Volume XXXVIII No. 8 August 2020 Montreal, QC www.filipinostar.org

Schools across the country François Roberge. Nearly 85 per cent nSeed tco reophen buot it is onot clelar if threy eopening raises coof nthosecwheo cromnpleteds the will be the center of the second wave questionnaire said it will be either of infections. Most experts opinions "somewhat difficult" or "very difficult" to indicate that it is not a question of ensure public-health guidelines are whether of not there will be a second respected when classes resume in the wave as it is part of the nature of coming days. pandemics that there is always a All provinces have released second, or third wave but the only their reopening plans that cover how question is when and where that will be students will enter schools, when happening. masks will need to be worn, and what Parents and teachers are will happen if a student tests positive worried about the risks of reopening for COVID-19. schools for a variety of reasons but BRITISH COLUMBIA most of all they are not clear how Schools were originally things will work out in the scheduled for August 28, but it was implementation of the safety moved later to September 10. procedures. As part of the initial plan, With schools preparing to students would be divided into welcome back students and return to “learning groups” of 60 students for in-class learning for the first time since elementary-aged children and groups the COVID-19 pandemic was declared of 120 for high school students. in March, parents across the country These groups are not the class have been concerned about the level People attend a rally pertaining to concerns around the sizes, but rather the size of the groups of infection control precautions school reopening of schools amid COVID-19, held at the Saskatchewan students can interact with, which the boards will have in place. Legislative Building in Regina on Aug. 7,2020.BRANDON HARDER government says will reduce the risk of teaching amid the threat of COVID-19. Their responses indicate deep-seated With the start of school just transmission among students, while Nearly 2,000 teachers, concerns about their personal safety, days away in Quebec, teachers and improving contact tracing in the event principals and other education workers high levels of anxiety, confusion about other education workers around the of an outbreak. in public schools filled out an email government guidelines and province say the school system is still questionnaire circulated last week by widespread dissatisfaction with not prepared to resume in-class CBC Montreal and Radio-Canada. Quebec Education Minister Jean- See Page 7 Reopening schools Biden picks former Montrealer Kamala Harris aHarsris spcentha gooodipcorteion of hoer r vgiencerael. -president early life in Montreal and graduated The news did not go unnoticed from Westmount High in 1981 before in Montreal, where Harris spent a returning to the U.S. chunk of her early life. Mayor Valérie :FREDERIC TOMESCO Plante offered her congratulations in a Aug 12, 2020 (Montreal Gazette) tweet, underlining Harris’s status as the Could a former Montrealer be first Black woman in U.S. history to be on her way to the White House? on a major party presidential ticket. Democratic presidential Born in Oakland, Calif., Harris candidate Joe Biden selected moved here with her sister and mother California Senator Kamala Harris on at age 12, graduating from W estmount Tuesday as his choice for U.S. vice- High School in 1981 before returning to president in the Nov. 3 election. Harris, the U.S. Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee and former vice- president Joe Biden has announced Senator Kamala Harris as his vice- 55, is a former San Francisco district See Page 19 Kamala Harris presidential running mate in the 2020 election. They are seen in a July attorney and California attorney 2019 file photo. PHOTO BY SCOTT OLSON /Getty Images Do you want to learn to speak French or English fluently? Call 514-485-7861 to register by appointment. Flexible schedules, income tax deductible fees, private or small groups.

www.filipinostar.org 2 August 2020 The North American Filipino Star from wearing a religious symbol has Ideas that aren't championed From the Publisher’s desk discouraged some people from joining by the City such as economic the teaching profession. Now, due to the development, etc. aren't mentioned. risks of Covid 19 to older teachers, they Given that the City is Will schools be the have opted to retire early. It is therefore demanding major changes in how it obvious that the chronic shortage of operates, including the power to run a center for the teachers shall be with us for some time. deficit, the survey should be more It takes four years to have a student professional and better controlled if it is second wave of a graduate from a university course. It is to have any real value. Covid 19 pandemic? not like the PAB or personal support You can judge for yourself. The workers program that can be link to the survey is below: abbreviated in a few months which is Zenaida Ferry Kharroubi https://montreal.ca/actualites/consultati currently being done to fill up the on-prebudgetaire-participez- shortage of personnel in long term care lelaboration-du-budget-2021 It is a frightening thought that a broader community." institutions in Quebec But that isn't why I am writing today. You return to school evokes stress and The application seeks an We cannot emphasize enough may notice in clicking on the link that anxiety over the risks of the corona virus immediate injunction to restrain the B.C. that returning to school should be a the survey is in French only. I find that infections among students and teaching ministries of health and education from concern for all. If things go out of hand, appalling. staff. But closing schools for a longer reopening schools, and calls for a the whole community will be affected. The law does not prevent the period is not the ideal situation for it has judicial review of the government's plan. but it is important for all students to City from providing services or a negative impact on students’ Similarly, in Quebec, parents receive proper education. information in English. In fact, the education. Measures to diminish and teachers are very concerned that ‘’Could the return to school municipal Charter of Rights and infections in schools have been planned the government’s plans are not result in the start of a second wave?’’ Responsibilities specifically mentions with the guidance of health authorities. sufficient to protect them. No one has This question was asked in an interview services in English as a responsibility of However, it is not clear whether or not filed a suit but a protest rally at the of a health professional, Dr. Simon of the the municipality. they are sufficient to diminish the risks of Education Department was held Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, The City has always published a second wave of the virus infection. recently to call attention to the who answered: ‘’What we have seen budgetary information before. It is more Two parents in British Columbia filed a shortcomings of the measures planned. from experience in other countries than disappointing that this survey suit against the Education Department The participants at this rally pointed out where schools have either remained which is simple and inexpensive to for they worry that teachers and that the schools would have been open or reopened is that that process of translate is offered in French only. students are like ‘’guinea pigs’’ in this opened for two weeks before the school school reopening hasn’t typically In fact, it seems to be part of a reopening of schools. They want to service centers introduce their resulted in a significant increase in pattern. Less information now seems to stop the provincial government from emergency measures by September 15. community transmission or second be appearing in English. reopening kindergarten to Grade 12 Moreover, they are being asked to do a wave. When Mayor Plante decided to classes unless tougher COVID-19 safety lot with less resources. Besides doing So, school reopening really close the police station in the NDG measures are imposed. the extra work of cleaning, sanitizing, needs to be seen in the context of all the neighbourhood - with no consultation - The action lists alleged "failures" they are also required to do catch up other things we are doing as a society, the original document for the in the back-to-school plan, including the work for the time the students missed all the other ways in which we are "information" session that was held after failure to impose mandatory face classes as well as to provide on line interacting. the fact was in French only. The masks, implement physical distancing, learning for those who are unable to If we continue to take neighbourhood is largely English reduce class sizes and provide all come to school. There is also an precautions, both within school and out speaking. students with the option of virtual additional load to take care of students of school, then hopefully, we will It was only a major public learning. with special needs. decrease the chance of seeing a uproar that saw the document The suit labels the current plan The safety measures look great community-wide recurrence.” translated the week before the meeting — to allow the full–time return of nearly on paper but the practicality of Hopefully is what we can say at in which the public was told that the all of B.C.'s 591,000 elementary and implementing them is questionable. this point because no one really knows police station would close no matter secondary school students on Sept. 10 With the shortage of teachers, class how much control we have over a virus what anyone had to say about it. — "nonsensical," "unconscionable" and sizes are too large to keep social that has caused so much destruction in But I find the refusal to provide "not only endangers the lives of students distancing possible. Furthermore, Bill the economy and loss of lives. It seems an English version of a budget survey and teachers, but also that of the 21 that prohibits public service workers that we may be able to avoid a second particularly egregious. Given how easy wave if all the measures planned for our it is to have an English version, I have to safety are followed diligently. Subscription request mail to: believe that it was a conscious decision. -oOo- 7159 ch. de la Cote des Neiges Attached is my letter sent Montreal, QC H3R 2M2 earlier this week to Benoit Dorais, the President of the Executive Committee, Name: ______saying in no uncertain terms that the Address: ______City is doing a major disservice to a ______large part of its population. Telephone: ______E-mail: ______Realistically, I don't believe Plante and Dorais will accede to my reasonable request. The solution will 1 year 2 years need to be political. Montreal needs a 12 issues $36 24 issues $60 new, more responsive and more respectful administration. Please issue cheque payable to: North American Filipino Star. Montrealers head to the polls for a municipal election in November 2021.Issues such as the lack of respect Marvin Rotrand to the English-speaking population in City Councilor, Snowdon Montreal should be a motivation for us to change the administration but there Dear Friend, are so many more reasons to do so as well. Valerie Plante has launched a In the months to come, I will be 7159 ch. de la Cote des Neiges Tel.: 514-485-7861/ 514-506-8753 consultation as to some ideas in regard providing regular updates as to how a Montreal, Quebec H3R 2M2 E-Mail: [email protected] .. to the 2021 budget. strong and competent team will be put www.filipinostar.org Published by: Filcan Publications, Inc The survey has been criticized forward that you will be proud to in the media as slanted and not credible support. Zenaida F. Kharroubi - anyone can fill it out multiple times, In the meantime, we should as W.G. Quiambao Fely Rosales Carino Chief Editor etc. and the choices given reflect what Tagalog Columnist a community let Plante know that we Society New s Publisher - North .American the City wants rather than a broader don't accept being ignored in our own Filipino Star April 1998-present array of choices that citizens might city. Bert Abiera Sam Kevin want. Founder-Publisher, Filipino Star Show Biz News & Layout Editor An example is in terms of Yours truly, Nov. 1982- Nov. 97 priorities do you want more active The opinions expressed by the writers and columnists do not necessarily reflect transit (bicycle paths) or more Marvin Rotrand that of the management of the North American Filipino Star nor its editors. composting ? City Councillor - Snowdon August 2020 The North American Filipino Star 3 Quebec announces plan to deal with second wave of COVID-19, avoid fatal failures of the spring Plan includes more than $100M in COVID-19 outbreak in Canada between care managers who don't follow the rules medical supplies, including N95 masks additional funding for public health March and June. The province averaged will face consequences." and surgical gloves, and identifying local authorities nearly 1,000 new cases per day in early The province is in the process of manufacturers for other medical Jonathan Montpetit · CBC News · May and registered hundreds of deaths rushing 10,000 new attendants through equipment. Posted: Aug 18, 2020 every week. The vast majority of the deaths were residents of long-term care homes — known in French as CHSLDs — or private seniors' residences (RPAs). It's believed the infections were often spread by staff who, at the outset of the pandemic, were forced to work at multiple locations because of severe personnel shortages. ' Hospitalizations and death have declined steadily since June, and government officials have spent the summer months trying to identify what Health Minister Christian Dubé exactly went wrong in the spring. outlined Tuesday a nine-point plan On Tuesday, Dubé and the aimed at strengthening various minister responsible for seniors and points of the health-care system. informal caregivers, Marguerite Blais, (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian blamed a host of pre-existing issues for This summer, around 10,000 people have been going through an Press) the health-care system's inability to abbreviated training program to become a patient attendant in Quebec. The Quebec government is respond effectively to the crisis. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press) giving its beleaguered health-care Both said long-standing staffing an abbreviated training program. Dubé There will be a second wave system six weeks to fix the problems that shortages in CHSLDs were a problem said that should be sufficient to solve the Though Quebec saw an caused the novel coronavirus to spread before their party, the Coalition Avenir staffing shortage issue. increase in reported cases at the start of throughout the province this spring, Québec, took power in 2018. Another important element of July as it lifted several lockdown killing nearly 6,000 people in its wake. Blais, who was seniors minister the plan is to ensure each CHSLD in the measures, infection rates have dropped Health Minister Christian Dubé under the Liberals as well, said past province has an accountable manager, in recent weeks. The province is now revealed an ambitious series of reforms budget cuts meant long-term homes who will be responsible for overseeing averaging fewer than 100 new cases per on Tuesday that he wants to see in place were short on infection-control infection control as well as staffing. day. by Sept. 30. They range from faster resources. Other elements of Dubé's But with schools set to reopen at testing to new staffing procedures, from And Dubé said past reforms by second-wave plan include: full capacity starting next week, and better infection control to more the Liberals left CHSLDs without • Procedures to ensure colder weather on the way, Dubé sought accountable managers. accountable managers. vulnerable populations, such as to prepare Quebecers for what to expect Dubé also announced $106 A central element of his second- homeless people and at-risk youth, can in the fall. million in additional funding for regional wave plan is bringing an end to the still access health and social services "There will be a second wave. public health authorities to hire 1,000 full- practice of patient attendants working in during a second-wave of infections. I'm saying that because I wouldn't want time employees to conduct contact different long-term care homes or on •Hospitals being asked to avoid people to be disappointed when there tracing. different floors, in order to reduce cross- cancelling elective surgeries and other are outbreaks in a hospital, a CHSLD or "We learned a lot of from the first contamination. important medical procedures. even in a school," he said. wave," Dubé said at a news conference The second wave is coming. Thousands of procedures were But this time, he added, "the in Quebec City. "We drew lessons from Here's what public health experts say we cancelled in the spring in order to free up health-care system will be able to the things we did well, and not so well." should expect hospital space that, in the end, wasn't respond more rapidly." ## Quebec — and Montreal in "Let me be clear: there will be no needed. particular — was the epicentre of the mobility [of staff]," Dubé said. "Health- •Increasing strategic reserves of

