Filipino Journal Alberta Edition October 2013

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Volume 6, Number 10 • October 2013

Publications Mail Agreement 40032612

Calgary City Council sworn in

Magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck Visayas faces housing shortage

Page 7 ► Fifteen members of council were sworn in, including four newcomers, Ward Sutherland (Ward 1), Joe Magliocca (Ward 2), Sean Chu (Ward 4), and Evan Woolley (Ward 8).

Following the ceremony, an official photo of the 37th Calgary Council was taken on the atrium steps.

Don Iveson - Edmonton’s new mayor

Page 5 ►

Biskeg na Pangasinan Friendship and Aid Association "Miss Humanity 2013 Pageant Raises Over $20,000 Page 9 ►

Page 7 ►

L-R 2nd Runner -Up Tahnee Rae Soroka, Miss Humanity 2013 Amelia Fluet. 1st Runner- Up Charmaine Gibson

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The pulse of the Filipino Community in Alberta, Canada

October 2013

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October 2013

The pulse of the Filipino Community in Alberta, Canada

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The pulse of the Filipino Community in Alberta, Canada

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October 2013

October 2013

Pero, kung kayo ang pagpipiliin, sino nga kaya sa kanila tunay na dakila? Kung sakaling kulang pa ang aking mga binanggit, pakidagdagan na lang kaibigan.

May sumagi sa aking isipan. Sumang-ayon ka kaya kung sabihin ko na: Iyong tunay na mapagkawang-gawa, sa bandang huli, ay siyang nagiging kawawa, sa halip na dakila.

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

Kadakilaan

N

apakarami, kung hindi man lahat, ay naghahangad ng kadakilaan. Samantalang ang iba ay dinadakila, ang iba naman ay kinukutya o inaalipusta.

Kunsabagay, kadalasan, nakikita lamang ang kahalagahan matapos na maglaho at pumanaw.

Paano nga ba makukuha ang kadakilaan?

Libu-libong taon na ang nakararaan, kay sarap balikbalikan ng kasaysayan. Ang mga talambuhay ng mga sumusunod na pantas ang nagsilbing huwaran at naging tanglaw sa mga naligaw ng landas. Pasumandali nating tunghayan ang mga pangalan ng pinagpipitaganang mga Dinakilang Pantas na ito, tulad nina: Hesukristo, Muhammed, Buddha, Mahatma Gandhi, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Alexander ang Dakila (The Great), Lao Tse, Confucius, at marami pang iba. Sila ang mga dakila dahil sila ay dinakila.

Ano kaya ang pagkakahawig (Commonality) ng kanilang mga buhay at paano kaya nila nakamtam ang mga Titulo ng Kadakilaan?

Ah, alam ko na. Silang lahat ay taus-pusong naglingkod.

Maging ang sarili nilang kapakanan at mismong buhay ay kanilang ibinuwis para lamang ang kapakanan ng iba ang siyang matugunan at mapagsilbihan.

Samakatuwid, iisa pala ang daan para makamit ang kanilang kinalagyan sa lipunan. Ang paglilingkod pala ang tiyak sa susi upang makamtam ang kadakilaan. Ah, may nakapagsabi: • Iyon daw araw-araw sa simbahan: madre, pari, at mga relihiyoso?

• Iyon daw laging nasa bahay ampunan at naglilingkod ng walang bayad?

• Iyon daw laging nag-aabuloy at namimigay ng mga lumang gamit?

• Iyon daw mga guro sa paaralan?

• Iyon daw mga manggagamot o doctor?

• Iyon daw pulitiko na laging nahahalal kapag eleksyon o botohan?

5

The pulse of the Filipino Community in Alberta, Canada

Kadakilaan: Katumbas ng Karangyaan at Kasikatan?

Ano ang itatawag mo sa pulitiko na sukdulang magpapatay ng kapwa-tao o kapwa-kandidato para lamang manalo? Ayaw patalo dahill nga naman, Pork Barrel Fund iba pa ang makikinabang! Ano na nga ba ang pinag-aagawan? Kadakilaan o Karangyaan?

Dito sa Edmonton, nabalitaan ko at labis kong ikinalungkot. Isang katutak na ang mga presidenteng Pilipino.

Eh paano, kapag ang ideya ng bise presidente ay di pinansin.

Tiyak na bukas na bukas din, panibagong grupo o pangkat ang mabubuo upang si vice ay maging president na rin. Aba, sikat na nga naman siyang maituturing. Ang tanong: Dakila nga ba?

Nabalitaan ko rin, nagkaroon na pala dito ng isang BahayPulungan o gusali na kung saan ay pwedeng pagtipunan ng ating mga kababayan kapag may mga kasiyahan. Lahat daw ay sabik noong itatayo pa lamang ang gusali. Subalit ng dumating na raw ang oras para bayaran ang mga utang, isa-isa ng nagkalasan.

Hanggang ang gusali ay tuluyan ng naibenta sa isang katulad din nating grupo ng mga dayuhan.

Noong panahong iyon, matatawag natin na sumikat o sikat ang Pinoy dahil sa kanilang sinimulan. Sikat sila di ba? Subalit, dakila ba?

Sa kasalukuyan, may mga Pinoy na nagnanais ibangon ang gumuhong pangarap at reputasyon ng ating lahi sa pamamagitan ng paglahok sa pulitika. Nakausap ko pa ang iba. Isa poi tong malaking paghamon sa inyo! Hari nawa, isa sa inyo ay magwagi at patunayan ninyo sa amin na uusbong ang bagong binhi ng pag-asa upang sa darating na bukas ay dakilain tayo ng ibang lahi. Sa totoo lang, hindi natin dapat pinapangarap ang pagiging sikat, marangya, matagumpay, at dakila. Nararapat na ito ay ating pagsikapang trabahuhin o isagawa sa pamamagitan ng isang wagas, tapat o tauspusong paglilingkod!

Sa darating na halalan sa ika-21 ng Oktubre 2013, huwag kayong mag-alala, manalo o matalo, tuloy ang kampanya natin. Sapagkat ang kampanya ay serbisyo publiko. Huwag kayong mag-alala, manalo o matalo kayo, kababayan pa rin namin kayo. Huawag kayong mag-alala, manalo o matalo kayo, ituloy n’yo ang paglilingkod. Diyan lamang kayo magiging dakila sa paningin naming lahat!

Let's get social

LBC Introduces Air Cargo Recipients get packages in 7-10 days affordable option of sending important Vancouver, British Columbia., Oct 1, 2013 – LBC continues its tradition of innovation and excellent customer service by introducing air cargo with free pick-up service.

LBC customers in Metro Vancouver and Metro Toronto can now send through Air and enjoy parcels to be delivered within 7 to 10 days.

Customers may also schedule a free pick-up of their air cargo packages right from their doorsteps. Packages that weigh over 10 pounds can be picked up with no extra fees from the sender's home or any preferred location.

Affordable rates, fast delivery This added bonus of free pick-up will not affect LBC's very affordable rates and fast delivery for its air cargo service.

Customers will still pay as low as $12.00 for documents or as low as

$20.00 for parcels when sending to the Philippines through air cargo. LBC will deliver the packages to recipients anywhere in the Philippines within (7) seven to (10) ten days.

Competition is no match LBC's new free pick-up feature beats virtually any of the competition's similar service. The free pick-up service is available for parcels 10 pounds and above. Anything below 10 pounds will have a pick-up fee of $10.

The delivery fee for a package from Vancouver or Toronto sent through air cargo to a residence in Makati City using other service providers is heavy on the budget.

Faster yet affordable option By offering this new feature, LBC is providing the Filipino community in Canada a faster but still

Magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck Visayas faces housing shortage

T

he province of Bohol faces another problem in the aftermath of the October 15 magnitude 7.2 earthquake.

Representative Arthur Yap said the earthquake damaged about 10,000 homes out of which 1,800 were totally destroyed in his district

resulting in acute shortage of housing facilities. The towns of Carmen, Loay and Loboc comprises the 3rd District of Bohol.

Currently the Bohol provincial government is coordinating with national agencies and the Department of Social Welfare and Development

documents and valuable gifts to their loved ones in the Philippines, said Patricia G. Garcia, LBC USA's brand head for North America.

“Customers rely on LBC to deliver their packages without delays.

Providing our customers with this faster option will give them a greater degree of flexibility and better connection with their loved ones back home,” Ms. Garcia explained.

She further pointed out that LBC is offering this new feature as a show of appreciation to their customers.

“We are in the business of making our kababayan’s loved ones in the Philippines happy. We know how hard our kababayans work for what they send home. We are introducing this new feature for air cargo as a show of appreciation for the trust that our customers continue to give us,” Ms. Garcia explained.

(DSWD) to provide housing for thousands of families still staying in evacuation centers.

Damage to properties amounting to P2.2 billion was attributed to the earthquake. Data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). showed that the loss of lives involve a total of 204 people in the province of Bohol alone.

Photos by Erwin T. Lim | Cebu City

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The pulse of the Filipino Community in Alberta, Canada

October 2013

Of Miss Universe and other beauty pageants

A maple-coated Filipino heart

by Erlinda

Dolly Tan

erlindatan@yahoo.com

She was the Editor-in-Chief during her university days and has not stopped writing since. She has four gold fish and one betta. She delights in watching movies the traditional way by sitting at the theatre with popcorn rather than at home. She loves books and is right now reading Dan Brown’s Inferno.

