Filipino Journal Winnipeg Volume 26 Number 06

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26 Years March 20 - April 5, 2012 • Volume 26, Number 6

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Winnipeg, Manitoba Publications Mail Agreement 40032612

Taho anyone?

Kayumanggi and Ong Advance in “Canada’s Got Talent”

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Filipino pride and culture took centre stage across Canada last March 11 during Canada's Got Talent episode featuring Winnipeg auditions on CityTV. Winnipeg's own Kayumanggi Philippine Performing Arts and Paul Kelvin Ong (inset) performed in front of Canada's Got Talent judges and standing ovations to advance to the next round of competition. Photo by Ron Cantiveros | Filipino Journal Archives.

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The Pulse of the Filipino Community Since 1987

hits were “Pers Lab,” “Annie Batungbakal,” “Beh, ’Buti Nga,” “Bongga Ka, ’Day,” “Ikaw ang Miss Universe ng Buhay Ko,” and “Manila.” by aLfie vera mella elfideas102@yahoo.com

Kumusta, mga Kaibigang Musikero sa Manila

I

(On Spending Time with Some of Philippine Rock Artists, part 2)

n our recent one-month vacation in the Philippines, Inna and I were able to meet up and hang out with many iconic personalities in the Philippine Rock music scene. On January 26, 2012, there was a concert held at Music Museum in Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila—billed as “Rockin’ the Roots,” a project Rene Garcia formerly of Hotdog had conceptualized and which featured several of his fellow icons active in the ’70s Pinoy Rock music scene. Wanting to meet up with my friend Jett Pangan of The Dawn, I contacted him to ask where and when we could best see him. He said that my call was timely, for he would be taking part in the said gig in the evening of the day I messaged him. So, off Inna and I went to Music Museum (in Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila) in the evening. We didn’t have to pay the entrance; we told the ushers that we were there by Jett’s invitation.

The evening was really filled with fun music ’70s Pinoy rock– style. I may be only a little kid back in the 1970s, but my having become a consummate music enthusiast over the years has made me very familiar with the music of such Philippine bands. In fact, I with my own band have been able to perform with some of them in the 1990s in the Philippines and in the 2000s here in Winnipeg when such artists toured Canada—like Lolita Carbon of Asin and Pepe

Smith of Juan de la Cruz Band.

Philippine Rock icons who graced the “Rockin’ the Roots” concert at the Music Museum included Pepe Smith, Lolita Carbon, Resty P. Fabunan of Maria Cafra, Gary Perez of Anak Bayan and of Sampaguita’s backup band, and Rene Garcia of Hotdog.

The presentation of the concert was a collaborative one, in which there was a permanent backup band and then the icons were called in one by one to perform some of the hits of their former bands—like Smith’s performing “Balong Malalim” and “Titser’s Enemi no. 1”; Lolita Carbon’s “Usok”; and Fabunan “Kamusta, mga Kaibigan.”

Gary Perez—Anak Bayan and Sampaguita’s Backup Band Perez is not only a guitar player but also a songwriter. He was a member of the pioneering Pinoy Rock band Anak Bayan, which released a self-titled album in 1977 containing the songs “Ang Probinsyana,” “Bangungot,” “Jeepney Rock,” and “Pagbabalik ng Kuwago.”

Perez became also the guitarist and co-songwriter in the band of the Pinoy Rock female artist Sampaguita. With her, Perez co-wrote songs for her first and early albums, like “Bonggahan,” “Tao,” “Laguna,” and “Sa Diyos Lamang.”

Lolita Carbon—Asin and Nene Carbon was the face and voice of the iconic Pinoy Rock band Asin, which has released eight albums: Asin (1978), Himig ng Pag-ibig (1979), Himig ng Lahi (1983), Awitin ng Bayan Kong Pilipinas (1985), Asin sa Atubiling Panahon (1986), Himig Kayumanggi (1987), Sinta (1988), Pag-ibig, Pagbabago, Pagpapatuloy (2001). Popular songs of Asin included “Masdan Mo ang Kapaligiran” and “Itanong Mo sa mga Bata.” In the 1990s, Carbon formed the band Nene and released one selftitled album, which contained new songs that included “Biyaheng Langit” and “Paraisong Likuliko.”

Focusing on the Musical Accomplishments The artists and musicians whom we have watched might not be as popular anymore as they were during their former bands’ heydays, but the musical legacies that they with their respective bands have left the Philippine music history deserve them the respect and tribute of every true Rock music aficionado.

Resty Fabunan—Maria Cafra Fabunan was the guitarRene Garcia—Hotdogs wielding vocalist of the Blues Garcia was the male vocalist Rock–influenced band Maria and lead guitarist of Hotdog, a Cafra, one of the pioneers of Pinoy Pop Rock band popular in the Rock music, Blues-style. Maria 1970s. The band released its debut Cafra, whose chief songwriter album, Unang Kagat, in 1974. was Fabunan, released a self-titled Among the band’s many popular

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album in 1978, which contained the songs “Estranghero,” “Tala sa Umaga,” and “Kamusta, mga Kaibigan.” A followup was recorded, but it remained unreleased until 1990 when it finally saw the light of day as the album Ikalawang Yugto, which included the songs “Rock n’ Roll sa Tuwina” and “Mayroon Pang Kaibigan.”

Other musicians whom Inna and I met at the “Rockin’ the Roots” concert were the veteran bass player Rey “Eggpie” de Castro, who did sessions for Freddie Aguilar; Niño Mendoza

(vocals, harmonica, guitar) of the Blues Rock band Blue Jean Junkies, which released a selftitled album in 2002; the drummer Lehi Rebosura; and the guitar player Roy Sadicon.

Final Note Thanks to Jett Pangan of The Dawn for inviting us to the concert “Rockin’ the Roots,” because of whose invitation gave us the privilege to attend for free and to go backstage to chat with the Rock musicians performing that night and to have photographs with them taken.

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Filipino Journal

The Pulse of the Filipino Community Since 1987

PEREZCOPE

by Perry Diaz PerryDiaz@gmail.com

J

Ana and the ‘King’

ust when the House prosecutors seem like they’re losing steam in building a strong case against Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona… just when the senator-judges are beginning to doubt if there is even “clear and convincing” evidence to convict him… just when Corona went on a media blitz against President Benigno Aquino III and others whom he perceived as conspiring to oust him… and just when Corona’s invincibility seems beyond the reach of ordinary mortals, a young lady appeared on the scene.

