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

The annual Fried Chicken Fest wrapped up its 10-day celebration of everything fried chicken. Chef Allan Pineda and Amanda Pineda hosted local chefs, foodies and media personalities at the judging rounds were spread over two days and featured 43 Winnipeg restaurants and their fried chicken creations. Fried Chicken Fest is in it's 6th year and wrapped up on Saturday, January 21st.

Building your first Canadian resumé

Irecently spoke to a large group of newcomers from Ukraine at Seven Oaks Immigrant Services and shared my insights as a recruiter and overview of the technology sector in Manitoba. While many in the group were new and looking to pivot into the tech sector, a large part of the discussion was how to

get started with having a resume and using the power of LinkedIn for your career search.

Let's start with a resume. Writing a resume can be daunting at the best of times and there are so many online resources to review. Developing a resume that stands out to Canadian employers is an

MAFTI 45th Anniversary

By: GENALYN TAN

On June 21, 2023, the Manitoba Association of Filipino Teachers, Inc. will celebrate its 45th Anniversary at the Hilton Hotel recognizing a remarkable milestone- Acknowledging the significant achievements and contributions in the community over 45 years since its establishment in 1977. MAFTI is a non-profit and volunteer association whose members are teachers, new immigrants, Educational assistants, and those with related professions. MAFTI has been playing a major role in preserving and promoting the Filipino Cultural Heritage specifically the language among the Filipino-Canadians. The Gala Night will be highlighted by the presence of the founding officers and members. MAFTI is also grateful for the continued support of the community, the Province of Manitoba through the Multicultural Secretariat for the grants received to run the Heritage programs and members whose tireless efforts and commitment are priceless. Cheers to the newly elected officers and board members who put all the work to ensure a successful and meaningful event - Genalyn Tan (Immediate Past President), Maryjane Napolitano (current President), Michael Valdez (Vice-President),

important step in getting hired. Let me share my tips and tricks to crafting a resume.

Keep personal info off your resume: Employers do not need to know your age, marital status, race, religion, address and social insurance number. This also includes names and contact information of potential references. That information can be provided later in the hiring process when needed.

Make sure your contact info is up-to-date: Make sure your name and contact information (email, phone, LinkedIn profile.) on your resume is up-todate and accurate so employers can get in touch with you easily. You'd be surprised how many candidates forget a phone number and only include an email. For privacy and

security reasons, I recommend leaving out your address details and simply include city and province you're located in.

Tailor your resume for the job: Before submitting your resume, make sure it has been tailored to the job you’re applying for. Highlight skills, qualifications and experiences that are relevant to the position you’re applying for in order to show off your qualifications more clearly.

Focus on transferable skills: Instead of listing all your experience back home, focus on skillsets and experiences that are equivalent or transferrable into Canadian roles instead - this can give potential employers an idea of how well you could fit into their role even if they haven’t heard of the job title before.

Use action words:

Focus on using action words such as ‘achieved’, ‘managed’ , ‘developed’ etc when describing what you have done in the past which shows prospective employers that you have taken initiative rather than just being part of a team doing something great for the employer.

Keep it concise: Canadian employers and recruiters prefer resumes between 1-2 pages long. Make sure yours stays concise by focusing only on what is essential as opposed to including everything from back home. Keep career experience to the last 10 years, especially in the rapidly evolving technology sector. Ultimately, having a well-crafted resume that caters specifically towards Canadian employers will set you up for success and help them quickly understand why they should hire you! Best of luck!

Rescue in Philippines DocumentarY

Wednesday, January 25

7:00 PM Philippine Canadian Centre of Manitoba (PCCM) 737 Keewatin St Winnipeg MB R2X 3B9

President Manuel Quezon of the Philippines saved hundreds of Jewish refugees from the Holocaust by issuing visa to his country.

Loreta Genota (Secretary), Carrie Barroga (Treasurer), Roldan Laguerta (PRO), Jasmin Masangcay (Auditor), Board Members: Jonathon Malek, Michelle Feliciano, Ernesto Ofiaza Jr., Gloria Ortiz, Vinza Bautista Gloria Agravante, Clarita Manzano, Gemma Dalayoan (Adviser and consultant)

Family reunion enriches family roots

With the Escobar Clan Reunion, expect much stronger roots for the family tree!