after the first ballot. Canadians in all regions of the country and Erin O'Toole wins Conservative leadership In his acceptance speech, from diverse backgrounds. O'Toole promised to work to unite the "I believe that whether you are race, reaches out to broaden blue tent party, champion Conservative values, and Black, white, brown or from any race or hold Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to creed, whether you are LGBT or straight, account. whether you are an Indigenous Canadian "We must continue to point out or have joined the Canadian family three Liberal failings and corruption, but we must weeks ago or three generations ago," he also show Canadians our vision for a said. stronger, more prosperous and more "Whether you're doing well or united Canada," he said. barely getting by. Whether you worship on "Canada can and must do better Friday, Saturday, Sunday or not at all … and Conservatives will work hard to earn you are an important part of Canada and the trust and confidence of Canadians in you have a home in the Conservative the next election." Party of Canada." (Condensed for space) Acknowledging the party needs Kathleen Harris · CBC News · to broaden its base to win the next Posted: Aug 23, 2020 election, O'Toole reached out to all EXPRESCO FOODS Inc. is looking for: PRODUCTION PERSONNEL (General Production) Salary range SANITATION TECHNICIANS between MACHINE OPERATORS 13.50-18 $ / hr FULL-TIME to join our production team. œrin O’Toole on the stage with his family and Andrew Scheer cheering for Benefits (Group his victory on Monday night (Photo: Washington Post) insurance, RRSP, Erin O'Toole has won the per cent of the votes on the third and final Share purchase * Bring your CV to: leadership for the Conservative Party, ballot, compared to 43 per cent for Refrigerated 8205 Transcanadienne (cor. Poirier) promising to present a vision to make second-place contender Peter MacKay. environment Ville Saint Laurent, QC O'Toole claimed victory after Canada more prosperous and reaching 0 out to broaden the party's base of taking support from Leslyn Lewis, who (5-7 C) OR by email supporters. finished with a surprisingly strong to: [email protected] After a six-hour delay due to performance but dropped off on the *after 6 months of OR by fax at 514-344-6793 glitches with the ballots, O'Toole took 57 second ballot. Derek Sloan dropped off service www.filipinostar.org 4 The North American Filipino Star August 2020 · Prior to this temporary policy change, a person applying as a New temporary public policy will allow temporary resident would usually need to apply for their initial work permit before they came to Canada. If they visitors to apply for a work permit were already in Canada with visitor status when they were approved for a Cwhanigetinhtenodedutotbenehfit eampvloyierns gthey tdidon’t halvee aajobvoffeer to Cbe aable nQauotde a work permit, they would need to leave who are still facing difficulties finding to apply for a new work permit. Some “We have heard from Canada and return before their work workers employers in Canada have also faced employers who continue to face permit was issued to them. August 24, 2020—Ottawa— ongoing labour and skills shortages challenges recruiting and hiring the Associated links Visitors who are currently in Canada throughout this period, including those workers they need during the · How COVID-19 is affecting IRCC: and have a valid job offer will be able to who provide important goods and pandemic. At the same time, some Foreign workers apply for an employer-specific work services that Canadians rely on. visitors in Canada may be able to · Process for public policy applicants permit and, if approved, receive the To be eligible, an applicant contribute their skills where there are who have had a work permit in the past permit without having to leave the looking to benefit from this temporary labour shortages. The measures 12 months country, thanks to a new public policy public policy must have valid status in introduced today will now allow visitors · News release: Government announced today by the Honourable Canada as a visitor on August 24, 2020 to apply for work permits without announces help for employers to meet Marco E.L. Mendicino, Minister of and remain in Canada have a job offer having to leave the country first. This their labour needs Immigration, Refugees and submit an application for an employer- exemption from the normal temporary Citizenship. specific work permit that is supported work permit requirements is aimed at This temporary policy change by a Labour Market Impact removing barriers to create a more takes effect immediately and will Assessment (LMIA) or an LMIA-exempt agile workforce that leverages visitors benefit employers in Canada who offer of employment, no later than with the skills and experience to continue to face difficulties finding the March 31, 2021, meet all other accelerate our economic recovery.” workers they need, as well as standard admissibility criteria —The Honourable Marco E.L. temporary residents who would like to This temporary public policy Mendicino, P.C., M.P., Minister of contribute their labour and skills to also provides the opportunity for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s recovery from the COVID-19 applicants who meet these criteria and Quick facts pandemic. who had a valid work permit in the past · Any type of visitor who meets the During the pandemic, 12 months to begin working for their criteria is eligible to apply under this temporary residents who remained in new employer before their work permit new public policy, including super visa Canada were encouraged to maintain application has been fully approved. holders, business visitors and those valid legal status. With air travel limited To do so, they need to follow the who entered Canada through a Global around the world, some visitors to instructions for the process described Skills Strategy work permit exemption. Canada have been unable to leave, here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immi · Foreign nationals who arrive in while some foreign workers had to grationrefugecitizenship/services/work Canada as visitors after August 24, change their status to visitor because -canada/permit/temporary/after-apply- 2020, are not eligible under the public their work permit was expiring and next-steps.html#visitors policy.

Thoughtful, innovative': B.C. education minister endorses finalized back-to- school plans from 60 districts B.C. students are set to head back to protect children and adults from class on Sept. 10 COVID-19. Roshini Nair · CBC News · Posted: "We are going to remain Aug 26, 2020 5:00 AM PT | Last flexible," said Fleming, adding many Education Minister Rob districts were adding options that Fleming said Wednesday he was weren't conceivable a few months ago. impressed by the "thoughtful, Plans reflect each district's innovative approach" taken by the needs, minister says province's 60 school districts in At the centre of the province's crafting their pandemic-ready back-to- guidelines, released July 29, is a plan school plans. to place students in learning groups of Across the province, students 60-120 children that will allow for social B.C. Education Minister Rob Fleming (cbc.ca) can expect a gradual restart of classes interaction while limiting potential able to continue to serve up. beginning Sept. 10, with measures in exposure to the novel coronavirus and communities." A physical distancing sign is place to prevent widespread COVID-19 simplifying the process of contact Fleming says all elementary pictured in the hallway of Bridgeview transmission. tracing. and middle schools will have access to Elementary in Surrey, British Columbia Wednesday marked the One of these cohorts could full-time in-class instruction in on Wednesday, August 26, 2020. (Ben deadline for all 60 school districts in include, for example, two elementary accordance with public health Nelms/CBC) B.C. to have their return-to-school school homeroom classes that eat measures. Secondary schools with Secondary students in grades plans available to parents. Each district lunch together and share recess time, larger populations will offer a blend of 10-12 will only have 30 peers in their should have its local plan posted or a group of high school students who in-class and remote learning. cohort, while students in grades eight online. are taking the same classes. The vast majority of school and nine will have 60. "There are consequences for Face masks will be required in districts are moving to a quarterly The school year will run on a children who are not in school for a high-traffic areas like hallways and on system, where student are taught two quarterly system. Each day will be prolonged period of time," said buses but not in classrooms. courses per quarter, to offer the most broken into two blocks, with secondary Fleming, saying it was extremely Rob Fleming says schools are student choice and reduce physical students spending one block in the important to get students back into a more secure and controlled than contact between staff and students. classroom and the other primarily school setting. public spaces like shopping malls. Some school districts, however, are online and children in grades eight and "Education is a must for all Each district's plan follows these core moving to an eight-course system — nine spending both blocks in class. children ... and it must be delivered in principles, but the details of each plan where there is one course taught every District superintendent Jordan the best and safest way possible," he will depend on the student population, five weeks. Tinney has said the main focus of said. the type of building/facilities available Some school districts released Surrey's plan is to keep those cohort Fleming's update comes as and course offerings. plan details early sizes as small as possible. parents and teachers are expressing "It will look different in different Recent days had already seen With files from Bethany Lindsay their anxieties about sending children parts of the province. It always does. a number of school districts roll out back to school during the pandemic. That's the great diversity of education their plans for September. The B.C. Teachers' Federation has in B.C.," said Fleming. B.C.'s largest school district, called for smaller class sizes and "All districts will have funding Surrey, offered a sneak peek last week stricter face mask regulations to secured and funding flexibility to be at its plans for students in Grade 8 and www.filipinostar.org August 2020 The North American Filipino Star 5 Important new measures on post-graduation work permit eligibility for students beginning programs online Ottawa, August 26, 2020— program with a start date from May to students affected by the COVID-19 length of a future post-graduation work Many prospective international September 2020 and study online up pandemic, including: permit, provided they are able to students who would like to study in to April 30, 2021, and who graduate Applying for a study permit complete at least 50% of their program Canada this fall are facing uncertainty from more than one eligible program of Students who have submitted in Canada. due to travel restrictions. Immigration, study, may be able to combine the a complete application will receive Students enrolled in programs Refugees and Citizenship Canada length of their programs of study when priority processing and will be ready to between 8 and 12 months in length recognizes this, and will continue to they apply for a post-graduation work travel to Canada soon after travel that started during the spring, summer ensure that Canada’s immigration permit in the future, as long as 50% of restrictions are modified. or fall terms (from May to September) programs are flexible to respond to their total studies are completed in IRCC has introduced 2-stage of 2020 will be able to apply for a post- these uncertainties with 3 new Canada. study permit processing for students graduation work permit if they measures on post-graduation work To be eligible for these who can’t submit a complete complete their entire program outside permit eligibility for students beginning measures, students must have application. This includes a first-stage of Canada. programs online. submitted a study permit application eligibility assessment and a final Students enrolled in a These changes are being before starting a program of study in decision based on admissibility program with a start date from May to implemented to provide more flexibility the spring, summer, or fall 2020 requirements in the second stage. September 2020 who study online up on eligibility rules for the Post- semester, or the January 2021 This allows applicants who to April 30, 2021, and who graduate Graduation Work Permit Program for semester. All students must eventually have been unable to provide from more than one eligible program of students who need or want to start be approved for a study permit. biometrics, police certificates or the study, may be able to combine the their Canadian study program online The easing of COVID-19 results of an immigration medical length of their programs of study when from abroad. related restrictions will depend on the examination to get an initial they apply for a post-graduation work Three changes are being progress made in Canada and around assessment. If approved, they can feel permit in the future, as long as 50% of introduced: the world in containing the spread of reassured that they have already met their total studies are completed in · Students may now study online the coronavirus. IRCC will continue to most of the criteria for a study permit. Canada. from abroad until April 30, 2021, with closely monitor the situation and IRCC aims to process all first- Students already in Canada no time deducted from the length of a assess whether further changes are stage eligibility assessments before Students in Canada in the future post-graduation work permit, needed. the start of the fall semester. When a winter, spring and summer terms who provided 50% of their program of study Facilitative measures to student is approved through both were forced to study online, reduce is eventually completed in Canada. support international students affected stages, they will be ready to travel to their studies to part-time, or take a · Students who have enrolled in a by the COVID-19 pandemic Canada once travel restrictions are break from their studies completely, as program that is between 8 and 12 From: Immigration, Refugees and modified. a result of restrictions on classroom months in length, with a start date from Citizenship Canada Eligibility for the Post- learning due to the COVID-19 May to September 2020, will be able to Backgrounde r Graduation Work Permit pandemic, are allowed to continue complete their entire program online Immigration, Refugees and Program working on- or off-campus if their study from abroad and still be eligible for a Citizenship Canada has made a Students can study online post-graduation work permit. number of temporary policy changes from abroad until April 30, 2021, See Page 13 Eligibility · Students who have enrolled in a intended to support international without affecting their eligibility or the

