Filipino Journal Alberta Edition January 2014

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Volume 7, Number 1 • January 2014

Publications Mail Agreement 40032612

Journey to Philippines Set Off to a Good Start

Hoping for gentler year 2014

Page 12 ►

Gilmore Junio: A Filipino Olympics Hopeful in Canada

Pages 15, 17 ►

Page 11 ►

Pinay caregiver wins Israel’s ‘X-Factor’

Page 9 ►

More cars, more tech and more driving in 2014

Page 13 ►

Page 22 ►

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January 2014

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January 2014

By Athena Bernal-Born

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January 2014

Allegations of overpricing haunt construction of ‘Yolanda’ bunkhouses

A 15-page cluster report by an international shelter group Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) assisting the government in its relief efforts said the construction of 203 bunkhouses by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for families in areas devastated by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) were “noncompliant in many respects with internationally recognized standards and best practices.”

The report has raised questions about the direction and integrity of the government’s rehabilitation and recovery program and has resurrected fears that the pork barrel system that triggered the alleged P10-billion Janet Lim-Napoles racket is again rearing its ugly head.

The bunkhouses are being built in more than a dozen towns in Leyte and Eastern Samar. The report pointed out that a number of contractors working at different sites have standards and facilities different between different locations. The report also raised

concerns ranging from cramped spaces to lack of ventilation, risk of fires and safety and security of occupants. Politicians and priests in Leyte and Samar are also worried about reports that a 24-room bunkhouse is being constructed at a cost roughly below P200,000 and not P959,360—the price tag put on it in the DPWH plan.

However, Rolando Asis, DPWH director for Eastern Visayas, insisted in an interview in Tacloban that the department’s specifications were being complied with faithfully and that mayors had agreed to the project. Concerned municipalities are worried that Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson may not be aware of what is happening.

Calls for transparency have been aired by ambassadors of donor countries. Last month, the envoys went on a tour of the typhoonaffected areas, accompanied by Social Welfare Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman and the UN humanitarian coordinator in the Philippines Luisa Carvalho.

‘Clowns Without Borders’ enliven Filipino kids A group of jesters and entertainers from different countries cheered up thousands of Filipino children in disaster areas over the Christmas holidays.

The Virginia-based group ‘Clowns Without Borders’ performed their antics in front of more than 2,000 kids in Samar province and Tacloban. The stage was an open dirt ground surrounded by the destruction brought by Super Typhoon Yolanda last November.

Dr. Unni Krishnan of the children's development organization Plan International, hailed the clowns for aiding for the recovery of the six million

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children affected by the typhoon.

Lotte Claessens another Plan doctor said that children who experienced traumatic horrors from calamity also needs other means to comfort and calm them, such as telling stories and playing simple games, Like other foreign volunteers in the recovery operations, the Clowns Without Borders noted how they saw from the children the Filipino spirit and resiliency as they still look forward to a happy Christmas despite their situation.

The performers were also moved by how grateful their audiences were before and after the shows.

The Filipino Martial Arts: An Adventure in Personal Development

By Oliver Salvador

T

he Filipino martial arts (FMA) are truly incredible martial arts. They are so effective that they have become a staple training element for Special Forces the world over, and some of the training methodologies have even been adapted for the training of law enforcement personnel in dozens of countries around the globe. They (FMA) are so spectacular that they have been incorporated into the uber-exciting fight sequences seen in many popular action films. But they have another quality that stands above the aforementioned, that goes beyond their practical and visually stimulating aspects. What is that quality, one may ask? The answer is – The Filipino martial arts provide a way for a person to improve in their personal development.

Even though training in Filipino martial arts is very enjoyable, I have had the pleasure to witness amazing transformations in the people who practice them. For example, one of my students was not able to immediately master a certain movement. He became frustrated and I could see it on his face. I approached him

and calmed him down, explaining that it took me several weeks to become proficient in the movement myself. The student took a deep breath, smiled at me, and then began to practice again. Within about 30 minutes, he was performing the movement correctly. By controlling his emotions and channeling them into effective practice, my student was able to push past his selfperceived limitations and increase his level of performance, which amazed the both of us.

Another student of mine who has been with me since I opened the club always seemed to be angry. At least this was the perception of the other students as well as myself.

I felt that this was hindering his progress in the Filipino martial arts.

During one of the training sessions, he volunteered to help some new guests to the class, and I ended up offering to give him a private lesson to make up for what he missed during the class. As we trained, I gently mentioned that he seemed angry, to which he was surprised. I also mentioned that this is what the other students perceived as well. As

we trained, we talked back and forth about life and other specific subjects, after which he seemed to calm down and really start to concentrate on the training. Then I took the training up a notch as he was now in “the zone” – a state of mind in which you only think about the present moment. As our sticks were whirling around and I was attacking him from multiple angles at a rapid pace, and he was able to counter every attack. He was in a spiritual state that enabled him to stay calm and perform like I had never seen him before. He has since changed significantly and projects a more calm, balanced and happy persona.

The physical practice of Filipino martial arts is a truly amazing activity.

Through hard physical training, students are able to leave the worries of the day behind them and focus solely on the moment – temporarily transforming themselves into superior beings. By harnessing the totality of their “self”, even though for a short time, they are able to consciously control the inner potential that lies within them. This enables them to push past their limitations to achieve mastery over the art, and, in the process – mastery of themselves – which is the most important. The Filipino martial arts really are an adventure in personal development.

About the author: Oliver Salvador is a Master in the Filipino martial art of RutanoEstokada Kali, as well as a Guro in Modern Arnis. He has been studying and training in the Filipino martial arts for 38 years.

He is the Head Instructor of the Edmonton Filipino Martial Arts Club, and the Founder of the Philippine Warrior Arts Society (Check it out on Facebook). His club website is http://efmac.webs.com and he can be contacted at 587-708-2000 or by e-mail at edmontonfmac@gmail.com

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January 2014

The 5 touching stories Yolanda left behind

A maple-coated Filipino heart

by Erlinda

Dolly Tan

erlindatan@yahoo.com

T

o Filipinos back home, typhoon Haiyan is Yolanda. A name that will be remembered and talked about for many years to come. Recorded as the strongest typhoon in history to hit land, its devastation was apocalyptic. Even movies depicting the end of the world, pale in comparison.

My family and friends in Tacloban told me, what was shown on TV was only a glimpse of the misery and prolonged agony they went through.

Some who lost family members, wish the waves swallowed them too. The image of their daughter or wife slipping from their hand as they fought the strong current, will haunt them for as long as they live. I will not argue if death to some is sweeter than life, for to see a loved one disappear underwater, is something unbearable for the living.

a destroyed city. Who would have thought that Tacloban could mobilize military warships around the world to that direction. No, not for war, but to save lives. Even countries we didn’t expect to arrive, arrived. The Empire State Building in New York and the CN Tower in Toronto, lit up their buildings with the color of the Philippine flag to show love and solidarity to the Filipino nation. So much misery but there was so much love too.

If for any reason, you have lost faith in the world, I’d like to sit down with you in a coffee shop so I can share 101 stories from Tacloban that will restore your faith in humanity.

For now, let me share five.

1. The 6-year old boy from Japan who donated his piggy bank. His name is Shoichi, he was accompanied by his mother when he went to the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo to donate his childhood savings of 5,000 Yen (P2,173) to the typhoon victims.

His gesture touched the nation, he landed at the front page of our newspapers. And the story doesn’t end there. One month after, Shoichi received an anonymous gift from Manila. A small box with four small jeepney toys inside. As well, a T-shirt that says “I love PH.” Reminders of the people he had helped.

The anonymous guy who thought about the gift said, “It was a spur of the moment thing. I remember seeing the news about the boy’s effort, and I thought one kind deed deserves another.”

(Note: Jeepney is Philippines’ mode of transportation, it’s half the size of a regular bus.)

Fermin Carangan was on duty at the Tacloban airport when Yolanda made landfall. Since the airport is by the ocean, the military office was washed away.

Some military personnel vanished into the black sea. Col Carangan managed to grab a plank, part of the ceiling joist of their office.

As he was swimming, he saw a boy also floating, hugging a coconut tree. He swam towards the boy. Col Carangan admitted that meeting the boy urged him to fight for life as he felt a sudden responsibility towards the little guy. For six hours, they swam and floated inside the eye of the storm, amidst the howling winds.

From Tacloban, they were swept to the next island called Basey. At one point the boy, cold and exhausted, asked permission if he could “sleep.”

Col Carangan screamed at him to keep pushing, as they were now close to the shore.

The two survived. Only God knows how. What a friendship. God sent them to rescue each other.

3. Tzu Chi Foundation. Every Taclobanon now knows this organization.

And adores them.

They are different. They didn’t just give money, they gave the people livelihood.

Tzu Chi Foundation paid the Taclobanons P500 each a day to clean the city. They gave them something to do, a therapy-indisguise to help them get up and move on. They helped restore commerce too, since people had money, stores had income. Everybody benefited.

But. And, as military and international volunteers started to leave Tacloban, With the sufferings and stench Tzu Chi Foundation went back after of death, stories of heroism and Christmas, to continue saving souls. inspiration sprouted as Yolanda exited 2. The soldier and the boy. Colonel The biggest Buddhist foundation in

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the world, literally Tzu Chi means Understandably, hunger is a dead end.

“Compassionate Relief.” Right. As And to the end, they will endure if a matter of fact, they are more than they can. that.

The volunteers. Filipinos from all parts of the country, trooped to 4. Justin Bieber. I know he is not Tacloban to bring relief goods. One popular to some. But to kids in week after the flood, all roads leading Tacloban, his visit meant the world to the Visayas islands, were filled to them. He arrived the Philippines with vehicles bumper-to-bumper unannounced, then he proceeded to from as far as Baguio in the North Tacloban, played basketball with the and Davao in the South. Help came little survivors and sang with them. from all sectors: local government He made them forget the sufferings units, organizations, churches, private and ordeals of Yolanda, even for a offices, even small groups of friends.

