac de Gotha 5.50, Le Japon V[r]ai (The True Japan) 1.75, Korea 2.00, History of Japan 0.50 “Expenses for February 1899: household expenses 81.60; house and servants 20; a pair of charol shoes 5.00; trip to Tokyo

on 7 February 21.84; wine, biscuits, etc. 9.00; February 9 invite for Dr. Sun Yat-Sen and others 17.40; trip to Sujita 7.50; telegram on 18 February 6.40; To Yokohama Specie Bank by telegram 12.88; newspapers, subscriptions 8.00; February 24 trip to Tokyo 9.00; box and bulk load sent to Hongkong 6.25; invite the ‘Yorodzu Choho’ 22.00; spent by Mr. Ramos and Mr. David 15.00; half a dozen utensils 6.00; a book ‘The Kojiki’ 4.00; Dentist 2.50; small presents for people of the press 38.00; entrusted to Mr. Nagano 200.00; salary of Japanese translator and interpreter 30.00; small expenses, transport, etc. 4.50.”

Are these the public relations expenses of the Japan representative of the First Republic? A smoking jacket? Silk socks for President Aguinaldo? Our Commission on Audit would probably disallow many of the expenses on the grounds that these were personal in nature, but Ponce justified the above as necessary to keep a good image with people sympathetic to the Philippine cause. Japanese journalists and politicians, Sun Yat-Sen and even a Korean prince were entertained in Ponce’s home outside Yokohama.

Ponce’s expenses help us understand how hard the First Republic fought to attain international recognition after the United States acquired the Philippines from Spain in 1899 for $20 million at the conclusion of the Spanish-American War. n

AS I SEE IT

P-Noy did not mention a spreading scourge

BY NEAL H. CRUZ Philippine Daily Inquirer I AGREE with most of what President Aquino said in his State of the Nation Address but he forgot (or deliberately avoided mentioning) an important problem: squatting.

Squatting is like a pestilence spreading all over the country. It is causing the decay of many cities and contributes to the poor image of the Philippines. While tall, sparkling buildings are rising in some areas like the Global City in Taguig and other select places, the decay caused by squatters is spreading in many other areas, especially in Quezon City, now dubbed the Squatter Capital of the Philippines.

While the Department of Tourism is trying to attract more tourists (and the President mentioned the very modest increase in tourist arrivals in his Sona), we are turning them away with the sight of many squatter colonies in the country. Even before their plane lands, tourists can see through the windows squatter colonies surrounding the airport. On the way to their hotels, they see more squatter shacks lining the roads. The government tries to hide them from the eyes of arriving foreigners during important international conferences by building walls around them or painting them to hide the dirt, but that does not stop the spread, like a malignant cancer, of the pestilence.

The government can and should do something about this scourge, but it does not and pretends that the problem does not exist.

The primary reason for squatting is of course the grinding poverty in the country. Many people do not have the means to buy residential lots and build their homes there. Condominiums are mushrooming all over the country but their unit prices are way above the reach of those who need them most. The result is squatting, the unlawful taking of somebody else’s private property. All the bright claims of the President in his Sona are worthless if he does not solve the squatting problem.

The primary reason for poverty and squatting is the lack of job opportunities. A large segment of the nation’s skilled labor force is forced to leave their families to work abroad, risking life and limb in strife-torn countries in the Middle East. The government is happy that the OFWs are sending home their earnings to boost the economy. Indeed, it is mostly the OFW remittances that is keeping the Philippine economy afloat. That is like a band-aid covering a deep festering wound.

What will happen to the immigrant workers in the Middle East if the violence spreads? What do we have in store for the returning OFWs? Joblessness and poverty.

What is the government doing to reduce unemployment and poverty? Giving them doleouts in the Conditional Cash Transfer Program without the beneficiaries having to do anything in return. Yet what the poor want and

need are not beggar’s alms but jobs. The country needs the work force to keep the waterways clean and garbage-free.

It is the garbage carelessly thrown in the streets and waterways that clog the drainage systems and cause the frequent floods that we have to endure.

Can’t we oblige those who receive cash doleouts to police their communities to prevent their neighbors from throwing their trash in the streets and waterways? Can’t they help clean these waterways to help prevent flooding in exchange for the cash? Can’t they help in planting tree seedlings on bald mountainsides to prevent landslides that can kill them? Won’t the poor be proud of themselves that they are doing something for their communities and the country instead of feeling like beggars receiving the doleouts?

Can’t the government construct mediumrise buildings for the squatters that can be sold or rented to them for modest prices? The government’s relocation efforts have been largely unsuccessful because the squatters are thrown in out-of-the way places far from their sources of livelihood. So they sell the lots that were assigned to them and go back to squatting in the city. The program does not solve the problem but exacerbates it.

Another reason for the spread of squatting is opportunism. Not all squatters are poor. A large segment of them are plain opportunists who build shacks on somebody else’s property and rent them out to the genuine poor. Some of

them steal electricity and water and sell them to their neighbors at exorbitant prices. Note that many of them have stores and shops earning profits for them. Yet they pay no business and real estate taxes to the government and no rent to the owner of the property squatted on. This is clearly plain opportunism and illegal, yet the national and local governments do nothing and tolerate them, and the tolerance encourages others to do the same thing and the pestilence spreads.

A major reason for the tolerance is politics.

Politicians tolerate and even encourage squatting because of the votes it brings. Some local politicians, including barangay officials, even bring in the squatters themselves to add to their votes during elections.

When law enforcement authorities try to eject squatters from an area, you can be sure that some tinhorn politician, maybe a congressman, a mayor, or a barangay captain, will quickly arrive to stop the demolition, putting up a great show for the benefit of the squatters and the television cameras, which of course will earn him more votes when he runs for reelection.

The administration of President Aquino, if it wants to be true to his Sona promises, has to do something about the squatting problem.

We can’t expect the local governments to do it because of politics. The administration is going to create a Department of Housing. The elimination of squatting should be one of its primary responsibilities.

Business

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012 20

Property expert urges public to keep watch on interest rate

BY TESSA R. SALAZAR Philippine Daily Inquirer

ANALYSTS may be one in declaring that the Philippines is safe from a real estate bubble just yet. One expert, however, did urge the public to keep a close eye on reliable indicators. Enrique Soriano, Ateneo program director for real estate and senior adviser for Wong+Bernstein Business Advisory, advised that the country shouldn’t let its guard down.

Victor Asuncion, CBRE executive director for global research and consultancy, assured that there would be no asset price bubble in the Philippine real estate industry, as most projects being built in Metro Manila and other urban centers cater to endusers and not speculating buyers, at least in the office and residential sector.

Nevertheless, Julius Guevara, associate director, valuation and advisory services and head of consultancy and research of Colliers International told Inquirer Property that because of its cyclical nature and the long construction period before units could be delivered to their purchasers, the real estate market would still be susceptible to bubble effects.

Prospect of a bubble Guevara said: “Hence, the prospect of a bubble is always present. Bubbles typically emerge due to irrational price increases caused by speculative

investment. They can also occur when supply cannot address a sudden spurt in demand, and since construction can take years, the supply may be introduced at a time when the demand has already been addressed. Currently, we are not experiencing a price bubble, since demand for real estate has been driven mostly by end users and developer competition has kept pricing relatively stable.”

According to him, Colliers’ International’s observations during the first quarter of 2012 showed that reservation sales grew healthily compared to the same period last year.

“So, we see no signs of decline in demand as of yet. Moreover, our developer clients have learned greatly from the lessons of the 1997 Asian crisis, and they continuously monitor the state of the market, assessing whether it is time to step off the gas and slow down.”

Dark cloud Guevara, however, warned: “One dark cloud that we see in the horizon is the eventuality of an increase in interest rates. Currently, sales are being driven by local demand supported by easily affordable in-house payment schemes being offered by developers as well as low-interest housing loans from banks. They are able to provide low amortization packages because of a low interest rate environment.

Metrobank redeems P8.5B worth of debt notes

BY DORIS C. DUMLAO Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines—Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. is set to exercise its option to retire P8.5 billion worth of subordinated debt notes qualifying as tier 2 capital this October.

The tier 2 notes, which were issued in 2007, will mature in 2017 but Metrobank has the option to redeem them in the fifth year.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Thursday, Metrobank said its board had approved the early redemption of the notes.

“We are projecting that the early redemption will reduce our capital adequacy ratio from 15.4 percent as of June 30, 2012, to 13.5 percent, which is considered compliant with the BSP

[Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas] minimum CAR requirement,” said Jette Gamboa, Metrobank head of strategic planning and investor relations.

Metrobank’s long-term strategy is to sustain profitability and maintain a healthy balance sheet. The bank grew its net profit in the first three months by 40 percent year on year to P4.3 billion on higher earnings across lending, treasury, and investment and fee-based businesses. It grew its loan book by 18 percent in the first quarter to P456.1 billion year on year. It ended March with P909.1 billion in consolidated assets and total equity of P109.7 billion.

Last May, Metrobank named seasoned banker Fabian Dee as its new president, taking over the post of Arthur Ty, who was elevated to the post of chairman. n

“Benchmarks such as US Treasury rates and the Libor rate are at historically low levels, and Philippine lending rates have also followed suit.

Given that they are at historical lows, it should be expected that they will one day go up; the question is when.

Once the global economy improves and inflation needs to be checked, these rates definitely will rise, thereby affecting the ability of these developers and banks to offer affordable payment options,” he added.

Rate adjustments Soriano agreed, but said: “Rate adjustments are not necessarily dark clouds. As a matter of fact, it can be favorable in harmonizing the sector.

Increases in rates are actually a good remedy to balance the demand and supply.”

He added that an adjustment in interest and mortgage rates is inevitable. Interest rate has an enormous effect on property values because of the direct correlation on the price of borrowing money.

Interest rates may not necessarily dampen demand for real estate purchases, said Claro dG. Cordero Jr., Jones Lang LaSalle Leechiu’s head of research, consulting and valuation in the Philippines.

Competition among developers “The decline in interest rates has certainly helped the demand for housing

to increase but while this is true, an increase in interest rates in the near future may not necessarily dampen the demand for real estate purchases. One of the reasons interest rates went down (aside from structural changes initiated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) is the competition among the developers. The sheer volume of new residential projects scheduled to be completed in the next five years is likely to influence interest rates to continue to trade at low levels.”

Cordero added that “when interest rates eventually increase, we can expect real estate prices to go down (or get corrected). Hence, while interest rates may eventually increase (and we can expect the payment schemes being offered by banks to tighten), the additional incentive for buyers is the relatively lower housing prices.”

CBRE Philippines said: “While interest rates, indeed, reached considerably low levels, the strong peso as well as continued positive developments in the market contribute highly in stabilizing the prevailing rates. Government spending is aptly covered by local and foreign credit, while confidence levels from the business sector remained high, thus mitigating risk considerations. Money supply is sufficient vis-à-vis the requirements for current developments and impending projects, hence increase at this point is not likely to happen within the immediate future.” n

Cooking gas supply in PH stable, says Almendras

BY AMY R. REMO Philippine Daily Inquirer Energy Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras assured the public on Wednesday of adequate supply of cooking gas, belying reports of a shortage by some market players, including the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers Association (LPGMA).

On the sidelines of the Security Bank Economic Forum on Wednesday, Almendras said that the perceived shortage was merely due to the “overdrawing” by the small players.

This, he said, would be investigated by a team from the Department of Energy.

“It’s not a problem of supply. It’s a problem of overdrawing. You have all your small refilling stations and small brands buying from one source, which is Liquigaz.

On July 16, the inventory level was normal, but when we checked on Monday, the inventory was very low. When we asked them, they answered that it was because of a delayed shipment,” Almendras said.

“But the truth is, somebody announced that there would be a price increase next month. So naturally, everybody wanted to buy as much as they could. That’s what really happened. So I sent a team from the DOE to Liquigaz because I wanted a list of those who bought more than they would normally,” he said.

LPG supply from the big players was also stable, Almendras added.

LPGMA party list Representative Arnel Ty on Tuesday said there was a shortage, due to efforts by some suppliers to hold on to their inventory until prices are raised.

It was estimated that LPG prices would increase by P7 per kilogram in August, which is equivalent to a P77-hike per standard 11-kg tank.

Member companies of LPGMA, which currently account for an estimated 30 percent of the Luzon market, carry LPG brands such as Island Gas, Regasco Gas, Pinnacle Gas, Cat Gas, M-Gas, Omni Gas and Nation Gas.

