Filipino Journal, Manitoba Edition - February 05 - 20, 2023

MAFTI FILIPINO BILINGUAL PROGRAM

Registration is now open for Filipino Bilingual classes for Kindergarten and Grade 1 at Meadows West School with classes scheduled to start this coming September. The Manitoba Association of Filipino Teachers Inc. (MAFTI) hosted an open house to promote the benefits of bilingual programming. Rob Riel, Interim Superintendent, Winnipeg School Division shared insights from successful Aboriginal and Spanish Bilingual program offerings.

Golden Balangay Awards is Set to Sail for Edmonton City

The Golden Balangay Foundation sets the stage for an epic Canada Day long weekend.

After almost three years of celebrating our accomplishments virtually, the Golden Balangay Foundation will set sail to Edmonton City for an in-person awards night.

In 2019, Winnipeg hosted the last inperson event at the Winnipeg Arts Gallery. In 2020, the world stopped because of the widespread impact of COVID-19. During this time, founders Ronnie Dela Gana and Jovy Favila took the opportunity to establish a foundation that will carry on the mission and vision of the Golden Balangay Awards (GBA). In 2021, the awards night was held virtually for the first time.

Ronnie Dela Gana, President & Chairman of Golden Balangay Foundation, shares with much excitement, “I think it’s high time we resume an in-person awards night and this year is the best time to do it. This will be GBA’s fifth year so expect a special weekend."

Edmonton City will become a gathering place of the stars and achievers of the Filipino Canadian community. On this Canada Day long weekend, previous winners and nominees are expected to join the celebration. Aside from the much-anticipated awards and gala night, the Foundation will be hosting forums and networking opportunities during the weekend.

As GBA journeys across Canada from coast to coast to coast, it aspires to leave an indelible mark on the host city. To make this happen, the Foundation aims to make a lasting impact on the community by supporting an initiative that will benefit the city and its people. A chosen local non-profit organization will be the recipient of a portion of the proceeds of the event.

The Foundation chose the Edmonton Philippine International Centre (EPIC) as its first recipient. EPIC is an aspiration of Filipino Canadians in Edmonton to share their culture

and heritage with all Canadians and to be part of a robust intercultural city. EPIC's vision is to own and operate a facility which will serve the larger Edmonton community and surrounding areas, not just Filipino Canadians.

“EPIC is honoured to be a beneficiary of the Golden Balangay Awards. We are glad that our respective journeys have intersected here in Edmonton - an allyship in building a community and highlighting the achievements and contributions of Filipinos in Canada. This is indeed, an EPIC Balangay 2023”, Ida Beltran-Lucila, President of Epic, said. Ida, together with husband Jojo, were the recipients of the 2019 Excellence Award in Arts & Culture.

The 5th Golden Balangay Awards Night will take place on July 1, 2023, at the River Cree Resort & Casino in Edmonton City. The Foundation is ready to roll the red carpet with the help and support of GBA winners from Alberta – Annie Chua (2017 Manggagawang Pilipino of the Year), Jamie JT Balmores (2019 Entrepreneur of the Year), Ellwood Daycare owners Aurelio & Virginia Sumalinog (2019 Business Excellence Award), Jojo & Ida Lucila (2019 Excellence Award in Arts and Culture), Michael Siervo (2019 Community Service Award and Executive of the Year), Rhose Quipse (2019 Manggagawang Pilipino of the Year), Great Smile Family Dental owner Dr. Rod Montano (2021 Business Excellence Award) and Dr. Josephine Pallard (2021 Senior Achievement Award).

For event inquiries and sponsorship opportunities, contact any of the following: Ronnie (647) 300-1970, Jovy (416) 349-7418, Annie (780) 729-5311, and Ida (780) 885-0505. Nomination submission will close on January 31, 2023. Visit www.goldenbalangayawards. com to submit nominations and for more information.

Manitoba delegation heading to the Philippines to recruit healthcare professionals

Newly appointed Minister of Immigration and Labour, Jon Reyes will be leading a Manitoba government delegation to the Philippines later this month in an effort to recruit hundred of qualified internationally educated nurses. Officials from healthcare and immigration will arrive in the Philippines on February 21 for a 5-day mission that will take them to Manila, Cebu and Iloilo.

Prospective applicants will be pre-screened, and conditional offers of employment will be made to successful applicants during the recruitment drive. The Manitoba government previously announced its intention to recruit nurses from the Philippines as part of its $200 million health human resources action plan. The demand for nurses is high, and the Manitoba government will be in a crowded labour market. The College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba is undertaking work to support the recruitment initiative.

Successful applicants will receive a conditional offer of employment and the opportunity to relocate to Manitoba to complete the next steps in the credentialing and licensing process.

