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YEAR 12, No. 4

OCTOBER 2008

INSIDE Ooops & Bloops Gas is cheap ... -6

Light and medals - 12

Home Paper of the 1999 Canadian Ethnic Journalists’ and Writers’ Club Winner for Best Editorial

Appeal to all GTA Filipino newspaper outlets (SEE PAGE 5)

Philippine Supreme Court declares MOA-AD

Unconstitutional By JAY B. REMPILLO

2010 RP polls: A watershed event? - 27 Notes on

Dancing Josie’s To Be A Star - 33 Celebrate! concert - 36

Toronto, Ontario

The Philippine Supreme Court, voting 8-7, on Oct. 14 declared “contrary to law and the Constitution” the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) signed in Kuala Lumpur by peace panel negotiators of the the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). In an 89-page decision penned by Justice Conchita Carpio Morales, the Court, granting the main and in-

tervening petitions, enjoined the government and its agents from signing and executing the MOA-AD or similar agreements. Likewise, they were directed to conduct public consultations in accordance with the right to information, with respect to any further peace negotiations with the MILF. Grave abuse “In sum, the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process committed grave abuse of discretion when he failed to carry out the per-

tinent consultation process, as mandated by Executive Order (EO) 3, Republic Act (RA) 7160, and RA 8371,” the High Court said. “The furtive process by which the MOA-AD was designed and crafted runs contrary to and in excess of the legal authority, and amounts to a whimsical, capricious, oppressive, arbitrary and despotic exercise thereof,” it said. “It illustrates a gross evasion of positive duty and a virtual refusal to perform the (To page 7)

FVR to visit Toronto for Gawad Kalinga

(STORY ON PAGE 5)

Halloween safe, happy trickin’ and treatin’

(SEE PAGE 14)

Donned as a fairy, an elf or a pumpkin babe (right) or as an ogre or a rocketman (left), these children - like many others in Canada - will take to the streets for the Oct. 31 Halloween trickin’ or treatin’. MANILA MEDIA MONITOR Photos

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Manila Media Monitor OCTOBER 2008

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OCTOBER 2008 Manila Media Monitor

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NEWS

Manila Media Monitor OCTOBER 2008

Remittances seen to balance exchange rate volatilities MANILA - Remittances of overseas Filipinos (OFs) has remained a major factor to address volatilities in the exchange rate. This, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. bared, as the US dollar continued to regain its strength followOTTAWA - Re-elected Prime Minister Stephen Harper has unveiled a new economic plan for Canada, a day after his Conservative Party notched the federal polls on Oct. 14. “The No. 1 job of the prime minister of Canada is to protect this country’s economy, our earnings, our savings and our jobs, during a time of global economic uncertainty,” Harper said. Harper called for reined in-government spending and presenting Parliament with a budget that would take account of the credit crisis by end-November. He said he would meet with Canada’s provincial leaders and his counterparts in the Group of 7 major industrial nations to discuss economic needs. Banking strength He also vowed to ensure

ing US government initiatives to save its big financial institutions and soothe a global financial crunch. ‘Hot money’ leaving Tetangco said that during times of uncertainty, developing nations like the Philippines could expect “some amount of risk aver-

sion” that would affect the direction of capital flows. BSP data showed that foreign portfolio investments or “hot money” as of Sept. 26 had declined - a net outflow of about US$504 million as against inflows of US$3.4 billion in the same period in 2007.

Tetangco said the continued strengthening of the US dollar would surely hurt the local currency. “But our fundamentals remain strong and there are other sources of foreign exchange, such as remittances from OFWs, which should help provide a balancing ef-

Harper’s after-election vow

Protect Canada’s economy; our earnings, savings, jobs

HARPER that Canada’s banks would not be hurt by government moves in the United States and Europe to buy up stakes in their own banks to shore

up balance sheets. “We are examining what other countries are doing very closely to make sure that our banks are not put a competitive disadvantage,” Harper said. “Frankly, our leading banks are now some of the largest banks in the Western world as a consequence of what’s going on,” he said. While declining to spell out the options he was considering, he said it would not involve a lot of taxpayers money. (See related item on page 32) Poll results In the end, the Conservatives won 143 of Parlia-

ment’s 308 seats, an improvement over the 127 in the previous Parliament but short of the 155 needed to govern on its own. Voters gave a harsher verdict on the Liberal Party, which has been the dominant party for most of Canada’s history but plunged from 95 Parliament seats to 76. The separatist Bloc Quebecois won 50 seats; the New Democrats, 37; and independent candidates, two. Harper was the first major world leader to face voters amid the global economic crunch. With reports from the Associated Press and other Internet sources

fect on the exchange rate and support the peso,” he said. The BSP has forecast remittances this year to reach US$16.6 billion, up from end-2007’s US$14.4 billion. The BSP said that despite the global economic slowdown hitting hard on the US and Europe, remittances of Filipinos workers in the Middle East and other foreign destinations, was seen to contribute largely to the remittance volume. IMF forecast Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said remittance inflows to the Philippines were likely to decline due to the global economic situation. “Economies like the Philippines and also in Central America, the Caribbean, perhaps in emerging Europe as well, will be affected by slowing inflows from remittances, in a similar way to slowing demand for their export goods,” said Charles Collyns, the IMF deputy director. But Collyns assured that emerging economies would not suffer the major downturns and even recessions that happened during previous global business cycles. “Overall, as we have

said, we nevertheless believe that the outlook for (the) emerging economies is for a significant slowdown, but still leaving growth at fairly robust rates,” he said. Remittance dip As of end-August, the BSP said remittances from Filipinos abroad sent through banks grew 17.2 percent, reaching US$10.9 billion from year-ago’s US$ 9.34 billion. BSP deputy governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said the August figure alone was at US$1.3 billion. But Espenilla noted that month-on-month, remittances dipped to 10.4 percent, from July’s US$1.4 billion. The inflows mainly came from the US, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and other nation hosting Filipino workers. Remittances posted its highest growth in June, totaling US$1.45 billion or a 30 percent jump from May’s US$1.43 billion. The remittances would continue to be a big boost to the Philippine economy amid the global economic meltdown, Espenilla said. PNA

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OCTOBER 2008 Manila Media Monitor

FVR to visit Toronto for Gawad Kalinga Former Philippine president Fidel V. Ramos is scheduled to visit Toronto from Oct. 22 to 25 to promote among FilipinoCanadians the social and economic graces the Gawad Kalinga (GK) housing program has given to the poor and depressed in the Philippines, particularly the countrysides. The former president is also slated to visit Winnipeg later to interact with the community on the same subject. Meet with Chretien Following his arrival in Toronto, Ramos will meet with former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien. Ramos and Chretien met and had lengthy exchanges on various global issues during the Asian Pacific Economic Council (APEC), of which the Philippines and Canada are membernations. Both have also had the honor of hosting each other during APEC meetings in Manila and Vancouver.

RAMOS They have also played round of memorable golf together. Dinner, presscon In the evening of Oct. 22, Ramos will have a formal dinner with the FVR Events Committee led by overall chair Renee Talavera-Siao at the Casa Manila. Expected to be with Ramos are Philippine Ambassador to Ottawa Jose Brillantes, Philippine Consul General in Toronto Alejandro Mosquera and GK founder Tony Meloto. A press conference, to be moderated by Philippine (To page 34)

NEWS

APPEAL TO ALL GTA FILIPINO NEWSPAPER OUTLETS

During the last several months, bundles of newspaper copies were stolen from your respective stores by the publisher of one Filipino newspaper and his delivery people. Among those victimized to our knowledge were Filipiniana, Philippine Times and lately, Manila Media Monitor. In an exchange of e-mails circulated among publishers of Filipino papers in the GTA, Balita and Philippine Reporter likewise came forward to report that the same happened to their newspapers recently. We know who the culprit publisher is, and his delivery persons. Understandably, we could not be watching over the bundles of our respective publications with so many Filipino newspaper outlets in GTA, hence, this appeal to all of you. Please take notice of deliveries of newspapers at your respective outlets. Should you see this publisher and his delivery men carting away copies or bundles of newspapers other than their own from your respective stores and professional offices, please report the matter to the undersigned publishers so that appropriate actions may be taken against these people; or better still, please call the police since this act by this publisher and his delivery people constitutes theft, a criminal offense in any legal jurisdiction. In several instances, this theft happened late at night when your stores were already closed, and when newly delivered newspapers were left by your door.

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Should you have security cameras that caught the act on tape, please inform us of the same. With the strong role of Filipino-Canadian newspapers and magazines as a source of news and information happening in and around our community, and as a resource for those who have just arrived to settle in this country, we, the undersigned publishers/editors -- together with the president of the Philippine Press Club-Ontario, appeal to you for your very kind cooperation to stop this publisher from further engaging in this unfair and criminal practice against his perceived competition. It is obvious he is doing this for a purely selfish profit motive. Maraming salamat po sa pagbibigay ninyo ng daan sa kahilingang ito. ACE ALVAREZ, Managing Editor, Manila Media Monitor ROSE AMI, Publisher, Planet Philippines JOSE BAKING, Publisher, Confidential TESS CUSIPAG, Managing Editor, Balita RAMON DATOL, Publisher, Philippine Courier HERMIE GARCIA, Publisher and Editor, Philippine Reporter BIN KON LOO, Publisher, Filipiniana TURING MUERE, Publisher, Likha Newsmagazine TENNY SORIANO, President, Philippine Press Club-Ontario

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NEWS

Manila Media Monitor OCTOBER 2008

ACE ALVAREZ

Gas price is cheap; at a station ... 50 kilometers away The Philippine Press ClubOntario (PPCO) sent a notice to members re: a press conference at Casa Manila on York Mills Road in North York with former Philippine president Fidel Ramos – in town from October 22 to 26 at Casa Manila on York Mills Road in North York to promote Gawad Kalinga, or GK. One member e-mailed back and inquired if dinner will be served. The notice likewise stressed the policy that those withour PPCO ID will be barred entry. Suggestion to the inquiring PPCO member: Please go get yourself the IDs of Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Rama. They provide not only food, but hotel accommodation as well. *** A CNW (Canada News Wire) dispatch on June 25, states: “McGuinty Government Supports Public-Private Internship Program; Leading Edge Research” Mabuti na la’ng walang oral … ooops … I mean oval office dito sa Ontario.

*** The headline of the “OFW Journalism Consortium in its June 27, 2008 issue read, “Study says high school drop-outs not children of OFWs”. Ooops! Easy … easy. The body of the story is not quite what the headline declares. An excerpt from the story read: “High cost of education coupled by lingering poverty has been cited by pundits as reasons for these increases (N.B. referring to drop-out rate).” When I forwarded the story to Manila Media Monitor editor Butch Galicia, I warned him to be careful about reading just the headline of the newspacket. “The story’s content is different from what the headline implies. Kasindak-sindak, sir!” Butch replied, “It’s a startling revelation. Pinagkakaila na ng mga OFWs na anak nila ang mga school dropouts sa Pilipinas. Magaling ang sumulat ng headline.” Ace to Butch: “Kung baga si OFW, five years na sa abroad, pero iyong bunso ay three years

old pa lamang!” Butch wrote back na kung natanggap ni Mrs. iyong sperm sample, anak nga ni OFW si bunso. But lo … and behold, I replied, “Hindi pa rin, dahil hiringgilya ng asawa ni Dory, na taga Malabon, ang ginamit kay Mrs. OFW.” *** A good friend of mine phoned the Philippine Consulate General’s office in Toronto to inquire on dual citizenship. A staff at that office picks up the phone and … “Philippine Conshooleyt, good afternoon.” There’s no truth that when I phoned the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa two days later to seek clarification on a press release that office sent us at Manila Media Monitor, a staff picked up the phone and … “Philippine Embashee, good afternoon.” *** On Wednesday, July 30 this year, Philippine Press Club-Ontario (PPCO) Sexitary, or rather, secretary, Butch Galicia, sent out a message to PPCO officers and board members, saying, “Please be reminded of our 2nd PPCO

Board Meeting at Casa Manila on August 1 (Friday) at 7 p.m.” Board member Ramon Datol -- publisher of Philippine Courier -- responded, “Mr. Secretary, I’m coming.” Hmmmm … guys, is there anything going on that we do not know about? *** Noting various Filipino Canadian publications in British Columbia as mostly dealing with entertainment, Vancouver-based journalist Ron Richardson – who is executive editor of the various publications of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, once asked me if I’m a serious journalist. Of course, I am. How does he expect me to write this column, if I’m not. ‘di ba, readers? *** PPCO member Rodel Ramos through Tenny Soriano sent the following e-mail message to fellow members: “My brothers and sisters in the media, “We need volunteers to promote the nation building project of Gawad Kalinga (GK) to the Filipino community and the mainstream. Please help us help our poor and the country. “I was asked to get volunteers for the GK Walk and future projects.” From me to Rodel: Do you know if GK is paying for the volunteer work? *** In an e-mail on Tuesday, June 3, PPCO Prexy Tenny asks the

organization’s corporate secretary, Butch Galicia, how many directors have confirmed to the board meeting, June 6. Butch replied, “Lima na ang confirmed – You, Ace, Mogi, Mondee and Ace.” Tenny commented, “Dinalawa mo ang pangalan ni Ace.” Butch: “Akala mo nagkamali ako? No way. Kaya dalawa ang pangalan ni Ace, kasi dalawang beses ding nag-confirm sa June 6 meeting.” Ace interrupted: “Kaya dalawang beses ako nag-confirm, para ‘pag hindi ako nakarating doon sa unang confirmation, puwede pa rin akong humabol, dahil I have a second confirmation. O ‘di ba, makes sense?” *** Aside from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce-Toronto’s Trade Show at the Mabuhay Philippines Toronto Summer Festival, July 19, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, one place for investment companies to put up a booth is by the entry doors of all those casinos. I think many of those in the Filipino-Canadian community committed a mistake while reading primers on investments. For example, on the matter of stocks (otherwise known as equities), the explanation was that “stocks may pay investors dividends. Furthermore, the price of the stock may rise, or fall, over time.” On the stock market, “Market Volatility is defined as the relative (To page 7)

7 VIEWS RP Supreme Court declares GRP-MILF MOA-AD unconstitutional OCTOBER 2008 Manila Media Monitor

(From page 1) duty enjoined,” the Court added. Voting Chief Justice Reynato Puno, Justices Consuelo Ynares-Santiago, Antonio Carpio, Adolfo Azcuna and Ruben Reyes, joining the majority vote, all wrote separate opinions. Also in the majority were Senior Justice Leonardo Quisumbing and Justice Ma. Alicia Austria-Martinez. Those who voted for the dismissal of the petition and wrote

dissenting opinions were Justices Dante Tinga, Minita Chico-Nazario, Presbitero Velasco Jr., Antonio Eduardo Nachura, Teresita Leonardo-de Castro and Arturo Brion. Justice Renato Corona joined Tinga’s dissent. Authority exceeded The Court held that respondents’ failure to consult the local government units or communities constituted a departure by respondents from their mandate under EO 3.

Gas is cheap at a station ... (From page 6) rate which the stock market moves up and down in price.” See, the definitions have all the characteristics of slot machines at the casinos. You put in your investment of $100 and “market volatility” which may rise, or fall, overtime --- which in the slot machines are called “credits” (“units” in the stock market). More often than not, the investments at the slot machines are lost. In the stock market, this is called a crash. *** An article for men from LeaseTrader.Com states, “Dating Expert Reveals The Type of Woman A Vehicle Attracts”. Well, this may be true, but a good friend of mine drives a 1965 Chevrolet Corvette, and since I’ve known him, the only

thing I saw he attracted is the car shop for repairs. *** My good friend, PPCO member and Philippine Courier associate editor Miguel Caducio sent me a very informative message. It states: “Do you want to know the price of the gas the next day, check this site. I’ve been using this site and save me a few cents per liter. The prices of gas is updated based on the market closed in the afternoon.” Wow, am saving money in these times of soaring gas prices! So, I checked and … surely, I will save a few cents per liter at a gas station at the boundary of Mississauga and Brampton. In the meantime, I was accessing the information from my home location in Scarborough. Thank you so much, Mike! ***

Moreover, respondents exceeded their authority by the mere act of guaranteeing amendments to the Constitution. EO 3 defined the authority of the GRP negotiating panel. Associative relation The contents of the MOA-AD were matters of paramount public concern involving public interest in the highest order, the Court stressed. It stressed that the MOA-AD could not be reconciled with the present Constitution and laws; not only its specific provisions but the very concept underlying them, namely, the associative relationship envisioned between the GRP and the BJE (Bangsamoro Juridical Entity). This was unconstitutional, for the concept presupposed that the associated entity was a state and implied that the same was on its way to independence, the Court said. It further noted that the inclusion of provisions in the MOAAD establishing an associative relationship between the BJE and the Central Government was a violation of the Memorandum of Instructions from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo dated March 1, 2001, addressed to the government peace panel. Moreover, it virtually guaranteed that the necessary amendments to the Constitution and the laws would eventually be put in place.

