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PBA Winnipeg basketball league wrapped up their 2021-22 season last weekend with closing championship games at Garden City Collegiate.

Championship, 3rd place and consolation games across all divisions including Elite Division, Men's Open Pool B and Seniors 32+.

The PBA Winnipeg committee also went for a coordinated pink-color coding for the final weekend of the league. Full and complete results will be available on the Filipino Journal website. FilipinoJournal.com

SERVING THE PUBLIC WITH INTEGRITY IS HERMIE ANGELES' MISSION

Hermie T. Angeles Barrister & Solicitor

201-2211 McPhillips Street, Winnipeg, MB R2V 3M5 (204) 963-8757 • (204) 500-2552 • htangeles@yahoo.com

Hermie Angeles is in every sense a people’s lawyer. Her legal career has always evolved to serve the public.

Beginning in Law School at the University of Santo Tomas (UST), she was a working student at the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), mandated to represent and defend the people of the Philippines before the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals.

Immediately after passing the Bar Exams with a mark of 84.30%, she joined the Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ), as State Counsel, to protect and promote the interest of every Filipino in the international sphere by handling extradition and mutual legal assistance (MLAT) cases. She soon became the head of the DOJ services team on negotiations involving international trade and cooperation agreements, treaties and contracts with the EU, the US, Canada, and the Southeast Asian countries. Her DOJ career was centered on advancing human rights advocacy and diplomacy. She rose through the ranks, and in her silver years of government service, she retired as Senior State Counsel.

From public service to immigrant life in Canada, Hermie has never relented in her commitment to the people. As a newcomer, she volunteered with the Manitoba Museum for Human Rights, Immigrant Centre, Elwick Resource Centre, Elizabeth Fry Society, Logan Constituency and others.

The Canadian government was convinced with her proposition that “education is the best investment”, and she received a scholarship to attend the University of British Columbia (UBC). She likewise received a government grant when she challenged licensure exams, including her articling and CPLED. She never let them down by passing all 8 subjects required by the NCA in 6 months.

Hermie finished her Philosophy and Master of Law degree in UST, attended advanced human rights courses at the Mahidol University and Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law in Bangkok, Thailand, and completed further studies at numerous schools of learning including the Institute of International Humanitarian Law, in San Remo, Italy, the Institute of Law Enforcement Agency (ILEA), in Bangkok, Thailand, and the European Cybercrime Centre, at The Hague, Netherlands, among others.

She was also a recipient of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), by the US State Department in 2011.

May 14th, 2022 marks Hermie’s 3rd year of law practice in Canada. She is grateful for all those who joined her in her journey, for the trust of her clientele, for the support of family and friends back home in Manila and all over the world.

Her dedication and compassion for others remain an inspiration for immigrants looking to start a new life in a new land.

As a Canadian lawyer, she provides free legal services to the Legal Aid Manitoba and gives lectures about Wills and Estate to members of the Seven Oaks Division and the Notre Dame Constituency. Her areas of practice are Family Law, Wills and Estate, Real Estate, Immigration and Notarial Services.

Practicing the legal profession both in the Philippines and in Canada is a duty she owes to the people and to God.

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Amemorable event for the founders and members of Manitoba Association of Filipino Teachers Inc. ( MAFTI) took place at the Legislative Building on April 27, 2022.

Malaya Marcelino, MLA for Notre Dame read a Member Statement before her counterparts lauding MAFTI’s history of delivering numerous cultural and educational programs for the Filipino community and the general public since its inception in 1977.

Cindy Lamoreaux, MLA of Burrows also read her Member statement mentioning MAFTI’s services to the community.

A plaque of appreciation was given by MLA Malaya Marcelino to MAFTI. Genalyn Tan, president of MAFTI, received the award on behalf of more than one hundred members of MAFTI and its founders, and board members.

MLA Malaya Marcelino with Genalyn Tan, president, MAFTI

A provincial conference of the Philippine Association of Manitoba in 1977 under the leadership of Chris Aglugub and Rodolfo Cantiveros made a resolution that the Philippine cultural heritage should be preserved . Hence, Lolita Oandasan founded the MAFTI. Co-founders were: Julie Mandac, Socorro Juan, Jenny Hernaez, Adoracion Macapagal, Jean Guiang, and Gemma Dalayoan. Present at the awarding ceremony were the following; Gemma Dalayoan, MAFTI Internal Consultant and Adviser and Board Members: Victoria Cabrera, Michelle Feliciano, Clarita Manzano, Jon Malek, Marilyn Gomez Malek, and member Joanne Vivieza. Jon Reyes, MLA for Waverly and Minister of Advanced Education, Skills, and Immigration also congratulated MAFTI members who were present. More picture- taking ensued to end the exciting day of MAFTI.

