Philippine Canadian Inquirer Issue #64

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

VOL. 4 NO. 64

MAY 17, 2013

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 14th, 2013

19 JuanTV, The Pinoy Channel

JuanTV is set to hit the airwaves this year with programs catering to the Filipino-Canadian community. Tune in and learn more about this first in its field.

Liberals odds, Juan defy TV Inc. to launch its own pollsters, totelevision hold Filipino show in Canada 46 onto JuanTV power in B.C. – The Pinoy Channel, a new Filipino television channel is soon to be launched before the end of the year catering to one of Canada’s fastest growing provincial election ethnic communities as target market.

Filipinos and their families

Citizenship and Immigration Canada decided to freeze the immigration lines in 2011. Very recently, however, they announced that the bars are to be lifted as solutions to the backlog have been found—but at what cost?



  stump    

BY JAMES KELLER campaign with many  observers speeches for a month bouyed      The Canadian Press writing the government’s  obituary. by certainty of a win, collapsed in           Premier Christy Clark’s Liberals tears. were projected to remain in power, The election also brought in VANCOUVER—The Liberals defied re-electing incumbents  and even Canada’s first Green party member to common wisdom and months of stealing a few from the NDP  in areas be elected to a provincial legislature. abysmal polling numbers to win they were never expected  to win.

Climate scientist Andrew Weaver Holidays: British Columbia’s election Tuesday, At NDP headquarters,  exhausted defeated Liberal cabinet minister Where to Go, What to Do a shocking turnaround for a party campaign workers who  had been Ida Chong in Oak Bay-Gordon Head, From summer workshops in the heart of Manila to        and a premier who entered the floating through leader Adrian Dix’s near Victoria. the best beaches from bloggers the world all over,  The Liberals jumped into the lead PCI has the tips ‘n tricks up its sleeve.  in early returns never fell behind    and         the Opposition New Democrats.  Their victories included both  Kamloops-area ridings have            that  long been considered bellwethers in                ‘People saw me as image of my father’ provincial elections for a century.               Longtime Liberals were privately              as shocked as pundits and, likely,  ❱❱ PAGE 3 pollsters. But publicly, those close Canada’s railway legacy  to the campaign said they knew it all The whistle of a steam locomotive’s can still be heard  along. in this sleepy New Brunswick village, it is said, though  it’s been decades since one of Canadian Pacific     ❱❱           PAGE 20 Liberals defy Railway’s passenger trains thundered down its tracks.                                   

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Poe surprised, blown away

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3 FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013

Poe surprised...

BY CATHY C. YAMSUAN Philippine Daily Inquirer ❰❰ 1

A DAY after unofficial election results showed her ahead in the Senate race, Grace Poe evaded a television reporter who wanted to shadow her, received business cards handed to her staff by strangers and had Pad Thai noodles for lunch.

“I love Thai food,” she said as she scanned the menu of a Makati restaurant owned by a close friend.

“Nalokah (crazed),” was how Poe described herself in a solicited text message upon learning that she was No. 1 in the partial and unofficial tallies aired on television hours after voting precincts closed on Monday.

“I was very surprised, I was blown away,” she said.

Poe had slept at 3 a.m.

Tuesday and was awake three hours later.

“It’s difficult to take even a nap. When the votes were counted in 2004, my dad was leading that night before we went to sleep. But when we woke up the following day, the results were already different,” she recalled.

Poe referred to her father Fernando Poe Jr.’s presidential run against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Widespread accusations of massive and organized cheating marred that political exercise. Before the year was over, the elder Poe died of a stroke. His fans claimed the man everyone called “FPJ” died of a broken heart.

Sen. Loren Legarda, FPJ’s running mate in 2004, said the daughter’s successful senatorial bid was a vindication of the father’s loss nine years ago Poe was at her parents’ house when the unofficial vote count began at 7 p.m. on Monday.

“For me that was very symbolic. I was in my mom’s room when the first tabulated results came in. There were only 4,000 votes and then I became No. 1. My mom was so happy. It was a good start,” Poe said.

So much was her mother Susan Roces’ excitement that she had to remind herself that

one cable channel was only reporting the results of a radio station-sponsored exit poll.

As of press time, Poe led second placer Legarda by 1.3 million votes.

Poe admitted praying during the campaign that if it were God’s will to make her win, “at least don’t make me No. 11 or No. 12. That would be so nerve-wracking.”

Apparently, God wanted to be more generous to the Poes this time.

For lunch on Tuesday, the new Senate topnotcher wore a simple white dress and hardly any makeup. There was no cordon sanitaire around her, only son Brian who served as her campaign coordinator and Cat, a young aide who answered her phone calls.

Colleagues jubilant

Poe arrived in the restaurant unobtrusively, but necks turned as she searched for a table. Diners got up and shook her hand. Soon, everyone asked her to pose for a photograph. When her order arrived, even the waitresses whipped up their cameras.

Poe smiled all the time.

She still has to get used to the attention, Poe admitted.

Before she ran for senator, it was dad and mom everyone wanted to pose pictures with.

And then there were the endless phone calls, the most memorable of which were those from Senators Francis Escudero (“I owe him so much”), Legarda (“She’s happy”), Bong Revilla Jr. (“He helped me in Cavite”) and Jinggoy Estrada (“He teased me”).

Interior Secretary Mar Roxas told reporters that Poe “carried herself very responsibly, respectfully, very wisely” during the campaign.

Roxas noted that while the elder Poe got about 11 million votes, his daughter proved herself better by getting more than 14 million so far.

As expected, Poe’s supporters from show business were jubilant. Movie producer Lily Monteverde called to congratulate her.

“Give a blowout,” publicist Lolit Solis demanded. The text messages from President Aquino and her campaign manager Sen. Sergio Osmeña

III were more sober.

Champion of the poor

Poe realized during the campaign that people wanted a closure to her father’s death.

She said these people saw her “as the image of FPJ in defense of the oppressed, the champion of the poor” in his movies.

“We need to pray for leaders who claim to do that but who don’t actually deliver. Check out the lifestyle or what they actually delivered and it’s contrary to what they claim or stand for,” she said.

Would her ranking in the Senate race add to the pressure of people’s expectations of her as FPJ’s daughter? Yes, but first comes a much-needed holiday. She had planned a vacation with her children months ago.

“I have to fulfill that promise. I need to rest. I’m only human,” she said.

Poe said her 8-year-old daughter had already asked her, “When will this senator thing end?” She said she told her once mommy started to work, “it would be like the MTRCB,” the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board of which she was chairperson before Aquino included her in the Team PNoy senatorial lineup.

“I’ll leave in the morning and hopefully come home at a decent hour, not like this,” she assured her kid, referring to the grueling campaign that separated her from her daughter for most of the past three months.

She dismissed talk of a run for the presidency in 2016.

“It would be so conceited and presumptuous of me to even plan anything at this point. I need to prove myself first and, honestly, I’m not sure how three years would be able to help me achieve that,” she said.

“I would like measurable, concrete achievements that can be felt by the poor. That is my goal. There are a lot of good lawmakers but I would like to be remembered as somebody who made a difference, specifically for the poor. This is what my dad would have done if he were blessed with the chance to actually assume office.” ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

PHOTO FROM WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Voting in Philippine midterm polls dominated by dynasties ends with less violence, glitches

BY HRVOJE HRANJSKI The Associated Press MANILA, Philippines—Less violence than usual and expected glitches in voting machines marked Monday’s congressional and local elections in the Philippines, which will gauge popular support for the president’s anti-corruption drive and other reforms.

Elections Commission Chairman Sixto Brillantes said he expected turnout of 70 per cent. More than 52 million voters registered to elect 18,000 officials, including half of the 24-member Senate, nearly 300 members of the House of Representatives and leaders of a Muslim autonomous region in the south, where Islamic insurgents and militants are a concern.

Results are expected within a day or two.

The ballots were stacked with familiar names of at least 250 political families who have monopolized power across the country, from former first lady Imelda Marcos, 83, to newly

minted politicians like boxing star Manny Pacquiao.

“Wherever you go, you see the names of these people since we were kids. It is still them,” businessman Martin Tunac, 54, said after voting in Manila. “One of the bad things about political dynasties is they control everything, including business.”

Critics worry that a single family’s stranglehold on different levels of government could stymie checks against abuses and corruption. A widely cited example is the 2009 massacre of 58 people, including 32 media workers, in an ambush blamed on rivalry between powerful clans in southern Maguindanao province.

Violence was less pronounced this year, with no Election Day deaths reported as of Monday night, but at least 46 people have been killed in the run-up to the elections since January, police said.

On Monday, assailants lobbed a grenade at a school where the voting was under ❱❱ PAGE 15 Voting in

Philippine News

Comelec: 300 PCOS machines broke down

BY DJ YAP AND TARRA QUISMUNDO Philippine Daily Inquirer HOURS before the voting ended, the Commission on Elections had placed the number of counting machines that broke down and needed replacement Monday at between 200 and 300, or less than 1 percent of the total— something that the head of the Comelec’s service provider considered typical in any automated polls.

“What I see right now is consistent with what happens in any other country in the world.

I mean you will have machines failing during Election Day,” Smartmatic Asia president Cesar Flores told reporters at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City, where the national canvassing of votes was to be held later Monday.

The Comelec announced its suspension Monday night.

In the Visayas, for instance, at least 270 precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines bogged down, delaying voting in many areas. But most were later fixed, reports reaching the Inquirer showed.

Besides the PCOS machines bogging down, other hitches that marred the midterm polls included two sets of ballots getting switched between two precincts in Baguio City and Compostela Valley, vote-buying and sporadic cases of violence.

“In general, the election was OK. But certain reports have been blown out of proportion,” Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes told a briefing at the PICC. The nature of hardware

He was reacting to a flurry of complaints from the public and the media on Election Day, particularly about malfunctioning PCOS machines that led to long waits at certain polling places.

Flores said most of the failures would likely to have happened on the testing and sealing of the PCOS machines.

“Any hardware will fail.

I guarantee you, if we buy 78,000 iPhones, we will have to send back to the store about a hundred to 200, and during the day, another hundred will fail.

That’s the nature of hardware and IT,” he said.

But he conceded that a lot more was at stake with any machine failure during an election. “In regular life, it wouldn’t affect you because you will get a replacement within one or two days, but on Election Day, you have to have that replacement within one hour,” he said.

Standby counting machines

Flores said the Comelec was doing a good job because it had over 2,000 machines [on standby] all over the country and was able to do replacements.

He noted that the Comelec had a facility called the National Support Center, which would let the agency know “in real time” what was going on and take appropriate steps to fix problems.

But Dr. Giovanni Tapang of Kontra Daya said at a press conference Monday morning that a “lot of voters went home, opting not to vote because of the delay caused by the PCOS machines.”

In Metro Manila, for example, PCOS machine failures such as shutdowns, rejected ballots, back-up memory loss, etc. were reported in precincts in the cities of Caloocan, Makati, Manila, Pasig, Marikina, Parañaque and Quezon.

FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013 4 Fast, credible results

Saying the public should instead focus on the thousands that worked, Flores assured the electorate of fast and credible election results, noting that he only encountered such skepticism over automated polls in the Philippines.

Asked whether he faced as much skepticism about the automated electoral system in other countries, Flores said: “No. It’s only here.”

While visiting the command center of an election watchdog in Manila, Flores said similar technical problems were seen in other countries, including the United States, Brazil, India, Belgium and Venezuela, that used Smartmatic’s technology.

He said 350 PCOS machines, or 0.6 percent of the total, had to be replaced during Election Day in 2010, still below the expected average one to two percent replacement rate recorded in other countries.

As of 11:30 on Monday, Brillantes said, fewer than 100 PCOS machines had been reported to have malfunctioned.

He was pleased with the experience of President Aquino with the PCOS machine. “He made only one attempt and it was done. His statement was that the PCOS machine was an improved machine. Why? In 2010 he waited two hours before the PCOS machine accepted his ballot. Now, he waited only five seconds,” Brillantes said.

He predicted the voter turnout to be “normal” at 70 percent.

“There are small incidents ongoing all over the country.

There are reports of oversized ballots. We confirmed one in Bukidnon. They are not being accepted. We instructed them to cut off the sides,” he said.

Wrong delivery

Brillantes confirmed at least one case of “misdelivery” of ballots between a precinct in Compostela Valley in Mindanao and another in Baguio City in northern Luzon, rendering voters in the precincts unable to cast their votes, as “there’s no way we can exchange them within the day.”

“But this involves only one particular precinct and therefore it should not affect the elections in both Compostela and Baguio City— unless the votes in Baguio and Compostela are so close that one particular precinct could adversely affect the results,” he said.

The Task Force Poll Watch Makabayan-Cordillera (TFPWM) led a petition urging the Comelec to conduct special elections in Barangay (village) Lualhati in Baguio.

The polling precincts 0378A, 0378B, 0380A, 0381A at Rizal Elementary School, which have 638 voters, received the wrong ballots.

“The voters were mad at the Board of Election Inspectors,” said Angela Malicdem, a voter from Barangay Lualhati.

Disenfranchised voters In a statement, TFPWM said there were 638 registered voters in the barangay “that would be bound to be disenfranchised… if the request for special elections would not be granted.”

Tacloban City election officer Karin Cajipo also said that 26 official ballots intended for Cabanatuan were inadvertently sent to Tacloban.

Brillantes said the Comelec had not declared any failure of elections anywhere in the country in spite of some local reports claiming so and in spite of reports of violence in places like Maguindanao.

Heart attack

Across southern Luzon, elections were generally peaceful except for a few cases of malfunctioning PCOS machines, brief power interruptions, long queues in a few polling precincts and two voters who died of a heart attack while voting.

“Except for some glitches in PCOS machines and widespread vote-buying, the election in Bicol was generally orderly,” said Brig. Gen Felix Castro, member of the Regional Election Monitoring Center.

Maj. Angelo de Guzman of the Army’s Task Group Bicol reported that as of 10 a.m., there had been 34 defective PCOS machines out of the total of 5,539 machines in the region.

Malfunctioning PCOS machines were also reported in Batangas (41), Laguna (2) and Marinduque (1).

Senior Insp. Joel Laraya, Batangas police information officer, also said that only 41 out of 2,030 PCOS machines for Batangas malfunctioned.

In Palawan, at least four malfunctioning PCOS machines were reported in El ❱❱ PAGE 13 Comelec: 300

Cutting ballots

Tapang noted that election officers had to resort to measures like cutting ballots to make sure that they fit into the PCOS machine, rebooting the machines or resorting to manual voting and feeding the ballots later into another machine.

He said that such problems were expected because the machines did not undergo the necessary testing, especially the transmission process.

PHOTO BY NIKKA CORSINO

www.canadianinquirer.net

Philippine News

5 FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013

Aquino happy with turnout but spokesperson loses right to vote BYJOMARTINEZ-CLEMENTE AND TJ A. BURGONIO Philippine Daily Inquirer HACIENDA LUISITA, Tarlac City—Despite glitches in the computer machine, President Aquino on Monday said he was happy at how the elections had turned out.

Perhaps he should have talked first with one of his spokespersons.

After exhorting Filipinos to exercise their right of suffrage, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte failed to cast her ballot despite having to line up in a Makati City public school. She was one of thousands of voters who had been disenfranchised.

“My name’s not on the list, not in the computer,” Valte tweeted while waiting to vote at Palanan Elementary School in Makati City.

The reason: Her name wasn’t on the list of registered voters because her registration status had been deactivated.

Voting is faster

Valte’s boss found no such problem when he arrived to vote at Central Elementary School in Barangay (village) Central at 9 a.m., together with his sisters, Ballsy and Pinky, and his nephews.

Before the President came, a few minor glitches had disrupted voting in the school as election officials had to reset the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machine four times, owing to a paper jam.

Still, Aquino said he was happy with the conduct of the elections, pointing out that there was a big difference between the 2010 elections, when he was elected President, and Monday’s polls.

“In 2010, many PCOS machines were not used but now the process is faster,” he told reporters.

12-0 vote

Aquino and his companions waited for about 30 minutes for their turn to vote at Precinct 175A. He was in a relaxed mood as he exchanged pleasantries with his village mates while waiting for his turn to vote.

Occasionally, he would check his phone for messages.

In a press briefing, Aquino said this year’s elections were essentially peaceful.

“We hardly heard reports of violence in places identified by the Comelec (Commission on Elections) as areas of concern,” he said.

He said he voted for the administration’s senatorial candidates, making sure he missed no one.

115th voter

Aquino said the first in his alphabetical list of senatorial candidates whom he voted for was Aurora Rep. Sonny Angara, the last was former Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar.

Since the names of candidates were interspersed with those of others, Aquino said he had to check his ballot well so he would not miss anyone.

Aquino was the 115th voter in a cluster of five precincts with 796 voters.

Strange list

Valte was stumped by the disappearance of her name from the voters’ list.

Checking with the Comelec, she was told her registration status had been deactivated because, based on Comelec records, she skipped the 2007 barangay elections and the 2010 presidential vote.

“Strange because I voted in 2010. They showed me a hard copy of a list with photos and the space for my signature/ thumbmark. For 2010, it was blank,” she said in her text message. “I have no idea why.

PHOTO BY TONI ALVAREZ/THE POC NEWS

I voted in 2010. It was my first time because I only registered in 2009.”

Which meant one less vote for Aquino’s 12 handpicked senatorial candidates. The President is pushing for a 12-0 administration sweep to muster a significant majority in the Senate in the second half of his term.

Looking ahead

It was an ironic twist for Valte, who had repeatedly appealed to voters to go out and vote.

Valte said she was now looking ahead to the 2016 presidential election. “The Comelec official told me there was nothing I could do except wait for the next period of registration and reactivation,”

www.canadianinquirer.net

she said.

Valte was consoled that her mother at least managed to vote. “Good news is, I found my mom’s name and precinct number,” she tweeted.

Valte drew sympathies from others who were as stumped as she on learning that her name had disappeared from the Comelec list.

“Good that he had no problems voting,” she tweeted on learning that Aquino had managed to vote with nary a hitch.

Generally peaceful

Despite reports of glitches, the administration said the polls were apparently “generally orderly and generally peaceful.”

“Let’s leave that to the

experts to decide whether it’s a cause for alarm but right now, based on what the Comelec said, it’s not significant enough to have an impact on the outcome of the elections,” Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang said of the glitches in the automated election process.

Carandang, nonetheless, called on the public to remain vigilant to make sure the peaceful trend stood.

“Like everyone else, let’s keep an eye on what’s happening, let’s remain on guard,” Carandang said. “It’s about 2:20 p.m., so far, so good.” ■ With a report from Norman Bordadora

Philippine News

FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013 6

Ex Philippine president wins mayoral race in Manila, Imelda Marcos gets 2nd congressional term

BY OLIVER TEVES The Associated Press MANILA, Philippines—Former President Joseph Estrada was proclaimed Tuesday as the new mayor of the Philippine capital, his first elected post since he was ousted in an anticorruption revolt 12 years ago.

In other partial results from Monday’s congressional and local elections, nine senatorial candidates backed

by President Benigno Aquino III took an early lead against three candidates backed by an opposition coalition. About half the votes have been reported so far, and if the trend continues, the wins will ensure congressional support for Aquino’s remaining three years in office.

Estrada, 76, capitalized on his movie-star popularity, particularly among the poor,

and promised to reverse urban decay of the historic city along Manila Bay. The capital was once a lively tourist spot, but the streets have become neglected and many residents complain of crime.

“I have no other desire in the final years of my life than to offer my experience in public service, to give everything I can to uplift the poor,” he told supporters after he was proclaimed at a stadium.

Estrada, popularly known as Erap, had served for nearly 20 years as mayor of nearby San Juan city, senator and vicepresident. Landing second in the 2010 presidential election, he could use his new position as a springboard for another shot at the presidency after his first term was cut short by the 2001 revolt. He was later convicted of corruption then pardoned.

“Manila has been left behind by its neighbours. We will

revive the vigour of Manila that we can be proud of,” Estrada said.

He defeated incumbent Mayor Alfredo Lim, a whitehaired 83-year-old former Manila police chief who once served in his Cabinet as interior secretary. Under Lim’s watch, eight Hong Kong tourists were killed by a hostage-taker in 2010 in a bungled police rescue.

An investigation found him liable and negligent.

As proof that political dynasties and familiar names continue to monopolize political life in the Philippines, Imelda Marcos, 83, won her second consecutive term as congresswoman of Ilocos Norte province. Daughter Imee ran unopposed and was re-elected governor.

Estrada's son JV Ejercito was among the top 12 votegetters in the senatorial race, according to early results,

L L A C

and if elected, would join his half-brother who is already a senator. Others leading in the vote-count include Aquino's cousin, Benigno “Bam” Aquino.

Out of the dozen, only four did not belong to dominant elite political families.

Elections Commission Chairman Sixto Brillantes said he expects turnout of 70 per cent out of more than 52 million registered voters. He said that most, if not all, of the 12 winners who contested half the 24 Senate seats will be proclaimed by late Wednesday.

The Aquino administration is confident they will maintain the majority in the House of Representatives and the focus of the electoral battle was on the Senate, traditionally a springboard for the presidency, said Ramon Casiple, head of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reform.

“The implication of a Senate

PHOTO BY HELENE C. SITIKKEL

that is his ally is that he will have the needed support for his policies and programs,” Casiple said. “Definitely he will not be a lame duck for the next three years because of that, much more if he maintains his popularity. This means they will be more in a position to contest the 2016 presidential elections on a more stable foundation.” ■ Associated Press writers Hrvoje Hranjski and Jim Gomez contributed to this report.

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Philippine News

7 FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013

Man with no legs climbs Palace official escapes 4 floors to vote ambush, tags Cagayan governor

BY MICHAEL LIM UBAC Philippine Daily Inquirer ON Election Day, Niño Aguirre proved that democracy is worth fighting for.

The 30-year-old Aguirre had to climb four floors just to reach his voting precinct at Pembo Elementary School in Makati City.

No big deal for most voters who go through the same ordeal come Election Day. But Aguirre was different— he has no legs.

Aguirre, clad in faded sleeveless shirt and shorts, made his way up alone, with only a skateboard and a powerful sense of civic duty that for a moment, he seemed to have forgotten that he was a person with disability (PWD).

Aguirre proved that for all the Filipino’s misgivings about the government, he needs to exercise his right to vote.

Aguirre’s climb to the higher floors was captured on camera

by GMA 7, Inquirer’s election coverage partner, and reported

by GMA News’ Isay Reyes.

On skateboard

Reyes reported that media personnel had offered to carry him since there was no specially designated and accessible polling precinct for PWDs. But he politely declined.

According to Reyes, Aguirre “reached his precinct on board a skateboard, his main form of transport after losing both his legs.”

After finding his precinct, it took him almost 30 minutes to fill out his ballot, carefully choosing his candidates.

BY TJ A. BURGONIO AND MARLON RAMOS Philippine Daily Inquirer

Beyond physical barriers

SECRETARY Manuel Mamba and his 13 companions on Monday afternoon escaped unharmed after Cagayan Gov. Alvaro Antonio, armed with an AK-47 rifle, allegedly fired at their convoy in Alcala town in Cagayan province.

No one was hurt in the attack on the chief of President Aquino’s legislative liaison office as he was checking on the voting in the province where his brother William Mamba was running against the reelectionist Antonio.

“This is impunity. He’s the governor. Why would he do that? He thinks he owns the whole of Cagayan,” Mamba said.

The Philippine National Police said at least five people were killed and 16 others wounded in scattered fire fights, but the balloting on Monday was generally peaceful.

“There were some pockets of violence, mostly between opposing political supporters, reported in some parts of the country. But these were not enough to dampen the spirit of the electorate to exercise their right to elect our government leaders,” PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima said.

Grenade explosions occurred in several areas in Mindanao, including Maguindanao, the site of the country’s worst election killings that claimed the lives of 58 people in 2009.

“Some candidates apparently wanted to scare the voters and prevent them from going to the polling precincts,” said Senior Supt. Rodelio Jocson, Maguindanao police chief.

Mamba said his convoy of four vehicles was cruising along Maharlika Highway in Alcala at past 2 p.m. when Antonio, standing at a waiting shed in front of the town hall, fired at the fourth vehicle, a bulletproof Ford Expedition. One bullet penetrated the car, but the driver and its two passengers, including a policeman, were unhurt. Mamba was in the first vehicle.

“I saw him brandishing an

His sheer excitement to exercise his right transcended physical barriers, even as he expressed hopes that he, too, could have a stake in nationbuilding, however feeble his voice and vote could be.

His only appeal: For the kind-hearted to spare him a wheelchair for easy movement in the next round of balloting come 2016.

‘Get him a wheelchair’

His appeal got an instant response from no less than President Aquino, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, reelectionist Sen. Gregorio Honasan and Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo.

“We’ll get him a wheelchair,” the President said in a short but quick reply to the Inquirer, after being informed via a text message of Aguirre’s plight.

Said Roxas: “Please get his personal details. I’ll pay for the wheelchair.”

Uplifting

Quimbo, one of the spokespersons of Team PNoy, said Aguirre’s uplifting story taught everyone a lesson.

The lawmaker said Aguirre reminded everyone that democracy was worth defending not just for the sake of the common good, but for the “voiceless and defenseless,” too.

PHOTO BY TARA SUTHERLAND

www.canadianinquirer.net

Cagayan Governor Alvaro Antonio PHOTO FROM WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

AK-47. After we had passed by him, I was surprised to hear the sounds ‘pak-pak-pak.’ It turned out he fired at the fourth car, probably thinking I was there,” Mamba said by phone from a police station in Gattaran town where he reported the shooting.

Probably drunk

Prior to the attack, the secretary, three police escorts and 10 aides stopped by Baybayog Elementary School in Alcala to check on the voting there before heading to the town proper.

Mamba said he believed Antonio was tipped off about their presence in the school, and waited for his convoy. He said residents were familiar with his car, a Toyota Fortuner.

“He was probably drunk. I thought he would just scare us away but then he fired at our convoy,” he said.

William Mamba, a three-time Tuao town mayor, is the Liberal Party’s gubernatorial candidate against the incumbent Antonio of the opposition United Nationalist Alliance.

