Ang Peryodiko News Paper April 15th to April 30th 2015 Issue

VOLUME XIII NO. 8 April 16-30, 2015 WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA

The Newspaper SUMMER SPLASH. These kids make

use of a boat’s outrigger to dive into the water in a secluded island resort in Samal, Davao City. In the hazy background is the majestic Mount Apo, the Philippines’ highest peak.

Advanced US

weapons for PH l Philippines seeks substantive US support on sea row

This was according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, who cited US Defense

Secretary Ashton Carter’s recent pronouncements. The type or kind of military equipment and

materiel was not specified.

“According to the new Department of Defense secretary in the United States, Secretary Carter, they are already looking at deploying to the Philippines various advanced equipment, air force equipment, naval equipment, maritime domain 

M

ANILA - The United States wants to deploy advanced air and naval equipment to the Philippines, which is seeking “substantive support” from its long-time ally amid China’s massive reclamation activities in the West Philippine Sea.

advanced, 4

Binay accused of overpricing hotel renovation overpriced rate.

Lawyer Renato Bondal made this accusation against Vice President Jejomar Binay on Thursday at the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee’s investigation on various corruption

angperyodiko

issues involving him.

Bondal said the former Makati mayor’s administration in 2002 ordered the renovation of three buildings originally as a housing project for 

MANILA - Former residents in Makati’s danger zones were relocated to a P1-billion housing project with substandard living conditions, while a building that was originally for them was refurbished as a hotel at an

binay, 4

@ang_peryodiko

WHAT’S INSIDE

Jasmine still mum about split with Sam Concepcion 12

Hope Amidst Death, Destruction and Despair 15

‘Fired-up Manny wants to destroy Mayweather’ 19 @ang_perydiko

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www.angperyodiko.ca n April 16-30, 2015

Rapid PH growth presented to APEC key execs MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Antonio Morales recently presented facts about the Philippines and overview of the Philippine economy before 40 officials of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in Singapore.

In the April 8 meeting, Morales noted the rapid growth trajectory of the Philippine economy from 2010 until 2014.

In his presentation, he emphasized that the country’s economy grew by 6.1 percent, making it the second fastestgrowing economy in the region after China.

He said various factors which contribute to the sharp growth include the country’s large but young population, the various anti-corruption measures that have been established by the current administration, as well as structural changes taking place in the economy caused by good economic fundamentals.

“According to UN population projections, the Philippines will hit, in 2015, a ‘demographic sweet spot’ that will approximately last for the next 35 years. Countries in such conditions post an average yearly growth of 7.3 percent,” cited Morales.

The ambassador said that the Philippines “can no longer

be labeled the sick man of Asia due to the favorable economic conditions and is now savoring an unprecedented level of confidence from the international economy.

“For the first time in the country’s history, the Philip-

pines is ranked investment grade by the major credit rating outfits—Moody’s, Standard and Poor’s and Fitch. In the latest World Bank-IFC Ease of Doing Business Report, the Philippines jumped to 95 out of 189 countries worldwide,

an improvement of 13 places from a rank of 108th last year,” added Morales.

Despite the rising Philippine economy, Morales mentioned that the government is aware that there are still several areas which need improvement.

“We still need to address poverty and try to make the economy more inclusive and sustainable in the long term,” Morales said.

Program directors of APEC economies were also present in the meeting.-Philstar

April 16-30, 2015

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DFA chief: 50 meetings with China reached dead end MANILA (April 15)— The country’s top diplomat on Wednesday dismissed Vice President Jejomar Binay’s position that the country should resume bilateral talks with China on the sea row.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said Manila had exhausted all means to deal with Beijing directly in attempting to resolve or at least de-escalate the maritime tension at the West Philippine Sea.

“We are for bilateral talks, but we ran into a dead end in terms of using that approach,” Del Rosario said in a televised interview with ANC. “In the case of Scarborough Shoal, we had over 50 bilateral engagements with them and that did not work because ... in every bilateral meeting you have with China, unfortunately, [leads to their saying] to you, ‘We have indisputable sovereignty over the entire South

China Sea’,” Del Rosario said.

With China’s unwillingness to drop its claim, the negotiations reached a deadlock.

“We thought at one point that we’ve tried everything and actually,” Del Rosario said.

The Philippines’ resort to a third-party settlement of the dispute, specifically through arbitration by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, is a core aspect of its “rules-based approach” to the

regional bickering.

China, however, rejected active participation in the arbitral proceedings and insisted on bilateral negotiations over the potentially resource-rich waterway.

Binay, a front runner in presidential polls, recently said he would take a different road than President Benigno Aquino III in dealing with the China problem when elected in 2016.

He said the Philippines and

China may strike a win-win joint venture as a result of direct dealings with each other.

“May pera po ang China, kailangan po natin ng kapital,” he said.

Several members of the international community, including the ASEAN, have expressed support for the move to elevate the case to the United Nations as among the “peaceful” means in addressing the regional dustup.-Philstar

Probers hit DOH findings on killer milk tea

MANILA (April 16) - Investigators of the Manila Police District (MPD) yesterday criticized the Department of Health as “irresponsible” for going public with an initial report that stated that the milk tea that killed two people tested negative for four toxins.

A source, who asked for anonymity, said MPD investigators were surprised that the DOH held a press conference to apparently put an end to their investigation, when autopsy results clearly showed that ErgoCha teahouse owner William Abrigo and customer Suzaine Dagohoy died after ingesting toxic substances.

“They know they only have initial results in such a sensitive case, but they wanted to look good before the press. Someone

died. We should be more sensitive,” the source said.

Dagohoy’s family, according to the source, went to the MPD and said they are losing hope to get justice for her death because of what the DOH did.

“What are they trying to do?

Convince the public that there was no foul play here? That the investigation is over?” the source added.

What the MPD investigators could not understand is why the DOH, led by Secretary Janette Garin, held a press conference first before talking to the police.

“They did not even give the MPD the results. In the first place, the police requested the examination,” the source said.

Autopsy reports conducted by two different government physicians show that “shock

secondary to ingestion of toxic substance” was the “cause of death” for the two victims.

Garin: Criminalize sale of substances with cyanide Meanwhile, despite finding that the milk tea samples collected from the teahouse tested negative for cyanide, Garin urged legislators yesterday to criminalize the sale and dispensing of substances with cyanide.

She said there are alternatives to cyanide-based solutions, particularly those used for cleaning silver jewelry.

Garin urged the public to be aware of the initial signs and symptoms of poisoning such as vomiting, diarrhea, muscle weakness and loss of consciousness. – Aie Balagtas See, Sheila Crisostomo/Philstar

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www.angperyodiko.ca n April 16-30, 2015

The said name may be seen on records of Manuel L. Quezon University, where MILF chief negotiator graduated in 1969, and on a previous arrest warrant issued to Iqbal.

Iqbal was among those who were issued a warrant of arrest in relation to the bombing incident in Sasa Wharf at the Davao Airport.

The court and school records registered a certain “Datucan Abas Mogagher Iqbal.”

“Wala kasing transparency so di natin malaman kung sinong kausap natin,” Cayetano explained, adding that the issue is not Iqbal’s identity but trust.

In the same interview, Iqbal

questioned Cayetano’s motives in baring such documents and refused to confirm nor deny the senator’s claims.

“Kapag nasira ako, halimbawa, mawawalan ng negotiator ang MILF... Ano ang mangyayari sa Mindanao? Baka hindi maganda. Dapat itanong sa senador, ‘Ano ang pakay niya, parang pine-personal na ito?’”

Iqbal said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier confirmed that Iqbal carries a valid Philippine passport. The agency may have access to information on Iqbal’s identity but is yet to consult legal advice on whether they could disclose the information.-Philstar

advanced...

Makati’s poor.

The buildings, however, were turned into what is now the Makati Friendship Suites at a total cost of P242 million. The project was overpriced by P195 million, Bondal said, because a construction manual estimates the cost of refurbishment at only P47 million.