Neither the GRP Peace Panel nor the President was authorized to make such a guarantee. Upholding such an act would amount to authorizing a usurpation of the constituent powers vested only in Congress, a Constitutional Convention, or the people themselves through the process of initiative, for the only way that the Executive could ensure the outcome of the amendment process was through an undue influence or interference with that process. Fatally defective The Court added that while the MOA-AD would not amount to an international agreement or unilateral declaration binding on the Philippines under international law, the respondents’ act of guaranteeing amendments was, by itself, a constitutional violation that rendered the MOA-AD fatally defective. The Court denied the respondents’ motion to dismiss the petitions on the ground that the nonsigning of the MOA-AD and the eventual dissolution of the GRP Peace Panel mooted the present petitions. It ruled that the present petitions provided an exception to the “moot and academic” principle in view of (1) the grave violation of the Constitution involved; (b) the exceptional character of the situation and paramount public interest; (c) the need to formulate controlling principles to guide the bench, the bar and the public; and

(d) the fact that the case is capable of repetition yet evading review. Renegotiations? But the Court noted that the MOA-AD was a significant part of a series of agreements necessary to carry out the GRP-MILF Agreement on Peace signed by the government and the MILF in June 2001. The MOA-AD could then be renegotiated or another one drawn up that could contain similar or significantly dissimilar provisions compared to the original. The Court, however, found that the prayers for mandamus have been rendered moot in view of the respondents’ action in providing the Court and the petitioners with the official copy of the final draft of the MOA-AD and its annexes. Right to information The Court said that the people’s right to information on matters of public concern under Section 7, Article III of the Constitution “is in splendid symmetry with the state policy of full public disclosure of all its transactions involving public interest under Section 28, Article II of the Constitution.” The complete and effective exercise of the right to information necessitated that its complementary provision on public disclosure derived the same self-executory nature, subject only to reasonable safeguards or limitations as might (To page 25)

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VIEWS

Manila Media Monitor has always subscribed to, and respected the unwritten principle that each publication circulating for the community in the Greater Toronto Area contributes to the achievement of excellence in Filipino-Canadian journalism, because we believe that better journalism means a better-informed citizenry and an improved democratic process. All the other seven publishers signing the “Appeal To All GTA Filipino Newspaper Outlets” that is published on page 5 of this issue and likewise published in the issues of seven other publications do share and respect this principle. The same is true with the president of the Philippine Press Club-Ontario (PPC-O) Tenny Soriano – who, as a veteran journalist both in the Philippines and in this country, has always aimed to uplift the state of Filipino-Canadian community journalism through the PPC-O. Meanwhile, while we continue to work for these objectives, one publisher among us spoils everything. We know who the culprit publisher is and his delivery people, but since we (the eight signatory publishers to the appeal with the PPCO president), have always played on the level field, we are not divulging the identity of the culprit publisher – AIMED AT GIVING HIM ANOTHER CHANCE TO MEND HIS WAYS, otherwise, ….

Manila Media Monitor

From The Monitor’s Desk ACE ALVAREZ

When all other publications strive to build a better-informed citizenry, this one publisher ... Four witnesses have come forward firmly expressing their support to us should the culprits fail our reason stated immediately above for divulging their identities. You asked why there were only eight publishers, plus, the PPCO president? Reason was that, when I sent out the open letter to all FilipinoCanadian publishers, only the seven other publishers chose to even press their “Read Receipt” button on their e-mail, to the exclusion of all the other publishers who likewise were recipients to such message – which means, they are disinterested to correct the wrong. As described in the appeal, the act, or commission is theft. But as I have expounded to one

publisher signing the appeal with us, criminal acts are based on the intention of the perpetrator of the crime – with the onus of proving the same to the prosecution. Criminal acts are committed in either of two ways: first, by “intent”; the other by “negligence”. To our minds, certainly, the act of this culprit publisher and his delivery people is a criminal act, and the decision to render the act as such, or not, rests solely to the judges in the courts of law. In addition, such act, or commission by these people may likewise be gleaned as violation of the basic constitutional right versus freedom of expression. In the meantime, I’m so sorry for the advertisers of this culprit publisher that they have placed

their confidence in this publication as a medium for their advertising and promotion – when the publisher himself has no confidence in his own paper to survive in the industry absent his, and his delivery people’s foul play. *** Just before Toronto diva Josie de Leon’s Celebrate Music concert, I sent a message to the outfit producing the concert. The message addressed to Jing de Leon and Chat Bautista, I commended Studio Six Productions for their attention to evey detail in the concert: promotion artwork, media communications and everything relative to the pre-production of the concert. The actual event in itself was as expected the way I wrote the two executives.: artwork and consistency on promotional and advertising materials; stage props and set design, well-rehearsed numbers by all participating artists. However, one glaring observation during the concert – and which is shared by many in the audience, both during the intermission and after the event, was that all that could be heard in the musical accompaniment was the guitar; all other instruments seemed muted. Please take this as a constructive comment for future endeavors, hence. If musical director Mon Torralba happens to read this, please take note.

‘The Manila Media Monitor is strongly and solidly built on the ramparts of uncompromising journalism. It will remain true to its mission-vision of being a vigilant but responsible expression of community issues and concerns.’ It was a combination of delight and discomfiture to hear someone talk about something familiar yet disturbing and close to home even at a gathering nearly 7,000 kilometers away. Mr. K. Kannan, an executive of Plan India rose to the podium at the Chinh forum in New Delhi August to report about a distressing topic: abuse in the schools. Kannan disclosed findings conducted a year ago in a study that covered 1,500 Indian children. The results were disturbing because they were likely being repeated in many countries in Asia, Africa and South America. The Plan study found that corporal punishment was an accepted and justified form of justice all over India. It was a way of life in schools and at home. Teachers and parents accepted it and it was not even perceived as a form of violence. Regrettably, Indian government initiative to ban corporal punishment had not reached its desired level of success. (As of Kannan’s reporting, only six Indian states had actually tried to outlaw it, among them Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Nevertheless, the success rate was dismal.)

Roundabout MAG CRUZ-HATOL

Five beatings per class per day Kannan explains further, to the perturbation of his listeners, that the statistics were not promising. The study noted that there was a national average of five beatings per class per day! What drove the story so close to home was when Kannan enumerated possible reasons for the abnormally high rate of abuse heaped on children. To a very large extent, the situation bearing down on Indian education had so much to do with the popularity of corporal punishment. Kannan explains: “Teachers are stressed by lots of work and severe lack of time to prepare for school, leaving them little time for themselves. There is a constant lack of classrooms and many

kids are taught under trees. Hence, physical punishment becomes handy to control unruly pupils. It has become an issue that is invisible yet accepted.” It was at that point that the picture became eerily familiar. Reminiscences of childhood beatings in the classrooms we sat in years ago suddenly began to race in our mind. Several weeks later, at another meeting, Plan Philippines’ country director Michael Diamond cited a local finding which, in a little way, presented some form of relief to us. “In the Philippines today, the most typical abuse meted on children in the school setting is perpetrated by peers. Bullying seems to be more common here than corpo-

ral punishment is,” he notes. Bullying is acknowledged as, disturbing tough it may be especially to parents, a fact of school life. It is prevalent in the Philippine public school system but incidents have been frequently reported even in elite institutions. While it instantly appears as though bullying falls within the boys’ domain, to a large extent, it also exists among girls. Whether it is corporal punishment, verbal or psychological abuse, discrimination or bullying, Plan International is addressing the global problem through its Learn without Fear campaign. It is a crusade to educate children and educators on the importance of making the school setting safer for kids by eliminating any form of violence. We hear that it is not only poverty or physical distance that keeps some children away from school. Bullying, the trauma from having been beaten and the embarrassment from public humiliation perpetrated by teachers and peers have been reported as usual reasons why kids veer away from enjoying their right and privilege to be educated. (To page 30)

OCTOBER 2008

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OCTOBER 2008 Manila Media Monitor

Commentary BEN VICCARI

OPINION

Why we are what and where we are now By ERNESTO G. BANAWIS History judges men and events unerringly; often harshly. This should particularly apply to those who held the levers of power: the men and women who shaped the course of Philippine history. Where, what, how and why we are today has been the sum of all the fears, indiscretions, cowardice, greed, selfishness, arrogance, ignorance, dishonesty, and pride of the leaders of our country. Only a few among them truly cared for our people. Some of them set back and ruined our economy. Others looted the public treasury. How we survived all the crisis and problems wrought upon us by our own leaders is a mystery. We were ahead of Japan and most of our neighbors in Southeast Asia in the ‘50s and early ‘60s in economic progress and political stability. But our leaders squandered our opportunities and set back our progress and development. By the late ‘70s and up to the early ‘80s, the Philippines became a basket case in Asia and shunned by international creditors for its moribund economy. We suffered the worst energy crisis during the Aquino regime. The modest gains during the Ramos administration were wiped out in the financial crisis of 1997. In the three years that movie actor Joseph Estrada was president, our country was rudderless and listless; it had no sense of purpose or direction. Unschooled in finer aspects of statecraft, Estrada was just plodding along, leaving to his cabinet members the burden of running the entire government machinery. In the last seven years under Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s reign, the Philippines remains economically static; the nation splintered, the peace talks with the separatist Muslim groups convoluted; the subversive elements getting stronger and more belligerent, the regime itself embroiled in scandals unprecedented in magnitude and daring. The country somehow managed to stay afloat in the midst of a crisis of confidence in the national leadership. Obviously, the fault is not in our stars but in our leaders. We are destined to be a great nation and a great race not by design but by the confluence of watershed events. Note that the most significant events which shaped the destiny of our country happened by accident. Were Ferdinand Magellan equipped with more precise navigational instruments, he would have reached his original destination - the Malaccas and the Spice Islands. He accidentally landed at Homonhon, “discovered” the Philippines and for over 350 years, we lived under a tyrannical Spanish colonial government. When the USS Maine was blown up under mysterious circumstances while anchored at Havana harbor, Cuba, on February 15, 1898, it triggered the Spanish-American War. After the war, under the Treaty of Paris, Spain sold the 10 million Filipinos for only $20 million or $2 a head. Up to this day, the Philippines remains a surrogate of the United States. What is deeply regrettable is that our own leaders mismanaged our national affairs and brought to our people economic hopelessness and political despair. Hardly anyone had best interest of our people at heart or cared for the poor and the underprivileged. The welfare of the Filipino people were never in the agenda of every administration since we regained our independence. Let us look back to have a clearer idea of the role some of our national leaders played in the history of our country. Jose Rizal and Emilio Aguinaldo played pivotal roles but were as much responsible for the failure of the Revolution of 1898. At the most gifted, knowledgeable and respected Filipino of his time, Rizal should have led the armed revolution against Spain. He could have prevented the split in the leadership of the Kati(To page 13)

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A regrettable display of bad taste In my extended family, two male children were born with Down Syndrome: One is now in his thirties; the other a pre-teen. I know how the loving care of their parents has helped them to develop and live in confidence in a world in which they are different from others around them. Indeed they are special. All the more reason that I was shocked to see the potential vice president of the United States using her own special baby in an especially obnoxious television appearance. Grasping the poor child like a sack of potatoes in one arm, she used the other arm to wave at the cheering crowds, who in their abysmal ignorance thought that this was something indeed noble. Down syndrome children, above all, need respect, and this disgraceful parading of an infant as a campaign prop is to me a mark of the woman who could become president of the United States, if John McCain’s health should take a turn for the worse. One only has to look at his presence on television to considThis has been a rough and tumble month. Not just on a personal level but also about the crash of the economy in the U.S. This crash will have consequences that affect almost everyone everywhere. The U.S. economy is so large and pervasive that it touches nearly every individual on the planet, directly or indirectly. We have already felt its reach here as our own TSX dropped nearly 1,000 points in one day. Also, we are in the middle of two elections: Our own Canadian election (please vote, every vote counts) and of course the historic U.S. election. No matter who gets elected in the U.S. in November, history will have been made. Again, the outcome of that election will have wide consequences for the planet, and especially us here in Canada. It’s all about consequences. Damned if you do and damned if you don’t. Many of the choices we make, or don’t make, have long term consequences for us and those around us. And those consequences accumulate over time and change our lives in ways we could not have foreseen. In some cases, the consequences of our choices change the way people see us and treat us. Eddie’s story belongs in this category.

er his abrupt demise as a distinct possibility. *** Docudramas and biopics are nothing new to television: the best of them can be excellent, but many tend to gloss over certain facts for convenience. That is why my original review of Australian director Anthony Fabian’s film Skin was so full of praise. Fabian chose to present his film as straight drama played out during South Africa’s infamous apartheid regime, without preachment, neither sugar-coating its message, nor heavy-handedly villainizing its apartheid-supporting characters. Skin was one of the films selected for the ‘08 Toronto International Film Festival. What has surprised me has been the lukewarm reception that Skin has been given by Englishlanguage journalists. Screened for Oprah Winfrey, it was powerfully endorsed by the influential TV host who has sponsored screenings of the film for special groups.

Perhaps it was that fact that affected the wide number of media that just don’t like Oprah’s great popularity. The Laings (Sam Neill and Alice Krige), an Afrikaner couple, beget a girl child whose skin is considerably darker than their own and in the knowledge that genetic throwbacks are a scientific possibility, fight to have their child Sandra accepted officially as “white.” They succeed but their world is torn apart when as a young woman Sandra (Sophie Okonedo) chooses a black boyfriend. Victims of the narrow thought patterns of most Afrikaners, they reject their daughter. That the tragedy really happened has been made evident in news reports and articles; in fact it was for years a human rights cause celebre. Performances especially by Neill, Krige and Okonedo are standouts. The film ends with a real-life glimpse of Sandra Laing, now a grandmother and a successful store owner. As a result of its screening at TIFF, Skin has already been picked up for distribution in Greece, France, Scandinavia, the Middle East and the Benelux nations. *** As Hurricane Ike approached, the number of Texans who said they would ignore the danger and stay put was literally amazing and alarming. Maybe, Texans are still moved by the Alamo tradition at which (To page 30)

Our Journey EVA AGPAOA

Consequences He made some bad decisions and kept making bad decisions until today; he is no longer welcome in the community and has no one he can call a friend. Eddie’s big problem is he lies. He lies a lot. Mainly to make himself look bigger and more important than what he really is but also he lies to his girlfriend about his fidelity. Eddie lied about his fidelity and kept on lying. So now, she no longer believes anything he tells her. She will leave him soon because no relationship can last without mutual trust. In the community, Eddie lied a lot. Made himself more important than what he really was. At first, people believed him. But as the truth came out (and it always would), the people around him understood that nothing he stood for or said was really true. One by one, the people around him left. Until today he has no one. Too often, we want something

so badly that we blind ourselves to the real consequences that come with it. It’s human nature but we have to guard against our own recklessness every day. Did you pay your bills or use the money to go clubbing? Now you have no Hydro. Did you fill in the right forms on time or are you too busy socializing? Now you’ve missed your chance to get your landed papers. And it’s not always clear that a choice is a bad choice. A seemingly harmless decision can lead to chaos. One of the most dangerous choice we make is to procrastinate. It may feel safe, but the decision will have to be made sooner or later. And usually later means worse. Another kind choice we make is to pin our hopes on a single or unrealistic event. (To page 16)

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VIEWS

As an old Erap political barb goes, being brain dead is not exactly petrifying for Erap because it confirms that he indeed has a brain. But staring at a mirror reflecting his headless image or tagging along a decapitated shadow may give him the creeps since this only means that he indeed has nothing from the neck up. Joke, joke, joke! This is simply the way we Filipinos breeze through life, no matter how hard it may be. We make jokes out of any topic, trying to elicit a repressed smile, at the least, or a guffaw, at the most. A subject matter like death does not scare us. We talk and joke about death as if it were just one of those things. This must be why Mr. Grim Reaper has changed his name to Mr. Grin Reaper and why St. Peter always chuckles when he busts his homecoming list and makes some corpse spring back to life, sending grieving people smirking. On Nov. 1 and 2, those of Philippine origins will again commemorate All Saints Day and All