Sports Britain misses another chance for 1st London gold, China continues to dominate

Wimbledon champions Roger Federer and Serena Williams each won their second-round matches in the Olympic tennis tournament.

BY DENNIS PASSA THE ASSOCIATED PRESS LONDON - Britain missed yet another good chance to claim its first gold medal of the London Olympics. Considering the sport and the competition, though, it wasn’t entirely surprising.

The 18-year-old Tom Daley and his partner Peter Waterfield led through the first three rounds of the six-dive platform synchro final Monday and were poised to deliver the host country’s first gold of the games before a botched fourth dive cost them a spot on the podium.

Instead, Cao Yuan and Zhang Yanquan continued China’s domination in diving.

At the last Olympics in Beijing, China won nine of the 10 diving events. In London so far, the Chinese have won two of the first two finals.

German Sanchez and Ivan Garcia of Mexico earned the silver and Americans Nick McCrory and David Boudia the bronze.

After 28 medal events through 2 1/2 days of competition, Britain has a cycling silver and a swimming bronze. China topped the table with seven golds.

Japan’s first gold medal of the games came in Judo, with Kaori Matsumoto of Japan winning the women’s 57-kilogram division.

Wimbledon champions Serena Williams and Roger Federer each won their secondround matches in the Olympic tennis tournament at the All England Tennis Club, site of their Grand Slam title more than three weeks ago.

Williams beat Urszula Radwanska of Poland 6-2, 6-3, while Federer had a similarly easy time defeating Julien Benneteau of France 6-2, 6-2.

American Andy Roddick beat Martin Klizan of Slovakia 7-5, 6-4 in a first-round match delayed by Sunday’s rain. Roddick

converted only two of 13 breakpoint chances but dominated with his serve. ``I served really well,’’ he said. ``I would have liked to have converted more break points. But I got a couple and, thankfully, that’s all I needed.’’

Lleyton Hewitt of Australia and Nikolay Davydenko of Russia, both three-time Olympians, won their opening matches.

No. 9-seeded Juan Monaco of Argentina, No. 13 Marin Cilic of Croatia, No. 16 Richard Gasquet of France and big-serving Milos Raonic of Thornhill, Ont.m also advanced.

Top-seeded Victoria Azarenka moved into the second round with a 6-1, 3-6, 6-1 win over Irina-Camelia Begu of Romania.

Azarenka needs to win gold to retain the top ranking in women’s tennis.

In morning swim qualifying, Michael Phelps opened the defence of his Olympic title in the 200-metre butterfly with the fifth-fastest qualifying time. Phelps has yet to have the quickest time in the morning heats at the London Games, four years after he won a record eight gold medals in Beijing. ``I’m pretty happy with that swim,’’ Phelps said. ``That’s all I needed it to be.’’

Phelps has won the 200 butterfly at the last two Olympics and set the world record at the 2009 world championships.

The big race at the pool on Monday night was set to be the men’s 200-meter freestyle.

It features a loaded field, including Sun Yang of China, Park Tae-hwan of South Korea, American Ryan Lochte, Yannick Agnel of France and world record-holder Paul Biedermann of Germany.

At the rowing regatta in Windsor, west of London, Australia issued a challenge to archrival Britain in the men’s four, setting an Olympic-best time in the heats to qualify fastest for the semifinals.

The flagship boats of both countries made their first appearances on Dorney Lake, with Australia making a bigger impression by winning the first heat in 5 minutes, 47.06 seconds. That broke Germany’s Olympic best time from eight years ago in Athens by 1.46 seconds.

Britain, which has won this event at the last three games, clocked 5:50.27. If they both progress to the final on Saturday from Thursday’s semifinals, it will be the most eagerly anticipated race of the regatta given the history and rivalry of the countries in this event.

London’s overstretched transit system won what could be described as a silver medal - or at least a podium performance - for handling the strain of the extra traffic of the Olympics. Monday morning’s rush hour was the biggest test yet of the host city’s transport network, as spectators and tourists heading for the games joined

the city’s workers during peak hour. The games opened Friday night.

Sporting events are taking place across London, from the Olympic Park in the east to tennis at Wimbledon in the southwest, equestrian contests at Greenwich in the southeast and football at Wembley Stadium in the west.

On Monday, French president Francois Hollande said he was considering a bid for the 2024 Summer Games after losing out to London in the race to host the 2012 Olympics.

Hollande, who was in London to meet with the French athletes competing at the games, said he would back a bid if ``all the conditions of success are present.’’

France has ruled out a bid for the 2020 Olympics following Annecy’s humiliating defeat for the 2018 Winter Games. Before losing to London, the French capital had also failed to win the hosting rights for the 2008 Games, which were awarded to Beijing. n

Nonito Donaire: I fell in love with my power

Photo courtesy of Larry Burton

Neale Cousland / Shutterstock.com

21 WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012

BY MARC ANTHONY REYES Philippine Daily Inquirer MANILA, Philippines—WBO and IBF super bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. told the Inquirer that he abandoned a vital part of his game plan in an attempt to hammer out a knockout victory over South African Jeffrey Mathebula.

Donaire said he hopes to get back to training soon to prepare for his next bout.

“I fell in love with the power (coming from his fists),” Donaire said. “When I knocked him down, I thought I could do it again, instead of setting it up like what [trainer] Robert [Garcia] told me.

“The thing that I didn’t do was throw my straight. It would have been

different if I was able to keep doing it, but I wanted a spectacular knockout.”

Donaire wants to correct that flaw the soonest he can head back to the gym.

“As soon as my hand heals I want to go back to training,” he said.

Top Rank already lined up Mexican former 122-lb champ Jorge Arce as Donaire’s next foe in October, reportedly at Staples Center in Los Angeles to lure the large Filipino and Mexican audience in the area.

Donaire’s left hand was still swollen two days after taking Mathebula’s IBF crown via a unanimous decision at Home Depot Center.

He said the left that felled Mathebula late in the fourth was only a “check hook.”

“I wasn’t even in good balance but that almost knocked him out,” Donaire said. “If I hit him like how I hit (Fernando) Montiel, he would never get up. But it’s hard because he’s tall and he was running away.”

Donaire said he’s willing to fight anybody, even Cuban Guillermo Rigondeax. The amateur star with two Olympic golds but whose pro career is largely untested tried to get his attention by calling him a “coward.”

The boxer dubbed as Filipino Flash said: “Top Rank is going for anyone who is easiest to deal with. Other guys will have to wait.” n

22 WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012

B.C. premier won’t sign national energy strategy until pipeline dispute resolved HALIFAX - British Columbia Premier Christy Clark refused Friday to join her provincial counterparts in crafting a national energy strategy, insisting that a public feud over the Northern Gateway pipeline has to be resolved before she can proceed.

Clark stepped out of meetings at the Council of the Federation in Halifax to make the announcement as premiers tried to cobble together a pan-Canadian strategy on energy and before they broke for their final news conference.

She said she wouldn’t endorse a deal before discussions take place with Ottawa and Alberta over how B.C. would be compensated for allowing the $6-billion pipeline to carry heavy oil to the B.C. coast to be loaded onto tankers bound for Asia. ``British Columbia will not be participating in any of those discussions until after we’ve seen some progress that our requirements for the shipment of heavy oil will be met,’’ she told a hastily called news conference. ``It’s not a national energy strategy if British Columbia hasn’t signed on.’’

Clark and Alberta Premier Alison Redford have been locked in an intractable dispute over economic benefits associated with the megaproject proposed by Enbridge (TSX:ENB), with Clark saying the sides must talk before there can be any movement.

She said the two had a ``very frank discussion’’ about it Friday morning, but didn’t reveal details or if they planned on holding further talks on the matter.

Redford has said she sees no point in talking since the pipeline project is a private venture and British Columbia has to decide on its own how to proceed with trying to secure more revenue from it.

At the closing news conference, Redford said the lack of unanimity on a national energy plan wasn’t something that concerned her. ``I don’t think we should lament the fact that we’re not all the way there yet,’’ Redford said. ``I think we should actually celebrate a tremendous amount of success in that we had almost every premier in the country talking about the fact that we need to come together and talk about how to grow Canada’s energy economy.’’

Photo courtesy of BC Gov Photos

BY ALISON AULD THE CANADIAN PRESS

NEWS BRIEFS by The Canadian Press NEB approves Enbridge project in Ontario CALGARY - The National Energy Board said Friday it has approved Enbridge Inc.’s plan to reverse the flow of part of an oil pipeline in southern Ontario. The federal watchdog says it has imposed 15 conditions on the $16.9-million project, mainly having to do with pipeline integrity. n

Huge meteorite crater found in Arctic SASKATOON - Canadian researchers say they’ve discovered a 25-kilometre-wide meteorite crater in the western Arctic. University of Saskatchewan professor Brian Pratt and Keith Dewing of the Geological Survey of Canada made the discovery while exploring Victoria Island in a helicopter two years ago. n BC Premier Christy Clark

But after much talk going into the meeting of co-operation and the evolution of a pan-Canadian energy strategy, the premiers appeared to leave with little more than the creation of a working group of premiers that will build on a 2007 plan.

Still, the host of the annual meeting, Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter, said he wasn’t disappointed in the results of the gathering, which addressed health care, transfer payments, changes to employment insurance and aboriginal issues. He said the work of the council can continue despite the tussle between Alberta and B.C. ``I would like to see that work that we’re doing as a bridge over any kind of division,’’ he said.

Clark has said she decided to ask for an unspecified share of benefits from the Northern Gateway after doing analysis on the development, which will move bitumen from Alberta to the B.C. coast for shipment to Asia.

Her government has released five conditions she says need to be met before she can move forward with the pipeline. In addition to the demand for a greater portion of the economic benefits, they include the completion of an environmental review now underway, assurances that the ``best’’ responses will be available for potential spills on land and at sea, and that aboriginal rights will be recognized.

Clark repeated her position that the province bears too much risk from oil spills at sea or on land, while receiving only eight per cent in tax benefits.

She added another wrinkle to the feud when she called on Ottawa on Wednesday to sit down with her and Redford to hash out the issue. Foreign Affairs Minister John

Alberta premier to attend London Olympics EDMONTON - Alberta Premier Alison Redford is heading to the London Olympics at a cost to taxpayers of $84,000. Redford says during her five-day trip she will promote the province as a place to invest and do business. n

People keep eye on troubled prairie sky BALGONIE, Sask. - Environment Canada says the number of tornadoes to strike Saskatchewan so far this year is almost double what the province normally experiences in a summer. The overview comes as the agency checks reports that at least three twisters and possibly more swirled their way south and east of Regina Tuesday night. n

Canadian home prices to tumble 25%: report TORONTO - A new report suggests that if the Canadian real estate market continues to cool, house prices could see substantial declines next year and could fall by as much as 25 per cent over the long term. Capital Economics economist David Madani says a housing correction is inevitable and prices will decline by 25 per cent, with declines beginning next year. n Baird responded bluntly by questioning Clark’s stance and reiterating the federal government’s support for the project.

Redford has flatly dismissed Clark’s position as one that would ``fundamentally change Confederation’’ because it would mean new negotiations for projects throughout the country.

According to research in an application filed by Enbridge, 8.2 per cent of the Northern Gateway’s projected $81 billion tax revenue would flow to B.C. over a 30year period. That equates to $6.7 billion for B.C., while Ottawa is expected to receive

$36 billion and Alberta would earn $32 billion.

Saskatchewan is expected to top the remainder of the provinces in terms of tax benefit, receiving about $4 billion.

Enbridge’s proposed 1,177-kilometre twin line would carry heavy oil from Alberta across a vast swath of pristine B.C. wilderness and First Nations territory to a port at Kitimat, B.C., for shipment to Asia.

Last week, the company announced it will shore up $500 million in safety improvements.

Next year’s Council of the Federation meeting will be held in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. n

Canada News

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012 24

Don’t Let Toronto Die

BY ROMEO IGNACIO

“DON’T let me die. Save me.”

Joshua Yasay Gangs, gangs, gangs.

City bang bang.

Deaths, deaths, deaths.

The City of Toronto is in shambles.

Not yet. But soon.

Unless the government and the civil society will join hands in battling the fire of violence and creeping deaths which are spreading like wildfire in Ontario’s capital city.

Torontonians still keep their middle and index fingers crossed with the self serving assurance that Toronto is neither Detroit nor Colorado which is another showcase of gun violence in the United States.

