Vol. XXXI No.12 December 2013 http://www.filipinostar.org Ethnic Press holds 2nd professional seminars By Zenaida Ferry Kharroubi communicate. Markham, ON - December 8, There were many interesting 2013 - About 260 members of the topics discussed by each National Ethnic Press and Media speaker/lecturer in different fields of Council of Canada attended the 2nd expertise that fulfilled the objectives of professional development seminar that the National Ethnic Press and Media was held from December 6 to 8, 2013 Council of Canada. to provide at Seneca College. The first one was professional skills and competence for held three years ago, November 20-22, its members. Besides giving 2009, also held at Seneca College recognition to the importance of the which provided most of the speakers ethnic media as Canada’s “other and lecturers for the seminars.This voices”, it was also a great opportunity seminar was made possible through to do networking. the Government of Canada’s Canadian Among the most relevant topic Periodical Fund under the Department discussed is the role of the ethnic of Canadian Heritage. media - why local news matters - The opening plenary session delivered by Ms. April Lindgren, was presided by the “Networking Canadian Ethnic Community Media Guru:, Donna Messer, who gave an Specialist, an associate professor in the excellent motivational lecture on School of Journalism at Ryerson “Effectuve Business Networking”, in an University. She pointed out that local inter-active fashion that drew repeated news coverage represents an applauses from the audience. Her important competitive advantage for main theme was the three C’s of Some of the participants in the seminars: from left: Helen Wang, Ned Blair, NEPMCC vice- See Page 4 Ethnic Media Networking - collaborate, commit, and president, Business Development, Zenaida Kharroubi, Kostas Karatsikis, Mario Ayala, and Maria Ayala. Photo taken before departing for the airport, December 8, 2013. Remembering Nelson Mandela Lessons for us all A remarkable man, a My involvement in Mandela’s Witwatersrand in Johannesburg on the case and cause began when I visited topic of “If Sharansky, Why Not remarkable legacy South Africa in 1981 as a guest of the Mandela?” For the South African anti-apartheid movement. I met with, government, Sharansky was a hero in Irwin Cotler on the lessons we must among others, faculty and student the fight against communism, whereas learn from Mandela organizations, leaders of the Black Mandela was a communist – and Sash women’s anti-apartheid group, terrorist – to be fought against. In fact, by Irwin Cotler on Friday, December 6, and members of Mandela’s legal team, Canada also considered Mandela a 2013 9:42pm including Issie Meisels, his Senior terrorist at the time. It is regrettably a rare occasion Counsel, George Bizos, and Arthur I was arrested moments after I when members of Canada’s political Chaskelson, then his junior counsel. spoke, because the mere mention of parties join together in solidarity. As Chaskelson would go on to become Mandela’s name was a punishable such, when I added my voice to those president of South Africa’s first offence in South Africa. While of Stephen Harper, Thomas Mulcair, constitutional court. detained, I was summoned to a and Elizabeth May as the entire House At the time, I was also serving meeting with Pik Botha, the South of Commons paid tribute to Nelson as counsel to imprisoned Soviet African Minister of Foreign Affairs (not Mandela in the hours after his death, it dissident Anatoly Sharansky, and the to be confused with Prime Minister P.W. Nelson Mandela was yet another manifestation of South African Union of Students asked See Page 4 Mandela July 18, 1918-December 5, 2013 Mandela’s great capacity to unite. me to speak at the University of the

www.filipinostar.org 2 The North American Filipino Star December 2013

Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon!

MDMarque déposée de La Banque de Nouvelle-Écosse. December 2013 The North American Filipino Star 3 Editorial Who is being negative, Aquino or The greatest tribute to Nelson Mandela is the the media? emulation of his ideas December 10, 2013 | Opinion to focus on the negative issues instead

If all the great speeches of the leader can engage in a debate frankly ON DISTANT SHORE of the positive ones.” At that time, world leaders during the funeral and thoroughly, knowing that at the By Val G. Abelgas Aquino was being criticized for his service of Nelson Mandela were not end he and the other side must be purchase of a Porsche and the use of ?Like a spoiled child who didn’t get only in words but also in deeds, we closer, and thus emerge stronger. You an armored Lexus, which he claimed what he wanted, President Aquino would achieve not only peace and don't have that idea when you are was loaned to him by his brother-in-law. ranted again against the media, unity but also the elimination of poverty arrogant, superficial, and uninformed. accusing newsmen of “too much and war. Let us therefore make it a Another brainy quote from Aquino said some media personnel negativism,” particularly in their point to remember quotes from his life Mandela seems to give the common might just be turning a blind eye on coverage of super typhoon Yolanda and see how they can be applied into man an insight as to what is really positive developments under his and the fighting in Zamboanga City. our own daily life. important in life: “Money won't create administration. “Mahirap ipakita sa Nelson Mandela spent 27 success, the freedom to make it will.” nagbubulagbulagan, at ipadinig sa “So often, when we read the years in prison, and yet he was willing He seems to imply that material things nagbibingibingihan. Basta kami newspaper, listen to the radio or watch to forgive his jailers. He said that if he are not as important as the intangibles magtatrabaho na lang.” TV, we still get a sense of too much did not forgive them, he would seem to which in essence are more powerful negativism. It’s like if we don’t create be still in prison. If the common man, such as a person’s motivation that Two weeks earlier, in a speech before controversy, our media are boring,” a who has been wronged in some way, drives one to do better and achieve his the Filipino community in Jakarta, visibly irked Aquino told members of understood that "resentment is like goals. Aquino also took a swipe at media for the press at the Christmas party of the drinking poison and then hoping it will Discrimination, racism, is not “reporting negative news about the Bulong Pulungan forum at the Sofitel kill your enemies" we may all enjoy only committed by one race over country instead of looking at its brighter Philippine Plaza in Pasay City. happier and healthier lives. another but it seems that it can also be side.” Mandela also said: “What committed by all kinds of people from Aquino made the remarks a few weeks So when the Social Weather Station globalization means, as it so often different racial groups. Mandela after his approval rating dropped 15 reported that Aquino’s satisfaction does, that the rich and powerful now exemplifies great wisdom when he points in a recent public opinion survey. rating had dipped 13 points, did you have new means to further enrich and said: I detest racialism, because I “At the end of the day, the only criteria I expect presidential deputy empower themselves at the cost of the regard it as a barbaric thing, whether it have is: Did I do right? And sometimes spokesperson Abigail Valte to say the poorer and weaker, we have a comes from a black man or a white the right decision may be unpopular. poll result has only inspired the responsibility to protest in the name of man.” Sometimes, conversely, the wrong President to focus even more on the universal freedom.” How many of us If everyone without exception decision is immensely popular,” he tasks at hand? No, she blamed the get involved in joining a movement to can learn to value time, perhaps, we said. change things that need to be can do greater things. Mandela media and hinted that advertisers should boycott publications that are changed? For example, do we ever appreciated time even though he was “Our people, I believe, are fair judges… printing negative stories about the take the time to write to our elected deprived from being free physically for I expect that the numbers will rebound, President. representatives to ask questions about 27 years for he managed to emerge [but] in case they do go down, that is a law that seems to be unfair? Another from jail with self-knowledge that made not the important thing,” he added. Aquino was visibly irritated by media’s illustration of most people’s apathy is him a great hero, the greatest son of “Will our people see me as doing that coverage of the devastation caused by the low voter turn out during elections. South Africa ever born. He said: We which is right? That is what is important typhoon Yolanda in Leyte, Samar and If participation in elections is not must use time wisely and forever to me.” considered an important duty by more realize that the time is always ripe to do other areas in the Visayas. Did he want the media to ignore the hundreds of people, we do not really know the right.” If all of us, leaders and followers But that precisely is what is wrong with bodies that lay unattended on Leyte’s meaning of freedom and we do not alike, do not wait to do the right things, his frequent rants against the media. streets? Did he want media to say seem to cherish the principles of the way Mandela lived his life, this He said he is not bothered by the government is responding very quickly democracy. world will indeed be a great place a continuous decline of his approval to the needs of the typhoon survivors, Mandela is admired for his rating, and yet every time it suffers a when relief came only three days after humility as he believes that “ A good Zenaida Ferry Kharroubi drop, he blames the media. He says he the disaster? Did he want media to believes the people are fair judges, and ignore the chaos that have resulted yet when the people decides he is not from the disorganized relief and doing his job well, he rants and blames recovery operations? the media.

As early as January 2011, only six months into the presidency, Aquino See Page 11 Aquino 5320-A Queen Mary Road criticized media’s alleged “propensity Montreal, Quebec H3X 1T7 Tel.: 514-485-7861 Published by: Filcan Publications, Inc. Zenaida Ferry Kharroubi North American Filipino Star Chief Editor & Publisher W.G. Quiambao Subscription Community News Al Abdon Sam Ferry Alberto Baens Santos News & Layout Editor Name: ______Tel.______Michael Davantes Bernardo Sarmiento Address: ______Columnists Bert Abiera Founder Opinion Editorial ______The opinions expressed by the writers and columnists do not necessarily reflect that of the management of the North American Filipino Star nor its editors. E-Mail______No. of issues ____ 12 = $30 Date:______24 = $50

