Manila Media Monitor -- JUNE 2009

YEAR 12, No. 12 JUNE 2009 Home Paper of the 1999 Canadian Ethnic Journalists’ and Writers’ Club Winner for Best Editorial Toronto, Ontario

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1212

Dancing To Be A Star - 33

INSIDEINSIDEOoops & Bloops

LiberalLiberalthinking,thinking,

a formula? a formula? - 7- 7

Too old toToo old togo to school?go to school?Not me, saysNot me, saysNanay RosaNanay Rosa

- 13- 13

Over a third of $75,000, targetted for the construction of 30 homes in a “Filipino-Ca-nadian Village of Unity” in the Philippines, was raised during the Uniting For A Cause: A Farewell Dinner-Dance For The ConGen on May 22.

Event organizing commit-tee chairman Jojo Querubin said $12,760 in cash dona-tions and $15,000 in pledges - translating to at least 11 homes in the village - were made during the event that honored Philippine Consul General in Toronto Alejandro Mosquera, whose tour of duty would be completed by June’s end.

Cash donors included Tony and Milagros Kal-loo who shared $10,000; the Leyteño Association of Ontar-io, $2,500; Jacque and Crissy Cuenca, one house; Yvette Escalano, $160; and Appline Aldea, $100.

ANCOP (Canada) Interna-tional, Inc. and Gawad Kalin-ga, headed by its President and CEO Ricky Cuenca, would facilitate the establishment of the village and the construc-tion of the homes.

Besides the donations and pledges, event proceeds total-ling $4,294.79 would also go to the Village of Unity, said Querubin.

“We did not reach our goal of $75,000, but we will con-tinue to look for potential do-nors to complete this village,” he added.

The committee chairman said the event became a great success because of the people who came and uncondition-ally shared - in ‘bayanihan’ fashion - their time, health and wealth in a gathering meant to honor ConGen Mosquera, who wished for a community that would collectively help

(To page 14)

Farewell bash forConGen Mosquera

raises funds forVillage of Unity

Community marks 111th Independence Day

Proud salutations of “Mabuhay!” resonated in mid-June in Canadian towns and cities where Fil-ipino communities are ma-king a big difference.

“Mabuhay!” is a Filipi-no vernacular that means “Long Live!” but is most often used as a greeting of patriotic acknowledgment, lasting friendship and sin-cere respect.

“Mabuhay! I am proud to be a Filipino; just as I am proud to be a Canadian,” said longtime Toronto resident Risa Molina, 49, as she proudly waved a Philippine tricolor side by side with a Cana-dian Maple Leaf.

Molina is one of the tens of thousands of immigrant and temporary resident Filipinos who joined family, friends and neighbors in one of the many activities organized on different June dates by Philippine diplomatic posts and community groups across Canada to mark the 111th anniversary of the June 12, 1898 Declaration of

Mabuhay!Mabuhay!

(To page 3)

The Filipino-Canadian com-munity in Manitoba and newly sworn-in British Columbia Leg-islative Assembly member Mable Elmore have made their kababay-ans proud as both made recent history.

50-year milestoneIn Manitoba, the legislative

assembly recognized 50 years of Filipino immigration to Manitoba and cited the community’s impos-ing social and economic presence in the province.

The assembly approved on May 26 a resolution from mem-ber Kevin Lamoreaux (Liberal, Inkster).

Lamoreaux cited how, in 1959,

“a handful of healthcare workers and a few others who originated from the Philippines made the decision to make Manitoba their home.”

He said that “over the last 50 years, the population of the Filipi-no community has grown through live births and immigration to an estimated 50,000 people.”

Manitoba, he added, socially and economically benefited from the many contributions the Fili-pino community has made in all sectors of Manitoba society.

He said the Philippines has remained Manitoba’s primary source of immigrants.

Filipinos in Aurora Week

Aurora Mayor Phyllis Morris signs official proclamation of “Filipinos in Aurora Week” from June 7 to 13, 2009, in council chambers. Witnesses are Philippine Consul General Alejandro Mosquera (left) and Canada Philippines Business Council president and proclamation author Forte Gerardo. PR

Manitoba LA cites Fil-Can presence;1st BC MLA of RP descent takes oath

(To page 28)

PIDC Dancing ToPIDC Dancing ToBe A Star launch - Be A Star launch - 3737

Live atLive atPIDCPIDC

Mabuhay!Mabuhay!FestivalFestival

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3newsnewsMANILA MEDIA MONITORJUNE 2009

Mabuhay!(From page 1)Philippine Independence.

On that historical date, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo raised the Philippine flag in Kawit-Viejo, Cavite and de-clared the Philippine Islands free from 333 years of Span-ish colonial rule.

“However, for many Juan dela Cruzes in Canada, the mid-June celebrations might as well be a comple-menting solemn declaration of loyalty to adoptive land Canada, which marks its own special day on July 1,” Molina told the Manila Me-

dia Monitor.But just the same, the

Filipino community across Canada was treated to vari-ous civic, social, religious and cultural activities cel-ebrating a common history and heritage.

Flag-raisingIn Toronto, the Philip-

pine flag was hoisted in sep-arate flag-raising ceremo-nies at the Nathan Phillips Square (8 a.m.) and Queen’s Park (12 noon) on June 12.

In both occasions, Phil-ippine Consular, Toronto

City and Ontario Province officials read messages highlighting the significance of freedom day for Filipinos and their contributions to the city and province’s so-cial and economic growth.

Community laudedAt Queen’s Park, site of

the Ontario provincial par-liament, the Ontario Liberal Caucus said:

“The Filipino commu-nity deeply enriches our so-ciety, serving as a model of connection to family, tradi-tion and culture and sharing (To page 4)

Philippine Consul Imelda Panolong (2nd from right) leads officials and community leaders in raising the Philippine tricolors at the Nathan Philips Square on June 12. PR

World War II veteran Alex Parucha, a member of the Filipino American Veterans Association, proudly displays the Philippine flag. Parucha served as a sergeant under the United States Armed Forces in the Far East and fought in Corregidor and Bataan; marched in the 97-kilometer Bataan Death March to Camp O’Donnell in Tarlac in 1942 and was held as a prisoner of war by the Japanese at Camp O’Donnell. He subsequently escaped. Parucha turned 92 on June 19. Photo: MARIO DIMAIN

a fervent love for their new home in Canada.”

“(The June 12) ceremony was an opportunity to hon-our Filipino heritage and say thank you for (the Filipino community’s) contributions to our province. By working together, we help to make all of Ontario stronger.”

Ignatieff greetingLiberal Party leader Mi-

chael Ignatieff said that be-yond remembering the addi-tion of the Philippines to the world’s family of nations, celebrating the anniversary of Philippine independence “provides an important op-portunity to recognize the contributions made by the many people of Filipino de-scent here in Canada to the social, economic and cultur-al fabric of our country.”

“The Filipino communi-ty in Canada has grown sig-nificantly in the last decade, with an average of more than 20,000 people each year choosing to immigrate to Canada from the Philip-pines,” Ignatieff said.

“Canada is now home to more than 400,000 people of Filipino descent, and we are all richer for their ongoing contributions to Canadian life. The dedication and hard work of Filipino Canadians have been instrumental to Canada’s success,” he said.

Other activitiesBetween the flag-raising

ceremonies, a breakfast-en-tertainment program ensued at the foyer of the Toronto Police Service headquarters.

At the Philippine consul-ate, Consul General in To-ronto Alejandro Mosquera, Consul Imelda Panolong, Vice Consul Edna Mae Lazaro and staff welcomed

guests and visitors to an open house.

Also on June 12 in Brampton, the Federation of Filipino Canadians had its separate flag-raising cer-emony and activities.

Kalayaan, PIDC eventsEarlier on June 6, the

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4 newsnewsMANILA MEDIA MONITOR

JUNE 2009

President Jun Enverga leads officers of the Philippine Independence Day Council in assuring the suc-cess of the June 6 Independence Day Gala Night at the Double Tree Hotel by Hilton. At least 650 at-tended the event where Secretary of State Peter Kent was guest speaker. Photo: JOEL B.

Mabuhay!(From page 3)Kalayaan Filipino Cultural Organization (Kalayaan) and the Philippine Indepen-dence Day Council (PIDC) hosted a gala night at the Double Tree Hotel.

The next day, Kalayaan had its community picnic at the Mississauga Valley Park, with a Mass, parade and en-tertainment.

On June 13, Kalayaan staged Malayang Pilipinas at the Living Arts Centre. Written and directed by Eno Mascalado Kalash, the pre-sentation told of the jour-

ney of Philippine freedom through interpretative songs and dances from local talents and the Culture Philippines Organization, Folklorico Filipino Canada and Fiesta Filipino dance troupes.

Remember Dr. RizalAlso on June 13, PIDC

had its annual Independence Day fete dubbed as Salo-salo sa Earl Bales Park.

PIDC president Jun En-verga said the gathering highlighted by food-sharing, games and entertainment

(To page 6)

5MANILA MEDIA MONITORJUNE 2009

6 MANILA MEDIA MONITORJUNE 2009 newsnews

Some 4,000 magkababayans went to and had fun at the Philippine Independence Day Council (PIDC) Salo-salo Sa Earl Bales Park on June 7. They shared food, exchanged ideas, played games, watched an entertainment program, and had more in the community picnic. Thirteen teams competed in the volleyball championships and at least 14 booths were put up during the event. PIDC will cap its activities with the Mabuhay! Festival at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on July 18. PR/Photo: RUDY CASTRO

Mabuhay!(From page 4)“not only exemplifies the cohesiveness of members of the Filipino community in Toronto. It also brings to the fore the essence of be-ing Filipino.”

Enverga said the salo-salo was also an occasion to honor Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal and cel-ebrate his birth anniversary on June 19.

Dr. Rizal is immortal-ized with a bust in the park, a favorite gathering place of the Filipino community for years past.

FCT treatFor two days, on June 13

and 14, the Filipino Centre Toronto (FCT) spearheaded its annual freedom day fes-tivities with a Pista sa Nay-on (Town Feast) theme.

FCT publicist Aida D’ Orazio said the Santacruzan on June 14 was a blast, drawing a big crowd at the Nathan Philips Square.

Fourteen women, beauty queens in their own right, represented Biblical characters and simulated the popular Filipino religious

and cultural tradition as they joined a procession around the square.

This year’s Reyna Elena is Celine Zoleta, Miss Manila 2009. With her are (To page 11)

Annabelle Chipongian, Ms. Paraluman 2009, as Reyna Emperatriz; Rachelle Perez, Miss Teen GTA (Globe), Reyna de las Flores; Rachel Ann Loberas, Miss Manila

2nd runner-up, Reyna del Cielo; Nicole Malinay, Reyna de las Estrellas; and Sheena Fortuna, Miss Teen Petite GTA, Reyna de las Virgines.

Other reynas are Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe members Janine de Vera as Reyna Banderada; Margarita Arrojado, Reyna

The Don Mills Aloha Dancers (above, left) under Linda Etzkorn and the Kayumanggi Dancers (above, right) perform at the Filipino Centre Toronto Pista sa Nayon cultural show at Nathan Philips Square. AIDA D’ ORAZIO/Photos: NOLI’S GALLERY

ACE ALVAREZ

Liberal mindedness: Formulafor an independent country

7VIEWSVIEWSMANILA MEDIA MONITORJUNE 2009

(To page 26)

See photo below? That one went with an announcement related to the celebration of the anniversary of Philippine independence day this month?

Just the exact formula for an independent country: liberal thinking people!

***A press release sent by

Philippine Courier publisher Ramon Datol, under singer-restaurateur Cecille Araneta’s name states, “Sensuous performer Jen Camacho is

expected to burn the stage of Sunrise Restaurant when she unfolds a very special Fathers’ Day show on June 20, 2009.”

