AngPeryodiko December 16-31, 2017 issue

VOLUME Xv NO. 24 | December 16-31, 2017 | WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA

The Newspaper FOR THE RECORD. Residents of Calasiao, Pangasinan attempt a Guinness World Record for the largest rice cake mosaic on Saturday. The mosaic was made of 320,000 pieces of rice cake or puto, a delicacy the town is famous for. ABS-CBN News

1 more year

Congress votes overwhelmingly P16 for one year of martial law declaration in May, with the first ending at the end of this month.

The resolution also extended by one year the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, which authorizes state forces to conduct warrantless arrests.

Lawmakers voted 240-27 to approve the joint resolution. Fourteen senators 

MANILA, Philippines — As expected, the administration-dominated Senate and House of Representatives overwhelmingly approve on Wednesday President Duterte’s request to extend martial law in Mindanao by one year.

As contained in Joint Resolution No. 13, martial rule is extended from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2018. This is the second extension of the President’s martial law

1 more, 22

EXCLUSIVE: Hot momma LJ Reyes shares how she maintains her fit body

P19

NBA: The Lakers Want LaVar Ball to shut up for Lonzo’s benefit

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www.angperyodiko.ca n December 16-31, 2017

Local family featured in St. Boniface Hospital Foundation ads

REGULAR readers of AngPeryodikoin Winnipeg may have noticed ads in recent issues featuring first-time parents Crystal Bennett-Lazo, husband Pat Lazo, and their infant son, Owen.

Their St. Boniface Hospital story has not been told in full in these pages, until now.

On the phone from Hip Pooch, the upscaledog boutique she owns, Bennett-Lazo said it was a dream come true for her and Pat when the couple found out they were expecting their Pat Lazo, Crystal Bennett-Lazo, and their baby, Owen, with family pets.

first child.

That is, until one quiet night in her second trimester, when she suddenly started having contractions.

“It was three and half months before my due date. We knew that was way too early, so Pat rushed me to St. Boniface Hospital. I’ve never been so scared in all my life,” said Bennett-Lazo.

Within a few hours that night, she was in labour, and there was nothing they or anyone elsecould do to stop it. The couple found themselves living a nightmare; far removed from their dream of becoming parents.

When their son, Owen, was bornOctober 23, 2016,he weighed under two pounds.

“He was so fragile and vulnerable, he almost didn’t seem like a real baby,” said BennettLazo. “They immediately put him on a breathing machine, because his tiny lungs did not work on their own. It was torture - we couldn’t bear the thought of losing our baby like that.”

Fortunately for his new parents, little Owen started his life with a team of the best doctors and nurses on his side in St. Boniface Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), who worked tirelessly to keep him alive.

The young family did what they could to celebrate their first Christmas together in the NICU, one year ago.

“We went there on Christmas morning with Santa hats and a little outfit for Owen to wear. We dressed him up and took the family photo you’ve seen in the ads. We spent New

Year’s Eve in the NICU as well; we rang in 2017 with the nurses,” she said.

When he finally came homein February, Owen weighed almost four times his birth weight. At that moment, Bennett-Lazo’s nightmare was finally over.

Owen, who turned one year old last fall, is now “a super happy little guy. He’s always smiling and he loves everybody,” she said.

“I honestly feel that him being around so many different people, and being held by the doctors and nurses, early in his life helped make him more comfortable with people.

That had a positive impact on him.”

“Our experience with St. Boniface Hospital is still fresh, but I don’t think we’ll ever forget the care we received. It will always be a part of our lives.

There are so many NICU events to get the families together, like the Harvest Party in October and the Christmas Party.”

“You don’t know about this before it happens to you, but now that we’ve been involved in it, it’s never going to leave us.

We’ll always be forever grateful,” she said.

Ang Peryodiko readers who are interested in supporting NICU babies like Owen, and excellence in health care and research, at St. Boniface Hospital can donate online at saintboniface.ca/foundation.

Donations are also accepted by calling 204-237-2067, tollfree 1-866-472-4682, or by mail to St. Boniface Hospital Foundation, C1026 – 409 Tache Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R2H 2A6.

-St. Boniface Hospital Foundation

December 16-31, 2017

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PNP to monitor 14,000 cops who received Dengvaxia Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa has ordered the monitoring of the condition of at least 14,000 police personnel who were inoculated with the controversial dengue vaccine Dengvaxia.

“To those unfortunately vaccinated by this, I am giving instructions to Dr. [Edward] Caranza, director of Health Service, to monitor everything... kawawa naman,” Dela Rosa said in an ambush interview after his visit to wounded policemen at PNP General Hospital in Camp Crame.

Dela Rosa gave the order after Dr. Reimound Sales, PNP General Hospital chief, announced that 14,000 policemen nationwide were administered with Dengvaxia during the Health Service anniversary last November 21.

“Actually yesterday, nagkaron kami ng dialogue with PCMC (Philippine Children’s Medical Center), tsaka all Crame-based personnel na nabakunahan, natanong naman nila lahat ng questions nila, they were given assurances na wala masyadong magiging problema,” Sales said. —KBK, GMA News

‘I am not your enemy’

MANILA, Philippines — Despite the negative publicity his administration has been getting, especially on the issue of extrajudicial killing, President Duterte told the media the other night that he trusts and respects freedom of the press.

Duterte assured the Malacañang Press Corps (MPC) that he is not media’s enemy.

“Never mind about our relations. It’s always adversarial…

Wala naman tayong galit. We do not fight with each other.

I do not hate anybody here or else I would not be inviting you to my place,” Duterte said.

“I am not your enemy,” he stressed.

Duterte said he recognizes the media’s quest for truth and their job of bringing the news to the people.

“Your quest for truth, that is your business, not mine. At the end of the day, it’s not my property. It’s just public interest. Your truth is not my truth and everybody’s truth…,” he said.

Duterte appealed to media to always present every side of a story.

“There are always two sides of the coin. My truth, your truth and the public perception,” the Chief Executive said.

Duterte hosted a get-together dinner for the MPC last Tuesday evening at the Heroes Hall in Malacañang.

During the socials, Duterte gamely sang along to his favorite pieces such as “Ikaw,” “MacArthur Park” and “You Raise Me Up.” Duterte’s confidante, special assistant secretary Christopher Go, also sang a number of songs during the event.

Not to be outdone, Presidential Communications Operations Office Communications Secretary Martin Andanar sang “New York, New York” and “American Pie.” Presidential spokesman Harry Roque sang “Pare Ko” after some members of the press corps entertained the guests during the gathering.-Philstar

Noynoy Aquino defends decision on use of Dengvaxia vaccine Former President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday defended his government’s decision to purchase the now controversial anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia.

Appearing before the Senate blue ribbon committee probe on the P3.5-billion program, Aquino said no one protested against his decision then.

“Diin ko lang po: Bago nagdesisyon ang gobyerno sa Dengvaxia, habang nagdedesisyon, pagkatapos magdesisyon at hanggang sa ngayon, walang naparating sa akin ng pagtutol sa bakuna,” Aquino said.

“Kaya natin inilunsad ito sa NCR, Calabarzon, at Central Luzon, dahil ayon sa datos ng DOH, ito po ang tatlong pinaka-apektadong rehiyon nung 2015 kaugnay ng dengue,” he said.

Aquino said his administration began to focus on dengue after receiving a memo from former Health Secretary Enrique Ona back in 2010.

He said the memo highlighted that there were five regions that reported alarming in-

creases in dengue cases. He said around 2.8 million people were at risk of contracting dengue then.

“Ang dalawa sa limang rehiyon, higit 100 percent ang tinaas. May isa na 1,409.5 percent increase or 14 na beses ang tinaas,” Aquino pointed out.

He said he would have been made to answer a different kind of issue from critics if his government failed to implement a program addressing the increase in cases of dengue. “Kung di lumabas itong sinabi ng Sanofi, at nagdesisyon akong hayaan na lang na magdusa pa ang mga boss ko, gayong may bakuna na, palagay ko ngayon, iba ang tanong ninyo at asunto sakin: Bakit mo pinabayaan ang Pilipino?” the former President said.

Aquino also admitted going to Paris in 2015 for the COP21 conference, and at the sidelines met with different companies, including Sanofi, the developer of the anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia.

Aquino said the vaccine went through “local and international processes.” — RSJ, GMA News

odd news Neighbors warn of ‘mad pooper’ soiling lawns Dec. 13 (UPI) -- Residents of a New York state neighborhood are on the lookout for a “mad pooper” accused of repeatedly defecating outside of a woman’s home.

