Vol. XXIX, No.11 November 2011 http://www.filipinostar.org Pacquiao retains WBO title Geno Mrosko on Nov 13, 2011 Pacquiao, meanwhile, seemed 11:30 PM EST MANILA, Philippines - frustrated as he was unable to get into Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao any rhythm throughout the fight. retained his World Boxing In the end, however, Pacquiao Organization (WBO) welterweight title was able to land enough power shots with a 12-round majority decision in the later rounds that swayed the victory over rival Juan Manuel fight to his favor. Marquez of Mexico Saturday night "I clearly won the fight," (Sunday morning in Manila) at the Pacquiao said in the post-fight MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las interview. "I got hurt a couple of times, Vegas. but I'm very careful." Dave Moretti and Glenn "We have to accept that my Trowbridge gave the bout to Pacquiao, opponent is not easy. He is a good 115-113 and 116-112, respectively, fighter and it's not easy, but I won the while Robert Hoyle saw it as a 114-114 fight," he added. draw. Pacquiao's coach, Freddie It was a controversial finish to Roach, admitted afterward that he did the epic trilogy between Pacquiao and not expect the fight to even go the Marquez, as none of the three fights distance. ended decisively. "I was surprised. I predicted 5 Marquez seemingly took Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao exchange blows during the WBO or 6 rounds. I was way off," Roach control of the fight in the middle world welterweight title fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on November said. "I thought Manny edged it out in rounds as he rattled Pacquiao with his 12, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan /Getty Images) See Page 5 Pacquiao superb counterpunching ability. Commemorating Ampatuan massacre’s 2nd anniversary

MANILA (Reuters) November 13, 2011 - A crude bomb exploded on Wednesday near a memorial for 58 victims of the Philippines' worst election-related violence hours before the start of a rally to commemorate the attack two years ago, police said. Two bombs were found and safely disarmed near the massacre site in Ampatuan town, in the southern largely Muslim province of Maguindanao, said provincial police Contents chief Marcelo Pintac, adding that no one was hurt and the blast caused Editorial ...... 2 minor damage. The bomb was aimed at Cooperative News ...... 3 scaring people away from the commemoration of the 2009 ambush Any Which Way (Op.Ed.) . . . . . 8 on an election-campaign convoy, he said. Tagalog Corner. . . . , . . . . . 9 "It was meant to disrupt the activity," Pintac said of the blast. Ask the Video Guy ...... 11 The other two devices, one made out of an artillery shell and the Philippine Cuisine ...... 14 other from a mortar bomb, were left where they would be easily found, he Showbiz Gossip ...... 16 IN MEMORIAM Catholic priest Fr. Robert Reyes blesses the ground where some of the 57 said. massacre victims were found on Nov. 23, 2009, at Ampatuan town in Maguindanao province. See Page 4 Ampatuan Classified Ads...... 21 JEOFFREY MAITEM/INQUIRER MINDANAO

www.filipinostar.org 2 The North American Filipino Star November 2011 Letter to the Editor Editorial Montreal, November 15, 2011 that nobody seem to listen anymore with the messages he is trying to convey. Ms. Zenaida Ferry Kharroubi When will the culture of The North American Filipino Star Having said this and for several years now, Chief Editor and Publisher U.P.S. is focused of having a speaker or Montreal, Quebec speakers with no meaningful message and impunity end? issues that concern most of the seniors in The gravity of the case of the rampant impunity feel that their work is Dear Ms. Kharroubi: the hall. Ampatuan massacre, also referred to valued and their life is treasured,” said In view of the clamor to publish my letter You and your people in the executive board as Maguindanao massacre, has led to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). to Mrs. Warlina Basbacio, president of may not be aware of this, but U.P.S. is the declaration by the world UPS, and in order that it be transmitted for What can one do? Does turning out to be heavily penetrated by the community, after a conference in the information of our community, I hereby people with political color and agenda and Beirut of the International Freedom of everyone have a role to play in ending authorize you to insert said letter in the it is turning out to be a political party than a Expression Exchange – a network of this culture of impunity? How do we Filipino Star. senior association that happened to be the human rights and free speech groups make sure that such a tragedy in foundation of its existence. And this should with representatives on all five Maguidanao does not happen again? Believing that the present leadership of the not be encouraged to happen by you continents —to mark for the first time It may not seem easy to do UPS is deviating from the main objective or/and by your executive board that U.P.S. November 23rd as the International anything at all if we adopt an attitude for which it was created, somebody should should be used as a political vehicle by Day to End Impunity. On the second of apathy or lack of interest in politics, really take time to point out such deviation, people with political agenda and make more sensible measures to anniversary of the massacre, there are and anything related to it. Most people may not find any reason to show better serve the seniors whether they are With this in mind and as a U.P.S. member of fears that the case may take even 100 members of our association or not. concern for things that took place in many years, I strongly recommend that years or more to resolve. This is U.P.S. should consider inviting for a evidently a sign of how the culture of such a remote region from our point of Once again, thank you for your attention to monthly social a guest speaker to start with impunity is deeply embedded in a view but it has always been proven this request and most of all, thank you for a doctor who specialize in senior health, corrupt country like the Philippines. that whatever happens in one part of serving the community with so much lawyers on senior rights, financial Impunity is a legalistic word that the world always has a way of affecting dedication and integrity. advisors/consultants about investment, essentially means “to escape us wherever we are. Moreover, it is accountants regarding taxation, a punishment.” In the lexicon of modern often said that what we do not know I am wishing you all the best. sociologist about social service, physical human rights it is used to describe may end up hurting us. Hence, it is therapists, educators, among others Sincerely yours, instead of self styled and self serving so situations in which serious crimes can for our own good that we get involved in maintaining our democratic way of called community leaders with political and be committed in the knowledge that Reuben T. Santos life and help preserve the freedom of business agenda to boot. they will not be investigated or brought ______to trial. When criminals or corrupt the press. (Editor’s Note: Mr. Santos’ letter to Ms. I am encouraging you and your executive authorities can intimidate assault or According to one writer, there Basbacio is reprinted in its original format board to do something new and change murder their opponents without fear of are many things one can do. “Defend below). the monthly social format in line with the prosecution, they are said to do so democracy, fight impunity, link up, senior’s mentality, concern and needs. with impunity. document cases of harassment, of Oct. 29, 2011 The culture of impunity that corruption, raise public awareness. Thank you for your kind attention with prevails over the Philippines today Promote media literacy, Launch a Ms. Warlina Basbacio regards and best wishes. U.P.S. President does not only target journalists. Even comprehensive ethics campaign. Work to improve economic conditions 6666 Clanranald Sincerely yours, when democracy was declared Montreal, Quebec of journalists.” Even if we cannot restored in 1986 under the leadership Dear Ms. Basbacio, Reuben T. Santos of then President Cory Aquino to the possibly do everything that this write present leadership under her son, the suggests, we can protect democracy This is to call your attention that attending P.S. Should you wish to read this letter to your incidence of: “salvage victims”, by exercising our right of suffrage in the U.P.S. monthly socials is becoming less executive board, please do so with my permission and pleasure. And please note that I intend to disseminate extrajudicial killings, enforced order to elect the best candidate who informative than ever before with guest the letter above by email to all members of the U.P.S. disappearances, institutionalized land will represent our interests in speakers with no particular meaning that whose email address are available to me. grabbing, development aggression, government. In fact, the rampant concern seniors. And worst we have the Reuben T. Santos prevalence of poverty, graft and corruption in the Philippines has same speaker for a number of years now corruption in government, or of crimes always been attributed to the election against the people remain concrete of dishonest politicians. Perhaps, if we evidence that impunity exists and is begin to be more interested in learning against the Filipino masses. more about the real issues than taking In spite of the dangerous a cursory interest in elections, we may environment where journalists work have a better government. and live, it is amazing to know that The horror of the massacre of Tel.: 514-485-7861 there are still members of the media 57 people in Maguindanao will never 5320-A Queen Mary Road E-Mail: [email protected] who courageously continue to do their be forgotten and may haunt us for a Montreal, Quebec H3X 1T7 Published by: Filcan Publications, Inc. job. It is therefore an excellent idea to long time. We want to see the Aquino set aside November 23 as the government do what is necessary to Zenaida Ferry Kharroubi International Day to End Impunity. This let justice prevail without delay. We Chief Editor & Publisher Hilda T. Veloso day may make us reflect on what we hope that having set aside November Sam Kevin W.G. Quiambao can do to prevent the tragedy of the 23rd as the International Day to End Al Abdon News & Layout Editor Community News Ampatuan massacre from ever Impunity may help the cause of Jerry Estrada happening again. “The day will be a eradicating corruption and the culture Alberto Baens Santos Bert Abiera Bernardo Sarmiento platform to demand that the of impunity that goes with it. Columnists Founder Opinion Editorial journalists’ killers do not go free, and to ensure that our colleagues working Zenaida Ferry Kharroubi The opinions expressed by the writers and columnists do not necessarily reflect that in countries with continuous and of the management of the North American Filipino Star nor its editors.

www.filipinostar.org November 2011 The North American Filipino Star 3 Tory candidate’s government COOPERATIVE NEWS salary a secret Saulie Zajdel has a new job. equally distinguished political science Getting the word out No, he was not elected last May to the professor and former Liberal Party Now that we have almost cooperatives. Recently, I attended a House of Commons as the MP for leader, and former astronaut Marc finished setting up the Marché Coop at workshop about using the website to Mount Royal. After a spirited Garneau, who has a PhD in electrical its new location, we have to focus on promote the cooperative. I found out campaign for the Conservative Party, engineering, and their staffs are getting the word out to as many that there are many other cooperatives the longtime Montreal city councilor capable of understanding which members as possible to encourage in different areas. I was overwhelmed and executive committee member programs are available and them to come and shop. The biggest with the prospect of getting to know failed to unseat incumbent Liberal communicating same to city councils challenge is in getting the new them all and finding out information on Irwin Cotler. Several months later, and community groups. telephone numbers and addresses of how they operate their cooperatives. I though, Zajdel was hired by the This appointment has every members who signed up during the will be attending more seminars in the Conservative government to do some appearance of setting Zajdel up as a previous administration in 2005 to 2007. future and will surely take the of the things he said he would do if he parallel MP, minus the public mandate, Even those who signed up with the new opportunity to learn more about good were elected. How do we know he has a patronage appointment that is a slap administratin are not easy to contact as practices that made cooperatives a new job? We read about it in a in the face to voters who rejected Tory most of them have moved but never succeed. bothered to advise us. We are therefore Realizing how important it is to Montreal weekly that supported his bid candidates as they exercised their appealing to them to call us at 514-485- make people understand why to unseat Cotler. We tried to find out democratic rights. 7861 to give us their new coordinates. cooperatives are good for the more about this reward to a losing Of course, all governments Perhaps, it will be a good idea community, I will be holding seminars candidate by contacting the office of reward their friends, but that does not to use social media in contacting even to 5 prospective members at a Heritage Minister James Moore, diminish the fact that it undermines the members who have been out of touch. time. I will also be willing to travel and Zajdel’s new boss. Our questions will of voters in Mount Royal who But as everyone knows, this requires speak to different associations during were straightforward: What are his chose someone else. The Zadjel time - there are over 200 fully paid their gatherings, and answer all their functions, salary and duration of his appointment lays bare the Harper members, and around 500 people who questions about cooperatives. mandate? The answer, as supplied by government’s moral deficit. made $10 or $20 payments. After five Moreover, I will be inviting them to Moore’s aide, Sébastien Gariepy: “We Essentially, Zajdel is being years of having no communication from come and meet other members of the do not comment on internal staffing paid to make the kind of connections these members. it seems quite clear cooperative at Gilmore College issues.” So much for and obtain discretionary funding that that we are just wasting our time, and International every last Sunday of the transparency. The official also can only help pave his path to we need to do other things to make the month. declined to supply an office phone Parliament if he decides to take cooperative viable. Many amazing marketing ideas number so Zajdel could be another run at the riding. As we have announced are available because of the power of interviewed. Back to the weekly previously, we must recruit new the social media and the internet. Our newspaper. Zajdel said he’ll be Postscript: The Ottawa Citizen members and get them interested in cooperative has its own domain name, working as a regional adviser for reported last month that a federal learning about cooperatives. One marchecoop.com. Some members “community outreach and relations— government program to help boost member expressed interest in recruiting suggest that they would like to shop on going out into the community, in security at synagogues and mosques members but did not know what to say line. This can be done but the question Montreal, in the anglophone and approved a far greater share of to people and explain why cooperatives is - what about delivery service? Will allophone communities, ensuring that applications from ridings represented are good for the community. Obviously, members be willing to pay for it for the what the government is doing is by Conservative MPs. Nearly half of this is a common problem - not many convenience of shopping from home? understood.” He also was going to all applications to the pilot program people understand that cooperatives We shall explore this possibility can create jobs, help newcomers in but we need our members’ feedback. determine how his government can coming from Conservative ridings integrating into the community, and We also remind everyone to “help the communities and were approved, but only 28 per cent of become a community resource to participate in our membership raffle. municipalities” apply for programs projects in opposition ridings got the promote entrepreneurship. Another Sign up and be a member to have a under Canadian Heritage. green light, funding records show, the problem is language. Cooperatives chance to win a $100 gift certificate. Sounds like Zajdel has been report said. The majority of the operate mostly in French, and since Call us for more information at appointed to be a privileged channel, rejected applications came from most Filipinos speak only English, it is 514-485-7861. supplanting the role that the elected synagogues and Jewish organizations difficult to do networking with other Zenaida Kharroubi MP and his staff should be able to do. in Mount Royal, represented by Liberal Surely, Cotler, a distinguished law MP Irwin Cotler. The North American Filipino Star professor, Stéphane Dion (St. Laurent), (Senior Times Editorial, Nov. 2011) 5450, chemin de la Cote-des-Neiges Suite 511 Montreal, QC H3T 1Y6 COMMUNITY CALENDAR SUBSCRIPTION ORDER