Jen, please don’t do it. That will be arson.

***E-mail received by Filipino-

Canadian publications in Toronto on March 30 from PIDC Mabuhay Festival Chair Minda Neri:

“Hell all,“If you have not received this

full page ad from Jun Enverga, pls see attached and please include in

your next publication.“If you have received them

already, please ignore this email.”Minda must be exhausted

dealing with the Filipino media. (But of course, it was a slip of the fi nger. She meant “Hello all”. She apologized in the subsequent e-mail.)

***Press release sent by NDP on

June 4: “New Democrats Seek to Ban Racial and Religious Profi ling”.

… and I thought all the while

that since the time I arrived in this country, there had been a ban on this.

***Roasting of PIDC members

and Enverga family friends Danio Penuliar and Gene Elamparo at the surprise birthday party tendered by Jun Enverga and daughters Rystle, Rocel and Reeza to PIDC president, or rather PIDC fi rst lady Rosemer Enverga, at the Wyndham Garden Hotel, May 30:

Danio: Gene do you know that Jun was awarded a presidential award recently and they went back home to see the president of the Philippines?

Gene: Yah! I heard, kaya

tawag ako kaagad sa house nila and congratulated “ROSEMER”.

***Danio: Alam mo bilib na

bilib ako kay Rosemer, sa lahat ng bagay ma-aasahan mo ....

Gene: Ay naku talaga, ‘wag mo lang paglulutuin, hah !!!

***Danio: Gene, trivia questions

tayo about Rosemer. How well do you know her ... what is Rosemer’s best leadership quality?

Gene: DELEGATION !!!! ***

Danio: What is Rosemer’s favorite expression?

Gene: Hay naku terible,

“Mom, after all we were able to pull up this big event without your help,” seems to be what Rystle (2nd from left) -- oldest daughter of PIDC’s Rosemer and Jun Enverga is saying to her mom during Rosemer’s 50th birthday celebration as her sisters Rocel and Reeza laugh about it, knowing that their mom has the golden touch in the organization and execution of big community events. The surprise party for Rosemer was held at the Wyndham Garden Hotel in North York, On-tario on May 30. Photo: MANILA MEDIA MONITOR

Managing EditorACE ALVAREZ

EditorBUTCH GALICIA

Associate EditorGIE ALVAREZ

Contributing EditorsBen Viccari

Ricky CaluenMag Cruz HatolGrace P. FreiresManny FreiresPete LacabaMel Tobias

Editorial AssistantsLennart Leigh Alvarez-Mahoney

Dods Andrada

ContributorsEva Agpaoa

Mario DimainNoel PeradaLarry TorresEdwin AcunaBien Garcia

Jeannie Pilapil

Account ExecutiveMYRNA SORIANO

GraphicsIDTech Solutions

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[email protected]

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Say those words now

RoundaboutMAG CRUZ-HATOL

From TheMonitor’s Desk

ACE ALVAREZ

Some things Filipinoshave to live with

8 VIEWSVIEWSMANILA MEDIA MONITOR

JUNE 2009

12 years of dedicatedcommunity service

There is something not right when a congressman is invited to a graduation ceremony, confirms his attendance and then makes the gathered throng wait for three hu-mid hours.

A representative from Iloilo, known for running his own phar-maceutical company and recent-ly, for successfully pushing the Generic Drugs Bill, recently stood up hundreds of graduates at a lo-cal school.

He also sent the parents and guests of the graduating batch home and to their fields, not hav-ing witnessed the ceremony they anticipated for four years.

Again, there is something bi-zarre when a man who gives up his career and political associates to squeal on them in favor of na-tional preservation gets harassed by government and ends up being incarcerated instead.

The Jun Lozada episode is all too familiar because it finds repe-tition in the controversies starring JocJoc Volante of the fertilizer scam, Virgilio Garcillano of the Hello Garci shame and a string of others where whistle-blowers turned modern-day martyrs ended up being crucified, tables having been turned on them instead.

It is becoming a way of life in the country.

People seeking to set things right find themselves at the re-ceiving end of accusations from the very officials whose salaries and lifestyles his taxes sustain.

Plastic is also inextricably at-tached to our existence today, it being the wrapper and bag of choice in virtually every business enterprise.

Sail from any pier of Manila, or Cagayan or Iloilo.

In nearly every square foot of water floats jellyfish-like items.

A recent quixotic effort to clean up the Pasig River brought to shore (no pun intended) tons of plastic that have been clogging up the erstwhile lifeline of the city.

Pass by the infamous Smokey Mountain and you will see a mon-strous mound of soil, yield from years of decomposition from all the garbage that had been spewed by profligate households.

Popping out of the mountain’s crevices are the resilient and eter-nally durable plastic bags waiting for another century before they are reclaimed as soil.

The motorcycles zip by, weav-ing in and out of traffic, motor or

human. They have replaced the jeepneys and taxicabs as the de facto kings of the road and are in every local newscast for the amaz-ing variety of mishaps they figure in.

In no time at all, the Philip-pines may overtake Laos and Cambodia in the number of man-gled citizens.

It is easy to secure any form of license in the Philippines: mar-riage, professional, drivers, busi-ness. In fact, even diplomas and transcripts of academic records can be fabricated.

Hence, we must contend with full-fledged college grads who have never even attended a day at the university, driving motor-cycles with licenses acquired mi-nus attendance at any traffic rule school, going to phoney employ-ment agencies armed with coun-terfeit documents.

A newspaper article published locally months ago said it suc-

cinctly: Corruption is a Way of Life.

It chronicled a day at a gov-ernment bureau and described all forms and manner of corruption that the writer witnessed in less than eight hours of transaction.

There are hundreds of thou-sands of such offices around the country.

There are at least 240 working days annually.

It is unfathomable to imagine the massiveness of corruption that happens just in one year.

Senator Loren Legarda was right in her calculation.

Of the billions earmarked for the national budget, forty percent goes to debt servicing.

Thirty percent, at the very least, slips into the hands of cor-rupt officials.

Little wonder the country is poor. Only 30 percent of its scheduled budget actually goes to manage the over seven thousand islands populated by nearly 90 million people.

Thankfully, there is now a mushrooming of movements among the intelligentsia and the youth sector seeking to restore moral ascendancy through elec-tions.

All the above should be a thing of the past.

That is the common battlecry. A lot of noise is being made. Could it be that by year 2022,

the Philippines will finally emerge as an Asian dragon?

A week before Father’s Day, one father got a letter from his daughter, as follows:

“Dear Daddy,“At the risk of sounding cliché,

‘if anyone should ever write my life story for whatever reason there might be, you’ll be there between each line of fame and glory, ‘cause you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

The father thought that the letter was a copy of the lyrics of one popular song, but the daughter continued:

“One of my favorite memories is listening and watching you sing karaoke at home years back.

“I still get weepy, wishing that I could turn back the time.

“I still have your old (home) recorded tape.

“I once mentioned to someone that I’ve yet to see anyone else’s heart break more than yours if you were unable to grant your children’s wishes.

“That is only one of the many things that no one else has ever shown me in my lifetime.”

The daughter closed her letter, “I love you daddy. I love you more than words can say.”

Some years back, a close female friend told me after her dad passed away that she was not able to see him as frequently as she had wanted with the very busy life that everyone has in this country.

Uttering with sobs, she said, “I took it for granted knowing that he’s just around. Now, it’s too late to do that.”

In another situation, one father told me during a conversation that

one wonder for him was why one of his children only communicates with him on “Thanksgiving Day” (not even Christmas, nor New Year’s Day, nor his birthday), regardless of the fact that they both live in the city – not far from each other’s residences.

Yet, one of his children would call him and his wife daily, even only to say, “How are you today?” yet he stressed that when he and his wife reared them in accord with the same guidance, rules and equal love.

One phone conversation also brings a similar situation.

One father mentioned to me that his son had just phoned him seeking advice, proceeded to tell me what it was about and ended with, “It’s funny. My son phones me in situations like this one, but never remembers me on anything now after he has married and looking after his own children,” stressing, “But what can we do, we never end to be fathers to these grown-ups.”

Regardless that this piece was written in time for Father’s Day, and with the comments above that brought to my recollection conversations about children, I summon children, especially the grown-ups, to express their affection for their parents (including their mother) while they are around.

Oh yes, time is now as we boomers or zoomers won’t be

around too long, children!In my, and my wife’s case,

we are lucky as parents for our children have repeatedly expressed their love and gratefulness for the way we reared them.

At about this time last year, this corner published a letter of a son to his father – which came from our son, Christian.

This year, the note which opened this column came from our daughter, Lennart Leigh – a parent herself rearing three young children with her husband Matthew.

On behalf of my wife and myself, I want to mention that we are also grateful for having Lennart Leigh and Christian as our children, with the former giving us three bundles of our joy -- our grandchildren Russell, 9; Abigail, 4; and Delilah, 2. (Photo below)

A matt er of taste

CommentaryBEN VICCARI

9VIEWSVIEWSMANILA MEDIA MONITORJUNE 2009

(To page 26)

(To page 26)

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Love the Maple LeafDear Editor,I enjoyed very much Ben Viccari’s article and I commend him

for writing about the man who brought Canada its own flag.I must share though some tidbits about the flag that was missing

in Mr. Viccari’s article.Actually, we Canadians have to be thankful to the Egyptians for

the creation of the Maple Leaf flag of Canada.When Lester Pearson brokered that peace deal during the Suez

Canal crisis, for which he won the Nobel Prize for Peace, he wanted to send Canadian troops as peacekeepers in the Suez to seal the peace deal with Egyptian President Gammal Abdel Nasser.

Only problem was Nasser refused to accept Canadian peace-keepers because Canada then was using the Union Jack as its flag.

The Egyptians did not want to see on their soil the hated Union Jack, the flag of the British Empire.

That woke Canadians, especially Lester Pearson to the reality that we should have our own flag.

So the search began for a flag design that would last years in the making.

In the meantime, opposition leader John Diefenbaker was vehe-mently opposed to the idea of replacing his beloved Union Jack.

He was even doubly incensed when the final design of the flag included red representing the British heritage of Canada and white representing Canada’s French heritage.

Diefenbaker only saw the colour red which for him represented the liberal party.

But as everyone agrees, the Canadian flag is a wonderfully de-signed piece of artifact, well-balanced and unique among the flags of the world.

In his intense opposition to the Maple Leaf flag of Canada, Diefenbaker even went on to embarrass himself.

On the eventful day of the hoisting of the new flag, part of the protocol was to lower the Union Jack so the new Maple Leaf flag can replace it.

In front of thousands that gathered on Parliament Hill and with millions watching all over Canada and the world, as the Union Jack was being lowered, John Diefenbaker broke down and cried, sob-bing like a boy that just lost his toy.

That’s why we have to love the Maple Leaf as so much history was woven into it, and it was won through blood (in Suez Canal), sweat (of Lester Pearson) and tears (of John Diefenbaker).

MANNY BADE, Toronto, ON.

Many Canadian fi lms have tried so hard to be different that too often the result never lives up to the promise.

Now here comes Let Him Be, which its makers insist isn’t a mockumentary but more properly a “documentary” that is to say a fi lm made in documentary style without the laughs.

The fi lm asks What if John Lennon hadn’t died from that assassin’s bullet back in 1980?

Let Him Be started a week’s run at the AMC Metropolis 24 Theatre, Dundas Square in Toronto on May 29.

It was then to travel on to Vancouver.

Let Him Be plays like a real documentary fi lm as Tim Bennett, a young Toronto fi lm maker discovers a fragment of fi lm showing an elderly man who looks like Beatle John Lennon.

