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Verbatim If there is one legacy that we will leave behind, from apathy to talagang vigorous involvement; from the idea na ‘we can’t do anything, let’s leave the country’ to ‘we can demand everything of government yesterday’. President Aquino, on what his administration would leave behind as its legacy to the country

If Binay, Grace and Mar suddenly disappear - [probably] abducted by aliens -- there would be no [presidential] candidate; thenFULL that’sPAGE the AD time I would run.

Aside from enabling Jinggoy to do his job as an elected senator, the government will also be able to save the money that it is using in securing Jinggoy in jail.

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, reiterating his decision not to run for president in 2016

Former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, hoping his son, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, could soon be a free man, too, after the Supreme Court allowed Senator Juan Ponce Enrile to post bail for his plunder case

[The Supreme Court] majority decision gives the impression that the court is capable of being partial to the socalled elite, and that its decisions can be grounded not on what the law is, but on who the party is. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, criticizing the high court ruling allowing Senator Juan Ponce Enrile to post bail even if the offense he is accused of – plunder - is nonbailable

Napaka-swerte kong tao na ipinanganak akong anak ng isang Pangulo na maraming nagawa, maraming naitulong, maraming pagbabago ang dinala sa Pilipinas. Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos

Jr., on how being the son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos would benefit his possible 2016 presidential candidacy

I see INC super bullying us … What they’re doing is they’re bullying the government, bullying the DOJ (Department of Justice), bullying Leila (de Lima). Former Senator Rene Saguisag, reacting the Iglesia Ni Cristo protest rally at EDSA

How dare they! Wala silang karapatang duru-duruin ang anak ko at sabihing hindi (Filipino) citizen ang anak ko.

Actress Susan Roces, hitting back at those claiming that her daughter, Sen. Grace Poe, could not be presumed a natural-born Filipino as she was a foundling and therefore not qualified to run for President

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DEAR Alberto Lina and the Bureau of Customs:

lease listen to the story of my Balikbayan Boxes. In writing this letter, I want to be objective and not to be highly emotional on the trending issue of the BOC’s plan for the Bukas Balikbayan Boxes. I want this letter to be educational, informative, not threatening, not bashing, and hopefully for it to be amusing, to make it a light one for the reader.

The Story of My Balikbayan Boxes

‘I always find it fulfilling if I packed my BB well.’

Here is the story of my Balikbayan Boxes (BB)... it’s the story of the boxes I have sent and hopefully, I will be able to tell a story of a better and a more improved process and procedure the next time I would send more BB in the future. It takes time...it takes money... it takes sacrifice as I have to cut my other expenses, too. When I pack my BB, I want to optimize all the available space. It may be heavy and tight but it is good for transport. It is also a good way to protect the box from pilferage. I always find it fulfilling if I packed my BB well. Add to that is the difficulty of packing the things one by one... layer by layer, making sure there will be no spillages or breakages. Also include the request I have to make from Pinoy colleagues or other expat friends to help me pack and load the boxes to a car. To send the boxes, I need to have a car with enough room to fit the boxes. I need a car to drive not less than 170 kms to the nearest, cheapest courier that can be trusted. I need to drive slow, otherwise, I will lose my money to Saher, a speed monitoring radar here in Saudi Arabia. And when I reach the city, I have to look for a pay parking zone or the car will be clamped. From the car park, I need to look for the “kariton men” to help me bring the boxes to the shipping

‘Seeing those smiles and the happiness of my family want me to pack another BB to send home.’ company which is located not less than a hundred meters away. By the time I set foot at the courier’s office, I would be dripping wet with perspiration and some riyals out from my pocket. And to ensure that things don’t get lost while in transit or upon arrival at the BOC in Manila, I would have it double shrink-wrapped. I also have to pay more because my point of delivery is in Visayas. After all the documentation is done, I would immediately take a photo of the Bill of Lading and send to my wife through Hangout or FB Messenger. And though it will only reach our home after 60 days, I could already see the excitement in the faces of my family opening the boxes. And yes, I also celebrate that milestone

in an OFW life. Much I would want a Jollibee meal or an AlBaik for the celebration, A 5 Riyal Shawarma and a liter of bottled water could be okay for the time being. I could have my wish meal at a time when I won’t be sending any BB. Within the 45 to 60 days period, I start checking the whereabouts of the BB. Sometimes even calling the shipper’s number in the Philippines. When the D-day (Delivery day) comes, photos in different angles are sent through the social media platforms. It starts with the unopened box to make sure it wasn’t opened prior to delivery. Then followed with chats and calls assuring that the contents are all intact. Seeing those smiles and the happiness of my family want

me to pack another BB to send home. It’s a panacea, an elixir to our homesickness and stressed bodies. Now, let’s play a simple brainstorming drill Mr. Lina. You be at the shoes of the OFW. How will you feel if someone opens your BB intended for your family? How will you feel if some items get lost by mistake? There are a lot of stories of OFWs and their BBs out there. Some may have easier and some may have a more difficult version on how the BB would travel from the OFW accommodation abroad and how it reaches his home. All you need is to listen with your heart. Now that you’ve heard the story of my BB, you can decide on some other creative ways how to earn income for the Government through the Bureau of Customs. You can also think if the ordinary OFW can be classified together as one class with the big-time smugglers who send tons and tons of boxes for their partners and customers. We are sending to our families, not for business or other illegal purposes. Our BBs are sacred to us. It represents our blood, sweat and tears. Maraming salamat po. NJ Abad Isang OFW na nagbabanat ng buto at nagpapawis para kumita sa mainit na desyerto ng Saudi Arabia (Pinoy Expats/ OFW Blog Awards (PEBA) n

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‘BUWAYA’

By solita collas-monsod

he title rings a very large bell in today’s political environment, and may be an even more appropriate subject now than it was when Adrian wrote it 55 years ago. The author may have had Nostradamus-like qualities: First, because 50 years after he wrote the play, we literally found a saltwater crocodile in Agusan, which nosed out the Australian crocodile that held the title “largest crocodile in the world.” Nosed out is not really the accurate word. The Philippine crocodile, Lolong, was a little over three feet longer and at least a hundred pounds heavier than the Australian crocodile. Second, the Philippines also has a surfeit of human crocodiles who have increased in quantity and greed these past 50 or so years. They engage in what is called political corruption, defined as the “abuse of entrusted power by political leaders for private gain… Political corruption need not involve money changing hands; it may take the form of ‘trading in influence’ or granting favors that have poisoned our politics and threaten our democracy.” Moreover, these human crocodiles have created dynasties, and made corruption a family enterprise. Like Lolong, some of his human counterparts have achieved international notoriety. In fact, Transparency International’s Global Corruption Report 2004 had a table listing 10 of some of the world’s most notorious leaders over the previous 20 years, together with estimates of the sums that they had allegedly embezzled from their countries. The 10 most corrupt leaders on the list come from nine countries. It includes two Filipinos -- Ferdinand Marcos and Joseph Estrada. You can

still catch it on the Internet under the title World’s Ten Most Corrupt Leaders. But unlike Lolong, they do not attract tourists and create revenue for the Philippines. Exactly the opposite occurs: They divert toward themselves revenues meant for the country, and drive away investors; their desire for private gain has resulted in projects and policies that have impoverished rather than enriched the Philippines. They have been the scourge of our economic development all these years. This is our buwaya problem. How have these buwaya impoverished rather than enriched the country? In 1960, the Philippines’ GDP per capita (measured in 2005 PPP$, the exchange rate that equalizes the cost of a US dollar’s worth of goods in all countries and used when you want to compare countries’ incomes accurately) data were higher than countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and China. By 2009, or 49 years later, the r a n k ings had changed; the Philippines found itself at the bottom of the list. The

reason: Over that period, the Philippines grew the slowest, its growth rate averaging only 1.58 percent a year, while the others all grew by over 3 percent a year. What caused the difference in the growth rates of these countries? Studies (Sachs) have shown that the variable that contributes the most to the difference in growth rates between countries is government policies and institutions. In the case of the Philippines, this variable contributed (for the period 1965-1990) between 70 percent and 79 percent of the growth differentials. And who

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is most responsible for government policies and institutions? Our political leaders, of course. The buwaya. You cannot believe that these buwaya and their political corruption are the cause? (The author cites a survey - based on a World Economic Forum 2003 Executive Opinion Survey covering 102 countries - that shows that the Philippines was the only country in Asia that qualified as a highly politically corrupt country. The other countries above were considered medium politically corrupt. China showed low-tomedium political corruption. China grew the fastest, and of course, the Philippines grew the slowest. That’s how corruption and economic growth are related.) Some counterfactuals: If we had grown as fast as China grew between 1960 and 2009 (6.18 percent), our per capita income in 2009 would have been $24,814, or almost $22,000 more than it actually was by that year. If we had grown as fast as Thailand (4.36 percent), we would have had $10,635 by 2009, or 3.7 times what we actually had. Even if we had only grown as fast as India (3.14 percent), our GDP per capita would have been almost twice ($5,477) our actual per capita income in 2009. That’s what we have lost for coddling these buwaya, and for allowing them to perpetuate themselves in power. That’s why the upcoming elections are so important. Because in the past five years, we have measurably gained in our war against corruption. And we have grown faster than we have ever done. Do we want to continue, or shall we allow ourselves to slip back? (Philippine Daily Inquirer) n

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Increase legal assistance fund for OFWs, senators urge

WO SENATORS urged the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to increase the legal assistance fund for distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), lamenting the poor support the Aquino government has been giving to Filipino migrant workers. The government has to at least provide some financial relief to OFWs facing criminal cases in the countries they are working in, said Senators Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Ma. Lourdes “Nancy” Binay. Marcos noted that the government seems to have been too contented benefiting from OFW remittances but not in providing succor to OFWs in legal distress. “We don’t even give them the support they deserve. We don’t help them enough, all the illegal trafficking that goes on, and when our na-