www.filipinostar.org August 2020 6 The North American Filipino Star emptied. She said she does not want management of the Immigration and to leave me alone waiting in the dark. I Integration Inc. She also served as a PERSONALITY OF THE MONTH will remember this class act for a very former administrative assistant of long time! Concordia University. She studied By Fely Rosales-Cariño Michelle is in her prime, Regulated Canadian Immigration at La enjoying her life to the hilt. She pours Salle College, Montreal. She earned a out her heart in her music. A Bachelor of Commerce, Marketing at songwriter and a performing artist, she John Molson School of Business, and sings and dances during her concerts. Bachelor of Business Management at Also a music teacher, she gives free Concordia College in Manila, voice lessons for people whose ages Philippines. She also attended Jose range from 7 to 77 years old. Clearly Rizal University. passionate about music, she started In spite of her busy working singing at a very young age. She can hours, Michelle somehow finds time to switch genres, singing pops to ballads accommodate community events as a with considerable ease. The word guest performer. A few of these are: multitalented fits Michelle very well. the Filipino Heritage Society of Why, she is also a choreographer, no Montreal (FHSM) in June 2020, Pista small feat! Often invited to perform, Sa Nayon, the Bayanihan Spirit she’s no stranger to audiences of the (Tulungan), Filipino Canadian highest standard. Music afficionados Association of West Island (FCAWI) would consider her a master Independence Ball in Olympia Hall, performer. Dollard des Ormeaux, Filipino All of these attributes have Association of Montreal and Suburbs catapulted her to the Presidency of the (FAMAS) Independence Ball in Holiday Filipino Canadian Artist Association of Inn, Cote-De-Liesse, Seniors of West Quebec (FCAAQ). Because of her Island and Suburbs (SWIS) popularity and immense talent, she is Independence Ball at Olympia Hall, often invited to attend or perform at DDO, Filipino Heritage Day Picnic in Filipino functions. She was once Olympia Park, Pincourt, Quebec, invited by the Philippine Ambassador Panday Tinig of Montreal performance Petronila Garcia to attend the opening at Oscar Peterson Hall, Montreal. of the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa. What do people say about She was in awe at the huge space, the Michelle? They acknowledge this neatness and the hospitality of the staff powerful performer. They admire her embassy. One has to visit our embassy friendliness and civic mindedness. in Ottawa to see how nice it is. As one This explosive dynamite fully deserves observer said, “To see is to believe.” the accolades that come her way. Michelle said “I am proud of our Kudos, Michelle! This is my prayer for Young, beMautiicfulh, ellaend VacormgmausnityLaasso et. She’s also blessed Philippine Embassy in Ottawa; you: May the Lord bless you and keep charismatic are words that easily apply with a very kind heart. At the end of everyone should visit the building.” you, may the Lord make His face shine to Michelle Vargas Lao, our Personality one of her concerts, she waited Michelle can boast of an on you and be gracious to you, may of the Month. Seemingly born with patiently with me for my lift to arrive, impressive resume. She created and the Lord turn His face toward you and vigor and vivacity, she’s a natural though the venue has long been manages the Michelle Vargas Lao give you peace (Numbers 6: 24-26). (MVL) services, which includes the

and Canadian-based cultural & dance groups, with MonTorralba as the musical PIDC Mabuhay Philippines Festival 2020: A Historic director. Individual presentations were amazingly rendered by known Filipino- Bay:nTodny AS. SuancJucane, OsCsT-Rfeutireld Virtual Event Canadian professional and amateur The Philippine Independence singers, dancers and performers and Day Council-PIDC holds a very PIDC beauty pageant winners. Brief successful first-ever online show, messages also were delivered by "Mabuhay Philippines Virtual Festival several community leaders and 2020". PIDC, a 22 -year-old celebrities. quintessential non- profit composite Among the festival organizers organization in the Greater Toronto Area, and community leaders who Ontario has organized and presented spearheaded the pioneering project the big Filipino culture-focused event were Norma Carpio, Agnes Pasaporte over 2 days on August 22 and 23, 2020 Miranda and Ramon Estaris, PIDC via its Facebook page and Website. With President who were ably assisted by hardworking PIDC Executive Officers, the theme "Pamana" or heritage, the supporters were the Family Dentistry of Marco Mendicino, Minister of Children, and Board of Directors. summer project was in honour and Dr. Victoria Santiago-Liu, Mel Galeon's Family & Social Development Ahmed With more than 18,000 viewers grateful recognition of all Filipino health FV Foods, Saladmaster, MegaWorld, Hussen, Grammy Award Winner Jhett and still "liking", the "online attendees" front liners and essential workers across UMAC, Barrio Fiesta Overlea, AFCA, Tolentino and Gawad Kalinga President have posted their highly "discriminating the globe. ABC Accountants, and Max's Restaurant Pidoy Pacis were undertaken by the verdicts" saying that the event was Superbly hosted by Melissa & Paper Crane. hosts and a panel of interviewers indeed a trail-blazing and incomparable Grelo, a CTV television personality and The 11:00 am - 8:00 pm. EST composed of PIDC community leaders. centrepiece of Filipino heritage, culture "The Social" show host with Cristina simulated video activity highlighted The fashion show presented designs by and tradition in virtual images. Carpio, Brand Strategist and Editor- in- several interesting, informative and renowned Filipino couturiers Renee Chief of Marquee Magazine, as co-host entertaining segments. Among which Salud, Francis Libiran, Kenneth Barlis, and Event Director. The 9- hour were congratulatory messages delivered Shanon Pamaong, Jaki Penalosa, and marathon presentation has showcased virtually in person by Canadian Prime Ditta Sandico with great performances wonderfully the best and the brightest of Minister Justin Trudeau, Philippine of Ma-Anne Dionisio, Martha Joy, Emilio talents and stars in the Filipino- Ambassador Petronila Garcia, Ontario Zarris & Belinda Corpuz in the Fashion Canadian community including the Premier Doug Ford, Philippine Consul Show segment. Special appearances home country's Philippine cultural General Orontes Castro, Toronto Mayor were made by Miss Universe 2018 troupes. Presented by TD Canada Trust, John Tory, MP Michael Levitt, MPF Catriona Gray, Movie-TV actor Sam the virtual event was also sponsored by Chairman Norma Carpio, MPF Co-chair Milby. Miss International 2013 Bea Rose TFC-The Filipino Channel, Agnes Agnes Pasaporte Miranda and PIDC Santiago and Ms. Joey Albert. Pasaporte Miranda of WFG-World President Ramon Estaris. Performing awesome Financial Group, Imperial World Inc. and Interviews with Federal Minister entertainment and musical numbers partnered by CTV Media. Other of Immigration, Refugee & Citizenship during the show were popular Philippine www.filipinostar.org August 2020 The North American Filipino Star 7 Filipino-Canadians bid farewell to the Philippine

Ambassador Petronila Garcia via a VirtualtionDs inethesGpreateer Tdoroindto Aa rea, as well as Senator Yonah Martin, Member of Parliament Nelly Shin, and Member of Provincial Parliament Vijay Thanigasalam. Interspersed between the various messages for the Ambassador were musical performances by Ron Michael Adea and diva Lilac Cana. Ambassador Garcia thanked the participants during the two events and expressed how touched she was by their messages. She recalled the many developments that have taken Some of the participants from community organizations from Eastern place during her six-year tenure and Canada are shown above. Filipino culture and the arts while A second farewell event was the projects that the Philippine Petronila Garcia Embassy completed in collaboration (Photo: Phil.Canadian Enquirer) others expressed their appreciation for hosted online by Mrs. Rosemer August 25, 2020, the consular outreach missions held Enverga on the same day. The event with the various Filipino organizations. Ottawa – Filipinos throughout Eastern by the Philippine Embassy in their was attended by religious, cultural, She credited the positive image of Canada gathered today for two unpre- provinces every year. and civic-oriented Filipino organiza- Filipinos in Canada to the hard work cedented farewell events held in honor and achievements of the Filipino of outgoing Philippine Ambassador community. She enjoined all Petronila P. Garcia. attendees to continue to extend the In the first event, members of same support for the Philippine different Filipino community Embassy and the next Ambassador. organizations in Ottawa, ON, Montreal, QC, Fredricton, NB, Halifax, NS, and Summerside, PEI, congregated online in a despedida for the Ambassador hosted by the Embassy of the Philippines in Canada. During the virtual farewell, representatives from the various organizations delivered heartfelt messages for the Ambassador, thanking her for her dedicated service and her efforts to reach out to the Filipino diaspora throughout the The Heads of Missions of the Asia Pacific Group of Ambassadors and High Commissioners bid farewell to Ambassador Garcia as the latter The Philippine Embassy relocated country. Some of the participants also ends her tour of duty and turns over the Deanship to Brunei High to its own building - July 1, 2016 thanked her for always highlighting Commissioner Pg Kamal Bashah Pg Ahmand (top, second from left) 30 Murray St., Ottawa K1N 5M4

