Manila Media Monitor -- JULY 2009

YEAR 13, No. 1 JULY 2009 Home Paper of the 1999 Canadian Ethnic Journalists’ and Writers’ Club Winner for Best Editorial Toronto, Ontario

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Dancing To Be A Star - 33

INSIDEINSIDEOoops & Bloops

Front PageFront PagePhilippines:Philippines:

Top-rated Top-rated show?- 7show?- 7 You’re theYou’re the

match!match!

For 8 other ‘kababayans’ needing bone marrow transplants, perhaps ...bone marrow transplants, perhaps ...

By BUTCH DG. GALICIA

Myelofibrosis-afflicted Carol Basco Datoon has found her match -- and there are two of them.

Very soon, she may go through that much sought af-ter bone marrow transplant, courtesy of one or both of her donor-matches.

But eight other similarly leukemia-stricken Filipino-Canadians and some 760 more in Canada are not as for-tunate as Carol.

They all still have to endure the excruciating pain of hoping and waiting ... for that medically perfect match, ‘who could be YOU.’

(To page 4)

‘Fewer than 30 percent of patients will find a com-patible donor from a family member; 70 percent rely on the generosity of an unrelated donor for available sources of stem cells. To survive, Carol Datoon (photo above) must receive a stem cell transplant as do the over 750 other patients in Canada.’ - OneMatch.ca

MANILA - Philippine President Gloria Macapa-gal-Arroyo will be received by U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House on July 30, it was announced by the White House Press Secretary through the U.S. embassy in Manila.

This makes Macapa-gal-Arroyo the first leader from Southeast Asia to visit the United States under the Obama administration, a

Global issues to topObama-Arroyo meet

By GLORIA JANE BAYLON

Queen Elizabeth II to visit Canada

Queen Elizabeth II (right) meets with Prime Minister Stephen Harp-er in Buckingham Pal-ace in London during the recent G8 summit. Photo: DEB RANSOM

OTTAWA – Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh will visit Canada in 2010 for their 25th trip to the country, announced Canada Governor General Michaelle Jean.

Jean is the queen’s rep-resentative in Canada. The British monarch serves as head of state in the country, which is both a parliamen-tary democracy and a con-stitutional monarchy.

Details on the dates of the trip and the royal cou-ple’s schedule, subject to the usual diary considerations, will be released later.

“It is always a high hon-our to host a royal visit ... a celebration of our shared heritage and values,” said

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

The trip will be the queen’s 25th to Canada since she ascended to the throne in 1953. Her most recent visit was in 2005. OBAMA ARROYO(To page 26)

All outAll outfor soundfor sound

mind, bodymind, body- - 33

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2 MANILA MEDIA MONITORJULY 2009

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(To page 17)

The development of a sound mind and a healthy body remains to be the focus of the Filipino Centre Toronto (FCT) as its offi cers and directors embark on four spearheading programs for the community.

These novel programs include psychiatric assess-ment clinics, a Filipino Night with the Raptors at the Air Canada Centre, an upcoming workshop on cultural identity for the youth, and the recently-concluded Enhanced English seminar-workshop.

Psychiatric clinicsTop of the list is the

continuing psychiatric assessment clinics that Dr. Maselle Virey conducts every fi rst Saturday of the month from 1 to 4 p.m., alternating between the FCT and the Kalayaan Centre in Mississauga.

Dr. Virey is a a practicing psychiatrist. An FCT director, he is also the president of the Filipino Canadian Medical Association (FCMA).

“Patients I see preferably should have OHIP coverage. I donate the full consultation fee to FCT or Kalayaan, wherever I hold the event.

For FCT, I have requested that the fee goes to the salaries of our staff,” Virey said.

“They also have to be referred by their family physician, so that there is a fallback doctor in case I cannot readily attend to urgent issues, as my offi ce schedule is almost always fully booked. Follow-up appointments are booked in my offi ce,” he said.

In addition to the traditional psychiatric con-sultation and assessment, Dr. Virey has incorporated a mentoring component to his clinics.

He explained: “I have initiated in the FCMA a mentoring process to help our newcomer Filipino

immigrant physicians navi-gate the maze towards credentialing.”

“They watch me as I do my assessment. Patients are warned ahead of time that they will be observed by doctors and more often than not, they consent.,” he said.

“Then we discuss the case, the diagnosis, work-up/investigations and treatment. I encourage them to bring psychiatry examination questions, which help them choose the most appropriate answer. Most of these doctors are very grateful for the experience,” he added.

Dr. Virey further said, “There is nothing more gratifying for me than instilling in them a vision of hope that they can practice

medicine in this country someday.”

Raptors Filipino NightFilipinos in Ontario

should feel proud to know that sometime in the fall, when the basketball season starts, the Air Canada Centre will dedicate one day of a Raptors game to Filipino Night.

Maria Teresa Panaligan, a Filipino Singing Idol winner, is expected to sing the national anthems of Canada and the Philippines.

The good tidings came about after Toronto Raptors marketing director Clayton Smith was impressed with what he saw and heard at the Hoop Dome last month during the Victoria Invitational Basketball

Tournament (VIBT).The Raptors’ mascot

appeared in the opening ceremonies and thrilled the audience with his basketball antics.

Maria Teresa sang the national anthems and touched Smith, while the prowess and enthusiasm of young Filipino-Canadian basketball players inspired Smith to do something to promote the game among the community’s youth.

Smith came to the Filipino Centre and met with FCT president Lynda Javier and Philip Beloso, VIBT organizer, to talk on plans for a Filipino Night and prepare a poster for distribution.

“Hopefully,” said Javier, “the team that will be playing against the Raptors on Filipino Night will be the Miami Heat because the coach is a Filipino.”

The Filipino coach is Eric Spoelstra, a bachelor at 37. His father is of Dutch-Irish descent while his mom Elisa Celino is from San Pablo City. Eric is the fi rst of Filipino descent to become a head coach of an NBA team and the youngest

coach in NBA history.Cultural identity

The Filipino youth’s search for cultural identity has been a noted community concern, and the FCT has taken steps to facilitate a workshop under its Cultural Heritage Program in September.

Frank Villanueva and Mary Ann San Juan have volunteered to take charge of the workshops.

Villanueva said that this fall, FCT would offer eight Saturday workshops on various aspects of Filipino culture to young adults between 18 to 25 years old.

The target group, composed of mostly college and university students, have earlier strongly indicated the need for cultural education.

Workshop topics would include the Filipino in Canada (Immigration and Community); Culture, Race and Ethnicity; Social and Family Values; Filipino Music and Visual Arts; Literature; Film and Theatre; and Food and Popular Culture, Villanueva said.

Other related topics would be part of the program

FCT pushes sound mind, body initiativesBy AIDA E. D’ORAZIO

VIREY

► Continuing psychiatric clinics► Filipino Night with the Raptors► Cultural identity workshop for the youth► Enhanced English Language seminar and workshop

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4 newsnewsMANILA MEDIA MONITOR

JULY 2009

“Working together helps us all,” says Carol Basco Datoon. This is best ex-emplified by the way she and her sisters share each other’s pain and help one another go through it. From left are Joy Basco Fisher who lives in Michi-gan, Beth Basco Santulan of Etobicoke, Carol, and Mariglo of Las Vegas. Beth also helps Carol and husband Joven Datoon send out and respond to e-mails and distribute leukemia-related awareness literature.

You’re the match!(From page 1)

Ethnicity sensitiveIn an e-mail interview

with the Manila Media Monitor, Carol explained that finding a donor-match “is not that easy.”

The donor has to be eth-nically Filipino.

Making things harder for bone marrow transplant pa-tients is the slim chance of relatives being perfect do-nor-matches.

None of Carol’s three siblings - Joy, Beth and Mariglo - was a match.

All that her sisters could do for Carol and husband

Joven was to help the couple and the Canadian OneMatch Stem Cell and Marrow Net-work (OneMatch) promote awareness about stem cell and bone marrow transplants and enlist people to sign up as possible donors.

“Fewer than 30 percent of patients will find a com-patible donor from a family member; 70 percent rely on the generosity of an unre-lated donor for available sources of stem cells,” One-Match said.

Compounding the dif-ficulty of finding a match is

the very short list of poten-tial and actual donors.

“I found out that (the number of) people registered with OneMatch as donors was very low,” said Carol.

“We are pleading to Fili-pinos for bone marrow do-nations,” she said.

Face of the causeMary Lynn Pride, patient

transplant liaison special-ist of the Canadian Blood Services, said OneMatch is working with the Filipino communities in Toronto, Barrie and Ottawa, all in Ontario, to bring the need for more donors to the fore, as eight other Filipinos have

(To page 6)

5MANILA MEDIA MONITORJULY 2009

6 MANILA MEDIA MONITORJULY 2009 newsnews

to have transplants to sur-vive the affliction.

“Carol is the face of the cause within the commu-nity,” Pride told the Manila Media Monitor.

Like Carol, all the 760 plus Canadian patients “are looking to their com-munities to be dedicated to

You’re the match!(From page 4)

proceed (with the stem cell or bone marrow donation) when called,” she added.

Pride said OneMatch, besides promoting aware-ness, is “responsible for searching for matched do-nors for patients, ensuring that donors are medically eligible to donate; and in

Helping ease Carol’s pain are husband Joven and children Jared, 17; Cearden, 15; and Jyles, 12.

coordinating the collection of stem cells in Canada and around the world.”

“OneMatch also works with patients and families in understanding the search process and community outreach at the time of their need,” she said.

‘Waiting is hard.’Carol told this paper that

she was earlier diagnosed with myelofibrosis, a disor-der of the bone marrow.

In Carol’s case, her bone marrow fails to produce red cells; thus needing a trans-plant.

She said the anxiety of waiting for a donor-match has added to the physical pain she has to endure day in and day out from myelo-fibrosis.

Medical literature says myelofibrosis signs and symptoms include abdomi-nal fulness related to an enlarged spleen, bone pain, bruising and easy bleeding, fatigue, increased suscep-tibility to infection, pallor and shortness of breath.

She said the medication she has been taking daily could offer only temporary relief.

Carol hinted that the same emotional stress and physical pain were being felt by the other eight Filipi-nos needing stem cell trans-plants.

She said she had no idea

who the eight are. “I have never met them.”

OneMatch also did not disclose details of the eight.

Hoping and praying“When we heard (One-

Match) found two matches for me, I was excited,” Car-ol said.

Dr. Lipton from Prin-cess Margaret Hospital de-livered the good news on July 2; and informed Carol and Joven that they have to meet with the Transplant Team on July 21.

Although nothing much has changed physically with her, the news boosted Carol emotionally.

“I was happy, and thank-ful to the Heavenly Father for listening and answering our prayers,” she said.

“I knew He had never forsaken me. I know that He is watching over me. I have never lost hope in Him,” she added.

In that meeting, the Transplant Team “will be able to tell us what is go-

ing to happen in terms of the transplant, and the treat-ment I will need, such us chemotherapy and radiation before the actual transplant happens,” she said.

“I am scared and happy at the same time.”

Help citedCarol’s story came to

the attention of this writer through Teresa Torralba, overall director of Focus-Making Waves Festival.

Torralba said she has of-fered Carol and OneMatch a booth - where they could launch their awareness campaign and initiate a do-nor enlistment drive - dur-ing the festival at Yonge-Dundas Square on Aug. 15 and 16.

For her part, Carol cited Torralba’s help, as she noted how others have extended their hands and resources to make the community know of the plight of leukemia-stricken patients.

“Tinig Pinoy in Ottawa helped us with our aware-

ness program during their Philippine Independence Picnic in June. I believe they are still spreading awareness on bone marrow transplants in the Ottawa re-gion,” she noted.

Filipino organizations in Barrie (where the Datoon family lives), made people aware of her and her fel-low patients’ plight during a gala night.

Carol said her husband Joven even talked to Jose Brillantes, Philippine Am-basaddor to Ottawa, and discussed with him the im-portance of an awareness program on bone marrow transplant in Filipino com-munities in Canada.

Meanwhile, John Brom-ley, communications man-ager of OneMatch, said the organization would be partnering with the Filipino communities across Canada when they conduct activi-ties for the National Stem Cell Awareness Week from November 16 to 21.

The management and the administrative,editorial and research staff of

wish to thank advertisers, readers, contributors,supporters and friends for making the paper

their OWN and keeping it up for 13 solid years.

ACE ALVAREZ

Front Page Philippines:Top-rated show?

7VIEWSVIEWSMANILA MEDIA MONITORJULY 2009

Those great men and women who manned the reception desk at the 2009 Philippine Independence Day Council (PIDC) Mabuhay Festival on July 18 did their jobs … oh, well … “very well” … this year.

They really secured the place to allow only tickets marked in their master fi les as “Paid” gain entry to the premises.

I heard of stories that even tickets which were paid from sources – but not communicated and marked in their master fi les as “Unpaid” were not honored (and, of course with reason).

Even Paulina Chan – the “2008 Miss Philippines PIDC”, though a participant in several activities indicated in the program, encountered delay getting in.

In my case, I did not encounter any delay getting in at Hall D of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre

– the venue of the festival. By agreement between

the Philippine Press Club-Ontario (PPC-O) and the PIDC, all we “invited media people” do is show our PPC-O ID card.

Having forgotten my PPC-O ID card, I thought I would not be allowed entry. But the creativeness in me worked.

Asked by the security people at the gate where my media ID card is, I showed them a card – an image of which is replicated in Photo 1, asking them at the same

time, “Any problem with it?”

Reply was, “Oh no! None at all, sir.” (may “sir” pa!)

***

Unable to catch any of the 1 p.m. Mass on Sunday, July 12, my wife Gie and I heard the 2 p.m. one at St. Thomas More on Ellesmere and Markham Road in Scarborough. We didn’t know that it was in Spanish.