Orchard Park police confirmed they received a complaint Nov. 8 from a woman in the Woodview Court area who said she found human feces wrapped in tissue outside of her home.

The woman said it was a repeat occurrence.

An anonymous ad placed in the Orchard Park PennySaver bore a warning for the culprit: “To the person/jogger who is pooping on our lawns in the Village of O.P.: STOP!!”

The ad informs the person, dubbed “the mad pooper” online, that they are violating an ordinance against depositing untreated sewage on land or water and states that trail cameras have been set up to catch them in the midst of their business.

Police said they have responded to defecation calls before, but it is usually in the area of New Era Field during or after Buffalo Bills games.

Police told the Buffalo News they “don’t have much to go on” in the case.

Family’s Christmas lights used for 48 years with no bulb replacements Dec. 12 (UPI) -- A British family said their string of Christmas tree lights has been used annually for 48 years without a single bulb being replaced.

Ross Shaddick, 38, said his mother, Vina, 68, was a teenager when she bought the fairy lights from Woolworths in 1969.

Shaddick said the lights are now adorning the tree at his home in Plymouth, England.

The family said the lights are believed to be the oldest in Britain to be continually used each Christmas season without replacing any bulbs.

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December 16-31, 2017

Bato dela Rosa gets 3 more months before BuCor post

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte will extend the term of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa by two to three months before naming him as director of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).

Duterte said Dela Rosa has to deal with some unfinished tasks, including matters related to police camps.

“I have the discretion to extend (the term of office) even beyond retirement age. I still have a lot of things to do. I want to do some things in Mindanao of utmost importance and I need to extend the tour of duty of General Dela Rosa to something like two to three months,” Duterte said in a press briefing yesterday at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig.

“It’s mainly infrastructure and maybe the physical setting of the headquarters of the armed forces and the police to suit the demands of the moment,” he added.

Duterte declined to elaborate but revealed the projects would involve the transfer and creation of new camps.

Dela Rosa, a member of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1986, will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 on Jan. 21, 2018. Duterte has promised to give Dela Rosa “the most challenging job in the government” after the police

chief hangs up his uniform.

Duterte said Dela Rosa would be named BuCor chief once he completes his remaining tasks as head of the 170,000-strong police force.

“Once the projects are in place or operational or functional, then he goes to the BuCor… We have a lot of problems in the penal colonies and other places,” the President said.

A BuCor official said Dela Rosa will have a hard time managing the penal facility once he assumes the post.

The official said Dela Rosa will be facing the convicted drug lords who are discreetly directing illegal drug operations from the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).

BuCor made headlines last year after it was revealed that the illegal drugs trade proliferated in the NBP during the previous administration.

Duterte has accused his critic Sen. Leila de Lima of allowing the narcotics trade to flourish at the national penitentiary when she was justice secretary.

The BuCor, which maintains the NBP, is under the justice department.

De Lima, now in jail over drug-related charges, has denied the allegations and has accused the Duterte administration of political persecution.

Duterte said he has not picked a successor for Dela

Bitcoin fever exposes crypto-market frailties LONDON/ NEW YORK - As bitcoin raced to another record high on Tuesday, one of the biggest providers of digital currency wallets, Coinbase, went down under the weight of traffic, leaving many of its more than 10 million customers unable to access their funds.

At the same time, Bitfinex, the world’s biggest bitcoin exchange by trading volume, said it was under a heavy denial-of-service (DDoS) attack, meaning its servers had been intentionally flooded with junk online requests, taking down its website and crippling its services.

The latest outages show how the market infrastructure for an immature and volatile instrument that millions of investors have piled into may be ill-equipped to cope with sudden shifts in demand, which is worrying some investors.

During a particularly volatile period of trading on Dec. 7, bitcoin surged from below $16,000 to $19,500 in less than an hour on Coinbase’s exchange GDAX, while it was changing hands at less than $16,000 on another, Bitstamp.

As trading volume surged, GDAX and Coinbase went down at least 10 times because of “record-high traffic”, Coinbase said.

“More people are engaging with our platform than ever and that bodes well for the future of the digital currency. At the same

time, it does create extreme volatility and stress on our systems,” the company’s director of business operations, David Farmer, said.

“We can confirm that there has been no unusual or suspicious activity. All we know right now is that there is a large amount of traffic,” he told Reuters.

Bitfinex said it had been under a sustained DDoS attack since last week.

“While last week the platform traded continuously, to effectively perform emergency maintenance, we took the website down for a brief time today (Tuesday) to mitigate further issues for customers,” a spokesman said.

“We are constantly improving our systems to ensure that we’re able to both accommodate the immense volume of trading that occurs on our platform while also fending off sustained DDoS attacks,” he said.-Jemima

business

Kelly and Anna Irrera, Reuters

Rosa, adding that he would just let the PNP Senior Officers’ Placement and Promotion Board submit its recommendation on the next police chief.

“I usually do not interfere. I don’t know, they have a sort of an entity… tasked with reviewing the senior officers’ promotion,” Duterte said.

Previous reports said Duterte would appoint PNP deputy chief for administration Deputy Director General Ramon Apolinario as Dela Rosa’s successor.

– Perseus Echeminada, Cecille Suerte Felipe

December 16-31, 2017

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578 earthquakes in 24 hours recorded in Mt. Kanlaon: PHIVOLCS State volcanologists continue to closely monitor Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Island as it registered 578 volcanic earthquakes in the last 24 hours.

“After many, many weeks na tumigil ang earthquake, in the past 24 hours ay 578 volcanic earthquakes ang naitala natin na karamihan maliliit at sa tingin namin nandoon pa rin [sa] bandang malalim,” Renato Solidum, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) director, said in a press conference after the Emergency Response Preparedness (ERP) meeting on Wednesday.

“Therefore, we will closely monitor the activity of [the] volcano,” Solidum said.

In its bulletin, PHIVOLCS said it also recorded 800meter white steam-laden plumes from the summit of the volcano.

Meanwhile, Solidum said that rains from Tropical Depression Urduja may not cause steam-driven or phreatic explosions from the volcano.

He explained that the volcano’s phreatic explosion over the weekend happened after rainwater interacted hot rocks and gas beneath Mt. Kanlaon.

“Walang epekto ang pag ulan sa bulkan mismo pero ang huling activity ng Kanlaon ay nangyari nung Sabado nung nagkaroon ng steam-ridden explosion o phreatic eruption kung saan ang tubig ulan ay magkaroon ng interaction sa mainit na bato o kaya ay gas galing sa ilalim,” he said.

Solidum said the volcano acted up again starting November.

“Maliban sa lindol, may pressure na nakikita at ang gas na mas marami kaysa dati, from below 100 minsan ay 800 tons per day,” he said.

“All of these three observations, madaming volcanic earthquakes, patuloy na may pressure, ground deformation, at pagtaas ng sulfur dioxide gas sa Kanlaon would tell us na talagang abnormal,” he added.

Alert Level 2 is currently raised over the volcano,

which means it is “undergoing moderate level of unrest.”

“There is probable intrusion of magma at depth which may or may not lead to a magmatic eruption,” PHIVOLCS said.

PHIVOLCS has advised residents living near the volcano to avoid entering the four-kilometer radius permanent dangerous zone.

It also said that civil aviation authorities should advise pilots against flying near the summit of the volcano. —ALG, GMA News

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What’s the BUZZ?

www.angperyodiko.ca December 16-31, 2017 QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES – After months of search, presentations and judging, “Titibo-Tibo”, the feel-good song about a boyish girl who finds herself falling in love with a guy and becoming more womanly, composed by Libertine Amistoso and interpreted by singer-songwriter Moira dela Torre, bagged the Best Song and was announced the grand winner in the largest Filipino songwriting competition, Himig Handog 2017, during the finals held at the “ASAP” stage on November 26, 2017.

Amistoso, who took home the P1 million cash prize, beat the other nine song grand finalists chosen among almost 7,000 entries. Her happy song served as her lucky charm. “It’s not like the other songs which are about ‘hugot’ or pain. This is a happy song, with a happy ending,” said the composer in a recent interview.

The 5th Best Song went to “Tanghaling Tapat” performed by Unit 406 and composed by its lead singer, Gabriel Tagadtad.

The 2nd Best Song composer got P500,000 cash prize while the 3rd, 4th and 5th Best Song composers each got P200,000, P150,000 and P100,000, respectively.

Jason Dy and Kyla’s “Tayo Na Lang Kasi,” composed by Soc Villanueva, won several special awards including MOR’s Choice, One Music PH’s Choice for Favorite Interpreter, and MYX Choice for Best Music Video. Meridian International College, one of the ten

Entertainment Feel good original “Titibo-tibo” is 2017 Himig Handog Best Song school participants, produced the “Tayo Na Lang Kasi” official music video.