They came in boats, bus, van and moment.

Not only Justin Bieber….. American motorbikes.

The Overseas Filipino Workers singer Alicia Keys visited typhoon refugees in Manila. Seattle Seahawks (OFW). Tacloban is but a small part Doug Baldwin, carried the Philippine of the country. But OFWs around flag before the start of a football the world came together to do fund match. Paul Walker died in a car crash drives. The publisher of this paper after attending a charity drive for the for example, was one of the prime typhoon victims. Filmmaker Casey movers in Edmonton. My friends Neistat, hired by 20th Century Fox to in the Filipino community asked me make a trailer for an upcoming film, how they can help. The day after the used the $25,000 to buy relief goods flood, they emailed me code numbers for the typhoon victims. He himself of calling cards so I can phone my went to Tacloban to document his family. I received donations from a friend of a friend - people I do not relief operation.

From all corners of the globe, we know. My church (mostly Canadians) gave me one classroom-full of clothes were loved. And how. and shoes. My officemates gave me 5. The Filipino spirit. Unshakable. boxes of clothes. One month after the Indomitable. Waterproof. Stronger flood, I was still packing donations than the strongest storm that hit land. for Tacloban.

Yolanda came and left. The The United Nations secretary was stunned at our resilience. physical aftermath will remain for Anderson Cooper thanked the many years. But so are the good Filipinos for “showing us all how stories that sprouted from the storm. to live.” They witnessed how the For whatever reason, the strongest of survivors slept on the street beside them all was sent our way. Chosen the dead bodies of their loved ones. people? Well, one thing is for sure, we How they slept under the sky at night. were not created resilient for nothing.

And how they slept under the rain. Proven and tested, the Filipino people They didn’t ask for shelter. All that - homeless, roofless but not hopeless. they asked for was food and water.

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Yellowknifers Contributes to the Victims of Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda

Calgary Assessment Review Board launches online public filing system

From as far North of 60th hearts and wallets to help the Tacloban City who now resides in parallel, Yellowknifers with over Victims of the Super Typhoon Yellowknife organized a Family fundraising a thousand Filipinos open their Yolanda. Lea Leclerc from Spaghetti Dinner event to help and assist affected families in Taclobon last Saturday November 30, 2013 at NUP Hall. A silent auction and some entertainment were presented to pep up the evening event. Another series of fundraising events are ongoing including Bake Sale at St. Patrick Catholic Church. The Filipino organization headed by Gloria Reyes, President lined up another local fundraising campaign similar to Edmonton.

Way to go Filipino Yellowknifers.

Yellowknife is a city known for its Diamond Mines and for its Gloria Reyes and Nene welcome guests at the entrance. beautiful Northern Lights. Truly, Yellowknife is Gateway to the North also know for its hospitality.

The Calgary Assessment Review Board (ARB) launched its online public filing system, ePortal, for the upcoming 2014 complaint filing period. Citizens will be able to file complaints on their property or business assessments through the ePortal system, available online at CalgaryARB.ca.

City Clerk, Sue Gray says, “The Calgary Assessment Review Board has worked hard to roll-out ePortal for the 2014 complaint filing period. This new online system is an innovative and citizen-centric initiative; two guiding principles of Council’s Transforming Government initiative. It will improve business processes for both citizens and employees and is a wonderful enhancement to improve our services to citizens.” ePortal is designed to assist users in managing and viewing up-to-date status of their assessment complaints, access hearing information, submit evidence disclosures, withdrawals, request postponements, and access ARB decisions at any time. Citizens can file complaints of any type of Assessment Notice using ePortal.

Filed by Jose “Pepito” Magpayo

Food Line Up

Gloria Reyes with Friends

A Group of Filipinos from Tacloban City with Lea LeClerk.

Spaghetti Dinner Servers

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Complainants can now pay online using debit or credit cards including Visa, Mastercard and American Express. ePortal will improve efficiencies for complainants, as the system allows users to: • Start a complaint and submit it when users are ready.

• Add additional documentation (attach additional reasons documents, agent authorization forms).

• Receive email notifications that a complaint has been filed.

• Manage files online and see the status of complaints.

• Receive email confirmations when submitting disclosures.

• Access decisions online.

Citizens can still file a complaint to the ARB in person between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday: Assessment Review Board 4th floor, 1212 – 31 Avenue NE Deerfoot Junction 3 Building Calgary, AB T2P 2M5 Or by mail to: P.O. Box 2100, Station M, #222 Calgary, AB T2P 2M5

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PCs Should Maintain Universal Drug Coverage For Alberta Seniors New Democrat Health critic David Eggen called on the government to immediately halt all plans to eliminate universal drug coverage for Alberta’s seniors.

“Despite PC promises that they would not try again to scrap universal seniors drug coverage, they proved once again that they cannot be trusted,” said Eggen.

“After the election, they broke their promise and announced plans to take millions and millions of dollars out of drug coverage for Alberta seniors.”

The PC government announced in the last budget that they plan to take $180 million out of seniors drug coverage, but have provided no details on the plan. Minister Horne has

said that the plan will be based on the failed B.C. income-based pharmacare program. Under the current program, seniors 65 and older automatically qualify for premium-free Alberta Blue Cross coverage.

“This PC government is extremely secretive. It has yet to announce any details about income thresholds or deductibles.

They need to stop causing anxiety for the people that helped build this province. Since last year’s budget was introduced, Alberta’s NDP has been calling on this government to clear the air on this program and today, we join our voice with the seniors who are asking for clarity from this government today,” said Eggen.

January 2014

High winds affect City transportation operations Motorists may experience delays as a result of high winds in Edmonton.

There are reports of some signals that are malfunctioning.

If the lights are out entirely or are flashing red in all directions, please treat the intersection as a four-way stop. If they are flashing red in one direction and yellow in the other, those with the flashing yellow lights have the right of way.

Malfunctioning traffic signals or damage to street lights should be reported to Epcor at 780-4124500.

If you see debris on a road that poses a risk or obstructs traffic, please report the location to 311 so a crew can be dispatched

to deal with it as soon as possible.

Unseasonably high temperatures are contributing to delays in the drop off and disposal of snow at the City’s snow storage sites. The warm weather softens snow and makes it difficult to move. Private contractors are asked to wait until temperatures drop before hauling more snow to storage sites.

In order to alleviate the congestion, Roadway Maintenance will be reducing the number of crews on windrow removal until conditions at the snow storage sites improve. This means that the pickup of windrows on arterial roads and collector/bus routes, as well as removal of snow from cul-de-sacs, may be delayed.

Beware of outdoor ice surfaces, warns Calgary Fire Department

by Jairus Bilo

TERABYTE BACKLOG ancillary economics with fruit to toe the old world writ I needed you more than ever to hold my grit when I learnt you equivocal refresh the back button the cache of butter I accessed through Whitmanian extense in narrow hands that carry it for fecundity

Filed by Jose “Pepito” Magpayo

With favourable temperatures forecasted this weekend, it is expected that many Calgarians will be enjoying a variety of outdoor winter activities. The Calgary Fire Department would like to remind Calgarians that ice surfaces can be very deceiving and dangerous this time of year - especially with the fluctuations in weather conditions.

"We have had several calls over the last few days of people venturing out onto unsafe ice surfaces and it is very concerning to us," said Calgary Fire Department Public Information Officer Carol Henke. "Although these calls have been concentrated to the south part of the city, we would like to remind all Calgarians that ice conditions can be quite dangerous."

Because of Calgary's changing weather conditions, the Calgary Fire Department recommends the following safety tips, particularly

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and keep your hands on the ice shelf and try to: • Control your breathing • Pull yourself up on the ice onto your stomach and roll toward shore where the ice may be thicker; and • If you can't get out of the water in less than 10 minutes, stop kicking, try to pull yourself out, and anchor yourself to the ice shelf. Continue to call for help.

If you witness someone on ice or falling through ice into the water, please stay back and call for help, call 9-1-1 and ask for the Calgary Fire Department. Encourage the person in the water to kick and pull – kick their legs while trying to pull themselves out of the water. If the person is able to get out of the water and is still on ice, tell them to roll towards the shore, not to walk.

Reach or throw an aid such as a branch, hockey stick, or rope.

To safely enjoy activities on ice, visit the City of Calgary’s Recreation arenas or have fun on one of the many outdoor rinks, which are run by the City of Calgary, volunteers or community associations. To find out more, visit www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Parks

Associate Editor

Rod Escobar Cantiveros

Associate Publisher - Alberta 246 Lindsay St. Edmonton, AB T64 2T2 email: angeles.associates@gmail.com 1-780-988-8889 or 1- 780-916-7677.

around lakes, ponds or waterways that have frozen.

• Always keep a safe distance from river banks and lake shores, especially when you can see ice in the water or around shores and banks • Do not walk on ice-covered lakes, ponds, rivers or waterways - it is difficult to assess if the ice is thick enough to hold the weight of a person or animal, so it is best to stay off.

• Keep children and pets from walking on ice-covered lakes, ponds, rivers or waterways.

• If a person or an animal falls through ice into water, call 9-11. Do not attempt to rescue them yourself.

IF you do fall through the ice and into the water, the Calgary Fire Department advises you to stay calm and keep your head out of the water. Remember to call for help

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

Noli Granado Christopher & Nikki Richter

Contributing Writers: Johnny Cantiveros Gem & Lita Anis Danilo Donor Miya Villarena Naresh Bhardwaj Jairus Bilo Thomas A. Lukaszuk

Melanie Angeles Perry Diaz Jon Salvador Lito Mendoza Velasco Jerry Caingcoy Erlinda Dolly Tan

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Pinay caregiver wins Israel’s ‘X-Factor’

Filipina immigrant worker Rose “Osang” Fostanes showed the world how, at 47 years old, one can still fulfill her dreams while toiling in a foreign land to be able to improve the life of her love ones back home. Fostanes is the current winner of the “X-Factor Israel.”