MAFTI officers and members with Gemma Dalayoan, Internal Consultant and Adviser

With MLA Jon Reyes, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills, and Immigrations; MLA Wayne Ewasko, Minister, Early Education Learning and Education; and MLA Malaya Marcelino With NDP Leader, MLA Wab Kinew

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.

C M Y K PAGE B1 CITY ● BUSINESS ASSOCIATE EDITOR, NEWS: STACEY THIDRICKSON 204-697-7292 ● CITY.DESK@FREEPRESS.MB.CA ● WINNIPEGFREEPRESS.COM B1 MONDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2022 CONNECT WITH WINNIPEG’S NO. 1 NEWS SOURCE▼ SECTION B Breaking up with a bad habit is hard to do

SHELLEY COOK

JOVELLE Balani, who was born and raised in the Philippines, migrated to Canada in 2018. The avid music fan has a growing vinyl record collection, loves going to vintage stores and considers herself an old soul.An only child, Balani immersed herself in every aspect of music from early on and quickly became a multi-instrumentalist, learning to play piano, guitar, ukulele, drums and violin. She began singing when she was seven and has been vocally trained since age 12.

“I remember jamming along to Carpenters as a kid. I discovered them through my dad’s CD collection and have become a fan since then. I would play their songs over and over and do karaoke, too,” she says.Balani was raised with music and her parents always encouraged her interest in pursuing it.“One of my earliest musical memories was me carrying a Walkman when I was 4. I remember listening to the Beatles, the Sound of Music, to name a few. I fell in love with it. Fast forward to when I was 12, when I told my parents that I wanted to take voice lessons. And from there, I started joining inter-school talent competitions, performing in events and concerts.” Balani will represent Canada at the World Championships of Performing Arts for the second time, in Anaheim, Calif. The annual event presented by Worldstars features singers, dancers, jugglers and other artists for the judges and audience to experience. The international gathering is often called the “talent Olympics” for aspiring performers and entertainers, and the only event of its kind held annually in the Hollywood area, the entertainment capital of the world. Griff O’Neil, competition CEO and a former executive of the Miss Universe Pageant, said in a news release that, “Contestants from over 60 countries are expected to participate, vying for the gold plus prizes, cash and a total of half a million dollars in scholarships. Thousands of people around the world will apply to participate.” A popular highlight of the festivities is the spectacular opening ceremony, featuring a colourful Parade of Nations at Disneyland. The much-anticipated Worldstars Boot Camp is an unmatched phenomenon of educational seminars and workshops by industry experts. VIPs and celebrity entertainment industry greats from Hollywood, Nashville and New York have served as judges and been honoured with induction into the Performing Arts Hall of Fame at this global competition. “Being a part of this event is truly an honour and to represent Canada is already a reward for me. My first WCOPA competition was held virtually due to COVID. It was kind of challenging, as I was just performing in front of a camera. Despite being virtual, it was still nerve-wracking, as there were thousands of talented people who joined the event. And I was lucky enough to be chosen as one of the Top 3 Finalists in the Vocal Category. It was an honour to bag gold and silver medals for the country,” Balani says. I THINK the universe sends me a sign when I need it most. Or perhaps I’m the kind of person who likes to look for signs and meaning in ordinary situations.Last weekend, I broke a bracket on my braces. It was on my snaggletooth — the tooth that has been the bane of my smile for as long as I can remember because it was out of place and made me insecure. The reason I bit the bullet and opted for adult braces. (The left lateral incisor, for anyone who is curious.)The bracket popped off the tooth as I was brushing, and it was no big deal. My teeth have straightened out so much since I got the braces in the summer. I’ve questioned (with an admitted lack of orthodontic experience) why I have to wear them for another 18 months. My teeth are nearly straight. Within hours of the bracket popping off, my incisor and the tooth beside it started to ache. If you’ve had braces, you know this ache. It’s the feeling of teeth shifting. The pain is not a like a regular toothache that hurts deep in the nerves and is unbearable. It’s less than that, but still painful. The feeling is usually isolated to one spot in your mouth — a tooth, maybe two, and it feels like the tooth is sore. I was surprised at this. While affixed to the bracket, my tooth felt fine. After a few hours free, it was hurting, and it was like when I get my braces tightened — that feeling of shifting and pain. When I made it to the orthodontist a few days later, she confirmed the tooth had shifted, and it wasn’t as straight as it was at my last appointment. Damn. That was fast. But why? On the surface, before the bracket broke, my teeth had changed and were changing so drastically. But, as soon as the tooth was without the support of the bracket, it was trying to migrate back to its old, comfy, crooked spot. I have been trying my hardest to break out of old habits that don’t serve me anymore and create new ones that will make my life and self better. Like my old snaggletooth, my default is to migrate back to my old, comfy, crooked place in life, because it is familiar and comfortable, and because change is hard.A big change for me lately, and one of my most uncomfortable habits to break, is my relationship with my nightly glass or glasses of wine. It was a harder habit to break than I would like to admit.I know the last two years have heightened alcohol use significantly for many folks. I am no exception. My habit is often triggered by dusk, or that empty evening slot in my routine of watching a show, or doing a chore or some writing, or playing a board game with the kids. I’d usually only drink enough to feel the warm numbness — a place where I was coherent and sober, but where the edge of the day and all of its stressors had been softened. It felt like medicine in the moment and poison afterwards. The habit became more noticeable to me, especially in the mornings when I woke up feeling gross, and in the evenings when wine o’clock became a real time frame in my home. I don’t know where my alcohol use rates on any sort of scale. I am also in no way equating my situation to anyone else’s or trying to make light of what is a really serious issue for many people. The only thing I truly know for myself is that this daily habit is far too easy for me to keep up and getting harder for me to break. It’s only been a few weeks since I’ve switched out the wine for tea. The trigger of dusk usually no longer gives me the automatic response to overpour myself a glass of wine. I’ve got Holly Whitaker’s book Quit Like A Woman on hold on my library app. I’ve heard good things about it. On the nights I crave a glass of wine, I try really hard not to break my habit of breaking my habit. I’ll let you know how it goes. shelley.cook@freepress.mb.ca @ShelleyACook RAISED ON MUSICPhilippines immigrant to represent Canada at world championships JANINE LEGAL

