Pilipino Express • Nov 1 2022

Beauty Gonzales

Scott Gillingham –Winnipeg’s new mayor

Three Filipino Canadians elected as school trustees

Scott Gillingham was elected Winnipeg’s new mayor on Wednesday, October 26, after a close race with former Winnipeg mayor Glen Murray. The two leading contenders in a field of 11 candidates were neck and neck up until the last ballots were counted.

Gillingham, who was the councillor for St. James, won with 27.5 per cent of the votes over Glen Murray’s 25.3 per cent – a margin of 4,391 votes.

Gillingham’s victory is notable for reaping

Winnipeg Jets Filipino Heritage Night Celebration of Filipino culture, November 8

The Winnipeg Jets will host their first Filipino Heritage Night on Tuesday, November 8, during a game against the Dallas Stars at 7:00 p.m.

The game will begin with a puck drop ceremony with members of the Filipino community including: Manny Aranez, Commissioner of the Philippine Basketball Association and recent inductee into the Basketball Manitoba Hall of Fame; Aida Champagne, of the Manitoba Filipino Street Festival; Rod Cantiveros, publisher of the Filipino Journal; and Ron Cailo, alumnus of the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Academy, which introduced him to the sport in Grade 3, shortly after he arrived in Canada, and led to a passion

Dante Aviso School Trustee, Ward 5 Ann Evangelista School Trustee, Ward 9

Perla Javate School Trustee, Ward 6

Scott Gillingham

In the news, we are hearing a lot about job dissatisfaction. New terms such as “quiet quitting” (doing the bare minimum at work) are becoming popular on social media. This is very likely related to the COVID-19 pandemic when major changes happened to the workforce. At the end of 2021, the Toronto Star reported on a study that found that 65 per cent of Canadians were considering a job change. This was mostly due to unhappiness with wage and salary, less job satisfaction, and lower sense of wellbeing.

Clearly, there are many factors that influence if and why we like our jobs. But one thing that we can do to increase job satisfaction that is within our control is to build strong relationships with coworkers. Interpersonal skills are important in the workplace and are related to emotional intelligence and the way you communicate and interact with others.

Interpersonal skills are usually assessed during job interviews

nowadays and are a factor when being considered for a promotion. Regardless of the amount of education and training you have, it is crucial to be able to get along well with customers, co-workers, and managers. Even if you like to work independently on projects, like writers and accountants often do, you still must be able to communicate and work well with your team.

Below are six types of interpersonal skills to pay attention to when you interact with people in your place of employment. Improving each of these abilities will increase your sense of wellness at work.

1. Communication

This includes verbal and nonverbal communication. We need to be able to express our ideas clearly without using too many words, otherwise the main message can get lost. Our nonverbal communication also must match what we are trying to say. For example, if we want

Strengthen your work relationships and feel happier on the Job

heard.

to convince others to consider an idea, we cannot stare out the window, have our bodies turned away from our co-workers, or be texting on our phone. Public speaking is also a valued skill that employers look for. If you want to improve on your presentation skills, you must practice, practice, practice. The more presentations you do, the easier it gets.

2. Active listening

This skill goes hand-in-hand with communication. Oftentimes, we think that we are listening to a person when we are actually thinking about what we are going to say next. For example, if a coworker says that they are having trouble on a project, carefully listen to what they are struggling with. Otherwise, we are simply giving advice, which may not be helpful if it isn’t about what they need. Ways to improve our listening skills are to be curious, focus on what others are saying, and repeat back to them what you

3. Empathy

After hearing what a coworker, customer, or manager says, it may be appropriate to show empathy. Showing empathy means to convey kindness, patience, and caring to someone through words and gestures. Kindness begets kindness, so this will enhance team building and collaboration.

4. Conflict management

Not surprisingly, conflict and disagreements happen in the workplace. It takes a lot of skill and professionalism to be able to give and accept constructive criticism. Learn to keep things at a discussion level, rather than allow conflict to grow into an argument or ongoing resentment. This involves good problemsolving skills, compromise, and mediation.

5. Leadership

It is important to build trust with colleagues and offer encouragement, even if you are not

a supervisor or manager. This goes a long way towards cultivating a positive environment. Offering your own ideas fosters innovation and creativity, but that must also go along with encouraging the ideas of others. A good leader must also know how to be a good negotiator and seek to find compromise.

6. Positivity

It isn’t always easy to see the bright side or the silver lining in things. But even when there are challenges, establishing a positive relationship with co-workers leads to increased job satisfaction. In addition to being friendly and considerate, make it a priority to network. Find out what people’s roles are in the organization and how you can collaborate with them on projects. This will also give you meaning and purpose in your job!

Cheryl Dizon-Reynante is a licensed therapist with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.

Dial 584 for Manitoba

New phone numbers in Manitoba with the area code 584 became available on Saturday, October 29, 2022. The new area code is the third for the province, joining area codes 204 and 431.

The decision of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to add the new area code, announced last March, was intended to meet the continuously growing demand for new telephone numbers.

