Happy New Year 2018 www.filipinosmakingwaves.com January 2018 VOL. 7, NO. 01 TORONTO, CANADA FILIPINO HERITAGE MONTH Canada to Recognize Filipinos’ Role By Teresa Torralba The Filipino diaspora in Canada is getting close to official federal recognition as Members of Parliament (MPs) push for legislation that would set aside June of every year as Filipino Heritage Month. A similar measure has been introduced in the Ontario leg- islature, the provincial parliament, in December, which, if passed, would be implemented province-wide. On the local level, the Toronto City Council voted in No- vember to have June as Filipino Heritage Month in Toron- to, Ontario's capital, coinciding with the celebration of Philippine independence day on June 12. Salma Zahid, MP for Scarborough Centre, said on Thurs- day, Jan. 18, that she filed a motion in Parliament which "recognizes the contributions of the Filipino community have made to the socio-economic fabric" of Canada. "So I put forward that we should recognize June as Filipi- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, with MP Salma Zahid, MP Marco Mendi- (Continued on page 4) cino, MP Arif Virani, met with members of the local Filipino community on Jan 18. (Photo R. Marquez) New Minimum Wage in Ontario in Effect Higher Wages Will Help Increase Business Productivity, Decrease Employee Turnover Many workers across the province have now seen Ontario's increased minimum wage reflected in their weekly pay. The general minimum wage rose from $11.60 to $14 on January 1, 2018, and will increase again to $15 on January 1, 2019. Minister of Labour Kevin Flynn visited HotBlack Coffee in Toronto today to meet with workers who received their first paycheques following the increase. They discussed the benefits a higher minimum wage brings for both workers and employers, including hap- pier, more motivated employees and better workforce stability. Other provisions that came into effect on January 1, 2018 include: • Expanding personal emergency leave to 10 days per calendar year for all employees, with at least two paid days per year for employees who have been employed for at least a week (Continued on page 4) Pitoy Moreno, Fashion Nominate ALI MANEK as Liberal MPP Czar of Asia, passes Candidate for Scarborough Centre Full support for ALI MANEK (center) as Filipino volunteers gathered at his headquarters to Jose "Pitoy" Moreno (25 February 1925 – 15 January 2018) help in his nomination for Liberal MPP Candidate for the Scarborough Centre riding. Among was a Filipino fashion designer and one of the earliest advo- his many accomplishments were charitable work and donations to the victims of calamities in cates of the Maria Clara gown. He is much regarded by the the Philippines. Voting will take place Jan. 22, 6 - 9pm at Winston Churchill School, 2239 Asian fashion field as the Fashion Czar of Asia. Lawrence Ave East. (Photo WAVES) Page 2 Filipinos Making WA V ES JANUARY 2018 Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 12:00 PM Happy New Year 2018 Bring your Santo Niño JANUARY 2018 Filipinos Making WAV ES Page 3 PHILIPPINE NEWS WAVES DFA releases first World Bank: Philippines will batch of 10-year continue to be Southeast Asia’s valid passports fastest-growing economy By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora apply for a new one," Cay- MANILA -- The Depart- etano said. ment of Foreign Affairs “The 10-year validity (DFA) has released the passport is also one way first batch of 10-year valid Photo: zipmatch.com to address decongestion passports on Friday, fol- among the various consu- lowing its official rollout The World Bank predicts Despite these improve- in public infrastructure, lar offices," he added. in the Philippines on Janu- the Philippines will con- ments, the World Bank economic expansion can ary 3. In August 2017, Republic tinue to be the fastest- said Manila continues to be even higher in 2017 Act No. 10928 or the Act growing economy in face “vulnerabilities” in and 2018 and exceed the Foreign Affairs Secretary Extending the Validity of Southeast Asia. its financial sectors, with current projection of 6.7 Cayetano himself graced Philippine passports was fast credit growth. percent,” said Birgit the DFA consular office in Gross domestic product signed into law by Presi- Hansl, World Bank Lead Aseana to introduce the (GDP) growth is ex- The Bank also reported dent Rodrigo Duterte. Ef- Economist for the Philip- improved document he pected to hit 6.7 percent that investment growth fective January 2 and 3, pines. referred to as the public's this year and the next declined from earlier 2018, all approved appli- "product" due to almost before moderating to 6.5 record-high rates in the The country’s GDP regis- cations of Filipinos 