Pilipino Express • Jun 16 2023

No visa required

Canada has expanded the list of countries whose residents are eligible to visit this country visa-free. Immigration Minister Sean Fraser was in Winnipeg on June 6, 2023, to announce the addition of 13 countries to the electronic travel authorization (eTA) program.

Eligible travellers from these countries can now benefit from the program: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Costa Rica, Morocco, Panama, Philippines, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay.

Travellers from these

Celebration of Filipino Heritage Month in full swing in Manitoba

See VISA p3

Story by Lucille Nolasco-Garrido on p12. Photos by Nonie Manalili and Rey-Ar Reyes

Dingdong Dantes

Eligible Filipino travellers now qualify for visa-free travel to Canada

Hon. Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Mikael Daez

VISA...

From page 1 countries who have either held a Canadian visa in the last 10 years or who currently hold a valid United States non-immigrant visa can now apply for an eTA instead of a visa when travelling to Canada by air.

“This exciting development means that more individuals from around the world can now embark on unforgettable adventures, explore our diverse landscapes, reunite with family and friends, and immerse themselves in our vibrant culture without the hurdle of visa requirements. This expansion not only enhances convenience for travellers, but it will also increase travel, tourism, and economic benefits, as well as strengthen global bonds with these 13 countries,” said Minister

Fraser.

Introducing visa-free air travel will make it faster, easier, and more affordable for thousands of travellers to visit Canada for up to six months for either business or leisure. It will also help grow Canada’s economy by facilitating more travel, tourism, and international business, and by strengthening Canada’s relationships with these countries while keeping Canadians safe.

This decision will also divert thousands of applications from Canada’s visa caseload, allowing IRCC to process visa applications more efficiently, which will benefit all visa applicants.

Individuals who already have a valid visa can continue to use it to travel to Canada. Those who are not eligible for an eTA, or who are travelling to Canada by means other than air (for example,

by car, bus, train, and boat –including by cruise ship), will still need a visitor visa. Travellers can visit Canada.ca/eTA to find out whether they’re eligible for an eTA and how to apply for one.

• What is an eTA? An eTA is a digital travel document, an entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals travelling to Canada by air. It is electronically linked to a traveller’s passport. It is valid for up to five years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. If one gets a new passport, they need to get a new eTA. With a valid eTA, one can travel to Canada as often as they want for short stays (normally for up to six months at a time). They do not need an eTA for travel within Canada. An eTA doesn’t guarantee entry to Canada. Upon arrival, a border services officer will still ask to see passport and

other documents.

• Only apply for an eTA on the official Government of Canada website. Applying for an eTA is a simple online process that takes just a few minutes to complete. It costs $7.00 CDN to apply, and most applications are automatically approved and most applicants get their eTA approval (via an e-mail) within minutes. However, some requests can take several days to process if they’re asked to submit supporting documents. It is best to get an eTA before booking the flight to Canada.

• To apply for an eTA, travellers need only a valid passport, a credit card, an e-mail address and access to the Internet. One can only apply and pay for one person at a time. Check that the passport number included in your eTA approval e-mail

matches the number in your passport. If they don’t match, you need to apply for a new eTA.

• What to bring to the airport. When your eTA is approved, it will be linked to the passport that was used to apply. The airline staff will scan the passport to confirm that it has a valid eTA. If it’s not valid, you won’t be able to board your flight.

• Almost 20.9 million eTAs have been issued since the eTA program was introduced on August 1, 2015.

• Within the next year, Canada expects to receive 200,000 (or 20 per cent) more visitors from these 13 countries. Within a decade, increased travel from these countries is expected to bring almost $160 million in additional tourism revenue.

Source: IRCC, Government of Canada

Recently, a family friend invited us and our common close friends to a birthday dinner celebration in a restaurant, adding the statement “Thanks, COVID is now over.”

Indeed, it is not uncommon to hear such comment since the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared on May 4th, 2023, that COVID-19 is no longer a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) – the highest level of global public-health alarm.

