Volume 16 • No. 13 • July 1 - 16, 2020 Publication Mailing Account #41721512
Angel Locsin
Happy Canada Day Wpg ZINsistarz
10 Friends and family celebrate Canada Day at Harbourview Park in Winnipeg
It’s time to VOTE!
10 Kris Aquino
15 Ai Ai Delas Alas
Vote for Virginia (Jean) Guiang-Santoro – RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards
Virginia (Jean) Guiang-Santoro is one of the Top 75 finalists for the 12th annual RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards. From this list, the Top 25 Canadian Immigrants will be determined by the number of votes garnered through online voting and by a panel of judges. Voting is an important part of the process to narrow down the shortlist to the final Top 25. Virginia (Jean) GuiangSantoro has always been one of the most well regarded leaders in the Filipino-Canadian community in Winnipeg. Guiang-Santoro received
the Order of Manitoba in 2004. To date, she is the first and only Filipino-Canadian woman who has been recognized with the Order of Manitoba. The following is Jean GuiangSantoro’s biography that appears on the Canadian Immigrant Awards voting portal: Virginia (Jean) Guiang-Santoro is the founder of the Filipino Domestic Workers Association of Manitoba (FIDWAM). Founded in the 1980s, it’s an organization dedicated to protecting the rights of its members and all liveSee VOTE p4
GMS Immigrants & Visitors to Canada Insurance
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Health care shouldn’t be a financial burden. Canada is a country built on affordable, quality health care, and we want to extend that vision to you. Whether visiting family, applying for a Super Visa or immigrating to Canada permanently, let GMS cover the cost of emergency treatment and care. We’ll take care of your emergency medical needs — you enjoy all that Canada has to offer! GMS IMMIGR ANTS & VISITORS TO CANADA INSUR ANCE IS AVAIL ABLE FROM YOUR AUTHORIZED GMS INSUR ANCE BROKER. GROUP MEDICAL SERVICES Copyright © 2018. All Rights Reserved. Group Medical Services is the operating name for GMS Insurance Inc. in provinces outside of Saskatchewan. Products not offered in Quebec and New Brunswick. Underwritten by Group Medical Services.
Virginia (Jean) Guiang-Santoro
Emmie Joaquin Bus 204.697.8366 Cell 204.999.5159 emmiejoaquin@gmail.com 1045 Erin Street Winnipeg, MB R3G 2X1
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PILIPINO EXPRESS
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HAPPY CANADA DAY Working hard for our community.
MALAYA MARCELINO Your MLA for Notre Dame 204-788-0800
849 Notre Dame Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E 0M4 malaya.marcelino@yourmanitoba.ca
MINTU SANDHU
Your MLA for The Maples
204-417-3468
103-1730 Leila Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2P 1Z1 mintu.sandhu@yourmanitoba.ca
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Happy Canada Day to everyone! As we celebrate the 153rd birthday of our country, it is a good time to reflect on the many cultures that coexist in this great nation. Notably, June 27 marked the celebration of Canadian Multiculturalism Day. Along with the celebrations on Canada Day, there also comes the opportunity to continue the global conversations on culture and race that are happening in our world today. These include conversations with our young ones that make up the next generation. Conversation, stories, and images about the Black Lives Matter movement and racism are everywhere- on mainstream media, social media, television shows and movies. It is a hot topic of conversation among adults. Make no mistake that kids are listening and watching. They are smarter than we give them credit for. I have talked to parents who notice that their kids are asking questions such as, “Why did that man get killed?” or “Are police officers good or bad?” or “Can I get killed?” Some are expressing that they are sad or scared. Racism isn’t easy to talk about. Even adults feel uncomfortable and confused about this topic, and we sometimes avoid talking about things that we do not have
VOTE...
From page 1 in caregivers in the province. FIDWAM is now in its 35th year and continuing to service live-in caregivers in Manitoba. Giving back to her community and new Canadians has been a theme in the now-retired GuiangSantoro’s professional and personal life. She was a representative to the National Organization of Immigrant and Visible Minority Women of Canada. She was also founding
PILIPINO EXPRESS
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Talking to kids about cultural diversity and racism
answers to. But the problem with silence is that it also sends a message. Kids might then interpret talking about ethnicity and culture as taboo, as “scary” or “bad.” Children might then hesitate to ask questions, and can jump to their own conclusions. Furthermore, our silence can be seen as perpetuating the problem. If we do not think about our own biases and assumptions, they continue. If we do not stand up for those who are oppressed, this will continue to make our world a dangerous place for everyone. So how do we begin to talk to kids about racism? This will be a different conversation for every family based on its own history and experiences. Here are some helpful tips to opening up conversation with our young ones: • Research shows that kids notice physical differences among people from an early age. When they ask questions about skin, hair colour, clothing, etc., do not shush or ignore them. Explain that every human looks different but is special in their own way. • Use science to answer questions, e.g. Melanin is a pigment in the skin that everyone has. People with browner skin have more melanin in them and
this can protect the body from the sun. • Talk about common needs. Explain that although humans look different, we all want to feel loved, respected, and safe. • Get curious. Ask kids about what they have heard and seen and how it makes them feel. Encourage them to come to you with questions. And when you do not know the answer, say so. It’s okay not to know the answer to everything. Offer to help them find out the answer. • Explain that people are not bad, but that they can make poor choices that are hurtful. Usually, this comes from past times when they have been hurt and didn’t know how to handle things. Convey the hope that humans will be able to learn from their mistakes and work towards making the world better. • Recognize and celebrate differences. Food and music are fun and easy ways to show cultural diversity to children, and for ourselves to try new things. • Reassure kids that adults are doing the best they can to make things safe for children.
Talking about tough things can be challenging, but encouraging conversation is helpful for children. The world can be a scary place, but if they have a safe place to talk about their thoughts and feelings, they will be more confident and better equipped to make good decisions later. When they jump to conclusions without the guidance of loving adults, it can lead to low self-esteem. Kids might feel bad about themselves and assume that they aren’t as valuable or loveable as others, just because of their physical appearance. We also do not want them to make judgments about other people. Humans come in a variety of shades, shapes, and colours. And none are any “smarter,” “stronger,” “nicer” or “better” than any other. Our children need to hear these kinds of messages so that we increase the chances that the next generation will live in a more equitable society where they feel free, respected and safe. Cheryl Dizon-Reynante is a licensed therapist with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.
member and president of the Cosmopolitan group of Winnipeg, a daughter organization of the Citizenship Council of Manitoba Inc.; chairperson of the Queen’s and Mayor’s Committee of the Philippine Association of Manitoba; mayor of the Philippine Pavilion in Winnipeg; and an International Centre volunteer, welcoming new arrivals in Winnipeg. For her efforts in supporting live-in caregivers and her community, Guiang-Santoro was the first Filipino awarded the
Citation for Canadian Citizenship in Ottawa in 1991. In 1997, she was chosen as Manitoba’s YWCA Woman of Distinction, and one of 10 selected women on the move in 1999 by the Winnipeg Sun. She also received the Recognition of Service Award from the City of Winnipeg and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2003. Before immigrating to Canada, she earned a bachelor of arts and bachelor of science in education and a master’s degree in education
in the Philippines, and was a high school teacher at St. Theresa’s High School. *** The RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards is a people’s choice awards program that recognizes inspirational immigrants who have made a positive impact on their communities since arriving in Canada. As the first Canadian national award program, the RBC Top 25 Canadian ImmigrantAwards recognize the achievements of all immigrants including community advocates, volunteers, successful entrepreneurs, cultural icons. Encourage your friends, family and colleagues to vote for Virginia (Jean) Guiang-Santoro. You still have time to vote. Deadline for online voting is August 7, 2020. Vote online at www. canadianimmigrant.ca/rbctop25 Source: RBC’s Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards
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Ground-breaking treatment for COVID-19 Before the Tuesday, June 16 press statement from the chief investigators of the Randomized Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy (RECOVERY) trial, medical science had no known drug to save the lives of critically COVID-19 patients requiring oxygen with or without the assistance of a mechanical ventilator. Although remdesivir, a new drug, has been shown recently to shorten the time to recovery in hospitalized patients, it did not reduce mortality. That Tuesday, Dr. Peter Horby, Professor of Emerging Infectious Diseases in the Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, in England, announced the preliminary results of their large-scale research study on an old commonly used anti-inflammatory drug. “Dexamethasone is the first drug to be shown to improve survival in COVID-19. This is an extremely welcome result. The survival benefit is clear and large in those patients who are sick enough to require oxygen treatment, so dexamethasone should now become the standard of care in these patients.” “Dexamethasone is inexpensive, on the shelf, and can be used immediately to save lives worldwide,” Hornby further noted. He and his team issued the advanced statement in light of the importance of the results for global public health. The RECOVERY trial is a randomized, controlled trial comparing a range of possible treatments with usual care in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. The press statement was on the preliminary results that compared dexamethasone 6 mg given once daily for up to ten days versus usual care alone. The primary outcome was 28day mortality – 2,104 patients randomly allocated to receive dexamethasone were compared with 4,321 patients concurrently allocated to usual care.
