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YEAR 12, No. 5 NOVEMBER 2008

Ooops & Bloops Lost papers, talangka sa utak? -7 Read Manila Media Monitor’s Monitor ’s new columnists RICKY CALUEN and JIMMY MONTEJO - 11 Jaworski: RP 5 needs miracle to be in 2010 Olympics - 28

Dancing To Be A Star - 33 Pineda, Journey RP concert in April? - 37

Toronto, Ontario

Crime-free Toronto? Blair: Turn in those guns (SEE PAGE 5)

FVR TO FILIPINO-CANADIAN COMMUNITY

TRY UST

Photo: ARIEL RAMOS

INSIDE

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

A BIG NOPE! Former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos explained that he was unlikely to do a PR job for the nearly four-century old University of Santo Tomas, a bastion of Christian education in the Far East. By U-S-T, Ramos referred to three key facets -- Unity of purpose, Solidarity in values, and Teamwork in nationbuilding -- that have seen a lot of community groups get their programs and projects off the ground to become huge successes. (To page 15) FORMER PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT FIDEL V. RAMOS

What?! Mexicans favor Pacquiao?

OSCAR DELA HOYA

MANNY PACQUIAO

MANILA - Filipino ring sensation Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao may have been nicknamed the ‘Mexican assassin’ but when he steps in the ring against taller Oscar de la Hoya in an HBO Pay-Per-View fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Dec. 6, expect Mexican fans to root for the reigning world lightweight champion. No less than Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., son of former world light welterweight champion Chavez Sr. of Mexico, says Mexicans “are backing up Pacquiao.” ”I think de la Hoya is going to have a very tough time with Pacquiao. He can win the fight, but my money is on Pacquiao,” the young Chavez notes in a fightnews.com report. Chavez Jr. has recently kept his unbeaten record, beating Matt Vanda in their rematch, via a unanimous decision. In another report, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum says “all the Mexicans want to help Pacquiao.” (To page 30)

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Manila Media Monitor NOVEMBER 2008

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NOVEMBER 2008 Manila Media Monitor

The gifts of Hope, of Joy, of Love, of Peace. Greetings from:

May all these be yours during this Season of Advent and throughout the New Year.

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Henderson Weekes (19) areyouindebt.ca (19) JC Eye Care (19) Zeny’s Birthday Bash (20) RemitX (21) Shun Fa Buffet King (22) The Tropical Deli (22) New Conservatory of Music (22) Arota-Chung Wedding Wishes (22) Gonzales Dentistry (23) Lovely Travel and Tours (24) UMAC Toronto (25) Innovation Video/Photo (26) Clem Cabillan (27) Timeless Images (27)

Front Page Philippines (28) OCDC Parcel Services (29) Dr. Bernarda Rosales Verzonilla Family & Cosmetic Dentistry (29) Fiesta Filipino (30) LDV Computers (30) Liland Insurance Inc. (31) Dr. Miriam Bernacer (32) Russell International (32) T.H.D. Consultants (33) musicpad.com (33) CHIN Radio (34) Seoul Driving School (34) Roadsport Honda (37) Superb Travel (37) GMA Pinoy TV (39) Dr. Santiago & Associates (40) Fairview Dental Centre (40)

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CALENDAR ► NOV. 15: La Union Association Induction of Officers. ► NOV. 15: Ontario Carolinians Officers Ball, TBA, 6:30 p.m. ► NOV. 17 to 26: Fr. Efren Borromeo Healing Services in Toronto. ► NOV. 21: Talakayan Radio Fundraising Dinner-Dance, Century Place Mall, 7 p.m. ► NOV. 22: Philippine Independence Day Council Appreciation Night, Korean Cultural Centre, 6 p.m. ► NOV. 22: Taguidin Association of Canada Party, Scadding Court Community Center. ► NOV. 23: ABS-CBN TFCko Pasko sa Toronto, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. ► NOV. 28: Canadian Ethnic Media Association 30th Anniversary Season’s Dinner, Golden Lion Banquet Hall, Etobicoke, 6:30 p.m. ► NOV. 28: Filipino Centre Toronto 2009 Filipino Singing Idol Competitions, First Round, FCT Rizal Hall. ► NOV. 30: Filipino Centre Toronto Diabetes Seminar, Rizal Hall, 2 to 4 p.m. ► DEC. 6: Philippine Chorale Society of Mississauga Pamasko Concert, First United Church, Mississauga, 8 p.m. ► DEC. 6: Jenifer, Lilac, Emilio Christmas Celebration Concert, Westminster United Church, Mississauga. ► DEC. 13: Philippine Chorale Society of Mississauga Pamasko Concert, Kalayaan Cultural Community Centre, Mississauga, 8 p.m. ► DEC. 13: Pillars Christmas DinnerDance, Lady of Assumption Church. ► DEC. 13: Filipino Centre Toronto Children’s Christmas Party, ► DEC. 20: Philippine Press Club Ontario Christmas Party and Celebrity Night with Kol Hope Foundation, Inc., Casa Manila, 7 p.m. (To page 34)

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NEWS

Manila Media Monitor NOVEMBER 2008

Survey: Filipinos believe RP economy can’t get worse; but fear of losing jobs, household incomes By BERNIE A. CAHILES MANILA - Fifty-three percent of Filipinos think that the current state of the Philippine economy is as bad as it’s going to get. Close to ninety-four percent have made cuts in their spending habits while over three quarters (67%) say that their greatest fear is the loss of their jobs and household incomes, according to a recent survey by global market research company Synovate. Exploring consumer attitudes and perceptions towards spending habits and the economy, Synovate asked 1,000 Filipinos from ages 15 to 64 across all income levels in Metro Manila, as part of a global ‘State of the Economy’ survey. “Filipinos are definitely a more resilient bunch, having gone through many tough times in the past,” said Carole Sarthou, managing director of Synovate Philippines. “This will be just another storm that will eventually blow over, hence they can’t imagine how much worse things can get,” Sarthou

said. For instance, close to two thirds of respondents in the US (63%), Japan (63%) and France (64%) believe that their economy is going downhill and will get worse before it gets better compared to only 24% of Filipinos,” she added. Filipino consumers, asked if they had made changes in their monetary habits in the last six months, said they were saving less (38%), investing less (37%) and generally spending less on basic necessities and, in particular, luxury items. Over half (56%) admitted that they had done less impulse related buying in the last six months. “We found that Filipinos were not the only ones to cut back, as comparisons with other Asian markets showed that Malaysians, Japanese and Taiwanese also shared the same sentiments,” Sarthou said. Close to three quarters (65%) were paying more attention to food prices with a majority acknowledging that they were more likely

WE JUST WANT PEACE. They never care about the global economic brouhaha. They don’t even know why they suffer the consequences of a longrunning deadly and devastating war between government soldiers and the Bangsamoro mujahideen. All these women and children know is that when a bullet is fired and a bomb explodes, they have to run for the safety of evacuation camps -- with little in their stomachs and not much over their heads. to check the price of their food items and make price comparisons with other food related products before making a purchase decision. “Interestingly enough, 59% of Filipinos said they have resorted to storing more food at home in case prices go up,” Sarthou said. When it came to sala-

ries and income, over a quarter (26%) believed that they were earning the same amount of money while 33% said that they were taking home lesser pays. Thirty one percent of those surveyed indicated that they had earned more money in the last six months. The survey also asked

people which items they had given up and which other items they were prepared to give up in the next six months in view of the current economic situation. Survey results found that eating out (22%), purchasing big ticket items (15%) such as plasma TVs and electrical appliances as well as high-

tech gadgets (14%) were the first items to be sacrificed. While over half (65%) of Filipinos asked said that they were worried but could not stop spending immediately, a bigger percentage (71%) acknowledged that they had made a life altering decision such as postponing marriage, having children, moving house, changing jobs and pursuing higher education. “It’s evident that the current economic situation has impacted the lives of everyday Filipinos but in spite of this worrying trend, the people we interviewed were generally determined and upbeat with over two thirds (88%) agreeing that they would always find a way to afford some items that make them feel good,” Sarthou added. Synovate is the market research arm of Aegis Group plc. It generates consumer insights that drive competitive marketing solutions. The network provides clients with cohesive global support and a comprehensive suite of research solutions. PNA

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NOVEMBER 2008 Manila Media Monitor

5

NEWS

Blair urges end to gun, gang violence; pushes Pixels to Pistol swap

The Toronto Police Service presents to the public the guns it has seized, as it renews its commitment to put to an end gun and gang violence in Toronto.

Since the Toronto Police Service (TPS) began its Pixels for Pistols gun amnesty program on Oct. 22, at least 200 unwanted forearms have been turned in for police disposal and kept away from the potential misuse of gang members and criminals. This, TPS chief William Blair disclosed, as he called on law-abiding owners of unwanted firearms to go on availing of the amnesty pro-

gram and receive a Nikon digital camera in return. The Pixels for Pistols gun amnesty program, only applicable to Toronto residents, would go on until Nov. 23. End gun to gangs In an open letter sent to community media and coursed through Community Mobilization Unit officer Constable Philip Mendoza, Chief Blair said “we don’t expect criminals will

surrender their firearms. They are not the target of our amnesty.” “Our goal is to reduce the number of guns in this city which could fall into the hands of criminals, guns which are almost certainly in the hands of law-abiding citizens,” he said. “Reducing the supply of guns is only one step of our strategy to reduce violence in our communities,” Blair said, adding “we must also work to reduce the demand for these guns.” The police chief said “criminal gangs that victimize our neighborhoods must be dismantled, and their members prevented from inflicting more harm.” Henry’s: Giving back The TPS has partnered with Henry’s Camera for the exchange -- through gift cards -- of a Nikon Coolpix digital camera for every gun turned in. In addition, Henry’s would provide free photography lessons at its photography school to amnesty participants. Henry’s Cameras would be marking its centennial anniversary in 2009 and its

owners saw the gun amnesty program as a chance to give back to Torontonians who have supported Henry’s. Turning in a gun? The TPS said people who give up firearms under the amnesty would not be subjected to criminal firearm possession charges. The police also called on amnesty participants to refrain from bringing guns into any of the four Henry’s location in Toronto or to any police station. The police said those who wished to turn over firearms should call the TPS at 416-808-2222 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. to arrange for the firearm pick-up. Limited immunity Although the amnesty provided limited immunity to certain possession offences, it did not include any other offence that might be connected to a particular firearm or individual, the TPS clarified. Firearms suspected as crime guns would be investigated thoroughly, including subjecting it to Centre of Forensic Sciences ballistics testing, serial number restoration if obliterated,

BLAIR and a trace of the origin of the firearm, the TPS said. Secure weapons In his open letter, Chief Blair urged those who have legally obtained firearms “to take every possible step to ensure their weapons are stored safely and secured against theft.” He warned that criminals have targeted legitimate gun owners to get guns. He said at least 20 percent of the guns the police seized were smuggled into Canada from the U.S. “Sadly, 30 percent of the crime handguns we seize have either been stolen or otherwise obtained from legal gun owners in Canada,” he added.. RGG

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PEOPLE & EVENTS GK Appreciation Night awardees

Manila Media Monitor NOVEMBER 2008

UP outstanding grads in Canada

ANCOP-Gawad Kalinga (GK) Canada president Ricky Cuenca cites various individuals and groups that have been helping GK attain its vision-mission during the GK Appreciation Night late October. Among those cited are (from left) Philippine Press Club-Ontario president Tenny Soriano, Philippine Consul General in Toronto Alejandro Mosquera, Rodel Ramos, Gene Elamparo, Rosemer Enverga, Chat Bautista, Dory Ascano, Alex Ascano, Irma Cuenca and Temi Pangilinan. PR The Philippine Artists Group (PAG) of Canada is set to stage its first-ever Christmas-time art show at the Neilson Park Creative Centre in Etobicoke from Dec. 13 to Jan. 4, 2009. Although softstarting on Dec. 9, the art show will formally open at 2 p.m. on Dec. 13, with guests of honor Philippine Consul General in Toronto Alejandro Mosquera, Philippine National Bank Remittance Canada head Feliciano Miranda and University of the Philippines Alumni Association Toronto president Noel Cruz. Officers say the art show will end the group’s 20th anniversary celebration. PAG Canada was established in Mississauga on June 12,

1988. Romi MananQuil is its founding president. Succeeding him were Mogi Mogado, Toots Quiachon, Dun Luna and Dong Magalona. In late April, PAG Canada staged Kulay Balikbayan at the Ayala Museum in Makati City, the Philippines. Participating PAG Canada artists included Antonio Afable, Maria Nellie Bautista, Cobie Cruz, Dun Luna, Dong Magalona, Romi MananQuil, Omel Masalunga, Toots Quiachon, Frank Tonido, and Nelia Tonido. Earlier, PAG founding president Romeo MananQuil put up a solo exhibit Uniquely Pinoy at the Corredor Gallery in UP Diliman, Quezon City, the Philippines. PR

PAG ends 20th year fete with Pamasko art show

Canadian Ambassador to Manila Robert Desjardins (left, in coat and tie) finds time to visit the PAG Kulay Balikbayan art show at the ayala Museum in Makati City, the Philippines.

The University of the Philippines Alumni Association in Toronto has honored its outstanding alumni members during its recent centennial celebrations. UPAA president Noel Cruz (left) poses with awardees Romi MananQuil, Nanette de Villa, Nena Maneclang Nera, Herbert Gaisano, daughter of awardee Dr. Leticia Rao representing her mother, and Francis Rementilla. Former Philippine President Fidel Ramos was guest during the UPAA centennial ball. PR/ROSE TIJAM

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NEWS

NOVEMBER 2008 Manila Media Monitor

ACE ALVAREZ

Of missing newspaper bundles, talangka ang isipan, atbp. A month ago, Manila Media Monitor and other FilipinoCanadian publications came out with an article, entitled An Appeal to all GTA Filipino Newspaper Outlets calling on them to be vigilant against a rogue publisher who steals bundles of competing newspapers for readers to pick up. The appeal was signed by the president of the Philippine Press Club-Ontario, Tenny Soriano, and eight publishers of local community papers, namely: this writer; Rose Ami of Planet Philippines; Jose Baking of Confidential, Tess Cusipag of Balita, Ramon Datol of Philippine Courier, Hermie Garcia of Philippine Reporter, Bin Kon Loo of Filipiniana and Turing Muere of Likha News Magazine. Nowhere in the article was the rogue publisher, nor his delivery people, named. At this point, this corner would like to thank Rolly Cabrera and his publication, Taliba, for explaining how those bundles of newspapers got lost in many outlets in the