He persuades his girl friend and fi lm making partner, Kathleen to join him in a search for the man he believes really is the iconic Lennon

In a small northern Ontario town they learn of a reclusive local named Noel Snow who could be the man they’re looking for.

To divulge the rest of this plot would be to deprive you of the suspense that builds in this fi ne movie.

Sean Clement as Tim and Kathleen Munroe as Kathleen play well under the direction of Peter McNamee, who was also the screenwriter.

Not only the principals but the entire cast are perfect in their roles as typical small town people.

I particularly liked Barbara Baker as the owner of a diner and Graham Wignall as Stanley Fields, Noel’s companion.

Unfortunately the sin of pessimism tempts us to consider the distribution fate of many other Canadian fi lms.

It is fervently hoped that Let Him Be will fi nd its way to DVD as quickly as possible.

***Britain’s Daniel Craig, who has

proven himself a very good actor

in fi lms like Munich, Defi ance and Copenhagen does not endear himself to me as James Bond.

The new treatment shows for Bond as a cold blooded killer and a torturer and Craig plays his part so well, when he’s allowed to act in between all those confusing high-tech chases, that he repels me.

This new, humorless Bond is light years away from the original created by Sean Connery, my all-time favourite.

And Connery is no one-trick pony as he has proven in so many fi lms like The Name of the Rose for which he merited Britain’s top movie award and The Untouchables winning him an Oscar.

Even though licensed to kill, the old Bonds as played by Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan and others did so when up against a real threat to their lives or the lives others.

Who can forget Connery in From Russia With Love, the fi ght to death in a railway carriage between Bond and the Red Grant the Irish terrorist? Pretty low tech stuff, but nail biting.

I recall another sequence when Connery threw an electric fan into a bath tub to polish off his adversary.

CONNERY AS BOND

If you gonna sing it, sing it right!

PerspectiveRICARDO J.S. CALUEN

Martin Nievera’s ren-dition of Lupang Hinirang at the recent Pacquiao-Hatton fi ght has stirred enough controversy as to inspire the introduction of a bill (it passed third and fi nal reading recently) in the Philippine legislature that criminalizes the improper singing of the National Anthem as arranged by composer Julian Felipe.

One could face stiff penalties of up to P100,000 in fi nes and two years in prison for violating the new law (once signed by the President).

Salient provisions of the bill call for the rendering of the National Anthem according to Felipe’s marching tempo or within the range of 100 to 120 metronome, in 2/4 beat when played and in 4/4 beat when sung.

(It is impossible to sing the anthem following its original martial beat - it will leave you breathless.)

The history of our national anthem, from the inception of its music to the

introduction of the lyrics, is as rich as the nationalist sentiments it hopes to awaken in us.

General Aguinaldo had a march composed by a Filipino musician while in exile in Hong Kong but he did not fi nd this satisfactory.

In the week preceding the declaration of Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898, the Caviteño musician and composer Julian Felipe paid his respects to the general while visiting with Gen. Mariano Trias.

It was then that Aguinaldo requested Felipe to compose a march that “can inspire our men to fi ght the enemy – something which embodies the noble ideals of our race ... I want something more stirring and more majestic.”

Hence, the original title of Marcha Nacional Magdalo (referring to the Katipunan council to which Aguinaldo and many of his Caviteño comrades-in-arms belonged).

Eventually, it was

renamed Marcha Nacional Filipina, Philippine Hymn and fi nally, Philippine National Anthem.

Going over the various versions of the lyrics of the national anthem - now offi cially called Lupang Hinirang (Chosen Land is the more accurate translation) - reminds me how old I am.

I learned to sing the English version (by Camilo Osias and the American Mary A. Lane) when I was in Grade One in 1962.

The RVM nuns of St. Michael’s College in my native Iligan City even

once propped me atop an empty kerosene can to be the conductor and lead the entire studentry in the singing.

My music teacher Mom had primed me to do the job, making sure I maintained the “4/4” beat - which is really the correct way of singing the anthem, not the funereal tempo that many sadly follow.

At the time, I did not fully comprehend the lyrics that I now fi nd very beautiful:

Land of the morning, Child of the sun returning, With fervor burning,

Thee do our souls adore.Land dear and holy,

Cradle of noble heroes, Ne’er shall invadersTrample thy sacred shore ...

In 1963, when I was in Grade Two, President Diosdado Macapagal signed a presidential proclamation mandating that henceforth the national anthem would only be sung, in the Philippines and abroad, in its Pilipino version, or Lupang Hinirang.

Thus did all school children start singing the anthem in Pilipino.

This version was actually conceived in 1956 during the incumbency of President Magsaysay.

Gregorio Hernandez, the Secretary of Education at the time, formed a commission to revise the Tagalog words of O Sintang Lupa (composed by Julian Cruz Balmaceda, Ildefonso Santos, and Francisco Caballo), which was approved as the national anthem in 1948.

I got to sing the Spanish

lyrics of the anthem in my Spanish 4 class (Philippine Literature in Spanish).

The lyrics of the anthem were actually fi rst written in Spanish, the poem titled Filipinas by Jose Palma having been set into Julian Felipe’s composition in 1899 when the fi rst Philippine Republic was aborning in 1899.

The Spanish version was a tongue twister, were one to pronounce the words with the Spanish lisp as my Madrid-educated professor Señor Faigal would insist:

Tierra de dichas, del sol y amores,En tu regazo dulce es vivir.Es una gloria para tus hijos,Cuando de ofenden, por ti morir ...

Minor revisions were made in the 1960s in the lyrics of Lupang Hinirang, the fi nal opus being the handiwork of Felipe Padilla de Leon, which is what we continue to sing today.

At the height of martial law in the Philippines (when I was also completing my

Canadian grown

The 3rd EyeMARIO DIMAIN

10 VIEWSVIEWSMANILA MEDIA MONITOR

JUNE 2009

Public Responsibility

OmertaBUTCH GALICIA

Of all the animals roaming this planet, it is without a doubt that Homo Sapiens reign superior.

We are that breed, created special with solemn responsibilities to be the guardians of Planet Earth.

As humans, we have the power to tame the wild and build communities out of wilderness.

We are people, endowed with many creative abilities and one of them is the special ability to dream.

Whether we dream big or dream small, the cost is free.

But when followed through, the fulfi llment can bring its ultimate glory.

The great explorer, John Cabot sailed away with his dream across the big seas and discovered a new land.

He found a vast land fi lled with many opportunities and new beginnings.

It was also the ground that embraced the fl ow of the early settlers from the United Kingdom, Europe and China.

They were the hardworking groups of people who built the land as a strong nation.

They opened the doors to the fl ocks of immigrants, so they too can fulfi ll their lifelong dreams, the dream to be free and the dream to build better lives.

This beautiful land where dreams are bountiful is known to the rest of the globe as Canada, one of leading countries of the world today,

Just like other immigrants, I also had a dream.

When I was a child, I would sit down by the sandy coast line of Zambales and look as far as my eyes could see across the South China Sea, and then I would

imagine the good life that awaits me beyond the horizon.

I fantasized a place where all poor children have toys to play with and still be able to eat good meals three times a day.

I imagined a nation where the poor and the rich are treated equal.

I dreamed of a country where authorities are

respected rather than feared.

These lively thoughts and vivid imagination would amuse me for hours, but it also made me wonder if there was really such a place.

My children have lived my childhood dream.

It is Canada that made it happen.

Although they were

raised in Filipino values and have South East Asian features, they are Canadians.

They were all born in this country.

They are part of Canada’s diverse multicultural society that is interwoven with mutual desire to protect and preserve the greatness of this nation.

Unlike my children, I

am not Canadian born. But in my thirty-four

years in Canada, my heart grew loving this country that adopted me.

And it is not far from the truth to say that I am Canadian grown.

I feel I am just as Canadian as my children.

We all share the same loyalty to the fl ag of this land.

I love Canada.This is where I belong,

the country of all nations. This is the place where

all ethnic backgrounds are treated with dignity.

It is also the place where freedom and equality are strongly upheld.

My fondness for this country is better expressed in my photo journal of its people and mixed cultures; cities and towns; and its breath-taking natural beauties.

It is my ardent wish that on my fi nal day, my family bury me in this land, the land that has been my home for more than half of my lifetime.

I hope and pray that on my resting ground, wild fl owers will bloom to silently tell the clouds in the sky, “Here, lies a man who fulfi lled his dream and forever grateful to Canada.”

Our JourneyEVA AGPAOA

Eva Agpaoa is out-of-town. Her column will resume next issue. The Editor

Public Relations (PR) is Public Responsibil-ity. That was exactly what Philippine PR guru Tony Vasquez got me to believe and hang on to when he gave me that rare, although short, chance to work with him at the PR department of the Metro Rail Transit Corp. (MRTC) in the late 90s.

PR is Public Respon-sility. That was also ex-actly what I told the Fifth National Public Relations Congress when I spoke, as a case presentor for Anvil Awardee MRTC, before the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) gathering at the EDSA Pla-za Hotel on Sept. 26, 1997. The PRSP aptly themed the congress Reinventing Pub-lic Relations for the 21st Century.

Whether he either ex-pressed it in the least but most meaningful of words, showed it in his most pro-fessional actions, or sim-ply made me feel it with a sincere smile or a pat in the back, I knew Mr. Vasquez was bequething to me an abbreviated but comprehen-sive human principle: PR is Public Responsibility.

He changed - 360 de-grees - my lingering percep-tion of PR as Big Brother’s systematic schematic tool to suppress public conscious-ness and then forcibly in-gress into it the I, Me, Mine

(my apologies to the Bea-tles) of a person’s, a juridi-cal entity’s, a corporation’s or even a charity’s pro-grams or projects - mostly, big fundraisers and mon-eymakers - that, except for donor image profiling and state-guaranteed tax cuts, only benefit those involved in such endeavors.

PR is not just a Promo-tional Resource nor just a Press Release. He shunned the idea of press releases and statements to the media that highlight too many self-serving adjectives and show only the shining side of a multi-dimensional coin.

He would always re-mind me that a press release should go beyond just pro-moting and making popular a person, a juridical entity, a service or a product.

It should be free of lies, propaganda and disinforma-tion (half-truths dished out by brainwashers to enforce public acceptance).

A press release should be complete, concise and objectively written, hiding nothing from a public it is begging for the reading and acceptance.

Truth in PR never hurt anybody. Mr. Vasquez had been resolutely right in making me understand the importance of truth in PR.

More than anything else, truth in PR breeds transpar-ency that, in turn, builds

public respect, confidence and belief in the person, the juridical entity, the service or the product.

Keeping things away from the public only raises more doubts and opens a Pandora’s Box of questions that may be hard to later an-swer, if not before a mob of angry men or before the ci-vility of a court of law.

Colorful motivational PR websites may get a big number of hits; but if these are absent of more hon-est-to-goodness content, like financial wheretos and wherefores, the public may not even raise an eyelid, much more raise the roof, for the person, the juridi-cal entity, the service or the product.

No wonder, most PR jobs, particularly those pertaining to big money-making events, end up with little support from the pub-lic; although it may gain a little backing, some after a lot of arm twisting, from

members of the host group, kin of its leaders and a few friends.

PR is more than just ‘Pakikisama Raw.’ Pakiki-sama (a Filipino trait loose-ly translated as peer sup-port) helps; but not when it is abused.

Self-serving tricks like free lunches, gifts, junkets and bribes do not buy last-ing goodwill from a more discerning public.

At the least, it achieves only a temporary respite on the public’s utter disbelief - whether perceived or ob-taining - of a person, a ju-ridical entity, a product or a service.

Pakikisama, at its best, is a mutual two-way under-standing wherein all parties are treated as equals.

