Pilipino Express • Mar 16 2017

Volume 13 • No. 6 • March 16 - 31, 2017 Publication Mailing Account #41721512

Bea Alonzo

12

Celebrating Pinay pioneers in Manitoba

MHEL ELAGO (204) 955-4654

by Lucille Nolasco

landmhel@gmail.com

NOEL CADELINA JOEL SIBAL Sales, 6th Consecutive SMG Gold Ring Awardee

Service Consultant

PEEBEE PASCO

Sales & Leasing Consultant

www.landmhel.ca

DALE GARRIDO

Sales & Leasing Consultant

With the theme, Be Bold For Change, Pinays Manitoba, Inc. (Pinays MB) celebrated International Women’s Day (March 8) on Saturday, March 4, 2017, with a recognition luncheon for Filipino women pioneers in the community.

The luncheon, held at The Marlborough Hotel, was well attended by political leaders from different levels of government, special guests, members and their families and friends.

Now in its second year, the group gave deserving recognition See PINAY p4

ROBERT MISA

Triple Diamond Sales Consultant Award 2014 - Gold Winner

NELSON LANTIN

Sales Manager

Top photo: Pinays MB officers, awardees and guests. Bottom photo: Ronald Opina, Ron Cantiveros for Rosalinda Natividad Cantiveros, Danny Sevilla, Erlinda Magnaye Ramos, Linda Mauricio, Linda Tesoro, Perla Javate and Roselyn Advincula. Photos by Alex Canlapan | Lente with Nijrik Amaraco and Hersey Huan

ROMMEL FAJARDO Sales Manager

MA. LEE HOLGADO Sales Advisor

JEZREEL “The Jet” REYES Sales Advisor

CHRISTIAN REYES Sales Consultant

JOELAN MENDOZA

Collision Repair Advisor

PAGE 2

PILIPINO EXPRESS

MARCH 16 - 31, 2017

The Riverstone

New Homes - Available for Spring Possession

Side-by-Side Model

Starting from $295,900

1400 or 1494 sq.ft., 3 bedroom, 21/2 bath - 2 storey Includes lot, net GST, 12’x22’ garage, pile foundation, concrete driveway, maple cabinetry, open-concept floor plan, and great curb appeal.

Two (2) floor plans to choose from, each with features you’re sure to love.

Allan Hayes (204) 226-0978 Royal LePage Prime Real Estate

Ken Brandt (204) 479-1858 Quest Residential Real Estate Ltd.

Castlebury Meadows

Nic Curry MLA for Kildonan t. 204.945.2322 e. nic@niccurry.com

Happy to serve the Families of Kildonan

MARCH 16 - 31, 2017

PILIPINO EXPRESS

PAGE 3

“Canada was built by citizen immigrants, people who come here permanently with their families to become Canadians.”

- Hon. John McCallum, MP Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Respond to Canada’s need for immigrants.

Regulated Immigration Consultant Program Online | In-Class Both formats are available for students studying full-time or part-time.

NATIONAL Online (604) 628-5784 / 1(844) 628-5784 BRITISH COLUMBIA Vancouver (604) 283-2028 Abbotsford (604) 625-1150

Ashton College www.ashtoncollege.ca

Select programs are eligible for funding under Federal or Provincial Student Loan plans.

1114

PAGE 4

PILIPINO EXPRESS

MARCH 16 - 31, 2017

Mindanao matters I spent the first two weeks of March traveling around Mindanao for a coffee table book project a friend and I have for an NGO. We were both excited about the prospect of going to places we have mostly never been to, especially since the areas we were to visit were not tourist attractions but communities that are being serviced by our client. We were “warned” at first that some places were very remote and that getting there would take many hours on rough roads. A few places were also rebel-infested – a cause for concern since the peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) had just been terminated. It also didn’t help that at the time we were planning the trips the weather in Mindanao was really, really wet, with rain in the forecast for much of the time.

But my friend and I were raring to go, and while I felt a little apprehension, I was excited not just to see the different places but also to talk to people about their lives.

Our first trip was the farthest: Surigao del Sur. It took us five hours to get to the municipality of

PINAYS...

From page 1 to two pioneering individuals and a group, namely: • The late Mrs. Rosalinda Natividad Cantiveros – a respected community leader who initially made her mark in the field of journalism. She also became known for her passion and dedication to community work and volunteerism. Her son, Ron Cantiveros, received the award on behalf of the family. In his short acceptance speech, an emotional Cantiveros said, it’s a bittersweet moment as on the day his mother is being honoured, their family is remembering her ninth-year death anniversary. She passed away on March 4, 2008. She was 61 years old.

Rosalinda Natividad Cantiveros was born in Gapan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines. In July 1974, Cantiveros and husband Rod immigrated to Canada. As a teacher in the Philippines, she continued with her education and work in Manitoba. She gained an education degree at the University of Manitoba, with a major in English and a minor in History; Pre-masters in the EducationPsychology Program and PBCE program; Post Baccalaureate on cross cultural and adult education, also at the U of M. She worked as a teacher under the Department of Indian Affairs, School Division No.1; she was a language-training consultant at Manitoba Education Training; ESL and open door education program, and others.

Cantiveros, as a dedicated

Barobo, and from there, another hour to the barangay of Carpenito where a school was conducting a feeding program for children who were undernourished. The principal told us that the reason for the program was to make sure the students could focus on their studies. “How can you study if your stomach is empty?” she said.

It also aimed to lessen the number of dropouts: if the children knew there was lunch waiting for them, they would be less likely to skip class.

What struck me was how committed the school’s officials and teachers were to their students. The feeding program coordinator said while the local government and some private groups shouldered the funds, the school made various contributions like growing a vegetable garden and planting fruit trees so that the meals would be augmented.

In a place like this – far away from the eyes of social media denizens who could easily make a viral story out of the situation – the community works together to raise children who could lift the barangay out of poverty.

Another place that made an

volunteer, was involved in various groups and organizations such as the Citizen’s Equity and Manitoba Advisory for Foreign Policy. She was a founding member of the Philippine Canadian Centre of Manitoba (PCCM), Manitoba Association of Filipino Teachers (MAFTI), University of Santo Tomas Alumni Association and Gapan Association.

She was recognized with many different awards such as being one of the 100 outstanding Filipinos in Canada. And in 2002, Natividad-Cantiveros was among Manitobans honoured with the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal. It was created to commemorate the 50th anniversary the Queen’s reign.

The Governor-General of Canada awarded the medal to those who have made outstanding and exemplary contributions to their communities or to Canada as a whole.

• Mrs. Erlinda Magnaye Ramos – an entrepreneur who established Manitoba’s first Filipino-owned cake-baking business in 1971 when she was still a very young wife and mother with small children. To this day, her cakes are part of special occasions like weddings and birthdays not only in and outside Winnipeg, but also south of the border. With her trademark smile and humility, nanay Linda received the award as her loving family happily applauded.

Nanay Linda, as she is fondly called, hails from Lipa, Batangas but grew up in Quezon province.

See PINAYS p10

impression on me during our trips was also a school, this one an hour from Koronadal City in South Cotabato. Our client NGO had given some books to augment the ones the Department of Education (DepEd) provided for the children. Using these materials one student was able to bag first place in a regional academic contest. Now this school is remote, and half of its students come from even farther away, walking two kilometers each day just to get to class. On rainy days they either stay home or, if they are already in school, they are made to go home early because the river they have to cross gets flooded. Despite the difficulties, the children we saw worked hard at their education, obviously knowing that it was the key to a bright future for them.

We also discovered that the school taught not just academic excellence but personal development as well — or as we call it here, GMRC: good manners and right conduct. I had left my bag on a table during our interview with teachers, and when I went back for it afterward I saw a 20-peso bill beside it. I called one of the teachers to tell her that someone had left money on

the table, but she said it had been found by the students and was being returned to me. I was really touched by that simple gesture.

It was a small amount, but for these kids it could buy them quite a bit at the neighbourhood sarisari. That they chose to return it showed how well they were being brought up. (The money, by the way, wasn’t mine, so I asked the teacher to find the rightful owner.)

Because of this it was easy for my friend and me to say yes, when the school principal asked us to help replace their computer printer. It had been with them for a few years already and now the thing won’t print yellow anymore.

We saw how the teachers used the printer to create educational materials, laminating them with tape and hanging them up for the children to enjoy and learn from.

Their commitment was more than enough to touch our hearts.

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

1045 Erin Street, Winnipeg, MB Canada R3G 2X1 Phone: 204-956-7845 E-mail: info@pilipino-express.com www.pilipino-express.com Publisher

THE PILIPINO EXPRESS INC. Editor-in-Chief

EMMIE Z. JOAQUIN Associate Editor

PAUL MORROW Art Director

REY-AR REYES JP SUMBILLO

Graphic Designer/Photographer

ALEX CANLAPAN Photographer

Columnists/Contributors 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 MICHAEL SCOTT ROLDAN SEVILLANO, JR. RON URBANO KATHRYN WEBER SHERYLL D. ZAMORA Youth Contributors Aksyon Ng Ating Kabataan (ANAK) Philippine Correspondents CRISTY FERMIN JON JOAQUIN AMBETH R. OCAMPO

SALES & ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT

(204) 956-7845)

E-mail: info@pilipino-express.com www.pilipino-express.com Sales & Marketing Team ISAGANI BARTOLOME RODGE LOPEZ JAMES NEIL SOLIVEN

Rosalinda Natividad Cantiveros

Erlinda Magnaye Ramos

The Pilipino Express is a Winnipeg based news-magazine published twice a month. Its contents do not necessarily reflect the publisher’s opinion.

The Pilipino Express and Pilipino Sports Express are registered names.

Reproduction of any content and/or ad design published in the Pilipino Express is not permitted without the publisher’s written consent. Materials submitted are subject to editorial discretion and the publication accepts no responsibility for the return or safety of unsolicited artwork, photos, or manuscripts.

All rights reserved.

Annual subscription rate within Canada: $65.00 For advertising inquiries, call: 204-956-7845, fax: 204-956-1483 or e-mail: info@pilipino-express.com www.pilipino-express.com Linda Mauricio with her mentor/room mate, Librada Claudio

Printed by: The Prolific Group.