I wasn’t born yet in 1969 when Gloria Diaz won as Miss Universe. So I do not know how the nation celebrated then. I can only imagine. Since cable and internet at that time were still sci-fi stuff, people must have learned of the big news via transistor radios. I wonder if there was even live coverage.

And I can imagine the nation’s reaction of learning the news. Gloria Diaz was our first Miss Universe, she bested 61 delegates from around the world. Some writers described her as the enchanting 18-year old FilipinoSpanish hybrid.

Day after the pageant, the headline of Manila Times read: “RP’s Gloria Diaz wins Miss Universe contest!” Her picture adorned the front page of the paper. Right below the photo was another story that

was the screaming headline of all newspapers in the world: “Moon landing today.”

Gloria Diaz put to the sideline the story of Neil Armstrong’s landing on the moon! A nation of 35 million at that time, must have erupted in jubilation to say the least. Then US President Richard Nixon said it best: “America conquered the moon but the Philippines conquered the universe.” I can only smile now.

Did our enchantment for Miss Universe and other beauty pageants start here? Maybe. Or is it an influence we inherited from the United States during the Commonwealth era? Who knows. It doesn’t matter. All I know of, today beauty pageants had become part of our culture. Even toddlers have a “Search for Little Miss Philippines” at Eat Bulaga.

If you belong to my generation (side note: I’m a Martial Law baby), you will remember when the country hosted the Miss Universe pageant in 1994. At this time, cable TV was already a common commodity in the Philippines. And so a big part of the population watched live on TV for the Miss Universe pageant held in Manila. I know you loved as I did how Charlene Gonzales answered when asked how many islands the Philippines have. She quipped with another question: “High tide or low tide?”

It was only from her I learned that at high tide we have 7,107 islands. And at low tide we have 7,108. I don’t remember my history teacher telling me that. Or maybe I

was absent that day. Wait a minute, a difference of one island is negligible, right? But come on, Charlene needed to elaborate that to gain confidence and grace in the conversation. Never mind math, she wasn’t inside the classroom anyway.

Moving on, you will also remember how, in the Miss Universe 1999, Miriam Quiambao slipped and fell on the stage. It happened when she accidentally stepped on the trail of her gown. I remember seeing that, and feeling my heart fell to the floor too. I stopped breathing until she got up. Blessing in disguise, that fall made her popular in the competition, the judges took notice of her. And during the question and answer portion, she managed to draw lesson from the tragedy by saying that she felt she represented women who have fallen both on and off the stage, and she wants to be an example to the rest of the women in the world. The audience erupted in a big applause.

She ended up winning as first runnerup.

It was at this time that we realized the crown for Miss Universe is just an arm’s length. That to win the title again is not too good to be true. It’s been four decades since we won the crown via Margie Moran, our second and last Miss Universe. So to win another has been everybody’s wish for so long a time.

Moving forward, I think you were also there last year when Janine Tugonon won first runner-up.

Remember how we actually expected that she will get the crown? She gave a very smart answer when asked if

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speaking English is a prerequisite to being Miss Universe. She said with grace and confidence, "For me, I think being Miss Universe is not just about knowing how to speak a specific language, it is being able to influence and inspire others. So whatever language you have, as long as your heart is to serve and you have a strong mind to show to people, then, you can be Miss Universe.”

Minutes after she didn’t win the crown, Facebook was flooded with complaints. Of course we were now in the era of social media. As if Facebook could help, we complained that Janine answered better than the winner. We complained to whom?

To no one actually. We were just whining to let the frustration out.

But, as we were waiting for this year’s Miss Universe pageant (to be held in Moscow this November), we received a big bonus. A Filipino named Megan Young won as Miss World. “Are you sure she is Filipino?” Was the first question I asked when she won the title. Her name doesn’t sound Filipino a bit. I googled for her and found out that she is indeed Filipino, heart and soul.

Her father is American, her mother is Filipino, she was born in America but moved to the Philippines when she was 10, and has lived there since. In fact she speaks fluent Tagalog.

Her win set Twitter and other blog sites ablaze. I was one of the guilty arsonists who posted numerous times about her victory.

Finally, we won. Whether it’s Miss Universe or Miss World, no one cares about hierarchy at this time. In

FilipinoJournal. com

fact, winning Miss World (not Miss Universe) endowed our country with something other countries do not have – we completed all five crowns: Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss Earth, Miss International and Miss Supranational.

Never mind if we are not on the list of the Four Asian Tigers. Or the G8 nations. We have five crowns.

They don’t. (I want to put a smiley face here but my publisher might not allow it.)

Why oh why, are we so enchanted with beauty pageants? Is it because of our sick government that we draw pride and inspiration from beauty titlists instead? Or is it just a matter of being classy and graceful?

Nah. I don’t care searching for the answer. They say culture is culture.

So I’ll leave it as it is.

This year’s Miss Universe pageant will be an interesting one.

As Filipino foreign workers scatter around the world like ants, we are also starting to penetrate the pageant world globally. Three Filipinos will vie for the title next month: our Miss Philippines Ariella Arida, Miss Canada Riza Santos whose parents are Filipino immigrants and Miss Gabon Jennifer Ondo who is half Filipino. (Gabon is in West Africa.)

Who will I cheer for? Well, I am a Filipino immigrant living in Canada. Loyalty check? Wait, give me time to read my “Immigration 101” pamphlet. I’ll review if there is a Miss Universe section. Otherwise, I will go for the contestant who, like Gloria Diaz, can put Neil Armstrong to the sideline

October 2013

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The pulse of the Filipino Community in Alberta, Canada

Biskeg na Pangasinan Friendship and Aid Association "Miss Humanity 2013 Pageant Raises Over $20,000

By Jun Angeles

A

lofty cause to raise funds to help thousand of school children in Pangasinan where a lot of family families are below the poverty level was realized with over $20,000 of funds raised at the recent Miss Humanity 2013 event held last Saturday October 5, 2013.

On her message, President Dyianna Devilla stated that the proceeds from this Miss Humanity pageant will go towards school supplies to children in Pangasinan, a province in the Philippines. "A notebook and pencil may not mean much to the student here in Edmonton, but to children in Philippines , it is a chance for them to gain an education". The success of last year's Miss Humanity Pageant 2012 "Too School For Cool" where the association distributed 3,500 backpacks of school supplies and 2,200 raincoats was a huge success.

This time the funds raised by Biskeg na Pangasinan will be able to provide more supplies to school children in Pangasinan.

The Miss Humanity Pageant 2013 which was held at Alliance Hall crowned Amelia Fluet, Miss Dagupan as Miss Humanity 2013, Miss Urdaneta Charmaine Gibson 1st Runner Up and Miss Sta. Barbara, Tahnee Rae Soroka 2nd Runner Up. The People Choice Award was awarded to Brooke Switzer MIss San Fabian. Young women (15-23 year old) competed out to raise money and gain the title of Miss Humanity 2013. The candidates who participated in the pageant were Amelia Fluet, Miss Dagupan, Thanee Rae Soroka Miss Sta. Barbara, Angela Ong Miss Mangaldan, Brianne Celine Helfrich,

Miss San Carlos, Galee Khau, Miss Malasiqui, Erin Hochhausen, Miss San Manuel, Antoinette Joy Layton,Miss Alaminos, June Marie Valenzuela Miss Lingayen, Marjorie Mopas Miss Rosales, Sharon_Jane Penaverde Miss Mapandan, Brooke Switzer Miss San Fabian, Gabrielle Ashley Maglalang Miss Sual, Charmaine Gibson Miss Urdaneta, Madison Usher-Comeau Miss Manaog, Samara Jayne Oscroft Miss San Nicolas, Fiona Ko Miss Calasiao, and Alexandra Gregory Miss Basista. It was an evening of pure 1st Runner-Up Charmaine Gibson with 2nd Runner-Up Tahnee Rae Soroka with Amelia Fuet Miss Humanity 2013 with Dong of Cusina ni Mutya and guest.

Marilyn Anderson and Gil Pasalo. entertainment with all participants Robert Maglalang. giving their best efforts. The venue, the Gateway Alliance Church was full to capacity and after the show the crowd was served with drinks and hors d'oeuvres.

John Benjamin Marcos, the emcee

The Judges

Officers and Volunteers with Robert Maglalang and Karen Leibovici.

Brooke Switzer Miss People Choice Awardee with Geraldo Palisoc presenting flowers and guest.

The Contestants

Photos by Jun Angeles | Filipino Journal

Official results for the 2013 General Election Filed by Jose “Pepito” Magpayo

October 25, 2013 01:43 PM The following are the official results for the 2013 General Elections following validation of data entry. The adjustments in the number of votes for individual candidates are minor and do not change the outcome in any of the overall results.

