Filipino Journal Winnipeg Volume 24 Number 10

24 Years Visit our Web site - www.FilipinoJournal.com

May 20 - June 5, 2010 • Volume 24, Number 10

Rosalinda Natividad Cantiveros Courage Award honors two outstanding youths in Winnipeg

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Aquino, Binay still in top two positions

Pages 24-26 ► City of Winnipeg names youth award after long-time Filipino Journal co-founder.

Fil-Am on way out as White House chef?

Cristeta Comerford

Page 11 ► In the nation’s first automated and computerized election, Aquino and Binay are atop the polls for the Philippines next President and Vice-President.

Fabulous At Any Age

Page 6 ►

Page 14 ► Beuncie Gavino

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Winnipegers march against human trafficing, raise awareness

Page 4 ► MP Joy Smith of Kildonan-St. Paul & Ron Evans, Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs lead the campaign against human trafficking.

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May 20 - June 5, 2010

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Human Trafficking walk serves as an awareness of the crime

Hundreds of supporter join the walk against Human Trafficking at the legislative ground.

A woman carries a picture of a missing child

Walking along the blvd.

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ith hundred of supporters in the recently held human trafficking march, MP Joy Smith rallied to end up the traffcking of women and boys in the City of Winnipeg, all over Canada and in the world. “This march will raise awareness of the crime committed by countless people. And I am so thankful to have more people help us to united to end this crime.

With this march, this issue of human trafficking must be the rallying cry of individuals and groups that this crime must be stopped and the perpetrators must be punished,” said MP Joy Smith after the successful walk against human trafficking.

As reported, young girls and boys are becoming victims in the City.

The Original Filipino Seniors Association of Manitoba (OFSAM) headed by Florencio “Tony” Antonio, president, led the senior’s group with Carrie de la Cruz and Letty Antonio.

Education and awareness are the greatest weapons against this crime. In 2009, MP Joy Smith presented a private bill to amend Canada’s Criminal Code to give a five-year minimum sentence for people convicted of

trafficking minors. The Smith’s bill had passed the second reading and is being reviewed by a Senate committee.

Many leaders from the various organizations joined the walk include Ron Evans, Grand Chief of

Filipino Journal Ron Cantiveros Publisher

aLfie vera mella Associate Editor

Rod Escobar Cantiveros Sales & Advertising

Rosalinda Linsangan Natividad-Cantiveros

Founder, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief- Filipino Journal 1987-2008

The Manitoba Council of Canadian Filipino Association (MaCCFA) headed by the president Rowena Oquendo join the campaign to support MP Joy Smith’s fight against human trafficking. Allan Zoleta, vice-president, internal; Julie Javier, vice-president, external and Dr. Irene Guzman led the group.

Photos by Charles Cabiles | Filipino Journal

the Assembly of Manitoba Chief.

From the Filipino community, the officers and members of Manitoba Council of Filipino Canadian Associations (MaCCFA) headed by Rowena Oquendo, the president; and the officers

www.FilipinoBrideAndGroom.com Published Annually

and members of the Original Filipino Seniors Association of Manitoba(OFSAM) led

by Florencio “Tony” Antonio, president and the staff of the Filipino Journal.

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Contributing Writers: Lucille Nolasco

Fran Avila-Anthony

RG (Bob) Gabuna Dr. Eusebio Koh Reis Pagtakhan

Joan Duhaylungsod

Mike Pagtakhan

Pastor Junie Josue

Ramon Toralba

Johnny Cantiveros

Perry Diaz

Paulo G. Ercia

Gem M. Anis

Ruwiz Mercado

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May 20 - June 5, 2010

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PEREZCOPE

by Perry Diaz PerryDiaz@gmail.com

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Corona’s Thorny Crown

resident Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ignited a firestorm right after the presidential elections when she appointed Justice Renato Corona to replace Chief Justice Reynato Puno who retired last May 17. On the day Puno retired, Corona took his oath of office before Arroyo.

With that, the High Court is now composed of all justices appointed

by Arroyo. The “Arroyo Court” is now fait accompli. Or should I say, “Coronarroyo Court”?

Corona’s appointment would have been uncontroversial and untainted had it not been made during the constitutional ban on “midnight appointments.”

The controversy arose when the Supreme Court, in a 9-1 decision, ruled in favor of Arturo M. De Castro’s petition (De Castro vs.

Judicial and Bar Council) to the Supreme Court to allow the President to appoint the successor of Chief Justice Puno upon his retirement, on the ground “that the prohibition against presidential appointments under Section 15, Article VII does not extend to appointments in the Judiciary.”

Ban on “midnight appointments” But that’s not what Section 15, Article VII says. What is says is: “Two months immediately before the next presidential elections and up to the end of his term, a President or Acting President shall not make appointments, except temporary appointments to executive positions when continued vacancies therein will prejudice public service or endanger public safety.”

It’s crystal clear that the ban on “midnight appointments” covers permanent appointments to the Supreme Court including the Chief Justice. Justice Lucas Bersamin, who penned the decision, argued that the constitutional provision did not apply to the position of chief justice. It’s analogous to saying, “The color of the white dog is black.”

Prior to accepting the appointment, Corona was warned by the Philippine Bar Association (PBA) that he can be “sanctioned for violating the Constitution if he accepts his appointment as Chief Justice.” PBA president and former Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo said, “He should reject also because he’s tainted already.

He follows what the incumbent President wants. There’s great doubt on his independence and

[that he is] out to protect [the] President from suits.”

Corona was also challenged

by Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo to “defend the integrity of the judiciary instead of showing loyalty to President Arroyo.” He also said, “I hope the incoming chief justice will maintain the independence of the Supreme Court and not be influenced by ‘utang na loob’ to the President.”

Indeed, it is “utang na loob” (debt of gratitude) that seems to be the culprit in influencing the nine justices -- seven of whom, including Bersamin, were appointed by Arroyo in 2009 and 2010 -- to concur with Bersamin’s controversial ponencia.

It’s interesting to note that during the interview of the four nominees for Chief Justice by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), Justice Arturo Brion was asked: “How about utang na loob?” While not admitting to it, his answer was: “That is a cultural baggage.”

Thorny crown The militant labor group, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), likened Corona to a “thorny crown” placed on the head of President-apparent Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III. KMU Chairman Elmer Labog said, “By appointing the justice who is most loyal to her to head the Supreme Court, Arroyo is passing a thorny crown to Sen. Aquino. She is leaving yet another ugly legacy to the next administration and to the Filipino people.”

However, in my opinion, the “thorny crown” is not on Noynoy’s head but on Corona’s head. It’s an ignominious “crown” that he would wear for as long as he is the Chief Justice. He has to bear the pain of being mocked as Arroyo’s “midnight chief justice.”

And each time that he takes a vote on a case before the High Court involving Arroyo, there would be a great deal of skepticism and suspicion on how he arrived at his decision, particularly if it would be favorable to Arroyo.

If his past votes were taken into consideration as to how he is going to perform as Chief Justice, then there is the likelihood that he would continue to be perceived as biased for Arroyo.

When asked by the media after his oath-taking if he would inhibit himself from hearing cases involving Arroyo, his answer was: “You’re asking me to express my opinion on a case which has never

even been filed yet. So I therefore decline to answer that question. We will deal with the issue head-on if and when there is a case pending before us.” Crafty, indeed.

With the anticipated high volume of plunder and other criminal cases that would be filed against Arroyo, the Supreme Court would be inundated with caseloads for the duration of Corona’s stewardship of the High Court for the next eight years.

Many people are of the opinion that Arroyo appointed Corona to protect her from those cases.

When Arroyo announced Corona’s appointment ahead of the Puno’s retirement on May 17, it provoked an early clash with Noynoy who said that he would not recognize Arroyo’s midnight appointments. And to make his point clear, Noynoy said that he would take his oath of office before a barangay chairman, the lowest elected government official.

Midnight Chief Justice Now that Corona has taken his oath of office, the question is: Would Noynoy pursue the removal of Corona? If so, it would certainly create a constitutional crisis -- pitting the executive branch against the judiciary branch of government.

However, if Noynoy decides not to remove Corona, then Corona’s appointment would be tantamount to a constitutional “amendment” that would render Section 15, Article VII unenforceable and, therefore, inutile. And once that precedent is set, I wonder what the “Arroyo Court” would do to tweak or twist other provisions of the constitution? Has the rule of man supplanted the rule of law in our benighted country?

Former Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban, in his article, “Midnight chief justice,” published on March 27, 2010, said: “It has definitely eroded the high moral ascendancy of the highest court of the land. It is bad enough that the tribunal is now freely labeled as the ‘Arroyo Court.’ Worse, the appointee will be ingloriously branded the ‘midnight chief justice.’ ” Yes, indeed.

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Philippine News Aquino unsure of taking oath before new Chief Justice Liberal Party standard bearer and president elect Sen. Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III is unsure if he will take his oath of office before newly appointed Supreme Court (SC) Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Aquino said Corona’s appointment is highly questionable as the election ban is still in place despite the earlier SC ruling allowing President Gloria MacapagalArroyo to do so. Despite Aquino’s threat, Malacanang expects such appointment on May 17, the day Chief Justice Reynato Puno retires, or shortly afterwards. Under the law, the appointment can be made within 90 days from the time the Chief Justice’s post becomes vacant.

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Philippine News

Manny agrees to blood test; megafight on?

WBO welterweight champion said Tuesday (May 18) evening during a visit to President-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III. Pacquiao was quoted by Philip Ella Juico, who had the chance to promote a couple of Pacquiao fights in the Philippines years back, as saying that the fight with Mayweather might soon happen.

“Malamang tuloy na (It might push through now),” Pacquiao had said to that effect.

In a separate report, Pacquiao said he had agreed to take the test 14 days before the fight but depending on the amount.