“Iyan po ang overprice ng Friendship Suites. Iyan po ay lagpas sa threshold price na P50 million, which would qualify this project as another plunder case of Vice President Binay (That’s how overpriced the Friendship Suites is. That’s beyond the threshold price of P50 million for the project to qualify as another plunder case of Vice President Binay),” said Bondal, who has sued Binay for plunder and graft.

Bondal said the city government would host officials of Makati’s sister cities for free at the Friendship Suites in order to boost the Binays’ “political mileage”. The establishment does not operate as a hotel that generates revenue for the local government, he added.

“Imbes na pabahay ang gawin, ang nangyari ay naging hotel ng lungsod ng Makati at sila po ay naitapon sa Calauan, Laguna at kung saan-saan pa (Instead of a housing project, it was turned into a hotel in Makati and poor residents were taken to Calauan, Laguna and elsewhere),” Bondal said.

equipment. These were outlined

by Secretary Carter recently and we welcome this,” Del Rosario said in an interview on ANC. Carter’s announcement came after US President Barack Obama expressed concern over China’s using its “sheer size and muscle” to push around smaller nations in the region, particularly the Philippines.

“The first time that it was announced was a few days ago... this is the first time we are hearing about it. We have not engaged in discussion so we will find out more about what these plans involve,” Del Rosario said.

He said the equipment – possibly to include a weapons system – would be manned by US personnel.

“It will require US presence.

We have not talked about what extent this will happen but with those equipment you can surmise that there will be a US presence,” he added.

“We are, at this point, seeking additional support from the United States in terms of being able to take a stronger position in defending our position, which is to uphold the rule of law,” Del Rosario told journalists later yesterday.

Del Rosario is set to visit the US in two weeks to meet with members of the US Congress, with whom he is likely to discuss the developments in the West Philippine Sea, particularly China’s massive reclamation activities.

A meeting with Carter and US Secretary of State John Kerry is also expected to take place during Del Rosario’s visit.

He noted that the US government is looking at the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea problem in terms of three elements – China’s massive reclamation activities, construction of facilities such as airstrips and harbors, and the militarization of these facilities.

“The Philippines is saying that we should get together and study how we can uphold the rule of law together not only with the United States but with the entire international community,” he said.

Del Rosario reiterated that the reclamation projects were proof of China’s aggression in the region.

“And not only are they using it to define the nine-dash line but they feel that it will serve to undermine our case with the arbitral tribunal because what they are trying to do is they are taking features and changing the character and nature and the maritime entitlements of those features,” Del Rosario said.

“They are not allowed to do that but UNCLOS says that even if they do that, the UNCLOS will look not at what there is now but what it was before they built these features,” he said, referring to the reclaimed lands in the West Philippine Sea. Jaime

From 1

POOR CONDITIONS IN RESETTLEMENT Some residents who were evicted from danger zones in 2009 were moved to Makati Homeville, the relocation site in Calauan.

Despite costing P1 billion, Bondal said the relocation site has no electricity and running water, most houses there are makeshift, and residents have no livelihood and do not own titles to the land they occupy.

Some young residents are also engaging in “sex for food” prostitution, he said.

During Thursday’s hearing, Bondal presented Makati Homeville residents who complained of the living conditions there.

Domingo Arcilla told the subcommittee that some youths in the area are begging for money.

“Talagang naglalakad sa gabi para kalabitin ka, ‘P100 lang, manong.’ Sabi ko, ‘Grabe na ito. Kagutuman ang aabutin natin dito’ (They would walk at night and poke you, asking for P100. I told myself, ‘This is too much. We would end up hungry here),” he said.

Arcilla also recalled that when residents complained to Binay about their situation, the Vice President told them, “Binigyan na kayo ng lupa, gusto n’yo pa ng bahay (You were already given land and yet you still want houses)?” Ryan Chua, ABS-CBN News



MANILA (April 16) - Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday bared documents revealing the real name of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal.

Iqbal earlier admitted that the name he was using is a “nom de guerre” or a war name but refused to reveal his true identity during a Senate hearing last Monday.

During an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel, Cayetano brought court documents and school records stating the real name of Iqbal.

“Ang tunay niyang pangalan ay Datucan M. Abas,” Cayetano said.

binay... 

Cayetano: Iqbal is Datucan Abas

From 1

Laude/Philstar

April 16-30, 2015

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Many STD patients come from broken families - CBCP

MANILA (April 16) - Many among those suffering from sexually transmitted diseases come from broken families, an official from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said yesterday.

In an interview over Radio Veritas, CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Health Care (ECHC) executive secretary Fr. Dan Vicente Cancino said the “less than ideal” setup in families may be a factor for the

continued increase in the number of human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) cases in the country.

“Many young people these days have a distorted concept of sexuality due to the lack of what we call family values formation,” Cancino said. “Because of this, they were deprived of a deep parent-child relationship. The familial ties have been damaged. It is no wonder that many of our patients come from broken families, dysfunctional families.”

The Department of Health (DOH) recently announced that it has recorded this year the highest number of new HIV/AIDS cases since 1984. The DOH had registered as of February this year 646 new cases, a 33-percent increase from the same period last year.

Cancino said since parent-child relation-

ships appear to influence the increase in HIV-AIDS incidence in a predominantly Catholic country, he urged the faithful to go “back to the basics” to combat the further spread of this global pandemic.

“Let’s all go back to the ba-

sics: family values and prayer.

Too bad, many of our people have neglected their prayer lives. They are only reminded to pray when they are suffering from illness. That’s the time most of them run to the Lord,” he said.-Philstar

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What’s the BUZZ?

www.angperyodiko.ca April 16-30, 2015

M

ANILA – Sarah Geronimo believes “acceptance” is needed for her relationship with Matteo Guidicelli to work.

“Syempre sa lahat naman po ng relationship, gusto natin na maging smooth yung takbo, yung flow ng relationship, mag-overflow yung understanding, pagmamahal at acceptance sa bawat isa,” she told members of the press during her contract signing as the latest endorser of fashion brand Jag on Tuesday.

The singer-actress added, “Kasi hindi ka magiging masaya completely kung ikaw

Entertainment Sarah on relationship with Matteo:

Sana siya na

yung huli

lang and yung taong yun. So importante na the people around me are also happy for me. And sa side rin niya.”

The topic was brought up during the interview when Sarah was asked about Matteo’s recent statement that he wants “acceptance” for his birthday.

“My birthday wish is you know, for everybody to be happy and accepting for one another,” he said. While the actor did not elaborate, many speculated that the statement referred to his relationship with Sarah and her parents Delfin and Divine.

Sarah’s parents are reportedly

keeps a close eye when it comes to the affairs of their daughter.

But Sarah said there are “no issues” in their relationship right now.

Sarah added she’s thankful to Matteo’s family for being “welcoming” and “very warm” towards her.

Asked if her parents are starting to accept her “maturity,” she said: “Gradually, sana ho.

Unti-unti, di ba?”

Meanwhile, the ABS-CBN star was also asked about her message to Matteo during his birthday party last month.

During the said party, Sarah told Matteo: “Maraming salamat sa pagmamahal mo… You are now becoming a man. At I pray that you will continue to seek God so that you will become the man that God has planned you to become.

Okay? Ako man ang makatuluyan mo o hindi, okay? Okay? I love you. I love you. I love you very very much.”

Why did she say “ako man ang makatuluyan mo o hindi”?

“Kasi hindi naman natin madidiktahan ang future di ba, kung ano ang mangyayari in the future,” she explained.

Nonetheless, Sarah is hoping Matteo is “the last.”

“Syempre, bilang kami magkarelasyon, ako, I consider him na hindi na nagka-relationship na ako in the past, ito yung talagang legit, nahahawakan ko, nayayakap ko. So I’m hoping na sana siya na yung huli,” she said.

Sarah added, “Pero syempre, nagdadasal pa rin tayo na sana kung ano yung will ng Diyos, yun pa rin.”

Sarah spoke to members of the press to promote jeans brand Jag as its newest endorser. Her campaign with the brand will be titled “the new sexy.”

Does she consider herself fierce now that she’s endorsing the brand?

“Ngayon lang ba naging fierce?” Sarah quipped.