If the benchmark of peace and order is by statistics, Toronto is by far safer than other North American cities. But even a single death should be enough to alarm the city bells of Toronto that something is going amiss. That Toronto is having hiccups with peace and order.

The Toronto of old is gone. It is neither here nor there.

Enough is enough.

Every citizen should not sit idly by and wait for the next victim of gun violence to fall and otherwise

become a regular spectator of senseless killings gone mad.

The adoption of the Toronto Anti-Violence Intervention Strategy (TAVIS) by the city is a good start and should serve as a warning to gangs that the city is after them. Toronto is taking the bull by the horn.

Hopefully, the city is not offering a band aid solution to the burgeoning gangland of Toronto.

Gangs have been too bold lately in the way they do things with innocent people often caught in the crossfire. Remember the Boxing Day shooting of Jane Creba in 2005 outside Eaton Centre?

And the shooting of Ahmed Hassan and Nixon Nirmaledran in Eaton’s food court in last June this year? How about Joshua Yasay, a FilipinoCanadian, and Shayne Charles who were waylaid by wayward bullets in a shoot out between rival gangs in a Scarborough community barbecue lately?

The ax of the city should now fall where it should fall.

And the judiciary should start to bite the bullet and impose harsher penalties on offences which involve any form of violence with the use of firearm or deadly weapon. Bail should not be granted as a matter of course. Let offenders rot in jail without any chance of doing their time in the community.

It doesn’t matter whether the offender is a first timer or a young person.

A first time offender is usually treated lightly and a young person is not given a jail term.

This is the reason why many young persons have the temerity to commit crimes and join gangs. They believe that the judicial system gives them special treatment and the society owes it to them.

There are about 185 active youth gangs in Toronto, Filipinos included.

It is not clear whether the rise in gangs is an offshoot of the government’s policy of multiculturalism.

Some argue that poverty, lack of social services or the ghettoization of ethnic communities may be the trigger.

But no amount of rationalization should make Torontonians sit back and wait for the city or federal government to take action. This is a collective effort.

Take Toronto back from the thugs.

Before he died, Yasay said “(D)on’t let me die.

Save me.”

Torontonians could not afford to hear another young man say this. Don’t let Toronto die. Save it. n The writer is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada and Integrated Bar of the Philippines. Please direct comments to rignaciolaw@gmail.com or contact (905) 5970963.

World News

25 WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012

BY JOHN LEICESTER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LONDON - The queen and James Bond gave the London Olympics a royal entrance like no other Friday in an opening ceremony that rolled to the rock of the Beatles, the Stones and The Who. And the creative genius of Danny Boyle spliced it all together.

Stunning. Cheeky, too.

The highlight of the Oscar-winning director’s $42 million show was pure movie magic, using trickery to make it seem that Britain’s beloved 86-year-old Queen Elizabeth II had parachuted into the stadium with the nation’s most famous spy.

A short film showed 007 driving up to Buckingham Palace in a black London cab and, pursued by her majesty’s royal dogs Monty, Willow and Holly, playing themselves - meeting the queen, who played herself. ``Good evening, Mr. Bond,’’ she said.

They were shown flying in a helicopter over London landmarks and a waving statue of Winston Churchill - the queen in a salmoncolored gown, Bond dashing as ever in a black tuxedo - to the stadium and then leaping out into the inky night.

At the same moment, real skydivers appeared in the skies over the stadium throbbing to the James Bond soundtrack. And moments after that, the monarch appeared in person, accompanied by her husband Prince Philip.

Organizers said it was thought to be the first time the monarch has acted on film. ``The queen made herself more accessible than ever before,’’ Boyle said.

In the stadium, Elizabeth stood solemnly while a children’s choir serenaded her with ``God Save the Queen,’’ and members of the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force raised the Union Jack.

Much of the opening ceremony was an encyclopedic review of British music history, from a 1918 Broadway standard adopted by the West Ham football team to the Rolling Stones’ ``(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction’’ to ``Bohemian Rhapsody,’’ by still another Queen.

The athletes marched in after the show.

The Canadian team got a nice pop from the spectators at Olympic Stadium when it was introduced.

Flag-bearer Simon Whitfield was beaming as he led the Canadian contingent into the stadium as thumping dance music blared throughout the venue. The veteran triathlete proudly waved a large Maple Leaf as the sold-out crowd roared its approval. ``What a rush. It was so amazing and was such an honour to be here tonight leading all of the athletes that I respect,’’ Whitfield said.

Decked out in red and white jackets, khakis and white sneakers, dozens of Canadian athletes waved to the crowd and took pictures as they followed Whitfield along the infield.

A total of 277 athletes will compete for Canada at the Games but just under half

Photo by The Department for Culture, Media and Sports

In a celebration of royalty and rock, Britain welcomes the world as 2012 Games open

Fireworks over the Olympic stadium during the London 2012 Opening Ceremony.

that number were able to participate in the ceremony. Many athletes had to skip it to prepare for their events.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has extended his best wishes to the team. Governor General David Johnston was in attendance Friday night along with other Canadian dignitaries.

The Canadian Olympic Committee has set an ambitious goal of a top-12 finish in the overall medal standings. Canada tied for 14th with 18 medals at the 2008 Games in Beijing.

The evening started with fighter jets streaming red, white and blue smoke and roaring over the stadium, packed with a buzzing crowd of 60,000 people, at 8:12 p.m. - or 20:12 in the 24-hour time observed by Britons.

An explosion of fireworks against the London skyline and Paul McCartney leading a singalong were to wrap up the three-hour opening ceremony masterminded by one of Britain’s most successful filmmakers.

Boyle, the director of ``Slumdog Millionaire’’ and ``Trainspotting,’’ had a ball with his favoured medium, mixing filmed passages with live action in the stadium to hypnotic effect, with 15,000 volunteers taking part in the show.

Actor Rowan Atkinson as ``Mr. Bean’’ provided laughs, shown dreaming that he was appearing in ``Chariots of Fire,’’ the inspiring story of a Scotsman and an Englishman at the 1924 Paris Games.

There was a high-speed flyover of the Thames, the river that winds like a vein through London and was the gateway for the city’s rise over the centuries as a great global hub of trade and industry.

Headlong rushes of movie images took spectators on wondrous, heart-racing voyages through everything British: a cricket match, the London Tube and the roaring, abundant seas that buffet and protect this island nation.

Boyle turned the stadium into a throbbing juke box, with a nonstop rock and pop homage to cool Britannia that ensured the show never caught its breath.

The throbbing soundtrack included the Sex Pistols’ ``Pretty Vacant’’ and a snippet of its version of ``God Save the Queen’’ - an anti-establishment punk anthem once banned by the BBC. There were The Who’s ``My Generation’’ and other tracks too numerous to mention, but not to dance to.

Opening the ceremony, children popped balloons with each number from 10 to 1, leading a countdown that climaxed with

Bradley Wiggins, the newly crowned Tour de France champion.

Wearing his race-winner’s yellow jersey, Wiggins rang a 23-ton Olympic Bell from the same London foundry that made Big Ben and Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell. Its thunderous chime was a nod to the British tradition of pealing bells to celebrate the end of war and the crowning of kings and queens, and now for the opening of a 17day festival of sports.

The show then shifted to a portrayal of idyllic rural Britain - a place of meadows, farms, sport on village greens, picnics and Winnie-the-Pooh, A.A. Milne’s bear who has delighted generations of British children tucked warmly in bed.

But the British ideal - to quote poet William Blake, of ``England’s green and pleasant land’’ - then took a darker, grittier turn.

The set was literally torn asunder, the hedgerows and farm fences carried away, as Boyle shifted to the industrial transformation that revolutionized Britain in the 18th and 19th centuries, the foundation for an empire that reshaped world history. Belching chimneys rose where only moments earlier sheep had trod.

The Industrial Revolution also produced terrifying weapons, and Boyle built a moment of hush into his show to honour those killed in war. ``This is not specific to a country. This is across all countries, and the fallen from all countries are celebrated and remembered,’’ he explained to reporters ahead of the ceremony. ``Because, obviously, one of the penalties of this incredible force of change that happened in a hundred years was the industrialization of war, and the fallen,’’ he said. ``You know, millions fell.’’

Olympic organizers separately rejected calls for a moment of silence for 11 Israeli athletes and coaches slain by Palestinian gunmen at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

Two of the Israelis’ widows appealed to audience members to stand in silence when International Olympic Committee chief Jacques Rogge rose to speak later at Friday’s ceremony. The Israeli culture and sport minister planned to do just that.

The parade of nations featured most of the roughly 10,500 athletes - some planned to stay away to save their strength for competition - marching behind the flags of the 204 nations taking part.

Greece had the lead, as the spiritual home of the games, and Team Great Britain was last, as host. Prince William and his wife, Kate, joined in the thunderous applause that greeted the British team, which marched to the David Bowie track ``Heroes.’’

Both Bahrain and Brunei featured female flagbearers in what has been called the Olympics’ Year of the Woman. For the first time at the games, each national delegation includes women, and a record 45 per cent of the athletes are women. Three Saudi women marching behind the men in their delegation flashed victory signs with their fingers.

It fell to the queen to declare the games open.

Last month, the nation put on a festive Diamond Jubilee - a small test run for the games - to mark her 60 years on the throne, a reign that began shortly after London’s last Olympics, in 1948.

The Olympic cauldron was to be lit with a flame that was kindled May 10, at the birthplace of the ancient Olympics in Greece, from a reflection of the sun’s rays off a mirror.

Since then, 8,000 torchbearers, mostly unheralded Britons, have carried the flame on a 70-day, 8,000-mile journey from toe to tip of the British Isles, whipping up enthusiasm for a $14 billion Olympics taking place during a severe recession.

The identity of the last torchbearer, the one to light the cauldron, was kept secret - remarkable given the intense scrutiny at what have been called the first social media Olympics.

Speculation focused on Roger Bannister, the first man to run a four-minute mile, in 1954, and on rower Steve Redgrave, among others.

The show’s lighter moments included puppets drawn from British children’s literature - Captain Hook from ``Peter Pan,’’ Cruella de Vil from ``101 Dalmations’’ and Lord Voldemort from J.K. Rowling’s ``Harry Potter’’ series, as well as Mary Poppins.

Their appearance had a serious message, too - the importance of literacy. ``If you can read and write, you’re free, or you can fight for your freedom,’’ Boyle said.

Boyle’s challenge was daunting: To be as memorable as Beijing’s incredible, money-no-object opening ceremony of 2008, the costliest in Olympic history. ``Beijing is something that, in a way, was great to follow,’’ Boyle said. ``You can’t get bigger than Beijing, you know? So that, in a way, kind of liberated us. We thought, ‘Great, OK, good, we’ll try and do something different.’’’

For the last time as president of the IOC, Rogge was to watch the Olympic flag being raised. He will step down in 2013 after completing the maximum two terms.

Mitt Romney, the Republican candidate for president, planned to attend the ceremony with his wife, Ann. Romney caused a stir in Britain by suggesting earlier this week that the country had ``disconcerting’’ problems preparing for the games.

Other political leaders from around the world, U.S. first lady Michelle Obama and her daughters, and a sprinkling of European and celebrity royalty were also attending. n

Immigration Of Minister of State John Yap and the Findings of the Immigration Task Force

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012 26

BY MELISSA REMULLA-BRIONES, LAARNI DE PAULA, ZEALA CORTEZ Philippine Canadian Inquirer

John Yap’s immigrant story John Yap was a teenager from Singapore when he arrived in Canada. “It was tough initially being new, at that age, 16, friends mean everything. My recollection is in those days I didn’t feel that there was a lot of the support that is in place today so I had to find my own way. I went to school and my story is like many others – making new friends, learning to adapt to life here – I found that people were very nice over time and I was able to create a network of friends who were a good support. This is a wonderful country.”

Minister John Yap with Philippine Consul General Jose Ampeso

ON DECEMBER 8, 2011, Premier Christy Clark appointed the Immigration Task Force (ITF) to review key government programs, particularly the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW), Business Immigration, Canadian Experience Class and the Provincial Nomination Program (PNP). The ITF Report was unveiled in May of this year.

According to John Yap, Minister of State for Multiculturalism and ITF Chair, there is a lot of support all throughout British Columbia for doing more to encourage immigration of skilled workers, and of people with capital to invest, and to help them settle.

Filipino constituents in the province, in particular, highlighted for the ITF the importance of settlement services, making sure that they are effective so that when people arrive they can be “integrated, are productive and supported.”

