YEAR 11, No.

11 MAY 2008 Home Paper of the 1999 Canadian Ethnic Journalists’ and Writers’ Club Winner for Best Editorial Toronto, Ontario

Getting immigrants, workers faster into Canada

(See page 5)

San Lorenzo Ruiz Catholic School opens

Name instills pride

Markham School Board Trustee Marlene Mogado cited
San Lorenzo Ruiz has gone beyond the
parameters of just being a revered Roman
Catholic icon whose memory is ironically
brought to life only during his feast days.
In San Lorenzo Ruiz’s name, a newly-
opened Canadian grade school in Markham
has forever etched the first Filipino saint’s
life and works into its mission-vision.
On a wider perspective, the personifica-
tion of San Lorenzo Ruiz in an academic
institution has become a source of pride
among members of the Filipino community
INSIDE
in Ontario, one that would last in the annals Ooops & Bloops
of Canadian history.
Behind the school’s naming
Ontario’s education and Catholic school of- Danny’s
ficials have cited York Catholic School Board the man
trustee Marlene Mogado (Markham, Milliken -6
and Unionville) for her efforts to name the
community school in the heart of Markham’s
Wismer Commons after San Lorenzo Ruiz. CBT’s People
Teresa Lombardo, San Lorenzo Ruiz Cath- Power - 12
olic School (SLRCS) principal, paid tribute to
MOGADO Mogado’s initiative in the San Lorenzo Ruiz
newsletter’s May issue, featuring the blessing
and formal opening of the school on April 28.
Mogado’s efforts started soon after she was
elected to the school board.
The construction of the school was then on
its way, and Mogado lobbied with officials to
(To page 4)

The San Lorenzo Ruiz Catholic School (SLRCS) This summer, LET’S
in Markham’s Wismer Commons was solemnly GO TO THE EX - 15
blessed and officially opened on April 28. The
liturgy, concelebrated by Fr. Michael Machacek
and Fr. Brian Shea, included a procession of
religious icons by students, with a child from Dancing To Be A Star
each class bringing a classroom crucifix to be - 33
blessed. PHOTO: MOGI MOGADO
Proudly fly

Canada lauds RP Supreme Court on steps vs human rights abuses RP Flag - 31

MANILA - The Canadian
government has lauded the Philip-
pine Supreme Court’s (SC) efforts
to curb human rights violations
and extrajudicial killings in the
country.
Speaking before the Canadian
House of Commons, Parliamen-
tary Secretary to the Minister of
Foreign Affairs Deepak Obhrai
said “Canada commends the laud-
able role of the Supreme Court (of
the Philippines) in the preserva-
tion of human rights and in the
pursuit of justice.”
Obhrai said “Canada is encour-
aged that the Philippines have ex-
pressed their commitment to end
extrajudicial killings through un-
dertaking initiatives such as Task
Force USIG, the Melo Commis-
sion, and the visit of the United
Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur
Philip Alston.”
Concerns
The Canadian government ear-
lier raised concerns over “serious
human rights challenges, notably
the ongoing extrajudicial killings
and apparent culture of impunity”
brought before the UN Human
Rights Council.
“Canada also encourages the RP, Canada air
Philippines to ensure that its se-
curity forces are aware of human talks on - 32
(To page 4)
2 Manila Media Monitor MAY 2008
MAY 2008 Manila Media Monitor 3 CALENDAR
► MAY 17-18: Filipino Centre Toronto
2nd Victoria Invitational Basketball Tour-
nament, Hoopdome.
► MAY 17: Philippine Independence
Day Council Little Miss Philippines Pag-
eant, Korean Cultural Centre.
► MAY 23 to 25: Culture Philippines
Ontario Pasko sa Pilipinas at the Car-
rassauga Festival of Cultures, Missis-
sauga.
► MAY 24: Fiesta Filipina Dance
Troupe Search for Miss Manila 2008,
Korean Cultural Centre, 7:30 p.m.
► MAY 24: CCSYR Orientation Semi-
nar, Kababayan Community Center.
► MAY 24 and 25: Canossian Daugh-
ters and Sons of Charity Reunion.
► MAY 24: Kalayaan Cultural Foun-
dation Ms. Kalayaan and Ms. Munting
Mutya 2008 Coronation Night, Kalay-
aan Cultural Community Centre, Missis-
sauga.
► MAY 30: Filipino Centre Toronto Free
Estate Planning (Living Wills and Last
Will & Testament), FCT Building.
► MAY 31: Ateneo Alumni Association
Canada 9th Annual Golf Tournament,
Remington Parkview Golf and Country
Club, Markham.
► MAY 31: International Association of
Mapua Alumni in Ontario 14th Anniver-
sary Gala, Kalayaan Cultural Commu-
nity Centre, Mississauga.
► MAY 31: 3rd Annual Filipino Inter-
national Language Assembly, St. Maria
Goretti Catholic School, 9:30 a.m.
► MAY 31: United Filipino Canadian
Organization Casino Rama Fundraiser.
► JUNE 7: Philippine Independence
Day Council Gala, Double Three Inter-
national Plaza.
► JUNE 8: Filipino Canadian Medical
Association and Filipino Centre Toronto
(To page 17)

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4 NEWS Manila Media Monitor MAY 2008

Markham’s San Lorenzo Ruiz Catholic School naming, opening instills community pride
(From page 1)
have the school named after
San Lorenzo Ruiz.
Blooming idea
Filipinos in Wismer
Commons and in Markham
supported Mogado’s idea,
which also attracted the sup-
port of the Catholic commu-
nity in Markham.
The school board agreed,
acknowledging the growing
influence of Filipino Catho-
lics in York region.
During the school’s
blessing, St. Patrick’s Par-
ish assistant pastor Fr. Brian
Shea said it was proper to
name the school after San
Lorenzo Ruiz because “he
symbolized unwavering
Catholic faith in the face of
adversity.”
“His example was worth
emulating for all of us,” Fr.
Shea said.
Dream fulfilled
York school board chair
Elizabeth Crowe noted that
“for a rookie trustee, Mar-
lene Mogado is doing a great
job at the school board.”
“It was through her ef-
forts that this school was
named in honor of San
Lorenzo Ruiz,” Crowe
said, as she congratulated
Mogado and everyone “for
a dream fulfilled.”
She also lauded the
Catholic community “for
your full support to our new
school.”
Education director Sue
LaRosa, who officiated the
formal opening of SLRCS,
said it was wonderful to
have had Mogado behind
the project, particularly hap-
py to see the new school and
community come together
under Mogado’s leadership.
“If only we had more
Marlenes in this board,” she
quipped.
Historic occasion SLRCS opening: A time for praise, joy
For Filipino families
who have settled in the area, TOP LEFT PHOTO: St. Monica Catholic School principal Jennie Dixon (left) presents the statue of Fili-
the SLRCS opening was a pino saint Lorenzo Ruiz for the San Lorenzo Ruiz Catholic School (SLRCS) that opened in Markham
historic occasion to share in on April 28. BOTTOM LEFT PHOTO: Connie Leclair (left), chair of the All Saints Catholic School Coun-
the special moment that be- cil, presents the statue
stowed honor to thier saint, of the Blessed Virgin
said another official. Mary to SLRCS council
Among those also pres- chair Rick Tuzi. TOP TO
ent during the blessing and BOTTOM RIGHT PHO-
opening of SLRCS were Fr. TOS: In a short school
Michael Machacek, St. Pat- opening program, the
rick’s Parish pastor; Carol SLRCS Primary Choir
Cotton, York school board under the direction of
vice chair; Ann Stong, Trust- Ms. Ripandelli, Mr. Poon
ee Area 4; Patricia Preston, and Ms. Chung-Silcott,
education assistant director performs the Magnifi-
for leading learning; cat and Awesome God,
Andy DiSebastiano, edu- while children and teen-
cation superintendent; Debra ers showcase their
Cormier, education superin- dancing skills. Photos:
tendent of curriculum and MOGI MOGADO
student sssessment; Jennie
Dixon, former principal of
St. Edward Catholic School
and current principal of St.
Monica Catholic School;
Rick Tuzi, SLRCS coun-
cil chair; Connie Leclair,
All Saints Catholic School
council chair; Noel LaPlan-
te, OECTA York unit presi-
dent; Liz Stuart, OECTA
York unit vice president;
Andy Orfanakos, CUPE
1571 president; Maureen
Atcheson, York Occa-
sional Teachers president;
Ed Joaquin, for MP Lui
Temelkovski; Jack Heath,
Markham deputy mayor;
Carolina Moretti,
Ward 4 councillor; and
Mary Ellen Smith, of the
Ministry of Education.;
Navy Commander Paul Del-
haise; Eric Anderson, Suresh
Patel and Jacek Przygodzki,
all of Young and Wright Ar-
chitects; and Pino Antilope,
project manager of Bond-
field Construction.

Brillantes named Canada lauds RP Supreme Court on steps vs human rights abuses
UN CPRMW veep (From page 1)
rights and of their responsi-
Philippine Ambassador to Canada Jose Brillan- bility to protect human rights
tes was elected vice president of the United Nations defenders,” Obhrai said.
(UN) Committee on the Protection of the Rights of “We encourage the Phil-
All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families ippines to work at imple-
(CPRMW) in Geneva on April 14, said the Department menting the recommenda-
of Foreign Affairs. tions before them and to
Brillantes, in recent media fora, said he has been make progress on convic-
an active member of the CPRMW, being among those tions,” he added.
who drafted the UN convention to the same effect. Judicial collaboration
However, the ambassador and other Philippine of- Canadian Ambassador
ficials asked by the Manila Media Monitor in separate to the Philippines Robert
occasions refused to discuss and either downplayed or Dejardin provided a copy of
swerved away from any inquiry on Philippine initia- Obhrai’s statement to Chief
tives, diplomatic or otherwise, to make Canada sign the Justice Reynato Puno.
UN Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Dejardin said he wanted
Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. to bring to the head magis-
Advocacy groups have seen Canada’s refusal to sign trate’s attention “the value
the convention as a major reason why so many Filipino that the Government of Can-
workers and caregivers have been shabbily treated and ada attaches to your efforts
abused by unscrupulous Canadian employers. in this regards as well as our
CPRMW was set up in 2004 and is due to consider continued collaboration in
country reports on the implementation of the conven- the Justice Reform Initia-
tion, with Syria making the first report. tives Support Project.”
Other state parties to the convention are Azerbaijan, Writs
Belize, Bolivia, Boznia and Herzegovina, Cape Verde, Concerns on human
Burkina Faso, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salva- rights violations has prompt-
dor, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, ed the SC to convene a Na-
Morocco, Senegal, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, tional Consultative Summit
Timor-Leste, Togo, Uganda and Uruguay. on Extrajudicial Killings
and Enforced Disappear-
ances in July.
The summit saw the
promulgation of the Rules
on the Writ of Amparo and
Writ of Habeas Data, which
were put in force on Oct. 24,
2007 and Feb. 2. 2008, re-
spectively.
Amparo means protec-
tion, while habeas data is
access to information.
The writ of amparo
would bar military officers
in judicial proceedings to
issue denial answers regard-
ing petitions on disappear-
ances or extrajudicial ex-
ecutions, which were legally
permitted in habeas corpus
proceedings.
By invoking truth, the
writ of habeas data would
compel military and govern-
ment agents to release infor-
mation about the desapare-
cidos and require access to
military and police files.
Both were conceived to
solve alleged extra-judicial
killings and forced disap-
pearances since 1999.
To date, the Supreme
Court has issued 23 writs of
amparo and three writs of
habeas data.
OPCAT ratification
Meanwhile, UN special
rapporteur for extrajudicial,
summary and arbitary kill-
ings Philip Alston has cited
President Gloria Macapagal-
Arroyo for ratifying on April
22 the Optional Protocol to
the Convention against Tor-
ture (OPCAT), an interna-
tional human rights treaty.
In an email, Alston said:
“It’s very impressive that
the President has moved to
ratify the OPCAT and I very
much hope that the Senate
will go along with it.”
The government invited
Alston to visit the Philip-
pines last February when he
expressed interest in looking
into the activist and media
killings in the country.
Alston recommended a
series of action the govern-
ment should take to resolve
extrajudicial deaths.
“What very good news,”
wrote Yvonne Terlingen,
Amnesty International’s
representative to the UN.
The President ratified
OPCAT ten days after the
Philippines underwent the
Universal Periodic Review
(UPR) at the UN.
At the UPR session, offi-
cials from the United King-
dom, Japan, Norway and
Australia cited the Philip-
pines for inviting and coop-
erating with Alston.
The United States and
France also welcomed gov-
ernment steps to address ac-
tivist and media killings.
The ratification was sent
to the Philippine Senate for
its concurrence.
The OPCAT would
strengthen the implemen-
tation of the Convention
against Torture, including
preventive mechanisms.
The Philippine has been
a state party to the UN Con-
vention since 1986. PNA,
SC, OPS, PR
MAY 2008 Manila Media Monitor
Proposed IRPA changes to
reunite families, bring in
skilled workers faster
Citizenship and Immi-
gration Canada (CIC) has
proposed changes to the
Immigration and Refugee
Protection Act (IRPA) that
would reduce wait times so
that families are reunited
faster and skilled workers
arrived sooner.
Changes to the IRPA
would give CIC “greater
flexibility in processing
new applications, especial-
ly from skilled workers” as
these would also establish a
“more responsive immigra-
tion system,” CIC said.
The changes meant that
those who applied before
Feb. 27, 2008, would con-
tinue to be processed under
the current system.
Anyone would still
be able to apply, but CIC
would no longer be required
to process all new skilled
worker applications.
Minister’s authority
Under the proposed
changes, the CIC Minister
is authorized to issue in-
structions to immigration
officers on the processing
of applications, including
those related to job vacan-
cies in Canada.
The current system
mandated that decisions on
individual applications are
made by CIC immigration
officers and the Minister
could not reverse these de-
cisions.
Reducing the backlog
The proposals were
likewise seen to reduce the
growing backlog (graphics
on the right of page) on im-
migration applications.
The long and growing
wait times for newcomers
and their families would
not do good for prospective
immigrants and for Canada,
because people might be
encouraged to go to more
competitive countries where
the wait times are shorter,
CIC said.
To complicate matters
further, all skilled worker
applications are being pro-
cessed in the order they are
received, regardless of the
applicant’s skills or profes-
sion and whether they meet
NEWS 5
APPLICATION BACKLOG
The range for permanent resident admissions will remain at 2008 levels (240,000 to 265,000), the Provincial
Nominee Program and Canadian Experience Class admissions will increase, and the temporary migration
flows will remain at 2007 levels. Backlogs will remain constant in all immigration categories (based on current
admission levels, application intake and approval rates) except for the Federal Skilled Worker category. (Citi-
zenship and Immigration Canada)
the country’s needs. report to Parliament and recognized more quickly, in-person foreign creden-
As all applications posted on CIC’s website. especially before they enter tial referral services have
should, by law, be pro- Foreign credentials Canada, their chances for helped over 9,000 people,
cessed, the backlog has Meanwhile, CIC Min- success will improve,” Fin- and the FCRO website has
continued to build. ister Diane Finley said the ley said. had over 250,000 visits,
Transparency continuing success of the Since its launch less most of these from outside
CIC said it would make Foreign Credentials Refer- than a year ago, the FCRO Canada.
public the Minister’s in- ral Office (FCRO) has been has put up ways to help The Working in Canada
structions, which would re- “helping newcomers to newcomers and prospective Tool has been a key feature
flect commitments to prov- Canada use their talents in immigrants find informa- of the website, helping in-
inces and territories. the fields for which they’ve tion they need to put their ternationally trained people
The instructions would been trained.” skills to work in Canada. know about the Canadian
also be published in the “By helping immigrants Information tool labor market related to their
Canada Gazette, reported find out how to get their Finley said the 320 Ser- occupation.
in the Department’s annual credentials assessed and vice Canada centers offering (To page 14)
6 VIEWS
Danny’s the man
Conversation between myself
and my wife, Gie, one evening:
Gie: The concert of the Soci-
ety of Seven with Lani Misalucha
is a great act.
Ace: Oh yes, all their perfor-
mances at Bally’s and the Flamin-
go in Las Vegas have always been
sold out.
Gie: Well, who knows, one of
these days, they might be engaged
by Fallsview Casino’s Avalon
Theatre, or at Casino Rama.
Ace: Well, only Danny Sam-
son - the guy in photo 1 on this
page can do that.
He’s one of the producers of
DEE Entertainment - the concert
production company to bring the
Society of Seven at the Sony Cen-
tre in downtown Toronto.
I heard that tickets to the show
are selling briskly.
Did you know that the Society
of Seven have behind them some
30 or 40 years of performances in
Hawaii and Las Vegas?
Ace (interrupts the conversa-
tion to call his son): Christian, do
you want to watch the concert of
the Society of Seven with Lani
Misalucha, Saturday, May 24, at
Ace Alvarez
the Sony Centre?
Christian: “Society
of Seven”? Who, those
guys (in photo 2 on this
page)?
***
Having sent a press release
on behalf of the Philippine
Chamber of Commerce-To-
ronto (PCCT) to Joey Baking,
publisher of Manila Confiden-
tial, the latter responded: “OK
la’ng. But it will be better kung
may ad na kasama ito. Heh...
heh...heh...! But of course ilala-
bas pa rin ito.”
I wrote back: “As a pub-
lisher, too, I can emphatize with
you.
”But don’t worry, should the
group come out with a print ad,
you’ll be on the list - you being
one among the favorite print
partners of PCCT. The other
favorites, I think, are the four-
teen other Filipino publications
in T.O.”
Joey returned with an an-
swer, saying, “… another ‘fif-
teen’ na, Ace.”
He said that his printer told
PHOTO 1 him that another publication is
Manila Media Monitor MAY 2008
PHOTO 2
coming out in Toronto.
The Manila Confidential
publisher added na baka naman
iyong bagong publisher pa ang
makatanggap ng advertising.
***
Sending out the invitation to
members of the Canadian Ethnic
Media Association (CEMA) re-
cently for the reception hosted by
the GTA Liberal Party and Sena-
tors Caucus at the Montecassino
Hotel in North York, Arnim Joop,
publisher of The Albertaner in
Edmonton, Alberta, replied, “Un-
fortunately, I will not be able to at-
tend the anniversary celebration,
but I would like to congratulate
you and all members of CEMA on
reaching this milestone and wish
you a successful celebration.”
“Maybe, the federal govern-
ment can fly me to Toronto on
one of their nice Challenger jets,
which they use to ship Canadians,
who are convicted in other coun-
tries, back to Canada.”
Arnim - of German ancestry
and married to a Filipino, was
referring to Brenda Martin, a Ca-
nadian flown by the government
back to Canada after spending two
years at a Mexican prison.
I thought, why would the gov-
ernment use its Challenger jet to
fly to T.O. the publisher of The Al-
bertaner when the editor of Ma-
nila Media Monitor Butch Galicia,
had to contend with a buddy pass
flying “Air Canada” (reference:
front page story, Manila Media
Monitor, February 2008 issue)?
***
On May 2, the Canada News
Wire carried this story: “Out-
standing educators honoured”.
After seeing the headline, I
said to myself, “Hhhhmmmm
… let me read this story. Prob-
ably, my good friend Leonie
Manzanares is one of the award
(To page 7)
MAY 2008 Manila Media Monitor
Ooops & ...
(From page 6)
recipients, being an edu-
cator and president of the
Philippine Teachers Asso-
ciation.
It’s not true that the
news story carried a refer-
ence for my good friend,
Leonie Manzanares as
chairperson of the Danc-
ing To Be A Star event of
the PIDC.
***
My three-year old
grandaughter, Abigail (pho-
to 3 on this page, tinkering
a Ninetendo DS), is becom-
ing a techie.
Visiting her recently,
I asked for her complete
name. She replied, Abigail
Alvarez-Mahoney.com.
***
Coordinating the
voiceover talents for the
Tagalog version of the
Ministry of Health’s 30-
second colon cancer check
TV commercial - which
required one male and one
female voiceovers, I wrote
an addendum to editor
Butch Galicia, saying, “I
forgot to tell you that your
voiceover would be that of
the husband.”
He replied, “Ah,
mabuti na ang maliwa-
nag. I thought I would be
the wife.”
Of course, my clarifi-
cation was brought about
PHOTO 3
that he might mistake his
voiceover for that of the
male announcer.
***
A headline in Market-
ing Magazine states, “Can-
ada Post goes directly to
green”.
I hope that this did not
explain why some of my
correspondences got lost in
the mail.
***
On May 16, the Manila
Times carried this story:
“Fierce Fighting Resumes
in South Between Gov’t,
Moro Islamic Liberation
Front”.
For those who have an
understanding of journal-
ism, indeed, this is what
we call a running story!
But in this case, very lit-
eral. They were fighting
before, and continues to
fight; and, fiercely for this
matter.
***
In his column Omerta
on page 10, this issue, edi-
tor Butch wrote, “… of the
some 80 ethnic news publi-
cations circulating in Toron-
to and its environs, about 20
percent or 16 are serving the
Filipino community?”
He wrote further, “…
and that they are into seri-
ous internet downloading
journalism.”
Oh wait a minute, let me
re-read the item. I’m sorry,
he didn’t say this one!
***
In the same column,
editor Butch wrote, “Errrr.
Regarding my barbs on the
month of May, I just re-
membered my wife, Evelyn,
VIEWS 7
marks her birth anniversary
in May. Carandang wears
“Please pray for me.”
After reading the item, Miss Hamilton crown
I thought, “And the way
this guy talks when his wife
is not present, his listener
would have a definitive im-
pression that he is the boss
in the household.”
Sabi nila, saan nga ba
nahuhuli ang isda?
In this case though, edi-
tor Butch himself wrote in
the same column this issue:
“Having been in the jour-
nalism profession for over
30 years now, I subscribe
to Pilate’s explanation and
have learned to stand up to
whatever I write.”
Butch was referring to
Pilate’s pronouncement,
“What I have written, I have Miss Philippines Hamilton 2008 Pavielyne Caran-
written?” dang (center), 19, with her court Tiffany Alejandro
Now that I’m question- (left), 19, first runner-up; and Vanessa Tillner, 17,
ing who the boss between second runner-up. Carandang also won as Miss
editor Butch and his wife is, Photogenic and Miss Philantrophy; Alejandro as
may I ask Butch if he still Miss Congeniality. Other contestants were Ayesa
stands up to whatever he Cobarde, Sandy Aquino, June Lascano, and Nicol-
writes versus what he ver- lete Tai. JOJO TADURAN
bally used to saying in the
absence of his wife?
Unto Butch, I say, if
www. FinancialProblem.ca
with credit cards and bank loans
ever he has one to emulate
on the matter, it should be Too many loans & credit cards?
me as I have total control of Paying too much interest?
my wife Gie. Afraid to pick up your own phone?
In the meantime, let me Looking for consolidation?
wrap this up, kasi kanina pa
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ako inuutusan ni Gie na ita-
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8 VIEWS
Always treasure your
MOTHER
As my classmate was pass-
ing by our home, I asked, “Eppie,
where’s mama?” Truth was, Ep-
pie wasn’t my sister and had her
pass as my sister in the ears of my
classmate, Carmelita. Eppie is my
niece by my brother, Randolph.
The more appropriate question
then was, “Eppie, where’s your
mama?”
I phrased the question in-
tentionally as I uttered to let my
classmate know that like her, I
had a mother, too, for at that time,
I had none, as my mother passed
away when I was four years old.
Today, May 11, I recalled this
story as we celebrated Mother’s
Day.
I really did envy people whose
mothers celebrated with them the
best times in their lives, and con-
soled them in times of sadness.
As a child, I never had these
experiences, but lucky enough to
have had the utmost love of my
father and my younger siblings
among a brood of seven who I
grew up with - Nelson, Tony, Jr.,
and Bert, who saw me through to
be the person I am today.
Having hardly known my
mother, there were only a few
things I knew of her, mostly from
the anecdotes as told by my nanny
- who until I was 17 or 18 contin-
ued to visit with us occasionally,
until she, too, passed away.
So, let me share with you a
A recent feature on televi-
sion brought home poignant news
about our Aeta brothers in Zam-
bales and Aklan.
They are quietly being eased
out of their ancestral domains by
the very parties tasked to protect
them and their heritage.
Even the most basic services
they deserve as citizens of the
land are being denied them.
Essentials like food and po-
table water constantly remain in
their wish lists. So does education
for their children.
For decades, we have been
content with NGOs and foreign
missionaries looking after the
needs of indigenous people as
though their needs could not be
met by government.
Discussion of the present
plight of indigenous people in
the country is not complete mi-
nus mention of some kind-hearted
association that has adopted the
couple.
My mother, the former Pilar
Andrada Soriano, was from a fam-
ily of vast agricultural landown-
ers, and - as you read the middle
and last names, was an epitome of
Castilian beauty and … character,
the latter as we had known them
in the Philippines.
One story from my nanny went
that one day, my sister - who lived
with her husband nearby - sent a
maid to take a serving of tinolang
manok to my father and mother.
As the maid put down the
fine china on the dining table, my
mother asked the maid, “Did they
eat lunch yet?”
Replying in the affirmative,
my mother asked the maid to take
back the tinolang manok and tell
my sister that the correct way of
sending these things was before
the latter and my brother-in-law
would have eaten their lunch, oth-
erwise, it would be construed as
leftovers.
Of course, my sister cried
and came to my mother, explain-
ing that the padala was in fact re-
served even before they had lunch,
but opted to send it until after they
had eaten.
Another story went that ev-
erytime my mother would buy a
box of matches, she would count
all the sticks in the box and divide
them by three: each stick to be
used for cooking breakfast, lunch
Way of life: Poverty,
dust, brownouts
native group and brought it some
form of human dignity.
A recent trip to Occidental
Mindoro shook up this writer be-
cause of the stark realities attend-
ing our Mangyan brothers and the
entire province itself.
Not only is the island prov-
ince a showcase of poverty, it also
seemed like a remnant of the for-
ties when development was slug-
gish after a destructive war.
The roads leading out of the
capital look as though the national
government has forsaken the is-
land.
Stirred up dust envelopes peo-
ple and houses each time a vehicle
passes.
It is not surprising that the in-
cidence of respiratory diseases is
high in these areas.
At nightfall, it is practically
pitch-dark. Agreeable to watch
the stars in full sparkle but not if
it means stumbling on carabao or
and dinner, so much so that when
the matches were gone before the
day they were supposed to be con-
sumed, the househelp assigned to
cooking would be in trouble. Well,
my nanny never mentioned what
kind of trouble. Neither was I able
to ask because of amusement over
the story.
My nanny would repeatedly
stress, “Don’t get the wrong im-
pression though, but your mom
was loved by all helpers in the
household, friends and relatives.”
To you, readers, whatever,
impression you might have on
my mother from these anecdotes,
lesson to keep is, treasure your
mother always.
This was one thing I did not
have one privilege of, for which
my wife, Gie, noticed, as the ex-
planation why I’m always extra
sweet with seniors.
***
Bill C-50 - the proposed
amendments to the Immigra-
tion and Refugee Protection Act
has passed second reading at the
House of Commons and present-
ly being studied by the standing
committees on finance, on the one
hand, and citizenship and immi-
gration, on the other.
Under the proposed amend-
ments, the bill removes the minis-
ter’s obligation to process all visa
applications and gives the minister
the power to pick certain applica-
dog droppings that litter the land-
scape.
Also not palatable is the reality
of commonplace power outages.
Appliances have short lives;
so do nerves especially when stag-
ing a social event or undergoing a
medical procedure.
In fact, dust and brownouts
have become a way of life in the
province.
If this description encapsu-
lizes life for the average Mindoro
resident, the Mangyan in the up-
lands is even lightyears farther in
discomfiture and disenfranchise-
ment.
A typical Mangyan communi-
ty is tucked away in some remote
nook of the province, we found
out.
The adult men still sport the
drab loincloth or G-string, feet
unshod and are generally naked
on top.
Their skin is a testament to the
Manila Media Monitor
tions and disregard others without
any accountability.
Such an extraordinary power
for one person to have, huh? Is
Canada under an authoritarian
government now?
The bill also removes the right
of an applicant overseas to be con-
sidered for permanent residence
on humanitarian and compassion-
ate grounds, hence, could serve as
a hindrance to the reunification in
Canada of many families.
If immigration is a very signif-
icant issue for Canada, Filipinos
should be dealing on this, too.
How come we don’t read con-
cerns on these in Filipino publica-
tions?
Tsk … tsk … tsk …. Anoth-
er problem with the “copy and
paste” journalism-type found in
vast majority of Filipino publica-
tions around us.
***
I’ve watched concerts of old
entertainers who made a name
for themselves when I myself was
very young, and through the years,
their big hits continue to excite
their various audiences whenever
they perform live before them.
I think this is one thing that
Filipino artists must do. They
must engage the services of the
bands we have to help them give
fresh treatment on their repertoire;
musical re-arrangement, if you
please.
This way, whenever they have
performances at events, they have
their own minus one CDs and not
those commercial ones that we
usually use at karaoke bars and
restaurants and private parties.
I have seen several artists dur-
ing the last decade and the rep-
ertoire is the same, hence, most
people in the audience make their
washroom breaks at events when
the singer/performer is about to be
(To page 17)
harsh sun and the burdens they
must carry coming up or down
their settlements.
Why their ancestral domains
are largely kept far from the com-
forts of modern life is beyond
comprehension.
As original settlers who toiled
for centuries, it is a wonder that
they have been relegated to the
backyard, as it were, left alone to
fend for themselves.
It is sheer irony to peer down
from their settlements to see the
vast expanse of land they once
owned, now expropriated by vir-
tue of a few pieces of paper, the
text of which they cannot under-
stand.
It is those sheets of paper that
the lowlander brandishes that has
prodded many a Mangyan family
to push for their children’s educa-
tion, fearful that the longer they
are illiterate, the more parcels of
ancestral land will be snatched
away from them.
They do not care about the
dust. Their villages are swathed in
green.
They are not affected by gas
shortages and brownouts.
Their torches and kinkis, little
kerosene lamps, provide all the
light they need at night.
Radio is a luxury; television,
rare.
(To page 16)
MAY 2008
Managing Editor
ACE ALVAREZ
Editor
BUTCH GALICIA
Associate Editor
GIE ALVAREZ
Contributing Editors
Grace P. Freires
Manny Freires
Ben Viccari
Mag Cruz Hatol
Pete Lacaba
Mel Tobias
Editorial Assistants
Lennart Leigh Alvarez-Mahoney
Dods Andrada
Contributors
Edwin Acuna
Bien Garcia
Jeannie Pilapil
Eva Agpaoa
Mario Dimain
Noel Perada
Larry Torres
Chito Sarabia
Account Executive
MYRNA SORIANO
GRAPHICS
Graphics
TRIMEDIANETWORKS
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416-875-2541
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Philippine Communication Facility
GRACE MEDIA SERVICES
974 Metrica Street
1008 Manila, Philippines
Tel/Fax: (632) 742-1484
Published by
Manila MEDIA MONITOR, INC.
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Tel. 416.285.8583
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Manila MEDIA MONITOR
covers all aspects of interest
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in Manila MEDIA MONITOR -
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(the other paper being ...
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expressed, however, by individual
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Manila MEDIA MONITOR
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MAY 2008 Manila Media Monitor VIEWS 9

