Volume 15 • No. 10 • May 16 - 31, 2019 Publication Mailing Account #41721512
Sanya Lopez
Philippine Midterm Elections Top 12 Senatorial Candidates
14 12
Alden Richards
12
Ken Chan
Twelve seats in the Philippine Senate were hotly contested in the Philippine midterm general elections held on Monday, May
13, 2019. As of press time, according to media reports from the Philippines, most of the votes have been tallied
– 97 per cent or 46,350,055 out of the 63,662,481 registered. With only three percent of the See TOP 12 p4
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Music and politics By the time this article sees print, the midterm election in the Philippines shall have been finished and the winners declared, which means things would have quieted down a little already. I don’t know how it’s done in North America, but election period here can be a real circus. Political rallies have actors, singers, dancers, comedians, and yes, clowns – and often they are all just one person. Songand-dance routines are virtually required, and the audiences (that is, the voters) seem to lap it up. I get it, of course: despite the seeming superficiality of it, singing and dancing can bring politicians down to the level of the masses, who appreciate that their leaders or candidates also do the things they do. They sing, they dance, they eat, they sweat, and they curse. But it’s one thing to sing and dance to the hearts of the people, another to explain to them what their platforms are. I can actually understand the value of entertainment even for political exercises. Aside from the aforementioned “singing and dancing their way to the people’s
TOP 12... From page 1 votes left unreported, these are the names and rankings of the winning senatorial candidates: 1. Cynthia Villar 2. Grace Poe 3. Bong Go 4. Pia Cayetano 5. Bato Dela Rosa 6. Sonny Angara 7. Lito Lapid 8. Imee Marcos 9. Francis Tolentino 10. Bong Revilla Jr. 11. Koko Pimentel 12. Nancy Binay Of these top candidates, only Nancy Binay, at the bottom of the ranking, is still in a shaky position. Only a relatively a small margin of 236,973 votes separates
hearts,” there is also that need to build up a program so that by the time the main speakers are on stage, the audience is fully prepped and charged up to listen to listen to their message. I used to question this; politics, after all, is supposed to be not just about the heart but the mind as well. But after stepping back a little, I realized the human mind often requires a gradual build-up if it is to understand and accept something. Every meeting, even the most serious ones, has preliminary parts before the main element is arrived at. The human mind must be made ready to receive information — think modern church service where “praise and worship” precedes the preaching of God’s Word. If we can accept singing as vital elements of worshipping “in spirit and in truth,” then we can certainly understand politicians employing music for their rallies. But it’s one thing to perform at a campaign rally, quite another to blast music down the streets and force it into the ears of the people. At least the rallies are done in more or less controlled
her from candidate JV Ejercito. It will depend on the outcome of the three per cent of the results still coming in from the various electoral precincts. Those elected in this midterm Philippine general election will take office on June 30, 2019, midway through the term of President Rodrigo Duterte. Incumbents The new senators will join the 12 incumbents: 1. Franklin Drilon 2. Joel Villanueva 3. Vicente Sotto III 4. Panfilo Lacson 5. Richard Gordon 6. Miguel Zubiri 7. Manny Pacquiao 8. Francis Pangilinan 9. Risa Hontiveros 10. Sherwin Gatchalian
environments. What I dislike the most in the campaign season are jeepneys and minivans doing the rounds of communities blaring the campaign jingles of candidates over and over again. They disrupt our daily lives and make it impossible to concentrate on anything. Imagine being on the computer, or watching Netflix, or having lunch, and then being subjected to music coming from lo-fi sound systems. Aside from this disturbance, there is the issue of candidates using popular songs without paying the composers. Most jingles are simply swiped from popular songs, and when I say “swiped” I do mean “steal.” According to the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, Inc. (FILSCAP), only two candidates in this particular election secured public performance licenses to use copyrighted music for their campaign. The rest simply appropriated the songs for themselves without thinking of the composers’ rights over their own material. According to FILSCAP, the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines says a candidate who uses copyrighted music without a license may be held
civilly and criminally liable for copyright infringement, but I am not aware of any candidate who has ever gotten into legal trouble for this. But again, I get it. Music is such a powerful force that politicians are willing to break the law and literally steal songs. As a musician, I am inclined to believe that more than any other form of art, it is music that is able to grab people’s hearts and make us move in certain directions. When we listen to a song, it is not just our mind that is activated but also our entire being. Politicians have mastered this and, in their own simplistic way, have used music to their advantage. We may get annoyed by it, but their campaign jingles show us how good politicians are at communicating their message in all means possible. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the original author, and do not necessarily represent those of the Pilipino Express publishers. Jon Joaquin is the Editor-InChief of the Davao City-based Mindanao Daily Mirror. E-mail Jon at jonjoaquin@gmail.com.
11. Ralph Recto 12. Leila de Lima Aside from the 12 seats in the Senate, elections were also held for all the seats in the House of Representatives and all provincial, city, and municipal-level elected positions in the Philippines. Under the Local Government Code and the 1987 constitution, all terms start on June 30, 2019, and end on June 30, 2022, except for elected senators, whose terms shall end on June 30, 2025. The celebrity candidates There were a number of celebrities and their children who ran for local and national positions, but unlike the previous national elections “star power” was not an assurance that showbiz personalities had a guaranteed electoral base. Some were successful but there were also some popular names that were defeated: Won: • Vico Sotto, son of popular TV hosts Vic Sotto and Coney Reyes, was proclaimed Pasig City mayor. He defeated long time political dynasty heir Bobby Eusebio; • Gian Sotto, son of incumbent Senator Tito Soto, was proclaimed Quezon City vice mayor; • Actor Richard Gomez was reelected to a second term as Ormoc City mayor in Leyte. As of press time, his wife Lucy has a strong chance of being re-elected as Leyte 4th District representative.; • Star for All Seasons and Batangas 6th District Representative, Vilma Santos-Recto may also be victorious as she enjoys a wide lead over her closest rival; • Daniel Fernando, actor, may also
take the Bulacan gubernatorial race; • Imelda Papin, jukebox queen, may also win as vice governor of Camarines Sur; • Jolo Revilla, son of elected senator Bong Revilla Jr. ran unopposed as vice governor of Cavite; • Jhong Hilario, actor, was reelected as councillor in the 1st District of Makati Defeated: • Former president and mayor of Manila, erstwhile action star and incumbent Joseph “Erap” Estrada lost to his former mentee, Isko Moreno. • Erap’s sons in the senatorial race, Jinggoy and JV, may not be able to continue the political dynasty that their father built; • Actor Edu Manzano lost to San Juan incumbent congressman Ronaldo Zamora; • Actor Roderick Paulate lost to Gian Sotto in his bid for Quezon City vice mayor; • Hearthrob and Sir Chief of Be Careful with My Heart fame, actor Richard Yap, conceded to his rival, the incumbent, Raul del Mar in Cebu City; • Monsour del Rosario, actor, lost to Monique Lagdameo in the race for Makati vice mayor; • Megastar Sharon Cuneta’s brother Chet Cuneta lost his bid for Pasay City mayor; • Toni and Alex Gonzaga’s father Carlito “Bony” Gonzaga lost in the race for mayor in Taytay, Rizal; • Daniel Padilla’s father, Rommel, lost in the congressional race in the 1st District of Nueva Ecija.
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What is Winnipeg Pride? Dear Ate Anna: People at work were talking about Winnipeg Pride. What is that? Signed, A Reader Dear Reader: Thank you for your question. Pride is a festival that celebrates gender and sexual diversity, including members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Pride festivals are hosted around the world, and there are a number of communities in Manitoba that will have Pride Festivals this summer. Steinbach, Portage La Prairie, Flin Flon, Brandon, and Winnipeg will host Pride festivals this year. Winnipeg Pride is hosting a number of activities starting on May 24th, and will continue to the weekend festival held on June 1st to 3rd at the Forks. Pride is an important time for people of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, their friends and their families. The initials “2SLGBTQ+� describe different gender and sexual identities. Some words that may sound familiar are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, two-spirit, and queer. These are identities that people have based on their understanding of their own gender and sexuality. For many of us, these words and these ideas might be new and unfamiliar, and this is okay. The important thing to remember is that people are allowed to decide for themselves who they are and how they identify. If you have more questions about 2SLGBTQ+ you can access our website at www.serc.mb.ca for resources on this topic. Pride is an important time for people of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, their friends and their families. In many ways people who are 2SLGBTQ+ are discriminated against because of whom they love and how they express their gender. For example, a transgender worker might be bullied at their workplace, or a lesbian woman might not be accepted by her family. There are a lot of misunderstandings
and wrong ideas about the 2SLGBTQ+ community. There is nothing wrong with being 2SLGBTQ+; these identities are normal and healthy. 2SLGBTQ+ individuals are just like any other individual who wants to live a safe, healthy and fulfilling life. The Manitoba Pride festivals allow time and space for the 2SLGBTQ+ community to get together, celebrate their uniqueness, and build understanding about gender and sexual identity around the province. Everyone is welcome to attend these events, and there is an expectation that everyone who attends acts respectfully and supportively to the people around them. More information on Winnipeg Pride can be found online at www.pridewinnipeg.
com, or in the Pride Guides, which can be found at the Rainbow Resource Centre, or in many libraries around the city. We hope you have a good time celebrating Pride this year, and celebrating those of the 2SLGBT+ community. Have a fun Pride! Ate Anna Ate Anna welcomes your questions and comments. Please write to: Ate Anna, Suite 200226 Osborne St. N., Winnipeg, MB R3C 1V4 or e-mail: info@serc.mb.ca. Visit us at www.serc.mb.ca. for reliable information and links on the subject of sexuality.