Historical context

Then new respiratory coronavirus infection –subsequently given the name COVID-19 – was designated a PHEIC nearly three and a half years ago on January 30, 2020, for three reasons:

1. it was an extraordinary rapidly spreading contagious disease in China;

2. it posed a public health risk to many other countries through international travel, and;

3. it required a coordinated global response on many fronts:

• public health advisories

• use of face masks

• emergency diagnostic test kits

• daily tracking, reporting and availability of accumulating data on a global scope

• worldwide efforts to repurpose some existing medications and to develop new medications

• speedy developments of vaccines, and their emergency

COVID-19 Pandemic: Yes, it is over. No, it’s not over.

deployments

• mass vaccination

• government fundings to assist in the foregoing developments, including emergency financial supports to healthcare facilities, businesses, and directly to citizens.

The PHEIC declaration was a useful tool that enabled governments worldwide to use extraordinary measures to manage the severe disruption to health systems, and to ease the severe economic, social, and political upheavals caused by this pandemic. It enabled national governments to marshal resources from varied sectors to ease the health crisis. It also prompted cooperation among nations.

Applying the same set of criteria three and a half years later, WHO Director General Tedros Ghebreyesus agreed with the organization’s emergency committee’s recent recommendation and announced last month that COVID-19 had ceased being an “unusual and unexpected event” as described above. Caseloads, hospitalizations, and deaths from the disease have sharply declined in numbers and the levels of population immunity against the virus are high. Yes, COVID-19 – the gravest global health crisis in a century – is officially over as a global health emergency!

Does this mean the pandemic is over?

No. The pandemic is not over. In fact, the WHO itself emphasized

when it made the announcement that the COVID-19 will continue to circulate widely and to evolve, and will continue to cause disease and death. But the worst segment is over.

Apprehension, specific concerns, and re-assurance

Apprehension: Nonetheless, some experts have raised measures of anxiety even as most welcomed the WHO announcement. Understandably so, for we know all too well that mutation into new strains is an ongoing property of the virus; thus, the risk of new variants with unpredictable characteristics remains. There is palpable anxiety this announcement might make governments and institutions neglect the disease and withdraw crucial resources to its continuing surveillance, particularly, for new recombinant variants that might emerge.

Might access to existing COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics become costly prohibitive in the months and years ahead, or their advanced developments halted?

Notes of caution have been struck and specific concerns expressed by Canadian experts Drs. Bogoch and Labos. Might there be lack of action to prevent resurgence? Might we backtrack on the gains achieved with respect to vaccination, testing and improvements in ventilation systems? Might we forget the need to upgrade infrastructure?

Reassurance: In this regard, a WHO advisory group has recently recommended that “this

year’s booster shots be updated to target one of the currently dominant XBB variants: XBB.1.5 or XBB.1.16. It is reassuring to learn that Moderna Inc., Novavax Inc and Pfizer/BioNtech vaccine makers are already developing their corresponding versions.

The breakdown of variants reported by CTV News on May 23, 2023, is as follows: XBB.1.5 recombinant variant constitutes 41.4 per cent. which is somewhat less than the 50.3 per cent recorded two weeks earlier. Also, it appears the original strain is no longer significantly circulating.

The message from Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, is reassuring: “Canada will continue to monitor COVID-19 and will prepare for the fall as well as for future vaccination recommendations.”

An additional reassurance has come from the Johns Hopkins University’s Coronavirus Resource Center, which was in the forefront of 24-7 data collection operations globally for three years. It remains “committed to maintaining a leadership role in providing the public and policymakers with cutting edge insights into COVID-19” as the world transitions from the emergency acute phase marked by exponential growth rate of the disease to the endemic stage when the disease remains in the community but not as widespread.

Concluding messages

COVID-19 is no longer an alarming global emergency. The worst is over and community life is closer to the pre-pandemic

times. We no longer need the extraordinary mandatory measures taken to contain the spread of the virus. Indeed, it is only natural that after 1,191 days of critically stressed COVID-19 life we would welcome the end of it.

At the same time, we must acknowledge that the virus is here to stay permanently most likely as a human pathogen. Let us not drop all COVID-19 protective measures and consider our fellow citizens – the elderly and those with underlying medical issues that make them more at high risk. It becomes worrisome, indeed, when the human toll is concentrated among them – it can hurriedly recede from the public consciousness.

In this regard, I find Professor of Microbiology Dr. Simon Clarke’s (of Britain’s University of Reading) message compelling in its simplicity, hence I share: “If you’re ill with a respiratory infection, like a bad cough, don’t put others at risk, especially not those who are vulnerable. If you pass on a COVID infection, no one will thank you. If you’re fit and young, COVID can still be nasty and if you’re old and frail, it can kill you.”