Back in 2020, the Canadian Numbering Administrator (CNA) advised the CRTC that Manitoba would likely exhaust all phone numbers using the area codes 204 and 431 by June 2024, but then advanced their estimate this past summer to December 2023, which the CRTC said would put Manitoba “into a jeopardy condition.”

The CNA said Manitoba was running out of numbers due in part to an increase in devices requiring a SIM card and telephone number to operate, including cell phones,

tablets, and even traffic signals.

“The introduction of a new area code creates millions of additional telephone numbers without affecting the existing numbers,” said Kelly T. Walsh, Program Manager of the CNA, in March of this year.

The new area code does not affect the geographic boundaries for local calling areas, or the way long distance calls are dialed. Special numbers such as 211, 311, 411, 611, and 911 are not affected by the new area code and can still be dialed using only three digits.

Manitoba’s first area code, 204, was introduced in 1947. With the advent of wireless services in recent decades, the demand for new telephone numbers grew rapidly, prompting the addition of the 431 area code in 2012.

The CNA added four other area codes to the country in 2022.

Quebec received three new codes – 263, 354, and 468 – on October 22, and Ontario added the 683 area code on June 18.

The

The

Express and Pilipino Sports Express are registered names.

Reproduction of any content and/or ad design published in the Pilipino Express is not permitted without the publisher’s written consent.

Materials submitted are subject to editorial discretion and the publication accepts no responsibility for the return or safety of unsolicited artwork, photos, or manuscripts.

All rights reserved.

Annual subscription rate within Canada: $65.00.

For advertising inquiries, call 204-956-7845, or e-mail: E-mail: info@pilipino-express.com.

The “reunification of families” remains one of the objectives of the Immigration Act, s. 3(1) (d). Canada’s family sponsorship programs play an important role in attracting, retaining, and integrating immigrants who contribute to the country’s wellbeing.

On October 11, 2022, Sean Fraser issued a statement regarding the reopening of the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship program for 2022. “Family reunification is important to Canadians and plays a key role in our immigration system,” stated Minister Fraser.

“We recognize that reuniting parents and grandparents with their families in Canada provides immense contributions to our communities. Parents, their children, and their grandchildren, want to be together, and the government has made significant progress toward that. Today’s announcement will help reunited more families in Canada and is an important step in the right direction.”

The reopening of the Parent and Grandparent sponsorship

program for 2022 is a little misleading because the program is not open to the submission of new applications to sponsor.

Rather, IRCC will invite 23,100 potential applicants from the remaining pool of 155,313 potential applicants who submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020. The invitations are intended to help reach IRCC’s goal of accepting up to 15,000 complete applications.

If you were able to submit the interest to sponsor form in 2020 and you saw a page with a confirmation number, you may be eligible for the 2022 draw. Check if you received an e-mail message from the department letting you know they received your form. Once IRCC sends out all the invitations, interested parties can make inquiries using their specific confirmation number. Check the same email you used on your 2020 interest to sponsor form. Also check your junk mail or spam folder to see if you have received an email from the department.

If you have lost or forgot your confirmation number, you can use

Parent and grandparent sponsorship 2022

For those who applied in 2020

the Lost Confirmation Number tool to retrieve your confirmation number if you submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020 but have lost the confirmation number or are now using a different email. It is also important to note that IRCC understands that many are challenged to meet the lower income requirements to sponsor their parents and grandparents and for the 2020 and 2021 tax years, the income requirements for sponsors will be the minimum necessary income, instead of the minimum necessary income plus 30 per cent, and regular Employment Insurance benefits and temporary COVID-19 benefits (such as

CERB) can be added to the sponsor’s income (Minister’s News Release, October 11, 2022).

These measures will ensure that sponsors and applicants are not penalized for a sponsor’s temporary loss of income during the pandemic.

All families, including those who are not selected for the sponsorship of parents and grandparents, can have their parents or grandparents apply for a Super Visa with multiple entry that is valid up to 10 years.

Enhancements to the Super Visa, implemented in the summer of 2022, allow holders to stay in Canada for up to five years at a time, with an option to extend

the visit another two years at a time without leaving the country. These changes make it easier for Canadian citizens and permanent residents to reunite with parents and grandparents in Canada for longer periods of time.

Michael Scott is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC, R525678) who has 30 years of experience with Immigration Canada and the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program. He currently works as a licensed consultant with Immigration Connexion International Ltd. Contact him at 204-691-1166 or 204-2270292. E-mail: mscott.ici@gmail. com.

From page 1

the lowest percentage of the popular vote in a modern Winnipeg election. Previously, Susan Thompson won with 38.3 per cent in 1995.

This was also the closest mayoral race since 1977, when Robert Steen defeated Bill Norrie by 1,819 votes, or 1.24 percentage points.

Filipino Canadian candidates

Three Filipino Canadian candidates won seats on Winnipeg’s school board.

