Volume XXXVIII No. 8 August 2020 Montreal, QC www.filipinostar.org

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Schools across the countryneed to reopen but it is not clear if theywill be the center of the second waveof infections. Most experts opinionsindicate that it is not a question ofwhether of not there will be a secondwave as it is part of the nature ofpandemics that there is always asecond, or third wave but the onlyquestion is when and where that will behappening.

Parents and teachers areworried about the risks of reopeningschools for a variety of reasons butmost of all they are not clear howthings will work out in theimplementation of the safetyprocedures.

With schools preparing towelcome back students and return toin-class learning for the first time sincethe COVID-19 pandemic was declaredin March, parents across the countryhave been concerned about the levelof infection control precautions schoolboards will have in place.

With the start of school justdays away in Quebec, teachers andother education workers around theprovince say the school system is stillnot prepared to resume in-class

teaching amid the threat of COVID-19.Nearly 2,000 teachers,

principals and other education workersin public schools filled out an emailquestionnaire circulated last week byCBC Montreal and Radio-Canada.

Their responses indicate deep-seatedconcerns about their personal safety,high levels of anxiety, confusion aboutgovernment guidelines andwidespread dissatisfaction withQuebec Education Minister Jean-

François Roberge. Nearly 85 per centof those who completed thequestionnaire said it will be either"somewhat difficult" or "very difficult" toensure public-health guidelines arerespected when classes resume in thecoming days.

All provinces have releasedtheir reopening plans that cover howstudents will enter schools, whenmasks will need to be worn, and whatwill happen if a student tests positivefor COVID-19.BRITISH COLUMBIA

Schools were originallyscheduled for August 28, but it wasmoved later to September 10.

As part of the initial plan,students would be divided into“learning groups” of 60 students forelementary-aged children and groupsof 120 for high school students.

These groups are not the classsizes, but rather the size of the groupsstudents can interact with, which thegovernment says will reduce the risk oftransmission among students, whileimproving contact tracing in the eventof an outbreak.

School reopening raises concerns

People attend a rally pertaining to concerns around thereopening of schools amid COVID-19, held at the SaskatchewanLegislative Building in Regina on Aug. 7,2020.BRANDON HARDER

Biden picks formerMontrealer Kamala Harrisas choice for vice-president

Do you want to learn to speakFrench or English fluently?Call 514-485-7861 to register

by appointment.Flexible schedules, income tax deductible

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See Page 7 Reopening schools

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee and former vice-president Joe Biden has announced Senator Kamala Harris as his vice-presidential running mate in the 2020 election. They are seen in a July2019 file photo. PHOTO BY SCOTT OLSON /Getty Images

Harris spent a good portion of herearly life in Montreal and graduatedfrom Westmount High in 1981 beforereturning to the U.S.:FREDERIC TOMESCOAug 12, 2020 (Montreal Gazette)

Could a former Montrealer beon her way to the White House?

Democratic presidentialcandidate Joe Biden selectedCalifornia Senator Kamala Harris onTuesday as his choice for U.S. vice-president in the Nov. 3 election. Harris,55, is a former San Francisco districtattorney and California attorney

general.The news did not go unnoticed

in Montreal, where Harris spent achunk of her early life. Mayor ValériePlante offered her congratulations in atweet, underlining Harris’s status as thefirst Black woman in U.S. history to beon a major party presidential ticket.

Born in Oakland, Calif., Harrismoved here with her sister and motherat age 12, graduating from WestmountHigh School in 1981 before returning tothe U.S. Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan

See Page 19 Kamala Harris

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From the Publisher’s desk

Will schools be thecenter for the

second wave of aCovid 19 pandemic?

Zenaida Ferry Kharroubi

It is a frightening thought that areturn to school evokes stress andanxiety over the risks of the corona virusinfections among students and teachingstaff. But closing schools for a longerperiod is not the ideal situation for it hasa negative impact on students’education. Measures to diminishinfections in schools have been plannedwith the guidance of health authorities.However, it is not clear whether or notthey are sufficient to diminish the risks ofa second wave of the virus infection.Two parents in British Columbia filed asuit against the Education Departmentfor they worry that teachers andstudents are like ‘’guinea pigs’’ in thisreopening of schools. They want tostop the provincial government fromreopening kindergarten to Grade 12classes unless tougher COVID-19 safetymeasures are imposed.

The action lists alleged "failures"in the back-to-school plan, including thefailure to impose mandatory facemasks, implement physical distancing,reduce class sizes and provide allstudents with the option of virtuallearning.

The suit labels the current plan— to allow the full–time return of nearlyall of B.C.'s 591,000 elementary andsecondary school students on Sept. 10— "nonsensical," "unconscionable" and"not only endangers the lives of studentsand teachers, but also that of the

broader community."The application seeks an

immediate injunction to restrain the B.C.ministries of health and education fromreopening schools, and calls for ajudicial review of the government's plan.

Similarly, in Quebec, parentsand teachers are very concerned thatthe government’s plans are notsufficient to protect them. No one hasfiled a suit but a protest rally at theEducation Department was heldrecently to call attention to theshortcomings of the measures planned.The participants at this rally pointed outthat the schools would have beenopened for two weeks before the schoolservice centers introduce theiremergency measures by September 15.Moreover, they are being asked to do alot with less resources. Besides doingthe extra work of cleaning, sanitizing,they are also required to do catch upwork for the time the students missedclasses as well as to provide on linelearning for those who are unable tocome to school. There is also anadditional load to take care of studentswith special needs.

The safety measures look greaton paper but the practicality ofimplementing them is questionable.With the shortage of teachers, classsizes are too large to keep socialdistancing possible. Furthermore, Bill21 that prohibits public service workers

Dear Friend,

Valerie Plante has launched aconsultation as to some ideas in regardto the 2021 budget.

The survey has been criticizedin the media as slanted and not credible- anyone can fill it out multiple times,etc. and the choices given reflect whatthe City wants rather than a broaderarray of choices that citizens mightwant.

An example is in terms ofpriorities do you want more activetransit (bicycle paths) or morecomposting ?

Ideas that aren't championedby the City such as economicdevelopment, etc. aren't mentioned.

Given that the City isdemanding major changes in how itoperates, including the power to run adeficit, the survey should be moreprofessional and better controlled if it isto have any real value.

You can judge for yourself. Thelink to the survey is below:https://montreal.ca/actualites/consultatio n - p r e b u d g e t a i r e - p a r t i c i p e z -lelaboration-du-budget-2021But that isn't why I am writing today. Youmay notice in clicking on the link thatthe survey is in French only. I find thatappalling.

The law does not prevent theCity from providing services orinformation in English. In fact, themunicipal Charter of Rights andResponsibilities specifically mentionsservices in English as a responsibility ofthe municipality.

The City has always publishedbudgetary information before. It is morethan disappointing that this surveywhich is simple and inexpensive totranslate is offered in French only.

In fact, it seems to be part of apattern. Less information now seems tobe appearing in English.

When Mayor Plante decided toclose the police station in the NDGneighbourhood - with no consultation -the original document for the"information" session that was held afterthe fact was in French only. Theneighbourhood is largely Englishspeaking.

It was only a major publicuproar that saw the documenttranslated the week before the meetingin which the public was told that thepolice station would close no matterwhat anyone had to say about it.

But I find the refusal to providean English version of a budget surveyparticularly egregious. Given how easyit is to have an English version, I have tobelieve that it was a conscious decision.

Attached is my letter sentearlier this week to Benoit Dorais, thePresident of the Executive Committee,saying in no uncertain terms that theCity is doing a major disservice to alarge part of its population.

Realistically, I don't believePlante and Dorais will accede to myreasonable request. The solution willneed to be political. Montreal needs anew, more responsive and morerespectful administration.

Montrealers head to the pollsfor a municipal election in November2021.Issues such as the lack of respectto the English-speaking population inMontreal should be a motivation for usto change the administration but thereare so many more reasons to do so aswell.

In the months to come, I will beproviding regular updates as to how astrong and competent team will be putforward that you will be proud tosupport.

In the meantime, we should asa community let Plante know that wedon't accept being ignored in our owncity.

Yours truly,

Marvin RotrandCity Councillor - Snowdon

August 2020

Marvin RotrandCity Councilor, Snowdon

from wearing a religious symbol hasdiscouraged some people from joiningthe teaching profession. Now, due to therisks of Covid 19 to older teachers, theyhave opted to retire early. It is thereforeobvious that the chronic shortage ofteachers shall be with us for some time.It takes four years to have a studentgraduate from a university course. It isnot like the PAB or personal supportworkers program that can beabbreviated in a few months which iscurrently being done to fill up theshortage of personnel in long term careinstitutions in Quebec

We cannot emphasize enoughthat returning to school should be aconcern for all. If things go out of hand,the whole community will be affected.but it is important for all students toreceive proper education.

‘’Could the return to schoolresult in the start of a second wave?’’This question was asked in an interviewof a health professional, Dr. Simon of theSimcoe Muskoka District Health Unit,who answered: ‘’What we have seenfrom experience in other countrieswhere schools have either remainedopen or reopened is that that process ofschool reopening hasn’t typicallyresulted in a significant increase incommunity transmission or secondwave.

So, school reopening reallyneeds to be seen in the context of all theother things we are doing as a society,all the other ways in which we areinteracting.

If we continue to takeprecautions, both within school and outof school, then hopefully, we willdecrease the chance of seeing acommunity-wide recurrence.”

Hopefully is what we can say atthis point because no one really knowshow much control we have over a virusthat has caused so much destruction inthe economy and loss of lives. It seemsthat we may be able to avoid a secondwave if all the measures planned for oursafety are followed diligently.

-oOo-

August 2020 3The North American Filipino Star

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Plan includes more than $100M inadditional funding for public healthauthoritiesJonathan Montpetit · CBC News ·Posted: Aug 18, 2020

The Quebec government isgiving its beleaguered health-caresystem six weeks to fix the problems thatcaused the novel coronavirus to spreadthroughout the province this spring,killing nearly 6,000 people in its wake.

Health Minister Christian Dubérevealed an ambitious series of reformson Tuesday that he wants to see in placeby Sept. 30. They range from fastertesting to new staffing procedures, frombetter infection control to moreaccountable managers.

Dubé also announced $106million in additional funding for regionalpublic health authorities to hire 1,000 full-time employees to conduct contacttracing.

"We learned a lot of from the firstwave," Dubé said at a news conferencein Quebec City. "We drew lessons fromthe things we did well, and not so well."

Quebec — and Montreal inparticular — was the epicentre of the

COVID-19 outbreak in Canada betweenMarch and June. The province averagednearly 1,000 new cases per day in earlyMay and registered hundreds of deathsevery week.

The vast majority of the deathswere residents of long-term care homes— known in French as CHSLDs — orprivate seniors' residences (RPAs).

It's believed the infections wereoften spread by staff who, at the outset ofthe pandemic, were forced to work atmultiple locations because of severepersonnel shortages.' Hospitalizations and death havedeclined steadily since June, andgovernment officials have spent thesummer months trying to identify whatexactly went wrong in the spring.

On Tuesday, Dubé and theminister responsible for seniors andinformal caregivers, Marguerite Blais,blamed a host of pre-existing issues forthe health-care system's inability torespond effectively to the crisis.

Both said long-standing staffingshortages in CHSLDs were a problembefore their party, the Coalition AvenirQuébec, took power in 2018.

Blais, who was seniors ministerunder the Liberals as well, said pastbudget cuts meant long-term homeswere short on infection-controlresources.

And Dubé said past reforms bythe Liberals left CHSLDs withoutaccountable managers.

A central element of his second-wave plan is bringing an end to thepractice of patient attendants working indifferent long-term care homes or ondifferent floors, in order to reduce cross-contamination.

The second wave is coming.Here's what public health experts say weshould expect

"Let me be clear: there will be nomobility [of staff]," Dubé said. "Health-

care managers who don't follow the ruleswill face consequences."

The province is in the process ofrushing 10,000 new attendants through

an abbreviated training program. Dubésaid that should be sufficient to solve thestaffing shortage issue.

Another important element ofthe plan is to ensure each CHSLD in theprovince has an accountable manager,who will be responsible for overseeinginfection control as well as staffing.