LETTERS Media help US

Good tidings presidents hoodwink us
Hi Ace: Thank you so much for (reminding me about the May 11 Last year, activist-actor Sean every opinion left of center with dents in the name of freedom.
Front Page Philippines broadcast on Gawad Kalinga that was circu- Penn and syndicated columnist “communism.” Also, the shameful perversion
lated especially in the Handmaid of the Lord). Thanks also for the and author Norman Solomon In the hands of a Michael of accurate reporting by the ma-
write up in Manila Media Monitor which I read just recently about completed War Made Easy, a fea- Moore, this treatment might have jority of media should fill us with
the Hopeful and Hopeless. You are an instrument in bringing glad ture-length documentary which been turned to ridicule, but in War continued unease.
tidings to the poor and more power to your work. Irma Cuenca became an official entry in the In- Made Easy, shots of young chil- You are likely to find a rental
ternational Documentary Festival, dren dead and maimed by U.S. copy of War Made Easy in some
Hi Ace: I read the latest issue of your newspaper. They are great! the Montreal Film Festival and the bombs strike a tragic chord. of the “indie” DVD rental estab-
Thanks for the headline story. God Bless! Ricky Cuenca Vancouver Film Festival. And equally tragic, all this lishments like my own favourite,
Subtitled How Presidents spin has been lapped up by a ma- Queen Video.
OPINION and Pundits Keep Spinning us to
Death, the film is based on Solo-
jority of media.
Bush Sr.’s Desert Storm saw
***
If ever there were an ill-timed
mon’s book of the same name. the technique of embedding jour- flurry of publicity around a disas-
Mamamayan bilang kinatawan Solomon frequently appears
on screen and Penn narrates this
nalists adopted and in 2003 carried
to alarming proportions in Iraq.
ter scenario, it is now, with self-
styled pundits citing evidence
Ngayong pinangunahan na ni Sen. (Aquilino) Pimentel ang mul- riveting examination of the way in Voices like those of Norman from an ancient Mayan calendar,
ing pagbubukas ng usapin sa charter change, mahalagang mabalik which successive American presi- Solomon, Phil Donahue and Mor- that the world will come to an end
tanawan ang ginawang pagkapon sa demokrasyang ipinanalo ng ta- dents have brought their country ley Safer have been rare, but we on December 21, 2012 with the
umbayan nuong EDSA (People Power Revolution). into armed conflict over the past can be thankful that the tide is be- media reporting these beliefs ex-
Sa mga panahon ngayon, lubhang nakonsolida lamang ng ilang 50 years. ginning to turn. tensively.
interest groups ang sistema ng ating lipunan sa pamamagitan ng The brilliant editing of state- While the film makes no ex- Let’s take a look at a worst
Pag-aalsang EDSA upang higit na bigyan ng puwang ang patuloy ments by Lyndon Johnson, cursions into the role of the arms case scenario this new prediction
na pag-iral ng isang sistemang kultural, ekonomiko, pulitikal at so- Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, industries in feeding these wars, could exacerbate.
syal na tumutugon lamang sa interes ng iilang pamilya, dayuhan at George Bush Sr., Bill Clinton and it is evident from the plenitude Fundamentalists could say
kanilang galamay. Dubya shows how each has used of shots of weaponry from an in- “what the hell, we saw it com-
Walang makabuluhang pagbabago sa ating kalagayan dahil ang the same argument and the same fantryman’s rifle to a heavy duty ing”; anti-environmentalists could
masang Pilipino ay hindi pa rin nabigyan ng puwang sa tipo ng de- words to justify wars and inva- bomber that fat profits are being say what’s the use of thinking and
mokrasyang ipinangangalandakan ng mga sakim sa yaman at ka- sions. made even as I write, by those all acting green?; and fatalists and ni-
pangyarihan. Underlying is the traditional too ready to echo the sanctimo- hilists could be prodded into total
Nakakalungkot isipin na ang mga honorable na nakaupo sa Mal- American paranoia identifying nious utterings of American presi- (To page 22)
akanyang, Kongreso at Senado ay nililingon lang ang masa tuwing
panahon ng eleksyon. Kung mag-ingay man, ang ginagawa ay puro
papogi lang o kaya ay nagpapataas ng presyo.
May tunay nga ba tayong oposisyon sa Pilipinas o ito ay isa la-
mang kompetisyon sa pagitan ng mga buwitre at garapatang nag-
uunahang sumipsip sa dugo ni Juan de la Cruz?
Nakakalungkot. Ang mga progresibong kilusan ng mamamayan
na dapat sana ay nasa unahan sa aban para sa batayang karapatan,

Take action vs abuse

kabuhayan at interes ay mistulang nagagamit na lang ding pambala
sa kanyon sa mga kompetisyong ito na kung saan ay ang pinag-aaga-
wang karangalan ay kung sino ang mas makakapagnakaw sa bayan.
Sino ang may balak magmalinis? Ni isa sa mga partylist repre-
sentative ng progresibong kilusan na nakuhang manalo at dapat sana
Last month I wrote about the So she kept her mouth shut complains.
ay siyang boses ng mamamayan sa lehislatura ay hindi man lamang
conditions in the Philippines and and they kept her a slave. What they are not told is that
binigyan ng importansya ang pag-isponsor sa panukalang batas na
the effect they are having on a This is wrong. in Canada, they have rights that
magpapatupad ng pagkakaroon ng kinatawan ng sektor ng mama-
generation of young people. I met Carlita and helped her they did not have back home or in
mayan sa mga lokal na pamahalaan.
I wrote about it because I am understand her rights and found Hong Kong or Saudi or wherever
Ni isa ay walang nagsikap na seryosohin ang Barangayan bilang
really concerned and want my a new family for her that would they worked before.
venue ng pampulitikang pamumuno para kamtin ang kumpyansa ng
country to be the best it can be. treat her with respect. This type of abuse has to stop.
masa sa sama-samang pagdadamayan at pagkakaisa upang mabago
I want us to be proud of who The point of this story is not We need to speak out and help
ang kasalukuyang kultura ng korupsyon at kawalang pagsasa alang-
we are as a people (I know I am) that she has escaped her situation each other because no one else
alang sa kapakanan ng kapwa.
and to earn the respect of the rest (though I’m glad that she did). will do it for us. We have to de-
Kung mayroon mang dapat pag-debatihan sa panahon ng pag-
of the world. It is that too many Filipino mand our rights.
aamyenda sa Saligang Batas, ito ay ang isyu sa pagpapalawig sa
We can achieve this but it will workers come here and don’t un- Those of us in positions of
partisipasyon ng taumbayan sa political governance at pagsasakatu-
take time and commitment from derstand their rights and allow influence must act to protect the
paran ng pagkilala sa karapatan ng mamamayan at bawat sektor ng
each of us. their employers, and in some cas- Filipino worker in Canada.
lipunan na katawanin ang kanilang interes sa pag-alam ng problema,
This month I want to share es the agency which brought them It’s never a pretty sight to
paghanap ng solusyon at pagkakaroon ng pampulitikang kapangyar-
with you a story about Carlita. here, to abuse them. watch someone get abused either
ihan upang makapagbuo at makapagpatupad ng mga tamang batas
It’s not a happy story but it is In some ways, this is a product physically, emotionally or other-
na tunay na pumapabor sa nakararami.
an important story. of the situation in our country. wise.
Ito ang tunay na demokrasya; ito ang tangi ngunit masalimuot na
It’s about standing up for People there are so downtrod- What is worse is to watch it
daan na dapat tahakin upang maging isang lahi at bansa.
yourself and having the courage to den and so used to being abused and do nothing about it.
Ang landas ng tunay na pagmumulat, pag-oorganisa at pagpa-
question your situation if it feels that when they arrive here and I believe it is our individual
pakilos sa ating mamayan para kamtin ang people empowerment ay
wrong. receive the same treatment, it’s responsibility to look out for one
dapat magmula sa transpormasyon ng indibidwal, pamilya, komuni-
Carlita came to Canada about not something they feel they can another, not turn the other way
dad, barangay, munisipyo, lungsod, rehiyon at bansa.
five months ago to work as a fight. and never to encourage or become
Ito ang sitwasyon na kung saan ang mamamayan ay hindi na
nanny. She was brought in by an But Carlita’s story is more than part of the abuse.
lamang simpleng bumoboto tuwing eleksyon at naghihintay ng mga
agency here in Canada. just a commentary on the situation I, for one, am ready to take ac-
dapat sundin na batas at programa;.kundi ang mamamayan ay akti-
She was placed in a family back home. tion. Personal action.
bong kumikilos at kinikilalang pinakamahalagang bahagi sa riyal-
who pays her $1,000 a month with It’s also about the systematic If you are reading this and feel
isasyon ng minimithing pagbabago at pangarap ng bansa. MARK-
work lasting close to 15 hours a abuse of Filipino workers by their you are in an abusive work envi-
PB, Partidong Pangdaigdigang Pilipino website
day, six days a week. employers, especially on nannies ronment, talk to me.
This is illegal. and caregivers. Even if you have been threat-
GET RESULTS. But Carlita didn’t know that. Because of the conditions un- ened with deportation, talk to me.
ADVERTISE with When she complained, the der which their work visas are is- I will do what I can to help.
family and the agency threatened sued, many Filipino workers have Remember, you have rights in
Manila Media Monitor her. They told her they would re- become virtual slaves. this country.