Dante Aviso narrowly won the school trustee seat in Ward 5 over a crowded field of nine candidates, including the incumbent, Kevin Freedman.

Perla Javate took Ward 6 with 51.5 per cent of the vote in

a field of three candidates. Javate is no stranger to the educational system. Among her numerous accomplishments, she served for many years as Community Liaison Officer and Intercultural Support Worker for the Winnipeg School Division.

Ann Evangelista earned 58.78 per cent of the vote in a field of five candidates to win Ward 9. Evangelista is a TESL instructor at the University of Winnipeg and serves on the board of the Manitoba Association of Filipino Teachers.

Another Filipino Canadian, Chris Clacio, was among the first candidates to enter the 2022 race to become Winnipeg’s mayor. He garnered 451 votes or 0.23 per cent of the total votes cast. He previously ran for school trustee in the Seven Oaks School Division (Ward 2) in 2014.

October saw the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) continuing its work on the COVID-19 pandemic in three meetings.

The WHO agreed with the conclusion presented by its Emergency Committee on COVID-19 that the pandemic still constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The organization also identified the areas of work that need attention and completion, and it launched its six-month plan as the global community transitions to managing this infectious disease as a long-term public health issue.

COVID-19 was declared a PHEIC almost three years ago, on January 30, 2020, and was designated a “pandemic” nearly six weeks later, on March 11, when the global spread became alarming.

October 13 meeting

At a meeting on October 13, 2022, the Emergency Committee anchored its advice, keeping the pandemic as a PHEIC on the following observations:

• although the number of weekly deaths is near the lowest since the pandemic began, the number remains high;

• the perception in communities that the emergency is over and that measures to reduce transmission are no longer needed;

• the removal of many public health and social measures ahead of the likely increase in transmission during the winter season may worsen the course of the pandemic;

• the characteristics of future variants and sub-variants cannot be predicted and the potential immune escape could pose challenges to existing vaccines and treatments;

• the current gaps in global surveillance hinder early identification and evaluation of the changes in future variants of concern; and

• inequities in access to COVID-19 vaccines and treatment persist between and within countries.

Three key priorities and basis for advice

The committee issued three priority recommendations: 1. strengthen integrated surveillance and achieve vaccination targets for at risk-groups; 2. continue to develop strategies to increase access to affordable therapeutics; and 3. strengthen pandemic preparedness planning.

COVID-19 is a continuing global threat

The rationale for this advice is to ensure the following happens:

• the appropriate strategies, systems, and resources are able to detect any adverse change in the behaviour of COVID-19;

• the necessary capacity to adopt public health and social measures in response to a new event exists;

• an effective and equitable vaccination program can appropriately protect the global population;

• strategies continue to be developed that increase equitable access to affordable therapeutics; and

• progress towards a robust global pandemic preparedness architecture is maintained. An antidote to pandemic fatigue

Central to the committee’s advice is the recognition that continued coordination of the global response is a necessity. The implementation of the foregoing recommendations would, to the committee’s anticipation, create the situation needed to lift the PHEIC designation. The committee further anticipates that these recommendations will lead to better acceptance of the continuing risk of the disease even in the presence of “community and political pandemic fatigue.”

With nearly three years of this pandemic malady, it is easy to understand why pandemic fatigue has set in. To be informed that the pandemic is unfinished and remains a continuing risk to nations of the world is a piece of news I would rather not share. But it would be a dereliction of civic duty not to do so. Wishful thinking is not a good health advisory. Public health silence could be construed as everything is now back to normal. And it is not. At the same time, it is not like the prevaccine era.

October 19 meeting

At this meeting, the Director General of the WHO, Dr. Tedros, accepted the committee’s advice and confirmed the that pandemic continues as a global public health emergency and highlighted the areas of work that need greater attention and completion.

Vaccination rates: There are still wide disparities in vaccination rates. While almost two-thirds of the world’s population has completed a primary course of vaccination, three-quarters of people in low-income countries are yet to receive a single dose.

Measures to limit spread: Most countries no longer have

measures in place to limit the spread of the virus.

Surveillance, testing, and sequencing capacities: Most countries have reduced surveillance drastically, while testing and sequencing rates are also much lower. This makes it difficult to monitor and quickly identify future variants.

Using available tools: Most countries are not using all the tools at their disposal – surveillance, testing, and sequencing capacities.

Increase in COVID-19 cases: Several countries in North America and Europe are now reporting an increase in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths, and could be expected, given the winter season when people in the northern hemisphere spend more time together inside – an environment conducive to an increase in transmission of the virus.

Gaps in access to diagnostics and therapeutics: Unacceptable gaps in access to diagnostics, antivirals, and treatment for all still exist.

October 28 meeting

As if on cue, the October 28, 2022, meeting was specifically about the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator plan for the next six months, “setting out how, as a partnership of global health agencies working alongside government, civil society and other partners, it will support countries as the world transitions to long-term COVID-19 control.”

The Accelerator is “a global collaboration to accelerate development, production, and equitable access to COVID-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines.”

