December2012

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

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Volume 5, Number 12 • December 2012

Karilagan Dance Society Performs Across Edmonton

Alberta Publications Mail Agreement 40032612

Page 17 ► Mariah Bernal and Aylah Angeles

Calgary’s West LRT now open

Page 16 ► The west leg of Calgary’s LRT system was officially opened by Mayor Naheed Nenshi and Premier Alison Redford at a public ribbon-cutting celebration last Dec. 8, 2012.

Illustration by Clarence A. Cantiveros

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Quezonian Club of Edmonton Celebrates 20th Anniversary The Quezonian Club of Edmonton . a non-profit registered club, celebrates its 20th Anniversary last Saturday October 13, 2012 at Continental Inn. Quezonian Club President Jimmy Villamayor recognized the Past Presidents and Founders by presenting them flowers. Quezonian Club promotes camaraderie among its members and donates to charities locally in Edmonton andtheir hometowns in Quezon.

Lulu Bernal, Estrella Benito, Mrs. Salvador and Jon Salvador, Standing Beth Aperocho

Ladies of Quezonian

Line Dancing

The Quezonian Club Officers and Members

Guests

Louie Dolores and Mila Uhuad

Guests

Gemmalyn

Yeyette Roque

See yourself in a whole new light MAGING ISANG TAGAPAYO NG SUN LIFE FINANCIAL

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Bernard Villarena

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Dennis Ignacio Advisor ext 2217

Maria Aglugub Advisor ext 2257

Sun Life Financial advisors are contracted with Sun Life Financial Distributors (Canada) Inc. registered in Quebec as a financial services firm. Š Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada 2012

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December 2012

Remembering Christmas were non-existent. This coming 25th of December marks my fourth Christmas here, and it is something I will look forward to.

But I ask the readers: what is Christmas to you?

Most people see Christmas as a time of presents, or a time of eating, celebration, and fun. However, many people also see Christmas as a time to remember the one true gift that the Almighty has bestowed upon the world: the gift of His Son’s birth.

This act of remembrance is seen everywhere: in Christmas carols, displays of a manger scene, and the

by Miya Villarena star on top of a gaily lit Christmas Miya Villarena is a native of Quezon City tree. We have carried Christmas in our who currently lives in Edmonton, Alberta, tradition, and despite the attempts to with her parents and brother. She enjoys remove the true meaning of Christmas art, mathematics, chess, and a good book from the celebration, those attempts along with a cup of coffee on a winter day, as well as writing stories in her spare will be vain as our remembrance of time. She is also fond of cats and surfing what really happened goes on.

When Mary and Joseph were the internet. When asked who her muses are, Miya considers her greatest literary looking for a room at the inn, they inspiration to be Mary Hoffman, and her were turned away. The only place favorite artist to be Brett Helquist. that sheltered them was a stable with animals. Amidst the humble abode he Christmas season comes of the cattle and sheep, the baby once again and we are Jesus-our hope- was born. Instead surrounded by family, friends, of a multitude of expectant crowds laughter, food, and most importantly, heralding his birth, a few shepherds, the age-old recollection of Jesus’ caught off guard, and the wise men, birth that changed the world two travellers from the East, were chosen thousand years ago. to witness it.

Christmas is a time to give and The first Christmas was not share. It is characterized by aspects of extravagant, loud, or particularly man’s good will and the promise of a brightly decorated with festive lights. new hope.

It was solemn, graced by the voices If there is one special occasion of the angels, the vistors, and Mary Filipinos look forward to every year, and Joseph. It was hope for man in the undisputed event is Christmas. human form – Jesus Christ. It became During Christmas, everything is right history’s turning point – a single, with the world. solemn, birth in a Bethlehem stable.

Before I came to Canada, The year is 2012. Lights, chances of me experiencing a decorations, food, presents, and white, snow-covered Christmas consumerism dominate Christmas.

T

Amidst all the festivities, we have forgotten about Christ, for whom Christmas was named, and for whom Christmas is remembered. We have replaced Him with presents, Santa Claus, trees, and food. Sometimes, His Name is not even mentioned anymore – Christmas becomes “X-Mas”.

Is this really how Christmas is supposed to be like? A giant expensefilled celebration?

I’m not saying food is bad.

I’m not saying decorations, friends, joyful banter, and gifts are bad. I’m just wondering at how we often miss out on what Christmas truly is about.

I know many people who often complain they do not get enough gifts, the food tastes bad, and they could care less if Christmas disappears from their lives. This form of materialistic Christmas saddens me. Greed was not meant to mar gifts – a symbol of kindness and love. Food was meant to bring people together, not pull them apart. Similarly, Christ’s birth was meant to be hope, not strife.

This season, I have had the opportunity to celebrate a Christmas banquet with members of the Filipino community. Being invited by my father’s friend, I already grasped the sense of hospitality at the sheer fact that I felt welcome in the gathering.

I am not a member of the association and from what I could tell, neither were several people. However, it didn’t change the fact that we were all there to celebrate Christmas and what it truly meant: love, giving, and the remembrance of Christ.

Traditionally in the Philippines, we start ushering the Christmas spirit in around October. We barely pay attention to other events typically celebrated in the Western style, such

as Halloween – our attention is solely on Christmas. To us, Christmas marks the end of a year, as well as a new beginning.

One of the main reasons that I love the Filipino spirit of Christmas is that we pay attention to what’s important. Christ is the center of Christmas. Families gather warmly with friends and neighbors, and people are grateful. Rich, poor, young, old , middle class – it does not matter. It is one of the reasons I am proud to be a Filipino.

President Coolidge once said :“ Christmas is not a time or a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.”

Christmas is a time of remembrance and merry celebration.

It is also a time to contemplate and reflect on one’s past and future. So this Christmas, spend time with your loved ones and do not forget the hope which the birth of Christ brings every year.

City massages new bylaws Filed By Jose “Pepito” Magpayo

Today Council approved changes to the Massage License Bylaw 51M97.

Beginning January 1, 2013 two separate massage related bylaws will come into effect – an amended Massage Licence Bylaw and a new Body Rub Licence Bylaw.

Massage practitioners will see improvements such as being able to renew their licences without attending the licence counter every year. They will also have less bylaw regulations, for example, now a police check only needs to be done once. For The City this will mean a reduction of approximately 1,700 visits yearly to the license counter and less inspections as massage practitioners will abide by their associations code of ethics.

According to Kent Pallister, Chief Licence Inspector for The City of Calgary, “These new rules will help promote a high level of professional standards and give The City the ability to focus legislative tools and resources to improve

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consumer protection.” Mr. Pallister added “These new bylaws allow The City to align and simplify the process with other City licensing processes.”

New body rub centres can employ both massage practitioners and body rub practitioners. A body rub practitioner licence will be issued to those practitioners who have a minimum of two hundred and fifty hours of education/training from an approved school of massage and are not a member in good standing of one of the four recognized massage associations.

New body rub centres will not be allowed to operate as a homebased business. And they must be a minimum distance of 300m from another body rub centre. Also, they will be prohibited from operating in residential areas and will not be permitted to provide mobile massage.

This bylaw change will help The City prepare for provincial legislation and industry self regulation of the massage industry.

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New Federal Skilled Trades Stream to Begin Accepting Applications on January 2, 2013 Mississauga, December 10, 2012 - To address Canada's growing demand for skilled tradespersons, a new Federal Skilled Trades Program is being launched on January 2, 2013, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced today.

"The new Skilled Trades Stream will help address serious labour shortages in some regions of the country, and support economic growth," Minister Kenney said.

"For too long, Canada's immigration system has not been open to these in-demand skilled workers. These changes are long overdue and will help us move to a fast and flexible immigration system that works for Canada's economy."

The program criteria are built around four requirements that ensure applicants will have the right skills and experience needed to succeed here in Canada. In order to qualify, applicants will need to: 1. have an offer of employment in Canada or a certificate of qualification from a province or territory to ensure that applicants are "job ready" upon arrival; 2. meet a basic language requirement; 3. have a minimum of two years of work experience as a skilled tradesperson, to ensure that the applicant has recent and relevant practice as a qualified journeyman; and 4. have the skills and experience that match those set out in the National Occupational Classification (NOC B) system, showing that they have performed the essential duties of the occupation.

In order to manage intake, avoid backlogs and ensure fast processing times, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will accept up to a maximum of 3,000 applications in the first year of the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

Minister Kenney was joined at today's announcement

by Michael Atkinson, President of the Canadian Construction Association. "The introduction of a dedicated and streamlined program for skilled trades addresses many of the shortcomings from the current Federal Skilled Worker Program," said Michael Atkinson.

"The new program ensures greater consideration is given to the needs of industry when processing eligible immigration applications."

"Ensuring Canada's immigration system works for small employers in need of skilled trades' people has been a concern for some time," said Dan Kelly, President and CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. "With the shortage of qualified labour in many parts of Canada growing once again, the launch of the Skilled Trades immigration stream is very welcome news."

Eligible occupations will include electricians, welders, heavy-duty equipment mechanics, and pipefitters, among others.