Call 416-285-8583 port her to immigration services

and have her deported.
Their employers threaten them
with deportation if the worker you?
I am ready to take action. Are
10
It is National Press
Freedom Week in the Phil-
ippines first week of May.
World Press Freedom Day
is May 3.
*****
There was a time when
press rooms were caves
meant only for men, in all
their cranky, grumpy and
maniacal splendor.
A long, long time ago,
habitues at the Philippine
National Press Club joked
on how they wanted to see
the door of the washroom
for newsmen marked “FOR
MEN ONLY” and the door
of the washroom for newsh-
ens, “FOR MEN ALSO.”
*****
Cavemen are passe.
I, for one, admit that the
freedoms of speech and of
expression are best prac-
ticed and enjoyed by those
who mark Mother’s Day on
May 11.
*****
The men who coined the
word mayhem and invented
the distress call mayday
must be repenting.
This must also be why
holidaymongers gave fa-
thers a month to assess the
situation before celebrating
Father’s Day.
*****
Asked why he insisted
on nailing a sign that said
“Jesus of Nazareth, King of
the Jews” on Christ’s cross,
Pilate simply said: “What
I have written, I have writ-
ten.”
Having been in the jour-
nalism profession for over
30 years now, I subscribe
to Pilate’s explanation and
have learned to stand up to
whatever I write.
Errrr. Regarding my
barbs on the month of May,
I just remembered my wife
Evelyn marks her birth an-
niversary in May.
Please pray for me.
*****
Hey, guys! May 2 is
World Asthma Day, not
asthma wife day.
*****
Who said that Mother’s
Day comes nine months af-
ter Father’s Day?
If so, why is Labor Day
celebrated in the Philippines
and elsewhere on May 1?
*****
Whatever, here’s to a
wonderful celebration of
Asian Heritage Month this
May and an enjoyable long
weekend on Victoria Day,
May 19. (See page 30)
*****
Back to media, the so-
called fourth estate (only in
VIEWS
Juan’s media,
Juan’s community
MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY MEDIA IN A PRESS CONFERENCE
the Philippines?) ....
My funny bones went
wild when I got wind of a
tall tale that threats of cases
against media peers in the
Philippines - except those
who have been silenced
with a bullet or two - are
hitting the chart boards.
Goodie, goodie! Just in
case the case is a case of
beer, I’ll drink to that!
Try a suit? Not bad.
It can replace a hand-me-
down tux or exact more
elegant services than what
comes with the cheapest
room at the inn.
Go to court? Sure. Just
say when those Victoria
Court discount cards are
ready. Just be wary of the
so-called ‘free trials’.
*****
Tickle, tickle, tickle!
Nobody, not even Satan,
can further defame or defile
names or reputations that
despicable idiots - many of
them in public offices and
in tolerated immoral private
dealings - have so shame-
lessly defamed, defiled and
sodomized by their own
detestable breach of good
manners and right conduct.
That will be double
jeopardy, as in so so naka-
kasira ng bad image.
*****
Still on media ....
Do you know that of
the some 80 ethnic news
publications circulating in
Toronto and its environs,
about 20 percent or 16 are
serving the Filipino com-
munity?
Among these are Ace Al-
varez’s Manila Media Mon-
itor, Mon Datol’s Philippine
Courier, Eddie Lee’s Atin
Ito, Bin Kon Loo’s Filipini-
ana, Ruben Cusipag’s Bal-
ita, Rolly Cabrera’s Taliba,
Hermie Garcia’s Philippine
Reporter, Turing Muere’s
Likha, Joe Baking’s Manila
Confidential, Carlos Unas’s
Filipino Bulletin, and Nars-
ing Mangahas’s Philippine
Times.
Most are in English and
off the presses either every
two weeks or monthly.
The presence of these
publications in the commu-
nity surely etches the gener-
al impression that Filipinos
are a reading people.
*****
This high level of Fili-
pino literacy and communi-
cative comprehension is no-
table, even in text message
exchanges when letters and
From the beginning of
time, God knew that He
needed help to bring babies
to this world.
So He created mothers.
He blessed them with
special qualities that made
them distinctively different
from men.
The warmth of a moth-
er’s hand can energize a dis-
couraged child.
Her tender reassuring
voice can magically ease
any pain.
She appears soft but
stands like a rock in protect-
ing her children.
At a wedding in Cana,
Jesus was persuaded by His
mother to perform His first
miracle ahead of time.
He turned the water into
wine. It was the miracle that
was not supposed to happen
until the time was right.
But God made that day
the perfect time to make a
heavenly declaration.
It was not about the wa-
ter turning into wine.
numbers are jumbled to
form words, when grammar
and syntax are ignored and
when a seeming cacophonic
mix of Tagalog, English,
Spanish, Chinese, a local
dialect, moon talk, etc. is
used.
As long as text messag-
ing is not done behind the
wheel, let this digital short-
hand go on.
*****
Who can likewise ig-
nore the multitude of Filipi-
nos listening to community
Mystical power of
mothers
It was about the mysti-
cal power of mothers.
Truly, there is something
mystical about mothers.
Many men and women
who have attained great-
ness still find themselves
in a predicament wherein a
motherly advice is impera-
tive.
Even kings and queens,
no matter how powerful
they are, their glory can not
escape the fact that they all
came from a woman who
carried them from concep-
Manila Media Monitor MAY 2008
radio programs in Toronto?
Through the years,
Filipinos have enjoyed the
news, candid commentar-
ies, original Filipino music
and a varied broadcast menu
offered by Agatha Luna and
Joel Recla’s Perlas ng Si-
langan over 1540AM and
100.7FM, 6:30 to 7 p.m.,
Saturdays; Kuya Roman
Caretas’s Tinig, Himig
Pinoy over
530AM, 10
to 11 p.m.
Mondays;
Deo Moreno’s
Mabuhay
Radio over
1610AM, 10
p.m. Mon-
days to Fri-
days; and Jess
Cabrias’s Ang
Ta l a k a y a n
over 1430AM,
10 to 11 a.m.
Saturdays.
*****
Of course
(respectfully
borrowed from Manila
Media Monitor’s Toronto
westend circulation guy Joe
Damasco’s top-of-the-list
fave expression), Filipi-
nos do love to watch com-
munity-oriented television
shows too.
There is the long-run-
ning Front Page Philip-
pines, with Gie Alvarez as
host and Ace Alvarez, pro-
ducer. Front Page Philip-
pines is aired over Rogers
OMNI 2 Television’s Chan-
nel 69 and Cable 14, 11 a.m.
tion to birth. A painful task
that no man is capable of. It
is indisputable.
They will always be
sons and daughters who
humble themselves to bow
to their mothers
It is amazing that moth-
erhood also extend to God’s
lower creations.
In the late spring of
2006, I observed and photo-
graphed the human-like be-
havior of a mother goose.
All through out the
hatching period, rain or
on Sundays and 12 noon on
Thursdays.
Then there is producer
Virgil Ignacio’s Filipino
Eh!, with Mary Grace San-
tos, Anthony Lusaya and
Jess Carlos hosting over A
Channel Cable 20, 8 to 9
a.m. on Saturdays.
*****
Then there is the month-
ly digital magazine GTA
This Month edited by Criss
Papa-Nañola with exciting
images taken by photojour-
nalist Romy Nañola.
Still on cybersites, Ug-
nayan.ca dishes out a daily
menu of news and informa-
tion for Filipinos in Canada.
The site is handled and ed-
ited by veteran newsman
Jojo Taduran.
*****
Juan’s community me-
dia - be it print, radio or
television or in any other
traditional or tech-savvy
form - are very vibrant and
highly visible in Toronto.
Vibrancy and visibil-
ity are there because of the
support of the community.
Media should owe its
existence to its thousands
of avid readers, listeners,
viewers and sidewalk ob-
servers.
Many community media
entities have started but has
since become defunct, but
whatever impact these may
have made for the commu-
nity will be remembered.
*****
Local media may learn
(To page 22)
shine, she was on her nest
fulfilling her motherly ob-
ligation.
She stood her ground,
and maintained her guard in
protecting the eggs.
She also displayed her
parenting skill.
She taught her goslings
how to survive and pre-
pared them to their eventual
long distance flight.
To everyone out there
who still have mothers,
when was the last time you
sincerely expressed your
gratitude she highly de-
serve?
Don’t wait too long.
Do it while you can,
when you can.
But most of all do it
while she is still strong
enough to raise her arms in
giving you her affectionate
motherly hug as she whis-
pers to your ears: “I love
you, child.” mario@artis-
ticam-photography.com;
www.artisticam-photogra-
phy.com
MAY 2008 Manila Media Monitor FEATURE 11
er currencies are P125.48 mobile phones and the In- ted money through formal
Gov’t watchdog says: million for US dollar trans- ternet. and informal or non-bank-

No dirty money from OFWs, yet actions, P1.6 million for

by JEREMAIAH M. OPINIANO
MANILA - Dirty
money passing through or
flowing into the country as
monitored by the Philippine
anti-money laundering unit
has not involved overseas
Filipino workers, yet.
Of the 18,269 suspi-
cious transactions the Anti-
Money Laundering Council
(AMLC) flagged for the
past six years ending 2007,
none were linked to formal
and informal flows of earn-
ings by OFWs, AMLC data
revealed.
“So far, Filipino remit-
ters have been compliant”
to money laundering rules,
AMLC executive director
Vicente Aquino said.
Aquino spoke to the
OFW Journalism Consor-
tium before a US court sen-
tenced a man who admitted
transferring some US$15
million to bank accounts
owned or controlled by co-
conspirators in the Philip-
pines.
The money was part of
a $20-million scheme to
defraud the Export-Import
Bank of the United States.
The statement dated
www.ofwjournalism.net
March 1 issued by Assis-
tant Attorney General Alice
Fisher of the Criminal Divi-
sion and US Attorney Jef-
frey Taylor of the District of
Columbia did not expound
on how that much amount
of money was transferred to
Philippine bank accounts.
With remittances pump-
ing Philippine consumption,
monitoring its flow has be-
come highly important as a
credible economic instru-
ment.
Remittance flows to the
Philippines is the world’s
third largest, according to
recent World Bank ranking.
If the AMLC finds
something irregular, it flags
a Suspicious Transaction
Report (STR).
However, none of the
STRs covering overseas
Filipinos’ remittances have
been flagged, Aquino add-
ed. “They have no deroga-
tory record.”
STRs in banks and non-
bank financial institutions
numbered 15,469, AMLC
data showed.
Government-sourced
STRs numbered 2,679;
insurance STRs, 91; and
STRs in securities, 30.
All STRs covered a total
of nearly 104 million trans-
actions, data showed.
Aquino said the AMLC
had frozen nearly P406 mil-
lion in funds from banks
and insurance proceeds.
Some P272 million of
the total is in Philippine
peso.
Meanwhile, the peso
equivalents of those for oth-
Japanese yen transactions,
P7.8 million for Hong Kong
dollar transactions, and
P60,596 for Euro transac-
tions.
Vigilance
Aquino said despite the
spotless record of OFWs
in these transactions, the
AMLC continued monitor-
ing remittances.
Such was not an easy
task since banks no longer
held the monopoly of plat-
form for money transfer.
The information and
communication technol-
ogy boom has spawned fast
cash flow via, for example,
The World Bank’s In-
formation for Development
(infoDev) program, none-
theless, believed such tech-
nology could combat dirty
money.
InfoDev said in a paper
that the Philippines’ mo-
bile phone remittance tech-
nologies “even help reduce
fraud, money laundering
and criminal acts … be-
cause the cash assets are no
longer being carried around
in person.”
Aquino said the spot-
less money laundering re-
cord of overseas Filipinos
was because of a threshold
whenever a migrant remit-
ing channels.
That threshold was for
a one-time remittance ac-
tivity, as Aquino observed
that migrant remitters sent
amounts way below the
US$10,000 threshold.
The know-your-cus-
tomer (KYC) requirement
was also strictly followed
in remittance centers and
banks overseas and in the
Philippines.
Money senders were re-
quired to verify their iden-
tity as well as the identity of
the recipients.
Meanwhile, the Interpol
(the world’s largest interna-
tional police organization),
in a study of “ethnic bank-
ing systems” of 31 coun-
tries in Asia, cited it found
neither direct nor indirect
links between overseas
workers’ remittances and
money laundering.
This was despite the
study having discovered
direct links between these
banking systems and money
flows from unlawful activi-
ties.
In the East Asian region,
there were “unregulated re-
mittance centers” in Hong
Kong-China, Japan, and
Korea that served nationals
such as Filipinos, the Inter-
pol study said.
(To page 32)
12 FEATURE Manila Media Monitor MAY 2008

CBT’s People Power: Socio-political awareness

By ANAGAILE SORIANO
I remember the sound of the
helicopters. We were young then.
We didn’t know what was hap-
pening, but knew something im-
portant must be taking place.
There were celebrations and
yellow confetti on the streets.
People were wearing yellow t-
shirts with Ninoy’s face embed-
ded on it and yellow ribbons were
tied around their heads.
Radio Veritas and Channel
4 were serving the people once
more.
Military tanks were blockaded
by thousands of civilians singing
Bayan Ko (My Homeland), and
flashing the Laban! (fight!) sign,
an “L” formed with the thumb and
index finger.
Most of us share vivid memo- CBT actors bring to aesthetic reality the scenes marking People Power Revolution in the Philippines from Feb. 22 to 25,
ries and stories of People Power, 1986, a peaceful revolution that ousted a dictatorship. After the play, (from left) Nadine Villasin, Alex Felipe, Martha Ocampo
a non-violent revolution Filipinos and Ricky Esguerra lead a panel discussion on the stage presentation. Photos: CBT
engaged in to regain democracy
and overthrow the dictatorship of sence of the lives of many individ- Len Cervantes; and the music and litical powers that led the move- rights advocate in Canada and the
the Marcos regime. uals and families who strove for percussions of Romeo Candido ment. U.S.
People Power, the play survival, democracy and freedom evoked patriotism. Villasin (Miss Oriented, Ang She recalled that it was in a
The scenes from my young in the Philippines. Blown-up black and white Pamana: the Inheritance) is the reunion of anti-Marcos activists
life and other vignettes of the lives The play featured actors Na- images of actual events during CBT’s artistic director of the Car- in Seattle, U.S. - when the partici-
of Filipinos whose voices stirred a dine Villasin, Nicco Lorenzo Gar- those trying times were hung on los Bulosan Theatre, daughter of pants were candidly sharing expe-
peaceful revolt were the subjects cia, Rose Cortez, Leon Aureus a clothesline wire and provided a journalist-father and an activist- riences - that the idea of produc-
of People Power: Revolution in and Christine Mangosing; with an effective artful yet storytelling mother. ing a play honoring anti-Marcos
Play Poetry, Music and Move- producer Michelle Uy and direc- backdrop. Villasin has helped the CBT activists stirred her.
ment, a play written, acted in and tor Nina Lee Aquino. The plot thickens grow from a community-oriented Growing up with their likes,
produced by young Filipino-Ca- The play’s simplicity remained According to actors Villasin theater to a professional theater Villasin realized the threats and
nadians and shown at the Carlos engaging and inspirational. There and Garcia, People Power was “a company in the last ten years. dangers these people had gone
Bulosan Theatre (CBT), April 16 were no elaborate costumes or composite of true stories of people Villasin’s mom, the late Fely through, helping her prepare for
to May 11. props. we know who experienced it and Villasin, was with the Coalition her role as a determined revolu-
The collaborative two-year Drama and power were spo- the people that made it happen,” Against Marcos Dictatorship tionary living in the US.
CBT production captured the es- ken with the compelling poetry of and not so much focused on po- (CAMD) and was a domestic (To page 13)

GENERAL DENTISTRY
Dr. Gilbert Chan
Dr. Daphne Chien
Dr. Janet Ho
Dr. Janet Wong
Dr. Michael Chin
MAY 2008 Manila Media Monitor
CBT’s People Power ...
(From page 12)
Marcos cum taxi driver
Nicco Garcia (The Romance of Magno Ru-
bio, Ang Pamana: The Inheritance), played
Manny, a taxi driver.
Garcia also switched comedic and emotion-
al roles as a marine officer, a father with conser-
vative political views, and the ousted President
Marcos.
He gave justice to his role as Marcos by
learning a lot about the strongman, courtesy
of his father whose roots are from Ilocos, also
known as Marcos country.
Rose Cortez (Love’s Labour Lost, Tales from
the Flipside) played demanding but expressive
roles as a maid, sister of a rebel soldier, seduc-
tive prostitute, and street beggar.
A budding artist, Cortez is fluent in Taga-
log and English, who featured once in a Villasin
show.
Unsung heroes
The actors, director Aquino and the CBT
shifted their focus from the Marcos regime
and politics to insightful stories of individuals,
families, and social groups who experienced
but remained the “unsung heroes” of the People
Power Revolution.
Little change
“Was People Power a success or a failure?”
This was one of the many questions raised dur-
ing a post-play panel discussion.
Ricky Esguerra, an activist and political
prisoner during the Marcos era, said the Philip-
pine situation has not really changed that much
after the Feb. 22 to 25, 1986 People Power.
Esguerra said the small amount of success
to regain democracy during those fateful days
in 1986 was brought to little use with the con-
tinued existence of the higher social-political
elite groups who controlled power.
He said poverty and corruption have not
been eradicated and problems, like shortages in
rice and food, have even cropped up.
Several coups and attempts to overthrow re-
cent Philippine leaders have been failures.
No solid plan
Political activist Martha Ocampo said those
who planned to get scandal-battered President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo out of Malacañang
had no solid plan for the country’s future.
Further, she lamented the absence of a com-
mon ground or purpose among many Philippine
political groups.
Meanwhile, Garcia read through articles of
the 20th anniversary of People Power in Manila
and noted observations that political, military,
media, church and other groups seeking for re-
forms argued endlessly about who should get
the credit for the success of People Power.
He asked: “If it had not been successful, will
they still take credit for it?”
“It is really the voice of the Filipino people
that enabled the revolution to happen,” he said.
Community issues
Knowing about one’s history and culture
and being proud of the triumph of the human
spirit were some of the messages that Villasin,
Garcia, and Cortez wanted to get across through
art and theatre.
Villasin said young Filipino-Canadians
seemed to have been alienated from their cul-
ture and were unlikely to get involved in poli-
tics because they had no connection to the po-
litical realm.
The play helped the audiences better under-
stand their history as Filipinos, the nature of
democracy, and realize what their parents went
through, and why they are here today, she said.
But more than just understanding the Filipi-
nos’ battles to be free, the play spread awareness
about colonization, racism, freedom and other
global issues other people from many countries
experience.
Garcia said: “We should be proud of the
People Power Revolution because this is what
placed the Philippines into the world map, a
constant reminder of fighting for democracy in
a non-violent and unified way.”
“Amid the hardships, powerlessness, and
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played their courage and hu- “But how is that possible
mility to gain freedom and we without going back to your
should be proud of it,” he said. roots and knowing where you
Garcia added that Filipinos came from?”
have set the stage for people He urged the community to
from other countries protest- support art and theatre to raise
ing against social and political cultural awareness and educate
repression. younger generations.
He added that many Fili- Cortez, on the other hand,
pinos left the Philippines and reiterated that when she mi-
migrated to Canada to leave grated to Canada, she felt no
behind an unstable political connection between Filipino
system. immigrants and Canadian-born
Call for support Filipinos in Toronto.
Garcia said he understood But she reached out to the She planned to do outreach
the constant struggle of second community by expressing her- community projects, especially
generation Filipino-Canadi- self through art and theatre, in high schools and universities
ans in their search for identity and hoped to someday pursue to build a stronger united com-
while trying to assimilate and drama therapy. munity. AS
14 PEOPLE & EVENTS Manila Media Monitor MAY 2008