PR is Public Respon-sibility. Plainly and simply, all Mr. Vasquez wanted to say was that Public Rela-tions is the ability to re-spond, 24/7 if it be needed, to the public’s needs and

interests.PR is likewise being re-

sponsible, fully accountable to the public.

After all, it is the public from whose best judgment PR owes its grand success.

PR without public re-sponsibility is almost al-ways bound to fail.

This is the kind of bad (and many nincompoops have the nerve to call it PR) promotion some persons and juridical entities use to build images and whatso-ever that may suit their own needs and interests.

***I was fortunate indeed to

have learned great lessons on PR from Mr. Vasquez.

But I was luckier to have obtained the valuable insight of Robert Loech-ner, former director of the International Institute of Journalism in Berlin where I completed an Advanced Training Course on Journal-ism in 1986.

Mr. Loechner was the speechwriter who coined

for US President John F. Kennedy the famous line “Ich bin ein Berliner (I am a Berliner)” in a speech about being free at the Berlin Wall, which once stood as an in-famous barrier in Germany and the city of Berlin.

More than this, Mr. Loechner taught me never to mix journalism with PR.

Both are ruled by high professional and ethical standards; and engaging in both at the same time likely raises questions on conflict of interest (mine against the public’s).

Thus, it was and would be either one or the other.

This was why when I joined MRTC, I had to de-cline offers from various Philippine national news-papers, including the ones I have worked with.

When I went back to journalism, I had to decline PR work. His public re-sponsibility demands from a journalist to do what a journalist has got to do. [email protected]

11NEWSNEWSMANILA MEDIA MONITORJUNE 2009

Fe; Janessa Ramos, Reyna Esperanza; April Go, Reyna Caridad; Cassie McMillan, Reyna Sentenciada; Kristy Peniera, Reyna Sheba; Kathleen de Guzman, Reyna Paz; and Aileen Macabeo, Reyna de las Propetas.

A trolley with the icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary, escorted by Julie Almaria and Cecile Kolmegies and devotees, highlighted the Santacruzan.

Heading the procession were Vicky Gerra and Baby de Villa who held the Santacruzan banner and the angelic AVE MARIA card bearers Jessica Baradi, Charlyne de la Fuente, Charlize de la Fuente,

Christine Maicong, Nicole Oshaba, Nikki Oshaba and Roloves Mangante.

Upstage, the Philippine Folklorico rondalla played while a group of FCT directors sang the Dios Te Salve. The Santacruzan marked the fi nale of FCT Pista sa Nayon 2009.

Earlier, FCT conducted the fi nals of its Filipino Singing Idols (FSI) 2009.

Declared champions were Siena Yadao in the children’s category; Andrea Barredo, teen’s category; Ramon Billanes, in the adult category.

Runners-up in all categories, respectively,

Mabuhay!(From page 6)

Santacruzan queens (from top left, clockwise) Celine Zoleta, Nicole Malinay, Sheena Fortuna, Rachelle Perez and Annabelle Chipongian wow the crowd during the Filipino Centre Toronto (FCT) two-day Independence Day offering with a Pista sa Nayon motif. The Santacruzan at the Nathan Philips Square in downtown Toronto highlighted the annual FCT event. AIDA D’ ORAZIO/Photos: NOLI’S GALLERY

(To page 12)

12 MANILA MEDIA MONITORJUNE 2009 NEWSNEWS

GENERAL DENTISTRYDr. Gilbert ChanDr. Daphne ChienDr. Janet HoDr. Janet WongDr. Michael Chin

GENERAL DENTISTRYDr. Gilbert ChanDr. Daphne ChienDr. Janet HoDr. Janet WongDr. Michael Chin

were April Joyce Bulancao, Emmanuel Sibal and Earth Garaneo.

D’ Orazio also reported that a Mass offi ciated by Fr. Macalipay opened the the two-day Pista sa Nayon.

Other activities were: ► A bike rodeo in

cooperation with the Toron-to Police Service.

► A parade highlighted by the participation of the Falun Gong Band.

► Entertainment featu-ring hip hop and rock bands, Can-Asian dancers and FSI winners Jeanette Ricasio, Vincent Villanueva and Teddy Marasigan.

Also at the Pista on the second day were the Don Mills Aloha Dancers, Kayumanggi Group, Cul-ture Philippines, Folklo-rico Filipino Canada, Paul Murphy, Josie de Leon, Sandra de Mico, Camille Mendoza, FSI winners Edessa Andrada, Maria Teresa Panaligan and Charlyn Marundan.

During the Forex’s Kwarta o Kahon conducted by Police Constable Philip Mendoza and Rachelle Perez, contestant Elsa missed the box with a round-trip ticket to the Philippines, but still won some money.

► The 30-piece lechon (roasted pig) parade joined in by volunteers from the crowd.

Rey Tolentino and Arnel Caballes hosted the programs.

FCT president Lynda Javier lauded Consul General Mosquera and past Congen Susan Castrence and the Toronto Police and thanked them for helping and supporting FCT.

Efren de Villa chaired Pista sa Nayon 2009.

Aurora proclamationRelatedly in Aurora,

Mayor Phyllis Morris signed a proclamation de-claring Filipinos in Aurora Week from June 7 to 13, 2009.

Consul General Mos-quera and Canada Philip-pines Business Council president and proclamation author Forte Gerardo wit-nessed the signing.

PAG exhibitFrom June 12 to 14, the

Philippine Artists Group (PAG) of Canada marked Independence Day by rep-resenting the Philippines in the Art ‘09 International Art Fair at the Metro Conven-tion Centre.

The group joined the fi rst Toronto gathering of artists

from Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Cuba, Czechoslavakia, Egypt, Finland, France, Hungary, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Korea, Poland, and Turkey.

PAG president Omel Masalunga led artists Romi MananQuil, Rolly Abarilla, Jun Afable, Teody Asuncion, Nellie Bautista, Celia Correa, Cobie Cruz, Frank Cruzet, Jhun Diamante, Tony Doctor, Rol Lampitoc, Dong Magalona, Koni Mar-coux, Toots Quiachon,

Frank and Nelia Tonido in showcasing the colorful world of Philippine art.

Ottawa Heritage WeekIn Ottawa, acting mayor

Michel Bellemare signed a proclamation declaring June 7 to 13, 2009 as Phil-ippine Heritage Week in the Canadian capital.

Bellemare cited the ef-forts of the Filipino-Canadi-an community in celebrating Philippine Independence Day since 1967, in partner-ship with Ottawa Valley.

The acting mayor urged “all citizens to join with

members of the Filipino community as they cel-ebrate their heritage.”

PICOV programStill in Ottawa, the Phil-

ippine Independence Com-mittee of Ottawa Valley (PICOV) led by Sonia del Rosario partnered with oth-er community groups and the Philippine Embassy to successfully conduct a se-ries of activities from June 7 to 14.

The Independence Day fete was themed Kagalin-gan, Kagitingan at Kasi-pagan Tungo Sa Tunay Na

Mabuhay!(From page 11)

FCT Pista sa Nayon Santacruzan Reynas (from left) Janine de Vera, Mar-garita Arrojado, Janessa Ramos, April Go, Cassie McMillan, Kristy Peniera, Kathleen de Guzman, and Aileen Macabeo give photographers their graceful poses during a lull at the event. AIDA D’ ORAZIO/Photo: NOLI’S GALLERY

Kalayaan.It kicked off on June 7

with a picnic at the Vincent Massey Park, where the community witnessed, took part in and enjoyed a parade, a short program, a Mass, Parada ng mga Lechon, en-tertainment and games.

During the program, freedom day greetings from Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and Philippine President Gloria Macapa-gal-Arroyo were read.

On June 12, separate Philippine flag-raising cer-emonies were conducted at the Ottawa City Hall and Tahanan ni Rizal.

The next day saw mem-bers of the Ottawa Valley community garbed in Bar-ong Tagalog and terno as they attended the PICOV-hosted Independence Gala at the Centurion Banquet Hall.

An information session for caregivers on June 14 at the Assumption Parish Hall gave meaning to the cel-ebration, a fitting tribute of the community in helping their overseas kababayan working in Canada.

The laying of a wreath at the bust of Dr. Jose Rizal at the La Maison du Citoy-en de Gatineau coordinated by the Philippine Heritage Foundation and the Philip-pine Embassy capped the

(To page 15)


GENERAL SANTOS CITY - Amid the pineapple and asparagus farms in Tupi town, South Cotabato, a shy 54-year-old mother, Rosa Saling-Gagnao, walked on the way to the principal’s office of a secondary school in the area.

Certainly, Nanay Rosa, as she is fondly called, was not summoned for some un-ruly things done in school by her youngest son, but she had something more impor-tant to tell to the principal.

As the school principal,

Simplicio Balleza Jr., bus-ied himself attending to the ongoing enrollment at the Tupi National High School, the mother of six grown-up children looked very much worried as it was the only time she got inside a prin-cipal’s office again after 36 years.

After briefly talking with the principal, Nanay Rosa would be treading the fields each day to school, not to fetch her kids, but as a fourth-year student again.

Nanay Rosa arrived at

a decision to drop her work as an active barangay health worker of Purok 14-A, Ba-rangay Poblacion in Tupi, to attend to her schooling, missed in her younger years due to poverty.

For Nanay Rosa, gone are the times that she lived in perpetual bondage of pov-erty and ignorance which are the reasons for the gap between the poor and the rich in the Philippines.

Under such conditions,

the so-called uneducated ones are prone to human abuses and their families continue to be mired in poverty.

Nanay Rosa said she asked her farmer-husband if she could go back to school and attend to her unfinished secondary school studies af-ter she quit school in 1973.

Her husband supported her in finishing her sec-ondary course at the same school where her grown-up

children earned their high school diploma.

Balleza said Nanay Rosa is a living example of an individual who values the importance of education despite her age.

He commended Nanay Rosa’s act, saying, “Age is a matter of number but edu-cation is a matter of contin-ued learning.”

Department of Educa-tion (DepEd) Region XII Director Luz Almeda said age, like poverty, is not a hindrance to finish school.

Perseverance and dili-gence are the keys to excel in a chosen field, Almeda added.

DepEd records show that Nanay Rosa is the old-est among the 800,000 pub-lic school students, both in elementary and high school, in Region XII.

Meanwhile, to influence and motivate other students, the school principal has put Nanay Rosa in the last section of the fourth-year class.

However, Balleza gave assurance that Nanay Rosa will be given fair and just learning, the same as with the regular students.

Nanay Rosa and her hus-band are tending their small coconut and corn farm.

Aside from being a vil-lage health worker, Nanay Rosa and her husband are enjoying their prime years as proud parents of a daugh-ter who has landed a job in Australia.

Two other children work as a pharmacy aide and a nursing aide.

During the first day of class, Nanay Rosa was ac-companied by her youngest son, who is a grade three pupil in a nearby public school.

They had lunch together and went home together af-ter school.

“I just wanted to finish high school. That’s all I am wishing for,” Nanay Rosa said.

“I have all the experi-ences to tell but I want to know more to understand more.” PNA Feature

FEATUREFEATURE

Too old to go to school? Not me, says Nanay RosaBy ANNALIZ CABRIDO

Education is measured not by age, but by wisdom.

FCT Ms. Paraluman ‘09 winners

Annabelle Chipongian is all smiles after be-ing crowned Filipino Centre Toronto (FCT) Ms.Paraluman 2009 on May 31. Flanking her (from left) are Hilda Ar-cega, 3rd runner-up; Maria Dolores Shinn, 4th runner-up; Isabel Aperocho, 2nd runner-up; and Felisa Pulum-barit, 1st runner-up. FCT chair Dr. Victoria Santiago and Consul-ate legal assistant John Reandino crowned Chipongian. PR

14 MANILA MEDIA MONITORJUNE 2009 NewsNews

build homes and rebuild lives for the marginalized in the Philippines.