CIC is currently working with the provinces, territories and federal government partners on the list of skilled trades' occupations that are experiencing acute labour shortages and which will qualify under the program. This list will be announced prior to the program opening on January 2, 2013.

The Federal Skilled Trades Program will complement other avenues already in place for skilled tradespersons to immigrate to Canada, such as the Canadian Experience Class and Provincial Nominee Programs.

"As promised in Economic Action Plan 2012, we are creating a new immigration stream to facilitate entry of skilled tradespersons," added Minister Kenney. "The Federal Skilled Trades Program will help transform Canada's immigration system into a fast and flexible system focused on jobs, growth and long-term prosperity."

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Once again, the Christmas season is upon us, a time of cheer and thanksgiving for blessings and comforts, big and small, that each of us continues to enjoy with our family and community. Adding cause to our Christmas celebration is a banner year for the Philippine economy and for Philippines-Canada relations.

The Philippines is basking in the warm glow of the international spotlight trained on our economy. Domestic and foreign investments, the Philippine stock market, foreign currency reserves, and the BPO, manufacturing and tourism sectors are all soaring on the back of President Benigno S. Aquino III’s reform agenda. Far from being the “Sick Man of Asia”, the Philippine economy is now Asia’s top performer in spite of headwinds dragging global growth. Very soon, too, we hope to reap strong dividends from our Government’s peace agreement with our Muslim brethren in southern Philippines.

The flurry of high-level visits to the Philippines undertaken this year by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Foreign Minister John Baird and International Trade Minister Ed Fast signal a renaissance in the Philippines-Canada bilateral ties. The appointment of the Honorable Tobias Enverga, Jr. to the Senate of Canada takes cognizance of the growing importance of Filipinos to the future of our host country.

With the support of Filipino communities across Canada, the Philippine Embassy gained significant ground in its effort to contribute to our country’s enhanced security and greater prosperity while continuing to respond to the growing consular needs of our nationals. Security cooperation, economic diplomacy and the promotion of the welfare of the Filipinos will remain the bedrock of the Embassy’s mission in Canada.

Mga kababayan, ipagpaptuloy po natin an gating pagkakaisa tungo sa pag-unlad ng pamayanang Pilipino sa Canada at ng Inang Bayan. Ating isaisip , isadiwa at isagawa ang pagdakila ng ating lahi.

Together with Team Philippines-Canada, particularly my Embassy team and colleagues in the Philippines Consulates General in Toronto and Vancouver, as well as our Honorary Consulates General in Edmonton, St. John’s and Saskatoon, I pray that overflowing grace will be your this Christmas and in the coming new year. And in the merriment of the season, let us also briefly pause individually to thank God for all the blessings. He has showered this year to each one of us, our family, our community and our country.

Maligayang Pasko at manigong Bagong Taon po sa inyong lahat!

- Leslie B. Gatan (Ambassador)

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www.holiness.coming Macarius responded: “Yes, Father Rector! Your will be done. I will take care of Procopio.” And, the Rector left. While Brother Macarius brought Procopio to his room. “You have to take rest, sleep well, have a good night and be prepared for tomorrow.” He said.

The way to holiness Early in the morning, after the Morning Prayer and the breakfast, Brother Macarius asked Procopio to just do whatever he was going to do.

They’ve got the gardening tools, went to the seminary backyard and tried to remove all the weeds. Suddenly, Lito Mendoza Velasco the silence was broken by Procopio’s Lito Velasco, Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy very loud voice: “Brother Macarius, A homoviator, a catalyst of change. He I want to become holy! Why is it we moves in the light of his Philosophical, are just cleaning up all these weeds?”

Political and Theological backgrounds. He loves challenges and believes he learns No explanation came out from the and improves his critical thinking from Novice Master’s mouth. He just kept those challenges. on working while Procopio kept on complaining the whole day. That was Procopio, a sinner, had an ardent desire the first day. to become holy and one of the options he Second day, after the Morning considered was to get into the seminary. routine, they went back to the seminary Yes, he really wanted to repent from all backyard to start digging the soil the callous deeds he committed during and had all the vegetables ready younger years. Several miles from his for planting. All of a sudden, the hometown, there was a contemplative silence of the hour was again broken seminary that used to accept those by Procopio’s reverberating voice: who were planning to be reformed and “Brother Macarius, I want to become become religious monks regardless of holy! Why are we just doing these their previous orientations in life. This silly things? This has to be done by the seminary was accepting even those farmers, not us!” Brother Macarius just who had been thrown into prison, kept on digging, planting, and finally rehabilitation centers, and proselytes. watering what they have planted, while Procopio kept on murmuring and The threshold to holiness: The First complaining. step, question, and the final decision Third day, after the morning Procopio, a public sinner, found routine, they went back to the seminary himself at the doorstep of this seminary, backyard to simply visit the garden. looking for someone to attend to him. After which, Brother Macarius just sat A seminary janitor tried to accompany down underneath the tree. He brought him towards the Rector’s office for the Bible from his pocket to read on the an interview. He was asked by the relevant passages. Yet, most of the time, Rector: “Why do you want to become he did nothing but to close his eyes a monk?” “I want to become holy!” while reflecting. As he opened his eyes, Procopio said. The Rector, after having he looked like waiting for somebody or heard his purpose, had no follow-up some good things to come. A very loud question on him. He had nothing to do and disgusting voice had almost broken than to accept the applicant. They went his eardrum: “Brother Macarius! I want out of the office and gave Procopio a to become holy! Why are we just sitting tour inside the seminary. Of course, down here?” he needed to be introduced not only to the important places, but also had to The Explanations be aware about the regulations and the This time, Brother Macarius (a charism that the people are embracing soft-spoken person) was obliged to while undergoing the way to holiness. make everything clear to Procopio.

After the tour, the two ended up to “Hey, Brother Procopio, Isn’t it that Brother Macarius’ office. “Procopio, you really wanted to give up your old this is Brother Macarius, one of our life and now really to be reformed and Novice Masters here, and I want you become holy?” “Yes, of course, that to be under his supervisions as you is the reason why I am here Brother wish you reformed and holy.” “Brother Macarius!” Procopio retaliated.

Macarius, I would like to introduce So, you have to pay attention on you our applicant who really wanted the messages of what we did during the to become holy. I want you to take full process. Stop complaining brother. The responsibility so he can achieve his way to holiness is a tedious process. goal while he is with us here.” Brother But, it is what you like and aimed to

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achieve, right? And, that’s what I have been guiding you for. If you notice, during the first day, we preferred to remove all the old vegetables and weeds. Weeding – that’s the first “w” stands for. During the second day, we cultivated the soil and had planted new vegetables. We nourished them with enough amount of water. Watering – that is the meaning of the second “w.”

And, on the third day, we did nothing during the entire day. We just sat down and wait. Waiting – this is the third “w.”

The Message The road to holiness is filled with obstacles that hinder our objectives and goals. There are always tons of unnecessary luggages that we have to relinquish and leave behind us so we can walk with ease towards the right path or direction. I just don’t know when we are ready to face the reality with equanimity.

By the way, any plan or purpose in life has to be supported and guided accordingly, as Brother Macarius did to Procopio. Sometimes, our intentions, when shrouded by the previous orientations and influences just become the stumbling blocks to our journey. That is why, we need somebody to lead us on in order to be fully transformed and proceed to the next day of inevitable challenges.

Advent Season, this is the official celebration declared by the Catholic Church, designed to commemorate the birth of the Saviour. He is coming to our lives. As we all know, when someone is coming, one should be waiting. We have to give our visitor a red carpet welcome. Everything must be cleaned, looked good and be well prepared for the visitor’s arrival. We have to entertain our visitor with all our heart. And, the moment he left, make sure there is a good message we got from him.

This Season may now be an invitation to be child-like. This is a Season to purify our hearts (weeding), plant new seeds and nurture them (watering), and the time to hope for the better throughout the New Year that is still coming (waiting).

May the comforting and sanctifying love of the Child Jesus bring us all more graces and inner peace of heart during the Season and throughout the New Year!

Let us all aim to be holy! __________________________ Let me greet my son Aaron Jabez Velasco who celebrated his 5th birthday last 8th of December 2012.

(Unless you acquired the heart of the child you cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 18:3)

Alberta’s gift card rules ensure consumers get what they pay for

Hon. Manmeet S. Bhullar

If gift cards are on your shopping list this holiday season, now is the time to brush up on Alberta’s gift card rules and protect your purchase before you buy.

In Alberta, the Gift Card Regulation applies to prepaid purchase cards that can be used like cash to pay for goods and services.

Prepaid purchase cards include gift cards, gift certificates, written certificates, electronic cards or vouchers with a specific dollar value.

Cards that allow you to increase the value of the card by reloading it are also included under the rules.

Certain gift cards are not covered by the regulation and might have expiry dates or fees if they are not used within a certain time. For instance, loyalty cards, or cards sold for a specific service rather than a dollar amount are not covered by the rules. This is also the case for gift cards where there is a direct agreement between the consumer and a financial institution, such as a bank, that issues the card. Some shopping malls issue these types of cards.

