PAGCOR donates P2B to DepEd

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December 2013
www.philippinecourier.com
Vol. 10 No. 5
Pacquiao is PSA’s guest speaker … page 25
Thousands in Toronto still without power
PAGCOR donates P2B to DepEd Ice storm leaves 10 dead in Canada
…to rebuild public schools damaged by Yolanda
Mayor Ford defends decision not to declare a state of emergency
while 72,000 Toronto Hydro customers remain without power
PAGCOR donated P2 billion to the Department of Education (DepEd)
for the reconstruction of public schools in the Visayas and some parts
of Region 4 which were heavily damaged by super typhoon Yolanda.
Present during the MOA signing and ceremonial turn-over of PAGCOR’s financial aid to DepEd are (from left) DepEd USEC Francisco
Varela, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Cristino Naguiat, Jr., DepEd
Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro, Secretary Panfilo Lacson (Presidential
Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery), and PAGCOR President
and COO Jorge Sarmiento. (INQ7.net)
DEADLY ICE STORM: The worst-ever ice storm that hit Canada brought death, destruction and agony to hundreds of thousands of people in Ontario and Quebec. (Photo
courtesy of Bong Capitin/Cucina Lounge)
... Full story on page 9
Story on page 11
Fil-Am driver returns $300K
.. Poker player left money in his taxi
GALING NG PINOY:
A TV grab from CBS TV
KLAS shows an official
of Yellow Checker and
Star Taxi Group of Companies (right) shaking the
hand of Gerardo Gamboa
after giving him a $1,000
reward for his honesty.
UK, Canada staying by PH in ‘Yolanda’ rehab
HOLIDAY MAGIC:
A member of Clowns
Without
Borders
performs in front of
young survivors of
Supertyphoon “Yolanda”
at a tent city in Tacloban City. (AFP)
Full Story on page 15
... Full Story on page 12
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EDITORIAL
No delicadeza
Wisecracking thru the presidency
Media killings in the Philippines come in
spurts, and the assassinations happen because of the perception that the slow grind
of justice in our country will hardly catch up
with the criminals, topped with the perception that ending impunity is not a priority
under PNoy.
The successive killing of three journalists early this month indicated that sinister
forces in the society still consider that the
fastest way to silence the press is the bullet and the chances of getting away with it
remain high.
Consider the Maguindanao massacre
that happened in 2009, and four years after the brutal incident that had shocked the
civilized world. Absolutely nothing has happened to the cases filed by relatives of the
victims that included 34 journalists.
Worse, the witnesses that would have
provided solid evidence against members
of the Ampatuan clan who have allegedly
engineered the mass assassination are
disappearing, either bought out or blotted
out.
Thus far this year, some 12 journalists
were slain and 26 journalists were killed
during the entire term of Noynoy which
made the Philippines one of the most dangerous places in the world for members of
the Fourth Estate. There are two and a half
more years to go to Noynoy’s presidency,
and that would mean more and more dead
journalists.
The absence of conviction of perpetrators of media killings under Noynoy made
Human Rights Watch (HRW) declare that
a war has been launched against journalists in the Philippines, apparently aided by
Noynoy.
Noynoy’s opaque administration has so
much to do with the thriving of impunity in
the country since those who have an ax to
grind against the journalism profession believe that the hostile environment against
journalists under Noynoy favors them.
Noynoy hates his critics too, and wants
them silenced too.
That hostility is very palpable in the absence of a Freedom of Information (FoI)
Act that was repeatedly sidetracked in
Congress by his allies who follow instruc-
6
tions from the Palace. Noynoy has been
pretending support for the bill since it was
part of his campaign commitments during
the 2010 elections.
But despite the demand not only from local groups and transparency organizations
worldwide, Noynoy has resisted through
his minions in the House the enactment of
the FoI bill. Thus, every year saw the ridiculous situation where the FoI bill has been
approved in the Senate while the House
institutionalized fumbling of the bill through
the most ridiculous alibis from Noynoy’s allies.
The lack of support on the bill gives an
impression that his government is not ready
to give transparency a chance to flourish.
He also had said that the problem on the
slaying of journalists in the country was not
so serious.
The slaying of journalists and those
seeking to expose the truth will thrive under
such an environment where the government itself seems to be giving unqualified
support to suppressing the flow of information. The administration of Noynoy will not
shake off the image of corruption and impunity unless it becomes more receptive to
transparency.
Again, Noynoy before a Filipino crowd in
Japan where he was on a state visit, made
a pointed reference to his critics, saying
that Bahala na si Lord sa inyo, busy ako
(Let the Lord deal with you, I’m busy) which
he would have said to those complaining
of his administration’s human rights record.
Noynoy’s attitude of stonewalling
against criticisms is another major hurdle
for those championing the truth. He considers criticisms a personal affront which
makes it hard for someone so arrogant like
him to accept change.
Noynoy in his impenetrable shell had
said two improbable things: First is that the
Lord listens to him and the bigger impossibility is that - he is busy. Gadz, enough of
the stupid wisecracks.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
to all Kababayans all over the Universe!
Mabuhay Kayo!!!
A number of Noynoy’s Cabinet
secretaries have been bypassed
for the nth time, yet Noynoy
keeps on reappointing them to
the same position, a stand which
is quite ironic, considering the
fact that when Noynoy was a
senator, he crafted a bill stating
that after two bypasses, the appointees of the President of the
Republic should then automatically be considered rejected by
the bicameral Commission on
Appointments (CA).
This was a time when it was
then President Gloria Arroyo in
Malacañang and she had this
habit of reappointing her nominees to the Cabinet whenever
they are bypassed by the Senate.
Yet now that Noynoy is in
Malacañang, he does what he
said then was an abhorrent practice of the President of the republic.
If he found it an abhorrent
practice done by the highest political leader then, as it was in
essence a clear disrespect to the
CA, why does he then go into
the same mode that he once denounced? This is hypocrisy on
his part.
What Gloria did was wrong
and disrespectful but when he
does exactly the same thing, this
is no longer wrong, but right, and
a prerogative of the President as
he continues to have “trust and
confidence” in his nominees
who have been on acting status
for so long.
Senate President Franklin
Drilon wants to show that not
only is the Senate doing right
these days under his leadership
by not giving out the so-called
cash Christmas bonuses to the
senators, but also that the Senate under his stewardship is independent of the Executive, or
Malacañang.
The usual hypocritical senators even came up to claim that
while before four were excluded
from the Senate Christmas “bonus,” before, now all senators
are equal, as none was given
the cash bonus, which barb was
clearly aimed at the former Sen-
ate president.
That some of these senators
are hypocritical, led by the majority leader, what is clear is the
fact that the practice of giving
year-end bonuses was also done
during the time of Drilon’s stint
as Senate President then and he
was Senate chief for some time.
More to the point, while Minority Leader Alan Cayetano and
three others did not get the second tranche of the “bonus,” they
never complained when they got
the first tranche of the bonus,
and only when they were denied the second tranche did they
start claiming that the then Senate chief committed a crime of
sorts. Why only then? If it was a
crime then, they were part of the
crime and they kept quiet. It was
all political play by these same
senators who wanted the then
Senate chief out.
As for Drilon’s display of
Senate independence, that’s a
lot of BS. If he and his senators
are truly independent, why have
they not just rejected outright
the nominees of Noynoy up for
confirmation by the CA?
Why should Drilon care
whether Noynoy says they enjoy
his trust and confidence when
clearly these nominees have
been bypassed too many times,
and the message is clear: The
CA or at least some senator or
congressmen in the CA oppose
their nominations.
After all, it is not as if it is the
first time the CA rejects a presidential nominee. During Gloria’s time, one of her nominees,
Ricardo Saludo, was rejected
outright by the CA, on the move
made by then Rep. Ompong
Plaza.
As for the Noynoy nominees,
none of them appears to have
even a shred of delicadeza for
not even resigning, in the face of
their having been bypassed, not
just twice, but more and more
times, especially in the case of
Dinky Soliman and Paje.
To quote Noynoy, where do he
and his nominees get the gall to
stay on?
December 2013
Philippine Courier
THE TALL ORDER
Reprinted from
Malaya with the
author’s consent
By Mon Datol
Mabuhay ka, Pacquiao and ConGen Darna!
If Nelson Mandela showed that one
can rise above the barriers of race, color,
poverty, inequality, anger — and all the
things that go with the word “apartheid,”
and be hailed as hero of all time by democratic nations worldwide - our very own
Manny Pacquiao also proved and demonstrated that anybody could rise above the
barricades of inequality, anger, and all the
things that go with the word ‘poverty’ and
hailed as one of the finest fighters in this
beak-busting business by boxing greatest
people worldwide; yet is being chastised
by a few who could only see the color of
money and very itchy to watch the downfall of this magnificent Filipino boxer
who gives the Philippines the worldwide
accolade no one in our generation has
achieve before and could never be realize
by any Filipino in this universe, again.
One of the best Pinoy columnists I
doff my hat is Conrado de Quiros of The
Philippine Daily Inquirer. It used to be
Mr. Teddy Benigno of The Philippine Star
until my former Boss at the Star bid these
world goodbye years back. Been a fan of
Conrad for several years now. ‘Syadong
malalalim ang panitik niya. Can’t even
grasp some statements in several of his
intellectual columns. His December 4,
2013 ‘Motions and Demotions’ article on
boxing icon Manny Pacquaio is another
example of ‘classical’ piece of writing
that deserves a pat on his broad shoulder.
Until I read the last part of his column
that says (Quote):
“Frankly, I don’t know why he became
a politician at all. It’s a demotion. It’s
just a testament to our sorry culture that
most of us like to imagine that becoming
a public official is the pinnacle of success, the ultimate goal of human striving.
Pacquiao was, and is, already bigger than
a politician; he was, and is, already more
influential than a secretary or a judge.
He should have gone on to become a
living ambassador of goodwill, someone
who motivated the poor, as he himself
had been, to be the best that they could
be in whatever they applied themselves
to. He should have gone on to become
a mythical figure, someone who could
have inspired the down-and-out, which
he once was, to reach beyond their grasp.
Instead, he became a congressman.
That is not a bang, that is a whimper.
The message Pacquiao has carried with
him to Tacloban is a powerful one. His
rising from the ashes like a phoenix does
resonate—and has resonated, loudly—
not just with the survivors of Yolanda but
also with the survivors of other disasters,
natural and manmade, with the people of
this country. A pity that has to be weighed
down by other conflicting messages. Had
Pacquiao stayed out of politics, his message would have rung loud and clear. As
transcendent boxer, he would have given
relief and hope to this stricken land. As
mediocre congressman, he’ll just be giving relief goods to us.
Pacquiao’s greatest foe will never
be Mayweather. It will always be himself.” - unquote
*****
Super-galeng talaga itong si Conrad
de Quiros. Saludo ako sayo, sir, but,
nobody could say Pacquio’s fate before
and after his checkered boxing career
except Somebody Up There Who really
is Manny’s benefactor. Turning to politics
is Pacquiao’s way to continue serving the
Filipino people, as I could see it and not
a demotion as Sir Conrad wants to imply
in his column.
If Pacquio is an ordinary person like
December 2013
Sir Conrad, would the victims of Yolanda
in Tacloban and other ravaged towns
in Leyte rejoiced and show smiles and
happiness while receiving relief goods
from you and me, nameless and faceless
donors? Didn’t we see on TV News how
the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda
forgot their miseries while watching
Pacquio made mincemeat of Brandon
Rios in Macau? Nakalimutan ng mga
kababayan natin ang dinaranas nila
while cheering, clapping, and stomping
their feet in the muddy tent city while
Pacquiao connected with a barrage of
lightning combos to the head of Rios. It’s
a priceless moment for our kababayans
watching their hero won again.
Pacquiao is a national treasure like
Nelsom Mandela that deserves our
respect and adulation even if he is a sinner and a perceived ‘tax evader.’ Kaya
nga si Pacquio lalong pinagpapala dahil
lagi siyang ..
Binabato parang si Magdalena.
*****
Of course, the only one and the best
politician in Conrad de Quiros eyes is
President Benigno Simeon Aquino III.
PNoy to Conrad de Quiros pen is a Saint
who could not make mistakes in running
the affairs of the government. Bakit nga
hindi, eh, in-appoint ni PNoy and utol ni
Conrad as SSS Chairman, kaya nga never
tayong makabasa na ‘kinakanti’ man lang
ni Conrad de Quiros si PNoy, eh. Ano
bale? Di niya puwedeng..
Kagatin ang magpapalang kamay
ni PNoy.
*****
I won’t mind if our legislators would
pass a law exempting Pacquiao and other
outstanding athletes from paying taxes
with their earnings from abroad. These
exemplary athletes give honors to the
Philippines with their exploits in their
respective disciplines, thus, they must be
given corresponding accolades when they
return home. Hindi naman habangbuhay
silang lalaban at kikita sa abroad. Me
duration naman ang buhay-atleta. Pero,
hindi naman pedeng tax exemption for
life. Huwag naman.
Kawawa naman mga OFWs.
*****
I doff my hat to our kababayans here
in Canada who endlessly help in raising
funds, collect relief goods, buy show
tickets in many fundraising concert
which proceeds are turn-over to Gawad
Kalinga, Red Cross, ABS-CBN, GMA7
Kapuso and other organizations that continuously send help to the Philippine
government for the victims of the super
typhoon Yolanda.
Higit lalo na sa ating Consul-General
to Toronto Ms. Junever Mahilum-West na
halos walang pagod na pinupuntahan ang
lahat ng mga event at pasalamatan ang
mga donors na nagbibigay tulong-pinansiyal sa ating mga kawawang kababayan
sa Tacloban at kanugnog bayan sa Central
Visaya. Tingin ko nga ke ConGen West
ay si….
DARNA ng Diplomatic Corps!
*****
Its 2014, Year of the Wooden Horse.
Goodbye 2013, Year of the Water Snake.
Sana po ay lalo pang lumakas ang ekonomiya ng Pilipinas at lalo pang magkaisa tayong mga Pinoy sa ating bansa,
lalo na here abroad. “Walang sinuman
ang nabubuhay para sa sarili lamang.
Lahat tayo ay may pananagutan sa isatisa.” – HONESTO … Happy New Year
sa lahat ng ating Kababayan sa Buong
Mundo! Mabuhay Kayo! God Bless.
What Senator Ninoy wrote on energy…
Through a friend, I was able to read
a three-part article that Senator Benigno
Aquino wrote in the Manila Times beginning on September 7. 1972, two weeks prior to the declaration that Martial Law had
become the law in the Philippines. Ninoy
wrote about power, as he stressed, “power,
cheap power, not the kind politicians covet,
is a must for national progress.”
This has long been a cecognized need
in the Philippines, where a vast majority of
rural towns and barrios have not yet, even
now, known the magic of electricity.
“For electric power means lights for
homes, schools and offices, and energy for
farms, mills and factories.”
Even Metro Manila has not enjoyed
the full benefits of electric power: witness
the ever-rising rates of the Manila Electric Clmpany (Meralco) and the frequent
“brownouts.”
He explains that the reason for expensive electricity is that the fuel we use is
imported. He also notes that “the combined
output of NPC and Meralco cannot seem
to meet the power needs of a burgeoning
metropolis like Manila and the rest of populous Luzon.
“It is even worse in the Visayas and
Mindanao, more particularly in the deeper
south where only the cities and a few of the
bigger towns have electricity.”
He then explains that “until the hydroelectric plant at the Maria Cristina Falls in
Lanao is fully harnessed, and power line
out all over Mindanao, most of the island’s
cities and towns have to depend on oil-operated generators.”
***
What Ninoy Aquino was pushing for in
his article was the development of geothermal power. He wanted the Commission on
Volcanology (Comvol) to be placed under
the National Science Development Board,
which had supported Comvol with funds to
install a a pilot experimental electric generator in Tiwi, Albay where there was a
natural hot spring and steam intermittently
coming out of the ground.
Apparently, Comvol had successfully
installed a 2.5 kilowatt turbine at the foot
of the dormant Mt. Malinao, 23 kilometers
from Mayom Volcano. Ninoy pointed out
that “according to the geothermal survey
conducted by Comvo; Chief Volcanologist Arturo Alcaraz and his men, the Tiwi
thermal field has the potential capacity of
generating – once fully tapped – 560 megawatts.
Ninoy was, thus, very far from someone
plotting against the government, as the Dictator would have us believe once he had imposed Martial Law, Ninoy then was painted
as black as the government could. Sure, he
was in the opposition but, reading his article in the paper more than 40 years later,
I am convinced that, given the chance, he
would have been someone who could have
contributed to nation-building.
Ninoy lists what Comvol under Alcaraz
saw as the most promising areas for geothermal development: Luzon – Tiwi, Albay; Makiling, Laguna; Bontoc, Mt. Province; Pinatubo, Zambales,
Visayas – Tonongan-Buraer, Leyte;
Mambucal, Negros Occidental and Cernos
de Negros in Valencia, Negros Oreintal.
Mindano – Lake Mainit, Surigao del
Norte and Agusan del Norte; hot springs
in both Lanaos and in the Mt. Apo area in
Davao. He also pointed out that the Atlanta
Economic Review in its December 1971
issue listed 89 thermal springs in the Philippines “probably the most numerous for a
country its size.”
***
In his last installment, Ninoy pointed
out that geothermal is cheaper even than
hydroelectric power and is something that
could be used almost forever. Sadly, our
experience with geothermal has not been
without errors. Among these has been that
we did not look at the best practices in the
geothermal installations.
