Philippine Canadian Inquirer Issue #60

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

VOL. 4 NO. 60

APRIL 19, 2013

WHAT’S INSIDE

19

Trudeau’s “strip-tease”

Justin Trudeau’s mock strip-tease in the name of charity proves he’s not fit to be prime minister, Conservatives say in their ads against the newly elected Liberal leader.

BINIBINING PILIPINAS GOLD Ariella Arida (second from left) waves to the crowd after her proclamation as 2013 Miss Universe Philippines in the 50th edition of the Binibining Pilipinas pageant at Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday night. Also hailed winners were (from left) Bb. Pilipinas-Tourism Cindy Miranda, Bb. Pilipinas-International Bea Santiago and Bb. Pilipinas-Supranational Mutya Datul.

PHOTO FROM RUFFYBIAZON.PH

20

Boston Bombing

Officials still don’t know who did this or why, said President Barack Obama. Meanwhile, Canadians caught in the aftermath of the tragedy share their stories. (also on pages 21 and 46)

Kris 2011 top taxpayer No tycoon among Top 10 on Forbes list Philippine Daily Inquirer SHOW business personality Kris Aquino, the youngest sister of President Aquino, has earned another distinction—being No. 1 on the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) list of Top 500 individual taxpayers.

Kris, 42, who has numerous product endorsements and three TV shows, paid P49.87 million in taxes for 2011, according to the list the BIR posted on its website.

Businessmen, other celebrities and politicians also made it to the BIR’s roster of top individual taxpayers. ( See complete list on INQUIRER.net.)

Kris was followed by Sunpower

27

VOICE 27

$

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Samsung Galaxy Ace IIx

Philippines vice president Gregory Deane Reichow (P38.2 million) and former Philippine Ambassador to the UN Lauro Liboon Baja Jr. (P34.26 million). [The BIR, however, believes that Baja is the head of the Philippine unit of the Swiss bank UBS, which is engaged mainly in debt and equity underwriting.]

PLDT chair Manuel V. Pangilinan was the fourth largest taxpayer (P25.99 million) while Aurelio Montinola III, president and CEO of Bank of the Philippine Islands, came in fifth (P24.47 million).

Gerardo Ablaza, Manila Water president, paid P22.65 million and was ranked sixth, while Philippine Ambassador to Portugal Philippe Lhuillier was seventh (P21.65

million). They were followed by Victor M. Angeles, who paid P21.2 million.

Completing the Top 10 individual taxpayers for 2011 were Roberto L. Panlilio of JP Morgan Chase & Co. (ninth, P19.61 million) and GMA Network chair and CEO Felipe L. Gozon (10th, P19.59 million).

TYCOONS

None of the Filipino tycoons Forbes cited as among the richest people were among the Top 10 taxpayers.

Henry Sy Sr., 15th on the BIR list, paid P16.58 million in taxes.

Lucio Tan, the country’s second

27

Filipino-Canadian in Focus: Jeff Rustia

“What is a Filipino?” He was the only one in his school in Toronto. His classmates asked him: what is he? Where does he come from? What is a Filipino? The snazzy Jeff Rustia answers the question with flair.

28

Clean ‘n Green

Spring’s in the air—dust bunnies beware. ‘Tis the season of flowers, sunshine, birds; but also of the feather duster, the vacuum cleaner.

Inside: spring-cleaning, upcycling, and all things bright, airy and beautiful. (On pages 28-32)

❱❱ 11 Kris 2011

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FRIDAY APRIL 19, 2013

In gold they trust Cold cash for ‘scrap’ jewelry

BY CATHY YAMSUAN Philippine Daily Inquirer ADELA (not her real name) waited an hour and a half on a sofa along a hotel corridor while assistants of a foreign jewelry buyer went out to withdraw cash to purchase items from another seller who came before her.

“I was told to be patient since the seller brought a lot of antique jewelry and the people inside [the rented hotel function room] ran out of cash for the purchase of all his items,” she said in Filipino.

Adela was an elderly woman who needed fast cash. Dressed in very simple clothes, she could have boarded a bus and nobody would have suspected that she carried a 3.5-carat loose diamond worth hundreds of thousands of pesos in her purse.

Waiting along with her wasDavid (not his real name) who described the contents of his clutch bag as “conjugal jewelry” that he and his wife agreed to sell.

Adela and David were among those enticed by full-page newspaper ads that for the past several weeks appeared in the INQUIRER, announcing “goldbuying” events that promised hefty returns for their antique jewelry, scrap gold like gold dental fillings and other unused, unwanted or “unfashionable” jewelry.

The organizers said people could also come in with their items for a free appraisal. This attracted the attention of a third customer, a rather impatient middle-aged woman who wanted to jump the line so her items could be examined.

Adela’s turn took less than 10 minutes. She looked satisfied as she left the function room and mumbled her thanks to a young doorman dressed as a dandy who described himself as

“a half-Filipino from Cebu.”

David then entered, took a little more time and left with a look of relief and excitement on his face.

“Ayos (Done),” he told this reporter as he stepped out of the function room.

H&J Jewellers, the company behind the ads placed in the INQUIRER, describes itself as “a leading UK jeweler” that returned to Manila “due to popular demand.”

STRIKE GOLD

One ad promised “immediate payment in cash” for gold and/or diamond jewelry and “vintage Swiss watches.”

H&J’s Samuel Parrott, who attended to Adela and David, was quoted in the ad saying that “lots of families have what I call hidden treasures in their homes, inherited jewelry from their grandparents, unfashionable jewelry they no longer wish to wear just lying around because they are reluctant to let go of these for sentimental reasons.”

Parrott added, however, that rather than let the jewelry sit unappreciated in storage, H&J professionals could appraise these items and offer spot cash for those who wish to sell.

He said there had been many cases in the past when those who went to their gold-buying events were “surprised with our estimation” and eventually “go away extremely happy, with cash” to pay children’s tuition, home luxuries “or even cars.”

In the past two months, H&J held at least three gold-buying events in fivestar hotels for several days.

The half-Filipino doorman said there had also been gold-buying events in Cebu which generated a similarly warm response.

He added that the company also held gold-buying events in Malaysia ❱❱ 8 In gold

PHOTO BY PETER DAZELEY

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Sleepless UNA ladies endure heat, hectic sked, cat bite

BY CHRISTIAN V. ESGUERRA Philippine Daily Inquirer OZAMIZ CITY—One of the loudest voices in the United Nationalist Alliance’s (UNA) senatorial ticket fell silent shortly after the plane’s cabin door closed.

Rep. Mitos Magsaysay and her entourage were on a 5:25 a.m. flight to Misamis Occidental in yet another backbreaking schedule that would take them to at least five more provinces up north this week.

Magsaysay, her voice occasionally failing in the morning, was catching up on sleep, a rarity for most senatorial candidates in this stretch of the campaign for next month’s elections.

Seated across the aisle on the third row was a fellow UNA candidate, ex-Tarlac Gov. Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco. She had a concern of her own. A cat bit her left foot during a recent sortie in Laguna. It required eight antirabies and antitetanus injections. She’ll get the last shot

when she gets back to Manila.

Little sleep, infernal heat, occasional sickness or, in the case of Cojuangco, a terrible cat bite are all part of the game to win a seat in the Senate.

UNFAZED BY POLL SURVEYS

But both Magsaysay and Cojuangco insisted that they were undaunted, especially with just a month to go before Election Day. They remain unfazed, or so they claim, even if the two major survey firms have consistently put them at the bottom rung of prospective winners in the senatorial race.

“I don’t believe that 1,200 people (the usual number of respondents) can actually disrupt my wanting to serve the country,” Cojuangco told reporters before going on a campaign motorcade here.

“How can 1,200 (respondents) speak for 52 million voters?” she said.

Magsaysay was similarly dismissive of the Pulse Asia and Social Weather Stations surveys, questioning why her

PHOTO BY SURESH MENON

ratings had basically not been moving since the surveys began.

“From the start, someone told me that they would nail me to that number,” she told the INQUIRER. Without naming names, she added: “They don’t want me to win and they don’t want me to get campaign funds.”

Survey results notwithstanding, Magsaysay and Cojuangco have been

diligently campaigning. They were on the road and at public markets here in the morning and in the afternoon.

They were joined by Audrey Zubiri, who represented her husband, former Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, also an UNA senatorial candidate.

HECTIC HOMESTRETCH

Cojuangco said she had not missed

a group sortie while Magsaysay said she had skipped only the last one in Leyte. But she said that was because she campaigned in nearby Cebu.

The coming weeks are expected to become even more hectic for the two women and others in the UNA slate.

They returned to Manila on Friday morning but flew to Kalibo later that day at 2:30 p.m. They courted voters in Aklan, Antique and Iloilo. They were scheduled to return to Manila on Monday.

They will barnstorm Nueva Ecija the following day and, barring lastminute changes in schedule, will motor to Pangasinan, La Union and Ilocos the rest of the week.

Capiz was initially included in the Iloilo leg but the INQUIRER learned it was postponed because Vice President Jejomar Binay, one of the senior UNA leaders, could not join them.

The province is the political bailiwick of Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, Binay’s likely rival in the presidential election three years from now. ■

Follow RH law, but keep eye on

‘Outgunned,’ but UNA sure

abusers, Catholics urged

of Binay win in 2016 polls

BY PHILIP C. TUBEZA Philippine Daily Inquirer CATHOLICS should obey the controversial reproductive health (RH) law but closely monitor its implementation to prevent abuse, according to a Catholic lay leader.

Former Ambassador to the Vatican Henrietta de Villa, head of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), said Catholics should follow the measure since it was now the law.

“What I want to explain is that when the law was being considered, we were against the RH bill. But now that it has become law, as citizens we should follow it,” said De Villa in a Church forum in Intramuros, Manila.

She made the statement after she was asked if the election watchdog PPCRV—which De Villa has said was anti-RH—would be fair to pro-RH candidates.

GO ON LEAVE

She said PPCRV members who wanted to actively campaign against pro-RH candidates should take a leave from the organization.

She said that around 10 percent of PPCRV volunteers had gone on leave to join the Church’s “partisan” campaigning.

“If that is what they chose, then they should separate from the PPCRV in the meantime,” she said.

“We tell our poll watchers and our volunteers that after the elections, when they go back to what they used to do, they should guard the implementation of the (RHlaw) on the ground. That is what I also tell our bishops and priests,” De Villa said.

“Make sure it does not go beyond what was agreed upon (during the public hearings when the law’s implementing rules and regulations, or IRR, were formulated). So it should not promote abortion or coerce anyone to use contraception. There should be no coercion,” she said.

She said representatives of the Church had been invited to the formulation of the law’s IRR. NOW A LAW

“Since it is now a law, we should follow it but we should also guard its implementation to make sure it does not violate the dignity of the human person,” De Villa added.

Catholic lawyers have successfully

convinced the Supreme Court to temporarily halt the implementation of the RH law while the high tribunal reviews the petitions against it.

Other Catholic lay leaders, like election lawyer Romulo Macalintal, had called on PPCRV members to “liberate” themselves from the election watchdog so that they could focus on mobilizing the so-called “Catholic vote” against pro-RH candidates in the May elections.

De Villa said the Church was big enough to contain both those whowant to join the “partisan” campaign against pro-RH candidates and “nonpartisan” groups like the PPCRV that want to ensure clean elections.

“We know that in one community, or even in one family, it can’t be said that they will all move in one direction.

For us Catholics in the PPCRV, we chose a nonpartisan way, in which we don’t name candidates but the voter’s education we give is values based,” she said.

She also said that, so far, no other diocese has followed the example of the archdiocese of Batangas and cut its ties with the PPCRV, which mainly uses the Catholic Church’s extensive network of parishes across the country to recruit volunteers. ■

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BY CHRISTIAN V. ESGUERRA Philippine Daily Inquirer LEADERS of the United Nationalist Alliance concede that the coalition is thoroughly outgunned by President Aquino’s Liberal Party in the local elections in May based on the number of candidates.

The LP is fielding a total of 158 aspirants for seats in the House of Representatives while the UNA has only 58, based on records made available by Rep. Toby Tiangco, UNA’s campaign manager and secretary general.The ruling party is likewise dominant in the race for city mayor and vice mayor, its candidates outnumbering those of UNA, 196-66.

But former President Joseph Estrada, one of the three senior UNA leaders, said he was unfazed by the prospect of the LP controlling local positions for the next three years.

Realignments Tiangco said he was expecting “realignments” among local leaders going into 2016.

“I spoke with a number of local officials and they told me they were staying put with the administration only because

P-Noy is still the President,” he said.

“But come 2016, they said they would go for Binay,” he claimed, referring to the planned presidential run of Vice President Jejomar Binay, a top UNA leader.

Himself running for Manila mayor, Estrada said local candidates participating in midterm elections usually align themselves with the ruling party.

“They know better not to antagonize whoever is in Malacañang,” said the 75-year-old Estrada, who is up against the LP’s incumbent Mayor Alfredo Lim. Tiangco said the UNA opted not to field candidates in some posts held by LP officials because of the incumbent leaders’ track record.

“Maayos naman yung iba sa kanila kaya di na pinalabanan,” he said.

Among candidates for municipal mayor and vice mayor in Luzon, UNA has 17 while the LP has 143. The Nationalist People’s Coalition has 135 while the Nacionalista Party has 71.

Both the NP and the NPC are part of the coalition formed by the LP for the senatorial race.

In the Visayas, the LP has 201 while the UNA has 129. The ruling party is also dominant in Mindanao with 126 candidates for town mayor and vice mayor compared to the UNA’s 20. ■

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FRIDAY APRIL 19, 2013

5

Time to repay OFWS, now that economy’s better

BY NORMAN BORDADORA Philippine Daily Inquirer OVERSEAS Filipino workers (OFWs), who for so long had propped up the Philippine economy with their hard-earned foreign exchange, may just miss out on the economic gains the country is now reaping as they find it necessary to continue toiling abroad, said reelectionist Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.

Cayetano, a candidate of the administration Team PNoy coalition, suggested the government take advantage of the positive economic

climate and make loans available to OFWs and their families so they could start businesses and not have to take jobs overseas.

“We call them modern-day heroes.

They propped up the country when the economy was bad. Now that the economy is improving, it seems that they are still encountering difficulties,” Cayetano told the INQUIRER in a phone interview from Hong Kong.

Cayetano brought his campaign to the Filipino absentee voters, many of them domestic workers, in the Chinese territory over the weekend.

According to his media staff, Cayetano had lunch with Filipino

workers at their usual Sunday gathering at Statue Square. He then attended a campaign rally of Migrante, the partylist group that represents Filipino migrant workers.

On Monday, Cayetano visited the Philippine consulate in Hong Kong to discuss with its officials the problems that OFWs face.

“While placement fees are already illegal back home [in the Philippines], there are still OFWs who are charged their monthly salaries to pay for these fees,” Cayetano said.

Cayetano learned from the domestic ❱❱ 18 Time to

Election is key to peace in Muslim Mindanao–P-noy

BY TJ BURGONIO Philippine Daily Inquirer PEACE and development in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) would continue depending on the kind of leaders emerging after the elections on May 13, President Aquino said.

After getting an update on the status of infrastructure projects in the region from ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman in Cotabato City, the President proceeded to Buluan town in Maguindanao to make a pitch for the administration’s senatorial candidates.

At the Buluan municipal gym, the President told town people that their cooperation was crucial to the unbroken implementation of his administration’s reforms in the autonomous region.

“I won’t beat around the bush.

We’re here to throw our support behind the pillars of ARMM’s rebuilding, and ask you, our Boss, to side with the Team PNoy, and our allies pushing for a peaceful and progressive Bangsamoro,” he said in his speech, excerpts of which were furnished the press. Team PNoy consists of the administration’s Senate ticket.

After all, the future of ARMM was in the hands of the electorate in the region, Mr. Aquino said.

“Whether peace and development will continue, or whether we’ll go back to the system of deception and

violence, all depends on the kind of leaders you’ll elect this coming May,” he said.

Mr. Aquino credited Hataman for sowing the seeds of reform in the ARMM that had been wracked by conflict and corruption for the past several years.

“For exposing the ghost projects of the administration, the moniker ‘ghostbuster’ fits him,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Hataman briefed the President on ongoing ARMM projects worth P9.4 billion

in a PowerPoint presentation at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Center in Cotabato City.

These included the P280.3million Agri-Pinoy project; P129.9-million Fish for Peace; P852-million Agrarian Reform Communities Project; P1.546billion Peaceful and Resilient Communities program; P3.9billion Basic Education Assistance for Muslim Mindanao and the P182.7-million health facility enhancement. ■

PHOTO FROM NOYNOY-AQUINO.COM

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PGA Cars Inc. is currently under audit for correctness of declaration. The distributor sells Porsche, Audi, Lamborghini and Bentley in the Philippines, and may owe the government up to P1 billion, said the Bureau of Customs.

PHOTO FROM MIKEY808 - FLICKR

Luxury car importer probed P1B in duties on Porsches, Lamborghinis shaved, Customs suspect

BY GIL C. CABACUNGAN Philippine Daily Inquirer THE EXCLUSIVE distributor of Porsche, Audi, Lamborghini and Bentley is facing scrutiny from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for allegedly shaving its duty payments to the government by as much as P1 billion over the last five years.

But PGA Cars Inc., owned by the family of billionaire Robert Coyiuto Jr., insisted that this was just part of the regular postentry audit that should be undertaken by the BOC not only on PGA and other luxury car importers but also on other importers.

“They (PGA) are under audit now for importations—for correctness of declaration. The years under audit is from 2008 to the present,” said BOC Commissioner Rufino Biazon in an interview with INQUIRER editors and reporters Thursday night.

When asked how much the government was trying to recover from PGA, Biazon gave P1 billion as “the rough estimate.”

“Our suspicion is that they

undervalued their cars,” he added.

All vehicle imports, whether brand-new or used, purchased or donated, are subject to a 40 percent customs duty on top of the 10 percent value-added tax and ad valorem tax ranging from 15 percent to 100 percent, depending on its piston displacement. The vehicle is assessed based on book value and not on its purchase price or acquisition cost.

In a phone interview, Antonio Remollo, director of PGA Cars, said it was ironic that Biazon would single out PGA for its post-entry audit because it was hailed as among the top 10 tax contributors based on duty payments in South Harbor. “No less than Commissioner Biazon and District Colector Roger Gatchalian gave PGA Cars the award last Feb. 4,” said Remollo.

Still, Remollo said his group welcomed the post-entry audit on his company and optimistic that it was not being singled out by the agency.

“If the BOC is true to its mandate, ❱❱ 14 Luxury car

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6

Vote as Jesus would, prelate advises faithful

Strike 2 vs anticorruption drive

BY PHILIP C. TUBEZA Philippine Daily Inquirer

BY NIKKO DIZON Philippine Daily Inquirer

FOR WHOM would Jesus vote?

Warning that the Catholic Church would “always end up the loser” if it engaged in partisan politics, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas urged Church leaders to avoid endorsing specific candidates.

In a powerful pastoral letter on the coming elections, Villegas said endorsing candidates would “compromise” the Church’s spiritual mission, adding that the Church “must guide and not dictate,” and help unite society instead of causing more divisions.

“When the Church endorses candidates in political elections she always ends up a loser. The endorsed candidate may win the votes but the Church never wins with him,” said Villegas.

He said candidates the Church

IT’S STRIKE two against the government’s anticorruption efforts.

After entering into a plea bargain with former military comptroller Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia, which was upheld by the Sandiganbayan, the Office of the Ombudsman dismissed the plunder complaint earlier filed by retired Army Col. George Rabusa against former military generals and other ranking officers.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales then ordered a special panel of prosecutors to determine if there was probable cause against them for other crimes.

But in a second memorandum submitted to Morales on Aug. 10, 2012, the six-member panel said it had also found “no probable cause to warrant the filing of other criminal charges” against the respondents, who included retired Armed Forces

PHOTO FROM CSA IMAGES

may endorse might win “but [then] religion has been reduced to a political party.”

“Religion has been used for political gain and our spiritual mission

has been compromised. We will be lonesome widows after the elections for marrying partisan politics during ❱❱ 13 Vote as

L L A C as low

6

DISAPPOINTING

“This is a great blow to the fight of President Aquino against corruption.

Nakakadismaya talaga (It’s really disappointing),” AMRSP’s Sr. Mary John Mananzan told the INQUIRER by phone.

“I think we have to make noise among civil society. I’ve spoken to groups who said they were very dismayed by this and they want to bring out (their frustration),” she said. ❱❱ 11 Strike 2

PUSONG PINOY

S E N IPPI

PHIaLs

chiefs of staff Generals Diomedio Villanueva, Roy Cimatu and Efren Abu, Garcia and his deputy, retired Maj. Gen. Jacinto Ligot.

Supporters of Rabusa like the Association of Major Religious Superiors (AMRSP) and the militant group Bayan both slammed the Ombudsman resolution and said that it was time once again for civil society groups to come together and “make noise” against corruption.

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FRIDAY APRIL 19, 2013

7

PH may allow US bases here if...

BY NIKKO DIZON Philippine Daily Inquirer DEFENSE Secretary Voltaire Gazmin raised the possibility of the United States again being allowed to locate military bases in the Philippines if war should break out in the Korean Peninsula.

Gazmin conceded that the Constitution bans the establishment of US bases here.

“But in cases of extreme emergency, then there are extreme measures to be undertaken. Maybe this is one of them,” he said.

US military presence is an emotionally charged issue in the Philippines which in 1992 officially ended 93 years of US basing rights in the country when the US flag was lowered and the US Pacific Fleet sailed away from Subic Naval Base.

A year before, the Senate had voted not to renew the US leases to Clark

US military bases in case war breaks out in the Korean Peninsula.

Defense spokesperson Peter Paul Galvez explained that in the same way that a war in the Korean Peninsula is being discussed in the context of a world war, so is the possibility of basing US forces in the Philippines.

“If war breaks out, will we recommend to Congress to allow the US to have staging areas here? That’s still a question we have to thresh out,” Galvez said.

‘ROTATIONAL’ PRESENCE

Gazmin pointed out that even in the absence of US military bases, Philippine and US military cooperation can be seen in “exercises and increased rotational presence of American troops here in the area involved in exercises and training.”

The 62-year-old Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between the Philippines and the US allows an extended stay of US troops in the Philippines.

PHOTO BY DAVE BARANEK

Air Force Base and Subic Naval Base, then the two largest US military facilities outside the United States.

Denying US access to military bases was subsequently written into the 1987 Constitution that was drafted after the first Edsa People Power Revolution of 1986.

IF WAR BREAKS OUT...

Gazmin and other defense department officials believe that could quickly change if North Korea makes good its threat to launch a nuclear attack on South Korea, the US and its allies in the Pacific.

However, Gazmin clarified that the Philippines and the US have not yet discussed the possibility of setting up

“But there is a gray area between an actual basing and an extended stay,” Galvez said.

He said that in the event of a war, an advanced command post, for example, would need coordination with land, air and naval assets. “That is all in the MDT,” he said. Galvez also stressed that Gazmin was not superseding the Constitution when the defense secretary broached the possibility of basing US troops in the Philippines should tensions in the Korean Peninsula escalate to a fullblown war.

“A good question to ask the Supreme Court is, will the Constitution hold if a world war breaks out?” he said. ■

PHOTO FROM SENATE.GOV.PH

Reversal of votes: 12-0 for Team Pnoy in Maguindanao

BY NORMAN BORADORA Philippine Daily Inquirer BULUAN, Maguindanao—You can’t win ’em all. But the President’s Senate candidates might just win over to their side the province that gave Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s candidates a questionable 12-0 sweep in the 2007 elections—this time legitimately, Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu said.

Mangudadatu, Mr. Aquino’s party mate in the Liberal Party, said much had changed in the province since the President took over in 2010, noting that the political reforms put in place by the administration are sure to win it for the 12 Team PNoy candidates. “[The people] are already being moved by change. They want what the President is doing. That’s why the candidates carried by the President will get the people’s votes,” Mangudadatu said before the start of a Team PNoy campaign rally led by President Aquino.

“They will all win,” Mangudadatu added.

Former Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. is one of Arroyo’s coaccused in the electoral sabotage case filed against the former President in connection with her

alleged instruction that the local leader ensure a 12-0 victory in Maguindanao for her candidates in the 2007 senatorial elections.

It has been almost four years since Mangudadatu’s wife, loved ones and supporters as well as dozens of journalists were killed in what could easily be the worst case of electionrelated violence in the world.

The principal accused are led by Ampatuan, the province’s avowed strongman then, and his sons, former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan and former Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. “There has been a huge change.

The people no longer want to be taken advantage of. Now, they want to be the ones in control,” Mangudadatu said. “We’re generally peaceful here.

There’s no more coercion.”

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, one of the apparent victims of the alleged fraud in Maguindanao and in the ARMM, asked the political leaders and supporters who gathered at the rally to give him a full six-year term.

Pimentel served less than two years of his term because of electoral fraud.

Former Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri

resigned in 2011 after serving four years of the sixyear Senate term that was rightfully Pimentel’s.

“I hope to leave Maguindanao with fond memories this time,” Pimentel told reporters before the campaign rally held at a gymnasium in this town.

“You know, a 12-0 sweep for administration candidates in Maguindanao is possible but it should be based on the real votes of the people,” Pimentel added.

Addressing the crowd, Pimentel said the prospect of all administration candidates winning was quite possible, even without cheating.

“It can be done legally and legitimately,” Pimentel said.

President Aquino, Pimentel, and other administration senatorial candidates Sen. Loren Legarda, former Sen. Ramon Magsaysay Jr., Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara, former Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros and Benigno Aquino IV were in Maguindanao to give support to the reelection bid of Mangudadatu.

Mr. Aquino and the Team PNoy slate are also pushing for the candidacy of ARMM officer in charge Mujiv Hataman for the governorship of the autonomous region. ■

Gov’t accused of double standard in US, Sino intrusions

BY DJ YAP Philippine Daily Inquirer AN ENVIRONMENT group accused the Aquino administration of double standard in handling the back-to-back intrusions of a US Navy warship, the USS Guardian in January, and the Chinese fishing vessel.

“While the Philippine Coast Guard swiftly acted to apprehend the Chinese intruders, it is shameful and appalling how the Aquino government

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handled the American trespassers from the US Navy,” said Clemente Bautista, national coordinator of Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment.

He noted the disparity in the government’s response toward the grounding of the Chinese and American vessels in the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.

“First, the PCG (Philippine Coast Guard) failed to apprehend the officers and crew of the USS Guardian in spite of their clear violations of our local

and environmental laws. Second, the Philippine authorities embarrassingly failed to assert our right to directly investigate and interview the personnel of the USS Guardian as the US Navy did not allow it,” Bautista said in a statement.

“Worst, the Aquino administration is handling the USS Guardian grounding just like a matter of monetary compensation on the damaged reefs,” he said. Until now the government has not prosecuted the US Navy personnel responsible for the grounding. ■

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8

In gold... ❰❰ 3

and Singapore that were successful.

“We are on the lookout for higherquality gold,” he said.

TIGHTLY GUARDED

These events were tightly guarded.

A male INQUIRER reporter who attempted to enter one of these venues out of curiosity was turned away after doormen learned he had no jewelry to sell.

A slim and young-looking Parrott was commanding the event at the function room of a five-star hotel in Makati City when this reporter walked in after Adela and David.

Parrott described himself as a “22year-old jewelry appraiser” who is related to H&J’s UK-based owner Andrew Harding.