The best way to protect your

Walking in an Animal Wonderland The Edmonton Valley Zoo is hoping to make your Christmas merry and bright with Zoo-Minescence – an evening showcase of 11 animal-themed ice sculptures.

Join us as we celebrate the holidays in icy style, surrounded by sculptures, lights and, of course, animals!

Date: December 14-23, 2012 Time: 4-8pm Location: Edmonton Valley Zoo (13315 Buena Vista Road) Admission: $5 per person; $20 per family Take in the sights and sounds of the Edmonton Valley Zoo at night.

In addition to animal-themed ice

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purchase is to ask about all of the conditions that apply before you buy.

So what are the rules when it comes to gift cards?  expiry dates are not allowed on gift cards with a dollar value;  businesses can charge a one-time fee on top of the value of a gift card when you buy it, but they must clearly tell you that fee before you buy;  businesses cannot charge fees that lower the value of gift cards if they are not used within a certain time;  businesses must accept gift cards for purchases that are more or less than the value of the gift cards; and  businesses must tell you about any restrictions on the use of their gift cards and clearly print these on the cards and packaging.

If you think you were sold a gift card that does not comply with the rules, contact the business and give them the chance to comply with the regulation. If this is unsatisfactory, phone my department’s Consumer Contact Centre at 1-877-4274088 for help. We can investigate consumers’ complaints and there are penalties when businesses do not follow the law.

As Minister responsible for consumer protection I am committed to ensuring strong legislation is in place to protect Albertans and we work hard to enforce it every day.

You can visit www. servicealberta.ca for more details about Alberta’s gift card rules and other consumer protection measures in place for you.

Manmeet S. Bhullar is the Minister of Service Alberta and the MLA for Calgary-Greenway.

sculptures, you’ll be able to enjoy music, hot chocolate, animal artifacts and our outdoor skating rink – don’t forget to bring your skates!

Check out our kick-off weekend on December 14 and 15 for some extra surprises, including animal encounters, Christmas crafts, airbrushed tattoos and more! The first 200 people through the gate on those two nights will receive a free slice of pizza courtesy of Boston Pizza. Two-for-one admission coupons to Zoo-Minescence are also available at any Boston Pizza location in Edmonton.

A portion of all proceeds of ZooMinescence will go to the Valley Zoo Development Society for Nature’s Wild Backyard.

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We welcome submissions-news, articles, pictures and letters. Letters must include signature and phone number; names can be withheld upon request. We reserve the right to edit for length and content. All submissions, unless arrangements are made, become the property of the publisher. Reproduction of contents, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without the expressed written permission from the Publisher/ Editor. Opinions by columnist, writers, and readers do not in any way reflect those of the Publisher/Editor.

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The luxurious 2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid

by Ron

Cantiveros

ron@filipinojournal.com

W

hoa, a Porsche! A little over a year ago, I took a Ford Mustang Convertible from one end of the province to the other. That was fun. Earlier this year, I explored the fine provincial parks of Manitoba in a Mercedez-Benz C63 AMG. That was fun too! What’s it like driving fun cars? There are several things that I've noticed while driving fun cars, especially luxury sports cars. People give you approval nods while stopped at red lights. Random strangers, mostly guys give you the thumbs up. Even more random strangers approach you in the parking lot and ask how much the car is worth, or how fast the car goes or how much horsepower is under the hood.

Where do I even begin to talk about this car? It’s a Porsche! It’s a one-hundred and twenty seven thousand dollar luxury hybrid super car. To emphasize the price of the car, just pretend that the last line is in upper case! That’s right, if you happen to have a $127,395 sitting in your bank account. If you're looking for a practical and environmentally friendly

family vehicle, the Panamera S Hybrid is for you. Just make sure to have a set of high performance winter tires ready for our Manitoba winters.

Going back to the random strangers, and answering “How much?”, the next question most people are curious about is “How fast?” For the select few, showing my friends “how fast” 0-100km/hr in roughly 6 seconds is a lot more entertaining and enjoyable than simply telling them. I usually give them a couple seconds to catch their breath before I tell them what’s under the hood. The Porsche Panamera S Hybrid has a supercharged V6 engine with 333hp and a 47hp electric engine, to give a combined power output of 380hp in an 8-speed automatic transmission.

It’s speedy, luxurious and it definitely turns heads. I wasn’t surprised as I drove through a school zone and heard one kid on the sidewalk scream, “Wow, that’s an awesome car!” I’m sure his father would have said the same thing in the same exact fashion. It’s a Porsche!

Speaking of kids, I did mention that the Panamera could be the ultimate family car. Kids would definitely enjoy the roominess in the back of the Panamera. Actually, any adult would enjoy the roominess provided by this 4-door sports sedan.

Other fun features that I really need to mention are the huge 19” wheels, paddle shifters, and adaptive air suspension system. Basically, you can raise and lower the vehicle, tighten the suspension to adjust to specific driving conditions. The interior styling of the Panamera is elegant and beautifully designed. The centre stack, entertainment, NAV displays are gorgeous. It’s a Porsche!

It’s also a hybrid Porsche! In full electric mode, I was able to travel up to 2.5kms before the gas engine kicked in. That’s not that far but then again, this isn’t a Prius. If you can afford a $127,000 vehicle, I’m quite confident you can also afford the premium fuel to fill up the Panamera S Hybrid.

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Everything about the Panamera's look and feel are refined, elegant and luxurious. As a photographer, I think I may have gone overboard on the countless photo shoots during the week long review period. One of the photo shoots involved was an evening rig-shot at the James Richardson

International Airport at midnight on the upper departure ramp. There may have been a few parkades, a couple bridges and maybe two warehouse photo shoots.

To view the entire gallery of images of the 2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid, go to FilipinoJournal.com!

Photos by Ron Cantiveros| Filipino Journal

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Filipino Journal AND FEEL THE WARMTH OF THE UNIQUE FILIPINO CULTURE IN CANADA! NOW SERVING ALBERTA - EDMONTON, CALGARY, RED DEER, FORT MCMURRAY, MEDICINE HAT, GRAND PRAIRIE and NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

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The pulse of the Filipino Community in Winnipeg!

The pulse of the Filipino Community in Alberta!

The Filipino Journal is published twice a month in Winnipeg. We are committed to help you attain your marketing, sales, and company objectives. Your company advertisement in our newspaper will surely appeal to 50,000 Filipino’s and Canadian readers. Advertisers can expect to get their message to its readers and consumers in this area. People read the Filipino Journal because of its very informative news, entertainment sections and useful everyday information on living in Canada.

Filipino Journal is the no.1 Filipino-Canadian Newspaper in Alberta that published 10,000 copies once a month. We are the largest and fastest growing Filipino-Canadian newspaper, with 70,000 Filipino’s and Canadian readers.

With a unique message that will attract readers and consumers. Advertising your products and services is one of the most strategic business decisions you can make.

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Filipino Journal SOCIAL MEDIA SERVICES

Social media marketing brings your company to the fastest growing networking hubs on the Internet.

We can help you reach out to, collaborate with, and market effectively to targeted audiences in their on-line haunts.

Social Media Marketing services include: Social Media Strategy - finding your potential clients on-line and figuring out how to reach them.

Corporate Facebook Pages – building and managing effective Facebook presences; Twitter Services – using Twitter the right way.

Our social media marketing services can: * * * * * * *

increase brand awareness; create buzz; promote and advertise products and services; generate sales; establish expertise; drive more web site traffic showcase and demonstrate product effectiveness.

Facebook, MySpace, Flickr and YouTube get millions of visitors daily. Tap into this vital social phenomenon and reach a vast new audience, contact the Filipino Journal today to find out how.

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December 2012

What’s the difference between an Employment Agent/Agency and an Immigration Consultant?

by Columbio (Jon) Salvador, BSc.

Certified Canadian Immigration Consultant

(About the writer: Jon Salvador is a licensed immigration consultant and a member in good standing with the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC). He has more than 20 years of management and business experience in Canada. Prior to establishing his immigration consulting company, he worked for a U.S. based computer company and then at TELUS, the 2nd largest telecom company in Canada in various management positions.

He is originally from Manila, Philippines and graduated from DLSU (De La Salle University) in Manila with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. He also studied Business Management at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. If you would like to request articles on other immigration topics for future “Alberta Filipino Journal” publications, you can contact Jon at (403) 241-6276 or at jon@nuerainc.ca or the publisher of this newspaper.

Recently, I have been asked again by many Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs) and even some recent Permanent Residents (PRs) what’s the difference between licensed Employment/ Recruiting Agents/Agencies and licensed Immigration Consultants. I believe some confusion exists because for many years before Bill C-35 (an Act to Amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (formerly called the Cracking Down on Crooked Consultants Act) came into force on June 30, 2011 - employment Agents handled recruiting and immigration work – without any legal consequences. Before C- 35 was passed as law in 2011, many employers and temporary foreign workers considered their Employment/Recruiting Agents as Immigration Consultants also because they handled recruiting work, as well as processed immigration related work such as LMOs, Work Permits, Arrange Employment Offers (AEOs), Permanent Resident (PR) applications, etc. However, significant legal changes have been made after Bill C-35 became law in 2011.

