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Volume No. XXII No. 12 December 2004 Denuded forests cause disastrous floods Philippines seeks international assistance to help victims Residents are trapped in a river swollen with floodwaters carrying debris of mud, rocks and fallen trees in Dingalan, 23 November 2004. There have always been storms and typhoons that always hit the Philippines during this time but not as destructive as the four storms that lasted for over two weeks. Experts in both government and non-governmental organizations acknowldged the cause of these disatrous floods to be due to decades of rampant illegal logging that denuded the mountains thus exposing the farms and villages to erosions and mud slides which happened during these past few weeks. President Gloria Arroyo issued an order Saturday, December 11, 2004 to suspend all logging and said that illegal loggers would be prosecuted in the same manner as terrorists, kidnappers and drug traffickers. She also urged Congress to stiffen penalties for illegal loggers and their cohorts. The damages caused by the Map showing the worst hit areas. mud slides and floods have been estimated to be several million dollars. After assessing the needs of the population, a UN country team and the Philippine government launched a 6.4 million dollar (4.8 million euro) “flash appeal” in Manila, the World Health OrganisaSee Page 4 Former presidential candidate movie actor dies MANILA, Philippines – Action film star and presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr., who refused to concede May's election, died on December 14, 2004 after suffering a stroke. He was 65. Poe died at St. Luke's Hospital, where he was taken late Saturday after complaining of dizziness while dining and drinking with friends. He later slipped into a coma, his condition worsened, and he died after midnight, according to his doctor, Abdias Aquino. Poe's wife, actress Susan Roces, issued a statement thanking Filipinos for praying for her husband. "We are indebted to your being with him in the face of the challenges," she said. Poe's fellow actors, actresses and politicians from all walks of life rushed to the lobby of the hospital as the news of his death spread. Joseph Estrada, a former movie star who was ousted as the country's president by street protests in 2001, was allowed out of detention by the anti-graft court to visit his close friend in the hospital for about See Page 17 FPJ dies Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon Happy Holidays Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année Now open Storms Page 2 The North American Filipino Star Published monthly by FILCAN PUBLICATIONS, INC. 4950 Queen Mary Road Penthouse, Montreal, QC H3W 1X3 Tel.: 514-485-7861 E-Mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] 4770 Kent Ave. Suite 316 Montreal, QC H3W 1H2 Tel.: 514-283-0171 Fax: 514-283-2407 December 2004 4770, ave. Kent Bureau 316 Montréal (Qué.) H3W 1H2 Tél.: 514-283-0171 Zenaida Ferry-Kharroubi Publisher & Chief Editor Lourdes Fabia Michael Davantes Entertainment News Editor Contributing Editor Dr. Victor Gavino Esther Stansfield Nida Butaran Columnists Bert Abiera Virgie Ladiao Sales Director Sales Manager Founder Opinions, comments of writers and columnists do not necessarily reflect that of the management of Filcan Publications, Inc. Editorial Let the true Christmas spirit prevail upon us through the Red Cross. Any amount will help if everyone gives whatever he or she can afford. What are other ways of showing true Christmas spirit? Many events here and around the world are undoutedly making us realize how lucky we are to be living in a peaceful country like Canada. In spite of the weather, we are able to enjoy the holiday season. Being so blessed with many comforts of life, we should feel guilty enough to think of sharing our good fortune wih others who are not only homeless but also in great danger of dying from diseases due to the unsanitary conditions in their environment. This applies particularly to flood victims in the Philippines as well as to the tsunami-devastated people of seven countries in Southeast Asia. And to think of these castrophic events happening during the holiday season makes it even more difficult to imagine the magnitude of human suffering. The international community seems to have responded quite generously to the call for assistanc. But the need is so huge that it is not possible to put any limit to how much we should give. There have been local initiatives by organizations and individuals to help out. The campaign for cash donations is on-groing. We encourage everyone to give through the local associations orn SUBSCRIPTION Name ________________________________________________________________ Address:_____________________________________________________________ Telephone: Residence_____________________ Office: ___________________ Enclose a cheque or money order for: 1 year or 12 issues - $25 2 years or 24 issues $40 Hon. Irwin Cotler, P.C. / C.P., O.C., M.P. / député Mount Royal / Mont-Royal May this Christmas and New Year bring Peace and Blessings to all. Meilleurs voeux de bonheur et de paix à l’occasion de Noël et du nouvel an. Rizal plaque unveiled in Hong Kong ROSES AND THORNS By Alejandro R. Roces The Philippine Star December 30, 2004 is the 108th anniversary of Jose Rizal’s execution and in Hong Kong his death anniversary will be commemorated with its Antiquities Advisory Board placing a commemorative plaque on the place where Rizal resided in Hong Kong. The place where he stayed was known as Rednaxela Terrace. (Rednaxela is Alexander spelled backwards.) Rizal lived there with his family from December 1891 to June 1892. This is the second plaque for Rizal in Hong Kong. Years ago, they installed a similar plaque at the site of the clinic where Rizal practiced as an ophthalmologist. We have to commend Hong Kong for marking the places where our national hero stayed while in Hong Kong. They seem to be conscious of our national hero and our history. They have even placed a marker where the very first Filipino flag was sewn. This was the flag that General Emilio Aguinaldo displayed when he declared Philippine independence on June 12, 1898. Aguinaldo also lived in exile in Hong Kong. Because it was December 30, 1896 that Rizal was executed by Spanish musketry in Bagumbayan, now known as the Luneta, other historical events pertaining to Rizal were done on that day. Two classic examples are: his remains were moved to the cornerstone of the monument erected in his honor near the spot where he was executed in 1912. And on December 30, 1913, that monument was unveiled. Rizal had a sense of humor when he was living in exile in Dapitan; he was in close touch with the people exercising his medical profession. One day he was called because a coconut fell on a cockfighter who who was fighting his gamecock under a coconut tree. By the time Rizal arrived, the man was dead. This is the way Rizal recorded the event in his diary. A coconut fell on the head of a cockfighter. He died instantly. This means that if Isaac Newton had been a Filipino, the law of gravity would not have been discovered. In his biography of Rizal entitled, The First Filipino, author Leon Maria Guerrero noted that Rizal was the first person to call the natives of his country Filipino. Before that we were referred to as indios. Indios originally referred to the natives of India, later it was applied to the native tribes of America and in time it became the Spanish name for all indigenous people. Spaniards born in Spain called themselves peninsulares while those born in the Philippines were classified as insulares. Contact with Spain had to be through the galleon trade. That meant the galleon trade which meant Manila to Mexico and then Spain. Not till the Suez Canal opened did Filipinos have direct contact with Spain. Now the world is a global village. International travel is done by plane. We still find it difficult to accept that Rizal was tried, sentenced and executed at Christmas time. On December 24, 1896, the Spanish Military Governor of Manila appointed the members of the Court Martial that would try him. Two days later, he was sentenced to death. We can only conclude that his trial took place right on Christmas day. And he was executed on December 30. The blood of the martyrs – Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jacinto Zamora, Jose Burgos and Jose Rizal – were the seeds that made us a nation. The North American Filipino Star December 2004 GMA leads Christmas gift-giving for young scholars, poor children in Palace (12/21/2004) President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today led the giving of Christmas gifts to more than 2,000 young scholars from Metro Manila and 1,000 children from shelter homes during the Project Joy celebration at the Malacanang Park. Project Joy is a tradition of Petron Corporation employees and its business partners to provide fun and excitement during the Yuletide season for children in depressed communities in Metro Manila. Assisting the President were Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman, Education Secretary Florencio Abad, Petron Chairman Nicasio Alcantara, Petron president Khaled Al-Faddagh, McDonald’s president George Yang, UNICEF Country Representative Dr. Nicholas Alipui, and UNICEF national ambassador Gary Valenciano. This year’s beneficiaries were the 2,060 scholars of the Tulong Aral ng Petron and the 1,000 children from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) shelter homes and the sons and daughters of jeepney drivers. The President also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the Petron Foundation and Ronald McDonald House of Charities (RMHC) represented by Alcantara and Yang in support for Petron’s Tulong Aral Program. Under the agreement, the Tulong Aral ng Petron scholars would also be the beneficiaries of the McDonald’s "Bright Minds Read," a partnership program with the Department of Education (DepEd) to develop reading among public school children. Alcantara informed the President that their 2,060 scholars are enrolled in 80 schools located in the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan (KALAHI) areas in Metro Manila. Of these, 1,053 are now enrolled in Grade One while 1,007 are in Grade Three. These young scholars enjoy educational assistance such as uniforms, shoes, school supplies, and Page 3 daily meal allowance worth P10 coursed through their respective school’s feeding program. "Along with our partners, we effectively support your government’s social development agenda through basic education. We see our role as your partner in fighting poverty by planting the seeds of hope in our children," Alcantara said. Alcantara also informed the President that they have been actively partnering with the DepEd in its Adopt-A-School Program. To date, Alcantara said, they have built Petron schools in Bataan, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Zamboanga, Saranggani and Lamitan, Basilan. He said more schools would be built each year in the Mindanao region, including Maguindanao, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi. No Christmas Party in Palace THERE will be no parties at the Palace this Christmas season, but Malacañang will be bringing cheers to tens of thousands of families in five typhoon-hit towns in northern and eastern Luzon. There will also be milk, clothes, candies and toys for children. Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman yesterday said the government would distribute about P120 million worth of relief goods before Christmas Day. "There is still Christmas," Soliman told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo, the military’s general headquarters in Quezon City. "Our message to all victims, especially to the children, is that there are many caring countrymen that will make them feel the true spirit of Christmas." Singing soldiers will join artists, mostly from the Cultural Center of the Philippines, in performing "therapeutic art" during a series of variety shows set in the provinces of Quezon, Nueva Ecija and Aurora that bore the brunt of the landslides and floods that left more than 1,800 people dead or missing in late November and early December. Soliman said organizers were still deciding whether to put up individual shows in each barangay (village) or just come up with one See Page 5 No Christmas 514-995-9077 “A NEW DIMENSION IN BALIKBAYAN BOX” MANILA OUTSIDE MANILA LUZON VISAYAS MINDANAO JUMBO SIZE $60.00 $85.00 $90.00 $95.00 $100.00 BULILIT SIZE $45.00 $65.00 $70.00 $75.00 $80.00 Save time and money ... Call us now! Delivery in 35 days or less from date of shipment We provide: Status information of your box Original proof of delivery sent by mail Montreal Office / Warehouse 3150 De Miniac Ville St. Laurent, QC Maligayang Pasko sa inyong lahat BOOKING / INQUIRIES Ask for: Lan or Mei Mendoza Page 4 From Page 1 The North American Filipino Star December 2004 Storms tion (WHO) said in a statement Wednesday (December 15). Citing government data, the United Nations said storm damage amounted to 80 million dollars. “In countless situations, the sudden mudslides and flash floods have robbed families of the homes and possessions they have spent a lifetime to build up,” said the Philippine National Red Cross chairman, Richard Gordon. “Many of those made homeless by this succession of disasters live in remote communities. Our assessments show that their needs are significant,” he added. Latest reports indicate that the four storms which struck the Philippines in one month left almost 1,800 dead and missing with 4.588 billion pesos (81.49 million dollars) in damage, the civil defense office said Saturday (Dcember 11). The toll is expected to rise further as the search continues for victims of the last two weather disturbances, a tropical storm locally codenamed Winnie which hit on November 29 and typhoon Nanmadol (locally codenamed Yoyong), which struck the country on December 2. The civil defense office said 941 were left dead while 836 were still missing due to typhoon Muifa (local name Unding) which hit on November 18, storm Merbok (Violeta) which struck on November 23, followed by Winnie and Nanmadol. Most of the casualties were from Winnie which left 775 dead and 713 missing after it spawned flashfloods and landslides that swept away whole villages in the northeastern coast of Luzon island. The civil defense office put total damage to agriculture and infrastructure from the four storms at 4.588 billion pesons. An appeal to help the flood victims has been launched worldwide. Canada already pledged to give $100 000 and is monitoring the situation. Some 14 million dollars has already been raised since the disaster struck thanks to international contributions for emergency assistance such as air transport to reach the victims but much more was Children walk beside a house almost totally submerged in muddy waters at the storm-ravaged town of Dingalan in Aurora province. needed. “The United Nations and the Red Cross in the Philippines appealed to the international community for more support to meet the relief and emergency needs of those affected,” the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a statement. Meanwhile, the local community in Montreal as reported by the Montreal Gazette is rallying to help victims of the tropical storms. The Tagalog Association of Quebec headed by Lina Flores, together with the Filipino Association of Montreal and Suburbs (FAMAS) announced their campaign to collect clothing, non-perishable food, and money to be sent to the flood victims. Marlene Birao-Schacter, one of the three newly elected presidents of the Federation of Filipino Canadian Associations of Quebec, also organized a solicitation campaign. She contacted the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa to inform them of her intention to collect money for the flood victims. Anyone wishing to contribute to the fund drive may bring their donations in cash, non-perishable food, clothing, to the FAMAS Centre at 4708 Van Horne Avenue, or Telephone: 514-341-7477; or you call Marlene Birao-Schacter at Telephone 514-696-7008, for cash donations. To donate money through the Red Cross, call the 24-hour toll-free line, 1-800-418-1111. Other Filipino communities and associations in Canada are also doing their own campaign to help the Philippine flood victims. The Order of the Knights of Rizal, Toronto Chapter, announced that their local chapters in the Philippines are making sure the assistance for the victims are directly distributed to them. All Montreal community associations are encouraged to work together in a common effort to extend much needed relief to the Philippines. The Department of Social Welfare and Development which is coordinating the relief in kind can be reached at: (632) 93181-01 to 931-81-07. Some scenes of destruction caused by the typhoons and floods Under new management! Kalesa Bar 5777-A & B Decarie Blvd. (corner Bourret) Montreal, QC Tel.: 514-342-1138 Hours: Wed. - Thurs. 