December 2011 Name ______3 - 1:30 - 4:00 p.m. Philippine Trade Mission from Address: ______Cagayan/Isabella/Batanes ______FAMAS Building - 4708 Van Horne Tel.: ______Cell: ______Exhibition of products E-Mail: ______Open forum to all interested entrepreneurs 1 year - $30 - 12 issues 2 years - $50 (24 issues) 3 - 10 am - 4 pm FAMAS BAKE SALE 4708 Van Horne Proceeds for Children’s Christmas Party 10 - 9 am. - 2 pm FAMAS Christmas Party 6767 Cote des Neiges 10 1- 5 p.m. GILMORE OPEN HOUSE 5320-A Queen Mary 10 5 - midnight GILMORE CHRISTMAS PARTY 5320-A Queen Mary RSVP - 514-485-7861 31 6 pm - midnight Philippine Foundation of Montreal New Year’s Eve Party CARING AT 514 626 7635 OR NORMA AT 514-695-3740.

www.filipinostar.org 4 The North American Filipino Star November 2011 watching the legal proceedings into From Page 1 Ampatuan the "appalling act of violence". "The prosecution of this case Among those who attended the is seen ... as demonstrative of the ceremony was provincial governor Philippines' commitment to upholding Esmael Mangudadatu, who lost his the rule of law and protecting human wife and several relatives in the attack. rights," Thomas said in a statement. Thirty-three media people were also Those attending the killed. commemoration lit candles and The convoy was travelling on released white balloons and doves. a mountain road to witness They called on the government to take Mangudadatu's wife filing her steps to resolve the case quickly. husband's papers for a May 2010 The Ampatuans ruled election when gunmen struck. Victims Maguindanao for nearly a decade and were taken down a dirt road and shot were supporters of former President and buried in mass graves. Some Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Memorial mass held on the hill where the massacre took place. were buried in their vehicles. On Friday, Arroyo and the compatriots. We should all be vigilant extrajudicial killings under the P-Noy Mangudadatu was standing elder Andal Ampatuan were charged against a powerful political clan run by and ensure that the Aquino administration, including the recent with electoral sabotage in connection administration pursues these cases assassination of Fr. Fausto “Pops” the Ampatuan family. with accusations of rigging 2007 The government has filed and prosecutes GMA and other Tentorio. There is no letup on military Senate elections in Maguindanao to human rights violators,” said UCCP operations that target human rights murder charges against 196 people, favour Arroyo's allies. Both denied the including former provincial governor Secretary General Reuel Marigza. defenders and whole communities. accusations and moved, through their Marigza further explained that The killings of human rights efenders, Andal Ampatuan and his four sons. lawyers, to dismiss the cases. About 80 people have been arrested “impunity persists and gross human ordinary citizens and journalists, Arroyo, a two-term president rights violations brazenly continue among others, should stop,” Palabay but only 64 are on trial, including the from 2001 to 2010, was arrested last primary suspect who is one of the because those who should be held said. # Friday on charges of electoral fraud. accountable for these crimes are still ynspace is based in Baguio, Cordillera, sons, Andal "Unsay" Ampatuan. (Reporting By Manuel Mogato; Editing The U.S. ambassador to the scot-free.” Philippines, and is an Anchor for Allvoices. by Rosemarie Francisco) Report Credibility Philippines, Harry Thomas, said “Impunity prevails. To date, people around the world were closely there are already 55 victims of Baguio media launch twin events Join Gilmore Dance Club on massacre anniversary Dancing is a fun way of doing exercise End Impunity Alliance hospital arrest against the former to get in shape and be in good health. calls on P-NOY to president. Saturday, Sunday, or prosecute GMA for The activity builds towards the Weekday evenings International Day to End Impunity on human rights violations Limited to 10 students or 5 November 23. couples per lesson BAGUIO CITY -- Media groups Palabay said “the numbers here are set to commemorate the under the nine-year GMA regime are Call 514-485-7861 second anniversary of the now appalling--1,206 victims of extra- to register. infamous Ampatuan Massacre on judicial killings, 206 cases of enforced November 23, also the International disappearances and thousands more Day to End Impunity, with a tree- unsolved human rights violations, planting activity at the Convention including the Ampatuan massacre. Center premises, and a torch parade The perpetrators of these crimes must and prayer rally at the foot of Session not go unpunished.” Road here. Meanwhile, Mrs. Edita The local chapter of the Burgos, convenor of the End Impunity Natonal Union of Journalists of the Alliance and mother of disappeared Philippines and the Baguio activist Jonas said, the surviving kin of Correspondents and Broadcasters human right violation victims will not Club (BCBC) are organizing the twin stop the quest for justice until human commemorative events, which would rights violators are made to be gather not only members from the accountable for their crimes. She media but the public as well. 0 added, "and until our lost loved ones, Earlier, NUJP-Baguio-Benguet who are victims of enforced Chapter launched a round-table disappearance under GMA’s Oplan discussion on impunity. Bantay Laya, are surfaced. We hope Several similar activities are that the cases pending before the also expected in major cities courts will prosper and not become a nationwide, besides the mobilizations futile pursuit for justice.” in Manila and Quezon City. Civil cases for alleged human Some 58 persons figured in rights violations filed against GMA are the Ampatuan Massacre in still pending in the courts. Among Maguindanao in November 23, 2009. these is the damage suit filed by the Thirty-two of those killed were “Morong 43” for their illegal arrest, journalists. detention and torture. Another In a related protest action pending damage suit was filed by the today in Quezon City Cristina Palabay, United Church of Christ in the convenor of the End Impunity Alliance, Philippines (UCCP) in June 17, 2011. said, “While we welcome the issuance GMA was charged in the case for of arrest warrants to former Pres. killings, torture, liquidation, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Gov. harassment and illegal detention of Andal Ampatuan Sr. on charges of UCCP members. electoral fraud, we demand that they “It is our fervent prayer that be charged for grave human rights the case filed by UCCP will be heard violations they committed while in next. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should power. answer for the crimes committed Palabay said President during her administration. Justice Noynoy Aquino must "strike while the must be served for our slain iron is hot,” referring to the recent www.filipinostar.org November 2011 The North American Filipino Star 5 bell sounded after the 12th round. decision about whether to continue in Pacquiao is leaving the From Page 1 Pacquiao . "It's hard when you are fighting this sport," he said. decision to his promoter. the last 2 rounds." against the fighter and the judges as He seemed bitter about the "I can fight any fighters as Roach added that Marquez well," Marquez said. judges' decision, adding, "If I drop long as there's no problem with my clearly had Pacquiao's number, and His trainer, Nacho Beristain, him, they are going to pick him up and promoter. It depends on Bob Arum," said that they will still have to work on called the result of the fight "a joke." give him the fight again. I don't know Pacquiao said. figuring out how to fight against "The real winner is right here, what else I need to do." It remains to be seen if counterpunchers. Juan Manuel Marquez," he said. Marquez is willing to fight Pacquiao a "He fell into that old trap that Marquez and Pacquiao battled Taking control fourth time, as the former is he did in the first two fights," Roach to a draw in their first meeting in 2004, After a feeling-out period in contemplating retirement after what said. while Pacquiao eked out a split the early rounds, Pacquiao was able he considers is another robbery. According to CompuBox, decision victory in their 2008 rematch. to hurt Marquez in the closing This boxing dream. Bob Pacquiao threw 578 punches and Very few analysts gave seconds of round 3. A powerful right Arum, promoter extraordinaire, has a landed 176, while Marquez connected Marquez a chance of victory in the third hook from the Filipino shook the fourth fight against Marquez on his on 138 of 436 punches. Pacquiao also match, as most expected his age to Mexican, but unlike in the first two brain. connected on 117 of 274 power finally catch up with him. The Mexican fights, Marquez was able to stay on punches, while Marquez landed 100 of boxer stunned the over 16,000 fans in his feet. Star-divide 254 power punches. attendance as he fought superbly Marquez then seemed to take "It was a great, great fight. I against his Filipino rival, with neither control of the fight in the middle had Manny, but it was close, so why "Four opponents" fighter giving an inch throughout the round, beginning with the 5th when he not bring them together again in Marquez, however, is bout. staggered Pacquiao with a series of May? It makes a lot of sense to do punches. He outboxed the Filipino that." fighter through the 7th round, but That's what Arum told Yahoo! Pacquiao bounced back with a Sports shortly after the conclusion of barrage of shots late in the round. last night's contest. It may not be the Although he was the older most popular sentiment, but it does man, Marquez was able to keep up make a measure of financial sense. with Pacquiao throughout the 12 Wouldn't you pay $60 to rounds. He was able to evade majority watch Marquez give it one more go of Pacquiao's attacks and used his to see if he could finally finish the counter-punching to hit the Filipino job? with right straights and hooks to the Then again, Juan Manuel, as body and head. noted previously, is hesitant to accept Pacquiao became more an immediate rematch against his active in the later rounds. Although he arch nemesis. That's because he's so was not able to find a good rhythm, utterly heartbroken at how each time Pacquiao landed power punches that he's stepped inside the squared caused Marquez to clinch. circle with Pacquiao, he's been Rematch? denied victory. Manny Pacquiao shows his championship belts in four divisions. After 36 rounds of boxing and Not just by "Pacman," though with no clear winner to the trilogy, Top -- by the judges, too. convinced that he has been robbed of Because of the result of the Rank chief executive officer Bob Arum Emotions run high after such victory three times now against match, Marquez told reporters that he is thinking of putting on a 4th bout a physically -- and mentally -- Pacquiao. The Mexican boxer was is now contemplating retirement. between Pacquiao and Marquez. exhausting endeavor. But Marquez confident that he won the trilogy bout, "I need to sit down with my "I am bound and determined seemed steadfast in his refusal to raising his hands in triumph when the family and my camp and make a to find a definitive winner once and for even think about a fourth fight and it's all. If both fighters agree, I'd like to do difficult to blame him. the rematch in 2012," he said. On the Occasion of the sound original and yet managing to sound like a bad karaoke song, sung International Day to End subservient Philippine state will only killings under her administration and over and over again; the administration Impunity result in further human rights violations the various graft and corruption betray the same lack of political will to as the mercenary Philippine army does scandals involving her family. Bayan Canada Statement gain justice for the victims of human the bidding of US imperialism. This bloody, blundering November 20, 2011 - Canada rights violations and their families and While extra-judicial killings business must end immediately. Reference: Joey Calugay, Secretary to punish the perpetrators, and this continue unabated, the culture of History shows us that our hope resides General administration's state security forces impunity can be witnessed by the in the power of the people and not on Email: [email protected] continue in their attacks on unarmed state's coddling of the perpetrators the idle promises of powerful political On November 23, 2011, it will civilians. and the lack of protection for civilian elites or on the moribund system have been two years since the Aquino's solution to the casualties in the State's all out war based on the extraction of wealth massacre of 58 people including 32 growing unrest and popular opposition against the people (especially the war through exploitation, oppression and journalists in the hands of the towards destructive foreign mining is to in Mindanao), which in all hypocrisy repression. We must dismantle the Ampatuan warlord clan, one year since train, arm and deploy civilian militias to the current regime has coined as “all- violent structures that plague the the death of botanist Dr Leonard Co protect mining interests, including out-justice.” In fact, one witness and people and together build a society and his companions in the hands of Canadian mining operations. This two relatives of the victims of the based on justice, lasting peace and the Philippine military, and one month exposes how Aquino's concern for the gruesome Ampatuan massacre have true freedom. This is the dream which since the murder of Italian priest and safety and security of foreign interests already been killed while the other drives ordinary citizens in the world anti-mining activist, Fr. Fausto Tentorio override that of the safety and security witnesses and victims’ kin either face today to occupy, to take to the streets, and a farmer named Ramon Batoy. of the Filipino people. threats to their own lives or are offered organize, resist and rebel in the face of Fifty four political killings, eight This subservient Am(erican)- multi-million cash in exchange for unprecedented repression. And while enforced disappearances and a year boy and his government recently withdrawing the charges against the the peoples of the world struggle for and several months after President hosted US Secretary of State Hilary powerful Ampatuan clan. Meanwhile, this dream, we, the Filipino people, Aquino took power, what now comes Clinton and signed the Manila the recent arrest of former president including those far away from home, to mind when we think of this Declaration reaffirming the Mutual Arroyo only came after she twice will surely do our part to make it a administration? Why the creation of Defense Treaty (signed sixty years attempted to leave the country, reality.# more paramilitary groups to protect ago) as the “foundation for US-RP manipulating her appointees in the foreign mining and the painfully slow relations for the next 60 years and Supreme Court to overturn any Stop the political killings! Dismantle progress in bringing to justice powerful beyond." BAYAN Canada knows full decision on her travel ban. We are paramilitary groups in the Philippines! elites like the Ampatuans and the well that the foundation of US-RP certain that no action would have been End impunity now! Arroyos? relations is one rooted in colonialism done had there been no uproar from It becomes more crystal clear through bloody subjugation, now that the Aquino administration is the people. Still, the charges of fraud BAYAN Canada is a progressive alliance repression and unequal treaties. All of Filipino groups and organizations from no different from the past regimes. Its falls short of holding her accountable previous, present and future national coast to coast and a member of the policies mimic that of the past for her role, as commander-in-chief, in security plans (Oplan Batay the more than one thousand political International League of Peoples Struggle administrations, trying its best to Laya, Oplan Bayanihan, etc...) under a (ILPS) www.filipinostar.org 6 The North American Filipino Star November 2011