For many Israelis, the word “Filipino” has become synonymous with caregiver, and Fostanes’ success on X-Factor

could make the difference. She surprised viewers and judges alike with soulful renditions of pop songs by the likes of Lady Gaga and Christina Aguilera.

During the live finale show on Tuesday, Fostanes sang Frank Sinatra’s “My Way,” earning a standing ovation from the judges and the audience who include the Philippine Ambassador to Israel Generoso D.G. Calonge, along with Fostanes’ sister and longtime girlfriend who both watched the show live in Tel Aviv.

Fostanes came to Israel four years ago and has been working for about 20 years across the Middle East. Presently she cares for an ailing woman in Tel Aviv Her success in the Israeli talent show has been compared to the Scottish singer Susan Boyle, 52, who attained stardom in 2009 after appearing on the TV show “Britain’s Got Talent.”

Boyle is now a multi-millionselling recording artist.

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Cebuana beauty wins Miss Tourism International 2013 A 20-year-old Cebuana beauty Angeli Dione Gomez beats 59 other candidates to win the title Miss Tourism International held last New Years’s Eve, December 31, 2013, in Putrajaya, Malaysia.

Gomez is the third Filipina to be crowned Miss Tourism International from last year’s winner Rizzini Alexis Gomez and Maria Esperanza Manzano in 2000.

The other winners of the

said pageant are Miss Thailand Sunidporn Srisuwan is Miss Tourism Queen of the Year ; Miss Australia Sarah Czarnuch is Miss Tourism Metropolitan International; Miss Dominican Republic Michelle Torres bagged the Miss Tourism Global title while Miss Malaysia Thaarah Ganesan was proclaimed Miss Tourism Cosmopolitan International.

Padre de Familia starring Coco Martin, Julia Montes and Nora Aunor For the very first time, Veteran Chua, Paolo Diangson and Ms. and based on the screenplay of actress and Superstar Nora Aunor Anita Linda.

Ralston Jover, Nikki Bunquin & is set to work with Coco Martin The gigantic movie of this Jerry Gracio. and Julia Montes in the upcoming year is directed by Adolf Alix Jr. indie film, Padre de Familia.

The film is a family drama where Coco Martin will play the role of Noel as Superstar’s son in Aida’s character. Young actress Julia Montes is Pia who will have a big role in Noel’s life.

Other cast member featured in Padre de Familia aside from Coco, Julia and Nora are Rosanna Roces, Baron Geisler, Joel Torre, Joem Bascon, Miles Ocampo, Manuel

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

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January 2014

Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship re-launched on Jan. 2, 2014

Immigration News

by Columbio (Jon) Salvador, BSc.

Certified Canadian Immigration Consultant

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

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

Great news! After being suspended for two (2) years, the Parents and Grand Parents Sponsorship Program (PGSP) has been re-launched by the Canadian government effective January 2, 2014. Permanent Residents and Canadian Citizens can again sponsor their parents and grandparents to come to Canada as immigrants. There is a cap of 5,000 applications for 2014 – so interested parties should submit their applications as soon as possible, before the cap is reached... otherwise you have to wait until next year to submit your application to be processed. Listed below are changes that the government implemented effective January 2, 2014.

sponsorship undertaking period for parents and grandparents is 10 years.

The liability of the sponsors has been extended from 10 years to 20 years.

This means sponsors and co-signers (if applicable) will be responsible for repaying any provincial social assistance benefits paid to the parents and grandparents and their accompanying family members for up to 20 years. Increasing the undertaking period will insure that the sponsors – not the taxpayers – remain responsible for the welfare and health care costs of sponsored persons.

How to Apply to sponsor a Parent or Grandparent There are two (2) steps to the application process for your parent(s) or grandparent(s) to become permanent residents.

1. As a Citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada, you must apply to sponsor your family member. □ Your sponsorship application is processed by the Case Processing Centre in Mississauga (CPC-M). □ You will be notified in writing by CPC-M about the decision on your sponsorship application.

2. Using a separate set of government forms, your parent(s) and/or grandparent(s) must apply for permanent residence.

The applications for both sponsorship and permanent residence should be filled out and submitted at the same time.

Super Visa for Parents and Grandparents now a permanent program Effective January 2, 2014, the Canadian government has made the Super Visa a permanent program and will continue to provide flexibility for parents and grandparents to come quickly to Canada. The Super Visa is valid for up to ten (10) years multipleentry. The Super Visa is a Tourist Visa that allows parents and grandparents to remain in Canada up to two years at a time (renewable every 2 years).

New and stricter qualifying Over 15,000 Super Visas have been criteria for PGSP sponsorships: 1. Increased Minimum Necessary issued since its launch in December Income (MNI): The MNI has been 2011 and approval rates remain high increased by 30% to ensure that at around 86 percent. sponsors can adequately support their sponsored parents and grandparents. (NOTE: Parents and Grandparents The table below shows MNI based can initially apply for a Super Visa on the size of the family, including and come to Canada as Tourist.

Later, if they decide they want to persons being sponsored.

Size of Family Unit, including sponsored persons 2 persons 3 persons 4 persons 5 persons 6 persons 7 persons For each additional person 2. Three (3) years Proof of Income: Sponsors will be required to provide CRA proof of income documents for a three (3) year period instead of just one year. Only CRA - Notice of Assessments or Option C printouts will be accepted as proof of income.

Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) $36,636.00 $45,039.00 $54,684.00 $62,023.00 $69,950.00 $77,879.00 $7,928.00

become immigrants, their Canadian or Permanent Resident children can sponsor them under the relaunched Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program).

The maximum age of Family dependents is now 18 years old 3. Twenty (20) years Sponsorship Effective January 2, 2014, the Undertaking: The current Canadian government also changed

the maximum age of children who would be considered dependents.

The age of children considered as dependents used to be 22 years old... it will now be 18 years of age under for all immigration programs, including the Parent and Grandparent program.

Children over 18 are not considered dependents anymore. This is in line with the standard age of majority in Canada. Those over the age of 18 can apply to visit or immigrate to Canada independently. There will be an exception for individuals, regardless of age, who are financially dependent on their parents due to a mental or physical disability.

Frequently Asked Questions: Q1: Which family members may come with me to Canada when I immigrate?

A: The family members who can come with you to Canada when you immigrate include: □ your spouse or common-law partner, □ your dependent child, □ your spouse or common-law partner’s dependent child, and □ a dependent child of a dependent child.

You can sponsor your parents and grandparents after you become a Permanent Resident or a Canadian Citizen and able to meet the income requirements.

Q2: How do I pay for my application to sponsor a parent or grandparent?

A: Payment to the Receiver General for Canada will be accepted by credit card or certified cheque only. Fees that are paid in any other manner (example: on-line payments, HPMB receipt, money orders) will not be accepted and the application will be returned to the sponsor or representative, where applicable. If an application is returned and the applicant re-submits, the application will be placed in the processing queue according to the new date of submission.

Note that if a credit card is used for fee payment, it must be valid for at least nine (9) months from the date on which the application is submitted.

Q3: How do I sponsor my spouse, partner or dependent child who lives outside Canada to become a permanent resident of Canada?

A: To sponsor a spouse, commonlaw partner, conjugal partner or dependent child, you must send the required forms to the Case Processing Centre in Mississauga, Ontario. To sponsor more than one dependent child, you must use a separate application form for each child and send all the applications in the same envelope.

Q4: What makes the Parent and Grandparent Super Visitor Visa different from what is available now as a Visitor Visa or TRV (Temporary Resident Visa)?

A: Currently, visitors to Canada usually may only visit for six months at a time. Most visitors who wish to stay longer must apply for an extension, and pay a new fee, every six months. With the Parent and Grandparent Super Visitor Visa, eligible parents and grandparents

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will pay fewer fees and have some directory: certainty that they will be able to http://www.iccrc-crcic.ca/home. enjoy the company of their families cfm?setLanCookie=En in Canada for a longer period of time.

ICCRC is the new regulatory body Q5: Is the Parent and Grandparent for licensed Canadian Immigration Super Visitor Visa a multiple entry Consultants. ICCRC replaced CSIC visa? What’s the difference between (Canadian Society of Immigration the Super Visa and the 10- year Consultants) when Bill C-35 was multiple entry Visa? enacted as law effective June 30, A: Yes, the Super Visa is a multi- 2011. ICCRC is now responsible for entry visa that will provide multiple regulating the activities of licensed entries for a period up to ten years. Canadian Immigration Consultants However, a person can also apply who are members and who provide for a single entry visa, if they wish immigration advice for a fee or other (this option is not recommended). considerations.

The key difference is that the Super Visa will have status periods for each Stiff penalties are now in effect entry that last up to two years, while for persons without a license who the 10-year multiple entry visa provide immigration advice for a status period for each entry is only fee (ie. up to $100,000 fine and/or six months. The Visitor is allowed 2 years in jail). Starting June 30, to stay is longer without the need to 2011, only licensed immigration renew visa every 6 months. consultants, licensed Canadian lawyers and paralegals in Ontario Q6: If parents and grandparents are who are members of the Ontario Law already in Canada and their Visitor Society can charge a fee to process Visa will expire soon, what should and handle Labour Market Opinions they do? Will they be eligible to (LMOs) applications, Work apply for the new Super Visitor Visa Permits, Permanent Resident (PR) from within Canada? applications, Family Sponsorship A: No, they cannot apply from within applications and any other services Canada for the new multiple-entry involving immigration.