Upon acceptance of the conditional offer, nurses will be eligible for support, orientation and mentorship including: paid travel to Manitoba; access to an accommodation and settlement allowance for a period of up to three months; paid immigration support and guidance throughout the process; paid credentialing and licensing costs; workplace onboarding, orientation and buddied mentorship at new work location; and access to paid programming where additional educational bridging may be required.

Manitoba is an immigration destination of choice for the Philippines, supported through a general labour memorandum of understanding signed with the Philippines in 2010.

Jon Reyes, MLA for Waverly was appointed to the Immigration and Labour portfolio after serving as the Minister for Advanced Education, Immigration and Skills. The province of Manitoba returns to the Philippines after successful recruiting missions back in 2008 which saw over 90 nurses immigrate to Manitoba to work in Southern Manitoba. For more information

about the recruitment mission and the Manitoba government’s efforts to recruit nurses from the Philippines, visit: https:// healthcareersmanitoba.ca/ buildyourfuturemb.

Visit the Filipino Journal website for our interview with Minister Jon Reyes.

Sa Pag-íhip sa Dáhon ng Kahápon

Mga Interpretasyón nina Freud at Jung

Sa tuwíng ipípikit ang mga matá

Bituín at bangúngot ang nakikíta

Kung kayâ madalás na pagód at puyát

Hangád kasí na matakásan ang lahát

Anó ang kahulugán ng panagínip?

Pagkagísing ang dibdíb ay nanínikip

Anó nga ba ang ipinahihiwátig?

Waláng tumutúlong waláng nakíkinig

Síno ang may háwak ng kinabukásan?

Anó ang méron nápos ng kamatáyan?

Isáng áraw pusò ay di na títibok

Pangálan malilímot sa muntíng súlok

Bákit kaylángang pigílin ang damdámin?

Kanínong repleksyón ang nása

salamín?

08/30/2022

Note:

A sonnet consisting of 12-syllable lines; Sigmund Freud (May 6, 1856–

September 23, 1939) - the Austrian neurologist regarded as the founder of Psychoanalysis; Carl Jung (July 26, 1875–June 6, 1961) - Swiss psychiatrist regarded as the founder of Analytical Psychology

Ron Cantiveros (left) meets with Minister Jon Reyes to talk about his upcoming recruiting trip to the Philippines. Watch the full interview on FilipinoJournal.com

Minister of Immigration and Labour, Jon Reyes sits down with the Filipino Journal in an interview on his upcoming trip to the Philippines. Full video on FilipinoJournal.com.

MANITOBA GOVERNMENT OFFERS FREE PROVINCIAL PARK ENTRY FOR MONTH OF FEBRUARY

The Manitoba government will once again offer free park entry for the entire month of February so Manitobans and visitors can take advantage of the many winter activities available in provincial parks, Environment, Climate and Parks Minister Jeff Wharton announced today.

“In Manitoba’s provincial parks, winter is a season worth celebrating,” said Wharton. “Our government is pleased to make it easier for Manitobans to participate

in invigorating, enjoyable winter experiences surrounded by our province’s natural beauty.”

Vehicle permits are not required in any provincial park in February, but Snopasses are still required for snowmobiles using trails. Entrance fees still apply in national parks.

Provincial parks have groomed trails for a variety of activities including cross-country skiing, fat biking, snowshoeing and hiking.

Paint Lake, Spruce Woods and Turtle Mountain provincial parks

One mobile pass; five ways to explore Winnipeg

Visit up to five popular Winnipeg destinations with Tourism Winnipeg’s new mobile passport, offering up to 35% off individual admissions

Winnipeg, January 23, 2023Tourism Winnipeg launched a new digital pass today designed to boost visitation to local attractions and offer valuable savings on admission. The Winnipeg Attractions Pass is a new program that will run throughout 2023 and beyond to showcase some of our city’s top destinations.

With five local attractions included within the mobile passport, the Winnipeg Attractions Pass highlights the best of Winnipeg in an easy, mobile-friendly way. Visitors and locals can choose between a one- or three-day pass for admission to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, FortWhyte Alive, Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada, Royal Canadian Mint and The Manitoba Museum. Purchasing a pass is more cost-effective than buying tickets individually per attraction.

“We have world-class destinations and the Winnipeg Attractions Pass is an excellent way to discover or

rediscover what we have to offer. We know that Winnipeggers love a good deal, so if you’re local and looking for adventure, this is an amazing way to see Winnipeg’s wonders. The pass also makes a great gift for the explorers in your life, or for when you’re introducing out-of-town guests to our premier attractions,” said Tyler Walsh, Director of Marketing at Economic Development Winnipeg.