While the priest was saying his homily, the person seated in the pew in front of me turned his

back and seemed to be asking me something; of course, in Spanish.

Unable to speak and understand the Spanish language (regardless of

completing the course in third and fourth year high school, plus 12 credit units in college), my reply to the guy was, “sssshhhh”; the poor guy turned away his head from me, and never looked back again through the entirety of the Mass.

***A story appearing on

July 15 in the electronic version of Manila daily, The Manila Times read, “Recession will spare RP”.

Ano ba ‘yan, parang press release. Kailan ba tayo magsasabi ng totoo?

***The image in Photo

2 is a still from the new 30-sec. Mabilis PNB TV Commercial airing on Front Page Philippines in Ontario and Alberta through OMNI Television, and across Canada via satellite through the only three satellite providers allowed by the CRTC to operate across the country.

The com-mercial goes s o m e t h i n g like: “Si Ben, mabilis g u m i s i n g ; m a b i l i s m a l i g o , m a b i l i s k u m a i n , m a b i l i s umalis ng

PAULINA CHAN

PHOTO 2

(To page 29)

bahay ….Meanwhile, last

month’s issue of Manila Media Monitor carried all the big money remittance companies serving the Filipino market, name-ly Western Union, Royal Bank of Canada, Moneygram, etc.

There’s no truth that the reason why PNB Remittance missed that issue was that Ben woke up late and missed sending Manila Media Monitor the ad placement.

***An NDP press release

on June 4: “New Democrats seek to ban racial and religious profi ling”.

… and I thought all the while that such was the law, since I came here in the 90s!

***On June 6, my

good friend Mon Datol – publisher and editor of

PHOTO 1

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

416-875-2541

[email protected]

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Whatever we do, let’s do itwell and everything follows

RoundaboutMAG CRUZ-HATOL

From TheMonitor’s Desk

ACE ALVAREZ

In this city of aff ectionsand contradictions

8 VIEWSVIEWSMANILA MEDIA MONITOR

JULY 2009

12 years of dedicatedcommunity service

When an international study listed Manila as occupying almost bottom rung among the most liv-able cities in the world, the usual whiners among the Pinoys could not contain their disgust.

They were soon training their sights and dreams on the top win-ners, Vancouver and Toronto be-ing two of them.

Part of the whining includes enumerating in their minds what is wrong. It is part of the national pastime to find blame elsewhere for one’s misfortunes.

We do not have to look too far to understand why it will take generations before this former il-lustrious Spanish outpost in the East can lay claim to being as liv-able as Singapore or Auckland .

For starters, we drop our jaws at the myriad contradictions that characterize this once serene city of the Orient.

The Church commands us to honor our fathers and mothers.

Among the funniest, some-times merciless jokes in circula-tion are those that poke fun at the modern day icon’s Nanay Diony-sia Pacquiao.

Not only does the buffoonery milk laughter at the expense of her dress, countenance, speech and demeanor; what fuels the flame of ridicule is the seeming tolerance of her golden son, Manny, who can only utter his worn out signa-ture line “Salamat sa suporta” each time a mic is thrust to his mouth.

The Pacman parlays his power

by dispensing cold cash to indigent kababayans in General Santos and throwing scandalously expensive parties where even scoundrels, corrupt politicians and wives of former dictators are invited.

But no whimper has been heard from him begging media and the pandering public to stop caricaturing his poor mother alto-gether.

If he does not have it in his conscience, at least his scores of well paid hacks and advisers should have thought of whisper-ing the idea to him.

“Use your clout Manny, tell them to spare your mother before your own children make fun of Jinky when she gets old.” (An-other vicious joke running around is her purported sex video with Haydn Kho which the cruel joke says she admitted to having.)

In school, we were instructed to be honest, reprimanded when we cheated and asked to line up

orderly at the canteen, at the cha-pel, at the gym.

In today’s political firmament, the biggest cheaters get praised and applauded, evade prison, en-joy life in the limelight, even get elected for what seems like eter-nity. Bureaucrats don’t have to queue up at airports nor in concert lines.

Returning tourists are forced to go through thermal examina-tion at air terminals; but not politi-cians whose salaries people pay.

A thief gets mugged and jailed for stealing money to feed his hungry family; congressmen and other officials who pocket mil-lions of pesos are not even slapped on the wrist.

Their faces are plastered on streamers and bills that taxpayers ignorantly paid for and which de-face the already over-embellished streets.

As children, we were con-stantly reminded by our parents

and doctors to eat healthy, to shun sweets and favor fruits and veg-gies.

Those little reminders soon get dwarfed by the barrage of messages in media beguiling us to sink our teeth into fried items like chicken, potatoes and pancakes; to enjoy the sinful pleasures of candy, cake and ice cream and to develop a liking for instant noo-dles, burgers and hotdogs.

But where are the ads cajoling us to eat vegetables and fruit?

An ordinance bans men from roaming the streets with no shirts.

How can that law find efficacy when strewn all over the city are billboards celebrating the sexy, unshirted man promoting under-wear, jeans, and colognes, as if saying to all that it is fashionable to show off, unconscionable to be prudely dressed.

We are told tall tales about local economic growth in one breath, and in another, govern-ment bandies its victory in secur-ing more menial jobs overseas for the countless jobless.

The statistics of underemploy-ment have improved, insists the Palace, but only after we discover that even the part time jobs and brief contract hires were added to the count, passed of as gainfully employed.

Indeed, in this city of our af-fections and affectations, the most bizarre contradictions rule.

And we can only gnash our teeth and clench our fists.

Asked by Philippine Press Club-Ontario (PPC-O) member Imelda Suzara at the press conference, Thursday, July 18, of artists planed in by GMA for the PIDC Mabuhay Festival, if she has tried to get into the North American movie industry, Filipino actor Iza Calzado said that in 2007, she was cast in Echo – a fi lm by an independent American fi lmmaker shot in Toronto.

Iza said it is her dream, too, to be part of the Hollywood fi lm industry, but looking for avenues to pursue such a dream, one Hollywood fi lm insider asked her if she has work in the Philippines, to which Iza responded affi r-matively. She was told that she must be happy, considering that a lot of actors do not have work, and that in the meantime to hang on where she is.

Iza responded to Imelda’s question very beautifully. Her reply was likewise very rational and realistic.

Iza’s statement reminded me that after coming to this country in the 90s, I tried to apply with the so-called mainstream media at that time, but letter after letter came rejection after rejection.

Finally, tired of it all, I decided to establish my own publication (and which I take this opportunity to thank Manila Media Monitor readers and advertisers that the paper survived stiff competition in the Toronto Filipino Canadian community in the last 13 years).

My two colleagues in the Filipino Canadian media in Toronto -- namely, Manila Media Monitor editor Butch Galicia and

PPC-O president Tenny Soriano, have similar experiences, too, as they narrated a couple of years ago during an interview with host, Gie Alvarez, on TV program Front Page Philippines, airing on OMNI 2 Television in Ontario (during those times and now also being aired on cable in Alberta and via satellite across the country being carried by the three satellite providers allowed by the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission to operate in Canada).

Tenny stressed during the interview, “Pareho rin naman, media rin naman ang mga sinusu-latan natin, e”. His statement has reference to the two kinds of media in this country, the so-called “mainstream”, and the ethnic media – to which the Filipino media belongs.

Many of us are somewhat indifferent with the classifi cation “ethnic” media, but that is how we are classifi ed under the legal promulgations affecting us by the Canadian federal government; so, until the term is changed, we

will continue to be classifi ed as “ethnic” media.

“For want of a better phrase’ as my fellow blogger – former Toronto ad agency art director and promotions man Bill Andersen puts it, the so-called ethnic media is now considered by media observers as the new mainstream with major and national advertisers putting in their print and broadcast media advertising and promotional efforts on these grouping.

I recall that before 2000, government information offi ces and agencies only dispatched their news releases to mainstream media; invitations to press conferences were likewise sent only to them.

My predecessor to the presidency of the Canadian Ethnic Media Association (CEMA), Ben Viccari, channelled his efforts promoting the ethnic media as a vehicle likewise for these news and information.

Soon, the Art Gallery of Ontario and various federal and provincial government information offi ces, begun to include the ethnic media

in their distribution list.Today, advertising and PR

agencies are as busy as ever dealing with the ethnic media on behalf of their clients.

I remember one executive of a television station as saying that years back, media industry circles would refer to the station at the foot of Bathurst Street and Lakeshore Boulevard West as “the little TV station on Lakeshore”.

Today, the station is one of the biggest with operations in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Alberta. The work in the propagation of a multilingual television station is attributed mostly to Madeline Ziniak – national vice president today of Rogers OMNI Television, that even the federal government recognizes its value to Canada, hence, named Madeline recently to the Order of Canada.

Madeline was cited for “her contributions as the major driving force behind the development and growth of multilingual and multicultural television in Canada.”

The citation is recognition in itself of the value of ethnic media to Canada.

I take this opportunity in congratulating Madeline – our board chair at CEMA, anew for this feat, for her citation includes our objectives at CEMA. My heartfelt congratulations on my behalf, your offi cers and board members at CEMA, and from my wife, Gie, too.

Lesson on these is that, on whatever we do, let us do it well and, by God’s grace, everything follows.

The last word

CommentaryBEN VICCARI


BLOG REVIEW

Has Rizal gone green?

A ray of hope forrenal failure suff erers

PerspectiveRICARDO J.S. CALUEN

Thunder on the left, secrecy and subterfuge on the right lead one to hope that contrary to Yeats’ dire, predictive poem The Second Coming, the centre will hold.

For democracy’s sake - because that’s what’s at stake right now.

Generally, Labour’s demands selfi shly deny that the crisis in which we fi nd ourselves requires sacrifi ces on the part of everyone in society.

Similarly old-style capitalists still cling to the trickle down mirage of laissez faire.

In spite of assurances that Canada is weathering the recession that, according to Stephen Harper a few months ago, “never was” but has proven all too real, Democracy is at stake in Canada.

The tabling of Bill 47: technical assistance to law enforcement offi cers is a genuine threat to the civil rights of any Canadian who operates a web site.

While the internet is being used to some extent for undeniably subversive purposes, this new act opens the door to a widespread closing down of sites disapproved by the PMO.

Wake up, Canada!***

Charlie Brown was a B-17 Flying Fortress pilot with the 379th Bomber Group at Kimbolton , England.

His B-17 was called ‘Ye Old Pub’ and was in a terrible state,

having been hit by fl ak and fi ghters.

The compass was damaged and they were fl ying deeper over enemy territory instead of heading home to Kimbolton.

After fl ying the B-17 over an enemy airfi eld, a German pilot named Franz Steigler was ordered to take off and shoot down the B-17.

W h e n he got near the B-17, he could not believe his eyes.

In his words, he ‘had never seen a plane in such a bad state’.

The tail and rear section was severely damaged, and the tail gunner wounded.

The top gunner was all over the top of the fuselage.

The nose was smashed and there were holes everywhere.

Despite having ammunition, Franz fl ew to the side of the B-17 and looked at Charlie Brown, the pilot.

Brown was scared and struggling to control his damaged and bloodstained plane.

Aware that they had no idea where they were going, Franz waved at Charlie to turn 180

degrees.Franz escorted and guided the

stricken plane to, and slightly over, the North Sea towards England.

He then saluted Charlie Brown and turned away, back to Europe.

When Franz landed, he told the CO that the plane had been shot down over the sea.

He never told the truth to anybody.

Charlie Brown and the remains of his crew told all at their briefi ng, but were ordered never to talk about it.

More than 40 years later, Charlie Brown wanted to fi nd the Luftwaffe pilot who saved the crew.

After years of research, Franz was found.

H e had never t a l k e d about the inc iden t , not even at p o s t - w a r reunions.

T h e two met in the USA at a 379th B o m b e r G r o u p

reunion, together with 25 people who were still alive – all because Franz never fi red his guns that day.

When asked why he didn’t shoot them down, Stigler later said, “I didn’t have the heart to fi nish those brave men. I fl ew beside them for a long time. They were trying desperately to get home and I was going to let them do that. I could not have shot at them. It would have been the same as shooting at a man in a parachute.”

Brown and Steigler died in 2008.

(To page 15)

STEIGLER and BROWN

(EDITOR’S NOTE: The following blog article comes from the blogsite: wawam! after hours. It dwells on the act of Philippine officials who saw it fit to repaint in green the home of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal in Calamba, Laguna.)

Ambeth Ocampo, chair of the NHI (Philippine National Histori-cal Institute) is “the idiot who painted Rizal’s house green” and that is a quote from the column he wrote on the PDI (Philippine Daily Inquirer) on the topic on June 3.

In his reply, aside from acknowledging he is the idiot who did it, he also (acknowledges that) Rizal’s house was painted with the “green color everyone hates” .

While in his reply to wawam.wordpress he says they scraped off the paint and found out the “original” color of the house was green, this trivia was not mentioned in his June 3 column.

We wonder why this was mentioned only now.But let’s say they did find green after they scraped it – the June

3 column did say the “Rizal Shrine is not the original home of the National Hero. It is not covered by the same rigid conservation principles applied to a 19th century house. The present Rizal Shrine is but half a century old, having been reconstructed by Juan Nakpil in the 1950s and funded by donations from schoolchildren.”

That begs the question, when they scraped it, they were not re-ally scraping the real house of Rizal.

They scraped the house that someone else imagined to be Rizal’s house.

So using this argument as reason for painting it green may not hold water, or paint.

Based on what he knows and those written in his June 3 column, the best conclusion is that we do not know what was the color of Rizal’s house.

And yet he knows the green color that is there right is one that everyone hates.

He writes in his column historical sites like those of Rizal should “inform, educate and inspire”.