During the early days of the Corona impeachment trial, it was revealed in Corona’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net

Worth (SALNs) for 2003 and 2004 that he obtained a “cash advance” of P11 million from Basa-Guidote Enterprises Inc. (BGEI), a corporation that has since been dissolved. That caught the attention of Ana Basa, a Las Vegas-based Fil-Am and daughter of the late Jose Ma. Basa III, one of five siblings who established the Basa-Guidote Enterprises Inc. (BGEI) in 1961. One of the other siblings was the late Asuncion Basa Roco, the mother of Cristina Roco Corona.

The buzz generated in the media about the “cash advance” in Corona’s SALNs prompted Ana to fly to the Philippines to talk to her aunt, Sister Flory Basa, the sole survivor of the Basa

siblings. Sister Flory is a nun at account with the same branch and the Franciscan Missionaries of deposited the entire amount that he withdrew!

Mary in Cavite.

Cristina then sent a text message to a media personality Family feud As it turns out, the heirs of saying that the P32.6 million came the original BGEI stockholders from the proceeds of the sale of a are embroiled in a nasty dispute piece of BGEI property to the City But assuming that with Cristina for the past 20 of Manila. years. The news about the P11- it’s true that the money belongs million “cash advance” to Corona to BGEI, why did Corona -- who – who is not a BGEI stockholder didn’t have any financial interest -- triggered a series of events that in BGEI other than being married could dethrone the “King of the to Cristina -- deposit the money in his personal accounts?

Supremes.”

Recently, it was reported Days later, it was revealed at the impeachment trial that Corona in the news that in 1995, Ana’s withdrew a total of P32.6 million father, who is Cristina’s uncle, from three peso time deposit Jose Ma. Basa III, filed an estafa accounts with Philippine Savings case against Cristina for allegedly Bank (PSBank) on December 12, failing to account for the rental 2011, the day he was impeached income of BGEI. However, the by the House of Representatives. court dismissed the case and Corona claimed that the money Cristina sued her uncle for libel was not his but owned by BGEI. for putting out a public notice He said that he withdrew the in the newspaper alleging that money because he believed it maliciously put her in a bad The notice announced that PSBank was responsible light. for leaking the existence of the that Jose Ma. Basa III, claiming accounts, which also include to be a majority stockholder of five secret dollar accounts. But BGEI, had filed a criminal case strangely, he opened a new against Cristina for allegedly misappropriating rentals due BGEI. It is interesting to note that at the time Cristina was sued for estafa, Renato was working as Chief Presidential Legal Counsel to then President Fidel V. Ramos.

In an interview with Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI), Ana said that the original stockholders of BGEI were her father Jose Ma. Basa III, Cristina’s mother Asuncion Basa Roco, Mario Basa, Sister Concepcion Basa, and Sister Flory Basa.

Ana said that Cristina wrested control of BGEI when she became its administratrix in 1989. Since then, attempts by the stockholders to inspect the corporate books were denied by Cristina, thus keeping them completely in the dark about BGEI’s financial matters.

“Justice in my lifetime” Ana said that in the past 20 plus years, the Corona couple heaped sufferings upon her parents and the rest of the BGEI stockholders. She said that they were constantly harassed by the Coronas. “There were people sent to our house with guns, scaring my parents, and phone calls in the middle of the night because there

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March 20 - April 5, 2012

were pending cases regarding this corporation,” she said. “Inapi kami talaga (We were really oppressed). If they can do (this) to their own blood relatives, what more to people out there who are old, are not politicians, are not rich and are not lawyers?

My parents were just ordinary citizens, just being good citizens here in the Philippines and yet to have your own blood relatives cause this type of injustice is…”

She was lost for words and started sobbing.

Ana’s father passed away without getting justice.

Her mother, Raymunda is now 83 years old but would like to see justice. And so does Sister Flory who just turned 90. Her birthday wish was: “I want to see justice in my lifetime.”

But with Corona enthroned as the country’s Chief Justice, can justice really be served? Ana said that she will continue to fight because she promised her father on his deathbed, “I would continue his fight for justice.”

In an interview with Ted Failon of TV Patrol, Sister Flory said that she’s willing to testify at the impeachment trial of Corona.

She said that the Coronas could keep the money, all she wanted is to see justice done.

What goes around…

Well, Ana and Sister Flory might finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Last March 12, Corona’s lawyers started their presentation of Corona’s defense.

But Corona’s defense panel has a dilemma. For Corona to avoid culpability, his defense lawyers have to prove that the P11 million “cash advance” and the P32.6 million he withdrew from PSBank on December 12, 2011 does not belong to him. If so, then Corona would have to return the monies to the rightful owners, the heirs of the Basa-Guidote clan.

Indeed, Ana might fulfill her deathbed promise to her father and Sister Flory might get her birthday wish granted. And how about Corona? One thing for sure, he might be able to get away with betrayal of public trust but he can’t escape from the Law of Karma.

As someone once said, “Nothing escapes the Law of Karma. You get from the world what you give to the world.” Yes, what goes around comes around.

March 20 - April 5, 2012

The Pulse of the Filipino Community Since 1987

The judge also said this even though the officer at the airport knew of Ms Dong’s marriage before she arrived; it was not the government’s responsibility to

by R. Reis Pagtakhan, LL.B., B.A. (Hons.) find this information out. Again, rrp@aikins.com the judge said it was Ms Dong responsibility to tell immigration about this information.

As a result, even though her husband disclosed the marriage in his application to visit Canada, Ms Dong’s visa remained cancelled because she did not disclose the ndividuals immigrating a visa to visit Canada to help Ms marriage herself. Ms Dong lost to Canada must disclose Dong move to Canada. In his her case. their spouses, common- application, he indicated that he law partners, and dependent and Ms Dong got married before When must information about children. Failure to disclose these Ms Dong’s visa was issued. changes in family members be family members can result in an When Ms Dong arrived disclosed? immigration application being in Canada, she was questioned The obligation to disclose refused. The court case of Yanjun by an immigration officer who family members exists until Dong is a recent example of the was concerned that she did not the date the individual arrives need to disclose family members. disclose her marriage. She then in Canada and becomes a withdrew her application to enter permanent resident. As a result, if What happens if you forget to Canada and returned back to her individuals get married, divorced, disclose changes in your family? home country. Because of her have children or adopt between In this case, Ms Dong failure to disclose the marriage, the time they file an immigration applied for permanent residence her visa was eventually cancelled. application and the time they for herself and her daughter enter Canada, this information under the Prince Edward Island Who must disclose information should be disclosed immediately.

Provincial Nominee Program. In regarding changes to the her original 2008 application, she family?

This Article is prepared for indicated that she was divorced.

