Pilipino Express • Mar 16 2021

Volume 17 • No. 6 • March 16 - 31, 2021 Publication Mailing Account #41721512

Sanya Lopez

COVID in the Filipino Community

by Malaya Marcelino In Manitoba, Filipinos and other racialized communities bear the brunt of COVID-19 infection rates. At the beginning of March, the Province of Manitoba released race-based and work place data showing that Filipinos accounted for the greatest share of all COVID-19 cases compared to our share of the provincial population.

The COVID-19 by Race, Ethnicity and Indigeneity (REI) report noted that Filipinos comprised 12 per cent of all COVID-19 cases since May 1, 2020 despite having only seven per cent of the population and that “Filipino women are slightly more affected by COVID than men.”

The REI report also See COVID p4

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Malaya Marcelino, MLA for Notre Dame

Paul Ong’s virtual concert series raises thousands of dollars for charities

by Lucille Nolasco

10 Bea Alonzo & Alden Richards

One would think that the ongoing pandemic would slow everything and everyone down. Not necessarily so for Winnipegger Paul Ong. The singer and educator pursued his annual fundraising concert through an online series of concerts beginning in November 2020 and he was able to raise thousands of dollars for a couple of charities.

See PAUL p5

Paul Ong

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PILIPINO EXPRESS

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The coronavirus pandemic has impacted us all in a negative way. We watch and wait for each day to find out if protocols have changed, what the infection rate is in the province, and how many deaths have been attributed to the virus. The United States has surpassed 500,000 deaths in just over a year and we are all aware of our personal and collective vulnerability. Immigration is not immune and the numbers of newcomers being admitted to Canada has been negatively impacted by travel bans, quarantines, service disruptions, processing delays, and a loss of confidence. Canada just recently announced a two-month restriction on non-essential air travel from all countries round the world, except a one-month ban for similar air travel from the United States.

The pandemic is the major cause for the drop in immigration to Canada in 2020. The 20192021 Immigration Levels Plan projected continued optimism and increased numbers. The federal government targeted 341,000 arrivals in 2020, possibly going up as high as 360,000. Let the good times roll, but something intervened. The pandemic arrived on our shores and the immigration numbers plummeted.

The numbers are in, and Canada welcomed just over 184,000 or 54 per cent of the projected target.

The numbers were distributed across the provinces but the arrival patterns were not changed.

Ontario’s numbers fell by almost 50 per cent to 83,000 newcomers but it was still the top province of choice, followed by British Columbia, Quebec, Alberta and then Manitoba. Our province

PILIPINO EXPRESS

received 4.7 per cent of the actual arrivals compared with 5.5 per cent in 2019.

The impact of the coronavirus on immigration numbers is even more dramatic when we examine arrivals over the years from 2017 compared with the sharp decline in 2020.

In 2017 Canada welcomed 286,510 newcomers and this number increased to 321,055 in 2018 and a record 341,180 in 2019. Things were looking great but then the pandemic and the number of arrivals in Canada fell to 184,370.

Ontario welcomed 111,955 in 2017 and the number increased to 137,435 in 2018 and 153,340 in 2019. Once again numbers were rising and expectations growing for the following year.

Then reality struck and 82,850 newcomers landed in Ontario in 2020.

Manitoba numbers show the same pattern of continued growth and then the drop. In 2017 Manitoba welcomed 14,705 newcomers and the number increased to 15,230 in 2018 and up again to 18,905 in 2019. This was the high point before the fall to 8,620 in 2020. This pattern explains not only changes in service delivery for newcomers being cut but also the serious reduction in new workers in the Canadian economy.

The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Marco Mendicino, spoke optimistically about increasing arrivals to 401,000 in 2021 to compensate for the low level of arrivals in 2020. Things are changing and the availability of vaccines is one step towards controlling the coronavirus. Canada needs

MARCH 16 - 31, 2021

Pandemic undermined landings in 2020, but times are changing immigration in order to sustain our economic growth and recovery from the pandemic.

You can see positive changes in programs to help international foreign students to get permanent residence status or visitors being able to apply for work permits from inside Canada. The country needs to attract newcomers.

Canada set a new standard for inviting skilled worker applicants from the Express Entry pool on February 13, 2021 when 27,332 candidates were invited to apply for permanent residence. The candidates came primarily from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and IRCC estimated that roughly 90 per cent were present in the country. Minister Mendicino explained that based on early indicators, Canada was about 40 per cent ahead of the year to date target, which implies that the country may exceed the 401,000 target. The country is not alone and the united States, under a new administration, are also projecting growth and recovery of their economy. Express Entry appears to be the primary engine of growth but we also need to be aware of the provincial nominee programs such as MPNP, which are picking up the pace of nominations.

The COVID pandemic has affected all aspects of our lives in Canada. We are aware of friends and family who have tested positive, or have been hospitalized and yes even some

you have died as a result of the virus. It is a dangerous time for us all and countries around the world, including Canada and the Philippines, have taken extreme measures to control the movements of travelers, instituted quarantines and taken steps that impact negatively on immigration.

We can also count on federal immigration efficiencies to speed up family sponsorship arrivals in 2021. Last year was deadly for many reasons but there is reason to hope with several vaccines available and others signs of economic recovery in the air. The country needs more immigration and we can look forward to faster processing and greater flexibility in programs as a way to meet and hopefully surpass the target of 401,000 arrivals for 2021.

Canada historically is a country built on immigration and this reality will not change soon. This outlook is one many of us share with Minister Mendicino, who is doing his best to make it happen.

Michael Scott is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC, R525678) who has 30 years of experience with Immigration Canada and the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program. He currently works as a licensed consultant with Immigration Connexion International Ltd. Contact him at 204-691-1166 or 204-2270292. E-mail: mscott.ici@gmail. 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 MALAYA MARCELINO ALONA MERCADO LUCILLE NOLASCO CST. REY OLAZO PAQUITO REY PACHECO DR. REY PAGTAKHAN CHERYL DIZON REYNANTE TIM ST. VINCENT MICHAEL SCOTT RON URBANO KATHRYN WEBER Youth Contributors Aksyon Ng Ating Kabataan (ANAK) Philippine Correspondents CRISTY FERMIN JON JOAQUIN AMBETH R. OCAMPO

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COVID...

From page 1 tracked occupations in food manufacturing, service industry and transportation as having the highest rates of COVID infection.

It is important to note that occupations in health care were not included in the released data.

Many in the Filipino community were alarmed that the Province made these findings public and expressed concern that our community would once again be the target of racism and stigma similar to the time early on in the pandemic when public health officials reported that an early case of COVID in Manitoba was linked to a passenger on a flight from the Philippines.

On numerous occasions, Dr. Roussin, Manitoba’s chief provincial public health officer, has stressed the importance of preventing the hurtful stigmatization of individuals and communities. Yet, even with the awareness that these findings would potentially cause backlash

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

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Employment of COVID cases 15 years and over [May 1 – September 30, 2020] – Manitoba Government report, March 1, 2021 against racialized communities, public health officials calculated that the release of the report was still a necessary step to protect these communities from further COVID spread. Dr. Roussin

explained that the collection of race based data is important because “we knew early on that BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of colour) communities would be disproportionately

affected just as they are in other jurisdictions so we really wanted to see the data to be able to report back to our partners and try to use this to find solutions.”

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COVID...

From page 4 NorWest Health Co-op: “Coping with COVID” NorWest Health Co-op is one of the health service partners in Winnipeg that are actively reaching out to the Filipino and other racialized communities to find solutions that can mitigate COVID-19 spread. In addition to addressing vaccine hesitancy in our community, NorWest is now starting a new campaign called “Coping with COVID” due to troubling findings recently published by the Province of high transmission rates in the Weston/ Brooklands, Tyndall Park and Seven Oaks areas. In addition to engaging with community leaders of Filipino churches, organizations and associations, ethnic media and business, NorWest is currently creating a “Coping with COVID” social media campaign highlighting health and prevention measures specifically geared to the needs of our community. For instance, NorWest is creating social media content to address COVID prevention when carpooling since many Filipinos carpool to work at a factory hard to access by bus.

Why is COVID transmission so high in our community?

This is a question not yet fully

PILIPINO EXPRESS explained by research to date but early findings in other jurisdictions regarding hard-hit BIPOC communities point to workplace transmission, the type of essential work that many in our community do, and housing conditions. For instance, the same geographical areas in Winnipeg that show high rates of COVID infection including Weston/Brooklands, Tyndall Park and Seven Oaks are the very same areas where the highest rates of people are working in occupations related to manufacturing plants.

The REI data shows that significant workplace transmission is happening at manufacturing plants.

Many Filipinos also work in the health care sector where exposure to patients with COVID and lack of PPE has put many workers and their families at risk.

Filipinos are also employed in essential work in the service sector (i.e. retail) and the transportation sector (i.e. trucking) that were also cited as top sectors affected by COVID. Filipinos also tend to live in multi-generational households or in tight living quarters that can make COVID easier to spread to the rest of the household.

Solutions At work: Solutions should focus on better prevention of workplace COVID transmission and some have argued that public

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Share of COVID-19 cases compared to the share of people living in Manitoba, by race, ethnicity, and Indigeneity [May 1 to December 31, 2020] – Manitoba Government report, March 1, 2021 health has not done a good enough job, to date, of incorporating an occupational health lens to assessing COVID prevention and safety protocols in workplaces.

Paid sick leave: Solutions also need to address essential workers’ financial concerns.

Fifty-eight per cent of workers in Canada do not have access to paid sick leave. Those working in low wage, precarious jobs usually held by women and racialized people do not have paid sick leave. Currently, a federal benefit

of two weeks paid sick leave is granted to workers by the federal government if a worker has contracted COVID or is a primary contact and needs to self-isolate for two weeks. Public health messaging has repeatedly been: “If you are sick, stay home,” but for a worker with mild symptoms like a runny nose or a slight cough, some have decided to go to work anyway because, when there’s no work, there’s no pay.

During a public health emergency like the one we’re

facing now, there should be immediate government provisions in place for comprehensive paid sick days.

Public awareness of free COVID treatment for all: Solutions should also address increasing public awareness that any person can access COVID testing and treatment regardless of citizenship status or health insurance coverage.