This green color certainly does not “inspire” at all. What it does is it makes us want to puke.

The education part is also questionable since this part seems to be just on the trivial pursuit of Rizal’s surname to mean a green field.

(To page 15)

I left a press conference on July 17 shocked to learn that at least 400 Fil-Canadians in Ontario are living on borrowed time, having been diagnosed to be in the end-stage of renal failure.

Every year, a similar fi gure is added to the gro-wing list of those suffering from renal failure, managing their condition via dialysis.

It is bad enough to note that it is extremely diffi cult for kidney patients to fi nd organ donors who are their match.

What complicates mat-ters is the passage of The Declaration of Istanbul on Organ Traffi cking and Transplant Tourism (the latest metamorphosis being in May 2008) of which Canada and the Philippines are signatories.

The declaration calls upon member states of the United Nations to ban human traffi c for the purpose of organ transplantation.

The press-con, organized by Dr. Francisco Portugal and CARP at the Aristokrat

Restaurant, painted an even grimmer picture of the state of renal failure victims.

Of the 400 new end-stage cases reported each year, 300 are expected to have their names listed on the obituary roll shortly.

The statistics are truly scary. (For more information about kidney transplantats and related issues, visit http://www.kidney.on.ca/html-detail-283.)

However, all is not lost, thanks to CARP.

Through its relentless professional and advocacy work on behalf of Danilo Barrido, the Iloilo native and long-time resident of

Hamilton, Ontario, would soon be fl ying to Manila to undergo kidney transplant at the famed St. Luke’s Hospital.

Barrido, a 56-year old

businessman, had been waiting for fi ve years for a kidney transplant in Canada, to no avail.

He had found a match (a relative) in the Philippines

but concerns raised by the Ministry of Health and Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) prevented the donor from getting approval to come to Canada.

Initially, the health ministry had reservations about the capability of Philippine hospitals to meet Ontario’s medical standards.

Another major concern is the suspicion that there could be a hidden recipient-donor arrangement that could violate the principles of the Istanbul Declaration.

Many countries in the world, particularly those belonging to the so-called Third World, are known to engage in the sale of live organs for the benefi t of wealthy foreign recipients.

The preamble of the declaration states that while “organ transplantation is one of the medical miracles of the twentieth century ... the many great scientifi c and clinical advances of dedicated health professionals, as well as countless acts of

generosity by organ donors and their families, have made transplantation not only a life-saving therapy but a shining symbol of human solidarity … Yet these accomplishments have been tarnished by numerous reports of traffi cking in human beings who are used as sources of organs and of patient-tourists from rich countries who travel abroad to purchase organs from poor people.”

In 2004, the World Health Organization, called on member states “to take measures to protect the poorest and vulnerable groups from transplant tourism and the sale of tissues and organs, including attention to the wider problem of international traffi cking in human tissues and organs.”

The Philippines has not lagged behind the global movement banning the traffi c of live organs.

It passed Republic Act 9208 (the amended Anti-Traffi cking in Persons Act (From left) CARP president Dr. Francisco Portugal poses with Nick Paman,

Danilo Barrido, and Rey Sunga. Photo: ARIEL RAMOS (To page 28)

Angels within

The 3rd EyeMARIO DIMAIN

10 VIEWSVIEWSMANILA MEDIA MONITOR

JULY 2009

Our JourneyEVA AGPAOA

What does it meanto be unifi ed?

It’s been a hectic couple of months for me.

As some of you know, I have launched a new business and am working round the clock to get it going.

A close friend and I have started a production company and our fi rst show is this August.

The basketball troupe will be touring Winnipeg, Montreal, Hamilton and Toronto.

It’s a big risk and frankly we are learning as we go.

Those of you who have followed my column know by now that I admire anyone who has the courage to take a risk.

Any risk always has the potential to fail.

But failure is also a great learning experience.

So wish us luck and come join the basketball

fun.I was having a conver-

sation with a friend recently and the topic of Filipino unity came up.

When I look around the different communities here in Toronto, it’s clear some are unifi ed and some are not.

What does it mean to be unifi ed?

Many things of course but a few stand out as being important:

► A unifi ed community supports its members.

A core value within a community is its ability and desire to support its members.

This can happen in a number of ways.

Support of local business; support through social organizations which cater to the less well off and the needy within the

community; educational support.

The key is that a unifi ed community looks for ways to offer support in the belief that strong members mean a strong community.

► A unifi ed community speaks with a unifi ed voice.

Another core value is the strength to speak with one voice to all the other communities around us as well as the government.

A single voice has a much better chance of getting things done for the community than a babble of incoherent rants.

Of course, there are so many different needs within a community and a single voice can never hope to address all of them.

But, an organized community has a sound process for hearing its constituents and reaching a consensus on priorities.

Don’t misunderstand me here.

A single voice doesn’t literally mean a single vocal chord bleating in the wind like a distressed lamb in the wilderness.

A single, unifi ed voice means a coherent well thought out series of messages that are important to the community.

A unifi ed community (To page 14)

In the s l e e p y barrio of San Miguel, n o t h i n g r e a l l y spectacular e v e r h a p p e n e d that is capable of putting it on the world map.

If not for my grand-parents who lived in the barrio, and the chapel where I found my superhero, the place wouldn’t have anything to entice me.

When I was about six, my father took me to San Miguel to stay a week with my grandparents.

They were thrilled to have me.

My grandmother was tender and tolerant.

She was the one who would lift the restrictions

imposed on me by my parents.

I loved her for that, giving me the chance to release all the contained energies of a restless boy.

She was the best.My grandfather,

on the other hand, was a man of few words but his words commanded respect when he spoke.

He was barely educated but he was brilliant.

He had an interesting explanation for everything I asked about.

My inquisitiveness amused him.

His grandfatherly smile was the signal that his answer would expand to another anecdote.

I loved listening to his stories, most particularly the one about an angel-warrior.

I enjoyed the story so much that I made him re-

tell it over and over again. I will never forget his

opening line that could hook any little boy of my time, “There was a good and brave angel who was sent by God to fi ght the Devil.”

Then he would continue as he pointed to the easterly direction, “At sunrise, this brave angel, named Michael drew his mighty sword and challenged the Devil who was hurting the children and turning good little boys into demons.”

“They fought from early morning to late afternoon.

“And at sunset, the devil fell to the ground and valiant Michael won the battle.”

My grandfather would then fi nish the story with a whisper to my ears, “He protects good little boys like you.”

It was his discreet way of telling me to stay out of trouble.

GRANDFATHER

ST. MICHAEL

(To page 14)

In fairness

OmertaBUTCH GALICIA

I envy to the max all those who trooped to wa-tering holes cum videoke bars on the night of July 18. Amid toasts and swigs, more daring but unable ones got to ribbit or hear other frogs croak out their fave tunes.

In fairness, many vid-eoke habitues really sing pretty well; although I doubt if Simon, Paula and Randy, unanimously or anony-mously, would hand them a ticket to Hollywood.

*****A lucky bunch those Sat-

urday night revelers really were, having been spared 15 bucks (equivalent to three bottles of beer or two dishes of pulutan) while en-joying the night away.

$15 was the moolah paid by each of the curious who eagerly and excitedly came to see what three artists (plus one) from Philippine-based television network GMA 7 looked like in the flesh and how they would fare on stage.

Philippine telenovela idols Richard Gutierrez and Rhian Ramos of Zorro, shining silver screen star Iza Calzado of the much-raved Batanes, and Richard’s twin brod and teevee host Raymond were flown in as the cast in the final act of the day-long Philippine In-dependence Day Council’s (PIDC) Mabuhay Festival

at the Metro Toronto Con-vention Centre.

By my reckoning, the four delivered a solo song each, two duets and a lot of intelligible talk during the 30-minute (plus or minus 10) appearance they made individually or as a group. (I think they spent more time posing for the lenses and signing autographs.)

OMG! I was then ready to call 9-1-1, fearing that someone in the audience might think of forming a mob to lynch and hang one or two of the artists for very lousy poetry reading.

(Is it true that in the Phil-ippines, the police have re-ported summary executions of karaoke singers who bas-tardize Frank Sinatra’s My Way?)

In fairness, the Gutier-rezes, Ramos (not my peers Rodel and Ariel or former Philippine prexy Fidel) and Calzado are drama artists, unlike comedianne Ai-Ai delas Alas who brought the house down with her antics in an over-an-hour show in last year’s festival.

*****‘Harang!’ said one.

‘Pa-kyut lang!’ said anoth-er. ‘Disappointing!’ some intoned. Thumbs down, signalled a few. Foreheads wrinkled in disgust.

The artists attracted a few shrieks, far from the boisterous howls and laugh-

ter that followed Ai-Ai’s ev-ery comic act.

Halfway through the 2 R’s and Iza plus One appear-ance, people started mov-ing towards the doors; and it was still too early (about 9:30 p.m.). Last year, the festival crowd stayed until nearly midnight.

In fairness, I did not hear anyone say ‘soli bayad.’

*****I could empathize with

the audience’s general sense of dissatisfaction.

People had been around for quite a time. Besides col-lecting bags, pens and other festival booth giveaways and indulging in food booth taste tests, they sat to see and appreciate Filipino cul-ture shown onstage through songs, music and dances.

They have had their fill of the best Filipino-Canadi-an talents ever amassed on stage, and many of the latter could pass as international performers.

I could live with the

technical malfunction dur-ing a musical production of Minerva and Studio, as a female singer vocalized the notes at the top of her voice when her mike went mute.

The audience’s expec-tations had built up; only to be floored when some of the Kapuso talents per-formed below par.

Like Pacquiao’s knock-out punch on Hatton, the hard reality sank in.

One commented: The sponsors should have sent in festival-quality entertain-ers, not drama princes and princesses who would only make us shed tears.

In fairness, PIDC and its sponsors spent a lot of time, effort and money to get Philippine artists into the festival.

*****If this was a PR stunt of

GMA to promote Zorro and its shows in Canadian cable TV, it miserably failed.

In fairness, my wife enjoyed GMA Pinoy TV

shows, even if they were delayed and oft-repeated telecasts, when these aired for free over Rogers Chan-nel 646 from June 11 to 25.

*****In fairness, let it be said

that the whole Mabuhay festival was a big success, another shining cultural legacy left by the men and women -- particularly PIDC president Jun Enverga and his ever-supportive wife Rosemer and festival direc-tor Minda Neri -- who put

RICHARD & RHIAN. Photo: ANAGAILE SORIANO

their minds and hearts into the festival.

This year’s Mabuhay festival once more proved to be the proper and endur-ing way to cap the series of PIDC activities, to include the search and crowning of Miss Philippines, Little Miss Philippines and Mrs. Philippines; the Salo-Salo sa Earl Bales Park; the Mabuhay Cup basketball tournament; the Gala Night and Dancing To Be A Star. [email protected]


PPC-O honors ConGen Mosquera, Consul Panolong

The Philippine Press Club-Ontario (PPC-O), industry peers and friends feted outgoing Philippine Consul General in Toronto Alejandro Mosquera and Consul Imelda Panolong with a ‘Final Press Con’ at the resi-dence of Ruben and Tess Cusipag on June 26. Dur-ing the occasion, PPC-O president Tenny Soriano and Awards Committee chair Jojo Taduran presented Mos-quera and Panolong with plaques of recognition; So-riano and Membership Committee chair Butch Galicia handed out the honorary membership to the club of the two Philippine officials; and Ricky Caluen presented to Mosquera a scrap book recollecting the ConGen’s six-year tour in Toronto through published articles and images. Photos: ARIEL RAMOS and LARRY TORRES

12 MANILA MEDIA MONITORJULY 2009 FEATUREFEATURE

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

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

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY - “I can’t imagine how my family survived during those times when I earned only P300 a week. Everything has changed now. I can earn the same amount in just one day,” Jeezreel Luzares, 31, a boat helper who ferries tourists from Sabang port to the Un-derground River here said.

The city is experiencing an unprecedented influx of tourists who liked to visit the Puerto Princesa Subter-ranean River National Park or Underground River.

“We have no more lean season. Everyday is peak day for the local tourism industry after this natural attraction topped the first round of the global search for new wonders of the world,” Felisa Torres, presi-dent of the City Tourism Council, said.

After the Abu Sayyaf kidnapping incident in Dos Palmas Resort in 2001, visi-tors were scarce.

“They were scared. But today our tourism industry is on the road to full recov-ery,” Torres said.

The boatmenLuzares was a former

fisherman. He left fishing

Tourism boom spells better life for Puerto PrincesansBy LYLE B. CORUÑAafter establishing a good in-

come from his new job as a boat helper.

His daughter Liean Mae, 6, will be in grade one this school year.

Part of his income is used for the medication of his daughter Geraldine, 5, who is suffering from men-ingitis for three years now.

Ferdinand Valiente, 39, also a Sabang boatman, said, “I have a new motor-cycle, television and a gen-erator set now.”

Boat owners earn P700 per trip. Normally, they can charter up to three trips a day. For every trip, P100 goes to the boat helpers.

There are hundreds of boat helpers at Sabang port where some 50 pump boats service local and foreign tourists who wish to see the sights inside the under-ground river.

Top tourist siteThe Puerto Princesa

Subterranean River Na-tional Park is the top tour-ism attraction of Palawan’s capital city.

It is in the Saint Paul Mountain Range on the northern coast of Puerto Princesa.

It became the official en-

try of the Philippines to the global search for the New Seven Wonders of Nature under Category E Nature Reserve and Nature Park.

Gift from Almighty“The Underground Riv-

er is a masterpiece and a gift from the Almighty. This is a true Philippine pride. Visitors from all around the world rush to see for them-selves the marvel of nature. They all suggest that we should conserve this natural park,” Edward Hagedorn,

Tourists are ferried to Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

(To page 13)

the city mayor, said.Besides funding from

the national government to make the area more acces-sible, Hagedorn allocated P120 million for the con-creting of the road leading to Sitio Sabang in Barangay Cabayugan where the fa-mous 8.2-kilometer under-ground river is located.