According to Mamba, four mayors and a lawmaker had recently withdrawn their support from Antonio to back his brother’s candidacy.

“They’re desperate,” he said.

After the attack, President Aquino phoned Mamba to check on his condition. The police regional director Chief Supt. Rodrigo de Gracia advised Mamba to have the attack recorded on the police blotter in the next town, Gattaran, the secretary said.

Mamba said he would file charges against the governor.

Revilla cries harassment

In Batangas province, gunmen riding in tandem on a motorcycle shot dead Ricardo Reyes, 47, barangay (village)

chief of Bilaran, but it was unclear if it was related to the elections.

Gun ban violations resulted in eight arrests in Masbate, four in Camarines Sur and six in Cavite, police authorities said.

In Bacoor City, Cavite, police arrested an agent of the National Bureau of Investigation and five men claiming to be NBI confidential agents following a standoff late on Sunday at the residence of Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. Police said the men did not have authority to operate in the area.

A teary-eyed Revilla told reporters he was being harassed

by Cavite policemen and had sought protection from the NBI after he saw armed men in the area.

Like common criminal

“I’m a senator of the Philippines and we’re being treated like criminals,” said Revilla, whose son Jolo is running for vice governor against Jay Lacson, son of Sen. Panfilo Lacson, a former PNP chief.

Chief Supt.

Ronaldo Mendoza said charges of illegal possession of firearms would be filed against Honor Santos, Efifanio Baria, Rosauro Estardo, Rizalos Magnaye, Danilo Cruz, and the only NBI agent in the group, Frederick Galvez.

NBI Director Nonnatus Rojas told the Inquirer he had revoked the authority of confidential agents following reports of abuses. ■ With reports from Nancy Carvajal in Manila; and Maricar Cinco, Delfin Mallari Jr., Mar Arguelles, Shiena Barrameda, Madonna Virola, Juan Escandor Jr., Marrah Lesaba, Jerome Balinton and Aycel Narvaez, Inquirer Southern Luzon

Philippine News

FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013 8

Dead, expats still on voters list, says Namfrel

BY JOCELYN R. UY Philippine Daily Inquirer THE NATIONAL Citizens Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) said that more than 400 dead people had been included in the computerized voters list (CVL) while at least 20 others who had been abroad during the past two elections had yet to be deleted from the official list.

The group reported that 467

voters in the CVL were found to be deceased. Of this number, 342 were in the five towns of Ilocos Sur, 38 in five barangays in Mandaluyong City, 28 in two towns in Guimaras, 18 in Malabon City, 15 in Camarines Sur, 13 in Mountain Province and 13 in Aklan.

Several names of voters, who had been out of the country during the past two elections, were still included in the CVL, said Namfrel. It said 16 were from Mountain Province, three

from Southern Leyte, three from Agusan del Norte and one from Mandaluyong City.

These names should have been taken out of the list, according to the group.

The group added that at least 65 registrants from Mandaluyong City were found to have missing birth information, which caused the computer to assign them a common birthday, Jan. 1, 1900, meaning that all of them were 113 years old.

Namfrel also said 66 registrants were recorded to have one address in Mandaluyong City while 13 registered voters whose names should have appeared in the CVL were not included. They were from Aklan, Siquijor, Lanao del Norte and Taytay, Rizal.

According to Namfrel chair Corazon de la PazBernardo, the group had asked its provincial chapters to check the CVLs that would be used for accuracy and completeness

and to check if these had been posted at the local offices of the Commission on Elections.

“A clean and accurate CVL is important because it assures that only qualified voters are able to cast their votes and to uphold the democratic principle of ‘one person, one vote,’” said Bernardo.

The group also said it submitted the findings of their provincial and city chapters to Comelec Chair Sixto Brillantes Jr. over the weekend. ■

conducting follow-up operations in the town named after the mother of former first lady and reelectionist Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos.

But Catapang said the town, which is known in Bulacan as “DRT,” has become quite “notorious” because of the presence of NPA rebels and other armed groups.

A few of the imitation military trucks had on their bumpers business permits issued by a town in Bulacan. But Bulacan Gov. Willie Alvarado said he would rather not dwell on whether a politician was behind this movement of armed men, adding he would leave it to the police authorities to conduct an investigation.

Catapang said police authorities are tracking down the owners of the vehicles, particularly the imitation Humvee and military trucks.

“Per regulation, trucks cannot be painted green (to

make it look like the military’s) and we have an inventory of our vehicles. We are having it checked. One truck can fit around 50 people … What we know is they (armed groups) will wait for the election results and they would sow violence,” Catapang said.

Comelec provincial election supervisor Elmer Duque said the reported plan of the NPAs to disrupt tomorrow’s election prompted him to call for additional security forces to be deployed in Bulacan.

Catapang said the military has made adjustments to its election security plan in Regions 1 and 3, over which he has jurisdiction, particularly on the postelection security.

On May 10, the Philippine National Police recorded 44 fatalities in 66 election-related incidents nationwide, including 58 shooting cases that also left 38 wounded victims.

Peppered with bullets

Poll sabotage try foiled, says the military

BY NIKKO DIZON Philippine Daily Inquirer GOVERNMENT security forces said they had foiled an attempt by suspected communist insurgents to disrupt tomorrow’s elections in Bulacan and have it blamed on the Armed Forces by disguising themselves as soldiers.

“Our intelligence report indicated that there was a plan to buy military uniforms, board military trucks and sow violence on Election Day and have it blamed on the (Army) 56th Infantry Battalion,” Maj. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., commander of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division, said in a press conference in Malolos, Bulacan.

Catapang said the military believed the plan to create trouble by the New People’s Army (NPA) in Bulacan on Election Day was in retaliation for the arrest of 11 communist insurgents a week ago where a number of high-powered firearms were also confiscated.

He said follow-up operations indicated that military uniforms as well as patches of the 56th IB have already been bought and soldiers were following the trail in the remote area in Doña Remedios Trinidad town where combined military and police forces arrested six armed suspected members of the NPA. Authorities identified the suspects as: Roel de la Cruz, 32; Audi Lado, 53; Randy

Constantino, 36; Rammil Herrera, 34; Jason Masulac, 33; and Allan Capellan, 42.

The suspects underwent inquest proceedings at the Bulacan provincial prosecutor’s office.

Authorities confiscated from them a Humvee painted in camouflage brown, five imitation 6x6 military trucks, a white Montero sports utility vehicle (SUV), four highpowered firearms, magazines, ammunition, a bulletproof vest and license plates.

The suspects were arrested as they passed by a Commission on Elections (Comelec) checkpoint on Villarama Highway at Barangay Bitungol, Doña Remedios Trinidad town, on board the Humvee, the SUV, and one military truck, which had around 40 Dumagat tribesmen as passengers.

The tribesmen told investigating authorities that they were forced at gunpoint by the suspects to board the military truck and were ordered to vote on Election Day. Bulacan provincial director Senior Supt. Joel Orduna said the tribesmen returned to their homes safe after none of them pressed charges against the suspected NPAs. Copycat military trucks

The military said the suspects themselves, during interrogation, told investigators that four other imitation military trucks were parked in a remote area in Doña Remedios Trinidad town.

Authorities were still

www.canadianinquirer.net

In a remote village in Borongan City, Eastern Samar, a police officer was killed while a village security watchman was wounded when they were sprayed with bullets by unidentified armed men.

PO1 Agerico Afable and barangay “tanod” Glicerio Herna were guarding the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines at Calingatnan Elementary School in Barangay Calingatnan at about 4 a.m. when four armed men suddenly appeared and fired simultaneous shots.

“We cannot say just yet what the motive of the suspects is,” said Borongan police chief Insp.

Jennifer Sumpo, adding that they have to wait for the results of the investigation.

But she said policemen had already been deployed to the school to secure the PCOS ❱❱ PAGE 11 Poll sabotage

Philippine News

9 FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013

Syrian rebels release 4 UN Filipino peacekeepers they abducted last week

BY ALBERT AJI The Associated Press DAMASCUS, Syria—Syrian rebels on Sunday released four Filipino U.N. peacekeepers they abducted last week in a dramatic incident that prompted warnings from the Philippines that the nation might pull out its contingent from the Golan Heights.

Meanwhile, a Syrian official said President Bashar Assad’s troops have the right to enter the Israeli-occupied Golan whenever they wish—a veiled threat toward Israel to stay out of Syria’s conflict.

Also Sunday, Damascus rejected Turkey’s allegations that Syria was behind two car bombings that killed 46 people in Turkey and wounded dozens more the day before.

The four Filipinos, seized Tuesday, were apparently unharmed, but they will undergo a medical checkup and stress debriefing, said Brig. Gen. Domingo Tutaan.

A statement by the rebel group holding the peacekeepers—the Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade—said the four were handed over to a U.N. delegation in the border area on Sunday, but provided no other details.

The peacekeepers are part of a U.N. contingent that patrols a buffer zone between Syria and the Golan Heights, a plateau Israel captured from Syria in 1967.

It was the second abduction of Filipino peacekeepers since March, when 21 were held for three days by rebels fighting Assad.

The Philippine foreign secretary has said he would recommend withdrawing Filipinos from the peacekeeping contingent in Syria, but the final decision is up to the country’s president.

Nearly 1,000 U.N. peacekeepers patrol the Golan. Other major contributors are India and Austria.

Croatia recently withdrew its contingent.

The buffer zone has been largely quiet for four decades, but tensions have risen there since the outbreak of the revolt in Syria more than two years ago.

In Damascus, Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi told a news conference on Sunday that Syria has the right to enter the Golan Heights.

“The Golan is Syrian Arab territory and will remain so, even if the Israeli army is stationed there. We have the right to go in and out of it whenever we want and however we please,” he said.

His comments came in response to last week’s Israeli airstrikes on Syria, which Israeli officials say targeted advanced Iranian missiles intended for Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

The strikes marked a sharp escalation of Israel’s involvement in the Syrian civil war and raised fears that a conflict that has repeatedly spilled over Syria’s borders could turn into a regional war.

Syria has threatened to retaliate but the official response was relatively mild.

“Israel should understand that the Syrian skies are not a picnic for anyone,” al-Zoubi warned.

“We are a people who do not forget to retaliate against those who commit aggression against us, and we do not forget our martyrs or those who killed them,” he said.

Israeli officials had no comment.

Assad’s regime might be reluctant to open a new front against Israel with his army already stretched thin in the deadlocked fight with the rebels.

But he has a history of operating through proxies, such as the Lebanese militant Hezbollah or radical Syrianbased Palestinian factions that can potentially launch attacks on Israel from the Golan.

The Syrian uprising escalated into a civil war that has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions of Syrians.

The two sides have been largely deadlocked on the battlefield.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based group that closely monitors the fighting in Syria, said in a statement Sunday that more than 80,000 people—nearly half of them civilians—have been killed in Syria’s conflict since March 2011.

The Syrian government does not release official figures for casualties in the civil war. In February, the U.N. estimated that around 70,000 have died.

In the latest violence in the capital, Damascus, six mortar shells struck a neighbourhood, causing damage and casualties, a Syrian official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief reporters.

The mortars hit the predominantly Alawite district of Mazzeh 86 during the morning rush hour, he said.

Sunday is the first day of the work week in Syria.

Alawites are followers of an offshoot of Shiite Islam, and have dominated government for four decades under Assad family rule. Rebels and regime forces have been fighting in parts of Damascus, and rebels have fired mortars at neighbourhoods seen as proAssad.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an activist group, confirmed that mortars struck Mazzeh 86, but said it had no reports of casualties.

The Observatory also reported that regime forces have secured the international highway linking Damascus with the southern city of Daraa, where the uprising against Assad’s regime began.

The report confirms claims made by state media on Saturday and marks a significant reversal of gains made by rebels in the strategic region near the border with Jordan only few weeks earlier.

Zoubi’s comments were the first official Syrian comment since Saturday’s blasts in the Turkish border town of Reyhanli, near Syria.

The bombings left 46 people dead and marked the biggest incident of violence across the border since the start of Syria’s civil war, raising fears that Turkey—once one of Syria’s top allies in the region—might be pulled deeper into the conflict.

The Syrian minister alleged that Turkey is responsible “for all that happened in Syria and what happened in Turkey yesterday,” accusing Istanbul of facilitating the entry of www.canadianinquirer.net

PHOTO FROM TINY.CC/SYRIANFREEDOM

“terrorists” to Syria.

The Syrian regime routinely describes rebels fighting to topple Assad as terrorists.

Al-Zoubi also launched one of the harshest personal attacks on Turkey’s prime minister, demanding that Recep Tayyip Erdogan “step down as a killer and as a butcher.”

In Egypt, a senior aide to President Mohammed Morsi said in remarks published Sunday that Egypt is seeking

a negotiated solution for the Syrian crisis that would ensure the country’s territorial integrity and prevent foreign intervention.

Essam el-Haddad, a presidential assistant on foreign affairs, said Egypt is developing its regional initiative and that representatives of the Damascus regime who have “no blood on their hands” must be approved by the opposition before they can negotiate. ■

Cecilia Lai

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Philippine News

FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013 10

Waiting for campaign fees, top P500,000 for every town Samar reb captured

BY NORMAN BORDADORA Philippine Daily Inquirer

BY NIKKO DIZON Philippine Daily Inquirer THE MILITARY recently arrested a ranking commander of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Samar while allegedly waiting for the turnover of the permit-to-campaign (PTC) and permit-to-win (PTW) fees collected from candidates in the province, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said.

The military identified the NPA commander as Renato Abadiano who was said to have held various positions in the communist insurgents’ Samar Provincial Party Committee.

Abadiano was arrested at a safehouse in Barangay Dolores during a joint operation of the Army’s 87th Infantry Battalion 801st Infantry Brigade and the municipal police of San Sebastian town.

“Identified as Renato Abadiano, the NPA leader was reported to be waiting for the arrival of the permit-to-campaign and permitto-win fees and other extorted

items from political candidates seeking elective positions this coming May 13 elections,” the military said.

Seized from Abadiano were a .45 caliber pistol, improvised explosive devices, blasting caps, subversive documents, personal belongings and campaign paraphernalia of NPAsupported election candidates, the military said.

The military said that local residents reported Abadiano’s presence in the area. Residents also told security forces that Abadiano was responsible for the collection of PTCs and PTWs since the start of the campaign period.

The residents also claimed that it was Abadiano’s group that attacked a construction company in Brgy. Pabanog, Paranas town last April 25 after the owner refused to “give in to the extortion scheme of the rebels,” the military added.

Abadiano’s group supposedly shot the tires and fuel tanks of the heavy equipment owned by the company.

Abadiano reportedly has a standing warrant of arrest for murder with no bail recommended and another warrant for attempted murder with the use of an unlicensed firearm.

Capt. Amado Gutierrez, spokesperson of the 8th Infantry Division, credited the locals’ cooperation with the military’s “good rapport with the people, much more so with the local candidates who are no longer willing to support the extortion scheme of the NPAs.” Maj. Gen. Gerardo Layug, the 8th ID commanding general, said the arrest of Abadiano was the third time that Army troops had “thwarted” the extortion activities of the rebels.

“This only shows that since the reports came from the civilians themselves, they are already tired of giving logistical support to the NPAs,” Layug said in a statement.

Layug said the NPAs had resorted to “sheer banditry in harassing and intimidating” Samarnons. ■

Angara honored by Japan

BY CATHY C. YAMSUAN Philippine Daily Inquirer OUTGOING Sen. Edgardo J. Angara was conferred the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun by Emperor Akihito in Tokyo, making him the third Filipino to be given what is said to be the highest distinction given by the Japanese government to an individual.

Previous Filipino recipients of the award were the late Carlos P. Romulo, former foreign secretary and president of the United Nations General Assembly, and Alfonso T. Yuchengco, the country’s former ambassador to Japan.

Other known personalities who received the distinction were former Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, former United Nations Children’s Fund executive director Carol Bellamy, former British Prime Minister Sir John

Major, the late US Sen. Daniel Inouye and former Brookings Institution president Michael H. Armacost.

The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo said Angara was given the recognition for his valuable contributions to “promoting friendly relations and developing economic cooperation between Japan and the Philippines.”

Simple rites

The award was given in simple rites witnessed by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the senator’s wife Gloria at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

The embassy noted that the Order of the Rising Sun was created in April 1875 to recognize individuals with “distinguished achievements in international relations, the promotion of Japanese culture, the preservation of the environment and advances in development and various fields.”

It is awarded in seven classes, with the Grand Cordon that Angara received being the highest class.

Support for PJEPA

The Japanese government recognized Angara’s zealous support for the PhilippinesJapan Economic Partnership Agreement (PJEPA) that came about in 2008 and had served as a strong link to the two countries’ sustained and increasingly dynamic economic engagement.

As a neophyte senator in 1988, Angara played a key role in forming the PhilippinesJapan Parliamentarians Association (PJPA) and became its founding president.

He also headed the first PJEPA delegation to visit Japan for meetings with key members of the National Diet and other government officials. Angara is the group’s incumbent secretary general. www.canadianinquirer.net

HALF AMILLION pesos for each of the country’s town for education.

Sen. Francis Escudero has pledged to deliver this out of his pork barrel funds to help fill gaps in the country’s educational system.

The total package for educational assistance for each of the country’s 1,494 municipalities would reach P747 million, about half of what Escudero expects to receive in pork barrel funds.

“Education is the great equalizer in society,” said Escudero in a statement.

Each senator is entitled to identify projects worth at least P200 million in pork barrel annually. A senator could be responsible for pork projects worth P1.2 billion.

Escudero said what he intends to allot for education programs nationwide could definitely use some help from the pork barrel funds of other senators.

“During campaigns, everyone “I am deeply honored to receive the distinction of Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun from the Japanese government. Receiving the imperial decoration is itself a rare privilege; that His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Akihito, bestowed it is a supreme honor,” the senator said in an e-mailed statement.

Angara said the award “reflects the dynamic friendship between the Filipino and Japanese people.”

The senator pointed out that Japan was “one of the two most important strategic partners of the Philippines.

Japan has consistently been the Philippines’ top export market and largest source of official development assistance. It also is the Philippines’ second largest source of foreign direct investments.”

He added that ties with Japan “continue to grow stronger through development aid, trade, tourism and cultural and educational exchange” and urged the Philippine government to “continue enhancing our bilateral ties and

PHOTO FROM OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE

is a fan of youth and education issues, but when elected into office, do they really put their funds where their mouths had been?” he said.

Escudero said if each of the 24 senators were to adopt the practice and contribute P500,000 each from their pork, then every municipality in the country will receive P12 million every six years for education projects. ■ keeping Japan at the center of our foreign affairs agenda.”

Premio Casa Asia

Angara was also awarded Spain’s Premio Casa Asia in 2010, the first Southeast Asian to win the foreign policy prize.

The Casa Asia Award is an annual recognition of individuals and organizations that either promote relations between the Asia-Pacific region and Spain or advocate human rights in the region.

Casa Asia cited Angara for pushing the annual commemoration of PhilippineSpanish Friendship Day on June 30 by authoring Republic Act No. 9187. He is also noted by the body for promoting the Spanish language and culture in the country.

Established in 2001, Casa Asia is a consortium made up of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, through its Spanish Agency for International Cooperation for Development, the Government of Catalonia and the Barcelona and Madrid City Councils. ■

Philippine News

11 FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013

30 foreign observers here INT’L ELECTION WATCH

BY JEROME ANING Philippine Daily Inquirer MORE THAN 30 foreign observers are currently in the country to monitor the midterm elections.

Organized by the Compact for Peaceful and Democratic Elections (Compact), the foreign observers attended the formal launching of their mission, dubbed “International Team Bantay,” in Quezon City.

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elections,” Tarrobago said.

“Because President Aquino was elected under the banner of reform, many of the observers want to see if this will have any effect on the current conduct of elections,” he added.

Tarrobago said that since the midterm elections are largely seen as a referendum on the incumbent administration, the observers are also keen on looking at how the local and senatorial races will play out under this administration.

PHOTO BY NIKKA CORSINO

The observers come from Sweden, Denmark, the United States, Japan, Australia, Germany, Spain, Burma, The Netherlands, Thailand, Afghanistan, Mongolia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Compact national coordinator Arnold Tarrobago said the observers will be divided into six teams and deployed to Cagayan, Pampanga, Camarines Sur, Masbate, Cebu and the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao.

Assessing reforms

“Many of them are interested in seeing the political developments since the election of President Aquino.

They want to assess the reforms instituted by the President and how it will impact the midterm

Poll sabotage...

“I think it’s also important to look at how the current policy moves of the administration will be affected by the elections.

Will the senatorial elections have a bigger effect than the local races or the other way around?” he said.

Iconic contests

Tarrobago also noted that certain “iconic” electoral contests also drew the interest of the foreign observers. He cited the gubernatorial races between Ed Panlilio and Lilia Pineda in Pampanga, Leni Robredo and Nelly Villafuerte in Camarines Sur, and Father Leo Casas and the Kho and Lanete clans in Masbate, among others. ❱❱ PAGE 13 30 foreign

machines.

Afable was hit in the right shoulder and stomach and died on the spot.

Herna was shot in different parts of the body and was in critical condition at Eastern Samar Provincial Hospital in Borongan, about 14 kilometers from Calingatnan.

Sumpo said another barangay tanod, who was with Afable and Herna, managed to run for cover during the shooting. She declined to identify the possible witness.

In Palawan, two people were killed and at least six others wounded in a shootout late on Friday night between supporters of mayoral candidates Katrina Ibba and Mulzinin Abdurajik in the southern municipality of Bataraza.

An undetermined number of armed supporters of Ibba and Abdurajik have been held in custody, according to Palawan provincial police spokesperson Insp. Pearl Lamban Marzo.

Marzo identified the fatalities as Alrazid Balidin, secretary of the Bataraza municipal council and Myra Ossop Bazari, 16, daughter of a local village councilor.

Marzo said the shooting happened at 11:45 p.m. in the village of Igang-Igang, Bataraza.

Both camps accused each other of initiating the shooting, in separate local radio interviews.

Marzo said the PNP recovered spent cases of bullets for highcaliber firearms in the area of the shooting.

“We are still completing our investigation and we will determine whether to recommend that Bataraza be placed under Comelec control,” Marzo said.

Fatality

In Batangas, the village chief of Cawit in Taal town, identified as Arnel Marcellana, was killed while his cousin Benjie Marcellana was wounded when shot by unidentified suspects in Cawit on Friday night.

Senior Insp. Norman CasOy, Taal town police chief, said the victims had just watched a concert when they were shot by a lone gunman at 9:50 p.m.

Arnel was dead on arrival in the hospital.

The suspect fled on foot with the .45 cal. gun used in the killing. Police recovered six www.canadianinquirer.net

empty shells at the crime scene.

Cas-Oy said they have yet to establish motive for the killing but added that Arnel was a known supporter of Lino Vicente Montenegro, a mayoral candidate of Lakas-CMD who is running against reelectionist Mayor Michael Montenegro (Liberal Party).

Unlicensed firearms

In Padre Garcia town, Batangas, a regional police team arrested early on Friday morning five persons, including an incumbent village chief and a former village chief, for keeping six assorted firearms, several ammunitions and seven rifle grenades.

Senior Supt.

Rosauro Acio, Batangas police chief, identified the suspects as Felix Tumambing, village chief of Quilo-Quilo, and Rene Maala, former village chief of Barangay Tamak, both in Padre Garcia.

Armed with search warrants, elements of the Regional Special Operations Group of the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) police swooped down on the houses of Tumambing and Maala and confiscated the arms cache at 5:30 a.m.

Three other male companions of Tumambing and Maala identified as Ruel Monilo, Jose Maala and Al Alcantara were also arrested, said Acio. He said the suspects were brought to Camp Vicente Lim in Laguna to face charges of illegal possession of firearms.

A supporter of a mayoral candidate was shot in the leg while escorting the delivery of PCOS machines to a mountain village in Tuburan town, 96 km northwest of Cebu City.

The incident occurred less than 24 hours after the police arrested six men suspected to be goons of a candidate for councilor in Alegria town, Cebu.

Giovani dela Cerna Puno, 24, was riding at the back of a motorcycle in a convoy during the delivery of PCOS machines to Barangay Sumpa when he was hit in the left thigh.

But PO1 Mark Anthony Quijano of the Tuburan police station said they did not find evidence of ambush although investigation was still ongoing.

PO2 Dexter Arapoc said the camp of Puno claimed

that he was ambushed but investigation appeared that Puno was likely hit by his own gun because the gunshot wound was in the thigh.

Puno, who was brought to a hospital in Cebu City, was a supporter of One Cebu Party mayoral candidate Rose Marie Suezo, who is running against incumbent Mayor Democrito “Aljun” Diamante of the Liberal Party.

In Alegeria town, the police arrested six men, who were allegedly “goons” of Arnold Cuevas, village chief of Barangay Sta. Felomina, Alegria, who is running for municipal councilor under One Cebu in the municipality located 115 km southwest of Cebu City.

Insp. Sandy Roble, Alegre police chief, identified the suspects as: Odelon Pastor, 26; John Carl Dacay, 24; Talper Tupas, 20; Michael Gramatica, 23; Jojie Mejares, 24; and Larry Paulo, 22.

They were detained at the police station pending filing of charges for election gun ban violation and possession of illegal drugs.

The police allegedly recovered one homemade .357 pistol with three live ammunitions from Pastor and three small sachets of “shabu” and two rolled aluminum tin foils from Paulo.

Rep. Pablo John Garcia, One Cebu secretary general and gubernatorial candidate, denied that any of their candidates in the province had goons. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013 12

Palace: Coalition bets to give us comfortable majority

BY JEROME ANING Philippine Daily Inquirer MALACAÑANG expects the senators who ran and won under the administration’s Team PNoy coalition to support President Aquino’s big-ticket legislative priorities like the organic law for the Bangsamoro autonomous region that will seal the government’s peace deal with the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

According to Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang, the

administration wants “a more comfortable majority,” which it did not have when the Senate and the House of Representatives were intensely deliberating the contentious sin tax reform and reproductive health bills.

“We could have lost those bills by a margin of one or two votes. And it was there that we realized that it’s safer, it’s more comfortable for us if we have a bigger majority in the Senate,” said Carandang as he spoke to reporters at Team PNoy headquarters in Makati.