The results were impressive. Dexamethasone reduced deaths by one-third in patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation, and by one-fifth in patients receiving oxygen without invasive mechanical ventilation. Equally noteworthy is the finding that the drug did not reduce deaths in patients not requiring intensive or invasive respiratory support. They noted that they did not study patients outside the hospital setting and cautioned on the possibility of harm if used that way. The other chief investigator, Professor Martin Landray of Medicine and Epidemiology at the Nuffield Department of Population Health, also at the University of Oxford, provided additional insights. “Since the appearance of COVID-19 six months ago, the search has been on for treatments that can improve survival, particularly in the sickest patients.” Landray continued, “COVID-19 is a global disease – it is fantastic that the first treatment demonstrated to reduce mortality is one that is instantly available and affordable worldwide.” “To be clear, the benefit of using dexamethasone is seen in the sickest hospitalized patients,” said Dr. Bram Rochwerg, a critical care physician at McMaster University in Canada. “The drug should not be taken prophylactically or by stable outpatients with COVID-19.” Dr. Jesus Villar, a critical care researcher at Dr. Negrín University Hospital in Spain observed, “And because the half-life of the drug is more than 36 hours, clinicians can give one intravenous dose a day, which simplifies treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU).” “It’s a very safe, generally welltolerated – at reasonable doses – steroid that works predominantly by its anti-inflammatory effects,” said Dr. Matthew Cheng, a medical microbiologist and infectious disease specialist at the McGill University Health Centre. “I was
quite honestly elated. This is the first data that we have that suggests that a drug is able to improve the chances of survival in those that are critically ill. And so while I eagerly await the scientific publication, I was absolutely thrilled to receive the news… we need to continue building upon them and potentially trying different combination strategies to further bring the mortality rates down. It should unequivocally be celebrated from the scientific community.” On Tuesday, June 16, 2020, the chief medical officers of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland informed all the doctors and hospitals that dexamethasone should become standard care for admitted patients with COVID-19 who require oxygen.” Hand sanitizers alert Health officials in New Mexico reported to CNN onJune 27, that three persons died and four others became critically ill including one who became blind following ingestion of hand sanitizers containing methanol. This incident alerts us to existing reminder that these products, even when there are no impurities, pose a health hazard to toddlers. Health Canada temporarily modified its rules on hand sanitizer products on March 27 to allow manufacturers to use technical-grade ethanol versus food-grade ethanol to meet the pandemic demands for the products, then in short supply. The modified rules were for a short-term period and under specific conditions, such as: clearly indicating that technicalgrade ethanol is included as an ingredient; providing specific directions for use and warnings that these products are intended for adult use only; that they should not be used on broken or damaged skin, or by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding; and that they should not be inhaled. However, Health Canada recently issued recall orders for the following sanitizers that use industrial-grade ethanol
and contain the health-hazard contaminant ethyl acetate: Estraderm Hand Sanitizer 70% Ethyl Alcohol; Hand Sanitizer by Contract Packaging; Gel 700 Hand Sanitizer; Salinas Hand Sanitizer 70% Ethanol; Walker Emulsions Hand Sanitizer; Hand Sanitizer Disinfectant; Protectenol Hand Sanitizer Liquid; Tidol Hand Sanitizer 70%; Aktif Antiseptique instantane pour les mains; Smart Care Hand Sanitizer; X-Pure Vert2-Go Gel; Gel Antiseptique Pour Les Mains by Megalab; Germzero; Tekare Instant Hand Cleanser Gel; Dash Vapes Hand Sanitizer; and Isogel. Owners of these sanitizers are advised to promptly stop using them and to consult with their health care professional on any health concerns. It is best to wash the hands with soap and water rather than to use hand sanitizer, says Health Canada and thereby avoid the health hazards associated with impurities in sanitizers. COVID-19 is still with us In the half-year since its emergence and subsequent pandemic spread, COVID-19 has sickened more than 100-thousand
Canadians, of whom over 8,000 have died, while nearly two-thirds had recovered, with slightly over a quarter remaining active cases. (See the table from Johns Hopkins University Tracking Dashboard, June 28, 2020). Neighbouring USA has over 2.5 million cases, of whom over 125,000 have died, with just over a quarter recovered, and a little over two-thirds still active cases. Globally, the pandemic has over 10 million people across 188 countries sick and half a million deceased. About five million have recovered, with slightly more than 4.5 million still active cases. These are sobering numbers awaiting a preventive vaccine. Dr. Rey D. Pagtakhan, P.C, O.M., LL.D., Sc.D., M.D., M.Sc. is a retired lung specialist, former professor of pediatrics and member of Canada’s parliament and government. Widely published and lectured, he presented on “The Global Threat of Infectious Diseases” at the G-8 Science Ministers and Advisors Meeting held in June 2003 in Berlin, Germany. Contact: reypagtakhan@mail.com.
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“Come to Canada”
The relationship between Canada and the United States has changed over time but some things have remained constant. We are a large country but a small economy compared to our neighbours to the south. I am reminded of an epic book from the early 1960s, Lament for a Canadian Nation by George Grant, which spoke of the American dominance of the Canadian economy. Canadian government officials have regularly cooperated with the American authorities and supported them politically and economically. The relationship has been tested to the extreme since 2017 with the presidency of Donald Trump. It is better to work with the Americans that go against them. The challenge for Prime Minister Trudeau, his Foreign Minister, and the Canadian Ambassador to the United States and others today is not to offend the fragile ego of President Trump. Canada can, however, maintain its independence and an independent path. This has been true with Canada’s handling of the pandemic, international trade and open immigration policies. Prime Minister Trudeau is painfully aware that that if you cannot say anything positive about the policies of Donald Trump, then it is sometimes better to say nothing.
Canada has been doing a reasonable job of dealing with foreign trade on their own. We do not need the blessings or approval of Trump. Our government’s handling of the pandemic to date compares favourably with that of the United States. At present Canada has recorded 102,200 cases along with 8.454 deaths. This compared to the American’s world record number of 2,302,288 cases reported and 120,333 deaths. In real numbers and proportional numbers (Canada’s population is 10 per cent the size of the of the United States) Canada has far surpassed the United States. Our national infection numbers and death are decreasing while the Americans have never gone down and are actually rising. We should applaud the efforts of Prime Minister Trudeau at the national level and Premier Pallister at the provincial level for a job well done. In terms of immigration and ease of entry into countries, Canada is well-advised to delay opening the United States border because of a real fear of spreading the infection to our country. One of the objectives of Canada’s Immigration, Refugee and Protection Act (IRPA) is to keep the country safe from infection. This does not mean closing our borders to all international travel but controlling admissions.