In court, Ms Dong argued that general information purposes In April 2010, her application because here husband disclosed only and is intended to provide was processed by the Canadian their marriage in his application comments for readers and friends Consulate and she was informed to visit Canada, the Consulate was of the Filipino Journal. The that she and her daughter would aware of her marriage before Ms contents should not be viewed as be issued permanent resident Dong and her daughter arriving in legal advice or opinion. visas. the country.

In May 2010, Ms Dong got While there was no question Reis is a partner with Aikins Law married. One week later, she about her husband’s honesty, and practices in the areas of received visas for herself and her the judge in Ms Dong’s case immigration law. His direct line daughter and in October 2010, noted was that she was asked is 957-4640. If you would like to she and her daughter arrived in by the Consulate in writing know more about Reis or Aikins Canada. At no point in time prior (and on at least three occasions) you can visit the firm’s web page to her arrival in Canada did Ms to disclose all births, deaths, at www.aikins.com, follow Reis Dong inform the Consulate of her marriages, divorces, new custody on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/ marriage. arrangements and adoptions. ImmigrationReis, or connect with While Ms Dong did not Because she was warned several him on LinkedIn at http://www. inform the Consulate of her times about doing this, the judge linkedin.com/in/reispagtakhan. marriage, a month before she found that it was her responsibility and her daughter arrived in to inform immigration.

Canada, her husband applied for

Why you need to disclose changes in your family during the immigration process?

I

In Loving Memory of

Nanay Lita

July 13, 1927 - January 5, 2012 The family of Anacleta Circa Barcelo (July 13, 1927–January 5, 2012) is extending their heartfelt gratitude to everyone-relatives, friends, and coworkers--who offered flowers, prayers, and support in various ways and expressed their condolences, concern, and warm regards.

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The Pulse of the Filipino Community Since 1987

March 20 - April 5, 2012

New Chinese envoy dispels fears of Chinese invasion Alam Mo Ba Na…?

(This new column will feature trivial facts and information that involve ni Adonis in Fernandez Filipinos or the Filipino community Canada.)

ad_gracer@yahoo.com

T

he Filipino community in Manitoba has approximately 60,000 members and may likely comprise 10% of Winnipeg’s population (Winnipeg Free Press, March 3, 2012)

Life expectancy in Canada is 81 years old (Macleans.ca) Fourteen percent of Winnipeggers use transit as their main mode of transportation (Winnipeg Free Press, February 4, 2012)

T

he new Chinese ambassador to Manila declared that China has no ambition of invading other countries through military force, In a discussion with media in Makati City over the weekend, Ambassador Ma Keqing said what her government wants is to protect China’s interest, and its borders and sovereignty with no ambition of invading other countries or interfering in their affairs The Chinese government‘s 2012 military budget of about $106.4 billion has been perceived as a move by Beijing to impose its might in the region raising concerns not only among neighboring Asian countries but even the United States.

However, Ambassador Ma clarified that China’s decision

to increase its military budget is simply in accordance with the advancement of the country’s economy.

She also pointed out that a major part of China’s military budget has been used for the improvement of the well-being of the officers and members of the

military including the increase in their wages.

Ambassador Ma also added that her country’s military budget is only 1.3 percent of the total budget. This is much lower compared than that of the United States, United Kingdom, Russia, India and Brazil.

House Labor Committee to approve P125 wage hike

N

orthern Samar Rep. Emil Ong, chairman of the House Committee on Labor is optimistic that the legislated P125 across the board daily wage hike bill in May will be approved by the panel.

Ong said the committee is set to vote on the bill for its transmittal to the plenary after their last regional hearing in Northern Luzon in May. He added that they are seeking to approve the bill before May 1 as a gift to

all Filipino workers to provide economic relief in the wake of spiraling oil prices and cost of basic commodities.

The House committee chairman said once the bill will be signed into law, Metro Manila workers will be receiving a salary amounting to more than P500, while those from the province will be getting more than P300.

He said his committee also agreed with the petition filed by the Trade Union Congress of the

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Philippines (TUCP) seeking a P90 hike in the daily basic pay of workers in Metro Manila.

He dispelled fears that the passage of the proposed Act would lay off many workers since companies could find ways to sustain its operations once the bill is approved by Congress and is signed into law.

Since the P30 across-theboard increase in 1989, labor groups have long been pushing for a wage increase.

The Pulse of the Filipino Community Since 1987

March 20 - April 5, 2012

by aLfie vera mella elfideas102@yahoo.com

Her Last Leaf Fell in the Last Days of That Winter (On Remembering FJ Publishing Editor Rosalinda Cantiveros)

I

always attribute my having become a columnist at and eventually also the associate editor of the Winnipeg-based community newspaper Filipino Journal to two things—first, my enduring and undying passion for writing; and then, the faith in my ideas and writing abilities of its late publisher and editor-in-chief, Rosalinda Natividad-Cantiveros, who died on March 4, 2008.

As my personal commemoration of her life and death, I am featuring in this column an article I wrote on my eLf ideas blogspot eight days after she died.

“Farewell, Tita Linda Cantiveros” Rosalinda NatividadCantiveros, or Tita Linda to many of her younger friends and acquaintances, the publisher and chief editor of Filipino Journal, of which I am a columnist; the president of Philippine Canadian Centre of Manitoba; a longtime

pioneer and pillar of the Filipino community in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (20 years!); had always been active in many Filipino and multicultural activities; admired by a great number of people—not only fellow Filipinos but also nonFilipino Canadians... …sadly, had died in the morning of March 4, 2008, at Victoria Hospital, because of cancer. She was 61. She was declared cancer-free for five years, but the dreaded disease came back late last year perhaps because of work-related stress.

I was glad that I phoned her in the middle of February, to ask how she had been, because I learned from Tito Rod, her husband, that she was hospitalized in December.

She was still okay during our conversation, in which we talked about some future plans for the newspaper; she even told me that she would need again my help in the editorial. She tried to sound jolly, but her voice kind of betrayed

her weakness and tiredness.

Tita Linda even apologized for failing to pursue the annual gettogether for the Filipino Journal staff last December, promising that we—FJ family—would instead have the gathering come Spring.

Sadly, her last leaf fell in the last days of that Winter, without having the chance to greet and kiss the new blossoms of the looming Spring.

I met Tita Linda in 2005, during a regularly held welcome party for new immigrants at PCCM. My Tita Lucy told me that Mrs. Cantiveros was the publisher of Filipino Journal, the leading Filipino newspaper in Manitoba.

I approached her and asked if she could publish some of my articles in the newspaper. She told me to submit samples of my works, which I duly did. After less than a month, she phoned to inform me that she liked my writing style.

And the rest was history.