7 p.m. - 1 a.m Fri - Sat. 7 p.m. - 3 a.m. Wanted Waitress Come and have fun! Karaoke, Disco dancing Billiards Happy Hour 7 - 10 p.m. • Wednesday • Thursday Sunday Beer & Shooter @$3.50 Pulotan available Friday & Saturday Disco Live with D.J. Rich Cell: (514) 236-8276 Tel.: (514) 342-1138 For special occasions - We do catering December 2004 From Page 3 The North American Filipino Star No Christmas big Christmas caravan that would go around the typhoon-ravaged areas. Noche buena packs The parties will provide a colorful occasion for the distribution of "noche buena" packs to each of the 32,000 families from the towns of Infanta, Real and General Nakar in Quezon. There will be around 30,000 beneficiaries in Dingalan town, Aurora and Cabaldon town, Nueva Ecija province. Each pack will contain ingredients for a modest Christmas Eve meal -- spaghetti and ready-tocook sauce, rice, canned goods, noodles, sugar and salt. There will also be milk, candies and toys for children, and clothes coming from the P120 million worth of smuggled "ukay-ukay" (cheap used clothes) seized by the Bureau of Customs in Muntinlupa City. Soliman yesterday oversaw the transfer of 2,800 bales of smuggled used clothes to the military's relief center in Camp Aguinaldo. There will be another set of "family packs" containing basic necessities, like bath and detergent soap, slippers, and used shoes, Soliman said. Soliman said the government had already distributed some P35 million worth of goods among the typhoon victims. In two weeks, the government will start the rehabilitation of Quezon and other affected provinces. Families will each be given P50,000 to rebuild their homes. International aid agencies' appeal As Malacañang was preparing its Christmas treat for typhoon victims, international aid agencies yesterday launched an emergency appeal for more than $8 million in additional aid to combat disease in flood-stricken areas, saying 3.6 million people were at risk. The International Federation of Red Cross and the Red Crescent Societies doubled its fund-raising goal to $3.64 million and the UN World Health Organization asked for $6.4 million in additional aid. The Philippines has so far received a total of $14 million in emergency assistance aimed at feeding 65,000 families in temporary shelters. Many of the 880,000 people displaced by the floods depend on aid to meet basic needs while malaria and diarrheal diseases pose a constant threat, the Genevabased WHO said. "The priority now, from WHO's perspective, is to safeguard the health of survivors and to rehabilitate public health services," Dr. Jean-Marc Olive, the WHO representative in the Philippines, said in a statement. Storm survivors lack safe drinking water and sanitation facilities and the risk of a malaria outbreak is on the rise, said the WHO. The UN funds would also be used to assist agriculture and education projects. About 600 US Marines from the southern Japanese island of Okinawa have arrived in the flood-hit areas, bringing helicopters and other equipment to speed up the delivery of relief supplies and evacuate the sick and injured. Remember: Christmas is a time for family reunions. It’s also the time to forgive and forget and that it’s more blessed to give than to receive. Four survivors rescued REAL, Philippines (AFP) Three adults and a three-year-old girl have been pulled out alive from the rubble of a two-storey building that collapsed in a storm 11 days ago in the Philippines' town of Real. "They can still talk. They are being treated by our medical teams. They are being readied for evacuation," said Colonel Jaime Buenaflor. The survivors were later flown to a military hospital for treatment. "I still can't understand how they survived," Buenaflor said. Buenaflor had initially said three people had been found but increased the number after rescuers reported another survivor. One of the survivors said there were many others still buried alive in the rubble, he said. "It looks like there might be more survivors under the collapsed building," he said. The four were among the more than 100 people who sought shelter in the two-storey Page 5 Repador building on November 29 at the height of a storm that hit the northeastern coast of the Philippines. The building collapsed and was inundated by a mudslide. The survivors were rescued by a special volunteer team from local mining companies who specialize in digging through collapsed buildings and mines. A Filipina girl shields her body from the rain in Infanta town, Quezon province, which remains under mud more than a week Page 6 The North American Filipino Star December 2004 Community News Montreal Filipinos and Gawad Kalinga: Partners in Nation Building By Maureen Quinto ANCOP volunteers singing a medley of songs for the entertainment of the guests The show, organized by ANCOP Montreal volunteers, was designed to raise awareness regarding the work of Gawad Kalinga. Translated as "to give care", GK is a nationbuilding initiative in the Philippines whose goal is to build 700,000 homes in 7000 GK villages in 7 years. The GK777 dream provides a holistic approach for poverty relief, organized around their five key proANCOP volunteers pose on the stage showing a simulation of the Philipgrams on shelter, environment, pines’ poor people’s improvised shelters, including “clean” garbage for health, livelihood and community realism effect. (Photo by: Z. Kharroubi) empowerment to build sustainable communities and raise the Philiprium, the event drew Filipinos with "I want in!" pines out of third world status. Now different backgrounds, from young Such were the words of the varin the second year of nation-buildious attendees who were present at professionals to community leaders. ing, GK has built over 9000 homes BayANCOParin!, the creative pro- The 90-minute production showcased in nearly 400 GK villages all over duction launching the work of a mix of different creative elements, the Philippines. Started by Couples Gawad Kalinga to the Montreal Fil- including a stirring musical medley, video presentations, and moving per- for Christ, Gawad Kalinga's success ipino community. has attracted partners from all secHeld on December 5, 2004 at sonal sharings portrayed in a slum tors of society, including President environment stage set. the quaint Atwater Library AuditoGloria Macapagal Arroyo, Ateneo de Manila University president Fr. Ben KIDZ HOME DAY CARE Moved to a new addresss: 4720 Edouard Montpetit Montreal, Quebec Call Melo Jane Corpuz Tel.: 514-342-7534 Full services provided ANCOP 6565 Cote des Neiges, Montreal, QC (Corner Appleton) $95.95 Good for 10 people for Lunch only with 2-llitre Coke & Sprite Soup Seafood bean curd Fried Crispy Chicken (whole) Beef with mixed vegetables General Tao chicken Sweet and sour fish fillet Fried noodles miki-bihon Salt and pepper pork loin B.B.Q. pork with bean curd Steamed rice e-mail: [email protected] 6460 McLynn Ave. Montreal, QC H3X 2R4 See Page 16 RESTAURANT LA MAISON NEW KUM MON Choice 1 Tel.: (514) 342-4100 Cell: (514) 242-0786 Nebres and McDonald's Philippines CEO George Yang, who have each pioneered their own GK villages. In addition to local partnerships, Filipinos abroad are eager to give back to their motherland through Gawad Kalinga. Twelve Canadian GK villages and other sites sponsored by Filipinos from Texas, Florida, Malta, Switzerland and other countries have been constructed, restoring the dignity of the country's poorest of the poor. The BayANCOParin! production emphasized the Filipino values of bayanihan, faith in action, and patriotism, the same core values on which Gawad Kalinga is built and sustained. The evening also focused on the call to "be a hero" for one's country, inspriring attendees to take part in rebuilding the Philip- FREE DELIVERY Minimum order of $10 Delivery hours: 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Choice 2 Soup Crab Meat and Corn Fried Crispy Chicken (Whole) Beef in orange sauce Mixed vegetables Fried Noodles Cantonese Salt and Pepper Squid Shrimp in lobster sauce Sweet and Sour Pork Steamed Rice 514-733-6029 514-733-1067 December 2004 The North American Filipino Star Page 7 Knights of Rizal initiates new members By Lina Fernandez The Order of the Knights of Rizal of Montreal spearheaded by Sir Eddie A. Valdez, KCR, Commander of MontrealChapter, Sir John Linden, KCR Deputy Commander, and in coopeation with the Kababaihang Rizalista (Ladies of Rizal) headed by its presdient, Lady Elvira “Elvie” Maximo, held a succesful mass initiation of the new members of the Montreal Order of the Knights of Rizal and Kababaihang Rizalista on December 19, 2004 at 5950 Cote des Neiges, Suite 375, inthe city of Montreal. The occasion was the Conferring of Knighthood to new members of the OKR Montreal Chapter, conducted by the Order of the Knights of Rizal Supreme Council of Toronto, headed by Sir Lapulapu “Poy” Caña, KGOR, Regional Commander of Canada. With him were: Sir Ka Miling Silverio, Sir Popoy Caña delivering his brief remarks. Others from left are: Sir Emiliano Silverio, Sir Chito Collantes, Sir Eddie Valdez, and Sir Fran Pulumbarit. In the background, left: Sir John Linden and Sir Freddie Espinosa. Swearing in ceremony the new members of the Kababaihang Rizalista KGCR; Sir Chito Collantes, KGOR; Sir Fran Palumbarit, KGOR; Sir Joe Faminial, KGOR; Sir Joe Damasco, KCR; Sir Alex Trinidad and Sir Jun Zerrudo (ranks not available at press time.) With the Toronto Order of the Knights of Rizal, Supreme Council, are the Kabaihang Rizalista President, Lady Rose Cruz, and CLARIZ President, Lady Baby Palumbarit, and officers, Lady Ligaya Caña, KR Advoser; Lady Pet Collantes, LadyAsun Ramos, and Lady Lydia Evangelista. The ceremonies and rituals performed by the members of the Supreme Council of Toronto were: initiation of new members (1st Degree) KR: Elevation to Knight offi- cer of Rizal, (2nd degree) KOR and Exaltation of Knight Commander of Rizal (3rd degree) KCR. First Degree KR: Sir Pedro Apelo, Sir Rey Balansi, Sir Salvador Cabugao, Sir Leo Carbo, Sir Jerry Danzil, Sir Lito Domingo, Jr., Sir Joe Escuadro, Sir Eric Esguerra Hamon, Sir Ric Marcelo, Sir Willy Pasion, Sir Flor Rillo, Sir Eddie Sideco, Sir Fred Villarino, Sir Amador Yanto. The 2nd degre KOR: Sir Bert Abiera, Sir Jose Espinosa and 3rd degree KCR, Sir Freddie Espinosa. The Order of the Knights of Rizal is a civic, patriotic cultural non-sectarian, non partisan and See Page 8 Knights Horaire des fêtes - Holiday Hours Friday, Dec. 24 & 31 - 8 AM - 2 PM Saturday & Sunday, Dec. 25-26, 2004 January 1 &2, 2005 - CLOSED Fill your freezer for the Winter. Pork loin 2.69lb Half or Whole pork Cut & Wrapped 1.19lb 2.99lb Boneless leg of ham Front quater of beef Approximately 200 lbs 1.89lb 1.45lb Pork Spare Ribs Home smoked meat 7.49lb 2.49lb Fresh Belly with skin Beef short ribs 3.49lb Fresh pork blood Fresh bacon 203 Fresh liver Havelock Pork skin 4 4.69lb .79lb Napierville 219 202 Hemmingford 219 Jackson Road Parc Safari Covey Hill Road Boucherie Viau Inc. Malone Moders Montreal, QC H3S 1Z7 514) 731-7788 / 514-731-1343 10 lbs & over St. Remi St. Edouard Sherrington Barrington 6080 Cote des Neiges (near Linton) Regular smoked bacon 2 St.Chrysostome RIZ ET NOUILLES RICE & NOODLES 1 litre of fresh blood with purchase 1/2 pork .79lb 2.99lb Available Picnic ham (with bone) Beef Blade steak Approximately 15 lbs Lacolle Sortie Montee Exit No.6 Class 15 Parties - capacity for 120 people Special $90 1 TABLE Good for 10 PERSONS LUNCH OR DINNER with FREE 2-liter Sprite OR Coke Canada U. S. A. Champlain 83 Covey Hill, Hemmingford QC J0L 1H0 Tel.: (450) 247-2130 or (450) 247-3561 Mtl. (514) 990-5162 $5.95 Lunch Special Daily Open 11:00 A.M. - 11:00 P.M. everyday FREE DELIVERY (Minimum $8.00) Menu ( customer can request changes) 1) Wanton soup or sweet corn with crab 2) Crispy chicken 3) Fried squid with salt and pepper 4) Mixed vegetables with beef 5) Cantonese chow mein or Miki bihon 6) Shrimps in lobster sauce OR Pork chops with salt and pepper 7) Special fried rice 8) Steamed rice Page 8 From Page 7 The North American Filipino Star Knights non-racial organization. It was founded for the purpose of perpetuating the memory of Dr. Jose Rizal and propagating his ideals and teachings. In pursuit of its lofty objectives, the Order is supported by its affiliate organizations, the Kababaihang Rizalista, CLARIZ (Canadian Ladies Auxilliary of Rizal) and others in the Philippines and abroad. Lady Rose Cruz, the President of the Toronto Kababaihang Rizalista, inducted the Montreal Kababaihang Rizalista, headed by its president, Lady Elvie Maximo, advisers Lady Lina V. Fernandez and Lady Zeny Kharroubi with members: Lady Nora Antenor, Lady Lilia Apelo, Lady Esperanza Balansi, Lady Thelma Cabais, Lady Amalia Edralin, Lady Chantal Espinosa, Lady Luz Garque, Lady Beth Razon, Lady Rose Rillo and Lady Dolly Villarino. Oath taking ceremony of Kababaihang Rizalista: (From left) Dolly Villarino, Lina Fernandez, adviser, Elvie Maximo, president, and Zeny Kharroubi (Photo by Sir John Linden, KOCR)/ Christmas party hosted by Grace Yip *3rd from left, back row) at her residence, December 19. December 2004 Developing the CCP complex MANILA, PHILIPPINES | Wednesday, December 22, 2004 By JOSEFA LABAY CAGOCO In 1969 the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) was built amidst controversy and speculation, yet it was undeniably a very ambitious project. Now, a little over three decades later, CCP is attempting another ambitious task, that of developing its 60-hectare property into the "mecca of arts and culture in Asia." The cultural Center of the Philippines' main building In the CCP, many artists and cultural groups like its resident companies -- Ballet Philippines, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, Tanghalang Pilipino, the Philippine Madrigal Singers, the Philippine Ballet Theater, the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, Bayanihan, and the UST Symphony Orchestra -have found a home. Initially formed to become the country's performing arts center, the CCP's responsibilities have over the years included reaching out to minority cultural groups in the country and serving as an ambassador of art to the international community. However, arts and culture do not always have a popular following in the country. Many people continue to view art as a luxury and the CCP has always been hounded by budget constraints. A major part of its huge property has been sitting underutilized and unproductive for a long time because the CCP does not have the money to finance the development of the complex. Money was not all that stopped CCP though. A land ownership squabble between private developers and the CCP dragged on for years. The Supreme Court finally handed down a decision affirming CCP's ownership of the disputed property in the reclaimed area. Finally, the ball for CCP's longstanding complex development plan has started rolling. "We were stopped from developing because of the case," said Virginia Bactad, consultant for complex development. Ms. Bactad was formerly the assistant vice-president for complex development before she retired recently but she was asked to stay on because of her knowledge of the whole plan. Involved in the Republic Real Estate Corp. case which Ms. Bactad said started in the 1970s were the CCP, the local government of Pasay, and Stonehill Corporation. "We won this. With finality the Supreme Court said 'you own the land,'" said Ms. Bactad. "Because we won it, we want to go full-blast on the development so we can earn income, we can beautify the place. Our target is to make it the mecca for arts and culture in Asia." Consultations then started with the stakeholders -- the CCP board members, officials, artists, cultural workers, youth, art patrons, and government -- on the creation of the CCP Complex Development Plan, a two-volume document that outlines the framework for the development project. Planning Resources & Operations Systems Inc. (PROS) was commissioned to come up with the plan. What exactly is the vision for the CCP? To make it the center for arts and culture in Asia. "The centerpiece of artistic expression of the Filipino soul and spirit," stated Ms. See Page 13 CCP Complex Immigration & Legal Matters Only with one call all your immigration problems will be solved. 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Raquel Immigration Practitioner With 10 Years Experience Business Hours: Mon. to Friday 9:00 - 18:00 Saturday & Sunday 13:00 -18:00 By Appointment only 5022 Cote des Neiges Suite 3 Montreal, Quebec H3V 1G6 Tel.: (514) 567-2415 Fax: (514) 341-8626 Century 21 Immo-plus Courtier immobilier agrØe Chartered Real Estate Broker 1982 Notre Dame, Suite 2 Montréal (Québec) H3J 1M8 Bureau: Cell: Fax: Ginabe (Gina) del Castillo Agent immobilier affilié Affiliated Real Estate Agent (514) 933-1221 514-241-1353 514-933-1251 [email protected] www.century21immoplus.com Page 9 December 2004 The North American Filipino Star Page 10 The North American Filipino Star December 2004 Five Filipinos hurt in tsunami-hit Phuket (Inquirer News Service) FIVE Filipinos, including four women, were among the thousands hurt in Phuket, Thailand, after earthquake-spawned tidal waves slammed into coastal areas in nine countries last Sunday, Department of Foreign Affairs officials said yesterday. Earlier, Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo had dispatched an embassy staffer to Phuket to identify any Filipinos on the list of eight casualties with Filipino-sounding names released by the Thai Ministry of Interior. The five hurt in the tsunami were Marco Sangil, Vergini Cruz, Miss Virginia, Margaret Ang-Choi, who were all confined at the Vichara Hospital, and Rosemarie Phi King Ang-Tan, who was confined at Patong Hospital. Both hospitals are in Phuket. "Ms Rosemarie Phi King AngTan is confined for minor injuries. The four others in the Vichara Hospital -- we have not received any information from the embassy as to the nature of their injuries,” DFA spokesperson Gilberto Asuque said at a press briefing. Officials could not say if those injured were working in or touring Phuket when giant waves smashed into homes, restaurants and hotels on the island and other coastal areas in Thailand on Sunday. An estimated 70 to 120 Filipinos are based in the island resort, working as diving instructors, hotel staff and musicians. The government estimated that some 1,500 people were killed in Thailand and more than 7,000 injured. On Sunday, a 9.0-magnitude earthquake under the Indian Ocean near Sumatra, Indonesia, unleashed a tsunami that battered southern Thailand and later India and Sri Lanka and several other countries. Ang-Tan's husband, David Tan, a British national, and their daughter Sharleen May are missing. Consular staff members were scouring hospitals, hotels and other establishments to look for them, Asuque said. Ang-Choi, one of the injured Filipinos, was married to Choi Chung Huen, a British passport holder who was among those killed and was earlier erroneously identified as a Filipino by the Thai Ministry of Interior. Eight fatalities The DFA was furnished a list of eight casualties with Filipinosounding names, namely: Barrera Jann, Curlos Barong, Major Tomas, Mary Tanagtong, Sesilvia Bargoa, Sevrine Pairuno, Flona Gallan and Feri Cornelia. "The bodies are being preserved, and the Thai ministry has requested the Philippine Embassy for assistance in verifying the names of the eight individuals,” Asuque told reporters in a briefing. Since the department could not confirm if any of them was a Filipino from its databank of passport applications, officials decided to release their names to the press "to expedite verification.” "We are releasing the Filipinosounding names through the media so this would reach relatives in the Philippines. Hopefully, someone would recognize their names,” Asuque said. So far, the DFA has not received any report of casualties, injuries or the disappearance of Filipinos in Malaysia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia in the aftermath of the disaster, Asuque said. Relatives of any of the eight casualties should contact Sheila Solas of the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs at 834-4594. Inquiries about overseas Filipinos affected by the tsunami should call the DFA Action Center at 834-3333 or the Overseas Workers' Welfare Administration Operations Center at 833-6992 or 833OWWA, 551-6641, 551-1560; fax nos. 804-0638, 551-6651; website: www.owwa.gov.ph; e-mail: [email protected]. Ship crew safe Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas yesterday said 73 Filipino crewmen manning a luxury ship in the Indian Ocean, as well as seven overseas Filipino entertainers in Phuket, Thailand, were confirmed safe. The OWWA OpCenter reported that all the 73 Filipino seafarers manning the luxury liner "Silver Cloud" were safe based on the confirmation given by the seafarers' Jebsens Manning Agency in Manila. Sto. Tomas said the OpCenter was also getting in touch with the manning agencies to monitor and confirm the safety of Filipino seafarers on the following vessels: MV Constellation, MV River Dream, MV Sidney, MV Peam Siam, MV Zaabel, MV Sea Boss, MV Lady Grete, MV NYK Castor, MV Cornelis and MV Lake Arafura. She added that the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (Polos) in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as well as the 24-hour OWWA OpCenter in Pasay City were doing all they could to assist affected Filipino workers and their families, by continuously monitoring the situation, and providing updates. The OWWA OpCenter also opened its doors to relatives of OFWs who are in the tsunami- A Thai woman goes through salvaged items outside her house in Khao Lak, nearly 115 km north of the Thai resort island of Phuket on December 29, 2004. stricken countries, giving them three minutes of free calls so they could ascertain if their loved ones were safe. The Polos, in coordination with the Philippine embassies, were pushing onsite efforts to get in touch with, confirm developments, and assist any affected OFWs. According to figures furnished by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, some 5,300 documented OFWs were deployed to affected Indian Ocean countries from January to July this year, the majority of them in Malaysia (2,745) and the rest in India (179), Maldives (80), Burma (Myanmar) (77), Sri Lanka (183), Thailand (1,091) and Indonesia (1,044). Medical teams Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz announced yesterday that the government would send medical teams to tsunami-stricken countries in Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand and Indonesia. The deployment of medical teams was made on orders of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo following a meeting with the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) yesterday morning. Cruz chairs the NDCC in concurrent capacity. During the meeting, Cruz emphasized the need to have an effective information campaign on tsunamis and other disasters to minimize damage to lives and property. "The NDCC will work toward an effective information campaign on the dangers of tsunamis, earthquakes and typhoons to minimize damages to lives and properties in the event of these three major natural disasters," Cruz said in a statement. The Department of Health was also communicating with the Thai health minister to see what kind of assistance the Philippine government could give. "We've been asked to prepare medical teams, but there are no details yet. We'll assess their needs and see what we can manage to give," Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit told the Inquirer in a phone interview yesterday. Prayers and donations The Catholic Church yesterday rallied the country's faithful to donate, in cash or in kind, to their Asian neighbors who were affected by the earthquake and tsunami. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and Caritas Manila will be receiving donations from individuals and parishes starting today. "Although we have been badly hit by recent calamities, we Filipinos can still share something. For this reason, I appeal to all Filipinos to offer financial help," CBCP president Davao Archbishop Fernando Capalla said in a message Lot for Sale 6 hectares lot for sale at 250 pesos per square meter in the Philippines, overlooking a valley, mountains and Laguna de Bay. It is ideal for leisure farming, housing subdivision, etc About 1.5-hour drive over good highway from Manila. Located in Barrio Mapunso, Tanay, Rizal, near Daramak Falls. Call 514-485-7861 December 2004 yesterday. Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales also urged all parishes in Manila, the Philippines' biggest cluster of dioceses, to set aside a portion of the Sunday collections for victims of the tsunami. "Tragedy and human suffering transcend many barriers. All of a sudden, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Maldives have become special neighbors to us. These people now reach out to us in the manner that our own sufferings have in the past," Rosales said in his message yesterday. Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra called for prayers for those still missing, those injured, and those struggling to survive after losing their homes in the largest earthquake to hit the world in 40 years. "I appeal for prayers for the repose of the souls of those who perished and their bereaved families," he said. The catastrophe, he added, should also be a reminder for everyone to seriously do something to take care of the environment and ecology. Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez said the tsunami that hit six countries in Asia was a wake-up call for the Philippine government to ensure that its weather bureau was well-equipped to monitor possible calamities. Donations for the victims of the tsunami can be coursed through Caritas Manila at 527-4146, 5274148, 527-4163 or through the CBCP's National Secretariat for Social Action, Justice and Peace (NASSA) accounts with Citibank at Paseo de Roxas, Makati City. For peso donations, the account number is 8-133-000-980. For dollar donations, the account number is 8-142-002-559. Both are under the account name CBCP-NASSA. Capalla said donations from Philippine churches would be handed over to the Caritas offices in the affected countries. With a report from Carla P. Gomez, PDI Visayas Bureau The North American Filipino Star Philippines Begins to Rebuild Flood-Hit Areas Sat Dec 18, 7:26 AM ET World Reuters MANILA (Reuters) - Hundreds of army and civilian engineers have begun massive construction work in the northern Philippines to rebuild flood-hit areas that have been cut off from the rest of the country for weeks. Reuters Photo President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (news - web sites) said on Saturday that the reconstruction was in full swing. "Today, we begin the rehabilitation phase of our response to the disaster of the four storms," she said in the town of Infanta on the east coast, which bore the brunt. Damage to crops, fishing and infrastructure is estimated at 4.69 billion pesos ($83 million). It will take weeks to restore power to the worst-hit areas, clear roads and rebuild bridges. Teams of army and navy engineers have begun repairing half a dozen bridges after clearing 35 km (20 miles) of highway to Infanta, one of three towns that were badly hit. Also on Saturday, the U.S. Marines turned over $1 million worth of tents, generators, blankets, medical supplies and water containers to Philippine disaster officials as it pulled out 650 troops after two weeks of relief operations. Nearly 1,800 people are dead or missing in eastern and northern provinces on Luzon island after a typhoon and three tropical storms in two weeks set off torrents of water, mud, boulders and logs that swept away villages and