FCM December 2016 by Filipino Canadian Magazine

FCM

December 2016 filcanmagazine.com $4.50

Filipino Canadian Magazine

WHY FCM EXISTS? HEALTH:

FIVE WAYS TO STAY MOTIVATED THREE BUSINESS STRUCTURES YOU NEED TO KNOW GUEST CONTRIBUTOR:

MICHAEL BICKERT

BEATEN BUT NOT DEFEATED

LEADERS & MOVERS PROFOLIO PHOTOGRAPHY: EXPOSED

| FCM | ямБlcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |

| FCM | ďŹ lcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |

CONTENTS HEALTH

INSPIRATION

16 Five Ways to Get Motivated

31 Hiking Through Life

FAMILY

34 Beaten But Not Defeated

18 Raising Filipino Kids in a Canadian Society 28 Choosing the Right Family Law Lawyer 30 Purposeful Teaching FEATURES

22 Lulu Lugue

23 Jerry Caingcoy

24 Maria De Luna

25 Lawrence Macaraeg

26 Ariell and Dyan

27 Federico

Arevalo

Macaraeg

COMMUNITY

12 Building Our Home: Using The Ordinary To Do The Extraordinary CAREER

8 PROFOLIO Photography: Exposed 15 Choosing the Right Career BUSINESS

10 Nightmare Customer 32 Three Business Structures You Need to Know Before Starting a Business 4

| FCM | ďŹ lcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |

Message from FCM Why FCM exists?

cold. “Why?” What my friend didn’t realize was that his simple answer (or question rather) to my idea created a ﬂurry of mental activity that made me reach deep into my mind. It forced me to clarify my reasons for this magazine… Why should this magazine

exist? What is its purpose? Is it for my personal fame? Or is there more to it?

After several days of thinking this through, a realization began to emerge. As I talked about the “why” of the magazine to diﬀerent people, a clear objective began to take shape. Here it is…

nstead of describing “About Us”, I’d like to discuss why FCM exists. Behind every action, there’s always a “why”.

Why did you marry your spouse? Because you love him or her.

Why get an education? You might say to have a more fulﬁlled and comfortable life.

Why do you get up each day to go to work? So you can provide for you and your family. If you think about it, you will see that in all that we do, there’s always a “why” behind it. Several months before this magazine came to be, I talked to a friend about my idea of creating a magazine that would share insights and ideas that people will ﬁnd useful. I speciﬁcally wanted to focus on the Filipino Canadian community. His response was short and disappointingly

The Filipino Canadian Magazine exists to show that Filipinos and Canadians have so much to oﬀer to each other. We exist to broadcast the thoughts and insights from the Filipino community and the greater Canadian community. We want to be a “bridge” between the two cultures. We want to be inclusive. Filipinos in Canada can contribute signiﬁcantly to their new home. We’re more than just what people see on the surface. We have great insights that we can share. Our collective knowledge, experience, and ideas can positively impact Canada. We are a community of educated, talented, resilient, and hard-working individuals. Our goal is that this magazine will remind every Filipino in Canada that they belong to a community that has so much talent, intelligence, potential, and insight to share. Our hope is that you, our reader, will carry this magazine proudly anywhere you go, that you’ll learn from every article that’s shared by your fellow Filipino Canadians, and that you’ll apply what you’ve learned and share it with others. Personally, I hope that this magazine will add value to your life. I hope that in the process of learning from each other, you will uncover the reason to “why you exist.” For we only live once.

future Filipino-Canadians, can be proud of. Let’s redefine what it means to be a Filipino in Canada. Let’s make our new home - Canada, proud of its Filipino sons and daughters. Enjoy the rest of the magazine and don’t forget to give us your support. Visit and share our social media sites.: www.filcanmagazine.com Facebook.com/filcanmagazine Twitter: @filcanmagazine Instagram: @filcanmagazine

Abel Pagaling Fica Media Inc. Co-founder and CEO

“The Filipino Canadian Magazine exists to show that Filipinos and Canadians have so much to oﬀer to each other. We exist to broadcast the thoughts and insights from the Filipino community and the greater Canadian community. We want to be a “bridge” between the two cultures.”

Let’s leave a legacy that our kids — the | FCM | ﬁlcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |

FCM Get Influenced We've often talked about influences. How people affected us and sometimes disaffected us for good reasons or not. We've always shared personalities who have greatly influenced us and more often than not becoming our very own role models. On each of our actions and thoughts human graces still serve as a consistent catalyst for changes in our social character. We have become front liners delivering leaders with powers and accountabilities. We have become pioneers of movements for a good cause and may have become builders of hope for the next generations. This is how far our intelligences can create influences. An influence that matter to us and influences that we take to heart. This is what The Filipino Canadian Magazine is all about. A community of influences on a magazine packed with Ideas targeting results. Creating Impact for inspirations in life and Insights that will exude confidences for the future. Be captivated to a magazine that would aim to connect hopeful citizens from varying cultures. Share a magazine that anyone and everyone can just simply enjoy reading. We invite you to get riveted with FCM. We invite you to read on and get influenced. We invite you to pass on to others on what you have read. Most important of all, glean from every article lessons that would provide the very influences you need for life.

FCM – Filipino Canadian Magazine PUBLISHED BY | Fica Media Inc. EDITOR | Abel Pagaling CO-EDITOR | Annabelle Cayetano Pagaling MAGAZINE DESIGNER | Eric Cordero COVER FEATURE CO-DESIGNER | Hanes Anotado PHOTOGRAPHY PARTNERS | PROFOLIO PHOTOGRAPHY with: Armand Flores Sam Flores www.profoliophotography.com CONTRIBUTORS FOR THIS ISSUE | Michael Bickert, Mydene Cuevas, Valen Vergara, Abel Pagaling ,Allan Manzano, Apple Cebedo, Monique Flores, Lauren Turnquist, Judianne Jayme, Christine Dionisio, Sam Flores LADIES COVER PHOTO CLOTHING SPONSORED BY | PUSTURA, www.lovepustura.com CONTENT COORDINATOR | Bernadeth Pagaling Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in FCM are not necessarily the views of the publisher. FICA MEDIA INC. Suite 300, 160 Quarry Park Blvd SE Calgary, Alberta T2C 3G3 Toll free: 1-888-844-1633 Filcanmagazine.com info@filcanmagazine.com Facebook: facebook/filcanmagazine Twitter: @filcanmagazine Instagram: @filcanmagazine CEO | Abel Pagaling COO, CFO | Eric Cordero EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATOR | Vicky Cordero SOCIAL MEDIA ADMISTRATOR | Annabelle Pagaling ACCOUNTS MANAGER | Juvanie Cabbab Bowen MARKETING TEAM | Brent Anotado Hanes Anotado Armand Flores Ning Becada Vicky Cordero VIDEO ADMINISTRATOR | Jonathan Cordero

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Phone: 1-888-844-1633 advertise@filcanmagazine.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS MGB, FCM Editorial

To subscribe, email: info@filcanmagazine.com (GST not included) 1 year: $38.50 FCM is published 12 times a year. Written consent must be obtained from the publisher to reproduce any of the content.

| FCM | ﬁlcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |

FCM Interview with Mayor Naheed Nenshi

FCM CONNECT

| FCM | ďŹ lcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |

PROFOLIO PHOTOGRAPHY : EXPOSED

Words and Wisdom by Sam and Armand Flores

e like to start by telling the story of a kid who had this polaroid camera. The usual story isn’t it? Pretty much everyone back in the day had the same camera, clicked the same button. Fascinated. Excited. Capturing anything that seems to be interesting or maybe surprising to what an old camera would print. We were kids, the life of the party. Childhood, the era of innocent artistry. HOW WE STARTED: No, we didn’t start photography when we were kids, we were enthusiasts. Adult life and career came crashing before we knew it, artistry went in to an inevitable hibernation. Armand earned a degree in Economics, Business major. Sam was buried in the lifetime commitment of being a surgical nurse. Indeed, we were two completely different individuals who ended up as lifetime partners in business and life in general. Both determined to discovering beauty and making memories, Photography became the center of our attention. Interest and determination was key. So maybe we did start photography when we were kids. Armand, the right-brain dominant, outgoing, full of fantasy creative artist formally studied Photography in Seneca College in Toronto and a full Photography course with the New York Institute of photography. He is the founder of Profolio Photography. How he came up with the name is a long story, or should we say; a very long drive from Toronto to Edmonton. Sam is Armand’s protégé, an exemplar. The left-brained dominant awkward partner, who we love to call, the eye roller. Continuous learning, workshops and mentorship kept us on top of what is a very saturated field of artistry. For us, being partners in Photography has been an exceptional journey. From the day we’ve met to Toronto to Edmonton, to Saskatchewan and now in Calgary. We’ve both been to many places and Photography have had taken a big part of our life and love story. WHATS IN OUR BAG plus WORKFLOW: Let’s get to the nitty gritty, things that photography enthusiast wants to know. Our staple consists of: Three Mark III and Mark II Canon bodies, Canon L series prime lenses 35, 50, 85, 100 Macro, 70-200 Telephoto lenses, some backup kit and fisheye lenses we rarely use. We love finding the most beautiful complimentary natural light and shoot 80% natural light but some of our lighting equipment consist of Canon speed lights, Alien Bees Lights and soft boxes. The good old Adobe Photoshop and