Querubin likewise ex-

pressed gratitude to orga-nizing committee members Rosemer Enverga, Jun Enverga, Rafael Nebres,

Ricky Cuenca, Irma Cuen-ca, Dorie Ascano, Alex As-cano, Rolly Mangante, Chat Bautista, Macky Macaalay, Jing De Leon, Elisa Duque, Boying Duque, Tenny So-riano, Temi Pangilinan, Sonny Bautista, Francis Yap and Malu Clarito.

Deserving apprecia-tion are volunteers Pidoy Pacis, Mel Catre, Bennie Dichon, Maxwell Stewart, Tony Sanchez, Jojo Rodri-guez, Danio Penuliar, Mo-nina Paragas, Rose Migue, Amy Rondina, Irma Saez and the Philippine Indepen-dence Day Council (PIDC) Ambassadors in the persons of candidates of Miss Phil-ippines PIDC and winners of Mrs Philippines PIDC and Miss Little Philippines PIDC.

He also cited emcees Sonny Paragas and Marisa Gozun; singer-entertainers Josie de Leon who also did a duet with ConGen Mos-quera, John Alix, Karen Tan, Mikey Bustos, Jenifer Camacho and Martha Joy; dancers Raymond and Jena-lyn Pacheco and Samantha Halig and Jeanette Ricasio of the YFC Dancers; band-mates Jacquelin, Raymond and Yoyo Mangante and the Silhoutte Band; the Knights of Rizal who did the Parade of Colors; and Oscar Gella,

Farewell bash for ConGen Mosquera raises ...(From page 1)

Philippine Consul General in Toronto Alejandro Mosquera (3rd from left) re-ceives a gift portrait from (from left) Philippine Ambassador to Ottawa Jose Brillantes and farewell event committee members Dorie Ascano, Rosemer Enverga, Alex Ascano (partly hidden), Chat Bautista, Jun Enverga and Ricky Cuenca. Photo: JACK BAUTISTA

Philippine Consul General Alejandro Mosquera (left) sings with diva Josie de Leon, during a fare-well dinner0-dance “for a cause” tendered him by a grateful community. Photo: JACK BAUTISTA

LOS ANGELES, California – It’s final: the much-anticipated battle be-tween Floyd Mayweather Jr. and International Boxing Organization (IBO) light welterweight king Manny Pacquiao has been called off this year.

Instead, Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KO’s) will face World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight cham-pion Miguel Angel Cotto (34-1, 27 KO’s) for 12 rounds at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada on

Nov. 14. Top Rank boss Bob

Arum decided not to wait for the result of the post-poned shootout between Mayweather and Juan Man-uel Marquez after May-weather suffered an injury in the cartilage prompting the Golden Boy Promotion to reset the 12-round fight to September in time for Mayweather’s recovery.

Had the fight pushed through on July 18 as origi-nally scheduled, Pacquiao, 30, would have faced the

winner, it was learned. Pacquiao had earlier an-

nounced he would fight the unbeaten Mayweather on October 17.

To avoid traffic, Arum, 77, summoned the 28-year-old Cotto, a Puerto Rican who stands an inch taller than the Filipino wrecker.

Cotto is fresh from a 12-round split decision win over unheralded Joshua Clottey to retain his WBO diadem at the Madison Square Garden in New York

Pacquiao-Cotto duel, Nov. 14By ALEX P. VIDAL

(To page 15)

15People & EventsPeople & EventsMANILA MEDIA MONITORJUNE 2009

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(Left Photo) The Barangay Hedge End basketball team, sponsored by Dr. Arla Rondilla, won in the midget division of the Philcan Basketball Championship at the Mother Teresa’s gym on May 30. (Right Photo) Sponsor Dr. Rondilla (6th from left) joins the parents of the Hedge End five team members as they rejoice over the victory and a well-deserved championship trophy. PR

Barangay Hedge End strikes gold in Philcan cage tourney

Mabuhay!(From page 12)celebration in Ottawa.

Manitoba celebrationIn Manitoba, Indepen-

dence Day celebrations were centered at the Phil-ippine Canadian Centre of Manitoba in Winnipeg, where the first Filipino im-migrants to Canada were re-corded to have settled.

Freedom day festivities started with a flag-raising ceremony and an opening program on June 6.

The next day, the com-munity attended the Cel-ebration of Faith.

On June 10, an evening of cultural entertainment was staged by MAFTI.

June 12 saw the conduct of the Philippine Indepen-dence Ball at the Ramada Marborough Hotel.

The community also took part in two interesting activities - a health seminar on June 13 and a welcome fete for newcomers to Man-itoba on June 18.

The Manitoba commu-nity fete’s finale is a picnic at the Assiniboine Park in Winnipeg on June 20.

Other areasPhilippine Indepen-

dence Day community celebrations were likewise reported in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Quebec.

In Calgary on June 14, community members came in Filipino attire to attend a Mass at St. Bernadette Parish and brought Filipino cuisine they later shared in separate picnics.

A Pinoy folk-rock-rhythm concert at the Uni-versity of Calgary’s McE-wan Hall finetuned the freedom day celebrations.

In Vancouver, the com-munity converged at the Slocan Park for the third annual edition of the Fiesta ng Bayan on June 13.

In all the Independence Day celebrations, Mabu-hay! was the catchword.

Christoff Kyere Enter-tainment is set to stage the the 2009 Canadian Flight Games (CFG), in its 4th edition, at the University of Toronto’s Athletic Cen-tre on July 30, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.

The event will feature Toronto’s best in basketball, as participants compete in skills and drills and for the T-Dot King of the Rim Slam-dunk title.

The T-Dot King of the Rim Slam-dunk contest will feature Toronto’s Jus-tin Darlington a.k.a Jus Fly, who has seen action in Toronto Raptor half-time shows and in international slam-dunk tilts.

Slam-dunk competitors

will be judged by a highly-experienced and star-stud-ded panel, including Cabbie from The Score Network and Mark Strong of NBA XL.

The CFG will be high-lighted by the 2009 Cana-dian high school All-Star basketball game.

The 2009 CFG will be hosted by comedian Trixx’s.

The event expects to raise funds and set off a food drive for Toronto’s Covenant House.

The CFG is dedicated to empowering youth to succeed in all areas of their lives and will use this event as a platform to educate and entertain the masses. PR

Canadian Flight Games toshow best in hardcourt fun

Pacquiao-Cotto duel ...(From page 14)on June 13.

Cotto dropped Clottey (35-3, 20 KO’s) with a left hook in the first round but failed to put away the 32-year-old challenger from Accra, Ghana.

An accidental headbutt inflicted an ugly gash in Cotto’s left eye and referre Arthur Mercante Jr. nearly stopped the fight.

It was Cotto’s first de-fense of the title he secured on Feb. 21, this year by knocking out Michael Jen-nings in five rounds also in the same arena.

Cotto is a former World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight champion since December 2, 2006 when he captured the va-cant title via 5th round TKO over Carlos Quintana at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

He defended the belt four times and lost it to

Mexico’s Antonio Margari-to in a violent 11th round stoppage defeat on July 26, 2008 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Cotto’s biggest wins since turning professional in 2001 were against for-mer world champion Zab Judah (TKO 11th round) and reigning WBA super welterweight champion Shane Mosley (12-round unanimous decision), all in defense of Cotto’s WBA 147-lb crown.

If he wins against the Caguas-born Cotto, Pac-quiao may next face May-weather in 2010 before the national elections in the Philippines where he will run for a legislative post representing his district in Mindanao set on May 11.

Cotto has a knockout average of 77.14 percent against Pacquiao’s 68.52 percent.

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Jennifer (with hubby Andrei Garde) and brother Jeffrey Gomez tendered a salu-salo for their beloved mom Nonic Abellanosa-Gomez, on the occasion of the latter’s 60th birth anniversary. The intimate party for immediate family members and closest friends was held in the Gardes’ condo party room in upscale Northtown Street, uptown Toronto. Food and karaoke singing were aplenty, so with keeping up with the latest among old friends. The celebrant was so overjoyed with the evening’s experience, she couldn’t say no to a request for her to dance a Hawaiian number. PR

Nonic Abellanosa-Gomez turns 60

The Kalayaan Cultural Community Centre (KCCC) in Mississauga has been abuzz with activities this spring and summer, and things are not slowing down anytime soon!

A KCCC press release said the center has fi nished conducting a free caregivers and newcomers learn-share roundtable on June

14, where speaker Fanny Calucag talked on legal and other diffi culties facing caregivers and newly-arrived immigrants.

Upcoming KCCC events include the:

► Children’s Fashion Show in the KCCC Grand Hall on June 20, from 3 to 6 p.m. Shaping up to be one of the biggest center

fundraiser, the show will feature infants to pre-teens modeling beautiful children’s clothing. There will be a special clothes sale after the show.

► Free Hepatitis B Information Session on June 27, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. A lecture by hepatologist Dr. Hemant Shah intends to raise

awareness about the prevalence of Hepatitis B in the Asian community.

► Hawaiian Night Party at the KCCC Grand Hall on July 24, starting at 7 p.m. The dinner will be highlighted with a Hawaiian dance show by Siony’s Dance Company. The center urges attendees to wear Hawaiian clothing

and accessories.► Fourth Annual

KCCC 5K Walkathon on Aug. 15. The KCCC urges participation, and tax-receipted donations of $25 or more in pledges are required to participate in the walk. All proceeds will go the KCCC.

► 2009 Classic Golf Tournament at the Royal

Kalayaan Cultural Community Centre is where to beOntario Golf Club on Aug. 15, with tee off at 12 noon.

The KCCC serves the interest of the Filipino-Canadian community as a contributing member of the broader Canadian, Filipino and global societies, thru affi rming, strengthening and empowering proces-ses, services and activities. PR

Mama Ching’s 85th

Consolacion Quejas or ‘Mama Ching’, Kalayaan Cultural Community Centre and Filipino Seniors of Mississauga president, blows out the candles on her birthday cake with a little help from her peers and friends. Mama Ching turned 85 on May 2. PR

People & EventsPeople & Events

JUNE 2009 MANILA MEDIA MONITOR18 MANILA MEDIA MONITORJUNE 2009 CALENDAR

► JUNE 20: Quezon National High School Alumni Association of Toronto Dance-O-Rama, Malvern Community Centre. ► JUNE 20: The Pillars Cultural Asso-ciation Seniors Picnic.► JUNE 20: Marikina Association of Canada Annual Summer Picnic, Neil-son Park.► JUNE 20: Jenifer Camacho Live, Sunrise Restaurant, 7 p.m.► JUNE 21: Philippine Independence Day Council Dancing To Be A Star Launch, Casa Manila. ► JULY 28: Gamma Epsilon Fraternity Casino Rama Fundraising Trip, Ken-nedy Commons, 9 a.m.► JULY 12: Philippine Colleges and Universities Alumni Associations 8th Summerfest, Mississauga Valley Com-munity Centre Park, 9 a.m.► JULY 18: Philippine Independence Day Council Mabuhay Festival, Metro Toronto Convention Centre.► JULY 18: Philippine Chamber of Commerce Toronto Annual Trade Show, Metro Toronto Convention Centre.► JULY 18: The Pillars Cultural Asso-ciation Dual Citizenship Presentation.► AUG. 7: Natives of Catbalogan City Gala and St. Bartholomew Feast Day, Grand Banquet and Convention Cen-tre, Mississauga, 6 p.m. ► AUG. 8: Ultra-Sound Promotions, Inc. Men of the 80’s, John Bassett The-atre, Metro Convention Centre, 7 p.m.► AUG. 15 & 16: Filipinos Mak-ing Waves Festival, Yonge-Dundas Square.► AUG. 15: Philippine Chamber of Commerce Toronto Members’ Appre-ciation and Networking Dinner-Dance.► AUG. 15: The Pillars Cultural Asso-ciation Dual Citizenship Oathtaking.