The OFW vote could become a game changer in the presidential elections, according to COMELEC.

tionals are in trouble there is augment the legal assistance FULL little assistance provided. WePAGE fund.AD come to (attend to the) cases “I don’t think this is the fault too late. He or she is already of the Department of Foreign convicted, before the govern- Affairs (DFA), Department ment steps in,” Marcos said. of Labor and Employment The DBM, he said, is largely (DOLE), Philippine Overseas to be blamed for the lack of Employment Administration assistance to OFWs noting it (POEA), but government rehasn’t attended to calls to ally has not attended to the

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fund,” he said. “We declare to all that these are our modern-day heroes, then you go harassing them over their ‘Balikbayan’ boxes,” he said. Meanwhile, the power of the OFW votes was cited as a “game changer” during the deliberation on the proposed 2016 budget of the Commission on Elections (Comelec). The 1.2 million registered OFW voters may increase to 1.5 million before the Oct. 31 deadline for registration. Arthur Lim, Comelec commissioner, said that the 1.2 million registered OFW voters could still increase to 1.5 million when the Oct. 31 deadline lapses. “Sooner or later, not only the candidates will come to realize that the OFW vote could become a game changer not only in the senatorial but also in the presidential,” Lim explained. (Manila Bulletin)

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Understanding the I INC By randy david

N an earlier column on the Iglesia ni Cristo protest action at Edsa, I wrote that nothing could be more explosive than the encounter between religion and politics. I meant it as a warning. My mind was flooded with gory images of government forces moving in to disperse the crowd that had taken over a stretch of the country’s busiest road, of throngs of believers who were made to think that their church was being persecuted, and were ready to offer their lives in defense of their religion. Shown on television in real time, a clash of this nature, I thought, could have easily induced the INC brethren in the rest of the country to troop to Metro Manila and completely surround Edsa. There is no doubt in my mind that the Iglesia is capable of doing this. Whether in acts of celebration or of collective outreach to the poor, the crowds that the INC has been able to muster in the past show in no uncertain terms the power of religious mobilization—particularly against oppression. The basis for this might be glimpsed in Karl Marx’s frequently quoted line: “Religious suffering is, at one and the same time, the expression of real suffering and a protest against real suffering. Religion is the sigh of the op-

Iglesia ni Cristo Executive Minister Eduardo V Manalo, the church’s third leader, follows in the footsteps of Iglesia founder Felix Manalo. pressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people.” Even if—on this issue—the government had the law and, to a great extent, public opinion on its side, the carnage that would have resulted from the use of state violence to end the fiveday INC mass action would have instantly plunged the nation in a state of crisis. To then go after the church officials, who fed their members erroneous ideas about a government crackdown against the church and the looming threat to arrest their leaders, would only have fulfilled their prophecy. What good would it have done the nation if it slaughtered its own people? Indeed, I feared it was a nowin situation for the government. On one hand, it had to clear Edsa before the regular workweek began. If the INC members chose to be intransigent, the state would have had no choice but to enforce the law and stop the rapid slide toward

anarchy. To fail to do so would have undermined its own authority and its capability to protect the rest of the citizenry. On the other hand, if President Aquino had tried to appease the Iglesia by, let us say, sacrificing Justice Secretary Leila de Lima (the object of their ire), or by paying the INC executive minister a visit (as politicians are wont to do before the elections), this government would have immediately lost the respect of the nation. That the government managed to persuade the INC to withdraw its members from Edsa without surrendering any of its powers is an achievement worthy of recognition. I have no idea how it was done. If a sordid deal had indeed been struck, as the usual critics suspect, there is no way to hide it, and in time it will come out. For now, we can only be thankful that the nation has avoided a crisis that could have ended in tragedy. I think the government did a good job here. We should give

credit where credit is due, and reserve our disdain for those who did not think twice about inflaming people’s passions and exacerbating an explosive situation just to score political points. Be that as it may, I believe that the Iglesia ni Cristo as a religious organization is starting to feel the pressure of modernity. Sooner or later, it has to come to terms with the imperatives of a functionally differentiated society. It cannot exempt or insulate itself, for instance, from the operations of an autonomous legal system or of the mass media or of the economic system. The INC’s legendary ability to deliver a solid vote during elections by requiring its members to vote as one has given it a political clout that is totally out of proportion to its size. As many know, it has methodically deployed this influence by lobbying for the appointment of some people to key government agencies, expediting the issuance of licenses through key contacts, obtaining tax concessions and securing contracts for their members’ businesses. Perhaps, most important of all, it has used this political clout to shield its own operations from government scrutiny. Mindful of the ethics of “sphere sovereignty,” the government has tended, on the whole, to be respectful of the autonomy of religious organizations. The state steps in only when fundamental constitutional rights are threatened. But, even in such instances, state agencies tend to tread warily, anxious not to offend the sovereignty of another sphere. What they look for are signs of grave abuse of discretion, of coercion, or the unfair application of the church’s own rules and procedures. The INC hierarchy can avoid unwelcome scrutiny and interference from outside if, to begin with, it is transparent to its own members. (Philippine Daily Inquirer) n

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MONG all the reactions by political leaders to the mass protest staged by the Iglesia ni Cristo that paralyzed Epifanio de los Santos Avenue late last month, Sen. Francis Escudero had the most startling one.

Chiding Justice Secretary Leila de Lima for entertaining the complaint for serious illegal detention filed by former Iglesia minister Isaias Samson against officials of the Sanggunian, or governing council, of the INC, Escudero said: “It may be prudent to first let the leadership of the INC resolve what appears to be a purely internal matter.” “Away pamilya ito (This is a family quarrel),” he added. De Lima, in his view, should go easy on the charge and instead focus on other cases pending at the Department of Justice, such as Mamasapano. By any measure, that is a nonsensical statement. That it came from a lawyer and a senator of the realm yet, someone expected to be among the first to champion the rule of law in these parts, makes it also a profoundly irresponsible one. Following Escudero’s logic, instances of kidnapping, detention or domestic abuse among family members should no lon-

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The INC’s odd idea of “separation of church and state” is that whatever they did to their members, even if in possible violation of the law, should remain an internal church matter beyond public scrutiny, says the Inquirer in an editorial.

Politicians Pandering ger require immediate attention by the police and the courts. Likewise, the most highprofile convict in prison today on illegal detention charges shouldn’t be spending any day in jail. Janet Lim-Napoles, after all—who was found guilty of that very same offense brought against her by her kin and erstwhile business assistant, Benhur Luy—initially had a similar defense, that her tiff with Luy was a matter internal to their family and business. Would Escudero have said the same thing if this were any obscure, ordinary case? Obviously not. The only reason he suddenly espoused a more laissez faire attitude toward a formal charge of criminal wrongdoing—an impulse that presumably runs counter to everything he had learned in law school—is that this involves the Iglesia ni Cristo, whose clout

and influence as a million-plusstrong bloc-voting entity was apparently too precious a factor for the politically ambitious Escudero to set aside, never mind the law. While Escudero’s take on INC’s muscle-flexing was the most outrageous one, its basic contempt for the legal process that De Lima was required by her position to uphold wasn’t by any means unique. Vice President Jejomar Binay’s knee-jerk response was to frame the issue as a persecution of the INC by the Aquino government—another lawyer pandering to the INC vote while fudging the very real presence of a criminal case that, as Ateneo dean Tony La Vina wrote in an opinion piece, the DOJ was only mandated to receive as a “ministerial act that cannot otherwise be reversed upon the discretion of De Lima,” or

she would be violating her oath of office. Binay’s ill-considered statement, while disappointing, was not unexpected, given the aggressive campaign mode he’s in this early and thus the need to be in the good graces of the Iglesia. Sen. Grace Poe’s, however, was a big letdown. “Ang mga tao na yan, ang dinedepensahan nila ay ang kanilang paniniwala… Kailangan ay pangalagaan din ang kanilang karapatan,” she said. A rousing thought—but for the fact that no doctrine, ritual or practice of the Iglesia was under attack. What, in fact, they were demanding when they massed, first in front of the DOJ office, then at EDSA, had nothing to do with religion, but with the sense of political entitlement they had enjoyed for so long from a tremulous political system addicted to their endorsements and votes: that the government leave them alone, that whatever they did to their members, even if in possible violation of the law, should remain an internal church matter beyond public scrutiny. That is their odd idea of “separation of church and state”—and Poe’s misfire of a statement only lent ballast to that faulty view. Mar Roxas’ call for respecting the INC’s right to assemble, while also exhorting the Iglesia to respect the rights of people it had massively inconvenienced with its protest, was a nuanced, sober-minded statement. But words are words. The fine print of the “agreement” that Malacañang and the INC supposedly reached that ended the rally— which should be made public, by the way—should eventually confirm whether Roxas does stand by the law against the INC’s dangerous tantrum. Otherwise, this episode may just have proven to be a pivotal one by giving us an unexpected silver lining—all these presidential aspirants weighed and found wanting, exposed for the plain craven politicians that they are. (Editorial, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Sept. 2, 2015) n

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The Trouble With Balikbayans I By clinton palanca

N the world of taxi drivers and barbers that we live in where everyone has an opinion on what’s wrong with the country and how to solve all our problems, there’s no one quite as self-assured and obnoxious as the balikbayan. I should know: I was one. I spent six years abroad and when I came home I made sure everyone knew how great it was over there, and how we should have parliamentary debates, stop at pedestrian crosswalks, and form orderly queues.