Apparently, for the geothermal installation to last longer, almost forever, water
has to be injected into the well under high
pressure. . In other words, without new
water, it will eventually dry up. This is a
very expensive addition to the installation,
which could be one reason why the wells
that were dug did not have a way of pumping fresh water into the ground under very
high pressure.
This is apparently the situation now
with the first geothermal facility that was
set up in Tiwi, Albay and in Mt. Makiling
in Laguna.
At any rate, what I found intriguing
was that Ninoy half a month before Martial
Law would be declared was writing a science piece for the layman about something
good for the future of the country. Too bad
that the Martial Law dictators did not see
that he may not have cared for them but he
certainly was all-out for the country.
***
Here is something that comes from
Forbes, the business magazine: “The most
salient aspect of technology is its power to
disrupt. The important innovations are the
ones that change our world so profoundly
that the previous order becomes not only
untenable, but unthinkable.
“Yet the true impact begins not with
invention, but adoption. That’s when the
second and third-order effects kick in. After
all, the automobile was important not because it ended travel by horse, but because
it created suburbs, gas stations and shopping malls.
“In much the same way, over the next
year we will begin to feel the true impact
of the ‘app economy.’ In the past, open
architectures have mostly been of interest
to technophiles and status-conscious millennials. Now, however, they are becoming so pervasive that every business, large
or small, will have to connect in order to
compete.
“When Steve Jobs and Apple launched
the iPhone in June of 2007, it was an instant
hit. Hundreds of consumers lined up at
stores to be among the first to buy one and
millions were sold in the first year. After
only five quarters, it surpassed Blackberry,
the market leader at the time and became a
consumer icon.
“Yet it wasn’t till a year later that Apple
really changed the world. That was when
the App Store arrived. 10 million apps were
downloaded in the first three days and that
number grew into more than a billion within a year. Looking back at those early apps,
they seem amazingly primitive, but at the
time they were revolutionary.
“Apple, in essence, transformed the
iPhone from a consumer product to an
ecosystem. The company provided tools
like Software Development Kits (SDK’s)
and Application Programming Interfaces
(API’s), so that anyone, anywhere could alter and improve the functionality of Apple
products.
“It also created a major advantage for
Apple. Anyone who wanted to compete
with it would have to not only match its
capabilities and performance, but the collective efforts of thousands of independent
developers, all striving to create something
useful for Apple’s legions of fans.
“And it’s not just Apple anymore. Today, brands are becoming platforms that
rely less on the features of their products
and more on the breadth and quality of their
connections.”
***
Readers who missed a column can access www.duckyparedes.com/blogs. This is
updated daily. Your reactions are welcome
at [email protected] or you can
send me a message through Twitter @diretsahan.
7
Philippine Courier
Mandela will live in our
hearts forever
Reprinted from
Malaya with the
author’s consent
TWENTY-SEVEN years in
prison, a long period of that in
darkness and limited access to
sunlight, affected the eyesight of
world hero Nelson Mandela, that
one of his requests when he came
to the Philippines on a state visit
on March 1, 1997 was to have the
lights dimmed in his hotel room.
His office also specified a room
temperature for the then almost
80-year old South African leader,
whose principled fight against
apartheid and his forgiveness of
the people who had persecuted
him have made him an inspiration
and an icon.
I am not sure where he stayed
during his Manila visit but usually
at that time state visitors stayed at
the Manila Hotel.
I was then a Malacañang reporter and I felt privileged covering the visit of the distinguished
leader. I brought his autobiography, “Long Walk to Freedom”
hoping for a chance to have him
autograph it. When I did not get
the chance to approach him during
the press conference, I gave the
book to his protocol officer hoping that he would have the chance
in between meetings.
The protocol officer returned the
book to me without the much-desired autograph explaining that he
was told by Mandela’s aides said
that the South African leader has
made it a policy not to autograph
books and memorabilia.
There was a 2010 news item in
The Guardian carried a request
from the Nelson Mandela Foundation that “Because of the sheer
volume of requests for his autographs, he no longer signs books,
memorabilia, photographs, etc. “
It was a privilege just seeing the
revered freedom fighter in person.
At the joint press conference with
President Ramos after their meeting, we were told only one question would be allowed from a reporter. Follow up questions would
not be entertained.
I asked a “light” question because that was the first time that
he was travelling with his love
interest, Graca Machel, on an official trip. Machel’s title in the
Mandela entourage was “official
companion.”
Machel is also a distinguished
personality. The widow of Mozambique president Somera Machel, was a friend of Mandela, and
she was known for her humanitarian work.
8
I asked if we wedding bells
would soon ring. That was the first
question in the presscon and the
South African leader must have
expected something political. He
was briefly taken aback but his reply was a class act. He said,” Well,
my cultural background does not
permit me to answer this question
with people young enough to be
my children or grandchildren.”
Mandela and Machel married a
year later.
More than his struggle against
apartheid, Mandela’s lasting legacy was forgiveness. My favorite message from him is this part
from his autobiography, “Look
Walk to Freedom”:
“It was during those long and
lonely years that my hunger for
the freedom of my own people became a hunger for the freedom of
all people, white and black.
“I knew as well as I knew anything that the oppressor must be
liberated just as surely as the oppressed. A man who takes away
another man’s freedom is a prisoner of hatred; he is locked behind
the bars of prejudice and narrow0mindedness….
“When I walked out of prison
that was my mission, to liberate
the oppressed and the oppressor
both, some say that has now been
achieved. But I know that that is
not the case. The truth is that we
are not yet free; we have merely
achieved the freedom to be free,
the right not to be oppressed. We
have not taken the final steps of
our journey, but the first step on
a longer and even more difficult
road.
“For to be free is not merely to
cast off one’s chains, but to live in
a way that respects and enhances
the freedom of others...
“I have walked that long road to
freedom. I have tried not to falter;
I have made missteps along the
way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill,
one only finds that there are many
more hills to climb.
“I have taken a moment here to
rest, to steal a view of the glorious
vista on the distance I have come.
But I can rest only for a moment,
for with freedom comes responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for
my long walk it not yet ended.”
Mandela’s long walk has come
to an end. With his legacy, the
world will continue the journey.
KAKAMPI MO
ANG BATAS
By Atty. Batas Mauricio
“Save Taal Basilica” campaign on
LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “… The more priests there were, the more
they sinned against me; they exchanged their glorious God for something disgraceful…They feed on the sins of my people and relish their
wickedness…” (Hosea 4:7-8, the Holy Bible).
“SAVE TAAL BASILICA”
CAMPAIGN ON:
Lino Atienza is an
alumnus of the University
of the Philippines from Taal,
Batangas, who is furiously
waging a campaign to stop the
Roman Catholic Church in
Taal from continuing with the
construction of a two-storey
structure which, he said, will
destroy the centuries-old Taal
Basilica.
Atienza launched his
campaign via an on-line petition, “Save Taal Basilica
From Desecration and Destruction”, hoping that it will
reach the Archdiocese of Lipa
City, Batangas, and the National Historical Commission
(NHC). So the public may
know, I am reproducing that
on-line petition here. Read
on:
“This is another struggle of Taalenyos against the
continuing desecration, abuse
and decimation of our history,
cultural heritage and patrimony by non-Taalenyos who
wield spiritual and religious
leadership led by our parish
priest.
-oooTAAL BASILICA CONSTRUCTION CRITICIZED:
“He, on his own desire and motive, has recently
altered the original and longvenerated Augustinian theme
of the Basilica’s Main Altar
by replacing it with fancy,
cheap and uncharacteristic
decors and design. Many Taalenyos were aghast and agitated by his acts which were
under the guise of `developing’, yet in truth modernizing
our centuries-old Basilica.
“Today and again, he
has caused the ongoing construction of an anti-thematic
two-storey building with a
wide patio which protrudes
like a sore thumb beside the
Basilica and ruins its wellknown and admired monolithic facade.
“Despite so much criticisms from historians, artists,
architects and well-meaning
learned quarters from Taal
and Taal preservationists, he
remains undaunted and seems
out to make a mark for himself and earn an `ecclesiastical legacy’ when his tenure
ends in Taal.
-oooPARISH PRIEST DID
NOT HOLD CONSULTATIONS?
“People ask: Who is the
architect and have the overall
structural plans for this contracted venture? Has a building permit been issued for the
construction? Who accounts
for the funds and inventories
for all the ventures, past and
especially the present including those solicited from overseas Taalenyos?
“More
importantly,
why was the National Historical Commission (NHC) not
informed by the parish authorities before any construction may have even started?
Who must answer for this unlawful act and clear violation
of the law?
“As the Church sadly
did in the past, no free, informed choices and decisive
consultations with Taalenyos and the NHC were done.
With utter impunity and abuse
of the traditional respect and
sacred concern of Taalenyos
for the priests and religious
personas, the parish priest
has ruined the original, true
and historic image, shape and
reputation of our revered Basilica.”
-oooREACTIONS?
Please call me at 0917
984 24 68, 0918 574 0193,
0922 833 43 96. Email: [email protected], mmauriciojr111@
gmail.com, and [email protected].
December 2013
Philippine Courier
PAGCOR donates P2B to DepEd
MANILA, Philippines (December
20, 2013)—The government on Friday
received what its officials described as
the biggest “bonanza” amounting to
P2 billion from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor) for
the construction of new classrooms in
areas hit by Typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan) last month.
Pagcor chairman and chief
executive officer Cristino Naguiat and
Education Secretary Armin Luistro
signed a memorandum of agreement
(MOA) for Pagcor’s P2-billion commitment to the Department of Education.
Newly-appointed presidential assistant for rehabilitation and recovery,
Secretary Panfilo Lacson, witnessed
the signing held at Pagcor’s office in
Manila.
“Ito po iyong pinakamalaking
bonanza na nakuha ng DepEd na talagang tumutugon sa Yolanda (This is
the biggest bonanza that DepEd has
received for Yolanda),” Luistro said at
a joint press conference.
The P2 billion allocation, he
said, would be used solely for the construction of new classrooms in public
schools in Yolanda-hit areas.
To build 4,500 classrooms, Luistro said the government would need
roughly P4 billion.
“So (this) is around half already
of the needed budget for the replacement of those other classrooms,” the
education chief said.
“In the Cabinet
where Senator Ping
sits, we are discussing
how the other repairs
and where we will
fund the remaining
classrooms that need
to be replaced.”
Luistro hopes
that by January next
year, they could start
the bidding and procurement of materials for the new classrooms.
“DepEd’s target is to fast-track it
so before the opening of classes in June,
at least the one-story
buildings that need to be replaced are
already in place for the coming school
year,” he said.
Lacson, who also joined the
presscon, agreed with Luistro that the
P2 billion allocation from Pagcor was
the biggest “bonanza” so far in terms
of school buildings.
“Sabi nga ni Bro. Armin, ito na
iyong pinakamalaki at halos kalahati
ng problema ang nabawas sa kanya
(Like what Bro. Armin said, this is the
biggest and almost half of his problem
has been reduced,” Lacson said.
Naguiat said it has been Pagcor’s advocacy to help the DepEd. In
fact, he said, this P2 billion new fund
brought the total allocation of Pagcor for DepEd to P5 billion since the
Aquino government assumed office in
2010.
Pagcor, in a separate statement,
said the P2 billion allocation will be
used to construct approximately 2,000
classrooms in the Visayas and some
parts of Region 4, including Palawan
and Romblon, which reportedly recorded the most number of heavily
damaged schools.
“By doing our share in the government’s rehabilitation efforts, we
can give hope and provide assistance
to the students who are now studding
in makeshift classrooms. These are
the same students who are still dealing with their loss yet they are trying
to move on with their lives,” Naguiat
said.
“For our country to really rise
from this tragedy, we must be all willing to help the survivors, especially
the youth to live normal lives again,”
he added.
Aside from the P2 billion
fund for new classrooms, Naguiat said
Pagcor also committed another P6
million to the Department of Public
Works and Highways which will be
used to paint the bunk houses of typhoon victims. (INQ7.net)
The Philippine Independence Day council (PIDC) headed by president Norma Carpio spearheads a fundraising campaign December 13, 2013 held at STARWALK
Buffet in Scarborough to raise some thousands of dollars to be sent to the victims of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) thru Gawad Kalinga. Ontario Premier Kathleen Lynn
and other provincial luminaries joined the turn-over ceremonies with Consul-General Junever Mahilum-West. (Photos by Ariel ramos-PPCO)
December 2013
9
Philippine Courier
Stars of the Month
Parent and grandparent sponsorships
to re-open in New Year
By Ores Ting
TORONTO (December 19, 2013) - An early Christmas gift from Citizenship and
Immigration Canada as Minister Chris Alexander announced today that the parent
and grandparent (PGP) category of family reunification will reopen as of Jan. 2, 2014.
Application forms, guides and information on how to apply to the new PGP
program will be made available online on Dec. 31, 2013.
The program had been paused in 2011, after the backlog of applications was
getting out of control. Instead, the immigration department focused on processing
the applications already in the system and introduced the Parent and Grandparent
Super Visa for long-term visits. The new program will re-open with tighter admission
criteria and a cap on applications, which Alexander says will continue to reduce the
backlog.
“Our government understands the importance of spending time with family
and loved ones, especially during the holiday season. Our government is making improvements to the immigration system so that families can be reunited more quickly.
Because of our changes, Canada is on track to welcome more than 50,000 parents and
grandparents in 2012-2013 — the highest number in nearly a decade,” said Minister
Alexander.
The Super Visa will remain an option for parents and grandparents who want to
spend longer periods of time with their families in Canada without becoming permanent residents. To date, approximately 28,000 Super Visas have been issued with an
approval rate of almost 85 per cent.
In Loving Memory of
Miss Ores Ting
To all our readers and
supporters....
everyone. They are Stars ... glittering
and shining for us to see and appreciate.
I would like to greet everyone: Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong
Taon!!!
Dario Meriales
On behalf of Stars of the Month
and The Philippine Courier Newspaper's publisher and editor, Mon Datol
...."Let there be peace on earth and
goodwill to mankind".
May the Christmas holidays and
the coming New Year bring us Joy,
Love, and Prosperity. I am pleased to
say, Stars of the Month will continue
to feature individuals, community
leaders, students, artists, movers and
shakers, who made a difference in
the community but also who accomplished excellence in their chosen careers or simply be the role model to
December 17th, 1951
December 5th, 2013
Miss Ores Ting
Editor, Stars of the Month
Fill not Your Heart
Fill not your hearts with pain and sorrow,
But remember me in every tomorrow.
Remember the joy,
the laughter, the smiles,
I've only gone to rest a little while.
Although my leaving
causes pain and grief,
My going has eased my hurt
And given me relief.
So dry your eyes and remember me,
Not as I am now, but as I used to be.
Because I will remember you all
And look on with a smile.
Understand, in your hearts,
I've only gone to rest a little while.
As long as I have the love of each of you,
I can live my life in the hearts
of all of you.
"Who is the happiest of men? He
who value the merits of others, and in
their pleasure takes joy!!!". J.W. Von
Goethe.
(For Star of the Month inquiries, pls. call Ores Ting@ 416-546-9391)
Servicio Filipino
p Internationale
Call us now at
(416) 266-3838 or
(416) 264-7676
Fax (416) 265-3939
And look for
Marissa Corpus (UP Graduate)
65 Elfreda Blvd.,
Toronto ON M1L 4L5
Email: [email protected]
> Want to sponsor / help a relative?
> Visitor needing an employer?
> Need a new employer?
> Any immigration problems?
> Caregiver sponsorship available
NARIRITO PARA
TUMULONG SA INYO!
10 YEARS HELPING OUR
KABABAYANS
Manila: Please call Rubie Tupas at Tel: (632) 830-0573
Fax: (632) 830-0547. Suite 821 Cityland Herrera Towers,
#98 Herrera Corner Valero Sts., Salcedo Village, Makati City
Email: [email protected]
NEEDED ASAP
-
Hair Stylist
-
Beauty Salon in Wilson/Bathurst Area
-
Call: Ronda @ 416-892-1383
Member: Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC)
"Full Member" M041454
10
December 2013
Philippine Courier
Thousands in Toronto still without power
By Mon Datol
Ice storm leaves 10 dead in Canada
Mayor Ford defends decision not to declare a state of emergency while 72,000 Toronto Hydro customers remain without power
TORONTO (December 27,
2013) — Ten people were reported dead from apparent carbon monoxide poisoning after
using gas generators to heat
their blacked-out homes in Ontario and Quebec as an offshoot
of the deadly ice storm that hit
Canada during the Christmas
week.
The Police said two people
in Ontario died after using a gas
generator to heat their blackedout home northeast of Toronto.
Police in Quebec also reported
said carbon monoxide poisoning was believed to be the cause
of three deaths in a chalet on the
province's North Shore.
Earlier, five people were
killed in eastern Canada in highway crashes blamed on severe
weather conditions.
Utility crews all over
the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
worked Wednesday to restore
power to more than 100,000
homes that were left in the dark
by last weekend's deadly ice
storm, considered one of the
worst to hit Canada, which has
been linked to 10 deaths.
As temperatures plunged
into the low single digits (below
minus 7 Celsius) in Toronto —
where about 72,000 customers
remained without power Christmas morning — authorities reported a dramatic jump in calls
for suspected carbon monoxide
poisoning, responding to 110
calls in a 24-hour period. Officials said they typically see 20
such calls a day.