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(ABOVE) The Iligan-Lanao Group of Ontario (ILGO) held a successful Spring Dinner-Dance at the Korean Cultural Center on April 18. with over 200 guests. Photo shows guest speaker Consul Imelda Panolong (center, wearing hijab) with ILGO members. Flanking Consul Panolong are Olga Abellanosa, fundraising chairperson, and Ricky Caluen, ILGO coordinator. Guests included Con-sul General Alejandro Mosquera and welfare officer Eric Parungao. Part of the event proceeds was donated to the Ranao Women’s & Children’s Crisis Center in Iligan City. PR

Iligan-Lanao

Group spring

dinner-dance

Boy and Baby Alith (nee Revil) Cartalla (seated center on sofa) marked 10 years of blissful marriage by inviting members of the large Revil clan in Toronto and friends from hometown Oroquieta City for homecooked dinner at their Scarborough home. The Cartallas divide their time between Toronto and New Jersey where Boy is a retired serviceman of the US Navy. PR

Cartallas mark 10th wedding year

JUNE 2009 MANILA MEDIA MONITORJUNE 2009 MANILA MEDIA MONITOR 19

MANILA MEDIA MONITORMANILA MEDIA MONITORJUNE 2009JUNE 200920


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23MANILA MEDIA MONITORJUNE 2009People & EventsPeople & Events

The Milan-GK golf tournament tees off at 1 p.m. on Aug. 3 at the Angus Glen Golf Club, with golfers representing their alma mater competing against each other for the Unity Cup.

Coordinator Renee Talavera-Siao said golfers from La Salle, Ateneo, University of the Philippines, San Beda, Far Eastern University, Letran, York University, University of Toronto, Mapua, University of Santo Tomas, Saint Scholastica, and Assumption College have shown intent to participate in the tournament.

Philippine Consul General in Toronto Alejandro Mosquera, a competitor himself, will do the ceremonial tee off.

Talavera-Siao said competitors need not neces-sarily have to play as a team.

“When the golfers register, they only need to mention their school affi liation and golf scores to be eligible for tabulation with the school team. This way, they can continue to play with their golf buddies

and still be part of the inter-collegiate competition.”

Only the best fi ve scores from each school team are considered for tabulation.

To be eligible to enter the team competition, a school team is composed of at least of eight golfers.

There is no maximum number of golfers to play for their school; and “the more golfers playing for a school, the greater the chances of winning,” Siao said.

“This inter-collegiate competition in golf is a unique and novel concept,” said Dr. Francis Rementilla, GK Golf chair.

“This year, we decided

to open the tournament to all universities and partner with GK so that we can maximize community participation,” Rementilla said.

Funds raised in the tournament will help build houses for the poor in the GK Village of Calinog, the Philippines.

Talevera-Siao said that “aside from bragging rights and the title of being the fi rst winner of the Unity Cup for the winning team, all golfers can go home a winner knowing that their efforts helped build homes for the poor in Calinog.” PR

Milan-GK golf tourney helps buildhouses in Calinog Unity Village

Circulo Ilonggo president Noe Castanos and GK head Tony Meloto lead officials and resi-dents in groundbreaking ceremonies for the GK Calinog Unity Village last March. PR


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Tributes to Mama ChingMPP Peter Fonseca presents to Consola-cion Quejas or ‘Mama Ching’, Kalayaan Cul-tural Community Centre president, a plaque of appreciation for her spirit of volunteerism during her 85th birthday party at the KCCC Grand Hall. Mama Ching also received special plaques from Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, Deputy Premier George Smitherman, MP Albina Guarnieri, Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion and Philippine Consul General in Toronto Alejandro Mosquera. PR

Kapatiran Filipino Seniors Election

Officers and members of the Kapatiran Filipino Seniors Association of On-tario pose for posterity after their annual picnic-election at the Centennial Park in Mississauga on June 6. In photo are (from left, front row) Nonoy Ron-quillo, PRO; Deedette Potes, vice president; Linda Javier, member coordina-tor; Marcelo Paulino, president; Minda Rosete, treasurer; Sonny Fidel, PRO; Jose Aquino, sgt.-at-arms; Doy Nacpil, election committee chair; Rolando Calingasan, sgt.-at-arms; (from left, back row) Ador Vasquez, sgt.-at-arms; Rose Olano; Vangie Vasquez, secretary; Melody Benedicto; and Leo Duarte, auditor. PR



hihimatayin ako ... (with matching fl ip of the hair and nanlalaki ang mata).

*** Danio: What is

Rosemer’s best dinner preparation?

Gene: TAKE OUT ... but bilib ka, she puts the dishes on the silver platter.

***Danio: What is

Rosemer’s e-mail etiquette?

Gene: E-mail etiquette

Ooops & Bloops ...(From page 7)

GIANT MUSHROOM

according to Rosemer … hmmmm ... salutation must be “Dear Mga Kapuso” ... letters must be in bold, in red color, all capitalized and of course, PURO UTOS ...

*** An entry in the

blogsite of my fellow blogger Bill Andersen at www.ripple.ca:

“We weren’t

going to go into City Hall on our Toronto Doors Open jaunt this weekend, but the lineups at nearby Campbell House were too long, so …

“Inside the City Hall doors, we were dwarfed by a giant mushroom worthy of Lewis Carroll. It can make you very, very small or (if elected) very, very big. The magic of municipal government, expressed by an architect with a sense of humour?”

I like the following statement from Bill: “It

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university studies), and during student rallies, activists invariably altered the last line of the anthem to “ang pumatay nang dahil sa iyo”.

We should be proud of our national anthem.

It is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. I have this on good authority.

Sometime in the 1930s, the Philippine Constabulary Band, then under the baton of the famous Major Walter Loving, participated in an international competition

where different bands performed their respective national anthems.

The Philippine Hymn was adjudged second best anthem, second only to La Marseillaise.

The percussionist at the time was a young Sergeant Fajardo - who eventually became my high school bandmaster in La Salle-Iligan where he taught in his retirement years.

Yes, let’s sing the national anthem with pride: with majesty and purpose, and correctly.

If you gonna sing it ...(From page 9)

(giant mushroom inside the city hall) can make you very, very small or (if elected) very, very big.”

This reminded me of a former city councillor - who, while he sat as such in the late 90s used to mouth to me (knowing that I was to write and report about the event in my publication) at community functions that he was working on the recognition of foreign credentials in Canada; a city councillor acting like he’s an incumbent MP!

***

Another entry from Bill’s site about his much-loved relative in Windsor, Ontario:

Uncle Paul (Chico Pajo) was a familiar sight on the streets of Windsor. He walked everywhere.

Long before there were Bluetooth headsets, friends spotted him strolling along and thought they’d give him the gears.

“Hey, Paul! Are you talking to yourself?”

Came Paul’s reply, “What are you, stupid? Do you see anyone else?”

His remark: “Shocking!” It was pre title scenes like this that always opened the Connery pictures and good old James came out of them all with a twinkle in his eye.

My verdict on the Craig series: Shaking but not stirring.

***The election victory

of Barrack Obama spoke volumes for a man who, sensing a need for change, seized the imagination of the American people.

This is an achievement

to be admired, studied and above all, respected.

And Obama would probably be the last person to silence his critics.

But it becomes in inexcusable bad taste to involve a president or any other public fi gure in an advertising campaign without their permission.

Especially when that advertiser lives and does business in another country.

That’s why the recent television and newspaper ads of Mel Lastman’s

A matter of taste(From page 9)

Bad Boy stores featuring an Obama look-alike promoting the stores’ goods and fi nishing with the odious “Nooobody!” bring shame to Canadian advertising.

It would appear that in the last days of the month of May, these distasteful print and television were discontinued.

(Used with permission. Ben Viccari is past president of the Canadian Ethnic Media Association and frequently appears on OMNI TV Commentary. Some of his commentaries are republished in this publication and slightly expanded in some cases

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He likewise urged Man-itobans to join the commu-nity in organized events like Philippine Independence week, Folklorama pavilions, Rizal Day, many fiestas and others during the year 2009, all of which would lead to dialog about the 50th anni-versary of the community’s presence in the province.

Elmore sworn inMeanwhile, Mable El-

more became the first Brit-ish Columbia Member of the Legislative Assembly of Filipino descent, after she was officially sworn into office in Victoria on June 8.

Elmore, NDP, won in the May 12 provincial elec-tion, besting Liberal candi-date Syrus Lee, to represent the people of Vancouver-Kensing ton.

According to philip-pineasiannewstoday.com, Elmore looked forward to standing up for her constitu-ents on issues that matter to them, especially in tough economic times when peo-ple need a strong voice in Victoria.

The issues included af-

fordable housing, class sizes in schools, and work-place conditions.

“I’m also looking for-ward to bringing a Fili pino-Canadian perspective to the legislature,” she said.

Coming of age“This is the coming of

age for Filipino politics in B.C.,” UBC professor emeritus Arpodicio Laquian told The Province.

Elmore ably rallied the community for a common political cause.

“I can only hope that this is just the beginning,” Laquian said.

Laquian noted that while Filipinos are fanati-

LAMOREAUX ELMORE

cal political followers in the homeland, he could only track down six elected poli-ticians among the 500,000 Filipinos who have called Canada home.

“There are more than 580 Filipino associations in Canada, groups formed depending on where you came from, which dialect you speak, the school you went to,” Laquian told The Province.

He authored Seeking a Better Life Abroad: A Study of Filipinos in Canada 1957-2007, a book he pro-moted in Toronto in a meet-ing with the Philippine Press Club-Ontario last year.