Like a mother to many, Tita Linda had been very supportive of my ideas. She was one of the few persons in Canada whom I personally looked up to.

Her legacy will live in the memory of every person whom she inspired, impressed, or simply befriended.

The Last Leaf I will remain an instrumental part of Filipino Journal, in her honor and as my contribution to the Filipino community in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada—

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Filipino Journal 9

with a personal longtime mission of instilling in the minds of my fellow humans the realization that a life driven by logic, common

sense, and analytical thinking is far better than that which is guided by blind faith, uncertainty, gullibility, and hypocrisy.

In July 2006, I, former FJ layout artist Charitess Naval, former PCCM Executive Director Virginia Guiang, and the late Rosalinda Natividad-Cantiveros, during the viewing of my late maternal grandfather, Conrado Lanuza Vera Sr., at Knysh Funeral Homes, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

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

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Filipino Journal 13

Filipino Journal SOCIAL MEDIA SERVICES

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

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

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

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

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

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

FJ

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The Pulse of the Filipino Community Since 1987

Canadian pie Ron Cantiveros

ron@filipinojournal.com

The Quest for Taho & Binatog

Comfort Foods of the Philippines

O

n a recent trip to Manila, every morning at my uncle’s residence usually involves your traditional Filipino breakfast – corned beef, longanisa, tocino, scrambled eggs and garlic fried rice. That’s pretty standard and everyone is quite familiar with those combinations and more. Add a mug of Nescafe 3-in-1 instant hot coffee and freshly sliced Philippine mango and you’ve got an amazing meal to start the day.

One convenient difference is the taho vendor. Around the same time every morning, you can hear the familiar sound emanating from the streets all across the Philippines, “TAHO! TAHO!” Ever since I was a young kid, no trip back to the Philippines has been complete without at least one serving of fresh taho from the taho vendor that roams our family’s subdivision.

Taho is one of the many comfort foods I truly enjoy when I visit the Philippines. Taho made in Canada, just isn’t the same.

The silken soft tofu and the sweet syrup have tasted the same for as long as I can remember.

I still recall my first visit to the Philippines back in 1981 as I ran out into the streets with five pesos for a small plastic cup of taho.

During breakfast one morning, I snapped a photo of

my glass of taho and sent it to my friend Rhia. She told me she screamed when she saw the photo because it also reminded her of the Philippines. She then asked if I’ve seen a binatog vendor.

What’s binatog? I was clueless.

I’ve never heard of binatog so I asked my uncle, aunt and my father. Basically, everyone within earshot and that’s where the great debate started. What is it? Where can I get it? Are there any vendors in Manila?

After much debate, several exchanges in text messages over several days, I was disappointed to learn that binatog vendors were non-existent anywhere in Manila.

Even an inquiry with many of my friends in Manila came up empty. Since we couldn’t find anyone that sold it on the street, the next best step was to see how to make it. I was going to use the trusty internet to find myself a recipe. However, that idea was vetoed by my uncle and aunt and over several more text message exchanges, they got a recipe.

What is binatog? It’s boiled white corn kernels served with freshly grated coconut and dusted with sugar. It can be served hot or cold, and instead of sugar, some people add a pinch of salt.

I was at the local mall when I received the text message indicating that the binatog was

ready. I was pretty anxious to get home and taste it since it’s been several days of non-stop binatog chatter between my relatives. I basically finished all my shopping and rushed home. I was that excited.

“OMG! I’ve had this before!” I shouted when I tasted the first spoonful of binatog.

One spoonful of this uniquely textured and flavourful dish instantly catapulted memories of my youth so vividly, that it felt like it was only yesterday.

It sparked flashbacks of me standing in the palengke (market) in the province with my cousins from over 30 years ago. To think, I’ve never had binatog in over 30 years! It reminded me of my Lola and Lolo, it reminded me of my mom, my cousins in the province and my family. It was such an amazing feeling and maybe that is why we call it comfort food.

March 20 - April 5, 2012

Great combination in the mornning in the Philippines. Fresh glass of taho with the morning newspaper.

Old fashioned, old world binatog just like lola used to make.

Photos by: Ron Cantiveros | Filipino Journal

March 20 - April 5, 2012

The Pulse of the Filipino Community Since 1987

Filipino Journal 15

Filipinos advance in "Canada's Got Talent"

C

anada finally knows what Winnipeg has known for a long time. Kayumanggi's Got Talent! The Kayumanggi Philippine Performing Arts have been entertaining crowds at Folklorama every summer and were given a chance to prove thier talents in front of Martin Short, Stephan Moccio and Measha Bruueggergosman on a recent episode of "Canada's Got Talent".

Kayumanggi performed Singkil, a traditional FilipinoMuslim cultural dance depicting a tale of a princess escaping an evil king. After their ninety second performance, Measha Bruueggerosman commented, "I was really, really looking forward to the representation from the Filipino community because I heard there was a large one. So thank you very much.”

Newly arrived in Canada last year, singer Paul Kelvin Ong won the votes of the judges with

his singing of "Somewhere" from the award winning Broadway musical, "West Side Story."

Three yeses from the judges and a standing ovation left him speechless.

Stephan Moccio remarked, “You have a sweet voice. Bravo, I’m intrigued. I really want to see what’s next from you, Paul.”

Good luck and best wishes to Paul Kelvin Ong and the Kayumanggi Philippine Performing Arts in Toronto! Next round starts at the end of March!

To watch Canada's Got Talent, airs Sundays 8pm and 9pm ET/ PT on Citytv, with back-to-back episodes. Encore presentation of second hour Mondays at 7pm ET/ PT. Online, Full episodes, behindthe-scenes interviews, highlight clips, recaps, commentary, live chats, photo galleries, and an episode guide are available on CanadasGotTalent.com

Kayumanggi Philippine Performing Arts

Paul Kelvin Ong

PNoy says new PMA grads must help fight corruption

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resident Aquino Sunday said the new graduates of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) must now help address the problems of the nation, including fighting corruption while serving the people and protecting the nation’s democracy.

Speaking at the graduation rites of the PMA Bagwis Class of 2012 in Baguio City, the President recognized the military’s efforts to fight lawless elements, respond to calamities, and keep peace in the country. He assured that that the government would continue to look after their welfare in the form of the equipment and benefits.

In his speech, the Chief Executive also recalled asking his mother, the late President Corazon Aquino, on what does one get out of from abusing and stealing from the people.

In reply, Aquino said his mother gave him a simple answer not to waste his time understanding them.

Class valedictorian Tom “Nonoy” Puertollano of Lipa City, Batangas leads the 187 graduates of Bagwis Class, including 19 females.

