Ang Peryodiko News Paper April 1st to April 15th Issue

The Newspaper VOLUME XIII NO. 7 l April 1-15, 2015 l WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA

IMITATING CHRIST. Volunteers

dressed as Roman Centurions drive nails through the palms of a Catholic devotee in a reenactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Good Friday at San Pedro Cutud, Pampanga province, north of Manila, Philippines.

(Bullit Marquez/AP)

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MANILA, Philippines - A typhoon with international name Maysak is expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Wednesday and bring rains over Northern Luzon by weekend, the state weather bureau said yesterday.

Aldczar Aurelio, weather forecaster of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said the typhoon was 2,810 kilometers east of Mindanao as of 10 a.m. yesterday.

Maysak packed winds of 130 kilometers per hour near center and gustiness of up to 160 kph. It was forecast to move west at 20 kph. maysak, 3

Encounter with the Great Nick on page

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THROUGH PAID SEX

More Pinoys getting HIV l 91 individuals recently acquired HIV after engaging in “transactional sex”

M

ANILA (March 31) - More Filipinos are being infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through paid sex.

Based on the Department of Health (DOH)’s Philippine HIV and AIDS Registry’s January 2015 report, 91 individuals recently acquired HIV after engaging in “transactional sex.”

The report indicated that 50 individuals or 55 percent of the new cases paid for sex, while 33 individuals or 36 percent accepted payment for sex. The remaining eight individuals or nine percent engaged in both.

angperyodiko

Of the total number, 83 people or 91 percent of the cases were males and eight were females.

Since DOH began the official evaluation of people who engaged in transactional sex in 2012 up to present, there have been 1,701 recorded cases of HIV. About 55 percent acquired HIV after engaging in paid sex, while 30 percent accepted payment for sex. The remaining 15

percent both paid and accepted payment for sex.

A total of 1,617 or 95 percent of HIV cases among people who engage in transactional sex are males, while the remaining are females.

The United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) attributed low condom use as one of the main reasons for the “fast and furious” rise of HIV cases in the country.

For this reason, people living with HIV (PLHIV) renewed calls for the immediate adoption of sex education in schools to

@ang_peryodiko

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‘Maysak’ to enter PH Wednesday

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AFP to focus on splinter groups

after ending all-out offensive vs BIFF MANILA, Philippines - The military has ended its all-out offensive against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) even if it has yet to capture wanted Filipino terrorist Basit Usman.

Armed Forces chief Gen. Gregorio Catapang Jr. said soldiers have depleted the capabilities of the rebel group to launch attacks.

“After the relentless operations against the BIFF, we have achieved our objectives including the neutralization of more than 50 percent of their ranks, the capture of their bomb factories, and the seizure of their enclaves or safe havens in different Maguindanao localities,” he said in a press briefing in Villamor Airbase on Monday.

Catapang said 151 BIFF members have been killed, 64 others were wounded and 12 have been captured since the start of the law enforcement operations last month.

When asked why the military ended the offensives without arresting Usman, the military chief said: “We are just ending the all out offensive because they (BIFF) have splintered into smaller groups. That’s why we will now also operate in smaller groups.”

Catapang said while the allout offensive has ended, pursuit

operations would continue against Usman and other terrorists operating in the area.

“We now control the SPMS (Salvo, Pagatin, Mamasapano and Shariff Aguak) box. If they enter the box just what happened yesterday (March 29), they will be annihilated because all the troops here are now concentrated in this area,” he said.

“We want to now move in to our next phase which we call the peace and development phase wherein we (will) put the roads for peace, bridges for peace, hospitals for peace, and farm to market roads for peace,” he said.

Usman is one of the terrorists targeted by the Special Action Force (SAF) troopers who figured in the bloody Mamasapano clash in Jan. 25. He managed to evade the police commandos and is still believed to be hiding in Maguindanao.

The other target, Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, was killed during the operation.

The United States government has offered $1

million for information that would lead to Usman’s arrest.

Marwan had a bounty of $5 million on his head but the reward money has yet to be given.

The all-out offensive against

the BIFF started on February 21, almost a month after the Mamasapano encounter that left 44 SAF members dead.Philstar

The AFP chief said 151 BIFF members have been killed, 64 others were wounded and 12 have been captured since the start of the law enforcement operations last month.

April 1-15, 2015

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‘Get SAF 44 killers before BBL passage’ of February without “diluting it too much.”

Rodriguez said the prosecution of those involved in the killing of the 44 policemen would greatly boost the chances of House members voting for the BBL, but not after removing its unconstitutional provisions.

He also warned the MILF against blocking the arrest even as he asked the group to surrender its fighters involved in the killings.

Rodriguez said the MILF guerrillas are also Filipinos under the jurisdiction of the country’s justice system.

He noted pronouncements from the MILF that it will not surrender its men involved in the incident.

“Therefore we’re going to make sure that there will be an implementation of the arrest.

They (MILF) have to follow the warrant of arrest. And they already know that the government is going to implement it.

There’s no more coordination.

They’ll be run over if that’s needed. There is no compromise when the case is already filed,” Rodriguez said.

He said the government would be seen as weak if it cannot enforce its warrants of arrest against the suspects.

Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez hit the DOJ for its slow action on the case, pointing out that even the MILF has finished its probe.

“So our question is has anything been done at all? Can the widows or kin of the SAF 44 still expect justice for the slaughter of their husbands, sons or brothers?” Romualdez remarked.

He said the MILF leadership has repeatedly declared it will not surrender the killers, therefore it knows who the gunmen are.

“But despite this total disregard of the law, the government would not even demand the surrender of the killers. Adding insult to injury is the fact that instead of ensuring justice for the SAF 44, the government

Members of the Philippine National Police’s Special Action Force carry their fallen comrades killed by bandits in an encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Jan. 25, 2015. Philstar File photo

is already pushing heaven and earth for the passage of the proposed BBL untouched. So whose side is the government on, the MILF or the Filipino people?” he asked.

general population believes in the peace process and they so adhere to the importance of peace and to the principle that peace would bring a solution,” he added.

Cause and effect

What the national government wants now is for the Mamasapano incident not to stand in the way of the passage

by Congress of the BBL.

Malacañang believes the Mamasapano incident caused a setback in the process of approving the BBL. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said most Filipinos want peace and that people were only distracted by the Mamasapano incident.

“The Mamasapano incident made an effect but we need to look at the peace process in and of itself,” Lacierda said. “What we need to see now is the specific BBL that is being discussed before Congress, which is now being tackled by stakeholders.

“We continue to believe, the

“We can discuss in a nonimpassioned manner the peace process and, specifically, the BBL. We would like to provide a space for stakeholders other than those who have been speaking out very recently, to also share their voice and to share their discourse in an objective and in a deliberative process without emotions,” Lacierda said. By Paolo Romero/ Philstar

maysak...

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MANILA, Philippines - Lawmakers are demanding the arrest of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters involved in the killing of 44 policemen in Mamasapano before the approval of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) in Congress.

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, chairman of the 75member ad hoc committee in the House of Representatives deliberating on the BBL, prodded the Department of Justice (DOJ) to speed up its investigation and file charges against the MILF guerrillas as the Aquino administration wants the draft law passed in June.

“You cannot just have peace if justice will not be served,” Rodriguez said over dzBB radio yesterday.

He noted that Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has asked for an additional two weeks from April 2 to finish her report and prosecute the alleged perpetrators.

While the Senate and the Board of Inquiry of the Philippine National Police have completed their respective probes and submitted their findings, Rodriguez stressed that the DOJ’s action is crucial.

“Ultimately, the accountability of any person for any crime would depend on what DOJ sees,” Rodriguez said.

The ad hoc panel suspended its deliberations on the BBL following public outrage over the involvement of the MILF in the killing of the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) policemen in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Jan. 25 The BBL was drafted under the peace agreement between the MILF and the government.