Sir Jeremy Farrar, Director of Wellcome, said, “It’s now almost three years since COVID-19 was first discovered and no one can say for certain what will happen next. What we do know is that we can’t afford to be complacent.

Summary with a Canadian perspective

Indeed, the pandemic is not over. It poses a continuing threat to nations of the world and calls for continued precautions and vigilance.

The current risk to North America, Canada included, is not as much because of the magnitude of our vaccinated population, but it is still real, particularly during the winter months ahead. Already, we have seen upward trends in cases since the start of October. While about 80 per cent of Canadians have had a primary series of the vaccine – the good news – less

than 20 per cent have had a booster dose.

The bivalent booster vaccine protects against the original strain of the coronavirus as well as the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants and the newer “scrabble variants.” This is the colloquial terminology given by Dr. Peter Hotez, director of the Center for Vaccine Development at Texas Children’s Hospital, because the newest Omicron sub-variants use letters that get high scores in the board game, like Q, X and B, which are trending towards dominance in the U.S.

Other considerations include improving Canada’s indoor air quality and enhancing indoor mask use, especially with the N95 mask. Recall that spread of the virus is dominantly airborne, contrary to the earlier belief.

With the updated COVID-19 booster dose, indoor use of N95 masks and increasingly improved indoor air ventilation, we can keep Canada on track to the finish line. Coupled with the due attention envisioned for the greater part of the world as discussed above, COVID-19 can be tamed indefinitely.

Postscript from the Philippines CNN Philippines reported on October 7 that all current COVID-19 vaccines are effective against severe effects of the Omicron variant such as severe illness, hospitalization, and death, according to the assessment of 22 independent infectious diseases experts. Using the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health’s newHub database, the assessment “covers more than 50 real-world studies of vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19.”

Dr. Rey D. Pagtakhan, P.C., O.M., LL.D., Sc.D., M.D. M.Sc. is a retired lung specialist, professor of child health, author of articles and chapters in medical journals and textbooks, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, and cabinet minister, including Secretary of State for Science, Research and Development. He graduated from the University of the Philippines, did postgraduate training and studies at the Children’s Hospitals of Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, and spent a sabbatical year as Visiting Professor at the University of Arizona Medical Center. In June 2003, he spoke on “The Global Threat of Infectious Diseases” at the G-8 Science Ministers/Advisors Carnegie Group Meeting in Berlin.

Start-Up PH lauded by Korean producer of the original series

GMA Network’s primetime soap Start-Up PH was praised by the producer of the original hit Korean drama.

According to Yu Sang-won, “We are pleasantly surprised at how well the Philippine version of Start-Up was produced. It was impressive how GMA Entertainment Group put in efforts to satisfy both the original fans and the local audience.”

The South Korean producer also commended the K-drama vibe of Start-Up PH through its

creative shots and iconic scenes, “The overall look, feel and the cinematography of the local version were similar to that of the original version, so that the Filipino fans will feel familiar.”

He also recognized the exceptional portrayals of Alden Richards and Bea Alonzo

“The local production team creatively adapted the story to meet the expectations of the local audience. This goes the same with the cast. Alden Richards and Bea

See START UP p11 Jeric Gonzales

Alden Richards

Bea Alonzo

Gina Alajar

Ger Salakot Restaurant grand reopening

After almost five months of renovations, Salakot Restaurant at the PCCM finally opened to the public.

Now known as Ger Salakot Restaurant, owner-chef Gerome Labial invited the community for a grand reopening on Saturday, October 22.

Hundreds of kababayans as well as non-Filipino friends turned out early to buy and taste different Pinoy dishes they have missed while the restaurant was undergoing major changes.

“The kitchen was changed to stainless steel and all tools and equipment are brand new,” said Gerome. “It’s a total makeover, an improved Ger Salakot! Kayang kaya na magaccommodate ng maraming orders. Mabilis, malinis at masarap na pagkain para sa

lahat.”

During the grand reopening, Ger Salakot also gave away prizes to the delight of customers.

“Thank you for all your support! Please come and visit Ger Salakot Restaurant. Our mission is to serve food the way it’s made to be served: family style, everyday affordable prices, no fuss. Just good food and your tummy will be satisfied.”

Ger Salakot’s hours of operation are, Monday - 8:30 a.m. 6:30 p.m., Tuesday to Friday – 8:30a.m. to 7: 00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday – 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Located inside the Philippine Canadian Centre of Manitoba (PCCM) they offer dine-in, takeout and catering services for big events and special occasions. Call: 204-414-4541.

L-r: Glen Murray, Moe ElTassi, Gerome & Arcel Labial and Malaya Marcelino, MLA for Notre Dame

Mano Po Legacy: The Flower Sisters

The Flower Sisters is the third instalment of GMA Network and Regal Entertainment’s hit primetime series Mano Po Legacy.

This latest dramatic soap follows the contentious story of the four Chua sisters as they wrestle with wealth, power, and opportunities that lie ahead of them. Each of the sisters grapples with heer own dilemmas and difficulties in their personal lives.