Tourism Winnipeg reached out to a well-known technology company in the travel space, Bandwango, to create the program. The pass is supported by Travel Manitoba, which has launched a series of Manitoba passes, including a Manitoba Brew Pass and an Explore Churchill Pass. Using Bandwango’s proven technology, the Tourism Winnipeg team began working alongside local attractions to create the Winnipeg Attractions Pass.

“When we reached out to our attraction partners, they were very excited to take part in this initiative,” said Walsh. “There are other major

also offer outdoor skating areas, hockey rinks and toboggan hills. Hecla/Grindstone Provincial Park has ice-fishing shelters on Lake Winnipeg that are free to use.

Manitobans are encouraged to check trail conditions before visiting parks. Trail maps and updated reports can be found at: https://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/ parks/recreation-and-activities/ trail_conditions/index.html.

Trail users are reminded to only use trails for designated activities,

destinations utilizing the technology to deliver similar programs, from experiences in Toronto to Las Vegas. The Winnipeg Attractions Pass is one-of-its-kind in our city, and we couldn’t be happier to launch it and deliver great savings to visitors and locals.”

The Winnipeg Attractions Pass can be purchased securely online through tourismwinnipeg. com/pass. Upon completion of registration, passholders receive a link to their mobile phone through text and email which instructs them to add the icon to their home screen for anytime access (no app to download).

To support sales of the pass and drive visitors to our partner attractions, Tourism Winnipeg will launch a marketing and influencer campaign targeted to those living in travel markets like rural Manitoba, as well as in Ontario and Saskatchewan.

“We cannot wait to see how passholders take advantage of this great deal and challenge themselves. The pass will make for an awesome spring break with the kids or a wonderful few days hosting visitors. Is it possible to see all five attractions before a pass expires? Absolutely it is, but you will definitely want to fuel up and wear comfortable shoes!”

Winnipeg Attractions Pass key info

• Cost: The one-day Winnipeg Attractions Pass costs $21 for children and $37 for adults. The three-day pass is $29 for children and $52 for adults.

• Plan accordingly: Passes are available for purchase as of Monday, January 23, 2023 and must be activated and used within 90 days of purchase.

Ad Size: 4” x 3” h B/W

Publication:

Contact: Erik Moloney

keep dogs on leash and practise the principles of “Leave No Trace.”

Format: high res PDF

GL Number: 5660 – 6725

Park interpreters in Birds Hill, Spruce Woods and Whiteshell provincial parks offer numerous guided programs to enrich visitor experiences. Highlights for the month of February include wolf howl hikes, snowshoe treks, ski clinics, quinzhee building and ice fishing. Event details and registration information can be found at www. manitobaparks.com.

Ref.#: PRT-060-S-AD Business card (from Bishop Gr.) ©Arbor Memorial Inc., 2016

guided field trips to Birds Hill, Spruce Woods and Whiteshell provincial parks, along with virtual programs to bring park interpreters into classrooms.

Teachers can also book free

Annual park vehicle permits will be available for purchase beginning on March 1. To purchase a permit, visit: www.manitobaelicensing.ca. For more information on winter activities and interpretive programs in provincial parks, email ParkInterpretation@gov.mb.ca or visit www.manitobaparks.com.

• How it works: One-day passholders have 24 hours in total to visit selected attraction(s). Three-day passholders have 72 hours total to experience partner attractions of their choice.

A 24- or 72-hour time clock is activated when a passholder visits a first attraction and redeems it for

admission; the one-day pass expires after 24 hours and the three-day pass after 72 hours.

• See terms and conditions and buy now: Visit tourismwinnipeg. com/pass for complete details and to purchase your Winnipeg Attractions Pass.

Canadian Museum for Human Rights

Manitoba Museum

Keeping Warm with the new installation of Warming Huts on Nestaweya River Trail

The Warming Huts are back and get ready for a wild winter celebration at The Forks! The Nestaweya River Trail is about to be transformed into a living gallery of art and architecture, thanks to the annual Warming Huts competition! Teams from all over the world, including Spain, Switzerland, the US, Montreal, and Winnipeg, are at The Forks bringing their winning installations to life.

A Dinosaur Tale comes to Winnipeg at Centennial Concert Hall

Amysterious time-warping wormhole has brought the dinosaurs back into our world and it’s up to Lisa and Declan, a pair of intrepid eighth graders, to send the creatures home before the school field trip is over. In the tradition of such family favourites as E.T., The Avengers and Jurassic World comes The Dinosaur Tale, a live action fantasy adventure for the whole family.

Visit FilipinoJournal.com to win tickets or buy tickets online at CentennialConcertHall.com.