The proposed law seeks to create a new autonomous region in Mindanao led by the MILF. The committee is scheduled to resume deliberations on April 20 after President Aquino pushed House leaders to pass the BBL during a meeting in Malacañang towards the end

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“This typhoon is still too far to affect any part of the country,” the weather bureau said in an advisory.

The typhoon would be locally named Chedeng once inside the PAR. Aurelio said Maysak could still gain more strength before it enters the country.

“If it maintains its speed and course it is likely to cross or pass near Northern Luzon by Friday or Saturday,” Aurelio said in a phone interview.

“If it maintains its strength (typhoon intensity) we expect it to bring strong winds and heavy rains over Northern Luzon,” he said.

Aurelio could not say yet the areas that would likely be hit by the typhoon “as it still too far from the country.”

He said the northeast monsoon that could cause the weakening of the typhoon has already dissipated.

Aurelio said zero or one cyclone usually enters the Philippines in April.

Aurelio said the whole country could expect generally good weather until Maundy Thursday aside from isolated thunderstorms.

In Metro Manila, temperature will range from 24 to 33 degrees Celsius this week, he said.

Aurelio said the weather bu-

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help combat the spread of HIV through safe sexual practices. It is only through proper sex education that people learn how to practice safe sex and avoid acquiring HIV. “What we have to do is to educate people properly. It has to start earlier. When it comes to health, education is very shallow. We don’t talk about consequences of sex in schools,” PLHIV advocate and writer Wanggo Gallaga said. By Mayen Jaymalin/Philstar

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Gov’t gears for repatriation of OFWs from Yemen MANILA (March 30) - The government is getting ready for the possible repatriation of Filipinos from war-torn Yemen.

However, Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said yesterday the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has no plan yet for the possible mass repatriation of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from that country.

“We are awaiting the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)’s request and if necessary we are ready to assist in the repatriation,” she said.

Baldoz said recruitment agencies deploying Filipino workers to that country have been directed to prepare for repatriation.

“The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) already met with the

FILE - Yemeni people hold a rally to protest against Shiite rebels’ announcement of taking over the country in Taiz, Yemen, Friday, Feb. 6, 2015. Yemen’s powerful Shiite rebels announced on Friday that they have taken over the country and dissolved parliament, a dramatic move that finalizes their monthslong power grab. Arabic writing on banners that reads, “We reject the coup.” (AP Photo/Anees Mahyoub)

recruitment agencies to discuss the possibility of them shouldering the cost of repatriation of the workers they deployed to Yemen,” Baldoz said.

The law requires recruitment agencies to handle the cost of repatriating workers facing a crisis, she added.

The DOLE has chosen the labor official to deploy in case the DFA opts to mobilize a Quick Response Team to Yemen, she added.

Baldoz said the government has not received any request

from OFWs in Yemen to be repatriated.

“But we are appealing to them and their families to encourage their loved ones in Yemen to avail of the government’s mandatory repatriation,” she said.

Baldoz said the POEA had imposed a total ban in the deployment of OFWs to Yemen last February.

Majority of the OFWs in Yemen are skilled workers reluctant to leave their jobs, she added.Philstar

PH hits back at China over sea infra work MANILA (March 30) - The Philippines assailed China yesterday for contesting Manila’s planned repair and maintenance works on some islands in the West Philippine Sea, saying they are “in no way comparable” to the Asian power’s massive reclamation activities which are in violation of international laws.

“The Philippines’ possible undertaking of necessary maintenance and repairs on its existing facilities in the West Philippine Sea, over which the Philippines rightfully exercises sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction, is no way comparable to China’s massive reclamation activities, which not only violate international law and UNCLOS but also unnecessarily raise regional tensions,” Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesman Charles Jose said, referring to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The DFA said China’s reclamation activities would also have severe impact on the environment, particularly on marine biodiversity.

China’s activities were apparently intended to change the status quo in the area in anticipation of a UN arbitral decision favorable to the Philippines.

Ironically, Beijing has ac-

cused the Philippines of hypocrisy and of infringing on China’s territory when Manila announced plans to undertake repair works on facilities on Pag-Asa Island.

But the Department of National Defense said on Friday it is holding off repair works on Pag-Asa in deference to the Declaration of Conduct (DOC) of parties in the South China Sea. DND Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said any repair activities on the island would require the building of a port, a procedure that would change the landscape and in effect violate the DOC. Jose said China’s recent statement expressing concern over the Philippines’ plans “should not distract us from the real issues in the South China Sea, which are China’s illegitimate ‘nine-dash-line’ claim, and China’s unilateral and aggressive behavior in asserting that claim, as exemplified by its massive an unrestrained reclamation.”

Gazmin revealed in October last year a Palace-ordered freeze on infrastructure work – including repairs – on military and air facilities on PagAsa Island. The freeze was meant to keep the Philippines on a “moral high ground” in its arbitration case against China. – With Aurea Calica, Jaime Laude/Philstar

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What are KZ Tandingan’s investments

3 years after winning X-Factor?

AFTER winning X-Factor Philippines in 2012, KZ Tandingan has solidified her position as one of the most in demand OPM artists in the country today. According to KZ, her career as singer has helped her family by using her earnings to provide for them.

“Sa family po kasi bago po kasi ako nag X-Factor, meron na kaming nasimulang bahay. So three years na ‘yun so medyo may malaki-laki na akong naiipon, medyo napapaayos ng paunti-unti ‘yung bahay.”

She further relayed that she has also purchased a car for her family because of her work in showbiz.

“Meron po kami kasing sasakyan, it’s a 1966 model of a Land Cruiser na batang-bata pa lang kami ‘yun na talaga ang sasakyan namin. At noong

umuwi ako, sira na ‘yung pintuan sa gilid. So sabi ko kailangan ko na talagang mag-ipon para makabili ng sasakyan. So noong sumali ako ng Singing Bee tapos naka-chamba ako don nanalo ako ng one million. Like I always do pag-meron akong nakuhang prize, I give 10% to the church so ‘yung one million nagbigay ka na ng pera sa church at ‘yung naiwan dinown payment ko sa sasakyan.”

She also helped in sending her siblings to school. “’Yung kapatid ko din napa-gradute ko. Isa na lang ‘yung nine years old na lang na kapatid na ‘yung kailangan naming brasuhin,” she shared.

KZ is set to achieve another milestone in her career as she gears up for her first major self-titled concert at the Music Museum. KZ remarked that her concert would

be packed with numerous surprise production numbers. She shared that she is undergoing intense vocal preparations for the concert since she will be singing 19 songs. “Vocally siguro mas magiging prepared na ako. ‘Yun ‘yung gagawin ko sa concert na ‘to di ba ‘yung Valentines show ko more on slow songs ako. Dito kasi sa concert ko parang mas roller coaster ang mangyayari, merong mga slow songs, meron akong gagawin na parts na medyo mabibilis na kailangan prepared ako vocally for that,” she said. Kristhoff Cagape/push.abs-cbn.com

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What’s the BUZZ?

www.angperyodiko.ca April 1-15, 2015

Entertainment

LOOK: Patricia Javier

back as FHM cover girl MANILA – More than a year after she returned to the country to revive her showbiz career, Patricia Javier is back as the cover girl of a popular men’s magazine.

Javier is the cover girl of the April 2015 issue of FHM.

Javier moved to the United States in 2007 to start a family with her husband, chiropractor Dr. Rob Walcher. They now have two children.

She explained that she agreed to pose for the magazine’s cover to “influence other

women”.

“Filipinas are smarter and more open-minded now when it comes to this,” she said. “So I’m doing this to influence moms like me, na hindi porke’t mommy eh losyang na. Let’s take care of our bodies. The more na tumatanda, the more dapat na gumaganda!”

The celebrity mom also said this would be her last FHM shoot.

Javier was launched as a sexy actress in 1999 with the film “Ang Kabit ni Mrs. Montero.”