What BC Needs According to Minister Yap, “We found that there is a strong desire for a move to a more support for a demand-driven system of economic immigration. What this means is that we would look for and invite immigrants from

around the world who have the skills and the background and the professional training to meet the needs that are evident here in BC.” According to the Minister, more skilled immigrants are required to fill labour and skills shortages in the forestry, liquefied natural gas, mining, shipyard, and aluminum smelting sectors.

“There is a 1 trillion dollar opportunity over the next generation that will come from natural gas and exporting it to liquid form to markets in Asia so we need people to come and work to create the industry, to work in building the infrastructure,” according to Minister Yap. He adds, “We need people who are in construction – pipeline, sheet metal, people who have the engineering, technical background or skills to be part of the process.”

“We have a dozen mines around the country that are upgrading, expanding or about to be built and people are needed to work there to build the mine and then operate them. And we have this huge demand for people who are able to work on shipyards and that would be, again, technical skilled workers – all the workers that are needed to create this massive More on page 27 infrastructure.”

27 WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012

...from page 26

Credential Recognition and Assessment A key challenge that was repeatedly raised by stakeholders in regions across BC was the difficulty with adequately assessing the international credentials and work experience of economic immigrants. According to Minister Yap, “There is always the concern that we have people who have immigrated here and who find [that] their qualifications don’t meet the standards, or they find challenges in working in the area that they were trained in in their home countries, so we made some recommendations in the credential recognition, in the skills training area so it is vitally important that we find ways to make it so that immigrants who find that they are underemployed, that they are not working in the areas that they were trained in in their native countries, find ways to expedite their transition so that they can start to work in their areas. It’s a challenge, we recognize that, but my colleagues in the government are committed to working on this, and we have a cross-government effort underway to try and bring the stakeholders together.”

According to the ITF Report, the process of reviewing and assessing foreign education and training against BC standards was described by some stakeholders as “cumbersome”, “lengthy”, “costly” and “handled with little transparency” by some regulators. Thus, importance of finding creative solutions to address qualification challenges, such as employer contributions to offset the costs of credential recognition or assessment of qualifications prior to the immigrant departing for BC or even prior to applying to immigrate were stressed.

Partnership between new immigrants, communities and work places: the Kitimat Story According to the ITF Report, a local employer in Kitimat worked with a settlement agency to attract 10 immigrants to the community, which effort had a large impact. According to Minister Yap, “Private sector involvement is essential.

I understand that in the province of Alberta, there many examples of medium size and large employers who have proactively become involved in effectively providing settlement services. So I think it is not a one size fits all, but we should learn from our counterparts in other parts of the country with the view of finding the best that could work for BC.” It appears that the move by the federal government to move to a more demanddriven system over time is the right decision.

According to Minister Yap, “We look forward to that transition so that over time the model of immigration will be people will come here and they will be employable and productive right away.”

As the ITF Report states, it is clear that ongoing work to strengthen capacity within BC communities and workplaces to welcome immigrants will continue to be important for ensuring that economic immigrants and their families are well integrated into the labour market and successful over the long term. n

Immigration

ISSof BC JOB FAIR “Connecting Job Seekers to Employers”

Lois Armerding

According to Lois Armerding, Manager, Skills Connect for Immigrants program, “We expect that we will have about 900 to 1,000 885: L-R (1) Mary Tecson (3) Anton Mandap (6) Michael Yeung, Canadian people by the end of the day.

Western Bank.

Lots of people are looking for work and this kind of event brings them out and gives them the ISSofBC hosted a Job Fair on July 24 at the Brighouse Branch of the Richmond Public opportunity to speak with employers directly.

Some are hiring right now and people can Library.

The fair featured employers from a diverse leave their resume and make an impression.”

Philippine Consul General Jose Ampeso range of sectors and was designed to meet attended the event and Deputy Consul Anton the needs of all job seekers, from entrylevel positions to management, and from Mandap delivered the speech during the reception.

ISSofBC offers settlement services administration to skilled trades. Employers shared industry facts and information about for really new immigrants and refugees, individual opportunities and guided interested employment services of various types and candidates in the application process. Some ESL trainings. For more information, e-mail iss@issbc.org or call (604)684-2561. n held on-site interviews.

B.C. lawyer to challenge constitutionality of Tamil smuggling charges THE CANADIAN PRESS

VICTORIA - A lawyer representing one of the men accused of smuggling Tamil migrants into Canada says he plans to argue the charges his client faces are unconstitutional.

Peter Edelmann says Section 117 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act is so broad and vague it can apply to most legitimate refugees, including mothers.

The section criminalizes organizing, aiding or abetting undocumented persons to get into Canada.

The charges stem from 2009 when Canadian authorities intercepted a boatload of Tamil Migrants.

A total of six men are charged in the 2009 case and their trial is set for January.

Edelmann also represents one person charged in a similar case that occurred the following year.

A spokesman for Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney says the section of the law being challenged ``is necessary and constitutional.’’ n

Immigration

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012 28

What should I do first after I land in Canada?

Most new immigrants ask this question as soon as they land in Canada, sometimes even before they start looking for work. Here is a quick checklist to help you get started and navigate the Canadian and BC Systems: • Search for the settlement agencies in your area and then get assistance. Settlement assistance is usually FREE. If you are residing in major cities, there are always several settlement agencies to help you with your needs and issues. You do not have to do everything on your own. Settlement workers will be able to help you with some of the things below, especially if it concerns the Canadian and BC systems and programs.

• Apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN). Since work is probably your priority, this is a requirement so you need to get this first before you start your job searching.

• Register for provincial health insurance. It will take some time before you can avail of government insurance (Medical Service Plan - MSP) so do not wait and get a temporary one right away.

• If you have school-age children, register them at the nearest school to your residence. If unsure, contact the School District Office in your area. You can also ask the Settlement worker this question.

• For those who have children, apply for Canada Child Tax Benefit if your children are under 18 years. This is a benefit the government provides for families to help with the cost of raising children.

• If you do not have one already, find a place to live. Most Filipinos stay with their relatives the first few days or weeks while they look for their own place. You can look for places to rent online and in print.

• Open a bank account. You need to begin establishing your credit and also a safe place to put all that cash you are carrying. Also, most employers pay their employers through direct deposit so this will be more convenient when you land a job. Word of caution: not all banks are equal. Shop for banks that have comfortable savings and chequing services.

You can even have two bank accounts depending on your need. Some banks charge for debit card or cheque use. Go for the one that suits your needs best.

• Apply for a Driver’s License if you plan to drive, if not, then apply for a provincial ID. What services are available to assist newcomers?

Many Filipinos are unaware of the free services available to help them in their settlement in Canada. Filipinos comprehend English very well and usually have relatives and friends who are able to help with the things they need to get started when they

land. It seems like there is really no big effort to search for available settlement services so here’s a quick breakdown of what social service agencies can do to help newcomers starting a new life in British Columbia: • Settlement agencies offer free services to newcomers. These agencies have Settlement Officers who are trained and experienced in providing assistance to new immigrants by helping them understand, navigate and access the social and economic systems of BC. Generally speaking, settlement workers may help clients with pretty much anything under the sun. Information sharing ranges from Canadian mainstream services and community service providers, to legal services, family support, immigration and sponsorship, and the list goes on.

Here is an outline of standard settlement service: • In the initial meeting, a Settlement Officer can assist you apply for the services and benefits you qualify for, such as for Social Insurance Number, Medical Services Plan, Child Tax Benefit, Child Care Subsidy, etc. In addition, Settlement Officers may also provide information and referrals regarding enrolling children in school, finding a family doctor, applying for a BC driver’s license and many other services.

• The great thing about settlement services is you do not have to be new to Canada to receive help. For example, those who have been in the country for years can still seek help. Some common services are applying for Permanent Residency Card renewal, applying for Citizenship, and even pensions such as Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS).

• Settlement Officers are also knowledgeable about the Canadian labour market. Specifically, settlement agencies have labour market officers who provide assistance to immigrants looking for employment.

Settlement Officers can also provide resources for job seekers such as government funded programs that immigrants may qualify for.

• Settlement agencies also have staff that provides opportunities for newcomers to connect with their local community.

This can be done through several events such as participating in Canada Day celebrations, visiting local museums and heritage homes, as well as visiting community resources such as libraries, city halls and recreation centres.

Where can I find a place to live?

What should I know about renting in Canada?

Most immigrants rent for a few years when they land in Canada. This answer will cater to the general Filipino immigrant who has to look for rental properties to live in.

There are several venues that offer rental housing ads and information. For example, you can find ‘For Rent’ houses and units from local and community newspapers. You can also check out the advertisements around your community such as your local grocery stores, community notice boards, even Filipino stores in the area where you want to reside.

Another way to look for housing is to talk to your friends and relatives. Yes, through word of mouth, so-and-so might know someone who is renting their basement suite. Some landlords may not advertise their rental suites and prefer to have friends and relatives refer people who are interested. Some landlords are also happy to rent out to Filipino renters because they know that Filipinos like to keep their houses clean and tidy.

The internet is also another helpful thing where house, apartment or suite listings can be found. Other than the well-known craigslist.ca there is also www.rentbc.com A word of caution about Craigslist: yes, it is helpful and there are a number of postings. But please, when viewing a place, keep safety in mind. Never go for a visit on your own. Always take someone with you.

Even if you are in Canada and it may feel different from back home, sadly, there are still people who will try to scam you, so take caution and always be conscious of your rights as a tenant.

Here are more things you should know about renting: • When you rent, you have your rights.

Do not let your landlord say otherwise. Visit www.tenants.bc.ca for more information.

For example, landlords cannot discriminate against you on the basis of race, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, and disability. This act is against the law.

However, landlords have their rights too so they can refuse to rent to smokers and to pet owners. If you experience discrimination you can ask for help and advice from the Tenant Resource and Advisory Centre or the B.C. Human Rights Coalition.

• Things you have to ask when looking for a place to rent: how much is rent; are utilities included; and how much is the damage/security deposit. When you move out and there were no damage to the property and you cleaned the place, the landlord is obligated to give you back your deposit with interest within 15 days.

• Sometimes, depending on your landlord, moving out of a place can get complicated, so make sure that a tenancy agreement is signed between you and the landlord, and that a walk-through of the place is done and signed as well.

The Tenancy Agreement is a contract in writing which states the rules for renting the property. Be sure to read this well, or get someone to translate or explain it for you, if you have difficulty understanding it.

• There are usually two types of rental, one is the ‘1 year’ lease, and the other one is ‘monthly’ lease. Both types have different terms and conditions.

• Landlords may ask for references to ensure that you are a good tenant or employee. Make sure to have references ready when you start looking for a place.

• If you have decided on a place, before you move in, check for damages. Make a list any damages in the property and have it signed by you and your landlord. You can also take pictures if you wish. This ensures that you get your damage deposit back.

• Another word of caution: Some landlords may ask for application deposits.

Do not fall for this. This is illegal. A tenancy agreement has to be signed before any monetary transactions are made.

So when you land in Canada, you are not on your own. There are services available to assist you free of charge.

Take advantage of them. Even the government of BC asks you to do so in their Newcomers’ Guide (p. 5-6).

Here are settlement services you can take advantage of: www.successbc.ca Have specific questions? Email settlement@success.bc.ca

A joint partnership of PCI & S.U.C.C.E.S.S. to help the settlement and integration of immigrants in Canada PHILIPPINE CANADIAN

CANADA’S FIRST AND ONLY NATIONWIDE FILIPINO CANADIAN NEWSPAPER

Lifestyle

30 WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012

Healthier and Better Meats and Eggs

BY EMMA NICOLAS Philippine Canadian Inquirer WHY WOULD anyone want to worry about ailments like elevated cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity – if they have a choice?

In his book, “Wheat Belly”, William Davis, MD, a preventive cardiologist, prescribes a wheat-free diet where meat and eggs are among the foods that can be eaten without limit, provided the meat is from pastured animals and eggs are from free-range chickens. In this same book, there were testimonials and stories from patients who lost weight, reversed elevated cholesterol levels and treated diabetes and other ailments without medication.

How does this happen? Dr. Davis says that the culprit of most ailments is the modern wheat. Therefore, eliminating it from the diet and substituting it with the good food like pastured meats and free-range eggs will bring about optimum health – the right weight and right insulin and cholesterol levels. This also means no more joint pains, itchy rashes, leg edema, fatigue, depression, mental “fogginess,” childish tantrums, teenage acne, even cramps and bloating related to women’s monthly periods.