GTA. From hereon, I am calling on my fellow signatories to the aforementioned appeal that should you want to know next time how bundles of your respective publication were lost overnight, please consult Rolly Cabrera, our authority on missing bundles of newspapers in various outlets in the GTA. Maraming salamat, kaibigan! *** In the issue of Taliba dated November 8-21, 2008, Taliba stated, “Lahat ng diyaryo ay nauubos dahil libre kahit ano pa ito.” Tama, kaibigang Rolly. Ipaki-paliwanag mo rin sa ating mga kapwa publisista, tulad ni Mon Datol ng Philippine Courier at ni Tess Cusipag ng Balita kung paano naubos ang sinasabi nilang 300 copies sa ilang outlets na pinaglagyan nila nito. *** The article in Taliba also stated, “Maniwala kayo, naglagay kami ng 2 bundles ng Taliba katumbas ng 200 copies sa Oriental Market

sa Kennedy. Sumaglit lang kami para hanapin ang manager sa office, ‘pag balik namin nawala na. ‘Yong janitor ang nagtapon sa basura.” Sige, Rolly, dahil ikaw din lang ang authority, ipaliwanag mo naman sa kapwa natin mga publisista – nang sa gayon ay nauunawaan nila, ang mga nawawalang mga diyaryo sa ibang outlets, other than Oriental Market, Lone Tai at sa Soon Lee, tulad ng nangyari sa Sampaguita Restaurant sa Wilson, at maraming outlets sa Scarborough. At Sampaguita, Butch Galicia and Tenny Soriano witnessed with me what two publications were there around 7:30 p.m. when we got in, and … when we got out, there were still two separate bundles of two different newspapers, but the second bundle was a different newspaper from the one at the time we got in. *** The article in Taliba further stated, “Ang Taliba ay inosente sa mga isyung nilikha ng iba. Ang lumpong tagapaglathala

nito ay maginoo at ginagalang ang lahat ng babasahing Filipino.” Teka … teka … Rolly. Wala sa “appeal” na inilathala ng mga pahayagan at ng mga nagimprenta nito na sinasabi kung sino ang publisher at delivery people. Bakit ganyan ang artikulo mo? *** Doon sa nauna mong artikulo, sabi mo guni-guni lang ng mga publisista ang mga nawawalang bundles ng diyaryo. E, bakit nga ba, very defensive ka, e wala naman sa appeal na ang paratang ay ipinatutungkol sa iyo? E, baka naman guniguni mo la’ng na ikaw ang pinararatangan? *** Taliba also wrote, “In the past seven years, Taliba worked hard to uplift the dignity of fellow Filipinos.” Ayan, dapat ipagpatuloy mo ang magandang layunin na ito. *** Before the appeal was published, I sent an e-mail to all Filipino-Canadian publishers on October 2, content of which was similar to what was published in several publications circulating in the GTA. In that message, I asked for a “Read Receipt”. The following were responses from among the recipients: Turing Muere sent a “Read receipt” acknowledgment; Hermie Garcia/ Philippine Reporter pressed and sent his “Read Receipt”;

7 Joe Baking did, too, with a note “Ace, Sino ito? Nasa opisina ako ngayon. But if I miss your call, I will call you back.”; Rose Ami also sent in a “Read Receipt”; Filipiniana, likewise, pressed its “Read Receipt”. The other publishers totally ignored the request for a “Read Receipt”. While most of them were asking who the culprit was, either on e-mail, or by a phone call, no response as to the identity of the culprit was disclosed. Joe Baking phoned twice, but I wasn’t around and talked to Gie. He was told to ask me, but I never returned Joe Baking’s phone call. Rose Ami also phoned and inquired, but she didn’t get a reply from Gie. *** In your case, Rolly, you responded on my e-mail on the same day. Again, I thank you for it, my maginoong kaibigan. Among others, you said (in your words), “I READ your MESSAGE address to all Publishers: I hope TALIBA have not created any trouble on your MEDIA MONITOR ... my newspaper are almost distributed far from the schedule of other newspapers. Mostly my instruction to all my delivery guys must SHOW RESPECT TO ALL hindi papatungan ang ibang diario. Madalas ubos na ang mga diaryo pag (To page 16)

8 As managing editor of this publication, I welcome two great minds in the editorial team of Manila Media Monitor, namely Toronto-based writer Ricky Caluen and Manila-based journalist Jimmy Montejo – both of whom Butch Galicia - editor of this publication, and I have great honor and privilege working with in the past. Butch and I have worked with Ricky on several projects of the Philippine Press Club-Ontario (PPC-O). A seasoned writer and veteran community journalist, Ricky served as editor of a major community newspaper, at the same time contributing to Philippine national dailies and travel magazines. Ricky is a native of Iligan City in Mindanao, and currently writing a book on the history of his native Iligan, incidentally a next door neighbor in that Philippine city of my cousin Mrs. Adelaida Abragan (the former Adelaida Soriano Medina), now based in Los Angeles, California. Ricky holds a tertiary education degree from De La Salle University in Manila, with major in History and Political Science, and took graduate courses in International Relations from the University of Toronto as a scholar of the Rotary Foundation. After learning that Ricky is joining Manila Media Monitor as a columnist, PPCO president Tenny Soriano and his wife, Myrna – who both have a good deal of experience in print and audio-visual media, honed at the He is one of only a handful of genuinely respected actors that successfully straddles stage, television and film. He thoroughly understands each medium because he is in the business not for autographs and fan shrieks but because he desires to satisfy his artistry. Even if he knows his performing arts tri-media and even if entertainment ran in his arteries, Ricky Davao the father is a totally different persona from any of the hundred roles he has thus far essayed. Davao is an ardent believer in individual freedom and in selfexpression, having been bred in a family that allowed artistic expression to bloom unfettered. He therefore lets his three children enjoy the good things in life but only after he and wife Jackie Lou have ascertained the kids understand the whys and wherefores of what they are getting into. He harks back to his own independent life as a child, riding the jeepney to school at Grade 3, being shaken up by his first holdup at Grade 4 and going through the rigmarole of adolescence with only his widowed father and siblings. Television watching is one activity where he exercises serious paternal oversight. The actor frowns on schools that allow their students to freely watch inane shows while in school.

VIEWS

Manila Media Monitor

From The Monitor’s Desk ACE ALVAREZ

Manila Media Monitor welcomes two great minds: Ricky Caluen, Jimmy Montejo National Media Production Center (NMPC) of the Philippines, shared their insights into Ricky’s, saying that Ricky’s background will bring to this publication a wealth of experience in in-depth writing, analysis and political perceptions as they relate to Canadian and Philippine experiences. Welcome to Manila Media Monitor, Ricky! *** As mentioned earlier, too, also joining us starting this month is Manila-based journalist Jimmy Montejo, whom editor Butch described as one great man he has also had the honor of working with at the PNA Desk and at the National Press Club. Jimmy was my classmate, my buddy and one of my closest friends at journalism school. Later, our paths crossed again at the professional level when he and I worked together at the News and Public Affairs Division of the

business and news station DXWB102.7 FM, with additional duties for the news programming of AM station DWEE, both stations then being operated by Interlink Communications (plus, a third station, DYSR in Dumaguete City), headed by newscasting icon Bong Lapira. After his stint at these radio stations, Jimmy moved to DZHP News; and while Butch has had the honor to work with Jimmy at the National Press Club, I had the privilege to drink with Jimmy at the venue occasionally at the 3rd floor bar and restaurant. Jimmy’s colorful journalism career took him, too, to Times Journal, then to Malaya as defense reporter holed up at Camp Crame with FVR during the fiveday EDSA Revolution in 1986. PPC-O prexy Tenny Soriano was likewise there, and confessed to me recently that he wanted to

Roundabout MAG CRUZ-HATOL

Celebrity father’s sense of parenthood

RICKY DAVAO He has seen public school cafeterias with TV sets tuned in to child-insensitive programs especially at noontime. He has little respect for

institutions that send students to watch live variety shows on the pretext that the activity is educational. He has seen how grade schoolers make a pretentious token visit to galleries and museums, using these as restroom stops and then spend a good part of their educational tour day in malls and live TV shows. Edgardo Roces, president of Anak TV, shares Davao’s thoughts. Roces has begun to wage an uphill battle to nudge the Department of Education to shepherd its teachers into the barn of TV literacy. Despite the showbiz environment he is accustomed to, Davao still gets baffled at how parents prod their pre-teen girls to grind and dance suggestively during parties, if only to prove how smart and sassy the kids are. “I am not a prude,” explains Davao,” but I think I can tell what

be just an ant that very moment. After Cory became president, Jimmy joined the Herald Tribune, followed by Daily Globe as congress reporter. From 1996 to 2003, Jimmy was senior editor of the Philippine Star, then shifted to public relations where he now serves as vice president of a fast growing PR agency, but does freelance writing on the side. To Jimmy, who is also my compadre (being godfather to his oldest daughter Jehan), I welcome you to Manila Media Monitor on behalf of everybody in the paper. *** One long-standing seminar that the PPCO has planned to conduct has at last come true on Saturday, November 15 when interested members of the organization gathered at the OPSEU seminar room on Wellesley Street in downtown T.O. Members were treated to a free lecture on two important subjects in our industry, namely, libel and copyright issues under Canadian laws, courtesy of the law offices of Heydary Hamilton PC, through lawyer Victor Opara and one of the legal assistants of the firm, Virgil Baisa. As an officer and board member of the PPC-O, I – together with my fellow officers and board members, thank our member Edwin Mercurio for facilitating this seminar, sharing his resources and contacts for the benefit of members who participated in the seminar. Edwin also invited an (To page 16) is in good taste and what is not.” Home is where Davao sheds his celebrity image, an image he hardly enjoys because it goes against his grain as an artist. He is husband and father, first and foremost, and his kleiglight demeanor is left behind at the studio. His duties as a father extend outside his home. When the kids were at tender ages, and both he and Jackie Lou were out at work, he would make occasionally calls to check what the kids were doing, and ask what they were watching. Thankfully, not one the kids became an incorrigible TV buff. The eldest, an 18-year old boy, watches a lot of entertainment and educational programs but in his adolescence followed the R18 and PG notices. Rikkimae, now a 14-year old Poveda student, enjoys shows like Friends. The youngest, Arabella, now 10, completes her day with Nickelodeon programs and game shows. All the Davao kids are shy but it is Arabella who seems to have shown the keenest interest in the industry but is not passionate enough to even think of entering it. Davao makes certain that the family watches TV programs together when they are home. “What I enjoy watching on TV which I allow my kids to (To page 37)

NOVEMBER 2008

Managing Editor ACE ALVAREZ Editor BUTCH GALICIA Associate Editor GIE ALVAREZ Contributing Editors Grace P. Freires Manny Freires Ben Viccari Mag Cruz Hatol Pete Lacaba Mel Tobias Editorial Assistants Lennart Leigh Alvarez-Mahoney Dods Andrada Contributors Edwin Acuna Bien Garcia Jeannie Pilapil Eva Agpaoa Mario Dimain Noel Perada Larry Torres Chito Sarabia Account Executive MYRNA SORIANO Graphics IDTech Solutions 416-875-2541 [email protected]

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Tel. 416.285.8583 YOUR TOTAL, CONCISE and COMPREHENSIVE Manila MEDIA MONITOR is published and circulated once a month in Toronto and its suburbs. Manila MEDIA MONITOR is a publication dedicated to the formation of positive values in the Filipino-Canadian social and business community. Manila MEDIA MONITOR covers all aspects of interest to the community it serves. Every effort is made to verify the information published in Manila MEDIA MONITOR your one of only two community papers in Toronto (the other paper being ... ‘the others’). The views and opinions expressed, however, by individual writers are not necessarily the opinion, nor reflect those, of the publisher. Thus, the publication accepts no responsibility in connection with any liability which might develop resulting from articles published. Manila MEDIA MONITOR accepts submissions, subject to availability of space, but reserves the right to edit for publication. Contributed articles must be in word document format. Photo releases must be with captions and in JPEG format. Item and photo submissions must be sent by e-mail via [email protected] Articles published in Manila MEDIA MONITOR may be reproduced only with the permission of the publisher. SUBSCRIPTIONS, ADVERTISING, CIRCULATION and other inquiries may be addressed at the following:

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VIEWS

NOVEMBER 2008 Manila Media Monitor

Commentary BEN VICCARI

OPINION

Thank You, RP Supreme Court By ATTY. FATIMAH BIN GUERRA Thank you, Honorable Chief Justice and Associate Justices for showing us how justice works in (the Philippines). Thank you for issuing the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) on the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOAAD), for showing to the Filipino people how fast you can actually act upon cases filed by powerful politicians like Emmanuel Piñol and Celso Lobregat. Indeed, the speediness at which you have acted on this case was extraordinary and phenomenal. In three months time, you have struck down a document which took more than ten years of painstaking negotiations (between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front [MILF]) to accomplish. Thank you, too, for helping MILF base Commanders Ameril Ombra Kato and Bravo recruit more fighters and supporters. Your decision vindicated what they have always believed from the very beginning -- that this government (under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) will never be sincere in talking peace with the Bangsamoro people. Now we are faced with the world’s longest running armed conflict that sees no resolution in sight. Thank you for condemning Mindanao as the next Afghanistan or Darfur in Asia. As you said, you went farther to rule on the constitutionality of the MOA-AD as it involves a matter of transcendental importance. And for the guidance of everyone, you struck down the MOA as unconstitutional. Scouring on the voluminous pages of your decision including the separate, concurring and dissenting opinions, one could not help but ask, “where is the guidance?” Thank you, Supreme Court for making us realize that we still have a lot to learn from the history of Mindanao ... that we still have a long way to go in healing the wounds of the past, in correcting the historical wrong committed against the Bangsamoro and indigenous peoples. Thank you if you can agree that some of you could use a great deal of refresher in the History class of Prof. Rudy Rodil, a wellrespected historian and scholar who by the way is now a persona non grata in his own home city in Iligan. But that’s not something new. Jesus Christ himself was also a persona non grata in Nazareth. Hear ye, hear ye, Supreme Court of the Philippines, thank you for making us understand that the minority definitely has no place in this country. This was glaring in the series of Oral Arguments where you generously provided ample time to lawyers, politicians, mayors, senators and generals to argue against the MOA-AD. Yet, no single Moro soul has ever been allowed to speak about her own identity, the desecration of her culture, the militarization of her community and the blatant discrimination that she feels as a Muslim Filipino. Is this the kind of equality that the blind-folded lady of justice bears? What an ostentatious display of fair play, Honorable Justices! Thank you also for reigniting the fire of animosity and hatred between Christians and Muslims. The resurgence of fanatical and anti-Muslim local vigilante called Ilaga (rats) came not as a surprise. Local politicians, exploiting your decision, unleashed this menace in order to curb the Bangsamoro’s quest for justice. Thanks to the 10,000 shotguns the other Puno (Ronaldo) in the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) distributed to arm the civilians. The theater of communal violence in the ‘70s is now showing again. Can (Chief Justice Reynato) Puno ‘TRO’ the other Puno, too? Thank you for helping these politicians secure their interests over vast tracts of lands they have grabbed from the Moro people. (To page 27)

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Ibrahim wants to know To Mr. U.S. President-elect Barack Obama, my heart goes with you on the four-year journey you and your supporters have made. During the recent US presidential campaign, I was very much aware that many churches and other puritanical supporters of hellfire and brimstone hold so great a power over voters. One has only to view objectively the recent spate of documentary films on the subject, to be convinced that here is a clear and present danger to democratic institutions and their adherents. Now, as I celebrate your victory with millions of other North Americans, I caution you and your followers to look on the nature of your enemies. The zealots of the Bible Belt won’t go away. Over the next four years, they’ll do everything they can to smear Obama as a “liberal” and a “socialist.” I look at their blind beliefs with a shudder. Judging from the activities of these people, I believe their actions, left unchallenged, could lead to drastic measures. Such ideological movements all lead to enslavement of free The Chinese have a saying and it is: May you live in interesting times. This past month has indeed been interesting. October 2008 will travel through history with the stigma as the start of a worldwide economic crisis. What began as a tragic, but seemingly contained, US housing crises, has blossomed to become a conflagration touching almost every country and individual worldwide. No doubt, years of analysis lay ahead as scholars try to understand what happened and why. But we are faced with the reality today. As governments frantically work to stem the growing crisis, we, as individuals, are left to bear the cost and the burden. The financial markets have ceased and, simply put, this means banks are no longer confident about lending money to other banks which, in turn, are afraid to lend to business (small and large) which, in turn, no longer have the cash to grow or even meet current obligations. Consumers (and that’s you and me) will find it increasingly difficult to get loans for cars, mortgages and other goods and services. Without access to the debt instruments they have grown accustomed to, consumers will spend less, further exasperating an already bad situation. For example, without access to loans for car purchases, fewer

thought and create terror in the name of God. That’s why the Taliban thrives. I believe statistics will eventually show that the youth vote influenced to the outcome of November Fourth. Mr.President-elect, our two nations, as individual political entities must not forget that we are North Americans, too. You can help us, we can help you. The role that youth played in this election will certainly be studied by many learned commentators, but whatever happens we need to know how to make our own Canadian youth get off its collective butt. *** One of the things I find curious about Prime Minister Harper’s recent cabinet appointments is his raising the number of cabinet ministers from 31 to 38. He has included a number of achievers, but also wash-outs like Stockwell Day, Rona Ambrose and Peter McKay. To please local interests, he is still giving a nod to persons who do not deserve to be in cabinet. Thirty-eight? That’s getting close to a third of all Conservative