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Jovelle Balani, who moved to Canada in 2018, will represent Canada at the World Championships of Performing Arts for the second time, in Anaheim, Calif. READER BRIDGE If you have a story idea to diversify our journalism, please contact us at: readerbridge@freepress.mb.ca

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by Gem and Lita Anis

On 14th March 2022 after a sixteen-hour long drive through 917 miles (1,476 kms.) of Trans-Canada West from Winnipeg, Manitoba, with several stops for fuel to both our van and bodies, we, myself and my wife Lita, our son Jimmy and wife Amy, our grandson Jason & girlfriend Jhonna, ended up for a 3-night stay at the Tunnel Mountain Resort for a family alpine skiing holiday. For

AdReference: CustomerID: AdType:this year we choose Banff Sunshine Page: 1000067806/ 1000557380 DHCW/WPVillage. We’re no strangers to this 1of1 AdRequestID: resort having been here twice, in AdClass: AdProofDate: 1-5175499912 1995 and 2012. SPEC 2016-01-0512:58 AdPlacementReference:Waking up early the next WPGY/YPE/16/Credit&DebtCounselling morning, each of us fully charged, warmly attired with ski pants and jacket, snow google, ski gloves, and other essential downhill ski paraphernalia, we headed early to the slopes so we could have a parking spot close to the gondola

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at the main base of the resort.

Standing high in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, the Banff Sunshine Village Ski Resort, consisting of three sprawling mountains of diverse terrains , Mt. Standish, Lookout Mountain and Goat’s Eye Mountain, is famous for the best snow in Canada. Because of its high altitude , 7,200 feet high on the Continental Divide, Sunshine Village has the longest non-glacial ski season in the country, stretching from early November until spring skiing in May. Here you’ll find terrains, ranging from the easy greens to the most difficult double blacks, for the whole family to savour and enjoy. The resort’s 3300 acres of 134 skiable terrains are served by twelve chairlifts, including nine superlifts (Great Divide Express, Angel Express, Teepee Town LX, Standish Express, Goat’s Eye Express, Strawberry X, Wolverine X, Wawa Quad, and Jackrabbit), a magic carpet for learners, and a high speed gondola . The 8-passenger gondola experience from the base to the ski village area takes approximately 15 minutes and can transport 2800 guests up the mountain per hour at full capacity, The ride in itself with the winter views of the Canadian Rockies is already a part of the fun of a day at the Banff Sunshine Village.