Why pastured meats and free range eggs are healthier Pastured farming is the alternative way of raising animals for meat and eggs where the animals are raised humanely in open pastures. In the pasture, animals have lots of spaces and open air. There no overcrowding, no stress, no predator threats with adequate control, lots of sunshine, fresh air, soft dirt and best of all, access to fresh grass as main diet.

In feedlots and caged environments, diet is mostly corn which is high in calories and mainly responsible for making the animals gain weight quickly. In the pasture or free-range, diet is made of fresh grass (rich in chlorophyll) for cows. For chickens, there is fresh grass, organic feed and all the bugs and worms that can be found while scratching (which is normal for

The upper eggs are from free-range chickens while the lower one is the signature brand of a big, local grocery chain. Which one is healthier?

chickens). Since the animals are not crowded, they are able to lie down, move around and perform what they would normally do (like dust-bath and roost for chickens) and are therefore contented, happy and stress-free. There is also a higher degree of sanitation since manure is not concentrated in one area – not only because of the area size, but also because the animals are moved around on a regular basis (the by-product of which is greener pastures). Because they are not prone to diseases due to better hygiene and living conditions, the animals are not given vaccines, antibiotics or hormones – they are totally drug-free.

Based on a study and laboratory analysis done by Mother Earth Magazine (http://www.motherearthnews.com/ Real-Food/2007-10-01/Tests-RevealHealthier-Eggs.aspx), eggs from freerange chickens have: • 1/3 less cholesterol • 1/4 less saturated fat • 2/3 more vitamin A • 2 times more omega-3 fatty acids • 3 times more vitamin E • 7 times more beta carotene In the picture, the upper eggs are from free-range chickens while the lower one is the signature brand of a big, local grocery chain, which boasts of having 300mg of omega-3. And yet this egg pales in comparison with the free-range eggs. n For more information please send email to scatteredeggsfarm@yahoo.com.

Lifestyle Unleash your inner K-pop star at the Hallyu festival

31 WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012

BY FRAN KATIGBAK Philippine Daily Inquirer

Poppin’ and lockin’ In the K-pop world, hip-hop is not as “buck” or “down and dirty,” which is how Western hip-hop is characterized in the “So You Think You Can Dance” lexicon. The

2NE1 performing in Hanoi, Vietnam

kicks, jumps, poppin’ and lockin’ are delivered in a cool and suave, instead of badass, manner.

In other words, said Choi, “It’s pogi dance.”

Girls’ K-pop dance is feminine, flirty and sexy, the perfect example of which is G.NA’s “2Hot” which Choi tackled on the second class of the day. It is no less challenging, considering the amount of grinding, pa-cute head bops and small, quick movements involved.

“The important thing is students need to polish and make [their movements] clean,” said Choi.

The music is fast, but dance steps are taught in progressing levels of speed, from slow, to moderate and then as fast as the beat of the song. Choi dissects the choreography down to the flick of a wrist, so students like myself, whose learning curve for dance is not as sharp, could catch up.

Mixed bunch Classes are attended by dance enthusiasts, like 22-year-old Annie Quarteros, a language teacher who has had 3 terms (a term has 12 weeks) of K-pop dance classes and is a member of the KCC traditional dance group. Hiphop and contemporary dancer Krisan Jacomina, 23, who dabbles in theater and belongs to a competitive dance crew, signed up to the dance program to pad her performance skills. Government employee Bembette Ladip, 45, loves to

dance and is already in her fourth term in the KCC program, which she said was the first dance lesson she has ever had.

All three women have been dancing for fitness as well.

Mixed in the bunch are university students, such as K-pop fan Catherine Wong, 24, an HRM student who claims she has trimmed down after nearly four terms in the dance program. Another K-pop fan, Michelle Jane Gabriel, 17,

Striking a balance “We want to keep a wider appreciation for Korean culture and try to keep a balance between modern and traditional programs,” he said.

Other KCC programs include Korean language classes, which have the most number of students; K-pop singing; traditional dance; hanji, or Korean traditional papercraft using paper made from the barks of mulberry trees; samulnori, or Korean traditional percussion; and Korean cooking and cuisine.

At the end of every term, the cultural center holds a graduation ceremony and recital for students to showcase what they’ve learned.

To celebrate its first anniversary and the 2012 Hallyu festival, which runs this weekend, KCC is bringing over Korean boy band Boyfriend to perform tonight at the SM Mall of Asia Centerstage. The six-member pop act debuted last year with an eponymous single that placed seventh on the Gaon Charts, which keeps track of South Korea’s bestselling music in and outside the state.

In the past, KCC has been instrumental in bringing K-pop

Copyright © 2010-2012 VISIT KOREA COMMITTEE

K-pop star looks Then there’s Korean instructor Dasuri Choi, who had been a choreographer and back-up dancer to K-pop artists before she was invited to teach at KCC. She looks and dances like a K-pop star, but don’t let her petite and slender frame deceive you—Choi gives her students quite a workout. The 24-yearold has had formal training in jazz and classical ballet, and has been dancing professionally for over six years.

On the day we dared to try Choi’s class, blaring on the speakers was Teen Top’s “To You,” and the dance style just had to be the one that could easily expose our awkward moves—hip-hop.

We plunged in with two left feet and plenty of apprehension, but in less than 10 minutes Choi had us grooving— though not quite in synch with the rest of the class—to the rhythm.

KCC’s modern dance program offers two types of classes: hip-hop, or boys’ dance, and girls’ dance.

Photo courtesy of Diệu Linh

THERE IS a place where you can give yourself a serious workout and at the same time let loose your inner pop star—hot pants and heels optional.

Make like the latest Korean pop acts, such as Super Junior, Big Bang, 2NE1, Girls’ Generation and Wonder Girls, in K-pop dance classes offered by the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in Bonifacio Global City.

KCC’s modern dance program is not just for K-pop fanatics. The uninitiated need only watch a few music videos on YouTube to find out the type of choreography being taught. Anyone age 15 and above is welcome to join, as long as you’re eager to dance and break a sweat.

Now, you might ask, why would anybody want to dance-mimic K-pop stars?

Because the dance steps look fun and easy. It’s a workout that feels like you’re in a music video rehearsal. And the music is crazy infectious—admit it, you swayed your li’l tush and did the flirty flick of the shoulders a la Wonder Girls in the “Nobody” video.

local boob-tube.

The Korean Cultural Center was opened last year in an effort to keep up with the Korean wave in the country, said Seong Un Hwang, director of the KCC.

a Computer Science major, signed up for classes when she saw the KCC ad on TV. IT student James Ancheta, 19, loves K-pop so much that he has been looking for an internship with a schedule that could still accommodate the dance lessons.

It seems Hallyu fever has not waned since Koreanovelas had invaded the

artists in the country, including boy band Block B, which performed in September, and all-girl hip-hop group 2NE1, a member of which is former actress Sandara “Dara” Park.

Events on the festival program also include the K-Pop Cover Dance Group Contest and Drama Cosplay Competition. n

32 WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012

Young actor figures in a full-on bar brawl after finishing a movie with the same plot were at night. [We worked] in the height of summer, when the sun would set late and rise very early. We only had 10-12 hours of shooting.”

He continued: “We originally planned to finish shooting in five days, but we needed an extra day, which was painful to me, being the director/producer.”

In terms of script development, Santos said, “Another very big hurdle was the fact that Jeff and I were juggling the script with our thesis. Jeff’s thesis was actually due the same day as Cinemalaya’s deadline for the final script.”

He added: “I just really prayed for strength. [It was good that] my team really believed in me and their support helped me have more faith in myself.”

Albie Casiño

BY MARINEL R. CRUZ Philippine Daily Inquirer YOUNG ACTOR Albie Casiño found himself in an unexpected situation when, recently, life imitated art.

Casiño was beaten up by four men at the parking lot of a bar in Makati City a few days after he finished doing the movie, “The Animals.” The movie is about a group of rich high school kids who get involved in exactly the same full-on bar brawl.

“The brawl happened a few days after wrap-up,” director Gino Santos told the Inquirer. “There are scenes in the film that resemble that incident.”

Santos added: “It just goes to show that these things do happen and, for that matter, can happen to anyone.”

Casiño’s mother Rina identified the four men who ganged up on her son as friends of Casiño’s ex-girlfriend, actress Andi Eigenmann. The actress denied this.

Rich kids “The Animals,” an entry in the New Breed category of the ongoing 8th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, is set in an affluent, upper middle class village.

It chronicles a day in the life of Jake (played by Casiño), Trina (Dawn Balagot), and Alex (Patrick Sugui), who go through situations that every kid in high school find themselves in.

“All Jake wants to do is have a good time, Alex just wants to fit in, andTrina simply wants more,” explained the director.

“A very vivid picture is painted of life in high school after the final bell rings, as well as a different side of the Philippines, and what is happening to its privileged children.”

Film idea He said he had the story in mind five years ago. “I organized parties when I was in high school; that was when the concept began. When I finally decided to write the full script with my childhood friend Jeff Stelton, we used real events and experiences to create the story line,” Santos said, adding that he and Stelton went to clubs during weekends “to observe intoxicated teens.”

Looking for the perfect actress to play the character Trina was tough, Santos shared. “Since the role isn’t your -afternoon-teleserye type, she had to be young, beautiful and sosyal. (She also) had to do daring scenes. In the end we got model Dawn for the role.

She was amazing in this film. She will get noticed.”

Hurdle Santos said shooting schedules proved to be the biggest hurdle in making the movie. “We had a few problems with time, since 60 percent of the scenes

Advice Santos advised young filmmakers like himself: “Trust your team. Film is a collaborative work and no filmmaker is an island. It’s not easy to make a fulllength (feature), that’s for sure!”

However, he vowed to do more films “and explore the industry—indie, mainstream, commercials, TV, everything—while I’m still young. There’s a lot of learning needed still on what I want to do with my life, but this is definitely my field.”

Santos graduated from the De La Salle UniversityCollege of St. Benilde (DLSU-CSB) with a degree in digital filmmaking.

In 2006, he went to the Asia Pacific Film Institute, which sparked his passion for filmmaking. To enhance what he learned, he enrolled in the Marilou Diaz-Abaya Film Institute the following year.

In August 2012, he participated in a workshop conducted by the New York Film Academy in Kyoto, Japan.

Santos was chosen to represent the country in the Motion Picture Association–China International Copyright Expo workshop held in Beijing, China in December 2011.

Short films His short musical film, “Ang Tangke,” was chosen to represent DLSU-CSB in the MGDF1919 water stories competition with 10 other local schools. The musical received an honorable mention in the 22nd Gawad CCP. It competed in the 19th Contravision Film Festival in Berlin.

Santos again received an honorable mention from the 23rd Gawad CCP in the experimental category for his short film “Bangungot.” His short feature “Every Other Time” was an official entry in the 2011 Cinemalaya. n

33 WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012

Entertainment

Indie docu immortalizes Pinoy love songs

BY BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR. Philippine Daily Inquirer WHEN filmmaker Benito Bautista asked a fellow Fil-Am if the latter knew what harana was, the answer stumped him.

“The kid thought it was a Japanese restaurant in San Francisco,” Bautista recalled. This “disconnect” between the present generation and traditional Filipino art forms becomes wider with each passing day, he added.

Bautista, who won the Netpac prize in last year’s Cinemalaya indie festival for the feature film “Boundary,” was determined to introduce the art of harana (wooing maidens with love songs) to today’s youth.

“We should record and express our vanishing culture,” said Bautista. “I am pretty sure there are a lot of unpublished and unrecorded harana songs out there.”

He met fellow Fil-Am Florante Aguilar, a master classical guitarist, who had taken up as a personal crusade the “preservation and recording of old harana songs.”

The result of their collaboration is the documentary “Harana,” which will be shown

tomorrow, 3:30 p.m., at the Little Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines as part of Cinemalaya 2012.

Bautista said his goal was to record for posterity “the visuals of our stunning landscape, the warmth of our people’s smiles, the cultural nuances of our rural regions, the beauty of our skin tone and the enduring handsomeness and grace of our Filipino elders.”

Harana Kings The docu features the Harana Kings, senior citizens from Cavite and Ilocos Sur who are probably the last practitioners of this dying custom.

At first, Bautista admitted, he couldn’t tell the difference between “a master haranista and a common practitioner.”

Through the docu he met haranistas, “invisible commoners in our society … naturally shy, but who are transformed discussing and performing the harana.”