Santiago, Javier cite Canadian, community help

Taurus tots

FCT Gala rakes in $22,037.27 to partly defray cost of FCT building’s new roof
Filipino Centre Toronto The FCT officials - on proceeds of S22,037.27 as Organizers expect many
(FCT) Board Chair Dr. Vic- behalf of the FCT Board of shown in a financial state- members of the community
toria Santiago and President Directors - also expressed ment furnished the Manila to attend the fair, hoping
Rosalinda Javier have cited gratitude and appreciation Media Monitor) partially to get answers to medical
the Canadian government for the community’s par- defrayed the cost of the re- problems.
Three young people celebrated their birthdays and the Filipino community ticipation in the “sold-out cently replaced entire roof On hand are medical
recently. (From left) Patricia Gabrielle Angeles, and its leaders for the con- and smashingly successful” of the (FCT building). This specialists to speak on rel-
daughter of Angelo and Maricar Hazel Angeles, tinuous support the latter Presidents’ Gala at the Fair- replacement cost a total evant topics. (See page 18
celebrated her first with a party tendered by her have been giving FCT. mont Royal York Hotel on amount of $107,000,” they for topic schedules)
Lola, Elsa Angeles, at their home in Ajax; Esther In a letter dated May 11, April 5. said. FCMA president Dr.
Mae Sicat celebrated her fifth with classmates Santiago and Javier said: “This ... event that hon- Both also announced the Maselle Virey hopes to
and friends at a party given by her parents, An- “The Filipino commu- ored local Filipino groups, conduct of the next Presi- raise awareness and further
gelo and Maribel Sicat; and Jonas Andaya, son of nity’s ideals and virtues are organizations and busi- dents’ Gala in the first half understanding of health is-
Noel and Jocylin Andaya, also celebrated his fith the driving forces behind nesses, represented by their of 2010, with Maria Clara sues, leading to the preven-
at a gathering given by her lola, Perla Andaya, at the FCT’s existence. These president or proprietor, was as its theme. tion of illnesses.
Chuck E Cheese’s in Scarborough. TONY SICAT include extending a ‘baya- indeed a fitting tribute and Medical fair FCT director Dr. Mario
nihan’ hand to those who a simple token of apprecia- Meanwhile, FCT will Andres has been conduct-
GET RESULTS. are in need, while partici- tion and recognition of their jointly sponsor with the ing monthly health semi-
pating with vigor and pride continued support of the Filipino Canadian Medical nars under his FCT Health
ADVERTISE! on the multi-ethnic stage FCT,” Santiago and Javier Association (FCMA) a one- and Wellness Program.
Call 416-285-8583 made possible by the gov-
ernment of Canada.”
jointly said.
“The money raised (net
day Medical Fair at the cen-
ter’s premises on June 8.
The Medical Fair, An-
dres says, will replace the
seminars for May and June.
Proposed IRPA changes to reunite families, bring in skilled workers faster Pistahan free bikes
(From page 5) In another development,
Orientation sessions nition process in Canada. to outdated provisions in who then lost their citizen- born in Canada to a foreign FCT’s June 14 to 15 Pistah-
Finley also noted the Restoring citizenship existing and former laws. ship; diplomat, those who re- an (see ad on page 18) gets
successful expansion of In a related develop- Bill C-37 would come ► Anyone who was nounced their citizenship a boost from the Toronto
overseas orientation ses- ment, Minister Finley has into effect no later than a born in Canada or became with Canadian authorities, Police Service, which will
sions she announced in In- welcomed the formal pas- year after being given Roy- a Canadian on or after Jan. and those whose citizen- conduct a Bike Rodeo for
dia. sage of Bill C-37, taking al Assent on April 17. 1, 1947, and who then lost ship was revoked by the children aged seven to 15 at
The sessions - delivered “lost Canadians” one giant The law would give citi- citizenship; and government because it was 10 a.m. in both event days.
in China, India and the Phil- step closer to enjoying Ca- zenship to: ► Anyone born abroad obtained by fraud. The 50 approved to join
ippines by the Association nadian citizenship. ► People who became to a Canadian on or after “This is wonderful news the rodeo will be given the
of Canadian Community Finley said the passage citizens when the first citi- Jan. 1, 1947, if not already for war brides and their bikes they ride, with a hel-
Colleges’ Canadian Immi- of Bill C-37 amended the zenship act took effect on a citizen, but only if they children who will become met and water container.
gration Integration Project Citizenship Act to give Ca- Jan. 1, 1947 (including are the first generation born citizens,” said Melynda Jar- Rodeo application forms
- helped raise awareness nadian citizenship to those people born in Canada prior abroad. ratt. historian for Canadian may be downloaded from
about the credential recog- who lost or never had it, due to 1947 and war brides) and The exceptions are those War Brides. (To page 17)
MAY 2008 Manila Media Monitor
TPS set for Asian Heritage Month program
Entertainers and per-
formers from the Philip-
pines, Japan, Korea and
Vietnam are set to provide
enjoyment in a program put
up by the Toronto Police
Services (TPS) and the To-
ronto Police Services Board
(TPSB) in celebration of
Asian Heritage Month at the
Toronto Police headquarters
on May 21, starting 6 p.m.
TPS community mobi-
lization unit officer Philip
Mendoza said police chief
William Blair, TPSB head
Alok Mukherjee, country
dignitaries and local of-
ficials will attend and par-
ticipate in the celebration,
Events lined up dureing
the celebration, she said,
“provide occasions for all
Canadians to gather in the
festivity of cultures.”
Better understanding
In Ottawa, Secretary
of State (Multiculturalism
and Canadian Identity) Ja-
son Kenney stressed that
Canada “was built by repre-
sentatives of many cultural
communities, and Asian
Heritage Month is an oppor-
tunity to better understand
Canada’s rich diversity by
learning more about the
achievements of the Asian-
Canadian community.”
PEOPLE & EVENTS
Kenney invited all citi-
zens across the country “to
celebrate the contribution of
Canadians of Asian origin
to building our country.”
History
Since its conception
in Toronto in 1993, cities
across Canada - including
Montreal, Ottawa, Van-
couver, Halifax, Winnipeg,
Calgary - have been hav-
ing annual festivities dur-
ing May to recognize Asian
Heritage Month.
A motion to designate
May as Asian Heritage
Month was introduced in
(To page 17)
THIS SUMMER
Let’s go to the Ex!
Warmer days are here
and it’s time again for On-
tario’s summertime tradi-
tion, the Canadian National
Exhibition (CNE).
This year, the CNE cel-
ebrates its 130th anniver-
sary with new and exciting
attractions complementing
old-time favorites.
The CNE runs from
Aug. 15 to Labor Day on
Sept. 1.
Advance tickets are sold
through CNE’s exclusive
retail partner Shopper’s
Drug Mart and also avail-
nal music. The program is
sponsored by the Govern-
ment of Ontario.
► Aerialist and Eques-
trian Show (Aug. 15 to 28,
Ricoh Coliseum): From the
producers of the popular
Aerial Acrobatic and Ice
Skating shows of the past
three years comes a sensa-
tional new equestrian spec-
tacular. Set to music com-
plete with a vocalist, this
entertaining extravaganza
features daredevil aerial-
ists and magnificent horses
showcased in a wide range
15
Kevin Ridgeway and es-
cape artist Kristen Johnson
make their Ontario CNE
debut. The duo had been
featured on The Discovery
and Travel Channels, CBS,
NBC and FOX, and have
toured extensively in the
US and Australia. Kristen
is an award winning escape
artist recognized as one of
the best in the world, while
Kevin is a born entertainer
whose unique blend of wit,
charisma and magic has
won the hearts of audiences
on two continents.

CPO shows lined up in

dubbed “Working Together able online at theex.com. of equestrian arts. ► A Celebration of
in Partnership.” All events are free with ► Ridgeway and John- Sport - West Side of Food
Canada enriched admission to the CNE. son: Illusionist and Escape Building (daily): Sports will

On the occasion of
Asian Heritage Month,
Minister of Citizenship and
Immigration Diane Finley
lauded Canadians of Asian
origin for playing “an inte-
gral role” in strengthening
and enriching local commu-
nities with their diverse cul-
tural practices and beliefs.
“I take pride in the fact
that newcomers from Asia
continue to choose our na-
tion as their destination of
choice - and that the vibran-
cy of Asian cultures reso-
nates fiom city to city across
Canada,” Finley said.
Carassauga Festival
The Ex is one of North
America’s largest annual
fairs, attracting more than a
Culture Philippines of Ontario (CPO) will once million people over 18 days
again participate and provide entertainment during the each summer.
annual Carassauga Festival in Mississauga’s Hershey Softly opening the Ex on
Centre from May 23 to 25.
A CPO bulletin said the group would showcase
July 22 are the Horse Show
and Casino, both to contin-
Philippine culture through folksongs and dances from ue throughout the fair.
the various regions of the country, with special focus on What’s new?
Pasko sa Pilipinas (Christmas in the Philippines). Here are some of the
The CPO shows at the Philippine Pavilion would be new attractions at the Ex:
on May 23 at 7:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m. and 11 p.m.; on May ► Circus Orange in
24 at 4 p.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.; and on May 25 Jump Jet (nightly): This is
at 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. a 20-minute pyrotechnic,
The CPO added that visitors would also be treated acrobatic and circus the-
to tasty Filipino dishes and delicacies served at the Her- ater performance unfolding
shey Centre. PR in three acts set to origi-
Artist Show (two shows be celebrated through a se-
daily; three on Fridays, ries of outdoor demonstra-
Saturdays, and Sundays tions, interactives, shows
and Labor Day): Husband and athlete appearances,
and wife team illusionist every day of the CNE. PR
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16 PEOPLE & EVENTS
Way of life: Poverty, dust, brownouts
(From page 8)
The route up to their
abodes is best described as
very similar to their centu-
ries’ old quest for justice
and equality: filled with
menacing boulders, un-
friendly shards of rock and
scalding gravel.
The pathways are
parched and hot in summer;
treacherous and slippery in
the monsoon. Imagine lug-
ging sacks of bananas or
rice on one’s back, negoti-
ating the kilometric zigzags
of the mountain.
We were greeted by de-
lightful news. Three Mang-
yans have carved a niche
for themselves and their
community, standing out as
paragons for the children.
The three were schooled
in the lowlands but have
resisted the clarion call of
the cities, refusing to seek
employment that offered
higher wages and better liv-
ing conditions.
Instead, they have
marched back to the village
of their childhood, clutch-
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Manila Media Monitor MAY 2008
ing their college diplomas
and are giving back to their
kith and kin their loyalty
and faith by teaching farm-
ers and women a variety of
trades.
They are now beginning
to exploit their weaving, ba-
nana production and honey
gathering skills to full eco-
nomic advantage.
Thanks to local inter-
vention, it is not anymore
likely that lowlanders will
offer a pittance in exchange
of their sweet bananas and
rootcrops, exquisite weaves
and unadulterated honey.
Slowly, the Mangyans
are learning basic arithme-
tic and finding out the true
measure of their labor and
produce.
One of the three, an
education graduate, is the
first Mangyan teacher of
the area. She has bravely re-
turned to teach the children
in the uplands.
She recalls that as a
child, many Mangyan chil-
dren like her remained
home, preferring the rela-
tive safety of the village
rather than venturing for
kilometers to the nearest
school.
The weather and the rug-
ged terrain have taken their
toll on her skin and legs
but she managed through
advanced education, with a
little help from NGOs.
She is now a beacon for
the Mangyan children who
are taught in Filipino, sim-
ple English and their native
alphabet and syllabary.
The three educated
Mangyans bring hope.
A multiplier effect is
anticipated so that they can
inspire another nine.
In the next generation, it
is hoped that incomprehen-
sible documents that signify
the transfer of land to some
sinister lowlander will be a
thing of the past.
Despite the constant
threat of incursions into
their territory, the Mang-
yans remain a proud and
resilient race.
In their quiet, ramshack-
le village in the verdant
hills of Occidental Mind-
oro, the Mangyans today
still live with grace, closer
to the heavens, away from
the dust and power outages
of the lowlands.
They are fortunate that
it is not their way of life.
MAY 2008 Manila Media Monitor PEOPLE & EVENTS 17
Happy long
weekend on
Victoria Day
From the:

Always treasure ...

(From page 8)
called for his, or her, rendition.
If the suggestion here is to be done, this
would require funds though for recording
and everything.
So, community organizations, please
help our entertainers. Let us offer them
their fees.
After all, they spend for their attire, gas,
parking in some instances - and everything
paid with GST, not to mention their time.

Santiago, Javier ...

(From page 14)
the FCT’s website, www.filipinocentreto-
ronto.com. Deadline for submission is on
May 30.
Pistahan chair Wendy Arena says the
two-day celebration of the 110th anniver-
sary of Philippine Independence will kick
off with a parade of Philippine associations
and business groups that will end at the Na-
than Philips Square.
Local beauty queens, a marching band
and dignitaries will march in the parade,
Arena adds.
On stage are entertainers. Food booths
offering free lechon and an array of palat-
able Filipino dishes are available. Commer-
cial stalls will surround the festivity site.
Arena says the finals of FCT’s Filipino
Singing Idol (FSI) - featuring the 18 who
survived the three initial rounds - will close
the June 14 list of events.
A Sunday Mass will open the fiesta at
1 p.m. on June 15. More onstage entertain-
ment and food celebrations are expected.
Capping the day is FCT’s Battle of the
Champions involving all past FSI winners.
The public may join line-dancing and
ballroom dancing in the open square until
10 p.m., the end of Pistahan, Arena says.

TPS set for ... (From page 15) CALENDAR (From page 3)
ley Park.
► JUNE 15: Filipino
► JULY 12: Philippine In-
dependence Day Council
the Senate by Senator Vivienne Poy on May 29, 2001, and Medical Fair, FCT Build- ► JUNE 14: Kalayaan Centre Toronto Battle of Mabuhay Cup Basketball
seconded by Senator Pat Carney. ing, 9 a.m. Cultural Foundation Phil- Champions, FCT Bldg. Tournament, Hoopdome.
Senators Sheila Finestone, Noel Kinsella, Nicholas ► JUNE 8: De La Salle ippine Cultural Festival, ► JUNE 21: Malolos ► JULY 13: Filipino Cen-
Taylor and Laurier LaPierre spoke in favor of it. Alumni Association and Square One Mall, Missis- Group of Ontario 2nd An- tre Toronto Annual Dr.
In December, 2001, the Senate officially designated Fiesta Filipina Dance sauga. nual Golf Tournament, Guillermo de Villa Memo-
May as Asian Heritage Month. Troupe Golf Tournament, ► JUNE 14: Philip- Deer Creek Golf and rial Cup Golf Tournament,
Asians Pickering Cherry Downs pine Independence Day Banquet Facility. Granite Ridge Golf Club.
The definition of Asian may be inclusive and broad, Golf Club. Council Salo-Salo, Earl ► JUNE 28: United Fili- ► JULY 11 to 13: Fiesta
and applies to people who come from or whose ancestors ► JUNE 13: Kalayaan Bales Park. pino Canadian Organiza- Filipina Dance Troupe
come from: East Asia: China, Hong Kong S.A.R., Japan, Cultural Foundation Say- ► JUNE 14: Marikina tion Summer Dance, Ca- Kasalan at Carabram,
Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan; South Asia: awan at Tugtrugan Para Association of Ontario nadian Martyrs Church. Greenbriar Recreation
Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri sa Taong Bayan, Missis- Summer Potluck Picnic, ► JUNE 29: Batangas Centre, Brampton.
Lanka; sauga. Neilson Park. Provincial Association of ► JULY 19: Philippine In-
Central Asia: Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, ► JUNE 13: Kababai- ► JUNE 14: Marc Ball- Canada 3rd Annual Golf dependence Day Council
Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan; Southeast Asia: hang Rizalista Miss Ma- esteros Concert for A Tournament, Glen Eagle Mabuhay Festival, with
Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, ria Clara 2008, Ella’s Cause, Jarvis Collegiate Golf Course, Caledon. Dancing To Be A Star Fi-
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam. PR Banquet Hall. Institute. ► JULY 4: Kalayaan Fili- nals, Metro Toronto Con-
► JUNE 14 and 15: pino Cultural Organiza- vention Centre.
Filipino Centre Toronto tion Silver Jubilee Gala ► AUG. 9: Jenifer For-
WHAT’S YOUR EVENT? Pistahan celebrates the Night and Coronation, ever Concert 2, Mead-
The Manila Media Monitor calendar is a public service board for every reader to 110th Declaration of Phil- Capitol Center, Missis- owvale Theatre, Missis-
keep and refer to. Want to get your event into the Calendar? Send the event details ippine Independence, sauga. sauga.
(name of group or person, event title, place of event, date and time of event) to ma- Nathan Phillips Square. ► JULY 5: Santaginians ► AUG. 29 to SEPT. 1:
nilamediamonitor@rogers.com or butchgalicia@yahoo.com on or before the 8th ► JUNE 15: Kalayaan Association of Ontario Knights of Rizal Canada
of each month. All submissions are subject to strict editorial appreciation. Cultural Foundation Salo- Gala Night, Toronto Holi- Region Assembly in To-
salo sa Mississauga Val- day Inn. ronto.
18 PEOPLE & EVENTS Manila Media Monitor MAY 2008

FCMA and FCT MEDICAL FAIR TCDSB to host Filipino Language Assembly
597 Parliament Street, Toronto, ON The Toronto Catho-
Sunday, June 8, 2008, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. lic District School Board
(TCDSB) will host the 3rd
Annual Filipino Interna-
tional Language Assembly
SPEAKERS AND TOPICS
and Information and Net-
working Day for Parents at
Morning Sessions: Chair: Dr. Nenette de Villa 10-12 noon: the St. Maria Goretti Catho-
lic School on May 31 from
10:00 - Dr. Gemma Pastolero: “What’s behind the screen?” 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
This year’s assembly
10:15 - Dr. Francis Rementilla: “Finally, an anti-aging solution” will feature the Filipino In-
10:30 - Dr. Peter Sy: “Snoring may be more than what it seems” ternational Language Spell-
10:45 - Dr. Dulce Bismonte: “Adjustments as new Immigrants” ing and Quiz Bee contests.
11:00 - Dr. Eileen de Villa-Choi: “TB Revisited” The competitions pro-
11:15 - Dr. Ben Pangilinan: “Wheezes and Whistles” vides Filipinos between the
ages of six and 13 the op-
11:30 - Dr. David Lim & Haysook Choi: “The Silent Killer, an
Epidemic” Canada KOR prepares for 3rd reg’l gab
11:45 - Mr. James Hernane: “Know your Pharmacist”
12:00 - Questions and Answers
portunity to participate in
a positive, non-competitive
spelling/quiz bee exchange
to improve their Filipino
language vocabulary, spell-
ing capabilities, compre-
hension, public speaking,
communication skills, self-
esteem and self-confidence.
The competitions will
likewise be highlighted by
a program wherein partici-
pants also show off their
dancing and singing skills.
Last year’s Makabayan
singing competition gath-
ered close to 400 Filipino
parents and students.
The TCDSB offers Fili-
pino International Language
classes cost-free every
Saturday in seven elemen-
tary schools: St. Barnabas,
St. Brendan, St. Barbara,
Blessed John XXIII, St.
Maria Goretti, Canadian
Martyrs and Holy Family.
The classes are also
conducted at the Pope John
Paul II secondary school.
Extended-day class in
Filipino is also offered at
St. Ignatius of Loyola, from
Monday to Friday. PR

Lunch Break

Afternoon Sessions: Chair: Dr. Maselle Virey 1-3:30 p.m.