To sum up: Yes, COVID-19 is over as a global health emergency. No, it is NOT over as a contagious disease.

Dr. Pagtakhan is a retired lung specialist and professor of pediatrics and child health from the University of Manitoba Faculty of Medicine and former Member of Parliament and cabinet minister.

Good news for Filipinos who want to visit Canada

by Kevin Lamoureux MP

for Winnipeg North

Like others, for many years I have been advocating to make it easier for people who want to visit Canada from the Philippines. Earlier this month Canada’s Minister of Immigration visited Winnipeg to make a major announcement that benefited several countries including the Philippines. In short, people from the Philippines who have visited Canada in the past 10 years or those who have a valid United States visa can now apply to enter Canada by air without a traditional visiting visa.

That is big news as thousands of people will directly benefit and nowhere will it be felt more than here in the city of Winnipeg.

The estimated population of Canada’s Filipino community is one million people of which close to 10 per cent call Manitoba their home – and Manitoba makes up less than four per cent of Canada’s population. Winnipeg’s North End is where you will find the heart of our nation’s Filipino heritage community, which means the announcement

made last week will benefit the residents of Winnipeg North more than any other community in the country.

Allow me to give a real-life example. If I have a sister living in the Philippines and she visited me four years ago, all she needs to do today is to go online and apply for the electronic travel authorization, and in most situations, she would be given the green light to enter Canada in minutes.

Had she applied back in May, she would have been required to apply for a visiting visa by putting in a detailed application to Immigration Canada, paid a minimum of $100.00 and then wait for weeks, if not months, before she might be issued a visiting visa that would have allowed her to travel to Canada.

The impact of the announcement will be felt in a very real way in many ways. For the person visiting, not only will he or she be approved within minutes or hours, but the total cost will be less than $10.00.

This new process will free up tens of thousands of staff hours within Immigration Services,

which will enable them to better serve those who are applying to visit Canada for the first time or those who are having more difficulties in getting a visa.

The Canadian economy will benefit as the overall number and frequency of people coming to visit Canada will dramatically increase. We will see more international flights coming and going from Canada and hopefully there will be more pressure on airlines like Air Canada and West Jet to do more too. Winnipeg and the surrounding regions could justify the hopes of seeing a direct flight from Winnipeg someday.

Every month I write hundreds of support letters to assist in getting visas approved of which a large percentage have travelled here before and I can confirm that this announcement from last week is good news for all. The biggest winner is obviously the people who have the need or the desire to travel to Canada, but next to them it is the tens of thousands of families and friends who want to see members of their family and friends back home to come for a visit in order to participate in weddings, birthdays, graduations,

retirement parties, funerals and so much more.

For me, the announcement was big news and good news as I know how this change will profoundly make it easier for people in the Philippines to visit Canada. I should note that the Minister announced that there

are 12 other countries that will also be eligible for the electronic travel authorization – Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Costa Rica, Morocco, Panama, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay.

Kevin Lamoureux, MP for Winnipeg North, and Hon. Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

The Philippines is now an eTA eligible country

these 13 countries.”

This is the most exciting story that has hit the immigration pages in a long time. The phones have not stopped ringing with calls about the immigration minister’s announcement of June 6, 2023.

Yes, it is true that Minister Sean Fraser announced the addition of 13 countries to the electronic travel authorization (eTA) program and the Philippines is on the list. Travelers from these countries, who have either held a Canadian temporary resident visa (TRV) in the last 10 years or currently hold a valid United States, non-immigrant visa, can now apply for an eTA instead of a visa when travelling to Canada by air.

Eligible travellers from Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Costa Rica, Morocco, Panama, Philippines, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago and Uruguay can now apply for an eTA.

For eligible persons the ease of visa-free air travel to Canada will make it faster and more affordable for thousands of travellers to visit Canada for up to six months for tourism or business. The country’s economy has been stagnating since the pandemic and the addition of the thirteen countries will not only increase the number of visitors but also reduce thousands of applications from the visa caseload. Once again this is a reminder that the change is positive for designated travellers from back home, but the Philippines is still a visa-required country. We can, however, have hope that the change effective on June 6, 2023, will be expanded to all travellers from the Philippines

and the other twelve countries. This would be a godsend for many families and individuals who are considering travel to Canada.