Members of Parliament now sitting. Now with another eight of them, the government must find funding for their offices and staff for everything from paper clips to new stationery to a bar for visiting firemen. With a cash-strapped government operating in what the Prime Minister persists in denying is a recession, how can the government justify this extra expenditure? Perhaps, when this minority government decides it is time for a change, the Tories’ next election strategy could be embodied in a new slogan: “Get elected and become a cabinet minister!” A cabinet minister for every Tory household. Just think of that. *** In a taxi driving me home last month, I found Ibrahim, the driver, conducive to conversation and asked him how he had fared during the recent Canadian Thanksgiving week-end. Not badly, he said, but then asked me the true significance of Thanksgiving Day. I used as a comparison, Eid, the feast that ends the month-long Islamic month of fasting. But I had to tell him that unlike Ramadan and Eid, our Thanksgiving had strayed from its religious past into a far more material world. Just before our trip ended, he asked me the meaning of Remembrance Day and I could do little better than refer him to (To page 12)

Our Journey EVA AGPAOA

Tough times? Don’t panic cars are sold which in turn means the auto companies will lay off workers to reduce costs. It’s a spiral leading us into a recession and could easily, if bold government action is not taken, lead us into a full blown depression. Even seemingly good news has a poisoned underbelly. Recently the price of gas has gone down substantially (as I write this, the average price in Toronto is 93 cents). That’s good news from a few months ago when the average price was nearly $1.40. But the reason for the decline is bad news. The financial markets have concluded that we face a severe economic downturn -- less manufacturing, less production, fewer goods transported. This translates into less demand for fuel to power factories, move goods. So with less demand for fuel, the price is dropping. It is interesting to watch the actions of the US government.

An administration committed to unregulated free markets has adopted measures that, in effect, have nationalized the banking industry. What we must be prepared for is a fundamental realignment and change to our way of life: from more government involvement in the economy to increased regulations and a potential change in the free market system. This, in my opinion, would not be a bad thing. We must be prepared for difficult economic conditions that translate into fewer jobs, lowered incomes, fewer options. We must also prepare ourselves for a potential increase in domestic and international conflicts. As the world economy spirals, poorer countries will experience increased stress. Their inability to provide the most basic goods to an already depressed population might be the spark that could ignite civil and cross border strife. (To page 13)

10 Into my sixth wintry season, I still get the thrill when I feel snow perched on my nose and when I see trees, fields, rooftops and the ‘asphalt jungle’ blanketed in white. Thus so, when a major snowfall hit Scarborough on Nov. 19 after a preview in late October, I can’t help but think that winter is just around the bend. And with it, comes the Season of Advent, Christmas and the New Year. I just love this time of the year. I know, I know. Many have told me that in a few more years, I would learn to hate snow; just as I would learn to hate taxes. Snow and taxes, I am told, are the two major nonexpendable public enemies Canadians would just have to live with, year in and year out. If that’s the case, why whine about it? For once, forget the slosh and the mess people and their fourwheeled toys make out of

VIEWS the snow. In these tough and trying times, can’t we just chill things out and go for something cool? *** Creative minds have concocted anew easy to know and learn words that are so meaningful when read and said. I have seen snow plowed and shoveled; much more of salt assaults on major roads after a snowfall (people who have recently lost their jobs prefer a windfall). A ditch hitch? That’s fair enough for drivers who believe their toys are too fast and classy and not meant for a road that gets repaired yearly. But fender benders? Whoa, I like this. Indeed a quite innocent and humorous combo of words. But more than what it seems, fender benders can go farther by implying a situation which may lead to a broken limb or a lost life. In the morn of Nov. 20, the Ontario Provincial Po-

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Salt assault, ditch hitch, fender bender, etc. lice said they have handled about 460 cases of unwanted road incidents in the 400 highway series after the major snowfall. Time to re-educate and retrain drivers? I guess so. *** Police community mobilization unit officer Constable Philip Mendoza has offered tips drivers can use to breeze through winter driving and its hazards. The tips: ► Be prepared for unexpected emergencies due to sudden cold and wintry weather changes. ► Equip your vehicle

The 3rd Eye MARIO DIMAIN

The reluctant pilgrim Amid disturbing world news of the never-ending hostilities targeting Israel, one would think that it would be complete madness to travel to such a volatile place. And yet I found myself in Milan Airport, staring at an electronic sign with its colourful pixels glaring back at me, as it sharply spelled out the Air Alitalia Flight departing for Tel Aviv. Along with my wife, I would soon board the aircraft, together with the other pilgrims from St. Thomas More Church. We were to fly to The Holy Land.

THE SEA OF GALILEE

THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE

Manila Media Monitor NOVEMBER 2008

with necessary items for survival - a First Aid Kit, ice scraper, snow brush, flashlight, battery jump cables, folding shovel, bag of sand, blankets, winter gloves and extra coats and jackets. ► Clear snow and ice from vehicle. Always keep car windows, mirrors, lights and intake grills free of snow and ice to improve visibility. Make sure windshield wipers are in good shape. Keep windshield washer fluid level full, and keep an extra jug of windshield washer fluid in the trunk, just in case.

Three weeks earlier, there was a great battle going on in my head. As much as I wanted to visit The Holy Land, I was also dreadfully aware of the potential danger along the way. My wife had to persuade me to join the pilgrimage. Her persistence and the irresistible notion of being able to photograph the biblical and historical places were the key factors in somewhat overpowering my reservation about the trip. As we waited for the shuttle bus that would take us to the tarmac, the fear had once again managed to creep into my veins. It was corroding my nervous system. The “What If” questions revived the old nagging thoughts. Maybe there is a terrorist on board? A suicide bomber perhaps? What about being blown up in the sky? Whoa!! The self-induced paranoia was choking me. I needed something to divert my thoughts. I took some candid shots of our group who seemed undeterred by what was happening in the Middle East. Thanks to my camera, it calmed me down. Before I knew it, we were airborne and there was no turning back. “Blessed are those who come.” That was the heading of the brochure that was provided by the travel agency. It does feel that way when one’s foot touches the Holy (To page 12)

Interior of the CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHER

► Equip vehicle with snow tires. ► Always keep the gas tanks full. You may need a running engine for a while as a source of heat if you’re stranded. ► Under freezing rain conditions, make every effort not to drive. Snow tires or regular tires will not safely prevent the vehicle from slipping and sliding. ► Watch for hazardous road conditions, e.g. hardto-see patches of ice (black ice) especially in shady spots and bridges. ► Don’t park along the highway where you are not visible to a snowplough driver. ► Always maintain a safe distance when following another vehicle. Don’t pass a snowplough or spreader unless absolutely necessary. ► The key to winter driving is to slow down. Avoid accelerating and slamming on the brakes. Any rapid movement will lead to skidding and the loss

of control of the vehicle. ► Before setting out on the road, be prepared by reviewing road conditions and weather forecast. ► Always wear your seatbelt. ► Never Drink and Drive . The SLIDE RULE: -- Slow Down. Driving slower allows more time for reaction, reduces stopping distances; -- Look well beyond where you are and use mirrors to be aware of your surroundings; -- Identify possible hazards well in advance of reaching them; -- Drive within the limits of the environment, your ability and the equipment you have; and -- Evaluate the need for driving, changing environmental and road conditions. Great tips, eh! Goes with my Christmas wish -learning to drive and having my first car. butchgalicia@ yahoo.com

The

Un-Comfort Zone

with ROBERT WILSON

The most powerful motivator I was abruptly awakened and told, “The house is on fire. Go outside!” As I ran out of my bedroom and into the hall my socks slipped on the polished oak floor. A guiding hand helped me keep my footing and a frantic voice urged, “Hurry! Hurry!” As I got to the door I looked over my shoulder and saw flames leaping out of the heating grate on the floor. The door was thrown open and I was shoved outside into the carport. “Go stand in the driveway and wait for me. And, DO NOT come back inside. Do you hear me? DO NOT come back inside the house!” The door shut and I began to cry. I stood and stared at the seafoam green door with the frosted jalousie windows. I waited and waited, but I did not go stand in the driveway. I couldn’t move. I began to shiver as the cold concrete floor seeped through my socks, and the winter air penetrated my pajamas. It seemed to take forever, and with each passing minute, I cried harder. I could taste the salt of tears flowing down my face and into my mouth. Finally the door reopened and my mother announced, “The fire is out.” Relief flooded my body as I ran into her arms and she held me tight. I was two years old and the

mental images of that day are as clear as if it happened yesterday. It is perhaps my oldest memory. As an advertising and marketing consultant, I know there are many things that motivate us. During my presentations I frequently conduct straw polls, where I ask my audiences what motivates them. The first answers are usually about desires, but eventually someone remembers the most powerful motivator of all. FEAR. Fear is a primal instinct that served us as cave dwellers and today. It keeps us alive, because if we survive a bad experience, we never forget how to avoid it in the future. Our most vivid memories are born in Fear. Adrenaline etches them into our brains. Nothing makes us more uncomfortable than fear. And, we have so many: fear of pain, disease, injury, failure, not being accepted, missing an opportunity, and being scammed to name a few. Fear invokes the flight or fight syndrome; and our first reaction is always to flee back to our comfort zone. If we don’t know the way back, we are likely to follow whoever shows us a path. Marketers use fear as a motivator as often as they can. They present a scenario they hope will invoke our sense of fear. (To page 12)

Another Remembrance Day celebration came to pass this November. I wonder how many of us adopted sons and daughters of Canada - wore the paper or plastic transmutation of the red corn poppy being peddled by ancient veterans and young volunteers. This particular species of poppy (Papaver rhoeas) is the symbol of the sacrifice of Canadian veterans and civilians in World War I and other wars (from the Boer Wars to the current Afghanistan campaign). To be one with the rest of Canada in honoring its fallen heroes is perhaps a rite of passage all immigrants should undergo. It is a symbolism of belonging to this kindly and beautiful country that ingrains deeper than our superficial linguistic affectations and other embellishments of Canadian-hood. Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Givenchy-en-Gohelle, Passchendaele .... these places are tongue-twisting as they are remote to the average Filipino-Canadian’s universe. But who among us could actually locate Balangiga, Makahambus, or Bud Bagsak on a Philippine

Perspective RICARDO J.S. CALUEN

Don’t forget to remember map, much less essay the significance of these shrines to Filipino resistance to American colonial rule? It was in Passchendaele (Ypres, Belgium), Vimy Ridge, and the Somme (France) where some of the bloodiest battles of the First World War were fought. Canadian blood spilt with 67,000 young men and women killed and 173,000 wounded. Some historians point to the heroism and sacrifices of Canadians in these battles as part of Canada’s founding myth. This is so because until Canada’s involvement in the so-called Great War, Canadian soldiers were pretty much considered as “British” soldiers serving under British commanders. For the first time in its military history, Canadian

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soldiers fought as a patently Canadian unit under a distinctly Canadian-born commander. And what a formidable fighting machine the Canadians proved to be in encounters like the Third Battle of Ypres. The Canadian forces were almost totally annihilated after 20 continuous days of fighting German forces in that fateful November of 1917. In the end, Canadian soldiers won its military objective. But at what cost. In such battles - now romanticized in film and literature Canada, only 50 years old as an independent nation at the time, has come of age. Blood-letting appears to be a sine qua non in the drama called the birth of (To page 13)

True Lies is the title of an Arnold Schwarzenegger top grosser where he plays a spy ala James Bond, but passes himself off as a computer salesman to his wife and a teenage daughter. It is unclear why the actor (governor of California in real life) had to consistently lie to his family for 15 years or so, but we won’t be talking here about the film. We’re simply adopting the title because it strikes me as kind of cute albeit paradoxical. People lie for specific reasons, and hardly a day passes when every one can’t help being untruthful. Lying is habitual. Lying is a way of life. Lying is human nature. Sad to say, lying is a subculture in the Philippines, and that could make us a nation of prevaricators, if not outright liars. Then again, Russia might have beaten us to it because Russian novelist-historian Alexandr Solzhenitsyn once said: “In our country, the lie has become not just a moral category but a pillar of the State.” Be that as it may, let’s go to the scandal now rocking the entire Philippine National Police, and in the middle of the storm is the

Wise & Otherwise JIMMY MONTEJO

True lies top honcho of the service, PNP chief Director General Jesus Versoza. What is clear right from the start was that retired PNP comptroller Eliseo de la Paz has been giving every Filipino a cock and bull story about the 105,000 euros (P6.9 million) confiscated from him by the Moscow airport authorities on Oct. 11 after his group attended a fourday Interpol convention in St. Petersburg. De la Paz initially claimed that the money was a contingency fund for the eight-member PNP delegation, plus Versoza’s wife whose reason for joining the trip was not exactly unquestionable. The PNP high command which naturally includes Versoza declared later on that the funds were intended to buy spy equipment for the service, but no documentary

proofs were presented on that score. Another lie to backstop the first lie? The mystery deepened further when it appeared that there was more where the 109,000 euros came from as a Chinese businessman allegedly gave the police official 45,000 euros to buy an expensive watch. Too bad nobody is buying that story either. “Since when did a police general become an errand boy of a Chinese businessman?” Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago commented. De la Paz maintained that the funds came from the PNP coffers. There is still a big question mark on this statement which, could probably be another falsehood. De la Paz also said earlier that he has requested (or directed) the wire (To page 17)

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Un-Comfort Zone: The most powerful motivator

(From page 10) Then they show us a solution - a path back to our comfort zone that entails using their product or service. Fear is used to sell virtually everything: cars, tires, and life insurance are classics. But, clever marketers also use it to sell breakfast cereal and deodorant. As a result we purchase all sorts of things that a generation ago were considered unnecessary: antibacterial soap, alarm systems, vitamins ... the list goes on and on. WARNING: Fear can be too powerful to use as a motivator because it can also paralyze -

the classic deer in the headlights syndrome. Would you like to use fear to motivate your employees to perform better? “If you don’t sell more widgets - you’re FIRED!” It can work, but there are rules you must follow for it to be successful. To use fear successfully as a motivator, a solution must be offered with it. A new path to follow. You can tell an employee he or she must sell more, but unless you show them how, fear will cause flight or worse: paralysis.

Fear is a powerful motivator, but it is a negative one. I prefer to motivate someone by eliminating doubt. Doubt destroys motivation. If you can help a person get rid of it, you will motivate them positively. I will elaborate on this next time. (Robert Evans Wilson, Jr. is a motivational speaker and humorist, working with companies that want to be more competitive and with people who want to think like innovators. Robert’s programs are on www. jumpstartyourmeeting.com.)