diagnosed with cancer at some point Panel,to be threatened. Of course, this is far in their lives, with 21 percent likely to deainfo.nci.nih.gov/advisory/pcp/; from the whole story, as biologists die from it. Cancer researchers fear American Council on Science and think that we have only classified 10 that our reliance on chemicals is the Health, www.acsh.org. percent or less of the world’s total main culprit, as borne out by number of plant and animal species. hundreds of studies. EarthTalk® is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is Which types of species are being hit To wit, a 2000 study involving the a registered trademark of E - The hardest? An analysis of IUCN examination of health records of more Environmental Magazine ( statistics from 2008 found that of the than 44,000 pairs of twins across www.emagazine.com). Send world’s fauna (animals), invertebrates EarthTalk® Scandinavia found that “inherited questions to: (animals without backbones, such as E - The Environmental Magazine genetic factors make a minor [email protected]. earthworms, shellfish and insects) contribution” in causing most cancers Subscribe:were suffering the most, with 40.5 Dear EarthTalk: How clear (or not) but that “the environment has the www.emagazine.com/subscribe; Free percent of those classified considered are the links between the rising principle role in causing sporadic Trial Issue: www.emagazine.com/trial. threatened. Next hardest hit were fish incidents of cancers around the cancer.” A 2010 UK study, whereby species, with 36.6 percent threatened, world and the prevalence of synthetic researchers investigated the level of EarthTalk® followed by reptiles at 30.5 percent chemicals in modern society? -- chemical exposure of more than E - The Environmental Magazine and amphibians at 30.4 percent. Alberto Buono, Lee, MA 1,100 women during their Meanwhile, 20.8 percent of mammal employment history, found that those Dear EarthTalk: I heard that species of species were threatened and 12.2 With the World Health Organization study subjects who had been flora and fauna are dying at a growing percent of birds. hinting that cancer could unseat exposed to various industrial rate globally. How is this calculated heart disease as the leading cause of chemicals and airborne hydrocarbons and which types of species are More shocking was the statistic that death around the world, it’s no were at least three times more likely to dwindling faster? -- some 70.1 percent of plant species surprise that per capita cancer get breast cancer later on than Colin Gooder, Franklin, NC are at risk. However, a more recent incidence is on the rise globally. In women with little or no exposure in (2010) study found that only 22 fact, cancer is the only major cause their backgrounds. percent of the world’s classified plants of death that has continued to rise are actually facing extinction. This since 1900. While it might depend on Not everyone agrees. Writing in finding has led analysts to question whom you ask, most researchers Forbes magazine, Henry I. Miller and conservationists’ estimates in regard now agree that environmental Elizabeth Whelan of the industry- to animal species loss as well. factors—including exposure to friendly American Council on Science chemicals and pollution—play a and Health argue that the findings of In lieu of any direct way to measure significant role today in determining the presidential panel are based on the rate of species loss, who gets cancer and who doesn’t. politics not science: “If the authors conservationists have relied on had only bothered to consult a reversing the so-called “species-area A blue ribbon panel of cancer experts standard textbook on cancer relationship,” whereby scientists tally initially convened by President epidemiology, they would have the number of species in a given area learned that lifestyle factors such as and then estimate how quickly more Eminent Harvard biologist E.O. Wilson says show up or evolve as viable habitat that fully half of the planet's higher life forms increases (or decreases in the case of could be gone within 100 years, joining the reversing the concept). But lately this dodo bird, sketched here, which has been method of tracking and predicting extinct since the 17th century and whose species losses has been criticized for fate was directly attributable to human generating overestimates. “The activity. Credit: Thinkstock overestimates can be very substantial,” argues UCLA evolutionary biologist Stephen Hubbell, “...but we are not saying Researchers believe that the rate of [extinction] does not exist.” species loss currently underway is 100-1,000 times faster than what was However many species may be dying, normal (the so-called “background it’s clear we are in the midst of rate” of extinction) prior to human another mass extinction, and if you overpopulation and its negative believe 70 percent of biologists, environmental effects. But thanks to unlike previous mass extinctions Most researchers now agree that environmental factors - including exposure to chemicals overhunting, deforestation, pollution, humanity is most likely the cause. and pollution - play a significant role today in determining who gets cancer and who the spread of non-native species and Conservationists remain optimistic doesn't. Credit: Thinkstock now climate change, we are likely in that we can marshal the resources to George W. Bush researched the midst of the sixth mass extinction turn the tide—and we’ll need to if the hundreds of studies and concluded smoking, obesity, excessive alcohol in the geologic history of the world. planet is to remain habitable for our in 2010 (in its 240-page report, consumption and overexposure to The previous mass extinction, 65 species, given our own dependencies “Reducing Environmental Cancer sunlight—not chemicals in air, water million years ago, wiped out the on the world’s biodiversity. Risk: What We Can Do Now”) that and food—are the underlying causes dinosaurs and other species; the our exposure to chemicals, pollution of most preventable human cancers.” previous one, 250 million years ago, CONTACTS: E.O. Wilson Biodiversity and radiation is to blame for the killed off 90 percent of all species on Foundation, www.eowilson.org; uptick in cancer deaths. “The While few today would doubt the the planet. IUCN, www.iucn.org; “Species-area American people—even before they health risks of such personal lifestyle relationships always overestimate are born—are bombarded factors, the President’s cancer panel While the current mass extinction extinction rates from habitat loss,” continually with myriad combinations nevertheless concluded that “the might in reality not be that bad—only www.nature.com/nature/journal/v473/ of these dangerous exposures,” the burgeoning number and complexity time will tell—eminent Harvard n7347/full/nature09985.html. panel reported. “With the growing of known or suspected environmental biologist E.O. Wilson predicts that the body of evidence linking carcinogens compel us to act to rate of species loss could top 10,000 EarthTalk® is written and edited by environmental exposures to cancer, protect public health,” and urged times the background rate by 2030, Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is the public is becoming increasingly President Obama to use the power of and that fully half of the planet's a registered trademark of E - The aware of the unacceptable burden of his office to “remove the carcinogens higher life forms could be gone within Environmental Magazine cancer resulting from environmental and other toxins from our food, water 100 years. This jibes with statistics (www.emagazine.com). Send and occupational exposures that and air that needlessly increase from the non-profit International Union questions to: could have been prevented through health care costs, cripple our nation's for the Conservation of Nature [email protected]. appropriate national action.” productivity, and devastate American (IUCN)—keeper of the global “Red Subscribe: lives.” List” of endangered species—which www.emagazine.com/subscribe; Free The panel cited grim statistics about currently considers 37.8 percent of Trial Issue: www.emagazine.com/trial. cancer’s march, noting that 41 CONTACTS: President’s Cancer the world’s already classified species percent of Americans will be www.filipinostar.org November 2011 The North American Filipino Star 7 Union Montreal celebrates its 10th anniversary, reviews accomplishments San Tino, new head of the Bicol Association of Quebec By B.udz Sarmiento Montréal, November 7th 2011 different city councillors such as M. – Union Montréal Convention was Marvin Rotrand, city councillor in MONTREAL – The new set of officers San Tino, a registered nurse and a held on November the 5th at Cégep Côte-des-Neiges – Notre-Dame-de- of the Bicol Association of Quebec has former president of FAMAS, was André Laurendeau in LaSalle. Mayor Grâce; M. Michel Bissonnet, Mayor of the distinction of being the first group acclaimed president of the BAQ, a Gérald Tremblay and his team Saint-Léonard; M. Frantz Benjamin, of local community leaders to be local Filipino association that boasts celebrated their 10 years’ anniversary City councillor in Saint-Michel; Mrs. sworn into office by the newly- of more than 400 members and with more than 450 members who Andrée Champoux, City councillor in appointed Philippine ambassador to growing.

Mayor Gérald Tremblay receiving a standing ovation and applause of members of the Union San Tino, newly inducted president of the Bicol Association of Quebec, shakes hands with Montreal Party, after he delivered his speech outlining all the accomplishments of his Au Osdon, FAMAS president while other officers look on. Photo by Budz Sarmiento administration at Cegep André Laurendeau in La Salle, November 5, 2011. Canada Leslie B. Gatan. came to show their unconditional Verdun and Ms. Monica Ricourt inducted into office were San Ambassador Gatan, a former support to the party. defended those resolutions Tino, president; Domingo Tayoto, employee of the Department of The members debated and mentioning the importance of making Vice-President; Tenne Rose Science and Technology (DOST), is adopted different resolutions, some sure that our newcomers are well Dayandante, Secretary; Merly Nunez, an Ibanag from the province of of them were from the Union integrated in Montréal. Treasurer; Merle Valiente, Auditor; Isabela. He became the first person to Montreal’s Diverse Origins Mayor Gérald Tremblay Amador Yanto, PRO; Adolfo Boy come from the DOST to reach an Communities Commission such as delivered a vivid 45-minute speech in Nicolas, Bus. Mgr.; Directors: Marilyn ambassadorial position when he was the creation of the ‘Place de Montréal’ which he thanked his team for all their Mendoza, Vilma Nasol, Patrick Gotera appointed chief of mission in October where flags of diverse communities achievements and reminded and. Ellen Arroyo (not in picture). 2006.

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Cultural Communities to ensure the boroughs organization – Tél: (514) WESTPARK S survival and growth of these media 906-1340 – Fax: (514) 906-1338 – ST-JEAN ROGER-PILON SOURCES RD. that play a crucial role in the [email protected] – TRANS-CANADA (40) EXIT 55 integration of newcomers. www.unionmontreal.com M. Lam Chan Tho, the president of the Commission and www.filipinostar.org 8 The North American Filipino Star November 2011

me, “Do you know Sam Milby?” I pirated DVDs!” Suddenly, he kept replied, “I’ve heard about him. Why?” quiet, perhaps realizing that I – or My daughter: “Well, he and other somebody else, for that matter – might entertainers from the Philippines are report his alleged illegal activity to the Any Which Way ... there in the other room. Maybe you authorities. like to take their pictures.” Me: “Am I At this point, Gina Medina, the allowed to take pictures?” My FAMAS Director of Membership and daughter: “I guess so. Many people likely associated with Mr. Arrogant, are already taking pictures.” Me: “OK, came up to me and asked what was I will go there later.” going on. I told her what was going Bernardo “Budz” Sarmiento Eventually, I went to the room on. When I asked her what his name [email protected]. where Sam Milby and his group that was, she said, “Jonathan.” Ms. Medina included popular comedienne then told me to just shrug it off Pokwang were in. They were signing because Jonathan was really like that autographs for their adoring fans. as if to say that it was fine for him to Without any interruption, I was able to disrespect me because he was take a couple of good pictures from as habitually disrespectful to anyone close a distance as I could position anyway. I disagreed with her because Au Osdon did not, will not, myself at. I was about to snap my third in my mind that kind of despicable shot when a guy approached and behavior should not be overlooked or resign as FAMAS president arrogantly told me, “Do you have an condoned whether or not it is innate or invitation?” I calmly said, “No, I don’t. I habitual of him to be arrogant. I didn’t know that I needed one.” In an insisted that somebody had to tell it to Jonathan of Delphi: Rude, arrogant even haughtier way, he said, “You his face. need an invitation to be able to take ******* and flatulent pictures.” I said, “I am sorry, I didn’t VICE-PRESIDENTIAL ALSO- THE FOOLISHNESS HAS TO Words of advice to my fellow know that” and then I turned around RAN COULDN’T TELL A END — I don’t mean to usurp what is FAMAS members: Don’t believe any and walked toward the exit. As if he EULOGY FROM A POLITICAL supposedly the responsibility of the story about Ms. Osdon, or anyone else wasn’t satisfied with my answer and SPEECH — Save the part absolving Public Relations Office of FAMAS, but I in the Executive Board, having apology, he went on and asked, while the late Albert Floresca from feel that it’s about time that the nasty resigned from her post unless it came pointing at the camera I was holding, accusation that he sold during his rumor that Ms. Aurora Osdon has from FAMAS Public Relations Office. “Whose camera is that?” “Mine,” I term as president of FAMAS for his resigned from FAMAS presidency was Manuel is not the president despite his answered. He repeated, “You need an personal benefit the tents that quelled. supporters’ pronouncement that he is. invitation.” “You told me that already. I belonged to the Association as There’s absolutely no truth to the Reportedly, Dick Dahiroc doesn’t pass said I didn’t know. That’s why I maliciously published in the there’s- report that Ms. Osdon quit her post to up any opportunity to introduce apologized to you.” nothing-like-it Filipino Forum, Mel give way to Cesar Manuel, the Manuel as the president of FAMAS at I was on my way out after Domingo’s eulogy to Floresca was penalized presidential candidate of the the applause of his intoxicated acknowledging my honest mistake more a harangue than a eulogy, and Samahang Makabayan. I don’t think supporters. Is it not time that they gave when I felt that this guy was thus was very inappropriate to the she will ever vacate her post unless up and cooperated with the Executive unnecessarily pushing me. I looked at occasion. Domingo’s speech would there’s a court order that she has to. Board rather than spend their time and him and told him, “You don’t have to have been apt in a political rally but But in order to have a court order, energy on divisive and quixotic push me. I know my way out.” But definitely an upsetting faux pas in a Manuel has to file a lawsuit against Ms. activities? Don’t they have brains to instead of easing up, he pushed me funeral tribute to the deceased. Osdon and the current Executive guide them to the right path? Or their even harder. That’s what got my goat I heard and saw many people in Board, and then win it after spending a brains have been so corrupted by and I angrily asked, “What do you the church outwardly dumfounded, fortune because no matter how many alcohol they don’t function properly really want?” He replied in Tagalog, sighing in disbelief, shaking their times Dahiroc proclaims his penalized anymore? “Hindi kita kailangan” (I don’t need heads in disapproval, and presumably candidate as the president, Manuel is ******* you). I answered him back in a more praying that Domingo would stop not the president despite their black ALLEGEDLY LIVING ON forceful way, “I don’t need you, either.” speaking, or, at least, change the propaganda. Osdon is, and will be PIRATED DVD’s – Along with some His arm stretched and index finger premise of his speech because it was until August 31, 2013, barring, as I trusted friends, I was at Buffet Vichy on scornfully pointed at me, Mr. Arrogant embarrassingly out of place. Well, reiterated, court order. Newman Blvd. in La Salle in the ordered his security man, who was what can you expect from the guy who It seems to me that Manuel and evening of November 4th covering for nearby, “Palabasin mo nga ito” (Will has been recklessly incriminating his gang have been desperately this newspaper the reunion of UP you send this guy out). The security himself by telling Filipinos who care to pulling all the tricks to grab the FAMAS alumni living in Montreal and suburbs. man, also a Filipino, didn’t do as told, listen that he didn’t actually sign any presidency from Ms. Osdon. They To my pleasant surprise, my second presumably because he knew I was electoral document required of a should have already realized by now eldest daughter was also at the right all along. Mr. Arrogant kept on candidate in the last FAMAS election that they are hurting not Ms. Osdon restaurant as part of a group throwing shouting invectives as I was walking and yet asked, fraudulently it now and the current Executive Board but a despedida (farewell) party in honor away. I didn’t take it kindly so I went appears, FAMAS members to vote for the entire community whose condition of a family that would relocate to back and yelled at him for the last him, and who, in apparent ignorance they presumptuously want to Ottawa. time, “Ang yabang mo! Nabubuhay ka of the protocol concerning the use of lang naman sa paggawa ng mga ameliorate in the first place. At one point my daughter asked See Page 10 Any Which Way Why advertise on the web? Need Money?