Star Music Listeners Choice went to “The Labo Song” composed by Karl Gaurano and Teodoro Katigbak and interpreted by acoustic soul artist Kaye Cal. The other finalists in the competition were “Bagyo” composed by Agatha Morallos and interpreted by Jake Zyrus, “Bes” composed

by Eric De Leon and performed by Migz Haleco, and “Naririnig Mo Ba?” composed by LJ Manzano and Joan Da and interpreted by Morissette.

Now on its 8th year, “Himig Handog” has become a formidable songwriting competition led

by ABS-CBN and Star Music. It began in the early 2000s and was later revived in 2013. Many entries from this songwriting challenge have become huge

hits and have been picked as theme songs for several TV shows and movies. Previous songwriters and interpreters have gradually made their mark on the OPM scene.

Relive the winning moments of “2017 Himig Handog” via TFC’s IPTV and TFC online (www.

TFC.tv) platforms.

Digital tracks can be downloaded via digital stores worldwide. For more information, visit Starmusic.ph or follow Star Music’s official social media accounts at Facebook.com/starrecordsphil, Twitter.com/starrecordsph and Instagram.com/ Starmusicph.

For updates on your favorite artists and to connect with fellow global Kapamilyas, follow the official TFC Facebook account in your area, and follow KapamilyaGlobalPR and KapamilyaTFC on FB, Twitter and IG.

December 16-31, 2017

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TFC Online Kicks Off Win-Win Refer-A-Friend Program This Season of Giving DALY CITY, CA – Friends and being a friend are gifts that keep on giving, and starting this holiday season, you can take that literally.

TFC Online offers super fun and rewards for friendship by kicking off its Refer-a-Friend program where friends can invite friends to subscribe to TFC Lite or Premium Package and both win!

The rewards? For the referrer, 30 days FREE Premium Access to TFC Online which includes access to its evergrowing library of movies, teleserye, variety, sports and modern lifestyle shows.

For the referral recipient, they get immediate savings of more than 35 percent on the first month of subscription!

The best part? There are NO LIMITS to the number of friends you can refer.

TFC Lite subscription on TFC Online offers access to all episodes of current TFC shows plus live news and radio.

Premium subscription on TFC Online offers all that plus access to hundreds of Filipino movies.

Today, TFC Online has become the dream Filipino TV you want — all in one place.

For those who think that TFC just offers programs from the Philippines that can be viewed online or on smart or mobile gadgets, think again! TFC Online is much more than that.

Here are some exciting features to expect (total access to features come with a Premium subscription): * Hundreds of new and classic Filipino movies that include the latest

blockbusters and exclusive offerings * Latest news from 18 different regions around the Philippines delivered in major dialects like Tagalog, Kapampangan, Ilocano, Bisaya, and Chavacano. * All the current, most talked about shows with English Subtitles from the ABS-CBN Kapamilya Network * A complete library of binge-worthy teleserye classics like On the Wings of Love, Forevermore, 100 Days to Heaven, Pangako Sa ‘Yo, Walang Hanggan, and many more * Lifestyle con-

tent for the modern Filipino on topics like wellness, home, travel, fashion, food and many more * Live or Archived Sports Events like the UAAP, 24 Hour Live News, PPV Boxing fights * Live Events and Specials like celebrity press conferences, concerts, and more * Offline viewing of personalized library of favorite shows using the new TFC Online app Whether you are at home or on-thego, never miss watching your favorite Filipino content on any connected device. TFC Online is your ideal viewing destination around the world for anything Filipino.

Share the blessings of TFC Online with your friend networks beginning this holiday season! Get started now! For more info, visit https://tfc.tv/refer

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Jericho asks fans to look beyond Erich’s sexy body MANILA – Many have admired Erich Gonzales’ impressive body that she flaunted in Siargao while filming for her upcoming movie.

Although the actress appreciates all the positive comments, Jericho Rosales, her “Siargao” co-star, said people should look beyond Gonzales’ sexiness.

“I think they should look beyond that. She’s a very talented person. Look beyond sexy. It’s not a vehicle to just be sexy. Sayang ‘yun, hindi ka tatagal kapag ganun. This girl has talent so [look beyond sexy],” he said.

Rosales was also there for Gonzales when she got asked about persistent rumors romantically linking her to “Siargao” director

Paul Soriano.

Before Gonzales could respond, Rosales already ushered his costar out implying that the actress need not answer an awkward question.

Meanwhile, in an interview with ABS-CBN News, Gonzales said it’s a big blessing to have their movie compete at this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

“Hindi namin in-expect na mapapasali ‘yung pelikula namin sa MMFF this year but we made it. We are just hoping and praying na sana mabigyan ng chance ng mga manonood ‘yung pelikula namin. ‘Yung setting, one of the best destinations in the country.

Sana suportahan nila at panoorin

ang ‘Siargao,’” she said.

In a separate interview, Rosales said the movie is not a conventional one but he is certain people will like it.

“It focuses on the question of saan ka ba talaga minamahal?

Doon sa lugar na kung anong naging kinalabasan ng career mo, o doon sa lugar na talagang tinanggap ka kung sino ka? Para kasing story iyan ng Manila loving you for what you’ve become and then the island loving you for who you really are,” he said.

Rosales also explained the story also has a love angle between his character and those of Gonzales’ and Jasmine Curtis Smith’s. ABSCBN News

Ang Peryodiko

Opinion

Take a STAND

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www.angperyodiko.ca December 16-31, 2017

Government responds to issue of Editorial unethical immigration consultants

What is even worse is they are exploiting people’s hopes and dreams. It was recently reported in Manitoba that one person was billed well over $250,000.

For over twenty years, I have been talking about how immigrants and many others are exploited by unethical consultants. There are more than 3,000 official immigration consultants that are registered with ICCRC in Canada. Every year there are hundreds of official complaints filed against consultants, not to mention the many other victims who never filed complaints for some reason.

A vast majority of lawyers and consultants do fantastic work on immigration files but that is not what this article is about.

Two weeks ago, this issue was debated in the House of Commons as MPs were calling for action. Let me provide you some selected quotes from Members of Parliament who debated the issue for three hours

Straight up (www.mpkevin.ca) that day.

Conservative Immigration Critic, MP Michelle Rempel: “One of the things that we all see in our offices is constituents who have had significant impact from the results of bad advice from immigration consultants. During our committee meetings, we heard from countless witnesses that while any prospective immigrant or temporary resident may seek the services of immigration and citizenship consultants and paralegals, certain immigrants are at greater risk of exploitation by unscrupulous consullamoureux, 22

What God wants for Christmas

IVING presents is always a problem. If you love someone, you want to make sure you give them something they really want. Ideally, you want to see that look of joyous surprise when they open the gift and even before they say a word, you know it was perfect. That doesn’t always happen. Stores will do a huge business from people bringing back well-intentioned gifts that weren’t quite perfect.

It’s sad, really. You work so hard to find just the right gift, and then it doesn’t fit …or it isn’t the right color … or it was broken in the box … or they already had one … or the design doesn’t match what they already have … worst of all, it wasn’t what they really wanted. That’s the worst—to give someone a gift they don’t really want.

If I were going to give Jesus a gift for his birthday, what could I give him that he would

Every day, members of the Filipino community and many others are being taken advantage of by those that I refer to as unethical and unauthorized consultants. What makes matters worse is that they provide bad advice.

mp kevin lamoureux

What does God want from me at Christmastime (and every other day as well)?

Justice... Mercy...

Humility.... These are matters of the heart. appreciate? After all he is the Creator of all things and the one who holds all things together.

What do you give someone who not only has everything, but who actually made everything?

That’s a tough question.

Is there anything the Lord would like from me? What could I give him that would bring a smile to his face? We don’t have to wonder about the answer to those questions.

The Lord left his wish list for everyone to read. The answer is found in the little book of Micah in the Old Testament.

pastor fred sebastian

Micah is the name of a book of the Bible. It’s also the name of the person who wrote the book.

God gave Micah a message for his generation. He wrote that message down so the people wouldn’t forget it.

Micah wrote to a world facing huge problems. And he wrote condemning the sin and hypocrisy rampant among God’s people. Dropped into this severe message from God is a delightful passage of Scripture. What

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sebastian, 22

A

Explain goals, produce results

s everyone expected, Congress approved yesterday by an overwhelming vote the extension of martial law all over Mindanao by a year. The extension was requested by President Duterte, based on recommendations of the military and police.