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Most Canadians support increased immigration I have written several times in the past about the different opinions on immigration held by the general population in Canada and that of the United States. In general, Canadians share much in common with our American neighbours, but also differ. You have only to contrast a multicultural Canada with the American melting pot or the pro-immigration of Prime Minister Trudeau with the antiimmigration and intolerance of President Trump. Are opinions changing in Canada? The attitudes of Canadians are important especially with Canadians going to the polls in the fall for a national election. Are we, as a country, still supportive of the Liberals’ positive immigration or do we want to return to the restrictive immigration policies of the former Conservative government of Stephen Harper? We don’t have to wonder but rather check into the results of recent polling to find out what Canadians of today think. A recent poll conducted by the public research Institute Environics gives us a good picture of what Canadians think about immigration. Their survey
is conducted every six months with interviews of roughly 2,000 Canadians who differ by age, education, gender, location, etc. Stephen Smith summarized the findings of the poll in Canada News, in his article, “Canadian public opinion on Immigration, refugees ‘remarkably steady,’ new survey finds.” His conclusion should be of no great surprise to readers: “As has been the case most of the past two decades, positive sentiments outweigh negative ones on such questions as the overall level of immigration, its positive impact on the economy, its low impact on crime rates, and the impact on the country as a whole.” Immigration is not the hot button item it is in the United States, where President Trump openly condemns Mexicans and others coming to the United States to find a better life for their families or relief from persecution and poverty in their countries. If his popularity is flagging he sends armed troops to the southern border to stop non-existent caravans of gang members, terrorists etc. Only three per cent of Canadians even consider immigration
to be one of the major issues of the country. Canadians are more focused on the economic health of the country, global warming, international tariffs and leadership. The opposition Conservatives have been trying to feed off of the hatred and immigrant bashing from the
south but so far, with little impact. Consider the graph (on this page) of Canadian respondents who replied to the question of whether or not immigration levels are too high. The numbers of respondents who think immigration numbers are too high have actually decreased considerably since the 1990s while those who disagree with the statement have gone up in Canada. Fifty-nine percent of respondents disagreed with the statement, up from 58 per cent in 2018. The four Atlantic Provinces and British Columbia have the most positive outlook on immigration numbers. The number of respondents who consider immigration as a boom to the economy also increased marginally over the report period, from 76 per cent in October 2018 to 77 per cent today. The Institute concluded: “Canadians’ level of comfort with immigration is grounded on the belief that it is good for the country’s economy, and this perspective held steady over the past six months.” This view was strongest in Ontario where nearly 80 per cent of respondents agreed with the positive impact of immigration on the economy. The age, education and income levels of respondents reflect different attitudes, with younger Canadians and those with a university education being the most supportive. Canadians over the age of 60, of those without a high school education or those struggling financially were the most likely to express negative attitudes about immigration. In terms of association with political parties three quarters of Liberal Party and Green Party supporters disagreed that immigration levels are too high and 89 per cent of the former and 84 per cent of the latter consider immigration positive for the Canadian economy along with 86
per cent of NDP supporters. The Conservatives supporters were in sharp contrast to the three national parties with 49 per cent who thought the immigration numbers were too high and this was down three per cent since 2018. Sixty-six per cent of the Conservatives think that immigration is positive for the economy. What about melting pot and multiculturalism? The survey found that Canadians are divided on the issue of how readily newcomers fit into Canadian society. Just over half of the respondents (51 per cent) believe that newcomers are not fully integrating into Canadian society compared to 42 per cent who disagreed. There were regional differences with a decrease in this attitude in Atlantic Canada to 41 per cent and 46 per cent in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Quebec leads the country in terms of concerns over the integration of newcomers with Quebec at 56 per cent and Alberta 55 per cent. Overall, the findings of the Environics Institute poll were positive on increased immigration. Their conclusion is that Canadians lean toward a positive viewpoint with 45 per cent saying that immigration is making Canada a better place and only 15 per cent saying it is making Canada worse. We can agree with the findings of the poll: immigration is considered by a majority of Canadians as being good for the country. 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. 204-6911166 or 204-227-0292. E-mail: mscott.ici@gmail.com.
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Seven financial mistakes to avoid at university – Part I by Tim St Vincent A question! Yay, I love questions. Below is a question we hear fairly often, the reply is somewhat involved so I will be responding in two parts. Part one is below and is exactly how I put myself through university. Q: “I’m attending my first year of university and haven’t been able to set aside enough money. My parents are helping by giving me free room and board, but only if I stay in school. I’m going to need to take out a student loan to cover some costs, and will work part-time to help with the money situation. I’m looking for advice to help me get off to a good start and avoid graduating with a mountain of debt. Thanks!” A: A lot of people run into financial problems during and after university, sometimes they fall prey to credit traps or reach for credit to cover financial shortfalls. Young adults are particularly at risk as credit is very new to
them. Post-secondary education is expensive and costs continue to rise in Canada, with the average student graduating with over $26,000 in student loans! When you factor in other forms of debt like credit cards, car loans, and bank loans, the number is easily over $30,000! Where you go to school, how you manage your costs during school and the money decisions you make have a big impact on how much debt you graduate with. The decisions you make now have long lasting implications, and will impact your credit score when you graduate; and your credit score has far reaching implications beyond simply getting your next credit card. It’s easy to make mistakes and get caught up in the university experience if you don’t have the knowledge and safeguards in place to protect your finances. This is such a good question that our president, Scott Hannah, had a very similar question asked in his column for The Province (a
daily paper in B.C.). To respond to your question, I drew heavily from his article. So, in responding to your question let’s talk about “Seven financial mistakes to avoid at university.” 1. Moving away from Mom & Dad One of the biggest mistakes post-secondary students make is moving out of the parental home. I understand the need to experience freedom and independence, but the financial cost of such a move is huge. You have made the right choice if you stay at home while in school. By doing so you are avoiding one of the big money mistakes many post-secondary students make. While some specialized programs may require a student to attend university in another city, one can save significant money and graduate with a lot less debt if able to stay at home with some support (free room and board). 2. Borrowing more than you need Just because you qualify for a certain amount of student loans doesn’t mean you should use it all. The reality is that borrowing money is really easy, while paying
it back can be a painful process. Devise a budget for the school year, factoring in how much you can earn while at school. You’re likely to face a shortfall; student loans are a good way to help you bridge this shortfall, but only take what you need. You may be tempted to use credit cards to help out, this is a dangerous step and one to avoid. It’s hard to ignore the allure of credit cards, especially when it seems like there is a kiosk around every corner, promising you the world, if only you would use their credit card. Resist! Credit is neither good nor bad, it’s all in how you use it, and at this stage, it’s too easy to accumulate credit card debt, and far too hard to pay it off. If your student loan and part-time work aren’t enough to fund your needs, it may be time to revisit your budget and look to see where you can trim. Your future self will thank you! 3. Failing to make a monthly and yearly spending plan As noted above, a good budget is critical. Before the school year gets into high gear, sit down and plan out all of your expenses. You’ll need to account for tuition, books, supplies, student fees,
transportation, and entertainment – we have to keep the budget real, and we both know that there will be entertainment expenses while in university! You might want to go to www.mymoneycoach.ca/ budgeting/budgeting-calculatorstools/student-budget-worksheet and use our free student budget calculator worksheet; it will help you spot your costs and help you create a budget. Without making a plan and closely monitoring your expenses, you increase the odds of running out of money. Final exams are stressful enough. Don’t add the pressure of wondering how you’ll make ends meet! I don’t have enough room in my article for a complete reply, so you will have to tune in next month for Part II! Tim St Vincent is a retired CFP (Certified Financial Planner) and is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance with the Credit Counselling Society (CCS), a non-profit organization. If you wish to contact Tim or the Society for further information or to request / attend a workshop / webinar, please call 1-888-5278999 or go to www.nomoredebts. org or www.mymoneycoach.ca
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Feng shui of your front door sidewalk or path Feng shui focuses a lot of thought and energy on the front door. The size, direction, colour and condition of the door all influence the occupants of the house or business and how successful or unsuccessful they are. But what delivers you to that front door? It’s your home’s sidewalk or garden path. When that pathway is missing or afflicted, so is the quality and type of energy from that home. The pathway is another way of looking at water because water brings opportunity and income, and roads and pathways in front of a home are considered water pathways. When water is running smoothly and easily, this promotes the wealth and health of the home and its occupants. This is what makes curb appeal such an important part of building your home’s feng shui. The appearance of your front door and the front walkway instantly set the tone for the kind of energy you have in the house and the type and quality of opportunities and good fortune you experience. It’s what makes the type of walkway you have coming to the front of the house such an important part of creating the kind of feng shui that creates the kind of life you enjoy the most. Look at these sidewalk and pathway points for improving your home’s pathways, and your home’s chi and your good fortune. The poison arrow path This is one of the most common problems with the front sidewalk. This sidewalk is usually
at the street and runs straight to the front door. This type of sidewalk can cause rushing chi and is often described as a poison arrow. When looked at it as a waterway, this type of path is akin to a fire hose – it delivers so much water so quickly as to be destructive. The poison arrow path delivers energy too quickly and can cause problems with the sector it is associated with, in addition to creating hostility aimed at the occupants of the house. This is compounded further if you can see from the front door out the back of the door. It will often cause the occupants to have severe health and financial difficulties, possibly even bankruptcy. To correct, be sure to add some plantings next to the sidewalk to help soften it. You can also take out a center section of the sidewalk and add a circular area with an urn or a planting area that makes visitors go around. You can also add planting beds that run alongside the walkway to help slow down the chi. The starving house Often older homes did not have a path or walkway from the driveway or street to the front door. When there is no waterway, the home is starved or dying or thirst. If the house is quite old, this would have been fine years ago when the house was built but as the house ages, anyone who lives in the house will see depleting finances as well as health problems. To correct, a new front
walk must be added. The more permanent the walk, like poured concrete, the better as this type of walkway will help bring more water chi to the front door more quickly. The afflicted house pathway This house may have a walkway that is too small, old, cracked, crumbling or deteriorating. This means the quality of the energy is deteriorating too. This disrupts the walkway’s ability to deliver the water or chi to the front door, cutting off income, opportunity or making the quality of the opportunity and income decline over time. Make sure the walkway to your front door is in good condition and that it delivers chi to the door smoothly and auspiciously. Pathway and sidewalk pointers • Always try to make the walkways auspicious looking and attractive with plants and other landscaping elements. • Endeavour to create smooth
winding or curving pathways; these deliver beneficial chi • Add lighting to pathways to encourage excellent yang energy • Add plantings such as beautiful flowers to add good fortune chi • Promote excellent energy by adding other features such as water fountains to bring benevolent energy to your home FENG SHUI Q&A Question: The front of my house has a very skinny sidewalk made of pavers. Each paver has space in between. Most everyone uses the door at the rear of the house, including deliveries. We are very successful but when we moved into this house, our income has steadily declined. Could it be the small size of the sidewalk to the door? Answer: It’s very likely it’s the lack of a sidewalk that is causing your income to decline. Think of it this way: the front of your house, and specifically, your door, is the mouth of the house. If
someone made you take all your nutrition through a drinking straw, over time you would be hungry and lose weight, maybe even starve. It’s like that with your door. When it’s small closed off, it’s starving the house of energy – and that means money. Make it a point to create a brand new entry at the front of your home with landscaping, lighting, and a sidewalk. It will do wonders for your home and your life. Kathryn Weber is the publisher of the Red Lotus Letter Feng Shui E-zine and certified feng shui consultant in authentic Chinese feng shui. She has over 20+ years of feng shui study, practice and professional consultation. Kathryn helps her readers improve their lives and generate more wealth with feng shui. For more visit www. redlotusletter.com and learn the fast and fun way how feng shui can make your life more prosperous and abundant!