“Kino-compliment ba ni Matteo yung curves mo, yung pagiging sexy mo?” a reported asked.

“Minsan. Wala kasi siyang choice, kasi ako yung girlfriend niya,” she joked. -Philstar

April 16-30, 2015

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Gerald Anderson confirms break-up with Maja Salvador Gerald Anderson confirmed that his relationship with Maja Salvador is already over. “Opo we are taking a break muna sa relationship namin, but okay kami, we’re on very good terms and nag-uusap kami. We’re doing this together and we’re taking this step by step together,” he said during the presscon of his new show Nathaniel.

The actor doesn’t want to go into details about the reason of their break-up. “I don’t want to go into details baka hayaan niyo po muna kaming mag-recover muna, dahil hindi po biro po ‘yung pinagdaanan namin, so just please, sana po respect our privacy and all I ask is please respect her as much as you can.”

Gerald thanks their family and supporters for the continued support amid these trying times. “I just want to say thank you sa fans namin, who are always there, sa friends and family namin and all we ask right now is just please respect our privacy, please respect us. ‘Yun lang po sasabihin ko about that ,” he stated.-push. abs-cbn.com

www.angperyodiko.ca n April 16-30, 2015

Ang Peryodiko

Opinion

Should Canada deport a deserter?

Editorial

Straight up (www.mpkevin.ca) in a real way than others who are engaged in the same war.

For example, being a cook in the military is quite different than going into the war zone where there is more than just bombs exploding and people shooting at you.

His problem with the US Government and military really began when he was told that he would be going back to Iraq. He met with military personnel and pleaded with them not to send lamoureux, 22

How we respond when we’ve been misunderstood tells a great deal about the depth of our Christian faith. Sometimes we will be misunderstood by our close friends. It happens in marriage, in families, and co-workers, and it certainly happens in every church. If you haven’t been misunderstood lately, don’t worry. It’s bound to happen before long. That’s part of the price of living in a fallen world.

She’s full of herself.

You can’t trust someone who dresses like that.

He’s a hypocrite.

On the other hand, if you are the victim of “assumicide”, it’s very hard to fight back against false assumptions. Few things

More murders ahead

A

former journalist was shot dead in a brazen noontime attack in Batangas the other day. Probers believe the murder of Melinda Magsino by two men on a motorcycle could be related to her critical reporting and commentary on local politics and organized crime in the province when she worked as a journalist.

When you are misunderstood

re you guilty of “assumicide”? That’s a word I discovered years ago. It’s what happens when you make false assumptions about others so that you can portray them in the worst possible light.

“Assumicide” leads to the death of relationships because we end up believing the worst about others. We’ve all been guilty of drawing wrong conclusions on the basis of tiny scraps of evidence.

He didn’t call back so he must not want to talk to me.

I think she’s trying to ignore me.

They never hire people like me.

How could he be a Christian and act like that?

I saw her in a bar. She must have a drinking problem.

I’ll bet they are sleeping together.

He’s probably a jerk at home too.

I don’t like him. I don’t know why. I just don’t like him.

rified. He was so grateful when his nine-month tour finally came to an end.

It is important to recognize that people respond differently to what they see in war. For some what they might witness firsthand can be more dramatic

www.angperyodiko.ca April 16-30, 2015

mp kevin lamoureux

pastor fred sebastian

After publishing a bilingual provincial newspaper for several months in 2010, Magsino left journalism, but old grudges can run deep and simmer for years in this country. If the attack was work-related, it would make Magsino the 32nd individual to be murdered in connection with journalism under the administration of President Aquino, and the 173rd since democracy was restored in February 1986.

Living Hope hurt more than being misunderstood by our close friends. The closer they are to us, the greater the pain. When that happens we discover a lot about ourselves.

How we respond when we’ve been misunderstood tells a great deal about the depth of our Christian faith. Sometimes we will be misunderstood by our close friends. It happens in marriage, in families, and co-workers, and it certainly happens in every church. If you haven’t been misunderstood

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Content published in this paper does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher. Articles, press and photo releases are welcome but are subject to editorial discretion. All submissions become the property of the publisher.

Reproduction of any editorial content or in-house designed advertisements published in this paper are not allowed without the written permission of the publisher.

For advertising rates and other information, call 204.694.6734, Fax: 204.694.6555 or e-mail at info@angperyodiko.ca Visit our website at www.angperyodiko.ca.



A

Here is the question.

Would you deport Joshua knowing that he will not be able to be with his wife and four children for well over 20 years or would you allow him to stay in Canada and consider what he has gone through as punishment enough (loss of his rights to go back to the US unless he serves time in jail and never be able to visit his US family and friends)?



E

arlier this month I was approached about helping someone who is in a very interesting situation and his life could be destroyed if he is forced to leave the country.

Keep in mind that the current government has indicated to the person that they want him to leave Canada and he could be deported any time now.

If you were the Prime Minister of Canada, what would you do?

Joshua is an American citizen who was born in the US and at an early age, he was recruited by the military in Oklahoma City.

Shortly after his training was completed, he was sent to Iraq for a nine-month tour.

What he witnessed in his first experience of war affected him in a very real way as he was unable to mentally cope and accept what he was seeing and being asked to do. From scattered bloody limbs to people that were beheaded, to the horrors of what the war was doing to children, women and people in general, he became ter-

Take a STAND

9

sebastian, 22

Magsino’s killing reinforces the reputation of the Philippines as the third most dangerous country for journalists after Iraq and Syria. The difference is that those countries are embroiled in armed conflict and journalists are either deliberately targeted by combatants or are caught in the crossfire. There are also zones of armed conflict in the Philippines, but most of the attacks on Filipino journalists were perpetrated outside those zones. Many of the attacks are suspected to have been ordered by local politicians or leaders of crime rings unhappy with the victims’ reporting or commentary.

What the Philippines shares with Iraq, Syria and other places deemed the most dangerous for journalists is the impunity by which assassinations are carried out. This arises from the belief that murderers can get away with the crime. The belief is reinforced with each killing that cannot be solved – and so far, this is the rule rather than the exception in the case of slain Filipino journalists. If the killers of Magsino again get away with murder, it guarantees that the nation will see more deadly attacks. Philstar

Publisher: Editor in Chief:

TE Brothers, inc.

JONATHAN C. MONTEMAYOR

Columnists:

MP KEVIN LAMOUREUX, PASTOR FRED SEBASTIAN, and PASTOR JUNIE JOSUE

Entertainment Columnist:

RICKY LO

Contributing Writers:

TESS AVISO NEWTON, GEMMA DALAYOAN, Mel Talastas Soriano, Archie Casilan, and Jeff tumbokon

Glen Elia and JOSE XEC

Account Executive:

Photographers:

ARNEL SAN JOSE, JUNE GARCIA and BHERNARD PABALAN

bomex graphics

Creative Design:

10

Opinion

Ang peryodiko

April 16-30, 2015

n www.angperyodiko.ca

Will China ever stop?

H

ere we are still discussing what went wrong with the January 25 Mamasapano incident as people try to sift through conflicting accounts amid the wrangling of politicians over provisions in the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law. In the meantime, China is slowly but surely building a military base right in our doorsteps, 200 miles within the Philippine exclusive economic zone. US officials including President Obama have already expressed their concern, but do you think China will ever stop?

Nobody thinks so.

Last September, we were in Washington, D.C. to express our serious concern about China.

Our friends from the Center for Strategic and International Studies who hosted us released satellite photos showing massive land reclamation work on the Spratly Islands’ Mischief Reef (Panganiban Reef) located within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. Before-andafter satellite photos demonstrated the progress of China’s building activities. Alarmingly, the partly submerged coral has been transformed into a military island base complete with runways and harbors.

The British intelligence information group IHS Jane’s satellite photos show similar activities at Johnson South, Cuateron and Gaven Reefs. IHS also reported that three new islands that could serve as surveillance posts and resupply stations for Chinese navy vessels have been created. At Kagitingan Reef (Fiery Cross Reef) located 200

Babe Romualdez

BABE’S EYE VIEW miles west of Panganiban (Mischief) Reef, a man-made island has emerged, about 9,850-feet long and 985-feet wide with a harbor capable of docking warships and which could support a runway for military aircraft.