What about travellers inside the country or those who already have a valid visa, for the life of their passport? Those who are not eligible for the eTA or those traveling to Canada not by air, such as by car, bus, train, or boat, including cruise ship, will still require a tourist visa. If you have any questions about your eligibility, you can check Canada. ca/eTA to find out if you are eligible.

Minister Fraser can rightly be proud of the change he announced. “This exciting development means that more individuals from around the world can now embark on unforgettable adventures, explore our diverse landscapes, reunite with family and friends, and immerse themselves in our vibrant culture without the hurdle of visa requirements,”

Minister Fraser explained. “This expansion not only enhances convenience for travellers, it will also increase travel, tourism and economic benefits, as well as strengthen global bonds with

There is cause for celebration but first a warning that only some visitors from back home are now eligible for the eTA. We should be aware that the eTA is a digital travel document that most visaexempt travellers need in order to transit or travel through Canada by air. The eTA application process allows Canadian officials to conduct pre-travel screening of air travellers. It is inexpensive and costs only CAN $7.00 to apply and most applications will be completed online within minutes. In order to apply, travellers need a valid passport, a credit card, an email address, and access to the Internet. Our immigration department expects Canada to increase the number of visitors to the country by 200,000 or more from the 13 countries with an additional tourism revenue of $160 million.

The initial excitement among the Philippines expatriate community is an indication of the popularity of the eTA, with over 20.9 million being issued since 2015. Your eligible family and friends may now be added to this list if they intend to travel by air to Canada and have visited Canada within the last ten years or hold a valid US travel document. Canada also experimented with

expanding the eTA eligibility for travellers from Romania and Bulgaria in 2017. It should be noted that the initial limited offer to travellers from those countries was later expanded to include all citizens. Our hope is this change will also take place for citizens of the Philippines and Thailand for example.

The ease of traveling to Canada without visa requirements explains the rapid spread of information about the June 6, 2023, change but it comes with a caution. The Philippines is still a visa required country for many travellers. Check to ensure

that your loved ones qualify but smile because this change, even though a modest one, is good for visitors from the Philippines and the economy and residents of Canada.

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 204-227-0292. E-mail: mscott.ici@gmail.com.

Phone: 204-956-7845

E-Mail: info@pilipino-express.com

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Aksyon Ng Ating

Asin and Eraserheads: Two legends play Winnipeg

The string of excellent Filipino music touring in Winnipeg has continued these past weeks. Asin, one of the most popular OPM acts during the Martial Law years in the Philippines, and the Eraserheads, “the Beatles of the Philippines,” performed in Winnipeg on June 3rd at Kanto Bar & Grill and June 10th at the RBC Convention Centre, respectively.

I was flying home from Toronto on June 1st, my mind still processing the conference I had attended. Tired and absentminded, I passed by a group of Filipinos, one of whom was wearing an Asin T-shirt. At first, things didn’t “click” in my head until I remembered, minutes later, that the band was performing in Winnipeg in just a few days and that it was probably the band on their way to the city. Alas, I could not find them to introduce myself as a fan, which would have been rich because I was listening to their song Himig ng Pag-ibig when I realized who they were. My suspicions were confirmed when I landed in Winnipeg and saw Kuya Manny Araullo at the airport to greet the group.

Asin – Kanto Bar & Grill, June 3

The Asin show was held at Kanto Bar & Lounge (44 McPhillips St.) in Winnipeg and was organized by Blackfest Event Production. The band’s stop in Winnipeg, though, was made possible by the insistence of Winnipeg’s troubadour, Manny Araullo, who suggested to Blackfest that they also bring Asin here. As Manny told me, “It’s like them [Asin] going to a town fiesta but not going to our house.” They were already touring Canada, and Winnipeg has proven itself to have a big appetite for Filipino music. It simply made sense. There was some concern about Winnipeg having too many events with June being Filipino Heritage month, but fans in our city proved just how much we love music. I am personally grateful to Manny Araullo for the work he did bringing one of my favourite OPM bands to the city.