“You know more than I do that it could have gone either

way at some point. For us to be able to continue with reforms, we would be more comfortable with a bigger majority in the Senate,” he said.

Carandang indicated that the Aquino administration would be proposing more reform measures in the final three years of the President’s term.

One measure that would need the support of a much bigger majority in the Senate will be the Bangsamoro organic law that a transition council is now drafting.

“We respect the fact that the Senate has always been

composed of independentminded people and we don’t expect the Team PNoy senators to vote for every single issue but we do hope that when it comes to the big issues they will be on board with us,” Carandang said.

For instance, he said, Malacañang will be presenting to Congress this year the Bangsamoro organic law once a peace agreement is completed with the Muslim insurgents.

“That’s a big issue for us and we’re hoping that with a solid majority in the Senate, it will be easier for us to

pass legislation like that,” he added.

Carandang stressed the administration respected the Senate as an independent institution.

“The Senate is an independent body, we’re not saying that we want a rubberstamp Senate,” he said.

“We’re just saying that when it comes to the things that are important to the administration, to the President, we want to be able to count on the majority in the Senate to support important measures that we need to pass moving forward,” he said. ■

Millions of pesos in bets riding on Erap or Lim win

BY JEROME ANING Philippine Daily Inquirer DESPITE a law which prohibits people from betting on the outcome of an election, some of the supporters of Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada have reportedly started placing multimillionpeso wagers on who will occupy city hall.

The information came from a reliable INQUIRER source, a police official, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisal.

The source said the bets were being placed by moneyed followers of the two politicians who were apparently not content with just waiting for the outcome of the one of mosthighly anticipated electoral contests in Metro Manila.

According to the source, the agreed-upon wagers initially started at P500,000 but these have since gone up to millions of pesos in the days leading to the polls.

Sought for a reaction, Estrada’s running mate, Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, confirmed the report although he stressed that he disapproved of the placing of bets.

“I will not tolerate such things because I respect the sanctity of the people’s votes,” Moreno told the INQUIRER. Ric de Guzman, Lim’s chief of staff, also said he had heard about the report although he

denied involvement in the placing of bets.

“You know how it is. People place bets even on trivial matters but we are not taking part in any of that,” he added.

Manila, barangay officials received from a mayoral candidate envelopes containing P1,000 in cash a week before the elections.

One of the recipients who identified herself only as Lyn said that most of them used the money to buy food for their families.

On the other hand, a candidate for councilor in Manila’s fourth district invited residents to a meeting where they received shirts, sandwiches and P100 each.

‘Word of honor’

The source said that the multimillion-peso bets were not covered by an official agreement. “What’s at stake is their word of honor. They just shake hands and there is no exchange of documents. It’s an informal thing [even though] it’s a lot of money.”

According to the Omnibus Election Code, placing bets on the results of an election or any poll-related contingency is considered an election offense with the wagers in danger of being forfeited in the government’s favor.

In Antipolo City, money also changed hands although two men ended up being arrested for vote-buying.

Senior Supt.

Rolando Anduyan, Antipolo police chief, said that more than 50 people were lined up on Maguey Street in Barangay San Luis near a polling center when a police car passed by the area and spotted two men handing out cash in amounts ranging from P500 to P1,000.

The two were later identified as Mario Natividad and Marvin Eleponga.

Asked who they were telling people to vote for, Anduyan confirmed that it was Rizal Gov. Casimiro Ynares III who

A favor for a friend

PHOTO BY ANGEL KENNETH

is contesting the mayoral seat against incumbent Antipolo Mayor Nilo Leyble.

Box full of money

He added that the two men were carrying a “box full of money” when they were spotted by the police. Both tried to escape but they were eventually caught.

In Mandaluyong City, authorities arrested 12 suspected flying voters at Ilaya Barangka Elementary School at 10:30 a.m.

Senior Supt.

Florendo Quibuyen, city police chief, www.canadianinquirer.net

identified them as Mario Arabiana Laquiadao, Jack Granada Dela Paz, Billones Dindo Angeles, Martinez Ernesto Angeles, Edgar Guevarra, Crisanto Farmin, Dennis Famitangko, Danilo Esquillo, Venjielyn Ortiz, Crisanto Fermin, Morador Ronear Edward Salvane and Nilo Sagasig.

Quibuyen said barangay watchers sought the help of members of the Joint Security Assistance Desk after they found out the 12 were not residents of the area.

In some areas in Tondo,

In Quezon City, 40-year-old Jerico (not his real name) told the INQUIRER that he voted for a candidate in the fourth district after a friend gave him P300.

Jerico, however, said that he didn’t consider this as votebuying. “I just did a friend a favor and earned a little ‘easy money.’ I do not see anything wrong with that.”

According to him, he was buying cigarettes from a store when he met a friend who casually asked him if he was a voter in the fourth district.

When Jerico replied that he was his acquaintance asked him: “Don’t forget my boss. He needs as many votes as he can get.”

The man then handed him an envelope, saying, “This is P300.

It’s for your merienda (snack).” ■ With Kristine Felisse Mangunay and Jeannette I. Andrade

Philippine News

13 FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013

Comelec: 300...

30 foreign...

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Nido, Coron and various areas of the province.

Two voters suffered a heart attack while casting their votes in Batangas and Marinduque.

In Benguet, lack of pens slowed down the voting process in Barangay Poblacion in Kibungan town, forcing voters to queue for at least two hours.

problem with the PCOS machines happened.

At Bucana Elementary School in Davao City, some voters went home before noontime after desperately searching and failing to find their names on the master list in the precincts where they used to vote.

“These local races are very significant in our political history. It’s a contest between those perceived as carrying a reformist platform and those candidates seen as belonging to longtime political families,” he said.

“The observers are curious as to how local dynamics can shape the political culture of the people in the area,” Tarrobago added.

Compact said that the observers’ 10-day mission will include a general orientation, press briefing and local election monitoring.

“They will stay for five days, including Election Day, in the local areas. Prior to the elections, the international observers are given an indepth orientation on the local political situation, and are accompanied by local host organizations in conducting interviews with different political players and election stakeholders,” Tarrobago said.

Crutches

Experience sharing

Flooding in Hagonoy

In Bulacan, residents in the villages of Mercado, Sto. Rosario and Sta. Cruz in Hagonoy town waded through flooded streets to reach their precincts on Monday.

In Mt. Province, voters braved the rains to reach Kilong Elementary School in Sagada town. When they reached their precinct, they learned that the memory card for the transmission of the results was defective.

In Pangasinan, an early morning downpour failed to stop Pangasinan voters from going to polling places, forming long queues even before the opening of their precincts at 7 a.m.

But the excitement turned to restlessness when in many precincts voting did not start due to malfunctioning PCOS machines. “We had lots of problems with the PCOS machines but most were technical and we have done something about it,” said Marino Salas, provincial election supervisor.

In Dagupan City, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting reported that three PCOS machines malfunctioned in three of five cluster precincts at the Doña Victoria Zarate Elementary School.

In Nueva Ecija, 32 PCOS machines in 13 towns and cities in Nueva Ecija encountered problems as of noon Monday, police reports said.

Many voters in the cities of Cabanatuan and Palayan complained that their names were not on the voters’ lists.

More PCOS problems

In La Union, malfunctioning PCOS machines almost ruined the polls in key towns, according to officials there.

Machines in Sto. Tomas town would not work so election supervisors collected accomplished ballots in a ballot box instead, Philippine Information Agency reports said.

PCOS problems were also reported in Bacnotan town and San Fernando City.

Problems in malfunctioning PCSO machines were also reported in Isabela and the Central Luzon provinces of Bataan, Pampanga, Aurora.

In Cagayan de Oro City, voters in Barangay Nazareth had to wait for hours as a number of PCOS machines conked out as soon as voting started on Monday morning.

Elsewhere in Mindanao, the same

PHOTO BY JON MANNION

One of the oldest voters at Shamrock Elementary School in Laoag City who showed up on crutches was Exaltacion Natividad, 89.

“I can’t remember how many presidents I have already voted for. I hope to live until the next presidential elections in 2016,” Natividad, who was accompanied by her granddaughter, said.

Natividad and other senior citizens, including persons with disabilities, were given preference in voting.

Saada Pano, 45, went home without casting her vote because she could no longer find her name in her old precinct. ■ Reports from Julie M. Aurelio and Sunshine Blanco, trainee in Manila; Desiree Caluza, Frank Cimatu, Maurice Malanes, Vincent Cabreza, Villamor Visaya Jr. and Cristina Arzadon, Inquirer Northern Luzon; Tonette Orejas, Carmela Reyes-Estrope, Anselmo Roque, Cesar Villa, Jhoanna Marie Buenaobra and Jun Malig, Inquirer Central Luzon; Mar Arguelles, Juan Escandor Jr., Shiena Barrameda, Fernan Gianan, Maricar Cinco, Romulo Ponte, Delfin T. Mallari Jr., Marrah Lesaba, Jerome Balinton, Madonna T. Virola, Jofel Lancion, Gerald Querubin, Redempto Anda, Janna Golod, Joy Oyardo, Aycel Narvaez, Christian Taduran, Loen Gonzales and Dyna Apatin, Inquirer Southern Luzon; Nestor Burgos Jr., Joey Gabieta, Carla Gomez, Jhunnex Napallacan, Felipe Celino, Carmel Matus, Jani Arnaiz, Karen Bermejo, Alex V. Pal, Jennifer Allegado and Eden Cidro, Inquirer Visayas; and Germelina Lacorte, Bobby Lagsa, Cai Panlilio, Dennis Jay Santos, Frinston Lim, Inquirer Mindanao

Local press briefings will also be conducted to announce the mission and later on present the preliminary observations and recommendations.

After the elections, the international observers return to Manila for “experience sharing” and collective crafting of the monitoring report.

The observers’ mission report will be presented to the public in general, and to concerned government agencies, as well as the diplomatic corps.

First convened in 2004, Compact is a consortium of nongovernment and civil society organizations with aims to address the growing incidence of election-related violence, allegedly committed by both state and nonstate actors.

Compact’s 2013 national conveners include: Ramon Casiple of the Institute of Political and Electoral Reform; Joy Aceron of the Ateneo School of Government; Gladstone Cuarteros of the La Salle Justice and Peace Commission; Pastor Al Senturias of the Cosmopolitan Church; Robert Francis Garcia of the Peace Advocates for Truth, Justice and Healing; Earl Parreno of the Social Enterprise Empowerment for Rural Development; lawyer Zainuddin Malang of the Mindanao Human Rights Action Center; Roberto Verzola of SRI-Pilipinas Network; Ruevin Serrano of the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines, and Geline Avila of Compact 2010. ■

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Philippine News

FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013 14

Aquino pleads for calm in Taiwan row

BY MICHAEL LIM UBAC Philippine Daily Inquirer President Aquino on Monday appealed for calm after Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou gave the Philippines 72 hours to respond to its demands over Thursday’s killing of a Taiwanese fisherman by the Philippine Coast Guard or face the consequences.

Aquino seemed worried by the implications of the accidental killing of the fisherman on the country’s bilateral relations with Taiwan.

“The Philippines must apologize, find and prosecute those responsible for the brutal killing, and offer compensation for the fisherman’s death,” Ma earlier said.

In retaliation for the killing, Taiwan has threatened to freeze all applications of Philippine laborers, to recall Taiwan’s envoy in Manila and to expel the Philippine envoy in Taipei.

Taiwan also dispatched four coast guard and naval vessels to beef up patrols in the waters near Batanes on Sunday.

All are reportedly prepared for combat should another encounter with Philippine vessels turn violent.

Aquino, however, refrained from commenting on the specific circumstances that led to the shooting of 65-yearold Hung Shih-cheng, a crew member of Taiwanese fishing boat Guang Ta Hsin 28.

“If I comment on that level, we’ll guarantee that the issue will escalate. So I think it is in the interest of both parties to proceed on a calm basis.

So we are proceeding on that manner,” the President told reporters on Monday after casting his vote in Tarlac City.

But Aquino skipped a question on the wisdom of immediately issuing an apology to Taiwan.

“Our Department of Foreign Affairs is in touch with its counterpart precisely to, perhaps, not let the incident (lead to unwanted) repercussions,” he said.

The President also reiterated that the PCG had already placed the commander of the Philippine vessel, along with 10 others, under investigation.

All have been relieved pending

a full investigation.

“The commander of the Coast Guard vessel is in Manila already. He either will be, or is already, undergoing an investigation,” he said, noting that since there was a fatality, “there will be a review if the process (carried out by PCG in trying to apprehend the fishermen) was proper.”

The President noted that the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (Meco) was directly talking to Taiwanese authorities.

“And I, of course, coursed it through the DFA. I asked the Secretary of Foreign Affairs to monitor (the situation in Taiwan), but the lead person has to be Meco because of the One China policy,” said Aquino.

The Philippines and Taiwan have no official diplomatic relations but maintain economic and cultural offices in each other’s capitals, with representatives acting as de facto ambassadors.

Ma gave the Philippines until Tuesday to respond to Taiwan’s demands.

‘It was self-defense’

Malacañang had insisted that the Coast Guard vessel acted in self-defense since one of the Taiwanese fishing vessels tried to ram the Coast Guard boat.

The incident happened when the PCG was trying to make an arrest at sea for illegal fishing within Philippine territorial waters, Malacanang said.

In Taipei, Taiwan’s Presidential Office spokesperson Garfie Li on Monday said the Philippines would have to pay the price if it showed no sincerity in solving the dispute over the fisherman’s shooting.

On Sunday, Malacañang announced that the government, through the Meco, had issued an apology and extended its condolences to the family of the Taiwanese fisherman.

“We extend our sincere and deepest sympathies and condolences to the bereaved family of the victim,” Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte had said.

Valte told reporters that Meco chief Antonio Basilio personally “visited the family of the victim and extended

Ma Ying-jeou, President of the Republic of China PHOTO FROM WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

condolences and offered his apologies.”

Flippant response

Malacañang also vowed to conduct an “impartial, transparent and expeditious” investigation into the tragedy.

But Li said the Philippine statement was “flippant” and showed no sincerity in solving the problem.

Less than 24 hours after Taiwan issued the ultimatum, Valte said that “as the Philippine Coast Guard has stated, we express our heartfelt sorrow on the unfortunate situation that occurred during one of the anti-illegal fishing patrols conducted by a Philippine fishery law enforcement vessel (MCS 3001) within the maritime jurisdiction (waters off the Batanes group of islands) of the Philippines on the morning of May 9, 2013, which tragically resulted in the death of a fisherman from one of www.canadianinquirer.net

the fishing vessels reportedly poaching in the area.”

The Philippines will look into ways of preventing similar incidents in the future, Valte said.

The Philippine Coast Guard will complete as soon as possible its investigation of the May 9 incident, according to its spokesperson.

Lt. Commander Armand Balilo, head of the PCG public affairs office, on Monday said “the command’s investigation of the incident is ongoing.”

Rear Adm. Rodolfo Isorena, the PCG commandant, acknowledged that the crew of the MCS 3001 had opened fire on the Taiwanese fishing boat.

However, he insisted that the Coast Guard personnel acted in self-defense and were forced to fire because the Taiwanese vessel tried to ram the PCG vessel The incident has sparked a cyber war between hackers from both countries,

paralyzing the websites of both countries’ presidents, as well as those of Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Coast Guard Administration.

Taiwanese hackers attacked the Philippine presidential website the next day. But Filipino hackers retaliated and took down several Taiwanese government websites.

On Monday, some 200 Taiwanese gathered outside the Meco office in Taipei on Monday to protest the killing of the Taiwanese fisherman.

Burning Philippines flags and waving banners that read “You can’t kill our people, you can’t insult our country,” the demonstrators demanded that the Philippines apologize for Thursday’s incident. Monday’s demonstration was peaceful, however. ■ With reports from Jerry E. Esplanada, The China Post/ Asia News Network and AP

Philippine News

15 FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013

2 Sandigan justices asked to inhibit from Ongpin case

BY CYNTHIA D. BALANA Philippine Daily Inquirer THE OFFICE of the Ombudsman has asked two members of the Sandiganbayan Third Division to inhibit themselves from hearing the graft case against businessman Roberto Ongpin and former officials of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) for conflict of interest.

The prosecution, in a 12-page urgent motion, identified the two justices as Presiding Justice and division chair Francisco Villaruz Jr. and Justice Samuel Martires. The third member of the division is Justice Alex Quiroz.

In its motion, the prosecution also called for the immediate reraffle of this case to another division of the antigraft court.

It cited Rule 137 Section 1 of the Rules of the Court which states that “no judge or judicial officer shall sit in

any case which he or his wife or child, is pecuniarily interested as heir, legatee, creditor or otherwise, or in which he is related to either party within the sixth degree of consanguinity or affinity, or to counsel within the fourth degree, computed according to the rules of the civil law.”

According to the motion, the move for the voluntary inhibition of the two justices was due to the occurrence of supervening events that induced doubts on their ability to resolve the case without undue bias to the accused.

It said Villaruz is an Alpha Phi-Beta fraternity brother of one of the defense counsels, lawyer Alexander J. Poblador, who is personally appearing in court in behalf of Ongpin.

Villaruz is the father of lawyer Carlos Villaruz, one of the partners in Esguerra and Blanco Law Offices (BlesLaw) which has publicly appeared as counsels for a company affiliated with Ongpin. ■

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way in southern Marawi city, but missed and hit a house, wounding three people. Armed followers of a mayoral candidate clashed with marines in nearby Sulu province, where troops replaced local police.

The official election watchdog, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, said it received reports of breakdowns in some of about 80,000 voting machines, which are being used for only the second time since the 2010 presidential election.

The supplier said it had expected 200 to 300 units to malfunction but had 2,000 replacements on standby.

At the end, Brillantes said the problems were minor and the polling generally smooth.

The outcome will determine the level of support for President Benigno Aquino III’s reforms in his remaining three years in office. Aquino has been praised at home and abroad for cracking down on widespread corruption, backing key legislation and concluding an initial peace agreement with Muslim rebels.

But he cannot run for re-election and his choice of a candidate to succeed him, who will be expected to continue on the same reform path, will depend on the new political landscape.

The Aquino administration is confident they will maintain the majority in the House and the focus was on the Senate, said Ramon Casiple, head of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reform.

“The implication of a Senate that is his ally is that he will have the needed support for his policies and programs,” Casiple said. “Definitely he will not be a lame duck for the next three years because of that, much more if he maintains his popularity. This means they will be more in a position to contest the 2016 presidential elections on a more stable foundation.”

Candidates backed by Aquino ran against a coalition headed by VicePresident Jejomar Binay and deposed President Joseph Estrada. Although officially No. 2 in the country, Binay has emerged as the administration’s rival and may be positioning himself for the 2016 race.

Among 33 senatorial candidates were

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two of Aquino’s relatives, Binay’s neophyte daughter, Estrada’s son, a son of the sitting chamber president, a son of a late president, a spouse and children of former senators and there’s a possibility that two pairs of siblings will be sitting in the same house. Currently, 15 senators have relatives serving in elective positions.

The race for the House was even more of a family affair. Toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos’ widow was expected to keep her seat as a representative for Ilocos Norte province, her husband’s birthplace, where the locals kept electing the Marcoses despite allegations of corruption and abuse during their long rule. Imelda Marcos’ daughter Imee was seeking re-election as governor and her son, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., is already a senator.

Incumbent Rep. Pacquiao ran unopposed and is trying to build a dynasty of his own: His brother Rogelio was seeking to represent his southern district and his wife, Jinkee, was vying to become vice-governor for Sarangani province.

Estrada, who was ousted in a 2001 “people power” revolt on corruption allegations, ran for mayor of Manila, hoping to capitalize on his movie star popularity, particularly among the poor.

School counsellor Evelyn Dioquino said that the proliferation of political dynasties was a cultural issue and other candidates stood little chance because clans “have money, so they are the only ones who can afford (to run). Of course, if you have no logistics, you can’t run for office.”

Ana Maria Tabunda of independent pollster Pulse Asia said that dynasties restrict democracy, but added that past surveys by her organization have shown that most Filipinos are less concerned about the issue than with the benefits and patronage they can receive from particular candidates. Voters also often pick candidates with the most familiar surnames instead of those with the best records, she said.

“It’s name recall, like a brand. They go by that,” she said. ■

Associated Press writers Oliver Teves and Jim Gomez contributed to this report

Opinion

FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013 16

THERE’S THE RUB

The wasted vote

By Conrado De Quiros Philippine Daily Inquirer I’VE WRITTEN about this in elections past, but it bears saying again (and again). That’s the idea of the “wasted vote.”

The idea is implicit in the surveys, though it has been openly articulated by some of the candidates. The wise vote, the idea goes, is the one that goes to those who are likely to win. How do we know that they are likely to win?

Because they appear consistently in the surveys. They’re the ones occupying the higher rungs of the ladder. The only gray area where you may take a chance and still remain wise is, in the case of the senatorial candidates, the ones from 10 to 12. You can vote for anyone of them and if they win, fine, if they don’t, well, ganyan lang talaga ang buhay, win some, lose some.

Not voting this way is just wasting your vote. You vote for someone you think will do well by this country but is way down there in the surveys and you waste your vote. You vote for someone you trust but who seems to have little chance of becoming senator or congressman or mayor, and you waste your vote. Is that wise? No. That’s stupid. In fact, the opposite is true. In every respect. To begin with,

the equation in elections is simple: You vote for a candidate, he wins; you do not vote for a candidate, he loses.

At the end of the day, surveys are not counted, votes are. Arguably, surveys do contain a grain of truth in them, but only a grain. There is no finality to it, there is no inevitability to it.

The respondents can always change their minds. You can always change your mind. You can always change the world. The longest journey begins with the first step. The most impossible victory begins with the first vote.

What is the wise vote? It is the vote you give that is true to the vote.

It is the recognition of what a vote is.

It is the appreciation of what a vote can do. The vote is the awesome power you have in your hands to change things.

The vote is the boundless power you have in your hands to shape things. It does not exist outside of you, it is not a power that someone holds over you, it is not like a storm or an earthquake or a force of nature you cannot control.

You own it, you control it, you wield it. The only thing worse than being powerless, as I keep saying, is having the power and not knowing you do.

The result of an election is not, like fate or destiny, something that is foreordained, that will happen whatever you do, that is a tragedy

driving inexorably to its end. It is a story that is yours to tell, it is a story that is yours to end. You vote for a candidate, he wins; you do not, he does not.

What is the wasted vote? It is the vote you give the frontrunners simply because they are the frontrunners. Or so the surveys tell you. It is the vote you do not give to Jun Magsaysay and Risa Hontiveros because they are number 13 or thereabouts and they could lose, sayang lang. It is the vote

You vote for someone you trust but who seems to have little chance of becoming senator or congressman or mayor, and you waste your vote. Is that wise? you do not give Teddy Casiño because he is somewhere out there, too far off to be glimpsed, he probably won’t make the bus, sayang lang. It is the vote you do not give the Kapatiran candidates and Eddie Villanueva and Edward Hagedorn and Dick Gordon and everybody else you think should be there but think won’t be there, sayang lang.

That is the truly wasteful thing. In fact, sayang lang, bumoto ka pa.

What is the wise vote? It is the vote that you give that is true to the nation.

It is voting for someone who has a record of being reasonable and honest, has the courage of his convictions, has a vision for the country and can offer a way to get there. However he is reviled for being deluded, however he is laughed at for daring to move mountains. He may lose in the elections, and the country may lose by his losing in the elections, but the country gains by your voting for him.

It is a vote born of conscience, it is a vote born of principle, it is a vote given freely. The nation is all the better for it, the nation is at least none the worse for it.

Which is what the wasted vote is— the nation is all the worse for it. It is the vote you give a known crook, a known cheat, a known murderer, simply because you think they are likely to win. It is the vote you give someone simply because he or she has been in the Senate before notwithstanding all that he or she did was to make you poorer, to make life more miserable for you. It is the vote you give someone simply because he or she is related to someone even if all that someone did was to rob you and laugh in your face when you complained.

That is the wasted vote, the vote you

give someone you know will oppress you and complain about afterward for oppressing you. It is the vote you give someone you do not trust, you do not believe in, only to complain afterward that congressmen are corrupt, senators are devious, governors and mayors practice dynastic politics and patronage politics and pa- pogi politics. That’s not just the wasted vote, that is the masochistic vote.

What is the wise vote? It is the vote that you give that is true to yourself.

Like an impeachment trial, an election doesn’t just open candidates to judgment, it opens voters to judgment. It isn’t just the candidates who are on trial, you are too. An election is a test of character, a test of mettle. You vote for someone because you believe in him, and no matter what the outcome is he wins, the nation wins, you win.

What is the wasted vote? It is the vote you give someone because you think everybody else is voting for him, you don’t want to be laughed at, you don’t want to be the odd-man out, you don’t want to be thought of as stupid.

Which is exactly what that makes you.

Which is exactly what you are. You vote that way, the deserving candidate loses, the nation loses, you lose. Today is Election Day. Don’t waste your vote.

households in any given community.

They give money basically to affirm a household’s relationship to the patron, and not so much to buy its votes.

In view of this, candidates running for national office have little choice but to negotiate with local politicians to have their names included in the sample ballots farmed out on voting day. This costs some money, but more than the cash, it is political influence at the top that is avidly sought here.

This is how people with absolutely no qualifications get appointed to government positions. One can only imagine how much local influence is being tapped and tacitly pledged in exchange for future favors when the Vice President, the leading presidential contender in 2016, goes around aggressively pushing for the incredible candidacy of his daughter.

In the modern world, the simplification of political choices is performed for society by the political parties. It is the basic function of these specialized organizations to aggregate a wide range of social interests and integrate these into coherent programs of government. On the basis of these programs, parties recruit and prescreen the candidates they offer to the electorate. Thus, one votes not so much for a person as for a party

program. So vital is this function to society that most governments give subsidies to political parties so they can do their work properly.

Because we live in a society that is far from modern, electoral choice has little to do with political programs.

The absence of platformbased parties compels the electorate to focus almost wholly on candidates’ personal qualities. In this terrain, it is the familiar names and those who have the money and the political network that have the advantage. Ironically, we tend to be more demanding with the newcomers. We think that, if they are to be the alternative, they should be brilliant, well-informed, and pure.