He took one look at a gold-plated antique tamburin necklace meant for appraisal that this reporter—who did not identify herself as from the INQUIRER—drew out from her purse.

“Oh, that’s silver,” he remarked from a distance of several feet from the item.

How could he tell? Was it the sound it made?

Parrott would not say but noted that several persons already came in with similar antique jewelry.

TOUCHSTONE

“Even if it’s silver, it’s not as highly priced as gold but I would suggest you hold on to it. Silver might become more valuable someday,” he said consolingly.

To prove his point, Parrott took the tamburin and rubbed one portion against a smooth black stone about the size of a paperweight that jewelry experts refer to as streak or touchstone.

Parrott then took a small plastic bottle that looked like a vessel for eye drops and gingerly put a drop of liquid on the part of the stone where he rubbed the tamburin.

“See, it’s silver. It’s not gold,” he said. Gold with a higher concentration such as those used in 14- to 18-karat fine jewelry would react differently to the liquid.

Nitric acid is used in tests like these to determine how much gold a piece of jewelry has.

Twenty-four-karat gold is considered pure gold. It may be precious but 24k jewelry, being a “soft metal,” could lose its shape. It has to be mixed with a small amount of another metal to make it more durable.

Eighteen-karat gold is 18 parts gold and six parts metal alloy.

Fourteenkarat gold has 14 parts gold and 10 parts alloy.

Gold of varying mixes react

differently to nitric acid.

This reporter then took out an antique white-gold solitaire diamond ring, an inheritance from her grandmother.

“Yes, it is white gold but we want 18k gold. And the diamond has to be

killing especially during enrollment period since parents are likely to pawn their jewelry when cash runs out. Gold, obviously, is a dependable commodity even in domestic concerns.

Parrott displayed the 3.5-carat diamond he paid Adela P400,000

PHOTO FROM RUFFYBIAZON.PH

at least 1 carat in size,” Parrott said.

Besides, the diamond has an inclusion—the term used for very fine cracks detected through powerful lenses in an otherwise flawless stone.

He then whipped out a transparent plastic chart where the diamond carat sizes can be compared to show how big a diamond must be to qualify for purchase.

Despite H&J’s announcement in its ad that it is interested in vintage luxury watches, an antique Lady Elgin watch this reporter brought did not merit any attention at all.

The company is interested primarily in Rolexes and Patek Philippes, Parrott explained.

Parrott said H&J does not resell the pieces it purchases. Rather, the company brings these to UK where the gold is sold to jewelry-makers there and refashioned into chicer pieces.

GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY

It is not surprising that H&J and other foreign-based companies in the same business are drawn to the Philippines.

Filipinos are known for their penchant for fine jewelry, not only for investment but also for social status.

Consider the early batches of overseas Filipino workers returning from the Middle East who brandished thick gold chains and pendants on their necks and chests upon arrival.

Or, think customs personnel with the heavy golden chains dangling from their necks.

More Filipinos, however, would rather buy jewelry to mark special occasions like the birth of children, birthdays and anniversaries as well as to celebrate successful business deals.

As such, pawnshops also make a

for. In local jewelry parlance, Adela’s erstwhile diamond would be called malandi (flirty) because it disperses the light that strikes it beautifully. And given its size, any enthusiast would agree that Adela was shortchanged.

In fact, the staff of an upscale jewelry shop in Makati howled at Adela’s apparent loss when told of Parrott’s price. A 3.5-carat diamond of the same cut, size and classification sells for $11,500 per carat in their store.

“It has a slight yellowish tinge,” Parrott explained, maybe to justify the amount he paid for the diamond.

Adela did not look like she was aware of such a consideration when she left the function room less than 30 minutes ago.

In David’s case, Parrott said he paid P140,000 for the seller’s 18k yellow gold necklace of quite some heft.

This reporter asked for Parrott’s permission and lifted the necklace.

By the feel of its weight, David could have gotten more if only he did more research.

A check with Gold Price Today website showed that in the afternoon of March 27, a few weeks after H&J’s event, the price for every gram of 18k gold was P1,582.82. Fourteen-karat gold was P1,231.81 per gram. The website did not indicate where a potential seller could offer his item.

Out on the street, one neighborhood “We Buy Gold” shop in Southern Metro Manila has a buyer willing to pay P1,550 for 1 gram of 18k gold and P1,100 for 1 gram of 14k gold.

WORTH ITS WEIGHT

Gold prices in the world market have been climbing steadily for more

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than a year, prompting some insiders in the local jewelry business to discourage friends from selling their items in the hope that holding on to them could reap a bigger windfall in the future.

A recent wire story showed that in the United States, buyers of used jewelry (referred to as scrap gold) are making a killing especially after the recession as even wealthy families are forced to sell estate jewelry.

One local insider theorized that European-based gold dealers could be looking east as scrap gold that could be easily turned to new jewelry becomes scarcer in their area.

Vicente Aquino, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) assistant governor and head of its security plant complex in Quezon City, said foreign gold buyers like H&J were not committing any illegal activity per se in buying scrap gold in the Philippines.

“If a piece is already in the form of gold jewelry, I don’t know of any law that prohibits the sale of jewelry whether the sale involves locals or foreigners,” he told the INQUIRER in a phone interview.

Pure gold bars or gold bullions could be another matter, Aquino warned.

“We have to check if the source is a small-scale miner (SSM) because if that is so, that is illegal. An SSM is legally obliged to sell only to the BSP,” he explained.

“We have Republic Act No. 7076 or the People’s Small-Scale Mining

But what if the foreigner dictates the price he is willing to pay?

“So long as what the seller is offering belongs to him or he is authorized [by a third party] to do so,” Aquino replied.

‘GOOD FOR US’

Senate banks and financial institutions committee chair Sergio Osmeña III echoed Aquino’s opinion.

“There’s nothing illegal for anyone to come here to buy anything unless it’s contraband,” he said.

Osmeña noted that the gold-buying events could even be “good for us.”

For instance, he said those who thought the gold watch their father left them 30 years ago had no more worth would find that gold would always have an intrinsic value.

If H&J is buying cheap as some observed, the senator warned it should be prepared to face competition from other parties willing to offer more cash for scrap jewelry.

However, BSP’s Aquino is not discounting the possibility of another concern—that small-scale miners are selling their harvest to jewelry-makers instead of bringing these to the central bank.

“We have no way of determining whether the gold sold to jewelers came from small-scale miners but what we noticed is that ever since July 2011 when the [Bureau of Internal Revenue] started requiring small-scale miners to pay excise and withholding tax on their gold sales, bumaba na ang

Twenty-four-karat gold is considered pure gold.

It may be precious but 24k jewelry, being a “soft metal,” could lose its shape.

Act of 1991 that legally obliges smallscale gold miners to sell the gold that they mine only to the BSP,” Aquino stressed.

“But whether the gold jewelry is newly produced or antique, our locals can sell to anyone they want to sell. They can put up stores or even sell on the bangketa (sidewalk) if a person, whether foreigner or local, is willing to buy that at their price,” Aquino said.

binebenta sa BSP (sales have dropped in the BSP),” he noted.

Aquino said small-scale miners were now required to pay a 5-percent withholding tax and 2-percent excise tax on their sales.

“So they get big tax deductions, and this actually resulted in a very low volume of purchase by the BSP. Anyway, that is a requirement of the BIR and we cannot do anything about it,” he said. ■

News-Phils

FRIDAY APRIL 19, 2013

MILF pins talks’ snag on gov’t

PHOTO BY JEOFFREY MAITEM/INQUIRER MINDANAO

BY NIKKO DIZON Philippine Daily Inquirer THE NEGOTIATIONS between the government and Muslim rebels look to have hit a bump.

The separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is none too pleased that the latest round of exploratory talks ended in Kuala Lumpur last Thursday without the negotiating panels signing at least one of three annexes to the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement.

“Something is wrong,” said Maulana Alonto, a member of the MILF negotiating panel.

The two sides failed to complete a single one of the annexes on wealth-sharing, normalization and power-sharing.

What they did complete were the terms of reference on the muchtouted Sajahatra Bangsamoro, a joint government-rebel development program for communities in Mindanao.

Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, the government’s chief negotiator, said in a text message the government was putting the draft of the three annexes through a “diligent review,” which, she said, would ensure a smoother implementation in the long run. “[The] government is just as keen as the MILF to finish the comprehensive agreement as soon as possible. But it would rather err for the moment on the side of prudence,” Ferrer said.

She said the road map to the election in 2016 of officials for the new Bangsamoro political entity was “in place.”

MILF panel members were quoted in the MILF’s luwaran.com website as saying they had hoped the wealthsharing annex could have been

signed at least during the latest round of talks.

Alonto said the panels had already initialed the annex on wealth-sharing during the last exploratory talks on Feb. 25.

He said “expectations were high” that there would be no further discussions on the wealth-sharing annex as the text had already been initialed by both sides.

While the panels could both take the annex back to their principals, President Aquino and MILF chair Ebrahim Murad, for a “cursory review,” this should only be “routine because the panels had already concurred on the language of the initialed text and consultations had been held with their principals before the initialing took place,” he said.

“We were not prepared, however, for the sudden announcement by the (government) panel that they needed more time to revisit and review the wealth-sharing annex despite the fact that more than a month was ample time to make such a review,” Alonto said.

He said that he and his MILF colleagues now believe that there was “something wrong... a very serious question of credibility.”

“We are racing against time but the way things are turning out, time might outrun us,” he said.

Luwaran.com quoted another MILF panel member, Abdulla Camlian, as saying that the problem may lie either with the government negotiating team or Mr. Aquino himself.

“I think there is much traffic between him and his negotiators and we may be looking at a communications problem between them as the culprit. Let us wait, for certainly the real score will be known sooner or later,” Camlian said. ■

9

Overseas voting off to good start

BY PHILIP C. TUBEZA Philippine Daily Inquirer OVERSEAS absentee voting (OAV) for Filipinos abroad opened smoothly, except in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where voting will commence, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said.

No major snafu occurred as the month-long voting began for more than 700,000 registered Filipino voters overseas, said Jane Valeza, acting head of the Comelec election contests and adjudication department and a member of the OAV committee.

Comelec Chair Sixto Brillantes Jr. went to Hong Kong to oversee the voting there.

“Everything was working. We did not see any major problems.

We haven’t received a report even of minor problems,” Valeza said.

“The PCOS (precinct count optical scan) machines were working” and the conduct of the voting was “peaceful,” she added.

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HEAVY TURNOUT

Valeza said the Comelec was expecting a heavy turnout in Hong Kong and Singapore, particularly among the Filipino household service workers ( HSWs) there.

“Usually it’s slow on the first day. You know Filipinos, they usually make the rush on the last day. The OAV usually peaks during its last week,” she said.

The turnout in the Middle East is also expected to be good, particularly on Thursdays and Fridays, which are the Filipino workers’ free days.

FREE RIDES

“Our information campaign continues and we have also tapped the Filipino communities abroad to help,” Valeza said.

In Hong Kong and the Middle East, she said there were Filipinos offering free rides to the embassies to voters, so they wouldn’t have to spend money to go to the voting centers.

Filipino communities also offer

free food and provide volunteers who help man the voting centers, she said.

The overseas voters may use the PCOS machines in seven places abroad or they could mail or personally deliver their ballots to Philippine diplomatic outposts.

The PCOS machines are in use in Hong Kong, Riyadh and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Dubai and Kuwait.

According to the Comelec, the region with the highest number of OAV voters is the Middle East (281,372), followed by Asia (228,309), the Americas (125,604), Europe (75,666) and seafarers (26,808). ■

EUROPE, 10% SEAFARERS, THE AMERICAS,

MIDDLE EAST,

17%

38% ASIA, 31%

7%

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10

Team P-noy counts on ‘Mar magic’ in W. Visayas

BY NIKKO DIZON Philippine Daily Inquirer

PHOTO FROM FACEBOOK.COM

MAMBUSAO, Capiz— Administration candidates are confident that the influence of Interior Secretary Mar Roxas among his province mates as well as those from nearby provinces in Western Visayas will deliver votes for the Team PNoy senatorial candidates on election day.

Western Visayas is made up of six provinces: Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo and Negros Occidental. In 2010, Capiz had more than 400,000 registered voters.

Former Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar, a Team PNoy candidate from the Nacionalista Party, said the family of Roxas, the Liberal Party president on-leave, had a long track record of service in Capiz.

Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara, an administration candidate from Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino, said Roxas had the capacity to put together erstwhile

conflicting factions in the region.

ROXAS LEGACY

“You know this is the hometown of the late Sen. Gerry Roxas and their family has continued their service from the time of the father of Gerry Roxas until the time of Mar. So they served this province well,” Villar told reporters after addressing a sortie in this town.

“I think with their support, they can carry us here in Capiz,” Villar said of Roxas and his family.

It wasn’t too long ago when Sen. Manuel Villar, Cynthia’s husband, and Roxas were rivals for the top political post as they led the Nacionalista Party and the Liberal Party, respectively, in the run-up to the 2010 presidential elections.

Roxas, however, decided to give way to his party mate and eventual election winner, then Sen. Benigno Aquino III. Villar went on with his presidential bid but lost to President Aquino.

“Senator Villar’s father was born in Iloilo City and he considers Region Six [Western Visayas] as his

home that’s why we’re always here.

Our biggest investment outside Metro Manila is in Iloilo,” Villar said.

ROXAS FACTOR

Angara acknowledged Roxas’ influence over erstwhile conflicting factions in the region.

“There is the Roxas factor. It is a big factor because he consolidated opposing camps from 2010 in Iloilo,” Angara said. “[Niel, Sr.] Tupas and [Arthur] Defensor competed against each other in 2010. Now, they are both under Team PNoy,” he added.

Angara, an official of the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino drafted by no less than Mr. Aquino in his senatorial ticket, said Team PNoy was quite formidable in Western Visayas because of the Liberal Party machinery in the region.

“We’re strong not only in Capiz, but in nearby provinces as well. We are confident of the LP machinery, not only because of Secretary Roxas,” Angara said. ■

PH aviation ready to soar again–P-noy

BY TJ BURGONIO Philippine Daily Inquirer THE PHILIPPINES has taken off and recovered from the “fall” of the aviation industry, President Aquino claimed, citing the International Civil Aviation Organization’s recent lifting of the “significant safety concerns” tag on the country.

“Only recently our country was left gawking at the clouds, and development seemed unreachable.

Now the impossible has become a reality. If we were used to the cycle of trip and fall, now we’re recovering and ready to break free,” Mr. Aquino said at the groundbreaking of the upgrading project of the Roxas City airport in Capiz.

He said the P215-million Roxas Airport Development Project is part of the P7.69-billion program for the repair of airports throughout the country this year.

“Once we fix this airport, why won’t Capiz benefit from it? Once travel to the Philippines becomes easy, the progress of the economy and the life of our people happen

fast,” he said.

The redeveloped airport is expected to accommodate 797 passengers a day, or close to 300,000 passengers

Removing stumbling blocks If the country is to gain more momentum, the stumbling blocks should be removed, Mr. Aquino said.

Philippines (CAAP).

“Our air operators are also mandated to undergo the minimum required annual inspection. The

a year, and meet foreign demand, the President said.

The President said business leaders from other countries have found it difficult to book a flight to the Philippines for the many conferences being held here. He said the country’s carriers need 119 new aircraft to meet the demand.

He cited the enactment of the Common Carriers Tax Act which removed the 3-percent tax on foreign aircraft and ships, he said.

Mr. Aquino said the government will also be using the Civil Aviation Safety Oversight Reporting and Tracking System as a database of the Civil Aviation Authority of the

CAAP also set up a certificate management department to ensure that all local carriers are cleared to fly to other countries,” he said.

“The outcome of this is to encourage several international carriers to fly to the country, and along with this, tourism will improve and industries will flourish,” he said.

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The Roxas City airport upgrading will expand the 875square meters terminal by 626 square meters, and “bump up” its design capacity from 153,000 passengers a year to 291,000 passengers a year. Last year, passengers reached 217,552, exceeding the terminal’s capacity.

It will lengthen the runway from 1,890 kilometers to 2,010 kilometers, thus, improving the safety of the Airbus A320 aircraft flying in and out of the Roxas City airport.

Also part of the upgrade are: the installation of P91.5-million worth of night-landing facilities; a P24.24million runway asphalt overlay; a the acquisition of P33.5-million worth of new fire trucks; and the resettlement of squatters in a new site at a cost of P18 million.

“Once this project is completed, it can accommodate 797 passengers a day, up from 419,” Mr. Aquino said in his speech aired over government radio.

“Indeed, our goal is clear: to further boost tourism in Capiz, strengthen the various businesses and industries, and push the province on the path of progress and development,” Mr. Aquino said. ■

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FRIDAY APRIL 19, 2013

11

Strike 2... ❰❰ 6

Bayan’s Renato Reyes said the Ombudsman resolution was “strike two” against Mr. Aquino after the Sandiganbayan upheld the plea bargain that Garcia had entered into with the Ombudsman.

“This is a major setback in efforts to hold corrupt AFP officials accountable,” said Reyes in a statement.

“Millions of pesos were changing hands but still that doesn’t constitute evidence? The Ombudsman seems to find nothing odd about hundreds of millions of pesos finding its way to the generals, even saying that there was no proof that the money came from public funds,” Reyes said, calling the resolution “outrageous.”

Reyes also noted it was ironic that Mr. Aquino had wanted former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez removed from her post for her alleged failure to go after corrupt government officials. After initially fighting off an impeachment complaint, Gutierrez resigned.

The President appointed Carpio Morales, who had retired as a Supreme Court associate justice.

Both Mananzan and Reyes said they feared the culture of impunity

would continue to thrive with the Ombudsman resolution.

SAD FOR WHISTLE-BLOWERS

Mananzan added that she felt sad for whistle-blowers like Rabusa and Rodolfo Lozada Jr., who implicated top officials of the Arroyo administration in the multimilliondollar NBNZTE broadband deal.

The INQUIRER obtained copies of the 71-page first memorandum dated March 8, 2012, and the 52page second memorandum by the Ombudsman panel dated Aug. 10, 2012.

Both were approved by Carpio Morales in 2012, but the documents were released only on April 4.

In its second memorandum, the Ombudsman panel said the respondents could not be charged with malversation “absent a showing that they misappropriated public funds or allowed another person to misappropriate the same.”

While Rabusa claimed he gave money to the respondents, the panel said “the source of the money is not supported by documentary evidence which would possibly show that the money came from converted funds.”

The respondents could not be

charged with technical malversation as well because, according to the panel, there was no evidence “to show that the funds allegedly used by herein respondents were earmarked for a public purpose and were used for another public purpose.”

NO UNDUE INJURY

Finally, the panel said the respondents could also not be charged with violation of antigraft laws “without any proof that the government or any person sustained undue injury due to their alleged receipt of converted funds.”

Carpio Morales approved the second memorandum on Aug. 30, 2012.

In dismissing the plunder charges in its first memorandum, the Ombudsman panel said Rabusa had failed to show solid evidence to support his allegation that Villanueva, Cimatu and Abu received millions of pesos in “pasalubong” and “pabaon“when they assumed office and when they retired as military chiefs of staff.

Among those Rabusa also implicated in his explosive expose in 2011 was former AFP chief of staff and Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes,

The Office of the Ombudsman (pictured) dismissed a plunder complaint filed by whistleblower and retired Army Col. George Rabusa against former military generals and other ranking officers.

PHOTO FROM DGRLAWOFFICES.COM

who took his own life days after appearing in a Senate investigation.

The panel also said there was no sufficient proof of the crime of plunder against the other military officers and civilian personnel.

Mananzan said it took them a week to photocopy and bind the

documentary evidence Rabusa had submitted to the Department of Justice due to its sheer volume.

She was aghast that the Ombudsman panel decided that these were not sufficient to prove Rabusa’s plunder complaint against the military officers. ■

Kris 2011... ❰❰ 1

wealthiest man, paid P10.79 million and was ranked 35th, while David Consunji, who was included in the Forbes list for the first time this year, was 176th on the BIR roster after paying P5.91 million in taxes.

Other businessmen on the list were Orlando Vea of Smart Communications (16th, P16.25 million) and TV5 CEO Ray Espinosa (20th, P14.48 million).

VIC, JOEY, WILLIE ET AL.

A number of celebrities made it to the list: TV host Vic Sotto (19th, P14.73 million), Joey de Leon (28th, P12.48 million), Charo SantosConcio (33rd, P11.61 million), Solenn Heussaff (99th, P7.79 million), Derek Ramsay (120th, P7.08 million), Piolo Pascual (123rd, P6.98 million), Kim Chiu (133rd, P6.71 million) and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao (158th, P6.11 million).

ERAP ESTRADA, MIKE ENRIQUEZ

Willie Revillame (181st, P5.85 million), Ogie Alcasid (184th, P5.81 million), Sharon Cuneta (191st, P5.74 million), Ryan Agoncillo (194th, P5.6 million) and John Lloyd Cruz (205th, P5.41 million).

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Further down the list were Manuel Paolo Villar, son of Sen. Manny Villar (403rd, P3.88 million); broadcaster Mike Enriquez (411st, P3.85 million) and former President Joseph Estrada (490th, P3.51 million).

Other personalities on the top 500 list were Jaime Jose Aboitiz (225th, P5.18 million), Manuel Zamora Jr. of Nickel Asia (240th, P4.97 million), Joel Jimenez (272nd, P4.76 million), Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos (300th, P4.5 million), IPVG Corp. CEO Enrique Gonzalez (312th, P4.37 million), Punongbayan & Araullo founder Benjamin Punongbayan (319th, P4.33 million) and ING Bank economist Jose Cuyegkeng (328th, P4.26 million).

Jon Ramon Aboitiz of Aboitiz & Co. (381st, P3.97 million), Philippine Airlines president Jaime Bautista (382nd, P3.96 million), SGV Group founder Washington Sycip (433rd, P3.74 million), and Pampanga’s Best owner Angelo Hizon (479th, P3.57 million). ■ With reports from Almi IlaganAtienza, Ana Roa and Kate Pedroso, Inquirer Research

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12

Biazon calls on Petron to police own ranks

BY JERRY E. ESPLANADA Philippine Daily Inquirer

PHOTO FROM REUTERS

FDA warns public against e-cigarettes

BY JOCELYN R. UY Philippine Daily Inquirer IT WOULD seem that electronic cigarettes, which is being promoted as a healthier substitute for tobacco, may just be as harmful as the real thing.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned the public against e-cigarettes, saying they cannot be considered legitimate therapy for smokers to quit and that they could turn children into smokers.

E-cigarettes have been gaining favor among Filipinos as higher

tobacco taxes make smoking more expensive.

The FDA stressed that the use of e-cigarettes was contrary to the intent and provisions of the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, or Republic Act No. 9211, aimed at protecting the youth from nicotine addiction and chronic respiratory diseases, including cancer, among the deadly effects of smoking.

“It is opposed to the DOH health goal to stop cigarette smoking and tobacco use,” said FDA acting director Dr. Kenneth Hartigan-Go in an advisory.

“Wittingly or unwittingly, the

electronic cigarette promotes smoking among children and the youth. It makes them less fearful of the hazards and risks of smoking,” Go said.

Contrary to what some marketers of e-cigarettes convey in their advertisements, the World Health Organization does not consider e-cigarettes legitimate therapy to help smokers kick the habit, he said.

“The public is advised not to smoke at all and not to use cigarettes, cigars or e-cigarettes,” said Go. ■ With a report from AFP

Bishop Cruz says Palace behind survey

BY PHILIP C. TUBEZA Philippine Daily Inquirer SOME bishops saw a “political motive” behind a recent Social Weather Stations survey that found a sharp decline in the percentage of Catholics going to church.

Retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz pointed to Malacañang as the “culprit.”

Cruz, a former president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, said the survey was meant to “undermine” the Church and that Malacañang was behind it.

“The Catholic Church in the country must be a big pain in the neck to the present administration...

It has therefore become imperative to undermine the Catholic Church— such as the supposed survey result of Catholics becoming non-Catholics,” Cruz said.

“After all, Malacañang is decided on passing the divorce bill and the ‘mixed marriage bill’—and the Catholic Church will once more surely speak and act against them,” he added.

Cruz said the Aquino administration wanted to undermine the Church because it was trying to mobilize its flock to vote against candidates who supported the controversial reproductive health (RH) law.

“The problem of the administration is that even after the passage of the RH[law], there is still an effect, a Catholic vote [against it]. The administration does not like this,” Cruz said.

OTHER BISHOPS QUESTION MOTIVE

Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad also questioned the motive of the survey.

“In the first place, I question the survey. Who are the people behind the survey? And why are they trying to pin down the Catholic Church?

What is their motive?” Jumoad said in an interview with Church-run Radio Veritas.

Jumoad, who has been a bishop of Isabela, Basilan province, since November 2001, said he did not see a decline in the number of Catholic worshipers on Sundays.

“Here in Basilan, we are a minority but we are very strong. In fact, the churches here in Basilan are always full whenever we have our Sunday Masses,” he said.

“So, I don’t see here in Basilan the results of their survey. More or less, there are around 100,000 [Catholics in Basilan) because we are just 27 percent of the total [population] of 400,000,” he added.

Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes said that instead of decreasing, attendance in Sunday Masses in his diocese had gone up.

“I do not believe in that [survey] because the number of people going to Mass is going up. Last Holy Week, we had so many people in church. So as far as Sorsogon is concerned, I don’t believe in that survey,” Bastes said.

“We have no reason to leave the Church. We have everything here so there is no reason to leave the Church. We give the right doctrine, right directions. So those who do not want to hear the word of God, they reject Christ, not the Catholic Church,” he said. ■

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CUSTOMS Commissioner Ruffy Biazon is turning the tables on Petron chief Ramon Ang. The Petron CEO said in an exclusive INQUIRER report last week that smuggling of petroleum products accounted for an estimated P30 billionP40 billion in lost government revenues annually.

Amid calls for his sacking following Ang’s revelation, Biazon said in a text message it was “not impossible” that smuggled gasoline or diesel was being sold in retail outlets of Petron, which account for 35 percent—the largest share—of the market.

The customs chief urged the country’s biggest oil refiner to do its share in reducing, if not stopping, the distribution of these smuggled products.

“Local oil firms like Petron could help the government’s antismuggling campaign by ensuring that their own retailers are selling products from legitimate sources,” he said, adding these companies “have more control over their own retailers.”

“Determining if retailers are not buying from illegitimate sources is beneficial not only to the government but also to the oil companies themselves since their retailers will be compelled to get their supplies from the mother companies,” Biazon said.

“Reducing the demand for illegally sourced supplies is one way to fight oil smuggling.”

In a radio interview, Biazon urged oil companies to police their own ranks.

He said the Bureau of Customs (BOC) was not mandated to ensure that local distributors of oil products did not do business with smugglers.

He said his bureau was tasked to ensure that the right fees and taxes were paid by importing companies.

Biazon said he should not be blamed for losses incurred by Petron, as suggested by Ang. UNCONTROLLED

Ang told the INQUIRER last week that “retail or service station volumes have remained flat despite the fact that registered vehicles increased from 5.5 million to 7.1 million” between 2007 and 2011.

“On top of lost government revenues and an uncertain investment climate in the oil industry, smugglers

are cheating consumers since these products are of uncertain quality,” he said.

Ang called the allegedly uncontrolled oil smuggling “tax evasion in another form.”