These activities clearly underscore the observation of US Pacific Command Fleet Commander Admiral Harry Harris that China is creating a “great wall of sand” with dredges and bulldozers. The widespread and systematic activities are feeding concerns that China is set on asserting its sovereignty on all disputed maritime territories by virtue of its so-called nine-dash line claim – something that is highly questioned by other claimant nations.

China’s land borders are shared by 13 nations that include Myanmar, Bhutan, India and Vietnam with which it also has land disputes, while eight littoral parties (namely the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Taiwan) have competing claims on maritime

The aggressive behavior of China reflects the aspiration of Chinese President Xi Jinping to increase the giant country’s power and influence militarily, politically and economically to give it a dominant role in the Asia Pacific region. borders in both the South and East China Seas.

The aggressive behavior of China reflects the aspiration of Chinese President Xi Jinping to increase the giant country’s power and influence militarily, politically and economically to give it a dominant role in the Asia Pacific region. In the years following its stellar economic performance and its ability to sustain growth, China gained confidence and seized the opportunity to increase its global influence and shift the balance of power from the West to the East.

In 2013, China’s military spending reached $188 billion (or about two percent of its GDP), then lessened to $130 billion for 2014. Last month however, Beijing announced the increase of its military budget by 10 percent this year. While it points out that the amount is smaller than previous budgets, it is still undoubtedly significant – making other nations nervous that the balance of power might just tilt too much in China’s favor. PriceWaterhouseCoopers also projected that Chinese GDP will grow to almost 130 percent of US GDP by 2050 – pointing towards potential Chinese economic and military dominance

by mid-century.

“Just because the Philippines or Vietnam are not as large as China doesn’t mean that they can just be elbowed aside,” Obama said following the release of satellite images by the CSIS showing the reclamation activities in Panganiban/Mischief Reef. Obama also took China to task for refusing to abide by international norms and rules as prescribed by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Earlier on, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario had the instinct and foresight about the Chinese never having the intention to talk to us in a “decent” manner about their claims.

Albert immediately called the attention of the United States and other members of the international community on the potential threats posed by China’s massive reclamation in terms of freedom of navigation in the South China Sea where about $5 trillion of maritime trade passes through every year.

A major indicator regarding the gravity of the situation is Japan’s decision to issue a Cabinet resolution in July 2014 to reinterpret its Constitution and allow it to engage in selfdefense activities to preserve its

peace and security. The recent visit of US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter to Japan heralds a new era of bilateral defense cooperation with the Japanese government pushing for the relocation of the US Marine Corps’ Futenma Air Station to another location also in Okinawa.

Our friends in Washington agree that alliances at this point are crucial especially for smaller countries like the Philippines that do not have the wherewithal to defend their territory from big bullies like China.

Some nitwit who continues to say that the Philippines should not allow itself to get involved with a potential proxy war between China and the United States should have his head examined. And to those who continue to demonize the US and protest against the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the upcoming joint exercises should also do the same. The Visiting Forces Agreement first signed during the term of former president Joseph Estrada is now clearly the most important document in helping us with internal and external threats.

Although the Philippines has elevated its complaint before an international arbitration body, China has already stated its rejection regardless of the outcome. They have become even more brazen with their encroachment of our 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone.

The threat is now more serious and real — simply too close for comfort.-Philstar

Senate passing BBL: Dedicated or dictated?

T

YPO OF THE DAY?: “Senate still dedicated to pass BBL — Drilon.” Maybe the Senate president meant they were “dictated to pass” it?

But whether it is dedication or dictation that drives the Congress, President Noynoy Aquino — if he loves his country — better shelve the Bangsamoro Basic Law and leave it to the next administration to decide what to do with it.

The nation is bleeding. To force the approval of the organic act creating a federal Bangsamoro in Muslim Mindanao could escalate the fighting and rend the nation.

Surveys show that majority of Filipinos, having caught up in the discussion on the BBL’s content and the conduct of the negotiations, are wary of the measure and the motivations of its proponents. *** MIDNIGHT MEASURE: The presidential election campaign is already upon us and a lame duck President Aquino has only 13 months to go before he steps down on June 30, 2016.

Technically, the BBL may not be a midnight bill, but it certainly looks, smells and feels like one. Forcing it through in the last two minutes is foul.

For reasons that only he knows, Mr. Aquino rushed the so-called “peace” process between the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front and

the Executive department. We are now witness to how, as they say, haste makes waste.

Whether he was under foreign pressure, or whether he had one eye on leaving a historic legacy or angling for a Nobel Peace prize is now immaterial as it is almost certain the BBL will not pass intact as the three M’s (MILF, Malaysia, Malacañang) want. *** HUWAG NA PONG IPILIT: We have spent decades searching for harmonious coexistence with our brothers of diverse faiths. Can we not wait till a new administration with a fresh outlook and a clear rear-view mirror takes over in June next year?

The incoming administration will have the luxury of time to study more carefully the pending issues and avoid the errors of past negotiations.

Huwag na pong ipilit. Stop buying or extorting the Yes votes of congressmen and senators bothered by conscience and their constituents.

Do not inveigle prominent members of the community into lending their names to an undertaking of suspicious beginning and ending.

Proper preparation next time around will prevent such needless debates as that one over the true identity of MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal. When asked straight in

a House hearing his true identity, he rattled off irrelevant remarks – without answering the question.

Lawmakers and the rest of us would not have wasted time probing into anyone’s identity if only the parties to the “peace” talks followed protocol and first went through the basic agendum of checking credentials. *** MISREPRESENTATION: Ever since Malacañang announced holding ”peace” talks in Kuala Lumpur in October 2012, we have been asking about credentials.

We kept repeating to the boredom of our readers the need to ascertain first if the party across the table was the sole and legitimate voice of the Muslim community – and therefore had authority to speak for and commit it.

To this day, with its splinter units still battling the military and the police, the MILF has not been able to show and validate its credentials.

It was the same thing with the “government” side. President Aquino sent his varsity team claiming to represent the Philippine government. But the ugly truth was that they only represent President Aquino, who is not the government.

It was a comic but pathetic case of two parties misrepresenting themselves to each other.

Federico D. Pascual Jr.

POSTSCRIPT (The media are guilty of helping propagate the error. Not noticing that our government setup is not yet parliamentary, some media carelessly refer to the Aquino administration as the Aquino government – which are two different things.) *** KEEP ARMM: But if not the Bangsamoro, what? Our answer is: Keep the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. As we have said in Postscript: “Why supplant the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao wholesale with a newfangled ‘Bangsamoro’ federal state under the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front?

“Coming out of decades of neglect and exploitation, the ARMM embracing five poor provinces in the South is not perfect, but it is functioning normally under democratically elected officials.

“The ARMM is trying to raise its 3.3 million dominantly Muslim population from the mistakes of the past and the difficulties of the present.

“It would be unfair, to say the least, if – just because Presi-

dent Aquino has pronounced the ARMM as a ‘failed experiment’ – the regional setup will now be replaced with an alien parliamentary system and its leaders with rebels from the MILF.” *** JUST HELP ARMM: “To catch up with more progressive regions, the ARMM needs some deep-cleansing, direction and substantial assistance from the national government and foreign sources of grants and investments.

“Why not give the ARMM the P75 billion that Malacañang has promised the Bangsamoro once it gets off the ground with the MILF at the helm? The ARMM is already there standing on firm constitutional ground unlike the legally flawed Bangsamoro.

“Why is President Aquino that generous to the MILF and niggardly to the ARMM? Has he forgotten that ARMM officials have proved themselves in free elections – unlike the MILF rebels who simply took their seats at the negotiating table?

“Assuming the ARMM administration has faults – like the Executive department has – why not sort out these problems and solve them?

Why junk everything in favor of an untried Bangsamoro reeking with Malaysian musk and bugged by constitutional issues?” -Philstar

April 16-30, 2015

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www.angperyodiko.ca n April 16-30, 2015

Jasmine still mum about split with Sam Concepcion MANILA – Months after it was first reported that they have broken up, Jasmine Curtis-Smith still refuses to talk about what went wrong in her relationship with Sam Concepcion.