One of my friends told me the other day that she might opt to skip voting altogether. Her strict standards had left her with no names worth considering.

Not even Risa Hontiveros? I asked.

Unlike in 2010, she said, she no longer felt enthusiastic about voting for Risa.

Her reservations had nothing to do with the social causes Risa champions.

But I could sense the frustration in her comment. This is what I told her: We have to build with every vote; we do not vote only when we have the perfect candidates. *** public.lives@gmail.com

PUBLIC LIVES

Build with every vote

By Randy David Philippine Daily Inquirer ELECTING PUBLIC officials is the most important act of any citizen in any democracy. Here we choose people who will have the power to make decisions that bind all of us. If we try to do it rationally, we will find that it is also one of the most complex things we can do in life.

At the minimum, voting rationally entails: (1) knowing the issues that matter to the nation at this time, (2) drawing a set of clear criteria based on these issues, and (3) assessing all the candidates on these criteria. This is not an easy task, and it is natural to look for a system that will simplify it.

Voting rationally means being able to reflect critically on the criteria we use and the electoral choices that result from them.

Recently, the diocese of Bacolod came under fire for urging Catholics to reject candidates who supported the reproductive health bill and to choose only those who voted against it. Critics believe, and I agree, that this is an oversimplification that unjustly leaves out of account the record of candidates on many other relevant issues. I would be more interested to know whether a candidate’s vote on the RH bill grew

out of a principled and well-reasoned conviction, and was not merely an opportunistic move.

The same applies to those who would instantly eliminate candidates by virtue of their affiliation to political families. Indeed, there are variations of this criterion. INQUIRER columnist Winnie Monsod, for example, draws a restrictive line on political dynasties.

She would only reject candidates who are spouses, parents or grandparents, children or grandchildren, and siblings of current public officials.

I am sympathetic to the antidynasty cause, but I amopen to the idea of voting for someone who might fail this criterion but demonstrates exceptional leadership on other issues.

At the same time, I do not fault those who feel so strongly about this issue that they would set it as the bottom line in assessing the suitability of candidates for public office. The American intervention in Vietnam and Iraq at one time dominated the elections in the United States so much that voters were prompted to cast their ballots on the basis of this single issue.

What is crucial, I think, is two things: one, that we can explain to others why we shouldn’t compromise on a crucial issue; and two, that we are open to taking a second look at our choices if

only to see that they are not unduly impoverished by this criterion.

In truth, these are concerns that trouble basically the middle class and the educated. For the rest of our people, I’m afraid it is the culture of patronage that dictates the choices they make on Election Day. They vote largely in expectation of the accessibility promised by ties of ethnicity, kinship, and other personal connections. Objectionable as this

What is crucial, I think, is two things: one, that we can explain to others why we shouldn’t compromise on a crucial issue; and two, that we are open to taking a second look at our choices. may be, it is a perfectly rational way of simplifying electoral choice in a society with sharp inequalities in wealth, power, and privilege.

Traditional political clans know this culture only too well. Apart from the cash and assorted goods dispensed on voting day, it is the norm of reciprocity activated by agents of this system that carries the greatest weight. These political workers have a way of determining the loyalties of

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Opinion

17 FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013

AS I SEE IT

Don’t sell your vote, Big Brother is watching

By Neal H. Cruz Philippine Daily Inquirer IT’S E Day, the second most important day for Filipinos, next to Christmas.

So go out and vote. It’s not only your right, it’s also your duty.

But don’t vote for just anybody. Choose your candidates well. Choose those with good moral character, with good sensible platforms, and who are well-educated.

Prefer those who favor the abolition of the pork barrel, because that means they recognize that the pork barrel is a waste of the people’s money and is a root of corruption. Also, prefer those who are not members of political dynasties. Dynasties are very bad for us. Choose those who are running against dynasties.

And don’t sell your vote. You can go to jail for not less than two years if you are caught. Remember, anybody with a cell phone can take a picture of you—which can be used as evidence in a court trial— receiving money or goods. And you can be sure that opposing candidates will have supporters surreptitiously taking pictures of their rivals’ workers handing out envelopes with money or bags of rice or groceries. And you may be paid with counterfeit money, of which there is plenty circulating.

All right, so you desperately need money and groceries to feed your hungry family.

So go ahead and accept them (and run the risk of being caught and prosecuted) but don’t vote for the candidate who tried to bribe you. That means he is not of good moral character. He intends to steal our money once he is elected. How else would he get back his enormous expenses to get himself elected? He does not deserve your sacred vote.

If you resist the temptation to accept money for your vote, you will be rewarded with that rare feeling of pride and well-being for being an upright and responsible citizen. And you can sleep peacefully at night.

The easiest fund to steal from is the pork barrel, deodorized as the Priority Development Assistance Fund. This is the fund supposed to be spent for the projects of legislators, such as roads, textbooks, scholarships, barangay halls, basketball courts, health centers, schools, etc. But the money does not all go to these projects. Half of it is stolen by the legislators, public works engineers, treasurers and cashiers, contractors and other greedy people.

And that’s your money they’re stealing.

In the INQUIRER, the separate stands of all the senatorial candidates on the issue of pork barrel were reported. The following candidates are for the abolition of the pork barrel: Casiño, Cojuangco, De los Reyes,

Falcone, Hontiveros, Llasos, Maceda, Madrigal, Montaño, Penson, Señeres, and Villanueva. That should guide you whom to bless with your vote today. *** The rampant vote-buying on the eve of the elections shows why the money ban by the Commission on Elections is necessary. It is one way of preventing vote-buying. The Comelec order—shot down by the Supreme Court—bans cash withdrawals from banks in excess

Cheating will continue through massive vote-buying as we are witnessing now. The bankers and businessmen should have opted for clean elections instead of thinking only of themselves. of P100,000 and P500,000 for regular business transactions immediately before the elections. That is to prevent politicians from having at their disposal large amounts of cash with which to buy votes.

We have laws against vote-buying and vote-selling, but because the practice is done surreptitiously, it is difficult to catch the buying and selling of votes, and the cheating

and corruption continues. Because the voting and counting are now automated, politicians can no longer cheat the old way: that is by altering the vote tabulations. So what is left to them is massive and callous vote-buying.

The Comelec’s solution is the money ban. If the politicians have no cash on hand, then they cannot buy votes.

But the banks, thinking only of themselves, look at it as a curtailment of their banking rights. Businessmen see it as a hindrance to doing business.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the Supreme Court agreed with them and stopped the implementation of the order.

So cheating will continue through massive vote-buying as we are witnessing now. The bankers and businessmen should have opted for clean elections instead of thinking only of themselves. In the first place, most big business transactions are done with the use of checks, not with cash.

So regular business can go on even with the money ban.

One instance where large amounts of cash would be needed is for payrolls.

But payday is already over and the next one would be two days after elections, and by then the money ban would have been lifted. For those paying on a weekly basis, the amount of cash needed rarely goes beyond P500,000.

And even for those who would not be paid in full, relief would be only a few days away. Surely, they can afford the sacrifice to prevent cheating.

The high court should have seen the logic of the Comelec money ban. The justices could have acted like responsible statesmen by not meddling for a couple of days. After all, the responsibility of ensuring clean elections is with the Comelec. It is the expert and authority on election matters, not the Supreme Court. *** After the stress and excitement of the elections, you deserve to relax and de-stress. Do that by listening to sweet, relaxing music at the Tap Room of the Manila Hotel the day after tomorrow— May 15. That newest singing sensation, Margaux Salcedo, will sing sentimental favorites, old and new, popularized by the world’s best-known singers, from Frank Sinatra and Doris Day to the contemporary singers in the Broadway musicals.

If you are a winner in the elections, what better way to celebrate and be happy other than by listening to Margaux sing. If you are a loser, what better way to relax and nurse your wounds, to forget your hurt and disappointment other than by listening to sweet relaxing music. Music is a soothing balm to troubled souls.

Margaux’s show starts at 9.30 p.m.

AT LARGE

Teammates and champions

By Rina Jimenez-David Philippine Daily Inquirer “IT’S LIKE being captain ball of a team,” said Sen. Pia Cayetano of her role as an endorser of candidates for tomorrow’s polls. “When you choose your possible teammates, you choose the most capable, most qualified and proven people to join your team. You choose the best.”

Which is why, in a press con last Friday, Cayetano joined another senator, the outspoken and feisty Miriam Defensor-Santiago, in making public their endorsement of senatorial candidate Risa Hontiveros.

“Other candidates have approached me and asked for my endorsement,” announced Santiago. “But my priority is to give support to Risa.”

That the two women senators would stand by Risa and raise her arms to signify their support for her candidacy may be understandable, because Cayetano was the main sponsor in the Senate, and Santiago the author, of the reproductive health bill, which Risa advocated and campaigned for even after she had left the House of Representatives.

In fact, critics and anti-RH activists seemed to have zeroed in on Risa in the runup to tomorrow’s elections.

“Why engage in the politics of

hatred?” Santiago wanted to know.

For her part, Hontiveros bemoaned what she called the “matinding pagkamuhi” (extreme dislike, to put it mildly) of some groups, who have expressed their feelings for (or against) her in leaflets, text messages, posters and even Sunday homilies and pastoral letters. But, she added, she was confident that in her campaign, platform and advocacy, she was “going in the right direction and right in my choice of allies.”

To this Cayetano added that Risa need not fret too much. “A lot of members of the Catholic clergy are also praying for us,” she assured her “adopted” sister. *** RISA says that should she be favored with a seat in the Senate, her other priorities will include the formulation of an “anticorruption index” that will “track the record of each department” in fighting this scourge of governance. Women’s health is not her only focus. With the RH Law in place, Risa says the next phase of advocacy for her is “universal health care,” with one goal being “a doctor in every barangay.” More broadly, says Risa, she is all for tapping the “social potential of every woman,” whose gifts for entrepreneurship and industry need to be encouraged to address the country’s poverty. Also

a focus in this respect, Risa adds, is social protection for solo mothers, since she is herself a widow.

Aside from joining the Senate, Risa can also very well occupy a Cabinet post, suggested Santiago. Risa thanked the senator for this other endorsement, but demurred by stating that for now, she is devoting all her attention and energy on her run for the Senate.

With a little help from her friends, including two sitting senators, Risa

If you can’t conduct due diligence for all the candidates, you might as well rely on those whose opinions and views you trust, or who have no agenda to sell. may yet overcome the barriers put up by her relative lack of visibility and a “recognizable” surname. Here’s hoping the “new politics” of what Risa calls the “three Ps”—(money), (political advertisements) and political clan—will be overcome by “the revenge of ordinary citizens,” who will power her into a much-deserved place in the Senate. *** I KNOW I’ve preached more than once in this space, especially as the

www.canadianinquirer.net

countdown to tomorrow’s balloting nears, on the need for voters to study the candidates carefully, and use their own standards for integrity, eligibility and track record to make up their own list of people to vote for.

But sometimes, one can’t always practice what one preaches.

My work requires me to scrutinize each and every candidate on the national level, to follow their every appearance and utterance in debates, interviews, and promotional materials. But at the local level, the exchange between candidate and voter takes on a more personal aspect. Still, residing as we do on the very edge of “lower Antipolo,” and in a gated community at that, my family and most of my neighbors, I suppose, only fleetingly know of the individuals begging for our support and our votes.

What I know of the candidates for local positions I glean from their posters as I pass by, and flyers that their supporters distribute door to door.

This year, though, the information has been particularly sparse. I suppose candidates and their machineries believe that their budgets are better served courting voters in the teeming informal-settler communities and residents in the city center, than going after picky suburban homeowners.

I have a source of voter information,

though. These are my two house helpers, our kasambahay who have been with us for over a decade and who live in the communities on the hillsides of Antipolo. In fact, one of them has even signed on as a campaign worker for one mayoralty candidate, paying her a substantial sideline income, even as she whispers that she will probably vote for that candidate’s opponent. *** ANYWAY, while compiling our (cheat sheets) for Monday’s exercise, I asked our cook who we should vote for at the local level, since she is much more acquainted with the candidates than we are.

“Oh, don’t vote for candidate A and candidate B,” she said, explaining that the two are “drunkards.” In fact, she said, her children dislike one candidate for councilor in particular because “he has our roads closed to the public whenever he hosts a drinking session.”

We put an “x” beside the names she mentioned, while we talked about the candidates she favors. If you can’t conduct due diligence for all the candidates, you might as well rely on those whose opinions and views you trust, or who have no agenda to sell.

Thus are voter preferences made!

Philippine News

FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013 18

UNA urges voters: Let’s keep Senate independent

BY LEILA B. SALAVERRIA AND CATHY YAMSUAN Philippine Daily Inquirer A POPULAR President may think he’s doing everything right, which is why it’s important that there’s an opposition, even a “constructive” one, that will tell him when things are going wrong, according to the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).

Amid President Aquino’s consistent push for a 12-0 win for his senatorial slate, candidates of the rival UNA said the independence of the Senate was at stake should the legislature be filled with his allies.

A sincere scrutiny of the budget, genuine efforts to resolve the power supply problem in Mindanao and a frank assessment of antipoverty programs are among the functions that a truly independent Senate should perform, making the presence of some sort of opposition important, several UNA senatorial candidates said.

UNA has avoided going all out against the Aquino administration and has been calling itself the “constructive opposition.” Its leaders said this meant that UNA would give praise when it was due and criticism when it was warranted.

“If [the Senate] would be filled with the President’s allies, they may not point out the wrong that’s being done,” former Sen. Ernesto Maceda, an UNA senatorial candidate, said in a phone interview.

At the “miting de avance” in Quezon City on Friday night, the President called on voters to deliver a 12-0 victory for the administration’s senatorial candidates.

A stalwart of Team PNoy said the coalition was expecting a best-case scenario in which Nancy Binay of UNA would be the lone nonadministration senatorial candidate who would make it to the Top 12.

“Right now, Nancy is sure of entering the Top 12 but the rest (of UNA) are reachable,” the Team PNoy source, who asked not to be named, said in a phone interview with the INQUIRER. Nancy is the eldest daughter of Vice President Jejomar

PHOTO BY RICHARD GRIMALDO

Binay. Critics have questioned her senatorial run despite her good showing in surveys, saying that she has no experience in public service and that she is only banking on her political pedigree given her father’s popularity.

In a separate interview, Sen. Serge Osmeña, a known strategist for some Team PNoy senatorial candidates, predicted a “10-2 at best and 8-4 at worst” in favor of Team PNoy. (See “I believe the experienced pollsters have conducted accurate surveys. Given a handful of percentage points, plus or minus which may be attributed to voters changing their minds and/or the undecided voters making up their minds, the results should reflect the people’s support of President Pinoy’s policies, programs and antigraft campaign,” Osmeña said in a solicited text message.

Not beholden to P-Noy

Maceda said the President’s popularity may make him think that all his actions were good or correct, even when it was not the case.

That’s why it’s vital that there be senators not beholden to him, and who would speak up about mistakes made, the senatorial candidate added.

For instance, Maceda cited Mr. Aquino’s appointment of election commissioners with questionable qualifications. “[The President] is not very careful in the case of his appointees,” he said. “Because he’s popular, he feels he can make any appointment he wants.”

One of the President’s appointees to the Commission on Elections (Comelec), former Lanao del Norte Rep. Macabangkit Lanto, was unseated from the legislature for electoral fraud.

After critics, including UNA, raised a hue and cry over the appointee’s background, the latter declined the post, allowing Malacañang to name a new Comelec commissioner.

Maceda also said it was the Senate’s role to keep a close watch on the budget proposal from Malacañang, especially since the House of Representatives is traditionally controlled by the Palace.

Lack of uproar

Juan Miguel Zubiri said there hadn’t been enough outrage from those on the President’s team over the continued lack of electricity in Mindanao.

“If that was a problem in Thailand, Indonesia, or Malaysia, they would have asked for the head of the state leader. But it seems we just allow it to slide, basically,” Zubiri said over the phone.

Another matter where the lack of uproar could be noted was the release of government figures showing government failure to reduce poverty incidence despite multibillion antipoverty programs championed by the administration.

“If that happened to the previous administration, they would be the first one to shout it out. But they’ve been quite silent about it,” Zubiri said.

Media outlets

It doesn’t help, according

www.canadianinquirer.net

to Zubiri, that some media outlets are apparently acting as mouthpieces of the administration and not highlighting the country’s problems.

Sen. Gregorio Honasan, for his part, said that however many UNA or Team PNoy candidates make it to the Senate, all elected legislators must remember their duty to uphold the principle of checks and balances.

“Whoever we elect to the Senate, it doesn’t matter to me anymore whether they’re Team PNoy or UNA. The issue confronting the Senate after May 13 is to go beyond partisan politics,” Honasan told the INQUIRER. “I’ve been saying all the while, consistently, that our real enemies are poverty, social injustice, homelessness and unemployment,” he added.

UNA campaign manager Toby Tiangco said the alliance’s campaign message was that the lives of the people would improve with the opposition group. This means that all Filipinos will get to benefit from the improvements of the economy.

He said the independence of the Senate was not really among the main issues of UNA. This only cropped up because of Team PNoy’ campaign manager Sen. Franklin Drilon’s push for a 12-0 victory and of reports that the latter was seeking the Senate presidency, Tiangco said.

11-1 possible

Asked to elaborate on the statement that Nancy was a shoo-in to make it to the winning circle, the Team PNoy source said: “If we talk about an 11-1 outcome (in favor of the administration coalition), we are not discounting that possibility … . Nancy is hard to [dislodge] but the 11-1 is a goal that is within the realm of possibility.”

The source said Team PNoy was still optimistic that at least two of its three Senate candidates who have failed to land in the winning circle— Ramon Magsaysay Jr. and Risa Hontiveros—could still make it to the Top 12.

The two candidates’ entry into the Top 12, however, would also mean the displacement

of two UNA candidates— Jack Enrile and JV EjercitoEstrada—who have consistently landed within the Top 12 in surveys.

The last preelection survey on voters’ preferred senatorial candidates, released by Social Weather Stations and dated May 8, showed Binay in third to fourth places; Ejercito-Estrada in sixth to seventh places; Honasan in 12th place; Enrile in 13th place; Magsaysay, in 14th to 15th places; and Hontiveros in 16th place.

The third Team PNoy candidate, who lagged in surveys, former Sen. Jamby Madrigal was at No. 18.

In the latest Pulse Asia survey dated April 30, Binay and Ejercito-Estrada in fifth to 11th places; Enrile and Honasan in 11th to 16th places; Magsaysay and Hontiveros in 12th to 17th places; and Madrigal in 17th to 18th places.

The source said that given the “consistent result” of a 9-3 outcome favoring Team PNoy candidates in the preference surveys, “it means Jun Magsaysay has a very good chance (of entering the Top 12), even Risa. Only that Nancy is difficult to catch up with.”

“We are confident of getting the majority (of the Senate slots). It is an expectation being entertained. The trajectory of Jun Magsaysay is on the upswing based on recent surveys. We have worked hard.

Even 10-2 is a fighting target,” the source added.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan, vice president for external affairs of the Liberal Party, also expressed confidence that the administration candidates would dominate the Senate race.

“By and large, it is a combination of the popularity of the individual candidates in their own right, as well as the popularity of the President.

That explains why Team PNoy candidates (would) dominate the Top 12 slots,” Pangilinan said.

Magsaysay sounded most optimistic. “We look at 12 wins!

True! People want to speed up the reforms for a better, graftfree administration. A sweep is an affirmation that the President is on the right path,” he said in a separate text message. ■

Canada News

FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013

Federal Court to test expedited hearings for some visa rejection reviews

BY COLIN PERKEL The Canadian Press TORONTO—Some rejected visa applicants may soon have much quicker access to a judge's ruling under a fast-track project launched

by Federal Court.

The aim is to see whether applicants for a judicial review can get their cases decided in a fraction of the time it now takes.

The initial target group are those denied visas related to family sponsorships, work, study or visiting with cases before the court in Toronto.

“There's been a real uptick in immigration files before the court,” said Federal Court spokeswoman Roula Etrides. “There's a backlog of

NEWS BRIEFS

ABOUT 200 PEOPLE FLEE AS FIRES PROMPT EVACUATIONS NORDEGG, Alta.—About 200 people from two communities in the foothills of west-central Alberta have been forced from their homes by forest fires. Emergency evacuations were ordered late Sunday afternoon for Nordegg and Lodgepole as high winds drove flames towards the hamlets.

ANTI-BULLYING PANEL OUTLINES SCOPE OF REVIEW

hearings.”

Unlike refugee applicants or those already in Canada who may see benefit in drawing out judicial proceedings, the target group would

likely prefer quick decisions, Etrides said.

An analysis of the backlog revealed ❱❱ PAGE 20 Federal Court

Juan TV Inc. to launch its own Filipino television show in Canada RICHMOND, BC May 14, 2013 – Juan TV Inc., a newly formed Canadian television service, is pleased to announce that it will soon be launching its own television channel to be known as JuanTV - a Filipino channel targeting not only Filipino-Canadians and Filipino expatriates. The channel will showcase programming contents produced in-house as well as original production from the Philippines. Programs will include local Canadian news, Philippine

19

news, interviews /commentaries, concerts/variety shows, movies, Filipino mini- series or “teleseryes” and music.

JuanTV will initially be available via IPTV (Internet protocol television) for subscription and viewing on various devices such as Smart TV, desktop computers, laptops, tablets and smart phones, including traditional television “anytime, any device, anywhere-ondemand” as long as the viewer has internet access of 1M and up.

As well, JuanTV plans to apply for broadcasting license to operate a category B digital specialty or pay television programs.

Executive Vice-President, Socorro Newland says, “it is my pride and joy as Filipino- Canadian to be a part of this milestone. And that is, offering Canada’s major Filipino television channel, which is the first to broadcast daily news both in Tagalog and English, ❱❱ PAGE 21 Juan TV

HALIFAX—A review into the Halifax Regional School Board’s handling of the Rehtaeh Parsons case will explore 10 questions surrounding anti-bullying programs following the teenager’s death. In addition to looking at existing policies, procedures and training on cyberbullying, it will also determine whether they are adequate.

CONTROVERSIAL NEW PSYCHIATRY BIBLE TO BE RELEASED TORONTO—It took years of work and scores of experts. And, as would be expected, it’s already generated oodles of controversy, even before it was published. And now, the new bible of psychiatry, the DSM-5, is about to be unveiled. By Helen Branswell NDP WANTS SINGLE GAS REGULATOR IN NEW BRUNSWICK FREDERICTON—New Brunswick’s NDP leader says there needs to be a single regulator for the oil and natural gas industry in the province. Dominic Cardy says there are at least five different government departments and agencies that regulate various aspects of the industry.

Canada News

FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013 20

Federal Court... ❰❰ 19

Liberals defy... ❰❰ 1

Former Tory cabinet minister Stockwell Day said the election results show what the campaign team was seeing on the ground around the province.

“We were seeing wherever the premier went, people felt confidence,” he said.

The Liberals took back a seat in the Fraser Valley they lost in last year’s byelection and snatched a seat from longtime New Democrat Harry Lali in Fraser-Nicola, located in the Fraser Canyon.

The vote came after a month-long campaign that saw the Liberals play the part of underdog under Clark, who took over the party from Gordon Campbell more than two years ago.

The Liberals were derided by much of the province over its introduction of the harmonized sales tax and other scandals, including the criminal probe into the sale of BC Rail.

Opinion polls had consistently placed Clark’s main opponent, Dix, as a favourite to win. Dix ran a

populist campaign that urged voters it was time for a change, Dix handily won his riding, but Clark was in a battle for hers in Vancouver-Point Grey.

She spent much of the evening within a couple hundred votes of New Democrat David Eby, a prominent civil liberties lawyer who previously ran against her in a byelection in 2011.

Conservative Leader John Cummins, whose party was considered a major threat to the Liberals just a year ago, was soundly defeated in Langley, where Liberal cabinet minister Mary Polak held onto the seat.

Green Leader Jane Sterk lost her riding of Victoria-Beacon Hill to former NDP leader Carole James.

There were other surprises that emerged throughout the night.

John Van Dongen, a former Liberal who switched to the Conservatives and then became an Independent, lost in Abbotsford-South. The riding returned to the Liberals, with candidate Darryl Plecas, a criminology professor, projected to win by a large

margin.

In Chilliwack, Liberal John Martin defeated New Democrat Patti MacAhonic. Martin had run as a Conservative in last year’s Chilliwack-Hope byelection but later switched to the Liberals.

Vicki Huntington, a popular former Delta city councillor, was elected again in her riding of Delta-South as an Independent.

During the campaign, Clark attempted to frame the election as a vote on the economy, gambling that her predecessor’s economic record would be enough to convince voters to keep the Liberals in power.

Colin Hansen, a former Liberal cabinet minister who has been helping on the party’s campaign, said high turnout in advance polls will help his party once all the ballots are counted.

“The advance polls, of course, gets counted separately and typically aren’t announced until the end of the evening,” said Hansen said.

“So it could put a different spin on some ridings.” ■

some cases don't require reams of evidence and tend to be more straightforward legally. Those factors should allow for shorter hearings and quicker decisions.

“It would free up the court time, it would help with access to justice, and give these people a quicker hearing date,” Etrides said.

Michael Niren, an immigration lawyer in Toronto, called the test a “great idea” because even a successful appeal using the regular process may prove useless to an applicant given the time it takes.

“These cases need attention,” Niren said Monday. “This is a real fair initiative for applicants who are exercising their appeal rights.”

The plan is to have a case come before a judge within a maximum 60 days—currently the wait is about 200 days—and have a hearing that lasts a total of 45 minutes instead of taking several hours.

Lawyers or other advocates for applicants will get just 20 minutes to make their case. The respondent gets 20 minutes, and the applicant's reply gets another five minutes.

The judge's decision would be delivered as quickly as possible—possibly almost immediately.

“The court intends to make greater use of written endorsements and oral decisions than under existing practice,” Federal Court Chief Justice Paul Crampton said in announcing the pilot.

“The application judge retains full discretion to determine the manner in which the decision is rendered.”

Participation in the modest pilot, which is voluntary, does come with strings attached.