All were commissioned as second lieutenants of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Puertollano received 11 major awards, including the Presidential Saber and presidential academic excellence award. He will join the Philippine Army (PA).

BAGWIS means “Bagong Kawal na may Iisang Lakas.” The class claim to be the “new breed of soldiers which has a unified strength.”

Of the graduates, 102 will join the Army, 37 in Philippine Air Force, and 48 in Philippine Navy.

Photos by: CanadasGotTalent.com

Kevin Chief MLA for Point Douglas Please contact my office if we can be of assistance.

788 Selkirk Avenue tel: (204) 421-9126 kevinchief.ca

16

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Iza’s transfer upsets Master Showman

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eteran host and talent Kapuso network which has been won’t burn bridges but instead manager German Moreno her home studio for seven years. retain her friendship with her She said she has to make colleagues there. is apparently upset at Iza certain decisions which she hope Calzado, a former colleague in GMA-7, for signing a three-year contract with ABS-CBN last January.

The Master Showman admitted being taken by surprise

by Iza’s move, more so because he considers the actress as one of his daughters in showbiz.

Kuya Germs maintained that although their separation might’ve been unpleasant, they remain to be in good terms.

For her part, Iza revealed that it was difficult to leave the

March 20 - April 5, 2012

Zia Quizon belies negative reports on dad’s condition

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p-and-coming singer Zia Quizon said her dad, comedian Dolphy is doing fine contrary to reports that his health condition is deteriorating.

Zia added that their family are used to false reports about Dolphy’s health conditions and baseless rumors about his death to the point that it doesn’t bother him anymore.

The young singer also shared that Dolphy misses being able to perform and please people in whatever way he can on stage.

She added though that her father is more content now

because he has more time to spend with his family.

Zia recently met the press when she attended the album launch of her friend Robin Nievera, son of Pops Fernandez and Martin Nievera.

Actor Luis Gonzales dies

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ctor Luis Gonzales died Thursday night of complications due to pneumonia.

A matinee idol in the 50s and 60s, the news of his death was announced by actress Luz Valdez, who said he was confined at the intensive care unit of the Makati Medical Center on the day he died. He was 83.

Television host German Moreno said Gonzales also had kidney complications.

Gonzales will be best remembered for his onscreen team-up with Gloria Romero including in the movie “Iginuhit ng Tadhana: The Ferdinand E. Marcos Story” which was filmed in 1965.

He also worked with the late Nida Blanca in movies.

The actor’s remains were scheduled to be cremated yesterday at the Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, Makati City.

Arnold Clavio denies ‘racist’ remarks against Azkals

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roadcaster Arnold Clavio has issued a statement saying he didn’t intend to appear as discriminatory against members of the National Football team popularly known as the Azkals.

The Kapuso news anchor said he was saddened by the negative reactions concerning his statement about the Philippine Azkals with regards to the sexual harassment case filed by Match Commissioner. Cristy Ramos.

Clavio earned the ire of Azkals fans after he called the team insensitive over the manner in which they addressed the sexual harassment complaint against members Lexton Moy and Angel Guirado.

In his statement released March 14, Clavio apologized and admitted that he might have been out of line with his comments during the Monday episode of the morning show “Unang Hirit.”

He, however, reiterated that the sexual harassment complaint ought to be given the full attention by the authorities.

‘Asiong’ is biggest winner at PMPC Star Awards “Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story” emerged as the biggest winner a by bagging eight top awards including Movie of the Year at the 28th Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) Star Awards for Movies held March 14 at Meralco Theater.

“Asiong” lead star Laguna Governor George “ER” Ejercito, and Aga Muhlach who starred in the Star Cinema film “In the Name of Love,” shared the coveted Movie Actor of the Year award.

Likewise “Asiong” star Baron Geisler tied with “In the Name of Love” star Jake Cuenca for the Movie Supporting Actor of the Year.

The movie “In the Name of Love” took home five awards including Movie Actress of the Year for Angel Locsin. The Movie Supporting Actress of the Year went to Lovi Poe for her role in “Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow.”

Other winners include Darryl dela Cruz who brought home the

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Movie Director of the Year award for “Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story”; Paul Soriano as .Digital Movie Director of the Year for “Thelma” which also won the Digital Movie Director of the Year; New Movie Actress - Solenn Heussaff (“Temptation Island”); New Movie Actor Rocco Nacino (“Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa”); and Movie Child Performer - Jillian Ward (“Aswang”)

March 20 - April 5, 2012

The Pulse of the Filipino Community Since 1987

16. The Winnipeg Jets have been trading the last playoff spot with Capitals for a couple weeks and the playoff race is getting even tighter with very few games left in the regular season.

in Vancouver and Calgary didn't disappoint when they showed up to the two road games. In both instances, fans were chanting "Go Jets Go" louder than the home team fans.

Winnipeg Jets Fans Represent To hear the "True North" shout out, normally heard during Winnipeg Jets home games was loud and proud the anthem at Rogers Centre and the Saddledome. You almost n the first half of March, the which included a critical game felt like you were in Winnipeg.

Winnipeg Jets dominated at against the Washington Capitals Former Winnipegers now living MTS Centre with four wins at MTS Centre on Friday, March

Road Woes Continue A short two-game Western road trip to Vancouver and Calgary resulted in two losses which didn't help the Jets chances of catching up with the Washington Capitals.

The Jets tried to battle back late in the game against the Canucks but came up short with a 3-2 loss.

Winnipeg Jets Report

By Ron Cantiveros Photos by Rob Buenaventura

Jets March Madness Continues Fighting for the playoffs

I

Filipino Journal 17 In Calgary, the Flames opened the scoring with three straight goals in the first period, with the eventual final, 5-3 in favour of the Flames.

Streak Busters The Dallas Stars came into Winnipeg with a hot 12-game point streak and a record of 10-01 in their last 11 games. Little did they know that they'd leave with a loss. The Jets won in convincing fashion by a score of 5-2 with 4 unanswered goals coming in the second period.

On-ice bromance! Slater and Pavelec locked in a bro-hug after the huge win against the Washington Capitals.

Ovechkin against Byfuglien as the crowd at MTS Centre chant "Crosby's Better".

Photos by Rob Buenaventura | Filipino Journal

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Ovechkin battling Hainsey in front of the net.

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March 20 - April 5, 2012

March 20 - April 5, 2012

The Pulse of the Filipino Community Since 1987

Filipino Journal 19

Financial and Taxation Presentation at Fil-Can Cabletow Lodge 189 Breakfast Meeting

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n Saturday, March 10, 2012, at a monthly breakfast meeting of the Fil-Can Cabletow Lodge No. 189 held at Pampanga Restaurant, Bro Don Gragasin of

Gragasin Financial Group made a presentation on financial and taxation.