After a few years, I’ve settled in and drive like everyone else, and join “Mercury Drug”-style queues, where it doesn’t look like there’s a line but there’s an order to it, really, we’re just all crushed up against the counter. And I’ve also begun to roll my eyes at balikbayans, for whom every detail of life was better in the States, or the UK, or Australia, or Singapore. Then I wait for about two or three years for them to adapt (or for them to be assimilated by the Borg, depending on which way you look at it), and soon enough, they join the rest of us in doing things we take for granted, like

people who lurch their car forward to close a gap just for the hell of it, or hurriedly close the elevator door when they hear you coming, or attempt to defy the laws of physics by trying to get on a packed train carriage rather than let people step off first. For some, the balikbayan is a terminal bore. Mine was a generation that grew up in the shadow of “colonial mentality”: If you preferred anything foreign over what was Filipino, that was considered colonial mentality and therefore forbidden. In retrospect we would now call that post-colonial mentality. So there is a certain taboo to saying that things are better abroad, even if they are. People come back from abroad with a vision of how our country could be, rather than the way it is, and we respond with a jaded glare and tell them to wake up and get with the program. If only we could make the most of the two years before they wake up from the vision, like the poet Coleridge’s moment between waking from the dream of a far-away land and the knocking at the door that ended it, in which he managed to write the fragment that we now know as his masterpiece,

“Kubla Khan.” Sometimes we need the altered vision of someone who has been away for a significant length of time for us to be reminded that things could be better. Sometimes we need the missionary zeal of the balikbayan, obnoxious as they may sometimes be, to help us remember that the world need not be what is the case. After all, we all had our moments of idealism at some point or other; it just has been beaten out of us: “I really want to save the country, but I’m stuck in traffic at the Guadalupe interchange.” Overseas workers remit money home, which is important for the economy in the short term; but ideally they should also bring home ideas.

Sometimes they’re as simple as business concepts, which are monetized as franchises or imitations, or conveniences, like online shopping. Or sometimes they’re social movements, such as being able to breastfeed in public, or gay marriage. Or sometimes they’re political ideas, the most dangerous of which is that of the benevolent dictator, who think that what the Philippines needs is a Lee Kuan Yew. (Not even Singapore needs a Lee Kuan Yew; not anymore.) Or sometimes it’s as banal as the concept of signalling before turning. “If you like it so much abroad,” we tell the balikbayans, “why didn’t you stay there?” There are many reasons for coming home, both “push” and “pull” reasons: temporary visas expiring, immigration laws changing, missing one’s family, death of a parent, or just wanting to be home. We all both love and hate our country at the same time, even those who live here and have never left. In an ideal world we would see the best of the countries where we made our home temporarily and try to make those ideas work here, and recognize the worst of those countries and make sure they never take root here. This is a pipe dream, of course. But as someone who has been through the process, all I ask is that don’t be beastly to the balikbayans, help them with the trauma of re-entry, and let them channel their enthusiasm to do something for the country into impetus for action, on their part or ours; before they sink into apathy and the bleak view of seeing what is around us as irreversible and impossible to change. (Spot.ph) n

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Manila among “youthful cities” in the world

ANILA IS one of the best cities in the world for young people to live, work and play, but ranked lower than its neighbors in East Asia, a Torontobased research and survey group Decode said. In its 2015 Youthful Cities Index report, Decode said Manila ranked 46th city among the world’s 55 most youthful cities. New York topped this year’s list, followed by London and Berlin. San Francisco was

also included among the Top 5 countries, with just a few points above Paris. The Philippines ranked lower than its neighbors in the South-East Asian Region. Hong Kong ranked 19th, Singapore 39th, Jakarta 41st and Bangkok 45th. The survey was based on the data collected from the internet and face-to-face intercepts in over 200 cities around the world. It was conducted in 22 different languages with more than 10,000 participants aged between 15 to 29 years old. The participants were asked to assess 20 urban atFULL PAGE AD tributes including employment, digital access and civic engagement and how these things affect their lives. (Manila Bulletin)

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Filipino Cooks Take Over World’s Kitchens

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Cristeta Comerford beside US First Lady Michelle Obama at a function at the White House.

F you are holidaying on a Mediterranean cruise ship, celebrating your winnings at an Asian casino or dining with the president of the United States, the chances are a Filipino will be cooking your meal.

Since the 1970s, the Philippines has been known for its mass export of workers, particularly poorly paid maids and construction workers who choose an uncertain life abroad above deep poverty at home. But in recent years there has been a trend toward higherskilled and better-paying jobs, and cooking schools in the Philippines are now churning out tens of thousands of chefs a year for kitchens around the world. “I’ve always been interested in cooking, especially baking, even as a kid,” former bank clerk Rochelle Evaristo told Agence France-Presse (AFP) as she took a break from making sandwiches alongside other aspiring cooks at a Manila school. “I also want to work abroad. My cousin is in Canada and he said they need a lot of cooks.” In her late 20s, Evaristo is among the oldest of the class of 39 mostly teenaged students at a government-run school in Manila. More than 10 million people from the Philippines work overseas and maids, sailors and laborers are still the most com-

Filipino cooks in a cruise ship. mon jobs. However, cooks, bakers and pastry chefs are becoming the most sought-after professions, with ships, hotels, restaurants and casinos the main employers, the school’s deputy director for operations, Teodoro Pascua, told AFP. Nearly 180,000 Filipinos went to work in ship galleys abroad between 2010 and 2014, including nearly 72,000 head chefs, with the rest made up of kitchen assistants, waiters and waitresses, according to labor department data. Over the same period, about 65,000 Filipinos went to work in similar catering jobs in hotels and restaurants in foreign countries. Filipinos are big assets in the global catering industry because of their English proficiency, the ease with which they adapt to the host countries,

and a resilience that belies their easy-going nature, according to Pascua. “These are soft skills that we have that make us a little more distinct than either our neighbors or other workers all over the world,” he said. Pascua also said a graduate of the entry-level, six-month course at his school, supervised by the Philippines’ Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, would be able to master the basics in any kitchen. The culinary trail was blazed by Pablo Logro, a former dishwasher who rose to become the personal chef of the sultan of Oman. Logro got his start helping prepare soft buns for a Chinese restaurant in Manila, which gave him a ringside view of its chef’s Asian cooking. He then got a job as a chef’s

assistant at a Manila hotel, where he befriended an Arab guest who offered him a sous chef job in Oman in the early 1980s. It turned out to be at the Al Bustan Palace, where guests of the sultan would stay. In an interview, Logro said during his decade-long career in Oman, he regularly cooked lamb for the sultan and served visiting royalty and heads of state. Returning to the Philippines, he became the first Filipino executive chef of a fivestar hotel. He eventually left the job to open his own culinary school and establish himself as a celebrity chef with his own successful television cooking show. A more recent success is Cristeta Comerford, who began as assistant chef in Bill Clinton’s White House in 1995 after working at five-star hotels in the United States. She was then appointed executive chef in the presidential kitchen in 2005 by George W. Bush’s wife, Laura, a position she carried into the Barack Obama presidency. Visiting the Philippines last year, Obama highlighted Comerford’s introduction to the presidential family of two of the better known Filipino dishes. “Thanks to her, we in the White House enjoy the occasional lumpia and adobo,” Obama said in his toast at a state dinner, referring to fried spring rolls and meat marinated in salt, garlic and vinegar. (Agence France-Presse) n

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PH one of the world’s best to raise a family for expats

N INTERNATIONAL survey ranked the Philippines among the best countries to raise a family for expatriates in 2015. The country placed 14th among 41 nations included in the Family Life Index of the InterNations, an informationsharing network of expatriates all over the world. The Philippines, which ranked fourth in cost of childcare and education and seventh in their availability in 2015, actually dropped seven places after landing seventh among 34 countries in the 2014 Family Life index. Austria topped the list this year along with Northern European countries Finland and Sweden, while Israel and New Zealand landed fourth and fifth, respectively. Singapore placed sixth overall followed by Germany, France, Australia, and Luxembourg. The index ranks countries based on availability and cost of childcare and education,

The Philippines ranked 14th out of 41 countries for best places for an expat family. quality of education, family well-being, and childcare and education options. Over 30 respondents raising children abroad participated in the survey for each country in

the list. THE Philippines ranked 14th among 41 countries in a listing of best places to raise a family for expatriates, an international survey showed.

In InterNation’s 2015 Family Life Index, the Philippines trailed countries like Mexico, Canada, United Kingdom, China, Thailand, South Korea, Italy, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and the United States, among others. The Family Life Index ranked countries according to expatriate parents’ response to subcategories, namely availability of child care and education, cost of child care and education, quality of education and family well-being. The Philippines ranked seventh in availability of child care and education, fifth in cost of childcare and education, and 26th in family well-being. The country, however, was second to the last (40th) in quality of education. Austria emerged as expatriate parents’ top choice this year, followed by Finland, Sweden, Israel and New Zealand. Other countries in the top 10 are Singapore, Germany, France, Australia and Luxembourg. (Good News Pilipinas)

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IC Sotto and Pauleen Luna are now engaged! Vic confirmed their engagement last September 2 during the press conference of the real estate company he is endorsing, the Citi Global Realty and Development Inc. Expectedly, “Congratulations!” broke out soon after Vic’s announcement. The loudest cheer came from people who know the couple. It was no secret that their four-year relationship hurdled other challenges, aside from their 34-year age gap. In the beginning, Vic, 60, and Pauleen, 26, kept their relationship quiet. The rumor that they were dating started to circulate in December 2011, with both parties neither confirming nor denying it. It was at the press conference for Enteng Ng Ina Mo in October 2013 that Vic was first confronted about their relationship. He evaded the question and talked about Pauleen’s cameo role instead. “Si Pauleen Luna has a very important, pivotal, ha, pivotal ang role niya rito sa pelikulang ito,” he said. “And in fairness to Pauleen, maganda ang pagkakaganap niya.” Prior to that, Vic’s son with Dina Bonnevie, Oyo Sotto, posted a brusque comment on Twitter. “Ang dami talagang mukang pera... ang daming lumalandi! Nakakalungkot (hindi sa akin) Haay nako....” This was followed by another tweet, “Respeto lang.” At that time, it was reported that Vic had been showering Pauleen with gifts. Fanning the flames were reports about Vic supposedly helping Pauleen build her house. In an interview with Startalk on Jan. 7, 2012, Pauleen cried, “Unfair!” In January 2013, Oyo had a change of heart.