18- 10 years of complaints percent in 2020. The es- Philippines, as front- tered a solid 6.9 percent years old and above were regarding its quality. issued with the 10-year timates, however, are all loaded investment growth rate in the third valid document, minors lower than the govern- spending eased. quarter of 2017, putting Based on DFA data, trend ment’s 7.0-8.0 target. the economy on track to of passport production 18-years old below were The World Bank last only issued with five-year On average, The Wash- month upgraded its eco- meet the government’s since 2009 has steadily 6.5-7.5 percent full-year increased despite no sig- valid passport. ington-based multilateral nomic growth forecast target. nificant increase in the lender expects Philippine for the Philippines to 6.7 According to the agency, number of consular staff. GDP to grow by 6.6 per- percent from the previ- The government will an- both booklets issued with cent from 2018 to 2020, ous estimate of 6.6 per- nounce the 2017 fourth- 10-year and five-year va- “This extended validity higher than Thailand’s cent “to reflect recent quarter and full-year is seen to benefit the lidity will have no change in terms of fees, design 3.5 percent, Vietnam’s economic trends.” GDP performance on Jan- OFWs, particularly those 6.5 percent, Indonesia’s “If investment growth uary 25. ∎ who are assigned in areas and number of pages. (PNA) 5.3 percent and Malay- accelerates faster along far from an embassy or sia’s 4.9 percent. with increased spending consulate where they can Gallup poll ranks PHL 3rd place among happiest countries THE PHILIPPINES, which the Netherlands sharing the mists, followed by Greece, had been in the global lime- 10th spot at +64. Bosnia & Herzegovina, Iran, light amid a fierce anti-drug Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Iran led the Top 10 Unhap- campaign on the Duterte Poland, Turkey, Republic of py Countries with a net administration’s watch — Korea, and Ukraine, Latvia score of +5, followed by placed third among the ten and South Africa on the 10th Iraq, Ukraine, Greece, Mol- happiest countries in the spot. dova, Brazil, Hong Kong, world, according to a sur- South Africa, Turkey, and In the Economic Optimism vey on 55 countries by Gal- Ghana at the 10th spot. Index, the Philippines lup International covering placed fifth in its economic the period of October to Among the Top 10 Opti- outlook toward the new December last year. mists, Kosovo and the Phil- year, with a net score of ippines placed eighth and Gallup’s 41st Annual Global +32 (optimists +42 over ninth with each having a End of Year Survey showed pessimists +10). Nigeria led net score of +40, above the Philippines with a net the optimists with a net Sweden’s +38. Indonesia score of +84, below top score of +59, followed by topped the optimists, fol- scorer Fiji’s +92 and Colom- Vietnam’s +55, Indonesia’s lowed by Nigeria, Fiji, Bang- bia’s +87 and above Mexico, +53, and India’s +46. ladesh, India, Vietnam, and Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Pa- Albania on 7th place; while On the other hand, the sur- pua New Guinea, Indonesia, Italy led the Top 10 Pessi- (Continued on page 5) India, and Argentina and Page 4 Filipinos Making WA V ES JANUARY 2018 CANADA NEWS WAVES Ont. Workers get their rights and obliga- PM Trudeau launches first pay with new tions under the Employ- minimum wage ment Standards Act. Canada Service Corps (Continued from page 1) The Prime Minister and Minister of Youth, Justin * Ensuring workers are " Our new legislation Trudeau, today launched “Young people should have more chances to entitled to at least addresses the needs of the design phase of Canada serve their communities, while gaining valuable three weeks' vacation the modern workplace Service Corps, Canada’s skills and experience. That is what Canada Service after five years with and provides a minimum wage that workers can new national youth service Corps is all about. If we’re going to get this right, the same employer initiative. actually live on. The Fair we need to hear from young Canadians. Together, * Providing workers with Workplaces, Better Jobs Canada Service Corps will let’s inspire a new culture of service in Canada up to 17 weeks off Act will help ensure encourage young Canadi- and build a better country, without the fear of los- everyone who works ans to get involved in ser- ing their job when a hard has the chance to vice to their communities one community at a time.” reach their full potential worker or their child and gain valuable skills and and share in Ontario’s has experienced or is experience that will benefit prosperity." ― Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada and threatened with do- them in every aspect of life.