The attitude of our national government toward immigration is substantially different from that of the United States. Canada has remained a welcoming place for newcomers and still has policies and practices to admit foreign visitors, students, workers, sponsored family members and refugees. The Trump administration, in sharp contrast, has limited refugee entry, defamed family reunification as “chain migration,” and even moved to cut off the foreign source of highly trained skilled workers and deport or remove those in the country. President Trump was stopped by a Supreme Court decision from deporting “Dreamers,” who came to the United States as undocumented children and grew to maturity and service in the United States. The “Dreamers,” many of whom serve and die as first responders, have been a credit to their adopted country, but have been vilified by Trump. The President of the United States is constantly casting about for an “other” – someone who can be blamed for his failings. His target of choice has been immigrants, whether they be refugee claimants, undocumented workers, family members and now even highly skilled workers. They are the ones “stealing our jobs, stealing our heritage, stealing our future etc.” You can only shake your head at the antiimmigration sentiment Trump and his supporters maintain and thank our lucky stars that we
live north, not south of the 49th parallel. Consider the situation of the most sought after foreign skilled workers, the American category H-1B visa holders. These are foreign workers who are sought after by US businesses with no quotes, no caps and no lottery. They are characterized by graduate level education and work in specialized occupational fields. Following his defeat on the “Dreamers” Trump has moved to stop high skilled immigration with an executive order to limit entry for the balance of 2020. The executive order took effect on June 23, 2020 and expires on December 31, 2020. His stated purpose is to protect 525,000 jobs, which equals the number of applicants in the cue. Are there similar trained Americans to fill these jobs? I don’t think this question was even considered. The President needs a scapegoat and the H-1B visa holders fit the picture. His actions appear short sighted, ill advised and actually hurt the American recovery more than help it. American industries are concerned but, like foreign governments, are practiced at remaining quiet. The GOP is quiet and the Democrats are counting the days to the next election. Trump plays to his dedicated supporters who share his antiimmigration bias. Canada is wise not to condemn publically Trump’s decision. Instead, Immigration Minister Mendocino was quick to remind disappointed foreign
applicants to “come to Canada.” There is something positive to be said about Canada’s international reputation for fairness and welcoming attitude as well as our effective handing of the COVID pandemic. The Canadian government has made Canada a better option for immigration, including the most skilled. It should be noted that many former H-1B visa holders from India have been applying to come to Canada in record numbers. In fact, residents of the United States were the third leading source of successful Express Entry candidates in 2018. Our country has remained open to immigration and welcoming newcomers. We actually benefit as a country from the decline of the United States as a destination of choice for foreign students and workers under Donald Trump. We need to be mindful of the hateful rhetoric that comes from south of the border and continue to be supportive of immigration. Let us continue to live by the Golden Rule and the second Royal Commandment: “honour thy neighbour as thyself.” 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.
Elements of an energyefficient home Energy-efficient homes are healthier, more environmentally friendly, and economically smarter than the average home. They have design features, technologies and products that provide healthier indoor air, increase the occupants’ comfort, reduce water usage, and preserve natural resources. Latest technological advancements in building materials and construction methods permit most energy-saving ideas to be integrated into any type of house design. Among the important features of an energy-efficient home include: a high RSI-value; a tightly air-sealed thermal envelope; balanced ventilation; and lower heating and cooling costs. Thermal envelope A thermal envelope is the building’s component that separates that indoor environment from the outdoor environment. It consists of the wall and roof assemblies, insulation, windows,
doors, finishes, weather-stripping, and air and vapour barriers. Wall and roof assemblies Aside from the common conventional “stick” (wood-stud) framed wall and roof construction, there are numerous wall and roof assembly systems that are now widely used in Manitoba. Some of these systems include optimum value engineering (OVE), structural insulated panels (SIP), and insulating concrete forms (ICF). Insulation Energy-efficient homes have much higher insulation RSI-values than required by the building code. A well-designed and constructed energy-efficient home located in Winnipeg would have insulation levels in the range of RSI 3.52 to 5.28 (R-20 to R-30) in the foundation walls and RSI 8.81 to 12.33 (R-50 to R-70) in the ceilings. Carefully installed insulation such as fiberglass batt or roll, wet-spray cellulose, or
foam insulation will fill wall voids completely. Air and vapour barriers Water vapour condensation is a main hazard to the structural integrity of a home. Our building code contains prescriptive requirements on the air and vapour barriers to mitigate these risks. In cold climates like Manitoba, big pressure differences between the
indoor and outdoor environments can draw warm, moist indoor air into exterior walls and attics. Once the assembly cools, the warm moist air condenses into the surfaces. Any water vapour that gets into the walls or attics must be permitted to get out again to prevent mould growth and deterioration of the wall and ceiling assemblies. A well-
constructed thermal envelope entails that insulating and sealing be accurate and detailed. Sealing air leaks can significantly reduce energy losses by as much as 50 per cent when compared to other similar homes. Foundation walls and basement floors Under-insulated foundation See ELEMENTS p7
JULY 1 - 16, 2020
ELEMENTS... From page 6 walls and basement floors can have negative impact on home energy consumption and can affect occupants’ comfort, especially if they use the basement as a living space. Equipment and appliances that generate heat, like furnaces, domestic hot water tanks, washers, dryers and freezers, are often located in basements. Hence, properly insulating the foundation walls and basement floors would allow this equipment and appliances to operate efficiently. Windows A typical home loses around 25 per cent of heat through the windows. Generally, the most efficient windows are the awning and casement types as they close tighter than sliding types. Metal window frames are not recommended for use in cold climates like Manitoba. Ensure that the air and vapour barriers are tightly sealed around the window frame edges to prevent air and water vapour from entering the
PILIPINO EXPRESS wall assemblies. Heating, ventilation and airconditioning Because energy-efficient homes are more airtight than typical homes, it is important that the ventilation system is balanced to reduce air moisture infiltration and minimize health risks from indoor air pollutants. Heat-recovery ventilators (HRV) or energy-recovery ventilators (ERV) are effective in controlling ventilation in tight homes. During the heating season, this equipment recovers around 80 per cent of the energy from the stale exhaust air, and then transfers that energy to the incoming fresh air. Because energy is recovered and not wasted, energy-efficient homes incorporating the above components would require relatively small heating and cooling systems. In summary, energy-efficient homes feel more comfortable to occupants because higher insulation levels keep the interior wall temperatures steady. A tightly air-sealed building envelope reduces the likelihood of moisture
intrusion. With a properly designed HVAC system, back drafting is minimized and indoor humidity is better controlled. Construction costs of energy-efficient homes can vary significantly, depending on the specified materials and construction method, builder’s profit margin, experience, and
PAGE 7 the type of HVAC selected. Nevertheless, the primary benefits from designing and building energy-efficient homes are its greater comfort level, lower operating costs, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Norman Aceron Garcia, P.Eng. is an accredited
professional in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design specializing in Building Design + Construction. In 2015, Norman founded Mr. Peg Property Inspections, a social enterprise that advocates green building design and climate change adaptation strategies.
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Canada-Philippine friendship
by Kevin Lamoureux MP for Winnipeg North Canada’s Filipino community is growing all over our nation and with that growth a special group of parliamentarians have taken a special interest. In my role as the current chair and one of the foundingmembers of the CanadaPhilippine Parliamentary Friendship Group, I lead our members of parliament and
senators in work to strengthen the important relationship between our two countries. Our group has over 40 parliamentarians that are interested in that special relationship and over the years I have seen the level of interest grow. That interest in Philippines is growing due in part to the growth of Canada’s Filipino’s heritage community. A community that was likely to have exceeded one million people this summer but do to the coronavirus that number might now be achieved in 2021. As a parliamentary friendship group we have been able to accomplish a great deal of things over the years and I would like to highlight the ones that come to my mind. Every year for the past decade we have been hosting a special gathering on Parliament Hill to host a special event
recognizing June 12 as Philippine Independence Day. When the late Senator Enverga joined the group, he suggested we also have a flag-raising event on the Hill, so for the many years now we have incorporated that idea too. We took a trip to the Philippines where we met with a number of our senators and members of the National Congress. The trip was only set for a few days but we had a full agenda that was in part organized by the Philippine Embassy here in Ottawa. We recognized ANCOP as an organization that has a footprint across Canada and is contributing to better conditions around the world. I suspect that we will be coming up with some ideas on how we can recognize more groups into the future. One of our greatest accomplishments was the
establishment of the firstever Filipino youth internship program that saw youth from coast to coast get paid to work with parliamentarians in Ottawa. The feedback to that program has been fantastic and I hope to write a follow up story on that issue alone. We supported the quick passage of the motion that created June as Philippine Heritage Month in Canada. Members of the group from all political stripes spoke to and supported the motion that ultimately saw June of 2019 be our first month of celebration. Last year we worked with the Philippine embassy and had a sensational event that was highlighted by speeches, entertainment and food. On a personal note my daughter and I hosted a special event in the heart of Canada’s Filipino’s community in the Maples last year too.
Flag raising ceremony in Ottawa, 2019
June has become a month for all of us to better understand and appreciate how our Filipino heritage community has added value to Canada’s ever changing diversity. This year the friendship group had to get a little creative. We created a wonderful parliamentary video, inviting dozens of MPs, senators, and even the Philippines’ ambassador to give their thanks and best wishes to the community. You can check it out on my Facebook page. As the chair of the friendship group I often consult with the Embassy of the Philippines, individual MPs, community members and ministers of the national government. I am proud to say that I represent Winnipeg North, the heart of Canada’s Filipino Heritage community, and I am committed to looking for ways to better the relationship between Canada and Philippines.