He claimed about one in every three liters of gasoline or diesel oil in the country was smuggled, resulting in P30 billion to P40 billion in forgone government revenues each year. The figure roughly represented the shortfall in targeted customs collections under the Aquino administration.

Petron, which accounted for an industry leading 34.9-percent share of the domestic market in the first half of 2012, saw its profits plunge 73 percent to P2.3 billion last year from P8.5 billion in 2011.

The huge drop in Petron’s profits came despite a 55-percent jump in revenues to P424.8 billion in 2012.

The firm attributed the fall in margins to, among others, volatility in crude and oil product prices last year.

REAL NOT RAMPANT

“As a consequence of that statement, some lawmakers and candidates in the forthcoming elections have issued their own commentaries on the matter, some with specific proposals and others with general comments or allegations that nothing is being done,” he said.

Biazon acknowledged as “real” the problem of oil smuggling, but he disputed an INQUIRER report which quoted him as having said that it had become rampant and unabated during the first two-and-ahalf years of the Aquino administration.

“It’s a real problem, but I wouldn’t say there’s enough physical evidence to say it’s rampant other than claims based on computations of various data from various sources,” he said.

Biazon also said his agency was “embarking on measures to address the oil smuggling problem,” including collecting taxes on petroleum imports bound for economic zones.

He said the bureau was undergoing an upgrade of its electronic customs clearance program but acknowledged the thin presence of his people on the ground.

“The agency can only record what is formally entered through the customs system. With BOC presence limited only to the ports where we have offices, the bureau faces difficult challenges in plugging leakages in other areas and methods of fuel smuggling,” he added. ■

News-Phils

FRIDAY APRIL 19, 2013

13

Militants oppose lake flood control project

BY DJ YAP Philippine Daily Inquirer MILITANT groups raised fears that a P780-million flood control project around Laguna de Bay would displace some 400,000 people in four towns of Laguna province.

Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya), Save Laguna Lake Movement, and Anakpawis party-list said the construction of river control

structures would require the massive demolition of communities living around the lake.

The groups said 400,000 people from the towns of Sta. Cruz, Sta. Maria, Mabitac and San Pedro could lose their homes.

In a press statement, Pamalakaya vice chair Salvador France and Anakpawis party-list vice chair Fernando Hicap said President Aquino had given the go-signal to carry out the “lakewide demolition to pave way for the construction of river control

Vote as... ❰❰ 6

the campaign,” he said.

“If Jesus would vote, for whom would he vote?

Vote like Jesus. If you cannot find Jesus from among the candidates, just make sure you do not make Judas or Barabbas win. If you sell your vote, you sell something sacred, you make yourself a cousin of Judas, too,” he said.

Several dioceses and Catholic groups, including the influential El Shaddai charismatic movement, have endorsed candidates in the May elections, particularly those who opposed the reproductive health (RH) law.

But Villegas, who has also been critical of the RH law, said the Church must pray and not add to the confusion of electoral politics and provide healing instead of causing more hurt.

“The Church must refuse to play with the fire of political power or it risks burning herself. The Church does not win when her endorsed candidate wins. The Church should not be perceived as winning or losing an election. The Church must be beyond such,” said Villegas.

“Paraphrasing the Lord in the Garden of Agony, those who live by the sword will die by the sword.

Religions that waltz with politics will die by politics,” he said.

Villegas said the Church would “win” only if it helps ensure the elections would be peaceful and honest.

“When elections are morally credible and losers and winners stay civil and courteous, the Church wins,” Villegas said.

“When every vote is cast from conscience and not from convenience, the Church has truly become the former of conscience and has shown herself to be a mother and teacher faithful and obedient to her Master and Lord,” he said.

structures along the four towns.”

They said they got the information from “reliable sources.”

“According to our reliable sources, the demolition of lake families will start right after the May 13, elections,” the groups said, adding that it was the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) that set the timetable for the completion of the flood control structures.

The groups warned of “an acrossthe-Laguna Lake revolt” if they pushed the “wrecking project in

Laguna de Bay.” “They better think over a million times before they proceed with this publicprivate partnership inspired project in the lake,” Hicap and France said.

The groups are questioning the propriety of the P780million project granted by the Department of Public Works and Highways to LLDA, saying it is not a job of the lake agency.

“The LLDA is mandated by law to protect and preserve the 90,000 hectare lake for the benefit of fishing and farming families around the lake.

It is not obliged to undertake public works,” the groups said.

LLDA general manager Neric Acosta earlier said the fund would be used to solve the perennial problem of flooding around the lake due to natural disasters exacerbated by uncontrolled logging and improper garbage disposal.

Under Republic Act No. 4850, the LLDA is tasked to plan, program, finance, or undertake infrastructure projects such as river, flood and tidal control works, among others. ■

It’s time to file tax returns, SALNS “Candidates and voters are children of the Church. Candidates against one another are brothers and sisters in God,” he added.

But while he said the Church should not endorse specific candidates, it could recommend whom not to vote for.

Villegas said the Church should remain the “conscience” of society and speak out prophetically against abuses.

He urged Catholics not to vote for candidates who cannot declare a categorical and clear no to divorce, abortion, euthanasia, total birth control and homosexual marriages, or candidates linked to illegal drugs.

Villegas said voters should also avoid candidates who had been convicted and those who support black sand mining or tolerate irresponsible quarrying and illegal fish pens.

“Nature is our mother. If you can rape your own mother, what else will you do?” the archbishop said.

He said candidates with no track record of helping the poor or those who give away money and use goons should also be shunned.

Villegas also urged Catholics to avoid candidates who show off their religiosity during elections but are actually antagonistic to Church teachings.

“Corruption and hypocrisy are twins. [Avoid also] the candidate [who] is unfaithful to his or her spouse and children. Corruption begins at home,” he said.

Villegas also urged voters to avoid candidates who have other members of their immediate family already in government.

“Promoting family welfare and promoting the common good cannot mix. We submit these guidelines to you and plead with you to bring them to prayer,” he said. ■

BY NORMAN BORDADORA Philippine Daily Inquirer IT’S TAX filing season and for government officials, in particular, the time of year for disclosing their statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).

And since it’s the election season

as well, at least one candidate has suggested, why not ask the candidates who are now in public office to disclose not just their SALNs but their income tax returns (ITRs) as well?

Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara, one of President Aquino’s handpicked senatorial bets, said the disclosure of both documents would

be the best way for the electorate to scrutinize the candidates, particularly those running for the Senate.

“It so happens that April 15 is the deadline for the submission of the SALNs. It’s also the deadline (for the submission) of the income tax returns (ITRs),” Angara told a

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❱❱ 39 It’s time

News-Phils

14

Erap still owes P307m– gov’t lawyers

BY CYNTHIA D. BALANA Philippine Daily Inquirer

JACK ENRILE IN THE MIDST OF HIS DAVAO SORTIE. Enrile is a Representative of Cagayan, a senatorial candidate in the upcoming elections, and the son of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile PHOTO FROM JACKENRILE.COM

Why victim’s family did not charge Jack Enrile

BY PHILIP C. TUBEZA Philippine Daily Inquirer THE FAMILY of a 19-year-old student who was shot dead on the night of Sept. 25, 1975, during an alleged quarrel with Juan Ponce “Jack” Enrile Jr. did not pursue charges against the namesake son of the then defense secretary and chief martial law enforcer, activist priest Fr. Robert Reyes said.

“It was dangerous to cross paths with Enrile at that time,” Reyes, an uncle of the victim, said in an interview, referring to Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile. Jack Enrile, who is running for senator in next month’s elections, has vehemently denied accusations that he killed Ernest Lucas Jr. who, according to Reyes, was shot in the head “between his eyes” during a high school party at San Lorenzo Village in Makati City.

The public prosecutor decided not to charge Jack after his aide, Danilo Cruz, confessed to accidentally shooting Lucas Jr. “This wasn’t really properly investigated.

(Cruz) eventually was just transferred (to another assignment). He was not jailed,” Reyes said.

Even after martial rule, Reyes said many of the victim’s family members had already fled abroad after the killing so no charges could be filed.

His father, retired Navy Capt.

Ernesto Lucas, claimed in a court deposition in 2011 that Enrile allegedly even offered him “two blank checks” purportedly in exchange for dropping the case. The father remains in Manila.

Reyes publicly talked about the

Lucas case in 2000 in a TV interview with Paolo Bediones, prompting the elder Enrile to sue him for libel.

He said the Quezon City Regional Trial Court in 2011 “provisionally dismissed” the libel case.

“That means it will be dismissed if Enrile doesn’t object within two years. That was in 2011. I have to check if that has really been dismissed,” Reyes said.

To help Reyes with his libel case, the elder Lucas executed the aforesaid deposition in 2011.

WIKILEAKS

The issue resurfaced after WikiLeaks, an international nonprofit organization which publishes confidential information, divulged secret diplomatic cables from then US Ambassador to the Philippines William H. Sullivan showing that American sources in the National Bureau of Investigation said that Jack shot Lucas Jr. “NBI sources have completed their investigation and have indicated to us that both the Enrile boy and his bodyguard are liable to prosecution,” Sullivan said in an Oct. 1, 1975, cable to Washington D.C. “We are not informed as to specific charges NBI would prefer although some NBI sources have told us unequivocally, and contrary to Secretary Enrile’s assurance to ambassador, that Enrile’s son did the shooting,” he added.

NO SHOW IN HEARINGS

In another cable sent on Oct. 5— after the prosecutor decided not to pursue charges against Jack—Sullivan noted that the young Enrile did not even attend the hearings on the case.

“Jackie did not even appear in

person at hearings since he was ‘attending classes.’ While taking sworn statement accords with recognized Philippine procedure, in cases of this importance, witnesses are normally interrogated in person by investigating fiscal. Government relied on his deposition,” Sullivan said.

In another cable, the ambassador said Lucas Jr. was killed after he escorted his sister to the party at San Lorenzo Village on the night of Sept.

20 which Jack Enrile also attended.

Reyes said it was a soiree for high school students from St. Paul and Ateneo de Manila.

“Lucas reportedly asked to be admitted as well but was told (the) party (was) private. Lucas and three companions returned later to pick up Lucas’ sister. During unexplained altercation, Lucas was shot in the head by Enrile Jr.’s security guard.

He died five hours later,” Sullivan said.

WITNESSES DISAPPEARED

Reyes said that during the days immediately after the shooting, witnesses told the victim’s family that it was Jack who quarreled and shot Lucas Jr. He said among their sources of information were Lucas’ two companions that night.

However, these companions later disappeared and kept quiet while Jack’s security guard admitted to the shooting, Reyes said.

Reyes also noted that during the night of the shooting, Captain Lucas and then Secretary Enrile were in the same hotel in Cebu.

“When my cousin’s wife informed him that their son was killed, he went to Enrile and told him: ‘Your son killed my son,’” he said. ■

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GOVERNMENT prosecutors have disclosed that former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada has yet to hand over P307,602,835 of the P734.99 million in ill-gotten wealth that the Sandiganbayan Special Division ordered forfeited in favor of the state following his conviction for plunder in 2007.

Only P427.39 million of the amount has been turned over, according to a six-page comment filed by prosecutors Deputy Special Prosecutor John I.C. Turalba, Assistant Ombudsman Elvira C. Chua and Assistant Special Prosecutor III Kristine Jennifer E. Carreon.

The forfeiture of Estrada’s illgotten wealth was ordered by the court based on its decision finding the former president guilty of plunder beyond reasonable doubt on Sept. 12, 2007.

The court ordered the confiscation of P545,291,000 in “jueteng” payola, as well as P200 million in the account of the Erap Muslim Youth Foundation (EMYF), P189.7 million in deposits in the Jose Velarde bank account which came from Estrada’s commission in the purchases of Belle Corp. shares by the Government Service Insurance System and Social Security System,

and a house and lot in New Manila, Quezon City, known as the “Boracay Mansion.”

The court was able to establish that Estrada was the beneficial owner of the Jose Velarde account then being maintained at Equitable-PCI Bank.

EPCI Bank has since been acquired

by Banco de Oro-Unibank.

Of the P427.39 million that has been garnished to date, P215.84 million came from the proceeds of the EMYF; P101.27 million and another P26,543.89 in cash from Investment Management Account No. 101-78056-1 in the name of Jose Velarde, and 450 million shares of stock of Waterfront with an assessed value of P110.25 million (at P0.245 per share as of April 13, 2009).

To settle the balance, prosecutors have proposed the confiscation of the remaining assets in the Velarde account in Banco de Oro consisting of some 300 million in Wellex shares used as partial collateral by businessman William Gatchalian for a P500-million loan from Velarde.

“Considering therefore that the assets already in the possession of the honorable court is still insufficient in the amount of P307,602,835.60, it is requested that the balance be taken from the loan payments reportedly made by William Gatchalian as well as the delivery to this honorable court of the 300 million shares of Wellex,” the prosecution said in their comment. ■

Luxury car... ❰❰ 5

is should also be auditing other importers of high end cars like BMW and CATS-Mercedes Benz, Jaguar and Lexus. This is nothing new to us. The BOC’s post audit three years after making its duty collections to determine whether its valuations are right or wrong so that it will, once and for all, reaffirm that these imports were all above board.”

When asked to clarify, Biazon confirmed in a text message that the BOC had indeed ordered an investigation of all vehicle importers starting last month. He said the importers being “profiled” were Asian Car Makers, Jaguar Philippines Inc., Cats Motors Inc, Formula Sports Inc, LR Philippines Motors, Standout Motors Inc., Hancars, NVK Car Trading,

Greatwall Philippines, Pitstop Philippines and Foton Philippines.

Biazon also said no charges have been filed against PGA. “It is being subjected to compliance audit. This means we are reviewing the transaction values declared by PGA with the Bureau of Customs and we are determining if they are compliant with the mandatory records keeping requirements under the law. We will have to wait for the end of the review process to determine how much will be the assessment,” said Biazon. “On the amount of the possible liability, there is no final figure yet but this is potentially a big amount considering that we are looking at seven years of import transactions.”

Biazon expected to have the results to come out in three to four months. ■

News-Phils

FRIDAY APRIL 19, 2013

Free cell phones in rally

Young techie voters will sway the polls, says Poe

Comelec says giveaways questionable

BY NATHANIEL R. MELICAN Philippine Daily Inquirer MARTELL Soledad, a candidate for councilor in Valenzuela City, has added cell phones to the array of giveaways— T-shirts, baseball caps and trinkets— during election campaign rallies.

Six lucky people who attended the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA)Tayo Na Valenzuela proclamation rally in Valenzuela on Sunday night each went home with a cell phone given away by Soledad.

Soledad was one of the last candidates for councilor to be called on stage during the rally attended by UNA senatorial candidates.

The crowd went wild after he announced his “giveaway.”

“In our place in District 2, people have become used to the fact that with Martell Soledad, scrooges, stingy and selfish people are not allowed,” he began.

“Our senators have been throwing away gifts. But, a friend visited me, and he said he would want to throw some cell phones,” Soledad said, eliciting loud cheers from the crowd.

Soledad’s staff began throwing away the six cell phones in white boxes to the crowd.

“This friend of mine, he’s from Bulacan, and he’s very kind, so he decided to donate to us those six cell phones,” he explained later. He did not say the brand or model of the cell phone.

Asked about the cell phone giveaway, James Jimenez, spokesperson of the Commission on Elections, said on his Twitter account, “That’s very questionable.”

QUESTIONABLE

PORK BARREL FOR ALL

The crowd, especially the six who caught the phones, enjoyed the treat, but is it legal, or can it be considered vote-buying?

The Omnibus Election Code defines vote-buying as “any person who gives, offers or promises money or anything of value, gives or promises any office or employment, franchise or grant, public or private, or makes or offers to make an expenditure, directly or indirectly, or cause an expenditure to be made to any person, association, corporation, entity, or community in order to induce anyone or the public in general to vote for or against any candidate or withhold his vote in the election, or to vote for or against any aspirant for the nomination or choice of a candidate in a convention or similar selection process of a political party.”

Disqualification from office and possible removal of voting rights could await candidates found guilty of vote buying.

Soledad is a cousin of Councilor Shalani Soledad- Romulo, who is running as representative in the second district of Valenzuela.

Romulo, who will run against incumbent Rep. Magtanggol Gunigundo, vowed to use the P210 million, representing the total pork barrel congressmen receive in a threeyear term, for all of her constituents, and not just a selected few.

“That’s P210 million which should be seen and felt by all of us in District 2.

That means assistance without biases.

You should not be asked if you were with us in the election, or if you know us. If you approach us, we should help, because that fund is for all of us in the district,” she said.

Romulo, whose husband Roman is running for his final term as congressman for the lone district of Pasig City, vowed to provide scholarships, livelihood training, business assistance and medical support for her constituents should she win. ■

Foreign direct investments down in January

BY MICHELLE V. REMO Philippine Daily Inquirer NET INFLOW of foreign direct investments (FDI) plunged in January as uncertainties in the global front, such as those brought about by weakness of advanced economies, prompted fund owners to exercise prudence in making business decisions.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reported that FDIs posted a net inflow of $576 million in January, down 45 percent from the $1.05 billion in the same month last year.

Gross inflow of FDIs reached $1.29 billion, up by about 20 percent from $1.08 billion.

However, the effect of higher gross FDI inflow was wiped out by the surge in FDI outflow. FDI outflow hit $711 billion, about 32 times the $22 million registered in January last year.

Monetary officials said the ability of the Philippines to attract investments partly hinges on developments in the

global economy. The prolonged crisis in the euro zone and the anemic growth of the United States economy are seen as dragging down growth prospects for the global economy, thus affecting the appetite to invest even in economies that are performing favorably.

The BSP, however, believes the net FDI inflow in January was significant enough to meet the government’s 2013 projections on foreign investments.

Under the original forecast, net inflow of FDIs are seen to reach $2.2 billion this year.

Monetary officials are now reviewing the projections for FDIs and other sources of foreign-exchange, such as exports and remittances, for possible revisions. The results will be announced this month.

They said there was a likelihood that the forecast for FDIs could be raised on account of the impact of the country’s attainment of its first-ever investment grade rating from a major international credit rating agency.

They said the decline in net inflow of

15

FDIs in January could be reversed in the months ahead because of the potentially positive effect of the investment grade rating on investor sentiment for the Philippines.

Last month, Fitch Ratings upgraded the country’s credit rating by a notch from BB+ to BBB-, which is the minimum investment grade.

Fitch cited macroeconomic fundamentals that showed improved ability of the Philippines to service its debts to foreign creditors. These fundamentals include the buildup in the country’s foreign exchange reserves, the government’s declining debt burden, and sustained growth of the economy.

Meantime, economists said that the country needs to accomplish more besides investment grade status to attract more FDIs. They said the Philippines needs to address problems like inadequate infrastructure and the tedious process of setting up businesses, and to invest more in education to improve the quality of its workforce. ■

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BY CATHY YAMSUAN Philippine Daily Inquirer TECH-SAVVY young voters are likely to significantly influence the outcome of the May 13 elections, an administration Senate candidate said.

“Youth power has attained a critical mass in Philippine politics because this particular election is seeing the convergence of instant communication, a high level of political awareness and eagerness to participate among the young people,” said Grace Poe, former chair of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board.

This means the volume of young people who will vote “could be the single biggest factor that would determine the outcome of the midterm elections,” she said.

The latest data showed that of 52 million voters, 43 percent or around 22 million belong to the youth sector aged 18 to 35.

As it is, Poe said, campaign strategists “have recognized the reshaping of the country’s demography and are trying to harness Facebook, Twitter and other social networks” where this specific group is very active.

“The under-35 generation is the muscle of our economy and the sinew of our society. They are at the forefront of every new development in technology, commerce and the academe. They know what they want from their government and

the people who share their ideals,” said Poe, who is running with the administration Team PNoy coalition.

She said this could also mean that “putting up online a colorful mug shot of a candidate with a worn political slogan under it is now unlikely to win a vote.”

Most of the candidates for the Senate who are leading preference surveys are under 50, unlike in previous elections where more senior candidates dominated.

Poe said this could be because young people who go online often “study a candidate… (and) look beyond the face they see on the monitor. With a few clicks of the mouse they can review his or her advocacies, voting record on controversial issues and history of political alliances.”

Another advantage of information technology is that voters are able to access in real time the activities of the candidates—whether official or personal—and factor these in their selection of candidates.

“A single incident of poll fraud could be documented with a cell phone camera, transmitted to millions of mobile gadgets within seconds and splattered on blogs, web pages and social media accounts in minutes. It would be the most awful way to get into history,” said Poe, daughter of the late movie star and 2004 presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr. ■

Opinion THERE’S THE RUB

16

BY CONRADO DE QUIROS, PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER

Not so faithful FR. Robert Reyes and Msgr. Sabino Vengco offer several explanations. That’s for the SWS survey that says the Filipino Catholic faithful are increasingly becoming less faithful. Only 37 percent now go to Mass compared to 64 percent in 1991. And 9.2 percent now even contemplate leaving the fold completely.

“Liturgies are bland and boring,” says Reyes. Just as well, the practice of many churches of taking “second collections” during Mass is putting off churchgoers.

It makes the Church look excessively materialistic. And still the sex scandals that have rocked the Church generally are straining belief.

The flock didn’t just suddenly dwindle, says Vengco, it’s been dwindling over the years. He agrees with Reyes that boring sermons by priests are among the reasons less Filipinos attend Mass. But there’s a deeper one. That is that the faith hasn’t really lodged deeply in the Filipino psyche. “We’ve been nominal Catholics since the Spanish period. It is never a case of conversion but rather political accommodation. There is not enough depth in our faith. We are satisfied with what is superficial.”

I don’t know about the boring sermons, but I do know about the irritating ones. That

is courtesy of friends who have told me that they have made it a point to at least avoid certain priests, if not Mass entirely, in recent years. That’s because those priests have made it a point to press their opposition to RH doggedly and stridently during Mass before a captive audience.

Someone told me she got so fed up with it that at one point, soon after the priest opened his mouth to say “RH,” she stood up and walked out. Which became conspicuous not just because she was occupying one of the front pews but because several others did the same thing. Which, however, did not dissuade the priest from prosecuting his cause, he became even more animated, or agitated, in his expostulations against RH. I share completely Vengco’s view that the Filipino’s faith is steeped in superficiality.

I’ve railed against it myself, it’s a version of Catholicism that relies more on form than on substance, on image than on internalization, on ritual than on essence. Which is the Church’s fault: Spanish rule rested it on the indio’s unquestioning obedience of Church injunctions and political accommodation of colonial rule. It’s easy enough to sympathize with Rizal’s fulminations against the corruption and obscurantism of the friars.

You’ve got a faith that says you can be cruel

and oppressive, greedy and lecherous, vile and murderous but secure a berth in heaven anyway by donating lands to the Church, it won’t claim the undying loyalty of the victims.

The caveat of course, as SWS itself adds, is that the survey was taken only shortly after Pope Francis replaced Benedict. Too early for him to have an impact on Filipino Catholics—as indeed too early for Chito Tagle, who became archbishop of Manila

I share completely Vengco’s view that the Filipino’s faith is steeped in superficiality. I’ve railed against it myself, it’s a version of Catholicism that relies more on form than on substance, on image than on internalization, on ritual than on essence. and a cardinal in fairly quick succession, to have an impact on them. I suspect though that they will do so in the long run. The priests and bishops who fought martial law and took a propoor stance did have that impact on this country an eternity ago. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Latin America has the most

AT LARGE

Catholics today and that its politics have a strongly propoor bent, the kind that alarms Washington about Pope Francis.

But the prognosis is not all that rosy. My own take about Catholicism’s decline in fortune in these parts is that, quite apart from Gloria Arroyo’s epic success in corrupting the bishops over the last decade—she had a phenomenal talent in that respect— technology is taking its toll.

In the early or mid-1990s, I heard someone tell me the story that the number of seminarians from Catanduanes, the one province that supplied them in plentiful quantities, suddenly fell steeply. The religious authorities couldn’t explain it until someone suggested cable TV. The drop in the number of youth entering the seminary coincided with the introduction of cable TV in the province. The youth suddenly just had too many earthly distractions to devote themselves to unearthly pursuits.

Mere coincidence? Maybe. But the explanation is not without merit. By the same token, I’d venture to say that the steady decline of Catholicism in this country, particularly the one of the last decade, probably owes to the impact of the digital revolution. Specifically the Internet, specifically the social media, specifically

Facebook and Twitter. Infinitely more than cable TV, it’s the Internet that has made Filipinos acutely aware of the world. Hell, it’s the Internet that has pried the country open like an oyster. Carlos Celdran and his group have a point when they say Filipino Catholics have now become more enlightened and will no longer accept doctrine blindly, they want reason to go with it. What has made that so is, in great part, the Internet.

In the long term, I don’t think Catholicism’s stiffest competition in these parts will come from the other faiths or from the charismatics and other Christian denominations. It will come from secularism.

At least as far as the urban, middle-class, reasonably educated, Facebook-using sector goes. But which will probably determine the direction of change. The days when the Church can just compel the faithful to obey it like a cacique are going, if they have not gone already. The local Church refuses to change, or continues to resist the thinking represented

by Pope Francis and Cardinal Tagle, and it will truly see an exodus of Filipinos from it not unlike that of the OFWs from the country.

It might not even be a matter of active choice, it might just be Catholics drifting away.

At least the OFWs come home. The exfaithful might very well be permanent exiles.

BY RINA JIMENEZ-DAVID, PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER

Two women of the new generation IF ALL goes well, and enough young candidates make it to the Senate, this year might well mark a “generational change” in national politics. Among the candidates counted as members of the new generation are Rep. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara and Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino, both of the Liberal Party coalition’s “Team PNoy.” But what makes Sonny Angara’s and Bam Aquino’s candidacies even more exciting is that their successful entry to the Senate will also introduce two women of the new generation to national politics: their wives Tootsie Echauz Angara and Timi Gomez Aquino, who exemplify a new breed of political wife, one who, while remaining staunchly supportive of the career and ambitions of her husband, has marked out a career—and an identity—of her own.

Tootsie is an advertising executive at ABSCBN, helping to package TV shows such as teleseryes to advertisers and ad agencies, and tracking ratings to make them even more attractive to the industry. Timi works on the “other” side of the advertising game, working on marketing for the consumer products giant Unilever, specifically on hair care products.

“We need to keep working,” says Tootsie, “if we want to maintain our lifestyle.”

“Yes,” adds Timi, “we still need our double

incomes.” They don’t say it, but I tell them over lunch that their financial independence could well be a factor in keeping their husbands honest, that plus their refusal to make extravagant, expensive demands. Oh yes, agrees Tootsie, “I think we’ll have to keep working until we’re 85 years old!”

But part of their support for their spouses also requires sacrifice. Both have taken a leave from their work, and have gone on sorties around the country to expand their husband’s coverage. Timi, Bam’s wife of seven months, says that at the beginning, she needed to take antidiarrheal tablets every time she was required to give a campaign speech. “It’s not so bad now,” she adds. “I just avoid eating before I have to give a speech.”

Both are also discomfited by how “personal” some attacks on their husbands have been. But, they shrug, “they only need to look at their track records to realize how qualified they are for the post of senator.”

***

TOOTSIE herself has lost 10 pounds since she embarked on the campaign trail, although she says she enjoys her time on the road, to the extent of planning “food trips” during campaign stops.