| FCM | ﬁlcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |

Light Room programs are our staple to post processing and upgrade our equipment every five years. Simple. Focused. Effective. That is our workflow. We learned that there is no Photoshop or program that would fix a bad composition, a bad lighting, a bad setup and mood. Through the years of constantly looking for what’s the latest most expensive programs and gear we can buy, we found out that expensive equipment comes second to having a great photography. It is skills, hard work, interest, practice that beats quality of equipment. It is about improving and constantly learning to be better in every shot we take. It is about bringing out the best in every person, the undiscovered beauty and reserved emotions waiting to be captured on a perfect timing in a photograph. It was more about the experience, for us and the subject. Creating memories and evoking emotions are priceless. This is the essence of photography. Photography and artistry does not have to die in technicalities of post processing and equipment possession alone. It is art that lives, it is art that feels. HOW WE WORK: We are a husband-wife team. Some people think it’s a blessing, some a curse. We’re blessed to be able to constantly challenge and improve together but cursed for the times we had to take pictures of ourselves from a tripod. How it’s like to work as a husband and wife team completely turned ourselves upside down. It gave birth to a lot of self-discovery, knowing that being a right or left brain dominant doesn’t matter in the end. And that talent and passion is never enough as a justification of how good a person can be. We’ve learned that your biggest competition is yourself and imperfection is beautiful. Most of all we’ve learnt that in every person’s success is a partner, ready to take on the world for the other person to succeed. We’re two completely different artists with different styles, perspectives and approach to what we do yet we complement each other and fill each other’s short comings. We like to think we’re like a well-oiled machine but reality is we’re not, we’re just like anybody else, passionate and determined in times of failure and success. Grit and passion for what we do is what drives us and teamwork comes first. It’s crazy, it’s exhilarating but who wouldn’t love a crazy adventure with someone you can’t just leave in a corner? Anyone who works with their partner can say; it’s a partnerships biggest secret to make things work and yes, Batman and Robin did it! To see more of our work and discover adventures visit our website at www.profoliophotography.com

Armand and Sam Flores

“Creating memories and evoking emotions are priceless. This is the essence of photography.”

| FCM | ﬁlcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |

Business

The Nightmare Customer By Valen Vergara

“Low fees and payment schedules will open the door for clients who will constantly push the limits with your value oﬀerings crea ng massive conﬂict.”

e have all experienced them in business or career. That one customer who pursues a vendetta to work against the grain by any means necessary. It is not your fault and you are not alone on this one! Although it may appear that way until you interview the countless business owners who all share a common thread on this topic. If you want confirmation ask any entrepreneur who has been in business for a while. With that said, if you have been through this, the mainstay of why it occurred is because you NEVER should have taken them on in the first place. If you choose to accept mission impossible, you will move from service provider to dodging friendly fire. You won’t like the way you look after it is all said and done; I guarantee it! In this process, most business owners start reactive, instead of being pre-active. Be that as it may, here are a number of technique tweaks to make to ensure you are never caught behind customer lines. It begs the question, have you ever been pressured into negotiating on price points or payment plans? If you have and settled in any way, you should be experiencing an

unsettling feeling right about in the pit of your stomach right about now and here’s why… Lowering prices or allowing payment plans, pull in low quality clientele. Quality over quantity for the win. You will magnetize folks who are more concerned with excuses than actually doing the work they know they ought to be doing. Results are secondary to them and they pull reasons “why not,” out of a hat. Yeah – this will be a roller coaster ride for you and I can’t blame you. It happens to the best of us! Lowering your price or permitting payment options will prevent value added customers from knocking at your door. Moreover, low costs will force out action oriented customers. Lowering costs or extended payment plans, create situations where clients will take the easy road out and will NOT own up to any responsibility for their lack of results, and they will force blame on you instead at what they should be doing to get what they want with your workmanship. This is the conﬁrmation bias at its worst, they only see what they want to see at this point.

| FCM | ﬁlcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |

Low prices or delayed plans will turn you into a sounding board for customers who insist on complaining, picking fights, no matter what! Clients who constantly complain, and pick you apart on how you deliver your service, no matter what you do. Conversely, clients who pay upfront are WAY too busy doing the orders assigned to them to bicker about anything. Low fees and payment schedules will open the door for clients who will constantly push the limits with your value offerings creating massive conflict. If you allow your clients to pay lowered costs and or payment plans, then expect some to have remittance issues. They will not pay and this in the majority of cases is due to lack of funds. They can’t afford it, but they can afford to lend out a bad attitude. They were broke to begin with and again prevention is the best medicine. Drink up! Clients that pay in full and upfront will be your best clients, while the lion’s share of your uncommitted clients will be “till death do you part.” Low costs and payment plans creates non -committed customers. They are unable to buy into the table instead of putting all the chips on the table. Without a true, vested, paid interest they end up disinterested in what evidently, they care about most… themselves… The next time you come across the nightmare customer, tread carefully, seller beware! _________________________________________________________

Valen Vergara Award Winning Bestselling Author, National Columnist, As Seen On “Game Changer” Movie, Social Entrepreneur, Investor, Humanitarian & Entrepreneur Trainer. Become visible and credible in your business and career at www.valenvergara.com

Smart Choice Full page

| FCM | ďŹ lcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |

Community

Building Our Home: Using The Ordinary To Do The Extraordinary By Allan Manzano

a Canadian‐ born Filipino, I’ve always felt like I lived my life straddled between two worlds – I was never really Canadian but never really Filipino either. True to my Canadian teachers, I always strived to be punctual while foregoing the bologna sandwich‐ es for some version of rice. It was never easy being this self‐aware as it o en gave me a bit of an inferiority complex in many areas of my life that o en stunted me from overachieving – too short to dunk a basketball, too paciﬁc islander to skate with the best. Always running in the middle of the pack, ge ng lost in the mix – in a word…Ordinary. Fortunately, two things happened; First, I grew up beyond the oversimpliﬁca on of

iden fying myself by either individual culture; and second Canada as a whole has bloomed into a truly cultural mosaic we have all come to appreciate. Through this me of growth, I have had the privilege of working with people who migrated from diﬀerent countries in the churches I served with – from people who derived from the Far East to people who hailed from the land down under. More and more, I began to see people beyond the color of their skin, the tone of their accent, and the smell of their food. Rather I began to appreciate that embedded within the landscape of this cultural mosaic ran a similar theme among New Canadians I spent me with; the goal was always Canada – the land of snow, ice, universal healthcare, Wayne Gretzky…and

| FCM | ﬁlcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |

fresh opportuni es. Let me expand this point by saying: Yes, the goal was Canada; but below the surface, were stories. Stories that were o en fraught with great sacriﬁce, years hard work, expensive applica on and reloca on fees, and lengthy tests of pa ence and prayer. It always amazed me the lengths people were willing to undergo to migrate to my home. A quick snapshot of some memorable stories were:  The Card carrying Communist who was indicted by his home country a er formally reques ng the opportunity to go to school in Canada to escape the regime he felt handcuﬀed by;  The successful hotelier from Central America, who sold genera ons worth of family

proper es for the opportunity to bring his children to Canada to escape the drug war;  the Filipino mother who sacrifices years away from her children to rear the offspring of another with the ul mate dream of reuni ng her family again;  the Indian Surgeon who traded in his scalpel for a Canadian mop to leave persecu on his family faced back home;  the Cambodian accountant who flipped burgers six days a week so she can go to school five nights a week to fund Her father’s cancer treatment. In short, they were o en stories of ordinary people willing to go to extraordinary lengths to achieve their personal goals in Canada. .

“As a Canadian-born Filipino, I’ve always felt like I lived my life straddled between two worlds – I was never really Canadian but never really Filipino either. “ Downtown Calgary, Alberta, Canada Photo: Eric Cordero

Many of you reading this can iden fy with some of these sacrifices. Many of you can remember the blood, sweat, and tears you shed for the single opportunity that awaited across the globe. Landmarks that you planted along your journey to Canada are coming back to mind as you can remember the flood of emo ons you felt at certain mes – when the applica on was accepted, the bags were packed, and you finally made it past the immigra on counter and stepped onto Canadian soil. For several people, you can look back at your journey to Canada and smile because there were several moments you truly felt like there were extraordinary things happening that were transforming your ordinary life. As a Canadian who has never felt the need to leave my country but

has had the privilege of mee ng hundreds upon hundreds of people who have all told me amazing stories like the ones listed above, I have one ask. Please do not look at the immigra on counter as the ﬁnish line of your journey. Canada needs people who have dared to dream outside their realm of possibility, who have dipped their toes into the sea of opportunity, who have been stretched beyond comfort of their own culture – to con nue to propel us forward in order to ensure that the cultural inferiority complex I felt growing up doesn’t aﬀect the genera on I am now trying to raise. Your voice, your knowledge, your experience, your mo va on, your passion, and your heart is what will drive our workplaces, neighborhoods, soccer teams, churches, towns, ci es…and our

na on forward ul mately. We need your vitality, your spirit of hard work, your compassion for the oppressed, to ensure that everyone is represented in the boardrooms, in the lecture halls, in the coﬀee shops, the water coolers, and the poli cal arenas all across this country. With my part of the country now in a recession, we are relying heavily on people like you who have already journeyed through diﬃculty to bring a fresh voice and help us innovate solu ons, develop ideas, start businesses, speak up for what is right, and help navigate our collec ve home into the future. Earlier this year, Canada was rated the second best country in the world to live at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. I would love to see

Canada remain a World leader and one of the most desirable places to live, but it will take all ordinary Canadians doing extraordinary things to keep on that path. To you who consider yourselves new Canadians, I say “Welcome”! – now it’s me for us all to roll up our sleeves step out of our comfortable communi es, strive to overachieve, and build the home around us an even be er place to live, eh? Allan is a passionate leader who is not afraid to paint outside the lines, a mo vated speaker/ teacher who wants nothing more than to ins ll Truth to shape future genera ons, and a loving father and husband who is not concerned about losing the “cool factor” just to see them smile

| FCM | ﬁlcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |

| FCM | ďŹ lcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |

Career

Choosing The Right Career By Monique Flores

hoosing a career can be a fun and exciting process, but it can also be a stressful one. It is one of the biggest decisions we make in our lives and one that may affect other aspects of one’s lifestyle. It is important to choose a career that you will love, but it is as important to be careful in the steps you take in choosing one. Here are some key aspects to think about when choosing the right career for you:

1. Do What You Love When choosing the right career for yourself, think about the things in your daily life that you enjoy doing and what your talents are. If you are passionate about something, see if there are any careers out there that may be related to your passion. It may help to create a list of these things that you enjoy. It can be as simple as your everyday hobbies, but also take the me to hone in on what things you excel at. Perhaps you enjoy spending me on the computer and are really good at fixing computer issues. It may be fi ng to consider a career in IT. 2. Self‐Assessment Take me to reflect on what characteris cs define you as a person. Again, you could make a list of these quali es. For example, are you a people‐ person and perhaps would work well in a team? Consider if the characteris cs that define you would make you suitable for the career that you are interested in. Focus on what your strengths are and how you can apply these strengths to a certain job. Think about specific careers and the characteris cs a perfect candidate would possess for the

job. But always remember, you may be the perfect person for the job, but is that job the perfect one for you? You also want to think about what benefits you would receive in that chosen career – is it rewarding? Does it excite you? Does it allow you to grow as a person? 3. What Kind of Lifestyle Do You Want? Your career can greatly impact the lifestyle that you live. When choosing the right career, think about the work schedule that you would like to have. Do you prefer the typical 9‐5 job on weekdays? Or would you prefer to work different shi s? Think about how your schedule would impact the other aspects of your life, such as your family or social life. Make sure that your schedule will s ll allow you to make me for the things that you enjoy doing. You may also want to think about how much your chosen career would pay, as this can influence the lifestyle you live. Make sure your pay can accommodate the lifestyle you would like to have. However, be realis c of your desires, and separate your wants vs. your needs.

4. Be Pa ent Pa ence is an important value to have when choosing the right career. Be pa ent in the ming of where you want to be in your career and remember that the career you want may not always be the one you get right off the bat. Finding the right career is a process itself, and it may involve a aining certain skills first, or maybe ge ng educated in that area first. You may have to work in similar fields or in other posi ons first to get the career you are aiming for. Think of the right career as a learning process and have fun with it, especially because you will learn new skills, develop your professional self, and gain experience along the way.

that can assist you in finding more informa on regarding your chosen career. The internet is an easy source, but you can also speak with school representa ves or get in touch with someone who works in your field of interest. There are career counsellors/coaches at schools that can help you in finding a job and even wri ng your resume. You can also visit the public library where they offer career coaching sessions. The above aspects are more so guidelines than steps in helping you choose the right career for yourself. Use it as an aid to ease the process of determining which career to choose, but remember to also have fun in doing so. ___________________________

5. Do Your Research When you have an idea of what the right career for you may be, it is important to spend some me to research that career, so you can be well prepared in what steps you need to take. Find out what pre‐requisites or skills are required for the posi on you are interested in. If you need to have related educa on, research what programs and schools allow you to gain that background. There are so many resources out there

Monique is a nurse and reservist with the Canadian Forces. She is a big believer in gaining knowledge and life experience to better one’s self. She can be reached at: moniqueflores08@hotmail.com for any assistance in creating a resume/cover letter or advice in applying for a job.

| FCM | ﬁlcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |

Health

Five Ways to Get Motivated By Apple Cebedo

“Be proud of your journey – no matter how small or big your achievements will be”

ach one of us has our own health and ﬁtness journey, and each one of us struggle in achieving our goals. One of the biggest struggles we face is the lack of mo va on to start living a healthier lifestyle. We all know it’s be er for us to eat healthy and exercise, but we all struggle to push ourselves into actually doing it. Mo va on plays a huge factor in achieving our goals and it all starts in the mind. The more posi ve our thoughts are, the more posi ve our ac ons are, and the more successful we will be!

of water every day this week. Eat out only once a week. Walk up the stairs instead of taking the elevator at work. Have only 2 cookies instead of 3.

Here are 5 ways to get mo vated:

3. Priori ze.

1. Find your WHY.

“Health is wealth.” Yes, it’s a cliché, but it is 100% true. When you are healthy, you can do anything you set your mind to. But you have to tell yourself that it’s important, otherwise, you won’t do it!

Think about ‘WHY’ you want to be healthy. Is it to lose weight? Gain/build muscle? Increase ﬂexibility? Eat be er to avoid illness? Those are all great physical goals. But think about your mental and emo onal goals as well. Do you want to achieve a certain level of accomplishment? Do you waste me by making excuses and would like to change that? Do you want to be more conﬁdent? Do you want to SUCCEED? Your ‘Why’ will be the center of your goals and will be the purpose for you to change your life. It will help mo vate you to do ANYTHING. Think about it. You can change the way you think if you let yourself! What is YOUR Why? 2. Set one, small goal. Set goals and start small. Drink one more glass

Progress takes me and it’s be er to set smaller, achievable goals and accomplish them one by one rather than se ng a big goal that’s too complicated and you won’t even know where to start. Not only will you be more successful in doing so, it will be less stress for you and you will see results quicker, which will mo vate you even more!

Priori ze your health and you will be amazed at the results that follow. Schedule your workouts in your calendar. Set a reminder on your phone for when you have to drink water and eat a proper meal. Make sure you eat breakfast every morning to kick start your day. Prepare your meals ahead of me. Remind yourself every day that it ma ers to you. 4. Draw inspira on from posi ve sources. “Life is too short…” You’ve heard this phrase me and me again. Be yourself and don’t allow nega vity to aﬀect your life. If it doesn’t li you up, leave it on the bo om. It will stay there, but you won’t. Surround yourself with people who inspire

| FCM | ﬁlcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |

you. Do ac vi es that make you happy. Go to places you’ve always wanted to go. Just live! Nothing holds you back more than your own insecuri es. Conquer them and be brave. You will love yourself more for it. 5. Believe in yourself. Mo va on starts internally – from within yourself. It all starts with YOU. Nobody will do it for you but YOU. If YOU want success, YOU have to work for it. If YOU want to change your lifestyle, YOU have to do it. If YOU want to be be er, YOU have to do more than ‘good’. Your accomplishments are yours, your successes are yours, your happiness is yours. Be proud of your journey – no ma er how small or big your achievements will be, or how long it may take, or how many sacriﬁces you will make. The journey is the most exci ng and rewarding part of it all, the des na on is just a bonus. So keep pushing, keep going, and keep being a be er YOU!

Apple Cebedo is an aspiring Pe rson al F itne ss T ra ine r, Nutritionist, and Health Coach studying at Elevated Learning Academy. She is currently an Independent Beachbody Coach and is motivating others to live healthier lives. She is a part-time Admin Assistant at Calgary Lab Services, and a Screening Coordinator and volunteer at St. Patrick’s Church. She is passionate about health, fitness, nutrition, and helping others. If you are looking for help to get started with your health and fitness journey, you can contact her at abcebedo@gmail.com or 403-397-6335

| FCM | ďŹ lcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |

Family

Raising Filipino Kids in a Canadian Society By Abel Pagaling

Marycris Mina Reyes and Family

At some point, children will want to “explore what’s out there”. There is this natural desire to be a part of the larger group. Even at a very young age, kids automatically gather themselves. Just observe a playground and see how they start playing together after a few minutes of coming to contact with each other.

(Article originally posted at www.theﬁlipinochampionsofcanada.com)

om and dad, I’m going out with my friends and will be home late.”

For many Filipino parents, these words can be unsettling. Not because they don’t trust their kids to do the right thing, but because the environment that their children are going into is very diﬀerent than where they’re from. For traditional parents who grew up in a strict, religious, and disciplined home in the Philippines, the Canadian social life can be “too liberal”, or “unrestricted”, making it easy for teens and young adults to explore sex, drugs, gangs, and other activities that could turn them into statistics. Add cultural diﬀerence to this, the increasing sexualisation of “pop” culture from music videos to video games, and easy access to information online from both good and bad sources (such as porn). It’s understandable why parents worry. As a father of three beautiful young kids, keeping my kids safe from harm is my top priority. I’m sure this goes for all loving parents. However, this doesn’t always go well with my kids.

| FCM | ﬁlcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |

“Like many immigrant families from the Philippines, Marycris and her husband AJ came to Canada with their two teenage boys in 2005 in the hope of a better future.”

But wanting to “explore what’s out there” is particularly challenging for parents when kids become teens and young adults. This is the “high risk” age category where all the bad things that could happen “might” happen. This is when parents become “protective”. If you watched the cartoon movie “The Croods”, you know what I mean. In my attempt to prepare myself for this eventual clash between me and my children, I met with a good friend of mine, Marycris Reyes, and talked about how she successfully navigated her two boys in their teen and young adult years. Like many immigrant families from the Philippines, Marycris and her husband AJ came to Canada with their two teenage boys in 2005 in the hope of a better future. Their cultural transition was not easy. It’s like cramming 20 years of cultural education in a few weeks.

