January 2007 Home Paper of the 1999 Canadian Ethnic Journalists’ and Writers’ Club Winner for Best

Winner for Best Editorial Toronto, Ontario

Manigong Bagong Taon

2006

INSIDE
2006: SAILING THE 7 Cs

BICOL
Ooops & Bloops (See pages 20 and 21)

Ka-sha
shampoo
Calendar Babe
ko lang
-- 6

‘Saudi’ Alberta -- 13

AID ON
K
H
A
A
T
Detroit Auto Show
L
- 35 R
I

TRACK
I
L
N
I
A
Filipino Fury on ice in
CMHL tournament - 37

RESOLVED!
Get that good thing going in 2007?
Here’s what Manila Media Monitor
readers have to say.
RENATO & MERLYN TY - Since
we arrived in Toronto two years back, we
were exposed to multi cultures. We got
influenced by and adopted some of them.
But we find Filipino values still the best.
The best resolution we will maintain is
to retain close family bonding -- the KA-
PAMILYA way of life, where we share
one’s problems as well as victories.
(See page 5)
Saskatchewan eyes 5,000 Filipino
immigrants per year under MoU
The Government of Saskatchewan
has signed on Dec. 18 a memoran-
dum of understanding (MoU) with
the Government of the Philippines
to facilitate increased recruitment
of skilled Filipino workers under
Saskatchewan’s Immigrant Nominee
Program (SINP).
CARMELITA PESTAÑO-GALANO
At 5,000 immigrants per year by ATKINSON
- I vow to go on sowing the seeds of friend-
2008, Saskatchewan will seek work-
ship. If there is anything better than giv-
ers for designated priority occupations, such as welding,
ing someone the best of what we have, it is
metal fabrication, long-haul trucking and health care.
giving them the best of what we are.
(Continued on page 17) Minister Responsible for Immigration Pat Atkinson
(Continued on page 4)
JANUARY 2007 Manila Media Monitor 2
JANUARY 2007 Manila Media Monitor 3 CALENDAR
JAN. 26: Induction Ball, Culture Philippines
Ontario, Algonquin Ballroom, Stage West Ho-
tel, Mississauga.

JAN. 27: Induction Ball, Tanza Cavite Asso-

ciation, St. Boniface Church Hall, Scarbor-
ough, 6:30 p.m.

JAN. 27: Pistahan Ng Santo Niño De Cebu,

St. Ambrose Church, Etobicoke

FEB. 24: 16th Anniversary and Induction Ball,

Isabela Cultural Organization of Ontario, Q-
SSIS Place, Scarborough.

MAY 24-27: De La Salle Alumni Association

6th World Congress hosted by the Toronto
Chapter, Holiday Inn Select Airport

CALENDAR is a public service

feature of Manila Media Monitor
and the Philippine Consulate
Toronto through Carol Martin.

and the
The Philippine Consulate
Toronto

WISH YOU
PROSPERITY
and
ALL THE BEST
IN 2007
4 News NEWS
Canadian envoy wants ‘in’ on ceasefire monitoring team
COTABATO CITY - Cana-
da’s Political Affairs and Public
Economic Relations Counselor
Steven Rheault-Kihara has hoped
to join international peace moni-
tors in Mindanao to ensure the
success of the Government of the
Republic of the Philippines-Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (GRP-
MILF) peace overture.
MILF chief negotiator Moha-
gher Iqbal said Rheault-Kihara met
with MILF leaders on Dec. 18 in
Shariff Kabunsuan and expressed
willingness to join the Internation-
al Monitoring Team (IMT).
The Malaysian-led IMT is a
body tasked to prevent any escala-
tion of hostilities between govern-
ment security and MILF forces,
both covered by a three-year-old
bilateral ceasefire.
Iqbal said Rheault-Kihara not-
ed Canada’s expertise on gover-
nance, especially on affairs of the
indigenous “First Nation.”
The envoy said his country has
scores of indigenous tribes that
enjoyed full rights to self-deter-
mination, especially the Inuits and
Nunavuts, who have self-govern-
ing “nations” within their ancestral
domains, and with full access and
ownership to their resources.
He added the Canadian govern-
Manila Media Monitor
JANUARY 2007
ment has recently recognized Que-
becois as a nation within Canada.
“We will discuss Canada’s plan
to join the IMT when peace talks
resume in Kuala Lumpur, Malay-
sia between the Philippine govern-
ment and MILF with Malaysia as
a neutral inernational mediating
party,” Iqbal said.
Last year, Japan sent an eco-
nomic analyst to join the IMT and
monitor socio-economic aspects
of the GRP-MILF peace overture.
Sweden has also expressed inter-
est in sending a peacekeeing con-
tingent to back up IMT members.
Meanwhile, the Canadian
government has issued renewed
warnings for its citizens against MILF GUERILLA. Fighting in Mindanao continues amid stalled peace talks.
traveling to Southern Philippines,
particularly Cebu, Sulu, Zambo-
anga and other areas of Mindanao Saskatchewan ...
unless they have critical or compel- (From page 1)
ling business or family reasons. said “Skilled workers from the increased dramatically, he said. would have received employment
”Credible information suggests Philippines will give Saskatch- The Philippines has been the and English language training and
terrorists are in the final stages of ewan business owners another number one source country of ap- an orientation on Saskatchewan
planning attacks” and an ongoing means of filling their jobs, which plicants to the SINP. culture that would prepare them
terrorist threat to Westerners and will foster continued growth of our “Opening our doors and help- to be full participants in the prov-
Western interests in the Philippines, province.” ing people from around the world ince’s society and economy.
the Jan. 5 warning said. Atkinson noted the significant choose Saskatchewan will build The SINP operates under an
It urged its citizens to exer- contributions Filipino immigrants our economy and make life better agreement with the Government of
cise extreme caution and security have made to Canadian society for everyone, and build a strong Canada, allowing Saskatchewan
awareness in commercial and pub- and economy future here for our young people,” to nominate candidates who meet
lic establishments, in tourist areas The number of Filipino immi- he added. provincially-designated criteria
and on public transportation. PNA grants coming to the province has Before landing, applicants for landed immigrants. PR
 News
At the end of the day, what matters most is not Manila Media Monitor
how much we have given of what we have JANUARY 2007
but how more we shared of what we are. 5

BICOL AID ON TRACK

BY ACE ALVAREZ and BUTCH GALICIA
The drumrolls, fanfare and the grandstanding were conspicuously absent. Not even the cameras of the so-called
‘mainstream’ media rushed to a hastily-organized haphazard press confab were rolling to herald a fundraiser for
thousands of people who lost loved ones, property and livelihood in another disaster that hit the Philippines.
Yet, a silent but committed group of people, under the Godly guidance of the Benedictine Sisters of St. Agnes
Academy, volunteered themselves and worked hard to raise money and give fast relief for victims of mudslides from
the slopes of majestic Mt. Mayon spawned by Typhoon Reming that battered Bicol region on Dec. 2.
In a Jan. 3 report fur- nes Academy (SAA), took pressing extreme gratitude Association of Toronto;
nished the Manila Media efforts to consolidate the for the “goodness of heart” $200 each: Mario and Perla
Monitor, Toronto-based donations -- that also came of many people in Canada. Andres, Legazpeno Families
volunteer coordinator Mila from the United States, Eu- Notes of thanks also of BC c/o Ditas Dy; $120:
Alvarez Magno said the rope and other countries -- came from Reynoso, the Alex Catangui;
fundraiser, which started as and converted these to relief Benedictine Sisters and the $100 each: Jing Lome-
soon as word of the disas- goods (rice and other food- SAA alumni group. da, Leilani Roslin-MacKin-
ter got out, generated some stuff), repacked these into Magno furnished the non, Noel and Agnes Cruz,
$14,363 in cash and pledges bags and distributed them to Manila Media Monitor an Ralph and Juliet Ferrer,
in just a few days. people in mudslide-ravaged initial list of donors from the Tessie Salazar-Haab, Mari-
Magno said the cash villages. community, particularly in lyn Bengzon St-Pierre, Bert
donations had been sent -- Magno sought for more Toronto, as follows: and Cecile Cruz, Geny and
through Philippine National donations to meet victims’ $750: Anonymous Do- Ester Toribio, Lina Lomeda,
Bank Remittance services -- immediate need for food, nors; $474: University of the Winston Lomeda, Rose-
New act arms Toronto to Fund Administrator Mary water and other basics.
Anne Reynoso.
Philippines Alumni Associa- mary Balce, David and Piat
Magno said she had re- tion in Toronto Dec. 9 Kapi- Crisologo-Allison, Roy and
with hefty growth tools Reynoso, together with ceived a number of letters han attendees; $300: San Brenda Gutierrez, Bay and
alumni members of St. Ag- from mudslide victims ex- Beda/St.Benedict Alumni (Continued on page 9)
A new City of
Toronto Act was
proclaimed on
Jan. 1, providing
Canada’s largest
city with broad
powers and sig-
nificant legislative
freedoms.
Mayor David
Miller said “this
legislation is the
most important
and significant
change for the
City of Toronto in
the past century.
It recognizes To-
ronto as a mature
government and
provides it with
much-needed
tools to meet its
responsibilities to
residents.”
With the act,
the city has be-
come better able
to determine ap-
propriate mecha-
nisms for deliv-
ering municipal
services, deter-
mine the appro-
priate levels of
municipal spend-
ing, and use new
fiscal tools to sup-
port the city’s ac-
tivities.
The act armed
Toronto with
broader powers to
license and regu-
late businesses,
broader author-
ity to undertake
economic devel-
opment opportu-
nities and more
flexibility to raise
revenue in addi-
tion to property
tax. PR
6 Views Manila Media Monitor
JANUARY 2007

off - Tuesdays being Seniors Day er for starters.”

at Shoppers Drug Mart.
No sirees. Tess is far from
that time!
***
I received a request for pub-
Ace Alvarez
lication of a press release from a
fellow at the PPCO, hence, I for-
Whizz of Os: Ka-sha- warded the same to Butch - who
decides whether to publish, or not,
***
From a forwarded message
by media guy, Jojo Taduran:
“According to the Alaska
Department of Fish and Game,
while both male and female rein-
deer grow antlers in the summer
each year, male reindeer drop
their antlers at the beginning of

shampoo ko lang! the same.