"Oh my! Relative pala kita, crush pa naman kita!" "Wow, cousin at least we see in person." "Ikaw, apo ka ni Auntie Conching, you resemble her."

These were the common dialogues when I attended a family reunion many years ago where I've experienced my very first encounter with cousins, relatives, aunties, and uncles. The atmosphere was electric and surprising.

This coming March 2023, our clan, the Escobar's, in Quezon Province will have a grand Escobar reunion and I am excited to meet my long-lost cousins and relatives!

My mother's side, the surviving clan members of Guadalupe Lopez Escobar vda. de Cantiveros has never attended the Escobar Clan Reunion. And to make it more exciting to see each other for we never had contact for more than 45 years.

My mother had only one brother, Uncle Pascual Escobar with six children and during our growing years, we were close in many ways. If there would be Lopez Town Patron Fiesta in October, the whole family would be our guests and whenever there is Calauag Town Fiesta in May, we were there to enjoy the food and camaraderie with their family.

The last time we had seen together was when some of Uncle Pascual Escobar's children were studying in Manila. Then I immigrated to Canada and since then, no more contact. I am the person who seldom sends cards for their birthdays, anniversaries, or even Christmas cards. And whenever I visit Manila, I did not meet them because I could not find them at their new addresses. Sometimes, I would inquire about their whereabouts but always faced a blank wall.

The Escobar Clan in the town of Lopez, Gumaca, Calauag,

Guinyangan, and Tagkawayan has stronger roots since our forefathers had been active politically, being pioneers to settle in the various sitios, and had become well-known town officials, even my father and mother were so much involved in politics. Most of them inherited chunks of farm properties, and in our case in Canda Ilaya, Lopez, Quezon, the Escobar farms are fully connected that during my growing years, I wonder how our uncles and auntie would meet together. Our farms are fully connected as Escobar clan properties. We were young and we still remember meeting my uncles and aunties. We never asked questions about who were the other members of the Escobar clan. We never asked about our family tree.

Unaware that there is a root for every family tree, we never tried to start making a family tree record.

Before the pandemic, I went home to visit my family, my brothers, nephews, nieces, and my cousins, but mostly from the 2nd generation of our family. My single mother nurtured eight, four sisters and four brothers, and enjoying our growing years after my father was assassinated for political reasons. And every two years, we had a Cantiveros Clan family reunion.

But there was a vacuum in our celebrations. When can the big Escobar Clan on my mother's side have a grand reunion? I knew my mother came from a big political family but never had a chance to meet our first cousins and relatives, and I am itching to meet them as we,the four living brothers, ranging from 88 to 77 age brackets, to have an Escobar Clan Reunion would be most sought because we want to meet them before we go "gentle into the night."

Then, something happened in 2021 when one of my cousins

connected me through Facebook! And that was the beginning of our connection through Facebook and almost daily chat in a private way. At last, the silence was broken and the Escobar Clan members started communicating through Facebook. And a plan for a Grand Reunion was presented to the members of the clan, and in early 2022, we started the initial planning. And through this connection, we were able to connect with our first cousins: the two surviving children of my Uncle Pascual Escobar and Auntie Conchi Masaganda: Arcadio Escobar, the second to the youngest, and Lucila M. Escobar, single and the youngest. And excited they are excited to join the Escobar Clan Reunion!

So many private chats went through messenger and lots of stories were told. Most exciting and more stories to be told when we will meet in early February 2023 to discuss the March 11 reunion in detail with other Escobar Clan who are involved in the planning and organizing committee led by Raquel Erandio de Luna, (our host); members consist of Marietta Escobar Depilo, Maria Cristina Escobar Martin, Bella Pacurib, Rodel Pacurib my younger son, Johnny Cantiveros, my brothers Boy Clarito and his wife, Venus Argamosa, Jessie Cantiveros and his wife, Ellen Ramos, Emilyn Ferias, Freddy Pavia, Mhelly Cayanan, William Caniveros, Norie Pavia, Aileen Joy Joy Balmes, Ailene Escobar, Aire Hungo, Chrysler Cantiveros, Lea Cantiveros, Joy Adler, Lucy Escobar, and Virgie Odarbe.