Reaching the Village on top, look for your ski rack spots, put on your ski boots and take a ride on any of the lifts, and at the same time enjoy the 360 degrees of jaw-dropping panoramic mountain view as you glide along the slopes. We always prefer the Standish Express, the Angel Express and the Wawa Quad.

Standish Express, 4pers highspeed chairlift, is a favourite of skiers

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Gem & Lita with Omar's family at Sunshine Village

for all levels and snowboarders due to its unique mountain terrain. The Angel Express, also a 4pers high-speed chairlift, is the oldest lift at Sunshine but in no way does it feel like an old life; it’s in great shape. At Wawa Quad you get some of the best views of the Rocky Mountains!

Sunshine Village is the home of Canada’s first and only heated ski chairlift, called TeePee Town LX, built in 2014. In addition to heated seats, TeePee Town protects skiers from the wind with an orange cover and lets riders rest their legs on the foot rests. Really quite cool!

After a half-day of skiing we grab our lunch meal at the Alpine Grill located on the 2nd floor of the Lookout Lodge.

We have one day off for sightseeing in the cozy resort mountain town of Banff, said to be the highest elevated town in Canada, sitting at almost 1400 meters above sea level. A leisurely stroll at its main thoroughfare, Banff Avenue, which is home to boutiques and souvenir shops, bars and restaurants mixed with chateau-style hotels, art galleries and museums, gets you seemingly closer to the rugged snow-capped mountain peaks of Mt. Rundle

Gem at Banff National Park, Alberta

and Mt. Cascade that dominate the town’s skyline. At #120 of the avenue, called Beaver Tails, we feast on its hot delicious crispy yet fluffy sugary treat called maple crunch, so yummy with toppings like hazel nut spread. Worth a visit is the world-famous Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, standing as a landmark in the picturesque alpine town of Banff. Built in 1888, the hotel with 757 guest rooms and suites, has been providing legendary hospitality for more than 130 years.

Banff Sunshine Village is worth the long trip. Trivia: ST. BERNARD of Montjoux (a commune in southeastern France) is the Patron Saint of skiers.

Strictly no extensions for Mail-In Overseas Votes

Despite election paraphernalia arriving late in some Philippine foreign service posts, the Commission on Election said on Thursday that there will be no extension of the voting period for Filipinos abroad, staying firm that all votes must be in by May 9, Philippine time.

In a virtual forum, Comelec Commissioner George Garcia said that even counting of votes overseas should align with the 8 pm Philippine time. He also added that the constitution provides that elections must be conducted on the second Monday of May.

Last May 2, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Affairs Brigido Dulay said that overseas Filipinos who are allowed to vote by mail only can cast their votes in person at Philippine service posts if they have not received their mail-in ballots.

Out of the over one million overseas voters, the current turnout of votes is only about 400,000. This number might not yet include those who voted by mail. PH to become a Medical Tourism Destination

The Department of Tourism (DOT ) is eyeing to transform the Philippines into an attractive medical tourism destination with its untapped potential in health and industry.

“With world-class hospitals and facilities, skilled doctors and nurses, and the Filipino brand of hospitality, the Philippines is poised to become an attractive destination for medical tourism," Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said.

The tourism head also said that the agency has plans to boost the country's medical tourism with the COVID -19 pandemic, stressing the importance of medical travel and wellness tourism.

Currently, we have been implementing measures that will further develop the country as a medical tourism destination in a calibrated approach, including the development of an internal ecosystem and network of facilities in the country to accommodate concerns and issues surrounding this tourism product," Puyat said.

Duterte Declares Election Day as Special-Non Working Holiday

Malacanang announced on May 3rd that May 9, election day will be a special non-working holiday for the national and local elections.

Proclamation 1357 was signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea which stated the need to declare May 9 as a special nonworking holiday to enable the people to properly exercise the right to vote, subject to the public health measures of the national government.

Duterte was asked earlier by the Commission on Elections to declare May 9 as a special non-working holiday to secure people's full participation in this election.

(Photo by Veejay Villafranca/Bloomberg)