Volume 14 • No. 2 • January 16 - 31, 2018 Publication Mailing Account #41721512
Liza Soberano
Traslación Millions join procession of the Black Nazarene
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Filled with scenes of despair, sacrifice, and other melodramatic displays of emotions, the Traslación is almost surreal. (Photo by Leilani Junio) See more photos by Irving Tan, “Millions...” p7 MANILA – Millions of devotees from all over the country, many of them barefoot, trooped to Manila to participate in this year’s Traslacion (procession) of the Black Nazarene on January 9. According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), the crowd had grown to an estimated four million by 5:00 p.m., and it was expected to grow well into the night. The PNP said all in all, the annual religious pilgrimage attracted between 18 million and 16 million people, including those who had just gone to the
Quiapo Church and those who joined the pahalik (kiss) ritual at the Quirino Grandstand. National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Oscar Albayalde declared the Traslacion “generally peaceful,” with no untoward incident occurring from the time it started at 5:00 a.m. and ended at 3:00 a.m. on January 10. Mobile phone signal was jammed in Manila and some surrounding areas as directed by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC). The PNP had earlier asked the
NTC to implement the measure in order to prevent terror attacks, although PNP director general Ronald dela Rosa had said there was “no clear and present danger” threatening the Traslación. The Traslación is held every January in honour of the Black Nazarene, a 500-year-old image that was brought to the Philippines from Mexico. Devotees flock to the annual procession in the hope of touching the image, believing that doing so brings blessing and answers to their prayers. – Jon Joaquin
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As small as Samson Here’s one question I’ve had for a long time: Why does Superman have such a muscular physique? He’s super strong, so nothing is heavy for him. In one cartoon he actually pushed the entire earth to save it from something (I can’t remember what now). Batman affirmed this fact in the new Justice League movie when he said Superman was “stronger than a planet.” If that’s the case, how could he have built all those muscles? What did he lift on a daily basis to make himself look like Arnold Schwarzenegger? Could he have been pressing planets, or moons, or asteroids? We can only speculate. But there’s one thing I’m sure of: Superman doesn’t have to be that ripped. He could be a scrawny 50-pound skeleton of a man or an extremely overweight Jabba the Hut — or he can look like a regular Juan de la Cruz like you and me — and still beat his nemeses. In fact, if I were Superman I would purposely keep myself out of shape in order to confuse my enemies and to make them feel bad about themselves because they were beaten by an average-looking guy. You know who else felt bad that they were being beaten by an average-looking guy? The ancient Philistines. You know this story from the Bible, but I bet you missed one important detail, one that can change your view of yourself and how you fit in God’s plan. When you think of the biblical character Samson, you immediately think of how he
has been depicted through the ages: a muscular man, sort of like Superman, but wearing a robe. Movies and television shows have shown him that way, with actors like Victor Mature (left) and Eric Thai (right) portraying him as a buff hero. And now there’s a new movie coming, starring Taylor James reprising the role in similar fashion. But did you know that there is no actual description of Samson’s body in the Bible? He could have looked like Victor Mature or Eric Thai or Taylor James, but he could equally have looked like any person you meet on the street. He could have even looked like you or me. We do know a few things about Samson from the Book of Judges. First of all God made him strong, and He used that strength against the Philistines who were oppressing the Israelites at the time: 14:19 — Then the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him. He went down to Ashkelon, struck down thirty of their men. 15:14,15 — As he approached Lehi, the Philistines came toward him shouting. The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him. The ropes on his arms became like charred flax, and the bindings dropped from his hands. Finding a fresh jawbone of a donkey, he grabbed it and struck down a thousand men. In chapter 16, when Samson fell in love with the Philistine woman Delilah, the rulers of her people came to her and said, “See if you can lure him into showing
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Samson slaying the lion - by Peter Paul Rubens, 1628 you the secret of his great strength and how we can overpower him so we may tie him up and subdue him.” (verse 5). Here we get a clue: Samson’s strength was such a puzzle to the Philistines that they had to bribe Delilah to find out why he was so strong. This tells us that his looks did not match his strength. Now of course that doesn’t automatically mean Samson was scrawny or out of shape; after all, killing a thousand men would still have been a miracle for even the most muscular of men. But while we don’t know how Samson looked like, wouldn’t it be so like God to choose “the foolish things of this world to shame the wise” and “the weak things of the world to shame the strong” (1 Corinthians 1:27)? Now why should it matter how Samson looked? I think one of the lessons we miss in reading this
account is that God uses people no matter how lowly they seem to be and, in Samson’s case, how flawed they are. That should make a huge difference in how we see ourselves and ultimately in how we act. If God can use someone like Samson — average looking, overly emotional, morally weak — then He can use any of us. And given how Samson’s life ended (read the rest of chapter 16), it’s also a cautionary tale. We can be too confident in our calling that we throw away our purpose in life. God’s will is still accomplished, but at what cost for us? The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the original author, and do not necessarily represent those of the Pilipino Express publishers. Jon Joaquin is the Chief Editor of www.mindanation.com. E-mail Jon at jonjoaquin@gmail. com.
(and other New Year rituals)
divine blessings? At any rate, both New Year celebrations have one thing in common – merrymaking. The Chinese invented gunpowder not for warfare but simply to amuse themselves and to create noise that would scare away evil spirits. While firecrackers are popping on the street, a makebelieve dragon of cloth and paper winds its way around the Chinese districts. The closest Christian Filipinos can get to this would be the start of the procession of the Black Nazarene of Quiapo on January 9 after the nine-day novena. In Minalin, Pampanga, a festival called Aguman Sanduc is held, the highlight of which is the coronation of the Reynang Sanduc. The sanduc is the instrument used for cooking, but the contest is not an ordinary beauty contest – as the name of the festival may suggest
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Men dressed as women on New Year The coming of New Year is always a time of hope. People forget the negative events of the past year and look forward to a better one. If one was prosperous, one wished for greater prosperity or at least the same good fortune. Over the years, certain practices have developed into New Year rituals in an effort to ensure the blessings for the coming year. Some call this superstition, but for many Filipinos it is part of a tradition that marks the end of the present and the advent of the future. Objectively, it is absurd to think that certain behaviour on January 1 would affect the whole year. The Chinese have a different New Year from ours because they follow the lunar and not the Gregorian calendar. So, does one have to participate in both New Year celebrations to be sure of
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– because the contestants are all males! This celebration, which dates back to the pre-war era, is unique in that no transvestites and homosexuals join. Professionals and civic, religious, and town leaders participate in a bizarre gesture of machismo. The Pampanga male does not fear losing his masculinity by parading around town on a float dressed in his wife’s clothes. On the contrary, this is supposed to be proof of his masculinity. Minaleños claim that there are no homosexuals in their town. The festival starts in the late afternoon of January 1 when the floats go around the town to give people a chance to pick their favourites. The most macholooking man who can appear “beautiful” becomes the winner. In the evening, the Reynang Sanduc
is proclaimed and he runs off with his cash prize, crown, cape, and his sceptre sanduc for which the festival is named. The majority of Filipinos welcome the New Year on the eve of January 1 by waiting for the stroke of twelve midnight during which they light firecrackers and make noise. Manila is usually deserted since many people have gone back to their provinces. The affluent ones spend New Year in Hong Kong or attend New Year’s Eve balls and shows in five-star hotels or membersonly clubs. Others stay home with their families, following the superstition that a family that stays together on the first day of January will stay together the whole year round. There is a prevailing belief that what one feels at the start of See AMBETH p21
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DALE BURGOS JB CASARES ANNE CAPRICE B. CLAROS YVANNE DANDAN ETHEL CLEMENTE FERNANDEZ BRO. GERRY GAMUROT NORMAN ACERON GARCIA MICHELE MAJUL-IBARRA PERLA JAVATE JUDIANNE JAYME PASTOR JUNIE JOSUE NOEL LAPUZ JON MALEK ALONA MERCADO LUCILLE NOLASCO CST. REY OLAZO PAQUITO REY PACHECO DR. REY PAGTAKHAN CHERYL DIZON REYNANTE TIM ST. VINCENT MICHAEL SCOTT RON URBANO KATHRYN WEBER Youth Contributors Aksyon Ng Ating Kabataan (ANAK) Philippine Correspondents CRISTY FERMIN JON JOAQUIN AMBETH R. OCAMPO
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News flash: French fries won’t help you get pregnant Ate Anna: My husband and I have been trying to get pregnant for months and so far have not been able to. I heard that if I eat French fries after we are intimate, that will increase the chances of me being pregnant. I have been eating so many French fries! Still not pregnant. Am I doing something wrong? Signed, Full on French Fries Dear French Fries, I am sorry to hear of your difficulties becoming pregnant. Before we talk about French fries, it would be good to talk first about how pregnancy happens. Pregnancy can happen when a sperm and an egg cell meet inside the reproductive system of a female body. This may sound very clinical – let me break it down. Inside the female body is the reproductive system, made up of the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, fallopian tubes and
vagina. Egg cells are very small – so small you can’t see them – and are stored in the ovaries. About once a month, an egg cell is released. The egg cell travels through the fallopian tubes and into the uterus, where it attaches to the lining of the uterus. If sperm meets the egg cell during this process, the egg cell can become fertilized and pregnancy begins. If no sperm meets the egg cell, the egg cell is released via a process called menstruation, about once per month. Please keep in mind that every body is different, and different bodies may experience a different schedule than this. Sperm are produced in the testes of male bodies. Testes (informally called “balls”) are part of the male reproductive system. When a male gets sexually excited, they may get an erection (their penis gets hard). When this happens, semen, which is the fluid containing sperm, can travel from the testes out of the penis in a process called ejaculation. If
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the penis is in or near a vagina, and if the sperm enter the vaginal canal, the sperm can then make a swimming motion to travel through the vagina, through the cervix and into the uterus area. If this sperm attaches to an egg cell, fertilization can happen and pregnancy may begin. What you eat after sex has nothing to do with this process, and eating French fries does not increase your chances of getting pregnant. If you are actively trying to become pregnant, Planned Parenthood suggests knowing and acting on your ovulation schedule in order to increase your chances. You can find more information on this at plannedparenthood.org, or you can talk to your health care practitioner. SERC also has a fact sheet on fertility awareness you can access on line at www.serc. mb.ca. If you keep having difficulties getting pregnant, we recommend you talk to your health care practitioner. They may be able to assist by running tests or by offering services such as in vitro fertilization. Also, other parenting options are also available, including adoption. For more information on this you can go to this website https://www.gov. mb.ca/fs/childfam/adoption.html. Ate Anna wishes you all the best! Ate Anna welcomes your questions and comments. Please write to: Ate Anna, Suite 200226 Osborne St. N., Winnipeg, MB R3C 1V4 or e-mail: info@ serc.mb.ca. Please visit us at www.serc.mb.ca. You will find reliable information and links for many resources on the subject of sexuality.