By placing an advertising banner on the Do you have a full time job? filipinostar.org, you are encouraging visitors to your site in a cost-effective way. You are also getting name If yes, call (514) 344-1499 recognition advertising to a high valued, highly targeted audience. A click on your banner provides our viewers with a direct link to your products and AND GET CASH NOW! services,or company website, while also providing brand or service name attention. Good & Bad Credit Accepted Call 514-485-7861 or e-mail us [email protected] www.filipinostar.org November 2011 The North American Filipino Star 9 Alamat ng Tatlong Ganid May tatlong masasamang loob na araw-araw ay magkakasabay na humahanap ng kanilang biktima sa pandurukot, panggagantso o panlilinlang. Magtatanghali na ay wala pa silang napupuntirya nang biglang bumulaga sa kanilang nilalakaran ang Halloween pumapasok sa opisina na suot ang isang nakangiti at nakatingalang bilog kostyum maliban sa maskara. Malabo ang tiyak na petsang na bilog na piso. Kabutihang-loob at mga ngiti ng pinagmulan ng Halloween na parokyano ang sinusuyo nila. ipinagdiriwang natin ngayon. Isinulat Gaya nang napagkayarian nila na Ipinid muna natin ang paksang bawat kitain ay paghahatian nang ng mga historyador na panahon pa ng ito sa iiwan kong nakakatakot mga Celtic sa kalakhang Europa walang lamangan ay mabilis nilang na tanong. hinati ang suwerte. Madaling umabot umiral ito. Bakit higit na marami ang Sa pista ng Samahain ang kuwenta na bawat isa ay may nagsusuot ng bihis demonyo kaysa parteng tatlumpu't tatlong sentimo. (bigkasing sah-wen) noon, makikita na bihis anghel? ang iba't ibang kasuotan at Sa hindi mahating isang pera pagbibigayan ng mga kendi na * * * * * katumbas ngayon ng 'trick or treat' at nagpatayan ang tatlo at napabuntong- 'costume party.' hininga ang mundo nang tatlong ulit. Ginawang Halloween ang Mahal na Pechay (Hailey), Samahain. Ayon sa mga iskolar, pagkatapos masakop ng mga Romano Nakita ko ang litrato mo sa Filipino Star FCCSC, The New Look ang paganong Celtic, nagsimula ang at magkakaroon nga ng kontrobersiya Halloween upang ipagdiwang ang sa ating pamilya. Reported by Bert Santos outside of Montreal. So far three past naging buhay ng mga Kristiyanong The Fil-Can Chess & Social tournament champions have made nagbuwis ng buhay at tinuringang mga Dahil sa mahal kita at malaki ang Club, under the new leadership of the grade. Another meeting on martir. Nagiging malinaw ngayon ang malasakit ko sa iyo ay tinawagan ko si Federico "Peter" Tan held its first boards is underway dubbed the pagdiriwang natin sa Pilipinas na kung Lelong Bert. Mabilis at madiin ang social event last 5 November, 2011. Albert Floresca Memorial Award tawagin ay undas tuwing ika-1 ng paliwanag niya na ang kasuotan mo Pastor Glenn Opendo led prayers for Tournament to seek the completion of Nobyembre bilang Araw ng mga Patay noong nakaraang Halloween ay gawa the invocation and Mel Domingo the dream team. at ang sumunod na araw naman ay lamang ng iyong pagkapilya sa edad 'Araw ng mga Kaluluwa.' mong 'yan. Paglaki-laki mo raw ay Sa halos tatlumpung taon magiging maldita ang kapalit ng pilya kong paninirahan dito sa Hilagang pero pagdating mo nang hustong Amerika ay masaya kong gulang ay ikaw na ang masusunod inaantabayan ang pagsapit ng kung ano ka. Halloween dahil sa mga batang Ang suot ko naman ay ang nakamaskara at akay paborito ng Daddy A.J. kong bida sa ng mga magulang na halos piring ang comics, si Spiderman. Bigay ito ng mga mata, taglay ang lalagyan ng Ninong Bryan ko. Walang dapat kendi na malillikom sa pagbabahay- ipaliwanag—bida agad. bahay. Dumalang ang eksenang ito Nag-treat or trick ako pero sa nang atakihin ang Twin Towers sa mga kamag-anak lang. Ang dami na Lungsod ng New York noong nga nila kaya masuwerte tayo at apo Setyembre 11, 2001. sa tuhod na tayo. Dito nagsimula ang labis-labis Balita ko ay dumalo ka naman na pag-iingat ng mga bansa sa sunod- sa Open House ng FAMAS. Ang sunod na mga babala at pananakot ng tapang mo nga raw kaya pala inilagay mga terorista sa kanilang planong sa isang litrato mo sa fridge ni Lelong, makagawa ng kaguluhan. Kabilang sa "Keng leon keng tigre eku tatakut, keka mga banta ay ang paglalagay di- pa!" L-R Mel Villanueva (tournament director); Alex Sy (trophy donor); Peter Tan (acting president on umano ng maliliit na karayom sa mga Ano kaya? Sa Disyembre ay board 4); Boy Nicloas (actg vice-president on board 2); Jojo Aguirre (1st prize captain of the winning tsokolateng ipamimigay sa mga bata. magkita tayo at sabay tayong lumabas team on board 1) and Nick del Rosario (club treasurer on board 3), Photo by Budz Sarmiento At may mga teroristang sa pahayagan. magpapanggap na magulang ng mga called the roll of the September and Although not emphatically batang akay ngunit ang tunay na Chat lang tayo, okey? October birthday celebrants. Ed stated in his first speech to the club, pakay ay manmanan ang isang Vasquez, as usual. emceed the Acting President, Peter Tan made a pamamahay at malaman kung may Nagmamahal, program. statement in my interview that he will katandaan na ang nakatira dito. The evening was highlighted make the club free of politics to Sa kabila nito, tuloy pa rin ang Kuya Pichu (Aiden) by awarding of trophies to the winning concentrate more on the objectives in ganitong mga pagdiriwang. Ang mga team of the most recent group developing the skills of the present bata ay nananapatan sa mga piling * * * * * tournament. Forming a dream team is members and recruiting neophytes. . kakilala at kamag-anak. in the process to represent the club Ang mga kawani ay

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www.filipinostar.org 10 The North American Filipino Star November 2011 DAHIROC LIVES UP TO HIS membership registration fees of gang is detrimental to one’s mental From Page 8 Any Which Way ‘DICK’ NICKNAME AGAIN — Dick hundreds of people, with or without health. They might have given the the Philippine flag, erroneously thought Dahiroc, widely known for his cruddy that it was appropriate to lower the their knowledge, who were listed on former consul too much to drink that remarks and canine but ridiculous the old data base that might have been evening. I would be the least surprised Philippine flag in front of the FAMAS devotion to Tagalog language, made a Center to half mast as a tribute to a smuggled out of the FAMAS Center, if one of these days, he would only fool out of himself when he approached presumably to assure his victory. He speak in old-fashioned Tagalog, and a deceased person of no national, not to me while I was taking pictures during mention exceptional, significance as to then allowed or condoned premature bona fide member of the Hypocritical the Requiem Mass intended for the late campaigning during a community Society of Montreal and Suburbs. A deserve such an honor? Ironically, and Albert Floresca last October 22 at St. perhaps laughably, he is the same guy event in Long Sault, Ontario. When he while ago, he was looking for some Kevin’s Church. Dahiroc audaciously and his slate were accused and decency. It’s ironic that he can’t now who would like to be a vice-president of demanded that I stop taking photos the oldest and largest association of subsequently found guilty of that find it even in himself. because, according to him, I was particular election rule violation, he and ****** Filipinos in Montreal and suburbs disrespecting the deceased and because of his mistaken belief that he his running mates refused to recognize A VERY USEFUL REQUIREMENT violating the sacredness of the mass by the guilty verdict handed down by the – In light of what Cesar Manuel and his could do a better job than the walking all over the place taking incumbent. COMELEC and conveniently called it cohorts did to FAMAS, there should be pictures. Lest I would actually be biased in favor of their opponents. a law that will require any person or Going back to Domingo’s much- disrespecting not only the deceased delayed and posthumous defense of They further argued that those rules group of persons who would like to and his bereaved family but also all the were undemocratic, invalid and register their association with the Floresca, he – or anyone else among other people attending the Mass, I Floresca’s staunch supporters, for that unenforceable. appropriate government agency in the refrained from making a scene and They are the people who have Province of Quebec or, at least, in the matter – should have defended him restrained myself from rebuking him long time ago against the Forum’s been claiming to be the better leaders City of Montreal, to have their right there and then despite the great than Aurora Osdon and the rest of the application published in at least three baseless accusation of selling those temptation to do so. Instead, I went on tents for himself, not more than five current FAMAS Executive Board and major or widely-circulated newspapers to take a lot more pictures even more who can do more for FAMAS, in the City of Montreal for a minimum of years later and not during a Requiem aggressively. Dahiroc, perhaps sensing Mass. Perhaps, they assumed that it practically minimizing what Ms. Osdon three consecutive weeks before such that he could not have his way with me, had done during her previous term. application is approved. I believe that would play out or the accuser in went back to his seat among his question would stop on his own casting They are the people that chartered such requirement will prevent any Makabayan abettors and never accountant Salvador Cabugao, who illegal registration like what Cesar aspersion on Floresca. Obviously, that bothered me again. He saw me outside was a wrong assumption. In fact, the was looking for decency sometime Manuel did with FAMAS. Similar laws the church later on when the Mass was ago, wants to be, or is now, associated are already in existence with regard to accuser became worse over time. But over, and I expected him to confront me in fairness to Domingo, who was the with. At first, I didn’t understand why applications for marriage and land title. why I didn’t stop taking photos as he he would rather be with those sleazy A few weeks ago, Manuel and vice-president in Floresca’s demanded, but he did not. administration in 2006, and despite his guys than with Au Osdon and her his hooligans fraudulently registered ******* company. I think this is why: In the FAMAS under their own names to terrible sense of timing, his effort to THE LOCAL VERSION OF “ALI kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed is make it appear that they were the duly- clear Floresca of any wrongdoing is BABA AND THE FORTY the king. Figure it out! elected officers of the Association better late than never and ought to be THIEVES” – It was a very close call appreciated. ******* using Manuel’s personal postal for the legitimate FAMAS Executive WHATEVER HAPPENED TO What is funnier still is the fact that address on Bourret as its main office. Board, and I am referring to Au Osdon BUDDY CABUGAO? – The story that As proof of their made-up legitimacy, the pseudo-journalist who inexorably and the other COMELEC-inducted maligned Floresca and the person who the former honorary consul made a they presented to the registering officer members of said board. The more than scene during the latest UPS social at a copy of there’s-nothing-like-it Filipino vehemently, albeit posthumously, $30K that Ms. Osdon and her previous defended him against accusation of St. Kevin’s Church Social Hall on Forum where Manuel was depicted as executive board worked so hard to November 13th has been making the the putative president of FAMAS. God misappropriation are now part of a accumulate and save over two years ragtag group that has been relentlessly rounds in the community. Mr. knows what else they submitted as were almost taken away by a gang led Cabugao’s very strange behavior only evidence of their make-believe ganging up on Au Osdon, one of the by an unemployed slacker. very few truly competent FAMAS lends credence to the perception that entitlement. According to reports, Cesar association with Cesar Manuel and his presidents the Association has ever Manuel and his band of merry men had, and pressuring her to step down went to the bank where the FAMAS RESTAURANT in favor of a mediocre, incompetent, fund was deposited and, armed with a childishly and leadership-challenged fascicle of documents which they LA MAISON NEW KUM MON man. No wonder the Filipino passed off as legit, purportedly told the 65656565 Cote Cote desk des Neiges, Neiges Montreal, 5047 Henri Bourassa Est community in Montreal is derided by its bank authority that they were the duly- Montréal, QC H1G 2S1 counterparts in Ottawa, Toronto, (near Corner Appleton) elected officers of the Association. To Montreal, QC Tel.: (514) 322-3133, 322-3130 Winnipeg and Vancouver. Fish Maw Seafood Soup consummate their little scheme, Bean Curd Seafood Soup Reportedly, the Woman of the Manuel reportedly requested the bank 1/2 Crispy Chicken Baked Lobster with Ginger Year awarded Julita Parado got so to transfer said fund to a new account Salt and Pepper Pork Loin Seafood with Chinese angry at Domingo for exhuming the under his name. Stuffed Bean Curd with Broccoli almost forgotten issue about the tents To their credit, the same bank Shrimps Saltand Pepper Cuttle Fish that she was heard blurting out “Buwisit authority, keenly appreciating that Sauted Seasonal Vegetables Fried Sea Bass Fish iyang si Domingo. Bastos! Pati ang something was amiss, appropriately Steamed Rice Steamed Rice patay hindi na iginalang.” Floresca was decided to freeze the account instead $39.95 $62.95 on the long string of community until the issue was settled. Almost 4 Persons 4 Persons leaders that Magallanes and Janus- immediately after learning of the faced Parado had demonized over the attempted “theft,” Au Osdon, Ramon Bean Curd Soup Fish maw seafood soup years. Domingo, himself, is also on that Vicente, Alex Sy and Shinette Khourry 1/2 Crispy Chicken 2 Baked Lobsters with Ginger string. So are Salvador Cabugao, Dick rushed to the bank with all their Shrimp Cake with Chinese Seafood with Eggplant Dahiroc, Flor Rillo, San Tino, Chris credentials and supporting documents Broccoli in Hot Pot Bautista, Myrna Maranan-Francisco, to rectify the confusion. As should be Sweet and Sour Pork Stuffed Bean Curd with Zeny Kharroubi, Shinette Khoury, Au the case, the fund is now restored to its Seafood with Bean Curd in Shrimp Osdon, James de la Paz and, of former status, but even more strictly Seafood with Chinese broccoli Hot Pot course, your present company. Some guarded from predatory and fraudulent Fried Sea Bass Fish of us may be bitterly on one side of the members of the Association. Salt and Pepper Squid House Fried Rice political fence and some on the other, ******* Fried Sea Bass Fish Special Fried Noodles but all of us, at one time or another, CESAR MANUEL PRONE TO Steamed Rice $129.95 were victims of Magallanes’ and COMMIT FRAUD – Cesar Manuel’s $68.95 Parado’s venomous pens. Sadly, ambitious journey to FAMAS 6 Persons 10 Persons though, a few of us seem to have short presidency seems to be defined by memories and lack delicadeza fraudulent activities on his and his FREE DELIVERY (propriety) as they are now closely closest advisers’ parts. Minimum order of $10 514-733-6029 associated with those twin evils of the Supported by a diverse group of Delivery hours: community oblivious of the fact that loyal allies and manipulative 514-733-1067 they were once severely maligned by 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. opportunist, he started his journey to 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. For party menu, call Kenny those two. presidential perdition through virtual ******* buying of votes by paying the www.filipinostar.org November 2011 The North American Filipino Star 11