“This project benefits my constituents so much. With improved facilities, travel became fast and safe. We feel a fiesta frenzy ev-

eryday because of the in-creasing number of tourist arrivals. These tourists bring in money for our people. They seize every possible livelihood opportunity they could discover,” Punong Barangay Noel Venturillo of barangay Cabayugan said.

More visitors comingRebecca Nuevo, owner

of Tarao Beach Inn in Sa-bang, had to build more cottages to accommodate the growing number of visi-tors in the area.

“We are also obliged to hire extra staff and helpers, mostly residents in the area. We are happy to be a bless-ing to others,” Nuevo said.

Nuevo is just one of many accommodation pro-viders in Sabang beach.

Mayor Hagedorn was surprised with the huge in-crease in tourist arrival.

“We usually experience this number when there are national conventions, semi-nars, beauty pageant, Lak-bay-Aral or international sports events in the city. But today, the quantity becomes the normal daily figure. We did not expect 1,000 per-sons entering Underground River everyday,” he said.

“In April 2008 for ex-ample, 31,569 visitors were recorded by the city govern-ment. For the same month this year, 23,071 visitors arrived. There is an increase considering that from the total number of visitors last year, 15,000 of them were participants and guests of the Palarong Pambansa held in the city,” Ma. Cora-zon Timones, city tourism officer, explained.

Travelers who wish to settle overnight after ex-

13MANILA MEDIA MONITORJULY 2009FEATUREFEATURE

ploring the underground river slumber on those lodg-ing inns.

Restaurants that offer fresh and delicious delica-cies also abound.

Hagedorn said his of-fice is processing some 200 permits for construction of restaurants and hotels.

Tour guidesThe need of travel and

tours agencies for tourist guides has compelled the City Tourism Office to train these specialized workers.

“We raised the standard of tour guiding in Puerto Princesa. One should be a graduate of a four-year course before he could get a license. They should also pass the psychological test,” Timones said.

There are 79 city-li-

censed tour guides.One of them is Alex

Tribiana, a former overseas Filipino worker.

He decided not to re-new his contract after his contacts from various travel agencies flooded his sched-ule with loads of clients.

“Tourist guides usually earn P700 as guide fee for the Underground River tour. After lunch time, another P600 will be charged for the city tour which may include a visit to the Palawan Mu-seum, Mitra Ranch, Baker’s Hill, Iwahig Penal Colony, Crocodile Farm, Butterfly Garden, Vietnamese Vil-lage, Capitol Park Square and Bay Walk. Separate fees will be charged for a Honda Bay island hopping or a Dos Palmas trip,” Tribi-

ana enumerated. “Many of my friends

became rich. Some of them have purchased shuttle vans, beaches and houses. Some lucky female guides have married wealthy foreigners. On my part, I have sent my children to school. They are now professionals,” Tribi-ana proudly said.

Booming industryThe city government

has successfully regulated the local tourism industry through Ordinance 171 or the City Tourism Code.

“Our tourism players are united and strong. They are among the thousands of Puerto Princesans who ben-efit from the tourism boom. The tour operators are un-der the Association of Tour-ist and Travel Operators, (To page 30)

Tourism boom spells better life for ...(From page 12)

the accommodation provid-ers belong to the Associa-tion of Tourist Accommo-dation of Puerto Princesa, the boatmen in Honda Bay are members of the Honda Bay Boatmen Association, van operators belong to the Association of Transport Services, the tricycle driv-ers at the airport are under the Tricycle Frontliners, the restaurant owners belong to the Association of Restau-rant Owners and Managers and the souvenir shop own-ers and the pearl vendors have their own organiza-tions too,” council president Torres explained.

“We focus on giving livelihood through tourism and agriculture,” he said.

Cashew galoreA company has even

linked its products to the Underground River,” Hage-

dorn revealed. Isla Casoy de Palawan

has launched its cashew products at the Sabang pier near the underground river.

Erwin Saw, general manager, said they would export cashew products such as polvoron, tarts, roasted, spicy, garlic spicy, honey glazed nuts and chocolate cookies; all on display at SM and Robinson’s malls.

Daisy Tañafrancia of the Department of Science and Technology, said the agen-cy, with the JICA, assisted the company’s packaging technology to prolong the products’ shelf-life.

Tañafrancia urged Saw to provide measures to as-sure local farmers will grow with the company.

“Our department will supply our farmers with high quality cashew seeds

for planting. Farmers from barangay Simpocan and planters from the towns of Roxas, El Nido, Taytay and Cuyo and those in Mindoro and Batangas provinces may benefit from this en-deavor,” agriculture region-al director Antonio Geron-dio assured.

Of pearls and jewelryImmigrant Danny Ap-

sari, 33, who came from Zamboanga, never included farming in his plans.

“Magtitinda na lang ako dito ng mga perlas (I will settle for selling pearl-based jewelry),” he said.

Apsari sells a variety of jewelry made from cultured pearls, a tourist best-buy.

Unlike peers who sell pearl jewelry at the airport, he stays at a friend’s house in Barangay Cabayugan and

14 MANILA MEDIA MONITORJULY 2009 ViewsViews

takes pride in and celebrates its achievements.

► A strong community celebrates its achievements and invites all around them to celebrate with them.

This is a healthy pride that announces to the world, we are worthy of your respect.

► A community becomes unifi ed when it chooses to organize itself.

First and foremost, organizing around a strong leadership is key to becoming a strong community.

Many fear that choosing leadership means

relinquishing personal power and worse, that they risk corruption and personal gain among their leaders.

But real leadership is not about power or personal gain.

It is about a public trust bestowed on one or more individuals.

A strong leader knows this and treats that trust with care and respect.

These are just four of the many different values that make a strong unifi ed community.

I’m certain you can think of many more values and in fact I invite you to

do so.The benefi ts of a strong

community are many. Political relevance is a

key benefi t.It means we have a seat

at the table when decisions about our city are being made.

It means we have the necessary infl uence to help our members in meaningful ways.

Another benefi t is increasing our overall fi nancial strength.

Clearly not every individual within the community will be rich.

And some will be poor

to the point of poverty. But a strong community

seeks to minimize the disenfranchisement of its individuals through the values mentioned above.

We must never be afraid to help someone else better their life.

Individual fi nancial strength means a fi nancially stable community overall.

And let’s face it, more money usually means more clout.

A rich, coherent community can be an awesome thing.

Think about our community and think about

whether or not we meet these simple criteria.

Are we, the Filipino community in Toronto, unifi ed and strong?

I’m not sure.I really believe most of

us want this. I know we need this.We need the strength of

unity and organization. We need it because our

numbers are growing and our needs are many.

We need it because we risk being marginalized as a people.

Let’s think about this together and reach for strength and unity.

What does it mean to be unified? (From page 10)

Whenever my grand-father was not around to repeat the story, I would go to the chapel across the road.

There I would see my superhero, Michael, the barrio’s patron saint.

I remember the mound of candle offerings.

The light emitting from the fl ickering fl ames dramatically accentuated the valiant fi gure of the angel-warrior who fascinated me.

His powerful wings were fully spread out.

The mighty sword, tightly gripped by his right

hand that was raised up in the air, further intensifi ed his fi ghting form.

He looked victorious as he stood over the fallen Devil.

His left foot resting on the defeated horned foe was a silent statement that loudly declared: God triumphs over evil.

It was a dramatic sculpture depicting the great battle that was well described in my grandfather’s story.

He was a good angel and a brave warrior.

I wanted to be like him. And during my short

visit to San Miguel, I managed to persuade a

younger cousin to play the Devil.

With bamboo sticks we would simulate the duel between the good and the bad, right to the end where I would raise my make-believe sword to proclaim victory.

Today, the role-playing still continues.

We all have angels within us. When we protect others, help others, feel the pain in others, we become Michaels.

I see Michael in every soldier fi ghting for justice and freedom. I see Michael in every fi reman, carrying a child away from a burning

house. I see angels everywhere,

in everyone doing the good deeds as taught in the Christian faith.

When was the last time that you were at the lowest point of your life?

Do you remember the person who showed up when least expected, just to make things right for you?

Did it ever occur to you that maybe, just maybe, that person was an angel disguised as a stranger, a friend, or

Angels within(From page 10)

GREAT BATTLE

CITY ANGEL

a relative?What about the time

when you came upon a desperate person in need of help?

And for some odd reason you had all that was required to solve the problem and you were so drawn to the situation.

Would believe that you were chosen by God to be one of his angels that day?

Did you ever have the slightest idea that you are capable of an angelic task?

Believe it or not, we all unknowingly rendered and received a heavenly service, for others and from others at one time or another.

We all have our own unique qualities that can be instrumental in carrying out God’s plans.

Let us all be Michaels, without the wings and the sword.

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***Four of Canada’s

leading Northern specialists have won this year’s Donner Prize of $50,000 for 2008’s best book on public policy with a work addressing a matter of high importance to all Canadians; our presence in our much neglected Far North.

The authors’ well-integrated presentation speaks well for their common resolve and also perhaps, for their editor’s ability to recognize the importance of their book.

Global warming, these Canadian scientists say, has hastened the melting of the polar ice cap and in the foreseeable future the Northwest Passage will be open to shipping most of the year.

This, apart from environmental issues, could present threats to Canadian sovereignty. The authors advise immediate action.

The increasing presence of U.S. oil tankers, cruise ships and the recent planting of the Russian fl ag at the North Pole are all signs that Canadians must speak up for Canada.

The authors see the urgent need for some tangible form of government action but apart from commissioning studies governments have lacked the will to speak out.

For instance, too few

northerners are currently engaged in decision making yet they are Canadians and know the territory as their home.

The authors have no need to rant and rave.

The clarity of their arguments is enough to wake us from a state of apathy and get off our butts and tell our leaders we want action.

In the last paragraph of the book they state: “Canada has long ignored the North … While the weight of history makes it diffi cult to imagine real change, the opportunity for a dramatically new approach stands before us.”

“Canada needs to rediscover its North with the territories and aboriginal peoples as full partners.

“It must defend its northern fl ank from challenges even more signifi cant and real than

The last word(From page 9)

those of the past.“The next decade

promises to be the most important ten years in the evolution of Canada’s Arctic …

“With the right will and with the realization of he costs of long neglect and apathy Canada can re-defi ne the North’s place in Confederation and in the process vault this country into a position of leadership in a circumpolar world.”

*The authors: Ken S. Coates is Professor of History and Dean of Arts at Waterloo

University; P. Whitney Lackenbauer is an Assistant Professor of History at St. Jerome’s University, University of Waterloo; William T.Morrison is Professor of History at University of Northern British Columbia and Greg Poelzer is the founding Dean of Undergraduate Studies for the University of the Arctic and an Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Saskatchewan.

(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 from their 70-second broad-cast originals. For more of his work, please visit Ben’s website at http://canscene.ripple.ca)

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo welcomes Philippine Ambassador to Ottawa Jose Brillantes, Consul General to New York Cecilia Rebong and Consul General to Vancouver Ruth Prado during the courtesy call of del-egates to the 5th Ambassadors/Consuls General and Tourism Directors Tour at Malacanang on July 11. Photo: NIB/MARCELINO PASCUA

RP envoys to Canada with GMA

This is trivia and of no real consequence in our appreciation of Rizal, his works and deeds.

Reducing education to a trivial pursuit is an insult to the genius and writings of Rizal and something I am sure educators really frown upon.

Is painting Rizal’s house into green, something ev-eryone hates and something we are really not sure about the only way to communi-cate the meaning of Rizal’s surname?

We agree with Ocampo that it is a cute trivia but it does not deserve such a huge place, screaming to the point of inspiring vomit from onlookers.

In the scheme of what Rizal has done for our coun-try, it is less than a tenth of oen dot in the ellipsis of Rizal’s life and his achieve-ments.

We also do not buy what the Rizalistas said that they accept the green color to mean Rizal was an environ-mentalist.

Has Rizal gone green?(From page 9)

The color green taking the meaning of the environ-ment is one that evolved during the modern times, not during the Spanish pe-riod.

(The Philippines was a Spanish colony for over three centuries.)

The color green then most probably did not have any meaning yet.

And did Rizal’s fam-ily really think about it that way?

Did they paint their original house green to pay tribute to the trivial pursuit of the meaning of their sur-name?

We do not think so. Except that this idiot

who painted Rizal’s house green thought so.

That is all that there is to it.

Enough of hiding below the skirt of historical facts and detective work.

It does not hold water, nor paint, even if you scrape it. Not even green paint.



based on participant interest, he said.

“A major aim of the program is to engage and to assist the youth in their search for their Filipino identity. The workshops will also serve as launch points in the exploration of identity within the Canadian society and environment,” Villanueva added.

The deadline for registration is on Sept. 1.

Enhanced EnglishRetired teacher and

active FCT volunteer Tony San Juan will not be ready to rest on his laurels yet.

San Juan’s brainchild,

the Enhanced English Language seminar and workshop for internationally educated professionals has received a thumbs-up from participants who also asked for more workshops of this kind in the near future.

The FCT-sponsored free seminar was conducted for three June Saturday mornings at the Rizal Hall.

By the end of the workshop, the mostly female attendees (there were only two males) had increased to more than 70.