Other elements of Dubé'ssecond-wave plan include:

• Procedures to ensurevulnerable populations, such ashomeless people and at-risk youth, canstill access health and social servicesduring a second-wave of infections.

•Hospitals being asked to avoidcancelling elective surgeries and otherimportant medical procedures.Thousands of procedures werecancelled in the spring in order to free uphospital space that, in the end, wasn'tneeded.

•Increasing strategic reserves of

medical supplies, including N95 masksand surgical gloves, and identifying localmanufacturers for other medicalequipment.

There will be a second waveThough Quebec saw an

increase in reported cases at the start ofJuly as it lifted several lockdownmeasures, infection rates have droppedin recent weeks. The province is nowaveraging fewer than 100 new cases perday.

But with schools set to reopen atfull capacity starting next week, andcolder weather on the way, Dubé soughtto prepare Quebecers for what to expectin the fall.

"There will be a second wave.I'm saying that because I wouldn't wantpeople to be disappointed when thereare outbreaks in a hospital, a CHSLD oreven in a school," he said.

But this time, he added, "thehealth-care system will be able torespond more rapidly." ##

Quebec announces plan to deal with second wave ofCOVID-19, avoid fatal failures of the spring

This summer, around 10,000 people have been going through anabbreviated training program to become a patient attendant in Quebec.(Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press)

Health Minister Christian Dubéoutlined Tuesday a nine-point planaimed at strengthening variouspoints of the health-care system.(Jacques Boissinot/The CanadianPress)

Erin O'Toole has won theleadership for the Conservative Party,promising to present a vision to makeCanada more prosperous and reachingout to broaden the party's base ofsupporters.

After a six-hour delay due toglitches with the ballots, O'Toole took 57

per cent of the votes on the third and finalballot, compared to 43 per cent forsecond-place contender Peter MacKay.

O'Toole claimed victory aftertaking support from Leslyn Lewis, whofinished with a surprisingly strongperformance but dropped off on thesecond ballot. Derek Sloan dropped off

after the first ballot.In his acceptance speech,

O'Toole promised to work to unite theparty, champion Conservative values, andhold Prime Minister Justin Trudeau toaccount.

"We must continue to point outLiberal failings and corruption, but we mustalso show Canadians our vision for astronger, more prosperous and moreunited Canada," he said.

"Canada can and must do betterand Conservatives will work hard to earnthe trust and confidence of Canadians inthe next election."

Acknowledging the party needsto broaden its base to win the nextelection, O'Toole reached out to all

Canadians in all regions of the country andfrom diverse backgrounds.

"I believe that whether you areBlack, white, brown or from any race orcreed, whether you are LGBT or straight,whether you are an Indigenous Canadianor have joined the Canadian family threeweeks ago or three generations ago," hesaid.

"Whether you're doing well orbarely getting by. Whether you worship onFriday, Saturday, Sunday or not at all …you are an important part of Canada andyou have a home in the ConservativeParty of Canada." (Condensed for space)

Kathleen Harris · CBC News ·Posted: Aug 23, 2020

œrin O’Toole on the stage with his family and Andrew Scheer cheering forhis victory on Monday night (Photo: Washington Post)

Erin O'Toole wins Conservative leadershiprace, reaches out to broaden blue tent

August 20204

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The North American Filipino Star

Change intended to benefit employerswho are still facing difficulties findingworkers

August 24, 2020—Ottawa—Visitors who are currently in Canadaand have a valid job offer will be able toapply for an employer-specific workpermit and, if approved, receive thepermit without having to leave thecountry, thanks to a new public policyannounced today by the HonourableMarco E.L. Mendicino, Minister ofImmigration, Refugees andCitizenship.

This temporary policy changetakes effect immediately and willbenefit employers in Canada whocontinue to face difficulties finding theworkers they need, as well astemporary residents who would like tocontribute their labour and skills toCanada’s recovery from the COVID-19pandemic.

During the pandemic,temporary residents who remained inCanada were encouraged to maintainvalid legal status. With air travel limitedaround the world, some visitors toCanada have been unable to leave,while some foreign workers had tochange their status to visitor becausetheir work permit was expiring and

they didn’t have a job offer to be ableto apply for a new work permit. Someemployers in Canada have also facedongoing labour and skills shortagesthroughout this period, including thosewho provide important goods andservices that Canadians rely on.

To be eligible, an applicantlooking to benefit from this temporarypublic policy must have valid status inCanada as a visitor on August 24, 2020and remain in Canada have a job offersubmit an application for an employer-specific work permit that is supportedby a Labour Market ImpactAssessment (LMIA) or an LMIA-exemptoffer of employment, no later thanMarch 31, 2021, meet all otherstandard admissibility criteria

This temporary public policyalso provides the opportunity forapplicants who meet these criteria andwho had a valid work permit in the past12 months to begin working for theirnew employer before their work permitapplication has been fully approved.To do so, they need to follow theinstructions for the process describedhere: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigrationrefugecitizenship/services/work-canada/permit/temporary/after-apply-next-steps.html#visitors

Quote“We have heard from

employers who continue to facechallenges recruiting and hiring theworkers they need during thepandemic. At the same time, somevisitors in Canada may be able tocontribute their skills where there arelabour shortages. The measuresintroduced today will now allow visitorsto apply for work permits withouthaving to leave the country first. Thisexemption from the normal temporarywork permit requirements is aimed atremoving barriers to create a moreagile workforce that leverages visitorswith the skills and experience toaccelerate our economic recovery.”—The Honourable Marco E.L.Mendicino, P.C., M.P., Minister ofImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipQuick facts· Any type of visitor who meets thecriteria is eligible to apply under thisnew public policy, including super visaholders, business visitors and thosewho entered Canada through a GlobalSkills Strategy work permit exemption.· Foreign nationals who arrive inCanada as visitors after August 24,2020, are not eligible under the publicpolicy.

· Prior to this temporary policychange, a person applying as atemporary resident would usually needto apply for their initial work permitbefore they came to Canada. If theywere already in Canada with visitorstatus when they were approved for awork permit, they would need to leaveCanada and return before their workpermit was issued to them.Associated links· How COVID-19 is affecting IRCC:Foreign workers· Process for public policy applicantswho have had a work permit in the past12 months· News release: Governmentannounces help for employers to meettheir labour needs

New temporary public policy will allowvisitors to apply for a work permitwithout having to leave Canada

B.C. students are set to head back toclass on Sept. 10Roshini Nair · CBC News · Posted:Aug 26, 2020 5:00 AM PT | Last

Education Minister RobFleming said Wednesday he wasimpressed by the "thoughtful,innovative approach" taken by theprovince's 60 school districts incrafting their pandemic-ready back-to-school plans.

Across the province, studentscan expect a gradual restart of classesbeginning Sept. 10, with measures inplace to prevent widespread COVID-19transmission.

Wednesday marked thedeadline for all 60 school districts inB.C. to have their return-to-schoolplans available to parents. Each districtshould have its local plan postedonline.

"There are consequences forchildren who are not in school for aprolonged period of time," saidFleming, saying it was extremelyimportant to get students back into aschool setting.

"Education is a must for allchildren ... and it must be delivered inthe best and safest way possible," hesaid.

Fleming's update comes asparents and teachers are expressingtheir anxieties about sending childrenback to school during the pandemic.The B.C. Teachers' Federation hascalled for smaller class sizes andstricter face mask regulations to

protect children and adults fromCOVID-19.

"We are going to remainflexible," said Fleming, adding manydistricts were adding options thatweren't conceivable a few months ago.Plans reflect each district'sneeds, minister says

At the centre of the province'sguidelines, released July 29, is a planto place students in learning groups of60-120 children that will allow for socialinteraction while limiting potentialexposure to the novel coronavirus andsimplifying the process of contacttracing.

One of these cohorts couldinclude, for example, two elementaryschool homeroom classes that eatlunch together and share recess time,or a group of high school students whoare taking the same classes.

Face masks will be required inhigh-traffic areas like hallways and onbuses but not in classrooms.

Rob Fleming says schools aremore secure and controlled thanpublic spaces like shopping malls.Each district's plan follows these coreprinciples, but the details of each planwill depend on the student population,the type of building/facilities availableand course offerings.

"It will look different in differentparts of the province. It always does.That's the great diversity of educationin B.C.," said Fleming.

"All districts will have fundingsecured and funding flexibility to be

able to continue to servecommunities."

Fleming says all elementaryand middle schools will have access tofull-time in-class instruction inaccordance with public healthmeasures. Secondary schools withlarger populations will offer a blend ofin-class and remote learning.

The vast majority of schooldistricts are moving to a quarterlysystem, where student are taught twocourses per quarter, to offer the moststudent choice and reduce physicalcontact between staff and students.Some school districts, however, aremoving to an eight-course system —where there is one course taught everyfive weeks.Some school districts releasedplan details early

Recent days had already seena number of school districts roll outtheir plans for September.

B.C.'s largest school district,Surrey, offered a sneak peek last weekat its plans for students in Grade 8 and

up.A physical distancing sign is

pictured in the hallway of BridgeviewElementary in Surrey, British Columbiaon Wednesday, August 26, 2020. (BenNelms/CBC)

Secondary students in grades10-12 will only have 30 peers in theircohort, while students in grades eightand nine will have 60.

The school year will run on aquarterly system. Each day will bebroken into two blocks, with secondarystudents spending one block in theclassroom and the other primarilyonline and children in grades eight andnine spending both blocks in class.

District superintendent JordanTinney has said the main focus ofSurrey's plan is to keep those cohortsizes as small as possible.With files from Bethany Lindsay

Thoughtful, innovative': B.C. educationminister endorses finalized back-to-school plans from 60 districts

B.C. Education Minister Rob Fleming (cbc.ca)

August 2020 5The North American Filipino Star

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Important new measures on post-graduation workpermit eligibility for students beginning programs online

Ottawa, August 26, 2020—Many prospective internationalstudents who would like to study inCanada this fall are facing uncertaintydue to travel restrictions. Immigration,Refugees and Citizenship Canadarecognizes this, and will continue toensure that Canada’s immigrationprograms are flexible to respond tothese uncertainties with 3 newmeasures on post-graduation workpermit eligibility for students beginningprograms online.

These changes are beingimplemented to provide more flexibilityon eligibility rules for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program forstudents who need or want to starttheir Canadian study program onlinefrom abroad.

Three changes are beingintroduced:· Students may now study onlinefrom abroad until April 30, 2021, withno time deducted from the length of afuture post-graduation work permit,provided 50% of their program of studyis eventually completed in Canada.· Students who have enrolled in aprogram that is between 8 and 12months in length, with a start date fromMay to September 2020, will be able tocomplete their entire program onlinefrom abroad and still be eligible for apost-graduation work permit.· Students who have enrolled in a

program with a start date from May toSeptember 2020 and study online upto April 30, 2021, and who graduatefrom more than one eligible program ofstudy, may be able to combine thelength of their programs of study whenthey apply for a post-graduation workpermit in the future, as long as 50% oftheir total studies are completed inCanada.

To be eligible for thesemeasures, students must havesubmitted a study permit applicationbefore starting a program of study inthe spring, summer, or fall 2020semester, or the January 2021semester. All students must eventuallybe approved for a study permit.

The easing of COVID-19related restrictions will depend on theprogress made in Canada and aroundthe world in containing the spread ofthe coronavirus. IRCC will continue toclosely monitor the situation andassess whether further changes areneeded.

Facilitative measures tosupport international students affectedby the COVID-19 pandemicFrom: Immigration, Refugees andCitizenship CanadaBackgrounder

Immigration, Refugees andCitizenship Canada has made anumber of temporary policy changesintended to support international

students affected by the COVID-19pandemic, including:Applying for a study permit

Students who have submitteda complete application will receivepriority processing and will be ready totravel to Canada soon after travelrestrictions are modified.

IRCC has introduced 2-stagestudy permit processing for studentswho can’t submit a completeapplication. This includes a first-stageeligibility assessment and a finaldecision based on admissibilityrequirements in the second stage.

This allows applicants whohave been unable to providebiometrics, police certificates or theresults of an immigration medicalexamination to get an initialassessment. If approved, they can feelreassured that they have already metmost of the criteria for a study permit.