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BOSSING AND PAULEEN’S LOVE STORY

From ‘Roller-Coaster’ to ‘Smooth Na Smooth’

‘Simple lang talaga kaming dalawa.’ During the story conference for Vampire Ang Daddy Ko, he said, “Ako, okey lang kahit kanino man siya ma-in love… yun lang. Basta sa amin naman ni Ate [Danica], basta maalagaan siya, at yung relasyon nila… kumbaga magmahalan lang sila.” On Dec. 14, 2013, Bossing (Vic’s moniker) finally admitted his relationship with Pauleen in Boy Abunda’s Bandila segment “Ikaw Na.” Boy asked, “Huling katanungan, kung bubuksan ko ang iyong puso ngayon, ano pangalan ng babae ang nakasulat?” After a long pause, Vic smiled and told him, “Pauleen.” The May-December affair obviously didn’t sit well with Vic’s kids. In one interview, Danica admitted, “Ayokong magsinungaling. Nung una, parang medyo nakakailang yung edad.” In March 2013, Vic’s exwife, Dina Bonnevie, echoed the same sentiments. “Sinabi ko sa kanya [Vic] eto noon… noon-noon pa ito. Kasi, parang nagkaroon sila ng misunderstanding ni Oyo. Tapos, sabi ko, ‘Alam mo, Vic, kaya nasasaktan yung mga bata, kasi

mas bata pa sa kanila. Parang, ewan ko, ha? Look after your future. Baka naman pag sixty-five ka na, at masakit na yung mga tuhod mo, uugud-ugod ka na, e, gusto pang pumarty nung isa?’ “Ang layo masyado ng agwat. Sabi ko, ‘Why don’t you get someone who would understand when you grow old?’” Slowly, Pauleen got the nod from those who initially doubted her love for Vic. In another interview in April 2014, Danica underlined her “respect” for Pauleen. “Nakakasama ko rin siya lumabas, but with my dad.” Danica also revealed that Pauleen is close to her kids, Mic and Caela. In June 2014, Dina praised Pauleen for sticking with Vic despite all odds, “The mere fact that she’s still there, it’s not right for people to judge her na she’s not sincere. Some people would say na she’s just after the money, but can you imagine how much this girl has to put up with? The fact nga na nandun pa siya, ‘E’ [for excellent] or ‘A’ for effort yun. Hinahangaan ko siya kasi hindi naman madali yun.”

Dina and Pauleen met for first time on June 18, 2015. Pauleen described Vic’s exwife as “very warm” and said the meeting made her “very happy.” In a separate interview last Aug. 15, Dina described the encounter as “very bold gesture” on the part of Pauleen. Now the wife of Ilocos Sur Vice Governor Deogracias Victor Savellano, Dina added, “Lalo na alam ng mga tao na, ‘Naku, mataray si Ms. D.’ Pero sa akin, very bold na lumapit siya, maayos naman and I commend her for that. Parang wow, hats off ako.” It was early this year when the couple began dropping hints that they’re ready to take their relationship to the next level. Last May, it was even reported that Vic proposed in Hong Kong. Added to this was the rumor claiming Vic had been building a house for Pauleen. But Bossing clarified, “May sarili naman siyang bahay na sila ang nagpatayo, siya at ang kanyang mga magulang.” On May 9, Pauleen said her relationship with Bossing had gone from “roller-coaster” to “smooth na smooth.” She also didn’t deny that they’ve been talking about marriage. What kind of wedding does she imagine for him and Bossing? “The simplest wedding that can happen, kasi simple lang talaga kaming dalawa.” And now that Bossing had popped the question, the two are back to being mum about the details. “Sa tamang panahon,” he quipped. “In God’s perfect time,” said Pauleen. (Philippine Entertainment Portal) n

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ASAP 20 Live in London Showcase Stories

SAP 20 Live in London provided stories and tidbits among celebrities during the stay here in London, United Kingdom. During the Press Conference at the Novotel Wembley on 3 September, the UK Philippine media partners and Filipino-UK organisers to get a close interaction with the ASAP celebrities. ---------------------------------Martin Nievera, 53 year-old Filipino singer, songwriter, and actor clarifies his comment regarding recent tweet about new format of ASAP 20. He is one of the main hosts of Sunday musical variety show on ABS-CBN, which turn out to be a game show with their new segment. On 5 February 1995, show aired its pilot episode with their own theme song, Hot na Hot sa ASAP, airs live every Sunday noon. Current ASAP 20, a music noontime show mainly presented by some of the country’s premier performers. Including Martin Nievera , Gary Valenciano, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Vina Morales alongside Piolo Pascual, Sarah Geronimo, Toni Gonzaga and Bamboo. The program is currently the longest-running Sunday noontime variety show on Philippine television and is broadcasts worldwide through ABS-CBN’s The Filipino Channel. Concert King Martin Nievera posted on his Twitter page, “What has happened to the noon time shows on Sunday ????,” Sunday night. Questioned the new format of the Sunday noontime show, supposedly all musical show that focused live hosting and skits. The controversial tweet then trend on social media, however, Martin Nievera made some classifications regarding his recent post. He quote, “we should welcome and try all formats. Change is good. We can shift back and forth.”We try to satisfy many markets with dignity and class.

After 20 years asap can be all it can and give more. We reinvent or we die. So relax all everything U want in asap is still there- plus more! As of 2015, Martin Nievera, John Prats, Antoinette Taus and Jolina Magdangal were the only original ASAP cast left, began in 1995.

---------------------------SINGER Zsa Zsa Padilla is now engaged to be married to architect boyfriend Conrad Onglao. ABS-CBN entourage that perThe Divine Diva posted a photo formed on “ASAP 20 Live in of an emerald cut diamond ring London.” on image-sharing application When asked by a Twitter folInstagram. lower via Ask KC if she and “It’s official! Thank you so Piolo had a chance to talk much for all your warm wishes! while in London, Sharon CunMuch love from London. God eta’s daughter answered with FULL PAGE AD bless us all,” she wrote. a curt “opo” together with a Padilla revealed at the press photo of her and the actor in conference of “ASAP 20 Live what seemed to be a bar. Note in London” show that her boy- that her reply included a blush friend of over a year proposed emoticon. to her last August 30. Indeed, it seems all’s well that In a previous television interends well for the two ex-lovers view, Onglao said marrying the after years of estrangement. singer has always been his endIn a separate photo posted on goal. Instagram by singer Erik San“I wanted to assure her. I said tos, he is seen with KC and Piowe are heading that way. Even lo. It was accompanied with the my kids are always asking me hashtag lahat ng sugat naghihiwhen I’m going to get married. lom. I said, ‘Why do you ask?’ Kasi In another photo posted by Eric daw I look so happy. I said John Salut, the head of Publicsoon,” he said. ity and Media Relations of Ad The couple also disclosed that they might tie the knot in Florence, Italy next year. Before meeting Onglao, Padilla was in a long-term relationship with Comedy King Dolphy, who passed away in 2012. She was married to Dr. Modesto Tatlonghari, father of her first born Karylle, but the marriage was annulled in 2011. Onglao, on the other hand, has two sons with ex-wife interior designer Ivy Almario. The ex-couple was divorced in the United States and granted legal separation and church annulment in the Philippines. --------------------Forget their controversial break-up in 2011. KC Concepcion and Piolo Pascual are letting bygones be bygones having seemingly smoked the peace pipe in London recently. The two formed part of a large

Prom, KC and Piolo showed no trace of their sullen history. Recall how KC once tearfully went on TV to tell Boy Abunda in an episode of “The Buzz” that she has decided to break up with Piolo because “may mga bagay na hindi ko na kayang lunukin. Hindi ko na kaya ’yun tanggapin.” Only in June, she was asked by a netizen: “Are you and Piolo friend already?” She replied, “Pretty civil.” It seems like “forgive and forget” is a mantra that KC is taking to heart these days. Both decided to remain silent about what caused it. Meanwhile, the 30-year-old singer-actress continues to be busy as National Ambassador Against Hunger of the United Nations’ World Food Program.

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Showbuzz Daniel’s dad thinks KathNiel is for real “MAYROON pa bang dapat aminin?” This was how Rommel Padilla, the father of teen star Daniel Padilla, described his son’s relationship with onscreen partner and rumored girlfriend Kathryn Bernardo. In an interview with entertainment website Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP), the older Padilla admitted that his son has yet to talk to him about the rumors. But for him, action speaks louder than words. “Kita na lahat! ...wala naman silang nababanggit sa akin,” he said. “Pero sa nakikita ko sa kanila, dun sa pagiging close nila sa isa’t isa. “Every day kasama mo, kulang na lang matulog na lang silang magkasama, ‘di ba?” I guess na meron silang espesyal

KC and Piolo in London

KC, Piolo kiss and make up in London

na atensiyon sa bawat isa,” the 50-year-old Rommel added. Daniel and Kathryn are the

lead stars of the ongoing remake of the hit primetime television series Pangako Sa ‘Yo

Enrique apologizes for drunken incident TEEN star Enrique Gil has issued a public apology for a drunken incident that led to an altercation with fellow Kapamilya talents last Sept. 4 aboard a commercial flight to London for the ASAP20 Live in London show. “I had some drinks sa plane more than I should be having so as a result things got out of hand and dahil po dun I want to apologize to my brothers and sisters from Star Magic, I sincerely apologize to Jessy (Mendiola), to JM (de Guzman, Jessy’s boyfriend) if ever I offended them in any way, so I really am sorry. Tao lang nagkakamali. We all make mistakes but you own up to it, you

learn from it and you move forward,” Enrique said. He said he has truly learned a lot from what happened. “I just want to say sorry again sa lahat ng na-offend ko sa incident na ‘yun and that’s it, I learned from it. I’m sorry po.” A report by Philippine Entertainment Portal quoted a se-

ries of Instagram posts by TV5 host IC Mendoza who said an unnamed young actor got drunk and started pestering Jessy Mendiola. Luis Manzano allegedly got involved when he tried to stop Enrique. Luis’ manager, June Rufino, released a statement regarding the incident. “There was an altercation. But apologies were made and accepted. It was actually Enrique who apologized to the aggrieved party,” Ms. Rufino said.. In separate interviews, Jake Cuenca and Paulo Avelino denied that they were the ones who handed the liquor to Enrique.