Candidate listing for Mayor Nenshi, Naheed K. – 193393 Candidate listing for Councillor Ward 1 Sutherland, Ward – 8721 Candidate listing for Councillor Ward 2 Magliocca, Joe – 5437 Candidate listing for Councillor Ward 3 Stevenson, Jim – 9424 Candidate listing for Councillor Ward 4 Chu, Sean – 9017 Candidate Listing For Councillor Ward 5 Jones, Ray – 9775 Candidate listing for Councillor Ward 6 Pootmans, Richard – 10843 Candidate listing for Councillor Ward 7 Farrell, Druh – 8923 Candidate Listing For Councillor Ward 8 Woolley, Evan – 9377 Candidate listing for Councillor Ward 9 Carra, Gian-Carlo – 9220 Candidate listing for Councillor

Ward 10 Chabot, Andre – 9654 Candidate listing for Councillor Ward 11 Pincott, Brian – 11075 Candidate listing for Councillor Ward 12 Keating, Shane A. – 11942 Candidate listing for Councillor Ward 13 Colley-Urquhart, Diane Marie – 9432 Candidate listing for Councillor Ward 14 Demong, Peter – 13974 Candidate listing for Public School Board Trustee (Wards 1 & 2) Bowen-Eyre, Joy – 11246 McDonald, Roberta Maclise – 6548 Candidate listing for Public School Board Trustee (Wards 3 & 4) Ferguson, Lynn Cameron – 10444 Candidate listing for Public School Board Trustee (Wards 5 & 10) King, Pamela – 7677 Candidate listing for Public School Board Trustee (Wards 6 & 7) Hurdman, Trina – 14882 Candidate listing for Public School Board Trustee (Wards 8 & 9) Hehr, Judy – 15983 Candidate listing for Public School Board Trustee (Wards 11 & 13) Taylor, Sheila – 20825 Candidate listing for Public School Board Trustee (Wards 12 & 14) Stewart, Amber – 6693 Candidate listing for Separate

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School Board Trustee (Wards 1 & 2) plus Cochrane Scarpino, Serafino – 5067 Candidate listing for Separate School Board Trustee (Wards 3 & 5) plus Airdrie Wellman, Linda (acclaimed) Candidate listing for Separate School Board Trustee (Wards 4 & 7)

Belcourt, Margaret – 6338 Candidate listing for Separate School Board Trustee (Wards 6 & 8) Teppler, Peter – 3571 Candidate listing for Separate School Board Trustee (Wards 9 & 10) plus Chestermere Low, Cheryl – 4955

FilipinoJournal. com

Candidate listing for Separate School Board Trustee (Wards 11 & 12) Williams, Cathie (acclaimed) Candidate listing for Separate School Board Trustee (Wards 13 & 14) Martin, Mary Louise – 8043

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The pulse of the Filipino Community in Alberta, Canada

October 2013

Government taking action to address growing backlog

Canada welcomes largest number of parents and grandparents in nearly 20 years

Ottawa, October 29, 2013 — Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander today announced aggressive new action to address the growing backlog and increasing processing times in the Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP).

Wait times in the Live-in Caregiver Program have grown to levels that are unacceptable to caregivers,” said Alexander. “"Our government has already slashed application backlogs for skilled workers and parents and grandparents. Now, we turn our attention to the LCP."” Canada will admit 17,500 permanent residents through the Live-in Caregiver Program in 2014 – almost double the number this year.

Ottawa, October 29, 2013 — Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander today pledged aggressive action to reunite more families in 2014. Alexander also announced that the backlog of Parent and Grandparent (PGP) program applications will be almost 50 percent lower by the end of 2013 than it was just two years ago. “"Our Government is keeping our promise to overcome the massive backlogs we inherited and reunite families faster,"” said Alexander. “"These numbers represent the highest level of parent and grandparent admissions in nearly two decades and are a clear expression of our commitment to family reunification as a key part of our immigration plan."”

The Government is on track to surpass its commitment to admit 50,000 parents and grandparents to Canada over two years (2012 and 2013), and Canada intends to welcome an additional 20,000 in 2014. The admission of an additional 20,000 parents and grandparents in 2014 is part of the annual levels plan tabled yesterday by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Under the Action Plan for Faster Family Reunification, the Government cut backlogs and wait times for sponsored parents and grandparents. Prior to that, families regularly had to wait eight years or

This represents the highest number of LCP admissions in a single year since the program began in 1993.

Application backlogs and processing times have grown steadily in recent years. The number of caregivers completing their work obligations and becoming eligible for permanent residency has routinely outpaced the planned levels of admissions from the program.

Alexander added: “"Livein caregivers participating in the program came here with the promise of permanent residency after meeting work obligations in looking after the children, elderly or disabled people in their care. We need to honour our commitment to them."”

The Live-in Caregiver Program facilitates the entry of qualified caregivers into Canada when employers have not been able to find Canadians to fill these positions.

Caregivers can apply for permanent residence in Canada after working for two years during their first four years after entry into Canada. As a result, a record number of livein caregivers will be admitted as permanent residents of Canada in 2014.

The LCP is unique. Through the LCP, caregivers have a direct path to permanent residence that no other Temporary Foreign Workers enjoy. For more information about the program, please visit CIC’s website.

Report from Naresh Bhardwaj MLA, Edmonton-Ellerslie Communities ChooseWell Provincial Iron Chef Challenge 2013 I was delighted to bring greetings on behalf of the Government of Alberta and to participate as a judge in the Iron Chef competition sponsored by Alberta Recreation & Parks Association and hosted

by NAIT at their Campus Culinary Labs in Edmonton on Saturday, October 19, 2013. The goal of the Iron Chef Challenge is to promote healthy, local eating. Three teams were brought in from the Town of Morinville, the Town of Vegreville, and Brightview Elementary School, Edmonton. Each team was made up of one adult and one youth who were given two mandatory, local ingredients and 90 minutes to make one entrée and one dessert from scratch. Teams were assessed on how their food tasted, as well as on how well they worked together and how healthy their dishes were. The winning team was Dayna & her son Jayme Sicinski from Brightview Elementary School. They received a $2500 grant to support a local healthy living initiative as well as a prized plate trophy to display in their community, and individual prizes related to healthy eating.

Recognize a young person for making a difference Nominations are now open for the Government of Alberta’s 2014 Great Kids Award. For the 14th year, the Alberta government will present the Great Kids Award to recognize Alberta’s children and youth for their outstanding determination, generosity, and With an Iron Chef contestant at NAIT With Iron Chef judges and winners, compassion. Investing in youth is one way the Culinary Labs for the Communities Dayna & her son Jayme Sicinski ChooseWell Provincial Iron Chef Alberta government is investing in families and from Brightview Elementary School, Challenge 2013 Edmonton. communities to build a better Alberta. “The Great Kids Award recognizes young people who do great things – at home, at school and in their community. We want to celebrate the many special young Albertans, who make a positive difference and inspire others to reach their full potential and help build a better Alberta.” - Dave Hancock, Minister of Human Services. Sixteen award winners and all nominees will be honoured at a special ceremony in Edmonton. Award recipients will receive a trophy and prize package donated by IBM and Fantasyland Hotel. Great kids aged 5 to 18 can be nominated. The nomination deadline is December 9, 2013 at 4:00 p.m. Please visit www.humanservices.alberta.ca for nomination forms.

As the MLA for Edmonton-Ellerslie, I am always available to assist constituents. If you have any questions or concerns, I can be reached in my constituency office at 780-414-2000, or in my Legislature office at 780-644-3845. Also, please subscribe to my E newsletter at http://bhardwaj.mypcmla.ca/.

Ronald Cantiveros

Publisher/Chief Operating Officer VP-Business Development Managing Editor Sales & Advertising

Jose (Jun) Angeles, Jr.

Official Photographer

Associate Editor/Marketing afjcalgary@shaw.ca (403) 264-5605

Rosalinda Linsangan Natividad-Cantiveros

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

Calgary, AB – The Calgary Airport Authority officially opened the realigned McCall Way. The new route, which includes an underpass, provides access for airport partners located in the business park off McCall Way and Aerial Place. In conjunction, the underpass infrastructure accommodates the construction of a new taxiway, which will connect the existing airfield with the new airfield system currently under development.

The opening of the underpass is an important milestone in the Runway Development Project as it reroutes traffic under Taxiway Romeo, which is currently being constructed. This taxiway is an important connection as it allows aircraft to connect to the new runway, which is scheduled to open in spring 2014.

“The completion of the Taxiway Romeo underpass is essential to the

efficient operation of our new airfield system, and maintains critical access for our growing business community in the area,” said Bob Schmitt, Senior Vice-President, Planning & Engineering. “This is a crucial piece of infrastructure as we prepare for 2014 operations of the new runway.”

The Calgary Airport Authority is a not-for-profit organization incorporated under the Regional Airports Authorities Act of Alberta.

The Authority is responsible for the management, operation and development of Calgary International (YYC) and Springbank (YBW) Airports. YYC is Canada's fourth busiest airport and is an important economic engine for the city, region and province, generating over $6 billion per annum in economic activity.

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more to bring their loved ones from overseas.

Had no action been taken, it was predicted that the backlog could increase to 250,000 persons with wait times of 15 years by 2015. Because of the Government’s aggressive actions, wait times are now expected to be just one fifth of that time.

The PGP program will start accepting applications again in January with new eligibility criteria for sponsors and a cap of 5,000 applications per year. The cap is being put in place to allow for the elimination of the existing backlog and prevent future backlogs. More information, new application forms and instruction guides for the redesigned PGP program will be made available in the coming weeks. “"The modernized PGP program will mean faster processing times and shorter waits,"” said Alexander. “"It will also ensure that families have the financial means to support those they sponsor, while also protecting the interests of taxpayers."”

The Super Visa remains a popular option for parents or grandparents wishing to visit their families in Canada for an extended period of time. The Super Visa is valid for up to 10 years and allows parents and grandparents to come to Canada for up to two years at a time. To date, nearly 26,000 Super Visas have been issued with an approval rate of 84 percent.

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

Noli Granado Christopher & Nikki Richter

Contributing Writers: Johnny Cantiveros Gem & Lita Anis Danilo Donor Miya Villarena Naresh Bhardwaj Jerry Caingcoy Erlinda Dolly Tan

Melanie Angeles Perry Diaz Jon Salvador Lito Mendoza Velasco Dolly Punsalan Castillo Jairus Bilo Thomas A. Lukaszuk

All photos & articles available online!