Super Visitor Visa. The application must be done outside Canada at NOTE: If the person is not listed a Visa office. This does not mean in the ICCRC website member’s that the parents have to go home to directory then chances are the person their home country to apply... they is NOT a licensed immigration just have to submit their application consultant and should be reported to outside Canada while maintaining ICCRC for illegal activities. Beware their legal status in Canada. They can of consultants who offer you no GST also apply for an extension of their and does not want to issue payment visitor status, of up to two years, by receipts. submitting an application to the Case Processing Centre in Vegreville, Q9: Where should I report “fake Alberta, so long as they meet all consultants” providing advice or eligibility the criteria. processing immigration related documents like LMOs, Work Q7: What happens if a parent Permits, PR applications, etc. or grandparent (PGP) with a without a license? sponsorship application already submitted decides that they would A: Fake consultants charging fees prefer to visit Canada up to 2 years and practicing without a license instead of immigrating and not after June 30, 2011 can be reported becoming a Permanent Resident? to the Immigration Consultants Can they cancel their PR application of Canada Regulatory Council and apply for a Super Visitor Visa (ICCRC) for investigation. ICCRC instead? Will they be refunded the has hired several ex-RCMP staff fees paid already? to conduct the investigations.

A: PGSP sponsorship applications Documentary evidence (ie. proof of can be withdrawn at any time. illegal activities) such as: samples Whether a full or partial refund will of advertising materials, sample be given is determined by the stage flyers, promo materials, letters, at which the application is at in the documents, copies of contracts, queue. If processing has started, only receipts of payments made, video of a portion of your payment may be illegal transactions, etc. should be refunded. If, however, processing has collected and provided to support the not started on your application, a full allegations of illegal activities. refund will be given. Please allow up to 16 weeks for the delivery of your You can report suspected illegal refund. immigration consultant activities to ICCRC at: (NOTE: This decision should be Tel: 1-877-836-7543 (toll-free) or seriously considered. There is a Fax: 1-877-315-9868 (toll-free) or big difference between the rights Email: alert@iccrc-crcic.ca and benefits enjoyed by Canadian permanent residents compared to Legal Disclaimer: Visitors. Visitors are not entitled to This news article is designed for Canada pension, medical coverage, general information only. The Canadian passport, etc.) information presented in this article should not be construed to be formal Q8: How do I check, if the legal advice or the formation of a “consultant” with whom I am consultant/client relationship. Each dealing with and paying a fee is a individual situation is different and licensed immigration consultant? people should seek proper advice on A: Licensed immigration consultants their specific cases with a licensed are listed in the Immigration immigration consultant of their Consultants of Canada Regulatory choice.

Council (ICCRC) website members’

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January 2014

11

The pulse of the Filipino Community in Alberta, Canada

Hoping for gentler year 2014

The Republic of Adobo

by Rod

Cantiveros

rod@filipinojournal.com

W

ith the images of devastation left by the super typhoon Haiyan; with the tired faces of children who lined up for relief food; with the silent cries of people who lost their relatives during the storm surge, year 2013 has a cluster of unthinkable memories which linger even today, albeit the of thousand kilometres between Canada and the Central Philippines.

To our Canadians friends, the horrors of this tropical storm had become the rallying cries to offer their helps: in cash or in kinds. And to the thousands of Filipino Canadians,the feeling of desperation for not contacting their relatives who would have perished or became homeless; for making a contact point where the money would be sent for immediate purchase of food, water and medical needs had become frustratingly concerned. It took few

days to restore sporadic contacts, but the toll was heavy and as if it were a nightmare!

The storm aftermath is unthinkable, beyond our rationality; beyond our comprehension and with this what happened in the latter part of the year, to be exact, November 8, 2013, would the 2014 be a gentler year for our kababayans in the Philippines.especially in the Central Philippines where many had become homeless, fatherless, motherless; where the farmers lost their livelihoods; where the fishermen lost their fishing boats.

Typhoon Haiyan known as Yolanda in the Philippines set a remarkable record: the first super typhoon ever hit the earth! With billion of pesos lost of properties; and more than 6,000 Filipinos left dead and still missing, but beyond this panorama of helplessness, of wantedness, of nature-made desolation, people around the world were stunned and religiously moved by the images of destruction and death, and with spontaneous reactions were to help the typhoon victims. Never in my active and creative to face people and to answer the call: asking where to bring their donations.Yes, Haiyan has become the catalyst to open our heats and our wallets.

More than 43 governments had offered help; more than million of volunteers have offered their time and their skill: the devastated

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site had become the melodrama of survival, of helping others without any reward.

In Canada alone, especially the Federal Government under Prime Minister Stephen Harper had offered so much to help the typhoon victims. Not only to match dollar for dollar on money donation, Canadian government committed over $20 million in humanitarian assistance and implementing compassionate immigration measures. Added to these humanitarian actions, the government deployed the DART in the provinces of Iloilo and Capiz on Panay Island where over 300 Canadian Armed Forces members were clearing roads and providing health support and clean water.

And the various Filipino Canadian associations and organizations, in Edmonton and in Calgary and the neighbouring cities and towns, became one single force to help, as if the actions were symphonic motions to raise money for their kababayans. And each one had so much to pray that this kind of devastation would not happen again.

Expecting a gentler 2014, each one of us has all the prayers and hopes that this year is a year of reconstruction and rehabilitation in Central Philippines, and a year for those victims to have happy lives.

And we want to hear the dada cries of newborn babies; we want

to see the smile of the children as they play with their friends. And the farmers to have new crops; the fishermen to have new boats; and the families to have new houses; and to the politicians to focus on helping their constituents.

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Ah, the warm salty tropical wind keeps someone aware of nature's gift of life; of death!

For the nature gives; the nature takes!

And from heavens, a gentler 2014!

Photos by Erwin T. Lim | Cebu City

12

The pulse of the Filipino Community in Alberta, Canada

January 2014

Journey to Philippines Set Off to a Good Start

by Jun Angeles

O

ur family is truly blessed to come back again and visit Philippines. This time as a family, we are travelling on different dates. Hermie and I have flown early. The rest of the family will follow suit. My eldest son Mike will be travelling with his wife Katie and their two young children Aylah and Aaliyah with a group of Karilagan dancers, while my son Mark and daughter Melanie and a friend will be on a different date. This is going to be a journey of significant events happening along the way. There are several festivals that are going on in the Philippines but opted to go to Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City on January 23 to 26 where the Karilagan Dance Society troupe will compete in a cultural dance competition. Luckily my five year old grand daughter Aylah was chosen to dance and participate in the competition. After a long flight from Edmonton to Manila my wife and I arrived safely at PAL Terminal 2 early morning of January 6, 2014. We left Edmonton January 4, 2014. We lost a day but for sure will gain it back again on our return.

January 9 is the Feast of the Black Nazarene of Quiapo and the city of Manila is preparing for this mammoth religious event that is held every year at this time of the year. For the millions of devotees this is the time to venerate the Black Nazarene, a life sized iconic image of Jesus Christ carrying the cross to Calvary Hill. According to historian the image is sculpted from pure ivory and was burned during a ship expedition in the first decade of 1600. But legend and mystery shroud the image of the Black Nazarene. The Black Nazarene's millions of devotees came from all over the world to venerate, perhaps to thank for the all the blessings and all requests granted, for the miracles that happened in their lives with their strong faith and devotion to the

Black Nazarene. In 2014, former President Joseph Estrada and now the new mayor of Manila declared January 9 a special non - working holiday due the congestion and impassibility of the main thoroughfares.

My wife has always been a devotee of Black Nazarene.

She always carries with her the handkerchief she bought in Quiapo but has been wishing to get close and to touch the foot of the real image of the Black Nazarene.

She wanted to rub that kerchief to the foot of the image but failed a lot of times. The following day after arriving from the trip it was announced by ABS-CBN Atom Araullo on the early TV Patrol announcement that the image has been transported at Quirino grandstand in Luneta and will be open for veneration for couple of hours. Right away we jumped off our bed took a cab although it’s just a walking distance from our condo and proceeded to Quirino Grandstand. I carried my Nikon camera with me which has a media tag and finally saw a few line ups. The guard let people in by 10 to go to the backstage of the grandstand. The statue if Nazareno was separated by a board where the was a hole so that you can insert your hand and touch the foot of the Nazarene, The foot of the cross was also protruding so you can touch the cross. When the guard saw my media tag, he let me in to freely roam the grandstand along with the other media people. I was able to interview Atom Araullo, I considered one of the best TV journalist announcers of ABSCBN. His heroic reporting of typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban cemented my admiration to this young talented announcer.

There was calmness and peace at the grandstand. People just whispered except for the voices of the announcers, there was an aura of holiness and mystic. The

image of Jesus summed up the passions and sufferings He had gone through. We were able to venerate and touched the foot of the image. My wife was able to rub her Nazarene kerchief to the foot of the real Nazarene.

For us, it was a miracle itself that we were able to touch the image. It was moment of magical blessings that we will never forget and will cherish forever. Our journey in the Philippines is set off to a right start and may our request for a safe and happy journey for our family be granted.

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The pulse of the Filipino Community in Alberta, Canada

January 2014

13

More cars, more tech and more driving in 2014

My Ride

by Ron

Cantiveros

ron@filipinojournal.com

I

t's the start of the new year and when it comes to the auto industry, in a few weeks, I'll be seeing the future when auto manufacturers announce their 2015 line of vehicles at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.

Being a year older and a bit wiser, I have a game plan for the Detroit Auto Show. Last year's trial by fire was overwhelming.

My game plan is to focus on the cars, trucks, mini-vans and SUVs that will make it to the streets of Winnipeg. I might still ogle at the Bentley, Porsche and Masaratis.

The amount of technology that goes into a vehicle is downright mind boggling. Everything in cars today is controlled or monitored by computers. Reading up on the technological advancements

in the media fleet vehicles can easily dominate the weekly car review process. At the end of the day, sometimes the only thing consumers want to know is that by pressing a green "ECO" button saves them fuel and money.

The 2014 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) opened in Las Vegas earlier this year and prior to publishing, we're already seeing automotive related technology announcements. As CES 2014 draws to a close in Las Vegas, I'll be in Detroit so see where all that technology fits into the production cars we will see later this year.

There are so many advancements and amazingly cool technology announcements in the auto industry. Take for example, the newly announced Samsung Galaxy Gear with BMW i Remote App. It might be the closest thing to driving our cars like James Bond with our watch. It almost makes me want to buy a BMW i3 and hope the dealer throws in the watch as a bonus!