MARCH 16 - 31, 2017

PILIPINO EXPRESS

Talking to teens about consent Dear readers, Last month’s column focused on teaching younger children about consent. This month the focus is on discussing consent with your teenaged children. A reminder from last month: consent is about the belief that each person owns their body and has the right to decide if, when, and who is allowed to touch them.

With young children, teaching about consent can help your child if a game that starts off as normal childhood curiosity about sexuality starts to feel uncomfortable. Even if it is just ordinary interaction, children can learn to check in with each other to see if their play is going OK for everyone. This teaches children to think about others and how they might be feeling.

Many parents are familiar with the good touch vs. bad touch education that is often taught in elementary schools. It is important to build on this concept when your children are in middle school and older. This is when various “touch games” become common: butt slapping, snapping bra straps, boys grabbing each other’s genitals or nipples etc.

Your teens may try to dismiss these behaviours but it’s important to discuss the ways that these games impact other people. Boys somehow pick up the message that girls like the attention, but most girls explain that it actually makes them uncomfortable. Behaviour that may be seen as just typical adolescent behaviour can actually

be harassment (and sometimes assault) regardless of the genders of the people involved.

Middle school is when talk about sex often happens in same sex situations like locker rooms and sleepovers. In today’s popular culture there is a great pressure to objectify people sexually. Don’t ignore “locker room talk” but be mindful of your approach. When you hear comments like “She’s a hot piece of ass,” or “Look at that package!” casually remind your teens and their friends that people deserve to be seen as whole people – not just as their sexual body parts.

They may roll their eyes at you, but if you keep your comments low key but firm (and avoid lecturing) your kids will pay attention to what you are saying. You are also acting as a role model.

Boys need to start learning about healthy masculinity in middle school. Men need to talk to boys about the positive aspects of masculinity. They also need to discuss what hasn’t been so good about masculinity and what needs to happen so that all types of guys (athletic, musical, academic, artistic, queer identified etc.) feel comfortable in their masculinity.

How can men share power in their relationships rather than operating only from a “power over” viewpoint? Consent is really about sharing the power in a sexual relationship.

Parents who are willing to discuss sexual relationships with their teenagers often focus on “wait See ATE ANNA p7

PAGE 5

PAGE 6

PILIPINO EXPRESS

MARCH 16 - 31, 2017

Destination Manitoba: Blessing or a curse?

If you have been following the local news recently you would be struck by several recurrent stories. There are the budget cuts announced by the Palliser government on health care, education, and, within the context of immigration, English Adult Language learning. Want more bad news? Then, expect more cuts and also the major overhaul of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) set for April 2017. Immigration to Manitoba will become more restricted and arrivals will decrease. This “bad” news, for many, is counterbalanced by news of the asylum seekers leaving the United States and coming to Canada. There is something happening, and to quote President Trump, “we have to figure out what the (heck) is going on.”

OK, I changed one word but then again, respectfully; Donald Trump should change a lot of his language.

We should all be aware of the protests against the impending MPNP changes headed by MLA and interim NDP party leader Flor Marcelino and the “Save MPNP Coalition: strength in diversity” along with Liberal MLA Cindy Lamoureux. It is refreshing to see the opposition parties united in their support for MPNP “status quo.” If it isn’t broken, why fix it? Premier Pallister’s proposed changes, along with his cuts in vital health, education and support services to newcomers can and should be contested in the public forum. His proposed revamped nomination program, based primarily on job offers and OFWs, is an attempt to use an out-dated recruitment model and present it as reform or renewal.

No, history has shown us that this narrow approach to immigration selection and recruitment, with an over reliance on addressing immediate needs, is a quick fix with limited value. I thought the

Budgeting

By Tim St. Vincent What is it about the idea of a budget that sends people screaming into the night? What causes people to dread budgets and to think of them as an evil creature from the darkest depths? Budgeting. It isn’t a dirty four-letter word. I counted; there are nine!

I think people don’t like budgeting because of two main misconceptions 1. It’s a lot of work, too hard to do and, 2. Too much math! Let’s deal with these one at a time.

“Too much work!”

Well, I can’t argue that it does take some time and a solid effort to set up your first budget – but

too much work? Not really. The first time you set up your budget it might take one or two hours, but once it’s set up, it only takes about 15 minutes a month! Don’t know how to start a budget? No worries, we have you covered!

Just go to www.mymoneycoach. ca and enter “excel budget” in the search box. This takes you to a list, click on “Intelligent Free Excel Budget.” This takes you to an excellent budget calculator that you can download, complete with instructions! It’s an awesome budget builder full of tips and helpful hints. All you need to do is enter some numbers and it will do the rest, it’s as easy at that!

Download this budget builder and

Premier would have learned the lesson of being anti-immigrant from the former Harper government but apparently not so.

The province needs immigration numbers to fuel the economy.

Newcomers are a net gain, not a net loss, for the provincial economy. That said, I shall leave the politics to our trusted MLAs who are doing a good job to enlist support for their opposition to proposed changes in MPNP and cuts to services.

At the same time that teachers, nurses, students, patients and families are becoming anxious about proposed cuts and changes in Manitoba, we also have the specter of asylum seekers leaving the United States in record numbers and coming to Canada for safety, security and a better future. The United States, under President Trump, has become a less welcoming and harsher place to be. If you are a TNT (“tago nang tago”) or an asylum seeker, your anxiety levels are rising along with the possibility

of enforcement. There should be no surprise that a self-engrossed billionaire is more concerned about taking care of himself. It would appear that interest in self only is becoming the defining feature of the country on our southern border. Should we consider building a wall or, as some clerical leaders suggest, should we keep the bridges open.

Did you know that within the last few days, in the midst of a record blizzard with freezing temperatures and blinding snow, around 21 asylum seekers entered Manitoba? Yes, they see our province as a safe haven from the storm that is Trump’s America.

They put their very lives at risk to get out. The response from Canada is reassuring. Rather than doubling the police at the border to arrest and kick them out, there were several RCMP cars waiting to pick up the asylum seekers and take them to shelter from the cold and to places where they could submit refugee claims. The contrast between the two countries

could not be more profound.

Canada is not the United States and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and to a lesser degree Premier Brian Pallister, are not President Donald Trump.

However, we must guard against becoming more like our southern neighbours. In the words of former President Barrack Obama, “that is not who we are.” All major religions and the golden rule teach us: “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Let’s build bridges not walls. Let Manitoba remain a welcoming place for all immigrants, refugees as well as skilled workers.

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.

you will be budgeting in no time!

Budgeting is the core of your financial wellbeing. Tracking expenses is the heart of a healthy budget. If you don’t track your expenses, you don’t really have a budget. This is where people run into trouble. Think you don’t need to track expenses? What is a cup of coffee or two a day? It doesn’t matter? If that is what you’re thinking, let me give you two examples of why you need to track. If you lose track of $5.00 a day, you will lose over $1,800.00 a year!

If you’re a pack-a-day smoker and don’t track, based on $15 a pack, that’s almost $5,500 a year and $110,000 over 20 years!

Factor in increasing prices over 20 years, allow for interest if the funds were in a savings account and in 20 years you have smoked the dollar equivalent of a house!

Still think you don’t need to track your expenses?

If you agree that tracking is important, but need help; we have that covered too! Just visit www. mymoneycoach.ca and click on “Tools” at the top, then “Expense Tracker.” We have two different expense trackers that you can download. Take your pick!

“Too much math!”

Okay, so I think we have

tackled the “takes too much time” objection, now on to “it’s too much math.” Wrong. A good budget isn’t really about math. A calculator, an Excel file, or even a friend can do the math. A good budget is about relationships.

Yes, relationships. Another place where people sometimes fail in budgeting is in not realizing that they have a relationship with money, and it’s this relationship, called money values, that really dictates and controls your budget.

It’s this relationship that causes you to decide to spend money in one area of the budget and not another. It’s hard to budget correctly if you don’t understand your relationship with money. Is your relationship one where you want safety and security (Saver) or one where you want comfort and adventure (Spender). Perhaps charitable work is important to you, so you want save so that you can give. We all have relationships with money. We all have money values, and we often have more than one. Sometimes they even compete against each other. If you are in a relationship, it is important to realize that your partner also has a relationship with money, and it may be very different from yours –but that is a topic for another article!

Of Canadians, 48 per cent say that if their pay were delayed just one week, they couldn’t pay their bills. Half of Canadians report that they are living paycheque to paycheque. Half of Canadians have no budget. I strongly believe that if more people had a proper budget, significantly fewer people would struggle financially.

To have a good budget, you need to understand your money values. You need to understand what makes you want to spend money in one area, and not in another. This is an important step in establishing a budget, getting spending under control, and tracking your expenses (and your success).

Don’t be afraid of the work or the math; the effort is short term, the benefit is life long. If you have questions or suggestions for future articles, please contact me at the below number.

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.

MARCH 16 - 31, 2017

ATE ANNA...

From page 5 until you’re older or married to have sex,” or information about sexually transmitted infections,

PILIPINO EXPRESS safer sex and using condoms. Youth education about sexuality often relies on negative messaging about sexuality. For example, older teens may get information in school about “date rape drugs” but they don’t get

the opportunity to learn about and discuss issues like respect, consent and personal responsibilities in a sexual situation. This is where their parents can step in with conversations about the complex areas of sexuality that take time to think through.

Teens need to receive a clear message about consent. This can be a good way to start a conversation: “Before you have sex with someone, and that is every time you have sex with them, make sure they want to have sex with you. This goes for everyone – and whether you’re in a relationship with them or not.” Note that this holds true for married couples, as well.

Of course, that conversation needs to continue with how a sexual situation can go from “yes” to “no” at any time. You could say, “Everyone likes different things, sexually, and we need to respect people’s comfort level and

PAGE 7 boundaries, just as others have to respect yours. At any point when you feel uncomfortable or what you’re doing doesn’t feel right for you, please listen to that inner voice.

If it’s the other person who feels uncomfortable or doesn’t want to continue, you need to respect them and stop.”

Consent is complex, so it’s important to find the balance between clear messages and oversimplifying the issues. You can discuss the words that give a clear message (Yes, that sounds like fun, OK, No) and the ones that don’t (I guess so, maybe, silence).

Communication and consent are about more than words. Another clear message you can give is: “If you are unsure about how the other person feels, please ask so you can be sure.”