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anny Pacquiao is willing to take the blood test to fight Floyd Mayweather, Jr. The 31-year-old Filipino, who just became the first boxer in history ever to be elected to Congress, said he’s willing to take the blood test as long as they’re not done close to the fight.

“Huwag lang sa day ng fight (Never on fight day),” the reigning

The Congressman from Sarangani said he doesn’t need any tuneup match heading to the superfight with Mayweather, who himself may need no other fight before taking on the reigning pound-for-pound champion.

Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, has penciled Nov. 13 for Pacquiao’s next fight, and it could be against Mayweather or anyone else.

May 20 - June 5, 2010

Fil-Am on way out as White House chef?

WASHINGTON – Cristeta Comerford may be on the way out as White House executive chef if the buzz making the rounds in the Filipino American community in the US capital is to be believed.

The buzz intensified when the Washington Post reported that for Wednesday’s (May 19) state dinner for Mexican President Felipe Calderon, President Barack Obama and wife Michelle invited a guest chef to preside in the kitchen instead of Comerford.

Last November a Swedish chef created the meal for Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The report in “The Reliable Source” column of the daily’s pullout Style section on Tuesday was headlined “Cookin’ up controversy?“ Until the Obamas moved to the White House, guest chefs were very rare, the report said.

It quoted an unnamed former White House staffer as saying bringing in a guest chef for a state dinner was “deeply insulting.”

Others don’t see any problem and Eric Ripert, a top restaurant chef, said it’s very common in the industry to host another chef.

Liberal Party chooses Sonny Belmonte as bet for speaker

Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte, Jr.

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The beauty is that both chefs learn new techniques and see new products from each other, he told the daily.

Comerford, a naturalized US citizen from the Philippines, was an assistant chef in the White House kitchen from 1995 before being named by Laura Bush to be the top cook in August 2005.

Michelle Obama elected to keep her on when President Obama was inaugurated into office in January 2009.

OPINIONS info@FilipinoJournal.com FilipinoJournal.com

he Liberal Party (LP) has formally chosen outgoing Quezon City Mayor and Congressman-elect Feliciano Belmonte Jr. as its candidate for speaker of the House of Representatives.

The decision was made on Wednesday night (May 19) during a caucus of more than 60 LP leaders at their party headquarters in Cubao, Quezon City.

LP standard-bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, who has apparently won the presidency, and his running mate Sen. Mar Roxas, who is party president, presided over the caucus.

“We will support him, we will campaign for him and I am confident that he will emerge as the speaker,” Roxas said.

The choice of Belmonte became unanimous after Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III, party spokesman, withdrew his speakership bid.

Bicol group tops party list top post AKO BICOL Political Party, composed of people advocating progress and development of the Bicol Region now occupies the top post based on the initial national canvass report in the party-list elections.

Among its officers include a Dr. Dennis Febueno of the Commission of Higher

Education and outgoing Legazpi mayor Noel Rosal. The organization unseated Buhay Hayaan Yumabong (Buhay) in the first place. The group is identified with the El Shaddai group since one of their nominees is Bro. Mariano “Mike” Velarde, the charismatic group’s leader.

Comelec unlikely to fill up Aquino’s Senate seat

The Commission on Election (Comelec) is unlikely to hold a special election for the position that will be vacated by Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino once he assumes his post as the Philippines’ 15th President.

Aquino’s term as a lawmaker is until 2013, as he won the midterm polls in

2007. Lawyer Romulo Macalintal said that Comelec could not fill up Aquino’s slot since it cannot declare a special poll.

He further said that in case of vacancy in Senate, there should be a special elections but the special elections should be held simultaneously with a regular elections.

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May 20 - June 5, 2010

The Pulse of the Filipino Community Since 1987

From the Desk of

Councilor Mike Pagtakhan

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Planning to Adopt a Dog?

he Animal Services Agency Adoption Program was created to assist the public in choosing the right dog for each situation. I have compiled below a list of some important criteria to help you and your family in the selection of a new pet. May this guide you in assisting you with your decision. Thank you.

1. Why do you want a dog? For a companion, to do dog sports with, a pet for the children, etc. Your reasons for wanting a dog will affect your choice.

2. Accommodations: Where you live, whether in a house you own with a fenced in yard or a small apartment, is going to be one of the biggest factors in choosing a dog. You want to be fair to the dog and to yourself. A Great Dane living in an apartment is not an ideal situation.

3. Family: If you have children or elderly family members at home, you will need to find out

as much as possible about the temperament of the dog you are looking for. Many breeds are known for having outstanding temperaments.

4. Exercise: All dogs need daily exercise. How much is often determined by the size and breed of the dog. Large breeds generally require more exercise than small breeds. Dogs that are in the working, sporting, and herding groups all need quite a bit of exercise on a regular basis. If you work all day and the dog is going to be confined for a large period of time, this would be a major factor in your decision on what type of dog you are choosing.

5. Grooming: All dogs require some form of basic grooming on a regular basis. Breeds with long coats need a substantial amount of brushing and other breeds such as poodles, schnauzers, etc., need to be clipped often. This can be costly and should be considered

when you choose one of these breeds.

6. Age of the Dog: Are you in a situation where you have the time and patience to train a new puppy?

Young puppies can be a lot of work. An adult dog often has had some training and what you see is what you get. The size and appearance of the dog is already determined.

7. Size of the Dog: Your accommodations will also determine what size of a dog you can handle. With cross breed dogs you cannot always tell how big the dog will get but by figuring out the approximate age of the dog and possible breeds, you can get a good idea. Regardless of the size of dog we suggest all dog owners take their pet for some basic obedience.

8. Activity Level of the Dog: Many breeds are very active while others prefer to be couch potatoes.

Not all small breeds are cut out to lounge around. Many of the terrier breeds are small but quite active. Some of the larger/giant breeds are happy with a regular, mild exercise routine.

9. Personal Commitment: How much time you and your family members have to train, exercise and devote to your dog will determine what kind of pet you will end up with. The more time

Philippine News Nograles moves back proclamation timetable

Speaker Prospero Nograles

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residential frontrunner Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III might have to wait longer before Congress proclaims him winner in the May 10 presidential election.

Speaker Prospero Nograles has moved back the proclamation timetable by more than three weeks, from June 4 to June 30, when President Arroyo must hand over power at noon to her successor, as Congress looks for indications of automated poll fraud.

In a television interview, Nograles said the Senate and the House of Representatives would be able to proclaim the winning candidates for president and vice president “on or before high noon of June 30.”

That is when the terms of President Arroyo, Vice President Noli de Castro and Nograles and other members of Congress will expire.

It’s not clear what would happen if Congress fails to proclaim the new president and vice president

by June 30.

Palace: Comelec, not Congress, should probe fraud

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he Commission on Elections (Comelec) should take the lead in investigating the discrepancies and irregularities in the counting of ballots to allow Congress to proclaim the next president and vice president of the country, Malacañang said Thursday (May 20).

While Congress has the right to conduct a probe into the alleged discrepancies arising from the May 10 elections, presidential spokesman Ricardo Saludo said these issues “may be best brought to the bodies that are constituted to address election protests and election violations.”

Saludo expressed concern that the probe being conducted by the House of Representatives could delay the process of canvassing the votes and delay the proclamation of the winner of the presidential and vice presidential races.

“Who are we to tell Congress what they should or should not look into? They can look into that, but it can happen that if they use up all their time there then the proclamation might be delayed,” Saludo said in Filipino.

He said the same concerns could be raised during the canvassing period that would add up to the delay in the proclamation.

Foreign Affairs Department recalls 25 political envoys

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wenty-five political ambassadors who are coterminus with President Arroyo have received recall orders, a senior official of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Thursday (May 20).

The official, who asked not to be named, said the ambassadors recalled to the home office are Ma. Consuelo Puyat-Reyes (Santiago); Acmad Omar (Muscat); Antonio Villamor (Riyadh); Generoso Senga (Tehran); Francisco Ortigas III (Mexico); Jose Brillantes (Ottawa); Ernesto de Leon (Canberra); Orlando Mercado (ASEAN-Jakarta); Vidal Querol (Jakarta); and Ramoncito Marino (Koror).

Also recalled are Francisco Benedicto (Beijing); Noe Wong (Phnom Penh); Shirley Ho-Vicario (Port Moresby); Domingo Siazon Jr. (Tokyo); Bienvenido Tejano (Wellington); Rigoberto Tiglao (Athens); Delia Albert (Berlin); Alejandro del Rosario (Warsaw); Manuel Antonio Teehankee (Geneva WTO); Antonio Manuel Lagdameo Jr. (London); Regina Irene Sarmiento (Prague); Mercedes Tuason (Vatican); Alexander Yano (Brunei); Cardozo Luna The secretary and five undersecretaries of the DFA who are political appointees and co-terminus with President Arroyo will all cease to hold office

by June 30.

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you can give to your dog the better your results will be. It is your job as a responsible pet owner to teach and train your dog to be a good canine citizen.

These are a few items to help assist you in your search for the right dog. I would like to stress that it is a major decision in getting a dog and one that is a lifetime commitment for that animal. If you have any questions please feel free to ask for one of the Animal Health Technologists who can help you.

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Services Agency at 311

Adoption fees include: • mandatory spaying/neutering • first license • check up by the veterinarian • first vaccinations (excluding rabies) • tattoo • microchip implant • 6 weeks of free pet insurance • a small bag of dog food • de-worming for young pups • coupons and literature on responsible pet ownership.

For more information on how to Adoption Fees adopt dogs, call 311.