Marycris and AJ started from scratch in a foreign culture. Back then they did not know many people. Every day, they worried about putting food on the table, how they would pay their bills, and how to keep their jobs while they work hard to assimilate to become more “Canadian”. But I learned from Marycris and AJ that the hardship was worth it as long as their kids turn out well and become productive members of our society. The diﬃcult transition was an acceptable sacriﬁce in exchange for a bright future for their boys. So could you blame immigrant parents like Marycris and AJ if sometimes they come across as overprotective to their kids? Still, it’s a struggle. I know my wife and I will face this one day. It’s inevitable. Looking at my eldest son who reminds me of me (only he is smarter), I know we’ re going to deal with a headstrong kid someday who will push for what he thinks is right so we better be ready. I asked Marycris for her insights to help prepare me and my wife to face the “high risk” age category that’s coming. She openly shared her thoughts with me. But before we go through the list, I’d like to tell you more about Marycris and AJ. They are one of the pioneers of Champion Life Center (CLC) church where they currently serve as leaders. Aside from her church work, Marycris serves the Filipino community as part of FCT – Filipino Champions Talk

committee. And yes, Marycris and AJ successfully transitioned in Canada. Their two boys are now grown men and have completed their studies. Both currently work in the medical ﬁeld.

money and hard work.

Here are her thoughts on how she and AJ successfully raised and “navigated” through the tough years:



Have a weekly family prayer and “devotion”.



Connect with a support group from the church.



Connect the kids to the church and encourage them to use their skills in the church.



Spend quality time with the kids and know what’s happening in their lives “daily”. 

Involve kids in family situations and decision making. Ask them what they think they should do. It makes them more aware of life’s struggles, makes them feel valued and part of the family. 

Say “sorry” too. Parent’s humility shows we’re not perfect. Let the kids know it’s ok to make mistakes. 

Know your child’s love language – words of aﬃrmation, physical touch, receive gifts, acts of service, or quality time. 

Guide them even after they turn 18 years old. 

Teach them the habit of priority and work on schedules. 

No money as “baon” (lunch money). Bring food to lunch Show the value of

“Before you correct their mistakes, praise their eﬀorts ﬁrst.”

Power of human connection – kids don’t listen to people they don’t like, so build a relationship. Before you correct their mistakes, praise their eﬀorts ﬁrst.



Let them use a student loan to help them be responsible for their tuition, but support them with their car and other needs. 

Power of the tongue – tongue holds the power of life and death, curse, and blessings. Power of words and declaration. “I Can! “ I am a Champion- your words become a reality, encourage kids, use words that win! No to “you’re a loser”. But the biggest factor is Church involvement at Champion Life Center (CLC) – a church passionate about loving God and discipline people to become followers of Christ through meaningful relationships and community programs. 

As we close our conversation, I sensed both gratitude and joy from Marycris. Gratitude that she found purpose, comfort, and strength from her church group, and joy from knowing that she and her husband AJ have been blessed with two wonderful sons. I think the successful outcome was the result of their sacriﬁce, prayer, and determination to see their kids grow properly even if sometimes they came across as overprotective. For that, I give a big salute to Marycris and AJ and to all the members of CLC church group who helped them along the way.

Abel Pagaling is a co-founder of FCM. He is a manager, an entrepreneur, a writer, a community servant, and a motivational speaker. His passion is personal development and leadership.

| FCM | ﬁlcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |

Inspiration

LEADERS

Lawrence Macaraeg

Ariell Arevalo

Dyan Arevalo

PHOTO by ARMAND FLORES of PROFOLIO PHOTOGRAPHY WOMEN’S CUSTOM DRESSES by PUSTURA JERRY’S CLOTHING by RW&CO

| FCM | ﬁlcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |

& MOVERS Jerry Caingcoy Federico Causapin Jr.

Lourdes Lugue

Maria De Luna

| FCM | ďŹ lcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |

Lourdes Lugue

ourdes, also known as Lulu by many of her friends and colleagues, is one of Calgary’s top engineers. Her work on Leachate won her the Environmental and Sustainability Award by The Associa on of Professional Engineers and Geoscien sts of Alberta or APEGA (2016). Leachate, or “garbage juice,” is a highly toxic garbage by‐product that is many mes more polluted than regular waste water. Lulu’s work on trea ng leachate “showed that the quality of treated leachate not only met but exceeded the city’s standards.” (PEG magazine, Fall 2016). Lulu’s other notable achievements: Chairperson, Water and Wastewater Technologies Conference (1999), Speaker at the Philippine Interna onal Wastewater Treatment Congress (1997) and Achievement Award from TFCC – The Filipino Champions of Canada (2015). Before her engineering success in Canada, Lulu completed two engineering degrees in the Philippines – Civil and Environmental Engineering. It wasn’t an easy journey. Lulu is one of the few female students in a male dominated ﬁeld. “There were only ten ladies in the engineering class,” said Lulu. “We didn’t have the internet back then, so I was always studying and doing research in the university library. While many students par ed, I focused on my studies.”

Photo by Armand Flores Clothing by PUSTURA

“I studied hard to earn a career, and I did not come to Canada just to waste this career.” 22

| FCM | ﬁlcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |

A er comple ng her degrees, Lulu went to Belguim to complete her masters in engineering. At the second year of her study, she became pregnant with her ﬁrst child. “”I was due to give birth, so I requested to write my exams ahead of me. My program coordinator was so impressed. Even with my baby, I graduated second place in the en re class.” In July 2000, Lulu and her family moved to Toronto. She could not land an engineering job because she lacked Canadian experience. “I worked as a food delivery aid in the Toronto East General Hospital,” said Lulu. “I also worked part‐ me at the Future Shop as a customer service representa ve. I also tutored math on the side. But I wasn’t happy. I studied hard to earn a career, and I did not come to Canada just to waste this career.” In August 2007, Lulu moved to Calgary and pursued her engineering career, working and studying at the same me. “I pursued un l I got it. I didn’t give up.” Lulu is now a Senior Process Engineer for the City of Calgary where she plays a vital role in keeping Calgary’s water system free of toxic pollutants. ‐FCM

Jerry Caingcoy

efore coming to Canada, Jerry worked as an executive in local and multinational companies in the Philippines. “I had more than 15 years of management experience encompassing sales, training, and education,” says Jerry. “I also founded a progressive private school which is now complete with pre-school and elementary classes.” In October 2007, Jerry moved to Canada. “I had to start my professional career all over again.” From an entry level position, Jerry worked his way up to a management position with one of the largest organizations in Calgary. “We can rise above the ranks if we truly work at it.” Jerry is very passionate about the FilipinoCanadian community. He organized fundraising events to help disaster victims in the Philippines. He coordinated networking events resulting in a stronger connection amongst Filipino. Through his eﬀorts, many Filipinos in Calgary have a group they can turn to for guidance, feedback, motivation, and inspiration.

Aside from being a full-time employee and a dad, Jerry is a member of the International Lion’s Club and served as the chairman of the Pride of Community Award. He also volunteers as a mentor for the Calgary Region Immigrant Employment Council (CRIEC) where he mentors immigrant professionals so they can become successful in Canada. And on top of this, he helps Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW’s) through his local church.

Photo by Armand Flores

Jerry also hosted TV Filipino which was featured on a major cable network watched by Filipinos in Canada. He informed the community of upcoming events and conducted interviews of Filipinos who have an inspiring story to share.

“We can rise above the ranks if we truly work at it.”

Clothing by RW&CO

Canadians who give speeches to inspire the Filipino-Canadian community.

“TFCC is a registered non-proﬁt society in Alberta that is passionately carrying and executing the vision of connecting, sharing and inspiring one Filipino at a time. Our core values are RICE - Respect, Integrity, Community, and Excellence. In a nutshell, In 2015, Jerry founded TFCC – The Filipino TFCC would like to connect, share and Champions of Canada. One of TFCC’s key inspire one Filipino at a time with respect initiatives is FCT, or Filipino Champions Talks. and integrity in the spirit of community The event showcases successful Filipino-

through excellence.” On November 18, TFCC is hosting FCT Youth, designed to showcase young leaders from the community. “I like what Mother Theresa said, ‘not all of us can be great, but we can be great in small things that we do.” said Jerry. “How do we strengthen the Filipino community then? We all have a role to play. Everyone can contribute in their little way.” -FCM

| FCM | ﬁlcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |

Maria De Luna

aria arrived in Canada in 2002 with her family. They lived in Montreal for four years, where she studied Bachelors of Psychology at Concordia University. She graduated in 2005. “I wanted to be a lawyer, but it was expensive, so I went to psychology.” In 2004, while in school, she worked with an immigra on consultant firm and fell in love with immigra on work. In 2006, Maria moved to Calgary and worked as a paralegal with a law firm. During that me, she studied for her immigra on consul ng license. She then partnered with a recruitment company where she worked for seven years. Ever since she moved to Canada, she’s always tried to find ways to help her fellow Kababayans. “It’s the reason I took psychology,” said Maria, “to be able to help.” In 2015, she opened her firm – Maria De Luna Immigra on Services Inc., also known as MDL Immigra on services. “It’s about the feeling of contentment when you’re able to help others with their problems and complica ons,” says Maria. “It’s a great feeling to be able to help others.” Her firm has seen tremendous success over the past year. “I now have nine employees, and we have an office in downtown Calgary.” She recently started MDL team events, and authored a book: Ala – Eh?! Ang Buhay Canadian.

Photo by Armand Flores Clothing by PUSTURA

“Always dream! There will always be a pathway to get to your dream. Sometimes there are obstacles, but always hang on to your dream.” 24

| FCM | ﬁlcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |

On star ng her own business, “It was scary at ﬁrst,” said Maria. “There was overhead cost. Then the company began to grow. It’s all a bout serving our clients.” Aside from being a mom and a business owner, Maria is also ac vely involved in the community as a member of TFCC – The Filipino Champions of Canada. She gave an inspira onal speech early this year at one of TFCC’s events, FCT – Filipino Champions Talk. “If it helps the community become closer, I’m there to help out.” Maria’s message to Filipinos is “Always dream! There will always be a pathway to get to your dream. Some mes there are obstacles, but always hang on to your dream.” ‐FCM

Lawrence Macaraeg

hen Lawrence was young, he devoted a lot of his time trying to develop new and exciting things.