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SHOWBIZ SHOWBUZZ
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PILIPINO EXPRESS
Tahasan nang sinabi ni Willie Revillame na wala siyang kuneksiyon sa unang napabalita na siya ang magiging producer ni Kris Aquino sa pagbabaliktelebisyon nito. Galing na sa Reliance network ang staff ni Kris, inikot ng mga ito ang mga studios ng TV5, dahil magiging blocktimer pala ang kaniyang programa na ibig sabihi’y bibili sila ng oras sa istasyon. “Nagulat nga ako noong makarating sa akin ang balita na ako raw ang producer ni Kris. Walang katotohanan iyon. Nakatutok lang ako sa Tutok To Win,” paglilinaw pa ni Willie Revillame. Pahayag ni Willie, “Wala akong alam tungkol doon. Wala kaming pinag-uusapan tungkol sa show na gagawin niya. Hindi naman kami regular na nagkakausap ni Kris, e!” “Magandang makabalik na talaga si Kris, ang tagal na niyang wala sa circulation, it’s about time na mag-TV na uli siya. “Pero hindi ko alam ang mga nangyayari, hindi ko alam iyon, hindi ako ang producer ni Kris,” paglilinaw ng aktor-TV host. Totoong tinutulungan niya si Kris noong una para sana
magkaroon ito ng programa sa GMA-7, pero hindi naman siya ang may-ari ng istasyon, talent lang din siya ng network. Gaano man niya kagustong tulungan ang kaniyang kaibigan para makabalik na sa gitna ng aksiyon ay hanggang sa pagrerekomenda lang naman ang kaniyang magagawa. Lahat ng paraan ay ginawa na ni Willie, lahat ng tulong na alam niya ay ibinahagi na niya kay Kris, pero tama siya na hanggang doon lang talaga ang kaniyang magagawa. Malinaw, hindi si Willie Revillame ang prodyuser ng pagbabalik-TV-talk show ni Kris Aquino, wala siyang alam tungkol doon. *** Maraming nagtatanungan kung itutuloy pa ba ni Sharon Cuneta ang pagdedemanda ng libelo sa reporter na nanira sa kanilang pamilya. Sino raw ba ang uunahin ng Megastar, ang nasabing reporter na sinagot niya nang punto por punto ang mga bira sa kanilang pamilya, o, ang nagbantang mangre-rape sa kaniyang anak na si Frankie Pangilinan na nasa ibang bansa man ngayon ay See CRISTY p11
Sharon Cuneta at KC Concepcion
Angel Locsin
JULY 1 - 16, 2020
• Kris Aquino – Magbabalik na sa TV! Hindi producer si Willie • Sharon Cuneta – Kakasuhan at tuturuan ng leksyon ang mga naninira • BB Gandanghari – Bakit ina-away si Vice Ganda? Matindi ang problema • Take It... Per Minute! Me Ganon?! – Nay Cristy at Manay Lolit naghahatid ng aliw lalo na sa mga OFWs • Lorna Tolentino – Nireklamo ang kanilang lockdown accommodations sa Ang Probinsyano • Angel Locsin – Tina-target ng mga bashers at trolls dahil lang sa kaniyang timbang na nadagdagan • Alden Richards – Busy na ulit. Balik na sa ere ang Eat... Bulaga! • Nora Aunor – Senior na at hindi lumalabas ng bahay pero patuloy ang pagtulong sa mga mahihirap
Kris Aquino – Excited na ang mga fans sa kaniyang pagbabalik sa TV
Manay Lolit Solis, Nanay Cristy Fermin & Mr. Fu
Alden Richards
Eat...Bulaga! Balik na ang live show sa kanilang studio
JULY 1 - 16, 2020
CRISTY... From page 10
PILIPINO EXPRESS
tinatrabaho pa rin ng DOJ at NBI? Sabi ng isang taong malapit kay Sharon, “Humingi na ng tawad sa kaniya si Ronald Carballo, napakabilis nga ng ginawa niyang pagso-sorry kay Shawie. Kung gaano siya katapang noon sa pagsusulat ng kasiraan ng pamilya ni Sharon, e, tiklop-tuhod siya sa panghihingi
ng tawag ngayon. “Para sa aming close kay Sharon, e, questionable iyong panghihingi niya ng sorry. Parang ang bilis-bilis kasi ng realization niya. Kinabukasan lang, nauntog na agad-agad siya sa katotohanan? “Siyempre, alam niya na tototohanin ni Sharon ang pagbibigay ng leksiyon sa kaniya, kaya the best escape na naisip niya, e, unahan agad ng pagsoSee CRISTY p13
Lorna Tolentino
Nora Aunor
PAGE 11
PAGE 12
PILIPINO EXPRESS
Mural of the year The Murals of Winnipeg website has selected the mural entitled Folklorama 50 at 847 Notre Dame Avenue as its 2019 Mural of the Year. Artists Mandy van Leeuwen and Franklin Fernando painted the colourful 1136 sq. ft. rendering on the east wall of the building last summer. The 21-metre long mural is a celebration of 50 years of Folklorama, which is the world’s largest and longest running
multicultural festival. The Folklorama 50 mural was the leading vote getter from 31 independent judges who scrutinized the field of 36 new outdoor murals from 2019 during the month of May. “Once again our judges have done a wonderful job in making such a worthy selection for this award,” said Bob Buchanan, who created themuralsofwinnipeg. com and is the coordinating judging for the yearly honour.
Buchanan also said that the mural has resonated with many, generating an abundance and wide range of enthusiastic remarks from the judges. “In today’s world and these troubling times, people want and need more of what Folklorama has and is.” “The artwork concept was informed by past photographs chosen to highlight cultures in a way that would stand together, without borders,” said artist
JULY 1 - 16, 2020 Mandy van Leeuwen. Folklorama’s colourful block letter scene is set in a Manitoba landscape featuring a road to Winnipeg. Other elements include objects and icons that commemorate the city’s multicultural community. “I looked for assistance in the creation of this grand-scale project and met with Winnipeg artist Franklin Fernando. While he was new to Murals at the time, I was instantly drawn to his artwork portfolio and passion for art. Working with Franklin brought memorable sustenance into the spirit of
the work as well as an exciting creation that blended our artistic styles. Through the long hours spent working in hot Manitoba summer heat we can both attest that the making of this project will forever hold a new artistic friendship and a lasting shared experience that can only infuse further positive transformations.” The awards were presented to the organizers and clients, and to the mural artists at a celebratory luncheon on June 18, 2020 in the parking lot of Laufman’s Blueprinting Services, 847 Notre Dame Avenue.