As days are getting closer, enthusiasm is mounting to meet the branches of the Escobar Roots, and with this reunion, for sure, day and night of storytelling as we savour the culinary wonders of our hometown, mostly seafood because our host, Raquel Erandio de Luna, and her family live in Guinyangan, Quezon, a Pacific seafront town where the seafood is in abundance.

What poignant stories to be told when we meet our cousins and relatives face to face?

Cantiveros brothers, from left to right, Ben Escobar Cantiveros, Rod E.Cantiveros, Boy Clarito E. Cantiveros and Jesssie E. Cantiveros

Guadalupe Lopez Escobar and Dalmacio Cantiveros

Filipino-Canadians were among Ace Burpee’s Most Fascinating Manitobans

They are among the most interesting people in Manitoba who do amazing things and they made it to Ace Burpee’s Top 100 Most Fascinating Manitobans 2022.

Cynthia Reyes: The registered nurse went as viral as anyone has ever gone from this province after her husband, Manitoba’s Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Immigration, Jon Reyes, tweeted a photo of her clearing snow after arriving home from a 12-hour shift on the health-care frontlines. There was a lot to unpack from the viral moment, but Cynthia is a legend from any angle.

Jonato Dalayoan & Marc Gomez: Dalayoan is a designer and the owner of 4two Design Inc. Marc Gomez is the creative lead of hockey branding at True North Sports and Entertainment. They collaborated on the Winnipeg Jets’ Filipino Heritage Night logo and jersey, one of the greatest designs in sports history.

Dr. Gigi Osler: An in-person and online lifeline, Dr. Osler, along with being awesome, was appointed to the Canadian Senate.

Brix Delcarmen & Leila Castro: Brix is the back-to-back winner of the Upo Festival. Castro, one of the administrators of the 204 Filipino Forum and Marketplace, brought the Upo Festival to life in Winnipeg. What is it? A competition to see who can grow the longest and heaviest upo. A vegetable known in English as a bottle gourd, Brix’s 2022 winning upo measured more than two meters long.

Check out the rest of the winners at iheartradio.ca.

Cynthia Reyes

Brix del Carmen - photo by Travis Golby CBC

Jonato Dalayoan & Marc Gomez

Leila Castro - photo by Joanne Roberts Dr. Gigi Osler

Filipinos and Mennonites unite to bring the first Manitoba-produced sitcom to your TV sets

“Maria and the Mennos” coming out this fall

Set and produced in Manitoba, Maria and the Mennos is the first situation comedy to be ever produced in the province by an all-Manitoban cast and crew. It is also the first time that Filipinos and Mennonites, under the creative team of Paul Plett, Tina Fehr and Hazel Wallace, will join forces to deliver a full 13-episode season while they challenge current Filipino and Mennonite stereotypes in TV and film.

Maria and the Mennos is a story of a young Filipino Canadian woman who tries to maintain her identity as she gets a crash course in everything and being Mennonite. Recently married, Maria Mendoza and Nate Friesen, moved in with his parents, Sarah and Hank Friesen, to save money for a house of their own. Hilarity ensues as the characters contend with different cultures and generations and the contrast between urban and rural life.

The production officially started taping last January 3rd and the Filipino Journal had the pleasure of talking to its co-creator, Hazel Wallace and its Filipino-Canadian cast: Victoria Exconde, a Winnipeg stage actress and performer, who is playing the lead character, Maria MendozaFriesen; Donna Natividad-Arenas, CKJS 92.7 FM’s Good Morning Philippines announcer who is playing the character of Gloria Mendoza, Maria’s mom; and Elmer Aquino, a Winnipeg actor and performer who is playing Alejandro Mendoza, Maria’s father.

FJ: Tell us how this all came to be. Why a TV series and a sitcom?

HAZEL: We wanted a TV series because I just felt like we wanted to have one of those things. They can go home after work or school and just turn on the TV and watch and have a good laugh. You just need 20 minutes out of your day to enjoy it.

It’s a sitcom because we just felt there was a lack of comedy in the Winnipeg film scene.