Souls Day. Unfortunately, these are not legal holidays in Canada, unlike in the Philippines. But why pout? While our only recourse, being away from the homeland, is to relive the good and happy times – and maybe, some grubby but enjoyable ones -- we had with family members, relatives and friends who have reunited with Bathala in the Great Beyond, we have all our lifetime to do it. Ah, memories! Isn’t it amazing to see millions of Filipinos completing the yearly traditional trek to public and private burial grounds before, during and even a few days after All Saints Day and All Souls Day? They converge there, invading the privacy of the dead. Anyway, the dead won’t mind, would they? In the not-so distant past, everyone looked forward to that yearly trip to the cemetery. It was an occasion when family members felt wanted, dead or alive. Like Christmas or when a kin was born or had died, All Saints Day and All Souls Day were

Manila Media Monitor OCTOBER 2008

Omerta BUTCH GALICIA

Dead scared causes for a clan reunion. It was a time when people somberly gathered around the grave of their dearly departed, lighting candles, offering flowers and whispering - some mumbling with their heads down - prayers for the deceased. Following would be a short conversation about how good those lying six feet under were in their lifetime. Then would come picnic time when all would partake of delicacies, sometimes set on top of the nitso. After a few burps, it would be joke-joke-joke hour until sundown. Then everyone went home happy, oblivious to the fact that

they just came from a place they would be heading to in time. In those days of yore, there was no hassle in visiting graveyards. One could easily glide through neatly-spaced niches, newly-dug graves and mausoleums spruced up with acacia, balite and aratiles trees. Tombs, adorned with bouquets of aromatic flowers, also smelled of either fresh white paint or the reliable kalburo. Many things have changed a lot, though. Today, November 1 and 2 have become a reason for many people to beat domestic boredom and do their thing in cemeteries. The young once would be busy

either playing mahjong, tong-its or bingo or engaging in idle tsismis. On the other hand, the young ones would flamboyantly jam it up to the sound of loud solid rock, R&B or rap. Many of them would stay overnight, not to keep vigil as that done during wakes but to keep the party alive and kicking. The children would no longer stray around collecting melted candles but be very concentrated on pressing of their cellphones, ipods, and other techno-toys. Tin cans, junk food wrappers and an assortment of plastic bags litter the ground together with artificial flowers. The bedlam, the noise and the dirt ware enough to make the dead roll in their graves or send spirits into orbs to the center of the earth. Even the dead resist hell, eh! The once spacious cemetery has given in to progress. Lonely tombs have given way to condo tombs (one-deathbed apartments reaching up to four stories high, at the most, without escalators, elevators and hydro, of course). (To page 23)

The

Un-Comfort Zone

The 3rd Eye MARIO DIMAIN

with ROBERT WILSON

Will you freak out or hunker down?

Saturday morning in Cabbagetown In the midst of all the excitement surrounding the Toronto International Film Festival, another festivity was stirring up a colourful celebration in a small part of the city which is better known as Cabbagetown. It may not have the calibre of Toronto’s Entertainment District but it is a documented fact that mega star Denzel Washington worked-out in Cabbagetown Boxing Club while filming a movie in Toronto. True to the old saying: The show must go on! The early morning rain failed to dampen the spirit of the Annual Cabbagetown Festival Parade. The wet asphalt of Parliament Street produced a beautiful reflection of the Toronto Mounted Police marching the lead. The horses trotted gracefully with the piercing sound of the bagpipes in the background. From a short distance, an old classic car rolled slowly to show off one of the world-class athletes of Cabbagetown, the IFBA World Junior Featherweight Champion, Lisa “Bad News” Brown. This feisty lady can prove herself to be a beast in the boxing ring but Toronto’s Miss Manila, Erin Caluducan was no doubt the beauty of Cabbagetown that Saturday morning. The rhythmic beat of the Chinese drums reverberated on every lamp post.

They were loud. But the colors of the Filipino Centre Logo were louder. The waves of banners from the Filipino community made a resounding statement that we as Filipinos can stand united and proudly declare our spot in Canada’s mosaic of multi-cultural society. Within the sea of people flooding the street stood out a vibrant American flag carried by a smiling USAFFE war veteran, Efigenio Doroteo of Cebu. His dark blue jacket and a matching cap were both adorned with medals and buttons of recognition. While most men of his age were sitting idly, drinking coffee at Tim Horton’s, Gene (his Canadian nickname) marched and amazingly defied the old age syndrome. His 86 year old legs could still keep-up with the pace of the parade. Towards the end of the march, the old veteran was getting tired and held on to my left arm as we walked slowly together and engaged in a lively conversation. “During the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, I was a Technical Sergeant in the Signal Corps of the United States Armed Forces in the Far East,” he said in reply to my query. I also learned that “Tatay” Gene is also immensely active

ERIN CALUDUCAN

GENE DOROTEO in many prestigious organizations such as American Legion, Royal Canadian Legion, Knights of Rizal, Knights of Columbus, Maharlika 7488, San Lorenzo Ruiz 8809, Daughters of Isabella, Squirettes of Mary and Columbia Squires. The Saturday morning with our “kababayans” at Cabbagetown was more than worthy of my time. I walked along Parliament Street feeling proud as a Filipino.

Sometimes motivation is forced upon us. We are thrust into the Un-comfort Zone. And, whether we sink or swim depends on how we respond to the situation. How do you react during a crisis? Here are the stories of two men who faced a crisis late in life and how they dealt with it. One was a restaurant owner; the other a janitor. The former went into bankruptcy at an age when most people retire, and the latter was fired from a job he’d had for nearly 20 years. The restaurant owner enjoyed a successful business in a small town at the edge of the Appalachian Mountains. It was a great location along busy U.S. Route 25. And, because he offered the best food and service around, his eatery was jammed from sunup to sundown. But it wasn’t to last. The janitor started his job at St. Peter’s Church in London as a teenager. Over the years he married and raised a family and enjoyed a perfectly predictable profession with solid job security. That is until the new vicar came along. Over the course of 26 years, the restaurant owner was honored by the state governor for his recipes; and was praised by famous restaurant critic, Duncan Hines, in his column Adventures in Good

Eating. Then in1956, the new super highway by-passed the little town. It’s amazing the difference just a few miles can make. Two years later the restaurant was closed and the property auctioned off to pay creditors. At 64 years old, the restaurant owner was broke. It was around the turn of the twentieth century when the new vicar, a stickler for decorum, took over St. Peter’s Church. When he learned that the janitor could not read, he gave him three months in which to learn. Quite depressed by the news, the man thought it might make him feel better if he smoked a cigarette. Unable to afford the cost of opening another restaurant closer to the highway, he reviewed his assets. All he had left was his knowledge and the delicious recipes that made his food so popular. So, he got into his car. As he walked home, the janitor searched for a tobacco shop. There was usually one on every block, but there were none near the church. He walked block after block without finding one. By the time he reached his house he knew exactly what he was going to do. Town by town, he drove, stop(To page 30)

OCTOBER 2008 Manila Media Monitor

FEATURE

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Earth’s oldest rocks in Quebec By ANDREA THOMPSON, Senior Writer LiveScience.com Scientists have found the oldest known rocks on Earth. They are 4.28 billion years old, making them 250 million years more ancient than any previously discovered rocks. Earth formed about 4.6 billion years ago from a disk of gas and dust circling the sun. Remnants of crust from Earth’s infancy are hard to come by because most of that material has been recycled into Earth’s interior several times by the plate tectonics that continue to shape our planet’s surface. In 2001, geologists found an expanse of bedrock, known as the Nuvvuagittuq greenstone belt, exposed on the eastern shore of Hudson Bay in northern Quebec. Suspecting that the rocks there could be from one of the earliest periods of Earth’s history, geologists took samples to try and determine their age. They measured tiny variations in the isotopes (or species of an element that have different numbers of neutrons) of the rare earth elements neodymium and samarium in the rocks and determined that the samples were from 3.8 to 4.28 billion years old. The oldest dates, which came

from rocks that geologists call “faux amphibolite,” are thought to be ancient volcanic deposits. They beat the previously oldest known rocks, which are 4.03 billion years old and come from a formation called the Acasta Gneiss in Canada’s Northwest Territories. The only dates of crustal material older than the newly-dated Nuvvuagittuq greenstone belt are from isolated mineral grains called zircons that are highly resistant to weathering and geologic processes. The oldest zircons, from grains in Western Australia, are about 4.36 billion years old. The Nuvvuagittuq rocks are “the oldest whole rocks found so far” though, said geologist Richard Carlson of the Carnegie Institution, who analyzed the rocks with Jonathan O’Neil, a Ph.D. student at McGill University in Montreal. The team’s findings are detailed in the Sept. 25 (2008) issue of the journal Science. Their work was supported by the National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the U.S. National Science Foundation and the Carnegie

The 4.28 billion-year-old “faux-amphibolite” from the Nuvvuagittuq Belt. Photo credit: Science/AAAS

Institution of Washington. Examining such ancient rocks “gives us an unprecedent-

ed glimpse of the processes that formed the early crust,” Carlson said.

Retiring? Financial advice can help About two-thirds of “nearretirees” anticipate that their retirement income will be adequate or more than enough to maintain their standard of living once they have left the workforce. But individuals who receive advice are more likely than others to express confidence in the adequacy of their retirement savings to maintain their standard of living in retirement, recently-released findings of a Statistics Canada survey says. While most Canadians approaching retirement receive financial advice, including advice about retirement planning and programs, almost three in ten do not. This relationship remains even when other characteristics such as income, pension coverage and registered retirement savings plan assets are taken into account. Of the 7.2 million Canadians aged 45 to 59 in 2007, about 80 percent or 5.7 million were actively or recently employed and had not previously retired. (To page 14)

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FEATURE

Manila Media Monitor OCTOBER 2008

Muslims in southern Philippines mark Ramadhan in a different light COTABATO CITY - For residents of remote southern Philippine villages like Barangay Kulimpang in Buldon, Maguindanao, the observance of the annual month-long fast of Ramadhan has become somewhat electrifying. Kulimpang once had no electricity and was one of the country’s few remaining off-grid villages, which connection to power lines is generally inefficient or uneconomical by commercial providers or electric cooperatives. “There was no electricity here,” says village leader Mike Macararab, a father of four. “Kerosene was our source of light and it was costly,” he laments. Most families in the village used kerosene lamps and candles. Monthly, each household would spend some P200 (Can$5) for their lighting needs. Sometimes, kerosene was not available at all, leaving them to grapple in the dark. Though Barangay Kulimpang has been spared by the recent fighting in Mindanao, commemorating Ra-

By ROSA MAY DE GUZMAN-MAITEM madhan without electricity had been a challenging task for villagers residing in offgrid areas. The road to the mosque would be dark. Every time they prayed at dusk, there were no lights to guide their way. It was even tougher for

wives in the village as they had to prepare meals without electric power. Macararab says his wife had to feel her way around in the dark while getting ready for prayers, or when cooking. 30-day fast Ramadhan marks the

month in which the Koran was revealed to the prophet Mohammed, observed during the ninth month of the lunar calendar, and commemorated as a time of passionate prayer. For 30 days, Muslims abstain from food, drink and other pleasures from

Students from Kabuling Elementary School, a remote off-grid school in Buluan, Maguindanao show off their gold and silver medals after an academic district-wide mathematics and science competition. They say it is electricity from the AMORE-installed solar panel on their school that has spelled the difference between learning less and learning much. “They are ahead in learning compared to children in other schools in other barangays of Maguindanao,” their proud teacher says. Photo: AMORE

GENERAL DENTISTRY Dr. Gilbert Chan Dr. Daphne Chien Dr. Janet Ho Dr. Janet Wong Dr. Michael Chin

dawn until sunset. After dusk, the fast is broken, normally with a feast which is repeated every night of the month. Solar power In 2007, the Alliance for Mindanao Off-Grid Renewable Energy Program (AMORE) helped solve the villager’s problem by putting up solar-powered electricity. AMORE’s work began in Kulimpang in 2007 and energized a total of 30 households with 20-watt solar home systems. A community organization put in place hopes to expand the number of households with a 100-percent access to electricity. AMORE is a rural electrification program that fosters collaborative work among various stakeholders led by the United States Agency for International Development as its major funding partner, the Philippine Department of Energy (DOE), former Mirant Philippines Foundation, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), and the U.S.-based non-profit organization, Winrock In-

ternational. Todate, AMORE has brought light to over 11,000 households in the most remote, extremely poor, conflict-affected areas mostly in the ARMM. Gift of light With the gift of light, Barangay Kulimpang has become alive. The little village store remains open until wee hours of the morning. There is illumination on the streets, and women prepare dishes with ease. The solar-lighted mosque is always packed with devotees, unlike before when there was no electricity in the village, with the faithful even praying on an adjacent pathway. Still in the dark Other villages are not as lucky as Kulimpang. There are still over three million families living in darkness in remote areas of Mindanao. The Philippine government has made rural electrification a top policy priority because of the potential to improve rural standards of living and reduce poverty. It has also been working to implement such policy (To page 16)

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OCTOBER 2008 Manila Media Monitor

Retiring? Financial ... (From page 11) Of these 5.7 million near-retirees, 71 percent got financial advice from at least one source. About 50 percent received advice from at least one source in the financial industry. While most individuals approaching retirement said they understood Canada’s public retirement income programs, such as the Canada Pension Plan, Quebec Pension Plan and Old Age Security, one-quarter said they did not understand these programs at all. A number of factors are associated with the likelihood of receiving financial advice and understanding public programs related to retirement preparations. These factors include an individual’s proximity to retirement, financial resources, and demographic characteristics. The data is based on two reports in a dedicated issue of Canadian Social Trends that focuses on the retirement plans of individuals aged 45 to 59. Data for these reports draw upon results of the 2007 General Social Survey on family, social support and retirement, which are being made available for the first time. As reported by JEY DHARMARAJ, Statistics Canada Analyst

Why we are what ...

(From page 9) punan which reversed the fortunes of the struggle for independence. Lacking the wisdom and political savy of Rizal, Aguinaldo was too naïve that he allowed the beleaguered Spanish officials to surrender to the Americans and not to him. He should have besieged Intramuros and hoisted the Philippine Flag to claim and gain international recognition for the capitulation of the Spanish colonial government and establish the legitimacy of the Philippine Republic. By the time additional American troops arrived, McKinley has already decided to keep the Philippines. It seems that Rizal had become too old that he lost the revolutionary fervor and the anger he once manifested in his novels and writings when he refused to assume the leadership of the armed struggle against Spain. Aguinaldo, being too young, lacked the sagacity to seize opportunities at the most critical moments. In his article, The Philippines A Century Hence, published in La Solidaridad, the paper of the Propaganda Movement in Spain, Rizal made the curious and prophetic observation that the United States may “someday dream of a possession” and may take an interest in the Philippines. He said that greed and avarice is contagious. He cited the Samoan question as indicative of the growing jingoist sentiments in the United States. The United States could have granted the Filipinos full independence immediately after the war with Spain. Most of its colonies in South America had gained their independence as early as the first decades of the 18th century. And the United States immediately recognized their independence. But President McKinley and the American Congress, suddenly realizing that their country had become a world power, decided to establish a colony in the Far East under the guise of educating a people whose knowledge of Republicanism and whose religious and cultural values were much more advanced and refined than the authors of the Constitution of the United States. The jingoists led by Senator Henry Cabot Lodge and Alfred T. Mahan had their eyes on the rich market of China and they were worried of the increasing belligerence of Japan. What the Americans did to the Negroes was more tolerable because it was physical. What they did to the Filipinos was unforgivable because they divested their subjects of their

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dignity, their identity and their Godgiven right to chart their own destiny. The United States started granting the Philippines some measure of selfrule, promising to eventually give the country full independence. But passage of the bills designed to advance the cause of Philippine independence were either unduly delayed or consigned to the legislative dustbin of the US Congress. The two top leaders of the country at the time, Manuel Luis Quezon and Sergio Osmeña,Sr. carried the fight for Philippine independence but were often at loggerheads in their plans and strategies. Quezon and Osmeña quarrelled three times which derailed the campaign for independence. In all these incidents, Osmeña de-

ferred to Quezon and sacrificed his personal interests in order not to delay the grant of Philippine independence. He was the most authentic nationalist and defender of our people’s interests. Everytime the two quarrelled, Osmeña suffered a diminution in rank but rose higher in public stature and esteem. All the former Presidents of our country from Manuel Roxas to Gloria Macapagal Arroyo have each influenced the course of our country’s destiny. Unfortunately, with few exceptions, most of them

blackened their own imprints in our history by their hubris, selfishness and dishonesty. The elections in 2010 will be a watershed event in our history. It will determine whether or not democracy will still thrive in our country. Unless a more credible and capable leadership is installed in 2010, the dismemberment of the country is no longer a remote possibility. There could be chaos and anarchy. But the Philippines is destined to be a great and prosperous country.