And this year, high school teams and the University of Manitoba are joining in on the fun!

Warming Huts v.2023: An Arts + Architecture Competition on Ice was announced in July 2022 and the winners were selected by jury in October 2022. The competition is made possible with the generous support of the Canada Council for the Arts and the Manitoba Association of Architects. Don't miss out on this exciting winter celebration!

AUDITIONS

February 18, 2023 1:00pm – 9:00pm

February 19, 2023 1:00pm – 9:00pm

February 21, 2023 9:00am – 3:30pm

CALL-BACKS

February 22, 2023 9:00am – 5:00pm

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 5:00pm, Wednesday, February 8, 2023

TELLING STORIES THAT REFLECT MANITOBA’S DIVERSE COMMUNITY.

Our Reader Bridge program is strengthening the community through the power of words and pictures so that all Manitobans regardless of race or ethnicity see themselves in the pages and pixels of The Free Press.

Small class sizes allows for improved access to instructors and better learning outcomes.

*Not available for all programs.

Programs Available in: manitoba.cdicollege.ca

▪

Genalyn Tan and members of the Manitoba Association of Filipino Teachers Inc (MAFTI) hosted an open house at Meadows West School to promote and register students for a Filipino Bilingual program for Kindergarten and Grade 1 starting September 2023.

The open house included remarks from Wayne Wyke, Principal at Meadows West and Rob Riel, Acting Superintendent of Winnipeg School Division.

Registration is now open for students and the message to parents from the open house is, Maximize your child's potential by exposing them to multiple languages at an early age.

Daniel M. Cleto

LL.B. Gary M. Sarcida B.A. (Adv), LL.B.

Renato Y. Mamucud B.A., J.D.

In the crowd, Rob Riel, Acting Superintendent, Winnipeg School Division, Dante Aviso, School Trustee; Ann Evangelista, School Trustee and Breanne Hebert, Vice Principal, Meadows West School.

Mix & Mingle during Filipino Bilingual Open House at Meadows West School which included MAFTI members along with Winnipeg School Division staff.

Rob Riel, Acting Superintendent, Winnipeg School Division

Photos by Ron Cantiveros | Filipino Journal

MAFTI 45th Anniversary

by Gemma Dalayoan

The Manitoba Association of Filipino Teachers Association Inc. celebrated its 45th Anniversary at the Hilton Hotel on Wellington on Saturday, January 21, 2023. One hundred 132 guests entered the beautifully decorated hall in gowns and formal attire and walked on a red carpet before going to their assigned seats.

Programs were distributed that entail the activities of the night.

The program opened with the playing of the national anthems

O Canada and “Lupang Hinirang” led by Ariel Fernando. A doxology was rendered by MAFTI singers and the opening prayers led by Roldan Laguerta, MAFTI’s Public Relations Officer. The Treaty and Land acknowledgement was done by Ernesto Ofiaza Jr., Board member.

MAFTI’s vivacious and energetic president, the opening remarks. Three greetings ensued from the following:

Treasurer – Carrie Barroga

PRO- Roldan Laguerta

Auditor: Jasmin Masangcay

Board of Directors:

Ernesto Ofiaza Jr.

Fredis Vinza Bautista

Michelle Feliciano

Clarita Manzano

Jon Malek

Gloria Agravante

Gloria Ortiz

Past President: Genalyn Tan

Dinner was served at 8:00 p.m. with entertainment from

Rodel Olesco

Catherine Manuel Ferrer

Elmer Aquino

MAFTI Singers

MAFTI dancers

Ariel Fernando

her husband Nemesio Juan were also present to cheer Gemma.

Immediate past president Genalyn Tan was given the Exemplary Leadership Award. In her term she pioneered the teaching of Bilingual Filipino Program with Mary Jane Napolitano and the online teaching of Filipino to children, teens and adults.

Special Awards were handed out to very active outstanding members. Recipients were Victoria Cabrera, Jasmin Masangcay ,Carrie Barroga ,Clarita Manzano, and Julie Mandac

Closing remarks was given by Michael Valdez, MAFTI’s vicepresident and a co-emcee of Michelle Feliciano, a Board member.

Dance followed with the dance floor full of teachers and their guests.

Guests:

Member of Parliament

Kevin Lamoureaux

His Worship Mayor Scott Gillingham

Charles Cochrane Executive director of MFNERC

Jonathan Malek gave a brief history of MAFTI

His Worship Scott Gillingham inducted all the executive officers and Board of Directors.

They are as follow:

President: Mary Jane Napolitano

Vice President: Michael Valdez

Secretary- : Loreta Genota

Highlight of the Event was the giving of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Gemma Dalayoan, one of the founders and 3 times president of MAFTI . Every year since MAFTI’s inception in 1977 to date, she has always been active in MAFTI.