At the Philippine Chamber
of Commerce-Toronto (PCCT)
Christmas Party, December 16,
2006, Filipino Center-Toronto
President Linda Javier told this
columnist: “Ace, if I do something
wrong, you criticize me …”
Ace to Linda: “Where do you
want the criticism to be; in ‘Ooops
and Bloops’, or ‘From the Moni-
tor’s Desk’?”
Linda continued, “And when
I do something good, say some-
thing about it.”
Ace to Linda: “Something
about it.”
Later during press work …
Manila Media Monitor Editor
Butch Galicia pointed out to Ace:
“I don’t think you got Linda. She
was saying for you to say some-
thing good when she does some-
thing good.”
Ace to Butch: “Something
good.”
***
During a dinner at a Chinese
restaurant on Sheppard Avenue
in Scarborough with PCCT
President-elect for 2007-2008
Paeng Nebres; Vice President
(Trade and Government Rela-
tions) Henry Sia; Philippine
Press Club Ontario (PPCO)
President Tenny Soriano and
Butch Galicia …
Oswald Tugadi commented,
“Masyadong mausok dito, e,
ka-sha-shampoo ko pa la’ng na-
man.”
Oswald is PCCT’s re-elected
Vice President for Membership
(see top left photo on page 16,
only guy standing, get to know
Oswald).
***
During a dinner at the Sur-
prise Birthday Party for Tess Cu-
sipag, Managing Editor of Balita
in Markham, Ontario, January
6, 2007, Tenny Soriano, PPCO
President, his wife Myrna, Butch
Galicia and myself were seated
together at the same table.
Tenny to the waiter: Can you
give me Coor’s Light, please? And
for him (pointing to me), La Batt’s
Blue. Butch had a Coca-Cola.
In the middle of the dinner,
Tenny called my attention, and
pointing to Butch: “Ace! Hei …”
Fast as lightning, Super Ace
clapped his hand for the waiter:
“Heineken, please, for him (point-
ing to Butch).”
It turned out that Tenny want-
ed me to apply “Heimlich Maneu-
ver” on Butch, but Tenny forgot
what it’s called, and my guess on
Tenny’s 2nd was totally wrong.
Well … could you blame me?
Tenny had Coor’s Light. I had La
Batt’s Blue. Hence, what follows
next is ‘Heineken’. Besides, the
dinner was shortly after (what
Myrna Soriano describes as)
“Alak-singko, gising na … (ang
mga media angels)!”
***
THERE’S NO TRUTH that
after the birthday celebration
for Tess Cusipag, she would
change her Balita work schedule
to consider Tuesdays as her days
A little later, he sent me back
THE ORIGINAL of what I sent
him as follows; AND WITH A
NOTE, stating, “Where is the
press release?”
JESS M. CARLOS, BBA
President & CEO-JC Link
Financial Group; President-Ma-
harajah Heritage of Canada; PRO
-Association of Filipino Canadian
Accountants; PRO- Kalayaan;
Director-Asian Canadian Entre-
preneur Professional; Life Mem-
ber- Million Dollar Round Table;
Member-Philippine Press Club
Ontario; Member-Free and Ac-
cepted Mason; Unfranchise Owner
and Distributor of Market Ameri-
ca-a multibillion dollar broker-
age industry; Tel: 416.804-3611;
Tel: 905-882-8848; jessmcarlos@
rogers.com, www.jessmcarlos.un-
franchise.com.
To Butch: “Sir, I apologize. I
thought that what I sent you was
the press release itself. It turned
out, warm-up pa lamang pala -
which is a description of the send-
winter, usually late November to
mid-December. Female reindeer
retain their antlers till after they
give birth in the spring.
“Therefore, according to
EVERY historical rendition
depicting Santa’s reindeer, EV-
ERY single one of them, from
Rudolph to Blitzen, had to be a
girl.
“We should’ve known...
ONLY women would be able to
drag a fat man in a red velvet
suit all around the world in one
night and not get lost.”
***
Opening my e-mail one eve-
ning while working with Butch on
this issue, I read a message from
him.
I responded, saying, “Sir
Butch, can I deal with this tomor-
row? I need to sleep. I’ve been
sleeping very very late for the
last one week now?” He replied:
“Okay, sir, have a good sleep.”
I responded: “Thank you.” He
responded, “Walang ano man.”
So, not to be construed as rude,
I responded again, “Thank you.”
(Contind on page 16)
New Ontario law gives newcomers
faster access to trades, professions
The Ontario Legislature on
Dec. 12 has passed into law the
Fair Access to Regulated Profes-
sions Act 2006 that sought to get
internationally-trained profession-
als working in their fields sooner.
Ontario Citizenship and Immi-
gration Minister Mike Colle said
the “legislation is long overdue.”
The act, the first legislation of
its kind in Canada, specifically:
► Required 34 regulated pro-
fessions to have a licensing pro-
cess that has fair, open and timely
assessment of credentials of for-
eign-trained professionals.
► Establish the Office of the
Fairness Commissioner responsi-
ble for assessing registration and
licensing practices, and ensure
compliance.
► Operate Global Experience
Ontario, an access and resource
center that would provide hands-
on support services in-person, by
telephone or online, including
links to education and assessment
programs; settlement agencies;
and, internships and mentoring
programs.
The center would also provide
direction on standards for profes-
sional qualifications; licensing
and registration processes; refer-
rals for training; and, alterna-
tive professions that complement
skill-sets.
► Put up the HealthForceOn-
tario Recruitment Centre to show-
News Manila Media Monitor
7 JANUARY 2007
Doug Ord retires,
case Ontario as an employer-of- ties, and to promote civic partici-
choice for practice-ready health
professionals through strategic
pation;
► Allotment of some $34
Philip Mendoza in
marketing and advertising to tar- million in over 60 Bridge Train- Police Constable (PC) Doug
get groups of health professionals, ing Programs, helping thousands Ord, the tall ever-smiling soft-
including a campaign to repatriate of newcomers work in over 100 spoken fellow in uniform, has
the estimated 3,000 physicians trades and professions; retired from the service effective
registered to practice in Ontario ► Launching of the immigra- Dec. 29, 2006.
have resided out of the province. tion web portal, www.OntarioIm- Ord, a regular figure in most
Colle said the provincial gov- migration.ca designed to support community activities over the
ernment has initiated other pro- newcomers both in Ontario and years, had been with the Toronto
grams to break down barriers for abroad, prior to arrival; Police Community Mobilization
Unit (CMU).
In a letter, Ord said: “Over
“Our government is keeping its commitment the past many years it has been a
to break down barriers that prevent newcomers pleasure to get to know many of
you and build better police-com-
from entering the workforce. We are determined munity relations.”
to ensure that Ontario’s newcomers have every “I have been advised by BMU
opportunity to succeed and participate in our Superintendent F. Darren Smith,
CMU, that my replacement, PC
economy.” Philip Mendoza, has been found
Citizenship/Immigration Minister Mike Colle and barring any last minute chang-
es, he should take over on Jan. 15.
newcomers, to include the: ► Establishment of the first His telephone number will remain
► Finalization of the Canada- Provincial Internship for the Inter- the same as mine 416-808-7071.
Ontario Immigration Agreement nationally-Trained Administered “Thank you for all your assis-
that quadrupled federal spending by Career Bridge that placed new- tance,” Ord added. But communi-
on language training and settle- comers with a minimum of three ty leaders admitted to the Manila
ment services, bringing in another years international work experi- Media Monitor that the commu-
$920 million to assist Ontario ence for six-month paid assign- nity has much more to thank Ord
newcomers over five years; ments within the Ontario Public for. “He is a police role model.”
► Development of ‘All About Service and Crown Agencies; and The community is quite as- Mendoza is with the 53rd Divi-
Ontario,’ a new citizenship curric- ► Creation of a Foreign- sured that Police Constable sion. He has community relations
ulum resource added to language Trained Professionals Loans pro- DOUG ORD will continue experience and will be responsible
and citizenship classes in early gram of up to $5,000 per person to be an integral part of its for looking after the Philippine,
2007 to help newcomers learn to cover assessment, training and growth, even if Ord has gone Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese
about Ontario’s history, geogra- exam costs, in partnership with into retirement from the po- and Indonesian communities and
phy, their roles and responsibili- the Maytree Foundation. PR lice service. other details assigned to him.
8 Views
from the monitor’s desk
Yes, angels do roam
in this world
A WOMAN in her mid-40s told
the 22-year old male with whom
she was having a conversation at
a corner table in one Tim Horton’s
coffee shop outlet in Pickering,
Ontario: “When you came to our
life and have been frequenting vis-
its to our family, everything seems
to be peaceful around us now.”
The woman continued, “Not a
single day would pass for the last
23 years that there would be no
quarrel between myself and my
husband, and later between my
own 22-year old son and myself,
or my 23-year old daughter and
myself, or simply one among them
against the other, or one another.
Our home was just like a zoo.
“This was the reason why my
son moved out of our home a few
years back, and lives on his own.
He seldom visits, phone, or any-
thing. I miss him so much.
“Honestly, just before you
As tradition dictated, the re-
cent Anak TV Seal awards cere-
monies did not have the trappings
of the usual glitzy awards nights.
First, it started on the dot at 9:30
a.m., children’s hour. Then there
was only one speech, that of the
foundation president. Award re-
cipients were asked to keep their
thank yous terse and to the point
and the program was done in a
little over an hour. And every sin-
gle local TV channel was there to
cover the event. Not bad for a cer-
emony honoring 87 family friend-
ly programs, 20 stars, 10 popular
shows and two young broadcast-
ers. If only the other awards bod-
ies knew the meaning of short and
impactful rather than longwinded
and boring.
The over 7,500 voters consist-
ing mostly of bona fide TV pa-
trons had a field day nominating
their favorite shows on TV. Natu-
rally, the tabulators had a tedious
time listing and tallying the re-
sults. By the time the shortlist was
presented to the crucial final level
judges in Baguio and Davao, the
winners’ circle had already taken
shape and it was simply the rank-
ing that was awaited.
Depending on where the view-
er’s allegiances lie and how his
viewing tastes bend, the top ten
choices of the Pinoy households
Ace Alvarez
came to our life, I was already
considering divorce from my hus-
band. But now, after 23 miserable
years, everything is changing, my
daughter is at peace with me, my
husband; and my son are moving
back home next week.”
As her 22-year old company
incessantly listened to her, she
said, “You have even taught us in-
directly to eat at the dining table
together, and not in front of the
television.”
Meanwhile, in 1983, back in
the Philippines, a boy was born in
Manila.
The woman at the Pickering,
Ontario Tim Horton’s continued:
“When I was pregnant 23 years
ago with my son, I had repeated
dreams of a man with a brown
cloak and a sword.
“Those dreams became very
frequent that I went to consult a
priest.
roundabout
How fares Philippine
TV, viewers asked
can be received with glee or dis-
appointment.
The big winner was GMA
Network’s nightly news program,
24 Oras. Some judges from the
elite campuses and private com-
panies were incredulous, but only
until they realized that there were
millions of viewers who outnum-
bered them in taste and prefer-
ence. Comprehending that they
were in the minority brought them
quiet acceptance.
The other winners included
Mulawin, Rated K, Captain Bar-
bell, Game Ka Na Ba?, Gulong
ng Palad, Majika, Bituing Walang
Ningning, TV Patrol and Sa Piling
Mo.
In all, there were two news
programs, three fantaseryes and
three standard soaps. There was
only one magazine program and
one game show in the list. GMA
Network bagged four includ-
ing the top two while ABS-CBN
chalked six. This stresses another
truth: in Philippine broadcasting,
there are only two major players;
all others scramble for crumbs left
by the giants. Sad state of affairs
but true.
It is noteworthy to mention
that the list of top favorites among
TV personalities also reflected the
list of top shows. Mel Tiangco
and Mike Enriquez were frontrun-
“The priest told me: ‘I know
not of anybody wearing a brown
cloak with a sword, but St. Francis
of Assisi; and don’t worry, if the
sword you’ve been seeing in your
dream is pointed upward, the man
is a good one.’
“The priest, trying to analyze
the dream continued: ‘I guess, it
means that one day, you would
meet somebody who would protect
you against danger and evil things
in the world.’
The 22-year old calmly said,
“When I went through the Sacra-
ment of Confirmation, I was asked
to choose the name I would want
to have for the sacrament. I chose
St. Francis of Assissi.”
-----
The 22-year old with whom
the Pickering, Ontario woman con-
versed was born in 1983 in Manila.
Her repeated dream has ceased
giving way to its fulfillment; and
Mag Cruz Hatol
ners in the TV personality survey.
They topbill 24 Oras. Many other
top winners in the personality
survey are featured in the shows
that figured in the magic ten. They
were Korina Sanchez, Richard
Gutierrez, Angel Locsin, Sarah
Gernonimo, Piolo Pascual, Judy
Ann Santos, Julius Babao, Den-
nis Trillo and Kristine Hermosa.
(The other winners were Christine
Bersola, Bernadette Sembrano,
Sam Milby, Jericho Rosales, Sha-
ron Cuneta, Arnold Clavio, Aga
Muhlach, Bea Alonzo and Gary
Valenciano, who has been the top
vote getter three years in a row.)
Mel Tiangco wrongfully
thanked children for having pro-
claimed her as the top female fa-
vorite on television. She was cor-
rected; it was not the children who
voted her to the prime spot but the
adults. Voters were parents con-
cerned about their children and
the effect TV had on the kids.
TV partner Mike Enriquez
was humbled again by the citation
because it came from the people
themselves. He said that particular
recognition mattered to him most
among all his awards because it
reminded him that as a TV per-
sonality, he had responsibilities he
could not afford to skirt around.
To constantly be on guard, he
hung his award at his office door-
Manila Media Monitor
JANUARY 2007
peace and harmony started hover-
ing over the family of the woman
in this story.
“And the Angel of the Lord de-
clared unto Mary ...”
***
At another coffee shop, this
time in the Logan-Gerrard Street
area in Toronto, a man in his mid-
30s was so immersed in his own
sorrows that the hot coffee he or-
dered was catching up with the
outdoor cold temperature.
An old man approached him
and said, “Smile - and the world
smiles with you. Weep - and you
weep alone.”
He just glanced at the old man
briefly, and didn’t say a word. The
words of the old man, however,
quickly dawned on him. He looked
around, but the old man was gone.
He stood up, stepped out of the
door quickly, ocularly inspected
the parking lot, but did not see the
old man either.
He thought: “There’s no way
that old man could have walked
that fast on this vast parking lot
onto the street with the span of
time by a flick of a finger.”
-----
The man could be an angel.
Yes, angels do roam in this world.
***
A Peaceful 2007 to all!
way so he always remembered his
mandate as he came in and out of
his station.
Judith Saplala of Pampanga
wrote to ask why the likes of Clau-
dine Barreto, Regine Velasquez
and Maricel Soriano did not figure
in the national vote. While Saplala
had kind words for many of the
top ten awardees, she minced no
words about a major news anchor
from ABS-CBN who she claimed
was “far from wholesome” espe-
cially since she “spits venom ev-
ery morning on radio.”
Saplala and the rest of the
doubting Thomases should un-
derstand that the national survey
was the most comprehensive that
could be undertaken by Anak TV.
A genuine cross section of Phil-
ippine society, representing not
only various sectors, creeds, ages,
social strata and geographical ori-
gins, was fielded. Radio was not
factored in as it was strictly a tele-
vision survey. The personalities
who garnered the most number
of votes by the seventh month of
the national poll were shortlisted
to thirty and from that list, a more
elite group of jurors finalized the
selection and ranking.
Only the names of the top
ten most liked personalities were
made public. For the delight of
avid Pinoy TV viewers in Canada,
this column would mention the
next ten placers in the male and
female favorite categories. We
listed the names in no particular
order.
Males: Albert Martinez, Dol-
phy, Dingdong Dantes, Drew
Arellano, Manny Pacquiao, Mar-
vin Agustin, Michael V, Robin
Padilla, Ryan Agoncillo and Vic
(Continued on page 38)
Manila Media Monitor
JANUARY 2007
May 2007 be the year that
starts to bring world leaders to
their senses, and to those who vote
for them a clear understanding
of what is required of all of us to
bring Planet Earth back from the
brink of disaster.
This is a year in which par-
ticular attention should be given to
persuading our youth to think be-
yond the slogans on their T-shirts
and learn how their empowerment
for change in the interest of hu-
manity can help make Canada a
model nation.
***
For this Year of Grace 2007, I
wish:
► That the youth of Canada
will wake up to the vital necessity
to vote for some of the things they
support on their T-shirts, in partic-
ular, wildlife and the environment.
They have to get used to voting and
This column is about you. Your success and
failures, your hopes and dreams, your loves
and losses, your joys and pains. It’s about
the journey you are taking for a better life.
The journey that brought you here so that
you and your family can look forward to a
future that’s bright and full of hope.
In this column I will share your
stories, laugh with you when you
are happy, cry with you when you
are down. I want to hear your sto-
ries so that we can share together
and learn from each other.
Of course I will never betray
your trust. So I will never use your
name or anything else that might
compromise your privacy.
Let me first share to you my life
story. I came to Canada 15 years
ago and experienced the good and
Bicol aid ...
(From page 5)
Daisy Bernabe, Danny Ungshang,
D.Y.K. Chan, Amalia Estrella,
Francis and Vanessa Rementilla,
Peter and Jo Flach, Ramon Andal,
Cora Lat O’Connor, Rose and Ross
Dioso, Cora and Jun Bacani;
$50 each: Elvie and Edgardo
Arevalo, Evelyn Laraya, Art and
Emy Telesforo, Arnie and Loyd
Quesada, Andy and Dahlia Rosa-
rio, Imelda Dimaano Jacildo; $25:
NC Massage Therapy Clinic; $20
each: Adriano Telesforo Sr., Jim
and Angie McAdoo; $10 each:
Happy Birthday Cake, Elsieta
Arao, Rose Gumtang.
Meanwhile, Bicol Canada Inc.
(BCI) president Joseph Redoblado,
told the Manila Media Monitor,
that BCI sent $2,000 to the Rotary
Commentary
Will you join
me in this hope?
also to reminding those for whom
they voted they need a payback.
► That politicians of all stripes
think beyond the box of their elect-
ed terms of office and that while
the democratic system of govern-
ment demands the cut and thrust of
debate, petty tit-for-tat adversity is
not always in the public interest.
► That high and mighty busi-
ness executives voluntarily refrain
from exercising stock options
which only result in their maxi-
mizing profits and lining their own
as well as shareholders’ pockets to
the detriment of workers and con-
sumers alike.
► That world leaders stop
picking on states wishing to devel-
op nuclear resources and consider
total nuclear disarmament on a
global and permanent scale.
► That Canada’s prime min-
ister would stop posing self-con-
the bad. I was so lucky to find em-
ployers who cared about me and
my dignity as a human being.
They treated me as part of their
family and encouraged me to grow
and explore my new country.
Since then I had gone to school,
embarked on an occupation and
started my own business.
Obviously it didn’t always go
well. And certainly, my employers
in Singapore and the Middle East
treated me more like a slave than
BICOL AID. Officers and members of the Featinean Association of Toronto passed the hat and raised S1,000 for victims of
Typhoon Reming that hit the
Bicol Region. Philippine Con-
sul General in Toronto Ale-
jandro Mosquera (5th from
left) receives the check on
Jan. 3 from (from left) Tirso
Balitian, Tony San Juan, Joy
San Juan, Julio Buiza, Res
Paje, Nenita Recaido, Max
Recaido, and Cesar Banda.
CAROLINE MARTIN/JT
Club in Daraga, Legazpi, Albay.
Rodoblado said the money
would be used to buy supplies to
be brought to villagers who were
unable to be in evacuation centers.
As this developed, warnings
were aired against unscrupulous
persons using the Bicol tragedy to
ask for donations without receipts
and proper authorization.
Views
Ben Viccari
sciously in those quaint outfits that
suggest as a kid he never enjoyed
Halloween.
Did I say ‘This Year of
Grace’?
Well, let’s be optimistic. I can
dream, can’t I? And many good
ideas begin with a dream.
What’s yours?
***
Each New Year’s, I think about
what public figures might, or might
not be saying or doing in 2007.
This year, here are some books
you might just see on the bestsell-
er lists. That is if the moon’s made
of cream cheese.
► A Complete Guide to Your
Contraceptive Options by Pope
Benedict.
► Dubya speak: A guide to
fashionable pronunciation for a
nukelar age, see, by who else?
► Glamorous new hairdos by
a person.
I’ve been harassed, beaten and
held against my will. But I was de-
termined not to let this horrible ex-
perience kill my spirit and hinder
me from getting a better life.
If I had allowed that to hap-
pen, if I’d given up instead of heal-
ing myself and moving forward, I
would have lost a lot and my fam-
ily depended on me.
I know many of you have been
hurt or have been treated badly and
CTV anchor Sandy Rinaldo
► Silence is Golden, a primer
on media relations by Canadian
Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
► Gotcha! by Canada’s Audi-
tor General Sheila Fraser.
► My Future Life in the Red
by Conrad Black
► Oops! An anthology of
things they shouldn’t have said
with contributions from Pope
Benedict, Jack Straw, Michael Ig-
natieff, Michael Kramer Richards
and Mel Gibson.
***
The choice of a former and
dedicated federal environment
minister as leader of the opposition
and the surge of concern among
young Canadians at the threat of
global warming may well see a
merger of interests between the
Green Party and the Liberals in the
next election.
Short of conjoining, if the
Greens win a few seats may well
decide to vote with the Liberals.
`Whatever our self-interests,
economic and political interests
are, we have to face some bold
decisions if we are to help save
humanity from the dreadful conse-
quences of global warming.
Don’t tell me the signs aren’t
there. Don’t tell me the tsunamis,
Our journey
By Eva Agpaoa
A story to tell
some of you, even as you read this
column, still cry at night because
you are lonely and afraid.
You are far from your love
ones and the life you grew ac-
customed to. But you are brave.
Brave to be here. Brave to face and
endure the many trials put before
you. And brave to have the vision
and strength to see it through.
This column celebrates you
and your dreams. Together we will
support each other. Offer hope and
9
Hurricane Katrina, mudslides in
the Philippines, forest fires and
floods all over the world are coin-
cidental occurrences; there are just
too many of them.
Let us face it.
We Canadians have a clear
choice: to face up to the need to
sacrifice gas-eating automobiles,
unlimited air travel, the wholesale
discharge of weaponry in wars and
self-indulgent consumerism or stay
with the herd that like lemmings,
seem hell-bent on self-destruction.
We are a going to have to stop
looking over our shoulders to see
what other countries are doing.
We are going to have to learn
to say to critics: “This is about our
children and grandchildren and
great grandchildren.”
“It’s about survival, stupid!”
(Used with permission. Ben
Viccari is the President of the
Canadian Ethnic Media Associa-
tion [CEMA] and makes frequent
appearances on OMNI TV Com-
mentary. Some of his commentar-
ies are republished in this publi-
cation and slightly expanded in
some cases from their 70-second
broadcast originals. For more of
his work, please visit Ben’s web-
site at: http://canscene.ripple.ca)
healing, encouragement and ideas.
Share with me your stories.
Your experiences, both good and
bad. We might not solve all our
problems but I do promise you that
you will not be alone again.
Share and be heard. We can
make a difference!
See you in the next column.
(Eva Agpaoa may be reached
at “The Nanny Expert,” Tel.
416.953.5089, or by e-mail at
info@thenannyexpert.com.)
10 Views
Another year over, a new year
has begun. Old hat, eh, John L.
After counting my blessings, I
can now start counting my debts.
I have also jotted down reso-
lutions I can count with my fin-
gers. Believe it or not, I seriously
and unconditionally vow to break
them this very instant. No, no. Not
my fingers, the resolutions!
‘Ika nga, isinulat ko sa tubig
ang pangako at itinaga sa bato
ang pagiging pasaway.
So, like NASA, here is a
countdown I hope won’t propel
me to Mars:
Ten - I’ll never keep a cell-
phone in my pant’s pockets.
Remember Vladimir Lagovski
and Andrei Moiseynko from Kom-
somolskaya Pravda Newspaper in
Moscow who used cellphones to
cook an egg?
Nine - I’ll always heed
friendly advice, and steer away
from friendly fire.
Advice 1: Life is short. Enjoy
it. Don’t consult a doctor, much
less a lawyer.
Advice 2: Never even try to
Omerta
Isulat mo sa tubig,
Itaga mo sa bato
make both ends meet. Those guys
out there do not intend to stop
pulling them farther apart.
Advice 3: If you are so so blue,
down and out and desperate, keep
in mind the one-armed guy who is
clinging to a root protruding from
the side of a steep cliff and who’s
got itching balls.
Eight - I’ll refrain from
eavesdropping from or listening
to nincompoops whose that’s-
a-lot-of-nonsense gobbledegook
drain my brain of juicier and
fresh-from-the-grapevine talk.
A case in point: If I and my
peers in the Filipino community
media have to wrestle any info on
the costly, long-delayed and grow-
ingly annoying Filipino Centre
Toronto (FCT) elections, then we
have to deal with and hear from
ONLY Larry Banack, as indicated
in a $1,500 order signed on Dec.
15 by Ontario Superior Court Jus-
tice Geoffrey Moravetz, accord-
ing to an e-mail we received from
lawyer Peter Henderson.
So, Mr. Banack -- the court-
appointed chair of the FCT admis-
Manila Media Monitor
JANUARY 2007
By Butch DG. Galicia
sions and poll committee -- is the
man; not anyone else.
Good! This will keep a lot of
publicity-seeking gabs and glib
mouths quiet for quite a while.
Sayang! Ang isda pa naman,
nahuhuli sa bunganga.
Questions: How come it was
not the court nor Banack who
mass e-mailed the Filipino com-
munity media, but Henderson who
represents a group opposed to the
present FCT administration?
How come incumbent FCT
officials never lifted a hand to in-
form us of the same order?
We appreciate the information
but do we have to take it hook,
liune and sinker when it did not
come from Banack himself?
Good graciousness! Who pro-
vided our holier-than-thou e-mail
addresses, which I thought is pro-
tected by a Privacy Act in Canada,
to a biased lawyer?
Holly molly! Henderson’s e-
mail looked more of a sales pitch
of a funeral parlor rather than a le-
gal information. Pray, tell me, do I
have to send it to 10 others in the
next 15 minutes and be promised
with great and exciting rewards?
Last but not least: Mr. Banack,
how do we get in touch with you;
and most importantly, when do we
hear from you?
Now, a word of wisdom from
Confused You to empty loud-
speakers: More talk, more mis-
takes; less talk, less mistakes; no
talk, no mistake.
Seven - I’ll try to keep my
eyes closed and my mouth shut.
My Chief and Manila Media
Monitor Publisher Ace Alvarez
has that knack of extending his
work sked up to the wee hours of
morn. If Ace does not need sleep,
I’ll obligingly do it for him -- shut
my eyes and mouth. And don’t
even think I’ll include my nose!
Six - I’ll keep my body fit.
Who doesn’t want healthy in-
nards that can excellently digest all
the cholesterol of lechon, chichar-
ong bulaklak, adobo, and all those
oily but tasty Filipino dishes?
Who doesn’t want healthy legs
that can walk miles because of the
stupidity of losing a TTC ticket
or not having a car one does not
know how to drive?
Who doesn’t want to have a
likable, not like a ball, figure? I
wrote figure, not pig-yur, okay?
Who doesn’t want to live long
enough to survive the drudgery of
earthly life -- where every move
has costs and daily existence is
measured by bills?
Five - I’ll stop being a part-
time jerk of all tirades (laging
mainit ang ulo dahil walang
kayod). Come to think of it, I just
have to figure out a way to get rid
of my peralysis.
Four - I’ll remain calm in the
face of adversity.
I won’t get mad if someone
sticks the so-called dirty finger in-
front of my chinky eyes. Frankly,
I can’t even make it out because it
is done differently back home. We
do it with balls, they don’t.
I guess all I’ve got to do is
wave back and smile. They won’t
know that I just stuck five at them,
and I had the last laugh. And when
I do that, I always have a ball.
Three - I’ll love my critics
and detractors.
Paraphrasing Doc Chito C.: I’ll
love to get them out of my life.
Quoting Tevye: Lord, please
keep them ... away from me.
Two - I’ll quit smoking.
This is a tall order. But I be-
lieve in the saying that “if there is
smoke, there’s fire.” I don’t want
to start any fire, unless those who
want to jump into the flames with
me look forward to going to hell.
On the lighter side, I guess
I’ll start by not buying smokes
and by patronizing OPEC (Other
PEople’s Cigarettes).
What the heck! I’ve got Ace
Alvarez, Chuchi Punsalan, Myrna
Soriano, Maribel Montemayor and
thousands of other fuming Cancer
Society fans to back me up on this
nasty project.
Omigosh! If things really go
awry as my sanity, here is my
Number 1 Resolution: I’ll stop
complaining. ‘Ika nga, nasa Di-
yos ang awa; nasa tao ang nga-
wa!
HAPI NYU YIR, Kabayan.
butchgalicia@yahoo.com
Manila Media Monitor
JANUARY 2007
Keeping seniors at ease
Guaranteed Income Supplement
(EDITOR’S NOTE: The Manila MEDIA
MONITOR has compiled a number of pro-
grams the federal government of Canada
has been implementing to benefit the prov-
ince’s seniors. Manila MEDIA MONI-
TOR, in this series, will provide insights to
these programs for seniors on this space,
hoping it would keep the paper’s valued
senior readers informed.)
The Guaranteed Income Supplement
(GIS) provides additional money, on top
of the Old Age Security pension, to low-in-
come seniors living in Canada. To be eligi-
ble for the GIS benefit, you must be receiv-
ing the Old Age Security pension and meet
the income requirements.
Applying for GIS
You must apply for the Guaranteed In-
come Supplement (GIS). Contact us for an
application form at 1 800 277-9914.
You can also re-apply for GIS by filing
your income tax return. The Seniors 55 and
up section of the CRA site contains infor-
mation on filing your tax return.
If you did not qualify for the GIS ben-
efit in the past, but you think you might be
eligible now, you should apply as soon as
possible. Normally, individuals must apply
for the GIS benefit on their own behalf. If
you are applying for someone else, please
contact us for more information.
Documentation
The type of documents you are required
to provide will depend on your marital status,
the type of application you are making, and
whether you are applying for the first time.
The application kit will describe what
documents, if any, you need to provide. If
you are married may be asked to provide a
marriage certificate. If you are living with a
Pillars strengthen
links with gov’t
The Pillars,
the Filipino-Cana-
dian seniors asso-
ciation in Ontario,
would go on link-
ing with govern-
ment and other
seniors’ groups in
the province to get
the most of much
needed benefits for MARALAG
its members.
Pillars president Frank Maralag said a
liaison committee would facilitate contacts
with Toronto Mayor David Miller, through
the Toronto Seniors Forum and the Toronto
Seniors’ Roundtable, and the Toronto Mu-
nicipal Council.
Maralag said Pillars would also
strengthen its coordination with the Office
of Premier Dalton McGuinty in queen’s
Park and the Office of Prime Minister Ste-
phen Harper in Ottawa.
He said attention would be given to se-
niors’ needs like affordable housing, health
maintenance, easy accessibility to transpor-
tation and lower fares, security, care giv-
ing, among others. RAZ
News 11
If you do not file a tax return, or if we
need more information, we will send you a
renewal application form in the mail. If you
receive a form from us, you must complete
and return it as soon as you have all the nec-
essary income information, even if you file
a tax return. Each July, you will receive a
letter that tells you the new amount of your
monthly payment.
If you do not re-apply for the GIS ben-
efit in the spring, or if your income is now
too high to qualify for it, you will only get
the basic Old Age Security pension starting
PART 4
in July of that year.
Eligibility
To qualify for the GIS, you must be en-
titled to Old Age Security. Eligibility also
depends on whether your income and that
of your spouse or common-law partner, if
you have one, exceeds a specific amount.
Consult the Old Age Security Payment
Rates for current benefit rates and maxi-
mum income levels.
Marriage, Separation
If you marry or separate, or if your
spouse or common-law partner dies, you
must let us know because it may affect your
benefits. If you and your spouse or com-
mon-law partner are separated for reasons
beyond your control (for example, if one
of you has to live in a hospital or nursing
home), you can each be considered as a
KABABAYAN SENIORS. Ruben and Maring Empalmado host a get-together single person if that will give you a higher
of members of the Kababayan Seniors of the Kababayan Community Centre monthly payment.
at their Meadowgrove Court home in Mississauga. With the Empalmados are Income
Pedring Baldovino, Tony Sicat, Conching Carandang, Aida Bondac, Nidia When applying for the GIS benefit, you,
Baldovino, Nelly Sicat, Lolit Maghirang, Mameng Quidayan, Beloy and Lydia and in the case of a couple, you and your
Reyes, Perla Andaya, Johnny Maghirang and Joe Quidayan. PR spouse or common-law partner, must re-
port the following income: Canada Pension
common-law partner you may be asked to declaration and provide other documenta- Plan or Québec Pension Plan; Benefits; Pri-
complete and sign a “statutory declaration” tion as proof of your relationship. Contact vate pension income and superannuation;
and provide other supporting documentation. us for a copy of this form and for help to Foreign pension income; RRSPs that you
Couples married in Canada. If you don’t complete the declaration. When you call, cashed; Employment Insurance benefits;
have your marriage certificate, there are two we will also tell you what other documents Interest on any savings; Any capital gains
ways to get it: You can get a certificate from you will need. or dividends; Income from any rental prop-
the church in which you were married. You Renewing GIS benefits erties; Any employment income; Income
can contact the Registrar of Vital Statistics The GIS is based on annual income, or from other sources such as workers’ com-
in the capital city of the province or territory the combined annual income of you and pensation payments, alimony, etc.
where you were married. your spouse or common-law partner. Since Benefits received from the Old Age Se-
Couples married outside Canada. If your annual income can change from year curity program, including the GIS and the
you don’t know how to get a copy of your to year, renew your GIS each year. Allowance, are not included as income.
marriage certificate, contact us. Most seniors automatically renew their In some situations, such as when you stop
Common-law relationships (same sex GIS simply by filing their income tax return working or when your pension income
or opposite sex). You must sign a statutory by April 30. (Continued to page 16)
Falls preventable,
Bradley tells elders
Ontario has launched its series of one-hour seminars on
falls prevention to help elders live safe, active and indepen-
dent lives.
Jim Bradley, provincial Minister Responsible for Seniors,
said “each year, more than 24,000 seniors land in emergency
rooms as a result of slipping or falling in and around their
homes.”
Ontario has spent $100,000 to produce the Falls Preven-
tion Seminar and Resource Kit, developed with inputs from
over 30 local, regional and national organizations.
Professionals from public health units and Osteoporosis
Society chapters would conduct the seminars across Ontario.
Bradley highlighted a number of ways for seniors to in-
crease their safety and make simple lifestyle changes to fall-
proof their homes, such as:
► Keeping sidewalks, steps and driveways well lit.
► Spreading salt or sand on icy walkways this winter.
► Wearing non-slip, lightweight boots or walking shoes.
► Carrying a cell phone or whistle for emergencies.
► Walking with a friend or chaperon when possible. Ontario Minister Responsible for Seniors Jim Bradley
► Replacing scatter mats with non-slip rugs . shows how a reacher can help seniors grab things
► Installing nightlights in bedroom, hallway, bathroom. from high shelves safely.
► Using a cordless phone to avoid tripping on cords.
► Wearing rubber-soled slippers that don’t slip off too resource kit.
easily. “Injuries cost Ontarians more than $5.7 billion annually and
“As the former Chair of our local-area hospital, I know are one of the most preventable health challenges facing this
that falls are a major cause of seniors’ admissions,” said Val- province,” said Health Promotion Minister Jim Watson.
may Barkey, executive director, Community Care City of Ontario’s seniors population is expected to more than double
Kawartha Lakes, which played a lead role in developing the to 3.2 million by 2028. PR
12
Improvements needed to lessen abuse
For the past twenty
years, INTERCEDE, a
non-profit community
organization working with
newcomers in Toronto, has
been assisting women and
men admitted to Canada
as nannies, caregivers, and
domestic workers under
the Immigration Live-in
Caregiver Program (LCP).
Consequently,
INTERCEDE has been
fully aware of the inhumane
and slavery-like conditions
described in the articles and
editorial about Canada’s
Live-in Caregiver Program
(LCP) which appeared in
the Toronto Star on Oct. 30,
31; Nov. 2, and again on
Dec. 5, 2004.
The Star articles have
once again raised concerns
about the exploitation and
abuses, including sexual
assault, experienced by
foreign caregivers and
nannies at the homes of
their employers.
In reaction, (then)
Immigration Minister
Judy Sgro has promised
to “protect” them by
considering the results of
a review being undertaken
Wishing you a Prosperous and Healthy New Year!
Feature
Under the Live-In Caregiver Program
by Human Resources and
Skills Development Canada
and the Status of Women
Canada – a review which is
supposed to be “looking to
prevent the kinds of abuses”
outlined in the Star stories.
This is all very well and
good and about time.
But INTERCEDE
has often stressed, and
now again reiterates, that
the helplessness and
vulnerability to abuse of
LCP workers stem mainly
from the requirements of
the LCP itself.
The Live-in Caregiver
Program itself must be
changed and improved if
Canada is to live up to its
human rights commitments
and to its reputation as a
human rights champion.
In a sense, the LCP,
a federal immigration
program which has been
lauded by government
bureaucrats and immigration
“experts” as the best and, of
course, cheapest model of a
program for bringing skilled
and other needed workers to
Canada, is, unhappily, also
the source of the abuse and
exploitation heaped upon
foreigners who come to
care for our children, the
Manila Media Monitor
JANUARY 2007
By FELY O. VILLASIN to meet the requirements to
(Editor’s Note: Fely O. Villasin arrived in Canada in 1974, become landed immigrants.
along with many others who fled the Philippines then under The temporary work
the military dictatorship of President Ferdinand Marcos. permit system endows
She became very active in the anti-Marcos movement, using employers and employment
theater as a part of political organizing. She was one of the agencies with extraordinary
founders of the then Carlos Bulosan Cultural Workshop (now influence over the worker’s
the Carlos Bulosan Theater) in Toronto, which produced destiny.
a fascinating array of plays over the years. An activist who This is because the
loved theater, Fely left a legacy of popular education using work permit must specify
the stage as a medium. Two years ago, Fely wrote this web- the name of the employer
published article, which Manila Media Monitor is reprinting, in whose household the
worker must not only work
to seek better treatment for Filipino women employed under
but also live in.
Canada’s Live-In Caregiver Program. Fely passed away on
In effect, the continuity
Dec. 27. She may no longer be around but her ideas and spirit
of the LCP worker’s
live on.) valid status in Canada is
elderly or disabled. They are, in effect, dependent on the employer’s
One has only to look at migrant workers on a willingness to continue her
the tangle of requirements temporary one-year rene- employment, or on a new
and regulations with wable work permit. employer obtained by an
which LCP workers must It will take them employment agency.
comply to understand how from three to four years to Understandably, every
much power and control receive permanent resident LCP caregiver is focused
employers, employment status, after completing two on meeting the 24-month
and recruiting agencies, years of live-in caregiver live-in work requirement
immigration officers, and work within three years of within three years so that
even their own communities arriving in Canada under she/he will achieve the goal
can wield over their lives. the LCP. of permanent residency and
To begin with, care- This temporary status thus begin the reunification
givers under the LCP are causes the state of insecurity, of her family in Canada.
not admitted as permanent anxiety and vulnerability In anticipation of
residents or landed immi- which characterize the life landed status, LCP workers
grants the way other of caregivers in the LCP. will, and do, suffer almost
professionals and skilled They live lives of any deprivation and abuse
workers are. constant stress while striving (Continued to page 16)
Manila Media Monitor
JANUARY 2007
‘Saudi’ Alberta: Oasis for OFWs?
From the desert sands of Saudi
Arabia, another work destination
awaits the adventurous OFWs
(Overseas Filipino Workers), this
time in the “oil sands“ of Alberta,
Canada.
This Western Canadian prov-
ince, famous for its cowboy-
themed festival known as the
Calgary stampede, is enjoying an
unprecedented economic boom,
triggering an upsurge of employ-
ment opportunities never before
seen since the days of the Klond-
ike gold rush.
It is the new “Saudi,” the
new oil-rich kingdom this side of
North America.
Alberta’s oil sands reserve is
second only to Saudi Arabia and
described by Time magazine as
“Canada’s greatest buried energy
treasure” and “could satisfy the
world’s demand for petroleum for
the next century.”
The oil boom has created a
shortage of workers in Alberta
and predictions say that because
of this, wages and salaries will
go up as companies will compete
with each other to lure and hire
workers and other professionals.
And because of the very na-
ture of Alberta’s oil sands as com-
pared to regular Saudi crude oil,
more workers are required to ex-
tract the product.
BY TENNY SORIANO
Oil sands, as defined, are de-
posits of bitumen, a very viscous
oil that will not flow unless heated
or diluted.
Unlike conventional crude oil
which flows naturally and easily
pumped from the ground, Alber-
ta’s oil requires some additional
upgrading before it can be refined,
diluted with lighter hydrocarbons
before it can flow and transported
by pipelines.
“Malapot na malapot, parang
pulot “ (it’s very viscous and sim-
ilar to molasses), said a Filipino
worker who’s been there.
There are only two biggest oil
Pioneer prospectors and workers explore the vast Athabasca oil sand fields. said
Wikipedia from the Canada Archives
Feature
sands deposits in the world -- Al-
a recent training program to re-
berta, Canada and Venezuela.
cruit some 250 Filipinos in Al-
Just how busy workers are in
berta as temporary workers was
the oil sands is borne by the fact
launched in Manila.
that in one year alone, a total of
These people are to be issued
20,000 oil exploration holes were
work permits and deployed to
drilled in Alberta.many hotels now sprouting in that
Peter Sutherland, Canada’s
Canadian province.
ambassador to the Philippines
More workers are much-need-
who recently spoke before Fili-
ed to fill the vacuum left by lo-
pino-Canadians in Toronto, said
cal Canadians who deserted their
Western Canada has a “high de-
original jobs to try their luck in
mand for workers“ particularly in
high-paying oil sands positions.
the oil sands of Alberta.
In one town of Alberta, restau-
He said Filipinos have a better
rants and other service companies
chance of landing jobs in places
were forced to shut down for lack
in Canada like Alberta because
of manpower.
they speak good English and
Sutherland announced that
have a high level of educa-
there is now a policy proposal to
tion. allow temporary workers to apply
Sutherland said
for permanent residence while
they are in Canada.
He said
such applica-
tion will also
be processed
faster.
And be-
cause these
temporary
workers
have spent
some time
in Canada,
Sutherland
they
will be given
13
priority than those who are apply-
ing from outside of Canada for
the logical reason that they have
already a good idea of existing
conditions and lifestyles of the
country.
Already, there is a noted rise
of exodus to Western Canada,
more notably in Alberta and other
parts where the oil sands boom
has reached out.
Multicultural groups from
Toronto’s Tamils, Indians, Filipi-
nos, Europeans and others have
started the trek to the oil sands
where some say the pay scale
average reaches between $18 per
hour upwards for ordinary work-
ers alone.
And future job opportunities
are going to grow by threefold or
more, say business forecasters.
It says oil production will rise
to 4.5 million barrels per day by
the year 2015 from the current 2.5
million.
This means it would pro-
pel Canada to the No. 4 position
among the world’s oil producers
next to Saudi Arabia, Russia and
the United States.
For OFWs who have to en-
dure strict laws and traditions in
most oil-rich Muslim nations like
Saudi Arabia, the new “Saudi Al-
berta“ could well be the new “oa-
sis.”
 Energy Feature Manila Media Monitor
14 JANUARY 2007