One string is that the court and government must both agree the approach is preferable to the regular process.

The applicant can apply for fast-tracking, but the judge deciding on whether to allow the applicant to appeal a decision can also recommend the approach.

The test project will only deal with cases scheduled to be heard in Toronto—the court's busiest location—but, if successful, could expand to other major centres or seek to include different kinds of cases.

The first cases under the streamlined system are expected to be heard in October. ■

ERRATUM In PCI’s issue dated May 10, 2013, the title should have been “First Filipino-Canadian Trading Cooperative in Vancouver.” Our apologies.

PHOTO BY DAVID FRANKLIN

www.canadianinquirer.net

World News

21 FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013

The future: For 3 rescued Cleveland women, a confusing ordeal of recovery begins now BYJESSE WASHINGTON The Associated Press YEAR after year, the clock ticked by and the calendar marched forward, carrying the three women further from the real world and pulling them deeper into an isolated nightmare.

Now, for the women freed from captivity inside a Cleveland house, the ordeal is not over.

Next comes recovery—from sexual abuse and their sudden, jarring re-entry into a world much different from the one they were snatched from a decade ago.

Therapists say that with extensive treatment and support, healing is likely for the women, who were 14, 16 and 21 when they were abducted. But it is often a long and difficult process.

“It’s sort of like coming out of a coma,” says Dr. Barbara Greenberg, a psychologist who specializes in treating abused teenagers. “It’s a very isolating and bewildering experience.”

In the world the women left behind, a gallon of gas cost about $1.80. Barack Obama was a state senator. Phones were barely taking pictures. Things did not “go viral.” There was no YouTube, no Facebook, no iPhone.

Emerging into the future is difficult enough. The two younger Cleveland women are doing it without the benefit of crucial formative years.

“Bytakingawaytheiradolescence, they weren’t able to develop emotional and psychological and social skills,” says Duane Bowers, who counsels traumatized families

through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

“They’re 10 years behind in these skills. Those need to be caught up before they can work on reintegrating into society,” he says.

That society can be terrifying.

As freed captive Georgina DeJesus arrived home from the hospital, watched by a media horde, she hid herself beneath a hooded sweatshirt. The freed Amanda Berry slipped into her home without being seen.

“They weren’t hiding from the press, from the cameras,” Bowers says. “They were hiding from the freedom, from the expansiveness.”

In the house owned by Ariel Castro, who is charged with kidnapping and raping the women, claustrophobic control ruled. Police say that Castro kept them chained in a basement and locked in upstairs rooms, that he fathered a child with one of them and that he starved and beat one captive into multiple miscarriages.

In all those years, they only set foot outside of the house twice— and then only as far as the garage.

“Something as simple as walking into a Target is going to be a major problem for them,” Bowers says.

Jessica Donohue-Dioh, who works with survivors of human trafficking as a social work instructor at Xavier University in Cincinnati, says the freedom to make decisions can be one of the hardest parts of recovery. “‘How should I respond? What do they really want from me?”‘ Donohue-Dioh says, describing a typical reaction. “They may feel they may not have a choice in

giving the right answer.”

That has been a challenge for Jaycee Dugard, who is now an advocate for trauma victims after surviving 18 years in captivity— “learning how to speak up, how to say what I want instead of finding out what everybody else wants,” Dugard told ABC News.

Like Berry, Dugard was impregnated by her captor and is now raising the two children. She still feels anger about her ordeal.

“But then on the other hand, I have two beautiful daughters that I can never be sorry about,” Dugard says.

Another step toward normalcy for the three women will be accepting something that seems obvious to the rest of the world: They have no reason to feel guilty.

“First of all, I’d make sure these young women know that nothing that happened to them is their fault,” Elizabeth Smart, who was kidnapped at age 14 and held in sexual captivity for nine months, told People magazine.

Donohue-Dioh says that even for people victimized by monstrous criminals, guilt is a common reaction. The Cleveland women told police they were snatched after accepting rides from Castro.

“They need to recognize that what happened as a result of that choice is not the rightful or due punishment. That’s really difficult sometimes,” DonohueDioh says.

Family support will be crucial, the therapists say. But what does family mean when one member has spent a decade trapped with strangers?

“The family has to be ready

JuanTV is set to launch its reach across Canada on or before fourth quarter this year. Customers can sign up on line at www.juantv.ca by June 8, 2013.

Founder Alan Yong also unveils that "Juan TV will be building its own studios as well as partnering with other key players in the industry.

Studio facilities will have a

combined size of 10,000 sq.ft plus and will house a stage and seating area for 180+ people for live studio viewers (seating capacity for more than 180 studio viewers) and there will be newsroom, changing rooms, several dance studios, recording studio and changing facilities.

As well, we have assembled a team of professionals with exceptional experience and skills in the television, radio and entertainment industry

Juan TV... ❰❰ 19

commentaries and current events. Our programming will include but not limited to news, entertainment, music/ variety shows, talk shows and other contents that are meant to target wider viewer demographics. We will be producing programs both here in Canada and in the Philippines.”

www.canadianinquirer.net

THE SUSPECT Former schoolbus driver Ariel Castro, 52, was arrested and charged with kidnapping and rape. He kept three women in sexual captivity in a padlocked Cleveland house for years. They were kidnapped when they were 14, 16, and 20 years old; Castro fathered a child, now 6, with one of the hostages.

to include a stranger into its sphere,” Bowers says. “Because if they try to reintegrate the 14-year-old girl who went missing, that’s not going to work. That 14-year-old girl doesn’t exist anymore. They have to accept this stranger as someone they don’t know.”

Natascha Kampusch, who was kidnapped in Austria at age 10 and spent eight years in captivity, has said that her 2006 reunion with her family was both euphoric and awkward.

“I had lived for too long in a nightmare, the psychological prison was still there and stood between me and my family,” Kampusch wrote in “3096 Days,” her account of the ordeal.

Kampusch, now 25, said in a German television interview that she was struggling to form normal relationships, partly because many people seem to shy away from her.

“What a lot of these people say is, ‘What’s more important than what happened is how people react,”‘ says Greenberg, the psychologist.

The world has reacted to the Cleveland women with an outpouring of sympathy and support. This reaction

will live on, amplified by the technologies that rose while the women were locked away.

Yet these women are more than the sum of their Wikipedia pages.

Dugard, Smart and other survivors often speak of not being defined by their tragedies - another challenge for the Cleveland survivors.

“A classmate will hear their name, or a co-worker, and will put them in this box: This is who you are and what happened to you,” Donohue-Dioh says. “Our job as society is to move beyond what they are and what they’ve experienced.”

“This isn’t who they are,” Dugard told People. “It is only what happened to them.”

Still, for the three Cleveland women, their journey forward will always include that horrifying lost decade.

“We can’t escape our past,” Donohue-Dioh says, “so how are we able to manage how much it influences our present and our future?” ■

both in the Philippines and Canada.”

commentaries, infomercials, travel shows, music/concert series, television shows and movies from the Philippines.

Its affiliates include Canada’s first and only nationwide Filipino-Canadian newspaper and daily news website with a readership of over 480,000 readers monthly – The Philippine Canadian Inquirer, a cooperation with Philippines’ largest circulating newspaper – the Philippine Daily Inquirer. ■

About Juan TV

Juan TV Inc. is a Canadian based Radio, Television and Talent Management Company focusing on the Filipino market in Canada.

Juan TV will be launching its own television channel known as JuanTV with programming coverage from local community News, Philippine News,

AP Researcher Judith Ausuebel and AP Writer Frank Jordans in Berlin contributed to this report.

Jesse Washington on Twitter: @jessewashington

Immigration

FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013 22

The Philippines: Canada’s top source of immigrants

BY KATHERINE MARFALTEVES Philippine Canadian Inquirer STATISTICS reveal that the Philippines is now Canada’s leading source of immigrants, gaining ground ahead of China and India.

Reports say that this is due to the growing population of Filipino caregivers in Canada.

Up to 90 per cent of the caring industries are composed of Filipinos.

Filipinos who settled in Canada for that proverbial “greener pasture” contribute up to 10% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which amounts to $1.5 billion every year.

The Philippine government coined the words “heroes of the nation” to honor all the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) around the globe, while academics named OFWs “servants of globalization” to highlight their role in the development of the nation’s economic standing.

First Filipinos

Many Filipinos have chosen to leave their jobs in the Philippines to work as domestic helpers in Canada in exchange

deemed one of the reasons why Filipinos don’t live all together in one neighborhood. Furthermore, caregivers—a large chunk of the Filipino-Canadian population— live dispersed throughout many homes across North America.

Education

PHOTO BY OMER SUKRU GOKSU

for the promise of a better life.

Incidences of professionals leaving their esteemed jobs in the Philippines to work as nannies and helpers for higher pay are common in Canada.

The first large group of Filipinos arrived in North America in the ‘60s. Among them: Aprodicio Laquian, who earned his PhD in the United States. He was hired to teach at the University of British Columbia.

Laquian conducted a research and found that roughly 85 per cent of this first wave held university degrees—many were educated professionals, like himself. The next group of Filipinos—immigrants in the early ‘80s—were largely livein caregivers and domestic workers with lower educational attainments.

The Catholic connection

There is no “Filipino town”

in Canada—but Filipinos are prevalent in many cities nonetheless.

There are over 1,000 ethnic associations of FilipinoCanadians. Then, there’s the Church: up to 85 per cent of Filipino immigrants are Catholic, according to reports. The religion becomes a rallying point, instrumental in unifying the Filipino-Canadian community.

Based on Laquian’s findings, the huge community networks are

BC HAPPY HOMES IMMIGRATION SERVICES

According to a study by Philip Kelly, a York University geographer, from the 5 per cent of caregivers with a university degree in 1993, it has now gone up to 63 per cent in 2009.

But “it looks like the story is not a happy one,” said Kelly of the statistical data. “Outcomes for Filipino youth are often quite poor, high levels of high school dropouts and low levels of university graduation.”

Based on the figures projected

by Kelly, 37 per cent of firstgeneration Filipinos in Toroto have a university degree. This figure dropped to 24 per cent in the second generation.

Still, after all that’s been said about the state and condition of their fellows in North America, many Filipinos continue to believe that Canada will give them and their families a better life. ■ With Reports from The Globe and the Mail and CICS Immigration Consulting.

Since 1992

Your Future is in

GOOD HANDS 604.584.1199 Cell: 604.209.4706

Family Class, Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trade, PNP,CEC, Student Visa, Visitor’s Visa, Super Visa, Care-giver Processing, Work permit, Temporary worker, Appeals for Refused Family Class Applicants, Regular trips to the Phil. etc.

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Immigration

23 FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013

PHL, Canada Push for Greater Economic Cooperation and People-to-People Ties May 9, 2013—The Philippines and Canada on May 06 reiterated their commitment to intensify cooperation, particularly in the areas of trade, education, security and people-topeople ties.

This commitment was reiterated by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary for Policy Evan Garcia and Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) Assistant Deputy Minister for Asia and Chief Trade Commissioner Peter McGovern who met on the sidelines of the twoday ASEAN-Canada Dialogue held in Toronto last May 6 and 7.

“I convey my government’s appreciation for the assistance provided

by Canada to promote the President’s development goals of inclusive growth, sustainable development and poverty alleviation,” Undersecretary Garcia said.

He thanked Assistant Deputy Minister McGovern for Canada’s humanitarian assistance to the victims of typhoon “Pablo” and for Canada’s development assistance, underscoring Canada’s contribution to the Mindanao Trust Fund.

The two officials met following the inaugural meeting of the PHL-Canada Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) held in Manila on February 05 this year and the successful visit of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to Manila in November last year.

Undersecretary Garcia briefed the Canadian delegation of the recent positive developments in the Philippine economy, including the recent two Philippine investment rating upgrades

by Fitch and Standard and Poor’s and the Philippines’ sustained and resilient economic growth performance.

News Release: Improving passport services for Canadians Ottawa, May 8, 2013—Plans to expand passport services and make them more convenient and efficient were announced today by Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney and Human Resources and Skills Development Minister Diane Finley.

Effective July 2, primary responsibility for Passport Canada will move from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). This sensible move is in line with the duties CIC already performs, such as determining Canadian citizenship.

Canadians will not experience an interruption of services. They will be able to continue accessing passport services through all of the same service locations currently available in Canada through the existing network of 144 Service Canada Centres, 56 Canada Post intake locations, and 34 passport offices across the country. Service Canada will assume responsibility for passport operations, and, over time, services will expand to more Service Canada Centres and Canadians will ultimately even be able to apply for a passport online.

“The government is committed

to making passport services more convenient and accessible for Canadians,” said Minister Kenney. “As Citizenship and Immigration Canada is already responsible for determining Canadian citizenship, integrating the passport program into the department makes good sense.”

“Through Service Canada, we offer single-window access to a wide range of Government of Canada programs and services for citizens,” said Minister Finley. “Leveraging Service Canada’s resources and service delivery network across the country will make passport services more accessible and convenient.”

Passport Canada’s IT system is nearing the end of its lifespan and significant investment will be required to bring it up to date whereas CIC’s current operating IT system has the capacity and security features for a move to online applications, and also offers Canadian taxpayers a sensible, cost-effective alternative.

It is important to note that Canadians who need consular services while travelling overseas, to replace a lost passport for example, will continue to be supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

ABOVE: (From left) Assistant Deputy Minister McGovern, DFA Office of American Affairs Executive Director Gina A. Jamoralin and Undersecretary Garcia.

RIGHT: Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary for Policy Evan Garcia (right) and Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) Assistant Deputy Minister for Asia and Chief Trade Commissioner Peter McGovern after their meeting on the sidelines of the two-day ASEAN-Canada Dialogue held in Toronto on 6 and 7 May 2013.

Undersecretary Garcia, in addition, provided an update on the arbitration process that the Philippines has undertaken on the issue of the West Philippine Sea, recognizing that Canada is also a valued partner in the Pacific.

The Undersecretary noted that the Philippines upholds the peaceful resolution of disputes, in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Undersecretary Garcia also briefed Canada on the steady support of human rights in the country, including the adoption of landmark legislation on human rights, the Philippines’ reelection to the United Nations Human Rights Council and the Philippine ratification of two important international human rights instruments in 2012.

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The two officials exchanged updates on cooperation projects in the areas of security , economic cooperation, agriculture, education, labor and people-to-people relations.

On labor cooperation, the two officials discussed Canada’s foreign credentials recognition system and the need to facilitate accreditation of credentials of Filipino skilled professionals.

The meeting agreed to hold a JCBC Inter-sessional meeting later this year to prepare for the JCBC in 2014.

Undersecretary Evan Garcia was accompanied during the meeting by DFA officials, including Philippine Consul General to Toronto Junever Mahilum-West, DFA Office of American Affairs (OAA) Executive Director Gina A. Jamoralin, DFA-OAA Director for Canada Elena Maningat and DFA Office of the Undersecretary for Policy Special Assistant Jesus Enrique Garcia. ■

Seen & Scenes

FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013 24

NABC MEDICAL MISSION Medical mission for children from 0 to 7 years old at Baranggay Tangub, Bacolod City.

CONGEN CUP The 1st ever ConGen’s Cup of the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver started on Saturday, May 11 in New Westminster, BC. Organized by the Philippines Cultural Pista Ng Bayan Society, the games will be continued to May 25 and 26. 11 Teams represented by Antique, Batangas, Camarines Sur, Quezon, Samar, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Marinduque, Zambales, Iloilo, and Saranggani are competing.

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Seen & Scenes

25 FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013

LORENZO LEDESMA Lorenzo Ledesma’s installation as Master Councillor of De Molay Beaver Chapter, May 4, 2013.

SAN LORENZO UNVEILING TORONTO, Ont.,San Lorenzo Ruiz Catholic Elementary School receives a statue of the iconic Filipino saint it is named after.

Carved from plaster, the saint is a gift to the school by the school council and its very own artist, Mogi Mogado, also one of the school’s trustees. The statue was adapted from the gigantic monument that dominates the San Lorenzo Park in front of the Binondo Cathedral in the Philippines.

Unlike the common, generic version that looks anything but Filipino, Mogado said he modeled it from a Filipino priest from the local St. Patrick’s Church, reflecting the lineage of San Lorenzo.

MISS PHILIPPINES CANADA 2013 Candidates for Miss Philippines Canada 2013, a pageant by the Philippine Canadian Charitable Foundation. Final judging and coronation of winners will be held during the Pinoy Fiesta and Trade Show at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on June 22, 2013. Left to right: Melissa Calanza, Kimberly Ann Dulay, Caitlin Pantaleon, Analyn Concepcion, Lourdes Calanza, Overall Pageants Chairman Rosemer Enverga, Rouzine Fe Dapat, Jurice Encarnacion, Meryl Rae Villacastin, Alannah Sagici, Michelle Angelique Veloso and Dawn Flora Angue. (Photo by Willy Santiago, St. Jamestown News Service)

A beauty from Leyte, Michelle Angelique Veloso is one of the candidates in the Miss Philippines Canada 2013. The pageant is an undertaking of the Philippine Canadian Charitable Foundation and final judging and coronation will be held during the Pinoy Fiesta and Trade Show at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on June 22, 2013. (PHOTO BY WILLIE SANTIAGO - St. Jamestown News Service, Dindo Orbeso)

SEN. ENVERGA Speaking at the Philippine Chamber of Commerce-Toronto (PCCT) Induction Ball and Dinner Gala in Toronto on Saturday, May 4, 2013, Sen. Enverga, Jr. urged the newly-inducted officers, directors, and the Filipino-Canadian business community to work in furtherance of an increased trade between the Philippines and Canada. The only FilipinoCanadian in the Senate and a Conservative, Enverga told everyone not to hesitate to reach his office for assistance on matters in pursuance of the objectives of the PCCT.

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Special Report

FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013 26

Are Filipino families... ❰❰ 46

make sure that it is sustainable and affordable. But like in any place in the world there are practical limits to our generosity," said Minister Kenney.

What happens now?

"If I reopen that program without a limit on the number of applications, you know what would happen. We would receive, I estimate, over 200,000 applications and then we'd end up with backlogs again, over a quarter of a million with 15-year wait times. That might be politically popular in the short term but it would be very irresponsible in the long term," said Minister Kenney.

"So after the first 5,000 completed applications are received when the program reopens in 2014, we will notify people that the quota is reached and will return applications [in excess of the quota].

"Then we'll invite those people to apply the next year and the good news is this—as

we get that backlog down, we'll be able to gradually increase the number of new applications that we receive."

Minister Kenney also announced that the super visa, launched in December 2011, has also become a permanent feature in Canadian Immigration. To date, about 16,000 super visas were issued.

"The approval rate has been 86%. It's actually 99% for those who meet the necessary income threshold and in most countries, the processing times for the super visa are less than 2 months. So if people don't get their applications in time for their parents, they can always use the super visa as an alternative, which is in fact more flexible," he said.

Striking the right balance

Minister Kenney, who probably has the toughest job in government says, "Everyone we deal with is a human being, they all have their own aspirations and dreams and frankly, many

Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney

of them want to bring as many of their families as possible. But as generous as Canada is, there are practical limits as to who we can accept and to how many we could accept."

He enthuses, "You've got to protect Canada, you've got to make sure our economy grows, you want to make sure that the newcomers we welcome

are younger and talented and will contribute, but you also want to be humanitarian and compassionate at the same time. There's no easy answers to having a balance but I guess I am just looking at each case and each policy on its own merits and you try to, frankly, pray for wisdom to know how to hit that balance. Not everyone will agree

PHOTO BY MICHAEL SWAN

with the way we do it. But I want them to understand that most Canadians are very welcoming, they just don't want to see their generosity abused. So I think what we're trying to say is we are open to those who really want to build and will contribute, but we are not open for those who want to abuse our generosity or break our rules." ■

 Sat, May 11 • 1:00-2:00 pm Do you want to learn how to make delicious and nutritious Indian vegetable rice, lentils and yogurt? Join us for a free demonstration. Drop in. In English.

Sat, May 25 • 11:00-2:00 pm View the artwork of Philippine artist Danvic Briones, learn about the Philippines’ traditional modes of transportation and participate in a collaborative community art piece. Drop in. In English.

Sun, May 26 • 1:30-4:00 pm Students and self learners of Chinese calligraphy and painting can get free advice from artists. Drop in. In English and Mandarin.

Brighouse Main Floor For more info call 604-231-6413 or go online www.yourlibrary.ca/whatson.cfm

Participation by Dimasalang III International Artists Show’s Feature Artist: Edgardo Lantin

www.canadianinquirer.net

27 FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013

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FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013

Holidays

28

WHERE TO GO, WHAT TO DO

Of Hearts and Art (and the Occasional Rat)

BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer IT’S undeniable: every person is born with the innate capacity to create. To illustrate, a child learns to finger paint and doodle before he or she is able to do much else. This seed of creativity is our link to The Creator, and a gift which is given to be nurtured and developed throughout life.

Sadly, this is often neglected as children leave their spontaneous, carefree, colorful world of childlike imagination behind, and are thrust into the generally mundane, predictable and drab world of adulthood.

Pablo Picasso skillfully paints this picture in this quote: “All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.”

In this fast-paced world of microwave technology, instant gratification, and ubercompetitiveness, "Bigger, better, faster, more, NOW!" seems to be the main priority.

It seems the human race is a few steps away from turning into fleshy humanoids, devoid of feeling, creativity and imagination. The once fertile mind and creative spark transform into a cold and calculated industrialized machine in order to survive what we have come to know as the Rat Race. Children are made to fit into this mold as early as possible, all too quickly learning the ropes of survival in the concrete jungle, programmed to function accordingly, forgetting the spark at the core of their very being.

Thankfully, there are those who still believe in the value

of the imagination. They are the vanguards of all things good, noble, true. They are the defenders of art, realizing that the very word comprises the core of each heART. Members of the Rat Race, beware. Creative Kids Studio in Alabang, in the south of Manila is committed to growing the spark of creativity in each and every child, kindling this into a lifetime fire of passion for art.

Throughout the year, these art avengers conduct classes for children from the ages of 2 to 15, to get them in touch with their inner artists. From Scribble Tots and Tykes, Doodle and Arty & Crafty Kids, to more advanced lessons in drawing, watercolor, painting, and illustration, the super fun and interesting classes are designed to fully engage children, thereby cultivating their unique, creative talents.

Summer classes culminate in one big exhibit, entitled “Meet the Masters,” a venue for participants to showcase the masterful works of their hands, hearts and imaginations, inspired by the great Masters of Art. Parents, friends, art enthusiasts, and the junior art masters themselves eagerly anticipate the annual event.

Multifaceted mission

Every Child is a Creative Kid. In a nutshell, this is the main mantra of Creative Kids Studio.

Flowing from the heart of this mission are many facets, each integral to the goal of harnessing and honing the creative gifts of the individual child. Creative Kids Studio aims to draw out these unique abilities and talents, thereby

giving each child an avenue of self-expression. This ability to express oneself is vital in developing a healthy selfimage, and in nurturing the positive growth of every child’s spirit, soul, and body.The end result is a child who is builtup in self, with a healthy view of his or her individuality; possessing the ability to solve problems and turn mistakes into masterpieces, firmly grasping their special place in humanity.

Part of this mission involves bringing art to underprivileged communities, and using art as a tool of therapeutic selfexpression to overcome life’s challenges. Recently concluded workshops (conducted in partnership with the Consuelo Zobel Foundation) with abused children in provinces throughout the Philippines culminated in a successful exhibit at the Ayala Museum in April 2013.

Multi-talented mind

Breathing life to the mission is the multi-talented mind and dynamic spirit of Ms. Bambi Manosa Tanjutco, founder of Creative Kids Studio. Bambi possesses more than just a solid background in the arts, which includes a Master’s Degree in Art Education and over 10 years of implementing successful creative programs. She has a heart fueled by a passion and compassion for producing creative, out-of-the-box thinkers. Bambi firmly believes that art has the ability to make children better, well-rounded people. “Art is one of those

things that we simply MUST do so our spirit may continue to grow,” she says. This passion has fueled countless workshops, art programs, an advocacy for Filipino cultural heritage, arts and crafts appreciation and training, and the birthing of the Creative Kids Studio.

Multimedia methods

At Creative Kids Studio, there is something for everyone from their toddler to teener years. Classes are designed to incorporate traditional and time-tested art techniques, utilizing non-traditional, unexpected and imaginative ways. Children are motivated to work independently, and explore the Masters of Art through fun and diverse methods including sculpting, pasting, painting, cutting, drawing, collage, and 3-D projects. Classes are facilitated by highly skilled and trained artist-teachers, each committed to imparting their talent and love for the arts. Year-round workshops are offered, with a variety of classes for different ages. Summer workshops culminate in one big exhibit, and seasonal workshops showcase themed masterpieces in smaller exhibits. Workshops generally include a day out on the field, exploring museums, exhibits and such. All programs are geared towards developing in each child a continuing desire and avenue for selfexpression through hands-on arts and crafts activities.

Memorable Milestones

The magic of Creative Kids

Studio does not end with workshops and classes, but extends to special events, such as birthdays and parties for each and every occasion.

From underwater fantasies of mermaids and sea creatures, to veritable wonderlands of whimsy and frolic, the special events team is on hand to make your every dream world come to life. Themed parties explode with creativity and color, and are packed with fun-filled games, arts and crafts. From start to finish, your special event is guaranteed to be a memorable milestone to be treasured for life.

Marvelous masterpieces

Through the years, Creative Kids Studio has had the pleasure and privilege of being a part of the child’s journey of self-expression and creative discovery. Each class, every workshop and activity yields marvelous masterpieces for all to enjoy. From pieces inspired by the Masters, like Picasso, Van Gogh and Monet, to pieces entirely their own, every piece stands testament that truly, every child IS a creative child.

The Creative Kids team, true to their passion and zeal for the heart of art proves to us all that there is hope for children to remain artists as adults.

Children need this to nurture their souls.

What of those of us adults already ensnared in the “Rat” Race? Where is our hope? We need to take a cue from the kids and rearrange a few of the “letters” of our lives to reclaim the “Art” Race within us. ■

29 FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013

Say Mabuhay to Filipino entertainment with Shaw.