Speaking before entertainment reporters on Tuesday, Curtis-Smith said she would rather not talk about other people. “I just want to respect everyone, their privacy, their private personal life,” she said.

Asked if she is already open to entertaining other suitors, Curtis-Smith simply said: “Busy po ako sa trabaho.”

In line with this, CurtisSmith also clarified that she was not out on a romantic date with Paulo Avelino when they were photographed having dinner together. The photo,

which was sent to “The Buzz” last month, triggered rumors romantically linking the two of them.

“It was a group dinner. Like he (Avelino) said, co-workers go out and kasama naman po ‘yung direktor namin doon.

It’s been answered already,” she said.

According to Avelino, he and Curtis-Smith are just friends and they were just having a “casual dinner with friends, with co-workers.”

The two are currently working on a movie, which also stars Isabelle Daza.

But has Avelino opened up to her about his breakup with KC Concepcion?

“Tingin ko naman po it’s not fair for me to disclose any information that he might have shared with me. Like I

said, respect for him, whatever is going through, whatever he is facing much like I’m sure other artists that I’m friends with would respect me and what I share with them,” she said.

While admitting that she is sometimes misunderstood by other people, Curtis-Smith said: “I think all artists are quite misunderstood. Siyempre nakikita kami as how we are presented.

Ganun talaga eh.”

“Kahit ano naman ang ipakita namin sa inyo kung paano kami in real life through our social media accounts, meron pa rin kayong ibang makikita through what is shown in the news or what is written about us in magazines or newspapers so I can’t help that. It’s fine,” she said. abs-cbnnews

April 16-30, 2015

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Marian to give up some

projects due to pregnancy MANILA – Marian Rivera admitted that she will be letting go of some of her projects now that she and her husband, actor Dingdong Dantes, are expecting their first baby.

In an article published by entertainment site Pep, Rivera was quoted as saying that while she would like to do all the shows lined up for her, she also has to prioritize her pregnancy.

“As long as hindi naman ako nahihirapan at compromise naman na hindi ako masyadong puyat at hindi mabibigat ‘yung

mga eksena ko, sabi naman ng OB ko, okay naman. As long as dati ko pa ginagawa ‘yan, puwede ko pa rin siya gawin kahit buntis ako,” she said.

Meanwhile, the actress also spoke up about possibly posing for a magazine to show her baby bump.

“FHM po ba ‘yan? Depende kung anong magazine,” she said.

“Siyempre, hindi maiiwasan tanungin sa akin ‘yung pagbubuntis ko. Masaya ako dahil, alam ko, lahat kayo masaya para sa akin.

Pero siyempre may mga pagka-

kataon minsan na nasa showbiz kami, minsan inisip ko na sana yung pagkakataon regarding sa pagbubuntis ko, ibalato niyo na lang sa akin.”

“Hindi naman po artista yung anak ko. Ako lang po at saka yung asawa ko. So, sana ibigay niyo sa akin yung pagkakataon na sa akin na lang,” she added.

Rivera said she and Dantes would like to treasure every moment until she gives birth.

Rivera and Dantes announced the actress’ pregnancy on Monday. abs-cbnnews

14 www.angperyodiko.ca April 16-30, 2015

tied to increased heart attack risk

W

OMEN who have been divorced once, or men who have been divorced at least twice, are more likely to have a heart attack than people who get and stay married, according to a new study.

“The negative health consequences of divorce have been known for some time,” said lead author Matthew E. Dupre of Duke Clinical Research Institute in Durham, North Carolina.

Remarriage only reverses the risk for men, the researchers also found. And for women divorced at least twice, the heart attack risk was comparable to that of having diabetes or high blood pressure.

The researchers analyzed data on more than 15,000 adults ages 45 to 80 at the beginning of the study period, who had been married at least

once and were followed from 1992 to 2010.

At the outset, 14% of men and 19% of women were divorced. By the end of the study, more than a third of people had gone through at least one divorce.

Over the 18-year study period, 1211 people suffered a heart attack, and this was more likely to happen to those who had been divorced, according to the April 14 online paper in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes. The authors accounted for age, socioeconomic, behavioral and health factors.

Women who had one divorce were 24% more likely to have a heart attack than women who were continuously married, and those who had been divorced at least twice were 77% more likely to have one.

Remarried women were 35% more likely than women who were continuously married to have a heart attack.

For men, risk only increased

for those who had been divorced twice or more. They were 30% more likely to have a heart attack than men who remained married or who remarried.

“Earlier studies have suggested that marital loss has a greater impact on the health of women than men,” Dupre told Reuters Health by email. “The reasons for these differences are not entirely known; however, the prevailing view is that divorced women suffer greater economic losses and emotional distress than divorced men.”

“Men are also much more likely to remarry after divorce than women, and among those who remarry, men remarry sooner than women,” he said.

Though the results offer strong evidence that divorce increases heart attack risk, the authors were not able to account for other potentially important factors like elevated stress, anxiety and the loss of social support or changes in medication adherence, Dupre said.

They also were not able to account for whether the risk rises or falls over time following divorce, he said.

“There’s already a substan-

tial literature linking changes in marital status to physical health,” said David A. Sbarra of the psychology department at the University of Arizona in Tucson. “I would have predicted men to be at increased risk following divorce, but this is not what the paper reports.”

The immediate emotional shock of ending a relationship may lead to cardiovascular changes, or people who get a divorce may change their behavior, may start smoking to manage the stress of separation, for example, he told Reuters Health by email.

“The difficult spot all of

us are in when working on this topic is that you cannot randomly assign people to divorce,” Sbarra said.

Divorce may be a proxy for other variables, like hostility, which lead people to end marriages and also convey heart attack risk, he said.

“If you feel your divorce was done for good reasons, you’ve coped well with the transition (after a period of grief, you’ve got most of your life back together . . . or, at least, you feel headed in the right direction), these results may not apply,” he said. By Kathryn Doyle, Reuters

April 16-30, 2015

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FEATURE STORY

Haiyan Aftermath:

Hope Amidst Death, Destruction and Despair officials traumatized by the rising numbers of people who died and went missing as days passed. The national government, on the other hand, was caught flat footed by the scope and magnitude of the catastrophe. A perceived turtle-paced response by the Aquino government to the disaster embedded to the general public that help was few and far between. In desperation, some survivors who had no food to eat and safe water to drink looted business establishments that remained standing after the storm. Tacloban was on the verge of anarchy and chaos had it not been for timely intervention of police and military troops in the affected areas. The infrastructure and economic damages of super typhoon Haiyan was estimated at 8 billion U.S. dollars.

The world at large only began to grasp the grim aftermath as CNN, CBC, BBC and other reputable news agencies beamed live footages from ground zero.

Immediately after the storm, Koko and his team braved the ruins of Tacloban in order to provide food, water and other basic relief items to the survivors. They were joined by Swedish broadcast journalists who were covering the catastrophe.

Koko recalled, “We surveyed the place. It was intense…people were just screaming on the side of the roads…we saw that the city simply died. People were looting because they were hungry…And there were dead bodies everywhere. It was a sight that I would never, never forget.”

The preacher’s voice, calm and collected, reverberated inside the hall. The silent crowd intently listened to every detail

More than raising awareness and the needed money, this endeavour is also about empowering the community. The generated funds will be managed by the organization’s Philippine counterpart, but the actual building and repairing will be done by volunteers from the town of Tolosa. This is also an avenue for us, Filipinos in Canada, to dig deep in our pockets in order to give back to a country we used to call our home. of Koko’s story as if it was a Sunday sermon. The esteemed guest speaker narrated how Hope Worldwide volunteers endured wading through fallen trees and debris just to bring food, water and basic services to Tacloban residents. Koko Enrile is not a stranger to spearheading cause-worthy projects. In 2004, he helped built a treat

The Filipino Seniors Centre of Winnipeg located along Euclid Avenue was teeming with volunteers and guests on a warm spring Friday night.