USB Flash Drive or Memory Card. the whole family of Memory Sticks. In They all store your files depending on addition to the original Memory Stick, the capacity of your drive. What makes this family includes the Memory Stick these devices different are the ports. If PRO, a revision that allows greater you want to download a file from your maximum storage capacity and faster computer to your memory card but file transfer speeds; Memory Stick your computer does not have a slot Duo, a small-form-factor version of the that fits it then you need a memory Memory Stick (including the PRO card reader which is another device Duo); and the even smaller Memory that has different slots to fit all your Stick Micro (M2). In December 2006 memory cards. Sony added the Memory Stick PRO- HG, a high speed variant of the PRO to Ask the be used in HD Video and still cameras. Memory Stick cards can be used in Video Guy Sony XDCAM EX Camcorders. Al Abdon SD Cards - Secure Digital (SD) is a format developed by the SD Card Association (SDA) for use in portable What are Portable devices. It has been designed to Storage Devices? standardize the connection of We have seen and heard on the market about USB storage, compact flash, PC cards and dozens of USB Flash Drive terminology all related to computers, cameras and other devices that make There are different types of your life easier. I myself have been memory cards. They are: confused with all this array of format PC Card – Developed in the and most often get mixed up with 80’s, these cards are seldom used terminologies. Well, in order to make today. They are bulky and not all 120px Memory card and incuding adapter life simple, it is best to classify each of computers have a generic slot for devices. The SD technology is used by these devices and describe them so them. more than 400 brands across dozens when you want to buy or borrow a of product categories and more than 8,000 models, and is considered the 120PX Compact Flash 512mb de-facto industry standard. There are other storage cards that have been sold in the market such computer peripherals, such as as: keyboards, pointing devices, digital Card Reader cameras, printers, portable media Compact Flash (I,II Extreme Multimedia Cards players, disk drives and network Pro) – commonly used with brand Mini SD Cards adapters to your personal computer name cameras. It has a large volume XD-Picture Cards that communicate and supply electric of storage and can be used with HD Intelligent Stick power. camcorders. The prices variy with the NT Cards It is also used on other brand and its speed to transfer files. A These are all memory card devices, such as smartphones, PDA Sandisk Extreme CF 8gig at 50mb formats that are used to store video, and video games console. USB has costs $89.00 compared to Sandisk photo and common document files. It effectively replaced a variety of earlier Extreme Pro CF 128gig at 100mb that all depends on your device. interfaces, such as serial and parallel costs $1400.00! From now on, you can be ports as well as separate power Smart Media (SM/SMC) - is a confident to use the proper Memory Stick front and back charges for portable devices. flash media standard owned by terminology when asking for a Flash USB Flash Drive is a mass storage media, you know what proper Toshiba with capacities ranging from 2 Drive. storage device that you connect to words to say. MB to 128 MB. Smartmedia memory Have a flashy shopping your computer’s USB port to store files. We begin with the terminology cards are no longer manufactured. holidays. Normally it can contain large amount of of USB. USB which stands for Memory Stick - is a removable files from 1gig to 64gig at the time this Universal Serial Bus was an industrial flash memory card format, launched Al Abdon article is written. Prices vary with the standard developed in 1990 that by Sony in October 1998. It describes Hollywood Junkies Video defines the cables, connectors and brand names or manufacturer. A 4gig protocols used for connection, flash drive starts at $19 to $45 The Philippine Foundation of Montreal cordially invite you to a communication and power supply depending where you buy it from and New Year’s Eve Bash at the Marriot Hotel Court Yard Hotel on between computers and electronic not all suppliers carry all the available Cote Vertu/TransCanada on Dec. 31, 2011. types of flash drives. I bought a 64gig The evening will start with cocktails, followed by sit-down flash drive online at Future Shop for dinner with wine, coffee/dessert. Midnight champagne to toast $129 plus tax. the New Year and sweet table. Cost $90/person. It is a A Memory card or Flash card is pleasure to have your company. For information, please call an electronic flash memory data CARING AT 514 626 7635 OR NORMA AT 514-695-3740. storage device used for storing digital information. They are commonly used in many electronic devices, including digital cameras, mobile phone, laptop computers MP3 Players and video game consoles. They are small, re- recordable, and able to retain data without power. Wait a minute, this sounds confusing. Flash Card, Flash Drive, Memory Card, USB Drive? Well at first. The bottom line is they are all storage devices. The only difference is what type of device you use. For example, when I want to transfer files from one computer to another, I can either use a

www.filipinostar.org 12 The North American Filipino Star November 2011 Marché Coop marchecoop.com [email protected] Filipino Solidarity Cooperative, Inc. New Address (effective Sept. 1, 2011) 5320-A Queen Mary Rd (Between Coolbrook and Decarie) (accesible by Snowdon Metro, Busses 166, 17) Open everyday 11 am to 7 pm Call 514-485-7861 or by appointment

Products on sale November 29 to

December 9, 2011 Inside view of Marché Coop at its new location

Mixed Seafood Squids 454 g - $4.69 ea Dried Shrimp - $3.99 $3.99 2 for $7.90 2 for $7.90 2 / $9.00

Gift Certificates are ideal gifts for all occasions. To order, just call at 514-485-7861. Savoy Coconut Cream Elephant Glutinous Rice Creamsilk Conditioner $1.49 ea. 2/$2.79 5 lbs $4.25 $4.99 ea or 2/9.50

Cedar Brown Rice 2 lbs $1.99, 2 / $3.90

Diwa Sweet Mung Redpath Brown Sugar Beans 340 g 1 kg $2.79, 2/$5.50 $1.59 ea 2/$2.79 Next Monthly Members Meeting Lechon Sauce Last Sunday of January 2012 - 5 to 7 p.m. Vermicelli Carnation Evaporated Mang Tomas 330 g $0.89 /250 g, Milk - $1.79 ea. 99¢ ea/ 2 for $1.90 Variety Chocolates 5320-A Queen Mary Road $1.15 ea, 2/$2.25 $1.49 /500 g 2 / $3.50 RSVP - 514-485-7861

www.filipinostar.org November 2011 The North American Filipino Star 13

at Gilmore’s Administrative Office Assistant Certified International Trade Professional Open House

PAB/PSW/Nursing Aide Bookkeeper/Accounting Clerk Préposé aux bénéficiaires Accounting Technician Saturday, December 10 1:00 - 5:00P.M. 5320-A Queen Mary Road Registrations accepted for Winter 2012 Session Meet our teachers and students and find out more about our programs & services. COURSES OFFERED • PAB/PSW Nursing Aide • International Trade • Office Automation • Secretarial - Administrative Legal/Medical/Office Asst. • Accounting/Bookkeeping Gilmore College International students participated in the Educational Day of the FNAQ (Filipino Nurses Association of Quebec) held last October 23, 2011 at 6767 • Early Childhood Education Asst. Cote des Neiges, Montreal. Photo shows: standing from left: Laura Dizon, Marilou • Second Languages Hechanova, Edison Taguba, Grace Calvo, Annie Signey, Joesie Bingayen, Giselle Arellano, Vilma Lagonilla, Mildred Mendoza (PAB students), and Sophie Toledo (PAB English, French, Spanish, instructor). Seated from left: Clarice Mackay, Edith Fedalizo, Zenaida Kharroubi (Gilmore College faculty and adminidstration), Gene Magalit, FNAQ President, Filipino, Mandarin Shirley Cabrera, FNAQ Director Const. & By-Laws, and Amy Manon-og, Gilmore College International PAB Instructor. • Toefel / ESL Tutorials • Seminars - Cooperative Education Leadership, Writing Workshops

5320-A Queen Mary Road Montreal, QC H3X 1T7 (between Decarie & Coolbrook) Telephone: 514-485-7861 [email protected] SNOWDON www.filipinostar.org 14 The North American Filipino Star November 2011 * 2 Amapalya (bitter melons) sliced to 1). In a cooking pan, heat oil and fry bite size pieces the pork until brown, remove the pork * 2 eggplants, sliced to bite size from the pan and set aside. pieces 2). On the same pan, saute garlic, * 5 pieces of okra, cut in two onion, ginger and tomatoes. * 1 head garlic, minced 3). In a casserole, boil water and add Philippine Cuisine * 2 onions, diced bagoong. * 5 tomatoes, sliced 4). Add the pork in the casserole and * 1 tablespoon of ginger, crushed and mix in the sauteed garlic, onion, sliced ginger and tomatoes. Bring to a boil * 4 tablespoons bagoong isda or and simmer for 10 minutes. MENUDO Estimated cooking time: 1 hour bagoong alamang 5). Add in all the vegetables and cook Mechado Ingredients: * 3 tablespoons of oil until the vegetables are done, careful * 1 1/2 cup water not to overcook. * 1 kilo of beef cut into chunks * Salt and pepper to taste Add Salt and pepper, as desired, to * 1/8 kilo of pork fat cut into Pakbet Cooking Instructions - How To taste. Best serve hot with plain rice. strips Cook Pinakbet: * 4 onions, peeled and quartered BUSINESS HOURS * 5 medium potatoes, quartered (optional: fried) Mon. Tue. Wed. 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. * 1 medium sized carrot, sliced Thu. Fri. 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. in 1/2" sections Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. * 2 red bell pepper, sliced Sunday Closed * 2 cups beef stock or 2 Beef Picnic ham Ingredients bouillon cubes dissolved in water Pork loin Approximately Blade steak (with bone) 300g pork loin, cubed * 3 bay leaves (laurel leaves) 15 lbs 200g pig liver, cubed * 1/4 -cup vinegar 99 * 2 cups tomato sauce or 1/2 39 . 49 3 cloves garlic, minced . lb 3 lb . 1 small onion, finely chopped cup tomato paste 2 1 lb 1 large potato, cubed * 1 cup soy sauce Pork Head 1 medium carrots, cubed * salt & pepper to taste Half or Whole Front quarter of beef Approximately $12.00 each 1 small red bell pepper, chopped pork 200 lbs * Fresh Goat available on 2 pieces hotdog, sliced Mechado Cooking Instructions: Cut & Wrapped 89 order - whole or Half $3.99/lb 85g raisins . lb 227g tomato sauce * Cut an incision on the beef 55 2 Regular smoked chunks and insert a pork strip in the 1. lb Beef bacon 2 tbsp liver spread short ribs 3 tbsp lime juice middle (mitsa) Home smoked 99 * In a casserole, combine the 79 . 4 tbsp soy sauce meat . 4 lb 3 tbsp cooking oil beef (with the fat), tomato sauce, soy 3 lb 99 1/2 cup water sauce, bay leaves and beef stock. . lb 2 bay leaves Bring to a boil and simmer until the 8 10 lbs & over Pork Spare Ribs a dash of pepper beef is almost tender a dash of salt * Add the vinegar and let boil Fresh Belly 49 .99 for a minute or two . lb lb with skin Special2 Fresh 3 How to cook: * Add the potatoes, onions, carrot, and bell pepper .49 1. Marinate the pig liver in lime juice * Let simmer until potatoes and 3 lb and soy sauce. Set aside. carrots are cooked - occasionally stir St.Chrysostome St. Remi St. Edouard to thicken sauce Frozen pork blood 2. In a casserole, heat 3 tbsp cooking Napierville * Serve hot with white rice Fresh bacon Sherrington oil. Saute garlic and onion until Barrington Fresh liver fragrant. 203 219 202 Lacolle Pork skin Hemmingford Beef Mechado Cooking Tips: Jackso Sortie 3. Add pork loin and let simmer until Havelock n Road Exit No.6 Available Canada Parc tender. 219 Safari Class 15 4. Add hotdog, potato, carrots, red * Pressure cook the beef with Covey Hill Road bell pepper, raisins, bay leaves, the beef stock for faster cooking time. Boucherie Viau Inc. U. S. A. * Fry the potatoes before Malone tomato sauce, water and leave for 15 Moders Champlain adding to the casserole. minutes. 83 Covey Hill, Hemmingford QC J0L 1H0 5. Add the liver including the * Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of marinade. Let simmer for 5 minutes. olive oil and stir when the mechado Tel.: (450) 247- 2130 or (450) 247- 3561 6. Add liver spread and leave for dish is almost done for added flavor another 10 minutes. Stir occasionally. 7. Season with salt and pepper. 8. Serve hot. PINAKBET

BEEF MECHADO

Cooking time: 35 minutes

Pinakbet Recipe Ingredients:

* 1/4 kilo pork with fat, cut into small pieces

www.filipinostar.org November 2011 The North American Filipino Star 15 Social Community Events

Winners of the costume contest during the Halloween fund raising party organized by the Halloween Party costume contest organized by the Academy of Martial Arts Shown Daughters of Isabella at St. Malachy’s, October 30, 2011. On the right is Amy Manon-og in with the winners (extreme left: Jacquiline Uy, and on the extreme right is Annabelle Zoro costume. Alloso, Gilmore College student and an active martial arts practitioner.)