While temperatures remain frigid, Mayor Rob Ford
said he would not call a state of
emergency because he did not
want to panic anyone in the city.
“This is not a state of
emergency,” he told a press conference at City Hall on Christmas morning alongside the
chiefs of city services. “We’re
not even close.”
"I understand they
want to keep warm, but you
cannot do this. This is deadly,"
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford said
December 2013
Tuesday as the city issued an extreme cold weather alert. Hydro
crews continue to work around
the clock assisted by additional
personnel from as far away as
Manitoba.
Ford suggested, however, that the city has turned the
corner. “We have made huge
progress. Look at the numbers:
from 300,000 down to 72,000,”
he said referring to the number
of homes without power.
“The hospitals are up and
running, the TTC, the Sheppard line is now up and running.
Everything is going as well as
it can in these conditions.” An
extreme cold weather alert for
the city has also been lifted, the
Mayor said in an interview over
CTV24.
Ford made an appeal
for non-perishable food donations to be dropped off any of
the warming sites around the
city, where the number of people seeking refuge has doubled
since they opened Sunday night.
“Hopefully that number won’t
get higher tonight, but we have
to plan for the worst,” Ford said.
People can also drop off
food donations at any police station, Ford added.
Premier Kathleen Wynne
reiterated Wednesday that the
province is already doing all it
can to help communities recover
from the ice storm, regardless of
state of emergency declarations.
Fire officials warned residents not to use any appliance
that burns inside a home, and
even cautioned against using a
lot of candles.
Elsewhere in Ontario, about
30,000 customers were still
without power early Wednesday. In Quebec, some 28,000
customers remained without
power. In New Brunswick, just
under 30,000 customers were
still in the dark.
Canadian utility officials
warned that some customers
could be without power until
Saturday. (With report from Associated Press)
Mayor Rob Ford
Destruction is written in these photos of TPC’s Laurence Tierra taken in Richmond Hill.
11
Philippine Courier
Fil-Am driver returns $300K
.. Poker player left money in his taxi
LAS VEGAS (December 27, 2013) –
A Filipino-American taxi driver found
a paper bag full of cash here last Monday but promptly turned it over to his
employer to prove that “Las Vegas may
be a Sin City but is actually an Angel
City.”
Gerardo Gamboa, 54, a native
of Mabalacat, Pampanga and current
Nevada resident, handed the $300,000
(P12.6 million) to the Yellow Checker
Star cab company, according to the FilAm Extra Exchange.
Gamboa was given a $5 tip by
the passenger he picked up at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas, but who
had unknowingly left behind in the taxi
a paper bag full of money. He dropped
his passenger off at Palm Place Hotel
after a five-minute drive, a distance of
two miles, the paper said.
When he went to another taxi
stand at Bellagio Hotel, its doorman,
who hailed Gamboa’s taxi, told him,
“There is a bag in (your taxi) full of
chocolate.”
When the bag was opened, it
turned out to contain bundles of $100
bills totaling $300,000.
An apologetic Gamboa reportedly told
the new passenger, “You are my witness. I did not touch anything here.”
When Gamboa informed his employer of the find, he was told to immediately return to headquarters by onduty supervisor Terry Mast of Y.C.S.
Yellow, Checker and Star Taxi Group
of Companies.
The money was counted and audited in front of taxi company officials
and later locked in its lost-and-found
safety vault. Hours later, the owner of
the cash arrived to claim the money
and profusely thanked Gamboa, FilAm Extra Exchange said.
The owner turned out to be a
world-renowned professional poker
player, who had a big night before he
hailed Gamboa’s taxi. The poker player did not want to be identified.
At first, CBS TV station KLAS
in Las Vegas said the poker player was
not able to collect his money pending
verification of his identity “because he
had no ID.” But when the Las Vegas
police confirmed the claimant’s identity, the taxi company gave the money
to the poker player.
Checker Group of Companies
CEO Bill Shrinko said he was not sur-
PerryScope
prised at the incident as the company
had dealt with far bigger amounts left
behind in their taxis.
Shrinko added that all drivers
of their taxis undergo an almost weekly
seminar or continuing education about
honesty as professional taxi drivers,
emphasizing honesty to all tourists
from all over the world visiting the entertainment capital.
Gamboa, for his act of honesty,
expressed his desire to prove that Filipinos are hardworking, industrious and
honest no matter where they are.
For his honesty, Gamboa was
adjudged “Driver of the Year” by the
company. He was also given $1,000 in
reward money and a dinner for two in a
high-end Las Vegas hotel.
Gamboa is the son of the late
Manuel Gamboa from Silay City and
Leonila Dizon-Gamboa from San
Francisco, Mabalacat.
CBS TV KLAS said the owner
of the money is going to give Gamboa
a “substantial reward.” Gamboa, a 13year taxi driver veteran, told another
reporter, “I just want to do the right
thing.” (philstar.com)
The good, the bad, and Yolanda
By Perry Diaz
Super typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda was
the worst typhoon in recorded history,
weather experts say. Indeed, the loss
of life and property was staggering.
With 6,092 deaths, 27,665 injured, and
1,779 missing, it would take a massive
effort to rebuild the lives of the survivors of the biggest storm of all time.
The immediate task is to provide
food, shelter, and security to more than
3.4 families or 16.1 million people who
were affected by the super typhoon,
with 4.1 million people displaced in
588 municipalities and 57 cities. And
with more than half a million homes
destroyed and another 600,000 homes
damaged, it would take a generation to
rehabilitate and reconstruct the devastation caused by Yolanda.
The good guys
It didn’t take too long for the international community to respond
to the calamity. Led by the United
States, many countries donated funds
and tons of food and other necessities to the survivors. The U.S. Navy
sent the USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group to Leyte and Samar
to deliver food, water, medicine, and
other supplies. Australia sent airplanes
to help in the evacuation efforts. And
the United Kingdom deployed the destroyer HMS Daring and aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious to help in the international relief operations. Even China,
after staying on the sideline for over a
week, sent a hospital ship.
But it was the spontaneous efforts
of various non-government groups
that made the difference. One group
that stood out among the others is
the Vietnam War refugees who fled
12
Vietnam in 1975 when the Viet Cong
overran the country. Nowhere to go,
thousands of Vietnamese crammed
into boats and left, unsure where to
find safety. Â They found a safe haven
across the vast South China Sea in the
Philippines where the Philippine government put them up in rehabilitation
centers in Bataan and Palawan.
After several years of rehabilitation
in the Philippines, the boat people -as the Vietnamese refugees came to be
known “found a permanent host country, the United States, where they resettled permanently.
Thirty-eight years later, the Vietnamese had a rare opportunity to repay a debt of gratitude to the Filipino
people. Representatives of the Ben
Em Dang Co Ta Foundation, the Saigon Broadcasting Television Network
(SBTN), and the Vietnamese Refugees
for Philippines (VR4P) went to the
Philippine Embassy in Washington,
DC and donated more than $440,000
to relief efforts for the victims of super
typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda.
Other groups helped, too. A group
of South Koreans in Sacramento, California held a fundraising event that
generated more than $5,000 for the
Yolanda victims. In Davis, California,
former Davis mayor Ruth Asmundson,
a Filipino-American, partnered with
the local Rotary Club and raised more
than $37,000 in one event “a luncheon.
In Roseville, California, the Thunder
Valley Indian Casino donated $60,000
to Yolanda relief efforts. In Sacramento, a group spearheaded by Eskwela
Natin, the first Filipino-American cultural school in Northern California, is
holding a fundraiser on December 29,
2013, featuring the world-renowned
University of the Philippines Concert
Chorus (UPCC). The group is hoping
to raise $10,000 for the Yolanda victims.
The bad guys
And then came the bad guys. An
article in a British newspaper, Daily
Mail, last December 17 headlined,
Philippines aid scandal: Food flown
in from Britain ends up in shops hundreds of miles from typhoon, which
reported the following anomalies:
1) Supplies have turned up on
shelves of shops in the capital Manila.
The report says that the supplies were
siphoned off and sold for profit by corrupt local officials.
2) Equipment bought with UK
donations has been locked up in warehouses. The report says that emergency
supplies delivered by military helicopters have turned up on the shelves of
shops in affluent districts of the capital
Manila “hundreds of miles from the
disaster zone.
3) Rice and other food is being
stockpiled and not given to needy.
The report says that shelter equipment
purchased using British donations has
been locked up in government warehouses and stockpiled alongside rice
and other food intended for victims of
last month’s catastrophe.
The report says that charitable organizations were concerned that not all
donations reached the disaster area.
It says that the Disaster Emergency
Committee (DEC) -- an umbrella
group representing 14 UK charities “is
concerned about reports that not all the
million of aid given by British charities reached those who needed it most.
Yolanda
Stories of massive thefts caught the
attention of the media. The Daily Mail
told the story of a disc jockey who received death threats for trying to expose local officials who were stealing
aid in Eastern Samar. I’ve seen the
deliveries arrive and I’ve seen them
disappear, said the disc jockey who
originally came from Scotland and
is married to a Filipina. He claimed
that only a tiny percentage of the aid
reached the typhoon victims. Television stations in Manila collaborated
this claim that supplies were diverted
to Manila. Fearing for his life, he and
his family fled and are now hiding in
Manila.
Recently, President Benigno P-Noy
Aquino III appointed former senator
Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson as presidential
assistant for rehabilitation and recovery or Rehab Czar. But no sooner had
Ping warmed up to his new job than
some local officials started to take advantage of the plight of Yolanda victims.
Indeed, Yolanda had brought out the
best in people, the good guys. But sad
to say, she also brought out the worst
among us, the bad guys. They might
get away with their evil deeds but they
can’t escape the Law of Karma. As
someone once said, Nothing escapes
the Law of Karma. You get from the
world what you give to the world. And
as for Yolanda, well, she’d come back
again under another name to test the
resilience of man. And each time, too,
the bad guys would rear their ugly
heads. But at the end of the day, the
good would prevail over evil. ([email protected])
December 2013
Philippine Courier
Business
Edited by: Miguel Caducio
Citi hikes Phl growth forecast
MANILA, Philippines - American financial giant
Citigroup has upgraded its 2014 economic growth
forecast for the Philippines due to post-typhoon rehabilitation efforts which can spur public and private
spending early next year.
In a report titled Pan-Asia Road Ahead: 2014
Outlook, Citi said the country’s economy would
grow 7.3 percent next year, an upward revision from
an earlier target of 6.9 percent.
“The devastation wrought by Typhoon Yolanda
may slow fourth quarter 2013 GDP growth, but the
rebuilding efforts could prompt a sharp recovery in
first quarter of 2014,” Citi said.
The forecast is near the higher end of government’s 6.5-to 7.5-percent target for 2014. This was
also an improvement from Citi’s 2013 economic
growth forecast of 6.5 percent, a downgrade from an
earlier outlook of 7.3 percent.
The Philippine economy expanded by 7.4 per-
cent in the nine months to September, still faster than
government’s six-to seven-percent target this year.
However, the government foresees a sharp decline in
the pace of growth for the fourth quarter following
the devastation brought by Super Typhoon Yolanda.
The typhoon, which ravaged central Philippines
in November, has killed more than 5,700 and de-
stroyed over P35 billion worth of infrastructure and
agriculture, based on latest government estimates.
At the same time, Citi expects the rise in domestic prices to stay within the central bank’s three-to
five-percent target range. “Inflation should stay within an acceptable range of four to five percent; hence,
we expect a gradual 50bps (basis points) policy rate
hike in 2H14 (second half of 2014),” Citi said.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas expects inflation to average four percent next year, at the midpoint of the target range. The rate has so far averaged
2.8 percent this year, below the central bank’s three
to five percent target range.
The benign inflation and the country’s robust economic growth has allowed the central bank to keep
policy rates steady since the start of the year. “Aside
from the reconstruction theme, we see deployment
of excess liquidity and gradually rising rates as key
drivers of the market,” Citi noted. (philstar.com)
Net FDI inflows seen hitting $2.6 B next year
MANILA, Philippines (Decembe 25,
2013) - The Philippines is seen to enjoy
higher foreign direct investments (FDI)
in 2014 on the back of sustained investor confidence in the country.
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)
Deputy Governor Diwa C. Guinigundo
said a net FDI inflow of $2.6 billion is
expected for 2014, 24 percent above
the projected $2.1 billion by end of
2013. “There’s some improvement
despite the volatilities in the market
which means there’s still confidence
here,” Guinigundo said.
Net FDI inflow surged 33 percent to $3.108 billion in the first nine
months of the year from $2.332 billion
in the same period last year, latest BSP
data showed. Most of the equity placements came from Mexico, Japan, the
United States, British Virgin Islands,
and the United Kingdom.
These funds went mainly to manufacturing, water supply, sewerage,
waste management and remediation,
financial and insurance, real estate, and
arts, entertainment and recreation activities. The latest net FDI figure was
OFW inflows hit record high
MANILA, Philippines (December 27, 2013) - Cash remittances
from Filipinos overseas, which
help boost domestic consumption,
surged to a record high in October
amid steady demand for skilled and
professional workers, the Bangko
Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported
yesterday.
Remittances went up seven
percent to a record $2.062 billion
in October from $1.928 billion in
the same month last year. The central bank said the latest figure was
the highest level ever recorded for
monthly cash remittances. The previous peak for remittances was seen
in December last year at $1.975 billion.
“Sustained demand for skilled
and professional Filipino manpower
overseas supported the steady rise
in remittances,” the BSP said. The
central bank, citing data from the
Philippine Overseas Employment
Administration, said approved job
orders reached 675,966 as of October, two-fifths of which were for
services, production, professional,
technical, and other related work.
These job orders were for
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab
Emirates, Kuwait, Taiwan, Hong
Kong, and Qatar. The October remittances brought the 10-month fig-
December 2013
ure to $18.542 billion, six percent
up from last year’s $17.499 billion.
Money sent home by landbased workers grew 5.5 percent
to $14.2 billion, while those from
sea-based workers increased 7.5
percent to $4.3 billion. The central
bank said the major sources of cash
remittances during the 10-month
period were the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, the
United Arab Emirates, Singapore,
Canada, and Japan.
Personal remittances, which
include cash and non-cash items
sent home by Filipinos abroad rose
8.8 percent to $2.282 billion in October, also an all-time high. This
brought the January to October
level to $20.452 billion, 6.8 percent
higher than last year’s level.
Last month, the central bank
said cash remittances may surge in
November and December following the destruction caused by Super
Typhoon Yolanda. Filipinos abroad
are expected to send more to their
families as they rebuild their houses
and businesses ravaged by the typhoon.
The central bank expects
remittances to grow by five percent
this year from last year’s $21.391
billion.
above the BSP’s $2.1-billion assumption for the year and was higher than
the previous year’s $2 billion.
Meanwhile, the country is expected to see a drop in foreign portfolio investments or hot money next year
following the US Federal Reserve’s announcement of the start of the tapering.
Guinigundo said net hot money inflow
is seen to reach only $2.1 billion in
2014, 34 percent lower than the projected $3.2 billion this year.
This is due to the Fed’s tapering of stimulus, he said, as investors
around the world start rebalancing their
portfolios. The US Fed on Dec. 18 announced they will scale back monthly
asset purchases by $10 billion to $75
billion. The long-awaited tapering,
which has caused volatilities in global
financial markets since May this year,
will finally begin on January 2014.
However, the Fed said further
cuts in the bond purchases may be
made next year, the pace and timing of
which will depend heavily on the US
economy’s continued recovery.
Phl still among world’s fastest growing economies
MANILA, Philippines (December 23,
2013) - The Philippine economy is expected to sustain its strong growth next
year and remain as one of the world’s fastest growing economies, Moody’s Analytics said yesterday.
“The Philippines continues to outperform and will remain one of the world’s
fastest growing economies in 2014,” senior economist Glenn Levine said in a
report titled Asia Pacific Outlook 2014:
Realizing Potential.
“Confidence is high, and investment, both public and private, is driving
the economy forward. Demand should rebound quickly after Typhoon Haiyan,” he
continued.
The Philippine economy expanded
by 7.4 percent in the first nine months
of the year, faster than the government’s
six to seven percent target for the year.
The growth was attributed to strong consumer demand that continues to make up
the bulk of the country’s gross domestic
product (gdp), government spending, and
rising investments.
Although the government and economists forecast a dip in economic output in
the fourth quarter following the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Yolanda
and other recent calamities, rebuilding efforts in early 2014 are expected to prop up
the economy.
Thus, growth is expected to remain
within the government’s target of a 6.5 to
7.5 percent range next year.
Levine said the Philippine economy’s performance will be in line with the
region’s performance as global demand
picks up. “The Asia Pacific region enters
2014 growing solidly with a mild tailwind
from growing global demand. The global
and regional economies are on a slow cyclical upturn and downside risks are receding,” Levine said.
“Next year should be better than 2013,
with most national economies growing
near or at potential rates by year’s end,”
he continued.
“Yet there are reasons to believe 2014
will be better. The OECD (Organization
for Economic Cooperation and Development) leading indicator of economic activity is accelerating, suggesting that developed world GDP will improve in the
coming quarters,” Levine said. (philstar.
com)
13
Philippine Courier
Acer’s next-generation products fit for everyone’s
lifestyle
IT BUZZ
AROUND
By Miguel Caducio
for voice recognition and VOIP applications. Though thin and light, its aluminum unibody design exudes toughness
for better protection, plus a dual-torque
and t-shaped hinge frame that enhance
the stiffness of the screen when opened
and reduce any wobble effects.