With the unsurprising congressional approval, the government must focus on two things: explaining the basis for the extension, and producing results. These were accomplished when martial law was imposed earlier this year to get Marawi back from Maute and Abu Sayyaf terrorists inspired by the Islamic State.

That principal objective was made crystal clear from the outset.

The country’s diplomats were tasked to explain the circumstances in Marawi to worried foreign governments. The United States promptly provided missiles and other weaponry to the Armed Forces of the Philippines while Australia deployed surveillance equipment. Later, China donated guns to the AFP.

Living Hope

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G

The good news is that after many years, it appears that there is great interest in dealing with the exploitation that is taking place today because Canada’s standing committee on immigration tabled a report called “Improving Government Oversight of Immigration Consultants”.



D

id you know that only lawyers or those recognized as accredited consultants under the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council can charge fees for immigration services? Sadly there are far too many people who charge fees but do not have the authority to do so.

It took five months and the 60-day limit for military rule had to be extended. But in those five months during which much of Marawi was destroyed, security forces killed the brothers Omar and Abdullah Maute as well as Abu Sayyaf commander and IS “emir” Isnilon Hapilon. Gory photographs were made public to prove the terrorists’ neutralization. When President Duterte declared that Marawi had been liberated, there was no doubt that government forces had won.

This time, the reason for a second – and much longer – extension of martial law is less clear. The government must exert more effort to define its objectives, because military rule in any part of a country indicates instability and a serious threat to public safety.

This can adversely affect the investment climate, jobs and livelihoods, development efforts and economic growth in Mindanao.

Neutralizing known threats, such as in the case of the Mautes and Hapilon, can help.

Public acceptance of this prolonged martial law will depend on the way security forces comport themselves in dealing with threat groups. The AFP and support teams from the police generally enjoyed public support in Marawi. In this longer extension of martial law, the AFP and police are under close watch and must show that there is no reason for public concern.-Philstar

Publisher: Editor:

TE Brothers, inc.

JET ENCILA

Columnists:

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

Contributing Writers:

TESS AVISO NEWTON, GEMMA DALAYOAN, Mel Talastas Soriano, Dante Aviso and Levy Abad

Glen Elia and JOSE XEC

Account Executive:

Photographers:

ARNEL SAN JOSE, JUNE GARCIA and BHERNARD PABALAN

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Creative Design:

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Opinion

Ang peryodiko

www.angperyodiko.ca n December 16-31, 2017

As pols feud, who cares about 830,000 lives?

engvaxia has imperiled 830,000 children.

Their injection with the dengue vaccine was so haphazard. Unresolved issues hanged while the inoculating was done in 2016-2017. Foremost was that those who previously had not been infected could suffer severe hemorrhagic fever if bitten by the mosquito after injection. And yet the health department had not blood tested the youths for past infections to pinpoint those at risk. It merely concluded from a study in two barrios that nine in ten Filipinos unknowingly already had been bitten. Too the government had not set up a reporting system for the harmful side effect. It simply rushed the immunizing as a campaign gimmick for the 2016 national election. So now some of the “immunized” children could fall ill and die on infection, activist doctor Tony Leachon laments. Who, how many, or when, nobody knows. There’s no fund either to hospitalize them when crunch time comes. They and their families are on their own.

Five deaths have in fact been reported in Central Luzon. A thousand hospitaliza-

Five deaths have in fact been reported in Central Luzon. A thousand hospitalizations also were counted in that region, and in Metro Manila and Calabarzon. tions also were counted in that region, and in Metro Manila and Calabarzon. Being thickly populated, those three were the most dengue-prone – and held the most number of voters. Dengvaxia maker Sanofi Pasteur and the DOH quickly had dismissed the deaths as inconclusively related to the vaccine. No autopsy was ever done for that purpose, they alibied. Unmentioned was that, precisely for lack of autopsy, it is equally inconclusive that Dengvaxia had nothing to do with the deaths.

Politics had ruled the immunization from the start.

Photographs show that thenPresident Noynoy Aquino had met with Sanofi execs in Beijing and Paris while the vaccine was still being tested in 2014. Soon afterwards, ambassadorial notes of another meeting show, thenhealth secretary Janette Garin asked the company’s French bosses for a price quotation.

It is highly unusual for the President or health minister of any country to meet with pharmaceutical vendors. The Dengvaxia brand name had not even been coined then.

Garin now disavows any malice in her actions.

Fund shenanigans also marked the vaccinations. To begin with, there was no proper budget allocation for it from Congress. Dengvaxia was not even listed in the official Formulary of drugs that government may purchase.

But the Jan.-June 2016 election ban on new government spending fast was approaching. So in Dec. 2015 the DOH’s Bureau of Food and Drugs was made to license the vaccine for sale locally. Within a week Malacañang ordered the Budget department to release P3.5 billion for three million injections. The money was coursed through the small Philippine Children’s Medical Center, whose budget for that

Jarius Bondoc

GOTCHA year was only P1.6 billion. The P3.5 billion for dengue alone was even larger than the P3 billion for a dozen other vaccines against more prevalent diseases: mumps, measles, small pox, polio, pneumonia, influenza, etc.

The first of three injections, six months apart, began in Apr. 2016, a month before Election Day. Derogatory news about Sanofi were swirling then in America, Europe, and Africa, said Sen. Richard Gordon.

The giant pharma was being criminally prosecuted and fined hundreds of millions of dollars for bribery.

The politick ing and government fund juggling continued under the Duterte

administration. Garin’s DOH successor Paulyn Ubial in July 2016 at first stopped the vile inoculation. Two months later, under pressure from super-majority congressmen, she ordered its resumption.

Despite the absence of implementing budgets, the politicos even forced her to include Central Visayas in the second wave of injections that month.

Thus was increased the number of imperiled lives.

Politicking goes on in the midst of a national outcry.

Malacañang aides and congressmen are blaming solely the past Aquino tenure for the mess to hide their own roles. Influential law firms are shielding clients from exposure in congressional inquiries and consequent prosecution.

Lobby money is flowing to divert the attention of investigators and the media. As for the 830,000 victimized children, there is yet no effort to check them for any symptoms of hemorrhagic fever. There is still no emergency fund for their care in case of imminent infection. There is no longterm plan to recompense them for the potentially life-long sufferings they will undergo.

Philstar

Using people’s names in vain

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HEN it comes to using people’s names in vain and gullibility, the Philippines certainly ranks one of the highest. Its so unbelievable how many people in government as well as the private sector have been victimized by name droppers and “fabricators” of lies and allegations. In fact the degree of gullibility in the Philippines is reflected by how many people believe in “Fake News” or Tsismis (gossip). But the problem with our level and extent of gullibility becomes dangerous when it results in graft or when it results in public humiliation or when someone’s life is placed in danger.

For instance President Rodrigo Duterte regularly receives “Intelligence Reports” or a list of “public enemies” especially alleged “Drug Lords” or “Protectors.” Another list he gets is a list of “corrupt” or abusive government officials.

Good or bad, the President has never hesitated to divulge or publicly expose the people in such lists and in most cases the people mentioned protest their innocence to high heavens and in the worst case end up having to present their case in heaven! We all know that there have been a number of misses and mistaken identities in the past so the President has pulled back a little on the public exposés.

But while the President has exercised caution with those lists, we have not heard of

Cito Beltran

CTALK anyone being publicly chastised or punished for including the names of innocent people.

In fact, it would be interesting to find out how Malacanang punishes people for submitting inaccurate or defective information like the time Gen. Dionisio Santiago was mistaken for another Santiago who received a mansion from drug lords. Most people think that only poor people or political enemies are victimized but I recently learned about a case when the husband of a provincial governor was maliciously inserted into the latest edition of the Narco list being submitted to the President.

It seems that the name of the Governor’s husband was spitefully included by some law enforcement official because the Governor’s husband could not or would not accommodate certain requests either for large sums of money or promotion in rank or assignment. We can only imagine the shock and anger of the Governor and her family given the fact that getting your name

If some corrupt law enforcers have no problem inserting innocent people’s names in a Narco list, there are some corrupt businessmen who have no fear and no problem using an official’s name in vain. into the Presidential Narco list is the equivalent of a death sentence whether political or real life.The victim in this case has long had a reputation for being involved in the numbers game but was never ever associated with drugs.But because they are supporters of President Duterte, they are unable to publicly speak out against the malicious insertion of the man’s name in the Presidential Narco list which is both life and politically threatening.

I hope one of the President’s men would be kind enough to share this bit of information with “Tatay Digong” and convince the President to order a review on the background and lifestyle of each and every person who contributes to or formulates the presidential Narco list because there are truly wicked and spiteful people who would happily endanger others especially when they believe that their fabrications won’t come back to haunt them or punish them.