You may not feel comfortable with the idea of being so explicit with your children about their sexual

relationships. However, as a parent, this is a very important conversation to have. Think about it as part of your parental responsibilities – you are helping to keep your children sexually safe. You are teaching them about respecting their own feelings and boundaries, as well as others’. These are important values that will help them in many aspects of their adult life. These are not simple conversations, so they will take some time. But know that it is time well spent!

Take care, Ate Anna 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.

PAGE 8

PILIPINO EXPRESS

MARCH 16 - 31, 2017

Ten things I miss most about Winnipeg The Burgos Bunch recently celebrated the two-year anniversary of our big move to Vancouver Island. In those two years we’ve had countless trips on the ferry to Vancouver and a few trips down into Washington, Oregon and California states.

Growing up on the prairies, cities like Vancouver, Victoria and Seattle seemed like exotic far off lands that you would visit every once in a while. The allure of the big city, combined with the backdrop of the mountains and ocean, are what memories are made of. Who would forget a stroll along the sea wall at Stanley Park?

Watching fish fly at Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle? Or how about flowers blooming in February in BC’s capital city of Victoria?

It’s been a great two years and we’re looking forward to more adventures. As great as it is here, I gotta say, there are so many things I miss about the city in which I was born – Winnipeg.

Sadly, Winnipeg is the butt of many jokes. I find myself constantly defending my hometown with West Coasties who say, “Winnipeg! It’s cold” or “The mosquitoes are huge!” I mean, sure it gets cold and the mosquitoes can get big enough to carry away small dogs, but there are so many

great things about Winnipeg and Manitoba that people need to experience sometime in their life.

Here are some of the things I miss most about Winnipeg: 1. My mom. This seems most cliché, so this is where I’ll start.

This is also the one thing I miss most about living in Winnipeg.

Thankfully, she is healthy and always willing to fly out to visit.

In fact, she just flew back to Peg City after spending almost a month with us. The family loved having her here and I rarely had to cook!

Lumpia, sopas and my favourite, sinigang, was on the menu. We loved having her here! Miss you, mom. See you this summer!

2. Family and extended family. I left behind my brother (and his new bride) and my sister and her family. Sadly, I don’t get to attend my niece’s Xmas concerts or gymnastics competitions. When the holidays roll around, that is when I miss family the most. The family get-togethers were always enjoyable. Then you add cousins, titas and titos. You get the picture.

3. Friends. I spent almost 40 years in Winnipeg. There was a stint when we tried living outside the city, and yes, it was great, but we quickly realized we are city folk. It was also because we lived too far away from work and friends.

Over my years, I have made great

friendships, as did Elizabeth and the kids. There wasn’t any need to get to know new people, because the friends I had were great.

4. Snow. What? Is that a typo?

Nope, it isn’t. We got some snow on the island this winter. I find it comical, because what they call snow here, is a light dusting in Winnipeg. Winters are dreary. The amount of daylight diminishes tremendously, but when there is snow on the ground, it helps keep it bright at night. The clear skies combined with moonlight definitely helped with visibility.

Over here, when it’s night, it’s dark. So dark, people who walk at night wear reflective vests. I also miss sledding, and the main ingredient for sledding? You got it – snow.

5. The heat. Man, did it get hot in Winnipeg. I miss feeling the intense heat on my skin while sitting at the beach – plus 30 for days on end. The temperatures are quite mild over here. It doesn’t get too hot and it definitely doesn’t get too cold. If there were two things I don’t miss about Winnipeg, it’s the mosquitoes and the humidity.

Air conditioning was my best friend; without it, I became a miserable old man.

6. The food. Jeanne’s Bakery.

The cakes with the cookie on the bottom! Steaks at The Keg or ice cream at BDI, and now a Jollibee? How did Winnipeg

My mom during her recent visit manage to get a Jollibee before Toronto or Vancouver? I am truly impressed with all the old and new restaurants popping up. Nicely done River City, nicely done.

7. Thunder and lightning.

Summer storms always made for a great show. It’s a rare occurrence to hear thunder or see lighting over here. Perfect example of, “You don’t know what you miss until it’s gone.”

8.

The sub-zero temperatures. Haha! Who am I kidding? -30C is inhumane. It

ranks up there with potholes for me. No thanks.

9. The people. There is a reason why the province in the middle of this great country is known as Friendly Manitoba.

People hold doors for one another.

Drivers wave when you let them in your lane. There is a genuine kindness in every Manitoban.

That is something to be proud of.

10. The Forks. Enough said.

Dale is the Director of Communications for a school district in British Columbia.

The feng shui of collections – from interesting to overwhelming One of the frequent targets of feng shui is clutter, and rightly so.

Clutter drains our life energies, saps our mental energy and drowns us in the possessions that we once took interest in to where they simply take over our homes, and in some instances, our lives.

It doesn’t matter how a collection starts, but what begins as an interest or even a gift, can go quickly from interesting to overwhelming. The energy of the collection then begins to take on a life of its own.

Think about people who have collections that you may have known – or your own.

Maybe you saw their house went from seemingly normal to feeling somewhat odd or sometimes obsessive, depending on the collection. That’s how fast collections can get out of hand.

Sometimes a collection was never the goal, but they happened anyway.

Like the funny camel your brother gave you and then suddenly, you’re getting camels

for every occasion and from everyone. Camels begin to take over your life until you don’t see the camels anymore. All you see is clutter and stuff everywhere.

Or worse, when you look at your camels you just see your great aunt Martha when she so lovingly gave you the camel she bought on her bus trip to Pike’s Peak, but now she’s gone and that camel is your connection to her.

But it really isn’t. It was the times you shared with your aunt that mattered, not the camel. If you have a collection and are not sure if it’s draining or benefitting your life, give these thoughts some consideration. You might not even have a camel but realize there might be some items you’re living with that have gotten out of control.

Is it still interesting to you?

Maybe you loved collecting tennis visors from every hotel you visited years ago, but do you still feel the same? If you have outgrown your passion for tennis visors, that’s OK. It’s all right

if you grow and change and no longer feel the same way. If so, donate them – or sell them.

There’s always someone willing to buy a full “set” of anything.

Is your collection (e.g. dolls, clocks, visors, spoons, etc.) the first thing people notice when they come to your house?

When you’ve been collecting a long time, you may not even notice your collection after a while. But if visitors notice your “hats, dolls, porcelain pigs, or thing that’s gotten out of control” the first thing when they come in and comment on it, you might have become blind to how much your collection has overtaken your home.

Does your collection enhance your home or overrun it?

Take a good, hard look. Does your collection seem interesting or odd? A preoccupation with garden gnomes everywhere may tip the scales toward eccentric… and that’s when the collection can become yin. Instead of lifting up the energy of the home,

the collection starts taking the house backwards. The collection drains the energy of the home’s occupants to the point that they’re fatigued; feel uninspired in life and the house seems listless and dull.

Does your collection make you happy?

Again, this could be blindness setting in. If you’ve grown out of your awareness of your collection and don’t really notice it anymore, then ask yourself if it’s still making you happy. If not, it might be time to pass it on, donate it or

throw it away.

Are you or your house overwhelmed by your collection?

You might not even notice when a collection has become so large it ceases to be interesting, and is energetically taking over your home in a way that you’ve not noticed, much like the frog that doesn’t realize he’s being boiled to death raising the temperature one degree at a time.

Is your home balanced?

Balance is an important part See FENG SHUI p9

MARCH 16 - 31, 2017

FENG SHUI...

From page 8 of feng shui. Just like it’s easier to drink water from a glass than it is from a fire hose, it is hard to succeed in life when your home is overrun by a collection. Even family photos can grow out of control, covering every inch of wall space.

Stand back and really look at your home. Has your attachment to certain items turned into a collection that you didn’t even know you had – like all the old electronics you can’t seem to get rid of or the old magazines you’ve been saving?

Has your attachment to your collection grown out of an emotional attachment?

A client once had a collection of baby dolls that she started after her daughter died at age three, a time when little girls start playing with baby dolls. She’d never made the link that the baby dolls she collected were connected to her daughter’s death, but once she did, she was able to donate her collection to a doll museum, and more important, move past her grief once and for all.

FENG SHUI Q&A Question: My husband I recently were at the brink of divorce. Is there anything I can change in our bedroom to keep

PILIPINO EXPRESS our relationship solid, and help give it some new energy too?

Answer: I heard someone say once that sometimes it’s much harder to stay married than it is to divorce. All I know is that there are times when marriage is hard, and there’s no question that divorce puts you through a wringer. I commend you for wanting to take a look at your bedroom to keep your relationship on a solid, happy track.

The first place I would start is with your bedding. How long has it been since you replaced your mattress? What about the linens?

If you were fighting quite a bit, that old mattress could hold onto a lot of that old, negative energy. Do a thorough cleaning behind the bed and underneath it. Dust is very yin and it holds on to old energy, and just attracts more dirt and energy over time. Giving your bedroom a good, thorough cleaning, removing all the furniture to dust behind it, is a great starting point.

You may also want to repaint and get the carpets steam cleaned.

Give your bedroom a good look – does it look attractive to you? Did it get run down like your marriage? Ask yourself how your bedroom is reflecting the state of your marriage. Maybe your bedroom looks like a 5-star hotel, but try to look past the appearance and really look at what your decor

is saying. Is it too cold? Over frilly? Are there too many books stacked up on one side of the bed and shoes on the other?

If you have a tendency to not make your bed, make it your tendency now. A bed is a symbol of a union and when it’s undone, the union can be undone, and can contribute to you feeling less than enthusiastic about your partnership. Lastly, and I say it all the time, look at your headboard.

Is it solid? Is it comfortable? Is it supportive? This is the support for your marriage – make sure it’s good and sturdy, attractive and comfortable.

Kathryn Weber is the publisher of the Red Lotus Letter Feng Shui E-zine and certified feng shui consultant in authentic Chinese feng shui. 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!

PAGE 9

PAGE 10

PILIPINO EXPRESS

MARCH 16 - 31, 2017

Progress notes on Alzheimer’s disease Writing progress notes on a patient’s medical chart is a constant practice among physicians. These notes document the course of their patients’ illness and help as a guide to patient management. I thought I would again exercise this habit of work – not on patients, since I am retired, but on health issues about which I write in this column – to keep our readers continually informed.