Popular Zumba besties coming to Winnipeg! by Lucille Nolasco Not one, but two of Zumba world’s superstars are coming to Winnipeg on October! I am beyond thrilled to be a part of a hard-working group of friends, all Zumba instructors, in bringing Zumba education specialists and international presenters, Kass Martin and Steve Boedt, to our beautiful city. Kass Martin I first met Kass in person when she visited in October of last year and did a master class. She was such a genuine and inspiring person. She never seemed to get tired – such a ball of energy on stage. It’s unbelievable, even in her own words, how a simple mother of two, who almost did not dare to dream, could be in such a position to teach and positively influence others, while doing what she loves. Kass became known as the face of Zumba and spreads the love of Zumba fitness all over the world as an instructor, presenter,
TV star and teacher. In between regular classes, Kass travels to different parts of the world, often with her best friend, Steve Boedt. The two also hosts their very own podcast, The Fun Road, where they coach, educate and inspire people towards confidence and success. Steve Boedt I remember asking Kass how to correctly pronounce Steve’s last name. And she told me it’s pronounced as “boot,” like the footwear. So there. Known for fun, creative choreography, outstanding cuing skills and tons of charisma, Steve lives in Barcelona, Catalonia. On his ZINTM page, he says he “absolutely love teaching Zumba classes. The reason is simple: Every class feels like a party!” You can get a chance to meet and party with these two amazing Zumba superstars in Winnipeg on October 18 at Petrus Hall, 2624 Inkster Blvd. The party starts at 6:00 p.m. Excitedly presented by the Wpg ZINTM sistarZ: Janet Weiss, Clarissa Del Rosario, Grace Garcia, Irma Quintos, Elvie Conte, Neth Conte, Maricar Dee and yours truly. In cooperation with Dale Garrido of Vickar Community Chevrolet, various partners, sponsors and supporters. Part of the proceeds will be donated to Building A New Church of St. Peter’s Church. Don’t miss it!
ZINSTM Kass Martin and Steve Boedt
OUR COMMUNITY
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Seafood City is coming to town! by Lucille Nolasco The news of Seafood City opening a store in Winnipeg made the rounds on social media last year. The buzz became louder when a sign was put up outside the vacant building in the Garden City Shopping Centre, which used to house Sears for many years. A few months ago, a post on Facebook showed Seafood City was hiring management staff for their Winnipeg location. And this past Friday, May 10, marketing director for Seafood City, Mildred Smith, was in Winnipeg to not only confirm the exciting news but also to also give a specific timeline as to when it will open. In her live interview on CKJS Radio’s Afternoon Pasada program hosted by Lucille Nolasco, Smith said target date is this summer. “Late July or early August is our target date. And like many of you, we are also very excited to finally open our doors to Filipinos and non-Filipinos alike, here in Winnipeg.” Founded by the Go family, the first Seafood City Supermarket opened in San Diego. The store became a regular stop for groceries and flavourful Pinoy meals. Over the years it has partnered with and
featured other iconic Filipino brands such as Jollibee, Red Ribbon, Chowking and others. Presently, Seafood City has 28 stores in the U.S including in Los Angeles, Northern California, Seattle, Nevada, Chicago and Hawaii. It recently opened its first Canadian location in Toronto. And very soon, the Winnipeg store will open as their very first in Western Canada. Plans are also in the works for stores in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta. “We have so much to offer our customers. We would like to bring our core values as Filipinos through our store, our products, and our service. As our slogan says, Seafood City Supermarket is all about “Celebrating True Filipino Goodness,” said Smith. Seafood City in Mississauga, Ontario. Photo courtesy of Access Winnipeg
Mildred Smith and Lucille at CKJS
Mildred Smith, Seafood City’s Marketing Director with JP, Lucille, Emmie, Paul, Rey-Ar, and Issi
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Reclaiming their power at Pinay Power II In mid-April members of ANAK travelled to Montreal to participate and present at the first ever Pinay Power II: Celebrating Peminisms in the Diaspora conference held at McGill University. The feminist Filipina conference itself is inspired by the Pinay Power anthology by Dr. Melinda L. de Jesús, which was originally published in 2005. Although this book was published almost fifteen years ago, it would become the first step in a perfect series of events that would become the hugely successful Pinay Power II conference, a precursor to an upcoming second anthology. Together with Monica Batac, PhD Candidate; France Clare Stohner, MA; and a passionate team of hardworking Filipina/Filipinx McGill students: Amita Biona, Monica Manuel, Chloe Rodriguez, Julia Baladad, Psalm Tesalona, and Alexandra de Guzman; the team organized an unprecedented gathering of academics, artists, activists, concerned community members, allies and more under the ivory tower. The conference brought together Peminist Filipinas, Filipinx, and non-binary folx from all over North America, the Philippines, and more to discuss the barriers we face as a community in academia. The ANAK team presented on the importance of having an organization that helps bridge the gaps for Philippine youth who are trying to adjust to living their lives in a new country, and for second and third generation youth who are trying to reclaim their Philippine identity. We were able to discuss with attendees the importance of responding to the needs of the community and that it is crucial to be able to meet all members of our community wherever they are in their process of self-identity. The official opening ceremony began with a blessing
from Indigenous leader Wanda Gabriel of Kanehsatake (Oka) Kanieke’ha:ka nation andAssistant Professor at the McGill School of Social work. A ceremony offered by Jen Maramba of Kapuwa Collective, and Jana L. Umipig from the Centre for Babaylan Studies followed. As colonized people who have migrated and are now living as settlers on colonized land, it is important for the Filipino community to acknowledge the origin of the land that we now have the privilege of living on. Decolonization was a strong theme throughout the conference, as it is the root that sprouted the barriers that so many of us face, and the ignorance to current colonial mentality is what is keeping those same barriers in place. I myself am not an academic and I was worried that I would not be able to relate or participate in a meaningful way at this conference, but I was completely wrong. I never could have imagined how this conference would change me. More than 180 community members; new Canadians, and Americans, first, second, and third generation came together, shared their stories and challenges within academia, other faculties and industries, and in their personal lives. From day one of the preconference, the vulnerability of brave individuals speaking out about their experiences moved me and made me feel safe. The stories were so similar to my own and the comrades that I went there with. Whether we were born in the Philippines, or outside of the Philippines, there were always parallels. We had all struggled with acceptance and self-love while navigating our space in the diaspora. The importance of seeing people from our culture being represented in our desired fields has a direct influence on
how we feel about ourselves and whether or not we feel like we can succeed in our endeavours. The conundrum that is being part of the diaspora is not something we often have space to discuss. I say this, not for lack of gratitude, but because after attending Pinay Power II, I am now acutely aware of the need for these kind of safe spaces. Places where we can share the truths and triumphs of people who are just like us. To create space where Pilipinas/Pilipinx voices are part of the conversation, and part of what will shape the future within ivory tower institutions like McGill, because our contributions matter in the fight for equality. Immigrants are expected to be so grateful for the opportunity to migrate, that the trauma they carry can often be dismissed once they are in “The Land of Opportunity.” The symptoms of these unresolved traumas defy a more holistic understanding of the culture that is left behind. And so, we make inside-jokes about Filipino traits we can’t reconcile, abusive behaviours begin to pass as culture, and sometimes we hold it all in our hearts and don’t express it at all. The truth is, arriving in a more developed country comes with a whole set of different challenges. Migrants face racism, language barriers, and the heartache of leaving their families behind, but in order to survive, people have to work – many work multiple jobs in order to make ends meet, sacrificing precious time with their
families. Eventually, we trade in the savoury tone of our native language for the straightforward efficiency of English, and rarely have the opportunity to go back to teach it to youth. Recalling the memories about living off the land in the province or what it was like to live in the competitive environment that is Metro Manila get pushed aside to make room for a new lifestyle. The oral histories about how relatives survived the Japanese occupation during World War II become harder to recall, and we run the risk of never being able to tell these true tales of resistance and survival at all. The Pinay Power II conference was not just a meeting of the minds to discuss how the system does not favour us. It was a summit that brought Peminists, Pilipinas, Pilipinx, non-binary folx, and allies all under one roof to remind us of our power. To remind us that we come from a resilient pedigree of people that has survived regardless of all the efforts to dilute or destroy our culture. To remind us that our space in the diaspora has given us a unique opportunity to weave our collective experiences into the story that begins on the other side of the world. The diaspora is the space in between and comes with many layers. We must create spaces to acknowledge our own intergenerational traumas, while understanding that we are not the most marginalized, and must also acknowledge our privilege and take responsibility for how we ourselves contribute to systems of
oppression. I can confidently say that the Pinay Power II conference has ignited a fire in my soul and the souls of all the other participants. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to have been able to attend. We can all look to the future with an angle of empowerment knowing there are Filipinas, Filipinx, and non-binary folx who are claiming space within academia, who are using their voices and artistic expression to enlighten and inspire, and who are alongside us truly making change. “So let it be known, if you don’t already Pinays have always been part, and parcel, if not, imperative and critical to the struggle Filipinas are no strangers to wielding our own power Of all the privileges that exist in this world, none of which you may be a benefactor of There is at least one you bear And that is the privilege of having been born a Filipina Your DNA contains building blocks made from the mud of over 500 years of resistance and survival And when you are ready, sis, we’ll be right here” Spoken word by Faith Santilla – From ‘Us’ by rapper, Ruby Ibarra Vizlumin Cabrera is the Public Relations officer for ANAK. To learn more about how to get involved in ANAK programs and events, visit www. anak.ca or email info@anak.ca.