About 25 members and guest came out to listen to the presentation and few others have

The Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Manitoba, MWB Chibu Uson (3rd fr L) and his Lady Mae.

Resource Speaker Bro Don Gragasin

by Raniel Carmona Ponteras (This column is reserved for the readers of Filipino Journal who have something to say about particular issues concerning, but not limited to, the Filipino culture especially politics and current events. So, if you have something to say, write it down and then submit it to elfideas102@yahoo.com. If we find your article befitting our standards, we will publish it here.—Ed.)

Unleashing Sex from the Chains of Maliciousness (On the Semiotics of Sex)

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n the world of Literature, there are words that send a shudder of fear among listeners (or readers, for that matter)—exhibit A: Sauron – with the mention of this word, Gandalf and the rest of the fellowship are sure to shrug a shoulder or heave a deep sigh or conjure images of darkness and evil; exhibit B: Voldemort – he who must not be named.

Life is not so different from Literature, mind you, for there are also words that send a chill down the spines of many people. As an experiment, try to say the words: onomatopoeia, ratiocinative , recalcitrance, aardvark, and etc. This would be more interesting if a teacher would ask his/her students to spell these words correctly, and observe the beautiful despair among their faces.

But all those are mere introduction. The object of fascination here is how words, signifiers—in theory—connect to multiple chains of meanings that give words dozens of other connotations, or signified meanings.

If Sauron is sure to ring a bell (pun intended), surely, the word sex also causes the same effect.

Sex. Sex. Sex. Sex. Sex. Sex. I have mentioned the word sex six times, not for any absurd symbolism but for sheer emphasis. By now the reader would have arrogated that the proceeding sentences are about the best passages of the Kama Sutra, how to effectively perform the doggie, or what forty-five is aside from its pistol counterpart, but also has the same explosiveness, albeit of a different quality.

The cultural semantics of the young have been stigmatized by centuries-old orthodox morals: among the lexical victims is, of

expressed interest but unable to make it. Among the participants aside from the regular members and officers of the Lodge include the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Manitoba MWB Chibu

course, sex.

There is a certain fear in mentioning the word sex; for one, it triggers a great deal of connotations: for example, when I say sex, someone is sure to think that I am “bastos” and of no education and breeding since I am mentioning a word that relates to something erotic, something taboo—something that runs counter to society’s strongly preserved selfinnocence. To some extent, the one who lets out the s-e-x from his/her mouth is in danger of being tagged a pervert. But, to paraphrase a KISS song, why place an X in Sex, anyway?

Perhaps we have placed sex in the shadows while giving the spotlight to its privileged opposite, abstinence—that which often brings up heroic Puritanism into the fold, while relegating sex as an act of religious and social banditry.

In short, we have stripped naked sex of all its beautiful adornments and have straight jacketed it with harsh prejudices and assumptions that are mainly responsible for its being a cultural and lingual stigma among the young.

And now, like the hated Evil One and his One Ring to Rule Them All, all things that relate to sex are also shunned.

The passage of the Reproductive Health Bill in the Philippines is strongly denied because, to many people, it promotes promiscuity through the accessibility of contraceptives, which to some are sex paraphernalia—an attack on the morals!

It is also an interesting linguistic case: they say that condoms trigger a libido overdrive among those who hear it and its uses; with that logic, the word “inidoro” also sends the digestive system into frenzy, and

Uson, the ladies of masons and two other non-mason guests Pepito "Dong" Lauredo and Bernabe "Bernie" Llorente.

Monthly breakfast meeting by the Lodge is scheduled every

During the presentation.

The information we gain from down goes logical reasoning in a opening the discourse on sex is flush. fundamental for the sustainability If indeed it is a moral duty to and the health of our society—that we attack words that are negative in nature, then why are moral institutions mum when nightly news dish out the words murder, rape, pillage, rob, kill, fire, destruction? All these words are of a negative quality, but it is interesting why we—a collective of listeners—have become callous to such words and their denotations and connotations. Perhaps it’s okay that someone has been raped or murdered as long as we don’t hear of news of anyone having sex, for that is totally a crime upon morality, or even upon humanity for that matter!

Turning a cold shoulder to such an important issue such as sex and instantly defiling it reduces society’s character; it embraces stoic dogmatism instead of participating in contemporary parlance, especially in modern discourse.

What do we lose because of this?

Because sex has become taboo, the young see it as an adventure opportunity to do it—not minding the implications that entail its practice.

For that, there is a steady rise of HIV cases in the Philippines. Young girls become pregnant because they were not taught the proper protection when engaging in it; there is, in short, a wholesale lack of information and a widespread case of misinformation.

Face it, sex is a beautiful act.

That’s why we should undress it of its medieval dressings, that which have withered it for centuries and dress it with the proper attention that it so deserves. We should not discuss it with bigoted derogatory comments; as well, we should treat it as it is, not as something fictional—minus all the sensational aspects attached to it.

Like every beautiful thing, sex should be discussed properly and openly, without direct prejudice and logical moralizing. The discourse on sex should be up with the times. If the present calls for its appreciation instead of defamation, then let’s do it—with utmost care and sensitivity.

We are losing too much and we are lagging behind because of our strongly held medieval affinities.

If we are to be really progressive, we should—and I say, should and must—throw away our prejudices, like throwing away the evil ring into the fires of Mount Doom. Let us set ablaze our age-old assumptions and deal with facts as they are, without fear and trembling—but with critical zeal and openness.

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second Saturday of the month.

Resource speakers are invited to give their presentations on certain topic assigned to them.Masons and non-mason are welcome to attend.

Photos by Reyne Cruz

not anymore seek to demonize sex, but to rather make it an opportunity for people to learn and practice responsibility.

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Horoscope A strong possibility is that you’ll have had enough of one situation and that you’ll be so, so tempted to walk out. Just before you take drastic action however, look around. It may be that you have allies and that you could effect change from within. Think carefully too about the full consequences of going it alone.

Long-distance and foreign connections, exchange and trade will be favored. You’ll travel a fair amount and may strike up a chance acquaintance who shares your views, ideals and ideas.

Also, you deal with a kind of weariness, even disillusionment, that sets in.

Willingness to help and serve will pay dividends, both materially and in terms of a “feel-good” factor. Don’t expect gratitude and appreciation, just go ahead and do whatever needs to be done. This phase presents an opportunity to get rid of what doesn’t work in your life, while also discovering what does.