IT finally happened. All’s well that ends well between Piolo Pascual and KC Concepcion. On Sept. 7, KC confirmed that she and her former boyfriend had a chance to talk in London. KC also posted a photo of her with Piolo in her official Twitter account. Piolo and KC were both part of ASAP 20 Live in London last Sept. 6, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the long-running musical variety show. Last June, KC via her Twitter also talked about her relationship with Piolo. “Are you and Piolo friends already?” a netizen asked. The Kapamilya actress then replied: “Pretty civil.” KC had a highly publicized breakup with Piolo in November 2011. She once told The Buzz host Boy Abunda: “May mga bagay na hindi ko na kayang lunukin. Hindi ko na kaya yun tanggapin.”

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Showbuzz Zsa Zsa and boyfriend are engaged

It’s official, they are engaged!

JUST last August Zsa Zsa Padilla shared that her boyfriend, architect Conrad Onglao, has not proposed to her yet but she said she was pretty certain they were tying the knot within the year. It turned out she knew deep in her heart that Conrad was cooking up something anytime soon. A few days later, on August 30 to be exact, Conrad proposed to her. “He grabbed my hand and he placed the ring there and asked me to marry him,” Zsa Zsa recounted. At first Zsa Zsa thought he was joking. “But then when I saw his face, he doesn’t get very emotional. I’ve been with him a year. I’ve never seen him cry and he was crying. So, I was like, ‘Oh,

my God! This is serious.’” Zsa Zsa confirmed the news by posting a photo of her engagement ring on Instagram on Sept. 4. “It’s official! Thank you so much for all your warm wishes! Much love from London. God bless us all. #engaged,” said Zsa Zsa, who was then in London for an episode of the noontime show ASAP 20. Conrad came along with her. There is no set date for the wedding yet but Zsa Zsa revealed that it will be held in Italy. Zsa Zsa and Conrad first went public about their relationship in 2014. Conrad, who has two children from his previous marriage, divorced his exwife in the US and availed legal separation and annulment in the Philippines.

Is Bistek courting Kris again? THEY haven’t had an honest-togoodness “closure,” have they? Their so-called “work in progress” must have been just put on-hold, wasn’t it? And they have been swapping titillating text messages, haven’t they? Kris Aquino is fancy-free and so, as he claimed, is Quezon City Mayor Herbert “Bistek” Bautista (even if he continues to be a dutiful father to his children with two women, neither of whom he married, and from whom he has long been separated). Is the rudely-interrupted reallife Kristek romcom resuming? A “VDPA (Very Deep Pen-

Kristek on one of their previous dates. etration Agent)” of entertainment columnist Ricky Lo swore that it is. Ricky reported that his “VDPA” recalled an incident last Sept. 3 when Bistek paid Kris a surprise (or was it actu-

Julia denies snubbing fans in London JULIA Barretto has broken her silence following rumors that she intentionally snubbed some of her fans in London. On Instagram, a certain Carolina Cortes uploaded a clip of the alleged snubbing incident involving the 18year-old Kapamilya actress, who was in London for the recently concluded ASAP 20 Live in London concert. Cortes, however, was quick to clarify that Julia smiled back at them just before boarding a bus, which can also be seen in the video. “Hindi nga nag hi si Julia but she smiled back to us when we said ‘bye’. Gets na po ba? End of the issue please,” she wrote in a reply to one of her followers. The clip has since been taken down. On her own Instagram page, Julia addressed the rumors by replying to a fan criticizing her alleged behavior on one of her photos taken in the Philippines. She wrote: “I’m not sure if

ally agreed upon?) visit on the set of Kris’ movie Etiquette For Mistresses in Antipolo. “Bistek came with a catering con todo alalay,” recalled the VDPA. “He stood by Kris like an eagle-eyed bodyguard, as in parang guardia sibil na nakabantay kay Kris. Sweet na sweet sila. Bistek deliberately missed a flight to Iloilo for the League of Cities for Mar Roxas just to be with Kris.”

you know but I love and appreciate my fans very much. Not everything you see in pictures or videos are what really happens in real life.” “Many things happen also behind the camera. I will be forever thankful for the supporters because I wouldn’t have accomplished what I have accomplished so far in my career now without the help of my fans,” she added. In her Instagram post, Julia also said that only part of the video was uploaded, and that she did wave back to the fans, even though they were late for their flight back to Manila.

An entry in Kris’ Instagram (showing a cute couple captioned “Love is…Patching things up”) seems to say it all: “…the past couple of months taught me a lot about compromise and about being less selfish. I know we still have a long way to go, but what has been working for me has been to reach for my Rosary and just pray…” Will their “joint work” progress this time?

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Filipinos in Europe got a taste of ASAP 20

RITISH MUSIC journalist Kate Mossman in her acclaimed BBC rockumentary, “Stadium Rock at 50” mentioned that “big concerts should be emotional, almost spiritual events which lift you beyond normal life for a few hours.” But for the 10,000 mostly Filipinos who saw the Philippines’ longest-running variety show, ASAP 20 Live in London, last September 6 at The SSE Arena Wembley, a venue that has played host to the world’s biggest acts - the likes of The Beatles, Rolling Stones, U2, Barbra Streisand, David Bowie, ABBA, The Cure, Madonna, Britney Spears and Beyonce - the experience was much more profound than fleeting escapism. Consider this stirring and heartfelt thank you message to TFC from First Secretary and Consul Voltaire Mauricio of the Philippine Embassy in London: “It was my first time to watch a variety show live. It was my first time to see ASAP. It was my first time to set foot at Wembley. It was my first time to sit at the very front row of a big concert. It was my first time in the longest time to enjoy fully great performances from great artists up close. It was my first time to see my daughter truly enjoy and lighten up here in London. Again, thank you very much.” People say that the event was historic, and indeed it was, being the very first Filipino event to be held at The SSE Wembley Arena, among other firsts. But more importantly, to thousands of Filipinos not only in United Kingdom but throughout Europe, ASAP 20 Live in London was heroic: the effort on the part of ABS-CBN and The Filipino Channel (TFC) to mount it was monumental, but the audience response was epic as the more than 3-hour concert penetrated deep emotional spaces that unleashed unbridled joy, nostalgia, and national pride. “You are world class” At the September 3 press conference for ASAP 20 Live in London held at the Hotel Novotel London Wembley which was livestreamed on TFC Live in U.K. and TFC.tv worldwide, Martin Nievera said, “Everyone is saying that what we are bringing is world-class entertainment. But don’t forget that it’s you, the Filipinos abroad,

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who are world-class that’s why you’re here and we’re reaching out to you.” ABS-CBN Managing Director of Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Kai V. Rodriguez recalled: “I’ve said months ago that everything that TFC in Europe would do this year would say without apologies that we Filipinos have arrived in Europe, what we are and offer are world-class, and that we have the numbers, the skills and the power to make a difference in European society. We believe in ourselves, we are proud of our ‘galing’ and we will let it shine wherever we are. ASAP 20 in London reminded us that we are one big, strong Filipino community that is at par with the best the world has to offer.” Nostalgia and Novelty Aside from igniting a fiery spirit

of passionate patriotism among the audiences, ASAP 20 Live in London director Johnny Manahan, Business Unit Head Joyce Liquicia and their team delivered a spectacular display of lights and sounds and a powerhouse cavalcade of Filipino and international stars who provided the right mix of nostalgia and novelty in the song and dance numbers. “Apart from the success of the event in terms of attendance, where Filipinos from all over Europe and even as far as New York came in droves, our most significant achievement was the engagement of the audience,” said ABS-CBN Global COO Raffy Lopez. “To see Filipinos from all over the globe come together to celebrate their culture is a testament to TFC’s ability to serve our kababayans abroad. To see

them so happy and this involved is what counts. That’s what’s important to us.” What a way to celebrate the show’s 20th year! Bravo to the all-Filipino cast of ASAP 20 Live in London: Aiza Seguerra, Alex Gonzaga, Angeline Quinto, Arci Munoz, Ariel Rivera, Bamboo, Coco Martin, Dawn Zulueta, Enchong Dee, Enrique Gil, Erik Santos, Gary Valenciano, Jake Cuenca, James Reid, Janella Salvador, Jed Madela, Jessy Mendiola, John Prats, Julia Barretto, KC Concepcion, KZ Tandingan, Lani Misalucha, Liza Soberano, Luis Manzano, Maja Salvador, Martin Nievera, Nadine Lustre, Paulo Avelino, Piolo Pascual, Rayver Cruz, Richard Gomez, Richard Poon, Robi Domingo, Sam Milby, Shaina Magdayao, Vina Morales, Yeng Constantino, and Zsa Zsa Padilla. (TFC)

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‘ASAP 20 Live in London’ Showcases Best of Filipino Talent

N celebration of ASAP’s 20th anniversary, the Philippines’ longest-running, top-rating musical variety show brought its act to Europe in a star-studded concert at The SSE Arena, Wembley in London on September 6. Thousands of Filipinos from the United Kingdom and various parts of Europe attended the live concert, billed as ASAP 20 Live in London. The event was made possible by ABS-CBN Corporation and The Filipino Channel (TFC) in Europe. Following the long history of record-breaking TFC events in the region, such as the annual London Barrio Fiesta, ASAP 20 Live in London attracted a record crowd at the landmark The SSE Arena, Wembley where some of the greatest international entertainment shows have been staged. The concert featured some of the biggest names in Philippine entertainment – all Kapamilya stars. Aside from Filipino celebrities, ASAP also invited a number of big international acts to join the concert. The Kapamilya stars who participated in ASAP 20 Live in London were: Aiza Seguerra, Alex Gonzaga, Angeline Quinto, Arci Munoz, Ariel Rivera, Bamboo, Coco Martin, Dawn Zulueta, Enchong Dee, Enrique Gil, Erik

Santos, Gary Valenciano, Jake Cuenca, James Reid, Janella Salvador, Jed Madela, Jessy Mendiola, John Prats, Julia Barretto, KC Concepcion, KZ Tandingan, Lani Misalucha, Liza Soberano, Luis Manzano, Maja Salvador, Martin Nievera, Nadine Lustre, Paulo Avelino, Piolo Pascual, Rayver Cruz, Richard Gomez, Richard Poon, Robi Domingo, Sam Milby, Shaina Magdayao, Vina Morales, Xian Lim, Yeng Constantino, and Zsa Zsa Padilla.