heat. aesthetic appeal of a location.

savings in
Ultrasonic sensors send out ultrasonic
pulses and measure the reflection of a mov-
ing object. These are best suited for cover-
ing a wide area.
Microwave sensors bounce microwaves
They are available in several styles and
fields of view for use in hallways, corridors,
aisles and open office areas.
Some models can be used outdoors as
well as in locations subject to extreme cold,

motion
BY ALVIN POON
Like many other energy management
devices in the market, motion sensors not
only deliver utility value but also provide
savings in energy costs.
Consider this.
You arrive home at night in the middle
of winter. Having forgotten to leave an out-
side light on, you fumble in the cold and
dark for your keys.
But with an installed motion sensor,
you approach your front door and the light
comes on automatically.
In this scenario, you will have benefited
in at least three ways. You’ve saved money
because you haven’t left the porch lights
on all evening. Your home’s security has
been enhanced because any motion at your
front door would have been detected and
“brought to light.” And third, you’re out of
the cold and through the front door faster.
“In residential homes, outdoor secu-
rity lights can account for a large portion
of overall lighting costs, and they are of-
ten left on when not needed,” noted Peter
Love, Ontario’s Chief Energy Conservation
officer.
Motion sensors are good choices for
saving money and improving security.
A light that suddenly turns on will be
better noticed by neighbors and passers-by
off an object, similar to the technology used such as walk-in freezers and refrigerators.
in police radar guns. The cost for a sensor can range from $10
Consumer products such as wall switch up to $150 and some data has suggested the
sensors and wall-mounted passive infrared return on investment of a sensor is likely to
sensors put these technologies to work in be more than 40 percent a year and can be
the energy-conscious home or business. as much as 100 per cent.
The wall switch products generally have Motion sensors are being promoted by
than a light that has been shining constant- 180-degree fields of view and can be used The Conservation Bureau through the “Ev-
ly. It will also help scare off intruders. in new or retrofit applications. ery Kilowatt Counts” campaign.
“In Ontario, we have had inexpensive, They are best suited for enclosed offic- Ontarians are being offered money-sav-
reliable power for a long time,” said Sta- es, rest rooms, conference rooms, storage ing coupons to reduce the cost of buying
cey Hare, a marketing expert with Select- closets and areas up to 1,200 square feet. motion sensors and other energy efficiency
power, the retail affiliate of Guelph Hydro. Wall-mount passive infrared sensors are products. These coupons are redeemable in
“That is changing, and we need to be more designed so that they don’t detract from the over 3,000 retail stores.
in control of our energy use.”
“Lower demand by homeowners
means we have to generate less power,”
Hare added, noting that products such as
motion sensors cut energy demand.
Hare cited the example of basement
rooms where kids tend to congregate and
then vacate with the lights still blazing.
A motion sensor will help. If there is
no activity in the room after a certain pe-
riod of time, the lights will go off, saving
energy.
Beyond conservation and security, mo-
tion sensors offer a wide range of advan-
tages and benefits, such as convenience, a
variety of residential and commercial ap-
plications, a wide range of indoor and out-
door uses, no minimum load requirement
and built-in surge protection.
There are three basic types of motion
detectors in use today.
Passive infrared sensors detect changes
in the infrared spectrum and look for body
Manila Media Monitor
JANUARY 2007 15 Milestones
2006: Another
full circle for
Manila Media
Monitor readers
REUNION PRELUDE. Mapa High School alumni and friends
meet at the Oakville residence of Carmelita Spittal, president
of the Ontario Chapter, to prepare for the 12th International
Reunion of Mapa High School Alumni Association of USA &
Canada at the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort from July 26
to 29. DS
P I D C
AWARDEE.
Philippine
Courier pub-
lisher-edi-
tor Ramon
Datol (2nd
from left)
receives a
plaque of
2ND CHRISTMAS. Caitlyn Malia apprecia-
enjoys opening her presents with tion from
Papa Michael, a VP of Investment Philippine
of Northern Trust, and Mama Me- Independence Day Council officials Rafael Nebres (right) and
lissa. Michael is the son of Balita’s Karen Binaday (3rd from left) as Consul General Alejandro
Tess Cusipag. Mosquera looks on. PR