She went on to appear in other sexy movies, and even launched a self-titled album, “PJ.” -ABS-CBNnews. com

4 Pinay celebrities with

tattoos Marian Rivera, Rhian Ramos, Solenn Heusaff, and Angel Locsin are among Filipina celebrities with tattoos. -Photos from Marian, Rhian, Solenn and Angel’s instagram page

April 1-15, 2015

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Ang Peryodiko

Opinion

Cost of citizenship from $5.00 to $200 to over $900 Whether it is fees, language policies or the unacceptable processing times, the Government has done a terrible job on the citizenship file and I continue to advocate for positive changes on all three of these fronts. I will continue to do so whether in opposition or as a part of a Justin Trudeau Government.

The citizenship application processing has become increasingly more difficult and much more costly since 2006. The actual cost to apply for citizenship has increased dramatically.

This year, the processing fee for citizenship increased from $300 to $530 with the right of citizenship fee remaining at $100.

Thus, for all those applying for citizenship after January 2, 2015, the total cost has increased from $400 to $630. In

Editorial

Straight up (www.mpkevin.ca) addition, language guidelines require proof of English proficiency at level 4 or higher.

For those who did not complete secondary or post-secondary education in English or French, proof of language proficiency via results of an accepted third party test - either from the Canadian Language Proficiency Index Program (CLPIP), or from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)must be submitted with the application.

lamoureux, 22

Gagawin kang Pagpapala ng Diyos sa iyong Kapwa

LAHAT tayo ay nilikha nang Diyos na may mga talento, personalidad at kaloob para maging regalo o pagpapala mula sa kanya sa ating kapwa.

Nabago ito ng pumasok ang kasalanan sa mundo. Naging makasarili ang tao na nagdala ng kasiraan at kaguluhan sa relasyon ng tao sa kapwa tao. Tanging ang Panginoong Hesus ang makapagbabago ng kalooban natin.

Nasa pang labing walo siya noon sa edad na 34 at pinaka bata sa listahan. Tinawag ng media na “Prinsipe ng Mafia” at “Yuppie Don”. May reputasyon syang rising star sa pamilya na nakatalagang maging pinak boss ng grupo. Sa panahon ng kanyang mataas na pagkita sa

PASTOR JUNIE JOSUE

Mafia ay kumikita sya mula 6 hanggang 8 milyong dolyares kada lingo habang pinamumunuan ang mga ilegal at legal na gawain, kasama dito ang pagdidistrubute ng gasolina na nakapagbebenta ng kalahating bilyong galon kada buwan, operasyon ng pagsusugal na nakaka apaekto sa mga manlalaro ng ibat ibang sports, mga racket sa union ng ibat ibang kompanya, dealerships ng kotse, at kompanya ng pelikula. Ang lahat ng ito ay nakapagbigay sa kanya ng milyon milyong pera, maraming

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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.

T

No timetable

HE Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro marks its first anniversary today in the long shadow cast by the Jan. 25 slaughter of 44 police Special Action Force commandos at the hands of Moro Islamic Liberation Front guerrillas. Two months after what the Senate described as a massacre in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, the story refuses to go away, to the dismay of President Aquino and those who want the peace process with the MILF to follow a timetable under his watch.

Because of the massacre, members of the two chambers of Congress are taking a hard look at the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, which the MILF and government peace panels want passed as agreed upon in their negotiations, with no changes. Legal experts warn that the BBL, untouched, is certain to be tossed out by the Supreme Court, like the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain that the MILF signed with the Arroyo administration.

Agent 777

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L

AHAT tayo ay nilikha nang Diyos na may mga talento, personalidad at kaloob para maging regalo o pagpapala mula sa kanya sa ating kapwa.

Nabago ito ng pumasok ang kasalanan sa mundo. Naging makasarili ang tao na nagdala ng kasiraan at kaguluhan sa relasyon ng tao sa kapwa tao.

Tanging ang Panginoong Hesus ang makapagbabago ng kalooban natin. Yan ang pangako ng salita ng Diyos sa 2 Corinto 5:17 na sinabi ni San Pablo: “Kaya’t kung ang sinoman ay na kay Cristo, siya’y bagong nilalang: ang mga dating bagay ay nagsilipas na; narito, sila’y pawang naging mga bago.”

Si Michael Franzese ay anak ni John “Sonny” Franzese na underboss ng kilalang pamilyang Colombo na isang mafia.

Siya ang pinaka malakas kumita ng pera sa mga Mafia mula pa sa panahon ni Al Capone.

Nasama siya sa 1986 na storya sa kover ng Fortune magazine na ang pamagat ay “Ang 50 pinakamayaman at makapangyarihang mga boss ng mafia.”

www.angperyodiko.ca April 1-15, 2015

mp kevin lamoureux

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M

y kuya Henry Celones immigrated to Canada back in 1970. Like the current requirement, one can only apply for citizenship after meeting the residency requirement. That was what my kuya did.

In applying for his citizenship, he had to pay $5.00 and he had to answer about ten very basic questions, no written test.

The whole process from the time he submitted his application to the time he became a citizen did not exceed three months. If you know kuya Henry, you will know that he is a nice guy but I can assure you that he was not given any special treatment. At that time, back in the 70s, that was the norm.

Parminder who works for me got his citizenship back in 2007. At that time, it cost him $200.00 and he was required to complete a written exam.

Processing times were consistently exceeding one year. It should be noted that Stephen Harper became Prime Minister in February 2006.

Take a STAND

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josue, 22

The raid in Mamasapano, which placed in serious doubt the sincerity of the MILF in discussing peace and its capability to rein in even its own members, has made it even more important for Congress to subject the proposed BBL to a thorough scrutiny.

In its own report that was submitted to the Senate this week, the MILF, which lost 18 men in the firefight, in effect claimed it merely acted in self-defense when it opened fire on the SAF men who were trying to arrest top terrorists Zulkifli bin Hir or Marwan and Basit Usman. The MILF also disputed video footage and testimonies of survivors and other witnesses, which led the Senate to conclude that the so-called SAF 44 were massacred and then robbed by the MILF and its alleged splinter group the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

If created, the Bangsamoro will be entrusted with billions in public funds as it replaces the 25-year-old Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Under the proposed BBL, the Bangsamoro government will enjoy vast powers and will be entrusted with creating an environment conducive to development in the Muslim areas.

These powers cannot be granted without due diligence. The Aquino administration can be credited for its peace effort, but if it wants enduring peace, it would be folly to rush the process.-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:

April 1-15, 2015

n www.angperyodiko.ca

Wrong method

P

oll surveys are not and should never be used as means to determine what is right or wrong, what is true or false, what is legal or illegal, or, most importantly, to find out the most qualified persons who should be elected to public office. If we persist in this practice, it will eventually result in mob rule instead of the rule of law. While the methods of the surveys may really be scientific enough to determine the pulse of the people, the danger of manipulation is still clear and present. Besides, there are certain issues that are resolvable only by using certain objective standards rather than by purely subjective and misguided public opinions.

Unfortunately, it looks like this administration has been exploiting public opinion polls as means even in determining what is good or evil. And this is very obvious in the recent poll survey on divorce: on whether we should have divorce in this country. While Malacanang is distancing itself from said survey, all signs indicate its imprint on the project because of the similarity in the style it used here and in pushing for the passage of the RH bill.

In this case, it is quite obvious that the respondents to the survey may not have a correct and accurate understanding of the question propounded, especially on the word “divorce” itself. A lot of people may not realize that we already have a “divorce” in this country technically known as “relative divorce”, or the separation of

I

Opinion

Ang peryodiko

Jose C. Sison

A LAW EACH DAY

(KEEPS TROUBLE AWAY)

the husband and wife from bed and board (a mensa et toro).