Adoption fees start at Reference : http://winnipeg.ca/ $130.20. For further information cms/animal/adoption/ on adoption fees call the Animal

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Filipino Journal

The Pulse of the Filipino Community Since 1987

May 20 - June 5, 2010

Invisible Darkness (1997)

by Stephen Williams, about the serial killing of the infamous couple Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka; Inside the Mind of BTK: The True Story Behind the Thirty-Year Hunt for the Notorious Wichita Serial Killer (2008) by John Douglas; and The Crimes of Josef Fritzl: Uncovering the Truth (2009)

by Stefanie Marsh and Bojan Pancevski, about a father who imprisoned a daughter of his in the basement of their house for 24 years, raping and abusing her, which resulted in the birth of seven children and one miscarriage.

The Last Leaf The brutal elements and horrific details of such books may seem revolting, but this very horror and the often contradictory or bipolar personalities of those involved in the perpetration of such heinous crimes are what equally baffles and fascinates readers and enthusiasts of truecrime literary genre.

subjects, especially that she often writes about high-profile heinous crimes. She wrote for magazines like True Detective, Master Detective, Inside Detective, Front Page Detective, and Office by aLfie vera mella Detective.

She became popular elfideas102@yahoo.com after she wrote her first book, The Stranger Beside Me, which she wrote under her real name. Rule remains active in writing; in fact, her latest book, But I Trusted You, o enthusiasts of true bibliography of Rule’s published was released last year, 2009.

Other Recommended Books crime, Ann Rule perhaps works in the genre. tops their list of favorite The Path of Rule authors, simply because Rule Born in 1935, Ann Rule was is one of if not the most prolific surrounded by family members author in the genre. who followed careers in law True crime is a non-fiction enforcement. A grandfather literary genre which deals with and an uncle were sheriffs in actual crimes and details the Michigan, United States; another actions of real people. The crimes uncle was a medical examiner; most commonly include murder and a cousin was a prosecutor. and involve serial killers, but true- Rule spent her summers with crime works have also touched on her grandparents doing volunteer other legal cases. In the genre, work in the local jail. She Ann Rule is regarded as one of the majored in creative writing, along most important authors because with minors in criminology, of her prolificity. To date, Rule penology, and psychology.

Ann Rule and her has published more than 30 books She extended her education by which include The Stranger Beside taking criminal courses such as works are just some of Me (1980), about Ted Bundy and crime scene investigation, to the widely read and most the murders he committed; The I- include photography and police collectible books in the 5 Killer (1988), about the murders administration among others. To true-crime genre. If you’re Randall Woodfield committed; this day she continues her adult an enthusiast of the genre, Small Sacrifices (1987), about the education in criminal studies and here are some more titles that I recommend plus crimes Diane Downs committed; also teaches courses herself. and Green River, Running Rule started writing in the late their respective authors and Red (2004), about Gary Leon 1960s using a pen name not only subjects: Helter Skelter (1974) Ridgway, the Green River Killer. because a female writer of such by Vincent Bugliosi and And being a book collector and genre might be unconvincing for an enthusiast of true crime, I many readers but also to protect Curt Gentry, about the have in my collection a complete herself and her family from her murders perpetrated in 1969

by followers of Charles Manson and Bugliosi’s own prosecution of Manson and his followers; Fatal Vision (1983) by Joe McGinniss, about Captain Jeffrey MacDonald, M.D., who in 1979 was convicted of the murder of his pregnant wife and his two young daughters; Cruel Sacrifice (1994) by Aphrodite Jones, about the killing of a 12-year-old girl by her equally young, teenage friends and acquaintances;

Minister Cannon Tables the Transboundary Waters Protection Act to Protect Canadian Waters

Manitoba Liberals Challenge NDP Statements on the Number of Children in Care

Ann Rule & Other Recommended True-Crime Books

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The Honourable Lawrence Minister of Foreign Affairs

Cannon,

(No. 161 - May 13, 2010 11:45 a.m. ET) The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today tabled a new bill, the Transboundary Waters Protection Act, which

protects Canadian water by strengthening prohibitions on bulk removal of Canada’s water outside the country.

“This government is protecting Canadian waters for Canadians,” said Minister Cannon. “The protections in this new bill will preserve our drinking water and our natural heritage for generations to come.”

“Protection of our freshwater resources is a key priority under the government’s Action Plan for Clean Water. We are working to make sure that our water is accessible, clean and safe for Canadians today and in the future,” said the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment. “This important legislation makes it clear that we are not in the business of exporting our water. Canadian water is not a commodity. It is not for sale.”

The new act strengthens

existing protections by bringing waters within federal jurisdiction under a more comprehensive prohibition against bulk water removals. Rivers and streams that cross international borders will now receive the same protection already in place for waters, such as the Great Lakes, that straddle them.

The Act gives the federal government new powers of inspection and enforcement and introduces tough new penalties for violations, including fines of up to $6 million for corporate violations. The bill offers unprecedented federal protection against bulk water exports while respecting provincial constitutional jurisdiction.

“The federal government will continue to work with provincial and territorial governments to ensure that Canadian water is protected,” said Minister Cannon.

Jon Gerrard Minister Mackintosh is feeding Manitobans false information on this issue: Gerrard Winnipeg – Jon Gerrard, Leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party and MLA for River Heights, today challenged Gord Mackintosh, Minister of Family Services and Consumer Affairs on his statements regarding the number of children in care.

“The Minister of Family Services is feeding Manitobans the idea that the number of children

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in care in our province is on par with what is occurring in other North American jurisdictions, and that is false. Manitoba has the highest number of children in care out of the four western provinces.

Saskatchewan, Alberta, and BC all have much lower rates,” said Gerrard.

Gerrard also added that while the number of children in care in Manitoba has steadily risen, Alberta has dramatically reduced the number of children in care through new programs that provide enhanced services to families at risk.

“The NDP need to review their family services policies and programs, and commit to funding enhanced family services with a goal of keeping families together.

The Manitoba Liberal Party is challenging the NDP to set longterm goals for reducing the number of kids in care and to create a system that supports these goals.”

May 20 - June 5, 2010

The Pulse of the Filipino Community Since 1987

by Lucille Nolasco lucille_nolasco@yahoo.com

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Living Without Facebook

irst there was Friendster. A few years ago, you don’t belong to the social loop if you didn’t have a Friendster account. Then came Facebook, a more savvy and more featureheavy social networking site.

Majority of friendsters ‘upgraded’ to be facebookers.

Since Mark Elliott Zuckerberg and his friends launched Facebook in 2004 from a Harvard dorm room, it now has more than 400 million users, and 50 percent of active users log on to Facebook in any given day. People spend over 500 billion minutes per month on today’s most popular networking site.

However the social network’s popularity hit a snag for a series of recent changes to its policies that have limited what users can keep private, as well as embarrassing technical glitches that exposed personal data. Other concerns include viruses in guise of free online games Facebook offers.

I have recently deactivated my facebook account. Admittedly because of the aforementioned issues and a bit more. From being a fun and quick way to connect with friends and relatives from different parts of the world,

keeping my Facebook account has become time-consuming and stressful. Why? Because everytime I open my personal email I get a message informing me that somebody wrote on my wall, somebody sent me a ‘free’ gift or challenged me to a game, or sent me a message that of course I had to see, right? And you just had to respond with every message and comment because the other party might think you’re snubbing him/her.

Also, users tend to inundate the site with too much personal information that is not of interest to others. Seriously. Most of these postings are sadly, for selfpromotion and personal glory.

Don’t get me wrong, Facebook on occasion is a great tool for promoting events and people, as well as communicating with relatives and friends from different parts of the world quickly, and it’s free.

The problem comes in when you spend hours and hours in it until your eyes turn red from strain. You just can’t stop building and adding to your farm in Farmville. And of course, another big problem is the amount of information you make known

to others about yourself. Yes, you can always re-set your personal settings again and again, but the world wide web is such a vast and complex global medium that can be manipulated by those with bad intentions. Remember the story of how Facebook users were unpleasantly surprised when their photos appeared on internet ads?

Facebook can also be used to promote unusual and dangerous ideas. Just thisWednesday (May 19) the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) directed Internet service providers to block access to Facebook indefinitely because of an online competition to draw the Prophet Mohammad. Any representation of the Prophet Mohammad is deemed un-Islamic and blasphemous by Muslims.

In Paris, a mass cocktail party set for Sunday (May 23) was cancelled by police due to alcohol ban in the Champ de mars area. A week before this, a man reportedly fell to his death after taking part in a cocktail evening which was set up over Facebook and drew almost 10,000 revelers.

The death was the first on record as a result of so-called “Facebook aperitifs.”

It’s been three weeks since I’ve lived without Facebook, and so far I have no regrets. And by the end of the month, I might be joined by thousands of others, as a group of individuals from Toronto are campaigning for Facebook account deactivation because of various issues, the most pressing of which, is privacy.

Hanggang sa muli!

Filipino Journal

9

Ryan holds despedida get-together

Ryan Baldonado celebrated a despedida party with friends and family.

Giboy celebrates birthday

Gilbert Trillana [wearing eyeglasses] celebrated birthday with friends whom included Roy Gutierrez, Charina Corbillon, Jim Olaes, aLfie vera mella, Evawwen Mella, Bert Nicanor, Christine Rose Sabater, Mary Grace Bodoy, Ada Marie Delfin, and Boy Lumabas.

Gemma celebrates birthday in Sandy Hook

Gemma Sigua celebrated her birthday with family, coworkers, and friends in Sandy Hook, Gimli (in the picture: Donna Arlante & parents, Arman Santos, Allan Bactol, aLfie vera mella, Mercy Aguinaldo & husband Fernand, Angie Policarpio, Ramon Sigua & Gemma Sigua, Lilibeth Velasquez, and Fely Igharas.

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10 Filipino Journal

The Pulse of the Filipino Community Since 1987

by Dr. Eusebio Koh

I

Autumn Wind

n Chemistry, a chain reaction is a collision of free electrons in a strong electric field which releases new electrons to undergo the same process in succession.