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The sponsorship of parents and grandparents was reopened on January 2, 2018. The first step to sponsorship is to submit a notice interest online. The opportunity to do this will close at noon EST on February 2, 2018. You have about two weeks left to submit your interest and, yes, it appears that the same lottery system is being used for selection this year. IRCC will select only 10,000 submissions and invite them to submit paper applications to sponsor respective parents or grandparents. If you check the online process, it is important to determine if the applicant is inadmissible or not based on criminality, health or security reasons, and also if the Canadian sponsor meets eligibility requirements. You can sponsor a parent or grandparent if you are 18 years of age or older, living in Canada and are a Canadian citizen or persons registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act or a permanent resident of Canada. In addition you must meet and surpass the income requirements for sponsors for the three previous income tax years. Check the following table for sponsorship
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of parents and grandparents and ensure that the applicants be added to your family size. In other words, a family of three who are sponsoring both parents must meet the income requirements for five. (See the table on this page.) It is not enough for sponsors to be children or grandchildren of the applicants or have sufficient income. You may not be eligible to sponsor if you are in prison, have defaulted in payments to the federal government, have an in-force bankruptcy, receive government financial assistance for reasons other than a disability, have defaulted on court-ordered support payments, such as alimony or child support; have defaulted on support payments for previous sponsorship cases; or were convicted of a violent criminal offence or sexual offence depending upon circumstances such as the nature of the offence, how long ago it occurred or whether you have a record suspension, formerly known as a pardon for the offence. There is no guarantee of selection even if you meet all the sponsorship requirements. But if you do not try, then you have no one to blame but yourself. It
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Sponsorship of parents & grandparents reopens for 2018 Federal Income Table for Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship
The Minimum Necessary Income requirement, which you must meet for each of the three years preceding the date of your application, is equal to the Low Income Cut-Offs (LICO) plus 30%. You must provide must provide proof of income from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for the taxation years of 2016, 2015 and 2014. is important that all submissions be truthful and complete. The government is committed to the reunification of families but there is a cap to submissions. Persons who do not fit the above requirements may still be able to bring in their parents and grandparents as visitors or
under a Super Visa. If you do not understand your options or the requirements of the sponsorship of parents and grandparents, you should consult a licensed consultant or immigration lawyer. Michael Scott is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC, R525678)
who has 30 years of experience with Canada Immigration and the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program. He currently works as a licensed consultant with R.B. Global Immigration Consultants Ltd. 204-691-1166 or 204-227-0292. E-mail: mscott. ici@gmail.com.
Seven self-care tips to try in 2018 Taking care of oneself – mind, body, and soul – is always worth prioritizing. Goal-driven individuals like you and I have jam-packed schedules: school, work, projects, volunteer, and somewhere in there, squeezing in a social life. It can be easy to neglect taking care of ourselves as we try to keep up the juggling act of balancing our priorities. However, failing to look after ourselves can significantly impact how we are able to give to the world and those around us. First off, what is self-care? Let me begin by saying what self-care is not: it is not about being selfish. Rather, self-care is about recharging, healing, and refreshing your spirit by making intentional decisions to take time for yourself. The impact of this “me time” eventually overflows into other areas of your life, quite naturally, if done right. “Other people benefit from your “me time” too. Do things that feed you mentally, emotionally, and spiritually and you’ll bring greater patience and positivity to your relationships.” – WebMD. So be mindful not to look at self-
care through the lens of guilt. “Be kinder to yourself and then let your kindness flood the world.” – Pema Chodron. Here are seven self-care tips I encourage you to incorporate in your life this new year: 1. Have “slow mornings” I just started this one this year and I absolutely love this! This tip involves waking up a bit earlier than usual and creating a morning routine that you would be excited to wake up to. For me this means waking up 30 minutes earlier than usual and now having the time to make my favourite breakfast and watch an episode or two of my favourite TV series as I get ready for my day - all without feeling rushed before heading out the door! 2. Practice meditation Learning how to stop, take a few breaths, and carry a lighter heart will allow you to more effectively perform during the rest of the day. One of my favourite apps for meditation is “Calm.” This app is so great because, not only does it have guided meditation, it has added features to assist in a more peaceful sleep or music for focused work time.
3. Make joy your compass This one’s simple: do things that bring more joy to your life. There’s no point wasting time doing anything else. 4. Finally do “that thing” you’ve always wanted to do. Maybe it was learning how to speak French or taking up kickboxing. Whatever it is, you owe it to yourself to finally do it! 5. Learn how to say “no” Whether it’s saying “no” to an invitation to hang out with friends because you know it’s probably better for you to get more sleep, or saying “no” to bad habits. Saying “no” to the world in order to say “yes” to soul is always a trade-off worth making. 6. Lift up your spirits daily We are creatures of habit, so why not create habits that yield positive outcomes? If we give ourselves words of encouragement on a regular basis, eventually we will carry ourselves with more confidence and joy. I want to invite you to have a daily positive dialogue with yourself to lift up your spirits. 7. Forgive yourself Life is a combination of
rise and fall and your story is no exception. Love yourself by learning to forgive yourself for any of the challenges to come. Be kinder to yourself and show yourself mercy as you would to a dear friend. There you go seven self-care tips to try in 2018! Of course, these are but a few ideas on how to enhance your self-care recipe this year. Above all, this article is a reminder that taking care of yourself is a priority. “You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first.” Wishing all of you the best year yet! Continue striving for
those goals and reaching for the stars. Yvanne enjoys empowering youth to discover their limitless potential in her current role as Program Manager with Career Trek Inc. She’s also an Independent Pop, R&B/Soul Singer-Songwriter and utilizes this platform to communicate messages dear to heart. Yvanne is a big encourager of following one’s dreams and supporting others along the way. She is happy to be sharing her thoughts and journey with readers of the Pilipino Express since her middle-school years.
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Millions join procession of the Black Nazarene
Photos by Irving Tan – see Traslación story on p1
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Yes, size matters in feng shui” We’ve often heard that size matters when it comes to more mundane things in life, such as bank accounts, cars, and other, ahem.. physical characteristics; but what about feng shui? Does a tiny object have as much effect as a small one? Or what about an overly large object – does its large size matter as much as small ones’? The answer is YES to all those questions. Size truly does matter – big and small – in feng shui. That’s true whether we’re talking about feng shui symbols, such as dragons or Kwan Kungs, or elements, like water or fire. It’s important to understand scale, too. Is there too much of a good thing? Absolutely! In the quest of achieving more fame, it might seem like more fire element is a good idea, but that could backfire on you just like too much water can drown all those ambitions for more money and climbing the heights of the business or career ladder. Follow these guidelines to understand the role of size in feng shui. Want more money? Add more water. The common question about water is how big a water feature should be? The answer is also a question: How much money do you want? If you’re like most people the answer is a lot of money. That’s why you need more water. If you’ve been relying on a tiny desktop water fountain to make big strides in finances, you might not like your bank account balance. Buy a ceramic pot and add a pump to it to generate more income. Make sure you have both a generating and accumulating part to your water feature – such as the bubbler and a bowl. Can there be too much water? Yes. A swimming pool steps from the door at the rear of the house can create loss, as can a fountain at the front that over-sized. Make sure your water feature is neither too small nor too big and that it looks right, and to scale, in your space. Only then will you have enough water to see the rise in your income that you want. Big symbols create big change. Very small items create small change. When you want a big
increase in your salary or a big promotion, for example, get a big dragon tortoise to create that leapfrog effect. Not only that, but a large dragon tortoise will bring you big support so that when you move into that new job, you’ll have good support and backing from your superiors. Give yourself a chance at what you want to achieve by adding sizable symbol where it can really have an affect on what you’re going after. A nice sized plant or a green accent wall will help your health more than a small plant. When you want big change, go for big symbols. Fire elements should remain under control. This is one element where you don’t want to “go big.” In fact, just the smallest spark can create a massive blaze. That’s why having a red kitchen is never a good idea – it can create too much fire, and too much fire can burn down the house. Fire can be used in small doses to be effective. A fireplace, a red piece of décor, or a candle arrangement are all you need to add some fame and recognition energy to your home and life. Sizable effort. When you work on your feng shui on multiple levels, it adds up faster than moving a single item and expecting sweeping change in your life. Work on your feng shui from the inside out and the outside in. What that means is, adjust your mindset to “expectant detachment.” Keep your mind open to the possibility of the change you want, but not overly attached to it. Like a horse, chi will run away from overexpectation, like a horse will run from you if you chase it. After your mindset, apply feng shui to yourself; wearing colours that are harmonious with your kua number or that look auspicious. If you’ve gotten into a rut of wearing the same thing day after day until it’s almost a uniform, it’s time to refresh your chi. Try a new hairstyle, update your makeup, or shake up your wardrobe with a few new pieces. At home, make changes to your home to refresh its chi. Try re-arranging the furniture, painting, buying some new accent pieces or bedding. Refreshing your space can help you get going again simply by moving the chi! Create room to grow. When you buy clothes and shoes for children you often try to buy them just a bit bigger so your kids have “room to grow.” Adults don’t want to grow anymore physically, but they do spiritually, financially, they want to see their lives continue to evolve and improve with time. Often times, we become stuck. When that happens, our homes are usually too crammed full of stuff to let us grow and improve.