Opening acts included the spirited and wildly talented Osang “The Rock” Diva, whose performances ranged from pop hits to Jon Bon Jovi’s It’s my Life. Kanto Bar & Grill provides an intimate venue for such a concert and had surprisingly good sound quality. The Asin band opened up with a mash-up of some of their most popular riffs and rhythms, followed by hit after hit of the band. The crowd attracted people of all ages, attesting to how relevant the band and its songs on Philippine nationalism and identity are today, especially in the diaspora. A lot has happened to the members of Asin, but the spirit of Lolita Carbon

dominated the room. Lolita’s voice and songwriting demands admiration. Her stage presence has not waned, and the show of her and the Asin band moved all who were there.

Eraserheads – RBC Convention Centre, June 10

The June 10 concert of Eraserheads was one in a dramatic history of breakups and reunions with the band. Since disbanding in 2002, the band has had several one-off reunions and concerts. This Winnipeg show, however, was part of their Huling El Bimbo 2023 World Tour announced on February 1st of this year. The show brought together the original band members – Ely Buendia, Raymund Marasigan, Buddy Zabala, and Marcus Adoro – to play a setlist of their most famous songs, which have shaped the landscape of Filipino music in the last few decades.

In a 2017 Esquire Magazine Philippines article (https:// www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/ profiles/ely-buendia-a155320170509-lfrm5), Buendia stated that fans loving the songs of Eraserheads “has nothing to do with me, or the song. It was just a convergence of the right elements, the timing. People grew up with ‘Ligaya,’ ‘El Bimbo.’ They were in high school, they were having fun, they were young. That’s why they liked it.” That was the strongest feeling I sensed in the hall at the RBC Convention Centre: nostalgia. It was not hard to hear stories from people who had listened to the Eraserheads while growing up or while in college, and the hits that night brought them back to those times.

In the same Esquire article, Buendia stated that he wouldn’t consider writing new music for Eraserheads because “expectations would be too great and I myself would be too concerned with a lot of stuff to ever write anything good”. A previous reunion concert had been done, claimed Buendia, for the sake of the fans who stayed loyal to the group after their breakup. In his Esquire article, Buendia stated “I guess I still enjoy playing live. I think I never enjoyed playing before. I will still continue playing live. Most probably I will be content if that happened. People will say, ‘Yeah Ely’s band, they’re awesome live!’ That’s the best compliment.” This must have been true for the current tour as Eraserheads has not appeared to have lost any of their appeal.

The hall was large, and there were chairs everywhere in the room. I’ve been to concerts here before, and there is always an area reserved in the back for those wanting to drink their alak Indeed, those areas were there with bartenders and full fridges ready to serve – but no one was in line because they were on the

floor waiting for the one reason everyone was there.

There were no opening acts to get the audience warmed up. The lights went out, the stage lights flashed, and a countdown started. I’ll always remember the screams from the crowd as the band took the stage, shadows of idols coming to play for Winnipeg. I liked this about the show. Sometimes, a few warmup bands are good to get the crowd in the mood and can give local talent an excellent showcase but, other times, the people know for whom they came. In this case it was two hours of Eraserheads as they performed a playlist of thirty songs.

For so many there – if not everyone – this was a chance to see a band they grew up with. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The global Filipino community is so strong that the stars of the

Philippines are stars the world over. Winnipeg continues to prove itself as a destination for these Filipino acts. One must take their hats off to Alex Canlapan and ACC Events & Services for yet another successful event. Those who know Alex know how many hats this gentleman wears, but he performs every role with grace and ease. Music is integral to our lives and being able to see live music from the Philippines reminds the community here of where they come from and of the cultural richness of their heritage. Alex

and ACC Events & Services serve the community with their hard work, dedication, and excellence. The performances of Kamikazee, Moira, and Eraserheads were made possible by the hard work of Alex and his team.

Congratulations to both Manny Araullo, Alex Canlapan, and all others who helped bring two excellent shows to the city.

Quoted: Esquire Magazine Philippines https://www. esquiremag.ph/long-reads/ profiles/ely-buendia-a155320170509-lfrm5

Lolita Carbon

Ely Buendia of Eraserheads

Osang “The Rock” Diva

ASIN in Winnipeg. Photo by Henry Balanial

ERASERHEADS in Winnipeg. Photo by Henry Balanial

Photo by Henry Balanial

Photo by Henry Balanial

Photo by Henry Balanial

Royal Blood premiers on GMA Telebabad this June 19

Get ready for the biggest murder mystery series on Philippine primetime TV that is sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats via Royal Blood.