JULY 1 - 16, 2020
CRISTY... From page 11 sorry ang legal action na gagawin ng siniraan niya! “Pero bago ang forgiveness, e, kailangan munang mag-heal ni Sharon. Kung para sa taong iyon, e, napakadaling manghingi ng tawad, sincere man siya o hindi, kailangan munang mag-heal ni Sharon! “Ganoon na lang ba naman kadaling kalimutan ni Shawie ang lahat ng mga paninira sa kaniya na pinintasan siya at tinawag siya sa iba-ibang pangalan? “Tinawag na unggoy ang husband niya, sinabihang certified maniac si KC, pinagbintangan pa silang mag-ina na nagbibilang ng mga lalaki? “Healing before forgiving, siyempre. Saka mapatawad man siya ni Sharon, e, hindi doon matatapos ang scenariong ito. “May kailangang matuto ng leksiyon, may kailangang maganap na aksiyon para hindi na niya ulitin pa sa iba ang mga ginawa niyang betrayal of trust kay Sharon na hindi na siya itinuring na iba!” napakadiing pagtatapos ng aming source. Siguradong-sigurado na si Sharon sa kaniyang aksiyon na kasuhan at turuan ng leksiyon ang kababayan nating nagpalutang ng rape threat sa kaniyang anak na si Frankie Pangilinan. Hindi ningas-kugon lang ang sobrang galit ng Megastar, nagsadya na siya sa opisina ng DOJ para kausapin ang kaniyang dating abogadong si Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra para ipahanap si Sonny Alcos, ang nambaboy sa kaniyang anak sa social media. Sa ginagawang imbestigasyon ng mga inatasan ng DOJ ay lumalabas na nasa United Kingdom pala ang Sonny Alcos na ito, doon nagtatrabaho, at hindi totoong na-hack lang ang kaniyang account tulad ng madalas ikadahilan ng mga nagpapalutang ng mga bastos na mensahe o post. Inaasahan na ang ganitong aksiyon ni Sharon, hindi siya makapapayag na bastusin ng kahit sino ang kaniyang mga anak, madalas niyang sabihin na ibang usapan na kapag ang mga mahal niya sa buhay ang isinasangkot sa isyu. Dahil nasa ibang bansa ang nambastos kay Frankie ay maraming nag-aalala na baka basta na lang nito malusutan ang pagbabanta ng rape sa anak nina Sharon at Senador Kiko Pangilinan. Nilinaw ng DOJ na kahit nasa ibang bansa pa ang nagkasala ay puwede pa ring kasuhan, may kalayaan din ang ating mga otoridad na pauwiin ang sinumang may pagkakasala sa batas, kaya hintayin na lang nating ang maaaring haraping kaso ng Sonny Alcos na ito. Tingnan natin kung anong dahilan ang ibibigay nito sa kaniyang post na kung batabata pa lang ito ay siguradong gagahasain si Frankie nang hindi ito makukulong. *** Dededmahin lang ni Carmina
SHOWBIZ SHOWBUZZ PILIPINO EXPRESS
Villaroel ang mga pinagsasasabi ngayon ng dating Rustom Padilla sa social media. Ewan naman kung anong kalungkutan ang lumulukob ngayon kay BB Gandanghari para muling sariwain ang kanilang relasyon ng aktres. Kung noon ngang naghiwalay sila at pumasok sa eksena si Zoren Legaspi ay wala tayong anumang narinig mula kay Carmina, ngayon pa ba naman siya magsasalita, ngayong halos kalimutan na nga ng kasaysayan ang kanilang nakaraan? Ngayon pa ba magkukuwento si Mina, ngayong nagpapanggap nang babae ang kaniyang dating asawa, ngayong parang magkamukha na nga silang dalawa? Hindi lang epekto ng lockdown ang kalungkutang nararamdaman ngayon ni BB Gandanghari, mas malalim pa doon ang dahilan, kaya kung anuano ang ipino-post nito ngayon. Nananahimik na si Carmina, maligaya na siya sa piling ni Zoren at sa kanilang kambal, huwag na sana silang guluhin ng mga alaalang pinagsasasabi ng dating Rustom Padilla. Si BB Gandanghari na rin naman ang nagdiin na patay na si Rustom Padilla, si BB Gandanghari na ang nasa mundo ngayon, kaya bakit pa nito binabalik-balikan ang kanilang nakaraan ni Carmina? Mas magandang manahimik na lang si BB Gandanghari, lalong hindi magugustuhan ng kaniyang pamilya ang mga nagagnaap ngayon, mabibigo lang ang kaniyang pag-asang susuportahan na ng kaniyang ina at mga kapatid ang bagong mundong mayroon ito ngayon. At tama bang away-awayin nito si Vice Ganda? Siyempre, hindi rin naman papatol sa kaniya ang sikat na komedyante, deadmatology lang ang Viceral dahil bakit nga naman ito magsasayang ng panahon sa kaniyang mga kuda? Hindi galit o inggit ang nakikita namin ngayon sa mga pananalita ni BB Gandanghari laban kay Vice Ganda. Sa kaniyang paglilitanya sa You Tube ay tumodo na ang dating si Rustom Padilla laban kay Vice. Hindi raw nababagay kay Vice Ganda ang kaniyang pangalan dahil walang maganda sa kaniya. Mas may edad daw siya kesa kay Vice, malaki ang agwat ng kanilang edad, pero kapag nagharapan daw sila ay siguradong makikita ang ebidensiya na mas mukha siyang bata kesa sa sikat na komedyante. Basta parehas lang daw ang laban - walang suot na wig si Vice, walang concealer, tabla lang ang laban. Marami pang ibang bira si BB Gandanghari laban kay Vice na una raw kasing kumuwestiyon sa kaniyang pangalan. Bakit daw BB Gandanghari, bakit hindi raw BB Gandangreyna, kung ang gusto niyang ipalutang sa buong mundo ay babae na nga siya? Kaya ang sabi ni BB Gandanghari sa kaniyang mga kakampi, ang kaniyang BBnation, mula raw ngayon ay may bago
nang pangalan si Vice Ganda -Vice Tanda. Hindi raw kasi umaayos sa edad ni Vice ang kaniyang itsura, di hamak daw namang mas mukha siyang bata kesa kay Vice Ganda, pagdidiin pa ni BB Gandanghari. *** Nakakaloka ang naganap sa Take It... Per Minute! Me Ganon?! noong Martes nang tanghali. Ikinukuwento ni Manay Lolit Solis ang mga kuwento sa kaniya ni Lorna Tolentino na naka-lockin ngayon para sa taping ng Ang Probinsyano. Dusa raw talaga, sabi ni LT, dahil hindi naman hotel ang tinitirhan ng buong cast kundi isang motel. Kinunan pa nito ng picture ang nakapaskel sa motel. 299 pesos ang short time. Hala, kuwento nang kuwento si Manay Lolit sa show, halakhakan naman kami nang halakhakan ni Mr. Fu nang magring ang kaniyang telepono. Habang nakaere pa kami ay sinagot niya ang tawag, si Dagang pala ang nasa kabilang linya, ang production manager ng serye ni Coco Martin. Ang sabi raw sa kaniya ni Dagang, “Manay, bakit mo pa sinabi sa show ang tungkol sa tinitirhan ng cast? Puwede naman nating pag-usapan iyon?” Tawa kami nang tawa dahil para lang siyang nakikipagkuwentuhan sa kusina, parang hindi kami nakaere, nang ibaba niya ang telepono ay sinabi ni Manay Lolit ang sinabi sa kaniya ni Dagang. “Ililipat na raw nila ng hotel si LT, pero promise ko kay Dagang, hindi pupunta sa Congress si Lorna para magreklamo habang umiiyak!” humahalakhak na sabi ni Manay Lolit. Napakabilis ng reaksiyon ng produksiyon ng Ang Probinsyano, hindi pa natatapos sa pagkukuwento si Manay Lolit ay mayroon na agad tumawag, nakakaaliw talaga ang kaibigankasamahan naming ito! Dagdag na kuwento pa niya ay ubos na ang baon-baong pera ni LT sa kapapadeliber ng pagkain pero ang pinakamalaki niyang problema ay kung paano niya sasabihin kay LT na ang talent fee pala nito sa serye ay babawasan nang malaking halaga. *** Kaisa namin ang aming mga kaibigan sa pagdedepensa kay Angel Locsin sa pagbira sa aktres ng mga bashers at trolls sa kaniyang timbang na nadagdagan. Nakakalungkot lang na ginagawang malaking isyu at kapintasan kay Angel ang kaniyang katawan ngayon. Panglabas na anyo lang ang kanilang nakikita, hindi nila pinahahalagahan ang kagandahan ng puso ng aktres na hindi na kailangan pang katukin sa pagtulong sa mga kababayan nating nagdarahop, hindi parehas ang laban. Aanhin naman natin ang seksing katawan na wala namang pakinabang? Papalakpakan natin ang isang taong hindi na kailangan pang kalampagin para lang magbigay ng ayuda, iyon si Angel Locsin, na tinatalo pa ang mga nakaupong pulitiko
PAGE 13
BB Gandanghari
Vice Ganda
Carmina Villaroel ngayon sa pagtulong sa ating mga kababayan. Isang bukas na reyalisasyon para sa atin na hindi ang kurbada ng kaniyang katawan ang prayoridad ni Angel, mas mahalaga para sa kaniya ang kung anong mabuting bagay ang maihahandog niya sa ating mga kababayang walang pagkukunan, at sa sukatan ng Diyos at ng tao ay iyon ang pinakaimportante. Bakit ba kasi masyadong ginagawang problema ng ibang mata ang pagdadagdag ng timbang ni Angel Locsin? Kung siya nga mismo ay hindi namomroblema sa kaniyang katawan ay sino naman tayo para humusga? Puso ang kailangan nating tinitingnan. Ang kabutihan ng kalooban ang dapat nating sinusukat at hindi ang vital statistics ng tao. *** Maaksiyon na uli ang buhay ng Pambansang Bae. Kung dati’y nakakulong lang siya sa bahay at lumalabas lang para asikasuhin ang mga pangangailangan ng kanilang pamilya ay balik-trabaho na siya ngayon. Nagbalik na sa ere ang Eat.. Bulaga! Araw-araw na uli silang nagtatawid ng isang libo’t isang tuwa sa buong bansa. Hindi maaaring kalimutan ni Alden
Richards ang noontime show na gumawa ng milagro sa kaniyang career dahil sa tambalan nila ng Dubsmash Queen. Pero binulabog na naman ng guwapong aktor ang buong bayan dahil sa ipinost niyang larawan ng kaniyang katawan. Ngayon ay maliwanag na ang retrato, nakaharap na rin siya, kaya kitang-kita na kung ilang packs na ang resulta ng kaniyang seryosong pagdyi-gym. Pagdating sa disiplina ay nangunguna si Alden Richards. Iyon ang dahilan kung bakit sinasaluduhan ng kaniyang mga katrabaho ang pagiging professional niya. Mahusay siyang magsalansan ng mga prayoridad niya sa buhay. Ang kaniyang pamilya, ang kaniyang karera, ang pakikisama niya sa kapuwa na hindi niya kinalilimutan ganyan man kalaki ang kaniyang pangalan. Magtatagal pa nang maraming-maraming taon sa kaniyang propesyon si Alden Richards. Hindi sa lahat ng panahon ay ipinanganganak ang sikat na artistang hindi feelingartista. Hindi lahat ng binibiyayaan ng pagkakataong sumikat ay marunong makaalala sa kanilang pinanggalingan, sa mga dati See CRISTY p15
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PILIPINO EXPRESS
JULY 1 - 16, 2020
Are you in COVID clothes?