Unique and innovative, the Acer Aspire R7-571 uses the “Ezel” hinge that
transforms it from a normal notebook
by simply reversing the screen, as a
tablet with its pad mode, or as a digital drawing board in Ezel mode. This
way, users can place the screen exactly
where they want it, making it a true
multi-functional device for the modern
cyber road warrior of today.
S7-392
In line with its worldwide campaign “A
Touch More,” global tech giant Acer introduces its next generation products in the
country highlighting their innovative design features, which include those in the
growing “touch” product category.
In celebrating new solutions for an easier everyday life, Acer offers products that
can cope with users who multi-task, now a
required skill not just in work but also in
managing many other different lifestyles
outside the office. Mobile devices such as
notebooks had now become very useful for
students, businessmen, and even artists
in conducting their everyday endeavors.
One of the thinnest laptops in the
market today, a mere millimeter thicker
than its predecessor, who would think
that the Acer Aspire S7-392 packs
more power and has the ability to perform more? This über-popular, awardwinning Ultrabook is amped-up with
4th generation Intel Core processors
for that blinding processing speed, plus
“Acer Purified Voice” to reduce noise
Meanwhile, the Acer Aspire S3392’s slim and stylish design comes
with powerful enhancements starting
with its 4th generation Intel Core processors to pump up its productivity and
entertainment functions when it comes
to office or personal needs. Plus, a patented dual-torque hinge and Acer TwinAir cooling technology gives you a
wobble-free touch experience and better overall computing power.
Another dominant notebook from
Acer is the Aspire V3-772, also with
formidable 4th-Gen Intel Core chips,
up to 2TB storage space or 1TB via
256GB SSD, or through the AcerCloud
for much more storage space. The V3772’s NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760M
provides vivid and crystal-clear enjoyment to users when it comes to visual
applications, along with Dolby Home
Theater v4 sound system for crisper audio quality.
With 4 different laptops to choose
from, Acer customers now have the
power to choose the unit that they need,
depending on their lifestyle.
When it comes to mobile handheld
devices, Acer offers the Acer Iconia
W4-820. With its “Zero Air Gap” technology, the touch capacity and LCD
screen are closely bonded to provide
superior clarity and brightness. It is
built not just for fun but also productivity, especially when viewing, creating
or editing documents even while you’re
on the road or rushing in-between but
very important appointments.
Aside from mobile devices, Acer
also thinks of every home that relies on
technology. Take a look at Acer desktops like the Veriton Z2-660G, a popular choice for commercial/business users. Businesses now have an affordable
solution for their PC needs, be it in
computing processes or securing valuable data and system protection.
Or you can go for the All-in-One
(AIO) PC like the Acer Aspire ZC602
and the award-winning Acer Aspire
U5-610. The Aspire ZC602 delivers
not only the basic computer needs at
home but also packs features that make
it easier to use like using hand gestures
to control it.
4500 Sheppard Avenue East Units 25 & 26 Scarborough, ON M1S 3R6
(416) 335-8555
14
December 2013
Philippine Courier
UK, Canada staying by PH in ‘Yolanda’ rehab
MANILA (December 27, 2013) - As the
Philippines girds for long-term reconstruction of typhoon-hit Eastern Visayas,
foreign partners are staying by its side.
The United Kingdom and Canada
have reaffirmed support for the government and typhoon survivors, announcing
over the holidays fresh funding to restore
infrastructure and social services in villages ravaged by the Nov. 8 disaster.
On Christmas Eve, the United
Kingdom announced a fresh allocation of
at least P1 billion more to support government’s “build back better” program,
the British Embassy in Manila has said.
Justine Greening, the UK’s International Development Secretary, announced the fresh funding commitment
on Christmas Eve, saying the amount
will also send UK experts to the country
to assist in the long-term recovery effort.
Rising from tragedy
“The UK was at the forefront of the international emergency response in the Philippines, getting vital humanitarian aid
to hundreds of thousands of survivors.
Now, British money and expertise will
help rebuild homes, get people back into
work and protect the most vulnerable, especially girls and women,” Greening said
in a statement sent out by the Embassy.
British Ambassador to the Philippines Asif Ahmad also reaffirmed the
UK’s commitment, saying their “hearts
and minds are with Pinoys as they rise
again from this tragedy.”
The new funding pledge raises to at least
P5.4 billion the UK’s total assistance to
survivors of Super-typhoon “Yolanda”
and is expected to benefit at least a million of the affected residents.
In Tacloban City, Christmas lights
blink in a handful of restaurants in Tacloban, but at nightfall, much of this city
destroyed by Supertyphoon “Yolanda”
(international name: Haiyan) slips into
darkness.
A few downtown shops have reopened. Roadside vendors peddle fruits
of the season: oranges and red apples.
There is rebuilding, though much of it
consists of residents hammering shelters
out of scavenged debris and plastic sheeting provided by the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
and other aid agencies.
The Nov. 8 typhoon killed more
than 6,100 people, displaced at least 4
million others, and left its most gruesome
mark on Tacloban, a city of 220,000 that
will need years to recover.
Soon after the storm, Energy
December 2013
Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla promised
to restore power by Christmas Eve or resign, and indeed, electricity has returned
to nearly all of the more than 300 towns
that lost it.
But relatively few people are able to
use it. Officials say many storm-ravaged
houses and shops will spend the holidays
in the dark because their wiring systems
are damaged.
The City Hall, a seaside hilltop
complex surrounded by ruins, buzzes
with typhoon relief work, with dozens of
staffers and foreign aid workers busy on
the phone or huddled in talks.
“I am hoping by a year you’ll see some
significant improvements,” Mayor Alfred Romualdez said. But he’s not sure
when his city will fully bounce back.
Christmas Day Mass was celebrated by the papal envoy. There was
a Christmas Eve dinner for foreign aid
workers and local officials. But mostly,
Christmas was a celebration amid deprivation, in tents, makeshift homes and
damaged churches. The smell of death
remains in parts of the city. Thousands of
people have simply left.
“Many of them, I know, prefer
not to spend it here,” Romualdez said.
“Maybe a change of scenery first and
then come back after the holidays.”
Body bag
Fire Officer Rolando Unay gently lifts a
black cadaver bag left on a roadside by
villagers in Tacloban City. “It’s a child,”
he told his team of corpse collectors.
As their orange dump truck cruises
along a main road adorned with Christmas trees, motorists and passers-by cover
their noses.
More than six weeks after the
typhoon struck, leaving well over 2,000
people dead in Tacloban alone, this sad
work continues.
Soldiers, police, firefighters and
volunteers have cleared what had been a
heartbreaking landscape of bodies strewn
across the ruined city, but the stench in
scattered mounds of debris means there
are more left to find.
Unay, a doting grandfather with
five children, says that although the work
is difficult he sees the good in it.
“Every time I lift a child’s body,
I could feel that the agony of a parent, a
family somewhere, is about to end,” he
said on Friday.
At a corner, a distraught fisherman, Hubert Labanan, waves at Unay’s
truck to stop. He points to the remains
of his mother by the roadside. Villagers
found her remains under a pile of wood
and other debris that they cleared while
preparing to repair a house.
Holding back tears, Labanan tells
Unay’s crew that he had lost his own
home in the storm and was too poor to
bury his mother in a cemetery. He begged
that she be taken to a mass grave.
As Unay’s team left with his mother’s
remains, Labanan waved goodbye, then
stood motionless until the orange truck
vanished from his sight.
Bubble burst
In early November, Eledio Moro thought
he had Christmas figured out. He was going to surprise his 2-year-old daughter,
Aubrey, with a pink toy motorbike. For
his wife, a gold bracelet, or maybe an expensive Western-brand shirt.
He owned a restaurant and a
money-lending business. His new house
was one of the grandest in the poor coastal neighborhood. Last year, he draped
it with the best and brightest Christmas
lights.
“We worked hard and were doing well then suddenly, like a bubble that
burst, I lost everything,” he said.
Like many in Tacloban, Moro ignored an order from authorities to evacuate as the typhoon approached, thinking
his house could withstand the storm.
He and his family were huddled by the staircase when a cargo ship,
swept inland by the massive storm surge,
smashed into the house, knocking them
into the water.
He survived by grabbing a piece of
bamboo. Now all that is left of his home
is the staircase, a wall and a second-floor
balcony beside the huge, steel-hulled
ship, still stuck by the road.
Moro, 41, now lives with his sister. Sleeping tablets have helped him get
through the worst of the past six weeks,
he says. On Christmas, he planned to
visit the graves of his wife and his daughter, “to ask for forgiveness for not having
been able to save them.”
Mass wedding
Although its roof got blown away by
Yolanda’s wind and it became a burial
ground for dozens of typhoon victims,
the Roman Catholic cathedral in Palo,
near Tacloban, hosted a festive event a
day before Christmas: the mass wedding
of 98 couples.
Originally scheduled for 147 couples on Nov. 16, the wedding was postponed when the monster storm struck,
damaging the church’s interior, breaking
its stained glass windows and scattering
its pews.
A smaller number registered for
Tuesday’s ceremony, apparently because
the other couples left the region after the
storm, said Msgr. Bernie Pantin, who officiated the wedding.
“I praised them for their strong faith
whatever happens,” Pantin said.
Workers draped the roof with
tarpaulins ahead of Christmas but part of
the altar still got wet from a downpour
later Tuesday. Archbishop Giuseppe
Pinto, the papal envoy to the Philippines,
was to celebrate a Christmas Eve Mass at
the damaged cathedral.
Thriving resto
At night in Tacloban’s dark and dreary
downtown, Joseph Bonavitacola’s restaurant is filled with chatter, mostly of
foreign and local aid workers. His brick
oven hardly gets any rest. Red Christmas
lanterns, lights and decor adorn window
panes and a brick wall at Giuseppe’s,
which has the ambiance of fine dining.
It’s hard to imagine how the
Italian businessman, who has lived in the
city for 20 years with his Filipino wife,
reopened the place less than three weeks
after Yolanda devastated about 4,000
businesses. Only about 5 percent have
reopened, officials say.
“The water was about this high,”
Bonavitacola said, pointing to the chesthigh wooden cashier counter. “The bar
was down. The chiller was by the door.
The doors were broken. There was lots
of mud. Everything was upside down.”
Frightened by a jailbreak and
looting, he left for Manila with his family but returned after three days to start a
massive cleanup with 20 employees. He
fixed damaged equipment and got supplies from another branch of his restaurant.
Despite a power outage, he reopened Nov. 24 with candlelit tables. His
message, exclaimed on a big sign outside: Rise Tacloban.
He also owns 10 meat shops that
were inundated, and has begun to reopen
them, keeping prices at pre-typhoon levels.
Outside his crowded restaurant,
armed policemen stand guard. Most
nearby shops remain shut. “We try to
make it feel as normal as possible,” says
Bonavitacola’s wife, Catheryn. “Because
outside, it’s still depressing.” (INQ7.net
with AP)
15
Philippine Courier
Entertainment
Edited by: Ross D. Tierra
‘Fast & Furious 7′ delayed until April 2015
NEW YORK (December 24, 2013) – Universal Pictures has delayed the release of “Fast & Furious 7″ for almost a year following
the death of star Paul Walker.
The studio announced Monday that the “Fast & Furious” sequel will be released in April 2015, instead of July. Shooting on the
film was about halfway finished when the 40-year-old Walker died in
a car crash outside of Los Angeles.
Walker will still appear in the film, though Universal has not
said exactly how it will handle his unfinished performance.
Co-star Vin Diesel first posted the news on Facebook, telling
his fans that, “He’d want you to know first.”
The franchise has been one of Universal’s most lucrative,
grossing almost $2.4 billion worldwide since 2001. The last film,
“Fast & Furious 6,” made $789 million. (PR)
In this film publicity still released by Universal Pictures, Paul Walker, left,
and Vin Diesel, are shown in a scene from “Fast & Furious.” Universal
Pictures has delayed the release of “Fast & Furious 7” for almost a year following the death of Paul Walker. The studio announced early Monday, Dec.
23, 2013, that the “Fast & Furious” sequel will be released in April 2015,
instead of July next year. Shooting on the film was about midway through
when the 40-year-old Walker died in a car crash outside of Los Angeles. (AP
Photo/Universal Pictures, Jaimie Trueblood)
Miss Philippines Bea Rose Santiago is Miss International 2013
Bea Rose Santiago (ABS-CBN Photo)
MANILA, Philippines (December 18, 2013) – Miss Philippines Bea Rose Santiago was declared the winner of the
53rd Miss International beauty pageant, held in at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel Hall in Tokyo, Japan on Tuesday, December 17.
Miss Netherlands Nathalie den Dekker was named
first runner-up while Miss New Zealand Lorena Hermida
was named second runner-up.
Rounding out the top five are Miss Hungary Brigitta
Ötvős and Miss Colombia Lorena Hermida.
During the contest’s question and answer portion,
which asked the top five finalists what they would if they
win the Miss International pageant, Santiago said: “The
whole world saw how my country suffered. One by one,
other countries helped. You have opened my heart and eyes
on what we can do to help each other.”
She added, “I will work to sustain the spirit of sympathy and spirit of hope. As long as we work together, there
is hope.”
Miss International is the last of the major beauty pageants to be held this year, and beauty pageant enthusiasts
had high hopes for Santiago after Megan Young’s win in the
Miss World 2013 pageant.
Ariella Arida also did well in the Miss Universe 2013
pageant as she placed fourth.
The Philippines has won the Miss International four times
in the past, the most recent being the win of Lara Quigaman
in 2005.
Other winners include Gemma Cruz-Araneta (1964),
Aurora Pijuan (1970), and Melanie Marquez (1979). (philstar.com)
Ramon ‘Mon’ Datol
Online Marketing Consultant
647-588-7844/ 905-780-0114
Email: [email protected]
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16
December 2013
Philippine Courier
December 2013
17
Philippine Courier
‘10,000 Hours’ tops MMFF 2013 awards
MANILA, Philippines (December
28, 2013) - “10,000 Hours” topped
awards, including Best Picture, Best
Actor and Best Director, in last night’s
2013 Metro Manila Film Festival at the
Meralco Theater, Pasig City.
Robin Padilla won the Best Actor
award while Joyce Bernal was named
Best Director for the movie, abscbnNews.com reported.
Maricel Soriano got the Best
Actress award for her role in “Girl Boy
Bakla Tomboy,” which bagged the
2nd Best Picture award and the citation
for Most Gender Sensitive Film.
Pen Medina was named Best Supporting Actor for “10,000 Hours” while
Aiza Seguerra was Best Supporting
Actress for “My Little Bossings.”
The Best Child Performer award
went to Ryzza Mae Dizon, also for
“My Little Bossings.”
“10,000 Hours” bagged the FPJ Memorial Award for Excellence and the
Gat Puno Villegas Cultural Award.
Daniel Padilla was Male Star of
the Night while Eugene Domingo, Female Star of the Night. The Best Original Story and Best Screenplay went to
“10,000 Hours.
Other winners were Best Float:
“Boy Golden;” Youth’s Choice Award,
“Pagpag: Siyam na Buhay;” New
Wave full-length Best Director, Armando Lao, “Dukit;” New Wave fulllength Special Jury Prize, “Mga Anino
ng Kahapon;” New Wave full-length
Best Picture, “Dukit;” New Wave fulllength Best Actress, Agot Isidro, “Mga
Anino ng Kahapon;”
Best Sound Engineering: “10,000
Hours;” Best Original Theme Song:
“My Little Bossings;” Best Sound
Engineering: “10,000 Hours;” Best
Musical Score: “10,000 Hours;” Best
Original Theme Song, “My Little
Bossings;”
Best Visual Effects and Best
Production Design, “10,000 Hours;”
Best Editor, Marya Ignacio, “10,000
Hours;”
Best
Cinematography,
“10,000 Hours;” Most Gender-Sensitive Film (New Wave full-length), “Island Dreams” directed by Aloy Adlawan; and Most Gender-Sensitive Film
(New Wave student films category),
“Hintayin Mo sa Seq. 24” directed by
Jezreel Reyes. Special Recognition
Award went to Ronnie Ricketts, Optical Media Board chairperson. (philstar.
com)
THE ONE: The
cast of "10,000
Hours" led by Robin Padilla during the
2013 Metro Manila
Film Festival Parade of Stars.(Photo
by Mark Atienza)
Robin Padilla
after accepting his
Best Actor Trophy
Jet Li treated for overactive thyroid
Karylle opens her 1st The Mango Farm kiosk
HONG KONG, December 27, 2013 (AP) — Jet Li says he’s being treated
for an overactive thyroid, but he’s determined to fight the condition head-on.
The Chinese action star known for his kung fu skills discussed his diagnosis during the taping of a talent show he’s judging in China.
In Tuesday’s taping, the 50-year-old Li appeared to have a fuller face
and heavier frame.
He said his weight has fluctuated but he’s taking it all in stride. Li joked about
his weight gain and said “I’m fat, I don’t have the time to lose it. It’s a fact!”
He explained that exercise is not advised with the medication he’s taking. An overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism, causes changes in a person’s
metabolism and heart rate, among other symptoms, but is generally treatable
with medications.
Li was diagnosed in 2010. He kept his condition under control with
medication, but it came back with a vengeance recently. He said that he’s
tackling his illness head-on. “I’m just a regular guy, I’m not Wong Fei Hung,
I’m not Huo Yuan Jia (kung fu heroes he portrays on film), I’m not a hero. I’m
just like you.”
