Volume XXVII, No. 7 JULY 2009 www.filipinostar.org Four presidential candidates for 2009 FAMAS elections on Aug. 9 Chris Bautista Mel Domingo Au Osdon Flor Rillo This year’s FAMAS vote go to Van Horne Park, team, namely, Chris Bautista, need to publish the Star much elections attracted four different starting at 8:30 a.m.to 5:30 p.m. Mel Domingo, Au Osdon, and earlier than usual. We did not teams of candidates who are to vote for their candidates. Flor Rillo. Names of their have the time to offer our vying to be the new executive The Nominating Committee directors, except that of Chris advertising service to all parties board for two years, 2009-2011. headed by Bert Abiera received Bautista’s, appear in their who may be interested in A busy campaign willl surely be the papers of all the candidates individual advertisements in this publicizing their candidates, witnessed by Montrealers for by the July 9th deadline. newspaper. As our printing However, the Star is not the only the next two weeks until August The four candidates for press will close during the two See Page 5 FAMAS elections 9, when Montrealers eligible to president have each formed a weeks construction holiday, we First Congresswoman from Abra welcomed in Montreal By Ben B. Bade Montreal, July 14, 2009 - The first and only Congresswoman Contents representing the lone district of Abra, Hononorable Cecilia Seares-Luna, Cooperative News . p. 3 made a surprise visit to Montreal, on Tuesday, July 14, 2009. She was Tourism . p. 6 welcomed at Pierre Elliot Trudeau Airport by a group of Abranians from Community News . p. 10 Montreal and Toronto. She was feted at a local sushi and barbecue place, Philippine Cuisine . p. 11 Sakura Restaurant, on St. Charles Boulevard in Kirkland, through the Filstar Photo Gallery . p. 12 courtesy of Carlito Bade. In the evening, a reception was held in her Jerry Estrada Column . p. 15 honor at 6767 Cote des Neiges Community Centre in Montreal. Ask The Video Guy . p. 16 Congresswoman Cecilia Seares-Luna has been traveling with Showbiz Gossip . p. 18 President Macapagal since June 17, 2009 and visited Colombia, Brazil, Congresswoman Cecilia Seares-Luna, holding a bouquet, was met at the Pierre Elliot Trudeau Classified Ads . p. 21 on her surprise visit to Montreal. She is flanked by (from left) Bang Barba, Ben B. Bade, and See Page 5 Congresswoman Buena Bersalona. (Photo taken by Z. Kharroubi, July 14, 2009). HIGHLIGHTS 6210 Decarie Boulevard, Montreal, QC (cor. Van Horne) Telephone: 514-731-8881 From head to toe ..... beauty and care! www.filipinostar.org 2 The North American Filipino Star July 2009 What do you get when you EDITORIAL patronize the Filipino Coop? A clean, honest, and orderly election may Earn points to make your help FAMAS change people’s attitudes The Filipino Association of that they will do their best in serving the Montreal and Suburbs, popularly community but once elected, it seems share capital grow! known as FAMAS, has been plagued that the passion dies. In most cases, with problems. In spite of its popularity we have seen a few who carry the load as the biggest and the oldest of the whole executive board. This is a association, it has an image problem general pattern of most organizations - that is hard to change. Now that we it is a sad commentary but we all have have four different groups vying to be our own personal experiences when its future executive board, does it have people accept the position of being an a chance to be transformed into a officer but does not seem to have the credible organization? Will the people capacity to share the load of being a be willing to participate in a clean, leader. Often times, whoever is the democratic and honest election? It most industrious and committed remains to be seen if they will and if person fills up the slack of others in the they turn up in greater numbers. organization. It is a common knowledge that We do not want this vicious Filipinos in general love politics but cycle to continue. What we need in they are also known to be easily taken FAMAS are people who will do what by influence peddlers, specially in the they promise and who will be willing to Philippines where poverty has made share the burden of a leadership role. many poor people susceptible to be Voting for the right people to be the bought during elections. It is no leaders at FAMAS is a tricky and often wonder then that the government difficult task. It is easy to be swayed by elected with a price tag often run for friends who have their own election, not to serve the people but to preferences, perhaps not based on have the opportunity to get rich and any clear reason but on emotions. If New members who made the suggestion of a patronage refund box - Jane Bayangan reward their cronies. It