Beginning June 19, Kapuso Dingdong Dantes makes his highly anticipated comeback to the small screen as he headlines the series as Napoy.

The upcoming masterpiece of GMA Network boasts of a stellar cast comprising Megan Young as Diana, the ex-girlfriend and great love of Napoy; Mikael Daez, Dion Ignacio, Lianne Valentin, Miss Universe

Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo, and Rhian Ramos.

Playing a special and significant role in the program is multi-awarded actor Tirso Cruz III as Gustavo Royales, the rich and shrewd business tycoon and patriarch of the Royales family.

Also part of the series are Ces

Quesada, Benjie Paras, Carmen

See ROYAL p11

Megan Young

Mikael Daez

Dingdong Dantes

Rhian Ramos

Lianne Valentin

Dion Ignacio

Rabiya Mateo

Tirso Cruz III

Princess Aliyah

A Night with Rachel benefit concert

Winnipeg attorney by day and singer by night, Rachel Punzalan performed at the Park Theatre on May 28 in her “A Night with Rachel” concert.

“It was a great show, better than what I had envisioned! exclaimed Rachel. “The talents were astounding!”

Rachel’s guests for the evening were the dynamic 12/21 Band, currently recording new music, jazz singer Jovelle Balani, Faith Arintok and Rodel Olesco.

The show was directed by Jan Yu and Gail Ignacio was the technical director.

The event raised $10,000 for underprivileged gifted children at the Manila Science High School in the Philippines. The Share the Magic Book Program here in Winnipeg received $1,000, and $500 went to a family who lost their home in a recent apartment fire in Winnipeg.

The Share the Magic Book Program shared this message: “Share the Magic was honoured to receive a generous donation from Attorney Rachel Punzalan’s My Mission Society fund-raiser … Thank you Rachel for your vision, talents, and efforts to make this world a better place. And WOW can she sing!”

It was amazing!

Representatives from Share the Magic Book Program, Chris Melnick (left) and Ketket (right).

Rachel with Faith and Rodel

Rachel with 1221 and Faith

A duet with Jovelle

Original Eat Bulaga hosts Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon, along with the other Dabarkads, are officially moving to the TV5, the Kapatid network.

Mediaquest Group revealed on June 7, 2023 that the iconic trio and their fellow hosts have signed a deal “to produce content for TV5 and other Mediaquest platforms”.

“I’m happy that Tito, Vic, and Joey will now call TV5 their home,” Mediaquest president and CEO Jane Basas said in a press statement.

“I’m honored that these pillars of the Philippine entertainment industry have agreed to work with us.

“Our partnership strengthens our ability to continue to deliver the best for Filipino viewers here

See TVJ p11

TVJ and Dabarkads now on TV5

Eat Bulaga airs live again with new set of talents

Eat Bulaga went live anew on June 5, with a new set of hosts.

The noontime show introduced Paolo Contis, Betong Sumaya, Buboy Villar, Alexa Miro, and twins Mavy and Cassy Legaspi as the replacements for Tito, Vic and Joey and company who recently cut ties with the producer TAPE Inc.

The show started with hosts doing their own opening numbers showcasing their talents to the live audience.

The four-member local girl group XOXO and Kokoy de Santos also joined as guest performers.

“Dabarkads, tara na! ‘Eat

Bulaga’ na! Dabarkads, kayo ang dahilan kung bakit tuloy-tuloy ang saya,” Paolo said as they ended their intermission numbers.

Earlier, Alexa teased fans with an Instagram story showing the microphones with the nametags of the new EB hosts.

One of the rumored hosts Kuya Kim Atienza, was not able to join EB due to conflicts in his schedules with another program TiktoClock, according to his talent manager Noel Ferrer

Last Wednesday, Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey De Leon, also known as TVJ, announced their departure from the ‘longest-

See EAT BULAGA p11

ROYAL...

From page 8

Soriano and Arthur Solinap as Emil, a renowned investigator who will be in charge of the murder mystery.

Adding excitement to the show are Sparkle Teens James Graham, Aidan Veneracion and Princess Aliyah together with Sienna Stevens.

Royal Blood follows the story of Napoy, a loving single father working as a motorcycle rider to provide for his daughter’s needs. He is also the bastard son of a business tycoon. But despite facing financial problems, Napoy is able to provide for his child with the help of his friends and neighbors.