Since the COVID outbreak we’ve all been spending a lot more time at home. Because of this it’s easy to pull on a pair of yoga pants (or yogurt pants as I like to call them), and old t-shirts, hair up in a messy pony or bun and then hang out. And while that’s great for a long rainy weekend, once it turns into months, then that’s not a good thing. One of the issues I have been hearing more about is depression, despondency and a feeling like it’s pointless to look your best. One of the important things about getting dressed every day is the message you send yourself. Not getting dressed or caring about your appearance can affect your outlook – and that can create an emotional and energetic spiral. It’s easy to just blow it off and go to the store in your pajamas, but please don’t. This can actually make you feel worse or if you feel good, put a damper on your outlook. That’s why I get dressed every single day - yes, hair and makeup – even though no one would ever know what I look like because I work at my computer. But I know what I look like. I dress for me each day; to please myself and to keep my personal chi revved. Although with all this mask wearing, I got to say that I miss wearing lipstick. If you’ve found that you have less enthusiasm or your usual zeal is waning, take a look in the mirror. Are you looking your best…or just getting by? In Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl, the author talked about being imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp and that he felt bad about himself
because he couldn’t dress himself and missed his daily shave. But then he found a piece of glass and used it to shave his face daily. That glass shard shave made his tormented life have some normalcy again – even in a horrid concentration camp. So, if you’ve felt a little malaise, give your looks a bit of a polish. I promise you’ll feel better. Here are ways you can look and feel your best – and attract love, wealth and open doors in your life by lifting your personal chi. Dress smartly. You don’t have to wear a suit and tie or an evening gown to dress smartly. Even shorts and a cute summer top can look great. Avoid the tendency to just throw on whatever you find in the closet. Be sure to accessorize, too. If you go out in jeans, dress them up with a cute top, jewellery or maybe a pair of heels instead of the usual sneaker. I always feel a bit more dressed up and smarter looking when I wear a dress. What makes you feel dressier or smarter looking? Wear colour. It’s easy to fall into the dark colour trap. Dark colours hide stains, past bagels and waffles, but they can become a fashion pothole we fall into. Break out of the funeral colour rut by adding bright colours to your wardrobe. This is especially important if you’re a single woman. Potential admirers are attracted to colour and colour makes you look more bright, radiant, fun and eye-catching! It also raises your energy. Be as fit at you can be. Again, you don’t have to
be a model on the cover of an exercise magazine, just work on keeping your body healthy and as fit as you can. Wear clothes that show off your best features, too. Avoid clothes that are too tight, too loose, too baggy or that look worn and tired – because it will make you look too loose, too baggy, and worn out and tired! Put your best face forward. A touch of make-up, good skin care, and regular shaving and facials are one way to keep yourself looking good, fresh and vibrant. This includes your hair. Get a good haircut that flatters you and keep your hair nicely groomed. Your hair is your crowning glory, so keep your crown looking good. Your personal feng shui isn’t just about directions and colours – it’s also simply about you and how you present yourself in the world. Make it the best you can. FENG SHUI Q&A Question: I have a lot of clothes that I can’t just throw away or donate. I don’t know what’s wrong with me that I feel like I have to keep them, but I do. But how can I pare down my closet? Answer: I have seen this before. I remember helping my dad clean out his closet and he had some old shirts that were completely threadbare. I mean you literally could see through them, but you think I had asked him to donate his corneas and he developed some real existential problems parting with these relics in the closet. My point is this: if a tough guy with a temper can get wistful over shoddy old shirts that he no longer wore, I can understand your dilemma. So, do what my dad did: don’t throw them away. Instead, if you have some clothes that you want to save (like my Z Cavaricci pants – don’t judge – I rocked those pants), put them in a box to be stored. The other clothes that you have doubts about, take out of the closet and put them in a garment box or another closet so you can make space in your closet. Then forget about them. In six months, take a look at them. If you haven’t worn the clothes in your cast-off box, or pulled them out of the closet, then drive them down to your local donation station or thrift store. I’m not heartless. I understand you sometimes can’t just rip the clothing band-aid off your closet; you have to do it slowly and prove to yourself that you don’t even notice or miss those old clothes. I get that. Good luck on however you proceed. Oh, how I miss those Z Cavaricci pants. But I can still look at them. Kathryn Weber has over 20+ years of feng shui study, practice and professional consultation. Her witty, no-nonsense style appeals to audiences, making her a popular speaker and radio show guest. Visit www. redlotusletter.com
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will give Canadians more time to laugh, to love and to live. Please remember us with a gift in your Will and help plant seeds for tomorrow, today. 204.949.2032 Toll free at 1.888.473.4636
JULY 1 - 16, 2020
SHOWBIZ SHOWBUZZ PILIPINO EXPRESS
PAGE 15
Ai Ai delas Alas with GMA Artist Center It’s the same entertaining spirit Comedy Concert Queen Ai Ai delas Alas continues to display to her loyal fans and supporters, but this time with brand new partners. Expect more fun from the multi-talented actress, TV host and performer as she signs with GMA Artist Center. “Nag-decide ako to join GMA Artist Center kasi it’s time I pay back. Since 1990, taga-GMA na ako talaga, sila ang nagbigay sa akin ng chance na makilala noong struggling artist pa ako, noong ako ay bago pa sa industriya. Dahil ngayon 30th anniversary ko and sumabay din ako sa 70th anniversary ng GMA, para terno!” According to Ai Ai, she still has a lot to bring to the table.
