12

YEAR 12, No. 1 JULY 2008 Home Paper of the 1999 Canadian Ethnic Journalists’ and Writers’ Club Winner for Best Editorial Toronto, Ontario

INSIDE
Typhoon Frank’s aftermath: People should come to terms with

STARK REALITY
Ooops & Bloops

Once a
knight?
-7

Weather-weather
“Typhoon Frank’s merciless lashing of Iloilo and many parts of Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao last June was
lang kaya? - 12
unprecedented. Ilonggo elders spoke of it as ‘the Biblical Great Flood’, its catastrophic effects unmatched in their
lifetime memories of nature’s wrath,” said Pototan, Iloilo native Consul General in Toronto Alejandro Mosquera.
Latest reports from the Philippines placed Typhoon Frank’s death toll at over 1,600, including the 700 plus who
died in the ill-fated M/V Princess of the Stars that capsized on June 21 off Sibuyan Island, Romblon. More than 500
were hurt during the typhoon. (Related item on page 12)
Some 3.7 million people from 5,410 villages in 401 towns, 48 cities and 49 provinces left their homes and fled to
safer grounds, most of them left with nothing to return to. Damage to private property, public infrastructure and
agricultural produce was placed at roughly P7.3 billion.
A Disaster Waiting To Happen
In a July 2 disaster relief forum A Disaster Waiting to
PIDC ‘08 Little Miss Philippines
T’nalak: Fabric of Happen, watershed specialist Dr. Jessica Salas said a ca-
bravery, love - 26 lamity of this magnitude “is going to be repeated ... unless
we approach development from a watershed ecosystem and
local economic system framework.”
Ai-Ai
Dancing To Be De
A Star “We must, and fast, build regional community resilience
Las Alas in the face of climate change,” Dr. Salas challenged.
- 33 to grace Andrew Farncombe, International Partnership Director
July 19
PIDC
of the Canadian Urban Institute, drawing notes from Dr. Sa-
Mabuhay las’s lecture, said “it is time to reflect on and come to terms
Fest - 37 with the stark reality that:
(To page 4)

CAREGIVER JUANA TEJADA’S CASE

PR status a pen away?

Ailing Filipino caregiver Juana Tejada’s wish may just come true.
An informant quoting a reli-
able source from Citizenship and
Immigration Canada (CIC) told
the Manila Media Monitor that the
CIC has in principle approved, on
humanitarian and compassionate
grounds, the grant of permanent
residency status to Tejada.
The phoned-in report to this
paper said the approval would
immediately come as soon as Te-
jada’s lawyer Rafael Fabregas has
submitted all the documents perti-
nent to Tejada’s application.
The CIC had been waiting for
the documents for two months
now, the informant said.
Earlier, the CIC has informed
Tejada on June 26 that it would
pay for all the medical expenses
the ailing caregiver incurred since
her Ontario Health Insurance Plan
(OHIP) expired in August 2007.
Announcement
The announcement of the CIC
decision would be made by Te-
jada’s lawyer Rafael Fabregas in a Philippine Independence Day Council (PIDC) Little Miss
press conference on July 18. Philippines Elle Nicole Delizo (center) and her court first
Temporary residence runner-up Arlene Joy Salazar (left), second runner-up
Late in June, Jose Oliver Jessica Lynn Tamayo (right), Catherine Farley, Marja Bor-
(Conservative Party MP, Eg- ja, Trisha Mae Agne, Danica Joy Manguera, Paula Jane
linton-Lawrence) said the CIC Alcayde, Courtney Rose Rolloque, Christina Pico Lao,
granted Tejada and her husband Kaycee Lyn Diaz, Michelle de Lara, Nicole Ramos, Hay-
temporary resident permits to stay lee Marcoleta and Freddielyn Estanislao will grace PIDC’s
in Canada until December. Mabuhay Festival at the Metro Toronto Convention Cen-
tre on July 19. PIDC Photo
TEJADA (To page 4)
2 Manila Media Monitor JULY 2008
JULY 2008 Manila Media Monitor 3 CALENDAR
► JULY 19: Philippine Independence
Day Council Mabuhay Festival, with
Dancing To Be A Star Finals, Metro To-
ronto Convention Centre (MTCC).
► JULY 19: Philippine Chamber of
Commerce Toronto Trade Show at
Mabuhay Festival, MTCC.
► JULY 19: Association of Caviteños in
Canada Annual Picnic, Earl Bales Park.
► JULY 19: Filipino Canadian Cable-
tow Service Club Annual Picnic, Thom-
son Park.
► JULY 20: Royal Mark Canada’s Zsa
Zsa Padilla-Basil Valdez Concert, Mis-
sissauga Performing Centre for the Arts.
► JULY 26: Sine ... Sine Musika Con-
cert, Gateway Centre for New Canadi-
ans.
► JULY 26: Barilinian Groups of Toron-
to Santa Ana Feast Celebration, Tigley
Residence, Downsview.
► AUG. 3: Bicol Canada Community
Association Picnic, Earl Bales Park,
7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
► AUG. 3: Cotabateños in Ontario Get
Together at Thompson Park, Brimley,
Scarborough, 11 a.m.
► AUG. 9: Jenifer Forever Concert 2,
Meadowvale Theatre, Mississauga.
► AUG. 9: Block Rosary Crusaders of
Toronto 28th Annual Filipino Midland
Martyrs’ Shrine Pilgrimage in Midland,
Ontario.
► AUG. 10: United Architects of the
Philippines-Ontario (UAPO) General
Membership Meeting and Officers’ In-
duction.
► AUG. 15 to 17: Filipinos Making
Waves Festival, Ontario Place.
► AUG. 17: UAPO 6th Golf Tourna-
ment, Remington Parkview Golf and
Country Club.
Visit www.pakulo.com to view the
calendar of public events in Ontar-
io and the rest of North America.

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4 NEWS Manila Media Monitor JULY 2008

STARK REALITY
(From page 1)
► “Land management
decisions are in fact water
resource decisions,
► “There is an urgent
need to protect old growth
forest and restore the rain-
forest in the watershed,
while still maintaining the
viability of plantations and
agriculture/food lands,
► “The region needs
to come to terms with how
much land can be eaten up
by human settlement, how
much must be protected in
its natural state and how
much should serve agricul-
ture,
► “There is an urgent
need for mass eco-educa-
tion. Intensification of land
uses (especially housing) is
the critical focus (if Japan
can do it, why not the Phil-
ippines?).
► “There is a need to
think not just of the water-
shed as a natural boundary,
but also as a social catch-
ment in which sprawl con-
tainment and urban manage-
ment become essential.”
“Cities exist within a
watershed. The Iloilo ex-
perience has been repeated
many times throughout the
(Philippine) archipelago in
the past, and will continue to
be in the future if we are to
believe the climate change
experts,” Farncombe noted.
Depleted forests
In her lecture, Dr. Salas
pointed out that in the Phil-
ippines, only three percent
of old growth forests still
stood.
In Iloilo province alone,
only two percent remained,
down from 70 percent in
1900 and 34 percent in
1970.
While three million trees,
most of them non-native,
have been planted in Iloilo’s
watersheds in recent years,
these did not bring back the
multi-canopy rainforest that
supported species’ diversity.
Dr. Salas said the 2007
drought in Panay resulted in
a loss of 47 percent of wa-
ter in rivers/streams, a direct
result of depletion of ground
water.
Racing vs uncertainties
The impact was devas-
tating -- loss of biodiver-
sity in the upper watershed,
mono-cropping (gmelina,
bamboo, mahogany), ac-
celerated spread of invasive
species, soil erosion, drying
of rivers/creeks in summer
and drought.
This spelled trouble
during major storms, as
the non-retention of water
meant flooding.
Those who survived Ty-
phoon Frank, were hurt and
lost property “will have to
rebuild their lives, racing
against the odds of econom-
ic, social and political un-
certainties,” Salas added.
Replenish water
She said rainwater catch-
ment was critical - on roof-
tops, slopes, small ground
surfaces, or through large
catchment area structures.
She cited how Singapore
did away with too many im-
pervious surfaces like park-
ing lots and other paved sur-
faces and converted these to
grass or other surfaces that
allowed rainwater to perme-
ate. “The key is to replenish
ground water.”
There was either too
much water or not enough
water, and this constituted
an urgent sign of lack of
health in the ecosystem.
Unfortunately, there had
never been any Philippine
state policy on rainwater
harvesting.
Political will
Dr. Salas said too much
emphasis had been placed on
high-tech, capital intensive,
conventional flood control
projects in Iloilo, when in-
vestments could have been
made on less costly but
more effective rainwater
ponds and other upland wa-
ter retardation schemes.
“A revolution in thinking
is needed,” she said, add-
ing that urban planners and
management systems of-
ficers have been failing the
expectations of the people.
They never raised a hand
against putting up commer-
cial and industrial buildings
and housing subdivisions on
essential wetlands and on
flood plains. The poor are
bearing more of the burden.
“Complacency on this
issue must be avoided. Can
we count on a new political
will?” she asked.
Recommendations
The lecture also present-
ed a number of recommen-
dations on how to meet the
problem head on.
The recommendations
included:
► A continuing and
well-organized eco-edu-
cation of leaders and the
masses,
► The creation of ac-
tive and committed citizens’
watchdog groups,
► The multi-stakehold-
er participation in watershed
management,
► The strengthening
of watershed structures and
new governance arrange-
ments aligned with water-
shed boundaries, with strong
village participation in the
spirit of bayanihan,
Forum responses
On their part, the forum
attendees:
► Sought to sponsor a
design competition in ar-
chitecture/planning schools
and universities in Iloilo to
influence the development
of new housing models and
new models of “sustainable
community development.”
This, they said, could be
supported in the framework
of Gawad Kalinga.
► Pushed for more ag-
gressive reforestation proj-
ects,
► Urged the use of eco-
guerrilla acts, like shooting
metal spikes into tree trunks
to discourage illegal log-
ging,
► Called for communi-
ty-based forest management
models where communities
become guardians/stewards,
► Supported efforts to
promote watershed preser-
vation, along with foodlands
protection, by supporting
non-government organiza-
tions that worked in this area
of advocacy and practice,
► Asked all concerned
to look to the experiences of
Toronto in the aftermath of
Hurricane Hazel as a model
of how to use disaster as a
transformative event for
Iloilo.
Toronto experience
Farncombe recom-
mended the websites http://
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hur-
ricane_Hazel and http://
www.hurricanehazel.ca/.
He said that in the after-
math of Hurricane Hazel,
the Toronto Region Conser-
vation Authority has played
a major role in watershed
management and flood pro-
Donations for ‘Frank’ relief efforts
Nilda Exmundo of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association said Share-
Life has started accepting donations for humanitarian relief efforts underway in the
Philippines in the wake of the death and destruction wrought by Typhoon Frank.
The Catholic Church’s official relief body, Caritas Internationalis, is coordinating
the initiative through its 162 national members.
Contributions would be channelled through the Canadian Catholic Organization for
Development and Peace, the Caritas representative organization in Canada.
Caritas (Philippines) would turn over the donations, earmarked for priority areas
hardest hit by Typhoon Frank, to the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.
Exmundo said those wishing to help could do so:
► Online through ShareLife’s website, www.sharelife.org.
► By phone through the ShareLife office – 1-800-263-2595 or 416-934-3411.
► Through the parish, making cheques payable to: ShareLife – Name of Par-
ish – Typhoon Frank Relief.
She called on Filipinos to ask their parish priest to initiate a designated special
Sunday collection for Typhoon Frank Relief or by publishing letters of appeal in the
parish bulletin.
Efforts are being made to appeal to the Canadian International Development Agen-
cy (CIDA) to match funds raised through ShareLife, as was done for China. CIDA
matching raised some $1 million for relief efforts in China.
Exmundo asked the Filipino community “to pass on the information to friends in
Canada and around the world to help rebuild the lives of thousands with their donation.
ShareLife will issue receipts for tax purposes to donors in Canada.”
For more information, contact: (416) 364-8670, (905) 738-9633 or visit www.ty-
phoonfrank.info.
Other venues for donations
Meanwhile, the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto said donations could also
be coursed through:
► The National Disaster Coordinating Council through the Development Bank
of the Philippines, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City; with Account Name NDCC Do-
nated Fund, Acct. No. 0-00149-435-3; Swift Code DBPHPHMM, Current Acct. No.
36002016.
► The Philippine National Red Cross through Metrobank, Port Area Branch,
Anda Circle, Port Area, Manila; with Account Name PNRC, Swift Code MBTCPHMM,
Acct. No. 151-2-151-00218-2.
► Circulo Ilonggo and the Committee for Disaster Relief in Iloilo, the Philip-
pines through Noe Castaños, Circulo Ilonggo president, Tel. No. (905) 738-9633, e-
mail ncasta9633@rogers.com or Nilda Exmundo, relief efforts coordinator, Tel. No.
(416) 364-8670, e-mail milexmundo@yahoo.com.
PR status a pen away?
(From page 1)
The information on Oli-
ver relayed to the Manila
Media Monitor added that
CIC was waiting for Tejada’s
counsel to complete her ap-
plication for permanent resi-
dence under humanitarian
and compassionate grounds.
Department officials are
committed to expedite pro-
cessing once the completed
application is submitted,
Oliver said.
Advocacy groups have
sought for permanent Ca- Ailing Filipino caregiver JUANA TEJADA (right)
nadian residency for Tejada, explains her plight before members of the Univer-
her husband and family. sity of the Philippines Alumni Association in On-
Unusual CIC expense tario. Photo courtesy of MOGI MOGADO
According to another
report relayed to the Manila Migrante said Tejada ed that authorities give all
Media Monitor, Tejada’s came to Canada under the caregivers full status, not
lawyer Fabregas said the Live-in Caregiver Program just employer-dependent
CIC coverage of Tejada’s in 2003. work visas that could force
medical bills, which could Migrante claimed that women into vulnerable and
add up to about $15,000, was Tejada became eligible to exploitable working condi-
“somewhat good news.” apply for permanent resi- tions.
Public health coverage dency after 24 months of Tejada’s case has arisen
has been extended for Te- caregiver work. in the context of the recent
jada’s husband too. But she was diagnosed passage of Bill C-50, which
But Fabregas said this with cancer in 2006. Mi- message to “immigrants is
move was “extremely un- grante claimed that since clear: Do not even attempt

Make good business.