Published by Molave Publishing Company, Inc. 46 Pincarrow Rd., Winnipeg, MB R3Y 1E3 •Tel: 888-489-8894 Fax: (204) 489-1575 •info@filipinojournal.com •www.filipinojournal.com Publications Mail Agreement No. 40032612 Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: Molave Publishing Company, Inc. 46 Pincarrow Road, Winnipeg, MB R3Y 1E3

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October 2013

Filipinos in Alberta Civic Elections Get Good Experience

By Jun Angeles

T

he results of Alberta Civic Election last Monday, October 21, 2013 failed to elect Filipinos in any positions in local civic election. In Edmonton Kristine Acielo bid for mayor of Edmonton garnered 2,248 votes and failed.

Former Councillor Karen Leibovici a strong favorite as well failed for mayor while 34 year old Don Iverson was elected to become the youngest mayor of Edmonton. In Calgary there was no contest as Naheed Nenshi was re-elected as the 36th Mayor of Calgary. In Ward 5 of Edmonton, Rudy Arcilla edged Allan Santos by 79 votes with a total votes of 2083 but both failed to grab the seat which went to Michael Oshry with 5433 votes.

In Ward 11 in Millwoods Roberto Maglalang and Rob Aromin were unsuccessful to get the seat that went to Mike Nickel. In Grand Prairie, for

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The pulse of the Filipino Community in Alberta, Canada

the first time a Filipino Jun Bibangco ran for Councillor but failed in his first attempt to become a councillor.

Overall this election has seen a lot of Filipino-Canadians ran for politics.

For Allan Santos, he is happy with the experience. "It's my first time to ran for the Council, I contemplated to ran early this year in January but decided to announce his bid for the election in August. It is a learning experience for me and gain the necessary knowledge should I decide to run again in four year time."

In Grande Prairie, Jane wife of Jun Bibangco was really oppose for Jun to run as Councillor but because of the coaching of the mayor and some friends decided to to test the local politics. Although he failed to grab a seat, Jun has gained the valuable lessons in democratic process of running in politics. Originally from

Negros Occidental and only six years in Canada, he decided to run due to friends endorsements. He is advocating a need to build a Multicultural Center in Grande Prairie. for Rudy Arcilla , former Catholic Trustee elect, his bid as Councillor could probably be his last attempt to run in Edmonton politics.

Although Filipino-Canadians in Alberta failed this election, the community has seen the biggest participation of Filipinos in local politics. In due time the Filipino community will see another Filipino in local, provincial and federal levels.

Former MLA Carl Benito was the first Filipino to succeed to grab an MLA seat in the province and Rudy Arcilla as the former Catholic Trustee elect in Edmonton. From the Alberta Filipino Journal we would like to to congratulate all of you who put the Filipinos in the map of politics.

Edmonton Officially Welcomes New Mayor and City Council Edmonton’s 35th Mayor and 12 City Councillors were officially sworn in at City Hall in an historic and memorable ceremony.

“Our citizens have elected a group of thoughtful and committed councillors. Their skills, experience and interests complement each other well,” said Mayor Don Iveson. “We have a shared focus on the future and, together, we will work closely on making this city a far better place in four years’ time than when we first arrived.”

The ceremony began with a procession of City Council and included the singing of O’Canada

by Shelley Jones and Matt Day and a blessing by Elder Francis Whiskeyjack. African Aboriginal dancers also performed.

The oaths of office were administered by the Honourable

D.M. Manderscheid, a judge with the Court of Queen’s Bench. Following the ceremony, the Mayor and City Councillors held their inaugural meeting in Council Chambers.

Edmonton’s new City Council is: Mayor Don Iveson Ward 1 Andrew Knack Ward 2 Bev Esslinger Ward 3 Dave Loken Ward 4 Ed Gibbons Ward 5 Michael Oshry Ward 6 Scott McKeen Ward 7 Tony Caterina Ward 8 Ben Henderson Ward 9 Bryan Anderson Ward 10 Michael Walters Ward 11 Mike Nickel Ward 12 Amarjeet Sohi The new Council will serve a fouryear term with the next municipal election scheduled for October 2017.

SAMAHAN NG MGA ESPIRITISTA Edmonton- Christian Holy Spirit Fellowship chsf.edmonton@gmail.com (780) 974-0678

Allan Santos families and friends at a Boston Pizza Restaurant awaiting the results of the election.

Calgary– Calgary Christian Spiritist Church leovallavillanoza@yahoo.ca (403) 397-4548

Photo by Jun Angeles | Filipino Journal

SAMAHAN NG MGA ESPIRITISTA Edmonton- Christian Holy Spirit Fellowship chsf.edmonton@gmail.com (780) 974-0678 Calgary– Calgary Christian Spiritist Church leovallavillanoza@yahoo.ca (403) 397-4548

Be Career Ready in Months!

Your Career as a Health Care Aide Starts Here.

SAMAHAN NG MGA ESPIRITISTA

Edmonton- Christian Holy Spirit Fellowship chsf.edmonton@gmail.com (780) 974-0678 Calgary– Calgary Christian Spiritist Church leovallavillanoza@yahoo.ca (403) 397-4548

Get more information today - classes start soon! www.robertsoncollege.com

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The pulse of the Filipino Community in Alberta, Canada

October 2013

Advantages of the CEC Program versus other immigration programs four programs are: the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program, the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program and the Spousal Sponsorship Program (SSP). Summarized in this news article are some of the advantages of the CEC program as compared to the other immigration programs as of Oct. 2013.

Immigration News

by Columbio (Jon) Salvador, BSc.

Certified Canadian Immigration Consultant

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

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

I have been asked again about the advantages of the CEC program as compared to the other immigration programs. For Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs) in Canada there are: four (4) main immigration programs to become Permanent Residents (PRs). The

Among the four (4) above listed programs, the updated CEC program – as of Jan. 2, 2013 is the simplest option and requires the least documentation..

Listed below are some of the advantages of the CEC program– as compared to the other immigration programs: 1. The FSW program requires the applicant to score 67 points out of 100 in the six selection factors (ie. education, language skills, work experience, age, arranged employment, and adaptability) to be eligible to apply. In the CEC program, there are no selection factors requirement points to meet.

2. The FSW program requires the applicant to provide Certificate of Employments for the last ten (10) years.

In the CEC program, the applicant has to provide Certificate of Employments only for the last three (3) years.

3. The FSW program requires the applicant and the spouse to provide copies of their college or university diplomas and transcript of records. In the CEC program, these documents are not required.

4. In the FSW program, if the applicant does not have a written Arranged Employment Offer from an employer in Canada, he/she is required to provide proof of settlement funds. This could a big problem for applicants who do not have enough money or assets to meet the “show money” requirement. In the CEC

program, settlement funds or “show money” is not required.

5. In the AINP program, the applicant and the employer are required to fill-out provincial and federal government forms respectively. The AINP application involves a two (2) step process. Stage 1- the provincial government has to approve the AINP application and then after the application is approved by the province, Stage 2- the applicant has to forward the relevant forms to the federal government. The total AINP processing and approval time could take 18 to 24 months or more. In the CEC program, the applicant only has to fill-out federal government forms and the approval process generally takes 10 to 12 months.

6. In the AINP program, both the applicant and the employer have to meet eligibility criteria. If applicant is eligible but the employer is not eligible... the AINP application is refused. So make sure that your employer meets all the AINP eligibility criteria before you apply under the program. In the CEC program, as long as the applicant meets all eligibility requirements ... the employer eligibility is not a factor.

7.

In the AINP program, the employer has to nominate or sponsor the applicant. If the applicant changes employer before the AINP application is approved... the employer nomination is lost and the AINP application will be refused. The applicant has to stay with the same employer until the AINP and PR application is approved. In the CEC program, as long as the TFW applicant meets the CEC requirements, the applicant does not have to keep working with the same employer until the CEC application is approved.

In fact, as long as the applicant meets the CEC criteria, he can be un-employed when he applies under CEC program.

All photos & articles available online!

NOTE: In June 2013, the Alberta government introduced the AINP – Alberta Work Experience (AWE) program. This enables TFWs in certain eligible occupations, to self- nominate themselves (ie. the employer does not have to nominate the employee).

However, this program is valid only until November 28, 2013. The Alberta government also reduced the eligibility requirement for AINP – AWE on Sept.

13, 2013.

meets the minimum language standards, and the test results cannot be more than two years old at the time of application to the AINP. The only English Language official test results that the AINP will accept are listed below:  IELTS – General Test Exams with minimum scores of: a. Listening: 4.5 b. Reading: 3.5 c. Writing: 4.0 d. Speaking: 4.0

Starting Sept. 13, 2013 until Nov. 28, 2013 the AINP –AWE program requirements are: a. The TFW must be currently residing in the province of Alberta. b. At the time of application, the TFW must be working full-time in Alberta and have a valid Work Permit with temporary resident status from Citizenship and Immigration Canada to work in Alberta in one of the selected eligible occupations. c. The TFW must intend to continue to reside in and work permanently in Alberta in one of the eligible occupations. d. At the time of application, the TFW must show that he/she has been working full-time (ie. at least 30 hrs./week – excluding overtime) in Alberta in one of the eligible occupations. If the current occupation is a 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level: a. NOC: 0, A or B occupations, the TFW must show you have been working full-time in Alberta in an eligible occupation for one (1) out of the past three years; or b. NOC: C occupation, you must show you have been working full-time in Alberta in an eligible occupation for two (2) out of the past four years. e. The TFW must submit official language test results showing that he

 CELPIP – General Test Exams with minimum scores of: a. Listening: 2H b. Reading: 2H c. Writing: 2H d. Speaking: 2H

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8. In the Spousal Sponsorship program, the applicant is dependent on the spouse or common-law partner to sponsor him/ her. Two (2) applications have to be submitted simultaneously: Spousal Sponsorship application and PR application. In the CEC program, the applicant is not dependent on a spouse or a common-law partner to have his/her PR application to be approved. Only one application is required instead of two sets of applications.