After my book Like the Mimosa came out two years ago, I experienced a chain reaction of sorts.

When my good friend Ading Luna of Burlington, Ontario, got a copy of the book and read it, he wrote me to order five copies which he would send to his friends. I quickly airmailed them; and a short time later, a Dr. Cesar Gonzales from Quincy, Massachusetts, wrote to tell me he read the book that he received from Ading and that he was ordering four copies to give to his friends. Then, a Dr. Eusebio C. Kho (with a name sounding like mine) of Scottsburg, Indiana, wrote that he read a copy which he got from Dr. Gonzales, and he ordered five more. I have never met Drs. Gonzales and Kho, but they have become very good email friends.

The experience was so

heartwarming and unexpected that I was encouraged to publish another book of my creative writing. The new book contains five short stories, twentyeight poems, and thirtyone essays.

The stories and some of the poems are new and have not been published.

O t h e r poems have appeared in Prairie Messenger, a Catholic w e e k l y published in Munster, Saskatchewan, or online on Our Own Voice, a literary e-magazine with a Filipino board of editors. As in the essays in Like the Mimosa, the essays in this new book of mine are selected articles published in my column, Counterpoint, in Filipino Journal.

The three short stories, which I called Arabian vignettes, tell of my family’s experiences in Saudi Arabia where we lived for three years in the early 1980s.

Inshallah is about a rich royal Saudi student whom I caught cheating in a midterm exam and how I handled it. Al Isa is a Christmas celebration in a Muslim country marred by an unfortunate event. Incidents at Al Khobar tells of happenings to my family in this teeming city by the Gulf. The Plight of Father Patrick is about a true situation that came

up at my parish church to the chagrin of many people involved. Darcy and Vicky tells of an intriguing turn of events to tenants of mine in a rental house.

I called the book Autumn Wind – title of a sonnet I wrote four autumns ago. The other

sonnets include Snow, Alcohol, and You Left. Alcohol is dedicated to Danny Nagrampa, a Knights of Columbus brother of mine who died in a car accident.

Prairie Messenger continues to publish my shorter poems and has declined to accept long poems; thus, my longer poems—Grass and The Nightwalker—appear in the book for the first time.

I have been writing this column since 1993, and I have included the dates to the essays when I wrote them to give them currency. Although my essays are biased, favoring Filipino cultural values and virtues, I jump on important international activities when the opportunity arises. I was effusive with joy at the breaking down of Apartheid in South Africa in 1994, which led to the emergence of Nelson Mandela; and of the Berlin Wall, leading to the reunification of Germany. On the other hand, the disaster in Haiti early this year saddened me. I have included my take on these events in the book.

There are essays on people for whom I have very high regards: Jose Rizal, Emilio Jacinto, Jose

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May 20 - June 5, 2010

B. Cruz Jr., Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Benazir Bhutto.

Self-publishing or publishing in small quantities is a tricky business. It is not as cheap per copy as publishing in the hundreds of thousands or millions. (So I’ll never be able to compete with billionaire J. K. Rowling of Harry Potter fame.) Promotion and advertisement are reduced to cut cost. But I have had happy times with publishing. I have been lucky to have a good editor and publisher in Heather Nickel, who was an English major. Besides editing, she did the formatting, the cover design, and other odds and ends to get Autumn Wind published. I also acknowledge with gratitude the advice and critique of the manuscript by two gentlemen: Virgilio Gonzales of Danbury, Connecticut, who is writing an autobiographical novel; and aLfie vera mella, our associate editor of Filipino Journal. Last but never least, I thank my good wife, Dony, for her constant support and inspiration.

If some of you have enjoyed reading my book Like the Mimosa, I think you might like also Autumn Wind. It came out in the second week of May and already, I’ve sold thirty copies.

It costs $14.95 plus postage and packaging. It will be available at bookstores or my publisher at heather@yournickelsworth.com or from me directly at dony@ accesscomm.ca.

May 20 - June 5, 2010

The Pulse of the Filipino Community Since 1987

Aquino, Binay still in top two positions

S

enator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay continue their grip in the top two highest positions in the land based on the official data from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the accredited citizen’s arm Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), which did a parallel vote count.

The latest official Comelec tally shows Aquino with 13,165,152 votes while former President Joseph Estrada was a far second with 8,425,899. In the vice presidential race, Binay still leads with 12,921,315 votes compared to Aquino’s running-mate Senator Mar Roxas who got 12,072,145 votes.

In the PPCRV tally which accounts for 68,953 out of 76,475 clustered precincts in the entire country, Aquino still leads the pack with 13,840,237 (41.85 percent)

votes, while Estrada has 8,758,415 (26.48 percent), for a margin of about five million votes. The vice presidential contest shows a similar result with Binay having 13,490,004 votes as against Roxas’s 12,679,356 for a difference of at least 800,000 votes.

Meanwhile, Aquino said he may ask Supreme Court Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales to administer his oath-taking as he maintains that he does not want Chief Justice Renato Corona to swear him in as the country’s next president. Aquino upholds that an incumbent president is constitutionally banned to make appointments during the election period.

Carpio-Morales was the lone dissenter in the Supreme Court’s decision to allow President Arroyo to appoint the replacement of chief justice Reynato Puno, who retired May 17.

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12 Filipino Journal

The Pulse of the Filipino Community Since 1987

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May 20 - June 5, 2010

May 20 - June 5, 2010

The Pulse of the Filipino Community Since 1987

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Filipino Journal 13

14 Filipino Journal

M

akeup can make anyone look as young as they feel.

With a few simple steps you can bring out your inner goddess to look and feel EXTRA BEAUTIFUL! Tita Beuncie has always been a pillar of inspiration for me. Growing up and observing her combination of dedication to family, committed work ethic and appreciation for style has influenced me and my entrepreneurial spirit.

That being said, we’re here to inspire you to bring out your best. We want to show you how to look EXTRA beautiful and fresh without looking over done. To

The Pulse of the Filipino Community Since 1987

May 20 - June 5, 2010

achieve this look we’re going to work with wrinkle relaxing skin care, sheer foundations, and warm, neutral colors.

Makeup for pinay women past their 50’s should be used to add color to revitalize their skin and then to conceal minor flaws and wrinkles. Makeup doesn’t have to be applied layer upon layer to achieve this. It should be applied to enhance your natural beauty.

Step 1 To start you want to make sure your skin is nice and hydrated so the makeup can sit properly on the skin. Prep your skin with Radiance Serum for added nutrients, to tone and tighten the skin. Next apply our Wrinkle Relaxant Crème for added hydration. This moisturizer restores elasticity and collagen production in the skin to slow down the formation of future wrinkles.

Step 2 Apply Vanilla Eye Shadow to the brow bone for added highlight.

Take Sheer Champagne Eye Shadow and apply it to the entire eye lid. Then take Cedar Eye Shadow and apply to the outer crease of the eye for some added depth. To line the eyes use the Precision Angle Brush with the Mahogany Crème Liner and line the top of the eyelid and on the tear line. Then highlight under the eye with Sandstone Eye Shadow.

Step 4

Step 5

Step 3 Clean away any eye shadow fallage before starting with the skin. To add a dewy glow to the skin we used our Mineral Sheer Tint in Cameo Glow. This Mineral Sheer Tint is a moisturizer, sun protector and foundation in one that reduces the appearance of fine lines.

Next we set the foundation with our Mineral Pressed Powder in Cream to the t-zone to prevent shine.

Step 6

We added some warmth to the To add some thickness to her To finish off the look we filled cheeks with Whisper Apricot lashes we added our 747S False in her lips with Sweet Spice Lip Pencil and then applied Ravishing Eye Lashes.

Blush.

Lipstick and Super Strawberry Gloss on top.

Products used Makeup by: Alana Klein for PROVICI Cosmetics Written by: Anthony Polvorosa & Alana Klein Model: Beuncie Gavino Photos By: Rahim.net

Exclusive Offer to Filipino Journal Readers ONLY! Bring this article into PROVICI Cosmetics and receive a

FREE Lipstick or Eyeshadow when you purchase either a Radiance Serum or Wrinkle Relaxing Creme.

Offer Expires July 5, 2010 or while quantities last.

About Anthony Polvorosa

Anthony’s image-consulting firm, PROVICI, has attracted a loyal following in the entertainment and business communities.

He has recently styled individuals for print media and live entertainment, and for awards shows such as the Junos and the Grammys.

Check out Anthony on Shaw TV channel 9 on Tuesday evenings, and Wednesdays before noon. Kung meron kayong questions, comments or suggestions send an e-mail to anthony@filipinojournal.com. He welcomes your questions and is available for personal appointments. Just log onto www.provici.com or visit Anthony at PROVICI Cosmetics, now located at 233 Mc Dermot Ave. or call (204) 957-1544 for more info.

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May 20 - June 5, 2010

The Pulse of the Filipino Community Since 1987

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Filipino Journal 15

16 Filipino Journal

Philippine Entertainment News

May 20 - June 5, 2010

Oprah plays host to Charice’s international debut launch

F

ilipino singing sensation Charice has launched her self-titled international debut on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” a day after her 18th birthday on May 11.

For the launch, Charice performed the dance single “Pyramid” with singer/rapper

Iyaz and the legendary David Foster on piano. The dance single has recently topped the weekly tabulation of the Billboard chart for the most popular songs in the United States.

On her earlier appearances in the show, Charice was once called by show host Oprah as one of the most talented young people she ever had on her show.

In a span of two years the Filipina singer performed with such big names in the international music

scene as Celine Dion and Foster himself. She has also appeared on several American TV shows and had performed at venues like the Madison Square Garden. In spite

of all her successes, Charice has not forgotten where she’s come from and thank Oprah for believing in her from the beginning.