Growing up, Lawrence wanted to place a mark on this earth, be it in sports, something he engineered and developed, or being the ﬁrst Filipino to ever do something big. After graduating post-secondary, he started his career with a pipeline company, designing circuit boards. To further his knowledge, he worked and traveled throughout Canada as an engineer, and installed new navigational devices for helicopters. With the market downturn and restructuring of his company, Lawrence went back to his oil and gas roots and worked with a company that enabled him to travel around the world to help educate engineers and technicians on new oil and gas technologies. Lawrence’s role as manager of technical development caught the eyes of a CEO of an oil and gas company in China. Photo by Armand Flores

Today, he is a Director of North American operations for one of the biggest growing oil and gas companies in China.

When he is not working his day job, Lawrence runs his greatest achievement - his martial arts school. It all started at age 12 in North East Calgary. After school, he would regularly go to a Filipino Martial Arts school where he would spend four hours a week practicing and training in the art of Kaikendo. After ﬁve years he studied the art of Arnis and hand-to-hand combat from Filipino instructor Master Ray Julien, an 8th degree black belt under the Saudi TKD Kickboxing Association.

Lawrence is a Director of North American operations for one of the biggest growing oil and gas companies in China. In 1996 he was given his black belt and was asked to assist in training the new students. This opportunity led him to become Master Ray's assistant instructor. Lawrence knew his passion to one day own his school would be within reach when he would teach private lessons in a local basement. He started with less than ﬁve students which grew to 25 in less than six months.

In 1998, Lawrence was approved by Master Ray to run his school which he named - Mac Martial Arts Club. From opening its doors, Lawrence has helped hundreds of students become not only great martial artists but strong and successful individuals. -FCM

| FCM | ﬁlcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |

Ariell & Dyan Arevalo

“

What you are, and what you are doing today does not have to deﬁne your future.” – Ariell Arevalo

Ariell arrived in Canada in 2008. Within a month, he was working two jobs, which then became three. In 2009, at the age of 21, he married Dyan, also 21 years old. In 2010, they met one of their inspiring mentors who they fondly call “kuya Marlon.” This changed their life’s trajectory. In August 2010, they started their part‐ me Financial Services business. By December 2010, Ariell quit his full‐ me job, and Dyan reduced her work hours. In 2011, Ariell opened his insurance brokerage office. Today, the office has six brokers and almost $3,000,000 in annual sales. The brokerage recently moved to a larger office in Calgary. They serve primarily Filipino clientele. Aside from the insurance brokerage, a large part of Ariell and Dyan’s success is from real estate. Now, Ariell and Dyan, both 29 years old, calls themselves “semi‐re red.” “We work because we want to, not because we have to,” says Ariell. “The two most important learnings we learned is HUMILITY and LEVERAGE,” says Ariell. “If you are working as an employee, you get paid, that’s it… When you are in business, you have the ability to leverage the help of others. It’s a win‐win situa on; you provide opportunity, and you s ll can give value albeit indirectly. This is also part of being humble, in a sense that you are at peace that you can’t do it all, and that you will need help from others.”

Photo by Armand Flores

Ariell & Dyan enjoy traveling and going to diﬀerent places. Ariell also blogs about personal ﬁnance at www.re reyoungtogetrich.com.

Clothing by PUSTURA

“All blessings come from God, and allow God to use you as an instrument to help others. God blesses those who bless others, so just con nue to be a blessing to other people,” says Ariell. Ariell & Dyan’s advocacy is “for more young people to see a vision of themselves no longer trapped in a world where they are forced to work just to pay the bills.” To see the en re ar cle about Ariell and Dianne, go to ﬁlcanmagazine.com.

“We work because we want to, not because we have to” 26

| FCM | ﬁlcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |

‐FCM

Federico Causapin Jr.

ederico is the executive chef for Austin’s Bar & Grill, a very popular Calgary restaurant in Calgary. He is a member of the National Membership Chair of the Canadian Culinary Federation, a Chef Social Chair of the Calgary Academy of Chef and Cooks, and the Founding Chair of the Philippine Culinary Federation of Canada. He was awarded 2015 Chef of the Year by the Calgary Academy of Chefs and Cooks. Success did not come easy for Federico. He came from a very humble beginning. “I grew up in a small barrio in Lucena City,” said Federico. “Our house was in the poorest of the poor. The house was very small for a family of six. It was made of bamboo and nipa hut. Our family barely lived on my dad's income from the ﬁshery.”

The turning point in his life came in the year 2000 after a 2-week cooking seminar. Afterward, he was sent to a job training at a hotel in Manila. “I was assigned work in the main kitchen from 8 am to 2 pm, but instead of going home, I volunteered to help at the hotel coffee shop. I did this from 2 pm to 9 pm for two months, every day.” His dedication paid off. The executive chef noticed Federico and have him a job as a cook. In 2002, Federico moved to Kuwait and worked there for five years. “My

Photo by Armand Flores

Like other poor kids in the Philippines, his childhood experience wasn’t easy. “I was a scavenger once, a street vendor, selling balut day and night, a day-worker in a rice ﬁeld in exchange for a small amount of rice, and worked many kinds of low-paying jobs. Even during my adolescent time, after acquiring a driver’s license, I worked as a tricycle driver, jeepney driver, taxi driver, a driver for a family, and a company driver.”

“I treat the restaurant I work for like it is my own. Because I know I need to do it for my employer, for me, and most importantly for my staﬀ.”

communication skills improved because I used English every day since no one talked Tagalog.” This experience helped him transition to Canada when he migrated in 2008 and worked as a cook. “I always worked with determination and passion,” said Federico. “My employer noticed my potential and gave me a position to run the kitchen as the executive chef. I treat the restaurant I work for like it

is my own. Because I know I need to do it for my employer, for me, and most importantly for my staﬀ.” Not only is Federico a great chef, but he also loves to serve his community. “When you serve your community, God will not forget you when you're in trouble.” -FCM

| FCM | ﬁlcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |

Family

Choosing the Right Family Law Lawyer By Lauren Turnquist

ccording to Statistics Canada in 2008, 43.1% of marriages were expected to end in divorce before a couple reached their 50th anniversary. This statistic does not include the separation rates of couples living in common-law relationships which, once factored in, likely increases the overall rate of relationship break downs in Canada. The unfortunate reality is that many people, whether married or in a common-law relationship, will be faced with the legal implications of a relationship breakdown at some point in their lives. In the event you experience a breakdown of your marriage or relationship, one of the ﬁrst, and maybe most important, choices that you may be confronted with is determining whether you need legal representation and choosing who will represent you. Many people feel overwhelmed with not only the fall-out from the breakdown of their relationship, but also with the diﬃculties associated with choosing a lawyer to assist them in navigating through the muddy waters of a separation or divorce. The following steps will guide you towards choosing the right family law lawyer for you:

| FCM | ﬁlcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |



Ask around – A recommendation from a trusted friend or family member who has been through a similar process is an invaluable source of information. By discussing someone else’s experience with a particular family law lawyer, you will gain insight that you would not otherwise have by simply cold calling a random family law lawyer in your area. Check out the Law Society of Alberta website – If family or friends are unable to provide you with some names of family law lawyers, the Law Society of Alberta provides a “Lawyer Referral” service and contact information for up to three lawyers who will review what legal services might assist you. The Law Society of Alberta is a regulator and will not make representations as to the quality of the lawyer’s work. Rather, it will provide you with the contact information of lawyers who will speak to you. You may be put in touch with a family law lawyer, or a lawyer who can refer you to a family law lawyer. If you are interested in this service you can visit the Law Society of Alberta’s website at: www.lawsociety.ab.ca/public/lawyer_referral.aspx or call 403.228.1722 for more information.



Do some initial research – Once you have some names of potential family law lawyers, the simplest way to find information about a particular lawyer is through an internet search. Start by reading a lawyer’s biography on their firm website. Develop a sense of who the person is and what type of law they practice. Does the lawyer practice solely in the area of family law, or do they also practice in other areas of law? Does the lawyer have the expertise in a particular area of family law that is important to you? Consider where the lawyer’s office is located and whether that location is convenient for you. It may be important for you to have a lawyer whose office is near public transportation or where it easy to find parking or near child care.



Are you looking for a “one stop shop” – Your research should not be limited to your potential lawyer but should also include the law firm where the lawyer practices. In many cases, your legal needs will expand beyond your family law matter. You may require assistance with your estate planning documents or with the sale or refinancing of your current home or the purchase of a new home. You may require assistance with a privately held corporation as part of a property division. There are some family law boutiques that can assist you through your family law matter, but would refer you to another law firm for all other legal matters. There are other law firms that have lawyers who practice in various areas of the law and could assist you within the same firm as your family law lawyer. There are pitfalls and benefits to both boutique family law firms and full service law firms – you just have to assess what type of law firm suits your particular needs.



Pick up the phone – You should be able to speak to the lawyer who you are interested in on the phone before setting up an in-person consultation. Most family law lawyers will speak to you on the phone at no cost so take advantage of this time. During this introductory call you should get some basic information such as the lawyer’s hourly rate, experience and availability to take on your matter. If there is some urgency to your matter and the lawyer is going on vacation for three weeks, you may want to consider contacting other potential lawyers regarding your matter. Do not limit yourself to speaking to one lawyer. You will

never know what options are available to you unless you dial several numbers.