“They are such a lively bunch, with distinct eccentricities and temperaments,” Bautista said.

“My favorite is mild-mannered Mang Felipe, but of course I adore them all.”

Hopefully, the world will fall in love with the Harana Kings as well.

Collaboration Apl.de.ap of The Black-Eyed Peas learned about the haranistas when he saw excerpts from the docu.

Bautista said the Fil-Am rapper-musician was so moved by the haranistas’ story that he invited them to perform in the Global Filipino Music concert at the Hollywood Bowl last July 8.

Right before the show, the filmmaker recounted, some of the artists slated to perform watched in tears as the Harana Kings rehearsed. “Apl.de.ap is now considering a collaboration with Harana Kings,” Bautista said.

Storyteller As a documentarian, he only tells the stories, Bautista clarified.

“It is up to the world to decide what to do with the haranistas,” he explained. “The world might respond and care for them, herald them, assist them … or dismiss them as irrelevant. My job is, simply, to present the truth … not to solve [their problems] or get too involved so as to lose my objectivity.” n

Entertainment Poe’s two worlds What Vilma Santos learned Lovi Young actress straddles indie and mainstream films quite effortlessly

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012 34

from Pokwang

Pokwang

BY MARINEL R. CRUZ Philippine Daily Inquirer ACTRESS and Batangas Governor Vilma Santos, who recently admitted to personally signing up on Twitter, said she found Filipinos’ treatment of show biz celebrities on the micro-blogging site to be disrespectful and tacky.

“I’m not a techie, but I try to learn Twitter. I’m enjoying it but I want to be a responsible user. It’s true that you should ‘think before you click,’” she told reporters at a recent media gathering inside the ABS-CBN compound in Quezon City.

“I think the comments posted about other (known personalities) are quite unfair. Some people even use foul language. This is a sign of disrespect to those who have worked hard to to build a name for themselves in this industry.”

The governor clarified that while she found it fun and interesting to log on to Twitter daily, she was still not ready to publicize her own account.

“For now, it’s enough that only a few people know. Pikon din kasi ako. Para makaiwas, huwag na,” she explained.

“I’m taking things nice and slow. I will not exactly promote the use of Twitter, it’s just that you can’t fight technology.

As the old saying goes, ‘If you can’t beat them, join them.’”

Feeling closer Vilma revealed that it was Janice de Belen, Pokwang and Kim Chiu, her costars in her latest film, “The Healing,” who influenced her to try out the social networking website. “They were really patient with me. Pinagpaguran nila ako. Even Direk Chito (Roño) tried to help in teaching me.”

She said it was while shooting “The Healing” that she bought an iPad3 and her first iPhone. “I had no idea how

they work! I used to just rely on my BlackBerry. Now I check on Twitter as often as I can—before I sleep and when I wake up. I even know how to send a direct message,” she said, laughing.

“I think this activity was what made us closer to each other,” Vilma observed.

She said her other female costars spent most of their free time inside her dressing room.

“We got to discuss a lot of things.

They were mostly girl talk. We tackled life, especially those of us who have gone through a lot. We also talked about love and our children,” Vilma said.

“We got to know each other on a more personal level. We became more open, more honest to each other.”

She opined that Janice and Pokwang, who are both single mothers, “don’t need men in their lives to be happy.”

She pointed out that “happiness comes when you learn to be content with what you have at present.”

Vilma, however, said she didn’t ask Kim about her love life. The young actress is being romantically linked to fellow Kapamilya actor Xian Lim. The governor admitted that she personally chose Kim to play Minette, her character’s step-daughter in this project. “In the beginning, Malou (Santos, Star Cinema managing director) asked me whether I wanted to work with anyone in particular from the new and upcoming actors in ABS-CBN. I chose Kim.” She said she first got to know her in the Kapamilya TV special they worked on a few years back.

She recalled: “She was one of the newcomers who appeared on the show. As part of their workshop, she played a scene in one of my movies, ‘Dolzura Cortez.’ I’ve not forgotten her face and name since.”

Vilma explained that she found the young actress to be quite interesting.

“She’s raw… She’s fresh. It’s good to be working with someone who is still so pure, so malleable, and yet so professional,” Vilma said. “Also, this role is something that Kim has never done before. We usually see her as being part of a loveteam on screen. She will portray a very different and challenging character here.”

“The Healing” marks Vilma’s 50th anniversary in show biz. Also in the cast are Carmi Martin, Martin del Rosario, Mark Gil, Joel Torre, Cris Villanueva, Daria Ramirez, Maria Isabel Lopez and Ces Quesada. Released under Star Cinema, this horror-thriller will premiere in cinemas nationwide on July 25. n

She also has nothing but praises for “Tiktik” leading man and fellow Kapuso star Dingdong Dantes. “He’s a gentleman. Every actress dreams of acting with him. I’m happy that I got to work with him.”

Dream-come-true Another dream-come-true for Lovi was “Thy Womb,” which allowed her to collaborate with two screen mavericks: Director Mendoza and actress Nora Aunor.

“I saw the teaser of our film at the Sineng Pambansa festival in Davao,” Lovi reported. “I was amazed at how stunning the shots were. To think, Direk Brillante didn’t use studio lights and only relied on available light.”

She fell in love with Tawi-Tawi— where “Thy Womb” was filmed. “The people there are very sweet.”

She felt safe because everyone in Tawi-Tawi loves and respects her late father, Action King Fernando Poe Jr. “They always mention my Papa’s name. Hearing them talk about my Papa makes me feel closer to him.”

Lovi Poe

BY BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR. Philippine Daily Inquirer GMA 7 actress Lovi Poe is currently missing on the boob tube.

Everything’s still up in the air as far as her TV career is concerned, she said.

But on the big screen, Lovi could very well be one of the busiest actresses in Show Town—with five new movies in the works.

For her movie roles, Lovi straddles indie and mainstream scenes quite effortlessly.

Already in the can are two cutting-edge films: Brillante Mendoza’s indie drama “Thy Womb” and Erik Matti’s horror flick “Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles.”

Breakthrough She is working on three other films: Tara Illenberger’s thriller “GuniGuni,” and Joel Lamangan’s adult romance “The Bride and the Lover” and unconventional drama “Lihis.”

Lovi told the Inquirer that “Tiktik” was a refreshing experience for her. “It was totally different. We shot the film entirely in a warehouse in Parañaque … the entire place was converted into a studio. We shot in front of a green screen and all the effects were added in post-production.”

She said that “Tiktik” could mark a breakthrough in local cinema. “I’m so proud to be part of this film.”

Rumored beau In the independently produced drama “Lihis,” which is scripted by another screen veteran, Ricky Lee, she is paired with rumored beau Jake Cuenca.

She insists that they don’t let rumors daunt them.

“It’s expected that there will be all sorts of talk. But we’re not letting these things affect our relationship—on and off the set,” Lovi said. “We want to keep our friendship intact in spite of the intrigues.”

In “The Bride,” Lovi is involved in a more traditional ménage a trois (with Jennylyn Mercado and Paulo Avelino), but not in “Lihis.” “It’s a different kind of love triangle. Jake is torn between me and Baron Geisler.”

First big one Lovi is also thrilled about working with editor-turned-director Tara Illenberger, who marks her mainstream debut in “Guni-Guni.” (The female director megged the award-wining Cinemalaya film “Brutus” in 2008.)

“I’m so honored to be part of Tara’s first big movie,” she said.

Lovi said the director was able to put her training as film editor to good use on the set.

“Before the cameras roll, Tara already knows which shots to take,” Lovi said. “She makes the shoot easy for everyone.” n

Entertainment

Kristen Stewart’s affair disappoints ‘Twilight’ fans but unlikely to affect film’s popularity

BY SANDY COHEN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

TORONTO - Portraying some of the most iconic musicians in rock ‘n’ roll history, the Beatles, hasn’t been too daunting a task for the stars of the highly anticipated play ``Backbeat’’ that’s making its North American debut in Toronto. Sure, the British actors have felt the pressure of having to come together and gel as a band onstage, but director David Leveaux has told them to avoid becoming a caricature-type tribute group. With that, they’ve been able to focus mostly on telling the gritty, little-known story of how the boys from Liverpool went to Germany in search of fame and returned home with broken hearts and Beatlemania buzz. n

Jaguar PS / Shutterstock.com

Attorney: Deal reached on Jackson guardianship LOS ANGELES Katherine Jackson’s attorney says his client has agreed to allow Tito Jackson’s son to Prince Michael Jackson, Paris become a co-guardian Jackson & Prince Michael II of Michael Jackson’s “Blanket” Jackson at Michael three children. Lawyer Jackson memorial at the Chinese Perry Sanders Jr. Theatre. January 26, 2012 Los Angeles, CA. says the decision was made after a meeting he had with the Jackson family matriarch on Thursday. He announced the deal in a statement Friday. n

Reports of infidelity could even draw more viewers to theatres for ``The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2,’’ he said: ``They might go just so they can be even more mad at Kristen.’’

Pattinson became an instant heartthrob with his casting as the charming, elegant Edward Cullen. He was included among People magazine’s ``Sexiest Men Alive’’ in 2008 and has won similar titles from readers of Glamour and OK magazines. ``The shocking thing is (Stewart) cheated on Robert Pattinson, who is this guy who everyone in the world wants,’’ Drew said.

Fans might feel it when they watch the film in November. ``It sort of intrudes on their universe a little bit,’’ he said. ``This is the ill-fated romance from the screen that ended up working on screen and in real life as well. That made it more believable and more sellable, so it punctures holes in that.’’

Still, moviegoers might find the changed dynamic compelling. ``There’s a soap opera going on off-screen, and people love to follow that,’’ Dergarabedian said. ``I think it only serves to raise awareness of the movie.’’ n --AP Entertainment Writer Sandy Cohen can be reached at www.twitter.com/APSandy .

--Online: www.breakingdawn-themovie.com/ www.usmagazine.com

BEVERLY HILLS - It’s not always easy to move on from ``Friends.’’ Just ask Matthew Perry.The Canadian-American actor spent 10 seasons as smartalecky Chandler Bing on the hit NBC series. Since that series went off the air in 2004, he’s struck out as a series lead with ``Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip’’ as well as on a short-lived series he co-wrote and co-created for ABC last season, ``Mr. Sunshine.’’ n

Seinfeld live stand-up comedy returns to NYC NEW YORK - Jerry Seinfeld is bringing back his live stand-up comedy to New York City - the place he says he learned to be funny. It will be the first time he’ll present full live comedy performances in the city since his 1998 Broadway show, ``I’m Telling You for the Last Time.’’ n

Entertainment Press / Shutterstock.com

Kristen Stewart

Matthew Perry launching new sitcom ‘Go On’ Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com

Featureflash / Shutterstock.com

LOS ANGELES - ``Twilight’’ fans are heartbroken by Kristen Stewart’s public admission that she cheated on her boyfriend and co-star Robert Pattinson. Some on Twitter are blasting the actress with no shortage of nasty names, while others are pledging support for Pattinson, calling him ``sexy’’ and promising they’d be faithful.

But the scandal involving the on- and off-screen couple is unlikely to affect box-office returns for the final installment in the vampire-romance juggernaut due this fall, or even harm the image of the 22-yearold actress. ``It could make her actually more alluring,’’ said Ian Drew, a senior editor at Us Weekly magazine, which features compromising photos of Stewart and her ``Snow White and the Huntsman’’ director Rupert Sanders in its latest issue, out Friday. ``It’s not like Sally Field did this, so it could actually enhance her appeal and make her even bigger.’’

Stewart, whom Forbes named Hollywood’s highest-paid actress last month, issued an apology to People magazine Wednesday, saying she is ``deeply sorry for the hurt and embarrassment I’ve caused to those close to me and everyone this has affected.’’ ``This momentary indiscretion has jeopardized the most important thing in my life, the person I love and respect the most, Rob,’’ she said. ``I love him, I love him, I’m so sorry.’’

Stewart and Pattinson, 26, have been in a relationship for several years after meeting on the set of ``Twilight,’’ in which they play lovers.

Sanders, 41, who is married and has two children, followed with his own apologetic statement to People. ``I am utterly distraught about the pain I have caused my family,’’ he said. ``My beautiful wife and heavenly children are all I have in this world, I love them with all my heart. I am praying that we can get through this together.’’

A spokesman for the director confirmed the statement Wednesday. Representatives for Stewart and Pattinson did not respond to requests for comment.