It's my favorite genre to act in, right? And I find that I get a lot of inspiration from a comedy I always get like a little buzz whenever I'm reading it or writing it so Paul and Tina felt the same way. Also, Filipino just love poking fun at each other and teasing and laughing and we laugh hard. It just has to be a comedy!

FJ: What is the story behind merging the Mennonite and Filipino cultures?

HAZEL: We felt there was a lack of Filipino representation in the media, and we have such a high population of Filipino and so why don’t we have a show set in Manitoba? Paul and Tina are the other producers, they are Mennonite and we also have such a large Mennonite community here. So they kind of approached me with the idea of mixing the two together mixing of both cultures and acceptance but also like, poking a joke, you know, at each other.

FJ: You just finished your second week of taping. Walk me through the atmosphere in the set. How are the dynamics of the cast

and crew?

VICTORIA. I find that all of us really connected right away, and with the process starting already and it's only gotten stronger, and I know it's going to be unreal by the end of it. So fun. But also they’re professional. When we're rolling. everyone's so professional. Gets through it and it's so funny. And then when we're cut, very silly and fun, then maybe a little too fun. Maybe a little too comfortable with each other now.

DONNA: Everybody in the set is so nice and organized. Everything is well taken care of, from food to where you put your shoes and your jacket. They’re so good at following schedules and I'm proud that I am in such a good team, where people know what they're doing. They are so talented, and I couldn’t be more proud to be working with such an amazing cast and crew. I hope that this will lead to something bigger for each one of them.

ELMER: They are open to suggestions. There was a part in the script which was quite different from what I have said and Paul (Plett) agreed to it because I explained it to him he found out that it's really good. And then we started that.

FJ: Since this is comedy, how would you compare the humor of the two cultures?

ELMER: Whenever they see our faces, they will laugh right away. (laughs)

VICTORIA: We really are much louder. I think we're more boisterous with our jokes and just laugh louder.

I think it's not so much a difference in what we find funny, but more there's a difference in how we react to it.

HAZEL: We're so loud. If we laugh, we're gonna laugh hard. While some people just love it just as much but they just have a different reaction. So that's really cool

FJ: What are the Filipino elements that viewers get to see in the series?

HAZEL: There are a lot of Filipino elements that we really wanted to have in this show. You know how everyone has their house names I have a cousin named Cookie and Twinkle. We had a bunch of Filipino food in the upcoming Christmas episode we're filming this week. We have parol and a lot of Tagalog in that one. Just super cool. And we have karaoke. We have a full karaoke episode with original songs, which is super exciting.

We also have a Filipino festival coming up and we're teaming up with Magdaragat. I got a dance team to do the tinikling which is going to be super, super fun.

FJ: How does acting for TV differ from performing on stage or being in a film?

VICTORIA: For me, it feels backward. Because when we're doing anything for theater, you're learning your lines, and your blocking. And you've rehearsed that over and over again, up until the final performance, and you just go through it. Whereas with film, I'm just learning the script.

I go in blind, and we just do it a bunch of times and hope that we get it, and we block it.

ELMER: No difference at all because if you are an actor, you will always be an actor, right? I was a “batang teatro” so we do a lot of stage play. And so with acting, it becomes natural, as long as you wanted to know whom you're going to portray, and what will be your character or what kind of behavior you are in that in that kind of role. Then it comes naturally.

FJ: Are there major scenes that you are preparing yourself for, like the Karaoke?

VICTORIA: It's not even the karaoke episode that I'm more worried about. It's the one where I'm singing at a Mennonite church so I'm singing their hymns. So that one I just want to make sure that I get right because it is not as familiar to me.

DONNA: I’m looking forward to the karaoke. Victoria and Joseph are trained singers. Kuya Elmer is a singer. Hazel sings too. And

surprisingly, I'm also singing. (laughs) I'm really looking forward to that. My daughter told me to get a voice coach (laughs). I think this can be the start of another exciting career for me. It will open more doors of opportunities (laughs). ***

Asked about season 2, Hazel

shared that they are talking about it but have no specifics yet. Right now, they are focused on filming season 1 and are thankful to the community and all the people who are taking a chance on them.