Be honest about what you can afford – After learning the lawyer’s hourly rate, you must consider whether or not you can afford the costs of that particular lawyer. There is nothing more stressful for the lawyer-client relationship than concerns about how the lawyer will be paid for their services. Some family law lawyers recognize that a relationship breakdown is unexpected and there is no money set aside for a retainer. In these cases, the lawyer may offer flexible payment options to assist you. If payment is a concern, you should ask a potential lawyer what options might be available to you.

 Set up a consultation – If after an introductory phone call and after considering the lawyer’s rates you are interested in retaining a particular lawyer, set up an in-person consultation. A consultation not only allows you to meet the lawyer and provide more information about the speciﬁc issues that you are facing, but it also allows the lawyer to assess your situation and provide you with more in depth advice regarding the next steps and whether he/she would be able to assist you. 

Will this lawyer understand what is important to you – Having a successful lawyer – client relationship goes beyond simply telling you what the law is. The family law lawyer that will work best for you will listen and have an understanding of what is most important to you. For example, it may be important that your lawyer understands and is sympathetic to your particular cultural needs and values. Family structures and dynamics vary between various cultures. Your lawyer must understand your culture and values and how they ﬁt within the family law legal framework.



Assess your comfort level – one of the most important factors to a successful lawyer client relationship is the client’s comfort with his or her lawyer. Your family law lawyer will know intimate details about your ﬁnances, personal life, and relationship that your closest friends and family members may not be privy to. You must trust that your family law lawyer will use this information to better understand your situation and represent your best interests.

The following steps will guide you towards choosing the right family law lawyer for you: Ask around Do some initial research Are you looking for a “one stop shop” Pick up the phone Be honest about what you can aﬀord Set up a consultation Will this lawyer understand what is important to you Assess your comfort level Don’t feel rushed If you are comfortable with and trust your lawyer, you are more likely to provide complete and candid information, which will be essential to the quality of legal representation that you receive.



Don’t feel rushed– Likely more true than in any other area of law, you have to have the right fit with your family law lawyer. You should only retain a family law lawyer if you are confident in your choice, otherwise, take some time to weigh your options. Remember, you are the client and your lawyer is working for you. Hire the lawyer that is the right fit and you will make what can be an extremely difficult situation, a bit easier. By keeping these steps in mind, you will be better able to select a family law lawyer with the right legal skills and personal qualities that suit your needs.

The content in this article is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice or an opinion of any kind. Please contact a lawyer if you have any questions or wish to obtain legal advice.

_____________________________________________ Lauren is a family law and real estate lawyer with Miles Davison LLP. She is passionate about assisting clients through the diﬃculties of a divorce or separation and emphasizes the importance of reaching resolutions to family law issues without unnecessary conﬂict. Where necessary, Lauren utilizes court intervention and has appeared and assisted on matters before all levels of courts in Alberta. Lauren may be reached at lturnquist@milesdavison.com or (403) 298-0355.

| FCM | ﬁlcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |

Family

Purposeful Teaching ques on I get asked when I reveal I’m an educator is, “What grade do you teach?”

of “why?” This ques on, if a ached to an ac on, is a emp ng to iden fy the intent of that ac on you are reques ng of them.

A er replying that I teach sixth graders, I see faces drop and eyes narrow. “Was that your ﬁrst choice?” People are surprised that it genuinely is my ﬁrst choice as an educator.

“Why do I have to go bed early?”

There is no “trick” when it comes to ge ng sixth graders to cooperate. There are deﬁnitely quali es you need to be successful in a Middle Years (grades 5‐8) classroom. You need pa ence, you need to know when and how to put your foot down, and you need to have a sense of humor. You also need to understand your students along with their developmental changes they are going through (physically, emo onally, and socially).

Instead of arguing with “because I said so,” or “because it’s good for you,” seek instead to ask “Well, why do you think that would be a good idea?” This is another perfect opportunity to guide children to make meaningful connec ons, to communicate their ideas, and to think for themselves! They will not always be correct, which is when we must address misconcep ons, but the process of thinking becomes meaningful. You will have a deep thinker!

While your job is not to get students to like you, the truth is that students will be more mo vated to learn if they, at the very least, have a posi ve working rela onship with you. It boils down to rela onships and interac ons. This is where purposeful teaching comes in. Direct and Purposeful I begin lessons with sharing the Intent, Task, and Criteria of the ac vity. Students become more mo vated and independent when they understand why we are doing what we’re doing. Having a list of instruc ons for the task explains what we are doing. The criteria is equally important. This answers how we know we are doing our task correctly. I take this process a step further by ge ng students to collaborate in ﬁlling in the criteria with me. By doing this, I prevent myself from doing the thinking for my students. Usually, they come up with criteria that I would not have thought of! This is the importance of giving them that voice. This is direct teaching. Meaningful Learning Children are naturally inquisi ve about the world around them. We do them a disservice when we set their ques ons aside, especially the ques on

“Why do I have to do the dishes?” “Why do I need to take medicine?” Sound familiar?

Parent Tip: What’s YOUR Intent? Before your child can ask you why you are doing something, have your bases covered! While explaining an expecta on, add the reason why it’s important. This will seem awkward at first. You will feel very “teacher‐like” doing this. Eventually, it becomes second nature. You will no longer need to make a conscious effort to explain your inten ons. I find that I do this, not only with my students, but with my colleagues and my family and friends as well. It has made all the difference. Good luck! __________________________________

Judianne Jayme Educator & Mentor ‐ Winnipeg School Division jjayme@shaw.ca h p://www.itllwsd.org/jjayme Founder & Owner ‐ JudiMeetsWorld info@judimeetsworld.com h p://www.judimeetsworld.com

| FCM | ﬁlcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |

By Judianne Jayme

“I begin lessons with sharing the Intent, Task, and Criteria of the activity”

Inspiration

HIKING THROUGH LIFE By Chistine Dionisio

“Hiking through life’s journey needs preparation, planning and equipping yourself. Knowing what lies ahead and being equipped with the proper “tools” makes life’s trail easier to hike.”

y husband and I had some time off and decided to drive to Lake Louise early this week. Because we’d like to burn a few calories before a big dinner, we decided to take a hike. The Staff at Chateau Lake Louise recommended two short hiking trails. One is the almost level path on the right side of the lake to the glacier which we took on the first day. The second one is the Fairview lookout which we tackled in the morning of our second day. Since it’s still quite early in Spring, the trail to leading up to the lookout is still full of snow. Our experience tackling that trail is an unforgettable one and, much like threading the path of life, has taught me a lot of lessons. Prepare for it – My husband and I put on our running shoes and light spring jackets and tried to hike Fairview lookout. Since it is still early in springtime, we didn’t realize what the trail ahead would be like. We ended up climbing the slippery, snowy mountain with great difficulty and falling many times along the way. We have been climbing the 1.8 km trail alone for almost an hour when a group of 4 people dressed in winter jackets, toques, mitts, ski sticks and skis passed us. It is only then that we realized we are obviously not prepared for the terrain conditions—-Hiking through life’s journey needs preparation, planning and equipping yourself. Knowing what lies ahead and being equipped with the proper “tools” makes life’s trail easier to hike.

Have a buddy – Though I’ve fallen on the slippery snow many times, sometimes even to the point that I was ﬂat on my face, I am thankful that my husband was there to pull me up.—- In our life’s journey, it is always good to have a buddy, a mentor, a friend or a family member to make the hike more fun, to push and encourage you to move on, to be accountable to and be accountable for, share your sorrows and rejoice with your accomplishments. Surely, without a buddy, one will not go very far or will not succeed at all.

Take the old beaten pathway – As we threaded the snowy trail, the middle of the path is hard and compact since many hikers have walked on it a few times. It is also quite slippery for me, so I tried to step on the side of the path only to be buried deep in the snow, sometimes sinking up to the knee or even waist deep.—- I learned that like life, it would be best to stay in the old beaten path. While it may be good to discover better ways of doing things, it is still safe to do the tried and tested ways of those who came before us.

Let the markers guide you – As we advanced further along our trail, we would see markers or arrows from time to time; this assures us that we are leading to the right path. —– In life, whenever we make decisions, make a big step or decide to go a particular direction, we have to pause from time to time, to check and reﬂect… if we are doing the right thing, or doing things the right way. We have to check “markers” such as a lesson from a teacher, a mentor’s advice, our parent’s teachings, but most importantly, God’s word, the Bible.

Look ahead with the goal in mind – Although we have no idea how much farther we have to walk or how much longer till we arrive at the end of the trail, we know there is an end, or that we will eventually reach the peak and admire the beautiful and breathtaking view. That is what keeps us going. —- never stop. Only those who move forward will get to the ﬁnish line, and only those who do will receive the medals in life. _____________________________________________________________________ Christine lives in Calgary, Alberta. She’s married and has four wonderful kids. She’s an active member in her church and her community. She’s also one of the top Realtors in Calgary with Century 21 Bravo Realty. She can be reached at Christine.Dionisio@century21.ca

| FCM | ﬁlcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |

Business

Three Business Structures You Need to Know Before Starting a Business By Mydene Cuevas

hen starting a business one of the first considerations an aspiring entrepreneur should ask herself is how to appropriately structure her new venture. The differences between sole proprietorships, partnerships and corporations are vast and can have a significant legal (and non-legal) impact on the business owner. As a business lawyer, I often work with entrepreneurs at the outset of their ventures and assist them with finding the appropriate structure for their respective businesses. Some features of each type of business structure are as follows:

Sole Proprietorship While a sole proprietorship is a convenient, easy and inexpensive way to start a business, one of the biggest disadvantages of this type of business structure is the unlimited liability of the owner. This means that a creditor can make a claim against the

personal and business assets of the owner to satisfy debts. There are also tax implications, which could either be positive or negative, depending on the proﬁtability of the business.