tection, combining it with
recreation objectives.
Farncombe said he
ADVERTISE! learned a lot from Dr. Salas
“that will be useful in our
organization’s own work in
Iloilo,” adding he was excit-
ed to be part of a high level
intellectual discussion on di-
saster management and felt
On its 12th year of service that the people present be-
lieved in long term rehabili-
Call 416-285-8583 tation efforts. With reports
from MOGI MOGADO
usual.”
Status pending
In a press release, Fili-
pino caregiver rights advo-
cate Migrante-Ontario said
a CIC case officer had previ-
ously decided that Tejada’s
“health condition might
reasonably be expected to
cause excessive demand to
health and social services,”
and could be a social and
economic burden to the Ca-
nadian health care system.
then, CIC had denied Tejada
her right to stay in Canada
and was even stripped of her
OHIP coverage.
“For three years Juana
has worked. Her sickness
now deems her expendable
as she is no longer able to
fulfill these duties,” Migran-
te said as it appealed to of-
ficials to let Tejada stay “on
humanitarian and compas-
sionate grounds.”
The group also demand-
to come to Canada as a per-
manent resident unless you
are willing to come tempo-
rarily as workers in exploit-
ative and marginal jobs,”
Migrante noted.
“This is a policy that
seeks to make it impossible
for immigrants to determine
not just the conditions of
their work, but also of their
own lives in Canada,” it
said. With reports from
MOGI MOGADO
JULY 2008 Manila Media Monitor
OPEC revises ‘08 global oil demand forecast Machine-readable RP
VIENNA - The Orga-
nization of Petroleum Ex-
porting Countries (OPEC)
has revised its global oil de-
mand forecast to 86.81 mil-
lion barrels per day (bpd)
for this year, or 90,000 bar-
rels lower than its forecast
in June.
This was the fourth time
OPEC has lowered its glob-
al oil demand forecast for
the year.
In its latest monthly re-
port published on July 15,
the Vienna-based cartel also
CIC introduces PR card application conveniences
Permanent residents ap-
plying to replace a perma-
nent resident (PR) card due
to expire no longer need to
send in their current valid
card with the application.
Instead, they only need
to exchange their old card
with a new one when they
pick up the new card in per-
son at a local Citizenship
and Immigration Canada
(CIC) office.
Further, applicants for a
new or replacement PR card
are no longer required to get
the signature of a guarantor
or sign a statutory declara-
tion in lieu of a guarantor.
These were the two sig-
nificant changes to the PR
passport processing on
forecast a daily demand rise
of 0.9 million barrels in
2009, representing a decline
of 0.1 million barrels from
estimated growth in 2008.
The report said demand
for OPEC crude oil in 2008
would average 32 mil-
lion bpd. In 2009, average
demand would be further
scaled down to 31.2 million
bpd.
OPEC monthly oil pric-
es reached a record high of
US$128 per barrel in June,
7.5 percent higher than the
card application process
citizenship and immigra-
tion minister Diane Finley
recently announced.
“These changes demon-
strate our continued com-
mitment to providing more
convenient services to new-
comers,” Finley said.
“We recognize that
people may want to hold
on to a valid card for travel
purposes while waiting for
the replacement. We also
understand that newcomers
may have difficulty finding
a guarantor who has known
them for at least two years,”
she said.
Previously, permanent
residents had to send in
previous month.
This was mainly be-
cause of rising Middle East
tensions, financial market
speculations, supply con-
cerns over a storm threat
in the Gulf of Mexico and
the continued fluctuation
of the American greenback,
OPEC said.
Iran, the second largest
oil producer of OPEC, has
started testing long-distance
missiles, deepening global
concerns about the future
stability of OPEC oil output
their PR card when they ap-
plied for a replacement.
This inconvenienced
permanent residents intend-
ing to travel outside Canada
while their application was
being processed.
But permanent residents
should include their PR
card with the application
for a replacement if it has
expired.
Moreover, eliminating
the need for a guarantor
would simplify the perma-
nent resident card applica-
tion process without com-
promising security.
For example, CIC could
verify an applicant’s pass-
port, driver’s licence, or
NEWS
and supply.
US Federal Reserve
chairman Ben Bernanke
said the devaluation of the
US dollar, to a certain ex-
tent, pushed up oil prices.
The price of oil hit a re-
cord US$147.27 per barrel
on July 11 and has doubled
in a year, sparking global
fuel protests and stoking in-
flation.
Experts said the report
showed the cartel saw no
need to raise output in the
short run. PNA/Xinhua
employment and education-
al information to confirm
residence and identity.
The PR card would con-
firm the holder’s permanent
resident status in Canada.
Permanent residents
traveling outside Canada
should show the card before
boarding commercial trans-
portation (plane, train, boat
or bus) to return to Canada.
CIC has urged perma-
nent residents to check the
expiry date on their PR
cards and apply for a new
one well before they plan
to travel. The PR card was
introduced in 2002, and, in
most cases, was valid for a
five-year period. CNW
5
The Philippine Consul-
ate General in Toronto has
started processing applica-
tions for machine-readable
Philippine passports since
July 1.
All passport applicants
need to appear at the con-
sulate to file their applica-
tions, affix their thumb-
prints and signature in the
computer-generated form.
Passport applicants shall submit passport photos
with royal blue or dark blue background. The full fron-
tal facial image of the applicant shall occupy 70 to 80
percent of the photograph.
The photo size is 3.5 cm. x 4.5 cm. The photo shall
be printed preferably on matte photo paper of good
quality.
As much as possible, both ears of the applicant
shall be visible.
The use of contact lenses for medical reasons is al-
lowed, provided the contact lenses do not change the
applicant’s true eye color. Use of earrings for women is
likewise allowed, provided the earrings are small. But
the wearing of earrings for men is not allowed.
When having their photos taken, the applicant co-
may smile. The ‘Mona Lisa’ smile is recommended.
While the filing of applications will be done at the
Consulate, the machine readable passports will be pro-
cessed in Manila.
It will take a minimum of one month before the
passports are released to the applicant.
All applicants for the machine readable passport
are enjoined to file their application at least six months
prior to its expiration date. PR
6 MEDIA Manila Media Monitor JULY 2008

The Canadian
Immigrant bags
2 CEMA plums
Newsmagazine The Ca-
nadian Immigrant bagged
both print media awards -
two of nine major awards -
during the Canadian Ethnic
Media Association 30th An-
niversary Gala and Awards
at the Velma Rogers Gra-
ham Theatre on June 27.
The Canadian Immi-
grant’s editor Marg Jetelina
won the News or Feature
Category in Print Media
Award for Cultural Com-
promise, an affecting article
on the work of Vancouver’s
Godwin Eni, physician,
Community reps install PPC-O officers
educator and community (From left) The youth sector’s Mithi Esguerra and caregiver sector’s Michelle Gose assist senior sector’s Mama Ching Quejas as
leader. The newsmagazine’s she presides over the installation of Philippine Press Club-Ontario’s president Tenny Soriano, vice president Ace Alvarez, sec-
publisher Naeem “Nick” retary Butch Galicia, treasurer Mogi Mogado, and directors Tony Sicat, Hermie Garcia and Mon Datol at the Scarborough Village
Noorani won the Editorial Community Centre on July 12. PHOTO: ANAGAILE SORIANO
Category plum for his criti-
cal editorial Canada’s Tran-
sition Penalty on under- rabbi and their views on the express political opinions Ziniak Award was presented
employment of immigrant patriarch Abraham. prior to adulthood. to Dat Ngyuen, publisher-
professionals. The Television award- The Internet media editor of Vietnamese week-
For Radio, broadcaster ees were: (for news or fea- awardees are: (for news or ly Thoi Bao, for “journalis-
Martin Silva won the Fea- ture) Grace Fusillo, pro- feature) Blunt Magazine tic excellence in publishing
ture Category for a presen- ducer/writer and director of editor Andrew Miller for his weekly newspaper and
tation on the successful re- Fuel Productions’ moving Death, a revealing descrip- his integral initiative in res-
sult of liver transplant from documentary, The Great tion of life as a hospital cuing Ontario print media
Dina Lomoro to Jorge Ga- Communicator -- Johnny service assistant with pride from punitive taxation.”
lego on CHIN radiothon for Lombardi, funded and in his work; (for edito- Ngyuen’s initiative
Toronto Western hospital. broadcast by Rogers OMNI rial) South Asian Outlook against punitive taxation
The Radio Opinion Cat- Television; (for opinion) publisher Suresh Jaura for was supported by the Phil-
egory award went to Er- Angie Seth, anchor/re- his incisive editorial Two ippine Press Club Ontario,
nest Tannis, ADR program, porter, OMNI News: South Kinds of Canadians on sys- Manila Media Monitor and Madeline Ziniak (right), executive chair of the Ca-
CHIN Radio, Ottawa for a Asian Edition for the lively temic prejudices against Balita, among other media nadian Ethnic Media Association, presents the Si-
sensitive program featuring Democracy 101 on how non-whites. organizations. CEMA PR/ erhey Khmara Ziniak Award to Dat Ngyuen, pub-
an imam, a minister and a students are encouraged to The Sierhey Khmara Thoi Bao Photo lisher and editor of Vietnamese weekly Thoi Bao.
JULY 2008 Manila Media Monitor VIEWS
which we divided the duty, we
noticed that the most volunteers
came forward for the 1 to 3 p.m.
slot. Manila Media Monitor editor
Butch Galicia wondered why.
My response: “Probably the
Ace Alvarez time sexy singer-entertainer Jen-
ny Camacho will perform, and
7
Philippine-based entertainers
German Moreno, Tirso Cruz
III and Lito Calzado, when
the former chanced upon them
while dining at the Aristokrat
Restaurant on Wilson Avenue
in Toronto. Moreno, Cruz and
Calzado were visiting Toronto