bridges. Close to four million Filipinos have been affected. With disease a major worry, the U.S Marines helped speed up efforts to get food, clean water, medicine and shelter to 880,000 people marooned by floods and landslides. Arroyo thanked Washington for its help in the relief effort, saying the role played by U.S. troops in delivery of emergency rations "speaks of the mighty ties that are shared by time-honored allies across the Pacific." She said the $7 million in total U.S. assistance was the biggest contribution by an individual foreign government to her government's relief efforts. Manila has received close to 100 million pesos ($1.8 million) in cash, emergency rations and equipment from the international community, including foreign non-government Page 11 organization. International aid agencies continued to appeal for support to combat potential disease outbreaks in flood-stricken areas, saying more than $8 million in additional aid was needed during the next three months. Logging has been blamed for making a natural disaster worse. Arroyo has ordered cancellation of all permits to cut and haul trees but timber companies have scuttled previous attempts in Congress to ban logging. ($=56.20 pesos) Communist rebels reject Christmas truce, peace talks dim Dec 19, 2004 Agence France-Presse COMMUNIST guerrillas on Sunday effectively rejected a Christmas truce with the government, and said they were unlikely to resume peace talks with President Gloria MacapagalArroyo. (514) 367-1990 Jimmy Ozaeta 7995 Browning St. (514) 367-0355 Rey Nacino La Salle, QC [email protected] H8N 2E9 Arroyo declared a threeweek unilateral ceasefire on December 16 and urged the rebels, who are waging one of the world's longest communist insurgencies in this Roman Catholic country, to reciprocate. An official from the Communists' negotiating arm, the National Democratic Front (NDF), said the group "desires the resumption of formal talks in the peace negotiations with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines. "But the prospects for such resumption under the Arroyo regime are dim," Fidel Agcaoili said in a written statement to news agencies here. He alleged that the government wanted the rebels to capitulate "under the guise of indefinite ceasefire." The NDF "considers as tricky psywar [psychological war] the so-called unilateral ceasefire issued by the [government] for the Christmas and New Year holidays. Page 12 The North American Filipino Star Arts and Culture Philippine Cuisine Filipino Lumpia INGREDIENTS: 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 pound ground pork 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1/2 cup chopped onion 1/2 cup minced carrots 1/2 cup chopped green onions 1/2 cup thinly sliced green cabbage 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon soy sauce 30 lumpia wrappers 2 cups vegetable oil for frying Mayon Volcano December 2004 DIRECTIONS: Place a wok or large skillet over high heat, and pour in 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Cook pork, stirring frequently, until no pink is showing. Remove pork from pan and set aside. Drain grease from pan, leaving a thin coating. Cook garlic and onion in the same pan for 2 minutes. Stir in the cooked pork, carrots, green onions, and cabbage. Season with pepper, salt, garlic powder, and soy sauce. Remove from heat, and set aside until cool enough to handle. Place three heaping tablespoons of the filling diagonally near one corner of each wrapper, leaving a 1 1/2 inch space at both ends. Fold the side along the length of the filling over the filling, tuck in both ends, and roll neatly. Keep the roll tight as you assemble. Moisten the other side of the wrapper with water to seal the edge. Cover the rolls with plastic wrap to retain moisture. Heat a heavy skillet over medium heat, add oil to 1/2 inch depth, and heat for 5 minutes. Slide 3 or 4 lumpia into the oil. Fry the rolls for 1 to 2 minutes, until all sides are golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Serve immediately. The North American Filipino Star Classified Ads The cheapest way to advertise! *$9 .99 *for 3 lines Maximum: 12 words Each additional word = 50 cents line = $1.50 How to place a classified ad By E-Mail [email protected] [email protected] ARTICLES FOR SALE Office Desk, tables, chairs, Compaq laptop computer, typewriters, etc. Call 514-485-7861 COURSES Centre 2000 Help Wanted Professional Training Institute Special Offers • Dental Assistant • Nurses Aid • Social Auxiliary • Security Guard • Daycare Educators Live-in janitor/handyman, very responsible and meticulous. Minor plumbing/electricity, downtown area. Call 874-0695 Info: Call 514-342-1000 SEMINARS 4950 Queen Mary Rd. Suite 351 “Leaders Leading Leaders” Saturdays available (Front of Snowdon Metro) PHOTOGRAPHY by Prof. Goodine, dynamic, insightful, international educator who inspires and motivates you to reach your full potential How to start and manage your own businesss Introduction to Taxation Call 485-7861 for appointment to register for our February 2005 sessions HOME MOVIES Learn how to make your memories last a lifetime Register in a basic video course by Al Abdon at Gilmore College Call 485-7861 RESTAURANT Restaurant Pho Bac 5473 Victoria Avenue (near St. Kevin) Specialité de soupe tonkinoise Noodles & rice pork-chicken BBQ • Free coke (3-5.pm.) • Hot soup • Submarine (Vietnamese) TUTORING English, French & Math All levels Call 485-7861 December 2004 The North American Filipino Star So a rabbi, a priest, and a minister ... now tell lots of jokes By G. Jeffrey MacDonald Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor (12/16/2004) This fall, when the people of New England Bible Church wanted to have a really good time, they got together at the start of Sunday worship to memorize Bible verses. Part of the fun was the gameshow atmosphere, as "contestants" filled in the blanks of a verse. But part of it was also the mood of levity that invades a realm once known more for hard pews than hard laughs. One recent Sunday, a goodnatured quiz pitting elders against deacons connected with congregants partly because of its tonguein-cheek tone. "This is all for show," Pastor Tyler Thompson assured the flock. "These people up here really don't like each other all that much." Everyone laughed. From here to Hollywood, somber services where smiles are frowned upon have in many churches gone the way of sky-high pulpits and knuckle-rapping ushers. In its place is an effort to tap the nation's culture of humor to promote spiritual gain: * In Texas and southern California, church outreach ministries now include Christian comedy shows that draw upwards of 300 people. * A forthcoming book on "The Art and Craft of Biblical Preaching" (Zondervan, 2005) dedicates an entire chapter to humor as a homiletic device. * Preachers in congregations large and small are building laughter into their worship plans. Example: The Rev. Paul Sangree of Bethany Congregational Church in Foxboro, Mass., pokes fun at himself every week because he finds "it loosens people up." To be sure, certain areas of church life remain no joking matter. A preacher who once joked with bread and wine while serving the Lord's Supper earned the scorn of his congregation for "demeaning those in some way," according to The Rev. John Beukema, who wrote the humor chapter in the new book on preaching. Still, observers say what's happened has been a shift to speak the laugh-getting language of a casual culture that values entertainment. Some do voice concerns about a loss of reverence, but many see the lighter side as a vital tactic for touching souls. "It is going to be impossible to preach without using humor," says Joseph Webb, author of "Comedy and Preaching" (Chalice Press, 1998) and dean of the communications program at Palm Beach Atlantic University. "You will not be able to stand up and hold the peo- Tyler Thompson uses humor in his sermons ple if you cannot work the stage." With faith that there's much to gain from cutting loose, religious leaders increasingly work laughs into announcements, sermons, and dramatizations of scripture. While the goal is to connect to today's flock, the trend draws on tradition. Seminary students are mining the sermons of yesteryear's preachers who had a flair for making the faithful chuckle. And some pastors regard the Bible itself as seasoned with more than a few funny stories. Others see a theological dimension involving the demand for redemption. "We need to laugh at ourselves because that's the whole basis of our belief, is that we're not worthy," says Beukema, associate editor at www.preachingtoday.com and teaching pastor of the Village Church in Western Springs, Ill. "It's by His grace alone that we are saved." Some material is quite safe. When telling the Bible story of Jonah, spared from the fish's mouth but then pouting on a hillside because God wouldn't squash his enemies, a dramatist can play up the prophet's unwitting folly without much risk. Likewise the tale of Balaam's donkey, who verbally rebukes his master for missing the Lord's direction, may have missed the mark if no one cracks a smile. Knowing what's fair game and what's not, however, can be as crucial as timing when it comes to blending humor and holiness. A generation ago, the norm was to save laughter for coffee hour because, Webb says, church sanctuaries held a loftier status, and God was thought to reign above the humorous minutiae of ordinary life. Today, he says, God is one who "walks with me, and talks with me" - so laughing together isn't far behind. But now leaders face a challenge to determine case by case when laughter is appropriate, and when it still might defile the sacred. Leaders seem to agree on this rule of thumb: Poke fun at yourself or at universal human foibles, but never mock God, holy things or par- Page 13 ticular people. Prayer and sacraments are no times to laugh, they say. And beware of actual joke telling during worship, which Beukema deems "high risk humor because if the punch line misses, everybody loses." Despite cautions, humor is now part of the clerical playbook. At this year's Rosh Hashana service at Temple Micah in Philadelphia, Rabbi Bob Alper in a sermon on joy laughed at the impulse to annoy thy neighbor. Drawing on his trade as a professional comedian, he recalled a childhood neighbor who never liked Alper's family and gave their Jewish household a Christmas tree. "If MasterCards had been around then, they could have produced this ad," he told the congregation. "A desk-size Douglas fir Christmas tree: $5.00. A small box of ornaments: $2.75. The chance to wreak havoc with the religious identity of the children of your despised neighbor: Priceless."Folklorist Bill Ellis of Pennsylvania State University in Hazelton says laughter is "hardwired" in human nature, something that often helps people resist despair. In folklore, he says, "we laugh at the devil because the devil relishes pride and can't stand to be laughed at.... Sometimes a little subversiveness in religion is just From Page 8 CCP Bactad. "It will be a major cultural, ecological, and tourism landmark of the Philippines. It shall be the home for the Filipino artist and an urban oasis for the Filipino people." The CCP complex sits on 88 hectares of reclaimed land, about 60 hectares of which are owned by CCP. Other properties are managed by other government agencies -- the Philippine International Convention Center by the Bangko Sentral, the Westin Philippine Plaza Hotel, the Coconut Palace which is handled by the GSIS, and Star City by the Privatization and Management Office. As the CCP does not have control over these properties, future projects would have to be developed around them. T h e d e v e l o p m e n t plan also aims to consolidate the activities in the complex which, aside from arts and cultural events, also include sports and recreation, trade fairs, dining, ferry terminal operations, and transient living. The plan identifies nearly 58 hectares and will take much longer than the establishment of the complex decades ago. The project is planned for completion over the next 10 years, starting 2004 to 2013, and will be accomplished in four phases. Restaurant Korean House 4950 Queen Mary Road (Snowdon Metro) Montreal, Quebec H3X 1X2 The best, original Korean food for the past 20 years Lunch specialS $6.95 A) Korean Soup with Pork, “Kim Chi” 1) Korean Style Barbecue Beef B) Tofu Soup with Vegetables $9.95 3) Spicy Chicken 2) Korean Style Fish Barbecue Dinner for 2 $22.95 C) Beef Soup $25.95 Beef Stew, Korean Beef Sauté. Table style $24.95 Pork Barbecue Korean style Lunch & dinner special Include rice, 4 vegetable side dishes, Korean tea, and fruit dessert Available: Beer, Korean Saké, Wine Open: Mon. to Sat. 