Give your home and your life some breathing room – and room to grow – by creating space. I prefer to “create space” than to “remove clutter.” That’s because we’re more oriented to acquiring things than getting rid of them. So give your home and life some more space, and watch as you become unstuck and that forward progress in your life begins again. FENG SHUI Q&A Question: My fireplace is at the foot of my bed. Is this good feng shui? What should I know about it? The last person who lived here died of cancer. Answer: This is worrisome to me. You have a couple of things going on here. The first is the fireplace at the foot of the bed. To me, this is a concern for a couple of reasons. The first is, as noted above, too much fire can be harmful. When your feet point directly at something, such as at a door opposite the bed or at a bathroom, this can be seriously draining on your health and wealth. Secondly, a fireplace can sometimes be a drain because of the flue. The flue
helps exhaust the smoke from the fireplace and can “exhaust” you while you sleep. The other thing that concerns me is that a fireplace opposite the bed can also trigger serious health concerns, and even more so if the fireplace is in a sector with dangerous earth stars. Or, if you have the fireplace going and the earth stars are visiting for the month or year, it can also pose a threat. This can set up a situation for major health, financial, or relationship problems, like divorce, cancer, heart problems, bankruptcy or major accident. The last thing – and possibly the most worrisome – is predecessor energy. Because you purchased this home from someone who lived here and who died of cancer, you will need to do a thorough cleansing/clearing of your space. Many times a type of energy just keeps repeating unless something is done to interrupt it or change it. What else can you do? The best solution is to be exactly sure where your bedroom is located by diagramming your home. Then, you’ll want to check the sector your bedroom is located in and check that for
difficult flying stars, or for annual stars to see what you’re dealing with both natally and with time dimension (flying stars). Try to move the bed so your feet don’t point toward the fireplace directly or that the fireplace is opposite the end of your bed. You can also cover up the fireplace or add a large footboard to the bed. Lastly, you may also want to consider a feng shui consultation. I think this would be the most helpful for you so you truly understand the house, your bedroom and the fireplace and how these all affect you. In some cases, a fireplace actually helps, but to be sure, you might want to get it checked out. Kathryn Weber is the publisher of the Red Lotus Letter Feng Shui E-zine and certified feng shui consultant in authentic Chinese feng shui. She has over 20+ years of feng shui study, practice and professional consultation. Kathryn helps her readers improve their lives and generate more wealth with feng shui. For more visit www. redlotusletter.com and learn the fast and fun way how feng shui can make your life more prosperous and abundant!
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With about 50 per cent of the working population struggling to pay their bills and stay on top of their debt, why is it that so few people seek out the professional assistance of a certified credit counsellor? I don’t know. But I do have some ideas on the topic, so here are my Top 10 Reasons Why People Don’t See credit counsellors (in no particular order). “I am too embarrassed by the trouble I am having,” often linked with “I don’t want anyone to know!” Don’t be embarrassed. I know, it’s more easily said than done. Just remember a few facts: 42 per cent of Canadians are stressed by their finances; 48 per cent of working Canadians say that if their pay was delayed just one week, they would have problems paying their bills. A staggering 50 per cent of Canadians say they live cheque to cheque. If half of the country is struggling with their debt, you’re in good company and have no reason to be embarrassed. We won’t share your information
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with anyone without your permission. So you don’t have to worry about anyone finding out that you came to see us for help. Everything is kept in the strictest of confidence. “I don’t want my credit rating to be affected!” Seeing a credit counsellor does not impact your credit score. We offer a large variety of services that have no impact on your credit, from budgeting advice and preparation to workshops and webinars. If you decide to go into a debt management program (DMP), then, there can be an impact to your credit rating; however, if you are in a situation where a DMP is a solution that will help you, the impact to your credit score may not be that significant; the odds are pretty good that your credit score has already been lowered because of the pressure it has been under from your financial challenges. Over time, the successful completion of a debt management program will actually help your credit score. “I don’t want an allowance; I don’t want to
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Top 10 reasons people don’t see credit counsellors – Part I be told how to spend my money.” We don’t tell you how to spend your money. Period. We will work with you on a budget and help how to address any financial challenges you are having. We may make some recommendations and suggestions to you, but you are in control of the situation and the decisions made about your money 100 per cent of the time. You are in the driver’s seat and controlling things, not us. “I don’t know how to budget; I am no good at it!” This is an easy one. Most of us aren’t good at budgeting – that is one of the many reasons why so many Canadians are struggling with their finances. Budgeting is part of a credit counsellor’s expertise; we will help you figure out how to budget and to set you up for success with your budgeting efforts. We have lots of tools and tips (and yes, if you want, Excel files too) designed just for you. “It’s too expensive. They are just going to try and sell me something, and give me
more credit to pay off old debt. It is just going to make things worse.” That is a very valid concern. Most of what we, and other non-profit credit counsellors can offer you is free. At the Credit Counselling Society we will not and do not offer loans or any form of credit as a way to pay off old debt. That can be like throwing an anchor to a drowning person! Not good. Our workshops are free, our webinars are free, our budgeting is free, our credit counselling is free. The only thing we charge a small fee for is if someone goes into a debt management program. (There is a $75 one-time set up fee, and a small monthly amount that varies by person.) Only about 9 per cent of the people who come to us qualify for a DMP and about 90 per cent of them complete the program and become consumer debt free. You absolutely should be concerned if someone wants to charge you large fees up front before they do any work for you. I would also be concerned
if a credit counsellor offered you more credit (a loan) to pay off old debt. To be clear, a consolidation loan can be a very good tool to handle and minimize debt. It is perfectly valid for a credit counsellor to suggest you see someone at a reputable financial institution to get a consolidation loan; the concern would be where the credit counsellor is trying to “sell” you a loan from their own company, or a related company. To me that is a profound conflict of interest and a sign of a major concern. A credit counsellor, in my opinion, should not be selling credit! I would immediately walk away from a situation like that! Tim St Vincent is a retired CFP and is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance with the Credit Counselling Society, a Non-Profit organization. If you wish to contact the Society for further information, assistance or to attend a webinar, please call 1-888-527-8999 or visit www.nomoredebts.org or www. mymoneycoach.ca.
PAGE 10
PEOPLE & EVENTS PILIPINO EXPRESS
JANUARY 16 - 31, 2018
New Year’s Eve cancelled The celebration of the New Year in the Philippines has all the noise and mayhem this year as it usually does, but there was one year when December 31 really was cancelled. In 1844, the last day of the year was skipped to correct a problem that had persisted for 300 years. It is a little known fact about Philippine history that the date for any given event during most of the colonial era is technically wrong. That’s because the Philippine calendar was out of sync with the rest of the world by one day – the parts of the world where the Gregorian calendar was used, that is. The mistake was a result of the route that Spanish ships travelled to get to Asia. Time travel An edict of Pope Alexander VI in 1493 drew a line down the middle of the Atlantic Ocean that divided the world for conquest between Spain and Portugal. All the lands to the east of the line were awarded to Portugal while everything to the west was for Spain. Not satisfied with having most of the Americas, Spain still wanted to have access to the valuable spice markets of Asia. So, to avoid their Portuguese rivals, the Spaniards had to travel west to get to the Far East. During their westward voyages to the Philippines, Spanish sailors of the 1500s naturally counted their days from the point when they left Spain, but they did not take into account the rotation of the Earth. Since they were, in effect, “chasing the sun,” each day was slightly longer than 24 hours. Each sunrise and sunset was a little later every day but without accurate clocks (they used sandfilled hourglasses), they were
unaware of this happening. As they travelled farther and farther west, their shipboard day was gradually shifting toward “tomorrow.” By the time they got to the Philippines, more than halfway around the Earth, they had gained more than half a day – about 17 hours – without knowing it. However, their calendars still showed the date as though they had never left Spain. Magellan loses a day This phenomenon was first noticed on Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition to Asia, but only after the few survivors of his fleet had almost completed the first ever voyage all the way around the world. Antonio Pigafetta, an Italian chronicler, kept scrupulous records of the entire three-year voyage, as did one of the pilots, Francisco Alba. When their ship Victoria stopped for supplies at the Cape Verde Islands off the west coast of Africa, they were sure that the date was Wednesday, July 9, 1522, but, to confirm the accuracy of their records, they asked one of the locals the date. They were very surprised when he told them that it was really Thursday, the 10th. They had travelled a whole day longer than their records showed. If Magellan’s crew had had a clock with them, they might have noticed that they were constantly adjusting it backward in order to keep its 12:00 noon in sync with the sun at its highest point each day. Eventually they would have turned it back a full 24 hours by the time they got home. Out of sync Losing track of a whole day worried Pigafetta and some of the crew when they realized that they had violated their
After sailing around the world from east to west, Magellan’s crew discovered that their calendar was one day behind Spain’s calendar. The error persisted throughout most of the colonial era. faith by eating meat on Fridays and observing Easter and the Sabbath on Mondays. However, the date shift was not much of an issue in the Philippines during most of the Spanish era because the colony had very little contact with countries other than Spain. Very few people circumnavigated the globe and most who returned to Spain went back eastward, so the effect was reversed for them. The confusion only arose when the Philippines opened up trade relations with its neighbours whose calendars were brought by other European nations that had come to Asia travelling eastward. For them, Asia was only seven hours ahead of Western Europe, not 17 hours behind, so the adjustment did not affect their calendars. Eventually even Spaniards were able to
make the eastward journey to the Philippines and some of them found it absurd that the date in the Philippines was a day behind everybody else. New Year’s Eve cancelled The man to straighten out the mess was the new governor of the Philippines in 1844, Narciso Clavería, whom some may remember from an earlier article as the governor who made family names mandatory for Filipinos with his Alphabetical Catalogue of Surnames. Clavería was a very practical, rational and meticulous man with a passion for order – a real micromanager. Apart from giving surnames to all Filipinos, he also rearranged the boundaries of many provinces to make governing them more efficient. He made the election
of certain officials fairer and he untangled many of the useless and contradictory laws that had been passed over the centuries. One of the first problems that Clavería addressed when he arrived in the islands in 1844 was to fix the Philippine calendar. After consulting with Manila Archbishop José Seguí, Clavería issued a decree on August 16, announcing that Monday, December 30, 1844, would be followed immediately by Wednesday, January 1, 1845. There was a New Year’s Eve, of course; there was just no December 31 in 1844. Since then, the Philippines have been in sync with the rest of Asia – on the calendar, at least. E-mail the author at feedback@pilipino-express.com or visit www.mts.net/~pmorrow.
Speak up, speak out! Last year, allegations of sexual harassment in the workplace deluged the headlines like a tidal wave. Many of the accusations originally focused on Hollywood, with Harvey Wenstein, head of the starmaking studio Miramax, at the centre of the storm. Actress Ashley Judd spoke out against her unpleasant encounter with Harvey way back in 1997, but the world really listened only recently. Since
then, may other women, and men, followed suit and courageously told their own horror stories. But it’s not just in the entertainment world, many other high profile men in various industries – including business, tech, politics and media – have since faced claims of sexual harassment and rape. But I don’t want to focus too much on these proven and yet-to-be-proven claims. Rather, I would like to emphasize the
bravery of the men and women who fearlessly spoke up and spoke out. Too many times if there are unjust happenings around us, many chose to keep silent and not be involved. From simple things to the most complex, some would rather look the other way and think “I don’t want to get involved,” “This is not my problem,” “The situation will resolve itself,” “I don’t really care about this,” “There’s nothing in it for me.” But you know what? Everything in this world is interconnected. We cannot really
say that something has nothing to do with us, or that someone is not really our concern. If we see someone being bullied or being mistreated, isn’t it better to help rather than turn our head the other way? If there is something that can bring the relief of happiness to people, isn’t it better to speak up for it? If someone is going overboard or being abusive, isn’t it better to speak out against it? We can choose not to be silent. We can choose to consciously speak up for the good, and speak out against
unkindness and thoughtlessness in this world. 2018 has just begun, it’s not too late to include this in our numerous resolutions. Don’t you think? Lucille Nolasco is an announcer and creative writer at CKJS Radio 810 AM in Winnipeg. She hosts Afternoon Pasada, Monday through Friday, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. She is an ardent believer that “health is wealth” and she is a certified Zumba instructor. You can send your message or comments to Lucille at lucillern@gmail.com.