Partnership

“As a business lawyer, I often work with entrepreneurs at the outset of their ventures and assist them with ﬁnding the appropriate structure for their respective businesses.”

A partnership is a nonincorporated business owned by two or more individuals. In a general partnership, the responsibilities, expenses and proﬁts of the business are shared among the partners, who are jointly and severally liable for the debts of the partnership. In a limited partnership, the limited partner may contribute ﬁnancially to the business but is not involved with its operations.

| FCM | ﬁlcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |

Similar to a sole proprietorship structure, the biggest advantages of a partnership is the ease and low cost of starting the business. As well, there may be tax advantages in this type of structure when the proﬁts of the business are modest.

However, another similarity the partnership structure shares with that of a sole proprietorship is the exposure of the partners’ personal assets to liability. There is unlimited liability, and creditors of business debts can make a claim not only on the business assets of the partners, but also on their personal assets. Another disadvantage is that all partners are responsible for the decisions, even poor decisions, of one partner. For example, if one partner breaches an agreement, all partners are held liable for that breach.

When entering into a partnership, it is crucial to have a partnership agreement in place. An important term in a partnership agreement is a dispute mechanism that determines what can be done when a dispute occurs. This is vital even, or perhaps especially, when the partners involved are family members or close friends. At the outset of forming a partnership, the relationship between the partners is often amicable and collegial. However, these relationships may be strained with the pressures of operating a business.

Corporation A corporation is a legal entity separate from the owners, or shareholders, of the company. When a business is incorporated, it acquires the powers of an individual: it can acquire assets, go into debt, enter into contracts, sue or be sued. One disadvantage of choosing this business structure is the considerably higher expense of forming it, compared to that of a sole proprietorship or partnership. The advantages of a corporation, however, are as follows: unlike a sole proprietorship or general partnership, the shareholders of the corporation have limited liability. A shareholder of the company is not usually personally liable for the debts, obligations or acts of the corporation beyond the amount of share capital the shareholder has subscribed. Secondly, the corporation enjoys perpetual existence; even when the shareholders pass away, the corporation continues. Thirdly, there may be possible tax advantages as taxes may be lower for an incorporated business, particularly when the profits of the business grow. In a corporation, where there is more than one shareholder, consider whether a shareholders agreement is appropriate for your business. In the shareholders agreement, the founding shareholders determine how a company is owned and managed. It should address any rights of first refusal among shareholders; restrictions on transfer of shares; termination of the agreement. As well, consider the significance of having an exit mechanism in the contract where a shareholder may leave and get a return on his or her investment. One such mechanism is called the “shotgun” clause, which is often used as a force buyout, and works like this: Bob and Jane are the

two shareholders in the corporation. Jane offers her share to Bob for a certain price. Bob may accept the offer, or, instead, offer the exact same terms to Jane, in which case Jane must accept. While the shotgun clause may be acceptable for certain small businesses, it is not appropriate for all companies. Please contact a business lawyer for more information. Starting a small business is an exciting journey. There’s no better place to be than the Province of Alberta to start a business, as it leads the country in small business creation.[1] However, the journey to successful entrepreneurship is a long, and often arduous, one so start it off right by enlisting the help of the right professionals who can help you build a solid foundation for your business. Aside from a good accountant, talk to a business lawyer who can help you determine which business structure is the most appropriate for you, and how you can better safeguard your personal and business interests.

Mydene Cuevas, JD Mydene is a business, corporate and commercial lawyer with Miles Davison LLP. As a former small business owner, she is passionate about assisting business owners through the many legal aspects of owning and operating a business – from incorporation through to the sale of the business and everything in between. She may be reached at mcuevas@milesdavison.com or (403) 298-0334. ______________________ [1] Retrieved October 12, 2016, from www.smallbusiness.alberta.ca/small-business-inalberta/

* The content in this article is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice or an opinion of any kind. Please contact a lawyer if you have any questions or wish to obtain legal advice.

| FCM | ﬁlcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |

Inspiration

Beaten But Not Defeated By Michael J. Bickert

Beaten but not Defeated: An Alternative Perspective on Handling Life’s Misfortune

etbacks, challenges, obstacles, and failures are a part of everyone’s life. Many people would state that these are some of the most unpleasant parts of life. Indeed, those experiences which we perceive as painful or difficult can be unpleasant. But, in many ways, our perception of these experiences as detrimental or deleterious is flawed. Instead, setbacks, challenges, obstacles, and failures are critically important parts of life, each integral in our ultimate success and happiness. It is important to first realize that everyone’s perception is his reality. Further, how you interpret every situation in life dictates the reality in which you live, whether it is one of joy and happiness, or one of despair, disappointment, and depression. (Note: For the purposes of this article, I am setting aside the very important and prevalent cases of those suffering from clinical depression, serious emotional trauma, psychological or psychiatric illness, and addiction. Those suffering from any of these must seek ongoing, professional, and compassionate treatment.) While some become angry or encounter feelings of defeat upon meeting with difficult situations in life, others view these as opportunities, understanding that much personal growth is born of adversity, “No pain, no gain.” During the global financial crisis that surfaced in 2008, many businesses faced severe cuts in profitability, some struggling to even stay afloat. Throughout this difficult time, some business owners and managers rolled up their sleeves and charged at the challenge, recognizing the opportunity. Such managers innovated, cut expenses, increased marketshare while their competition languished, and brought their businesses out of the recession more profitable than before. Heninger Toyota is one such business. The key is that the looming threat of an imminent financial crisis served as motivation to act. Moreover, the actions taken were very motivational in leading to further refinement and business improvement. Someone once keenly observed that many people erroneously believe that action follows motivation, when, in fact, the opposite is

| FCM | ﬁlcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |

Photo by Armand Flores

always true. It is very fulfilling and energizing to create solutions to life’s problems. And, the more you do it, the more you are inspired to do it again. The acquired confidence, knowledge, and experience associated with problem solving helps to fuel further improvement action. Consider the satisfactory feeling of solving a riddle; it often gives the requisite confidence and desire to try again. However, the power of failing to anticipate and overcome adversity, along with the associated pain, serves those with the proper mindset just as well. Once again, valuable experience and knowledge is gained through the experience. The toddler who touches a hot surface quickly learns an indelible life lesson that can prevent serious injury later in life. This is analogous to the person that suffers financial turmoil early in adulthood, due to insufficient planning. He is more likely to apply this experience to prevent greater pain from a lack of preparation in the future. But, it requires honest reflection and analysis of the situation. And, it requires an attitude of accountability and responsibility. Those with victim mentalities will not benefit from the wonderful lessons that life can teach.

If you are currently struggling with one of life’s curveballs, take the time to study the situation. Ask yourself, “Were there things within my control that I could have done to prevent this from occurring?” If so, resolve to do those things now to prevent future occurrences, whenever practical and possible. If not, move on to the next question. “What can I learn from what is happening now that will make me stronger and more impervious to future problems?” You have to be honest with yourself. People can have a tendency to assign blame to everything outside their control and deny any responsibility for present conditions. That is a dangerous way of thinking. In all experiences, both good and bad, have the mindset that there is a lesson within. It is unproductive to become overly distraught about failings and shortcomings, if only for the sake of self-pity. One of Dr. Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is to be proactive and to focus on those things within your circle of influence. The past is outside of our sphere of influence. Therefore, we benefit only from analyzing failures from the perspective of how we can improve in the future. Here are 10 tips to bear in mind that have served me well when facing adversity: 1. Maintain perspective. Consider how bad things truly are. Doing so with proper perspective will invariably lead you to conclude that things could be far worse. Don’t fret over things that are temporary and that are insignificant over the course of time. You may lose a job or a bundle of money on a bad investment. You may crash your new car or sustain severe damage in a hail storm. You may lose a loved one to disease, or a spouse may end the marriage. Of course, none of these things are pleasant. But, maintain perspective, in full acknowledgement that many others have suffered similar situations, or worse, and have went on to triumph in life. People have lost their sight or limbs in accidents. Others have had children incur severe burns from house fires, or have lost their homes and all possessions in floods. In some parts of the world, entire families are wiped out due to famine or disease. Some people are

imprisoned or beaten due to political or religious beliefs. Others cannot even go for groceries without fear of becoming victim of bombings, stray bullets, or snipers, in war-torn areas. 2. Reflect on gratitude and count your blessings. Make a habit of writing down 3 new things every morning for which you are grateful. Once you have listed the obvious ones over the first few days (e.g. family, health, a home, etc.), you will be forced to really reflect on how many things you have taken for granted for so long. When is the last time you reflected on how fortunate you are to have the use of your legs and full mobility? Are you thankful for