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM Sunday 4:00 - 11:00 P.M. FREE PARKING (Basement) After 5 PM Tel.: 733-7823 Reservation for 4 or more people 15% Off on dinner menu (Cash only) with this Ad Page 14 The NorthAmerican Filipino Star December 2004 Montreal Party Photos Gilmore College students with their friends and family held their annual Christmas party, December 12, 2004 at the College premises. Arthur Murray Dance School Christmas Party, December 17, 2004 photo of the Shania Twain formation participants pose with Maria, D.I. (wearing Santa’s hat) Gilmore College students continued their party with a dance held at the Via Salsa Studio on 5149 Decarie Boulevard. Posing with them is the director, Mme Hong Quy Clauzier (2nd row, 2nd from left). APO celebrated its 10th anniversary on December 11, 2004 at the Buffet Dionysia on Jarry West Shown with the president, Claro Bermudez, (seated, 2nd from the right) are Zenaida Kharroubi, editor/publisher of the Star, Richard San Miguel, Gina & Totoy Buning, Jun Mendoza, Romy Gambalan, Dany Corpuz, Noli Ortiz, Jorge Baldoza, Joel Guia, Armando Pizorro and an unidentified guest. December 2004 M The North American Filipino Star E R C A N C A P I Page 15 T A L L T D . Your application for a visa is successful when you deal with Mercan Capital May pag-asa kayong ma-aprobahan ang inyong aplikasyon kung kayo ay magkukonsulta muna sa isa sa aming mahusay at eksperiensadong tagapayo. Mercan Capital, Ltd., founded in 1989, one of the most important organizations of immigration professionals whose expertise and high success rate are well-known. Mercan Capital Ltd helps you obtain your visa, and if unsuccessful, your money will be refunded. Mercan Capital Ltd. keeps itself informed about immigration rules which are constantly changing. The information you receive is relevant and up-to-date. We offer our expertise in the following areas: • Skilled Workers • Business Immigrant • Family Reunification • Work Permit • Student’s Visas • Live-in Caregiver Mr. Jerry Morgan, president and founder of Mercan Capital Ltd., manages a team of seasoned immigration professionals Ms. V. Marcas, lawyer A mosaic sculpture which can be seen at the public square of the Old Port of Montreal symbolizing religious freedoms recognized by the Canadian Constitution. The Parliament building where the Quebec Government holds its meeting of the National Assembly composed of 123 MNAs who are elected every 5 years. Mercan Capital Ltd. offers you all services and informs you of the programs that will facilitate your immigration to Quebec and Canada. New rule change opens the door to Filipinos with relatives in Canada under the Skilled Workers Program Part time sales agents welcome We accept credit cards CSIC No. 041555 Canadian laws are complex. Call us to make an appointment for a FREE CONSULTATION. Mag-ahente para sa dagdag na kita. Fax: 514-282-1084 514-282-9214 MERCAN CAPITAL LTD., Founded in 1989 www.mercan.com Mercan Capital Ltd.., 390 Notre Dame West, Suite 410, Montreal (Quebec) H2W 1T9 Page 16 The North American Filipino Star Al Abdon The Video Guy How popular are DVDs? Very! Almost every movie that is produced today is available on DVD. In fact, when a movie comes out it is mass produced in DVD first before VHS because the cost of making DVD is less than VHS. Even DVD players are cheaper than VHS! You can get a DVD player, progressive, MP3, for$35.00 ie. after mailin rebates at a local discount store. The DVD & CD are very similar physically and functionality. But the DVD holds 7 times more data than CD does. This means the DVD has the ability to hold enough room to store a full-length, MPEG-2 encoded movie and has a lot of other information. Here are some of the characteristics of a typical DVD movie: a) It holds up to 133 minutes of high resolution video in letter box or a pan-horizontal resolution. b) Soundtrack presented in up to eight languages using 5.1 channel Dolbydigital surround sound c) Subtitles in up to 32 languages d.DVD can store to almost 8 hours of CD-quality music per side. What are the advantages of a DVD? DVD picture quality is better, and many of DVDs have Dolby Digital or DTS sound, which is much closer to the sound you experience in a movie theater. Many DVD movies have an onscreen index, where the creator of the DVD has labeled many of the significant parts of the movie, sometimes with a picture. With your remote, if you select the part of the movie you want to view, the DVD player will take you right to that part, with no need to rewind or fastforward. DVD players are compatible with audio CDs. Some DVD movies have both the letterbox format, which fits wide-screen TVs, and the standard TV size format, so you can choose which way you want to watch the movie. DVD movies may have several soundtracks on them, and they may provide subtitles in different languages. Foreign movies may give you the choice between the version dubbed into your language, or the original soundtrack with subtitles in your language. That is why burning video CD is so much faster (7 minutes of a 30 minute footage) than a DVD because of the quantity of information embedded in those disc is larger. Going shopping for DVD? If money is not the issue I recommend MNM FAMILY HOME DAYCARE is moving to 4891 De La Peltrie Montreal, Quebec H3W 1K6 514-342-2230 Nida Quirapas Home Daycare Educator (Subsidized) UNIQUE CLOCK SHOP AND JEWELLER Tel. 731-8029 S pecialists pecialists in Sales & Repa Repairs W e buy old gold. Remodeling 10 K 14 K 18 K 22 K Changing battery Wedding Bands Jewelry repaired while you wait Engagement Rings Antique Clocks, Watches Diamonds & Silver ENGRAVING 5895 Victoria Ave. Montreal, QC H3W 2R6 Special 30% off - Watches 15% off - Jewelry that you buy a DVD recorder than just a DVD player. You can copy VHS video tapes for archives and also save storage if the unit has firewire. DVD recorders are going down in prices. A BenQ recorder, progressive scan, which reads a Kodak Picture CD, MP3 is only $299! I bought a recorder two years ago and it cost me $900.00 for the same capability. There is also a unit that comes in a combo of VHS and DVD recorder such as the Panasonic DMRE75 ($699).The advantage of these units are no wires are needed and are capable of dual recordings because they have two independent tuners. As long as there is no copy right protection such as Macrovision, you can just copy movies for you own viewing and safe keeping. But I must warn you of royalties and copyright issues. It is illegal to make a mass production of someone’s work without his permission. Merry Christmas and have a safe and wonderful New Year to all! Al Abdon Hollywood Junkies Video Porductions (514) 705-8706 December 2004 From Page 6 ANCOP pines. ANCOP organizers who met with each guest during the meetand-greet session were ecstatic over the number of new partners who expressed their desire to help transform the Philippines, a sure indication that 2005 will be an exciting year for ANCOP Montreal. The event's success is perhaps best summed up in the the words of former Philippine President Cory Aquino,"Before when friends used to ask me if the Philippines still had hope I would say yes, but I couldn't explain why. Now I am happy I can say: The Philippines has hope because there is Gawad Kalinga." Most definitely, many BayANCOParin! guests went home feeling the same way. **ANCOP is an acronym for Answering the Cry of the Poor and is the international sponsor relations and fundraising arm of Gawad Kalinga. For more information, please contact Maureen at 514-5755216.www.gawadkalinga.org or www.ancop,ca Advertise now in the Star Call 485-7861 Cherish your memories on video! Learn to make your home movies anytime you want with your own video camera. Call 485-7861 to register in the basic video production course or by e-mail: [email protected] December 2004 From Page 1 The North American Filipino Star FPJ dies an hour Sunday. A political neophyte, Poe reluctantly agreed to become the main challenger to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in the May 10 election but lost by 1.1 million votes. Two months later, Poe asked the Supreme Court to nullify Arroyo's victory and declare him president, accusing her party of committing electoral fraud. Arroyo's camp denied any wrongdoing and expressed confidence the Supreme Court would eventually throw out Poe's protest. Poe, who starred in more than 200 films, was popular among impoverished Filipinos for his portrayals of fast-punching, underdog champions of the poor. He often played the silent hero who beat up the bad guys in movies such as "Muslim Magnum .357" or the children's epic "Ang Panday," about a blacksmith who crafts a magical sword. He was a formidable opponent to Arroyo even though his campaign suffered from disorganization and questions over his citizenship, which a court later resolved in his favor. The man known nationwide as "Da King" promised all Filipinos "breakfast, lunch and dinner." The masses flocked to see Poe at campaign rallies, but his vague plans for the economy made analysts and investors uneasy. A five-time winner in the local version of the Oscars, one of his most memorable roles was a true story – a teacher who became a rebel leader fighting greedy landlords and bureaucrats in the 1920s, when the Philippines was still an American colony. Poe was born on Aug. 20, 1939, to a popular Filipino actor Fernando Poe Sr. and Elizabeth Kelley, an American. His family prospered until his father died of rabies and Poe had to drop out of high school to help support them. Poe worked odd jobs, including as a cleaner and a stunt man, becoming a full-time actor in the 1950s. Ousted President Joseph Estrada right, tries to control his tears as the widow and movie actress Susan Roces wipes her tears during a mass for Fernando Poe Jr.Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2004 at Sto. Domingo Church, Quezon City. Page 17 Tens of thousands of supporters of Philippine film idol and former presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr. join the funeral march in Manila Dec. 22, 2004. Thousands attend funeral of FPJ MANILA (AFP) - Hundreds of thousands of fans attended the funeral of the Philippines' most famous movie star, defeated presidential candidate Fernando Poe, held under tight security amid fears of unrest. A throng of mourners accompanied a white coffin carrying the 65year-old, worshipped as the champion of the underdog, as it was pulled through the streets of the capital Manila on a carriage drawn by two white horses. Hundreds of riot police were deployed around the presidential palace to head off potential violence from Poe supporters who accuse President Gloria Arroyo of cheating in the May 10 presidential vote. The military was also placed on heightened alert amid intelligence reports of a coup to replace Arroyo and in her place install Poe's widow, movie dame Susan Rocess. Fans chanted Poe's initials FPJ and waved presi- Mourners of the late FPJ light candles outside Santo Domingo church in Quezon City during his wake. dential campaign posters used by the actor, who died on December 14 after suffering a stroke. Crying women and children showered the coffin with flowers as it wound its way to the cemetery. The presidential palace, close to the route of the procession, was barricaded with huge shipping containers as Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales warned that some parties could use the funeral to stir up trouble. The procession however ended without violence. Page 18 The North American Filipino Star December 2004 Business & Economy Jobless rate hits 10.9% in Oct The Philippine Star 12/16/2004 The country’s unemployment rate rose slightly to 10.9 percent in October this year from the year-earlier level of 10.2 percent, the National Statistics Office (NSO) reported yesterday. In the April 2004 survey, the jobless rate stood at a higher 13.7 percent mainly due to the addition of new college and high school graduates. The number of unemployed in October was recorded at 3.9 million or nine percent higher than last year’s level of 3.6 million. More than half, or 59.5 percent of the jobless, were males while females accounted for 40.5 percent. The unemployed include those who did not look for work during the survey period; those who had no job or business and did not look for work because of their belief that no work is available, have pending job applications or job interviews, and those with temporary illness or disFrom Page 21 Writers Colombo Plan Staff College, an International, and Inter-Governmental Organization, based in Manila, Philippines. He has gained membership in several international professional associations, is a member of the International Biographical Centre's On-Line-Hall of Fame, and in 2004, he was given life long tenure of Chair of Human Relations within the World Academy of Letters. Zenaida Ferry-Kharroubi, is a professional teacher and the Founder/Owner of Gilmore College as well as the Publisher & Chief Editor of the North American Filipino Star. She holds a B.A. degree major in English Literature from the University of the Philippines as well as an M.A. degree in Educational Studies from Concordia University. Note: Fees: $495. for the Workshop Dates: To Be Determined To register by appointment, please call 514-485-7861 ability. The NSO said among the unemployed, around 44.8 percent were between 15 to 24 years old. Among the regions, Metro Manila or the National Capital Region posted the highest unemployment rate at 12.2 percent. From a total labor force of about 35.6 million, the NSO said some 37.1 percent work in the farm sector. Another 47.5 percent are in the services sector while the rest are in the industrial sector. The number of employed persons in the services sector increased by 1.5 percent while those in the agricultural sector, by 0.2 percent. The industry sector, on the other hand, registered a 1.3 percent contraction in terms of employment in October. The Philippines has a total population 15 years and over of 53.5 million out of which 66.5 percent or 35.6 million are considered fit to work. Nothing unusual in signing of 'sin' tax law - Palace Malacañang yesterday brushed off suspicions over the "unusual" enactment of the "sin" tax law, saying the Palace would rather focus on the measure's merits. Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye said President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed Republic Act 9334 into law on Monday without the usual fanfare as part of the "adjustments" to limit the President's activities. Mr. Bunye denied talk that the change was due to destabilization threats against the government in light of today's burial of actor and former opposition presidential candidate Fernando K. Poe, Jr. "The adjustments were only done to accommodate the numerous functions that are lined up for the President. Instead of the President skipping other events, it was decided that all the events would be done in one venue," Mr. Bunye said in a radio interview. Pray and Learn JOIN OUR CHRISTIAN HERITAGE LEARNING TOUR OF IRELAND MARCH 15-22, 2005 - "Following the Footsteps of St. Patrick - his life and legacies" and "Life and Legacies of St. Kevin of Glendalough". Highlights: visiting cathedrals in Armagh - the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland, the St. Patrick Centre, his burial site, his first church and many other sites associated with this world-famous saint. Visit to the Trinity College Library in Dublin, the monastic site founded by St. Kevin, the St. Kevin Parish, and scenic sight-seeing. Cost: $2,350 - Air and Land Package: Superior deluxe accommodation, most meals, admission fees to sites and attractions, airport transfers, surprise bonuses. Please call 483-4139 for details. Upcoming Trip: To Our Lady of Knock Shrine in Mayo, Ireland - August 18-25, 2005. December 2004 The North American Filipino Star Page 19 Workshops Now Forming For Spring and Summer 2005 The Writing Workshop - A New Approach to Powerful Writing And it works! A week-end experience designed to release the force of your personal voice - that leads to more powerful and effective writing and communication. HOURS First day: 7:00 p.m. -10:30 p.m. Second day: 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Third Day: 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. A LEARNING PROCESS THAT WORKS FOR ANY KIND OF WRITING The workshop is the Brainchild of Isaac Goodine and incorporates ideas developed from Peter Elbow's useful book for writers, Writing Without Teachers. The Writers Workshop is interactive and the activities are divided between work in which the entire group participates and that of small support groups. The entire group engages in Lecture-Discussions with the workshop leaders as well as Writing and Problem-Solving Exercises. From time to time partici- pants Read Original Writing outloud in small support groups, seminar style. Who Is The Workshop For? The Workshop is open to all who write. It is specifically designed for anyone who needs to develop and use writing skills. Participants will be Professional Writers, Managers, Novelists, Business Leaders, Poets, Lawyers, Editors, Professors, Journalists, Public