and contactless thermometers will also distribution of these items will be tied to thousands of Manitobans.” From Page 1 Reopening schools be provided by the province. school enrolment and staff numbers. ONTARIO Should an outbreak of COVID- Most school divisions in the The Ontario government Every student and staff member 19 occur, affected schools could move province will require masks when announced on July 30 that elementary will be given two masks upon returning to partial in-class learning or at-home schools reopen on Sept. 8. While there school students and many high school to school. Masks will be mandatory for learning. Students with symptoms of is no official mandate, the province said students will return to the classroom full- middle school and high school students COVID-19 will be required to get tested it was purchasing masks to distribute to time in September. in situations where physical distancing is and only be allowed back into class after schools in the event the chief medical Elementary students will return not possible, such as hallways and on a negative result. officer deems them necessary. to class five days a week for full days, buses. Education Minister Adriana which will include recess and lunch. Elementary school students are MANITOBA LaGrange said parents won't be forced The Manitoba government Class sizes will not be restricted. not required to wear a mask. to send their kids to school if they don’t announced on July 30 that elementary Students will see changes in the The provincial government is feel it’s safe. However, it would be up to school students will be heading back to times for recess, lunch, and bathroom also spending $45.6 million to help the parents to work with the school to school full-time on Sept. 8, while high breaks, however. schools prepare for the upcoming develop a plan for their child’s at-home school students may be required to While most high schools will school year, which will go towards learning. conduct online classes, depending on reopen under the same stipulations, 24 increased cleaning expenses, hand- each school’s ability to implement the school boards across the province will washing stations and additional supplies SASKATCHEWAN In June, Saskatchewan necessary physical distancing have classes capped at 15 students and for students and teachers. announced that in-classroom learning regulations. will alternate days or schedules to ALBERTA will resume in the fall, releasing a set of Each school must ensure ensure schools remain at 50 per cent Students in Alberta will head guidelines to help school divisions students working remotely have access capacity. back to the classroom with full-time prepare. But the bulk of the planning will to the necessary technology. Non-medical masks will be schedules in September, with a number fall to school divisions and school Classrooms will be configured mandatory for students from Grade 4 to of new health measures in place, boards. to support physical distancing, including Grade 12. Grade 3 students will be including grouping students in cohorts According to the provincial the use of multi-purpose rooms, if encouraged to wear a mask in common to limit contact, staggering start times for guidelines, staff, parents and students needed. Where physical distancing areas, though it is not required. classes, recesses and lunches, and are encouraged to limit physical contact, requirements can’t be met, students will Teachers and school staff will daily COVID-19 screening but they note that physical distancing is be placed in cohorts. be given medical masks. questionnaires. Class sizes, however, “less practical” for younger students. Lunch breaks and recesses will Parents will be asked to self- will not be limited. Although the province says general use be staggered and protocols will be screen students each day and to keep a Staff and students in Grades 4 containers need to be available, implemented to reduce congestion in child at home if they are experiencing to 12 will be required to wear masks in students and staff are encouraged to the hallways and common areas. any symptoms. common areas and on school buses. have their own hand sanitizer on hand. Masks will be mandatory for Some school boards have The province will provide two reusable In a statement to CTV News, students in Grades 4 to 12. Originally, decided to go beyond the province’s masks for each student, teacher and Regina Public Schools said it’s looking the province decided not to require rules. The Toronto District School Board staff member in the province. Staff will at protective screens, water bottle fillers masks in schools, but it later reversed its also be given one face shield each to be and even air purifying systems for the decision, with the premier citing "the used at their discretion. Hand sanitizer See Page 8 Reopening schools upcoming school year, but note that input of literally thousands and www.filipinostar.org August 2020 8 The North American Filipino Star large gatherings will not be permitted. As From Page 7 Reopening schools well, cafeterias and school food programs decided in August that it will require will deliver food to students, and students students from kindergarten to Grade 12 to will eat lunch at their desks. wear masks at school where physical High school students will be distancing cannot be maintained. The required to wear a mask in school spaces TDSB, which is Canada's largest school where social distancing is not possible, board, also said that it would use reserve such as in hallways and common areas. funds to maintain varying classroom caps, Masks will not be mandatory in class. including a max of 20 students in Grade 4- PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND 8 classes at schools in neighbourhoods Full-time classes will also resume with higher levels of COVID-19. Compiled data from in P.E.I., where staff will receive training on educational research by QUEBEC how to maintain health and safety Zenaida F. Kharroubi With full-time classes set to protocols within classrooms to mitigate resume in September, Quebec’s plan infections. Paul Reville says COVID-19 school closures includes dividing elementary and high Parents are being encouraged to have turned a spotlight on inequities and school classes into “bubble groups” of up drive their kids to and from school to to six students who will not have to reduce the number of passengers on other shortcomings physically distance from each other. As we already know, school school buses. Drop-off and pickup times, These bubble groups will have to closures have affected us in diffrent ways as well as lunch breaks and recess will also maintain a two-metre distance from other but more profoundly, they have revealed be staggered to avoid crowding. that more should be done to be better students and staff whenever possible. When available, class sizes will be prepared for any crisis. As education has a Teachers will move between classrooms reduced in order to accommodate pervasive effect on our life, it is important based on the subject being taught, and distancing and students will work in that our government adopts a policy to students will remain in the same cohorts or bubbles. recognize its importance. classroom. Students are not required to wear The folowing excerpts from an Students in Grades 10 and 11 can masks to school, but all staff and students interview makes us realize that due to the choose to either form their own bubble and reality of inequality in our society, our in Grades 7 to 12 are “strongly attend school full-time or use an alternating educational system must be re-designed A former secretary of education for recommended” to wear masks when schedule, attending school at least every to even out the disparities between the rich Massachusetts, Paul Reville is physical distancing cannot be maintained. keenly aware of the financial and second day with the same class of and the poor. NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR ‘’The best that can come of this is resource disparities between students, while participating in at-home Newfoundland and Labrador’s a new paradigm shift in terms of the way in districts, schools, and individual learning. back-to-school plan aims to return to full- which we look at education, because students. It’s not yet clear whether entire Union. We felt vulnerable, like our defenses time in-class attendance with the option of children’s well-being and success depend "bubbles" of students would be sent home were down, like a nation at risk. And we a return to remote learning or hybrid model on more than just schooling. We need to decided to dramatically boost the if one becomes sick, or if someone in the if the COVID-19 risk increases. look holistically, at the entirety of children’s involvement of the federal government in family of one of the students is sick. lives. In order for children to come to Individual school districts will schooling and to increase and improve our The province announced Aug. 10 school ready to learn, they need a wide determine what scenarios work best for scientific curriculum. We decided to look at that face masks will be mandatory for all array of essential supports and their schools and are responsible for education as an important factor in human opportunities outside of school. And we students in Grade 5 and up, including configuring classrooms and other spaces capital development in this country. Again, haven’t done a very good job of providing college and university students. The masks to maintain physical distancing and in 1983, the report “Nation at Risk” warned these. These education prerequisites go will need to be worn in hallways, of a similar risk: Our education system developing protocols for hygiene and for far beyond the purview of school systems, amphitheatres, school buses and common wasn’t up to the demands of a high- isolating students who become ill. but rather are the responsibility of areas, but not in the classroom or during skills/high-knowledge economy. Under some scenarios, the communities and society at large. In order We tried with our education outdoor recess. Education Department will aim to limit to learn, children need equal access to reforms to build a 21st-century education Parents will be required to supply classroom sizes when the COVID-19 risk is health care, food, clean water, stable system, but the results of that movement masks for their children, but teachers will housing, and out-of-school enrichment considered low to moderate. Priority will be have been modest. We are still a nation at have masks provided for them. opportunities, to name just a few given to students in kindergarten through risk. We need another paradigm shift, preconditions. We have to reconceptualize If a classroom or school is Grade 6, kids who have special needs, and where we look at our goals and aspirations the whole job of child development and required to close due to a COVID-19 for children of essential workers. for education, which are summed up in education, and construct systems that outbreak, students will still receive 15 phrases like “No Child Left Behind,” “Every Students and staff will also be meet children where they are and give hours of education per week online, Student Succeeds,” and “All Means All,” required to go over a COVID-19 exposure them what they need, both inside and including dedicated time with a teacher. and figure out how to build a system that and symptom checklist before entering a outside of school, in order for all of them to has the capacity to deliver on that promise NEW BRUNSWICK school. have a genuine opportunity to be of equity and excellence in education for all In New Brunswick, full-time Neither students nor staff will be successful. of our students, and all means all. We’ve learning will be mandatory, but will look Within this coronavirus crisis there required to wear masks at school, but they got that opportunity now. I hope we don’t different depending on a student's grade is an opportunity to reshape American are allowed to wear masks if they wish. The fail to take advantage of it in a misguided education. The only precedent in our field level. province says efforts should be made to rush to restore the status quo.’’ was when the Sputnik went up in 1957, Students from kindergarten to ensure that students who wear masks are (Source: The Harvard Gazette) and suddenly, Americans became very Grade 8 will attend school full-time in not “stigmatized.” worried that their educational system groups of up to 15. Those groups will TERRITORIES wasn’t competitive with that of the Soviet attend class, socialize and enter the school In Nunavut, schools will reopen in together, maintaining distance from other September with few changes, provided the groups. territory continues to be free of COVID-19. High school students will be In the Northwest Territories, required to attend class a minimum of school is set to resume but students and every other day, with reduced class sizes. staff will undergo daily COVID-19 The province is also providing financial screening and maintain physical distance support for students to purchase their own with the help of new classroom laptops to bring to class. configurations. The territory has also Masks are mandatory for students mandated staggered recess periods and from Grades 6 to 12 when outside that students wear masks when on busses. classrooms, and younger students are In Yukon, each school will be encouraged to wear masks as well. responsible for adjusting operations to NOVA SCOTIA meet provincial guidelines, including All students in Nova Scotia will physical distancing and reduced class return to school in September with sizes. School officials are expected to increased health and safety protocols. share reopening details with the Classrooms will also be reorganized to government before September. increase spacing, and classes will be With files from CTVNews.ca's Brooklyn treated as a bubble, to minimize contact Neustaeter, Graham Slaughter and with other students. Jonathan Forani In-school assemblies and other

www.filipinostar.org August 2020 The North American Filipino Star 9 PIDC Slates Mabuhay Philippines The history behind Labour Day

Virtual Festival 20M2orn0 ing" shows. A long-time supporter celebrated every 1st Monday of By: Tony A. San Juan, OCT-Ret. of PIDC, Cristina Carpio, Editor-in-chief Mabuhay Philippines Virtual of a national lifestyle publication, September in U.S. and Canada Festival 2020, the pioneering flagship MarQuee Magazine.will be a co-host of project of the Philippine Independence the virtual show. Among the stars Day Council- PIDC is slated to take- off appearing in the show are Miss Universe on August 22 and 23, 2020. This year's 2018 Catriona Magnayon Gray and event titled "PAMANA" is the MPF's renowned fashion designers Renee signature cultural edition to be virtually Salud, Francis Libiran, Shanon celebrating in the "world stage" the best Pamaong, Kenneth Barlis, Jaki Penalosa and proud legacy of the Filipinos. and Ditta Sandico. Providing musical The Philippines has a very rich entertainment for the fashion show are