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Paboritong pulutan ngayon si Coco Martin sa mga umpukang showbiz. Kahit saan, maraming nagtatanong-nagugulat kung bakit siya nagiging negatibo, ano raw ba talaga ang ipinagpuputok ng butse ng action star? Ang dating tahimik lang na aktor ay biglang naging pikon. Panay-panay ang paglalabas niya ng mga mensaheng hindi nakagaganda sa kaniyang imahe. Komento ng aming regular na kritiko sa buhay ng mga artista na si SOS, “Sobrang agree po kami sa mga opinyon n’yo. Di po ba, marami nang nagtatanong noon pa kung bakit kailangang itago ni Coco bilang karelasyon si Julia Montes? “Ano’ng mayroon? Hindi po lalaki ang diskarte niya, talagang nasira siya sa parteng ito, hindi maganda ang mga pinagsasasabi niya. Hindi ba siya proud sa anak nila ni Julia? “Dahil ba iyon sa pagiging sarado-Katoliko niya at pagiging deboto ng Poong Nazareno na naanakan niya si Julia, samantalang hindi naman sila kasal at magasawa? “Ibang-iba pala talaga ang role niya bilang si Ricardo Dalisay na may matinding paninindigan sa Ang Probinsiyano. Ibang-iba pala talaga siya sa totoong buhay. Nanganak si Julia Montes. Siya ang ama ng isinilang nito. Ano ang dapat ikagalit ni Coco sa istoryang lumabas? E, totoo namang nanganak si Julia, totoo namang siya ang tatay ng bata, ano ang dapat niyang ikagalit sa mga press people na naglabas ng balita? Ang dapat niyang gawin ay ang humarap sa katotohanan. Kung ayaw man niyang kumpirmahin ang nangyari ay karapatan niya iyon bilang indibidwal pero tantanan niya ang pagpapatutsada sa mga taong nakikialam daw sa kaniyang pribadong buhay. Nasira ang kaniyang imahe. Kung ang yapak ng kaniyang idolong si FPJ ang pinaplakado niya ay sumablay si Coco Martin. Ang tunay na lalaki ay hindi nakikipag-eskrimahan sa patutsadahan, hinaharap niya ang kaniyang mga kalaban, hindi siya nagiging balat-sibuyas dahil ang mundong nagbigay-katuparan sa
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kaniyang mga pangarap ay ang showbiz. Ang lokal na aliwan. Nakakapanibago ang dating tahimik lang na action star na ito. Galit siya sa mundo. Galit siya sa mga bashers at sa mga taong nanghihimasok daw sa kaniyang pribadong buhay. Ano kaya ang akala ni Coco? Hahangaan siya ng publiko sa pagpo-post niya ng mga salitang hindi magandang basahin at nakakagulat sa pandinig? Hindi na rin kaya kinakaya ng aktor ang magandang kapalaran niya sa showbiz kaya siya nagkakaganyan? Nagiging pikon si Coco Martin na pinatutunayan naman ng mga nakakasama niya sa seryeng pinagbibidahan niya. Iyon pala ang dahilan kung bakit dalawang direktor ang umalis na sa Ang Probinsiyano. Palaging mainit ang kaniyang ulo, marami siyang pinapansin sa set, hanggang sa lumabas na nga ang kuwentong isang crew na inaantok ang sinabuyan niya ng tubig. Kailangang mag-ingat si Coco Martin sa kaniyang mga sinasabi at ginagawa. Pinakamalalaking artista man ay dumarating sa punto ng paglamlam ng bituin. Palaging una ang ugali at pangalawa na lang ang talento. Napipikon siya dahil pinanghihimasukan daw ang personal niyang buhay? Ano ba ang mundong pinasok niya? Bakit ba ang tawag sa mga tulad niya ay public figure? Sige nga, magpaliwanag nga siya? Maigsi na ang aming espasyo. Hindi na kakargahin ang aming mga opinyon na hindi naman hinihingi ni Coco Martin pero nais pa rin naming itawid sa kaniya. Binulabog niya ang kuta ng langgam, sige, saku-sakong langgam ang makikipagtuos ngayon sa kaniya. *** Sa isang malaking umpukan dahil break nila sa taping ay napunta kay Kris Aquino ang kuwentuhan ng magkakatrabahong personalidad. May nagkomento kasi tungkol kay Coco Martin, ang sabi ng isang nandoon, “Huwag siyang pakasigurado sa popularity na See CRISTY p15
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• Coco Martin – Matindi ang galit sa mundo • Kris Aquino – Siya mismo ang dahilan kung bakit naba-bash • Alden Richards – Hindi pikon, hindi pumapatol sa intriga • Phillip Salvador – Traydor, walang utang na loob • Mariel Rodriguez – Nagdadalantao muli ang misis ni Robin • John Lloyd Cruz – Mukhang ermitanyo pero masaya • Willie Revillame – Pilot ng kaniyang private plane • Arjo Atayde – Hanga si Maricel sa galing nang pag-arte • Aiko Melendez – Kinasuhan ng libel ang Vice-Gov ng Zambales • Ken Chan – Mabait sa tunay na buhay si Boyet
Julia Montes & Coco Martin
Alden Richards
Ken Chan
Secretary Martin Andanar & John Lloyd Cruz
Willie Revillame
Kris Aquino
Arjo Atayde
Mariel Rodriguez
Aiko Melendez
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Kapuso Network amps up summer fun This summer, GMA turns the heat up a notch as it debuts its summer campaign showcasing its latest program offerings that will surely keep the viewers’ eyes glued to the screen. GMA recently launched Basta’t Ka-Summer Kita, Kapuso!, which features the sizzling cast of new dramas as their imagination takes them to a vibrant summer destination. The colourful scenes were shot at the Inflatable Island in Subic, Zambales – the biggest floating playground in Asia. Leading the list of GMA’s hottest offerings is the recently-launched Afternoon Prime series Bihag. A thought-provoking tale of how one mistake can lead to another, Bihag stars Max Collins, Mark Herras, Jason Abalos, Neil Ryan Sese, Raphael Landicho, and Sophie See GMA p15
Love You Two stars Gabby Concepcion and Jennylyn Mercado
The Better Woman lead stars Derek Ramsay and Andrea Torres
Bihag cast (L-R) Sophie Albert, Jason Abalos, Max Collins, Raphael Landicho, Mark Herras, and Neil Ryan Sese
Dahil Sa Pag-ibig cast (L-R) Benjamin Alves, Sanya Lopez, Winywyn Marquez, and Pancho Magno
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GMA... From page 14
CRISTY... From page 12
Albert. The tandem of seasoned Kapuso actor Gabby Concepcion and Ultimate Star Jennylyn Mercado bring good vibes to the Kapuso primetime habit as they form a wacky love triangle with Shaira Diaz in Love You Two. Also included in this romantic comedy series is Solenn Heussaff. Set to launch soon is Dahil sa Pag-ibig, which will pair Kapuso stars Benjamin Alves and Sanya Lopez for the first time. Also joining the cast are Pancho Magno and Winwyn Marquez. And there is the muchawaited TV debut of Derek Ramsay as the newest addition to the roster of Kapuso stars. Derek will headline The Better Woman alongside Kapuso actress Andrea Torres. The upbeat and fun jingle Basta’t Ka-Summer Kita, Kapuso! was performed by Kyline Alcantara with music and lyrics by Mikoy Morales. Watch the Basta’t Ka-summer Kita, Kapuso! full video on www. GMANetwork.com and on GMA Network’s official social media accounts. Viewers abroad can also catch these exciting Kapuso shows via GMA’s flagship international channel, GMA Pinoy TV. For the program guide, visit www. gmapinoytv.com.
mayroon siya ngayon. Kung si Kris Aquino nga, may makapagiisip bang ganyan ang magiging kapalaran niya sa ABS-CBN? “Ang kapaniwalaan noon, e, mawawalan ng career ang lahat ng mga artista ng Dos, pero puwera lang kay Kris, dahil malaki ang utang na loob ng network sa family nila. “But look what happened to Kris? Hindi lang siya pinagsasaraduhan ng pintuan at bintana ng istasyon, isinarado rin ng mga executives pati ang mga bubong ng network para sa kaniya. “So, huwag maging kampante si Coco, hindi niya hawak ang bukas, hindi na kagandahan ang mga kuwento tungkol sa kaniya. Kung si Kris nga, e, nawalan ng career, siya pa kaya?” mahabang litanya ng isang female personality sa umpukan. Pero isang veteran actress ang nagbigay ng positibong pananaw tungkol kay Kris, nakakatawa ang mga sinabi ng beteranong artista, pero totoong-totoo. Sabi ng veteran actress, “But she’s very gutsy! She knows every reason para siya mapag-usapan. Alam niya kasi na kapag wala na siya sa mainstream, e, madali na lang siya makakalimutan! “Magaling doon si Kris, alam niya ang mga ginagawa niya. E, ano nga naman kung tawagin siyang sawsaw-suka, ang importante, e, nasa gitna pa rin siya ng laban!”
madiing komento ng may edad nang babaeng personalidad. May dahilan naman kung bakit palaging naba-bash si Kris Aquino. Siya mismo ang naglalantad ng sitwasyon ng kaniyang katawan, maraming bawal sa kaniya, pero iba naman ang mga sinasabi niya sa kaniyang mga ginagawa. Bawal ang bulaklak sa kanilang bahay, ipinagbabawal iyon ng kaniyang mga doktor, dahil mas lumalala ang kaniyang allergies dahil doon. Bawal din sa bahay ng aktresTV host ang sahig na carpeted, tabla kung tabla o semyento kung semyento lang ang dapat, para huwag umariba ang sakit niya sa balat. Bawal din siya sa matataong lugar, mahigpit na ipinagbabawal sa kaniya ang ganoon sabi ni Kris, pero ano ba ang ginagawa niya nitong mga huling araw? Kung ayaw ni Kris na nababash siya ay wala siyang ibang dapat gawin kundi ang manahimik na lang pagdating sa kaniyang personal at pribadong buhay. Huwag niyang inilalabas ang kaniyang medical history, walang dapat makaalam ng mga sakit niya kundi ang mga taong malapit lang sa kaniya, hindi ang publiko. Kapag nanahimik na siya at nand’yan pa rin ang mga nambabash sa kaniya ay may karapatan na siyang magalit. Pero sa ngayon, dahil siya rin ang source ng mga ibinabato laban sa kaniya, ay wala siyang karapatang magalit sa mga kumokontra sa kaniya.