MP of Parliament, Kevin Lamoreau, His worship Mayor Scott Gillingham, Genalyn Tan, immediate past president, and Mary Jane Napolitano, current president gave the award to Gemma Dalayoan. After receiving the award, she delivered her speech of gratitude and later she was ushered to sit on a white covered chair in the middle of the dance floor as Paul Ong serenaded her.

Lolita Oandasan, founder of MAFTI and her husband Cesar, as well as Cory Juan, co-founder and

Cindy Lamoreaux, MLA for Tyndall Park Malaya Marcelino, MLA for Notre Dame Perla Javate, Dante Aviso, and Ann Evangelista, Winnipeg School Division school trustees.

Service award was given to Filipino Heritage teachers who served from 2018- 2022. MAFTI Officers from 2018-2022 were given the recognition award. The grandiose and memorable event ended at 12:00 a.m. with very happy attendees, especially teachers from the north who are looking forward to next MAFTI’s event.

MAFTI gives our cheers and congratulations to Mary Jane Napolitano, MAFTI president and her planning committees.

Photos supplied by Jeff Sayavong

Ultimate New Wave Evolution (& closely related styles) part 29

Sa Úgoy ng Músika

As a music genre, New Wave has become a broad palette through the decades, from its humble and obscure beginning in 1967.

Supported by many published books, Internet articles, film documentaries on the subject,

and years of personal immersion on various kinds of music, I have simply used the term--like many other musicologists and journalists have also done--to include many other sonically related styles of sound, like Gothic Rock, Indie Pop, Jangle Pop, Synthpop, Sophistipop,

Dreampop, Post-Punk, and Italo Pop--for the lack of a better and more appropriate and popular word.

However, at the end of the spin, Music Taxonomy (genrification or classification) should be a flexible guide--and not a stringent rule. The individual listener remains the master of his own taste and captain of his own collection.

This set consists of some of the first New Wave-classifiable albums that I have listened to, in my late-elementary days, in the early '80s. They remain regulars on my player.

* The B-52s - The B-52s (1979) ("Rock Lobster")

* Television - Marquee Moon (1977) ("Guiding Light")

* Tubeway Army - Replicas (1979) ("Are 'Friends' Electric?")

* Men at Work - Business as Usual (1981) ("Who Can It Be Now?")

* The Cars - The Cars (1978) ("My Best Friend's Girl")

* The Buggles - The Age of Plastic (1980) ("Video Killed the Radio Star")

* Ultravox! - Ultravox! (1977) ("The Lonely Hunter")

* Talking Heads - Speaking in Tongues (1983) ("Burning Down the House")

(Crossword) PALAISIPAN

PAHALANG

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!

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

PABABA

1. Papilay na lakad

2. Tunay nga

3. Walang kasama

4. Kadenang ginto

5. Sirang ulam

6. Sinturon

7. Mantika

8. Ilihim 10. Kulungan

12. Biyahe

Horoscope

This week could be a rough time for relationships as Ceres goes into retrograde in your partnership zone on Friday. Important partnerships can hit make-or-break moments as you notice that you both could be moving in different directions. Don’t lose yourself just to stay with someone, Aries.

You start February on an unproductive note when Ceres goes into retrograde in your habit zone on Friday. Over the next few weeks it might be hard to focus on anything when your attention is scattered. As you feel like you’re taking care of everyone else, remember to set boundaries so you can grow again.

You could start February feeling a little driftless when Ceres goes into retrograde in your pleasure zone on Friday. For the next few weeks you might not be able to decide what you want to do or what you wish to create. Try not to overwhelm yourself, Gemini.

Copyright @ horoscope.com

There could be trouble at home this week when Ceres goes into retrograde in your family zone on Friday. It’s hard to keep the peace if your family is moving in two different directions. While you might feel a little rootless, Cancer, try to find common ground while preserving the peace.

The next few weeks could bring some miscommunication issues because you’ll have a hard time staying focused when Ceres goes into retrograde in your communication zone on Friday. Gossip can create disharmony in your life, Leo, so don’t spread anything around that isn’t true.

The start of February isn’t a great time for your wallet as Ceres goes into retrograde in your value zone on Friday. Over the next few weeks you might have a hard time earning money but a very easy time spending it. Try to develop a better relationship with your income by showing some discipline. You don’t need to buy everything you see.

This isn’t a great week for first impressions, Libra, because you’ll be feeling a little stalled when Ceres enters your sign on Friday. Over the next few weeks you might be wondering how much you’re really growing as a person. You’ll need to find harmony in your body again before you can make peace with the world.