IRCC aims to process all first-stage eligibility assessments beforethe start of the fall semester. When astudent is approved through bothstages, they will be ready to travel toCanada once travel restrictions aremodified.Eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work PermitProgram

Students can study onlinefrom abroad until April 30, 2021,without affecting their eligibility or the

length of a future post-graduation workpermit, provided they are able tocomplete at least 50% of their programin Canada.

Students enrolled in programsbetween 8 and 12 months in lengththat started during the spring, summeror fall terms (from May to September)of 2020 will be able to apply for a post-graduation work permit if theycomplete their entire program outsideof Canada.

Students enrolled in aprogram with a start date from May toSeptember 2020 who study online upto April 30, 2021, and who graduatefrom more than one eligible program ofstudy, may be able to combine thelength of their programs of study whenthey apply for a post-graduation workpermit in the future, as long as 50% oftheir total studies are completed inCanada.Students already in Canada

Students in Canada in thewinter, spring and summer terms whowere forced to study online, reducetheir studies to part-time, or take abreak from their studies completely, asa result of restrictions on classroomlearning due to the COVID-19pandemic, are allowed to continueworking on- or off-campus if their study

See Page 13 Eligibility

August 20206

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The North American Filipino Star

Young, beautiful, andcharismatic are words that easily applyto Michelle Vargas Lao, our Personalityof the Month. Seemingly born withvigor and vivacity, she’s a natural

community asset. She’s also blessedwith a very kind heart. At the end ofone of her concerts, she waitedpatiently with me for my lift to arrive,though the venue has long been

emptied. She said she does not wantto leave me alone waiting in the dark. Iwill remember this class act for a verylong time!

Michelle is in her prime,enjoying her life to the hilt. She poursout her heart in her music. Asongwriter and a performing artist, shesings and dances during her concerts.Also a music teacher, she gives freevoice lessons for people whose agesrange from 7 to 77 years old. Clearlypassionate about music, she startedsinging at a very young age. She canswitch genres, singing pops to balladswith considerable ease. The wordmultitalented fits Michelle very well.Why, she is also a choreographer, nosmall feat! Often invited to perform,she’s no stranger to audiences of thehighest standard. Music afficionadoswould consider her a masterperformer.

All of these attributes havecatapulted her to the Presidency of theFilipino Canadian Artist Association ofQuebec (FCAAQ). Because of herpopularity and immense talent, she isoften invited to attend or perform atFilipino functions. She was onceinvited by the Philippine AmbassadorPetronila Garcia to attend the openingof the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa.She was in awe at the huge space, theneatness and the hospitality of the staffembassy. One has to visit our embassyin Ottawa to see how nice it is. As oneobserver said, “To see is to believe.”Michelle said “I am proud of ourPhilippine Embassy in Ottawa;everyone should visit the building.”

Michelle can boast of animpressive resume. She created andmanages the Michelle Vargas Lao(MVL) services, which includes the

management of the Immigration andIntegration Inc. She also served as aformer administrative assistant ofConcordia University. She studiedRegulated Canadian Immigration at LaSalle College, Montreal. She earned aBachelor of Commerce, Marketing atJohn Molson School of Business, andBachelor of Business Management atConcordia College in Manila,Philippines. She also attended JoseRizal University.

In spite of her busy workinghours, Michelle somehow finds time toaccommodate community events as aguest performer. A few of these are:the Filipino Heritage Society ofMontreal (FHSM) in June 2020, PistaSa Nayon, the Bayanihan Spirit(Tulungan), Filipino CanadianAssociation of West Island (FCAWI)Independence Ball in Olympia Hall,Dollard des Ormeaux, FilipinoAssociation of Montreal and Suburbs(FAMAS) Independence Ball in HolidayInn, Cote-De-Liesse, Seniors of WestIsland and Suburbs (SWIS)Independence Ball at Olympia Hall,DDO, Filipino Heritage Day Picnic inOlympia Park, Pincourt, Quebec,Panday Tinig of Montreal performanceat Oscar Peterson Hall, Montreal.

What do people say aboutMichelle? They acknowledge thispowerful performer. They admire herfriendliness and civic mindedness.This explosive dynamite fully deservesthe accolades that come her way.Kudos, Michelle! This is my prayer foryou: May the Lord bless you and keepyou, may the Lord make His face shineon you and be gracious to you, maythe Lord turn His face toward you andgive you peace (Numbers 6: 24-26).

PERSONALITY OF THE MONTHBy Fely Rosales-Cariño

Michelle Vargas Lao

By: Tony A. San Juan, OCT-RetiredThe Philippine Independence

Day Council-PIDC holds a verysuccessful first-ever online show,"Mabuhay Philippines Virtual Festival2020". PIDC, a 22 -year-oldquintessential non- profit compositeorganization in the Greater Toronto Area,Ontario has organized and presentedthe big Filipino culture-focused eventover 2 days on August 22 and 23, 2020via its Facebook page and Website. Withthe theme "Pamana" or heritage, thesummer project was in honour andgrateful recognition of all Filipino healthfront liners and essential workers acrossthe globe.

Superbly hosted by MelissaGrelo, a CTV television personality and"The Social" show host with CristinaCarpio, Brand Strategist and Editor- in-Chief of Marquee Magazine, as co-hostand Event Director. The 9- hourmarathon presentation has showcasedwonderfully the best and the brightest oftalents and stars in the Filipino-Canadian community including thehome country's Philippine culturaltroupes. Presented by TD Canada Trust,the virtual event was also sponsored byTFC-The Filipino Channel, AgnesPasaporte Miranda of WFG-WorldFinancial Group, Imperial World Inc. andpartnered by CTV Media. Other

supporters were the Family Dentistry ofDr. Victoria Santiago-Liu, Mel Galeon'sFV Foods, Saladmaster, MegaWorld,UMAC, Barrio Fiesta Overlea, AFCA,ABC Accountants, and Max's Restaurant& Paper Crane.

The 11:00 am - 8:00 pm. ESTsimulated video activity highlightedseveral interesting, informative andentertaining segments. Among whichwere congratulatory messages deliveredvirtually in person by Canadian PrimeMinister Justin Trudeau, PhilippineAmbassador Petronila Garcia, OntarioPremier Doug Ford, Philippine ConsulGeneral Orontes Castro, Toronto MayorJohn Tory, MP Michael Levitt, MPFChairman Norma Carpio, MPF Co-chairAgnes Pasaporte Miranda and PIDCPresident Ramon Estaris.

Interviews with Federal Ministerof Immigration, Refugee & Citizenship

Marco Mendicino, Minister of Children,Family & Social Development AhmedHussen, Grammy Award Winner JhettTolentino and Gawad Kalinga PresidentPidoy Pacis were undertaken by thehosts and a panel of interviewerscomposed of PIDC community leaders.The fashion show presented designs byrenowned Filipino couturiers ReneeSalud, Francis Libiran, Kenneth Barlis,Shanon Pamaong, Jaki Penalosa, andDitta Sandico with great performancesof Ma-Anne Dionisio, Martha Joy, EmilioZarris & Belinda Corpuz in the FashionShow segment. Special appearanceswere made by Miss Universe 2018Catriona Gray, Movie-TV actor SamMilby. Miss International 2013 Bea RoseSantiago and Ms. Joey Albert.

Performing awesomeentertainment and musical numbersduring the show were popular Philippine

and Canadian-based cultural & dancegroups, with MonTorralba as the musicaldirector. Individual presentations wereamazingly rendered by known Filipino-Canadian professional and amateursingers, dancers and performers andPIDC beauty pageant winners. Briefmessages also were delivered byseveral community leaders andcelebrities.

Among the festival organizersand community leaders whospearheaded the pioneering projectwere Norma Carpio, Agnes PasaporteMiranda and Ramon Estaris, PIDCPresident who were ably assisted byhardworking PIDC Executive Officers,and Board of Directors.

With more than 18,000 viewersand still "liking", the "online attendees"have posted their highly "discriminatingverdicts" saying that the event wasindeed a trail-blazing and incomparablecentrepiece of Filipino heritage, cultureand tradition in virtual images.

PIDC Mabuhay Philippines Festival 2020: A Historicand Successful Virtual Event

August 2020 7The North American Filipino Star

www.filipinostar.org

Every student and staff memberwill be given two masks upon returningto school. Masks will be mandatory formiddle school and high school studentsin situations where physical distancing isnot possible, such as hallways and onbuses.

Elementary school students arenot required to wear a mask.

The provincial government isalso spending $45.6 million to helpschools prepare for the upcomingschool year, which will go towardsincreased cleaning expenses, hand-washing stations and additional suppliesfor students and teachers.ALBERTA

Students in Alberta will headback to the classroom with full-timeschedules in September, with a numberof new health measures in place,including grouping students in cohortsto limit contact, staggering start times forclasses, recesses and lunches, anddaily COVID-19 screeningquestionnaires. Class sizes, however,will not be limited.

Staff and students in Grades 4to 12 will be required to wear masks incommon areas and on school buses.The province will provide two reusablemasks for each student, teacher andstaff member in the province. Staff willalso be given one face shield each to beused at their discretion. Hand sanitizer

and contactless thermometers will alsobe provided by the province.

Should an outbreak of COVID-19 occur, affected schools could moveto partial in-class learning or at-homelearning. Students with symptoms ofCOVID-19 will be required to get testedand only be allowed back into class aftera negative result.

Education Minister AdrianaLaGrange said parents won't be forcedto send their kids to school if they don’tfeel it’s safe. However, it would be up tothe parents to work with the school todevelop a plan for their child’s at-homelearning.SASKATCHEWAN

In June, Saskatchewanannounced that in-classroom learningwill resume in the fall, releasing a set ofguidelines to help school divisionsprepare. But the bulk of the planning willfall to school divisions and schoolboards.

According to the provincialguidelines, staff, parents and studentsare encouraged to limit physical contact,but they note that physical distancing is“less practical” for younger students.Although the province says general usecontainers need to be available,students and staff are encouraged tohave their own hand sanitizer on hand.

In a statement to CTV News,Regina Public Schools said it’s lookingat protective screens, water bottle fillersand even air purifying systems for theupcoming school year, but note that

distribution of these items will be tied toschool enrolment and staff numbers.

Most school divisions in theprovince will require masks whenschools reopen on Sept. 8. While thereis no official mandate, the province saidit was purchasing masks to distribute toschools in the event the chief medicalofficer deems them necessary.MANITOBA

The Manitoba governmentannounced on July 30 that elementaryschool students will be heading back toschool full-time on Sept. 8, while highschool students may be required toconduct online classes, depending oneach school’s ability to implement thenecessary physical distancingregulations.

Each school must ensurestudents working remotely have accessto the necessary technology.

Classrooms will be configuredto support physical distancing, includingthe use of multi-purpose rooms, ifneeded. Where physical distancingrequirements can’t be met, students willbe placed in cohorts.

Lunch breaks and recesses willbe staggered and protocols will beimplemented to reduce congestion inthe hallways and common areas.

Masks will be mandatory forstudents in Grades 4 to 12. Originally,the province decided not to requiremasks in schools, but it later reversed itsdecision, with the premier citing "theinput of literally thousands and

thousands of Manitobans.”ONTARIO

The Ontario governmentannounced on July 30 that elementaryschool students and many high schoolstudents will return to the classroom full-time in September.

Elementary students will returnto class five days a week for full days,which will include recess and lunch.Class sizes will not be restricted.

Students will see changes in thetimes for recess, lunch, and bathroombreaks, however.

While most high schools willreopen under the same stipulations, 24school boards across the province willhave classes capped at 15 students andwill alternate days or schedules toensure schools remain at 50 per centcapacity.

Non-medical masks will bemandatory for students from Grade 4 toGrade 12. Grade 3 students will beencouraged to wear a mask in commonareas, though it is not required.

Teachers and school staff willbe given medical masks.

Parents will be asked to self-screen students each day and to keep achild at home if they are experiencingany symptoms.

Some school boards havedecided to go beyond the province’srules. The Toronto District School Board

From Page 1 Reopening schools

See Page 8 Reopening schools

August 25, 2020,Ottawa – Filipinos throughout EasternCanada gathered today for two unpre-cedented farewell events held in honorof outgoing Philippine AmbassadorPetronila P. Garcia.