When lives are placed in jeopardy, our intelligence must have integrity and truth.

If some corrupt law enforcers have no problem inserting

innocent people’s names in a Narco list, there are some corrupt businessmen who have no fear and no problem using an official’s name in vain.

After writing an article about Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez’s anger with the LTO, I found out about two Tsinoy brothers who desperately tried to shortcut the procurement and bidding process of the LTO for vehicle license plates and their tactic was to name drop using the name of Speaker Alvarez. One of the Tsinoy brothers first called on Asec.

Edgar Galvante and pushed for special consideration and favor to supply the license plates. Galvante politely declined and suggested that they comply with the pre-bidding requirements. The name dropper returned a week or few days later and sought out the Executive Director at the LTO main office and once again started name dropping the Speaker’s name. But this time, he reportedly placed a license plate on the table and said: “I guess you know why I’m here” suggesting that it was all moot and academic.

Fortunately, the Executive Director was not fazed and made the same suggestion that his boss had given. Instead of accepting defeat, the Tsinoy operator went to see a Regional Director, again name dropping and saying: “I’m sure the LTO Chief has someone who does negotiations behind the scenes.” But just like the previous occasions, he got shut out and told to join the bidding. As it turns out, the Tsinoy brothers are just one of many operators who fearlessly use the name of elected officials in vain and for profit.

They even kept referring to “The Davao Group” and a Duterte supporter and now political appointee for Cebu.

This two situations teaches all of us to be careful about name droppers and blindly trusting reports or information just because they are from “the Intelligence Community”.

One official told me that their policy is quite simple: If the President did not send written directions or endorsements, nothing happens. On the other hand, there is nothing wrong or illegal in calling the person whose name is being used in vain or name dropped. In fact many officials I know actually appreciate the heads-up or the request for confirmation, because it shows that you are being careful as well as protecting the officials name.

There is always a way to reach the official concerned even the President of the Philippines.

Philstar

December 16-31, 2017

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Star Cinema springs a year-end surprise with “Unexpectedly Yours” QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES – After over two decades since their first team up which has created a cult following of sorts and which has crossed over to real life at some point, the Philippines’ Megastar Sharon Cuneta and pop culture icon Robin Padilla are back together to rekindle their on-screen love affair via the romance comedy “Unexpectedly Yours” screening in key countries worldwide via TFC@theMovies starting this week.

A team up that was not expected initially to draw in the box office receipts, Cuneta and Padilla’s first movie together “Maging Sino Ka Man”, became

a monumental success in 1991, spawning two more successful flicks via “Di Na Natuto” in 1993 and “Pagdating ng Panahon” in 2001.

According to the Megastar: “Mas masaya iyong movie na lalabas kasi iba ang raport namin ni Robin. Robin is really my favorite person to work with. He’s like my twin - ganiyan ang tawagan namin.

We are very much alike. My happiest shooting experiences have always been with Robin (The movie is fun because we have a different rapport. I call him my twin because we have many things in common. My happiest shooting experi-

ences are with him”.

Padilla on the other hand feels that nothing has changed since the first time they worked together: “Sa akin po walang pagbabago, siyempre - iyon pong ako’y tagahanga niya, idol ko siya. Alam niyo po naman, fan naman ako talaga, Kapag nag-eeksena kami, lagi akong natutulala. (Nothing has changed – I am still a fan and she, my idol. While filming our scenes, I still am left speechless).

This year, Star Cinema works their magic in a transgenerational film which also features the breakout loveteam of Julia Barretto and Joshua Garcia. Garcia and Barretto, more popularly known as JoshLia, join the blockbuster cast, bringing in a different kind of thrill. This generation’s most promising love team, earning viewers’ attention first via “Vince And Kath And James”, Star Cinema’s official entry at the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival and then secondly via the full-length film, “Love You To The Stars And Back”, about fated romance.

To date their newest hit, “Unexpectedly Yours” has raked in over a hundred million at the Philippine box office for putting together two of the most-loved stars together with this generation’s most exciting love team in a story about two pairs’ lives getting intertwined by

twists of fate. It has also been graded A by the Cinema Evaluation Board.

Under the direction of blockbuster romance comedy (rom-com) director Cathy Garcia – Molina, Cuneta plays Patty, a woman pushed to achieve and is almost always in control and critical of things which drives her to seek separation from her emasculated husband after he loses his business. Years after, she feels she is no longer in control of her life and shuts off even the possibility of finding another love, that is until she sees her high school classmate Robin Padilla (Cocoy).

Cocoy (Padilla) is a man who has been harboring a crush on Patty for the longest time. Unlike Patty however, he was not really the most popular kid back in school. But after school, he had been working hard to earn a living for his entire brood, including his nephew Joshua Garcia (Jason). This is the reason why he has not really had the time to find love. (with additional reports from abs-cbn.com and push.com)

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December 16-31, 2017

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www.angperyodiko.ca n

September 1-15, 2015

TIP SHEET

Are modern safety features making driving skills obsolete?

T

he autonomous future will be here faster than we can fathom.

Before long, our cars will be able to drive themselves with little to no input from us pesky humans.

Some cars today are equipped with safety features that make driving a lot simpler. In the past, your dad or tito would brag that squeezing into any parallel parking spot was a cinch with his keen eye and sure foot. These days, idiot-proof sensors and cameras make that feat much easier no matter your driving skill. Hell, some cars nowadays can even park themselves.

Recently, we got the chance to try out the features of the new Nissan X-Trail in a specially designed set of driving activities. The most interesting one included navigating a short course with the windshield and front windows blacked

out. Using nothing but the cameras and sensors on the vehicle, we were able to maneuver the X-Trail around in a controlled environment.

Intelligent Mobility features help you to do is to make [driving] a little bit safer and a little bit easier. Take for example the Around View Monitor. You can use that feature to park in a really tight spot, no matter what.

The key word here is controlled. It was It doesn’t matter whether it’s Manila or one thing to use Nissan’s tech to squeeze provincial, wherever it is. between some rubber cones on an empty field, but what about in the minefield known “Blind Spot Warning—I mean, there is as Metro Manila’s streets? Can these constant interaction when you’re driving features replace the honed survival skills in Manila between the vehicle and twoof an experienced driver? To gain a bit wheelers that come out of nowhere. At least more insight, we asked Nissan Philippines you know that they are there in the blind president and managing director Ramesh spot because your car warns you. While [on Narasimhan for his thoughts on how these this course] it’s a controlled environment, features apply in the real world. He’s been they can be used anywhere in day-to-day living and working in Metro Manila for over practical driving. Absolutely.” a year, so he’s very familiar with just how chaotic it can be.

Rest assured, your tito’s vaunted parking skills are still useful. Modern safety features “Careful driving is always required. I don’t are a welcome addition, but as long as we’re think that’s ever going to disappear, still the ones behind the wheel, proper certainly not in a city like Manila,” Mr. driving will always be the most important Narasimhan shares. “But what the Nissan thing.

December 16-31, 2017 n www.angperyodiko.ca

Davao Association of Manitoba Christmas Party 2017 The Davao Association of Manitoba held its Christmas Party 2017 at the Adsum Community Center on December 9.

As usual, guests partook of the sumptuous food and drinks prepared by the enthusiastic men and women of the longrunning association in this neck of the woods.

There were fun and games to perk up the night, in addition to exciting raffle prizes that were given out to the delight of everyone.

The Davao Association of Manitoba looks forward to another great and enjoyable gathering with its family, and friends in the community.

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December 16-31, 2017

Have A Christ-filled Christmas and a New Year full of Hope from Pastor Fred and Alice Sebastian and Church of the Living Hope Family.

Celebrate Christmas and New Year with Us. If you are looking for a church to fellowship with and longing to reconnect with Us, Come and join us!

• December 24 and December 31 Sunday Worship Services start at 10:00 AM

EXCLUSIVE: Hot momma LJ Reyes shares how she maintains her fit body Birthday girl LJ Reyes did an hour of Yoga with moms. The actress shared that she used to be a Yogi to stay fit and healthy.

“Nag-Yoga ako before, but then I changed my workout kasi I needed to tone my body na kasi we’re getting older. ‘Pag nagworkout ka [and do] activities, bibilis ulit ang metabolism mo,” the celebrity mom told GMANetwork.com in an exclusive interview.

Now, she carries weights, does cardio and core workouts, “My trainer and I focus on the parts na concerned ng mga babae na very common like arms, lower abdomen, legs, [and] butt. Kailangan tinutuloy-tuloy or else, hindi siya effective.”