KoR knighthood made easy

The headline of the “OFW
Journalism Consortium in its June
27, 2008 issue read, “Study says
high school drop-outs not children
of OFWs”.
Ooops! Easy … easy. The
body of the story is not quite what
the headline declares.
An excerpt from the story
read:
“High cost of education cou-
pled by lingering poverty has
been cited by pundits as reasons
for these increases (N.B. referring
to drop-out rate).”
When I forwarded the story
to Manila Media Monitor editor
Butch Galicia, I warned him to
be careful about reading just the
headline of the newspacket. “The
story’s content is different from
what the headline implies. Kasin-
dak-sindak, sir!”
Butch replied, “It’s a startling
revelation. Pinagkakaila na ng
mga OFWs na anak nila ang mga
school dropouts sa Pilipinas. Mag-
aling ang sumulat ng headline.”
Ace to Butch: “Kung baga
si OFW, five years na sa abroad,
pero iyong bunso ay three years
old pa lamang!”
Butch wrote back na kung na-
tanggap ni Mrs. iyong sperm sam-
ple, anak nga ni OFW si bunso.
But lo … and behold, I replied,
“Hindi pa rin, dahil hiringgilya ng
asawa ni Dory, na taga Malabon,
ang ginamit kay Mrs. OFW.”
***
The Philippine Press Club
Ontario (PPCO) will have a
booth at the Mabuhay Philip-
pines Toronto Summer Festival,
July 19, at the Metro Toronto
Convention Centre, offered
through PIDC president Jun
Enverga.
On behalf of the PPCO,
President Tenny Soriano wrote
back to Jun:
“Good idea.
“In an ideal setting (but not
necessarily this year) the center
has amenities like computers,
monitors/video machines (where
exhibitors can show their vid-
eos/audio-visual presentations)
pigeonholes etc. etc. In short, its
a meeting /melting place among
media and its sources.
“This is what we used to do
in ‘Pinas (panahon ni Macoy)
in every international, or local
conferences, exhibits and the
like.”
Hhhmmm …. So, okay read-
ers, please bring lots of cash with
you. I think the PPCO booth
will have a blackjack table, pu-
soy, mahjong table/s and a bar
for those who want to drink.
Mabuhay ang pangulo ng
PPCO!
***
A CNW (Canada News Wire)
dispatch on June 25, states: “Mc-
Guinty Government Supports
Public-Private Internship Pro-
gram; Leading Edge Research”
Mabuti na lang walang oral …
ooops … I mean oval office dito
sa Ontario.
***
PPCO secretary Butch Gali-
cia sent notice of cancellation of
board meeting, June 24.
Treasurer Mogi Mogado’s
response: “10-4 paki-email na
lang ang pag-uusapan.”
***
Appointed by PPCO president
Tenny Soriano to coordinate vol-
unteers to man the PPCO booth
at the PIDC Mabuhay Festival,
I solicited the help of all active
PPCO members to man the booth
throughout the day.
Of the 13-hour slots with
the PPCO guys were hoping that
there will be another ‘wardrobe
malfunction’ incident of two years
past at the same festival.
***
At first, Philippine Courier
Publisher Ramon Datol and
Butch Galicia thought the 1 to 3
p.m. slot are the hours that they
would see a lot of ladies wearing
their favorite beach wear.
My response: “Yes, indeed.
Problem is that it isn’t at the
Mabuhay Fest, but in Wasaga
Beach.”
***
A good friend of mine phoned
the Philippine Consulate Gener-
al’s office in Toronto to inquire on
dual citizenship.
A staff at that office picks
up the phone and … “Philippine
Conshooleyt, good afternoon.”
There’s no truth that when I
phoned the Philippine Embassy
in Ottawa two days later to seek
clarification on a press release
that office sent us at Manila Me-
dia Monitor, a staff picked up the
phone and said… “Philippine Em-
bashee, good afternoon.”
***
PPCO president Tenny Sori-
ano narrated how high ranking
officer of the Knights of Rizal
(KoR), Sir Chito Collantes,
knighted into the organization
recently.
The KoR is a prestigious or-
ganization created to honor and
uphold the ideals of Philippine
national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. It
was established on December
30, 1911, and granted legislative
charter as a civic and patriotic
organization by Republic Act
646 on June 14, 1951.
For those who have been
wanting to apply as members
of the KoR, probably you may
avail, too, of the membership
route made easy, such as exem-
plified above.
How? Chance upon the
aforementioned Sir Chito Col-
lantes when he dines at the Aris-
tokrat Restaurant.
Don’t worry, the KoR will
also provide you at your instant
knighthood with the KoR Bar-
ong Tagalog and the accessory
medal.
With the foregoing, please
add three more members on the
membership number below.
Since the KoR’s founding in
Manila, Philippines, the organi-
zation has grown to over 10,000
members belonging to chapters
located in countries through-
out the world including Can-
ada, Australia, Bahrain, Bel-
gium, Germany and the United
States.
8 VIEWS
My personal celebrations this July 2008:
The Lives of Two Very Special Friends -
Isagani Pastor and Ben Viccari
“Like everyone, I have many
friends: ordinary friends, acquain-
tances, special friends, and …
very special friends.
“This month of July, 2008,
I celebrate the lives of two very
special friends.
“A week ago, I learned that
a very special friend back in the
Philippines – whom I had worked
with at one of the commercial
banks in that country -- was killed
in a bank robbery described in
news items as the bloodiest in
Philippine bank robbery history.
“I was talking to his wife early
this month, and she said that no
words could describe that tragic
day, but stressed, “It is not how
he died, but how he lived his life.
Pare, thank you for your friend-
ship and the warmth of your sym-
pathy.”
“His widow thanked me for
my friendship. But, no, I should
thank him for his friendship; for
having been part of his life.
“Also, I celebrate this month
the life of another very special
friend – that of Ben Viccari’s.
“Happy 90th, Ben!
“When I came to Canada in
1990 (and up until 1999), I con-
centrated on my own community;
If we were to believe ratings
and studies; if we were to trust an-
other’s parameters about a subject
and if we were to be suckers for
surveys, scientifically undertaken
or conjured from thin air, would
we anchor our decisions on some-
one else’s findings?
If we did, because it was the
most expeditious and easiest way
to arrive at some form of intelli-
gent choice, then the recent infor-
mal panel study on which Philip-
pine city is the most livable would
either delight us or raise eyebrows.
The study was tandemed with a
fairly popular television survey
program on QTV, a sister station
of giant GMA Network.
Culling from statistical data
as well as the corroboration of a
panel of judicious persons, among
them the editor of Mabuhay Mag-
azine Jun Ventura, noted architect
Jun Palafox and Travel Life editor
Liza Ilarde, the top ten most ideal
cities to take up residence in the
country were listed.
It turns out that the most com-
mon denominators in arriving at
the choices have been the fulfill-
the Filipino-Canadian commu-
nity.
“It was not until I joined the
Canadian Ethnic Journalists’
and Writers’ Club (now the Ca-
nadian Ethnic Media Associa-
tion [CEMA]) in 2000 that I was
“brainwashed”, rather, “multicul-
turated” (as
I stood to be
corrected by
CEMA Ex-
ecutive Di-
rector and
National Vice
President for
Te l e v i s i o n
VICCARI
- Rogers TV,
Madeline Ziniak) that Ben guided
me to think of the greater major-
ity -- the multicultural society of
Canada; the diversity composing
it.
“I thank you for this, Ben. I
thank you for the opportunity for
being part of your life.
“For these, I celebrate these
month the lives of these two very
special friends.”
The foregoing were my re-
marks during the 90th birthday
celebration of Ben Viccari -- Ca-
nadian writer, journalist, broad-
caster, blogger, accomplished
Where would you live
in the Philippines?
ment of the live, work and play
formula. Most of the winners are
situated close to a body of water,
feature high infrastructure levels
and business opportunities and are
known to be socially dynamic.
The list consisted of a happy
mixture of Visayan and Luzon cit-
ies with only one from Mindanao.
Bacolod figured at number ten.
The mid-sized capital of Negros
Occidental is showing the world
that despite the sugar debacle that
reduced its shimmer as a city, it is
revving up to make a comeback.
In a recent study that ranked cit-
ies based on quality of life driv-
ers, Bacolod gave an impressive
showing.
A black-horse winner is Sta.
Rosa, once a quiet, unassuming
sprawl of rice fields in Laguna. It
is now a little silicon valley with
promising investment and indus-
trial possibilities. Palafox notes
that the emerging city is a splen-
did retirement area because it is
barely an hour from the Nasugbu
beach in Batangas and less than
half an hour from Tagaytay.
Manila is a shock at number
public relations man, champion
of Canadian multiculturalism, and
more importantly to me, a very
special friend at the Golden Lions
Banquet Hall in Etobicoke, On-
tario on July 4, 2008.
Oh yes, two lives of two spe-
cial friends whose lives I celebrate
this month.
The first,
my compa-
dre Isagani
Pastor, lived
a a few years
over half of
Ben’s very
colorful and
PASTOR
continuously
societally-active 90s.
Gani Pastor and I worked to-
gether during the mid 80s at the
Branch Banking Department of
one commercial bank in the Phil-
ippines. I was assigned the public
relations and market the services
of the bank’s Sto. Cristo, Binon-
do, Manila Branch, and he took
charge of the Kalentong, Manda-
luyong City Branch.
He was not only a compadre,
but he and his family were very
close personal friends. His old-
est daughter, Lesley Anne, and
my daughter were playmates and
eight. Despite its legendary con-
gestion, traffic, crime and pollu-
tion, it still boasts a dynamic local
economy that hosts business and
industry. The aces it offers are its
proximity to Manila Bay and the
glorious sunset.
The main economic hub of
Western Visayas, Iloilo, landed
at seven. The Princess City of the
South is noted these days as the
city with among the lowest inci-
dence of heart diseases, a testa-
ment to its trait as being nearly
stress-free. This is not to say that
Iloilo is a humdrum place. On
the contrary, it boasts of emerg-
ing industries and was also listed
as one of the top five cities based
on quality of life drivers. The re-
cent beating it took from superty-
phoon Frank may have set Iloilo
back a few years but a recent visit
showed its resilience and readi-
ness to stand again.
Marikina, which many sus-
pected as a likely top five candi-
date, is not known as the shoe cap-
ital anymore but a hall of famer in
the clean and green city contests.
It is the metro’s most competitive
Manila Media Monitor
went to Colegio San Agustin to-
gether. His second child, Leeroy
and my son Christian, were also
playmates and went to the same
school together. The third child,
Francis Patrick, is my godson.
Gani and I were likewise
neighbors at a village in San Pe-
dro, Laguna. He was my vice
president when I was the president
of the neighborhood homeowners’
association -- until my and my
family’s departure for this coun-
try, when he took over my place.
Before we left for this country,
Gani and his wife Chaloy, hosted
a farewell dinner for us.
On our departure day, we were
surprised to see them at the airport
(among other friends and neigh-
bors), even arriving ahead of us.
We could see the tears building up
in their eyes during breakfast at
Manila’s Ninoy Aquino Interna-
tional Airport prior to checking in
for our flight out-of-the-country.
On the weeks leading to our
departure date (and after we sold
our car already), Gani offered, and
in fact handed us the key to his car
for our use, knowing and under-
standing that we needed mobili-
zation for the various last minute
(To page 24)
city and like Singapore, booms.
Many think it is the most ideal
place to live in because of the
city’s tidiness, order and impres-
sive zoning.
The city that now smells like
diesel fumes, the place noted for
the barrelman, ukay-ukay and ex-
otic vegetables, made it to num-
ber five. Key reason for this must
be Baguio’s being nestled in the
mountains and the fact that there
are so many educational institu-
tions that have mushroomed in
the place.
It is not a surprise that Makati,
the most cosmopolitan place in
the country, is in the top five. It
is a very international city with
impressive infrastructure. Like
Marikina, its success is anchored
on an inspired local leadership.
The largest city in the world in
terms of land area, Davao is third
on the list. It is consistently cited
as among the best cities in Asia
because of its sprawl and beauti-
ful outdoors. The cost of doing
business in the city is rated highly.
That it is hardly visited by pow-
erful typhoons and is part of the
burgeoning East Asian Growth
corridor make the city even more
attractive. The bonus is that fruit
abounds and life is generally
tranquil making Davao a coveted
place to live in.
Palawan is among the best
provinces to visit because it has
an incredible array to offer tour-
ists and would-be investors. Geo-
graphically, it is the largest prov-
(To page 9)
JULY 2008
Managing Editor
ACE ALVAREZ
Editor
BUTCH GALICIA
Associate Editor
GIE ALVAREZ
Contributing Editors
Grace P. Freires
Manny Freires
Ben Viccari
Mag Cruz Hatol
Pete Lacaba
Mel Tobias
Editorial Assistants
Lennart Leigh Alvarez-Mahoney
Dods Andrada
Contributors
Edwin Acuna
Bien Garcia
Jeannie Pilapil
Eva Agpaoa
Mario Dimain
Noel Perada
Larry Torres
Chito Sarabia
Account Executive
MYRNA SORIANO
Graphics
IDTech Solutions
416-875-2541
projects@idtechsolutuionsnetwork.com
Philippine Communication Facility
GRACE MEDIA SERVICES
974 Metrica Street
1008 Manila, Philippines
Tel/Fax: (632) 742-1484
Published by
Manila MEDIA MONITOR, INC.
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Scarborough, Ontario M1M 3T2
CANADA
Tel. 416.285.8583
YOUR TOTAL, CONCISE
and COMPREHENSIVE
Manila MEDIA MONITOR
is published and circulated
once a month
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Manila MEDIA MONITOR is a
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Manila MEDIA MONITOR
covers all aspects of interest
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(the other paper being ...
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JULY 2008 Manila Media Monitor VIEWS
OPINION
In defense of 59 honorables
who saw Pacquiao in Vegas
Dear Senator,
Please don’t consider this let-
ter, from a Canadian, as a colos-
By BOBBY M. REYES sally impertinent attempt to tell
Editor, www.mabuhayradio. com you how to run the United States
of America if, as so many of us
(Editor’s note: This editorial, posted at the Partidong Pan- hope, you become its next Presi-
daigdigang Pilipino Yahoo group site, was written before Filipino dent.
boxer Manny Pacquiao fought, floored and stripped David Diaz It is, rather, an expression of
of his World Boxing Council lightweight title. See page 28) how I personally believe two
great neighbors can return to
A good number of Filipino congressmen, officials and digni- a friendship once enjoyed but
taries and their respective entourages will be flying to Las Vegas gone astray these last eight years
for the nth time to see, nay, witness ring-side the coming title bout through the arrogant dictatorship
between Filipino boxing great Manny Pacquiao and David Diaz on that has become the Republican
June 28, 2008. Why do some Filipino-American pundits, wags and administration.
detractors criticize unfairly these Filipino officials and legislators in Like many others, I congratu-
attending Mr. Pacquiao’s championship fights? late our former Prime Minister
In the first place, these Filipino officials and lawmakers are Jean Chrétien for refusing to join a
spending their personal hard-earned money to witness Mr. Pac- coalition based on a web of deceit
quiao’s fights. They just don’t go to Las Vegas on a mere trip (or and plunging American lives like
junket) to see the boxing bout. They go to Southern Nevada on a Gadarene swine into the morass
mission – as in a trade or investment-promotion mission. that is now Iraq. To say nothing of
Going to Las Vegas to be at the ring side is a good demonstration a wounded and bleeding Iraqi na-
of Filipino patriotism. Why, all the Filipino-flag waving and cheer- tion. Since then, our own current
ing amount to boosting the morale of a poverty-stricken people. federal government elected two
Yes, impoverished Filipinos can afford only one meal a day but they and a half years ago, proved ini-
save manny, oops, money to see Manny Pacquiao fight on Pay-TV tially to be a lickspittle to George
in Manila and many cities in the Philippines. Mr. Pacquiao’s fight is W. Bush but now finds itself in a
a matter of national pride, aside from boosting the foreign reserve dilemma.
of the country (as Mr. Pacquiao brings home not only the bacon but All of those go to show that
also the dollars in several million versions). like the United States of America,
Many Filipino government officials actually promote not only it’s time for change here in Canada
Philippine-made rum during their trips to Las Vegas and other too: change in the way we look at
American cities but also other Filipino products – without collect- poverty, at our regard for human
ing per diems or extra compensation from the public treasury. rights, at the environment and at
And the publicists of these Filipino congressmen and public of- the war in Afghanistan -- a coun-
ficials privately say that they actually earn hard currency for the try that the United States govern-
Philippines, as they bet on Mr. Pacquiao’s assured victory at the ment left to its own devices after
legalized gambling spots in Las Vegas. Filipino casinos do not yet the Soviet forces had been defeat-
accept bets on boxing fights, don’t they? In short, their first mission ed. And change to so many other
is to take advantage of good opportunities to make money for their fossilized ideas and institutions.
constituents, not necessarily at the expense of the Filipino people. If it is true that the young peo-
Because when these Filipino dignitaries go home, they distribute ple of America and their desire for
their winnings to Philippine charities and their constituents. change will be the deciding fac-
Yes, to these Filipino legislators and officials, the Filipino box- tor in bringing you to the White
er’s first name might as well be spelled, “Money.” As in good hard- House, so must young Canadians
earned money for the people, charitable causes and concerns. break free from their dismal vot-
Besides, Mr. Pacquiao’s fights make the starving Filipino mass- ing record and opt for change.
es forget their hunger and pains – even for a single night of the We fervently hope that you
year. Yes, a victory over David Diaz may turn the entire Filipino will become President for eight
homeland into a local version of Diazneyland, ooops, Disneyland. historic years during which de-
Who would object to turning the Philippines into one of the hap- mocracy in the West is restored
piest places on earth – even just on the night (or day in Manila) of to its former regard in the eyes of
Manny Pacquiao’s victory over Mr. Diaz?
Filipino congressmen and dignitaries play a lot in protecting the Where would ...
interests of Mr. Pacquiao and the Filipino boxing world. For in- (From page 8)
stance, many of them serve as interpreters, as Mr. Pacquiao cannot ince. The panelists are unanimous
speak English as good as former President Erap Estrada or movie in singling out its capital, Puerto
actress Melanie Marquez. Without the Filipino legislators around, Princesa, as ideal for ecotourism,
how could the world understand what Mr. Pacquiao is talking about retirement and cleanliness. The
– especially since the Filipino boxer is always promoting Filipino city ranks third highest in busi-
tourist spots during the mainstream media’s interviews with him? ness opportunities. By far, Puerto
This writer objects strongly also to a Filipino-American joke Princesa seems to be the only city
that claims – without rhyme or reason – that these Filipino politi- where you can actually see resi-
cians and public officials go to Las Vegas because they always hold dents picking up litter in the streets
a reunion with Mr. Pacquiao’s trainer, the celebrated Freddie Roach. to properly dispose of them.
This writer does not find it funny for budding Filipino-American
comedians labeling Filipino congressmen and other visiting digni-
At the top of the heap with
little controversy and surprise is
taries as relatives of Mr. Freddie for they are allegedly “utak ipis.”
To those who do not get the ugly (and corny) joke, “utak” is brain
the queen city of the south, Cebu.
It enjoys the same centuries-old
in the Filipino language and “ipis” is the Filipino term for a roach. heritage as a colonial seat like
(To page 34)
Manila but it has been spared of
tragedies of war and whims of
ADVERTISE with politics. It has therefore preserved
itself rather well. It now boasts an-
Manila Media Monitor other title: the city acknowledged
Call 416-285-8583 as the most ideal one to live, work
and play in the Philippines
An open letter to
Barack Obama
the world. Then, you can begin to
show us the way.
***
Sixty years ago, the erection
of a statue of a modern Canadian
poet on the grounds of Queen’s
Park would have been unthink-
able, but there he is, larger than
life: Al Purdy, one of Canada’s
most widely quoted poets.
Just another example of the
arts explosion in a country, which
this citizen remembers as a virtual
cultural wasteland 60 years ago.
True there were token art galler-
ies, museums and symphony or-
chestras in many Canadian cities,
even the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.
And the Hart House Theatre com-
pany which spawned some theat-
rically famous players.
Today, there are 125 listed
film festivals across Canada rang-
ing from the now gigantic Toronto
International to the Arctic Circle.
Our art galleries and museums
are included in tours of major his-
toric displays and exhibitions. To
name a mere handful, names such
as Christopher Plummer, Glen
Gould, Mordecai Richler, Leon-
ard Cohen, Atom Egoyan, Mau-
reen Forrester and Anton Kuerti
are known internationally.
The second edition of the
groundbreaking Toronto arts festi-
val, Luminato, reminds me of how
far, culturally, Canada has come
since I landed here in 1967, the
year of the Canadian Citizenship
Act which gave us all the opportu-
nity to be classed as real Canadi-
ans, instead of colonials.
Having just completed its sec-
ond year, Luminato has once again
justified the faith and initiative of
its founders and government in-
vestors. Events like this began as
dreams, like that of Tom Patterson
and his Shakespearean Festival in
an Ontario railroad town.
We are where we are today be-
cause of the continued courage of
dreamers and their supporters like
Tony Gagliano and David Pecaut.
This is a spirit we must still
occasionally fight to preserve es-
pecially in the protest against pro-
posed government measures like
Bill C10 which would in effect,
stifle free expression in our still
young film production industry.
Let’s cast aside crying in our
beer over sports losses and sound
9
a rousing HURRAH for the arts in
Canada.
***
It was 60 years ago on October
25 that the Toronto Film Society,
reformed after its wartime hia-
tus, began the first of its monthly
showings. I was delighted and
honored to have been invited to
join the Board, chaired by the
CBC’s Gerald Pratley, the first
serious Canadian critic to air his
views on network radio.
Gerald, I’m happy to say, is
still with us and we often chin
wag over the phone; he now lives
in Barrie. The TFS held its screen-
ings at the Royal Ontario Museum
Theatre and we opened with Von
Sternberg’s The Blue Angel and
the British documentary Song of
Ceylon.
When in the spring of 1949 we
applied to begin a new season in
September, we found the museum
authorities evasive. It didn’t take
us long to discover that we had
become a suspect group under in-
vestigation by the RCMP.
In those days, American
paranoia equated even small “l”
liberals with communists - days
that would culminate with the
disgraceful era of McCarthyism.
Apparently, because we had been
showing some of the classic Rus-
sian silent movies absolutely es-
sential to the study of the art of
cinema, we were thought of as
communists.
Fortunately, one of our group
was the late Roy Clifton, a former
lawyer turned teacher at a presti-
gious private school. He took on
Museum’s board and the case was
soon dropped. The Toronto Film
Society remained at the Museum
theater for many years and this
year has much to celebrate as one
of the arts pioneers of the 40s and
50s.
(Used with permission. Ben
Viccari is the President of the
Canadian Ethnic Media As-
sociation [CEMA] and makes
frequent appearances on OMNI
TV Commentary. Some of his
commentaries are republished in
this publication and slightly ex-
panded in some cases from their
70-second broadcast originals.
For more of his work, please visit
Ben’s website at: http://canscene.
ripple.ca)
OUR
JOURNEY
EDITOR’S NOTE: Ma-
nila Media Monitor Col-
umnist Eva Agpaoa is on
leave.
10
Mabuhay! Manila Me-
dia Monitor enters its 12 th
year this month.
A celebration is indeed
wanting, but I must insist
that we at Manila Media
Monitor instead skip the
partying as we lay aside
whatever laurels we have
been bestowed with and si-
lently assess the challenges
an unsure but navigable fu-
ture has in store for us.
Exemplifying the pa-
per’s mission-vision when
publisher Ace Alvarez and
several others put up the
corporation now known as
Manila Media Monitor in
June 1996, I can attest that
reaching a decade and two
will confirm that the Manila
Media Monitor is strongly
and solidly built on the
ramparts of uncompromis-
ing journalism.
As it charts its 12th and
succeeding years, I know
that the Manila Media
Monitor will remain true to
its mission of being a vigi-
lant but responsible com-
munity watchdog.
As editor, I vow to con-
Just the other day, I
heard a very familiar song.
“ A Small World After All.”
The song made me think.
Has our planet really gotten
smaller?
After watching the BBC
documentary Planet Earth,
I felt as though I had ex-
plored the four corners of
the earth within the film’s
viewing time.
From that point of view,
I would say yes. Our world
seems to be smaller now.
With the joint efforts of
BBC photographers and
film makers, I experienced
what they saw. Through
their lens, they made me see
the many faces of our planet
that I have not seen before.
From underwater to the
sky, I gained a more in-
depth understanding of how
truly amazing our planet is.
Is it an understatement
to say that earth is the only
planet in the galaxy that
evokes emotions?
Maybe so, but I person-
ally feel that it does com-
VIEWS
Maraming salamat po!
tinue what the founders of
this paper sought to do --
bring to public attention and
scrutiny any community is-
sue or concern supported by
specifics and documents no
matter from whom it came
from.
The Manila Media
Monitor will be the com-
munity’s partner in relent-
lessly exposing evil.
But over and above this,
this paper will sincerely
Philippine Press Club-Ontario members, during the Installation of Officers on July 12. Photo: ARIEL RAMOS
Our living planet
municate to me during all
four seasons: Spring, sum-
mer, autumn and winter.
Every season has its
own beauty and character
and they all dictate how I
adapt to my changing envi-
ronment.
The tulips sprouting
from the ground herald the
news that spring has ar-
rived. And the sight of the
meadows turning green is
a good sign that summer is
not far behind.
Mother Nature speaks
to me and also shows her
good sense of humour when
autumn comes.
First, she infuses my
surroundings with vibrant
colours then slowly trans-
forms the colourful canvass
into lifeless-looking brown
and grey to make room for
the cold months of winter.
Almost like saying “Ha! I
got you again!”
We all marvel at the fan-
tastic re-creation of nature
by Disney and Hollywood,
but still, there is nothing
and proudly praise the good
done by the community and
its individual members.
***
I still believe that a
community paper owes its
journalistic essence to the
public its serves; for with-
out readership, the power of
the pen is lame.
This goes without say-
ing that the Manila Media
Monitor’s gratitude goes
first and foremost to the tens
GRAND CANYON
like the real thing.
Call me old fashioned
and chances are that you are
right. I would rather look
at the spectacular view of
the Grand Canyon than the
bright lights of Las Vegas.
I am a typical “probin-
siano”. I feel choked in the
big city and I find great
comfort in the midst of
greenery under the white
cotton-like clouds.
There is a place in Scar-
borough where I find tran-
quility whenever I needed
it. It is a wonderful place.
of thousands of people who
have unfailingly read and
enjoyed every issue of the
paper since its first edition.
Maraming salamat po sa
inyong walang katapu-
sang pakikipag-ugnayan.
***
Important and very vital
too is the newspaper’s eco-
nomic lifeblood, the adver-
tisers.
Many advertisers have
stuck with the Manila Me-
It is situated at the end of
Lawrence Ave. East where
Lake Ontario and Rouge
River meet.
Its sandy shore and the
waves from the lake remind
me a lot of a little fishing
village in Zambales.
Here I can easily un-
wind and detach myself
from stress just by simply
listening to the sounds of
the water as I allow Mother
Nature show off her gran-
deur. This is Rouge Beach
Park. My own little version
of Planet Earth.
Manila Media Monitor JULY 2008
dia Monitor since its birth.
And many more are find-
ing this paper a respectable
partner to keep trade and
commerce within and out-
side the community in ac-
tive and continuing motion.
Maraming salamat po
sa inyong walang sawang
pagtangkilik.
***
Last but not the least,
I believe that the power of
the pen belongs to anyone
and everyone.
Regardless of position
and status in life, anyone
and everyone has the uni-
versal right and privilege to
be truthful, when they use
the power of the pen.
The truth is what really
counts in the end, not the
position or status of the one
who espouses and exposes
the truth.
TULIPS: SPRING IS HERE
ROUGE RIVER
WINTER’S WHITE SCENERY
If espousing and expos-
ing the truth is not good
enough to do the public any
good, then what is?
The men and women
who have pursued the
search for truth in every
piece of information they
have handled, is handling
and will be handling for
Manila Media Monitor’s
editorial initiatives deserve
maraming, maraming sal-
amat din po.
Many of them are invis-
ible to the public eye, but
they always provide Ma-
nila Media Monitor with
interesting insights of com-
munity life, as candid and
complex as this may be.
***
The Manila Media
Monitor is 12 years old.
Will it grow to be 13 and
(To page 30)
JULY 2008 Manila Media Monitor
Filipinos among top foreigners in 16 host countries
MANILA - A recently-
released report by the World
Bank (WB) has identified
Filipinos as among the top
10 foreigners in 16 big and
small countries in Asia-
Pacific, Europe and North
America.
The WB’s Migration
and Remittances Factbook
2008 says Filipinos lead
the number of foreigners
in Australia, Brunei Darus-
salam, Cambodia, Canada,
Cyprus, Italy, Japan, Re-
public of Korea, Malay-
sia, the Marshall Islands,
Micronesia, Oman, Palau,
Saudi Arabia, the Solomon
Islands, and the US.
Five of the countries
are members of the bloc
Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Develop-
ment.
The WB report bares
data on the estimated num-
ber of migrants – or what it
calls “immigrants” – based
on the 2005 United Nations
Population Division report.
The tiny island of Palau,
some 800 kilometers east
of the Philippines, hosts the
most number of Filipinos
among 3,036 foreigners.
This diving haven is home
to some 20,000 people.
Data from the state-run
Commission on Filipinos
Overseas (CFO) show there
are 4,495 Filipinos in Pa-
lau.
Twenty-one of them are
permanent residents while
4,434 are temporary migrant
workers. CFO estimates the
rest are undocumented.
Manila to Koror, Palau’s
capital, is 90 minutes apart.
It takes half that time if fly-
ing to or from the south-
ern Philippine province of
Davao.
Meanwhile, Filipinos
are the second biggest for-
eigner group in Malaysia,
Brunei, and the United
States, according to the WB
New EU rules may affect 94,000 irregular OFWs in Europe
MANILA - Some
94,000 irregular or undoc-
umented Filipino work-
ers in Europe may be af-
fected once the European
Union (EU) enacts a new
immigration rule against
overstaying or illegal mi-
grants.
Latest Department of
Foreign Affairs figures
culled from reports of
overseas posts say there
are at least 610,102 Fili-
pinos in Europe as of June
By MADELAINE JOY A. GARCIA
report and CFO estimates.
The US, the Philip-
pines’s top source country
of remittances, has some
38.4 million foreigners,
says the WB.
Filipinos are behind US
neighbor Mexico as the big-
gest foreigner group, as
CFO estimates that there
are 3.4 million Filipinos in
that country.
The WB report shows
that of Malaysia’s 1.6 mil-
lion foreigners, over a hun-
dred thousand are Filipinos
(100,233). The CFO June
2007 data confirms this.
2007.
Of the number, 189,023
are permanent residents,
189,023 are temporary resi-
dents and 94,113 are undoc-
umented.
The EU comes closer to
enacting the return direc-
tive for undocumented or
irregular migrants after its
parliament earlier this week
passed it on first reading.
The rule, which details
the procedures for deten-
tion, deportation and re-en-
FEATURE
Brunei has 124,193
foreigners; CFO estimates
some 22,939 are Filipinos.
Filipinos form the third-
biggest number of foreign-
ers in Korea (50,165 of a to-
tal 551,193 foreigners) and
the Marshall Islands.
The Marshall Islands, lo-
cated in the western Pacific
Ocean, have a thousand Fil-
ipinos as the third biggest
foreigner group out of its
estimated number of 1,667
foreigners: 2.7 percent of its
total 65,000 people.
Solomon Islands has
some 3,279 foreigners out
try ban, is expected to be
enforced 24 months after
the rule’s final adoption.
The rule is enforced only
after the national authorities
have made a decision to de-
port an immigrant, who will
then be given from seven to
30 days to voluntarily leave
Europe.
The adopted legislative
text allows undocumented
migrants, including chil-
dren, to be held in custody
between six months and 18
of some 489,000 people.
CFO estimates there are
758 Filipinos there.
Filipinos are also the
fourth-biggest group in It-
aly, which has roughly 2.5
million foreigners.
Some 119,083 Filipinos
are estimated to be in Italy,
says CFO.
Saudi Arabia, the
workplace of an estimated
1,016,820 Filipinos accord-
ing to CFO data, shows that
Filipinos are the fifth big-
gest immigrant group.
The Muslim nation of
some 24 million has some
6.36 million immigrants.
Filipinos form also
months.
However, children
will be detained only as
a “last resort” and will
not be subject to coercive
measures.
Many member-states
hold irregular immigrants
in custody indefinitely.
The rule will not be
enforced in the United
Kingdom and Ireland as
they have not opted into
this area of Community
(To page 27)
11
the fifth largest immigrant
group in Japan; the country
having some 2.05 million
foreigners, according to the
World Bank report.
There are an estimated
313,291 Filipinos in Japan,
CFO data reveals.
Cyprus is estimated to
have some 116,137 im-
migrants and Filipinos are
ranked sixth.
CFO data show that
there are 12,406 Filipinos
in Cyprus.
Filipinos are also the
sixth-biggest in Oman,
which has some 627,571.
CFO estimates there are
some 33,000 Filipinos.
Filipinos are the sev-
enth-biggest foreigner
group in Canada (total of
6,105,722 foreigners) and
Iceland (23,097 foreigners).
In these countries, CFO
estimates there are 789,943
and 1,400 Filipinos in Can-
ada and Iceland, respec-
tively.
The eighth-biggest group
of foreigners in Australia’s
4.1 million and Cambodia’s
303,871 immigrant popu-
lation are Filipinos, which
are estimated to number to
232,447 and 1,572, respec-
tively. OFW Journalism
Consortium
12 FEATURE Manila Media Monitor JULY 2008