Hope Worldwide of Canada in cooperation with Winnipeg Church of Christ held a fundraising event simply dubbed as “Hope after Haiyan” on April 10, 2015. Francisco “Koko” Enrile II, an evangelist and a committed volunteer of Hope Worldwide Philippines since 1993, keynoted and captured the audience’s imagination with his first-hand account about the tragedy that struck the Philippine archipelago, killing at least 6,300 people according to the data released by National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (some agencies estimated the death toll to 10,000) and displacing 4 million Filipinos of safe shelters.

Almost a year and a half after the category 5 tropical cyclone wreaked havoc in the Visayas region, with the province of Leyte claiming most of the casualties, the people affected by the deluge are still rebuilding their towns and cities.

The eye of the storm first touched down in the town of Guiuan, Eastern Samar in the November 7, 2013. From there, anything on its path was pummelled down to the ground. At its peak, the wind reached 235 kilometers per hour. Haiyan was so strong that it maxed out in the Dvorak Scale, a widely used system to measure the intensity of a tropical cyclone using satellite images. It was 32 kph faster compared to Hurricane Katrina which brought New Orleans to its knee in 2005. A storm surge created a kilometer of inland flooding in the City of Tacloban that caught many by surprise. Communications and power lines were cut-off. Government buildings, churches and homes were reduced to rubbles. As darkness engulfed Tacloban, one could only imagine the wailings of children and mothers separated by the ravaging water in total blackness. The ground floor of Tacloban City Convention Center which served as evacuation place was submerged with mud, debris and water, killing instantly some evacuees and injuring many.

When Haiyan finally exited the country and the clear blue sky reclaimed its old spot in the heavens, the images painted by this brute hand of nature could only be described as apocalyptic. Bloated lifeless bodies littered the streets of Tacloban days after the tragedy.

Cars piled up. Trees, as old as our ancestors, were knocked over. Bridges and roads were destroyed and unpassable. Even the sacred sanctuaries of the pious were not spared. The local government collapsed with its offices wrecked and its elected

casilan, 21

What’s a Pinoy event without food? Volunteers serve Filipino delicacies.

Hope Worldwide volunteers welcome all the supporters and guests

16

Community Ang Peryodiko

PEOPLE, places & events

www.angperyodiko.ca April 16-30, 2015

MAFTI’s Teachers’ Accreditation Forum The Manitoba Association of Filipino Teachers Inc. (MAFTI) held a Teachers’ Accreditation Forum on Saturday, April 11 at the Philippine Canadian Centre of Manitoba from 9:00 a.m to 12:00 p.m.

Mr. Allan Tataryn, the guest speaker who is the Program Director of Professional Certification and Students’ Records Unit of the Manitoba Education

and Advanced Learning, answered questions from some of the more than 100 participants concerning issues relevant to obtaining teachers’ certificates in Manitoba.

The forum was moderated

by MJ Napolitano and emceed

by Nestor Ching.

Appreciation certificate was given on behalf of MAFTI by Bernadette Agpalza, MAFTI president and Gemma Dalayo-

A “Pabasa” was held at the Filipino Seniors Hall at 49 Euclid. An annual event held every Holy week, the Pabasa is a non- stop reading from 3:00 p.m Holy Thursday until 3:00 p.m., Good Friday.

an, MAFTI past president.

Clarita Manzano, MAFTI secretary, helped out in making sure everyone had his/her assignment to help contribute to the success of the event.

The Board Members, as well as the Members-at-Large, enjoyed volunteering in all tasks to make the forum a very good learning experience for the participants. (Gemma Dalayoan)

For advertising rates and other information call 204.694.6734, Fax: 204.694.6555 or e-mail at info@angperyodiko.ca.

Visit out website at www.angperyodiko.ca.

April 16-30, 2015

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www.angperyodiko.ca April 16-30, 2015

There’s a

Tomica Toyota

2000GT die-cast car

proudly wearing Philippines flag

A

follower of our Facebook page by the name of Tacky Nakata sent us these images to inform us that Japanese toymaker Takara Tomy has released a Tomica Toyota 2000GT liveried with the Philippine flag.

When we saw the first photo, we thought it was just a hand-painted piece by a Tomica collector. But then we also laid eyes on a couple of pictures that showed official packaging for this die-cast toy car.

Apparently, Tomica has been releasing its “flag series” for Apita and Piago, which are supposedly Japanese general merchandise stores. The line has already released UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, Argentina, Brazil and Japan flags, as far as we know.

Think of these as collaboration pieces, not unlike what Mattel regularly does for Target and Toys ‘R’ Us in the US. Anyway, we don’t know if this Philippine-flag Tomica Toyota 2000GT will ever make its way to our toy stores here, but we won’t be surprised if we see some at specialty toy shops in Shoppesville (Greenhills).

If you’re a serious Tomica collector, you might want to check out eBay, but be prepared to spend more as this looks like a hot item (at least among Filipino collectors).

Good luck hunting!

(By Vernon B. Sarne/Photos from Tacky Nakata)

Love the GAME www.angperyodiko.ca April 16-30, 2015

Sports

‘Fired-up Manny wants to destroy Mayweather’

MANILA, Philippines - Justin Fortune has broken the silence from within Team Pacquiao.

The past week or two, the Wild Card Gym is off limits to anybody with no business being there. Not even the media is allowed in.

Nobody’s talking – even when pressed for answers why Manny Pacquiao, a certified workaholic, has missed three sparring sessions.

Bob Arum was at the gym last week but left as quietly as he came.

Normally, the 83-year-old promoter can talk endlessly about Pacquiao.

Until Fortune, the ex-heavy-

weight contender and now Pacquiao’s strength coach, spoke to Brad Cooney of 8countnews. com. tFortune had seen the best of Pacquiao the past decade.

“This is the Manny from back in the Morales and Barrera and first Marquez fights. This is where he sets his legacy,” said Fotune. “He’s so motivated for this fight that we actually have to pull him back a little bit,” added Fortune.

Then he issues a threat.

“He (Pacquiao) wants to destroy this guy,” said Fortune, referring Floyd Mayweather Jr., the undefeated champion.

It’s the fight that matters

– both for Pacquiao and Mayweather.

Fortune said it’s just a matter of the game plan being followed and executed well.

If that happens, then the mission will be accomplished.

“Yes, and if Manny listens to Freddie I believe that he’ll knock Mayweather out,” he said.

Notes: Finally, a decent, well-crafted movie about the life of Manny Pacquiao. ‘Kid Kulafu,’ the movie, hits the big screen today to give the fans a closer look at the young life of the Filipino boxing superstar.

It’s about Pacquiao’s childhood and about his struggles. By Abac Cordero/Philstar

19 Ang Peryodiko

Betting line: Floyd gone in 60 seconds?

MANILA, Philippines - There are countless ways to put your money on the forthcoming superfight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. Oddsmakers in Las Vegas and elsewhere in the US have their own lines and propositions to show and entice the public.

The easiest way there is to pick the winner – either on points or by stoppage. As of yesterday, Mayweather, 47-0 inside the ring, was a 2-1 favorite.

But there’s some kind of movement here because from the time that the fight was announced last Feb. 21, Pacquiao has closed in on the fancied Mayweather.

From a +220 underdog, the hard-hitting Filipino southpaw is now at +170, meaning every $100 punched in for Pacquiao wins $170.

May-

weather, who once stood at -260, is now at -210, meaning if you’re for Mayweather, you have to throw in $210 to win a hundred bucks.

Pacquiao’s adviser, Mike Koncz, said it only means one thing.

“There’s more money now being spent on the underdog.

Manny was a great underdog before but now everybody’s betting on Manny to win,” he told The STAR. By Abac Cordero/Philstar

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Will Heart Evangelista enter politics in 2016?

MANILA (April 15) – Is Heart Evangelista planning to follow the footsteps of her husband, Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero?

According to reports, the GMA-7 star recently registered as a voter in Sorsogon, Escudero’s hometown.

This sparked speculations that Heart is planning to run for public office in 2016.

But the 30-year-old actress shrugged off the rumors.