The Filipino nation will overcome the slings and arrows of outrageous fortunes. No thanks to those who were given but squandered their privilege to chart the destiny of our country. Most of our leaders do not deserve to be enshrined as national heroes. They should be consigned to the dustbin of Philippine history. They were all responsible for why we are what and where we are now today. Courtesy of New Yorkbased PNA editor Armand Malapit who sent this opinion by e-mail

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HALLOWEEN FEATURE Make sure to wear a flame retardant costume.

Always use common sense.

Plan your entire route and make sure your family knows what it is.

Hallowe’en, or Halloween, is a holiday celebrated on the night of Oct. 31. Traditional activities include trick-or-treating, costume parties, viewing horror films, visiting “haunted houses”, and participating in traditional autumn activities such as hayrides.

Don’t play near lit jack-o-lanterns.

Children should never ‘trick or treat’ alone. They should go with at least two buddies and/or an adult.

Wait till you get home and your parents check your candy before you eat it. Accept treats only in the doorway. Never go inside a house.

Halloween Safety List

Always say ‘THANK YOU’ for your treats.

The main event for children of modern Halloween in Canada is trick-or-treating, in which children disguise themselves in costumes and go door-to-door in their neighborhoods, ringing each doorbell and yelling “trick or treat!” Upon receiving trick-or-treat-

ers, the house occupants, who might also be in costume, often hand out small candies, miniature chocolate bars, loose change, or soda pop. Some homes will use sound effects and fog machines to help establish an eerie atmosphere.

Visit only houses where the lights are on.

Manila Media Monitor OCTOBER 2008

Be very cautious of strangers.

Other less scary house decoration themes might be used to entertain younger visitors. Children can often accumulate many treats on Halloween night, filling up entire pillow cases, shopping bags or large plastic containers. Wikipedia

Walk, don’t run. Walk on sidewalks and driveways. Cross the street at the corner or in a crosswalk.

Have a cellular phone with you, if possible. Wear a watch.

Carry a flashlight.

Rogers Pumpkin Patrol COURTESY OF THE TORONTO POLICE SERVICE through POLICE CONSTABLE PHILIP MENDOZA, TPS COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION UNIT MENDOZA Trick or Treating is a lot of fun, but it can also be dangerous. Using safety tips and common sense can ensure an enjoyable and safe evening. On the night of Halloween, hundreds of Rogers employees volunteer to patrol streets to ensure kids are safe and have a place to turn for help if they find themselves feeling unsafe. The 24th annual pumpkin patrol is to supplement the work of police officers who keep a close eye out on Halloween. Once again, Red Rogers Cable vans will be safety beacons for trick-or-treaters as the annual Rogers Pumpkin Patrol. Making sure Here are a number of tips that may ensure that everything will work out right when the children go out treatin’ and trickin’. ► A parent or responsible adult should always take young children on their neighbourhood rounds. ► Make sure that your children wear costumes that are bright and reflective, and short enough to prevent tripping. ► Purchase flame resistant costumes, wigs and accessories. ► Make sure that emergency identification is secured discreetly within your child’s Halloween costume.

► It’s best not to have your children wear masks. Face paint is safer. ► Have children carry flashlights with new batteries. ► Check around your home for hazards. Avoid using candles in pumpkins and consider using battery powered lanterns. ► Sort and check treats to closely examine and throw away unwrapped, spoiled or suspicious items. ► Make sure treats that can cause choking are given only to children of appropriate age. Safety comes first ► Be alert and aware of what’s going on around you. ► Watch out for cars; drivers may have a hard time seeing you. ► Decorate costumes with reflective tape. ► Stay on well-lit streets and always walk on the sidewalks. ► Walk, don’t run and obey all traffic signs. ► Never take shortcuts through backyards, laneways or parks. ► Visit only houses with the lights on. ► Plan your entire route before heading out and make sure family members know it. (To page 30)

OCTOBER 2008 Manila Media Monitor

halloween feature

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Honoring the dead in the Philippines Filipinos have no event as Halloween, but they do have a fair share of beliefs, customs and traditions that bear down on the spooky, yet inevitable, subject of death and the supernatural. These beliefs, customs and traditions come to life when Filipinos honor the saints and their dead, on Nov. 1 and 2, which the Roman Catholic Church has designated as All Saints Day and All Souls Day, respectively. Nov. 1, incidentally, is a national holiday. All Saint’s Day is a day to pay homage to the saints in heaven. All Soul’s Day is the day to remember and pay respect to departed loved ones. However, all activi-

ties meant to honor the dead start on Nov. 1, as Filipinos believe that their dead will surely go to heaven. Nov. 1 is interchangeably known as Todos Los Santos, Araw ng Mga Patay (Day of the Dead), and Undas (originating from the Spanish phrase honoras de funebre to loosely mean honoring the funeral), depending on what Philippine region one is in. Kalag-kalag (for the souls) comes on Nov. 2. Preparations Several days to a week before Undas and Kalagkalag, the sight of Filipinos going to graveyards, cemeteries and memorial parks is common. They prepare the plots

Cleaning the tombs for Undas

and tombs of their dead for Undas, making sure the surroundings are clean, rid of weeds and tall grass. Tombs are whitewashed with karburo and tombstones and lapidas get a new shining coat of paint. Flower and candle holders Filipinos flock to the cemetery to honor their dead are installed, and cracks on older graves are with fresh or hand-made Amen”. Welcoming souls re-cemented. flowers, light candles and In Negros Oriental, Some get in touch with offer prayers to their dead. the local priest for Mass Some even lay food on people customarily observe offering for their departed. tombs for the dead ‘to par- the eve of Kalag-kalag by burning candles on the famMany contact the cemetery take of.’ A tent over a grave has ily altar before the Angelus electrician to contract lighting for the evening of Nov. become usual. So are bat- rings at 6 p.m., until past 8 1, when Filipinos savor the tery-operated radios, cas- p.m. when the church bells chance to be with their dead sette and CD players that toll the hour. This is done to welcome in a family reunion atmo- play loud music, in contrast to the solemnity the day the souls of the dead who, sphere. supposedly carries. Food is as many believe, are free to Obligatory roam about that night. For Filipinos, All Saint’s abundant for all to share. A glance at the altar and Appeasement Day is as obligatory a celThose who cannot go to the number of candles lightebration as Christmas and the cemetery light candles ed there tells one the numHoly Week. On All Saints Day, ev- outside their homes to ap- ber of persons who have died in the family. eryone is expected to go to pease their departed. Family prayers are Pangangaluwa cemeteries and memorial Writer Nicanor Tiongparks, after attending the said and usually end with “May the souls of the faith- son delves on panganMisa Cantada at church. They adorn the graves ful departed rest in peace. galuwa, or the practice of

the living to offer material things, side by side with prayers and Masses - that early friars claimed would lessen the souls’ purgation time and expedite sainthood - for the souls in purgatory. In Spanish times, when stole and candle were moved not by charity but by cash, fish- and rice-folk had to find means, other than deeper indebtedness to landlords, of greasing the friar’s tongue in garbling the names of their dead in the Memento of the Dead. Thus, sprang the pangangaluwa on the eve of Kalag-kalag.. From 10 p.m. to early morn, young and old alike, male or female, would go from one house to another, impersonating souls in purgatory, and in a mournful, slow chant would ask home owners for alms. Politely, they would apologize for disturbing the household, and chant: Kaluluwa kaming tambing; sa purgatoryo nanggagaling. Doon po’y gawa namin; araw gabi’y manalangin. (All of us are souls, who have come from purgatory. There all we do is pray night and day.) (To page 26)

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PEOPLE & EVENTS Gene Lara turns 70 Gene Lara celebrates her 70th birth anniversary with family and friends on Sept. 20. Lara, a community leader, is the widow of Ben Lara, a senior reporter of the Philippinebased Manila Bulletin. UGNAYAN Photo/PR

Manila celebrates 2nd year JOYS Casa Casa Manila, a restau- about the lack of good fam- ical vegetables and dishes rant that has established it- ily-friendly restaurants in using shrimp paste were introduced in the food line. self as the official meeting the city. OF All dishes are cooked by Knowing that Toronplace for Filipino groups such as the Philippine Press tonians were not as famil- the restaurant’s chef, who and the Phil- iar with Filipino food as was flown in from Manila. LIVING Club-Ontario Casa Manila’s set up ippine Independence Day they were with other Asian

Loleth Maghirang marks 80

Loleth Maghirang (middle, front row) marks her 80th birth anniversary with hubby Johnny (left, front row) and friends at a Scarborough resto. TONY SICAT

Camarines Norte HS Batch ‘58 reunion

The Magnificent Eight of Batch 58 of Camarines Norte High School had a recent reunion in Stouffville. Reunited after 50 years are Eddie Alegre and wife Babe of Florida, Dodo Sismundo and wife Tita of Vancouver, B.C., and Romy Octa and wife Pat of Alta. Loma, California. The reunion was hosted by Toronto-based batchmates Augusto Asis, Alex Bertillo, Victor Ricafrente, Minda Sayoc Mendoza, Sonia San Juan de la Cruz and their spouses. Guests were Al and Iday Duckett. PR

Muslims in southern ... (From page 11) and aims to achieve 100% electrification of rural communities by 2010. According to the DOE, a total of 40,752 barangays across the country (roughly 97 percent of the total) now have access to electricity services, leaving 1,438 more villages to be energized. These communities are scattered across mountain-

ous areas or on islands, where it is not economical to extend power lines. Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes reported that all barangays are expected to have access to electricity by next year. The ARMM continues to have the lowest electrification rate in the country, with under 90 percent of ba-

Our Journey: Consequences (From page 9) Like pinning your hopes on a lottery win to solve your financial problems and not having for a contingency plan. You can never avoid consequences. But good decisions are those that are made with a realistic understanding of all the consequences. It doesn’t mean a good

decision will always have a good outcome. It does mean that you will never be surprised by that outcome. And more importantly, that you have prepared for it. In business they always say, hope for the best but plan for the worst. It’s sound advice. info@ thenannyexpert.com

Manila Media Monitor OCTOBER 2008

rangays electrified. But with renewed commitment to rural electrification, homes in Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, Basilan, and Tawi-tawi can hope for a better tomorrow as household electrification takes the number one spot on the Department of Energy’s list of priorities.

Council, would mark its second year on Oct. 26. Casa Manila owners and operators Lilian and Raymond Co opened the restaurant and offered the authentic cuisine they did in their native Philippines. Already a premier Filipino restaurant in Toronto showcasing the best in Filipino food, Casa Manila strove to transform Filipino cuisine into a mainstream selection, a distinction Japanese, Indian and Korean cuisines have earned. Before opening Casa Manila, Lilian Co, nee Velasco, was a stay-at-home mom in Canada. But she felt strongly

dishes, she offered free teaspoons of samples like one could get at an ice cream parlor. The samplings captured the discriminating taste buds of a curious market and today, the Adobo (chicken/ pork simmered with vinegar and soy sauce), a very popular Filipino dish, has become a regular fare in Casa Manila’s menu. Kaldereta (tomato-based beef stew) and Kare-Kare (beef with vegetables such as eggplant, bok chop in a peanut sauce), a Spanish-influenced dish, stayed on top of the line with Adobo. Non-meat options such as okra, bitter melons, trop-

has ensured that non-Filipinos would feel welcome -cafeteria-styled with steam tables so customers could point to what they want. Lilian’s nine-year old daughter Elise could also whip up the resto’s special halo-halo. Lilian and Raymond are pleased with the way Casa Manila has progressed. A good number of its clientele have never before taken in Philippine cuisine, while the impressions of many have been nothing short of fulfilling. The business has achieved a steady flow of returns, as well as first-time customers. PR

Healing priest to visit Toronto Fr. Efren Borromeo (2nd from left), a Filipino Roman Catholic priest believed to possess the gift of healing, will visit Toronto in November. He will offer healing services. Popularly known as Fr. Momoy, Fr. Borromeo was in Toronto two years ago, where he saw and prayed for those stricken by serious ailments. Details of Fr. Momoy’s Toronto visit - including dates, times and locations of healing Masses - will be published at www.trinitashealing.org. PR

Pangasinan Association of Canada continues its service back home By JOJO TADURAN Most Filipino groups outside the Philippines do programs and projects meant to benefit kababayans and hometowns. No different are the members of the Pangasinan Association of Canada (PACA) or Annak Ti Pangasinan, who continue to work and think of more projects that will help and benefit fellow Pangasinenses back home. PACA, founded nine years ago by Dr. Ernie Quinit, is now piloted by Willie Rapanan as president, with support of its of-

ficer and members. Rapanan was at the helm of Annak Ti Villasis, which made possible the construction of a tiled gate for the Villasis public auditotorium. PACA, on the other hand, helped build two multi-purpose school classrooms in Barangay Sumabnit, Binalonan, Pangasinan. The building was named in honor of Nieves Ramos, a PACA member. Rapanan said PACA hoped to help build more classrooms where these would be most needed in

the province. PACA would also ship two dialysis machines to hospitals either in Villasis or Urdaneta City. Supporting Rapanan are Julio Sison, executive vice president; Noel Lalicon, Jess Calicdan, Jr., Sixto Tulagan, Johnny Burguillos, Franco Lustina and Lily Victorino, vice presidents from 1st to 6th districts, respectively; Terry Burguillos, secretary; Berniece Lustina, deputy secretary; Rose Peregrino, treasurer; Sorinia (To page 18)

(

Pangasinan Association of Canada president Willie Rapanan and founder Ernie Quinit (standing, 6th and 7th from right, respectively) lead executive officers and members of the group’s board of directors . Photo: MOGI MOGADO

OCTOBER 2008 Manila Media Monitor

Figueras-Uy Nuptials RIGHT, TOP PHOTO: Jennifer Uy and Zoilo Figueras (middle), who exchanged wedding vows at the St. Burnabas Church on Aug. 9, pose with principal sponsors (front row, from left) Dr. Arla Rondilla, Flora Appleffer, Pearly Crisologo-Allison, Don Veridiano, Dr. Solon Guzman, Vic Lontoc, (back row, from left) Mila Uy Garcia, Gemma Aviles, Norman Flores and Ronald Uy. Reception followed at Le Parc. LEFT PHOTO: Principal sponsors Dr. Arla Rondilla and Dr. Solon Guzman. RIGHT, BOTTOM PHOTO: The newlyweds with their parents Mena and Glenn Uy, Carmen and Sonny Figueras. PR

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Pangasinan ... (From page 16) Sison, deputy treasurer; David Domingo, Genny Garcia, Ben Sison and Pascual Ramos, auditors; Priscilla Rapanan, Jun Jacob, Alice Junatas, and Gemma Laicon, press relations officers; Quentin Palisoc, Merle Aldana, Lan Sison, business managers. Board of directors are Cesar Ramirez, chairman; Sam Castillo, Susie de Vera, Romy Tan, Gloria Medina, Imorry Bizarra, Felix Tulagan, Christy Pe Benito, Norma Panlilio, and Josie Organo, members. Board of advisors are Quinit, Ben Arcalas, Romy de Vera and Alma Benemerito. PR

Tupe heads TCCHB The board of directors of Thompson Career Colleges of Health and Business (TCCHB) has appointed Al Tupe the college’s president and chief executive officer. Tupe is a Philippine certified public accountant. A past officer of the Association of Filipino-Canadian Accountants and Kalayaan, Tupe has a Toronto accounting and tax firm. Ofelia Thompson was also appointed as registrar

and administrator of TCCHB. Thompson is a former teacher and office administrator, and has a masters degree in the Philippines TCCHB offers courses in Personal Support Worker (PSW), Health Care Aide Upgrading to PSW, Palliative Care Training Certificate, Standard First Aid and CPR Certificate and Food Safety Training Certificate. PR

Beauty visits Toronto Binibining Pilipinas-Italia 2008 Audrey Rose Yabut Tanguilig, 19, recently visited relatives and friends in Toronto. The daughter of Virgilio Tanguilig and Nelia Yabut, Audrey Rose was born in San Fernando, La Union. She is a first year student at a Genova university, majoring in foreign affairs. She speaks Italian, English, French, German, Ilocano and Tagalog. Tanguilig was crowned Binibining Pilipinas Italia 2008” is on March 2, 2008. PR

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Manila Media Monitor OCTOBER 2008 Mapa High School Alumni Association (clockwise) members Rolly Santos, Carmelita Spittal, Chi Maliksi, Romy Zetazate, Melissa Buenaventura, Amalia Maurillo, Nena Palomares and Grace Victoria plan activities, particularly related to the Class ‘59 Golden Jubilee in Manila from Feb. 17 to 26, 2009, during a barbeque lunch in Guelph, Ontario. To support the jubilee project, the Ontario chapter will have a Casino Rama Trip fundraiser on Oct. 25. Departure points are Square One, Mississauga at 9 a.m. and Centre Point Mall at 9:30 a.m. The group also planned a Christmas reunion. MANNY PAPA

Mapa HSAA planning

SK Romero, K of C awardee Sir Knight (SK) Jimmy Romero (left), of the Knights of Columbus San Lorenzo Ruiz Council 8809, is cited as Hour Guard of 2008 by the Assembly of the Infant Jesus 2692. The award of recognition was signed by SK Vern Nelligan, master 2nd district, and SK Domingo Trinidad, faithful navigator and 2nd warden. With Romero is Lady Kristin Romero. ROMY ZETAZATE Press and captioned photo releases published in the Manila Media Monitor are for PUBLIC SERVICE and FREE OF CHARGE. Press releases must be in word document format. Photos, must be in JPEG, TIFF or PDF formats. All contributions are subject to strict editorial appreciation. Send them to [email protected] on or before the 8th of each month. SUBMISSIONS IN FLYER, POSTER OR OTHER BOXED FORMATS SHALL BE TREATED AS ADVERTISEMENTS AND SHALL BE BILLED ACCORDINGLY.