Weather-weather
lang kaya talaga?
By ILUMINADO VARELA, JR.
MANILA - What if no
tropical cyclone disturbs
the Philippines in one year
– maybe two, or three?
It could be disastrous,
as if a super-sized tropi-
cal howler had smashed
through the country, several
times over.
An old hand at the
Philippine Atmospheric,
Geophysical, Astronomi-
cal Services Administration
(PAGASA) once comment-
ed: “A tropical cyclone, es-
pecially the depression type
(not really strong or just a
baby typhoon), is actually
a blessing in disguise as it
usually does more good
than harm to the country in
a near-drought condition.”
“Its passage is a wel-
come relief to farmers and
water resources managers,”
said the official of PAGA-
SA, the Philippines’ pre-
mier weather tracking and
forecasting agency.
Without typhoons,
farmers are in for long dry
months or years, unable
to get their crops off the A farmer plants rice seedlings in a farm in Pugo, La Union after hefty rain-
ground.. falls brought about by two typhoons that broke a persistent dry spell that
Studies show that 47 has affected Luzon for almost four months. Photo: ANDY ZAPATA JR.
to 49 percent of the aver-
age annual rainfall in the clones (commonly called in Typhoon moderation as “the equivalent of 10,000

10 Deadliest Storms
country are due to tropical
depressions, 14 to 16 per-
(To hit the Philippines since 1947) cent to monsoons, and 39 to
41 percent to other weather
Here is a list of the ten deadliest typhoons that has systems.
ever traversed through the Philippines since 1947 and In the westernmost part
has caused massive death and destruction: of Luzon, about 80 percent
► Tropical Storm URING (Thelma): Nov. 2 to 7, of the total annual rainfall
1991; 95 kilometers per hour (kph); 5,101 to 8,000 + occurs from July to Sep-
deaths; P1.045 billion in damages; tracked over Eastern tember, the height of the
Samar, Tacloban and Ormoc cities, Cebu, Negros Occi- typhoon season.
dental, Bacolod and Bago cities, Guimaras, Cuyo Island But excessive rainfall
and Palawan. for a long period because
► Super Typhoon ROSING (Angela): Oct. 30 to of slow-moving or a series
Nov. 4, 1995; 260 kph; 936 deaths; P10.829 billion in of typhoons causes inland
damages; tracked over Catanduanes, Siruma and Quina- flooding and heavy damage
bucasan points, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur, to crops, property and loss
Quezon, Laguna, the National Capital Region, Cavite of lives.
City and Bataan. Can science and tech-
(To page 13) nology tame tropical cy-
the West as a hurricane)?
Advances in meteorol-
ogy has promised an era
where the moderation of ty-
phoons would be a reality.
There have been studies,
experiments and attempts
at typhoon moderation (or
taming) here and abroad.
But weather modifi-
cation is a science still in
an embryonic stage in the
Philippines, a puzzle even
in more technologically ad-
vanced countries.
“Even a thorough under-
standing of the physics of
the atmosphere will prove
to be of little benefit,” cau-
tion weather scientists.
experiments are expensive
ventures and must be con-
ducted with the most ratio-
nal approach backed up by
theory.
Weather scientists say
that some problems may
arise from indiscriminate
attempts at moderating
typhoons without careful
planning.
One negative effect is
that the seeded typhoon may
further intensify instead of
being moderated. And this
could be a formidable foe.
An American writer de-
scribes in his book Weather
Is Front Page News the
force of a hurricane (storm)
megaton atomic bombs of
energy dispensed every
hour.”
A theory in weaken-
ing typhoons very popular
among meteorologists in
the 1960s is to seed the out-
er cloud wall to enlarge the
eye of the typhoon.
But the experiments had
very little encouraging re-
sults.
While the dynamics of
the weather may be better
understood today, knowl-
edge and advanced tech-
nology is of little benefit
in controlling the many va-
garies of the weather. PNA
Features

GENERAL DENTISTRY
Dr. Gilbert Chan
Dr. Daphne Chien
Dr. Janet Ho
Dr. Janet Wong
Dr. Michael Chin
JULY 2008 Manila Media Monitor NEWS & FEATURES 13
Law shields kids from
second-hand smoke FinancialProblem
The Ontario legislature passed on June 16 with credit cards & bank loans ? ?
a new law protecting children under 16 years AMIT BHATIA
old from second-hand tobacco smoke in motor Credit Counsellor
vehicles.
Under the law, any person, driver or passen-
ger in a motor vehicle, who is smoking while
IF
someone under 16 is present, is committing an
offence, CNW reported. - All your income is going to pay bills.
The person holding a lighted tobacco is
fined $250. - Everyday there is fight & argument at home.
The law applies to all vehicles, moving and - You can not pick your own phone out of fear.
stationary, regardless of whether any window,
sunroof, rooftop, door, or other vehicle feature - Creditors and collection agencies are calling you and they are
is open. threatening to take legal action.
Second-hand smoke in motor vehicles can
be up to 27 times more concentrated than in a - Your salary is being garnished.
smoker’s home.
Children exposed to second-hand smoke are
more likely to suffer Sudden Infant Death Syn- ONE SMALL MONTHLY PAYMENT FOR ALL YOUR DEBTS
drome, acute respiratory infections, ear prob-
lems, and more severe asthma. THEN, WE CAN
Second-hand smoke exposure among chil-
- reduce your debts to less than half,
dren has been linked to lower cognitive test
scores compared with unexposed children. - stop the interest right away,
Ontario has one of the toughest anti-smok-
ing laws in North America. - save you from threatening phone calls,
Since 2003, tobacco use in Ontario has fall-
en by more than 30 percent. - bring back your stress free family life,
“This is about the safety and well-being of - stop the garnishment.
our children,” said Health Promotion Minister
Margarett Best. - And you will not lose your house and car.

10 deadliest ...
(From page 12)
► Typhoon NITANG (Ike): Aug. 31 to
Sept. 4, 1984; 220 kph; 1,363 to 3,000+ deaths;
P4.1 billion in damages; tracked over Siargao
and Nonoc islands, Surigao del Norte and Su-
rigao City, Southern Leyte and Panaon Island,
Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Negros Occi-
dental and La Carlota City, Guimaras, Iloilo,
Antique and Palawan.
► Super Typhoon RUPING (Mike): Nov.
10 to 14, 1990; 220 kph; 748 deaths; P10.846
billion in damages; tracked over Dinagat Is-
land, Southern Leyte, Mactan Island, Cebu
City, Cebu, San Carlos and Bacolod cities,
Negros Occidental, Guimaras, Iloilo, Antique,
Palawan.
► Super Typhoon SENING (Joan): Oct.
11 to 15, 1970; 275 kph; 768 deaths; P1.89 bil-
lion in damages; tracked over Catanduanes, Ca-
marines Sur, Quezon, Laguna, Cavite, National
Capital Region and Bataan.
HERE IS WHAT SOME SATISFIED CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY ..........
“I had six credit cards and was
paying $550 per month. Bank did
not give me consolidation loan
because I had bad credit. Then
I met Mr. Amit Bhatia and he re-
duced my loans and made one
payment of just $200. I’ll be debt
free in 36 months. Credit Manage-
ment Services is the best place to
contact when you have a money
problem.” J.G.
“I was afraid to pick my own
phone. I was so confused and
stressed all the time that I didn’t
know what to do, but after meet-
CREDIT MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Call for a free and confidential consultation
ing with Mr. Amit Bhatia, I felt very
relaxed and he reduced my $34,000
debts to just half. Amazing .......... I
can pick up my own phone now.”
M.M.
“After making us debt free, now Amit
Bhatia helped us getting the mort-
gage. We are happy to move to our
new house.” S.S.
“I went back home to get married,
then I had to go again because my
mother got sick. Because of that I
had to borrow money from my credit
cards and also, I lost my job. I was
in huge debt. Credit Manage-
ment Services reduced my debts
which I am paying in interest-free
monthly installments now and I
can keep my car.” E.J.
“My husband was so stressed with
these credit card bills that once
he forgot to stop at a red traffic
signal. Fortunately no accident
happened but I called Credit
Management Services right away.
Two weeks later my husband was
back to stressfree life.” M.A.

416-780-1020
► Typhoon UNDANG (Agnes): Nov. 3 to
6, 1984; 230 kph; 895 deaths; P1.9 billion in
damages; tracked over Eastern Samar, Leyte,
Biliran Island, Masbate, Iloilo, Roxas City,
Capiz, Aklan, Antique, Palawan. Head Office : 970 Lawrence Ave. West # 105 (Lawrence & Dufferin)
► Super Typhoon LOLENG (Babs): Oct. Toronto ON M6A3B6 (Located on the main floor in back of the building)
15 to 24, 1998; 250 kph; 303 deaths; P6.787
billion in damages; tracked over Catanduanes, Web : www.cmsgroup.ca
Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte, Polillio 3 convenient locations - Toronto, Mississauga and Scarborough
Islands, Aurora, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija, Da-
gupan City and Pangasinan.
► Super Typhoon SISANG (Nina): Nov.
23 to 27, 1987; 240 kph; 979 deaths; P1.119 bil-
lion in damages; tracked over Sorsogon, Albay,
Legazpi City, Camarines Sur and Iriga City,
Burias Island, Quezon, Marinduque, Oriental
Mindoro, Batangas.
► Typhoon KADIANG (Flo): Sept. 30 to
Oct. 7, 1993; 130 kph; 576 deaths; P8.752 bil-
lion in damages; tracked over Isabela, Aurora,
Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Baguio City, Benguet,
La Union, Lingayen Gulf, Pangasinan, Ilocos
Sur, Mountain Province, Kalinga-Apayao, Ca-
gayan Valley, Gonzaga and Palaui islands and
the Babuyan Islands.
► Typhoon AMY: Dec. 6 to 19, 1951;
240 kph; 991 deaths; P0.7 billion in damages;
tracked over Eastern Samar, Leyte, Cebu and
Ivatan Association of Ontario induction
and Toledo cities, Cebu, San Carlos and Bago WiIlie Rapanan (right), Pangasinan Association of Canadapresident, swears into office the executive officers
cities, Negros Occidental, Guimaras, Iloilo, An- and members of the board of directors of the Ivatan Association of Ontario led by president Roger Caballero.
tique, Cuyo Islands and Palawan. PAGASA DINDO ORBESO
14 PEOPLE & EVENTS Manila Media Monitor JULY 2008

Fun at FCT’s Pistahan sa Toronto Learning from Marck Mercado

A festive mood highlights the Filipino Centre Toronto’s celebration of the
110th Philippine Independence Day in Pista sa Toronto at the Nathan Phil-
ips Square on June 14 and 15. Below, the Inflasian Dancers led by Berlane
Gavino (middle) perform before a big crowd that attended the celebration.
Photos: LARRY TORRES
“It’s truly a great honour to be up
here representing you all. We came to
this school as strangers, but now we are
leaving as friends and family. We are suc-
cessful the moment we started moving to-
ward worthwhile good. We usually want
the future to come because the present
isn’t good enough for us, but once we’re
older we’d be like our parents and wish
we were young again. While we still have
a chance, let’s plan for the future, learn
from our mistakes in the past and enjoy MARCK with parents and brother
the present because life flies by and be-
fore we know it, we’re graduating in high Thus spoke valedictorian Marck Mer-
school. A wise man (that’s not Mr. Nar- cado, as he addressed the graduating class
do) told me to ‘Look at this as the start of Markham-St. Julia Billiart Catholic El-
of a new beginning instead of the end of ementary School on June 23.
one thing’. A start of a new school, new Besides being valedictorian, Mercado
teachers, new challenges and new friends received the Overall Academic Award and
is ahead of us. We will make new friends the Excellence in the Arts-Visual Award.
but keep the old. We maybe nervous and it Mercado is the son of Manny and Vir-
maybe hard but we’ll always have people gie Mercado.
and God that will help us along the way. “I am proud of this kababayan boy’s
This is our last night as a class and I plan accomplishment. It is a good thing to
to enjoy every second of it, so you should share with the community,” said Markham
too.” school board trustee Marlene Mogado.