Shaw Starter Bundle *

$69.90 Per month for the first six months $94.90 per month regular price

Sign up today and receive: • Personal TV • High Speed 10 • Home Phone Basic • Free Digital Box rental • Free WiFi modem rental

Plus, choose one of the following Filipino Theme Packs at 50% off for the first 6 months.

Filipino 2 Pack

$17* Per month

Filipino 3 Pack

$17* Per month

∆

$25* Per month

To order call 604 565 7445 or visit shaw.ca today.

*Offer subject to change without notice. Price shown does not include tax. Shaw TV service is required for the Filipino Theme Pack. A Digital Box is required to view programming. Channel availability www.canadianinquirer.net varies by market. Installation fees may apply, not to exceed $29.95. Equipment not purchased by you must be returned to Shaw if any of your services are cancelled. All Shaw services are subject to our Terms of Use located at www.shaw.ca. Other terms and conditions may apply. ∆ Available in select markets.

Holidays

Top Travel Websites and Blogs

BY KATHERINE MARFALTEVES Philippine Canadian Inquirer ANOTHER holiday has just begun—the hottest season of the year: summer!

Time again to plan another escapade. Have you already decided where to go?

In this digital age, you need not be confined to travel agents, guidebooks and brochures as your sole travel resources. You won’t need to sign up and pay for such services or materials; and, you won’t need to rely on obsolete information from the guestbook.

The Web is chock-full of travel websites and blogs. It can all be accessed with one click (ora couple). Imagine reading thousands of travel commentaries and reviews from a wide variety of writers and bloggers around the globe.

Where can you go wrong?

According to Peter Ward, cofounder of wayn.com (Where Are You Now), one of the biggest travel blogging sites, blogs are very appealing because of their openness. "You can communicate with the person who has written the blog. You can send a message to the person who has written it and ask them for more details. It brings an additional dimension to things."

In order to get reliable travel information, you should visit websites that are trusted by many, based from its Alexa Ranking, RSS subscribers, and popularity in the social networking scene.

To give you an idea which travel sites and blogs to visit and share with your friends, help yourself to this list, as ranked by online experts.

FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013 30

• Yahoo! Travel (www.travel.yahoo.com) Looking for affordable car rentals, hotels and flights? You will need reliable travel guides, articles, honest recommendations and great deals, and you can find all these from Yahoo!

Travel.

• Trip advisor (www.tripadvisor.com) With more than 10 million uncensored reviews, supported with photographs and videos of tours, restaurants and hotels, Trip Advisor is definitely your one-click travel companion.

Reviews come from people who share their unbiased opinions about their own experience to help you plan your next trip.

• Lonelyplanet (www.lonelyplanet.com) You’ll be inspired by comprehensive travel guidebooks, tips and destination information from one of the best travel websites around the globe. It will never be a lonely planet for you anymore.

• Expedia (www.expedia.com) Looking for great prices on your next trip?

Don’t worry, because you can plan it all with Expedia. Purchase airline tickets, make a hotel reservation, read reviews, and look for great deals on cruises.

• Virtual Tourist (www.virtualtourist.com) Looking for the most reliable insider travel reviews and tips on more than 72,000 (that’s right: 72,000) travel destinations? Virtual Tourist is the way to go.

• Travelocity (www.travelocity.com) This top travel website also offers cheap airline tickets, cruises, hotels, flights and car rentals. If you want to book at an affordable price, this is one of the sites to go to.

• Real Travel (www.realtravel.com) It serves as your free travel blog and trip planner. Have your trip planned by avid travelers and seasoned travel editors.

• Priceline (www.priceline.com) Are you searching for exclusive travel deals?

Priceline is one of the top websites to visit. Avail of great discounts on cruises and vacations, car rentals, hotels and flights.

• Kayak (www.kayak.com) Looking for the best deal in town? Kayak lets you compare hundreds of travel websites, allowing you to find the best travel deal for your convenience.

• Orbitz (www.orbitz.com) With its Price Assurance policy, travel security is definitely yours. You can book cheap travel deals, airline tickets, car rentals and hotel reservations.

Other top travel websites that can provide you with affordable prices and great travel deals include: • Hotels (www.hotels.com) • Hotwire (www.hotwire.com) • Booking (www.booking.com) • Cheap Tickets (www.cheaptickets.com)

PHOTOS FROM JUNOS, GETTY IMAGES

Aside from the above, there are also blogs that cater to your specific travel needs and preferences. Here are some of them: • Best city spots at gridskipper.com If you’re looking for city hotspots, gridskipper.com may just be the right choice for you. It’s updated five days a week by seasoned writers and editors. In here, you can easily find restaurants, hotels, and the best spots for a nightlife escapade for your picking. With its wonderful photography and useful maps, you will never be lost.

• Get connected at wayn.com “Where Are You Now” (wayn.com) is named as one of the biggest travel blogs in the world. It now has 14 million members in 193 countries. Through this blog, you can find and meet people from anywhere in the world, locate your friends, browse through various travel resources, and appreciate photographs.

• Celebrity travel gossip at hotelchatter.com For gossipers who want to be updated about the latest whereabouts of their favorite celebs. Avid travelers share photographs and videos of hotel rooms, featuring the unique experiences of various celebrities.

• Luxury travel at Aluxurytravelblog.com Do you have passion for luxury travel? Aluxurytravelblog.com provides comprehensive information about the most expensive travel luxuries. In this blog, you can also glean the whereabouts of the rich and the famous. Also, find out why the world’s most expensive dessert amounts to £7,160.

• Practical advice at travel-rants.com Traveling will always come with the unexpected, no matter how well you prepared for your trip. For practical advice about your delayed flight, canceled hotel reservation and other travel disturbances that you may meet along the way, you can always consult travel-rants.com.

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Holidays

31 FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013

5 Simple Ways to Be That Responsible Beach Bum

BY APRIL SESCON Philippine Canadian Inquirer IT’S that time of the year. Heads and headlights turn beachward. Everyone looks to the horizon where sea meets sky.

But remember, this summer: nothing should end up in the water but you when you take that dip—certainly not that used paper cup, or that candy wrapper, or the plastic sandwich bag from lunch.

Leave the beach as you’ve found it. Here are five (yes, only five) very, very simple ways to be a responsible bum at the beach.

BRING ONLY THE NECESSITIES The less you bring, the less bric-a-brac you’re likely to leave lying around, waiting for the turn of the millennia to decompose.

WASTE-FREE FOOD Food is a central part of any getaway. But food is also the source of most waste—candy wrappers, plastic cups; that crumpled-up can of Mountain Dew. Choose your menu wisely.

Pick items with less packaging that you’ll end up throwing away. Best yet: pack your food and beverages in Tupperwares, lunchboxes and other reusable containers and throw them all in a picnic basket or cooler. Open those bags of chips or packets of M&Ms and other snacks at home and pour ‘em in a Tupperware so you won’t have to deal with the disposable wrapper at the beach.

Bring a Coleman, thermos, or other water container instead of bottles (or—God forbid—sixpacks) of your drink of choice.

(If you DO bring bottles, make sure that you dispose of them [recycle them] properly, after.)

Pack your usual dinner utensils instead of plastic spoons and forks. No paper or plastic cups.

Use cloth napkins instead of paper ones.

PHOTOS BY MARCO MACCARINI, HELENA WAHLMAN

PACK IT BACK IN Bring an extra canvas bag, basket, or other container to put any disposables into. Don’t leave them out there lying on the beach—dispose properly at the recycling bins at your beach resort, or bring them home with you for later recycling.

USE ORGANIC SUNSCREEN Four common substances in your typical sunscreen kill coral reefs around the world.

The deadly four: parabens, cinnamate or octinoxate, benzophenone or oxybenzone, and 4-methylbenzylidene camphor. The chemicals cause a virus to activate and replicate in corals, turning them dead and white. Millions upon millions of the human populace who take a dip in the sea unwittingly add to the amount of these chemicals in the water due to the sunscreen they use. Opt for organic, ecofriendly brands or make your own at home. The Web has dozens of how-to’s on homemade sunscreen that use only zinc oxide, coconut oil, beeswax, and tea tree oil—things you can find at the nearest drug- or beauty store.

TAKE ONLY PICTURES As the saying goes: take nothing but pictures; leave nothing but footprints. Don’t steal that lovely shell or piece of coral from where it belongs. If the sign says “Stay Off the Sand Dune,” then stay off the sand dune, dude. Don’t disturb the local flora et fauna. Remember that you’re the visitor, and the beach is their home.

EXTRA TIP Smokers should know that cigarette butts are NOT biodegradable—they contain synthetic material that does NOT decompose. If you smoke, bring a portable ashtray or other container which you can dispose the butts into. www.canadianinquirer.net

ILLUSTRATION BY RUSSELL TATE

Tips Against Identity Theft YOU DON’T want your identity sailing off into the sunset, even if you plan to this summer. If you’re looking to take a cruise, keep these tips by Experian’s ProtectMyID (www. protectmyid.com) in mind as you say “bon voyage”: In Your Cabin

Your cabin offers a sense of privacy and security.

But remember that many employees on the ship have access to it too—maybe even ones that shouldn’t. While you’re out exploring the ship or ports, the best place for your valuables is inside your cabin’s safe. Lock away your passport, other identification and mobile devices, as well as extra credit cards and cash when you don’t need them with you. You’d be surprised at how little information a clever thief could start on to steal your identity.

Even your birth date and name might be a starting point.

On the Ship

Your fellow passengers are likely on board to have a good time, like you. But, considering how widespread identity theft is, some people on board may have an ulterior motive.

If so, the close quarters and

crowded surroundings will work in their favour as they look for neglected wallets and mobile devices that are easy pickings. In one fell swoop they could retrieve your means of payment and communication as well as all of the personal data that comes with these items. As you’re rubbing elbows with fellow passengers, be wary of accepting their requests to connect online. How well do you really know these people and how much sensitive information do you want to share with them?

At Port

Leaving the comfort zone of the ship and heading into unfamiliar territory may make you an even likelier target for identity thieves hoping to score valuable personal items from distracted tourists. Be sure to carry only what you need. Just like travelling to any unfamiliar destination, keep your valuables in your front pockets or in a pouch around your neck. Don’t set anything down while you’re taking pictures or reading a map that you might forget to pick back up. And never use your debit card, which doesn’t offer the same protection as a credit card, for purchases. ■

Entertainment

FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013

32

FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT, CANADA!

How not to be serious when interviewing AMERIKANA’S Fe De Los Reyes

BY BABES NEWLAND babescastronewland@gmail.com

I’ve personally known penultimate FilipinoAmerican comedienne Ms Fe delos Reyes back in the late 70’s when we used to be band vocalists ourselves—she from Music and Magic; and myself Hall of Fame. My initial impression of her was never of a serious singer. Fe was already funny back then. I was amazed with her indefatigable prancing across the stage; and ability to switch from rib tickling figure to Broadway singer and more.

Fe was recently in town top billing a Mother’s Day Musical Comedy Show—“Nanay Ko Po” (“Oh, My Mama”) with local performer-comedians Jerry “Papa Bear” Legaspi and Jojo Alpuerto; otherwise known as Pork N Bean. I see Fe as Filipino counterpart of America’s Tina Fey. Only she’s more animated than the latter. I couldn’t just let her leave Vancouver without having lunch interview and “shoe shopping” together with her bestie and road manager, Agnes Doniego Singh: 1. What’s a perfectly normal day for Fe delos Reyes?

Wake up at 6am- make coffee, prepare breakfast for family, take girls to school, grocery shopping, cook lunch,

dinner, more shopping, drive, drive, Facebook, Facebook, Facebook …

2. Which song could best describe you?

"Even if I Fall, I love you all"-an original composition of Filipino composer Tats Faustino.

3. If you could be Batman or Robin, which one would you be and why?

Batman, of course! Because I want to be the boss not the assistant!

4. If aliens landed in front of you and, in exchange for anything that you desire, offered you any position on their planet, what would you want?

I want to be their one and only Show Girl!

5. If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role as you?

Goldie Hawn.

6. If you were given a free full-page ad in the newspaper and had to sell yourself in six words or less, how would the ad read?

Amerikana ..Made in the Philippines.

7. If you were a character in Star Wars, which one would you be?

Ngek! I don't watch Star Wars- just make me the Star!

8. What has been your most bizarre life experience?

My life story especially my love life (breaks into guffaw).

9. When going on a holiday, name six must-have items to take with you? And if you were asked to take out two, what would they be?

Cell phone, my husband, my daughters, American Express, make up and toiletries… Take out make up and toiletries – I’d go shopping anyway.

Author with Fe de los Reyes

Celebrities react to Jolie’s mastectomy revelation The Associated Press CELEBRITIES react to Angelina Jolie’s revelation Tuesday in a New York Times editorial that she underwent a preventive double mastectomy:

10. If assembled two of your former show directors/ musical collaborators in a room and asked them about you, what would they say you think is not true?

That I am Perfect!

“She’ll have empowered millions of women all over world. She is sexier than ever.”

— Sharon Osbourne, who announced last year that she underwent the same preventive procedure.

11. If you were a salad, what dressing would you be?

Chipotle or anything hot and spicy.

“Angelina Jolie reveals double mastectomy. Proud of her for using her incredible platform to educate women.”

— TV personality and breast cancer survivor Giuliana Rancic on Twitter.

12. What will I find in your fridge right now?

Leftovers and stale bread.

“There is no difference between the star Angelina Jolie

and the woman Angelina Jolie.

The choices she made even as a director are still strong, when you read what she wrote about her own situation, and we all know that she didn’t do that for herself but as giving an example to all the women on this planet earth who are suffering from the same disease.” — Cannes Film Festival director Thierry Fremaux.

— “This absolutely blew my mind. Angelina Jolie speaking out about a difficult decision that will inform + empower others.” — Actress Nina Dobrev, on her website.

— “Always liked Angelina Jolie… After today she’s a real hero for being so brave in sharing her story & educating millions of women.” — Tweeted TV personality Mario Lopez.

Entertainment

33 FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013

Pinoy rocker hits US charts

BY ANGIE DUARTE Philippine Canadian Inquirer OPM is definitely not dead; at least the spirit of it isn’t.

It lives and thrives in the heart of every impassioned musician who remains true to their talent; fueled by selfexpression, dedication to their craft and a drive to be heard, these bastions of the industry hoist the flag of originality on local shores, and—for those fortunate enough—beyond.

Such is the case for singersongwriter Miguel Escueta, and his newly re-launched band, The Morning Episodes. Their single “Now It Starts,” which was wellreceived locally, made its debut on US radio in April of this year.

Just two weeks after its US debut, the catchy, upbeat pop-rock tune landed on the US National Airplay Top 200 Chart, ranking #107 overall, and #40 among Indie Artists.

“Now It Starts” is a feelgood anthem, loaded with foot-stomping, head- bobbing riffs, inspirational lyrics, and a fresh vibe. The single, which was also featured on the long time running CBS US daytime drama, “The Young and the Restless,” is taken from the Morning Episodes’ international debut album “Never Felt So Alive.” The album was written and recorded in Manila, and subsequently mixed and mastered in Los Angeles, California.

This international push comes

PHOTO FROM FACEBOOK

“Now it Starts” landed on the US National Airplay Top 200 Chart, ranking #107 overall, and #40 among Indie Artists.

as a result of Escueta signing with Los Angeles based label Sly Doggie Productions in 2012.

Headed by Grammy-winning producer Christian Davis, Sly Doggie Productions has thrust Escueta and the Morning Episodes into the US music scene; something which the band has tirelessly worked to achieve.

Davis, who just recently produced a track on Lil Wayne's new album, says that the Morning Episodes' sound “fits in perfectly with the US Market” and that his team plans to promote their album to Major Label Executives.

Escueta who, is founder and

front man of the band, has four Philippine solo releases to his credit since 2007. “It has been a long road, coming to this point,” he shares. “The band and I are all very excited about the opportunity of having our music pushed in the United States.”

“Never Felt So Alive” is available digitally via iTunes and MyMusicStore. In Manila, CDs are also available at Odyssey, SM Department Stores and AstroVision. This local release is done via MCA music Inc and brought to you by VANS, Audio Technica, Police, Rayban, Deca Homes, Dental First and Southern Musician. ■

Singer, songwriter, and frontman Miguel Escueta (center) and The Morning Episodes (L-R); Jeng Tria (bass), Roy Secillano (drums), Juni Devecais (guitars. second vox).

PHOTO BY CRIS PANGAN

www.canadianinquirer.net

Christian Bautista’s Romanian girlfriend joins PH show biz

BY MARINEL R. CRUZ Philippine Daily Inquirer ROMANIAN-Chinese actress Carla Dunareanu, who has decided to try her luck in local show business, said she didn’t mind being tagged nonstop as singer Christian Bautista’s girlfriend.

“It’s absolutely fine. I’m a foreigner here. I can’t expect people to immediately know everything about me,” she told the INQUIRER. Carla and Christian met and fell in love while working on the Singaporean hit TV musical “The Kitchen Musical.” She came to Manila with Christian for a holiday in the summer of 2012.

“This is my first time in the Philippines. Like many foreigners, I’ve fallen in love with it and decided to stay.

I’ve been here a year,” Carla pointed out. She recently joined Magic 89.9 as host of the radio program, “On Demand.” She is also busy hosting corporate events, as well as appearing in TV and print ads.

“I think the wonderful part about working in a new place is being surrounded by people who don’t have a preconceived notion of you.

You can just work hard and

have them appreciate you and your persistence. That’s what I’m here to do. I’m no longer here on a holiday.” Carla is also a cast member of the Joel Lamangan sexy romantic flick “The Bride and the Lover,” which opened in cinemas May 1. What did Christian tell you about the local show biz culture?

He spoke to me about it once I got here, and then again when I got the movie offer. I think it’s pretty much the same in every country—you need to respect your coworkers, you can’t treat anyone less than you’d treat your directors. I already knew that, coming in. How do you and Christian spend time together despite your busy schedules?

You always make time if you prioritize something. Both of us enjoy wine and French food. “The Kitchen Musical” influenced our taste buds.

We’ve been trying out French restaurants, and even rank them. If we like a new bottle of wine, we’d take a photo of it and try to search for it the next time we dine out. What are your plans in the Philippines?

Growing up, I’ve always had to travel around. I’m used to moving (she grew up in Germany, lived in Australia ❱❱ PAGE 35 Christian Bautista’s

Entertainment

FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013 34

Once the girl with the Billy Bob tattoo, Jolie now inspires with mastectomy revelation

BY SANDY COHEN AND DAVID GERMAIN The Associated Press LOS ANGELES—In her bad girl days, Angelina Jolie's body was a billboard for tattoos that said such things as “Billy Bob.” Now she's sharing intimate details of her anatomy to help women at risk, going public with her preventive double mastectomy to greatly reduce her high odds of breast cancer.

It's the latest peak in Jolie's turn-around from hedonist to humanitarian, party girl to inspirational poster girl.

The way she went public with her medical story on her own terms, in her own time—with a New York Times op-ed piece Tuesday that caught the media fishbowl of Hollywood completely by surprise—reveals a woman who once seemed out of control to be one of Hollywood's most forceful and compassionate stars, using her fame with surgical precision to promote matters dear to her.

“I'm in awe of her. She remains one of the most inspiring women that I've ever encountered,” said former Paramount Pictures boss Sherry Lansing, who heads the Sherry Lansing Foundation for cancer research. “By letting people know about her personal issue, she is touching countless women who have the same genetic mutations, and she is showing them that they have choices and they can be empowered and can take care of their own health. And by doing so, I believe she is going to save countless lives.”

Jolie's come a long way from her wild-child days of 10 or 12 years ago. She was branded a home-wrecker when she took up with Billy Bob Thornton, who broke up with Laura Dern and married Jolie. Thornton and Jolie were a tabloid writer's dream team, an odd couple who wore lockets with a drop of each other's blood.

Back in 2000, Jolie proudly showed off the newest of her 10 tattoos, the name “Billy Bob” etched across her left shoulder.

The marriage ended three years later, and new home-wrecker accusations arose after Brad

PHOTOS BY GAGE SKIDMORE

Pitt left Jennifer Aniston for Jolie, his co-star in the 2005 assassin adventure “Mr. and Mrs. Smith.”

But since then, while paparazzi stalk them and entertainment reporters scramble to chase the latest rumour that Jolie and Pitt are finally going to wed, they have emerged as the ultimate Hollywood power couple. They switch off on film projects so one is free to mind their six children, they travel the world talking up good deeds.

“If she wasn't one of the top actresses in Hollywood, she'd be one of the top publicists,” said Howard Bragman, vice chairman of Reputation.com.

“It's hard to think of a couple that has a better image in this town, both for their careers, family, humanitarian work. ... They're very good at it, and one of the reasons is they have a very intimate circle that they trust, and they don't go beyond that. It's unusual in Hollywood circles, but they're very strict about their personal life, about what gets out there. When something gets out there, it's usually planned to get out there.

It doesn't leak. They don't even have publicists.”

A special envoy on refugee issues for the United Nations, Jolie, 37, has become as much about causes as career.

She still makes big studio

entertainment such as next year's “Maleficent,” a twist on “Sleeping Beauty” in which she stars as the wicked sorceress who puts a curse on the fairytale princess. Yet Jolie puts her humanitarian interests on screen, too, making her directing debut with 2011's “In the Land of Blood and Honey,” a war drama about two lovers— a Bosnian Muslim woman and a BosnianSerbian man—caught up in the horrors of work and rape camps.

“There is no difference between the star Angelina Jolie and the woman Angelina Jolie.

The choices she made even as a director are still strong,” said Thierry Fremaux, director of the Cannes Film Festival, where Jolie has been a frequent guest with films such as “Changeling” and “A Mighty Heart.”

As for Jolie's op-ed piece about her mastectomy, “we all know that she didn't do that for herself but as giving an example to all the women on this planet Earth who are suffering from the same disease,” Fremaux said. “We knew she was a great star, but she's a great person, as well.”

Jolie wrote about her mother's death from cancer at 56 and that she carries a gene herself that, according to doctors, left her with an 87 per cent chance of breast cancer and 50 per cent chance of ovarian cancer. She describes in detail the procedures she www.canadianinquirer.net

underwent from early February to late April to remove tissue and reconstruct her breasts with implants.

She was treated at the Pink Lotus Breast Center in Beverly Hills, Calif. Dr. Kristi Funk, who founded the centre in 2007, read a short statement to reporters Tuesday, saying “we hope that the awareness she is raising around the world will save countless lives.”

The procedures reduced her risk of breast cancer to less than 5 per cent, Jolie wrote.

“I wanted to write this to tell other women that the decision to have a mastectomy was not easy. But it is one I am very happy that I made,” Jolie wrote.

“I can tell my children that they don't need to fear they will lose me to breast cancer.”

One of the most remarkable aspects of the story is how two of the most recognizable people in the world were able to make repeated incognito trips to Pink Lotus, where Jolie writes that Pitt was there for every minute of her surgeries. Jolie and Pitt are hounded by the press, so how they kept this a secret is anyone's guess.

“It's almost unspeakably amazing. In this world there is no privacy. David Petraeus couldn't keep a secret,” said Hollywood publicist Michael Levine, who once represented Jolie's father, Jon Voight. “It's

hard to imagine how they did it.”

Announcing it in such a personal and classy way can only enhance Jolie's stature in Hollywood. With family and philanthropic work, Jolie has eased back on film projects, with future prospects including a possible sequel to her action hit “Salt,” in which she played a sexy CIA agent on the run.

Will the mastectomy have any effect on Jolie's sex-symbol image?

“I feel like she is the kind of person who will do whatever it takes to still look fantastic. I think she has a discipline that is unmatched,” said Dave Karger, chief correspondent for movieticket seller Fandango.com.

“She will make sure that she looks just as great as she has in the past.

“I don't think that's going to make much of a difference, and I think a lot of people are going to have more respect.

This humanizes her in a way.

She's not that perfect specimen sticking her leg out at the Oscars anymore. She's a real human being with real health issues like any other human being.”

A real human being, and no less of a woman, to hear Jolie tell it.

“I feel empowered that I made a strong choice that in no way diminishes my femininity,” Jolie wrote. ■

Entertainment

35 FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013

P20-M grant awaits 15 digital movies Christian Bautista’s..

BY MARINEL R. CRUZ Philippine Daily Inquirer

❰❰ 33

FIFTEEN “thought-provoking” stories are featured in this year’s Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival.

Five of the “most commercial projects” in the lineup will get a grant of P2 million each, according to festival director Ronald Arguelles.

The films of Borgy Torre, Mes de Guzman, Miko Livelo, Adolfo Alix Jr. and Keith Sicat will be competing under the Cinema One Plus category, while 10 others, which will each get a P1million grant, will be featured under the Cinema One Currents, Arguelles tells the INQUIRER. Biggest so far

“We’re pleased with the number of films that will be featured this year— this is our biggest so far. We hope to give more young filmmakers the opportunity to tell their stories and showcase their talents,” adds Arguelles, who is also Cinema One channel head.

Torre’s entry, titled “Kabisera,” is set in Bacolod City. It tells of the transformation of a naïve, innocent man to a ruthless father, friend, and eventually, a drug dealer.

De Guzman’s psychological drama “Sitio” is about an urban family returning to the province in search of a simpler life. It is set in Nueva Vizcaya, where the director is currently based.

Livelo’s “Blu Bustamante” tells the plight of a Filipino worker in Japan, who suddenly finds himself jobless. A friend introduces him to a sentai (squadron) director, who convinces him to double for Blue Force, a character in a Japanese superhero show.

Alix directs the drama “Ang Alamat ng China Doll,” written by Lav Diaz. The story is about Helen, 25, who is about to graduate from high school and start a new life. Things take a drastic turn when a journalist publishes an article about “China Doll.”

Sicat’s sci-fi “Woman of the Ruins” tells of the strange experiences of the people on a storm-ravaged island when a person long presumed dead reappears.

“An innovation this year is the formation of two sets of jurors for the two categories. Also, there are a lot of first-time directors that made it this year. The lineup has a younger vibe compared to other festivals,” Arguelles says.

Included in the Currents category is Kristian Cordero’s period film “Angustia,” set in 19th-century Bicolandia, when a Spanish friar falls in love with an indigenous woman.