You could be starting February with some disharmony if you’re keeping a lot of things to yourself when Ceres goes into retrograde in your subconscious zone on Friday. This can be a period of endings because you might have to cut some people out of your life. Let go of the relationships that no longer serve you to become the person you’re meant to be.

This is a not a great time to make friends as Ceres goes into retrograde in your social zone on Friday. The cold February weather can kill any budding friendship. And it isn’t an ideal time for networking or buying any new gadgets. Instead, think about how you can help others in your community to find fulfillment.

You were starting February feeling better but stall as Ceres goes into retrograde in your career zone on Friday. Over the next few weeks you might not have the productive energy to help grow your career. Use this as a period of reflection as you decide where to go from here.

February starts on a bit of a rocky note as Ceres goes into retrograde in your communication zone on Friday. You might have a difficult time understanding everything, both yourself and the world around you. It’s easy to get lost in unproductive thoughts, so get back to your roots to create understanding.

Bonds you thought would last forever suddenly break when Ceres goes into retrograde in your intimacy zone on Friday. Sudden endings could take you by surprise, so remember to grieve not for what you’ve lost but for what might have been.

Paolo Contis confirms relationship with Yen Santos

'yung tao to be happy for us, hindi na namin pwedeng ipilit 'yung mga tao na paniwalaan 'yung gusto nilang paniwalaan. Sana lang isipin nila na kung ano lang 'yung nakikita nilang naka-post, 'yung lang ang truth na alam nila.”

Paolo clarified though that the trending Baguio photo with Yen took place after LJ had already left for New York and that him and Yen were not yet an item then.

Paolo also clarified that Yen was not the cause of his split with LJ.

Although the netizens are convinced that Paolo Contis and Yen Santos are a couple, it was never officialized until Paolo confirmed it on Boy Abunda's Fast Talk with Boy Abunda on GMA 7 recently.

"Yes," he revelead. “Ang samin kasi, kung baga, what you see is what you get na naman e, 'di ba? Hindi na namin pwedeng ipilit

Manny Pacquiao shuts down breakup rumor with wife Jinkee, alludes to "mga Maritess"

In his recent TikTok post, Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquiao shared a video of him and his wife Jinkee Pacquiao while dating in a coffee shop in General Santos City.

“Nandito kami ngayon sa Starbucks sa GenSan sa SM kasama ang aking soulmate, si Jinkee.

“Kasi binabalita, mga Maritess diyan… Baka mamatay kayo sa inggit.”

"Hindi. Somehow, medyo matagal na kaming hindi okay ni LJ pero we were together officially. Napapadalas 'yung away. I think it was a combination of stress sa pandemic and everything.

Paolo and Yen were the lead stars in the movie Faroe Islands shot in 2021. In the same year, news of Paolo and then partner LJ Reyes broke up when the latter admitted it in her guesting in Abunda's online show in August 2021.

Manny also has a reminder, still alluding to the Maritess, “Mga tsismis diyan, naku, paparusahan kayo ng ating Panginoon dahil sa mga ginagawa ninyo, alalahanin nyong mabuti.

“Stay safe. Know that God is good all the time.”

Meanwhile, Jinkee posted on her Instagram her expression of love for Manny. "Home is wherever I'm with you. By your side is where I want to be. I Love You, babe!”

The split rumor allegedly started in a YouTube video saying that Jinkee already files for an annulment case.

"No child support for five years."- Pokwang reveals more reasons behind split with Lee O'Brian

Comedienne and "TiktoClock" host, Pokwang, spilled further details about why she and her partner of six years, Lee O' Brian broke up.

In one of her recent Instagram post, somebody commented that the reason why Lee left her was becasue she is a "talakera." (nagger)

The comedienne clapped back at the user, "T**ga nagising lang ako sa katotohanan na anim na taon ko na pala siya palamunin at limang taon walang child support!

Wag ka na baka madamay ka sa demandahan namin."

Meanwhile, in a recent episode of showbiz vlogger Ogie Diaz's "Ichika Mo Na, Dali," Ogie said that he had the chance to talk to Pokwang on the phone and was given the go signal to talk about the reasons for the split on his YouTube channel.

According to Diaz, Pokwang never got any financial support from O'Brian for expenses in the house

and expenses with their daughter, Malia. Pokwang has been paying for everything from pre-natal, post natal, even the education of Malia. Pokwang also shared that there was not a single time that she received flowers form O'Brian, making her think and feel that O' Brian never really loved her."

As what Pokwang told Ogie: "Pag sinabi nya na hindi na niya ako mahal,sasabihin ko sa kanya... bakit, kailan mo ba ako minahal?"