Topics were related to preparing the participants as they face the prospect of

searching for a new job. The lecturers included

FCT executive vice-president Rey Tolentino, a business consultant of Marketamerica, who talked on Business and Academic Presentations; Butch Gali-cia, Manila Media Monitor editor, Writing for Specifi c Purposes; Norma Bernal, facilitator and counselor of Skills for Change, Successful Job Search: Tasks and Strategies; Paul de la Cruz, Philippine Press Club- Ontario past president, Understanding Idiomatic Expressions; Elsa Mangune, teacher at

FCT pushes sound mind, body initiatives(From page 3)

the Toronto District School Board, Career Related Writing; Alfredo Garcia, teacher at Diversity at Work in London, Inc., Oral Fluency and Pronunciation.

At the closing ceremonies, Renee Manli-pon, on behalf of the participants, expressed appreciation and thanks to the project director, the FCT and the lecturers.

Certifi cates of comple-tion were awarded to the participants.

“They are a group of friendly, enthusiastic and organized people. They prepared the refreshments

– some brought food while others even contributed money for it,” said Ed Birondo, who helped San Juan with the project.

The seminar project committee is composed of Lapulapu Caña, chair; Ed

(ABOVE) Philippine Vice Consul in Toronto Edna Mae Grecia Lazar adminsters the oath of office of Geejit Rodelas, of Lipa City, Batangas, for the reaquisition of her Filipino citizenship. (BOTTOM) Consulate Cultural Officer Evangeline Cayongcat registers Rodelas under the Overseas Absentee Voter program to vote in the May 2010 national and local elections. Photos: JOJO TADURAN

Birondo and Wendy Arena, co-chairs; and members, Cielito Drapeza, Joan Ang, Rusela Lising; San Juan, project director, Rosalinda Javier, FCT president and CEO, and Dr. Victoria Santiago, FCT board chair.

At the Consulate

GRADUATES OF FCT-HOSTED ENHANCED ENGLISH LANGUAGE SEMINAR-WORKSHOP

JULY 2009 MANILA MEDIA MONITOR18 MANILA MEDIA MONITORJULY 2009 CALENDAR

► JULY 25: Kapisanan Philippine Cen-tre for Arts and Culture 4th Kultura Fes-tival, 12 noon. ► JULY 25: University of the Philippines Alumni Association Forum on Live-In Caregivers, Casa Manila, 10 a.m.► JULY 25: Camarines Norte Asso-ciation Canada Potluck Picnic, Seton Park, 11 a.m.► 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. 8: Skilled Contractors Associa-tion of Filipino-Canadians in Ontario, Dinner Meeting, Manila Bistro, 4 p.m.► AUG. 15 & 16: Filipinos Mak-ing Waves Festival, Yonge-Dundas Square.► AUG. 15: Kalayaan Cultural Commu-nity Centre 4th Annual 5K Walkathon, Mississauga. ► AUG. 15: Philippine Chamber of Commerce Toronto Members’ Appre-ciation and Networking Dinner-Dance.► AUG. 15: The Pillars Cultural Asso-ciation Dual Citizenship Oathtaking.► AUG. 16: Kalayaan Cultural Com-munity Centre Annual General Meeting and Election.► AUG. 16: Gamma Epsilon Casino Rama Fundraising Trip, Kennedy Com-mons, 9 a.m.► AUG. 16: Bicol Kaogmahan Pot Luck Picnic, Earl Bales Park, 7 a.m. ► AUG. 22: Gamma Epsilon 46th An-niversary Party.► AUG. 23: Malolos Group of Ontario 3rd Annual Golf Tournament, Maples of Ballantrae Golf Club, Stoufville.

People & EventsPeople & Events

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Swing on over to the Kalayaan Cultural Community Centre’s (KCCC) 2009 Classic Golf Tournament this summer! This charitable tournament will be conducted at the Royal Ontario Golf Club (Milton, Ontario) on Aug. 29. Shot gun starts at 1:30 p.m. It is a great way to spend time with friends and meet new people from the community! The green fee, golf cart, plus awards dinner is $135 (if paid after Aug. 1), and $125.00 (if paid before Aug.1). Join us for a day of fun and prizes! PR

Mama Ching, Alex Sales, Mayette Balbastro, and Charity Roda-Lim at the 2008 KCCC Golf Classic Tournament. PR

KCCC golf tourneyto tee off on Aug. 29

Philtor bowlingtilt champions

Team Loco Loco, composed of (from left) Mark Cuello, Babes Pamulaya, Joe Caparas and (not in photo) Deo Manarang smile for the camera after topping the recently-concluded Phil-tor Bowling Tournament for 2008 and 2009. Photo: MAR CONCEPCION

The Stallions Youth Basketball Asso-ciation (SYBA) started on July 13 the 2009 edition of its annual Summer Basketball Camp.

The camp, to end on Aug. 28, is con-ducted at the Willow Wood School gymna-sium in North York.

According to SYBA coordinator Anna Lissa Labayen, the camp focuses on the fundamentals of basketball as it likewise promotes discipline and listening skills.

Among the things participants will learn in the camp are:

► Comprehensive skills in basketball dribbling, passing, shooting, pivoting, foot-work, rebounding, fast break, and other as-pects of ball handling,

► Offensive and defensive basketball techniques,

► The values of hard work, dedication, discipline and team play, and

► Understanding personal achieve-ments and team atmosphere.

Participants are the youth born from 1993 to 2000. PR

Stallions YBAconducts cage camp

Volleyball cup, gameshighlight Bicol picnic

Bicolanos in Ontario are invited to a pot luck picnic at the Earl Bales Park on Aug. 16, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Organizers said the picnic will start with a Mass dedicated to the Virgin of Pe-ñafrancia, patron saint of the Bicol region in the Philippines.

Among the activities set during the day-long event are a cooking contest, the Kara-kanan, games and contests for children and adults, and others.

A highlight of the picnic is the 2nd Vol-leyball Cup tournament for men and wom-en. The crown will be defended by defend-ing champion Iriga.

The event is themed Karawatan, Kara-kanan, Baraylihan; Tanganing Kita Gabos Magkasararo. PR

JULY 2009 MANILA MEDIA MONITORJULY 2009 MANILA MEDIA MONITOR 19

MANILA MEDIA MONITORMANILA MEDIA MONITORJULY 2009JULY 200920

Russia’s Independence Day falls on the same day as the Independence Day of the Philippines - June 12! To celebrate this glorious day, Russian television broadcasting channel RTVI (Rogers’s channel 636) had joined the Philippine community in Toronto at a special dedicated BBQ event. Our journalist was there to see and take “photo” notice of the newly-established cooperation of Russian and Philippine communities.

(TOP, from left) Photo 1: Group members of the Russian TV (from left) Max Kroukov (TV journalist), Ludmila Tomarovskay (Real Estate), Olga Ryjkova (Insurance) and Vladimir Bronnikov (host of TV show Ethnic People’s TV); Photo 2: Russians had much to learn at the festival; Photo 3: Friendly teams of all ages presented the community very well.

(MIDDLE, from left) Photo 1: One of the contestants of “Russian street” was a well-known company - Kantor; Photo 2: Business is business, and business correspondence still took place during the celebrations; Photo 3: “Russian agents” got mixed with the crowd.

(BOTTOM, from left) Photo 1: In the meantime, our male members decided to get to know our girls; Photo 2: And Russian girls became closer to us; Photo 3: Here they are. Our Russian girls proudly represent the Russian community on Independence Day. We celebrate this day together!!!

Russian, Philippine communities share Independence Day THE RUSSIAN CORNER



MANILA MEDIA MONITORJULY 200922

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ABOVE, from left, Front Page Philippines TV host Gie Alvarez; Manila Media Monitor managing editor and Canadian Ethnic Media Association (CEMA) president Ace Alvarez; TV commentator and Manila Media Monitor colum-nist Ben Viicari and his wife, Anne; and, Doreen Vanini, CEMA corporate secretary, take a breather at the reception following the 2009 CEMA Awards Gala at Velma Rogers Theatre in downtown Toronto. BELOW, from left, fund-raising professional Ed Joaquin, Gie Alvarez, music video producer-writer Jackie Bagadiong-Larin, Ace Alvarez, news cameraman Anthony Larin and CEMA guest Raffy Stepanian during the same CEMA Awards Gala.

CEMA Awards Gala

23MANILA MEDIA MONITORJULY 2009People & EventsPeople & Events

Bryce Xavier Mendoza graduates from the St. Julia Catholic Elemen-tary School on June 24. He excelled in all academic subjects and played a key role in the school’s basketball, volleyball and softball teams. With an avid ear for music, Bryce plays the drums and piano. Bryce represented his peers when he deliv-ered the Valedictory Ad-dress. Bryce is flanked by proud parents Philip and Maritonne Men-doza. ROMY ZETAZATE

Debutante Nikki Dy blows her 18 candles, as parents Jimmy and Mina proud-ly look on. PR

Debutante Nikki Dy

Bryce Xavier Mendoza graduates


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Alia Brenna Lopez So-liba (inset) is chris-tened at the St. Pascal Church. Her parents, siblings and and rela-tives from Toronto and from Texas, USA pose for posterity after the christening. Below, another photo for the album at the family’s home backyard. PR

Alia Brenna’s christening

Philippine destinations, notably El Nido in Palawan, and food products attracted attention at the EAT! Van-couver World Culinary and Travel Expo at the BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, Brit-ish Columbia late May.

A report from the Philip-pine Department of Foreign Affairs said many event-goers from Vancouver and other cities and towns in British Columbia became interested to visit the Philip-pines as they were amazed

by the country’s enchanting and exotic 7,107 islands.

The Philippine booth was among the favorite spots as many guests opted to do photo shoots at the eye-catching large photo display of the big lagoon at El Nido Resort in Palawan.

Visitors eagerly gath-ered tourism brochures and expressed keenness to travel to and see Philippine tourism sites.

Those who visited Trav-el Cafe Philippines were

delighted with the specialty dishes and premium coffee offered at the restaurant, the report said.

Mango-rind (mango-tamarind) candies from Cebu City were popular as give-away items among young and adult Canadians.

The Vancouver culinary and travel expo is an annual festival showcasing world tourism through regional food, cuisine, cooking, chefs, hospitality and bev-erages.

El Nido, Cebu mango candiesget raves in Vancouver expo

PIDC-Kalayaan Freedom DayBall pays tribute to heroes

The annual PIDC-Kalayaan Indepen-dence Day Ball, once gain brought together the Toronto Filipino community’s movers and shaker under an atmosphere of glitter and pageantry.

The hottest ticket of the year, the dress-up affair was held at the Double Tree by Hilton – Toronto Airport (formerly Interna-tional Plaza Hotel) last June 6.

The ball is traditionally conducted dur-ing the early part of June to coincide with the celebration of Philippine Independence Day.

In the past few years, the event had been jointly organized by the Philippine Independence Day Council (PIDC) and the Kalayaan Filipino Cultural Organization, the community’s largest umbrella organiza-tions.

The evening festivities started with a welcome address from Kalayaan chair Ju-liet Perez, who reminded the audience that “our heroes fought for freedom so we can freely do what we want, including the de-velopment and appreciation of our rich and colorful culture, exemplified by the Pahi-yas.” This was followed by an invocation from Fr. Joe Peña.

The gala night is a cultural event where members get to wear the most elegant tradi-tional Philippine dresses and where the en-tertainment by Culture Philippines Ontario, Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe and the Ka-layaan Inter-Generational Rondalla is high-lighted by traditional artistic performances.

Song numbers from Chiqui Pineda-Az-imi, one of the emcees, complemented the group performances.

Pineda-Azimi, together with co-em-cee Rey Tolentino, masterfully guided the smooth program flow.

This year’s winners of the various PIDC pageants and last year’s Kalayaan pageant winners were also presented.

PIDC vice president Bernie Sychangco and Kalayaan vice chair Linda Carin, this year’s gala chairs, together with the PIDC and Kalayaan officers, presented a plaque of appreciation to outgoing Philippine Consul General to Toronto Alejandro Mosquera.

Known for giving very brief remarks, Mosquera this time delivered a more em-phatic and forceful speech calling to mind the struggles and heroism of the participants of the Philippine Revolution that led to the proclamation of Philippine Independence Day 111 years ago in Kawit, Cavite.

More importantly, the convivial dip-lomat, who everybody fondly calls “Con-Gen”, juxtaposed yesterday’s heroism with today’s struggles of overseas Filipino work-ers, the new heroes who are major contribu-tors to the Philippines’ overall welfare.

PIDC president Jun Enverga comple-mented Mosquera’s speech by echoing the latter’s call for unity in the community as “we work towards contributing to global efforts to build homes and lives in the Phil-ippines through the programs of Gawad Kalinga.”

Enverga also urged everyone to “take care of our own”, a direct allusion to (Fili-pino) caregivers and contract workers who have fallen victims to abuses by employers and placement agencies.

As the evening wore on, the some 500 guests took to the dance floor, went table hopping to exchange pleasantries or had their picture taken in their eye-catching ter-nos and barongs.

So went another successful PIDC-Ka-layaan gala. PR

Retirement reception, teaRomeo Ayson Zetazate (left) receives words of praises from Carolyn Baker, president and CEO of the St. Joseph’s Health Centre during the center’s re-tirement recep-tion and tea on June 5. Photo: DINDO ORBE-SO



press release said.Embassy spokesperson

Rebecca Thompson said Obama and Macapagal-Arroyo “will have an op-portunity to discuss ways to enhance US and Philip-pine cooperation on criti-cal global issues including counter-terrorism and cli-mate change.”

The meeting will “fur-ther the traditionally strong alliance and bond between our nations,” Thompson said.

While in Washington, President Arroyo will also meet with key U.S. govern-ment officials and members of Congress, private sec-

tor partners and business groups.

No other details were given.

The Department of For-eign Affairs (DFA) said the visit “is an affirmation of the strong partnership be-tween the two countries that share historical and cultural ties and common democrat-ic values.”

The DFA said both lead-ers are “expected to discuss the Philippines’ poverty alleviation and economic resiliency programs, good governance, counter-terror-ism efforts and its contribu-tions to peace and security in the region.”