1:00 - Dr. Solon Guzman: “Why see the dentist, I don’t have a
toothache”
1:15 - Dr. Lily Cha: “Post-Menopausal Concerns”
1:30 - Dr. Cesar Garcia: “I don’t remember, Alzheimer?”
1:45 - Ms. Connie Magallanes: “You are what you eat”
2:00 - Dr. FilomenaBautista: “Immunization: Do we need it?”
2:15 - Dr. Regina Agbayani: “No, not SARS!”
2:30 - Mr. Rob Fuerte: “Available Community Resources”
2:45 - Dr. Rey Robes: “How to keep your heart working longer”
3:00 – Questions and Answers
The Canada Region Knights of Rizal (KOR) Executive Council prepares for
its 3rd Assembly in Metro Toronto from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1. With over 150 out-
of-town delegates expected, arrangements are being finalized with Hilton
Double-Tree Hotel. Commander Emiliano Silverio has named Chito Collan-
tes assembly chair; George Poblete, vice chair for administration; Tom Vi-
rey, vice chair for supervision; Oakville commander Mike Murphy, operation
host; Toronto commander Doug Ord, Commander’s Ball host; Kababaihang
Rizalista president Rose Cruz, fundraising. JOE DAMASCO

A DV E RT I S E R S ’ I N D E X
The Tropical Deli (22)
PNB Remit (2)
Classified Ads (22)
Dr. Evangeline M. Bernabe &
Gonzales Dentistry
Associates (3)
Professional Corp. (23)
Goldentuller & Associates (3)
the edge group (24)
Rolly’s Garage (3)
the-3rd-eye.com (25)
Dr. Arla Rondilla Dentistry
UMAC Toronto (25)
Professional Corp. (5)
Lovely Travel & Tours Int’l (26)
Dr. Albine A. Miciano Cosmetic
Dr. Bernarda Rosales Verzonilla
& General Dentistry (6)
Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
Action Honda (7)
(27)
Kaakbay Financial Services
Casa Manila (28)
(11)
Mary’s Esthetics (28)
Ellesmere-Kennedy Dental
Innovation (28)
Centre (12)
Clem Cabillan (28)
Amit Bhatia Credit
Liland Insurance Inc. (29)
Management Services (13)
LDV Computers (30)
Conrad Fajardo - Remax(14)
OCDC Parcel Services (31)
Aqua Crystal Clear (15)
T.H.D. Consultants (32)
Dr. Miriam Bernacer (16)
musicpad.com (32)
New Conservatory of Music
Front Page Philippines (33)
(16)
BJ Kitchen Cabinets, Inc. (34)
Philuscan (16)
Juan Tomas Band (34)
Timeless Images (16)
Saratoga Money Remittance
Forex (17)
(35)
FCT Pistahan (18)
Lydia Madrano-Yanto (36)
FCMA/FCT Medical Fair (18)
Newbridge Mortgage (36)
Hogan Chevy.com (19)
Roadsport Honda 36)
Osilla Institute (19)
Superb Travel (38)
Western Union (20)
CHIN Radio (38)
Russell International (20)
Seoul Driving School (38)
Dr. Roslyn Sim-Sabilano
Ma. Louisa Diaz (39)
Dentistry Prof’l Corp. (21)
Come and Join PIDC Mabuhay Festival (21)
Dr. Santiago & Associates (40)
Fairview Dental Centre (40)
The Filipino Centre Toronto
MAY 2008 Manila Media Monitor 19
20 Manila Media Monitor MAY 2008

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MAY 2008 Manila Media Monitor 21
22
Juan’s media, Juan’s community
(From page 10)
a lesson or two from Phil-
ippine prelates, who echoed
Pope Benedict XVI’s mes-
sage for the 42nd World
Communications Day on
May 3.
In Manila, Catholic
Bishops Conference of the
Philippines (CBCP) media
director Msgr. Pedro Quito-
rio said “the real power of
media does not lie on the in-
struments but on the truth-
fulness and credibility of
the person who uses them.”
“The meteoric evolution
of technology will bring
media to unimaginable po-
tential. But at the end of the
day, it’s the truth, life and
credibility of the commu-
nicator that bring about real
power,” Quitorio said.
Still in Manila, CBCP
President Archbishop An-
gel Lagdameo considered
the Pope’s call for “info-
ethics.” Lagdameo said that
while media did much good,
Media help US presidents hoodwink us
(From page 9)
anarchy, if they fail to see
how so many predictions of
this kind have been made
through the centuries, a ma-
jor one of which was that
death and destruction would
rain down on us in the year
2000. Remember Y2K?
The 2012 prediction is
the stuff of supermarket
tabloids. This time, let’s try
to confine it to them.
***
There’s still nothing like
a good book.
Each time I open a new
volume I get the same sort
of thrill I did when, at six
years, I was able to make
my own first purchase.
Sixpence in pocket mon-
ey was burning a hole in my
pocket and I yearned for
something a little broader in
scope than the kid’s books
I’d been given as presents.
Due to the diligence of
parents and grandparents
I had learned to read two
years earlier.
I took myself down to
a large bookstore near our
home in Balham.
The new hard cover
Readers Library series was
being displayed at sixpence
a volume.
This eclectic enterprise
which flourished for several
years until the advent of
Penguin paperbacks carried
mostly reprints of books au-
thored by writers as widely
different as Victor Hugo
and Edgar Wallace.
I had just seen Doug-
las Fairbanks in the Thief
of Baghdad and after leaf-
ing through a number of
Readers Library volumes,
I turned back to a noveliza-
tion of the film by Achmed
Abdullah (actually the Rus-
sian-born Alexander Nico-
layevitch Romanoff). Al-
though he did not write the
it was also often used to pro-
mote the selfish interests of
powerful people who could
destroy its real purpose for
the common good.”
In Davao City, Fr. Rus-
sell Bantiles, editor-in-chief
of the Davao Catholic Her-
ald, said the Pope’s message
raised two points about me-
dia’s power: first, the media
possess the power and the
force of suggestion, what-
ever this might mean; and
second, the media are used
not to disseminate informa-
tion but to create events.
“The media is at the
crossroads between self-
promotion and service,”
said Bantiles, who urged
media to use all means of
social communication in the
service of the truth about
God, man, and the world.
***
On another note, during
the just-concluded Global
Filipino Network workshop
screenplay for the film, it is
said he gave the producers
the original story line.
There was Duggie on
the dust cover, complete
with bandana and roguish
grin. I could not wait until
I got home, but found that
Achmed/Alexander’s prose
was a little too dense for
me. I cannot remember now
whether I ever returned to
the Thief of Baghdad, but
I’ll always have the memo-
ry of that first purchase (of
many thousands).
***
The Oxford University
Press has launched its Cana-
dian Newcomer Series, the
first of which is reviewed in
this issue.
While specifically ad-
dressing the informational
needs of new arrivals in
Canada, this is as much a
book for established Cana-
dians as new immigrants.
The reason for this is
that, if we are to acknowl-
edge our responsibilities as
citizens of a country that
needs and welcomes im-
migrants we need to know
how this country works and
here it is in the first of a se-
ries of Oxford University
Press books.
Arrival Survival Cana-
da can be of real assistance
in helping answer new im-
migrants’ questions.
Arrival Survival Cana-
da outlines in clear English
how to cope with situations
from finding shelter to mak-
ing temporary arrangements
for health coverage until ac-
ceptance in Canada’s free
health care system.
Canadian laws and in-
stitutions such as levels of
government and the courts
are also explained clearly
and succinctly.
Fittingly, the authors of
Manila Media Monitor MAY 2008
on overseas media conduct-
ed in Manila, forum official
Greg Macabenta notes:
“Indeed, the importance
of media as a pillar of the
Filipino global community
and as the vital link among
diverse communities and
the Philippine homeland
has been overlooked or, at
least, under-appreciated,
even by Filipino communi-
ties themselves.”
“This is not surprising.
The content of Filipino
newspapers and broadcast
media are so Philippine-
centric that there is little
in them that would be of
interest to mainstream poli-
ticians, businessmen, and
civic leaders. Not even to
second-generation hyphen-
ated Filipinos whose famil-
iarity with the land of their
parents’ birth is anecdotal,
at best, and negative, at
worst,” Macabenta said.
butchgalicia@yahoo.com
this helpful vade mecum are
themselves immigrants and
seasoned journalists, name-
ly, Naeem “Nick” Noorani
and his wife, Sabrina, who
are publishers and editors of
The Canadian Immigrant, a
monthly newspaper pub-
lished in Vancouver and To-
ronto. They arrived here 10
years ago from Mumbai via
a stay in Dubai and began
their newspaper four years
ago.
The book is effective
not only because of its con-
tent but due to its design
C
which offers brief illus-
trated sidebars with immi-
grants’ success stories and
L
A
also glossaries appended to
some section explaining us-
age of such word and terms
as civil law and common
Live-in help wanted.
law in the legal section and
term deposit and traveller’s
cheques in the banking sec-
S Will sponsor.
tion.
Many of us who have
lived in Canada all our lives,
or for a very long time,
S Call (416) 388 5533.
I
could benefit from reading
this as a refresher course in
what Canada offers.
It is available in book- ARE YOU AN EXPERIENCED HAIRSTYLIST OR
stores now at $29.95 and
this spring Oxford Univer-
sity Press will introduce a
F MANICURIST AND WANT TO BE YOUR OWN BOSS?
CHAIR AVAILABLE FOR RENT IN ASIAN SALON
new volume, How to Find a
Job in Canada.
(Used with permis-
sion. Ben Viccari is the
I (SCARBOROUGH)
(416) 299-9333. TUESDAYS CLOSED.
E
President of the Canadian
Ethnic Media Associa-
tion [CEMA] and makes
frequent appearances on ADVERTISE!
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Some of his commentar-
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originals. For more of his
Call
work, please visit Ben’s
website at: http://canscene.
416-285-8583
ripple.ca)
MAY 2008 Manila Media Monitor
Yano assumes post as AFP chief
MANILA - Lt. Gen.
Alexander Yano on May 12
assumed as 38th Chief of
Staff of the Armed Forces
of the Philippines (AFP).
Yano, former Army
chief, succeeded Gen. Her-
mogenes Esperon Jr. who
retired.
In his acceptance speech,
Yano pledged loyalty to
President Gloria Macapa-
gal-Arroyo and the chain
of command while promis-
ing to make the military the
“servant of the people.”
He vowed to continue
Esperon’s fight against the
communists, saying “Gen-
eral Esperon, sir, your labor
shall not be in vain. The en-
emies of democracy shall be
decimated as scheduled.”
President Arroyo has
directed the military and
the police to crush the com-
munist insurgency in 2010.
PNA
Abject poverty haunts Metro Manila
MANILA - Most poor
families from the provinces
flocking to Metro manila in
search of a better life end up
homeless and in worse con-
ditions.
This should be prevent-
ed if not stopped, as it has
aggravated the poverty inci-
dence in the National Capi-
tal Region (NCR) including
Metro Manila, Marikina
City Rep. Del de Guzman
told media forum Kapihan.
”There are families here
that go to the dumps practi-
cally to look for food,” said
de Guzman, House commit-
tee on social services chair.
In the same forum, so-
cial welfare Undersecre-
tary Celia Yangco said data
showed more poor families
lived in Mindanao, particu-
larly in the Autonomous Re-
gion for Muslim Mindanao,
but indigents in the NCR
have been going through
the worst kind of poverty.
Yangco defined the
House raises
tax exempt
ceiling
MANILA - The House
of Representatives on May
12 approved on third and
final reading a consolidated
measure that would raise
tax exemptions for a family
of six with total income of
P200,000 and below.
Before the passage of
the measure, the tax exemp-
tion ceiling was P96,000.
Voting 192 to 3 with no
abstentions, the lawmakers
cited the need to provide
low income workers eco-
nomic relief through higher
tax exemptions in the light
of the escalating prices of
food and other basic com-
modities. PNA
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (center) wit-
nesses the exchange of handshakes between
outgoing Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)
Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. (left)
and incoming AFP Chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano
during the change of command on May 12. Photo:
Marcelino Pascua/OPS-NIB
poorest of the poor as fami-
lies with a per capita in-
come of P1,000 or less, and
many of them are in Metro
Manila.
She cited cases where
migrant families ended up
living under bridges and
waterways.
Some have even fallen
prey to syndicates that rent
children, most of them out
of school, to beg on the
streets of the metropolis.
“We have identified
some of the members of
these organized crime
groups. We are set to file
criminal charges against
them,” she said.
Pacquiao trains for
fight vs David Diaz
MANILA - World Box-
ing Council (WBC) super
featherweight champion
Manny Pacquiao is looking
forward to a strict training
regimen in preparation for
his upcoming fight against
WBC lightweight titlist Da-
vid Diaz at the Mandalay
Bay Resort Casino in Las
Vegas, Nevada on June 28.
“A lot of people are say-
ing it would be hard for me
to win against a bigger and
heavier opponent, but with
the help of God and giving
my 100 percent in training,
we can win this fight,” Pac-
quiao said in his column at
philboxing.com.
”Now, I am pushing
myself to another level
because I want to achieve
greater heights,” the world-
renowned ring champ said.
Pacquiao (46-3-2, 35
KO’s) has left for Los An-
geles to start his formal
training under American
mentor Freddie Roach at
the Wildcard gym.
Against Diaz (34-1-1,
The PHILIPPINES
National housing com-
munity relations officer
Ivy Marquez admitted be-
fore Kapihan attendees
that poor families awarded
low cost government hous-
ing were going back to the
slums along the Philippine
National Railways train
tracks in Manila, due to the
absence of livelihood in re-
location sites.
“We are doing our best
to find a resettlement site
close to their former homes.
Meanwhile, we are appeal-
ing to local government
units to help these families
relocated in their jurisdic-
tion,” she said. PNA
PACQUIAO
17 KO’s), Pacquiao would
try to be the first Filipino to
win the world lightweight
title.
Pacquiao’s super feath-
erweight diadem is not at
stake in the fight. He cap-
tured the title after beat-
ing Mexican Juan Manuel
Marquez in a split 12-round
decision.
Pacquiao was the former
WBC flyweight and IBF/
WBO super bantamweight
champion before going to
the featherweight division
to beat former world cham-
pions Erik Morales and
Marco Antonio Barrera,
both of Mexico. PNA
Hanjin may stay in RP
despite bribe fracas
MANILA - Korean firm
Hanjin Heavy Industries,
Inc. (HHII) would continue
investing in the Philippines,
despite being dragged into a
bribery controversy by offi-
cials in two towns of Misa-
mis Oriental.
Press Secretary Ignacio
Bunye said Hanjin officials
had told Trade Secretary
Peter Favila they would
stay, invest and complete
projects in the country.
Hanjin earlier alleged
that the mayors of Tagoloan
and Villanueva in Misamis
Oriental had tried to extort
Malaysia asked to go on
brokering peace talks
MANILA - Seventy-
four lawmakers on May 13
signed a resolution asking
Malaysia to continue bro-
kering peace talks between
the government and Moro
Islamic Liberation Front
(MILF).
Anak Mindanao Rep.
Mujiv Hataman filed House
Resolution 578, after Ma-
laysia pulled out from the
International Monitoring
Team tasked to oversee a
ceasefire pact between the
military and MILF.
money from them in ex-
change for the immediate
approval of the environ-
mental and business permits
for the $2-billion shipyard it
would build in Mindanao.
But one of the mayors
claimed it was Hanjin that
offered him a P400-million
bribe to pave the way for
the project. Hanjin denied
the allegation.
Peeved by the news,
President Gloria Macapa-
gal-Arroyo directed the
Department of Interior and
Local Government to inves-
tigate the allegations. OPS
The government and the
MILF are deadlocked over
the thorny issue of ancestral
domain.
The MILF has claimed
the government is delaying
the talks and threatened to
resume war.
“We recognize the gains
of the IMT led by Malaysia,
especially in monitoring ad-
herence to agreements [on]
the ground, thereby provid-
ing a conducive atmosphere
for negotiations,” Hataman
said. PNA
23
Palace hints
class suit
vs Meralco
MANILA - Meralco’s
admission that it had been
passing on to consumers
some P.5 million in power
bills and systems losses has
spurred Presidential Legal
Counsel Sergio Apostol to
hint the filing of a class suit
against the giant Lopez-
controlled power firm.
Apostol told Malaca-
ñang media: “Somebody
will have to file the case (a
class suit against Meralco).
Meralco has lost in two
cases before the Supreme
Court.”
But besides this, Apos-
tol said “we would have to
wait for Congressional ac-
tion on amending the Elec-
tric Power Industry Reform
Act (EPIRA).”
He added that the gov-
ernment was not interested
in buying out or taking over
Meralco, as it “is a corpo-
rate matter, and Malacañang
will not intervene.”
Meralco officials earlier
offered to sell the power
company to the government
and other big-ticket local or
foreign investors.
Deputy spokesperson
Lorelei Fajardo said Meral-
co “may have to seriously
consider their position” on
passing on to consumers
their costs. OPS
24 Manila Media Monitor MAY 2008
MAY 2008 Manila Media Monitor
Uh, oh! Grilled termite eggs to prolong life?
ILOILO CITY - Lisa
Castor’s fair complexion
never fails to draw a second
look from men. And Castor
is 104 years old.
How she happens to
look younger than her age
and how she got a longer
lifespan in remote Tapaz
village in Capiz Castor at-
tributes to a regular diet of
grilled termite eggs.
One of four known
members of the indigenous
Pan-ayanons who is past the
century mark, Castor tells
the Philippines News Agen-
cy that she and her group
look for and destroy termite
mounds to catch the buk-an
(queen termite).
They skew several buk-
an in a stick and place this
on top of the flame. After
the outer shell of the buk-
an burns and peels, Castor
and the others feast on the
cooked inner buk-an parts
that hold the tiny thousands
of termite eggs.
She says “buk-an is wa-
tery” and has tartness when
eaten.
But Castor admits that
on top of her termite egg
diet, she eats lots of vegeta-
tive food, complemented by
bits of meat, fish, freshwa-
ter shells and shrimps taken
from the river.
The village’s drinking
water comes from a stream
near her ancestral home.
Professor Randy Ma-
drid, of the University of
the Philippines in the Vi-
sayas Center for West Vi-
sayan Study, says some
studies show that ants are
rich in Vitamin E and sali-
cylic acid.
However, Madrid says
the idea of eating termite’s
egg extending a person’s
life may be a myth, adding
that there is no scientific ex-
planation to that effect.
Madrid says “it is the
first time that I have heard
of such testimony from
among the members of the
Pan-ay Bukidnon.”
”The kind of food Lisa
is eating probably helped
add years to her life.”
Madrid is among those
spearheading programs to
preserve the Pan-ay Bukid-
nons’ culture and traditions.
As to her fairness, Cas-
tor says she is one of the re-
maining Pan-ay binukot, a
privilege given to the fairest
member of the tribe.
A binukot lives like a
princess, does not toil dur-
ing the day, and goes out of
their room only when it is
time to eat and take a bath.
Before the sun rises and
when the sun sets, a binu-
kot is allowed just to breath
The PHILIPPINES 25
fresh air within home lots.
Closely protected from
the sun’s rays to maintain
their flawless skin, Castor
says she wears the tradition-
al supa, an embroidered top
matched with the patady-
ong skirt that spans down to
the heels.
As a binukot, she is for- “Let your light shine before men in such a way
bidden to show any part of that they may see your good works and glorify
her body before marriage. your father who is in heaven.”
Her man had to give her MATTHEW 6:16
parents dowry that ranged
from money to farm ani-
mals, among others.
On the other hand, Ma-
drid says Castor’s claim to
be a centenarian may be To all gifted photographers out there who have the third eye
true, or she may be just an in capturing photos that reflect a Christian message, there is a
ordinary angoran, an old
woman in their community. Christian Fellowship of talented photographers that awaits you.
There may be older per- They are Photographers For Christ who use the art of photography
sons than Castor in their vil-
lage, Madrid adds.
in spreading the word of God.
Tapaz town is hardly
reached by land transport Listen to your hearts, the Holy Spirit is calling you.
means, and checking on her
claims may take a long and
arduous process, he says.
Castor’s story reached
the media when she and
cousin Mansueto Carle,
Jr., together with fellow Pick up your camera and follow us.
tribespeople, trooped to the
town proper of Calinog for
the Panubok 2, a Binanog
PHOTOGRAPHERS FOR CHRIST
Dance and Costume em-
broidery exhibit, workshop www.the-3rd-eye.com
and competition. MMCA- photographersforchrist@gmail.com
LUBIRAN
26
Lingga-anay Festival in Pan-ay, Capiz rings a bell
The huge bell in the im-
posing belfry of Sta. Moni-
ca Church in Pan-ay, Capiz
will once more come to the
fore as the town’s people
take pride in their Roman
Catholic history and innate
Filipino culture during the
Lingga-anay Festival early
May.
But besides showcasing
the biggest bell in a church
belfry in Southeast Asia,
the people will play cordial
hosts to local and foreign
tourists who flock to Pan-ay
to see and feel the excite-
ment of the town’s blessed
natural resources.
Come-ons
Pan-ay, located eight ki-
lometers from Capiz’ capi-
tal Roxas City, is also proud
of its natural sights and
restplaces such as the wide
tracts of mangroves for eco-
logical tours, the Pawa-Bun-
tod Beach and Napti Island
that are ideal for swimming,
water sports like snorkeling
and diving; and man-made
attractions that include Villa
Magdalena resort, Bibal in-
tegrated and organic farm,
Berjamin plant and flower
garden, and Weny’s butter-
fly and plant garden.
Pan-ay, a fisherman’s
haven, is also one of the ma-
jor sources of seafoods such
as crabs, prawns, oysters,
green shells, diwal (Angel
Wings), bangus, and others
that have made Capiz and
Roxas City the Seafoods
Capital of the Philippines.
Pan-ay Mayor Dante
Bermejo says the four-day
Langga-anay Festival fea-
tures the town’s history,
culture, natural wealth and,
most of all, its people known
for their hospitality.
Center of Catholicism
Pan-ay, one of the old-
est towns in the Philip-
pines, traces its Spanish-
influenced roots to the days
when Spanish colonizers
under Don Miguel Lopez
de Legaspi landed on banks
of Sta. Monica River and
set up quarters in Pan-ay in
TRAVEL & TOURISM Manila Media Monitor MAY 2008
Explore Davao’s
deep for WW II
vintage boats
DAVAO CITY - The
tourism department is
introducing wreck-div-
ing off Talomo district’s
shores in this city, as an-
other come-on for local
and foreign tourist-deep
sea divers.
Tourism regional
head Sonia Garcia cited
reports that World War
II vintage US boats have
The Sta. Monica Church in Pan-ay, Capiz (above, left) is an been found in the deep
awe-inspiring monument to a past Spanish grandeur in Pan- sea waters off Talomo.
ay town. The church is about 250 feet long and 80 feet wide. Garcia said that dur-
It has nine-foot thick walls and its floor is of colored marble ing the war, the US navy
which shines in subdued lights. The central altar is elaborately sculptured retablos of silver and hard- scuttled lame ships in the
wood in the florid style of baroque art. The church’s five-storey belfry shelters an antique huge bell, sea waters off Talomo
surrounded by eight smaller bells. The huge bell (right photos) was cast from 76 sacks of coins said instead of towing in the
to have been contributed by the town’s people. Its mammoth size holds a record: It is seven feet in wrecks for repair.
diameter and weights 10,400 kilograms, making it the largest bell in Southeast Asia and the second “We are inviting tech-
largest in the world. capiz.gov.ph nical divers to document
what are down under,”
1569, after escaping from
food shortages and Portu-
The Sta. Monica Church
belfry shelters the gigan- Monthlong coconut crab she said. “Wreck diving
is an attraction which
is another come-on for
fete in Calayan, Cagayan
guese attacks in Cebu. tic bell that weighs 10,400
The town, one of 16 mu- kilograms and has a seven- Davao City.”
nicipalities of Capiz, was foot diameter. Mayor Rodrigo
once the center of Catholi- Inscribed on one side CALAYAN, Cagayan would complement the at- Duterte said the city had
cism in the whole island. of the bell is a statement in - Mouthwatering dishes of traction being made by the only four tour diving
It was also the first or- Spanish which, in English, tatus (coconut crabs) pre- Sibang Cove, which won business operators.
ganized community in the means: “I am the voice of pared and cooked in varied an award last year as an With the position-
province, being the first God which shall echo and styles has fast become a hit emerging tourist destination ing of Davao and the
capital during the early praise from the beginning among early domestic and given its white sand beach, Philippines as a dive
Spanish regime. till the end of this town of foreign tourists who visited pristine water suitable for destination, the region
The provincial capital Pan-ay, so that the faithful this island town, lured to the tourism sports such as wind could possibly attract
was later moved to Roxas of Jesus Christ may come to first-ever Tatus Festival of- surfing and diving. much-needed investors,
City, known then as the the house of God to receive ficials put up for the whole Calayan - a two-hour Duterte said. PNA
town of Capiz. heavenly graces.” month of May. boat ride from Aparri in
Tolls far and wide So big is the bell that The festival would fo- mainland Cagayan - is like- trade fair of local products,
The Spanish friars then when it tolls, it is heard far cus on the endemic crab wise rich in other natural Calayan Rail (indigenous
put up the Sta. Monica and wide beyond the town that teems in Calayan. attractions like archeologi- bird) photo contest, wilds
Church, but without the proper, calling on people to Besides the parade of cal sites, endemic flora and hunting contest, bonfire,
belfry. attend Holy Mass or other tatus delicacies, a show fea- fauna, and virgin forests, boat rowing, game fishing,
The gigantic bell was in- church services. turing many of the antics notwithstanding its hospi- seminar on the production
stalled only in 1878, crafted Sta. Monica church has the crabs could do would be table and gentle people who of package tours, essay
from 76 sacks of coins the since been declared as a Na- conducted for visitors. have a colorful history and writing contest and others.
town’s people gave during tional Historical Landmark Mayor Joseph Llopis rich cultural legacy. Llopis said the towns-
church services. by the National Historical said the Tatus Festival is The festivities are held folk “should benefit most
Little did the friars Institute; and Pan-ay as The expected to raise the town’s at the Sibang Cove and at from the tourism activities
know that after 130 years, Heritage Capital of Capiz, image as a tourist spot. the town’s poblacion. so that they will be encour-
the church, its belfry and its Philippines by the Sanggu- At the same time, it Other festival events aged to work for the ad-
huge bell would become a niang Panlalawigan. PNA, could be a major income- included a bikini open, vancement of the industry
tourist attraction of Pan-ay Wire Reports, and the generating event. aquathlon of run-walk- and promote the same.”
town (population: 42,000). Capiz Website Llopis said the festival swim cum beach volleyball, PURITA LICAS, PNA
MAY 2008 Manila Media Monitor The PHILIPPINES 27
NEWS
ROUNDUP
Way to fortune?
It is ironic that in modern times,
Filipinos do still believe in fortune
tellers. Amid social and economic
difficulties and the political noise,
many are seeking the advice of for-
tune tellers - given by way of play-
ing cards, tarot cards, crystal balls,
palm reading and others - and get a
fleeting glimpse of what is in store
for them personally, romantically
and more than anything else, finan-
cially. Photo: PNA/Tres Moises