In the first event, members ofdifferent Filipino communityorganizations in Ottawa, ON, Montreal,QC, Fredricton, NB, Halifax, NS, andSummerside, PEI, congregated onlinein a despedida for the Ambassadorhosted by the Embassy of thePhilippines in Canada.

During the virtual farewell,representatives from the variousorganizations delivered heartfeltmessages for the Ambassador,thanking her for her dedicated serviceand her efforts to reach out to theFilipino diaspora throughout thecountry. Some of the participants alsothanked her for always highlighting

Filipino culture and the arts whileothers expressed their appreciation forthe consular outreach missions heldby the Philippine Embassy in theirprovinces every year.

A second farewell event washosted online by Mrs. RosemerEnverga on the same day. The eventwas attended by religious, cultural,and civic-oriented Filipino organiza-

tions in the Greater Toronto Area, aswell as Senator Yonah Martin, Memberof Parliament Nelly Shin, and Memberof Provincial Parliament VijayThanigasalam. Interspersed betweenthe various messages for theAmbassador were musicalperformances by Ron Michael Adeaand diva Lilac Cana.

Ambassador Garcia thankedthe participants during the two eventsand expressed how touched she wasby their messages. She recalled themany developments that have takenplace during her six-year tenure andthe projects that the PhilippineEmbassy completed in collaborationwith the various Filipino organizations.She credited the positive image ofFilipinos in Canada to the hard workand achievements of the Filipinocommunity. She enjoined allattendees to continue to extend thesame support for the PhilippineEmbassy and the next Ambassador.

Filipino-Canadians bid farewell to the PhilippineAmbassador Petronila Garcia via a Virtual Despedida

Some of the participants from community organizations from EasternCanada are shown above.

The Heads of Missions of the Asia Pacific Group of Ambassadors andHigh Commissioners bid farewell to Ambassador Garcia as the latterends her tour of duty and turns over the Deanship to Brunei HighCommissioner Pg Kamal Bashah Pg Ahmand (top, second from left)

The Philippine Embassy relocatedto its own building - July 1, 201630 Murray St., Ottawa K1N 5M4

Petronila Garcia(Photo: Phil.Canadian Enquirer)

August 20208

www.filipinostar.org

The North American Filipino Star

Compiled data fromeducational research byZenaida F. Kharroubi

As we already know, schoolclosures have affected us in diffrent waysbut more profoundly, they have revealedthat more should be done to be betterprepared for any crisis. As education has apervasive effect on our life, it is importantthat our government adopts a policy torecognize its importance.

The folowing excerpts from aninterview makes us realize that due to thereality of inequality in our society, oureducational system must be re-designedto even out the disparities between the richand the poor.

‘’The best that can come of this isa new paradigm shift in terms of the way inwhich we look at education, becausechildren’s well-being and success dependon more than just schooling. We need tolook holistically, at the entirety of children’slives. In order for children to come toschool ready to learn, they need a widearray of essential supports andopportunities outside of school. And wehaven’t done a very good job of providingthese. These education prerequisites gofar beyond the purview of school systems,but rather are the responsibility ofcommunities and society at large. In orderto learn, children need equal access tohealth care, food, clean water, stablehousing, and out-of-school enrichmentopportunities, to name just a fewpreconditions. We have to reconceptualizethe whole job of child development andeducation, and construct systems thatmeet children where they are and givethem what they need, both inside andoutside of school, in order for all of them tohave a genuine opportunity to besuccessful.

Within this coronavirus crisis thereis an opportunity to reshape Americaneducation. The only precedent in our fieldwas when the Sputnik went up in 1957,and suddenly, Americans became veryworried that their educational systemwasn’t competitive with that of the Soviet

Union. We felt vulnerable, like our defenseswere down, like a nation at risk. And wedecided to dramatically boost theinvolvement of the federal government inschooling and to increase and improve ourscientific curriculum. We decided to look ateducation as an important factor in humancapital development in this country. Again,in 1983, the report “Nation at Risk” warnedof a similar risk: Our education systemwasn’t up to the demands of a high-skills/high-knowledge economy.

We tried with our educationreforms to build a 21st-century educationsystem, but the results of that movementhave been modest. We are still a nation atrisk. We need another paradigm shift,where we look at our goals and aspirationsfor education, which are summed up inphrases like “No Child Left Behind,” “EveryStudent Succeeds,” and “All Means All,”and figure out how to build a system thathas the capacity to deliver on that promiseof equity and excellence in education for allof our students, and all means all. We’vegot that opportunity now. I hope we don’tfail to take advantage of it in a misguidedrush to restore the status quo.’’

(Source: The Harvard Gazette)

decided in August that it will requirestudents from kindergarten to Grade 12 towear masks at school where physicaldistancing cannot be maintained. TheTDSB, which is Canada's largest schoolboard, also said that it would use reservefunds to maintain varying classroom caps,including a max of 20 students in Grade 4-8 classes at schools in neighbourhoodswith higher levels of COVID-19.QUEBEC

With full-time classes set toresume in September, Quebec’s planincludes dividing elementary and highschool classes into “bubble groups” of upto six students who will not have tophysically distance from each other.

These bubble groups will have tomaintain a two-metre distance from otherstudents and staff whenever possible.Teachers will move between classroomsbased on the subject being taught, andstudents will remain in the sameclassroom.

Students in Grades 10 and 11 canchoose to either form their own bubble andattend school full-time or use an alternatingschedule, attending school at least everysecond day with the same class ofstudents, while participating in at-homelearning.

It’s not yet clear whether entire"bubbles" of students would be sent homeif one becomes sick, or if someone in thefamily of one of the students is sick.

The province announced Aug. 10that face masks will be mandatory for allstudents in Grade 5 and up, includingcollege and university students. The maskswill need to be worn in hallways,amphitheatres, school buses and commonareas, but not in the classroom or duringoutdoor recess.

Parents will be required to supplymasks for their children, but teachers willhave masks provided for them.

If a classroom or school isrequired to close due to a COVID-19outbreak, students will still receive 15hours of education per week online,including dedicated time with a teacher.NEW BRUNSWICK

In New Brunswick, full-timelearning will be mandatory, but will lookdifferent depending on a student's gradelevel.

Students from kindergarten toGrade 8 will attend school full-time ingroups of up to 15. Those groups willattend class, socialize and enter the schooltogether, maintaining distance from othergroups.

High school students will berequired to attend class a minimum ofevery other day, with reduced class sizes.The province is also providing financialsupport for students to purchase their ownlaptops to bring to class.

Masks are mandatory for studentsfrom Grades 6 to 12 when outsideclassrooms, and younger students areencouraged to wear masks as well.NOVA SCOTIA

All students in Nova Scotia willreturn to school in September withincreased health and safety protocols.Classrooms will also be reorganized toincrease spacing, and classes will betreated as a bubble, to minimize contactwith other students.

In-school assemblies and other

large gatherings will not be permitted. Aswell, cafeterias and school food programswill deliver food to students, and studentswill eat lunch at their desks.

High school students will berequired to wear a mask in school spaceswhere social distancing is not possible,such as in hallways and common areas.Masks will not be mandatory in class.PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Full-time classes will also resumein P.E.I., where staff will receive training onhow to maintain health and safetyprotocols within classrooms to mitigateinfections.

Parents are being encouraged todrive their kids to and from school toreduce the number of passengers onschool buses. Drop-off and pickup times,as well as lunch breaks and recess will alsobe staggered to avoid crowding.

When available, class sizes will bereduced in order to accommodatedistancing and students will work incohorts or bubbles.

Students are not required to wearmasks to school, but all staff and studentsin Grades 7 to 12 are “stronglyrecommended” to wear masks whenphysical distancing cannot be maintained.NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

Newfoundland and Labrador’sback-to-school plan aims to return to full-time in-class attendance with the option ofa return to remote learning or hybrid modelif the COVID-19 risk increases.

Individual school districts willdetermine what scenarios work best fortheir schools and are responsible forconfiguring classrooms and other spacesto maintain physical distancing anddeveloping protocols for hygiene and forisolating students who become ill.

Under some scenarios, theEducation Department will aim to limitclassroom sizes when the COVID-19 risk isconsidered low to moderate. Priority will begiven to students in kindergarten throughGrade 6, kids who have special needs, andfor children of essential workers.

Students and staff will also berequired to go over a COVID-19 exposureand symptom checklist before entering aschool.

Neither students nor staff will berequired to wear masks at school, but theyare allowed to wear masks if they wish. Theprovince says efforts should be made toensure that students who wear masks arenot “stigmatized.”TERRITORIES

In Nunavut, schools will reopen inSeptember with few changes, provided theterritory continues to be free of COVID-19.

In the Northwest Territories,school is set to resume but students andstaff will undergo daily COVID-19screening and maintain physical distancewith the help of new classroomconfigurations. The territory has alsomandated staggered recess periods andthat students wear masks when on busses.

In Yukon, each school will beresponsible for adjusting operations tomeet provincial guidelines, includingphysical distancing and reduced classsizes. School officials are expected toshare reopening details with thegovernment before September.With files from CTVNews.ca's BrooklynNeustaeter, Graham Slaughter andJonathan Forani

From Page 7 Reopening schools

Paul Reville says COVID-19 school closureshave turned a spotlight on inequities andother shortcomings

A former secretary of education forMassachusetts, Paul Reville iskeenly aware of the financial andresource disparities betweendistricts, schools, and individualstudents.

August 2020 9The North American Filipino Star

By: Tony A. San Juan, OCT-Ret.Mabuhay Philippines Virtual

Festival 2020, the pioneering flagshipproject of the Philippine IndependenceDay Council- PIDC is slated to take- offon August 22 and 23, 2020. This year'sevent titled "PAMANA" is the MPF'ssignature cultural edition to be virtuallycelebrating in the "world stage" the bestand proud legacy of the Filipinos.

The Philippines has a very rich

and vibrant culture and tradition datingback to the pre-Spanish time and untiltoday. "Pamana" is a Filipino term whichmeans "heritage" in English and"patrimoine" in French. It is justmeaningfully right this summertime,amid the pandemic health crisis, thatPIDC, a 23 - year old non-profit umbrellaorganization of Filipino Canadianvolunteers, professionals, communityleaders and advocates will beshowcasing and sharing with the publicthe home country's wonderfulpatrimony.

Purposefully the presentation isaimed at paying a special tribute toFilipino Front liners and Essential

workers around the world who havecontinually and consistently served andsacrificed to keep everyone safe andhealthy. PIDC salutes its many bravekababayans on their noble tasks! It hasthe support and the contributions madeby its virtual celebration partners,namely TD Canada Trust, The FilipinoChannel(TFC), World Financial Group(WFG) and Imperial World, Inc.

The PAMANA virtualpresentation will be hosted by MelissaGrelo, a Filipino-Canadian and anaward-winning host of Canada's topCTV program "The Social" & "Your

Morning" shows. A long-time supporterof PIDC, Cristina Carpio, Editor-in-chiefof a national lifestyle publication,MarQuee Magazine.will be a co-host ofthe virtual show. Among the starsappearing in the show are Miss Universe2018 Catriona Magnayon Gray andrenowned fashion designers ReneeSalud, Francis Libiran, ShanonPamaong, Kenneth Barlis, Jaki Penalosaand Ditta Sandico. Providing musicalentertainment for the fashion show are

Torontonians Ma-Anne Dionisio, MarthaJoy, Emilio Zarris, Josie De Leon, JeniferCamacho, Danny Orbillo and BelindaCorpuz. Also included are the fantasticentertainment acts, specialperformances, eye-opening interviewswith celebrities and popular CanadianFilipino TV media personalities making amark. There will also be importantmessages of support from severaldignitaries in the Canadian scene.

The simulated images event isproduced and coordinated by MabuhayPhilippines Festival Chair Norma Carpio,WFG-World Financial Group SeniorExecutive Vice-Chairman Agnes P.Miranda, PIDC President Ramon Estaris,

and ably supported by PIDC officers &members, local talents, techno whizzes,volunteers and other stakeholders.