Annabelle Alloso (seated at the center) held her birthday party at her residence and invited students and teachers from Gilmore College International on Sunday, November 6, 2011. The newly-inducted officers of the BAQ led by San Tino (sixth from left) with the new Philippine Ambassador to Canada Leslie B. Gatan (on Tino’s left) and FAMAS President Aurora Osdon (second from right) in front of the FAMAS Center (Photo by Budz Sarmiento)

The North American Filipino Star management gave a bon voyage dinner at La Pacini for Budz Sarmiento and other contributors to the newspaper. Shown here from left: Al Abdon, Willie Quiambao, Budz Sarmiento, Zeny Kharroubi, Bert Santos and Reuben Santos. Photo taken on November 17, 2011. The newly-inducted officers of the Bicol Association of Quebec (BAQ), seated, from left, Tenne Rose Dayandante, Merle Valiente, Merly Nunez, Marilyn Amaro; standing, from left – Amador Yanto, Patrick Gotera, Doming Tayoto, San Tino, Adolfo “Boy” Nicholas and Vilma Nasol (Photo by Budz Sarmiento)

Birthday celebrant Menchu Baluyot (seventh from left) with guests that include Filipino Star staffers Budz Sarmiento and Willie Quiambao, extreme left and First dance lesson for Gilmore College International students being taught by Volvick Edouard, (on the right) former instructor from Arthur Murray Studio. Photo taken November 6, 2011. extreme right, respectively www.filipinostar.org 16 The North American Filipino Star November 2011 Janelle improving, vows to seek FILIPINO STAR justice for slain boyfriend Ramgen

S H O W B I Z G O S S I P “Nasaktan ako [nang] malaman ko at patuloy na nasasaktan everytime na napapanood ko sa news... Alam ko kung gaano kamahal ni Ramgen ang Maricel re-starts acting career, pamilya niya. How clean his intentions are at kung gaano siya kabuti bilang admits making mistakes tao,” Janelle said. The former “Star Circle National Teen Quest” finalist also asked the Revilla family to seek justice for Ramgen. “Mahal na mahal kayo ni Ramgen. Sana wag kayo titigil hangga’t hindi nahahanap ang hustisya na nararapat Young actor and aspiring politician the para sa kanya.” late Ram Revilla was laid to rest Nov 2. In an earlier report, Janelle related After undergoing a facial that she dreamt of the late actor and reconstruction surgery, the girlfriend of admitted that she misses him so much. late actor Ramgen Revilla, Janelle Manahan, is doing good. Janelle survived the night of Oct. 28 when Ramgen was murdered by hired killers. According to reports, she obtained a gunshot that entered below her left eye and exited through her right neck. This resulted to four fractures on her left and right cheeks, nose and jaw. “Mas mabuti na po ang pakiramdam ko ngayon although physically weak pa po ako so kailangan ko ng tulong from simply sitting down, YJanelle Manahan, Ramgen’s girlfriend, standing up. Emotionally naman po, so is still recovering from the wounds she far I’m trying to be strong on my own. received, but is doing better. They say I might need a psychiatrist, if gusto ko,” she said through a letter She also wrote a poem for Ramgen. Maricel Soriano started in showbiz at six years old and, through the years, proved to exclusively obtained by “The Buzz,” Addressing her boyfriend, whom the world that she truly deserves the crown "Diamond Star." . Nov. 20. she was supposed to marry in 2013, Her father, Julius Manahan, earlier The Storm in Maricel’s Life: Maricel general, Maricel admitted she had Janelle said: “I will always love you! told ABS-CBN News that “sabi ng mga Soriano was understandably nervous made many mistakes in her life. Sorry, Thank you sa lahat-lahat. I will never doctors, magkakaroon lang ng scars when she faced members of the but that’s as far as she would go on the forget you.” pero magagawan daw ng paraan,” entertainment media Sunday, Nov. 13, subject. As soon as she gets better and is pertaining to Janelle’s facial condition. during a break in her new movie’s able to speak, Janelle vowed to do In the same “The Buzz” report, the pictorial. everything to help the family of Ramgen actress aired her grief over reports It was her first time to sit down with seek justice. claiming that Ramgen’s siblings a few members of media following that “Never ako titigil till I find you Ramona and RJ Bautista are huge media scandal in July pointing to justice! You didn’t deserve to die that pinpointed as masterminds behind the her as the tormentor of two former way kaya ilalaban kita no matter what it murder. a housemaids. takes,” she said. The case has remained pending, but the actress continues to remain Charice resumes work after non-committal on the subject. She spoke in generalities when asked to mourning her father comment on the spate of personal Maricel Soriano and Gabby Concepcion lead the cast of ‘Yesterday, Today and Charice’s first show after a sad life’s issues that hounded her recently. chapter happened Nov. 19 in Using the term “unos” (storm) that Tomorrow,’ from left: Solenn Heussaff, Lovi Poe, Carla Abellana, Dennis Trillo California, USA. hit her at her weakest, Maricel said it all Charice announced via Twitter started with the death of her mother, and Paulo Avelino. her “comeback.” Linda, in 2010. “Looking forward to seeing “There are things that are difficult Maricel’s 40th Year: Keeping to accept and deal with, but we have herself on track, Maricel announced everyone at my show in SF,” she no choice in this life but to face them,” she’s marking her 40th year as an posted Nov. 8. she said in a rather formal tone. actress this year. She started as a child After weeks of mourning for the The show, “Handog It helped that when she said so, actor in the 1970s. death of her father, Charice has Pasasalamat: The Thanksgiving she was wearing a formal black gown She said she has been blessed to flown back to the US to resume Concert,” held at San Francisco Bay with slits on both sides, her costume have been assigned another lead role work. Area, is her way of expressing for that afternoon’s pictorial held at Lily in “Yesterday” by her long-time The international singing gratitude to supporters. Monteverde’s former residence on producer and movie mother, Lily sensation’s father Ricky Pempengco “Hi everybody. Thank you for all Valencia St., Quezon City. Monteverde. was murdered in San Pedro, Laguna of the support and condolences. While avoiding the issue of the Maricel recently signed a Oct. 31. Charice, who was in the This has been a difficult time. But, harassment charges and physical management contract with Vic del middle of the “David Foster and my family and I are healing,” Charice threats leveled against her by her two Rosario, who’s reportedly fielding her Friends” tour, dropped out of the said in another Twitter post. former helpers, Maricel said she’s in a TV comedy series in early 2012. Charice will be back in the facing “nang buong ningning” the What about a reunion comedy Singapore leg and rushed back home to the Philippines to be with Philippines on Dec. 2 for a concert battle she’s currently embroiled in. series with Cesar Montano, with whom at the Newport Theater of Resorts “Gusto ko lang magpakatotoo,” she Maricel co-starred in the highly her family. Mr. Pempengco was laid World Manila. a said without elaborating. “Basta ‘yun successful “Kaya ni Mister, Kaya ni to rest on Nov. 5. na ‘yun,” she emphasized. Misis” series back then? a The 19-year-old singer proved At one point, but still speaking in she is indeed a strong soldier like what her late father wanted her to be. www.filipinostar.org November 2011 The North American Filipino Star 17 Ruffa not a relationship wrecker, answers all issues in interview

Following John Lloyd Cruz and Ruffa: ‘I am not flirting with John Shaina Magdayao’s joint interview Lloyd’ about their alleged breakup, it is Ruffa After being dragged to the John Gutierrez’s turn to say her piece in an Lloyd-Shaina brouhaha, the former effort to clear her name. beauty queen maintained, “I am not a In her tell-all interview aired on relationship wrecker! “Paparazzi Showbiz Exposed” Nov. 6, “If you look back in the past, ako Ruffa stood by her first statement that nga yung dinobol time. I’m not flirting she didn’t send a text message to with John Lloyd Cruz.” John Lloyd first. Ruffa also revealed being in a Shaina earlier claimed that she did relationship at the moment. send a text message to Ruffa but only “I’m inspired right now and, yeah, to reply to the latter’s first message to with someone else. And just like I was John Lloyd. loyal to John Lloyd during our time, Who texted whom first? I’m also loyal to this person. So there’s According to the “Paparazzi” host, no way that I can flirt with him when during Vina Morales’ birthday concert I’m with someone else. (Ruffa, Shaina and John Lloyd were all “Kung meron silang career na present), she received a text message inaalagaan, ako naman may mga from John Lloyd’s number dawn of anak ako na dapat proteksyunan. I’ve Oct. 18 at exactly 1:33 a.m. that read been through so much in my life. I’m “Shut up.” not bitter at all, I’m just so happy I’m Ruffa replied at around 1:45 a.m. back here in the Philippines. I’m free, with “Excuse me?” I’m working again, but for me I’m A reply was sent, still using the doing this for my kids,” she said. same number at 1:46 a.m.: “Shut Up! Message to John Lloyd, Shaina What do you want from me?” Hoping that her interview could Ruffa showed the thread of lead to the issue’s closure, Ruffa gave conversation from her phone to her her message to John Lloyd and co-host Mo Twister. Shaina. Several curse messages followed. “John Lloyd, maraming salamat at Ruffa thought, “I already knew after all klinear mo yung pangalan ko sa issue of the curse messages that I got na John Lloyd palabas ng Republiq by pinapalabas niya, na hanggang na ’to. And kagaya ng sinabi ko sa iyo hindi si John Lloyd yun. Kasi si John four bouncers. The brother of John ngayon naghahabol ako. First of all, noon, I’ll be the happiest person pag Lloyd never sent me any messages na Lloyd and Shaina [were] also there wala akong kailangang habulin. ikaw talaga maging lalakeng-lalake in nagmumura.” and nakikita namin na tulog na siya. Kanyang-kanya na si John Lloyd.” the true sense of the word. Good luck. “The person that was sending me “Ibig sabihin lasing na lasing na Morning of the same day, Ruffa “Shaina, you have nothing to messages kept calling me Sharmaine siya. And I’ve spent time with John received an apology from John Lloyd. worry about. I’m really sad that you (Ruffa’s real name) and hindi naman Lloyd, I know pag nalalasing siya, pag “John Lloyd called me the next thought I was disrespecting your Sharmaine ang tawagan namin... binubuhat na siya palabas ng club, day. He first sent a message: “9:16 relationship, but it’s not the case. And Babe. That’s why sinabi ko... So sabi tulog siya until the following day. So am, ‘Can you take a call? I’m really I just wish you would tell the truth next ko, ‘Babe, is this you?’ Parang, gusto sinong papadalhan ko ng message, sorry about last night. Hindi kita dapat time because you know, and I know, ko lang malaman kung siya yun. multo?” Ruffa said. idinamay sa problema ko. I hope you and John Lloyd and everyone knows Obviously, it wasn’t,” Ruffa detailed. Describing how she felt upon can give me a chance to fix this. I’m that I was not the first to text. So, I Ruffa then related another incident receiving those nasty messages, Ruffa really sorry please give me a chance... hope after this interview, ‘wag ka na proving she didn’t send a text said, “Siguro na-bother ako nung text sad face.’ ring magsalita. Pero kung gusto mong message to her ex-boyfriend. na ‘f--king nothing... Stay the f--king “So I replied, 9:16 a.m. I said, magsalita pa, I challenge you na “Siguro mga 15 minutes before I hell away from us!’ ‘Please call me... sad face,’” Ruffa ilabas mo yung cell phone ni John received the first message, there was “You know naman, how dare you related, adding she was just surprised Lloyd at ipakita sa publiko kung ano a slight commotion towards the right to say naman na ‘stay away from us’ when she found out the John Lloyd ba talagang tine-text ko. Kasi alam ko when wala naman akong ginagawa? and Shaina joint interview aired on part of the room. Pagtingin ng pinsan sa sarili ko wala akong tine-text.” a ko, at pagtingin ko, binubuhat na si You know, yun ang pinakamasakit na “The Buzz.” John Lloyd addresses alcohol issue; refuses to retaliate against Ruffa habang ipinapamalas ang kakayahan gimik like clubbing or going to the sinabi niya sa akin na ayun, ‘Hindi mo niya sa paggawa ng pizza. Hindi man bars, hindi naman." magugustuhan ‘pag nakilala mo na lang mababakas kung apektado ang “Pinili ni John na ’wag nang ako.’ And I said, ‘Ano ‘yun?’ Then box office king sa mga intriga sa himayin at sagutin punto por punto sinabi nga niya sa akin na, ‘I drink a lot, kanya.” ang banat sa kanya. Mananatili daw hapon pa lang minsan umiinom na “Natuon ang pansin kay John siyang maginoo at hindi magsasalita ako.’ Lloyd matapos ang pag-amin nila ng ng makakasakit sa iba,” Marie “And of course coming from a girlfriend na si Shaina sa problema sa reported. relationship so volatile [and] abusive, kanilang relasyon kung saan “Siguro ganoon ako pinalaki,” the ang sagot ko sa kanya, ‘You can drink nakaladkad ang pangalan ni Ruffa actor noted. all you want till you turn blue, I don’t Gutierrez. Sinundan pa ito ng tell-all John Lloyd explains that it is not in care.’ Pero naging problema ‘yun, kasi interview ni Ruffa Gutierrez. Blow by his nature to retaliate. there were times na we would go out, blow na ibinunyag ng aktres ang “Hindi naman ibig sabihin pagka bigla na lang siya nakakatulog. relasyon, break-up at naging problema binato ka ng bato o ‘pag may Binubuhat siya palabas ng club, umano nila ni John Lloyd, ang babae ginagawang masama sa ‘yo o kapag siyempre nahihiya naman ako. So that John Lloyd Cruz avoids taking a swipe at at alak. Ngayon matapos ang matagal inaagrabyado ka dapat gumanti ka. At was our main problem,” Ruffa shared. Ruffa Gutierrez, who alleged about his na pananahimik hinarap ni John Lloyd all times naman parang you try to do When asked for a message for alcohol problem ang media.” what’s best, what’s good, ‘di ba? ‘Yung Ruffa, John Lloyd did not oblige. On the issue of alcoholism, the hindi makakaapak sa iba o ‘yung hindi “Wala po akong gustong sabihin John Lloyd Cruz has finally actor explained that “never naman ako makakasira sa iba.” kahit kanino. Nasabi ko na ‘yung gusto addressed the issue raised against him hindi naging healthy living.” Ruffa, in a no-holds barred kong sabihin.” by ex-girlfriend Ruffa Gutierrez— He added that he’s not a party interview on “Paparazzi,” Nov. 6, “Tumanggi na ring magbigay ng alcoholism. person. revealed John Lloyd’s alcohol detalye si John Lloyd sa estado nila ni In a report posted by Marie Lozano “Actually, alam mo hindi naman problem. Shaina na kababalik lang mula sa on “TV Patrol,” Nov. 23, she noted that, talaga ako gumigimik, ’yung mga “Let’s first go to the problem na Amerika,” Marie reported. a “Kuwela sa kusina si John Lloyd Cruz www.filipinostar.org 18 The North American Filipino Star November 2011