Speakers, and anyone who needs to broaden their communication skills. The Workshop Includes People Who Do All Kinds of Writing All people who write have similar challenges: whether a thesis, novel, technical report, business proposal, or a letter to the editor, the purpose of writing is to communicate meaning for others through the written word. Therefore, the Workshop isn't about the particular content or form of your writing but how you achieve meaning for others. The instant feed-back from fellow participants, who are not experts in the subject matter of your writing, provides objective guidance for improvement and less experienced writers gain by observing how professionals handle their problems and, and experienced; gain by observing how professionals handle their problems and, and experienced writers gain by seeing how elementary problems are tackled in fresh ways as each participant performs at his or her level of skill. Writers at all levels benefit from this powerful new method, particularly when the participants are from diverse cultural backgrounds and the communications transcend national boundaries. This is a Breakthrough Idea The Writing Workshop experience plants a seed that grows each time you write-long after the week-end workshop has concluded. You will gain special insight that opens your creative self as you continue to write. You will be able to set and achieve personal goals to: (1) learn new and useful methods of solving problems in writing, (2) increase your power to know what you want to say, (3) increase your ability to put across persuasively what you have to say, (4) to enable you to see the actual relationship you have with your readers. About The Workshop Leaders: Isaac Goodine, and Zenaida Ferry-Kharroubi will lead these Writers Workshops Isaac Goodine Isaac Goodine is an International Educator with experience in 65 countries. He has designed and delivered numerous cross-cultural communications workshops in the course of his work and his writings have been published in magazines, journals, and newspapers worldwide. He is a Fellow of the United Writers' Association, of India. His latest book, Leaders Leading Leaders, was published in 2003, by See Page 18 Writers The North American Filipino Star Page 20 That Video Game under the Tree In this article, I am going to step out of my usual topics concerning science and health to write about a subject that is more technology but still definitely related to health, more specifically, psychological well-being. I am referring to video games. There was a time when my wife and I would make an annual trek to the local toy store at about this time of the year every year. This was during the early 80s. That period of our lives is a distant memory - our children are all adults now. The items we bought were not always for our children - a few were mine. I remember buying my first "personal computer" - a Commodore 64 from a big toy store chain in California. It could do more than the "pong" games of the vintage Atari electronic game boxes. Nintendo and the X-box existed only in the dreams of future-oriented gamers. Everyone in my generation is acutely aware of the explosion of computer power over the past 20 years. In my graduate school days, our research computer was a PDP-11, a small monster that occupied a small room, had big 12- or 15-inch floppy disks and communicated only in UNIX. Incredibly, my laptop today is more powerful than that old machine of 20 years ago. What happened parallel to the explosion of computer power, was an equally astounding increase in the sophistication of video games. Whereas 20 years ago our video games were based on a dot going back and forth across the screen, or a big dot "eating up" a series of smaller dots, today's gamers have on their screens 3-dimensional renderings of objects that can look like real people, real machines, or sub-human figures of fantasy. I am sure that as technology continues to improve, we will certainly see more and more impressive and realistic images produced by game machines. Nutritionists have always been interested in the effect that hours in front of a television or game monitor can have on the health of a child. It has long been suspected that children might gain too much weight by staying indoors to watch television or to play video games instead of getting much-needed exercise by playing outdoors. There was also the problem that children glued to the television set also tend to consume a lot of non-nutritious snack items such as potato chips and sugary soft drinks. Childhood obesity has indeed become a major health concern. Overweight children are at risk of various chronic diseases such as diabetes, a condition that used to be associated only with the older set. There was and still is a concern that overweight children will remain overweight, or at least have a greater tendency to gain excess pounds as they grow into adulthood. To research this area, I consulted the electronic databases on health and found a special issue of the Journal of Adolescence published early in 2004 that focused on the concerns over television and video game use. The reports are alarming. First, what was clear from the studies is that the majority (89%) of video games in the market contain some form of violence. In addition, 50% of all video games depict violence against another game character. Teenagers spent an average of 9 hours per week playing video games, boys more so than girls (13 hours/week for boys versus 5 hours/week for girls). In addition to video games, teenagers watch television for an average of 25 Tots Playgroup 5005 Bourret Suite 6 Dayccare (Near Westbury) Montreal, QC H3W 1L3 514-313-9363 514-734-1133 Call Gemma Accepts 18 months - 4 years old Full services provided December 2004 hours/week and listen to music for another 21 hours/week. Notwithstanding the fact that some teenagers do all three activities simultaneously, the sum total is 55 hours of electronic entertainment per week. In terms of content, twice as many boys preferred violent games compared to girls. In turn, those who prefer violent video games were more likely to have a hostile attitude, more likely to have arguments with teachers, more likely to engage in physical fights, and more likely to obtain lower grades in school. Some of the negative effects of violent video games can be explained by the results of another article concerning desensitization. In essence, the more a child or teenager is exposed to violent video games, the more he/she becomes insensitive to actual acts of violence. In other words, our normal reaction to an act of violence such as a shooting or stabbing is one of horror. A child or teenager accustomed to violent video games will react differently - he will see it as much less of a horror. In addition, that child will not empathize with the victim - that child will be unable to feel or to relate to the emotions of the victim. No wonder adolescents who prefer violent video games tend to have what we perceive as a hostile attitude. Perhaps they have gone numb to violence and begin to see it as a "normal" way of life. A third article mentions the fact that those exposed to violent video games, even for only 10 minutes, somehow gain a heightened level of aggressive behaviour that they themselves don't recognize. Finally, there was an interesting article concerning on-line or internet gaming. The investigators studied the profile of people who play Everquest, an on-line game that is reputed to have more than 400,000 players worldwide. This is a role-playing game where the player takes on his persona of choice. Among the players, the teenagers turn out to be mostly male. This group also tended to see the game as being more important than either school or work, playing an average of 26 hours per week on-line. In contrast, the adults sacrificed their social life instead of work (of course!), playing an average of 24 hours per week on-line. Teenagers tend to like the violence in the game more than the adults did. It turns out that these psychological and psychosocial effects of video games were more alarming to me than just weight problems. It is true that a child whose obesity is partly due to physical inactivity due to television watching or video gaming may eventually develop chronic disease requiring long-term care. The cost of such health care will be absorbed by our health-care system. However, antisocial behaviour may actually be more costly in the longrun in many respects. There can be positive aspects of video games: it does improve reaction times and hand-eye coordination. There are reports that some players derive greater self-esteem by winning video games. The technology can also be used effectively as teaching or training aids. However, I do believe that we need to be concerned and be ready to do something about the proliferation of violent video games. One encouraging note: one article in the issue found that the negative effects of violent video games were attenuated or lessened when the parents had control over the length of time their children spent in front of the game machines, as well as on the type of games that they played. Parents, take note! New Scientific Studies Reveal Mechanisms Behind Rooibos’ Red Tea Leaves Anticarcinogenic, Antimutagenic & Antioxidant Health Benefits. (Santa Barbara, California) New scientific studies provide evidence that rooibos red tea may protect against cancer, skin cancer, heart attack, and stroke, just as South African Bushmen and Hottentots have claimed for centuries. Rooibos (pronounced roy-boss), the antioxidant-packed South African herbal red “tea” bursting with full, smooth, fruity, sweet taste and free of caffeine and tannins, has taken U.S. tea drinkers by storm with its combination of great taste, soothing effect, and health benefits including is looking for a big number of employees in the following domains: 1) 2) 3) 4) Ticketing, Packaging ... Forklift Sewing (Plain, Overlock ...) Administrative (Receptionist, Secretary ...) If you are looking for a challenge, please visit us at 9292 Meilleur Suite 604 (Corner Chabanel) December 2004 physical defenses against some deadly diseases. Now, that’s a comforting cup of tea! Recent laboratory research on red tea’s potent, unique antioxidant composition (rooibos contains certain antioxidants not found in green or black teas) reveals that rooibos may help protect against free radical damage that can lead to cancer, skin cancer, heart attack, and stroke. Previous studies showed that rooibos teas are antimutagenic, i.e., they protect against induced DNA damage, both in vitro (in the test tube) and in vivo (in live animals). The newest studies examine the mechanisms behind those findings. Results: rooibos red tea appears to enhance the activity of certain important carcinogen-detoxifying enzymes in the liver and enhance the liver’s overall antioxidant capacity. Rooibos teas may also offer new ways to fight the alarming increase The North American Filipino Star in cases of skin cancer. In skin cancer model studies, researchers find that rooibos tea extracts inhibit promotion of cancerous tumors in mouse skin. “We concluded that rooibos extracts interfered with skin cancer in its promotion [later development] stage. This provides the first evidence of such a protective effect for rooibos teas,” states Jeanine L. Marnewick, MSc., Senior Research Scientist at the Program on Mycotoxins and Experimental Carcinogenesis at the Medical Research Council of South Africa in Tygerberg. “We are conducting further studies to elucidate the possible mechanisms involved in this protective effect.” Marnewick, whose research examines the chemopreventive properties of South African herbal teas and is funded by the Medical Research Council of South Africa, the Cancer Association of South Africa, the Rooibos Forum, UNIVERSAL NET ENTRPLRISE wishes to thank its customers for their continued patronage. We wish everyone Happy Holdays and a Prosperous New Year. and the Department of Trade and Industry, also conducted the liver enzyme and antioxidant capacity rooibos studies. “The results obtained from the rooibos study look very promising to us,” explains Marnewick. “Mouse skin that was topically treated with the rooibos extracts before cancer promotion showed a 75% decrease in the development of skin papillomas. The development as well as the size of the skin papillomas were also delayed and decreased, respectively. This study has been repeated and the results confirmed.” Skin is the body’s largest organ and serves as a protective barrier against environmental onslaughts such as ultraviolet light and chemical carcinogens. Well aware of the rising incidence of skin cancer, Marnewick and her team used a skin cancer model developed in mice to monitor anticarcinogenic protective effects of rooibos teas. The multi step model used includes both cancer initiation and promotion steps. Cancer initiation is an irreversible process and is mostly unavoidable because we are continuously exposed to physical and chemical carcinogens, but promotion has been described as reversible,” says Marnewick. “This provides researchers with an opportunity to interrupt or delay the development of genetically Page 21 altered (mutated) cells. DNA damage can lead to cancer development and rooibos showed protective effects against DNA damage when tested in an in vitro assay as well as in an animal system, or in vivo.” Extracts of both fermented and unfermented rooibos teas, which are unique to South Africa and noted for their marked antioxidant activities, are being tested as possible chemopreventive agents in this cancer model. Foods that contain dietary substances that modulate or prevent cancer may play a role in the general well being of humans, especially if they are easily available and inexpensive. For a compound such as tea to be considered a chemopreventive agent, researchers must first conduct a battery of pre-clinical tests, both in the test tube and in whole biological systems (e.g. animals). Marnewick’s team is in the process of completing these tests. They have confirmed that the in vitro antimutagenic activity of rooibos also exists in animal studies, with no adverse effects. interfere with iron absorption Rooibos is exported to manufacturers and wholesalers in the USA and Canada. For trade inquiries call Herbal Teas of Africa at toll free 877-433-3832. For media inquiries call Christie Communications at 805-565-4122. For more information, visit these web sites at www.rooibos.us or www.rooibosltd.co.za. Marcel Tremblay Associated Councilor - Intercultural Relations Councilor, Decarie District Merry Christmas and a happy new year Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année May you and your family enjoy the Holiday Season Page 22 Entertainment Rosanna Roces, happy to start over again Happily separated. That is Rosanna's state of being shortly after the collapse of her 11-year union with Tito Molina, son of the late