On December 11, 2012 Jason Kenney – Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism – announced two significant changes to the CEC program. First significant change: effective January 2, 2013 skilled TFW workers ( NOC: O, A and B) may apply for Permanent Residency (PR) under the Canadian Experience Class program with twelve (12) months, full-time, skilled, Canadian work experience – within the last 3 years. This is one year sooner than the previously required 24 months to qualify under the CEC. continued on page 20 ►

October 2013

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October 2013

October 2013

The pulse of the Filipino Community in Alberta, Canada

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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.

Filipino Journal is the no.1 Filipino-Canadian Newspaper in Alberta that published 10,000 copies once a month. We are the largest and fastest growing Filipino-Canadian newspaper, with 70,000 Filipino’s and Canadian readers.

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

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Ron Cantiveros (204) 489-8894 ron@FilipinoJournal.com

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October 2013

Pinoy Champs Concert in Edmonton 2013 Knights of Columbus Annual Council

By Jun Angeles

Marcelito Pomoy, Yeng Constantino and Jovit Baldivino once again entertained Filipinos in Edmonton with their Pinoy Champs Concert 2013 at the Fantasyland Hotel and Ballroom

last Sunday September 22, 2013.

This time Dr. Nimrod "Rod" Montano of Great Smite Family Dental sponsored the event with most of the funds earned will go to Dental Mission in the

Philippines. It was an evening of pure entertainment with the trio singing and entertaining with more confidence as compared of their previous concert.

Community Thanksgiving Dinner

Photos by Noli Granado | Filipino Journal

NE

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There are more ways to become a Permanent Resident The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) is now offering temporary foreign workers more ways to become a permanent resident of Alberta.

Apply before November 28, 2013.

To learn about program updates and if you qualify to apply, go to www.AlbertaCanada.com/AINP

All photos & articles available online!

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October 2013

The pulse of the Filipino Community in Alberta, Canada

15

2014 Ram 1500 Outdoorsman Crew Cab 4x4

My Ride

by Ron

Cantiveros

ron@filipinojournal.com

M

y neighbour was working on his truck in his driveway and noticed me as I was packing the truck with camera gear for a photoshoot. As he approached, he asked if the RAM 1500 was my new media vehicle for the week.

A couple weeks earlier, I had the Nissan Frontier in the driveway and my neighbour usually catches me if I have a truck or a sports car. I’d say he has pretty good taste.

My neighbour always notices the trucks and sports cars in the driveway. As we walked across the lawn, he asked me after test driving and reviewing trucks, which one I liked the best. It was a great question and probably more challenging to answer as I rushed to get my camera gear loaded into the truck. I’ve driven several Ford F-150’s, a Toyota Tundra, and even the well-equipped RAM 1500 Longhorn Edition. Just a month ago, I was reviewing the Nissan Frontier.

I've said it before, that I'm not a truck guy because I don’t have a daily need to be driving one. When it

comes to buying a truck, most people buy one for a very specific purpose.

Whether it’s for towing a camper, or hauling gear there are so many options to pricing out a truck.

Just looking at the list of trucks I've had the opportunity to review, we’re dealing with apples-to-oranges comparisons. So I informed my neighbour of all the good things I liked about the RAM 1500.

Firstly, the interior décor is nowhere close to the styling interior of the Longhorn Edition. There were no fancy logos apart from the hard plastic embossed RAM logo on the centre armrest/ storage bin. One thing that was initially awkward was the dial gear shift on the centre stack. I finally got used to it as the week long review went on.

Secondly, there’s more than enough storage space in the Outdoorsman including two RAM Boxes on each side wall of the rear flat bed. There’s ample storage capacity in the cab when the rear seats are folded up including smaller storage pods below the seats.

Base price of the RAM 1500 with Outdoorsman trim is $41,295.

Throw in the added comfort and luxury options including remote start, premium suspension, rear park assist and Uconnect added another $10,000+ in options. The RamBox Cargo Management System was a $1195 option. Price as tested, $52,965 I think the next time my neighbour asks about a truck, I’m going to take him for a spin around the perimeter with his trailer. Maybe then, I’ll get a better appreciation of the finer uses of trucks in towing, hauling and transporting stuff around.

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

The founder and President, Mr. Jerome Morgan (R415983) and TFW Recruitment and Immigration Projects Manager, Marjorie Quintos (R507150) are accredited members of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council, and Ms. Valerie Marcas, Is a member of Quebec Bar, Canadian Bar Association and the Quebec Immigration Lawyers Association.

NEW CHANGES You could qualify to become a Permanent Resident...

Permanent Residency Programs:  Federal Skilled Trades Program  Federal Skilled Worker Program  Canadian Experience Class  Provincial Nominee Program

Photos by Ron Cantiveros | Filipino Journal

Employer Services:  Recruitment and Selection  Labour Market Opinion  Work Permit Renewals  Open Work Permit/Spousal Visa  Student Visa

CALL US FOR FREE CONSULTATION 18553381510 Mercan Recruit Ltd.

840, 10117 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, AB T5J 1W8 Tel No. (780) 638 1510

www.mercanrecruit.com Let's get social

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by Gem & Lita Anis

Puntarenas, the "Sand Point"

T

ropically beautiful Costa Rica (meaning "rich coast") has it all - vibrant history, hospitable friendly Spanish-speaking people (Costa Ricans refer to themselves as "ticos" (males) or "ticas" (females), colourful pueblos (towns) and picturesque villages, green rolling hills and verdant mountains. In other words, we find Costa Rica quite similar to our native country Philippines.

Discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1502 on his 4th and final voyage to the New World, Costa Rica is located in Central America south of Nicaragua and north of Panama, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. San Jose is its largest city and the seat of government. As of today the country is the only

Latin American state in the list of the 22 oldest democracies in the world. Compared to many of its Latin American neighbours Costa Rica has been enjoying a decade of peace and stability for almost six decades.

Costa Rica is proud to be the first Central American country to grow and export coffee and bananas. However, interestingly enough, the country's income now is mainly from computerrelated technology and of course, tourism. Anyway, most visitors to Costa Rica like us won't like to leave the country without taking home the aromatic flavour of the world-famous Costa Rican coffee.

One of the most important tourism regions in Costa Rica is Puntarenas ("Sand Point"), capital

and largest city in the province of the same name Puntarenas located at the Pacific coast with its busy port, Caldera. As of 2012, there are 34,085 living in the city. Climate here is great with daytime highs ranging from 30 degree C to 35 degrees in the coldest and hottest months. The port city, once a sleepy village until coffee production in the late 18th century transformed the country's economy, attracts many tourists especially surfers. From the cruise ship that docks here for day-long inland excursions you can walk out onto the main pier and take a pleasant stroll along the waterfront, the Paseo de las Turistas, and see the many small shops, street vendors, cafes, and bars.

From the port city we head east to a town that is famous for being one of the most picturesque in Costa Rica, the town of Esparza. The oldest city in the country that has never changed locations, Esparza is a historic city that was sacked many times

by English pirates. As with many hardworking rural towns, there is a bustling central park

October 2013

Costa Rica Cultural Show

Gem & Lita at Esparza, Puntarenas

Costa Rica

and a church facing the plaza that is surrounded by locallyowned small shops, hand-crafted souvenir stands, food stalls, and cafeterias. We're greeted in style by local young dancers wearing colourful traditional dresses and enthrall us with lively dance performances.

Passing through kiosks selling fruits along the toll highway that sometimes drops steeply with hairpin bends the journey to another town, Orotina, is a beautiful drive and also educationally entertaining as our guide narrates and explains the life and culture of the natives of the region at the same time enjoying the sweeping views and green rolling hills against a backdrop of the bright blue oceans and the sight of the colourful houses along the way that feature large gardens and "living fences" crafted out of the most beautiful plants and trees.

Centered on an attractive plaza shaded by palms, Orotina (nicknamed "fruit town") is a small fruit-growing town famous for its annual fruit festival in March. The town is renowned throughout the country for its amazing varieties of fresh fruits

All photos & articles available online!

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and vegetables. We make a stop at a vibrant fruit market where we meet the locals and sample their delicious fruits. It is a taste explosion with many exotic items for sale including caimitos (star apple), cashew nuts, mangoes, and zapotes with thick green skins and bright salmon-red colour of the pulps.

Sarchi, Costa Rica's most famous crafts centre, is another town you don't want to miss. The town is a friendly rural village known for its talented local artists who paint and decorate traditional oxcarts ("carretas") in intricate and vivid designs. It is home to the largest oxcart in the world. Oxcarts were used since the beginning of the century to transport coffees and other products from the highlands down to the ports on the Pacific coast.

As to local cuisine of Costa Rica, try its national dish which is "gallo pinto" - rice and beans fried together with onions, peppers, and cilantro.

Trivia: Costa Rica is home to more varieties of orchids than any other place on earth with its 1,500 identified species. That's why the orchid is the nation's official flower (cattleya skinner).