A martial arts champion at a young age, Li turned to acting and began
showing off his kung fu skills on big screens in the 1980s. He catapulted to
fame in the ’90s with the “Once Upon a Time in China” films where he portrayed martial arts master Wong Fei Hung.
His Hollywood career includes such titles as “Lethal Weapon 4,” ”Romeo
Must Die” and more recently “The Expendables 2.”
Li confessed there are times he’s unsure if he’s able to carry on with
work, but he’s determined. “I’m in pain, but I’m not suffering. I’m happy,”
he said. (INQ7.net)
MANILA, Philippines – Karylle is not only loving the healthy lifestyle, she’s also
living it. That’s why it didn’t come as a surprise that the host of It’s Showtime is
about to open her first The Mango Farm dessert kiosk in Greenhills, San Juan City,
near her house.
The Mango Farm is just one of the many food-cart brands under the Fruitas
Group of Companies. The Mango Farm sells shakes, juices and other blended cold
drinks using fresh mangoes as the main ingredient. Also under the Fruitas Group
are the food carts Fruitas, Buko Loco, Black Pearl, Buko ni Fruitas, Juice Avenue,
TeaRex, Friends Fries, House of Desserts, among others.
“I’m very excited about my The Mango Farm stall opening because I’m at
that point in my life where I know I want a better quality of life,” adds Karylle,
who’s also one of the long-time celebrity endorsers for Fruitas.
Karylle discovered that she has the knack for selling early on. “When I was a
kid, I would sell cards and posters that I would print and design with my computer
and I had a price list and receipt,” she recounts. “My second time to sell anything
was the time I sold raffle tickets. We even had a cake raffle to raise funds. That’s
when I discovered that I was good at selling things and getting donations.”
Karylle’s business smarts continued to improve, as she grew older. And even
when she entered the world of showbiz in 2001, Karylle managed to not lose sight
of her business goals. When she was able to save up enough capital to embark on
her first real big investment in 2007, she chose one that was close to her heart: A
KTV resto-bar called Centerstage Family KTV at Tomas Morato.
Although there were “challenges” and “big adjustments” that came with running Centerstage, it didn’t take long for Karylle to duplicate the success of her first
KTV. Karylle, who also has a degree in Business Management from the Ateneo
de Manila University, then opened two more branches of Centerstage KTV, one in
Makati and then the other in Pasay City.
What’s the best piece of advice she can give to aspiring entrepreneurs like
her? Karylle keeps it simple: “Make sure to choose something that you’re genuinely interested in because you can never go wrong with that.” (philstar.com)
18
December 2013
Philippine Courier
OAKVILLE CAMPUS NOW OPEN!
December 2013
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Philippine Courier
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December 2013
Philippine Courier
December 2013
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Philippine Courier
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December 2013
Philippine Courier
Angels in Canada fly so high on Christmas day celebration
It was one night all Pinoy Angels in Canada will linger and cherish in their hearts as they truly enjoy the Christmas Party given them by The Philippine CourierEDCILLE Productions – the producers of their very own Anghel ng Tahanan Canada Pageant held December 28, 2013 at the cozy Fiestahan Restaurant located at
4130 Bathurst St., North York, Ontario…Cecille Araneta, Eduard Que, Miguel Caducio and Mon Datol, with proficient support from production assistant Sheng
Maligsay, also a winner of the annual pageant, left no stone unturned in making the affair a very huge success… Anghel grand winners Imee, Christine and Shamaine
sang, danced and played games with other Angel Family members Lylane, Mai-mai, Juliet, Maritess, Tess, Lyn, Annie and guests Precy Corpuz, media people Joe
Damasco and Joey Baking and his Manila Confidential newspaper assistant and TPC photographer Bong Molano. Here are some photos of the Party thru the lenses
of Bong Molano.
December 2013
23
Philippine Courier
WFG Grand Xmas Party Draws 400
Not less than 400 staff and guests were at hand during the annual Christmas Party of the World Financial Group organized and supervised yearly by WFG VP Ms.
Agnes Miranda and held at the cozy Century Palace Restaurant located in Markham December 7, 2013. Mr. & Mrs. Pidoy and Ting Pacis of Saladmaster and Max’s
Restaurant heads the list of notable Filipinos that graced and enjoyed the affair. PIDC president Norma Carpio and her officers were also present together with Media people like Jess and May Cabrias, Nelson Galvez of Talakayan Radio 1430 AM Band, Romeo Marquez of BALITA and The Filipino Web Channel, Mon Datol
of The Philippine Courier, EDCILLE Productions Producers Cecille Araneta and Eduard Que, Beauty Consultant Eva Agpaoa and partner, Kol Hope Foundation’s
Melinda and son Jeff Rustia, among other distinguished guests. (Here are some photos of the event courtesy of TPC’s Mondee & Angel Lylane De Ocampo)
24
December 2013
Philippine Courier
Sports
Edited by: Laurence Tierra
Pacquiao to grace PSA rites
MANILA (December 28, 2012) – Boxing icon Manny
Pacquiao will be the special guest of honor and speaker
when the Philippine Sportswriters Association pays tribute to the best and brightest Filipino athletes in the year
about to end during its Annual Awards Night set January
25, 2014 at the historic Manila Hotel.
The 35-year-old eight-time world champion and
congressman from Sarangani will lend his prestige to the
formal affair that will be highlighted by the presentation
of the coveted Athlete of the Year award. Pacquiao also
graced the 2011 Awards Night as speaker.
Pacquiao marked his successful return to the ring
with an inspired unanimous decision victory over American Brandon Rios at Cotai Arena in Macau last month.
The ring icon was elevated to the PSA Hall of Fame
in 2009 after being named Athlete of the Year five times
in between 2002 to 2008. He was also named the PSA
Athlete of the Decade in 2010.
The future boxing Hall of Famer is expected to
award the highest honor given by the PSA in partnership
with Smart Sports, Milo, Philippine Sports Commission,
Air21, Globalport, Philippine Basketball Association, Accel, the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corp., and
Rain or Shine.
SPECTATOR
The FIBA-World Cup-bound Gilas Pilipinas
basketball team and world pool champions Rubilen Amit,
Dennis Orcollo, and Lee Van Corteza are the leading candidates for the Athlete of the Year award.
The national cage team brought immense joy to this
basketball-crazy nation last August after finishing runnerup to Iran in the FIBA-Asia Men’s Championship.
Aside from the silver medal, Gilas Pilipinas advanced to the World Cup in Spain next year, the first time
the Philippines gained the honor after 35 years.
Amit, Orcollo, and Corteza proved once more the
best pool players are still found in this side of the world.
The 4-foot-11 Amit won a second World Women’s
10-Ball title, beating former champion Kelly Fisher of
Great Britain in the title match.
The pair of Orcollo and Corteza crowned themselves World Cup of Pool champions after turning back
the Netherlands duo of Nick Van Den Berg and Niels Feijen in the championship game.
Other awards to be handed out by the PSA include
the Executive of the Year, Presidential Achievement,
Lifetime Achievement, NSA of the Year, and Milo. Major awards, citations, posthumous, and the Tony Siddayao
award for deserving young athletes will also be given out.
Mayweather: Pacquiao needs me for his tax woes
By Al Mendoza
ALREADY reeling from near-lethal
combinations unleashed by the Bureau
of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Internal
Revenue Service (IRS) of the US, Manny
Pacquiao on Monday took another stinging blow to the chin.
And who did it? He was none other
than Floyd Mayweather Jr. Isn’t Mayweather the only worthy foe for Pacquiao
in 2014?
And didn’t Mayweather himself recently say that Pacquiao, in a 360-degree
turnaround, was back in his radar as a
possible opponent following Pacquiao’s
convincing demolition of Brandon Rios
in Macau last month?
Once sealed, the Pacquiao-Mkayweather bout could prove to be the richest ever in history.
It wouldn’t only be the Fight of the Decade.
It would be the fight to equal, if not surpass, the impact of such mythical fights
like the Thrilla in Manila between Ali
and Frazier on Oct. 1, 1975 at the Cubao
Big Dome; and, before that, the LeonardDuran trilogy, the Marciano-Louis fight
when the legendary Louis fought for the
last time at age 37, and the Tyson-Holyfield horror that saw Tyson chew Holyfield’s ear in a fit of desperation.
Surely, that new posturing was a stunner?
Just days after Pacquiao’s victory over
Rios, Mayweather was saying he might
yet consider Pacquiao as his foe in May.
Then came the latest rankings. Pacquiao
was made No. 1 in the World Boxing
Council (WBC) welterweight division,
making him the mandatory challenger to
Mayweather’s title.
Said Mayweather: “Here’s the Manny
Pacquiao story. Manny Pacquiao was at
welterweight. He lost to Timothy Bradley, no matter how you cut it, how you
slice it, he lost to Timothy Bradley. He
got knocked out by Marquez. He came
back and went the distance with a lightweight (Rios). And now, all of a sudden,
he’s the mandatory for my title.”
And here’s the A-bomb: Pacquiao
doesn’t deserve to have a shot at his title.
“Pacquiao’s pay-per-view numbers
have dipped while I have broken my own
sales record,” Mayweather said. “My
gate receipts against Saul Alvarez were
also the richest in boxing history.”
Ah, the boxing world continues to hanker for the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight to
happen, the sport being the best breeder
of suckers.
He next questioned Pacquiao’s selection as mandatory challenger. “It's not
just Floyd Mayweather's bigger than a
title. Floyd Mayweather at the level now,
he can come out with his own world
championship belt,” he said. “I’ve been
champion since 1998 to right now. I’m
not 1 and 2 in my last three fights. I’m
48 and 0.”
But how come Mayweather is singing
another tune? “Everybody's talking about
the title he’s (Pacquiao's) the mandatory,”
Mayweather told Fight Hype. “He can
have the belt! A belt don't make me. A
belt doesn’t define Floyd Mayweather.”
He took a dig at Pacquiao’s tax entanglement with the IRS. “He needs to fight
me to take care of his tax woes with the
IRS,” Mayweather said. And then this:
“But like I said before, put him in front
of me, I’ll beat him.”
December 2013
Mayweather doesn’t surprise me anymore. Perennially known as the motor
mouth, he says this today, tomorrow he
says another thing.
If he’s got two tongues, neither am I
surprised.
** ** **
Mabuhay Myanmar!
IF it’s hearsay, it’s hearsay. Never believe a word about it. But this one isn’t. It
is fact. It is true.
It is clear as night follows day.
And what is it again?
Myanmar is leading the field in the ongoing SEA Games. If it should proceed
to win overall honors, rejoice. It’s been
pre-ordained. (As I write this, Thailand
has taken the lead, with Myanmar dropping to third. Still, if Myanmar finishes
third overall, that will be its best finish in
27 editions of the SEA Games.)
Cynics still continue to doubt about
Myanmar’s capabilities. But cycnics are
always like that. That’s why they are
called cynics. Never prone to believe.
Always doubting. Like biblical Thomas.
But to pundits, to those possessed with
keen eyes, Myanmar being ahead of the
pack is reality in play. Long before the
SEA Games had been fired off, Myanmar
had the clear lead already.
If it were the century dash, Myanmar
would be 50 meters ahead of its chief
pursuer with 45 meters left. It would be
that one-sided that the crowd would stop
watching the leader just 10 meters into
the dash.
They’d be content cheering for the
chief contenders for second place.
Thus, Myanmar, never known for
sports excellence, is way ahead and making mincemeat of such SEA powers like
Indonesia, Thailand and even Malaysia.
In the past, never did Myanmar beat
any of its neighbors in any sporting battle, including us.
But do not be surprised anymore. The
SEA Games format assured Myanmar’s
irreversible victory—its first in the biennial meet for the region—any day from
now.
Every host is allowed the luxury of
choosing sports it wishes to host. The
member-countries can only accede. To
protest would be unsportsmanlike conduct. To concede is the gentlemanly conduct, the norm to make the Games run
smoothly.
We placed sixth in 2011 and if we finish fifth this time, that’d be a huge improvement. No one’s fretting over Myanmar’s sudden resurgence. Everybody’s
applauding for Myanmar’s ascent to the
top.
Expectedly, the Myanmar athletes are
at their best. Their ethnic games assure
them of the overall crown. We are not
complaining. Never.
We were champs, too, in 2005 and by
the time we have the chance anew to play
host, I tell you, we will prevail again.
We will be so exceedingly brilliant
in tumbang preso, luksong tinik, taguan
pung, jolens, patintero and puyot that we
will again be the toast of the town. Our
time will come.
Just you wait, fellas.
25
Philippine Courier
Michael Jordan shoes auctioned for $104K
SALT LAKE CITY (December 14,
2013) — Michael Jordan’s shoes
from the famous flu game of the 1997
NBA Finals were sold for more than
$100,000 in an online auction on
Thursday.
The Nike Air Jordan XII shoes
were owned by a Utah Jazz ball boy
who befriended Jordan when the Chicago Bulls visited Salt Lake City. Jordan was playing with what he thought
was the flu, but still led the Bulls to a
key victory in the NBA Finals.
Preston Truman has said he asked
for Jordan’s shoes after the game. He
kept them locked in a safe-deposit box
at a Utah bank for 15 years. He turned
down an $11,000 offer for the size-13
shoes from a collector the next season.
Thursday’s sale followed several
weeks of bidding. The collector wasn’t
identified.
Online bidding started at $5,000 before soaring to $104,765 when bidding
was closed, said Michael Russek, operations director for Grey Flannel Auctions in Westhampton, New York.
Truman was “thrilled” and “really happy with the overall number,” Russek
said. “He has no crazy plans other than
paying off his college tuition.”
Russek called it “the most expen-
The Game
of My Life
sive pair of game-used footwear that
anyone has ever sold. It just smashed
the record.”
Grey Flannel previously sold a pair
of game-used rookie Air Jordans for
$21,780 that also had been used by
Jordan. More recently, another auction house sold a pair of shoes Jordan
wore in his rookie season for $31,070,
Russek said.
A message relayed by the auction
house to Truman wasn’t immediately
returned. Truman befriended Jordan
by fetching him his favorite pre-game
snack, the former ball boy told The Salt
Lake Tribune last month.
It started with a challenge from
Jordan: “‘There will be no autographs
for ball boys after the game if I don’t
get my applesauce.’”
With 45 minutes until tipoff
in an early season 1996 game, Truman
dashed through the Salt Lake City arena looking for applesauce. He finally
secured an industrial-sized container
from a commissary. Jordan was grinning: “You came through,” he told Truman.
When the Chicago Bulls came
back for the finals months later, Truman had more applesauce waiting for
Jordan along with a bold request: “Are
This undated image provided by Grey Flannel Auctions shows Michael Jordan’s shoes from the famous flu game of the 1997 NBA Finals. The Nike shoes
sold on an online auction Thursday Dec. 12, 2013, for $104,765. The shoes
were owned by a Utah Jazz ball boy, Preston Truman, who befriended Jordan
when the Chicago Bulls visited Salt Lake City. Jordan was playing with what he
thought was the flu, but still led the Bulls to a key victory in the NBA Finals. AP
you doing anything with your shoes after the game?”
Jordan looked him in the eye and
said, “Why, you want them?” Truman
said he would be honored.
After leading the Bulls to a
critical victory, scoring 38 points despite having to be helped on and off the
court by teammates, Jordan gave the
red-and-black shoes to Truman. (Inquirer.net)
Hoping and praying
By Bill Velasco
Complaining is not a strategy. –
Jeff Bezos
2014 is days away, and there is
much to look forward to. At a time
when our heads were all turned to
the dire needs of our countrymen
in the Visayas, sports became a
mighty ally in rebuilding a nation,
with gifts ranging from multimillion
peso donations to physically helping the needy towards of encouragement broadcast through the media.
As the work of restoring what has
been lost to Yolanda continues more
quietly, we can dream of our sports
aspirations anew. There is another
12 months of hope and inspiration
ahead of us and thankfully, hope is in
endless abundance.
The 2014 FIBA Basketball World
Cup. Twenty of the 24 teams that
will see action have already qualified. Host country Spain is actually
qualified twice over, as both host
and one of the top six teams in the
2013 Eurobasket. The other European contenders are France, Lithuania,
Croatia, Slovenia, Ukraine and Serbia. The US qualifies as defending
Olympic champion, and is joined by
Americas qualifiers Mexico, Argentina, Puerto Rico and the Dominican
Republic. Oceania boasts of mainstays Australia and New Zealand.
Asia parades the Iran, the Philippines
and South Korea, the top three teams
in this year’s FIBA Asia. Four more
wild card teams will be invited.
The Philippines will be the newcomer to this tournament after a
prolonged absence. The question is
who will be in our group. But tak-
26
ing a lesson from Angola, which, in
only three decades of freedom once
reached as high as 11th in the world
without any seven-foot players, it
can be done. The question, of course
is who we will be sending, and if all
the players wished for will be made
available for the national cause. Beyond that, there are too many factors
to make any prediction. But if we
bring down one or two of the other
teams, that would be an accomplishment in itself.