“As a strategic ally and friend of the Philippines, the U.S. has extended as-sistance in support of both countries’ shared goals of peace, progress and pros-perity,” according to DFA.

The trip to Washington was preceded by lightning visits to Manila of U.S. De-fense Secretary Gates and CIA director Leon Panetta the past days.

The U.S. embassy said the visits were in “keeping with on-going high-level engagement between the United States and the Phil-ippines on issues of impor-tance to both countries.” PNA

Global issues to top Obama-Arroyo meet(From page 1)

Press and captioned photo releases submitted to the Manila Media Monitor are for PUB-LIC SERVICE and FREE OF CHARGE; but subject to strict editorial appreciation. Send them to [email protected] or [email protected] on or before the 8th of each month.

Gamma Epsilon Fundraiser

Gamma Epsilon and Gamma Lambda Epsilon members in Canada Sonny and Gina Montojo, Ruel and Mary Grace Cadavos, Amor Gaborno Maribel Montemayor, Evelyn Darcera-Cantago, Nap Albarillo, Vic and Malou Distrito, Calvin Faminial, Alma Faller and Sam Asuncion led another successful fra-ternity/sorority Casino Rama fundraiser trip. The next Casino Rama trip is scheduled on Aug. 16, with aassembly at Kennedy Commons at 9 a.m. The fraternity/sorority will also celebrate its 46th anniversary on Aug. 22. The group likewise went on camping at Sibbald Point on July 17 to 19. PR


The newly-formed Skilled Contractors Associa-tion of Filipino-Canadians in Ontario is inviting their industry peers for a dinner meeting at the Manila Bistro along Brimley and Sheppard on Aug. 8 at 4 p.m.

Association president Willie Chuson, Jr. said the dinner-meeting “is part of the group’s expansion program for membership,

which includes skilled workers and handymen.”

Chuson urged them to join the association, which has a primary objective of encouraging a spirit of cooperation and brotherhood among members.

During the meeting, the group’s objectives and proposed activities will be presented and discussed.

Registration for new

members starts at 3 p.m.Besides Chuson, the

association offi cers include executive vice president Winston Cadhit, vice president (West) Wilberth Serafi n Vallon, vice president (East) Ramon San Juan, secretary Larry Manaois, treasurer Exzar Haduca, auditor Joey Guyo, PRO Charlie Guyo and sgt.-at-arms Hoover Osea. PR

Contractor’s group sounds call to peers

Flanked by family members, Filipino war veteran and Fil-Can community leader Alex Parucha slices his birthday cake dur-ing the celebration of his 92nd natal year on June 19 in East York, Ontario. The event was also attended by hun-dreds of friends, Phil-ippine government of-ficials, and community leaders. Photo: OSCAR MARANAN

Parucha turns 92

The University of Santo Tomas Alumni Association (USTAA) won the championship trophy in this year’s edition of the Philippine Colleges and Universities Alumni Associations (PCUAA) Summerfest at the Mississauga Valley Community Centre Park on July 12.

This is the third time the Thomasians in Greater Toronto copped the much- coveted trophy.

Last year’s champion, the University of the Philippines Alumni Asso-

ciation was fi rst runner-up; Ateneo Alumni Asso-ciation, second runner-up; and Central Philippine Uni-versity Alumni Associa-tion, third runner-up.

Like typical energetic co-eds of their time, alumni from different schools cheered, hooted, and yelled to their hearts delight as they rooted for their respected teams who hopped like rabbits in the sack race, or tumbled and scrambled in the tug-of-war and plank race. Regardless of age and year they graduated from school, they went on

raucous rooting, clapping, whistling and socializing throughout, which energized protagonists in the contests.

The different groups wore their respective school colors and insignias in t-shirts, hats, caps and other paraphernalia.

They sang their campus hymns and visited and ate at each other’s picnic tables.

PCUAA has over 15 groups representing universities and colleges in the Philippines, and aims to foster camaraderie and close ties among members. ROSE TIJAM

USTAA wins PCUAA Summerfest crown

AFCA delegates

Association of Filipino Canadian Accountants (AFCA) members celebrate the election of peers Buddy Ibe as National Council of Philippine American Canadian Accountants (NCPACA) president for 2010-2011; Minerva Garcia, NCPACA secretary; Marlo Mallari, NCPACA governor general, Board of Councillors; and Ted Dayno, NCPACA councillor, during the 23rd Annual Professional Development Convention in Illinois, Chicago, July 2 to 5. Above are members of the AFCA delegation to the convention. JESS CARLOS


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of 2003) not long after the Istanbul Declaration was drafted in May 2008.

The Human Traffi cking Project, a site dedicated to raising awareness of human traffi cking and exploring innovative solutions to combat modern day slavery, reports that “Filipinos are the cheapest source of kidneys in the global black market for human organs, selling them for a measly $1,500.”

The same report cites many Filipinos in dire need of cash to be the usual victims of an illegal kidney-harvesting network operating in various parts of the country.

Most of the time, these poor Filipinos are being duped into selling

their kidneys for a meager amount.

In the case of Barrido, Nick Paman of the Canadian Aid and Relief Project (or CARP), acting on the medical documentation that CARP founding president Dr. Portugal tirelessly issued, pleaded the case of Barrido before the Ministry of Health.

Their efforts paid off. They have proven that the facilities of St. Luke’s Hospital are in fact world-class; many of the medical staff are Europe- and US- certifi ed specialists.

Having hurdled the major obstacle, CARP won OHIP approval to have the procedure and necessary medical-related expenses involved in the kidney

transplant covered.While a few other

Canadians have enjoyed a similar privilege, Barrido’s is the fi rst case involving the Philippines.

It is therefore precedent-setting.

Two major organizations have actually been involved in the process.

On the Canadian end, CARP contributed in the movement of Barrido’s name on the Canadian Organ Replacement Register and in obtaining OHIP’s nod for coverage of the Philippine procedure.

On the Philippine side, MedTour facilitated the registration and certifi cation of the donor (adhering to Istanbul Declaration guidelines), as well as

the verifi cation of St. Luke’s Hospital’s medical capabilities.

MedTour is a Canadian-owned marketing agency specializing in Medical Tourism.

The company provides free service to Canadian patients since it is the hospitals in the Philippines that pay their services.

For its part, CARP will assist the Barrido family with other attendant expenses like the plane fare, local daily expenses (other than those incurred in the hospital like medicine, professional fees, etc., which will be covered by OHIP), and possibly other follow-up medical expense not ordinarily covered by OHIP.

CARP already received $500 from the Canadian Medical Association for the purpose.

Founded only less than a year ago, CARP recently-opened a nine-bed charity clinic in Purok Maligaya, a depressed area in Antipolo, Rizal.

The clinic is heaven-sent to the community’s population of 20,000 who, for the most part, could not access affordable medical services.

Soon, as more and more Ontario hospitals donate dialysis machines to CARP, the clinic will be converted into a dialysis unit for the poor.

We wish Danilo Barrido a successful kidney transplant in the Philippines.

A ray of hope for renal failure sufferers(From page 9)

People/EventsPeople/Events

The Philippine Teach-ers Association of Canada (PTAC) has donated boxes of used and new books and reference materials to the Philippine Normal Univer-sity, Technological Univer-sity of the Philippines and the Marikina Institute of Science and Technology.

PTAC vice president and book donation chair Tony San Juan said the donation was part of the group’s on-going Outreach Initiatives Program.

The shipments consist-ed of program-based and profession-focused titles in education, business, engi-neering, management, sci-ence, social sciences and technology and other library resource materials.

Besides the book dona-tion, PTAC is involved in programs like the Teachers Ultimate Registration in Ontario, Tutorial Academic Support Knowledge, Lan-guage Instruction in Filipi-no Enrichment, and Teach-ers Education Assistance for Career Hatchway. JEN-NIFER SJ MACLEAN

READ, LEARN,KNOW.

Teachers’ groupdonate books

At the Carabram Festival

Miss Manila ‘09 Celine Zoleta, 1st runner-up Ylynne Enriquez and Miss Manila People’s Choice Hazel Nanes (left photo) grace the Carabram Festival in Brampton, July 10 to 12. During the festival, the Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe (photos at right) showcased Philippine dances. Photos: NOLI GUMAPAC

29MANILA MEDIA MONITORJULY 2009People & EventsPeople & Events

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Philippine Courier sent out an invitation to us (his media colleagues) to the Sharon Cuneta Concert slated the following day at the Roy Thomson Hall in downtown T.O.

At the end of the invitation, Mon stated, “See you all at the Sharon Cuneta LIVE on Sunday! ... maraming salamat po. Pakiusap lang po sa akin ito ng ating mabait na producer/kaibigang Ruth at Lito Ronquillo.”

Unto Ruth and Lito Ronquillo, I say: “O ayan ha! Alagaan ninyong mabuti si Mon, para hindi magkaroon ng komplikasyon; and please … please … do not make waves sa inyong mga festivals… or I mean concerts, para hindi magalit si Sir Mondee.”

Ayos na ‘yan, Mon! All the best, my friend!

***As I took a walk

one Thursday afternoon at Eglinton Square in Scarborough, Ontario, I happened to pass by electronics store, The Source, and saw TV program Front Page Philippines on.

Front Page Philippines: Top-rated show?(From page 7)

Immediately, I took my mobile phone/camera and took a still of what was in progress (thus, pardon us at Manila Media Monitor for the poor quality of the picture) – an interview by program host, Gie Alvarez, with the offi cers of the Philippine Independence day Council (PIDC), who were, at that time, promoting the July 18 Mabuhay Festival.

It’s not true, however, that a week later, I phoned BBM Nielsen Media Research after it released the list of the top TV programs for the past

week. Neither was it true that the conversation went something like this:

“Hello, my name is Ace Alvarez, and am the producer of Front Page Philippines, airing on OMNI 2 Television in Ontario and in Alberta.

“I’m calling to complain why Front Page Philippinesis not in your list of the top TV shows during the past week.”

“Mr. Alvarez … let me ask you a few things ...”.

“No, listen to me fi rst, my friend.”

So, I explained to the guy on the other line that

Thursday last, I was at the Eglinton Square and saw that Front Page Philippines was on.

While you, readers, see that there are only fi ve television sets in the photo, there were a lot more and only one of those television sets was showing another program other than Front Page Philippines.

I explained to BBM Nielsen that if there are 11 televisions sets on display, they should multiply that by the number of branches that The Source has across

Ontario and Alberta, then ADD the viewership via the three satellite providers in Canada that the CRTC allows to operate, PLUS, the viewers at home – INCLUDING the mother of lawyer Maria Louisa Diaz, who loves the program so much, PLUS Surjit of Lovely Travel and Tours, PLUS, Bert de la Cruz – husband of Delamarc Travel’s Cora de la Cruz. ALSO, Darius Ciria – that guy who sings with gusto “Totoy Bibo”. ADD to that …”

FRONT PAGE PHILIPPINES at THE SOURCE

“Mr. Alvarez, ….”“No, you listen to me.”‘NO, YOU LISTEN

TO ME, MR. ALVAREZ. Our ratings do not include community shows.”

“Oh … well in this case – what’s your name, sir? … I’ll just ask Jun, or Rosemer Enverga and Minda Neri of the PIDC if we can have an increase in rate for tapings of PIDC segments in the show, since television sets on display at The Source tune in on Front Page Philippines. Thank you, sir.”

The late King of Pop Michael Jackson was guest at the Philippine noontime television show Student Canteen in 1976. The show was hosted by former Senator Eddie Ilarde, Bobby Ledesma, and Connie Reyes. Photo: Courtesy of LIZA ILARDE, sent in by JOJO TADURAN

Remember MJ in Manila, 1976?

30 MANILA MEDIA MONITORJULY 2009 The PhilippinesThe Philippines

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Tourist boom spells better life for Puerto ...(From page 13)targets travelers visiting the Underground River.

His earning supports his family. “‘Di kasi ako na-katuntong ng high school. Magaan na trabaho ito, ku-mikita at marangal naman kaya kinarir ko na (I have not reached high school. This job is easy, I am earn-ing and proud of it that’s why I decided to make it my career),” the vendor said.

Life after retirementRoquito “Rocky” Lam-

pa, a retired military officer, bought a shuttle van.

“There is life after re-tirement. There is a regu-lar schedule of passengers

daily. A one way trip to the Underground River costs P3,500. With my earning, I have been able to purchase another brand new van,” narrated Lampa.

Source of incomeRemedios Patricio, 49,

lives in Barangay Tagabi-net, near Sabang beach.

Daily, she goes to the restaurant of her friend.

“Nangunguha ako ng kaning-baboy para pagkain ng mga alaga ko (I col-lect left-over foods for my pigs),” Manang Remedios said.

She plans to widen her pigpen that has two barakos

(boars) and 11 piglets. She sells the pigs and

buys medicine and school supplies for her children.

“Dahil sa dami ng tao dito, kahit anong pwedeng pagkakitaan ginagawa ko. Minsan naglilinis ako ng kuko o kaya nagtitinda ng gulay sa mga restaurant. Malaki ang kinikita namin ngayon (Due to the influx of tourists, I venture on any-thing to earn. I sometimes do manicure or sell vegeta-ble for the restaurants. We earn well now),” Manang Remedios narrated.

Her earnings financed her children’s education.

She has two elementary pupils, one high school stu-dent and one college under-graduate.

“Maganda pag ganito. May pagkain sa mesa, may pampaaral sa mga bata, may pampagawa ng ba-hay (This is good. There is food on our table, money for education and house im-provement),” an excited and teary-eyed Remedios said while feeding her piglets.

Earning spree“Everybody is earning.