Ai Ai invites her fans to watch out for her upcoming projects, “Napaka-daming ganap. Mayroon akong soap, The Clash Season 3, at mayroon din akong out of the country shows na hindi natuloy pero matutuloy na after COVID-19.” Moreover, she hopes that this new partnership will open more doors for her. A few of her fellow Kapuso artists she looks forward to work with in the future are Asia’s Multimedia Star Alden Richards, Rocco Nacino, EA Guzman, Sanya Lopez, among others. Senior Vice President for Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable has nothing but praises for the Kapuso artist, “Siyempre masaya, there are so many reasons to celebrate,
TORONTO – CIBC Global Money Transfer went beyond borders to help those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in Metro Manilla, an area hard hit by the virus that remains under strict lockdown. CIBC’s online money transfer service donated $15,000 to ABS-CBN Foundation International’s Pantawid ng Pagibig, or Bridge of Love campaign. “As the economy came to a standstill, many metro Filipinos were impacted by job losses. With the help of the Bridge of Love campaign, and their door to door meal delivery service, we can help families in the Philippines put food on their table while staying safe,” said CIBC Global Money Transfer’s Marketing Analyst Michael Aprieto. ABS-CBN Country Manager for Canada Kerwin Du received the donation on behalf of
Pantawid ng Pag-ibig. Du expressed that “this substantial aid from CIBC will go a long way in helping our kababayans in the Philippines who have been under a stay-at-home order since the middle of March. We are grateful to CIBC for their generous assistance.” Du added, “ABS-CBN Canada is committed to providing that connection to our community and their families back in the Philippines. We are humbled to be this vital link, especially in times of crises.” This is an unprecedented time for the global community. As the COVID-19 crisis persists, CIBC Global Money Transfer’s generous contribution helps many families obtain food and medical care. To date, ABS-CBN’s Pantawid ng Pag-ibig campaign has received over $10 million in donations.
especially with all these things happening around us. She still has The Clash, alam naman natin na talagang nilu-look forward ng audience ‘yung pag-judge niya because she always comes up with the funniest, very constructive comments, and ‘yung mga outfits niya. Aside from that, of course, she can do drama, we know that she won several awards. Maraming puwede gawin si Ai Ai, kahit online.” Senior Assistant Vice President for Alternative Productions Gigi Santiago-Lara said it’s an honour to have Ai Ai in their roster of stars, “We welcome Ms. Ai Ai delas Alas to GMA Artist Center. We are thrilled to work with her in her upcoming projects and to find more opportunities for growth.”
Ai Ai Delas Alas
CIBC donates $15,000 to ABS-CBN campaign
Young JV and Fil-Canadian Artist Briio release single Outta My Mind Multi-talented artist Young JV released his new single Outta My Mind on June. His newest collaboration is with FilipinoCanadian singer-songwriter Andrew Pedersen a.k.a. Briio. Outta My Mind, produced by ABS-CBN Music International’s urban-pop label Not So Famous, talks about what someone’s worth is as a person in a relationship. The song was written and composed by Briio and
CRISTY... From page 13 nilang kaibigan, iilan lang ang maituturing nating hindi nalulunod sa popularidad na hinahawakan nila. Sa iilang personalidad na iyon ay kabilang si Alden Richards. *** Mula noong itakda ang lockdown ay hindi na lumabas ng kaniyang bahay si Nora Aunor. Dobleng pag-iingat ang kaniyang
arranged, mixed, and mastered by international hit maker August Rigo, who also wrote Young JV’s 2019 single Ghost and his first release for 2020, Close To Me. Young JV is now the label head of Not So Famous, which caters to emerging urban pop and hip hop music artists not only from the Philippines, but across Asia. Fresh talents under the label include Pau Palacio, Yeliee, and King Murph.
Briio, on the other hand, is a well-rounded artist born and raised in Canada who has worked as a professional dancer, choreographer, and vocal and performance coach. He also wrote Young JV’s 2019 single Bet, which tackles success and how one can help his friends achieve the same accomplishments. Check out Young JV’s Outta My Mind on digital music platforms.
Young JV
Andrew Pedersen a.k.a. Briio
ginagawa dahil senior citizen na siya. Pero sa kabila ng lahat ay nakagawa pa rin siya ng paraan para makatulong sa ating mga kababayan. Wala siyang malaking kayamanan, pero mayaman ang kaniyang puso sa pagtulong, ipinamahala ng Superstar ang pagtulong sa mga tagahanga niya. Ang sinentruhan ng ayuda ni Nora ay ang mga stranded na OFW na gustung-gusto nang makapiling ang kanilang mga
mahal sa buhay sa probinsiya pero hindi makauwi dahil sa kakapusan. Karamihan sa kanila ay nasa palibot ng NAIA, mayroon ding mga kinupkop ng militar, marami ring binigyan ng pagkalinga ang mga pari sa Baclaran church. Kuwento ng aming kausap, “Napanood ni Guy ang nakakalungkot nilang kalagayan. Lalo na iyong may mga anak pang kasama, dumurog sa puso niya ang ganoon.
“Tinawagan niya ang mga taong pinagkakatiwalaan niya, iyon ang mga fans niya na talagang very loyal sa kaniya through the years. Sila ang in-assign ni Guy para mamili, magluto ng pagkain at mag-distribute sa mga stranded OFW. “Hindi siya sumasama sa pamimigay ng ayuda, hindi mo siya mapalalabas ngayon, dahil nirerespeto niya ang mga protocol. “Pero sa kaniya nanggaling
ang pang-ayuda, siya mismo ang namamahala sa pamimigay ng tulong. Nagtse-check siya, inaalam niyang mabuti kung nakararating ba sa mga kababayan natin ang mga pagkain. “Nakakatuwa talaga, dahil hindi naman siya mayaman, kumikita lang siya nang sakto sa mga pangangailangan niya, pero ginusto pa rin niyang makatulong,” kuwento ng aming source. – CSF
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PILIPINO EXPRESS
JULY 1 - 16, 2020
A sensational theft After some columns on “lost” art and antiques, I decided to write on one theft of cultural treasures with a happy ending. This was Alejandro Roces’s recovery of the original manuscripts of Jose Rizal’s Noli me tangere, El filibusterismo and Mi Ultimo Adios that were stolen from the National Library. On the evening of December 8, 1961, unidentified men took these manuscripts from their display cases and slipped past inattentive guards, accomplishing one of the most sensational thefts in Philippine history. A few days later, as they do in the movies, the Jose Rizal National Centennial Commission (JRNCC) received a ransom note, made of newspaper cutouts, demanding 1.4 million pesos for the return of the manuscripts. To prove their possession of these, the glass frame where the Ultimo Adios was kept was mailed to the JRNCC with the threat that the Rizal manuscripts would be burned if the ransom was not met. All the historical relics on display in the National Library were supposed to be insured for two million pesos, but since the premium was not paid, there was no way of raising the ransom money. After two months of sleuthing, the police failed to catch anyone. So Education Secretary Roces negotiated with his “phone pals” who agreed to meet him at the Quirino
Grandstand in February 1961. Glib as usual, Anding was able to retrieve the Ultimo Adios from one of the “thieves” without paying a single centavo. When Anding explained there was no insurance and that the government refused to be blackmailed, the ransom was reduced to 100,000 pesos. It was ironic that one of the thieves who did not understand Spanish read the novels in Rizal’s longhand, commenting, “Ang sarap basahin, kinikilabutan ako!” I don’t know if he was a Rizalista or not, but the thief claimed that as they slipped past the guards whom he described as “tulog” [asleep] and “tanga” [stupid] on the night of the crime, the Rizal manuscripts suddenly became as heavy as a cavan of rice [75 litres]. “The manuscript,” he said, “must be holy or haunted!” On the second meeting a few days later, Anding’s “contact” became jittery about the police putting a tail on Anding. So they drove out of Manila along EDSA, all the way to the Barrio Fiesta restaurant in Caloocan. Then they stopped at Alba’s in Quezon City for meryenda. The contact was upset over columnists who wrote about Anding dealing with “thieves.” He told Anding, “Matagal na kayong nasa gobierno, sabihin mo nga sa akin bakit hindi kumikibo ang mga kolumnistang iyan? Sino nga ba ang mga magnanakaw?” [You have
been in the government for a long time, tell me why those columnists don’t say anything. Just who are the thieves?] Anding changed the topic and requested the man to return the Noli together with the Fili, but his “contact” got excited: “Puwede kong ibigay sa inyo ang Fili ngayon, pero ang Noli? Hindi. Mahirap kunin iyon at nakabaon iyon hanggang dito (making a gesture of cutting his right hand across his neck). [I can give you the Fili today, but the Noli? No. It’s difficult to get that, it’s buried up to here.] Anding stopped the car, raised his voice and told them not to bully him. “Cowboy din pala kayo secretario,” [So, you’re a tough guy, too, Secretary], the man said and calmed down. The Fili was returned to him that afternoon and the ransom was further reduced to 10,000 pesos.