In this article, I will try to explain and clarify what the differences are today, the legal changes implemented due to Bill C- 35 and the legal consequences to the persons caught failing to comply with the provisions of Bill C-35.

Information on where to report suspected illegal activities are listed towards the end of this news article.

In Alberta, Employment Agents/Agencies are licensed

by Service Alberta a provincial government department.

The licence authorizes the Employment/ Recruiting Agent to assist employers recruit employees, help worker find employers or evaluate and test potential workers for employers. It does not authorize the person to do immigration related matters unless

the person also has an immigration consultant’s licence. Before Bill C-35 was passed in June 2011, there was no law that prohibited Employment Agents from handling & doing immigration related work. However, after Bill C-35 was passed, it is now illegal for Employment Agents without immigration consultant’s licence to do immigration related work.

The list of prohibited immigration related work is outlined in Item #4 of this article.

The Employment Agency licence cost is $120 for two (2) years and there is no requirement for Recruiters or Employment Agents to take and pass immigration law courses in accredited schools nor pass immigration law exams administered by ICCRC (Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council).

There is no requirement to attend any professional development courses on an on-going basis to keep the Employment Agent’s licence. Virtually anybody who is a Canadian citizen or PR can obtain an Employment Agency licence without formal immigration law education or passing the licensing immigration law exams required for Immigration Consultants. I believe, these are the main reasons why Employment Agents/Agencies are now prohibited from handling immigration and other related matters like LMOs, Work Permits, AEOs, PR applications, etc.

Immigration Consultants are licensed by ICCRC (Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council) a national regulatory body established by the federal government upon the introduction of Bill C-35 in June 2011. The licence authorizes the person to handle and process immigration related matters. It does not authorize the person to handle and process recruiting work unless the person also has an employment agency licence. The ICCRC licence cost is $1,550.00 per year plus the cost of (CPD) Continuing Professional Development courses of around $1,500 or more per year depending on how many immigration related courses the consultant attends in person.

The CPD courses are required on an on-going basis to keep the Immigration Consultant’s licence and to ensure that the consultant is up-to-date regarding the changes in immigration laws and other related matters.

To be eligible to apply for an ICCRC immigration consultant’s licence, the person has to: 1. Take and pass the Immigration Practitioners Program (8 extensive courses on Canadian Immigration and Refugee Law) at an accredited post secondary educational institution.

2. Take and pass the ICCRC licensing exams within three (3) years of completing the Immigration Practitioner Program at an accredited post secondary educational institution.

3. Provide Police Certificates/ Clearances from all countries where the person has lived for more than six months since the age of 18.

4. Provide Statutory Declaration that

the person has no criminal charges, has not declared bankruptcy, and has no suspension or expulsion from another regulatory body.

5. Provide proof of language proficiency in English or French from an accredited language test institution like IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, SEL, etc.

6. Provide proof of post secondary education – a college diploma/ certificate/degree or university degree or comparable work experience.

7. Proof of status as a citizen of Canada, Permanent Resident or Status Indian.

To find out more on what the Employment Agents/Agencies licence and what ICCRC licence cover and allow persons to practice, you can research the following websites: a. http://www.servicealberta. ca/1249.cfm b. http://www.qp.alberta.ca/574. cfm?page=1999_189.cfm&leg_ type=Regs&isbncln=0779729005 c. http://www.parl. gc.ca/About/Parliament/ LegislativeSummaries/bills_ ls.asp?ls=c35&source=library_ prb&Parl=40&Ses=3& Language=E Outlined below is a compilation of information that I have lifted from the websites listed above: 1. Q: What Alberta govt. department requires a licence to operate an Employment Agency?

Ans: Businesses are required to be licensed by Service Alberta regardless of where they are located, if they help employers in Alberta find employees, help employees find work in Alberta or evaluate or test people for employers seeking employees.

Under the Fair Trading Act (FTA), businesses are required to have an Employment Agency business licence if they are: a. Working on behalf of employees, employers or both b. Finding jobs for Canadians or non-Canadians c. Finding workers for Canadian or non-Canadian employers d. Finding workers of any nationality for Alberta employers or for jobs in Alberta.

2. Q: How do I check whether an Employment Agent/Agency is licensed in Alberta and/or has an ICCRC immigration consultant’s licence?

Ans: You can contact Consumer Contact Centre to check employment agency’s licence at: Tel No: 780-427-4088 (Edmonton and area) Toll-free in Alberta: 1-877-427-4088 To check, whether an Employment Agent has an ICCRC licence to handle immigration related matters like LMOs, Work Permits, AEOs, Permanent Resident (PR) applications, etc. you check the ICCRC Membership List at http:// www.iccrc-crcic.ca/home.cfm or contact: ICCRC at 5500 North Service Road Suite 1002 Burlington, Ontario CANADA, L7L 6W6

Toll Free: 1-877- 836- 7543 Fax: 1-877- 315- 9868 3. Q. What fees can be legally charged by Employment Agencies?

Ans: The Alberta Fair Trading Act (FTA) allows employment agencies to charge some types of fees, but prohibits other fees. a. No employment agency may charge a fee for helping a person find a job. An employment agency can charge an employer for its services.

Employees do not pay the fees. b. No employment agency may demand or hold a bond or deposit from a person that will not be returned if they do not complete the work term or employment contract.

It is against the law for any fee to be collected from a person even if it may be refunded later. c. An employment agency cannot tell an employer that the employer can recover the costs of their services from the employee. Employment agencies cannot charge employees the costs of LMOs... employers are supposed to pay for LMOs. d. An employment agency may charge a person for services such as resume preparation. However, the agency cannot make a person buy these services as a condition to help the person find work. An employment agency that charges a fee for such services must post a list of the fees charged in a conspicuous location in the business premises.

4. Q: After Bill C-35, what functions are Employment Agents not legally allowed to do without an ICCRC licence?

Ans: After Bill C-35 was passed as a law on June 30, 2011, it is now illegal for employment agents/ agencies without ICCRC license to: a. Represent an Employer in an LMO or AEO application b. Communicate with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) or Human Resources & Skills Development Canada (HRSDC)/ Service Canada on behalf of client. c. Explain and provide immigration advice d. Provide guidance on how to select the best immigration stream and completing the appropriate forms e. Represent the client in an immigration application or process f. Advertise that they can provide immigration advice NOTE: Stiff penalties of up to two (2) years imprisonment and/or up to $100,000 in fines are stipulated for persons convicted of offences covered by Bill C-35.

5. Q: Who can act as an immigration representative or consultant?

Ans: There are two types of Immigration Representatives/ Consultants: a. Paid Consultants: In order to charge a fee, representatives/consultants must be authorized to conduct business for their clients. They must be: i. An immigration consultant in good standing with the ICCRC

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(Immigration Consultants of Canada regulatory Council) ii. A lawyer in good standing with a Canadian provincial or territorial law society or a student-at-law under their supervision iii. A Notary in Quebec in good standing with the Chambre des notaires du Quebec or student-inlaw under their supervision b. Unpaid Consultants: Immigration representatives/ consultants who are unpaid may include a family member, friend or a member of a non-governmental or religious organization. They do immigration consulting work without charging a fee.

6.

Q: Can an Employer or Employment Agency send a Foreign Worker home before their Work Permit expires?

Ans: An employer or employment agency has no legal authority to send a foreign worker home against their will before their Work Permit expires. Only the Government of Canada has the legal authority to remove or deport an individual from Canada.

If a Canadian or non-Canadian employee does not carry out the duties agreed to in the Employment Contract, the employer can give the employee the required termination notice or pay in lieu of notice before firing the employee.

Foreign workers are entitled to remain in Canada for the full term of their Work Permit (ie. until the Work Permit expires). An employer or an employment agency cannot force a foreign worker to return to their country of origin if an employment contract is terminated before the Work Permit expires or if the Foreign Worker decides to find a job with another employer. Prior to quitting, the Foreign Worker should provide the appropriate resignation notice to the Employer as outlined in their Employment Contract.

7.Q: Where should employers or foreign workers report Employment/ Recruiting Agents –without an ICCRC license - who charges fees for: LMOs, Work Permits, PR applications and other immigration related matters?

Ans: You can report suspected illegal activities to ICCRC at: Tel: 1-877-836-7543 (toll free) or Email: info@iccrc-crcic.ca or Temporary Foreign Worker Helpline at 1-877-944-9955 or (780) 644-9955 I hope the above information has been helpful in clarifying the differences between Employment/ Recruiting Agents and Immigration Consultants and what are illegal after Bill C-35 was passed.

Legal Disclaimer: This news article is designed for general information only. The information presented in this article should not be construed to be formal legal advice or the formation of a consultant/client relationship. Each individual situation is different and people should seek proper advice on their specific cases with a licensed immigration consultant of their choice.

December 2012

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Filipino Journal

Christmas Gift Guide Struggling for that inspiring gift for your loved ones this Christmas? Here are some gifts that will make shopping a breeze!

SodaStream Home Drink Maker

Enjoy freshly made, great tasting sparkling water/ seltzer in less than 30 seconds with no mess and a smarter way to enjoy soda in the comfort of your home. Pricing for starter kits range from $99.00 to $279.00. Starter kits are available at Wal-Mart, Canadian Tire and The Bay. Also available online at SodaStream.ca. Our review package included a 12pack sampler and Night Spirt Gin & Tonic Sodamix.