Commentary: Ibrahim wants to know (From page 9) sources of information at his local public library. I would have needed a ride to North Bay to have explained all the ramifications of two world wars which failed to bring peace to humankind. We do our best to help newcomers adjust to life in Canada, finding shelter, jobs and understanding what is legal and what is not. However, in the intensity of zeroing-in on the target, could we be overlooking other opportunities to help them know and understand Canada? Warts and all? *** It is almost impossible to comment intelligently on the economic situation that we

Canadians find ourselves in. The minority government that we recently elected is going to have its work cut out to deal with what - at the time of writing - PM Harper insists is not a recession, but what our collective gut feeling tells us is. This is a time for all Canadians to insist our federal politicians think of the nation as a whole and not just three prairie provinces which must be coddled up to as a reward for their fidelity. Even though the basilisk of Parliament Hill chooses to cloister himself in the sanctorum of the PMO and ignores personal accountability for his edicts, there’s one right we all have: the power of personal protest.

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

So do not give up the ship of state to the enemies of true democracy. Write letters, send e-mail, pester your MPs. Above all keep the struggle for democratic government alive. Remember, they are still in the minority! (Used with permission. Ben Viccari is the 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)

3rd Eye: The reluctant pilgrim (From page 10) Ground. Walking along the path of our Lord’s footsteps was spiritually uplifting. Any Christian believer would feel the presence of Jesus in every step of the way. The journey to The Holy Land was like an overdue homecoming. All of the places we visited were the same old familiar places in the bible that are often mentioned in the church sermon. I grew up knowing about Nazareth as if it was my hometown. And that sense of belonging to the land overcame all fears I had before boarding the aircraft to Israel. The short seven-day biblical experience was more than worthy of the risk. From Bethlehem where Jesus was born to the hilltop of Golgotha where He was crucified, the pilgrimage re-defined my Christian faith. I gained a deeper understanding of Jesus and His teachings. And for the first time, I felt the pain of Mary, the blessed Mother who witnessed the crucifixion of her Son. The compelling images I

shot of the complete journey to the Holy Land are not just a compilation of photojournalism and travel photography. They are the result of Divine intervention. If my reluctance prevailed, I would not have photographed the inspirational pictures that were instrumental in forming the Christian group, Photographers for Christ. I always believe that things happen for a reason. And when God wills it, nothing can stop it. This month of November marks the third anniversary of our group’s pilgrimage to The Holy Land. Since Christmas is fast approaching, I would like to share the experience. I have posted the slideshow of our visit to Bethlehem on You Tube (http://ca.youtube.com/ watch?v=iZA_t-A81Y4).

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In Flanders Fields In Flanders Fields the poppies blow Between the crosses row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

(By Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918), Canadian Army, Ypres, 1915)

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(From page 11) a nation, if the tradition set by the American Revolution of 1776, later the French Revolution and other great revolutions, were to be the standard. Canada was spared this painful birth-pang, the baby delivered by the rhetoric and politics of confederation in 1867. The First World War was Canada’s crucible. The war itself continues to inspire debate among historians as to its actual causes. Even its conclusion remains contentious as some students of the period say the armistice that ended WW I did not crown a clear victor. It was a war of attrition that resulted in the deaths of nine million. Following the lead of its colonial master, the United States, the Philippines formed the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Europe, a token contingent to augment American forces that joined the arena very late in the war. But no sooner had Filipino soldiers said their goodbyes to their loved ones, WW I ended. However, the Philippines did contribute to the war effort big-time. Well, in a manner of speech, that is. President Wilson pulled out Colonel John “Black Jack” Pershing from the country to head the American expeditionary forces to Europe. At the time, Pershing was still flushed from his victories during the Moro Wars in Mindanao. The Great War forever changed the face of Europe at the onset of the twentieth century. The canons of international relations and diplomacy drastically changed. The new Treaty of Versailles signed at the end of the war may have temporarily halted military activities but, realistically, only spawned new and more disastrous political and economic ills. Avenging European victors like Great Britain and France lusted for German blood and ensured terms on the treaty that were onerous to the German nation. They did not realize the repercussions of their acts until 1937 when a veteran of the Battle of Ypres rose to become chancellor of a new German reich to last for a thousand years. Arms reduction, secret treaties, selfdetermination - these are phrases that continue to hog headlines these days, yet these were issues that President Wilson tried to address in his famous “Fourteen Points” in the aftermath of WW I. Well, looks like nothing much has changed, after all. And the world never learned its lesson. Our generation may not remember - nor even vicariously experience - the horrors of a world war, but at let us not forget the sacrifices of those who offered their lives that we may have relative peace .... in our time.

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Our Journey: Tough times? Don’t panic (From page 9) At home, the gap between rich and poor will widen even more. Anger, frustration, fear: These are the potent ingredients that fuel discontent and conflict. What can you and I do to prepare ourselves? First and foremost, become involved. We live in a democracy that encourages direct participation by the individual. Use that right and stay involved politically both on a national and local level. Make your voice heard.

Cash is king. Save as much as you can so that you build a cushion should your income change, or disappear. If you can, put off any large expense. If you have a job, keep it. Now is not the time to think about changing jobs even if the one you have right now is not ideal. Don’t panic. We could be facing tough times, but they will not last forever. Don’t panic. I believe in our ability to bounce back. So in the long term, I’m not worried about our ability to recover.

I also know that tough economic times mean more stress on each of us individually and collectively as a community. Each of us will experience the coming months in different ways and each of us will cope according to our abilities. Now is the time to bring out our generosity and compassion. Our neighbors will need it and we must be willing and able, as a community, to offer it to those most in need. It could be you that needs a helping hand. It could be me. [email protected]

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PEOPLE & EVENTS

Manila Media Monitor NOVEMBER 2008

FVR VISIT in IMAGES ALL PHOTOS TAKEN BY MIKE CADUCIO

NOVEMBER 2008 Manila Media Monitor

PEOPLE & EVENTS

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TRY UST

(From page 1) In a Philippine Press ClubOntario (PPC-O)-sponsored press conference capping the first of his four-day visit to Toronto from Oct. 22 to 25, the former president called on Filipino-Canadian community leaders to “highly consider the replication of U-S-T in your individual and collective endeavors.” “Unity of purpose, solidarity in values and teamwork in nationbuilding: these self-defined motives should be the bases of community groups to get through the challenges of the times,” Ramos said. He implied that community leaders should go beyond egobuilding, credit grabbing, power positioning, petty internal quarrels, treasury theft, money making and other such negative acts and attitudes that destroy, rather than build, a potentially productive group worthy to serve a growing community in Toronto. He said the worth of community leaders could only be measured by how they have ably and responsibly responded to the interests and needs of the community, in general, and of their group’s general membership, in particular. He cited the initiative of community leaders in the U.S. to get their acts together, as a national federation of Filipino-American associations, and work for the welfare and betterment of the Filipino-American community. They did this without shedding off their individual group’s diaspora philanthropy mission, or of helping and supporting programs and projects for their hometowns and needy townmates, he said. This effectively stopped the mushrooming of so many ill-motivated groups formed by ill-willed people, who would rather confuse and take away the community’s faith in the goodness of the Filipino, he stressed. Ramos also pinned the community’s hopes on the youth. “Younger people have the ideals and the proper mindset. They should be given all the chances to take the reins and lead the community,” he said, adding that it is high time to consider the “wisdom and experience of the youth.” But above all, Ramos called on the Filipino-Canadian community to start “caring, daring and sharing.” “Three little words, but they would mean a lot to 90 million Filipinos all over the world, particularly the majority who are still struggling in poverty and trying to find their place under the sun,” he said. Ramos’s Toronto visit raised some $120,000 for Gawad Kalinga (GK), an international project meant to build homes and new lives for the poor and the depressed, especially those affected by natural and man-made disasters in far-flung and remote areas in the Philippines, according to ANCOP-GK Canada president Ricky Cuenca. RGG

ABOVE: Former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos (4th from left, standing) gives the Philippine Chamber of CommerceToronto (PCCT) his trademark thumbs up, as he cites PCCT president Rafael Nebres (5th from left, standing) and the chamber’s officers and members for helping Gawad Kalinga (GK) build a PCCT Village in Parañaque, Metro Manila, the Philippines. BELOW: Ramos (4th from right, standing), who came over to Toronto for a GK promotion blitz from Oct. 22 to 25, also took time to laud the work of Philippine Independence Day Council (PIDC) president Jun Enverga (5th from right, standing) whose leadership, through the annual successful staging of the Toronto Mabuhay! Summer Festival, has generated funds to help build homes for poor and depressed Filipinos, particularly those in the rural areas of the Philippines. PHOTOS: MIGUEL CADUCIO

Former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos and wife Amelita ‘Ming’ Ramos (3rd and 4th from left respectively, middle row, seated) join Philippine Ambassador to Ottawa Jose Brillantes and Consul General in Toronto Alejandro Mosquera (5th and 6th from left respectively, middle row, seated) and members of the Philippine Press Club-Ontario (PPC-O) and the PPC-O Ladies Auxiliary for a photo shoot following a press conference at Casa Manila on Oct. 22. The PPC-O members included Rodel Ramos, (foreground, from left) Mogi Mogado, Chito Sarabia, Wesley Chua, Dindo Orbeso, Larry Torres, Butch Galicia, Noel Perada, Joe Damasco, (middle row, seated) Ricky Caluen, Tenny Soriano, Myrna Soriano, Jess Cabrias, (standing, from left) Hermie Garcia, Mila Garcia, Jojo Taduran, Romy Sison, Nestor Arellano, Faye Arellano, Nelson Galvez, Ramon Datol, Imelda Suzara, Marlou Tiro, Gie Alvarez, Ace Alvarez, Romy Zetazate, Chuchi Punsalan, Evelyn Galicia, and Tony Sicat. PHOTO: PPC-O member ARIEL RAMOS

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Manila Media Monitor NOVEMBER 2008

From the Monitor’s Desk: Manila Media Monitor welcomes two great minds ...

(From page 8) instructor in body rhythms, Marla Gold, who shared with us her expertise to keep us hardworking people away from the daily stresses of our work. *** The more experienced journalists among us back in the Philippines are, of course, not new to libel – but knowledge of the subject is of course those governed under Philippine laws, hence, still, the lectures are of paramount importance in our continuing practice in this country. Here are some insights,

PPC-O members discuss libel and copyright. PHOTO: MIKE CADUCIO however, on the subject of libel that were not tackled in the seminar: Some community figures who believe they are maligned in the local papers

file libel cases against communitty journalists regardless of how trivial the matter is, without balancing the costs of bringing the case and the subsequent

Ooops & Bloops: Of missing newspaper ... (From page 7) nagdedeliver na kami ... kasi every second Saturday ang delivery namin ... nangyari din sa kin iyan, me mga tumawag na me kumukuha ng diario ko ... anyway tumingin na lang ako sa taas hindi ko alam kung ano ang nasa isip nila. “ACE ... ako mismo at katulong ko ang nagdediliver sa Scarborough. Halos ang diario mo ay ubos na pag nagdedeliver kami ... minsan isa na lang ang natitira. Ibig sabihin nakukuha na ang Media Monitor pag kami naman

ang nagdedeliver ... ACE tawagin mo lang ako kung me problema ... malaki respeto ko sa iyo. “Ang dami pala ang problem ng publisher ... sumasakit na rin ang ulo ko pati sa collection..... haaaay. “Problema ... rolly!” *** Rolly, I did not publish the entirety of your e-mail, kasi some parts of it will loosen your position for your defense on the libel charges that you may eventually end up defending yourself – which may be filed, or have already been filed against

you by …, plus, some parts of that e-mail may affect your relationship with your very good friend, Rodel Ramos. So, you see, maginoo rin naman si Ace Alvarez – sabi mo nga, malaki respeto mo sa akin. Ipakita mo, Rolly! Ang problema, tinawag mo pa ang mga kapwa mo publisista na “talangka ang isipan”, e ‘di isinama mo rin ako. Sa totoo la’ng, kaibigan, we publishers have so much to talk about; and when we do, all I’m asking you is look at me straight to my eyes.

litigation versus the triviality associated with the statement in the written article. Heydary Hamilton PC Legal Assistant Virgil Baisa was right in commenting that sometimes, a community figure should balance the costs against what he, or she thinks, is the weight of his, or her, reputation. Those who felt they were maligned in one’s writing would consult a lawyer, who in turn, would tell them that they should act on it right away. Of course, a lawyer – unless he, or she, specializes in another area of the law, would tell them this; otherwise, how do you expect the lawyer to pay for his, or her, OSAP loan? This reminded me of one joke where the son joined his father at the latter’s law office after the former became a lawyer.

One day, the father was conferring with his longtime civil case client and the son was just listening to the conversation. When the client left, the son told his father: “Dad, even when I was at first year law school, I’ve been seeing that client of yours here. Let me show you that you did not waste your money on my education. Let me handle the case for you.” The father agreed and soon enough, after just three more hearings, the case came to its full termination. Back at the law office of the father and son, the latter declared, “So, you see now, dad? All your investment in my legal education did not go to waste. I’m a very good lawyer.” The father said, shaking his head: “Son, you may be a very good lawyer, but a very poor businessman. You see, all the money with which I paid your law schooling came from that client. Now, where do you expect me to get the money with which to pay your sister’s medical school?” *** Meanwhile, among our ranks, I heard that one community writer who’s being threatened with libel (or probably about to face it

in court) has been spreading around that it didn’t matter to him, since the person bringing the case against him would not be able to get financial rewards anyway from whatever damages suffered. Well, the community writer forgot, or probably didn’t know that libel is not only a civil case, but likewise a criminal act, hence, being of such nature, he may end up in jail for it if the case is pursued criminally. Again, I mention this for this was one item not discussed during the seminar, and as correctly observed by some, the three-hour lecture would not suffice to discuss the entire substantive and procedural laws affecting libel. But as PPC-O president Tenny said in one e-mail, the event was a good start for the benefit of members who have the least knowledge on the subject matters tackled. To the PPC-O president: Sir, may I suggest that in the near future, the PPC-O likewise organize a seminar on ethics of the media, since I find that some of our media friends (not necessarily members of the PPC-O) think that their media ID cards are the be all and end all of everything!

NOVEMBER 2008 Manila Media Monitor

PEOPLE & EVENTS

PPC-O tackles libel, copyright issues Soggy and near-freezing weather failed to dampen the enthusiasm of members of the Philippine Press Club-Ontario (PPC-O) as they flocked to attend the 1st PPC-O Editors’ Weekend at the Ontario Public Service Employees Union hall on Nov. 15. The weekend seminar tackled Libel and Copyright Laws of Canada, two of the most important issues affecting Filipino-Canadian editors, writers and broadcast journalists. One of Canada’s top law firms Heydary Hamilton PC based in downtown Toronto sent two of its associates, lawyer Victor Opara and law clerk/paralegal Virgil Baisa. The Heydary panel explained the legal implications of libel and copyright and the rights and responsibilities of journalists in the practice of their profession. The two topics were presented in power point presentations by Edwin Mercurio, a former Philippine journalist and editor of Justice for All, a Toronto Superior Court of Justice and Ministry of the Atty. General newsletter. PPC-O president Tenny Soriano said the seminar was timely and urgently needed

PPC-O members with Heydary Hamilton PC legal panelists Victor Opara (5th from right) and Virgil Baisa (5th from left). PHOTO: MIKE CADUCIO

(LEFT) Body Rhythm instructor Marla Gold with Melinda Rustia and Gie Alvarez. (ABOVE) Marla leads PPC-O members in a routine. PHOTOS: MIKE CADUCIO by community editors, writers and broadcasters. “Some of our members have been sued and threatened with libel in Ontario courts. We must arm ourselves with legal knowledge and learn ways to defend press freedom,” Soriano said.