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OCTOBER 2008 Manila Media Monitor

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Two princesses and ... two grandmas

Delilah and Abigail celebrate their 2nd and 4th birth anniversaries, respectively with family at a children’s play center in Scarborough. With them in photo are Front Page Philippines TV host, Gie Alvarez, and Marion Mahoney. MANILA MEDIA MONITOR Photo

(High School)

CANDELARIO

EUSEBIO

Who will be FCT’s ‘08 OSA awardees? Eight exceptional 2008 graduating students - three from elementary school and four from high school - have sent in their applications for the Filipino Centre Toronto (FCT) 2008 Outstanding Student Awards (OSA). Members of the OSA Committee, after assessing school records and other documents, have approved all of them as candidates and likely OSA winners. The students, all of Filipino heritage, are: (Elemen-

M. GONZALES

POSADAS

(Elementary)

The CANADIAN ETHNIC MEDIA ASSOCIATION will conduct its Speakers’ Series with guest Barbara Kennedy, Executive Director of the Canadian Cardiac Rehabilitation Foundation, at the Majestic Boardroom, Rogers OMNI Television on Nov. 6 from 6:45 to 8:30 p.m. Kennedy is expected to discuss the work of the Canadian Cardiac Rehabilitation Foundation in supporting community cardiac rehabilitation programs and organizations across Canada that investigate better methods of rehabilitation and secondary prevention of heart diseases. PR

Ferrers reunite with buddies of yore E. GONZALES

ROLLAN

ZABLAN

By AIDA D’ ORAZIO tary school graduates, now in high school) Ella Gonzales, Christian Nicklaus Rollan and Aiza Zablan; and (High School graduates, now in university) Charmaine Candelario, Nathan Eusebio, Mariyah Gonzales and Shiela Marie Posadas. All of them will receive recognition and award, but only two - one elementary school graduate and one high school graduate with the highest total score would win the top award.

The score would be based on their academic average for the last two years, their extra-curricular activities, community involvement and interview. The OSA ceremony would be at the FCT Rizal Hall on Nov. 2 at 4 p.m. The OSA committee is composed of Aida D’Orazio, chair; Luchi Sivilia, co-chair; Lynda Javier, Tony San Juan, Jody Huang and Herman Viloria, nenbers.

to make. Boys a long time ago were afraid of only one thing about cemeteries. That was when they were forcefully ordered to make that once-in-a-lifetime visit to the guava leafchewing and razor bladewielding manunule to have their circumcision. But that comes only dur-

ing a pre-arranged dreadful summer and it’s another story I have to tell someday. Anyways, if you are bald and would like to have hair-raising fun, go tricking and treating on Halloween! I bet. That basketful of candy, chocolate and other treats you collect will never give you the goosebumps. butchgalicia @yahoo.com

Dead scared

(From page 10) “Excuse me” has become a byword as people squeeze through the smallest opening left to get to the grave of their dead. I don’t know. Many have shifted to cremating their dead. At least, they have ashes to stare at and remember their departed. But I have a confession

CEMA Speakers’ Series

When the couple Jessie and Mercy Ferrer (1st and 2nd from left) joined the Manila-based Philippines-Canada Business Council Trade Mission to Canada that took them recently to Vancouver, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Toronto and Ottawa, little did they know that the trip to Toronto would likewise serve as a reunion with old-time friends, Front Page Philippines TV host, Gie Alvarez (center) and Manila Media Monitor’s Ace Alvarez (not in photo), Irma and Ricky Cuenca (4th and 5th from left) of ANCOP Canada, Inc. In the mid ‘70’s, Gie, Ace and Jessie worked together for the two radio stations that Manilabased Interlink Communications operated: DWEE, a pop-rock-progressive station on the AM band, and DWXB-102.7 FM, reputed as the first true alternative music and business news station. Meanwhile, the Ferrer and Cuenca couples’ friendship dates back from their Couples for Christ years back in Manila. MANILA MEDIA MONITOR

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PEOPLE & EVENTS

Darius and Jovy Ciria mark 15th year of wedded bliss with family and friends Photos: MON DATOL

Manila Media Monitor OCTOBER 2008

The PHILIPPINES 25 RP Supreme Court declares GRP-MILF MOA-AD unconstitutional OCTOBER 2008 Manila Media Monitor (From page 7) be provided by law. The Court explained that at least three pertinent laws justified the exercise of the people’s right to be consulted on relevant matters relating to the peace agenda. One was EO 3 which was replete with mechanics for continuing consultations on both national and local levels and for a principal forum for consensus-building. Another was RA 7160 (the Local Government Code of 1991) that required all national offices to conduct consultations before any project or program critical to the environment and human ecology including those that might call for the eviction of a particular group of people residing in such locality, was implemented therein. The MOA-AD was one peculiar program that unequivocally and unilaterally vested ownership of a vast territory to the Bangsamoro people, which could pervasively and drastically result to the diaspora or displacement of a great number of inhabitants from their total environment; and A third was RA 8371 (the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997) that provided

for clear-cut procedures for the recognition and delineation of ancestral domain, which entailed, among other things, the observance of the free and prior informed consent of the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples. Executive privilege The Court also held that the invocation of the doctrine of executive privilege as a defense to the general right to information or the specific right to consultation was untenable. In his separate opinion, Chief Justice Puno wrote that “the President as Chief Executive can negotiate peace with the MILF but it is peace that will insure that our laws are faithfully executed.” “The President can seek peace with the MILF but without crossing the parameters of powers marked in the Constitution to separate the other branches of government to preserve our democracy,” Puno said. “For even in times of war, our system of checks and balances cannot be infringed,” he stressed. “More so in times where the only danger that faces the State is the lesser danger of rebellion … Needless to stress, the power of the

President to negotiate with the MILF is not plenary,” he added. Constitution “While a considerable degree of flexibility and breadth is accorded to the peace negotiating panel, the latitude has its limits – the Constitution. The Constitution was ordained by the sovereign people and its postulates may not be employed as bargaining chips without their prior consent,” Puno pointed out. He observed that “during the whole process, the government peace negotiators conducted themselves free from the structures of the Constitution.” He added that the “respondents’ thesis of violate now, validate later makes a burlesque of the Constitution.” Repugnant Justice Santiago said, among others, that the MOA-AD “contains provisions which are repugnant to the Constitution and which will result in the virtual surrender of part of the Philippines’ territorial sovereignty.” Santiago said that had the MOA-AD been signed, it “would have bound the government to the creation of a separate Bangsamoro

state having its own territory, government, civil institutions, and armed forces … The sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Philippines would have been compromised.” Legal processes Justice Carpio said that “any peace agreement that calls for amendments to the Constitution – whatever the amendments may be, including the creation of the BJE – must be subject to the constitutional and legal processes of the Philippines.” “The constitutional power of Congress to propose amendments to the Constitution, and the constitutional power of the people to approve or disapprove such amendments, can never be disregarded,” Carpio said. “The Executive branch cannot usurp such discretionary sovereign powers of Congress and the people, as the Executive branch did when it committed to amend the Constitution to conform to the MOA-AD,” he said. Int’l court claim Justice Azcuna agreed with the ponencia but held that had the MOA-AD been signed it would have provided a basis for a claim in an international court that the Philippines was bound

by its terms at the very least as a unilateral declaration made before representatives of the international community with the vital interests in the region. Citing Martin Dixon and Robert McCorquodale, Azcuna said that unilateral acts, concerning legal or factual situations, could have the effect of creating legal obligations. Declarations of this kind might be very specific. When it is the intention of the State making the declaration that it should become bound according to its terms, that intention confers on the declaration the character of a legal undertaking. Such undertaking, if given publicly, and with an intent to be bound would be binding upon the parties. Separation of powers Justice Reyes said the MOA-AD was unconstitutional stressing that the negotiating panel of the Philippine Government (GRP) “went beyond their marching orders from the President” as the commitment of the GRP to the MILF to change the Constitution in order to conform to the MOA-AD violated the doctrine of separation of powers.

Reyes, citing the defects of the MOA-AD, stated that the respondents appeared to have committed grave abuse of discretion in negotiating and initialing the MOA-AD. Moot and academic Justice Tinga, who voted to dismiss the petitions on the ground of mootness, said that the fact that the Philippine government had not yet consented to be bound by the MOA-AD, as asserted by the MILF because its draft agreement had been “initialed” by the representatives of the Philippine and Malaysian governments and the MILF, was indubitable, as “the successful outcome of negotiation of international agreements is the adoption and authentication of the agreed text … The initialing of the agreement reflects only the affirmation by the negotiating agents that the text of the prospective agreement is authentic.” Tinga said the MOAAD was incongruous to the Philippine Constitution. “Nothing prevents Congress from amending or reenacting an Organic Act providing for an autonomous region for Muslim Mindanao,” Tinga said in his dissenting notes.

26

The PHILIPPINES Honoring the dead .....

(From page 15) Since folk religion could not stand somber, ponderous theology, it incorporated earthy humor into the pangangaluwa by characterizing the errant souls as old spinsters and male bachelors wasting their lives in a limbo of non-commitment and thus offending the feudal belief that the grace in a Catholic’s soul is directly proportional to the number of his children. Kaluluwa naming madla ng dalagang matatanda Ang kasamang gumagala ay binatang matatanda. Kami po’y mga kaluluwa na nagbabayo ng ipa. Kami raw ay nagkasala pagka’t hindi nag-asawa. Sa langit aming gawa

ay mag-alaga ng bata Kami’y nanaog sa lupa para hulugan ng awa. (We are all souls of old spinsters; our companions are old bachelors. We are the souls who pound rice chaff. We are supposed to have sinned, for we never married.) The song would end with a request to the owner to hurry, if at all he would give alms, for “heaven’s gate might close on us.” Owners of visited houses would then give the pangangaluwa carolers money. By tradition, homeowners who could not give ‘alms’ would not answer the door by pretending to be

asleep or out of the house; but they expect the carolers to mischievously engage in petty thievery such as stealing eggs, chicken, a small farm animal or fruits and later blame the spirits for the misdeed, Tiongson con-

Manila Media Monitor OCTOBER 2008

cludes. Nine-nights prayer A tradition in most parts of Eastern Visayas is the prayer for departed souls. The Kalag-kalag prayer is in reality the last of a nine-night novena.

It is believed by many Catholics that these prayers will help save the souls of departed loved ones or release them from purgatory. Dead eats first Sunstar Cebu’s Bong Wenceslao writes of Lirio village in Cebu where people give utmost reverence to their dead. In most parts of the Philippines, food is usually prepared to be partaken when everyone has returned after visiting their dead in the cemetery. This is one of the few occasions when the family gets together. But in Lirio, village folk buy piglets in November to be slaughtered for the next year’s kalag-kalag. It is not easy raising pigs only to be used later as offering to the dead, more so since the cupboards of Lirio folk are almost always bare. Manoy insists: Mas nindot ang panaad kon gibuhat kini sa kalisod. On kalag-kalag, one is allowed to eat the food only until after the dead have ‘eaten,’ which can take a while depending on the signal of an invited ispiritista. And no one has to tell that food for the dead has no seasoning. Hungry ghosts Chinese Filipinos, on All Souls Day, celebrate the Hungry Ghost Festival, one of three traditions to honor their dead. This is intended for sad spirits who are hungry and thirsty but have no kin to attend to their needs, or spirits of beggars or those who suffered injustices. Offerings of food, paper money, paper clothes, paper houses and prayers are offered on their behalf in the hope that they main-

tain a happier condition. Having made the spirits happy, the family can then partake of the food offering after all paper offerings are burned. Feast for the dead? The feast for the dead, in any case, is supposedly served to the souls of the departed who are believed to be able to visit their former homes on that night. However, it is actually the living who enjoy the feast, writes Angel Campoy in Philippine ‘Halloween’ Customs. Future mate Campoy also writes of a scary practice suitable for an unmarried person, a widow or a widower who might like to get a glimpse of his or her future mate. The eve of Kalag-kalag is the right time to do so, if one tries hard enough. Campoy instructs: “Get a ripe orange and a bunch of orange blossoms ready on your dressing table before you go to bed that night. Also have a knife ready to peel the orange. Before going to bed, say a prayer for the soul of a departed friend or late spouse.” “At exactly 12 midnight, get up quietly and light the lamp on your dressing table. Do not make any noise so as not to awaken anyone. Peel the orange. When this is done, leave the house as quietly as you can, taking the peeled orange, and, without turning around, walk straight to the nearest street crossing and there cut the orange in two. “Leave one half of the orange at the crossing and go back home carrying the other half. You must not look back or make any noise in doing this or the spell will be broken. As soon as you are back into the house, kiss the orange blossoms before your mirror and behold! There in the mirror will be the image of your future mate – or should be! “Eat your half of the orange. While eating, you will continue to see the image. This must all be done in absolute secrecy.” Campoy attests he has a friend who says the magic worked with him. When he looked into the mirror, he saw the image of a girl who is now his wife. Close family ties Strange as it looks, honoring and remembering the dead bring Filipinos closer, be it in kinship or friendship. This is because Filipinos enjoy life with the love and respect everyone gives to each other. Death can not break the continuity of such family and cultural relationship, and this is emulated during the observance of All Saints and All Souls days.