Timmy Harn directs the film “Ang Pagbabalat ng Ahas” about the experiences of the members of a lower

middle-class family moving in to an upper middle-class village, where a mad scientist is keeping a “snakeman.”

Whammy Alcazaren’s “Islands” is an experimental/sci-fi flick. “Bukas na lang Sapagkat Gabi na” by Jet Leyco is a fourpart narrative of three related occurrences caused by a tragic accident met by a Filipino-Spanish priest.

Keith Deligero’s “Iskalawags,” meanwhile, is a painful tale of friendship, youth and a journey toward self-discovery, and features the breathtaking view of the Camotes Island in Cebu.

Joseph Laban’s horror flick, “The Suffocating Eternity of an Imagined Purgatory,” tells of children living on an island in Marinduque who disappear and are believed “kidnapped” by the spirits of the sea.

and eventually settled with her family in Singapore). I think I’m going to be here for as long as there’s work for me, for as long as things are going well for me.

I do miss my family in Singapore. I’ve had thoughts of going back because I’m very close to them, but I think they understand that this is my life. You have to go your own way. They don’t always have to be right next to you— they’re just a phone call away. You can always go back to see them. Have you done movies before? What have you discovered while making one here?

I’ve done a lot of TV series, short art films, but never a full-length film, that’s why I feel so excited to be a part of this project.

It’s very different here in terms of production size. I can only speak of my experience in Singapore because I’ve not really done anything elsewhere.

Here, you have the manpower. On the set, you have so many people helping you do different things. It’s wonderful because you, as an actor, can just concentrate on your scenes and not

Other entries

“A Philippino Story” by B. Garcia Chicote is a cautionary tale about the dangers of male prostitution. “Shift,”

by Siege Ledesma, is an unconventional romantic story of an idealistic, tomboyish, call-center slacker mentored by a pragmatic, gay senior agent.

“Bendor,” by Ralston Jover, is set 40 days before the annual Good Friday procession of the miraculous 400-yearold Black Nazarene statue at the Quiapo Church in Manila. “An early morning Mass is disrupted when a candle vendor finds a bloodsoaked box with a dead fetus inside,” says Arguelles.

Arnel Mardoquio’s “Riddles of my Homecoming” depicts the Lumads and Moros of Mindanao and their belief that when a person dies his soul goes back to his homeland.

Entries to the Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival will be shown in cinemas in Makati, Mandaluyong and Quezon City. The festival is scheduled in November. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

worry about getting your costumes ready or your makeup done. That’s what I love about working here. They really look after the artist.

The talents here are amazing and the cinematography is wonderful. You have beautiful scenery, places that look completely different from one another. The Philippines is big, you can travel intercountry, whereas in Singapore you will be able to identify every single place you film at. However, it also has its charms. Would you agree to do sexy roles?

I started acting when I was 10 because I’ve always loved it. To act, whether in theater or in the movies or TV, is my passion. I don’t mind showing some skin as long as it’s necessary for the role and that it’s tastefully done. Christian is in the same field, so he understands the things we need to do for work. ■ (“The Bride and the Lover,” from Regal Entertainment, also features Lovi Poe, Jennylyn Mercado, Paulo Avelino, Ahron Villena and Hayden Kho.) (mcruz@inquirer.com.ph)

FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013

Lifestyle

36

Bert Monterona: ‘Struggle’ Showcased at the Amelia Douglas Gallery New Westminster, B.C.— Philippine-born artist and Vancouver resident Bert Monterona opened his most recent art show at the Amelia Douglas Gallery with his barklike tapestries and paintings carrying the common theme of struggle—from the struggle against external forces like global warming, ecological issues, and migration to that of the internal personal struggle of separation and divorce. In his artist statement, he declares the reason for his continuing struggle which is grounded on his “pursuit of peace” and “a deep concern for the social and environmental issues that affect the lives of humans, animals and all living things.”

The transition Monterona experienced with moving from his home country the Philippines to British Columbia, Canada shines through in his paintings and designs which are inspired by his explorations of the natural environment through hiking, camping, boating and fishing and his experiences in the Philippines, especially in the South.

Monterona’s indigenous roots

from Mindanao are reflected in the images of sea monsters, flora and the iconic sarimanok.

“I belong to the school of Social Realism, an art style which allows me to explore social issues and promote awareness of the political events that shape people’s lives,” Monterona explains. “I record events from a personal perspective; the contentious subject matter ignites my creative impulses. “ At the opening reception on April 19, Monterona gave his artist talk where his work and passion as artist/muralist, human rights activist, cultural worker and educator come across very strongly and genuinely.

The stories imbedded in his tapestries are many, the characters are busy and their movement captured by the masterful brush strokes. The huge tapestry “The Portrait of a Woman’s Plight II” holds the viewer’s attention because it is not only a testament to the Filipino migrant women and their baggage of loneliness and sacrifice but it is also a tribute to the women’s collective determination and courage to provide food and a future for

their children.

“The King and Queen of Hurts” is perhaps the most personal of Monterona’s works in the exhibit, and in his description, “a huge challenge” because the end of a relationship “is as difficult to articulate in art as it is in words.” He bares his soul and risks vulnerability but takes the chance nevertheless.

Monterona is an internationally acclaimed artist, a recipient of numerous grants and residencies in the Philippines and outside, including grants from the Western Australia Department of the Arts, Australia Council for the Arts, Asian Artists Award of Vermont Studio Centre and the Philip Morris Group of Companies ASEAN Art Awards. Monterona won the International Mural Festival and Competition in Manitoba in 2007. In 2009, he was the Artist in Residence for the Mural Project of the Leigh Square Community Arts Village, City of Port Coquitlam in British Columbia. In 2012, he exhibited his tapestries at the University of British Columbia's

Ike Barber Learning Centre in collaboration with the artworks by local Filipino community artists at the Diaspora, Diversity, and Dialogue Art Exhibition.

“Struggle” runs at the Amelia Douglas Gallery at the Douglas College from April 19 to June 7, 2013. Admission is always free.

For more information on

Bert Monterona, visit the Amelia Douglas Art Gallery, a non-profit organization that features new and established BC artists, at www.douglas. bc.ca/visitors/art-gallery. html. To learn more about Bert Monterona and to contact him directly, visit him at www. bertmonterona.com. ■

Superheroes Invade Toronto

KAPISANAN Philippine Centre for Arts and Culture presents “Superheroes Invade Toronto”: an art exhibit and fundraiser featuring the works of four Filipino-Canadian illustrators and their depictions of iconic comic book characters out and about in our very own city, Toronto.

Artists Kevin Briones, Oliver Castañeda, Paul Limgenco and Vince Sunico have teamed up to create 12 newly drawn, painted and digitally produced pieces using comic book characters as their subjects and Toronto as their backdrop. A portion of the proceeds from the art

sale willbe donated to support community art programs at KAPISANAN. In “Superheroes Invade Toronto”, KAPISANAN aims to shine the spotlight on a new generation of FilipinoCanadian illustrators and continue the legacy of illustrative excellence. Briones, Castaneda, Limgenco and Sunico have been long time collaborators.

For years, as members of the artistic group Spent Pencils, their contributions to Sick Kids Hospital through Sketches for Pledges have helped raise funds and awareness. These

four Filipino-Canadian men have had their own individual successes in comics as the creator, contributor or both.

Because of their illustrative styles, work ethic and ambition there is no question that their levels of success and recognition will rise as their careers progress.

Filipinos have historically been an integral part of the comic book industry for the past few decades. Rising stars like Leinil Francis Yu (Wolverine, X-Men, New Avengers), Harvey Tolibao (Green Arrow, Silver Surfer) and Toronto’s very own Francis

Manapul (Flash), to name a few, are amongst a group of Filipino artists headlining today’s top titles. Legendary comic artists Whilce Protacio (Stone, Wetworks, Uncanny X-Men), Nestor Redondo (Swamp Thing, Tarzan, Rima the Jungle Girl) and the late Tony DeZuniga (Jonah Hex), whose groundbreaking workshave paved the way for many artists of the younger generation, continue to influence the art of comics today.

Join KAPISANAN as we celebrate this new breed of

An Art Exhibit & Fundraiser featuring FilipinoCanadian Illustrators

❱❱ PAGE 39 Superheroes Invade

Lifestyle

37 FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013

FAST FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The Merry Month of May, Part 1

BY RUDY M. VIERNES

MAY is the month of fiestas.

State it the other way. We Filipinos are never more fiestaprone than during the month of May. May is also the flower month, and the Virgin Mary.

Being family-oriented as we Filipinos are May isn’t just a month of fiestas, of flowers but for mothers as well. In the Filipino home we have “Itay” and “Inay.” Itay is the King, pillar, wall, support, discipline.

Inay is the Queen, warmth, heart, comfort. Itay and Inay rule according to roles there is family accord, unity, harmony.

Mother’s Day is May 12 this year.

Fiesta Month

In every little town and village in the countryside the annual fiesta in May is an anticipated, well-planned event. It is the centerpiece of all village activities. Moribund most part of the year the village perks up when the next fiesta is planned. There would be fanfare and Ferris wheels. The central focus is the selection of a fiesta queen whose parents, by necessity, will be the host.

They would lay out their best china and lavish the dining table with sumptuous fares.

For entertainment the guests would have sing-a-longs, or play the CDs of Gary Valenciano or Martin Nievera. They would bring out the photo album that contains souvenir photos taken in Saudi or Hong Kong. The cassette component is dusted off for display. For drinks they toast to either Ginebra or San Miguel, or both, or the local wine basi or lambanog, with kilawen as pulutan. Let there

be a festive day!

Guests would come and go from far and wide, relatives or not, invited or not. They would be hosts for the day and their daughter queen for a night.

The governor or congressman would crown her. Why, the occasion happens only once in a lifetime they would be toasts of village society. They should celebrate. Bahala na. It’s hiya typified. Image. Karangalan.

There were reformers who viewed fiestas with disdain because they often border to worldly frolic and excessive fanfare that tend to overshadow the religious aspect. The late Sen. Raul Manglapuz launched a movement not to ban fiestas but to curtail its pomp and excesses; that the people should realize what entails to overspend for fleeting pleasures. He said that if the money spent for the gluttonous feasting were spent for more productive pursuits there would be progress. His catchphrase then was “Fiestas for Progress.”

Manglapuz mentioned the example of Pateros which at that time made progress because the townspeople pulled their resources to form cooperatives to produce balut, a popular delicacy but pretty hairy-scary to the naive.

Manglapuz campaigned for agricultural fairs to showcase the fruits of the land. To encourage excellence of farm produce there would be awards for the largest kalabasa, the longest upo, the fattest swine, the handsomest cow.

What happens when the party is over and the guests

have gone and the giddy queenship fizzles out into memory? The family would be beset with debt problems—how to pay back the money they have borrowed at usurious rates.

But the fiestas have survived. Nobody would want them abolished. Not the fatalists who philosophize that the annual fiesta is an occasion to enjoy for tomorrow they die. They think that fiestas are the be-all and end-all of life. They account for the totality of the thrills and frolic that they enjoy the entire year. For once they have the excuse to splurge a little, to indulge a little to make up for all the days of boredom and sloth. Not the town kura paroko who would make hay because it’s boom time for baptisms, confirmations, church weddings; when the Ninangs and Ninongs and the more affluent in town would feel more generous with their contributions. ■ Part II next issue.

Introducing the...

PHOTOS BY VICTOR VILLANUEVA

❰❰ 38

what the brand has to offer.

Game-changer

“The game-changer is not just the OS, but the hardware that goes with it,” said Chan. “For instance, we have some assets unique to Nokia, and we went to our R&D archive to highlight it.

Last year, we started equipping our Lumias with cameras with high megapixels.”

Nokia has raised the bar through its new-generation Lumias: 8.7 MP for the 920; 6.7 MP for the 720; and 5 MP for the 520.

It’s a fitting move since Nokia pioneered in cell phones with

built-in cameras. Thanks to Lumia’s so-called Optical Image Stabilization feature, your photos no longer appear blurry in dim or low-lit conditions.

“The feature is very useful when you’re taking pictures in dark places, and your camera needs more light,” said Chan.

“It also keeps your photos from looking blurry at the slightest hand shake.”

Finally, to give its users added mobility, especially when traveling for the first time in a major town or city, Nokia has equipped its Lumia devices with Here, a navigational platform that includes maps,

transit routes, places of interest and even traffic data. Nokia has enabled Lumia users to download maps of frequented places on their phones.

At the moment, said Chan, the feature is exclusive to Nokia. And not a few travelers have sworn by Here’s accuracy and usefulness.

“It’s a free download that provides turn-by-turn navigation,” said Chan. “In effect, it becomes your sight map when traveling. And unlike most mapping providers, it saves you money because you don’t need to connect to data networks while abroad to enable it.” ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

Lifestyle

FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013 38

Health and beauty center has posh new address At Vietura, clients can avail of a range of treatments–including life coaching

BY IRENE C. PEREZ Philippine Daily Inquirer THERE’S A NEW wellness center in a luxury resort hotel that offers interested parties the chance for a complete transformation.

Aside from fatzapping and skinsaving procedures, it also offers fitness programs, nutritional counseling, even life coaching.

Dr. Mary Jane Torres said looking better can be done through working out and treatments, but these should be backed up with discipline and a positive attitude.

This is where Vietura Aesthetic Lifestyle comes in.

The lifestyle hub is located on the ground floor of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Pasay City.

“Filipinos are vain,” she said during the recent launch in Sofitel. “Men and women want to be young and sexy. We want them to have the right attitude to achieve lasting, long-term results.”

Dr. Torres is the chief medical practitioner for Vietura. Her team is composed of nutritionist Agnes Tumaneng, cosmetic dentist Dr. Cecile Infantado and life coach Lisa Tilstra.

They use the “measure, mentor

and monitor approach,” done through personalized programs.

Programs

Dr. Torres established The Zen Institute medical spa. She said the top three concerns of Filipinos are aging skin, skin-whitening and weight loss. Vietura offers several programs to address these.

The Anti-Aging Therapy Program starts off with consultation and coaching. Then one is injected with glutathione, placenta and vitamin C shots for cell-renewal and whitening.

Other treatments are Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for circulation, Stem Cell Facial for skin renewal, Resonax and Resolift for tightening, and Body Scrub with Dead Sea Salt for exfoliation.

For sagging skin, Vietura offers the Natural Facelift and Contour Program that checks wrinkles and puffiness. It includes the Platelet Rich Plasma and Power Cell Lift Treatments that address deep lines. Mesolipotherapy targets fat in the cheeks and chin, while Resonax tightens skin. It is capped with the Natural Lift and Contour procedure that enhances the shape of one’s face.

The Body Sculpting with

Weight Management Program includes a diet plan and fitness training in So Fit, Sofitel’s inhouse gym.

Fat in stubborn areas is addressed with a combination of Lipotherapy and Resonax. Other procedures to be spread out in three to six months are Ultralipo, Human Chorionic Gonadtrophin Fat Mobilizer, Lipocryo, Mesotherapy, Ultra-Slim Tight, Slimming Massage, Colonics.

Dr. Torres added that other concerns such as fertility can also be discussed with a nutritionist.

Cosmetic dentist Dr. Infantado said that a smile is one’s best accessory. She said dental sculpture takes only two hours and has no downtime. Other procedures that can be had in the dental clinic are bleaching and gum recontouring.

Tilstra, an American life coach, explained that coaching focuses on the future, as opposed to psychiatry that discusses the past.

“Life coaching focuses on what to do, where to go, how to do it,” she said. “We sit down and talk, and help one develop a plan to be successful.”

Nature-inspired interior

In keeping up with the

PHOTOS FROM VIETURA ON FACEBOOK

nonsurgical approach, Vietura has a nature-inspired Asian Contemporary theme. The center has 19 well-appointed rooms done in wood and white, with refreshing accents such as pocket gardens.

Sofitel general manager Adam Laker said the design complements the hotel’s resort vibe. And since Vietura is conveniently located in a hotel, Sofitel publicrelations manager Yasmine Hidalgo suggested maximizing clinic visits.

“Moms can have treatments while the rest of the family can enjoy. Dad can have a massage

Introducing the most ‘personalized’ smartphone in the market Nokia is confident that its new-generation phones will lure Filipinos to, as its hashtag says, ‘#switchtolumia’

BY ALEX Y. VERGARA Philippine Daily Inquirer THE WORLD’S FORMER leader in cell phone devices isn’t ashamed to admit that it’s playing catch-up. In a recent media conference at SM Megamall to introduce enhancements to its premium smartphone, Nokia even included a hashtag in its collaterals that said it all: #switchtolumia.

Will Filipinos make the big switch? Put another way, will they go back to Nokia after having tried a slew of seemingly hotter gadgets with all sorts of cool apps?

Hong Kong-based Gary Chan, Nokia’s head of marketing for “Pan Asia,” is confident that a good number of the brand’s former users will. For one, said Chan, the Lumia is the most

“personalized” smartphone there is in the market today.

The Philippines, after all, was once known as “Nokia country.” The brand still enjoys a great deal of equity and prestige among Filipinos, said Chan. Nokia launched the first-generation Lumia in the Philippines almost a year ago.

Highly customized

“This phone, for instance, helps you tell from looking at the screen that it’s mine because it has pictures of me, my partner and things and people that are important to me,” he said, while showing us his yellow and black Lumia 920.

“It’s highly customized for my life. By looking at the screen, nobody can mistake this phone for someone else’s.”

Nokia adopted and even took the social networking platform

to the next level by allowing Lumia users to group contacts into family, best friends, friends, co-workers, acquaintances and, if you like, even enemies. You can prioritize these various groupings to allow you to see the preferred groups’ activities on your phone screen.

Chan hasn’t grouped any of his contacts under “enemies,” but his contacts grouped under friends notify him of posts and updates they make on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social networking sites.

After you “pin” a tile containing, say, all your friends on your home screen, the phone will update you automatically.

You can resize the tile to small, medium and large to limit and accommodate more tiles or groups on your screen.

“The feature works across all social networks,” said Chan. “It’s www.canadianinquirer.net

not just about apps, but apps that allow us to quickly get in and get out. If I see something interesting that my friend has posted, I can tap right away and go straight to the link. If I want to reply on a tweet he made on Twitter, I can reply to him directly through the (phone’s) OS without going to the Twitter app.”

Three variants

This time, Chan introduced not one, but three new variants of the Lumia designed to appeal to varying needs and budgets.

And for the first time, Nokia is inviting the public to its stores to road-test each device.

“The 920 is the big brother, while the 720 is the little sister,” he said. “If you want one that’s lighter and with a smaller fourinch screen, then go for the 520, which is the baby brother.”

They’re all new and comes

at Le Spa, kids can play in Gymboree or have a dip in the pool,” she said. “Then they can meet for a hearty meal at Spiral restaurant, where healthy items are marked ‘Cuisine De-Light,’ and, later on, have relaxing stay in one of the rooms.”

Vietura is at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex, Roxas Boulevard. It is open MondaySaturday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.; and Sunday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Call 5515555 loc. 5000; e-mail info@vietura. com. Visit www.vietura.com or www.facebook.com/Vietura; follow on Twitter @Vietura. ■ at a fraction of the firstgeneration Lumia’s P30,000 price tag. The 720, for instance, retails at P14,590 per unit, while the 520 is priced at an affordable P7,990. Even the 920, Lumia’s top-of-the-line phone, has a suggested retail price of P24,850.

Like their predecessor, the three phones run on Windows Phone 8 OS. Nokia’s Symbian OS has become a thing of the past. In 2011, Nokia decided to “move” its smartphone OS by jointly investing and developing its Windows Phone 8 OS with Microsoft, said Chan.

Although Windows Phone 8 OS isn’t exclusive to Nokia, the Finish cellphone pioneer reportedly activates four out of five Windows Phone 8 devices. Because of this development, Nokia believes it has redeveloped a “great” relationship with erstwhile as well as new consumers. In turn, these consumers are responding positively with ❱❱ PAGE 37 Introducing the

Lifestyle

39 FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013

Superheroes Invade...

Let There be Light

❰❰ 36

Filipino-Canadian illustrators in the comic book industry!

About KAPISANAN

KAPISANAN is a nonprofit organization that gives all Filipino-Canadian youth opportunities to cultivate a positive sense of cultural identity and leadership potential.

Through communitybased arts and cultural programming and presentation, Kapisanan creates a space for Filipino-Canadian youth to explore Filipino culture and heritage, fostering pride and self-confidence, inspiring and empowering them to realize their full potential. Learn more at www.kapisanancentre.com.

About the Artists

PHOTOS BY RICARDO REITMEYER

BY FELICHI PANGILINAN BUIZON I USED to look at creation as just the beginning of it all but I now recognize the love of God at work before any of us were born, carefully preparing a place for His creation to inhabit.

One of the first things that God created was light. Back then, He knew how we would need it. I contemplated on why it was one of the first and I came up with a string of realizations that has deepened my appreciation for light and for the Giver of light.

As I focused on the characteristics of light, I realized more and more the wisdom behind this wonderful creation.

Light reveals. Without light, I cannot read His Word.

I cannot know God the way He wants to be known. I cannot see myself, who I really am, physically or spiritually. Part of aging is the weakening of eyesight. It amazes me how what I frustratingly try to configure under a light bulb, I can discern so well in broad daylight. Light helps me see and discover things.

Light directs. It guides me to see where I came from, where I am and where I need to go. It allows me to look upon the faces of those I love and see their needs.

Light empowers. It helps me see my way, especially in the dark. It allows me to be productive even in the dark.

Case in point: at this very moment I am writing this article late at night so naturally, I need light to accomplish this.

Just heard of this new lipstick that has a built in mirror—and light. Sounds useful!

Light exposes. Darkness hides. When I make a mistake, I don’t naturally want it broadcasted. The less people know the better. But God always knows and the light of His truth exposes unrighteousness— wrongs that need to be made right. When it is out in the open, it can be addressed.

After it exposes, light convicts.

Unrighteousness revealed calls for repentance.

Sin ignored can cause greater harm. I have observed when housekeeping, mess unattended to declines into more disorder.

Even if you switch off the light at night and ignore it, daylight will expose it and it is an eyesore. A clean-up is in order and light speeds it up.

It does not only expose darkness and convict us of unrighteousness, light also dispels darkness. I marvel at how one candle can prevail over the darkness in a closed area.

Light protects. There are ditches, holes, ledges that you can trip over as you walk. Light enables you to avoid these

obstacles. Similarly, light helps me identify the enemy, his lies and his schemes. From this, I can flee or “praypare” to engage in battle.

Light gives hope. Oh, how I need this! Psalm 112 verse 4 says. “Light arises in the darkness…” No matter how thick the darkness that engulfs us, light will come to dispel it. Moreover, the light of the morning reminds me of the Lord’s mercies which are new. That is an untried, inexhaustible, fresh supply of divine mercy available daily.

Did not Jesus say that He is the Light of the world? Does He not use His word to reveal, direct, empower, expose, convict, deliver, protect and give hope?

Just like light, water and bread are just some of the things that the Lord Jesus used to describe Himself. Everyday necessities that we can relate with and many, including myself, cannot do without.

When the world was formless, God spoke creation into being. In a world that is decaying and growing darker, we need the Light of the World to dispel and overcome that darkness. And like those first spoken words that brought forth great wonders, providing us with what we needed for life, so shall these words declare all we ever need and much more, “Let there be…JESUS.” ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

Kevin Briones is a Canadianborn and raised artist, writer and designer. Over the past decade and a half, he has worked in a wide variety of professional capacities from graphic design to storytelling to motion graphics. His skills have taken him to various design companies across Canada as far as Whitehorse, Yukon and back.

At the these various places, he has created characters and designed experiences in the marketing worlds of tourism, economic development, land development and sports entertainment to name a few.

He is author and illustrator of “The Go-Man” series and currently works for Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment as a motion designer.

Oliver Castañeda is a Graphic Designer and Illustrator working as a freelancer for almost a decade when he came to Canada two years ago. His artistic work ranges from creating comic book illustrations and designs, children’s book illustration, packaging designs, trading cards, logo designs, web

graphics, online games, greeting cards and more. He’s a member of the artistic group Spent Pencils, which you’ll see in every comic book-related convention across Canada Paul Limgenco has done work for comics, books, newspapers, television and film. He attended OCAD for Drawing and Painting and the Sheridan Institute for Computer Animation where he gravitated back to traditional fine arts. For his painted works, he primarily uses gouache, and over time, he has mixed more and more media into his methods because he believes that each medium has its strengths and weaknesses. He’s learned that it is important to push your work and not settle because, as one of his teachers once said, “‘Good enough’ isn’t good enough.”

Vince Sunico is a graduate of Sheridan Animation Program and is a member of Spent Pencils Studio.

His recent work includes exclusive variant covers of “Shrugged and Jirni” for Aspen Comics. He is currently working on “Remnant” which will be released later this year through IDW, Cryptozoic Entertainment and Rittenhouse trading card set, affiliated with Marvel and DC Comic characters. ■ Superheroes Invade Toronto: An Art Exhibit & Fundraiser Featuring the works of Kevin Briones, Oliver Castaneda, Paul Limgenco & Vince Sunico Friday, May 24, 2013 TOTA Lounge (592 Queen St. W) Art sale and reception starts at 7:00 PM. Party starts at 9:00 PM. Works will be exhibited until May 31.

Suggested donation at door: $5.

Business

FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013 40

Gov’t may set aside P30B for PPP breaches Contingency fund to assure investors

BY MICHELLE V. REMO Philippine Daily Inquirer CLARK, PAMPANGA—The government is considering setting up a contingent liability fund—proposed to initially be worth P30 billion—that will handle the unexpected cost for the government arising from infrastructure projects under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program.

According to National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon, the proposal to create the fund has been submitted by the Bureau of the Treasury to

the Department of Budget and Management for discussion and potential implementation.

De Leon explained that unexpected costs might materialize if the government would be unable to meet some of its commitments specified in the PPP contracts. In such cases, the government would have to shell out money to pay or the “breach,” she said.

For instance, she said that if the government failed to increase tariff on a public facility on time, then the private-sector investor might have to be compensated. If the government failed to fulfill

some terms stated in PPP contracts, it might also have to buy out the private-sector investment.