File photo of Toronto's 2011 Labour Day Parade. It's one of the largest of the many under way across the country today.Photo Credit: CBC Before the 1880s, people held religious connotation. This grew with sporadic festivities in connection with the development of Catholic unionism. larger labour movements. Some Particularly influential in Quebec was historians trace the origin of Labour the 1921 creation of the Catholic Day to the Nine Hour Movement Workers Confederation of Canada. In (1872). 1960, it became the Confederation of Melissa Grelo (2nd from left) will host the Virtual Festival 2020. Labour organizations began to National Trade Unions. and vibrant culture and tradition dating Torontonians Ma-Anne Dionisio, Martha hold celebrations more frequently Decline of Labour Day back to the pre-Spanish time and until Joy, Emilio Zarris, Josie De Leon, Jenifer following a labour convention in New In the 1950s, Labour Day Camacho, Danny Orbillo and Belinda today. "Pamana" is a Filipino term which York in September 1882. Spurred on festivities began to draw fewer and Corpuz. Also included are the fantastic means "heritage" in English and by this initial success, the American fewer participants. In Montreal, entertainment acts, special "patrimoine" in French. It is just Federation of Labor and the Knights of organizers tried for a time to replace meaningfully right this summertime, performances, eye-opening interviews Labor actively promoted workers’ the parade with a performance and amid the pandemic health crisis, that with celebrities and popular Canadian celebrations on the first Monday in ceremonies. They saw little success, PIDC, a 23 - year old non-profit umbrella Filipino TV media personalities making a September in the United States. The however. There were several reasons organization of Filipino Canadian mark. There will also be important for this decline. According to historian messages of support from several Canadian chapters of these volunteers, professionals, community Jacques Rouillard, the emergence of a dignitaries in the Canadian scene. organizations did the same. Records leaders and advocates will be leisure and consumer society meant The simulated images event is show similar gatherings in Toronto showcasing and sharing with the public that people were more likely to leave the home country's wonderful produced and coordinated by Mabuhay (1882); Hamilton and Oshawa (1883); town or relax with family than attend a patrimony. Philippines Festival Chair Norma Carpio, Montreal (1886); St. Catharines parade. Participation decreased further Purposefully the presentation is WFG-World Financial Group Senior (1887); Halifax (1888); Ottawa and due to changes in the world of trade aimed at paying a special tribute to Executive Vice-Chairman Agnes P. Vancouver (1890); and London (1892). unions. Craft unions had traditionally Filipino Front liners and Essential Miranda, PIDC President Ramon Estaris, Until the early 1950s, labour organizations held similar Labour Day organized Labour Day events. But the celebrations throughout Canada. They rise of industrial unionism, tread a fine line between politics and representing unskilled and semi-skilled pleasure, maintaining the tradition of workers, changed the day’s impact the Victorian-era holidays. The event and meaning. Not everyone identified served as a forum for unions to voice with the traditional “pride in the trade” their demands. But it also helped build message repeated during the working-class identity and allowed celebrations. time for rest and socializing outside the Often considered the last workplace. summer days of the year, Labor Day The image of the tradesman weekend is one of the most popular and the male breadwinner was front times to visit Montreal in the Québec and centre in the festivities. Although province of Canada. The September working women attended and helped holiday is a long weekend in Canada organize events by preparing food for as well as the U.S., and no matter what participants, they rarely featured in the your interests are, you're sure to find parade. The military-style marching some way to enjoy the holiday was at odds with the image of weekend—from sharing a delightful Katriona Gray’s parents: Father is a Scottish Australian, Ian Gray, and respectability imposed upon women at summer brunch with friends to mother is Normita Magnayon from Oas, Albay. CATRIONA ELISA the time. But for a few exceptions, their attending a fetish festival to picking RAGAS MAGNAYON GRAY, Miss Universe 2018. role was limited to waving at the crowd apples on local orchards. from floats as wives or ancillary Although many attractions, workers around the world who have and ably supported by PIDC officers & workers (see Women in the Labour offices, businesses, and governmental continually and consistently served and members, local talents, techno whizzes, Force). The absence of unskilled and agencies will be closed on Labor Day sacrificed to keep everyone safe and volunteers and other stakeholders. in Montreal, there are still plenty of The program will also be non-unionized workers also limited the healthy. PIDC salutes its many brave events and things to do over the promoted globally through Mabuhay participation of immigrant workers, kababayans on their noble tasks! It has holiday weekend. Festival partner, The Filipino Channel members of racialized communities the support and the contributions made Montréal offers all kinds of free by its virtual celebration partners, (TFC) and ABS-CBN along with other and Indigenous people. things to do in summer, including on namely TD Canada Trust, The Filipino PIDC partners worldwide. So come on The parade was the main Labour Day weekend. Relax, play and Channel(TFC), World Financial Group( now! In the comfort of your homes, event. Depending on the city, it could picnic at Montréal's parks and green WFG) and Imperial World, Inc. everyone is invited and encouraged to attract thousands of participants and spaces such as Mount Royal, where The PAMANA virtual watch, learn and listen during the 2- day spectators. It became more elaborate presentation will be hosted by Melissa celebration by checking the PIDC over time. Drawing inspiration from you can go on a walking tour or try bird Grelo, a Filipino-Canadian and an website: www.pidccanada.ca and other popular parades, organizers spotting, row around Beaver Lake and award-winning host of Canada's top Facebook page: Philippine added floats and marching bands. In take in the view from the Kondiaronk CTV program "The Social" & "Your Independence Day Council Quebec, the holiday had a strong lookout and chalet. August 2020 10 The North American Filipino Star

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Zenaida Kharroubi, director-general, presents a certificate of achievement in French 1 & 2 to Romulo C. Grospe III, Jul 12/20.

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A private college designed to serve a multi- ethnic community offers these advantages: • small groups with individualized instruction • cozy atmosphere conducive to different learning styles & teaching methods • tuition fees are income tax deductible • budget payment plans • flexible schedules to suit students’ needs Presentation of French Level 1 & 2 Certificates of Achievement August 2020 The North American Filipino Star 11

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www.filipinostar.org 12 August 2020 The North American Filipino Star 14 INGREDIENTS Meat 4 oz Ham 20 pieces Quail eggs Seafood Cooking 1 lb Shrimp Produce with love 1 piece Carrot 1 can Cream of mushroom 1 tsp Garlic provides 1 1/2 cups Green peas 1 piece Onion food for the Baking & Spices 1 tsp Salt and pepper soul. Oils & Vinegars 1 tbsp Cooking oil Homemade Fish Ball Dairy INGREDIENTS : 1/4 cup Butter 200 grams of fish filet,mashed (boiled 1/2 cup Heavy whipping cream in water with salt and pepper) Liquids 1 cup of water from the boiled fish 3/4 cup Water Delicious and nut(orptiiotnailo) us recipes 2 cups of flour Other Juice of 1/2 lemon 1tsp baking powder 3/4 cup Singkamas (cubed) INSTRUCTIONS 1tsp salt Heat a large skillet over medium heat INSTRUCTIONS 1/2 tsp of pepper Melt the butter in a cooking pan. and add olive oil. 3 cloves of garlic,minced Add the cooking oil. Season chicken pieces with turmeric, 3 tbsp of minced onion Once the mixture becomes hot, saute cumin, salt, pepper and cayenne, if 3 tbsp of minced red bell pepper the shrimp for a minute per side. using. 3 tbsp of minced scallion/onion leaves Remove the shrimp and set aside. Add chicken to the pan and cook until 1 egg,beaten Meanwhile, saute the onion and garlic. cooked through, 8-10 minutes, stirring oil for frying Put-in the carrot and green peas. Add occasionally. INSTRUCTIONS: the ham (this is an optional Squeeze lemon juice over cooked Mix flour and baking powder together. ingredient).Cook for 3 minutes. chicken, serve warm and enjoy! Butternut Squash Noodles In a bowl or food processor, mix all Pour-in the water (I used water with INGREDIENTS NOTES the ingredients and stir well until all shrimp juice in the video).Let it boil. 16 oz. butternut squash noodles Use boneless, skinless chicken ingredients are fully incorporated. Cook for 1 minute. 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil breasts but you could also do this Cover the bowl with a plastic wrap Add the quail eggs and shrimp.Stir. Kosher salt with boneless, skinless chicken thighs and set aside the mixture for 30 Pour-in the cream of mushroom and Freshly ground black pepper that you cut up into smaller pieces. minutes. table cream. Stir once more until the Pinch crushed red pepper flakes The cayenne here is optional. It adds Dip/wet a spoon in a glass of water, ingredients are well distributed. Freshly grated Parmesan, for serving just a hint of heat scoop some fishball mix/batter and Add water chestnuts, salt and pepper. DIRECTIONS make a ball in your palm by the help Preheat oven to 425°. Place noodles Transfer to a serving bowl. of the spoon. Serve. Share and enjoy! on a large baking sheet and toss with Deep fry the first fish ball batter in a oil, salt, pepper, and pinch of red low heat until the color turn into light pepper flakes. Roast until tender and brown. Taste it first and adjust the golden in spots, 10 minutes. taste of the mixture or batter before Serve noodles warm with Parmesan. frying the next batch . You can make a perfect round/circle fish balls by forming it in your palm. Use extra flour if the batter will stick into your hands. If you want to save some of the fish balls for later use, you can boil them in a boiling water and keep it in your freezer. Defroze Ginataang Tahong (Spicy them later and fry. Steamed Ube Cakes Mussels in Coconut Milk) Use sweet and sour sauce for dip or INGREDIENTS INGREDIENTS make a Filipino style fish ball brown 2 cups purple yam, washed, peeled 1 kilo mussels, (wash and clean sauce. Enjoy!!! and cubed thoroughly) 2 cups sweet rice flour 2 cups coconut milk/cream Filipino Style Fish ball Brown Sauce 1-1/2 cups water 2 red siling labuyo (bird’s eye chili Easy Turmeric Chicken 1 tsp vinegar 1 cup sugar pepper) 3 tbsp soya sauce 1-1/4 cup coconut milk Turmeric chicken chunks served in a 2 tbsp olive oil 5 tbsp sugar 4 tablespoons baking powder large white bowl over rice with 1 tsp ginger, minced 2 tbsp of cornstarch diluted in 1/2 cup 1/2 cup grated coconut asparagus on the side.Easy turmeric 2 tsp cilantro, minced of water chicken is full of warm, rich spices 2 tsp lemon grass, minced INSTRUCTIONS 1 cup water Cover yams with water and boil until and comes out perfectly tender and 2 tsp garlic, minced Optional Ingredients: tender or soft. Drain and put through juicy! Plus, this recipe is just 4 main 1 tsp sesame oil 1 tbsp minced onion a ricer. Mash until smooth. ingredients and ready in 15 minutes! Lime juice from 1 lime 1 tbsp minced garlic Mix flour and water in a bowl to form a PREP TIME Pinch of Magic sarap (optional) 1 tsp minced chili 5 minutes thick batter. Add sugar and mashed INSTRUCTIONS yams. Blend well. Strain to remove In pan heat oil, saute garlic, siling COOK TIME lumps. Add coconut milk and the 10 minutes labuyo, ginger and lemongrass. baking powder and mix well. TOTAL TIME Add the mussels and add the coconut Pour mixture into greased muffin pans 15 minutes milk. Cook till all shells open. to 2/3 full and steam over boiling Add sesame oil, lime juice, cilantro. INGREDIENTS water about 30 minutes, or until a 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil Season with magic sarap, salt and toothpick inserted comes out clean. 1 1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken pepper according to your taste. Serve hot, warm or at room breasts, cut in about 1/2 inch cubes Simmer and constantly stir until temperature, topped with coconut. 1 1/4 teaspoons turmeric coconut milk curdles and becomes Makes 3 dozen cakes. 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin creamy thick. Turn off heat. 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt Serve in bowls with rice on the side. 1/4 teaspoon black pepper Enjoy! 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper Sipo Egg August 2020 The North American Filipino Star 13 Rawdon. The afternoon turned out to arrived in time for the town fiesta, just a be as enjoyable, if not more, because few days before the lockdown. She of the pleasant conversations while was only able to visit the beautiful feasting on Dario’s drinks and rolling hills in Apao, Tineg, a 2-hour barbecue and enjoying the loving scenic drive among the green and preparations of Lady Claire. At rushing creeks. She exclaimed, “What Rawdon, the boys James, Dario, I enjoyed best was eating the fresh Hadgel, etc enjoyed watching the veggies I used to have and riding the ladies and listening to their green jokes tricycles wherever I went!” Another Social Tidbits which made us convulsed with balikbayan was Warlie Basbacio who laughter. Oh and they commented on couldn’t hide her joy in seeing all her Fely Rosales Cariño the ladies! Also attending the picnic relatives and friends. She enthused, “I were Neonita Gatoc and son Jose, went home to Naguilian, La Union, for Thankfully, the great weather is relished a return to some sort of Alejandrina Ablog, Sir Ernesto & three weeks to visit relatives and here! Who could have thought that freedom, yes! Cristine Galcon, Vina & Carlito friends and primarily to discuss 2020 will give us the most memorable The second organization that Lacsamana with nephews, Cherry everything that relates to properties AND unbelievable summer of all? The ventured into the great outdoors were Palmos, Stephanie Danzil, and others and real estate”. Apparently, she most awaited season of the year when some officers and members of the followed in their respective cars. needs to go back again sometime to teachers and students look forward to council led by Sir Dario Boco Here are a few impressions sell those properties once and for all. a lot of sun and fun, fishing aficionados (President of the Council of Filipino I’ve gathered from a few Montrealers She said she liked the improvements ready their boats and equipment, plans Canadian Associations of Quebec, who recently visited the Philippines. she saw in her town like the new for camping, cottage trips, backyard CFCAQ) & wife Lady Claire. This was Let me start with Rebecca Aguilar, a buildings, a new mall, the cleanliness barbecues, and staycations … all on August 8 when many of Montreal’s popular member of the Pasaway Club of the public market and the these were turned upside down by the enthusiasts were out in force. The of the Filipino Heritage Society of beautification done in their town plaza. Covid 19. Little by little we have destination was Rawdon Resort, Montreal (FHSM). She went home to In the meantime, Sir Gerry & returned to normalcy as stores, malls Quebec and although we made table Baco, Mindoro for a month especially wife Lady Linda were too busy to go and restaurants opened their doors to reservations, we found ourselves to visit her ailing, 92-year-old sister. around but didn’t miss visiting Poracay eager customers! While we await daily struggling to find a spot. Despite the While there, she also met with relatives (with a “P” so as not to confuse it with news from health authorities, we have searing heat, the sun displayed itself in and friends. She visited her favorite Boracay) in Pampanga. While there, learned to go about our daily routine. regal splendor and we determined to market and enjoyed “halo halo”. She they visited the new house of another We hope and pray that in the midst of enjoy the delicious food we all brought. was surprised to observe cleanliness Montrealer, Sir Budz Sarmiento who adversity, we learn what really matters Dario & Claire brought passengers all over the market and in the streets. lives in Mendez, Cavite. They, too, in life, our loved ones, our health, our with them in their black Jeep. They She came back with a happy and noticed improvements on bridges and relationships, etc. Let’s bring our were followed by Gerry & wife Linda memorable visit except that a week building infrastructures, peace and supplications to the God of Hope and with passengers in their red Jeep. after she arrived back here, her sister order in their town and in Nonoy lift up our nation, our leaders, our CFCAQ past President Sir James and passed away. Where there is Aquino International Airport (NAIA), community, the frontliners, the afflicted, Lady Rose De La Paz were with Warlie happiness, there is also sadness. and general cleanliness! They were our neighbors, you and I. Let us pray Basbacio and yours truly in their red Condolences, Rebecca, from your line there for 6 weeks to visit their for wisdom, healing, and peace to Jeep – thus completing the jeep dancing and Pasaway friends. Another hometown of Alcala, Pangasinan and navigate these uncertain times to the brigade! We had fun just sitting under Pasaway member who visited the spent days bonding with his high One who knows for certain what is yet the shade with the refreshing wind Philippines is Trining Jimenez who school friends. However, he stated to come. blowing around us. Doris Tabo-oy was went straight to Isabela. She with a tinge of dejection, that he was With limiting the number of the videographer of the day. The commented that her town is super unable to see some relatives, college people that can congregate at one time Rawdon resort boasts several clean and that the streets are now very classmates, especially his fraternity in one place, President of the Chess entrances. One entrance displayed a wide. She met with relatives, brothers belonging to Omega Rho Club Manny Lagasca mobilized his silent and calm river, while another elementary and high school friends. Omicrons in Central Luzon State members for picnic in the park. Cherry entrance showed the rapids that drew She relates, “I saw my ex-boyfriend University (CLSU). But he couldn’t Palmos, Vice President of FilCan Social the bikini-clad crowd. Many went who didn’t like the idea of my leaving hide his joy in his present and future Club sent me pleasant news about the swimming but none of us did, except our town to pursue nursing. After a venture –completing to build his house Covid-19. Of course, when club the three youth members who rented a short and pleasant conversation, I in Deca Home Subdivision in Angeles, members get together, there is a chess kayak each and enjoyed paddling managed to let him know that I am Pampanga. game or a tournament of some sort. through until the hour was consumed. already married to John François Lastly, may the God of hope fill Food was a-plenty, delicious, and in After lunch we all drove to Dario’s & Payette of Montreal.” you with all joy and peace as you trust large quantities. After a long Claire’s residence and enjoyed the Dolly Belandres from the in Him (Romans 15:13). God Bless ‘seclusion,’ everybody seemed to have food we weren’t able to consume in Pasaway club also went home to and see you next issue! Bangued, Abra for three months. She According to participants, too consolidating pedagogical material from secularism in schools. In short, we really From Page 7 Eligibility many questions remain unanswered, last year. Teaching staff is asked to wonder if there will be one teacher per permit allows it. especially since the new school service “provide particular attention to the class, and how we plan to replace these Students already in Canada for centers have until the 15th of September negative effects caused by the pause in teachers if they were to get sick!” adds the winter, spring and summer terms to present their emergency measures, a schooling” as well as providing Pelchat. were assured that they wouldn’t lose full two weeks after school activities educational services to students who will Despite these concerns, their eligibility for a post-graduation work resume. The last school year was not be attending school in person. teaching staff will be at their posts permit if they were forced to complete profoundly affected by the COVID-19 However, no additional resources have tomorrow morning, masks and more than 50% of their program online, pandemic. For school staff members, been announced: “Obviously, as usual, disinfectant gel on hand. “It is definitely reduce their studies to part-time or take significant concerns about health and we will do all we can for the well-being of worrisome, and we still have many a break from their studies completely as safety in the workplace remain: “Many our students. But we were already being questions, but we will be there to a result of restrictions on classroom schools are already in a sorry state. asked to do more with less, long before welcome and reassure our students. We learning due to the pandemic. Problems with mold, ventilation, the pandemic. We would have liked to will not, however, do so at the risk of our Until August 31, 2020, plumbing… our schools were already receive some additional support. The 20 health and the health of the students. If international students are permitted to making us sick and the custodial staff million dollar investment announced at we are not provided with secure work more than 20 hours per week off- was already overworked. Now, we are the beginning of the week -- that’s barely conditions and sufficient resources to do campus during their academic session if told we will have to disinfect classrooms enough for one new hire per school” our work safely, we will not hesitate to they are employed in an essential and materials, and everyone must wash explains Alex Pelchat, elementary increase the pressure” concludes Élyse service or function.## their hands many times a day. We teacher. Bourbeau, “When our contract cannot imagine how we will accomplish The pandemic has also moved negotiations resume, it might be a good COVID-19: Back-to-school Rally all this!”, says Élyse Bourbeau, a high ahead many of our colleagues' time to make our voices heard.” August 23rd, 2020 school teacher. retirement plans, which is no help to the Information and interviews: On the eve of teachers’ return to We also question how all teacher shortage we have experienced school and only a few days before the educational services will be maintained for several years now: “Our colleagues Alex Pelchat Anglophone media): 438- return of students, parents, students and in this context, particularly for vulnerable are retiring or changing careers, others 830-0420 [email protected] school staff rallied in front of the offices students and those with special needs. have health risks and will not return to of the Minister of Education to express The back-to-school plan calls for the work in person. Additionally, with Law their concerns and their dissatisfaction respect of all regular provisions as well 21, we are excluding qualified teaching with the back-to-school plan. as extra measures for catching up and staff on the pretext of maintaining August 2020 14 The North American Filipino Star