Celebrities in May 2010 polls

M

ore than a hundred celebrities tried their luck in the recently concluded local and national elections. A number of showbiz stars shone in the first ever automated polls but others were not fortunate enough and became falling stars in the galaxy of Philippine politics.

In the Senate, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Jinggoy Estrada, Tito Sotto are sure of regaining their seats. At the 11th post in the tally is Lito Lapid.

Winners in the provincial polls are Vilma Santos for governor of Batangas, Emilio Ejercito, a.k.a. George Estregan Jr., for governor of Laguna province, and Daniel Fernando as Bulacan vice governor.

In the congressional race, the winners are Manny Pacquiao in the lone district of Sarangani, Lucy Torres-Gomez in Leyte’s

4th district, Bong Revilla’s wife Lani Mercado-Revilla in Cavite’s second district, and Dan Fernandez in Laguna’s first district.

In the mayoral and city council polls, the winners are Herbert Bautista for Quezon City mayor, and Alfred Vargas, Roderick Paulate, and Precious Hipolito as councilors. In Manila, Isko Moreno is vice mayor, along with city councilors Lou Veloso and Robert Ortega. Marjorie Barretto and Roselle Nava were also elected councilor in the cities of Caloocan and Parañaque, respectively.

Ecija, Aiko Melendez in the vice mayoral position of Quezon, Joey Marquez and Anjo Yllana in the electoral races for mayor and vice mayor, respectively, and Tito Varela and Jestoni Alarcon in the congressional post for Caloocan City and for the second district of Rizal Province, respectively.

Pokwang denies Willie wants her out of show

The celebrity losers in the May 10 polls are former President Joseph Estrada for the position of president, Edu Manzano for vice president, Cesar Montano in the gubernatorial race of Bohol, Rommel Padilla in the vice gubernatorial race for Nueva

C

omedienne Pokwang has denied rumors that Willie Revillame wants her out as co-host of the popular noon time show on “Wowowee.”

The rumors stems from internet reports and posts claiming Revillame had asked management to fire Pokwang for supporting Liberal Party standardbearer Noynoy Aquino, the chief rival of Manny Villar, whom Revillame supported in the May 10 presidential race.

According to Pokwang, she has been receiving a lot of negative comments on her Twitter page for supporting Aquino. She said she had a hard time defending herself against her Twitter critics over her stand. She stressed she did not start the war on Twitter, adding that she was just trying to defend herself and her chosen candidate.

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Filipino Journal 17

May 20 - June 5, 2010

Aquino’s girlfriend thankful for double victory

C

oun.

Shalani Soledad is doubly thankful first for being reelected in Valenzuela City, and secondly on the victory of her boyfriend Sen. Noynoy Aquino as the next President of the Philippines.

Soledad said she wouldn’t meddle in her boyfriend’s affairs in running the government and would just want to act as a strong back-up system.

As to their wedding plans, Soledad said it won’t happen in the immediate future adding that the welfare of the country is top priority.

T

Kris Aquino will stay

T

V host and actress Kris Aquino has become a favorite target of Twitter enthusiasts now that elder brother Noynoy Aquino is poised to become the next president of the Philippines.

The younger Aquino is being asked to leave the country with her husband and their kids and work for the TFC (The Filipino Channel), in reference to what Kris have said several weeks before the May 10 polls. The situation stems from an issue involving James and another woman in which Noynoy was dragged into the controversy at the height of his presidential campaign.

DFA issues passport for Venus Raj

Kris said she will just ignore the latest controversy. She said what she told the TV interview was she would take her kids abroad if she would be a burden to her brother’s presidency. She added that the Noynoy even thanked her and all his sisters for all the help and sacrifices they did for him during the campaign.

he Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) finally issued a Philippine passport under the name of Venus Raj paving the way for reclaiming her crown as Binibining PilipinasUniverse to be able to compete in the upcoming Miss Universe 2010 pageant in Las Vegas on October 31.

The ad hoc committee created by the DFA stated that the documents presented by Raj has established that she was born to a Filipina mother, and following the jus sanguinis rule on matters of citizenship acquisition, she is a Filipino citizen who is entitled to a Philippine passport.

It will be recalled that Raj was stripped of her crown by the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) due to the citizenship issue. The BPCI later reversed its decision due to public uproar and allowed Raj to reclaim her crown on the condition that she must obtain a Philippine passport.

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Bong Revilla tops senatorial elections

A

ctor-politician Bong Revilla garnered more than 18 million to top the senatorial race in the recently concluded May 10 polls.

Revilla says the results of the elections show people believe actors can also do something good for the country and being an actor is not a hindrance in getting the public’s support.

Revilla said he was able to file more than 500 bills, 103 of which were passed into law during his incumbency. He added that he hopes to see the country’s healing now that the polls are over. He also thanked those who voted for him and has shown faith in his capacity to help draft laws.

18 Filipino Journal

Canadian pie Ron Cantiveros

ron@filipinojournal.com

I

To vote or not to vote

t’s not too often that you fly into a city, rather a country where history is being made.

May 10th was election day in the Philippines and more importantly, the first fully automated and computerized elections. It was finally happening and meant that the old Philippine voting traditions of “dagdag bawas” (vote-padding or vote shaving) were no longer part of getting elected or reelected in Philippine politics.

Voting day in the Philippines

May 20 - June 5, 2010

The Pulse of the Filipino Community Since 1987

is much different from what we’re used to in Canada. Much different as I went from precinct to precinct trying to capture the essence and spirit during election day. Philippine voters need to be commended for their patience as I learned that some voting precincts, people were waiting anywhere from 2-3 hours just to vote. That’s right, two to three hours! Unlike several provincial precincts in Rizal and Nueva Ecija, voting took less than 30 mins.

At the end of the day, we managed to visit several precincts but nothing can compare to the scene in Quiapo. Over the course of the day, radio reports of long lines and wait times forced COMELEC to extend the voting period by one hour.

Which at the time it was announced seemed reasonable but as the 6pm voting deadline approached, I could only wonder if voters in Quiapo would leave before Voters pile into an elementary school classroom in Quiapo midnight. after two hours of waiting.

In previous elections, manual counts were the norm and electoral hopefuls had to wait weeks before the knew who won and lost. This time around, election updates were fast and furious on the following day with presidential hopeful, Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III with a slight lead over former president, Joseph Estrada.

History in the Philippines has been made. The first attempt at automating the national voting system proclaimed as a resounding success. The people have spoken and congratulations to the citizens of the Republic of the Philippines in being part of history. Now I can forget what may have happened if ALL the voting machines crashed on election day. I won’t worry about that until the next election in 2016. By then, we all might vote using Facebook.

Reporting live in Manila on the 2010 Presidential Elections for the Filipino Journal, Ron Cantiveros

After a lifetime of manual voting, Filipino seniors cast their first electronic ballots.

Voters line up to submit their ballots into automated scanning machines.

Purple indelible ink is used to mark voters index finger. Just another part of the process so that people can’t vote more than once.

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May 20 - June 5, 2010

The Pulse of the Filipino Community Since 1987

by R. Reis Pagtakhan, LL.B., B.A. (Hons.) rrp@aikins.com

Buying Your First House?

Don’t Forget about the Taxes

W

hen buying a house, most first-time buyers focus on the purchase price and the mortgage rate, usually forgetting about the taxes, which comprise also a big slice of the budget.

Property Taxes One of the biggest ongoing expenses for your house are property taxes. For instance, if the house you bought has an annual tax bill of $4,800, it has an estimated $400 extra mortgage payment every month.

So, when you are looking into

by aLfie vera mella elfideas102@yahoo.com

Filipino Journal 19

buying a new house, ask the seller or agent about its property taxes.

This can indicate the amount you will need to pay annually. You may estimate property taxes for any house in Winnipeg by using the city’s property tax calculator: w w w. w i n n i p e g a s s e s s m e n t . c o m / a s m t t a x / t a x c a l c u l a t o r.

The calculator gives you also the opportunity to look up the assessed value of every property in Winnipeg—which is the basis for the property tax.

Land Transfer Tax Anytime you buy a property in Manitoba, you have to pay a one-time land transfer tax.

This is based on the market value of the property, not on the assessed value. You may access the province’s land transfer tax calculator at www.gov.mb.ca/ finance/landtransfertax.html.

Buying a house is indeed one of the biggest dreams of almost anyone. Enjoy it to the fullest by considering your ability to afford it within your budget before actually

buying it and by estimating properly all the inclusive expenses to avoid finding yourself too deep in debts afterwards.

This article is prepared for general information purposes only and is intended to provide comments for readers and friends of Filipino Journal. The contents should not be viewed as legal advice or opinion. If you have specific questions concerning immigration law, you should

discuss them with a legal advisor of your choice.

Reis Pagtakhan is a lawyer with the law firm of Aikins, MacAulay & Thorvaldson LLP. He practices in the areas of immigration law and corporate and commercial law. His direct line is 957-4640. If you like to know more about Pagtakhan or Aikins, you may visit the firm’s Web site: www.aikins.com.

Jukebox Stars of the Philippines

I

(Part Two: Female)

n the last issue, we learned that Philippine jukebox stars refer to artists or singers (local or foreign) who had a string of singles that became favorites of many people to play on public jukeboxes in the late 1960s to the early 1980s, when jukeboxes were common fixtures in restaurants and other eateries in the capital region and other urbanized areas of the country. We cited some male Filipino singers and songwriters whom we may regard as jukebox stars. Now, here are a number of their female counterparts as well as examples of their respective jukebox hits.

D i d i t h Reyes (1949–2008) started her singing career as a vocalist for the band Circus a n d Time Machine. She soon went solo and recorded songs many of which became jukebox hits such as “Araw Araw, Gabi Gabi,” “Nananabik,” “Hindi Kami Damong Ligaw,” “Bakit Ako Mahihiya?,” and “Hatiin Natin ang Gabi.” Her commercial success in the local scene brought her to holding shows in Japanese cities such as Kyoto and Tokyo. Reyes died in her sleep in December 2008, apparently due to a heart attack.