October 2013

The pulse of the Filipino Community in Alberta, Canada

17

Calgary Fire Department Shares Microwave Safety Tips Filed by Jose “Pepito” Magpayo

As Fire Prevention Week comes to a close this Thanksgiving weekend, The Calgary Fire Department would like to share microwave oven safety tips to think about when heating up all those delicious leftovers.

Fire departments across North America are commemorating Fire Prevention Week October 6 to 12, 2013, by promoting fire prevention and fire safety information.

“After the big meal is over, and everyone has enjoyed the holiday with family and friends we know there will be a lot of leftovers, ready to be heated up

in the microwave oven,” said Calgary Fire Department Public Information Officer Carol Henke.

“Although the microwave oven may appear much safer than the oven or stove, it can also be a source of burns and kitchen fires.”

The Calgary Fire Department shares the following tips for using the microwave oven that can help to prevent burns and kitchen fires: • Plug the microwave oven directly into the wall outlet; do not use an extension cord.

• Use only microwave oven-safe food containers or dishes.

• Never use aluminum foil or

metal in a microwave oven.

• Food heats unevenly in a microwave oven and can be too hot to eat. Stir and test before eating or giving to children.

• Slowly open food that has been heated up in a microwave ovensafe container away from the face.

Hot steam can cause burns.

• If a fire starts in the microwave oven, leave the door closed, turn it off and unplug it from the wall.

Get out and call 9-1-1.

“Using care and caution with any kitchen appliance that cooks and heats food is important in preventing injuries and fires,” said Henke.

Throughout Fire Prevention Week 2013, the Calgary Fire Department has promoted this year’s theme of ‘Preventing Kitchen Fires’ by sharing safe cooking tips, fire prevention and fire safety information. As well, the Calgary Fire Department has shared important life-saving messages such as having a properly installed and maintained smoke alarm on all levels of the home, and developing and practicing a home escape plan.

Working to serve the community through excellence in fire prevention, education, protection and safety, the Calgary

Fire Department is committed to delivering fire safety outreach to Calgarians.

Fire Prevention Week was proclaimed in Canada in 1919 to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, as well as a major fire that destroyed the Centre Block of the Parliament buildings in Ottawa on February 3, 1916.

For more information about Fire Prevention Week, visit: http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Fire/ Pages/Programs/Fire-PreventionWeek/Fire-Prevention-Week.aspx

City of Calgary Receives Award of Excellence for West LRT Project Filed by Jose “Pepito” Magpayo

I

t was announced today that The City of Calgary has received an Award of Excellence from The Canadian Design-Build Institute in the Infrastructure category for the West LRT project.

The CDBI Awards of Excellence are presented annually to recognize excellence in Canada’s design-build industry and to acknowledge design-build teams whose projects contribute to the growth and stature of the design-build profession. Award

recipients demonstrate the highest standards and principles in the design-build industry and the business community in pursuit of excellence.

The largest transportation infrastructure project undertaken

by The City of Calgary, the West LRT Project integrated rail, bus routes, bike paths, pedestrian bridges, regional pathways, eightkilometres of double-track, six passenger stations, nine traction power substations, two park-

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and-ride facilities, a new road interchange, a transit-oriented operations building along the route, and five signalized level crossings.

The CDBI acknowledged the challenges faced by the West LRT project team: “All of this work was done in a dense urban environment, which required a high degree of traffic management.

Along the alignment, the team had to deal with at-grade portions, and cut and cover tunnel sections and

portions of elevated guide-way.”

“The West LRT was delivered for Calgarians using a new design-build process. This process improved project schedule and budget adherence,” said Mac Logan, General Manager of Transportation. “This award recognizes the success of the public-private team that made this project a reality.”

The design build team for the West LRT Project included SNCLavalin Constructors Pacific with

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joint venture partners and design consultants Graham Infrastructure, Cana Construction and Enmax Power Services, MMM Group, Read Jones Christoffersen, Gibbs Gage Architects, Wiebe Forest Engineering, and EBA Engineering.

Organized in 1998, The Canadian-Design-Build Institute was set up as a special committee of the Canadian Construction Association. It is the national voice of Canadian design-build practitioners.

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The pulse of the Filipino Community in Alberta, Canada

October 2013

Horoscope Hectic assignments at work would keep you busy for the day.

Spiritual integrity will bestow you with good relief and peace of mind. A health check would be good for you. Financial front presents a good picture as there would be good inflow of funds. It’s would be better to avoid arguments with love partners. Overall, the day supports stable energies.

It might be a fantasy, but it’s a nice one -- and you won’t be willing to let go of it without a fight. Fortunately, the entire world is in the mood to dream big dreams today and to reminisce, too. You might still share those dreams and you might still be able to help each other to achieve them.

Someone may approach you talking about investments.

This person may make whatever he’s pushing sound like a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Remember the adage, “If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is!” If you’re interested in what this person has to say, wait a few days and then check with an unbiased source.

There’s nothing worse than feeling as if you have overstepped your boundaries. However that’s something that you got yourself into and now you have to get yourself out of today.

And if anyone can do it, it’s you. Also, today you may be obsessed with romance.

Earning money will not be a problem ,but work time remains on a premium .On the academic front ,you may feel pleased with your performance .Domestic workload is likely to lessen for the homemakers ,giving them more time for themselves

A new person in your life is also interested in what you have to say, although for reasons that might not be immediately apparent. They are, however, interested in interesting ideas, and you have a lot of them! So don’t sell yourself short or let yourself be overlooked. You need to meet their expectations and not appear to be too contrary.

A romantic partner may appear to be more concerned with business than with you right now. You will derive ultimate relief through spiritual pursuits. Try to have a control over your expenditures as you have to manage the affairs of the day through meager inflow of funds. Family relationship will be smooth. Eat healthy. You are prone to skin irritations.

Devote more time with your love partners and analyze their requirements to infer a special bonding. Problems at work will require immediate attention.Things going wrong will be set right through your efforts.Do not expect much from your financial transactions as there would be meager profits.

You will be able to meet your commitments as there would be good inflow of funds. Relation with your love partner will be cordial. You will be in a position to expand your social acquaintances. New friends would support you. Spiritual concepts may seem elusive and incomprehensible today.

Financial front would offer you a comfortable picture.

Someone’s steady progress will give you a lot of encouragement .Using your time constructively is the key to success on the academic front, so the sooner you do so, the better .Financial dire straits,which you find yourself now, will improve by leaps and bounds. Adhere to proper diet schedules and correct food timings.

Be open to constructive criticism today, no matter how much it may sting, you need to listen.Favorable opportunities would be possible with regard to your career which can be utilized to the best extent.Deep love exists between you and your partner .Bringing health into focus now will help in remaining active and energetic .

Too much partying could have you feeling a little under the weather. The food and drink may have been great, but today you’d better eat plain but nourishing food. You may not be inclined to exercise, but a brisk walk or yoga class might be just what you need.

PAHALANG 1 Titulo ng maharlika 6 Anak ng baboy 11 Bayarin 12 Sakop 13 Uri ng bulaklak 14 Ibon 15 Also Known As 16 Tulong: Ingles 17 Nag-aaral sa pagpapari 23 Dingding

PABABA 24 Pagtangkilik sa kasaganaan sa isang bagay 27 Palayaw ng lalaki 31 Ibaba 32 Magtiwala 33 Impo 34 Imano 35 Turo 36 Repair 37 Marupok na 38 Itakas

1 Nasagot

19 Pagnanais

2 Paglusob

20 Diwata

3

Bahagyang pakiramdam

21 Notang musikal

ng pagkagutom

22 Iembargo

4 Pakinabang

24 Alindog

5 Talaga

25 Ngayon sa wikang kastila

6

26 Liham

Koronel: daglat

7 Hukay

28 Karne sa tinola

8

Kalakal na dinadala

29 Iahon

sa ibang bansa

30 Alleys

9 Ibilanggo

32 Lilok

10 Rikit

34 Ito

18 Ihahampas

Volunteer Photographers Wanted Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer & Fort McMurray Volunteer photographers needed. Build your portfolio or use your expertise to aid the Filipino Journal by photographing special events and concerts. Must have own equipment and transportation. Photo editing skills would be helpful but not required.

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

Here is the puzzle. Good luck!

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

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

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

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

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

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

All photos & articles available online!

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

FilipinoJournal. com

October 2013

19

The pulse of the Filipino Community in Alberta, Canada

TV FILIPINO dominates multicultural show in Alberta

by: Jerry Caingcoy

I

n every corner of the world, there's always a Filipino. Name it, you can find one! In Canada, it is estimated that there are about 620,000 Filipinos; 120,000 are scattered all over Alberta. In Edmonton, the capital city of Alberta; there are about 45,000 Filipinos; in Calgary, where the head offices of major oil and gas companies are based; there are about 40,000 Filipinos. (Source: Wikipedia 2011 & 2006 Census).

Over the recent years, the Filipinos have been considered to be the fastest growing temporary foreign worker and immigrant sector in Canada. In Alberta, the oil-rich province, Filipinos are undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with. Every day, chances are, you will meet a Filipino on the road, at work, at a restaurant or a party. They are either fast food workers, caregivers, hotel housekeepers or skilled workers like engineers, nurses and the likes. Most employers speak highly of Filipinos for the unparalleled work ethics that we put to our work. The ability to speak English and our varied skills make us easily employable.