The PBA’s 40th season. Since
1975, the Philippine Basketball Association has been the one constant
bright light in local sports, even in
our worst of times. The next evolution of the game after the MICAA,
the league has had its own rollercoaster ride, but has always emerged
stronger than ever. It is the quintessential representation of what is
Filipino, a game that is raw, creative,
intense, graceful and unpredictable
all at once. When the PBA started,
we were in the throes of Martial
Law. Mobile phones, the Internet
and even flyovers along EDSA were
still a foggy dream. The league has
not only endured, it has thrived, attracting new generations of followers long after its pioneers had left
the game. In November, the league
will begin its 40th season of bringing
cheer to millions in the Philippines
and around the world.
Flip-flopping Floyd. A necessary or
unnecessary evil, Floyd Mayweather
is the loud uncle you wish you didn’t
have to see every so often. But he is
there, and he is in many ways still
the yardstick for perfection in boxing, albeit a tainted one. Pretty Boy
Floyd has done everything to promote himself and disparage Manny
Pacquiao, and, a couple of years too
late, there is the whisper of a possible fight between the two, now even
made mandatory. Given his behavior
and morbid fear of Pacquiao’s speed,
it is unlikely that Mayweather will
get into the ring with Manny without
some form of insurance like cheating in the weight as he did with Juan
Manuel Marquez or a sympathetic
referee. Then again, it’s past time he
shut up or put ‘em up.
Another review. No matter how
you put it, the recently concluded
Southeast Asian Games was a disappointment. From 2005 to 2013, we
went from a powerhouse to a struggling also-ran. It’s about time that the
government decides once and for all
where sports is on their list of priorities. Given all the pressing needs for
resources, maybe each sport should
just find a private sponsor and not
rely on the government at all anymore. Many sports have done well
with both private and government
support, like rugby, football and amateur boxing. It can be done. Let’s
lay down a long-term vision, not one
that is subject to the whims of whoever happens to be sitting in the office of the chairman of the Philippine
Sports Commission or president of
the Philippine Olympic Committee a
couple of years down the road. Let’s
leave something solid behind for the
next administration to build on, not
tear down.
More college sports. As mentioned, we have had such a variety of sports champions, but not all
those sports are played in the UAAP,
NCAA or provincial varsity leagues.
Let’s look beyond the staples of basketball and volleyball, and see where
we can allocate the meager resources
that can bring us the best returns. For
example, the French outdoor ball
game petanqué now has a grassroots
program and a developing team of
candidates in Pampanga. It can be
played well into one’s middle age,
and the only equipment you need is
the metal ball specifically measured
for your throwing hand. That’s it.
More sports documentaries. Granted, this is a shameless spot of selfpromotion, but truth be told, our documentary “Pinoy Hoops: A National
Obsession” did more than open the
door for international sports documentaries. The three-part chronicle
of our love for basketball opened the
eyes of the world to how passionately we love our national pastime. In
fact, two more Philippine sports documentaries are on our team’s drawing board, one slated for broadcast
late in 2014. The Philippines is so
uniquely rich in sports lore and history that we do not foresee running
out of stories any time soon. We have
world champions in sports as diverse
as bowling and lawn bowls, billiards
and boxing, all sports that did not
even originate in our hemisphere.
There is so much to look forward to. But more than that, another
chance for a fresh start.
December 2013
Philippine Courier
Torres Taekwondo eyes Guinness Record
By Sheng Maligsay Correspondent
TORONTO (December 27, 2013) - Torres Taekwondo and Martial Arts, the acknowledge school of the finest Taekwondo students in the Greater Toronto Area
with its well-equipped Gym located at
2525 Warden, Scarborough is now on its
full-throttle preparing some of its handpicked practitioners in their quest for a
niche in the revered Guinness Book of
World Sports Record in May 2014.
School owner and Red Belt Master Jim Torres, together with his best ten
(10) students would be eyeing several
taekwondo records in the Guinness Book
with an array of movements and styles not
yet recorded in the latest World Record
Book.
“It’s now time for Filipinos to be
included in the well-respected Guinness
Book of World Records in Taekwondo,
the sport associated to the Koreans,” Torres, a Red Belt master of Taekwondo told
this writer in an exclusive interview.
Bowling world champion Paeng
Nepomuceno is the only noted Filipino
sportsman included in the Guinness World
Records, Torres noted, adding: “We hope
to include some of my students – FilipinoCanadian – in the prestigious Roll.’
Eric Lee, a 16 year-old black-belter
and oldest in the group and who has been
training with Torres Taekwondo School
for three years, would be aiming to set the
record in the continuous 360 kick. Lee is
fervently hoping he can make his way to
the records.
High school student Matthew Channer will attempt to set the record of several fast and lightning roundhouse kicks in
one minute. Channer said his inclusion on
Master Jim's list of students to attempt in
the Guinness Book of World records will
be the best legacy he can give his parents.
With the rigorous training they have at the
gym, this young lad is hopeful for a positive result.
Ondrej Marce Sombrito and Edward
Shehaiber, both 7 years old, will show off
their amazing turning jumps and splits
and believe they could produce a record
next year as the youngest duo ever to set
such a feat. When asked about their idea
of the Guinness Book of World Records,
Sombrito confidently answered it's a book
where his name would be included next
year.
Shehaiber on the other hand says,
at an early age, he has read a lot about
famous people's name included in the records, and dreams of becoming like them.
Both young kids have potentials in the
Taekwondo world. It can be seen on their
eagerness and determination while trying
to perfect the movements that could set
the record. They ended up the interview
with sample movements that wowed the
writer.
The trio of Brain Zheng, Justin
Ye and Sachin Jeyarah will attempt to
do a one-minute 360 of spinning kicks.
Brain and Justin, both 10 year old thought
of their involvement in the attempt for
the record will be their most valuable
achievement as young kids. However, Sachin says, if they will not make it to the
records on their first attempt, there's still a
lot of chances they can make it in the future. That they are still young, and there's
still a lot of room for improvements on
their part. Nevertheless, they are doing
their best to make it and they practice the
movement to make it perfect.
Brothers David Lopez, 7 and Gabriel
Lopez, 5, will do the choreographed lightning roundhouse kicks for one minute.
Gabriel, the youngest among the group
says he is ecstatic to know that he is included in the list. At first, he had to ask his
brother what it is in the Guinness.To his
delight, with the help of David's knowledge, he is more than enthusiastic now
about the attempt and has been practicing
the style every time they are at the gym.
Grade 4 student from Markham,
Avery James Alipio will do fastest one-leg
kick for one minute. His attempt on the
record is not known to many of his relatives and friends. He is trying to keep it
private for now and says will be a great
surprise for them. Alipio mentioned that
if his team will make it to the records, he
will always be forever grateful to his great
training from Torres.
Master Jim has laid out the best
plan of training for his students. According to him, self- discipline is inculcated
first and foremost among students in order
for them to succeed in their goals. "These
kids already have the potentials. I have
seen in them the future of Taekwondo.
But, without self- discipline, their future
in the Taekwondo world could end up in a
snap of the finger," Torres implied.
Master Jim himself will also try to put
his name in the Guinness with the longest
double-fist-punch on a steel post, which
he already did 2 years ago that landed in
the YouTube. Such feat, however, was not
sent to the Guinness for authentication
and inclusion in the 2011 Record.
“Thus, I’ll try to do it once more in
the presence of media people to record it
and my students attempts to set new Guinness Records for 2014,”Torres noted.
With the help of a number of friends,
Torres is optimistic they could make it
and fervently hoping that they will set for
the record on the second quarter of 2014.
Torres especially mentioned the publisher
of this newspaper Ramon Datol, who has
inspired him to aim for Guinness Book of
World Records. According to him, if not
with the encouragement of Datol, his aspiration for the kids' involvement will not
be possible. (Text and Photos by Sheng
Maligsay)
Fil-Ams are helping Pinoy skater reach his Olympic dream
Michael Martinez
(File Photo)
December 2013
CARSON, California (December 16, 2013) - Filipinos in Southern California's South Bay got the
chance to exercise with an Olympic athlete.
Led by Dance Time Zumba instructor Nonie Bellarmino, Filipino Zumba enthusiasts held a
fundraiser for Winter Olympic bound figure skater Michael Martinez.
"I'm very happy because they've been supporting me for so long. Since the first 2012 Junior
Olympics, they've been supporting me," Martinez said.
Martinez is the fourth Filipino to represent the Philippines in the history of the Winter Olympics
and the first to do it as a figure skater. Despite the rare feat, he hasn't had much financial support from
the Philippine government, in a sport that requires many expenses.
On a recent return trip home, he had a chance to meet with Senator Bam Aquino to talk about his
lack of a budget. "He said he will try to help me get support," Martinez said.
"With the kind of talent Michael has we really need to support in every way we can because this
kind of sport is really expensive," Bellarmino said.
While Asia's Golden boy of figure skating is a master on the ice, he's started taking up Zumba as well
on his spare time. "It's a good exercise to release stress," he said.
The Zumbathon raised over $1200 of much needed funds that will help Martinez resume the final
leg of his US-based training before heading to Sochi Russia in February for the Winter Games. (Steve
Angeles, ABS-CBN North America)
27
Philippine Courier
Community Potpourri
BABY LOGAN DEDICATION TO THE LORD
Dylan Cole
Maligsay
Mississauga,
ON
December 28,
2013
Hamilton’s Remarie Laurente celebrated her birthday December 22, 2013
with the freezing rain bashing the GTA.
Daisy Peralta
Mississauga, ON
December 22, 2013
Fil-Can singer Jenny James (middle) and her
friends from Toronto’s music ville shows
off the cheque worth $3,320.00 they raised
during their ‘Share the Love’ concert held
December 5, 2013 held at the virgin Mobile
Mod Club in downtown Toronto. The money would be given to the victims of Typhoon
Haiyan in Tacloban City.
Baby Logan Tacorda is handled by his parents
Shirley and Julius Tagorda after he was dedicated to the Lord recently at the Friends of Jesus
Christ Canada Church located at Nugget, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. Also shown in photo
are Pastor Teck Uy (left) and sister Myra Uy.
Baby Logan is the youngest among the grand
children of Herbert and Liria Tagorda. (Manuel
Papa, St. Jamestown News Service)
Fil-Can S.D.A. Choir on Christma Day Celebration
Bontoc Ato Christmas Party held at North York Civic Centre on Dec. 14, 2013 (Photo by Ariel Ramos –PPCO)
Bontoc Ato Christmas Party
Bontoc Ato Christmas Party held at North York Civic Centre on Dec. 14, 2013 (Photo by Ariel Ramos –PPCO)
28
December 2013
Philippine Courier
Monarie Pizana Ocray - 18th birthday Party
November 9, 2013 , Bramalea Hotel (Formerly Holiday Inn Hotel) Caledon Ballroom 30 Peel Centre Drive, Brampton, Ontario
Monarie Pizana Ocray is currently taking up Pyschology at University of Toronto Mississauga. She is the first of the 3 children of Mr. Ramon Ocray and Mrs. Maria
Luz Ocray of Brampton, Ontario. She loves singing, acting and dancing. She won the 5th runner up at CNE Rising Start Talent Show in 2012, Finalist at TFC-kat
abs-cbn 2013, First place winner at UTM Frosh Got Talent 2013, Awarded as Top Performer of the year at Josie de Leon School of Performing Arts in Mississauga..
She has been performing as front acts and guest singer in various concerts of our top celebrities from the Phils like ASIN, AEGIS, KIM CHIU, Side A Band and
Sharon Cuneta and has been performing in greater Toronto, Niagara and Ottawa. Monarie will be competing at the World Champions of Performing Arts in Hollywood California in 2014 representing the Team Canada.
Special thanks to all our family and friends who helped us in each detail of the preparation, (Faith Family Baptist Church- Brampton, Pastor Jake Antolin,
Pastor Jonathan Bernardo, Mr. Mark Bernardo, Mr. Hilario Flores, Helen and Adam Macapagal, Dave Clavaton, Rommel Montelibano, Rossvie and Aldie Sabalones, Josue Gauran and Regie Palabrica, kristine and Donald Calado, Vilma and Domingo Calado, Babelyn and Joel Gabinete, Jemaila Carpo, Hannah Pizana and
boyfriend, Mr. Jing de Leon and Mrs. Tess de Leon, and our excellent emcee, Mr. Marvin Catanus, guests, cotillion members, co-performers (Ms. Nicole Datol, Ms.
Alyssa Datu,Ms. Katharine Reyes, Ms. Nicole Garbanzos and JDL Family) and all the Producers (Mr. Ramon Datol and family, Mr. Miguel Caducio and Family,
Mrs. Ophelia Valdez and Paul Valdez, Mrs. Belinda Reyes and Alex Reyes, Mrs. Candace David and Mr. Anthony David, Mrs. Chat Bautista, Mrs. Josie de LeonCrescini and Mr. Mark Crescini who attended this special event. And most of all, we give all the glory and praises to God to make this event so possible.
Monarie Ocray's Escort is Martin Torres.
Cotillion Members: Ralph Joshua Ocray, Lora Balaag, Marco Tempongko, Jessa Sunga, Don Puerto-Musni, Ana Monillal, Mark Sunga, Vicki Thach. Rhowin Dacut,
Trace Manuel, John Pascua, Victoria Flores, Joshua D'Souza, Renu Monillal, Logan Rutherford and Sandra Tempongko.
December 2013
29
Philippine Courier
Joke Time
Ni Edgar Bello
(PG-18)
Pulis, nagbayad sa pansit
Sa isang restaurant…
PULIS: Etong bayad sa pansit.
INTSIK: Makit ikaw mayad?
PULIS: Utos ni hepe, wala nang kotong. Ayaw
ni Noynoy sa kotong!
INTSIK: Okey. Mula ngayon, mamoy na lagay
ko pansit, ‘di na daga!
***
PEDRO: Magkano ang gupit?
BARBERO: P150.
PEDRO: Eh ang ahit lang?
BARBERO: P50.
PEDRO: Sige, ahitan mo ang ulo ko!
***
Umiiyak ang anak pag-uwi mula sa school…
ANAK: Hu! Hu! Hu!
TATAY: O, anong problema mo? Bakit umiiyak
ka?
ANAK: Tinukso po kasi ako ng mga kaklase
ko. Hu! Hu! Hu! Pamilya raw po tayo ng malaki
ang bunganga! Hu! Hu! Hu!
TATAY: Naku, anak, ‘wag silang pansinin!
Ing¬git lang ang mga ‘yun! Tara, kain na tayo…
kunin mo na ‘yung palanggana at pala!
***
ANDRES: Tinatakot ako ng asawa ko! Humihingi ng sustento!
MATEO: ‘Di ba, matagal na kayong hiwalay?
ANDRES: ‘Yun nga, eh! Kapag hindi raw ako
nagbigay, babalik daw siya sa akin!
***
BOY: Miss, giniginaw ka ba?
GIRL: Hindi. Bakit?
BOY: Kasi, kanina ka pa nakahubad sa isipan
ko, eh!
***
PLAYBOY: Ang babae, parang damit. Madaling palitan. May reserba pa.
PLAYGIRL: Ahh, talaga? Kayong mga lalaki,
parang accessories… pwedeng sabay-sabay!
***
Ayon sa Health Tips… ang SQUEEZE BALL
ay mainam magpa-relax ng mga daliri.
Minsan, nanood kami ng sine ng aking syota.
Naalala ko ang advantages ng SQUEEZE
BALL… kaya sinubukan ko.
Effective nga!
Na-relax ang mga daliri ko maliban sa isa.
Bakit kaya tumigas ang daliri kong walang
kuko?
***
HEADLINE:
2 Lola, nag-jogging sa Plaza, GINAHASA!
Kinabukasan… Plaza, nagkagulo! Nagkatrapik!
Libu-libong lola, nag-jogging!
***
Niregaluhan si Erap ng tatlong tuta.
Pinangalanan ni Erap ang mga ito na Rolex, Timex at Technomarine.
Tinanong si Erap ng isang kaibigan kung bakit
ganu’n ang ipinangalan niya sa mga tuta.
Paliwanag ni Erap, “Kasi, WATCH dogs ang
mga ‘yan!”
***
Sa kumpisalan…
JORGE: Father, payuhan po ninyo ako. Kasi
po, nabuntis ko ‘yung girlfriend ko. Ayoko pa
po
mag-asawa. Kasi po, wala pa akong
trabaho…
FR. DAMASO: Ay, naku! Kung papayuhan
kita, mauubos ang oras ko! Sige nga. Ikuwento
mo
ang buong pangyayari…
JORGE: Ay, naku, Father! Kung ikukuwento ko
ang buong pangyayari, mauubos ang oras ko!
D’yan na nga kayo!
***
DIREK: Diego, gusto mo bang mag-artista?
DIEGO: Wow! Sisikat ako! Ano naman ang
papel ko?
DIREK:
Perfect!
Tamang-tama!
Nanganga¬ilangan kami ng kabayo!
***
MISTER: Ano ba ‘yan?! Ang gulo! Impyerno
na ‘tong buhay natin!
MISIS: Honey, magtiis ka lang…lilipas din lahat.
MISTER: Heh! Papasok na ako!
MISIS: Ingat ka!
(Pagkalipas ng isang oras…)
MISIS: Bakit umuwi ka agad? May nakalimutan ka?
MISTER: Nag-usap kami ni boss… ang sabi
niya, ‘Go to hell!’ Kaya eto, umuwi na ako!
***
DAHIL dalisay at wagas ang ating pagiging
magkaibigan, bukod-tanging ikaw ang TINEXT ko sa lahat ng mga kaibigan ko para batiin
ng MERRY XMAS!
‘Yung iba, binigyan ko na lang ng cash!