RUBBING ELBOWS. Ontario New Democratic Party leader Howard Hampton

Friends and relatives celebrate with Lourdes Buenaobra (4th from left) her (2nd from right) rubs elbows with and engages Manila Media Monitor Pub-
60th birth anniversary recently. Among them are (front row): Catia, Julia, Gi- lisher and Managing Editor Ace Alvarez (right), Associate Editor and Front
zelle, (back row ) Cristina, Nerlou, Rowena, Irene, Jennifer, Dr. Arla Rondilla Page Philippines TV host Gie Alvarez (2nd from left), Editor Butch Galicia
and Alyssa. VA (3rd from left) and Evelyn Galicia in a conversation on the role of the com-

Lazaro swears in Manzanares, other PTA officers, directors
MISSISSAUGA - Philippine Vice Con-
sul in Toronto Edna May Grecia-Lazaro
swore in Leonie Manzanares as president of
the newly-formed Philippine Teachers As-
sociation in its first induction of executive
officers and directors here on Dec. 16.
Other officers sworn in are Rose Cruz,
vice president for social and external af-
fairs; Tony San Juan, vice president for pol-
icy and programs; Bernadette Gapuz, secre-
tary; Rossette Santiago, assistant secretary;
Pet Collantes, treasurer; Noemi Andaya,
assistant treasurer; Rose Apilado, auditor;
Marissa Miano, business manager; and
munity media in Ontario’s political landscape during the Canadian Ethnic
Media Association (CEMA) Season’s Dinner.
Carmen Hauyon, public relations officer.
Directors who took their oaths are Ar-
thur Apilado, Brigida Cohen, Boni Curutan,
Tessie Lagtapon., Marlene Mogado, Maria
Sonia Pascual, Amparo Rosario, Mae Sa-
jorme, Mercy Santos and Myrna Valencia.
Advisers are Rose Bustamante and
Emiliano Silverio.
PTA, composed of community educa-
tors, is a non-profit, apolitical, socio-pro-
fessional entity formed on April 29, 2006.
It has about 80 members who strive to
to contribute and participate in academical-
ly-related activities in the community. TSJ

OLPC QUEEN PCCT HOLIDAY CHEERS. The annual Philippine Chamber of Commerce-To-
OF CHARITY. ronto Christmas Party is kept alive by people representing various groups--
Past Regent Te- community, business, and media organizations. The December 16 gathering
odoro Lopez of was held at the Sts. Peter and Paul Banquet Hall in Scarborough, Ontario.
the Daughters Manila Media Monitor Photo
of Isabella, Our

ADVERTISE WITH
Lady of Peace
Circle # 1297
beams after be-
ing crowned
Queen of Char-
ity during the CFT LADIES. Vilma Asayas, Delia
circle’s silver Von Possell, Nila Olares and Nida
jubilee celebra- Hontanosas give the Club Filipino
tion. JT of Toronto, headed by George Hon-
tanosas, a hand during the club’s
Yule gathering. NC/JT CALL 416-285-8583
JANUARY 2007 Manila Media Monitor
Improvements needed to lessen abuse ...
(From page 12)
in the hands of employers.
An employer conscious of the
power s/he has over the fate of the
caregiver who is obliged to live-
in his household can be capable
of the grossest violation of human
rights and the most unscrupulous
infractions of labor laws.
The articles give a few illus-
trations of such shameful deeds
from the least harmful (such as
forking out gambling money)
to the most venal (such as rape,
forced confinement and slavery) –
all without much consequence for
the perpetrators nor vindication
for the victims.
Because LCP caregivers
must live in their place of work
as a condition of continued valid
status, they are not able to bring
their families along and must
suffer years, from five or more, of
separation from their spouse and
children.
Caregivers have pointed to
this forced separation as the worst
violence against women they
experience.
This requirement to live-in
the employer’s house is mainly
why caregivers are commonly
subjected to excessive hours of
work, underpayment, and unpaid
overtime.
We can only guess at the
economic contribution foreign
caregivers have been making,
individually to their employers
in the form of unpaid work, and
to the country in the form of
cheap child and elder care, and
yes, taxes - not only those they
pay themselves, but also those
paid by their freed up female
employers.
The Canadian Government
is party to gouging of caregivers’
meager minimum wage income by
deducting employment insurance
and pension payments which the
temporary workers have no right
to.
Then there are the fees to
renew work permits every year
or every time the worker changes
16
employer, as well as application
and Right of Landing fees which
are prohibitive and punitive for
caregivers.
The demand for caregivers
in Canada has been consistently
high, and it will continue to grow
as our population ages.
However, the appreciation
for people who give care to our
children and elders, workers
who are in such huge demand,
is so badly rewarded with abuse,
exploitation, loneliness for
their loved ones, isolation and
discrimination.
This is a crying shame that
the Canadian government covers
its eyes to and refuses to hear, an
opportunistic way of responding
to migrants’ desperation for a
better future in Canada.
We have often heard the
justification that the Live-in
Caregiver Program gives those
who would otherwise not qualify,
a chance to become immigrants in
Canada.
PCCT turns over final GK Village
check during Christmas fete
ANCOP Canada Inc. president
Ricky Cuenca (left), expresses
his appreciation to the Philip-
pine Chamber of Commerce-
Toronto (PCCT), represented
by Rafael Nebres, chair of the
PCCT Gawad Kalinga Village
Project, and president Cora
dela Cruz, following the turn-
over of a check representing
the complete payment for a 20-
unit housing project in Sucat, Paranaque City, the Philippines. The check turn-
over was made during the PCCT Christmas Party (all photos on the left) , Dec.
16, 2006 in Scarborough, Ontario. Donors are Bert and Cora dela Cruz (Dela-
marc Travel); Henrique and Alicia Sia (Golden Valley Food Outlets and Restau-
rant); Oswald and Isa Tugadi (ALBEE Enterprises); Ace and Gie Alvarez (Manila
Media Monitor Inc.); Ben Ponce (A.C. Ponce Financial Services); Cristina and
Leo Aguilar (Forever Living Products); Rafael and Sylvia Nebres (Action Honda);
Bobby and Lorna Achacon (Bicol Express Restaurant); Boanerjes Villabroza
(Hamilton Fitness); Flor Vendiola and Melchor Galeon (FV Foods); Steve and
Cora Pagao (DTD Services); Evelyn and David Pagkalinawan (Bazura Bags);
Elizabeth Leggett (Certified Public Accountant); Gemma Jamuyot (CHIC Bags);
Tess and Jess Mallari (Mabini Express); and Marlou Tiro (Tiro Marketing). Four
units would be built at the village, for a total of 24 units, funding of which came, or
would come, from collective efforts of the PCCT. Photos: Louie Pagdagdagan;
Text: Ace Alvarez & Rafael Nebres
But to the extent of discri-
minating against women and Mosquera to induct
migrants, and violating their labor
and human rights? Tanza Ass’n officers
As a signatory to most of Philippine Consul General in
the United Nations’ international Toronto Alejandro Mosquera will
human rights conventions and induct into office the officers of the
the Beijing Platform for Action, Tanza, Cavite Association (St.Au-
Canada must comply with gustine) at the St. Boniface Catho-
its obligations starting with lic Church in Markham and Eglin-
improving the Live-in Caregiver ton at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 27.
Program. President Edgardo Torres and
Canada can do this by vice president Manding Blancaflor
allowing caregivers to enter will lead the inductees.
Canada without discrimination as Other officers who will be
landed immigrants; eliminate the sworn in are Ellen Figueroa, secre-
live-in condition for their valid tary and Shirley Reyes, treasurer.
status; issue generic work permits The Board of Advisers are Mr.
that are not dependent on a specific and Mrs. Sam Fojas, Mr. and Mrs.
employer; and allow them to bring Lope Perea, Mr. and Mrs. Tenny
their families along. Soriano, Mr. and Mrs.Dolly Sosa,
Foreign caregivers are willing Danilo Ching, Mimi Colmenar,
to come to this country to care for Domingo Abug and Mr. and Mrs.
our most valued resources: our Paul Clavero.
children and our elders. Tanza is an historic town where
Let’s give them the recognition the first Philippine Republic under
they need, which consists of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo was pro-
simple justice and fairness. claimed.

Ooops & Bloops ...
(From page 6)
He replied, “Walang ano man.”
So, again, I responded,
“Maraming salamat ulit.” He sent
back a note again, saying, “Walang
ano man.”
I noted that the first time I sent
out my e-mail was 1:10 a.m., and
up to the time that I got Butch’s
last ‘Walang ano man’ was almost
2 a.m.
So, I sent him an e-mail with
a Netsky Virus. Friends, thus ex-
plains why I was able to sleep fi-
nally; likewise, explains why Ma-
nila Media Monitor got delayed
for a few days - the editor had to
have his computer fixed.
***
The PCCT sent an invitation
to Mon Datol, Publisher and
Editor of Philippine Courier to
cover the organization’s Christ-
mas Party at the Sts. Peter and
Paul Banquet Hall in Scarbor-
ough, Ontario last month.
At the time of the event, Mon
- with PPCO member Miguel
Caducio - proceeded to Golden
Valley’s Banquet Hall and found
no PCCT event at the place.
Mon said later, “I thought it
was at Golden Valley’s.”
(The PCCT board has no
further comment.)
***
Message received from Butch,
December 24:
Ace, Gie and family:
Harinawa’y sumainyo ang
kaligayahang dulot ng Kapanga-
nakan ni HesuKristo.
Maligayang Pasko,
Butch, Evelyn, Lynette, Fran-
cis, Nicoy, Gabriel, Raphael
Taken into consideration, the
beauty of the Filipino language,
I wrote back: “Maraming salamat
sa pagbati mo, sampu ng iyong
pamilya.”
It was at this point where the
problem arose. Butch sent another
message, “Hindi ko maipakita kay
Evelyn ang pagbati mo at baka
hanapin ‘yong siyam ko pang
pamilya.”
Having read this, I thought:
“Kung hindi la’ng kailangan ng
Manila Media Monitor ang isang
magaling na editor, e talagang
mababaril ko itong si Butch, e.”
Guaranteed Income ...
(From page 11)
drops, we can calculate your
GIS benefit by estimating your in-
come for this year, instead of us-
ing last year’s income.
If you or your spouse or com-
mon-law partner have a lower in-
come this year for either of these
reasons, you should let us know.
Your benefits may increase.
Receiving GIS
If you are eligible for the GIS
benefit, we will add it to your Old
Age Security pension payment
each month.
You can find the exact pay-
ment dates on the web site http://
www.hrsdc.gc.ca/asp/gateway.
asp?hr=en/isp/pub/oas/gismain.
shtml&hs=ozs.
Payments usually arrive in the
last three banking days of each
month. If your payment is late by
more than a week, or if you lose
your payment, please contact us.
If you apply late and are eligi-
ble to receive the GIS, we can give
you a retroactive payment of up to
11 months plus the month in which
we receive your application.
Normally, we deposit pension
payments directly into bank ac-
counts through our direct deposit
service. Monthly payments dates
are available on the Web site.
Moving
If you are planning to move,
you must contact us with your
new address and postal code as
soon as possible. This will allow
us to update our records and make
sure that your payment gets to you
on time. Even if your payments
are deposited directly into your
bank account, we still need to
know your new address so we can
send you important information
and your yearly income tax slip.
If we need to contact you for
additional income information,
we will know where to reach you.
You can notify us of a change
of address 24 hours a day, seven
days a week by calling our auto-
mated telephone system at 1-800-
277-9914.
You will be asked for your Social
Insurance Number, your new address
and postal code and your telephone
number with your area code.
(To be continued next issue)
CMC sets gab on
Law in Community
The Canadian Multicultural
Council of Asians in Ontario
(CMC), with support of the Philip-
pine Independence Day Council,
is inviting members of the Filipi-
no-Canadian community to attend
a free information session on Law
in the Community at the Chinese
Cultural Centre on Jan. 13.
The session includes a forum
on how the Canadian judicial sys-
tem works and a mock trial pre-
sided over by a real judge over-
seeing court action with a jury,
prosecutors and accused.
The session will also feature
police recruitment and legal ser-
vices programs available to the
community.
A job fair starts at 1 p.m. and
the mock trial begins at 2 p.m.
Why advertise
elsewhere?
CALL
416-285-8583
 Manila Media Monitor
17 JANUARY 2007
Resolved! ...
(From page 1)
RP CONSULAR STAFFMEMBER -
I resolve to keep more frequently in touch
with family and kin. I’ve been pretty preoc-
cupied for the past year that I have taken
them for granted for quite a time.
DENNIS DEVEZA - I shall always
smile. Someone once told me that success
will come ‘if you keep that big smile in
your face.’
CYNTHIA GARCIA - My New Year’s
Resolution is to be patient. Why? Being im-
patient is stressful so para mabawasan ang
stress ko at hindi ako ma-high blood, I’ll try
to be patient especially with bus drivers.
YVONNE CUÑADA - I will continue
with my mint gums as I quit smoking. It has
been three months since my last puff.
RP CONSULAR STAFFMEMBER
- I will surely go for a healthy regimen and
will stick to it. That includes good balance
in life. Why? Because, I’d like to grow old
gracefully, retire in the Philippines (home
sweet home) and dance with my grandchil-
dren (how cute!). Hey, wait a minute, I’m
not even 40 yet. Seriously, I’d go for that!
AMY BANTILLO - I resolve to get
married this year to my eight-year boy-
friend in Roxas City.
VIRGILIO DAGASDAS & RENE
DELGADO - We promise to work hard
and earn more cash. Perhaps, we would
have more resources to help the needy and
the poor in our homeland.
RP CONSULAR STAFFMEMBER
- I firmly resolve not to have any more ac-
cidents, if that can be avoided.
Around the world, a Reuters report from
London said that striking a better balance
between work and play, taking more exer-
cise and avoiding disastrous relationships
top resolution lists this New Year.
Research group ACNielsen surveyed
consumers in 46 countries and found from
the United States to Vietnam that more than
half of those interviewed wanted work to
play a lesser role in their lives in 2007.
One in three US consumers -- who have
the highest rate of obesity in the developed
world -- also planned to go on a diet.
“Consumers have realized a healthy
lifestyle is not about the latest celebrity diet
or trendy exercise fads, but is simply about
having a balanced diet and lifestyle,” ACN-
ielsen Europe President Patrick Dodd said.
Smoking bans passed in 2006 in coun-
tries from Spain to Uruguay looked to be
bolstering the global health trend with one
in five smokers polled admitting they were
aiming to cut down or quit next year.
Exercise was also in the spotlight, with
Filipinos, Australians and Singaporeans
most committed to being more active.
“In many countries, 2006 was the year
that “natural” and “organic” moved into the
mainstream and this trend is likely to gain
momentum in the year ahead,” Dodd said.
The drive to detox also stretched to more
intimate parts of people’s lives. One in five
consumers globally said they wanted 2007
to be the year they avoided “disastrous re-
lationships.”
And if the above are not just enough for
a wish list, here are some more resolutions
many people made at the onset of 2007.
The resolutions: Lose weight, make
more time for myself and my family, have
more fun, make more money, get to the
gym, eat better, go someplace I have always
wanted to visit, make up with a crazy fami-
ly member, befriend a competitor or enemy,
quit drinking, be friendlier, slow down on
shopping sprees, stick to household bud-
gets, stay out of trouble, avoid casinos and
other gambling places, etc. etc. etc.
JANUARY 2007 Manila Media Monitor 18

AN OPEN LETTER to FCMA MEMBERS and the

FILIPINO COMMUNITY
December15, 2006

Dear Colleagues of the Filipino Canadian Medical Association:

It has come to our attention that all of the members of the association recently received a letter from Dr. Francisco Portugal regarding the upcoming elections of
the Filipino Centre Toronto (FCT). In the letter, Dr. Portugal stated that it was important to understand the issues so that “an intelligent and unbiased decision could
be made” regarding which candidates should be supported, and whether the FCT should receive contributions from our association. Unfortunately, Dr. Portugal’s
letter is a clear condemnation of the current FCT Board, and we are compelled to clarify the facts in order that intelligent and unbiased decisions may truly be
made.
For the record, we would like to offer a rebuttal to the points that Dr. Portugal had made:
Legal fees. Dr. Portugal correctly states that the process the FCT has undergone in the last year has been very, very expensive. However, it is difficult to see
how Dr. Portugal can suggest that the expense was unnecessary, when it was incurred only as a result of a court application he launched, in which his allegations of
wrongdoing were made against the current Board. If Dr. Portugal’s only goal was to regularize the operation of the FCT, something which was admittedly needed,
then such allegations were unnecessary, and the cost of defending them would have been avoided.
Annual Meetings. The Judgment rendered by Justice Morawetz in the Application notes that the Board had erred in not calling annual meetings, and had failed
to follow the provisions in the Constitution in doing so. It must be remembered, however, that Dr. Portugal himself, and other FCT members who follow him, were
members of the FCT Board during these times, the times when FCT was judged “to have lost its way.” Therefore, they also bear responsibility for the fact elections
were not held as scheduled.
Justice Morawetz specifically ordered that the current FCT Board was to remain in control of the FCT operations pending the elections. Had he been convinced
there had been mismanagement, Justice Morawetz would have removed the current Board and ended its operation of the Filipino Centre, Toronto.
In addition, as in any corporation, the major item to be presented in an annual general meeting is a financial report. This was the responsibility of Edgar Adan,
a current member of Dr. Portugal’s group, the then chief financial officer of the Filipino Centre, Toronto. Edgar Adan never delivered the 2003 financial report, and
it was completed in 2005 by Julito Longkines.
It is also important to remember that in the early days of the FCT, the Board members were busy running the operations of the FCT, including the management
of the building which now houses its offices, and dealing with the day-to-day issues which occur in the upkeep of an older tenanted building.These duties and func-
tions called for constant attention, and it must be remembered that all this work was done on a volunteer basis. There was no money at that time to hire a building
manager or superintendent to attend to these time consuming requirements, and the job fell primarily to Rosalinda and Felino Javier, who found themselves on call
24 hours a day. The major objective in those early days was to make the FCT a viable community centre, which was financially sound and served the community
well. Holding elections and annual meetings fell aside under the constant and monumental pressure of creating the community center and managing its assets.
Allegations of Suspicious Transactions. Dr. Portugal alleged that in the financial report for 2003, which Longkines did not complete until 2005, “suspicious
financial transactions” had been discovered, and he has specifically singled out Rosalinda and Felino Javier in his accusations. He has neglected to mention that
each and every allegation was fully and completely answered in the materials prepared during the court application. In addition, the current Board was awarded
full indemnification for all costs incurred in the application filed by Portugal, Adan and Camilla Jones, something Justice Morawetz would not have awarded had
he found there had been wrongdoing or neglect on the part of any member of the Board.
Dr. Portugal suggests that Felino Javier is receiving close to $3000 per month as building superintendent. No one can question that a building of this nature re-
quires a full time superintendent. While the position has been offered to and accepted by Mr. Javier, he has not received any reimbursement for this superintendent’s
job, as the FCT is currently in a position where the court process has drained its cash resources. Dr. Portugal complains that the position was not offered to the
general public, but it is certain that no one would have accepted the position on the basis as has Mr. Javier, that is, that he will only be paid if and when the FCT has
the funds to do so. In the meantime, he fulfills the job of the superintendent’s position.
Allegations of Missing Membership Records. Dr. Portugal contends that the current Board has deliberately misplaced or destroyed records relating to the FCT
memberships of persons in his camp. What he again neglects to say is that at the time these members who joined the FCT, Adan and Erlinda Gallardo, both of whom
are supporters of Dr. Portugal, were the persons in charge of membership who bore the responsibility for keeping these records. If these “misplaced or destroyed
records relating to the FCT memberships in his camp” were never obtained or misplaced, the responsibility does not lie with the current Board.
Dr. Portugal alleges that on the surface it may appear as if the FCT is well run but in reality, it is not. The Centre is serving the community. There is a
seniors program, FCT works with a youth club and together, they honor outstanding Filipino students, and a homework club for the students who have difficulty.
Tagalog classes are held. A health program is in place with a free clinic, health education seminars and advocacy group. There is also a walk in clinic to serve our
kababayans who need a family doctor. This is manned by volunteer physicians with busy practices, who take time out from their schedule to render their services,
hence, the need for appointments. The walk in clinic at the Centre differs from most walk-in clinics as it is not established as a for profit corporation.
The neighborhood is already aware of the Filipino community, which has become the largest participant in the Cabbagetown festival. Recreational activities
have been provided including dancing classes, Filipino Singing Idol contests and the huge cultural presentation, called Pistahan There are meeting rooms for various
members of the community to congregate. The library is open to anyone who wishes to avail of the materials on Filipino culture, traditions and values.
This IS a community centre that is well run, through the hard work and dedication of the FCT officers. And the building, which was purchased for $1,000,050,
is now worth an estimated value of $2,900,000 by conservative real estate estimates, due mainly to the renovations done and management of the building. The
FCT exists to serve the Filipino people. It is performing a service to the community. The Filipinos in Toronto deserve to have a centre run by people whose only
agenda is to serve the community.
Consider the track records and history of all the different individuals interested in the Filipino Centre, Toronto:
Who are the builders? Who work for the good of the community? However, who work for themselves? Who are those who tear down the good that had been
started? Who are those who always criticize and destroy?
“To everything, there is a season and a time for every purpose
A time to build, a time to heal, a time to gather together.”
It is a time for speaking!
We would like to express our confidence in the sincerity, honesty and integrity of the present leadership of the Filipino Centre. Like any organization, there
will always be differences of opinion on the style of leadership. There will always be people who are dissatisfied. However, we truly believe that it is in the best
interests of the Filipino community that the current leadership be retained.

Truly yours,

Dr. MARIO ANDRES Dr. MARIA ANTONINA DE VILLA Dr. VICTORIA SANTIAGO
Chairman, FCT Comprehensive Health FCT Vice Chairman, Board of Directors FCT Chairman, Board of Directors
and Wellness

Paid Advertisement
JANUARY 2007 Manila Media Monitor 19

Dear Eligible Voters,

Go out and vote on this coming election! Vote for us! We
provide a strong team of candidates with the Experience, ROSALINDA CERRUDO-JAVIER MARIA LUISA (Luchi) SIVILIA
Qualifications, Character and Leadership that FCT needs!
MARIO R. ANDRES SUZETTE CRESENCIA • BSE, UP, 1963; M. Sc. E, • Salutatorian, First to
M.D., F.R.C.P.C. Upstate New York, 1977 • Fourth Year, Neg. Occ.
Retired Ontario Teacher High School, Bacolod City
• Graduate, UP College • B.S. Medical Technol- with Smith Falls, Ont. • B.S. Chemical Eng’g,
of Medicine, 1964, Certi- ogy, University of Sto. To- Catholic Board, ‘68-’70; University of the Phil. •
fied • Director, Free Clinic mas • Member, Canadian Dufferin Peel Catholic Miss NWSA 1965-1966,
and Health and Wellness Society of Laboratory Board, ‘70-‘97 • Founder, Atimonan (Quezon) Assn Manila, Phil. • Chemical Engineer, Dept of Works,
Services, FCT • Found- Technologists • Member, of Ontario & Michigan; Pres., QPAC 1998 to date • Metro Toronto • Honours Specialist in Math & Sci-
ing President, Filipino- Ontario Society of Medi- Member, Board of Directors, UPAA Toronto, 2003 ence, Faculty of Education, U of T • Specialist in
Canadian Medical Assn. • Queens Silver Jubilee cal Technologists • Retired Medical Laboratory to date • Ont, Prov’cial Gov’t appointee: Ontario Special Education (Gifted/LD), Faculty of Ed., U of
medalist in Medicine, 1978 • Ten Most Outstand- Technologist, The Wellesley Hospital, University Council of Nurses, 2005 • Founding President & T • Recipient, INCO Award for Sec. Sch. Teachers,
ing Canadians, 1974, Calgary • Most Outstanding Health Network (Princess Margaret Hospital) • CEO, Filipino Centre, Toronto (FCT), 2000 to date • U of T • Retired High School Teacher, Math and Sp.
Alumnus, UPAA, Toronto, 2002 • Community Ser- Member, UST Alumni Association of Ontario • Oversees all the Operations, Services and Activi- Ed, Toronto District School Bd. • Council Member,
vice Volunteer Awards, Toronto, 2006 Vice President, University of Sto. Tomas Phar- ties of FCT (building and organization) College of Nurses of Ontario • Committee Mem-
macy, Med. Tech., Botany & Biochemistry Alumni ber, Complaints, Quality Assurance, Nominating
WENDELINA (Wendy) ARENA Association of North America • Board Member, & Finance, CNO • Board Member, Filipino Centre,
MERCY MALIGLIG
Filipino Centre, Toronto Toronto • Board Member, Toronto Centre-Rose-
dale Provincial Liberal Association
• Bachelor of Science in EFREN DE VILLA • UST, B.S. Pre-Medicine;
Commerce, University MCU, College of Den- LAURA TIAMSON
of Santo Tomas • Fellow, tistry • Lab Technician,
Life Management Institute • BS in Education, Batan- Wellesley Hospital, 1977-
of Canada & Associate gas City State University; 1997 • Lab Supervisor • B.S. in Physiotherapy,
Life and Health Claims Master of Arts in Psychol- for 5 years • Proprietor, Emilio Aguinaldo College,
Examiner • Claims & Taxation Specialist and Li- ogy, Arellano University • Agincourt ECG Services • Regent, Daughters of Phil. • Graduate, Business
censed personal financial analyst • Executive Life Insurance & Financial Isabella, 1987-89 • President, FILPAR, 1998-2006 • Administration & Manage-
Administrator, Folklorico Filipino Canada • Vice Advisor • Retired Canadi- Board Member, Silayan Community Centre, 1987- ment, Humber College of
President, FCT in charge of Fund Raising and Cul- an National Railway employee, Freight Car Plan- 98; Coordinator, Pilipino Classes • Board Member, Applied Arts & Technol-
tural Programs • Office Manager, FCT • Married to ner/Inspector & Safety Liaison Officer • Volunteer, Filipino Centre, Toronto; Co-Chair, Dazzling 40, ogy, Toronto • Branch Manager, Famous Seafood
Paul Arena and has one son, Roland St. John Ambulance, Division Superintendent, Pilipino Class Restaurant in North America • Youngest Fran-
Corp Staff Officer Incharge of Training • President/ chisee in the Filipino Community • Board Mem-
EDMUNDO (Ed) BIRONDO Chairman of the Board, First Filipino Association JUANITA ABALOS-REJDIK ber, Filipino Centre, Toronto • Committee Chair,
of Vaughan • Chairman of the Board/Adviser, Fili- Pistahan 2004-2005 • Committee Chair, Filipino
pino Canadian Association of Vaughan • Board Singing Idol, 2006 • Member, Cookbook Commit-
• B. S. in Industrial Eng’g, Member, Filipino Centre, Toronto;, Chairman, tee
• BSE, MLQU, 1979 • Im-
Adamson University; Ass. Membership Committee, Cabbage Town Festival migration Consultant •
in Textile Eng’g, FEATI • Recipient – Serving Brother Award by Governor REY TOLENTINO
Co-Proprietor, S&J Me-
University • Founding General Ramon Hnatyshyn; Outstanding Cana- chanical Inc. • Member,
Board Member, Filipino dian Award First Filipino Canadian of
Centre, Toronto • Presi- • Graduate, Mass Commu-
Vaughan • Co-Founder,
dent, Ang Negrosanon in North America, 2002- nication/ Broadcast Jour-
2006 • President, The Featinian Association of
MA. ANTONINA (Nenette) DE VILLA Tanay Association of Toronto • Proprietor, Jade
nalism, UP • Computer
(Paralegal) Services • Board Member, Filipino
Toronto, 1999-2000 • Exec. Vice President, Asso- Analyst • Member, UPAA,
Centre, Toronto; Chairman, Line Dancing, Asst.
ciacion Negrense, 1998-2000 • Recipient, St. John • Graduate, College of Toronto • Active Volun-
Chair, Cabbagetown Festival
Ambulance Award, 1995; Outstanding Canadian Medicine, UP • Staff Cardi- teer, various projects and
Award, 2000; Volunteerism Award for 10 years, ologist, St. Joseph Health activities of the Filipino Community in Toronto
2001 • Retired Admin Coord, Toronto Police Ser- MARY ANN SAN JUAN since 1979 • Journalist and Broadcaster
Centre • Head, Division of
vice, Public Information, January 1, 2006; Life- Cardiology • Asst. Profes-
time Member of Toronto Police Association sor, Faculty of Medicine, IRENE TURNER
• Masters in Library Sci-
University of Toronto • Member, UPAA Toronto • ence, Faculty of Informa-
LAPULAPU (Popoy) CAÑA Member, FilCanadian Medical Association • Board tion Study, U of T • BSc • B.S. in Nursing, San Juan
Member, Filipino Centre, Toronto; Chair, Corpo- in Foreign Service, U.P.; De Dios Hospital, Manila,
rate Sponsorship; Adviser, Dr. G. de Villa, Jr. Me- Finished Academic cours-
• Graduate, Bachelor of Phil. • Registered Nurse,
morial Cup Golf Tournament es in Masters in Library
Science in Industrial Edu- St. Mary’s Hospital, Roch-
cation • Married to Ligaya Science, U.P. • Manager, Toronto Public Library ester, Minnesota • Medical
AIDA D’ORAZIO • Founding Member, Folklorico Filipino Canada
with 3 children, Lilac, Staff, Mayo Hospital, Minn.
Jove & Francis • Broker & • Member, Pleasant View Community Centre • Registered Nurse, Grace Hospital, Scarborough
Owner, Maple Insurance Assn.; Bukas Loob sa Diyos (BLD); Children’s • Past President, Filipino Nurses Association of
• Lit. B in Journalism, Liturgy, St. Timothy’s Catholic Church; UPAA; Ha-
Agency • Active Volunteer, Filipino Seminarian So- Ontario • Board Member, Filipino Centre, Toronto
UST; BSE, Pilar College, rana Group • Dragon Boat Paddler, Team Canada
ciety in Canada • Member, Knights of Columbus • • Committee Chair, Christmas Events & Foods •
Zamboanga; Dip. Ed. Me- Grand Masters Team for the World Tournament in
Former Knights of Rizal Regional Commander for Co Chair, Comprehensive Health & Wellness Pro-
dia; Dip. Ed Technology Berlin, Aug. 2005 • Board Member, Filipino Centre,
Canada • Active Volunter, FCT gram • Member, Cookbook Committee
McGill University, Mon- Toronto; Chair, Homework Club
treal • Retired Teacher,
JULITA (Julie) CORPUZ Commission Scolaire Jerome Le-Royer, Montreal MASELLE GAERLAN VIREY
VICTORIA (Vicky) SANTIAGO
• Columnist, Filipino Star & Filipino Forum (cur-
rently), Montreal • President, Zamboanga Hermo-
• BSE, St. Louie Univer- • Doctor of Medicine, Uni-
sa Canada • Board Member, FCT, Publicity Chair,
sity, Baguio • Teacher, • Doctor of Dental Medi- versity of the Philippines
Outstanding Student Awards Co-Chair, Cookbook
Tarlac High School, Fron- cine, U.P. • Maintains a • Diploma in Psychiatry,
Committee Chair, FCT Newsletter Co-Chair • Mem-
tenac & Addington Catho- practice of General Den- University of Ottawa • Fel-
ber, Philippine Press Club-Ontario
lic School Board, Kings- tistry with 8 Associates in low, Royal College of Phy-

ton, Ontario • President,
Ontario Women’s Club, 1990-2003 • Board mem-
ber, FILPAR, Camilenos Assn. of Canada • Mem-
ber, Liberal Assn. of Canada • Founding Board
Member, Filipino Centre, Toronto, Adviser, FCT
TRUTH
three GTA Dental Offices • sicians and Surgeons of
Member and Supporter of Canada • Diplomate, American Board of Psychia-
several Filipino community organizations in Metro try and Neurology • Diplomate, American Board of
SHALL Toronto as well as Professional Dental Organiza-
tions • Most Outstanding Filipino in Canada, 2000
• UPAA Recognition Awards, 1997 • UPAA Most
Disability Analysts • Courtesy Consultant Psychi-
atrist, Trillium Health Centre • FCT Volunteer since

PREVAIL!
Dazzling 40 group, Office help, FCT • Recipient, 2004 • Vice President, Filipino Canadian Medical
Outstanding Fil. Canadians, 1998; Volunteerism Outstanding Member, 2002 • Outstanding Asian- Association
Award for 20 years; Disable Helping Disabled. Canadian Community Awardee, April 2006 Paid Advertisement
 FOR some members of a budding community
of nearly half a million people living and working in
Canada coming from the Philippines -- a southeast Asian YEAREND EDITORIAL
archipelago composed of over 7,000 islands and speaking
107 languages, the year 2006 was plain time gone which
significance mattered only by the cash and the status it
could have brought them. Who cared, anyway?
But for many, the year was a diamond mine.
It was a year that saw the resilience of a growing
Filipino community - the patient hardworking hands that
labor in factories and the skilled professionals, the retail
proprietors and big-ticket entrepreneurs, the tender, loving,
caring live-in caregivers and homemakers, the youth and
the seniors, those who provide social, health, transportation
and other basic services in public and private offices, those
in the media, etc.
It was the year when a
daring community signified
its strength as a social and
political force to reckon
with. Notwithstanding
the odds, the community
also stood up for what
multiculturalism and ‘unity
in diversity’ really meant.
It was a year that gave
glitter to the community’s
wide array of gifted
members, many of whom
volunteered their voices
and terpsichorean talents,
their love for the arts and
their theatrical expertise to
show all and sundry how
rich Philippine culture and
heritage were.
Beyond the wonderful
memories, the community The mudslide disasters in Southern Leyte (above)
learned a lot of painful and in Bicol (below) got the community together to
lessons. But it had remained act as one in accomplishing a noble goal -- that of
resolute in its goal to etch its rebuilding the lives of devastated compatriots.
indelible mark on Canadian
social, economic, political
and cultural milieu.
Admittedly still in
need for a captain, the
ship that is the Filipino
community in Canada had
definitely sailed past rough
and turbulent seas on its
way to port. Here is why:
C HARITY. For
once, the community transcended parochialism and regional
biases, set aside socio-cultural differences and downplayed
economic disparities.
In the face of tragic events in the homeland, its
concerned members displayed the spirit of bayanihan
and showed bigness of heart in a big push to hastily raise
cash and amass relief goods for tens of thousands, perhaps
millions, of their kababayan badly devastated by a string of
natural calamities that battered the Philippines.
Most notable were the Feb. 17 mudslides that buried the
village of Guinsaugon, in St. Bernard town, Southern Leyte
and the Dec. 2 mudslides around the slopes of Mt. Mayon
that likewise erased villages from the map of Bicol.
Alas! The year had to begin and end with tragedy. But
tragedy did get the community to act in accomplishing a
single noble goal -- share themselves and whatever excess
resources they had to get their compatriots in dire need back
to their feet.
Never was it a matter of who and how much. The credits
- news and images, announcements, etc. - were simply for
posterity; nothing more, nothing less. What mattered most
was that on record, the many nameless, faceless members
of the Canadian community possessed the essence of
Godliness, Filipinism and love for their fellowman.
PCCT-GK Village soon to rise in Sucat, Parañaque
20 Manila Media Monitor
2006
When the community
sailed the 7 C’s
Call it charity, the greatest of all virtues.
In the absence of disaster, the community’s kindness
and philanthropism had never waned, but more substantiated
in the year. Civic, religious, business and regional groups
and associations never reneged on pledges to contribute -
in their own little but special ways - to ease the burden of
poor Filipinos.
2006 saw a surge of positive responses to appeals for
donations to build new homes, nay villages, and provide a
comprehensive social package for those in erstwhile slum
and depressed areas in the Philippines.
But more than just providing a roof over the heads
of the less fortunate and the homeless, associations also
offered the gift of learning.
Aggregately, the number of poor but deserving Filipino
youth given academic scholarships rose during the year.
So did the number of schoolbuildings erected, the
quantity and quality of books and other literature shipped,
and other educational improvements facilitated.
There were other programs thought of and carried out,
far from the prying eyes, extended ears and gossip-bearing
lips of the maddening crowd and a nosy media. In silence,
not a few people worked to assure better lives for Filipinos
in the Philippines, in Canada or elsewhere in the world.
C
ALL FOR
RESPECT. The Filipino
may be passive and
complacent at times, prone
to forgiving petty instances
of disrespect as he goes on
with his jolly disposition
while living in a social
melting pot that Canada
boasts of as its greatest
achievement as a nation.
But when his cultural
sensitivities are touched,
the Filipino emotes the
ferocity of a wounded lion,
JANUARY 2007
CAGADOC
ready to stand his ground
and take on any enemy;
but as diplomatically and
peacefully as he can.
In April, 2006, seven-
year old Montreal grade
schooler Luc Cagadoc made
front page story after he was
repeatedly humiliated by his
school principal, who saw
his traditional way of eating
meals with a spoon and a
fork as “eating like a pig.”
The news raised not a
few eyebrows and sparked
global shock waves. Amid
the coal-hot outrage that
could turn a fat pig into
luscious lechon, a local
schoolboard downplayed
the issue. Howls of protests
grew louder and echoed
worldwide. Rumors later
said the ‘honorable educator’
Normand Bergeron was
sacked, presumably deemed
unfit for the job.
Early 2006, the community felt maligned when Toronto
police never bothered to rip off ‘Wanted’ notices they posted
on walls, posts, glass panes and other conspicuous spots on
shops and houses lining the Danforth-Pape perimeter.
The posters, on view since December of 2005, warned
people of a sex maniac described as a ‘Filipino male,
possibly in his 20s, about 5’6” with dark hair.’
Police and ‘mainstream’ media later tried to tone down
the suspect’s image as ‘possibly Filipino or Hispanic,’ but
to no avail as deeply-hurt community members lashed at
authorities for being irresponsible and ‘reeking of racial
trash,’ demanding that the palpably malicious branding be
corrected. Even the Philippine consulate in Toronto reacted,
saying it was “inappropriate.”
Stories of racism and discrimination in schools,
playgrounds, parks. the subway and bus stations, groceries
and elsewhere abound, aired and heard in the grapevine,
particularly those committed by longtimers against their
newly-arrived kababayan. These tales of rudeness are
disgusting. But they would have to end somehow, and only
people, events and time would tell how.
If there was any consolation to victims of racial slur,
discrimination and profiling, perhaps this was the number
of reforms the Toronto police might have adopted from a
five-man jury’s recommendations following the end of last
year’s May 8 to mid-October, 2006 inquest into the May
21, 2004 shooting and subsequent death of 17-year old
Jeffrey Reodica.
The jury recommendations never found fault with
anyone, not even police detective Dan Belanger, who shot
Reodica three times at the back, and his partner detective
Love Allen. But the inquest jury pointblankly assigned
measures that the police could use to deter a similar incident
from happening.
Those still grieving and crying for justice for the loss
of the teener averred that the inquest had been an exercise
in futility, which the other side of the fence negated. The
last piece of news from the Reodica family’s lawyer noted
they would file a criminal suit against the police officers.
(Next page, please)
JANUARY 2007 Manila Media Monitor
Even before the Reodica inquest
took place, another 17-year old, Daniel
Celestino, lost his dear life, a victim of
a despicable criminal who stabbed him
at the back while he was taking a ‘leak’
in a washroom of a coffee shop on
Wilson and Keele streets on April 20.
His assailant had long been arrested
and was said to be serving time in jail. REODICA
Celestino’s death might not have been a direct case of
racism, but there was belief that his killer could have been
a recipient of social prejudice which could have motivated
him to get even with society. It was truly unfortunate that
he bent his ire on Celestino.
Young lives with what could have
been very bright futures were snuffed
out. Their memories could only call on
community vigilance and pro-activeness SIGN OF THE TIMES
in the fight to end all forms of racism,
including that coming from their own in the polls, but most had no charisma with the numbers. boxing and taekwando, games in which Filipinos excel.
kind.
CELESTINO
21 So did other community centers! And this should be
cause for joy and celebration for members of the community,
no matter where they were located.
The Kalayaan Cultural Community Centre greeted
2006 with a big bang. Ching Quejas and other firm believers
of community service formally opened the center’s new
7,200 square-foot Mississauga facility, a million-dollar
building for a budding community.
2006 also saw the Silayan Community Centre
recuperating from minor internal bickerings to emerge
as strong as ever, just like the seniors it helped get out of
boredom through art classes -- and later mounting an art
exhibit -- in cooperation with Filipino artists in Toronto.
Then there was Kababayan- which not only provided
the usual services, but went farther to give its youth
members a special theatrical treat, that of being topbilled
in a March, 2006 play “Mind The Gap” directed by writer
Ricky Caluen.
Promoting sports, apart from aerobics, was the
2006 focus of the Gateway Centre for New Canadians in
Mississauga, as it introduced lessons on Olympic-style
Only three - Marlene Mogado of Markham Area 2, Luz del The community centers and the volunteers running
Rosario of Dufferin-Peel Wards 6 and 11 and Alex Chiu of them had made 2006 very productive for members who