JANUARY 16 - 31, 2018
PILIPINO EXPRESS
PAGE 11
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PILIPINO EXPRESS
JANUARY 16 - 31, 2018
• Nadine Lustre – Siya lang ang mananagot sa kaniyang mga aksyon • Sharon Cuneta – 40 years na sa showbiz, Megastar pa rin! • Angelica Panganiban – Pinaasa sa wala ni John Lloyd • Julia Montes – Seloso si Coco, maraming bawal gawin sa pelikula • Kathryn Bernardo – Napakaganda, mahal na mahal ng camera • Kris Aquino – Kahit walang work, hindi kayang ubusin ang yaman Ang palutang ni Nadine Lustre ay hindi siya naaapektuhan ng anumang negatibong komentong nababasa niya sa social media. Balewala lang daw sa kaniya ang mga ganoon dahil may sariling utak siya para patakbuhin ang kaniyang buhay. Pero habang nagsasabi naman ng ganoon ang young actress ay panay-panay ang patol niya sa kaniyang mga bashers. Nakikipag-argumento siya palagi na ang kinuuwian ay nakikipagaway na siya. Ang taong hindi naaapektuhan sa kaniyang mga nababasa ay tahimik lang, mas kilala niya ang kaniyang sarili, kaya wala siyang dapat ipaliwanag kaninuman. Pero tao lang din naman kasi si Nadine na umaaray kapag sobrasobra na ang mga negatibong komentong ipinupukol laban sa kaniya. May damdamin ang tao, nasasaktan kapag nasosobrahan na sa mga tinatanggap niyang masasakit na salita, ganoon ang nangyayari kay Nadine Lustre. Pero dahil kilala siyang personalidad ay dapat ding binabantayan ni Nadine ang kaniyang mga salita at galaw. Doon kasi siya mamarkahan ng publiko. Konting ingat sa pagbibitiw ng mga salita dahil baka sa bandang dulo ay siya pa mismo ang magpahamak sa kaniyang sarili. Walang masama sa pagsagot, wala ring masama sa pagbibigay ng opinyon at saloobin, basta handa rin si Nadine Lustre sa magiging resulta ng kaniyang mga aksiyon. Siya lang ang mananagot noon at hindi ibang tao. Siya lang. *** Malaki na ang nabawas sa timbang ng Megastar. Red ang kaniyang suot, hindi itim, na nakapagtatago ng kalusugan. Mapapansin agad ang kaniyang pagpayat dahil kitang-kita ang lumiit na bulto ng kaniyang katawan. Kapag tumatayo si Sharon Cuneta ay kapansin-pansin din na may kurbada na siya, matambok ang likuran, na dati’y hindi nakikita dahil balot na balot siya ng katabaan. Hindi biro ang apatnapung taon niyang pamamayagpag bilang singer-actress, marami siyang kakontemporaryong hindi na aktibo ngayon, pero ang
Megastar ay nandito pa rin at minamahal ng publiko. Bumati kay Sharon sa espesyal na tribute sa kaniya ng A.S.A.P. ang pinakamamahal niyang pamilya na pinangungunahan ni Senador Kiko Pangilinan. Kinantahan din siya nina Frankie at Miel, habang parang wala naman sa mood ang kanilang adopted child na si Miguel, na ayon kay Sharon ay isang komedyante. Nagtatanungan kami kung ano ang naging pinakamabisang paraan na ginamit ni Sharon para siya pumayat. Dati’y may press release na payat na siya, pero parang wala namang nagbago sa kaniyang katawan, hindi tulad ngayon na sa kahit anong anggulo mo tingnan ay napakalaki na talaga ng bumagsak niyang mga taba sa katawan. Mahilig sa lechon si Sharon, iyon ang paborito niya, kayangkaya niyang ubusin ang isang lechon de leche sa isang upuan lang. Usung-uso ngayon ang pagda-diet na fats ang kinakain ng mga nagpapapayat. Lechon kung lechon ang kanilang inuupakan, kaya sabi naming magkakaibigan, kung iyon ang ginawang paraan ni Sharon ay epektibo pala talaga ang paglantak ng lechon para sa pagbabawas ng timbang. Pagpansin naman ng iba naming kausap sa kabilang linya, “Take note, red ang damit niya, hindi black na pinagtataguan ng mga basha. Ilang ikot na siya, talagang pumayat nga si Shawie! Hindi naman kaya ‘yan sa liposuction lang, bumabalik din iyon, nagsakripisyo siguro talaga si Mega sa food intake.” Makabuluhan naman ang komento ng isa pa naming kaconference call, “Alam n’yo, iba naman ang observation ko. Palagay ko, eh, malaki ang ibinagsak ng weight niya noong magkaroon sila ng problema ni Senator Kiko, napakalaking reason noon sa pagpayat niya. “When you’re into it, wala kang ganang kumain, hindi ka napagkakatulog, may gusto kang gawing decision na kailangan mong pag-isipan nang paulit-ulit. Eh, napaka-transparent pa naman ni Sharon. “Hindi siya nakapagtatago ng emotions niya, kung ano ang napi-feel niya, she shares it to the public talaga. Malaki ang belief
Nadine Lustre
Sharon Cuneta ko na iyon ang naging dahilan ng pagpayat niya,” komento ng aming kaibigan. Natahimik kaming lahat dahil noong nagpapasalamat na si Sharon sa lahat ng mga naging bahagi ng kaniyang apatnapung taon sa showbiz ay tumingin siya nang diretso kay Senador Kiko Pangilinan. Lantarang pahayag ni Sharon,”Kiko, thank you. We’ve been through so much, so very See CRISTY p14
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PAGE 14
CRISTY... From page 12 much. “We almost lost each other last year. I praise God that the family is together and the children are happy,” diretso ang tingin sa senador na bitiw ni Sharon. Tanging “Amen!” lang ang isinukli ng pulitiko sa kaniyang sinabi, makahulugan ang salitang iyon, sumasang-ayon ang senador sa mga ipinahayag ng kaniyang misis. Ang mahalaga, minsan pa, ay ang maisalba nilang dalawa ang kanilang relasyon. Dumarating naman ang mga ganoong pagsubok sa buhay ng magasawa pero ang pinakaimportante ay kung paano nila hahawakan ang mga paghamon para nila mapanagumpayan. Apat na dekada nang umiikot ang buhay ni Sharon Cuneta sa lokal na aliwan. May pagkakataong hindi siya gaanong aktibo, pero kapag bumangon naman siya ay todo, hindi ganoon kadaling makaapat na dekada ang kahit sinong personalidad na nasa itaas pa rin. Congratulations sa nag-iisang Megastar! *** May nasagasaan pala ang relasyong John Lloyd-Ellen Adarna. Habang maligaya pala ang mga ito ay may isang pusong nagluluksa hindi dahil sa hindi niya kayang mabuhay nang wala si Lloydie kundi dahil pinaasa siya nito at pinaglaruan.