Manitoba LA cites Fil-Can presence ...(From page 1)

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30 MANILA MEDIA MONITORJUNE 2009 The PhilippinesThe Philippines

NEWS ROUNDUPNEWS ROUNDUPPublic high school students in Davao City expect to freely and easily surf into cyberspace by 2010, when all of the city’s 76 public high schools get access to an Internet connection. Lorenzo Mendoza, education department regional supervisor and Information and Com-munication Technology information officer, said the state’s Internet Connectivity Project started in 2003. Schools that could not be serviced with wired, fixed wireless or USB mo-dems of telecommunications firms would be linked through satellite broadband internet service. Computers with alternative ICT equipment would be deployed to schools located in sites without electricity. PNA

Davao City: Public HS Net-ready by 2010

Conal Holdings Corp., a joint venture of Alsons Corp. and EGCO of Thailand, is set to start the construction of a P21-billion 200-megawatt coal-fired power power station in the village of Kamanga in Maasim, after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources granted it an environmental clearance certificate. Conal official Joseph Nocos said project completion might be by early 2013, after which Conal would meet “its com-mitments to provide dependable baseload capacity and reduce the cost of electricity in the South Cotabato-Sarangani-General Santos City grid.” Power rates are expected to go down by as much as P1.00 per kilowatt hour, as Conal would directly connect with power lines of Socoteco II and do away with transmission costs averaging P1.42 in 2008. PNA

Sarangani: Coal-fired power plant ok’d

Guimaras governor Felipe Hilan Nava said the a province-hired team of experts would present on Aug. 11 the results of a study conducted to determine the environmental impact of the oil spill that hit the some island three years ago. “I could not say the province is back to normal, as there are signs the incident has long term effects,” Nava said. The assessment covered beach ecology, hydrology, socio-economics, ecotoxicology, mangroves and sea grasses and marine wildlife and fisheries. To recall, the M/T Solar 1 that carried some two million liters of bunker fuel capsized along Guimaras Strait on August 12, 2006. PNA

Guimaras: Oil spill long-term impact study up

Population Commission regional director Vicente Molejona said Popcom they will con-duct an aggressive campaign on adolescent health is being waged among the youth with ages 15 to 24 years old in schools and villages here, to address the reported high national rate of premarital sex and early pregnancy. “Parents would also be given education and training on how to deal with such cases,” Molejona said. The latest National Demographic Health Survey showed a rise in the incidence of illegitimate birth among 18-21 years old from an average of 10 percent in 2003 to 11 percent in 2008. The survey also noted that 20 out of every 100 women aged 15-18 engaged in pre-marital sex. PNA

Iloilo City: Adolescent health steps pushed

A novel Feed and Read to Lead program launched late last year has continued to give more children in Sta. Barbara town an innovative way to nourish their minds and bodies. Organizers cited the cooperation of owners of local business establishments that partnered to assure the program is sustained. The program aims, among others, to popularize the love of reading among children, combined with supplemental feeding. Initiated on Dec. 21, 2008 by the Philippine Military Academy Magilas Class of 1976, the program is part of the 10-point progress agenda on social and health services of Mayor Reynaldo Velasco, a retired police general. PNA

Pangasinan: Children enjoy feed, read p’gram

Some 1,200 indigent children and elderly patients benefitted from a medical-dental mis-sion conducted in Barangay San Jose in San Fernando City by the Pampanga Hiap Ho Grand Masons, Inc. in cooperation with the city government and the Caloocan Filipino-Chinese Charity Clinic. The beneficiaries received free treatment, diagnosis, check-ups and medicines. Most of them were children suffering from poor dental hygiene, respiratory and skin disorders. The elderly patients were checked and treated for hypertension, arthri-tis and other minor ailments. PNA

San Fernando City: 1,200 treated in mission

Tarlac Police Officers (PO) 1 Jonathan Ambalina and Aris Bala, both of the Ramos po-lice station, and Melvin David of the Paniqui Police Station received commendations for their exemplary display of honesty while in the performance of their duty. The three were cited during fitting ceremonies in Tarlac City. Ramos police chief Senior Inspector Danilo Manipon said beat patrol members Ambalina and Bala returned the lost wallet containing P12,000, driver’s license card, school IDs, Banco de Oro card and other important docu-ments of Rafael Sanchez Pascua, executive assistant at the Governor’s Office. Paniqui police chief Superintendent Roldan Luna said PO1 David found and returned a wallet con-taining P13,000 and vital documents to owner Lourdes Molina, a businesswoman. Tarlac police force officials said the trio’s honest deeds should be the model of all men in uniform to regain the trust and confidence of the people. PNA

Tarlac City: 3 honest cops commended

Contractor-group Los Contratistas de la Ciudad Zamboanga and mayor Celso Lobregat distributed 360 armchairs to nine Zamboanga City public schools, namely the Baluno Elementary School (ES), Camp Susana ES, Camp Pilar ES, Patalon ES, Sinoropan ES, Baluno National High School (HS), Licomo National HS, Limpapa National HS and Don Ramon Enriquez HS. Meanwhile, some 1,900 repaired desks and armchairs have also been distributed to schools before classes for the new school year began early this month. PNA

Zamboanga City: Schools get new desks

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Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo washes hands with students of the Geronimo Santiago Elementary School along J. Nepomuceno St., San Miguel, Manila, to promote the Influenza A(HiNi) Prevention Awareness Pro-gram of the Department of Health. Photo: PNA/NIB/DADO AGUILAR

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ALAMINOS CITY - The Canadian Interna-tional Development Agency (CIDA) has approved the request of six municipalities and one city in western Pan-gasinan for financial grants totalling P200 million.

Alaminos City admin-istrator Wilmer Panabang said the grant, coordinated by the One Pangasinan Al-

CIDA to pour P200-M grant forpotable water in W. Pangasinan

By LEONARDO V. MICUA

liance (OPAL), would be used to bankroll potable and irrigation water projects.

Panabang noted the lack of potable and irrigation water sources in Alaminos City and the towns of Sual, Agno, Bani, Anda, Burgos and Mabini.

Deep wells in these ar-eas have been severely af-fected by salt intrusion, he

said.He adeed that this could

be remedied by “pump-ing water from the Mabini River and use it as drinking water, with the excess to be utilized for irrigation.”

OPAL’s was the only CIDA-approved request in Luzon. CIDA approved two projects in the Visayas and one in Mindanao. PNA

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32 MANILA MEDIA MONITORJUNE 2009 MoneyMoney

SAGOT SA BATID WIKA(MULA SA PAHINA 38)

US$ Cdn$June 16 48.22229 42.57077June 15 48.07703 42.39347June 12 47.54351 42.56129June 11 47.60579 43.35422June 10 47.40272 42.70238June 09 47.42897 42.95849June 08 47.52722 42.31970June 05 47.05150 42.23464June 04 47.06608 43.17739June 03 47.11000 42.94248June 02 47.22012 43.63861June 01 47.14897 43.37240May 29 47.16729 43.03392May 28 47.27885 42.51496May 27 47.20105 42.52121May 26 41.21577 42.19171May 25 47.06724 41.83565May 22 46.86558 41.72996May 21 47.07081 41.25157May 20 47.23032 41.31862May 19 47.18406 40.78230

GOT A FOREX DEAL?Check out if you got your peso’s worth for the dollars you have had exchanged since May 19. This is a pub-lic service item from Manila Media Monitor’s Money and Business section.

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Officials from the gov-ernments of the Philippines and Spain are set to sign on June 22 a United Nations-developed Joint Program on Youth, Employment and Mi-gration agreement to make the Filipino youth more pro-ductive and competitive in the global labor market.

The program will be implemented in the Auton-omous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and in the prov-inces of Agusan del Sur, Antique, Masbate, and Ma-guindanao.

It aims to achieve in three years increased ac-cess to decent work for poor young women and men in the beneficiary-areas.

The UN said about 20 percent of the Philippine population were between the ages of 15 to 24; and of the group, five of 10 or 49.2 percent had no work.

The age bracket also ac-counted for 10.7 percent of the Filipino labor migrant population.

The UN said the youth comprised some 35 per-

cent of all overseas Filipino workers, translating to a sig-nificant youth share in the national financial inflows associated with migration.

In 2008 alone, the Phil-ippines received US$16 bil-lion in remittances, which are recognized as a tangible

RP, Spain to sign youth work, migration pact

MANILA - University of the Philippines professor Benjamin Diokno has called on the government to in-crease spending and to stop tax cuts to prevent a possible recession in the Philippines.

In the regular Usaping Balita forum, Diokno noted that consumers and inves-tors alike are spending less due to the ongoing global economic crisis.

“The government has to pick up the slack,” Diokno said as he stressed that the way to do it “is to increase government spending in or-der to restore consumer and investor confidence.”

The former budget secre-

tary said a speedy and trans-parent spending of the 2009 budget would pump prime the economy and save the country from a recession.

He warned those believ-ing that the upcoming 2010 elections would give the local economy the needed “shot in the arm.”

“It is a common belief that money flows during elections, but the usual big donors are also hit hard by the ongoing financial crunch. They will try to hold on tightly to their money and limit their political do-nations,” he said, predict-ing that the 2010 elections would not be as expensive

contribution of migration to national growth.

The Spanish government has committed Euros 528 million to the UN Millen-nium Development Goals Achievement Fund (MDG-F) programmed between 2007 and end-2010.

The MDG-F was estab-lished in 2006 by the Gov-ernment of Spain and the United Nations Develop-ment Programme to enhance efforts in order to achieve the MDGs, and to support UN reform efforts at the country level. PNA

as past elections. He prodded the govern-

ment to stop granting tax cuts, saying it would just contribute to a growing tax deficit.

“Granting tax incentives at this time is a whammy as the government badly needs funds for its expenditures,” he said, but added that he did not see the need for the imposition of new taxes es-pecially on specific indus-tries to minimize the deficit.

“New taxes on specific industries will just be passed on to the consumers, and that is what we do not need right now because of the hard times,” he said. PNA

Spend more but no tax cuts

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33MANILA MEDIA MONITORJUNE 2009MoneyMoney

Marriage and money -time for a fi nancial tune-up?

by Investors Group Financial Services Inc.

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Your marriage may be made in heaven, as the saying goes, but it had better be a practical union, too – especially when it comes to putting together a fair and rewarding fi nancial plan for your new life together.

If you’re recently married or soon-to-be married, here are some tips for fi nancially tuning-up your new partnership.

The marriage contract: You want your relationship to last but a marriage contract – or prenuptial agreement, if entered into before marriage – can be a fundamental fi nancial roadmap in the event of a breakdown.

Although laws vary by province, you can safely assume that your union will create the legal obligation to share the value of assets acquired by both partners during the marriage and, in some provinces, even the value of assets acquired prior to the union.

However, a marriage contract can set out certain rights and obligations for each spouse as they relate to property and support issues.

And it is especially

important when one or both partners bring substantial assets into the union, or in second-marriage situations where one spouse has an obligation to support a former spouse or children from a prior relationship.

Full disclosure: Share complete information on each other’s credit history, assets, loans and other fi nancial commitments.

Agree on whether you should maintain separate bank accounts, credit cards and investments or if you could benefi t fi nancially by combining some or all of these things.

Budgets, bills and savings: Set a budget, decide who will be responsible for paying the bills, how to divide payments, and how much you should each set aside to save and/or invest.

Tame taxes: Both of you will still have to fi le separate tax returns but you can reduce your overall tax bite by taking advantage of all your deductions and income - splitting opportunities, such as spousal RRSPs.

Will it to happen: Update both wills to ensure

they are valid, that assets will be distributed according to each of your wishes and in the most tax effi cient way, and that the benefi ciary designations on RRSPs, RRIFs, company benefi t programs, insurance policies and other investments are up-to-date.

Marriage will generally void all wills written prior to the time of marriage, except in the province of Quebec.

Insure it will happen: Protect your new life with the safety net of insurance – including life insurance, mortgage insurance, disability insurance, critical illness insurance and, as you age, long-term care insurance.

Reassess your protection levels as your family grows and your lifestyle and income change.

Talk to your professional advisor about the total fi nancial tune-up that makes the most sense for your new union.

(This column presents general information only and is not a solicitation to buy or sell any investments.)

Nearly 1,200 M. Lhuillier locations will soon begin offering MoneyGram global money transfer services throughout the Philippines.

With the addition of M. Lhuillier Financial Services Inc., an established non-bank fi nancial services company, MoneyGram will offer clients in the Philippines the option to receive transactions in U.S. dollars and in Philippine pesos, providing more choice and control for consumers.

“The Philippines is a strategic country where we see strong growth potential,” said Tony Ryan, president and chief executive offi cer of MoneyGram.

“Remittances are an essential part of the economy in the Philippines and we believe that our convenient and reliable global money transfer service will provide more control and choice for Filipinos working abroad to send money to their families back home,” said Ryan.

The M. Lhuillier locations

boost MoneyGram’s pre-sence in the Philippines to over 6,000 locations, making it one of the largest money transfer networks in the country.

MoneyGram expects continued network growth in the country for the remainder of 2009, including nearly 900 bank branches that will roll out money transfer services in 2009.

“This demonstrates our ability to deliver a valuable and needed service in response to growing consumer demand throughout the country,” said Ryan.

“M. Lhuillier’s extensive locations, accessible hours and multi-currency payout support MoneyGram’s mission to help consumers around the world with more convenient choices for safe and reliable money transfer services,” he said.