Fans embraced Stewart as human girl Bella Swan and Pattinson as vampire suitor Edward Cullen from the moment they were announced in 2008 as the stars of the big-screen adaptation of Stephenie Meyer’s popular novels. The real-life romance that bloomed between the co-stars only made things more magical for the mostly female fan base. ``The fans are so romantically tied to this movie in both the real-life romance and the on-screen romance, so I’m sure this is hitting them pretty hard,’’ said boxoffice analyst Paul Dergarabedian of Hollywood. com. ``They think of Bella and Edward and Kristen and Rob like family - characters they absolutely love on screen and in real life. For a 14-year-old girl, this is probably heartbreaking. But are girls not going to see the movie because of this? Heck no.’’

‘Backbeat’ stars not playing Beatles caricatures nito / Shutterstock.com

35 WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012

36 WEDNESDAY JULY 25, 2012

One big hug in Santiago de Compostela

BY THELMA SIOSON SAN JUAN Philippine Daily Inquirer THE EXPERIENCE is simply incomparable. On a cold, almost chilly, day, at the end of winter, you stand on the roof of one of Europe’s most historic cathedrals and have a sweeping view of a heritage city. As the rogue wind touches your face intermittently, you imagine the many previous lifetimes that must have taken place below, amid that panorama of spires and ancient roofs, and the legendary people who lived them. You also remind yourself that, below you, inside the cathedral is buried St. James the Apostle— as history and lore would have you believe.

We’ve seen foreign places from interesting vantage points (yeah, like hotel penthouse suites), but from a roof of an ancient cathedral?

In so many beautiful, unexpected ways, our trip two months ago to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, northwest of Spain, yielded many firsts— like having a visual “tour” of a medieval city from the cathedral roof, and having, what to us, at least, was the best Michelin-star-restaurant meal right in Pontevedra just outside Santiago. (Spain Tourism Board, through its Singapore office, planned for our group of media and travel agents a gastronomic tour of Barcelona, Madrid and Galicia, thus the Michelinstar restaurants on each leg of the trip.)

I will always remember the roof of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela as the peak where Singapore Airlines’ (Manila) manager (marketing communications and services) Rita Dy conquered her acute fear of heights. We stood there at the door opening to the roof—I still suffering from viral cough in winter so I was hesitant to brave the wind and she having the jitters at the mere sight of the sloping roof from afar. With rowdy prodding from the rest of the group, that was already having a hey day photographing its romp on the roof, I took Rita’s hand and led her on the trudge up the granite roof.

We actually jointly conquered our cowardice.

At the peak, Rita opened her eyes wide, took in the view, and exclaimed—“Yes, this is so worth it.”

Thousand years Santiago de Compostela is not really an unknown destination to some Filipino travelers to Spain. After Madrid and Barcelona, Filipino tourists are rather familiar with it because, chances are, they know of someone who has done the pilgrimage—the Way of St. James, it is called. I know of someone who took a month off to walk the route to Santiago de Compostela, staying in inns, trekking alone and meeting a pilgrim or two along the way.

Although built on Christian worship, the pilgrimage isn’t religious as it is spiritual; in short, one doesn’t have to be a Christian or Catholic to do it.

The pilgrimage has spanned about a thousand years.

Today, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from all over have been doing it (272,135 a year—official brochure), and surely there must have been atheists among those.

The Santiago pilgrimage, I learned from people who’ve done it, is actually a journey into oneself—alone. It’s usually done at a time when you want to ponder where you came from and where you’re headed. A life journey. A friend knew of a new widower who couldn’t come to terms with the loss of his wife and simply had to take time off from this world, albeit temporarily, to grieve alone. He took the Way of St. James.

100 km Dating back to the 12th century, the Way of St. James has been written about regularly—that there are six main routes leading to the Cathedral where the remains of St. James are interred and the pilgrims can choose from among the six; that one needs to trek 100 km to obtain the Compostela certificate.

The French route is the most popular.

Santiago de Compostela (“Field of stars,” socalled because the early pilgrims were supposed to have been led to James’ burial site by a burst of stars) was declared a Unesco World Heritage City in 1985, as one of Christendom’s greatest holy cities.

Because of its many attractions—from the religious and historic to the cultural, the gastronomic, and even shopping—Singapore Airlines, with Spain Tourism Board—is pushing Santiago as a destination this year. It asked some of the country’s leading travel agencies to come up with special packages. (See sidebar) It all started on the belief that Santiago became the final resting place of the Apostle St. James the Elder. After he was beheaded in Jerusalem, it is said that James’ disciples transported his remains on a boat to Compostela, where, in the year 814, it was discovered by a hermit called Paio (Pelayo) hidden in the forests of Libredon.

King Alfonso II ordered a small church built alongside the tomb.

Romanesque Word of this shrine spread. The succeeding monarch, King Alfonso III, had a bigger church built. A settlement developed around the church, which centuries later, would be this present-day city.

In 1075, a basilica was built. This Romanesquestyle basilica, with its towers and Latin-cross ground plan, is now the Cathedral. It is said to be the most significant building of Romanesque art in Spain.

In the 12th century, a master sculptor, Maestro Mateo, finished his “Portico de la Gloria,” considered the masterpiece of Romanesque sculpture, with its more than 200 startling figures. This medieval iconography represents the story of man’s salvation and Christ’s Resurrection. With this Holy Door, the Cathedral was finally consecrated in 1211.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, Baroque features were added to the Cathedral. The Cathedral, therefore, is the major come-on on the trip to Santiago. This is the pilgrims’ final destination—the adoration or at least the mere sight of the tomb of St. James in the cathedral.

Big hug After our climb to the rooftop, that towered above the Plaza del Obradoira or the four Cathedral squares, we were herded to the metal coffer tomb of St. James, and finally to his giant 13th-century bust. Tradition dictates that you give the bust a wide hug as you say your prayer and wish. Rita did and was rewarded with a euphoric moment: “I felt so protected, as I spread my arms around it,” she said.

The feast of St. James is on July 25, and Compostela Holy Years are held whenever July 25 falls on a Sunday.

Santiago is a walking city, which is perhaps why tourists love it. Its historic part or the old town has medieval streets of stone and arched passageways that lead to museums and art galleries, baroque squares, gardens, convents and monasteries, stately homes, university campuses (there are a few Filipinos enrolled in the Santiago universities), markets, bars and restaurants.

The region of Galicia is considered Spain’s green space. Even from the air, as you land, you get a visual feast of an endless expanse of green. Then you discover how its flowers and trees make it truly ideal for a stroll.

Galicia is known for its fresh produce and seafood—the world’s top mussel producer—cheese and wineries. Look for the breast-shaped cheese (“tetilla”) in the market. In Peregrina, a short drive away from Santiago, is a small Baroque church (Sanctuary of A Virxe de Peregrina) covered with scallop shells, and the image of the Virgin of Peregrina dressed like a pilgrim—symbolic of the Portuguese Way to Santiago de Compostela. Galicia is also proud of its breads.

Michelin-star restaurant In Pontevedra, we had a meal-to-remember in the Michelin-star restaurant Restorante Solla (www. restaurantesolla.com) or Casa Solla. This was easily one of our best gastronomic experiences on this trip, if not the best. Whereas this trip was replete with molecular gastronomy (luckily, cochinillo didn’t come in foam form), Casa Solla was straightforward yet innovative cuisine—simple enough for you to decipher and relish what you were eating, whether meat or fish or vegetables, yet with enough nuances and subtleties to provide the twist and excitement.

It was impressive that its chef/owner, Pepe Solla, didn’t come from some fancy culinary school.

He comes from the second generation of chefs/ restaurateurs that has run this place. It’s been earning its Michelin star since the ’80s.

Chef Solla served us—pardon our general description—for soup, pumpkin puree with a flavor of cheese, then croquette cream lobster, scallops in Galician sauce of paprika, oil and garlic, prawns with prawn powder, hake (fish) with carrots and potatoes, Iberian pork, and a platter of cheese, chocolates, truffles, cocoa.

You will not be lacking Michelin-star restaurants in Galicia. That dinner, we went to Yayo da Porta, also in Pontevedra.

Pontevedra is only an hour away from Portugal.

It was here where we espied the Chapel of As Aparicions—the former college of the Dorothean Nuns where Sister Lucia, one of the children in the Virgin apparition in Fatima, lived for 30 years.

And shopping—around the Cathedral in Santiago, I bought quaint, finely crafted earrings—one pair is made of wood, the other of black metal and silver. A friend thought my black metal/silver danglers were, hold your breath, Bulgari (of course not, Bulgari is either white gold or platinum). And that’s for a little more than 10 euros. Not bad at all.

When fervent faith mingles with smart shopping—that’s my kind of trip. n

Travel

37 WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012

Tour Canada on two wheels

Cycling offers both the heart racing thrills of gran fondos as well as more leisurely coastal routes – great scenery guaranteed

BY SUZANNE MORPHET Courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission

WE MAY BE better known for paddling kayaks and portaging canoes but Ryder Hesjedal has proven that Canadians are just as wicked on two wheels as on the water. In case you missed the excitement, Hesjedal became the first Canadian to win a cycling Grand Tour when he captured the 2012 Giro D’Italia.

Truth be told, more Canadians cycle than paddle these days, whether it be in gran fondo-style organized events where they can ride like the pros, or leisurely tours on quiet country roads and trails.

If you’re looking for the former, here are two gran fondos that will get your heart racing.

RBC GranFondo Banff – Aug. 25, 2012 – The only gran fondo in North

America fully contained within the boundaries of a national park. The 142-km (88-mile) route takes you into the heart of the Rockies, along the Bow River and past postcardpretty mountains and lakes. And you thought Banff was only for hikers and skiers!

RBC GranFondo Whistler – Sept.

8, 2012 – The first world-class gran fondo in Canada – it started in 2010 – sees 7,000 cyclists riding from Vancouver to Whistler on the Sea to Sky Highway. It’s also one of the world’s most scenic drives – and even better when seen from the seat of a bicycle. One lane is dedicated for cyclists, so forget about traffic and enjoy spectacular views of Howe Sound and the Coast Mountains.

Other popular gran fondos: • Victoria GranFondo • RBC GranFondo Kelowna • GranFondo Niagara Falls

If you’re looking for more interaction with nature than with other cyclists, try one of our fabulous coastal routes.

The Galloping Goose Trail, Vancouver Island – A former railway line winds from downtown Victoria (Canada’s self-proclaimed cycling capital) to Sooke, a 55-km (34-mile) jaunt that takes you through forest and farmland. Insider tip: on hot summer days take your bathing suit so you can cool off at Matheson Lake or finish with a splash in the Sooke potholes.

The Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Island – “Earth’s most beautiful island” (thanks Conde Nast Traveler) beckons cyclists with its rolling hills and dramatic coastline. Recreational cyclists ride the 300-km (186-mile) loop in six to eight days. Along the way, stay at cozy inns or B&Bs, savour fresh lobster dinners (an island specialty), tap your toes at a ceilidh and – if you still have energy after your day’s cycle – join a square dance. n

Whale watching in Newfoundland – Signature Experience Collection™ Three fabulous options for seeing North America’s largest whale populations up close and amazing

BY MARGO PFEIFF Courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission

HUMPBACKS breach. Finbacks feed. Minkes dart in pods. A rare Orca shows its white patches. Whales gasp and blow misty spouts as your boat slices across the waves towards a distant fluke, sea spray on your face.

Every spring after a parade of icebergs drifts south along Canada’s East Coast, a roll call of whales arrives. During July and August Newfoundland becomes “Cetacean Central” as North America’s largest whale populations come to feed, offering some of the country’s best opportunities to watch and interact with them.

Scan the horizon for whales while watching the antics of Technicolorbeaked puffins from the decks of family-owned Gatherall’s Puffin and Whale Watch south of St. John’s in Witless Bay Ecological Reserve.

For a more exclusive whale odyssey on board their intimate boat, sign up for a “Picnic With the Whales” excursion hosted by your own private senior naturalist. Head to sea with a group of friends and family for a day of whale watching with a stop en route in a quiet, scenic cove to relax over a fresh seafood lunch accompanied by wine or a local microbrew.

Go whale watching from a kayak and immerse yourself in a five-day “Legendary Whale Wonders” excursion off the rocky shores of Cape Broyle with multi-generational outfitters Stan Cook Sea Kayak Adventures. Paddle in the peak season of July in search of whales and sea caves. Hike the craggy shoreline to spot whales from up high on the East Coast Trail, camping out for a night in a tent-with-a-view. Learn about the lively local culture. Not so energetic? Try their new half-day “Go & Tow Adventures” offering paddlers the opportunity to max out their time on the water by riding back to shore via motorboat.