www.filipinostar.org 4 The North American Filipino Star December 2013 release, he served in Mandela’s funeral and a loss. But I'm honoured to be From Page 1 Mandela government from 1994 to 1996, and he here and I'm very grateful to the prime From Page 1 Ethnic Media remains a member of the ANC. Indeed, minister for setting up the invitations the ethnic media and is also central to the Botha). Botha had a picture of Sharansky Mandela’s greatest legacy may be his way that he did," added Ms. Redford. role of these news media as community on his office wall, and he spent over three power to convert enemies into allies, Ms. Redford worked in South hours trying to convince me that the causes building coalitions between diverse – even Africa in the 1990s, alongside Nelson institutions. The participants learned of Mandela and Sharansky were antagonistic – peoples, races, and Mandela and with a team of legal experts how ethnic news outlets can adapt incompatible, and that South Africa was in identities, and giving expression to his helping shape the post-apartheid legal general news stories for their readers, fact a democratic pluralist society where vision of South Africa as a rainbow nation. system and constitution that would viewers and listeners and receive black and white citizens were separate but He accomplished all this without rancour, eventually lead to the country's first suggestions for boosting local content. equal. He was not impressed by my anger or malice, but with a generosity of democratic elections – and Mr. Mandela Dr. Andrew Gekas, Associate argument that both men were fighting for spirit and care that has inspired all in South becoming the first president of a new Professor of Business Administration, freedom, human rights, and human dignity, Africa and beyond. South Africa. Ryerson Univeristy, Ted Rogers School but because of the esteem in which he held In the days since his passing, not Liberal MP Irwin Cotler joined the of Management, delivered a lecture on Sharansky, he encouraged me to tour the only Canadian parliamentarians but Canadian delegation to South Africa to the Cost-Benefit of Quality. He gave a country and see the true nature of people around the world have set aside attend Nelson Mandela's funeral. Mr. Cotler apartheid for myself. their differences and united in recognition worked with Mr. Mandela's legal team llot of information on the cornerstornes I did just that before meeting with and celebration of this brilliant and beloved during the anti-apartheid activist's years in Botha again at the end of my trip. When he man. I join all those in South Africa and prison. asked for my impressions, I agreed that the around the world who mourn the loss of "It sounds banal to say that it was country was indeed a plural democracy – Nelson Mandela, and who strive to learn very moving, because I guess you would but only for white South Africans. For black the lessons of his remarkable life. May his hear that from most people. But it was as citizens, I told Botha it was worse than I had memory continue to inspire us and be a much a celebration of his life as it was the thought. South Africa was the only post- blessing for us all. mourning of his passing. It was very much World War II country that had a set of tributes from all those who spoke, institutionalized racism as a matter of law, Irwin Cotler is a Canadian Member of and I think there was 100 countries that and I would oppose this racist regime from Parliament and former Minister of Justice were represented today," Mr. Cotler said. wherever I was for as long as it was and Attorney General of Canada a He said the Canadian delegation necessary. ______was warned before leaving the hotel Accordingly, when I was asked by Tuesday morning that there might be an Barbara Caines, CBC TV and Radio anchor Mandela’s lawyers to be his Canadian This article can be found at administrative delay in getting for 3 decades, poses with Zenaida Kharroubi counsel – and to advocate for him as I had http://www2.macleans.ca/2013/12/06/a- accreditation for the ceremony but he said after her lecture on professional writing and been doing for Sharansky – I was pleased remarkable-man-a-remarkable-legacy/ it wasn't an issue when the group arrived. interview skills/best practices. to accept. "In effect, the long walk to Upon my return to Canada, I The Globe and Mail freedom is not over. It may be at this point of quality consisting of the 3 Cs - participated in the public launch of a major that he's gone to his resting place, it's now Commitment (unwavering, not casual), anti-apartheid initiative. Some of the the responsibility of South Africans December 10, 2013 Competence (expert know how) and Canadian organizations involved were individually and collectively to internalize Communication (common under- reluctant to reference Mandela lest his From Canada's delegation, Redford and his messages and his values and to build supposed associations with terrorism Cotler reflect on deep connections to the kind of South Africa that he was standing between sender and receiver.) tarnish the cause, but I believed then as Mandela aspiring for on their behalf," Mr. Cotler said. A quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson now that his personal struggle was Inside the stadium, Yukon sums up the idea of being committed to inextricably linked to the broader fight Premier Darrell Pasloski tweeted several producing quality service or product: against racism and inequality. By AFFAN CHOWDHRY AND KIM 'selfies' - one1 with his fellow premiers and “The reward of a job well done is to Unexpectedly, the links between MACKRAEL a second2 with four beaming former prime have done it.” Mandela’s struggle and that of Sharansky ministers and a governor general. The richness and variety of continued as well. As counsel to both, I was Nelson Mandela memorial moves For Premier Redford, the South topics discussed by different speakers asked by the South African government to Africa trip has been filled with "flashbacks" members of Canada's official delegation to who are practitioners and academics. help arrange a deal whereby it would reflect on their personal connection with from her time in the country – whether it is have made this seminar a rewarding release Mandela if the USSR would free the man who delivered South Africa from the development of the African National Sharansky and his fellow dissident Andrei apartheid Congress as the country's main political and whorthwhile experience. Ms. Sakharov. The Soviets declined, seeing in Just hours after Nelson Mandela's force or Mr. Mandela's evolution as a Barbara Caines, a Senior Canadian this a South African ploy to burnish their memorial – which drew tens of thousands leader who held the country together after Broadcast Journalist and Media reputation. The South African government of South Africans, along with world leaders the apartheid years. Leader, gave a lecture on professional then sought to have me broker a new and a global television audience in the It really struck me when I walked writing and interview skills and best arrangement that would include the release millions – members of the official Canadian in [to the stadium] because that was a practices. Dr. Ralph Izzard, Professor of a Soviet general in South African delegation reflected on being inside the place where I've been to other political Emeritus, E.W. Scripps School of custody. In the end, the general died in soccer stadium and the man who delivered meetings before – and to walk in there, to Journalism, Ohio University, Manship prison, and no agreement was reached. know that he wasn't going to get up on that South Africa from apartheid. School of Mass Communication, In 2001, the House of Commons "I never thought that his day stage was really hard. I was surprised how Louisiana State Univeristy, discussed awarded Mandela honorary Canadian would come. I never thought that I would sad it made me," she said. citizenship, and I was privileged to in join in have the opportunity to be here," said `Mr. Mandela's body will lie in the fundamentals of news reporting. the debate. As I said then, Nelson Mandela Alberta Premier Alison Redford during a state for three days in the capital Pretoria Ms. Paula Todd, Lawyer, leading is the metaphor and message of the conference call with reporters, her voice beginning Wednesday. On Sunday, he will National Author and Journalist, struggle for human rights and human choked with emotion. be buried in his ancestral village of Qunu. Advocate for Justice, Professor at dignity in our time. The three great "I'm not sure that I would say that School of Media and Marketing at struggles of the 20th century – for freedom, I enjoyed being here – for me it was a Seneca College, underscored the equality, and democracy – are symbolized importance of objectivity, accuracy, and and anchored in his personal struggle in transparency in reporting whether it is South Africa. He represents tolerance, digital, broadcast, or print. Hamza healing, reconciliation, and education as a precondition for a culture of peace, and his Khan, Digital Strategist, Entrepreneur, emergence after 27 years in prison – not Media Business Success Guru, only to dismantle an unjust regime but to Professor at Seneca College and build and govern a renewed and unified University of and Ryerson nation – is the ultimate expression of hope University, focused on the 360-Degree and antidote to cynicism. Digital Marketing Strategies for New Last year, I returned to South Audiences. Ms. Robin Potter, Professor Africa at an important moment in the at the School of English and Liberal country’s history. It was both the 100th Studies at Seneca College, showed anniversary of Mandela’s African National how to use Wordpress.com to create Congress (ANC), and the 15th anniversary of the South African constitution, which responsive online blogs and websites. drew for inspiration on Canada’s Charter of Byron Tobar, professor at Seneca Rights and Freedoms. In addition to College’s School of International reuniting with anti-apartheid activists and Business, gave many insightful fellow members of Mandela’s legal team, I suggestions on Translating Effective sought out Pik Botha and met with him Business Strategy into Proactive again. Business Planning as well as Leveraging In the years since we last spoke, Botha had become the first South African A delegation of U.S. presidents, George Bush, Sr., Barack Obama, George Bush, and Bill Clinton See Page 7 Ethnic Media cabinet minister to call for Mandela’s at the memorial service for Nelson Mandela, December 15, 2013, www.filipinostar.org December 2013 The North American Filipino Star 5

2XIST Campaign Model Eian Scully - Raising funds for the Victims of Typhoon Yolanda

As a Samareno, I am trying to He had also worked with Madonna. help raise funds to rebuild the Visayas As the campaign model for 2Xist, Eian through several ways such as is raising money by selling partnering with supermodel Eian autographed 2Xist underwear with Scully. proceeds going to a rehabilitation Eian Scully I discovered Eian at Mont initiative to rebuild the lives and Royal when he was only 17 years old. livelihoods of fishing communities fishermen who have lost their boats volunteers could extend help in He was also raised by a Filipina so that ravaged by Super Typhoon Yolanda. and are ready to resume fishing. This building the boats. he is familiar with Filipino culture. The objective is to build 10,000 fishing may be validated on BFAR’s Fisherfolk We are calling on all interested are very dear to his heart. His boats that will be distributed to Registration System, the national individuals, public and private entities, database for municipal fisher folk local and foreign to work together and registration which was launched July support the livelihood of those affected this year. so they would have food not only for a Depending on the area, the boats may day but for the days to come. be built either by the fishefolk You can contact me at beneficiaries themselves or through [email protected]. a the pooled workers of an LGU or at the BFAR regional centers where

Photo shows men carrying building materials for the fishermen’s boats

career took off after landing big fisherfolk families in severely hit contracts in Korea, Japan, Hong Kong provinces of Regions 6,7,8, and 4B. and Singapore – becoming the Twenty-one provinces with fishing advertising model for giant companies communities were severely devastated such as LG, Fila, Fubu, among others. by typhoon Yolanda – affecting an He then moved to New York - landing estimated 146,748 fishermen. 10,000 gigs for Ralph Lauren, CK, and Saks fishing boats would save the livelihood Constructing the fishermen’s boats as part of the rehabilitation project Fifth Ave. He had walked for big name of 20,000 fishermen families. To build a designers such as Michael Bastian, boat with motor engine would cost Watch the second episode of and was chosen to open the Amfar approximately P15T and P6T without show. He also graced the covers and engine. Mabuhay Montreal TV pages of various magazines such as The selection of beneficiaries will be Friday, December 27, 2013 at 7 P.M. on Vogue, Style for Men, DSection, done in consultation with the local Hercules, Haute Living, and so forth. government units, based on their list of Videotron Channels 16, 616 HD, Bell Fibe 216/1216HD 6 The North American Filipino Star December 2013 program. Individuals, organizations dispose of hazardous products (that is, waterways across the U.S. since it and anyone interested in conducting a not right down the drain), wash our began in 1991. cleanup on their local river can register cars at professional carwashes (where “These cleanups have removed more with the program and get free trash there are proper wastewater treatment than 16.5 million pounds of litter and bags as well as assistance with media procedures), recycle used motor oil, debris from America’s rivers and coverage, volunteer promotion and and use non-toxic alternatives for streams,” reports American Rivers. technical support. The program has household chemicals whenever 2012 was the most successful year to helped more than a million volunteers possible. date in the history of the program, with EarthTalk® participate in thousands of cleanups Of course, there is only so 400+ registered cleanups, 92,500 E - The Environmental Magazine covering more than 244,500 miles of much that individuals can do on their volunteers nationwide, 3.5 million Dear EarthTalk: Is there a way to get waterways across the U.S. since it own. While preventing pollution at the pounds of trash removed from local communities involved in cleaning began in 1991. source is important, many waterways American waterways, and 39,000 miles up waterways, like rivers, lakes, “These cleanups have removed more have so much legacy pollution in them of waterway cleaned. The group is streams and creeks? -- Rebecca, via than 16.5 million pounds of litter and already that they need to be cleaned hoping 2013 will turn out to be another e-mail debris from America’s rivers and up directly—no small job and typically record year for the program. Indeed, many of our local streams,” reports American Rivers. way beyond the scope of a few CONTACTS: NRDC’s “How to Clean waterways have seen better days, 2012 was the most successful year to individuals. Some municipal, county or Up Our Water,” thanks to decades of pollution. And date in the history of the program, with state governments might be inclined to www.nrdc.org/water/pollution/gsteps.a cleaning them up and preventing 400+ registered cleanups, 92,500 help, but getting friends and neighbors sp; further damage can be challenging, volunteers nationwide, 3.5 million involved first is a good way to American Rivers’ National River since much of the contamination has pounds of trash removed from demonstrate community support. Also, Cleanup, accumulated over time and results American waterways, and 39,000 miles local businesses, non-profit groups, www.americanrivers.org/take- from what is known as “non-point of waterway cleaned. The group is youth centers and schools are often action/cleanup. source” pollution, which accounts for hoping 2013 will turn out to be another looking for ways to get people involved EarthTalk® is written and edited by as much as 60 percent of the water record year for the program. in community service projects, so Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a pollution in the U.S. CONTACTS: NRDC’s “How to Clean asking around town might be the best registered trademark of E - “When it rains, fertilizer from Up Our Water,” way to enlist dozens or more The Environmental Magazine lawns, oil from driveways, paint and www.nrdc.org/water/pollution/gsteps.a volunteers. (www.emagazine.com). solvent residues from walls and decks sp; Another way to get the ball Send questions to: and even pet waste are all washed American Rivers’ National River rolling is to sign up with American [email protected]. a into storm sewers or nearby lakes, Cleanup, www.americanrivers.org/take- Rivers’ National River Cleanup rivers and streams—the same lakes, action/cleanup. program. Individuals, organizations Advertise in the rivers and streams we rely on for EarthTalk® is written and edited by and anyone interested in conducting a drinking water supply, boating, Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a cleanup on their local river can register North American swimming and fishing,” reports the registered trademark of E - with the program and get free trash non- profit Natural Resources Defense The Environmental Magazine bags as well as assistance with media Filipino Star Council (NRDC). “Also, improper (www.emagazine.com). Send coverage, volunteer promotion and handling of materials around the questions to: technical support. The program has house can lead to pollution.” [email protected]. helped more than a million volunteers Call 514-485-7861 According to NRDC, each of us EarthTalk® participate in thousands of cleanups can do our part to reduce this run-off EarthTalk® covering more than 244,500 miles of pollution and thus help protect local E - The Environmental Magazine waterways. For one, we can replace Dear EarthTalk: Is there a way to get Kalman Samuels, Q.C. concrete and other hard surfaces local communities involved in cleaning around our homes with porous up waterways, like rivers, lakes, materials, so that rainwater drains streams and creeks? -- Rebecca, via e- & Associates, s.e.n.c. naturally into the ground and not into mail Attorneys pathways that lead it into waterways. Indeed, many of our local We can landscape with native plants waterways have seen better days, and natural fertilizers, and refrain from thanks to decades of pollution. And over-watering our lawns and gardens. cleaning them up and preventing And we can properly dispose of further damage can be challenging, hazardous products (that is, not right since much of the contamination has down the drain), wash our cars at accumulated over time and results from professional carwashes (where there what is known as “non-point source” are proper wastewater treatment pollution, which accounts for as much procedures), recycle used motor oil, as 60 percent of the water pollution in and use non-toxic alternatives for the U.S. household chemicals whenever “When it rains, fertilizer from possible. lawns, oil from driveways, paint and Of course, there is only so solvent residues from walls and decks much that individuals can do on their and even pet waste are all washed into own. While preventing pollution at the storm sewers or nearby lakes, rivers source is important, many waterways and streams—the same lakes, rivers Stella Samuels have so much legacy pollution in them and streams we rely on for drinking already that they need to be cleaned up water supply, boating, swimming and • Family Law • Litigation • Immigration directly—no small job and typically way fishing,” reports the non- profit Natural beyond the scope of a few individuals. Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Some municipal, county or state “Also, improper handling of materials www.kalmansamuels.com Tel. : 514-939-1200 governments might be inclined to help, around the but getting friends and neighbors house can lead to pollution.” According involved first is a good way to to NRDC, each of us can do our part to demonstrate community support. Also, reduce this run-off pollution and thus local businesses, non-profit groups, help protect local waterways. For one, DR. EMILIA ESPIRITU youth centers and schools are often we can replace concrete and other looking for ways to get people involved hard surfaces around our homes with CHIRURGIEN DENTISTE / DENTAL in community service projects, so porous materials, so that rainwater SURGEON asking around town might be the best drains naturally into the ground and not way to enlist dozens or more into pathways that lead it into 5790 Cote des Neiges Rd Suite A-024 volunteers. waterways. We can landscape with MONTREAL, QUEBEC PHONE: 514-340-8222 (4077) Another way to get the ball native plants and natural fertilizers, and H3S 1Y9 E-Mail: [email protected] rolling is to sign up with American refrain from over-watering our lawns Rivers’ National River Cleanup and gardens. And we can properly