US, Canada GK Walk on Sept. 6

A simultaneous Gawad
Kalinga (GK) walk starts at
8 a.m. on Sept. 6 in key cit-
ies in Canada and the US.
Ancop Int’l, Inc. Cana-
da/US chair Ricky Cuenca
said the Toronto leg would
pass through major city
streets to provide maximum
exposure to the GK cause of
building homes for the poor
in the Philippines.
Cuenca said GK similar
walks would occur in Van-
couver, Calgary, Edmonton,
Winnipeg, Montreal and Ot-
tawa; and so too in 40 cities
all over the US.
Cuenca said no other
charity event has held si-
multaneous participation
across North America on
the same day.
GK partners who have
pooled resources to make
the event successful in-
cluded the Philippine In-
dependence Day Council,
Bukas Loob sa Diyos, Light
of Jesus, Philippine Cham-
ber of Commerce-Toronto,
Saladmaster, Fiesta Filipina
Services, Leyteño Associa-
tion of Ontario, Dr. Shirley
Salazar and Dr. Ruby For-
mozo.
Registration could be
made online through www.
gkwalk.ca, he added. PR

WORKERS
NMPC days recalled in Sta. Ana, CA reunion

REQUIRED
Paid Weekly
GENERAL HELP AFTER 25 YEARS. Former staffers of the National Media Production Center
public relations department reconnect after 25 years in Los Angeles, Cali-
fornia on the occasion of the 50th wedding anniversary of Lulu and Jovy

LIGHT PACKAGING
Gutierrez (standing, 5th and 6th from left). Among those at the barbeque-re-
union were (standing, from left) host Sally Clark, Tenny Soriano, Philip Pua,
New York-based Roger Gomez, (seated, from left) Myrna Soriano, Fatima
Balmaceda and Nayds Pua. Photo: CELIA ENRIQUEZ

KCCC annual golf tourney tees off on Sept. 6

FORKLIFT DRIVERS The Board of Directors of the Kalayaan Cultural Community Centre (KCCC) is invit-
ing golf aficionados to join in a fund raising golf tournament at the Royal Ontario Golf

MISSISSAUGA /
Club at Hornby (Milton), Ontario on Sept. 6.
The Royal Ontario Golf Club is a championship public course that provides a private
club atmosphere.
The rolling terrain and beautiful mature trees that line the course provide perfect ambi-

BRAMPTON AREA ance for players to a challenging and enjoyable golf experience.
This will be the first fund raising golf tournament under the auspices of the present
administration of KCCC and proceeds will go to the organization’s mortgage reduction
Day & Night Shift Available fund.
Tee off time is at 1:30 pm. Dinner will follow at the end of the game at the elegant
clubhouse overlooking the 9th and 18th holes. Gifts and prizes will be awarded and there

905-450-5641
will be surprise entertainment during dinner.
Information and booking inquiries may be made at the KCCC office.
The golf committee is headed by KCCC volunteer Mars Cebrero, and Board Members
Belle Tumbokon (fund raising committee co-chair) and Edgar Frondozo. PR
JULY 2008 Manila Media Monitor 15
16 PEOPLE & EVENTS Manila Media Monitor JULY 2008

TCDSB cites Spelling-Quiz Bee winners

May 31 marked the 3rd
Annual Filipino Interna-
tional Language Assembly
at St. Maria Goretti Catho-
lic School.
Filipino students from
six schools - St. Barnabas,
St. Barbara, Blessed John
XXIII, St. Maria Goretti,
Canadian Martyrs and St.
Ignatius of Loyola - under
the Toronto Catholic Dis-
trict School Board (TCDSB)
participated in the quiz and
spelling bee contests in Fili-
PARTICIPANTS IN TCDSB SPELLING-QUIZ BEE (To page 17)

Chuchi Punsalan’s birth anniversary

Chuchi Punsalan (left) marks her birthday anniversary with a party with folk-
singer Chito Sarabia (right) and friends at the Soriano residence. Photo:
MYRNA SORIANO

Jazmyn Calnek, G8
grad arts awardee
Jazmyn Calnek graduated from Grade
8 at Bishop Scalabrini. The commence-
ment exercises were conducted at the
Christ the King Catholic Church in
Mississauga on June 24. Jazmyn re-
ceived an Arts Award. She will continue
her secondary level at the Etobicoke
School of Arts, majoring in Musical
Theatre. PR

Forex ‘Kuarta o Kahon’ winner

Edna Oria (2nd from left), winner of a free trip to the Philippines, is congratu-
lated by Joseph Alilio and Perly Alilio of Forex, sponsor of the trip given
away in a lucky ‘Kuarta o Kahon’ draw during the recent FCT Pistahan at the
Nathan Philips Square. Host Philip Beloso (left) tried to entice Oria with a
$400 final cash offer, but Oria declined and opted for the envelope that even-
tually contained the Philippine trip top prize. Photo: JOEY BAKING
JULY 2008 Manila Media Monitor
Aguila chosen 2008 Goodlife fitness instructor
Melanya Liwanag Agu-
ila is the 2008 GoodLife
Group Exercise Fitness In-
structor of the Year Toronto
co-nominee.
“I am honoured and
humbled to be chosen,
alongside one of my great-
est mentors, 21-year fitness
veteran and 2006 Fitness
Instructor of the Year recip-
ient Nathalie Plamondon-
Thomas,” says Melanya.
Filipinos are the fourth
largest visibly-diverse de-
mographic group in Toron-
to and are concerned about
their health and well being.
The number of Filipino fit-
ness instructors and gym
members are increasing.
“At GoodLife, one
third of the Bodycombat
(energetic cardio program
inspired by a wide variety
of martial arts) Toronto in-
structor team are Filipino,”
she notes. Melanya became
a member of GoodLife Fit-
ness Clubs in Nov. 2002.
“I was living in St.
Jamestown organizing in the
Filipino community while
living on the 21st floor of
an apartment building. The
elevator kept on breaking
down. I was smoking, sit-
ting in day-long meetings
and eating high cholester-
ol food. I started jogging
around the block until win-
ter came along. I joined the
gym so that I could continue
AGUILA (Photo: ALEX FELIPE)
running,” she explains.
Melanya ventured into
group exercise classes and
got hooked on the magic of
the Les Mills programs.
“I woke up every morn-
ing for interval training
indoor cycling RPM at
6:30 a.m. After work I fre-
quented all the clubs to do
Bodycombat. I was work-
ing out around the clock
and awe-struck by the fit-
ness instructors. They were
honest. They were fit. They
were funny. And they made
me sweat,” she reminisces.
PEOPLE & EVENTS
In 2006, Melanya got
her Bodycombat certifica-
tion. In the past year she
got her certifications as a
Can-Fit-Pro fitness instruc-
tor specialist and in a blend
of yoga, Pilates, and tai chi
Bodyflows, weight training
Bodypump, incline resis-
tance training GravityPer-
sonalTraining, and Good-
Life’s cardio conditioning
and functional training
Newbody.
She teaches 12 classes
and is the GoodLife Toronto
demo team captain.
17
TCDSB cites Spelling-Quiz Bee winners
(From page 16)
pino.
Over 600 people at-
tended and supported the
event, giving Filipino youth
between 6 and 13 years old
the chance to engage in a
positive, non-competitive
exchange to improve their
Filipino language vocabu-
lary, spelling capabilities,
comprehension, public
speaking, communication
skills, self-esteem and self-
confidence.
The group winners of
the divisional spelling com-
petition were: St. Barnabas
(Primary), St. Ignatius of
Loyola (Junior), and Cana-
dian Martyr (Intermediate).
The group champions
in the divisional quiz bee
competitions were: St. Bar- School group Filipino Spelling and Quiz Bee win-
bara (Primary), St. Igna- ners and their coaches (photos above and below)
tius of Loyola (Junior) and show off their prized trophies, after they were
Blessed John XXIII (Inter- proclaimed champions during the recent Toronto
mediate). JODY HUANG Catholic District School Board event at the St. Ma.
Goretti Catholic School in Scarborough .
MANILA MEDIA
MONITOR
ADVERTISING?
CALL: 416-2858583
In 2007, she made top
ten female in the Scotia-
bank Rat Race for United
Way. Full time graphic de-
signer and fitness instructor
in between, Melanya finds
balances in fitness and de-
sign. PR
18 PEOPLE & EVENTS Manila Media Monitor JULY 2008
Arianna Victoria Turla’s baptism Linda Lejarde’s birth anniversary

Arianna Victoria Turla, daughter of Pocholo and Corie Anna Turla, was bap- Linda Lejarde (2nd from right) prepares to cut her birthday cake during the
tized at St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church in Scarborough recently. celebration of her 70th birth anniversary recently. Shown with her are her
Arianna was given a party by her parents and grandparents Augusto and balae Rosie Gozon (right) and her children (from left) Wimpy, Weena and
Linda del Carmen, Romy, Patri and Mercy Turla. TONY SICAT Parsely. TONY SICAT

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX
PCCT Trade Show (2)
Dr. Evangeline M. Bernabe &
Associates (3)
Goldentuller & Associates (3)
Rolly’s Garage (3)
Dr. Arla Rondilla Dentistry
Professional Corp. (5)
Dr. Albine A. Miciano Cosmetic
& General Dentistry (6)
Action Honda (7)
Kaakbay Financial Services
(11)
Ellesmere-Kennedy Dental
Centre (12)
Amit Bhatia Credit
Management Services (13)
Impack (14)
Trimedia Network (15)
New Conservatory of Music
(16)
Philuscan (16)
Timeless Images (16)
Forex (17)
Dr. Miriam Bernacer (18)
Photographers for Christ (18)
Henderson Weekes (19)
Osilla Institute (19)
Filipinos Making Waves
Festival (20)
RemitX (21)
PIDC Mabuhay Festival (22)
The Tropical Deli (22)
Classified Ads (22)
Gonzales Dentistry
Professional Corp. (23)
Lydia Madrona-Yanto (24)
Deuel Conte (24)
Dr. Bernarda Rosales Verzonilla
Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
(25)
Lovely Travel & Tours Int’l (26)
OCDC Parcel Services (27)
Villa Movers (27)
Casa Manila (28) “Let your light shine before men in such a way
Mary’s Esthetics (28) that they may see your good works and glorify
your father who is in heaven.”
Innovation (28)
MATTHEW 6:16
Clem Cabillan (28)
Liland Insurance Inc. (29)
Dr. Roslyn Sim-Sabilano
Dentistry Prof’l Corp. (30)
CHIN Radio (30)
Seoul Driving School (30) To all gifted photographers out there who have the third eye
UMAC Toronto (31) in capturing photos that reflect a Christian message, there is a
Saratoga Money Remittance Christian Fellowship of talented photographers that awaits you.
(31) They are Photographers For Christ who use the art of photography
Roadsport Honda (32) in spreading the word of God.
T.H.D. Consultants (33)
musicpad.com (33)
LDV Computers (34) Listen to your hearts, the Holy Spirit is calling you.
Tony Furto (35)
BJ Kitchen Cabinets, Inc. (35)
House of Shoes (35)
DEE Entertainment (36)
Superb Travel (38) Pick up your camera and follow us.
Forbes Dental Hygiene
Services (38)
Maria Louisa Diaz (39) PHOTOGRAPHERS FOR CHRIST
Dr. Santiago & Associates (40) www.the-3rd-eye.com
Fairview Dental Centre (40)
photographersforchrist@gmail.com
JULY 2008 Manila Media Monitor 19
20 Manila Media Monitor JULY 2008

Show Philippines Festivals of the Arts and Ontario Place

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JULY 2008 Manila Media Monitor 21
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C
L
A
S Dental hygienist needed
Must be able to speak, read, and write
proficiently in English and Filipino.
S Preferrably a member of ODHA.
Fax or email resumes to 416-321-3759 or
I drshirleysalazar@hotmail.com

F ARE YOU AN EXPERIENCED

HAIRSTYLIST OR MANICURIST AND
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I CHAIR AVAILABLE FOR RENT IN
ASIAN SALON (SCARBOROUGH)

E (416) 299-9333. TUESDAYS CLOSED.

WANTED SALESPERSON-PARTNER
D for new shoestore location
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Call (416) 562-2626
JULY 2008 Manila Media Monitor PEOPLE & EVENTS 23
Alyssa Tugadi Saulo tops the class
AN INSPIRATION TO THE YOUTH TO
AIM FOR EXCELLENCE: Alyssa Tug-
adi Saulo graduated valedictorian
from Grade 6 French Immersion at
Brimwood Boulevard Junior School
in Scarborough, Ontario. Alyssa
is a grandaughter of Albee Enter-
prises’ and Philippine Chamber of
Commerce Toronto Vice President
for Membership Oswald Tugadi and
wife Isa.

New lawyer Natasha

Magdalena Palacio
Philippine citizens again

Philippine Consul in Toronto Imelda Panolong
(right) adminsiters the oath of Philippine citi-
zenship to dual citizens (from left) Edgardo So-
riano, Thelma Soriano and Precy Addeb. ROMY
ZETAZATE
Natasha Magdalena
Palacio, daughter of Atty.
Roger M. Palacio and Daisy
W. Palacio of Toronto and
Manila, Philippines, was
among those called to the
Ontario Bar as Barrister-at-
Law and admitted as solicit-
tors in a convocation at the
Thompson Hall on June 19.
In a Special Session of
the Court of Appeal of On-
tario and the Superior Court
of Justice, Justice Susan
Himel administered the oath

Kababayan CC & the police

Chairman Aguido de la Cruz (middle) of the
Kababayan Community Centre discusses stron-
ger community and police ties with Police Con-
stable Philip Mendoza (right) and Auxiliary Sgt.
Willie Isip of the Toronto Police Service. JOJO
TADURAN
The Pillars’ Dad, Mom of the Year
of new lawyer Palacio.
Palacio graduated in
Get-together on Canada Day
2007 from the University
of Ottawa, Common Law
Section, with the degree of
Bachelor of Laws and in
2004 from the University of
Toronto with the degree of
Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in
Philosophy and Sociology,
with distinction.
With varied business
and professional back-
ground, Ms. Palacio joins
the Law Firm of Oatley &
Vigmond, LLP (Specialist
in Personal Injury Law) as
Associate Lawyer. She will Andy and Lyn Gabriel (3rd and 5th from left, respectively), proprietor of An-
specialize in Civil Litiga- gel Kiss diner at Flemingdon Plaza, celebrate Canada Day on July 1 with
tion and Personal Injury. friends (from left) Elsa Angeles, Nelly Sicat, Baby Patricia Gabriel Angeles,
PR, TONY SICAT Hazel Angeles, Elsa Angeles and Arnold Angeles at the Gabriels’ new home
at Old Kingston Road in Scarborough. TONY SICAT
Kin, friends mark Angeles death anniversary