Exciting progress Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by cognitive impairment (dementia), that is, by a decline or loss in a person’s ability to think, reason, remember and use one’s knowledge or intellect in daily life.

One promising opening to a treatment breakthrough in Alzheimer’s disease comes from the Department of Pharmacology and Center for Translational Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, USA. Alerted to a recently reported scientific study from this centre by Dana Dovey writing for IB Times, I read the full research paper as published online on 31 January 2017 by Drs. D. Praticò, E. Lauretti, J. Li and A. Di Meco. These researchers

PINAYS...

From page 4 Her family was in the business of milling rice and copra – the dried meat of the coconut used to extract coconut oil.

At seventeen, she fell in love with Gerry Ramos whom she later married. It was summer of 1970 when Ramos, and two of her nine children arrived in Canada. Her husband had come to Canada two months prior. Through hard work, perseverance and living within their means, the couple were able to make things work and provide for their family.

It was in a gathering of friends at their home that a cake Ramos made started to get noticed. A female co-worker of Gerry’s liked the cake and asked Ramos to make her a wedding cake. From that wedding, and through word of mouth, Ramos’ clientele slowly grew. Most Filipino celebrations of weddings, birthdays and other occasions were not complete without a cake from Gelyn’s Wedding Lounge – the name derived from a combination of

have provided the first in vivo – in life – experimental evidence showing that reduced levels of glucose (a simple form of sugar) in the brain “directly triggers” cognitive impairments associated with the disease in humans, and that a certain type of protein, called p38, is produced in response to glucose deprivation.

These findings augur well for the development of a “novel and viable therapy for preventing and/or halting the disease progression.”

Also exciting are the works in progress at the Flinders University in Australia and the Baylor College of Medicine, the Texas Children’s Hospital, and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in the USA, where research scientists are also actively working on drugs that could prevent the build-up of brain protein plaques – “the main hallmark of the disease.”

Need for a national strategy Four-and-a -half years ago, this columnist called on the federal government to develop a national strategy on AD (Pilipino Express, Oct 1, 2012). I was echoing the first call for such a national strategy jointly made

eight years earlier in 2004 by the Alzheimer Society of Canada and the National Advisory Council on Aging. In support I wrote: “Imagine seeing our parents, spouse, friends, loved ones or oneself robbed of memory and of the ability to remember events, to think and to reason, and to do the usual requirements of daily living and social relationship and eventually… of bodily functions, including total loss of speech, over a period of seven years – the average life span following diagnosis before death.

Senate’s response Four months ago, the Canadian Senate its Committee’s report, Dementia in Canada: A National Strategy for Dementia-Friendly Communities, which highlighted the need for: “(1) programs that will help dementia patients live independently, (2) including $Three billion over four years to provide homecare services, (3) expanding Employment Insurance’s compassionate leave benefits for people who take time off work to care for a family member with dementia, and (4) a tax credit for low-income Canadians when they are thrust into caregiving roles.”

Committee chair Senator

Gerry and Linda.

Ramos is the only member of the International Cake Exploration Societé (ICES) in Winnipeg. According to their website, members gather to “preserve, advance and encourage exploration of the sugar arts.”

While enjoying success in their business, Ramos and husband Gerry never forgot to give back to the community. The couple were among the very first members of the Coalition for Stronger Families and for more than 30 years, Linda worked as a treasurer for St. Edward’s School. She also served as a board member of the Philippine Canadian Centre of Manitoba (PCCM), and is known as a long-time and passionate volunteer at the Magdaragat’s Pearl of the Orient Pavilion during Folklorama, the Philippine Heritage Council of Manitoba, and in many other community events.

Still for others, she is simply a wonderful person who provided them food and shelter when they most needed it.

“It’s important to share your blessings,” Ramos advised. “We

have always taught our children to never discriminate. Help others and they will help you back. Trust God and never lose your sense of humour!”

• Garment Workers Batch 1968-69 – a group of young and courageous Filipino women, and a handful of men, that left the Philippines in the late 1960s to seek a better future overseas. The first batch arrived on October 21, 1968 as the first government-sponsored group of foreign-trained garment workers. Eventually they settled in Manitoba and raised families here. Among the members of Batch 1968-69 who attended the luncheon and received Recognition Awards were: Linda Tesoro, Danilo Sevilla and Linda Mauricio.

Danilo Sevilla who arrived with the first group was one of only two males out of 15 people in Batch ‘68. He was in the design and cutting department. “I was only 21 then. But I decided to come here for a better life for myself and my family.”

Linda Mauricio was only 20 years old when she arrived in

Kelvin Ogilvie sais, “By helping Canadian communities become more dementia-friendly and enhancing access to home health care, federal and provincial governments can make a major social advance permitting patients a higher quality of life and extending the time they have in their own homes and community.”

Committee vice-chair Senator Art Eggleton added, “Dementia is going to become a major public health issue and a serious financial issue to governments as Canada’s aging population grows.

We need to start putting measures in place now before the problem escalates further.” Nearly 750,000 Canadians – some 72 per cent of whom are women – had the disease in 2011 and that number is expected to double in 15 years.

It is projected that the costs to the Canadian economy would increase from $33 billion a year to $293 billion by 2040.

Desirable government response It is, indeed, regrettable that Canada has not yet put in place a national plan. In contrast, the United States has had a national Alzheimer’s strategy since January 2011, when then President Barack Obama signed the National Alzheimer’s Project

Act (NAPA) into law. Its twin goals are to prevent and to treat the disease by 2025.

A pan-Canadian strategy is envisioned to also heighten public awareness of the disease and thereby draw additional research funding. Federal funding for Alzheimer’s research has more than doubled in the U.S. since its NAPA became law.

The Canadian Senate report has recommended increased funding for Alzheimer’s research.

Research is key to making any scientific breakthrough, which, in medicine, is finding a cure and a vaccine for a given disease. With the Senate report as a blueprint, a positive Canadian response is highly desirable.

Dr. Rey D. Pagtakhan, a former lung specialist and Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Manitoba (UM), graduated from the University of the Philippines and the UM Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. He is also a former Member of Parliament and cabinet minister. Widely published and lectured and the recipient of many awards and honours, he remains a community volunteer and advocate.

Linda Mauricio, Merchandiser/Clerk, Wescott Fashions Winnipeg. Living in Manila, she was a self-supporting student, studying Education during the day and working at PAE (Philippine American Embroideries, Inc.) at night. At work, she was originally a gofer who was a sort of Jane-ofall-trades, when an opportunity came to be able to work abroad.

“We heard they were recruiting for garment workers in Canada, but I was hesitant at first because I thought it might be a scam,” Mauricio said.

“But then, a relative who was

working at CP Air where the job recruitment will be held, said it was real. So I gave it a try. But we had to keep our application secret from our company. Those wanting to apply took turns in taking a day off to travel to Dewey Blvd. in Pasay.”

Aside from a face-to-face interview, applicants also had to undergo a skill test before their application could be completed.

“When it was my turn, I just held the scissors to begin, when See PINAYS p18

MARCH 16 - 31, 2017

PILIPINO EXPRESS

PAGE 11

SHOWBIZ SHOWBUZZ

PAGE 12

PILIPINO EXPRESS

Hindi pa diretsong umaamin sina Gerald Anderson at Bea Alonzo tungkol sa kanilang relasyon. Parang nagdu-duet ang dalawa kapag natatanong sa pagsagot na pareho raw kasi silang busy sa kanilang trabaho.

Pero siyempre’y alam na natin ang totoo, magkarelasyon na sila, humuhugot na sila ng inspirasyon sa isa’t isa. Alam na natin na hindi pa lang sila umaamin pero totoong sila na.

At wala namang mali kung magmahalan man sila dahil pareho na silang malaya. Dalawang puso sila ngayon na naggagamutan ng sakit na inabot nila sa nakaraang pakikipagrelasyon.

Si Gerald mula kay Maja Salvador at si Bea naman mula sa hiwalayan nila ni Zanjoe Marudo.

Sa dalawang relasyon ay ang kina Bea at Zanjoe ang ikinabigla at pinanghihinayangan ng marami.

Marami kasing umasa na sa altar na hahantong ang kanilang pagmamahalan pero wala ngang ibinibigay na garantiya ang panahon. Sa hiwalayan din iyon nauwi.

Malaki ang pagkakahawig ni Bela Padilla kay Bea. Sa mga

romantiko nilang tagpo ni Zanjoe Marudo sa seryeng My Dear Heart ay si Bea kaya ang nakikita ng aktor habang katitigan-kayakapan nito ang aktres?

Napansin namin sa madalas na pagtutok sa serye na magaling nang umarte si Zanjoe. Maemosyon na. si Bea Alonzo naman ay hinog na sa pag-arte, kahit anong papel ang ipagkatiwala sa kaniya ay naitatawid ng aktres na mahal na mahal ng mga camera sa sobrang ganda, kaya maraming kinikilig sa kanila ni Ian Veneracion sa A Love To Last.

Tuluy-tuloy lang ang pagririgodon ng lovelife ng maraming personalidad. Matira ang matibay. Sumusugal sila sa pakikipagrelasyon. *** Tanong nang tanong ang aming mga kaibigan kung malapit na raw bang magtapos ang mahigit isang taon nang matagumpay na action serye ng ABS-CBN na Ang Probinsiyano na pinagbibidahan ni Coco Martin.

Sana raw ay hindi pa. Sana raw ay magkaroon pa ng ekstensiyon ang palabas, dahil hahanap-

MARCH 16 - 31, 2017

• Gerald Anderson at Bea Alonzo – Totoo bang nagmamahalan na?