Aside from exercising, the

Kapuso star watches what she eats. “I don’t like kasi doing diets, especially now at my age, feeling ko parang hindi na rin kailangan sa work ko masyado. I just want to stay fit, and staying fit doesn’t mean you have to starve yourself. Ako lagi in moderation, and [I] just work out.”

She added her secret is saying no to sweets, “Nag-iba na rin ang taste buds ko na parang before I used to like sweets pero ngayon, ayaw na ng taste buds ko. Ayoko na ng masyadong sweet [at] salty. Siguro nasanay din ako, I try naman talaga to stay fit and eat healthy.”

December 16-31, 2017

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Put some hustle in your holiday

T

HE holiday season has officially started, and with it comes family events, parties and the temptation of delicious treats. Holiday chaos is fun but can be stressful and make it difficult to keep up with your regular fitness routine.

To help we have come up with an equipment free (and festive) workout that can be done anywhere, with whatever time you have to spare. Try completing 3-5 rounds of the circuit below for a workout that combines strength moves and exercises that elevate your heart rate and keep it there. (Disclosure: Remember to warm up for 5-10 minutes of walking and dynamic stretches before beginning any workout).

for 20-30 seconds.

Peppermint Press (Push up) Kneel on the floor or a mat, with your hands on the ground in front of you (hands shoulder width apart).

Bend your elbows and lower your chest to the floor, as close as you can get without touching it. Press your weight through your hands and return to the top of the movement. For an extra challenge, perform from your toes instead of from the knees. Perform 10-15 push-ups.

MistleTOE touches (Toe Touches) Lie on your back and lift your legs until they’re perpendicular to the floor. Next extend your arms up towards the ceiling. Without moving your legs, lift your chest and shoulders off the floor and try to touch your feet. Do 15 to 20 reps.

Candy Cane Cross (Russian Twists) Seated on exercise mat, gently lean back until the core is activated.

Twist your body and reach towards the floor on your left and the switch and twist your body to reach towards the right. Alternate, twisting from left to right without stopping. For an added challenge, raise your feet off of the floor or hold a weight in your hands. Perform 20-30 reps (10-15 per side).

Try and complete 3-5 rounds of the above circuit, or as many rounds as you can complete i n

Chimney Climbers (Mountain Climbers) Begin in a push-up position, with your arms and legs extended.

Pull your right knee into your chest. As the knee

draws to the chest, use your abs to stabilize the body and keep it in line.

Next, quickly switch and pull the left knee in. At the same time as you pull your left knee in to the chest, extend your right leg back using the same form. Continue to alternate knees, in a running or climbing motion. Do so as quickly as possible, while still maintaining proper form. Continue for 20-30 seconds.

Santa Squats Begin standing with your feet shoulder width apart and your toes pointed forward (or slightly outward).

Initiate the squatting movement with a fold at the hips by reaching your bum behind you, as if sitting on a chair.

Bend your knees, and lower your body towards the floor slowly, keeping your upper body tall. Be careful to keep

your knees in-line and behind your toes, and your heels on the ground. Pause briefly at the bottom of the movement before pushing up through your heels, into a standing position. Try this while holding weights for extra resistance.

Do 15-20 reps.

Jingle Jacks (Jumping Jacks) Start from a standing position with you feet together and hands/arms at your sides. Then jump into a wide position with the legs spread and the arms extended overhead (just like a shining star at the top of a Christmas tree)! Immediately reverse the movement to jump back to the standing position. Repeat continuously

30 min. If you are feeling up for more, try adding on 10-20 minutes of cardio such as walking, jogging, skating, dancing… whatever you can think of that keeps you moving!

Remember that every little bit counts when it comes to keeping fit, and make sure to take time to care for yourself over the next few weeks.

Most importantly, wishing you a safe and happy holiday from yourInsahyu Training and Therapy team!

Please check out our fitness tips on our YouTube channel: Simple Workout Don’t forget to share and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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 204-999-0933 for athletic therapy consultation.

Disclaimer: Information in this article is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding an injury or medical condition.

Written by: Taylor Post BA-Kin, CAT(C) Certified Athletic Therapist

To view other articles, please visit www.insahyu.com Services we offer at Insahyu Training & Therapy: St. James area near MacDon and Boeing

insahyu_ thrpy&insahyu_training

Insahyu Training & Therapy page

We direct bill to MPI, WCB, Manitoba Blue Cross and Great-West Life.

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

250 Saulteaux on Murray Industrial Park Athletic Therapy Kinesio-tape First Aid and CPR classes Athletic Taping Custom Fitted Orthotics Personal Training Group fitness classes

Love the GAME www.angperyodiko.ca December 16-31, 2017

Sports

NBA: The Lakers Want LaVar Ball to shut up for Lonzo’s benefit

Three months into Lonzo Ball’s rookie season in the NBA, it seems the Los Angeles Lakers have had enough of his father’s hectoring.

A report from ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne published on Wednesday morning claimed the Lakers front office met with LaVar “within the past few weeks” to discuss “toning down” his public criticism of head coach Luke Walton.

LaVar called the Lakers’ coaching staff “soft” in November, amid his son’s shooting struggles. “They’re [the Lakers staff] soft. They don’t know how to coach my son.

I know how to coach him,” Ball said in quotes reported

by Bleacher Report. “I tell him to go get the victory.

Stop messing around.”

Walton responded by praising LaVar’s achievements as a father. “I will say this: I think he has done a phenomenal job as a father with Lonzo because Lonzo is a special young man,” Walton told Sports Illustrated on November 21. “He’s self-

Phoenix vows to compete with PBA’s best MANILA, Philippines – After a disappointing campaign in the 2017 PBA Governors’ Cup, the Phoenix Fuel Masters are confident that they can have a better showing in the new season of the league.

The Fuel Masters labored to a 2-9 record in the season-ending conference, and finished 11th out of 12 teams, thereby missing the playoffs. Management was quick to make changes: Ariel Vanguardia and his coaching staff stepped down, making way for former Alaska deputy Louie Alas to take the head-coaching job in Phoenix.

“We are determined to win,” said Phoenix team governor Raymond Zorrilla on Wednesday during the league’s press conference at Okada Manila.

“We enlisted two new coaches, longtime deputy Louie Alas and NCAA achiever Topex Robinson,” he said. “And then we drafted Jason Perkins, the standout from La Salle.”

Aside from selecting Perkins, the franchise also made some “minor trades” for what other teams may consider as “minor players.” However, Zorrrilla is confident that these so-called minor players will flourish in Phoenix.

“For us, they would give

good quality minutes,” said Zorrilla, whose squad acquired LA Revilla, Kia’s disgruntled point guard, in exchange for rookie Jayson Grimaldo and a future draft pick.

The moves they made in the offseason prove that Phoenix is determined to compete in the PBA, said Zorrilla, despite the presence of powerhouse squads such as San Miguel, Barangay Ginebra, and TNT KaTropa.

“I think we’re all in agreement here that we’re not just sitting idle,” said the team executive. “We’re not here to lose.

We’re aiming to win.”

Zorrilla did acknowledge that the three aforementioned teams should be considered

as favorites for the upcoming All-Filipino Cup – an opinion shared by most of the PBA governors. Nevertheless, he insists that this does not automatically mean that one of them will emerge as champions.

“It’s just conceding that they are the strongest team,” he said. “But it does not necessarily follow that they’ll be the champions, always.”

Zorrilla will have a chance to see how his retooled squad will compete against the PBA elite immediately, as Phoenix opens its All-Filipino Cup campaign against three-time defending champion San Miguel Beer on December 17.- Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

19 Ang Peryodiko

less, he’s unselfish, his teammates love him, he cares about them, he plays the right way. So he’s done a great job with that, but we’re not concerned with what parents think of how we’re coaching the team.”

LaVar’s outbursts, and Lonzo’s upand-down performances, have been features of one of the most heavily scrutinized rookie seasons in history. Lonzo had one of his better nights as a Laker so far against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night with 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists, although he was eventually overshadowed by a monster game from Kristaps Porzingis as the Lakers lost for the first time in three games.

And still, the story on Wednesday morning revolved around LaVar’s influence. “It [the meeting with the Lakers] was the best thing, man,” Ball told ESPN, confirming that a meeting had taken place. “Everybody’s going to try to make it an ego thing, like I’m trying to tell them what to do or they’re trying to tell me to tone it down. It’s not about that. It’s about coming together and to get a solution to this problem.”