Other cast members of Maria and the Mennos are Joseph Sevillo as Angelo Mendoza, Maria’s brother;

Kenton Dyck as Nate Friesen, Maria’s husband; Chuck Fett as Hank Friesen, father of Nate; and Erna Peters as Sarah Friesen, mother of Nate. Maria and the Mennos airs in fall via YESTV and their streaming service, CASTLE.

YOU HOLD THE KEY TO SAVING LIVES

Make all the di erence. Join Canada’s Lifeline Book now at blood.ca

Joseph, Bruce and Zosimo, blood donors

VIVA STO. NINO!

Parishioners of St Peter's Church Parish at Keewatin Avenue celebrated the Feast of the Child Jesus, Sto. Nino last January 15th at the Petrus Hall. Devotees of the Santo Nino came in red and brought their image of the Child Jesus.

In his homily, Parish Pastor Monsignor Enrique Samson talked about the importance of humility as embodied by the Child Jesus.

"Jesus is the owner of life but he died for us so we can live, " the pastor said. He is the owner and creator of everything, and yet he has to become poor so that we can participate in the richness of God in the kingdom of heaven," added Monsignor Samson

He also talked about the School of Nazareth, a place not only where Jesus grew up but also a place that teaches about the miracles and teachings of Jesus Christ.

Monsignor Enrique shared the three life lessons of the School of Nazareth, which is the preciousness and gift of silence, the lesson of work and family life.

The feast of Santo Nino is celebrated every third Sunday of January across the world by the Santo Nino devotees.

It commemorates the conversion of Filipinos to Christianity.

Photo credit for Santo Nino: Nonie Manalili

6TH ANNUAL FRIED CHICKEN FEST - JANUARY 11-21, 2023

and styles, from spicy and bold to sweet and savory.

The presentations of the dishes were just as diverse as the flavors. Some restaurants served their fried chicken in traditional baskets lined with parchment paper, while others presented their creations on stylish platters or in creative sandwiches.

The

southern-style

Some

Participating

Forty-three

The festival was not only a treat for the taste buds but also a showcase of the culinary talents of the participating chefs and their respective restaurants. The festival encouraged chefs to push

REIGNITE YOUR JOIE DE VIVRE AT FESTIVAL DU VOYAGEUR

Unveiling of the 2023 program and the return of the winter festival

The 54th Festival du Voyageur promises to be festive! After a few challenging years of modified festivals, this year’s edition is back in full swing. From February 17 to 26, we invite all Manitobans to make their way to the Parc du Voyageur to celebrate joie de vivre and French-Canadian culture!

“We look forward to welcoming festivalgoers from all walks of life to rediscover Western Canada's largest francophone event", says

Darrel Nadeau, Executive Director of Festival du Voyageur. “This edition no doubt has something for everyone with the largest number of artists in the festival's history as well as the return of our favorite family activities. In addition, we are putting together several new activities that will undoubtedly create special moments that only an in-person experience can offer.”

Music abounds at this year's festival with over 200 artists at

Parc du Voyageur and our various venues.

At Parc du Voyageur, festivalgoers will finally find the warm atmosphere of the heated tents, which will be even larger this year. They will be filled with the familiar scent of wood chips and traditional FrenchCanadian food. And of course we can’t forget about the deliciously sticky maple taffy, a staple of the festival.

In the heart of the park,

festivalgoers will gather around the warmth of the Infinity Fire and share stories while viewing the Indigenous art installations that will be placed in various locations.

Outside the tents, a full return of the children's activities, historical interpretation in Fort Gibraltar and snow sculptures including the International Snow Sculpture Symposium and new interactive sculptures that will allow the public to become part of the frozen masterpieces.

the boundaries of traditional fried chicken and present dishes that truly showcased their culinary skills and creativity. Fried chicken lovers were thrilled to have the opportunity to try such a wide range of flavors, styles, and presentations.

Fried Chicken Fest goers were encouraged to try as many dishes as they could and vote for their favorite online on the official festival website. Winners will be announced on the Fried Chicken Fest website.