***
Sa korte…
ABOGADO: Kung totoong ginahasa ka ng na-
30
TICKLE ME!
By Chuchi Punzalan
sasakdal, bakit humalinghing ka at gumiling
pa nang bonggang-bongga pagkapasok ng ari
niya?
BABAE: Sir, self-defense ‘yun para mag-orgasm kaagad siya at manghina!
***
TONIO: Pangit ba ako kaya hindi mo ako magustuhan?
PILAR: Walang ginawang pangit ang Diyos.
TONIO: Talaga?
PILAR: Oo naman. Kaya lang, mukhang iba
ang gumawa sa ‘yo!
***
JUNIOR: Tatay, gusto ko pong magpari!
TATAY: Anak, kunin mo na lahat ng kurso, huwag lang ang pagpapari.
JUNIOR: Bakit naman po?
TATAY: Kasi, pag na¬ging pari ka… tatawagin
kitang Father!
***
Magandang REGALO sa Pasko…
Sa kaibigan: KATAPATAN
Sa kaaway: PAGPAPATAWAD
Sa magulang: PASASALAMAT
Sa Diyos: BUHAY MO
Sa akin: iPAD, iPhone, laptop computer, videocam, BMW, condo unit, two-week European
vacation
***
ENJOY YOUR LIFE
Laugh so hard that even Sorrow
smiles at you.
Live life so well that even Death loves to see
you alive.
Fight so hard that even Fate accepts its defeat.
Huwag kang mangarap na manalo sa Lotto
kung hindi ka naman tumataya!
***
Hindi kita masisisi kung nakalimutan mo na
ako.
Kasi, alam ko, hindi na ako mahalaga sa ‘yo.
Nakakatawa, ‘no? Hanggang ngayon, heto
ako… umaasa na sana, mabawi kita sa zoo.
Ikaw kasi, eh! Nanga¬ngagat ka! ‘Wag
ganu’n!!!
***
Sabi ko, “Kumusta ka?”
Tumango ka lang.
Sabi ko, “Miss na kita…”
Hindi ka sumagot.
Sabi ko, “Mag-ingat ika.”
Hindi mo ako narinig.
Ngayon, sabi ko, “Inuman na!”
Walang hiya! Ngiti agad, may kaway pa!
***
Huwag kang mag-alala na sa 2014 na ang katapusan ng mundo.
Hindi iyan totoo!
EBIDENSYA?
Meron kaming sardinas na sa 2015 pa mag-eexpire!
***
Hindi man ako gusto ng taong gusto ko…
AYOS LANG!
At sana lang… hindi rin siya gusto ng taong
gusto niya!!!
***
You’re the perfect person that I know…
So sweet… so nice… always on my mind… so
kind… and very special.
But there’s something wrong…
WRONG SEND!
***
Huwag kang ma-in love sa taong masarap lang
kausap.
Dapat, siya mismo ang masarap!
***
Kapag ikaw ay nasaktan, lumaban ka.
Kapag ikaw ay nabigo, bumangon ka.
Kapag ikaw ay gumulong sa hagdan at lahat
sila ay nakatingin sa ‘yo, huwag kang pahalatang nasaktan… tumayo ka at sabihin mo,
“Pakialam ninyo?! Ganu’n ako bu¬maba, eh!”
***
Sana, naging bola ka na lang ng volleyball…
para pag sinabi kong MINE, ako lang ang titira
sa ‘yo.
***
Aanhin mo pa ang libro kung ako naman ang
katabi mo?
***
Minsan, kahit ikaw ang naka-schedule, kailangan mo pa ring maghintay… dahil hindi ikaw
ang prio¬rity.
***
Sa pagpili kung sino sa dalawang gusto mo ang
mas matimbang… hindi mo man lang ba naisip
na kaya mas matimbang ‘yung isa ay dahil siya
‘yung pabigat sa ‘yo?
***
Out of all LIES I heard… I LOVE YOU was
my favorite.
***
Minsan, mas tamang bumitaw kapag alam mo
na hindi ka pinapahala¬gahan.
Malay mo, sa pagbitaw mo… mahulog ka sa
tamang puwesto at masalo ng tamang tao.
SA ATIN-ATIN LANG (In English, "TO
OURS-OURS ONLY)
Kaya raw di umasenso ang Pilipinas ay di
tayo positive tulad ng U.S.A.
Ang tawag sa kanila AmeriCAN, hindi
AmeriCAN'T.
Dapat tayo "FilipiYES", di FilipiNO.
.................
An idea can change your life, but a woman
can change your idea....
So, the conclusion: always change your
woman to have new ideas!
................
When a woman stops having her periods,
we call that MENOPAUSE.
When a man starts using Viagra, we call
that KINAPAUSE!
................
A hotel guest called room service, "I want a
breakfast of two eggs
burned & black around the edges, undercooked bacon, weak coffee, watery orange
juice, and cold, hard, unbuttered toast."
The room service clerk asked, "Why in the
world would you want a
terrible breakfast like that?"
'I am HOMESICK!" the guest replied.
..............
Pretty Girl: How much for a tattoo of animal just above my knee?
Tatoo Artist: P1,000 for tiger, rabbit and
lion. Free if it's a
GIRAFFEE!
.............
Ano sa Hawaii ang umiiyak?
A LUHA!
Ano naman sa Hawaiian ang caesarean?
TAHI TIAN!
………..
A man is recovering from surgery when the
nurse appears and asked him
how he's feeling.
"I'm OK, but I didn't like the four-lettter
word the surgeon used during
my surgery."
"What did he say?" asked the nurse.
"Oops!"
..............
Mrs. Tanoy is so kuripot. When her husband
died, he called the newspaper
and inquired about the price of an obituary.
- Paper : P500 for 5 words.
- Mrs. : Pwede ba 2 words lang, TANOY
DEAD?
- Paper : Di pwede. 5 words minimum.
- Mrs. : O, sige TANOY DEAD. CAMRY
FOR SALE .
..............
Juan : Kung ako sa iyo ma'am, papalitan
ninyo grade ko.
- Teacher : At bakit?
- Juan : Sabi ng tatay ko, pag nag uwi pa ako
ng may bagsak, may
BUBUGBUGIN siya!
................
Anak : Itay, ano po ang ibig sabihin ng "climate change"?
- Itay : Ha? Tinay, ano raw ang "climate
change"?
- Tinay: Ang panlalamig mo sa akin ay dahil
may pinag-iinitan ka nang iba.
Iyan ang "climate change!"
..............
Stages of Life:
0 - 5 years we experience many SPILLS
6 -16 years we experience many DRILLS
17-25 years we discover many THRILLS
26-40 years we have many BILLS
41-60 years we suffer many ILLS
61-75 years we take many PILLS
76 & above we worry about our WILLS.
..............
INDIAN BOY (asking Big Chief) : Father,
why do we have long names, while
white men have short names like TOM,
BILL or SAM?
- BIG CHIEF: My son, our names represent
a symbol in our culture. White
men merely repeats names from generation
to generation. Your sister's name is
-SMALL ROMANTIC MOON OVER
THE LAKE coz there was a beautiful moon
over the lake when she was born.
- Your brother WHITE HORSE OF THE
PRAIRIES was born when a white horse
galloped over the prairies. It's easy to understand.
- Do you have any question LITTLE BROKEN CONDOM MADE IN CHINA ?
..............
Wonderfully described definitions...
CIGARETTE:
A pinch of tobacco rolled in paper with fire
at one end and a fool at the other!
MARRIAGE:
It's an agreement wherein
a man loses his bachelor’s degree
and a woman gains her masters
LECTURE:
An art of transmitting Information
from the notes of the lecturer to
the notes of students without passing
through the minds of either
CONFERENCE:
The confusion of one man
multiplied by the number present
COMPROMISE:
The art of dividing a cake
in such a way that everybody
believes he got the biggest piece
TEARS:
The hydraulic force by which masculine
will power is defeated by feminine waterpower!
CONFERENCE ROOM:
A place where everybody talks, nobody listens
and everybody disagrees later on
ECSTASY:
A feeling when you feel you are going to
feel
a feeling you have never felt before
CLASSIC:
A book which people praise,
but never read
SMILE:
A curve that can set
a lot of things straight!
OFFICE:
A place where you can relax
after your strenuous home life
YAWN:
The only time when some married men
ever get to open their mouth
EXPERIENCE:
The name men give
to their Mistakes
DIPLOMAT:
A person who tells you to go to hell in such
a way that you actually look forward to the
trip
OPTIMIST:
A person who while falling from EIFFEL
TOWER
says in midway "SEE I AM NOT INJURED
YET!"
MISER:
A person who lives poor so
that he can die RICH!
FATHER:
A banker provided by nature
BOSS:
Someone who is early when you are late
and late when you are early
POLITICIAN:
One who shakes your hand before elections
and your Confidence Later
DOCTOR:
A person who kills your ills by pills,
and kills you by his bills!
December 2013
Philippine Courier
Metro
Edited by:
Maria Isabelle D. Bello
CARP to donate 20 fishing boats to Yolanda victims
…FMCA bringing some $180,000 worth of medicine in 5 Leyte & Samar towns
By Mon Datol
TORONTO (December 27, 2013) –
The Canadian Aid and Relief Project
(CARP) will donate 20 fishing boats to
some families in Leyte, Samar and Aklan which were displaced by Typhoon
Yolanda in its efforts to help the livelihood project of the Aquino government.
CARP founding President Dr.
Francisco Portugal, after meeting with
the Board of Directors last week, announced that their annual medical and
dental mission in the Philippines for
2014 would be shelve and the money
for the said mission would be used instead in the purchase of the 20 fishing
boats which would be built in Leyte.
“We would be coordinating with
Senator Ping Lacson who heads the
Task Force tasked to Rehabilitate Tacloban and the Central Visayas badly
damaged by Typhoon Yolanda,” Dr.
Portugal said.
“We could only donate 20 fishing
boats early next year,” Portugal said,
but added CARP’s fund as of this date
is not enough to buy the said 20 boats.
“We are hosting some fundraising events next month until Spring
to raise the needed budget for the 20
boats. A boat with motor cost $1,200
and as of date, CARP has some
$10,000 on its coffers, but we believe
we could raise the $24,000 targeted
fund in April,” Dr. Portugal said.
Portugal said his brother, Dr. Bembot Portugal, would coordinate with
the Office of Rehabilitation Czar Sen.
Lacson next month and go to Leyte to
survey the area and find local contractors that build fishing boats.
“People there in Leyte and surrounding towns now need new fishing
boats to go back to their lives as fishermen after the super typhoon took away
everything they have,” Portugal said.
Cash donations could be sent to
CARP Office by calling 416-824-4646.
a
In a related development, the
Filipino-Canadian Medical Association (FCMA) headed by its President,
Dr. Chelly Silva, will have its Medical
Mission starting Jan. 12, 2014 for the
three towns of Leyte (Calubian, Palo &
Tanauan) and two in Samar (Basey &
Marabot) that have not received a lot of
attention internationally.
Dr. Silva noted that they are
bringing $180,000.00 worth of medications from HPIC, Health Partners of
Canada, including Seventy Two (72)
boxes full of medications, all sorted
out and labeled and ready for distribution. “All of them were kindly flown
free directly to our destination by a Canadian military plane and now stored
safely at their hub ready to be picked
up by our doctors when they get there,”
she added.
“We are also helping the unfortunate children of whom we have
purchased 5,000 backpacks filled with
school supplies - including 4 notebooks, 2 pencils, 2 pens, a ruler, an
eraser, a pencil case, an umbrella, a
pair of slippers and a towel - to be distributed directly by our volunteers,”
Dr. Silva added.
Dr. Silva also disclosed that
their entourage is composed of eight
physicians from Toronto two of which
are Canadian doctors who are seasoned
medical missionaries internationally
that have eagerly joined FMCA in this
endeavor, and non-medical volunteers
leaving Toronto on January 3.
“Our volunteers are paying for
all their expenses, including flights and
accommodations at a hotel in Tacloban,” Dr. Silva noted.
“We even have more volunteers
locally from the Philippines, including
nurses and pharmacists, a catering service, transportation facilities, and security services both from the local police
and the military forces,” Dr. Silva said.
It's been a lot of work for every
one - getting all the logistics in place
for all those involved.
“Hopefully, all the effort in making this mission happen will make a
difference among the needy that we
are trying to help,” Dr. Silva said, adding: “The underlying principle behind
this medical mission was to deliver directly all the donations hoping to make
a difference to the victims, especially
the vulnerable children, no matter how
minute it may seem to others.”
Filipinas Expo Launch
PCCT President Oswald Tugadi (at rostrum) announces the launching of the 1st Filipinas Expo During PCCT’s recent Christmas Party (PR Photo)
TORONTO - The Philippine Chamber of Commerce-Toronto (PCCT) launched the "Filipinas Expo
and Multicultural Tradeshow" for 2014 at the PCCT
Christmas Celebration in Scarborough, Ontario on
Nov. 23, 2013.
The Filipinas Expo will be held on August 16,
2014 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
PCCT President Oswald Tugadi commented
that “the Filipinas Expo and Multicultural Tradeshow
December 2013
is the flagship project of PCCT that will be an opportunity for all its members to showcase and/or sell
their products and services. Also, this will be an opportunity to establish new contacts and create profitable business relationship in Canada and in the U.S.”
The aim of PCCT is to help the Filipino-Canadian business community and promote harmonious
relationship with other ethnic business communities
in Canada. Rei Ching of AXS Media Canada is as-
sisting PCCT in planning the expo and tradeshows
in 2014.
Filipinas Expo and Multicultural Trade Show
will help promote the products and culture of the
Philippines as well as strengthen relationship with
other ethnic business communities. It will be an ideal venue for businesses in the Philippines to promote
their products and services in Canada. (PR)
31
Philippine Courier
Fil-Can Educators Celebrate Christmas and Induction Rite
By Tony A. San Juan, OCT
TORONTO – December is the season of advent and celebration of holy
days in the Christian world. To Filipino educators in the Greater Toronto
Area, Ontario, especially the members of the Philippine Teachers Association of Canada (PTAC), it is also
their annual Christmas get-together
as well as formal induction of its new
set of officers. PTAC is composed of
licenced & practicing Filipino Canadian teachers in Ontario and/or former educators in the Philippines.
Appropriately, besides celebrating the season's yuletide highlight with their loved ones, relatives,
friends and special guests, 25 officers
and directors were officially inducted to lead and govern the more than
32
60 active members of the 7-year old
Kapisanan ng mga Guro sa Canada.
The memorable rite was held on December 7, 2013 at Ellas Banquet Hall,
Toronto, Ontario.
Sworn in by PTAC adviser
Araceli Rose Cruz for the 2013-2015
Executive Board are officers : Bonifacio Curutan, president, Redentor
Andres, Bernadette Gapuz, & Cielito
Drapeza, vice presidents; Maricon
Bernasor, Secretary; Joan Ang, asst.
secretary; Trina Andres, treasurer;
Grace Basconcillo, asst. treasurer;
Mila Curutan, business mgr., Alicia
Bautista, asst. bus.mgr., Joel Pine,
auditor; Elena Aguilar, asst. auditor;
Sheryll Maligsay, PRO; Sheryl Dela
Pena, asst. PRO and directors Myrna
Alforte, Rose Apilado, Ramon Datol,
Grace Dela Reyna, Rowelyn Erese,
Perly Laganas, Jujelyn Lescano, Jesse
Panem, Sam Posadas & Gigi Reyes.
The immediate past president,Tony
A. San Juan, will serve in the Board
as director ex-officio.
The 8th yearly event was organized and supervised by Co-chairs
Bernadette Gapuz & Rose Cruz.
Likewise, it was ably coordinated
by program directors- cum- emcees
Maricon Bernasor, Cielito Drapeza
& Sheryll Maligsay. Singers Jujelyn Lescano, Sheryl Dela Pena and
Jose V.Tesoro provided well- applauded musical numbers while
PTAC's cultural troupe, composed of
Etta Madamba , Malou Caponigro,
France Ampioco, Erlyn Simanero,
Bernadette Ayap & Alicia Bautista,
joyously performed a dance & song
medley.Doing their parts were prexy
B. Curutan, who delivered his opening remarks; co-adviser Pet Collantes, led the homily; asst. auditor E.
Aguilar,acknowledged the guests and
veep B. Gapuz, made the closing remarks.(TSJ)
With fully-impressed & happy
guests and attendees, the gala was
distinctively an enjoyable and entertaining evening of faith & family,
fun & fellowship, dancing & dining,
carols & camaraderie and admirably,
an apt showcase of the extra special
talents and abilities of FilCan teachers. (TSJ)
December 2013
Philippine Courier
December 2013
33
Philippine Courier
Happy New Year to All!!!
Maraming salamat Po sa Inyong Walang-Sawang Pagtangkilik sa ating ‘Talakayan Radio 1430 AM Band, 10-11AM, Every Saturday.’ Mabuhay ang Lahat ng
Pilipino sa Buong Mundo!
From Our Staff: Jess and May Cabrias (Producers-Hosts), Mon Datol (co-host), Karen Tan (co-host), Nelson Galves (Special Project Supervisor), Bobby
Achacon (Technical Supervisor), Karen Pascual Binaday, Joe Damasco (Field Reporters).
34
December 2013
Philippine Courier
On The Red
Carpet
By Miss Rubi Talavera
As you read this issue, I am lounging on a beach somewhere, enjoying
the super hot weather as the waves
touch my skin and the sand wraps
my body..... no, not in Cuba.... nor in
Mexico..... but at home...in our motherland, the Philippines.