“I have nothing against people in showbiz that joined politics. But para sa opinyon ko, hindi ako sang-ayon in a way dahil kilala

nila ako bilang Heart Evangelista. Hindi nila ako kilala bilang tao,” Heart was quoted by Pilipino Star Ngayon as to saying.

“So, pakiramdam ko kung iboboto nila ako, binoboto nila ‘yung mga nakikita nilang character sa mga telenovela ko. So, pakiramdam ko unfair ‘yun.”

Heart feels she’s already in “a position of influence” to help other people.

“I don’t need power to help. I’m very happy of what I am. So, I’m not running,” she said.-Philstar

April 16-30, 2015

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“Dream Dad”

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to air its ‘Yes, Yes, Yes, Finale’ this week on TFC, worldwide April 14, 2015 (QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES) – The charming family drama series “Dream Dad” levels up the positive vibes and challenges as stars Zanjoe Marudo and Jana Agoncillo bid farewell on the show’s finale airing this week on The Filipino Channel (TFC) worldwide.

Since the serye which is dubbed in English for non-Filipino viewers, aired on November 2014, “Dream Dad” has charmed the hearts of viewers worldwide because of the good vibes of Baste (Marudo) and Baby (Agoncillo) who answer each blessing with the expression “Yes,yes,yes” which has become popular among netizens. The support of fans also grew as the cute love story of Baste and Alex (Beauty Gonzales) who were known as the ‘BasLex’ love team, grew.

Completing the cast led by Marudo, Agoncillo, and Gonzales who also made another phrase - ‘Magandang Buhay!’ - a household greeting are Yen Santos, Gloria Diaz, Ariel Ureta, Maxene Magalona, Matt Evans, Ana Feleo, Katya Santos, and Ketchup Eusebio.

In the final week of the series helmed by veteran director Jeff Jeturian, “Dream Dad”

will surely keep more viewers hooked now that Baste and Alex are officially together and Baby has finally embraced her birth mother Bebeth (Yen Santos) whole-heartedly. What will they all do to give Baby a complete, happy, and loving family?

Do not miss the ‘Yes, Yes, Yes, Finale’ of the feel-good family drama series “Dream Dad” this April 17, Friday (April 18, Saturday Australian Daylight Savings Time [AEST], New Zealand Daylight Savings Time [NZST], and Guam time) on TFC worldwide. Viewers can also catch the finale via livestream on TFC’s official online service, TFC.tv and relive the charming moments during the entire run of the show via its video-ondemand or VOD (Internet Protocol television or IPTV) service available in the U.S.A., Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.

casilan... 

From 15

ment facility for children who are physically and sexually abused under the auspices of a US agency. The Center of Hope Worldwide located in Biñan, Laguna houses children who needed protection and psychosocial support.

When somebody asked Koko and his team why were they volunteering to go to a place that might jeopardize their own lives, the evangelist circumspectly quipped,“You would do that when your family is in danger. You would do whatever it takes to help those who are in need. Filipinos are family. Mankind is family.”

The event was also an opportunity for the organizers to report to its supporters and friends how the donations raised in 2013 were put to good use.

As of December 2014, Hope Worldwide responded to 14 cities affected

by Haiyan. It repaired eight school buildings, provided small livelihood projects to families, built and repaired 517 houses, trained 625 teachers and disaster workers on child protection and psychosocial support. A total of 20,242 displaced children received nourishment and protection. Close to 300,000 survivors received food and non-food items. This massive and holistic approach to communitybuilding cost about $600,000 in U.S. currency.

In the same breath, Hope Worldwide announced that it is now embarking on a new humanitarian effort. This time, the international faith-based charity organization eyes the repairing of Daniel Z. Romualdez Memorial Elementary School in Tolosa, Leyte. This project entails repairing two buildings amounting to 1.6 million in Philippine pesos.

More than raising awareness and the needed money, this endeavour is also about empowering the community. The generated funds will be managed by the organization’s Philippine counterpart, but the actual building and repairing will be done by volunteers from the town of Tolosa.

This is also an avenue for us, Filipinos in Canada, to dig deep in our pockets

in order to give back to a country we used to call our home.

“Once we (Hope Worldwide) commit to a community, this is not a onetime thing. We’re gonna be there until everything has been done…because this is not just about doing things. This is about caring. This is about being there for the long haul with the community,” continued Koko.

One of the indefatigable figures behind “Hope after Haiyan” event, Mike Pajemolin once worked for Hope Worldwide Philippines for 10 years as Development and Volunteer Manager prior to migrating to Winnipeg. Mike’s immersion in the depressed communities of Baseco, Smokey Mountain and Payatas in Metro Manila only deepened his resolve now to contribute his free time and energy to make all endeavours of the Winnipeg chapter possible.

“I am a revolutionary activist – at least that is how I would describe myself growing up in the Philippines.

Working for myself and for my family at the very young age in the system that only favored the few rich and powerful people, having experienced starvation and hunger, felt pain emotionally, mentally and physically have instilled a conviction in me to be a voice for the voiceless and defender of the weak and oppressed. I found myself on the frontline of any issues and struggles especially when it comes to poverty, human rights abuse and oppression,” remarked Mike in an interview.

South Africa’s son, social rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize awardee Desmond Tutu once said, “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all the darkness.”

The resiliency of the survivors in Leyte, a main theme in Koko’s testimony that night, proved the verity of Tutu’s quote. **** (For comments and suggestions, email morayta.angle@gmail.com ) – photos by Archie Casilan

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

From 9

lately, don’t worry. It’s bound to happen before long. That’s part of the price of living in a fallen world.

The best defense when you are misunderstood is an honest, clear, non-defensive explanation. Don’t complain, don’t blame, and don’t point fingers.

Don’t be long-winded. Lay out your explanation and let your accusers decide for themselves. We can’t control how people respond to us. Rarely will our explanations convince everyone. Sometimes even our close friends will choose not to believe us.

At some point we must decide to leave our reputation in God’s hands and walk away from the controversy. If you live to please people, misunderstandings will depress you; but if you live to please God, you can face misunderstandings with faith and courage.

Pray for those who misunderstand you. We must not return evil for evil. This is also hard, especially when your motives are repeatedly attacked.

But in this we are to be like our Lord who when he was reviled did not return evil for evil.

When he faced the shouting crowd, he did not trade insults, he did not try to get even, and he did not make accusations. I submit to you that this is not a natural way to live. When we

are insulted, our natural inclination is to return an insult for an insult.

But Jesus chose another way. As the old spiritual puts it, “He never said a mumblin’ word.” “As a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth” (Isaiah 53:7).

When He stood before Pilate and Herod, and when He faced the heckling mob, He uttered no insults, He made no threats. When they scourged Him, He didn’t retaliate. When the soldiers pushed the crown of thorns on His head, He didn’t curse at them. When they drove the nails in His hands and feet, He didn’t threaten them. When the bystanders spat at Him, He didn’t spit back. When they swore at Him, He didn’t swear back.

This will happen to you too.

And that’s the real test of your faith. You find out what you really believe when others mistreat you. Sometimes the real test of your faith is what you don’t do. Sometimes you’ll be a better Christian by not saying anything at all.

What was Jesus secret? How did He do it? The answer lies in the final phrase of 1 Peter 2:23, “He entrusted himself to him who judges justly.”

In our day we hear lots of talk about claiming our rights. That spirit comes into the church and we hear people getting angry and saying, “How dare you trample on my rights?”

horoscope ARIES (March 21-April 19): Aries should not show an initiative openly. Act through middlemen or look for ways around things. Business issues today can be solved with your parents’ help or assistance coming from your management and authoritative establishments? representatives.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): This is a wonderful day for strengthening all alliances and unions. However, if you look for ideal mutual understanding, you must create a balance of interests. If you are constantly pulling a blanket on yourself, the other part will sooner or later get tired of it.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Gemini?s behavior is strongly influenced by a sense of duty.

This is a wonderful day for those of you who are happy with their work or have discovered the occupation of their life.