De Leon said such scenarios were highly unlikely, but having a contingent liability fund was deemed prudent to avoid disturbances in the government’s budget.

“This is still under discussion, but the fund, once set up, would serve as a contingent measure just in case there would be breaches on the part of the government,” De Leon told reporters Saturday during the journalism seminar held here and co-organized

by the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (Ejap) and San Miguel Corp.

The proposed initial amount of P30 billion might be sourced from unprogrammed portions of the existing national budget.

De Leon said it was prudent to earmark an amount for the fund while there were still unprogrammed portions in the budget.

She added that having a PPP contingent liability fund would help make the PPP program more credible.

Moreover, De Leon noted that the proposed fund was a response to queries from

credit-rating agencies on how the government would be able to shoulder contingency costs in case unexpected breaches happened.

The PPP is the key program of the government to realize its infrastructure-development agenda. Under the program, the government invites private-sector companies to invest in public infrastructure projects.

The objective of the program is for the country to address its significant lack of infrastructure without straining the government’s coffers. ■

PAL, partner to spend $1.5B PH investment grade bolstered FDI inflow in Feb.

BY DORIS C. DUMLAO Philippine Daily Inquirer SAN MIGUEL Corp. and its Cambodian partner are planning a $1.5-billion maiden fleeting program for their newly created Cambodian Airlines.

About 16 to 22 aircraft will likely be deployed by Cambodian Airlines in the next two years, said Ramon S. Ang, president of San Miguel Corp. and flag carrier Philippine Airlines.

Last month, PAL struck a deal to set up the new airline in Cambodia in partnership with local tycoon Okhna Kith Meng.

PAL controls 49 percent of the new airline.

The move is an attempt to incubate a new airline in a new market that is among the least developed in Southeast Asia but which enjoys rapid growth.

At the sidelines of the stockholders meeting of Ginebra San Miguel, Ang said Cambodian Airlines would also enter into a “code-sharing” arrangement with PAL, through which the latter could earn

additional revenue of $300 million to $400 million per year.

“Code-sharing” is a reciprocal agreement through which two or more airlines offer their passengers single booking, ticket and check-in flight to a certain destination.

Ang said the new carrier would initially cater to regional destinations and later to cover domestic Cambodian flights.

The project value of $1.5 billion assumes an initial fleet of 20 planes. PAL’s equity contribution is expected to be its pro-rated share of 30-percent usual equity contribution.

Aside from Cambodia, SMC is also looking at Vietnam and Myanmar, he said. “We’ve been offered by lots of friends and bankers to take a look at opportunities. We are at the moment assessing those opportunities,” he said.

In 2011, the San Miguel group also made a strategic move into Malaysia with the acquisition there of the downstream petroleum businesses of American multinational oil and gas company Exxon Mobil. ■

Investments surged by 127% year-on-year

BY MICHELLE V. REMO Philippine Daily Inquirer FOREIGN direct investments surged in February, reversing the contraction recorded the previous month, as the country succeeded in attracting more foreign enterprises to do business here.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reported that the net inflow of foreign direct investments amounted to $436 million in February—up by 127 percent from the $192 million posted in the same month of 2012.

“The FDIs reflect investors’ increasing optimism over the country’s growth potential, notwithstanding the uncertainties on the strength of the global economy,” the BSP said in the report. “The increase in FDIs also is an indication of improved investment climate on the back of sound macroeconomic fundamentals.”

With the inflows in February,

www.canadianinquirer.net

investments in the first two months of the year totaled $1.01 billion—down by nearly 19 percent from the $1.25 billion reported in the same period last year.

The contraction was brought on by the weak FDI performance in January. Monetary officials attributed it to problems now affecting the global economy, particularly the ongoing crisis in the euro zone.

Citing the net FDIs of the first two months, the BSP said that the country was well on its way to attaining the full-year target of $2 billion.

But this projection is now being reviewed due to the recent investment grade assigned to the country by major credit agencies.

Monetary officials said the investment grade could further bolster the inflow of FDIs. On March 27, Fitch Ratings upgraded the Philippines’ credit standing by a notch from BB+ to BBB-, which is the minimum investment grade.

On May 2, Standard & Poor’s made a similar move, giving the country its second investment grade.

The Philippines currently lags behind most of its Southeast Asian neighbors in terms of attracting FDIs. Nonetheless, government economic officials said the Philippines could start catching up following the improvement in the country’s credit rating.

Most foreign fund managers are only able to do business in countries with investment grade, they said. But the improvement in the Philippines’ credit rating will serve to open doors for FDIs to pour into the country.

According to economists from the private sector and multilateral agencies, the country direly needs more investments to generate more jobs and make the country’s economic growth meaningful not only for the middle class and the rich, but for the poor as well. ■

Sports/Horoscope

41 FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013

Top Azkals goalie still with Fulham

BY CEDELF P. TUPAS Philippine Daily Inquirer HOPING to continue honing his skills alongside worldclass football talents, Filipino international Neil Etheridge has agreed to a one-year extension to stay on at English Premier League side Fulham.

The new deal also gives the 23-year-old Etheridge the option to extend for one more season in the London-based club after his contract ends in 2014.

Etheridge, who has 42 appearances as goalkeeper of the Philippine team, has been with Fulham since he was 15, rising from the ranks in the club’s academy, before eventually getting his first start in a Europa League match when top keeper Mark Schwarzer got

Manny must retire if he loses again, says Roach

BY CEDELF P. TUPAS Philippine Daily Inquirer

injured.

“It’s great news to be staying at Fulham, a nice family club with good character,” Etheridge told the INQUIRER. “I have enjoyed my time here, so I’m very happy to have extended my contract. Next year will be great for me to go and play, whether that be at Fulham or out on loan.”

Etheridge said he’s determined to improve not just for his club, but also when he is given the chance to represent the country again.

“I feel that I keep progressing and getting better, reaching new goals every year that passes by. I hope the in the coming season I can do exactly the same,” said Etheridge, who was left out of the AFC Challenge Cup lineup last month despite his availability. ■

THERE’S no middle ground for Manny Pacquiao when he battles Brandon Rios on Nov. 24 at The Venetian Macao.

A win guarantees extension of Pacquiao’s storied career while a loss means it’s time to hang up his gloves, according to Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach.

“If he (Pacquiao) loses, I will tell him to retire,” Roach told ESPN.com. “If you lose three in a row it’s your time. He’s up there in age (34). I’ve got to keep a close eye on him. It’s part of my job to protect him. I will do the right thing. I don’t want him to be a stepping stone (for other fighters).”

Pacquiao trusts Roach’s ring judgment and the eightdivision world champion has repeatedly said that he would

PHOTO BY ROGER ALCANTARA

heed whatever the five-time trainer of the year will tell him.

Roach believes that, despite getting knocked out cold in the sixth round by Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez last Dec. 8, Pacquiao still has some fight

left in him. The Filipino icon holds a 54-win, 5-loss, 2-draw record with 38 knockouts.

Roach said Pacquiao’s style is suited for Rios, who is also a power hitter with a 311-1 (23 KOs) slate. ■

HOROSCOPE ARIES

(MARCH 21 - APRIL 19) This could be your lucky day, Aries, especially in matters of the heart. You may feel particularly close to your special someone, as well as others in your immediate circle of friends. This is due in part to the planetary configuration. It shows your intuition and optimism running high. Use this to your advantage, especially if you have to sell something. Keep your expectations realistic.

TAURUS

(APRIL 20 - MAY 20) Try not to do everything all at once today, Taurus. Your social life is heating up and you may be in a frenzy preparing for all the gatherings you’ve been invited to. All this on top of your regular workload could send you into a tailspin. Pace yourself.

Get your work done first before thinking about your social life. Remember, if you were unemployed, you wouldn’t be able to go out at all!

GEMINI

(MAY 21 - JUNE 21) It looks like your ship is about to come in, Gemini. The planetary configuration indicates that you can expect additional financial resources, perhaps a raise.

You deserve it! You’ve been working long and hard these past several months. You’ve earned the respect of authority figures and the admiration of peers. Be careful not to fritter away the extra money. Put some aside for a rainy day.

CANCER

LIBRA

(JUNE 22 - JULY 22) Take extra care with your appearance today, and clean the house a bit this morning. You may have some visitors, Cancer. Invite them in and make them comfortable. It’s likely that they can be of great benefit in furthering your career. Perhaps one of them is well connected in a company you’ve long wanted to work for. Or maybe you will get an interesting stock tip. Stay alert!

(SEPT 23 - OCT 22)

You’re likely feeling a desire to do something different and a little crazy. Today you may fulfill that desire by attending a group event, perhaps a concert.

Or you could indulge a childhood fantasy and go to the circus. Whatever you do, take along the special someone in your life. The fun you’re bound to have will be so much sweeter when shared with a loved one.

SCORPIO

AQUARIUS

A visit to a local museum or art gallery may move you to tears, Scorpio. Suddenly, you’re aware of all the beauty around you and inspired to create some original works of your own. You do have a strong creative bent, so why not see how far your talent will take you? If possible, spend the evening surrounded by loved ones.

You have many talents, Aquarius. Today’s astral energy indicates that your abilities will be rewarded. Congratulations! You’ve certainly worked long and hard to achieve your goals. Why not make plans to celebrate? Call some friends or your partner for an impromptu get - together. You can meet at the local bistro and bask in the happy energy of success. The first round of drinks is on you!

(JULY 23 - AUGUST 22)

(OCT 23 - NOV 21)

SAGITTARIUS

VIRGO

(NOV 22 - DEC 21)

(MAY 21 - JUNE 21) Keep your eyes and ears open today, Virgo. You may receive some important information on specific ways to increase your income. This is just one of the many wonderful things bound to happen to you. You’re looking great and people are responding to your warm, pleasant manner. Bask in the glow of all the goodwill surrounding you. It won’t last forever!

(DEC 22 - JAN 19)

You may be privy to some important knowledge, Libra.

Perhaps an article gives you the impetus you need to invest in a promising stock. Perhaps you learn a famous person is coming to town to give a lecture. If your heart starts to race the minute you hear the news, this should be all the motivation you need to take the next steps. Good things are bound to come your way if you do.

LEO

You may feel wanderlust and crave something new and different in your life. You just can’t help but be a bit bored by the dullness of the routine. If adventure is what you want, why not plan an exotic trip? Even if you don’t have the money now, you can still start doing some research.

Just knowing that you’re going to go someday will help raise your spirits, Leo.

CAPRICORN

(JAN 20 - FEB 18)

PISCES

(FEB 19 - MAR 20) There are no half measures today, Sagittarius. You feel every emotion to the nth degree. This could make for an intense day. Make an effort to calm down. Rather than inject your opinion into every conversation, make it a point to step away from the group. The talk is animated enough without you stirring things up further. Spend the evening with loved ones.

They will be more tolerant of your mood.

www.canadianinquirer.net

You’re looking gorgeous today, Pisces, and have likely noticed the admiring glances you’ve received. Your passion is running high, and you may be able to spend this evening with a special someone.

Fulfill your romantic fantasies. Light candles, use your best china, and dress with sensuality in mind. Your partner will appreciate the effort.

You’re bound to have a wonderful evening.

FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013

Travel

42

Hollywood and Vine: California wineries with celebrity connections

BY MICHELLE LOCKE The Associated Press HEALDSBURG, Calif.— Sometimes visitors to MacMurray Ranch, the 1,500acre (600-hectare) spread owned by movie and TV actor Fred MacMurray for a half-century, want to know: Where’s the heliport? Where’s the screening room?

Kate MacMurray, Fred’s daughter, just smiles.

“This was our home,” she explains.

What visitors will find at the ranch is a place that’s not much different than when the MacMurray family lived there, right down to the rocking chair with the wide flat arms just right for holding the actor’s drink as he sat reading the paper in the evening, close enough to the window to keep an eye on the Black Angus cattle he raised.

MacMurray and his wife, actress June Haver, bought the ranch in 1941 from the Porter family, pioneers who established the farmstead in the 1850s—their old wagon still stands in front of the house.

The MacMurrays used it for diversified farming during World War II and later raised cattle.

The MacMurray Ranch is now owned by the Gallo wine family and open to the public only during the Sonoma Wine Country Weekend in August, but it’s one of several California wineries with celebrity connections, including wineries owned by “Godfather” director Francis Ford Coppola, the late “Davy Crockett” star Fess Parker, and the late “Perry Mason” star Raymond Burr.

MacMurray, star of such classics as “Double Indemnity” and “The Apartment,” and later the star of the popular

TV series “My Three Sons,” spent his free time at the ranch and was deeply involved in the local agricultural scene.

Photographs displayed in the property’s refurbished barn show the couple with their prize cattle (owners and beast looking very spiffy). There are also a series of historical photographs following the evolution of the ranch from hops and prunes to livestock and now vines.

“If you held a mirror up to our ranch what would reflect back is the whole history of agriculture in Northern California,” MacMurray points out. ”It’s quite remarkable.”

The MacMurray family sold the ranch to the Gallos in 1996, a few years after Fred MacMurray’s death, and the land—in a prime area of Sonoma County’s renowned Russian River Valley appellation—now has 425 acres of vines, mostly pinot noir grapes which go into Gallo’s MacMurray Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and Russian River Valley Reserve Pinot Noir. The ranch also supplies grapes for the MacMurray Ranch Pinot Gris, a zippy white wine.

When she turned the keys over in August 1996, Kate MacMurray thought “that chapter in our family life was closed,” but in 2000 Bob Gallo, son of wine pioneer Julio Gallo, asked her to work with the family as a brand ambassador.

MacMurray, a striking figure with a rich laugh and a cascade of copper curls, lives in a small house near the property and travels the world promoting MacMurray Ranch wines.

Although the winery is open to the public only once a year, wine club members get to visit at special events held four times a year. Visitors who go have a chance to see photographs of Fred MacMurray and some of his famous friends, like

golfing buddy Bing Crosby, as well as the memorabilia from MacMurray’s other hobbies which included skeet shooting, leatherwork and painting.

MacMurray never was nominated for an Oscar or Emmy, but the good-natured actor told his daughter that if she wanted to put an award out, to make it the one he got from an outfit called Popcorn Village USA commending him for making pictures that sold the most popcorn. ”He adored popcorn,” MacMurray says with a laugh.

Here are more wineries that could leave you with stars in your eyes.

FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA WINERY: Part resort, part winery, this property in Sonoma County has a lot of extras including a swimming pool, cabines (cabanas) equipped with showers for rent, bocce courts and two places to eat including RUSTIC, which has an outdoor patio with a great view of the Alexander Valley. These days, wines from the director of such classics as “The Godfather” are well-established, including the winery’s the popular Diamond Collection. His film career is on display here as well with the Movie Gallery featuring lots of memorabilia, including several Academy Awards, Don Corleone’s desk from “The Godfather,” and the original automobile from “Tucker: The Man and His Dream.”

FESS PARKER WINERY & VINEYARD: This winery in California’s Central Coast wine growing region has two claims to celebrity fame. It was founded by the late Fess Parker, star of the “Davy Crockett” and “Daniel Boone” TV series and was also featured, under the name Frass Canyon, in the 2004 wine road trip movie

PHOTO BY DON BAYLEY

“Sideways.” (It’s where Paul Giamatti’s character, Miles, has his meltdown with the spit bucket—funny onscreen, highly inadvisable in real life.)

You’ll find memorabilia like coonskin caps at the winery gift store, and you can also stay at the Fess Parker Wine Country Inn & Spa, an upscale retreat.

RAYMOND BURR VINEYARDS: The star of TV’s “Perry Mason” and “Ironside” also had a passion for wine, which is still celebrated at this small winery in Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley.

There are lots of old photos, “TV Guide” covers and awards in the small tasting room and guests can take their glasses outside to the deck and enjoy sweeping views of the vineyards.

If You Go:

SONOMA WINE COUNTRY WEEKEND 2013: Aug. 30-Sept.

1. Tickets $85-$500 depending on how many events included.

Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch is $165 per person, general admission, or $195 per person for the grand reserve tour, which includes access to additional limited release wines and preferred seating. Tickets: www. sonomawinecountryweekend. com FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA WINERY: 300 Via Archimedes, Geyserville, Calif.; www. franciscoppolawinery.com or 707-857-1400. Wine park open daily 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. Tasting fees range from free for a pour of the everyday red and white to $15.

Daily pool passes start at $20 for adults, $10 children, and renting a cabine, the only way to guarantee pool access, starts at $125, which includes four pool passes, four lounge chairs, towels, wine-tasting flights and two souvenir bottles of water.

FESS PARKER WINERY & VINEYARD: 6200 Foxen Canyon Road, Los Olivos, Calif., www.fessparkerwines.com or 800-841-1104. Open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tasting fees start at $12 per person.

PHOTO BY ANNE STAHL

RAYMOND BURR VINEYARDS: 8339 W. Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, Calif., www.raymondburrvineyards. com or 707-433-4365. Open daily 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. ■

Travel

43 FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013

PHOTO BY WAYNE RAY

Key part of Canada's railway legacy nestled in rural New Brunswick

BY MELANIE PATTEN The Canadian Press MCADAM, N.B. —It's been said that the unmistakable sound of a steam locomotive's whistle can still be heard in this sleepy New Brunswick village, though it's been decades since one of Canadian Pacific Railway's passenger trains thundered down its tracks. T h e golden age of train travel may be long gone, but a significant piece of Canada's railway legacy remains open for visitors here at the historic station in McAdam, a blink-and-you-miss-it hamlet near the Maine border.

Once a vital hub for passengers riding the rails, the chateau-style railway station and its attached five-star hotel are now being lovingly and painstakingly restored to their former glory.

In its heyday, some 16 trains—each one carrying as many as 300 passengers— came to a screeching halt at the grand station every day, sending plumes of coal dust into the air.

Soldiers, celebrities and politicians alike would stream through the doors of the imposing stone building with its pitched red roof destined for places like New York, Boston and Halifax.

At nighttime, the tracks were silent.

But during the day, the station was a flurry of activity: men, women and children disembarking, others waiting for their connecting trains, and the occasional train-hopper caught by the railway's police.

"It was known to be a train always at the station," says Frank Carroll, treasurer of the McAdam Historical Restoration Commission, which has been working to revitalize the century-old station, now a provincial and federal historic site and designated heritage railway station.

"It was always bustling. There were so many people around the train station,

coming and going."

The railway ordered construction of the station, standing two-1/2 storeys tall, at the turn of the 20th century.

Renovations some 10 years later saw the addition of two wings for dining facilities and extra baggage storage. A man-made lake adjacent to the station was used for a water supply.

Like its other landmark railway stations, Canadian Pacific wanted the McAdam station constructed in the chateau style of architecture with a pointed spire and gabled dormers.

Today, visitors can tour the station, which also includes: a dingy, singlecell jail; a small mail room; refurbished waiting areas; a 50s-style cafeteria with a large, M-shaped counter; and a restored dining room that once hosted Marilyn Monroe. As the story goes, the Hollywood bombshell was bound for Miramichi, N.B., for a fishing trip with a few men when she stopped in McAdam.

Carroll, who is also the village's longtime mayor, says he recalls peering through the windows of the station's dining room as a young boy in the 1940s.

"That was always exciting to me because you saw all these—what I would interpret as—rich and famous people eating very elegant meals in this room that I was never privy to go into."

In the old ticket room, a Canadian Pacific conductor's hat hangs from a coat rack—ideal for photo ops. A telegraph machine sits atop a beat-up wooden desk.

In another refurbished room with dark wood floors and wall panelling is a photograph of William Van Horne, the former Canadian Pacific baron whose sprawling summer estate on Ministers Island, N.B., remains a tourist attraction nearly 97 years after his death.

On the left-hand side of the room is a door marked "hotel," which opens up to a staircase leading to the former 20-room inn. Numbered skeleton keys still hang

near the staircase.

Upstairs, light filters in through the open doors on either side of a long, narrow hallway, illuminating the crackled green paint on the walls where the biggest restoration work has yet to be done.

Most rooms are empty, having long been abandoned by their guests. In one room, a small bed has been made up with linens featuring a Canadian Pacific Railway logo.

"These rooms were used for short periods of time by people that were connecting by trains and wanted to have their privacy, and have a chance to look good when they got on the next train," says Carroll.

"Those who travelled in those days wanted to travel well."

Carroll says the hotel and dining room shut down in the late 1950s when the popularity of train travel began to decline. Over the coming decades, Canadian Pacific Railway would pull out and federal Crown corporation VIA Rail would take over passenger service.

VIA's service to McAdam gradually dwindled before it was cancelled altogether in 1994, a couple of years before the commission stepped in to salvage the shuttered station.

Today, the station hosts conferences and dinners. It's also a museum and acts as the village's official visitors' centre during the summer months.

On Sundays, visitors looking for a taste

of tradition can sample a slice of railroad pie—a throwback to the homemade cream- and fruit-filled pastry the station dished out to travellers during its golden years.

The hope is to eventually refurbish the hotel, welcome guests and recapture some of the magic from a bygone era.

It will be an impressive feat costing an estimated $10 million, and involving tearing out walls and ceilings, upgrading electricity and plumbing.

Carroll concedes that day is a long way down the track, but he says the commission is very pleased with what has already been accomplished.

"We took the building for granted," says Carroll. "It was always here, it was just a station. We didn't see the value or the importance of it until it became empty.

"And now we see it coming back."

If you go ...

McAdam Railway Station, 146 Saunders Rd., McAdam, N.B. Tours are offered daily from mid-June through October starting at 10 a.m., for $5. On the Web: www.mcadamstation.ca.

- Ministers Island (Van Horne estate), Bar Road, St. Andrew’s, N.B. Tours for adults are $15. There are discounted rates for students, seniors and families, and tours are free for children under the age of eight. Visitors are advised to check ahead for tour schedules. On the Web: www.ministersisland.net. ■

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Special Report

FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013 46

Are Filipino families going to be reunited in their lifetimes?

BY MELISSA REMULLA-BRIONES AND GRACE QUIDDAOEN Philippine Canadian Inquirer Canada, going the way of America—at least in immigration—is the fear of most Filipino-Canadians. In America, family reunification is a farce, or at least the 25 years or so of waiting makes the lives of separated families seem like one.

Those who leave have to reckon with their guilt; those who are left behind are despondent and desolate. The tarmac bears witness to their goodbyes.

The long immigration lines have started to appear in Canada as the waiting period for family reunification stretched to almost a decade. It would soon be overwhelmed with the growing numbers if nothing was done, so Citizenship and Immigration Canada decided to freeze the lines in 2011. Very recently, however, they announced that the bars are to be lifted as solutions to the backlog have been found.

But at what cost?

Some changes

The old program was completely broken, according to Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney.

"We had 170,000 people waiting for 8 years and the backlog was growing every year. We were on track for a backlog of 250,000 people by 2015 for people who would have been waiting for 15 years. So we had to fix this because the American system is so bad that people are waiting for 25 years for a decision on their parents' application. In other words, they are dying before they can get there.

So we're trying to avoid that, we're trying to fix this by cutting the backlog so we can speed up the processing times."

On May 10, Minister Kenney announced the re-opening of the Parent and Grandparent (PGP) program. New applications will be received on January 2, 2014, but the following changes are made in the qualifying criteria: • Increase of 30% in the required minimum necessary income (MNI) for

sponsoring parents and grandparents: This represents an increase of the MNI to about $55,000 per annum, which, according to Minister Kenney, is "still quite accessible" being "below the average income in Canada but higher than the poverty level". The increase will ensure sponsors are able to meet the financial needs of their sponsored parents and grandparents, which will reduce the net costs to Canadian taxpayers.

• Increase from 1 to 3 years of the period for demonstrating the MNI: Sponsors will be required to demonstrate that they meet the new income threshold for the 3 consecutive tax years prior to submitting the sponsorship application, as opposed to 12 months.

• Extension of sponsorship undertaking period to 20 years: Sponsors will be required to commit to a lengthened sponsorship undertaking period of 20 years, instead of just 10 years. This means sponsors and co-signers (if applicable) will be responsible for repaying any provincial social assistance benefits paid to the parent and grandparent and their accompanying family members for 20 years.

• Change in the maximum age of dependents: The maximum age of dependents will be set at 18. Those over the age of 18 can apply to visit or immigrate to Canada independently.

There will be an exception for

individuals, regardless of age, who are financially dependent on their parents due to a mental or physical disability.

With these changes in place, wait times will be down to 1.5 years from 8 years, according to Minister Kenney.

Abuse of generosity

According to research, 30% of sponsored parents who came to Canada went on welfare after the 10-year sponsorship undertaking. "That's not in keeping with the spirit of the program.

That's an abuse of our generosity. If people want the privilege of sponsoring their parents, they must assume the responsibility for taking care of them.

We've changed some of the rules to make sure that the families who do sponsor parents really do have the stable financial means to take care of them and contribute through their taxes and to the healthcare and other benefits that their parents will receive," said Minister Kenney.

It costs taxpayers $400,000 to provide health benefits to a couple of retired seniors who come at age 65. Add welfare and low-income housing to this and the cost could be staggering. "That's just not a fair burden to impose on taxpayers especially given that the reason we have immigration to Canada is to help us deal with the aging of our own population.

"We're changing the program to ❱❱ PAGE 26 Are Filipino

Publisher Philippine Canadian Inquirer Editor Melissa Remulla-Briones editor@canadianinquirer.net Associate Editor Laarni de Paula Editorial Assistant April Sescon Correspondents Lizette Lofranco-Aba Gigi Astudillo Angie Duarte Maria Ramona Ledesma Katherine Marfal Frances Grace Quiddaoen Agnes Tecson Graphic Designer Victoria Yong Illustration Danvic Briones Photographers Solon Licas Ryan Ferrer Angelo Siglos 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 Editorial Assistant Phoebe Casin Graphic Designer Shanice Garcia Association Publisher Lurisa Villanueva In cooperation with the Philippine Daily Inquirer digital edition Philippine Canadian Inquirer is located at Suite 400, North Tower | 5811 Cooney Road, Richmond, B.C., Canada Tel. No.: 1-888-668-6059 or 778-8893518 | Email: info@canadianinquirer.net or inquirerinc@gmail.com Member

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47 FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013

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