Canadian Art Prints

by Ron Cantiveros Choose

from two available prints captured by our very own Filipino Journal photographer, Ron Cantiveros. The Northern Lights and Polar Bear Stare are available as 12”x18” prints for only $100.00.

Add a RIBBA frame from IKEA Winnipeg for only $19.99.

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The Merideth Ladies Parka

by Nobis Move over Canada Goose and say hello to Nobis.

This is the next big thing in ultimate winter warmth.

It’s made with premium Canadian White Duck down for warmth and of many available styles in its 2012 fall collection. Outwear for men, women and children.

Available at Gord’s Bike & Ski. Visit Gords.com and Nobis.ca for their complete collection.

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Calgary’s West LRT now open Filed By Jose “Pepito” Magpayo

The west leg of Calgary’s LRT system was officially opened by Mayor Naheed Nenshi and Premier Alison Redford at a public ribboncutting celebration today.

“The West LRT line is a shining example of our government’s commitment to connecting residents with the people and services important to them, and to supporting municipalities as they plan for the future,” said Premier Redford.

“Together, we are building better communities.”

Today’s opening celebration included an inaugural CTrain trip between downtown and the 69 Street Station, an official ribbonbreaking, speeches at Sirocco Station and at Ernest Manning High School, fireworks, an official

cake-cutting and extensive familyfocused programming at all the new LRT stations.

“This is a great day for all Calgarians, especially those in west Calgary,” said Mayor Nenshi. “A healthy public transit system is a critical part of a working, sustainable city. This major improvement to Calgary’s transit system will greatly improve transportation in the west by providing a fast and efficient way to downtown and around the city for 105,000 residents currently living there.”

The $1.4 billion project is one of the largest infrastructure endeavours ever undertaken by The City of Calgary. When it opens for service Monday, Dec. 10, it is expected to carry 25,000 passengers along 8.2

kilometres between downtown and 69 Street S.W. in just 12 minutes.

Ridership is projected to grow to more than 40,000 passengers per day over the next few years.

The West LRT project includes six new LRT stations, major roadway upgrades, construction of a new interchange and a new high school. It also includes a new pathway network in Calgary’s southwest, including a new regional pathway along 17 Avenue S.W. between 73 Street and 33 Street, and a completely revamped bus network for 21 communities.

The LRT line and connecting bus routes will provide higher quality public transit service than the current bus-only service—the LRT will give users a direct, trafficfree, way to get to downtown and various facilities around the city. It will also ease bus traffic on two of Calgary’s busiest roadways—Bow Trail and 17 Avenue S.W. The project was made possible thanks to a strong partnership between The City of Calgary and the Government of Alberta. Alberta’s $1.3 billion investment was comprised of $934 million from the Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI), $332 million from the Green Transit Initiatives Program (GreenTRIP) and $50 million from other provincial funding sources.

Photos by Ben Tsui

During the celebrations today, Premier Redford, with Alberta Transportation Minister Ric McIver, also announced that, in addition to the $332 million for the West LRT line, Calgary will receive $133 million for the purchase of at least 50 new LRT cars and $8 million for the pre-design of the Southeast Transitway (SETWAY) project from GreenTRIP. The City is sharing the cost of these initiatives with the Province.

“Through GreenTRIP and MSI, we are supporting the transit and infrastructure priorities of municipalities across Alberta,” said Minister McIver. “Coupled with our capital planning processes,

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we are funding and building the infrastructure to increase the quality of life and economic prosperity of our citizens and our province.”

Mayor Nenshi said the west LRT line and the additional GreenTRIP funding supports several Council priorities related to improved mobility, enhanced goods movement, strong environmental practices and transit-oriented development.

“We will all benefit from an efficient, sustainable public transit system,” said Mayor Nenshi. “It benefits our residents, businesses and visitors when we can reduce traffic congestion by offering mobility choices and development options that make better use of our transportation choices.”

Ald. Richard Pootmans and Ald. John Mar, whose wards include the west LRT line and the improvements to the road network and pathway, thanked residents and businesses for their input during the project design and their patience and understanding during construction.

The Mayor echoed extended those sentiments to City staff and the design build contractor. “I want to especially thank the project team and all The City of Calgary employees and contractors who made this project happen. It is the biggest public works project in our history and an amazing accomplishment.”

Calgarians were given an opportunity to ride the new leg of the LRT system for free today between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. to celebrate the grand opening. Regular Ctrain service on the west LRT line will commence on Monday, Dec. 10 at 5 a.m.

Monday’s opening date meets the original start of service that was promised in 2009 when the SNC-Lavalin team was awarded the design-build contract or the West LRT project by The City of Calgary.

Onward/ Enable public transit, walking and cycling as the preferred mobility choices for more people.

December 2012

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Karilagan Dance Society Performs Across Edmonton Bringing Joy and Merriment to Christmas Festivities Karilagan Dance Society has been spotted across Edmonton and neighboring places bringing joy and happiness to different associations, cultural groups and charitable societies promoting the Filipino cultural dances and adding merriment to the Christmas festivities. Recently, they performed at the Ankur Multicultural Association at Taylor University, Palabok House Restaurant, and Fort Saskatchewan Filipino Christmas party.

Karilagan Dance Society once again performs voluntarily as a part of giving back to the community bringing Christmas tidings and joy to the different community groups.

The Karilagan Dance Society

Mariah Bernal and Aylah Angeles

Muttart’s Agave Plant in Bloom for Short Time After weeks of anticipation, and 35 years of growth, the Muttart Conservatory ’s Agave Americana plant, affectionately named Beila, is now in bloom.

The desert plant should continue flowering for at least two or three weeks. Agave Americana plants live for many years before producing a dramatic flower stalk before they die. Beila was planted 35 years ago by long-time Muttart Conservatory grower James McIvor.

Her stalk first appeared this past August, initially growing 30 cm per day and now nearly

touches the apex of the Arid Pyramid, towering almost 10 m. Along this soaring stalk, the lower buds are opening up into small yellow flowers, while the buds on the upper portion will continue to open up during the next couple of weeks.

There is a short window of time to see Beila at her peak. The plant has used a huge amount of energy to rapidly grow such a tremendous flower stalk. Agave Americana plants like Beila live to bloom and then die a few months after flowering.

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Ron Cantiveros

ron@filipinojournal.com

Celebrating Canada's Game at the 100th Grey Cup

T

here were many story lines leading up to the 100th Grey Cup between the Calgary Stampeders and the Toronto Argonauts. Of particular importance to me was Calgary Stampeder quarterback Kevin Glenn's return to the big game.

The other was Stampeder OL Obby

Khan making it to the Grey Cup after a forced retirement last year with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

In the end, the Toronto Argonauts won the Grey Cup on home soil and both Glenn and Khan were denied an opportunity to hoist the Grey Cup. This was my fifth Grey Cup

experience and by far one of the best ones ever. The excitement started last year at the 99th Grey Cup in Vancouver when it was announced that a 10-day celebration was being planned for Toronto. Plus, with the Grey Cup being held indoors, it was easy to convince my football buddies to join the party and a great way for me to reconnect with former Winnipeggers now living and working in Toronto.

As an avid Blue Bomber fan and season ticket holder, I was also hoping that our team would make a repeat appearance this year. It was a brutal season and we didn't even make the playoffs. The season is over and I'm eagerly waiting for the 2013 season to start.

Let’s get back to the Grey Cup party storyline. For those of the uninitiated, basically every

single CFL team hosts parties throughout the week leading up to game day. The Calgary Stampeders hosted a pancake breakfast and an evening party called “Stamps House” featuring live music and performances by the Calgary Stampeder Outriders cheerleaders.

For the several “Spirit of Edmonton” parties I’ve attended over the years, the party in Toronto was one of the biggest. The Touchdown Manitoba party is Manitoba hospitality at its finest and I’m a bit biased.

The biggest highlight of the weekend for me was being an accredited CFL photographer at Rogers Centre. This would be my 2nd time shooting a CFL football game and pretty excited at the opportunity. With the Toronto Argonauts in the Grey Cup, there was a ridiculous amount of Toronto

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December 2012 media present. Needless to say, the photographer’s room at Rogers Centre was a complete zoo. I’ve never seen so many cameras and sports lenses assembled in one place.

While many fans booed Justin Beiber’s performance at half time, I was snapping away. Also included in my camera roll were RCMP officers carrying the Grey Cup, several cheerleaders, lots of crazy CFL fans, and the Toronto Argonauts hoisting the Grey Cup. I have a couple photos of Carly Rae Jepson and still waiting for her to call me, maybe.

Watching and working the 100th Grey Cup was simply amazing. This was the complete Canadian football experience for me and that is why I love CFL football.

Photos by Ron Cantiveros| Filipino Journal

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A new and interesting way for Alberta newcomers to learn English

Minister’s Ethnic

by Deputy Premier Thomas A. Lukaszuk

Alberta is a great place to call home. That is why we have so many new residents that have moved here from other provinces in Canada, as well as from other countries from around the world.