C Markham Ward 8 - made it to the winner’s circle. availed themselves of its programs - those who mastered
AREGIVERS. It was disappointing to read that Then there were the Jan. 23, 2006 federal elections. line dances, did aerobics and tai chi, or who simply sat on
a Philippine government salvaging a deteriorating image Of course, the community could rejoice with the and enjoyed listening to juicy gossips and exhilirating tales
by embarking on a costly Lebanon Overseas Filipino accomplishments of new Prime Minister Stephen Harper of yesteryears; those who became proficient in operating
Workers (OFW) evacuation could not even spare a penny and his Cabinet; or computers, enjoyed Web surfing, or wondered why he was
to bring home the remains of Overseas Workers Welfare drown in his failures no longer afraid of handling a mouse; those who learned
Administration-registered caregiver Marilou Tabuno, to fulfill promises that the Filipino language, Math and other school subjects;
whose body had to rest in the cold confines of a funeral could have done good those who horsed around in fun and camaraderie; those
parlor morgue for about two months since a road accident for the community. who partook of delicacies in potluck parties; and those who
that killed her in North York on May 24, 2006. The same could be moved back and observed what a wonderful and amazing
Though administratively and financially constrained, expected with David congregation the community could be if it acted in unison.
the Philippine Consul General’s Office and its labor officer Miller reelected as Also a cause for celebration in 2006 was the
ably negotiated Marilou’s release from the morgue and got HARPER MILLER Toronto mayor. community’s freewheeling involvement -- more pompous
her body on its way home to be given last respects. That a huge population in Toronto could elect a member but less expensive -- in various Canadian and Philippine
Putting aside that government’s ineptness to respond to wield political influence had remained a myth. The spectre festivities showcasing authentic Filipino culture in art,
to the special needs of a dead OFW, it was the news of of Philippine politics, dirty as it was deadly, continued to songs, dances, ethnic fashion and cuisine.
Filipino caregivers dying in Ontario that caught the eye of haunt many T h e
the community. who shied Philippine
THE COMMUNITY FLOCKS TO PIDC EVENTS Indepen-
Shattered dreams. So they were too for Mary Grace away from
Sioco and for Piat, Cagayan native Mirasol Mariano who C a n a d i a n dence Day
drowned while trying to save her two-year old ward in a polls. The Council
Richmond Hill home mid-June. penchant to (PIDC), in
Meanwhile, caregiver Sharon Asuncion was cleared in belong only cooperation
August 2006 of any felony by a Newmarket judge, after a to a clan or with the
gruelling court battle on child abuse charges. Sharon has a regional Philippine
since found a better employer. grouping has Chamber of
The memories left by Tabuno, Sioco and Mariano were resulted in the community interspersing and dividing itself Commerce-Toronto mounted what could be the biggest
those of loving, tender and hardworking Filipino caregivers into smaller patches of political insignificance. What most entertainment and trade show in 2006. Except for a few
committed to give the best of who they were so that others candidates forgot to factor in was the fact that most people blurbs due to an accidental ‘wardrobe malfunction’ courtesy
could go on nurturing the beauty of life; and of the day-to- were in a state that they would rather earn their keep than of one of its lady performers, the community adjudged the
day unwavering heroism of caregivers. exercise their right to suffrage on a working day. PIDC Mabuhay Philippines-Toronto Summer Festival on
Asuncion’s travails, on the other hand, confirmed If these are not what one could say as shaping the July 29, 2006 a big success. The community regarded the
the existence of many a caregiver’s tales of woe; making community’s future in Canada, what then? festival as one socio-cultural event worth going to and

C
everyone mindful of the sometimes sad experiences seeing over the years.
caregivers get from abusive employers, a situation needing ONTROVERSY. Is bad politics really giving In deference to their proclamation of loyalty to
reversal by a united the vulture a bad name? their adoptive country Canada, Filipinos also celebrated
community brave enough to Signs that the vulture has the historical birth of the Philippines, by virtue of a
peaceably assemble, invoke begun to transform into proclamation of independence from American rule by Gen.
street parliamentarism, the mirror image of self- Emilio Aguinaldo in Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898. As in
march and tell politicians proclaimed saviors whose earlier years, the celebration of Philippine Independence in
to amend, if not junk, an ego boosting and personal 2006 was conducted in different dates, not necessarily on
antiquated Canadian Live- interests far outweigh those June 12, in various locations but by a bigger mix of groups,
In Caregiver Program (LCP) of committed volunteers heralding the rejuvenation of Philippine nationalism in the
that has curtailed basic and the general public are hearts and minds of more community members.
human rights and has placed slowly eroding the walls of Celebration. That was also the theme of many of the
women-caregivers into the a once-revered community community’s bevy of entertainment artists. Representing
quagmire of modern-day center. every known musical genre, they showed everyone that
slavery, at least for three or NO. 1. Caregiving is no game. It is a vocation. One just had to read Filipinos love music and music loves Filipinos. In many
so years. between the lines of news instances, this love for music was offered freely in concerts,
Many individuals and reports on the over a year- shows and fundraisers with noble causes.
human rights groups have old controversy brewing in In sports, the community had its first taste of
persistently tried, more the Filipino Centre Toronto representation in Canada’s national game when the Filipino
actively in 2006, to get better to discern truth from lies, Fury took on ice and faced seasoned hockey teams from
treatment for caregivers and concrete gains from black other cultural groups in the 2nd Canadian Multicultural
OFWs in Canada, but were propaganda, builders from Hockey League (CMHL) from Dec. 27 to 30, 2006. In a
either given mere political destroyers, sacrifice from letter to rink sponsor Canadian Ethnic Media Association,
lip service or, worse, that greed. Avoidable and unne- CMHL founder Stan Papulkas cited Manila Media Monitor
what-do-we-care it’s-the- cessary, the noisy and costly for its article that enabled the league to form a hockey team
least-of-our-priorities brush FCT ruckus would go down composed of Filipinos, a rare feat considering that Filipinos
aside. in 2006 as an isolated but are known for excelling in basketball.

C HOICES. The
infamous incident fit to
be relegated to history’s C HAMPION. The community weathered every
choice to become a political forget-about-it and don’t- storm that passed its way.
force to deal with knocked on the community’s door during even-think-about-it trash bins. The community sailed through rough and high seas,
triumphant in its entry to a new year.
the Nov. 13, 2006 municipal elections. Yet, it seemed that
many voters never bothered to exploit the potential of their C ELEBRATION. So why sulk over one atypical Ever strong, daring, patient, resilient, hardworking,
ballots to send more members of the community to the incident? FCT is not at all lost, hearing that it has not ebbed and resolute in making real and meaningful its individual
meeting tables of schoolboards or legislative halls. in the delivery of various services for the community, and collective goals, the community has stood its ground.
At least 13 persons (there could be more) tried their luck controversy or no controversy. In 2006, the community was the champion!
22 Manila Media Monitor JANUARY 2007
Toronto youth projects get $3.5M
Toronto’s Youth Challenge Fund (YCF)
has alloted an initial $3.5 million to support
youth-based projects handled by 19 orga-
nizations working in the city’s 13 priority
neighborhoods.
YCF officials said $1.5 million in pri-
vate donations has been received, including
$1 million from John Hunkin and Susan
Crocker, $250,000 from TD Bank Finan-
cial Group, $81,500 from Foresters, and
$150,000 from other donors.
Ontario has made available some $8
million in matching funds for 2007 and $7
million in 2008.
United Way of Greater Toronto is the
Fund’s trustee, providing administrative
and fund development support.
Manila Media Monitor
23 JANUARY 2007
YCF chair Michael Clemons cited the
people involved in the youth initiative, say-
ing they “engage in a labor of love persis-
tently petitioning for the empowerment of
youth across our country. Many are youth
themselves.”
YCF was established early last year
to directly respond to growing concerns
on youth violence and gang involvement
across Toronto.
YCF is active in Jamestown, Jane-
Finch, Weston-Mount Dennis, Lawrence
Heights, Westminster-Branson, Crescent
Town, Flemingdon Park-Victoria Village,
Steeles-l’Amoreaux, Dorset Park, Eglinton
East-Kennedy Park, Scarborough Village,
Kingston-Galloway, and Malvern. PR

SCHOLARSHIPS. Ateneo Alumni Association Canada (AAAC) members kick off their scholar-
ship fundraisers with the annual Winterlude affair at the Garnet Williams Community Centre in
Thornhill on Jan. 6. The AAAC, which has 15 scholars todate, has planned a golf tournament in
June, the Scholarship Dinner Dance on Sept. 30 and other smaller fundraisers and get-togeth-
ers such as the Kapihan for Ateneo alumni on Jan. 27 at the Golden Valley Banquet Hall. PR
24 News Manila Media Monitor
JANUARY 2007

Jobs safe in family med leaves

The Ontario Family Medical
Leave has assured job protection
for employees caring for “gravely
ill loved ones.”
Labor Minister Steve Peters
said the program has given
employees up to eight weeks of
job-protected, unpaid leave to
care for very sick family members
or a person considered to be like a
family member.
But the employee would have
to submit a medical certificate
issued by a qualified health
practitioner.
The certificate should state
that the family member has a
serious medical condition with a
significant risk of death within 26
weeks.
Employees taking leave under
the broad category of “like a
family member” would fill up a
federal attestation form.
The eligible family members
for whom an employee could
take the leave included the
employee’s spouse (including
same-sex spouse); a parent, step-
parent or foster parent; a child,
step-child or foster child of the
employee or the employee’s
spouse.
The list has expanded
to siblings; grandparents,
grandchildren; certain in-laws;
aunts, uncles; nieces, nephews;
certain step-relations; and a
person considered to be like a
family member.
The Family Medical Leave
dovetailed with the federal
government’s Compassionate
Care Benefits that permitted
workers in similar situations to MRS. PANGASINAN 2006 & FELLOW PANGASINENSES.
apply for Employment Insurance Mrs. Angelina Tawatao (2nd from right), the reigning Mrs.
benefits while away from work. Pangasinan 2006 in Toronto, Ontario, poses with husband,
PR Har Tawatao, (right), Ben Arcalas and Amy Arcalas. JT

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Cheers to a Healthy, Happy & Peaceful New Year!

Manila Media Monitor
JANUARY 2007 The Philippines 25

US embassy gets custody of marine-rapist

MANILA - The US embassy here on fect the substantive issues at bar, nor impede

US-RP war games resume

Dec. 29 got custody of convicted rapist
American marine Lance Corporal Daniel
Smith on orders of the government.
In Malacañang, President Gloria Maca-
pagal-Arroyo said on Jan. 2 that Smith was
transferred to the embassy’s custody to avert
the further erosion of Philippine strategic re-
lations with the US over non-compliance by
the government of its treaty obligation under
the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).
But the President said Smith’s transfer to
the custody of US authorities “will not af-
justice and the rule of law.”
Arroyo said the Executive Branch “is
prepared to meet all legal challenges to the
government action on the Smith case, and
we are confident that its legitimacy and wis-
dom will be upheld.”
Embassy spokesman Matthew Lussen-
hop said the Philippine government decided
to transfer (Smith) back to US custody, con-
sistent with VFA terms.
But Makati Regional Trial Court Judge
(Continued on page 26)
MANILA - United States Embassy spokesman Matthew Lussenhop on Jan. 2
announced that the Balikatan joint military exercise between American and Filipino
soldiers would resume. Lussenhop made the confirmation after the Philippine govern-
ment turned over convicted rapist Lance Corporal Daniel Smith to the custody of the
US Embassy, saying the tuirnover made both parties “in compliance with the Visiting
Forces Agreement.” Philippine officials confirmed the resumption of the war games.
Days before Christmas, the US government cancelled the war games with the Philip-
pines due to the continued detention of a US Marine convicted of rape. PNA

Flashfloods hit Mindanao

BUTUAN CITY - At least 22,703 families or 96,965 persons have
sought higher grounds as flashfloods, triggered by swollen rivers follow-
ing continuous torrential rains since Jan. 2, submerged as many as 75 vil-
lages in about 15 towns in the Caraga region in northern Mindanao.
The Philippines News Agency on Jan. 11 reported that two persons
drowned during the onrush and continued rise of waters, which also af-
fected millions of pesos worth of property, crops, livestock and other ag-
ricultural assets.
In Agusan del Sur, waters have reportedly replaced the landscape in
the towns of Prosperidad, Sta. Josefa, San Francisco, Loreto, Veruela, Es-
peranza, Bunawan and Talacogon. In Surigao del Sur, flashfloods swept
villages near rivers in the towns of Tago and San Miguel. Similar flooding
was reported in 19 villages in Butuan City’s eastern side, barangay Ama-

Bulusan Volcano’s ash covers 11 villages

Sorsogon’s erstwhile quiet Bulusan Volcano rumbled anew, recently spewed a blanket of
ash over 11 villages and triggered minor tremors. While scientists say the activity shows
volcanic restiveness, there are no signs of any forthcoming major eruption. The ash fall
deposits are observed in barangays Monbon, Buenavista, Salvacion, Casini, Liyang, Patag,
Sto. Domingo, Tulay, and Poblacion, all in the town of Irosin; and in Trece and Gate of Bulan,
Sorsogon. PNA
maylan being hardest hit.
Landslides have also hit Agusan del Norte, particularly in barangays
Marcos Calo, Mandamo and Dankias of Las Nievas town. A swollen Agu-
san River also spilled water over Las Nieves and RTR town.
Meanwhile, calls for relief and rehabilitation aid were also made for
victims of floods in Davao del Norte and Davao del Sur.
Continuous rains since News Year’s eve have affected over 400 fami-
lies in Kapalong, Asuncion, Tagum City and Carmen, all in Davao del
Norte; and in Malita and Sta. Maria, both in Davao del Sur.