The program will also bepromoted globally through MabuhayFestival partner, The Filipino Channel(TFC) and ABS-CBN along with otherPIDC partners worldwide. So come onnow! In the comfort of your homes,everyone is invited and encouraged towatch, learn and listen during the 2- daycelebration by checking the PIDCwebsite: www.pidccanada.ca andFacebook page: PhilippineIndependence Day Council

PIDC Slates Mabuhay PhilippinesVirtual Festival 2020

Katriona Gray’s parents: Father is a Scottish Australian, Ian Gray, andmother is Normita Magnayon from Oas, Albay. CATRIONA ELISARAGAS MAGNAYON GRAY, Miss Universe 2018.

Melissa Grelo (2nd from left) will host the Virtual Festival 2020.

The history behind Labour Daycelebrated every 1st Monday ofSeptember in U.S. and Canada

File photo of Toronto's 2011 Labour Day Parade. It's one of the largestof the many under way across the country today.Photo Credit: CBC

Before the 1880s, people heldsporadic festivities in connection withlarger labour movements. Somehistorians trace the origin of LabourDay to the Nine Hour Movement(1872).

Labour organizations began tohold celebrations more frequentlyfollowing a labour convention in NewYork in September 1882. Spurred onby this initial success, the AmericanFederation of Labor and the Knights ofLabor actively promoted workers’celebrations on the first Monday inSeptember in the United States. TheCanadian chapters of theseorganizations did the same. Recordsshow similar gatherings in Toronto(1882); Hamilton and Oshawa (1883);Montreal (1886); St. Catharines(1887); Halifax (1888); Ottawa andVancouver (1890); and London (1892).

Until the early 1950s, labourorganizations held similar Labour Daycelebrations throughout Canada. Theytread a fine line between politics andpleasure, maintaining the tradition ofthe Victorian-era holidays. The eventserved as a forum for unions to voicetheir demands. But it also helped buildworking-class identity and allowedtime for rest and socializing outside theworkplace.

The image of the tradesmanand the male breadwinner was frontand centre in the festivities. Althoughworking women attended and helpedorganize events by preparing food forparticipants, they rarely featured in theparade. The military-style marchingwas at odds with the image ofrespectability imposed upon women atthe time. But for a few exceptions, theirrole was limited to waving at the crowdfrom floats as wives or ancillaryworkers (see Women in the LabourForce). The absence of unskilled andnon-unionized workers also limited theparticipation of immigrant workers,members of racialized communitiesand Indigenous people.

The parade was the mainevent. Depending on the city, it couldattract thousands of participants andspectators. It became more elaborateover time. Drawing inspiration fromother popular parades, organizersadded floats and marching bands. InQuebec, the holiday had a strong

religious connotation. This grew withthe development of Catholic unionism.Particularly influential in Quebec wasthe 1921 creation of the CatholicWorkers Confederation of Canada. In1960, it became the Confederation ofNational Trade Unions.Decline of Labour Day

In the 1950s, Labour Dayfestivities began to draw fewer andfewer participants. In Montreal,organizers tried for a time to replacethe parade with a performance andceremonies. They saw little success,however. There were several reasonsfor this decline. According to historianJacques Rouillard, the emergence of aleisure and consumer society meantthat people were more likely to leavetown or relax with family than attend aparade. Participation decreased furtherdue to changes in the world of tradeunions. Craft unions had traditionallyorganized Labour Day events. But therise of industrial unionism,representing unskilled and semi-skilledworkers, changed the day’s impactand meaning. Not everyone identifiedwith the traditional “pride in the trade”message repeated during thecelebrations.

Often considered the lastsummer days of the year, Labor Dayweekend is one of the most populartimes to visit Montreal in the Québecprovince of Canada. The Septemberholiday is a long weekend in Canadaas well as the U.S., and no matter whatyour interests are, you're sure to findsome way to enjoy the holidayweekend—from sharing a delightfulsummer brunch with friends toattending a fetish festival to pickingapples on local orchards.

Although many attractions,offices, businesses, and governmentalagencies will be closed on Labor Dayin Montreal, there are still plenty ofevents and things to do over theholiday weekend.

Montréal offers all kinds of freethings to do in summer, including onLabour Day weekend. Relax, play andpicnic at Montréal's parks and greenspaces such as Mount Royal, whereyou can go on a walking tour or try birdspotting, row around Beaver Lake andtake in the view from the Kondiaronklookout and chalet.

August 202010 The North American Filipino Star

A private college designed to serve a multi-ethnic community offers these advantages:• small groups with individualized instruction• cozy atmosphere conducive to different

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Zenaida Kharroubi, director-general, presents a certificate ofachievement in French 1 & 2 to Romulo C. Grospe III, Jul 12/20.

Presentation of French Level 1 & 2 Certificates of Achievement

Divina Grospe

Reyna Reginio Erwin Duay

Adela Silverio

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August 2020 11The North American Filipino Star

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Batch 12 Practicum at Chateau Westmount

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August 202012

The North American Filipino Star

Cookingwith loveprovides

food for thesoul.

INGREDIENTS16 oz. butternut squash noodles2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oilKosher saltFreshly ground black pepperPinch crushed red pepper flakesFreshly grated Parmesan, for servingDIRECTIONSPreheat oven to 425°. Place noodleson a large baking sheet and toss withoil, salt, pepper, and pinch of redpepper flakes. Roast until tender andgolden in spots, 10 minutes.Serve noodles warm with Parmesan.

Turmeric chicken chunks served in alarge white bowl over rice withasparagus on the side.Easy turmericchicken is full of warm, rich spicesand comes out perfectly tender andjuicy! Plus, this recipe is just 4 mainingredients and ready in 15 minutes!PREP TIME5 minutesCOOK TIME10 minutesTOTAL TIME15 minutesINGREDIENTS2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil1 1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chickenbreasts, cut in about 1/2 inch cubes1 1/4 teaspoons turmeric3/4 teaspoon ground cumin3/4 teaspoon kosher salt1/4 teaspoon black pepper1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

(optional)Juice of 1/2 lemonINSTRUCTIONSHeat a large skillet over medium heatand add olive oil.Season chicken pieces with turmeric,cumin, salt, pepper and cayenne, ifusing.Add chicken to the pan and cook untilcooked through, 8-10 minutes, stirringoccasionally.Squeeze lemon juice over cookedchicken, serve warm and enjoy!NOTESUse boneless, skinless chickenbreasts but you could also do thiswith boneless, skinless chicken thighsthat you cut up into smaller pieces.The cayenne here is optional. It addsjust a hint of heat

INGREDIENTS1 kilo mussels, (wash and cleanthoroughly)2 cups coconut milk/cream2 red siling labuyo (bird’s eye chilipepper)2 tbsp olive oil1 tsp ginger, minced2 tsp cilantro, minced2 tsp lemon grass, minced2 tsp garlic, minced1 tsp sesame oilLime juice from 1 limePinch of Magic sarap (optional)INSTRUCTIONSIn pan heat oil, saute garlic, silinglabuyo, ginger and lemongrass.Add the mussels and add the coconutmilk. Cook till all shells open.Add sesame oil, lime juice, cilantro.Season with magic sarap, salt andpepper according to your taste.Simmer and constantly stir untilcoconut milk curdles and becomescreamy thick. Turn off heat.Serve in bowls with rice on the side.Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS:200 grams of fish filet,mashed (boiledin water with salt and pepper)1 cup of water from the boiled fish2 cups of flour1tsp baking powder1tsp salt1/2 tsp of pepper3 cloves of garlic,minced3 tbsp of minced onion3 tbsp of minced red bell pepper3 tbsp of minced scallion/onion leaves1 egg,beatenoil for fryingINSTRUCTIONS:Mix flour and baking powder together.In a bowl or food processor, mix allthe ingredients and stir well until allingredients are fully incorporated.Cover the bowl with a plastic wrapand set aside the mixture for 30minutes.Dip/wet a spoon in a glass of water,scoop some fishball mix/batter andmake a ball in your palm by the helpof the spoon.Deep fry the first fish ball batter in alow heat until the color turn into lightbrown. Taste it first and adjust thetaste of the mixture or batter beforefrying the next batch .You can make a perfect round/circlefish balls by forming it in your palm.Use extra flour if the batter will stickinto your hands. If you want to savesome of the fish balls for later use,you can boil them in a boiling waterand keep it in your freezer. Defrozethem later and fry.Use sweet and sour sauce for dip ormake a Filipino style fish ball brownsauce. Enjoy!!!

Filipino Style Fish ball Brown Sauce1 tsp vinegar3 tbsp soya sauce5 tbsp sugar2 tbsp of cornstarch diluted in 1/2 cupof water1 cup waterOptional Ingredients:1 tbsp minced onion1 tbsp minced garlic1 tsp minced chili

14 INGREDIENTSMeat4 oz Ham20 pieces Quail eggsSeafood1 lb ShrimpProduce1 piece Carrot1 can Cream of mushroom1 tsp Garlic1 1/2 cups Green peas1 piece OnionBaking & Spices1 tsp Salt and pepperOils & Vinegars1 tbsp Cooking oilDairy1/4 cup Butter1/2 cup Heavy whipping creamLiquids3/4 cup WaterOther3/4 cup Singkamas (cubed)INSTRUCTIONSMelt the butter in a cooking pan.Add the cooking oil.Once the mixture becomes hot, sautethe shrimp for a minute per side.Remove the shrimp and set aside.Meanwhile, saute the onion and garlic.Put-in the carrot and green peas. Addthe ham (this is an optionalingredient).Cook for 3 minutes.Pour-in the water (I used water withshrimp juice in the video).Let it boil.Cook for 1 minute.Add the quail eggs and shrimp.Stir.Pour-in the cream of mushroom andtable cream. Stir once more until theingredients are well distributed.Add water chestnuts, salt and pepper.Transfer to a serving bowl.Serve. Share and enjoy!

INGREDIENTS2 cups purple yam, washed, peeledand cubed2 cups sweet rice flour1-1/2 cups water1 cup sugar1-1/4 cup coconut milk4 tablespoons baking powder1/2 cup grated coconutINSTRUCTIONSCover yams with water and boil untiltender or soft. Drain and put througha ricer. Mash until smooth.Mix flour and water in a bowl to form athick batter. Add sugar and mashedyams. Blend well. Strain to removelumps. Add coconut milk and thebaking powder and mix well.Pour mixture into greased muffin pansto 2/3 full and steam over boilingwater about 30 minutes, or until atoothpick inserted comes out clean.Serve hot, warm or at roomtemperature, topped with coconut.Makes 3 dozen cakes.

Delicious and nutritious recipes

Butternut Squash Noodles

Easy Turmeric Chicken

Ginataang Tahong (SpicyMussels in Coconut Milk)

Homemade Fish Ball

Sipo Egg

Steamed Ube Cakes

August 2020 13The North American Filipino Star

Social TidbitsFely Rosales Cariño

Rawdon. The afternoon turned out tobe as enjoyable, if not more, becauseof the pleasant conversations whilefeasting on Dario’s drinks andbarbecue and enjoying the lovingpreparations of Lady Claire. AtRawdon, the boys James, Dario,Hadgel, etc enjoyed watching theladies and listening to their green jokeswhich made us convulsed withlaughter. Oh and they commented onthe ladies! Also attending the picnicwere Neonita Gatoc and son Jose,Alejandrina Ablog, Sir Ernesto &Cristine Galcon, Vina & CarlitoLacsamana with nephews, CherryPalmos, Stephanie Danzil, and othersfollowed in their respective cars.

Here are a few impressionsI’ve gathered from a few Montrealerswho recently visited the Philippines.Let me start with Rebecca Aguilar, apopular member of the Pasaway Clubof the Filipino Heritage Society ofMontreal (FHSM). She went home toBaco, Mindoro for a month especiallyto visit her ailing, 92-year-old sister.While there, she also met with relativesand friends. She visited her favoritemarket and enjoyed “halo halo”. Shewas surprised to observe cleanlinessall over the market and in the streets.She came back with a happy andmemorable visit except that a weekafter she arrived back here, her sisterpassed away. Where there ishappiness, there is also sadness.Condolences, Rebecca, from your linedancing and Pasaway friends. AnotherPasaway member who visited thePhilippines is Trining Jimenez whowent straight to Isabela. Shecommented that her town is superclean and that the streets are now verywide. She met with relatives,elementary and high school friends.She relates, “I saw my ex-boyfriendwho didn’t like the idea of my leavingour town to pursue nursing. After ashort and pleasant conversation, Imanaged to let him know that I amalready married to John FrançoisPayette of Montreal.”