Trash to energize Daraga streetlights

DARAGA, Albay - Daraga’s streetlights will soon glow at night, the energy sourced from
five tons of trash and other biodegradable garbage the local government seeks to collect
daily. Pursued in cooperation with a group of local engineers, the streetlightling proj-
ect will harness bioenergy technology, an initiative the Japan International Cooperation
Agency supports. Mayor Cicerio Triunfante says the project applies biomasses for power
generation, using two-phase methane fermentation and a Sterling engine for outer combus-
tion. This is a Japanese technology. PNA

New reservoir rises in Bacolod

BACOLOD CITY - The Bacolod City Water District chief Julie Ann Carbon says the ac-
tivation of the P44-million water reservoir project in Brgy. Mansilingan here is “a celebra-
tion of life because it gives opportunity for residents of Bacolod to have access to potable
water.” The new reservoir has a design capacity of 6,500 cubic meters and an actual capac-
ity of 7,548 cubic meters, complete with a booster and chlorine stations. PNA

Army engineers rush Castilla access road

CASTILLA, Sorsogon - The Army’s engineering brigade here is rushing the completion
of a 3.5-kilometer road that will provide shorter access between the Maharlika Highway
and the town seaport here, a potential international marine transport facility. The road, to
end in Barangay La Union from the seaport complex, is a diversion from the old four-
kilometer route between Barangay Poblacion and the national highway in Barangay San

Rare cloud rat rediscovered

Isidro, 17 kilometers from Sorsogon City and about 49 kilometers from Legazpi City. The
seaport opened last year and it has been the main unloading point for large cargo vessels
transporting raw materials for cement manufacturing by the Taiwanese-owned Goodfound
Cement Corp. in Barangay Palanog, Camalig, Albay. PNA MANILA - A rare rat species last seen
over a century ago in the mountainous
Zambo City sanitary landfill in the works northern Philippines has been rediscov-
ZAMBOANGA CITY - This city will soon have its own sanitary landfill system to re- ered by a team of American and Filipino
place the Lumbangan dumpsite, which adopts the control system. Mayor Celso Lobregat biologists, an AFP report said.
says the new dumpsite may be put up in the Salaan area, which environment officers ear- Lawrence Heaney, team leader and cu-
lier recommended as the most feasible dumpsite area from among Malagutay, Lumayang rator at the Chicago-based Field Museum
and Lumbangan. Lobragat says the World Bank provide technical aid in the site evalua- of Natural History, said the rare dwarf
tion. Negotiations are underway to buy the landfill area. PIA cloud rat was last seen by British scientists
some 112 years ago.
Batangas folk free olive ridley turtle Heaney said the rat was dead when the
NASUGBU, Batangas - Environment officials team found it in a canopy of a large tree
and concerned fishermen here have taken the ini- whose branches were covered by thick
tiative to help an olive ridley turtle get back to the moss, orchids and ferns at a national park
water off the coast of Nasugbu, Batangas. Towns- in Mount Pulag in northern Luzon,
folk said the fishermen accidentally caught the The animal was described as small
turtle. Upon realizing their accidental catch, they “with reddish brown fur, a black mask
then informed the World Wide Fund for Nature around its large dark eyes, small round
and the Department of Environment and Natural ears, a broad and blunt snout and a long tail
Resources. Photo: ROUELLE UMALI covered with dark hair,” the report said.
“It is the animal whose existence had
Lakbay Aral focuses on Bicol products baffled biologists for so many years,” He- Photo: Field Museum of Natural His-
aney said. tory, Chicago
LEGAZPI CITY - The Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina, a women’s group in Bauan town,
The animal has been preserved and is
Batangas, has targetted Legazpi City as a venue for its Lakbay Aral (Travel Studies) from
being prepared for shipment to Chicago the rat in 1896 in another mountain region
May 19 to 22. Bauan mayor Rhyanh Dolor said the study group would want to study and
for further studies. in the north, but little was known about the
have first-hand knowledge of how Bicolanos make use of indigenous materials for native
The discovery proved a theory that the species.
products such as bags, slippers, hats, trays and native decors. “We will also try to see if we
rare species lived only in high canopies “Since then, the species became a mys-
can adopt these skills in our place as source of livelihood by our members,” Dolor said.
with mature mossy forests in areas with an tery,” Heaney said.
The group would also likely visit Mayon Volcano, the Hoyop Hoyopan cave in Camalig
elevation of between 2,200

and other sceneries in Albay, Bicol. PNA
to 2,700 meters (7,200-
8,850 feet) above sea level.
Sorsogon reforests more mangrove sites Mount Pulag is Luzon’s
SORSOGON CITY - The city government will reforest another 30 hectares of mangrove highest peak at 2,922 me-
areas in barangays Talisay and Bitano, densely populated villages at the western coast of ters above sea level.
Sorsogon Bay. City environment officer Ronaldo Gerona said the restoration of a man- “The cloud rats are one
grove forest was imperative in the two villages prone to typhoons and flash floods. The of the most spectacular cas-
mangrove forest would shield shoreline residents from strong winds and big waves during es of adaptive radiation by
storms. Gerona said the mangrove forest would also offer habitat and breeding ground for mammals anywhere in the
various species of marine life teeming in the area, while maintaining the cleanliness of world,” Heaney said.
Sorsogon Bay. Earlier, the government planted mangrove seedlings along the coastlines
A British researcher,
of four villages in Bacon along the Albay Gulf. PNA John Whitehead, first saw
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28 The PHILIPPINES
MILF fighters see
uncertain future
CAMP DARAPANAN
- After a protracted 30-year
insurgency that has seen up
to 150,000 people killed,
Muslim rebels are facing
an uncertain future as peace
finally looks near in the
southern Philippines.
With talks due to re-
sume between the Philip-
pine government and the
Moro Islamic Liberation
Front (MILF), many young
Muslims in this sprawling
rebel camp in Mindanao are
trying to come to terms with
the prospect of peace.
Government and MILF
negotiators are optimistic
the final hurdles to peace
can be overcome by grant-
ing limited autonomy to
the Muslim minority in this
predominant Roman Catho-
lic Southeast Asian nation.
For many of the 12,000
MILF rebels, especially the
young, peace is likely to
bring an uncertain future.
MILF chief Murad Ibra-
him, in a rare interview with
Agence France-Presse, said
he was worried for their
future, especially for those
born into war and the many
whose parents and older kin
have died as “martyrs.”
At 58, Ibrahim is seen
by many as more pragmatic
and moderate than his pre-
decessor Salamat Hashim,
the Egypt-trained MILF
founder who espoused con-
tinued jihad for a Muslim
homeland. Salamat died of
a heart attack in 2003.
“We cannot fail in this
struggle for peace,” said
Murad. “If we fail, we will
be in a far worse situation.”
Murad said it was too
early to talk about disarming
his men as “we still have to
reach a political settlement
beneficial to everyone.”
With a ceasefire and
peace talks entering their
fifth year Murad says the
longer the talks drag on,
Manila Media Monitor MAY 2008
“we run the risk of spoilers
entering the picture.”
The spoilers he refers
to are the Indonesian-based
Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and
Abu Sayyaf -- both of which
have links with Al-Qaeda.
Moro fighter Abdullah
says he is concerned about
the future.
A young man in his
early 20s clutching a rusty
machine gun, he is a veteran
of many jungle battles and
is ready, he says, to die for
the cause.
“I have not been to
a battle since last year,”
Abdullah says, perspiration
trickling down his brow and
onto mismatched fatigues
that bears a striking resem-
blance to those used by Sri
Lakan Tamil insurgents.
“I have had many adven-
tures with this gun, I sleep
with it and never go any-
where without it,” he says.
“I cannot part with it.”
Abdullah says he is not
prepared to lay down his
weapon even if a final peace
deal is signed.
“It’s not in my blood to
be a farmer,” he said.
Abdullah’s sentiments
are shared by many MILF
guerrillas, notably the
second and third genera-
tion fighters whose elders
formed the core of the first
mujahid who fought in the
insurgency in the 1970s.
Security analysts say the
biggest problem faced by
the government is disarm-
ing the rebels, with younger
MILF fighters opposed to
the peace deal seen as high-
ly susceptible to more radi-
calization by groups such as
the JI and the Abu Sayyaf.
“With the history of the
Mindanao conflict, these
groups are always there to
exploit the situation,” says
Julkipli Wadi, an Islamic
studies professor at the Uni-
versity of the Philippines.
“The JI and the Abu
Sayyaf could form strategic
alliances with these young
fighters who may not want
to part with their firearms,”
Wadi said.
Yusuph Abisakir, the
mild-mannered administra-
tor at the sprawling Camp
Darapanan that spans sev-
eral towns in central Mind-
anao, says he hopes that the
rigid command structure of
the MILF’s Bangsamoro Is-
lamic Armed Forces would
keep cadres in line once a
peace deal is signed.
“I have not seen any
open resentment” to the
talks, Abisakir said, adding
that many of the fighters
want to see peace achieved
in their lifetimes.
“But of course no one
will agree to give up their
firearms,” said Abisakir,
whose job is to give spiritu-
al and military guidance to
the more than 1,000 regular
MILF fighters in the camp.
Government and the
MILF are mulling over the
possibility of transforming
the rebels into a “territorial
force” to guard areas to be
covered under a peace deal.
Another idea is for gov-
ernment to buy the guns
and offer jobs to the rebels.
For MILF field com-
mander Toks Guiwan,
whose two young sons are
are also fighters, such talk
of disarmament only upsets
his men.
“It’s dangerous talk, my
men have known no other
job than to fight,” he says.
Nearby, Abdullah pol-
ishes his old M-60 and with
a smile boasts that he can
live without his wife for a
long time, but not without
his firearm.
“This has saved me
many times,” he says. “My
wife, she gets mad when I
caress my machine gun, but
she understands.” AFP
28 The PHILIPPINES
MILF fighters see
uncertain future
CAMP DARAPANAN
- After a protracted 30-year
insurgency that has seen up
to 150,000 people killed,
Muslim rebels are facing
an uncertain future as peace
finally looks near in the
southern Philippines.
With talks due to re-
sume between the Philip-
pine government and the
Moro Islamic Liberation
Front (MILF), many young
Muslims in this sprawling
rebel camp in Mindanao are
trying to come to terms with
the prospect of peace.
Government and MILF
negotiators are optimistic
the final hurdles to peace
can be overcome by grant-
ing limited autonomy to
the Muslim minority in this
predominant Roman Catho-
lic Southeast Asian nation.
For many of the 12,000
MILF rebels, especially the
young, peace is likely to
bring an uncertain future.
MILF chief Murad Ibra-
him, in a rare interview with
Agence France-Presse, said
he was worried for their
future, especially for those
born into war and the many
whose parents and older kin
have died as “martyrs.”
At 58, Ibrahim is seen
by many as more pragmatic
and moderate than his pre-
decessor Salamat Hashim,
the Egypt-trained MILF
founder who espoused con-
tinued jihad for a Muslim
homeland. Salamat died of
a heart attack in 2003.
“We cannot fail in this
struggle for peace,” said
Murad. “If we fail, we will
be in a far worse situation.”
Murad said it was too
early to talk about disarming
his men as “we still have to
reach a political settlement
beneficial to everyone.”
With a ceasefire and
peace talks entering their
fifth year Murad says the
longer the talks drag on,
Manila Media Monitor MAY 2008
“we run the risk of spoilers
entering the picture.”
The spoilers he refers
to are the Indonesian-based
Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and
Abu Sayyaf -- both of which
have links with Al-Qaeda.
Moro fighter Abdullah
says he is concerned about
the future.
A young man in his
early 20s clutching a rusty
machine gun, he is a veteran
of many jungle battles and
is ready, he says, to die for
the cause.
“I have not been to
a battle since last year,”
Abdullah says, perspiration
trickling down his brow and
onto mismatched fatigues
that bears a striking resem-
blance to those used by Sri
Lakan Tamil insurgents.
“I have had many adven-
tures with this gun, I sleep
with it and never go any-
where without it,” he says.
“I cannot part with it.”
Abdullah says he is not
prepared to lay down his
weapon even if a final peace
deal is signed.
“It’s not in my blood to
be a farmer,” he said.
Abdullah’s sentiments
are shared by many MILF
guerrillas, notably the
second and third genera-
tion fighters whose elders
formed the core of the first
mujahid who fought in the
insurgency in the 1970s.
Security analysts say the
biggest problem faced by
the government is disarm-
ing the rebels, with younger
MILF fighters opposed to
the peace deal seen as high-
ly susceptible to more radi-
calization by groups such as
the JI and the Abu Sayyaf.
“With the history of the
Mindanao conflict, these
groups are always there to
exploit the situation,” says
Julkipli Wadi, an Islamic
studies professor at the Uni-
versity of the Philippines.
“The JI and the Abu
Sayyaf could form strategic
alliances with these young
fighters who may not want
to part with their firearms,”
Wadi said.
Yusuph Abisakir, the
mild-mannered administra-
tor at the sprawling Camp
Darapanan that spans sev-
eral towns in central Mind-
anao, says he hopes that the
rigid command structure of
the MILF’s Bangsamoro Is-
lamic Armed Forces would
keep cadres in line once a
peace deal is signed.
“I have not seen any
open resentment” to the
talks, Abisakir said, adding
that many of the fighters
want to see peace achieved
in their lifetimes.
“But of course no one
will agree to give up their
firearms,” said Abisakir,
whose job is to give spiritu-
al and military guidance to
the more than 1,000 regular
MILF fighters in the camp.
Government and the
MILF are mulling over the
possibility of transforming
the rebels into a “territorial
force” to guard areas to be
covered under a peace deal.
Another idea is for gov-
ernment to buy the guns
and offer jobs to the rebels.
For MILF field com-
mander Toks Guiwan,
whose two young sons are
are also fighters, such talk
of disarmament only upsets
his men.
“It’s dangerous talk, my
men have known no other
job than to fight,” he says.
Nearby, Abdullah pol-
ishes his old M-60 and with
a smile boasts that he can
live without his wife for a
long time, but not without
his firearm.
“This has saved me
many times,” he says. “My
wife, she gets mad when I
caress my machine gun, but
she understands.” AFP
MAY 2008 Manila Media Monitor 29