‘Mano Po Legacy: The Flower Sisters’ boasts of an all-star cast,

top-billed by Aiko Melendez as Lily, Thea Tolentino as Dahlia, Angel Guardian as Iris, and Beauty Gonzalez as Violet.

“Itong pagbabalik ko po sa show business,” said Aiko, “ay blessing po, dahil bukod sa makakatrabaho ko si Beauty na dati’y magkatapat ang aming show, nagkaroon ako ng katapat bilang kaibigan. Worth it ang lahat after seing the trailer of Mano Po 3. I don’t have any regrets na tinanggap ko itong project.” She added, “Hindi lang namin ito show ni Beauty or ng Flower Sisters, ito po ay show naming lahat. Makikita n’yo po rito sa Mano Po 3 na lahat po kami ay magsha-shine at dahil ‘yon sa ating directors.”

Beauty said, “Everytime na pumupunta ako sa work, I’m so excited kasi masaya talaga ‘yung set namin. We get to collaborate with our directors and with our co-actors also. You know, I’m very privileged to be part of Mano Po kasi this is a legacy and I thank Sir

Bumalik - A Filipino language documentary by MC de Natividad

Bumalik, a Filipino language documentary, will be shown on Sunday, November 6 at 3:00 p.m. at Cinematheque, 100 Arthur St. Bumalik (“to go back” in Filipino) is the debut film of Winnipeg-based emerging director/producer MC de Natividad. The documentary follows de Natividad, who immigrated to Winnipeg from the Philippines when she was four years old, on her journey to reclaim her lost language and identity. The film also features Filipino Winnipeggers, namely, MLA for Notre Dame, Malaya Marcelino and School Trustee, Perla Javate,

who share their insights regarding the issues surrounding language loss within the Filipino community.

According to de Natividad, “The documentary is possible through the generosity of the Winnipeg Film Group, IATSE 856 BIPOC Artist’s Film Fund, an award that provides $10,000 towards production as well as mentorship support for emerging BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People Of Colour) filmmakers to create a new short film.”

De Natividad is the fund’s inaugural winner. As part of her commitment to increasing representation within the film

industry, de Natividad said she hired an all-BIPOC production and post-production crew to help make the documentary. Preceding Bumalik will be a selection of short films by local filmmakers from the BIPOC community.

The film also received further support through the Manitoba Film & Music Grant Program for Emerging Talent & Micro-Budget Production and the National Film Board’s Filmmaker Assistance Program.

Tickets available in-person at Cinematheque online at https:// www.winnipegfilmgroup.com/ event/bumalik/

START UP...

From page 7

Alonzo added their own charm to the characters,” Yu Sang-won added.

Alden, in turn, expressed his gratitude to the Start-Up producer for appreciating the local remake.

“Our sincerest gratitude to Mr. Yu Sang-won for the nice feedback for our show. It was really an honour for us to do the Filipino adaptation, Start-Up PH. We hope that we can also inspire a lot of local audiences here in the Philippines as much as the Korean version did all over the world.”

Meanwhile, Bea is happy because all their hard work has paid off. “This is kind of somehow a little validation, parang pat on the back for us na kahit paano they liked our project. We worked hard for this. And masaya rin ako hindi lang sa reaction nila, but also sa reaksyon ng mga tao sa social

MANO PO...

From page 10

Joey and Ms. Roselle for choosing me. I’ll make sure that it’s worth it.”

Meanwhile, Thea is up for the challenge as she takes on a new role portraying a kind sister.

“Nagulat po ako sa trailer kasi doon ko po nakita na ang bait ko rito, ‘di ako sanay. Nahirapan po ako sa light scenes kasi mas at home po ako ‘pag nagsusungit ako.

Noong umpisa po, medyo kinakapa ko pa but with the help of the directors po at tuwing sinasabi nila sa akin na ‘Thea mukha kang mataray dito, let’s tame it down.’

Nagpapasalamat po talaga ako na gina-guide nila ako until naging komportable na ako sa character ko.”

Angel is equally proud to be part of this big project. “Una sa lahat, I feel so blessed and grateful dahil ito po ‘yung first serye ko

media, especially the fans of StartUp Korea kasi napapanood nila ‘yung Philippine adaptation.”

Dreamers are really hooked to the inspiring story of Start-Up PH as it reaches 100 million views and counting on TikTok! It’s definitely a rollercoaster of emotions while watching the series as some scenes bring joy to the audience while others make them cry.

Lola Joy (Gina Alajar) is a crowd favourite because she can always pull off iconic episodes from the original version and make them even more touching.