Malaya Marcelino is the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Notre Dame.

recipe for providing opportunities that spark joy and inspiration in everyone. I feel very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to use my gift and my show as a platform to do this. I am thankful to everyone and our community for the support that has allowed me to do so for several years now.

COVID-19 is contagious but so is kindness. Let us keep being kind and pay it forward.

PE: Tell us about the concert beneficiaries this year. Any particular reason they were chosen?

Paul: The primary beneficiary this year is the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation and our

secondary beneficiary is Hands of Hope. When I conceptualized the show for 2020, it was entitled Journeys and I was hoping to encapsulate the journeys of cancer patients and survivors, and their families and friends. Cancer has touched many lives and families, and our family is not exempt from this. In 2019, my mom was diagnosed with cancer and she was able to get through that phase on her life with immense support from the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation. Another journey that I wanted to highlight was one of being an immigrant – as most Canadians are immigrants – and Hands of Hope came to mind.

As they are doing significant work in helping newcomers and kababayans by giving out free furniture, appliances and things that are useful at home.

I am glad and proud to say that regardless of the challenges, we were still able to continue our Annual Concert for a Cause tradition. From our Online Concert for a Cause 202021, we have together raised $10,000+ in charitable donations to our beneficiaries. Thank you to everyone who has been instrumental in making this possible.

PE: Now let’s talk about your See PAUL p8

PAUL...

From page 1 Pilipino Express recently interviewed with Paul regarding the challenges of launching an online concert series for a cause, as well as his new role as vice principal.

PE: How was the experience of staging your most recent fundraising concert, considering the pandemic? How did you overcome the challenges?

Paul: The biggest challenge this year was not being able to host a Concert for a Cause live like we used to. For this reason, we have done it through an Online Music Series for a Cause, where we release a music video every 20 days or so – free for everyone to watch – and seek people’s support to donate directly to our charity of choice – CancerCare Manitoba Foundation and Hands of Hope – as they would like to. We piloted November 2020, and ended our six part series this March 2021.

However, even with doing an online music series, it was challenging to brave the cold temperatures when we were filming outdoors, since this is the only place we can do it, given the restrictions for indoor locations.

Time and having to make online content on a regular basis was another challenge. But, there are no challenges that cannot be overcome with the right attitude and commitment. I think that these challenges just helped our desire to make an impact through my Annual Concert for a Cause, even stronger.

Knowing the purpose and the intent behind what we do is essential in order for us to pull through. It is with having a sense of purpose that we are able to keep adapting to change, and be

resilient, in order to thrive and rise above any challenge that we might face. Support from family, friends and the community has been essential in making our Concert for a Cause 2020-21 very successful.

PE: Can you share some realizations from your experience?

Paul: The biggest realization for me is that spreading kindness does not stop just because there is a pandemic. More than ever, I think during these times of challenge and despair that we need to do acts of kindness and spread positivity. I think that music and charity is a perfect

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PILIPINO EXPRESS

MARCH 16 - 31, 2021

First around the world Was the first person to travel around the Earth a Filipino?

Who was the first person to travel all the way around the world? Most people would probably answer, “Ferdinand Magellan” – and they would be partly correct. However, ask almost any Filipinos about Magellan and they could tell you that he died in the Philippines fighting Chief Lapulapu.

It was exactly 500 years ago today, March 16, 1521, when Magellan happened to sail into Philippine waters in sight of the island of Samar. He didn’t survive his expedition but eventually 18 members of his original crew of about 260 made it all the way back to Spain and, in so doing, completed a three-year voyage that took them all the way around the world.

However, one member of the crew might have accomplished this feat even before the voyage was finished. Some historians have speculated that Magellan’s Malay interpreter, known as Enrique de Malacca, was the first person to travel all the way around the earth – and some have even claimed that Enrique was a Filipino.

Where did the first world traveller come from?

Enrique’s origin is the subject of some debate among historians and it has a direct bearing on whether he was the first person to circle the Earth.

Back in 1511, eight years before his final voyage began, Magellan had served his Portuguese king in battles of conquest that took him as far east as Malacca, on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula. There he bought a young slave and eventually brought him back to Portugal. The slave, whose true name was never recorded, was baptized and given the Christian name Enrique de Malacca, or “Henry of Malacca.”

This was the name that Magellan called his slave but he might have just assumed that Enrique was born in Malacca because that was where he was bought. After all, Magellan’s main concern was that Enrique spoke Malay and could serve as his interpreter. Malay was the common language for trading throughout most of Southeast Asia at that time.

On at least one occasion, Magellan is known to have said that Enrique came from another place. In 1518 Magellan presented Enrique to some ministers in the court of the king of Spain as a native of the Spice Islands (known today as the Maluku Islands and formerly the Moluccas), about 600 km south of Mindanao. Magellan was trying to drum up support for an expedition to the Spice Islands at the time so it is quite likely that he was just using Enrique as a sort of promotional gimmick. Just a year

later, Magellan wrote his last will and testament in preparation for his epic voyage. According to the will, Enrique was a beneficiary, approximately 26 years old and “a native of the city of Malacca” – not the Moluccas. The will also promised Enrique his freedom and the sum of 10,000 maravedis (about $1300 Canadian today) upon Magellan’s death.

Regardless of where Magellan might have thought Enrique was born, the most reliable account of his origin is probably that of Antonio Pigafetta, an Italian scholar who served as the expedition’s chronicler. Much of what we know today about Magellan’s famous voyage has come to us from Pigafetta’s journal, including observations about the customs and languages of the people they encountered.

Pigafetta wrote that Enrique was really from Sumatra, the home island of the Malay language, directly south of Malacca and now a part of modern-day Indonesia.

Considering that Pigafetta and Enrique spent over a year and a half together on the voyage, it is quite likely that it was Enrique himself who told Pigafetta that he was from Sumatra.

The Philippine connection Magellan didn’t intend to “discover” the Philippines or even to sail around the world.

His mission was to find a water route through the Americas (the Strait of Magellan), which would be a shortcut to their ultimate destination, the Spice Islands in Southeast Asia. At that time nobody in Europe knew that the Pacific Ocean, the largest body of water in the world, separated America and Asia. By the time Magellan’s armada got to the Philippines they had been away from Spain for over a year and a half and had survived countless storms, starvation, scurvy and mutinies – and they were still not sure how far they were from the Spice Islands.

Their first Philippine contact did not make things any clearer.

The people from Suluan who met Magellan’s expedition on the Visayan island of Homonhon could only communicate with the Europeans through an improvised sign language and a few words, which they had taught to each other.

Enrique’s supposed connection to the Philippines is based on the story of Magellan’s second encounter with Filipinos.

Schoolbooks tell us that Magellan’s armada went to Limasawa, just off the southern tip of Leyte, and conducted the first Catholic mass in the Philippines with Rajah Kolambu.

The location of this event has been refuted in recent years by solid research, championed by the historian Vicente de Jesus, which shows that it likely occurred in a

place called Mazaua near Butuan in northern Mindanao. It was here that Enrique discovered that he could easily converse with the local ruler in his own language, Malay. This was a welcome surprise for Magellan and several other witnesses who wrote about the incident because it meant that they were getting close to the Spice Islands.

Some modern-day writers, such as Carlos Quirino, misinterpreted this story and have claimed that because Enrique and the Visayans could understand each other, Enrique must have been speaking Cebuano and therefore he must have been from Cebu. Also, because he was presumably captured in Cebu then taken to Malacca, sold to Magellan and eventually carried all the way from Spain, westward to the Philippines, Quirino concluded that Enrique – a Filipino – was the first person to travel all the way around the world.

Unfortunately, this interpretation does not stand up to the facts. None of the witnesses in the 1500s said that Enrique was from Cebu or that he spoke Cebuano to the people of the Visayas. Pigafetta said that Enrique was from Sumatra and another witness, Gines de Mafra, said that he spoke Malay to the islanders, which was the common language of trade in most of Southeast Asia. As Pigafetta wrote, “the slave [Enrique] spoke to the king [Rajah Siaiu], who understood him well. For, in that country, the kings know more languages than the common people do.”

And the rest is history…

After spending several days in Mazaua, Magellan’s armada sailed on toward the port of Cebu where they planned to buy more food and supplies. In Cebu, the now-familiar story took place.

Magellan ordered a cross to be erected on a nearby hilltop. He then met with Rajah Humabon who, with some other local rulers, subsequently submitted to Spanish rule and allowed himself, his wife and about 2200 other Filipinos to be baptized as Christians.

However, Lapulapu, one of the rulers of the nearby island of Maktan, refused to submit even after Magellan ordered one of his villages burned to the ground.

In the final showdown Magellan arrogantly refused the aid of hundreds of Cebuano allies who had to stay in their balangays [boats] as more than 1000 of Lapulapu’s warriors easily defeated Magellan’s force of 49 European attackers. Magellan was literally hacked to pieces.

Enrique’s revenge After Magellan’s death, the surviving members of his crew elected his brother-in-law, Duarte Barbosa and the Spanish captain, Juan Serrano as co-commanders

Ferdinand Magellan, engraving by the Flemish artist Crispijn van de Passe, the Elder, 1598

Enrique de Malacca, a modern artist’s conception in the style of Crispijn van de Passe, the Elder of the three remaining ships of the armada. They planned to leave the Philippines immediately and head for the Spice Islands, but as far as Enrique was concerned, his slave days were done. According to Magellan’s will, he was now free and 10,000 maravedis richer.

The co-commanders saw it differently though, and told Enrique that he was still a slave and that he now belonged to Magellan’s widow back in Spain.

Enrique refused to work or to leave the ship Trinidad to interpret on shore. Barbosa and Serrano bullied him and threatened to whip him until Enrique eventually caved in and stormed off the ship.

At this point Enrique apparently went directly to Humabon and persuaded him to turn against the Europeans – according to the Europeans’ side of the story. At the very least, it is likely that Enrique told Humabon that the ships were about to leave.

Humabon could not afford to lose his heavily armed Spanish protectors while Lapulapu was looking to take revenge on all of Magellan’s allies in Cebu.

Humabon had to either appease Lapulapu or he had to get Magellan’s weapons.