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Phillip Salvador, SAP Bong Go and Robin Padilla *** Sa isang malaking umpukan ng mga manunulat ay pinagkumpara sina Coco Martin at Alden Richards. Pareho kasi silang sikat, nagpaparamihan sila ng mga ineendorsong produkto, nakatuon din ang kanilang atensiyon ngayon sa pagnenegosyo. Pero nagkaisa ang magkakaharap na manunulat na oo nga, malaki rin ang pagkakaiba nila, may kani-kaniya silang katangian. Magkaiba ang atake nila sa buhay. Sabi ng isang kasamahan namin, “Hindi palapatol sa mga bashers si Alden. Mahaba ang pasensiya niya, alam niya kasi na kahit doon sa mga grupong nambabash sa kaniya, e, may dapat din siyang tanawing malaking utang na loob. “Hindi rin napipikon si Alden kapag nasusulat ang private life niya. At ang pinakamatindi, kahit
iyong isyung bading siya, e, hindi iyon ikinapikon ni Alden! “Hindi siya ipinaglihi sa patola at hindi rin siya balat-sibuyas. Alam niya ang pinasok niyang mundo, aware siya na public figure siya,” pahayag ng aming kasamahan. Kabaligtaran nga naman ni Alden si Coco na mahilig sumagot sa mga pumpansin sa kaniyang mga kakapusan at sa kuwento ng kaniyang personal na buhay. Sabi nga ng isang reporter, “Itong si Coco kasi, e, masyado nang believe sa sarili niya. Umakyat na ang hangin ng popularity sa ulo niya. Lumalabas na ngayon ang mga kuwento kung gaano siya kahirap katrabaho! “Mayabang ang mga posts niya, parang kaniya na ang mundo, palibhasa, e, sikat na nga siya at pinayaman na ng showbiz! Napakalayo niya kay Alden at sa See CRISTY p17
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Salon Chez Pareé – Open House Salon Chez Paree celebrated its 15th anniversary on May 4, 2019 with an Open House attended by family, friends and valued clients. Fr. Sarce offered prayers of thanks for the happy occasion and blessed everyone who joined the salon owner, Leonor Casas, and her staff during the joyous event. The winners of the Open House raffle draw are: 1. Nicetas Barquilla - Grand prize: Round trip ticket to the Philippines 2. Ulalia Solis – 1st consolation prize: Set of solar garden lights 3. Chris Tanardo – 2nd consolation prize: Beach chair/director chair 3. Peachy Ilag – 3rd consolation prize: Cooler
L-r: Em, Nanie, Nicetas Barquilla, Leonor Casas, Ronald and their guests 204 Live Music’s JP Sumbillo, Salon Chez Pareé owner Leonor Casas, and the Grand Prize Winner Nicetas Barquilla
Leonor Casas and Fr. Sarce
Leonor Casas (far right) with guests and valued clients during the blessing of the salon
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CRISTY... From page 15 iba pang mga artistang mas sikat kesa sa kaniya,” komento pa ng aming kasama sa hanapbuhay. Oong-oo naman. *** Isang napakagandang pagkakaibigan ang itinapon lang sa basurahan nang basta-basta ni Phillip Salvador. Ang mga taong sumagip sa atin sa matinding pangangailangan, ang mga taong nagtiwala sa atin nang walang anumang kapalit, ay sobrang dapat lang na pinahahalagahan. Alam ni Phillip kung ano ang kahalagahan sa kaniyang buhay ni Mayor Enrico Roque ng Pandi, Bulacan. Noong mga oras na parang tinalikuran na siya ng mundo dahil sa kawalan ng trabaho, noong hindi na niya alam kung saan siya kukuha ng panglaman sa bituka ng kaniyang mga mahal sa buhay, ay noon niya nakilala ang businessman. Literal na naging tungkod niya sa lahat ng aspeto ng kaniyang buhay si Mayor Enrico, matindi pa sa sikat ng araw sa tanghaling-tapat kung paano siya pinagmalasakitan at pinahalagahan ng kaniyang kaibigan, pero ano ang ipinalit niya pagkatapos? Nasukat ni Mayor Enrico ang kaniyang katapatan, inakyatan niya ang entablado ng kalaban noong tao dahil daw kay SAP Bong Go, ewan kung nasa talampakan ang prinsipyo ni Phillip Salvador. Tumawag naman daw si Phillip Salvador kay Mayor
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Enrico Roque. Umiiyak pa siyang nagpaliwanag. Kailanman daw ay hindi niya kayang saksakin nang patalikod ang kaniyang kaibigan. Umakyat lang daw siya sa entablado de kampanya ng kalaban ni Mayor Enrico nang dahil kay SAP Bong Go. Nainis nga raw ang kumakandidatong senador na binubuntutan niya kahit saan dahil kakaunti lang ang tao sa inakyatan nilang entablado. Parang nasayang lang daw ang kanilang pagod, sana raw ay hindi na lang sila pumunta, kuwento pa ni Phillip kay Mayor Enrico. Pero anumang paliwanag ang gawin ng aktor ay nangyari na ang nangyari, nagawa na niyang traydurin ang taong nagsalba sa kaniya sa pinakamadilim na bahagi ng kaniyang buhay at karera, lumuha man siya ngayon ng bato ay ipinakita na ni Phillip Salvador ang tunay niyang kulay. Tapos na si Phillip sa mga Pandieño na nakasaksi sa lalim ng samahan nila ni Mayor Enrico. Tapos na rin ang action star sa mga tulad naming hindi lang nalungkot kundi nagimbal sa ginawa niyang pagbebenta sa pagkakaibigan nila ni Mayor Enrico. Anumang paliwanag at pagiyak ang gawin niya ngayon ay magmumukha lang luha ng buwaya ang kaniyang pagluha. Puro dahilan na lang ang naiiwanan sa kaniya ngayon dahil nakapanakit na siya ng damdamin ng mga taong nag-akala na mabuti at matino siyang kaibigan na puwedeng tayaan sa laban. Pera-pera na lang ang mahalaga
para kay Phillip Salvador ngayon. Hindi niya kayang tanggihan si SAP Bong Go dahil ito na ang bagong mina ng ginto niya ngayon. Hindi na niya kayang lumingon sa nakaraan. Balewala na sa kaniya ngayon ang mga taong tulad ni Mayor Enrico na hindi nagdalawangisip na tumulong sa kaniya noong mga panahon na hindi niya alam kung saang kamay ng Diyos niya kukunin ang ipakakain sa kaniyang pamilya at ipampipiyansa sa kaniyang mga kaso. Napakaigsi pala ng memorya ni Phillip Salvador. Mas masahol pa siya sa isang ulyanin dahil sadya ang ginawa niyang kawalan ng utang na loob sa isang itinuring niya nang kapatid. *** Tatlong buwan nang nagdadalantao si Mariel Rodriguez sa pangalawa nilang anak ni Robin Padilla. Pinili niyang ibalita iyon sa It’s Showtime sa Mother’s Day episode ng noontime show. Nakakatuwang malaman na magkakaroon na ng kapatid ang kanilang panganay na si Isabella. Hands-on siya sa pagpapalaki ng kanilang anak, nang pumasok na lang siya sa noontime show, saka kumuha ng tagapag-alaga ni Isabella si Mariel. Maraming naging emosyonal sa balita ni Mariel, alam ng publiko na dalawang beses muna siyang nakunan, bago nabuo si Isabella. Palaging ganoon ang nangyayari sa mga nanay na nagkakaroon ng miscarriage.
Nagiging sunud-sunod ang kanilang pagdadalantao, pagkatapos nilang makunan. May anak-anakan kaming matagal nang naninirahan sa San Diego, California. Pitong taon na silang kasal ng kaniyang mister, pero hindi pa rin sila makabuo, palaging nalalaglag ang binhi. Pero nang magpa-check-up ito sa natuloy na pagdadalantao ay kambal pa pala ang kaniyang dinadala, bawing-bawi ang pitong taon nilang ipinaghintay, kaya maligayang-maligaya ang magasawa. Ang tulad ni Mariel Rodriguez na mapagmahal sa anak ay dapat lang biyayaan pa ng mas maraming supling. Mabuti siyang ina at alam niya ang tunay na kahulugan ng pagiging ina. *** Nakakatawa ang kuwento, pero sumusumpa ang aming source na totoong-totoo, napagkamalan pala ng mga PSG sa Malacañang na si Anthony Castelo si John Lloyd Cruz noong dumating sa Palasyo. Iniradyo pa raw iyon ng isang PSG sa loob, “Positive na rin si Anthony Castelo, papasok na siya d’yan.” Kahit nga si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ay hindi nakakilala kay JLC, nanibago raw ang pangulo sa balbas at bigote ng magaling na aktor, kaya hindi nito nakilala. Sa paglalarawan ng mga nakakita kay John Lloyd ay mukha na siyang ermitanyo. Naalala nilang bigla ang Hapon na si Onoda na ilampung taong
PAGE 17 nanirahan sa bundok. Iyon ang piniling maging itsura ngayon ni Lloydie, siguro ay ninanamnam lang niya ang pagkakataong magawa ang kaniyang gusto, na hindi niya nagagawa noong aktibo pa siya sa pagharap sa mga camera. Gusto niyang magpahaba ng buhok ay hindi puwede, may continuity pa ang kaniyang mga eksena, hindi rin siya makapagpahaba ng balbas at bigote dahil clean guy ang papel na ginagampanan niya sa pelikula. Kinasabikan niya ang ganyang itsura, iyong walang magbabawal sa kaniya na huwag magpahaba ng buhok, maging ang magkaroon ng bigote at balbas na para na siyang ermitanyo. Isang bagay lang naman ang pinakamahalaga. Masaya si John Lloyd Cruz ngayon. Iyon lang iyon. *** May bagong makabuluhang pangarap na pinagkakaabalahan ngayon si Willie Revillame. Siguradong ikaliligaya ng kaniyang mga tagasuporta ang pinagtutuunan niya ng mahalagang panahon ngayon. Hindi kailanman pinababayaan ni Willie ang kaniyang game show, napakapropesyonal niya, marami siyang pinahahanga bilang host ng Wowowin. Pero may pinaglalaanan siya ng panahon ngayon, ang pagpipiloto, nakapagpapalipad na ng eroplano ang sikat na aktor-TV host. Mahaba-haba na rin ang See CRISTY p20
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PILIPINO EXPRESS
MAY 16 - 31, 2019
FreshCo serves up low prices by Lucille Nolasco Not even the thick fog that descended on the streets of Winnipeg could stop people from lining up before 7:00 a.m. for the opening of the newest discount store in town. Discount store FreshCo officially opened its doors in Winnipeg on Thursday, May 2, with the celebration of two new store openings, located at 920 Jefferson Avenue and at 1615 Regent Avenue West. Under Sobey’s, FreshCo has about 97 stores in Ottawa. One store recently opened in British Columbia, and the two stores in Winnipeg are the first ones to open in the Prairies. Committed to competitive pricing and quality, FreshCo offers customers three moneysaving guarantees: • In-stock (if you can’t find product that is advertised in flyer, you’ll receive a rain check, plus 10 per cent off) • Double Fresh (if you’re not fully satisfied with the product quality, they’ll reimburse you and replace the product), and • Lowest price (they price match). Variety of fresh products Outside the bright green store at the Jefferson location, customers had a chance to spin a prize wheel, where everyone was a winner. The first 500 customers also received a free 8-pack of fresh eggs. Inside, a wide selection of fresh fruits and vegetables greeted customers upon entering, while the different aisles led to a variety of products. Aisle 6 is of particular interest because
one can find a wide selection of Filipino and Asian products. The stores also carry Cantor’s Quality Meats, considered a Logan Avenue institution by many. The fresh and frozen seafood section was also a big hit with customers. FreshCo Jefferson boasts a full-service pharmacy allowing customers to fill their prescriptions while shopping. Franchisee community connection The FreshCo Jefferson store is owned by first-generation Filipino-Canadian, Rex Quilapio. His parents emigrated from the Philippines in the ‘60s. “I can’t believe this day has finally come. I’m so happy to be a part of the community. I lived in Tyndall Park. I grew up here. I’m looking forward to giving back to the community what it lovingly gave me.” During the official opening of FreshCo, Rex and family donated $5,000 worth of gift cards to the Nor-West Community Food Centre. It is a “partner site of Community Food Centres Canada, a national organization that’s driving the development of community food centres across the country.” Passion and commitment Rex admitted that there are challenges in opening a franchise like FreshCo., but for him, it was also easy because this is what he loves to do. “I’ve worked for Sobey’s for 25 years, most recently as a store manager, and I am very passionate about this business. At FreshCo we would like people to be able to shop without having to worry that they don’t have enough.”