www.filipinostar.org December 2013 The North American Filipino Star 7 president of NEPMCC (National Ethnic Chinese community newspaper i4that From Page 4 Ethnic Media Press and Media Council of Canada) nformed the government authorities Cultural Diversity into Effective Business cited the fact that the 3-day seminar was about racism that a group of Chinese Strategy and Opportunity. fDr. Gabriel equivalent to having earned credits from fishemen experienced, leading to Huston, professor in the School of a one year programme in a university or legislative measures to correct the situation. She said that examples of reporting like this can usually be carried only in local community newspapers which have a positive impact on making a difference in our society. a

*******

A souvenir photo with Canadian Minister of Immigraton & Citizenship during the gala night, December 7, 2013.

Olivia Chow, (4th from the right) the widow of Jack Layton, NDP leader who passed away on Aug. 22, 2011, is flanked by several ethnic press members. International Business, Faculty of college. The knowledge one gained Business, Seneca College, who from the exposure to many ideas will coordinated the seminars, gave a certainly give the ethnic media a big lecture on “The 5 Pillars of Me, Inc..: Your boost to create the opportunity to Strategic Business Roadmap, and succeed in a very challenging field of “Partnering in Best Practices: Ethics and newspaper publishing. Corporate Social Responsibility.” Sun- The gala night was held on Kyung (Sunny) Yi, an award-winning Saturday, December 7, 2013 which was documentary filmmaker, talked about the graced by three important guests, “Potential of Ethnic Youth, Poly-ethnic namely, Chris Alexander, Minister of and Trans-ethnic Groups for Canadian Immigration and Citizenship Canada, the Ethnic Publishers.” She is working on Mayor of Markham, Ontario, Mr. Frank her Ph.D thesis on “being and becoming Scarpitti, and Jim Karygiannis, Liberal MP. multi-cultural” which sounds quite Mr. Thomas Saras, president of NEPMCC, presenting the certificate of achievement to Zenaida Kharroubi, editor of the interesting for immigrants because it On the final day of the seminar, North American Filipino Star, for having participated in the 3-day professional development seminar, December 6 to 8, touches on a common chord of Mrs. Barbara Hall, Chairperson of the 2013 at Seneca College. experience of having been transplanted Ontario Human Rights Commission, from one culture to another. acknowledged the important role played When the time to give the by the ethnic press. In particular, she certicates came, Mr. Thomas Saras, the recalled the report published in a

Canadian Immigration Minister Chris Alexander receiving a certificate of appreciation

[email protected]

www.filipinostar.org 8 The North American Filipino Star December 2013 PERSONALITY OF THE MONTH Gawad Kalinga (GK) Montreal stages fundraising for Yolanda victims Teus plays music to express his feelings by W. G. Quiambao Monsanto are just two of the companies that decided to work with us. Oftentimes, A video clip of houses and bridges we think charity means money. It means playing in various clubs in the by W. G. Quiambao destroyed, residents left homeless and more than that. It means cooperation and until 1993. Then from 1994 volunteers brought together to re-build the working together. We have to set aside to 1995, he was the lead Joven Teus, who hails from Pasay City , houses were the heart-wrenching images politics. It's important than pity. " guitarist/vocalist when the band sings and plays the guitar and drum. that the guests viewed at the GK (Mtl.) performed at Farmland Hotel and Music runs in the family - his father cocktail fundraising for the typhoon Philiip Peñalosa, one of the organizers of Resort, then at Swiss Grand Hotel in Yolanda victims held on Dec. 5 in a the event said, "I'm not involved in Gawad played bandurria (a plucked Seoul Korea. The band also performed downtown hotel. Kalinga. But I saw the need to help. I was chordophone from Spain similar to at Brau Haus International in China in Mandolin), his mother used to sing and 2002 and at Onigashima in Japan from his brothers and sisters have performed 2004 to 2005. abroad. Teus said that the country where he "It's funny because I didn't really go to enjoyed performing the most was in school to study music," admitted Teus. Hiroshima Ken Fukuyuma, who arrived in Montreal only last year. Japan."Japanese were very "Mine is purely talent. When I was appreciative of our work. And they're young,, I'd watch my family and listen very generous with tips. In fact, the to them perform. " other bands were jealous of us because we got more tips. I love Korea too. After high school graduation in 1973, contrary to what I thought, Koreans Teus was approached by his brother to were very generous too." play guitar in the latter's band. "Initially, Looking back, Teus can't help I was hesitant because I was afraid that comparing the music industry in the I couldn't meet the band's expectation. I 70s and in the 90's when he was was more experienced in playing the starting to play in the clubs . "There drum, not the guitar" were few bands and a lot of clubs then. From left: W. G. Quiaqmba, Eden Peñalosa, Eric Tamayo (Philippine Consul Gemeral) If we have issues with the owner of the But Teus relented when his brother and Fina Vergara. club, we could easily quit and move to told him not to worry . other clubs. But in the 90s, there were many bands and few places to play." born here but my parents are from the "He promised to train me," Teus said. Eric Tamayo, Philippine Consul General in Philippines. I still find lots of identities,. My "At night, "I'll sleep at his house and stay Although he enjoyed his job, he was Ottawa, said in his speech, "13.5 million aunts and cousins are from Tacloban. Their there till after midnight. We'll practice ready to quit playing in the band in the were affected by the typhoon and out of house was completely destroyed. For me , until I became an expert in playing the late 80s. However, a friend prodded that number, 3.5 million Filipinos were there is a personal connection. We all have guitar." him to try Harana (lSerenade). He had displaced, 1,100 are still missing and 800 to do something together. " million is the amount needed for relief and no idea that he would love it. Teus, whose forte is playing standard rehabilitation. Canada has not held back. It The goal of the event is to raise $15,000 to music like Mysty, The Nearness of You, has responded swiftly It has come up with build four to five houses in the Philippines. 'The band consists of a minimum five All the Way and even western music like a unique way of helping the Philippines by The houses will be added to the number musicians," Teus said." We normally I love you Because, believes that talent matching the amount of donation it will raised from other fundraising initiatives started from 8 p.m. till about 2 in the is more important. "Musicians who read receive from Canadians. We're lucky to done by Gawad Kalinga Canada. Each morning,. The money was'nt good. It notes can't play music once they lose have Canada as a friend." home will be complemented with a was tiring. And we had to carry sustainable family farming program . Farm them. For example, for fun, we would amplifier, drum, etc. On the other Gawad Kalinga (GK) which means "to give input , water systems, and technical turn off the lights when we practised hand, Harana has a minimum of four care" in Filipino is actually known as training have been devised and developed then. Friends who read notes couldn't members. The money was good. The Gawad Kalinga Community Development in partnership with the Philippines perform. They're lost. They depended hours were short, from lunch time to 2 Foundation, a Philippine-based poverty Department of Agriculture and agricultural on their notes while those with just p.m." alleviation and nation-building movement. state universities. The resulting village will talent like me could still perform without With a growing number of advocates in be complete with a community facility that All we had to do was serenade the notes. The bottom line is that it's even the country, Canada has established a will be used for training , education and customers. Just play or sing their better if a musician has a talent and strong partnership with its government and livelihood. a requests." ability to read notes." gained support from companies, families Learn to speak French and organizations allowing them to build Nowadays, Teus misses singing and the fast and easy way His breakthrough came in 1974 when 82 GK villages. playing the guitar and drum. "My plan he played as second lead/vocalist at is to teach guitar lessons. To share "Our goal is not only to give relief but also Enroll at Gilmore College Baklad Disco in Pulang Lupa, Las my talents, especially, with the youth" to completely eradicate poverty," said Amir Piñas, Philippines. From 1975, he 514-485-7861 Billones, who has been with the Gawad became the lead/bass guitarist and Kalinga for five years."Peninsula Hotel and sometimes, the drummer of the band Need Money?

• No Credit Checks!

• No upfront fees!

• Immediate response!