Guest participant Ralph Logatoc said “this is the first time in so many years that an educational endeavor of this sort was ever done.” PPC-O officers cited the enthusiasm of club members “who pitched in to volunteer their time, talents and resources” to make

the seminar an educational success. Marla Gold, Body Rhythms instructor, capped the event with a group aerobics and graceful exercise routine. Body Rhythms is a gentle exercise and dance routine along with

17

Wise & Otherwise: True lies (From page 11) transfer of the money to the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame. It looks like this, too, was a lie. Apparently, the money is still in Moscow. Meanwhile, all the police generals who went to Moscow have reportedly returned their travel allowances, partly or wholly. But that isn’t the point because they deserve to get allowance for official travels. Such effort merely smacks of another cover-up bid. Last week, Versoza issued a directive disallowing free access of reporters to the police blotters purportedly “to protect the interest of children and women” involved in criminal cases, as well as to decentralize the functions of the PNP public information officer. Skeptics think that the relaxation, stretching and breathing exercises. PPC-O members craved for more after the half-hour break from the sessions. PPC-O foundingmember Melinda Rustia, also founder of Kol Hope Foundation, added that “what is unique and touching is that it all came from the heart as everyone gave freely for the good of the community. That, I believe, is the secret of this successful event.” PR

directive was either to divert away from the De la Paz scandal - in effect making it another cover-up attempt on the euro mess, or to scotch the controversy with a ticklish issue bordering on the unconstitutional. If these police generals can’t even value truth, they should at least dignify their uniforms by being an officer and a gentleman. And that includes knowing what the word honor is all about. Otherwise, they should hand in their resignations. For Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, the issue is command responsibility. He can’t be part of the problem, and if he can’t find a solution, stepping down is a good option. There are some unsavory whispers going around the coffee shops that draw him right into the eye of the storm. In parting, allow me to say this: To lie successfully is to stand up to the falsehood that you have peddled no matter what; unafraid that in time, others will discover the truth, and you will be disbelieved even if you swear by your mother’s grave that what you’re saying is the unembellished truth and nothing but the truth.

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PEOPLE & EVENTS

Cabillan lauds top referred property agent Clem Cabillan, president and chief executive officer of Philuscan International Realty Inc., congratulates Stoyan Tadin for achieving the highest referred property with a total sale price of $3.5 million. The property is located at Stoney Creek, Ontario. Philuscan is an innovative international real estate company that offers referral income to its members. PR

FVR, GK cite Casa Manila

Manila Media Monitor NOVEMBER 2008

CEMA 30TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON’S DINNER The Canadian Ethnic Media Association (CEMA) will have its 30th Anniversary Season’s Dinner at the Golden Lion Banquet Hall, 15 Canmotor Ave., Etobicoke, Ontario at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 28.

85 attend teachers’ professional dev’t sem

Former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos (2nd from left) presents to Casa Manila proprietors Lilian and Raymond Co (flanking Ramos) a certificate of appreciation from Gawad Kalinga for hosting the Oct. 22 dinner-press conference with the Philippine Press Club-Ontario. Witnessing the presentation are GK-Ancop Canada president Ricky Cuenca and Mrs. Amelita Ramos (seated). The Ramoses also celebrated their wedding anniversary at Casa Manila that evening. PHOTO: ARIEL RAMOS

At least 85 Philippineeducated and practicing Ontario mentors completed a two-weekend teachers’ development seminar at the Toronto Public Library auditorium on Oct. 25 and Nov. 1. Themed Becoming a Teacher: Certification, Expectations, and Transition, the seminar was conducted by the Philippine Teachers Association (PTA) and partner Kababayan Community Centre, with funding from the city of Toronto. The seminar covered information and strategies relating to Ontario’s teacher

certification system and professional requirements and procedures. The specific topics included the Ontario school system, teaching practices in elementary and high schools, and bridging programs and alternative careers. Seminar resource persons included Jeremiah Arroz, Lolita Bruneau, Cathy Lofgreen, D’ Arcy Magee, Virginia Parucha, Tony San Juan, Fermer Santos and Herman Viloria. York Catholic District School Board Markham Trustee Marlene Mogado

keynoted the opening session of the seminar. Tony San Juan, a teacher at the Toronto District School Board and PTA officer, said an intensive follow-through workshop is being planned and would be offered to eligible participants. San Juan said it would involve “definitive job search strategies and interactive mentoring” for certified teachers and certifiable teacher-candidates who “need help getting their foot in the door” within the highly competitive Ontario education environment. PR

Notre Dame Cotabato Girls alumni

ONLINE: www.manilamediamonitor.com 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.

Notre Dame of Cotabato Girls’ Department high school batchmates (from left) Rosanna Riego de Dios-Pey, Charito Perez-Sundararajah, Evelyn DacanayGalicia and Bessie Ortuoste take time out from their busy skeds to reunite and talk about the good old days at a Toronto resto. PR

College of Holy Spirit Christmas Party “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your father who is in heaven.” MATTHEW 6:16

To all gifted photographers out there who have the third eye in capturing photos that reflect a Christian message, there is a Christian Fellowship of talented photographers that awaits you. They are Photographers For Christ who use the art of photography in spreading the word of God. Listen to your hearts, the Holy Spirit is calling you.

Alumni of the College of the Holy Spirit North American Foundation, Inc. Canada Chapter renew ties and pose for a group memento during their Christmas Partry last year. The group will again be having its Christmas Party at the Strate’s Banquet Hall in Etobicoke on Dec. 20. PR

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The PHILIPPINES

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Despite bumper harvests

RP may import rice in 2009

MANILA - The Philippines might have to import rice early next year, despite bumper harvests if only to assure enough supply of the staple. Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap cited the possibility of rice importation of as much as 1.5 million tons (MT) in 2009. Yap said this projection, earlier made by the National Food Authority, would be way down the huge purchase of 2.3 MT this year. In 2008, global importations drove benchmark rice prices to a record above US$1,000 per ton. “We’ll try to buy in a way that will not affect

prices,” he said. “It will be tragic if we will be locked in by buying methods and the price will be against us,” he added. Yap placed the country’s current rice stocks at some one million MT. Agriculture department estimates showed rice production in 2008 would reach some 17.3 MT, of which about 10 MT would be reaped during the wet cropping from September to November. Yap said many farmers planted early in the third quarter of the year. Rice output for the third quarter could increase by about five to six percent

from the 3.15 MT produced a year ago, he said. “Front-loading is good for production this year, in a way,” he said. Yap said he would not expect fourth quarter planting to be as aggressive and as bullish as last year’s. Bureau of Agricultural Statistics projections said fourth quarter rice production would reach 6.363 MT, or 0.04 percent lower than year-ago figures. BAS cited an expected 0.34 percent decrease in harvested area in the last quarter -- to 1.640 million hectares from 1.645 million in the same period last year. PNA

SC: Mandatory drug tests for poll bets, crime suspects unconstitutional The Philippine Supreme Court has declared as unconstitutional the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, mandating drug tests for candidates for public office and persons accused of crimes. The High Court, however, upheld the law’s constitutionality, with regards to random drug testing for secondary and tertiary school students and for officials and employees of public and private offices. In a 23-page decision penned by Justice Presbitero Velasco, Jr., the Court En Banc resolved three consolidated petitions for certiorari and prohibition filed by the Social Justice Society (SJS), Manuel Laserna, Jr., and Senator Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. Infringement Earlier, Sen. Pimentel questioned the validity of Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Resolution 6486, saying it created an additional qualification for candidates for senators in addition to those provided in the 1987 Constitution, by requiring candidates to be certified as drug-free. The Court stressed that

the unconstitutionality of Sec. 36 (g) of RA 9165 “is rooted on its having infringed the constitutional provision defining the qualification or eligibility requirements for one aspiring to run for and serve as senator.” The Court said the same “unmistakably requires a candidate for senator to be certified illegal-drug clean, obviously as a pre-condition to the validity of a certificate of candidacy for senator or, with like effect, a condition sine qua non to be voted upon and, if proper, be proclaimed senatorelect,” adding that the assailed provision of the law and the COMELEC Resolution “add another layer to what the 1987 Constitution, at the minimum, requires for membership in the Senate.” Impleaded against will The High Court also found no valid justification for mandatory drug testing for persons accused of crimes, as required by Sec. 36 (f) of RA 9165. “When persons suspected of committing a crime are charged, they are singled out and are impleaded against their will,” said the Court.

“To impose mandatory drug testing on the accused is a blatant attempt to harness a medical test as a tool for criminal prosecution, contrary to the objectives of RA 9165. Drug testing then would violate a person’s right to privacy guaranteed under Sec. 2, Art. III of the Constitution. Worse still, the accused persons are veritably forced to incriminate themselves,” the Court added. The Court enjoined all concerned from carrying

out Sec. 36 (f) and (g) of RA 9165. Drug-free schools But the High Court seriously noted the proliferation of illegal drugs, which threatened “the well-being of the people, particularly the youth and school children who usually end up as victims.” The Court said that until a more effective method is conceptualized and put in motion, the random drug testing of high school and college students “is not only

acceptable but may even be necessary if the safety and interest of the student population, doubtless a legitimate concern of the government, are to be promoted and protected.” Minimize drug abuse The Court also said the mandatory but random drug testing of officers and employees of public and private offices was justifiable. “The need for drug testing to at least minimize illegal drug use is substantial enough to override the indi-

vidual’s privacy interest.” Concurring in the decision were Chief Justice Reynato Puno, Senior Associate Justice Leonardo Quisumbing, Justices Consuelo Ynares-Santiago, Antonio Carpio, Ma. Alicia AustriaMartinez, Renato Corona, Conchita Carpio-Morales, Adolfo Azcuna, Dante Tinga, Minita Chico-Nazario, Antonio Eduardo Nachura, Ruben Reyes, Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, and Arturo Brion. ANNA KATRINA MARTINEZ

Filipino scientists discover healing facets of mushroom By MEDIATRIX P. CRISTOBAL MANILA - Filipino scientists have developed an indigenous mushroom, containing properties that hasten the healing of a wound, as a component in woven bandage. Volvariella volvacea (locally known as kabuting saging or kabuting dayami) is rich in chitin/chitosan that heals wounds fast, said scientists Dr. Claro Santiago Jr. and Rhodora Flores, both from the Industrial Technology Development Institute of the Department of Science and Technology. Known to induce the re-

pair of tissues, chitin/chitosan could also be found in shells of crabs, lobsters and shrimps and in the exoskeletons of marine zooplankton. It could also be extracted from the wings of butterflies and ladybugs, and in the cell wall of yeast, and other fungi. In a study, Santiago and Flores said using mushroom as a source of chitosan was cheaper and reproducible. Unlike synthetic materials, the thread derived from the mushroom could be knotted easily.

The study showed that with the use of a bandage with chitosan, patients’ wounds were observed with inhibition of microbial growth, and re-epithelialization as early as day one. Chitosan is an abundant natural glucosamine polysaccharide found in the ecosystem. It is also non-allergenic, non-toxic, biodegradable and hydrophilic. The scientists also observed good oxygen permeability in the mushroom. The bandage was likewise proven to be at par

with the commerciallyavailable antibiotic-treated wound dressing. It was deemed relatively cheaper, as it is composed of 50 percent agro-industrial waste and 50 percent mushroom mycelium. The innovation was awarded the Utility Model certificate of registration by the Intellectual Property Philippines. The registration granted Santiago and Flores the exclusive right in the Philippines to make, use, sell or import the utility for seven years. PNA

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PHILIPPINE TOURISM

Manila Media Monitor NOVEMBER 2008

NOVEMBER IN CARCAR, CEBU

St. Catherine of Alexandria revered in Kabkaban festival Nearing the last week of November, the people of the small but ancient town of Carcar (circa 1599) in Cebu will once more be buzzing with frenzied activity as they prepare for the annual Kabkaban Festival in honor of their patroness St. Catherine of Alexandria. Local officials and fiesta organizers promise better sights, sounds and activities this year. Last year, the Kabkaban Festival highlighted - in dramatic processional fashion - the life, death and martyrdom of St. Catherine of Alexandria. The procession featured at least four carrozas carrying life-size religious icons that respectively depicted

the Emperor’s marriage proposal to Catherine, the Broken Wheel, Catherine’s beheading and the transport of her body by angels to Mt. Sinai in Egypt. The refitted statues and carriages belonged to Carcar’s families, members of the Carro and Icon Caretaker’s Association of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Saint Catherine of Alexandria. Over 100 St. Catherine College of Carcar dancers in colorful costumes and lantern headgears and carrying hand lights illuminated the procession route. “By depicting St. Catherine’s martyrdom in the solemn evening procession, we have started a new fiesta tradition, as we propagate

Samal Island is no Boracay aper

The life-size image of St. Catherine of Alexandria, patroness of Carcar, Cebu, stands on a carroza (top, right) as it is led back to the St. Catherine’s Church (top, left), the second oldest church in Cebu, during the much-awaited Kabkaban Festival procession in honor of the patroness on Nov. 24. Yearly, floats are added to the procession and parade, like the one depicting a bountiful harvest (middle, right), as the people of Carcar try to get a better view of the parade highlights from the town plaza bandstand (bottom, right). the devotion to St. Catherine and make her story known to more people,” said Val Sandiego, Carcar Heritage Conservation Society president. A huge fireworks display at the church plaza ended the 2007 Kabkaban Festival of Lights. An expected festival fea-

ture this year is the Search for Miss Carcar 2008. Carcar’s cultural festival gets its name from the kabkaban, an abundant and hardy tree-climbing fern mostly seen on the branches of sprawling rows of old acacia lining the national highway in barangay Perrelos, Carcar.

ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL - In many ways, this hidden island of Samal in southern Philippines is much better than the world-famous Bo-

racay Island in the central Philippines. This is what most tourism stakeholders here like to think, especially Araceli Ayuste, tourism council president of the Island Garden of Samal, the official name of this island-city. “We don’t want this island to become the next Boracay because we know it can become much better than Boracay,” Ayuste says. Most islanders like Ayuste do not want to see Samal becoming too crowded and “over-commercialized.” A mushrooming of so many beach resorts in Samal is not something many islanders would be happy about. “As much as possible, we’d like to keep the natural rural setting of Samal, inspite of it being a city.” “We don’t like to see

By AURELIO A. PEÑA

A banca rests on a natural harbor in the Island Garden City of Samal, ready anytime to rev up and fetch tourists eager to enjoy all the natural warmth, serenity and beauty the island and its hospitable people have to offer.

our island’s natural resources over-exploited by many investors,” says Ayuste who also runs Punta del Sol, a beach resort, one of 30 in the sword-shaped island surrounded by the deep blue waters of Davao Gulf. (To page 34)

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NOVEMBER 2008 Manila Media Monitor

Shelter loan restructuring law to benefit 370,000 borrowers MANILA - The Socialized and Low-Cost Housing Loan Restructuring Act of 2008 or Republic Act (RA) No. 9507 would definitely provide relief to Filipino homeowner-borrowers amid a global financial turmoil and prevent delinquent home borrowers to join the ranks of the homeless. This, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri - who authored the bill in the Senate with Senators Rodolfo Biazon and Jinggoy Estrada - said, stressing that “shelter is a lynchpin” of the state’s social reform agenda to ease the hardships faced by many homeowner-borrowers. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed RA 9507 into law on Oct. 13. Benefits The law would benefit some 368,535 delinquent homeowner-borrowers, who have a collective arrears of about P70 billion, from eviction out of their homes. They could stay in their homes, “while government financial institutions (GFI) are assured of continuous cash flow,” Zubiri said. He said RA 9507 could be “a timely measure to prevent” a subprime hous-

ing mortgage crisis that had hit the US, sending the stock market tumbling and spawning a global economic shock. “This will allow GFIs and housing agencies to collect from erstwhile nonperforming assets and provide themselves a continuous flow of revenue, while delinquent borrowers can avail themselves of a longer loan restructuring scheme, lower monthly amortization and condonation of all penalties and surcharges,”

he added. Uncollected penalties and surcharges - not covering the principal amounts of loans that have to be repaid - reached P17 billion. Coverage RA 9507 provided the condonation of all penalties and surcharges. It also condoned a portion of the interest of the housing loan, as determined by GFIs and housing agencies, of which: ► All accrued interests (To page 34)

25 House bans descriptive tags on suspects in media reports

The PHILIPPINES

MANILA - The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a measure banning the use of “Muslim” or “Christian” or any word that would denote religious, regional or ethnic affiliation in describing suspects or convicts in mass media. House Bill 100, authored by Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara, imposed a minimum fine of P50,000 on the editor-in-chief, in the case of print media, or the

news editor, in the case of broadcast or other forms of mass media. Angara said the use of descrptive tags on suspects or convicts in mass media would create a sweeping generalization on other members of the race, culture or region who never did any crime. He lamented that many members of media continued to callously use such descriminating terms on suspects and convicts.