Turn the situation into an opportunity for improvement. Every single one of life’s rigors can serve as motivation or a stimulus for improvement. your education and your ability to read? What entitled you to live in a free country? Never stop ﬁnding ways to be grateful. It is a key component to happiness! 3. Turn the situation into an opportunity for improvement. Every single one of life’s rigors can serve as motivation or a stimulus for improvement. Think back over time and ask yourself how many times you have encountered adversity that seemed extremely daunting at the time. Then, reﬂect on whether you would change those things or not. Many times, we acknowledge that we would not want to change any of our past adversity, recognizing how it lead to a positive outcome or change in our lives. This realization can be powerful in helping us to view current challenges as opportunities. Some become so

comfortable in their lives that they fail to realize how much more they could have achieved if they had been willing to take the risk. Hardships, such as layoffs, have been the catalysts for countless people to undertake entrepreneurial endeavours that they otherwise would not have tried. Our greatest afflictions can cause reflection and spark ideas that would have otherwise remained dormant. Embrace these opportunities for improvement and recognize the inherent power they posses. The alternative, to wallow in misery and wait for the world or the government to solve our problems, is a far bleaker fate. 4. Keep your faith. In times of trouble, remember, “This too shall pass”. Take the opportunities provided by adversity to rediscover your faith. Pray, pray, and pray some more. If you have never been a believer, ask yourself what you have to lose to explore some unanswered questions in this area. There is great comfort in understanding that there is a bigger picture and plan than what is obvious to us on any given day and during any given setback. Invest the two minutes is will take to read Matthew 10: 7 11 and Luke 18: 1 7. Is it possible that you have been taking too much for granted and that this is God’s mysterious way of turning your thoughts and heart to Him? 5. Focus on those things over which you have control. People have a tendency to spend entirely too much time dwelling on things over which they have absolutely no control. If you ever find yourself complaining about the past, the weather, the government, or the actions of others, give your head a shake. Instead, focus all of this energy on those things over which you have complete control and that can bring about positive change in your life. Doing so will empower and invigorate you. You will transform from victim into architect of your own future and life. Also, you will find that you will be able to influence more and more things in your life. It is a waste of your energy and very defeating to focus on things you cannot change. Conversely, it is one of the most leveraged investments you can make to focus on your own actions and abilities and to take responsibility for improving your own situation.

| FCM | ﬁlcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |

6. Find ways to establish more balance in your life. Many of life’s tribulations are created out of a lack of balance. Take a moment to write down your priorities, those things which are of utmost importance to you. Now, take another moment to estimate how much time you spend on the various things that fill your day. Do the lists reconcile? Are you investing sufficient time in those things you profess to hold as your highest priorities? Some focus so much on their careers that they neglect their health and important relationships, later to find that success in business has cost them quality of life or closeness with loved ones. It is imperative to dedicate and invest effort in all aspects of your life: career/ vocation, health, social, spiritual, emotional, financial, and leisure. Since there is a finite amount of time in a day, it is critical to plan for investments in each area. With respect to this tip, it is very true that “a failure to plan is a plan to fail”. You cannot disregard any category with the intention of dedicating “spare time”. Doing so will inevitably leave a critical aspect of your life unattended. Spare time is a myth; it does not exist, except as an excuse to procrastinate.

“Do the “right” things. At all times, regardless of your situation and level of success, avoid the temptation to lie, cheat, steal, or be unethical, immoral, or unkind. Be polite, generous, and considerate in all areas of your life. When faced with a dilemma, do the right thing. Let your conscience be your guide.” 7. Reconsider your premises and paradigms. Some people spend a large portion of their lives in futile pursuit of certain goals. When the achievement of the goals eludes them for long enough, discouragement sets in and erodes motivation. But, with dogged determination, some reengage in fruitless attempts to attain the goal. In the event of encountering repeated failure when pursuing a goal, step back and examine your methods. Be it related to health, weight loss/nutrition, exercise/fitness, business, or relationships, there is a lot of misinformation circulating, causing people to put forth significant effort doing the wrong things. Objective analysis of your results should be a key indicator of whether you are on the right track or not. It is okay for progress to come slowly; sometimes the most worthy pursuits take a great deal of time. But, if you are not making consistent incremental gains in progress toward success despite your best efforts, it is very likely that you are following a faulty recipe. Stop what you are doing and reexamine the plan. Find many others who have achieved exactly what you want and explore their methods thoroughly, keeping a keen awareness for subtle advantages they may possess that are unavailable to you. Some people succeed in spite of their methods, due to genetic advantages, social connections, lucky timing, or

| FCM | ﬁlcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |

Photo by Armand Flores

favorable market conditions. It is precarious to emulate such people. Rather, your goal is to ﬁnd common themes among a host of people that have attained what you are pursuing and apply those techniques. Often, this means doing the exact opposite of what you were taught or what you have believed your entire life. For example, for most of the past four decades, the nutritional pundits in North America have led us to believe that we must eat a lowfat diet and exercise several times per week in order to maintain or achieve a healthy body composition. Most experts will now tell you that this is simply untrue. It does not matter how hard you try, how persistent you are, or how positive your attitude is if you are endeavoring to do something with inherently ﬂawed instructions. 8. Do the “right” things. At all times, regardless of your situation and level of success, avoid the temptation to lie, cheat, steal, or be unethical, immoral, or unkind. Be polite, generous, and considerate in all areas of your life. When faced with a dilemma, do the right thing. Let your conscience be your guide. And, don’t let greed, envy, or rationalizations cloud your judgement.

When in doubt, seek advice from someone who is known to have strong character and has little vested interest in your decision (e.g. clergy, teacher, or a close friend). Don’t seek out someone who will simply tell you whatever he thinks you want to hear. Consider advice only from those whom you have witnessed to be uncompromising in matters of morality and important issues. During times in life when we struggle, it is very tempting to stray from the righteous path. But, any perceived success gained this way will be fleeting and will lead away from happiness. You cannot achieve joy in life by going against your ethos. Since it is impossible to define a life void of joy as successful, it is merely an exercise in self-deceit in trying to attain success in ways that leave you conflicted. 9. Adopt an attitude of service. The quickest way to give your life satisfaction and fulfillment is to help someone else. When you are feeling depressed, find a way to give support and a helping hand to someone else in need. As the words often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi assert, “It is in giving that we receive”. Give without hope of a reward. The feeling you experience will be more than enough compensation. You need not work miracles in order to change the world and make it a better place. You need only be a hero at the right time to someone in need. Be attentive to the needs of others and look for ways to respond. Random acts of kindness will do more for your spirit than any antidepressant ever could. Irrespective of how troubled your current situation seems, you can improve your position by serving others. Donate, volunteer, and be generous as opportunities present themselves. Those in need may be complete strangers or the people closest to you. Someone in your home may be in great need of hearing how much you love them. Remember, your troubles affect others. And, we tend to become blind to the tribulations of those around us when we are down on our luck.

Maintain an acute sense of awareness of others’ feelings and use this time as inspiration to be a servant of humanity. The world sorely needs this. 10. Double your efforts and resolve to be willing to do that which others are not. Many people could improve their situation with a little planning and great effort. Yet, a lot of people are unwilling to do what it takes. Pride, ego, laziness, fear, procrastination, and excuses can prevent good people from reversing misfortune and directing their lives on a path to unimagined success. In this regard, consider life as a competition; allow no one to put forth more effort than you into achieving what you want.

“Pride, ego, laziness, fear, procrastination, and excuses can prevent good people from reversing misfortune and directing their lives on a path to unimagined success.” This competitive spirit should not be cutthroat or of a malicious nature. Rather, have fun with the notion that you are unstoppable and willing to do whatever it takes. In reality, the most successful people simply work smarter and maybe a little bit harder to accomplish so much more than their peers. Be glad that the best things in life are diﬃcult to achieve. It is due to that very fact that opportunity exists all over. If it was all easy, everyone would be doing it whatever “it” is. The fact that so much eﬀort is required for worthwhile endeavors is what makes them so rewarding. And, it is also why so few people genuinely commit to putting in

the necessary time, energy, and effort. Therefore, the proverbial highhanging fruit is left on the tree for those willing to simply pick it. What if you try and fail? Will you be better off than you are now? At the very least, you will be more experienced and knowledgeable regarding what it takes for your next effort. A better question is this: What if you try and succeed? The worst question is the nagging unanswerable one: What could I have accomplished if only I had tried? __________________________________________ Michael J. Bickert About the author: Michael Bickert spent much of his formative years inside a swimming pool, as an elite competitive swimmer. By the time he left high school (at 17 years old), he was naively determined to become a rockstar, and moved 4,500 kilometers away from home to pursue the dream. Michael has been homeless, not knowing where his next meal was coming from, on no fewer than 4 occasions. During each of these experiences, he was genuinely motivated and impressed by, as opposed to envious of, the most successful people around him, believing, “If they can do it, so can I”. Married at the age of 20 and a father at 21, Michael dropped out of university and abandoned his new plans to become a chiropractor, in order to provide financial support for his family. He started his first of several businesses, a fitness consulting and personal training business, a few years later. Unshakeable faith in God, staunch determination, repeated selfreinvention, a dedication to continuous learning and self improvement, and a career steeped in entrepreneurial spirit, ambition, and salesmanship has all led to his current role as the head of a management company, real estate investor, and co owner of Heninger Toyota, one of Canada’s largest Toyota dealerships. Michael and his wife of over 25 years, Lana, have raised 3 sons (24, 19, and 13).

| FCM | ﬁlcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |

Eric Cordero COO and CFO

Sam and Armand Flores Photography Partners, PROFOLIO Photography

| FCM | ďŹ lcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |

Vicky Nana Cordero

Juvanie Cabbab Bowen

Executive Administrator

Accounts Manager

Abel Pagaling CEO Brent and Hanes Anotado Marketing Managers and Production Design

Annabelle Cayetano Pagaling Social Media Administrator

Thank You From:

TEAM FCM PHOTO by ARMAND FLORES of PROFOLIO PHOTOGRAPHY | FCM | ďŹ lcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |

EMAIL: ADVERTISE@FILCANMAGAZINE.COM

F I L I P I N O C A N A D I A N M A G A Z I N E FCM proudly supports The Filipino Champions of Canada and The Filipino Champions Talk. Visit www.theﬁlipinochampionsofcanada.com

WWW.FILCANMAGAZINE.COM For inquiries email: info@ﬁlcanmagazine.com 40

| FCM | ﬁlcanmagazine.com | December 2016 |