Husband and wife (in sashes) Jun Lopez, Knights of Columbus Grand
Knight-San Lorenzo Ruiz Council, and Dora Lopez, past Daughters of Isa-
bela Regent, were honored as The Pillars’ Father and Mother of the year on
June 28 at the Lynch Hall, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish.They are surrounded
by their children and grandchildren. ROMY ZETAZATE
Elsa Angeles and children Arnold, Angelo and Esperanza mark the first
death anniversary of the late Severo Angeles. With close friends, they re-
membered the memory of Severo in a gathering the Angeles family hosted
recently. TONY SICAT
ADVERTISING? CALL 416-285-8583
24
My personal celebrations this July ...
(From page 8)
things we had to attend to.
While we declined, he in-
sisted.
Recollecting very good
memories of this special
friend, I took another read-
ing of my diary in 1990,
which showed that in three,
or four weeks before our
departure, he, and his fami-
ly saw to it that he visited us
at least three, or four times
a week.
How can one forget a
friend and his family like
them?
At the time of his death,
Gani was vice president for
marketing and public rela-
tions of the Rizal Commer-
cial Banking Corporation
(RCBC) and was among the
eight employees shot in the
head by bank robbers at the
bank’s Cabuyao, Laguna
Branch, May 16.
Tragic as his death was,
and depressed me for a cou-
ple of days, it was not un-
til his widow, my comadre
Chaloy Pastor, told me,
“It is not how he died, but
how he lived his life,” that
brought me back to my usu-
al self and … to the party
circuit.
My first party after the
first event was the awards
gala of the Canadian Ethnic
Media Association (CEMA)
– which, aside from person-
alities in media, was attend-
Manila Media Monitor JULY 2008
ed by those in both Cana-
dian and Ontario provincial
politics.
Also joining us were my
wife, Gie, fellow directors
and members at the Phil-
ippine Chamber of Com-
merce-Toronto, namely,
president Rafael Nebres;
vice president Oswald
Tugadi and his wife, Isa;
Cora dela Cruz; Elizabeth
Leggett; Evelyn and David
Pagkalinawan, and Bobby
Barroquillo.
CEMA is the organiza-
tion where I was “multi-
culturated” (Thanks, Mad-
eline), starting back in 2000
when Mr. Multicultural-
ism himself, Ben Viccari,
brought me to his slate to
win the officer’s rank of a
secretary in the election of
the board and officers that
year. Thus, my “multicul-
turation” started.
What must have been
a supposedly one-term, or
two-term corporate officer’s
position as CEMA’s secre-
tary turned out to last eight
years, and, at one point,
holding concurrently the
positions of vice president
to Ben and secretary, even
becoming one confidante
to Ben on issues affecting
CEMA.
While enjoying work-
ing with Ben (who is also
my neighbor yonder on
page 9) and the entire group
composing CEMA, I feel
that my involvement with
the organization likewise
brought me so many oppor-
tunities meeting people on
the decision level of various
public and private organi-
zations, which, in several
ways influenced the media
business that I am in.
For example, CEMA’s
great work to turn-around
the recent decision of the
Ontario provincial govern-
ment in slapping communi-
ty papers with the Provincial
Sales Tax (PST) retroactive ANOTHER MILESTONE FOR MR. MULTICULTURALISM. Journalist, writer
to five years. Had the PST and TV commentator Ben Viccari blows the can-
pushed through, Manila said, “You are so blessed dle on his 90th birth anniversary cake, as wife,
Media Monitor – and all with very special friends.” Anne (standing immediately to his right), family
community papers would I did not say a word, and close friends join the celebration. MANILA
have been history by this but thought, “Gani saw me MEDIA MONITOR Photo
time. off at the airport, and, in
Thoi Bao, a Vietnamese Canada, Ben influenced S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
weekly newspaper alone, and guided me in ‘the pro- A D I K I N K A S I M
was assessed the amount of motion and preservation of G 10A N I 11
some $700,000 in back tax- the value to this country of T P I R A T A
O 12 13
es for the five-year period. the ethnic media in creating T M I S M A N U G A N
On a more personal lev- an understanding of Canada 14 15
el, and while a close friend- and Canadian Citizenship, sa P A L A N G G A N A
16 17 18
ship develops between and the retention of our cul- I A P A A L A L
us, Ben saw to it, too, that tural links with our country B 19 20 21 22 23 24
he guided me in handling of origin’ (hmmm, nicely A S A M A G T A N I
the affairs of an organiza- T 25 26 27 28
said, but this was quoted U L A P H I K G
tion with the magnitude of from one of the various I
29 30 31 32
membership and the scope documents I compiled and D S A L A W I K A I N
of work that CEMA has. put together, writing into 33 34 35
As my wife Gie and I one single and formal docu- W U P A S A L A T I K
I 36 37
leave the venue where close ment what is now the Con- S A K A L I S A P A
friends of Ben celebrate Mr. stitution and By-Laws of K 38 39
Multiculturalism’s 90th, she CEMA) .” A I G I S A T A K A S
JULY 2008 Manila Media Monitor
Cassandra at ConGen’s Freedom Day rites
Fast-rising singer Cassandra Malabanan (left) belts a song before has been
busy performing before an awed audience during the celebration of Philip-
pine Independence Day on June 12 at the Consulate General’s Office in to-
ronto. Ramon Torralba, of Hotdog fame, accompanies her. JOJO TADURAN
Double celebration for the Pigons
It’s a double celebration
for sister and brother,
Danielle and Paul Pi-
gon of Scarborough.
Danielle has completed
her masteral in School
and Clinical Phsycol-
ogy and will soon take
up her PHD (doctorate)
in the same field. On
the other hand, Paul
observed his birth an-
niversary on July 12
and is on his 4th year
as a Biology student
at Ryerson University.
Danielle and Paul are
children of Danny and
Suzanne Pigon. T. SO-
RIANO
TH improves services
Tahanan Homes is well
on its way to self-manage-
ment and to better serve its
43 low income, senior, im-
migrant and other tenants.
Tahanan chairman Dr.
Francisco Portugal said the
board has taken over build-
ing management from DMS
Property Management.
Portugal vowed admin-
istrative and fiscal transpar-
ency in running the affairs
of the property.
Management would be
in strict compliance with
guidelines provided by the
Toronto Housing Corp.
(THC), he said.
Tahanan, Portugal add-
ed, has been incurring a sur-
plus of some $50,000 year-
ly that could be better spent
to improve tenant services,
instead of being returned to
city coffers as was done in
the past.
The Tahanan board has
appointed Cesar Ramirez
The Association of
Caviteños in Canada
marks its 25th year in
community service, with
its annual picnic at the
Earl Bales Park on July
19 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
highlighting the celebra-
tions.
The Caviteños is invit-
ing kababayans to bring
their families and friends
and Gabby Galuego as
property manager and
building superintendent, re-
spectively.
Deo Moreno and Frank
Aquino have provided busi-
ness advice, as part of the
building management tran-
sition team.
Initial Tahanan board
members included Portugal,
president; Delfin Palileo,
past president; Willie Na-
bus, Adoracion Nabor, Cora
Primicias and Fr. Ariel Du-
maran. Others would soon
be appointed.
Silayan Community
Centre president Willie Na-
bus said building manage-
ment plans and programs
have been laid-out.
Nabus announced that
a city-funded Housing Op-
portunity Toronto consul-
tation meeting would be
conducted at the Wellesley
Community Centre on July
26, as he invited the public
Caviteños mark 25th year with picnic
and share in the potluck
salu-salo.
Bernadette Zaragoza,
on behalf of the association,
says the picnic will also fea-
ture a Pasarapan ng Luto
Contest, entertainment, and
games for all ages.
A gala night is set in
PEOPLE & EVENTS
TAHANAN HOMES Board of Directors
to attend the meeting.
Tahanan Homes is a
not-for-profit community
housing program the THC
is subsidizing.
Tahanan was built 12
years ago, through efforts
of Tessie Jew, then presi-
dent of the Ontario Council
of Filipino-Canadians.
The construction of the
building and management
was later transferred to the
Silayan Community Center.
PR/MON DATOL
September.
Zaragoza adds that the
picnic is an opportunity for
everyone to meet the found-
ers, the officers and mem-
bers of the Caviteños.
The Caviteños received
from Philippine president
Corazon Aquino the first
25
Leia Dimain Buan baptized
LEIA DIMAIN BUAN, granddaughter of
Manila Media Monitor columnist Mario
Dimain, received the Holy Sacrament
of Baptism at the St. Martin de Porres
Church on June 21. Her parents and her
family later celebrated her baptismal day
with a reception at the Genesis Buffet
Restaurant.
AD INQUIRIES?
Call 416-285-8583
FinancialProblem.ca
www.
with credit cards and bank loans
Banaag Award, a presi- Too many loans & credit cards?
dential award for overseas Paying too much interest?
Filipino organizations,
Afraid to pick up your own phone?
in Malacañang Palace, in
Looking for consolidation?
Dec. 1991.
Through the years, the Please see page 13 for our detailed advertisement
Caviteños have adhered CREDIT MANAGEMENT SERVICES
to their motto “grow by
helping others grow.” PR 416-780-1020
26 TRAVEL & TOURISM Manila Media Monitor JULY 2008

South Cotabato in July

T’nalak Festival
The Tinalak Festival, named eastern paradise of Philippines. Travel time from the other two
after a woven cloth popularized It takes about an hour to reach entry points, Kidapawan and Co-
by South Cotabato’s T’boli tribe, General Santos City, which boasts tabato City, varies from 1.5 to 2.5
is slated on July 10 to 18. of seaports and an airport having hours.
The festival is celebrated dur- international capabilities. Some of Koronadal’s tour-
ing the foundation anniversary of Koronadal is some 59 kilome- ist sites are the Mambukal Hot
South Cotabato. ters from Gen. Santos City, and Springs, Sarabia Falls and El
This year, the festival is high- travel time is about one hour by Gawel Resort & Wildlife Sanctu-
lighted by an agri-trade and fruit bus or public utility vehicle. ary.
show, agri-industrial, technology
and trade expo, the usual Dayana,
The Girl Power T’nalak Show-
down featuring the Kitty Girls and
Mocha, Pista sang mga Kabata-
aan, Big Stars basketball exhibi-
tion game, a torch parade, Grand
Farmers’ field day, and Disco sa
Kalye.
The government has also set
competitions for costume in a
thematic parade, drum and lyre,
cheer-dance, the Fiesta sa Bay-
an (Adusay), plants, Mindanao
choirs, street dancing, and fire-
Lola Mundi weaves her t’nalak, a cloth that has become one works display.
of the T’boli tribe’s traditional properties usually exchanged Most of the activities are done
during marriages and used as coverings to a newly born. It in Koronadal City, the provincial
is made of fine abaca strands and usually takes weeks to center of administration.
months to weave a whole yard, after which the cloth would Koronadal is a city of warm
be dyed with designs. High grade t’nalak are usually sold people. It has a high literacy rate of T’nalak festival participants show off their native t’nalak
from P400 to P800 pesos (Can$10 to $20). Photo and edited 96% making the city an awardee wear and adornments. Photo: League of Provinces of the
text from www.ironwolf.net of academic excellence in South- Philippines website

T’nalak: Fabric of bravery, love
By ROMMEL G. REBOLLIDO
KORONADAL CITY, South gone to far Mindanao.
Cotabato - As most artists be- T’boli and t’nalak
lieve, people usually find identity But, where in Mindanao?
in the clothes they wear. Would they know the fabric is
Amusingly, many people wear called T’nalak and that it was wo-
designer clothes and accessories ven from abaca fibers?
as a fashion statement. T’nalak, a unique yet colorful
They will not even care to way of weaving the abaca cloth by
know where it came from or how the T’boli tribal communities in
it came into being. South Cotabato, has gone beyond
Ukay-ukay may ring a bell, mere cloth weaving or art itself.
but, that would be another story. Hand-made, a t’nalak cloth
Take the case of that fabric takes months to accomplish.
distinct with ethnic patterns that Colorful geometric patterns
has reached even the international are typical in T’nalak designs.
fashion landscape, but only a few Residents of this resource-
would know its name and how it rich province have taken pride of
was woven from abaca fibers to the t’nalak as being reflective of
produce a cloth fit for a royalty. South Cotabato’s varying regional
Many celebrities are seen don- and ethnic cultures, belief, dialects
ning it either as a vest or just an and art woven together to form a
accent in clothing or bag, imply- wonderful tapestry.
ing that the one wearing it has T’nalak celebration
Nimfa Estabillo, South Cota-
bato information chief, said it is
with such appreciation that resi-
dents of the province go out of
their way each year to celebrate a
weeklong T’nalak Festival in ob-
servance of the founding anniver-
sary of South Cotabato.
South Cotabato turns 43 on
July 18.
The T’nalak Festival, on its
10th year, started in 1998 when
then President Ramos declared
abaca weaver Bey Lang Dulay,
a T’boli native from Lake Sebu,
as a “Living Treasure on T’nalak
Weaving.”
People’s cloth
South Cotabato governor Dai-
sy Avance Fuentes explains how
the t’nalak cloth best typifies the
people of South Cotabato, adding
that the strong white abaca fibers
may represent the people’s honest
intentions.
Fuentes notes that the t’nalak’s
rich black and deep reddish-brown
strands are dyed with herb extracts
of permanent colors -- red for
bravery, commitment and love.
The black strands represent
the struggles and hard beaten-era
of pioneers who developed among
them a strong character and perse-
verance, she points out.
Like the people of South Co-
tabato, the t’nalak has been sub-
jected to heat and beating process
to achieve flexibility and better
quality cloth, Fuentes says.
“Next time you wear the
t’nalak, don it with pride. With
t’nalak, it is not only clothes you
are wearing. You are imbibing the
spirit of a people,” Fuentes con-
cludes. PNA
Cebu groomed as
Asia’s top medical
tourism destination
CEBU CITY - The Cebu
Health and Wellness Council
(CHWC), buoyed by a “steady
flow” of inquiries and walk-in pa-
tients, has come out with big plans
to position Cebu Province as a
“world-class destination for medi-
cal destination for medical and
wellness tourism in Asia 2010.”
But Cebu would have to com-
pete with long-established medi-
cal tourism areas in Asia, such as
India, Thailand, Malaysia, Singa-
pore and Hong Kong.
Medical tourism involve peo-
ple traveling to other places to
obtain medical, dental and surgi-
cal care while enjoying the areas’
other attractions.
CHWC chairman Oscar Tua-
son said Asian medical tourism
netted some $120 billion in 2006.
(To page 27)
JULY 2008 Manila Media Monitor
GMA’s 10-day US state
visit not a useless junket
Deputy Spokesperson
Lorelei Fajardo has defend-
ed the 10-day working visit
of President Gloria Maca-
pagal-Arroyo to the United
States, saying the trip pro-
duced “results” and was far
from the “useless junket”
yarn critics have hurled
against the Chief Execu-
tive’s latest trip abroad.
Fajardo said the amount
of investment pledges made
by American businessmen
proved that the President’s
working visit was “very
productive.”
She said that “in New
York alone, (the President)
had seven business calls
from big companies. In
fact, there is a potential of
15,700 additional jobs that
were committed by these
companies – two of which
are world renowned fruit
grower Libby’s and elec-
tronics firm Texas Instru-
ments.”
“And then there is this
additional investment poten-
tial where the country may
earn up to US$560-million
aside from the pledges from
Filipinos overseas of aid
for the victims of typhoon
Frank,” she added.
Fajardo pointed out that
The PHILIPPINES 27
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(From page 11)
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sue a Blue Card for regular
migrant workers, allowing
them and their family to
work and live in Europe for
long periods of time.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo meets with
Cebu ...
US Senator and Republican presidential contend- (From page 26)
er John McCain at the Willard Hotel Round Robin Tuason said foreign
Nest Suite in Washington, DC on June 28. Arroyo patients preferred medi-
pursued talks on strengthening diplomatic re- cal treatment outside their
lations between the Philippines and America’s home country because of
present and future leaders. Photo: Rolando Mailo, lower costs and the chance
OPS/NIB to travel in leisure.
CHWC members said
Cebu had the potential to
talks the President had with ippine Veterans Equity Bill,
be a major medical tourism
US officials, specifically after 62 years of waiting by
player.
US President George W. Filipino veterans.
Besides lower costs,
Bush, further strengthened She expressed confi-
Cebu’s hospitals are well-
ties between the Philip- dence the US House would
equipped and have com-
pines and the US, as well as similarly pass the bill after
petent doctors and medical
hastened the passage of the some congressional leaders
staff, especially caregivers.
long-awaited Filipino Vet- informed her delegation of
PNA
erans Bill to law. majority support for Philip-
In a speech in Baler, pine veterans.
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Senate has passed the Phil- OPS
28 The PHILIPPINES Manila Media Monitor JULY 2008

Brillantes, Mosquera in RP tourism meet

COURTESY CALL. Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo poses with

delegates of the 4th Ambassadors/Consuls General and Tourism Directors
Tour (ACDTDT) led by Ambassador to the US Willy Gaa and Ambassador to
Ottawa Jose Brillantes (right) at Malacañang’s Rizal Hall on July 14. With the
group are Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila, Foreign Affairs Secre-
tary Alberto Romulo, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Tourism Secre-
tary Joseph Ace Durano and Consul General in Toronto Alejandro Mosquera
(2nd from right). Photo: Marcelino Pascua/OPS-NIB