Call and Get Cash Now!!! (514) 344-1499

www.filipinostar.org December 2013 The North American Filipino Star 9 reversal of fortune and they emerged his mother to be involved in such a scam victorious in 2013 poll. As predicted, the because she wasonly a receptionist in the alliance that was begrudgingly born out of company that she was working for at that necessity and desperation rather than of time. I found his explanation very lame and genuine cooperation has started to unravel full of holes so I supported Mr. Lionel Perez a few months later. instead. Reportedly, Parado and Dahiroc The allegation of wrongdoing recently had a rancorous shouting match in committed by Hamon and/or his mother full view of their respective die-hard spread like wildfire and threatened to supporters. Ayon sa report, nagrereklamo damage his already dwindling candidacy. It raw ang grupo nina Manuel at Dahiroc na sent his mother and some of his major isinasapuwera na sila ni Parado sa mga Pinoy supporters scampering to stem the importanteng aktibidad ng FAMAS gayong bleeding before it was too late. One of sila raw ang nagpanalo kina Quirapas at them almost immediately called for the mas malaki ang hirap sa kanilang creation of a damage control tagumpay noong nakaraang eleksyon. committee. When it didn’t pan out and the Puro raw hinugot sa Federation nina Angie erosion of Erik’s support continued, said HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE Ogerio at Felix Reyes ang naa-appoint sa “Hamonite,“ who appeared to have a key positions ng FAMAS at wala nang knack for taking advantage of FAMAS Community Center distance, the kinuha sa Samahang Makabayan. Dahiroc opportunities,switched allegiance to Lionel renamed JP Memorial Center termagant yelled, “No! Hindi mo also decries the lukewarm reception he Perez at the eleventh hour when it was According to unverified reports magagamit ang telepono ng Center!” She and his group get from Parado whenever certain that his candidate would lose and received recently by this columnist, the behaved as if she owned the building or they are at the Community Center. Malaki the incumbent councilor for Darlington Philippine Community Center (aka FAMAS was the FAMAS president when she was a na raw riding was going to be Center) was renamed JP Memorial Center mere member of ang ipinag-iba ni Parado magmula nang reelected. In the last issue of The Filipino shortly after a group of the usual the Board of Trustees who didn’t have any mabalik sa kanila ang kapangyarihan na Forum, Fred Magallanes, who was hypocrites barefacedly converted it into decision-making power of her own. She kung ilang taon din na pinagtuluan ng reprimanded a few times by the Quebec their own enclave to the unfair exclusion of was full of herself like she always is. laway ng power-hungry at matagal nang Press Council for questionable and the rest of the community for whose benefit Perhaps, that woman’s already nagpa-panggap na lider. Hindi lamang unprofessional journalism and who has a the center was painstakingly established bad attitude got worse when she sina Manuel at Dahiroc ang namumuhi sa pending case for defamation, blamed over the years in the first place. The Center underwent treatment after being diagnosed pinaggagagawa at inaasal ni Parado. Pati mudslinging by Erik Hamon’s opponent’s is now so exclusive that even their then- with a dreaded disease not too long ago. raw si Cely Dagsaan ay humiwalay na rin Pinoy supporters for Hamon’s loss. allies are virtually banned from enjoying Anyway, this corner wonders why the dahil hindi na n’ya masikmura ang pagka- According to Magallanes, Erik would have what-is-supposed-to-be-open-for- present FAMAS Executive Board seems to adelantado at paghaharihari-an ni Miss been the first ever Filipino-Canadian everybody community center. Thanks to JP, condone this kind of uncivilized and Double H (hypocritical and hubristic). elected to the Montreal City Council had Au all that has been realized. shameful behavior. Is the EB too milksoppy Hindi naman daw si Parado ang Osdon, James dela Paz and Gina Medina, Before my readers jump into to go against the outrageous whims of that presidente ng FAMAS, pero s’ya ang among others, supported a Filipino- conclusion (if they haven’t already), JP unelected spoiled brat? God bless FAMAS umaastang presidente at kung magsalita at Canadian candidate and not eventual stands for “Just Private.” But by sheer if it is. kumilos ay parang mas mataas pa s’ya kay winner Lionel Perez. coincidence, it’s also the initials of the most Quirapas o sa buong Executive Board. Magallanes’s assertion is full of hubristic person in Canada, if not the world, ******* Kung bakit pumapayag ang EB na gawin hypocrisy because Alex Robles, who ran and lone recipient of the egregious sa kanila ito ni Parado ay hindi ko na alam. for city councilor many municipal elections IT LOOKS LIKE THEIR Maawaka Awards. But was it really just a ******* ago, would have been the first ever Filipino- HONEYMOON IS FINALLY OVER coincidence? I have this funny feeling that Canadian elected to the Montreal City the woman with the same initials and The stench emanating from ERIK HAMON AND THE HYPOCRITES Council had Magallanes and his group widely known for her vaingloriousness, their rotting coalition is so potent and AMONG HIS PINOY SUPPORTERS voted for Robles for the same reason that among many other defects and negative inescapable that I could still smell it even As we already know, Erik Hamon they would like Filipino electorate in traits, actually pressured the current though I’m more than 3970 kilometers was a candidate in the last Montreal Montreal to vote for Hamon. “Vote for leadership of FAMAS to rename the Center away from Montreal. I am referring to the municipal election. Many of Hamon’s Pinoy Hamon because he is a Filipino,” they after her, partly to spite the previous unsurprising break up of the strategic, but supporters supported him mainly because would always say. Not only did Magallanes FAMAS Executive Board for the snub she unnatural, alliance between the elitist of his half-Filipino status. Pinoy leaders of not vote for Robles despite the latter’s got from the organizers of the FAMAS 50th Parado-Magallanes group and the his campaign couldn’t belabor their mantra Filipinoness, but he also assassinated Anniversary Awards. proletarian Samahang Makabayan led by enough that Filipinos should vote for Robles’ character by publishing in his In an unrelated incident, that Cesar Manuel and Gaspar Dahiroc that Hamon because of the Filipino blood trashy newspaper that Robles was paid to same vainglorious woman, ever spiteful was particularly formed more than two running in his veins. run and did not speak French. Instead they and insecure, unnecessarily bawled a years ago for no other purpose but to grab Admittedly, I was inclined to throw supported Robles’ opponent, a multi- prominent community member out when the power from then-ruling Mabuhay Team my support for Hamon, but held it in millionaire Indio-Canadian who lost his the latter was at the Center attending an led by then-President of FAMAS Aurora abeyance upon learning that he might be candidacy anyway. important meeting [on a special invitation Osdon. This writer thought all along that it complicit in his mother’s alleged By the way, I think that priests, from John Papadimas,the Regional Press was just a matter of time and they would be participation in a scam that victimized pastors and ministros or any other leaders Relations Advisor of Prime Minister at each other’s throat, fighting over the many Pinay caregivers and would-be of religious groups will be better off if they Harper’s office] and asked if she could use proverbial spoils of war in case they would caregivers in Montreal in stick to religion and refrain from publicly the Center’s telephone. From a few-meter emerge victorious. Two-years after their 1999 and 2000. Understandably, he endorsing any particular candidate or defeat in 2011 election, there was a defended his mother against said getting involved in politics or political allegation saying that it was impossible for processes except to vote. a TRIPLE B Do you want to be the life of the party? 6338 Victoria Aenue, Suite No. 4 Meet new friends? Enjoy life to the fullest? Montreal, Quebec H3W 2S5 It’s easy - learn how to dance like a PRO. Tel. (514) 731-7450 Join the Gilmore Dance Club. (Corner Victoria - Carlton Ave.) Start with 10 lessons, to try if you Office Hours: Monday to Sunday like it. Classes are taught by 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM a professional dance instructor. Sunday schedule - 6 to 7 p.m. - Nationwide Door to Door Delivery - Bank Deposit to Any Bank Classes start as soon as there are 7 Pick up transaction at Mlhuillier to 10 confirmed registrations -Pick up transaction at Banco de Oro Cost - $100 for 10 lessons prepaid. - TFC () Subscription Course to start in January. - Mobile phone loading (Smart, Globe, TM etc) For information & registration: - Jollibee Padalang Langhap Sarap Call 514-485-7861 “Easy, Fast and Reliable! Trust that your hard earned money will reach your loved ones in the Philippines.”.

www.filipinostar.org 10 The North American Filipino Star December 2013 We know talking about buying Harper Government DSLR camera lenses makes your mind Reminds Canadians to get all fuzzy, but let's get focused and Make Smart Toy Choices Ask the zoom in on buying the right lens for your specific needs. It doesn't have to this Holiday Shopping cost a lot of money, butthere are times Season - Canadians Video Guy when you're not spending money but encouraged to sign up for investing in quality lenses that last and recall notices and alerts produce crisp,bright images. by An often forgotten element of at video producing, lenses play a vital healthycanadians.gc.ca role. Average to good lenses are seldom given positive attention, while December 17, 2013 Al Abdon horrible lenses attract the wrong kind of For immediate release attention: the "Why does my video look like it was shot through a soda OTTAWA, ONTARIO - Today, Tips on buying lenses bottle?" attention. Purchasing quality Parliamentary Secretary Eve Adams Are you shooting with a DSLR, virtually no loss of light from the glass lenses can help avoid this issue. on behalf of Rona Ambrose, Minister cinema camera or camcorder with an optics, it would also have a T- Stop of For nearly all consumer of Health, hosted a toy safety interchangeable lens? Choices in your t/1.0. camcorders, lenses are attached and demonstration to highlight the optics can be mind boggling. What Cine lenses are described in T- can't be interchanged with other, importance of making safe toy choices each lens does varies by price, type Stops because there is always a loss of specialized lenses. You're pretty much when shopping for children this and ability. This primer on lens families light in an optical system. T-Stops are stuck with the lens that came with the holiday season and encouraged should point you in a new direction physical measurements carefully taken camera. That's not to say it's a poorly Canadians to visit giving you abilities you never had with scientific instruments which performing lens, but your options for healthycanadians.gc.ca, a one stop before in depth of field, and control indicate the amount of light that versatility are greatly reduced when shop for consumers. over your imaging. actually comes out of the lens and onto some special situation calls for a Camera lenses vary widely in the sensor. So an f/1.0 lens will actually shallow depth-of-field or a very wide "When choosing the perfect gift for a price, type and abilities. This page has have a different T- Stop value. Cine view of a given area. However, when child in your life this holiday season, helpful descriptions of many common lenses are generally more expensive shooting video with a DSLR or one of start by reading the toy label," said lens families and explanations of what because you do get what you pay for the newer camcorders with Parliamentary Secretary Adams. they offer. To learn more generally which is a very accurate indication of interchangeable lens options, your "Unsafe toys can put a child at risk for about which lenses you should use go light loss through the lens, and they are available choices grow greatly. No illness or injury, so it's important to visit www.lozeau.ca and click on usually matched to each other so that longer are you limited to the make sure that the toys you select are lenses. If you reside in Toronto, I would one lens has exactly the same light loss manufacturer's lenses, you may shop well made and age-appropriate." recommend www.vistek.ca which has as another. That way when the for lenses created by Chrosziel, branches in Ottawa and Calgary. cinematographer is shooting with Rokinon, When buying toys for children of any multiple cameras, each lens provides Sigma, Tamron, Zeiss, and age, consumers should always follow Cine Lenses and F-Stop vs. T-Stop exactly the same amount of light to the others that specialize in making lenses these safety tips: sensor. that provide combinations of quality, What is the difference between Buying a lens can be cost and ability. Purchase age appropriate toys, as T-Stop and F-Stop? You will notice that confusing: What is a prime lens? Are toys for older children may contain it’s common for cine lens good lenses available on a meager Al Abdon small parts or other hazards that may manufacturers to list the T-Stop value budget? Is a zoom lens a good make them unsafe for young children; instead of F-Stop and still lens choice? Let’s look at what kind of Hollywood Junkies Video Production manufacturers to list the F-Stop value lenses you should consider and how a and no T-Stop value. F-Stop is a wise investment in a quality lens can be (514) 264-8706 a mathematical (theoretical) value the difference between your audience describing the ratio of the aperture reacting with a wow or a yawn. RESTAURANT (lens opening) to focal length, where I was shooting a DSLR at the focal length is divided by the lens MMTV using a zoom lens on the set but LA MAISON NEW KUM MON aperture. A 100mm lens with an the result was not as even when using 6565 Côte-des-Neiges Road 5047 Henri Bourassa Est aperture opening of 50mm would have a prime or fixed lens. My shot was (near Corner Appleton) Montréal, QC H1G 2S1 an F-Stop of f/2.0. A 100mm lens with almost rejected by the network Montreal, QC Tel.: (514) 322-3133, 322-3130 an aperture of 100mm would because of the poor broadcast quality a have an F-Stop of f/1.0. Assuming zoom lens produces. Bean Curd Seafood Soup Fish Maw Seafood Soup 1/2 Crispy Chicken Baked Lobster with Ginger Salt and Pepper Pork Loin Seafood with Chinese Stuffed Bean Curd with Ecole de Conduite Shrimps Broccoli Sauted Seasonal Vegetables Salt and Pepper Cuttle Fish Steamed Rice Fried Sea Bass Fish ECHO $45.95 Steamed Rice $68.95 Certified by Driving School 4 persons 4 persons Bean Curd Soup 5871 Victoria, #219 Fish maw seafood soup 1/2 Crispy Chicken 2 Baked Lobsters with Ginger Montreal H3W 2R7 Shrimp Cake with Chinese Seafood with Eggplant 514-731-8757 /514-961-0591 Broccoli in Hot Pot [email protected] Sweet and Sour Pork Stuffed Bean Curd with Seafood with Bean Curd in Shrimp $699 tax included Hot Pot Seafood with Chinese broccoli Salt and Pepper Squid Fried Sea Bass Fish More discounts for two or more persons who House Fried Rice register together.!! Fried Sea Bass Fish $75.95 Special Fried Noodles $145.95 •New Program (RSEP) 24 hrs theory •Free & Fast Road Test Steamed Rice 6 persons 10 persons & 15 hrs practical driving booking appointment •Payment plan for new program •Have Filipino instructor •Instructors w/more than 10 yrs FREE DELIVERY •Practical Driving Package 514-733-6029 experience certified by AQTr Minimum order of $10 We emphasize quality of service and students’ satisfaction. Delivery hours: 514-733-1067 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. For party menu, call Kenny 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