SHOWBIZ SHOWBUZZ PILIPINO EXPRESS
Alam ng aming mapagkatiwalaang source kung saan nanggagaling si Angelica Panganiban. Alam nito ang mga dahilan kung bakit may bitbit na sama ng loob ang aktres kay John Lloyd Cruz. Pilit na pinaglalabanan ni Angelica ang lahat, pero dahil tao lang naman ang aktres, ang pagdaloy ng kaniyang emosyon ay hindi mahaharangan. Unang sabi ng aming kaharap, “She was made to believe na sila na uli. Balik na sila sa dati. Plantsado na ang problema, nagkabalikan na sila, maayos ang naging pag-uusap nila.” Iyon ang mga pagkakataong may mga nakakakita sa kanila sa labas na masayang magkasama sa dinner, nanonood sila ng sine, nagpupunta ang aktor sa bahay ni Angelica. Hindi lang muna sila nagsalita tungkol sa kanilang pagbabalikan, pero malinaw sa kanilang dalawa na sila na uli, at iyon ang pinakamahalaga para kina Lloydie at Angelica. Isang araw ay inulan ng mga tawag at text si Angelica. May halong pag-aalala ang mga mensaheng tinanggap niya, ano raw ang nangyari, bakit daw nagkaganoon? “Ang alin? Ganoon ang sagot niya sa lahat ng nag-message sa kaniya. Wala kasi siyang alam. Kailangan niyang magtanong. Si John Lloyd daw at si Ellen Adarna na pala? “Ang next question niya, eh, bakit? Siya na ang nagtatanong,
ano raw ang nangyari? So, kalat na kalat na nga ang post noong dalawa tungkol sa pagsasama nila sa Bantayan, Cebu. “Natural, na-shock si Angel! Paano nga naman nangyari iyon? May communication sila ni Lloydie, alam nila kung nasaan ang sinuman sa kanilang dalawa, pero bakit may ganoon? “In fairness, proof lang naman ang kailangan niya, nakita niya ang mga posts, walang hindi siya nakita. Betrayal siyempre ang dating noon sa kaniya dahil nagkaayos na sila ni Lloydie, wala nang problema, pero biglang lumabas ang tungkol sa kanila ni Ellen Adarna,” pagtutuwid ng aming source sa isyu. Ngayon ay tanggap na ni Angel ang naganap, pero kapag may mga nagtatanong sa kaniya kung bakit ganoon ang nangyari ay humuhulagpos ang kaniyang emosyon, may pinatatamaan siya nang patagilid dahil hindi niya pinapangalanan kung sino pero sigurado ng lahat na si John Lloyd iyon. *** Isang kaibigan ang tumawag sa amin. Tungkol kina Coco Martin at Julia Montes ang pinag-usapan namin. Madalas kasing ma-blind item noon na selosong boyfriend daw ang magaling na action star. Hindi raw puwedeng tumanggap ng proyektong may mga yakapan at halikan si Julia. Ayaw raw ni Coco. Ganoon daw binabakuran ng matagumpay na action star ang career ng kaniyang
JANUARY 16 - 31, 2018
Kris Aquino
Julia Montes
JANUARY 16 - 31, 2018 girlfriend. Ang tanong, umamin na ba sina Coco at Julia na sila na nga? Hindi ba’t palaging napapabalitang hiwalay na sila pero hindi pa naman sila umaamin na nagkaroon sila ng relasyon? Pagpansin ng aming kausap, “Siguro nga, e, tapos na ang relasyon nila. Sa napapanood ko kasing teaser ng bagong show ni Julia sa Dos, e, mayroon na siyang mga eksenang nakikipaghalikan siya. Di ba, iyon ang ayaw na ayaw ni Coco? “Hindi kaya masyado nang nasakal ang girl sa sobrang pagiging seloso ni Coco? Masarap iyong feeling na mahal na mahal ka ng boyfriend mo, pero kung sobra ka nang nasasakal, hindi na healthy iyon sa isang relasyon,” komento ng aming kaibigan. Puwede. Pero ang tanong, umamin naman kaya sina Coco at Julia na sila pa rin o tapos na ang kanilang relasyon, hindi ba’t palagi silang umiiwas sa mga ganoong tanong? Kung ang pagbabasihan ay ang teaser ng Asintado kung saan makikitang nakikipagyakapan at nakikipaghalikan ang aktres ay puwede ngang isipin na tapos na ang kanilang relasyon ni Coco Martin. O baka naman pinagkasunduan nilang puwede nang gumawa ng mga ganoong eksena si Julia? Hindi rin malayong ganoon nga ang kanilang kasunduan pero sila pa rin. *** Mahal na mahal ng mga camera si Kathryn Bernardo. Sapul na sapul sa La Luna Sangre ang kaniyang simpleng kagandahan. Sa halos lahat ng anggulo ng young actress ay panalung-panalo ang kaniyang itsura. Maganda naman kasi ang mga mata ni Kathryn. Tumutulay iyon sa manonood, kaya doon sa mga eksenang namatay si Tristan (Daniel Padilla) ay ramdam na ramdam ang napakahusay niyang pag-arte, hindi iyon OA dahil ang ginawa niyang atake ay natural na natural. Siguro nga ay inunahan na niya ang kaniyang mga eksena, ang naging hugot siguro ni Kathryn ay paano na siya kapag nawala si Daniel sa totoong buhay, kaya ganoon na lang kahusay ang kaniyang pagganap. Mas naglalagablab ngayon ang mga eksena sa La Luna Sangre, nakapanghihinayang na palampasin ang serye, bukod kina Daniel at Kathryn ay magagaling din ang kanilang mga co-stars. Hindi nakapanghihinayang ang pambayad sa kuryente kapag ganoon kaganda ang palabas, hindi bale nang tumaas ang ating konsumo sa elektrisidad, kung pagkatapos naman nating manood ay mapapapalakpak ka na lang sa ganda ng pinanood mo. *** AYON sa aming source ay wala nang makahaharang pa sa planong pagpoprodyus ng mga indie films ni Kris Aquino. Puwedeng kasama siya sa proyekto o hindi, pero ang sigurado, papasok na sa pamumuhunan sa pelikula ang aktres-TV host.
SHOWBIZ SHOWBUZZ PILIPINO EXPRESS
Kayang-kaya namang gumawa ni Kris ng mga pelikula nang kahit sabay-sabay, sobrasobra ang kaniyang puhunan, pero maraming pabor na sana’y bumida rin siya sa pelikula at hindi basta producer lang. Ayon naman sa mga feng shui expert ay magiging suwerte ang 2018 para kay Kris dahil ipinanganak siya sa Year Of The Pig. Taon daw ito ng aktresTV host na magdadalawang taon nang hindi napapanood sa telebisyon. Sana nga ay mangyari at bumalik ang kaniyang suwerte sa taong ito, marami nang nakakamiss sa atake niya sa paghawak ng programa na kaniyangkaniya lang, walang ibang makakaplakado. Maligaya naman si Kris sa piling ng kaniyang mga anak, bilang ina ay wala na siyang hahanapin pa, pero sa katotohanan lang ay hinahanap na ng kaniyang sistema ang pagharap sa mga camera ng telebisyon. Bukod kina Josh at Bimby ay iyon ang kaniyang buhay. At ang kaniyang kaligayahan. Bihirang makita si Kris Aquino na nagsi-shopping. May importanteng kailangan lang siyang bilhin kapag siya mismo ang nagsasadya sa mga branded shops dito sa atin. Kapag sinisipag siya at may sapat na panahon ay paggogrocery lang ang gusto niyang ginagawa, gusto niya kasing siya mismo ang pumipili ng mga produktong ginagamit niya sa pagluluto, hindi niya iyon ipinagkakatiwala sa iba. Ibang klaseng mag-shopping si Kris online. May mga kaibigan din siyang naninirahan na sa Amerika, doon siya nagpapabili ng mga kailangan niya, lahat ng kulay ng mga produktong nagugustuhan niya ay ipinabibili ni Kris. Kahun-kahon ang mga sapatos, pati ang mga branded bags niya ay ganoon din, mas maraming boxes naman ang para sa kaniyang mga anak na karamihan ay t-shirts at shoes. Ipinado-door-to-door ng kaniyang mga kaibigan ang produkto, card-card lang ang kaniyang pagbabayad, ganoon katinding gumastos noon si Kris Aquino pagdating sa kaniyang mga granatsa. Nag-isip kami na baka hindi na ganoon kapabolosa ngayon si Kris dahil magdadalawang taon na siyang walang show. Hindi iyon usapin ng kung kaya pa ba niyang tustusan ang kaniyang mga luho kundi dahil wala siyang pinagkakaabalahang programa kung saan niya gagamitin ang mga ipabibili niya. Magdaan man ang maramingmarami pang taon na walang show si Kris ay hindi iyon makakaapekto sa kaniyang kaban, bumubulwak iyon sa kapunuan, dahil sa kaniyang naipon sa pag-aartista at sa kaniyang mga minana mula sa kaniyang pamilya. Kuwento ng isang common friend namin ni Kris, “Naku, ganoon pa rin siya kagastadora! See CRISTY p20
Kathryn Bernardo
Angelica Panganiban
PAGE 15
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SHOWBIZ SHOWBUZZ PILIPINO EXPRESS
JANUARY 16 - 31, 2018
Fantasy and reality fuse spectacularly in Ang Panday. See an impressive fusion of the real world and fantasy through the terrific special effects used in the creation of the movie, Ang Panday (The Blacksmith), now screening in theatres across Canada and the U.S. In this 2017 epic comeback of the iconic Filipino hero, Coco Martin plays Flavio III, the grandson of the original Panday. His life will suddenly turn upside down when he realizes that his bloodline is destined to save humanity from the evil doings of Lizardo (Jake Cuenca), his immortal evil nemesis. Lizardo returns from the world of darkness to once again bring
havoc to the human race. With Flavio III not knowing that his bloodline is the only one capable of destroying Lizardo, he must search different worlds to be able to gain the trust of the mythical power of the legendary sword. Like the original beloved hero, Flavio III gets to meet various characters that will join forces to help him become the rightful heir to the revered name Ang Panday. Ang Panday also marks the directorial debut of Martin under his real name Rodel Nacianceno. Aside from directing, Martin also produced and co-wrote the action-fantasy flick under his
Jake Cuenca is Lizardo, the immortal son of the evil being and Flavio III’s (Coco Martin) arch enemy.
own film production outfit, CCM Film Productions, together with Star Cinema and Viva Films. In the movie, Martin’s leading ladies are Bb. Pilipinas International 2017 Mariel de Leon who plays Maria, Flavio’s love interest, and Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa, who plays a diwata (fairy). Ang Panday received the following awards at the Metro Manila Film Festival last December: FPJ Memorial Award for Excellence, Best in Visual Effects, Children’s Choice Award, and the Special Jury Award (Directing) for Martin (Rodel Nacianceno). – ABS-CBN
This is Coco Martin’s first directorial debut under his real name, Rodel Nacianceno.
Binibining Pilipinas International Mariel de Leon plays Martin’s love interest, Maria
2016 Miss International Kylie Verzosa plays a fairy
Celine Dion recalls duet with Charice, now Jake Zyrus They once shared a duet at New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden. And until today Celine Dion remembers the moment she brought out Charice, now known as Jake Zyrus, to sing Because You Loved Me. In a report by ABS-CBN News MJ Felipe, Dion joked that she still hasn’t gotten over that one time she heard that amazing voice live. “My jaw is still dislocated ‘cause the whole arena was blown away,” she said when asked about their performance in 2008. That was way before Charice came out as a transgender male – a decision that, Dion explained in the same interview, deserves respect.