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US embassy ...
(From page 25)
The Philippines Manila Media Monitor
26
JANUARY 2007

Benjamin Pozon, who handled

Smith’s case, refused to hand him
over to US custody.
Pozon insisted that a provision
in the bilateral VFA said “any ac-
cused American serviceman shall
remain in US custody until all judi-
cial proceedings are exhausted.”
Pozon said the provision applied
only during “the judicial proceed-
ings in the trial court.” It expired
upon a defendant’s conviction, re-
gardless of a pending appeal.
On Dec. 18, the Court of Ap-
peals (CA) denied Smith’s Dec. 14
request of a temporary restraining
order on his detention at the jail.
On Jan. 4, Malacañang said the CA
upheld the transfer.
Pozon sentenced Smith to 40
years in prison for the rape of 22-
year old Nicole (not her real name)
on Nov. 1, 2005, his first day of
rest and recreation after military
exercises in Central Luzon.
On Jan. 4, Presidential Spokes-
man Ignacio Bunye said “the US
and the Philippine governments
have learned good lessons from this
case.”
“The government is also re-
solved to review the VFA and, if
warranted, to work with Congress
to amend certain provisions there-
of,” he said.
Earlier, Executive Secretary
Eduardo Ermita called on the
Cabinet and Congress to review
the provision on “extraordinary
circumstances” among others in
the VFA, in order to avoid similar
controversies in the future. PNA/
Wires
RP to import rice amid ‘better harvests’
DO WE REALLY HAVE ENOUGH RICE? The question remains
in the minds of Filipinos who used to see the Philippines
as a rice exporter. Above, President Gloria Macapagal-Ar-
royo talks to a store owner in Barangay 637, Zone 65 in San
Miguel, Manila who sells National Food Authority rice. OPS
No political gimmick - Ermita
MANILA - The Philippine
government is set to import some
one million metric tons of rice for
its “Food for School” program.
Under the program, grade
school pupils are each given
one kilo of iron-fortified rice per
school attendance, aiming to mo-
tivate them attend school and ad-
dress malnutrition.
But under serious scrutiny is
the P4.7 billion the government
set aside for the 2007 school feed-
ing program.
Agriculture Secretary Arthur
Yap confirmed the importation.
Senator Edgardo Angara, how-
ever, noted that rice alone would
not ease malnutrition problems
and the importation would only
serve administration-favored im-
porters.
Angara said the importation
was an insult to Filipino farmers,
who deserved the money as rice
production support.
The Department of Agricul-
ture, in a recent report, said it ex-
pected domestic rice production
to go up to 15.2 million metric
tons in 2006, or four percent high-
er than the 14.6 MMT produced
in 2005, despite damages to rice
farms caused by super typhoons.
In another report, the Food
and Agriculture Organization said
Asian countries like Bangladesh,
Iran and the Philippines would re-
duce rice importation in 2007 as
paddy production are expected to
be better.
Rice scientists and program
planners of the Philippine Rice
Research Institute also decried
the government’s huge budget for
rice importation but very minimal
funding for rice production.
They said the National Food
Authority has made available
some P29 billion for rice impor-
tation in 2006 but only P1 billion
for rice production.
“Looking at these figures
makes one very sick. We have
that much money for importation
but just a pittance for rice produc-
tion,” they said.
Meanwhile, Executive Sec-
retary Eduardo Ermita defended
the proposed P4.7-billion school
feeding program as a legitimate
initiative intended to address the
problem of malnutrition among
schoolchildren of the country’s
poorest of the poor, many of
whom dropped out of school due
to poverty and health concerns.
Politics had nothing to do with
the project, Ermita said.
“The program is among the
various pro-poor projects of Presi-
dent Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ...
not a political gimmick,” he said.
Wires
JANUARY 2007 Manila Media Monitor 27
Manila Media Monitor
JANUARY 2007
28 The Philippines Provincial Roundup
GSIS uses ecards for pensions
January in Iloilo City CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -
The Government Service Insurance
System (GSIS) has started, since Jan.

Hala Bira! 1, crediting the monthly pensions for

old-age pensioners to the latter’s GSIS
eCard account. This meant that pen-
Iloilo City’s Dinagyang had its beginnings in 1968 when Fr. Sulpicio Ebderes, OSA brought a replica of the sioners should use their GSIS eCard to
image of the Señor Santo Niño from Cebu City to the San Jose Parish church where it has been enshrined withdraw pension in any Automated
since. A novena in His honor is held every Friday. The first parish feast of Señor Santo Niño was celebrated Tellering Machine (ATM) nationwide,
in 1969. The culmination of the nine-day novena is a fluvial proces- GSIS president and general manager
sion. From 1969, the cel- Winston Garcia said. GSIS would stop using checks to deliver pen-
ebration was casually sions. Garcia urged pensioners without eCards to enroll themselves
called “Iloilo Ati-Atihan” at the GSIS home office or the nearest GSIS servicing office to
to differentiate it from the avoid suspension of their pension payments. PIA
Mardi Gras-like revelry of
Kalibo, Aklan. Through
the years, Iloilo’s Dinag-
Zambales sun-run water supply
yang festival evolved into MASINLOC, Zambales - A P4.5-million solar-powered water
a time of the year every- supply facility will soon be installed in barangay San Salvador here.
one looks forweard to as The facility will improve sanitation and regulate pollution vital in
it has become a period of the preservation of marine life. San Salvador has coral reefs that
thanksgiving and offer- serve as spawning and nursery areas for various fishery species. The
ing for all the blessings reefs also protect the coastline from erosion by wave action. PIA
the people have received,
thanks to the Señor Santo Aklan to expand abaca output
Niño. This year, the festi-
KALIBO, Aklan - Officials here have set their sights on ex-
val will feature an inter-
panding abaca production in the province, making up for losses in
national Holiday On Ice
show. the aftermath of recent supertyphoons that hit the country’s leading
Hala Bira! Hala Bira! abaca sources like Bicol. Officials said the area planted to abaca
would be raised from 1,500 to 3,355 hectares in the towns of Alta-
vas, Balete, Banga, Ibajay, Madalag, Makato, Malinao, and Liba-

RP, Afghanistan 2nd to Iraq in cao. The Philippines used to cover 90 percent of global demand for
abaca fiber, but could not meet demand because of dipping yields
and dwindling land area devoted to cultivating the plant. PIA

journalists’ death toll - CPJ Isabela town goes high-tech

NEW YORK - The Philippines and Afghanistan
ranked side by side second to Iraq in the infamous list
of nations with the highest death toll of journalists.
Radio reporter Andy Acosta was stabbed and
killed while on his way home from a press club
party in Batac, Ilocos Norte on Dec. 20. Acosta, 46,
was a police beat reporter of radio station DZJC
based in Laoag City. He was the fourth mediaper-
son killed in the Philippines in 2006. PNA
With three journalists killed apiece, the Philip-
pines and Afghanistan, however, were a far cry from
the 32 -- 28 of them murdered -- killed in Iraq.
Russia, Mexico, Pakistan, and Colombia each had
two journalists killed.
At least 55 journalists died around the world in
2006 doing their jobs, an increase from 47 in 2005,
according to the Committee to Protect Journalists
(CPJ) in a report released on Dec. 20.
The Iraq figures made the country’s death toll for
journalists the highest ever for a single country in one
year since CPJ began keeping track in 1981.
For the fourth consecutive year, Iraq was in a cat-
egory all its own as the deadliest place for journal-
ists,” the report stated.
“This year’s killings bring to 92 the number of
journalists who have died in Iraq since the U.S.-led
invasion of March 2003.
In addition, 37 media support workers-interpret-
ers, drivers, fixers, and office workers-have been
killed since the war began.
CPJ also revealed that murder was the leading
cause of journalist deaths in 2006, accounting for
about 85 percent of cases.
“Among those slain was Russian Anna Politkovs-
kaya, a leading investigative journalist and critic of
President Vladimir Putin,” the report stated. “She was
shot, contract-style, in her Moscow apartment build-
ing on October 7,” CPJ Executive Director Joel Si-
mon said.
“When an internationally renowned reporter can
be gunned down in her own apartment building and
the perpetrators walk away free, it has a devastating
effect on the press. Fewer tough questions are asked,
fewer risky stories are covered,” Simon said.
“Her case shows why impunity is such a serious
threat to press freedom, not only in Russia but in na-
tions such as the Philippines, Colombia, Mexico, and
Pakistan.”
JONES, Isabela - This sec-
ond class town lying on the
Northern Sierra Madre mountain
ranges has gone high-technology.
Mayor Florante Raspado said the
on-line connection of the town
has greatly helped not only the lo-
cal government but also students
who have saved time and money to travel to nearby Santiago City
to avail of internet services. PIA
Cag. de Oro school gets books
TORONTO - Pupils of a grade school in Cagayan de Oro City
were just too glad to get new and pre-loved books, activity sets, art
materials and school supplies, courtesy of Ricky Caluen, Cynthia
Aliño-Perez and Glen Perez and Nobella Tumbokon, all of the Al-
pha Phi Omega (APO) Southern Ontario Alumni Association. The
donations were sent to the school after school officials intimated the
plight of their bookless library. PR
N. Vizcaya-Baguio road opens
ARITAO, Nueva Vizcaya - The P858.8-million Aritao-Kayapa-
Pangawan Road that would link Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya to Baguio
City formally opened to traffic on Jan. 2. The road would provide an
alternative route to the provinces of Isabela, Quirino and Nueva Viz-
caya in the east and the provinces of Benguet, La Union and Ilocos

Philippines leads 61st UNGA Sur in the west. Another road project, the Ambuklao-Kayapa road, is
expected to be finished in October. PNA

twice -- in acting capacity NegOcc geothermal plant up

KANLAON,
NEW YORK - The Philippines ended 2006 by rized to sign correspondence, represent the UNGA in Negros Occiden-
taking over as acting president of the 61st United Na- meetings of other UN organs, receive callers and as- tal - A 50-megawatt
tions General Assembly (UNGA) anew. sume other functions. geothermal plant
The Philippine Mission to the UN said General The designation of Baja as acting president was here will soon start
Assembly President Haya Rashed Al-Khalifa of Bah- different from the occasions when he presided over operations. The over
rain has requested Ambassador Lauro Baja, Philip- UNGA meetings as vice president. $2-million project,
pine Permanent Representative to the UN, to again The Philippines first presided on Sept. 13, when undertaken by the
assume his functions from December 24 to 31, 2006. Baja was asked, as vice president, to chair the High Philippine National
The designation made the Philippines the first Level Dialogue of the 61st UNGA on the agenda item Oil Corporation, is
vice president of the 61st UNGA to be asked to serve Migration and Development. seen as a big boost
as acting president twice. A week later, the Philippines was given another GEOTHERMAL PLANT IN MINDANAO
to the economy of
UNGA President Al-Khalifa first designated Am- opportunity when Department of Foreign Affairs Western Visayas as it will address the power deficit problem in the
bassador Baja as acting president of the General As- Secretary Alberto Romulo was requested to chair the region, especially Panay Island. This will issue the signal that the
sembly on Oct. 19. general debate of the 61st UNGA, also in the coun- region is ready to cater to new and big investments. PNA
As acting president, Ambassador Baja was autho- try’s capacity as vice president. PNA
29 Manila Media Monitor JANUARY 2007
Canadian aid for disaster victims UST-EHS group calls on Fil-Can
alumni support for revitalization
MANILA - University of Santo Tomas - Education High School Alumni Association
(UST-EHS AA) interim president Eduardo Nepomuceno (Batch `69) has called on co-
alumni in Canada and elsewhere in North America to step up and solidify support for the
rebirth and revitalization of the association, which had become dormant in recent years.
Nepomuceno said the active participation of alumni members abroad would greatly
complement the initiatives of co-alumni in the Philippines.
Nepomuceno’s call came after the election of an interim set of officers in a reorganiza-
tion meeting at the UST-EHS Principal’s Office, UST Education building on Nov. 18.
Elected with Nepomuceno were external vice president Reynaldo Ligueran, `76; inter-
nal vice president Louie Cirilo, `89; secretaries Ritchie Parenas, `96 and Ria Rose Sorita-
Buluran, `94; treasurer Anita Edralin-Florentino, `70; and press and public relations of-
ficers Eduardo Umali, `71 and Leticia Abad-Durens, `75.
Committee heads elected were Armando Tolentino, `71 and Allan Hinayo, ‘88 for re-
cruitment and membership; Jesus Nartates, `69 and Ernie Lazaro, ‘76 for ways and means;
Edilberto Florentino, `70; Umali and Durens for programs and events.

LOANS AND MORTGAGES

► Line of Credit
► Personal and Business Loans
► Best Rate Mortgage with No Commission
Canadian Ambassador in Manila Peter Sutherland turns over a sack of seed-
► Mortgage for Bad Credit/Bankruptcy
lings to Emilio Punio, barangay captain of Guinsaugon, St.Bernard, South-
ern Leyte, as a symbol of Canada’s assistance to the village hardest hit ► Self-Employed
by mudslides in February last year. Sutherland visited Southern Leyte to ► New Immigrant ► No Income
see the projects that got aid from the Canadian International Development ► O% down, 7% Cash-Back Mortgages
Agency through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives. The Leyte Center for ► Re-financing
Development and the Citizens Disaster Response Center are two organiza- ► Debt Consolidation
MARY-ANN SOBERANO
tions implementing one of the projects that directly benefit the survivors of
Guinsaugon. Canada Fund gave P2.5 million for economic assistance and Tel No.: (647) 430-3680 Cell: (416) 825-9803
disaster response training to the affected areas in St. Bernard. More than
600 families in six affected barangays have been given seeds, farm tools,
and farm animals such as goats and ducks, as livelihood assistance. The
grant was also used to for capacity-building activities that trained commu-
LIVE-IN CAREGIVERS WANTED
nity leaders in disaster preparedness and mitigation. The Canadian govern-
If you have someone in Hong Kong, Taiwan or Singapore, tell
ment contributed more than P13 million for relief and rehabilitation of the them to forward their resume and photo to 1057 Steeles Ave.
mudslide-affected communities. Recently, the Canadian government has West, PO Box 81721, Toronto ON M2R 3X1 or email to philca-
given some P7 million in the aftermath of Typhoon Milenyo and P45 million nfinancialconsultants@yahoo.ca
for victims of Typhoon Reming. PR
30
Siocon Subanons to invest TVIRD royalty
payments in livelihood, community projects
ZAMBOANGA CITY - The
Department of Trade and Industry
(DTI) and other public and pri-
vate agencies have committed to
help the Siocon Subanon Associa-
tion, Inc. (SSAI) in managing the
royalty payments the association
has been receiving from TVI Re-
sources Development Philippines,
Inc. (TVIRD) in Canatuan, Sio-
con, Zamboanga del Norte.
TVIRD media officer Rocky
Dimaculangan said the help fo-
cused on planning and carrying
out livelihood and community
The Philippines Manila Media Monitor
JANUARY 2007
CANADA-RP
ECONOMIC BI-
LATERAL CON-
S U LTAT I O N S .
National Eco-
development projects SSAI mem- mine copper and zinc at Canatuan. nomic and De-
bers have identified. TVI Pacific would invest over $23 velopment Au-
Dimaculangan said SSAI, the million for the project. thority assistant
legal representative of the 1,200- The Canadian mining firm director-gen-
strong Certificate of Ancestral hoped to begin production, esti- eral Rolando G.
Domain Title holders in Canatuan, mated to reach 1,300 dry metric Tungpalan (left)
has received royalty paymnets of tonnes per day, in early 2007, of- and Canadian
about P5 million in 2005. ficials added. International
TVIRD officials estimated the TVI Canatuan General Manag- Development
Subanons would get some P14 er Yulo Perez said TVIRD has been Agency direc-
million, net of tax, for 2006. processing an average of 1,500 dry tor-general for
Meanwhile, Calgary-based TVI metric tonnes of ore - rocks that Asia Pauline
Pacific, Inc., TVIRD’s mother firm, contained gold and silver - to pro- Kehoe (right) exchange copies of the aide memoriam to the
announced it had received positive duce roughly P5 million to P6 mil- 9th Annual Bilateral Consultations between the two countries
results on a feasibility study to lion worth of gold per day. PNA in a recent signing ceremony. PR
JANUARY 2007 Manila Media Monitor 31

Wishing You a New Year of Peace, Prosperity & Happiness!

 Tenorio Manila shoes
hit Toronto market
Business Manila Media Monitor
32 JANUARY 2007
Philippine-made and designed high-quality Tenorio
Manila designer shoes have started making a mark in
Toronto’s footwear arena, through distributor Gemma
Get ready for Asean economic
integration, RP exporters urged
Mendoza Fashion Studio Ltd.
The Philippines’ youngest but foremost shoe de-
signer label, Tenorio Manila has received raves in
Germany’s Dusseldorf Shoe Fair and was finalist in the
Harvard Business School Entrepreneurial Idol’s ”Battle CEBU CITY - Fred western and Asian countries
of the Business Plans.” Escalona, executive offi- would remain costly, invest-
With Tehran-born, Filipino-American Brian Teno- cer of the Confederation of ments in retirement facilities
rio as principal designer, Tenorio Manila has produced Philippine Exporters Foun- would open to more highly
high-end footwear created by its team in the Marikina dation (Philexport) Cebu developed medical facilities
Valley. Inc., urged export industry and quality medical staff in
Tenorio Manila is the only made-to-order custom- players to be “competitive the Philippines.
fit designer label for men and women shoes in the Far and innovative” to meet the Escalona said the coun-
East. PR challenges of the proposed try’s tropical climate would
Association of South East contribute greatly in the

Peso gains vs US, Cdn $ Asian Nations (Asean) eco-

nomic integration.
It would be survival of
growth of medical tourism.
He noted that as young
graduates improved their
The Philippine peso continued its rebound in the first the fittest, “so they should proficiency in the English
two weeks of January to breach the P48 to the US dollar and position themselves as early language, more call centers
$41 to the Canadian dollar levels. The peso drew its strength as now,” Escalona said.
Annual foreign exchange earn- and business process out-
from dollar inflows of overseas Filipino worker remittances He feared Asean eco- ings from the Philippines’ call sourcing companies would
and stepped up investments in the local stock market. But nomic integration would center industry will nearly triple enter the field.
exporters believed the industry would face more difficulties “kill” small businesses. Escalona said ICT and
this year with the peso’s foreign exchange gains, said Al- With calls to move the to $7.3 billion in 2010, up from information technology
lan Suarez Jr., chairman of the Confederation of Philippine economic integration ear- $2.6 billion in 2006. enabled services would be-
Exporters Cebu. Economists said the peso’s appreciation, lier to 2015, Escalona said come a $12-billion industry
which made Philippine products more expensive abroad, industry players should be- roadmap for the creation of While furniture and in the next few years.
will go up to P45 to a dollar. gin finding their own niche an Asean economic commu- electronics are considered “And a growth in these
The peso exchange rate against the dollar: market “as early as now.” nity that names 12 pioneer “highly developed” or ma- sectors will reduce the
US$ Cdn$ The integration is seen sectors for integration. ture sectors, Escalona ex- country’s brain drain prob-
Dec. 29, 2006 49.0681 42.1051 as a chance for Asean mem- The sectors are electron- pected good returns from lem,” he said.
Jan. 02, 2007 48.9280 41.9998 ber-countries to improve ics, information technology, the country’s services sec- Escalona expressed
Jan. 03, 2007 48.8711 41.7711 each other’s capabilities. health care, wood-based tor, particularly medical optimism that with the de-
Jan. 04, 2007 48.8693 41.5535 “It’s better to work to- products, automotives, rub- tourism, information and velopment in the country’s
Jan. 05, 2007 48.8602 41.5633 gether in cooperation rather ber-based products, textiles communication technology services sector, the Philip-
Jan. 08, 2007 48.9109 41.5282 than compete against each and apparel, agro-based (ICT) and other ICT-en- pines would benefit from
Jan. 09, 2007 48.7173 41.3394 other,” he added. products, fisheries, air trav- abled services. the Asean economic inte-
Jan. 10, 2007 48.9705 41.6318 Asean leaders drafted a el, tourism and logistics. While health services in gration. PNA
 Pact assures more Ont.
employment services
Business Manila Media Monitor
JANUARY 2007 33