OCTOBER 2008 Manila Media Monitor

The PHILIPPINES

27

2010 RP polls: A watershed event? By ERNESTO G. BANAWIS The 2010 elections could be a watershed event in Philippine history. It would determine whether or not there is still hope for freedom and democracy to survive and flourish in our country. A clean and orderly elections will usher in a more stable political climate and spur economic progress in the country. It will revive our people’s faith in government. The next administration will be in a better position to initiate much-needed reforms and address the grave problems confronting the country today. If the polls are attended with fraud and terrorism, the people may completely lose their faith in our democratic system. It could be the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back. The smouldering spirit of civil disobedience could finally surface and trigger chaos and anarchy in the country. We are not painting a worst-case scenario. We are drawing a logical sequence of events which could unfold if the elections in 2010 turns out to be a total farce, an exercise in futility. GMA: Unpopular but a force to reckon with Unfortunately, current developments in the political front are not encouraging and are, in fact, portentous of a turbulent elections in 2010. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (GMA) remains enigmatic on her political plans after serving out her current term. If she decides to run for prime minister or president under a new constitution, she will trigger a polarization of political forces. Ironically, this may force the opposition elements to unite and mount a spirited campaign to frustrate her ambition to remain in power. GMA may be very unpopular today and alienated from the preponderant majority of our people. But she can harness the enormous resources of the government to ensure her victory. Since she became a tail-ender senator in 1992, the topnotcher in the senatorial race in 1995, promoted to vice president in 1998, succeeded Joseph Estrada as president in 2001 and reelected in 2004, she has displayed a politi-

cal savvy, a steely will, and a hubristic personality which makes the late President Ferdinand Marcos an amateur in comparison. If she wins and remains in power, she will have the best opportunity to redeem herself and secure a respected niche in the history of the Filipino nation. All she has to do is to initiate meaningful reforms, use her firm and steely will to put an end to the secessionist and insurgency problems, atone for her sins of omission and commission, and eliminate graft and corruption. If she decides to step down after her term, she will employ the resources of the government to ensure the election of her chosen successor. Like Joseph Estrada, she will be hoping that the next President will not only be grateful and respectful to her but will extend her clemency and absolute pardon in case she gets indicted and convicted for whatever crimes she may be accused of after her term. Unfortunately, no one in the administration’s political coalition is within the top three front-runners in recent surveys on presidential hopefuls. While there are a number of leaders in the administration who are immensely qualified, credible and capable to become president, they are not as widely-known and admired by our countrymen all over the nation. But there is still time for GMA and the political parties supporting her to build up and field a candidate of their own. Will history repeat itself? Some political pundits believe that GMA’s support will be a negative, rather than a positive, factor. They ignore the fact that GMA can be the big difference if she throws the entire resources of the government behind the candidate of the administration. Then AFP Chief Fidel V. Ramos, who run nonetheless even after losing to Speaker Ramon Mitra in a party convention, won the presidency in 1992 because then President Cory Aquino backed him up to the hilt and, in the last and critical hour, unleashed the resources of the government to

ensure the victory of her chosen successor. What gives President Arroyo and her allies sanguine hopes they will remain in power is the deep disunity in the opposition. It is also often said that most of the known presidential aspirants from the political opposition lack the moral ascendancy and the steep requirements to occupy the most powerful office in the nation. The prevailing public perception is that none of them appears to be a better alternative to GMA. The inference is that GMA is still the best among the worst. De Castro as prexy Let us dwell, even in a cavalier manner, the prospects of those who are being seriously considered as candidates for president. Vice President Noli de Castro should be the logical successor of GMA. He should be the standard bearer of the administration’s political coalition if he can be more forthright and less tentative in joining the coalition. Administration leaders are disappointed, if not disgusted, with de Castro’s seeming disinterest, if not aversion, to be the administration candidate and GMA’s anointed successor. The Vice President’s grasp and understanding of vital (To page 31)

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PHILIPPINE REGIONS

Manila Media Monitor OCTOBER 2008

Asian religious youth leaders call for end to Mindanao war

Among Ed’s recall poll sought

DAVAO CITY - Asian youth religious leaders called for a stop to the war in Mindanao for the sake of the women, youth and children in conflict-beset areas, as they pledged humanitarian support for evacuees. In a collective statement at the end of a three-day summit here on Oct. 16, leaders of the Religions for Peace Asia and Pacific Youth Network - from 16 countries in Asia representing Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Muslim, Shinto, Sikh, Zoroastrian and the Indigenous - appealed for peace and for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Mindanao. (To page 31)

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga The Kapanlig at Kambilan ning Memalen Pampanga (Kambilan) on Oct. 15 filed a recall petition against Pampanga Governor Eddie ‘Among Ed’ Panlilio before the Commission on Election (Comelec) here. Thousands of Kapampangans joined Vice Governor Joseller Guiao,

Laguna: Lights on for erstwhile dark spots

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo leads the ceremonial switch-on of the Rural Electrification Program for barangays in three towns of Laguna, namely Sitio San Francisco, Barangay Macatad Bubucal in Siniloan; Sitio Maycutat in Barangay Libis ng Nayon in Mabitac; and Sitio Dapi and Sahur U-lan in Barangay Salang Bato in Famy, on Oct. 13. Marcelino Pascua/OPS-NIB

Sangguniang Panlalawigan (provincial council) members and mayors Jerry Pelayo of Candaba, Ricardo Rivera of Guagua, Eduardo Guerrero of Floridablanca, Lyndon Cunanan of Magalang, Nardo Velasco of Sasmuan, Teddy Tumang of Mexico, Edgar Flores of Minalin, Rodrigo Canlas of San Simon, Peter Flores of Masantol, Romel Concepcion of Sta. Ana, Chito Espino of Arayat and Jun Tetangco of Apalit as they conducted a protest rally at the Arnedo Park before marching to the provincial Comelec office and submitting a petition with 224,874 signatures gathered to subject Panlilio to a recall poll. Kambilan president Rosve Henzon filed the recall petition before election officer Temie Lambino. In a ten-page complaint, Henzon said Panlilio’s recall was spawned by the people’s “loss of confidence (in his governance) occasioned by his gross violation of the pertinent provisions of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Civil Service Law (RA

6713) and grave misconduct in office.” Henzon said that for more than a year from the time Panlilio assumed office, the governor “has not shown any sign of competence, transparency and good governance as the people of Pampanga have been expecting of him.” The Kambilan president also cited alleged quarry anomalies as revealed by Noel Mallari and Ajie Aquino of the Biyaya A Luluguran at Sisikapan (Balas); Panlilio’s refusal to implement Ordinance 176 (Equitable Distribution of Quarry Shares), the election case filed by Elly Velez Lao Pamatong on Panlilio’s non-declaration of P6 million in contributions and the alleged illegal transfer of district hospital heads. Comelec action Comelec officer Lambino said the Comelec would have to verify for three days if the petitioners have gathered signatures of 10 percent of registered voters as prescribed by law. “We will then have the signatures forwarded to the

Comelec En Banc for verification and we could expect a resolution within 15 days,” Lambino said. He said Panlilio may file a motion for reconsideration if the case falls in favor of Kambilan. Unafraid Meanwhile, Panlilio said he would give a definite answer once he has received a copy of the recall petition. Panlilio said he was not afraid of the recall petition and that more of his supporters continued to be at his side all the way. Fire Dabu, resign On Oct. 17, Panlilio’s former loyal supporters the Biyaya a Luluguran at Sisikapan (Balas) Boys led by former seminarians at the forefront of Panlilio’s 2007 election campaign - called for the governor’s resignation. Archimedes Reyes, Panlilio’s former chief of staff, said that “instead of focusing on their vision of uniting Pampanga’s leaders and its people, the governor had somehow sown discord (To page 31)

NEWS ROUNDUP Davao: High-risk landslide areas DAVAO CITY - The Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau has pinpointed at least 23 villages in the Davao Region as high-risk areas for landslides. In Compostela Valley, the landslideprone areas included barangays Libaylibay, New Leyte, Panaraon, New Barili, Masara, Tagbaros, Elizalde and Panangan in Maco; Tuburan in Mawab; Mt. Diwata in Monkayo and Canidkid and New Cebulan in Montevista. In Davao Oriental, considered as high-risk are barangays San Pedro and Sobrecarey in Caraga; Mayo, Danao Dawan, Mamali and Macambol in Mati City; Tubaon in Tarragona; Calapagan in Lupon, Punta Linao in Banaybanay; and Bitaugan in San Isidro. On Sept. 6 and 7, landslides hit Barangay Masara in Maco, killing 26 persons. In August 2007, ten people also died in a landslide that hit Masara, which recently was declared as no man’s land. PNA

Cebu: Power bills in Braille CEBU CITY - The Aboitiz-owned Visayan Electric Co. (Veco) has become the first Philippine power utility to offer electric bills in Braille for visually-impaired consumers. Veco officials hoped other Aboitiz-operated service providers like the Davao and Cotabato light and power companies - and even the Metropolitan Cebu Water District - would replicate the service. At least seven Veco customers, identified by program partner Resources for the Blind Inc., would start getting their bills in Braille. The first recipient was Eric Abella, a sari-sari store owner in Guadalupe, Cebu City. PNA

Dagupan: Express lanes for seniors DAGUPAN CITY - In a resolution the Dagupan city council recently enacted, senior citizens need no more queue when they go shopping and dining. Seniors have also been given the express treatment when they pay bills with public utilities and taxes with the government. Ordinance author Councilor Alfredo Quinto Sr. said the law required private and commercial establishments - specifically water, telephone and electric firms, financial institutions, banks, malls, supermarkets, department and grocery stores, fastfood chain outlets, bus terminals, and government offices to provide express lanes to senior citizens. In drugstores which could not provide an express lane to seniors for lack of space, sales persons should be advised to give priority to senior citizens once they spot them joining the queue. A monitoring team was created to ensure compliance. PNA

Samal: AF books for children ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL - Some 125 public schools and 59 daycare centers in this island recently received some 9,000 copies of children’s books from the Asia Foundation (AF). The books were turned over to Mayor Aniano Antalan by Dr. Steven Rood, country representative of Asia Foundation and Mission Director Jon Lindborg of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The books would be for the use of elementary and secondary schools, colleges and universities here. Lindborg said the book donation affirmed the long and continuous tradition of cooperation among Americans, residents of Mindanao and all Filipinos to ensure that children could have access to education. Dr. Rood said Asia Foundation’s book donation served as a joint commitment in the campaign for education among communities in southern Philippines. PNA

29

OCTOBER 2008 Manila Media Monitor

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mindless of not only the impediments to other shoppers but the temptations they present to predators. And of course, panhandlers who block the pavement at intersections, so that those whose mobility is impaired have to move around them And at all times, the owners of pit bulls who allow their psychotic killer dogs to slump in the middle of sidewalks forcing the wary to give them a wide berth. (Used with permission. Ben Viccari is the Past President of the Canadian Ethnic Media Association [CEMA] and makes frequent appearances on OMNI TV Commentary. Some of his commentaries are republished in this publication and slightly expanded in some cases from their 70-second broadcast originals. For more of his work, please visit Ben’s website at: http://canscene. ripple.ca)

(From page 9) the Texan spirit of rebellion was forged in a self-declared republic before statehood arrived in 1845. And we all know what happened in 1836 in San Antonio, as if Texans would let us forget it. And then there was the obstreperous Texan rancher, whose name has graced many a dissident: Thomas Maverick. Looking back on the recent disastrous records of the Bush family and what has happened in the United States since Bush the father preceded Bush the son, one cannot but wonder whether the Lone Star State isn’t more of an attitude than a state of the union. *** I haven’t had much opportunity to visit other cities than Toronto in the last few years, but sincerely hope street manners are better in Vancouver, Edmonton, Cal-

gary, Halifax and Montreal than they are here. That the behavior of both motorists and cyclists leaves much to be desired is obvious, but there are many other annoying sights and sounds. People with cellphones glued to their ears ignore other pedestrians, especially the disabled with canes, walkers or wheelchairs. I have nothing against the discreet use of cellphones by pedestrian - not however in vehicles – but at least walk with their attention to their surroundings, not as though in a hypnotic trance. Young bucks charge revolving doors mindless of whether children, or the aged, are in the compartment in front of them. And in supermarkets, mothers with broods of children tend to let their shrieking kids roam at random

Rogers .....

Asian religious youth ...

(From page 14) ► Do not go into anyone’s car or house. ► Do not approach unfamiliar pets or animals. ► Do not use ipods or mp3 players Exciting but worrisome “Halloween is an exciting time of year for children but it can be worrisome time for parents,” said TPS Community Mobilization Unit Superintendent Ken Cenzura. “Together we can educate parents and their children on the importance of Halloween safety,” Cenzura said. Remember the excitement at this time of year sometimes makes us all forget to be careful. Have your children carry a cell phone if possible. Notify police immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity. Discuss with your children appropriate and inappropriate behavior at Halloween time. And don’t forget to be polite and say “thank you!” Should you have any questions, please contact me at (416) 808-7071. Or email me at philip. mendoza@torontopolice. on.ca.

(From page 28) “We call for the return of all stakeholders to the negotiation table and return to the path of peace. The many years of painstaking efforts and progress made between the government and various stakeholders should not be overlooked or abandoned,” said a statement read by Singaporean Lawrence Chong, coordinator of the World Conference of Religions for Peace. The group urged the United Nations to review the situation and take relevant action as the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) continued to grow. “We, call for the security forces to respect international norms pertaining to existing evacuation centers and to allow free access to aid for the people of Mindanao,” the group said. The 90 youth leaders also presented an action plan for Mindanao, which they would submit to the national summit in Manila and to international fora such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and the United Nations. The youth leaders also appealed to the Asean to discuss the Mindanao humanitarian crisis in its meeting in

Bangkok in December. Their aim, the group said, was to “build a sustainable momentum of peaceful measures to keep the spotlight on Mindanao until peace negotiations resume towards a lasting and peaceful resolution to the conflict.” The group challenged young Filipinos to familiarize themselves with the various stakeholders, the history of the conflict, and search for the facts that were lost. They noted that a great part of Mindanao’s history have not been included in books used in schools. They also committed to initiate an interfaith humanitarian mission to help ease the plight of IDPs and to see first hand the effects of the hostilities on the people of Mindanao. “We pledge our support to local initiatives such as the National Interfaith Humanitarian Mission that will convene in late October,” they said. The group also sought to build a multi-religious platform and center in which to unite the various youth organizations working in Mindanao. PNA

Among Ed’s recall poll sought (From page 28) and distrust due to lack of governance, over self-righteousness, mismanagement and his stubbornness against clamors for the removal of the provincial administrator, Atty. Vivian Dabu.” Reyes identified Dabu as the root of all Panlilio’s woes. He noted that besides being provincial administrator, Dabu has held multiple sensitive positions such as provincial legal of-

ficer, provincial engineer, bids and awards committee chair, procurement chief, chief of staff and provincial treasurer, among others. “We are now wondering on who is really running the show in Pampanga,” Reyes said. Lack of trust Roperlee Syquia, former consultant on social services, said expected good, transparent and responsible

governance from Panlilio’s administration but the governor had miserably failed their expectations. “His over-righteousness and utter lack of trust in local officials had created a political environment that is not conducive to growth,” Syquia said. He scored Panlilio’s over-dependence on Dabu on political and budgetary matters. “Sad to say, Among

30

Manila Media Monitor

OCTOBER 2008

Christian Alvarez, bodybuilding awardee

Christian Alvarez (center) placed 2nd in the Heavyweight Men’s Division at the recent Woodstock Classic Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Championship. Joining him after the awards ceremonies are friends from Toronto, Georgetown, Pickering, Ajax and Ottawa, among them (from left) Byron Cruz, Erin Lumbania, Kevin Chung and Caesar Ian Lee. The Woodstock Classic was the first competition that 25-year old Christian participated in. He is the son of Manila Media Monitor and Front Page Philippines’ Ace & Gie Alvarez. MANILA MEDIA MONITOR Photo

Five beatings per class per day .....

(From page 8) “In India,” Kannan continues, “we discovered that punishment is commonly regarded as part of disciplinary strategy. We accept that teachers are meant to give instruction, not to punish. However, many teachers who inflict physical punishments on their wards explain that it is ultimately

what one does for and about the erring child and not what one does to a child that matters.” For as long as there is a misbehaving or unruly child, a classmate that annoys another in some way, or pre-adolescence hormones that act up to necessitate a show of superiority,

the various forms of school violence will be around. In such cases of aggression, the debate will continue whether it is the school’s call, the parents’ call or the law’s. Ultimately however, it is incumbent on everyone to keep the child in school and to keep him safe, learning without fear.

Will you freak out or hunker down? (From page 10) ping at every restaurant along the way. He told the owners they would be more successful if they served his secret recipes under his brand name and paid him a royalty. Two years later, in 1960, he had 400 restaurants serving his food. By 1963, he was making a profit of $300,000 per year. And, in 1964, Colonel Harlan Sanders sold Kentucky Fried Chicken to investors for $2 million, plus a lifetime salary of $75,000 per year. With his meager savings, he opened a tobacco shop near the church. It was an immediate

success. His profits went to open a second, then a third and before long he had thriving tobacco shops all over London. Ten years later, he met with his banker about investing his earnings. The banker gave him some papers to sign. The man asked the banker to read the papers to him, explaining that he didn’t know how. Shocked, the banker exclaimed, “You are so successful, just think where you’d be today if you could read!” Albert Edward Foreman smiled and sighed, “I’d be the janitor at St. Peter’s Church.” (Based on

a true story by Somerset Maugham) Did you know that in Chinese, the symbol for the word “crisis” is the same symbol used for the word “opportunity?” Two sides of the same coin. In other words, it’s all in our perspective. Will you find the opportunity in your next crisis? Robert Evans Wilson, Jr. is a motivational speaker and humorist. He works with companies that want to be more competitive and with people who want to think like innovators. For more information on Robert’s programs please visit www.jumpstartyourmeeting.com.