Operators of Internet café, ukay-ukay, souvenir shops, fish and vegetable deal-ers, tricycle drivers, tourist guides – they are earning,” city “first lady” Ma. Elena

Hagedorn, head of the Spe-cial Events Division, said.

The DOT reported that tourist arrivals in Puerto Princesa and Coron town in northern Palawan grew by 392 percent with visitors coming from Manila, Cebu, and Caticlan as well as Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia.

“This year, the Phil-ippines has been topping travel ticket sales and wide-spread publicity in Conti-nental Europe’s most in-fluential and leading travel magazines and trade publi-cations,” Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano said.

International gatewayThe national govern-

ment, through the Depart-

ment of Transportation and Communications, is under-taking the rehabilitation and expansion of Puerto Prince-sa’s airport terminal to meet international standards and increasing demand.

“Puerto Princesa City is being developed as an inter-national gateway due to de-mand for direct internation-al flights to China, Korea, Japan, Asian and European countries and vice versa,” Durano explained.

Hagedorn said: “By 2011, there will be no stop-ping for tourist advent. We can beat the figure posted by Boracay. It will mean more money for our peo-ple.” PNA

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PUERTO PRINCESA CITY - Environmentalist Dr. Jose Antonio Socrates urged officials to stop the possible destruction of Rasa Island, one of the country’s 13 bird watching sites, in Narra, southern Palawan because of the operations of three mining firms.

Socrates, board chair of non-state group Bahatala Inc., said he is alarmed over the effect of the operation

of Narra Nickel Mining and Development Corp., the Palawan Alpha South Re-sources Development Corp. and Patricia Louise Mining and Development Corp. on the ecosystem of the Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary.

The island has probably the densest population of the critically endangered Philippine cockatoo (Caca-tua haematuropygia) in the wild, he said.

Socrates cited the dis-persal by sea currents of sediments, including silt, out to sea, by mining opera-tions.

“Instead, the sediments are funneled towards and accumulate where the Cusps converge, in this case at Ca-suarina Point, where there is a long sand bar jutting out to Rasa Island’s fring-ing coral reef and mangrove swamps,” he said. PNA

Mining threatens Rasa isle bird sanctuary

Street food fare

Home-prepared and cleanly-packaged kakanin (native delicacies) fill food stalls set up along sidewalks of busy streets in town centers and cities by enterprising Filipinos. Pedestrians are offered a variety of tasty treats that make for dessert on the home’s table. Photo: PNA/NIB

The PhilippinesThe Philippines

32 MANILA MEDIA MONITORJULY 2009 MoneyMoney

SAGOT SA BATID WIKA(MULA SA PAHINA 38)

US$ Cdn$July 17 47.86975 42.91782July 16 48.07118 43.03308July 15 47.94312 42.84182July 14 48.15190 42.38548July 13 48.28207 41.87277July 10 48.20318 41.37410July 09 48.22605 41.50091July 08 48.22299 41.49121July 07 48.18334 41.42836July 06 48.20574 41.51816July 03 48.02304 41.32600July 02 48.09194 41.45582July 01 48.15313 41.89517June 30 48.15898 41.44305June 29 48.20549 41.62546June 26 48.00823 41.63514June 25 48.27233 41.68415June 24 48.05758 41.93301June 23 48.34913 41.82266June 22 48.21565 41.77962June 19 48.25789 42.75343June 18 48.38401 42.92891June 17 48.24565 42.43047

GOT A FOREX DEAL?Check out if you got your peso’s worth for the dollars you have had exchanged since June 17. This is a pub-lic service item from Manila Media Monitor’s Money and Business section.

MANILA - Remittances sent by overseas Filipinos (OFs) registered another re-cord high in May 2009 after it increased by 3.7 percent year-on-year to US$1.48 billion from year-ago’s US$1.43 billion.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said the latest figure beat the US$1.47 billion inflow last March, bringing the year-to-date amount to US$6.98 billion or a 2.8-percent in-crease from US$6.79 billion a year ago.

The inflows came mostly from the United States, Can-ada, Saudi Arabia, the Unit-ed Kingdom, Japan, Singa-pore, United Arab Emirates, Italy and Germany.

Tetangco said inflows from sea-based workers

grew by 4.6 percent while those from land-based work-ers jumped by 2.4 percent.

“The stream of remit-tances from overseas Filipi-nos continued to show signs of strength despite lingering global economic fragilities,

providing some basis for cautious optimism regard-ing steady remittance levels for 2009,” he said.

Tetangco traced the ro-bust remittance growth to the continued demand for professional and skilled

overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

He also cited the in-creased access of OFWs and their beneficiaries to more financial products and ser-vices offered by banks and other counterparts abroad.

Tetangco said requests for more OFWs continued to come due to more hir-ing agreements between the government and host coun-tries like Qatar, Saudi Ara-bia, Canada, Australia and Japan.

He cited a recent report of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regarding the government’s bilateral agreement with South Korea on the employ-ment of OFWs.

He said officials of DOLE and their South Ko-

MANILA - The World Bank (WB) has approved $200 million in loans to sup-port the Philippine govern-ment’s programs aimed to address high food prices and strengthen social protection and safety nets for the poor in the midst of the global fi-nancial crisis.

The fund, called the Global Food Crisis Response Program Development Poli-cy Operation (DPO), is part of over $320 million in total loans the WB provided to help the Philippines weather the economic slowdown.

“Fiscal year 2009 was particularly challenging as the Philippines and the rest of the world were hit by shocks coming from the global food crisis and the global financial meltdown,” WB Country Director Bert

Hofman said. With its new Country

Assistance Strategy (CAS) covering fiscal years 2010-2012, “the Bank is in bet-ter position to help address the country’s development needs as it battles the impact of the evolving global reces-sion,” Hofman said.

He said the remaining $120 million would finance the $70-million Participa-tory Irrigation Development Project (PIDP); the $40-mil-lion Rural Power Project (RPP); and the $10-million Second Agrarian Reform Communities Development Project (ARCDP2).

The PIDP is designed to improve irrigation service delivery, boost agricultural productivity, improve gov-

ernance in the irrigation sector and enhance food se-curity.

The RPP is aimed at reducing poverty and im-proving the quality of life of 10,000 households in hard-to-reach and poorest areas of the country, particularly Mindanao.

The ARCDP2 is geared for the completion of criti-cal infrastructure covering 4,153 hectares in several provinces.

The WB, under the CAS for fiscal years 2010 to 2012, has committed $700 million to $1 billion per year to the Philippines, on top of grants and a large program of ana-lytical advisory activities.

In addition, the invest-ment program of the Interna-

tional Finance Corporation, the private sector financ-ing arm of the WB Group, ranges from $250 million to $300 million a year.

IFC’s investments in fis-cal year 2009 focused on supporting privatization of the power sector, commit-ting a total of $183.5 million for two projects, the Am-buklao-Binga hydroelectric dam and the Energy Devel-opment Corporation.

The WB’s total net com-mitments (approved and ongoing projects) as of May 2009 was $1.39 billion, covering 24 active projects spread into various sectors, including infrastructure (37 percent), human develop-ment (28 percent), rural development and the envi-ronment (23 percent), social

MANILA - The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) would much prefer to print money on cotton material fortified with abaca strands than invest in more expen-sive technology based on polymer.

BSP governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said that while the choice has yet to be made, the experience re-ported by Thailand on poly-mer-based baht bills has mellowed the plan to dump traditional materials for new technology.

Tetangco said the central bank of Thailand has night-mares on polymer-based baht bills as they wrinkle and wither in the tropical sun and making Thai con-

sumers unhappy. “Polymer technology is

also more expensive. Be-sides, we made a commit-ment to help support the local abaca industry,” Tet-angco said.

Twenty percent of all peso bills in circulation contain abaca fibers as for-tifying material while cot-ton accounts for 80 percent, Deputy BSP governor Ar-mando Suratos, who heads the BSP’s Security Printing Plant in Quezon City, said.

Tetangco said the multi-sector Numismatic Com-mittee should soon come up with new designs to replace existing peso bills that have served the purpose well the past 30 years. PNA

May remittances post record3.7% growth at US$1.48B

By JOANN S. VILLANUEVA

WB ok’s US$200M in loans to fund RP dev’t projectsBy LESLIE D. VENZON

(To page 33)

(To page 33)

Abaca, cotton better thanpolymer for peso bills

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33MANILA MEDIA MONITORJULY 2009MoneyMoney

Mortgage penalty boxby Investors Group Financial Services Inc.

SURF THE NETmanilamediamonitor.com

Are low mortgage rates capturing your attention these days?

If you already have a mortgage at a higher rate than those currently available, you may be considering refi nancing to take advantage of a lower rate.

But is that always a good idea?

It’s almost guaranteed that you’ll run into penalties and pre-payment charges – they are nearly universal in the Canadian mortgage market – that could offset any gains you might expect.

Here are some things you should know so you won’t fi nd yourself in the mortgage penalty box.

Why do I have to pay a pre-payment or penalty charge for refi nancing my mortgage?

When your mortgage lender provided your fi xed-rate loan to you, they matched your loan against a funding source that was available to them.

For example, if your mortgage term is for fi ve years, the funds may have been sourced from the fi ve- year term deposit of another client.

Your lender has the obligation to pay the term deposit holder the agreed

rate of interest for the entire fi ve years.

If interest rates have declined during that period and you seek to refi nance your mortgage loan, your lender will not be able to replace your paid-out mortgage at the same rate, but will still have to pay the ‘funding source’ – the term deposit holder – at the agreed interest rate.

The pre-payment charge, or penalty, is meant to compensate the lender for income they have lost and other costs associated with the early payout of your mortgage.

What kind of penalties can I expect to pay?

All major banks and mortgage lenders typically levy pre-payment charges of either the greater of 90 days interest or the Interest Rate Differential (IRD).

The IRD is based on the amount you prepay and an interest rate that equals the difference between your original mortgage interest rate and the interest rate your lender can charge today when re-lending the money.

In a declining interest rate environment, the IRD can add up to thousands of dollars.

When can it pay to refi nance my mortgage?

If you are within the fi rst three years of a fi ve- year term, the impact of ‘blending’ your existing mortgage interest rate into a new rate and extending the term portion of your new loan may prove to be a ‘wash’ – no win, no loss.

However, it is possible to take advantage of a lower rate if you are planning to refi nance and add signifi cantly to your mortgage amount.

In this situation, the new, lower rate would apply to all of the ‘new money’ portion and the extended term portion of your new loan.

The effect is that your blended rate becomes signifi cantly lower.

Some lenders will reduce the penalty amount for clients that refi nance with them.

Additionally, some lending institutions offer occasional promotions that assist with the payment of penalties when the mortgage is being transferred to them from another lender.

Refi nancing your mortgage might be the right cost-saving move for you.

To be sure, talk to a professional advisor who may help you fi nd a lending source that won’t put you in the mortgage penalty box.

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Trend-setting, Philip-pine-based clothing and ap-parel company, Team Ma-nila will make its debut in Canada during the Kultura Arts Festival in Toronto on July 25.

Festival host Kapi-sanan Philippine Centre for Arts and Culture is Team Ma-nila’s authorized reseller in Canada. (Related item on page 35)

“Bringing Team Manila products to Canada is really exciting for us. Not only are we making high quality Phil-ippine-made products avail-

able to the Canadian market, we are also breaking ground in creating a social enter-prise model to contribute to the overall sustainability of the organization,” said Kapisanan executive direc-tor Caroline Mangosing.

Kapisanan will carry Team Manila products in-cluding men’s, women’s, and children’s graphic t-shirts, tote bags, and others. “We couldn’t have found a better organization to part-ner with because Kapisanan also promotes Filipino cul-ture in a youthful, modern,

and stylish way. This is very much in line with Team Ma-nila’s approach,” said Nico Bacani, general manager of Team Manila.

Established in 2001 and born out of a garage studio in Makati, Team Manila Graphic Design has become one of the Philippines’ most influential design studios.

This partnership between Kapisanan and Team Manila allows Filipino-Canadians hungry for a relatable con-nection to the homeland to access modern Filipino aes-thetic in fashion. PR

Team Manila to debut in Toronto

development (10 percent) and governance (two per-cent).

It also has 81 active trust funds with a total net grant amounting to $137 million for development initiatives in several key result areas, including productivity and employment and social ser-vice delivery in poor areas. PNA

rean counterparts signed a memorandum of agreement last May 2009 for the hiring of up to 5,000 OFWs to be deployed in South Korea’s manufacturing industry and other sectors within the next ten months.

The DOLE said the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Tripoli has also started talks with the Health

Ministry for the recruitment of about 4,000 Filipino med-ical workers in Libya.

Tetangco said govern-ment efforts to help re-trenched OFWs get another job either in the same coun-try or region also lessened the number of displaced OFWs, ensuring continued healthy flow of remittances. PNA

May remittances post ...(From page 32)

WB ok’s ...(From page 32)


3 P.M.

MONEYMONEY

UNITED NATIONS - With the world’s poorest countries bearing the brunt of the global economic cri-sis, a United Nations (UN) report has asked their gov-ernments to review the development model they have followed for the past three decades if they are to substantially reduce pov-erty and achieve long-term growth.

The report from the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNC-TAD), released on July 17, says the crisis should be grasped as a turning point for the so-called Least De-veloped Countries (LDCs), a classification grouping the world’s 49 poorest states.

“The magnitude of the crisis offers both the neces-sity and an opportunity for change,” according to the report, which says LDCs are particularly vulnerable to the current crisis because they have small economies and are so dependent on

international trade, capital flows and finance.

The report notes that, in recent decades, many LDCs have severely reduced the role of government in pro-moting development.

Yet the current crisis has exposed the myth of self-regulating markets and neo-liberal economic poli-cies have also failed in tack-ling other problems such as bottlenecks in production, chronic deficits and short-ages of skills and knowl-edge among the labor force.