Stay tuned for more exciting announcements from CES and NAIAS on the Filipino Journal Facebook Page, and the next issue of the Filipino Journal. Until then, buckle up, drive safe and happy travels!

Honda to debut all-new 2015 Fit at North American International Auto Show.

The 2015 Corvette Z06 and the all-new C7.R represent the next evolution in the Corvette Stingray, the industry’s most awarded car in 2013. Continuing the momentum, the reveal of the Z06 and the C7.R will be live streamed on Monday, January 13 during the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Samsung Galaxy Gear with BMW i Remote App.

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The pulse of the Filipino Community in Alberta, Canada

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January 2014

January 2014

The pulse of the Filipino Community in Alberta, Canada

15

Gilmore Junio: A Filipino Olympics Hopeful in Canada

by: Jerry Caingcoy

A

gain and again, we’ve heard stories of Filipino achievers abroad. They’re truly inspirational but here’s one Filipino achiever who has broken the barriers on a league uncommon to every Filipino. It is a “man bites a dog” kind of story. Thus is the case of Gilmore Junio. He is a Filipino superstar on ice. Yes on ice! He is not just an ordinary ice skater but a SPEED SKATER. If Husain Bolt is the fastest runner on earth, Gilmore could be the fastest 500 m or 1000 m Speed Skater on earth! How could that happen?

Gilmore Junio is a 23 yearold long track speed skating athlete born to Filipino immigrant parents who immigrated to Canada in the seventies. Although, he was born and raised in Calgary, he is proud of his Filipino heritage. His father, Gino Junio, who hails originally from Bacolod immigrated to Canada at the age of twenty-four through a job acceptance program. He worked as a machine operator in Winnipeg but eventually moved to Calgary to find a greener pasture. Gino Junio was a manager when he retired.

He is married to Julie Tantay, a native of Pangasinan who has been working for 25 years as a reservoir technologist for a progressive oil and gas company. Gino and Julie have three children - two boys and a girl. Gilmore is the youngest in the family. His older brother is a hockey player.

“I can’t even skate but my two sons love to skate so I put them on skating classes and hockey training camps. I made sure I was always with them in every game and travelled with them everywhere while my wife stays at home to take care of our household. That seemed to work for us but we’ve always been singleminded in supporting our children in whatever they love to do- and that’s skating.” Gino Junio confided.

Gilmore Junio started playing hockey at a very young age. Despite his typical Filipino built – slim and doesn’t look bulky, he is considered as one of the quickest player amongst his counterparts.

“I love to skate, it’s always fun!

That’s why I love the sport! Growing up in school I was already into a lot of physical activities. I was neither the tallest nor the strongest but due to my ability to move quickly, I’ve always had a way to get around in any sports.” Gilmore Junio said Due to a stroke of fate, he changed gears to become a speed skater with the unwavering support of his family as the backbone of his relentless pursuit to be a worldrenowned speed skater that he has become today.

“I saw an ad on TV for a speed skating camp so I decided to enroll

Jerry Caingcoy one-on-one interview with Gilmore Junio.

Gilmore to see if he likes to shift to speed skating considering that his hockey counterparts are bigger than him. But I did not totally pull him out of hockey. For a time he was doing both but one of the coaches told me that Gilmore is an excellent skater and would be a great fit for his size and speed to pursue it. That is all how his speed skating career started.” Gilmore’s father said.

It could be a father’s instinct or his destiny but Gilmore Junio became one of the promising short track speed skaters in his team. He befittingly earned the accolade of being Alberta’s Junior Athlete of the Year for his sterling speed skating accomplishments in 2010.

“Our support for our children was all the way! Although hockey and speed skating are very expensive sports, we did not stop supporting them. We sacrificed going for holidays and attending parties to focus on our children. We drove around Canada, flown from the east coast to the west coast and travelled to other countries for trainings and competitions. Now, we can’t believe Gilmore is going to Olympics.”, Gino Junio confided.

Being in such a very physical and competitive sport, one wrong move could result to a fatal accident.

Gilmore is not immune to that!

During a training race in preparation for the 2010 Junior World Championships in Taipei, China, he suffered an almost crippling back injury that put his illustrious short track speed skating career to an abrupt halt. Despite the unfortunate setback that could have altered not only his sports career but his whole life, he vowed a comeback even while he was in his stretcher and going through the painful recovery process. True to his promise, he regained his prominence this time in the long track speed skating field.

"Coming back from that injury and achieving what I did that season will be one of my greatest achievements. I was so close to quitting but to hold on my dream and accomplish it makes it so much sweeter." Gilmore Junio said.

He recently had a trip to the podium at the World Cup speed skating competition in Salt Lake City, Utah last November 15, 2013 bagging the most coveted first place finish - his second career World cup medal but first World Cup gold medal in the 500 m event. He was tied with Japan’s Joji Kato for the first place finish. It was a welldeserved win. He won his first World Cup medal: silver in Nagano, Japan on December 9, 2012.

With his continued dominance in various national and international competitions and due to his recordbreaking performances, he now has

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a humungous chance of being a first time member of the elite Canadian Olympic speed skating team. He was ranked in the top 10 in the men’s 500 m last year and is touted to be one of Calgary’s Winter Olympic hopefuls in 500 m and 1000 m.

"To go to the Games is a dream come true. I had a taste of what it feels like to stand on top of the podium on the world stage so to replicate that at the Olympics would be incredible!" Gilmore Junio said.

He is finishing a degree in Kinesiology at the University of Calgary. When he is not in school more on page 17 ►

Gilmore Junio at the podium when he won his first World Cup race at Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A. Photo: supplied by Gilmore.

Gilmore Junio in his winning form during the World Cup 2012-2013 season in Calgary.

Photo: supplied by Gilmore.

Mercan Recruit Ltd. Mercan has successfully brought 25,000 individuals to Canada Since 1989 and assisted them in obtaining permanent residency.

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The pulse of the Filipino Community in Alberta, Canada

February 2013

January 2013

The Stunning Resignation of Pope Benedict XVI

Calgary’s Peace Bridge receives another major recognition

March 2013

Karilagan’s “An Enchanted Evening” and 16th Hiyas (GEM) Awards

January 2014

April 2013

First Historic Feast Day of Saint Pedro Calungsod Commemorates

May 2013

Oh, Inang bayan: kawawa ka naman!

More on popularity contest: family dynasties and entertainment personalities rule 2013 elections! Commemorates Newly-elected Senators Grace Poe, Loren Legarda, Chiz Escudero, Alan Peter Cayetano, Nancy Binay, Edgardo Angara, Benigno Bam Aquino, Koko Pimentel, Antonio Trillanes IV (were not able to show up during the proclamation), Cynthia Villar, JV Ejercito Estrada and Gringo Honasan raise their arms after being proclaimed by the Commission on Elections at the Philippine International Convention Center.

June 2013

115th Philippine Independence Day Celebration hosted by CAFFA The Calgary Filipino Lions Club rendered ‘Ako Ay Pilipino’ number

July 2013

New immigration option for foreign workers in Alberta (L-R) Matt Jeneroux, MLA for Edmonton-South West; Naresh Bhardwaj, MLA for Edmonton-Ellerslie; Sohail Quadri, MLA for Edmonton-Mill Woods joined Deputy Premier Thomas Lukaszuk, Finance Minister Doug Horner, and Brady Whittaker, president and CEO of the Alberta Forest Products Association at AINP announcement of new Alberta Work Experience Category that allows temporary foreign workers to apply to nominate themselves for permanent residency.

September 2013

Amba with the Alberta Filipino Journal Team

L-R: Jun Angeles - Alberta Filipino Journal Publisher; H.E. Leslie B. Gatan-Philippine Ambassador to Canada; Mrs. Debbie Miares Gatan-Ambassador’s lovely wife; Cecille Magpayo - Executive Producer TV PILIPINO; Hermie Angeles and Jose “Pepito” Magpayo-Alberta Filipino Journal Editor.

December 2013

Philippines bet bags Miss International 2013 crown

October 2013

Magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck Visayas faces housing shortage

August 2013

Karilagan Dance Society Receives Award for Second Best in Entertainment at Heritage Festival

November 2013

Alberta Legislature approved $500,000 aid to Typhoon Yolanda's victims

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January 2014

The pulse of the Filipino Community in Alberta, Canada

Calgary joins the likes of Copenhagen, Melbourne, Vienna and Minneapolis to release its first Bicycle Program Yearbook The Bicycle Program 2013 Yearbook measures Calgary’s progress towards improving conditions for cycling and monitoring The City’s Cycling Strategy. By tracking numbers, providing descriptions and offering the most recent and historic cycling information, this Yearbook becomes the tool to monitor the City’s ongoing commitment to making Calgary a bicycle-friendly community.

“By releasing this Bicycle Program 2013 Yearbook, we are moving forward our municipal efforts to monitor cycling progress,” says, Don Mulligan, Director of Transportation Planning.

Through the Bicycle Program 2013 Yearbook, Calgary joins the likes of Copenhagen, Melbourne, Vienna and Minneapolis to begin monitoring cycling data, cycling improvements and safety and education initiatives. Copenhagen was the first city to release a yearbook-style publication called a bicycle account in 1996. Since then only a handful of other cities worldwide have followed suit.

“In one comprehensive document, Calgarians have trackable

measurements at their fingertips, allowing them to fully understand how The City is improving conditions for cycling,” Mulligan commented.

Notable highlights from Bicycle Program 2013 Yearbook include: • The total number of bicycle trips in downtown Calgary increased 26 per cent between 2006 to 2013.

• Bow River pathway just west of 11 Street S.W. is the busiest downtown location for cycling.

• Bow River pathway at Crowchild Trail S.W. is the busiest cycling location outside of downtown.

• 29 Street N.W. at Foothills Hospital has the highest percentage of female cyclists.