Some of the avid viewers commented on Facebook, “Lagi akong naiiyak sa mga eksena nina Dani at Tristan na kasama si Lola Joy. Lalo ‘yung kina Lola Joy at young Good Boy bago siya sumakay ng bus, ang dami kong iniluha sa eksenang ‘yun. Galing ni Ms. Gina at ng buong cast! Ang ganda ng execution at halatang pinag-aralan talaga nila.”

and I’m one of the main cast members na po so sobrang suwerte ko na nakatrabaho ko po sina Ms. Beauty, Ms. Aiko, at Thea. Alam naman po natin na napakagaling po nilang mga aktres. Excited akong mas matuto pa kasi kahit na kabado ako sa binigay sa aking role, pinagkatiwalaan nila akong gawin ito. Kaya excited ako kasi I know na there’s room to grow.”

Joining them are Paul Salas, Mikee Quintos, Rafael Rosell, Marcus, Isabel, Bodjie Pascua, Johnny, Tanya Garcia, Sue Prado, Maila Gumila, Lloyd Samartino, Will Ashley, Miggs Cuaderno, Dustin Yu, Carlo San Juan, Mika Reins, Kimson Tan, Sandro Muhlach, Yvette Sanchez, Althea Ablan, Sophia Senoron, Larkin Castor, Cheska Fausto, Shecko Apostol, AZ Martinez, and Gertrud Hahn.

Mano Po Legacy: The Flower Sisters is directed by Ian Loreños, Nick Olanka, and Sean Lim.

MC de Natividad interviews Malaya Marcelino, MLA for Notre Dame, for the documentary film, Bumalik

Seasons are very meaningful in feng shui, and fall is one that is full of prosperity and good fortune symbolism. In the west, many homeowners like to decorate their homes with decorations of fall and around harvest themes.

The look and feel of these decorations are one of abundance and prosperity, but they also bring great feng shui and augur good fortune for your home and family.

As a time that typically represented the harvest, the fall is a seasonal representation of the full bounty and abundance of the growth of the year from the spring and summer seasons.

Unlike the Lunar New Year, the emphasis isn’t on the new beginnings of the year but on the reward of the fruits of our labor in the months preceding fall.

The Chinese have many fall symbols and incorporating these around your house is a great way to bring in the energy of the abundant fall season and welcome the change of the seasons and acknowledge a year of efforts and the harvest of those efforts, as well as attract good fortune and symbolize wealth and prosperity.

Display chrysanthemums for health and wealth

The mum is one of the four noble plants, along with the bamboo, orchid, plum blossom. Mums have

been cultivated in China for over 3,000 years and are highly revered for their combination of beauty and strength.

The chrysanthemum is a symbol of long life and represents an easy retirement.

It’s the flower that represents the fall season because this is the time when it naturally grows and comes to blossom. Like the flower that blooms as the temperatures begin to drop, its bright petals are considered healthful and its sturdy stems representations of physical stamina and strength.

Display mums to welcome the harvest of the year, symbolizing all you have accomplished, and to welcome good health and recognize the bounty of your efforts.

For wealth, display bright gold and yellow mums, and for success display red mums. Place them indoors and outdoors, particularly by your front door where they can welcome abundant good fortune. Pumpkins symbolize gold from the earth

Pumpkin and other gourds typically ripen and glow like the setting sun in the autumn. To the Chinese, pumpkins represent drawing the gold energy from the earth into form, making them a favoured symbol of the wealth gods.

In western markets, bins are

Fall decorating adds lucky feng shui and brings good fortune

full of pumpkins in every size, colour, and shape. Each one offers bountiful and abundant symbolism of happy families, wealth, and the attraction of further prosperity.

In fact, the pumpkin is favoured for its symbolism of successful and thriving children.

Displaying the pumpkin represents the ability to manifest more wealth, be prosperous, and attract riches and family fortune.

Display these in the east for family luck, southeast for wealth luck, southwest for the luck of the mother, west for the luck of children, and northwest for the luck of the father. In the north, pumpkins symbolize career progress and business success.

Add bowls of fall fruits

The fall is the perfect time to display the fruits of the season. Add bowls of apples, persimmons, and pears. These beautiful fruits each hold a special place in Chinese symbolism.

Pears represent vitality and health, apples symbolize peace, happiness, and contentment, and persimmons represent good luck in business affairs. Sometimes called a Chinese fig, persimmons are symbols of everlasting and auspicious luck.

Gourds bring good health and ward off bad luck

In the west with the spectre of Halloween and the haunting of ghosts, gourds make the perfect representation of bounty and good fortune. For millennia, gourds have

been fashioned into vases because gourds made fitting holders for wine and other items.

In Chinese lore, gourds were believed to hold the elixir of immortality and dispel negative intentions.

Because a gourd held the elixir of life as well as medicine and wine, and because their name was a homophone for protection and good fortune, gourds have the ability to transform luck and by displaying them you bring blessings to your home.

The next time you see a bag of mixed gourds in the autumn, filled with mini pumpkins and funnyshaped gourds, snap it up and add them to your kitchen counter to represent harvest, symbolize good fortune and blessings, and protection from evil spirits.

Nuts represent abundance and blessings

Two of the favoured nuts that represent blessings are the walnut and the peanut. Peanuts symbolize prosperity because they often look like the number eight, considered one of the most auspicious numbers associated with wealth.