Often, it is difficult when you first move to a new place. There can be many challenges involved, especially if English is not your first language. Whether looking for a job, going to the doctor, or taking kids to school, knowing English is a big help in making life easier here in Alberta. That is why I am happy to tell you about free, easy-to-use and interesting online

lessons to help improve English.

These lessons can be found by visiting www.breakthewall. alberta.ca. This tool is a great way for people anywhere in Alberta to improve their English when it is convenient for them, from the comfort of their own home.

The audio news clips are read at a slower pace to help with listening while learning.

The online lessons are updated every week and provide great Alberta-specific news clips and features for basic and advanced learners. Viewers and listeners will now have the choice between

Edmonton or Calgary-specific newscasts as well. The lessons can also help teachers who are looking for additional materials for their students. The lessons have been provided by the Alberta government and CBC radio Edmonton since February 2011.

Well over 100,000 visitors have come to the Break the Wall site to improve their English. CBC Calgary has now joined this partnership to provide additional content.

Learners can now download CBC Edmonton or CBC Calgary audio news stories, then, they can

Tsada Edm party

Officers of Tsada Edmonton was inducted last Sunday December 2, 2012.

Francis Roa and Shirley Lubo’s version of The Phantom of Opera performed during Tsada Edmonton

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answer questions in the lesson plan that will test how well the stories were understood. These lesson plans can also be printed.

Our English language training website is updated often with new content and stories. It also provides additional information on classes and language assessment centres.

If you require further information, visit www. breakthewall.alberta.ca or contact my constituency office. If you have difficulty with English or know somebody who does, I encourage you to visit the site and see how it can help.

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Horoscope Tuning out the world on a day like today will be a challenge.

You operate best when there is plenty of action to keep your active mind and body interested.Get organized and hatch a plan that will maximize both your effort and energy. You don’t want to be busy, but get nothing accomplished.

The time is right for you to make a career move. Your talents are developed well enough for you to take the next step towards your goals.Luckily, with all the new stimulation in your day today.

You’ve been feeling so frazzled about meeting all your goals lately that you haven’t stopped to notice that you’re standing on the top of a big success! You need to have willingness for making adjustments. You’ll experience a lot of satisfaction, and it is going to feel awfully good to you!

The day is easy regarding personal relationships. There is nothing wrong with sparing someone’s feelings and as long as the end result is the same and they know what they need to know, then you have done something wonderful. Things are good at work front.

You’re in the right place in your life right now, and a silly coincidence will remind you of that fact later today. A choice you thought you’d regret seems to have been one of the best things you’ve ever done.

You will find it a flexible day in profession. You have to make a decision today about keeping your word or changing plans to accommodate a new prospect.Hold to your convictions even though you think that you may be missing out on something.

It will turn out better than you imagined.

A proposition may sound great at first, but as with all other decisions in life it is wise to hear all the details and analyze them before you agree to anything. Take your time and think through all the potential consequences before you make an agreement.

This day is likely to inspire you to do something totally different. You will be carried away by your desires. This is a time to let this happen and enjoy the scenery. If things seem to be running smoothly around you, they are, so let them.

All the people you’re with today are in flexible and positive moods as well, so the good times are there to be had!Put your faith in the universe, Gemini, and trust that is something is meant to happen it will.

There would be benefits from career.It is a good time to push personal and business affairs, and take advantage of new opportunities for future expansion. You may to get a chance to travel or experience pleasurable contacts from those living in distant cities. Personal life tends to be good.

- Enjoy the day as you will be able to finally express your latent abilities. The day will offer support to all your efforts; however, it could be slightly tough at work front. Collect your thoughts and build a message that will open the doors of communication and hopefully lead to an agreeable solution.

The day is good to make efforts and find success. Right now you have to focus on having the necessary difficult conversations, dealing with a few tight deadlines and making a controversial decision. Give yourself a break and just laugh it off as no one else will place more importance on the mistakes than you will.

PAHALANG 1 Takip-mata 8 Urina 11 Pansin 12 _ _ _ Laden 13 Laylay 14 Pangalang babae 15 Morning: daglat 16 Illinois: daglat 17 Hangin sa tiyan 18 Ibinigkas 20 Pinatitingnan 22 Iparelyebo

PABABA 23 Hamok 24 Washington: daglat 25 Web Services 27 Tanong 28 Tatak ng organo 30 Operasyon pag inulit 31 Punyal 32 Kapote 33 Ipangilin

1 Kopa 2 Batid 3 License Use Management 4 Simulan 5 Kaaway 6 Whichever 7 Protactinium: sagisag 8 Ihihinhin 9 Tihaya 10 Hinablot

14 Mababatid 17 Tagapag-ingat ng anuman 18 Sinabihan 19 News and Letters 20 Poncio 21 Ihalili 25 Question 26 Kasalanan 28 Apelyidong intsik 29 Kahapis-hapis 31 Bismuth: sagisag

Volunteer Photographers Wanted Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver & Winnipeg Volunteer photographers needed. Build your portfolio or use your expertise to aid the Filipino Journal by photographing special events and concerts. Must have own equipment and transportation. Photo editing skills would be helpful but not required.

Sudoku Puzzles are games of patience, numbers and genius! The satisfaction of solving a challenging Sudoku Puzzle is one of the greatest accomplishments any sudoku game player can experience.

Here is the puzzle. Good luck!

The Filipino communities are growing in Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver & Winnipeg. More & more events being passed along our way, we are looking to complement our team with volunteer photographers to cover all those events.

As with any community newspaper, we focus on local events such as community gatherings, picnics, sporting events, press conferences, dinners. Some gigs can be as quick as 15-20 minutes and other can be long, painful & boring. Our goal is to find photographers that we can assign work to on any given story. The majority of the events are during the evenings and weekend.

As far as compensation is concerned, we’re offering several options and considerations: 1. promotional compensation with photo credits on all photography used in our print and online editions.

3. advertising compensation with supporting photography services ad in our print edition.

4. royalties on any photographs sold through our website (in development).

Interested photographers can submit their name and portfolio to info@FilipinoJournal.com

Solutions for Palaisipan & Sudoku will be posted online www.FilipinoJournal.com

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Fear Mongering at Its Best

By Erick San Juan

T

he netizens are now being bombarded with reports of the so-called end of the world or the beginning of the new age based on the Mayan calendar. Such doomsday scenario is being posted on the internet from bloggers to not so reliable news reports – all to sow fear amongst the world’s populace. Reports also connect the recent calamities from hurricanes to earthquakes to the forthcoming ‘end of the world’ scenario. We never learned on how we were duped to spend to online all our computers to evade the Y2k computer collapse "kuno" last 2000.

Fear mongering continues as more and more individuals believe in the lies being propagated by these global ‘terrorists’. Like the ones in the recently concluded UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, a 12-day conference of 200 nations to curb global warming via human carbon emissions into the atmosphere held at Doha in Qatar from November 26 to December 8. After the said

event, press releases were carried by mainstream media parroting the doom and gloom scenario.

Annually such meeting is being held in order to sustain the global warming (interchangeably climate change) hoax and for as long as there are world leaders adhering to such foolishness, the deception will continue.

As what Alex Newman, a foreign correspondent for The New American online said : “…. recent efforts to exploit fear by climate alarmists and UN bureaucrats seeking to blame “global warming” for weather events like Hurricane Sandy, for example, are absurd on their face, according to Lord Monckton and a wide array of experts. In reality, these sorts of bogus claims are nothing more than fear mongering aimed at drumming up hysteria and duping the public to facilitate a global agreement that would benefit the UN, power-hungry governments, dictatorships, and elements of “Big Business” — all at the expense of humanity,

science, prosperity, liberty, national sovereignty, and real environmental problems.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Reports are the ‘scientific’ source of claims for more severe and extreme weather,” observed Dr. Tim Ball, a climate scientist who has been one of the more prominent experts to challenge the UN’s dubious theories aside from former IPCC experts themselves. “In fact the incidence and severity of extreme weather — hurricanes, wind storms, tornadoes, heat waves, drought, floods, ice storms, etc.

— have not generally increased recently and are well within long term natural variability.

Despite those facts, top UN officials continue to make blatantly false claims about climate, warning that if governments refuse to promptly force their populations to submit to the outlandish demands, certain disaster awaits. The tone is only getting more and more hysterical, too. Last month, before the COP18 began in Doha, even UN

Safety Countdown to Christmas Filed by Jose “Pepito” Magpayo

With the holiday season fast approaching, the Calgary Fire Department would like to provide Calgarians with seasonal safety tips in the days leading up to Christmas.

Today, the Calgary Fire Department would like to provide tips to help ensure you have a safe tree. * If choosing a ‘real’ tree, ensure that it is freshly cut. It stays green longer and poses less of a fire hazard. Fresh trees lose very few needles when tapped on the ground. Needles should bend, not break, and the stump should be sticky with resin. * Choose a sturdy tree stand with a broad base. The base of the tree should be constantly immersed in a large reservoir of water. A tree with high moisture content is safer, because it is less flammable. * Set up your tree away from heat and ignition sources such as radiators, fireplaces, heaters, heat ducts or electronics which heat up. * Never use lit candles on a tree. Ensure

lights are appropriate for indoor use and are ULC (Underwriters Laboratories of Canada) and CSA (Canadian Standards Association) approved. Always turn off Christmas tree lights when going to bed or leaving the home.