Showbiz Gossip Continued from p.17 Lovi Poe gushes over Jericho Cristine says she's ready to Rosales official entry to the Metro Manila Film marry Rayver Festival. The 22-year-old actress further dream ko talaga ang happy narrated her experience in working with family. Pero alam ko hindi pa her much-adored co-star. pwede, kailangan ko pang "He's really good. Super funny siya magtrabaho. So work, work, sa set. "Tapos, kapag seryoso, wala work, Save, save, save. Tapos e...parang natural lang talaga sa kanya. after five years or seven years, He doesn't need any much motivation or saka na [ang kasal]," she said. anything," said the former “My The actress admitted that as Neighbor’s Wife” star. Lovi, who has been doing a number early as now, she sees Cruz as of sexy roles of late, likes her wholesome the man that she will marry. role in the film. According to her, there "Opo (nakikita kong siya na) will be no love scene in the film between kasi po ayaw ko ng papalit-palit her and Jericho. ng lalaki. Kasi ang mommy ko, tinuturo sa akin 'yon, na pangit Cristine Reyes & Rayver Cruz daw 'yung ganoon. So sabi ko, Lovi Poe okay, edi si Rayver na. Gusto ko Actress Cristine Reyes said Lovi Poe is excited to finally get the she wants to settle down five eh 'yung gusto din ng mommy ko chance to work with her all-time celeb years from now. kasi 'yung kapag ayaw nila, crush Jericho Rosales. "It's super great experience. Super "Gusto ko five years from now pangit ang kinalabasan. Ito gusto niya. Di ba sabi nila, mother galing ni Echo. As in, hands down, pero depende pa din po 'yan," galing. Super galing niya," Lovi Reyes said. knows best," she said. generously praised co-star Jericho in an Reyes, who is now at the peak Reyes also noted how Cruz interview during the photo shoot on of her career and is in a accepted her for who she is. Nov.13 for the film “Yesterday Today Tomorrow.” relationship with actor Rayver "Opo (nararamdaman ko siya na) kasi pinakaimportante talaga The daughter of the late Fernando Cruz, said she is now ready to Poe Jr., who has expressed her desire to marry. 'yung tanggap ka at mahal ka work with Jericho ever since she started Jericho Rosales But her manager and sister, talaga," she said. in the industry, admitted that she was star struck while working with him. Last September, Reyes and The young actress explained, "Wala Ara Mina, won't allow her Apparently, she also got carried Cruz celebrated their first talaga, for a change. This time lang, because of her work. away in some of their scenes, saying, anniversary as sweethearts. a walang masyadong sexy scenes on my "Alam nila open ako doon. "Oo, actually, I feel like watching him.” part. Lovi and Jericho’s movie, Actually, sabi ko ngayon na, "It's really cool. Finally, I am doing “Yesterday Today Tomorrow,” is an gusto ko nang mag-asawa. Kasi something different naman.” a Venus Raj now plans to embark on a singing career After successfully transitioning Children’s Rights and Welfare of the to talk show hosting, Miss Universe Department of Social Welfare and 2010 fourth-runner up Venus Raj Development (DSWD). has admitted that she is preparing DSWD Secretary Corazon to embark on yet another career— Soliman said that they chose Raj for singing. the post because the beauty titlist As of the moment, Raj is busy herself came from humbling with lessons meant to prepare her beginnings. for this undertaking. "Ginagawa ko talaga ang lahat ng pagpa-practice at lahat ng voice lessons para naman mag-improve ang aking boses," said she in a recent interview on ABS-CBN News. Apparently, Raj has been quite passionate about singing even as Venus Raj is set to fulfill another childhood dream young girl. Her fantasy was recently The 23-year-old did not cite a occasional host and performer on Raj affirmed this in a statement stirred when she was tapped to particular name saying, "Sana may “ASAP Rocks!” and “Happy Yipee saying, “Coming from a poor family, perform alongside singers Christian iba pang dumating [na Yehey.” I went to school with merely one Bautista and Jericho Rosales. pagkakataon], at sana 'yung Just recently, she has been peso as my baon. What some Though she enjoyed the talagang ano, 'yung feeling ko na named the new Ambassadress for people don’t realize is how big the experience, Raj admitted that she feel na feel ko ang pagkanta 'pag impact of cash grants to very poor has a long way to go in proving kasama ko itong taong ito," she families. I believe that with the role, herself a capable singer. said. I can inspire children to dream.” "Kailangan maging handa Earlier, Raj expressed her Prior to making a name for muna ako bago ako sumabak interest in acting. Subsequently, herself as a fashion model and [ulit]," she added. she had a short stint in the fantasy beauty queen, Raj was a Among the dreams Raj has series, “Mutya.” hardworking student who grew up harbored is to record an album, Raj currently co-hosts the early in a modest hut in the rice fields of and to hold her own concert. Most morning program show, “Umagang Camarines Sur. She graduated with of all, she wants to perform Kay Ganda.” She also appears as honors from college. a alongside other recording artists. www.filipinostar.org November 2011 The North American Filipino Star 19 Psychic's reading on Kris Fellowship and Friendship aims to provide guidance and counselling to young Filipinos By W. G. Quiambao Aquino, Manny Pacquiao, Nora When Pastor Orland T. Racacho guidance and counselling to Filipino noticed the problems of the Filipino youth students and young people who are new Aunor in Cote des Neiges in the late 70's, he in the community," said Pastor Racacho. and his wife, Lucy, coordinated a "The main objective is to promote mental predictions: Kris Aquino will run for guidance and counselling program for health among the Filipino youth, assist politics and maybe against Vilma some young people in the CDN-NDG them in career opportunities, promote Santos for a top post in Malacanang; boroughs in cooperation with CLSC and genuine camaraderie, help them Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes Lavoie Elementary School. . integrate into the mainstream of will not end up married; Manny "There are problems of Canadian society and provide fellowship Pacquiao would still win in his rematch with Juan Manuel Marquez “but it will be Pacquiao’s bloodiest fight;” Claudine Barretto and Raymart Santiago will not recover the P5 million they allegedly lost recently; German Moreno could have health problems next year; former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo would be able to leave the country; Ramona Bautista is “somewhere in Europe;” and Nora Aunor will not recover her singing voice. Mhon Co discovered his gift at 6 but only explored it at 8 Few can guess that Mhon Co, the resident “psychic” of several titles under the Risingstar Printing CDN/NDG Mayor Michael Applebaum (right) cutting the ribbon during the dedication and opening of the Friendship and Fellowship Filipino Youth Centre on Sunday, 13th November Enterprise, actually honed his gift by 2011 as Rev. and Mrs. Orlan Racaho look on. (Photo taken by Budz Sarmiento) telling the fortune of his passengers delinquencies and use of drug," said when he was still a cab driver. Pastor Racacho." I don't blame anybody to promote wholesome attitude towards “Sabay na para doble ang kita. in particular. The parents are stressed. their peers, parents and respect to Hinatid ka na, hinulaan pa kita,” he They don't know where to go and they authorities and ultimately help them into a quipped in a recent interview. don't know who to talk to." spiritual understanding of divine truth, the Turning serious, he added that To pursue their mission, they love and fear of God." Pastor Racacho further explains he discovered his gift at age six but founded Fellowship & Friendship, a non- profit organization dedicated to provide a that the concerns of the FF are to only---and reluctantly at that--- program of activities for the Filipino encourage the Filipino youth to explored it two years hence. His very youth. . concentrate on their studies and excel in first “clients” were his classmates in Because of the recent their chosen careers; to inform and San Beda College. acquisition of the Pomerantz House at educate the Filipino youth about mental 3737 Van Horne Avenue, Pastor Racacho health and the consequences of a and his wife are able to conduct their delinquent behaviour that could activities. A space in the school has been eventually lead to mental illness; to German Moreno designated for the Fellowship & challenge the Filipino youth to channel Friendship Centre, a special outreach their energies to constructive and Co advises people to rely on their mission for Filipino youth of the wholesome activities. gut feel when it comes to trusting community which is open every Saturday "To implement the FF's program, psychics. afternoon . The youth will be guided to we contact authorities and Filipino “You’ll know the real one dahil help them develop self-worth and associations, publicize through the iba ang pakiramdam at iba ang character building. The theme is focused media, lectures and conduct social advice nila. Yung sa akin, lagi kong on Impacting Young Lives for a Better activities," said Pastor Racacho. Activities provided by FF every iginigiit na importante ang pamilya at Tomorrow. The Friendship & Fellowship Saturday afternoon include: education hindi ako mag-a-advise ng ikakasira Centre is directed by Pastor Racacho, a games, social interactions and a fun time nun. psychology graduate and former director activity such as table tennis or "ping “Plus, ang totoong psychic, hindi of the therapy at the Douglas Hospital, pong". naniningil at kung magturing man ay with the assistance of his wife, Lucy, a For more information call 450- maliit na halaga lang.” retired nurse, Medianera "Medy", a retired 466-8711 or officer, serves as a volunteer coordinator. email:[email protected] "The centre will provide