However, chaos ensues when Napoy’s estranged father suddenly appears and wants to make amends with him. As Napoy enters the family of his wealthy father, he gets to know his half-siblings. Sooner or later, things become more complicated when their father is murdered and Napoy becomes the primary suspect.

How will the mystery unravel? Who among them is the real innocent and who will be judged guilty?

Don’t miss the world premiere of Royal Blood – under the helm of esteemed director Dominic Zapata – this June 19. Global Pinoys can also catch the program via GMA Pinoy TV.

TVJ...

From page 10

Tito, Vic, and Joey stunned the local TV scene with the abrupt announcement of their departure from TAPE, Inc. after almost 44 years.

Fellow Dabarkads and staff of Eat Bulaga followed suit in cutting ties with the producer company. TVJ’s fellow hosts include Allan K, Maine Medoza, Ryan Agoncillo, Wally Bayola, Jose Manalo, Paolo Ballesteros and Ryzza Mae Dizon.

The Eat Bulaga show started on July 30, 1979 and has been running for 44 years. It aired on RPN9 for nine years, ABS-CBN for six years and GMA-7 for 28 years.

TAPE, Inc., responded to their exit with an official statement saying, “Ang pag-alis ng host ay hindi dahilan para tumigil ang ikot ng mundo,” and that their departure was “unfortunate, but life must go on.”

On the other hand, GMA network, which served as Eat Bulaga’s “home” for 28 years, said that they were saddened by the turn events, revealing: “We still have a block time agreement with TAPE until the end of 2024 for the noontime slot.”

After airing reruns for the past days, Eat Bulaga went live again on Monday, June 5, introducing Paolo Contis, Betong Sumaya, Buboy Villar, Alexa Miro, and twins Mavy and Cassy Legaspi as the replacements for TVJ and other hosts.

Courtesy: Latest Chika by Lyka Nicart

EAT BULAGA...

From page 10 at home and all over the world,” she added.

Former senator Tito Sotto, meanwhile, was quoted as saying: “We are thankful to our friends at Mediaquest for this fresh start.

“Dahil sa ating mga Dabarkads na naging Kapatid, tuloy pa rin ang tuwa’t saya na aming dala (Because of our Dabarkads who are now Kapatid, we continue to bring joy and happiness to the people),” he said.

The move comes a week after

running noontime show’ due to a conflict with its producer TAPE Inc. Other hosts followed suit a day after.

TAPE Inc., responded to their departure with an official statement saying, “Ang pag-alis ng host ay hindi dahilan para tumigil ang ikot ng mundo,” and that their exit was “unfortunate, but life must go on.”

Courtesy: Latest Chika by Patricia dela Rosa

Filipino Heritage Month celebration in full swing in Manitoba

With about 100,000 Filipino Canadians in the province, many have joined the various programs and activities happening here.

June 1 – The month-long celebrations had a kick-off ceremony and program at the Manitoba Legislature attended by community members and politicians.

MLA for Burrows, Diljeet Brar, wearing a barong, presented a Member’s Statement recognizing the valuable contributions of Filipino Canadians not only in Manitoba but also in Canada.

June 3 – The Philippine Heritage Council of Manitoba (PHCM) led the official opening of Philippine Heritage Week at the Philippine Canadian Centre of Manitoba (PCCM). Different organizations and associations attended the flagraising ceremony and subsequent program.

June 6 – The Honourable Minister Sean Fraser, of the federal Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, visited Winnipeg accompanied by Ontario MP, Rechie Valdez and Manitoba MP Kevin Lamoureux. The minister chose Winnipeg to announce a major change regarding visitors to Canada. Effective on the day of the announcement, those who have been issued a Canadian tourist visa within the last 10 years or those who hold a valid US visa, can now travel to Canada visa-free. They just need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization or eTA, which is said to be faster, easier, and cheaper.

June 10 – A novel take on classic Filipino literature, Florante at Laura, was staged by members of Magdaragat Philippines and volunteer community readers at the PCCM. In the production, a group of readers recited the whole, unedited, and original text of the Francisco Balagtas masterpiece as youth members of Magdaragat conveyed the feelings and emotions of what was being read. Subtitles were not provided, so

it was up to the choreography to portray the story of Florante at Laura Director Ronald Mervin Sison believes this kind of presentation has never been done before in North America. This was also an interesting way to introduce the rich Philippine literature to nonFilipino audiences and FilipinoCanadians who grew up outside the Philippines.