• 86 per cent of cyclists wear helmets.

• Two months after the 7 Street S.W. Cycle Track opened, bike trips increased 430% from the year before. 1,160 daily bicycle trips were recorded – making this Calgary’s busiest on-street bikeway.

• To meet 2020 City of Calgary targets for other bike lanes and cycle tracks, The City will need to install an average of 5 km of cycle tracks

and 20 km of bike lanes per year.

• The collision rate over the last decade has decreased, while the number of cyclists has increased.

The Bicycle Program 2013 Yearbook is available on The City’s website atcalgary.ca/bikeyearbook.

About the Bicycle Program As part of the Cycling Strategy and the Calgary Transportation Plan to provide Calgarians better transportation choices, the Bicycle Program was formally established in 2012 to help make Calgary a bicycle-friendly community.

The Bicycle Program operates within the Transportation department and aims to: • Plan, design and build on-street bikeways • Identify and remove barriers to cycling • Educate and encourage cycling • Increase the supply of bicycle parking • Coordinate with other City departments and community organizations to improve cycling Public Inquiries To: Telephone: 311 calgary.ca/bikeyearbook

City measures progress towards 60-year vision Filed by Jose “Pepito” Magpayo

The population in Calgary’s older neighbourhoods is starting to grow again and Calgary is 10 per cent denser, according to a report by The City of Calgary. The report is the first monitoring report released on the progress being made towards the 60-year goals outlined in the Municipal Development Plan and Calgary Transportation Plan.

There are 14 indicators used in the report to track The City’s progress towards the vision for Calgary that was shaped through the PlanIt Calgary process five years ago. Of these, eight indicators have shown that The City is moving in the right direction, three have not changed since they were last measured and three have moved farther away from the goals of the Municipal Development Plan and Calgary Transportation Plan.

“We have made some good progress on important aspects of how we plan new communities over the last few years,” said Michele Broadhurst, Manager of City Wide Planning & Design in the Planning, Development &

Assessment department. “New communities are denser and have a better mix of development so that people can live and work in the same neighbourhood, and can also have their daily needs met closer to home.”

Another area where the report shows good progress is transit access. The Municipal Development Plan and Calgary Transportation Plan have identified major transit routes across the city where frequent and rapid transit options will be available. The City’s goal is to have 67 per cent of Calgarians living within 400 metres of this network, and the report shows that Calgary is already over halfway there.

“It is important that we give Calgarians multiple options for getting around without needing to use cars,” said Chris Blaschuk, Manager of Transportation Strategy in the Transportation department.

“The better access people have to transit, the more likely they are to see it as a good alternative to driving.”

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The report also identified some areas where improvement is needed if Calgary is going to realize its 60year vision. The car is still the most popular way of getting around and auto use has actually increased as a percentage of all transportation options used. The percentage of Calgary covered by hard surfaces has also increased, which can have an impact on the health of our waterways.

It is important to note that while this report is a good first picture of The City’s progress, many of the things the Municipal Development Plan and Calgary Transportation Plan aim to change take several years to actually show.

Since the gap between when new development is planned and when it is fully built is often several years, most of the trends shown in the 2013 Monitoring Report are actually the result of decisions made before the Municipal Development Plan and Calgary Transportation Plan were complete.

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from page 15

Gilmore Junio: A Filipino Olympics Hopeful in Canada his life revolves around training and competing within Canada, Europe and other parts of the globe. At the 2010 Canadian Junior Championships, he won a silver medal in the 1000 m and bronze in the 500 m. He also bagged several medals when he competed in three international senior season competitions including fifteen World Cups. At his first trial races in the 2009-2010 World Cup, he placed third and fifth in two 500 m races and sixth in the 1000 m.

Seeking support from the Filipino community Not every day you get the chance to be in close proximity with a young, bemedalled, highly successful athlete, more so a 100% Filipino making waves in winter sports not only in Canada but in the whole world. His presence in the room did not elicit as much reaction until he was acknowledged to stand and speak before the members of the Calgary Filipino Lions Club.

As he began to introduce himself, he minced no words in expressing how proud he was as a Filipino.

He gladly shared his outstanding accomplishments, yet humble and down to earth enough to seek financial support in whatever amount in preparation for his next competition. To that, he was assured of the club’s full support which is known for supporting and training young Filipino leaders and achievers.

“I am proud to be a Filipino and at the same time honored to represent Canada. I would be grateful if you can support me in whatever way you can. My parents has been supporting me financially from the very beginning even until now but lately, I started getting sponsors for me to be able to maintain in shape and stay in training for bigger competitions”, Gilmore Junio said.

Currently, aside from his Canadian sponsors, he successfully convinced the biggest telecommunications network in the Philippines, The Philippine Long Distance Telecommunication (PLDT) company as one of his major sponsors for the 2014 season owing to his laudable achievement as a world-class Filipino athlete. He attributes PLDT’s support as a big morale booster to his speed skating career especially in preparation for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

He will be leaving for Sochi, Russia on January 25, 2014 to compete at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics on February 7 - 23, 2014.

Let us cheer and support Gilmore Junio as he attempts to clinch his

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first Olympic medal not only for Canada but for the Filipinos all over the world.

A Filipino pride and inspiration, a beacon of hope We’ve seen and heard the news in the Philippines but while we recently had a winning streak in the international beauty pageants and the most awaited and timely comeback win of boxing superstar, Manny Pacquiao, there seems to be always a string of challenges that continue to besiege our beloved country: from the multibillion pork barrel scam to the massive devastation of Typhoon Haiyan which was recognized as the most powerful typhoon ever recorded on earth leaving thousands of people dead and billions of losses to infrastructure and agriculture and to the present long and arduous recovery efforts and rebuilding of the lives of millions of people displaced by the typhoon. Behind these maladies, nothing could be more encouraging than the spirit of resiliency of Filipinos in rising up from the rubbles and standing back on its feet regardless of whatever happened and what the future holds for every Filipino.

Gilmore Junio dreams of winning at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics not only to represent Canada but to show to the world what Filipinos are made of. It is also his hope that he will be able to provide a source of inspiration to every Filipino to be the best that they can be and to be a beacon of hope to those who need strength and courage in the midst of difficulties especially those who were massively affected by the recent monstrous typhoon.

"Despite the typhoon, I hope Filipinos can find some hope and joy through watching myself and the other Filipinos who are participating in the Olympics." Gilmore Junio said.

Philippines at the Olympics According to Wikipedia, the Philippines first sent athletes to compete at the Olympic Games in 1924, making it the first country to compete and win a medal from Southeast Asia. The nation has competed at every Summer Olympic Games since then, except when they participated in the Americanled boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics. Filipino athletes have also competed at the Winter Olympic Games on three different occasions since 1972, but not since 1994. The Philippines is the first nation from the tropics to ever participate in the Winter Olympic Games.

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The pulse of the Filipino Community in Alberta, Canada

January 2014

Horoscope January 2014 will be a time when Aries can achieve remarkable accomplishments. . Just work and do not pay attention to those that are perhaps jealous of you and want to annoy you. In the end, as you might have guessed, there are limitless opportunities open for personal and career growth.

You need pay more attention and be careful with money and anything that related to your financial. You also should not make any financial investment decision if you don’t know about them. In love, you will get more fun because you will get the sincere feelings from one person.

You are a good man. You always know what is best for people around you. But Libra January 2014 horoscope said that, in this month, you should not try to force other people to follow your way just because you think it is better for them.

You are intent on pushing forward in your career and professional status. Conflicts with those in authority are possible now. You may pour more energy into self-promotion or business/career activities. The desires and ambitions along these lines are unusually pressing.

Slight improvement on the financial plane, but continue to be prudent in your expenses. Don’t believe yourself to be a special victim of destiny; be grateful for what life has given to you. Remember that a balanced and wholesome diet will help you to avoid the small digestive and intestinal problems that you’re wont to experience; a relaxed atmosphere would be advisable.

January 2014 is the time for you to get some importance lesson learns for your life. You also lose your focus on your work and easy to be neglected in your studying. At the end of January 2014, you should pay more attention to your family.

You should take more time to exercise and implement it resolutely and regularly because in this month you need to improve your current health’s situation. You can join to any class of favorite sport like swimming, badminton, yoga or even dancing. But there one thing that you have to remember: never give up.

Aquarius January 2014 horoscope predicts that you will have to make some difficult choices that can affect to your future and career in future. The best advice for you is to listen to your heart while receiving comments from others like family and friends but your premonition will give you a wise decision.

January will be a truly difficult time for your love life, a time of real tests or undue hardships – the precise nature of which will be determined by how you yourself are going to treat this issue.

Virgo January 2014 horoscope said that you should take a few days to look back and feel proud of yourself about what you had done in previous year before you make a plan for this year to get more confidence for everything you will do.

There are 2 keywords for you in this month: fake and benefit.

More detail, there is one thing that you really expect for a long time ago, and now you will have a chance to reach it.

But unfortunately, to achieve your dream, you have to do something that can make you feel regret later.

The best advice for you is to listen to your heart while receiving comments from others like family and friends but your premonition will give you a wise decision. You have a great ambition to realize your dream. That’s fine. But it will be better if you write down all of your desires into a diary and you must to implement day by day.

PAHALANG 1 Butinting 7 Hilahod 11 Igiit 12 Beating: Tagalog 13 Nagiimbestiga 14 Termite: Tagalog 15 Hikayat 16 Matakaw 18 Local Area Network 19 Watch secretly 20 Pinto: Artista 21 Ituro ng Bibig

PABABA 23 Kabisera ng Camarines Sur 24 Monthly Sales 25 Diligin: Ingles 26 Kontinente 29 Hatol 32 Binababalaan 34 Busabos 35 Tapos 36 Pangalang Babae 37 Bulong

1 Pinutol

22 Humahamak

2 Salakayin

23 Ubaya

3

25 Raw

Arte o larangan

4 Imbargo

26 Santos, Jose

5

27 Pain

Daldal pag inulit

6 Idamdam

28 Luto ng sinaing

7

Prutas na

29 unod

gingawang Alak

30 Tiklop

8 Tinutubuan 9 Hanggahang-lungsod

31 Halamang pampasarap sa ulam

10 Ginikan

33 Dala ng kamay

17 Pandiwa

kapag inulit

19 Social Security System

Volunteer Photographers Wanted

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

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

Here is the puzzle. Good luck!