On May 1, 1521, Humabon invited all the Europeans to a See FIRST p7

MARCH 16 - 31, 2021

FIRST...

From page 6 farewell banquet, promising a big feast and many more treasures to take home to the king of Spain.

About 30 members of the crew, including the commanders, accepted the invitation. Once they were well fed, and probably drunk, Humabon’s men attacked and slaughtered 27 of the guests.

Captain Serrano was left on the shore, a bound hostage begging his crew to stop firing the ships’ cannons or he would be killed.

Humabon’s men demanded weapons for ransom but, sensing a trap, the three ships escaped, leaving Serrano behind while angry Cebuanos destroyed the cross that had been erected.

(That’s right. The famous cross that stands in Cebu today is not really Magellan’s cross.)

Happily ever after?

Enrique’s ultimate fate is not known. He did not leave Cebu with the armada and nothing of his life after the massacre was ever reported. But for those who believe that Enrique was a Cebuano who had circled the globe, his story did not end there.

Carlos Quirino concocted a whole life story for Enrique in 1995 in his Who’s Who in Philippine History.

Quirino claimed Enrique’s birthplace was Carcar, Cebu and he recounted how pirates captured Enrique while he was fishing near Cebu and then sold him into slavery in Malacca. After the Cebu massacre he supposedly served Humabon

PILIPINO EXPRESS as a Spanish and Portuguese interpreter, raised a family and lived past the age of 70 only to die just before the conquistador Legazpi could land in Cebu in 1565 to corroborate Quirino’s story.

Quirino provided no specific source for his information about Enrique in the bibliography of his book. In March 2003, four years after his death, his son Richie Quirino claimed in a series of articles by Bambi Harper of the Philippine Daily Inquirer that Magellan concealed Enrique’s true origin so that he could claim to be the first person to have circled the earth. Apparently, every one of Enrique’s contemporaries who ever wrote about him must have been part of the cover up, too, because none of them said he was from Cebu, either.

The younger Quirino also speculated that when Magellan was in Malacca in 1511, he sneaked away from the Portuguese fleet to explore the Philippines. His return to the Philippines in 1521 would have made him (and Enrique) the first person to travel around the world but his chronicler and number one fan, Antonio Pigafetta, never recorded Magellan making such a claim – nor could he make the claim if he had been concealing the fact that he had already visited the Philippines 10 years before.

Quirino’s assertion is doubtful for so many reasons, not the least of which is that Magellan never planned to circumnavigate the world. His intention was quite

the opposite. The king of Spain had sent him to find a westward route to the Spice Islands so that they could avoid their Portuguese rivals who travelled the eastward route.

Magellan especially wanted to avoid the Portuguese because he had defected to Spain and his former countrymen were out for his blood. Furthermore, even if Magellan did have a secret plan to circle the globe, Enrique still would have been the first to do it when they reached the Spice Islands, one of the places that had been documented as his place of birth.

Enrique was not a Filipino but he was a fellow kayumanggi. And since nothing is known about his life after Magellan’s death, there is a possibility that he eventually returned to his home in Sumatra.

And if he got there in less than 16

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months, before Pigafetta and the other 17 survivors of Magellan’s expedition returned to Spain, he might have actually been the first person to travel around the world.

Visit www.paulmorrow.ca for more about Filipino history and language.

Sources Bergreen, Laurence. Over the Edge of the World: Magellan’s Terrifying Circumnavigation of the Globe. Harper Perennial Edition, 2004 Harper, Bambi L. “A Look at Enrique de Filipinas/de Cebu/ de Butuan” Philippine Inquirer, March 1 & 4, 2003. Photocopies kindly supplied by Vicente Calibo de Jesus.

Oliveira, Fernando.

The Voyage of Ferdinand Magellan.

French translation by Pierre Valière, 1976, transliteration

and English translation by Peter Schreurs, 2002 National Historical Institute, Manila, 2002 Pigafetta, Antonio. Magellan’s Voyage: A Narrative Account of the First Circumnavigation.

Translated and edited by R.A. Skelton. Dover Publications, 1994.

Pigafetta, Antonio. The First Voyage Around the World: An Account of Magellan’s Expedition.

Translated and edited by Theodore J. Cachey, Jr. Marsillo Publishers, New York, 1995.

Quirino, Carlos. Who’s Who in Philippine History. Tahanan Books, Manila, 1995 Wionzek, Karl-Heinz, Editor.

Another Report About Magellan’s Circumnavigation of the World.

Translated by Pedro Sastre.

National Historical Institute, Manila, second printing 2002

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Today it’s hard to go to any nursery or florist and not see pots of lucky bamboo. It’s cultivated and arranged in small pots to large, fabulous interwoven designs. It’s striking and brings a bright green touch of nature to your home – and adds some great health and wealth feng shui too!

One of the most common questions, though, is whether it’s actually bamboo or not And, in fact, it is not bamboo but rather part of the dracaena sanderiana family. In addition to being called lucky bamboo, it’s also called Chinese water bamboo, friendship bamboo, or even feng shui bamboo. Even so, it still looks like bamboo, and for that reason it’s called that and makes us think of bamboo when we see it, making it fit to be used like bamboo in your home or office.

Bamboo care To care for lucky bamboo is very easy. Lucky bamboo does best in medium light so try to put your bamboo somewhere where it will have plenty of light but not direct sunlight as this can burn the leaves.

Whether you keep your bamboo in water or water and pebbles, just make sure that the roots are covered with water and the water level is constant. Change the water completely at least once a month. If possible, used distilled water or water that’s been left to sit for any chlorine to evaporate.

Every other month add a very tiny amount of fertilizer. It can be grown either completely in water

PILIPINO EXPRESS

or put into pebbles and kept filled with water.

Bamboo qualities One of the ways lucky bamboo is used is in feng shui.

Without question, bamboo is the quintessential plant that represents health, growth and longevity in Chinese and feng shui thought.

But it also represents parts of a person’s character, which is flexibility and its ability to stay green year-round is a reminder of the importance of remaining hopeful, positive, and optimistic.

In the home or office, bamboo is believed to dissolve negative chi energy. In the business environment, bamboo represents growth, longevity in business and profitability.

Bamboo canes Besides using lucky bamboo as an enhancer, you can use lucky bamboo to activate your home for good fortune based on the number of individual bamboo stalks. You can choose the number of stalks based on your personal aspirations.

1. for opportunity, income 2. for love and happiness, attract a woman to your life 3. for growth, good health and family relationships 4. for wealth, education luck 5. for health, wealth and happiness 6. for good fortune, heavenly assistance, networking help, attract a man to your life 7. for good fortune, wealth and prosperity 8. for Future prosperity, social opportunity, and fame

PAUL...

From page 5 new position as vice principal for École Garden Grove School.

Congratulations!

Paul: Yes, I am very happy to share that I have been appointed as acting vice principal at École Garden Grove School. It was bittersweet to leave General Wolfe School, which I have considered my “work home,” but change is something we need to take in order to grow. It was through the encouragement of my principal at General Wolfe School – who I consider as a mentor – that I had applied to be a school administrator myself. I am very happy that I listened and took the advice, and feel very thankful to have someone encourage and give me the push to take a step a forward.

As a new vice principal, I am

MARCH 16 - 31, 2021

Improve your feng shui, health and wealth with lucky bamboo

Bamboo cure In your home, use lucky bamboo in the wealth and health sectors, where they are most beneficial. The wood and growth energy are right at home here! But lucky bamboo is also an effective cure for annual afflictions like the 5 and 2 stars that bring health and financial problems wherever they visit.

Use bamboo to handle annual afflictions Lucky bamboo in water is an excellent enhancer and protector of wealth and health. The 5 Yellow is one of the annual afflictions that bamboo can help control. Create a vase of healthy and vibrant lucky bamboo is a wonderful helper, and it’s an energizer for health and wealth, taking some of the sting out of the 5 Star. The other energy to be concerned about is the Black 2 Star which can cause health and

taking the opportunity to get to know the students, the families and the staff in my new school and community. I am very excited to be part of the Garden Grove school and community and look forward to working in partnership with the community to ensure that we are able to provide the best learning experience for all our young learners.

PE: What do you hope to achieve for Garden Grove or for the whole education system in Winnipeg, in the long run?

Paul: As an educator, it is my firm belief that every child deserves quality education that will allow them to flourish and be well-rounded individuals. It is our responsibility to provide that, and the supports needed to achieve it. I truly believe that every child comes with their unique set of strengths, and is capable to learn and excel, and we need

financial problems. Adding a clear glass vase of three stalks of lucky bamboo in stones and water is perfect for both the 5 and 2 Stars.

Stop theft, violence and injury with bamboo Lucky bamboo with its water energy is helpful wherever the annual Red 7 Star flies. This star can cause all kinds of problems that vary dramatically from issues with your mouth and teeth to theft, injury by metal, or violence.

Lucky bamboo can also be used to stimulate energy for love, travel, education and writing For instance, the 4 star of romance and education and writing luck can be activated each year. Adding lucky bamboo here can help stimulate this area with beneficial luck for romance and growth. So, you singles out there, go grab four stalks of bamboo in a vase of water to draw someone new and wonderful to your life – or use it for opportunities in education, travel, or writing and communication!

Enhances wealth and health In general, having a vase of lucky bamboo is good for wealth and health. Placed in the east, the sector of health, the plant will help promote good health and a happy family. In the southeast corner of wealth, lucky bamboo helps bring luck with savings, good investment returns, and accumulation of money.

The next time you’re in a plant shop, give lucky bamboo a second luck. It’s a great feng shui enhancer and protector, too.

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. She is often called on by media to explain feng shui in down-to-earth terms, and has been featured in Seventeen, First for Women, Faces, Conceive, Martial Arts Professional, and Natural Health magazines, and on websites around the world.

to focus on these strengths and use these to help them overcome challenges. It is important to me that everyone in the school feels a sense of community because this will allow us opportunities to work collaboratively and achieve academic excellence in a positive, fun, and nurturing environment.

Students must always be the centre of all school-related decisions and we need to ensure that each child feels that they are seen, heard and recognized for who they are.

PE: The most rewarding thing for you, as an educator?