Saying that finding acceptance for being oneself is difficult nowadays, Dion, referring to Jake Zyrus, urged everyone: “We have to respect that. I wish him the very best.” After the report aired on TV Patrol, Jake Zyrus took to Twitter to react to Dion’s kind words. “The Queen. Thank you for the opportunity and for your kindness. I will never forget you, that precious moment and your heart. Love u,” he wrote. Dion, best known as the powerful voice behind the enduring Titanic theme, My Heart Will Go On, and many more hits, will be performing in Manila at Mall of Asia Arena on July 19. Source: ABS-CBN NEWS
JANUARY 16 - 31, 2018
SHOWBIZ SHOWBUZZ PILIPINO EXPRESS
PAGE 17
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Jairuz Agang-Ang, lived a simple life in La Union province. He was the only son in a brood of four. He grew up in a farming community where a frequent hike to the mountains with his friends would yield fruits and wild birds caught from traps set up in the forest. At an early age, his elders would always remind them to study hard and get good grades to achieve their dreams and get a better life. His strength in math and science led him to pursue engineering, though he also dreamt of becoming a pilot. He completed his engineering degree in only four and half years by taking advance courses in the summer. He started his career as a manufacturing technician at Intel for two and a half years. Before moving to Canada, he held the position of a senior product engineer at Microchip Technology. Even though he was very comfortable with his job and enjoyed a work-life balance, he didn’t pass up on an opportunity to emigrate as a Federal Skilled Worker under the Electrical Engineer occupation in 2014. In May 2016, he and his wife arrived in Calgary, but after living there for two months, the frequent news of lay-offs and the declining economic conditions in Alberta at the time prompted them to move to Winnipeg. Being a newcomer, just starting to re-establish roots, moving to another province poses a different level of risks and challenges. He and his wife had nothing to begin with; no job, no car, no house. They had to take any survival jobs to help sustain their living. Despite the challenges, he considered the move a blessing as he found out about the Filipino Members Chapter (FMC) of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Manitoba. It gave him hope of getting back to an engineering career sooner. In their third month in Winnipeg, they met the couple Mar and Vangie Mance. Mar, a member of FMC, shared his experience about the IEEQ program and other options to be academically qualified and register with Engineers
PILIPINO EXPRESS
Geoscientists Manitoba (EngGeoMb). Through him, Jairuz met Ray Sator, also in the electrical engineering field, during the FMC presentation on Engineering Credential Recognition Process Orientation in that same month. With the information acquired through that event, he began to process the application with EngGeoMb. Soon as he received his assessment result, he registered to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, as this was the most time-efficient and least costly option. Between January to May 2017, while he was reviewing for the exam, he worked two part-time jobs for 40-54 hours a week, took an evening class (English for Academic Writing 1) at the University of Winnipeg and applied for the IEEQ program as a back-up plan, which included taking up the IELTS academic exam as part of the program requirement. A week before the FE exam, he received the good news of being one of the successful applicants to be admitted to the IEEQ program. He initially thought of ditching the FE exam in favour of accepting the spot in the IEEQ program. However, with five months of preparation, the cost of exam registration and the purchase of review materials, he though he might as well take the exam and do his best. And his best was good enough to pass the FE exam. He got his EIT designation in a record 10 months after arriving in Winnipeg as an immigrant and hopes to get his professional engineer (P.Eng.) designation in 4-6 years. With this achievement, he shares, “I always remind myself about this famous Filipino quote: “Pag gusto may paraan, pag ayaw maraming dahilan.” which translates to, “If there’s a will, there’s a way, if there’s no will, there are many excuses.” It was never easy to get an EIT and I could have had tons of excuses not to pursue that goal. Setting your priorities, managing your time well, and keeping yourself motivated to reach that goal should keep yourselves on track instead of whining about how difficult life is. Spend some time
JANUARY 16 - 31, 2018
Going the distance: not your typical marathoner’s story
Jairus Agang-Ang, EIT to evaluate your past success when faced with similar challenges and you’ll find motivation to work on your current goal. “I have my sincerest gratitude for Mar Mance and Ray Sator, for their guidance and tips, and Maurice Petallo and Edwin Madera for sharing their FE exam success stories. The information from FMC through shared experiences of members made it easier for me to decide which path to take with the academic qualification for EIT. I hope that sharing my story will help to encourage our kababayans to pursue their passion for engineering in Canada, despite the challenges and difficulties they face.” Oh, and did I mention that Jairuz is also a long distance runner? Yes, on top of all that rigorous preparation for the exam, attending classes and juggling two part-time jobs, he also trained for the Manitoba Marathon, not
the half-marathon, but the full 42km race! Jairuz is not new to marathons, in fact, he has participated in various long distance races, the scale and number of which is more than enough to write a full article. Some of the more notable races he participated in the Philippines, include, the 2010 Bullrunner Dream Marathon, in which he placed third out of 251 participants, the 2016 Mariveles to Bagac 50k Ultra Marathon Race, finishing fourth out of 39 finishers and the notorious 2016 Bataan Death March 102k Ultra Marathon Race, where his time of 12 hours, 48 minutes and 11 seconds placed him ninth out of 170 finishers! Even in his short stay in Calgary, he managed to run as a pace bunny to the 2016 Calgary Marathon. His passion for running started back in 2009 when he
was invited by a colleague, who, unbeknownst to him, is actually the founder/owner of Takbo.ph – a popular website for runners in the Philippines, to run around Madrigal Business Park in Alabang as a stress reliever. He ran his first race, a 10k, that same year and then kept running and running farther, while his network of friends in the running community got bigger and bigger. It is also through running that he eventually met his wife. Indeed, going the distance literally and metaphorically, leads you to life’s unexpected pleasant surprises. Ethel Clemente-Fernandez is a professional engineer registered in the province of Manitoba. She is an active member of the Filipino Members Chapter - Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Manitoba (FMC-APEGM). www.fmc-egm. ca.
JANUARY 16 - 31, 2018
EH KASI, PINOY! PILIPINO EXPRESS
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Nancy Walang Batang North End ang nailathala noong nakaraang buwan, Disyembre 2017. Alanganin kasi akong isulat ang tungkol sa pagkamatay ng isang importanteng tao sa aking buhay sa buwan ng Disyembre – sa buwan na marami sa atin, o halos lahat tayo, ay nagdiriwang ng kapaskuhan. Sa isang banda, hindi naman dapat ituring na puro kalukungkutan ang kamatayan. In fact, death is a celebration of life. Disyembre 18, 2017, pumanaw si Nancy Anderson, ang itinuturing ko at ng marami kong co-workers na Ina ng aming workplace. Wala kaming blood relationship ni Nancy, ganumpaman ang relasyon namin bilang ako as ordinaryong empleyado at siya bilang General Manager ay parang relasyon ng magkaibigan at magina. Namatay si Nancy dahil sa cancer. Matapang niyang nilabanan ang sakit na ito, ngunit sa huli ay hindi nagtagumpay ang mortal niyang katawan. Ganumpaman, ang imortal niyang legacy bilang mabuting tao ay nananatili sa puso at isip ng kaniyang mga iniwan. Bago siya mamatay ay sinulatan ko siya, pero hindi ko alam kung nakuha pa niyang basahin ito dahil sa kondisyon ng kaniyang katawan. Hindi man niya nabasa ito ay alam kong alam niya kung gaano ko siya pinapasalamatan bilang isa sa pinakamabuting tao na nakilala ko sa aking buong buhay. Narito ang bahagi ng aking sulat sa kaniya: “I didn’t know how life works here until I landed a job in TPR and found a loving family with you as the ever-caring Mother of us all. The miniature jeepney that I gave you represents me as I moved from one place to another. From Manila, to Qatar, to Dubai and finally finding a home in Winnipeg. That home is my family, that home is TPR, that home is you. The journey of my life will not stop but I am now sure that my jeepney of life is now safely parked in your heart. Thank you for all the love!” Kahapon ay may celebration of life para kay Nancy. Punongpuno ang funeral home. Habang
nakikinig ako sa mga eulogies ay napatunayan ko na hindi lamang pala ako ang nakatamasa ng kaniyang kabutihan. Ultimo waitress sa kaniyang kinakainang restaurant, cleaners sa opisina at marami pang mga simpleng tao na tulad ko ang binahaginan ni Nancy ng kaniyang kabutihan. Doon ko napatunayan na marami pa palang “Noel” sa buhay ni Nancy. Marami siyang itinuring na kaibigan at anak regardless ng katayuan, kulay at estado sa buhay. Ang buhay ni Nancy ay nagsisilbing inspirasyon sa akin upang kahit paano ay pilitin kong maging mabuting tao. Marami akong mga kahinaan ngunit ang buhay niya ang isa sa mga babalikan kong ehemplo kung paano harapin ang buhay na puno ng pag-ibig, pagiging positibo at pagmamalasakit sa kapuwa. Totoo nga na hindi nasusukat ang kaganapan ng buhay sa yaman, edukasyon o estado kundi kung paano tayo nagpapakatao – it is all about being humane. Coincidence naman na naging viral ang sulat ni Holly Butcher ng Australia matapos siyang pumanaw sa edad na 27. Hiling niya na i-post ang kaniyang sulat na may pamagat na “A bit of life advice from Hol” kapag siya’y binawian na ng buhay dahil din sa cancer. Tumagos sa aking puso ang mga katagang: “I just want people to stop worrying so much about the small, meaningless stresses in life and try to remember that we all have the same fate after it all so do what you can to make your time feel worthy and great, minus the bullshit.” “I hear people complaining about how terrible work is or about how hard it is to exercise. Be grateful you are physically able to. Work and exercise may seem like such trivial things – until your body doesn’t allow you to do either of them. I tried to live a healthy life, in fact, that was probably my major passion. Appreciate your good health and functioning body even if it isn’t your ideal size. Look after it and embrace how amazing it is. Move it and nourish it with fresh food. Don’t obsess over it.”
Sina Nancy at Noel sa isang cancer care fundraising event “Give, give, give. It is true that you gain more happiness doing things for others than doing them for yourself. I wish I did this more. Since I have been sick, I have met the most incredibly giving and kind people and been the receiver of the most thoughtful and loving words and support from my family, friends and strangers; More than I could I ever give in return. I will never forget this and will be forever grateful to all of these people. “ Maraming common denominators sina Nancy at Holly tulad ng kabutihan, being grateful at maging masaya!
Yes, happiness! Huwag nating gawing komplikado ang buhay para makamtan natin ang ganap na kasiyahan. Tingnan nating mabuti ang mga taong nasa paligid natin at nagmamahal sa atin. Kadalasan nasa harap lang natin ang ating kaligayahan at kasiyahan pero nabubulag tayo dahil hindi tayo makuntento sa kung ano ang mayroon tayo. Ang buhay natin ay tiyak na magiging daluyan ng kabutihan kung ang nasa kaibuturan ng ating puso ay pag-ibig at kasiyahan. Our lives will overflow with kindness if our hearts are filled with love and happiness.
Sana, pilitin nating maging mabubuting tao habang tayo ay nabubuhay. Paalam at salamat, Nancy. Noel Lapuz ay dating OFW sa Middle East (Dubai at Qatar). Nagtrabaho nang sampung taon sa City Hall ng Taguig bilang Human Resource Management Officer. Naging bahagi ng Bata-Batuta Productions bilang manunulat, entertainment host at stage actor. Nagtatag ng Kulturang Alyansa ng Taguig. Kasapi ng Ecumenical Movement for Justice and Peace (EMJP).
EH KASI, PINOY!
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PILIPINO EXPRESS
KROSWORD
HOROSCOPE
NO. 292
ENERO 16 – 31, 2018
Ni Bro. Gerry Gamurot
PAHALANG 1. Bibilis 8. Ipain 11. Igilid 14. Dinadala 16. Ugali 17. _____ Lisa 18. Nota musikal 19. Uri ng kahoy 20. Saka 21. Talastas 23. Libre 25. Napakasama 28. Wari 29. Ikuwento 30. Departamento PABABA 2. Matibay na hibla 3. Bulong 4. Isang kulay 5. Ihagis
6. Kaugnayan 7. Kinikilala 9. Pag-iisang dibdib 10. Sugapa 12. Nagkabisa 13. Mabini 15. Ilakip 22. Hinuha 24. Sabi nila 26. Maton 27. Samahan SAGOT SA NO. 291
JANUARY 16 - 31, 2018
Aries (March 21 – April 19) Kung ang pakiramdam mo tuwing gigising ka ay hindi maganda. Baka babala ito ng sakit. Baka dapat mong baguhin ang iyong mga kinakain. Huwag mo nang hintayin na sumakit pa ang iyong mga tuhod at joints. Panahon na upang ayusin ang iyong diet. OK ang ika-22, 23 at 31. Alalay ka sa ika-16, 29 at 30.
Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22) Takbo rito, takbo doon. Wala kang pahinga. Alalahanin mong hindi ka na katulad noong araw na marami kang oras at higit sa lahat, malusog ka at walang pang dinaramdam noon. Iba ka na ngayon. Kapag hindi ka nagingat, malamang magkasakit ka. Magpahinga. OK ka sa ika-22, 23 at 31. Ingat sa ika-17, 18, 25 at 26.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21) Walang mabuting mangyayari sa iyo kung patuloy kang magiging maramdamin dahil hindi nasusunod palagi ang gusto mo. Nagsasawa na ang mga kasama mo sa pakikisama sa iyo. Palagi ka na lang nilang pinagbibigyan. Baka mawala silang lahat. Good ang ika-22, 23 at 31. May tensyon sa ika-20, 21, 27 at 28.
Taurus (April 20 – May 20) Huwag mong balewalain ang mga nasisirang gamit sa bahay. Kung may budget ka, panahon na para mapalitan ang mga iyon. Matagal na rin naman ang serbisyo at nabawi mo na ang ibinayad mo. Mas high-tech na at makakatipid ka pa sa koryente. Lucky days mo ang ika-16, 25 at 26. Ingat sa ika17, 18 at 31.
Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22) Walang masama sa paggunita sa nakaraan. Wala ring masama kung naaalala mo pa ang minahal mo noong araw. Ang hindi maganda ay kung ikukumpara mo siya sa minamahal mo ngayon. Magkaiba sila. Malulungkot ka lang dahil hindi sila magkapareho. OK ang ika-16, 25 at 26. Ingat sa ika-20, 21, 27 at 28.
Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19) Ihanda mo ang iyong puso at isip. May mga problemang darating sa inyong relasyon. Walang may kasalanan. Wala ring nagkulang. Talagang dumarating lang ang panahon na kailangan ninyong pag-aralan kung saan ninyo dadalhin ang relasyon ninyo. Lucky ka sa ika-16, 25 at 26. Careful sa ika-22, 23, 29 at 30.
Gemini (May 21 – June 20) M a a a r i n g magkaproblema sa malapit na kamaganak o kaibigan. Ikaw lang ang makakatulong sa kaniya kaya sa iyo siya humihingi ng tulong. Maaaring tulong pinansyal o tamang payo. Anuman iyon, bigyan mo siya ng oras at pang-unawa. Kawawa naman siya. OK sa ika-17, 18, 19, 27 at 28. Ingat sa ika-20 at 21.
Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22) Ayos na ayos ang panahon para sa iniisip mong negosyo. Mas buwenas kung ang pamilya o ang partner mo ay makakasama mo o aayon sa iyong mga plano. Kung hindi pa nila (o niya) alam ang detalye ng negosyo, ipaliwanag mo na ngayon. Mapalad ang ika17, 18, 19, 27 at 28. Kuwidaw sa ika-16, 22, 23, 29 at 30.
Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18) Huwag mong pilitin ang ayaw. Walang kuwenta kung ang pagpayag ay sapilitan. Pagaralan mong mabuti kung paano mo gagawing mag-isa ang plano mo. Kung isusumbat mo ang mga nagawa mong kabutihan sa kaniya, lalo lang kayong magkakalayo. OK mo ang ika-17, 18, 19, 27 at 28. Ingat sa ika-25, 26 at 31.
Cancer (June 21 – July 22) Kailangan mong unawain ang iyong partner sa buhay. Tahimik lang siya at hindi siya nagsasalita sa iyo tungkol sa mga pinapasan niyang problema. Nahihirapan siya dahil hindi niya masabi sa iyo ang totoo. Ikaw na ang magtanong. Baka magtapat na siya. OK sa ika-20, 21, 29 at 30. Stressful ang ika-16, 22 at 23.
Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21) Ang pagpasok ng bagong taon ay naghatid sa iyo ng kaligayahan dahil nakita mo na ang matagal mo nang hinahanap. Maaaring ito ay pagibig o katahimikan ng damdamin. Huwag mo sanang sayangin ang mga ito. Ingatan mo. Baka hindi na maulit. Masaya ang ika-20, 21, 29 at 30. Ingat sa ika-17, 18, 25, 26 at 31.
Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20) P a m i l y a naman ngayon. Naghahanap na sila ng iyong atensyon. Puwede na dahil maayos na ang takbo ng kabuhayan. Kung single ka pa, baka oras na para mag-isip kang magkaroon na ng pananagutan. Hindi ka bumabata at bawat dumarating na taon ay mahalaga. OK ang ika-20, 21, 29 at 30. Ingat sa ika-27 at 28.
ng mga brochures ng mga new products nila. “Iba na talaga ang big spender, sila ang nauunang magkaroon ng mga bagong produkto dahil sa mga brochures na ipinadadala sa kanila,” kuwento ng aming kaibigan. Natatawang kuwento pa ng aming kausap, “Di ba, may mga artista na nakabili lang ng branded bag, eh, agad nang ipakikita iyon sa Instagram nila?
Mayroon pa ngang hindi makatiis sa pagyayabang, ihihilera pa ang mga mamahalin nilang bags at ipinakikita through social media. “Jusko! Kung si Kris ang magpapakita ng kung anuanong mayroon siya, eh, ilang araw kaya niyang kukunan iyon para maipakita sa social media? Pinagtatawanan lang siguro sila ni Tetay!” tawa nang tawang reaksiyon ng aming kaibigan. Oo nga naman. – CSF
CRISTY... From page 15 Walang pagbabago! Kung magorder siya ng mga imported stuff, kahun-kahon pa rin! “Hindi siya nagsi-shopping dito, nagpapabili pa rin siya abroad, walang ipinagbago si Kris may show man siya o wala. Saka siya naman kasi ang kinocontact ng mga branded shops abroad, pinadadalhan agad siya
EH KASI, PINOY!
JANUARY 16 - 31, 2018
Ang magagandang pangarap sa Bagong Taon sana’y mangyari ngayon at bukas at habang may buhay. *** Itinangis ng Santo Papa ang aniya’y nangyayaring patayan ng tao sa tao sa buong Mundo. Ang kinabukasan ng mga bata ang apektado. Kaparis ng nangyayari ngayon sa Gitnang Silangan na alitan ng mga Israeli at Palestinian. *** Ang North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) ng US, Canada at Mexico ay malamang mapahina ng Free Trade Agreement (FTA) ng Asian countries. Malamang madama din ng G7 na world’s largest economies of Britain, Canada, US, France, Germany, Italy and Japan. *** Nabalita na binawasan ng Trump administration nang two years ang budget ng US for the UN. Nagkakahalaga umano ng 285 million dollars. May kinalaman sa paglilipat ng US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Ang US ay nagbabala din daw sa ibang bansang hindi sang-ayon sa kanilang ginawa. Si Trump ay kaparis din daw nina former president Nixon, Bush at iba pa. Not most admired American president. Pilipinas Ang gobyernong Duterte sa 2018 ay nananatiling nakaharap sa mga problemang hindi madaling maihanap agad ng solusyon. Pangunahin ang dulot ng kalamidad, peace and order, illegal drug, corruption and rehabilitation bukod pa sa Marawi City. *** Tungkol sa anti corruption isues, ang pansin ng pangulong Duterte ay nakatutok ngayon
PILIPINO EXPRESS
sa mga opisyal ng Local Government Units. Partikular na binanggit at inaalam ngayon ay ang pamamahala ng mga opisyal sa Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao *** Sinabi ni Senador Sonny Angara na ang Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN) ay magdudulot sa maraming Filipino ng maayos na pangkabuhayan. Economic ang kahulugan sa Ingles. Ang tagumpay at kabiguan ay batay sa kalagayan ng land, labour and capital. Alin man sa tatlong ito ang mahina; malabong mabuhay na maayos ang ano mang negosyo. Ang kinatatakutan daw sa pinagtibay na tax reform law ay baka tumaas ang presyo ng mga bilihin. Maaaring totoo, pero kung magkakaroon naman ng trabaho ang mga tao, may pambili naman sila ng kanilang mga kailangan sa buhay. Ang batas naman daw ay may tax exemption provisions for the low income earners. Nabalitang ang Department of Finance ay maghahain ng karagdagang panukalang batas na ang layunin ay mabawasan ang corporate income taxes. Pabor ito sa mga may malalaking negosyo. *** Bukod sa infrastructure, kailangang makasama sa mga prioridad ng gobyerno ang food production. Magkaloob ng puhunan sa mga nais magtayo ng small business like sari-sari stores, poultry, piggery and other cottage industries. Kaparis ng rural economic development program noong panahon ni former President Diosdado Macapagal. *** Ang Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion budget na P3.7 trillion for 2018 ay nakatakdang pag-aralan ng
HINAGAP Bisyong Kumunoy Habang gumagalaw lalong nababaon, Sa kinahulugan na banging kumunoy; Dahil sa anyaya ng bisyong sinuong, Sa kapighatian ang buhay humantong! *** Maligayang araw na noo’y nagdaan, Ang nakahalili’y mapanuksong lumbay; Naiwang pamana ng kapabayaan, Buhay na gunita ng bisyong mapanglaw! *** Nagsikap umahon sa bangin ng dusa, Pagbabagong buhay ang iwing panata; Nang hindi mangyari saka naalala, Sa huli ang sisi at wala sa una! *** Mapalad ang hindi madaling maakit, ng balaning bisyo na dusa’t pasakit! Paquito Rey Pacheco
mga kagawad ng senado sa patuloy na sesyon ng kongreso na nagsisimula sa ika-17 ng Enero. *** Mahigpit na sinusulong ngayon ng Duterte Administration ang tungkol sa planong pagpapalit sa kasalukuyang porma ng gobyerno. Ang mga lider ng dalawang kapulungan ng legislatures ay kapuwa sangayon sa hangarin ng pangulo. Nais na mapalitan ng federalism ang current unitary presidential government. *** Ngayon lang nangyari sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas. Ang Mindanao na tinaguriang Land of Promise having three national leaders. One at the executive and two with the legislative branches of government. Bakit kaya waring nagkaroon ng bangayan or pasiklaban sina Speaker Alvarez at Senate president Pimentel? Sila nga ay kapuwa political teammate ni president Duterte. Subalit, pardon me to say, parang aso’t pusa. Nag-aaway sa loob ng isang bahay. Sina Sonny at Koko ay nagsabi naman na magkaibigan daw sila. Eh bakit ganoon? Sila ba ay kapuwa may planong maging Prime Minister? *** Nagbabala ang CPP-NDFNPA na kanilang ipagpapatuloy sa 2018 ang kanilang hangaring mapabagsak ang gobyernong Duterte. Binanggit noong ika28 ng Disyembre na ika-49 anniversary ng local communist movement. Mahigit nang 46 years ang kanilang hangaring humalili sa mga lider ng bansa na hinalal ng mga mamamayan. Hindi nangyari. Terrorist ang turing sa kanila ngayon ni pangulong Duterte. Mismong ang mga lider ng China at Russia ay waring
AMBETH... From page 4 the year will be carried onto the succeeding year. Therefore, to avoid gloom and bad luck, people make merry. Parties are held to get family and friends together. Lots of food is served in Filipino homes, although there is no typical New Year’s food to speak of, unlike the Chinese who give away hopia and tikoy. However, there is New Year attire. People wear red or polka-dotted clothes to ensure financial prosperity all year round. Some even put polka-dotted linens on their beds, perhaps to presage one’s lying down on a bed of riches. My mother, realizing the dwindling value of the peso, uses green polka dots because she says it will bring her dollars, not pesos. At the stroke of twelve, the rituals start: everyone kisses one another, then makes noise by using horns, clappers, pots or pans, or by simply screaming. The Auld Lang Syne is the official hymn of New Year’s Eve parties. Children jump as church bells peal in order to grow taller. At die dinner table, people pass around a handful of coins to ensure luck in money. All lights are switched on, and all doors, windows, and gates are left open for good luck to enter the houses. Serious people list and declare