With our growing population, we are no longer the best kept secret. We have become a vibrant and progressive immigrant sector in Canada. In 2011, Tagalog was considered as the fastest growing language; the most common home spoken language in Edmonton and second in Calgary, while most of Tagalog speakers reside in Vancouver. (Source: Statistic Canada 2011 Language Census) At the City of Calgary, there are about a hundred Filipinos working in different capacities across the corporation; where I have been working for more than five years

since we migrated to Canada. I have had the privileged of organizing Filipino employee events and doing fund raising to aid calamities stricken areas in the Philippines.

During the 2013 Independence Day celebration, the Filipino community leaders of various civic organizations led the annual flag raising ceremony in front of the historic City Hall of Calgary. Every Filipino sector was represented from senior’s groups to office workers, temporary foreign workers, even youth. It was a well attended celebration; a testament that we are no longer a minority. We are the third largest immigrant sector in Canada after China and India. We have a voice waiting to be heard. We can elect a Filipino into public office, if we are willing and united.

Last year, I was invited to be the final interview host for the Search for Miss Philippines Canada (Calgary) 2012. Hundreds came to watch and cheer for their candidates. The Visminsa Charities Foundation is behind this search that takes place every two years. Riza Santos, the reigning Miss Universe Canada 2013 started to gain popularity from this local pageant. I nominated her to the Calgary Awards 2012 for bringing honour to Calgary as a representative of Canada in major international beauty pageants. Beauty pageant is indeed, a field that Filipinos excel even in the international scene.

Filipinos always have something to celebrate. We love parties and hang out with each other. We invite friends to our homes and party for no reason. We create close ties with complete strangers we’ve never met; they become our instant families.

We maintain a strong connection to our culture even if we are half way across the globe. Whether it is a picnic at the park, a local karaoke contest or a beauty pageant, we come and support. Even during adversities, Filipinos always step up to the plate.

With our ever growing population, it is high time for us to be known; to take the lead and be given the platform where we can showcase our talents and skills and to show to the world that we have a Filipino community that thrive in this part of the globe. This is the very reason why TV FILIPINO exists. It has been

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on air for the last nine (9) years in Alberta and the first weekly Filipino television program broadcasted all over Alberta on SHAW TV 89; OMNI TV 4 & 11; TELUS TV 119 and BELL SATELLITE TV 645 & 647. The episodes cover segments of Filipino events from Christmas parties, beauty pageants, talent searches to political and cultural shows. It also promotes Filipino businesses from immigration services, restaurants to home cooking segment.

“I’ve always been invited to any Filipino events and most of the coverage is for free for the sake of promoting our Filipino culture and tradition”, the TV FILIPINO producer, Jose "Pepito" Magpayo, said. He was into media both in print and TV when he was in the Philippines. When they migrated to Canada, he published a Filipino newspaper in Calgary. Now, wherever he goes, most Filipinos recognize him as the man behind TV FILIPINO. He is one of the dedicated and passionate Filipinos who pioneered both print publishing and TV programs in Alberta for the Filipino community shared by the mainstream Canadians.

Pepito, as he is popularly known revealed that “The TV FILIPINO Program has generated 40% viewership across Alberta; that

means at least an estimate of 48,000 Filipinos are watching the show.”

(According to a survey rating by OMNI TV). In order to beef up its program, TV FILIPINO is launching a talk show segment entitled “Ikaw at Ako! Filipino Tayo!”. This segment will tackle various topics from beauty, lifestyle, community events to interviewing Filipino achievers in different fields and profiling OFW success stories. It also aims to provide a venue where Filipinos can be well informed on what’s happening around the community and be given the opportunity to share their stories to inspire and encourage every Filipino especially the newcomers in town.

It is a great honour and privilege to be a part of this production – a legacy in the making, as a segment producer and host. “Ikaw at Ako! Pinoy Tayo” will also be coproduced and hosted by Anna Avila, a Filipino beauty queen and Canadian registered nurse by profession.

She is a highly sought after host in various community events, a beauty pageant coach and dancer. Currently, she is the director of Kasayahan Performing Arts Foundation. She is one exceptional Filipino who excels in anything she puts her hands into.

TV FILIPINO through the

FilipinoJournal. com

Anna Avila

years has been true to its mission of reaching out to all Filipinos all over Alberta and will continue to uphold our pride and honour as Filipinos.

As the TV FILIPINO slogan says: “Karangalang Maging FILIPINO”.

About the Author

Jerry Caingcoy is a Filipino-Canadian currently residing in Calgary, Alberta. He is a City of Calgary employee and is actively involved in promoting and preserving the Filipino culture in Canada through his active involvement in various Filipino activities. He is a founder of a progressive Montessori school in the Philippines and is an internationally certified Montessori Educator. He is a tennis enthusiast, competed and won in various tennis competitions in Alberta. He is a passionate leader of a group of OFW's in Calgary who are committed to the better way of pursuing dreams and dollars overseas. He is a father of two children, Nico, 14 and Caitlin, 10 and married to Mary Ann Samillano-Caingcoy.

20

The pulse of the Filipino Community in Alberta, Canada

October 2013

Message from Honourable Thomas A. Lukaszuk Deputy Premier and Minister of Enterprise and Advanced Education

Honourable Thomas A. Lukaszuk

deputy.premier@gov.ab.ca

M

ost of us would rather laugh than cry. Most of us would rather play than fight. Most of us would rather hear a positive story than a negative one. from page 10

Immigration News The 2nd significant change is that: full-time work is now defined as, at least 30 hrs/week of paid skilled work.

Full time work used to be defined as at 37.5 hrs/week of work. The reduction of hours of work per week will help many skilled Temporary Foreign Workers qualify under this program. To qualify under the CEC program you need proof that you worked at least 30hrs x 52 weeks = 1,560 hrs. of skilled work within the past 3 years. You need copies of your payslips to prove your hours of work.

TFWs applying under the CEC program must meet minimum language thresholds to be eligible to apply for PR based on their job category under the National Occupation Classification (NOC) code. For NOC work categories A and 0 (ie. managers, professionals) the language requirement is a score of CLB 7 or higher for each language abilities (ie. read, write, listen, speak). For NOC work category B (ie. supervisors, skilled workers), the language requirement is CLB 5 or higher for each of the language abilities.

The

Canadian

Experience

Class

So I’d like to share stories about good things happening in Alberta’s post-secondary education system – our universities, colleges and technical institutes – and how they promise a bright future for Alberta’s students.

Let’s start at the beginning: it’s easier than ever to apply to postsecondary schools with ApplyAlberta. ca. Once you create your online profile, you can use it to apply to as many post-secondary institutions in the province as you’d like, now or in the future, with the click of a button.

And with the transcript transfer system, you don’t have to pay for your Alberta transcripts. These costs

are covered by our government and the institutions.

Alberta students enjoy many options for what to study, and eCampusAlberta gives options for HOW to study. For more than ten years, Alberta students have had access to this innovative network. It offers more than 800 online courses, and 70 online certificate, diploma and applied degree programs. eCampusAlberta has seen growth of nearly 25% per year in recent years.

We also have more than 268,000 students studying on more than 120 publicly funded campuses across the province. And those numbers are growing each year. In fact, enrollment at MacEwan University is the highest

it has ever been. We’re making sure schools can expand to accommodate students and the programs they want.

We know Alberta needs more engineers now and in the future. So we’re working with the University of Calgary to expand the Schulich School of Engineering and create 400 more student spaces at the facility.

Similarly, NAIT's new Centre for Applied Technologies will be the new home of the JR Shaw School of Business. This new training facility will help more than 1,700 additional students build careers in health, business, engineering, and sustainable building and environment management.

Making sure students can afford

their education is also important.

That’s why our government froze tuitions for students this year. That’s also why we increased financial assistance for students, with $425 million in student aid being made available this year. We’re also making it easier for students to get student aid.

Whether it’s kindergarten or post-doctoral studies, students are why the education system exists.

My most important job is to make it easier for students to get an education. By ensuring that the postsecondary system stays accessible and affordable, we are ensuring that students will get the education they need to build the future they want.

(CEC) program is targeted to foreign nationals in Canada who: 1. Are either a temporary foreign worker with at least one (1) year of full-time or equivalent skilled work experience in Canada or a foreign student graduate from a Canadian post-secondary institution with at least one (1) year of full-time or equivalent skilled work experience in Canada.

2. Have gained skilled work experience in Canada with a valid work or study permit.

3. Apply while working in Canada or within one (1) year of leaving their job in Canada 4.

Have taken and passed the language proficiency exams (IELTS for English or TEF for French) based on their job category ( ie. NOC: O, A or B).

To confirm if the applicant’s job will qualify under the CEC program, check the 4-digit NOC code in the applicant’s LMO (Labour market Opinion) document and see where it is classified in the NOC matrix website listed below: http://www30.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/ English/NOC/2006/Welcome.aspx Only jobs under NOC: O, A or B classifications are considered to be skilled work categories.

counted) and an additional year of education, obtained in Canada, before admission into the one-year program (for a total of two years).

you left your job more than one year ago, your work experience is not recent and does not meet the requirement.

Q4. Can experience gained in Canada without proper work or study authorization be counted under the Canadian Experience Class?

ANS: No, experience gained in Canada has to have a valid work or study permit.

Q5. I have already submitted an application for permanent residence as a skilled worker (under the FSW program or AINP program), can I still apply under the CEC category?

ANS: Yes, but applicants are required to submit a new PR application with new fees.