Paul: Knowing that we have made a positive impact and have been an instrument in changing someone’s life for the better is the most rewarding thing as an educator. I think that we should not only aim to teach minds.

More importantly, we should aim to touch hearts and transform lives. We need to ensure that we make a positive impact in the lives of children; enough to make them resilient and empowered individuals who are able to reach their maximum potential to thrive in this ever-changing world.

PE: Thank you for your time, Paul. Is there anything else

you would like to impart to our readers?

Paul: I would like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who has been part of my journeys as a performer, educator, and an individual. The six-part Music Series for a Cause is available for everyone to enjoy and can be accessed through our Facebook page, Paul Ong Productions, or Youtube channel, Paul Kelvin Ong. Please subscribe and follow us for our upcoming music videos. The Music Series for a Cause may have come to an end, but we will continue to have online content for everyone in the coming months. We hope to see you all in our next Concert for a Cause when live shows are permitted. Thank you very much from the bottom of our hearts for making our Online Concert for a Cause 2020-21 successful!

I would also like to inform everyone that Garden Grove School is currently accepting registrations for the next school year for Nursery to Grade 6 and we would like to be a part of your child’s learning journey. We are located at 2340 Burrows Avenue, and you can phone us at 204-6336477 for any inquiries.

MARCH 16 - 31, 2021

PILIPINO EXPRESS

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SHOWBIZ SHOWBUZZ PILIPINO EXPRESS

MARCH 16 - 31, 2021

• Kim – Nananahimik sa isyung Julia Montes at Gerald Anderson • Gerald Anderson at Julia Barretto – Maraming kumokontra sa kanilang relasyon • Marjorie Barretto – Naghahamon ng away?

• Claudine Barretto – Masama pa rin ang loob kay Julia • Randy Santiago – Ayaw makialam sa isyu nina Raymart at Jodi • Kris Aquino – Nag-iingay na naman sa social media • Aljur Abrenica – Tameme sa reklamo ni Kylie • Madel De Leon – Malungkot pa rin sa pagkawala ni April Boy Regino

Sabi nga, silence is the sweetest sound, walang tatalo sa pananahimik, dahil less talk, less mistake.

Tama ang ginagawang pananahimik lang ni Kim Chiu sa anumang isyung may kinalaman sa lantad nang relasyon ngayon nina Gerald Anderson at Julia Barretto.

Kahit anong tanong pa ang ibato kay Kim ay ngiti lang ang kaniyang isinasagot, hindi siya nakikisawsaw, kahit siya pa ang unang nakarelasyon ng aktor ay ano pa nga naman ang mapapala niya kung magbibigay siya ng komento ngayon?

Pero maraming puwedeng ikukuwento si Kim kung gugustuhin lang niya. Marami pang nakakaalala sa matindi niyang paghagulgol nang magbreak sila ni Gerald dahil ang ipinalit nito sa kaniya ay ang bestfriend niya pang si Maja Salvador.

Pero bakit pa nga naman niya babalikan ang istoryang iyon, samantalang masaya-maligaya na siya ngayon, dahil mayroon na siyang Xian Lim? Ang paniwala nga noon ng malalapit kay Kim ay pinagsabay

rin sila ni Gerald sa isang panahon lang ni Maja. Parang kuwento rin nina Bea Alonzo at Julia Barretto.

Kaya nga hindi na bago para sa nakararami ang ginawa ni Ge-rald kay Bea, dati na nitong ginagawa ang pagsasabay ng girlfriend, idedenay lang nito sa una pero nabubuking din naman si Gerald sa bandang huli.

Maganda ang imahe ni Kim Chiu. Hindi siya nakikialam sa buhay ng may buhay. At napakabilis niyang magkomento See CRISTY p11

Randy Santiago

Kim Chiu

Julia Barretto & Gerald Anderson

First Yaya – A modern fairy tale on GMA Network This month, feel the kilig and excitement as GMA Network unveils the aspirational story of an ordinary woman who gets to lead an extraordinary life as the nanny of the President’s children and along the way, falls for the country’s highest officer in the romantic-comedy series First Yaya.

The original drama introduces the highly anticipated pairing of actor Gabby Concepcion as President Glenn Acosta and Kapuso actress Sanya Lopez as Yaya Melody.

The beautiful Kapuso actress, who has showcased her impressive acting prowess in her wide-ranging roles, shares how she approached the role of Yaya Melody, “Bago kasi sa akin ang rom-com, si Direk LA [Madridejos] ang nag-introduce sa akin kung paano siya atakihin at may movies na pinapanood siya para makatulong sa akin. Pero sinabi nga sa akin ni Direk LA, maging ikaw lang, kahit wala ka ng ibang gagayahin, ‘wag kang umarte at ikaw na si Yaya Melody.”

After a series of training

Claudine Barretto

Gabby Concepcion & Sanya Lopez sessions and seminars for his role as PSG Conrad Enriquez, the brooding and loyal member of the Presidential Security Team who falls deeply in love with Yaya Melody, versatile Kapuso actor Pancho Magno shares that he has gained a deeper level of respect for PSG members, “Iba rin talaga ‘yung respect ko, syempre sa mga yaya natin na kasama See YAYA p13

Marjorie Barretto

Aljur Abrenica & Kylie Padilla

Alden Richards and Bea Alonzo star in Pure Soul For the first time ever, the Filipino audience is set to witness the muchawaited pairing of two of the country’s biggest stars: Asia’s Multimedia Star Alden Richards and New Generation’s Movie Queen Bea Alonzo.

Three of the country’s film production giants - Viva Films, GMA Pictures, and APT Entertainment - seal their partnership to co-produce the Philippine adaptation of the Japanese drama Pure Soul, from which the hit Korean movie A Moment to Remember was also adapted in a contract signing ceremony held on Tuesday, March 2.

Present during the contract signing ceremony were top executives from the three production companies: From Viva Communications Inc. were President and COO Vincent Del Rosario and his team; Representing GMA Network were GMA Films, Inc. President and Programming Consultant to the Chairman and CEO Atty.

Annette Gozon-Valdes, and top GMA executives. And for

Bea Alonzo & Alden Richards APT Entertainment Inc., CEO and President Mike Tuviera and his team.

Vincent Del Rosario teases the viewers on what to look forward to in the reimagining of the story that captivated hearts in Korea and Japan, “‘Yung script largely based sa Japanese na series pero ‘yung nuances ng culture ng Pinoy, sineed maigi ng See ALDEN p14

MARCH 16 - 31, 2021

CRISTY...

From page 10 ng papuri tungkol sa mga kasamahan niyang personalidad kung kinakailangan.

Sabi ng isang source, “Naaalala pa namin, noong bumaha nang matindi at lumubog ang subdivision na tinitirhan nina Gerald at Kim, bidang-bida si Gerald noon dahil iniligtas niya

PILIPINO EXPRESS

ang family ni Kim. “Para siyang knight in shining armour noon, nakasalbabida siya, nilangoy niya ang bahay ni Kim, pero pagkatapos noon, e, nangyari na nga ang paghihiwalay nila.

Pumasok na sa eksena si Maja,” komento ng aming kausap.

Nga pala, sa pagkawala ni Maja Salvador sa ASAP Natin ‘To ay si Kim Chiu na ang See CRISTY p13

Kris, Bimby & Josh Aquino

April Boy Regino & Madel de Leon

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PILIPINO EXPRESS

1

MARCH 16 - 31, 2021

1 IN 10

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MARCH 16 - 31, 2021

SHOWBIZ SHOWBUZZ PILIPINO EXPRESS

YAYA...

From page 10 sa house, pati na rin sa mga miyembro ng PSG na may sarili ring pinagdadaanan in their lives.

Pinipili nilang magsakripisyo not only for our leaders pero para sa country din talaga.”

Playing an important role in the primetime soap is seasoned actress Ms. Pilar Pilapil as Blesilda Acosta, Glenn’s wealthy and doting mother who will stop at nothing to make sure her son becomes the most powerful man in the country.

Set to make their love team debut in their very first drama series together are Cassy Legaspi as Nina Acosta, the rebellious and eldest daughter of the President who initially rejects Yaya Melody; and promising Kapuso actor Joaquin Domagoso as Jonas, a student activist and critic of President Glenn who unintentionally falls for Nina.

Also starring are the characters from President Glenn’s life: Gardo Versoza as Luis Prado, the incumbent Speaker of the House and President Glenn’s foe disguised as an ally; Maxine Medina as Lorraine Prado, Glenn’s feisty co-worker who is determined to be the First Lady at all costs; Kakai Bautista as Pepita, the dining manager at the Presidential Reception house who makes life difficult for Yaya Melody; Cai Cortez as Norma, President Glenn’s trusted maid who becomes Yaya Melody’s confidante; Thou Reyes as Yessey, President Glenn’s overbearing but loveable millennial chief-ofstaff; Hailey Mendes as Charlie, best friend of Jonas who secretly fancies him; Patricia Coma as Nicole Acosta, President Glenn’s second daughter who instantly likes Yaya Melody; Clarence Delgado as Nathan, President Glenn’s middle child who is often the mediator between Nina and Nicole; Thia Thomalla as PSG Val Canete, boyish security detail primarily assigned to President Glenn’s children who is not aware of her beauty; Jon Lucas as Titus de Villa, Speaker Luis’ most trusted right-hand man; Glenda Garcia as Marni Tupaz, a veteran political reporter who is often critical of President Glenn.

Joining them are the members of Sanya’s family, the Reyes family: Sandy Andolong as Edna Reyes, Melody’s mother who is an emotional wreck and believes in all things practical; Buboy Garovillo as Florencio Reyes, Melody’s father with whom she shares the strongest filial bond; Analyn Barro as Gemrose Reyes, Melody’s sister who is often at odds with her; Anjo Damiles as Jasper,

PAGE 13

Kathryn and Daniel, named TV Icons of the Decade

Sanya Lopez Melody’s first serious boyfriend who eventually breaks her heart; and Jerrick Dolormente as Lloyd Reyes, Melody’s youngest sibling who is very supportive of her.

First Yaya also features the special participation of Ms. Boots Anson-Roa and Ms. Jean Garcia.