#MeToo, For Golden, the pandemic is the #HijaAko: perfect time to ‘give than receive’ Filipina recounts Harvey Weinstein

Ambra Gutierrez Women are finally speaking up about injustice. Three years after the newsbreaking story that caused the upheaval of Hollywood, movie Golden Cañedo mogul Harvey Weinstein starts Golden Cañedo originally “The Clash,” is doing well because I look up to its serving time for rape and sexual assault. The women who stepped planned to have a debut party for mentally and emotionally. But composers and listen to their forward to testify against him once her 18th birthday last April 5. She watching the news can be a bit songs,” she said. The song again share their stories in had decided to have it in Manila dispiriting, she admitted. resonates with her, Golden said, Discovery Channel’s documentary instead of her native Cebu, and “You realize that a lot of because she met her nonshow biz "Harvey Weinstein," premiering on she already had a theme in mind. people are suffering. That’s why I boyfriend in a “chance Friday, July 17, at 9:50 p.m. The COVID-19 pandemic try to bring some cheer to my encounter.” “We met each other in In this hour-long special, had her scrapping all that. followers by posting some New York during a show there. viewers will hear testimonies from But while things didn’t turn quotes. My music is also Then, we started messaging each five women whose efforts helped in out as she had imagined, her something I use to make people other,” related Golden, who convicting a long-standing predator celebration ended up being more feel that they’re loved. I believe recently marked her and who relied on his influence and meaningful, when the young that’s one of the things I can offer boyfriend’s first anniversary. money to escape accountability. singer used the money she had as a singer,” she said. “He lives in the US, so Among them are Rowena Chiu, saved up to buy rice, which she Aside from the debut party, we’re in a long-distance Weinstein’s former assistant who had distributed to her townmates the quarantine also thwarted relationship. But I hope I can visit was previously bound by a non- in Minglanilla. some of her scheduled gigs. She him soon when it’s safe,” she disclosure agreement, and Ambra “I was talking to my lola, was especially looking forward to added. Being in a romantic Gutierrez, an Italian-Filipino model who told me that lots of people the Florida concert she was set to relationship has given her more who captured an audio recording of there lost their jobs and are going do with Martin Nievera and Jaya confidence to interpret love Weinstein’s misconduct. hungry. They weren’t ready,” she early this year. songs. “Because I can now relate As a sign of support for the said in a recent video interview. “Wala namang hinayang. If to the song’s message, I feel like I movement, Filipinos recounted their “So I told my mother that instead this isn’t the right time for me, then can give it more justice,” she own experiences of sexual harassment by posting on social of having a party—which is just I will just continue singing. I pointed out. “But otherwise … if I media with the #MeToo hashtag. one day of eating—it would be always hope that there’s a next can’t fully relate to the song, I just Years after the movement gained better if I could give people food.” time and a next year. God has a try to put myself in the story.” momentum, the fight for women’s This time, Golden would plan for everything,” she said. Golden is making the most rights and gender equality in the rather give than receive. Golden’s latest single, of her time at home studying for Philippines continues as evident in “Lining up for gifts or aid “Walang Hanggang Sandali” school, honing her singing and the recent issues of rape culture and during Christmas and other (GMA Music) is the work of four guitar-playing skills, making vlogs victim blaming challenged through occasions was something I have formidable artists and and trying her hand at writing the #HijaAko hashtag. experienced. I know what it feels composers—Jim Paredes, Yumi songs. Follow the stories of the five like to receive something. But I Lacsamana, Ebe Dancel and “I have always been a women who dared to speak against also remember dreaming that, Herbert Hernandez. The ballad, homebody, so I’m not so sad the injustices they experienced and one day, I would be the one doing which talks about destiny and about not being able to go gain access to previously unseen the giving,” related Golden, who chance encounters, is also the outside. I have been learning a lot documents and forensic evidence also hopes to do benefit concerts product of Filipino Society of of new things,” she said. “And connected to the landmark case for for those affected by the ongoing Composers, Authors and being with my family is more than women’s rights on Weinstein. Tune health crisis. Publishers’ first master camp. enough for me to be happy.”
in to Discovery Channel on Sky Golden, who won the first “I feel honored to have Cable CH 39, Cignal TV CH 140, season of GMA 7’s talent search been entrusted with this song, and Destiny Cable CH 56.
www.filipinostar.org August 2020 The North American Filipino Star 15 Brace yourselves for a ‘beauty- less’ year “It will be a relatively ‘beauty- less’ year,” rued Arnold Vegafria, franchise-holder of the Miss World Philippines pageant. “We are not holding it this year. The Miss World pageant where our winner competes has been moved to next year.” (According to Gaffud, there’s no announcement yet if the Miss Universe pageant will still be held or postponed and, if ever, it will be the first time since its founding in 1952.)