Ogie also confirmed that there is a third party which Pokwang was aware started in April.

Their daughter Malia even confirmed this, who saw the woman when she had a day out with O'Brian.

In the vlog, Ogie said that Pokwang has custody of Malia as she and O'Brian are not married.

Metro Manila single ticketing system finally approved Suicide among students alarming

After over 20 years, Metro Manila will be adopting the single ticketing system after it has been approved by the Metro Manila Council (MMC) last February 1, 2023.

Seventeen Metro Manila mayors approved Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA)

Resolution No. 23-02 which outlines the Metro Manila Traffic Code of 2023.

According to MMC Chairman and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, the local government units of Metro Manila are given until the 15th of March to pass their respective

ordinances regarding the order. They are also targeting that the single ticketing system will be in effect by April.

Zamora said that the single ticketing system will greatly help motorists as they will no longer need to go to city hall to redeem their license because of traffic violations. They can pay the fine wherever they are in the Philippines.

The fines for violations will also be standardized and the rates will be the same across the cities, as further shared by Zamora.

In a Senate panel last January 31, DepEd Assistant Secretary Dexter Galban presented that at the height of the pandemic in 2021, 404 students committed suicide and died, 2,147 attempted it and 775,962 sought guidance counseling, among the 28 million student population.

“At least in 2021, the total number of suicide cases recorded, and again, this is something that we should look into, is 404. I believe that even one suicide case is too much, and that’s why we are very much in support of the bill,” Galban said.

Galban also added that the number of students who attempted suicide is alarming as it continues to go up.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said that the problem is because of the lack of mental health programs and mental health experts.

Gatchalian filed Senate Bill 379 or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act which seeks to strengthen the promotion and delivery of mental health services in primary education.

Galban added that with roughly 2,093 registered guidance counselors that the schools have, and a population growth target of 28 million, the ideal ratio is not hit.

The recommended ratio actually is one to 250,” he added. “But if you look into the numbers, 2,000 to 28 million that’s one is to 13,394. So clearly there is a gap to be filled.”

The DepEd official also said that there were issues with the salary n of the guidance counselors stating that the degree requirement of the profession is not commensurate with the compensation provided.

Photo source: Instagram/Paolo_contis

Photo source: Instagram/jinkeepacquiao

Photo source: MMDA

DA launches ORION program to revive onion industry

The Department of Agriculture will launch the Optimization and Resiliency in the Onion Industry Network or ORION Program to support onion farmers and increase domestic supply.

In a statement released by DA last January 31, it states that ORION seeks to promote a competitive resilient, and profitable onion industry providing high quality, safe, affordable, and sustainable onion supply to meet increasing domestic demand.

The program will assist farmers as it will provide credit loans to purchase equipment and establishment of facilities.

Innovative farming technologies will be pushed as well as value-adding processes to maximize production and income.

It also targets production and market integration by organizing farmer clusters and associations.

ORION will also lead regulatory activities and propel the creation of a national information database to make certain updated and relevant data on production and marketing.

It will be recalled that the price of onions went up to P800 last year despite the SRP of P250 per kilo due to the shortage in supply.

Focus on Filipino Music

by aLfie vera mella Rakrákan

sa Kánto sa Pebréro

On February 25, 2023, Waterfront Collective Creators presents Sound of Unity - a concert featuring three of Winnipeg's currently active local Filipino-Canadian bands--Basement 315, The 12/21, and Armed & Loaded. It will be held at Kanto @Jenmuel's Bar & Lounge, 44 McPhillips Street, at 7 p.m.

WINNIPEG SEA BEARS ANNOUNCE 2023 SEASON SCHEDULE

Sea Bears to open inaugural season at home on Saturday, May 27 at 7 p.m.

The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) are pleased to announce their inaugural season schedule. The team launches its first CEBL campaign with a home game at Canada Life Centre on Saturday, May 27, 2023 against the Vancouver Bandits. Following the home opener, the Sea Bears head out on a four game road trip starting with a clash against CEBL defending champions the Brampton Honey Badgers. The Sea Bears will play a total of 10 home games, with five games landing on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

Season ticket deposits for the 2023 Winnipeg Sea Bears season are now being accepted at www. seabears.ca, and prices start as low as $25 per game including all taxes and fees. Fans can put down a nonrefundable $50 deposit per ticket, which ensures priority access to the best seats at the best prices. Fans that have already placed a season ticket deposit will be contacted in February to begin the exciting process of selecting their seats. Additional information on group, flex, and single game tickets will be released at a later date.