Imelda Papin (1956–present) is a Filipino recording artist popular in the late 1970s for her string of songs which include “Bakit (Kung Liligaya Ka sa Piling ng Iba),” “Isang Linggong Pag-ibig,” “Iniibig Ko ang Iniibig Mo,” and “Kapiling Mo, Kasuyo Ko.” She went to the United States, particularly in Las Vegas, Nevada, to become an entertainer and where she hosted a radio show; and then to Los Angeles, California, where she hosted a television program. In the recent years, Papin returned to the Philippines and tried her hand in politics, running for Senate in the recently finished national election.

Claire dela Fuente is another

Filipino singer whose career is at its peak in the 1970s. Many music enthusiasts compare her singing voice to the late American singer/ songwriter Karen Carpenter . Her jukebox hits include “Sayang,” “Minsan-minsan,” and “Nakaw na Pag-ibig.”

Despite being on a hiatus for a long time especially in the late 1980s through the 1990s, dela Fuente is currently active in the Philippine music scene, recording a a new album with a song written by R i c h a r d Carpenter himself, entitled “Something in Yo u r Eyes.”

Aside from Papin, dela Fuente, and Reyes, other Filipina singers who became jukebox stars in the Philippines include Eva Eugenio (“Tukso, Layuan Mo Ako”), Leah Navarro (“Saan Ako Nagkamali?”), Dulce (“Ako ang Nasawi, Ako ang Nagwagi”), and Pilita Corrales (“Kapantay Ay Langit”).

Final Note When we say jukebox stars, in the Philippines for instance, these are not limited to local artists or singers.

They also include foreign artists or groups who had had a number of jukebox hits during the Philippines’ jukebox era (late 1960s to the early 1980s). Examples of these foreign artists who had a string of hits that became jukebox favorites in the Philippines during the said era were The Carpenters (“Rainy Days and Mondays,” “Superstar,” “Top of the World”) , The Beatles (“Yesterday,” “The Long and Winding Road,” “Strawberry Fields Forever”), and John Denver (“Annie’s Song,” “Lady,” “Sunshine on My Shoulders”).

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20 Filipino Journal

The Pulse of the Filipino Community Since 1987

Balitang Kutsero

by Perry Diaz PerryDiaz@gmail.com

“Hello, Koala Boy”

F

ormer president Joseph “Erap” Estrada dropped a bombshell with allegations that he was cheated in the May 10 presidential elections. He claimed that five million votes were shaved from his count during a “hocus PCOS” operation with the Precinct Count Optical Scanner (PCOS) machines.

A few days later, a masked man named “Robin” -- looking like a “koala bear” -- came out of nowhere and spilled his guts to a reporter about the automated “dagdag-bawas” (add-subtract) cheating operation involving a “cheating syndicate” consisting of

12 people including himself. When asked why he was coming out with his exposé, Robin said that he was doing it because his group didn’t get paid. When asked how much his group was owed, he said, “P1.4 billion.” Holy shit! That’s a lot a moolah! I’d be mad myself too!

And since Robin’s group can’t take the votes back (ha ha ha…), they decided to derail the whole election process.

Robin said that they first approached Manny Villar and offered him P20 per vote. He said that Villar tried to haggle the price down to P5 per vote. Robin’s group rejected Villar’s counter-offer

*** But my investigative reporter, James Macaquecquec, has a different story. James said that he was able to get an exclusive interview with Robin, the “Koala Boy,” who told him the true story llustration by Dave San Pedro behind the automated “dagdagbawas” cheating operation. It and they called Villar, “kuripot” goes: (miser). That certainly is not nice James: Salamat, Robin for allowing to say to a man who’s net worth is me to interview you.

P940 billion.

Robin: I’m granting you this Robin then approached Erap’s exclusive interview because I vice presidential running mate want to tell the Pinoys in America Jejomar “Jojo” Binay -- why not and Canada the true story about Erap? -- and made him the same the automated “dagdag-bawas” offer. He said that Jojo agreed to cheating operation during the May P20 per vote without batting an 10 elections. eye. Since it’s a package deal - they’ll give the same number of James: Very good. You know the votes to the presidential candidate Pinoys in America and Canada are of his choice. Jojo chose Noynoy very much involved in the May 10 Aquino. Huh? elections and they want to know Now, I can see why Erap is exactly what happened. First of all, ready to erupt! Like Julius Caesar why did you choose “Robin” as said as he gasped his last breath, your codename?

“Et tu Brutus?”

Robin: Our group of 12 men and women is known as the “Robbing Hoods” in government circles.

We all use the codename “Robin” with a numerical suffix according to rank. Since I’m the head honcho of the “Robbing Hoods,” my codename is “Robin One.”

May 20 - June 5, 2010

Robin: You’re right. That’s why we have a very big problem.

The automated “dagdag-bawas” program that we put in place forgot to shave five million votes from Noynoy’s count and add them to Erap’s count. Noynoy won by a landslide… and without cheating.

James: Whoa! Whoa! Didn’t you test the automated “dagdagbawas” program before installing it? That’s dumb!

Robin: Yes, we tested it. But we discovered that one of our members, Robin 12, was linked to an ally of Noynoy who secretly paid our programmer a large amount of moolah to disable the automated “dagdag-bawas” program. But there was a glitch.

The stupid programmer forgot to remove the program that shaves votes from Roxas’s count and add them to Binay‘s count. And that’s why Binay won.

James: There’s always a Judas in every group, huh? So what are you going to do now?

Robin: Well, I’m going to call my old pal Garci and ask him if he could fix the problem.

James: Wait a minute! I recognize James: Are all the “Robbing your voice from the “Hello, Garci” Hoods” government employees? tapes! You sounded like a man but you’re actually a woman. You’re Robin: Yes, as a matter of fact, … (James suddenly grabbed we occupy some of the highest Robin’s mask and removed it!) … positions in the government.

Gloria! Walang hiya ka! Si Gloria ka pala!

James: No kidding! Okay, let’s hear your story then, Robin One. *** Robin: The operation is called “Operation Talanka.” The plan was to electronically cheat in the elections to make Erap Estrada win the presidency and Jojo Binay the vice presidency.

Eraption Dyok… One of my readers commented: “Erap will never concede to Noynoy.

According to him, he is very, very sure that he is the winner in May 10, 2010 elections, because the PCOS machine said “Congratulations” to James: “Talanka” means “crab.” him.”

Hmmm… But why Erap???

News Item… “Kris to leave Robin: You see, if Erap is elected TV shows in deference to brother president, we will petition the and president-apparent Noynoy.”

Supreme Court to disqualify Erap Yup, she’ll take a new role as “Da because he’s a convicted plunderer. First Lady.” Noynoy’s girlfriend We will have a strong case and Shalani Soledad has to settle for with the high court stacked up “First Lady-in-waiting” for now. with Gloria’s stooges including Watch for the looming “Battle of the Midnight Chief Justice, Erap the Bosses.” doesn’t have a chance of being proclaimed president. No way!

Supreme Error… Chief Justice Renato Corona told Noynoy, “The James: Oh, my God! And who Supreme Court is not your enemy.” would be proclaimed if Erap was Of course not, Noynoy just didn’t disqualified? like a midnight appointee sitting on the CJ’s chair.

Robin: Well, “Operation Talanka” calls for Manny Villar to be in One last fight… Newly second place behind Erap, therefore elected Tongressman Dr. Master he’d be proclaimed president once Sgt. Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao’s Erap is disqualified. mom, Aling Dionisia, gave her blessing for Pacman to go for one James: But Villar placed third last fight. Yup, she needed a billion behind Noynoy and Erap? Unless pesos to maintain her new role as Noynoy and Erap are disqualified, “Doña Dionisia,” the matriarch of Villar doesn’t have a chance of the Paquiao dynasty. being proclaimed?

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May 20 - June 5, 2010

The Pulse of the Filipino Community Since 1987

by aLfie vera mella elfideas102@yahoo.com

“Some Catholics urged Pope Clement VIII to ban coffee, calling it ‘devil’s beverage.’ After tasting the beverage, the Pope is said to have remarked that the drink was ‘... so delicious that it would be a sin to let only misbelievers drink it. Let’s defeat Satan by blessing his beverage.’”—Winston W. Borden, Ruminations (2007)

Bawal Ba sa Relihiyon Mo ang Kumain ng Champoy?

[On the Absurdity of Many Food Prohibitions]

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awat tao ay may kanyakanyang paboritong pagkain, at meron ding pagkaing iniiwasang kainin dahil sa iba’t ibang dahilan—panlasa, itsura, nakasanayan, kalusugan, relihiyón o paniniwala.

A cousin of mine once quipped that the only legitimate reason to prohibit the consumption of a particular food should be, eating it would be detrimental to one’s health. For instance, if one is allergic to peanuts, then s/he should not eat peanuts or any food that contains peanuts. If one has a heart disease, s/he should refrain from eating foods that have a high level of cholesterol. If one has diabetes mellitus, her diet should be low in sugar and fat. Other than for health reasons, prohibiting the consumption of certain foods is a form of discrimination and hypocrisy, considering that many of such people who say they don’t eat this and that food because it is against their religion or belief eat it anyway albeit secretly.

Furthermore, many people who don’t eat particular foods because their religious or traditional or cultural beliefs prohibit them to do so have the tendency to feel offended by or to criticize those who do not share their preference.

are prohibited to eat by certain religious or cultural beliefs. One irony in this is that many people who follow it do not even know the true reasons behind such prohibitions.

They usually do this in blind faith.