Like the first meeting, the final rendezvous was at the Quirino Grandstand. Anding arrived unarmed and without the money. The “contact” was upset because the government still refused to pay the 10,000-peso ransom. He asked Anding to raise the sum from his personal funds because the president had released to media the statement of assets and liabilities of all cabinet members. Thus Anding was hard pressed to explain why he didn’t have any money. He was ordered to drive out to Cavite, and Anding thought, “My God, these guys might have changed their mind and decided to kidnap me for ransom instead!” To cut a long story short, Anding retrieved the Noli. The story sounds incredible, especially the fact that Anding didn’t pay a single centavo. Some
people ask, was this for real? Perhaps someone should look up the man who was imprisoned for the theft of the manuscripts, so that one day our story may be complete. Anding promised never to identify the culprits or to testify against them in court, so I guess the last part of the story remains unsaid and unwritten until Anding writes the memoirs of his colourful life. Source: Rizal without the Overcoat by Ambeth R. Ocampo, Anvil Publishing. Ambeth Ocampo is a former Chairman of the National Historical Institute of the Philippines and an associate Professor in the Department of History, Ateneo de Manila University. He writes a widely read editorial page column, Looking Back, for the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
EH KASI, PINOY!
JULY 1 - 16, 2020
PILIPINO EXPRESS
KROSWORD
NO. 348
Ni Bro. Gerry Gamurot
PAHALANG 1. Rosas at sampaguita 5. Bayan sa Bataan 12. Diwa 13. Sugpo 14. Pagkaing butil 16. Embargo 17. Kabagsikan 18. Magalang na tugon 19. Grand Prix 21. Itaas 25. Interes 27. Wasak 29. Ihalakhak 31. Mantsa 32. Pinagpupukol PABABA 1. Tawag sa titser 2. Yuko 3. Gamit sa pagtugtog 4. Ganit 6. Sinarili 7. Pang-ukol 8. Bulong 9. Pindot 10. Palagay
11. Tiya 15. _______ tokhang 18. Abot 20. Isang pilosopo 21. Sakit sa balat 22. Sana 23. Salok 24. Panghalip 26. Liping minorya 28. Pamalo 30. Simbolo ng pilak 31. Dagdag
SAGOT SA NO. 347
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GMA Network launches new digital channel Heart of Asia As it celebrates its 70th anniversary, GMA Network launched its new digital TV channel Heart of Asia on Monday, June 29. Proudly known as “Home of the best Asian dramas,” the Kapuso Network, through Heart of Asia is set to bring to digital TV viewers no less than the biggest and the freshest K-drama titles alongside the best Asianovela series that are sure to warm the hearts of Filipinos. Heart of Asia viewers can look forward to the award-winning Korean series Sky Castle, which revolves around four housewives living in a luxurious residential area called Sky Castle in suburban Seoul. They all have one ambition – to get their children to Seoul National University Medical School. Lending their voices to these powerful female characters are Kapuso actresses Lotlot de Leon, Angelu de Leon, Chynna Ortaleza, Angelika dela Cruz, and Sunshine Dizon. Meanwhile, be inspired by how a person’s rank in society does not dictate his or her fate in the grand epic Korean drama Dong Yi. Follow Dong Yi (Han Hyo Joo) as she surpasses her low state to become one of Korea’s successful women. All set to spread good vibes is Love in Trouble starring Ji
Chang-wook as Gerald Noh and Nam Ji-hyun as Monique Eun. Things get complicated as their careers and love lives get entangled, but one thing brings them together — catching the real culprit responsible for a series of murders before they run out of time. On the other hand, Chinese fantasy series Starry Night, Starry Sea follows Shen Luo (Bea Hayden), an ordinary girl who moves from the busy city life to a small cottage on the island. Heart of Asia is also set to air the irresistible story of You’re My Destiny, the first ever Lakorn or Thai series on Philippine TV. Starring Esther Supraleela as Martina, it tells the story of a law office clerk who was given the moniker “Sticky Note Girl” for being overly-keen and a pushover employee. Her life changes after a one-night stand with company heir Paolo (Wisetkaew Sukrit). Aside from Filipino-dubbed Asianovelas, Heart of Asia offers as well a blend of all-time favourite Kapuso content that vary from The Best of GMA to various Pinoy and foreign movies. Take a journey back in time with Philippine TV’s first ever epic-serye Amaya, starring Marian Rivera. Set in the precolonial period of the 1500s,
Amaya is about a princess who is forced into slavery. She later discovers her extraordinary powers that she uses to lead her people at a time when males dominated society. Viewers can also catch the 2011 remake of Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin, starring Barbie Forteza, Joshua Dionisio, Joyce Ching, and Kristoffer Martin. The hit drama revolves around the saga of Katherine who suffers from amnesia after an incident that separates her from her family. She must take a journey towards finding her true identity, fighting for the man she loves, and claiming what is rightfully hers. Meanwhile, dubbed as the “glossy drama masterpiece” of primetime television, Legacy stars Heart Evangelista and Lovi Poe together with award-winning actress Alessandra De Rossi. Legacy tells the story of three beautiful daughters battling one another for their father’s name and estate. Last but not the least, relive heart-warming love and life stories in the ‘90s via T.G.I.S. (Thank God It’s Sabado), the youth-oriented drama series that catapulted the careers of many celebrities such as Angelu de Leon, Bobby Andrews, Sunshine Dizon, and Dingdong Dantes among others.
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LOCAL NEWS PILIPINO EXPRESS
JULY 1 - 16, 2020
Manitoba tax breaks take effect July 1 Manitoba government measures to reduce costs for citizens and businesses come into effect July 1, Finance Minister Scott Fielding announced last week. “Over the past months, we have introduced several measures that will take effect July 1 and save Manitobans more than $80 million this year, at a time when they need it most.” In April, the province announced it would make home and business property insurance
more affordable by accelerating the removal of $75 million of annual provincial sales tax (PST) from residential and business properties, effective July 1. The province estimates removing the sales tax on property insurance will save residential property owners $38 million per year and commercial property owners $37 million a year. Starting July 1, the province is reducing vehicle registration fees by 10 per cent, which is expected to save drivers $11 million, and
builds on the $110 million in rebate cheques that Manitoba Public Insurance returned to policyholders this spring. “These measures build on other tax initiatives our government has introduced, such as reducing the PST to seven per cent from eight, indexing the basic personal allowance and personal income tax brackets, and removing PST from the preparation of wills,” said Fielding. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the province also
extended filing deadlines for small and medium-sized businesses with monthly remittances of no more than $10,000 for the April, May and June sales tax and Health and Post-Secondary Education Tax Levy, commonly called the payroll tax. Fielding announced last week that the deadlines are now being extended through September. Information on filing requirements is available at www.gov.mb.ca/finance/taxation/ bulletins.html.
As the premier announced in late March, due to the unanticipated costs and reduced revenues caused by COVID-19, Manitoba has delayed its planned PST reduction to six per cent from seven and the implementation of a green levy until 2021. Both were initially planned to take effect July 1. For a comprehensive list of Manitoba government measures related to the pandemic, visit: https://manitoba.ca/ bg/2020/04/covid19.html.
Manitoba Job Restart program Eligible Manitobans looking to return to work can now apply for up to $2,000 in direct payments from the Manitoba Job Restart program, Premier Brian Pallister announced on Friday, June 26, 2020. “Our government believes in investing in solutions, and the solution here in Manitoba as we move forward in the COVID-19 pandemic is to help as many people get back to work, safely,” said Pallister. “As Manitoba
continues to lead the country in recovery, I encourage all Manitobans to embrace the jobs that are available now as we restart our economy.” The program will provide one initial payment of $500 plus three additional bi-weekly payments for $500 each, for a total of $2,000 over six weeks. Program participants must voluntarily stop collecting CERB or CESB support from the federal government. The province will fully finance the
program, which does not require any contributions from employers for workers to qualify. This is a voluntaryparticipation program, and there is no obligation for Manitobans to stop receiving CERB or CESB benefits if they choose not to participate. To remain in the program, approved applicants must: • actively return to work in Manitoba to a job with at least 30 hours per week in order to
be eligible for the first $500 payment; • complete a simple declaration for each of the following two weeks certifying that they are still working at least 30 hours per week in order to receive the next three $500 payments; • no longer receive CERB, CESB or similar COVID-19 related support from the federal government; • follow Manitoba’s COVID-19 health guidelines in
the workplace; and • continue residing permanently in Manitoba and be legally entitled to work in Canada. The amounts received will be a taxable benefit. Manitobans can learn more about the program details and fill out an application at https://manitoba.ca/covid19/ infomanitobans/mjrp.html. The Manitoba Job Restart program will accept applications until July 31.
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PILIPINO EXPRESS
JULY 1 - 16, 2020