The CEBL has also announced a new conference model of competition for its fifth season in 2023. The league’s 10 teams are now divided into an Eastern and Western Conference. The Western Conference includes the Calgary Surge, Edmonton Stingers, Saskatchewan Rattlers, Vancouver Bandits and Winnipeg Sea Bears. The Eastern Conference includes the Brampton Honey Badgers, Montréal Alliance, Niagara River Lions, Ottawa BlackJacks, and Scarborough Shooting Stars.

The 2023 Championship Weekend takes place in Vancouver from August 11-13. The host team, Vancouver Bandits, along with the top-ranked team from the Eastern Conference will automatically be seeded into the

semifinals hosted on Championship Weekend. The CEBL postseason will feature play-in games between the third- and fourth-ranked teams in each conference. Winners will advance to the quarterfinals and play the second-best team of their respective conferences. The fifthranked team in each conference will be eliminated unless Vancouver places fifth in the west, in which case the fourth-ranked west team will get eliminated. Quarterfinal winners in each conference will play their respective conference teams already seeded in the semifinals. The full postseason schedule will be revealed closer to the season.

Highlights of the 2023 Winnipeg

Sea Bears schedule include:

• A total of 20 regular season games during a 10-week campaign

◦ Ten home games at Canada

Life Centre

◦ Five weekend games, including two Fridays, two Saturdays, and one Sunday afternoon

• Two early season tests against the defending champions, the Brampton Honey Badgers; on the road Thursday, June 1 and at home on Thursday, June 15.

• Longest home game stretches of three games – June 21 – 29 and July 11 – 16.

• The longest road trip of the season - four games between June 1 – 9.

• The regular season concludes at home Saturday, July 29 against Edmonton.

• 2023 Championship Weekend takes place in Vancouver from August 11-13.

The schedule of nationally televised games will be announced at a later date and fans don’t need to miss a second of the action as all games including playoffs will be livestreamed on CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+, and on CEBL Mobile, the official app of the CEBL (available on Android and iOS devices).

AMAZING SAN FRANCISCO, “The City By the Bay” (part 3)

by Gem and Lita Anis

Awaiting in San Francisco, aka ‘Frisco, also known as “City of Fog”. are plenty of highlights, particularly the Golden Gate Bridge. The 1280-meter Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the one-mile (1.6 km) strait connecting San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The Golden Gate Bridge was painted an orange vermillion (dubbed international orange) before its opening in 1937 (constructed started in 1933) that stands out against the backdrop of the blue sea, land and fog. However, the anti-rust paint makes it RED. The bridge allows free pedestrians and bicycle traffic at various times with US$5.00 to US$8.00 tolls for motorized vehicles. It does not have a toll plaza and does not accept cash. Crossing the iconic bridge is quite an experience!

While in San Francisco don’t miss to visit the Golden Gate Park. The Golden Gate Park is separate from the bridge. The park is home to the world-renown California Academy of Sciences, the tranquil Japanese Tea Garden and the oldest glass Victorian

greenhouses in the Western hemisphere where more than 800 live butterflies flitter around you . The greenhouse is home to more than 10,000 plants from around the world.

Golden Gate Park is also home to De Young Museum showcasing American art from the 17th through the 21st centuries, international textile arts and art from the Americas. Here are also the fabulous botanical gardens, several large ponds and lakes, fields of bison and picnic spots.

On the edge of Golden Gate Park is a place called Haight-Ashbury, the birthplace of the 1960s counter culture movement, another quite wonderful area where the hippies of the 1960s and the 1970s practiced free love. You could still see here tie-dyed teenagers and organic cafes, so a stroll through the Haight is like a step back in time!

Other neighbourhood of note in northeastern part of San Francisco is the Nob Hill/Russian Hill area, a classic, upscale affluent district with high-end housing and some of the best historic hotels in the city. You’ll find here the Grace Cathedral, the Fairmont and the cable car museum. And just down

"The crookedest street in the world"--Lombard Street, San Francisco Gem & Lita: downtown San Francisco

the street is the enchanting district of Russian Hill originally settled by Russian immigrants with luxury housing and fantastic restaurants and bars. And it is here where you will find the “most crookedest street in the world”, the Lombard Street, famous for a steep, one-block section with eight (8) hairpin turns – a very unique

street and perhaps one of the most photographed streets on the planet. The crooked block is about 600 feet (180 m) long - one way (downhill) and is paved with red bricks.

Not to be missed is another famous place – the Postcard Row located at 714 Steiner Street, a picturesque block of colourful Victorian-style homes

painted in every shade of the rainbow. Also known as the “Painted Ladies” of the Alamo Square, the Postcard Row is seen in “Full House” opening credits of the ABC TV sitcom 1987-1995.

Trivia: The City of San Francisco was reportedly built on seven hills. And Mount Davidson is the highest point in the city.