Not yet time to retire: Pacquiao

MANILA - Boxing afi-
cionados worldwide will be
seeing more fights of Filipi-
no boxing sensation Manny
Pacquiao, perhaps even an
attempt to climb the 140-
pound division.
Newly-crowned World
Boxing Council lightweight
champion Pacquiao is not
entertaining any retirement
plans yet, despite an appeal
from his mother Dionisia
to quit boxing. (See related
photo on page 34)
”My mother told me
‘tama na, dong’ (stop box-
ing, son) but I told her it is
not yet time to retire. I can
still fight more,” the 29-
year old Pacquiao said in a
live phone patch interview
with GMA 7’s 24-Oras.
While Pacquiao kept
mum on his next oppo-
nent, wife Jinkee reportedly
claimed her husband want-
ed to fight Ricky Hatton,
the International Boxing
Organization light welter-
weight (140-lb) champion
from England.
“He wants to fight Hat-
ton or another good fighter.
Perhaps after Hatton, he can
quit boxing. But the final
decision would still come
from him. I will just give
him moral support,” Jinkee
told gmanews.tv.
Aside from Hatton, the
Pacquiao camp is report-
edly entertaining the idea of
accepting the challenge of
undefeated knockout artist
Edwin Valero of Venezuela.
Like she used to, Pac-
quiao’s mother stayed in-
side the prayer room instead
of watching his son fight.
This time, Aling (Mrs.)
Dionisia collapsed after
learning that Pacquiao (47-
3-2, 35 KOs) knocked out
David Diaz (36-2-1, 17
KOs) in the ninth round to
become the first Asian box-
er to win four world titles in
different weight divisions.
Pacquiao returned home
on July 4, amid the resound-
ing cheers of his country-
men. PNA

Tagalog for court hearings pushed

MANILA - Supreme
Court Chief Justice Rey-
nato Puno is pushing for the
use of the national language
in Tagalog-speaking prov-
inces for court hearings.
The use of Tagalog
would favor litigants who
find it hard understanding
English, the court’s lingo.
“We are piloting the use
of Tagalog in Bulacan and
the result is very positive.
Many are trying to push the
idea not only in Bulacan but
also in Cavite, Batangas,
Nueva Ecija and others. We
are refining this thrust. We
are calling on other experts
to see how viable this would
be,” Puno said.
“In pilot cases, litigants
better understood what was
happening in the courtroom,
and what issues were being
litigated by the lawyers and
were being resolved by the
judges. The communication
was much more effective.”
The High Court will
be training stenographers
in taking down court state-
ments in Tagalog. PNA
JULY 2008 Manila Media Monitor 29

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YELLOWBIRD
4862 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario
30
Omerta: Maraming salamat po
(From page 10)
over? With ardent readers
and enthusiastic advertis-
ers, the paper will.
And Manila Media
Monitor’s devoted news
and image contributors,
writers and editors will
definitely be there to do the
work they expect.
***
The Philippine Press
Club-Ontario (PPC-O) is
in solidarity with the com-
munity and all the organiza-
tions representing it “in the
task of community building
and strengthening the role
of Filipino-Canadians in the
Canadian mileu.”
This was the assurance
PPC-O president Tenny So-
riano stressed in his speech
during the installation of
club officers at the Scarbor-
ough Village Community
Centre on July 12.
Soriano added that while
the PPC-O was initially en-
visioned as a social group-
ing, “we can no longer ig-
nore the fact that we have
a responsibility, as media
persons, to get involved, but
objectively, in confronting
issues and challenges that
affect the Filipino commu-
nity in Toronto.”
Well said. The pres-
ident’s words clearly re-
Manila Media Monitor
sponded to need for greater
and more active media-com-
munity partnerships sought
by installation officers
Mama Ching Quejas who
represented the seniors’ sec-
tor; Mithi Esguerra, youth
sector; and Michelle Gose,
caregivers’ sector.
However, it is also a
critical fact that any partner-
ship can only succeed when
parties engage in a two-way
avenue.
From an observer’s point
of view, I can surmise that
president Tenny has called
for mutual respect and pro-
fessionalism in making the
partnership work to its full
advantage.
I agree. Using and abus-
ing community print and
broadcast entities to earn
brownie points, praise to
high heavens, raise hell, and
make a free bulletin board
out of them for ticketed so-
cial events never do help
the community solidify and
raise itself another rung in
the ladder of immersion in
the Canadian milieu.
“We are now one of the
fast growing communities
in the whole of Canada and
yet, we have not exploited
this strength or advantage,”
Soriano said.
JULY 2008
***
On behalf of president
Soriano, vice president Ace
Alvarez, treasurer Mogi
Mogado, directors Mon
Datol, Hermie Garcia and
Tony Sicat, maraming,
maraming salamat po to
Mama Ching, Mithi and
Michelle.
Gratitude also goes to
those who made the PPC-
O April 19 polls successful
-- Consul Imelda Panolong,
Vice Consul Edna Mae Laz-
aro, Henry Sia, Dom Calix-
terio and Arnold Angeles;
Entertainers Darius
Ciria, Mike Hanopol, Chito
Sarabia, Inah Canlapan,
Cassandra Malabanan,
Jenifer Camacho, Ashley
Quizon and Zena Zagala;
Sponsors in the likes
of Jun Miranda of PNB
Remit, the Philippine In-
dependence Day Council
through president Jun and
Rosemer Evnerga, Arazona
of Araconcepts and Casa
Manila;
All the guests who hon-
ored the PPC-O with their
presence; PPC-O members
who helped make the occa-
sion memorable, And fam-
ily and friends who never
let down.
Maraming salamat po.
JULY 2008 Manila Media Monitor 31
32
Visible minorities in the corporate arena
‘Canadianize’ or else ...
According to a new
study examining workplace
fit and stereotyping in cor-
porate Canada, many visi-
ble minority managers, pro-
fessionals and executives
believe that they need to
“Canadianize” themselves
in order to get ahead.
For some, that means
downplaying ethnicity and
speaking English or French
without an identifiable ac-
cent in order to succeed in
the Canadian workplace,
the study reveals.
In the fourth report of
its groundbreaking research
series on visible minorities
in corporate Canada, Ca-
reer Advancement in Cor-
porate Canada: A Focus on
Visible Minorities ~ Work-
place Fit and Stereotyping,
Catalyst identifies issues
that impact career advance-
ment for visible minorities,
focusing specifically on
crucial aspects of how these
groups fit into the work en-
vironment, what they expe-
rience as stereotyping, and
how they are perceived as
leaders.
The Catalyst study un-
derscores that visible mi-
norities are critical to the
performance of Canadian
MONEY
companies and firms in an
increasing global and com-
petitive marketplace, now
and in the future.
With this in mind, the
report provides recommen-
dations on how Canada’s
largest businesses can cre-
ate inclusive environments
in which visible minorities
and the organizations which
employ them can succeed in
better utilizing their talents
and reap the full benefits of
diversity.
“As Canadians, we
celebrate all that diversity
brings to our country and
communities,” said Debo-
rah Gillis, Vice President,
North America, Catalyst.
“But when the message
delivered to visible minori-
ties working in our larg-
est businesses is that they
must blend in to get ahead,
the potential to fully lever-
age diversity as a source of
competitive advantage is
being compromised.”
Findings
Key findings from the
study include:
► Advancement for
visible minorities may ne-
cessitate their downplay-
ing aspects of their cultural
background, such as having
an identifiable accent that
does not “fit” the prevailing
image of leaders in their or-
ganizations.
► Some East Asians
and South Asians who felt
they understood Canadian
idioms and were familiar
with Canadian culture, par-
ticularly those whose fami-
lies had been in Canada for
“ ... when the message delivered to visible minorities work-
ing in our largest businesses is that they must blend in to get
ahead, the potential to fully leverage diversity as a source of
competitive advantage is being compromised.”
generations, expressed
comfort with how they fit
within Canadian business
organizations.
However, other visible
minorities stated that their
chances of acceptance and
promotion at work are tied
to how “Canadianized”
they are.
► East Asians reported
being stereotyped as “hard
working but not sociable”
while South Asians report-
ed being considered “out-
siders” and “foreigners” in
spite of the length of time
they had spent in Canada.
► Blacks faced a dra-
matic difference in work-
place challenges as com-
pared to their South and
East Asian colleagues.
More negative stereotyp-
ing and an extremely lim-
ited number of similar role
models combined to create
a sense of isolation and lim-
ited opportunities for black
managers, professionals
and executives.
► In multicultural
workplaces, “political cor-
rectness” can impede ad-
vancement of visible mi-
norities to the extent that it
makes it difficult for orga-
nizational members to ad-
dress arising tensions.
► While many orga-
nizations are committed
to building inclusive work
environments, imperfect
execution of diversity pro-
grams can hinder career
advancement for visible
minority managers, profes-
sionals and executives.
An added barrier is that
Manila Media Monitor JULY 2008
white/Caucasians are more
likely to believe that diver-
sity efforts are successful
than are Blacks or Asians.
“The market has diver-
sified extensively in the last
five years,” said Zabeen
Hirji, Chief Human Re-
sources Officer at RBC, the
lead sponsor of the study.
“And we’ve understood
that to serve the market,
we need to hire the mar-
ket. Companies with talent
management systems that
capture the full value of
diversity are more likely to
attract and retain the best.
Achieving full diversity is
a journey that requires on-
going dialogue and focus
inside organizations and
across our communities. As
the Catalyst study shows
there is still a great deal
of work to be done,” Hirji
added.
Recommendations
To help Canadian orga-
nizations fully leverage the
diversity and talent of their
visible minority employees,
Catalyst recommends:
► Organizations cre-
ate inclusive environments
where visible minorities
can spend less time focused
on overcoming stereotypes
and more time on contribut-
ing to organizational perfor-
mance.
Senior leaders can
develop inclusive work-
places by building a strong
business case, addressing
the concerns of majority
groups, and ensuring that
leadership competencies are
clear and allow for a variety
of styles.
► Recognize that nega-
tive stereotyping exists in
the workplace and address
it.
Avoid political cor-
rectness or politeness as a
barrier to dealing with this
problem.
► Visible minorities
should aim to familiarize
themselves with their orga-
nizations and be prepared to
navigate less-than-perfect
workplace environments.
Changing an organiza-
tion is a long-term activ-
ity, and realistically many
visible minority managers,
professionals and execu-
tives will find themselves
employed in business orga-
nizations that are less than
fully inclusive.
RBC is the study’s lead
sponsor. Deloitte and Tou-
che LLP and IBM Canada
are the participating spon-
sors.
The Ontario Ministry of
Citizenship and Immigra-
tion is the supporting spon-
sor. CNW
JULY 2008 Manila Media Monitor MONEY 33 GOT A FOREX DEAL?
PCCT-CEMA
Check out if you got your peso’s worth for the
cooperation dollars you have had exchanged since June 16,
The Philippine Cham- courtesy of Manila Media (Money) Monitor.
ber of Commerce-To-
US$ Cdn$
ronto (PCCT) reaches
July 15 45.29303 45.20037
out to the diverse me-
dia composing the Ca- July 14 45.13802 44.86609
nadian Ethnic Media July 11 45.60598 45.19677
Association (CEMA) at July 10 45.56888 45.11489
the latter’s 30th Awards July 9 45.44229 44.99001
Gala and Reception on July 8 45.75267 44.85283
June 27. Standing (from July 7 45.57932 44.81452
left) are PCCT Presi- July 3 45.40310 44.50983
dent Rafael Nebres with July 2 45.05231 44.51510
officers and members David Pagkalinawan, Oswald and Isa Tugadi, Evelyn Pagkalinawan, Elizabeth July 1 45.00282 44.11838
Leggett and Gie Alvarez. Seated are (from left) PCCT directors Cora dela Cruz and Ace Alvarez, who June 30 44.87400 44.07860
also serves in the CEMA Board of Directors, with Toronto Star columnist Joe Fiorito. PCCT Photo June 27 44.77290 44.23894
June 26 44.72662 44.18923
Rising inflation to keep Asian monies weak: BofA June 25
June 24
44.55118
44.55600
43.97663
43.95531
SINGAPORE - Asian Asia to multi-year highs but The pre-emptive mon- surge in crude oil prices. June 23 44.51217 43.80916
currencies might remain central banks in the region etary tightening in coun- “With monetary policy June 20 44.53698 43.78971
weak in the near term but had been reluctant to hike tries such as Taiwan, China response forthcoming, we June 19 44.39233 43.82034
should moderately appreci- interest rates on concerns and Singapore, along with are expecting some moder- June 18 44.38188 43.59520
ate in the fourth quarter as that the move would aggra- strong current account posi- ate appreciation of Asian June 17 44.03931 43.21621
some regional central banks vate economic weakness at tions, and robust macroeco- currencies against the U.S. June 16 44.53298 43.65777
have started to address soar- a time when exports, a pillar nomic fundamentals helped dollar before a more pro-
ing inflation through a series of the region’s strength, was their respective currencies nounced appreciation in

of interest rates hikes, strat-
egists at Bank of America
(BofA) said.
“This is probably the
most crucial time for central
banks because inflation ex-
pectations have been desta-
bilized and that has resulted
in rapid pass-through of
costs into retail prices,” Yeo
Han Sia, currency strate-
gist at BofA, was quoted
by Thomson Financial as
telling a media briefing on
July 11.
The sharp spike in food
and fuel costs pushed infla-
tion in most countries in
under threat due to slowing
global demand in the after-
math of the U.S. subprime
crisis.
BofA expected emerg-
ing markets to grow at a
slower pace of five percent
this year from six percent in
2007.
“Monetary policy is
probably too late to arrest
inflation,” said Yeo, who
expected inflation to peak
in the third quarter, citing
Indonesia and Thailand as
“danger zones” that were
likely to see double-digit
numbers.
to hold their ground against
the U.S. dollar in the first
half of the year, said BofA
currency strategist Christy
Tan.
The Taiwanese dollar,
Chinese yuan and the Sin-
gapore dollar have appreci-
ated between between six
and seven percent in the
first half of 2008.
The Thai baht, South
Korea won, the Indian rupee
and the Philippine peso, on
the other hand, shed eight to
11 percent of their value in
the same period given their
strong vulnerability to the
2009,” said Yeo.
Asian currencies re-
mained undervalued as they
have not appreciated signif-
icantly versus other dollar
majors over the past decade
since the financial crisis,
Yeo said.
“We still see ample
room for Asian currencies
to appreciate,” he noted.
PNA/Antara
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End-May ’08 remittances grow 15.6%

MANILA - The higher
deployment of overseas
Filipino workers (OFWs) in
the first five months of 2008
has enabled dollar remit-
tances to grow 15.6 percent
to US$1.43 billion in May
from year-ago’s US$1.24
billion.
Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipinas (BSP) Governor
Amando Tetangco Jr. said
the May 2008 figure was
the third month in a row
this year that remittances
reached US$1.4 billion.
Tetangco said the cumu-
lative figure for the first five
months this year was also
higher by 14.74 percent at
US$6.8 billion, compared
with US$5.92 in May 2007.
The BSP chief said bulk
of the remittances came
from the United States,
Saudi Arabia, Canada, Unit-
ed Kingdom, Italy, United
Arab Emirates, Singapore,
Japan and Hong Kong.
Citing data from the foreign remittance institu-
Philippine Overseas Em- tions.
ployment Administration, “The establishment of
Tetangco said the deploy- more remittance centers,
ment of Filipino workers correspondent banks, and
from January to May this branches/representative of-
year totaled 533,945, or a fices abroad, together with
39.5 percent jump from the the existing tie-ups with
382,777 in the same period foreign financial counter-
last year. parts, is expected to further
“This reflected the dis- facilitate the flow of remit-
tinct preference for the tances,” Tetangco added.
skills quality and compe- PNA
tence of Filipino workers,”
he said.
He also noted that with
the expansion of a giant oil
processing site in the Mid-
dle East, OFW deployment
was seen to further grow.
Tetangco also attributed
the higher volume of remit-
tances to improved finan-
cial services being offered
by local banks and their
counterparts abroad.
He also credited this to
the higher number of tie-
ups among Philippine and