“He’s the shy type,” Tootsie describes

Sonny, even if she says she feels no need to burnish or exaggerate his credentials and accomplishments during his three terms in the House. “I just tell them the truth,” she says of her campaign style, noting that because of his championing of bills that deal with education and the expansion of the senior citizen law, “young people and senior citizens love him.”

while Tootsie says she saw proof of his qualities as a husband and father when he took over the reins of raising their three young children when she underwent treatment for a brain tumor.

No wonder Tootsie says that all she has to do to “sell” her husband to voters is “to talk about what he has done, the laws he has worked for, and what he is as a husband and father.”

They don’t say it, but I tell them over lunch that their financial independence could well be a factor in keeping their husbands honest, that plus their refusal to make extravagant, expensive demands.

TIMI says she went into a relationship with Bam not knowing of his ultimate plans to join politics, even if she knew his heart was not in business or profit but in public service.

She has met the women entrepreneurs being empowered through the “Hapinoy” movement of which Bam is cofounder.

And she is proudest of the fact that, despite his excellent academic credentials, a life of service is what he has chosen.

She tells of how P-Noy himself has boasted of being in the trenches of campaigns with Bam when Bam was just seven years old, talking before groups in the aftermath of the Ninoy assassination, and during the campaign for Cory. “And it was this experience that shaped his life decisions,” she says, still with a trace of awe in her voice. “This is what the Aquinos have

That constituency might well include women as well, since he was one of the authors of the Magna Carta of Women and worked very hard to shepherd the bill through the legislative warrens. This may well be, as his supporters put it, because Sonny is a staunch believer in gender equality, not just in politics or in law, but especially in his family and household. His mother Gloria has long been an active supporter and campaigner,

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in their blood: service,” she declares.

But as a boyfriend and husband, she says, “Bam is so sweet. That is how he won me over. He really knows how to turn on the charm.”

Her father, who is a doctor, once asked Timi: “What is wrong with Bam?” Apparently, he was concerned about her future husband’s seeming aversion to money matters despite his being internationally acknowledged as a young achiever. “But that is precisely why I fell in love with him,” she admits.

***

IT IS exciting to imagine the role of two women like Tootsie and Timi not merely as “Senate wives,” but as the most influential persons whose views and attitudes could very well shape the opinions of their husbands and the legislation that will result from these same opinions.

There is change afoot in national politics, change that could usher in reforms and social movements that would move us away from calcified norms and attitudes. I have no doubt that Bam and Sonny could take the lead in this movement for change, and I am equally sure that behind them, cheering, if not pushing them on, will be Timi and Tootsie. But first, we have to make their husbands win.

Opinion

FRIDAY APRIL 19, 2013

AS I SEE IT

17

BY NEAL H. CRUZ, PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER

Party-list system is being abused THE party-list system should not be expanded, as the recent majority decision of the Supreme Court did in effect; it should be diminished and even abolished instead.

As anybody with common sense can see, it is being abused. Trapo or traditional politicians like former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza are nominees of party-list groups.

Election losers are resurrected or come back as nominees of party-list groups.

Whole families are nominees of a single party-list, as if the system were a family affair. Multi-millionaires are nominees of supposedly underrepresented groups. Nonfarmers represent farmers’ groups.

Most party-lists that apply for accreditation are not really composed of members of the groups they claim to represent.

Politicians merely concoct a name out of thin air and apply for accreditation with the Commission on Elections and submit the names of their nominees. People who belong to the sector the nominees claim to represent don’t choose their nominees, nor do they ever realize that they are members of the party-list.

As an example, I cite the case of Alam, a party-list supposedly representing the journalists. I am a journalist, but I and most of my colleagues have never been consulted

on its formation nor did we choose “our nominees.” Had we been consulted, we would never have approved of those nominees. But a group of opportunistic, fake journalists chose to take advantage of the laxity in Comelec accreditation, banking on the goodwill that the press has created in society to get approval as a party-list.

That is true with many other party-lists.

The Comelec does not check whether there is really such a group composed of members of the sectors they claim to represent, or if they had really chosen the nominees. It’s like a free-for-all in the party-list system, and the Comelec obviously cannot prevent the abuses.

Will the Supreme Court decision improve the system? On the contrary, it will make it worse. The Court ruled: The partylist system is not limited to marginalized groups, and it must be opened even to regional and national political organizations regardless of size.

Under the six new parameters laid down in the decision, the high court removed the previous Comelec requirement for groups joining the party-list election to belong to a marginalized or underrepresented sector.

“To require all national and regional parties under the party-list system to represent the ‘marginalized and

underrepresented’ is to deprive and exclude, by judicial fiat, ideology-based and causeoriented parties from the party-list system,” said the Court majority.

Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno disagreed with the majority decision.

“I believe that the ponencia may have marginalized the already marginalized and underrepresented of this country,” she said in her dissenting opinion. “In the guise of

As an example, I cite the case of Alam, a party-list supposedly representing the journalists. I am a journalist, but I and most of my colleagues have never been consulted on its formation nor did we choose “our nominees.” political plurality, it allows national and regional parties or organizations to invade what should be constitutional and statutorily protected space. (It) fails to appreciate that the party-list system is not about mere political plurality, but plurality with a heart for the poor and disadvantaged.”

Sereno added that the party-list system

PUBLIC LIVES

was “primarily a tool for social justice.” She said Republic Act No. 7941, or the PartyList System Act of 1995, was crafted in line with constitutional provisions that mandate Congress to give highest priority to enacting measures that “reduce social, economic and political inequalities, and remove cultural inequities by equitably diffusing wealth and political power for the common good.”

She said social justice was the underlying philosophy of the drafters of the Constitution as shown by the records of their proceedings.

She added that the party-list system was intended as “a countervailing means for the weaker segments of our society to overcome the preponderant advantages of the more entrenched and well-established political parties.”

Justice Bienvenido Reyes agreed with Sereno that the party-list system is “a social justice tool.”

“It is not simply a mechanism for electoral reform,” Reyes said in his own dissenting opinion. “To simply regard it as a mere procedure for the already working and existing electoral system is a superficial reading of RA 7941 and the Constitution, from which the law breathed life. The idea is that by promoting the advancement of the underprivileged and allowing them an opportunity to grow, they can rise to become partners of the State in

pursuing greater causes.”

To be perfectly clear, the Court ruling said the Comelec was correct in disqualifying the 52 groups based on the old parameters. However, the Court also remanded all the cases to the Comelec for reconsideration of the groups’ qualifications, based on the new standards.

To give you an example of how ridiculous the present situation is, I will pose this question: Who among the squatters and taxpayers whose property has been squatted upon are more disadvantaged? Answer: the squatters. Wrong.

The correct answer is: the small property owners.

The squatters are more than amply represented by the numerous urban poor groups. In fact there is already a law, the UDHA (Urban Development Housing Act), commonly known as the Lina Law, that favors the squatters immensely at the expense of property owners.

On the other hand, there is not a single group representing the oppressed small property owners. The big property owners can take care of themselves, but what about the small ones— the teachers, the clerks and other lowly paid employees who painstakingly paid for their lots in installments for years from their meager salaries, only to be taken over by squatters?

BY RANDY DAVID, PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER

Is the Catholic Church in crisis?

A SURVEY conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) in February this year highlights three interesting findings on the state of Catholicism in the Philippines.

First, that weekly church attendance has significantly gone down from a high of 64 percent in July 1991 to a low of 37 percent in February 2013. Second, that only 29 percent of Filipino Catholics consider themselves “very religious,” compared to 50 percent among Protestants, 43 percent among Iglesia ni Cristo members, and 38 percent among Muslims. And finally, that 9.2 percent (one out of 11) “sometimes think of leaving the Church.” Are these findings indicative of a looming crisis of faith among Filipino Catholics?

It is futile to question the validity of these numbers. What is important is to understand what is behind them. While it seems natural to relate these findings to a recent surge in negative sentiments about the Church hierarchy, I believe the data indicate a constellation of realities that may have little to do with any current disaffection with the institutional Church. In my view, they reflect a worldwide historical trend whose complex manifestations are often explained as outcomes of the process of “secularization.”

This is far from suggesting that the Catholic Church does not need to reform itself. Indeed, as Pope Francis himself has recently declared, the Church needs to break out of its “self-referentiality” by learning to see from the perspective of those in the “margins.” This is apart from the many organizational, disciplinal, and doctrinal issues that demand the urgent attention of the Church leadership.

One need only take a second look at the SWS findings to realize how difficult it is to guess what is behind them. First of all, not going to church regularly is not the same as giving up one’s faith. Social scientists prefer to call this phenomenon “de-churchification” to distinguish it from the nebulous concept of secularization.

Second, it is difficult to guess how an individual would actually interpret the word “religious” when he/she is asked to rate the level of her religiosity. And third, how is one supposed to understand the response of those who admit they sometimes entertain the thought of leaving the Church? Does the thought of leaving signify a loss of religious belief, or is it an expression of a wish to transfer to another religion?

We are dealing here with three different realities: one, the transformation of religious

practice from one that is Church-oriented to one that is solitary and private; two, the waning of religious faith in the context of a functionally differentiated modern society; and three, conversion to another religion.

Indeed, the Church problematizes all three and precisely seeks to address them in its Year of Faith program. But, I would hazard the guess that it is the last—the conversion

We are dealing here with three different realities: one, the transformation of religious practice from one that is Churchoriented to one that is solitary and private; two, the waning of religious faith in the context of a functionally differentiated modern society; and three, conversion to another religion. of Catholics to other religions, especially to the Evangelical Christian churches—that particularly troubles the Catholic Church today.

An article written by Robert J. Barro and Rachel M. McCleary, both of Harvard University (INQUIRER, 4/8/2013), dealt

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with the threat posed by the aggressive Evangelical churches. “Evangelicalism is the fastest-growing world religion by conversion—a trend that underlies the strong expansion of Protestantism in traditionally Roman Catholic Latin America…. In 1992, John Paul II referred to evangelical groups in Latin America as ‘rapacious wolves’ who were ‘luring Latin American Catholics away from the Church of Rome,’ and he decried the ‘huge sums of money… spent on evangelical proselytizing campaigns aimed specifically at Catholics.’”

Barro and McCleary argue that the Church of Rome has tried to fix this problem by increasing the number of saints who could serve as models of religious commitment for the young generation of Catholics. Accordingly, they contend, John Paul II beatified 319 individuals during his papacy, far exceeding the 259 blessed persons named by all the previous popes since 1585. Between him and Benedict, they elevated 124 people to sainthood, corresponding to 43 percent of the total number of Catholic saints at present. Many of the new saints are Europeans, but a significant number have been drawn from Latin America and Asia.

Beyond this, there seems little that the

Church can do to reverse the steady decline in the number of Roman Catholics. The decline very much reflects the drop in religious vocations and the consequent shortage of priests everywhere. Benedict was realistic enough to concede that the modern Church could be a smaller church with deeply committed members. That is what happened in Europe. Still, he held out the hope that Catholicism would gain new adherents in other parts of the world.

He was also confident that the nihilism of an exhausted modernity could actually lead people to rediscover their faith.

Considering all this, we may ask if it is not being overly dramatic to refer to a crisis of the Church. In his book on religion as a social system, the sociologist Niklas Luhmann wrote: “One can only say there is a crisis if change is expected in the foreseeable future—no matter if it’s for better or worse. Such a change, however, is not on the horizon.” As societies modernize, the place of religion in the scheme of society will become sharply defined and limited, but religious faith will not disappear. What we cannot know except in retrospect, Luhmann added, is what shape religion will take as it adapts to new circumstances.

News-Phils

18

Sultan says 400 more fighters now in Sabah

BY NIKKO DIZON AND JEROME ANING Philippine Daily Inquirer MORE THAN 400 “volunteer fighters” of the so-called sultanate of Sulu have arrived in Lahad Datu, Sabah, to reinforce the sultanate’s “Royal Security Forces (RSF),” triggering clashes with Malaysian security forces, the sultanate’s spokesperson said. Did they breach the naval blockade?

“We have not monitored anything like that. Our naval blockade in the area is in place [in Tawi-Tawi area],” said the military spokesperson, Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. “I think that claim was unwittingly discredited by another group from the same fold [Sulu sultanate] who is unaware of the reinforcement,” said Col. Edgard Arevalo, Philippine Navy spokesperson.

He also said that he would rather not use the phrase “naval blockade” because “our waters are so vast to be able to do that. Nonetheless, we have been vigilantly patrolling that part of the sea to deter any fresh group of sympathizers

from going to Lahad Datu.”

Abraham Idjirani told the INQUIRER by phone that the men, who were all armed, arrived on the eastern coast of Sabah in two groups between March 30 and April 5.

“They went there because of the continued human rights violations of the Malaysian [security forces] on the Filipinos there,” Idjirani said.

He said the recent arrival of the “volunteer fighters” was a “signal” to the Malaysian government that the sultanate would now press for its claim over its “ancestral right over Sabah.”

“They provoked us, and now we are going beyond our initial demand, that we want to live in peace on our land,” Idjirani said.

“The sultanate’s demand now is to recognize our ancestral right,” he added.

According to Idjirani, fighting between the RSF and Malaysian forces took place on the night of April 6 and 7. He claimed that the Malaysians suffered “heavy casualties” while there were no reported injuries or deaths among the “volunteer fighters.”

He said “the Malaysians attacked when the groups arrived.”

Idjirani and Agbimuddin Kiram, the self-styled “raja muda,” or crown prince who heads the RSF, had apparently been in touch.

The spokesperson claimed that all the information he had received about the situation in Lahad Datu was relayed to him by Agbimuddin, the younger brother of Jamalul Kiram III, who claims to be the sultan of Sulu.

Idjirani said the volunteer fighters came from Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and the Zamboanga peninsula. Around 75 percent to 80 percent of them were armed, with the firearms provided by their families and relatives, he added.

He said the people in Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and the Zamboanga peninsula were “angry” with the Malaysians for their alleged maltreatment of Filipinos in Sabah.

“About 110 volunteer fighters arrived 13 days ago followed by another group of more or less 200,” Idjirani said.

Malaysian authorities have claimed they are now winding down “Operasi Daulat,” the operations aimed at flushing out the sultanate’s followers after they arrived in Lahad Datu in

February to stake a claim to Sabah. The group was led by Agbimuddin.

Fighting between the two forces erupted on March 1. Around 70 supporters of the sultanate have been reported killed, while the Malaysians claimed 10 of their security personnel died in the clashes.

The sultanate revived a longdormant claim to Sabah, surprising both the Philippines and Malaysia, and straining the two countries’ diplomatic relations.

Top security officials of Malaysia also said Agbimuddin had slipped back to Mindanao but according to the Philippine military, it had no information that the raja muda had returned from Sabah.

The clashes and Malaysian government crackdown on allegedly illegal migrants have led to the exodus of thousands of Filipinos living and working in Sabah.

A taxpayer’s suit, meanwhile, has been filed in the Supreme Court to compel the Department of Foreign Affairs to pursue the country’s Sabah claim.

In a 17-page petition for mandamus, businessman Louis “Barok” Biraogo asked the high court to order Foreign

Secretary Albert del Rosario to bring the Philippine claim to Sabah to the International Court of Justice.

“The territory that is North Borneo (or what Malaysia began to call as Sabah in September 1963) undoubtedly belongs to the Republic of the Philippines by historic right and legal title. Recorded history confirms this,” Biraogo said.

The petitioner argued that “the British government wrongly assumed that North Borneo belonged to the United Kingdom and, thus put, the British government handed over North Borneo to what eventually became Malaysia.”

“Instead of helping the Filipinos whowent to Sabah, the Philippine government threatened them with legal action in Philippine courts. Worse, President Aquino concurred in the decision of the Malaysian government to brand as terrorists the Filipino supporters of the sultanate of Sulu who went to Sabah,” he said.

Biraogo, a political activist, was the main petitioner in the case against the Philippine Truth Commission created

by Aquino in 2010. ■

Meralco rates up this month

BY AMY R. REMO Philippine Daily Inquirer CUSTOMERS of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) can expect their electricity bills to go up by 27 centavos per kilowatt hour this month because of increases in the generation, transmission and other charges.

This means that households consuming 100 kWh a month will experience an increase of P20.53, while those consuming 200 kWh will see an increase of P54.54, according to Lawrence S. Fernandez, assistant vice president and head of utility economics for Meralco.

Households that consume 300 kWh and 400 kWh monthly will have to brace for hikes of P81.80 and P109.07, respectively, Fernandez said in a phone interview.

Meralco explained in a statement that the generation charge for April rose by 20 centavos per kWh, to P5.39 per kWh. Despite the increase, however, the generation charge this month remains 40 centavos lower than the January 2013 level of P5.79 per kWh, Meralco claimed.

BLAME IT ON SUMMER

According to Meralco, with the

onset of summer, a 5-percent increase in the daily electricity usage was noted in March (the consumption for which is being billed this month) against usage in February.

This prompted the distribution utility to more than double the volume electricity it sources from the wholesale electricity spot market to 2.9 percent in March, from only 1.3 percent in February, Meralco said.

“Some power plants likewise underwent maintenance shutdown in March, necessitating the [purchase of] additional power from wholesale electricity spot market (WESM),” it said.

The effective rate of the power rate charged by WESM, which includes line rentals and must-run and other adjustments, stood at a steep P19.92 per kWh. The cost of power sourced from the independent power producers (IPPs) and Meralco’s power supply agreements (PSAs) also increased by 8 centavos and 2 centavos per kWh, respectively, mainly because of higher coal prices and a depreciation of the Philippine peso against the US dollar, Meralco said.

Meanwhile, the cost of power sourced from state-run National Power Corp. (Napocor) rose significantly to P9.89 per kWh, as the state generator

has been allowed since January to recover costs associated with fuel and purchased power through the generation rate adjustment mechanism (GRAM) and incremental currency exchange rate adjustment (Icera) mechanism.

PASS-THROUGH COST

For the supply month of March, Meralco sourced 51 percent of its electricity requirements from its power supply agreements; 39 percent from IPPs; and 10 percent from other sources, including Napocor and WESM. Other bill components also registered increases, according to Meralco. The transmission charge and other charges increased by 1 centavo and 6 centavos per kWh. Meralco stressed that the payments for generation charges do not go to Meralco but to its power suppliers like the IPPs, participating plants in the PSAs, Napocor and WESM. The rest of the pass-through costs included transmission, taxes, and universal and other charges.

Meralco’s own rates—in the form of distribution, supply and metering charges—account for only about 16 percent of the total electricity bill, it said. ■

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PHOTO BY ANDERSEN ROSS

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workers that they were sometimes required by their employment agencies to cough up cash for bogus requirements that replaced the “placement fee” that was declared illegal in 2006.

The senator said that while many OFWs sent home enough money to take care of their immediate families’ needs, other relatives who also depend on them cut into their funds.

“There must be [loans] available to their families so the families could start businesses even when they are still abroad,” Cayetano said.

He said OFWs’ families must have sufficient income at home “so their children will not have to go abroad to

work just like them.”

“The biggest thing that I realized while listening to our OFWs here in Hong Kong is that if they had opportunities for employment in the Philippines, they would opt to stay home instead of leaving their families just to be able to feed them,” Cayetano said.

He called on the Aquino administration to focus on generating jobs under the current good economic conditions.

After posting a 6.6-percent economic growth rate in 2012, the country was given its first ever investment grade rating by credit agency Fitch in late March. This has made the Philippines more attractive to foreign investors. ■

FRIDAY APRIL 19, 2013

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Canada News Conservatives take on Trudeau brand in first volley of attack ads

BY STEPHANIE LEVITZ The Canadian Press OTTAWA—Justin Trudeau’s decision in 2011 to stage a mock striptease in the name of charity proves he’s not fit to be prime minister, the Conservatives suggested Monday in their first volley of attack ads against the newly elected Liberal leader.

How Trudeau chooses to respond to the not-unexpected attacks—if at all—will be what provides an indication of his political acumen, marketing and political science experts suggest.

Trudeau has already suggested that he doesn’t intend to dignify the Conservative offensive with a response, but that’s a strategy that could backfire, said marketing expert Allan Bonner.

After all, Canadians don’t expect their leaders to shy away from a fight.

“If you have no response to an attack, what are you going to be doing

for Canadians?” he asked. “Being a punching bag?”

The Conservatives set up the framework for their campaign against Trudeau three weeks before he was voted in as the party’s new leader, establishing a website that’s home to a suite of ads, links and pleas for money.

The ads began appearing on television with hours of the Sunday night announcement that Trudeau had won the leadership; by mid-day Monday, thousands more people had seen them online.

They show footage taken from a 2011 bachelor-auction fundraiser in which Trudeau is seen dancing on a stage and suggestively removing his shirt, while playful music tinkles in the background.

One ad contrasts his record with that of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, while a second recounts his alleged perspective on Quebec.

Trudeau said Monday he found the ads awkward and a source of

bemusement.

“I’ve had a microphone in front of my face since the age I was about four or five years old,” he said.

“So there’s an awful lot of things that they’re going to try and bring up and put out. And what I’ve heard across the country is Canadians are tired of that bullying.”

Appearing to criticize Trudeau’s charitable efforts did draw criticism, including from the event organizers.

“We feel (Trudeau) should be applauded for his support of a serious health issue that affects 3.4 million Canadians,” the Canadian Liver Foundation wrote on its Twitter account.

The issue doesn’t matter, the Tories countered.

“We believe Justin Trudeau’s eagerness to perform a strip-tease, regardless of the venue or putative cause, says something about his judgment,” said Conservative party spokesman Fred DeLorey.

Indeed, the point of the ads is to

weaken the Trudeau brand, said Alex Marland, a political science professor at Memorial University in St, John’s, N.L. “This comes through in many ways: mention of being born with a famous name, the visuals of a sexy fashion show, the snickering style of the announcer, the use of merry-go-round background music,

and the choice of a Tinkerbell-like moving font and sound in the closing moments,” Marland said.

It’s similar in style to what the Tories did with past Liberal leaders Stephane Dion and Michael Ignatieff, in both cases tagging them with the suggestion they weren’t up to the job.

the New York City marathon, and everybody then in the industry revised their strategies for hurricanes and natural weather disasters,’’ Brookes said.

“We’re in a best practices group with the Chicago Marathon, that includes Houston, Los Angeles Pittsburgh, Twin Cities, a number of other top races in North America. This will become a huge discussion item in the industry and I’m sure we will all pull together to do everything we possibly can to revise our safety and security manuals to make sure marathons continue to be wonderful, joyful spectacles in the world stage.’’

Toronto also hosts the Sporting Life 10K on May 12 and Mayor Rob Ford said he spoke Monday with Police Chief Bill Blair and City Manager Joe Pennachetti “to ensure Toronto is as

well prepared as possible.’’

“Police report there is no immediate threat to the city but we are going to continue monitoring the situation to ensure the residents of this great city are protected and safe,’’ Ford said.

“The city manager is working with all division heads and city emergency services to ensure any upcoming public events are reassessed, (and) remain as safe and secure as possible.’’

In Vancouver, Pitblado admits time isn’t exactly on organizers’ side.

“It’s not at all but we’d rather get this thing done now than have to deal with a tragedy that’s unfortunately happened in Boston,’’ he said. “We’ll do what we need to do quickly in the next couple of days and bring the team and the resources together to ensure that the safety of everyone is paramount.’’

And, Pitblado emphasized, security

for competitors and spectators alike will again be of paramount importance and whatever measures are required to achieve that will be taken.

“Absolutely, that’s what is going to happen for sure,’’ he said. “It has always been that way that our participants and the spectators who line the route, they are certainly our No. 1 priority.

“We ensure that we have the right medical plan and the right safety plan and work with the various stakeholders throughout the year every year both pre- and post-event to make sure that we’re up to snuff.’’

However, Pitblado admitted it’s a sobering reality that a historic competition like the Boston Marathon isn’t immune to attack.

“It’s appalling and it’s shocking that we still have to deal with this type of stuff in our society today,’’ he said.

However, Pitblado said some good from the tragedy in Boston could emerge in Vancouver.

“What we’re going to start to do is think about what can we do with the event to honour those that have been injured and how do we take back the streets from these people and ensure we don’t all run and hide, that we come out and show support for all of this,’’ he said. “I know there’s been a lot of stuff in social media already of people saying, ‘When I get home tonight I’m going for a run for those that were impacted by this.’

“I think we’ll be looking and talking about what we can do to honour those people so there might be a positive thing to talk about towards the end of the week.’’

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“That’s a 50,000 person race,’’ Watson said. “You have something like (the Boston Marathon), it’s 42 kilometres, it’s not like it’s inside a building, it’s not like it’s an arena, it’s on public streets through downtown Boston, there’s hundreds of police officers on the route, there’s fireman.

“But it just takes one group of just horrible horrible terrible people that decide they want to do something like this.’’

Alan Brookes, race director of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon and the founder of the eightrace Canada Running Series, expects the running community to pull together as it has in the past.

“We thought the book had been rewritten by hurricane Sandy last autumn when they had to cancel

Canada News

20

Quotes from Canadians caught up in the aftermath of the Boston deadly explosions My main worry was seeing if my wife was OK. Hotels were being evacuated. I got into (the) elevator and people were crying. Got upstairs and saw Lorraine was OK. She had finished her race and was safe. We all called the rooms of the other runners to check that everyone was safe. The last runner told my wife that she finished 38 seconds after the bombs went off.

People were throwing medals at the finishers and told them to evacuate.”

- Guy Doucet of Ottawa, Husband of runner

The Canadian Press MORE THAN 2,000 Canadians were registered to run the Boston Marathon Monday, where two explosions near the finish line left two dead and dozens hurt. Many more were there to watch the race. Here are some of their accounts of what happened: There was glass, smoke and bodies flying all over the place. Taylor and I hopped over (a barricade) and we stood in the middle of the marathon course, lane, and, 30 seconds later, if that, the other explosion happened on the other side of us. There was people laying all over the road and the sidewalk. I’ve got a very graphic image of a police officer running down the street with a little boy probably three years old in his arms saying ‘hang on.’”

- Al McBeth of Langley, B.C. Husband and son of runners

When the first one went off I thought, ‘I don’t know what it is, maybe a transformer, I don’t really know,’ but when the second one went off you know something’s going on... I called my daughter but the phone wasn’t on yet so I called my wife in Toronto and said, ‘Get on CNN right away. All hell just broke loose.”

Paul Cloutier of Toronto, Father of runner

We heard this big bang and we turned our heads and we saw this big puff of smoke and then like 10 seconds later there was another one and everybody just kind of stopped in their shoes and just kind of looked at each other in panic and (a) look on their face like, ‘What was that?’

Everybody just kind of turned away from it and started to walk away from it in a faster pace, just because we didn’t know what it was. Initially the first thing that went through my head was the Trade Centers, another, you know, terrorist attack.”

- Corinne Gable of Kelowna, B.C. Runner

It sounded like a canon.

Everyone was sort of saying, ‘What was that?

That’s not normal.’ ... We saw at least 25 ambulances roll out with people on stretchers.

“A cop asked me to get up off the ground because people started running towards me. ... It’s pretty scary, especially being Canadian.

I’ve never been through something like this. It’s scary how vulnerable you are.”

Kiki Cloutier of Ottawa, Runner

JENNIFER MORK OF CALGARY, WIFE OF RUNNER

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21

In chaotic aftermath of explosions at Boston Marathon, loved ones seek word about runners

BY TAMMY WEBBER The Associated Press CHICAGO—Far-flung family members, co-workers and friends frantically used social media, cellphones and even a “people finder” website Monday to try to learn the fate of participants and spectators at the Boston Marathon, where two people were killed and dozens injured after a pair of bombs exploded near the finish line of one of the world’s great races.