HB 100, sent to the Senate for plenary action, also provided that the person or media entity violating the law would be meted six years imprisonment and a maximum P10,000 fine. “Banning this culturally and religiously biased practice would definitely contribute and result in increased positive social space and understanding between and among Muslims and non-Muslims,” said Angara. PNA

Anti-terrorist robot tops inventions 1st World Cup

Millions of Filipinos continue to be economically deprived that they make ends meet in slum areas, wary but so depressed to wage a protracted battle against the social diseases their conditions may spawn.

MANILA - The new anti-terror tool of the Makati Police, dubbed the Mechanical Anti-terrorist Concept (MAC) robot, bested other inventions from Europe and Asia during the recent First World Cup on Computer Implemented Inventions in Suzhou, China. “It was a tough fight between United Kingdom’s c o m p u t e r- p r o g r a m m e d Braille system and the MAC (during the finals),” said former Mapua Institute of Technology engineering dean Roel Judilla.

“Luckily, the judges have seen MAC as the most useful creation with the most impact in the society,” Judilla said. The former school dean led a five-man Philippine delegation - to include Mapua College students Jaoud Jaylord and Kit Mistosomente. “We are the first winners of the inventions World Cup and we are Filipinos,” Judilla said. The MAC competed with other inventions from (To page 34)

Manila Media Monitor NOVEMBER 2008 PHILIPPINE REGIONS 26 NEWS ROUNDUP Culion, Palawan is leprosy-free PUERTO PRINCESA CITY - The island town of Culion in northern Palawan, erstwhile called “the island of the living dead,” is now declared free of leprosy. Culion, a fourth class municipality with a population of more than 20,000, was selected in 1906 as asylum for lepers. In that year, 16,138 patients were brought to Culion, making the town the world’s largest “leper colony.” Residents were forced to live in isolation for more than 100 years. That time, lepers were abandoned and considered social outcasts, until the early 1980s when an effective cure for the disease became available. A thing of the past But Mayor Veronica Cantimbuhan tried to change the people’s outlook on the disease and worked together with other sectors for a leprosy-free Culion. Today, the “leper colony” tag has become a thing of the past, with the Culion Sanitarium and General Hospital serving only as a museum and a testament to the island’s history. After over a century, Culion emerged triumphant in its battle against the greatest human scourge with the help of the selfless dedication of health workers, reli-

gious sector and benevolent societies like Fundacion ANESVAD of Spain and the Culion Foundation. Today, only seven cured leprosy patients continued to live at the Culion Leprosy Control and Rehabilitation administered by Dr. Arturo Cunanan. Cunanan was responsible for eliminating leprosy from Culion in 1998,

by using multi-drug therapy (MDT) that was recommended by the World Health Organization. MDT has successfully treated over 14 million patients worldwide to date. With Cunanan’s strict leprosy elimination program using MDT, the children of Culion have grown up in a healthy environment. (To page 34)

Cebu: GMA @ CSCST Argao

CEBU CITY - The flow of people, goods and services along the Banilad-Talamban corridor here has started to be fast and smooth with the recent opening of the P87-million flyover in the area. While the side roads of the two-lane 390-meter are yet to be completed by Nov. 26, people from the city’s north district and 15 other adjacent villages have begun to feel the beneficial impact of the socio-economic infrastructure. PNA

Ifugao: P120-M hospital up soon LAGAWE, Ifugao - A P120-million 155-bed modern hospital will soon replace the 75bed capacity Ifugao General Hospital in Barangay Tungngod here. This, Ifugao governor Teddy Baguilat Jr. assured, as he announced that the provincial board has authorized him to enter into contracts with the Asian Development Bank for a P55-million soft loan, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency for a P49-million grant, on top of the province’s equity. PNA

Nueva Ecija: Soldiers build schoolhouse MANILA - United States Ambassador to Manila Kristie Kenney has lauded American and Filipino soldiers for putting up a 56-square meter schoolhouse for the Bagong Barrio Elementary School in Guimba, Nueva Ecija. Kenney commented: “It’s great to see both militaries, Philippine and American, working together so well to build a new school facility for these beautiful children who will one day be the leaders of this beautiful country.” Building the schoolhouse was among the community activities in the Oct. 15 to 27 Talon Vision and Amphibious Landing Exercises conducted annually in various parts of Northern Luzon. The exercises also brought medical and dental care to more than 12,000 people, and served more than 8,000 students through 14 community-service events, according to the U.S. Embassy. PNA

Cagayan: Folks raise howl vs logging TUGUEGARAO CITY - Cagayanons, particularly the people of Pamplona town, have aired alarm bells over the seeming unabated logging activities - either legal or illegal - in areas of nearby Apayao province. Mario Galapia, a Pamplona resident, said Cagayan province has continued to be at the receiving end of run-off water from Apayao during heavy rains. Pamplona residents also complained of heavy damage to their homes and ricefields due to flashfloods. Cagayan natural resources officer Armando Bucad sought for an interprovincial dialogue top settle environmental concerns. PNA Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Argao Mayor Edsel Galeo lead groundbreaking ceremonies for the P9.1-million, two-story eight-classroom academic building of the Cebu State College of Science and Technology in Argao, Cebu on Oct. 30. OPS Photo

Troops destroy MJ plantation in Ilocos CAMP BGEN OSCAR M. FLORENDO, La Union - Combined police and military troops in the Ilocos region have destroyed some P28 million worth of marijuana plants in the mountainous areas of Kibungan, Benguet. The troopers uprooted at least 132,000 fully-grown marijuana plants and siezed 6,350 marijuana seedlings and 55 kilos of dried marijuana leaves, all estimated to value P28 million in the illegal dangerous drugs market. Chief Superintendent

Cebu: Ban-Tal flyover eases traffic

Luizo Ticman, Ilocos police regional director, said the three-day weekend operation against marijuana plantations was focused on the tri-provincial boundaries of La Union, Ilocos Sur and Benguet. Ticman said no marijuana cultivator was arrested. He said cultivators and plantation overseers could have been warned by the approach of helicopters and escaped. The areas raided -- in Sitio Tebteb and Balbalnag, Badeo, Kibungan -- were nestled in remote hills inac-

cessible to vehicles except by helicopter. The raiders were also ordered to verify reports that the communist New People’s Army was involved in the continuous proliferation of vast marijuana plantations in mountainous areas of the region as a source of funding. The raiders were implementing Oplan Apolgreen Scorpion, initiated by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and participated in by various police and military units in the Ilocos region. PNA

North Mindanao: 40 power towers bombed CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - A total of 40 towers of the National Transmission Corporation (Transco) in Northern Mindanao have been bombed and toppled down by terrorists since the late ‘90s, said Transco spokesperson Raffy Magbanua. Lately, two Transco towers were bombed in Panadtalan, Maramag, western Bukidnon. The towers carried major trunk lines supplying power to the 69KV transformer in Barangay Natumulan, Tagoloan Misamis Oriental, a major source of electricity for cooperatives operating in Northern Mindanao and some parts of the Caraga region. PNA

Sulu: Water project reunite feuding brods PATIKUL, Sulu - A small water system project built the bayanihan (community cooperation) way in Barangay Asin, Panglima Estino, Sulu has ended a bitter, long-running and bloody feud between two siblings of a Tausog political clan. The water system, bankrolled by the World Bank through the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Social Fund Project, was built by locals and various community groups whose members were identified either with Munib or Kadil, both surnamed Estino, and who were erstwhile hostile to each other. Having seen their followers work together for the common good, the Estino brothers agreed to smoke the peace pipes and and bury their hatchets in a pact here, before Sulu Governor Hadji Sakur Tan, Vice Governor Lady Anne Sahidulah, 2nd Marine Brigade commander Col. Celestino Pereyra, and key religious leaders. PNA

Dagupan: Illegal fishpens to go DAGUPAN CITY - Started on Oct. 28, the clearing and dismantling of all illegal fishing structures in city rivers would go on until the waters are freely navigable. This, city officials vowed as they also hoped to prevent another costly fish kill in the area. A city agriculturist inventory showed there were some 800 illegal fish pens and structures that should be removed, all located in rivers in barangays Lucao, Salapingao, Calmay, Pugaro, Bonuan and Sabangan. PNA

Davao: Bank to open more branches in ‘09 DAVAO CITY - One Network Bank (ONB), the widest banking network in Mindanao, is set to open new branches in Gingoog, Misamis Oriental; Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte; and the cities of Ozamis, Surigao and Dipolog in 2009. This would bring to 75 the bank’s branches all over the island. ONB president Alex Buenaventura said the bank would also activate 30 ATM machines. Buenaventura said the selected growth centers were either “unbanked” or “underbanked.” PNA

Iloilo: Katas ng VAT for lolo, lola ILOILO CITY - Some 30,000 senior citizens in Western Visayas are set to get the ‘Katas ng VAT Tulong Kay Lolo at Lola’ P500 cash subsidy, with the recent release of P15 million to the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Welfare officer Delia Bagolcol said the funds was the first tranche of the P34.76 million allotted for the region. Bagolcol said P4 million was allotted for 8,080 seniors in Negros Occidental; P1.8 million for 303 seniors in Aklan; P1.69 million, 3,399 seniors, Antique; P1.85 million, 3,715 seniors, Capiz; Guimaras, P429,500 for 859 seniors in Guimaras; and P3.88 million, 7,768 seniors, Iloilo. Iloilo City got P944,500 for 1,889 seniors; Bacolod City, P148,000 for 296 seniors and Roxas City, P157,000 for 315 seniors. PNA

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PHILIPPINE REGIONS

27

4,600 families in Albay South Cotabato gov’t stops small-scale mining still in need of shelters Governor airs appeal for help

LEGAZPI CITY - Albay governor Joey Salceda has reiterated an appeal for financial help to build 4,600 more core shelters for families displaced by super typhoon Reming in 2006. Salceda said that while the assistance from various foreign and national agencies had been outpouring particularly after the natural tragedy, “we have to look for more partners to substantiate the damages and loses to properties and lives of affected Albayanos.” He said the donors have initiated and completed their projects and programs, including the building of housing units, for the typhoon victims. “However, we still need to look for funding to bankroll the construction of additional 4,600 shelters for those who are still waiting for permanent resettlement in the towns of Camalig, Daraga and Guinobatan,”

he added. He thanked the Italian government for giving Albay some P25.3 million, of which P15 million was appropriated for building 180 housing units. Meanwhile, Italian Ambassador Rubens Fedele has assured Salceda that the Italian embassy would continue to help various associations formed in resettlement sites to improve their livelihood. Fedele said they have also invited Italian tourists and investors to visit Albay. “This is to promote not only tourist destinations here but to help market the handicraft products produced by various women organization in the resettlement sites,” he said. “Although our cooperation program for typhoon rehabilitation has ended, we can still help the Albayanos in promoting its tourism industry,” Fedele said. PNA

GENERAL SANTOS CITY - The provincial government of South Cotabato has ordered the closure of some 145 gold mining tunnels and 17 ball mill operators in Tboli town. Lourdes Jumilla, chief of the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board secretariat, said a combined team of policemen and soldiers enforced the closure order since the first week of November. The order effectively shut down mining activities in a 21-hectare area in the village of Kematu, which is also being disputed by a Tboli family and a local mining cooperative. Jumilla said the closure order was issued after the mining operators failed to get necessary permits and licenses from the provincial government. The effective closure of mining activities in Tboli came months after South Cotabato governor Daisy Avance Fuentes ordered the closure of illegal smallscale mine operations on

Opinion: Thank You, Supreme Court

(From page 9) By the way, land grabbing was “legal” because it was in accordance with the Public Land Act which “legitimized” the dispossession of the non-Christian tribes from their ancestral lands. Never mind if it is not just, notwithstanding if it is not fair, for as long as it is legal and in accordance with the Constitution. Thank you for making us understand why in the JPEPA case, you upheld the exercise of executive privilege by Malacañang, while in the MOA-AD it simply cannot be. Vis-a vis the interests of superpowers like Japan and the US, it’s okay to compromise sovereignty, we are their puppets anyway. But with regards to the Bangsamoro people, that’s another story. Our business interest over their ancestral domain is of such transcendental importance to these Senators, Congressmen, Mayors, Generals, Lawyers, Vice Governors cum owners of mining, logging, banana, pineapple and jatropha plantations in Mindanao that they cannot be compromised. Thank you for affirming that we are indeed one country, one people, one nation. As such, one cannot help but wonder why the military indiscriminately drop bombs over civilian communities in Mindanao akin to the carpet bombings in Iraq. If you stubbornly insist that the Bangsamoro people cannot be allowed to dismember from this Republic, you should at least treat them like they are members of this country in the first place. But alas! Thanks that seven of you, Honorable Justices, will be retiring next year. Whether it is this court or next year’s full Arroyo court, it doesn?t matter to ordinary Moros, lumads (highlanders) and settlers anymore. There is no place for them in your court anyway. In the meantime, there are more urgent

tasks to do in Mindanao -- attending to the sick, burying the dead, consoling the orphans, securing our homes and communities. As children slowly die of hunger and diarrhea in congested evacuation centers, they ask: “Why is there war again?” May you take it in your conscience to explain to them how the constitution is far more important than the innocent lives of hundreds of thousands of people. They pay such a high price for your Constitution. You should thank them for that, Supreme Court of the Philippines. [email protected].

recommendation of the provincial mining board. The order’s implementation was deferred for sometime hoping that the Maguan clan and the mining cooperative would come

into terms, Jumilla said. The application of the Maguan clan to mine in the 21 hectares, which they claimed form part of their ancestral domain claim, was denied by the provin-

cial government. Jumilla said the cooperative failed to present a Free Prior Informed Consent certification from tribal folk in the area. ROMMEL G. REBOLLIDO/PNA

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SPORTS

Manila Media Monitor NOVEMBER 2008

Jaworski: RP 5’s Olympics dream also needs miracle By JELLY F. MUSICO MANILA - Former basketball superstar Robert ‘The Big J’ Jaworski has admitted that besides ‘doing the right thing’, the Philippine hoop team needed some miracles to play anew in the Olympics. “The 2012 London Olympics is barely four years away, and trading baskets with the US Dream Team and other Games champions is a dream that can be a reality,” Jaworski said in a recent weekly SCOOP sports session. But other than doing the right thing, a few miracles could give the RP Five a lift, he said. ”We have to admit that China, Japan, Korea and the Middle East countries are dominating Asia because they are tall,” he noted. “To beat them, we have to have the right mind and heart,” Jaworski said. Jaworski, who once sat as a Senator, also urged local basketball officials to unite as “there is no shortcut” to success.” ”China closed its doors for almost 20 years without international exposure but they didn’t care. What they did was put their acts

together; doing the right thing,” Jaworski said. ”If we put our acts together, I think there will be good results. But we should not expect to become champions right away. Asia comprises the largest part of the world’s population and finishing fourth or fifth should be a source of pride for us,” he said. The former lawmaker also dared the players, including Fil-foreigners who would be chosen for the national team to consider it a rare opportunity to represent the Philippines in international competitions. ”It is vital to play with heart, being the country’s representatives,” he said. Jaworski was one of the few former national coaches being eyed to act as adviser to coach Yeng Guiao who would steer the RP team that would see action in the 2009Asia-FIBA qualifying round for the 2010 World championships in Turkey. Given a chance to pick players, Jaworski said he preferred seven national team players who saw action in the 2007 Olympic qualifier in Tokushima, Japan.