Completing the all-star cast with special guest roles are: Andre Paras, Allen Dizon, Frances Makil-Ignacio, Tommy Abuel, Kiel Rodriguez, Mikoy Morales, Issa Litton, Lovely Rivero, Jenzel Angeles, Murielle Lomadilla, Wilma Doesnt, Atak, Cecile Paz, Michael Roy, Dennis Marasigan, Rollie Inocencio, Nicki Morena, Julius Miguel, Isabel Frial, Chinggay Datu, Lourdes Conde Serrano.

First Yaya follows the story of Melody Reyes, a high-spirited and diligent woman from a humble background. Strapped for cash and being the sole breadwinner of the household, Melody strives to provide for her family despite the numerous adversities life throws at her including an unresolved mishap. Years later, while working at an indoor playground, Melody instinctively rescues a child from an accident not knowing that the latter’s father is the incumbent Vice President of the Philippines, the widower Glenn Acosta.

Life takes an unexpected turn when Melody becomes the nanny of the children of Vice President Glenn, who will later assume the presidency. Soon romance blooms between the two but is challenged

by PSG Conrad Enriquez who is also torn between keeping his loyalty to President Glenn and being true to his feelings for Yaya Melody. Will social and familial obstacles and struggles come between the budding relationship between Yaya Melody and President Glenn?

The series also showcases the famous and historic Manila Hotel as one of its taping locations.

Catch the highly anticipated world premiere of First Yaya – weeknights, on GMA Network.

Viewers abroad can also watch the series via GMA’s flagship international channel, GMA Pinoy TV.

ABS-CBN and Kapamilya artists continue to receive love from award-giving bodies after winning TV Station of the Year and other trophies at the VP Choice Awards 2020 held virtually last March 6.

ABS-CBN bested five other media companies for the award, which is given to the network that continues to provide “highquality news and entertainment shows that remain on top of the viewers’ favourite lists.”

Kapamilya teleserye Love Thy Woman was also cited for capturing “the hearts of Filipino viewers with its relatable and timely plot and great acting ensemble” as TV Series of the Year, while its lead actor Xian Lim won TV Actor of the Year for his performance in the program.

Meanwhile, Star Magic artists Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla were hailed as TV Female Icon and TV Male Icon of the Decade for their unwavering dedication to their craft while Kyle Echarri and Francine Diaz or KyCine, won Love Team of the Year.

Rounding up the individual winners are awardees from ABS-CBN are Fan Girl star Charlie Dizon (Movie Actress of the Year), Andrea Brillantes (TikTok Star of the Year), Ivana Alawi (Breakthrough Social Media Star of the Year), Sarah Geronimo (Performer of the Year), and Francine (Promising Female Star of the Year).

Fan Girl, a collaboration between ABS-CBN Films’ Black Sheep, Globe Studios, Project 8, Epicmedia, and Crossword Productions, was also recognized as VP Choice Awards’ Movie of The Year, while director Antoinette Jadaone won Movie Director of the Year.

The VP Choice Awards is an annual event presented by Village Pipol magazine to highlight the finest in the travel, lifestyle, technology, and entertainment industries. The winners are

CRISTY...

From page 11 mayhawak ng titulong “Queen of The Dance Floor” na karapatdapat lang naman, dahil talagang napakahusay sumayaw ng young actress. *** Kung nakamamatay lang ang mga salita ay kambal na lamayan na ang siguradong magaganap.

May mga kakampi rin naman sina Gerald Anderson at Julia Barretto pero mas malaking di hamak ang bilang ng mga

Kathryn Bernardo & Daniel Padilla

Sarah Geronimo Ivana Alawi

Xian Lim Francine Diaz determined through a voting system with 25 per cent coming from online votes, 25 peer cent from Facebook shares, 30 per cent from the editorial team, and 20 per cent from a panel of judges.

For news and updates on ABSCBN, follow @ABSCBNPR on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit www.abs-cbn.com/ newsroom.

Kyle Echarri

kumokontra sa kanila.

Madali namang tanggapin ang pagmamahalan ng isang lalaki at isang babae, napakanormal na kaganapan lang naman ang ganoon, artista man o hindi ang sangkot sa relasyon.

Ibang-iba lang ang senaryong kinapapalooban nina Gerald at Julia dahil sa pakiramdam ng publiko ay mayroon silang sinaktan at sinagasaan para sa personal nilang kaligayahan.

Nand’yan si Bea Alonzo na hindi na nga masyadong nagsasalita, kontrolado pa nga ang

kaniyang saloobin, idinadaan na lang ng aktres ang kaniyang sama ng loob sa mga makasaysayang quotations na patagilid lang ang datingan pero matalim na punyal ang katumbas bilang patama sa magkarelasyong nanakit sa kaniya.

Hanggang hindi nililinaw ni Gerald Anderson ang totoong kuwento ng hiwalayan nila ni Bea Alonzo ay mananatiling ahas at manunulot si Julia Barretto sa pananaw ng publiko.

Hindi puwede ang mga palusot na dahilan, aktuwal na See CRISTY p14

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ALDEN...

From page 10 writer para mas ma-appreciate ng local moviegoers.”

Meanwhile, Gozon-Valdes expressed her excitement in bringing the project to life, “Finally, this is now a reality, we’re very excited. Napakaganda kasi ng pelikula na ito, lalo na we’re having both Alden and Bea in it. We feel that this project is perfect for the both of them. Sa galing nilang umarte, kayangkaya nila itong project na ito.

We are putting our own take on it kasi nga siyempre Philippine adaptation, gusto natin may ibang ipakita sa audience para talagang uniquely Filipino adaptation ito.”

Tuviera likewise shared his enthusiasm to begin producing the highly-anticipated film, “Napakalaking chance to be a part of a project like this, I’m sure the people want to see Alden and Bea together. Gusto talaga namin maramdaman ng tao ‘yung pagka-big screen niya, ‘yung concept ng kuwento, ‘yung characters, importante sa amin na ma-experience ng tao ‘yun in its full glory talaga, in a theatre. We’re making the film as a theatrical experience.”

The film follows the journey of a young couple whose relationship will be put to the test when the woman is diagnosed with early onset of Alzheimer’s disease. It is a story that will test how much love can withstand and show how it can triumph in the midst of pain, fear, denial and acceptance. Entrusted with such a meaningful role, Alden feels grateful to once again showcase his versatility on the big screen, “It’s my first remake, and there’s always comparison. What we wanted as actors is to do our own take on how we understood the role. Ang ganda ng material, sobra. Kung babalik na ‘yung cinemas, it’s really for it. Mas dama mo ‘yung istorya.”

On the other hand, Bea shared, “I’m excited na makakapagtrabaho na kami this time.

SHOWBIZ SHOWBUZZ PILIPINO EXPRESS

We’re very happy na nag-inject sila ng Filipino culture doon sa script. We are working around the parameters of what Korea wants us to do, of course to also maintain and respect the original form of the movie. It’s going to be a little different from the original title, but we will make sure that it’s going to be a good one. It’s going to be extra challenging and also very inspiring.”

This dream project is set to make the Filipino audience fall in love once it hits the big screen soon.

CRISTY...

From page 13 paliwanag ang hinihintay ng bayan, para matigil na ang pagaakusa sa kanila ni Julia Barretto na pareho lang silang manloloko at sinungaling.

Prenteng-prente lang na nakaupo sa trono ngayon si Bea Alonzo, mas umeeksena pa nga ang sinasabing karelasyon nitong si Dominic Roque na nagpulupot pa ng sawa sa kaniyang leeg, habang nakikipaggiyera naman ng salitaan sina Gerald at Julia sa kanilang mga kalaban sa social media. *** Dati nang pina-follow ni Marjorie Barretto ang mga social media accounts ni Jodi Sta. Maria. Nila-like ng aktres ang mga posts ni Jodi, nagkokomento pa nga kung minsan si Marjorie, matagal na silang magkaibigan.

Nang-mag-post sina Raymart Santiago at Jodi Sta. Maria ng kanilang mga retratong masayangmasaya sila ay ni-like din iyon ni Marjorie na tulad nang dati.

Negatibo ang naging reaksiyon doon ng mga tagasuporta ni Claudine Barretto, talaga raw naghahamon ng away si Marjorie, dahil alam niya naman na bagong karelasyon ni Raymart si Jodi.

Pinersonal iyon ng mga makaClaudine, iniinis daw ni Marjorie ang kaniyang kapatid na kung anuanong paghusga ang ibinabato kay Jodi, naghahamon na naman daw

ng giyera si Marjorie.

Sabi ng aming source, “Kung ngayon lang ni-like ni Marj ang posts nina Raymart at Jodi, puwedeng sabihing nang-iinis nga siya! Pero naman! Matagal nang pina-follow ni Marjorie si Jodi!”

Nakasilip na naman ng butas ang mga arsonista ng tsismis para muling sindihan ang matagal nang nanglalamig na hidwaan ng magkakapatid na Barretto.

Mula nang maganap ang kakila-kilabot nilang bangayan sa mismong lamay ng kanilang ama ay wala nang sumunod pang pangyayari.

Huwag na sanang patulan pa ni Claudine ang mga sulsol at bulong ng mga taong nakapalibot sa kaniya para muling mabuhay ang away nilang magkapatid. *** Si Claudine Barretto pa ba? Ang klase ba ni Claudine ang mababahag ang buntot sa pagsagot sa mga katanungan ng mga netizens?

Sa diretsong tanong sa kaniya kung sino ang mas mahusay umarte kina Julia Barretto at Julia Montes ay walang kagatulgatol ang kaniyang sagot. “Julia Montes, OF COURSE! May kasunod pang panguusisa iyon. Kaya ba siya mas nahuhusayang umarte kay Julia Montes ay dahil iyon ang sinsero niyang opinyon o dahil galit pa rin siya hanggang ngayon sa kaniyang pamangking si Julia Barretto?

Ang diretsong sagot ni Claudine, “Sweetheart, BOTH!” All caps ang salitang BOTH, madiin ang kaniyang sagot, di hamak na mas magaling umarte si Julia Montes at pinanindigan ng aktres na hanggang ngayo’y may galit pa rin siya kay Julia Barretto na kadugo niya.