The roles of the state and the market must be re-balanced, UNCTAD argues, and many affluent countries have already started shifting to include a much bigger role for the state in econom-ic management, especially through fiscal stimulus packages.

Yet this tendency has been more evident in the advanced countries than in the developing world most LDCs simply cannot afford

to deploy similar packages. Most LDCs are also

behind schedule in their ef-forts to achieve the Millen-nium Development Goals (MDGs), the globally agreed set of social and economic targets that are supposed to be realized by 2015.

The report recommends that poor countries therefore build a new developmen-tal state that ensures much greater collaboration be-tween the state and the pri-vate sector, and boosts in-vestment and technological capabilities so that a more diverse range of products can be made.

Wealthy countries must boost their support for struggling nations as well, the report emphasizes. This is not simply a question of more and better aid, but also the design of rules that gov-ern international economic relationships with regard to trade, finance, invest-ment and technology flows. PNA/APP

Poor countries need to rethinkdevelopment model - UN report

Signs, confidence pointing to recession’s endOTTAWA - Is the re-

cession nearing its end? It’s an intriguing question - and impossible to answer defin-itively since economic data is never so current or pre-cise - but there is a growing perception backed by some statistics that a bottom to the long and painful downturn has been reached sometime in July.

That third-quarter opti-mism may stem from one of the biggest culprits of what will likely turn out to have been a weak second quarter - automobile production

The U.S. forecasting firm Macroeconomic Ad-visers is bullish about third-quarter growth - the July to September period - because of the restart of Chrysler production and ramping up at General Motors this month, anticipating the auto boost alone could add two percent to output growth in the US during the period.

Even New York Uni-versity economics profes-sor Nouriel Roubini, often called Dr. Doom, told a con-ference that “the free fall of the economy has stopped,” although he believes it is

still suffering a slow con-traction.

Canadian output will also get a jump with the re-start of Chrysler plants and spill-over effects on the auto parts sector from the U.S. activity, say economists.

“To the extent that pat-tern is true, it would likely get reflected here in Canada as well,” said Paul Ferley, assistant chief economist with the Royal Bank.

The auto spring stall and summer restart will result in a bigger bounce to gross domestic product during the third quarter than the real numbers justify, as Scotia-bank economist Derek Holt has pointed out. That’s be-cause any growth from zero appears strong.

Most economists in Canada are still looking for a flat or small decline in GDP during the summer months, which would mean that technically the reces-sion has not ended.

But some, including Ferley, believe the economy will grow modestly.

The Royal Bank is offi-cially calling for a 0.8 per-cent increase, which would

mean Canada’s slump lasted three quarters - the 3.7 per-cent contraction in the fourth quarter of 2008, the 5.4 per-cent drop in this year’s first quarter and the projected second-quarter decline of about two percent.

TD Bank chief econo-mist Don Drummond, among the country’s lead-ing and most pessimistic forecasters, is calling for a slight contraction during the summer months, but adds: “Let’s face it, as we roll into mid-July, we are getting very close to the bottom of this thing. Everything seems to be lining up to point to that (growth), both in Cana-da and the United States.”

The sentiment has been reflected in stock markets, which after early July’s ugly retreat, recouped most the losses in the past week.

Stock markets are said to predict economic conditions six months down the road, but there has been some positive real data to support the optimism, including the recent employment report in Canada that found job losses slowing sharply.

By JULIAN BELTRAME, The Canadian Press

(To page 35)

35MANILA MEDIA MONITORJULY 2009Arts & CultureArts & Culture

The Kapisanan Philip-pine Centre for Arts and Culture is set to conduct its 4th annual Kultura Filipino Arts Festival at the Bellevue Square Park and at the cen-ter on July 25, at noon.

A Kapisanan press re-lease said the festival would feature - in partnership with the Carlos Bulosan Theatre - live music, spoken word poetry, children face paint-ing, theater readings, a short film show, and an arts and crafts market selling goods

made by Filipino-Canadian artists, all in the park.

At the Kapisanan cen-ter, a visual arts exhibition themed Balikbayan Renais-sance would be mounted, expressing the artistic movement inspired by this generation’s collective re-discovery of their Philip-pine homeland.

Music performers are Maylee Todd, Robin Lacam-bra, Tonkapuma, Santa Guerrilla, Lianne Aliermo and Alexander The.

Visual arts exhibitors are Hari Alluri, Jo Simalaya, Krystel Pasignasigna, Juan Carlos Solon, Eric Garin-galao, Halo Halo Collective (Jeff Garcia, Jan Avedano).

Play readings are Baby Yellow by Renna Red-die, Brown Balls by Byron Abalos, Happiness 101 by Andrea Mapili, and Eating with Lola, a one-woman puppet show by Catherine Hernandez. The short-film screening will follow the play readings. PR

Philippine Artists Group in Canada members (right photo, from left, standing) Celia Correa, Toots Quiachon, Jun Afable, Omel Masalunga, Nellie Bautista, Teody Asuncion, Frank Tonido, Nelia Tonido, (from left, sitting) Jhun Diamante, Romi MananQuil, (not in photo) Rolly Abarilla, Cobie Cruz, Rol Lampitoc and Koni Marcoux have mounted an awesome display of Philippine art (photo above) during the Art09 International Art Fair at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre from June 12 to 14. The Philippine artist joined some 200 artists from Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada China, Cuba, Czechoslavakia, Egypt, Finland, France, Hungary, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Poland, Turkey and the USA in the fair. PR

Philippine Artists Group livens up Art09 international fair

Kapisanan stages Kultura festivalIn the past three months,

a total of 13,000 jobs have been lost in Canada, accord-ing to Statistics Canada, as opposed to 273,000 in the first three months of 2009.

As well, house sales have recovered - although mostly driven by low prices and low mortgage rates - and the Bank of Canada’s latest business survey found executives decidedly bull-ish about prospects over the next 12 months.

The start of all the trouble

- U.S. housing - showed un-expected strength with stats rising 3.6 percent in June to 582,000. That’s still 46 per ent below last year’s level, but well above November’s floor of 479,000 units.

“For the first time since late 2005, (U.S.) residential construction stands a rea-sonable chance of contribut-ing to economic growth in the second half of the year,” said Sal Guatieri of BMO Capital Markets, welcome news to Canada’s on-the-

Signs, confidence pointing to ...(From page 34)

floor forestry sector. July also saw two sur-

prisingly strong earnings reports from U.S. financial giants JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs.

Most economic data has been negative, in line with the latest leading indicators report from Statistics Cana-da, which came in at minus 0.1 percent for June.

Drummond cautions that growth, when it returns, will be extremely modest. The CANADIAN PRESS

36 MANILA MEDIA MONITORMANILA MEDIA MONITORJULY 2009JULY 2009

37MANILA MEDIA MONITORJULY 2009Arts & CultureArts & Culture

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Filipinos Making Waves Fest preps

Teresa Mendoza Tor-ralba (right), co-founder and overall director of Filipinos Making Waves Festival, discusses with Sani Baluyot, an international Filipino entertainment director, the organization and smooth flow of a grand cultural parade of Filipi-nos and other commu-nities along Yonge St., to highlight the Aug. 15 and 16 festival at the Yonge-Dundas Square. Photo: JOJO TADURAN

US-based artists in free 3rd FMWF at Yonge-Dundas Square

(To page 38)

At least two Filipinos and a group of compatriots who have made waves in the international music scene will lend their talents in the 3rd Filipinos Making Waves Festival (FMWF) at a fi rst-ever Filipino community outing at Toronto’s popular outdoor entertainment hub - the Yonge-Dundas Square - from Aug. 15 to 16.

Backed up by equally-talented Filipino-Canadian performers are jazz pianist and inter-national recording artist Boy Katindig, guitar virtuoso Angelo Pizarro, and youtube sensations GLP, composed of Gabe Bondoc, LeeJay Abucayan, and Passion.

FMWF overall director Teresa Torralba says Katin-dig, Pizarro and GLP will fl y in from Las Vegas, Seattle and California, respectively, and will be featured one after the other on Aug. 15.

Pizarro will perform in the segment Seattle’s Guitar Waves from 6 to 7 p.m..

Katindig is set to show off his jazz beats in a segment called Las Vegas Jazz Waves from 7 to 8 p.m. Katindig will also perform on Aug. 16 from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m.

GLP will go onstage in the segment California

Youth Waves from 9:30 to 10:30 p.m.

GLP will be preceded by Toronto Youth Waves artists CrewZing, Bella Divas, Cast of Angels, DJ Jooce and Santa Guerilla from 8 to 9:30 p.m.

Torralba says the festival will start on Aug. 15 with an entertainment fete of singing, dances and bamboo and live band music.

The production schedule includes:

► Kumaway, Sumayaw! (Philippine Dance Waves) with the Culture Philippines of Ontario (CPO), from 12 noon to 12:30 p.m.

► Sing Galing! (Filipi-no Singers Making Waves) with Maloy Lozanes from Germany and Jeanette Rica-sio from Toronto, backed up by a live band, 2 to 3 p.m.

► Kumaway, Sumayaw! with the Kayumanggi Dan-cers, 3 to 3:30 p.m.

► Talakantahan co-produced with Talakayan Radyo with Ivy Joy, Jessica Joy and Ian Nillas.

► Kumaway, Sumayaw! once more with the CPO, 4:30 to 5 p.m.

► Idol Waves, co-pro-duced with the Bustos Entertainment Group, with Canadian Idol fi nalist Mikey Bustos, 5 to 6 p.m.

► Seattle’s Guitar Waves with Angelo Pizarro, 6 to 7 p.m.

► Las Vegas Jazz Waves with Boy Katindig, 7 to 8 p.m.

► Toronto Youth Waves, 8 to 9:30 p.m.

► California Youth Waves with GLP, 9:30 to 10:30 p.m.

On Aug. 16, the festival will open with Sing Galing Kids! (Filipino Youth Talents Making Waves) featuring Teresa Panaligan, Edessa Andrada, Hip Sync Hula, April Joyce Bulancao, Rascals Dance Team, and Jheo Navarro, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

This will be followed by Sing Galing Toronto! (Filipino Artists Making Waves) with Zena Zagala, Kristine Subido, Genevieve Alejandro, Snow Cactus, R.J. Lingao-Lingao, Bella Divas, Charlene Marundan, Rommel Billanes, and Nino Sazon, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Torralba says the noon performances will continue at the main stage while festival director, Sani Baluyot, gets busy prepping the parade participants at Yonge and Gerrard Sts. where FMWF will start its

38 Arts & CultureArts & CultureMANILA MEDIA MONITOR

JULY 2009

Joel ReclaProducer/Host

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US-based artists in free 3rd FMWF in ...(From page 37)

Visiting artist Mario Parial poses beside his artwork during the Pagsibol art show on June 30 at MTM Staff-ing Solutions in To-ronto. The show was brought in and orga-nized by Jack Teotico, managing director of Galerie Joaquin in Met-ro Manila. Other works in the show were those of Lydia Velasco, Domi-nic Rubio, Chie Cruz, Chigoe Cruz and Owen Juanico. PR

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Cortez mounts photo exhibit

Member of the Ontario Provincial Parliament Mike Colle (center) presents a plaque of appreciation to Filipino photojournalist Revoli Cortez (right) dur-ing the opening of a photo exhibit titled Pilipinas - Images of a Country and Its People at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in conjunction with the Philippine Independence Day Council’s Mabuhay Festival on July 18. The exhibit showed the works - some of them national awardees - of Cortez and fellow photojournalist Edwin Bacasmas. The same photos were exhibited at the DGA Filipino Store and Bar owned by Polly Bautista (left).

fi rst-ever Filipino festival parade along Yonge St., the world’s longest tho-roughfare.

She thanks the 51st and 52nd Divisions of the Toronto Police Service for providing security and traffi c control for the parade. She is also grateful to Staff Supt. Ken Cenzura of the Community Mobilization Unit for the assistance.

Among the parade participants are BIBAK, Kayumanggi Dancers, KofC Maharlika Dancers, Asian Canadian Dancers, Clariz, and Panay Island Dancers. The Kababayan Community Centre is the presenting agency of the Panay Island Dancers in cooperation with the Ontario Arts Council.

After the parade and back at the Square, entertainment will begin anew with renditions from

guitar; Carlos De Souza, keyboards, and Jun Vidal drums.

Backup vocalists are Tristan Torralba, Genevieve Alejandro, Gena Baldivia and Chyrelle Samson.

The festival’s entertainment director is Mon Torralba and the stage director is Rodney Ronquillo.

Other weekend festival highlights include the Kids Zone, co-produced with GTA Today; a photo exhibit; a Market Place - managed by Ruby Amog - with food stalls from Jessie Jr., Pinoy’s Best, and Rex Saigon; and booths for crafts and trades from the Philippines, the US and Vancouver.

Torralba adds that the traditional festival kick-off will be the MWF Gala at the Hyatt Regency on King St. on Aug. 14 at 7 p.m. PR

featured performers, as follows:

► Kumaway! Sumayaw! with Ote Atani (all-male Polynesian Dancers) and Kayumanggi Dancers, 2:30 to 4 p.m.

► New Waves Jiva in Concert!, co-produced with Mentor Productions, with Jiva Andola in her debut solo concert, 4 to 5 p.m.

► Kumaway, Sumayaw! with the Kayumanggi Dan-cers, 5 to 5:30 p.m.

► Las Vegas Jazz Waves with Boy Katindig, 5:45 to 6:45 p.m.

► Banda Rito, Banda Roon (Band Fest) co-produced with MStudio, with all-Filipino bands Cast of Angels, Out of Luck and Cosmic Rayons, 7 to 8 p.m.

Live band backup is provided by festival music director Mon Torralba, lead guitar; Nato Buzon bass


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