This is provided for in Article 55 of the Family Code (FC). It is the only legitimate way to get out of a soured relationship without violating the sanctity of the marriage bond protected by our Constitution. It affords the aggrieved spouse enough remedies should his or her marriage becomes unbearable.

The respondents to the opinion survey may not have been informed about this legal form of divorce or they may have been actually referring to it when they replied that they are in favor of divorce. The worse part here is that they may not be aware of the other kind of divorce which the proponents who commissioned the survey are actually referring to, which is the divorce legalized especially in western countries where broken homes, disintegrating families, pre-marital sex and teen-age pregnancies, violence and hooliganism abound. This

Unfortunately, it looks like this administration has been exploiting public opinion polls as means even in determining what is good or evil.

And this is very obvious in the recent poll survey on divorce: on whether we should have divorce in this country. “divorce” is technically known as “absolute divorce.”

Absolute divorce actually refers to and affects marriages which have no vice or defect at the time of celebration but are nevertheless dissolved for causes arising after their celebration. Here there is a perfectly valid marriage which the law already considers as an inviolable social institution. So when it is dissolved under the proposed divorce law, this accepted public policy enshrined in our Constitution and family law will be infringed. In this kind of divorce the spouses are entitled not only to live separately but to remarry, so the inviolability of marriage as a social institution is desecrated.

To be sure, there are really broken marriages beyond repair. And our law (FC) already recognizes it. This is the marriage contracted by any party who at the time of the celebration was psychologically incapacitated to comply with the essential marital obligations.

In fact the Supreme Court has already made several rulings in this connection. But in this case, no marriage bond has been severed as no marriage existed at all from the very start (Art 36, FC). Hence the constitutional provision protecting the invio-

lability of marriage (Article XV, Section 2) is not violated.

Filipinos are better known to be faithful and true to their commitments (walang iwanan); more so with respect to their marriage vows. But if divorce is legalized here, this admirable trait will be disregarded and the commitment to the marriage vows will become so fragile because they will enter into a marital relationship secure in the thought that they can easily get out of it. It countenances “love at first sight” or a situation where a person can marry the first woman or man he/she meets and takes fancy on, believing that anyway he/she can later on divorce his/her partner and jump into another marital relationship with the next woman or man he/she meets and falls in love with.

Love is no longer a decision but a mere feeling or emotion. The bill is actually abetting a “marry go round.”

It is erroneous to contend that by recognizing divorce, we will be doing a great favor to the innocent spouse, especially the battered wife as it will enable her to get out of an unbearable marital relationship. On the contrary, it will be doing a greater favor to the guilty spouse particularly the philan-

dering and violent husband because divorce enables him to get out of the marital relationship by battering his wife and/or committing acts that constitute grounds for divorce and then remarry again and still continue to commit those acts every time he wants to get out of the marital relationship he has repeatedly entered into.

In fact, it works both ways, it can also be the wife who is the guilty spouse committing infidelities and similar acts constituting grounds for divorce and rewarded with freedom to remarry again and again.

Of course we are one of the few countries at present without any divorce law. But that is not something to be ashamed of. On the contrary it is something to be proud of. We should be proud to be known and distinguished as: the only country which continue to preserve and even strengthen marriage and family ties under any circumstances, like being separated for sometime because of need to work abroad; the only country where family members continue to respect and take care of their elders especially the sick and the infirm, instead of dumping them in nursing homes or homes for the aged; the only country where parents and siblings toil and sacrifice for the sake of the other members of the family; the only country where the greater majority of husbands and wives continue to live together in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, observe mutual love, respect and fidelity, and render mutual help and support.-Philstar

The woman who loved Lee Kuan Yew

n 2010, Lee Kuan Yew’s wife, Kwa Geok Choo died. It was my daughter, Veronica of Al-Jazeera who told it to me.

“Singaporeans will tell you that because Lee Kuan Yew’s life was so intertwined with the woman he loved there was no way to tell his story without telling her story.

I kept the advice in mind but never really got around to fulfill the wish to know more about the woman. When he died I remembered what I failed to do five years ago. I searched the Internet about her story as the woman who loved Lee Kuan Yew. The best tribute came from their daughter, Dr. Lee Wei. She tells the story of a touching expression of what love between a man and a woman was all about. He was speaking to his wife after she had her first stroke.

Lee Kuan Yew: ‘We have been together for most of our lives. You cannot leave me alone now. I will make your life worth living in spite of your physical handicap.’

Kwa Geok Choo: ‘That is a big promise.’

Lee Kuan Yew: ‘Have I ever let you down?’ *** Here is their love story in a few paragraphs. I write this column when March, the month for women is ending. These have been excerpted from MustShareNews.

“The love story between Mr Lee Kuan Yew and his late wife, Mdm Kwa Geok Choo, is

Mr Lee readily adjusted his lifestyle to accommodate his wife. Every night without fail, Mr Lee sat

by Mdm Kwa’s bed and read her favorite poems to her. As a man who was cared for all his life, the roles were reversed when he started taking care of his wife. a beautiful and moving one.

Their marriage lasted 63 years until Mdm Kwa succumbed to her illness in 2010.

In 2008, Mdm Kwa suffered a series of strokes which would inhibit her physical mobility.

To comfort Mdm Kwa that she was an important part of his life, Mr Lee made a promise to her that he would make her life worth living.

Mr Lee readily adjusted his lifestyle to accommodate his wife. Every night without fail, Mr Lee sat by Mdm Kwa’s bed and read her favorite poems to her. As a man who was cared for all his life, the roles were reversed when he started taking care of his wife. He memorized her complicated regime of medications, comforted her and took her blood pressure daily.

Mr. Lee Kuan Yew had been engaged in politics over the years, with numerous political opponents who alleged that he is ruthless. However, his love for his wife is a very touching story — a strong testament of their love and devotion.

It was no love at first sight.

When studying at Raffles College in Singapore, Mr. Lee crossed paths with Mdm. Kwa, the only female student in the prestigious school. They started

out as competitors — Mdm. Kwa’s Economic Science and English results topped the cohort, with Mr. Lee’s coming in second. From an exchange of blows, a friendship grew; no discord, no concord. From competitors, they gradually became lovers.

The first separation. In September 1946, Mr. Lee made the decision to leave for England to study law. Mdm. Kwa would return to Raffles College to try to attain one of the two Queen’s Scholarships awarded annually.

Only one Singaporean would be the recipient of the scholarship — this meant that if Mdm. Kwa did not win it, a three-year wait for Mr. Lee’s return would ensue.

Separation is inevitable when you’re young — you have lofty aspirations, the world is your oyster. But what would happen to your loved one? This was a dilemma young Mr. Lee faced.

On their 1946 commitment, Mr. Lee said: I asked her whether she would wait for me until I came back three years later after being called to the Bar. Choo asked if I knew she was 2 1/2 years older than I was. I said I knew, and had considered this

Carmen N. Pedrosa

FROM A DISTANCE carefully.

I was mature for my age and most of my friends were older than me anyway. Moreover, I wanted someone my equal, not someone who was not really grown up and needed looking after, and I was not likely to find another girl who was my equal and who shared my interests.

She said she would wait.

Mdm. Kwa eventually won the scholarship in June the next year, and joined Mr. Lee at Cambridge.

When Mr. Lee proposed the idea of a secret marriage, Mdm. Kwa agreed without hesitation.

The alternative to a secret marriage, according to Mdm. Kwa, would be to “cohabit” or “to live in sin.”

Thus, in December 1947, the couple secretly got married at Stratford-upon-Avon, William Shakespeare’s birthplace.

However, this secret marriage was kept a secret even after their parents’ death and only revealed when Mr. Lee penned his memoirs.

In 1976, Mdm. Kwa said:

I walk two steps behind my husband like a good Asian wife.

Through Mr. Lee’s writings, one could tell that she was more than just a wife — she was also Mr. Lee’s confidante and advisor.