Ball added, “I really just want the best for Lonzo, and the best for Lonzo is going to be what’s best for the organization.” That, at least, appears to be hard to contradict. Whether LaVar and the Lakers are going to be good for each other—and hence good for Lonzo—remains to be seen.-Teddy Cutler, Newsweek

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www.angperyodiko.ca n December 16-31, 2017

Aiai Delas Alas ties the knot with Gerald Sibayan

It was a wedding fit for a Queen!

Award-winning comedienne Aiai Delas Alas walked down the aisle today, December 12 to marry her long-time boyfriend Gerald Sibayan.

Aiai first admitted her relationship with Gerald in September 2014 and the couple got engaged in April this year.

The ceremony was a starstudded event with several big names from GMA Network and ABS-CBN attending the nuptial.

Some of the celebrities spotted in the event are Kapamilya TV host Sharon Cuneta, Ogie

Alcasid with wife Regine Velasquez-Alcasid and the Kapuso primetime couple Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera.

In addition, GMA Network Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon and Kapuso lady executive Marivin Arayata witnessed the Comedy Queen’s wedding.

Regal Films’ Ms. Roselle Monteverde and APT Entertainment chairman Antonio P. Tuviera were also in attendance.

Congratulations and more power to Mr. and Mrs. Sibayan!By Aedrianne Acar

Community Ang Peryodiko

PEOPLE, places & events

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www.angperyodiko.ca December 16-31, 2017

The Manitoba Association of Filipino Teachers Inc. (MAFTI) Celebrates Its 40th Anniversary

By Gemma D. Dalayoan Photos courtesy of Jasmine Masangcay and Rene Castro MAFTI’s 40th Anniversary was held on December 9, 2017 at Canad Inns on McPhillips St. with 140 attendees. The event included the induction of officers and awarding of members who have significantly contributed to the successful implementation of MAFTI’s programs namely: the teaching of Filipino Language After- School Program to children from Grade 2-6 in some elementary schools in the Winnipeg School Division, promoting Filipino music such as the Rondalla (string instruments), Adult and Youth Filipino classes, Theatrical Arts, and other projects such as Professional Workshops and Accreditation help for new teachers.

Julie Mandac gave the Opening Prayers followed by a Welcome Address by the new MAFTI president Genalyn Aseron Tan, then greetings of the following: Hon. Kevin Lamoureux, representing the Federal government, Hon. Jon Reyes, for the Provincial government, Councillor Mike Pagtakhan for the City of Winnipeg. Induction of the newly-elected officers by Councillor Mike Pagtakhan ensued.

Newly- elected president, Genalyn Aseron Tan gave appreciation or recognition awards to the founders of MAFTI namely: Julie Mandac, Gemma Dalayoan, Caridad Rino, Cory Juan, and Jenny Hernaez de Juan. However, the loyalty awards went to Gemma Dalayoan, 3 times president of MAFTI, Julie Mandac, 2xMAFTI president, and Caridad Rino, Board member. Jasmine Masangcay and Mary Jane Napolitano also received the service award.

Cris Aglugub, a former MLA of the Maples, was also given a plaque of appreciation for being instrumental in the founding of MAFTI in 1977. He was the president of the Philippine Association of Manitoba (PAM), and along with his key officers that included Rod Cantiveros, the late Dante Buenaventura, Clara Orallo and others, made a resolution for the founding of an association that would promote the Filipino cultural heritage.

The presidential awards were given by the outgoing president, Ernesto Ofiaza Jr, assisted by Gemma Dalayoan, Internal Consultant and Adviser of MAFTI. Recipients of the presidential awards were the following: Genalyn Tan, Chair of the 40th anniversary and incoming MAFTI president, Jasmine Masangcay, Clarita Manzano, Beatriz Monge, Mary Jane Napolitano, Girlie Lozada, Portia Malolos, Julie Mandac, Carrie Barroga, Gemmarose Claveria, Asela Banares, Merlito Garcia, Rene Castro and Gemma Dalayoan.

Government officials that graced the occasion were the following: Honourable Kevin Lamoureux, MP for the North, Hon. Cindy Lamoureux, MLA for Burrows, Hon. Jon Reyes, MLA of St. Norbert, Hon. Bernadette Smith, MLA of Point Douglas, Hon. Matt Wiebe, MLA for Concordia, Hon. Ted Marcelino, MLA for Burrows, Hon. Flor

tions were done by Rene Castro.

Closing remarks was done by Gemma Dalayoan thanking all who had supported the event.

Photo booth was manned by Nelson Manalili. Mabuhay TV led by Lourdes Fideres covered most parts of the program.The program was emceed by Mary Marcelino, MLA for Logan, Hon. Wab Kinew, MLA for Fort Rouge, NDP leader and Derek Dabee, Chairperson of the Seven Oaks School Division. They, as well as the attendees, enjoyed dancing with music provided by the Traffic Jamm.

A pink three- layer cake served as a centre piece that was cut after the Induction of the officers. Entertainment was provided by 8 MAFTI dancers dressed in Santa Clause led by Catherine Ofiaza as well as a vocal solo from Dr. Tricia Magsino Bernabe. Jasmine Masangcay presented a comprehensive video of many activities of MAFTI over the years. Colourful decora-

President Genalyn Tan, newly-elected president awardees: Cris Aglubub, Cory Juan, Caridad Rino, Jenny Hernaez de Juan, Julie Mandac, Jasmine Masangcay, Mary Jane Napolitano, Gemma Dalayoan

Jane Napolitano. MAFTI members and guests ,such as the Hon. Wab Kinew, Opposition Leader and his wife Lisaenjoyed dancing to the upbeat music of the Traffic Jamm till 11:30 p.m. The event was thoroughly enjoyed by the members, their family, and guests.

Hon. Wab Kinew, NDP Opposition leader and his wife Lisa posing with Gemma Dalayoan and Jimmy and Genalyn Tan

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God wants from us? Micah 6:8 gives us the answer. This verse has been called the heart of Old Testament religion and the greatest verse in all the Old Testament.

It sums up what God really wants from you and me. This is the kind of verse we ought to commit to memory, write out on a card, and put it in our mirror so we can look at it every day. It tells us exactly what God looks for in our life. “...O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right (act justly), to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” People have tried all kinds of ways to please God (Micah 6: 6,7), but God has made His wishes clear: He wants His people to do what is right (act justly), love mercy and walk humbly with Him! God is just—he is absolutely fair and righteous in all his dealings.

He gives to each person exactly what they deserve.

Justice means “treating people right because you know God.” In the Bible this concept is applied in some very concrete ways: caring for the poor, remembering the widows and orphans, speaking the truth, paying a fair wage, having honest scales, no cheating, no extortion, and refusing to take advantage of the less fortunate.

For us at Christmastime justice certainly means doing right to the less fortunate because we know God. What God wants for Christmas is for His people to do what is right (act justly).

God wants us to love mercy; to be merciful. This speaks of the way we treat others. It means loving the unlovely even

when they don’t love us back. It speaks to our obligation to care for people who don’t care for us. Here’s a simple definition of mercy: Doing unto others as God has done unto you. Think back across the last 12 months.

How has God treated you this year?

Has God blessed you? Then bless others. Has God forgiven you? Then forgive others. Has God lifted you up when you were down? Then lift others up when they are down. Has God overlooked your faults? Then overlook the faults of others.

The word translated “mercy” is elsewhere translated as “lovely” or “beautiful.” Here is a quality that will make you beautiful to others. Show mercy and people will think you are beautiful!

We need mercy at Christmastime, don’t we? If God has been merciful to you this year, be merciful to those around you.

God wants us to walk humbly. It means to walk “modestly” or “carefully.” It speaks of an attitude that is the opposite of pride.

What is humility? It’s having a right view of yourself because you have a right view of God. Humility does not mean saying, “I’m a nothing. I’m a worm. I’m useless.” That’s not humility, that’s self-pity, which is really another form of pride. And what is pride? It’s having too large a view of yourself because you have too small a view of God. When your God is big, you will be small, and pride will be impossible.

This is humility. “God made me and I belong to him. Every good thing I have in life is a gift from the Almighty. Some have more, some have less. It matters not to me. I thank God for what I have and I’m going to do the best I can with what God has given me, and I’m going to leave the outcome with him.”

If we live that way, it will save us so much trouble. We won’t have to get into a power game at work or live in the rat-

race or sell our convictions to get ahead. We won’t get angry at the silly comments people make. Humility enables us to be who we are in Christ. And we don’t have to worry about what others think.

What does God want from us this year at Christmastime?

Justice … Mercy … Humility.

Rightly understood, those three words form the sum total of our Christian duty. If we have those things, God will be pleased. If we don’t, nothing else makes much difference.