FreshCo’s friendly staff all set at 7 am to serve customers
Owner Rex Quilapio leads the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony with Sobey’s executives and guests
FreshCo owner Rex Quilapio and his family welcome hundreds of early bird customers
MAY 16 - 31, 2019
SPECIAL FEATURE PILIPINO EXPRESS
PAGE 19
Ricky Lee’s graduation speech inspires The writer of Himala, Moral, and other classic films finally got to fulfill his dream: graduating from college. In a funny and poignant speech, Lee detailed the challenges he faced as a working student and gave advice to his fellow graduates. Perhaps the most accomplished and most admired screenwriter in the country, Ricardo “Ricky” Lee, at 72, finally got to wear a graduation toga in a commencement exercise at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) last May 8, 2019. The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) awarded Lee with a Doctorate in Humanities Honoris Causa. “Akala ko di na ako gagraduate. Ilang dekada ko rin itong hinintay,” the writer said in the beginning of his speech in front of a crowd of around 3,000. “Masasabi ko na ngayong graduate na ako. Nakatoga pa.” While it was at the University of the Philippines Diliman that he began his college studies— he never completed it because Martial Law was declared and he went underground full-time – Lee considers PUP his second alma mater. For many years, he wasn’t able to fulfill his childhood dream of being a teacher because he didn’t have a degree. This frustration, however, would urge him to hold his free scriptwriting workshops that have trained many screenwriters since 1982. At the ceremonies, he was joined by people closest to him, among them his son Kiko; his best friends Chanda Romero and director Rahyan Carlos; and his assistants Jerry and Ram. He acknowledged them in a moving speech that detailed his many challenges when he was still a working student in Manila, a poor bagong salta from Bicol. Before joining the movies (one of the early screenplays he wrote was Jaguar, a collaboration with Jose “Pete” Lacaba”), Lee was a waiter in a pizza parlor, a salesman, an accounting clerk, “at kung ano-ano pa.” There was a time, he says, when he was so poor, he would black out from hunger. From these hardships, he was able to handle the complications of success. “Maraming mga okasyong gaya noon na bumabagsak ako. Iyon bang parang madilim at wala nang pag-asa ang lahat,” he said in his speech. “Iniisip ko lang ang kulang na silya sa apartment at lumalakas na uli ang loob ko, nakakabangon uli ako.” That story about the missing silya is inspiring too. The following is an excerpt from the graduation speech of Ricky Lee, May 8, 2019: Mahalaga sa akin ang edukasyon. Noong grumaduate ako ng high school sa Daet sa Bicol, lumayas ako sa mga nagampon sa akin dahil hindi nila ako kayang pag-aralin sa college dito sa Maynila. Nakapag-aral ako sa UP Diliman ng AB English pero hindi
rin ako naka-graduate. Napilitan akong tumigil dahil nag-Martial Law at pinili ko ang masangkot sa pinaniniwalaan ko. Bata pa pangarap ko nang makapagturo. Pero hindi puwede dahil wala akong degree. Kaya nagpa-workshop ako sa bahay ko nang libre mula noong 1982. Tapos sinubukan kong mag-apply sa UP sa Filipino Department dahil naisip ko, total ginagamit naman nila ang short stories ko sa kanilang mga subject… Tatlong beses akong nagapply. Tatlong beses akong nareject. Noong 1986, kinuha ako ng Ateneo maski wala akong degree. Di nagtagal ay sumunod ang UP Mascom Department. Noong huli ay kinuha na rin ako ng Filipino Department sa UP. Kaya mahalagang mahalaga sa akin ang karangalang ito na ibinibigay sa akin ng PUP. Walang katapusan ang aking pasasalamat. Kung noon ako grumaduate sa halip na ngayon, ano ang maipapayo ko sa sarili ko bilang isang bagong graduate na haharap na sa mundo? Tatlong bagay. At iyon din ang maipapayo ko sa inyo ngayon. Una, na laging kulang ang silya. Hayaan n’yong magpaliwanag ako. Nang lumayas ako sa Daet noon at sumakay ng bus papuntang Maynila, may kasama akong apat na kaklaseng puro mahihirap din. Hindi namin alam kung saan kami titira, kung ano ang magiging trabaho namin, kung ano ang naghihintay na kapalaran sa amin. Ang alam lang namin, punungpuno kami ng mga pangarap. Di nagtagal nagtrabaho sa pabrika ng payong ang tatlo sa amin. Kami naman ng isa ko pang kasama ay naging waiter sa isang pizza parlor sa Pasay. Umarkila kami ng maliit na apartment. Aapat lang ang silya namin kaya kapag kumakain kami ay laging may isang nakatayo. Habang nakatingin ako sa kasamahan naming nakatayong kumakain, pinangako ko sa sarili ko, balang araw makokompleto ang silya. Di nagtagal ay di nakaya ng mga kasamahan ko ang trabaho nila sa pabrika. Lagi silang nagsusuka pag-uwi dahil sa kinakain doon. Nagkahiwahiwalay kaming lima at kasabay ng iba pang mga gamit na naipundar namin ay ibinenta namin ang apat na silya. Bitbit namin ang maliit na kahon ko ng mga damit, inihanap nila ako ng Bikolanong puwede kong pakitirahan. Working student ako all throughout college. Nag-salesman ako, accounting clerk, tutor, student assistant, proofreader at kung anu-ano pa. Tinanggap ko na, na sa buhay na ito ay laging hindi kompleto ang silya. Hindi nakaabang ang mundo para ibigay sa’yo ang lahat ng kailangan mo. Hindi ka entitled. You have to be resourceful. You have to work hard. Kailangan
mong pagtrabahuhan ang kulang na silya. May panahon noon na buong araw akong nagtatrabaho sa isang factory sa Del Monte, tapos magaaral ako sa gabi sa Lyceum. Para makapagtipid ay hindi ako kumakain ng hapunan, at bandang mga alas nuwebe ng gabi ay nilalakad ko lang pauwi mulang Lyceum hanggang Aranque kung saan nakikitira ako doon sa mag-asawang Bikolano. Minsan ay hinimatay ako sa gutom sa Avenida. Mga five minutes siguro akong nag-black out bago ako nagkamalay. Maraming mga okasyong gaya noon na bumabagsak ako. Iyon bang parang madilim at wala nang pag-asa ang lahat. Iniisip ko lang ang kulang na silya sa apartment at lumalakas na uli ang loob ko, nakakabangon uli ako. Ikalawang payo ko, hindi ka kailangang maging perpekto. Ngayong graduate ka na, papalaot ka na sa mundo, at iievaluate ka ng iba. Sasalain ka, pupunahin, ikukumpara lagi sa iba pa. Mag-eexpect sila ng kung ano-ano mula sa’yo, na karamihan naman ay hindi na reasonable. Kung anu-ano ang gagawin sa’yo ng mundo upang ipakita lagi sa’yo na you don’t measure up, kulang ka. Hayaan mo sila. Just keep working hard. Ipaglaban mo ang mga pangarap mo. Hindi baleng mabigo ka na ipinaglalaban ang mga pangarap mo, kesa nabigo ka nang hindi man lamang dahil sa mga ito… So may inferiority complex ako bata pa. Weird ang tingin nila sa akin. Lagi kong ikinukumpara ang sarili sa iba. Ba’t ang dami nilang nagagawa na hindi ko magawa? Ano ang kulang sa akin? Lumaki akong laging gano’n. Kaya ang ginawa ko nagsikap ako. Nag-aral akong mabuti para maging First honor ako mula Grade 1 hanggang Fourth Year. Sa UP rin university scholar ako maski di ako nakatapos. Nag-aral talaga akong mabuti para labanan ang inferiority complex ko. Later on ko na lang natutunan, na kung saan ka mahina, kung anuman ang mga depekto mo, balang araw iyon din ang magiging strength mo. Kasi ang strength, kapag nanggaling sa depekto, mas matibay. Dahil nakita mo ang ibaba, mas naiintindihan mo ang itaas. Dahil nanggaling ka sa dilim, mas natatanggap mo na ang buhay ay hindi puro liwanag… Ikatlo at huling maipapayo ko, makisangkot ka. Ang buhay na hindi inilaan sa kapakanan ng iba ay parang lantang gulay o bilasang isda na walang nakinabang…Magtanong ka kung anong maitutulong mo. Magkaroon ka ng boses. Ng opinyon. Mundo mo ito. Di ka parang hanging nagdaan lang. Mag-iwan ka ng marka. ‘Yang hawak mong diploma, para ‘yan sa iba, hindi ‘yan para sa’yo. Isa sa pinakamakulay at pinakamahalagang bahagi ng buhay ko ay nang maging aktibista
Lee swearing in. He was awarded Doctorate of Humanities Honoris Causa by the PUP.
With friends Rahyan Carlos, Chanda Romero, Kirby Martin Lapus, Marc Stanley Mozo, Marc Foliente, Mayi Alejandrino and Jerry Esteves Siapoc. ako noong panahon ng Martial Law. Lahat ng mga personal na ambisyon ay kinalimutan ko. Ang buong buhay ko ay inilaan ko na para sa iba, para sa bayan. Nakulong ako nang isang taon sa Fort Bonifacio. Minsan sa gabi ay naiisip ko pa rin, paano na ang mga pangarap ko? Hindi na ba matutupad? But in the end I realized it was all worth it. Dahil wala nang sasarap pa kaysa sa pakiramdam na hindi lahat ng ginawa mo ay para sa sarili mo lang… Di ko rin alam kung paano pasasalamatan lahat ang napakaraming taong tumulong sa akin, mula doon sa matandang librarian sa Daet na lagi akong pinapahiram ng libro maski nagiimbentaryo sila o bumabagyo, hanggang sa mga teacher ko sa high school na inihatid pa kami ng mga kaklase ko nang lumayas kami sa Bikol papuntang Maynila, hanggang sa mga kaibigan ko at katrabaho at workshoppers at pamilya na laging tumutulong sa akin. Maraming salamat sa kanila. At sa inyo ring mga graduates,
maraming maraming salamat. Para sa akin, para sa inyo, mahirap pantayan ang araw na ito. Kaya ngayon sa pagtatapos n’yo, go out, celebrate, work hard para makompleto ang silya…Ipaglaban mo ang mga karapatan mo, write a story, hug your parents. Nagpagod silang lahat para mapa-graduate kayo. So hug your parents, listen to somebody else’s heartbeat, join a rally, donate to a cause, support your friend’s dream, listen to the silence in the midst of chaos, persevere. Mangarap ka at habulin mo ang mga pangarap mo na halos hindi ka na makahinga at sabihin mo sa sarili mo, ako ito, graduate na ako at handa na ako. Hawak mo ang sarili mo. Hawak mo ang buhay mo. Iyan ang totoong diploma. Maraming maraming salamat uli sa karangalang ito, at sa pagkakataong makapagsalita sa inyo. Congratulations! SOURCE: ABS-CBN NEWS/ ANC STAFF
EH KASI, PINOY!