www.filipinostar.org December 2013 The North American Filipino Star 11 Read and follow the age labels, Toymakers in Canada have to make now resorted to blaming everybody warnings, safety messages and sure their products follow the rules set From Pagge 2 Aquino else except himself for the poor assembly instructions that come with a out in the Canada Consumer Product ratings that he has been getting. The toy; Safety Act and associated Toys Newsmen merely report the facts son everybody had expected to Regulation. Health Canada's Product presented before them. They won’t say respect press freedom now wants Look for sturdy, well-made toys; and, Safety Officers regularly check for there are lootings if there are none. media to temper its criticism. unsafe toys in the marketplace. Even They won’t say the death toll could Look for toys that come with contact so, unsafe toys can make their way into reach 10,000 if they were not told so, But who will decide which is information for the manufacturer or homes. Being informed and aware of or if they did not witness the hundreds sensationalism and which is the truth? importer. potential risks will help you protect of bodies recovered daily. They won’t Should it be the presidential your child's health and safety. say relief goods have not reached spokesmen? Should it be Aquino? Toys can be recalled for health and certain villages, if indeed they have. What is sensationalism to Aquino and safety reasons. Our free Recalls and If consumers experience a health or his aides could actually be the truth. Safety Alerts application for Apple, safety incident with a toy they have in Aquino should have commended instead the media men for leaving the And that is not for Aquino, his aides, Android and BlackBerry delivers up-to- their home, they should report it to the or even the media to decide. The date and reliable health and safety manufacturer or the retailer it was comfort of their offices so that the rest of the nation would know what was media merely reports the events that information right to your smartphone. bought from. They can also report happening in that part of the country. happen, and the columnists comment Canadians are encouraged to sign up incidents on Health Canada's website. Aquino saw the devastation himself; on such events. It is eventually the through the Healthy Canadians web why has he not come out of denial and people who will decide what to site. -30- admitted that the devastation was truly believe and who to believe. enormous, and instead of ranting "Toys should be a source of holiday fun Media Enquiries: against media and the local We cannot discount the fact that for kids," said Diane Brisebois, executives, he should have rallied the some media practitioners may have President and CEO of the Retail Michael Bolkenius entire government machinery to help some biases or prejudices, but let the Council of Canada. "Before buying a Office of the Honourable Rona the typhoon survivors. readers be the judge of that, not the toy, consumers should always do their Ambrose politicians whose perception of what homework to make sure they are Federal Minister of Health He would rather blame than support is wrong what is right, or what is true making appropriate choices." (613) 957-0200 the media and the local executives and what is not, is clouded by their who were sweating it out in the own selfish interest. Once the toys are at home, parents Health Canada disaster areas. Who is overflowing with and caregivers should continue to be Media Relations negativism — he or the media? And The government that won on a legacy vigilant. For example, toys should be (613) 957-2983 yet, he is quick to criticize media for of freedom should let freedom reign. checked often for hazards like loose negativism? The government that got its nod from parts, broken pieces or sharp edges Public Enquiries: the people on a platform of integrity and any weak or damaged toys should (613) 957-2991 Coming from Aquino, the son of the and credibility should not lose its be repaired or discarded. For more 1-866 225-0709 country’s most revered democratic patience in proving it is abiding by its information, please read Health icons, it is, to say the least, commitment to truth. a Canada's guide to toy safety Is Your disappointing. The son the people and Child Safe? - Playtime. the media had expected too much has

www.filipinostar.org 12 The North American Filipino Star December 2013 Education raises the bar but lowers the barriers to a rewarding career.

5320-A Queen Mary Road, Montreal H3X 1T7 Telephone 514-485-7861 www.gilmorecollege.com

SELF-IMPROVEMENT COURSES Foreign students from Cambodia, Venezuela and Tunisia taking English and French as a second language. Certificate of Collegial Studies • English, French, Spanish. Filipino • Computer Literacy • PAB/PSW Nursing Aide • Microsoft Office • Early Childhood Education Assistant • Office Systems Technology • Simply Accounting - Executive Assistant • Business English and French (General Office, Legal, Medical) • Keyboarding (Touch Typing) - Accounting Technician/Bookkeeper

PAB/PSW graduates pose with the faculty and administration of Gilmore College Internatiojnal. Seated from left: Annabelle Alloso, Ethel Tugna, instructors: Terry White and Amy Manon-og, Director-General Zenaida Kharroubi, instructors Edith Fedalizo and Sophie Toledo, and Lourdescita Lubang. Standing (L-R): Grace Calvo, Vilma Lagonilla, Giselle Arellano, Marilou Hechanova, Edison Taguba, Annie Signey, and Josie Bingayen.

Early Childhood Education Assistant PABéPSW Nursing Aide Office Assistant or Receptionist Are you planning to upgrade your skills? find a new job? change your career? Find out how you can achieve your personal and professional goals. Call us at 514-485-7861 for information or registration. Classes will start in January 2014.

www.filipinostar.org 13 December 2013 The North American Filipino Star If you can read, you can also learn how to write. Register now! Call 514-485-7861 The Best Writing Workshop is: • interactive • practical • insightful • authentic • multi-cultural • rewarding • stimullating • inspiring • exciting • memorable This workshop will help you develop a personal perspective that is important in discovering your hidden or latent abilities

Who is the workshop for? • open to all who write • anyone who needs to develop and use writing skills • professional writers, managers, novelists, business leaders, poets, lawyers, editors, professors, journalists, public speakers and anyone who needs to broaden their communication skills.

This is a breakthrough idea. The writing workshop experience plants a seed that grows each time you write, long after the weekend workshop has concluded. You will gain special insights that open your creative self as you continue to write. You will be able to set and achieve personal goals to: • learn new and useful methods of solving problems in writing • increase your power to know what you want to say Professor Isaac Goodine • increase your ability to put across persuasively what you have to say • enable you to see the actual relationship you have with your readers International Educator, Author of Zenaida Ferry Kharroubi, Editor & Publisher, The North American the book “Leaders Leading SEMINAR FEES: $495 (including taxes and materials) Filipino Star DURATION: 2 1/2 days - Friday evening, Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Leaders”, has delivered many Director-General, Gilmore College Schedule: To be announced to registered participants workshops around the world. International Exec. Producer, Mabuhay Montreal TV 14 The North American Filipino Star December 2013

www.filipinostar.org December 2013 The North American Filipino Star 15 Recipe Ingredients Philippine Cuisine Whip eggs. As to the number of eggs, alimango or alimasag (crabs) it depends on how much crab meat/vegetable mixture you have. eggs and Mix crab meat, "alige", onion, celery or onion celery or green onions or both green onions (note: I like celery better (if you have kinchay, use it) in this dish, it gives it a little bit of Favorite Food flavor, kinchay or cilantro is also good Compiled by Zenaida Ferry Kharroubi salt to use here), a little bit of garlic, salt and pepper to taste - like making an white pepper omelet. Mixture has to have a consistency that the ingredients don't garlic (extra garlic for frying) fall apart or run.

oil for deep frying Stuff crab shell with the crab/egg/vegetable mixture. Cooking Instructions for (Crab Torta) Heat Oil in pan (a wok works best Boil crabs until red. Take meat out of here), add garlic. Once the garlic is crab including the "alige" if present. brown, fry crab. You probably need to Save as much as much meat as you deep fry so heat a lot of oil. This is can. Make sure not to include 'bones' very quick actually. When thecrab in the meat that you collect. Set meat meat mixture turns brown, take the aside and also save the shell. crab out of oil and drain (paper towel works best). Slice celery and onion. Set aside.

Crab Torta

BUSINESS HOURS

Mon. Tue. Wed. 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Thu. Fri. 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sunday Closed Chicken Afritada Picnic Ham w/bone Beef Chicken Afritada is 1 Red or Green Bell Peppers, diced Pork loin Blade steak Approximately 69 undoubtedly a Filipino meal. It 1/3 cup Green Peas 15 lbs .99 . lb provides a savory tomato base sauce 2 medium Potatoes, cubed 4 lb 2 and cooked with vegetables such as 3 pieces Garlic, minced .00 bell pepper, potatoes and green peas. 1 medium Onion, chopped 3 lb Boneless Pork shoulder - Bone-in shoulder chops In some old Philippine cook books it is 1 cup chicken broth $2.89 lb 3.19 lb known as Fritada – which is a a 1/4 cup Cooking Oil Half or Whole pork Fresh Pork Leg Spanish dish, that actually means to fry All-purpose Flour for dredging Cut & Wrapped Home smoked up. Commonly serve during special Salt and Pepper to taste meat .89 occasions like fiesta and birthdays for it 2 lb .99 can be cook easily in large volumes. Tips to cook Chicken Afritada: 05 lb There are also variations with 2. lb Beef 7 short ribs this Filipino recipe. Some differ from Scour the chicken pieces in flour and 49 Regular smoked bacon the main ingredient used. Others cook pan-fry in low heat. You should not . lb it with pork or chicken depending on burn. You simply need fry the chicken Fresh Pork Belly 6 their mood or preferences. Other also until golden brown. with skin Ground Beef .49 have some add-on when cooking Making use of the same pan, cook fry 5 lb Afritada. They tend to add other kinds the garlic, and onions. Apply again the .99 49 of vegetable, or even add a sausage or chicken and stir in the tomato sauce 3 lb 4. lb Ground Pork hotdogs which complements well with and chicken broth. Take along a boil. Over 20 lbs 4.29 lb Special 2.59/lb the recipe. There are also Afritada Turn the heat right down to simmer for recipe that has a combination of pork 10 minutes. and chicken as main ingredient. Apply the potatoes and bell Frozen pork blood Anyways, that up to you on how you peppers and cook for another 15 Fresh liver Merry Christmas cook your Afritada. Presented here is minutes more or till the potatoes are Pork skin and the basic method of cooking an tender. Goat Happy New Year Afritada Chicken recipe. Let us now Apply the green peas, after learn how to cook a Filipino recipe – that season with salt and pepper. Available Chicken Afritada. Serve with rice. a on order Ingredients for Chicken Afritada:

2 pounds Chicken Thigh as well as 83 Covey Hill, Hemmingford QC J0L 1H0 Legs Tel.: (450) 247- 2130 or (450) 247- 3561 1 small can Tomato Sauce

www.filipinostar.org 16 The North American Filipino Star December 2013 FILIPINO STAR S H O W B I Z G O S S I P 'My father threatened to kill Karylle mum on rumored me' says Gretchen marriage with Yael Yuzon

Yael Yuzon and Karylle Tatlonghari Singer-actress Karylle Tatlonghari lang magsusulat para ako ang naka- remains coy about her reported scoop,” Karylle told the entertainment planned marriage with Spongecola news site. front man Yael Yuzon. This is expected from the 32-year- Actress Gretchen Barretto said her Shortly after the hearing, Gretchen In a report published early this old Kapamilya artist, who has not even father, Miguel Barretto, threatened to was asked to detail her father's alleged month, The STAR entertainment editor directly admitted her relationship with shoot her and two of her siblings when threat against her. The actress said the Ricky Lo said that the two are planning Yael. he supposedly learned of their plans to Barretto patriarch learned of her plan to to tie the knot in March next year. testify in court against their youngest appear in court from her eldest sibling, But the “It’s Showtime” co-host Christian Bautista said in a previous sister Claudine. Mito. neither confirmed nor denied the interview that Karylle hasn’t told him Gretchen made the accusation as news. about the alleged wedding, but he’ll she spoke with reporters shortly before “Kailan ba naman ako nag-confirm support his “Cinderella” co-star a hearing on a case involving Claudine or nag-deny?” she said in an interview whatever happens next year for her. and husband Raymart Santiago at the with entertainment news site Philippine “I think it’s too personal right now. Marikina Regional Trial Court on Entertainment Portal. So when she’s ready, I will be ready to Thursday. The report also said she didn’t talk, he said of Karylle. The older Barretto actress, along give anyone permission to spread the The Kapamilya artist was with another sibling, JJ, gave their news about her alleged wedding. previously in a relationship with testimonies supporting Santiago's “Kung magko-confirm, ako na Kapuso actor . a allegations against their sister in the closed-door hearing. Daughter prays for Melanie Marquez’s "Nandito ako, may takot, pero haharapin ko 'to dahil ito ang recovery after serious car accident katotohanan," said Gretchen. "At least nandito kayo. Pag may mangyari, alam before they will need your prayers, love and support. They hit black ice and slid ninyo." Miguel Barretto The actress' testimony is in relation into a cement canal. My brother Adam Santiago's legal feud with Claudine, "Sinabihan ng daddy ko ang was with them and walked out with who accused of him "physical, sexual, kapatid kong lalaki, ang only a couple bruises. We are all so psychological and economic" abuse pinakamatanda, at ang pamangkin ko lucky that they are still alive because supposedly dating back to 2002. na si John, na pag mag-testify daw si things could’ve gone so much worst The former couple married in JJ, at nalaman niyang mag-te-testify si than it did,” read Maxine’s post. church rites in March 2006. They have JJ, sabi niya babarilin niya," she said. An InterAksyon.com report quoted two children -- an adopted daughter, "At sinabi naman ng aking one Jullie Lopez who claimed to have Sabina, 9; and a biological son, pamangkin na, 'Tita Gretch, Tita Marj spoken with Melanie in the hospital. Santino, 6. will testify.' At sabi niya (Miguel Jullie said Melanie told her that the Responding to Claudine's Barretto), 'I will kill them.'" ravine was “12 feet” deep and that she accusations, which were detailed in an Gretchen, in a published statement only managed to get out of the car and Anti-Violence against Women and in October, detailed Claudine's alleged crawl up the hill because “para daw Their Children (VAWC) case in August, mental illness and drug use, and how Melanie Marquez may anghel na bumuhat sa kanya.” As soon as she got a signal on her Santiago accused his wife of domestic their family supposedly conspired to The daughter of 1979 Miss phone, Melanie called up Maxine and violence, having a history of drug have the youngest of seven siblings International Melanie Marquez has abuse, and being mentally ill. hospitalized for treatment. used GPS for the ambulance to locate called for prayers while the former them. The actor's statements were beauty queen is being treated for bone supported by accounts of Gretchen, This was in response to Miguel “Okey na naman siya (Melanie) fracture which she sustained when her pero maraming X-rays, MRI tapos along with two other Barretto siblings, Barretto's statements defending car fell into a ravine in Utah last Dec. 8. Marjorie and JJ, in the same affidavit. Claudine (video above), and criticizing kailangan na rin niyang mag-brace at On her Facebook account, Maxine hindi pa siya pwedeng bumangon. According to Santiago's legal her and Marjorie for "bullying" their Bumgardner posted a college of counsel, Atty. Ruth Castello, the sister. He also urged Gretchen and Medyo maga rin ang face niya kasi photos of Melanie in her hospital bed tumama sa matigas na bagay nung hearing on Thursday was specifically Marjorie to drop the Barretto . and the wrecked vehicle. on the consolidated cases of The siblings' feud with their parents nahulog sila,” Lopez was quoted to “Please pray for my mom, Arline, have said. Claudine's petition for a temporary first went public in April, when their and nanay. They were in a car accident protection order against her husband, mother, Inday, released a statement It is said that the group came from a couple days ago and although they Las Vegas en route to Richfield, Utah and their custody battle over Sabina saying she has disowned Gretchen in are stable and in better condition than a and Santino. favor of Claudine. a when the accident happened. www.filipinostar.org December 2013 The North American Filipino Star 17 Drunk says sorry after slapping