The religion God approves is the religion of the heart! Outward religion is useless unless the heart belongs to God. He wants the real you—the person on the inside. You can fake a lot of religious activity. But the heart doesn’t lie.

What does God want from me at Christmastime (and every other day as well)? Justice...

Mercy... Humility.... These are matters of the heart.

This is why Jesus Came.

Matthew 12:18 says, “He will proclaim justice to the nations.”

When Mary sang of Jesus birth, she said, “His mercy extends to those who fear him” and “He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble” (Luke 1:50,52) This is the heart of the gospel. What God requires, he first gives to us. He came to establish justice. He came to show mercy.

He came to lift up the humble.

To all our faithful readers, HAVE A CHRIST-CENTERED CHRISTMAS AND A HOPEFILLED NEW YEAR! (Pastor Fred Sebastian serves the Church of the Living Hope, 235 Enniskillen Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Pastor Fred invites you to Celebrate Christmas with the church family on Sunday, December 24, beginning at 10:00 AM. Enjoy the Word, Contemporary Christmas and Worship Songs and Christmas lunch! For more information: 204.633.2230/20 4.952.4460)

lamoureux...

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sebastian...

www.angperyodiko.ca n December 16-31, 2017

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tants. In particular, witnesses highlighted the vulnerability of those with “precarious immigration status”, a term encompassing all forms of temporary immigration status, noting that these individuals are more likely to pay thousands of dollars to consultants for false promises of permanent residency.”

MP Elizabeth May who is the Leader of the Green Party said: “The ones that come to us, after an immigration consultant has ‘helped’ the applicant, are the hardest to unravel, with the multiple mistakes that have been made.”

Serge Cormier, Liberal Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration “I want to assure the members of this House that the government takes very seriously the protection of the public from cases of unprofessional or unethical practices. There is a strong need to ensure that practitioners operate in a professional and ethical manner, that public confidence and program integrity are maintained, and that the interests of newcomers and applicants who wish to retain the services of consultants, are protected. One such damaging activity can include acting as a so-called “ghost consultant”, that is, providing or offering to provide advice or representation for a fee at any stage of an immigration application or proceeding without being authorized to do so.”

NDP MP Jenny Kwan stated: “For many of the individuals, immigrating to Canada is not an easy journey. The immigration process is often difficult and complex, so some have sought the help of third parties such as family members, friends, lawyers, or immigration consultants. Sadly, in some of these cases, unscrupulous representa-

tives take advantage of those individuals’ dreams of having a better life for themselves and their families.”

During the debate, one of the things that I stated was: “If we have constituents who require or are looking for assistance because maybe they have gotten married, adopted a child, or are sponsoring a person through any of several streams either directly or indirectly, one of the first stops they should consider is their local member of Parliament’s office. All services provided by MP offices are free.”

The good news is that after many years, it appears that there is great interest in dealing with the exploitation that is taking place today because Canada’s standing committee on immigration tabled a report called “Improving Government Oversight of Immigration Consultants”.

This report has many recommendations including my favourite: “That the Government of Canada create, by statute, an independent public-interest body empowered to regulate and govern the profession of immigration consultants; and that the mandate of the new regulatory body include: protection of the public by maintaining high ethical standards, so as to preserve the integrity of the system; and, protection of applicants from exploitation by maintaining high standards of competence and encouraging reasonable fees for services rendered. To avoid actual or apparent conflicts of interest, this new body should be accountable to a Minister other than the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.

This would be a government regulated body.”

If you have a story that you would like to share with me on this same issue, please email me at kevin@mpkevin.ca.

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voted yes, while four opposed it. In the House, 226 members supported the measure, while 23 voted against. The two chambers voted jointly on martial law issues.

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Senate President Aquilino Pimentel lll presided over the joint session. Majority leaders Vicente Sotto lll of the Senate and Rodolfo Fariñas of the House presented the motion to lengthen the imposition of martial law.

At the start of session, administration officials led by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea defended the President’s extension request.

Medialdea said the “Chief Executive and commander of all armed forces” was asking for an extension “despite great strides achieved by government forces in suppressing lawless violence and rebellion in Mindanao.”

He said that while the Mautes and other terrorist groups have been “substantially neutralized and the main battle area in Marawi City has been liberated, terrorist threats remain.”

“Remnants of these groups continue to rebuild through recruitment and training and fund-raising. They are consolidating their forces,” Medialdea said.

He added that the Islamic State (IS)-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters “continues to commit acts of violence, while the Abu Sayyaf remains a serious security concern.”

Medialdea pointed out that the New People’s Army (NPA) took advantage of the situation in Mindanao by stepping up its recruitment, training and offensive activities.

“In sum, the factual basis for martial law as affirmed by Congress and the Supreme Court continues to exist. There is still a state of rebellion ready to explode anew at any time,” he said. “Public safety requires the extension of martial law. We do not ask for an unlimited martial law. What we are seeking is unlimited peace,” he stressed.

Medialdea, assisted by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and other defense, security, intelligence and Cabinet officials, answered questions from senators and House members and addressed their concerns.

Their debates focused on the factual and constitutional bases for Duterte’s martial law extension request.

Questioning the President’s plea, Sen. Franklin Drilon called attention to the declaration made by Duterte in October that Marawi City “has been liberated from terrorist influence.” Philstar

December 16-31, 2017

n www.angperyodiko.ca

Would your financial plan survive

a serious illness?

Chances are pretty good that you or someone you know has been affected by a serious illness or cancer. The 2014 Sun Life Canadian Health Index™ revealed that 45% of the study’s respondents personally suffered at least one serious health event or accident. Almost half of all Canadians – 41% of females and 46% of males – will develop cancer in their lifetime.1 And it’s estimated someone dies from heart disease or stroke every seven minutes in Canada.2 The good news is that more people are surviving serious illnesses.

Are you prepared for the cost of getting better?

Recovering takes time and may also require a substantial amount of money.

While the healthcare system takes care of basic hospital and medical costs, there can be other incidental expenses which aren’t covered – everything from transportation and parking, to alternative medical treatments and drugs.

The 2014 Sun Life Canadian Health Index report also shows that many Canadians are unprepared for a major health event.

• 42% of those who suffered a serious health event experienced financial hardship.

• Only 12% of Canadians surveyed own

critical illness insurance.

Only 27% have a written financial plan.

Among those Canadians, 33% report that their plan includes health insurance.

Planning for the possibility of a serious health event can make it easier for you to manage health care expenses so you don’t have to worry about depleting your savings or adding debt.

Focus on recovery Could you manage your expenses for one to two years while you focus on getting better? In addition to your everyday living expenses, you may also have mortgage payments, house and car insurance, a vacation fund, retirement savings plan, education plans, and children’s activities.

If you’re unable to work and trying to focus on getting better, what would you be willing to give up? At first glance, it might seem easy to say you’d give up one or more items to relieve financial pressure.

But it could be a difficult decision to make, because they’re all important and giving up any of them can have a negative impact on your family.

Dealing with a critical illness at any age brings enough challenges and stress without adding financial difficulties to the mix.

Being prepared for a serious health event can make it easier for you to focus on

getting better instead of worrying about money. If there was a way to protect your financial plans, would you consider it?

What does critical illness insurance do?

Critical illness insurance is designed to help meet the immediate financial needs associated with a serious illness. If you become sick with an illness covered by your policy and survive the waiting period, you receive a lump sum cash payment – you decide how to spend the money.

Having coverage can make it easier for you to manage and maintain your everyday expenses. Your spouse could also take time off work more easily to help provide care. Being prepared to cover these expenses can help keep your family’s life as normal as possible.

A review of your overall financial plan should include a discussion about critical illness insurance. There are options available that include a return of premiums paid if the insurance isn’t needed. Call me to discuss the choices available to help ensure your family and financial futures are secure.

1Canadian Cancer Society’s Advisory, Committee on Cancer Statistics. Canadian Cancer Statistics 2013. Toronto, ON: Canadian Cancer Society; 2013.

2Statistics Canada. (2011c, October). Mortality, summary list of causes 2008.

23 TESS AVISO-NEWTON

Financially sound (This information is provided by Tess Newton Financial Services Inc., representing Sun Life Financial. As a Financial Advisor, Tess is self-employed and operates her own business. She is also a Commissioner of Oath for the Province of Manitoba.)

Without a plan healthcare expenses, Canadians had to find other ways to deal with expenses related to a major health event:

27% turned to credit cards or personal lines of credit

33% tapped into personal savings including RRSPs

12% borrowed from family or friends

7% were forced to remortgage or sell their home

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www.angperyodiko.ca n December 16-31, 2017