• Coco Martin – Ayaw pa ng mga fans na matapos ang Ang Probinsiyano • Gabby Concepcion – Movie with Mega? 10 million pesos muna • Cesar Montano – Nakasandal sa pader! Sinuportahan ni Pres. Du30 • Sen. Manny Pacquiao – Fan ni Julia Roberts si Pacman • Noven Belleza – Isang inspirasyon ang Kampeon ng Tawag ng Tanghalan • Vice Ganda – Bina-bash ng mga loyalista ng Superstar • Nora Aunor – Positibo man o negatibo, pinag-uusapan pa rin

Bea Alonzo & Gerald Anderson

Sen. Manny Pacquiao

See CRISTY p13

Coco Martin

CONTACT US

(204)275-5555

1-866-724-2080

info@mosaicfunerals.ca

Owner Darin Hoffman & Spouse Zeny Regalado

6

Proudly Serving Winnipeg

WINNIPEG’S NEWEST EVENT CENTRE ON NAIRN

LOCATIONS PROUDLY SUPPORTING THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY

1839 Inkster Blvd.

1006 Nairn Ave.

& Area Since

2006

WINNIPEG’S CHOICE VENUE

PREARRANGE WITH US TODAY

MOSAICFUNERALS.CA

Darin Hoffman

Owner/General Manager

Zeny Regalado

Community Representative/ Preneed Consultant

Nap Ebora

Community Representative/ Preneed Consultant

1 0 0 6 N A I R N AV E N U E • 2 0 4 - 2 7 5 - 5 5 5 5

MOSAICEVENTCENTRE.CA

Linger Aragon

Event Sales Coordinator

MEET OUR TEAM

BOOK YOUR NEXT

EVENT WITH US!

MARCH 16 - 31, 2017

CRISTY...

From page 12 hanapin nila ang maaaksiyong eksena sa serye na hinahaluan ng puso at nagtuturo ng kagandahangasal sa mga manonood.

Sabi ng aming kaibigang si

Vice Ganda

Nora Aunor

PILIPINO EXPRESS Jojo, “Palagay ko, e, malapit na ang ending, kasi, napanood ko na ang encounter ni Coco at ni Arjo Atayde. Pati ang engkuwentro nila ni Eddie Garcia, ipinakikita na. E, sila ang pinakamatinding magkakaaway sa story, kaya natatakot ako na baka matatapos

na ang Ang Probinsiyano. “Huwag pa sana, iyon ang reason kung bakit nagmamadali akong umuwi. Happy nga ang wife ko, kasi, noong umpisahan ko nang panoorin ang serye, e, hindi ako sumasama sa mga friends ko para mag-happy hour. Diretso na akong

PAGE 13 umuuwi dahil kailangan kong masubaybayan ang programa,� kuwento ng aming kaibigan.

Punumpuno ng aksiyon ang pinagbibidahang serye ng magaling na aktor na si Coco Martin, huwag kang pipikit sa pagtutok, dahil siguradong may

makalalampas na mahalagang eksena sa palabas.

At hindi lang mga kalalakihan ang audience ng Ang Probinsiyano, kahit ang mga nanay ng tahanan ay maagang nagluluto para wala nang mang-aabala sa kanila oras na See CRISTY p14

PAGE 14

PILIPINO EXPRESS

MARCH 16 - 31, 2017

Kris Bernal renews her contract with GMA Network Multi-talented actress Kris Bernal remains a loyal Kapuso as she renewed her exclusive contract with GMA Network on March 7.

Kris, one of the Network’s top leading ladies, was discovered in the fourth season of the realitybased artista search Starstruck.

After almost ten years of being a Kapuso, Kris has been blessed with numerous projects that have showcased her versatility and talent.

She feels grateful for her strong relationship with GMA through the years, “Eto yung gusto ng puso ko, kung saan ako kumportable, where I feel complete, where I’m satisfied and contented. I’m very thankful na nandito pa rin ako at binigyan ulit ako ng chance.”

After her commendable portrayal of a woman with learning disability in Little Nanay, GMA once again entrusted Kris with another challenging project as she top-bills the remake of the successful TV series Impostora where she will play a dual character.

“Masaya ako dahil ang gandaganda ng project na binigay nila sa akin, yung Impostora. Dito talaga ako mahahasa, at mag-gogrow. Ito na siguro yung pinakachallenging character para sa akin. Sobrang hirap din nung sa Little Nanay pero at least dun, isa lang ang role ko. Eto kasi sa Impostora, pabago-bago ako, hindi lang sa acting, sa pananamit See KRIS p15

Kris Bernal

CRISTY...

From page 13 nagsimula na ang palabas. Ganoon katindi ang panghalina ni Coco Martin at ng kaniyang kasamahan sa programa.

Isang kaibigan din namin ang nagsabi na dahil sa Ang Probinsiyano ay natutuhan nitong mag-ingat, nagbibigay kasi ng mga tips ang serye para makaiwas tayo sa krimen, hindi lang basta puro maaaksiyong eksena ang ibinibigay ng palabas. *** Naunsiyami ang pag-asa ng mga tagahanga nina Sharon Cuneta at Gabby Concepcion para sa kanilang pagbabaliktambalan. Kasado na sana ang istorya ng gagawin nilang pelikula para sa Star Cinema pero malaki ang posibilidad na hindi na iyon matuloy.

Pinaghandaan nang husto ni Sharon ang proyekto, ginawa nito ang lahat para bumagsak ang kaniyang timbang, pero hindi naman pala matutuloy ang pelikulang pagsasamahan nila ng kaniyang orihinal na ka-loveteam at ama ng kaniyang anak na si KC. Lumabas ang tunay na dahilan kung bakit. Ayon sa mapagkakatiwalaang source na naglabas ng kuwento ay sampung milyong piso ang hinihinging talent fee ni Gabby, parang may take it or leave it pang drama ang kaniyang pahayag, napakalaking halaga na katumbas na kung See CRISTY p15

Gabby Concepcion & Sharon Cuneta

Tourism Promotions Board COO Cesar Montano with Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo

MARCH 16 - 31, 2017

KRIS...

From page 14 din, may prosthetics pa ako and iba’t ibang makeup at look.”

Meanwhile, GMA Senior Vice President for Entertainment, Lilybeth Rasonable has nothing but good words for Kris and she is pleased that Kris continues to affirm her loyalty to GMA, “Kris started out with our Network, and we’re happy all the time kapag ang ating mga naumpisahang artista na nag-grow with us, dinevelop natin, ay patuloy na nananatili dito sa Network. Ito ang kanilang tahanan, and we’re happy that they continue to be with us.”

The GMA executive further reveals that Kris’ upcoming project will hone her more as a dramatic actress, “She’s doing a soap now. This is going to be a very challenging soap for her kasi she’s playing two starkly different characters so talagang it will be an acting challenge for her. So far, we’ve seen the rushes and she’s doing excellently.”

CRISTY...

From page 14 tutuusin ng tatlong pelikulang gagawin niya sa produksiyon.

“Ang katwiran ni Gabby, kung sakali raw na hindi kumita ang movie nila ni Sharon, e, kumita na siya. May ten million talent fee na siya, hawak na niya ang datung,” sabi ng source.

Hindi naman kaya presyong ayaw ang ibinigay ni Gabby sa Star Cinema? Presyong hindi kakagatin ng produksiyon dahil sobrang taas.

Hindi kaya ayaw lang gawin ni Gabby ang pelikula nila ng ina ng kaniyang panganay?

Hirit ng source, “Si Gabby pa? Kahit ano, e, gagawin niya, ngayon pa ba naman siya magiging choosy? Ngayon pa ba naman na puro father roles na ang ibinibigay sa kaniya?” *** Maituturing na nakasandal sa pader si Cesar Montano sa kontrobersiyang kinapapalooban niya ngayon. Napakaraming isyung ibinato laban sa kaniya ang mismong mga kaopisina niya sa Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) pero mukhang maling sigaw iyon dahil sinusuportahan si Buboy ng ating pangulo.

Diretsong nagpahayag si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na hindi ito naniniwala sa mga upak kay Cesar dahil buung-buo ang kaniyang tiwala sa aktor.

Ibig sabihin noon ay nagsayang lang ng pagod at laway ang mga nagbalangkas ng pagkontra kay Cesar bilang COO ng TPB. Ayon kay Cesar Montano ay may pinag-ugatan ang mga akusasyong walang basehan, maling-mali at imbento lang.

Iyon daw ang naging resulta ng pag-iimbestiga niya sa ahensiya, mayroon daw siyang natuklasang mga anomalya, binabalangkas na nga raw niya ang mga iregularidad na iyon para ihain sa Department Of Tourism pero naunahan lang siya ng grupong nagpakalat ng mga maling kuwento laban sa kaniya.

Sarado na ngayon ang

SHOWBIZ SHOWBUZZ PILIPINO EXPRESS

kuwentong hindi naman nagtatrabaho ang aktor bilang COO, gitara lang daw siya nang gitara sa kaniyang opisina.

Ang hindi lang nilinaw ni Cesar Montano ay ang akusasyon na ang ipinasok niyang staff sa ahensya ay mga kadugo niya. Ang kapatid niyang si Rommel. Ang hipag niya sa isang kapatid. Ang isa pa niyang hipag sa isang pinsan. At mga nagkokontrabida sa pelikula na palagi niyang nakakatrabaho.

Napakadaling target ngayon ng mga nakaupong opisyal ng gobyerno. Lalo na ang mga ipinuwesto ni Pangulong Duterte, sinisilipan ngayon ang mga ito ng kahinaan para lang sisihin ang nagtalaga sa kanila na ating pangulo, mahirap ang napasukang balwarte ni Cesar Montano.

Ang mali namang hakbang na ginawa ng grupong kumakalaban kay Cesar Montano ay nagtago sila sa dilim, ni isang pangalan ay hindi lumutang sa ipinakalat nilang dokumento, namamana tuloy sa dilim ang aktor kung sinu-sino ang mga nakikipagngitian sa kaniya sa ahensiya pero sa talikuran pala ay puro kalaban niya naman.

Kung magrereklamo ay kailangang kita ang ulo.

Una, mga duwag sila, gusto nilang magkaroon ng resulta ang kanilang sumbong nang hindi naman sila nagpapakilala.

Ikalawa, puro haka-haka lang ang laman ng dokumento, walang basehan, hindi kayang tumayo para maaksiyunan.

Pero hindi dapat maging kampante si Cesar Montano. Hindi ngayon at buo ang tiwala sa kaniya ng pangulo ay puwede na siyang matulog nang mahimbing. Huwag na huwag. *** Isang gabing nagkukuwentuhan kami ng magaling na singer-composer na si Lito Camo ay tumawag sa kaniya ang Pambansang Kamao. Mayroon silang pinagusapan tungkol sa isang kantang ihahandog ni Senador Manny Pacquiao sa isang malaking selebrasyon.

Pagkatapos mag-usap ng magkaibigan ay ibinigay sa amin ni Lito Camo ang telepono, ramdam na ramdam namin ang kasabikan sa boses ni Pacman, sana naman daw ay magkita kami isang araw.