They simply abide by this—at least publicly—to avoid persecution by their own supposedly omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, all-seeing, all-loving, allunderstanding, and all-forgiving god (or goddess, for that matter) and equally loving and understanding religious leaders and fellow members. Another irony is, one religion prohibits a certain food while another does not—but each will claim that such is the wish of its respective god, as written in that religion’s holy scriptures. Thus, if there are dozens of religions in the world each of which has its own god and set of “divine” laws and commandments and is claiming to be the true one religion, then does that not cancel the legitimacy of all of them? Furthermore, if each religion is claiming that only those who believe in its god and abide by “His” rules will be saved from eternal punishment come judgment day, then this again cancels all of them—meaning, everyone goes to Hell—perhaps except those who do not belong to any religion.

However, to many of these The Omnipresent Irony religions, once you do not belong There are various foods that to them or do not believe in them,

Filipino Journal 21

you also go to Hell. It seems like eating cats is illegal.)

Many Hindus are vegetarian, there is really no escape from the abstaining from eating the flesh of wrath of any god. any living creature. [Didn’t fruits Holy Wars and Bloody Sacrifices and vegetables come from plants, My cousin is glad that she’s which are also living creatures?] living in a very multicultural Almost all types of seafood that are society such as Canada and no not fish—such as shellfish, lobster, longer ascribes herself to any or shrimp—are forbidden by religion nor observes many Judaism because such animals live counterproductive and absurd in water but do not have both fins cultural beliefs, which meant that and scales. [What about rays and she can eat anything she fancies other species of cartilaginous fish, as long as this does not have any which have no scales as well?]

Generally in all Western ill effect on her health—and she’s no longer feeling guilty every time countries, eating the meat of she doesn’t go to church or when animals commonly kept as pets she harbors “impure” thoughts; no longer needing to kneel, prostrate, or surrender herself before an unseen authority to ask forgiveness for the socalled original sin that she was not a part of anyway; and most of all, no longer compelled to justify the countless priests and religious leaders who commit adultery, forms of abuse, and steal money off their flocks and who order their soldiers and barbarians to perform genocide, murder, suicide, and “holy” wars just to make their gods happy— such bloody sacrifices to appease a supposedly loving god.

Back to the Dining Table Hot drinks are taboo for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Iglesia ni Cristo prohibits eating or drinking any blood. Judaism and Islam strictly forbid the consumption of amphibians such as frogs and reptiles like crocodiles and snakes.

The Hebrew Bible explicitly states that the eagle, vulture, and ostrich are not to be eaten. In desperate times, some people have been known to resort to cooking and eating cats, but under normal conditions such cuisine is very rare, except in China and Vietnam.

(After all, there is no law that says

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coastal peoples inhabiting parts of southeastern Egypt, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Kenya, and northern Tanzania. Guinea pigs are a significant part of the diet in Peru and among some populations in Ecuador, which would surely appall many Westerners. Horse meat is part of the cuisine of Japan, France, Germany, and Kazakhstan, but is taboo in some religions and many countries; in fact, forbidden

by Jewish law. The Catholic Church’s restriction on eating meat during Lent does not apply to the capybara (the world’s largest living rodent), as early missionaries gave a faulty description to the Pope, leading him to declare it a fish—a proof that it’s really humans who set the so-called divine rules.

And the list of forbidden foods goes on and on.

Sa Madaling Salita Para sa mga matagal nang nakawala sa kadena ng anumang relihiyon, ang pagbabawal sa pagkonsumo ng pagkain ay lehitimo lamang kung ang dahilan ay kalusugan; subalit sa sandaling ang dahilan ng pagbabawal ay relihiyón o paniniwala—ito ay maituturing nang kontraprogresibo at isang uri ng diskriminasyón.

Or, in Simple Words The prohibition of eating certain foods is humanely legitimate only when the reason is healthrelated. The moment it is for religious purposes or faithbased lifestyles, it becomes counterprogressive, impractical, discriminatory, (like dogs and cats) is considered and hypocritical. taboo, but in some rural areas of the same countries (including Reference Canada) and in many Southeast h t t p : / / e n . w i k i p e d i a . o rg / Asian nations, dog meat remains w i k i / Ta b o o _ f o o d _ a n d _ d r i n k a dish. There are taboos on eating [05/05/10]. fish among many upland and some

22 Filipino Journal

The Pulse of the Filipino Community Since 1987

Mga Puna ni Inna Eleksyon, Eleksyon

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iyempre ’yan ang kasalukuyang paboritong paksa ng maraming Filipino—sa Pilipinas o dito man sa Canada. Katatapos lang kasi ng eleksyon. Ngunit bago ang eleksyon e napakaraming agam-agam ang naramdaman ng maraming Filipino. Marami ang bumabatikos sa sitwasyon ng pulitika sa Pilipinas. Maraming pumupuna sa bawat kandidato.

Marami ang nagsabi na siguradong dayaan na naman, maraming gulong mangyayari, magkakaroon ng panibagong people power sa EDSA at ibang sulok ng bansa, at higit sa lahat hindi papayag ang kasalukuyang presidente na bumaba mula sa kanyang pedestal. Pati ang makabagong teknolohiyang ginamit sa eleksyon—ang automated system—ay hindi rin napalagpas; kesyo papalpak daw ito at hindi magiging epektibo.

Subalit ang karamihan sa mga iyan ay hindi nangyari. Mabuti naman! Syempre mayroon pa ring konting aberya, subalit wala namang nangyaring malawakang

kaguluhan. Aaminin ko na isa ako sa mga medyo nagduda. Paano ba naman ilang madugo at magulong eleksyon na ang pinagdaanan ng Pilipinas. Pero isa ako sa mga taasnoong Filipino dahil napatunayan ng nakaraang eleksyon na may pagasa pa ang Pilipinas.

Kung kahirapan ang paguusapan e mahirap na iyang lunasan. Kahit saan naman e merong mahihirap—ultimo dito sa Canada o sa Estados Unidos. Pero ang napatunayan ng nakaraang eleksyon e mabigyan lang ng magandang sistema ang mga Filipino e magagamit naman ito ng karamihan nang maayos. Marami ang lumalait sa pangkalahatang Filipino. Aba! Maraming Filipino ang matatalino at mayaman sa technical at technological skills.

Kelangan lang talaga ng training, suporta ng gobyerno, at mga kagamitang kakailanganin para masubukan ang mga natutunan.

Higit sa lahat, napatunayan ng maraming Filipino na marunong na silang kumilatis ng iboboto nila.

Di na sila basta-basta nagpapadala

sa kasikatan o pambobola ng maraming kandidato. Pero marami ang nagtaka dahil pumangalawa sa karera si Erap, na napatunayang nangurakot sa puwesto ilang taon nang nakararaan. Ang tingin ko r’yan e marami kasing mahihirap at nahihirapan sa Pilipinas na ang tanging pinanghahawakan ay pag-asa at tiwala sa sinumang makapagpapangako sa kanila ng magandang kinabukasan. Kaya hindi sila masisisi kung madali silang mauto o mabola ng mga pulitikong gaya ni Erap—na talaga namang alam na ang kiliti ng masang Filipino. Sabi naman ng iba e bigyan si Erap ng panibagong pagkakataon. Haynaky! Bahala na nga sila. Kapag pulitika talaga ang pinag-usapan e napakaraming usaping magsusulputan.

Basta ang masasabi ko lang sa ngayon lalo na sa mga taong napaka-negatibo ng tingin sa Pilipinas: Bigyan naman ninyo ng pagkakataong makausad kahit mabagal ang kalagayan ng bansa.

Oo, hindi na matatanggal ang kamangmangan, corruption, at mga taong ipinagbibili ang kanilang prinsipyo—pero marami pa rin namang mga may mataas na pinagaralan at may pinanghahawakang prinsipyo na hindi nila basta-basta ipagpapalit sa bagay na ikasisira ng kanilang reputasyon. Yung tipong makalalakad sila nang taas-noo at masasabi sa sarili na, Ba! May dignidad ako at may respeto sa sarili.

Kaya ikaw—ano’ng klaseng tao ka? Isa ka ba sa mga batikus nang batikos at puna nang puna pero wala namang maibigay na mga suhestiyon? O isa kang mapag-obserba sa mga nangyayari pero sinusubukang magbigay ng alternatibong solusyon? O hindi ka nakikialam sa mga usaping gaya nito dahil wala ka lang talagang pakialam?

May 20 - June 5, 2010

Philippine News

‘30 Filipino women suffer from domestic abuse daily’

Theresa Balayon

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espite increased public awareness of laws protecting women’s rights, 30 Filipino women continue to suffer from domestic violence everyday, a non-government organization said

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Thursday (May 20).

Theresa Balayon, executive officer of the Women’s Crisis Center, said despite the existence of laws on women’s rights and protection, some women choose to remain silent.

She said the Women’s Crisis Center at the East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City receives an average of 10 to 12 complaints of domestic abuse everyday, including cases of rape, incest and child abuse.

Last year, the center received 10,482 reports of domestic violence.

The center provides counseling, educational training and legal assistance to victims of abuse.

May 20 - June 5, 2010

The Pulse of the Filipino Community Since 1987

Part time Event Coordinator Wanted

to coordinate events in Winnipeg, Manitoba You can make your own schedule. Must be very social, outgoing, dependable, be able to handle situations when put under pressure and follow a strict time schedule.

Before responding with interest for this position please consider the following: • This position is not intended to be and should not be your main source of income • This position requires someone who can work independently and has very good organizational skills.

• This is only a part time position.

• This is a contract position and you will not receive an hourly wage, and will be paid per event.

Job description: • Schedule events • Post events on various web sites • Market event • Recruit attendees for event • Set up for event • Run event • Send out e-mail communications to attendees • Update database with new attendees and new contacts • Attend networking meetings and mixers Please respond with an attachment of your resume or a description of your qualifications and why you are interested in this role.