Mdm. Kwa passed on after being bedridden for two years.

A grieving Mr. Lee walked to her casket, using its frame to support his 87-year-old body.

Placing a stalk of red rose on her still body, Mr. Lee bent towards his wife, reaching for her face with his right hand. He planted a kiss on her forehead, and then another.

Here’s a quote from the man himself to sum up a timeless love story: “We have never allowed the other to feel abandoned and alone in any moment of crisis.”

She devoted herself to the role behind the scenes of being her husband’s staunchest supporter, running both the household, especially after the birth of their first son Hsien Loong in 1952, and the law firm as Mr. Lee immersed himself in politics.

Not only did her income enable him to continue in office over the years, she also put his mind at ease.

While she was often seen by Mr Lee’s side over the years at official functions and on official trips, Mr Lee said he “made a point not to discuss the formulation of policies with her, and she was scrupulous in not reading notes or faxes that were sensitive.” 

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Hip pain:

Simple stretches to keep your

hips healthy

Written by: Melanie Talastas-Soriano CAT(C) Athletic Therapist, CFT Fitness Trainer

Hip pain is experienced by young athletes, older athletes and by the general population. It could have been developed from participating in sports, daily chores and activities, sedentary and manual labor job or just changes that happens in the body.

I have assessed and treated clients with hip flexor tightness, piriformis syndrome, glute medius tightness, general glute pain anteriorly, posteriorly, medially and laterally. If you are experiencing or have suffered from chronic hip pain possibly due to muscular tightness, here are simple stretches you can add to your regular exercise.

Thank you for taking the time to read our article.

Please feel free to visit our website at www.insahyu. com or contact us at 204999-0933 for athletic therapy consultation.

Services we offer at Insahyu Training & Therapy:

Simple hip stretches.

250 Saulteaux Location Athletic Therapy Massage Therapy Kinesio-tape Athletic Taping Custom Fitted Orthotics Personal Training Group fitness classes These simple exercises are helpful to keep your hips healthy.

Complete these stretches daily 1-2 times a day especially if you are very active. Sports like long distance running and cycling can tighten your hips all around (front, back, side, inner thighs).

On the other hand, individuals with sedentary jobs like sitting on a computer 8 hours a day, 5 days a week can also develop hip tightness all around.

No matter what you do, sedentary or active, your hip muscles will be working and need to maintain strength and flexibility. Also, older adults will experience hip tightness or pain due to immobility. These simple stretches not only can help with improving flexibility but helps with lubricating the hip joints as well.

For more information, visit our website at www.insahyu.com We are located at 250 Saulteaux Crescent We direct bill to MPI, WCB and Manitoba Blue Cross.

Call 204-999-0933 to book your appointment today!!!

April 1-15, 2015

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FEATURE STORY

O

F COURSE, it is not the jolly big guy in red suit. It’s the other Nick. The brown and Pinoy Nick. The one who endorsed the brand of the beer I drink. The literary icon whose body of works such as The Woman Who Had Two Navels, May Day Eve, A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino and The Summer Solstice are forever etched in the consciousness of Filipino writers. Many emerging fictionists, poets and playwrights chewed his voluminous writings in the hope of acquiring the talisman of his pen. He brought print journalism to lofty heights with his intellectual and provocative insights. For students of Far Eastern University, he was the genius behind the lyrics of their beloved school hymn.

Nicomedes “Nick” Joaquin (1917-2004), the phenom of Paco, a national artist for literature, was only twenty when his first short fiction appeared in the pre-war magazine Sunday Tribune. He was considered to be the country’s most prolific writer after Jose Rizal and Claro M. Recto. Some suggested that Nick possessed eidetic memory which explained his obsession to the minute details in all of his works.

Inside the FEU campus in the 90s, I was a lanky student activist naively daydreaming of a graft-free government under the shade of an old acacia tree at the Freedom Park. Philippine Daily Inquirer online editor, Totel V. De Jesus, was there, too. I convinced the budding maverick writer to join our political cause. The young Totel, sporting a wavy ponytailed hair, jet black, and matched with a well-trimmed goatee, was a spitting image of Hollywood actor Antonio Banderas.

Boy, wasn’t he a delectable eye candy among the gorgeous women in the university square!

I was not sure, though, if he was completely drawn to our ideology or to the idea of hanging out with the cool chicks in our group. Nevertheless, Totel and I shared the same passion for the arts. And beer, too. Also, we were “disciples” of the late Professor Jess Cruz, arts critic and writer, and FEU’s renaissance man. The good professor was instrumental in reviving Transition, the campus literary journal which anthologizes the works of Filipino greats side-byside with the campus’ promising writers.

One time, Prof. Jess tasked Totel and me for a dreamed assignment – to corner the great Nick Joaquin and request a twoliner about himself for publication in Transition 7. Apparently, Joaquin was commissioned to write about FEU’s founding father, Nicanor Reyes. The na-

Encounter with the

great

Nick slurred speech, “Come on, boys, let us take a walk!”

Nick’s voice was loud and raspy. Perhaps, he downed a bottle or two of San Miguel beer. That was the only logical explanation why the usual timid

tional artist was then holding an office in the Administration Building from morning until three in the afternoon while conjuring the words for Reyes’ biographical sketch.

Our game plan was simple: sneak past the security guards at the entrance doors, barge into Joaquin’s working space around 3 pm, introduce ourselves as up-and-coming writers and rabid fans, and finally, secure the two-line quote for the campus’s literary publication.

In and out like an impeccable Mossad, right? Nope. On the contrary, the heavenly constellations stored something better for the two young minds. What meant to be a blitzkrieg scheme to get Nick pen two lines about himself turned into a four-hour karaoke showdown with the grandmaster of contemporary Philippine literature.

In the presence of a Filipino literary giant, our knees trembled. Even before we could muster enough courage to state our intention, Nick hollered in

Nick’s voice was loud and raspy.

Perhaps, he downed a bottle or two of San Miguel beer. That was the only logical explanation why the usual timid writer and poet was gregarious and boisterous at that point.

Yet his mind was sharp and lucid.

writer and poet was gregarious and boisterous at that point. Yet his mind was sharp and lucid.

We obsequiously crossed Recto Avenue and found ourselves inside a dingy karaoke bar where female servers wore white tanks and skimpy skirts.

The establishment were packed with students from various campuses located in the university belt area. A huge TV screen sat at the center of the stage.

Microphone with a long cable was passed around from one table to another. The stench and cigarette smoke occupied the entire place. Nick ordered a grilled sisig on a sizzling plate and a first round of ice-cold San Miguel beer for the three

of us.

In between gulps of brewed malt drinks, Totel and I alternately threw questions at Nick. Questions that dealt with his worldviews, his thoughts about his contemporaries such as Jose Garcia Villa and Francisco Arcellana, his politics and religion, etc. Nick was a good sport because he tolerated our insolence. Like a sponge, we absorbed everything that came out from the master’s mouth without filters.

Nick’s response was eloquent, sometimes, even philosophical. But we broke the cardinal rule for writers - we never jotted down notes. We arrogantly believed that our memories are forever unfaltering. After almost two decades of that chance encounter, all that remains now is the silhouette of Nick crooning the bossa nova song Girl from Ipanema and the Ol’ Blue Eyes’ version of New York, New York.

A piece of table napkin became our saving grace. On it, Nick scribbled this quote after a few rounds of beer and karaoke songs: “How flattering to have the Transition interested enough in me to ask “two lines” on myself. So my second line is that I’m the kind of chap who’s interested in brainy things like Transition!” This quote made it to the FEU literary journal, published in 1994!