The search was made more difficult because heavy cellphone use caused slow and delayed service. In an age connected by everything digital, the hours after the blasts produced a tense silence.

At the race, 51-year-old Julie Jeske of Bismarck, N.D., had finished about 15 minutes before the explosions and was getting food about two blocks away when she heard two loud booms.

She immediately tried to call her parents, but could not place the call.

A friend was able to post on Facebook that they were OK, but reaching her parents was another worry.

“I wasn’t able to call and I felt so bad,” Jeske said. “When I was finally able to reach them, my mom said she was just absolutely beside herself with fear.”

Tim Apuzzo of Seattle said he spent an agonizing 10 minutes frantically trying to call his girlfriend, Quinn Schweizer, who was watching the marathon with her friends at the finish line. But when he kept getting a recording saying there was no service, he started to worry “because

you know you have a group of people in this generation all wired in ... and quick to respond.”

Finally, she was able to call him to say she was safe and that her group had left the finish line just minutes before the blast to walk to a cafe for lunch.

Google stepped in to help family and friends of runners find their loved ones, setting up a site called Google Person Finder that allows users to enter the name of a person they’re looking for or enter information about someone who was there. A few hours after the explosion, the site indicated it was tracking 3,600 records.

Mary Beth Aasen of Shorewood, Wis., and her husband were using an app to track their daughter Maggie’s progress along the marathon route.

They didn’t realize anything was wrong until a worried friend texted Aasen and asked if Maggie was OK. The app indicated that Maggie was still moving, a relief for her parents.

Mary Beth Aasen tried in vain to call her daughter for about 30 minutes before Maggie called her.

“When I talked to her she was pretty upset,” Aasen said. “Physically she said she felt great but she was upset because she hadn’t been in contact with her friends.”

Aasen said she was waiting for Maggie to call her back with an update, but knew cellphone service was slow in the area.

“I just feel terrible for the people who haven’t been in contact with their family and friends who are there,” she said. “I’m praying for everyone who hasn’t heard yet.”

THE BOSTON MARATHON. A yearly marathon held on Patriots’ Day in Greater Boston, Massachusetts. The marathon is the oldest yearly marathon in the world, dating back to 1897.

PHOTO BY PETER FARLOW

David Meixelsperger, who owns the Berkeley Running Company in Madison, Wis., finished the race about 90 minutes before the explosion. He sent an email to customers of his store and friends in the running community letting everyone know he was safe, but that he couldn’t send or receive calls on his cellphone.

“At this time, all Berkeley Runners and Customers are safe,” he said in the email. “We have been texting each other to seek out their whereabouts.”

Kim Hauser, a substitute teacher in the Chicago area, did not know about the explosions until her students went home and she got a chance to look at her phone. There were messages from acquaintances asking, “‘Is your brother OK?” She searched the news

and it dawned on her why they were asking.

“I tried to call him immediately, but there was no cell service,” the Frankfort, Ill., woman said. “I waited anxiously by the phone. I just felt horrible. I had a hard time holding myself together.”

Five minutes became 10, then 20— finally, 45 minutes later she looked down to see a text from her brother, Thomas Wiora. He had crossed the finish line shortly before the explosion and was 120 yards away when it went off. But he was fine.

“I was relieved,” she said. “But the whole thing was so heartbreaking.”

Mary Butler of Oklahoma City hadn’t been able to reach her husband, Jason Butler, who was running with his

Obama: Unclear who is responsible for Boston explosions, urging against jumping to conclusions

BY JULIE PACE The Associated Press WASHINGTON—President Barack Obama urged a nervous nation to avoid jumping to conclusions about Monday’s explosions at the Boston Marathon, while acknowledging that officials “still do not know who did this or why.” A White House official later said the incident was being treated as terrorism.

Speaking from the White House just three hours after the explosions,

Obama was cautious in his remarks, stopping short of calling the incident an act of terror.

Obama said the explosions were the act of an individual or group, but vowed to hold those responsible accountable.

“We will find out who did this. We’ll find out why they did this,” Obama said in his brief, three-minute statement.

“Any responsible individuals, any responsible groups, will feel the full weight of justice.”

The White House official spoke on condition of anonymity because the

investigation was ongoing.

The president said the government would increase security around the United States “as necessary” but did not say whether his administration thought the incident was part of a larger plot.

Obama did not offer specific details on deaths or injuries, saying only that multiple people had been wounded, some of them gravely.

Authorities say at least two people were killed and more than 80 injured during two explosions near the finish of the marathon. A senior U.S. intelligence official said two

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other explosive devices were found near the end of the 26.2-mile (40 kilometre) course.

The president was briefed on the incident Monday by several senior administration officials, including FBI Director Robert Mueller and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.

He also spoke with Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Tom Menino and pledged to provide whatever federal support was needed in responding to the incident.

Additionally, the president spoke with Republican and Democratic

son, brother and other family members.

But she said he’d posted on Facebook that he and the others were OK. “That’s all I know about it,” Mary Butler said, adding she’d been trying to call since she’d first heard of the explosions. “I’m just waiting— keep trying to call.”

She declined to talk further so that she could keep her phone line open. ■ Associated Press writers Scott Bauer in Madison, Wis.; Kevin Begos in Pittsburgh; Kristi Eaton in Sioux Falls, N.D.; Dan Holtmeyer in Oklahoma City; David Mercer in Champaign, Ill.; Dinesh Ramde in Milwaukee; Dan Sewell in Cincinnati and Michael Tarm in Chicago contributed to this report. leaders on Capitol Hill, saying that “on days like this, there are no Republicans or Democrats, we are Americans united in our concern for our fellow citizens.”

As the president was being briefed on the incident, the Secret Service quickly expanded its security perimeter at the White House. The agency shut down Pennsylvania Avenue and cordoned off the area with yellow police tape. Several Secret Service patrol cars also blocked off the entry points to the road.

The White House was not on lockdown and tourists and other onlookers were still able to be in the park across the street from the executive mansion. ■ Associated Press writer Nedra Pickler contributed to this report.

Immigration

Did they go home? No confirmed departure for temporary visitors backed by MPs

BY JENNIFER DITCHBURN The Canadian Press OTTAWA—The Immigration department isn’t sure whether dozens of people who got special temporary permits from the minister’s office left the country when they were supposed to, even when the visitors were personally backed by MPs and members of cabinet.

A newly released government chart shows each time Immigration Minister Jason Kenney granted a special temporary resident permit over the four years he’s been in his post.

The names of the recipients are blanked out, but the MPs, ministers and senators who vouched for them are listed, as are the details of their permits often including expiry dates and extensions.

Public Safety Minister Vic Toews, Labour Minister Lisa Raitt, Justice Minister Rob Nicholson and many NDP and Liberal MPs are among those who successfully lobbied Kenney for a temporary permit for someone, but the visitor’s date of departure is left blank—sometimes years later.

The document shows that in approximately 144 of 676 entered cases, permits expired but no confirmation was given on whether the individuals ultimately went home.

Most of those permits were only issued for a few weeks or months.

The Immigration minister retains the power to issue temporary resident permits to applicants that are typically inadmissable, and have exhausted all other channels.

MPs are expected to follow-up on the people they lobby for as part of an honour-type system with the minister’s office. Canada does not have an exit control process for visitors.

Kenney spokeswoman Alexis Pavlich said some of the instances where departure dates are missing could be due to individuals who are awaiting permanent resident status or have received it, and the chart was not updated.

“The chart is a very informal tracking system that is not completely up to date,” said Pavlich. The

document indicates it was updated in December.

In one case, Kenney issued 32 people a two-week permit in July 2009, but an annotation said “eight remain” in Canada.

The most successful requester was Conservative MP Bob Dechert, who in four years was able to secure at least 22 permits from Kenney’s office—nearly double any other MP. In three of those cases, there is no date of departure provided.

The document, compiled by a public servant working inside the minister’s office, was released to a Liberal party researcher through the Access to Information Act. The biggest proportion of requests for permits came not strictly from parliamentarians, but by unnamed individuals or groups. They are simply listed as “general.”

Kenney’s office said “general” refers to organizations, reporters, the general public and “others” who might bring to the minister’s attention a person who needs to get into the country. Sometimes the cases get an extra push from an MP. Kevin Lamoureux, the Liberal immigration critic, said there should be greater accountability around the unnamed people who are approaching the minister about visas, as a check and balance into a largely secret system.

“I would love to see the minister at an immigration committee answer questions about the people putting in the requests under his general category,” said Lamoureux.

“I think we should know that. What region of the world are they coming in from? Is there one grouping of people he’s giving preferential treatment to?”

Kenney’s office notes that the minister has issued far fewer temporary permits than Liberal ministers did in the past, down 40 per cent since 2006 as compared to the last five years of the Liberal government.

Lamoureux said it is clear that if the minister’s office has to resort to handing out so many special permits for humanitarian or other grounds, something is not working inside the official system. ■

22

Text to support the Migrante Partylist & Teddy Casino is sent by a caregiver in BC to Lotlot in the Philippines

Text Messages are Going Out Migrante BC launches “I-text mo” campaign Vancouver, BC—Migrante BC, along with other member organizations of Migrante Canada, is launching its text-message campaign on April 14, 2013 to mark the start of the overseas absentee voting which starts on April 13, 2013 until May 13, 2013.

Dubbed as the “I-Text Mo” campaign, Migrante members and supporters will use texting to support the Migrante Partylist’s bid for Congress and to get

Teddy Casiño into the Senate in the Philippine May election.

Migrante BC will launch the campaign at the opening of the Migrante Basketball League 2013 at the gymnasium of the St. Helen’s Church, 3830 Triumph Street in Burnaby on April 14.

The idea behind the campaign is simple and brilliant: Filipino migrant and immigrant workers in Canada who are members and supporters of Migrante-

affiliated organizations will text messages to their relatives and friends in the Philippines with the following message: “IBOTO ANG # 96 Migrante Partylist & TEDDY CASINO # 6 SA SENADO.” Migrante BC urges all Filipinos in Canada who are eligible to vote to exercise their right to vote in the Philippine May 13 election and to support the Migrante ❱❱ 23 Text messages

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE IN VANCOUVER INVITES ALL OVERSEAS VOTERS TO VOTE FOR THE 2013 SENATORIAL AND PARTY LIST ELECTIONS 12 April 2013—The Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver invites all Overseas Voters to vote for the 2013 Philippine Senatorial and Party List Elections which will start on April 13, 2013 and run until 4:00 am, Monday, 13 May 2013 which coincides with the closing of the election period in the Philippines (7:00 PM May 13, 2013, Philippine time).

During this period, registered voters may mail their ballot envelopes to the Consulate or drop them in the ballot box located at the Consular section (1405-700 West Pender St. Vancouver BC Canada V6C 1G8). Please carefully follow the instructions provided in the envelopes when completing your ballot.

For those who are registered but have not yet received their ballots, please send an email to vancouverpcg@telus.net to verify whether your ballot envelope is with the Consulate.

The list of returned ballots by Canada Post and ballots sent by COMELEC to the Philippine Consulate may also be viewed at the consulate’s website (www.vancouverpcg.net). Overseas Voters are advised to get their ballots personally at the Philippine Consulate. Those who wish to have their electoral mail sent to them should fax (to fax no.604-685-9945) or e-mail (to vancouverpcg@telus.net) a signed letter of request, indicating the voter’s complete mailing address and telephone number and attaching a copy of their passport or PR Card.

For inquiries, registered voters in British Columbia, Alberta, Yukon Territories and Northwest Territories may contact the Consulate General at telephone number 604-685-7645 local (107).

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Immigration

FRIDAY APRIL 19, 2013

Text messages... ❰❰ 22

Partylist in Congress and Rep. Teddy Casino for Senator.

There are an estimated 15 million Filipinos around the world and yet, the overseas Filipinos are not represented as a sector in the Philippine Congress. “Now is the time for the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to make their voices heard and through Migrante Partylist assert their right to representation in Congress,” said Jonathan Canchela, the Migrante Partylist 4th nominee. He added, “A vote for Migrante Partylist is a vote for OFWs.” Migrante Canada is an alliance of Filipino migrant and immigrant organizations from coast to coast— from British Columbia, Alberta, Winnipeg, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Newfoundland & Labrador. It is a chapter of Migrante International, a global alliance of 90 member organizations in over 22 countries, making it the biggest organization of OFWs in the world and an active defender of the rights and welfare of OFWs by raising public awareness of their plight, providing a critical analysis of the Philippine government’s labour export policy, and advocating for national sovereignty, justice and democracy in the Philippines.

For more information and to participate in the “I-text mo” campaign, please contact Chong Alejandria of Migrante BC, Regional Representative in Migrante Canada at 604.506.2207.

Outside of BC, please call Migrante Canada at 1- 800- 559- 8092 at 604. ■

23

ANGKLA Partylist Eyes Legislative Support for Filipino Seafarers

BY W.S. VICTORIA Richmond, B.C. The Philippines is known to be a major supplier of manpower for the shipping industry worldwide. One in every 4 seafarer in the world is a Filipino. This group brings in about US$4.5 billion to the Philippine economy every year, and there are about 800,000 Filipino seafarers.

A big threat hounding this sector is a report from a European agency that came out after the agency’s check on several maritime schools in the Philippines. The report noted that if the country does not ensure proper seafaring education and training, the agency may stop recognizing the certificates of competencies issued to the Filipino seafarers. This may result to a massive job loss and a drastic decline of remittances from this sector. Other than this threat, the sector also faces a myriad of problems from bureaucratic renewal of government documents that goes with a layer of fees, to underemployment of local seafarers.

An organization of seafarers, their families and concerned individuals has stepped-up the plate to face these challenges aiming to become the voice of the sector in Philippine

TV 4’s “Hatol ng Bayan” TV show host Kathy San Gabriel interviews ANGKLA Chariman Jess Manalo.

government.

ANGKLA, also known as the “Partido ng Marinong Pilipino”, is now running in the coming May elections. ANGKLA Chairman Atty. Jess Manalo said that the country should exert all efforts to protect this sector and to maintain the country’s dominance in the maritime world. “ There is a need for a responsive and swift legislative arm to enable this sector to adapt to the ever- changing landscape dictated by the international community,” the ANGKLA Chairman stressed.

Manalo is not new to the industry.

He is the son of Capt. Iluminado Manalo who was one of the first graduates of the Philippine Nautical School ( now known as PMMA

or Philippine Merchant Marine Academy ) and one who learned the trade just after WWII. Capt. Manalo, who braved the seas from Southeast Asia to the Middle East, served the industry for almost 30 years. The younger Manalo saw the hardships his father faced , and decided to become a lawyer. Fate has eventually led Atty. Manalo to become one of the founders of ANGKLA which was formed in 2011 in response to the need of seafarers and other stakeholders in the industry to be actively involved in the government decision-making process.

Atty. Manalo believes that laws should continue to be dynamic so that they can immediately respond

to changes in global conditions. He also stressed that the industry, and the Filipino seafarer who contributes so much to the economy, deserve all the help they can get, and that ANGKLA is in the best position to heed to this call. He requests all Filipino seafarers to join the this advocacy, spread the news about ANGKLA and visit ANGKLA’s Facebook page.

As the Philippines moves toward being in good economic standing, a win for this partylist called ANGKLA could be a big help in the country’s efforts to steam full speed ahead. After all, ensuring more than 500,000 jobs and securing more than US$4.5 annually will be great for any country. ■

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Canada News

Economy, leadership major issues in B.C.’s May 14 election

BY DIRK MEISSNER The Canadian Press VICTORIA—British Columbia’s election campaign officially starts today with Premier Christy Clark visiting Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon for formal permission to launch a race that in practice, has been going on for months.

Election campaigns are fluid events that can shift and change in moments despite the best efforts of party machines, but going into Tuesday’s campaign, party officials and political experts put the economy, leadership and credibility among the top issues in the May 14 vote.

Clark’s Liberals are seeking their fourth consecutive mandate, but enter this campaign behind the NDP who have spent the last 12 years in the opposition ranks.

The New Democrats have chosen “Change for the Better, One Practical Step at a Time” as their slogan, an effort to signal what they consider their moderate, but determined approach to bringing economic and social change.

The Liberals are running on the theme “Strong Economy. Secure Tomorrow,” what they hope will be a robust endorsement of the Liberal legacy of economic prosperity.

“The economy. The economy. And the economy,” said former Chilliwack Liberal MLA John Les said in summarizing the party’s message. “I don’t think you can over-emphasize that. We have to keep a very strong focus on our economic performance.”

He said economies in Europe and the United States are wobbly at best and the Liberals will remind voters at every chance about their successes controlling spending and receiving endorsements from bondrating agencies who support their budget plans and have maintained the province’s high credit rating.

“It means making sure we keep our own financial house in order by balancing our budgets and starting to develop a plan to bring down our accumulated debt over time,” Les said.

The most recent Liberal budget, which forecasts a surplus of $197 million next year, also forecasts a debt of almost $63 billion, up from the $56 billion in debt forecast for this year.

Clark has focused on long-term debt reduction strategies since her February throne speech where she suggested the

province’s potential windfall from plans to export liquefied natural gas from B.C. to Asia could produce revenues that allow the province to pay down the debt and eliminate the provincial sales tax. But it will take more than 15 years.

Clark said Monday debt reduction is the centrepiece of the Liberal campaign platform, with pledges to dedicate half of future surpluses to debt reduction. Even the Liberal campaign bus is emblazoned with “debt-free B.C.” But author and former Liberal adviser Martyn Brown says the Liberals can’t expect to own their traditional labels as debt fighters and economic managers in this campaign because NDP Leader Adrian Dix has shrewdly pulled his party to the centre.

Brown said he believes the longstanding tradition in British Columbia that has permitted the free-enterprise governments to assert their ability to manage economies may not be a weapon the Liberals can count on in this election.

“An awful lot of that is deep in British Columbia’s political culture and reflected the fundamental differences in spending and taxing priorities in years gone by,” he said.

“That doesn’t exist anymore. The tax plan the NDP have tabled is not much different than what the government has tabled.”

Both the Liberals and NDP have said they are prepared to raise corporate taxes and income taxes for the wealthy are also set to go up.

Brown said public opinion polls are suggesting the edge the Liberals have had on perceived public confidence in managing the economy and budgets has declined.

“It’s disappeared, not only because of the harmonized sales tax, not only because of the deficits since 2009, but it’s gone away because the NDP has moved fundamentally to the centre and to the right and embraced the Liberals’s personal income tax agenda that it criticized.”

University of Victoria political science Prof. James Lawson said the New Democrats have been preparing to battle the Liberals on the economic front in this campaign. Dix signalled more than a year ago his plans to tax banks to raise funds for student loans and increase corporate and income taxes for income above $150,000.

24

2013 Election Campaign Kicks Off in B.C.

JOHN YAP

“That’s really palpable that they have gone out of their way to get people to relax,” he said. “The instrumental side of that is pretty obvious, they need to innoculate themselves against attack ads that will draw on the classic thing in this province about the socialist hordes.”

Lawson said the NDP has been overly cautious with economic messaging heading into the campaign.

“I don’t see a lot of backbench MLA’s coming out in favour of socializing the economy,” he said.

Brown said Clark’s pre-campaign television broadcast saw her demonstrate her formidable skills as a communicator, but she enters the campaign behind in the polls and facing a battle-hardened NDP leader who publicly has been trying to suppress NDP expectations that there will be gold at the end of the rainbow for the New Democrats.

“What he’s done is he’s positioned himself expertly in terms of a

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John Yap, the BC Liberal candidate in Richmond-Steveston for the 2013 election, held a fundraiser at the Continental Seafood House in Richmond on April 11.

thoughtful, serious and compelling and less partisan, less polarizing figure than any NDP leader before him,” said Brown.

Les said he worked with Clark for two years and found her to be an inclusive person “who put a very clear focus on the economy and resource development.”

“She took over at a very difficult time, with the HST mess still being resolved, and she took over another leader’s (former premier Gordon Campbell) caucus, which is not a very easy thing to do,” he said.

Les admitted the Liberals suffered wounded credibility recently when a leaked copy of the party’s planned multicultural outreach strategy surfaced.

Three government workers resigned or left government and former multiculturalism minister John Yap resigned from cabinet after a government review found government workers were doing party work trying

to court ethnic voters on taxpayer dollars.

But Les said the NDP has their own credibility issues, including Dix’s “ethical lapses.”

Les said Dix’s decision to back-date a memo for former NDP premier Glen Clark in the 1990s will be played out during the campaign.

Dix was working as Clark’s chief of staff when he admitted changing the date on a memo to shield Clark from a gaming scandal that eventually forced him to resign.

Dix lost his job with the Clark government and has called the incident a mistake.

Les said the Liberals will stress throughout the campaign that their record of economic management over the past 12 years is worthy of another election win.

“When people objectively think about it, they’ve got to give us a little bit of credit for having done a decent job,” he said. ■

FRIDAY APRIL 19, 2013

Seen and Scenes

25

▲

Leaders of various Filipino associations headed by Narima dela Cruz and Alvin Relleve hosted an afternoon of meet and greet to show support to Mable Elmore for her re-election bid for the Vancouver – Kensington riding . The event was held at Mable Elmore’s new campaign office located at 5435 Victoria Drive, Vancouver B.C.

▲ BRAR RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN KICKOFF A BIG SUCCESS Surrey-Fleetwood MLA Jargrup Brar’s kicked off his re-election campaign to a full room of supporters this past Saturday. Over 175 supporters and community leaders gathered to hear Brar address some of the key issues in SurreyFleetwood, including his strong focus on jobs, skills training and senior’ care. Brar is seeking his fourth term in office.

▲ HALO-HALO The Filipino Community in Vancouver, B.C. hosted a meet and greet with Premier Christy Clark at Josephine’s Restaurant on Main Street. Present were MLA Liberal Candidates Hector Bremner, Gabby Kalaw and Celina Sia Sherst.

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My Story

FRIDAY APRIL 19, 2013

27

FILIPINO-CANADIAN IN FOCUS

Jeff Rustia

BY APRIL SESCON Philippine Canadian Inquirer “WHAT IS a Filipino?”

He was the ONLY one in his school in downtown Toronto—a Filipino.

His classmates asked him: what is he?

Where does he come from? What is a Filipino?

Years from then, that boy—“the Filipino” in the classroom—would find himself, among many things: a branding visionary; a TV host; a father to the most precious child; a philanthropist; a snazzy fashionista; and the recipient of the 2006 Philippine Presidential Pamana Award.

But mostly: Jeff Rustia calls himself Filipino.

GLOBETROTTING TYKE

He has seen 120 cities in over 38 countries. He was born in the Philippines.

“Our family often moved from one country to the next,” recalls Jeff. His late father, Armando Rustia, worked with the Ayala Group in the Philippines and led the company’s businesses abroad. They’ve hopped from place to place since Jeff and his brother were kids. They were globetrotting tykes, well-traveled at a young age.

Is it tricky to spend formative years in this state of flux? To Jeff, it is a gift: to have seen the world with that brand of openness only kids seem capable of.

“My experience had made me truly global, open-minded, and multicultural thinking,” says Jeff. By the time the family settled in Toronto, Jeff says it was an “easy transition,” having grown accustomed to many cultures in many locations around the world.

ONE HUNDRED PERCENT

And so: Toronto. Toronto became Jeff’s new home outside of his native land. In school, Jeff told his classmates what “Filipino” meant. He became a “spokesman” of his cultural heritage,

as he puts it. It set the stage for a life of promoting the Filipino in his career.

Jeff became a big proponent of “Proud to be Filipino-Canadian”. In college, he was the mastermind of many a Filipino initiative: FILIPINO YOUTH IN CANADA (FYC), the umbrella organization for FilipinoCanadian student associations in North America; Kabataan, the First Filipino Youth Theatre Group in the country (Jeff also wrote its first play, “Ala-ala”: the story of a FilipinoCanadian boy who rediscovered his love for Philippine culture.) On top of everything, Jeff was also the Editor of the Filipino Students Association Newspaper in the University of Toronto, his alma mater (he graduated with a four-year Honours Bachelor of Arts degree).

“Everything I’ve done has always been linked to my love for the Philippines and my heritage,” says Jeff—as if there were room for any doubt.

Jeff careened into TV, post-college.

He absorbed everything he could get his hands on: editing, graphics, branding, producing, directing—the list went on. He traces his roots to Channel [V], formerly MTV ASIA. He worked for HBO and Cinemax (Jeff was the man behind their on-air design and identity in Asia). Back in Toronto, Jeff served as the Head of Creative Services and Marketing for Trio and Newsworld International.

He then forged ahead with his own thing: FRONT TV, a broadcast design agency which started out in a small rented room with but a couple of employees. Their award-winning designs for TV networks around the globe earned them fame and big-name clients in no time.

And then there’s BPM:TV. Jeff became host of his own fashion segment, CLUB Fashion. Already well-traveled, the gig brought Jeff to even more spots on the globe. He was jetted off to fashion capitals to cover the latest in style, nightlife, people, and global couture.

But he looks back on two things as his “great successes”: SIGAW MANILA on STAR TV, the first international music television program on Filipino talent, which Jeff himself had produced (it was seen, no less, by 145 million households). Secondly: Nickelodeon Philippines—Jeff was responsible for their on-air identity.

All in all: Jeff considers himself most successful in the things that tap into his fervent Filipino pride. “’Being proud of who you are’ has always been a great launching point to everything that I do,” shares the all-inone creative.

It’s “100% PINOY PASSION,” to Jeff, who spells it out in capital letters to let the whole world know.

AND ANOTHER

“CANADA . . . PHILIPPINE . . .

FASHION . . . WEEK.” He wrote it down on a piece of napkin one chance day. Jeff’s father had always said: visualize. Project your desires onto something concrete.

Write down your dreams, and your dreams will—surely—come true.

And now: it’s all real. It’s all happening. Thanks to that napkin and writing implement, “within eight months, those four words became a reality,” marvels Jeff.

ENTER: the first CANADA PHILIPPINE FASHION WEEK,

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set to run June 10-14 of this year (in tandem with the Philippine Independence Day, naturally).

It’s the first of its kind, ever, in Jeff’s beloved Toronto. He’s eager right down to his toes—finally, he says, “the whole world can experience the best and most iconic Filipino fashion designers”—and these folks hail not just from Manila, but also from Canada. His two homes collide— cohere. Manila’s most coveted designers—John Ablaza, Roland Alzate, Leonard Co, Francis Libiran, and Norman Noriega, to date—have readily come to Jeff’s aide to show off their collections. Filipino-Canadian designer Noel Crisostomo is on hand to dazzle the crowds as well.

And everyone’s working for free, says Jeff, all in honor of his late son Kol. The “incredible monumental fashion charity event” aims to raise at least $100,000 Canadian dollars for the Kol Hope Foundation. “Kol’s legacy of love, charity and hope will continue on through the event,” says the proud father.

I know he is in a good place, and free from his severe disabilities and difficult medical conditions.”

Kol is the inspiration behind the Kol Hope Foundation for Children (www.kolhope.com), which Jeff put up with his family to help children with disabilities in Canada and in the Philippines. The Foundation has lent a helping hand to Sick Kids (www.sickkids.ca) and Easter Seals Canada (www.easterseals.org). To date, they’ve given over P2 million to different Philippine schools and homes for children with disabilities.