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30
Queen Victoria Day:
An important Canadian holiday
Victoria Day, the third
Monday in May, marks the
unofficial start of summer
for many Canadians.
Weekend cottages are
opened after a long winter,
gardens are planted, and
young people camp and at-
tend the first music festivals
of summer. A fireworks
display usually marks sum-
mer’s first long weekend.
The holiday, also known
as May Long and May Run,
is colloquially referred to
as May two-four; the 2-4
pointing to the number of
cans or bottles in a Cana-
dian case of beer.
Monarch’s birthday
The monarch’s natal day
was a day for celebration in
Canada, even long before
Confederation.
On May 24, 1854, some
5,000 people of Upper
Canada gathered in front of
Government House (near
King and Simcoe streets in
Toronto) to “give cheers to
their queen.”
Since 1901, May 24 was
known in the British Empire
as Empire Day.
An amendment to the
Statutes of Canada in 1952
moved the holiday to the
Monday before May 25.
CANADIAN HISTORY Manila Media Monitor MAY 2008
► May 20, 1939 when
The Queen’s Birthday King George VI went on
a Canadian coast-to-coast
The Sovereign’s birthday has been celebrated in tour, ending with military
Canada since the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901). honors on Parliament Hill.
May 24, Queen Victoria’s birthday, was declared a ► May 17 to 25, 2005
holiday by the Legislature of the Province of Canada in when Queen Elizabeth II
1845. was in Canada to mark the
After Confederation, the Queen’s birthday was cele- centennials of Saskatch-
brated every year on May 24 unless that date was a Sun- ewan and Alberta’s entry
day, in which case a proclamation was issued providing into Confederation.
for the celebration on May 25. Queen Victoria
An amendment to the Statutes of Canada in 1952 es- Queen Alexandrina
tablished the celebration of Victoria Day on the Monday Victoria was born in Kens-
preceding May 25. ington Palace in London,
From 1953 to 1956, the Queen’s birthday was cel- England on May 24, 1819;
ebrated in Canada on Victoria Day, by proclamation of the daughter of Edward, the
the Governor General, with Her Majesty’s approval. Duke of Kent and Princess
In 1957, Victoria Day was permanently appointed as Victoria of Saxe-Coburg.
the Queen’s birthday in Canada. In the United Kingdom, She ascended to the
the Queen’s birthday is celebrated in June. throne in 1837.
In 2008, Victoria Day will be celebrated on Monday, She was the great-great- QUEEN VICTORIA in 1897.
May 19th. kidsturncentral.com grandmother of Queen Eliz- The Royal Windsor Website
abeth II.
But over time, the offi- Empire Day the date of Queen Victoria oversaw Alfred, Helena, Louise, Ar- obsessive mourning kept
cial date of the sovereign’s Queen Elizabeth II’s official a period in history when thur, Leopold, and Beatrice, her occupied for the rest of
birthday changed through birthday in Canada. It was Britain became a great many of who would marry her life and played an im-
royal proclamations. made permanent in 1957. world power, highlighted into other European royal portant role in the evolution
For Edward VII, it re- In 1958, Empire Day with artistic endeavors, in- families. Queen Victoria of what would become the
mained on May 24, but was was renamed Common- dustrial developments and and Albert are sometimes Victorian mentality.
June 3 for George V, June wealth Day. In 1977, the the creation of the British called the Grandmother and Queen Victoria died on
23 for Edward VIII (their latter was moved to the sec- Empire. Grandfather of Europe. January 22, 1901.
actual birthdays), and days ond Monday in March, but Victoria married her Albert died of typhoid Her reign lasted 63 years
between May 20 and June Canadians continued to cel- first cousin, Prince Albert fever on Dec. 14, 1861, at and seven months, longer
14 through George VI’s ebrate Victoria Day in May. of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, on the age of 42. than that of any other Brit-
reign as King of Canada. Visits of reigning Ca- Feb. 10, 1840. Victoria remained in ish monarch to date. Her
From 1953, annual vice nadian monarchs for their They had nine children self-imposed seclusion for reign is known as the Victo-
regal proclamations made birth anniversaries were on: - Victoria, Bertie, Alice, ten years. This genuine but rian era. Various sites
MAY 2008 Manila Media Monitor PHILIPPINE HISTORY 31
On May 28, National Flag Day

Remember, unfurl, wave the Philippine tricolor

On exhibit at the Agui-
naldo Museum at Happy
Glen in Baguio City is an
old flag identified by a cap-
tion as the “First Philippine
National Flag.”
A historical note says:
“Sewn in Hongkong by
Doña Marcela Marino
Agoncillo, this flag was
brought to the Philippines
by General Emilio Agui-
naldo on May 19, 1898. It
was first unfurled by Agui-
naldo in his headquarters in
Cavite (now Cavite City) on
May 28 before victorious
Filipino revolutionists and
more than 270 Spanish sol-
diers of the Marine Corps
who surrendered to them in
the Battle of Alapan, Imus,
Cavite. A large group of of-
ficers and men of the U.S.
Asiatic Squadron under
Admiral George Dewey
witnessed the unfurling cer-
emony. This same flag was
officially unfurled for the
first time during the Procla-
mation of Philippine Inde-
pendence at the Aguinaldo
Mansion (now Aguinaldo
Shrine) in Kawit, Cavite, at
4:20 p.m., June 12, 1898.”
(Editor’s Note: Item below is from Florentino H. Hornedo’s Kasaysayan, The Story of
the Filipino People Vol. 10: A Timeline of Philippine History)
The museum was in-
augurated in May 1985,
and the flag’s recorded his-
tory and identity leave little
doubt regarding the claim
that it is indeed the original
Philippine national flag.
Carted out
Aguinaldo said it was
captured “somewhere in
Luzon” during the Philip-
pine-American War.
Unknown to him, how-
ever, the flag had been car-
ried out of the country.
In answer to my inqui-
ry, Lynn Smith Houghton,
curator of collections of
the Kalamazoo Public Mu-
seum in Michigan, wrote
on November 26, 1985:
“According to our records,
the flag was captured from
General Aguinaldo’s troops
in 1901 by Frank L. Riley
of Company F, 160 Indi-
ana Infantry. He presented
it to the local organization
of the SpanishAmerican
War Veterans ... the Richard
Westnedge Camp #6 United
States War Veterans. The
flag was given to the Mu-
seum in February, 1956 by
the last surviving members
Philippine Consul General in Toronto Alejandro Mosquera leads the hoisting
of the Philippine tricolors (full view, inset) in ceremonies commemorating
Philippine Independence Day on June 12. FILE PHOTO
of that group. These three
men, and our Museum di-
rector at that time, Alexis
Praus, decided to return the
flag to the Philippines. Ac-
cording to our records, the
flag was red, white, and
black.”
Flag returned
The Detroit Times June
12, 1957 issue, in an item
titled “U.S. Returns Flag
to Aging Aguinaldo,” says:
“Funston and his men took
(Aguinaldo) prisoner - and
hauled down his flag. A
member of the American
party ... confiscated the
flag. No one else seemed
to want it as an added bur-
den on their way down the
mountain trail.”
This same flag, by ar-
rangement of the U.S. State
Department and the Kalam-
azoo Public Museum, was
returned to General Agui-
naldo through Ambassador
Charles Bohlen in appropri-
ate ceremonies on June 12,
1957, and the flag settled
into quiet existence, hang-
ing on the wall of the Agui-
naldo Shrine in Kawit.
Seven years later, the
general lay dying in a hos-
pital and wanted to kiss the
flag for the last time. It was
brought to him.
In the ensuing distrac-
tion after his death, how-
ever, only Cristina Sun-
tay - one of the General’s
daughters - knew for certain
what happened to the flag,
for it was not returned to the
shrine in Kawit.
Virgilio Almario’s Stu-
dents’ Philippine Almanac
(1991) reports that “its last
public display was at the
death of Emilio Aguinaldo
in 1964,” when in fact it
had by then been on public
display for six years.
Tricolor shades
A 1985 controversy
concerning the shade of
the blue portion of the flag
was triggered by Ferdi-
nand Marcos’s Executive
Order 1010, and interest
in the original flag and its
whereabouts came alive,
with the hope that finding
the original would settle the
dispute.
Target of the attack was
the National Historical In-
stitute, which EO 1010
identifed as the source of
the information that the
blue was “lighter” than the
dark blue then in use.
The controversy spewed
a great amount of emotional
argument and counterargu-
ment, which in the end had
to be closed by dicta rather
(To page 34)
32 MONEY
RP, Canada set to start air talks
MANILA - The Phil-
ippine government has
prioritized air talks with
Canada this May, as the for-
mer sought to increase seat
entitlements for airline pas-
sengers and Filipino work-
ers and tourists going (to
Canada) and coming (back
to the Philippines).
In Vancouver, Foreign
Affairs Undersecretary for
Finance and Administra-
tion Franklin Ebdalin is
renegotiating the air deal
agreement with Vancouver
authorities.
Ebdalin said the Phil-
ippines would like to seek
up 14 flights per week to
Canada.
He is hopeful an agree-
ment will be sealed before
he leaves on May 17.
Ner Porciuncula, deputy
director of the Civil Aero-
nautics Board, said ear-
lier negotiations were post-
poned, as Canada showed
lukewarmness to the idea.
“We really want to have
more flights to Canada as
there is an increase in the
demand for more seats.”
The Philippines and
Canada signed an air agree-
No dirty money from OFWs, yet
(From page 11)
Ethnic banking systems
in countries in East Asia
“report interconnectedness
with the currencies and
peoples of the Asian-orien-
tal region,” said Interpol.
The study, written by
Lisa Carroll and done
through a survey of Inter-
pol’s per-country counter-
parts, also wrote that 13
countries’ alternative remit-
tance systems, including the
Philippines’, “function as a
money laundering tool”.
But items on the Phil-
ippines in Interpol’s report
showed that the laundered
money came from the drug
trade, profits from illegal
gambling, proceeds from
human trafficking, alien
smuggling and ransom.
Baseball
The Philippines, which
was once part of a list of
non-cooperating countries
and territories, has been in
an “anti-money laundering
regime,” Aquino claimed.
He likened this re-
gime to a “baseball field of
dreams” where anti-money
laundering enforcers and
prosecutors were ready to
spot laundered money flows
and operators.
“We have all the bases
covered,” he added.
On the first base are
found the AMLC’s special
anti-money laundering in-
vestigators, while special
prosecutors and state prose-
cutors from the Department
of Justice covered the sec-
ond base through prosecut-
Manila Media Monitor MAY 2008 GOT A FOREX DEAL?
Check out if you got your peso’s worth for the
dollars you have had exchanged since April 16,
courtesy of Manila Media (Money) Monitor.
By LYNDA VALENCIA US$ Cdn$
May 15 42.78301 42.78904
May 14 42.80459 42.71647
May 13 42.59375 42.57489
May 12 42.63109 42.50104
May 9 42.43625 42.18118
May 8 42.36045 41.77370
May 7 42.35669 42.26582
May 6 42.29116 42.16256
May 5 42.08201 41.58047
May 2 42.29010 41.53956
May 1 42.33313 41.58289
April 30 42.20506 41.82603
April 29 42.10983 41.56660
April 28 42.15965 41.49368
April 25 41.87280 41.21079
April 24 41.85286 41.31363
April 23 41.85311 41.06987
April 22 41.92854 41.92594
April 21 41.92673 41.67414
April 18 41.89641 41.56214
ment in January 1997. Bautista said PAL want- Administration (FAA) from April 17 42.05187 41.57994
The increase in pas- ed to add direct flights to Category I to Category 2. April 16 41.89551 41.80926
sengers going to Canada Vancouver and to destina- FAA’s Category 2 has
prompted national flag tions in the United States prohibited PAL from in-
carrier Philippine Airlines
(PAL) to seek for more
with a Vancouver stopover.
The expected resump-
creasing its flights to the US
and its territories and from www. FinancialProblem.ca
flight entitlements. tion of air talks with Canada changing the type or in- with credit cards and bank loans
PAL president Jaime has made PAL hopeful, but creasing the number of air- Too many loans & credit cards?
Bautista said “PAL was a snag could derail PAL’s craft used on these routes. Paying too much interest?
only granted a temporary plans for North America. PAL has been flying to Afraid to pick up your own phone?
permit that allows a flight Complicating matters Las Vegas via Vancouver. Looking for consolidation?
schedule of five times a was the recent downgrad- Before the FAA deci-
week in the months of Oc- ing of the Philippines’ air sion, PAL planned to open Please see page 13 for our detailed advertisement
tober to March. The permit security agency, the Air flights to San Diego, Chica- CREDIT MANAGEMENT SERVICES
was renewed, but only until
April.”
Transportation Office, by
the US Federal Aviation
go, New York, Seattle and
Saipan. PNA 416-780-1020
ing money laundering cases ficking, swindling/estafa/
and mutual legal assistance fraud, kidnap for ransom,
and extradition matters re- robbery, local illegal num-
lated to money laundering bers games such as jueteng
and terrorist financing. and masiao, and graft and
The third base is also corruption cases.
covered, Aquino explained, The Philippines was de-
by AML solicitors under the listed from FATF’s NCCT
Office of the Solicitor Gen- list on February 2005.
eral who helped the AMLC But “we will be always
in forfeiture and other re- on guard,” Aquino said,
medial proceedings. And pointing to a bearskin hat
the home base is manned by that British Army guards
special AML courts. Aqui- wear.
no’s office occupied the That hat, he explained,
pitcher’s plate, “manning was a gift after helping
such (Philippine) money a British financial intel-
laundering structure”. ligence team crack a case
Aquino said the Philip- some years ago.
pines was part of a world-
wide network of 107 FIUs
that had access to each oth-
ers’ financial intelligence
information.
The AMLC six-year re-
port said that while STRs
commonly covered cases
such as drug trafficking and
illegal gambling, none were
linked to human traffick-
ing or human smuggling.
of which Philippine victims
involved transient women
and children.
Since the Philippines’
inclusion in the FATF list
of NCCTs in 2002, interna-
tional groups have suspect-
ed that remittances from
overseas Filipinos were
mixed up in the flows of
laundered money, and even
on terrorist financing.
The STRs the AMLC
flagged were linked to vio-
lations of the Securities
Regulation Code, drug traf-
MAY 2008 Manila Media Monitor
RemitX opens global services to RP
Do you want to send
money to your loved ones
in the fastest, most reliable,
most convenient and most
secured way backed up by
modern technology?
If so, the remittance so-
lution is Remit X, a division
of the First Global Data
Corp. in partnership with
Global Xpress, that was
launched at the Delta East
Hotel on April 26.
Filipino businessmen
Virgil Ignacio and Ted
Dayno, chief executive of-
ficer and chief finance of-
ficer respectively of Global
Xpress, gave launch attend-
ees a bird’s eyeview of Re-
mitX global services and
operations, particularly fo-
cused on clients from Fili-
pino communities..
Ignacio is also executive
producer of radio-TV pro-
grams Filipino Eh! while
Dayno heads Forex.
Both explained that Re-
mit X and Global Xpress
recently got the support of
the Catholic Bishops Con-
ference of the Philippines,
through its National Secre-
tariat for Social Action For
Justice and Peace.
This has assured the de-
livery of remitted money
to far-flung villages in the
By JOJO TADURAN
MEN BEHIND REMITX. (From left) First Global Data’s COO Many Bettencourt,
CFO Nayeem Ali and CEO Adre Itwaru; and GlobalXpress’ CEO Virgil Ignacio
and CFO Ted Dayno. PR
Philippines.
They added that the
money remittance services
of Remit X and Global
Xpress were partnered with
the Bank of the Philippine
Islands (BPI) and Banco de
Oro (BDO), two of the most
stable banks in the country.
They added that clients
could either get their money
from BPI or BDO branches
or the money could be per-
sonally delivered to them.
Among those who at-
tended the launch were Fa-
reed Amin, Deputy Minister
of Economic Development
and Trade and Deputy Min-
ister of Small Business and
Entrepreneurship; Philip-
pine Consul General in to-
MONEY
Small traders in PCCT
business planning event
Around 80 small busi-
ness owners will gather
anew to complete the busi-
ness planning seminar
sponsored by the Philippine
Chamber of Commerce-To-
ronto (PCCT), 6 p.m., Mon-
day, May 26, at the Golden
Valley’s Banquet Hall, #2
Principal Road in Scarbor-
ough.
The seminar will cover
the following: market re-
search, results of business
owner’s research and its
validity to one’s business,
importance of segmenting
one’s primary and second-
ary markets, relevant trends
and how they may affect
one’s business and a com-
petitive analyses that differ-
entiates one’s products, or
services from the other.
This seminar - part I of
which was conducted on
February 28 this year, is be-
ing conducted by the Cen-
tennial College Centre for
ronto Alejandro Mosquera; Entrepreneurship.
Dr.. Naresh Singh, Senior PCCT president Rafael
Advisor with the United Nebres said this seminar is
Nations Development Pro- part of PCCT’s commitment
gram; Member of Parlia- to provide business-related
ment (MP, Scarborough-Ag- informational seminars and
incourt) Jim Karygiannis; workshops for its members.
Derek Lee (MP, Scarbor- Aside from this, another
ough-Rouge River); and ongoing seminar-work-
Soo Wong, Ward 20 Public shop being delivered by
School Trustee. PR the PCCT is the workplace
33
health and safety seminar,
part 2 of which will be de-
livered before participants
on June 30 this year.
Nebres said the semi-
nar-workshop will continue
to be highly interactive, uti-
lizing the best principles in
adult education.
For non-members of
the PCCT who may want
to participate in this work-
shop, inquiries may be ad-
dressed to torontopcct@
yahoo.com, or by phone at
(416) 850-4966.
The Centennial College
Centre for Entrepreneurship
is a PCCT partner for mem-
bers’ education and training
requirements under a Mem-
orandum of Agreement be-
tween the two parties.
For more information
on this and future PCCT
events, please visit www.
torontopcct.com. PCCT
Media Relations
34 ENTERTAINMENT
Santos, Cansino, Villanueva reach
In Concert
' Young Asian Canadian songfest finals
THE JUAN TOMAS BAND Starring
Filipino community per-
formers Candace Santos,
Stephanie Cansino and Vin-
cent Villanueva have made
it to the finals of the Young
Asian Canadian singing
competitions at the Chinese
Cultural Centre on May 17.
And one of them may be this
year’s Asian Idol.
In the finals, Santos, 14;
Cansino, 20; and Villanueva,
16, will pit talents with Jes-
sica Tsuda, representing the
Japanese community; Dahl-
' Arabel Castillo Jovie
omnads Cana ia Fernandes and Prithwin
The an T pe'
Ju ow Ba Varghese, Indian; Huang
Sh
Lee, Malaysian; Winona Xu
and Chelsea Lau, Chinese.
Jose Saavedra, Jr., who
With Special Guest Stars the Canadian Multicultural
Kim and Aubrey Mulla Council Asians in Ontario
Presenting a program of music by: (CMCAO) designated to
chair the event, said Santos,
Shania Twain, Nat King Cole,
PIDC’s Dancing To Be A Star on
Sarah Vaughn, Celine Dion, Antonio Carlos Jobim,
Bonnie Tyler, Ray Charles, Abba, and much more
More competitors
are expected in the 2008
June 8th, Dancing To Be A Star,
Sunday 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. part of the Philippine In-
Scarborough Civic Centre dependence Day Council’s
Inside Scarborough Town Square (PIDC) Mabuhay Festival,
150 Borough Drive ( Near 401 and McCowan) Admission Free at the Metro Toronto Con-
(Parking Available) Information Call: 416 485-2056 vention Centre on July 19.
PIDC president Jun En-
verga and Dancing ... chair
Remember, unfurl, wave the Philippine tricolor
(From page 31)
than good historiography.
Very dark blue
The surviving members
of Aguinaldo’s immediate
family kept silent, except
for the categorical caption
on the flag displayed in their
Baguio City Museum.
It was Ms. Marcela Ag-
oncillo, surviving daughter
of Doña Marcela M. Ag-
oncillo, who had made the
original flag, who spoke for
the originality and authen-
ticity of the flag returned
to Aguinaldo by Bohlen in
1957.
(In making the flag,
Doña Marcela was assist-
ed by her eldest daughter
Lorenza, and Mrs. Delfina
Herbosa de Natividad, niece
of Philippine national hero
Dr. Jose Rizal by his sister
Lucia. Incidentally, Doña
Marcela died on Ascension
Day, May 30, 1946. She was
86.)
Ms. Agoncillo lent me
documentary photographs
given her by Aguinaldo af-
ter the 1957 ceremonies,
and showed me a life-size
replica of the flag.
Asked why the blue
stripe appeared practically
black, she said she had in her
youth seen in her mother’s
trunk scraps of very dark
blue cloth which her mother
identified as “sacred” to her
because they were cut from
the original flag made in
Manila Media Monitor MAY 2008
SANTOS
Cansino and Villanueva got
their ticket to the finals af-
ter winning in the pre-finals
competition on April 30.
Another Filipino, AJ
Leonie Manzanares and co-
ordinators Pete Mauricio
and Imee Belanger promise
this, as they prepare for the
three-category (Bronze, Sil-
ver and Gold) contest.
Contestants will pit tal-
ents in the Latin (rhumba,
cha-cha, jive, samba, salsa)
and standard (waltz, fox
Hong Kong.
She also arranged with
Mrs. Suntay for me to take
a look at the flag displayed
in the Baguio museum. The
flag lay in a wood-and-glass
case along with two others.
It was exactly as Ms.
Agoncillo had described it,
and as shown in the photo-
graphs.
Its seams and edges
were stitched, but the sun
and stars were painted gold-
yellow, with human faces
outlined on them, drawn in
black just as Aguinaldo had
told Director Luis Mon-
tilla of the Bureau of Public
Libraries in a letter dated
January 10,1953, in answer
to an inquiry regarding spe-
cifics of the flag the general
brought from Hong Kong in
1898.
Asked about the painted
(rather than embroidered or
appliqued) sun and stars, Ms.
Agoncillo explained that her
mother was a painter, and
had painted the sun and stars
in the original Hong Kong-
made flag.
Since the 1985 contro-
versy remained unsettled,
with E.O. 1010 specify-
ing a lighter blue than that
in use in 1985, the Riley
flag showing a very dark,
practically black stripe, and
the eyewitness drawing
of Mariano Ponce (sent to
Ferdinand Blumentritt) say-
Libramonte-Isip, 16, whose
baritone voice captivated a
lot, barely missed out, Saa-
vedra said.
“I thought he was a lit-
tle bit nervous but he has a
bright future as he started
singing formally only last
year,” he added.
The pre-finals was a
competition of first place
winners from 12 Asian com-
munities, and the top eight
who qualified from the open
competition on April 23.
The singing competitions
is part of the celebration of
Asian Heritage Month in
Toronto..
It is organized by the
CMCAO with the support of
the Heart and Stroke Foun-
dation of Ontario, the Toron-
to Sun and OMNI TV. PR
trot, quick steps, tango)
routines.
2007 winning couples
Agnes Canlas and George
Tungol and Christie Gamo
and Robert Henson will be
trophy presentors.
Part of the proceeds
will go to Gawad Kalinga.
PR
ing it was azul oscuro (dark
blue), we turn once again to
Aguinaldo who, at one time,
had seen it as “black.”
A manuscript in his
handwriting says: “Behold
and see the flag! The three
colors, three stars and sun
with its eight rays ... the
red stands for the bravery
of Filipinos ...; the black
manifests ... that Filipinos
prefer to die in battle than to
allow themselves to be over-
powered by whatever nation
may desire to acquire and
dominate the Philippines;
and white stands for the de-
sire for peace.”
In the face of this confu-
sion, one may ask whether
the original was not in fact a
very deep blue so dark Agu-
inaldo mistook it for black.
Or is black the result of
years of exposure and fad-
ing, which has all but killed
the blue dye, leaving only
the black?
Whichever may be the
case, it appears that Marcos’s
“lighter blue,” and the later
“royal blue,” both of which
claim historical accuracy -
are belied by the extant flag
at the Aguinaldo Museum
in Baguio, whose history is
documented, and confirmed
by Aguinaldo himself, who
certainly had the right to
have the last word regarding
the flag he had first unfurled
in 1898.
MAY 2008 Manila Media Monitor ENTERTAINMENT 35
Do You Think You Can Be A Star? Live auditions for a chance to bag a
Philippine television contract await winners
of Mentor Productions’ reality contest Do