Ang totoo ay palagi kaming sinosorpresa ng Pambansang Kamao.

Kapag nanonood kami ng pagdinig sa Senado ay napakaaktibo niyang magtanongmambusisi ng kanilang iginigisa.

Bago kami nagkausap ay iyon din ang pinagkukuwentuhan namin ni Lito Camo, parang kailan lang kasi iyon, pero ngayon ay mambabatas na ang kampeong boksingero.

Sabi ni Lito, “Wala siyang ipinagbago. Kahit pa napakasuccessful na niya, kahit pa sikat na sikat na siya sa buong mundo, napaka-humble pa rin niya.”

At sabay kaming naghalakhakan ni Lito dahil sa isang anekdotang hinding-hindi namin makakalimutan. Isang gabi ay nagyaya si Pacman na lumabas, nabalitaan daw niya kasi na nasa isang bake shop ang paborito niyang si Julia Roberts, magpaparetrato raw siya sa tabi ng

sikat na Hollywood actress.

Matindi ang kaniyang pakiusap, kaya kahit napakalamig ng klima ay bumangon kaming lahat para magpunta sa bake shop, makita lang niya si Julia Roberts na pinag-uusapan noon dahil sa tagumpay ng Knotting Hill.

Walang Julia Roberts sa bake shop. Ayon sa mga nandoon ay hindi raw nagpunta ang idolo ni Pacman pero dalawang araw na ang nakararaan ay nandoon nga ang Hollywood actress.

“Sayang! Sana noon tayo nagpunta dito! Hindi tuloy ako nakapagpa-picture sa idol ko!” napakatinding panghihinayang ng Pambansang Kamao.

Sino nga ba ang mag-aakala na ang boksingerong gustung-gustong makapagparetrato noon kay Julia Roberts ay kasingsikat na rin ng kaniyang idolo ngayon? Baka nga kapag nagkasalubong-nagkita sila sa Amerika ng Hollywood actress ay ito pa ang makiusap ng selfie sa tabi niya.

At isa na siyang senador na nagsusunog ng kilay sa pag-aaral ng batas, napakarami niyang tinatanggap na biyaya ng tagumpay pero ang magkabila niyang paa ay nakatanim pa rin sa lupa nang malalim hanggang ngayon.

Sa kahit anong aspeto ay ang naturalesa ng tao ang palaging lumulutang. Puwedeng magpakumbaba ang iba dahil kailangan pero sa katagalan ay ang tunay na ugali pa rin niya ang mamamayagpag.

“Sana, magkita tayo isang See CRISTY p16

PAGE 15

Noven Belleza - Tawag ng Tanghalan champion

PAGE 16

PILIPINO EXPRESS

MARCH 16 - 31, 2017

Filipino Engineers and Geoscientists AGM Members of the Filipino Members Chapter (FMC) and guests from Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba (the provincial association), including the Arab and Chinese Members Chapters gathered at the Canton Food Gallery to attend the 2017 Annual General Meeting on Saturday afternoon, March 11.

The chapter president, Ethel Fernandez, facilitated the meeting with a presentation to

CRISTY...

From page 15 araw. May pahinga naman ako sa Senado, magtawagan tayo.

Ang sarap kayang balikan ang nakaraan…Hati-hati lang tayo noon sa hamburger, nangangarap pa lang tayo noon. Napakabait talaga sa atin ng Panginoon,” pahayag ng Pambansang Kamaosenador. *** Si Noven Belleza ng Negros Occidental ang tinanghal na pinakaunang kampeon ng Tawag Ng Tanghalan ng It’s Showtime, nakuha niya ang boto hindi lang ng mga hurado, binigyan din siya ng standing ovation ng audience habang kinakanta niya ang medley

reflect on the work she and her team had accomplished in 2016, which included events organized by the chapter, community involvement and collaborations with the Arab Engineers chapter as they set their own chapter. She also spoke about the Internationally-Educated Engineers Qualifications (IEEQ) program and an academic excellence award for deserving IEEQ students, as well as

the Settlement On-line PreArrival (SOPA) program with a webinar to assist immigrants with engineering backgrounds.

Ethel then discussed what the members could look forward to in 2017, which will include more visibility in the community and the provincial association. She also provided a membership update, which saw a growth of 24 per cent from the previous year.

Ray Sator, VP for Finance, presented the chapter’s financial statement, where a stable financial

status is evident and a confidence that there will be enough funds to ensure that planned events for 2017 will materialize.

A representative from the SOPA program, Milagros Dacwag, spoke briefly on the collaboration with FMC and presented an overview of what SOPA is all about – more details can be found on their website: www.entryprogram.ca The second part of the event was a technical presentation on the new National Building

Code, presented by Norman Garcia, former chapter executive officer.

The presentation generated several questions from professionals working in the construction and consulting industries.

Volunteers from last year’s events were also acknowledged during breaks and during the last part of the event.

Presentations and coverage of the meeting will be made available on the chapter’s website: www.fmc-egm.ca

ng Air Supply.

Napakataas ng nakuha niyang score mula sa mga judges at text votes, 99.96%, milya-milya ang layo sa pumangalawa at pumangatlo sa kaniya.

Malaking dagdag na simpatya para kay Noven Belleza ang payak na buhay ng kanilang pamilya.

Nakakaantig ang kaniyang rebelasyon na kung minsan ay nagtatanong siya, bakit libro ang hawak ng kaniyang mga kaibigan, samantalang siya ay araro?

Pero hindi naging hadlang ang kahirapan para sa katuparan ng mga pangarap ng anak ng Negros, dumaan siya sa butas ng karayom pero nanindigan siya, gagawin niya ang lahat-lahat para mabigyan ng bagong hugis ang kundisyon ng

kaniyang pamilya.

Sa tinanggap niyang premyong dalawang milyong puso, bahay at lote mula sa Camella Homes ng mga Villar at iba pang mga gantimpala sa pagiging unang kampeon niya ng TNT, ay isa-isa nang mabubuo ni Noven Belleza ang kaniyang mga pangarap.

Matutubos na niya ang nakasanglang lupa ng kanilang pamilya, makapag-aaral na uli siya, isang buhay na naman ang binago ng mabait na kapalaran.

Maraming kababayan nating anak-mahirap ang binigyan ng inspirasyon ni Noven Belleza.

Isang patotoo ang kaniyang tagumpay na walang kinikilingan ang kapalaran basta ibigay mo lang lahat ang iyong talento.

Maligayang bati kay Noven Belleza! *** Inuupakan si Vice Ganda sa social media ng mga loyalista ni Nora Aunor. Sumosobra na raw kasi ang kabastusan ng komedyante-TV host. Iyon daw ang dahilan kung bakit biglang nag-back out ang Superstar sa pagiging hurado ng grand finals ng Tawag Ng Tanghalan.

At ang masakit pa ay ikinukumpara si Vice ngayon kay Kris Aquino. Huwag daw masyadong maging kampante sa kaniyang popularidad ngayon si Vice dahil baka mangyari rin sa kaniya ang naging kapalaran ni Kris sa ABS-CBN. Sabi pa ng isang basher ni

Vice Ganda, “Napakayabang niya!

Lahat na lang, binabastos niya!

Aabangan na lang namin ang pagbagsak mo! Remember, kung si Kris Aquino nga, nawalan ng career sa Dos, ikaw pa kaya?” sabi nito.

Pero kung mapapansin ay wala namang eksaktong depinisyon ng kabastusan ni Vice ang Superstar. Basta, alam daw nito na nagpaparinig sa kaniya si Vice, kung ano iyon ay hindi naman masabi nang eksakto ng aktres.

Mahirap makipag-argumento kapag puro kuwento-kuwento lang ang ating pinagbabasehan.

Hindi eksakto ang ganoong istorya lang. Puwedeng may dagdag at puwedeng may kulang.

See CRISTY p20

MARCH 16 - 31, 2017

PILIPINO EXPRESS

Coalition opposes changes to Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program WINNIPEG – A newly formed organization composed of individuals from various multi-cultural communities held a two-day mobilization activity on February 28 and March 1 at the steps of the Legislative building.

Many supporters brought placards expressing their opposition to proposed changes to the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). Four members of the Save the MPNP Coalition spoke about what they call the wrong-headed decisions the Manitoba government is making on the immigration front. The group believes the Conservative government’s proposed changes to MPNP will create financial and social barriers for newcomers.

When implemented, successful provincial nominees will have to pay a $500 fee as part of their application.

While the Provincial government’s stated justification for the fee is that it will be reinvested into language support programs, the coalition says the MPNP already requires nominees to have proven English or French language skills.

The government is also changing its criteria for selecting nominees with family and community connections in Manitoba to an employer-driven focus that will only prioritize nominees with approved job offers from established employers.

“Without the family or friends stream, the number of successful applicants arriving in Manitoba will be drastically reduced,” said Liza Fontillas, coalition co-chair.

“This shift in focus jeopardizes the MPNP’s successful 86 per cent retention rate. Without family or community ties, nominees will move to other provinces with

larger job markets, Fontillas added.

The business community and the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce have made it clear that the MPNP is a successful program, driving our economy with skilled workers. According to a report in 2014, 94 to 98 per cent of nominees report employment earnings within their first year of arriving in Manitoba and had the second lowest unemployment rate among immigrants in Canada.

“The proposed $500 fee is a “cash grab” similar to the head tax imposed on the Chinese in the early years of the last century,” coalition co-chairperson Anthony Huyhn stated.

Zita Somakoko, a coalition member, noted that Premier Pallister was wrong in his remarks that a high number of nominees are unemployed and rely on social assistance. “New immigrants boost Manitoba’s economy and are responsible for our record-high population growth. Despite the wealth of economic and social benefits that newcomers bring to our province, the premier portrayed them as a burden to society by inaccurately linking provincial nominees to high unemployment rates and social assistance,” she added.

Other speakers during the rally were Michael Champagne of Aboriginal Youth Opportunities, Basha Sokol of the Winnipeg Labour Council, and Saif Baloch of the University of Manitoba Students Union.

Over 50 supporters from the different ethnic communities participated in the February 28th evening rally.

– From a report by the Save the MPNP Coalition.

Photos by Alex Canlapan

PAGE 17

OUR COMMUNITY

PAGE 18

PILIPINO EXPRESS

PINAYS...