June 11 – Filipinos and nonFilipino friends enjoyed delicious Filipino food, dancing and entertainment at a community picnic held at Tyndall Park. This picnic, hosted by the PHCM, also served as a welcome to newcomers in the province.

June 12 – As the Philippines celebrated its 125th year of Independence, Canada Life Centre hosted an exciting home game for the Winnipeg Sea Bears against the Edmonton Stingers. It was extra special for the Filipino community as the city’s professional basketball team featured kababayan Shawn Maranan. As Wesman top player, Maranan appeared in and started all 20 conference games. He has also received many awards and accolades in his young career. The Filipino pride is known for his hard work, determination, excellence, and humility.

More celebrations are scheduled for the coming days, including the Philippine Independence Heritage Ball on June 17. It will be hosted by the PHCM, which is celebrating its 20th year in 2023.

June 22 – The Musica Singers of PCCM will hold an Evening of Kundiman and Philippine Art Songs

June 24-25 – After a pandemic pause, thousands are once again expected to participate in Manitoba Filipino Street Festival Balik Kalye festivities. Starting with a lively parade, colourful cultural costumes, dance presentations to music, food and entertainment, organizers are hoping everyone will have a great time at the two-day celebration.

Photos courtesy of Magdaragat Phils. Inc., Nonie Manalili and Rey-Ar Reyes

Immigration Minister Sean Fraser in Winnipeg

Kevin Lamoureux, MP for Winnipeg North, hosted a “meet and greet” lunch in honour of Immigration Minister Sean Fraser, June 6, 2023, at Lucita’s Restaurant. Ontario MP Rechie Valdez and MB MLA Cindy Lamoureux and some members of the Filipino community were present at the meeting. Minister Fraser reiterated his announcement about the eTA availability for eligible Filipino travellers. The Pilipino Express’ Emmie Joaquin and Rey-Ar Reyes also attended. Photos by Rey-Ar Reyes

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Ni Bro. Gerry Gamurot

Filipino cultural celebration at Pista sa MAFTI

Since the 1970s, the Manitoba Association of Filipino Teachers, Inc. (MAFTI), has worked to preserve, encourage, and perform Filipino culture. Amongst its professional development projects to lift up internationally educated teachers, Filipino culture has also been a focus of MAFTI. June has become the month of MAFTI cultural performances, alongside celebrations led by groups such as the Philippine Heritage Council of Manitoba and the Manitoba Filipino Street Festival.

On June 10th, the Pista sa MAFTI celebrated the hard work of the organization’s teachers and students. For years, MAFTI has supported the learning of Philippine culture and language by Filipino and non-Filipino students.

This year, MAFTI had projected 200 students, but enrolments totalled more than 300! These courses are separate

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from the new Filipino Bi-Lingual Program being implemented next school year in the Winnipeg School Division. In these after-school programs, students are exposed to Filipino arts, culture, values, and language. Every year ends with a culminating activity that showcases the talents of each class.

MAFTI’s heritage program depends upon the support of other schools. This year, this included Dufferin School, École Salisbury Morse Place School, Keewatin Prairie Community School, Lord Nelson School, Sargent Park School, Shaughnessy Park School, Stanley Knowles School, Wellington School, and the Filipino Heritage Language Online Class.

This celebration was months in the making. Teachers, EAs, and students have spent hours of preparation, study, and performance for the Pista sa MAFTI. This year, MAFTI took a different approach to its celebration. Each school had their own individual culminating activity in which students would

have time to perform a number of skits and performances, often involving singing, recitation, and even games. The Pista sa MAFTI was a large event where everyone came together. All the students and their parents and guardians packed the hall at Maples Collegiate, and several sponsors and dignitaries joined the celebration. Unique to this year’s celebration was the presence of vendors who had the opportunity to sell their wares as the day’s program progressed.

Since MAFTI’s foundation forty-five years ago, the organization and its members have actively worked to preserve and continue Filipino heritage in Manitoba. The Filipino afterschool heritage program continues to grow as more schools wish to join, so let us continue to support this program and to support the vitality of Filipino culture in the city.

– By Jon Malek, PhD, for Pilipino Express