Ontario’s businessmen and workers are seen to gain from close

to $1 billion in training and employment services through Employ- Filipino women’s economic growth
gets priority in CIDA P315M grant
ment Ontario, a result of the Canada-Ontario Labor Market Devel-
opment Agreement, a CNW Group report said.
Chris Bentley, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities,
said the agreement, effective Jan. 1, transferred many federal train-
ing and employment programs, resources and staff to the province.
Bentley said Employment Ontario has become one-stop shop MANILA - Canada, through
with the transfer, making the system more flexible and effective. the Canadian International De-
The transfer meant Ontarians would get more resources as $525 velopment Agency (CIDA) has
million in transferred yearly federal programming would combine granted the National Commission
with $360 million in Ontario programs; more service as people and on the Role of Filipino Women
businesses served yearly would grow from over 500,000 to 900,000; (NCRFW) over P315 million for
and more locations as the number of third-party service providers projects that would spur women’s
would increase from 470 to 1,200 in all regions of the province. economic empowerment.
Under the agreement, employers would get expanded services to Canadian Ambassador Peter
help them find the workers they needed and to encourage investment Sutherland and National Eco-
in skills development; job-threatened or laid-off workers would ben- nomic and Development Author-
efit from better coordination and availability of services; and em- ity Secretary-General Romulo
ployers, workers, newcomers, and youth would get more flexible Neri have signed a memorandum
programs that support life-long learning to meet changing needs. of understanding and contribu-
tion arrangement spelling out how
Land Bank comes to OFW aid project funds would be managed.
The Gender Responsive Eco-
DAVAO CITY - The Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) would nomic Actions for the Transforma-
offer programs for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) early 2007 for tion of Women (GREAT Women)
them to become entrepreneurs. LBP Davao Region vice president Jo- project started in November and STEREOTYPED. Studies show that gender role stereotypes
selito Guittierez said the initiative would come through loans or other would run until 2011. have negative effects on women’s access to capital, mar-
investment products, to include entrepreneurship for them to put up Under the agreement, the ket, information, technology, and technical assistance. The
small businesses. Guittierrez said this “recognizes (OFW) efforts of Department of Trade and Indus- belief that women’s participation in businesses should be
pump priming the economy and their inexhaustible contribution to try, Technology and Livelihood limited to very small and overcrowded enterprises such
keeping the country’s economic lifeline running.” PIA Resource Center, Technical Edu- as “sari-sari” (village convenience) stores, preserved fruit
cation and Skills Development repacking, etc., has resulted in very small profits and high
Clark tollway due November Authority and other Philippine risks of business failure in these micro-enterprises.
CLARK ZONE, Pampanga - The P21-billion 93-kilometer Subic- government agencies would re-
Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) would be completed in November view policies and guidelines that tate and enhance active women’s with men for decent jobs.”
2007. Narciso Abaya, president and CEO of the Bases Conversion and would create more accessible and participation in micro-enterprises “It also means involving them
Development Authority (BCDA), said the Philippines’ longest toll way friendlier business environments in pump-priming local econo- in profitable economic activities,
intended to transform Central and Northern Luzon into a super region. for women. mies. ensuring humane working condi-
Abaya said the completion of the tollway would jumpstart economic CIDA has also partnered with Sutherland said “economic tions, and increasing their control
development in Central Luzon and enable the country be globally-com- local government units, civil soci- empowerment means helping over the business environment,”
petitive. PNA ety and the private sector to facili- women have equal opportunities Sutherland added. PR
 GM eyes less oil reliance,
more vehicle electrification
General Motors (GM) Chairman and CEO
Rick Wagoner said the car firm has planned to re-
duce reliance on oil as an energy supply and has-
ten the “electrification” of future GM vehicles.
In a recent Los Angeles Auto Show, Wag-
oner said “we must, as a business necessity, de-
velop alternative sources of propulsion based on
alternative sources of energy.”
“Energy diversity” is the key, he said, add-
ing that GM is committed to emission-free hy-
drogen fuel cell electric vehicles. “We will offer
more GM E85 FlexFuel (bio-ethanol) vehicles.”
David Paterson, vice president for corporate
and environmental affairs of GM Canada Ltd.,
said the company has been doing more of this
work in Canada.
► GM Oshawa Engineering is assembling
the world’s largest fuel cell test fleet of Chevro-
let Equinox Fuel Cell vehicles and working on
the development of GM’s next generation of ad-
vanced hybrid vehicle systems.
► GM Windsor is building hybrid transmis-
sions for the Saturn Vue Green Line – the most
affordable hybrid SUV in the market – and the
new Saturn Aura hybrid that will be on dealer
lots in mid-2007.
► GM St. Catharines is building GM “Ac-
tive Fuel Management” engines that achieve up
to 12 percent better fuel economy by automati-
cally shutting down half their cylinders when not
needed, a key development for reducing highway
fuel consumption.
► GM Oshawa is building the award-win-
ning E85 Flex Fuel Chevy Impala which has the
lowest net greenhouse gas emissions of any ve-
hicle sold in Canada, when running on cellulosic
ethanol bio-fuel.
► GM Kapuskasing initiates cold weather
testing of hybrid electric, fuel cell and bio fuel
vehicles. PR
Wheels
US lifts tariffs on Cdn steel
WASHINGTON - Automakers won a
surprise victory on Dec. 14 as the U.S. In-
ternational Trade Commission lifted most
of the 13-year-old tariffs on imports of
high-grade steel used in cars, a move that
should boost ailing Detroit automakers by
lowering prices.
In a 4-2 vote, the commission lifted tar-
iffs on flat-rolled corrosion-resistant steel
from Canada, France, Australia and Japan,
but kept them on imports from South Korea
and Germany for another five years, David
Shepardson of the Detroit News reported.
In an unusual display of solidarity, Gen-
eral Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co., Daim-
lerChrysler AG, Toyota Motor Corp., Nis-
san Motor Co. and Honda Motor Co. jointly
worked to end the duties, which they argued
had cost them more than $3 billion since
Odd Makes & Models
Bamboo-embellished car in Ban- children.
gued, Abra, the Philippines
Brass-embellished car, California, USA
Manila Media Monitor
34 JANUARY 2007
2003.
Toyota trying
system to deter
In making their case, automakers point-
ed to steel shortages in the United States and
drunken driving
a 68 percent price increase over the past two
TOKYO - Toyota Motor Corp. is devel-
years, fueled by tariffs as high as 35 percent
oping a fail-safe system for cars that could
on imports, depending on the country of ori-
detect drunken drivers and would automati-
gin. cally shut the vehicle down if sensors picked
Automakers also noted the 12 percent
up signs of excessive alcohol consumption, a
average profit of the largest steel companies
Jan. 3 Asahi Shimbun news report said.
after they underwent restructuring.
Cars fitted with the detection system
In contrast, GM and Ford have been los-
would not start if sweat sensors in the driv-
ing money and are cutting jobs and plants.
ing wheel detected high levels of alcohol in
Because of tight competition, automak-
the driver’s bloodstream.
ers have been unable to pass on higher steel
The system could also kick in if the sen-
prices by raising vehicle prices.
sors detected abnormal steering, or if a spe-
The tariff rollbacks would help smaller
cial camera showed that the driver’s pupils
auto parts makers, who have often faced
were not in focus. The car would slow to a
shortages, forcing them to pay higher prices
halt.
on the spot market. Toyota hoped to fit cars with the system
by the end of 2009.
Nissan Motor Co., another Japanese car
maker, has been experimenting with breatha-
lyzer-like devices that could detect drunken
driving.
Similar technologies, such as alcohol ig-
nition interlocks, have been in use in the U.S.
and elsewhere.
Concerns over drunken driving have
surged in Japan following a series of alco-
hol-related accidents last year.
In August, a drunken driver collided with
another vehicle carrying a family of five,
plunging them off a bridge and killing three
Japanese police have stepped up road
inspections and have even proposed stiffer
penalties for drunken driving.
 Wheels
Detroit auto show Jan. 13-21
Are you are a motorhead
or just an average motorist
keen on getting a first look at
the hottest new vehicles com-
ing this year and beyond?
The North American
International Auto Show,
which remains the top US
auto show for its sheer num-
ber of important model intro-
ductions, is just for you.
The show runs Jan. 13 to
21 at the Cobo Hall, Detroit
Convention Center. Admis-
sion is $12, Forbes Autos/
Yahoo! has said.
Last year the show boast-
ed 70 new vehicles, includ-
ing many world debuts. But
business woes for domestic
automakers, combined with
weak economic conditions
and inflamed gas prices,
mean that they are under a lot
of pressure to deliver designs
that are going to be a hit with
discerning shoppers.
Car makers will keep
pushing stylish, car-based
SUVs - called crossovers
because they are a sort of
cross between a wagon and
an SUV - as alternatives to
sedans and minivans; sporty
niche utility vehicles will
hone in on younger, more-
finicky buyers; and striking
designer interiors, with ma-
terials such as brushed alu-
minum and carbon fiber, and
customizable features like
LED mood lighting and mul-
timedia entertainment sys-
tems will find a place even in
the smallest cars.
Here are some of the new
vehicles expected to grace
the Detroit auto show show:
At the recent Los An-
geles auto show, Acura
unveiled the future design
direction of its sedans with
its high-waisted, aggressive
Advanced Sedan Concept.
In Detroit, Honda’s luxury
brand will roll out a similarly
named Advanced Sports Car
concept that the company
says “provides a glimpse at
the next-generation Acura
exotic sports car,” presum-
ably one to fill the void left
by the discontinued NSX.
Although it’s no secret
that the 2007 BMW 3 Series
Convertible will use a fold-
ing hardtop system rather
than a conventional soft-top,
Detroit will mark the public
debut for the models.
The 2008 Cadillac CTS
sport sedan launched a whole
new and much-acclaimed
look for Cadillac when it
debuted in 2002 and will re-
ceive its first major redesign
for model year ‘08. It should
prove to be a significant new
model for this American
brand that faces steeper com-
petition by the year.
Last year, muscle cars
Ford Interceptor
Acura advanced sedan concept
ruled at the Detroit show,
with unveilings of the Chev-
rolet Camaro and Dodge
Challenger concepts as well
as the 2007 Ford Shelby
GT500. The trend continues
this year, with a Chevrolet
Camaro convertible con-
cept and a revamped 600-hp
Dodge Viper.
Chrysler will show its
Nassau wagon concept that,
according to the automaker,
brings the side silhouette
of a British-style “shooting
brake” sports car (like a low-
slung wagon) and the cargo
versatility of an SUV. It is
based on the same platform
as Chrysler’s 300 sedan and
will likely see production.
Ford will pull the wraps
off a high-performance, rear-
wheel-drive sedan concept
called the Interceptor, based
on the Mustang coupe.
Lincoln may also show a
high-performance sport se-
dan called the MKR.
The Trailhawk concept
that Jeep plans to roll out is
based on the Wrangler, but
with a more stylish, contem-
porary appearance inside and
out, including an open-top.
Lexus plans a new high-
performance line, designated
with the “F” and equipped
competitively against Mer-
cedes-Benz’s AMG line and
BMW’s M cars. The first of
these, the IS-F, a high-pow-
ered version of the brand’s IS
sport sedan, will be unveiled
at the show and is expected
for 2008, along with a futur-
istic hybrid sports car con-
cept called the FT-HS.
Mazda has a new hybrid
version of the Tribute, called
the 2008 Tribute HEV. More
mysterious is the automak-
er’s Ryuga, the latest of sev-
eral recent Mazda sports car
concepts. The Ryuga looks
to be a very sleek, sculpted
sports car with gullwing
doors.
Mercedes-Benz plans
to break the blahs with its
Ocean Drive, a four-door
convertible based on the big,
35 Manila Media Monitor JANUARY 2007
V12-powered S600 sedan.
Other cars to debut in-
clude a special edition of
the Mini Cooper convertible
called the Sidewalk; a thinly
veiled preview of the next
Mitsubishi Evolution sport
sedan in its Prototype X; a
Nissan multipurpose vehicle
concept called the Bevel;
and a revised and face-lifted
‘08 Porsche Cayenne.
Anticipated, but not cer-
tain, are Hummer’s new H4,
a smaller model designed
to go head-to-head with the
Wrangler, and a revised 2007
Maserati Quattroporte.
Two other concepts con-
firmed for Detroit will pres-
age production cars to come.
Jaguar is bringing a concept
car, the C-XF, that will give
a glimpse of the S-Type’s re-
placement, due for ‘09; and
Volvo’s upcoming XC60
SUV isn’t expected until
the ‘09 model year, but the
automaker will show it as a
concept at Detroit. Read our
preview of the Volvo XC60
here.
Rolls-Royce will bring
the production-bound ver-
sion of its convertible model,
called the Phantom Drop-
head. Teased in concept form
for several years, the latest
development bears the same
huge, 6.75-liter V12 engine
as the Phantom sedan. Sur-
prisingly, the $407,000 two-
door model has rear-hinged
doors, a unique, eye-catch-
ing feature.
General Motors an-
nounced at the November
LA show that it is working
on a plug-in hybrid version
of the Saturn Vue, which
would allow drivers to do
short commutes on electric
power only, with gasoline-
hybrid function for longer
trips. GM is expected to
make a significant follow-up
announcement at Detroit.
As always, there will un-
doubtedly be many cleverly
kept surprises that are not re-
leased until the official press
days of the Detroit show.
JANUARY 2007 Manila Media Monitor 36
One of the real joys of the New Year is the opportunity to say
“Thank You” and to wish you a full year of
Happiness and Success!
FILIPINO FURY gets iced early but shows true Pinoy grit
The community’s hockey team Filipino Fury (right photo)
might have lost most of its games against better opponents in
the Canadian Multicultural Hockey League tournament from
Dec. 27 to 30.
But Filipino Fury has not only gained experience. The team
has told all and sundry that Filipinos can play and excel in Can-
ada’s number one sports too.
Fury general manager Rommel Legaspi, in an interview
with Triponhaitas Production’s Voulakapralos, said the tourney
was the “first time we got off together as a team to play.”
“It is encouraging and we hope all the players will come
back. We will continue with this because we do want to start a
Filipino hockey team, Legaspi said. (See below for more)
Fury Aldrin Alvarez also told Voulakapralos that team
members understood that playing as a hockey team needed “a
lot of work ... a lot of practice.” Alvarez noted Filipino pride as
the team’s motivation: “We want to represent the Philippines.”
He has this good advice for parents: “Get your kids involved
in hockey early and we’ll be very competitive in the long run.”
CMHL Website Video and Photo

Manila Media Monitor

JANUARY 2007 37 Sports

CMHL HOCKEY, MODEL OF TORONTO’S DIVERSITY. Ace Alvarez, 1st vice

president and corporate secretary of the Canadian Ethnic Media Associa-
tion (CEMA) highlights the importance of the Canadian Multicultural Hockey
Championships in reflecting Canada’s diversity and in pulling various com-
munities together. Alvarez, also the managing editor of Manila Media Moni-
tor and producer of TV program Front Page Philippines on OMNI Television,
spoke during the official launch of the games in Scarborough. Looking on
are two of the hockey league’s organizers, Clara Northcott and Tim Fujita.
In foreground are the prestigious trophies -- the Canadian Cup and Heritage
Bowl -- awaiting the tournament’s best. CMHL Photo

Filipino Fury: Unity through Canada’s game

Rommel Legaspi and the
Filipino Fury have one goal
as the newest members of
the Canadian Multicultural
Hockey League: to raise
awareness of the sport in the
Filipino community.
“Filipino people aren’t
traditionally seen as hockey
fans or players, but that’s
changing,” Legaspi says.
“In the last five or ten
years, we’ve seen younger
people in the Filipino com-
munity getting involved in
the sport.”
And while many mem-
bers of the community are
basketball fans, Legaspi
adds that like many Canadi-
ans, there are “a lot of die-
hard Filipino hockey fans
out there.”
An active member of
the community, Legaspi has
been involved in Filipino
sports organizations since he
was a child.
“I’ve always wanted to do
what I can to help the com-
munity,” he says. “That’s
why I got involved with the
CMHL.”
Legaspi confides that put-
ting a team together has been
a challenge: “Some of the
larger communities have an
easier time bringing people
out, whereas we only have
a handful of players that we
know about.”
So far, he is relying on
e-mails and word of mouth,
hoping that word of the team
will spread.
“I know a lot of the
players who have come
out, whether it be through
friends or hockey,” he says,
adding that he hopes to use
community newspapers and
web sites in the near future
to help draw new players to
the team.
Legaspi adds that it has
been a learning process,
watching players, and deter-
mining who will make up his
final roster.
He sees the CMHL as a
way to help Filipino hock-
ey grow for generations to
come.
“We want the younger
members of our commu-
nity to embrace the game
of hockey, and share in this
experience, so that they’ll
want to become involved,”
he says.
This is what he feels the
CMHL can provide: “It cre-
ates a positive atmosphere
and unites us all through
Canada’s game, and that’s
the really great part about it.”
Natalie Papulkas, CMHL
Website
 Sports
Manila Media Monitor
JANUARY 2007 38
38 Manila Media Monitor JANUARY 2007

GOLFING AROUND. The yearlong golf season for golfers of Ontario’s Tala-
mak group ends with an awards night. Recipients of championship honors ON ITS 31st YEAR, the Executive Officers and Board of Directors of the To-
in 2006 are (from left) Ferdi Regala, Charlie Schlobohm, Ramon de Guzman, ronto Filipino Bowling Congress promise an even more exciting year ahead
Aldrin Balbas, Rene Bedana, Rick Solis and Lou Servio (not in photo). for its members. (Courtesy: Oscar Cruz)

Entertainment

Vivian of V Beyond Expression Band keeps the groove alive at Ellen’s Place
in Mississauga. The band’s versatility with hits of the 60’s to contemporary
pop music makes it a major attraction when it plays alternate weekends at
the popular restaurant and karaoke bar. Manila Media Monitor Photo

How fares Philippine TV ...

(From page 8)

MOST WELL-LIKED FEMALE TV PERSONALITIES: (From left) Mel Tiangco,

Sarah Geronimo, Christine Bersola-Babao, Bernadette Sembrano, Korina
Sanchez, Kristine Hermosa and Bea Alonzo. Below, BATANG BRODKASTERS
Francis Gavreel Villanueva and
Sotto. (Ryan, Marvin and Dolphy made it Raquel Gertrude Correa represented
in previous years’ lists.) by father, Camilo Correa with Edgar-
Females: Boots Anson Roa, Claudine do Roces, SEAFCTV President. MCH
Barretto, Gloria Romero, Jolina Magdan-
gal, Jessica Sojo, Mikee Cojuangco, Pia
Guanio, Regine Velasquez, Rhea Santos
and Susan Roces. (Jolina and Rhea were
in previous lists; Mikee C is perennially a
winner but could not be declared as she is
spokesperson for the foundation that runs
the survey.)
Interesting sidenotes to the survey were
the fairly impressive showing of the late
action king FPJ, star in hiatus Nora Aunor,
star turned politician Vilma Santos, civic
worker Rosa Rosal and former president
Cory Aquino. So there.
JANUARY 2007 Manila Media Monitor 39
JANUARY 2007 Manila Media Monitor 40