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Community Ang Peryodiko

PEOPLE, places & events

www.angperyodiko.ca April 1-15, 2015

Suzanne Hrynyk wins NDP Kildonan St. Paul Nomination for MP SUZANNE Hrynyk was elected as the NDP candidate for Kildonan St. Paul at the Nomination Meeting held on March 22, 2015 from 1:00 p.m- 4:00 p.m at the Garden City Community Centre. Pat Martin, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg Centre, was guest speaker. There were approximately 40 people who attended. Suzanne was contested

by Andrew Podolecki, but in the end Suzanne won and Andrew graciously congratulated her promising to help her win the NDP bid to wrest the MP position from her opponents, who to this writing, are still unknown.

(Gemma Dalayoan) Left to right: Suzanne Hrynyk, MP Pat Martin, and Andrew Podolecki

Grand Opening of

Food Centre On Friday, March 13th, the Norwest Co-op Community Food Centre opened in the Shaughnessy Park area.

It’s the first Community Food Centre of its kind in Western Canada. Low income people can eat free, nutritious lunches, learn food skills, grow their own food, receive health care and guidance, diabetes and prenatal information, a dietician is available for consultation,

and there are advocates on site to provide help with housing and unemployment issues.

People can also drop in for an extraordinary lunch and pay by donation. The Food Centre is located on 101-63 Tyndall St. close to Chudley. Minister Melanie Wight, MLA for Burrows has been in close contact with the people who made this happen, and she was on site for the ribbon cutting.

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.

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Jeepneys End of the road for

in the Philippines?

L

ondon has the red double-decker bus, New York the yellow taxi, and the Philippines has the Jeepney.

The country’s most popular means of public transport zipping by adds a flash of vibrancy in the often frustrating, gridlocked streets of metropolitan Manila.

With names like Delilah and Rosa emblazoned across the front, each one is individually adorned

The Jeepney, ubiquitous in the Philippines, is the cheapest mode of mass transport there drawn cart.

“He saw the opportunity in having public transportation around Manila,” says Ed, who still keeps his father’s old kalesa in the workshop.

Jeepneys can carry about 18 people - packed in shoulder-to-shoulder, with glassless windows for ventilation in the hot climate.

Operated by owners who run franchises, for average Filipinos they are still the cheapest way to get around, costing about eight pesos (20 US cents; 12 pence) for a ride.

Leonardo Sarao founded the company, helped by his brothers

In the 1970s Sarao Motors promoted the Jeepney all over Europe as part of a campaign by the Philippines’ tourism department

Financial reality

At the height of their popularity, when Ed describes the factory floor as a bee hive buzzing with activity, Sarao Motors was asked by the tourism ministry to showcase its vehicles around the world.

But the heyday came to an end shortly after the Asian financial crisis in 1997-98.

Ed says Sarao Motors has never really recovered. It has gone from churning out 12-18 units a day to producing just 40 a year.

The reason for the decline in the company’s fortunes, and the fall of the Jeepney in general, is purely financial, says Jamie Leather, principal transport specialist at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which is headquartered in Manila.

He explains that Jeepneys are more expensive to operate and repair than other vehicles on the market because they don’t have standardised parts that are readily available.

Other vehicles may take fewer passengers, but are more profitable for operators and so some of them are opting to replace their Jeepneys, Mr Leather says.

“Passengers also prefer air-conditioning that other vehicles provide - they see it as more comfortable,” he adds.

Modernise transport

In an effort to fight air pollution, 10 electric Jeepneys are being operated in Makati City with religious and nationalistic artwork - no two are identical.

For Ed Sarao, head of Sarao Motors - one of the first makers of Jeepneys - the vehicle represents the multi-cultural history of the Philippines.

“There is bit of Spanish, Mexican traits there; how they incorporate vivid colours, fiesta-like feelings. There is a little of the Americans because it evolved from the Jeep. There is a little Japan because of the Japanese engine. But it was built

by Filipino hands,” he says.

But while it was once part of the Philippines’ image and identity, the Jeepney has now become something of a dinosaur - and newer, more economical vehicles are starting to take its place.

King of the road

Jeepneys first hit the roads in the 1950s, refashioned from military vehicles left behind by US soldiers after World War II. Some entrepreneurial Filipinos took those US Jeeps and modified them, adding features to make them roadworthy, and creating a new form of mass transit.

One of those entrepreneurs was Leonardo Sarao, who at the time drove a kalesa, or horse-

The other reason Jeepneys are now at odds with the future of transportation in the Philippines is the amount of carbon dioxide they emit from their diesel engines.

The Philippines is struggling to combat air pollution - the ADB estimates that 5,000 people die from air pollution-related illnesses every year.

So, in an effort to keep the nostalgia but not the fumes, one organisation is testing electric Jeepneys in the central business district of Makati, one of the cities that makes up metropolitan Manila.

The Institute of Sustainable Cities has awarded a franchise to the E-Jeepney Company to operate 10 electric Jeepneys.

“We are trying to modernise the transport system in the Philippines,” says Yuri Sarmiento, the head of E-Jeepney.

Their vehicles charge overnight at a makeshift hub inside the Makati Fire Station. During the day they go on fixed routes, picking up passengers from designated stops.

Of the roughly 50,000 Jeepneys roaring around Manila on any given day, they are hoping to replace about 2,000 of them with e-Jeepneys by 2015, and eventually to have 10,000.

“We use it as a vehicle for change to grow awareness among Filipinos to use alternative fuel,” says Mr Sarmiento.

“The Jeepney fits that role perfectly.”

(By Saira Syed, BBC News, Manila)

Love the GAME www.angperyodiko.ca April 1-15, 2015

Sports

19 Ang Peryodiko

Donaire, Nietes

defeat foes

in Pinoy Pride 30 MANILA –Nonito ‘’The Filipino Flash” Donaire and Donnie ‘’Ahas’’ Nietes came up with big wins by stopping their respective foes in “Pinoy Pride 30: D-Day” at the Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.

Donaire came back in an impressive fashion by demolishing Brazilian William Prado in just two rounds, while Nietes retained his WBO light flyweight crown after clobbering Mexico’s Gilberto Parra in rounds 8 and 9 for a 10th round technical knockout.

The Filipino Flash first poked Prado with stiff jabs in the opening round, knowing the Brazilian’s reputation as a vicious body puncher. When Prado refused to engage in the second round, Donaire began ripping his foe with a series of heavy left hooks and uppercuts.

The referee immediately

stepped in to stop the bout 2:16 in the second round when Donaire dazed Prado with three consecutive left hooks to the head. ‘’Idinide-dedicate ko ang laban na ito sa mga OFWs, kasi nawala po ako sa family for one month. Ang hirap. One month lang ‘yun, ah. Alam ko what they went through ‘yung mga OFWs,’’ said Donaire, who spent most of his training time here in the Philippines.

It was a successful comeback for Donaire, who lost via a 6th round TKO to Nicholas Walters last October. With the win, Donaire crowned himself as the new NABF super bantamweight champion.

Nietes, on the other hand, had a tougher time in his bout against Parra.

The wide-bodied Mexican was quick on his feet and was

Donnie Nietes throwing punches against Gilberto Parra. -Photo

by Mark Cristino/ABS-CBNnews.com

able to evade most of Nietes’ power punches early in the fight. Parra also troubled the Filipino with a series of body shots in the 6th and 7th rounds.

The Filipino champion eventually figured out Parra in the 8th as he timed the Mexican with a big right hand behind the ear. The younger boxer went down the canvas but was able to beat the count.

Nietes again rattled Parra with another right straight to the face, which opened a large gash over the Mexican’s left eye.

Parra was still able to

finish the round, but after the referee saw the extent of his wound, he decided to halt the bout. ‘’Nahirapan ako ng konti, kasi lang natamaan siya ng kanang kamay ko,’’ said Nietes in the post-fight interview. ‘’Sabi ko patamaan ko lang ng straight right ko. Nonito Donaire Jr. attacks William ‘Pag natamaan siya, sigu- Prado. -Photo by Mark Cristino/ABS-CBNnews.com radong patumbahin ko talaga… Lalo ‘pag patagalan years. ang laban, tatamaan ko “Prince” Albert Pagara was also talaga.’’ victorious on Saturday night.