Peanuts are also a symbol of birth, continuous growth, and multiplying luck.

All nuts are considered

JETS...

From page 1 for hockey which now sees him playing as a goalie with the St. Paul’s Crusaders.

Joining the team’s regular gameday hosts, Brody, Drew, and Karly, will be Chester Pangan, cohost of Good Morning Philippines on CKJS 92.7 FM who will also mix Tagalog into the in-game presentation as part of his role as guest host.

Performing the game’s national anthems, and entertaining the crowd with cultural intermission performances, will be Filipino Choir Musica, led by Artistic Director Dante Aviso. Filipino DJs will bring the party atmosphere before the game, spinning tunes in the Canada Life Centre atrium and concourse.

Fans will be treated to featured concession showcasing Filipino cuisine including a Grilled Chicken Adobo Bowl, Traditional Pork Lumpia, and a Chicken Adobo Skewer, which is also a permanent feature at all Aviator Grill locations this season.

Students from Sisler’s

auspicious, but walnuts are a favoured nut for the fall. A favourite in Chinese cooking, walnuts are highly prized in China as a nut. Although long thought of as a nut that represented flirtation, walnut shells have long been favoured for jewelry and have come to represent family harmony.

Kathryn Weber has over 20+ years of feng shui study, practice, and professional consultation. Her witty, no-nonsense style appeals to audiences, making her a popular speaker and radio show guest. She is often called on by media to explain feng shui in down-to-earth terms, and has been featured in Seventeen, First for Women, Faces, Conceive, Martial Arts Professional, and Natural Health magazines, and on websites around the world.

CREATE program have collaborated with the Winnipeg Jets game presentation team on key visual presentation elements with graphics and imagery that will be showcased throughout the game.

Winnipeg Jets Filipino Heritage Night logo

The night will be highlighted with a special Filipino Jets logo, a collaborative design of graphic artist Jonato Dalayoan of 4two Design Inc., and Marc Gomez, True North Sports + Entertainment’s Creative Lead for Hockey Branding.

One of the hallmarks of the logo design is the representation of the eight-ray golden sun and three stars of the Philippine flag combined with the Jets roundel. The three colours of the Filipino flag are overlayed on the jet reflecting the integration of Filipino heritage into Canadian culture. Inclusion of a traditional textile pattern further embodies the bold and festive spirit of the Filipino community.

The logo will be featured on the team’s warmup jerseys which will be auctioned off following the game in support of Filipino

Ang feeling ng excitement na may halong pangamba ay nadama ko habang ako ay naging bahagi ng kampaniya ni re-elected Councillor Ross Eadie ng Mynarski ward. Na-assign ako bilang taga-sundo at hatid ng mga botanteng walang sasakyan at matatandang kailangan ang gabay dahil sila ay may mobility issues. Nag-drop off din ako sa ilang neighbourhoods ng mga notices upang anyayahan ang mga taong bumoto. Dakong 7:30 ng gabi ay na-assign naman akong election scrutineer sa St John’s High School. Pagdating ko sa aming headquarters ay nagtulongtulong kaming bilangin ang total votes ng Mynarski ward. Mabilis ang araw kahapon. Saglit na saglit ay nagdiriwang na ang aming team sa muling pagkakahalal kay Ross.

Dahil nakatutok ang aming grupo sa resulta ng boto sa Mynarski ward ay hindi namin masyadong napuna ang roller coaster na resulta ng mayoralty votes. Ang totoo, buong akala namin ay nanalo si Glen Murray. In fact, nang interbyuhin si Ross sa isang TV news channel ay nabanggit niya ang magandang magiging relasyon niya sa susunod na Mayor na ang tinukoy niya ay si Glen. Patuloy ang aming celebration at pagpapasalamat sa isa’t isa hanggang sa ako ay

nagpaalam na sa grupo para umuwi.

Bandang 9:45 ng gabi habang ako ay nagmamaneho pauwi ay binuksan ko ang aking radio sa usual kong station na CJOB. Doon ako nabigla! Ayon sa balita ay nangunguna na nang dalawang libo mahigit si Scott Gillingham over Glen Murray. Anim na polls na lamang ang kulang to confirm na panalo na nga si Scott. Agad kong tinawagan ang isa naming kasama sa team at sinabi ang current situation. Nagulat din siya! Si Julie Buckingham ng CJOB na nasa Clarion Hotel sa kampo ni Scott ay nag-aabang ng pormal na anunsyo ng kaniyang pagkapanalo. Si Brent McGary ng parehong istasyon ng radio ay nasa Fort Garry Hotel ay nasa kampo ni Glen at nag-aabang naman ng kaniyang pag-concede. Sa pagkaka-describe ni Brent, umiwas muna si Glen na tumuntong ng stage at sa halip ay pinasalamatan ang mga supporters, ngunit bakas di-umano sa mukha ni Glen ang pagka-balisa. Incidentally, birthday din ni Glen kahapon.