You still extend warmth and friendship, as well as cooperation at work. All the trends, which started last month will now gain momentum, focus and direction. You reach out to people in a rare show of warmth, connubial bliss and friendship. This is a rather happy, goal-oriented month.

This can be a very creative time, when you make the most of what you have. You might embark upon new projects, or renew existing ones. The work you do may not be as profitable as it was earlier, or there may be unexpected expenses.

This is a very playful period of the year, when you are inspired creatively and emotionally. After a period of selfprotectiveness, you are now more spontaneous and more willing to take risks. A rich, fruitful and happy phase comes to you and you’re enjoying it.

Recognition, rewards, greater power and prestige, even your assets, property, belongings are enhanced greatly. The time is being truly generous, and you deserve it. Your vision is practical right now, and you want to see tangible results for your efforts.

You have a tendency to act and reflect automatically, and you could come across as an “open book” now. It’s a favorable time for solving problems and to work on improving your skills.

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Pagbiyahe ng jeep Bayan sa Cavite Artistang Tessie Sawata Di swerte Pantukoy Kolehiyo sa Baguio: pantitik Uri ng isda Hamak Kakain Kki ___ Palmas Pansin

PABABA 24 Intindi 28 Ranggo ng pulis: daglat 29 Turo 31 ___ Nido 32 Simbolo ng titanium 33 Dalang 37 Dating pangulong Fidel 39 Awit papuri 40 Ibang tawag kay Niño 41 Mababaw ang luha

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Palayaw ni Pamela Mr.Mulach de_____ Pan de Analogy: daglat Panalangin Ihanay Titik Griyego Ahas Paghila sa buhok Bughaw Palsipikado Pl ii kd Sawi

Mag-aalahas Lalawigan sa Mindanao Askad Maliit na kariton Mabutong prutas Mapaminsalang bagyo Benda Saya: ga___ Gapas ____ Fernando City Do, re, ____

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The truly intimate and personal you, needs to be examined minutely and where there is room for improvement, positive action be taken. You’ll need to establish good working relationships with colleagues, subordinates and bosses as well.

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This is a time when your best course of action is to recognize that you need, or rely on, others for support. Cooperative efforts revolve around making the most of all the resources belonging to two or more people. Arguments with partners over values or belongings are possible.

House or office may require renovation, refurbishing or expansion. Perhaps even a shift for either the office home factory/workplace. You want working conditions that satisfy you in every way, physically, technically and in the prevailing atmosphere and will take pains to achieve just that.

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PAHALANG

You still need to learn to relate better with others, but now it’s more on the intimate and personal level, the exchange of ideas, innermost thoughts, personal beliefs rather than the emotions.

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

Here is the puzzle. Good luck!

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

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by Dr. Eusebio Koh

Ordination of Women to Priesthood

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have been following the ordeal of Father Roy Bourgeois who participated in the ordination ceremony of a woman priest in the United States back in 2008. In case you don’t know, Father Roy is a 73-year-old peace activist Catholic priest who belongs to the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers for about four decades. He entered the seminary of Maryknoll after four years of military service receiving a Purple Heart for his duty in Vietnam. He was ordained in1972.

In August, 2008, he gave the homily at the ordination of Janice Sevre-Duszynska at a Unitarian church in Lexington, Kentucky for which he got a notice of possible excommunication by the Vatican. He was excommunicated latae sententiae meaning instant sentence for certain actions.

In March last year, Maryknoll asked him to recant his support of women’s ordination or face expulsion from the order. He did not recant and explained that his actions were a matter of conscience and rights of a priest. This month, Maryknoll took a vote to expel him but the results are not yet reported.

Why are women not allowed to be ordained into the Catholic priesthood?

Here is a very recent answer from a monsignor speaking on behalf of a Canadian archbishop, “On the question of the ordination of women, expert scholarship and the writings of the early Church Fathers clearly show that while women exercised a vital and irreplaceable role in the early Church, they were never ordained to the ministerial priesthood or episcopacy. This decision by the Church stems from the decision of Our Lord himself in his choice of the Twelve.”

That is a stock answer I have heard before from the hierarchy and lay people who oppose the ordination of women. Put in that context, who would question the wisdom of our Lord in whatever he decided to do.

As a Christian, I wouldn’t. But allow me to look a bit closer at the Church’s decision if indeed it stems from the Lord’s choice of disciples.

The Twelve were white, unschooled Jewish men, some of whom were married. Why did the Church allow non-white, non-Jewish and often learned men into the priesthood? If the decision stemmed

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from the Lord’s choice, then the Church should have allowed married men too. (Earlier, married men may be ordained to priesthood. Until the twelfth century, priests, bishops and 39 popes were married. Movements for celibacy started because of inheritance problems and celibacy was imposed following the Second Lateran Council in 1139. Not quite in accord with the Lord!)

I suppose when the first black was ordained a Catholic priest, an argument was placed that there were no blacks among the Lord’s disciples.

Similarly, there were no Italians, Americans, Canadians or Filipinos among the Twelve. How did the Church overcome the argument?

The Lord’s choice of the twelve was based more on their beliefs and faith. That they were all white Jewish men speaks more of the times than prejudice. Two thousand years ago in Palestine, long before the Dark Ages, a non-Jew was either a black

slave or a stranger from other lands.

I suppose none of these would be good in the Lord’s mind to spread the word or to lead believers in the Holy Land. And women were treated as chattel. Indeed, Paul had time and again warned that women should not speak or lead men (see for example 1 Corinthians 14: 34-35).

This cultural and social prejudice against women goes deep. In olden times, women were considered inferior to men physically (because they are smaller in size), intellectually and emotionally (might is right). This is the same prejudice that has kept women from leading a nation or becoming a leader in her chosen field of endeavour. But we have gone a long way from that or we would not have seen the emergence of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher of U. K., Prime Minister Indira Gandhi of India, Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan or President Cory Aquino of the Philippines.

March 20 - April 5, 2012 I like to think that every priest is called upon by the Holy Spirit to pursue a religious life, to become a priest and to serve the Lord. In my curiosity, I have asked some friendly priests how this comes about. I have been told that sometimes it happens in the quiet of the church or in his own bedroom when he is praying as a young man. Or it may happen in a dream. Naturally, similar things could have happened to young girls. A prime example would be St. Therese of Lisieux.

It is time that the Church considers the ordination of women to Catholic priesthood more seriously.

The argument that the Lord did not have women disciples is a red herring, convenient and dismissive but misleading and not conducive to solving an increasingly pestering problem of our Church in the twenty first century.

Wasabi Chocolates: To the Adventurous Gastronome Last February, on our way back to Canada from our vacation in the Philippines, we stopped over in Japan.