Ed does not even try to get second opinions from legal and financial luminaries from the ranks of his loyal supporters.” Both Reyes and Syquia admitted that their move might all come to naught but said that they would still have the consolation that Panlilio’s admirers would take the time to scrutinize what has been happening in Pampanga. Wiped out gains But Vince Dizon, former

consultant on economics and enterprise, cautioned his former colleagues on the consequences of their actions and to reconsider their positions. Dizon said neither resignation nor recall polls was the solution to the political problems of Pampanga. He said that if the recall election would succeed, former board member Lilia Pineda, whom they waged the bitter 2007 elections against, would be the prob-

able successor; and if Panlilio resigns, Pineda’s protégé, Vice Governor Guiao, would replace him. “If any of these scenarios happen, the gains we made in 2007 would be completely wiped out,” Dizon warned. He urged Panlilio’s detractors to “channel your energies to working for the ouster of Dabu, as she is the problem and not Panlilio ... for the long term future of Pampanga.” PNA

The PHILIPPINES

Manila Media Monitor OCTOBER 2008

2010 RP polls: A watershed event? (From page 27) aspects of statecraft is also a lingering concern of keen observers of the local political scene. He is perceived to be proper, clean, and dignified but hardly respected and knowledgeable. Perhaps, the broadcast journalist who became a national figure through his programs on television, is just bidding his time. If he is really interested in running for president, his best chance is in becoming the official candidate of the administration. No kiss of death GMA’s anointment will not be a “kiss of death,” as perceived by some people. De Castro has so far been his own man; he can not be labelled as a lapdog of GMA. He can run and win the presidency on his own steam. What he lacks is what GMA can provide: the tremendous logistics needed to fuel a nationwide and expensive political campaign and a giant political machinery. Vice President de Castro is the strongest and the most viable candidate for president of the administration if he positions himself in the leadership seat of the political forces still supporting the incumbent dispensation. How about Villar? Senate President Manuel Villar is the most determined candidate for the presidency. He has been reorganizing the Nacionalista Party down to the barangay level. This old and once-dominant political party could be the best organized, cohesive, and well-oiled political machinery in time for the 2010 political derby. Villar may eventually succeed in getting the support of most of the other opposition groups and somehow establish himself as the standard bearer of the most dominant coalition of opposition forces. It will be a battle-royale between the Vice President and the Senate President, very close friends, for the presidency. If their friendship is truly strong and binding, one may have to give way. The odds will be a little in favor of de Castro if the two will have to slug it out for the coveted position. Villar may be a more seasoned politician and more knowledgeable than de Castro in many aspects of governance but he is not as charismatic and as engaging in public as de Castro. But Villar can manage a more organized and methodical campaign, use

his experience and knowledge in business, and strike open-ended political compacts with powerful leaders, including those who are identified with but may not be happy with the candidate of the administration. Villar is a shrewder politician than de Castro. The Vice President is presently the front runner in the recent SWS survey on the presidential preferences of the people. Villar is way ahead of de Castro in building the political infrastructure vital to win an election. Watch out for Roxas The candidacy of Senator Mar Roxas for the presidency, somehow reflective of his laid-back style in politics, seems to have not taken off the ground. He is perceived to be the most erudite and knowledgeable among the known aspirants but he lacks leadership qualities and tact in

fully worded and calibrated in tone. Among the known presidential aspirants from the opposition, Roxas is the least adversarial and expectedly the most acceptable to GMA and the top leaders of the administration. Roxas enjoys a certain, if modest, edge over Villar and de Castro in terms of moral ascendancy and measurement in credentials and political stature. This is what will make him attractive to the ruling coalition, particularly to those who are wary of Villar, uneasy with de Castro, and unhappy for being identified with an unpopular leader and widely-discredited administration. Unless GMA and her political coalition can put up a credible and winnable candidate for president, a good number of leaders from Lakas, Kampi, the NPC and the other mem-

her as their presidential bet. The Lady Senator is perceived by some political observers as “more decorative than substantive.” Definitely out of race Lurking in the background but very vocal about his political plans is the disgraced former President Joseph Estrada. But he has lost much of his following and his pardon has not erased the stigma left behind by his unceremonious ouster from Malacañang. He is definitely out of the race. His support for the opposition bet will still be much needed, especially in a closely-fought race. The speculations are that Erap is more interested in getting the vice presidential slot for his son, Senator Jinggoy Estrada than running again for the highest office. He is presently making noise to be noticed and counted as a national leader. Noisy spoiler?

sins and mistakes. But with the legitimacy issue and the monumental scandals hanging over her head, she may lose much of her political clout and her support for the administration candidate could truly be a “kiss of death.” Desertions from the administration coalition should not be discounted. Except for most of the members of the Cabinet, many leaders of the ruling coalition are hard-nosed, practical and realistic politicians whose loyalty to GMA may last only up to the time of the distribution of campaign funds. Some are eager to leave the administration coalition but they first want to receive their share of patronage dividends. Change, reforms The watershed political event in 2010 should be a propitious year for a change in leadership and for meaningful reforms. There is today a crisis of confidence in the national

2010 RP polls: Looming battle royale?

ARROYO

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handling difficult political problems and situations. He could and should have easily won over then Manila Mayor Lito Atienza to his side and forged a modus vivendi between the Mayor and former Senate President Franklin Drilon to prevent the split in the Liberal Party which was founded by his grandfather, the late Manuel Roxas and of which his father, the late Senator Gerardo Roxas was once president. If de Castro does not gel with the administration, Mar Roxas might be GMA’s option. The Capiz senator is reportedly a distant cousin of the First Gentleman, Mike Arroyo, and even after he started distancing himself from the GMA administration, his statements on issues while somewhat critical and opposed to that of the administration, are care-

bers of the coalition, will work underground for the most viable opposition bet while outwardly supporting the candidate of the administration. Other likely bets Former Speaker Jose de Venecia has already sounded the alarm. He announced his preference for Villar and boasted that he can bring 40 to 60 percent of Lakas leaders to Villar’s camp and join the emerging coalition of opposition groups. Senator Loren Legarda is among the front-runners in the presidential surveys. But, like Hillary Clinton, even as she appears attractive, popular, and dignified enough to be president, she suffers in political height and weight compared to her contemporaries. Neither the administration or any of the opposition parties are eager, much less interested, in drafting

DE VENECIA

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Another noisy presidential wannabe is Senator Ping Lacson. If he decides to throw his hat into the presidential ring, he will once more play the role of a spoiler as in 2004. He is too maverick and thus could not rally the many opposition forces behind him. His chances of winning is slim. Lacson is way behind his rivals in terms of the most important requirements for the highest office. Losing clout? GMA will still be the most dominant player at center stage in 2010; her unpopularity notwithstanding. If four or more vie for the presidency, GMA’s support for the administration bet could make the big, if not decisive, difference. If she can ensure that the elections will be orderly, clean and honest, the people might gloss over her

LEGARDA

VELARDE

leadership. With still over a year before the 2010 elections, it is not improbable if a new leader emerges whose experience or track record, integrity, and credentials are solid and established; someone who can liberate the Filipino people from economic slavery and an oppressive and repressive political system. There are a number of highly-admired and respected personalities who could be the best president the country can have. Most of them are shy about their ambitions. Some shun politics. Others are tentative about their future political plans. But it is the huge financial requirements which dissuade them from even considering the proposition. Rumor mill names Among those being talked about as excellent

31 candidates for the presidency are local government executives who are highly -respected and accomplished. Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., Palawan City Mayor Edward Hagedorn, and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte are among those often cited as better alternatives to the known aspirants for the highest office. (Editor’s note: MMDA chair Bayani Fernando, a former mayor of Marikina City, has made his intents to run for the presidency.) Senator Francis Escudero is also a viable prospect for the presidency. He may even become the compromise candidate of a united opposition if the known aspirants could not give way to each other. Cabinet member Gilberto Teodoro of defense, has excellent credentials for the presidential office. He could be the administration’s knight-in-shining armor. Many people, convinced that the country needs a capable manager, are interested seeing a successful businessman run for president. Manny Pangilinan of PLDT is being seriously enticed to run for the highest office. Recently, Mike Velarde of El Shaddai fame, has made known his availability for the presidency. It is doubtful if the members of his flock can muster enough votes to make him win. Velarde can help make or unmake a president but he will have difficulty winning the highest office. Once he becomes a fullpledged politician, he loses his aura of moral ascendancy. People will see him just as another politician with a feet of clay and the road he travelled in the past has been muddy. Crucial polls However will the political developments come about, the elections in 2010 will be a crucial event which will indicate the course of Philippine history in the next four decades of this century. The realignment of political forces will start early next year; secret negotiations are now going on among the principal players. The administration will certainly have its own candidate. The dominant political opposition will chose its own standard bearer. No matter how many will run, let us hope the people will have a clear choice from among them. The elections in 2010 will be truly a watershed event. Let us hope that for our people, it will be a liberating experience. Courtesy of New York-based PNA editor Armand Malapit

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Manila Media Monitor OCTOBER 2008

Gov’t to shield Canada’s competitive financial edge

SEOUL DRIVING SCHOOL YELLOWBIRD 4862 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty on Oct. 13 said the Canadian government would go on coordinating with its G7 partners and take steps “necessary to ensure that Canada’s financial system is not put at a competitive disadvantage.” Flaherty, who attended the recent G7 meeting in Washington, said the government welcomed the Plan of Action by G7 countries to stabilize financial markets and restore the flow of credit, to support global economic growth. He said Canada was fortunate to have a strong financial system, “a competitive advantage that we will protect.” “We will never allow our financial system, which has been ranked as the soundest in the world, to be put at risk by global events,” he added. G7 steps The G-7 agreed that the global economic crisis called for urgent and exceptional action. The group vowed to: ► Take decisive action and use all available tools to support systemically important financial institutions

FLAHERTY and prevent their failure. ► Take all necessary steps to unfreeze credit and money markets and ensure that banks and other financial institutions have broad access to liquidity and funding. ► Ensure that banks and other major financial intermediaries, as needed, could raise capital from public and private sources, in sufficient amounts to reestablish confidence and permit them to continue lending to households and businesses. ► Ensure that national deposit insurance and guarantee programs would be robust and consistent so

that retail depositors would continue to confide in the safety of their deposits. ► Take action to restart the secondary markets for mortgages and other securitized assets. Accurate valuation and transparent disclosure of assets and consistent implementation of high quality accounting standards were deemed necessary. The actions should protect taxpayers and avoid potentially damaging effects on other countries. The group also supported the IMF’s critical role in assisting countries affected by the financial turmoil. Canadian response Flaherty said the government has responded early October to the continuing disruption on global credit markets that originated in other countries by announcing plans to purchase up to $25 billion - starting Oct. 16 - in insured mortgage pools through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). This would help Canadian financial institutions raise longer-term funds and make them available to con(To page 34)

OCTOBER 2008 Manila Media Monitor

GOT A FOREX DEAL?

3rd PCBC trade mission

Check out if you got your peso’s worth for the dollars you have had exchanged since Sept. 16, courtesy of Manila Media (Money) Monitor.

The Philippine Consulate General’s Office in Toronto, led by Consul General Alejandro Mosquera (1st row, 2nd from left) and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce-Toronto (PCCT), led by its president Rafael Nebres (1st row, 5th from left) jointly hosted a dinner reception for members of the 3rd Philippines-Canada Business Council Trade Mission to Canada in Scarborough, Ontario. The trade mission, composed mostly of manpower providers, led by former Tourism Secretary Mina Gabor (4th from left), visited Vancouver, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Toronto and Ottawa to confer with Canadian companies to supply Filipino workers. In photo are members of the trade mission, officers and members of the PCCT, and consular officers, including Philippine Labor Representative in Canada, Frank Luna (1st row, 2nd from right). Photo: RAMON DATOL, Philippine Courier

OFWs’ employment remains stable

MANILA - Labor Secretary Marianito Roque said The employment situation of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) has remained stable amid the global economic slowdown. Philippine Labor Secretary Marianito Roque stressed this, as he bared

the absence of signs of the reduction in the demand for OFWs from reports from the labor department’s 37 labor officers based in various countries around the world. “We don’t expect any reduction in the demand for OFWs, especially in the

Middle East,” Roque said. Lately, Philippine newspaper reports showed the unusual homecoming of a big number of OFWs, which analysts blamed on the financial crunch that hit major economic powerhouses in the United States and other developed coun-

BSP posts P4.2-B net income in end-August MANILA - The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has finally realized a net income in end-August 2008, after several quarters of being in the red. BSP data showed that as of August, the central bank posted a P4.23-billion net income, contrary to a P36.90-billion loss in the same period last year. In the whole of 2007, the BSP registered a net loss of P86.94 billion, with three

quarters in the negative and only the third quarter posting a net income of P2.8 billion. In the first quarter of 2008, the BSP said net losses were placed at P24.8 billion. BSP deputy governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said one of the factors on how the BSP computed income included situations like “when the peso is down” against the US greenback.

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“We are more cautious if the peso appreciates,” Espenilla said. The local currency has been on the depreciation mode, due to the global economic slowdown that has prompted risk aversion among big foreign investors on emerging economies like the Philippines. The peso’s depreciation has been against its performance in 2007 when the (To page 34)

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tries. Roque said that it was a normal trend for OFWs to go home after the expiration of their contracts. “Dati naman na may (To page 34)

Oct. 15 Oct. 14 Oct. 13 Oct. 10 Oct. 9 Oct. 8 Oct. 7 Oct. 6 Oct. 3 Oct. 2 Oct. 1 Sept. 30 Sept. 29 Sept. 26 Sept. 25 Sept. 24 Sept. 23 Sept. 22 Sept. 19 Sept. 18 Sept. 17 Sept. 16

US$ 47.41293 47.20236 47.15290 47.76309 47.34726 47.56612 47.29818 47.40311 47.02202 46.88204 47.30234 47.25535 46.92817 46.68292 46.40224 46.39196 46.52033 46.22288 46.49411 47.03991 47.06799 46.93716

Cdn$ 40.17779 40.68909 40.99999 40.13459 41.24064 42.46725 42.99647 43.09103 43.49658 43.56800 44.62283 45.00205 45.16432 45.14571 45.04788 44.82133 44.94427 44.52870 44.70317 43.95990 43.66034 43.74096

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(From page 38) structor), DOM (dirty old man), TNT (tago nang tago), KJ (kill joy), KSP (kulang sa pansin), OA (over-acting), TL (true love), BF (boyfriend) and GF (girlfriend). ... You say “rubber shoes” instead of sneakers, “ball pen” instead of pen, “stockings” instead of pantyhose, “pampers” instead of diapers, “ref” or “prijider” instead of refrigerator, “Colgate” instead of toothpaste, “canteen” instead of cafeteria, and “open” or “close” instead of turn on or turn off (as in the lights). ... You use an umbrella for shade on hot summer days. ... You like everything imported or “state-side.” ... You love ballroom dancing, bowling, pusoy, mahjong, billiards, and karaoke. ... You have a relative who is a nurse. ... When in a restaurant, you wipe your plate and utensils before using them. ... You can squeeze 15 passengers into your fiveseater car without a second thought. ... You wave a pom-pom on a stick around food to keep the flies away. ... You always ring a doorbell twice, assuming that the first ring was not heard. ... You let the phone ring

34 BSP posts ...

(From page 33) peso appreciated by nearly 19 percent against the US dollar making it the best in the region. Primary reasons for peso’s appreciation were the surge of remittances and foreign investments. The peso has been trading at the P47=US$1 level and has depreciated by almost 13 percent since the start of the year. PNA

Manila Media Monitor OCTOBER 2008

FVR to visit Toronto for Gawad Kalinga

(From page 5) Press Club-Ontario president Tenny Soriano will follow the dinner at 8 p.m. McGuinty meeting On Oct. 23, Ramos will be interviewee-guest at City TV’s Breakfast Television. Then, he will have breakfast with Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty. The two may likely discuss issues of mutual interest and benefit to Ontarians

OFWs’ employment ... (From page 33) umuuwing OFWs and I don’t think it is safe to associate them with the financial crisis,” he said. National Economic and Dvelopment Authority deputy director general Rolando Tungpalan even said that due to increased numbers of OFW deployment, remittances from abroad rose by 18 percent against the target 10 percent. “Based on that perspective, there is nothing to substantiate what others claim,” Tungpalan said. Roque said there were twice before answering, lest you appear overly eager. ... You use a rock to scrub yourself in the bath or shower. You’re proud to be Filipino! A contribution from MERLYN TY

even more employment opportunities opened in some countries, like Canada. He said that agreements have been signed with at least four provinces in Canada for jobs placements to Filipinos, offering high pay rates compared with other countries. Roque added that they would look into potentials for jobs in South Australia, France, Norway and New Zealand. He said the department was exploring new markets needing the services of Filipinos. But he said the government has prepared contingency programs for any eventuality. He said mechanisms have been put in place to receive and provide necessary help for OFWs. PNA

and Filipinos in Ontario. Call to help GK After the breakfast meeting, Ramos will be at the Empire Club at the Royal York Hotel to address Ontario and Filipino leaders and businessmen, as he spells out the GK vision and mission to build homes for the poor and to ease poverty and its attendant social and economic problems in the Philippines. He is expected to call on everyone to donate to the GK cause for the construction of more GK villages in needy areas. Community forum Later, Ramos will talk in a community forum hosted by the Philippine Consulate in Toronto at the Ellesmere Room of the Holiday Inn in Woodbine and Steeles. The forum, co-hosted

by Cheryl San Juan, will be moderated by Cris Reyes of CP24 TV. FVR golf tourney On Oct. 24, Ramos will have breakfast with Member of Parliament Lui Temelkovski, Markham councilor Alex Chiu, Meloto, Ambassador Brillantes, Consul General Mosquera and ANCOP-GK Canada president Ricky Cuenca. After the breakfast, the former president will lead golfers to a tournament chaired by Francis Rementilla. Honors On Oct. 25, Ramos will honor GK donors, sponsors and volunteers at the GK Heroes Gala Night at the Famee Furlane Friuli Hall in Woodbridge. The event is co-chaired by Rafael Nebres of the