From page 10 the person in-charge said I passed!

I guess they know who is skilled or not, just by the way you hold the scissors,” Linda said.

The application process was completed in less than two months.

But Mauricio was not able to join the first batch that left in October 1968, and instead travelled with 20 to 30 people on August 04, 1969.

That is why they celebrate their anniversary each year collectively as Batch 1968-69.

“The government of Manitoba paid for our airfare and medical, and they even gave us a $50.00 allowance.”

As with other new immigrants, Mauricio had to adjust to the weather and deal with homesickness.

“I endured because I’m doing this for my family and our future.”

The group was divided into smaller groups and were sent to different employers. Mauricio entered ACME and worked there two years. Four years later, with the constant reminder of her mother to finish her studies, Mauricio saved enough money to take short courses at Red River College.

“I took data courses and was able to work as a computer clerk and merchandiser. I also studied design and fabric content at the University of Manitoba. Until I worked at the CRA, where I retired.”

While working in Canada, Mauricio was able to support her family back home and send her siblings to school. She was able to sponsor all of them to come to Canada, except for one sister who still lives in the Philippines.

Mauricio met her husband See PINAYS p19

New immigrants Batch 1968-1969 - welcome party at the Philippine Centre, 1969

Linda Mauricio (far left) Merchandisers and designers, Wescott Fashions, 1980

Linda Mauricio, Specification Clerk, Tan Jay, 1984

Linda Mauricio (3rd from left) Apparel Design Course, U of M, 1983

Linda Mauricio, when she worked at Revenue Canada, now CRA

Hawaiian Night, Batch 1968/69, reunion in 1987

MARCH 16 - 31, 2017

Trip to Paris, Eiffel Tower, 2016

Linda Mauricio’s family, husband Rollie and daughters Regyn and Rolyn

MARCH 16 - 31, 2017

PINAYS...

From page 18 in Winnipeg, and they have two grown children, each with their own families.

“When I think back, if I remained in the Philippines and became a teacher, life would not be as good. Oftentimes, even college or university graduates find it hard to get a nice, steady job in the Philippines. So I am really thankful to God and to the government of Canada for giving us this wonderful opportunity.”

Now, Mauricio says she is happy and content with her life.

She spends most of her time volunteering in Church, now that she is retired.

Loissa Aquino and Maya

OUR COMMUNITY PILIPINO EXPRESS

Duque, as guest speakers, shared their experiences, challenges and triumphs, and perspectives regarding the role of Filipino women in today’s trying times.

Aside from giving the recognition awards, Pinays MB also welcomed new members at the luncheon, namely: Donna Arenas, Maya Duque, Daisy Mendez, Winnie Navarro, Lucille Nolasco, Emy Tipan and Sheryll Zamora.

The 2017 Officers of Pinays MB Inc. are: Chairperson, Roselyn Advincula; Vice Chairperson, Connie De Villa; Secretary, Araceli Ancheta, Asst. Secretary, Mila Dacwag; Treasurer, Perla Javate; Asst. Treasurer, Irene Medina; PROs, Tess Aiello and Emmie Joaquin.

Erinda Ramos with her husband Gerry (right) receiving an award

PAGE 19

Filipino-Canadian recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002) with then Minister of Veterans Affairs Hon. Dr. Rey Pagtakhan (centre, standing). Front: Leonie Baylon, Jean Guiang-Santoro, Joy Lazo, Rosalinda Cantiveros. Standing: Resty Taruc, Felino De Jesus, Dr. Rey, Emmie Joaquin, Gory Parado, Perla Javate

The Ramos family with their matriarch Erlinda and patriarch Gerry Ramos

l-r: Lucille Nolasco, Linda Cantiveros, a friend, Denise Kho, Marj Soldevilla and Virgie Gonzales (ca.2002)

Erlinda Ramos (4th from left) - An active community volunteer in the Philippines, 1965

The Batch 1968-1969: Weekend parties to ease homesickness, 1970

Batch 1968-69 plays parlour games in 1970

Batch 1968-69 photos - from the collection of Danny Sevilla, 1970

The ladies of batch 1968-1969 (1968 photos)

See page23 for more photos of Pinay MB recognition luncheon, in celebration of International Women’s Day at the Marlborough Hotel

EH KASI, PINOY!

PAGE 20

PILIPINO EXPRESS

KROSWORD

HOROSCOPE

NO. 272

MARSO 16 – 31, 2017

Ni Bro. Gerry Gamurot

PAHALAN 1. Nagmamahalan 5. Mapapagaling 12. Naging pangulo 13. Pambungkal 14. Lubos 15. Bihasa 16. Kasi 20. Mapanirang insekto 24. Ilagay sa lata 25. Uri ng tela 26. Harap 27. Pagitan 28. Iparada 30. Inalagaan PABABA 1. Linis-bunganga 2. Nakakaasar 3. Ibigay sa iba 4. Pinagmulan natin 6. Api 7. Hingahin 8. Bahagi ng karera 9. Unlapi

10. Habang 11. Diwata 16. Lason 17. Anaki 18. Isulsi 19. Lumang lenguwahe 20. Simbolo ng kapangyarihan 21. Kakanta 22. Alak 23. Torpe 29. My God

SAGOT SA NO. 271

MARCH 16 - 31, 2017

Aries (March 21 – April 19) Mag-ingat ka.

Hindi lamang sa kilos kundi sa mga bibitawan mong salita.

Walang tiyak sa buhay. Lalo na sa pakikisalamuha sa iba, may araw na mabait sila sa iyo, pero may araw naman na halos apak-apakan ka. Huwag kang magpapabaya sa anumang gagawin mo, OK ang ika-18, 19 at 28. Ingat sa ika-21 at 22.

Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22) Hanggat maiiwasan mo, huwag kang papasok sa negosyong masyadong malaki ang pangakong tutubuin ng puhunan mo.

Kailangan ay gamitin mo ang iyong common sense na imposible ang inilalahad nila sa iyo. Huwag ka sanang mabulag sa pangako nila. OK sa ika-18, 19 at 28. Ingat sa ika-16, 17, 23, 24 at 30.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21) Matagal ka nang walang minamahal at wala ring nagmamahal sa iyo nang tulad ng nakaraan mong relasyon. Oras na para magmove on ka. Hindi mo na siya maibabalik sa buhay mo dahil noon pa ma’y nag-move on na siya. Ibukas mo na ang puso mo.

OK ang ika-18, 19 at 28. May tension sa ika-25 at 26.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20) May mga bagay na hindi mo dapat ipagmalaki lalo na kung hindi pa nangyayari.

Manahimik ka muna. Baka pag naikuwento mo sa iba ay masulot pa ang proyekto sa iyo. Saka mo na sabihin kapag nasa mga kamay mo na at hindi na puwedeng agawin sa iyo. OK ang ika-21, 22 at 30. Ingat sa ika16, 17, 23 at 24.

Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22) Alam mong maraming nagkakasira – pamilya man o magkaibigan – nang dahil sa pera.

Kung may gusto kang salihan na negosyo, ikaw na lang muna. Kapag napatunayan mo nang matibay ang pundasyon, saka mo sila isama. Huwag kang magdamay sa umpisa. OK ang ika-21, 22 at 30. Ingat sa ika-18, 19, 25 at 26.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19) Hindi ka palengkero/palengkera.

Pinalaki kang may magandang asal.

Galit ka. Pero, susugurin mo ba siya? Huwag! Isang maling kilos at ang buong reputasyon mo ang malalagay sa sangkalan.

Magbakasyon ka muna. Lumayo ka sa kanila. Mahalin mo ang sarili mo. OK sa ika-21, 22 at 30.

May tensyon sa ika-28.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20) Kung nakakarinig ka ng mga puna sa iyo o sa mahal mo, mag-tengang kawali ka na lang.

Walang punto ang pagpatol mo dahil alam mo nang may mga tao na hindi ka gusto. Ayaw nilang makitang nagtatagumpay ka. Iwasan mo sila habang maaga pa. OK ang ika-23 at 24. Ingat sa ika-18, 19, 25 at 26.

Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22) Bantayan mo ang iyong harap, tagiliran at likod. May mga nakapaligid sa iyo na hindi mo dapat pagtiwalaan. Lalo na ngayong may linaw na ang balak mong pasuking negosyo o trabaho. Kahit sa romansa, may nagbabalak na sirain ang relasyon mo. OK ang ika-23 at 24. Ingat sa ika-21, 22 at 28.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18) Kailangan mo nang focus at balanse sa buhay.

Para sa ngayon at kinabukasan, hindi uubrang ipagpasabukas dahil baka maubos ang iyong panahon at maging huli na ang lahat. Ang oras ay ginto.

Huwag mong sayangin. Iwasan mo ang mga nagpapabigat sa buhay mo. OK sa ika-23 at 24.

Careful sa ika-16, 17 at 30.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22) Sa kabuuan, buwenas ang Marso para sa iyo.

May mga maliligaw na pang-inis pero kaunti lang sila at kaya mong barahin. Talasan mo ang iyong mga mata at tenga dahil may darating na oportunidad pero maraming kompetisyon.

Dahil buwenas ka, baka mapasaiyo. OK sa ika-16, 17, 25 at 26.

Ingat sa ika-21, 22 at 28.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21) Mabilis kang maghanap ng pagkakamali kapag may nangyayaring taliwas sa inaasahan mo. Pero alam mo naman na walang kabutihang idudulot ang pananakit mo ng damdamin lalo na’t kung kasama mo araw-araw ang apektado.

Sana’y isara mo ang iyong bibig.

OK ang ika-16, 17, 25 at 26. Ingat sa ika-23, 24 at 30.

Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20) May matatanggap kang balita na ikakagulat mo.

Abangan mo ito at planuhin mo ang karapatdapat na reaksyon. Naghihintay lang ang ibang tao na makitang matataranta ka, huwag mo silang bigyan ng kasiyahan. Laruin mo nang maayos ang mga baraha mo.

OK ang ika-16, 17, 25 at 26. Ingat sa ika-18 at 19.

malaki kaya ang talent fee na ibinigay sa kaniya sa kabila?” *** Ang paglutang ng kontrobersiya tungkol sa hindi pagdalo ng Superstar sa grand finals ng Tawag Ng Tanghalan ng It’s Showtime ay isang patunay na kahit paano’y ramdam pa rin natin ang presensiya ni Nora Aunor.