Dolly Belandres from thePasaway club also went home toBangued, Abra for three months. She

arrived in time for the town fiesta, just afew days before the lockdown. Shewas only able to visit the beautifulrolling hills in Apao, Tineg, a 2-hourscenic drive among the green andrushing creeks. She exclaimed, “WhatI enjoyed best was eating the freshveggies I used to have and riding thetricycles wherever I went!” Anotherbalikbayan was Warlie Basbacio whocouldn’t hide her joy in seeing all herrelatives and friends. She enthused, “Iwent home to Naguilian, La Union, forthree weeks to visit relatives andfriends and primarily to discusseverything that relates to propertiesand real estate”. Apparently, sheneeds to go back again sometime tosell those properties once and for all.She said she liked the improvementsshe saw in her town like the newbuildings, a new mall, the cleanlinessof the public market and thebeautification done in their town plaza.

In the meantime, Sir Gerry &wife Lady Linda were too busy to goaround but didn’t miss visiting Poracay(with a “P” so as not to confuse it withBoracay) in Pampanga. While there,they visited the new house of anotherMontrealer, Sir Budz Sarmiento wholives in Mendez, Cavite. They, too,noticed improvements on bridges andbuilding infrastructures, peace andorder in their town and in NonoyAquino International Airport (NAIA),and general cleanliness! They werethere for 6 weeks to visit theirhometown of Alcala, Pangasinan andspent days bonding with his highschool friends. However, he statedwith a tinge of dejection, that he wasunable to see some relatives, collegeclassmates, especially his fraternitybrothers belonging to Omega RhoOmicrons in Central Luzon StateUniversity (CLSU). But he couldn’thide his joy in his present and futureventure –completing to build his housein Deca Home Subdivision in Angeles,Pampanga.

Lastly, may the God of hope fillyou with all joy and peace as you trustin Him (Romans 15:13). God Blessand see you next issue!

Thankfully, the great weather ishere! Who could have thought that2020 will give us the most memorableAND unbelievable summer of all? Themost awaited season of the year whenteachers and students look forward toa lot of sun and fun, fishing aficionadosready their boats and equipment, plansfor camping, cottage trips, backyardbarbecues, and staycations … allthese were turned upside down by theCovid 19. Little by little we havereturned to normalcy as stores, mallsand restaurants opened their doors toeager customers! While we await dailynews from health authorities, we havelearned to go about our daily routine.We hope and pray that in the midst ofadversity, we learn what really mattersin life, our loved ones, our health, ourrelationships, etc. Let’s bring oursupplications to the God of Hope andlift up our nation, our leaders, ourcommunity, the frontliners, the afflicted,our neighbors, you and I. Let us prayfor wisdom, healing, and peace tonavigate these uncertain times to theOne who knows for certain what is yetto come.

With limiting the number ofpeople that can congregate at one timein one place, President of the ChessClub Manny Lagasca mobilized hismembers for picnic in the park. CherryPalmos, Vice President of FilCan SocialClub sent me pleasant news about theCovid-19. Of course, when clubmembers get together, there is a chessgame or a tournament of some sort.Food was a-plenty, delicious, and inlarge quantities. After a long‘seclusion,’ everybody seemed to have

relished a return to some sort offreedom, yes!

The second organization thatventured into the great outdoors weresome officers and members of thecouncil led by Sir Dario Boco(President of the Council of FilipinoCanadian Associations of Quebec,CFCAQ) & wife Lady Claire. This wason August 8 when many of Montreal’senthusiasts were out in force. Thedestination was Rawdon Resort,Quebec and although we made tablereservations, we found ourselvesstruggling to find a spot. Despite thesearing heat, the sun displayed itself inregal splendor and we determined toenjoy the delicious food we all brought.Dario & Claire brought passengerswith them in their black Jeep. Theywere followed by Gerry & wife Lindawith passengers in their red Jeep.CFCAQ past President Sir James andLady Rose De La Paz were with WarlieBasbacio and yours truly in their redJeep – thus completing the jeepbrigade! We had fun just sitting underthe shade with the refreshing windblowing around us. Doris Tabo-oy wasthe videographer of the day. TheRawdon resort boasts severalentrances. One entrance displayed asilent and calm river, while anotherentrance showed the rapids that drewthe bikini-clad crowd. Many wentswimming but none of us did, exceptthe three youth members who rented akayak each and enjoyed paddlingthrough until the hour was consumed.After lunch we all drove to Dario’s &Claire’s residence and enjoyed thefood we weren’t able to consume in

permit allows it.Students already in Canada for

the winter, spring and summer termswere assured that they wouldn’t losetheir eligibility for a post-graduation workpermit if they were forced to completemore than 50% of their program online,reduce their studies to part-time or takea break from their studies completely asa result of restrictions on classroomlearning due to the pandemic.

Until August 31, 2020,international students are permitted towork more than 20 hours per week off-campus during their academic session ifthey are employed in an essentialservice or function.##

COVID-19: Back-to-school RallyAugust 23rd, 2020

On the eve of teachers’ return toschool and only a few days before thereturn of students, parents, students andschool staff rallied in front of the officesof the Minister of Education to expresstheir concerns and their dissatisfactionwith the back-to-school plan.

According to participants, toomany questions remain unanswered,especially since the new school servicecenters have until the 15th of Septemberto present their emergency measures, afull two weeks after school activitiesresume. The last school year wasprofoundly affected by the COVID-19pandemic. For school staff members,significant concerns about health andsafety in the workplace remain: “Manyschools are already in a sorry state.Problems with mold, ventilation,plumbing… our schools were alreadymaking us sick and the custodial staffwas already overworked. Now, we aretold we will have to disinfect classroomsand materials, and everyone must washtheir hands many times a day. Wecannot imagine how we will accomplishall this!”, says Élyse Bourbeau, a highschool teacher.

We also question how alleducational services will be maintainedin this context, particularly for vulnerablestudents and those with special needs.The back-to-school plan calls for therespect of all regular provisions as wellas extra measures for catching up and

consolidating pedagogical material fromlast year. Teaching staff is asked to“provide particular attention to thenegative effects caused by the pause inschooling” as well as providingeducational services to students who willnot be attending school in person.However, no additional resources havebeen announced: “Obviously, as usual,we will do all we can for the well-being ofour students. But we were already beingasked to do more with less, long beforethe pandemic. We would have liked toreceive some additional support. The 20million dollar investment announced atthe beginning of the week -- that’s barelyenough for one new hire per school”explains Alex Pelchat, elementaryteacher.

The pandemic has also movedahead many of our colleagues'retirement plans, which is no help to theteacher shortage we have experiencedfor several years now: “Our colleaguesare retiring or changing careers, othershave health risks and will not return towork in person. Additionally, with Law21, we are excluding qualified teachingstaff on the pretext of maintaining

secularism in schools. In short, we reallywonder if there will be one teacher perclass, and how we plan to replace theseteachers if they were to get sick!” addsPelchat.

Despite these concerns,teaching staff will be at their poststomorrow morning, masks anddisinfectant gel on hand. “It is definitelyworrisome, and we still have manyquestions, but we will be there towelcome and reassure our students. Wewill not, however, do so at the risk of ourhealth and the health of the students. Ifwe are not provided with secureconditions and sufficient resources to doour work safely, we will not hesitate toincrease the pressure” concludes ÉlyseBourbeau, “When our contractnegotiations resume, it might be a goodtime to make our voices heard.”Information and interviews:

Alex Pelchat Anglophone media): 438-830-0420 alexguypelchat@gmail.com

From Page 7 Eligibility

August 202014

www.filipinostar.org

The North American Filipino Star

For Golden, the pandemic is theperfect time to ‘give than receive’

Golden Cañedo originallyplanned to have a debut party forher 18th birthday last April 5. Shehad decided to have it in Manilainstead of her native Cebu, andshe already had a theme in mind.

The COVID-19 pandemichad her scrapping all that.

But while things didn’t turnout as she had imagined, hercelebration ended up being moremeaningful, when the youngsinger used the money she hadsaved up to buy rice, which shehad distributed to her townmatesin Minglanilla.

“I was talking to my lola,who told me that lots of peoplethere lost their jobs and are goinghungry. They weren’t ready,” shesaid in a recent video interview.“So I told my mother that insteadof having a party—which is justone day of eating—it would bebetter if I could give people food.”

This time, Golden wouldrather give than receive.

“Lining up for gifts or aidduring Christmas and otheroccasions was something I haveexperienced. I know what it feelslike to receive something. But Ialso remember dreaming that,one day, I would be the one doingthe giving,” related Golden, whoalso hopes to do benefit concertsfor those affected by the ongoinghealth crisis.

Golden, who won the firstseason of GMA 7’s talent search

“The Clash,” is doing wellmentally and emotionally. Butwatching the news can be a bitdispiriting, she admitted.

“You realize that a lot ofpeople are suffering. That’s why Itry to bring some cheer to myfollowers by posting somequotes. My music is alsosomething I use to make peoplefeel that they’re loved. I believethat’s one of the things I can offeras a singer,” she said.

Aside from the debut party,the quarantine also thwartedsome of her scheduled gigs. Shewas especially looking forward tothe Florida concert she was set todo with Martin Nievera and Jayaearly this year.

“Wala namang hinayang. Ifthis isn’t the right time for me, thenI will just continue singing. Ialways hope that there’s a nexttime and a next year. God has aplan for everything,” she said.

Golden’s latest single,“Walang Hanggang Sandali”(GMA Music) is the work of fourformidable artists andcomposers—Jim Paredes, YumiLacsamana, Ebe Dancel andHerbert Hernandez. The ballad,which talks about destiny andchance encounters, is also theproduct of Filipino Society ofComposers, Authors andPublishers’ first master camp.

“I feel honored to havebeen entrusted with this song,

because I look up to itscomposers and listen to theirsongs,” she said. The songresonates with her, Golden said,because she met her nonshow bizboyfriend in a “chanceencounter.” “We met each other inNew York during a show there.Then, we started messaging eachother,” related Golden, whorecently marked her andboyfriend’s first anniversary.

“He lives in the US, sowe’re in a long-distancerelationship. But I hope I can visithim soon when it’s safe,” sheadded. Being in a romanticrelationship has given her moreconfidence to interpret lovesongs. “Because I can now relateto the song’s message, I feel like Ican give it more justice,” shepointed out. “But otherwise … if Ican’t fully relate to the song, I justtry to put myself in the story.”

Golden is making the mostof her time at home studying forschool, honing her singing andguitar-playing skills, making vlogsand trying her hand at writingsongs.

“I have always been ahomebody, so I’m not so sadabout not being able to gooutside. I have been learning a lotof new things,” she said. “Andbeing with my family is more thanenough for me to be happy.” �

Golden Cañedo

Women are finally speakingup about injustice.

Three years after thenewsbreaking story that caused theupheaval of Hollywood, moviemogul Harvey Weinstein startsserving time for rape and sexualassault. The women who steppedforward to testify against him onceagain share their stories inDiscovery Channel’s documentary"Harvey Weinstein," premiering onFriday, July 17, at 9:50 p.m.

In this hour-long special,viewers will hear testimonies fromfive women whose efforts helped inconvicting a long-standing predatorwho relied on his influence andmoney to escape accountability.Among them are Rowena Chiu,Weinstein’s former assistant whowas previously bound by a non-disclosure agreement, and AmbraGutierrez, an Italian-Filipino modelwho captured an audio recording ofWeinstein’s misconduct.

As a sign of support for themovement, Filipinos recounted theirown experiences of sexualharassment by posting on socialmedia with the #MeToo hashtag.Years after the movement gainedmomentum, the fight for women’srights and gender equality in thePhilippines continues as evident inthe recent issues of rape culture andvictim blaming challenged throughthe #HijaAko hashtag.