The Boîte à chansons – mobile concert trailer – has found a home in the new Terrasse à chansons where festivalgoers can warm up by dancing and having a good old shot of caribou in a glass of ice or a delicious Festi Broue!

For full details on the wide range of music programming, activities, art installations, and special events at the official relays, visit heho.ca or download the 2023 Voyageur Festival mobile app

Chicken Fest Judges and table of entries

Chicken Fest entries

6th Annual Fried Chicken Fest is in the books.

restaurants in the Fried Chicken Fest offered a wide variety of unique and delicious fried chicken dishes during the 10-daylong food festival. From classic

to contemporary fusion creations, there was something for every fried chicken lover to enjoy.

Winnipeg restaurants participated in the festival, each showcasing their own unique spin on the beloved "fried chicken".

restaurants served classic buttermilk fried chicken, while others presented creative twists such as 24K gold encrusted chicken wings, or even vegan fried "chicken" options. Attendees were able to sample a wide range of flavors

Photos by Ron Cantiveros | Filipino Journal

PHCM Holds Inaugural Meeting for 2023

The Philippine Heritage Council of Manitoba kicked off the new year with an inaugural meeting held at Max’s Restaurant Winnipeg on Saturday, January 14. In attendance were the members of the Executive Committee, along with representatives of member organizations and sponsors which included Manitoba Association of Filipino Teachers, Inc., Filipino Music & Arts Association of Canada,

Inc., Filipino Friends of Immigrants in Manitoba, Quezon Province Association of Manitoba and RBC Royal Bank, among many others. February 4 is pegged as the tentative date for the next meeting. The venue will be announced in the coming days via email or through the PHCM Messenger thread.

Táma bang batuhín ang nambató sa 'yo? Pagnanakáwan ang mga manggagántso? May lángit nga ba pára sa mabubúti? At impyérno sa maiitím ang budhî?

Táo'y dî 'pinanganák nang pantáypantáy May sin'wérte may mga salát sa búhay

Note:

A sonnet consisting of 12-syllable lines; tribute to the works of Fyodor Dostoyévskiy (November 11, 1821January 28, 1881) - Russian novelist and essayist known for novels like 'Crime & Punishment,' 'The Idiot,' and 'The Brothers Karamazov.'

After a mildly embarrassing start to the year, you can finally save face when Mercury moves forward in your reputation zone on Wednesday. If your public image needs some rehabbing, now is a good time to do it. Use this energy to figure out your goals, be professional, and become the “boss.”

After a rough start to the year, tensions in relationships finally ease when Mercury moves forward in your partnership zone on Wednesday. You’ll finally be able to use words instead of silence as you mend fences and clear the air. This is a great time to sign contracts and reach deals.

The retrograde may have thrown you off your game, but you’re back in action when Mercury moves forward in your habit zone on Wednesday. You’re finally productive enough to get started on your resolutions. With this dynamic energy, start by returning the phone calls and work emails you may have avoided (*side-eye*).

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

Your words hold deeper meaning when Mercury moves forward in your transformation zone on Wednesday. You have the power to unlock a lot of doors over the next few weeks. Use a mix of logic and intuition to get anything you desire.

After a stressful holiday season, family tensions ease when Mercury moves forward in your home zone on Wednesday. Get your domestic affairs in order and keep your private life private. Being at home can make you feel creative, so think about your space in new ways, especially if you’re doing some renovations.

No longer tongue-tied, you can finally see through the winter fog and gain clarity when Mercury turns direct in your communication zone on Wednesday. Let your intuition and logical mind work together to solve any problems that plague you. Speaking your mind and brainstorming clever ideas can get you noticed.

Whoa, Sagittarius! After all that impulsive spending, you’re finally coming back down to earth when Mercury goes direct in your value zone on Wednesday. As the bills arrive, think logically about your budget and how to get out of the red. Work hard to earn the cash you need.

After a rough few weeks you can finally regain your confidence when Mercury goes direct in your sign on Wednesday. This is a great time to reinvent yourself to the public and to yourself. Use this period to your advantage as you make a good first impression on everyone you meet.

After a rough retrograde, you’re still very much in your own head when Mercury turns direct in your subconscious zone on Wednesday. You’ll be keeping your thoughts to yourself over the next two weeks as you heal. End cycles that no longer serve you before the new year really begins.