“My recent trip to the Philippines has also opened up new beneficiaries,” says Jeff. Among them: St. Martin de Porres, a special school for children with Down Syndrome, autism, and the hearing impaired. The Foundation is also set to start a fund for the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines.

MIRACLE

‘IT LIVES IN YOUR HEART’

Kol Rustia was born on May 2, 1997. The doctors told the family: he had only three months to live. He was diagnosed with Trisomy 13, a genetic syndrome that left Kol unable to walk, talk, breathe, and eat.

“He had a trachea, and required 24/7 oxygen and life support, and he was fed through a G-tube,” recalls the father. Against all odds, Kol lived for 14 years—“and what an amazing 14 years that was,” says Jeff.

“I was Kol’s father, his doctor, his storyteller, his teacher. And his best friend. Kol changed our lives from the moment he was born into this world. He taught us the true meaning of compassion, love, charity, courage and hope.”

“My late son Kol passed away last year, and I dearly miss him. But

“Someone recently asked me: ‘how can you be proud to be Filipino, you didn’t even grow up in the Philippines?’”

The question was bewildering to Jeff, but not because he couldn’t find an answer. “You don’t have to be in the Philippines to be proud of who you are,” expresses Jeff, firmly. “The beautiful thing about being Filipino is that no matter where you are in the world, and no matter where you grow up, you always take the Filipino in you. It lives in your heart.”

“I am very proud to have grown up with absolutely amazing Filipino parents who instilled in me wonderful Filipino values of family, love, and respect,” says Jeff. “Growing up in Canada and abroad fuels my love for the Philippines even more.” ■

FRIDAY APRIL 19, 2013

28

Spring A SEASON OF RENEWAL AND REBIRTH.

Facial hair, cursed crumbs, pesky insects, and melatonin: the origins of Spring Cleaning

BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer SPRING: in your step. In the air. That broken one in the mattress.

Sunshine.

Flowers.

Solstice.

Sandals. Pollen. Dust. Cleaning.

Renewal. Rebirth. Awakening.

Regeneration. Renovating.

Soft pastels. Blush pinks. Grass greens. Fluffy-chick yellows. Squeaky clean whites: from cleaning.

Spring is here, and so are its common associations.

Cleaning, organizing, rearranging; spring cleaning: an obsessivecompulsive person’s dream come true.

Once a year, every year.

But where did the annual tradition of turning your house upside-down to get it right-side-up originate?

“SHAKING THE HOUSE”

This dates back to the time of the Persian Empire, the practice of “khooneh tekouni” at the start of every

Nowruz or Persian New Year, one day before the spring.

Khooneh tekouni, literally “shaking the house,” involves complete cleaning of the house from top to bottom. Nothing is spared the shakedown: from ceiling to floor, drapes to furniture and everything in between.

The tradition also entails the purchase of flowers (especially tulips and hyacinths) and new personal attire.

Cleaning and shopping. Throwing out and acquiring. A Yin and Yang of sorts.

The tradition is associated with the “rebirth of nature,” and is observed by almost every household in Iran.

Family visits; parties; unshaven beards until the New Day (on which facial hair comes off as a symbol of personal cleaning and leaving old habits behind); and a practice of leaving sweets outside the house, to be brought up in the morning by the early bird are all part of the ritual. Sounds like a riot.

This practice of cleaning the house to herald the New Year is also prevalent in Chinese and Scottish

The spring heralds more sunlight, thereby reducing the production of melatonin; our body wakes up to a new day, new energy, a messy house. The birth of spring cleaning.

cultures; although their New Year’s days do not coincide with the start of the season, thereby not as fittingly called spring cleaning.

“CLEANSING THE HOME”

Perhaps another origin of the practice is found in the Jewish Pesah or Passover custom. The revered holiday of commemorating the flight of the Jews from ancient Egypt occurs two weeks after the Jewish New Year.

The slaves in Egypt, Jews and non-Jews alike, were fed matzah or unleavened bread; something which eventually became a symbol of victory over oppression to the Jews.

Each Passover, matzah is customarily eaten, both as a reminder of the domination the Jews overcame and as an expression of gratitude for their freedom.

It is considered arrogant and ungrateful to have chametz or leavened bread in the house during the time of Passover; so much so that even the crumbs from leavened bread viewed as offensive.

Matzah: yes. Chametz: no, no, no.

Lest God be offended, the Jews throw out all chametz, and scour the entire house before Passover, to be sure they do not miss any of those cursed chametz crumbs. Better to be safe than fall out of favor with the Divine.

Interestingly enough, the hunt for chametz crumbs, or bedikat chametz, is traditionally done by candlelight after the house is cleaned, on the night before the Passover. Nothing like a little romantic candle-lit crumbhunting to get your Passover going.

The Passover celebration falls around April, hence the close associations with the origin of spring cleaning.

WEATHER TO CLEAN, OR NOT TO CLEAN

In North America and northern

Europe, the custom of spring cleaning took on a more practical function, given the continental and wet climates of those regions.

19th century America did not have the modern-day conveniences of Dust Busters and vacuum cleaners, but they did have to deal with dust, somehow.

The month of March was generally the best time for dusting: already warm enough to open windows and doors, but not warm enough for insects to be a problem, as was the pesky case during the hot summer months.

Nature’s hand aided the cleaning process, with the high winds carrying the dust out of the house.

To this day and for this same reason, rural households take on cleaning projects involving the use of fumegenerating chemical products in the month of March.

BIOLOGY AND THE NEATS

Spring cleaning is tied in with a very practical, biological reason, as well.

Winter-time means less sunlight, given the shorter, often dull and dreary gray days. Less sunlight means more melatonin production in our bodies.

More melatonin means more yawns and sleepiness. Humans - sunlight + melatonin = zzzzzzzzzz = mess left for another day. Who wants to clean when you’re sleepy and sluggish?

The spring heralds more sunlight, thereby reducing the production of melatonin; our body wakes up to a new day, new energy, a messy house.

The birth of spring cleaning.

There is no spring where I live.

I live on the side of the world with two seasons: wet and dry; and global warming has made sure that those two now co-exist in confusion. But the tradition of spring cleaning, oddly enough, still holds. Maybe I am partPersian/Jew/Chinese/Scot. Or simply OC like that. No matter. It is a good way to kick the procrastinator in the bum and pick up that mop.

Now to refresh the lyrics of Happy Working Song in my memory. ■

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Spring

30

Trash talk

BY APRIL SESCON Philippine Canadian Inquirer LET’S TALK trash.

Old sweaters. Scrap paper and broken clocks. That table you had no use for. An old rubber wheel. A worn shoe (the other pair missing since— you suspect—the Cretaceous Period).

A chipped cup. The cupboard handle that came off—POP—one sunny morning. Light bulbs that don’t work.

Wine bottles from that dinner party.

Milk cartons from last month.

Spring cleaning: when every speck of dust has vanished; when the kitchen counter gleams as if it were kissed by God; when the cupboards, drawers, and closets have all been emptied of excess bulk—it’s all very bright and airy and vastly satisfying, but what do you intend to do with all these things you’ve cleared out of your home?

Mother Earth doesn’t need more landfills. Don’t take your trash out to the dumpsters just yet.

RECYCLE. Repurpose. Upcycle— it’s the new thing.

DIY ottoman: about two dozen PET bottles, cardboard, a plastic sheet, foam, duct tape, and cloth cover.

Create wall art or shelves out of old books, magazines, drawers and suitcases with odds and ends. Cut squares into the books or magazines. Cover the suitcase or drawer with old newspaper and brush over with clear glue for that vintage look. Stuff the little nooks with dried flowers, photographs, your rock collection, buttons—anything that strikes your fancy.

Old shoebox + toilet paper rolls = desk organizer.

Need a garden?

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Spring

FRIDAY APRIL 19, 2013

31

Top tips to ward-off spring allergy woes

BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer Turn old soup cans, wine bottles, flashlights, and glass jars into light fixtures; use wine bottles and even light bulbs as pots for hanging plants or small flora.

SPRING IS in the air! Pollen is, too!

A harsh fact of life for those of us allergy-sufferers.

Spring is the time our noses are a shade too red to be fashionably pink. Tissues are our fave fashion accessory; sneezing, our ambient sound. Our eyes are as glazed-over as the plants are with morning dew.

Trees are in bloom, and our nasal cavities are, too. The former being a decidedly prettier picture than the latter. The grass is green, and let’s not even mention what else is. But it has to do with the blooming nasal cavities. Eww. Short of wearing a gas mask or sticking your head in a bag, here are some tips to minimize your exposure to pollen:

Turn old newspapers into twine. Cut strips out of the paper and twist it into a rope. Make baskets, doormats, and sculptures with the finished product.

1. Keep allergy meds handy. Especially Fill out those prescriptions, and take as directed by the manufacturer, or—better still— your doctor. Follow precautionary measures, as well. Especially if you have the sudden urge to operate heavy machinery.

2.

Consider using a Netty Pot or any other form of nose rinsing device, and flush nasal cavities out with a saline solution. Very effective, and provides great relief from stuffed passages.

3.

Keep track of the pollen count and try to stay indoors with windows shut on days when it is exceptionally high. Pollen counts are highest on warm, dry, breezy days.

Keep in mind that the most ideal time for outdoor activity is while plants are still dewy (early morning).

Evening, humid days (before or after the rains), or days when winds are at bay are also good, as pollen is at also at bay. If a trip outside during high

A cigar box stuffed with a folded old sweater or other cloth.

Turn tin cans into charming lanterns. Paint them over.

Punch holes in the sides. Place candle inside. Easy as soup.

PHOTOS FROM LISAVOLLRATH.COM, RACHEL BRADLEY, GREENUPGRADER.COM, SAVEDBYLOVECREATIONS.COM, UNCONSUMPTION.TUMBLR. COM, CUTOUTANDKEEP.NET ADESIGNOFMYOWN.COM

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pollen counts is necessary, refer to Tip #1.

4.

Bring a hanky to cover your nose area when outdoors. Keep eyes protected by wearing sunglasses.

Itchy, puffy, watery eyes are a nasty result of pollen allergies.

5.

When on the road, keep car windows shut. Use the AC. 6.

Stay hydrated. Fluids help to ward away the sneezes and battle congestion.

7.

Be wary of letting your pets on the bed, as pollen can stick to their fur.

8. Take the time for general spring cleaning. Get rid of accumulated dust. Keep your house clean.

9.

Vacuum regularly; launder sheets once a week.

10. Wear a mask when cleaning, or working in the yard.

Not the Halloween kind, but the filter or gauze kind; disposable or otherwise (but be sure to clean the non-disposable ones after each use).

Avoid mowing, or raking, as these can release and stir up pollen on the ground.

11. Change clothing after exposure outdoors.

12.

Shower/shampoo at the end of each day to get rid of pollen that may have stuck to your skin and hair.

13. Stay away from pollution, cigarette and cigar smoke, as these can exacerbate the allergy symptoms.

14.

Move to the Arctic regions.

If that is off the list, know your pollen season, and perhaps plan a vacation around that time. The beach and places by the sea often have fewer problems with pollen.

15. Know your plants. If you have a yard or garden, avoid plants with smaller pollen, as these are easily carried in the wind. A little research will go a long way towards staving off allergies. ■

Spring

32

Bird Watching, Anyone?

BY KATHERINE MARFAL-TEVES Philippine Canadian Inquirer WATCHING BIRDS in the sky in full flight, their wings beating against the wind, their calls like musical notes in the air—it instills in us a sense of freedom.

Bird-watchers attest to this experience. I’m glad to have become a bird-watcher myself, in just a few sessions. Aside from having a new hobby, bird-watching has brought me inner peace as I, along with my fellow enthusiasts, enjoy a day out in the shade of trees, surrounded by nature.

THE MENTOR

In December 2010, Anthony Arbias became a member of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines (WBCP). A naturelover at heart, Anthony is a landscape artist. His interests include native plants and forest habitats. Bird-watching set him en route to life’s peaceful avenue.

“It became fun and fulfilling since it was a time of new discovery for me,” says Anthony. “Every time I see a new bird species I get excited and I take time to learn which species it is.”

Bird-watching, according to Anthony, has expanded his “life list,” meaning the number of species he’s seen in his life grew from about a handful to more than a hundred in just a year.

Though he admits that bird watching is more of an incidental activity for him, it gives him a new appreciation

for life. “Seeing more ‘lifers,’ or new bird species—it’s exciting.

Photographing them ‘in-situ’ brings me more satisfaction than a short glimpse,” Anthony shares.

Since becoming a member of WBCP, bird-watching became a regular thing for Anthony. “I bird-watch from the time I hear and see birds from my window at home and wherever I go,” says the enthusiast. “I go bird-watching when there are club trips, holidays, when I work in the forest and in other natural habitats.”

THE STUDENTS

The first bird-watching session I had was held mid-afternoon at the University of the Philippines, Diliman.

I was with a group of friends and other bird-watchers. I was clueless as to what would happen at first. Kuya Anthony brought a few pairs of binoculars and two professional cameras for us to use.

Later, a group of grade school kids and my two-year-old niece came to participate. The children were curious and enthusiastic, wide- and bright-eyed.

They were eager. It was refreshing to see. Kids these days, they’re always glued to their computers. Birdwatching was a something new. A novel and exciting experience, and it’s educational, to boot.

After a few minutes of preparation, we started with the “bird appreciation” activity (I prefer the term—to me, it’s not just “watching” but also appreciating the winged little things up

there). We were asked to keep quiet.

Even the sound of our footsteps should be as soundless as possible, as birds can take flight upon hearing any noise.

The quest for wild birds began.

Most of us were holding our binoculars, while others were looking through the professional camera. After roughly 15 minutes, we saw a few bird species, and our bird mentor named them one by one. The first encounter was with a “yellow-vented bulbul.”

Seeing that first bird was definitely amazing—it was like connecting with them on a more intimate level.

We capped the day as sunset came.

A total of five bird species were listed on our notebooks—not bad, Anthony told us.

THE CLUB

With life as busy as it is today, birdwatching is the perfect respite from the hustle and bustle of the everyday; from the smog of the streets; from the somber glare of our computer screens.

Getting started is as easy-peasy as cake. Log on to www.birdwatch.ph for a schedule of the Wild Bird Club’s upcoming trips. Get in touch with the club to participate in one of their bird-watching sessions. Further information on birdwatching is also on hand at the site.

According to Mr. Arbias, the club engages on many awareness and education activities, census studies, and conservation and protection initiatives.

Club trips and official activities introduce you to a variety of people who share the same love for birds. It’s fun and educational. The exchange of experiences makes for an easier learning curve in their midst.

GET STARTED

Bird-watching is best done early in the morning and from mid-afternoon to sunset. Be sure to bring the birdwatcher’s most important equipment: a pair of binoculars, a book of bird species, and a notebook and pen.

Come in earth-colored attire for better

camouflage.

If you live in Metro Manila, Anthony recommends bird-watching at La Mesa Ecopark; at the Las Piñas Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (LPPCHEA); at Manila Bay, or the Pasig River area; and at Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center.

Other bird watching sites in the Philippines include: • Mt. Makiling, Los Baños, Laguna • Subic Bay, Zambales • Candaba Marsh, Pampanga • Northern Sierra Madre Nature Park, Cagayan • St. Paul’s National Park, Puerto Princesa, Palawan • Rasa Island, Narra, Palawan • Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Cebu • Rajah Sikatuna National Park, Bohol • Mt. Kitanglad, Bukidnon Most importantly, Anthony says: “appreciate wild birds for what they are, and what they do.” ■

Danger! Dirty recyclable bags can make you sick!

BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer With today’s ever-increasing and timely trend towards eco-awareness, more and more people are exerting effort to do their part towards protecting the earth and conserving its resources.

Perhaps one of the most basic changes that most have adapted to their lifestyles in order to reduce their carbon footprint is the use of recyclable, ecofriendly grocery bags. This is definitely a step in the right direction, but you must remember to clean your re-usable totes regularly and thoroughly so as to avoid food contamination.

Studies have shown that failure to clean your recyclable bags puts you and your family at increased risk of acquiring food-borne illnesses, such as salmonella, listeria, and E.coli O157:H7.

A recent survey conducted by the Home Safety Program (a joint effort between the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and ConAgra Foods in America) revealed that only a small percentage of Americans pay attention to regularly reusable totes.

According to the survey, this number is at a mere 15%.

Statistics show that 48 million Americans annually contract food poisoning from contaminated foods.

The use of unwashed or dirty reusable bags for grocery shopping can very well contribute to this situation, as these can become the breeding grounds for harmful bacteria that can contaminate your food.

Medical experts say that the contamination may occur when bacteria or micro-organisms that may naturally be on meat and poultry transfer to vegetables and produce that are thrown into the recyclable bag, along with the meat and poultry.

Doctors advise that all fresh produce and veggies be placed in the plastic bags available at the produce section before you place them in your shopping cart (as the cart itself is abundant with its own germs), and—ultimately—in your recyclable bag.

“Those plastic bags in the produce section are there for sanitary reasons,” says Pat Kendall, PhD, RD, associate dean for research at Colorado State University’s College of Applied Human Sciences.

Even if your meat and poultry are packed in plastic, blood and other fluids may still leak out of the packaging. Furthermore, Dr. Kendall says that “E.coli may live on the meat packaging itself, given the way it’s handled when it’s prepared and wrapped.” The bacteria form a biofilm - a protective covering which thereby allows the bacteria to survive even in dry conditions—and continue to breed in other surroundings, like inside your

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reusable bag.

These bacteria when ingested through improperly washed produce and veggies, and as a result of crosscontamination, can lead to food poisoning.

Food poisoning manifests with symptoms such as stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting, which can last anywhere from 4-7 days. The listeria bacterium is particularly dangerous if it enters the bloodstream, as it can lead to sepsis, meningitis, and encephalitis.

Here are some essential and helpful tips towards being eco-friendly AND keeping your groceries safe from contamination: • Pack your fresh fruits and veggies in the plastic bags provided in the produce section. This will protect them from contamination.

• Whenever possible, put meat and poultry packages in plastic bags as well so as to prevent any blood or juices from leaking out of the packaging.

• Arrange fresh produce/ veggies in a separate section from meat and poultry in your grocery cart.

• When checking out, use separate tote bags for produce and meat/poultry.

Always carry at least 2 recyclable bags with you.

As for keeping your recyclable bags clean and bacteria-free, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics advises you to follow these simple tips: • Wash totes frequently, either in the washing machine or by hand with hot, soapy water.

• Keep areas where you place the totes, such as kitchen counters, clean.

To kill the bacteria on counters, spray the surface with an antimicrobial cleaner, such as a commercial cleanser or diluted bleach (½ teaspoon bleach in 1 quart water). Wipe the surface clean with a paper towel.

• Store totes in a clean, dry place, and avoid leaving empty totes in the trunk of your car. ■

FRIDAY APRIL 19, 2013

33

Entertainment

FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT, CANADA

The Next “Pilipinas Got Talent” Winner— TFCkat Canada Grand Champ Russel Figueroa When a singer wins “Pilipinas Got Talent or PGT,” it’s undoubtedly his or her biggest music moment to-date.

BY BABES NEWLAND babescastronewland@ gmail.com And when 2012 TFCkat Canada Grand Champ Russel Figueroa wins this year’s PGT, it is the triumph not only for all Filipino-Canadians, but a stamp of credential for TFCkat as global talent competition for Filipino expatriates.

This is the first time that PGT is welcoming TFCkat Global Champions to vie for the muchcoveted grand prize of Php 2M plus tons of multi-media exposure.

It is also the first time that TFCkat organizers are sending their global champs out to the Philippines for PGT eliminations. All did not fail to impress the panel of judges Kris Aquino, Ai-Ai dela Alas and Freddie

“FMG” Garcia. But only two out of nine made it to this year’s semifinals: Dubai’s Cris Bernardo; and the other— (British Columbia) Canada’s Russel Figueroa.

Russel who recently turned 27 this year, is a cook by profession.

But singing has always been his love and passion. As he was growing up, he joined a number of vocal competitions in his hometown of Laguna. Russel recalled the times when the now famous Charice Pempengco also used to join the same talent contests but in different age categories. He also became lead vocalist of various Philippine bands prior to migrating to Canada almost 6 years ago to support his college schooling. But singing/performing took the back seat when he got married to his childhood girlfriend Tisha Katrina and found a more stable career in culinary arts. They

At first I wasn’t certain whether it was a good or bad thing. All I knew then when I submitted my audition video for TFCkat was I just wanted to sing and show the world what I’ve got.

RUSSEL FIGUEROA

now have a 5-year old daughter Simonne who took after his talent for singing and penchant for cooking.

When asked what catapulted him to joining TFCkat that qualified him to PGT 4 semi’s, Russel said, “at first I wasn’t certain whether it was a good or bad thing. All I knew then when I submitted my audition video for TFCkat was I just wanted to sing and show the world what I’ve got.”

And certainly showed the world exactly what he’s got! To-date, there have been three PGT singing act winners: Jovit Baldovino, Marcelito Pomoy, and the Maasinhon Trio.

With viewers support through text and online voting registration via Internet, Canada’s Russel Figueroa could yet well be another singer to win this year’s Pilipinas Got Talent grand title. For PGT voting details, please go to ABS-CBN.com or http://www.abs-cbn.com/pgtvoting. aspx ■

Entertainment

Rolling the Bones

34

Euphoria, adrenalin, and whiskey-induced mayhem ensued on stage, as Mr. Jack announced his Chosen One: Mr. Bones and the Boneyard Circus.

PHOTO BY DB MALLA

BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer IN A SCENE so dominated by predictably mainstream pop rehashes of tried-and-tested, highly marketable (ergo profitable) formulaic music, few and far between are those who gamble on a fresh, new sound. Many musicians—and even more so-called “patrons” of music—prefer the same old same old which guarantees the smell of money.

On March 8, 2013, at the Metrotent in Ortigas, internationally renowned whiskey label and long-time supporter of the worldwide music scene, Jack Daniel’s, took a gamble on a band so far-out on the non-conformist peripheries they’re virtually on the verge of falling off the edge. Jack Daniel’s, with their Philippine arm, rolled the bones. Or should I say, rolled the Bones; in fact, they rolled the entire Boneyard.

FOR THE LOVE OF SMOOTH GOLDEN WHISKEY AND RED HOT MUSIC

Jack Daniel’s International, respected purveyors of fine whiskey and music, started the JD Set competition in several countries across the globe, as a vehicle to promote the respective local scenes as well as to provide a platform for deserving independent bands.

The JD Set Philippines kicked off in 2011, with hundreds of bands submitting their entries, vying for Mr. Jack’s nod of approval. Fourteen bands made it on the roster; eventually being trimmed down to seven, touring popular watering holes, night spots and events all throughout Metro Manila for a period of seven months.

Throughout the seven months, the seven bands duked it out on stage and on-line, in a series of gigs and voting competitions to prove their worth to Mr. Jack. Fans of each band actively— almost rabidly—lent their support to get their idols to the top.

AND THEN THERE WERE THREE

Seven months led up to one night,

as the Top 3 were announced at an elimination concert at the Music Museum in June 2012. Surviving the cuts were the three indie heavyweights: Kelevra, Paramita, and Mr. Bones and the Boneyard Circus.

More touring and gigs ensued, this time with the added element of mentoring from Philippine music legends, Sammy Asuncion (SPY), Wally Gonzales (Juan dela Cruz Band, Sampaguita), and Jun Lopito (Juan dela Cruz Band, The Jerks).

The top 3 were also tasked with winning over members of the press and media at a special gig held at URBN Bar and Kitchen: Kelevra, with their signature style of good old alternative and post-grunge-infused rock‘n’roll; Paramita, performing their inimitable brand of fresh and funky pop-rock; and Mr. Bones and the Boneyard Circus, unleashing their theatrical industrialmeets-metal-goth trademark horror rock on unsuspecting audiences.

THE CHOSEN ONE

The tension in the air was palpable, as Mr. Jack pulled the handle on a virtual slot machine. Images of the Top 3 spun around, projected side-by-side on LED screens—just part of what was a legendary stage, lights, and audio setup for finals night. Nothing but the best for Mr. Jack and his high rollers.

In what could be described as a night loaded with “jackpot” performances,

there could only be one winner to represent the Philippines at the JD Southeast Asia concert in Cambodia on April 6 of this year.

Just a few hours before the die was cast, guest bands The Diegos, Switch, Blacktooth Grin, Carlos Castaño, Jun Lopito and the Bodhisattvas, and Franco—with Sammy Asuncion lending a hand on guitar—set hefty starting bets with their impressive performances. But the Top 3 were not to be outdone; wagering all they had in an all-out, one-time only shot at the pot. The stakes were high; as were the expectations. After all, they hadn’t made it that far for nothing.

Kelevra took to the stage, waging their bet with front man JM Godinez’ awesome vocal prowess—a key factor of the hand they played—and the spot-on musicianship of Philip Queyquep, Kyle Pocallan and (new bassist) Arvie Vardeleon. They were joined by their mentor Sammy Asuncion towards the end of a remarkably solid 45-minute set.

Paramita got the crowd up on their feet, with Marco de Leon’s insane guitar skills, Alsey Cortez’ funky bass lines, and Ria Bautista’s soothing, soulful voice. The band was joined by Chikoy Pura of The Jerks, and later on by Radioactive Sago’s Wawi on trumpet and Pards on trombone.

But Mr. Bones and the Boneyard Circus, as it was to unfold, played

the winning hand. The boys of the Circus—Bones Frankenstein (vox), Lipstick (guitars), Doc Chan (guitars), Rubberface (bass), Wolf (keys), Beast (drums), Jester (percs), and DJ Xombie (technology)—were in their element; these creatures of the dark owned the stage, bright lights and all. A video narrative written by their manager, the Cryptkeeper, played out on the screens behind them; weaving tales from the Boneyard into one hauntingly romantic and tragic musical saga. Highlights of the set included Goth icon, artist, and singer of The Late Isabel, Wawi Navarozza joining Bones Frankenstein for a spine-tingling mash-up of “Favorite Things” (yes, from that movie with the singing nuns and kids) and “Haunted Wonderland” (a Boneyard original), with guest bassist RJ Sy skillfully slapping the strings; a breathtaking tango improvisation by Ea Torrado and Jorge Amparado to the band’s “Lady Grimm”; Capt. Karen Kunawicz and saucy pirates from the Black Pearl Philippines swashbuckling on stage to the tune of Bones’ and cosplayer Dre Levinge’s “Sailed the Seven Skies”; and finally, Jun Lopito’s frenzied guitar collaboration for the upbeat and uber-catchy songs “Grease, Gas, Glory”, and the band’s newest offering, “Ghost Train”. The boys played with flair, skill, and precision; savoring every moment and having fun along the way.

FAMILY PORTRAIT. The band with their Cryptkeeper/Manager.

PHOTO BY CRIS PANGAN

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The images came to a full stop: all three lined-up in favor of Mr. Bones.

Mr. Jack, Lady Luck, and an enormous amount of hard work paid off for this band of unlike-lies. They were Jack’s Chosen One. Off the stage, a spontaneous celebratory eruption from the audience, event organizers, and crew.

From the stage, above the din of cheering fans, Mr. Bones emphatically thanked Jack Daniels: “Thank you, JD, for allowing me to express myself through my music!”

On the stage, a virtual riot of joy amongst the band and their friends.

A euphoria, adrenalin, and whiskeyinduced mayhem; Rubberface having a rollicking good time on the confettistrewn floor.