“This is a Filipino-driven entertainment showcase of the highest level. Filipinos in Europe and all over the world can truly be proud of this milestone,” said Kai V. Rodriguez, ABS-CBN Managing Director of Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Rodriguez said the participation the international acts helped raise the fans’ excitement over the ASAP concert. Among the international acts that joined the concert were the legendary British band Spandau Ballet, British vocal group Blake, and nine cast members of Filipino descent of Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of Claude-Michel

Schönberg and Alain Boublil’s Miss Saigon. Spandau Ballet, one of the most successful British bands of the 80s, has sold 25 million records worldwide in three decades. The band is set to perform in Manila on September 21 at the Mall of Asia Arena. Blake, an acclaimed British vocal group comprising Ollie Baines, Stephen Bowman and Humphrey Berney, had performed in Manila before. The group released an album containing renditions of some OPM (original Pilipino music) hits, such as Say That You Love Me, You Are My Song (featuring Rachelle Ann Go), and more. The Filipino cast members of the musical Miss Saigon who performed at the ASAP concert were Tanya Manalang, Christian Ray Marbella, Natalie Chua, Maria Graciano, Ela Lisondra, Ariel Reonal, Michael Macalintal, Romeo Salazar and Katherine Picar. West End’s current production of the musical Miss Saigon has proven its theatrical and musical brilliance by winning a total of nine awards in the prestigious Whatsonstage Awards, thus, setting the record as the most-awarded single show in the history of Whatsonstage. n

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ALL magnate Henry Sy remains to be the wealthiest Filipino, according to Forbes magazine’s The Philippines 50 Richest List for 2014.

With a net worth of US$12.7 billion, the 89-year-old Sy held the top spot for the 7th straight year. His worth increased by $700 million from last year, thanks largely to the rising share prices of his mall and banking businesses. Following Sy was tobacco tycoon Lucio Tan, who also retained his place. Tan, 80, has a net worth of $6.1 billion. Port and casino tycoon Enrique Razon Jr., 54, climbed one place, making him the third richest, with a net worth of $5.2 billion. The collective wealth of the 50 richest people in the Philippines reached $74 billion in 2014, up 12% from $65.8 billion in 2013. Forbes said this year’s list reflected two driving forces in the Philippine economy: construction and consumption. Riding on these were former senator Manuel Villar of mall developer Starmalls and DMCI Holdings’ David Consunji. Villar’s net worth reached $1.46 billion, making him the 14th richest man in the country, while Consunji grabbed the 6th spot, with a net worth of $3.9 billion. New names made it to the list, among them: Ricardo Po of Century Pacific group, Dean Lao of D&L Industries, the Concepcion family of RFM Corporation, and pawnshop titan P.J. Lhuillier of Cebuana Lhuillier. The minimum amount required to be included in the list was $170 million, up from $105 million in 2013. 1. Henry Sy and Family - Sy and family own the country’s largest largest mall operator, SM Prime Holdings, and bank, Banco de Oro. 2. Tan and Family – Tan consolidated his assets into LT

Lucio Tan

Henry Sy

from his stake in National Grid, which operates the country’s transmission network. He also owns a luxury car dealership, and chairs one of the Philippines’ largest insurance companies, Prudential Guarantee & Assurance. 12. Lucio and Susan Co - This husband-and-wife team owns booming hypermarket chain Puregold. Puregold is the second-largest retail chain in the country, next to Sy family’s SM. 13. Emilio Yap – Yap of Philtrust Bank died last year. He was 88. His family vows not to break

Henry Sy Still Philippines’ Richest Group, including beer maker Asia Brewery and his stake in tobacco manufacturer Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco. Tan is raising funds to buy back the stake of the San Miguel group in legacy carrier Philippine Airlines. 3. Enrique Razon Jr. - Razon owns port operator International Container Terminal Services and Bloomberry, which operates the Solaire Resort & Casino in Manila. Bloomberry is expanding Solaire, adding 300 rooms, a mall and a theater. 4. Andrew Tan - Tan, 62, is behind Alliance Global, which owns property giant Megaworld, and brandy maker Emperador Distillers. Alliance Global also holds the local franchise of fast food McDonald’s and owns Resorts World Manila. 5. John Gokongwei Jr. - Gokongwei, 87, controls conglomerate JG Summit, which owns budget carrier Cebu Pacific, food and beverage manufacturer Universal Robina Corporation, and mall and property developer Robinsons. 6. David Consunji and Family - Consunnji, 92, is behind DMCI Holdings, a construction giant that now gets most of its income from power generation, water and real estate. 7. George Ty and Family - Ty, 81, is the man behind GT Capital, which controls Metro-

Enrique Razon Jr.

bank, one of the country’s largest universal banks. GT Capital also has interests in other industries like power, infrastructure and real estate. The company is also engaged in car production through its stake in Toyota Motor Philippines. 8. Aboitiz Family - The family controls Aboitiz Equity Ventures, whose core businesses include power (Aboitiz Power), banking (Union Bank), and food (Pilmico Foods). 9. Jaime Zobel e Ayala and Family - The Zobels own the country’s oldest conglomerate, Ayala Corporation. Ayala has interests in banking (BPI), real estate (Ayala Land), telecommunications (Globe Telecom), and water distribution (Manila Water). 10. Tony Tan Caktiong and Family - The wealth of the 61year-old Tan Caktiong comes from his popular fast food business Jollibee, which has the largest chain in the country. 11. Robert Coyiuto Jr. - Coyiuto, 61, gets bulk of his wealth

up the empire he created. 14. Manuel Villar - A longtime senator before stepping down in 2013, Villar owns mall developer Starmalls, and property firm Vista Land & Lifescapes. 15. Inigo and Mercedes Zobel - The siblings – cousins of Jaime Zobel de Ayala – inherited their stake in Ayala Corporation from their wealthy aunt. 16. Alfredo Yao – Yao, 70, founded juicemaker Zest-O, and has a stake in Philippine Business Bank. 17. Andrew Gotianum - 86year-old Gotianun founded and chairs holding firm Filinvest Development, which is engaged in real estate, banking, sugar, hospitality and power. 18. Vivian Que Azcona and Family - She is president of Mercury Drug, a decades-long industry leader with over 500 drugstores nationwide. 19. Eduardo Cojuangco - Cojuangco, 79, became a billionaire as his widely diversified San Miguel Corporation grew. His fortune fell below 10digit mark after selling stake in the diversified conglomerate. 20. Beatrice Campos and Family - She is the widow of Jose Campos of giant local drugmaker Unilab. Her family holds a stake in global food and beverage manufacturer Del Monte Pacific. (Rappler.com) n

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Why Filipinos are fond of borrowing money

T IS very common to hear this among Pinoys, “Can I borrow some money? I promise to return it on payday.” But so many paydays have already gone by, but you have not yet been paid back. I believe the reason why borrowing money is so popular here in the Philippines is because this has already become…

TRADITION Parents have a huge influence on their children, so if their LIFESTYLE has been one of borrowing money and debt, their children would most likely follow in their footsteps. This reminds me of when kids play house and sometimes add a mini store. When mealtime came, the kid role-playing as mom said, “Kids, it’s time to eat. Why don’t you run over to the store and borrow two cans of sardines from Aling Puring.” It may sound funny, but it does happen in real life! It has become difficult to change this practice because we have already become so accustomed to it. While there are others who are fond of borrowing because of they think that THEY DESERVE A REWARD after all the hard work they put into their jobs. When their payroll arrives, they spend on things that they WANT to satisfy their craving for reward. They spend on drinking, eatall-you-can, and all kinds of gadgets that they don’t really need. They don’t stop to consider investing toward achieving their long term goals, and making this their reward. They always want to be rewarded for each and very action they do. It is okay to give in to your wants once in a while, for as long as the money used is extra income and not money that is meant for basic needs. JUST PLAIN LAZY Some folks simply do not want to go through a little difficulty in life, so they depend on others. They want it easy and want to live in extravagance and leisure at the expense of their loved ones who do all the work to earn money to sustain their

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It is common to hear among Pinoys about asking for money and promising to return to pay it back yet everything falls out in the end. impractical lifestyle. These people just want to live comfortably, but don’t want to work for it. It is easier for them to just borrow money, but oftentimes spend it on gambling thinking luck might be on their side this time. In the end, they will just sink deeper and deeper in debt. Yet for this person, this is normal. This lifestyle is okay. His mindset is that “it doesn’t matter if I am lazy, as long as I am not tired!” Let’s not forget that the root cause of a person’s habit in borrowing money could be… PRIDE They would rather borrow money especially when they need to celebrate an important family event, just because they do not want others to perceive them as poor. It does not matter if they do not have enough cash, or if where they will get the money to pay for it later as

long as they are able to show that they have the capacity to put up a grand celebration. They don’t want to admit that they have limits to their own resources. They always think of what other people will say. They are SELFABSORBED people who would rather beg for money from others just so they get what they want and they don’t get humiliated because of lack of money. These are just some of the reason why Pinoys are fond of borrowing money. If you want to break out of the rut of debt, you need to …

REWARD Focus on making your longterm goal as your reward. Focus on making your financial status stable. If you find it difficult, remind yourself of this longterm reward that is waiting for you at the end of the finish line, which is lasting happiness.