great jazz artist Lito Molina and grandson of National Artist for Music, Antonio Molina. They've separated many times before, but they'd patch things up and always he'd come back. This time, however, she's shutting the door on him – for good. The reasons for their separation are said to be about money, infidelity and loss of trust. For a time, Tito worked as consultant for the GSIS, but he wouldn't even give her his contact number there and she got terribly hurt by that. However, she still felt relieved that he took the effort to go back to work again. A product of the PMA (although he dropped out eventually), Tito – a computer whiz-worked for a while at Camp Crame . When he met Osang one early morning in the early '90s at Bakahan and Manukan and instantly fell in love with her, he was getting P40,000 a month (a big amount then) at the Asian Development Bank. He quit his job, however, when December 2004 The North American Filipino Star Osang made it big in the movies. It was supposed to be a mutual decision between them because that was the only way they'd be together – for Tito to hang around during Osang's location shoots. Unfortunately, this arrangement didn't work out well because Osang eventually got disillusioned working so hard, while her husband was just there – bumming around. In one episode of Startalk around year 2000, I remember her say on the air, "May ibang tao diyan – batugan!" While she didn't mention any name, people close to her knew the person she was referring to. For Tito, she set up several business: a salon that eventually closed shop, a farm in Antipolo and the BBC auto repair shop (that turns into a pub at night) along Kalayaan Avenue in Quezon City . She now runs BBC – with the support of some people she has helped financially in the past. On the day she took over the auto shop, she was horrified to see "only P10 in the cash register." Once more, she is gathering the pieces of her life together – this time minus a home companion. Maybe not for long? You see, as soon as word got around that she had separated from Tito, there formed a beeline of suitors and admirers (some of them politicians) at her doorstep. Osang is actually legally free to get married because her marriage to Tito (in January 1994) – so she discovered too late – is null and void since he was previously married to another person. But Osang is not about to take another plunge into marriage right away. Her attention is now focused on daughter Grace who is giving birth (to Jolo Revilla's child) either in late January or very early February. Hapy New Year Claudine is a chameleon On screen, Claudine Barretto is a chameleon. As Lena in "Kailangan Kita," she pleads guilty of falling in love with the man her elder sister is supposed to marry and we forgive her for doing so. In " Milan ," she shatters the traditional notions on loving and needing and we yearn to learn some more lifechanging lessons from her. In Claudine's hands, what are otherwise stock characters transform into indelible celluloid feats for future generations of movie aficionados to go back to again and again. Next on the actress' career itinerary is "Lihim," a suspensedrama from her home studio Star Cinema. Earmarked for an early 2005 playdate, Claudine reunites with her "Mula sa Puso" and " Marina " leading man Diether Ocampo and gets to work for the first time with Jericho Rosales. "It's an exciting combination and the role of Pilar is very challenging. Although I must admit na nung una, I was a little apprehensive about our director (Cholo Laurel). He's from the advertising world kasi. Pero as the shooting progressed, I discovered that for someone who's directing his first feature film, he's really good," Claudine shares in her birthday lunch with the entertainment press in July (she turned 25). After the groundbreaking fantaserye "Marina" bid farewell last November, everyone has naturally been anticipating the acknowledged Teleserye Queen's return to primetime drama. Amid reports that she is being tapped to do the small screen adaptation of an old Vilma Santos potboiler, "Kampanerang Kuba," Claudine says she'd rather take a much-deserved break first. "Hindi ko na siguro gagawin yun (Kampanerang Kuba) kasi parang ang dami nang nakakaalam. So iba naman. We'll do another project." Life these days, Claudine adds, has never been as breezy. In July, she became custodian to the now-six-month-old Sabina Natasha. "When I found her on my doorstep, she was very, very thin. She had diaper rashes, didn't even know how to drink milk or suck from a bottle!" Claudine recounts in an exclusive story on StarStudio magazine's October 2004 issue. "They say, 'ang suwerte naman ng batang yan,' not realizing that I'm the lucky one. This is my joy, my Sabina. She changed my life." Sabina's arrival, for one, signaled the end of a two-year animosity between Claudine and the Yans, the family of her former boyfriend Rico who died in his sleep two Holy Weeks ago while vacationing on a Palawan resort. "It's not really important who made the first move (between me and Geraldine Yan, one of Rico's two sisters). I appreciate the fact that finally, there's closure." The rift, however, among the Barretto sisters (Gretchen Barretto on one end and the whole Barretto clan on the other) still awaits a similar closure. After Claudine aired her side of the story in July, with Gretchen answering back and their mother Inday Barretto pouring her heart out on the issue, the heat has relatively simmered down. Perhaps time will serve as the ultimate healer. For now, Claudine is having the time of her life playing motherhood to the hilt ("The DR. EMILIA C. ESPIRITU CHIRURGIEN DENTISTE / DENTAL SURGEON 5790 COTE DES NEIGES RD., SUITE A-024 MONTREAL, QUEBEC H3S 1Y9 PHONE: 514-340-8222 (4077) Email: [email protected] December 2004 new rule in the house," she says, "is that at 7:30 in the evening, it's all lights out and only Mozart lullabies can be heard."). And very soon, sometime in 2006, marital bliss will be all hers for the taking as she walks down the aisle with fiancé Raymart Santiago in what promises to be the wedding event to watch out for. At long last, the perennial bridesmaid in her friends' weddings (she caught the bouquet in Gladys Reyes' January 2004 wedding to Christopher Rojas) will be playing the most demanding role she could ever hope Fernando Poe, the Philippines’ Schwarzenegger MANILA: Fernando Poe Jr, who died on December 14, after having a stroke, was one of the Philippines’ best known and best loved toughguy actors who topped a successful acting career with a failed bid for the presidency. Supporters of Poe, who was 65 when he died in a Manila hospital, worshipped him as the champion of the underdog, a role he perfected on the silver screen. But his critics mocked him as a dim-witted film star who would have led the Philippines to ruin if he had become president. In a country in love with celebrity, Poe was the biggest movie star around, a self-made millionaire who was loved by the man-in-thestreet for his depiction of heroes who overcame huge odds to protect the oppressed. Known simply as “Da King” or by his initials “FPJ”, Poe dropped out of school at 15 and built a successful movie career and film business. His production company FPJ Productions is said to be one of the biggest in the country. Outside of the Philippines, Poe was a relatively unknown figure until he decided to stand in this year’s presidential election despite his total lack of experience in politics. He promised very little to the voters. “Breakfast, lunch and dinner” was the slogan of his faltering cam- The North American Filipino Star paign, which saw the actor blow a huge opinion poll lead to arrive at election day trailing incumbent Gloria Arroyo. To the half of the Philippines’ population who live on under two dollars a day, Poe’s simple message offered hope and brought back memories of Joseph Estrada, the movie star president forced out of office in 2001 by a military-backed revolt. Poe’s campaign was more about showbiz than politics. His aides were film stars, his bodyguards stuntmen and he liked to pepper his election speeches with some of his most famous one-liners. But he proved to be a disastrous candidate and lost the election to Arroyo by more than one million votes. Some of his closest friends have said that he was reluctant to stand for the presidency and only did it as a favour to his old friend and acting buddy Estrada. Born Ronald Allan Kelley Poe, the son of film star Fernando Poe and an American mother Elizabeth Kelley, Poe always seemed destined for a life in the movies. He changed his name to Fernando Poe Junior to bank on his father’s popularity. He dropped out of high school after his father died and took a job as a messenger in a film exchange office. Later he took bit parts as a stuntman for Everlasting Pictures before being given his first real acting role in the film “Son of Palaris” in 1950. Poe’s biggest break was in the film “Lo Waist Gang” in 1956. It marked the local cinemas shift from the fantasy world of costume productions to the trendy realism of action movies. He starred in some 200 films specialising in Robin Hood-style guerrillas and honest cops who overcame fearsome odds, corrupt politicians and gangsters to secure victory for the common man. Just as Arnold Schwarzenegger is “The Terminator”, Poe was “Panday” or “The Ironsmith”, a working class hero who struck down challengers with a giant magic sword modelled on King Arthur’s Excalibur. Through his years in the spotlight, Poe had guarded his privacy closely and tried to cultivate an image of incorruptibility, revealing little about his supposed storybook marriage to fellow movie star Susan Roces. However the image slipped a little in February when Poe was forced to admit he had fathered a child out of wedlock with a minor starlet, denting his reputation as “Mr Clean.” He leaves his wife and daughter, Mary Grace. Philippines sends emissary to poll Japanese business on entertainers Tuesday December 21, 6:36 PM (Kyodo) _ The Philippines last week dispatched to Japan one of President Gloria MacapagalArroyo's advisers to get "the pulse and sentiment" of Japanese entertainment-sector businessmen on plans to impose stricter visa regulations on foreign entertainers, many of whom come from the Philippines, it was learned Tuesday. The four-day visit to Japan by Dante Ang, chairman of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, is apparently part of government preparations to ask Japan to recon- Page 23 sider its plans to enforce stricter rules that will include requiring entertainers to show proof of two years of training or two years of professional experience. The Philippines has yet to formally convey to the Japanese government its position on the matter although Filipino officials say they have started efforts to seek reconsideration by Japan. Ang said his trip to Japan consisted of "very quiet legwork." "I did not meet officials. My task was merely to feel the private sector pulse...and also to help mobilize public support in Japan," Ang said in a telephone interview. Ang was in Japan from last Thursday to Sunday. He was sent there by Arroyo "to see the real situation on the ground." "We want to find out if the Japanese businessmen share the sentiment of their government," Ang said. Ang is preparing a set of recommendations to Arroyo that include issuing a statement that the Philippine Embassy in Japan may use "to correct" impressions of Filipino entertainers. "My recommendation is for the government to issue a statement to the effect that Filipinos are world class entertainers. They undergo rigid training before they are sent there," he said. Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said the Philippines may dispatch officials to ask Japan to continue accepting Filipinos certified as entertainers in the Philippines. Filipino entertainers and their agencies fear the new Japanese rules will render their certification useless and eventually cause unemployment. Page 24 The North American Filipino Star Tourism V-12 Sons and Daughters WW II, VFP Col. Camilo Tiqui (Ret.) Bomber is gone! Where is Bob? Josephine, are you still in California? Taciana Ignacio, and Bomber can no longer be able to attend yearly reunions in Tarlac with governor Aping (Jose) Yap to reminisce on WWII and the Liberation. Capas Memorial Monument is now naturally beautiful with environmental values because of Conservation Consciousness of the Boy Scouts and Reservists of the Philippines. This August 2004 marked the 30th year of looking up to a reunion with cousins born in the Philippines during the year of WWII and the Liberation (1944 - 1946). Taciana, Ignacio, and cousin Bomber are gone. Like President Manuel. Quezon, who was born on August 19th , they share their lives to eternity. We can say they died with their "Boots on" in North America, which the Filipino Star would record in the history of civilization. They are partakers in the Great Generation which the Washington D.C. Memorial for WWII veterans will honor this year's opening. Taciana (a Jew) an Immigration Canada Judge during Prime Minister Mulroney's time, and her brother Ignacio (Joe) Tiqui, Litton Systems computer scientist responsible for the realization of the Sampaguita Filipino Village of Mississauga for senior citizens in Ontario; and Bomber (Ocampo) Moran, action Villain movie actor will be missed. Their "Spirits Live On" with us, as we splash into the China Sea that beats on the sandy beaches of Zambales at San Antonio and Capones Islands, this coming Summer vacation in the Philippines. VFP Tourism V-12 starts in November till April (Fall of Bataan) to reminisce onWWI - WWII. By the way, as a memorial note, Bomber Moran, was chubby, strong, handsome, energetic, cute, with curly hair,, moreno, during his childhood, and rode horses in Tarlac. He was born when B-29s were carpet bombing strong fortifications set by theJapanese War machine in Manila and Okinawa. He grew in San Juan and Mandalayong and a friend of the Estradas. He served with the Bureau of Customs when Erap was President. He immigrated to the U.S. (after Pres. Joseph Estrada stepped down from Malacanang). Cecilia, his mother (widowed by Roming Ocampo) resides permanently in California and used to visit the Philippines to have reunions with Eduard (Amang of the NBI), Brother Anong's children and their families, and Ruben Nu?ez Clan. Danny Ocampo, a Barangay captain in Mandaluyong will take care of the remains of Bomber. Cecilia, a cousin of Gen Marcos Villa Agustin (the famous Marking Guerrilla Comdr) served the underground, and met Roming Ocampo in Pangasinan preparing for Gen Douglas MacArthu's Lingayen landing. Bomber is a son of WWII veteran freedom fighter clan of Luzon. Bob and Josephine (knee Tiqui), leave a note with the Filipino Star of North America, and share with us (son and daughters of WWII) your present status. Telephone Gilmore College (514-485-7861) and give your support to "Investing