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walang pansin sa kanila. *** Mabawasan din sana ang tungkol sa maruming politika. Ang malaking pera na dapat maukol sa higit na makabuluhang mga programa ng gobyerno ay hayagang nagagamit sa political grand standing. *** Ang impeachment trial of CJ Maria Lourdes Sereno sa Senado ay hindi daw kaagadagad mangyayari. Maaaring tumagal pa sa kapulungan ng mga kongresista hanggang sa mga unang tatlong buwan ng 2018. Sinabi Ang CJ ay hindi raw dadalo sa anyaya ni Speaker Alvarez, sabi ni Atty Carlo Cruz na abogado ni Sereno. *** Binalita ni Senador Juan Zubiri na ang panukalang Bangsamoro Basic Law ang kanilang priority na tatalakayin sa senado. Sa ika-17 ng January magpapapatuloy ang session ng kongreso. Kailangang mapagtibay na kaagad, para magkaroon ng solusyon ang isa sa mga pangunahing problema sa Mindanao. *** Sinabi ng mga Chinese authorities na reasonable daw ang kanilang activities sa South China Sea/West Phiippine Sea. Ang US at Australia at iba pang bansa ay labis namang tutol sa ginagawa ng Beijing. Nabalitang ang mga pantambak na lupa sa China’s man-made islands doon ay sa Zambales pa umano nanggagaling. Bakit hindi pinigil noon ng US-Philippine military forces? *** Nabalita, na ayon kay US Ambassador Sung Kim, ang US ay naglaan ng $6 million
monetary aid for the Marawi City rehabilitation. Sinabi pa ng US ambassador na ang lahat na kailangan para mapag-alagaan ang freedom of navigation sa West Philippine Sea ay gagawin ng US. *** Ang Pilipinas at China umano ay nagkasundo sa mapayapang paraan na paglutas ng kaso sa disputed islands. Kung totoo, walang magiging problema ang plano ng Philippine military na magtayo ng mga kubo sa isang isla ng Spratly group of Islands na magiging kublihan ng mga mangingisdang Filipino. Katas Kasalukuyang niluluto ang planong pagpapalit a current form of government ng Pilipinas. Madaling sabihin, subalit waring magdadaan sa masalimuot na proseso. • Dahil sa kasalukuyang sitwasyon, walang katiyakan na malulunasan kaagad-agad ang mga suliraning panlipunan at pangakabuhayan. • Maganda na ang larawan ng bansa ngayon. Sa World Gallup International 41st yearly Global survey ang Pilipinas ay third happiest country and fifth most optimistic about prosperity. • Bagaman pinangako ni President Duterte ang Federalist form of government, subalit bakit minamadali. Kailangan ang masusing paghahanda. Kasabihan Ang giyera ng tao sa tao, kaparis ay kural ng kabayo. Ang nasasaktan sa sipaan ay mga bisiro. Paunawa: Ang mga paksa at salitang nakasaad sa Pilantik ay sariling opinion ng may-akda at maaaring hindi opinion ng mga taga-lathala ng Pilipino Express.
their New Year resolutions. Even if most resolutions, like promises, are made to be broken, at least one makes an effort to see where he had gone wrong during the past year. All food supplies – rice, sugar and salt – must be filled to the brim to ensure abundance all year round. Fireworks light the sky and make noise despite perennial bans from the government and military. In some areas, there is a midnight mass, which however, is not celebrated in other Catholic countries. All these may seem anachronistic in this a day and
age, but as many people say, one just continues doing these things simply because they’re there and because one doesn’t lose anything by adhering to his beliefs. These unique superstitions and practices are what make New Year, like Christmas, fun. Source: Mabini’s Ghost by Ambeth R. Ocampo, Anvil Publishing. Ambeth Ocampo is a past Chairman of the National Historical Institute of the Philippines. He writes a widely read column, Looking Back, for the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
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PEOPLE & EVENTS PILIPINO EXPRESS
JANUARY 16 - 31, 2018
Strengthen your faith through physical exercise Its been a month since we started our free lessons in Arnis and boxing every Monday at Door 3, 200 Isabel Street and it brings us excitement to see kids and parents having fun and at the same time strengthening their physical bodies through exercise. I had a chance to meet a young guy named Marc Luntao who regularly trains under Jose Soares, the trainer that I introduced in my last article. I see so much potential in this young guy and I would not be surprised if one day he will be our next boxing champ. Marc Luntao came from a middle class family with two siblings who currently work at a manufacturing company to help his mother. He lives in a place where people are judged by their appearance, lifestyle and even their race, and that made him stronger and positive in life. He wanted to make an impact and live as an example to those people and make them realize that it is not about where you live or what colour or race you are if you want to do better with your life and make your dream come true. All
you need to do is put your heart and dedication in everything you do and you can make that dream a reality. Marc went into boxing and took the opportunity to better himself as a person and to harness that discipline in him. He believes in his heart that boxing can make a difference in his life in the near future. Joe gave him and other kids the opportunity to train and workout without having to worry about gym membership fees. It is
really a great help and it gives kids a chance to stay out of trouble and keep them active as well. Marc is a humble young guy who credits his family who paved the way to where he is today. They taught him everything to survive. He also credits Joe for teaching, guiding and giving him the knowledge not only in boxing but in mental and spiritual health as well. He would like to continue training under him, saying they were just getting started.
Enrique Gil calls birthday girl Liza Soberano ‘my forever’ Actor Enrique Gil expressed his love for his screen partner and rumoured girlfriend Liza Soberano, who is celebrated her birthday last January 4. She turned 20. On January 5, Gil posted a photo himself and Soberano on Instagram and shared his sweet birthday message for the actress,
whom he called “my forever.” “To the woman that I call my forever, all I want is for you to be happy in all that you do,” Gil wrote. “You fill the gaps in my life with your love, simplicity and kindness, seeing you smile makes me feel completely and genuinely happy. I promise to make you smile for the rest of my life. I love you.
Happy birthday mi corazon,” he added. Last year, Gil admitted that he and Soberano treated each other like boyfriend and girlfriend but stressed that they were not officially a couple. The actor stressed that they are still waiting for the blessing of their parents. Source: ABS-CBN News
The need for self-discipline 1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my
body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. Pastor Jayson L. Igloria is a Senior Pastor of I am, Redeemer and Master Ministries, located at 187 Kilbride Avenue in Winnipeg with worship services on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. and children’s Sunday school at 10:30 a.m. For more information, call 431-3347286 by Pastor Jayson L. Igloria
JANUARY 16 - 31, 2018
PILIPINO EXPRESS
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Knights of Rizal Youth Recognition Awards, December 30, 2017
2017 Knights of Rizal Youth Recognition Awards The Winnipeg chapter of the Knights of Rizal commemorated the martyrdom of the Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal on Saturday, December 30 at the Canad Inns Garden City. The organization also honoured some of local scholars with the 2017 Youth Recognition Awards. The Knights awarded bursaries and certificates to 20 distinguished graduating students from different high schools in Winnipeg – all with a 92 per cent grade point average or better. Winnipeg City Councillor, Mike Pagtakhan, who is also a Knight Grand Officer of Rizal, said, “It was remarkable to see how academically strong the Filipino youth are within our community. The future looks bright for Winnipeg, as these students pursue their postsecondary education in a variety of fields, such as film, medicine, teaching, finance, business and management.” Pagtakhan inducted two of his colleagues at the event – Councillor Brian Mayes into the Order of the Knights of Rizal – Winnipeg Chapter, and Councillor Devi Sharma into the Ladies of the Knights of Rizal. Sharma, who is the first elected official to be inducted into Ladies of the Knights of Rizal in Winnipeg, said, “I am very honoured to be invited into the Ladies of the Knights of Rizal organization. Being a part of this group that honours the national hero of the Philippines, Dr. Jose Rizal, and keeps up the legacy of his teachings and ideals is an honour.” Minas Pagtakhan and Carmelita de La Cruz were also inducted into the Ladies of the Knights of Rizal. The Order of the Knights of Rizal is headquartered in Manila and has over 10,000 international members with chapters around the world including Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic and the US. The Order upholds the ideals of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal. – Pilipino Express with reports from Councillors Mike Pagtakhan and Devi Sharma
Lakeisha Moreno
Flynn Gallardo
Carmelita Dela Cruz, Councillor Devi Sharma & Minas Pagtakhan – Photo by Robert Deardon
Jose Miguel de Leon
Lady Leah Magsino, Lady Gory Parado (left) induct City Councillor Devi Sharma, Minas Pagtakhan, and Carmelita Dela Cruz into the Ladies of the Knights of Rizal – Photo by Robert Deardon
Councillors Brian Mayes, Mike Pagtakhan & Devi Sharma – Photo by Robert Deardon
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PILIPINO EXPRESS
JANUARY 16 - 31, 2018