Pinag-uusapan pa rin siya.

Positibo o negatibo man ang mga komento ay isang patotoo iyon na mabenta pa rin sa merkado ng mga intriga at kontrobersiya ang aktres.

Iyon nga lang, minsan ay pinapatulan siya ng mga pesonalidad na sangkot sa isyu, minsan naman ay hindi siya pinapansin, depende na lang iyon sa sitwasyon, pero nasa gitna pa rin siya ng entablado.

Marami kasing humuhusga na tapos na ang karera ng Superstar,

paganyan-ganyan na lang daw ang estado ng kaniyang pagkaartista, minsang may proyekto at mas madalas na wala.

Tanggap naman ng marami nating kababayan na hindi na siya kasingsikat nang dati, napakalayo na ng takbo ng career niya ngayon sa pagiging super-sikat niya noon, pero ang mahalaga ay nand’yan pa rin siya.

Sana lang ay makatagpo ang aktres ng taong pakikinggan niya ang mga payo, sana’y magkaroon siya ng pambalanse, para hindi nagiging ganyan ang kaniyang disposisyon.

Kunsabagay, kahit naman ang mga taong nakakasama niya dati ay may deklarasyon na may katigasan talaga ang ulo ng aktres, mahirap siyang ispilengin, kaya nagkakawindang-windang ang kaniyang mga desisyon. – CSF

CRISTY...

From page 16 Huwag nagpapaniwala agad sa mga salitang isinasalin lang sa iba-ibang bibig. At kung sakali ngang minsan ay naparinggan ng komedyante-TV host si Nora, sa mga panahong ito ba naman ay kailangan pa nitong magtago ng galit sa kaniyang dibdib, mamemersonal pa ba naman si Nora?

E, sa lokal na aliwan na nagdalaga at nagkaroon ng puting buhok ang Superstar, dito na siya nabuhay, balat-sibuyas pa rin ba ito hanggang ngayon?

Ganti namang pamba-bash ng isang kapanalig ni Vice kay Nora, “Naku, hindi siya kakulangan sa grand finals ng TNT, ‘no!

Nakakapagtaka, umoo na siya, pero biglang umurong! Mas

EH KASI, PINOY!

MARCH 16 - 31, 2017

Tunay na nakakabahala ang mga nagaganap ngayon sa South China Sea. Noong ika-8 ng Pebrero, may US Aircraft Carrier na pumatrolya sa waterway ng karagatang inaangkin ng China. Hindi raw pagpapakita ng puwersa. Ano ‘yon exercise?

Sino ang pinaghahandaan?

Di ba China? Nangyari ilang araw matapos ang Beijing ay nagbabala. *** Huwag hamakin ang kanilang kapangyarihan sa nabanggit na karagatan. Ang Japan ay kasama ng US sa isyung pinaglalaban ng China. Sinabing ang nabanggit na bahagi ng karagatan ay isang international waterway na malayang nadadaanan. Tiyak na apektado ang Pilipinas sakaling magkasukatan ng lakas ang China laban sa US and Japan. *** Sinimulan na sa kapulungan ng mga kongresista ang pagtalakay sa planong Federalism form of government ng Pilipinas.

Tila malabong mangyari kahit hanggang sa katapusan ng Duterte administration. *** Isang bagong pangkat ng Pinoys sa US State of Virgina ang nagsabing they fully support DU30’s tunay na pagbabago against illegal drug, corruption at kahirapan. Si Arnedo Valera ang chairman ng pangkat na tinaguriang “US Pinoys for Real Change in the Philippines (USPRCP).”

Makabayan si Rody at disciplinarian kumpara sa ibang namuno sa Pilipinas na batas ng kagubatan at karagatan ang pinairal. Matira ang matibay.

Demokrasyang maka-sarili.

Democracy ay hindi masama, but should be guided katulad ng pinatutupad sa Canada at USA.

PILIPINO EXPRESS

*** Ang nakaraang “show of Force” na pinangunahan ng Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines at independent NGOs ay isang bagong puwersa na kalaban ng gobyerno. Natibag na naman ang probisyong separation of the Church and State written in the 1987 Constitution.

Here it is, Article II, Sec.6, “The Separation of Church and State shall be inviolable.” Ibig sabihin isang banal na panatang matibay na buklod ng Estado at Simbahan.

Ang “show of force” ay panakot?

Sunugin na ang Batayang-Batas kung ang nakasulat ay hindi rin lang sinusunod. *** Bale-wala na sa mayoryang bilang ng mga mamamayan ang EDSA. Ano nga naman ang nangyari sa bayan pagkaraan ng bloodless revolution? Mayayaman ang pinayaman. Kapit sa patalim ang nangyari sa buhay ng karaniwang taumbayan. Hindi sila masisisi kahit gumamawa ng masama para lang mabuhay. Yon ang nangyari kaya lumubha ang problemang dulot ng illegal drugs. *** Si Sen. Leila de Lima ay may kinakaharap na mga kasong katotohanan ang hinahanap.

Korte na ang hahatol kung ang inuusig ay mayroon o walang kasalanan. Abogada siya alam niya ‘yon. Political prisoner daw si Senador De Lima sabi ng mga labi ng LP. Noong ang mga senador na sina JP Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada at Bong Revilla, walang gayong imbentong akusasyon.

Ang sinasabi, sila ay biktima ng selective justice system. *** Ang matagumapay na Masagana 99 at Biyayang-Dagat program during Marcos era ay itutuloy daw, sabi ni Pres. Duterte.

HINAGAP

Klimang Pagbabago Puno at halamang kay tagal nalugmok Dahil sa malamig na panahong handog Sa masiglang buhay humalili’y lungkot, Pamana sa tao ay sama ng loob! *** Hatid ng Tagsibol, klimang pagbabago, Sa balat ng lupang ginulo ng tao; Bagaman may pook na hindi gaano, Ang kinabukasan, mahirap mapiho! *** Panibagong supling ng mga pangarap, Bumukal sa pusong ligaya ang hanap; Sapagkat nabigo na lamang at sukat, Sanhi ng panahong madaling lumipas! *** Ang kapabayaan, di sana maulit, Isipin ang aral ng dusang sinapit!

Paquito Rey Pacheco

Nabanggit ko sa nakaraang labas ng Pilipino Express na madaling sabihin at mangako. Iba ang sitwasyon noon kumpara sa ngayon. Noon, si former Vice President Fernando Lopez ang Agriculture Secretary.

Ang brain ng programa ay si former Executive Secretary Rafael Salas.

Ngayon, wala akong alam kung si DU30 ay tutulungan LP. Katas Church and State sa Pilipinas ay parehong may independent policies. Ang kahulugan ng “inviolable” na nakasulat sa 1987 Constitution ay hindi pala matatag

at matibay.

• May word war ngayon ang Church and State. Marami rin namang Pari at Obispo ang hindi nakikiisa sa street protests.

• Ang gastusin ng Church and State came from taxpayers.

Subalit ang Church money, aside from taxpayers ay donasyon pa from Church members.

• Tanggap ng mga mamamayan na ang mga Pari at Obispo ay tagapagturo ng mga kabutihan.

Gayunman, ‘yong iba ay mismong sila raw ang hindi sumusunod sa kanilang adbokasiya.

• Nagugunita tuloy ngayon

PAGE 21 ang kasaysayan noong panahon na ang Pilipinas ay nasa ilalim ng Espanya.

• Nasa Noli Me Tangere ni Dr. Jose Rizal ang halimbawa ng mga abuso ng Pari sa mga Filipino. Ngayon ay marami daw mga Padre Damaso against mga makabagong Pilosopong Tasyo.

Kasabihan Wala sa ibaba, nasa itaas lamang ang bumabagsak.

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.

PHCM elects new officers for 2017-2019 Community members of the Philippine Heritage Council of Manitoba (PHCM) Inc. have elected a new set of Officers for the fiscal year 2017-2019. PHCM is a coalition of Filipino organizations and individual community members representing a number of regional, professional, religious, women’s, youth, alumni, and other Filipino associations across Manitoba.

The Executive Officers of PHCM for 2017-2019 are: • President – Perla Javate •Vice-President Administration – Paul Macaraeg • Vice-President Community and Sponsorship – Tes Aiello • Secretary – Araceli Ancheta • Assistant Secretary – Gani Casalla • Treasurer – Trifona Bermisa • Assistant Treasurer – Linda Ramos • Public Relations Officer – Johsa Manzanilla • Auditor – Lou Fernandez To find out more information, membership or volunteer opportunities with the PHCM, e-mail PHCM’s Public Relations Officer at phcm.inc@gmail.com or visit www.phcminc.org. PHCM can also be found on Facebook (facebook.com/phcm.inc) and on Twitter (@PHCM_Inc.

PAGE 22

PILIPINO SPORTS EXPRESS PILIPINO EXPRESS

MARCH 16 - 31, 2017

A1 - McCare Volleyball Team tune-up game, March 12

Volleyball League Women’s and Men’s Team for Season 2

Photos by: Alex Canlapan | Lente with Nijrik Amaraco

MARCH 16 - 31, 2017

PEOPLE & EVENTS PILIPINO EXPRESS

PAGE 23

Pinays MB Recognition Luncheon in celebration of International Women’s Day - Marlborough Hotel

L-r: Perla Javate, Roselyn Advincula, Tes Aiello, Cindy Gilroy, Maya Duque, Loissa Aquino & emcee Lucille Nolasco

L-r: Hon. Consul Ronald Opina, MP Kevin Lamoureux, Paul Ong, Rowelie Cantalejo

MP Robert Falcon Ouellette, MLA Ted Marcelino, Orli Marcelino, Batch 19681969’s Linda Tesoro, Linda Mauricio & Danny Sevilla

Robert Falcon Ouellette, Ted & Orli Marcelino, Ron Cantiveros & Celi Ancheta

Winnie Navarro, Emmie Joaquin, Lucille Nolasco & Maya Duque

L-r: Ted Marcelino, Robert F. Ouellette, Orli Marcelino, Linda Ramos, Cely Ancheta Photos by Alex Canlapan | Lente with Nijrik Amaraco and Hersey Huan

PAGE 24

PILIPINO EXPRESS

MARCH 16 - 31, 2017