Popular TV host, product ruin someone else’s name.” endorser and actress Anne Curtis Curtis apologized to her fans, admitted on Sunday that she wasn’t in whom she felt she had let down. the “right state of mind” when she “As you all see, I’m just like any slapped and berated fellow ABS-CBN other person that makes mistakes in artist John Lloyd Cruz at a bar in The life,” said the big stakes endorser, Fort, Taguig City, last week. certainly one of the most identifiable Sounds more like a meltdown, to faces on billboards across the country. her critics Online reports say Curtis The Inquirer sought Baranda by also slapped a magazine editor and phone for a reaction, but she did not screamed at TV host-model Phoemela pick it up. Baranda at the posh Privé Luxury Club Actor Sam Milby, Curtis’ ex- on Nov. 23. boyfriend, on Monday defended the It was not clear what prompted actress, saying: “A lot of people are Curtis’ outburst but, addressing the quick to judge. People have to issue via the micro-blogging site remember that [show-biz Twitter last weekend, she admitted she Anne Curtis (left) and John Lloyd Cruz (file photos) personalities] are only human. We also had had “one too many drinks.” commit mistakes.” Which should probably make the Baranda has not commented on to experience… A lesson learned.” The actor, who is currently makers of an alcoholic product that eyewitness accounta that Curtis told She decided to explain, she said, promoting a coming movie said he she endorses happy. But they can’t her, “’I can buy you, your friends and because she owed fans “my honesty.” was shocked to learn of the incident. claim all the credit. this club!’” She added: “I’ve always been an open He refused to elaborate, apart from In her “tweet,” Curtis said she had Meaning, cheeky observers have book and I don’t like to hide anything.” saying: “You know how show biz is. been “on the super popular juice commented on Facebook that the But that was eight days after the You say one thing and it gets blown out cleanse for three days and attended toilet door wasn’t hers at that point, so incident. of proportion. It’s better [for me to stay my best friend’s bachelorette [party] the banging couldn’t have been the In any case, she thus confirmed out of it]. I wasn’t there, anyway.” that night.” reason. the slapping incident and said she had He also said he admired the “Juice” on top of juice. That might Curtis’ Twitter post put part of the apologized “to all parties included.” actress for owning up. “This is explain why she was cranky. blame on an unnamed person’s She also said the person who something that will soon pass,” he The reports talk about an enraged “inappropriate behavior,” but she triggered her anger had apologized said, “with all the support she is getting Curtis emerging from the bar’s toilet, shared an insight with her reported 5 and that she accepted the apology. from her friends and followers.” a demanding, “Who’s banging [on] my million followers: “That’s why they say, She wouldn’t identify the person, door?” ‘Drink in moderation’… I will charge it though, “because I’m not the type to Justin Bieber uses star power to do the right thing How Bieber spent time with ‘the strongest people I know’ by By Nestor U. Torre Justin Bieber has been getting a lot warmly human face on this of bad press of late, with his forays into phenomenon called Celebrity itself. cathouses, rowdy carousing and hotel- Most of the time, stars use their room trashing, and surly encounters popularity and fame for exclusively self- with the paparazzi giving him serving purposes, laughing all the way blackeyes in media reports. to the bank. —But, sometimes, when But, just last week, the young disaster strikes a particularly telling global sensation made up for all that blow on celebrities’ sensibilities, it negativism by unexpectedly flying forces them to realize that there’s more down to storm-lashed Tacloban and to life than the perks of popularity. — urging all of his fans and Twitter And that, in fact, celebrity is more than followers worldwide to send donations just a perk, it can be a power, which in cash and kind to the ravaged can be used to inspire others to help southern city. the shell-shocked victims of disaster, Some Filipinos are surprised that by way of their stellar example. Bieber and other popular international Veteran caregiving luminaries like stars (including the recently departed Bono and Angelina Jolie have known Paul Walker) would go out of their way BIEBER FEVER International pop singing sensation Justin Bieber hugs a young and used this power for a long time, to help our storm victims recover from survivor of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” during his visit to an evacuation center in Palo, but it’s great to see that much younger the deadly disaster. Leyte province. stars like Bieber are now following suit. However, the reason for the Since young luminaries influence unusually strong stellar response is all and inspire millions of followers, this too obvious: “Yolanda’s” wrath was so new development or intensification of unprecedented and leveled entire the power of the caring celebrity is towns, thus touching hearts in a most most noteworthy, and hopes are high painfully urgent way, and prompting that more local and foreign stars will be big stars to use their celebrity to persuaded to use their own star galvanize millions of donors worldwide power—and do the right thing! to help mitigate the far-reaching and P.S.: Alas, only a couple of days continuing tragedy. after Biebers’ beautiful act for typhoon For his part, Bieber held out his victims, he was once again being helping and caring hand in an rapped and razzed in the media for empathetic and natural way, (allegedly) churlishly describing a completely in keeping with his youthful chubby young woman as “a beached persona—and viewers all over the whale”—and suggesting that she world were convinced that this Canadian pop megastar Justin Bieber plays basketball with a young survivor of should join “The Biggest Loser!” unexpected visit was genuinely caring, super typhoon “Yolanda” in Palo, Leyte, on Dec. 10. He described Filipinos as “the Uh-oh, is it back to snarly, swarmy not a savvy effort to rehabilitate his strongest people I know| and his experience with the kids as ‘true happiness’. times again for our new hero? Perhaps. currently bruised stellar image. grandchildren over and over again The salubrious effects of Bieber’s —But, you know what? We choose to Bieber’s most inspired move was about that amazing day, way back in consoling detour to Tacloban cannot continue to focus on the new and to play basketball with some startled 2013, when they swirled the spheroid be gainsaid. Not only did it raise caring and now positively power-full Tacloban youths—who will probably for a few beautiful minutes with this additional millions for urgent relief and Bieber—and we’re still a Belieber! a henceforth tell their great- hotshot star from Hollywood! rehabilitation costs, but it also put a More Showbiz Gossip www.filipinostar.org p.18 18 The North American Filipino Star December 2013

Showbiz Gossip Continued from p.17 Media Mileage? Napaka-busy ko rin. Ang dami kong ginagawa, bakit ako tsinitsismis?” 2013 Concepcion belied speculations Concepcion also clarified, that the whole issue is nothing but a however, that she bears no ill visits Tacloban publicity stunt for Locsin’s film, “The feelings towards Locsin or Legal Wife.” Concepcion said that Younghusband. “I have nothing she would not allow herself to be against him. Pero hindi ko siya… Pati used in such type of promotional si Angel, hindi ko naman siya… gimmick. Hindi kami magkaaway, hindi rin kami close…” She added, “Baka naman may mga tao sa paligid na gusto kaming i-connect, o gusto kaming sirain, or siraan.” In a separate interview with PEP, Younghusband was asked on the possibility of having relationship with Concepcion. He then brushed off the question, saying he is “still in love” with Locsin. “Angel is the only one I’m thinking about on my lonesome,” he Megan Young According to Miss World website, said. is back in the Philippines to Megan is scheduled to visit Locsin later reacted on the personally give help to the victims of today, and will proceed to Basey, admission from her ex-BF more than super typhoon Yolanda. a month after their breakup. Megan flew back in the country “Sana nasabi niya muna sa akin on November 28, and headed to the nang diretso… Nagulat lang ako, Philippine Red Cross office to get kasi nasabi niya sa media agad. updates on the relief happening for & Phil Younghusband Nag-uusap naman kasi kami eh,” the the affected areas. 28-year-old actress said in a Philippine Red Cross Chairman “Ang hindi ko rin alam kung part separate interview on ABS-CBN. Richard Gordon personally briefed ’to ng promo ng magiging teleserye “Pero wala naman isyu. Baka Megan and ng ex-girlfriend niya… Pero sana open lang talaga siya. Nagulat lang Directress Cory Quirino on the naman, huwag na nila ako idawit or ako,” she explained. a Visaya’s present condition. isama sa gano’n kasi may mga iba Megan said to Chairman namang nangyayari sa buhay ko. Gordon, “basically, what we want to do is visit these areas and see the devastation, to see the magnitude of it and to see what we can focus on Megan Young preparing the relief goods giving to them.” to be distributed to the victims of super Besides personally helping to typhoon Yolanda. deliver aid to the victims, Megan also gave the organization all the Western Samar, Tacloban, and donations she gathered in her tours Tanauan. from different countries. On the next few days, she'll also After the briefing, Megan even visit Ormoc, Estancia, Iloilo and helped in repacking the relief goods Loon. a to be sent to the affected areas. KC clears romantic links with Phil Younghusband kilala. I mean, once ko lang siya nakausap siguro, which is nung interview pa with ’yung girlfriend niya at the time… Pero wala talaga kaming konek, so hindi ko talaga alam kung bakit kailangan akong isama sa ganyan,” the 28-year-old actress said in an interview with ABS-CBN News. Concepcion was referring to the interview on the defunct ABS-CBN talk show “,” which she formerly co-hosted. Younghusband’s girlfriend at the time was actress Angel Locsin, who KC Concepcion confirmed her breakup with the Actress-TV host KC Concepcion football player in October this year. once and for all clears the rumors “Honestly, ang tagal ko na ring linking her to Azkals player Phil naririnig ’yan… Ayoko na nga mag- Younghusband, saying the only time comment about it, kasi they ever spoke was during an nakakapagod na rin ’yung tsismis na interview more than a year ago. wala namang pinaggagalingan,” she “Ako, unang-una… Hindi ko siya explained. www.filipinostar.org December 2013 The North American Filipino Star 19