Always read manufacturer’s instructions. * After the holidays, properly dispose of the tree as soon as possible. The City of Calgary has a tree recycling program and for details you can visit: http://www.calgary.ca/UEP/WRS/ Pages/Recycling-information/Residentialservices/Organics-recycling/Christmas-TreeRecycling-Program.aspx Onward/Working to reduce the risk of injury, the Calgary Fire Department is committed to delivering prevention-based outreach to Calgarians and encouraging citizen responsibility and safe practices.

For media inquiries, please contact: Calgary Fire Department Public Affairs ,piofire@ calgary.ca, 403-988-7922

The City of Calgary names Assessment Director/City Assessor Filed by Jose “Pepito” Magpayo

Nelson F. Karpa, MBA, AAM has been appointed as Assessment Director and City Assessor at The City of Calgary. Nelson comes to Calgary from The City of Winnipeg, and comes to The City with over 28 years of management experience including both Provincial and Municipal expertise. Mr. Karpa is expected to begin work in Calgary in the New Year. “Mr. Karpa brings with him a strong background in leadership and experience as a City Assessor,” said Planning, Development & Assessment General Manager, Rollin Stanley.

The search for a new Assessment Director/ City Assessor began this summer, which drew

the attention of many very qualified applicants.

“The high calibre of talent Calgary has attracted is impressive”, said Stanley.

Since November 2006 Mr. Karpa has been the City Assessor/Director of the Assessment and Taxation Department at the City of Winnipeg. Mr. Karpa has a Master of Business Administration and is an Accredited Assessor in Manitoba. He is a sessional lecturer at the University of Manitoba in the Bachelor of Commerce program, and was the Gold Medal Winner and recipient of the T.A. Anderson Award in earning his Master of Business Administration at the University of Manitoba.

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boss Ban Ki-moon himself made those same absurd allegations, damaging his remaining credibility further; possibly beyond repair.”

Sadly, even our own climate envoy to the UN convention, Naderev Sano was believed to be taken for a ride blaming the climate change hoax on the devastation brought about by the onslaught of typhoon Pablo in the country. But most activists like Sano are foreign funded through NGO's. Actually, Pablo is a wake up call to all government officials, elected and appointed to address the perennial man-made problem like illegal logging, etc. that has caused and will cause disasters to all of us.

It is natural that our country is being visited by not less than twenty typhoons per year and any excuses coming from the national and local leaders are not acceptable when it comes to saving lives or preventing such disaster to claim lives.

Corruption is still prevalent and after every disaster there is no accountability or whatsoever from

responsible officials who allow such deaths to occur. The solutions are not in any ‘superbody’ like the United Nations, it is right within our reach, our own leaders’ commitment to serve the country’s citizens and give them protection whenever there’s a calamity.

So, instead of Naderev Sano’s appeal prop to the world at the UN convention to find solutions to the impacts of climate change, Sano should appeal to the present administration to do it's role to avoid the loss of more precious lives. It’s still all about accountability, stupid!

And if we will continue to ride the deception of the fear mongerers, the death toll will continue to rise and in the end we will ask dumbly, what hit us?

Let us all be vigilant and think twice before believing the lies being fed to us, there are a lot of them especially on the internet. We have to study and conduct research on our own in order to balance the different views being presented to us. An intelligent mind cannot be deceived easily. God bless us all.

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The Pulse of the Filipino Community

December 2012

Christmas is for children

The Republic of Adobo

by Rod

Cantiveros

rod@filipinojournal.com

S

uddenly last Friday, December 14, within two minutes, twenty children lost their lives,almost twelve days before Christmas.

They were innocent, young, with big dreams and full of life. That Friday would be their another day in school; learning and enjoying the company of their friends and teachers. That the had hugged and kisses their moms and dads.

And from nowhere, an alleged gunman bulged into the school and started shooting. Twenty children perished and never had a chance to enjoy Christmas with their classmates and their loved

ones. One of the victims was scheduled to perform as an angel in the coming school's Christmas Pageant. And for sure, some of them had a chance to have picture with Santa Claus.

Such a tragic event happened before the celebration of one of the most important Christian traditions.

Such an impact in our daily lives, Christmas lost its meaning and its spirits for a child. Someone had stolen it from their hearts!

Santa Claus is in tears and tries to find the reasons why it happened to his children whose smiles on their faces and glows in their eyes makes him so much loved to travel all over the world to bring tidings, greetings and toys to every child. For Santa Claus, his list will be less twenty beautiful children.

Sad and grieving, Santa Claus decides to go and bring joy and happiness to the waiting child on Christmas Eve. And we. as parents, are numbed.

No words could describe the horror of the event; and the lurking fears in going to school. The paranoia settled in into our psyche that it might happen to us, or to anybody, or to any school anywhere on earth. And it is too hurting for parents and loved ones not to see their child celebrating Christmas

with them. With so much grief, one can feel the severity of loss, the questioning mind why it happened to those young children who are the main reason why Christmas has so much joy and happiness.

Yes, Christmas is for our children.

I could remember how Christmas was very important to me when i was growing in my hometown. Nurtured by strict adherence on savings, I looked forward for Christmas. I had the list of what i wanted for Christmas; and more so, looking forward for the gifts my ninongs and ninangs would give.

My sisters and brother would prepare parols and other paper decorations for Christmas. And my mother was getting ready for our noche buena. I loved "arroz de valenciana", suman and chicken adobo. For me, Christmas is the most important celebration in my life. Lots of food, toys and money.

With a child's instinct, it seemed that we need to receive more than to give.

At the "Noche Buena", we shared the food and joy of Christmas.

And when our two sons were young, they looked forward with so much anticipation and excitements in the coming Christmas. My wife

and I would bring our two sons to the shopping mall for Santa's picture. We would pass by at the toys store to find the best toy at the best price. And on the Christmas eve, we enjoyed going to church together. And during the noche buena, our family joined together for sharing the food. And on the next day, excitements took over as they opened their gifts. And I could see in their eyes, the happiness, the joy, the sparkle and hope: a true picture of a happy and innocent child.

What happened in a small and quiet town of Newtown, Connecticut where the twenty children and six adults lost their lives, I do reflect how life is too short. How life is too fragile against dangers lurking upon us. As parents, we do have the fear of something might happen to our loved ones. Our children are our future.

I lost my reason for a while upon learning the horrific event. I could imagine how a child would face the killer. She or he was so innocent to face the reality in life. In my mind, these words became a litany of hopelessness: ' Would I run? Would I call my Mom or Dad? ' I could image how a child would die with gunshots, how he or she would fall on a cold floor and helpless

and clinging to his or her dearly young life; and i could not imagine the grief of a mother, of a father knowing that his or her child is gone. No one count on how many tears had fallen; how loud was the cry as if nobody would like to be heard; and I could feel as if i were the father of the fallen child. And I am soulfully affected.

And I looked back during my younger years; and i looked back to our sons when they were young children.

I looked at them as if there were my children!

My children and their children are not different. I closed my eyes. Grief engulfed my whole body.

Numbed and tongue-tied as I moved around after leaning the carnage which cut short the lives of young dreamers and the hope of the land. And the child in me shed tears. I silently grieved and prayed.

And for this coming Christmas, remember those young children who lost their lives. Think and feel that their short stary here on earth will make a big difference on how to cherish our young children. Indeed, my children, your children, and those twenty children, they are all our children.

Christmas, this, for reason of joy, is for children, less twenty.

NEWS FLASH!!

Calgary Police Service members inspect gift-filled Faster eligibility under the Canadian shoe boxes; find hope and joy Experience Class (CEC) Program On December 11, 2012 Jason Kenney – Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism – announced that effective January 2, 2013 skilled TFW workers ( NOC: O, A and B) may apply for Permanent Residency (PR) under the Canadian Experience Class program with twelve (12) months, full-time, skilled, Canadian work experience – within the last 3 years. This is one year sooner than the previously required 24 months.

Full-time work is defined as, at least 37.5 hrs/week of paid work.

TFWs applying under the CEC program must also meet minimum language thresholds to be eligible to apply for PR based on their job category under the National Occupation Classification (NOC) code. For NOC categories A and 0, the language requirement is a score of CLB 7 or higher for each language abilities (ie. read, write,

Filed by Jose “Pepito” Magpayo

Calgary’s “keepers of the peace” will become “inspectors of the shoe boxes” today, as members of the Calgary Police Service join hundreds of other enthusiastic volunteers to process thousands of gift-filled Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes.

Members of the Service’s North District office will be at the Samaritan’s Purse Canada warehouse in northeast Calgary to receive basic shoe box-inspection training, then take their place at one of many processing tables to ensure each donated shoe box is safe and appropriate for the child who will receive it.