Pagdating ko ng bahay bandang 10:00 p.m. ay ipinagpatuloy ko ang pakikinig sa radio. Inanunsyo ng senior election official na si Marc Lemoine ang pagka-panalo ni Scott Gillingham bilang bagong

Akala ko si Glen Murray, hindi pala!

Mayor ng Winnipeg at hindi si Glen Murray.

Nagdagsaan ang mga texts sa akin ng mga tropa at kaibigan. “Talo si Glen,” “Glen lost,” “Wow Man,” etc.

Anu-ano ang mga aral na napulot ko sa eleksyong ito? Habang mainit pa sa aking isip ay nais kong ibahagi sa inyo ang ilan sa aking mga napuna at puwede nating puluting aral lalo na kung may balak kayong makilahok sa pulitika.

1. Huwag assuming. Hindi laging basehan ang surveys/election polls sa actual na magiging resulta ng halalan;

2. Patatagin ay iyong lakas at palakasin ang iyong kahinanan. Huwag maging kampante sa mga existing supporters. Sa halip ay patatagin mo sila para patuloy silang sumuporta sa iyo hanggang sa huli. Sa kabilang dako ay patuloy mong alamin kung saan ka mahina at i-convert ang mga weakness na ito bilang mga bago mong lakas;

3. Siguraduhin na ang mageendorso ay may kredibilidad sa komunidad at hindi makakasira sa kampanya. Hindi dahil sikat ang personahe ng isang tao ay magdadala ito ng boto. Minsan nakakahila pa sila pababa;

4. Sipag at doble sipag. Ang civic elections ay napakapersonal ang level. Iba ang dating na personal mong nakikita,

nakakamayan at nakakausap ang mga kandidato;

5. The more volunteers, the better. Ang mga volunteers ay isa sa mga susi sa matagumpay ng kampanya. Recruit more at lagi silang pasalamatan;

6. Linawin ang iyong plataporma. Mas maganda kung detalyado ang plataporma at madaling maintindihan ng lahat. Huwag mangako nang general statement. Halibawa, ang pangakong “crime prevention” ay walang bisa kung walang detalye kung paano ito gagawin.

Tama na muna yan.

Congratulations sa bagong Mayor (Mayor-elect) ng Winnipeg Scott Gillingham, sa mga nahalal na muli sa City Council ,lalo na kay batang north end Councillor Ross Eadie at sa lahat ng mga nanalo. Magtrabaho nawa kayong

JETS...

From page 12

youth initiatives in the community, including the CREATE program at Sisler High School. The auction opens November 17 and runs until November 27 at auctions.nhl.com/ WinnipegJets.

T-shirts and hoodies with the Filipino Jets logo will be available at Jets Gear and TrueNorthShop. com beginning November 8 with a portion of proceeds also

lahat pagkatapos ng eleksyon at huwag tutulog-tulog sa pansitan. Sa mga natalo, ayos lang yan. Ganiyan talaga ang eleksyon. May nananalo at may natatalo, di ba Moe?

Noel Lapuz ay dating OFW sa Middle East (Dubai at Qatar). Nagtrabaho nang sampung taon sa City Hall ng Taguig bilang Human Resource Management Officer. Naging bahagi ng BataBatuta Productions bilang manunulat, entertainment host at stage actor. Nagtatag ng Kulturang Alyansa ng Taguig. Kasapi ng Ecumenical Movement for Justice and Peace (EMJP).

Paunawa: Ang mga paksa at salitang nakasaad sa Batang North End ay sariling opinion ng may-akda at maaaring hindi opinion ng mga taga-lathala ng Pilipino Express.

going toward local Filipino youth initiatives. The line will further expand with crested hoodies and logo pucks being available in later November.

Tickets for Filipino Heritage Night are available at WinnipegJets.com/TICKETS. The full season schedule is available at WinnipegJets.com/SCHEDULE. For tickets, visit WinnipegJets. com/TICKETS.

Source: True North Sports + Entertainment

Musical revue raises funds for ANCOP

immigrants who journey from their homes in the Philippines to Winnipeg, after the COVID-19 lockdowns are lifted.

Dr. Barnabé, lead the cast of 28 performers including her daughters Maya and Nina, Chantal Best, Kristian Cahatol, Apollo Miao, Ray Padua, Mervin and Scarlett Sison. The Leilani Aloha Dancers also made a special appearance with cameos from Dr. Phong Luong, Leah Magsino, Larry Vickar, and Chester Pangan and Donna Natividad-Arenas of CKJS Radio.

New Beginnings in a New World was the third instalment in a musical series for A Million Dreams non-profit productions. All proceeds of the show were directed towards ANCOP’s child sponsorships, community development and humanitarian relief programs, including a future dental and vision health mission in the Philippines.

The two shows were presented with the generous support of the Vickar Automotive Group and the Integral Dental Corporation.

Photos by EFG

Musical revue raises funds for ANCOP