”It’s a rare honor to be chosen for a national endeavor,” said Jaworski, who donned the Philippine jersey in many international tournaments including the Asian Games, World Championship and Olympic Games in his heydays. In 1966, Jaworski played with the RP 5 in the Bangkok Asian Games. The year after, he was part of the champion ABC team in Seoul, South Korea, as the Philippines earned the right to represent Asia in the 1968 Mexico Olympics. He was also the team captain of the 1971 ABC and 1974 Asian Games teams. Jaworski was also part of the RP team that won the 1973 Manila ABC tournament, thereby earning the right to play in the 1974 World championships in Puerto Rico. Jaworski has a successful career as a player and coach in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Asia’s first premier basketball league, which honored him as one of the 25 Greatest Players Of All Time. In the 1990 Asian Games, Jaworski led a hastily-organized national team that bagged the silver medal. PNA

TOP LEFT: The Philippines played one of the first games of Olympic basketball and won against Mexico (32-30) in the 1936 Olympics. It placed 5th, then the highest finish by any Asian country in the Games’ hoop history. JAWORSKI BOTTOM, LEFT: The Philippine hoop team placed 3rd overall (bronze) behind the USA and Brazil in the 1954 World Championships in Rio De Janeiro. This is also the highest by any Asian nation up to today. Source: istorya.net

NOVEMBER 2008 Manila Media Monitor

Milan GK golf tourney raises $60T

Arnold Milan, lead sponsor of the first Milan Gawad Kalinga (GK) Golf tournament at Angus Glen on Oct. 24, sinks his putt as playing partners former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos (right), Jun Siao (left), and John McGee cheer him up. Later, President Ramos, also President Emeritus of the Philippine Association of Golf Clubs, gave GK golfers tips on a successful golfing game. Ramos is known to have shot his age, scoring 78 when he was 79 years old. The GK tournament raised $60,000 for the Circulo Ilonggo GK Village in Calinog, Iloilo. Circulo Ilonggo provided the seed money of $10,000 for the project. RENEE TALAVERA-SIAO

SPORTS

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SPORTS

Manila Media Monitor NOVEMBER 2008

Pacquiao-Dela Hoya Dream Match Views OSCAR DE LA HOYA: “Manny Pacquiao is considered the best fighter in boxing today. I always want to fight the best. I am glad we were able to make this fight happen. While Pacquiao is at the pinnacle of his success and has defeated all of the top fighters he has faced, I am going to show the world that it stops with me. Dec. 6 can’t get here soon enough.” MANNY PACQUIAO: “This is my greatest challenge. When I take that walk to the ring to fight Oscar, I will carry all the people of the Philippines -- the entire country -- on my shoulders. I promise I will fight with all of my heart and that I will give everything I have. Like my trainer Freddie Roach says, I have what it takes to win the biggest fight of my life.” BOB ARUM: “Manny has asked me not to talk about numbers or percentages.” RICHARD SCHAEFER: “There was only one fight which truly got people talking, some with excitement, some with skepticism. It’s not just a fight. It’s truly an event. It transcends the sport in a way I have never seen before, including Oscar’s fight with Mayweather. This is a fight between superstars who have captured the imagination of their people and beyond, the two most popular fighters in the world. It’s this kind of event that will have boxing on the front pages ... keep the world talking.”

What?! Mexicans favor Pacquiao?

(From page 1) “The Mexicans love Pacquiao. Pacquiao is more popular in Mexico than de la Hoya,” Arum adds in a philboxing.com report. De la Hoya, the son of Mexican migrants, grew up in East Los Angeles and waved both the American and Mexican flags in the ring when he won a gold medal in 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Meanwhile, Pacquiao has declared he was 80 to 90 percent ready against De la Hoya, despite a poll favoring the American fighter.

”I’m 80 to 90 percent ready and I’m not affected by the survey favoring my opponent,” Pacquiao said in a teleconference at a recent Philippine Sports Association Forum. An ESPN poll showed 60 percent of surveyed boxing fans believed De la Hoya will beat Pacquiao. ”I prefer to be the underdog because it challenges me to work harder; just what I did when I fought (and defeated twice) Marco Antonio Barrera,” he said. Aside from Barrera, oth-

er famous Mexican fighters whom Pacquiao defeated included Erik Morales (twice in their three fights), Juan Manuel Marquez and former world titlist Oscar Larios. He also stopped Jorge Solis, Hector Velasquez and Emmanuel Lucero. De la Hoya (39-5, 30 KOs) is four inches taller than Pacquiao (47-3-2, 35 KOs), who stands five-footsix. The two will fight at 147-pound (welterweight). PNA

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NOVEMBER 2008 Manila Media Monitor

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MONEY

Manila Media Monitor NOVEMBER 2008

Bangko Sentral projects RP growth at 4% in ‘08, ‘09 MANILA - The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has foreseen a four-percent “comfortable” growth of the Philippine economy in 2008 and 2009. The projection was lower than the government’s 4.4 to 4.9 percent growth target for 2008, but BSP managing director Cyd Amador said the figures were still within the country’s average growth rate in the last 10 years. Amador said the projection was also “broadly consistent” with the forecast

of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA). She said the NEDA growth projection was relative to the global slowdown, but stressed that the country remained resilient against the turmoil. She cited growth drivers of the domestic economy that included increased public infrastructure spending, mining, tourism and business process outsourcing (BPO). Tourism receipts alone ought to contribute some

US$4 billion to US$5 billion to the country’s foreign reserves by end-2008. The BPO sector could share around US$3 billion to US$4 billion. She said inflation rates have ebbed after it peaked at 12.5 percent in August. Monetary officials have then expected prices of basic goods to go down and the inflation rate to return to a single digit in the first quarter of 2009. Inflation taming was attributed to the decrease in the prices of oil and food in

the international market, as well as the increased supply of rice, in particular, in the domestic front. But Amador stressed that risks remained. She named the risks as the price pressures still on

the pipeline, the continuous high demand for commodities, and the “sluggish” response of the supply side relative to prices. Government has targetted inflation in 2008 between three and five per-

cent; but later changed to between nine and 11 percent due to the global economic turmoil. For 2009, the targetted 2.5 to 4.5 percent inflation rate was changed to six to eight percent. PNA

OPG among ‘09 Top 100 Employers For the second year in a row, the Ontario Power Generation (OPG) has been named as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for 2009. OPG was chosen from

among thousands of organizations across Canada, from every region of the country and every major industry. OPG president and chief executive officer Jim Hankinson said that to be

ranked among Canada’s best employers, “an organization must be a leader in its industry in attracting and retaining quality employees.” (To page 34)

PCCI: More foreign cash flow for oil exploration = energy self-sufficiency By LESLIE V. GATPOLINTAN

MANILA - Businessmen have urged government to open oil exploration wider to foreign investments, a move that could pave the way for the Philippines to achieve energy self-sufficiency. Jose Alejandro, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) vice president for energy, said this was part of an eightpoint power and energy agenda the PCCI submitted to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at the 2008 Philippine Business Conference from Oct. 20 to 22. RP lacks capital “Oil exploration is a very expensive affair. It requires so many million dollars to dig a well. We do not have the local capital to do that so, we should make it easy for foreigners and explorers to come and do that,” Alejandro said. He cited the need to allow the Philippine National Oil Company to enter into joint ventures through farmin and farm-out pacts with foreign companies, which track records in oil exploration and development.

“We should take out the provision against farmingin and farming-out; meaning, if you give me the concession to service, I should have the ability to look for partners,” he explained. Lagging behind Alejandro said the grant of service contracts to oil exploration firms should be accelerated. “The Philippines has

only dug 557 wells in 100 years while Malaysia and Indonesia dig hundreds of wells every year; that is why, they have oil,” he said. “We have enough (oil) deposits,” he added. He said tightening up a bit could come after an area explored and developed for oil has started production. Oil, related taxes During the business con-

MANILA - The Philippines’ gross international reserve (GIR) went down by US$1 billion to US$35.7 billion in end-October, from the previous month’s US$ 36.7 billion. Similarly, the global financial crunch has resulted in a measely US$128 million in foreign direct investments (FDI) in the Philippines in August 2008, bringing the year-to-date figure to US$1.1 billion, or a drop of 56.3 percent year-on-year from US$2.5 billion. The August FDI figure

was also lower than the previous month’s US$147 net inflow, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said. GIR slip BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. attributed the decline in the country’s foreign reserves to the downward revaluation adjustment in the central bank’s gold holdings “on account of the lower price of gold in the international market during the month on review.” Other factors were the prepayment the national government and the central bank made for maturing

foreign exchange obligations, and the withdrawal of state-run Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. of its foreign currency deposit with the central bank to pay its maturing obligations. BSP said the Ocober GIR could still cover 5.6 months of imports of goods and payments of services and income. The GIR is the country’s available foreign exchange resources to meet essential import requirements. The GIR was equivalent (To page 34)

Tañon oil exploration project between Cebu and Negros Islands

RP GIR, FDI dip amid global eco slip

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ference, PCCI also pushed for the reduction of taxes and royalties on fuel used for power generation, and for the lowering or putting a cap on the value-added tax (VAT) applied to fuel and related cost items under distribution, transmission and generation. “In generation, which comprises the biggest por(To page 34)

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Calendar

(From page 3) ► DEC. 20: College of the Holy Spirit North American Foundation, Inc. Canada Chapter Christmas Party, Strate’s Banquet Hall, Etobicoke, 6 p.m. ► DEC. 31: Filipino Centre Toronto New Year’s Eve Dinner-Dance. ► FEB. 27: Filipino Centre Toronto 2009 Filipino Singing Idol Competitions, Second Round, FCT Rizal Hall. ► APRIL 23: Filipino Centre Toronto 2009 Filipino Singing Idol Competitions, Third Round, FCT Rizal Hall. A public service column in cooperation with the Philippine Consul General’s Office in Toronto. Also visit www.pakulo.com.

OPG ...

(From page 32) “To receive such recognition is truly an honor,” Hankinson said. “I am proud of this recognition and of the 11,500 individuals who contribute to making our business a success,” he added. Canada’s Top 100 Employers is an annual guide to “best practices” in recruitment and retention. Companies chosen are not numerically ranked and only identified as among the top 100. PR

RP GIR, FDI dip amid global economic slip

SEOUL DRIVING SCHOOL YELLOWBIRD 4862 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario

Samal Island is no Boracay aper (From page 24) “If Boracay can crow about its kilometric longwhite beaches and nothing else, Samal islanders can crow not only about its pristine white beaches, but also

its other unique attractions like some of the world’s best diving sites, hundreds of underground caves, centuryold balete trees, vanishing islands and the world’s

Anti-terrorist robot ... (From page 25) at least 50 countries, including technology-juggernauts the United Kingdom, Australia, France, Japan, Singapore and China. “During the semifinals in Taipei, the Philippines won the gold medal. We were then pitted with the group that won the gold medal in Europe for the finals,” Judilla said. The competitions were

sponsored by Bill Gates’ owned Microsoft. Before making an impressive presence in China, the MAC was launched by the Makati Police as the newest member of its bomb squad, to be deployed if and when the city - known as the Philippines’ financial center and embassy row - would come under any terrorist threat. PNA

Shelter loan restructuring ... (From page 25) would be treated as non-interest bearing principal to be equally repaid; ► The restructured loan would be imposed an interest rate of not more than the interest of the original loan, or not more than 12 percent whichever was lower; ► The loan restructuring payment period is extended to lower the monthly amortization up to the age 70 of the borrower. Disqualification Disqualified accounts are those without a single payment since take out.

Also not covered are accounts that have resulted in the abandonment of the housing unit for one year: ► Which housing unit is occupied by a third party other than the original registered beneficiary or his legal heirs. ► Foreclosed, the title of which had been consolidated and/or transferred to the GFI or housing agency through dacion en pago. ► With Pag-ibig Fund contracts-to-sell covered by a developer’s buy-back guaranty. PR

biggest population of fruit bats,” according to Samal’s senior tourism officer Virginia Ibo. Many foreigners who visited Samal as tourists in the past fell in love with the island and ended up as foreign expats and permanent residents. “It’s astonishing what you can discover in the island,” says William Krelle, 68, who came here as a tourist in the early 80’s and found himself today an exporter of seafoods from Davao to Australia. “It could be so addicting you’ll find yourself hooked to it completely,” Krelle adds.

(From page 33) to 3.6 times the country’s short-term foreign debt based on original maturing and 2.5 times based on residual maturity, which referred to short-term foreign obligations and medium and long-term loan repayments due within the next 12 months. The BSP said foreign reserves might reach from US$36.5 billion to US$37 billion this year, the lower end considered in view of the global economic crunch. In 2007, the country’s foreign reserves reached US$33.7 billion, because of inflows of the central bank’s net foreign exchange operations, income from investments abroad, and sustained foreign exchange inflow

mainly from remittances from abroad. The country’s net international reserves, or the difference between the central bank’s GIR and total shortterm liabilities, at end-October totaled US$34.2 billion, lower than the previous month’s US$35.8 billion. FDI drop Meanwhile, BSP Deputy Governor Armando Suratos said the FDI as of end-August was proped by net inflows with its components still in surpluses. Net equity capital inflows reached US$73 million “due largely to foreign capital infusion for the privatization of a hydropower plant in northern Luzon.” But this was lower than Ju-

ly’s US$229 million. Reinvested earnings reached US$30 million, lower than the US$81 million in July. Suratos said foreign investors have been opting to to plow back earnings in local enterprises and corporations. Inter-company loan availments from foreign direct investors also impacted on the country’s FDI. The gross equity capital at end-August totaled US$997 million, coming from the US, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Germany and Malaysia. These went to manufacturing, services, mining, construction, real estate, and financial institutions, Suratos said.

Besides its white beaches and natural attractions, a German editor cites the island’s proximity to the bustling city of Davao with all its modern telecommunications systems. “I’ve never seen any place like this anywhere in the world where you can relax on a white beach on a beautiful island -- yet you can still keep in touch with anyone in the world through the internet or my mobile phone,” says Ulrich Kronberg, 62, editor-publisher of two German sailboat magazines based in Hamburg. Kronberg married a Samal native and had four children with her. He runs his Hamburg publishing company by internet from

the island. Trade officials in Davao find it fascinating that a growing number of foreigners who started out as tourists and visitors in the region ended up as investors and traders helping in the local economy’s growth. “It’s delightful to know how foreigners who came here as tourists begin to like Samal and Davao, ending up in love with a local girl, raising their families and eventually putting up their investments here,” says regional trade director Marizon Loreto. “It’s a blessing for us to be at an advantage, resulting in local investments and providing jobs for our people,” Loreto says. PNA

Culion ...

PCCI: More foreign cash flow for oil ...