Who provoked Anne Curtis’ ‘bad behavior’? by Euden Valdez Never drink alcohol on an empty JR replied, “Hi Anne, just woke up stomach. and read your text. Apology accepted . That was the lesson top celebrity . . On a lighter note, you owe me a tight endorser and award-winning actress hug!!! Going back to sleep, nursing my Anne Curtis learned—the controversial hang over.” way—after the much talked about What showbiz observers are slapping incident on November 23 at interested to find out, however, is who Privé Luxury Club in Bonifacio Global Anne was referring to in her tweet as City. Apparently, she had been on a three-day juice diet just before attending a party. First reported the Philippine Entertainment Portal (pep.ph) on December 1, the story quoted former The Manila Times society contributor and now Circuit events magazine editor and publisher JR Isaac, who narrated how the A-List celebrity blew her top at the swanky club. According to the affable JR, he Anne Curtis was hanging out with pals at the VIP area of Privé, half of which had been also slapped,” he related. an open book and I don’t like to hide “the person who started all of this.” closed for a private event—a As the story went, Anne pointed anything . . . She wrote, “When I was told of my bachelorette party that Anne had fingers, shouting unpleasant things at “For those who have read about behavior AND the person who started organized for a friend. John Lloyd and Phoemela, until she the issue, yes, most of it is true. I admit all of this, due to this person’s JR’s party comprised of actors was eventually escorted out of the to that & I have apologized to all inappropriate behavior, apologized to John Lloyd Cruz and Jake Cuenca, premises. parties included immediately,” she me too. Just as I did. Which I accepted telecoms executive Leah de Guzman While many entertainment scribes admitted. too. I choose not to go into detail and model Phoemela Barranda, along have declared the slapping incident to For her brave act, seasoned because I’m not the type to ruin with others. be the worst crisis in the erstwhile showbiz observers—who were someone else’s name.” Talking with pep.ph, JR continued, showbiz sweetheart’s career, the 28- gathered the following evening at Was she provoked is the lingering “Leah and I are just between the toilet year-old It Girl, managed to turn it talent manager Perry Lansigan’s question now, which is not to point door and the bar. I think I was standing around making both personal Christmas dinner for a cause—opined fingers at any of the personalities and waiting for my drink, talking to apologies to the aggrieved parties, as that the issue will soon be forgotten included in the unfortunate incident. Leah. well as a public apology over Twitter. because of Anne’s apology. As one respected entertainment Then we heard a loud voice On the same day the PEP report JR himself confirmed that Anne journalist commented, “It isn’t in saying, ‘Who’s banging my door?’ was published, Anne humbly and said sorry to him the very next day, with Anne’s nature to do that, drunk or not.” We didn’t know who or where it openly addressed the issue, speaking a text that said, “JR! It’s Anne. Got your For her part, Anne has rightly was at first! Just loud, coming from to some 6 million followers on her number from Monique! Tried chosen to leave the issue behind after behind us. When we turned around, social networking site. messaging you on Facebook this clearing her conscience of her we saw, stepping out of the toilet, “Hey everyone. I will be making my morning. Just want to apologize for my mistakes. Anne, very mad. official statement now & after this, I will behavior! I’m so so so sorry. I’m so As she said at the beginning of “Then all of a sudden, pak-pak. My not be giving any interviews about this ashamed [frown] would never act like Showtime on Monday, “Isang masaya left cheek. Then Leah was also issue anymore. I choose to do this that in the right state of mind! I’m so at moving on na tanghali sa inyo my slapped. Then JL [John Lloyd] was right away because I’ve always been sorry. Please forgive me!” super sexy madlang people!” a open to idea of ABS-CBN comeback It seems Willie Revillame hasn’t episode Oct. 12 this year. closed the door on returning to ABS- More important than his return, is CBN. that Willie seems to have already “Alam mo, sa totoo lang, kung buried the hatchet. babalik ako sa ABS-CBN, gusto ko “Ako naman, wala naman akong pa rin ang ‘’… ‘Wowowee’ hinanakit eh. Kung nangyari man pa rin,” Willie replied to ABS-CBN ‘yon, puwede naman akong reporter Mario Dumaual when asked magpakumbaba, humingi ng tawad on the possibility of coming back to kung sino ang nasaktan, kung sino his home network for 12 years, as man ’yan.” quoted by PEP at a recent album He pointed out, that forgiveness, launch. “lagi (naman ’yang) nasa puso natin He said that his defunct eh.” noontime variety TV show “ang “Kung nagkamali ako, pasensiya nagbigay sa akin ng lahat ng ito,” na, ganun talaga. Masyado lang referring to his Wil Tower Mall, akong nagko-concentrate sa located right across ABS-CBN. programang ’yan (‘Wowowee’), “During the time na nasa ABS- maliit na bagay, naaapektuhan ka. CBN ang ‘Wowowee,’ dun ko nabili Eh sa akin, balewala na ’yan.” ’tong tatlong lupa na ’to, sabay- Willie added, “Kung tatanggapin sabay. For a span of one month, ako, okay. Kung hindi, ganun din binili ko ’to, sabay-sabay. Binayaran naman eh.” ko ng cash…” Willie narrated. He just wants the program to be The 52-year-old comedian-TV “parang ‘Wowowee’ pa rin. Opening, host was enjoying “Wowowee’s” sumasayaw, kumakanta. Gusto ko steady five-year run, when on May nakikita ’yung mga nanay, lola… At Jobert Sucaldito, which led to Willie’s spawned variety shows “Willing 2010, he was involved in a nagbibigay ng papremyo, ng jacket, eventual resignation. He then Willie,” “Wil Time Bigtime,” and lastly controversy with then “The Buzz” bigay ng cell phone, bigay ng pera – transferred to TV5 on which he “,” which aired its final segment host and showbiz writer ’yun ang gusto ko.” a

www.filipinostar.org 20 The North American Filipino Star December 2013 It’s commendable to help the TAGALOG CORNER Yolanda victims but .... By Willie Quiambao by W. G. Quiambao his/her hometown in Luzon. . It's been more than a month Rumour circulated around, Kahanga-hangang mangalap ng Members of the community began since typhoon Yolanda wrecked havoc asking what happened to the donation. in the Philippines. Donations like pondo sa mga nasalanta subalit... Because of the rumour, after a year, the money, food and clothings poured in Mahigit ng isang buwan ang maraming nagmamasid, lumitaw ang leader went back to the Philippines . from the Philippines and other nakalipas nang manalanta ang resibo na tila nagawan ng paraaqn When he/she came back to Montreal, countries. Among them was our bagyong Yolanda sa Pilipinas. mabago upang lumafas na kapani- as expected by many observers, a community in Montreal. Bumuhos ang donasyon na pera, paniwala. Isa namang lider ng receipt that seemed to be doctored One of the people who pagkain at damit mula sa ibang bansa. komuinidad na may koneksyon sa surfaced. Another leader in the donated from Montreal was a Filipina. Kabilang dito ang komunidad natin sa Pilipinas ang ipinatanong sa banko community who had connection in the Instead of paying her apartment, she Montreal. kung may natanggap nga na pera. Philippines asked a friend to inquire if donated her money for the victims. It's Isa sa mga nagbigay ng Ang sagot ay "hindi. "Hindi iyon ang the bank received any money. The funny but it's true. Her landlord could donasyon ay Pilipina. Sa halip na huling pagkakataon na ang lider ay answer was "No. That was not the last wait but not the victims who needed bayaran ang kanyang apartment, nangalap ng pondo para sa mga time that the said leader fundraised for help in the Philippines, she said. ibinigay niyang donasyon ang biktima ng kalamkidad. the victims of calamity. What the Filipina did was kaniyang pera para sa mga biktima. Isa naman kuwento ang Here is another story shared worthy. But because of what I Nakatatawa subalit ito ay totoo. ibinhagi ni BB, isang lider ng by BB, a leader in the community. His witnessed recently while walking down Makapaghihintay ang may ari ng komunidad. Ang kaibigan niyang Canadian friend was walking down in in Chinatown, I couldn't help having a apartment subalit hindi ang mga taong Canadian ay naglalakad sa Cote des Cote des Neiges when he was doubt whether to immediately give nangangailangan ng tulong, sabi niya. Neiges nang lapitan siya ng isang approached by a Filipino asking for donation to fundraisers for the victims Kahanga-hanga ang ginawa Pilipino para sa donasyon na ibibigay donation for the Yolanda victims. of Yolanda or not. ng Pilipina. Subalit sa nasaksihan ko sa mga biktima ng Yolanda. Dahil ay Because Canadians are generous in Three Chinese were holding kamakailan habang naglalakad sa mga Canadian ay bukas-palad sa mga giving donations to those in need, he placards that read , "Our organization Chinatown, hindi ko maiwasang a mga nangangailangan , nagbigay gave the Filipino $100 cash. No receipt is fundraising for the victims of typhoon magkaroon ng alinlangan kung siya ng $100 na pera. Walang resibo was issued. When he asked the in the Philippines. Initially, I was kaagad akong magbibigay ako o hindi ang ibigay sa kaniya. Nang tanungin Filipino for any proof that he was touched - foreigners helping the ng donasyon sa mga nasalanta ng niya ang Pilipino kung may katibayan authorized to solicit for donation, the Filipinos in the Philippines. But I asked bagyo . ito na may karapatan siyang former was shown a card. Perhaps, a myself why they were doing this on the Naglalakad ako sa kamakailan manghingi ng donasyon, ang FAMAS membership card. What is street, not in their office. But I couldn't sa Chinatown nang may nakita akong Canadian ay pinakitaan ng kard. even funny was the experience of BB's help quesioning them if what they tatlong intsik na may hawak na Siguro, FAMAS membership card. Ang wife. She has a Filipina friend who were doing was legitimate. Of course, "placards" na nagsasaibing "Our isang higit na nakatatawa ay ang donated used clothing and jacket to their answer was "yes". I think they just organnization is fundraising for the karanasan ng asawa ni BB. Siya ay FAMAS . Her young son was in Cote want to take advantage of people. victims of typhoon Yolanda in the may kaibigang Pilipina na nagbigay ng des Neiges when he spotted that the Let's admit it, there are people Philippines.." Sa simula, naantig ang donasyon na mga gamait na damit at jacket he had before was worn by a like these Chinese in our community. aking damdamin - mga dayuhan na dyaket.l Ang kaniyang batang anak ay Filipino. He yelled, "That's mine." Sometimes, they do it not because tumutulong sa mga Pilipino sa nasa Cote des Nekiges nang makita When the mother found out about this, they're in dire need of money but Pilipinas. At itinanong ko sa aking sarili niya ang isang Pilipino na suot ang she asked the guy wearing the jacket because they feel good taking kung bakit nila ito ginagawa sa kaniyang dyaket na dati ay pag-aari where he bought it. His response was, advantage of other people. lansangan. Hindi ko maiwasang niya. "Àkin 'yan,`ang niya. Nang "I didn't buy this. It came from More than a decade ago, a tanungin sila kung ang ginagawa nila malaman ng ina ang nangyari, FAMAS."The mother was so infuriated calamity hit Quezon in the Philippines. ay lehitimo. Siyempre, ang kasagutan itinanong niya sa Pilipino kung saan that she marched to FAMAS and asked As usual, one community leader didn't nila ay "oo". binili ang dyaket. Ang sagot ay, `Hindi the person on duty there what waste any time to fundraise for the Aminin natin na may ganitong ko ito binili. Nanggaling ito sa happened to the jacket that she victims. In a few weeks, the leader mga tao sa ating komunidad. Kung FAMAS.`Galit na galit ang ina na donated. No answer was given to her. volunteered to go to the Philippines to minsan ay ginagawa nila ito hindi sa madaling nagtungo sa FAMAS at personally deliver the money she To help those in need is dala ng matinding pangangailangan nagkatanong sa taong nakatalagang collected to an organization commendable . But we shouldn't be ng pera kundi nais nilang magbantay kung ano ang nangyari there.Several months passed by but carried away. Let's check first the magsamantala sa ibang tao. Iyon ang dyaket na kaniyang ibinigay na there was not even a letter of thanks or credibility of the person doing the makapagpapaligaya sa kanila. donasyon. Wala siyang natamong acknowledgement from the fundraising and the organization Mahigit nang sampung taon kasagutan. organization whether the donation was receiving the donation. Most of all, we ang nakalipas, isang kalamidad sa Ang tunulong sa mga received or not. Considering that the should tell the fundraiser to publish the Quezon sa Pilipinas ang naganap. nangangailangan ay kahanga-hanga. leader was known to generate her own names of donors and the amount of Tulad ng dati, isang lider ng Subalit hindi tayo dapat padala sa publicity, many found it unusual that their donaions like what the organizer komunidad ang nagprisinta na umuwi ating damdamin. Suriin muna natin there was no picture of his/her in the of the Gazette Christmas Fundraising sa Pilipinas upang personal na dalhin kung may kredibilidad ang taong communiy newspaper handing a Drive is doing . Aknowledement of ang perangnalikom sa isang nangangallap ng pondo at ang cheque to the recipient of the donation. receipt should also be published. organisation. Lumipas ang mga buwan organisasyon na tatanggap ng What the leader published was his/her We should be more careful. subalit wala mang sulat ng donasyon. Higit sa lahat, sabihin natin picture posing in front of the church in Vigilant a pasasalamat at pagpapatunay mula sa sa taong nangangalap ng pondo na organisasyon na natanggap ang ilathala ang mga panagalan ng donasyon o hindi. Dahil sa ang lider ay nagbigay ng donasyon at ang halaga kilala sa paggawa ng sariling nito tulad ng ginagawa ng taong publisisdad, nakapagtataka na wala namamahala ng Gazette Fundraising Do you know that it is now mang litrato niya ang nalathala sa Drive . Sabihin din natin na ilathala ang pahayagang pang-komunidad na pagpapatunay na tinanggap ang iniaabot ang tseke sa tumanggap ng donasyon. obligatory to hav a PDSB donasyon. Ang ipinalathala ng lider ay Dapat ay maging maingat niya sa harap ng tayo. Mapanuri. certificate before you can simbahan sa kanilang bayan sa Luzon. Ang bulung-bulungan ay get a permanent job in the kumalat. Ang mga kasapi ng komunidad ay nagsimulang health care field? Call us magtanong kung ano ang hangyari sa donasyon. Dahil sa bulung-bulungan to register for our next makalipas ang isang taon, ang lider ay umuwi sa Pilipinas. Nang bumalik siya training. Tel. 514-485-7861 sa Montreal, tulad ng inaasahan ng December 2013 The North American Filipino Star 21 find a decent bottle for less than $35. preserve those precious bubbles that Speaking of the 2013 vintage, “Robert Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley Dom Pérignon allegedly called Parker will not be publishing his report produces some lovely Chardonnay, but ‘drinking the stars.’” In Wine-Searcher, on Bordeaux 2013 until the end of June most cost $25 or more. W. Blake Gray looks at “the science of 2014, two months later than usual.” The list goes on. Trophy regions are bubbles.” Gavin Quinney has the details. almost always expensive. “‘Everyone wanted to pet him,’ said “If statistics are any guide, Bond would Fortunately, the world is awash in Ms. Dixon, who trained Elvis to locate have died from alcohol- and tobacco- affordable, great-tasting wine. As the various wine departments in Stew related diseases in his mid-fifties.” An Storchmann explained, just as some Leonard’s in Norwalk.” In the Wall offbeat paper in the British Medical regions come with a built-in surcharge, Street Journal, Lettie Teague writes a Journal studies James Bond. a others come with a built-in discount. wonderful profile of Amy Dixon, a blind Finding such wines is as easy as sommelier and triathlete. opening up your palate to unheralded regions. “The qualities that made her one of the Watch our most successful wine importers in the U.S. — decisiveness, determination weekly TV and extreme efficiency (even if she did Daily Wine News: Inconsequential grind the gears a bit as she drove show on For Value, Avoid the away) — were clear in those few Videotron Familiar “When you’re worth just shy of $4 frames.” In a different piece, Teague billion, being cheated out of a couple profiles wine importer Martine Saunier. Channels 16, By David White of million dollars in a suspected wine fraud might seem inconsequential.” In Robert Joseph wonders if Chateau 616 HD ‘Tis the season to party. the New York Times, Mosi Secret Lascombes’ decision to sell its wines reports on William Koch’s testimony at directly to consumers poses an Bell Fibe With 2014 just a few weeks away, Rudy Kurniawan’s trial. existential threat to the négociant holiday party season is in full swing. So tradition. 216/1216 HD hosts everywhere are assembling “Given what we’ve seen thus far, it’s menus, fretting about guest lists, and amazing they didn’t try to arrange a In a separate post, Joseph contends Every Friday blowing their budgets on decorations. plea before the trial started.” Tyler that “Bordeaux may have to rethink the at 7 pm Fortunately, selecting wines doesn’t Colman reports from day five of the way it handles [the 2013] vintage.” have to be stressful or expensive. trial.