If CIC has not started processing the initial skilled worker application, the applicant could withdraw it and may be entitled to a refund of the fees paid. It is not forbidden for a TFW to apply simultaneously with two different streams of the Canadian immigration programs. However, the applicant will have to choose under which program the permanent resident status will be granted.

Q6: How do I check, if the consultant whom I am dealing with and paying a fee is a licensed immigration consultant and authorized to provide immigration advice?

ANS: Licensed immigration consultants in Canada are listed in the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) website consultants’ directory:

a. CEC requirements for Temporary Foreign Workers For temporary foreign workers, the one year of full-time (or equivalent) work experience in Canada must be gained within three years from date of PR application. Full-time work experience means working at least 30 paid hours per week. Work experience in low or semi-skilled work (ie. NOC: C, D) does not qualify under the CEC program.

b. CEC requirements for Foreign Graduate Students For foreign student graduates (FSGs) of a Canadian post-secondary educational institution, the applicants must have at least one year of full-time (or equivalent) work experience in Canada after graduation. The person must have been physically present in Canada for at least two (2) academic years. Fulltime work experience means working at least 30 paid hours per week. The work experience must be gained within two years from date of PR application.

FSGs of a Canadian post-secondary educational institution must complete either: • a full-time Canadian post-secondary educational program of at least two years or • a one-year Master’s program (certificates and diplomas cannot be

Definitions: • Full-time studies – to be eligible, applicant must be considered “full-time” at their school.

• Two years of study – at least 16 months— or four (4) semesters— within the 24 months before completing a full-time post-secondary program of study in Canada.

Note: English or French as a second language courses do not count toward education requirements under the Canadian Experience Class.

1. The programs must be delivered by a private or public post-secondary educational institution such as a college or a university that is provincially recognized, or 2. Private CEGEPs. Work experience gained while the student is still studying does not count toward meeting the requirements for work experience in the CEC program.

Only paid work experience gained after graduation is counted (unpaid volunteer work does not count). Foreign student graduates may get work experience by applying for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) after graduation. Work permits may be valid for up to three years with no restrictions on the type of work the graduate can do or where.

Conclusion The updated CEC program is one of the best and simplest options. Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs) should check, if they qualify under the CEC program - have skilled work experience in Canada (eg. Supervisors, Managers, Cooks, Chefs, Nurses, LPNs, Welders, Plumbers, Electricians, Crane Operators, Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanics, Engineers, Accountants, etc.) for at least one (1) year within the last 3 years.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs): Q1. I’m a skilled temporary foreign worker and want to apply to stay permanently. Is there an education requirement in the CEC program?

ANS: No, there is no education requirement in the CEC program.

Q2. I have different types of work experience in Canada, some skilled (NOC 0, A or B) and some low-skilled (NOC C or D). Does the low-skilled work experience count in any way toward the work experience required when the majority of my work experience is skilled?

ANS: No, low skilled work experience does not count under the CEC program.

Only skilled work experience is counted.

Q3. I meet the requirements to apply under the CEC program but have since returned to my home country.

Am I still eligible to apply under the Canadian Experience Class?

ANS: Yes, but you must apply within one year of leaving your job in Canada. If

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http://www.iccrc-crcic.ca/home.cfm If the person is not listed in the ICCRC website “active members list” directory, then chances are the person is NOT a licensed immigration consultant.

The person may be fake consultant operating illegally without proper license and training.

Under the new Canadian law known as Bill C-35, fake immigration consultants charging professional fees can receive stiff penalties of up to two (2) years imprisonment and/or up to $100,000 in fines when convicted.

You can report suspected illegal activities to ICCRC at: 5500 North Service Road, Suite 1002 Burlington, Ontario, L7L 6W6 Tel: 1-877-836-7543 (toll free) or Fax: 1-877-315-9868 (toll free) Email: info@iccrc-crcic.ca or the Temporary Foreign Worker Helpline at 1-877-944-9955 or (780) 644-9955 Legal Disclaimer: This news article is designed for general information only. The information presented in this article should not be construed to be formal legal advice or the formation of a consultant/client relationship. Each individual situation is different and people should seek proper advice on their specific cases with a licensed immigration consultant of their choice.

October 2013

The pulse of the Filipino Community in Alberta, Canada

UMAC, a cargo company that cares

A

By Erlinda Dolly Tan

re you tired of chasing the cargo guy who committed to pick up your box? Do you have to miss work to wait for pick up? Are you looking for a cargo company that cares?

There’s an app for that. The name is UMAC Express Cargo.

Their business hours is extended until 9 to 10 o’clock at night to meet the needs of Filipino foreign workers who are not home at day time.

UMAC had been in the business for the last 25 years. They are all over Canada with branches in Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg and Saskatoon. They won as the “2012 Outstanding Filipino Business” in Calgary. Their Edmonton branch opened last year to serve more Filipinos in North America.

UMAC is a global company that delivers boxes not just in Canada and the US, but also in Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and almost all parts of the world where there is a Filipino.

If you are wondering what UMAC stands for, you will be surprised that it is not an official abbreviation of some names. UMAC actually means Uncle Mac, a name given to honor the company’s founder, Teodoro Carino Jr. who was Uncle Mac to all.

The company is professionally managed with a 24-hour customer service and where customers can track the status of their cargos online. They have free door-to-door pick up within the city of Edmonton.

And worry not if you have a box of different brand, UMAC accepts competitor’s boxes. Not only that, they will replace your box with a new one upon pick up.

They have a weekly shipment to the Philippines every Monday.

Price to Manila is $60, some parts of Luzon is $70-$75, Visayas is $80, while Mindanao is $90. Shipment to Manila is 4-6 weeks, some parts of Luzon is 5-7 weeks, while Visayas

and Mindanao is 6-8 weeks.

Their Edmonton office is managed by Nina Mamaril, a Cum Laude graduate from Ateneo de Manila University with a degree in BS Psychology. She was trained in UMAC Vancouver, Calgary and Winnipeg. Prior to Canada, she worked in a cargo company in Hong Kong. Needless to say, running a cargo business is something she is very familiar with like the back of her hand.

Asked what is the difference of UMAC with other cargo companies, Nina was quick to say: “We are UMAC, a door-to-door service with U in mind. We are not just a company, we are a team. We ensure a fast, safe and efficient delivery of your precious boxes.”

Unexpectedly, this pretty lady helps in knocking doors and picking up boxes. She wants the customers to meet her in person, not just over the phone. “I want them to know that we deliver boxes with love, I want them to have peace of mind that their boxes are taken care of,” she said.

Although new in Edmonton, UMAC is very active in supporting the Filipino community’s affairs.

To celebrate their first anniversary, they recently conducted a “Karaoke 2013 Singing Idol” contest. The

competition ran for five months with elimination rounds; the monthly winners competed in the grand finals with special guest, Ms. Carol Banawa, a US-based Philippine actress and singer.

The grand champion who took home $1,500 was Cheenee Morales who sang “I Am Telling You.” Second prize went to Jimmy Buena and third prize went to Dione Dadivas.

“We love to sing,” Nina said, “when we pick up boxes, we are singing too!” As UMAC’s

Ms. Carol Banawa with Filipino Journal publisher, Mr. Jose 'Jun' Angeles. With them are the paper's columnists Jon Salvador and Erlinda Dolly Tan.

Taken at the grand finals of the "UMAC Karaoke 2013 Singing Idol." In the picture are the five finalists, the judges and executive officers of UMAC.

Cheenee Morales - grand champion and Jimmy Nina Mamaril - UMAC Operations Buena - second place. Picture taken right before Manager and Cheenee Morales the announcement of winners.

- grand champion of the karaoke singing contest.

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21 representative and Operations Manager in Edmonton, I asked what is her guiding principle in life, “I’m a positive person and I let my light shine and be a blessing to others.”

A singing cargo company that cares and wants to be a blessing to others, there’s an app for that, it’s called UMAC.

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22

The pulse of the Filipino Community in Alberta, Canada

October 2013

5th Founding Anniversary

Congratulations Tau Gamma Phi/Sigma - Triskelions' Grand Fraternity/Sorority, Northern Alberta Council as it celebrated the 5th Anniversary last 6th of October 2003 at the Mac Cafe Restaurant. The said occasion was graced by one of the Founding Fathers, Roy Alolor Ordinario. He came over with his wife Ofelia Singson Ordinario from Las Vegas.

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October 2013

The pulse of the Filipino Community in Alberta, Canada

Let's get social

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24

The pulse of the Filipino Community in Alberta, Canada

October 2013 TELUS STORE OR AUTHORIZED DEALER

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*Wireless signal range will vary and can be affected by conditions in the home, including interference from other electronic devices and the materials used in construction. Wireless connections require a wireless access point, charged separately. **Offer available until November 4, 2013 to residential customers who have not subscribed to TELUS TV in the past 90 days and cannot be combined with any other offer. TELUS reserves the right to modify channel lineups and packaging, and regular rates without notice. HDTV-input-equipped television required to watch HD. Minimum system requirements apply. Final eligibility for the services will be determined by a TELUS representative. The Essentials is required for all TELUS TV subscriptions. Rate for Optik TV Essentials is $20/month for the first 6 months. Regular rate (currently $29/month) applies from month 7. All rates are $5 more with no other TELUS services. Regular rates of Filipino TV (currently $10/month) and The Filipino Channel (currently $5/month if taken with Filipino TV) apply from month 7. TELUS, the TELUS logo, Optik, Optik TV and the future is friendly are trademarks of TELUS Corporation, used under licence. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.© 2013 TELUS. C3 FFH Philipine Journal.Alberta.indd 1

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