Nietes is currently the He defeated Rodolfo Hernandez longest reigning Filipino via fifth round TKO to retain the IBF champion, having been Intercontinental junior featherweight a title holder for 7 long title. -ABS-CBNnews.com

Pacquiao breaks sparmate’s nose

Manny Pacquiao works out with Freddie Roach in this file photo.

MANILA – WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao continued to impress in sparring at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, dominating a sparring partner and even bloodying his nose.

In a report by veteran scribe Eddie Alinea of Philboxing.com, Pacquiao’s assistant trainer and best friend Buboy Ferndandez said the boxer on Wednesday (Thursday Manila time) went four rounds against Keandre Gibson and another four against Kenneth Sims Jr. But it was Sims – a young welterweight from Chicago who’s an eighttime US amateur champion – who got beaten up the most. He ended up with a busted nose courtesy of a Pacquiao signature left straight.

“I just forgot the exact round and time when our fighting congressman smashed the nose of his sparring partner

with his whopping left straight. Blood started flowing from his nose,” Fernandez said.

Pacquiao has stepped on the gas in training as he heads into the biggest fight of his career against Floyd Mayweather Jr. Their bout, expected to be the richest ever in the sport, will be held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on May 2 (May 3 Manila time).

To help get the Filipino icon in shape and ready to take on the undefeated Mayweather, chief trainer Freddie Roach has assembled a battery of sparring partners. So far, Fernandez said they are giving Pacquiao a good workout.

“They were young, fast and strong and they have the ability to mimic Mayweather’s fighting style,” Fernandez added. – Dino Maragay

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‘Kathniel’ fan threatens to hurt Nadine MANILA – Nadine Lustre is not bothered by the threat posed by one of the fans of onscreen partners Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, who said she will pour a bowl of boiling cooking oil when she sees the actress.

In an interview with “The Buzz” which was aired on Sunday, Lustre said she is not scared of such threats

because she knows a lot of people are there to defend her.

“Hindi ako natatakot kasi my fans naman are there to protect me, James (Reid) is there, the Viva people are there. I’m not really scared with anything naman,” she said.

Lustre added the fan’s threat is actually ridiculous.

“Number one, with that post, how would you bring kumukulong mantika inside the mall?

I’m not really bothered with it. Kung gusto nilang gawin

yun, gawin nila. Wala naman akong grudge against them.

Ako talaga, I’m really allergic to negativities. Ayaw ko talaga na may nag-aaway,” she said.

Asked if she has message to the fan, Lustre just said: “To this fan, good luck.”

Reid, on the other hand, emphasized that he and Lustre are not out to compete against Bernardo and Padilla.

“It’s not that Kathryn and Daniel themselves are competing against us either. I think

it’s just the fans. They love who they love. I think we are different,” he said.

Meanwhile, Padilla also called on their supporters not to fight with Lustre, Reid or their fans. “Huwag naman ganun. Huwag natin gawin ‘yun kay James and Nadine dahil mabubuti silang tao. Mababait sila and mga kaibigan din namin sila. ‘Wag makipag-away kasi hindi tama yan. Mas masaya kung masaya lang tayo lahat,” he said. ABS-CBNnews.com

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Did Carmina know about Rustom’s sexual identity?

MANILA – Carmina Villarroel swore she had no inkling during their marriage that Rustom Padilla, who is now more known as BB Gandanghari, is gay.

She admitted this on “The Buzz” on Sunday during the show’s killer question segment.

While she took a long time before answering, Villarroel still answered host Boy Abunda’s question: “I’ll answer it. Wala po.”

According to Villarroel, she is still unsure if she is already prepared to meet Gandanghari face to face although they have been in several events in the past.

“Actually kasi hindi ko naman siya iniisip.

Hindi ko pinaplano na sa ganitong month kakausapin ko na siya. Gusto ko ‘yung mangyayari na lang. If ever man magkikita kami, gusto ko ‘yung wala munang mga camera. Gusto ko ‘yung private lang. Kapag dumating, we’ll see,” she said.

During the debut of actress Kathryn Bernardo last year, both Villarroel and Gandhari graced the event but they did not get the chance to talk.

Villarroel said that she was anxious the entire time and that she felt people were watching them carefully to see if they would greet each other.

Gandanghari came out of the closet in 2006.

Villaroel and Gandanghari tied the knot in 1994, but separated in 1996. Their marriage was annulled in 2002.

Villarroel is now married to actor Zoren Legaspi. They have twins – Cassie and Mavy.ABS-CBNnews. com

Claudine Barretto opens up about status of relationship with Marjorie, Dani and Raymart ALMOST two weeks since she was seen gracing the debut of her niece Julia Barretto, actress Claudine Barretto finally speaks up on whether or not she has mended ties with her older sister Marjorie Barretto.

In an interview aired on The Buzz on Sunday, the debut was the first time that

she has personally seen her Ate Marjorie and her niece Julia as well as the latter’s siblings, Daniella, Claudia and Leon.

The invitation to come to the party came from Julia herself through a call made by Star Magic’s Mariole Alberto to her “Mama Pretty.”

Without thinking twice, Claudine

promised to Julia that she would be there on her debut.

“Napa-stop lang ako sandali.

Biglang I just blurted out, ‘Of course.’ And then I was thinking kung sinong gagawa ng gown na ganito kabilis. I was like, paano kaya mangyayari ‘yun? And then she said, ‘Can you promise me, mama?’ And I said, ‘I promise Julia I’ll be there,’” Claudine shared.

While it was Claudia whom she first saw at the debut, Claudine claimed that she got more emotional when she had a moment with Daniella aka Dani.

“When I was on my way back to my room na, nung palabas ako ng ballroom, somebody hugged me. Nagulat ako nung nakita ko si Dani. I saw her kasi go around and she was there.

Siguro hindi niya lang alam kung paano ako pupuntahan.

She didn’t say anything. She just hugged me really tight.

Doon, naiyak na talaga ako. Kasi parang nasaktan talaga ako,” she said.

Rey Pamaran explains to Robin Padilla why he filed a case against Melissa Mendez

MODEL Rey Pamaran insisted that he doesn’t need the 3 million peso damages that would come from veteran actress Melissa Mendez after he filed a slander by deed case against her on Wednesday.

Pamaran’s claim, which he made through a post on his Instagram account came after actor Robin Padilla appealed to him, also through social media, that he forgive Mendez.

“Sir, it will be very good for everybody, especially to the young men of sports/bodybuilding and law school, if the both of you will set an example of practicing the code of chivalry.

Matanda na rin po si Melissa, 50 years old na siya, maliit na babae at hindi naman mayaman, may naipon ngunit hindi naman sobra, sapat lang para sa pamilya,” the caption of Padilla’s Instagram post read.

Before his words could be taken differently, Padilla quickly clarified that, “Hindi po ako nakikialam bagkus ay nakikiusap, naniniwala po ako na kayong dalawa ay marangal na tao at hindi umaatras sa laban, ngunit nagpakumbaba na po si Melissa at humingi na ng paumanhin at patawad. Malinaw na ayaw na po niyang lumaban pa. Dasal po ng Katipunan ay magkaroon na po ng katapusan ang hindi pagkakaintindihan na ito at magsilbing aral sa lahat ng sumasakay ng eroplano, babae man o lalaki. Ang pagpapatawad po ninyo kay Melissa Mendez ay tatanawing utang na loob ng lupon ng mga Rebolusyonaryong Pangkapayapaan.”

Pamaran, who got involved in the deplaning incident of Mendez, for his part addressed Padilla’s appeal and explained that his age wasn’t in any way far from Mendez’s.

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lamoureux... 

pedrosa... 

From 10

As her condition deteriorated, she responded almost exclusively to Mr Lee’s voice.