The reign of 2019 Binibini beauties is extended, from left: Bb. Pilipinas Supranational Resham Saeed, Miss Universe Philippines Gazini Ganados, Bb. Pilipinas International Patricia Magtanong, Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental Emma Tiglao and Bb. Pilipinas Globe Leren Mae Bautista. 2019 Miss World Philippines Let’s start with the good pageant online (hosted by Paolo Supsup and Jonas Gaffud; until last Michelle Dee. news: The reign of the 2019 queens Bediones and won by Roxie Baeyens) year, it was the Bb. Pilipinas Charities, But don’t despair, beauty- has been extended to next year, no several weeks ago and the 2020 Miss Inc./BPCI that picked the country’s contest lovers. There’s a consolation thanks to the invisible enemy that has Universe Philippines (to be staged by Miss U bet) will be pushed through according to BDO executive and Aces rudely disrupted life as we knew it, the new team led by Shamcey maybe in October, the other pageants & Queens member Gerry Diaz including the staging of beauty have been postponed to next year, (Funfare’s other “beauty expert”). contests. They are: Bb. Pilipinas- including Mutya Pilipinas Asia Pacific, “They can watch many International Patricia Magtanong, Bb. Miss International, Miss ‘beauty-ful’ shows,” he assured. “Nice Pilipinas-Globe Leren Mae Bautista, Supranational, Miss America and alternatives.”
Bb. Pilipinas-Supranational Resham presumably Bb. Pilipinas (no Saeed, Bb. Pilipinas-Intercontinental announcement so far). Emma Mary Tiglao, Miss World Philippines Michelle Dee, Miss Universe Philippines Gazini Ganados and Mutya Pilipinas Asia Pacific Klyza Bong Revilla to be discharged Castro. Except for the 2020 Miss 2019 Mutya Pilipinas Asia Pacifi from hospital after receiving Earth Philippines which held its c Klyza Castro. COVSenIaDtor R-a1mo9n "Btonrge" Raeviltla meneougnh."t Jr. revealed today that he will be Yesterday, the solon shared in RESTAURANT discharged from the hospital and will a separate post that he is responding LA MAISON NEW KUM MON continue his novel coronavirus disease well to his medication and treatment 2019 (COVID-19) treatment at home. after he was rushed to the hospital due 6565 Côte-des-Neiges Road 5047 Henri Bourassa Est Montréal, QC H1G 2S1 In a Facebook post, the actor to pneumonia. (near Corner Appleton) shared the "great news." In his Facebook page, the Tel.: (514) 322-3133, 322-3130 Montreal, QC actor-politician thanked his supporters for the prayers and concerns. Bean Curd Seafood Soup Fish Maw Seafood Soup 1/2 Crispy Chicken "Maraming salamat po sa Baked Lobster with Ginger inyong lahat na hindi bumitaw at tuloy- Salt and Pepper Pork Loin Seafood with Chinese Stuffed Bean Curd with tuloy na nagdasal para sa aking Shrimps Broccoli kalusugan," Bong said. Sauted Seasonal Vegetables Salt and Pepper Cuttle Fish "I am responding well to the Steamed Rice Fried Sea Bass Fish treatment and medication, and with $49.95 Steamed Rice $74.95 your prayers, I am beating COVID-19." 4 person s 4 persons Bong thanked God for guiding the health workers in this difficult time. Bean Curd Soup Fish maw seafood soup He also express gratitude to all 1/2 Crispy Chicken 2 Baked Lobsters with Ginger frontliners for their sacrifice for the Shrimp Cake with Chinese Seafood with Eggplant Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. country. Broccoli in Hot Pot sharing his COVID-19 status from "Thank you dear God for Sweet and Sour Pork Stuffed Bean Curd with his hospital bed. guiding all health workers and giving Seafood with Bean Curd in Shrimp them the strength to push on in these Hot Pot Seafood with Chinese broccoli "The doctors have cleared me difficult times, and blessing them with Salt and Pepper Squid Fried Sea Bass Fish for discharge. I am so excited to go your healing hands for them to in turn House Fried Rice home. Hindi pa po tapos ang aking heal us," he said. Fried Sea Bass Fish $79.95 Special Fried Noodles $159.95 pagpapagaling, but they said I am "Salamat sa mga doktor at Steamed Rice 6 persons 10 persons strong and well enough to continue nurse na susi sa aking paggaling at treatment at home," he said. paggaling ng marami nating mga FREE DELIVERY "Again, maraming maraming kababayan. Thank you all. Thank you." Minimum order of $10 514-733-6029 salamat po sa inyong mga panalangin. Last August 10, Bong shared Delivery hours: 514-733-1067 Sobrang nakakataba ng puso ang that he tested positive for COVID-19 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. inyong mga ipinarating na dasal at shortly after someone from his For party menu, call Kenny mga words of encouragement and well household and a member of his staff 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. wishes. I cannot thank all of you got the deadly virus.
www.filipinostar.org 16 August 2020 The North American Filipino Star

‘It’s important to start Is Willie running in brand new’: Liza Soberano 2022? GMA show Tutok To Win (TTW) which he put up in March while locked down on restarting after ABS- in his Puerto Galera’s little paradise. Two weeks ago, he CBN shutdown announced a donation of P5 million from his own wallet for jobless jeepney drivers reduced to begging on the streets, pledging the same amount next month. That’s beside the financial help he extended to the families of the OFWs who perished and were injured in the Beirut explosion, and the daily cash prizes (ranging from P5,000 to P50,000, and more) that he gives away to lucky TTW viewers (mostly from depressed areas). Now, isn’t there any, well, Willie Revillame (with Presidential “strings attached” to his friendship with Presidential Spokesperson Harry Spokesperson Harry Roque): Roque whom Willie very kindly Happy just to serve the needy accommodated in his Wil Tower by It happens every time the building there a small studio where election season is approaching — the Sec. Roque used to hold his briefings? guessing game is that Willie Revillame “I just want to help the is casting a misty-eyed look at the government,” said Willie. 2022 elections. Once and for all, can he In the 2016 elections, rumors categorically say what his 2022 plans flew thick and fast that Willie was are? Liza Soberano running for an unspecified position “Gusto ko simpleng buhay lang at makatulong,” said Willie. When ABS-CBN was denied of advocacies. and location, and the same thing happened in 2019. The speculation If he can help many people as its franchise renewal last month, “At first, I didn’t know what to it is, as an entertainer, why mess it up among the thousands of employees do, I didn’t know what to think of it, but must be generated by the fact that by jumping into the political arena?
who lost their jobs are the network’s as time went by during quarantine, I Willie has been helping Filipinos in dire superstars like Liza Soberano. realized that there’s more to life. I need during the pandemic through his “It’s so weird to be not doing realized that there are a lot of things I anything when you’re so used to doing haven’t figured out about myself, of everything like I had the routine of course, and about the things that I Actress-turned-Carmelite nun waking up at five in the morning to go want to do in the future. And of course, to a taping and then on weekends I I realized that it’s important to start Chin Chin Gutierrez asked to would have commercial shoots. And brand new.” when all of that goes away, it was like In terms of career, Liza is everything was deafening silence. I taking it day by day and is eager to pray for Philippines amid was like ‘Is it the end of the world, end accept projects that come her way. of my life, now?’” Liza confessed on Related: Ogie Diaz confirms COVID-19 pandemic what her "new normal" felt like in a LizQuen got offers from GMA, TV5, rumors circulated that Chin Chin recent interview with Philstar.com and Viva became a Carmelite nun and is now other media for her launch as new “The one plan that is concrete reportedly known as Sister Lourdes. Nivea endorser. is I want to finish my studies. Hopefully, "Nuon pa balita na pumasok Apart from losing her high- to become a counselor in the future,” si Chinchin sa kumbento, isang rating TV series “Make It With You” with shared the star, who also dreams of malaking hakbang papunta sa boyfriend Enrique Gil, Liza was forced being a future humanitarian. sisterhood at heto ngayon, isa ng to close her spa since such businesses To those who lost their jobs madre ng Carmellite mission," Lolit are still restricted under community during the pandemic just like her, Liza said. quarantine. said: “I just want to let them know that "Isang mahusay na artista na “Of course, I miss the relaxing there’s something to be hopeful mas pinili ang maging madre upang feeling of the spa, but of course, our about… It doesn’t really matter what masilbihan ang spiritual needs ng safety is what matters,” she said. other people say. What matters is what tao," she added. Out of job and out of business, is important for you.” Lolit then asked for Chin Chin Liza thought of starting anew by Similarly, she asked people, to pray for the country in the midst of venturing into what she previously had especially on social media, to be more Chin Chin Gutierrez the pandemic. no time for: Vlogging. sensitive about others’ feelings Former actress Chin Chin "Pray for us Sister Chinchin, “It’s because Tito Ogie (Diaz, especially since studies show anxiety Gutierrez is now a full-pledged nun, iyan ang kailangan natin ngayon, ang her manager) also told me that since I is on the rise due to the pandemic. according to veteran showbiz dasal ng mga tulad mo. Pray for us," will not be so visible on TV anymore, I “The people around you columnist Lolit Solis. Lolit said. have to be more visible elsewhere. should also be more sensitive of what In her Instagram account, Also, during the pandemic, I realized to say. Be more or conscious of the Before becoming a nun, Lolit said she's happy that Chin Chin that I couldn’t connect to my words to say to other people. We ChinChin was an award-winning supporters anymore because we aren’t should try to be nicer to everybody fulfilled her calling. actress known for her roles in seeing each other, I don’t have a especially since we’re all going "Ang gandang balita na "Maalaala Mo Kaya: The Movie," "Sa project. I want to put an effort for them through the same thing,” the actress ngayon ay isa ng full pledged Aking Mga Kamay" and "Jose Rizal," because they’ve put in so much effort enthused. Carmellite nun si ChinChin Gutierrez. to name a few. for me. I want to put in more effort to “It’s not good to pick up on Magandang balita dahil mula sa She was also an environment make them more happy, for other people’s flaws, making fun of glittering world ng showbiz heto si advocate and the founding chairman entertainment.” people. It’s time for everyone to Chinchin Gutierrez isang mahusay na and president of the ecological Besides as a platform to connect more together in battling the actress pero mas pinili ang spiritual foundation Alaga LAHAT, which she connect with her fans, she looks at her crisis.” growth," Lolit wrote. created in 2006..
vlog as a digital channel for her It was March last year when www.filipinostar.org August 2020 The North American Filipino Star 17 Celebs give fans a peek into their palatial homes