PAGE 20
PILIPINO EXPRESS
KROSWORD
HOROSCOPE
NO. 324
MAYO 16 - 31, 2019
Ni Bro. Gerry Gamurot
PAHALANG 1. ___________, Jeprox! 5. Sinusungkit 12. Idaing 13. Ampon 14. Gayon din 16. Ilag 17. Matutunaw 18. Notang musika 19. Sabaw ng sinaing 21. Ipasiyasat 25. Ganda 27. Balita 29. Maraming ginagawa 31. Gamit sa pagbilang 32. Diksiyonaryo PABABA 1. Sabay 2. Isang sisidlan 3. Hilo 4. Unawa 6. Ihalo 7. ____ de coco 8. Bulong 9. Lisan 10. Bunganga ng ilog
11. Iyari 15. Liwasan 18. Lagkit 20. Siga 21. Tupad 22. Grasya 23. Mahalagang bato 24. Iwas 26. Hamak 28. Alyas 30. Saka 31. Hulapi
SAGOT SA NO. 323
MAY 16 - 31, 2019
Aries (March 21 – April 19) Galit ka, napipikon ka – pero wala ka namang ginagawa para lutasin ang dahilan ng iyong inis. Sa halip, pinapabayaan mo lang at nagiging daan ito upang lalo nilang gawin ang mga bagay na ayaw mo. Kumilos ka na dahil kung hindi, lalong lalala ito. Ok k sa ika-19, 20, 29 at 30. Ingat sa ika-16, 17, 24, 25 at 31.
Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22) May gusto kang gawin ngayon pero parang napakabagal at tila laging may problemang nasasalubong. Hayaan mo lang. Magtiyaga ka, konting tiis pa at darating din ang araw na makukumpleto mo ito. Huwag kang susuko. Kung iyo, makukuha mo ito. Lucky days mo ang ika-18, 19, 27 at 28. Ingat sa ika-20 at 21.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21) May problema sa iyong kalusugan. Bantayan mo ang kinakain mo. Mayroon ding mga sakit na buhat lamang sa sobrang pag-iisip. Kung hindi ka rin lang apektado, hayaan mo nang gawin ng iba ang gusto nila kahit hindi mo gusto. Wala namang mawawala sa iyo. OK ang ika-17, 18, 25 at 26. Ingat sa ika-19 at 20.
Taurus (April 20 – May 20) Ang pinakamabigat na challenge para sa iyo ay kung paano mo babalansehin ang oras para sa mahal mo at hanapbuhay mo. Oo nga’t nasa iyo ang kalusugan ng katawan para sa trabaho pero paano naman ang pamilya mo? Isasakripisyo mo ba sila para lang sa pera? OK ang ika-24 at 25. Ingat sa ika-19, 20, 26 at 27.
Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22) Bakit ka pa naghahanap? Kusang darating ang tunay na pagibig at pati buwenas sa hanapbuhay mo. Huwag kang mainip. Kung may mga gustong kumontra sa balak mo, hinay-hinay lang ang gawin mong paglaban. Pag-aralan mong mabuti ang plano mo. OK ang ika21 at 22. Alalay ka sa ika-16, 27 at 28.
Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19) Kung gulong-gulo ang iyong isip, bakit hindi mo pag-aralan kung ano ang dahilan? Kung may nararamdaman kang hindi tama, buksan mo ang iyong mga mata at tenga, nasa harapan mo mismo ang sagot. Iwasan mo muna ang malayong biyahe. OK sa ika-19, 20, 27 at 28. Stressful ang ika-16, 21 at 22.
Gemini (May 21 – June 20) Magaling kang magpahalaga sa mga kaibigan mong mabait sa iyo. Alam nila iyan kaya lagi kang makakaasa sa tulong nila dahil hindi ka makasarili. Kung gusto mong magbakasyon at kung kaya ng budget mo, ituloy mo ang holiday. Mag-enjoy ka. OK ang ika-18, 19, 27 at 28. Ingat sa ika25, 26 at 31.
Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22) Mag-ingat ka sa paggasta. Tiyakin mong mayroon kang nakatabi para sa biglaang pangangailangan. Hindi ka naman pinipigilang gumasta pero pigilan mo muna ang pagbili ng hindi importante. Mahigpit ang pera sa iyo ngayon. OK ang ika-16, 23 at 24. Ingat sa ika-17 at 18.
Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18) OK lang kung may mga oras na gusto mo lang sa bahay at manahimik. Anuman ang sabihin nila, walang dapat makialam kung saan ka mas masaya at kontento. Oras na para huwag mong pansinin ang sasabihin ng iba. Kung ayaw mo, Ok lang na tumanggi ka. OK ang ika-17, 18, 19, 27 at 28. Kuwidaw sa ika-25 at 26.
Cancer (June 21 – July 22) Maganda ang takbo ng iyong kabuhayan. Huwag kang magalala, magpapatuloy ito sa mga susunod na buwan. Samantalahin mo ang oras upang mabawasan ang stress sa buhay. Mag-break ka muna. Magbakasyon ka at magsaya. Hindi palaging ganito. OK ang ika-21, 22 at 31. Ingat sa ika-19, 20, 26 at 27.
CRISTY... From page 17 panahong ginugugol niya sa pag-aaral magpalipad, iyon ang kaniyang tinututukan ngayon bukod sa Wowowin, balak niyang bumili ng 6-seater private plane para mapakinabangan ang kaniyang pinag-aralan. May kuwento si Willie tungkol sa kaniyang kabataan, kapag nasa bukid daw sila ng kaniyang mga kalaro at nagpapalipad ng saranggola ay kinakaway-kawayan nila ang dumadaang eroplano, “Nandito kami!” Mahilig din silang magpaanod ng bangkang papel sa gilid ng kalsada basta may tubig. Ang mumunting pangarap ni Willie Revillame ay nagkaroon ng katuparan. Mayroon na siyang nabiling commercial plane na
Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21) Nagdududa ka kung tama ang ginagawa mo lalo na sa pagtulong mo sa isang tao na para bang lagi na lamang humihingi ng tulong sa iyo. May kutob kang parang nanggagamit lang siya. Pakinggan mo ang kutob mo. Huwag kang magpaloko. OK ang ika-17, 18, 19, 27 at 28. Ingat sa ika-16, 22, 23, 24, 30 at 31.
ginagamit nila ng kaniyang staff sa pangingibang-bansa. Mayroon na rin siyang yate na madalas niyang gamitin sa pagpunta sa kaniyang nabiling resort sa Mindoro. Wala nga namang masama sa pangangarap lalo na kung kinakambalan iyon ng pagsisipag at paglaban nang parehas ng nangangarap. Maligaya kami para kay Willie Revillame, ang sikat na personalidad na astang-mayabang lang, pero ginto ang puso. *** Ang tunay na magaling na artista, itago man sa kahon ay siguradong lulutang, hindi naitatago ang natural na husay sa pag-arte. Iyon mismo si Arjo Atayde, kahit anong papel ang gampanan ng magaling na aktor ay naitatawid niya nang buong husay, nasa puso
Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20) Bigyan pansin mo ang iyong trabaho. Napapabayaan mo dahil maganda ang takbo nitong mga nakaraang panahon. Napakaraming pagbabagong dapat mong pagaralan. Iba noon – baka hindi ka makasabay sa bagong kaalaman at technology. Mapalad ka sa ika16, 17, 24 at 25. Ingat sa ika-20, 21, 27 at 28. kasi niya ang pag-arte. Ibang klase ang acting ni Arjo sa The General’s Daughter bilang isang autistic na anak ni Maricel Soriano. Hindi siya bumibitiw sa kaniyang karakter, anumang pagbabantay sa kaniyang pagganap ang gawin mo ay napaka-consistent niya, ganoon ang tunay na anak ng sining. Sabi ni Maricel Soriano na pinalakpakan ng manonod sa magaling nitong pag-arte sa komprontasyon nila ni Janice de Belen, “Marami na akong nakakasamang artista, pero ibangiba itong si Arjo! Sabi ko nga, minsan-minsan, e, makakakita tayo ng artistang nasa puso ang pagmamahal sa craft niya! “Si Arjo, hindi mo siya masisilipan ng butas sa role niya bilang si Elai. Yakap na yakap niya See CRISTY p22
EH KASI, PINOY!
MAY 16 - 31, 2019
PILIPINO EXPRESS
Ngayong tag-sibol, panahon na rin ng paghahanda sa election dito sa Manitoba na nakatakda sa ika-6 ng October 2020. Ang leader ng Liberal Party sa Manitoba, Dougald Lamont ay nangakong aalisin ang subsidies at tax breaks sa gas and oil industry at ang savings ay gagamitin umano sa green programming. Sinabing muling makikipag-ugnayan sa Ottawa na pangasiwaan ang carbon pricing. Samantala, ang premier ng Manitoba, Brian Pallister, ay waring nagparamdam ng hangaring magkaroon ng snap election. Sa isang dinner noong ika-7 ng Mayo na dinaluhan umano ng mga 800 katao na ang halaga ng pagkain ay $200 per plate, ang premier ay nangakong ipagpapatuloy ang kasaganaan ngayon ng mga mamamayan dito sa Manitoba. Sakaling matuloy ang maagang halalan, muling magkakaharap ang tatlong dominant provincial political parties na PC, NDP, at LP. Sa national, ang mga dating member ng provincial legislature ay maaaring mag-ambisyon na kumandidatong MP. There are three requirements to be qualified to vote. 1. Canadian Citzen 2. At least 18 years old, and 3. Resident of Manitoba for at lease six months before elections. *** Ano kaya ang magiging epekto ng tungkol sa sinabi ni US President Trump na umano ay papatawan ng higher tariff ang mga Chinese products na papasok sa US. Nabalitang maaaring ‘yon ay reaction sa sinabi umano ng Chinese President XI Jingpin na ang US first policy ni Trump ay pangit. Kapuwa magiging loser ang US at China kung hindi sila magkakasundo sa trade negotiations.