The constant stress of her illness, he said, was harder on him than the stresses of the political arena.

“I can’t break down. Life has got to go on. I try to busy myself, but from time to time in idle moments, my mind goes back to the happy days when we were up and about together,” Mr. Lee said.

Mr. Lee’s pain at his wife’s

death in October 2010 was evident in the words of his eulogy: “Without her, I would be a different man, with a different life. She devoted herself to me and our children. She was always there when I needed her.”-Philstar

gawa ng isang 19 taong gulang na babaeng mananayaw na taga Anaheim California na si Cammy Garcia. Nang unang makita ni Franzese sa set ng pelikulang “Knights of the City” si Cammy ay agad syang naakit nito. Dito na nagumpisang suyuin niya si Cammy. Humanga pa sya nang malaman ang pambihirang pagtatalaga nito sa Diyos nang sabihin niya kay Franzese na hindi niya kaya ang pinagagawa sa kanya sa pelikula dahil sa pananaw niya ay hindi ito ayon sa kanyang pananalig sa Diyos. Kayat nagdesisyon itong umuwi.

Sa malaunan ay sumama si Franzese sa kanya sa simbihan at naging kanyang asawa. Nang dahil kay Cammy ay nagsuko si Franzese ng buhay sa Panginoon. Iniwan niya ang buhay mafia at ngayon nangangaral na siya ng salita ng Diyos.

Nagsasalita pa siya sa mga professional na atleta patungkol sa panganib ng pagsusugal. Si Cammy naman ay tinawag ng

Vanity Fair na “the woman who changed the face of organized crime in America”, dahil sa nagawa niya sa buhay ng isang lider ng mafia. Dahil ang dating sakit ng ulo ay naging pagpapala na sa kapwa ng makilala niya si Hesus.

(Pastor Junie Josue is Lead Pastor of International Worship Centre (IWC) at 1077 St. James St. (Worship Services: Sundays - 9 a.m. Tagalog, 10:45 a.m.

English service). Other IWC English worship services every Sunday are also held at the following sites: Cineplex Entertainment, Kildonan Place at 1555 Regent Avenue at 10:30 a.m., Cinema City Northgate at 1399 Mc Phillips St. at 10:15 a.m., Calvary Chapel at 221 Hamilton St. Neepawa, MB at 1:30 p.m. & West End Community Centre at 247-23rd St. Brandon, MB at 10:30 a.m. Pastor Junie is also host of radio program Higher Life on CKJS 810 AM, Monday to Friday, 8:50 a.m. For more information, call 204.774.4478.)

josue... 

From 9

bahay, isang helicopter, Lear jet at mga magagarang barko.

Napakamasalimuot ang kanyang mga aktibidad kayat nagorganize ang Justice Department ng America na binubuo ng 15 taong Task Force na galing sa ibat ibang ahensya. Isa lamang ang kanilang layunin, ang ibagsak at hulihin ang pinaka bata at magaling na lider ng mafia.

Ang kilalang Manhattan US attorney na si Rudoplh Giuliani ay pinangunahan ang isa sa 5 prosecution ni Franzese. Ngunit walang nagwagi sa mga kasong ito. Ang mundo ng buhay mafia ay puno ng kataksilan at panloloko kahit pa ng kasama sa grupo. Sa batang edad ni Franzese ay natutunan niyang iwasan ang mga mapanganib na tubig ng buhay mafia at maingatan ang sarili sa mga nais humuli sa kanya habang lumalaki ang kanyang kapangyarihan at impluwensya. Ngunit may ibang plano ang Diyos. Ang hindi kayang gawin ng gobyerno at kaaway niya sa mafia ay na-

horoscope ARIES (March 21-April 19): The task for today is the balance of interests and sharing spheres of influence. Mutual sympathy and unity of preferences will be the best key for an efficient cooperation. If your competition with someone is still on you should play according to the rules; don’t forget about politeness and friendliness.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Things may seem threatening to the bulls, but there is no serious danger. Everything is in your hands if you are ready to break stereotypes and act in a unique way. Don’t be stubborn – today things can be easily settled peacefully.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): March 31, 2015 is a wonderful day for the beginnings including the repeated ones. You may find additional resources where you didn’t hope to locate anything interesting. Give preference to clear expressions over long reasoning and vague speeches.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Don’t think things hopeless. You’ll find yourself in true danger only if you intend to do things the old way. If you failed in something in the past, try again by applying fundamentally different tactics. Act as a player of a kind and don’t be afraid of losing your authority.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Today’s scenarios are developing suddenly and fast. The overall course of events is beneficial for the Lions starting a new project. Its success will be directly proportionate to the amount of personal effort you’ll invest into it. In this case you’ll quickly earn lots of brownie points, make friends and followers and achieve personal growth.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Today’s circumstances are pushing Virgo towards being initiative; however they don’t give you any guarantees. All you can hope for today is good luck. Don’t risk if you are not

protected financially or legally. The Virgins-entrepreneurs are not advised to rush the opening of a new business.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): If you are happy with your partnership you are fully supportive of your significant other. If your relations are over, look for a new ally – he’d better be more charismatic and memorable. Don’t change your old tactics completely; instead, perfect it.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): The atmosphere of the day encourages activeness. Don’t sit idle; seek out new approaches to old problems. The key to your situation may be your social skills versus technical mastership. Don’t e scared of additional work load – it’s the best way to quickly improve your professional skills and increase your authority.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Sagittarius’ old ideas and relations are finding their second wind. Don’t miss this moment – it can give a new impulse to your creative project and significantly increase your popularity. This is a wonderful day for creative activities as well as everything associated with gambling and playing.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Don’t put burning problems on the backburner. At the same time don’t be overzealous and don’t make far-reaching plans – focus on main issues. This is an important moment for the Goats improving their household and embarking on a new business adventure.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): March 31, 2015 will call for initiative, courage, mobility and zeal from Aquarius. If you’re given a chance, don’t hesitate and use a unique opportunity today. The difficulties you’ll run into may turn to be an unexpected fortune (new idea or a lifechanging encounter).

PISCES (Feb. 19-Mar 20): New expenses and business risks will become a part of Pisces’ strategy. The more you spend the more you can win. You may want to expand your project or improve your life quality. It’s time to once again find an optimal balance between revenues and liabilities, personal and joint resources.

From 9

In most major urban centres, including Winnipeg, the cost of an IELTS test is now $309 while the CLPIP tests in Manitoba range from $175 for the general listening and speaking test, to $265 for the general test. For middle class individuals, this increased cost might mean a delay in applying for citizenship.

I often meet constituents who ask for my assistance to follow up on applications that seem to be taking years to process. Today, applicants are waiting a minimum of 2 years for their citizenship application to be processed.

Often, that number increases by several more years if there is supplemental information requested by Citizenship and Immigration such as the residency documents to establish proof of residency.

Former Prime Minister Paul Martin Government committed close to 70 million dollars to speed up processing times back in 2005. Today, the problem has gotten a whole lot worse.

A year ago, the Minister of immigration stated to me that he is committed to getting the processing times down to one year.

Individuals who apply for citizenship are individuals who

are proud to be living in Canada and want to take the next step and become Canadian citizens.

The government should ensure that our program is robust so that those who are committed to becoming citizens are not left waiting years for their application to be processed.

Also, these are individuals who have spent years living and contributing to Canadian society by paying taxes. Affordability is also another aspect that the government should be seriously considering to ensure that those who are active members of our communities are not being deterred from becoming full-fledged citizens.

Whether it is fees, language policies or the unacceptable processing times, the Government has done a terrible job on the citizenship file and I continue to advocate for positive changes on all three of these fronts. I will continue to do so whether in opposition or as a part of a Justin Trudeau Government.

The next federal election will be held later this year on October 19.

Interesting point is that when my kuya Henry became a citizen Justin’s father was Prime Minister.

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