Philippine Chamber of Commerce-Toronto (PCCT) and Rosemer Enverga of the Philippine Independence Day Council (PIDC). Providing entertainment during the gala night are diva Josie de Leon and Emilio Zarris. Sponsors, partner The Ramos visit sponsors include Bodybliss, Shirley Salazar Dental Office, Coldwell Bankers, Irma and Jacqueline Cuenca, Holiday Inn, Philippine Airlines, Assante Wealth Management, Richmond Hill Toyota, George Gonzales, Rachel Raia and councillor Chiu. Event partners include the Philippine Embassy and Consulates in Ottawa and Toronto, PCCT, PIDC, PPCO and ANCOP-GK Canada. With a report from Rodel Ramos

Gov’t to shield Canada’s competitive... (From page 32) sumers, homebuyers and businesses in Canada. This would have no fiscal cost to taxpayers, Flaherty assured. “It is important to underline that Canada’s banks and other financial institutions are sound, well capitalized and less leveraged than their international peers,” he added. “Our mortgage system

is sound. Canadian households have smaller mortgages relative both to the value of their homes and to their disposable incomes than in the U.S.,” he said. The action would also supplement CMHC’s regular Canada Mortgage Bond (CMB) Program. The CMB has been supporting mortgage lending at affordable rates by Canadi-

an banks and other financial lenders. The CMB Program has recently been expanded, including a record issue in June. “The mortgages involved in today’s initiative are already guaranteed through government-backed mortgage insurance and are high-quality assets,” said Flaherty. PR

OCTOBER 2008 Manila Media Monitor Pasko sa Toronto

Much-awaited Christmas show The only Christmas event in the Filipino community, Pasko sa Toronto is surely going to be a successful event! With live appearances of the hottest entertainers in Philippine showbiz today, the event is not going to be missed by our community, most especially the young ones and young at heart. Jericho Rosales, Kim Chiu, Jed Madela and Fe delos Reyes are excited to come to Toronto to entertain us. If you are a TFCko subscriber, abangan ang kanilang TV commercial na malapit nang ipalabas o kaya naman ay panoorin sa www.ystillo.com. Dahil ang Nov. 23 ay Sunday which is a family day, puwede po ninyong dalhin ang buong pamilya at mag-stay ng magdamag sa event na ito! What to expect People have been asking about what to expect at the Pasko sa Toronto. Here is a summary of what you will see at the event. Habang pababa kayo ng escalator, sasalubungin kayo ng masasayang Christmas songs hatid sa inyo ng mga carolers.

By ROSE AMI The hall opens at 10 am. You can go around and visit the 90 booths – ten food vendors para hindi kayo magutom and 80 non-food, para makapag-shopping na kayo. Our non-food vendors are selling parols, jewelries, cookwares, kitchenwares, clothes, shoes, handbags, display items, gift items, etc. There will be a Mass at 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. followed by a game show alaWowowee from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. At 2 p.m., My Girl stars Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson together with ASAP singer Jed Madela will be on stage. If you are a VIP ticket holder, there will be a guaranteed meet and greet right after the show where you can get their autographs and take pictures with them. At 5 p.m., a variety show will take place starring the best local entertainers in Toronto. At 7 p.m., Pangako sa ‘Yo superstar Jericho Rosales will entertain you with funny comedian Fe delos Reyes (wala siyang green jokes kaya puwedeng

manood sa kanya ang mga bata). Right after their performance, a meet and greet will also follow for VIP ticket holders of the show. In between performances, mayroong live belen display kung saan puwedeng magpa-picture. Meron ding giant Christmas tree na ginawa para lamang sa show na ito. At hindi lang yon, the hall will be decked with parols of all sizes and colors. Kaya talagang pagpasok n’yo pa lang, masasabi ninyong parang nasa Pilipinas kayo. Kikita ka ba? At the Pasko sa Toronto, Ystillo Inc. is giving entrepreneurs an opportunity to make money by taking advantage of the season. Pasko is the season when everybody buys Christmas gifts. Pasko is the season when everybody also remits money back home. Pasko is the season when the volume of calls to the Philippines is at its highest peak. Pasko is the best season for all entrepreneurs to make money. So if your question is kikita ka ba sa Pasko by promoting or selling your prod(To page 37)

ENTERTAINMENT

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ENTERTAINMENT 36 The GIG

Manila Media Monitor OCTOBER 2008

A look into Filipino-Canadian folksingers, bands, musicians and performers in Canada by CHITO SARABIA

Make way for the Toronto Jazz Band A new jazz band -- aptly named the Toronto Jazz Band -- is born. Very soon, its five members will hit Toronto’s major music halls, after a premiere gig at Minerva Studio and Restaurant in Mississauga. Group members Chito Sarabia, Curtis Meritt, Eric Squire, Jun Belo and Chad Basong (see photo on right) recall how they blended together in an informal show-what-you-can-do jam during a friend’s birthday celebration. That was on May 19. Three days later, they knew what they were up to and into. They formed the band and did their first rehearsal in Aurora, with subsequent

regular jams and practices at Kescwick, north of Toronto. Sarabia plays the guitar; Meritt plays the saxophone, banjo, piano, synthesizer and cielo; Squire is on base; Belo, on guitar and keyboard; and Basong, on drums and percussion. TJB has since rehearsed a repertoire of selections along the pop, R & B, bossa nova, jazz, rock, reggae and country genres. “I look forward to what lies ahead,” said Collingwood-born Merritt, who had been in bar gigs with a band playing rock music. He hoped to hone his musical skills with the TJB “as we progress.”

Notes on the Josie de Leon ‘Celebrate!’ concert There is a lesson learned from the recently conducted Celebrate! Josie De Leon concert on Oct. 10 at the Chinese Cultural Center.

RP’s rapcore band Slapshock rocks TO Rapcore band Slapshock had fans glued to their seats in a thrilling rendition of their own compositions that have catapulted them to fame in the Philippines, during a major tour-concert at M Studio on Oct. 17. Slapshock’s tour-concert started Oct. 3 and will end on Oct. 21, bringing the band to the major Canadian cities of Calgary, Vancouver, Winnipeg and Toronto.

Composed of Jamir Garcia, Jerry Basco, Lean Ansing, Lee Nadela and Chi Evora, Slapshock has sold over 150,000 copies of five studio albums combined. They are behind hits as Sigaw, Misterio, Waiting, Anino Mo and Agent Orange. Multi-awarded Slapshock has lately released a greatest hits album Recollection.

The band is also known as the first Asian band invited to join the March 7 Dubai Desert Rock Festival, an annual rock event featuring rock acts from all over the world. In the festival, Slapshock shared the stage with KoRn, Velvet Revolver, Killswitch Engage, Machine Head, As I Lay Dying, and Muse. From a report by ARBEN ATIENZA

Charlyn Marundan heats up

2007 Filipino Singing Idol champion CHARLYN MARUNDAN performs with her bandmates in a recent bar concert. An upcoming star in the local entertainment arena, Marundan has been lately invited to a series of community events and programs. PR

Indie film Hunghong sa Yuta premiers Independent film Hunghong sa Yuta (Whisper of the Earth) premiered in Toronto on Oct. 16. Produced, directed and acted in by the Lumads (highlanders), Muslims and Christians in Mindanao in southern Philippines, Hunghong ... touches on contemporary issues affecting peace and development in Mindanao.

The film was completed in October last year. That was long before the fiasco on the Supreme Court-junked MOA on Ancestral Domain signed by Philippine government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front peace negotiators in Kuala Lumpur. Mindanao-based Bro. Luc, a French-Canadian missionary of the Brothers

of the Sacred Heart, promoted the film in Toronto in September. Bro. Luc said the educational film showed how people in Mindanao have been doing their share - without hogging the limelight - to push for better understanding of the Mindanao problem among the Lumads, Muslims, and Christians. From RICKY CALUEN

By A. F. ALMIRANTE And this I hope should be heeded by people who promote local community concerts featuring our Filipino-Canadian talents and artists and, of course, those “imported ones” from the Philippines. The lesson: If a project is well-planned, well-executed and professionally done, we don’t see any reason why it should not be patronized by the community. The trouble is, many of these concerts are haphazardly conceptualized and are the result of a “making a fast buck” effort. Some of them and perhaps majority of them don’t have any experience in launching such endeavors. They are what we call the “fly by night” promoters. A-one preparations In Celebrate!, we have seen the results of a solid, yet painstaking preparation that took almost a year in the making. The organizers came up with the best set design. They had the eye for detail in terms of props. They unleashed a welloiled promotion and publicity team (they even timed the launching of an entertainment magazine with the same name as the concert, which is - of course - Celebrate). The choice of front acts and guest artists, the concert venue (which has excellent acoustics, sound equipment and stage facilities) all contributed to an atmosphere of professionalism and boosted the morale of the performers. Emerging concert queen It’s no wonder, that this major concert of Josie De Leon has further cemented her position as a leading

star at the Toronto Filipino community concert scene. Could it be that she is now the emerging “Concert Queen?” If her Celebrate! concert is of any gauge, I must say definitely she is the top contender for the title. From her opening piece of Richard Harris’ MacArthur Park to the end, she held the audience with her sustained energy and virtuosity in the different musical genres, whether Broadway or hip-hop or rock. Surprise The surprise of the evening was her duet with Philippine Consul General in Toronto Alejandro Mosquera of the Nat King ColeNatalie Cole Unforgettable and the Josefino Cenizal’s kundiman Hindi Kita Malimot. The duet was, however, ruined by the lack of melody from the accompanying live band that seemed to be groping for the keys of the two songs. Instead of relying on the keyboards, a smattering twang of the electric guitar could be heard chirping the accompaniment, a clear attempt, I think, to dominate or grandstand with the instrument. In Hindi Kita Malimot, one was supposed to use an acoustic guitar to emphasize or approximate the harana effect of a guitarista; but still, a lead electric guitar was insisted. Result: the romance of the two songs were lost. And I’m still shaking my head why the keyboard did not play a major role in those two songs. On to Broadway But the best part of the night was the Broadway portion featuring Miss Sai-

DE LEON gon singer Leander Mendoza who, together with Josie, sang excerpts from the Phantom of the Opera such as Music of the Night and All I Ask of You. This was the first time I heard Josie do Broadway songs and it did suit her voice and style. This was where I think she could exploit and explore that potential. Brighter future Given this very first major concert and the receptiveness of the audience,we will see more of Ms. De Leon in future concerts although someone from one of my colleagues has told me that Ms. De Leon has been lately “overexposed ” owing to her many commitments and appearances most of them gratis et amore. But the persona of the singer that is Josie is also much more than a performer or a nightingale (by the way she’s a nursing graduate) but a compassionate human being who has lent herself in the service of Gawad Kalinga and other humanitarian causes through her singing. And that, maybe, defines her as a compleat artist.

OCTOBER 2008

Manila Media Monitor

Pasko sa Toronto ... (From page 35) ucts at the bazaar or tiangge, then the answer is yes! Ystillo Inc. will bring in the crowd, you do the selling! Some booths are still available, contact Marlou Tiro at 289-213-1276 or email at [email protected]. GK supporter During Ystillo’s last event, it raised $1,800 by

auctioning 10 VIP seats and donated it to ANCOP/Gawad-Kalinga (GK), prior to the Heartthrobs’ show. Ystillo Inc. also gave $1,000 to the Bantay-Bata Foundation of ABS-CBN. Ystillo Inc. strives to give back to the community by creating chances to raise funds for non-profit groups.

For Pasko sa Toronto, Ystillo Inc. will give part of the ticket proceeds to ANCOP/GK, to raise funds enough to build 10 houses for a village in Jaen, Nueva Ecija, at $2,300 per house. When you buy a ticket, you are not only supporting our show but our poor kababayans in the Philippines as well. I always believe na

ENTERTAINMENT

what goes around, comes around. Kaya kung mapagbigay tayo sa ating kapwa, mabibiyayaan din tayo. So kung pupunta kayo sa Pasko sa Toronto, hindi lang kayo mag-e-enjoy sa mga artista at entertainment, makakatulong pa kayo! Sa mga nakabili na ng tickets, maraming, maraming salamat po at magkita-kita po tayo sa Metro Toronto Con-

vention Centre. For ticket information, please call Rose, Joey or Lita at 647-724-5488, 416628-9930. Also email us at [email protected]. Win a lunch date That’s right! You can win a lunch date with Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson & Jed Madela! Buy a ticket for the show and register your ticket number, name

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and contact information at www.ystillo.com! VIP ticket holders will have five chances, $75 ticketholders will have three chances and $50 ticketholders will have one chance to win! As for $20 ticketholders, there are lots of surprises that await you at the show! For details, visit www.ystillo.com or e-mail ystillo@gmail. com. PR

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LAUGH & LEISURE

Manila Media Monitor OCTOBER 2008 1

BATID WIKA PAHALANG 1. Pagong 5. Tanong ng petsa 10. Probinsiya sa Katagalugan 11. Kulungan ng baboy 12. Uri ng kanta 13. Lipunpon 15. Ugali 17. Gutom 18. Giniikan 21. Simbolo ng Arsenic 22. Ika-25 ng Diayembre 25. Nota ng musika 27. Kayas 29. Bukod tangi 32. Pangalan ng babae 33. Ipares 34. Pangalan ng lalaki 35. Hati ng buhok 36. Tatay 37. Nobato 38. Payak

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PABABA 2. Banig pandan 3. Pali 4. Simbolo ng Silver 5. Ilitin 6. Kudyapi 7. Suman sa dahon 8. Pampook 9. Panlapi 12. Aparatong pantiyak ng layo 14. ___ Pacino, artista 16. Yugto ng karera 19. Tawag sa ina

20. Pagsama sa bahay 23. Panghalip 24. Hayop-gubat 25. Hindi mabigat 26. Watas 28. Panahon 29. Pamantasan sa Diliman 30. Pamamayani 31. Reklamo 33. Tawag sa anak 36. Pandiwang pantulong (Sagot sa PAHINA 33)

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... You eat mangoes with rice -- with great GUSTO! ... You love “dirty” ice cream. ... You love to eat, yet often manage to stay slim. ... You put hot dogs in your spaghetti. ... Everything you eat is sauted in garlic, onion, and tomatoes. ... You order a “soft drink” instead of soda. ... You hang a rosary on your car’s rear view mirror. ... You get together with family at a cemetery on All Saint’s Day to eat, drink, and tell stories by your loved ones’ graves. ... You play cards or mahjong and drink beer at funeral wakes. ... You think Christmas season begins in October and ends in January. ... Your second piece of luggage is a balikbayan box. ... You’ve mastered the art of packing a suitcase to double capacity. ... You collect items from airlines, hotels, and restaurants as “souvenirs.” ... You feel obligated to give pasalubong to all your friends and relatives each time you return from a trip. ... You use paper foot outlines when buying shoes for friends and relatives. ... You’re a fashion victim. ... You can convey 30 messages with your facial expression. ... You hold your palms together in front of you and say “excuse, excuse” when you pass in between people or in front of the TV. ... You ask for the bill at a restaurant by making a rectangle in the air. ... You cover your mouth when you laugh. ... You respond to a “Hoy!” or a “Pssst!” in a crowd. ... You’ll answer “Malapit lang!”--no matter the distance -- when asked how far away a place is located. ... Goldilocks is more than a fairy tale character to you. ... You refer to power interruptions as “brownouts.” ... You love to use the following acronyms: CR ( comfort room), DI (dance in(To page 34)

OCTOBER 2008 Manila Media Monitor

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OCTOBER 2008 Manila Media Monitor

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