“Each shoe box is opened Jon Salvador, BSc. Certified Canadian Immigration and inspected to ensure there Consultant are no used or dirty items, food, NuERA Immigration & Consulting liquids that could melt or freeze, Services breakable items, or anything that could scare or harm a child,” listen, speak). For NOC category B, the language requirement is CLB 5 or higher for each of the language abilities.

The CEC program was created in 2008 and since then, Canada has admitted more than 20,000 skilled TFWs and international students (average of about 5,000 per year).

In 2013, Canada plans to accept up to 10,000 applicants under the CEC program. So, if you are a TFW with at least 12 months of skilled work experience and meets the language requirements... you may apply to become a PR by January 2, 2013 under the CEC program.

said John Friesen, Operations Manager for Operation Christmas Child. “We are pleased the CPS has chosen to join thousands of other volunteers across Canada who will visit our processing centers this year.”

Gifts inside each shoe box include school supplies, hygiene items, toys, and candy. Each shoe box is designated for a boy or a girl in the age groups of 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Shoe box donors are also encouraged to send a photo and a note to the child who receives the shoe box.

“The Calgary Police Service has had a long and meaningful partnership with Operation Christmas Child. Our members look forward to assisting in whatever way possible in hopes of making the life of a child in

need just a little bit better over the holiday season,” said North District A/Insp. Jim Leung.

Once processed, the shoe boxes will be shipped to children in countries such as Senegal, Uruguay, and Haiti.

In 2011, Samaritan’s Purse collected and distributed more than eight million gift-filled shoe boxes worldwide. Since 1993, 94 million shoe boxes have been distributed around the world.

Donors who wish to send gift-filled shoe boxes to hurting children can deliver their shoe boxes to the Samaritan’s Purse warehouse at 20 Hopewell Way NE, Calgary, or they can pack a shoe box online at www.PackABox.ca.

To learn more about Operation Christmas Child, visit www.samaritanspurse.ca/occ.

Operation Christmas Presence Filed by Jose “Pepito” Magpayo

Nothing brings a thief more joy than a car full of shopping bags and gifts. Most thefts from vehicles are crimes of opportunity and can be prevented.

To help prevent car prowlings during the holiday season, the Calgary Police Service, in partnership with the Alberta Motor Association and Calgary Transit Public Safety and Enforcement, are once again launching Operation Christmas Presence.

This initiative focuses on reminding the public to keep purchases and other goods out of sight in their vehicles, giving thieves less of a reason to break in.

Along with an increased presence in several popular shopping centres and Calgary Transit parking lots, partners will be talking to the public about theft from vehicles, and distributing All Valuables Removed placards. Radio ads urging the public to remove items from

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their vehicles are also being aired on local stations. This year, print ads will also be in grocery stores across the city on till dividers and carts.

The placards are free to the public and were created for vehicle owners to use as a prevention measure. They are intended to encourage vehicle owners to think twice about what they are leaving in their vehicles and to dissuade would-be thieves from needlessly breaking into or damaging a vehicle that has nothing of value in it.

All Valuables Removed signs can be picked up at any CPS district office, community station or AMA centre.

From Sunday, Jan. 1 to Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, there were 6,231 reports of thefts from a vehicle under $5,000 and 93 of more than $5,000. This compares to 6,478 reports of thefts from a vehicle under $5,000 and 81 of more than $5,000 during the same time period in 2011.

December 2012

The Pulse of the Filipino Community

by Gem & Lita Anis

Cartagena, the "Emerald of the Caribbean"

W

here is it - Northeastern historic old city, Las Murallas, region of Colombia on the Palacio de la Inquisicion, Plaza Caribbean coast of South Bolivar, Las Bovedas, Cartagena America Cathedral Random facts - Colombia What is there to see - El Castillo is the largest emerald producer and San Felipe de Barajas, the walled second largest fresh-cut flowers

Gem & Lita with fruit vendors, Cartagena

Las Bovedas (The Vaults)

Kids Completed Youth Leadership Program

On 25 November 2012, 14 youths graduated at the Riverbend Public Library. They all received certificates for completing the 8-session program of 1 ½ hour each sessionconducted weekly. They learned the basics of public speaking and leadership that gave them the confidence to speak before an audience. The program was organized and conducted by experienced toastmasters including Tony Balce, Cherry Cheung, Karen Tober, Carisa David, Peter Edgson and Ken Cobb. The event was sponsored

by Grani Atelier Audio Visual Inc., Save on Foods Terwillegar, Safeway Riverbend and A & W Riverbend.

Grani Atelier Audio Visual Inc. and A & W Riverbend are owned by Noel Granado who videotaped and took pictures of the graduation ceremony.

Youth Leadership is a Toastmasters International program designed to develop the speaking and leadership skills of young people (11 to 17 years old). By developing

exporter in the world Interesting trivia - Cartagena is a sister city of Manila, Philippines We don't know exactly what we expect to see and discover in Cartagena. Much to our surprise we find Cartagena an interesting vibrant city with a colourful past much like Manila.

Our guided tour begins with a scenic drive through a residential area called Manga. En route we witness republican architecture and several colonial mansions restored to their original splendour.

The first stop is the mustsee "El Castillo San Felipe de Barajas", a well-preserved castle/ fortress built by the Spaniards in the 17th century for protection against pirates while shipping gold to Europe. Located strategically on top of a hill overlooking the city and harbour, the sentinel is said to be the most important work of Spanish engineering in any of their colonies. Aside from its complex maze of underground tunnels meant to facilitate supply and provisions as well as evacuation of inmates, the bastion features vantage points for artillery, underground galleries and gunpowder warehouses.

We visited the famed Old City, a walled city (reminds us of Intramuros) with cobblestone narrow streets and Spanish colonial homes with flowerfilled courtyards and wood-beamed balconies and stone towers.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city is connected by a series of bridges and divided by 17th century walls into an "historic old city" and a cosmopolitan "modern city".

A structure in the old city quite popular to tourists is "Las Bovedas", the vaults attached to the walls that were originally built as dungeons for military purposes and as storerooms for munitions and provisions before they became jail cells. Now they house shops well-stocked with traditional Colombian merchandise and vast array of souvenirs from hammock to postcards.

We strolled to the 18th century "Palacio de la Inquisicion", one of the

these skills, young people will be better prepared to meet the demands and challenges of today’s world.

These young people tend to become better students and active in school activities as well as in the community.

The Youth Leadership program is promoted, organized and conducted by the Northern Alberta Youth Leadership Project(NAYLP) which is run by a handful of dedicated and experienced toastmasters.

They conduct this program in other locations including Whitemud Crossing library, Lois Hole library, St. Albert library, Enbridge, etc.

This program is free of charge to the youths. Thanks to the generosity of a local philanthropist and businessman Larry Anderson. The fall programs have been completed.

Plans are now underway in preparation for the spring programs.

For more details, visit https://naylp. com and check the new schedule in January 2013.

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most important historical edifices in the city and an eerie grim reminder of atrocities of the Spanish colonial rule with its display of various instruments of torture like the heretic fork and the female breast squeezer. The palace served as a tribunal court that tried, judged and convicted anyone the Catholic Church viewed as a heretic, a witch or a devil. There was no tolerance - during those days you had to believe in the Roman Catholic Church, if not, you're subjected to involuntary confession and torture.

Across the palace is the lively Plaza Bolivar, with a statue of Gen. Simon Bolivar, the Venezuelan most important military and political leader who played a key role in Hispanic America's struggle for independence from the Spanish colonial rule. At

Fort of San Felipe de Barajas

Skyline Cartagena, Colombia

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this small park shaded with trees and palms, you can purchase bottled water, fruits or beer from local vendors with whom I practise my knowledge of Spanish.

Nearby is the massive Cartagena Cathedral which dates back to the 16th century. And within sight is the San Pedro Claver Church honouring missionary St. Peter Claver, the patron saint of slaves and the first saint canonized in the Western hemisphere.

After visiting historic sites and wandering the narrow streets and some of the squares of the Old City under the hot sun we make our way to the modern residential district of "Bocagrande" (Big Mouth) and capped our day off with shopping at the Pierino Gallo.

26 Filipino Journal

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December 2012

The Pulse of the Filipino Community

Michelle Tria and Jermaine Foster Tie Knots Michelle Tria of Edmonton and Jermaine Foster from Alabama, USA exchanged vows of marriage last Saturday December 15, 2012 in a private civil ceremony witnessed by relatives and close friends. A culmination of a beautiful friendship ended in matrimony.

The Family L-R The Officiating Marriage Counsellor, Michelle, Jermaine, With Friends Letty, Jerry, Robert and Stacy

Michelle and Robert Foster

Michelle and Robert with relatives and friends

Relatives and Guests

Welcome Baby Milana

Welcome baby girl Milana Kahilsi Bernal born December 7, 2012, 6lbs and 6 oz., a beautiful Christmas gift to the Bernal family. Congratulations to the parents Arne and Arlene Bernal of Edmonton.

Maddox and Mariah Bernal welcome their new sister. Dec 7,2012

Benny,Alon,Tony,Lulu Baby Milana,Tins, Jhoanna

Tony & lulu with Born & Bernal Families

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December 2012

The Pulse of the Filipino Community

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December 2012