New year, new goals, and new aspirations when Mercury moves forward in your social zone on Wednesday. Now, as we’re moving forward, you’re ready to reach out to your community and pull your friends together to achieve common goals.

Ria Atayde is now a calendar girl, advocates body positivity

Alex Gonzaga apologizes to the server in viral video

Vlogger-Actress Alex Gonzaga has apologized to the waiter she smeared her birthday cake on as shown in a viral video shot during her birthday, drawing criticism from the netizens --calling Gonzaga insensitive, rude, and a narcissist.

According to a statement obtained by ABS-CBN, the waiter

named Allan Crisostomo said that Gonzaga visited him at work and apologized.

Last January 17, 2023 around 6:30 PM nasa work ako. Pumunta si Ma’am Alex kung saan ako nagwo-work,” Crisostomo wrote in his statement. "Then nag-apologize and nag-sorry siya sa akin tapos kaunting kwentuhan at sinabi ko

sa kanya na ok na yung nangyari. Ok na po kami.”

Meanwhile, Alex's husband, Mikee Morada also released a statement on his Facebook page, acknowledging that her wife did a mistake and appealing to netizens to stop bashing. He wished that everything would heal in time.

White Castle Whiskey introduced its newest Whisky Girl in the person of actress Ria Atayde who is also a body positivity advocate.

“Beauty comes in countless forms, shapes, and sizes. I am honored to be chosen as a White Castle Whisky Girl as the brand allows and supports me in my advocacy to empower each and every woman to embrace her femininity

and celebrate her body,” she shared.

Ria was undeniably stunning in all her poses for the calendar where she flexed her abs in one of them.

The new era calendar girl joined the prestigious roster of the White Castle girls including Evangeline Pascual, Lorna Tolentino, Techie Agbayani, Carmi Martin, Maria Isabel Lopez, Cristina Gonzales, Glydel Mercado, and Roxanne Guinoo.

Miss Universe PH organization sheds light on the issue of leaving Celeste Cortesi

spoken about the issue that he and his team left Celeste Cortesi after failing to make it to the top 16, following a viral video of Celeste crying outside the venue with her mom and boyfriend.

While Gaffud sees no point in clarifying the issue as he believes he will still be bashed anyways, he still sent a statement to PEP Troika.

“Immediately after the semifinals announcement, I was messaging directly with Celeste," Gaffud said.

“She asked if she could spend time with her Mom and Mathew after the pageant. Because the case usually is, they have to be on the Miss Universe bus to go back to their hotel. But Celeste decided to be with Mathew, her friend Benj and Mom," added Gaffud.

Liza Soberano moves to California to pursue Hollywood dream

In a YouTube vlog of FilipinoAmerican brand owner/makeup artist Patrick Starr, Liza shared that she has moved to Los Angeles, California, USA, for her Hollywood dream.

"That’s just because it is much easier to build my career if I am out here [in Los Angeles] because they are always, constantly, looking for, like, in-person meetings.

"And it’s hard to book the job when you’re meeting people over Zoom. They can’t really tell what your personality is like, or they can’t really see what you actually look like."

Liza said that her main goal is to become a world-class actress but she is also exploring her music career.

Currently, she is under contract with Careless Music, owned by James Reid, and signed to a music label in LA called Transparent Art.

In the same YouTube vlog of Patrick Starr, Liza expressed

wanting to go solo in her career and that this has nothing to do with her romantic relationship with Enrique Gil.

"My goal is to become my

own person because for so many years, I was in a love team, and that's what I was mainly known for, or, like, I was attached to so many different brands.

Gaffud and Cortesi saw each other the following day after the incident and, of course, talked about everything.

Photo credit to @Ria Instagram

Photo credit to Dion Trinidad

Photo courtesy: @LizaSoberano on Instagram

Photo source: Allan Crisostomo's employer via ABS-CBN News

Miss Universe Philippine Organization creative director Jonas Gaffud has finally

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has commended President Bongbong Marcos for his leadership as the country faces "more immune and more complex challenges, " on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in this Swiss city last Tuesday and discussed issues affecting the world economy.