THE PAYOUT: THE ”UNDEATH” OF OPM

The Bones were rolled; a gamble that—if track record of this everimproving band counts for anything— is sure to payout big. The least of which is money.

What could be greater than money?

Breathing new life into a scene which has been declared dead by wanna-be “experts.” THIS is perhaps the biggest payout of Mr. Jack’s gamble. And given the ghoulish nature of the band, it may be safe to say the local music scene is indeed, UNdead. ■ Mr. Bones and the Boneyard Circus are: • Mr. Bones Frankenstein – lead vox Manuel Juni Devecais (Lipstick) – guitars, 2nd vox • Alvin Chan (Doc Chan) – guitars • JM Godinez (Rubberface, and yes, Kelevra’s frontman) – bass • Karl Vito Cruz (Wolf) – keys • Jovic de Leon (Beast) – drums • Jesso Montejo (Jester) – percs • John Joe Joseph (DJ Xombie) – technology • Angie Duarte (Cryptkeeper, and yes, author of this article) manager For more about the band, visit www.

BONEYARDCIRCUS.com and www. facebook.com/theboneyardcircus

Entertainment

FRIDAY APRIL 19, 2013

35

Marian ready for steamy scenes on the big screen

BY MARINEL R. CRUZ Philippine Daily Inquirer FOR THE first time, actress Marian Rivera has agreed to do steamy bed scenes on the big screen.

The 28-year-old Kapuso said, “It’s about time. I’m now open to doing new things as an actress.”

Describing her love scenes on her coming movie “My Lady Boss,” Marian explained: “It wasn’t difficult for me because I had full trust in my leading man Richard (Gutierrez).”

Marian and Richard first worked together in the romantic comedy “My Best Friend’s Girlfriend” in 2008.

“He never took advantage of me in any of our scenes. He treated me with respect.”

Marian shared what transpired while she and Richard were shooting their kissing scene. “Direk Jade (Castro) wanted the scene to be light and cute.

Chard and I did some brainstorming so we knew exactly what to do when the camera started rolling. As my character, Evelyn, I just really enjoyed the kiss.”

The actress said it also helped that she cohosted the reality show “Extra Challenge” with Richard. “We became

Sunshine: No reconciliation with hubby Cesar, for now

BY MARINEL R. CRUZ Philippine Daily Inquirer “IT’S A never-ending cycle of pain.”

This was how actress Sunshine Cruz described her 13-year relationship with husband Cesar Montano, whom she left after accusing him of having an affair with starlet Krista Miller.

The 50-year-old actor, who has been romantically linked to a number of female celebrities in the past, had denied involvement with Miller.

Cruz left their marital home, with their kids (Angeline Isabelle, Samantha Angeline and Angel Francheska) in tow.

The actress added that she has decided to finally cut off ties with Montano because “I’m not getting any younger. I’m 35.”

MOVING ON

In February, Cruz, on her Instagram account, identified Miller

as the reason for their separation. She said it was their daughters who had informed her about the affair. “I have been really quiet but when my kids are affected, unfair na ’yon. It [was] actually them who told me about this.

They’re hurt! I’m moving on... with my children.”

HAPPY BEING SINGLE

While she claimed to have forgiven Montano, reconciling with him still wasn’t an option. “I’m busy with work now. I’ve decided to just focus on that first. I’m a single mom. I’m independent and I’m happy.”

Cruz is part of the cast of the latest ABS-CBN prime-time drama series “Dugong Buhay,” which began airing on Monday.

PERFECT TIMING

The actress said the project came to her at the perfect time. “I couldn’t do two things at the same time— work and take care of my kids. That’s why I

chose to lay low from show biz. Now that the girls are bigger, I can afford to work three times a week. Their father is willing to look after them while I’m out, anyway.”

She described Montano as “a very generous and loving parent to our kids.” In fact, she said Montano recently attended one of their daughter’s graduation ceremony. “We went there together. We even had our pictures taken as a family. He (Cesar) loves his kids dearly. I will never keep them away from him.”

However, she refused to say whether or not Montano was trying to woo her again. “Things have changed between us—that much I can say. If you love someone, you just let him do what makes him happy. That’s why I just let Buboy be,” she said. “I will not deny that I still love him. I sacrificed a lot for our relationship. And even though we could eventually live separate lives, I’d still care for him.

He’s the father of my kids. ” ■

www.canadianinquirer.net

much closer. I feel comfortable with him,” Marian said. “Richard was never conceited, even though he started acting on TV and in the movies way ahead of me.”

In “My Lady Boss,” produced by GMA Films, Marian plays Evelyn, the “boss from hell” of Richard, who portrays Zach.

“It’s my first time to play a mean but ultraconservative character. She will eventually soften up to Richard, fall in love with him, and then go wild in her desire for him,” Marian said.

The film also features Sandy Andolong, Dion Ignacio, Ruru Madrid, Tom Rodriguez, Ronaldo Valdez and Jackielou Blanco, among others.

Meanwhile, asked to describe her relationship with fellow GMA 7 contract artist Heart Evangelista, Marian said: “The wound is healing, albeit very slowly.”

Marian was reacting to Heart’s earlier comment that she was ready to work with Marian once again. The two had a highly publicized falling out during the filming of their movie “Temptation Island” in June 2011.

Marian said: “Past is past. I don’t want the issue to get blown out of proportion once again. It does me no

good to talk about it. Ako na naman ang masama. Let’s just say na ang damit, kapag nabutasan kahit maganda ang pagkakatahi may marka pa rin (I’m the bad one again. A dress, no matter how well the damage is stitched up, the tear could still be seen). But this doesn’t mean I’m not open to being friends with her again.”

Marian reported that her newest “textmate” is Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos. She met Ate Vi on the set of the Jeffrey Jeturian drama “Ekstra,” an entry to the 2013 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival in July.

“I couldn’t believe I’d be given the chance to work with her. I only got to work on the film for three days, but it was a worthwhile experience,” Marian recalled. During the March 19 media gathering for “My Lady Boss,” Marian belied the rumor that she and actor Dingdong Dantes were already living under one roof. Although she added that she saw nothing wrong with her longtime boyfriend paying her a visit at her house “because we’re already of age, not 12 years old anymore.”

She added: “I also visit Dong at his house, but this happens very seldom because I’m so busy with work.” ■

FRIDAY APRIL 19, 2013

36

Lifestyle LIFESTYLE BRIEFS

New book reveals the extreme side of online oversharing

BY LAUREN LA ROSE The Canadian Press TORONTO—It’s one thing to post baby photos on your Facebook page, but sharing snapshots of and details about the contents of their diapers is a step too far for Blair Koenig.

For years, she has been mocking cases of TMI run amok on her popular blog and has now written a book offering her tongue-in-cheek take on online oversharing.

“If you’re posting any pictures of anything that came out of your child, then that in and of itself is just kind of wrong. But I think that outside of that there are other indicators,” she said in a phone interview from Brooklyn, N.Y. “If you post a picture of your child before school and you say: ‘She looks so cute before school today,’ that’s fine. But if you do it every single day, and you’re like: ‘Day 13, Day 14.’

You know, a lot of people do that. So you have to keep yourself in check.”

Koenig started her blog—STFU, Parents—in 2009 after noticing a shift in content on her online newsfeed: a proliferation of baby-related posts, from ultrasound images to details about bodily functions. She writes in the similarly named book about feeling overwhelmed by the number of baby updates and wondering if she was the only one experiencing “kidformation overload.”

She clearly wasn’t. Both Koenig’s blog and her new book feature submissions from readers previously posted on social media that are rife with intimate, even cringe-inducing detail.

One mother writes online of being “so excited” that for the past two days her daughter had had no accidents

and “kept her underwear dry all day.” She then proceeds to share detailed specifics on her child’s potty accomplishments.

In another post, a woman named Joyce celebrates a highly personal milestone with her friends online.

“Two years ago today, I married the man of my dreams. And one year ago today, we made Addison!”

Before they hit the send button, Koenig said she simply wants parents to consider their audience and be mindful not only of the content of their posts but of the number of people who will see it.

While proud parents have always been keen to share anecdotes about or photos of their kids, the ease of doing so on social media may lead some to take the practice to a level deemed by others as excessive.

“If you were to go to a party and show someone 12 pictures of your child when you’re just trying to hang out and have a good time, I think that was the original version of this. But even then, nobody would have pulled out an album and said: ‘Here are 5,000,’” said Koenig. “I think the tool of social media has definitely exacerbated what was already there.

“A lot of people see social media as more of a digital scrapbook than they do as a place, as public forum to engage with people,” she added.

“I think they see it more as their individual space. And they treat it as you would treat a diary.”

It’s not just the intimate details of childbirth and detailed posts on a child’s every move that are highlighted in the “STFU, Parents” blog and book. Koenig also shares examples of what she terms “mommyjacking”: a reference to those who hijack a friend’s status

CANCER TATTOOS A BADGE OF HONOUR TORONTO—A photo of a woman’s chest tattooed to cover mastectomy scars, which went viral after she posted it on Facebook, has highlighted a growing trend among cancer survivors. More and more are getting inked, not just to beautify surgical sites, but as a badge of honour—a visible reminder that they beat the disease.

update to talk about parenting— typically when it has nothing to do with the original post.

“Today has to be the worst day of the year so far. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong,” writes Nichole.

Ginny’s response? “Guess what went right? Ava is 6 today! We love you.”

Koenig, who turns 31 on April 30, currently doesn’t have kids of her own, but hopes to one day. She said she’s not purporting to be a parenting expert, but simply wants to open up a discussion and dialogue about oversharing on social media.

She said doesn’t receive the same level of backlash she once did in response to the blog. What’s more, at least 70 per cent of emails she now receives from those who’ve discovered and relate to the blog are from parents.

“If you think about it, parents have more parent friends and they see more of this stuff in their feed.

So what I end up getting is a lot of emails from parents who say: ‘I’ve already wiped my kid’s butt 12 times today. I don’t need to see my friend’s kid’s butt in addition to that when I go to Facebook to relax. I’m going to Facebook to connect with friends and have a laugh in the midst of my busy life.”‘ Koenig has a “Mom’s Gold Star” section on her site to celebrate parents who use social media in a light-hearted and funny way to share their child-rearing observations. She shares similarly humorous examples in her book.

“I just watched my child shove a half of a cheeseburger in her mouth at once. It’s like dining with a reticulated python,” writes Jared.

“Even though the blog is about overshare, it shouldn’t only be a discussion about overshare,” said Koenig. “It should also be a discussion about what is great about social media and ways that it connects us that are awesome.” ■

TOP US COURT: CAN HUMAN GENES BE PATENTED? WASHINGTON—DNA may be the building block of life, but can something taken from it also be the building block of a multimillion-dollar medical monopoly? The U.S. Supreme Court grapples Monday with the question of whether human genes can be patented.

Its ultimate answer could reshape medical research, the fight against diseases like breast and ovarian cancer and the multi-billion dollar medical and biotechnology business.

COLIC MAY BE LINKED WITH MIGRAINES, RESEARCH SAYS CHICAGO—The distressing nonstop crying in babies with colic is often blamed on tummy trouble, but a new study says the problem could be linked with migraine headaches in at least some infants.

Children and teens treated for migraine headaches at three hospitals in Italy and France were much more likely than other kids to have had colic in infancy. The link has been suggested in other research, and if it can be proven, it could offer new hope for treating colic, the researchers said.

Lifestyle

FRIDAY APRIL 19, 2013

37

Who is AC?

BY PAM PASTOR Philippine Daily Inquirer TINTIN Pantoja has been drawing all her life. “When I was 6 years old,” she says, “I would copy Disney cartoons.

I would just draw on paper and then later on I started working on comics.”

Her love for art stayed strong. She went on to study at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, getting a degree in Illustration/Cartooning.

Since then, Tintin has illustrated a number of books, including “Hamlet: The Manga Edition” and three volumes of “Manga Math Mysteries.”

Her latest project is “Who Is AC?,” which she will launch with National Book Store at the Summer Komikon.

Written by Hope Larson, a recipient of the Eisner Awards (the US comics industry’s equivalent of the Oscars), “Who is AC?” is a fun graphic novel about Lin, a regular teenager with a cell phone that gives her super powers.

It’s a modern tale about a magical girl, complete with a computer-savvy villain and an angry blogger.

Technology plays quite a role in the story—and aptly, it was also through the Internet that Tintin got the gig.

“They called for submissions on Twitter, for tryouts from artists. I sent in some character designs.”

Tintin was chosen by Hope and her publisher, Atheneum Books for Young Readers. “I was very happy and relieved and surprised,” she says.

We talked to Tintin about AC, her love for comics and her creative process.

How much freedom did you have while working on “Who is AC?” It was Hope Larson’s script so I just followed it. But I had relatively a lot of freedom to stage it, to decide what to draw, how to draw. But then she would make comments and I would change (things).

Who’s your favorite character in the book?

Lin, the main character, is the most fun to draw. But after her, there’s Pollux.

I kinda had fun drawing him, as well.

What are your personal favorite comics and manga? What do you enjoy reading?

Aside from the main magical girl stories like Sailor Moon—that was one of my first comics—there’s “Finder” by Carla Speed McNeil. I used to read a lot of X-Men. You studied art in college; was it hard to convince your parents that it was what you really wanted to do?

Actually, they were really supportive.

The struggle was with me. I was the

I like the thumbnailing part, when you’re planning out the pages.

Because that’s the most energetic, you have the most freedom, you don’t have to worry if the picture looks pretty or if the picture looks real.

Tell us about your comics workshop.

It can start anytime, depending on people’s schedules. I’d like to guide them through planning their story and making their own comic, maybe a five-page comic at first, but knowing the whole process, how to write the script, how to do thumbnails, how to pencil. I’m envisioning nine threehour sessions.

Do people have to be good at drawing to join your workshop?

No. I think you can do comics with any level of drawing. It helps if you enjoy drawing already, but you don’t have to be good. I’ve seen comics that people do out of stick figures or even dots. one who was struggling whether this was what I really wanted to do, or if I wanted to do something else.

Do you plan to write your own comic books?

Yeah. I want to work on YA comic books. Fantasy YA. I’m trying to work on a script now, but it’s much more difficult than illustrating somebody else’s book. There, you already have a script to work from, you already know what to draw. It’s much easier than coming up with your own story and your own script.

Why do you want to do work for young adults?

I don’t know, it’s just something that speaks to me. I find that they’re very open to fantasy and I like the theme of coming of age and learning about yourself.

What was it like working with Hope?

She’s very professional. She gave me a lot of freedom to work with her script. It was fun.

Are you the type who goes through her books and goes, “I wish I added this” or “I wish I did that”?

Yeah, all the time! That’s why I try to avoid going over the books too much. Once I finish a book I try to leave it alone because otherwise I’ll keep saying, “Oh, I should have done this,” “I should have done that.”

What’s your ultimate dream as an artist?

To be making comic books for a living.

Do you have tips for kids who are dreaming of becoming comic book artists?

Use the Internet, definitely.

It’s easier than ever to make your own comics right now. There are photocopying machines, there are cheap offset printers, so really, the choice is yours. All you have to do is do the comic then figure out how to make it into a book and distribute it.

But it’s easier than ever.

What inspires you?

Cartoons, other books, pictures.

And the people in my life, the relationships I have.

What are your all-time favorite cartoons?

“The Last Unicorn.” Something kind of melancholy, but fantastic and still very child-friendly.

Tell me about your work space.

Do you have specific working conditions?

I like to write down scripts or thumbnails in coffee shops. I just put on some music and I’m free from interruptions or distractions. But when it’s time to draw, I need a slanted table, I need a very specific space so I need my drafting table, I need something in the background to help distract me.

What do you play in the background?

I have a collection of music, or when I’m in the inking or penciling stages, I listen to TV shows.

What’s your favorite part of the process of making comics?

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Who are your heroes in your field?

Who do you look up to in the comics and manga world?

Definitely Carla Speed McNeil, she’s one of my favorite cartoonists.

There’s this Japanese cartoonist who I grew up reading—her name is Yuho Ashibe. She did a comic called “Crystal Dragon” and “Bride of Deimos” which were translated into Indonesian, so I grew up reading them. Dan DeCarlo—his Archie comics. I really like it because it’s very readable, very easy to understand.

Why do you think readers will be drawn to “Who is AC?” First of all, it’s a fun tale. It doesn’t take itself too seriously. And the characters are very likeable, they’re very sympathetic. And it’s a magical girl from a fresh point of view. She’s kind of a blend of a magical girl and a superhero. I think it’s also a lot about

identity and getting to know yourself and coming to terms with what you can do and learning about what you can do. I think it has a lot to offer kids who are in the same situation.

Do you remember the day you first got your copy of the book?

It was a nice thrill to see that it was actually published.

Do you remember holding your first book in your hands?

Yeah. There’s definitely a feeling of satisfaction. At the same time, there’s a feeling of “I want to do more.” It seems so small when you hold it in your hands and you’re seeing an entire year of work condensed in your hands and you’re thinking, “That’s all? I want to add to this.”

Will “AC” be a series?

I’m hoping.

What else are you passionate about?

I’m very passionate about writing, or at least trying to. I like walking a lot, as long as the walk is relatively easy.

What do you love the most about what you do?

Sometimes it can be very painful.

But I think it’s the sense of creating a story, creating a world and living through these characters where I have the most fun.

Tintin Pantoja and National Book Store will launch “Who is AC?” Saturday at the 2013 Summer Komikon, 4 p.m., at the Bayanihan Center, Unilab Compound.

“Who is AC?” is available for P519 in National Book Store, Powerbooks and Bestsellers branches or you can order from www.nationalbookstore.com.

Visit TintinPantoja.com or follow her on Twitter: @tintinpantoja.

Lifestyle

38

CANDICE’S CUSINA

Aunt Pat’s Baked Empanadas

MOST PEOPLE who go to Las Vegas try out their luck at the casinos. But when I went there earlier in the year, my goal was to satisfy my taste buds by venturing out to the best culinary joints this city had to offer. One of them was visiting my Aunt Pat who retired in a suburb just 30 minutes outside the Vegas strip.

When she was a full-time nurse with a family of five to feed, she taught herself how to cook and mastered many Filipino favourites like adobo, bibingka and empanadas.

Luckily for me, I’ve tasted many of her scrumptious dishes and I especially like her empanadas which are baked and not deep-fried like some traditional Filipino recipes.

Baking is the healthier alternative but her empanadas still come out of the oven golden brown, crispy and delicious!

Did you know: The name empanada comes from the Spanish verb “empanar,” meaning to wrap or coat in dough.

Empanadas were introduced by the Spaniards during their colonization of the Philippines between 1521-1898.

These hand pies are made by folding sweet pastry dough around a savoury meat filling and then deep fried or baked. Variations of this snack can also be found in regions like Spain, Portugal, Latin American countries and the Caribbean islands.

Did you know: Empanadas are

great as appetizers and snacks onthe-go! The Filipino empanada usually contains ground beef, pork or chicken, potatoes, chopped onions and raisins wrapped in a sweet dough.

When I approached my Aunt Pat about sharing her empanada recipe to post on my food blog, I wasn’t sure if she would. As some of you know, Filipinos are usually sworn to secrecy when it comes to their family recipes so they can remain tasty heirlooms to be passed down to the next generation. To my delight, my aunt was more than happy to divulge her empanada recipe so it can live on for others to make at home and continue to satisfy the bellies of many.

For me, the most important part of the empanada is the crust. While I have made empanadas before, the pastry shell always seemed to be the most intimidating to make because they were tedious, time consuming and better left to the professionals.

With my aunt’s recipe, making the dough is fast and quite gratifying to do at home. Simple ingredients and minimal need to handle the dough made the job infinitely easier and much quicker to produce. When they came out of the oven, the empanadas had the signature flakey, golden brown crust but with less time and effort—my kind of cooking! So don’t be intimidated to make empanadas at home and thanks to Aunt Pat, we hope you’ll share and pass this recipe down in your family.

Tasty tip: Customize your empanada! Try pork, chicken breast (cooked & cubed) instead of ground beef or add frozen peas, sliced boiled egg and mozzarella cheese. ■

FILLING INGREDIENTS

FILLING PREPARATION

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil • 1 medium yellow onion chopped • 4 garlic cloves, minced • 1 large potato, chopped into 1/4” cubes • 1 carrot, chopped into 1/4” cubes • 1 lb lean ground beef • ½ cup sultana raisins • 1 tbsp soya sauce • 1 tsp sugar • 1/4 cup green onion, chopped into 1/8” pieces • salt and pepper to taste

1. Heat oil in pan over medium heat.

Sauté yellow onion and garlic, then add potatoes and carrots, cook till soft.

2. Add beef and soya sauce. Keep stirring to break up clumps, cook for 5-7 minutes. Stir in the sultana raisins and sugar, cook for 2 more minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste and adjust seasoning to your liking.

Then stir in green onions.

3. Drain all excess liquid from beef filling. Let mixture cool completely in the fridge before using as filling in pastry.

BY CANDICE MACALINO

Candice Macalino is a Filipina born in Singapore and raised in Vancouver.

She developed Candice’s Cusina as her journey to share her festive, fun and friendly Filipino heritage through food. To learn more delicious Filipino recipes, visit Candice’s Cusina at www.candicescusina.com.

DOUGH INGREDIENTS

DOUGH INGREDIENTS

• 4 cups all purpose flour, sifted • 4 tbsp sugar • 1 tsp salt • 1 cup canola or vegetable oil • 1 cup room temperature water • 1 large egg with 1 tsp of room temp. water (egg wash)

1. Mix all dough ingredients until dough comes together into a soft and oily consistency. Divide dough into two even pieces. Use a rolling pin to flatten into disks, wrap both pieces in plastic wrap and leave in the fridge for 30 minutes.

2. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.

3. Remove cold dough from fridge and divide into 1/4 cup size pieces, place on a floured surface. With a rolling pin, flatten each piece into a circle about the size of a small saucer.

4. Place 1/8 cup of cooled filling on one side of the pastry. Fold the other side of the pastry over the filling and make sure you firmly press the edges to seal the encased filling with your fingers or with an empanada press. Then place empanadas on a parchment-lined baking sheet and brush the tops with egg wash.

5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you finish your dough and filling. Put the unbaked empanadas in ziplock bags and place in freezer. Freezing the empanadas before baking will keep the dough crispy.

6. Bake the empanadas until golden brown, 25-30 minutes. Best enjoyed in the company of family and friends!

Tasty tip: You can freeze unbaked empanadas in a tightly sealed ziplock freezer bag for up to 2 months. Simply take out the frozen empanadas, coat with some egg wash and bake on a parchmentlined sheet for 25-30 minutes in a 350 degree oven, or until golden brown. A great way to have yummy appetizers or snacks on the ready.

www.canadianinquirer.net

Business

FRIDAY APRIL 19, 2013

39

Prices stable despite pork, cement spikes DTI officials to check ‘unexplained’ increases

BY CATHY YAMSUAN Philippine Daily Inquirer THE NATIONAL Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) will ask pork and cement producers to explain high prices despite the stable cost of other commodities.

At a press conference on Monday, the NPCC said retail prices for both pork and cement have gone over the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) suggested retail price levels.

“We spoke with pork producers and they said they can remedy the situation. There are a lot of points of view. Some are saying importation is down. Some say consumption is up,” DTI Secretary Gregory Domingo said.

He said the average price for a kilo of pork went up to P190 last January, up from P180 the year before, or a difference of 5.55 percent.

Agriculture department spokesperson Salvador Salacup admitted that supply pressure may be coming from the government’s stricter accreditation process for where the country gets its imported pork.

He said the stricter accreditation process was borne out of the need to keep the food imported by the Philippines diseasefree.

“We have to work on it properly.

We want to work on the safety

angles of this,” Salacup said, noting that the country remains food-andmouth disease and bird flu free and that the government would like to keep it that way.

Meanwhile, DTI Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya said the government would look into the unexplained rise in the price of cement.

She said one company, Rizal Cement, now sells for as much as P225 per 40-kilogram bag. This was higher than the company’s own price of P190 per bag last year. Holcim Philippines sells cement for P216 per bag (up from P195 before) and Republic Cement sells for P220 (up from P205 last year).

“They have to explain this, but we want to wait,” Maglaya said, while conceding that producers may be incurring higher costs due to the more expensive coal. Coal makes up as much as 25 percent of the production cost for cement makers, Maglaya said.

Despite the more expensive price of cement and pork, the NPCC said other commodities remained stable, with price changes all within reasonable levels.

Domingo said the prices of products like milk, noodles and fuel went up 3 percent from last year, tracking the country’s annual inflation rate. ■

It’s time... ❰❰ 13

news conference at the administration’s Team PNoy headquarters in

Makati.

“I would support the filing of the disclosure of the SALNs. Not only that, also the ITRs of all the candidates for senator,” he said.

Angara was one of the spokespersons of the House prosecution team during the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona in 2012.

One of the issues raised against Corona, who was removed from office, was his failure to disclose his substantial bank holdings in his SALN. Aside from pushing for the disclosure of the extent of a candidate’s wealth, Angara called on the electorate to closely examine the

performance of those candidates who are incumbent officials while they were in office.

He urged voters “to junk candidates with a record of repeated absences in legislative sessions thereby neglecting their sworn duties and responsibilities to the people.”

“Let’s not vote for the candidates who weren’t reporting for work.

Let’s not vote for the candidates who weren’t doing their jobs,” Angara said.

He asked “voters to be more vigilant and look into the record of the candidates who are mostly incumbent or former members of Congress.”

For those candidates who are not incumbent officials, Angara said voters should look at their achievements and credentials. ■

US gourmet ice cream chain enters PH market 15 Cold Stone stores over the next five years

BY GIL C. CABACUNGAN Philippine Daily Inquirer RIGHT at the peak of this sizzling tropical summer, American gourmet ice cream parlor chain Cold Stone Creamery has announced its entry into the Philippine market as part of its Asian expansion program.

Arizona-based Kahala Corp., the parent company of Cold Stone Creamery, announced the signing of a 10-year master franchise agreements with Arizona Ice Cream Corp., a subsidiary of privatelyheld Trimark Holdings Inc. which manages a portfolio of fashion, restaurant and health clubs in the country.

Capitalizing on increasing consumer affluence in this market with a population base approaching 100 million, the company plans to open 15 Cold Stone stores in the Philippines over the next five years, with the first location to be launched in mid-2013.

“As the premier American ice cream concept, Cold Stone Creamery promotes and encourages a fun and friendly experience through personalized ‘Creations.’

We are proud and privileged to have the brand coming soon to the Philippines,” said Yuki Rosenfeld, representative of Arizona Ice Cream.

This chain calls each ice cream it serves a “creation”—a work of

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art. It sells freshly made, smooth, creamy ice cream blended on a frozen granite stone with a variety of mix-ins such as fruits, nuts, candy, cookies and brownies.

Cold Stone Creamery is seen competing with the likes of Cold Rock Ice Creamery, an Australianbased ice cream parlor chain that likewise offers customized ice cream products.

The American ice cream chain has been making “strategic” moves into the international market in recent years. Simultaneous with its announcement to enter the Philippine market, it also announced the signing of a franchise deal with a local group in Bangladesh, Olive Tree Foods. This expansion will bring to 22 the number of countries the group operates in.

In Bangladesh, the plan is to open the first Cold Stone Creamery store this 2013 with the goal of opening a total of four stores within the next four years.