Kumbaga sa boksing ay pang-lightweight pa nga lang ang ganoong klase ng tanong para kay Claudine, walang-wala iyon para lapatan niya ng diretsong sagot, naghihintay pa siguro siya ng mga pang- heavyweight na tanong tungkol sa kaniyang pamangkin.

Marami kasing baon na sama ng loob si Claudine laban kay Julia na itinuring niya nang parang tunay na anak noong bata pa ito.

Kahit saan magpunta noon si Claudine ay bitbit niya ang mga anak nina Dennis Padilla at Marjorie.

“Mama Pretty” ang tawag sa kaniya ng mga bagets, maraming

dapat tanawing utang na loob si Julia sa kaniyang tiyahin.

Paano kaya sasagutin ni Claudine ang tanong kung totoong inahas ni Julia si Bea Alonzo? All caps din kaya ang magiging tugon niya? At gaano kaya iyon katalim?

Team Bea pa naman sila ng kaniyang ateng si Gretchen. *** Bumonus kami ng tanong kay Randy Santiago nang maging panauhin namin siya sa Cristy Ferminute. Bukod sa kaniyang bagong iho-host na programa sa TV5, ang Sing-Galing, ay kumurot kami nang pahapyaw tungkol sa relasyon ngayon ng kaniyang kapatid na si Raymart at ni Jodi Sta. Maria.

Tama ang sagot ni Randy, super-close silang magkakapatid, pero pagdating sa aspeto ng kanilang personal na buhay tulad ng pakikipagrelasyon ay hindi sila nagpapakialaman.

Madalas silang magkakasama lalo na kapag dumadalaw sila sa puntod ng kanilang mga magulang pero hindi sila nagtatanungan tungkol sa mga problema nilang personal.

“Ganoon kami. Alam namin kung hanggang saan lang kami puwedeng magsalita. Nangyari na ‘yan kina Junjun at Sherilyn noon, pero hindi kami nakialam.

“Iyong kina Raymart at Claudine, ganoon din, sila lang ang puwedeng magsalita, labas kami. Kaya nga ayaw nang magasawa ni Rowell, e!” tumatawang kuwento ni Randy.

Mahirap pa ring iraos nina Randy at Marilou ang arawaraw hanggang ngayon dahil sa pagpanaw ng kanilang anak na si Ryan. Wala nang salitaan, magkatinginan lang silang mag-asawa ay sabay na silang lumuluha, sobrang sakit para sa kanila ang pagkawala ng kanilang anak.

Mabuti na lang at nalilibang si Marilou sa paghahalaman, punumpuno ng halaman ang kanilang buong bahay at hardin, ang magkakapatid na Santiago ang kaklase ng kaniyang misis sa pagiging plantito at plantita.

“Ang mamahal pala noon!” komento ni Randy. Hindi sila nagbebenta, pinalalago lang ni Marilou ang mga halaman, minsan-minsan ay nagreregalo sila sa mga kaibigan ng mga alaga nitong bonsai.

“Mabuti na lang at nalilibang si

MARCH 16 - 31, 2021 Marilou. Siya talaga ang matinding emotional sa pagkawala ng anak namin. Sa akin naman, busy ako palagi. Pinipilit kong kalimutan, pero hindi puwede, pauwi pa lang ako from work, lungkot na agad ang kasama ko,” rebelasyon pa ng magaling na singer.

Sugat na walang paggaling.

Sugat na habang tumatagal ay lalong nagnanaknak. *** May punto ang mga nakausap namin tungkol sa pag-iingay na naman ngayon ng Pambansang Taklesang si Kris Aquino. Paano nga naman gagaling ang kaniyang sakit kung ganyan na kapag nakaharap na siya sa kaniyang mga gadgets ay naghahamon siya ng giyera?

Sabi pa ng isang abogadong kaibigan namin, “She keeps on talking about her autoimmune disease, idine-detalye pa niya ang sakit niya, bawal na bawal ang stress sa kaniya, pero ano ang ginagawa niya ngayon?

“She’s inviting stress! She opens all her doors para pasukin siya ng stress! Kris really speaks with two tongues!” madiing komento pa ng aming kausap.

Kauna-unawa naman ang kaniyang punto bilang depensa sa kaniyang mga anak lalo na sa walang kamuwang-muwang na si Joshua. Kahit sinong ina ay paplakaduhin din ang pagtatanggol na ginagawa ngayon ni Kris para sa kaniyang panganay at sa bunsong si Bimby.

Fake news na nagdadalantao ngayon ang yaya ni Josh, walang alam sa kamunduhan ang kaniyang panganay, at si Bimby naman ay walang habas na pinagbibintangang beki sa batambata pa nitong edad ngayon.

Pinakyaw nga naman ang kaniyang mga anak sa kontrobersiya, parehong sinasaktan, kaya parang kapanganganak na tigre si Kris ngayon na handang lumundag para sakmalin ang mga naninira sa kaniyang mga anak.

Pero makatutulong ang payo ng mga bukas ang isip tungkol sa kaniyang bunso. Piliin na lang sana ni Kris ang mga video na ipino-post niya sa social media.

Huwag na niyang inilalabas pa ang mga video o larawang nagbibigay ng kakaibang insinwasyon tungkol sa kasarian ni Bimby. Kris na Kris kasing See CRISTY p15

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PILIPINO EXPRESS

PAGE 15

Creating Health Chiropractic The Manitoba government has shown its support to both the Chiropractic profession and Massage Therapists by allowing us to stay open for the needs of our patients.

Our patients need our help.

Due to high levels of stress, poor ergonomics from working at home, challenged fitness levels due to reduced recreation options, our patients are sore, tight and expressing all kinds of nerve system irritations.

We are masked, social

distancing as much as possible and cleaning consistently to ensure your safety. You will be asked screening questions upon booking, but this is to keep every one safe.

Our team is here for you!

CRISTY...

From page 14

Padilla? Ang publiko lang ba? *** Pagkatapos nang mahigit na tatlong buwan mula nang pumanaw ang Jukebox Idol na si April “Boy” Regino ay muli kaming nagkaroon ng komunikasyon ng kaniyang biyudang si Madel de Leon.

Tinawagan kami ni Madel para sabihing hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin siya nakatatakas sa matinding kalungkutan dahil sa pagpanaw ng kaniyang asawa.

Lalo pang tumindi ang kaniyang pagdadalamhati nang mapanood niya ang Megastar na umiiyak sa Your Face Sounds Familiar nang kantahin ng isang kalahok ang piyesang Umiiyak Ang Puso ni April Boy. Kuwento ni Madel, “Iyak po ako nang iyak, Sharonian po kasi kami ni April. Lahat ng pelikula niya, pinanonood namin. Bumili pa kami ng conert ticket niya noon kahit mahal. Nasa unahan po kami.

“Hanggang sa i-compose niya na nga po ang Sana’y Laging Magkapiling na sina Sharon at Gabby ang inspirasyon niya.

Nagpakasal po sila, nagpakasal din kami ni April.

“Napakasarap pong balikan ang sobrang pagiging Sharonian namin ng asawa ko. At siyempre, hindi po makakalimutan ng buong pamilya ko ang napakalaking tulong na ibinigay ni Ms. Sharon noong mamatay si April.

“Napakaganda po ng puso niya. Pasensiya na po kung hindi ko kayo masyadong nate-text, dumaan po ako sa matinding depression. Hanggang noong minsan, e, gusto ko nang uminom nang maraming gamot para hindi na po ako magising.

“Naiisip ko lang po ang mga anak namin, pero hanggang ngayon po, iyak pa rin ako nang iyak kapag naaalala ko ang pagkawala ni April. Noong March 3 po, 37th wedding anniversary na namin. Malapit na rin po ang birthday niya, April 9,” malungkot na pag-alala ni Madel.

Pakipaabot daw namin kay Sharon ang sobrang pasasalamat nilang mag-iina, “Bibihira na lang po ang tulad ni Sharon Cuneta na marunong magmahal at magpahalaga nang very sincere.

Mas minahal pa po namin siya ngayon,” komento pa ni Madel de Leon Regino.

Makararating.

– CSF

gumalaw at magsalita si Bimby dahil palagi silang magkasama.

Gayang-gaya siya ng kaniyang bunso, pati ang halakhak na kaniyang-kaniya lang ay isandaang porsiyentong plakado ni Bimby, na nagbubukas ng pintuan ng pag-aalinlangan at pambabato ng pagdududa sa kasarian ng kayang bunso.

Pero kung kilala nga natin si Kris Aquino ay hindi siya makikinig sa ganoong payo. Si Kris Aquino siya, siya ang reyna ng kaniyang sarili, siya ang dapat masunod sa ayaw at sa gusto ng kahit sino. *** Minarkahan na ng publiko si Kylie Padilla. May mga tumatawag ngayon sa kaniya ng “The girl who cried wolf!

Sa susunod niyang gawin ang paglilitanya sa social media tungkol sa problema nila ni Aljur Abrenica ay baka wala nang maniwala sa kaniya.

Suot na uli ni Kylie ang wedding ring nila ni Aljur, opinyon ng mas nakararami, punuin man ng singsing ng aktres ang lahat ng kaniyang mga daliri sa paa at kamay ay wala nang pakialam sa kaniya ang mundo.

Komento ng kaibigan naming propesor, “Ganyan talaga ang kauuwian ng mga taong hindi muna nag-iisip na mabuti bago ipagbuyangyangan sa publiko ang kuwento ng buhay niya!

“Bubuga ngayon, babawi bukas, ano ang akala niya sa pagiging mag-asawa nila ni Aljur, laro? Parang candy na kapag ayaw na niya, e, basta na lang niya iluluwa?” inis na sabi ni prop.

Hindi nga naman kagandahan ang naganap. Agad-agad na nagsumbong sa social media si Kylie tungkol sa kaniyang mga disgusto. Mabuti na lang at mahal na mahal siya ni Aljur, at malaki ang respeto sa kaniya ng ama ng kaniyang mga anak, kaya wala tayong anumang nabasa-narinig mula sa aktor tungkol sa mga inirereklamo ng kaniyang misis.

Tapos ngayon ay magpapakita siyang suot na uli ang kaniyang wedding ring? Ano ito, lokohan, na matapos niyang sabihing pati panggasolina ng kaniyang mister ay sa kaniya pa hinihingi ay okey na uli sila?