BREAK THE TRADITION Refuse to follow the wrong practices that you were raised with. If you don’t have much money, be brave and tell the truth. Remember, “THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE.”

BE HUMBLE Admit that you need to IMPROVE. The only thing permanent in this world is change. While there is life, change will always exist to make life better for us.

AIM FOR THE LONG-TERM

THINK. REFLECT. APPLY. Are you ready to break the tradition of borrowing money so that you won’t continue to sink deeper into debt? Do you consider achieving your long-term goal as the more important reward? Are you willing to put effort into getting out and staying out of debt? (Good News Pilipinas)

BE HARD-WORKING It is more enjoyable if the money you spend comes from your own blood and sweat. Change your MINDSET to “it doesn’t matter if I get tired along the way, as long as it helps me get to my goal.”

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TRAVEL WHAT’S ON Kalibo, Davao airports named T among world’s most efficient HE AIRPORT Council International (ACI) has named the Kalibo International Airport (KIA) and the Davao International Airport as the eighth and sixth most efficient airports in the world, respectively. The said information has been generated based on the official statement of the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). The HKIA generated 264.6 points of workload unit. The Kalibo Airport has earned 211 points while the Davao International Airport ranked sixth with 222.22 points. KIA has been named as efficient in terms of aircraft movement and traffic control in 2013. It reportedly managed to handle air traffic from different countries despite its small size. The council has submitted its report for 2013, but only released the first-quarter survey of 2015. Other efficient airports include Tokyo (248.5) in the second spot and Dubai with 245.4 in third. Engineer Martin Terre, chief of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines-Kalibo, said that the report surprises many. “We are inspired and vow to further improve our services at the airport,” he said. The ACI is the only global trade representative of the world’s airports. Established in 1991, ACI represents airports’ interest with governments and international organizations such as International Civil Aviation Organization. It also develops standards, policies and recommends practices for airports; and provides information and training opportunities to raise standards around the world. Kalibo Airport serves the general area of Kalibo, the capital of the province of Aklan in the Philippines, and is one of two airports serving Boracay, the other being Godofredo P. Ramos Airport in the town of Malay. It is the fastest growing airport in the Philippines in terms of passenger traffic with more than 50% growth in 2010, and

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2nd fastest for seats offered for June 2014 over the corresponding month of the previous year (20%). Davao airport, meanwhile, is the main airport serving Davao City in the Philippines. It is the busiest airport on the island of Mindanao. The airport has a single 3,000-meter precision runway. A new terminal replaces the previous airport terminals, which lie just across it, in handling both domestic and international flights operating to and from Davao. The modern facility is designed to handle approximately 2 million passengers annually and 84,600 metric tons of cargo annually. The added capacity is also complemented by the latest navigational, security, and baggage handling equipment. The modernization and upgrading of the airport facilities aims to cement Davao as a hub for tourism and foreign investment in the region. Development was funded by a forty million-dollar loan from the Asian Development Bank, co-financed by the European Investment Bank for twenty-five million ECUs, and through budgetary allocations from the government. The total cost of the project amounted to

$128 million. After almost a decade, the new terminal was finally inaugurated on December 2, 2003. Ini-

tial construction began in 2000 while plans for construction were announced in 1992.

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Want Better Public Transit in Metro Manila? Organize! By dinna louise c. dayao

HAT do you do if the ticketing system of the train breaks down, and it takes two hours for the system to be restored? If, as a result, you were late for work and your late minutes were deducted from your paycheck? Or, if you’re a student, you missed an important test? a. You take to social media to vent your rage. b. You vow to wake up even earlier tomorrow morning to avoid being tardy. c. You write a complaint letter to the head of the transit authority. We, in Metro Manila, would easily choose options A or B. Here, no single group exists to speak for us, the people who take public transit. (There are two prototype groups – Commuters of the Philippines and MRT: Mga kuwento ng Realidad sa loob ng Tren – on Facebook.) So we just rant about how commuting is the worst part of our day and live with it. New Yorkers, on the other hand, can do option C with a few clicks. All they need to do is go to the New York Public Interest Research Group’s Straphangers Campaign website. There they’ll find forms and tips for filing complaints that get results.

Powerful voices Fed up with the dismal state

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Transit Action Riders Committee under West Harlem Environmental Action Inc fought for extended bus-only lanes – and won. The lanes have helped speed buses between 7% and 20%, reports Streetsblog. The faster bus service gives riders more time for family, friends, and rest. The Vancouver Bus Riders Union persuaded the regional transit agency to bring back the Night Owl Buses. The bus service is a lifeline for people who work late at night.

Social media as fuel

Getting on the MRT is a test of endurance. of our buses and trains? Time to unite, fellow straphangers. We can channel our outrage and start a transit riders’ group. Then we can advocate for clean, safe, and reliable public transit in our cities. “Organized riders” is one of the key elements of a successful transit campaign, writes Greg LeRoy in Organizing Transit Riders: A How-To Manual. “The people who depend upon transit have the most powerful and effective voices,” he says. That means us, transit riders. Eight out of 10 people in Metro Manila take public transit. And that figure includes children, the elderly, and persons with disability. They suffer more as they squeeze into jam-packed trains and rickety buses and jeeps and endure long travel times.

Big wins We have much to learn from the transit riders’ groups in other places. They have done some amazing things: In Los Angeles, the Bus Riders Union (BRU) sued the county’s Metropolitan Transporta-

tion Authority (MTA) in 1994 for creating “unequal transit.” The MTA set up an aging bus system for the city’s poor residents; it built newer rail systems for the wealthier suburbs, reports CityLab. The BRU won a landmark consent decree in 1996. The 10-year contract required the MTA to make “substantial reinvestments in the bus system, with added hours of service, new vehicles, and a new weekly bus pass.” In the City by the Bay, the San Francisco Transit Riders Union successfully lobbied the city’s transportation agency to speed up the boarding process. The change saves riders’ time and improves service reliability. In Seattle, the Transit Riders Union called for reduced fares for poor riders. The result: The city launched a program that offers half-price fares on buses, light rail, water taxis, and streetcars. The program is “based not on distance traveled but on household income,” reports CBS News. In Harlem, New York, the

Today, we can use the power of the Internet and social media to organize our transit riders’ group. In minutes, we can launch a petition that calls on our officials to ride the bus or train. We can start online conversations about the issues that affect public transit. We can do online polls like the New York Public Interest Research Group’s Straphangers Campaign does. We can crowdsource questions and forward them to the candidates. We can ask incoming officials, “How will you fix our broken public transit system?” Using social media, we can shape the debate so that they enter office with public transit higher on their agendas.

Patience is not enough Back in 2007, Benjamin de la Peña, a Filipino urban planner, pointed out in his blog: “Our investments in mass transit seem to be all about big business interests, or clearing traffic for car riding elite or speculative real estate deals. While the public winds up with high cost projects with badly located and badly designed stations and disconnected rail networks. Who speaks for the customers and the taxpayers? Who speaks for the people who have no option but to take public transit?” It’s 2015, folks. It’s time for us, the patient 80% of citizens in Metro Manila, to let our voices as transit riders be heard.(Rappler.com) n

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Ilihan Crater Camiguin and White Island from Mt. Hibok-Hibok’s Peak

By harly limlingan marcuap

IZE is not enough to decide whether or not a place is beautiful. There are areas in the world that are big, yet are too plain that when you visit, you’d quickly get bored. On the other hand, there are places which, despite their very small size, offer seemingly endless attractions all worth visiting. One such place is the pearlshaped island of Camiguin. The name of the island was derived from the kamagong tree which are aplenty in the land of the Manobos (the earlier inhabitants of the island) in northeastern Mindanao. This historical account is supported by linguists since the local language kinamigin is closely related to the Manobo language. Carved out of Misamis Oriental, the small province today, the second smallest in the

Camiguin

A Story of Volcanoes, Hot Springs, Waterfalls, and Gorgeous Beaches sized tropical fruit in which the sweetest variety grow in the island. Ultimately, Camiguin’s tourism industry is a boon to the local people, providing a livelihood to many while satisfying the island’s vacationers.

What to see in Camiguin

White Beach, Camiguin country in terms of population and land area, is politically divided into 5 municipalities: Mambajao the capital, Mahinog, Guinsiliban, Sagay, and Catarman. About 23 kilometers in length and nearly 15 kilometers wide, the island has a rugged mountainous topography

molded by at least 4 volcanoes: Hibok-Hibok, Timpoong, Butay, and Guinsiliban. The province’s economy depends mainly on fishing and farming, famous for products such as abaca (hemp weaved for clothing, furniture, and accessories) and lanzones, a grape-

Mt. Hibok-Hibok, Mambajao, Camiguin An active stratovolcano with an elevation of about 1300 meters (4,300 ft) and a base diameter of roughly 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), Mt. HibokHibok is a popular hiking destination in Camiguin. Teeming with an abundance of ferns and mosses, the trail to the summit is mostly through a low-dense forest dotted with bushes.

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Katibawasan Falls, Mambajao, Camiguin

main church, you’ll see the remnants of a bell tower and a convent.