I am here to attend my high school
reunion from some 50 years ago from
the University of the Philippines. And
while here, I might as well visit the
devastated areas of Typhoon Yolanda
and witness the aftermath of this horrible disaster.
I also want to do a bit of island hopping....or touring local sites like Boracay, Vigan, Ilocos, Batangas, Laguna
with my Toronto buddies: Tito and
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL
AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Bina Comendador, Elsa Hung, Elma
Sparkes, Loida Maghirang, Jean and
Vic Todas and Romy Camacho.
Been a long time since I did any
travelling around the Philippines. A
city girl, I grew up in Manila and
went to the occasional educational
tours while in high school, like Corregidor, Subic, Mount Mayon, Bohol,
Cebu.
Am really looking forward to going to these places and am hoping that
the trips would not be too exhausting.
So, for those of you, my loyal readers, left behind in minus 16 weather in
Toronto, brace yourself, and just visualize our beaches, our hot hot hot
temperatures, our sweat... and tiny
pleasures that evade us in Canada.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
FILCREA AND NOVOTEL
We had barely three weeks and the
challenge was thrust upon us. Do we
take on a fund raising dinner dance
for the typhoon Haiyan survivors?
How do we mobilize our resources and come up with financial aid to
avail of the government’s matching of
dollars? There was hardly any time.
it.
But we did it. Oh man, did we do
On Friday, November 29th, we
had over 200 guests who joined us in
celebration of a fund raising dinner
dance. Partnering with Novotel Hotel
in Vaughan, through its Vice President and CFO, Bernie Bulaong, we
raised over $25,000 from donations
from sponsors which included The
Onni Group, Remax Crossroads, the
Toronto Real Estate Board, Stephen
Shub, Remax Allstars, Century 21
Innovative, Resty Ragragio, Right at
Home and Sundeep Bahl from Remax
Hallmark, CLV Group and all other
supporters who generously opened
their hearts and their wallets.
To everyone who did, our heartfelt
thanks and Merry Christmas to all and
a Happy New Year!
At Dr. Bina Comendador's gorgeous home in Unionville can be found four
gambling gals - Luz Lim, Tess Benedicto, Rubi Talavera and Remy Kleinburger....pass, hit or show!
Novotel staff who greatly assisted the fund raising typhoon dinner dance on November 29th are
shown above as Bernie Bulaong showed his appreciation at a reception for the volunteers.
Filcrea President, Rubi Talavera, and Novotel VP Bernie Bulaong,are
shown above with their huge cheque for $25,475 for the typhoon fundraising project they jointly held for the typhoon haiyan victims.
Araullo High School Batch '62 had a mini reunion on Oct. 22, 2013 at the residence of
Priscilla Edralin Gison in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. From left to right: Sergio Gimenez, Priscilla
Edralin Gison, Aurora Obar Borrett, Virginia (Jean) Quiocho Todas and Rey Ravao.
Proud Filcrea directors pose as they hand over the Typhoon Haiyan cheque to Gawad Kalinga. Shown above are: Jess Cubos, Tony Arroyo, Resty Ragragio, Rubi
Talavera, Albert Lintag, Benny Jose, Willie Reodica, Tess Nicholas, Jojo Querubin, Pidoy Pacis, Vic Salazar
December 2013
35
Philippine Courier
WHITE CHRISTMAS IN MY HEART
"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, With every Christmas card I write May your days be merry and bright And may all your
Christmases be white."
Watching
the
snow fall, I could
have nothing to
feel but so delighted and amazed
By Sheng Maligsay how it turned the
surroundings into
2012 Anghel 1st
a beautiful place
Runner-up
covered
with
white, shimmering flakes. And while playing a list of my personal favorite Christmas songs, I got struck by
the lyrics of this song and I began to ponder
the thoughts when I was still a kid wishing to
see a literally white Christmas. A wry smile
came across my face, as the meaning of white
Christmas to me as a kid has turned completely
different now.
Since I set my foot on the winter wonderland Canada, this is the first time it snowed on
Christmas day. It is indeed amazingly beautiful. Holding my little angel, we watched the
snow fall from our room. And I whispered into
his tiny ears, "Merry Christmas my little one.
Mommy will have a white Christmas in her
heart."
Literally, White Christmas means snow
on Christmas Day. For a woman like me, battered with life's series of unfortunate events
and ruthless people around, white Christmas
would mean peace of mind on Christmas Day.
White color symbolizes purity and peace, thus
making me decide to have a heart celebrate
white Christmas. My willingness to have it
come into my life will make no impossibilities.
Letting go of all the frustrations and
disappointments towards people who took advantage of our kindness is a good start. Too
much expectation indeed is a silent killer of
happiness. When we expect too much, and
nothing turns out the way we wanted it, we
end up getting disappointed. Worst is, we may
find ourselves to blame which is not healthy at
all. At some point, we cannot blame ourselves
for too much expectation. Especially if you put
too much confidence and trust on that person.
On Christmas day and onward, I will be giving and loving without expecting something in
return.
Forgive people who inflicted pain on
us, not because they deserve forgiveness, but
because we deserve to live in peace will be
the best gift we can give ourselves on Christmas Day. To be truly at peace, we should not
hold any grudge towards people who hurt us,
no matter how much pain it brought our lives.
People who hurt other people have reasons
why. Some give us the deepest pain today so
we can show off the sweetest smile tomorrow by learning a lesson from the pain. Some
hurt us once and for all today, rather than hurt
us each day of our lives in the coming days.
Some hurt us unintentionally and unknowingly, while some hurt us on purpose of getting
even. The worst, people hurt us intentionally
because they feel like their ego is boosted up
doing it. No matter what their reasons are for
hurting us, let there be room for forgiveness
in our hearts on Christmas Day. We may not
know how to forgive, or where to start the process of forgiving them, but as long as we are
willing to forgive, we are opening a door of
peacefulness in our lives.
On Christmas day and onward, I will bury
all the pain of my past. People who hurt me
may not ask for forgiveness, nor may they not
hear from me that they are forgiven. Nevertheless, I will forgive certain people in silence and
start living at peace.
Asking for forgiveness will not take
away anything from us. If you are a man, asking for forgiveness will not mean you are a gay
and lessen your manhood. Actually, real men
are those who know how to admit mistakes
and are ready to ask forgiveness. If you are a
woman, asking for forgiveness will not mean
you are weak. Indeed, women who can admit
flaws are the strongest ones. We are only human, capable of making mistakes. But along
with it, we must be ready to ask forgiveness for
all the shortcomings we may have done, for the
pain we have inflicted to other people, for the
bad deeds we think of other people, and most
of all, we must at all be ready to ask forgiveness to ourselves for something we must have
done but we did not do it because we are afraid
of rejections and failures.
On Christmas day and onward, at the
end of each day, I will start by asking forgiveness to myself for allowing people to hurt me.
I shall ask forgiveness to myself for believing
in false hopes and promises of other people.
And in silence, I whispered and ask forgiveness from people whom I unknowingly hurt.
Ask forgiveness from people whom I did not
listen to and took serious pieces of advice.
Acceptance is the key to living a happy
and contented life. To accept whatever situations we are at the moment and wherever fate
had taken us can lessen the burden we have in
mind. To accept what we have at hand and the
kind of life we live can refrain us from thinking too much and avoid us from wanting more
than we can afford to have in life - physically,
emotionally, and financially. Our acceptance to
any responsibility that lay upon our shoulders
will lighten our moods at work, either in an office setting or at home setting. Instead of complaining with the loads of responsibility people
left behind to us, let us start to value and love
it. If we will not learn to love our responsibilities, it will not love us back and keep on throwing us harder times as we keep complaining.
Our acceptance to that certain spot where
we stand on other people's lives can stop us
from holding on to false hopes they made us
believed. It's not wrong to hold on and hope
for better results, but if we only know how to
accept how far can we go and stay in a person's
life, it will paved the way for us to stop hurting
ourselves of future frustrations and disappointments.
On Christmas day and onward, I will
accept that this is my fate; this is where God
wants me to be, and what God wants me to
have. My acceptance to that certain journey I
had in my life will stop me from hoping for
nothing. On this day, I stop myself from holding on and start accepting that it really has
ended. Better days are coming anyway, so I
don't need to get myself stuck on something
I don't deserve to have and a place I don't deserve to be.
Faith in God, no matter how bad the situ-
Forbidden Love
ation He has given us, is the main ingredient of
living a happy life and healthy soul. When life
knocks you down, you can't help yourself but
question Him. I myself did a lot of questioning
this year. Why me? What have I done wrong?
Where are You leading me with these? I lost
faith, almost completely. I refrain myself from
believing Him and His existence. I stopped
praying and worshiping Him, either at home or
at the church. I confined myself to that belief
that He has abandoned me.
Then one day, I woke up with the reality
that the gift of life is the most precious thing
God can give to mankind. He gave me the
chance to live a life, regardless of how I wanted to live each day with it. This year, not only
He gave me the gift of life for myself to live,
but gave me the chance to carry another gift of
life. Not every woman is blessed with an angel; some women would kill for this privilege,
but not me. I was given the chance to carry a
fulfilled wish. So who am I then to complain
for a perfect gift? I renewed my faith; strengthen the vow of believing in Him and never to
question Him again. From that day on until this
Christmas day, that faith is growing stronger
each day and I vow to continue doing so in the
next years to come.
Someone close to my heart once told
me, "Sheng, if you don't let yourself out of that
box you confined yourself with, who do you
think would want to do it for you? Your heart
may be broken, but it's still beating. You have
been knocked off the ground, but your life is
not broken. Get out and continue loving and
doing what you love to do. You have talents,
use them to move forward." And he was right.
Wishful thinking can't do you any better. Reality is where we live, not fantasy.
On Christmas day and onward, I will
continue to walk out there with heads up high.
I may not have pulled everything together into
its right place yet, but I know, I can do it the
soonest possible time. Positive thinking begets
positive results.
And may I say, I had a white Christmas
in my heart…and it is the best Christmas for
me, ever.
Balikbayan!
By Lylane de Ocampo
2013 Anghel ng Tahanan
2nd Runner-up
How do we fight love where in the first place we know who is the loser?
How then do we continue a relationship if we know there are people will
hurt?
In life, there is really no such a wrong love. It just depends on the situation, time and the person that you love. In "LOVE" we cannot plan and we
cannot choose who you love.
The more we avoid our feelings the more strongly of the overwhelming
desire.
It is really hard to love at wrong time and it is difficult to love someone
already owned by other.
It is really hard to take chance on a relationship if you don't have anything
to hold on.
You may feel happiness but not too long...
Every moment together is all borrowed. Sometimes you ask us "What
right do I have with you?" "Where do I belong in your heart"?
We do not know if the love you have with each other is enough, and if
until when...
Yes, we certainly enjoyed the presence of each one but happiness is not
the only issue.
Having a calm disposition and mind with a genuine smile on lips....That
is the real happiness.
How can we be happy if you will hurt someone?
Sometimes in a battle of love, one must surrender and give way.
No matter how you love each other.
Sometimes one must sacrifice.... And let go....Even it really hurts...
Sometimes love is equivalent to giving and liberation.
Letting go for what we do not posses.
But be grateful if fate brought you this in your life...
Maybe to teach you a lesson in life, or maybe, for you to learn how to fight
temptation.
36
Ni Sheila Bacani Camangian
‘Anghel 2012’
Isang salita na pag narinig unang papasok sa isip ng karamihan Ay maraming pera, di ba nila iniisip Kung gaano
kahirap ang trabaho ng isang mangagawang pilipino sa ibang bansa? Kung
ilang miyembro ng pamilya ang umaasa sa isang balikbayan habang nasa
ibang Bansa?
Chocolates, sabon pabango damit sapatos at ibpa. Ang laging hinihiling ng
pamilya, kapitbahay, kaibigan pag nalaman na uuwi ang isang OFW. Ako'y
isang balikbayan na kailan lang nakabalik sa ating Bansa, sa airport pa lang
ramdam mo na ang kaugaliang Pinoy.
Kakaibang ingay sa loob ng airport,
at paglabas kumustahan, ngiti at luha
magkahalong emosyon ng mga miyembro ng pamilya na sumasalubong.
Pag dating sa probisya masasayang kumustahan ng kapitbahay, kamag anak
di maputol putol na kwentuhan ng mga
kababata. Mga simpleng pasalubong
Na iaabot Ay magbibigay na ng ngiti
sa iba, isteytsayd ang tawag sa lahat ng
bagay na manggagaling sa ibang bansa.
Balikbayan tinatawag na bayani ng
bansa, bayani Nga ba tayong maituturing? Tinatrato Nga ba tayong bayani o
iniisip ng karamihan na marami tayong
pera kaya't Kung hingan tayo Ay ganon
na lang kadali?
Mahirap maging OFW, nagtitiis sa
hirap ng trabaho, nagtitiis malayo sa
pamilya, nagtitiis sa Kung anong pagsubok na darating Habang nasa ibang
bansa. Ang tanging kaligayahan Ay ang
makita ang ngiti sa mukha ng pamilya
pagbalik sa bansang kinalakhan, ang
pagbabalikbayan, magagamot ang lahat ng pagtitiis Kung masaya at buong
pamilya ang daratnan, nakakalungkot
kung ang daratnan Ay wala na ang buong pamilya na iniwan.
Nakakalungkot din pagkat maninibago
ka sa mahal ng mga bilihin, Maninibago ka sa pagbabago ng kapaligiran
ang mga inaasahan mo na gusto mong
makita at maranasan Ay wala na..
Masaya ang pagbabalikbayan ngunit
mahirap pag di ka na babalik sa ibang
bansa at ipagpatuloy ang paghahanap
buhay.
December 2013
Philippine Courier
Yumi’s 5th Birthday celebration & Potpourri
Yumi Lara Datol Tierra, youngest of two daughters of couple Laurence & Rosaline Tierra celebrated her 5th birthday December 6, 2013 with a simple family gathering in their abode in Richmond Hill with her grandparents, great-grandmother, Ate Iyam Lauren and cousins Ate Nicole and Kyle & Tito Edgar and
Tita Mabelle Datol-Bello. Her parents, however, treated their youngest angel with a children’s party the day after in the famous CandyLand where Yumi’s SK
classmates came and enjoy the celebration with extreme gusto……Yumi also participated in the School’s Christmas Program where she sang Christmas Carols
on stage with her classmates …Here are some photos of the Yumi’s birthday celebration and other activities for December 2013 of the family’s youngest angel
courtesy of TPC’s Lenny Tierra & Mondee.
December 2013
37
Classified Ads
Philippine Courier
Happy Birthday, Senator Jun Enverga!
Senator Tobias "Jun" Enverga celebrates his birthday (Dec. 2, 2013) with his wife Rosemer, and children Rystel, Rosel, and Rizza; a day early celebration was
held on KCC. (Photo by Ariel Ramos)
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
Across
1 Nervous system
4 Cow sound
7 Charged particle
10 Knock
11 Passes through a sieve
13 Congressional vote
14 Three
15 Machine tool
16 Kapamilya.
17 Milk fish.
19 Vessel
21 Silent actor
23 Brand of milk
26 Famous Philippine beach
resort area.
29 Kingly
30 Be
31 Advantaged
33 North American nation
38
34
36
38
39
40
42
46
48
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
4 Vapor like
5 Often poetically
6 Remaining one
7 Fascinate
8 Klutz
9 New York City
11 Channeled for water
12 Stitch
18 Kapuso.
20 Adam's wife
22 Looking at
24 Large
25 AiAi Delas _____
26 Flying mammals
27 Voiced
28 Memo
29 Laments
32 Barge puller
35 Hoopla
37 Supreme Being
39 Root beer brand (3
wds.)
41 Heptad
43 Offers
Pag puti ng ________...
Mongolian desert
Star of Panday (abbrev)
Epoch
"To the right!"
Juan _______.
44
Gold lumps
45
Skidded
46
Aggressive feelings
47
Science channel
49
Chinch
___ up
Metal bar
The other half of Jima
Before (prefix)
Solution to last issue
Thoughts
Dot
Cruse
Sweaty
Slide on snow
Down
1 Baby bed
2 Philippine Airport
3 Revolve
Name that Vehicle
Early automakers couldn't decide on a common name to describe their
machines. Among the candidates were automation, electrobat motor fly,
oleo, locomotive, and motoring. The eventual winner was automobile, an
1876 French coinage meaning "self-movable." The word car (ultimately
from the Latin carrus, meaning "two-wheeled wagon") first hit the scene
20 years later.
Name Game. The Toyota Motor Corporation was founded by the Toyoda
family in 1937. In Japanese, the name Toyoda takes 10 strokes to write,
while the trade name Toyota takes 8. Because a numerologist advised that
8 is a luckier number than 10, we now drive Toyotas and not Toyodas.
Ooops! Hara-kiri, suicide done as a ritual by cutting one's bowels open,
has long entered the English language, where it becomes a loose,figurative
substitute for "self-destruction" (e.g., "political hara-kiri"). Ironically, the
Japanese do not use hara-kiri when referring to the ceremony performed
by high-ranking Japanese to avoid disgrace. They speak seppuku, which
is actually of Chinese origin.
WORD WATCH
Huramentado: from the Spanish juramentado, meaning "bound by oath."
December 2013
Philippine Courier
25
December 2013
39