2 1 6

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

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

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

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

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

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

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5 8 2 5 4 6 8 9 5 7 4

9 7 6 9 1 5 4 3 2 6 6 4 Daily Sudoku: Thu 27-Sep-2012

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Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer & Fort McMurray

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

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January 2014

19

The pulse of the Filipino Community in Alberta, Canada

What price sovereignty?

PEREZCOPE

by Perry

Diaz

PerryDiaz@gmail.com

O

ne of the most misunderstood words in Philippine vocabulary today is “sovereignty.”

Just mention “sovereignty” to some Filipinos and it would set them off into attacking their favorite whipping boy, the United States.

Indeed, many Filipinos – who call themselves “nationalists” – are zealously protective of Philippine sovereignty that when U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry visited the victims of Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda in Tacloban last December, they protested his visit and accused him of exploiting and violating our country’s sovereignty. That after what the U.S. had done for the typhoon victims?

Give me a break.

With all the brouhaha over Philippine sovereignty, the question comes to mind: what exactly is sovereignty? The Free Dictionary defines sovereignty as: (1) Supremacy of authority or rule as exercised by

a sovereign or sovereign state; (2) Royal rank, authority, or power; (3) Complete independence and selfgovernment; (4) A territory existing as an independent state. Well, based on this definition, I am convinced that the Philippines is a sovereign, independent, and self-governing state.

So what then is this hullabaloo all about?

The question of Philippine sovereignty has been debated over and over again since 1991 when the Philippine Senate voted to reject the retention of American bases.

The nationalists were convinced then that the Philippines didn’t need the protection of the U.S. against foreign invasion.

They asserted that continued presence of American bases was an affront to Philippine sovereignty. However, they didn’t demand for the rescission of the U.S.Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), which obligated the U.S. to defend Philippine territory in the event of foreign invasion. It’s like them saying, “We don’t want you around but we expect you to defend us if we were invaded.” Indeed, it’s a love-hate relationship that is nurtured to this day.

Panganiban Reef But two years after the U.S. bases were closed in 1992, China seized the Panganiban Reef (Mischief Reef) in the middle of the night. And the Philippine Armed Forces couldn’t do anything to take it back.

As an afterthought to the Senate’s folly of booting out the Americans

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from Philippine soil, which left the Philippines at the mercy of a foreign country who’d use force to nibble at our territory, the U.S. and the Philippines signed a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). According to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, the VFA states that US forces in the Philippines have to follow Philippine law and have to adhere to behavior that is consistent with Philippine law. The Senate ratified it on May 27, 1999, which makes one wonder how the senators who voted to remove the U.S. bases in 1991 voted this time around? But once again the nationalists went up in arms claiming that VFA violates the Philippine constitution.

But the nationalists had backed off when China took possession of Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal) in August 2012. China then roped off the narrow and only opening to the shoal’s lagoon; thus, preventing Filipino fishermen from getting in.

Fishing rules Last year, China sent several warships to accompany about 30 Chinese fishing boats to the Ayungin Reef, which is only 21 nautical miles from Panganiban Reef and only 100 nautical miles from Palawan.

Fortunately, a detachment of six Philippine marines was stationed on an old naval vessel, the BRP Sierra Madre, that lay aground at Ayungin. It discouraged the Chinese from taking possession of Ayungin.

But that all changed on January 1, 2014 when China imposed

restrictive fishing rules within the area of South China Sea she claimed as her territory. Several days later, a Chinese news network reported that China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) was planning to seize the Pag-asa Island in the Spratly archipelago this year.

Although China did not officially confirm the news report, it sent jitters to her neighbors particularly the Philippines and Vietnam.

The question is: In the event of a Chinese invasion, could the Philippines defend and protect her sovereignty and territory?

With two refurbished Coast Guard cutters purchased from the U.S., and no other warships in her navy and no warplanes in her air force, the Philippines is utterly defenseless and incapable of protecting her sovereignty.

Talks on hold Just a few days ago, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, in a display of bravado, reportedly said that the Philippines would defy China’s new fishing rules. He said that the navy would escort the fishing boats if needed. “We still have the capability to secure them,” he said. “There is really a need to show force because China has been very aggressive lately.” “Show force?” Really?

With the negotiation on the increased presence of American troops on Philippine soil on hold right now, what does Gazmin have in mind what “force” to show the Chinese?

And why is the negotiation with the U.S. on hold? While Philippine officials wouldn’t say the reason for

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the suspension of the negotiation, the media reported that the suspension was due mainly to the Philippines’ insistence that she should have access to these American bases. But the U.S. wouldn’t agree to it; thus, the impasse.

Otherwise, the agreement would have been signed last December.

Sovereignty dilemma Time is of the essence. The longer that an agreement cannot be reached, the more vulnerable the Philippines becomes. Honestly, I don’t see any strategic value to giving the Philippines access to U.S. bases.

The only conceivable reason why the Philippines wants to have access to U.S. bases is to “preserve” her sovereignty and territorial integrity.

But we should be reminded that the U.S. offered to provide military presence in response to the Philippine government’s request for assistance.

And just when an agreement was about to be reached, the Philippines threw a monkey wrench on the bilateral talks because of the issue of sovereignty.

And this brings to mind the question: what price sovereignty?

Would the Philippines disallow American military presence needed to protect the sovereignty that we hold so dearly? But without U.S. presence, our sovereignty would be exposed to Chinese imperialistic advances.

It’s a dilemma that the Philippines has to grapple with. Simply put, the Philippines cannot have it both ways.

Sometimes you got to give a little to gain strategic advantage. That’s geopolitics.

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The pulse of the Filipino Community in Alberta, Canada

January 2014

Year-End, the end that never ends.

New Year, the start that never lasts. my writing prowess. Kuya Jun, thanks for doing so. Those were great and fulfilling education on my part. Truly, those were the lessons I learned in the past.

Lesson-Driven Reflections Lito Mendoza Velasco Lito Velasco, Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy A homoviator, a catalyst of change. He moves in the light of his Philosophical, Political and Theological backgrounds. He loves challenges and believes he learns and improves his critical thinking from those challenges.

T

here is always a reason behind these two vague statements. Whichever is true between them, try to learn their lessons. The teacher needs to plan the lessons in order to pass the knowledge onto his students.

The student has to study the lessons so he can pass the tests.

People in general have to be hurt or defeated in order to learn the lessons. But, no matter what we have been through, lessons should be learned.

What have I learned from my past?

Almost two year have gone away since I started contributing the pieces of my SocioPhilosophical and Theological reflections with the Alberta Filipino Journal. Years filled with excitements and cramming experiences. Especially when Mr. Jun Angeles, The Publisher of the said newspaper, sent me a last minute notice telling that my article had to be submitted on the following day. Huh, what a challenging training that tested

2. MIRACLE: published in March 2013 Lesson: In Jesus' time, He performed miracles. In our time, we should make it happen by opening our hearts and minds.

3. Ang Mukha (The Face): published in May 2013 Lesson: We are created in God's image and likeness. This serves as the mirror of our soul-spirit.

Insulting and slapping one's face is hurting the Creator.

4. Hatakan: Pataas o Pababa (Crab Mentality): published in June 2013 Lesson: Support one another, instead of forcefully pulling one down when he is climbing up.

5. Phenomenology of Disaster:

What have you learned from your past?

I can truly testify, my dear readers, that the past cannot be changed, yet the future is still on our power. And, with the Almighty's intervention and providence, we can even control what lies ahead of us. Just accept who we are; recognize our strength and weaknesses; overcome our fear (F.E.A.R. - False Evidence Appearing Real); and develop the positive self-talk. (Just see to it that you are alone when doing so).

Nemo dat quod non avit (You cannot give what you do not have). Only learned individuals can produce learners. Only good listeners become eloquent speakers. Only survivors can The British travel guidebook testify and validate the lessons of Rough Guides has listed the the storm's raging power.

Philippines among the Top 10 Countries worldwide to visit this What have you learned from my year. articles?

The 2014 edition of the book Almost two years ago, I've listed the Philippines at the 10th published the messages that place, citing natural places which the Great Author wanted me to include the islands of Boracay; convey to all of you through the the limestone islands El Nido Alberta Filipino Journal: Pulse in Palawan, the coasts of Coron of the Filipino Community in that hides beautiful beaches and Alberta. To name a few, pristine mountain lakes, and Puerto Gallera. The Rough Guides 1. www. holiness.coming: has also recommended a visit to published in December 2012 Chocolate Hills in Bohol including Lesson: The way to holiness is the tiny primate Tarsiers in the filled with obstacles that hinder our region. goals but with our determination Other places recommended they are achievable. Steps: are the perfectly-coned Mt. Mayon, weeding, watering and waiting. mountain lakes in Mt. Pinatubo,

published in November 2013 Lesson: Disaster has a saving and uniting characters. The Almighty has just allowed the natural disasters to happen. He did not directly will it. For instance, when the volcano erupts, its purpose is to arrange the tectonic plate of the earth and not to destruct the whole world or punish the sinners.

Never blame the Almighty for that reason.

6.

Scary Generalization: published in December 2013 Lesson: While it is true that Filipinos are generous, kind, hard-working, and flexible; it is also true that just similar to other human beings, we are also vulnerable. We also commit

mistakes and have weaknesses.

Being complimented for bearing the positive Filipino values is very fulfilling experience. However, this standard or generalization is very alarming. Because, logically, no race and culture has the absolute monopoly of all greatness and divinity.

After re-evaluating and reviewing our lessons from the past through this presentation; we can now renew and proceed with our lives.