Pilipinas Nakaraan na ng dalawang araw ang May 13, mid-term and local elections subalit hanggang sa huling sandali, maraming lugar ng bansa ang magulo. Tinatayang ang bilang ng mga botante ay more or less 40 million. Gayonman, mapalad na kung mga 70 per cent man lamang ay nagkaroon ng pagkakataong makaboto. Ang resulta sa local ay maaaring alam na. Mula sa provincial, cities and town officials including representatives na magiging mga bagong kagawad ng mababang kapulungan ng kongreso. Ang resuta sa senatorial derby ay maaaring malabo pa. Hindi kaagad-agad malalaman kung mayroong mga kandidato ng minority, lead by LP at Magdalo sa senatorial na Otso Diretso ay makakasingit sa 12 seats na mismong ang mayorya naman ay siksikan sa puwesto. Nakakalamang ang mga incumbent sa mababa at mataas na kapulungan ng kongreso na muling mabalik sa puwesto. Tiyak na magkaroon ng re-organisation sa dalawang house of congress. Nabalita na sinabi umano ni President Duterte na ang paniwala niya ay “Gift from God” kaya siya naging pangulo ng bansa. Hindi raw pagyayabang “na-timing lang at buti naman.” Nangako na sisikapin niyang mawala ang corruption, illegal drug trade and criminality sa Pilipinas Sinabi ni President Duterte sa ginanap na Davao City Campaign rally noong ika-10 ng Mayo na sa lahat nang naging pangulo ng Pilipinas, si former President Ferdinand E. Marcos, Sr. lang ang may naiwang tangible legacy. Binanggit ang mga infrastructure projects na nagawa noong kaniyang panahon, kabilang ang Cultural Center of the Philippines,
HINAGAP Ang Pangyayari Singaw ng panahon na walang iniwan, Sa malubhang sakit na iniiwasan; Sakaling ang banta ay pababayaan, Magiging balakid sa kinabukasan! *** Nahubarang lider sa pamamahala, Pinagdududahang gagawa ng tama; Waring malabo nang muling mamahala, Dahil sa pangakong kaniyang sinira! *** Lubhang kakapusan sa mga bilihin, Pinakamalubha’y tungkol sa pagkain; Halagang mataas mahirap kayanin, ng naghahanap pa kung saan kukunin! *** Timping nawala na sa mga hikahos, Bunga’y kaguluhang mahirap matalos! Paquito Rey Pacheco
International Convention Center at Manila’s Light Rail Transit System. Mayroon siyang ipinakita. Ang iba puro salita, puro saway. Binanggit din na suportado niya ang senatorial bid ngayon ni Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos na anak ni former president Marcos. Tiyak na ang resulta ng election ay magiging panuntunan ng Duterte administration hanggang sa 2022. Ang mga patakasang panloob at panlabas ng bansa ng pangulo ay malayong mabago. Pangunahin ang tungkol sa independent foreign policy. Gayon din ang tungkol sa peace and order ng bansa na will determine the
future of investments sa Pilipinas. Dahil sa nangyayaring mga karahan kung panahon nang eleksiyon, marahil kailangan na rin na maamyendahan ang 1987 constitution. Sana ang multi-party system ay mabawasan na rin na hanggang sa three dominant party na lang. Gayon din ang bilang ng mga kinatawan sa mababang kapulungan ng kongreso. Ang Local Governmant Code ay gayon din, kailangang marepaso. Sa pangkabuhayan, pangunahin din ang mga proyekto tungkol sa karagdagang lansangan lalo na sa maraming lugar ng Mindanao. Marami pang mga lupa na maaaring pagtaniman ng
PAGE 21 mga pangunahing pagkain ng mga mamamayan tulad ng palay at mais at taniman ng gulay. Kailangan din naman ang mga karagdagang imbakan ng tubig, irrigation canals with feeder roads from farm to market. Dapat na buhayin din ang cottage industries na magkakaloob ng karagdagang hanap-buhay sa mga bayan at barangay. Kasabihan Lahat ng nangyayari sa buhay ng tao ay may katapusan. Paunawa: Ang mga paksa at salitang nakasaad sa Pilantik ay sariling opinion ng may-akda at maaaring hindi opinion ng mga taga-lathala ng Pilipino Express.
PAGE 22
PEOPLE & EVENTS PILIPINO EXPRESS
MAY 16 - 31, 2019
Retro fitness fun with Bennie Almonte by Lucille Nolasco It was a shaking blast from the past on Friday, May 10, when Retro Fitness Instructor Bennie Almonte from the Philippines held a Retro Fitness master class in Winnipeg. Presented by Zumba instructor, Rhiz Aco and coorganizers, the dance party was attended by dance enthusiasts of various ages. Attendees moved and grooved to the beats of beloved popular music, mostly from the 80s and 90s, like Street Beat, Just Got Lucky, I’m So Excited, Body Dancer, Ring My Bell, and more. Aside from the master class, Bennie also held Retro Jams for new international Retro instructors in Toronto and Winnipeg. Since 2014, they are the 79th batch of Retro Jam instructors. Philippines’ Retro King Bennie or Benedict R. Almonte, is a dancer,
choreographer and former member of the TV dance group in the 80s and 90s called the OctoArts Dancers. He is the creator of the dance fitness program called Retro Fitness Ph. He holds an Aerobics and Fitness Association of America certification, and is known as the Retro King of the Philippines. He is currently the studio manager and administrator of RT Studios of celebrity and dancer, Regine Tolentino. Bennie is also a Japanese language interpreter. Mission During a short speech before the master class, Bennie talked about his mission of spreading Retro Fitness to different parts of the world. “Filipinos are great dancers. We should support our own with this unique fitness program, a product of Pinoys who love to dance. It’s fun and easy to follow!”
Retro King Bennie Almonte
Bennie with Rhiz Aco and Lucille Nolasco (right photo)
Rhiz Aco, Bennie Almonte & Yvette Yu
First Batch of RFI (Retro Fitness Instructors) of Winnipeg
CRISTY... From page 20 ang role, hindi siya naliligaw! “Ako, tinitingnan ko siyang mabuti sa mga eksena namin bilang mag-ina. Iyong hand gestures niya, iyong tono ng pagsasalita niya, iyong tingin niya, iyong paglakad niya, tinitingnan kong mabuti iyon! “Never ko siyang nakitang bumitiw sa character niya, baka nga hanggang sa house nila, e, bitbit pa rin niya ang pagiging si Elai niya! “Magaling! Mahusay umarte si Arjo, saka humble siya, walang kaangas-angas! Ako mismo kapag umaarte na siya, wala ako sa eksena, pero pinanonood ko ang acting niya. “Napakagaling ni Arjo, nakakachallenge siyang katrabaho, nanglalamon siya ng kaeksena!” sinserong paglalarawan ni Marya kay Arjo Atayde. *** May hangganan ang pasensiya, may limitasyon ang pang-unawa, kapag sobra na talaga ay kailangan nang kalusin ang ginagawang hindi kagandahan ng ating kapuwa. Pormal nang naghain ng kasong libelo laban sa kasalukuyang vice-governor ng Zambales si Aiko Melendez. Kung kinaya niyang palampasin
lang ang mga naunang patutsada ng kalaban ng kaniyang karelasyon sa posisyon, ngayon ay lantaran na ang pagrereklamo nang pormal ni Aiko, gusto niyang makaharap sa husgado ang babaeng kung anuanong masasakit na paghusga ang ibinabato laban sa kaniya. Ang talagang pumutol sa mahabang pisi ng kaniyang pasensiya ay nang magpalaganap ng fake news ang pulitiko na sangkot siya sa droga. Matinding akusasyon ang ganoon, lalo na’t wala namang basehan, hindi makapapayag ang aktres na basta wasakin na lang ng kung sino ang imahe at pangalang ilang dekada niyang pinaghirapang buuin. Tinawag na siyang kabit, nagpakalat na ito na maysakit siya sa balat, pero ang isangkot siya sa usapin ng droga ay talagang papalagan na ni Aiko Melendez. Hindi naman siya ang katunggali nito sa posisyon kundi ang kaniyang boyfriend na si Mayor Jay Khonghun, pero siya ang pinupuntirya ng babaeng pulitiko, kaya husgado na ang pinagsumbungan ni Aiko Melendez. *** May mukha na ang pangalan ngayon. Sa wakas ay nakaharap na namin nang personal ang kinaaliwan naming si Boyet sa My
Retro Fitness participants. Photo by Nonie Manalili Special Tatay. Sa TV man o sa personal ay nang-iimbita ng pagmamahal si Ken Chan. Sinsero siyang makipag-usap, alam mong sa puso niya nanggagaling ang kaniyang mga sinasabi, hindi kami nagkamali sa malayuang pagkagusto sa magaling na aktor. Sa Hong Kong nag-ugat ang pamilya ng kaniyang ama na purong Tsino. Marami silang negosyo noon pero nang magkidney transplant ang kaniyang ama hanggang sa madiskubreng nasa stage 2B na ang cancer ay napilitan silang isakripisyo ang kanilang mga negosyo. Pero nagsasalita ang mga pinasukan niyang eskuwelahan, pangyayamanin, Colegio San Agustin at De La Salle University. Sa pagsasalita ni Ken Chan ay wala kang mapapansing kaangasan. Tama ang mga nakakausap naming nakakatrabaho niya, lalo na ang mga cameramen ng GMA-7 na mga anak-anakan namin, napakahumble daw ni Ken Chan. Paborito si Ken Chan ng aming bunsong anak na si Demo. Tulad ng ginampanan niyang karakter ni Boyet ay may mga kakapusan din ang aming bunso, nananalamin ito sa kaniya sa My Special Tatay. Sana nga ay mas marami pang ipagkatiwalang programa sa kaniya
Ken Chan & Rita Daniella ang GMA-7, mula sa Destiny Rose at My Special Tatay ay rumolyo pa sana nang malayung-malayo ang career ni Ken, ang mga tulad niyang artista na mapagpahalaga sa trabaho ang dapat binibiyayaan ng magagandang oportunidad. Sa totoo lang, habang
iniinterbyu namin ni Manay Lolit si Ken sa Take It. Per Minute ay hindi namin siya hinihiwalayan ng tingin, naaalala kasi namin si Boyet habang tinatanong si Rita Daniela ng “Aubrey, nagpopokpok ka ba?” Mahal na namin si Ken Chan. –CSF
MAY 16 - 31, 2019
PILIPINO EXPRESS
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PILIPINO EXPRESS
MAY 16 - 31, 2019
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