Sino ang niloko ni Kylie

Dr. Crystal Paculan and Dr. Gerald Tole Call us at 204-253-1900 Creating Health Chiropractic 100-600 St. Anne’s Road Winnipeg, Manitoba

Kapamilya Strong keeps its top stars The trust and love for ABSCBN remain strong for Kapamilya stars Maymay Entrata, Edward Barber, Francine Diaz, Donny Pangilinan, Arjo Atayde, and Gary Valenciano, who renewed their contact with the network that they all call home.

ABS-CBN executives warmly welcomed each of the six stars who still chose to be with ABSCBN at the Kapamilya Strong special contract signing event and media conference last February 26.

First to sign a new contract was Maymay whose eyes were sparkling with joy.

“Mahalaga sa akin ang pagiging Kapamilya dahil dito ako nagsimula. Para sila ang naging tulay ng mga pangarap ko.

Dito ko nahanap ang purpose ko,” Maymay, who was last seen in the digital romcom movie Princess DayaReese, shared. Maymay will continue to be part of ASAP Natin ‘To and iWant ASAP. Meanwhile, Maymay’s loveteam partner, Edward, is ready to take more risks this 2021.

According to the host of the MYX online show Kwentong Barber on Kumu, “Kailangan kong sumugal ng konti ngayong taon. To jump, to take risks. I’ll take a chance. I’ll train, not try.”

As for Francine Diaz, she is now busy preparing for her comeback in the much-awaited biggest inspirational teleserye, Huwag Kang Mangamba with the Gold Squad.

One of the stars who also

marked a career milestone with ABS-CBN was Donny Pangilinan who will be seen next on the upcoming iWantTFC series, He’s Into Her, opposite Belle Mariano.

“I’m glad to be here in my roots. Thank you so much ABSCBN for giving me wings to fly as well,” Donny added.

2020’s Asian Academy Creative Awards Best Actor Arjo Atayde also inked a new contract with ABS-CBN and teased that he is already working on a new project for the Kapamilya network.

Although Arjo was tight lipped about the project, he said that he’s excited to work again.

He also became emotional while expressing his gratitude to the network.

“It [ABS-CBN] feels like home. For a lot of reasons they take care of us. They give us the projects we deserve, as long as we work hard for it. I just love being a Kapamilya and I will stay here no matter what,” Arjo said who also received a special video message from girlfriend Maine Mendoza and his co-star in The General’s Daughter, the Diamond Star, Maricel Soriano.

One of the pillars of OPM, Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano, was also filled with gratitude, as he remains a Kapamilya. According to Gary V, who will still be seen every Sunday on ASAP Natin ‘To, he and his co-artists will continue to spread happiness and inspiration.

“What do I hope for this 2021?

Just for us to continue to inspire and encourage so many people out there through our music, stories, dance. Everything,” he said.

Like Arjo, the rest of the stars also received special video messages. Maymay’s mother in Japan greeted her, while Edward got a message from a charity organization in Thailand called Friends of Thai Daughters.

Meanwhile, Belle Mariano greeted Donny, and finally, Gary V’s granddaughter, Leia, gave a short, but adorable greeting.

Meanwhile, before the Kapamilya Strong event started, it already became a hot topic on Twitter, with multiple trending topics, including #KapamilyaStrong, #MayWardSolidKapamilya, and #DonnySolidKapamilya, among others. For more details, follow @ABSCBNPR on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or visit abs-cbn.com/newsroom.

Gary Valenciano

L-R: Maymay Entrata, Arjo Atayde, Direk Lauren Dyogi, Francine Diaz, Donny Pangilinan & Edward Barber

OUR HEALTH

PAGE 16

PILIPINO EXPRESS

MARCH 16 - 31, 2021

Mayo Clinic Q and A: Sleep challenges with daylight saving time DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I always struggle with daylight saving time, both in the spring when we turn clocks ahead, and in the fall when we lose an hour.

Is there anything I can do to limit the effects of the time change on my mind and body?

ANSWER: For much of the U.S., Canada and many places around the world, daylight saving time is an annual practice where clocks are turned ahead one hour in the spring and back one hour in the fall.

While one hour may not seem like a lot of time, many people report struggles with daylight saving time. In contrast, some believe that if you are otherwise healthy, an hour doesn’t really matter.

Research shows that any disruption in routine can affect overall health and wellness, and changes to sleep can be quite disruptive. Studies performed on different continents show that the rate of motor vehicle accidents

increases the week after clocks change. So, the time change cannot simply be dismissed and discounted.

To understand how to best prepare for the time change, it’s important to understand the value of consistency. The human brain has a clock function. The body’s clock comes to expect a consistent 24-hour cycle, and it’s controlled by a number of intricate molecular mechanisms.

Research shows that humans do best if their schedule is consistent ― if they go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time day after day because that’s when the body clock is optimized.

Sleep also is essential for overall health and wellness. It is important to take steps yearround to build routines for good sleep. Consistent, restful sleep has been shown to be extraordinarily beneficial to the brain and cardiovascular system, as well as the body’s immune response and its ability to fight

off infections, and the ability to focus and concentrate.

You should review your daily routine and lifestyle, including your personal sleep habits, to identify opportunities to improve your sleep hygiene, regardless of a time change.

Potential opportunities to improve your sleep hygiene include: • Turn off the lights.

• Limit use of cellphones and other electronics at least one hour before bed. Blue light affects the release of melatonin, a hormone that encourages sleep.

• Eat regular meals. Be mindful about having rich or spicy meals late in the evening, as doing so might promote heartburn or other gastrointestinal difficulties while you sleep.

• Limit alcohol and caffeine.

Try to avoid caffeine after noon and alcohol for four hours before going to sleep.

• Schedule regular exercise.

While some people say they

prefer to exercise in the evening before bed, others find that the endorphins released give them too much energy and interfere with their ability to relax.

• Limit the use of your bedroom to sleeping and sex. If you cannot sleep, go for a walk, take a bath, read a book or go to a different room. Don’t watch TV in bed.

For the fall, as daylight saving time ends, and there are shorter, darker days and longer nights, you should: • Watch your exposure to light at night. For the same reasons as minimizing blue light, TV and use of cellphones, light can trick your body into thinking it’s earlier than it is and affect your ability to go to sleep.

• Expose yourself to light in the morning. If the sun is up when you or your kids wake up, open up the blinds and let the sunshine in, or at least turn on the lights in the room.

• Use artificial light when

necessary. In the fall, when it may still be dark in the morning, use modern technology to augment natural light with artificial light.

When you first wake up, turn on the lights to replace what natural sunshine isn’t able to do.

• Consider how and where you use alarms to help you wake up. Some people set multiple alarms and place them across the room, which means that that they need to arise from bed to turn them off.

Hopefully, by taking steps to reinvigorate your sleep routine, you should be in a better situation when the clock changes due to daylight saving time or if you travel to a different time zone.

A little advanced planning can help you prepare and ease the transition. If you continue to have trouble sleeping, consider talking with your health care provider or visiting a sleep specialist.

Dr. Lois Krahn, Psychiatry, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix. Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network

How a sleep diary can transform how you feel Feeling run-down? Grab a pen and paper and start tracking what might be getting in the way of your good night’s rest. And get back to your more-resilient self.

Are you one of the three in 10 North American adults who don’t get enough sleep? If you are, here’s some unexpected advice: Dust off your diary.

To learn what’s keeping you up at night and robbing your resiliency, do a little reflection (on paper) for about two weeks. You may be surprised by what you learn.

Here is what to track in your “sleep diary.”

• The time you went to bed • The time you actually fell asleep, if known • How many times you woke up during the night • How long, each time, it took

you to fall back asleep • The time you woke up in the morning • How many naps you took that day, and how long each lasted • The medications you used • How much caffeine or alcohol you drank Reviewing this information on your own may reveal some unexpected sleep barriers.

Reviewing your diary with a doctor will help you work together to improve your sleep habits and boost your overall health and resiliency.

We all need a reminder about why good sleep is critical Falling into a deep sleep essentially “reboots” your body, repairs tissue damage and restores energy. Getting enough quality ZZZs every night can help you bounce back after an illness both

emotionally and physically.

Depending on what your diary tells you, here are the top six habits to check on if you’re struggling to get the sleep you need: Don’t use alcohol as a sleep aid. Wine, beer or a cocktail may help you relax and feel sleepy, but with booze you lose the ability to fall into a deep, restorative sleep.

Alcohol before bedtime doesn’t necessarily help you sleep better or longer.

Do check your meds. When cold and flu season hits, you may be tempted to try an over-thecounter (OTC) cough and cold product to calm your symptoms.

But many medications can keep you from getting good shut-eye.

Always check the ingredients first. Some OTC cold medicines may have more caffeine than an eight-ounce (237 ml) cup of

coffee.

Don’t skimp on sleep and then try to catch up on weekends.

Adults need at least seven hours every night to stay resilient and healthy. Consistency is the key!

You can’t “catch up” on sleep on the weekends.

Do go to bed and get up at the same time every day. You might be tempted to sleep in on the weekends, but try to stick to the same sleep schedule. Doing so makes it easier to fall asleep and wake up. For optimal sleep, create a relaxing bedtime routine and keep your bedroom cool, around 20 degrees Celsius.

Don’t check text or e-mail messages before bed. The blue light from electronic screens keeps your brain from releasing melatonin, the brain chemical that makes you feel sleepy. So, you

What to do if you have any Covid-19 symptoms Anyone who develops symptoms of Covid-19 should self-isolate and visit www. manitoba.ca/covid19/ to use the online screening tool, or call Health Links–Info Santé at 204788-8200 or toll-free at 1-888315-9257 for health guidance on how to seek testing.

Symptoms may include: • Cough • Headache • Fever/ chills • Muscle aches • Sore throat/ hoarse voice • Shortness of breath/ breathing difficulties • Loss of taste or smell

• Vomiting, or diarrhea for more than 24 hours • Poor feeding if an infant • Runny nose • Fatigue • Nausea or loss of appetite • Conjunctivitis (pink eye) • Skin rash of unknown cause

While many people will develop only mild symptoms, some groups appear to be more vulnerable to COVID-19.