Just avoid the familiar. As New York Are New York sommeliers faddish University economics professor Karl drinkers, as Jancis Robinson recently Storchmann recently explained to Food suggested? Not according to Levi & Wine, “[The market] adds a premium Dalton. He contends that “the for certain places or grapes.” underlying reality is phenomenal price escalation.” Consider Champagne. Eric Asimov offers some holiday wine Under European Union trade laws, suggestions for several possible types wine can only be sold as “Champagne” of gatherings. if it comes from the Champagne region of France and is made in the “If I could rewind the past and read “traditional method,” which is a very this book anew, I would treat it like a expensive process. While real box of chocolates, to be sampled now Champagne is a treat, it’s expensive — and then over a couple of weeks.” even “budget” options cost upwards of Douglas Hillstrom reviews Jon $35 per bottle. Bonné’s The New California Wine.

Like Champagne, America’s iconic Alfonso Cevola ponders the old and 1265 O”Brien, V.St-Laurent, Mtl, H4L 2W1 - Tel.: 514-747-3533 wine regions are pricey. Napa Valley the new in California. Opens: Tuesday to Friday 9 hr to 18:00 hr / Saturday 9 hr to 17:00 hr makes some exceptional Cabernet Closed Sunday and Monday Sauvignon. But it’s nearly impossible to “If you can ease off the cork, you’ll The North American Filipino Star Classified Ads ADVERTISING ART OF DRIVING CONSTRUCTION LANGUAGES Classified ads - cheapest way to Art de Conduire Renovations, Bricks, Cement English, French, Spanish, advertise! Certified Driving School Mandarin, Filipino (Tagalog) Send your text to RBQ No. 5663-2417-01 514-419-8280 Cell: 514-815-2873 Beginners, Intermediate, Advance [email protected] JDT CONSTRUCTION, INC. [email protected] Toefel Preparation, Small Classified ads must be prepaid. 4755 av. Van Horne Suite 106 Insured & Certified Contractor First 3 lines = $10 groups or semi-private (Plamondon Metro) 10 years experience Additional lines - $2 per line courses, Mr. Reza, Certified Instructor Free Estimate Heading counted as 2 lines. Call 514-485-7861 Jonathan - 514-994-8805 APT. FOR RENT CLEANERS WANTED LAUNDROMAT 4 ½ CDN/SNOWDON area, Office cleaners for West Island, car 6200 Decarie, Large, bright, needed, work Mon-Fri after 6 pm Live-in Caregiver, Michael call 514-624-3437 PALABAHANG PILIPINO renovated apartment with 2 closed LMKD Buanderie et Nettoyeur Childcare bedrooms, kitchen separate and living room, hardwood floors. Modern DRIVING 5865 Decarie Boulevard Please call: Jacob fridge and stove, washer and dryer in (Between Bourret & Van Horne) the building, electric heat and hot Licensed driving instructor Open 7 days Haimovici Drop off laundry service water. Bus stops in front of building Complete driving course, 24 hrs and Metro is 5 short blocks away. theory & 15 hrs road practice, $25/h. Call Meriam or Lacson Dufferin, Hampstead Available December $635 per month. Exam car available. Tel. 514-777-9743 Call 514-340-9700 OR 514- 927-0617 Jason 514-691-1816. 514-481-0052 www.filipinostar.org 22 The North American Filipino Star December 2013 It's hobo theme party for SWIS and “soirée” for MMTV, Gilmore students and staff by W. G. Quiambao The day after, Dec. 15, the staff of The bitter cold and heavy snow didn't Gilmore College International , Mabuhay deter the party goers from attending the Seniors Montreal TV and The North American Filipino of the West Island and Suburbs (SWISS) Hobo Star held a small but a happy Christmas Party Christmas 2013 last Dec. 14 at St. Thomas A. at the Gilmore College International on Queen Beckett Church Hall. Many guests came in Mary Rd. Among the familiar faces seen were sweaters and jeans, a few showed up dressed Amy Manon-og and husband, Ben Bote and

Sitting down watching the game are from left: Irma Osano, Vilma Kelly, Vilma Garque, Desiree Fernando, and Juvy Vales, who came to Gilmore’s party in spite of the snow storm.

SWIS officers and members pose with their guest speaker, Mme Lysanne Blanchette Lamothe. SWIS president, Roger Ajero (3rd from the right), and Fely Rl Carino, on the extreme right, master of ceremonies. like hobos. Lysane Blanchette-Lamothe, MP for Magnolia, Sofie Toledo and Michael Davantes, Dollard des Ormeaux and Roxboro, graced the former columnist of the NAFS. After a one year occasion. .She was introduced by one of the stint in the Philippines , he writes again for the two emcees, Vangie Salvador. Fely Rosales NAFS's Image & Fashion column. served as one of the emcees. It was a Pot Luck party and a variety Everyone could fill the spirit of of mouth-watering food was served - Pansit Christmas with the rendition of traditional songs Malabon and Bihon (Filipino), Chicken like Silent Night and Joy to the World by the Cacciatore, (Italian) and turkey (American). SWIS Glee Club conducted by Remy Aquino. While enjoying the food, guests watched the The dance program was designed for the initial presentation of the MMTV’s first episode. seniors who showcased their skill in dancing - Everybody enjoyed the program like from cha cha, boogie to tango. karaoke singing, dancing and musical chair. Gift Some of the highlights of the evening certificates donated by Ben Bade were given to Posing for a souvenir photo with the birthday celebrant, Sweet Amy Galamay (3rd from the left) are Irma Osano, Vilma Kelly, Remy Monteagudo and Zenaida Kharroubi. were the raffles, door prizes ,You Think You can the winners of the games Dance and Best Hobo Man and Woman A photo op of the whole MMTV crew contests. took place with only one member missing as The party ended at 12 midnight with she was not aware of the party being held on the singing of Auld Lang Synne participated by this date. a everyone.

Karaoke singing is a fun activity in any party. Terry White sings a Christmas carol and others also join her in a chorus. From left; Cristina Pa-ac, Terry White, Wimbledon Paraiso, Sophie Toledo,Zenaida Kharroubi, and Remy Monteagudo. Merry Christmas and a

The best “Hobo” dressed member claims his prize while Fely Carino escorts him back Happy New Year to all our to his seat. readers and advertisers

www.filipinostar.org December 2013 The North American Filipino Star 23 Marché Duc Thanh 6430 Victoria Avenue Tel.: 514-733-7816 Montreal, QC HOLIDAY SPECIALS December 19, 2013 to January 1, 2014

Excellent Rice Stick 227 g UFC Canton Noodle Oishi Chips Super Golden Bihon Palabok Diwa bihon, 454 g $1.00 pack $1.00 pack 2/$1.00 + tax $0.99 pack $1.99 pack

WC Fiesta Spaghetti Sauce 500 g $1.29 pack UFC Banana sauce Marcapina Soy Sauce 1L Marcapina Fish Sauce Puti vinegar $1.00 bottle $1.00 bottle $1.79 bottle $1.00 bottle

Diwa Sugar Palm fruit Diwa coconut sport strings MMMasarap Condensed milk Diwa Coconut Gel Mama Sita mix $1.49 jar $1.99 bottle $1.49 can $1.00 jar 3/$2.00

Del Monte pineapple juice 1.36L Elephant glutinous flour Shrimp Aquaworld Marinated Milkfish, 1, 2, 3 pcs Grated Cassava - 2/$1.00 $1.99 3/$2.00 head-on 70-80, $4.49 box $3.99 pack

Cooked Shrimp 90-620 Bulilit longganisa Diwa Shredded young coconut Frozen banana saba Holland Hopia, mongo, baboy $3.99 pack 2/$3.00 $1.00 pack $1.69 pack $1.29 pack

Eggplants Apples Beef Shank Chickken Legs Choy Sum $0.99 lb $0.99 lb $2.49 lb $0.99 lb $0.99 lb

Green Onions Long Green Bean Pork Chop Pork Jambon Pork Spare Rib 3/$1.00 $1.79 lb $1.49 lb $0.99 lb $1.59 lb

www.filipinostar.org 24 The North American Filipino Star December 2013

www.filipinostar.org