In this case work can become your drug and consume you all the way into the late night.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Today the Crabs are guaranteed stability in business and personal affairs as well as respect and recognition. This is a wonderful day for you to reanimate your good reputation in people’s eyes. April 16, 2015 will create favorable conditions for strengthening your personal connections and moving towards creative heights.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): If being tumbleweed is not in your plans, lay a foundation for a sturdy and stable life. The Lions who already own a house or a condo would benefit from tidying up at home.

Today you can also prioritize business affairs and identify your place in a professional and family hierarchy.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): This is not the best day to look for adrenalin. You’ll get everything you need as soon as you remember old traditions and rules. The problems that seem unsolvable will be

Most of our problems stem from claiming our rights. But the Bible turns that upside down.

You aren’t to think of your rights first. You are to think of others first.

When you are misunderstood, repeat these four sentences: It’s not about me. It’s not about now.

It’s all about God. It’s all about eternity.

As you read these words, I encourage you to stop right now and say those four sentences out loud. Write them down on a card, and put the card where you can see it. Try repeating those sentences every day for a week so that the truth will be tattooed on your soul.

The followers of Jesus will sometimes be misunderstood not only by the world but by other Christians. May God give us the Spirit of Jesus that we might walk in His steps.

(Pastor Fred Sebastian serves the Church of the Living Hope located at 235 Enniskillen Avenue, one block south of Jefferson on Main Street. The public is invited to their worship service every Sunday beginning at 10:30 AM. Need a ride to church? Call (204)633-2230 or (204)952-4460)

solved easily and unexpectedly as soon as you look into the root of an issue.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): The day is good for repurposing and fixing your favorite things. It’s also pretty good for purchases. The spectrum of your acquisitions can range from used goods to rarities and antiques. Buy in accordance with your real needs instead of wasting money on things you’ll probably end up throwing away tomorrow.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Reasonable selfishness will be a guarantee of Scorpio’s success n April 16, 2015. This is the day when you can observe your own rules or follow an authoritative opinion of someone you respect. Stay true to yourself in any circumstances; don’t turn your back on your true needs.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): If Sagittarius wants to control a situation and use it to its advantage, it should work on being secretive and strategically talented. These qualities will be obligatory for the Archersmanagers, large investors, politicians, etc.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): All day long the Goats will be concerned about various aspects of the future. If you haven’t found your place in a government structure, don’t be too upset about it. A status or position doesn’t have much meaning to you now. Remember that you are a wonderful professional and there’ll always be work for you.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): The hardship you are going through right now will become more tolerable today and the occupation you’re involved in will seem less ungrateful. For some Water Bearers this can be their career, but for most of you your personal independence and sufficiency will prove more important.

PISCES (Feb. 19-Mar 20): Many doors are open for Pisces; the question is which of them you think acceptable. It’s general views on life that determine the boundaries of your behavior. Don’t be too cautious and conservative; moderation is the key.

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him back to Iraq. After a number of discussions and meetings, he was provided a choice. He was told that he could go back to Iraq or he could go to a military prison for 20 years.

With unimaginable stress he ultimately decided to take an option that was not offered to him -- he ran away. If you are a member of the military and under contract, you are expected to show up for work and if you do not, you will be in a great deal of trouble. Well Joshua went into hiding and lived in fear of being found for well over a year until he decided to cross the border into Canada. Joshua has now been living in Canada for over 10 years and has not been successful in becoming a genuine refugee. That means he does not have status in Canada and without status in Canada, you are obligated to leave.

When a person refuses to leave, Canada Border Control Services will work with Immigration Canada and, ultimately, detain the person in question rather than deport him/her.

Now let me give you an update about what Joshua’s life is like today. Joshua is not allowed

to legally work in Canada. He has not and, in fact, since his arrival he has not had any issues with the law. He entered Canada from out east but he met a young lady from Winnipeg and ultimately, the two of them decided to move here. As a couple they now have four children, one of them being just a few weeks old. His wife primarily provides their financial needs but they do have friends and supporters who lend a helping hand at times.

Joshua has been formally told that if he ever goes back to the US he will be arrested and sent to prison for 25 years.

Here is the question. Would you deport Joshua knowing that he will not be able to be with his wife and four children for well over 20 years or would you allow him to stay in Canada and consider what he has gone through as punishment enough (loss of his rights to go back to the US unless he serves time in jail and never be able to visit his US family and friends)?

What about his Canadian wife or more importantly his four children? Are we to believe that it is in their best interest to see their dad deported?

What are your thoughts? Email me at kevin@mpkevin.ca. If you are interested in his full story let me know.

April 16-30, 2015

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n www.angperyodiko.ca

Protect your family - now and in the future At the beginning of a “living-together” relationship, life is pretty simple.

Your biggest responsibilities are paying the rent, buying groceries and deciding whose turn it is to clean up. It’s not until you buy your first home that you feel the need to do something to protect your investment. It’s not uncommon for mortgage protection to be your first encounter with insurance. If the unthinkable were to happen, insurance can provide a tax-free, lump-sum to cover the mortgage or other expenses.

Life insurance to cover your mortgage is an easy conversation to have with your partner, but the conversation shouldn’t end there. Tragedy can take many forms, like disabilities from illness or accidents and critical illnesses. While the odds of surviving a serious illness are improving, it can still be challenging to cope with the after-effects – emotionally, physically and financially. Think about the impact on your family’s lifestyle if you were unable to work and require assistance to do simple things like cooking, bathing, and dressing. A serious illness affects everyone in your family.

You may have some form of insurance and benefits through your employer, but this may not be enough in extreme circumstances. Benefits can also end if you’re no longer able to work, so relying on it as your main source of protection may not be the best plan. If you think you can afford another monthly expense, think about what would happen if you didn’t have any money coming in to cover the mortgage. Your financial plan should cover all the bases including

budgeting, savings, a will and family protection.

Family protection insurance helps ensure your loved ones are financially prepared should something happen to you. This can seem overwhelming and is a lot to take in. Let’s talk – I can explain how life insurance and critical illness insurance can work together to protect your family, now and in the future.

Life insurance Life insurance is designed to provide your loved ones with security when you die. In exchange for regular payments, a lump-sum amount of money is paid to the beneficiaries after the insured person passes away. Insurance can provide the assurance that your loved ones will be supported at a time when they need it most. The beneficiary can receive the

money tax-free and can use it to pay down the remaining mortgage, cover funeral costs or create a retirement plan that would have been funded by your income.

There are three types of insurance to choose from:

We’d like to imagine a future with perfect health, but the right time to plan for the unexpected is when you’re healthy. Once you become ill, your options are limited. Critical illness insurance can help cover the costs associated with a life-altering illness. Imagine needing daily medication for a year that costs $100 a day. Ask yourself: Do your other plans – life, group health, or disability – offer adequate coverage?

Would your retirement goals still be realistic if you withdrew $50,000 for medical expenses? Your family income could be reduced if you’re unable to work, need to travel to medical appointments and need home-care.

• Term – A policy purchase for a certain term, such as the length of your mortgage. You can decide on the amount you need and may have the option to renew at the end of the term.

This type of policy has no cash value.

• Permanent – This type of plan covers you for life and is more cost-effective for long-term needs. Premiums are higher than term insurance when you’re Making it part of your plan younger, but lower when Family protection inyou get older. Permanent life insurance usually ac- TESS AVISO-NEWTON surance helps ensure your loved ones are financially cumulates a cash value, prepared should somewhich can be paid out if thing happen to you. This you cancel the policy. can seem overwhelming • Universal – A univerand is a lot to take in. Let’s sal life insurance policy talk – I can explain how provides lifetime proteclife insurance and critition and offers more flexcal illness insurance can ibility than conventional together to protect permanent plans. PreFinancially work your family, now and in miums may increase or sound the future. stay the same, depending on your policy. The big (This information is provided by Tess benefit is if you make payments greater Newton Financial Services Inc., representthan the required cost of your policy, the excess can be invested and grow ing Sun Life Financial. As a Financial Advisor Tess is self-employed and opertax-deferred. ates her own business. She is also a Commissioner of Oath for the Province Critical Illness insurance of Manitoba).

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www.angperyodiko.ca n April 16-30, 2015