Those at higher risk typically develop more serious, even fatal, symptoms such as pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome and kidney failure.

might have a harder time falling asleep. Blue light in the morning, however, can pep you up and may reduce daytime sleepiness.

Do exercise regularly, but time it right. In general, regular exercise helps you fall asleep better and get more quality ZZZs. But sleep experts suggest you save vigorous routines for the morning or afternoon instead of the evening. Revving your heartbeat too close to bedtime might wind you up, instead of down. Moderate-intensity exercise in the morning, on the other hand, promotes deep sleep.

Do yourself a favour and make your sleep (and tracking when things go wrong) a priority. You may feel like a whole new you.

By Mayo Clinic Staff.

Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network

High risk groups include those: • 60 years of age and older • living with chronic health conditions (e.g. diabetes, heart, renal or chronic lung conditions) • with weakened immune systems (e.g. cancer) Symptoms of COVID-19 or other coronaviruses may take up to 14 days to appear after exposure to the virus.

MARCH 16 - 31, 2021

OUR COMMUNITY PILIPINO EXPRESS

PAGE 17

Pinays Manitoba celebrates International Women’s Day online Pinays Manitoba celebrated International Women’s Day with close to 100 guests via Zoom on March 7 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

This year’s honouree, Imelda Adao, owner of Jimel’s, participated from the Philippines during the Zoom event. Malaya Marcelino, MLA for Notre Dame, paid tribute to Imelda Adao on behalf of Pinays Manitoba. Imelda Adao was recognized for her strength of character and grace through adversity as she and her husband Jim journeyed through a very challenging time due to the tragic loss of their beloved son, Jimboy.

Another highlight of the celebration was honouring the front liners and esential workers for their selfless service to humanity during this tough pandemic time.

During the virtual celebration, guests watched the Fun-demic Challenge winners, participated in games and raffle draws.

Pinays Manitoba would like to thank everyone who joined their 2021 International Women’s Days celebration.

“While we were not able to gather the way we did in the previous years due to current public health guidelines, we are hoping that we’ll be able to do it next year, March 2022,” said Araceli Ancheta, president of Pinays Manitoba.

Founded and incorporated in January 2016, Pinays Manitoba aspires to provide a resource within the community to assist and guide Filipino women of all ages. One of its objectives is to honour Filipino women – trailblazers who have made outstanding contributions to the community.

From 2016 to 2020, Pinays Manitoba has given recognition – the Pinays Manitoba Trailblazer Award – to a number of very deserving Filipino women.

The public is invited to nominate Filipino women who deserve to be honoured and recognized by sending an e-mail to pinaysmb@gmail. com. The nomination committee will review all nominations for the organization’s future annual recognition events in commemoration of the International Women’s Day. *** The following is a transcript of Malaya Marcelino’s tribute to Imelda Adao, presented on March 7 at the Pinay Manitoba’s annual International Women’s Day recognition event held via Zoom: On behalf of Pinays Manitoba, it is my honour to say a few words to specially recognize Imelda Adao: Imelda is truly a remarkable woman. During these past two years, our community has stood with Imelda as she and her family have mourned their beloved son, Jimboy, and sought justice for his life.

During this difficult time, she has been a nurturing support for her husband, Jim and the family.

Despite the turmoil in their lives, she has managed to keep their

Araceli Ancheta

Malaya Marcelino, MLA for Notre Dame

Jimel’s businesses running with the emergency assistance of their adult children who came to their aid from the Philippines.

And now, even despite the pandemic, under Imelda’s business direction and Jim’s cooking and baking skills, both Jimel’s bakery locations continue to grow and expand. In addition to selling their products in-store, Jimel’s now has contracts to provide goods to local grocers including Save-on-

Foods, Freshco, Sobey’s, Young’s, Seafood City and many more.

Last year, they even opened a new bakery and restaurant in Nueva Ecija in Jimboy’s honour.

Originally from Plaridel, Bulacan, Imelda has lived, worked and operated small businesses in Nueva Ecija, in Malaysia and in Oman before immigrating to Winnipeg with her family in 2005.

For many reasons, Imelda and her family are role models to the

Imelda Adao

Filipino community in Manitoba.

They are successful, incredibly hardworking first-generation immigrants to Manitoba who have put their considerable energy, skills and talents into a thriving business that employs others. They are committed church members and give back to their community as business sponsors for events.

Without fanfare or public recognition, they are generous with their God-given resources

and donate food to the hungry.

Even under the most pressure and stress that any marriage or family could possibly endure, Imelda and Jim have grown closer to one another and even closer to our Almighty God who sustains us all. Imelda is a role model to the women of Pinays Manitoba, and it is my humble honour to recognize her today on International Women’s Day on behalf of our organization.

EH KASI, PINOY!

PAGE 18

PILIPINO EXPRESS

Manny Asuncion:

A worker who embraced the bigger fight for social justice

MARCH 16 - 31, 2021

KROSWORD

NO. 365

Ni Bro. Gerry Gamurot

by Justin Umali, Bulatlat.com SANTA CRUZ, Laguna — Activists use the term “ka,” short for kasama (comrade), as a term of endearment and a sign of respect to those who willingly took on the road less travelled. For his comrades in the Southern Tagalog region, Emmanuel Asuncion was more than just “Ka Manny;” he was a father of struggle in Cavite.

Those who knew him will say the same: he was always full of insight. He always had something to share during meetings, and you would be hard-pressed to try and stop him.

He was the same during mobilizations.

He would apologize to anybody inconvenienced by the noise and thank those who took the time to listen to him. But he would never allow anybody to silence him, and the advocacies he brought with him.

Manny Asuncion was the very definition of an organizer: patient with the masses, always willing to serve the people, and filled with righteous anger against injustice.

Life in the struggle Ka Manny was a worker before he was an activist. In 1998, he worked at a Taiwanese company in the Cavite Export Processing Zone as a machine operator when he and 17 others were laid off due to a machine error.

They decided to pursue the case. The difficulties of legal struggle, however, soon took a toll on the workers and before long, Ka Manny realized that he was the only one left trying to seek justice over their illegal dismissal.

Enter Father Joe Dizon, veteran activist and founder of the Workers’ Assistance Center in Dasmariñas, Cavite. The late priest and WAC helped Ka Manny in their case, which dragged on for years before they were able to get financial compensation.

This was Ka Manny’s turning point. Through Fr. Dizon, he realized that beyond his case, there was an entire class of workers exploited by those in power, and that like him, they too needed help. Ka Manny decided to embrace service to the people and became a full-time activist.

Since then Ka Manny was true to the cause. He advocated for a P7.50 minimum wage to meet the increasing cost of living while fighting for workers’ rights as part of the Solidarity of Cavite Workers. He became the provincial coordinator for Bayan Muna and eventually, coordinator for Bagong Alyansang Makabayan in Cavite.

During that time, he never grew tired fighting for the rights of his fellow Caviteños. He was deeply involved in issues

Emmanuel “Manny” Asuncion

Photo – illustration - credit: Emmanuel “Manny” Asuncion (Illustration by Dee Ayroso) concerning the jeepney phaseout, reclamation efforts in Bacoor, land disputes in Lupang Ramos and Silang, and everything else in between.

Sacrifices and hardship Ka Manny’s activism did not come without hardship. His family was slow to accept his decision to become a full-time activist. His wife, Liezl, sometimes thought he was spending less and less time with her and their children.

Nevertheless, Ka Manny was always proud of his family and his children’s accomplishments.

He often shared his children’s accomplishments to his fellow activists. Liezl would eventually come around and accept Ka Manny’s role in the struggle, even becoming an active supporter herself.

But some hardships are tougher than others. In 2007, he was one of the 72 activists charged with multiple frustrated murder in an attempt to silence the mass movement in the Southern Tagalog region. But Ka Manny kept going.

These, and other arrests and killings, were what kept Ka Manny going. He had seen some of the worst that Cavite had to

offer – the brutal slay of Merly Valguna and Rodora Mallari, who fought against the privatization of the Trece Martires wet-anddry market; the slaying of nine farmers in Lumil, Silang; the repeated arson incidents plaguing communities in Bacoor, and so many other pages during his time serving the people.

The fight for freedom Manny Asuncion met his end in the early hours of March 7, 2021, inside the same office where he began his journey into activism. Police officers from Bay, Laguna entered the premises and dragged Liezl and a witness outside. They pushed Ka Manny to the ground and taped his mouth before shooting him multiple times.

The same scene played out across the Southern Tagalog region. Collectively known as Bloody Sunday, March 7 resulted in the deaths of Ka Manny, as well as fishing rights activists Chai and Ariel Evangelista in Batangas, housing rights advocates Melvin Dasigao, Makmak Bacasno, Abner Esto, and Edward Esto in Rizal, and Dumagat leaders Puroy Dela Cruz and Randy Dela Cruz.

PAHALANG 1. Isinilang 5. Papatnubayan 12. Kabiyak ng dibdib 13. Paniniwala 14. Tanan 15. Hiwa 16. Tabing-ilog 20. Mahirap 24. Kaibigan ni Mama 25. Labis na pagpapatubo 26. Buhos 27. Punit 28. Ilalahok 30. Ipapaibabaw

10. Yayakapin 11. Anaki 16. Lipas 17. Tatay 18. Iluto sa manitika 19. Lubos 20. Takot 21. Iharap 22. Aso sa Cebu 23. Kubli 29. Kung

SAGOT SA NO. 364

PABABA 1. Alaga 2. Nahabag 3. Matibay 4. Damot 6. Solo 7. Nakasulyap 8. Petrolyo 9. Sisidlan Police reports claim that they were attempting to “serve” a search warrant when Ka Manny “fought back.” The same story was heard in other provinces across the Southern Tagalog region, which saw the brutal deaths of eight others.

His last words were “We’re people too.”

Ka Manny might be dead, but for activists and comrades, it is not their bodies that determine life, but the ideas that they carry within them. As they say, one can kill the freedom fighter, but never the fight for freedom.

The youth will finish what he started.

Courtesy: Bulatlat.com

MARCH 16 - 31, 2021

PILIPINO EXPRESS

PAGE 19

PAGE 20

PILIPINO EXPRESS

MARCH 16 - 31, 2021

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