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In defense of honorables who saw ...
(From page 9)
Mr. Freddie is certainly one of
the most-dignified and intelligent
trainers in the history of Ameri-
can boxing and his family name
should not be taken in jest – even
if detractors assume unfairly and
unkindly for the sake of argument
that some Filipino congressmen
have the brains of a roach.
There are many Filipino con-
gressmen who have brilliant
minds. I can attest to the fact that
the Honorable Prospero Nograles,
the speaker of the House of Repre-
sentatives, is brilliant, he being this
writer’s classmate at the Ateneo de
Manila College of Law. Although
this author and Mr. Nograles be-
longed then to separate fraterni-
ties, it is a fact that the Ateneo
admits (ahem) only above-average
and nationalistic students.
Even another acquaintance of
mine at the Ateneo law school,
now First Gentleman Mike Ar-
royo, makes the supreme sacrifice
of going to Las Vegas to support
these Filipino legislators and pro-
vincial officials in cheering for
Mr. Pacquiao. It is quite a bother
to bear the heat in the sands of Ne-
vada and be away from the com-
forts of the presidential palace
and his loving First Family. And
the political opposition castigates
him and his friends unfairly in the
Filipino press for going to Las Ve-
gas to promote patriotism and the
patrimony of the people? Oh, the
hazards of being the First Gentle-
man . . . there being no fairness on
the part of critics whether he is in
Vegas or in the homeland.
Las Vegas attracts more-than
one-million Filipino tourists every
year. Where in America can Fili-
pino congressmen and provincial
governors spend short but quality
time in meeting many constituents
who are former residents of their
districts or province?
And what about the jokes
about Mr. Pacquiao’s boxing pro-
moter, Bob Arum? Mr. Bob’s fam-
ily name does not rhyme with Tan-
duay Rhum, which is one of the
Filipino congressmen’s favorite
hard drinks. His surname rhymes
more with rumba, which many of
the Filipino congressmen and pub-
lic officials dance with ease at the
ballroom – as one of their exercise
routines. Legislators and even pro-
vincial governors need to exercise,
too. (Of course the First Couple’s
favorite dance is the Lambada,
which Her Excellency demonstrat-
ed ably at the presidential palace
during a visit by publicity-seeking
Hollywood actors.)
It is also a fact that many Fili-
pino government officials actually
promote not only Philippine-made
rum during their trips to Las Vegas
and other American cities but also
other Filipino products. They wear
the Barong Filipino and bring ab-
aca slippers with them so that they
could show to the hotel buyers the
good quality of the said Filipino
cottage-industry products. So, in
short, these Filipino legislators, lo-
cal-government officials and other
public servants go to Las Vegas
not only to serve as ambassadors
of goodwill but also as trade rep-
resentatives.
Even the rumors that some
Filipino dignitaries bring with
them starlets and aging stars to
Las Vegas are all the product of
political intrigues. The truth is that
the visiting Filipino dignitaries are
34 Manila Media Monitor JULY 2008
merely helping pave the way for
these budding Filipino entertain-
ers to make a name in the world’s
entertainment capital in the likes
of the Society of Seven and other
Filipinos who made their name in
the Strip.
There is also the fact that Las
Vegas attracts more-than one-mil-
lion Filipino-American tourists
every year. Where in the United
States can Filipino congressmen
and provincial governors spend
short but quality time in meeting
the constituents who are former
residents of their districts or prov-
ince? Even if they meet their prov-
incemates at the Blackjack table,
they can still do the job. Many Fil-
ipino congressmen and governors
are experts also in multi-tasking.
They can place bets on the table
while they explain to their long-
lost constituents the peace-and-
order situation at their common
hometowns. They can operate a
slot machine while discussing the
investment opportunities in the old
hometown. And their detractors
see only Las Vegas as a “Sin City”
and not the reality that it is actu-
ally the “Scene City” – the scenic
venue of reunions, business con- Manny Pacquiao embraces his new WBC lightweight title
ferences, trade promotions, etcet- belt after knocking out David Diaz in the 9th round of their
eras, etc., ad infinitum. title bout in Las Vegas on June 28. Pacquiao has become
And finally it makes sense to the first Asian boxer to win titles in four weight classes.
tell the Filipino world that even Mr.
Pacquiao has been conditioned by dure, the intricacies of a privilege use an oft-quoted cliché. Yes, Sir,
the visiting Filipino legislators and speech and decorum at the august the detractors and critics of our
public servants to do multi-task- hall of Congress. Mr. Pacquiao Filipino congressmen and public
ing. Even when he makes the final ran for Congress the last election servants do not tell the truth to the
sparring sessions, Mr. Pacquiao is but unfortunately he lost. He may public.
able to listen to the Filipino con- run again in May 2010 and by Maybe the reason after all, as
gressman and learn from them that time, he would be a seasoned they say, is “What happens in Las
the tenets of parliamentary proce- “parliamentarian of the streets” to Vegas, stays in Las Vegas.”
JULY 2008 Manila Media Monitor
Fil-Can artists at PIDC’s Mabuhay Festival, July 19
Remember Filipino movie theme
songs in Sine ... Sine Musika
Sine…Sine Musika, a
concert featuring Filipino-
Canadian artists, is sure to
give Original Pilipino Music
and moviegoers the chance
to relax, enjoy and remem-
ber an evening of Philippine
reel music, all at once.
Rei Ching, show direc-
tor, brings the concert at the
Gateway Centre for New
Canadians in Mississauga
on July 26, at 8 pm.
“This may be the first of
its kind concert here in Can-
ada. The concert features
theme songs from select
popular Filipino movies,”
Ching notes.
Rodney Ronquillo, mu-
sical director, incorporates
his distinct embellishments
to the songs to be performed
by local artists Chyrell Sam-
son, Michael Masangkay,
Ross De Leon, Alvin Alba
and Josie de Leon.
Back up vocalists are
Mavic Ignacio-Palanca, Jai-
me Caballero, Marivic Ca-
ballero and Gena Baldivia.
Musicians are Mannix
Esteras, guitarist; Allan Pal-
entinos, keyboardist; and
Nathaniel Tiangson, drum-
mer.
The repertoire includes
Sana’y Maghintay ang
ENTERTAINMENT 35
Walang Hanggan from
the classic Bituing Walang
Ningning, Tell Me from A
Love Story, and a lot more
from fave Filipino flicks.
“It will be a night of
reminiscences, of being re-
minded of pleasant memo-
ries, which will be triggered
by the love songs included Hair and Makeup Artist Tonnie Furto applies the final touches on Cana-
in the line up,” director Ch- dian Idol Finalist Martha Joy Lim for her appearance at a farewell party
ing assures. tendered in her honor before departing in fulfillment of a recording con-
Sine…Sine Musika is tract in the Philippines.
a production of RC Mul-
timedia + Entertainment
Services in association with
Axcess Media Canada for
the Gateway Centre for the
Performing Arts. PR
36 Manila Media Monitor JULY 2008
JULY 2008 Manila Media Monitor ENTERTAINMENT 37
The GIG
A look into Filipino-Canadian folksingers, bands, musicians and

RP Bossa
other performers in Canada.
Nova Queen
visits TO
By CHITO SARABIA
Philippine Queen of
Bossa Nova SITTI NA-
VARRO visited family in
Toronto from June 22 to
July 5, a two-week vaca-
tion before she embarks on
a string of concerts in the
Philippines, the Americas
and Europe.
In an after-dinner im-
promptu jam with family
and a few guests who hat in-
cluded writer Ricky Caluen
and myself, Sitti sang and
performed for us.
Sitti was surprised to
know that I could accom-
pany her with my classical
guitar, having studied Sitti’s
songs from her CD album
Cafe Bossa her aunt Maris-
sa lent me two weeks before
Sitti came.
Café’ Bossa is Sitti’s
Gold Award album that in-
cluded her super hits Para
Sa Akin, Samba Song, Kung
Di’ Rin Lang Ikaw and One
Note Samba.
According to her Mom,
Sitti started nurturing and
Ai-Ai delas Alas
topbills Mabuhay
Festival artists
AI-AI DELAS ALAS,
the Philippines’ undisputed
Queen of Comedy Concerts
and the Box Office, will be
flying direct from the Phil-
ippines to grace and per-
form at the Philippine In-
dependence Day Council’s
(PIDC) Mabuhay Festival
at the Metro Toronto Con-
vention Centre, Hall D on
July 19.
SITTI NAVARRO (right), dubbed the Philippine Queen of Bossa Nova, enjoys PIDC president Tobias
an impromptu gig with Manila Media Monitor entertainment columnist and Enverga, Jr. said Filipino
folksinger Chito Sarabia. Navarro was in Toronto with her mom for a vaca- actress Delas Alas would AI-AI DELAS ALAS
tion with kin, a respite from her string of international concerts. topbill a host of Filipino-
Canadian talents invited to
honing her vocals since she Besides her talent, Sitti Philippine entertainment, entertain an expected big
was six years old. is brains, having topped her passionately expressing audience during the festi-
At 16, Sitti made her high school class as vale- herself within the bossa val, which would conclude
way to bar gigs around dictorian. nova genre. the PIDC’s celebration of
Metro Manila, wowing au- She graduated from the Sitti’s upcoming tour the 110th anniversary of
diences with her smooth University of the Philip- concerts are in Las Vegas, Philippine Independence.
style and soothing voice. pines with a Bachelor of Los Angeles and New York. Enverga said sultry
A rising star, she started Economics degree. She has had tours in Malay- singer Zsa Zsa Padilla has
tour concerts, and the rest is Today, Sitti has estab- sia, Thailand and Australia, confirmed festival atten-
history. lished herself as an icon in to name a few. dance and would show up
at about 4 p.m.
Earlier, world-famous JUN ENVERGA

Pomeranz, Melissa R. etal in FMWF

Singer-composer DA-
VID POMERANZ, Pussy-
cat Doll Search runner-up
MELISSA REYES, Filipi-
no jazz master BOY KAT-
INDIG, Kundiman Queen
LIRIO VITAL, balladeer
MARCO SISON and Ma-
nila’s Soul Queen TILLIE
MORENO and folk-rock
icon MIKE HANOPOL.
They are the world-re-
nowned international and
POMERANZ REYES Filipino artists expected to
perform in separate dates
at the 2nd Filipinos Making
Waves Festival (FMWF) at
Ontario Place from Aug. 15
to 17.
Show Philippines Fes-
tival and Arts (SPFAP)
executive producer Teresa
Mendoza-Torralba says
Pomeranz will sing his pop-
ular original compositions
in a concert Trying to Get
the Feeling Again during
KATINDIG VITAL the FMWF VIP Night on
Aug. 15.
Jazz artist Katindig will
go onstage with Jazz Waves
on Aug. 16, in back-to-back
performances with former
Circus Band mainstay and
soul singer Moreno, folk-
singer Hanopol, Original
Pilipino Music balladeer Si-
son, guitar virtuoso Angelo
Pizarro and Canadian Idol
finalist Mikey Bustos.
Reyes, the funky all-
SISON MORENO around song-dance artist
and Pussycat Doll run-
ner-up, is set to fit into the
groove when she performs
at the FMWF Youth Waves
segment on Aug. 17.
Torralba says Youth
Waves is organized by Ronn
Ligaya and Carlos de Leon.
On the same say, Kundi-
man (a genre of traditional
Filipino love songs) Queen
Vital, with her Maalaala
Mo Kaya (Will You Re-
member), will perform.
Before Vital’s perfor-
mance, FMWF will conduct
the Cultural Wave Fashion
Show featuring Bb. Pili-
pinas of the World queens
Samantha East and Angela
Fermani, Miss Philippines
Hamilton crown holders
Pavielyn Carandang and
Tiffany Alejandro, and other
reigning beauty title holders
in Toronto and Canada.
Project director Rubi
Talavera said the fashion
show is choreographed by
Samantha East, with fash-
ion designer Diwata.
Likewise performing is
the University of the Philip-
pines Alumni and Friends
Rondalla (UPA&FR) of
New Jersey, that dates back
to the old days of the UP
Choral Group.
The UPA&FR is the
first Filipino cultural group
to perform in the world-
(To page 38)
healing priest Fr. Fernan-
do Suarez would give his
blessings to the Filipino-
Canadian community.
Enverga enjoined the
community to come and
enjoy an all-day entertain-
ment fete, “with continuous
performances from the best
of our community-based
cultural groups and well-
known entertainers.”
Besides the entertain-
ment galore that would
feature the full-lenth con-
cert Musika ng Ating Bu-
hay (Music of Our Life),
festival guests would also
be treated to a Grand Santa
Cruzan, fashion show and
a ballet performance from
world-renowned Canadian
National Ballet ballerina Je-
an Salas.
The finals of PIDC’s
Dancing To Be A Star would
also go onstage.
Children would like-
wise find enjoyment in the
festival’s Kidz Zone where
there are clowns, magicians,
bouncing castles, obstacle
courses and other childplay,
Enverga said.
“We will also have the
Sports Zone, where table
tennis players from all over
North America will compete
for the Mabuhay Table Ten-
nis Championship Cup; fol-
lowed by exhibitions when
ping pong enthusiasts could
play with the champions.”
At the festival site of
over 110,000 square feet,
the Philippine Chamber of
Commerce Toronto would
mount its Annual Trade
Show, with over 100 PIDC
vendors and exhibitors
coming from Chicago, New
York, Washington DC and
as far as Manila on hand for
easy instant shopping.
“The trade show is a
mecca for deals and bar-
gains,” Enverga said.
“In this festival, PIDC
has added charity as our
mandate. PIDC pledged to
build an ANCOP GK vil-
lage of over 30 houses for
our poor kababayan in the
Philippines,” he noted.
PIDC -- a non-profit or-
ganization which main aim
is to promote unity among
Filipinos through arts, cul-
ture, heritage and sports
-- has been putting up the
Mabuhay Festival for the
last eight consecutive years.
Early on, PIDC has suc-
cessfully crowned its Miss
PIDC Philippines, Mrs.
PIDC Philippines and Miss
PIDC Little Philippines
who, together with their
fellow candidate-winners,
would grace the festival.
PIDC has also con-
ducted its annual Mabuhay
Basketball Tournament and
its annual Salo-Salo sa Earl
Bales that gave essence to
Philippine Freedom Day.
“The Mabuhay Festival
this year promises to be the
biggest and the best festival
ever. It is an event that you
should not miss!” Enverga
said in a public invitation.
PR
38 LAUGHS & LEISURE Manila Media Monitor JULY 2008
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

BATID
10 11

12 13

WIKA
14 15

16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24
PAHALANG
25 26 27 28
1. Katangan ng palayok
5. Parte ng baboy 29 30 31 32
10. Balat ng ulo
11. Tulisang dagat 33 34 35
12. Tawag sa dalaga
36 37
13. ____g, asawa ng anak
14. Hilamusan 38 39
17. Sisidlan ng sorbetes
18. Pinong kikil PABABA 15. Nota ng musika
19. Kumpiska, pag inulit 1. Imbakan ng tubig 16. Ikakandado
22. ____a, ati 2. Bagot 20. Jimmy ng PBA
24. Gapas 3. Halo sa kanin 21. Mabulto
25. Alapaap 4. Sigaw sa taguan 23. Sisi
27. Sinok ng lasing 5. Puno ng palasyo, 26. Pinatuyong ubas
29. Kasabihan Ingles 28. Panghalip
33. Matinding pagmumura 6. Palaki 30. ‘Di dumating
34. Tunog ng orasan 7. Babae sa prusisyon 31. Gulok
36. Pakikipagsapalaran 8. Itakas 32. Sasa
37. Ilug-ilugan 9. Maniwala 35. Pera sa bulsa
38. Iluto sa mantika 11. Pagkainggit 37. Pang-ukol
39. Pagtalilis 13. Gamit ng minero (Sagot sa PAHINA 24)

Aga Muhlach leads That’s My Doc

mainstays in free Kapamilya Fiesta!
Avid viewers
of popular Filipino
television comedy
sitcom That’s My
Doc will have a
chance to see and
exchange plesant-
ries with the show’s
artists, when the
latter meet their
fans at the Metro
Toronto Conven-
Reg. # 4533253

tion Centre, Hall

C on July 26 from
noon to 6 p.m.
919 Ellesmere Road Among those MUHLACH
who will fly in for
Suite 107, Scarborough the free Kapamilya
Ontario M1P 2W7 Fiesta! entertainment show The ABS-CBN Regional
direct from the Philippines Network Group, a division of
are Aga Muhlach, Roderick ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp, is
Paulate, Bayani Agbayani presenting Kapamilya Fiesta! in
and Lara Quigaman. Toronto, as part of the network’s
offering for Filipino communities
around the world.
Pomeranz ... In booths, one can play excit-
(From page 37) ing games like Bingo, Pachinko,
class New Jersey Perform- Lucky Dice, Spin-A-Wheel and
ing Arts Centre. mini golf. But to play games and QUIGAMAN
This year’s festival also win prizes, one needs to get a free
offers visitors a wide array passport from any of the follow-
of cultural activities innate ing: The Filipino Channel (416)
601-1886, AV Communications
MANILA - TORONTO - USA - EUROPE to the Filipino way of life.
Among these are the Pa- (416) 866-8882, Cine Suerte
OR ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD milihan ng Bayan (People’s (905) 566-8953, JLB Food (416)
Market), Palabas (Outdoor 658-0018, LDV Computers (416)
Showcase), Likas na Ka- 736-0969, Coco Banana (905)
gandahan (Truly Beautiful) 370-1856, Coffee In (416) 285-
fashion show, the fluvial 0988, Keelson Food & Discount
Regatta, and the Boardwalk Centre (416) 398-2379, Bicol Ex-
Parade that may feature an press (416) 446-0001, Halo Halo
authentic Ati-Atihan. World Café (905) 606-2339, Ma- PAULATE
Musical director, com- nila Hair Studio (416) 636-6046
poser and arranger Ramon and Manila Bakery (905) 276-
“Super baba ‘Mon’ Torralba is again at 0013.
There will also be great food,
and halaga ... the helm of the festival and
promises to showcase an- singing, dancing and raffles with
Super below other masterpiece that will prizes like a free round-trip ticket
fare talaga.” equal, if not surpass, the to the Philippines, Ipod, Magic
highly successful three-day Sing, cellphones and many more.
First FMWF conducted last Kapamilya was a huge success in
“Handang Maglingkod Sa Ating Kababayan” year at the Harbourfront Dubai and Barcelona last year.
Tel (416) 751-9588 Fax (416) 751-9133 Centre and watched by over This is the first time Kapamilya
100,000 people. PR Fiesta! is brought to Canada. PR AGBAYANI
JULY 2008 Manila Media Monitor 39
40 JULY 2008 Manila Media Monitor

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