(From page 33) tion of a power bill of about 60 percent, there is royalty and there is VAT. Every time everything goes up, there is a VAT that goes with it. So, if (the government) can put a cap to it, the consumers can be relieved of additional costs,” Alejandro said. Recommendations PCCI’s resolution on power and energy likewise sought for the: ► Acceleration of the 100-percent privatization of the National Power Corp. and the appointment of an Independent Power Produc-

er Administrator within the next six months. ► Review of the unbundled rate of Transco, most specifically related to ancillary services. ► Government to mandate reforms in the electric cooperative sub-sector, by accelerating their incorporation so they would be more financially feasible and accessible and consequently address the plight of regional industries, particularly small and medium enterprises. ► State and the Joint Congressional Power Com-

mission to reassess the performance-based rate setting system the Energy Regulatory Commission approved. ► Assurance of sufficient and stable energy supply in Palawan, the Visayas, and Mindanao. ► Advocacy of and support to a comprehensive study of the different endemic/native energy plants as potential feedstocks for biofuel processing. ► Creation of a national energy plant research institute. PNA

(From page 26) Cantimbuhan and town officials earlier joined hands in airing a global appeal to end the stigma against lepers in Culion. Lyle Coruna, president of the Palawan Press Club, said: ”It is high time for people to learn that there is more to Culion than being an ex-leper colony and its people should be stripped off the social stigma that has been associated with it for so long. Culion has been given a chance to be seen for what it truly is - a beautiful paradise island with equally and warm-hearted residents.” Tourism in Culion Culion is part of the picturesque Calamianes chain of northern Palawan and it has shifted gear into tourism promotion. Culion is home to rare animals such as Philippine mouse deer (the world’s smallest hoofed animal), Palawan hornbills, anteaters and the Calamian deer. Its waters boast of mangroves, seagrasses and corals that support a diverse range of marine life, from the colorful butterfly fish to elusive dugongs. Tourism official Alfonso Alcantara said P20 million was allotted to develop Culion’s Pulanglupa View Deck for tourists. PNA

NOVEMBER 2008 Manila Media Monitor

35

ENTERTAINMENT

Diplomats and a diva Filipino-Canadian diva JOSIE DE LEON jams it up with former Philippine President FIDEL V. RAMOS (right) and Philippine Consul General in Toronto ALEJANDRO MOSQUERA (left) during recent ANCOP-Gawad Kalinga promo events, aimed at raising funds to build homes for the poor in the Philippines, in Ontario. PHOTOS: MIKE CADUCIO

Elise Estrada films Crash & Burn video VANCOUVER, BC - Filipino-Canadian music sensation Elise Estrada has started filming her new Crash & Burn video in Cancun, Mexico, according to Billboard Publicity Wire and PRWEB. Estrada’s Crash & Burn - along with songs Insatiable, UnLove You, These 3 Words, and Ix-Nay - have all earned Top 10 Hit Song status. A hot commodity in the pop-music world these days, spunky singer Elise debuted with an album of girl-power tracks. ELISE ESTRADA Today, she has a host of big concert dates with major international artists including Rihanna, 50 Cent, Backstreet Boys, Enrique Iglesias, Girlicious and Nelly. Elise was born in 1987 in Marikina City, the Philippines and came to Canada with her family when she was four.

She started singing at the age of five with the encouragement of her supportive parents. Acknowledging the love of many Filipinos for karaoke/videoke singing, Elise began to find her pipes by singing tunes popularized by Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey, and Michael Jackson - artists she regards as major influences. But she looks at Beyonce, R e g i n e Ve l a s q u e z and Vina Morales as her important influence. According to Elise: “I was the girl who sang with a hairbrush in hand in front of a mirror.” Estrada hopes to serve as an inspiration to her Filipino heritage. “The way I talk, the way I look, I don’t try to change anything. I think being Filipino makes me different, and it’s something to be proud of.” PR

Jasmine shines at BSO concert Young songstress Jasmine Elaine Ragual added excitement anew to a recent Brampton Symphony Orchestra (BSO) Sympfusion concert at Brampton’s Rose Theatre, as she belted out Broadway hits On My Own from Les Miserables and Reflections from Mulan arranged for her by BSO principal conductor Robert Raines. Her third performance with the BSO, Jasmine would once more join the symphony in its South Beach, Miami, Florida tour in March 2009. The BSO show also featured Robert Pilon, known for his roles in the musicals Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera, song stylist Toni Anderson and the Royal Conservatory’s Three Young Tenors. Jasmine has gone a long way with her singing,

having placed third in the USA WorldShowcase Talent competition and winning as Junior Champ in the CNE Rising Star search in Toronto. Later this November, she will appear in her first major role for the Christmas musical Ahmal and the Night Visitors of Mississauga’s City Centre Musical Productions. In January 2009, she

will at Las Vegas to record her first demo CD and will compete anew at the USA World Showcase. Jasmine is a youth member of the Federation of Filipino Canadians of Brampton and a junior member of the Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe of Canada. She is vocally coached by Eleanor Calbes. JOYCE RODRIGUEZ

ROBERT PILON & JASMINE RAGUAL

Journey’s RP concert in April?

ARNEL PINEDA (3rd from left), Filipino lead singer of famous American rock Journey, band takes a poser with Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, during a recent courtesy call at Malacañang. Pineda later serenaded the President with an a capella rendition of Jopurney hit song Open Arms. Pineda, tracing his roots in Arayat and San Fernando City in Pampanga, says he is proud to be a cabalen. He came with fiancee Cherry Flores and their three-year old son Cherub (1st and 2nd from left, respectively), father Restituto; brothers Roderick and Russmon; manager Bert de Leon, and violinist, John Lesaca. OPS

Talks are underway for famous American band Journey to stage its Asian tour between February and April next year. Bert de Leon, manager of Journey’s Filipino lead singer Arnel Pineda, said Journey planned to go on an Asian tour - that would include a performance in the Philippines - about the end of this year but the tour was postponed. Journey has concluded a 72-concert performance around the world, to include one in Toronto last summer, since February. De Leon said Journey’s concert in the Philippines would likely take place in an outdoor venue. “I think it is going to happen in April,” he added. Meanwhile, Pineda has returned to the Philippines on an indefinite R&R, de Leon said.

Arnel Pineda began his singing career in 1982, then 15 years old, as the lead singer of the Filipino musical group Ijos Band. In 1986, he joined the Amo, which won the Rock Wars contest, and the Philippine leg of the Yamaha World Band Explosion in 1988. In 1990, Pineda and other members of Amo formed another band called Intensity Five. That year, the new singing group entered the Yamaha World Band Explosion where Pineda won the Best Vocalist award, with his band winning the first runner-up plum. Later that year, Pineda formed another band, New Age, which performed in famous joints in Hong Kong. He later became the lead singer of the popular band The Zoo, which performed

at clubs in Manila and Olongapo. Videos of The Zoo performing cover songs by Journey, Survivor, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Air Supply, The Eagles, Kenny Loggins and other popular acts from the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s, began appearing on YouTube.com in Feb. 2007. On June 28, 2007, Neal Schon of Journey contacted Noel Gomez, a longtime fan and friend of Pineda, who uploaded many of the videos. After an audition, Pineda was announced as the new lead singer of Journey on Dec. 5, 2007. Pineda debuted as the lead singer of Journey on Feb. 21, 2008 at the Viña del Mar International Song Festival at the Quinta Vergara Amphitheater in Viña del Mar, Chile where he got raves from media. OPS

36

PCSM concerts to help KCCC, cancer-sick Katarina M. The Kalayaan Cultural Community Centre (KCCC) will be one of two recipients of the proceeds from a back-to-back Pamasko (Christmas) concert of the Philippine Choral Society of Mississauga (PCSM). The “gift” will go to KCCC’s mortgage reduction fund. The other beneficiary is five-year old Katarina Mangrobang who is suffering from cancer. The first presentation will be on Dec. 6 at the First United Church; the second at KCCC’s grand hall on Dec. 13. Both places are in Mississauga and both concerts will start at 8 p.m. Following PCSM’s concert at the KCCC is a reception and dancing. The PCSM has been singing for charity in the last 23 years. The chorale has participated in numerous community events. Under the baton of Imelda Espiritu-Papa, the group has sang for the sick, the church, organizations, scholarships and other worthy causes in Canada and the United States. It is a versatile group composed mostly of husbands and wives and their children. It has participated in local and international festivals and has won prizes for the group. It is affiliated with the Mississauga Arts Council and the Mississauga Recreation and Parks Department. This time, the PCSM will entertain the audience with old-time favorite and nostalgic Filipino and universal Christmas carols to help two worthy causes: a Filipino community center west of the Greater Toronto area and a sick five-year old beautiful child of God. The KCCC has requested the public to share a small part of their Christmas shopping money to either or both of the beneficiaries. PR

ENTERTAINMENT

Manila Media Monitor NOVEMBER 2008

THE PHILIPPINE CHORAL SOCIETY OF MISSISSAUGA

Miss Earth crown: From a Canadian to a Filipino

Outgoing Miss Earth 2007, Miss Canada JESSICA NICOLE TRISKO (right) crowns her successor Miss Philippines KARLA HENRY as Miss Earth 2008. Jessica (born 1984) is from Vancouver, British Columbia. Her father is of Ukrainian-Russian heritage, and her mother is Filipino. Wikipedia

Miss Philippines KARLA HENRY (2nd from left, front row) joins 84 other Miss Earth candidates during the swimwear presentation.

PATRICIA FERNANDEZ Miss Philippines Karla Henry, 22, was crowned the world’s greenest beauty, besting 84 other hopefuls in the 2008 Miss Earth pageant at the Expo amphitheatre in Clark Air Base, Pampanga on Nov. 9. In winning the crown, Karla has distinguished herself as the Philippines’ first ever Miss Earth and the pageant’s first winner from the Asian region. She also completed her winning streak by bagging five special major and minor awards: Miss Earth Designers, Miss Photogenic, Eagle Express, Miss Fontana, and Pasigandahan (for Manila). In Miss Earth history, Karla was the only winner who got the most awards. Meanwhile, Binibining Pilipinas International Patricia Fernandez could only go as far as the semifinals of the 48th Miss International pageant at the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel in Macau on Nov. 8. Fernandez vied with 62 other beauties from all over the world. Miss Spain, Alejandra Andreu, won the title. Filipino model-turnedTV host Precious Lara Quigaman won the Miss International title in 2005. In another development, Filipino-American

RYAN ROBERTS Ryan Roberts will seek the Philippines’ first title as the globe’s ‘handsomest’ male envoy, when he competes at the Mister International pageant in Kaohsiung, Taiwan on Nov. 23. A US Army soldier who served four years in Iraq, Roberts joined the Philippine search while on vacation in the country. He bested 14 other bets. “I am very much a Filipino as I am an American,” he said, “and although I grew up practically in the States, I have long been wanting to come back and reconnect with my roots.” “Everyone seems to be happy (in the Philippines), and even if life is not always easy, Filipinos somehow manage to smile and exhale their woes,” he added. Internet sources

Manila Media Monitor

GMA wins at 2008 CMMA PASAY CITY - The Philippines’ leading TV station GMA Network bagged a total of eight awards at the 2008 Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) staged at the Teatro ng GSIS here on Oct. 29. Established in 1978, the CMMA “pays tribute to those who promote Christian values in an outstanding way, in radio, press, advertising, television, and

film.” GMA programs took home four CMMA awards, its sister station Q Channel 11 acquired three, and the Kapuso Network’s AM station DZBB 594 received one award. The Serviam Awardee, an Institutional Category, was also handed to GMA’s Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko. CMMA Awardees include Mel & Joey for Best

Roundabout: Celebrity ... (From page 8) watch may not all be kiddie materials. I believe I have raised a mature family and smart children who by now can differentiate savory from bad programs, morally upright shows from distasteful ones,” explains Davao. Watching showbiz gossip shows on occasion, because of the demands of career and industry, becomes an iffy affair if Davao’s kids are around. “In a way I am thankful that I get to watch such programs with them. They have a lot of questions as a result of the irresponsible uttered by my colleagues. Also, Jackie and I are frequently at the merciless receiving end of questions like: Is that story true? To

which I often counter that a rumor is such because it is oftentimes malicious and unjust speculation. I don’t think my kids would have grown up to be open-minded and media smart if their parents were not around to answer their questions.” Ultimately, Davao points to the parent and the school as equally responsible in child rearing, following the popular African adage that it takes the entire village to raise a child. “School is the extension of the home. Bad programs are like bad strangers who you do not allow into the house. It is the call of the principal and teacher to take up the cudgels in parents’ behalf.” “But at home, it is my call as the parent.”

Talk Show; I-WITNESS “Batang Kalabaw” (episode by Jay Taruc) and Iskul Ko, No.1 (by Sandra Aguinaldo) tied for Best Adult Educational-Cultural Program; Mga Mata ni Angelita, for Special Citation in the Best Drama Series category; and Wish Ko Lang for Best Public Service Program. Q Channel 11 programs that were awarded that night included The Sweet Life, which tied with Mel & Joey for Best Talk Show; Kids on Q for Best Children’s Program; and Day Off that won Best Entertainment Program. Lastly, GMA’s AM station DZBB 594 took home the Best Drama Program award for Nagmamahal, Manay Gina. The 2008 CMMA awards night was organized by the Archdiocese of Manila and attended by key personalities in the print media, radio, television, music, and advertising industry in the Philippines. In Canada and the United States, GMA’s award winning shows are on GMA Pinoy TV, while programs on Q Channel 11 are available on GMA Life TV channel. Call your preferred pay TV operator to subscribe.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Manila Media Monitor NOVEMBER 2008

Christmas from the Heart Join the Philippine Press Club-Ontario (PPC-O) and Kol Hope Foundation, Inc. as its officers, members, friends and supporters celebrate the essence of the Yule Season in PPC-O’s Celebrity Night at Casa Manila on Dec. 19 from 7 p.m. onwards. Christmas From The Heart features live entertainment from Celebrity Talents Inah Canlapan, Cassandra Malabanan, ‘Elvis’ artist Zena Zagala and Ely Torrenuevo, and a host of other homegrown talents. Dinnershow (cash bar) tickets at $20 each.

DARIUS CIRIA

JOSIE and DARIUS in a duet

JOSIE DE LEON

PPC-O Celebrity Night features Josie, Darius CASA MANILA, Nov. 7, 2008 (All photos courtesy of MON DATOL)

ZENA ZAGALA

GIE ALVAREZ

Celebrity Group Filipino-Canadian Real Estate Association members

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BATID WIKA PAHALANG 1. Tawag sa ama 5. Tubig sa katawan 8. Sabaw ng sinaing 10. Uri ng asido 12. Inis 14. Tadtaran 16. Dumi sa bata 17. Listahan 19. Alyas ng boksingero 21. Ranillo, artista 22. Pantukoy 23. Tunog ng barya 24. Masama, Ingles 25. Katagang paniin 26. Titulo ng mayaman 28. Ibukod 30. Pamantasan sa Bisaya 31. Pagtatanggol sa kapwa 34. Mistula 36. Tandis

Celebrity Night host Philippine Press Club-Ontario members

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PHOTO ABOVE: Filipino-Canadian Real Estate Association (Filcrea) president Benny Jose (2nd from left) receives a Certificate of Gratitude from Philippine Press Club-Ontario (PPC-O) Celebrity Night co-chairmen Vice President Ace Alvarez (left) and Director Mon Datol (right), as PPC-O President Tenny Soriano (3rd from left) looks on. Filcrea, as Celebrity Group, sponsored the premier of the monthly PPC-O Celebrity Night at Casa Manila on Nov. 7. RIGHT PHOTO: The PPCO also awarded ‘Elvis’ artist Ely Torrenuevo, a DJ specialist, a certificate for lending his services to make the Celebrity Night a success.

NOVEMBER 2008 Manila Media Monitor

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Manila Media Monitor NOVEMBER 2008

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