Guiob Church Ruins, Catarman, Camiguin Ardent Hot Springs in Mambajao is the usual jump off point when climbing the volcano, taking about 3-5 hours to reach the top. From the peak, a nice view of the mossy Ilihan Crater (site of the 1950 eruption), White Island, and the islands of Siquijor and Bohol can be seen. White Island, Mambajao, Camiguin Off the northern coast of Mambajao is an uninhabited sandbar which is popular for its breathtaking beauty, due to it being surrounded by crystal clear turquoise waters, and providing an incredible panoramic view of Mount Hibok-Hibok, Mount Vulcan, and the rest of Camiguin Island. Not a single speck of vegetation can be found on White Island, thus calling it an island is technically wrong. During high tide, it becomes submerged underwater so it’s important to ask the locals about the high tide schedule prior to renting a boat. Interestingly, ‘White Island’ also changes its shape throughout the year depending on the direction and movement of sea current and tides. Sunken Cemetery, Catarman, Camiguin After the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vulcan in 1871, the coastal area of the town of Catarman was submerged under the sea. This included a local cemetery in what is now Barangay Bonbon. The Sunken

Cemetery can still be seen during low tide until a series of volcanic eruptions between 1948 to 1953 pushed the land further down towards the sea. To mark the location of the sunken cemetery, a big cross was erected in 1982. Today, not only does it serve as a clear reminder of the island’s violent past, it is also a diving and snorkeling site. Katibawasan Falls, Mambajao, Camiguin Located 5 kilometers (3 miles) southeast of Mambajao at the foot of Mount Timpoong, Katibawan Falls is the most visited waterfalls in Camiguin. Standing at approximately 250 feet, it drops straight down from a cliff into a narrow waistdeep pool where visitors can have a dip. Mantigue Island, Mahinog, Camiguin If White Island is uninhabited, lacks vegetation or in short totally bare, Mantigue Island

in the town of Mahinog on the other hand, hosts a low-dense forest and a few households. With a total size of about 4 hectares surrounded by white sand beaches and rich coral gardens off its coast, the island is a marine sanctuary which means fishing around the area is prohibited. Guiob Church Ruins, Catarman, Camiguin After the 1871 catastrophic eruption of Mount Vulcan, only the coralline walls of a Catholic Church remained standing in Barangay Borbon in the town of Catarman. Now called Guiob Church Ruins, the 16th century structure is one of the oldest in Camiguin. At the back of the

Sunken Cemetery, Catarman, Camiguin

Ardent Hot Spring, Mambajao, Camiguin Hot springs are common in volcanic islands like Camiguin. Among those in the island, Ardent Hot Spring found at the foot of Mount Hibok-Hibok is the most popular. The spring cascades down to six separate pools in which the topmost pool is the hottest at approximately 40 degrees Celsius. Mt. Vulcan Walkway, Catarman, Camiguin Along the slopes of Mt. Vulcan in Barangay Bonbon, in the town of Catarman, lay a series of concrete steps and pathway. White statues depicting the Stations of the Cross stand beside the trail, making this a popular prayer and devotion site during the Christian Holy Week. Sto. Niño Cold Spring, Catarman, Camiguin If crowded places don’t concern you that much and you don’t mind sharing a rather small space with both locals and travelers, then you might want to consider a visit to Sto. Niño Cold Spring, in the town of Catarman. The clear, cold waters of the two pools attract many locals to take a dip. With a temperature of around 20 degrees Celsius, the freshwater coming out of the spring is truly refreshing. One may even swim along with small fishes that frolic in the pools. (Looloo.com) n

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The Paradox of Philippine Democracy By christopher ryan maboloc

HEN J. Robert Oppenheimer witnessed the huge explosion of the first atom bomb he supervised to build at Los Alamos, a passage from the Baghavad-Gita flashed in his mind: “I have become death, the destroyer of worlds.” But structural injustice has a more devastating effect than an atom bomb. Powerlessness, violence and marginalization are a social poison which can destroy the future of our children. In that context, our brand of democracy is a modern-day paradox. While majority of Filipinos are poor, they are actually led by rich and powerful dynasts. What this means is that poor Filipinos are not ruled by leaders who can truly represent them. The future of the country’s 26 million poor is in the hands of the old order—powerful clans, rich businessmen and influence peddlers. The paradox does not end there. Put somebody from the lowest margins of society in the political arena and in 10 years he too will become another insatiable monster. For instance, there is no taxonomy of bad governance more obvious than the insufferable lives that ordinary people have to go through each day. While our rule-makers ride expensive cars, the poor struggle each day to get a decent means of public transportation. A sitting Harvard-bred public official even mentioned at one point that people just have to be patient.

If those who wield power favor the interest of the few and the elite, then democratic governance loses its true meaning. So, he is suggesting that either the ordinary commuter join a mile-long queue, or take a twohour bus trip to his destination, or walk under the heat of the searing midday sun. While we are a country of 100 million, our choices in the forthcoming 2016 presidential election seem likely to be limited by the expediency of political circumstance to three. Ruby Paredes writes that we emerged from our colonial experience “with both a sense of their inadequacy and a confidence in their capacity to manipulate.” This is still true to this day. What the wisdom of old teaches us is that three things matter to a moral leader: integrity, competence, and a sense of vision. But these three can be reduced into one category—practical wisdom. The problem is that any person who may have such capacity for prudent judgment is prevented by the same prudence from joining politics. We need power in order to control power. Power emanates from the act of the human will. In politics, this means the power of the people controlling the power of the state. In short, the state cannot pursue its ends at

the expense of the people. Institutions exist, as Paul Ricoeur correctly points out, because of “the service they render to people.” For this reason, democracy is all about the collective act of will of the people in pursuit of the common good. However, if those who wield power favor the interest of the few and the elite, then democratic governance loses its true meaning. In this sense, laws and policies have become mere shades of the good and the just. Some quarters have suggested that we need a strong leader in order to bring back glory to this country. We can be another Singapore, they say. What does it mean for us? Firstly, it is grounded on the assumption that Filipinos lack discipline. We do not obey laws. We are ignorant. We are lazy. We do not follow protocols. For which reason, we need some kind of a benevolent dictator. While the suggestion may be justified, its basic problem is that it pins all the blame on the poor, as if a poor child who toils hard in dangerous places is solely to blame for his misfortune. We are poor because the majority of our people are not free. To my mind, the idea

that dictatorial rule can transform and give greater freedom to an unfree society defies all forms of logic. Democracy is about two things: substance and procedure. Concretely, the very substance of democracy or its intrinsic value is about the liberties of people, the equitable distribution of wealth, and the recognition of people on the basis of their dignity as human beings. Translated into measurable primary social goods, this means just wages and decent housing. Procedurally, democracy is about fair rules or just procedures which allow people from the margins to be able to express their desires and not to be dominated or discriminated by those who are in positions of power and authority, whether in private or in public. For instance, federalism has a lot of promise, but put in the wrong hands of the same cabals who control, manipulate and exploit the lives of the poor, it will simply become another experiment gone wrong. The basic point then is this. True democracy is not about the destiny of any single man. Rather, it is about ordinary people choosing and creating their own future. Real democratic rule is about implementing a political system whereby ordinary people are permitted to actually choose their leader not because their good fortunes depend on one man or woman, but because as dignified human beings they so deserve a life that is worthy of basic respect. (Philippine Daily Inquirer) (Christopher Ryan Maboloc is assistant professor of philosophy at Ateneo de Davao University. He has a master’s degree in applied ethics from Linkoping University in Sweden.) n

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ll t of a ppor In su events in d o it go un y omm the c

WHAT’S ON 3-4 Oct. 2015

Etiquette for Mistresses: UK Screening Time: 3pm Venue: The Prince Charles Cinema, 7 Leicester Place, London WC2H 78Y Tickets at £12 Contact: Lolita Boddy 07973 469450 01765535015

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COMMUNITY

2-5 Nov. 2015

5 Dec. 2015

28th Foundation & Anniversary - SAFILCA (Dinner & Dance Party)

World Travel Mart 2015 Venue: Excel London, 1 Western Gateway, E16 1XL 2 - 5 Nov. 2015 Excel London The leading global event for the travel industry

6 Dec. 2015

FWA Uk Christmas Party Venue: St Mary Abbots Centre Vicarage Gate, Kensington, London W8 4HN

Contact: 0208 271 2160 wtmvisitor@ reedexpo.co.uk

Contact: info@safilca.co.uk 07738718932

19 Dec. 2015

Fil-Mo Give Love on Xmas Day 2015 Venue: Mazenod FULL PAGE AD Hall, Community Manod Ave, Kilburn NW6 4PS Tickets from £10 Contact: Vannz Bio 07947160826

Contact: http://www.fwa-uk. com/contact/

EMBASSY NEWS

Venue: Crowne Plaza London Docklands Hotel, Western Gateway, London E16 1AL

LONDON

EMBASSY OUTREACH - DUBLIN The Embassy of the Philippines is pleased to announce that a Consular Outreach Mission will be undertaken in Dublin, Ireland, detailed as follows:

LONDON

For your regional celebration, please contact our team on 02075818100 as we will help Splash around the party news to all our readers!

WHAT’S ON PUBLIC ADVISORY

The Philippine Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has advised that there is NO APPROVED JOB ORDER for UKbound nurses in MALTA as of this date.

Date: 3-4 October 2015 (Saturday and Sunday) Time : 9:30 am - 4:30 pm

Filipino nurses who wish to work in the UK should apply through appropriate channels for recruitment of nurses into the UK.

Venue: St. John Bosco Youth Centre, Davitt Road, Dublin 12 Contact Person (for on-site details/arrangements) Mr. Raymond Garrett +353 868863650

BEWARE OF ILLEGAL RECRUITERS!

Successful applicants have been notified individually of their respective appointment schedules for the outreach. Applicants are requested to be at the venue 15 minutes before their scheduled appointments, with duly filled out passport application forms, overseas voter registration forms, complete documentary requirements, and self-addressed envelopes. The passport application form and information sheet on the requirements may be downloaded from the Embassy website www.londonpe.dfa.gov.ph The Embassy reiterates that it will not be able to accommodate walk-in passport applicants on the actual dates. Thank you.

JOB VACANCY

Ref: Teppan-yaki/Sushi Chef Looking for full time, experience, Teppan-yaki/Sushi Chef to work for reputable, well established Japanese restaurant in Cheshire, England. Must speak English and must be eligible to work in UK. Will consider to give training to suitable candidates. Please send your CV to info@wasabiteppanyaki.co.uk with Ref:05062013

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