While we were at the Narita airport, waiting for our connecting flight to by aLfie vera mella Vancouver, we checked out many of elfideas102@yahoo.com the shops there. When I found there KitKat chocolate bars in flavors such as Wasabi, Green Tea, and Blueberry Cheese Cake, I was not surprised (On Being Multiculturally Oriented and anymore. I simply went back to the idea of product positioning and Gastronomically Adventurous) consumer catering.

We bought some of those ome self-aggrandizing Philippines are actually the ones who KitKat bars, and they tasted good— (‘pagbubuhat ng sariling are ignorant and laughable. another ambrosia for the adventurous bangko’) or self-downplaying gastronome—another edible proof (or reverse conceitedness, Japan – McPork (pork patty instead for the stance of a multiculturally ‘pagmamaliit kunyari sa sarili’) of beef) oriented individual. claims are borne out of ignorance. Chile – McEmpanada con Queso This is the reason I don't support (crust with meat and cheese fillings) Sa Madaling Salita or share the sentiment “Onli in da Egypt – McFalafel (burger drenched Kadalasan, ang kaignorantehan Pilipins” or even “Only in Canada,” in tahini-garlic sauce) ng isang tao ay bunga ng kanyang for the well-travelled or the well- France & Belgium – Le Croque kawalan ng kuryosidád at interés read and multiculturally oriented will McDo (Emmental cheese and a slice na matutunan ang mga bagayimmediately know if such a claim of ham) bagay. Kung tutuusin, di naman is valid or bogus, based usually on Germany – The Nürnburger (a trio of kinakailangang maglakbay pa sa narrow-minded or limited-experience small spiced sausages) malayong lugar para lang matuto; Middle Eastern / Israel – McShawarma observations. matuto lamang na saliksikin ang and McKebab (barbecued beef on a sariling komunidád at lokalidád para McSpaghetti and McSamosa: lafa and pita) di patuloy na maging isang ignorante The Netherlands – McKroket (deep What's Funny? at sarkastikong wala naman sa lugar.

For example, many fellow fried roll stuffed with chili) Filipinos or some non-Filipinos Or, in Simple Words here in Canada laugh at the fact that A McNugget of advice for those who Sometimes, a person’s ignorance McDonald's in the Philippines serves are quick to utter a sarcastic remark is borne out of her lack of curiosity spaghetti and chicken with rice. about cultures: Be informed before or unwillingness to explore. One They find this weird. Why? Because you laugh, for in the end you might does not need to travel abroad just to they are simply unfamiliar with the end up as the laughingstock. After all, discover things; all one needs to do is cultures of other countries and with sarcasm is usually rudeness disguised start exploring one’s own community what is known as product positioning. in humor. and locality, getting away from one’s To me, however, a McDonald’s comfort zone once in a while.

McSphagetti or McChicken with Rice is unsurprising and as normal as it can be; it's all about product positioning and market/consumer catering. In fact, in India, one can order at a McDonald's a Pizza McPuff—a combination of samosa and pizza—or a Veggie McCurry Pan—vegetables topped with egg-less creamy sauce served in a rectangular crust. And then some…

NOT Onli in da Pilipins (Nor in Canada)!

S

More McDo Goodies!

I haven’t been to a McDonald’s in countries other than the Philippines and Canada; but doing my homework (researching on the Internet), I share with you some more products that McDonald’s serves in other countries; to make the uninitiated realize that McSpaghetti and McChicken with Rice in the Philippines are not laughable. And this list just shows that those Filipinos who are embarrassed or hesitant to let non-Filipinos know that there is McSpaghetti in the

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Nate Diaz. Still though, Cowboy is a dangerous fighter in the lightweight division.

Notable Win: Dennis Siver

undefeated ever since. Beating top lightweights like Clay Guida and Jim Miller, he earned a shot at Frankie Edgar’s belt. A fight that he won. Just over a year from losing the WEC title, Ben Henderson stands atop the MMA Lightweight Rankings as the UFC Champion. Notable Win: Frankie Edgar.

@BigMarvShow

WEC Fighters Prove Their Caliber

W

hen World Extreme Cagefighting and Ultimate Fighting Championship existed as separate entities, the common notion was that WEC fighters were not at the same level as UFC Fighters. First WEC cut their heavier weight classes and a handful of fighters were given UFC Contracts. Then eventually, UFC merged WEC into their fold. Now that the playing field is even, many of the former WEC competitors have proven their worth. Some have wins over strong UFC staples and

two former WEC champions are currently UFC Champions. Here are the five WEC fighters who’ve made the biggest impact inside the Octagon.

5) Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone – One of the most exciting fighters in all of MMA, Cowboy is not shy to mix it up, neither inside nor outside the Octagon. He can trash talk and back it up. Cerrone started his UFC career with a 4-0 run. A possible title shot was talked about, until he was derailed in his last fight, a decision loss to

4) Anthony “Showtime” Pettis – You might remember Showtime for the highlight kick of 2010.

The cage bouncing kick helped him win the WEC lightweight championship guaranteeing him a shot at the UFC title. Then a draw between Edgar and Maynard and a decision loss to Clay Guida spoiled those plans. Since then, Pettis has dominated and is on the footstep of finally getting his UFC title shot. Notable Win: Joe Lauzon.

3) Mark “The Filipino Wrecking Machine” Munoz – Munoz steam rolled through the WEC’s light heavyweight division.

Unfortunately, his first fight was against the much bigger, more experienced Mark Hamill.

Munoz then dropped down to middleweight and went on a tear.

Munoz is now a fight away from a title shot. Notable Win: Demian Maia

the UFC, it seems Condit has made a habit of finishing fighters that are hard to finish. Knocking out Dan Hardy and Dong Hyun Kim. A severe injury to reigning welterweight champion, Georges St-Pierre, set up a fight for the interim title against Nick Diaz.

A fight Condit won and is now a UFC Champion. Notable Win: Nick Diaz 1) Ben Henderson – Bendo’s final fight in the WEC wasn’t his coming out party. Even though it was a Fight of the Year candidate for 2010, it was still a fight where he lost the WEC lightweight championship. He then moved into the UFC mix and has been

It’s amazing to think that anyone would consider these fighters a step below UFC fighters back when they competed on two different shows. I wonder what kind of impact Strikeforce fighters would have if Zuffa were to merge it with the UFC. I, for one, hope it happens sooner than later.

2) Carlos “The Natural Born Killer” Condit – Since entering

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Filipino Journal 27

The Pulse of the Filipino Community Since 1987

March 20 - April 5, 2012

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