For a breathtakingly close whale encounter, Ocean Quest invites the adventurous the unique chance to slip into a wet suit, jump into a fast boat then slide into the Atlantic alongside the planet’s biggest animals. Feel your heart race, as an approaching eerie bright spot becomes the glowing white underbelly of a 40-tonne Humpback whale. Hovering close, your eyes meet.

She stares intelligently, curious. Nimbly rolling and circling, she slaps her long flipper on the surface producing a sound that reverberates in your chest reminding you to breathe again. When she dives into the deep, you realize the encounter has changed your life forever. n

Food

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012 38

Chicken ‘satay’ with peanut sauce–cook this and other fave Southeast Asian dishes at home Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce 500 g boneless chicken meat 2 tbsp soy sauce 2 tbsp cooking oil 40 satay sticks or bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 1 hour 1 stalk lemongrass, lightly bruised Salt and sugar, to taste To be grounded: 3 stalks lemongrass, sliced 2.5 cm piece of turmeric 3 cloves garlic 2 tbsp cooking oil For grilling: 4 tbsp pure coconut cream 4 tbsp cooking oil Peanut sauce: 5 tbsp oil 150 g roasted peanuts, coarsely ground 2 tbsp asam jawa (tamarind pulp) 125 ml water 1 tsp salt 2 tbsp sugar 20 dried chilies, soaked in warm water 4 cloves garlic 10 shallots 4 cm piece of ginger 2 cm piece of turmeric 4 cm piece of galangal 3 cm piece of belacan (shrimp paste) 5 candlenuts 1 tbsp coriander seeds ½ tsp cumin seeds 1 tsp fennel seeds 2 stalks lemongrass

BY IRENE C. PEREZ Philippine Daily Inquirer SINGAPOREAN and other Southeast Asian cuisines may be easily incorporated into a Filipino meal. The flavors are familiar, and the dishes can be eaten as ulam.

How about Singaporean chili crab for lunch? Or Vietnamese spring rolls and Pad Thai for dinner? Give your chicken barbecue a Malaysian twist and serve it as satay skewers with ground-peanut sauce.

These are traditional specialties that may be ordered in hawker stalls or fancy restaurants in Singapore and Southeast Asia. But you can also cook them at home. Most of the ingredients are locally available, but for hard-to-find items, one may head to Rustan’s Supermarket.

It carries specialty Asian ingredients such as Vietnamese chili

sauce, Malaysian roti flat bread, Singaporean sambal and curry paste, Thai noodles and coco cream.

To encourage Filipinos to try out these ingredients, Rustan’s Supermarket recently launched the Asian Street Food Invasion, a series of live cooking demos focused on Southeast Asian and Singaporean cuisine. Rustan’s Supercenters, Inc. president Donnie Tantoco led the ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

Hawker-style booths were set up in Rustan’s Supermarket, at Power Plant Mall, for the event. People had a fill of pad thai; pho, or noodles with beef in piping-hot broth; and Hainanese chicken with rice.

Those who are interested in cooking these specialties may attend the Asian Streetfood Invasion cooking-demo series, to be held in the following Rustan’s Supermarket

branches: July 14, Power Plant Mall; July 28, Shangri-La Mall; Aug. 11, Rustan’s Makati. No purchase is necessary to participate.

Asian ingredients, which have long been available in Rustan’s Supermarket, will be sold during the demos. Snack items such as Nature’s Field, The Bakers Cottage and Veat delicacies from Malaysia; Koka instant noodles from Singapore; and Real Thai Rice Sticks from Thailand will also be sold.

A raffle ticket will be given for every P500 purchase; prizes include trips to the participating countries.

Rustan’s Supermarkets are in Glorietta, Power Plant Mall, San Antonio Plaza Arcade and Greenbelt in Makati; Gateway Mall, Il Terrazzo Mall and Katipunan Road, in Quezon City; Ayala Center and Arcenas Estates in Cebu.

For the satay: Mix in a bowl chicken, ground ingredients, salt, sugar, light soy sauce and oil. Marinate the chicken cubes for 2-12 hours.

Skewer 4-5 cubes of chicken per stick. Grill chicken over hot charcoal, brushing with lemongrass stalk dipped in the mixed ingredients.

Frequently turn the skewers to prevent the meat from burning. You may also grill in an oven broiler for 10 minutes on each side.

Peanut sauce: Heat the oil in a saucepan and put the ground ingredients. Stir until fragrant.

Add ground roasted peanuts. Stir and bring to a slow boil for 3 minutes.

Mix all the boiling sauce with tamarind juice, sugar and salt. Simmer for 5 minutes.

Serve satay with a bowl of peanut sauce; sliced cucumber and raw onion; and nasi himpit (compressed rice cake) or boiled rice. Fish, beef or lamb may also be used for this recipe.

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Canada: Seen and Scenes

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012 40

At the Fourth Annual Surrey Fusion Festival, the Ultimate Celebration of Music, Food and Culture. Thousands packed Holland Park to enjoy the music, dance and food of more than 36 cultures from around the world. - Photo by Angelo Siglos

Pastor Fr. Regulo Imperial joined Pat Martyn on her birthday to express his appreciation to Pat, who is very extremely helpful in many ministries in the Prince of Peace Church. (Photo shows L-R: Lorenza Maillet, Fr. Regulo Imperial, Vi Loresco, celebrant Pat Martyn, Lady Dolly and Sir George Poblete)

BC Technology Now in Vietnam. Basilica Software Corporation, a Filipino-Canadian owned and managed company in Surrey, BC with its Asia Pacific Regional office located in Manila, Philippines, signed an agreement with Pathstone Company Limited of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to be the exclusive distributor of Basilica’s products, which showcases the capabilities of Filipinos in the area of software development and design. For additional information, please visit Basilica’s website at www.basilicasoftware.com or Pathstone’s at www.pathstone.com.vn. You may also contact Basilica directly via email at info@basilicasoftware.com.

The Miss Caregiver Pageant presented by the Fil-core Support Group was held on June 30 at 1250 Markham Road, Scarborough (Global Kingdom Ministries). Winners were (from left to right) Hazel Satera (4th Runner up), Rezany Bardon (3rd Runner up), Miss Caregiver 2012 Shamaine Jalos, Claire Bael (1st Runner up) and Margie Bayanay (2nd Runner up). Winner of the Best in Creative was Gown Dulce Cortez. Her gown was made of black garbage bag and foil paper.

Vince Dumael, a native of San Juan, Batangas, leads the Knights of Columbus St. Lawrence the Martyr Council 13417 as Grand Knight. He was installed some few days ago to serve for the year 2012-2013.

41 WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012

Canada: Seen and Scenes

BAPTISM OF NIAM ALLEN NEPOMUCENO ZETAZATE Niam Allen Nepomuceno Zetazate (middle) held by his father, Jeff Zetazate, beside his mother, Sarah Nepomuceno Zetazata, after he was baptized at the St. Rose of Lima Church in Scarborough, Ontario which was officiated by Fr. Godofredo Claudio on July 15. (Photo by Lei Marie Zetazate)

John Frederick Ostonal Cabanela - a Grade 10 Filipino-Canadian, played the male lead role in the musical adaptation of the movie “Legally Blonde” last May 10, 11, & 12, 2012 held @ East York Collegiate Institute. He was also the Stage Manager of said musical. John is the only child of Nilo L. Cabanela of Calauag, Quezon, and Baby Ostonal Cabanela of Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte.

Fun, camaraderie and awesome company at the Summer Picnic of the UPAABC held on July 28 at Jellicoe Park in Vancouver.

The Association of Concerned School Custodians (custodians of North Vancouver School District 44) held a dinner-dance fundraising event on July 7th at the St. Pius X hall in North Vancouver. It was billed as the “Making a Difference” Dinner Dance and the second project of the school custodians, the proceeds of which will be donated to benefit the community outreach projects of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) in the Philippines.

To all you globe trotters - travel with PCI and be published!

If you take the Philippines Canadian Inquirer to your trips and take a photo of a famous or scenic landmark or backdrop - we will feature you and your photo!

Please e-mail your photos with photo caption (names of people in the photos, details about the trip) to info@canadianinquirer.net.

Have fun on your adventure!

Canada

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012 42

BY RUDY M. VIERNES Publisher Philippine Canadian Inquirer Editor Melissa Remulla-Briones

FAST FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Correspondents Lizette Lofranco Aba Jeffrey J.D. Andrion Gigi Astudillo Laarni de Paula Dr. Rizaldy Ferrer Maria Ramona Ledesma Frances Grace H. Quiddaoen Rodel J. Ramos Stella Reyes Sarah Taguiam Agnes Tecson

The Global Filipino FILIPINOS going overseas were earlier called OCWs for Overseas Contract Workers. That was replaced with OFWs for Overseas Filipino Workers.

Wikipedia defines Overseas Filipinos as people from the Philippines who live either as citizens of other countries or as residents on a temporary basis.

To sweeten the pie they are now called Global Filipinos, a fitting nomenclature because they are dispersed in all parts of the globe.

And a grateful government has exalted them as mga bayani, or the quintessential heroes of our time, because their dollar remittances constitute the biggest single source of foreign reserves of our Central Bank system along with exports.

These “heroes” leave hearth and families to brave the rigors and loneliness of working in unknown lands driven by the pipe dream of providing their loved ones a better lease on life and at the same time contribute to the strength of our banking system.

Today’s Filipino Diaspora, similar to the Jewish Diaspora in the New Testament, is composed of a diversity of skills and functions. These are the mega-buck earners with merchantable expertise, like the medical and health-care practitioners, engineers, accountants, information technology experts, down to the masons and road builders in construction sites, entertainers and waiters of luxury liners plying the high seas.

Wherever they are, and true to their innate clannishness, they socialize with their kababayans, or join associations with varying goals and causes, mostly socials, to widen their circle of friends with whom to touch base to offset homesickness.

Graphic Designer Victoria Yong Illustration Danvic C. Briones Photographers AJ Juan Solon Licas Ryan Ferrer Angelo Siglos Art Viray Other traits that personify global Filipinos are their hard-work ethic, trustworthiness and messianic zeal to thrive and succeed in their work. These values have made the GF compelling to fill the demands for their education and skills particularly in the developed and industrial nations of the world. And their other vaunted advantage -- they are highly proficient and conversant in English which is the lingua franca of the world.

Filipinos are vital cogs of parish activities in many countries around the world. Everywhere in Canada, like in Vancouver, and in the United States, like in California, church activities are vibrant and alive because of Filipinos who are avid altar servers, Eucharist ministers, lectors, choir members, collectors, greeters.

How have the populace of the world viewed these Filipinos in their midst?

Positively impressive! They are highly regarded because of their hard-driving habits, diligence, the quality of their work and charming ways.

Eventually many may find a niche where they are and become naturalized citizens. And they soon petition their families to come over and establish themselves in their adopted country

with occasional visits to kith and kin.

These global Pinoys, especially those with great technical skills, find it easier and more confident to integrate themselves in mainstream local society because of their high education and speaking acumen, many belonging to the middle class ensconced in gated communities.

In the U.S., Filipino-Americans have the second highest median household income ($65,000) exceeding that of the US general population. Filipinos are also the second largest group in the U.S. and they live a life as sophisticated as their American counterparts. In Canada, Filipinos comprise the third largest immigrant population, and is poised to overtake the second largest, the Indians.

By and large Global Filipinos have become prime movers of our country’s economy and have been honored by a grateful president who sets aside a day in December every year to welcome our Balikbayans at the airport in a perfunctory ceremony and have photo-ops with them published in the newspapers with the caption “OUR HEROES.” And our reluctant heroes are grateful too, for the attention and recognition if only as an annual parody. n

The Philippine Canadian Inquirer welcomes your views and opinions. Please e-mail the editor at editor@canadianinquirer.net.Thank you.

Sales and Operations Laarni de Paula Alice Yong (778) 889-3518 HINGE INQUIRER PUBLICATIONS CUSTOM PUBLISHING GROUP Managing Editor Maita de Jesus Graphic Artists Reggie Goloy Maud Villanueva Editorial Assistant Phoebe Casin Anne Lora Santos Associate Publisher Lurisa Villanueva Jr. Associate Publisher Millicent Agoncillo Project Coordinator Lychelle Ang In cooperation with the Philippine Daily Inquirer digital edition

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