winners in Kuya Germs’ shows You Think You Can Be A Star?.

Do You Think ... producer Teresa Men-
doza-Torralba said homegrown talents
would sing, act and dance with Master
AUDITIONS: Among the first to audition for Do You Think ... are dancers Showman German “Kuya Germs” Moreno
Aron John Libramonte, 16; Jeffrey Salamea, 22; and Stephanie Dimapilis, and big names in Philippine TV and cinema
15; and singers Tamika Soul, 13; Rachelle Perez, 15; and Maria Theresa in Toronto and Hamilton shows in July.
Panaligan, 10. Auditions were at Sunrise Resto and Karaoke. PR Torralba said the Toronto show would
be at the Carlan Ice Sport, York University
Campus on July 5 at 5 p.m., while the Ham- MORENO TIRSO CRUZ III
ilton show, at the Hamilton Place on July 6
at 3 p.m.
Filipino artists
Kuya Germs, also known as Star Build-
er of That’s Entertainment fame, would be
with ‘70’s heartthrob actor-singer Tirso
“Pip” Cruz III, Walang Tulugan TV show
host John Nite and cast member Jhake Var-
gas, and Pinoy Big Brother mainstay Bodie
Cruz.
Lending their captivating voices to the
entertainment galore are Jae Jan, Pinoy Pop BODIE CRUZ JAE JAN
Superstar World Champion; Sheila Fer-
rari, USA Pinoy Pop Superstar Champion;
LIBRAMONTE SALAMEA DIMAPILIS Marrion Torres, Pinoy Pop Star Kid World
Champion, all contract stars of Philippine
television network GMA7.
Jan, Ferrari and Torres won the Pinoy
Pop Superstar Contest hosted by Regine
Velasquez.
Also on hand are the Receptor band,
Canadian Idol finalist Mikey Bustos, and a
host of other Filipino-Canadian artists.
Multi-awardee Lito Calzado would di- TORRES FERRARI
rect the show.
Do You Think ... finals on May 25.
Meanwhile, Torralba said the grand fi- Besides trophies and other prizes, cash
nals of Do You Think ... Toronto series would awards for Do You Think... winners are:
be at the Sunrise Karaoke Bar & Restaurant US$5,000 in the Main Category (15 to 24
on May 24. years old), US$1,000 in the Pre-Teen Cat-
The Hamilton grand finals would be at egory (11 to 14 years old), and US$500 in
SOUL PEREZ PANALIGAN the Kids Category. PR
the Hamilton Filipino Community Centre
36 Manila Media Monitor MAY 2008
MAY 2008 Manila Media Monitor ENTERTAINMENT
The GIG
A look into Filipino-Canadian folksingers, bands, musicians and
other performers in Canada by CHITO SARABIA.
Six String Symphony Band
A reinvigorated Toronto-based Six String
Symphony Band is hitting it big in the city and
the community’s entertainment circuit; regularly
performing at Ellen’s and Boracay Rendezvous,
among others.
After a yearlong hiatus from a disbanded
DIAO Band that had seen gigs since 2000,
six-string - as in guitar - pros Ed and Isot and
songwriter-drummer Allan mustered their en-
ergies and welcomed to the fold vocalist Vien
and bassist Rene to put up last summer the re-
nowned Six String Symphony Band.
The temporary respite has also given Allan
and his mates the time to write original compo-
sitions the band hones into perfection everytime
they perform live in bar gigs and concerts.
Original band songs include Narito Pa Rin
Ako, Kalikasan, I Would If I Could, Destination,
Ano, Frozen, You Are Not Alone, I Hate To See
You Cry, enough to fill a bankable CD release. From left: ISOT, VIEN, ED, ALLAN and RENE
Bea Alonzo is ABS-CBN’s Betty La Fea
From the sophisticated
Jackie Madrigal in Maging
Sino Ka Man, Bea Alonzo is
unafraid to be deglamorized
for the role of the frumpy
Ugly Betty, in ABS-CBN’s
biggest and most expensive
franchised teleserye Betty
Summer Girl La Fea to date.
Although fans love
Bea’s tandem with John
Lloyd Cruz, Bea will be
paired with three other lead-
ing men as Betty.
Without Lloyd, Bea
says: “Kinakabahan ako.
A
Para akong nawalan ng
isang paa. Kasi wala akong
ka-partner. For the first
time, ako lang mag-isa ang
n
magpro-promote ng show.”
But she pushes such
worries aside knowing that
g Court issues HDO
versus Gabby C.
e
Manila Judge Jansen
Rodriguez has ordered the
l
Bureau of Immigration to
issue a hold departure order
against former matinee idol
actor Gabby Concepcion.
Rodriguez made the or-
der in a pre-trial on bigamy
charges against Concep-
L
cion. Another pre-trial was
set on June 15.
The judge also granted
the motion to raise Concep-
o
cion’s bail from P12,000 to
P24,000.
The prosecution said
“that on July 23, 1984, Con-
c cepcion, being then legally
married to Jennifer Martin,
and without such marriage
s
having been legally dis-
solved, did then and there
willfully, unlawfully and fe-
loniously contracted a sec-
i
ond or subsequent marriage
with one Sharon Cuneta.”
Concepcion, who ar-
rived on March 30 after
n spending some 12 years in
the United States where he
has become a citizen, pled
“not guilty.” PNA
BEA ALONZO
she has a lot of goals in tak-
ing on this project.
“Gusto ko lang i-enjoy
na ako lang ang nandito.
How will I touch lives doing
Betty? How will I make the
Filipinos proud na meron
tayong magandang version
Anne Curtis plays dream role
With preparations un-
derway for her second ABS-
CBN fantaserye in July en-
titled Dyosa, Anne Curtis is
more than ready to play the
role she’s always wanted.
“Ever since I was 12,
I’ve always wanted to be a
mermaid. It’s really some-
thing that I’ve always want-
ed to do and I’ve finally
been given the opportunity.
Ka-careerin ko talaga kasi
feel na feel ko yung role,”
she admits.
In Dyosa, Anne plays
a goddess of air, land, and
water who keeps the bal-
ance between the world of
mortals and the world of
immortals.
Her powers enable her to
transform into a mermaid, a
bird, and a centaur.
“It’s my first time to
play a role with three dif-
ferent characters and capa-
bilities. It’s something very
different from what you see
on TV so it’s something I’m
really excited about,” she
adds.
Another first for her is
that she has three gorgeous
37
ng Betty La Fea? Dun ako
mas excited.”
“Mas masarap yung
feeling na pag pumasok ako
ng grocery na pagusapan
nila na, ‘Uy alam mo ba
nangyari kay Betty kagabi?’
Kaysa sabihin nilang, ‘Uy
si Bea! Sino ang last boy-
friend niya?’ Mas masarap
ang feeling na they see me
as a character not as Bea,
the actress.”
Getting the role is a
dream come true for Bea,
coming at a time when she’s
raring to get back to work.
Network business unit
head Deo Endrinal confirms
the show will start taping
in June, hopeful it will air
by the third quarter of the
year.” PR
ANNE CURTIS
leading men played by Zan-
joe Marudo, Luis Manzano,
and Sam Milby.
“I’ve worked with each
of them separately before.
In real life, iba-iba sila ng
character, pero lahat sila
makulit kaya masaya,” she
says.
In the series, her leading
men will each play a mortal,
an immortal, and a villain.
But the twist is to keep
the audience guessing on
who plays what.
Anne has seen action
in Hiram, Kampanyerang
Kuba and most recently,
Maging Sino Ka Man. PR
38 LAUGHS & LEISURE Manila Media Monitor MAY 2008

BATID
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

SEOUL DRIVING SCHOOL 9 10 11

WIKA
12 13 14
YELLOWBIRD 15 16 17 18 19
4862 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario 20 21
PAHALANG 22 23
1. Gamit ng aluwage
7. Tawag sa ina 24 25 26 27
9. Tanong ng lugar 28 29 30 31
10. Simbolo ng Lithium
11. Rin 32 33 34
12. Halaga, Ingles
35 36 37
13. Probinsiya sa Norte
14. Putok ng baril 38 39
15. Umupo sa silya
17. Isang kataga 37. Pananong 16. Opisyal ni PGMA
19. Una sa oras 38. Tawag sa ama 18. Huni ng daga
20. Babaeng banyaga 39. Ama at ina 21. Angat
22. Palayaw ng lalake 25. Tatay ng tatay
23. Nota ng musika PABABA 26. Negatibong sagot,
24. Mabahong amoy 1. Tauhan sa Bibliya Ingles
28. Subok 2. Paniniwala 27. Hinuha
29. __ and off 3. Pampakinis ng tabla 28. Puting pekas
30. Duwelo 4. Grupo ng mga bansa 31. Termino sa
32. Lapay 5. Pagkamakinang madyong
33. Sigaw sa taguan 6. 51 kay Caesar 36. Dumi sa bata
34. Pagulong 7. Magmatwid 37. Estado sa Amerika
35. Kampi 8. Palaiyak
36. Hulapi 11. Pangalan ng babae (Sagot sa ilalim)

NAGBIBIRO LANG PO!

Kuto ng kalbo, homeless
Manilenyong nanggaling sa bakasyon Sunday school teacher: Juan, nagdadasal
sa Cebu: Minsan, sumakay ako sa dyip. ka ba bago kumain?
Nagtaka ako kung bakit lahat ng pasa- Juan: Hindi na po kailangan. Ang nanay ko
hero ay walang kibo at nakatingin sa akin. po ay mahusay magluto.
Hanggang isa sa kanila ang naglakas-loob *****
na nagsabi: “Bay, kasabot kag FAMILY Anak: Inay, magsusundalo po ako.
USE?” Ina: Ano? Handa ka na bang iligpit ang
***** kama mo tuwing umaga?
Pedro: Pare, balita ko’y dalawang buwan *****
nang nagho-horse riding ang misis mo para Coach: Boyet, hindi puwede ang tantrums
Reg. # 4533253

magbawas ng timbang. Ano’ng nangyari? sa basketball. Kaya bangko ka muna. Pero

Pablo: Nabawasan ng 40 kilos ang mamaya, ipaliwanag mo sa nanay mo kung
kabayo! bakit hindi ka na naglaro, ha.
919 Ellesmere Road ***** *****
Lumindol ng malakas, kaya panic time. And here are some of the things mothers
Suite 107, Scarborough Juan: Katapusan na! Katapusan na! teach their children:
Ontario M1P 2W7 Andres: Tanga! Akinse pa lang ngayon! ANTICIPATION... “Humanda ka pag dat-
***** ing ng tatay mo.”
Tanong: Bakit ang sign na “NO ID, NO RECEIVING.... “Salbahe kang bata ka.
ENTRY” na malimit nakikita sa gate ng Heto ang iyo!”
mga school ay hindi tina-Tagalog? MEETING A CHALLENGE... “Sumagot
***** ka kapag kinakausap ka. Ano?! Sasagot ka
Tanong: Ano ang tawag sa kuto ng kalbo? sa matatanda?
Sagot: Eh ‘di, homeless. LOGIC... “Kapag nahulog ka sa swing
***** at nabali ang leeg mo, hindi ka sasama sa
Matapos kumanta, dumapa sa kama ang mall.”
isang mental patient. MEDICAL SCIENCE... “Masamang mat-
Nars: O, bakit ka bumaliktad? ulog nang basa ang buhok. Basa din ang
Patient: Adik ka ba? Side B naman! unan.”
***** THINKING AHEAD... “Kapag hindi ka
MANILA - TORONTO - USA - EUROPE At dahil sa buwan ng Mayo pinagdiriwang
ang Kaarawan ng mga Ina, narito ang ilang
nakapasa sa spelling test, hindi ka maka-
kakuha ng magandang trabaho.”
OR ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD biro tungkol sa kanila ... ESP... “Alam kong nilalamig ka. Mag-
***** sweater ka.”
HUMOR... “Kapag naputol ang
S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
A E S K U W A L A M A paa mo sa lawn mower, huwag
9 10 11
kang tatakbo sa akin.”
G S A A N L I M A N BECOMING AN ADULT...
O 12 13 14 “Kapag hindi ka kumain ng gu-
T A M T L U B A N G
lay, hindi ka tatanda.”
15 16 17 18 19
U P A N N I A G A SEX.... “Aber, sabihin mo nga
sa
20 21 kung paano ka napunta dito.”
A M E R I K A N A
“Super baba B 22 23
GENETICS... “Mana ka talaga
and halaga ... A A
24
L
25
R
26
N L
27
T I sa tatay mo!”
ROOTS... “Palagay mo kaya’y
T
Super below I
A L I N G A S A W
pinanganak ka sa sabsaban?”
fare talaga.” D
28
A T O
29
O N
30
A K I
31
P WISDOM OF AGE... “Tandaan
32 33 34 mo. Tatanda ka rin. At duon,
W P A L I I T A R O magtatanda ka rin.”
“Handang Maglingkod Sa Ating Kababayan” 35 36 37
I A Y O A N I L A N JUSTICE... “Maging kaparis
Tel (416) 751-9588 Fax (416) 751-9133 K
A
38
P A
39
M A G U L A
mo sana ang mga anak mo nang
N G makita mo kung ano na.”
MAY 2008 Manila Media Monitor 39
40 MAY 2008 Manila Media Monitor

.
Av e. W
nton nk
Egli ra

F
tle
N

Do
as
Mt. Pleasant
N

to C

n V a l ley
Exit
03
y. 4
Hur

Hw Bloor St. East Bloor St. Danforth Ave.

ont

Eas Castle Frank

t TTC Station

COMPLETE DENTAL CARE

ario

Sher
bour
Square One

Pa r k w
TTC ne
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Shopping Centre
S

Sherbourne St.
t.

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E. Rosedale
orpe
Rd GENERAL DENTISTRY Medical
hamth Mississauga Clinic
n
Bur Corporate Centre
Dr. Victoria Santiago Dr. Joy Y. Ho
Dr. Amy Fan Dr. Belinda Sunga-Castillo
MISSISSAUGA OFFICE Dr. Anthony John Eng Dr. Dat Phung TORONTO OFFICE
Dr. Randolph J. Krumme Rosedale Medical Clinic
Mississauga Corporate Centre
3660 Hurontario St., 2nd Floor 600 Sherbourne St., Suite 307
SPECIALTY DENTISTRY Toronto, Ontario M4X 1W4
Mississauga, Ontario L5B 3C4
(Behind Novotel Hotel) Dr. Ali Adibfar & Dr. Robert Eng - Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (Across Sherbourne Subway)
Dr. Mark Mojgani - Periodontist dr.vsliu@bellnet.ca
Nickee Dela Cruz & Catherine Ibeas - Registered Dental Hygienists
905-272-3455 416-967-9272

PICTURE PERFECT SMILES

The team of professionals who make up the Fairview Dental Centre
are completely dedicated to the needs of their patients.

5 Fairview M
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Dr. Anthony John Eng

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Fairview Dental Centre
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Dr. Joy Y. Ho

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900 Fax: (416) 496-0928 fa
Dr. Benilda Sunga-Castillo

Dr. Victoria R. Santiago