To receive money via MoneyGram in the Philippines, the receiver can walk into a MoneyGram

Moneygram, M. Lhuillier seal money transfer service tie-up

OFFICIALS OF MONEYGRAM AND M. LHUILLIER

agent location, complete a Receive Form and show a photo identifi cation to receive funds in as little as 10 minutes.

More than 150 M. Lhuillier locations will offer the service 24 hours a day, providing additional convenience and peace of mind for MoneyGram customers particularly in times of emergency. PR

SURF THE NETmanilamediamonitor.com


3 P.M.

Yonge St. in Toronto, dubbed as the Longet Street in the World, will be the site of the first Filipinos Making Waves Festival (FMWF) Philippine Parade, as Fili-pinos wave their national tricolor and cultural danc-ers and revelers sway to the drumbeats of the Ati-Atihan drummers and soot-covered festival ‘warriors’.

Curious onlookers and festival patrons alike are expected to converge along Yonge St. from Gerrard St. and move towards the

much talked-about festival at Yonge-Dundas Square on Aug. 16 and 17.

The festival is reaching fever pitch as community organizations and volun-teers pour in their intents to join the colorful parade of ethnic costumes, music and dance-on-foot.

The Ati-Atihan group of the United Aklanon As-sociation of Toronto will once more attract the Sun-day tourist crowd in down-town Toronto and lead a contingent of dancers,

fashion models and beauty queens, celebrity guests, and a most vibrant mix of Filipino youths, seniors and members of the LGBT com-munity.

The stretch on Yonge St. from Gerrard to Dundas will be closed to traffic for the FMWF Parade on Aug. 16, from 11 a.m to 2 p.m.

Since the inaugural fes-tival in August 2007, the FMWF has attracted amaz-ing Filipino artists and tal-ents who are making waves around the globe.

Past FMWFs did attract crowds from Toronto’s di-verse communities.

This year’s entertain-ment line-up will feature the Global Filipino in action.

The Sing Galing tal-ent search has reportedly brought international atten-tion from Filipino talents from as far as Germany.

According to Teresa Torralba, the festival’s co-founder and overall direc-tor: “We will forever keep a global theme in all our events.”

“After all, it’s one of the reasons we called our festi-val as such! All these artists and talents make every Fili-pino very proud,” Torralba said.

The Philippines made waves as the Texting Capi-tal of the World, “so let’s all text our friends to catch the waves on Aug. 15 and 16 and invite them to a festival we can all be proud of,” she added.

The festival will also feature and offer a big bite of Philippine cuisine and a

mixture of Asian & Euro-pean dishes.

The culinary display will be showcased in festi-val booths.

On the other hand, eth-nic booths will feature Phil-ippine arts and crafts, as well as products from the festival’s sponsors.

“Come! Join us at the Yonge-Dundas Square on Aug. 15 and 16 for a week-end of non-stop entertain-ment, shopping and fun! After all, admission is free,” Torralba said. PR

FMWF showcases Kawayan at Yonge St. in 2-day festivalArts & EntertainmentArts & Entertainment


Josie de Leon (right) interviews Mikey Bustos who renderred a cut from his album “Memoirs of a Superhero”. PR

Josie de Leon, Toronto’s favorite Filipina diva, hosts the newest fare on television, Celebrate with Josie on TV, which started airing on June 16 on Rogers FTV 606.

Celebrate ... is a one-hour talk/entertainment show that will showcase personal interviews with prominent fi gures from the Fil-Canadian community.

Chat Bautista, CEO and president of Studio Six, said “Celebrate with Josie on TV will be another avenue for our very talented Filipino-Canadian singers and performers. We are privileged to give exposure to these wonderful talents.”

“While it is true that we produce concerts and live shows, many of our kababayans miss these shows. So we were so excited when M Studio asked us to do this endeavor with them,” Bautista said.

The show is a co-production of M Studio and Studio Six Productions.

The creative talents of both entities collaborate in all aspects of production to come up with a quality show that is worth watching and worth anticipating.

“We would like to give honor to the immense contribution of Filipino composers to the music landscape. Each show will be dedicated to a particular composer like Cecille Azarcon, Willy Cruz, to mention a couple of them,” Bautista said.

“Kaya abangan ninyo, mga kababayan, dahil mariring ninyo sa Celebrate with Josie on TV ang mga paborito niyong Pinoy songs. Mabuti rin kasing patuloy nating iparinig sa mga anak natin ang mga

‘Celebrate with Josie’MAVIC PALANCA

awiting Pinoy para hindi malayo ang loob nila sa ating kultura,” show host Josie de Leon said.

Celebrate ... attempts to creatively bring to fore highlights of Filipino culture in a segment called Pinoy Ka Ba?

Educational and enter-taining, this segment will give a chance to Filipino-Canadian descendants born here, to know more of the Filipino culture.

Live audience is welcome during tapings at M Studio. PR

Arts & EntertainmentArts & Entertainment

36 MANILA MEDIA MONITORMANILA MEDIA MONITORJUNE 2009JUNE 2009

37MANILA MEDIA MONITORJUNE 2009Arts & EntertainmentArts & Entertainment

Dancing To Be A Star, the community’s leading affair targeting ballroom afi cionados in the GTA and one of the Philippine Independence Day Council’s (PIDC) many projects, promises another glamorous evening of terpsichorean expertise at the Sts. Peter & Paul Banquet Hall on Oct. 3.

As DStars enters it third year of showcasing the community’s dancing art prowess, PIDC president Jun Enverga has appointed anew Leone Manzanares as event chairperson, to lead and organize the sensational and thrilling event.

Manzanares will get support from co-chairs Rosemer Enverga and Rory Elefano. The co-chairing chores were previously done by Imie Belanger and Pete Mauricio, who originally discovered and articulated out their dance ideas with Manzanares, who in turn elaborated and structured the event concept.

Manzanares urged ballroom competitors to attend the DStars launching at Casa Manila on June 21. “Please come that Sunday to further be acquainted with the details, criteria, guidelines and the whole concept of the competition,” she said.

In a press conference, it was revealed that PIDC is bringing in some dancing personalities this year, besides the annual professional ballroom exhibitors.

“This annual festivity is also a showcase of colorful and vibrant aggressive competitors who all look ravishing in their outrageous outfi ts as they were given different categories to choose from in front of the three adjudicators,” Manzanares said.

“This year, we will be seeking for a Silver and Gold winners once more. It only involves dancing one Latin and you can choose from (Rumba/Jive/Cha-Cha/Merengue or even Salsa) and only one Modern or Standard dance choosing from (Waltz/Fox Trot/Quick Step or Tango),” she said.

“Bouquets, trophies and cash prizes are at stake,” she added. PR

PIDC ‘Dancing To Be A Star’ launch on June 21; finals on Oct. 3

PIDC DSTARS ‘08 WINNERS

38EntertainmentEntertainment

MANILA MEDIA MONITORJUNE 2009

Joel ReclaProducer/Host

PAHALANG 1. Pamalo ng bola 4. Supsop 8. Tika12. Kawangki13. Bangkarote14. Iyak ng hayop15. Pera ng Hapon16. Tawag sa pulis17. Hilo 18. Asawa ng kuya20. Daladalahan22. Idyoma ng ‘sabi ko’24. Tibay26. Idapa28. Tuligsa32. Libo33. Pagtotono35. Subok36. Ipaubos ng madalian38. Ladlad sa lupa40. Sundalo42. Loterya43. Bangkalan46. Sapot ng gagamba 48. Tiis49. Malaking talyasi51. Sinisa54. Paunang bayad55. Inis56. Pantukoy, Kastila57. Maalat58. Hangad59. Bantay ng bahay

PABABA 1. Manila de ______ 2. Madrasta

3. Kadena 4. Iwas 5. Dampot 6. Tuyo 7. Galang 8. Isang gang 9. Salok10. Palda11. Inog19. Parte ng ulo21. Katog22. Mahiyain23. Bubungan25. Ikuwento27. Kupad

29. Tagapamahala30. Biskwit ng Cebu31. Tali ng hayop34. Malaking pagong37. Talas ng isip39. Biyenes41. Lampas sa inaasinta43. Pag-ibis sa sasakyan44. Todas45. Angkat47. Bikas50. Asam52. Tawag sa amo53. Malaking hayop(Sagot sa PAHINA 32)

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Sensuous singer Jen Camacho is expected to burn the stage of Sunrise Restaurant when she unfolds a very special Fathers’ Day show on June 20 at 8 p.m.

She will perform with a bevy of local artists at the Bistro & Karaoke Bar.

Hamilton’s ‘Prince of Songs’ Per Emman Alavata is the featured singer in the two-hour show with a powerful supporting cast composed of Inah Canlapan, Nicole Datol Bello, Maria Theresa Panaligan, Jeanette Ricasio, Ashley Suva, James Daryl Valdez, dancing master CJ Destacamento and his dancers Cindy Villasanta, Marielle Bueno and Jean Rose Alavata.

Master Jav Villasanta is the show’s emcee.

Acknowledged as Toronto’s Concert Queen, Camacho will serenade fathers present in the show with a repertoire of ballads

Jen Camacho sings live in aspecial Fathers’ Day treat

and bouncy selections only she can dish out.

The special Father Day’s live treat is sponsored by CWSS Canada-USA Immigration Services, PNB Remittance Company Canada, ACN Video Phone and North 44 Productions.

Camacho is also doing the show to help producers The Philippine Courier, Cecille Araneta and Eduard Que raise funds for Celia Mansibang, a cancer-stricken Filipina caregiver.

A “Father of the Night” will be selected by a three-man jury headed by Marie Villasanta. The father will receive a special prize, with a serenade from Camacho. PR

CAMACHO

Folksinger Sarabia with Buds

Toronto folksinger Chito Sarabia (center in both pics) exchanges music notes with (above) Pinoy folk-rock greats Mike Hanopol and Lolita Carbon and (below) Wally Gonzales and Joey ‘Pepe” Smith. Hanopol, Gonzales and Smith compose the popular Juan dela Cruz Band that is touring Canada and expected to give another great performance in the Philippine Independence Day Council’s Mabuhay Festival at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on July 18. Carbon is with the equally popular folk group Asin. PR

Cannes Filmfest Best Director

From right, Filipino director Brillante Mendoza, Filipino actors Maria Isabel Lopez, Coco Martin and Mercedes Cabral, and producer Ferdinand Lapuz arrive for the screening of the film Kinatay during the 62nd International film festival in Cannes, southern France on May 17.

A Filipino director best-ed better-known names in the global film industry to bag the Best Director plum in the 62nd edition of the Cannes International Film Festival in France.

Brillante Mendoza thus earned the reputation of be-ing the first Filipino to win the prestigious award for a full-length film.

Mendoza’s entry Kina-tay (Butchered) received more raves than those sub-

mitted for screening by famous filmmakers Quen-tin Tarantino (Inglourious Basterds), Ang Lee (Taking Woodstock) and their likes.

Kinatay is a crime film about a “chop-chop” lady (played by Maria Isabel Lo-pez) who was kidnapped, raped, and beaten up be-fore she was murdered and hacked to pieces.

Aside from Kinatay, two full-length Filipino films also participated in Cannes

2009.These are Independen-

cia directed by Raya Mar-tin, and Manila of Adolfo Alix Jr. and Raya Martin.

Two short films from the Philippines were also screened namely, Sab-ongero (Cockfight Aficio-nado) directed by Filipino-American Janice Perez and Manong Maong (Mr. Blue Jeans) an animated film megged by Aissa Peñafiel and Miguel Ocampo. PR


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Manila Media Monitor -- JUNE 2009