Derek Ramsay Erich Gonzales, Dominic Ochoa every day,” she shared. “Parang and Derek Ramsay gave fans a it’s clean and I feel like I’m super glimpse of the house each of them close to nature kasi kung maririnig lives in. niyo ‘yung mga chirping ng birds. “Welcome to my humble Dito, makakakita kayo ng iba’t- home. This house is a reflection of ibang kulay ng butterflies, my personality. Simple and caterpillars; super daming minimalist,” read the description of halaman, puno; super ganda ng Erich’s “House Tour” on her sunset and sunrise.” YouTube channel. Of course, Erich is proud of According to her, it’s one of the house because it’s product of the “most requested” videos by her “hard work.” Escort, a 1995 all-original Range fans and so she finally granted it. Dominic’s tour was through Rover, his 2018 Vios Cup car, and The 29-year-old star Star Magic’s online show one from his college days which he showed her living room. It has high “Welcome Kayo Dito.” considers his “lucky car.” ceiling, with furniture and room Upon entering the house, He also showed his “small décor in neutral colors. Her sofa the 46-year-old actor said they give toys” as 2013 Piaggio Vespa and six-seater dining table are importance to guests’ safety as PX200 and his son’s Monkey Bike custom-made. well as the residents so the use of or Honda Z series and Yamaha And Erich seems to be a the automatic alcohol dispenser PeeWee. “plantita” as her living room, and disinfecting mat are must. The actor bought the lot in powder room, kitchen and dining Their Mediterranean- 2009, then started building the area have different types of plants inspired crib is already four years house five, six years later. and flowers! old, yet it’s neither fully furnished Dominic pointed out that all The Kapamilya actress also nor finished. throughout construction, he was showed her lanai and garden. The The actor expressed his very hands-on and picked every tour also included a glimpse of her desire to buy artwork made by his item; from the Machuca tiles to the dirty kitchen, laundry area, stock colleagues in showbiz, particularly appliance and furniture. “‘Yung structure — ‘yung room, maid’s bedroom, and those by Solenn Heussaff, Heart Erich Gonzales garage where her vehicles are Evangelista, Joey de Leon, Richard contractor (gumawa nu’n) pero parked. Gomez, and Xian Lim. lahat ng nakikita niyo from tiles, architecture, artwork by Filipino Erich’s backyard has space He believes paintings at electrician, finishing, ref, aircon, artists, and the glass doors that ready for herbs and spices to be home are “good conversation bubong, finishing sa bahay — ako lead to lap pool. planted. piece.” po ang nag-asikaso nu’n,” he “I like to stand (where), in At the end of the video, the In the “clean” kitchen and shared. every place, I could see actress revealed how she got her dining area, Dominic showed how He finds the task to be “very everything,” he said, about his high home. he and his wife have been therapeutic.” ceilings living room and wide Erich said she bought the productive amid quarantine by Derek gave a glimpse of his doorways. land when she was 22 years old. selling fruits and different types of new home that has a “resort” feel. However, the “nicest room” After years of saving up for it, food like dips, ice cream, wagyu, On GMA’s “Unang Hirit,” in the house isn’t for him. construction began in 2014. The and gourmet tinapa jars. Dominic, the actor showed his four-floor “I put a room on the bottom house was completed that year. himself, delivers the good around house that has its own elevator. floor for my parents so, fingers “And to make the story their village. Quite homey, there are six crossed, papayag na silang tumira short, six years old na ang bahay. He also gave a glimpse of bedrooms and different areas like with me,” he shared. “My dad’s 77, So bakit ito ‘yung napili kong his wife’s teacup collections. the gym and entertainment room. and I want them to be with me na. patayuan ng house? It’s because I Dominic collects vintage cars Anyone who walks through It might happen, and I’m very
really fell in love with the view. including a 1968 Volkswagen his house will most likely near.” Imagine lang waking up to that Beetle convertible, a 1978 Ford appreciate the modern www.filipinostar.org August 2020 18 The North American Filipino Star 'Real-life Darna': Director lauds Angel Locsin

for saving sttimue, nisa tsma mgaa nstu'nstme n life namin got heavily injured, naputol ang pinakamalaking buto nya sa hita sa isang aksidente na hindi work related,” he said. “Ang pobreng stuntman, naospital sa orthopaedic center ng mahigit isang buwan, ubos ang ipon at malaking chance hindi na siya makakalakad muli dahil hindi na niya afford ang mga susunod pang operation Angel Locsin na kailangan gawin,” he added. TV director Lester The director shared that Angel, along with her driver, Pimentel Ong shared an untold Angel Locsin with Direk Lester on set story of how Kapamilya actress visited the hospital and paid para makalakad pa ulit si action directors. Angel Locsin became a real-life everything for the stuntman. stuntman. Agad nyang As such, in his Facebook angel when she saved a “One late night ng konti binayaran ang bill, nagiwan ng post, Ong described Angel as stuntman's life. na lang tao sa public hospital pabaon at encouraging words the "real Darna" and "a true hero In his Facebook account, kung saan nakaconfine si sa pamilya, then she left,” Ong behind the camera." Ong recalled when a stuntman injured stuntman, dumating siya said. “Siya si Angel Locsin, on the set of their former TV kasama lang ang driver niya... In an interview with she is the real life Darna...hero series "La Luna Sangre" got kinumusta si stuntman, Esquire Philippines, Ong said sya kahit sa likod ng camera, heavily injured that was not consoled his wife and mom, Angel helped the stuntman not kahit walang nakatingin at work-related. then asked the person in charge only recover, but also regain his walang nakakaalam... I just “Gusto ko lang share of the hospital how much was job. As such, he is now one of need to share my story of her."
ang experience ko working with the accumulated bill at the country's most in-demand this person. There was one magkano pa ang kakailanganin Thank you for reading The Star!

North American Filipino Star reader - photo taken at a Bus Stop 124 Victoria/Plamondon (Credit: Daniel Wiener) www.filipinostar.org August 2020 The North American Filipino Star 19

PM cites parents' worries, offers provinces

$Rach2el AiBello for schsyostemos anld enssuriang thfere is tenoy ugh healthcare experts and what the school No parent should be losing sleep Ottawa News Bureau Online Producer hand sanitizer and staff on hand to keep experts are saying: classroom sizes. We because they have to go back to work, @rachaiello Contact but aren’t confident schools are properly Published Wednesday, August 26, 2020 prepared,” said Trudeau. “Once people 9:47AM EDT know their kids are safe, they can get OTTAWA -- The federal government is back to work with less worries.” sending “up to” an additional $2 billion Last week, Trudeau was asked in to provinces and territories for them to if he would be sending his children back cover the extra costs of ensuring that to school in September, and he said he students will be safe when the fall school hadn’t yet decided. Trudeau’s three year begins, Prime Minister Justin children attend public school in Ontario. Trudeau announced on Wednesday. “Like so many parents, that’s With schools preparing to something that we are in very active welcome back students and return to in- discussions on,” he said. “We are class learning for the first time since the looking at what the school’s plans are. COVID-19 pandemic was declared in We’re looking at class sizes. We’re March, parents across the country have looking at how the kids are feeling about been concerned about the level of wearing masks.” infection control precautions school Ottawa mom Rosalie Awad boards will have in place. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau makes an announcement at Yorkwoods MacInnis and her husband have made "While every year is different, Public School, in Toronto, Ont., on Wednesday, Aug., 26, 2020. THE the decision to send their two children this September will be unlike any you’ve CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov back to school in September. had to deal with before. Parents and staff classrooms clean. need smaller custom sizes, and so the She said the move has brought are anxious about what the school year Given education is largely a dollars for provinces should be a mix of excitement and anxiety, will hold. As a dad, and a former teacher, matter of provincial jurisdiction, Trudeau connected to this requirement that knowing that their two kids—going intro I get that,” Trudeau said. emphasized that the provinces will make actually go towards making schools grades three and five—will be getting The prime minister made the decisions about school and student safer,” Singh said. back a more structured routine and get announcement at a school in Toronto. safety when classes resume. He People for Education Executive to see their friends, but knowing things The new funding is on top of the $19 defended the federal government’s Director Annie Kidder said the funding is will be different. billion “safe restart” plan, which is involvement, denying wanting to appear a first step, but it’s possible that more “We're taking a bit of that risk, focused on helping provinces and as if the Trudeau Liberals were coming in will need to be spent once the school we feel like the school boards are doing territories reopen their societies safely. at the eleventh hour to push provinces to year gets underway and outstanding as much as they can. We know it's not The money is being sent through a new do more. gaps are identified. going to be perfect, but we're going to “Safe Return to Class Fund” in two “Over the past week or so, I've “What's really important is that give it a try, prepare them as much as instalments: a first portion this fall, and heard from so many Liberal MPs, so it's a message that this is understood as possible and you know if things change the second in “early 2021.” It will be many parents across the country who a national problem, that the federal dramatically, if cases go up and we feel distributed based on the number of are still extremely worried about how government has to be involved in this,” uncomfortable about it, or if they're really students between ages of four and 18 in that reopening is going to go,” Trudeau Kidder said in an interview on CTV News not doing well in the environment, we'll each region, and the decision to split the said. “Now, we've seen the provinces put Channel. “We're going to have to be be ready to bring them back and try the funding up is to “ensure that provinces forward plans for that reopening. And flexible, kind of collaborate, be virtual school,” she said. and territories have support for the you know, they are confident that they're imaginative on what needs to happen, The maximum funding each whole school year,” according to the doing what is necessary, but parents are certainly for kids for example, who are province and territory will receive is: Prime Minister’s Office. still concerned. So we said, ‘Let's give learning online. We can't just rely on Ontario: $763.34 million On Wednesday, the prime the provinces even more resources to their families to support them. It's not Quebec: $432.15 million minister made the announcement at a be able to do everything that is sustainable, it's not equitable.” Alberta: $262.84 million school in Toronto, alongside Minister of necessary to keep our kids safe.’” Among the concerns that British Columbia: $242.36 million Families, Children and Social The prime minister said that parents have expressed to CTV News Manitoba: $85.41 million Development Ahmed Hussen, Deputy $112 million is also being sent to help are the lack of smaller class sizes, Saskatchewan: $74.90 million House Leader Kirsty Duncan, and schools in First Nations communities. making physical distancing a challenge Nova Scotia: $47.88 million Liberal MP Judy Sgro. The new funding With just weeks left before in some places, and how schools plan to New Brunswick: $39.79 million is on top of the $19 billion “safe restart” students return to school, NDP Leader handle confirmed cases of COVID-19. Newfoundland and Labrador: $26.18 plan, which is focused on helping Jagmeet Singh called on the federal Many parents are having to million provinces and territories reopen their government to provide this funding as weigh these worries against the Prince Edward Island: $10.39 million societies safely. soon as possible, so that the required challenge of keeping their children Nunavut: $5.75 million Trudeau told the premiers about safety enhancements can be put in home and continuing distance learning Northwest Territories: $4.85 million the incoming funding on Tuesday, as it place in time for the first day back. while balancing their own work and Yukon: $4.16 million will be up to them to determine how best “There is a real need to see personal responsibilities. to spend it, with some facing questions dollars that are tied to schools being “Our children must be safe in With files from CTV News’ Alexandra about the adequacy of school ventilation safer, and specifically what the the classroom. That’s non-negotiable. Mae Jones and Brooklyn Neustaeter

school on Côte-des-Neiges Rd. among us and having attended Though injuries prevented him from From Page 1 Kamala Harris because their mother wanted them to Westmount High School,” Spector making it as a professional athlete, he Harris, a breast cancer specialist, had learn French. The only French words wrote on Twitter Tuesday. says he never forgot the moral support moved to Montreal to perform research the 12-year-old Harris knew when she Kwok, who runs the Wingho his American friend provided. work at the Jewish General Hospital first arrived came from her ballet class, Auto Classique dealership in Montreal, “Kamala would see me and teach at McGill University. the San Jose Mercury News reported in recalls Harris being a “very popular carrying all my bags and she’d always “I’m very proud of Kamala,” a May 2019 story. student” in high school. “She was very have a supportive word for me,” he former classmate Hugh Kwok told the As Harris wrote in her book: “I involved in the student association and recalled. “She’d say: ‘Go for it Hugh!” Montreal Gazette in a telephone used to joke that I felt like a duck, many different clubs. She was very That’s her character. She always interview Tuesday. “She was a special because all day long at our new school active.” encouraged me to stick with my person, kind and thoughtful, always I’d be saying, ‘Quoi? Quoi? Quoi?’ ” Kwok says Harris and himself dreams. It’s unfortunate that we didn’t very interested in helping everyone.” Some observers, such as were part of a group of 10 Westmount keep in touch. I don’t follow politics, but Harris’s 336-page memoir, The former Canadian diplomat and High students from the Class of 1981 you can bet I’ll be watching Nov. 3.” Truths We Hold: An American Journey, newspaper columnist Norman Spector, who went on to study at U.S. doesn’t shed much light on her wonder what Harris really made of the universities after graduating. [email protected] Montreal years — devoting only two experience. While Harris attended pages to that period of her life. “What we need to know now is Washington, D.C.’s Howard University, Upon arriving in Montreal, what memories — good and/or bad — majoring in both political science and Harris and younger sister Maya Kamala Harris harbours of Montréal, economics, Kwok went to the University attended the Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Québec and Canada having lived of Michigan on a tennis scholarship. ww.filipinostar.org 20 August 2020 The North American Filipino Star

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