in Conservation" to solve mass poverty in our home country of our roots. December 2004 The intangible gifts of Christmas Some evening between now and Dec. 24, I have a seasonal date with domesticity. I'll set up the ironing board, turn the iron dial to Linen, put on a CD of the "Messiah," and begin a mundane but pleasurable task: ironing yards and yards of a damask cloth that will grace our Christmas dining table. As the iron sweeps rhythmically over the damp cloth, little puffs of steam rise, along with little puffs of memories. This annual reverie of Christmases past recalls other holiday tables the cloth has covered as it made its way from my grandparents' home to my parents' to ours. It's a chance to consider the intangible gifts of Christmas passed along from generation to generation. In this case, it's the gift of hospitality, symbolized by the tablecloth. Who can say how many family members and friends have come together around this shiny damask over the decades, or how much conversation and laughter they have shared? The word family is stitched invisibly along its length. It's also a reminder that the best Christmas memories often have little to do with presents under the tree - though don't tell that to the December 2004 merchants hoping to ring up an estimated $220 billion in sales this season. As the snowy fabric spills over the ironing board, I think of another cherished holiday legacy: the gift of culinary traditions. Our recipe box holds my mother's Christmas favorites, handwritten on 3-by-5inch cards in her neat script: Cranberry Pudding, Spritz Cookies, Snow Drops, Cranberry Bread. Nothin' says lovin' like something from the oven, according to Pillsbury, and for most of us, Mom's (or Dad's) holiday cooking says it best. In the living room, my father's Christmas songbook in the piano bench offers another holiday legacy: music. To flip through pages of traditional carols, along with sheet music for popular favorites, is to recall Christmas Eve sessions round the piano, singing everything from "Silent Night" to "Winter Wonderland." Never mind if we were sometimes off-key; it's the family spirit that counts. And then there's the all-important legacy of charitable giving, passed down by parental example. No holiday shopping outing as a child was complete until we had made a donation, however small, to the red Salvation Army kettle, or placed a small toy in a Toys for Tots barrel. The kettles and barrels offered visible evidence that other The North American Filipino Star families needed help. Now that Target and some shopping centers are banning red kettles, how do children learn about this kind of sharing? Finally, there's the legacy of the family Christmas tree itself. Humble or grand, a Christmas tree is an act of generosity - time-consuming and often messy, but irreplaceable as a conveyer of traditions. (Memo to grandparents everywhere: Be careful about the traditions you jettison. If you do give up trees, offer your ornaments to your children and grandchildren. How I wish I had an ornament from each of my grandmothers' trees to hang on our own.) As the final wrinkles disappear from the tablecloth and I turn off the iron, I know that damask is probably an endangered species: too much work for a permanentpress era. No matter. It's not the fabric that counts, but the act of gathering around the table, reaffirming connections and a seasonal truth: Long after the gifts under the tree are used up, worn out, outgrown, or given away, the unwrappable holiday offerings - hospitality, favorite recipes, music, charity, and trees - will go on giving. Page 25 Happy birthday, Rommel on your Natal Day, November 11 From Dad and Letty Rommel owns a small business in OAKVILLE, Ontario. He rebuilds race cars from scrapped old autos of FORD with brother Napoleon. His shop, TAG Motor Sports, is well operated. Both brothers were BSP delegates to Norway ‘’74 Jamboree. They intend to visit the trees they planted on Makabulos mountains of Patling (O’Donnel) Capas, Tarlac 30 years ago. They will plant mango trees for Philippine conservation and eco-tourism in Central Luzon in April 2005. Page 26 The North American Filipino Star The True Story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in Patara, a village in what is now Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships. Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons, there was no room for the real criminals -- murderers, thieves and robbers. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. He died December 6, 343 AD in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church, where a unique relic, called manna, formed in his grave. This liquid substance was said to have healing powers which fostered the growth of devotion to Nicholas. The anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas Day. Through the centuries many stories and legends have been told of St. Nicholas' life and deeds. These accounts help us understand his extraordinary character and why he is so beloved and revered as protector and helper of those in need. One story tells of a poor man with three daughters. In those days a young woman's father had to offer prospective husbands something of value -- a dowry. The larger the dowry, the better the chance that a young woman would find a good husband. Without a dowry, a woman was unlikely to marry. This poor man's daughters, without dowries, were therefore destined to be sold into slavery. Mysteriously, on three different occasions, a bag of gold appeared in their home -- providing the needed dowries. The bags of gold, tossed through an open window, are said to have landed in stockings or shoes left before the fire to dry. This led to the custom of children hanging stockings or putting out shoes, eagerly awaiting gifts from Saint Nicholas. Sometimes the story is told with gold balls instead of bags of gold. That is why three gold balls, sometimes represented as oranges, are one of the symbols for St. Nicholas. And so St. Nicholas is a giftgiver. One of the oldest stories tells of the townspeople of Myra celebrating the good saint on the eve of St. Nicholas' feast day. A band of Arab pirates from Crete had come into the district. They stole treasures from the Church of Saint Nicholas to take away as booty. As they were leaving town, they snatched a young boy, Basilios, to make into a slave. The emir, or ruler, selected Basilios to be his personal cupbearer. As he did not know the language, Basilios would not understand what the king said to those around him. So, for the next year Basilios waited on the king, bringing his wine in a beautiful golden cup. For Basilios' parents, devastated at the loss of their only child, the year passed slowly, filled with grief. As the next St. Nicholas' feast day approached, Basilios' mother would not join in the festivity, as it was now a day of tragedy. However, she was persuaded to have a simple observance at home, with quiet prayers for Basilios' safekeeping. Meanwhile, as Basilios was fulfilling his tasks serving the emir, he was suddenly whisked up and away. St. Nicholas appeared to the terrified boy, blessed him, and set him down at his home back in Myra. Imagine the joy and wonderment when Basilios amazingly appeared before his parents, still holding the king's golden cup. This is the first story told of St. Nicholas protecting children -- which became his primary role in the West. Another story tells of three theological students, traveling on their way to study in Athens. A wicked innkeeper robbed and murdered them, hiding their remains in a large pickling tub. It so happened that Bishop Nicholas, traveling along the same route, stopped at this very inn. In the night he dreamed of the crime, got up, and summoned the innkeeper. As Nicholas prayed earnestly to God the three boys were restored to life and wholeness. In France the story is told of three small children, wandering in their play until lost, lured, and captured by an evil butcher. St. Nicholas appears and appeals to God to return them to life and to their families. And so St. Nicholas is the patron and protector of children. Several stories tell of Nicholas and the sea. When he was young, Nicholas sought the holy by making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. There as he walked where Jesus walked, he sought to more deeply experience Jesus' life, passion, and resurrection. Returning by sea, a mighty storm threatened to wreck the ship. Nicholas calmly prayed. The terrified sailors were amazed when the wind and waves suddenly calmed, sparing them all. And so St. Nicholas is the patron of sailors and voyagers. Other stories tell of Nicholas saving his people from famine, sparing the lives of those innocently accused, and much more. He did many kind and generous deeds in secret, expecting nothing in return. Within a century of his death he was celebrated as a saint. Today he is venerated in the East as wonder, or miracle worker and in the West as patron of a great variety of persons-children, mariners, bankers, pawn-brokers, scholars, orphans, laborers, travelers, merchants, judges, paupers, marriageable maidens, students, children, sailors, victims of judicial mistakes, captives, perfumers, even thieves and murderers! He is known as the friend and protector of all in trouble or need (see list). Sailors, claiming St. Nicholas as patron, carried stories of his favor and protection far and wide. St. Nicholas chapels were built in many seaports. As his popularity spread during the Middle Ages, he became the patron saint of Apulia (Italy), Sicily, Greece, and Lorraine (France), and many cities in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Russia, Belgium, and the Netherlands (see list). Following his baptism in Constantinople, Vladimir I of Russia brought St. Nicholas' stories and devotion to St. Nicholas to his homeland where Nicholas became the most beloved saint. Nicholas was so widely revered that more than 2,000 churches were named for him, including 300 in Belgium, 34 in Rome, 23 in the Netherlands and more than 400 in England. December 2004 Nicholas' tomb in Myra became a popular place of pilgrimage. Because of the many wars and attacks in the region, some Christians were concerned that access to the tomb might become difficult. For both the religious and commercial advantages of a major pilgrimage site, the Italian cities of Venice and Bari vied to get the Nicholas relics. In the spring of 1087, sailors from Bari succeeded in spiriting away the bones, bringing them to Bari, a seaport on the southeast coast of Italy. An impressive church was built over St. Nicholas' crypt and many faithful journeyed to honor the saint who had rescued children, prisoners, sailors, famine victims, and many others through his compassion, generosity, and the countless miracles attributed to his intercession. The Nicholas shrine in Bari was one of medieval Europe's great pilgrimage centers and Nicholas became known as "Saint in Bari." To this day pilgrims and tourists visit Bari's great Basilica di San Nicola. Through the centuries St. Nicholas has continued to be venerated by Catholics and Orthodox and honored by Protestants. By his example of generosity to those in need, especially children, St. Nicholas continues to be a model for the compassionate life. Widely celebrated in Europe, St. Nicholas' feast day, December sixth, kept alive the stories of his goodness and generosity. In Germany and Poland, boys dressed as bishops begged alms for the poor-and sometimes for themselves! In the Netherlands and Belgium, St. Nicholas arrived on a steamship from Spain to ride a white horse on his gift-giving rounds. December sixth is still the main day for gift giving and merrymaking in much of Europe. For example, in the Netherlands St. Nicholas' Day is celebrated with the sharing of candies (thrown in the door), chocolate initial letters, small gifts, and riddles. Dutch children leave carrots and hay in their shoes for the horse, hoping St. Nicholas will exchange them for small gifts. Simple gift-giving in early Advent helps preserve a Christmas Day focus on the Christ Child. December 2004 The North American Filipino Star Page 27 HANDOG PASALAMAT NG SM SERVICES CANADA MALIGAYANG PASKO 2004 Handog pasalamat ng SM Services Canada ngayong Pasko SM started as a small company with the main desire of serving the Filipino community in Montreal. It was the thought of myself being miles away from my family, longing to provide and make them happy even in my absence that drove me to establish SM Services Canada. Though how hard the struggles were, surpassing many winters ... all these were nothing compared to the happiness and comfort that we were able to extend to our loved ones back home. The past years have been fruitful because of the support and trust you gave me. I just wanted to give it back to you. I want us to continue sharing the fruits of our labor to our “kababayan.” Knowing the ongoing economic crdisis in our country, I’ve started the SM Scholarship Grant last year in my hometown which is sending poor but deserving students to school. A dollar out of every box we send goes to the education expenses of these students. This year, SM is giving a special promotion which will provide extraordinary low delivery rates for your balikbayan boxes. This is my own little way of thanking each and everyone for your loyalty. Here’s wishing you love, joy and the peace of this Blessed Season. With all sincerity, I remain your brother, your family, your friend in Montreal. Sol Mendoza Sol Mendoza SPECIAL RATES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2005 MANILA - $59.99 OUTSIDE METRO MANILA - $84.99 LUZON - $89.99 VISAYAS - $94.99 MINDANAO - $99.99 Tawag na kayo!!! Sa serbisyong mabilis, segurado at mura pa --- magaan sa bulsa. SUBOK NA MATIBAY SUBOK NA MATATAG 514-928-4318 OFFICE / WAREHOUSE 3150 DE MINIAC VILLE ST. LAURENT, QC Less $10.00 Hatid sa warehouse OTTAWA * MONTREAL * QUEBEC CITY * HALIFAX * NEW BRUNSWICK Page 28 The North American Filipino Star Build your future today! Enroll now at Gilmore College Call 514-485-7861 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année. Maligayang Pasko sa inyong lahat! Gilmore College Administration December 2004 • International Trade (C.I.T.P.) • Office Automation • Language Courses - • Accounting/Bookkeeping • ing Computerized English, French, Spanish Mandarin, Tagalog Account- ACCPAC Simply Accounting • Microsoft Office • Desktop Publishing • Legal or Medical Secretary Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint Studetns and alumni with their family and friends at their annual Christmas party, Dec. 12, 2004 Gilmore College 4950 Queen Mary Road Penthouse Gilmore College is an accredited delivery partner of the Forum for International Trade Training. (FITT). Montreal, Quebec H3W 1X3 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: www.gilmorecollege.com Established 1989 Fax: 514-485-3076 Snowdon
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