Georgieva also said that IMF is ready to help its member countries, including the Philippines, in achieving

PH to import 450,000 MT of sugar

Following the instruction of President Marcos to bring down retail prices of sugar, the Sugar Regulatory Administration has proposed to import 450, 000 metric tons of sugar this year. SRA is finalizing the import plan.

A two-month buffer stock of the sweetener is maintained to prevent prices from fluctuating in the market.

The imported sugar should arrive as soon as possible to reduce retail prices immediately.

The sugar industry, however, urged SRA to provide protection to ensure that the volume and arrival of the stock will be calibrated to not depress domestic millgate prices.

sustainable growth and pushing for economic policies that would benefit more Filipinos

Marcos said that the country is still addressing many challenges and that there is a need to go back to the basics.

The president also stressed the government's digitalization initiatives which he believes are important in making the bureaucracy more efficient.

PH knows how to manage COVID, ready for the lifting of state of public health emergency

Ms. Universe 2022 R'Bonney Gabriel wants to hold sewing workshops for Filipinos

Infectious Disease

said that the Philippines is ready by the time the state of a public health emergency is removed. He said it was proven for several months that despite the waves of infections, hospitals and communities are not threatened by many deaths.

Solante said that the healthcare facilities now know how to manage COVID-19. He added that the continued preparation for the lifting of the state of public health emergency should be two-fold: increasing the boostered population an strengthening COVID-19 surveillance to detect the presence of variants.

Newly-crowned first Filipino-American Ms Universe, R' Bonney Gabriel expressed her desire to visit the Philippines soon.

Being a fashion designer, model and a teacher, Gabriel would love to give sewing working to Filipino girls. She said that she had spoken with a friend who is a designer and is in the Philippines.

Gabriel thanked her Filipino fans in Tagalog" Maraming maraming salamat sa lahat ng tulong nyo," she said.

"The support is everything. I feel it in my heart. I heard it in the room. It was an amazing energy. The Filipino blood is so strong. We are hardworking, we're fun and we're determined, and I'm so proud to be half-Filipina," the 28-year-old added.

To pre-order contact Ron Cantiveros, email at info@filipinojournal.com

IMF praises the Philippines for being an "exceptionally well-performing country"

expert Dr Rontgene Solante during Laging Hnda press briefing

Photo credit to OLIVIER DOULIERY / AFP

Photo credit to @rbonneynola Instagram

Ultimate New Wave Evolution (& closely related styles) part 28

Sa Úgoy ng Músika

Most of the New Wave enthusiasts I know think that New Wave and '80s music are one and the same. That's understandable; New Wave, which was first coined in 1967 in a musical context, flourished and reached its commercial peak in the 1980s. So,

most of its fans interchange the genre with the era. However, it would be nice if music enthusiasts acknowledge that '80s was a decade (1980 to 1989); '80s Music - all kinds of music released within that period; and New Wave is a genre or kind of music.

Anyway, in the 1990s, amidst the emergence of Grunge, Shoegaze, Alternative Rock, and Glam Metal, many of the Post-Punk / New Wave pioneers were still releasing albums. It's just that most of the records failed to appear in the radar of many of the genre's fans because they were busy digesting the new trends that were taking over the mainstream. Even the radio did not give the singles much airplay, if at all.

So now, in recognition, here is another set of 1993-released albums that made the life of a New Waver like me enjoyable and exciting during the '90s. Apart from The Cranberries, which was a newcomer during the time, the bands here may be regarded in that decade as pioneers.

It's not yet late to explore or revisit the archives of yesteryears' music.

*The Cranberries - Everybody Else Is Doing It, so Why Can't We? ("Linger")

*Crowded House - Together Alone ("Distant Sun")

*Depeche Mode - Songs of Faith & Devotion ("Walking in My Shoes")

*Gene Loves Jezebel - Heavenly Bodies ("Josephina")

*Indochine - Un jour dans notre vie ("Vietnam Glam")

*Pet Shop Boys - Very ("Go West")

*U2 - Zooropa ("Stay [Far Away, So Close!]")

*The Waterboys - Dream Harder (1993) ("The Return of Pan")