Applications to this role can be submitted to info@ FilipinoJournal.com Thank you for your interest.

Only qualified applicants will be contacted.

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Filipino Journal 23

24 Filipino Journal

May 20 - June 5, 2010

The Pulse of the Filipino Community Since 1987

Rosalinda Natividad-Cantiveros Courage Award honors two outstanding youths in Winnipeg

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o focus on the legacy of the late Rosalinda Linsangan Natividad Cantiveros, the City of Winnipeg’s Citizen’s Equity Committee (CEC) created a new award to honour her countless efforts and involvement in the Filipino community and long time service on CEC. In CEC’s annual awards gala, two youths - Emelda Iradukunda and Michael Beaulieu, were awarded the Rosalinda NatividadCantiveros Courage Award.

Being the first named award

by Winnipeg’s Citizen Equity Committee, the Rosalinda Natividad- Cantiveros Courage Award focuses on the youth in the city whose initiative and characters define a greater involvement for self-betterment and helping others. During her time on CEC, she advocated youth leadership initiative in the various communities in the city. Her leadership quality in the promotion of diversity and passion to serve other people, an outstanding quality of a leader, had become the positive forces to make the committee more relevant in this time and age.

An active member in the Filipino community since arrival with her husband, Linda had been involved in the community in

ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC CEMETERY AND QUEEN OF HEAVEN MAUSOLEUM 3990 Portage Ave., Winnipeg For information or appointment, PLEASE CALL (204) 888-7557

Lorne Bound Family Counsellor

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PAHALANG Bawal na gamot Itik Lalaking walang asawa Marka Giya na turista Duguin Barkilyos Kumpunihin Di tuwid magsalita Palaka sa Espanyol Sarutso _____ tokat Balinghoy Panghalip paari Simple Tambol Handog Paghahabol sa korte

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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.

Each Sudoku has a unique solution that can be reached logically without guessing. Enter digits from 1 to 9 into the blank spaces. Every row must contain one of each digit. So must every column, as must every 3x3 square.

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column, Salt and Pepper; and the formal recommendation for the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Filipino immigration to Manitoba Emelda Iradukunda, a well-spoken 17-year old former refugee, came from Rwanda and settled in Winnipeg. She was three years old when her family fled the genocide in Rwanda and ended up in another violent country, Congo. “In Congo, we were running around because bandits and soldiers chased us.

Food was scarce and life was difficult.” Emelda saw many deaths including his dad.

She had to walk everywhere on her own. When they arrived in Winnipeg and stayed at Welcome Place Apartment, life had changed.

And met the challenge to be a better person in a new country.

“I couldn’t speak English and so i decided to borrow books in the library. And i learned the alphabet and this was the beginning of a great change in my life,” Emelda said. She is now in a Grade 10 class and also taking some Grade 11 courses.

“I am so thankful for the award. And i am so lucky to be here and be alive and having a great time to meet people who

So what is Sudoku? Pronounced [su:doku], Sudoku is the Japanese abbreviation of “the digits remain single”. In Japan Sudoku is sometimes referred to as “Number Place” and can be spelt “Su Doku”. Sodoku originated in Japan and was designed by Howard Garns. The Sudoku Game was first published in New York in 1979 and was likely inspired by a game called Latin Square.

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various capacities. As a president of Manitoba Association of Filipino Teachers, she found the Rondalla Group; at the UST Alumni Association, she was very active in the scholarship committee for post secondary education; and co-founder of the Institute of Philippine Studies and co-author of books on Philippine legends and folktales. Active in Folklorama, Linda was proud to exhibits many facets of the Philippine Heritage and Culture and became an Adult Ambassador in Folklorama under PAM; Linda was very active in other cultural groups like the Rainbow Stage where she was a member of the board of directors for many years.

She was awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal; one of the 10 outstanding Filipino awards in Toronto and in Washington D.C. and other local awards. She was a two-time president of the Philippine Canadian Centre of Manitoba, Inc. Organizer and speaker of the various symposia and conferences in Winnipeg and other cities. She was the publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the Filipino Journal and the Filipino Bride and Groom. At the time of her untimely passing, she had been working on other book projects especially the collection of her

Dula ____ Montessorie Guho Ina ni Maria Labis na pagtatamasa Muscat ang kapital Hawak ang kamay Alyas Kontrol Pantay Hiccup sa Tagalog Tila yata Barandilyang nakaakma Subaybay Guhit sa papel Linda, aktres Bukal sa loob Yapos Hamak Simbolo ng Lithium

Solutions for Palaisipan & Sudoku will be posted online www.FilipinoJournal.com Visit our Web site - www.FilipinoJournal.com - all photos & articles available online!

see page 25 ►

May 20 - June 5, 2010

The Pulse of the Filipino Community Since 1987

Filipino Journal 25

Councillor Mike Pagtakhan addresses the awardees, CE’s members and guests

City of Winnipeg’s Citizen’s Equity Committee 2010 Youth Awardees: Michael Beaulieu, Anna Xie, Vitoria Perrie, Trisha Amanda Davis, Trizzia Halle Axalan, Emelda Iradukunda, Lysbeth Arthur, Vanessa Gargegna Singh, Kelsey Fredrick Howard, Vidhi Trivedi, Terrence Matthew Sampson, Julian Radocaj, Desiree McKay, Gator Beaulieu

have been so good to me,” Imelda said with a smile. She is planning to become a doctor and plans to help children in Africa.

A former foster child, Michael Beaulieu, the second award of Rosalinda NatividadCantiveros Courage Award, grew up in gangland and now has a part-time job and planning to go to the university this coming fall schedule. “It is so amazing that will be graduating this year and heading to the university this fall,” Michael Beaulieu, a Gordon Bell Student, said.

Beaulieu grew up into gang violence and involved into many

troubles which led him to be placed in a foster care home. He was known as a “bad kid” without any future at all. “I am so lucky to have a well-supported foster parent family and through the initiative and dedication of my teachers plus my friends influence, i have changed and now i am having all the opportunities available to me. Someday i might be a lawyer or someone who will become someday, a social worker,” Michael said with a smile.

Other awardees include the following: Performing and Creative Arts: Anna Xie and Vitoria Perrie; Education and

Training: Trisha Arthur and Trizzia Halle Axalan; Leadershiip and Advocacy: Lysbeth Arthur and Vanessa Gargegna Singh; Community Volunteering: Kelsy Howard and Vidhi Trivedi; Sports: Julian Radocaj and Terrence Sampson; and Spirituality Award: Gator Beaulieu and Desiree McKay. The family has founded the Rosalinda Linsangan NatividadCantiveros Foundation whose mandate is to grant funding to help the youth and the community.

What has driven the equity committee on the following events:

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The Citizen Equity Committee looks at the contributions of the youth of Winnipeg, which are positive and help make our city a better place. In upholding the mandate of the Citizen Equity Committee and knowing that our youth are leaders of tomorrow, we look at the role youth play in our society, their contributions to a better community and how they encourage diversity and understanding. Also, our goal is to reward youth that are performing above and beyond in the following areas; performing arts, education, sports, advocacy, community involvement, and leadership. see page 26 ►

An awardee who performed during the program , Vanessa G. Singh, is the daugther of Mr. & Mrs. Kanta Roy Singh.

Photos by Charles Cabiles | Filipino Journal

26 Filipino Journal

Recipients of Rosalinda Natividad Cantiveros Courage Awards, Michael Beaulieu and Emelda Iradukunda with Rod E. Cantiveros, PCCM and Asian Heritage Society of Manitoba president.

2009 CEC Youth Role Model Award Recipients Awardee Michael Beaulieu

Anna Xie Vitoria Perrie Trisha Amanda Davis Trizzia Halle Axalan Emelda Iradukunda

Lysbeth Arthur Vanessa Gargegna Singh Kelsey Fredrick Howard Vidhi Trivedi Terrence Matthew Sampson Julian Radocaj Desiree McKay Gator Beaulieu

May 20 - June 5, 2010

The Pulse of the Filipino Community Since 1987

Category Rosalinda Natividad-Cantiveros Courage Award Performing and Creative Arts Performing and Creative Arts Education & Training Education & Training Rosalinda Natividad-Cantiveros Courage Award Leadership & Advocacy Leadership & Advocacy Community Volunteering Community Volunteering Sports Sports Spirituality Spirituality

A Filipino-Canadian Awardee, Trizzia Axalan, with her parents, Arvin and Marylun Axalan.

Photos by Charles Cabiles | Filipino Journal

Introduction of the new beaten all odds and have managed award, Rosalinda Natividad to turn around a once hopeless situation into a promising and Cantiveros Courage Award.

While reviewing this year’s nomination forms, we identified two individuals who were faced with circumstances beyond their control. Their achievements are quite outstanding. The individuals Michael Bileau and Emelda Iradukunda, they have shown they have put in great effort in arriving at where they are today. They have

brighter future. Just like Rosalinda Natividad Cantiveros. We thought that creating this award in her honour is reminder o her efforts and all that she stood for. Linda was an achiever. She came into this country as an immigrant, having to learn a new language, making new friends, learning a new culture.

And she managed to overcame these challenges and went on to

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achieve more than would have been expected.

The membes of the Citizen’s Equity Committee include Mayor Sam Katz, Councillor Mike Pagtakhan, Councillor Harvey Smith, Jackie Halliburton, Randy Viray, Janellyn Marcial, Florence Okwidili, Baljeet Kalyan, Darral Kotchon, Robert M’vondo, Ramesh Gupta, Heather Flynn, Steve Hennessey, and Roldon Sevillano, Jr. Kawabena Osei-Bonsu, coordinator.

May 20 - June 5, 2010

The Pulse of the Filipino Community Since 1987

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Filipino Journal 27

28 Filipino Journal

The Pulse of the Filipino Community Since 1987

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May 20 - June 5, 2010