Follow the stories of the fivewomen who dared to speak againstthe injustices they experienced andgain access to previously unseendocuments and forensic evidenceconnected to the landmark case forwomen’s rights on Weinstein. Tunein to Discovery Channel on SkyCable CH 39, Cignal TV CH 140,and Destiny Cable CH 56. �

#MeToo,#HijaAko:Filipina recountsHarvey Weinstein

Ambra Gutierrez

August 2020 15The North American Filipino Star

www.filipinostar.org

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Brace yourselves for a ‘beauty- less’ year

Let’s start with the goodnews: The reign of the 2019 queenshas been extended to next year, nothanks to the invisible enemy that hasrudely disrupted life as we knew it,including the staging of beautycontests. They are: Bb. Pilipinas-International Patricia Magtanong, Bb.Pilipinas-Globe Leren Mae Bautista,Bb. Pilipinas-Supranational ReshamSaeed, Bb. Pilipinas-IntercontinentalEmma Mary Tiglao, Miss WorldPhilippines Michelle Dee, MissUniverse Philippines Gazini Ganadosand Mutya Pilipinas Asia Pacific KlyzaCastro.

Except for the 2020 MissEarth Philippines which held its

pageant online (hosted by PaoloBediones and won by Roxie Baeyens)several weeks ago and the 2020 MissUniverse Philippines (to be staged bythe new team led by Shamcey

Supsup and Jonas Gaffud; until lastyear, it was the Bb. Pilipinas Charities,Inc./BPCI that picked the country’sMiss U bet) will be pushed throughmaybe in October, the other pageantshave been postponed to next year,including Mutya Pilipinas Asia Pacific,Miss International, MissSupranational, Miss America andpresumably Bb. Pilipinas (noannouncement so far).

“It will be a relatively ‘beauty-less’ year,” rued Arnold Vegafria,franchise-holder of the Miss WorldPhilippines pageant. “We are notholding it this year. The Miss Worldpageant where our winner competeshas been moved to next year.”(According to Gaffud, there’s noannouncement yet if the MissUniverse pageant will still be held orpostponed and, if ever, it will be thefirst time since its founding in 1952.)

But don’t despair, beauty-contest lovers. There’s a consolationaccording to BDO executive and Aces& Queens member Gerry Diaz(Funfare’s other “beauty expert”).

“They can watch many‘beauty-ful’ shows,” he assured. “Nicealternatives.” �

The reign of 2019 Binibini beauties is extended, from left: Bb. Pilipinas Supranational Resham Saeed,Miss Universe Philippines Gazini Ganados, Bb. Pilipinas International Patricia Magtanong, Bb. PilipinasIntercontinental Emma Tiglao and Bb. Pilipinas Globe Leren Mae Bautista.

Senator Ramon "Bong" RevillaJr. revealed today that he will bedischarged from the hospital and willcontinue his novel coronavirus disease2019 (COVID-19) treatment at home.

In a Facebook post, the actorshared the "great news."

"The doctors have cleared mefor discharge. I am so excited to gohome. Hindi pa po tapos ang akingpagpapagaling, but they said I amstrong and well enough to continuetreatment at home," he said.

"Again, maraming maramingsalamat po sa inyong mga panalangin.Sobrang nakakataba ng puso anginyong mga ipinarating na dasal atmga words of encouragement and wellwishes. I cannot thank all of you

enough."Yesterday, the solon shared in

a separate post that he is respondingwell to his medication and treatmentafter he was rushed to the hospital dueto pneumonia.

In his Facebook page, theactor-politician thanked his supportersfor the prayers and concerns.

"Maraming salamat po sainyong lahat na hindi bumitaw at tuloy-tuloy na nagdasal para sa akingkalusugan," Bong said.

"I am responding well to thetreatment and medication, and withyour prayers, I am beating COVID-19."

Bong thanked God for guidingthe health workers in this difficult time.He also express gratitude to allfrontliners for their sacrifice for thecountry.

"Thank you dear God forguiding all health workers and givingthem the strength to push on in thesedifficult times, and blessing them withyour healing hands for them to in turnheal us," he said.

"Salamat sa mga doktor atnurse na susi sa aking paggaling atpaggaling ng marami nating mgakababayan. Thank you all. Thank you."

Last August 10, Bong sharedthat he tested positive for COVID-19shortly after someone from hishousehold and a member of his staffgot the deadly virus. �

Bong Revilla to be dischargedfrom hospital after receivingCOVID-19 treatment

Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr.sharing his COVID-19 status fromhis hospital bed.

2019 Miss World PhilippinesMichelle Dee.

2019 Mutya Pilipinas Asia Pacific Klyza Castro.

August 202016

www.filipinostar.org

The North American Filipino Star

When ABS-CBN was denied ofits franchise renewal last month,among the thousands of employeeswho lost their jobs are the network’ssuperstars like Liza Soberano.

“It’s so weird to be not doinganything when you’re so used to doingeverything like I had the routine ofwaking up at five in the morning to goto a taping and then on weekends Iwould have commercial shoots. Andwhen all of that goes away, it was likeeverything was deafening silence. Iwas like ‘Is it the end of the world, endof my life, now?’” Liza confessed onwhat her "new normal" felt like in arecent interview with Philstar.com andother media for her launch as newNivea endorser.

Apart from losing her high-rating TV series “Make It With You” withboyfriend Enrique Gil, Liza was forcedto close her spa since such businessesare still restricted under communityquarantine.

“Of course, I miss the relaxingfeeling of the spa, but of course, oursafety is what matters,” she said.

Out of job and out of business,Liza thought of starting anew byventuring into what she previously hadno time for: Vlogging.

“It’s because Tito Ogie (Diaz,her manager) also told me that since Iwill not be so visible on TV anymore, Ihave to be more visible elsewhere.Also, during the pandemic, I realizedthat I couldn’t connect to mysupporters anymore because we aren’tseeing each other, I don’t have aproject. I want to put an effort for thembecause they’ve put in so much effortfor me. I want to put in more effort tomake them more happy, forentertainment.”

Besides as a platform toconnect with her fans, she looks at hervlog as a digital channel for her

advocacies.“At first, I didn’t know what to

do, I didn’t know what to think of it, butas time went by during quarantine, Irealized that there’s more to life. Irealized that there are a lot of things Ihaven’t figured out about myself, ofcourse, and about the things that Iwant to do in the future. And of course,I realized that it’s important to startbrand new.”

In terms of career, Liza istaking it day by day and is eager toaccept projects that come her way.

Related: Ogie Diaz confirmsLizQuen got offers from GMA, TV5,Viva

“The one plan that is concreteis I want to finish my studies. Hopefully,to become a counselor in the future,”shared the star, who also dreams ofbeing a future humanitarian.

To those who lost their jobsduring the pandemic just like her, Lizasaid: “I just want to let them know thatthere’s something to be hopefulabout… It doesn’t really matter whatother people say. What matters is whatis important for you.”

Similarly, she asked people,especially on social media, to be moresensitive about others’ feelingsespecially since studies show anxietyis on the rise due to the pandemic.

“The people around youshould also be more sensitive of whatto say. Be more or conscious of thewords to say to other people. Weshould try to be nicer to everybodyespecially since we’re all goingthrough the same thing,” the actressenthused.

“It’s not good to pick up onother people’s flaws, making fun ofpeople. It’s time for everyone toconnect more together in battling thecrisis.”

‘It’s important to startbrand new’: Liza Soberanoon restarting after ABS-CBN shutdown

Actress-turned-Carmelite nunChin Chin Gutierrez asked topray for Philippines amidCOVID-19 pandemic

Liza Soberano

It happens every time theelection season is approaching — theguessing game is that Willie Revillameis casting a misty-eyed look at the2022 elections.

In the 2016 elections, rumorsflew thick and fast that Willie wasrunning for an unspecified positionand location, and the same thinghappened in 2019. The speculationmust be generated by the fact thatWillie has been helping Filipinos in direneed during the pandemic through his

GMA show Tutok To Win (TTW) whichhe put up in March while locked downin his Puerto Galera’s little paradise.

Two weeks ago, heannounced a donation of P5 millionfrom his own wallet for jobless jeepneydrivers reduced to begging on thestreets, pledging the same amountnext month. That’s beside the financialhelp he extended to the families of theOFWs who perished and were injuredin the Beirut explosion, and the dailycash prizes (ranging from P5,000 toP50,000, and more) that he gives awayto lucky TTW viewers (mostly fromdepressed areas).

Now, isn’t there any, well,“strings attached” to his friendshipwith Presidential Spokesperson HarryRoque whom Willie very kindlyaccommodated in his Wil Tower bybuilding there a small studio whereSec. Roque used to hold his briefings?

“I just want to help thegovernment,” said Willie.

Once and for all, can hecategorically say what his 2022 plansare?

“Gusto ko simpleng buhaylang at makatulong,” said Willie.

If he can help many people asit is, as an entertainer, why mess it upby jumping into the political arena? �

Former actress Chin ChinGutierrez is now a full-pledged nun,according to veteran showbizcolumnist Lolit Solis.

In her Instagram account,Lolit said she's happy that Chin Chinfulfilled her calling.

"Ang gandang balita nangayon ay isa ng full pledgedCarmellite nun si ChinChin Gutierrez.Magandang balita dahil mula saglittering world ng showbiz heto siChinchin Gutierrez isang mahusay naactress pero mas pinili ang spiritualgrowth," Lolit wrote.

It was March last year when

rumors circulated that Chin Chinbecame a Carmelite nun and is nowreportedly known as Sister Lourdes.

"Nuon pa balita na pumasoksi Chinchin sa kumbento, isangmalaking hakbang papunta sasisterhood at heto ngayon, isa ngmadre ng Carmellite mission," Lolitsaid.

"Isang mahusay na artista namas pinili ang maging madre upangmasilbihan ang spiritual needs ngtao," she added.

Lolit then asked for Chin Chinto pray for the country in the midst ofthe pandemic.

"Pray for us Sister Chinchin,iyan ang kailangan natin ngayon, angdasal ng mga tulad mo. Pray for us,"Lolit said.

Before becoming a nun,ChinChin was an award-winningactress known for her roles in"Maalaala Mo Kaya: The Movie," "SaAking Mga Kamay" and "Jose Rizal,"to name a few.

She was also an environmentadvocate and the founding chairmanand president of the ecologicalfoundation Alaga LAHAT, which shecreated in 2006.. �

Is Willie running in2022?

Willie Revillame (with PresidentialSpokesperson Harry Roque):Happy just to serve the needy

Chin Chin Gutierrez

August 2020 17The North American Filipino Star

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Erich Gonzales, Dominic Ochoaand Derek Ramsay gave fans aglimpse of the house each of themlives in.

“Welcome to my humblehome. This house is a reflection ofmy personality. Simple andminimalist,” read the description ofErich’s “House Tour” on herYouTube channel.

According to her, it’s one ofthe “most requested” videos byfans and so she finally granted it.

The 29-year-old starshowed her living room. It has highceiling, with furniture and roomdécor in neutral colors. Her sofaand six-seater dining table arecustom-made.

And Erich seems to be a“plantita” as her living room,powder room, kitchen and diningarea have different types of plantsand flowers!

The Kapamilya actress alsoshowed her lanai and garden. Thetour also included a glimpse of herdirty kitchen, laundry area, stockroom, maid’s bedroom, andgarage where her vehicles areparked.

Erich’s backyard has spaceready for herbs and spices to beplanted.

At the end of the video, theactress revealed how she got herhome.

Erich said she bought theland when she was 22 years old.After years of saving up for it,construction began in 2014. Thehouse was completed that year.

“And to make the storyshort, six years old na ang bahay.So bakit ito ‘yung napili kongpatayuan ng house? It’s because Ireally fell in love with the view.Imagine lang waking up to that

every day,” she shared. “Parangit’s clean and I feel like I’m superclose to nature kasi kung maririnigniyo ‘yung mga chirping ng birds.Dito, makakakita kayo ng iba’t-ibang kulay ng butterflies,caterpillars; super daminghalaman, puno; super ganda ngsunset and sunrise.”

Of course, Erich is proud ofthe house because it’s product ofher “hard work.”

Dominic’s tour was throughStar Magic’s online show“Welcome Kayo Dito.”

Upon entering the house,the 46-year-old actor said they giveimportance to guests’ safety aswell as the residents so the use ofthe automatic alcohol dispenserand disinfecting mat are must.

Their Mediterranean-inspired crib is already four yearsold, yet it’s neither fully furnishednor finished.

The actor expressed hisdesire to buy artwork made by hiscolleagues in showbiz, particularlythose by Solenn Heussaff, HeartEvangelista, Joey de Leon, RichardGomez, and Xian Lim.

He believes paintings athome are “good conversationpiece.”