“We are pleased to continue our international presence and growth in Asia,” said Michael McGill, president of international business at Kahala. “Our ongoing development in key growth markets speaks to the ability of our global partners to create a unique and memorable Cold Stone Creamery experience with customers around the world.

In partnering with Olive Tree Foods and Arizona Ice Cream Corp., we

have again teamed up with two first class organizations that are going to take the brand to new heights in their respective markets. We are extremely excited for what lies ahead in Bangladesh and the Philippines.”

The international growth of Cold Stone Creamery began in November 2005 when the company opened its first international store in Tokyo, Japan. Today, Cold Stone Creamery stores are operating in more than 420 international locations and in 20 countries including China, Singapore, South Korea, Canada, Nigeria, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. ■

Sports/Horoscope

40

PH Cuppers to NZ: We’re ready

Salvador just 2 behind solo Solaire leader

BY CEDELF P. TUPAS Philippine Daily Inquirer

BY MUSONG R. CASTILLO Philippine Daily Inquirer

THE PHILIPPINE Davis Cup team is unfazed by the threat posed by New Zealand in its bid to return to Group 1 of the AsiaOceania Zone.

In fact, the Filipino Cuppers believe they’re at their peak after a 4-1 drubbing of Thailand in their semi-final tie at Plantation Bay Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City over the weekend.

“Everybody’s pushing themselves,” said team captain Roland Kraut at the PSA Forum in Shakey’s Malate. “We have solid teamwork which is the most important, because we’re already very competitive.”

The Filipinos face the Kiwis on Sept. 13 to 15 and Kraut is confident they can get the job done with Ruben

Gonzales, Johnny Arcilla, Francis Casey Alcantara and Treat Huey in the squad.

The 27-year-old Gonzales clinched the 41 Filipinos’ victory over the Thais, after downing top player Danai Udomchoke, 64, 6-3, 6-2, in the reverse singles Sunday.

“The ultimate goal for us is to make the World Group someday and we’re taking steps towards that. If we win (over New Zealand) we’ll make it back to Group 1, and that’s our [first] goal,” said Gonzales.

Enrile lauds Nationals The Filipinos’ performance was lauded by senatorial bet Jack Enrile, who also expressed hopes of an upset.

Enrile said the victory was proof that tennis is an event where Filipinos can be very competitive.

“I have high hopes that our team would buck the odds and prevail,” said Enrile. ■

WITH Frankie Miñoza bowing out in the second round, Juvic Pagunsan withdrawing and Angelo Que struggling, it’s now up to Elmer Salvador to assume the role of Filipino hero the $300,000 Solaire Open desperately needs.

The taciturn ex-caddy from Davao overcame a string of bad luck to churn out a 1-under-par 71 that left him just two strokes off leader Lin Wentang of Taipei heading into the final round of the Asian Tour’s seventh leg at Wack Wack East.

Salvador gunned down six birdies overall, three of them in succession from No. 2, before stumbling with a triple bogey 8 on No. 5 for a 37 coming out. He rallied with a back nine 34 that gave him a 54-hole 214 aggregate.

The 39-year-old Lin, whose last of six Asian Tour victories came in 2008,

dropped two shots in his last three holes and settled for a 70 for 212, a stroke ahead of Thammanoon Sriroj of Thailand, who also returned a 71.

Pawin Ingkhapradit, also of Thailand, was tied with Salvador after a similar 71 even as Filipino teener Miguel Tabuena put himself in position to erase the memory of a ghastly collapse in the Philippine Open last year by carding a second straight 72 to stay five shots off the pace.

“I had some shots that either got bad bounces or were taken by the wind,” Salvador, whose triple on the fifth had him playing out of the trees twice and hitting out of a buried lie in the fairway bunker, said in Filipino.

“I hope my luck improves tomorrow (today),” added Salvador, the Philippine Open winner at Malarayat in 2009 who also three-putted the fifth.

Sam Cyr of the United States fired a day-best 69 and vaulted into solid

contention at 215, tied with KimGi-whan of Korea, who matched par, as only six players ended upwith sub-par scores after three trying days at the tree-lined layout.

First-round leader Dodge Kemmer of the United States rebounded from a second round 79 with a 71 and was tied at 216 together with Unho Park of Australia and Gunn Chareonkul of Thailand, who both submitted 72s.

Hsu Mong-nan, another Taiwanese, fired a 71 to be in Tabuena’s group together with Panuwat Muenlek of Thailand and Canadian Richard Lee, who scored a 73 and 74, respectively.

“I had a good round today except for the last three holes where I missed the greens,” the 37-year-old Lin said after peeling away from a four-way tie for the lead at the start of the round. “I don’t know if I can still win tomorrow because it’s been a long time since I won. I just want to enjoy the tournament.” ■

HOROSCOPE ARIES

(MARCH 21 - APRIL 19) A talent for writing that you haven’t tapped may surface today, Aries. Perhaps using a computer, particularly one with voice activation, is making it possible. Your imagination is in full swing, and your work may be very entertaining. If you’ve been thinking about writing, this is the day to start.

It’s also a good day to handle paperwork relating to finances. You should breeze through it.

TAURUS

CANCER

LIBRA

(JUNE 22 - JULY 22) The vast social whirl of late might have overwhelmed you with new names and faces, all of which you want to remember. Today would be a good day to follow up with some of them by phone, postcard, or email. Your charisma and sincerity are likely to have made just as much of an impression on them as they did on you, Cancer. Don’t be shy.

LEO

(SEPT 23 - OCT 22) Sudden positive developments regarding the family could make a big difference to your future if you make the most of them, Libra. A family member could have a lucky break of some kind and need your support. You might be in the right place at the right time to meet the right person. These things can be wonderful, but they’re fleeting. Take advantage of them now or they will disappear.

SCORPIO

(JULY 23 - AUGUST 22)

(APRIL 20 - MAY 20) You could either be planning or preparing for a long journey by air, Taurus. Your plans may still need to be confirmed. Today is the perfect day to do this. Spiritual matters might be very much on your mind right now, and you might read a lot about such subjects. Don’t be surprised if it proves difficult to put them out of your mind.

GEMINI

(MAY 21 - JUNE 21)

(OCT 23 - NOV 21) Your skills with computers and other forms of technology should be growing rapidly.

This will greatly increase your efficiency with these tools and your marketability, should you be thinking of changing careers or simply be looking for a new position. This would be a good day to get your resume up to date so you can act when you learn of a job that seems right for you.

You might want to leave the office early today to finish all those pressing errands, Scorpio. Phone calls could keep you busy, as could small tasks that still need tending around the house. At some point, financial paperwork might take up a lot of your time, but the evening shows promise. Expect to receive visitors or make some visits yourself.

VIRGO

SAGITTARIUS

(MAY 21 - JUNE 21)

(NOV 22 - DEC 21)

CAPRICORN

(DEC 22 - JAN 19) A new piece of equipment could be delivered to the workplace and make you feel like you’ve received a new toy. Resist the temptation to spend the afternoon playing! You should be feeling especially playful right now, Capricorn, so this is a good time to organize or attend a sporting event. Unusual happenings throughout the day could make your head spin, so you will need some fun in the evening!

AQUARIUS

(JAN 20 - FEB 18) Emotional reunions with friends or relatives you haven’t seen in a long time could take place today, Aquarius. Some of these might be unplanned and off the wall. You might meet your sixth-grade teacher at the mall, increasing the feeling of warmth and happiness that you’ve been enjoying lately. An evening spent relaxing at home with loved ones increases your sense of security.

PISCES

(FEB 19 - MAR 20) Unexpected social invitations might find you meeting people in the healing professions—doctors, surgeons, nurses, or technicians. You might also rub shoulders with bankers and investment advisers. Take their contact information. They may prove valuable to you later. Financially beneficial news of some kind could come today. This is a good time to invest or start a new savings plan.

You should feel especially strong, motivated, and focused, Virgo. Your ability to establish yourself in the world is enhanced by increased self-sufficiency. Your goals seem more attainable, and you find this encouraging. Relations with others should be warm, congenial, and cooperative, so if you’ve been thinking of starting some sort of enterprise with others, this is the day to start planning.

A task that requires a lot of writing might have you discovering a new talent you never knew you had.

You might be surprised, but you will want to develop this new skill. It could involve technology in some way, or it could entail working with money.

A number of people could confer with you at some point during the day, Sagittarius, perhaps asking advice about future business trends.

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A quarrel with a friend might put you in the position of having to lay all your cards on the table and tell him or her exactly how you feel. It isn’t always easy to be so frank, Pisces, but today the strength of your sincerity should impress your friend and make your friendship stronger. Your honesty can also prove beneficial when it comes to starting, working toward, or completing long-term goals.

FRIDAY APRIL 19, 2013

41

Travel

PHOTO FROM RUFFYBIAZON.PH

Childproofing Your Trip: 10 tips for traveling with children

BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer The very first trip we ever took with our then 3-year-old in tow is as vivid in my mind today as it was 11 years ago. It was to Boracay—of course, every Juan and Juana’s most favorite destination; and more than a few Joe’s and Jane’s, too—and we packed everything but the proverbial kitchen sink. Better safe than sorry, we thought.

Hindsight is 20-20, and I know now that we probably did not need to bring our own sandwich griller.

But you worry when you travel with a picky eater with nary a pound— no, make that an ounce; yes; she was that skinny—to spare. Never mind that you’re billeted in a luxury resort that, in all probability, is equipped with a griller (or two) in their fullyfurbished kitchen.

Thankfully, you live and you learn through the adventures and misadventures of traveling with

a child.

Although I stopped spawning at one beautiful daughter, I do have a wealth of tips to share, travel and otherwise. Yes, I was quite the OC mom, with the lists, mental notes, notes to self, notes to others, and all. When I gave birth, I had my birthing plan photocopied in 5: one for each intern, one for the doctor.

They laughed; one chortle short of mockery.

But I digress. Summer is here and travel is the topic du jour.

As balikbayans map out their itineraries for trips back to simmering, summery Philippine shores and other spots the world over, those with young-uns may want to keep these morsels of advice top-of-mind.

1. RESEARCH your destination.

This task is a must-do, whether traveling with a child or not; but more critically so with offspring in the equation. There is a wealth of information available online,

and sanity-saving tips are a mere click away. Find out about weather conditions, activities for children, food choices, transportation and hotel/resort accommodations and facilities. Many booking sites have reviews given by travelers with children, and these may be a helpful read.

2. Make PRIOR BOOKINGS. Extreme spontaneity and travelling with children do not generally work well together, especially when it comes to travel arrangements and accommodations.

3. Pack WISELY. Any parent of a child will know that gone are the days of packing lightly. It is indeed ironic that the smaller the child, the bigger the suitcase involved; what with all the paraphernalia necessitated by those in the single-digit age range.

But you can—and must—still pack wisely. Having done your research, you now have a better idea as to what to pack. General rule of thumb: determine the necessary, and leave the unnecessary behind. Some things

to keep in mind and in your suitcase: • Appropriate clothing. Comfort is key, as is protection.

• Necessary medication. Basic medicines (pain and fever reducers, anti-allergy, cough and cold meds, the like), specific medicines (for asthma, or whatever condition your child may be dealing with), firstaid kit (antiseptic, antibiotic cream, plasters and bandages).

• Mosquito repellant for tropical vacations • Sunscreen for all destinations.

• Baby wipes are your best friend.

Seriously. Keep them accessible at all times. Spills, sticky fingers, germy hands, poopy bums. Need I go on?

• Pull-ups for those in between diapers and full-on potty use.

Accidents are best avoided by preparedness.

• Pacifier, if your child is comforted by one. Run for the hills if your big child needs one, as well.

• Games and gadgets (an inexpensive, point-and-click

digital camera is an amazing gadget to keep a child interested and occupied) to while away waiting time. A couple of favorite toys per child, and definitely any “security” toys (blankets, bears, etc.) they may have. Although these would require keeping an eye out, because I can think of few worse scenarios than losing beloved Poochie en route. Been there, done that. Not a pretty picture.

4. Allow older children to have input in packing their own back-pack or duffel, with SUPERVISION. Lest they pack the kitchen sink.

5. Take along HEALTHY snacks and munchies. Sugar crash is the enemy. Cranky kids on a plane are not looked upon favorably, no matter the cute-factor.

6. BACKPACKS are the preferred carry-on and walk-around for moms and dads, because they mean free hands. Keep important documents, passports, cash, etc. in an easier to reach smaller sling or body bag.

7. Older children can also be encouraged to READ, work on ACTIVITY BOOKS (the ones with stickers are a personal mommyfave of mine. LOTS of stickers.), or TRAVEL DIARIES. 8. AVOID RUSHING. Factor in enough time for a more leisurelypaced sightseeing itinerary; allow time for exploration; get to the airport with ample time to spare.

Nothing ruins a vacation quicker than stressed-out, harassed, frayed nerves.

9. Keep children INVOLVED whenever possible. Especially older ones. Ask for their input with regard to activities and plans. Getting a child to do something so far-out of their area of interest can be like pulling teeth.

10. “TAG” your children. Make sure they are “labeled” with proper ID, emergency numbers, your contact info, and other relevant details should the dreaded “L” word—the most nefarious of all foul four-letter words to be heard or spoken by those traveling with children—ever happen.

Happy and safe travels to you and yours! ■

Travel

42

Traveling tips wherever you go

BY KATHERINE MARFAL-TEVES Philippine Canadian Inquirer TRAVELING—synonymous to unraveling new places, learning about new cultures, and meeting new people. It’s all about the new.

And thus, knowing a thing or two about traveling will bring you farther. Here are some tips we can all bring with us wherever we go:

READ AHEAD. Whether you’re traveling within or outside the country, it is best to bring useful information about your destination, such as its history, its people, culture, and a list of sights you can see. You can consult travel literature, a history book, or a novel for your convenience.

WAKE UP EARLY IN THE MORNING. Start your itineraries at sunrise. It gives you more time to do a number of activities and enjoy the scenery while the sun is still up.

PHOTOS BY JACK AFFLECK, BARTOSZ HADYNIAK AND MARIAN PENTEK

BRING A LOCAL MAP. Getting lost at a strange land is definitely a no-no, so better have a map at hand.

BEFRIEND THE LOCALS. Asking the locals about the coolest spots in town will make your trip more special. Half of the experience is all about meeting new people and making friends with them. Instead of picking any ol’ restaurant to eat at, ask the locals for their recommendations.

LEARN THEIR LANGUAGE. Language can be the biggest barrier to enjoying your trip to the fullest.

It’s crucial to learn a few phrases from the place you’ll be traveling to.

A dictionary or translation pamphlet will be useful. Don’t be too shy to say the words out loud in front of the locals. They’ll help you pronounce it right—again, it’s all about learning.

MAKE USE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. Where’s the experience in zipping around all safe and sound in a cab?

Better to wander across the land so you’ll get to know the locale on your own. Explore and interact with your surroundings. The area’s form of public transportation is very much a part of its local color, whether it’s bikes or buses or jeepneys, trains, or tuk-tuks.

WALK, WALK, AND WALK. Let your feet bring you anywhere.

Allow yourself to get lost once in a while. Think of it as an adventure.

(But make sure that the area’s safe, and that you can find your way back.)

HEAVY BAGGAGE IS A NO-NO. Where’s the experience in zipping around all safe and sound in a cab?

Better to wander across the land so you’ll get to know the locale on your own. Explore and interact with your surroundings. The area’s form of public transportation is very much a part of its local color, whether it’s bikes or buses or jeepneys, trains, or tuk-tuks.

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TRY THE LOCAL CUISINE. Don’t eat at a fast food chain; it defeats one of the highlights of traveling—which is to experience the local fare. It’s part of the journey so don’t miss it.

BRING YOUR HOBBIES WITH YOU. Your trip will be more fun if you can do the things that you love even you’re in an unfamiliar place. If you love beaches, go swimming by finding the best beaches in town. If you love photography, find scenic views and make the most out of it.

Travel

FRIDAY APRIL 19, 2013

Montreal festival season ramping up for summer with jazz, comedy events

BY NELSON WYATT The Canadian Press MONTREAL—Festivals in Montreal are a lot like buses. It seems there’s one along every few minutes.

OK, maybe it just seems like that when there are roughly three dozens festivals between now and the fall, with the intensity ratcheting up during the busy—and touristdriven—summer season.

There’s virtually a festival for every taste—music, theatre, arts, even food.

The crown jewels are the worldrenowned Montreal International Jazz Festival and the Just For Laughs International Comedy Festival.

Both of the hugely popular events are into their third decade and stretch over weeks instead of the days that are offered by most events.

The jazz festival is already teasing some of the names that will be on this year’s roster, confirming that music legends Aretha Franklin and Wynton Marsalis will appear during the June 28-July 7 fest.

Just For Laughs will announce its lineup shortly.

The Blue Metropolis Montreal International Literary Festival is poised for its April 22 launch, bringing together an international buffet of scribes from 15 countries for an event that is as much about socializing as it is about substance.

“We’re not stuffy, we’re not here to pat ourselves on the back about how smart we are,” says Gregory McCormick, director of programming for the 15-year-old festival, which runs until April 28.

“We’re just here to entertain people and have people meet new friends.”

Indeed, he says it’s not unusual for the events to spill over into the bars and cafes as people digest what they’ve heard in panels and presentations.

“It becomes a conversation about a writer, about a book, about a topic and I think that’s what we’re really after.”

McCormick points out that while there are ongoing predictions about the death of the print medium, people are still reading and more books are being sold than ever before.

“It’s just the platforms through which we get them that are changing,” he said.

However, he also noted that books are becoming less diverse and one of the festival’s objectives is to introduce people to works and authors they might not know. McCormick says the festival aims to appeal to as many people as possible.

“We have stuff for people who are really into fiction, whether they’re younger readers or older readers, we have events for non-fiction readers, we have events for poets, we have events for people interested in the arts in general.”

The festival is reaching out to people through a series of events revolving around specific issues, such as mental health and how it is presented in literature, and gaylesbian-bisexual-transgender writing.

A French-language event will ponder the phenomenon behind the wildly successful book “Fifty Shades of Grey.”

One event that is generating a lot of buzz is the presentation of the $10,000 Blue Metropolis Literary Grand Prix to Irish author Colm Toibin, who is touted as one of the biggest names in literature right now.

McCormick said tickets are going fast for the ceremony and discussion with Toibin, who is the best-selling author of “The Master,” “Brooklyn,” and the hotly debated “The Testament of Mary,” about the life of Jesus Christ.

Over at Just For Laughs, activity is heating up as it prepares for its summer rollout.

While the earliest event, the French-language play “Un homme, deux patrons,” begins June 12, the slate of festival shows in English begins in earnest on July 10 with the popular Ethnic Show. The comedy onslaught of themed shows, free shows and galas continues until July 28.

Bruce Hills, the festival’s chief operating officer, says spreading out Just for Laughs came as a response to festival-goers who said they were overwhelmed by having the event crammed into 10 days. However,

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43 the bulk of the festival will still take place between July 13 and 28.

“We’ve seen a big bump in tickets by spreading it out and if you’re a tourist and you just want to come for five days, the last week is the best choice,” said Hills.

Just For Laughs organizers have given the event a hard look in the last few years and rethought how it does everything from presenting shows to marketing to exploiting multimedia platforms. Hills says that’s put it in its best shape ever.

He points out part of the revamp was making ticket prices more customer-friendly.

“You can come here and not have a lot of money and buy a passport or buy a handful of tickets to our fringey-type events and get out of a weekend for $50,” Hills said.

Passports go for around $119.

Hills said while the festival is primarily a standup comedy festival, it has featured a significant amount of musical comedy and theatre and targeted breakout stars who have attracted heavy attention from the large industry contingent that is present every year.

“It’s a cooler festival, it’s a more vital festival,” he said.

For this year, the festival boss isn’t giving away too much before the official announcement of the lineup, although he allows that big names have been signed.

“We take the pulse of comedy around the world, primarily focus on North America and we put it in front of the fans,” Hills said. “We’ll be doing that again.” ■ IF YOU GO: • Blue Metropolis Montreal International Literary Festival (April 2228): www.bluemetropolis.org • Les Francofolies de Montreal (June 13-22): www.francofolies.com/defaulten.aspx • Montreal International Jazz Festival (June 28-July 7): www.montrealjazzfest. com/default-en.aspx • Montreal Completement Cirque circus festival (July 3-14): www. montrealcompletementcirque.com/en/ • Just For Laughs International Comedy Festival (July 10-28): www. hahaha.com/ • Fantasia International Film Festival (July 18-Aug. 6): www.fantasiafest. com/2012/en/pre2013 • Montreal World Film Festival (Aug. 22-Sept. 2): www.ffm-montreal.org/ en_index.html

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Canadian road races deal with security issues after deadly bombing in Boston Publisher Philippine Canadian Inquirer

BY DAN RALPH AND LORI EWING The Canadian Press The tragic bombings that marred the world’s most recognized marathon won’t stop the Vancouver Sun Run from going ahead as scheduled on Sunday, but officials will review security ahead of Canada’s largest 10-kilometre road race.

“Bottom line is, yes, the event will go ahead,’’ said Jamie Pitblado, the vice-president of promotions and community investment with the Vancouver Sun. “We are too far down the road now to turn back.

“Cancelling the event or postponing it only lets the terrorists win and that’s not what this is about.’’

Monday’s tragedy in Boston has left Canadian race directors with the added challenge of guaranteeing safety of participants and spectators in events that routinely draw people in by the thousands. Canada will host several marathons over the next six weeks in cities including Ottawa, Calgary, Toronto, Halifax, Fredericton and London, Ont. Two bombs exploded near the crowded finish line at the Boston Marathon on Monday, killing three and injuring more than 130 others.

Authorities said two other explosive devices were found near the end of the 42.195-kilometre course.

The Vancouver Sun Run began in 1985 and last year more than 48,000 registrants signed up for the event.

Pitblado said the incident in Boston has forced Vancouver Sun Run officials to review security for this year’s race.

“This has certainly made us revisit the plan and ensure that it is a plan that’s sufficient for the size of the event and the number of people that

Editor Melissa Remulla-Briones editor@canadianinquirer.net Associate Editor Laarni de Paula Editorial Assistant April Sescon Graphic Artist Shanice Garcia

we expect,’’ he said. “As part of that review, we will be meeting with the city of Vancouver and the police department and the fire department (Tuesday) to go through the plan and make sure that they’re comfortable with elements that are in there.

“We’ll all make the evaluation if we need to do anything more to ensure the safety and security of everyone and we’ll do that.’’

John Halvorsen, race director of Ottawa Race Weekend, May 25-26, said he was “shocked, but not surprised’’ by the Boston bombing.

“It’s a reflection of the world we’re living in today. You have to look at the nature of this particular target, it’s in the United States first of all, not everyone’s best friend,’’ Halvorsen said.

“And it’s the largest and probably one of the mostwatched marathon running events, if not one of the most-watched global sporting events.

“Running is universally big, so it’s very wellrecognized, it’s visible. Again it’s in the United States and not sure if this plays any role in someone’s mind when they’re trying to figure this out, but it is Patriots Day in the United States, in Boston it’s a holiday, that’s why the race is on this day.’’

Halvorsen said he’d already spoken to police officials Monday and there would be more

discussions on security for the Ottawa race that will feature a field of more than 40,000 for seven different races.

“You always sort of brush it off too lightly and maybe not so lightly anymore, to say it’s not going to happen, it’s not likely. I think we’re less likely to see it happen in Canada, but in the case of Ottawa, we’re a capital,’’ Halvorsen. “I definitely expect us to discuss this as runners who feel this hit one of our big sisters or brothers.’’

Race organizers for Calgary’s Marathon are also being cautious.

“The Scotiabank Calgary Marathon on May 26th is just around the corner and safety and security is of paramount concern,’’ Dan Ouimet, the chairman of the Calgary Marathon Society.

“The organizing committee works closely with the City of Calgary and Calgary Police Service and will continue to work together to ensure the safety of the runners and the greater community on race day.’’

Rob Watson of London, Ont., was the top Canadian in Boston, finishing 11th and was eating lunch about 100 metres from the site of the first explosion. The 29-year-old lives in Vancouver and plans to cheer on his buddies in the Sun Run. ❱❱ 19 Canadian road

Correspondents Maria Ramona Ledesma Frances Grace Quiddaoen Lizette Lofranco Aba Gigi Astudillo Jay Decenella Angie Duarte Dr. Rizaldy Ferrer Stella Reyes Katherine Marfal Heidi Ng Graphic Designer Victoria Yong Illustration Danvic C. Briones Photographers Solon Licas Ryan Ferrer Angelo Siglos Art Viray Operations and Marketing Head Laarni de Paula 1-888-668-6059 laarni.liwanag@canadianinquirer.net Sales & Advertising Alice Yong (778) 889-3518 alice.yong@canadianinquirer.net PHILIPPINE PUBLISHING GROUP Managing Editor Maita de Jesus Junior Art Director Kimberly Claire Bernardo

Conservatives take... ❰❰ 19

“Like previous efforts to frame Ignatieff and Dion, these ads are directed at leadership traits instead of policies,” Rose said.

While the ads are clearly negative, that’s not necessarily a bad thing, Rose said.

“If they are directed at making sharp distinctions between policy positions, they might help electors. These do not. They are ad hominem and personal.”

In particular, Rose flagged the quotes about Quebec, which were taken from an interview Trudeau gave to CTV in 1999.

“Quebecers are better than the rest of Canada, because, you know, we’re Quebecers or whatever,” a young Trudeau is shown as saying. The narrator describes the comment as a display of poor judgment.

The full CTV segment, a link to which quickly circulated online Monday, suggests Trudeau was actually talking about his father.

“His philosophy, certainly as he passed it on

Editorial Assistant Phoebe Casin

to us, has always been, you know, Quebecers are better than the rest of Canada, because, you know, we’re Quebecers or whatever,” Trudeau says in the segment.

Tory spokesman DeLorey defended the use of the clip. “Trudeau wasn’t just relaying his father’s views,” he said, “he’s saying these views were passed on to him.”

Trudeau disagreed, saying Monday he was talking about his father’s views.

“I am incredibly proud of where I am from, as we all are, but I have learned over the past decades better ways of expressing myself,” he said.

Prior Tory attack campaigns against Liberal leaders were launched during a minority government era, when the threat of an election was ever present and political messaging efforts crucial.

This time, there are two years to go until the next election, giving time for both sides to play their strategies out.

“The Tories will need to saturate a large media universe to get the message out, and over time need to support this with consistent messaging such as remarks by MPs in the House of Commons,” Marland suggested.

“The Liberals knew this was coming and so need to get their own advertising out that emphasizes Trudeau’s positive brand attributes compared with Harper’s.”

Trudeau said what he’s heard from Canadians is that they are tired of negativity and cynicism and that the ads his party is preparing will take a more positive tone.

“The Conservatives are going to discover that the one thing they know how to do really well is no longer working for them,” he said.

The reality is, negative ads work—and the kinder, gentler response isn’t always the right one, said Bonner.

“What is normal is to respond to a visceral attack with a visceral defence,” Bonner said.

“And if he doesn’t, he’s a fool.” ■

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Associate Publisher Lurisa Villanueva In cooperation with the Philippine Daily Inquirer digital edition

Gold Distribution 604.506.6535 PHILIPPINE CANADIAN INQUIRER is located at Suite 400 North Tower 5811 Cooney Road, Richmond B.C. Canada Tel No. 778-383-6090 / 778383-3203 / (604) 279-8787 ext. 1722.

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FRIDAY APRIL 19, 2013

Canada News

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