is a sad and we really want our community to be (left) and Agnes Calgo (center) are the first ones to try it out while Joesie Bingayen, shameful story. Of course, there are progressive economically, socially and Gilmore College student volunteer cashier looks on (July 4, 2009) exceptions to the rule, but so far, there politically, we need leaders with a seems to be no end to this corruption vision, and who are committed to serve in different levels of our society and all, regardless of their origins, beliefs, Marché Coop Filipino and we cannot put the blame on any and social status. specific entity as this has been deeply FAMAS and its past leaders The Filipino Solidarity Cooperative rooted in the culture. We have read have all contributed something to the 4711 Van Horne Avenue some attempts by enlightenend community - some more than others. Montreal, QC H3W 1H8 groups to educate the people not to However, times have changed and our Tel.: 514-733-8915 allow themselves to be bought, but this community is growing in size but it is easier said than done. How can seems that we need to grow in many E-Mail: [email protected] people resist the glitter of money when other ways. There is not enough We thank you for your patronage. they and their children are starving? attention focused on economics. Most In a few weeks, we will have a COFFEE CLUB for our members and serve Obviously, the only way we can community leaders have been pre- organic coffee. We hope to diversify our services to increase revenue. eliminate corruption is through occupied with the social and religious Will our members be willing to come and use our Coffee Shop? economics, that is, to give people the aspects. There are organizations of Your participation in this random survey by e-mail to: [email protected] means to meet their basic needs - give different regions - Bicol, Ilocos, will be greatly appreciated. them jobs, and equal opportunities to Tagalog, Kapampangan, etc. All these improve themselves and their children. associations have their reasons to But the problem of poverty exist, but what they fail to have is the does not really apply to Filipino- involvement to work with the whole Order lechon for Saturday pick Canadians. After all, the money community regardless of regional up but we need at least a involved is just too small to make such origin. Perhaps, the new leadeship of minimum order of 15 lbs a big influence on voters yet, strangely FAMAS can take a new role - to enough, rumours have always demonstrate that it is possible to build ($11.99/lb) circulated that some people have our future by being involved in no later than Thursday. Lechon (big size) seen membership fees being paid by promoting cooperation. $240.00 plus delivery Call us at 514-733-8915 candidates. Why do they resort to this During this election, we would Litsong Manok charge to place your orders. method of campaigning? It is hoped like to encourage all our fellow citizens $11.49 each that this practice is not going to be to exercise their right to vote in order to continued anymore for it discourages elect the best people who will work for those who are sincere and honest from our future development. We need to running in elections. change attitudes of apathy and We have also known of selfishness - we can be more another common problem - progressive if we do. candidates are all eager to promise Zenaida Ferry Kharroubi 4950 Queen Mary Road Penthouse The North American Filipino Star Tel.: 514-485-7861 (5th Floor) near Snowdon Metro E-Mail: [email protected] SUBSCRIPTION Montreal, QC H3W 1X3 Name ____________________________________________________________ Zenaida Ferry Kharroubi Hilda T. Veloso Jean Janete Aguilar Chief Editor & Publisher Address:__________________________________________________________ Jerry Estrada Community News Telephone: (Home) _________________ Business: _____________________ Lina V. Fernandez Sam Ferry Mary Joy Lizarondo E-Mail: ___________________________________________________________ Dr. Victor Gavino Assistant Editor Sports News News & Tourism Prof. Isaac Goodine Nida Verginom Butaran Alvin D. Veloso 1 year (12 issues) $24 Bert Abiera Sales Representative Contributors Gift subscription Founder 2 years (24 issues) $40 Less 10% on the list price Opinions, comments of writers and columnists do not necessarily reflect that of the management of Filcan Publications, Inc. www.filipinostar.org July 2009 The North American Filipino Star 3 Finally, caregivers have COOPERATIVE NEWS access to CSST coverage Filipino Coop Coffee Shop/Internet the Labour Minister for not having Cafe will open soon remedied this unfair situation of caregivers since the spring when the We have survived the first membership shares - more details to new labour law was passed.