May our 2014 be filled with all the necessary changes (metanoia) so we can fully live as genuine and virtuous men.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

UK’s travel book lists PH among top 10 countries to visit this year

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and the crystal-clear waters of Apo Reef Marine Natural Park in Mindoro for scuba divers. Visitors to the country are also advised to see the Ati-Atihan Festival on Panay and to savor a tall glass of Halo-halo.

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Completing the Top 10 countries in the list to visit in 2014 are Georgia in Central Asia, Turkey, Macedonia, Japan, Rwarna, Ethiopia, Brazil, Bulgaria and Madagascar.

The pulse of the Filipino Community in Alberta, Canada

January 2014

by Gem & Lita Anis

Cruising The Baltic

F

or a number of reasons we booked the 12-day Baltic cruise (Russia and Scandinavia) aboard Carnival Cruise Line (Legend), the world's largest cruise line founded in 1972 and headquartered in Miami, Florida. The Baltic Sea is located in Northern Europe and bordered

by Sweden, Finland, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, northeastern Germany, and eastern Denmark and its numerous islands.

Not only memories of millenia of history will come alive by visiting and exploring a range of Scandinavian and Baltic countries in a most relaxing manner one could ever imagine regardless of the famously unpredictable weather conditions in the region but also for the simple reason that we are well overdue for some kind of culture that are alluring as they are different.

Embarking at the Port of Dover, England, on a beautiful August afternoon, we had a one day fun at sea before docking at the first port of call, Copenhagen (Denmark), the world's happiest city of 2007 and the world's best city for quality of life for 2013. In Copenhagen you can't miss the New Zealand countryside and its fairytale castles, the Tivoli Gardens, Freetown

Christiania, the 12-km. Oresund Bridge and Tunnel to Sweden, Nyhavn waterfront (New Harbour), and the most famous landmark of the city - the bronze Statue of the Little Mermaid watching over the harbour at Langelinie.

At 6:30 am the following day we're at Warnemunde, Germany, and hop on a private train to Berlin to experience its main highlights Holocaust Memorial, Checkpoint Charlie and Gendarmenmarkt, the famous Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, as well as one of the most somber and chilling destinations, the former Nazi Concentration Camp at Sachsenhausen.

Another day at sea and we're at Helsinki, the capital of Finland, one of the coldest cities on the globe with only 51 days of sunshine in winter. Our tour of Helsinki starts from the Senate Square with its neo-classicial Helsinki Cathedral and government buildings from the mid-19th century and continue on foot to Market Place for souvenir shopping. We've some free time to visit the unique Temppeliaukion Church that was built inside of the rock and also the Jean Sibelius monumental park and to the Suomenlinna fortification islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

With too much anxiety and anticipation to experience Russia we're quite overwhelmed to visit St. Petersburg, a Western-style city that was once the capital of USSR. Among the city's key sights are SS Peter and Paul Fortress, The Church on Spilled Blood (Church of Resurrection), the world-famous Hermitage, St. Isaac's Cathedral, Nevsky Prospekt, and the awesome Catherine Palace.

Looming majestically above the ocean is the well-preserved medieval city of Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia, the country where the skype and the hotmail were born. Our trip began at the Palace Square - the site of the Parliament House, the 19th century Russian Orthodox St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the 15th century Dome Church. From the viewing platforms on the Toompea Hill of Tallinn's Upper Town we have an excellent view of the sea and the Lower Town with its church spires, medieval houses and red rooftops.

The Estonia Open Air museum located in a village called Rocca Al Mare will let you travel back in time to the rural Estonia of old where a 19th century village life is recreated with its old farmhouses, a wooden chapel and school, and windmills. We wind up the day watching folk dance and music

Gem & Lita ready to embark on The Legend

performances of six local dancers followed by coffee/tea and barley bread.

The last full day of the cruise awaits us to experience two of

The iconic Little Mermaid of Copenhagen

Windmills of Holland

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the many things that the city of Amsterdam, in The Netherlands, is famous for - the windmills and cheese, i.e., in addition to Vincent Van Gogh.

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The pulse of the Filipino Community in Alberta, Canada

January 2014

Isang Order Pa Nga

Marination is the process of soaking foods in a seasoned liquid before cooking to enhance their flavor and/or to tenderize the meat. The masasarap na putaheng Filipino na gaya ng mga liquid, called the marinade, is often made with sumusunod. ingredients such as vinegar, lemon or lime juice, pineapple, or wine. It may also contain oils, Adobo herbs, and spices to further enhance the flavor.

The word adobo originated from the Spanish As the Filipino dish, adobo is meat word adobar, which literally means “marinade” or (usually pork or chicken) stewed in a marinade “to marinate.” of vinegar, soy sauce, and herbs like laurel

(On the Origin of Some Filipino Dishes) na kesyo wala nang gaganda pa rito. Ang paniniwalang iyan ay isang halimbawa ng pagkamayabang at pagka-ignorante. Dahil kung ating pag-aaralan, karamihan naman ng aspeto ng bawat kultura ay hango rin o impluwensiyado ng kultura ng ibang bansa.

Isang halimbawa ay ang marami sa mga

by aLfie vera mella elfideas102@yahoo.com

M

araming Filipino ang madalas ipagmalaki ang kanilang kultura or bay leaves and spices such as pepper. It is native to Spanish and Portuguese cuisines and was adopted in Latin America and other regions colonialized by Spain and Portuguese in the previous centuries that included certain provinces of the Philippines.

Many Filipinos regard adobo as a Philippine national dish.

(Adobo, kare-kare, and bistek are among the most common dishes in the Philippine cuisine.)

Kare-kare “Kare” is most likely derived from the word curry, a generic English term primarily employed in Western culture to denote a wide variety of dishes that originated from Southern and Southeastern Asian cuisines. The common feature of curry dishes is the incorporation of a combination of spices and herbs and most especially curry powder. The Philippines' karekare, however, does not contain curry powder.

Its name may have been derived only because of its yellowish color comparable to a curry dish.

Kare-kare is meat (typically beef and oxtail plus some innards like tripe and intestines) and some vegetables (eggplant, Chinese cabbage, string beans) cooked in a variety of spices, herbs, and other ingredients that include ground roasted peanuts or peanut butter, ground glutinous rice, garlic, onions, and annatto-seed (atsuwete) extract. It is served almost always with a side of sautéed shrimp paste (bagoong) as a complimentary condiment.

Bistek A Filipinization or linguistic corruption of the phrase beef steak, bistek is simply a Filipino version of beef steak. Basically though, bistek is strips of sirloin beef slowly cooked in a marinade of soy sauce and calamansi or lemon juice with rings of onions or even fried potato slices or cubes on the side.

Sa Madaling Salita Marami sa mga ipinagmamalaki at tinatangkilik na putaheng Filipino ay nanggaling sa kultura ng ilang bansang nakipagkalakalan o umokupa sa Pilipinas noong mga siglong nakaraan, at wala namang masama riyan. Kung iyong lalawakan ang iyong pananaw, mapagtatanto mo na ang bawat kultura ay impluwensiyado rin lang naman ng samu’t saring kultura ng iba’t ibang bansa.

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Or, in Simple Words Many of the revered and patronized Filipino dishes originated from the cultures of peoples who, in the previous centuries, had traveled to the Philippines either to colonialize regions of the country or simply do business and trades. There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s just a proof that no culture is pure or hundred-percent original and that cultures inevitably influence each other. So, while it’s okay to be proud of one’s culture, one should be also openminded, humble, and be ready to acknowledge the inevitable and significant contributions and influences of other cultures.

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January 2014

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The pulse of the Filipino Community in Alberta, Canada

January 2014 TELUS STORES & AUTHORIZED DEALERS

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Get a FREE 42" LG Smart TV when you sign up for Optik TV™ and Internet for 3 years.†

9624 165th Ave. NW 10642 82nd Ave. NW 12714 137th Ave. NW

South 1916 99th St. NW 1934 38th Ave. NW 5912 104th St. NW 5919 91 St. 9518 Ellerslie Rd. SW 10309 34th Ave. NW

Fort Saskatchewan 8701 94th St. 9914 103rd St.

Leduc 5311 Discovery Way 5906 50th St.

Morinville 9918 100th St.

Sherwood Park Sherwood Park Mall 971 Ordze Rd. 975 Broadmoor Blvd.

Spruce Grove Westland Market Mall

Call 310-MYTV (6988), go to telus.com/optiktv or visit your TELUS Store or Authorized Dealer.

96 Campsite Rd. 141 Century Crossing

St. Albert St. Albert Centre 20 Muir Dr.

*Subscription to corresponding channels required; HD not available with all channels. †Offer available until February 18, 2014, to residential customers who have not subscribed to Optik TV or Internet in the past 90 days. Minimum system requirements apply. Final eligibility for the services will be determined by a TELUS representative. TELUS reserves the right to modify channel lineups and packaging and regular pricing without notice. Cannot be combined with other offers. Offer not available with TELUS Internet 6. HDTV-input-equipped television required to watch HD. 42” LG Smart TV offer available while quantities last and cannot be combined with promotional prices. TELUS reserves the right to substitute an equivalent or better product without notice. Manufacturer’s suggested retail price of a 42” LG Smart TV is $899. Cancellation fee for early termination of a service agreement will be $24/mo. for the 42” LG Smart TV and $10/mo. for the HD PVR and digital boxes multiplied by the number of months remaining in the term. Current rental rates apply at the end of the term. Rental equipment must be returned in good condition upon cancellation of service, otherwise the replacement cost will be charged to the account. TELUS, the TELUS logo, Optik, Optik TV and the future is friendly are trademarks of TELUS Corporation, used under licence. © LG Electronics Canada, Inc. All rights reserved. “LG Life’s Good” is a registered trademark of LG Corp. © 2014 TELUS. C0.5 Free TV PHILLIPINO Journal FP AB.indd 1

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13-12-19 2:08 PM