In the “clean” kitchen anddining area, Dominic showed howhe and his wife have beenproductive amid quarantine byselling fruits and different types offood like dips, ice cream, wagyu,and gourmet tinapa jars. Dominic,himself, delivers the good aroundtheir village.

He also gave a glimpse ofhis wife’s teacup collections.Dominic collects vintage carsincluding a 1968 VolkswagenBeetle convertible, a 1978 Ford

Celebs give fans apeek into their palatialhomes

Escort, a 1995 all-original RangeRover, his 2018 Vios Cup car, andone from his college days which heconsiders his “lucky car.”

He also showed his “smalltoys” as 2013 Piaggio VespaPX200 and his son’s Monkey Bikeor Honda Z series and YamahaPeeWee.

The actor bought the lot in2009, then started building thehouse five, six years later.

Dominic pointed out that allthroughout construction, he wasvery hands-on and picked everyitem; from the Machuca tiles to theappliance and furniture.

“‘Yung structure — ‘yungcontractor (gumawa nu’n) perolahat ng nakikita niyo from tiles,electrician, finishing, ref, aircon,bubong, finishing sa bahay — akopo ang nag-asikaso nu’n,” heshared.

He finds the task to be “verytherapeutic.”

Derek gave a glimpse of hisnew home that has a “resort” feel.

On GMA’s “Unang Hirit,”the actor showed his four-floorhouse that has its own elevator.Quite homey, there are sixbedrooms and different areas likethe gym and entertainment room.

Anyone who walks throughhis house will most likelyappreciate the modern

architecture, artwork by Filipinoartists, and the glass doors thatlead to lap pool.

“I like to stand (where), inevery place, I could seeeverything,” he said, about his highceilings living room and widedoorways.

However, the “nicest room”in the house isn’t for him.

“I put a room on the bottomfloor for my parents so, fingerscrossed, papayag na silang tumirawith me,” he shared. “My dad’s 77,and I want them to be with me na.It might happen, and I’m verynear.” �

Derek Ramsay

Erich Gonzales

August 202018 The North American Filipino Star

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TV director LesterPimentel Ong shared an untoldstory of how Kapamilya actressAngel Locsin became a real-lifeangel when she saved astuntman's life.

In his Facebook account,Ong recalled when a stuntmanon the set of their former TVseries "La Luna Sangre" gotheavily injured that was notwork-related.

“Gusto ko lang shareang experience ko working withthis person. There was one

time, isa sa mga stuntmennamin got heavily injured,naputol ang pinakamalakingbuto nya sa hita sa isangaksidente na hindi workrelated,” he said.

“Ang pobreng stuntman,naospital sa orthopaedic centerng mahigit isang buwan, ubosang ipon at malaking chancehindi na siya makakalakad mulidahil hindi na niya afford angmga susunod pang operationna kailangan gawin,” he added.

The director shared thatAngel, along with her driver,visited the hospital and paideverything for the stuntman.

“One late night ng kontina lang tao sa public hospitalkung saan nakaconfine siinjured stuntman, dumating siyakasama lang ang driver niya...kinumusta si stuntman,consoled his wife and mom,then asked the person in chargeof the hospital how much wasthe accumulated bill atmagkano pa ang kakailanganin

para makalakad pa ulit sistuntman. Agad nyangbinayaran ang bill, nagiwan ngpabaon at encouraging wordssa pamilya, then she left,” Ongsaid.

In an interview withEsquire Philippines, Ong saidAngel helped the stuntman notonly recover, but also regain hisjob. As such, he is now one ofthe country's most in-demand

action directors.As such, in his Facebook

post, Ong described Angel asthe "real Darna" and "a true herobehind the camera."

“Siya si Angel Locsin,she is the real life Darna...herosya kahit sa likod ng camera,kahit walang nakatingin atwalang nakakaalam... I justneed to share my story of her." �

'Real-life Darna': Director lauds Angel Locsinfor saving stuntman's life

Angel Locsin with Direk Lester on set

Angel Locsin

Thank you for reading The Star!

North American Filipino Star reader - photo taken at a Bus Stop 124 Victoria/Plamondon (Credit: Daniel Wiener)

August 2020 19The North American Filipino StarThe North American Filipino Star

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PM cites parents' worries, offers provinces$2B for school safetyRachel AielloOttawa News Bureau Online Producer@rachaiello ContactPublished Wednesday, August 26, 20209:47AM EDTOTTAWA -- The federal government issending “up to” an additional $2 billionin to provinces and territories for them tocover the extra costs of ensuring thatstudents will be safe when the fall schoolyear begins, Prime Minister JustinTrudeau announced on Wednesday.

With schools preparing towelcome back students and return to in-class learning for the first time since theCOVID-19 pandemic was declared inMarch, parents across the country havebeen concerned about the level ofinfection control precautions schoolboards will have in place.

"While every year is different,this September will be unlike any you’vehad to deal with before. Parents and staffare anxious about what the school yearwill hold. As a dad, and a former teacher,I get that,” Trudeau said.

The prime minister made theannouncement at a school in Toronto.The new funding is on top of the $19billion “safe restart” plan, which isfocused on helping provinces andterritories reopen their societies safely.The money is being sent through a new“Safe Return to Class Fund” in twoinstalments: a first portion this fall, andthe second in “early 2021.” It will bedistributed based on the number ofstudents between ages of four and 18 ineach region, and the decision to split thefunding up is to “ensure that provincesand territories have support for thewhole school year,” according to thePrime Minister’s Office.

On Wednesday, the primeminister made the announcement at aschool in Toronto, alongside Minister ofFamilies, Children and SocialDevelopment Ahmed Hussen, DeputyHouse Leader Kirsty Duncan, andLiberal MP Judy Sgro. The new fundingis on top of the $19 billion “safe restart”plan, which is focused on helpingprovinces and territories reopen theirsocieties safely.

Trudeau told the premiers aboutthe incoming funding on Tuesday, as itwill be up to them to determine how bestto spend it, with some facing questionsabout the adequacy of school ventilation

systems and ensuring there is enoughhand sanitizer and staff on hand to keep

classrooms clean.Given education is largely a

matter of provincial jurisdiction, Trudeauemphasized that the provinces will makedecisions about school and studentsafety when classes resume. Hedefended the federal government’sinvolvement, denying wanting to appearas if the Trudeau Liberals were coming inat the eleventh hour to push provinces todo more.

“Over the past week or so, I'veheard from so many Liberal MPs, somany parents across the country whoare still extremely worried about howthat reopening is going to go,” Trudeausaid. “Now, we've seen the provinces putforward plans for that reopening. Andyou know, they are confident that they'redoing what is necessary, but parents arestill concerned. So we said, ‘Let's givethe provinces even more resources tobe able to do everything that isnecessary to keep our kids safe.’”

The prime minister said that$112 million is also being sent to helpschools in First Nations communities.

With just weeks left beforestudents return to school, NDP LeaderJagmeet Singh called on the federalgovernment to provide this funding assoon as possible, so that the requiredsafety enhancements can be put inplace in time for the first day back.

“There is a real need to seedollars that are tied to schools beingsafer, and specifically what the

healthcare experts and what the schoolexperts are saying: classroom sizes. We

need smaller custom sizes, and so thedollars for provinces should beconnected to this requirement thatactually go towards making schoolssafer,” Singh said.

People for Education ExecutiveDirector Annie Kidder said the funding isa first step, but it’s possible that morewill need to be spent once the schoolyear gets underway and outstandinggaps are identified.

“What's really important is thatit's a message that this is understood asa national problem, that the federalgovernment has to be involved in this,”Kidder said in an interview on CTV NewsChannel. “We're going to have to beflexible, kind of collaborate, beimaginative on what needs to happen,certainly for kids for example, who arelearning online. We can't just rely ontheir families to support them. It's notsustainable, it's not equitable.”

Among the concerns thatparents have expressed to CTV Newsare the lack of smaller class sizes,making physical distancing a challengein some places, and how schools plan tohandle confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Many parents are having toweigh these worries against thechallenge of keeping their childrenhome and continuing distance learningwhile balancing their own work andpersonal responsibilities.

“Our children must be safe inthe classroom. That’s non-negotiable.

No parent should be losing sleepbecause they have to go back to work,but aren’t confident schools are properlyprepared,” said Trudeau. “Once peopleknow their kids are safe, they can getback to work with less worries.”

Last week, Trudeau was askedif he would be sending his children backto school in September, and he said hehadn’t yet decided. Trudeau’s threechildren attend public school in Ontario.

“Like so many parents, that’ssomething that we are in very activediscussions on,” he said. “We arelooking at what the school’s plans are.We’re looking at class sizes. We’relooking at how the kids are feeling aboutwearing masks.”

Ottawa mom Rosalie AwadMacInnis and her husband have madethe decision to send their two childrenback to school in September.

She said the move has broughta mix of excitement and anxiety,knowing that their two kids—going introgrades three and five—will be gettingback a more structured routine and getto see their friends, but knowing thingswill be different.

“We're taking a bit of that risk,we feel like the school boards are doingas much as they can. We know it's notgoing to be perfect, but we're going togive it a try, prepare them as much aspossible and you know if things changedramatically, if cases go up and we feeluncomfortable about it, or if they're reallynot doing well in the environment, we'llbe ready to bring them back and try thevirtual school,” she said.

The maximum funding eachprovince and territory will receive is:Ontario: $763.34 millionQuebec: $432.15 millionAlberta: $262.84 millionBritish Columbia: $242.36 millionManitoba: $85.41 millionSaskatchewan: $74.90 millionNova Scotia: $47.88 millionNew Brunswick: $39.79 millionNewfoundland and Labrador: $26.18millionPrince Edward Island: $10.39 millionNunavut: $5.75 millionNorthwest Territories: $4.85 millionYukon: $4.16 million

With files from CTV News’ AlexandraMae Jones and Brooklyn Neustaeter

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau makes an announcement at YorkwoodsPublic School, in Toronto, Ont., on Wednesday, Aug., 26, 2020. THECANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

Harris, a breast cancer specialist, hadmoved to Montreal to perform researchwork at the Jewish General Hospitaland teach at McGill University.

“I’m very proud of Kamala,”former classmate Hugh Kwok told theMontreal Gazette in a telephoneinterview Tuesday. “She was a specialperson, kind and thoughtful, alwaysvery interested in helping everyone.”

Harris’s 336-page memoir, TheTruths We Hold: An American Journey,doesn’t shed much light on herMontreal years — devoting only twopages to that period of her life.

Upon arriving in Montreal,Harris and younger sister Mayaattended the Notre-Dame-des-Neiges

school on Côte-des-Neiges Rd.because their mother wanted them tolearn French. The only French wordsthe 12-year-old Harris knew when shefirst arrived came from her ballet class,the San Jose Mercury News reported ina May 2019 story.

As Harris wrote in her book: “Iused to joke that I felt like a duck,because all day long at our new schoolI’d be saying, ‘Quoi? Quoi? Quoi?’ ”

Some observers, such asformer Canadian diplomat andnewspaper columnist Norman Spector,wonder what Harris really made of theexperience.

“What we need to know now iswhat memories — good and/or bad —Kamala Harris harbours of Montréal,Québec and Canada having lived

among us and having attendedWestmount High School,” Spectorwrote on Twitter Tuesday.

Kwok, who runs the WinghoAuto Classique dealership in Montreal,recalls Harris being a “very popularstudent” in high school. “She was veryinvolved in the student association andmany different clubs. She was veryactive.”

Kwok says Harris and himselfwere part of a group of 10 WestmountHigh students from the Class of 1981who went on to study at U.S.universities after graduating.

While Harris attendedWashington, D.C.’s Howard University,majoring in both political science andeconomics, Kwok went to the Universityof Michigan on a tennis scholarship.

Though injuries prevented him frommaking it as a professional athlete, hesays he never forgot the moral supporthis American friend provided.

“Kamala would see mecarrying all my bags and she’d alwayshave a supportive word for me,” herecalled. “She’d say: ‘Go for it Hugh!”That’s her character. She alwaysencouraged me to stick with mydreams. It’s unfortunate that we didn’tkeep in touch. I don’t follow politics, butyou can bet I’ll be watching Nov. 3.”

ftomesco@postmedia.com

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