Claudine Baretto & Raymart Santiago

Better known as Bro. Mhon, he Easy / Secure / Rapid / Global also claims to be a Feng Shui expert and life coach. As expected, Co was asked to 6257 Victoria Avenue give a reading of several local Montreal, QC H3W 2S2 Kris Aquino showbiz personalities. Though he Tel: 514-739-9263 Fax: 514-739-9127 said he has good track record--- Co claims that the late Jojo Acuin including predicting Pres. Joseph has given him “blessings” to Estrada won’t finish his term, Sen. continue what the later has started. Fast - Secure - Good Rate Ping lacosn would enter politics, and As Acuin’s “heir,” Co even holds the downfall of the Marcoses---he office in the same one the former reminded the press that only God had. He claims to have not a few *Philippines * Vietnam * Cambodia knows for sure what’s in store for the actor and politician clients. a future and that predictions are just *Haiti *Morocco meant to “guide” people. Here are some of Co’s *Other countries worldwide

www.filipinostar.org 20 The North American Filipino Star November 2011 Personality profile of the month FAMAS' Open House is a day to Baluyot's passion is making people laugh remember by W. G. Quiambao by W. G. Quiambao They were all good signs - Scariest). A fan of Paul Baluyot asking him passersby looking at the scary sight of Since it was Halloween, the for an advice sent him this letter:"I have a hearse and tombstones in front of the children were not the only ones having a co-worker named Steve, who is a first FAMAS Community Centre and others fun but also the adults. The adults who class A jerk. He is a peevish little dork simply having fun posing for souvenir were judged best for their costumes who seems to be ruled by an obsessive pictures beside the hearse. The were: Joy Bernal (The Cutest), Al jealousy of other people who are better transformation of the FAMAS place into Abdon (The Scariest), Best Costume at their jobs than he is. I feel like Steve is a haunting place caught the attention of (Shinette Khourry), Best Original waging a one-man campaign against me and it is really bringing me down. What shall I do?" Baluyot was quick to give this advice:"Give Steve a taste of his own medicine. When it feels like too much for you to handle, take a deep breath, find yourself a quiet part of your mind where you feel inner peace. Then in that quiet place, wish him trouble type of shows when he was at John Abbot misfortunes like his ear getting bitten off College, Dawson College and by a daytime prostitute, losing a hand in Concordia University where he opened a meet grinder or getting his penis for Rex Navaretti, the most successful ripped off by an elevator door. I hope my Filipino stand up comedian in Los advice will prove to be useful and that Angeles. He also has performed not only you will find comfort knowing that in colleges and universities in Ontario someday, Steve will die." and Ottawa but also in comedy clubs in Sick? Gross? Nope. Baluyot is Montreal like Montreal Comedy Works Halloween celebration and open house at FAMAS. Shown here are some officers just being funny. Known to be an expert and Montreal Comedy Nest. He has and members led by Shinette Khoury (3rd from the left). Photo by Budz Sarmiento on everything and nothing, he is the travelled to the Philippines where he adviser columnist of Flipsides, a group performed for about a month in Manila that consists of Montreal comedians and Quezon City. the public. The efforts of the FAMAS (Monique Regacho). who create amazing and hilarious "Although I can't speak Tagalog Executive board, ex vice president Being the hosts, the members videos. He is also a stand up comedian well, I cheated by picking up few Shinette Khourry who provided the of FAMAS Executive Board came in who recites a fast-paced succession of sentences like 'Magandang gabi' and hearse and Pagsibol young leaders costumes too: Au Osdon (Arab humorous stories called "bits" and one 'Maraming magandang dalaga rito', who set the face-painting booth paid Woman), Alex Sy (Monster), Gene liners which constitute what is typically Baluyot said. "Everyone was nice. off. Santander (Prince of Zorrow), Ramon called a monologue, routine or act. Filipinos are very hospitable." The Open House held last Vicente (Cowboy), Melle Lugod (Miss "I have two brothers and one Baluyot, whose favorite stand October 30 was a day to remember. Diana Ross), Joan Junio (Darna), Gina sister," said Baluyot. "They're all up comedian is George Carlin, a famous About one hundred people, children Medina (Bird), Rose Marie Arellano charismatic. That's why I was always American stand up comedian in the 60s, and their parents and FAMAS members (Wicked Witch) Alia Razul (Lady in looking for attention from my mother and gets his materials from real life and even non members who attended Red), Al Obdon (Scary Bear) and Lola. I always made them laugh to get experiences. For example the title of his the event, were warmly welcomed by Debbie Resurrection (no costume). their attention. Sometimes, I'd dress up show in Montreal last summer was The the Executive Board. The event was Letting their hair down to show like Michael Jackson, sing and dance to Froud to be a Pilipino Show. It was in more like a family affair - relaxed and their crazy dance moves for fun were entertain them. In high school, my reference to many Filipinos who have friendly. Vicente, Abdon, Arellano and Khourry. favourite was public speaking. I like to difficulty in pronouncing 'b' and 'v' and 'p' The excited children, who all Osdon, president of FAMAS, be in front of people." and 'f'. came in colourful and unique gladly thanked all those who attended Baluyot explained that that A versatile artist, Baluyot is not Halloween costumes from monster to and invited their family and friends to there are no formal school for only a stand up comic. tiger, enjoyed eating candies and the following events next month: comedians to study. It takes pure talent "I used to write poems, scripts," popcorn and playing games like December 3- Bake Sales, for someone to be a comedian. said Baluyot. ". I'm also an actor. But I' m musical chair. FAMAS Center, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. "It's fun but it's not easy," said still young at acting. I'm still learning. It's The following children who Baluyot. "Stand up comics are expected a kind of offshoot from doing stand up were specifically cited for their For more information, call FAMAS at to deliver a steady stream of laughs. comedy. I'm expanding my horizon. I did costumes were: Zoe Matic (Best 341-7477. They are always under pressure to a bit of acting in Concordia University. Costume), Nethon Goldemberg (Best deliver. If they can not make the I'm also a filmmaker making short films Original), Jordan Goldemberg (The audience laugh, they could be harassed featured in Actra Short Film Festival." Cutest) and Khahil Bernal (The or booed. " He will travel across Canada in child may be living in any country, can He added that stand up CALLING ALL LIVE-IN 2012, from January to February. be of any nationality, must be between comedians usually perform in comedy CAREGIVERS - clubs, bars, colleges and theatres where 4-25 years of age, and must be Add him to your twitter $10,000 in scholarships there are no restrictions on where their attending or hoping to attend an "@PaulBComedy" or on Facebook. available craft can be performed. educational institution. A live-in Readers can also check Toronto, Ontario -- A total of Baluyot used to host variety caregiver applicant can send in as www.flipsidecoemdy.com. $10,000 is available for those who are, many nominees as she or he wants Deadline for entries to the New America or were previously, live-in caregivers but a separate form must be filled out to apply for the 2011 UFCW Canada and sent separately. award, February 9, 2012 Migrant Workers Scholarships Hurry! Application deadline is The Society of Professional the 2011 calendar year. SPJ welcomes Program. December 31, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. Journalists is pleased to accept nominations from media outlets, After a phenomenal response Application forms in Pilipino and entries for the 2011 New America journalists, community and issue last year that generated over 4,000 English are available online at Award. Given by the nation’s largest advocacy groups, individuals and applications from migrant workers www.ufcw.ca/migrantscholarships. and most broad-based journalism others concerned with ethnic issues. from around the globe, the UFCW You can also mail a completed organization, this prestigious award Entries for the New America Canada Migrant Workers application form to: honors public service journalism that Award must be postmarked by Scholarships program has expanded explores and exposes an issue of Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2012. There is no by offering 20 scholarships of $500 UFCW Canada Migrant Workers importance to immigrant or ethnic entry fee. each. Scholarships 2011 communities living in the United For more information, please Live-in caregivers who 300-61 International Boulevard, States. contact Lauren Rochester at (317) 927- entered Canada to work under the Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M9W 6K4 Read about last year’s winner, 8000 ext. 210 or [email protected]. Temporary Foreign Workers Program Only those accepted to receive the “Civil War Kids: Young Somalis in Sincerely, are eligible to apply. The applicant scholarships will be notified via Minnesota,” series, by Minnesota Abby Henkel can nominate his or her children, registered mail or email by March 31, Public Radio News. SPJ Communications Coordinator grandchildren, sisters, brothers, 2012. To be eligible, work must have nieces, and nephews. The Nominee been published or broadcast during

www.filipinostar.org November 2011 The North American Filipino Star 21 what's sacred in the wine world. We're The Impending Death of supposed to decide what to drink Canadian Wine based on the advice of prominent wine Canadian wine is produced in Wine Snobbery By David White critics - not mere amateurs. mainly southern British Columbia and It's about time. Last time you southern Ontario. There is also a Veseth has written, "many restaurants visited a new restaurant, you probably growing number of small scale expect that their wait staff will pick up logged onto Yelp before leaving. Before producers of grapes and wine in wine knowledge -- Olive Garden really your last vacation, you probably spent southern Quebec and Nova Scotia. The works at it, by providing literally some time perusing TripAdvisor. Book two largest wine-producing regions in hundreds of thousands of hours of purchasers are more likely read the Canada are the Okanagan Valley of training." The restaurant also gives reviews of amateurs on Amazon than British Columbia and the Niagara away free samples, where legal. In seek the advice of New Yorker's literary Peninsula of Ontario. Other wine- 2006, it gave away 30,000 cases of critic. producing areas in British Columbia wine, which equates to 4.5 million Wine consumers are no include the Similkameen valley, the pours. different. We still need advice, of Fraser Valley region near Vancouver, These efforts demystify wine. course, and professionals are still southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf It's no wonder why Veseth has important. But today's consumers are Islands. Other areas in Ontario include described Olive Garden as "the also comfortable turning to local the shores of Lake Erie and in Prince optimistic future of American restaurant specialists, like the staff at Olive Edward County. wine." Garden, and knowledgeable amateurs, Another company - like CellarTracker users, for advice. Americans enjoy wine. Last CellarTracker! - is also combatting the This also helps explain why year, we surpassed France as the poison of wine snobbery. neighborhood wine shops are more world's largest wine-consuming nation. In 2003, Eric LeVine, a important than ever before. Across the But too often, we're intimated by it. Microsoft executive, built a data- country, specialty wine shops are taking Wine Enthusiast's Steve management program for his wine off. Many don't post reviews from wine Heimoff recently wrote about the cellar. When he showed the program to magazines, as they see scores as an "poison" of wine snobbery "that some friends, they begged him to share impediment to interacting with continues to make so many Americans it. So he put the program online, where consumers. So instead, they pay wary of wine." As he explained, friends could track their personal attention to consumer preferences, "[Consumers] can sense it, like a 'Don't inventories and share tasting notes. offer food-and-wine pairing advice, and LeVine then decided to make his steer customers toward interesting Vineyards near Lake Okanagan in come in here, you don't belong' British Columbia exclusionary velvet rope." program available to everyone, for free. wines. The Canadian wine industry Fortunately, this is changing -- Today, about 500,000 people The list goes on. Hip also vinifies imported grapes and juice. fast. Across the country, Americans are visit CellarTracker each month, and sommeliers are also combating wine These products are labeled Cellared in embracing wine. For evidence, look no nearly 2,000 wines are reviewed on the snobbery, as are enthusiasts of local Canada and are not required to conform further than your closest Olive Garden. site each day. This means CellarTracker wine, from the farmers who grow the users review more wines in just six days grapes to the bloggers who cover the to the strict Vintners Quality Alliance With 721 locations nationwide, content regulations. it's no surprise that the restaurant chain than Robert Parker, the world's most movement. well known wine critic, reviews in an The impending death of wine Icewine, which can be serves more than 600 million produced reliably in most Canadian breadsticks and 165 million bowls of entire year. snobbery is welcome. Wine has been The site isn't just used by wine with us for millennia, so wine wine regions, especially the Okanagan salad each year. But the restaurant also Valley, is the most recognized product serves more wine than any other chain junkies -- about 90 percent of its visitors appreciation shouldn't be reserved aren't registered. As wine writer Jeff exclusively for the connoisseurs. on an international basis. Canada in the United States. In 2006, Olive produced 75.9 million litres of wine in Garden sold more than 500,000 cases Siegel once wrote, "this means people David White, a wine writer, is the founder and editor of Terroirist.com. His 2002 (0.3% of world production). of wine. aren't going to CellarTracker to mark off columns are housed at Wines.com, the In part, Olive Garden sells so a wine after they drink it; they're going fastest growing wine portal on the Source: Wikipedia much wine because it takes education to CellarTracker to read wine reviews Internet. seriously. As wine economist Mike written by amateurs." This runs counter to so much of The North American Filipino Star Classified Ads ADVERTISING DUPLEX FOR RENT DRIVING LAWYER CDN Carlton, near hospital, LAWYER IN DIVORCE SEPARATION Classified Ads Licensed driving instructor shopping center, Metro, quiet street, CHILD CUSTODY ALIMONY most economical way to advertise! 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Stephanie Leblanc, a PF Problem (inpatient and outpatient), from Cebu, had a good upbringing. He His addiction was not overnight. It was counsellor, gave the following advice Youth AOD and Problem Gambling dreamed to be an accountant but his progressive. He crossed the threshold to the families and friends of drug (outpatient) and Entourage dream was ruined when at the age of when he could no longer function addicts: "Listen without judging, show (outpatient). fifteen, he was introduced to drugs by without alcohol and cocaine for ten love and affection, be involved like For more information, call his friends. His addiction was just years. asking question about your teens Pavilion Foster 514 327-3469 (51354) recreational but he lost control of "I ruined my relationship with daily and weekly activities, spend himself. Drugs became his priority in my family and friends," said Trevor. "I time with your teen and be informed . life. lost my jo. My mother was paying for "It was like having a bottle of my rent. I lived on the streets. I UP alumni share memories by W. G. Quiambao finally, St. Mary's where I stayed for 16 Some are alumni of the years. " University of the Philippines in the 50s, Zavalla, who has never 60s and in the 70's but they still got married, moved to Ryada, Saudi together for an informal gathering. Arabia in 1988 and retired in 2009. The event was organized by Denie Evelyn Nava, who helped Guloy, a columnist of the Filipino coordinate the event, has fun

James de l a Paz, CFCAQ president (6th from the left) poses with participants of the seminar. Rey Balansi (3rd from left) of the Knights of Rizal, assisted in the presentation of certificates . beer," said Joseph. "After one beer, couldn't function without drugs." you want some more." His family wanted him to stop He confided that he was not using drugs but everytime he tried it, A souvenir photo of UP alumni who shared a buffet supper at Vichy Place in LaSalle on the only one in pain but also his family. he failed. Finally, he begged his Friday, November 4, 2011. Photo courtesy by Budz Sarmiento of the N.A. Filipino Star. Despite this, he had an illusion that he parents to find support for him. Hs memories when she was a student. could control his addiction. Everything mother contacted Pavillon Forest Forum, on November 4, at Buffet Vichi She graduated in 1966 with a BSN would be okay. Instead, drugs brought where he was treated as an outpatient About 25 alumni, including some degree. "I wasn't an intelligent him to a place where there was a for 28 days. members of their families attended. student," Nava humbly said. "But I despair - no light, no future, no hope. "I found out that there were "This is the second time we're made it. It took hard work." His mother cut him out from her life solutions to my problem there," said doing this," said Guloy. "The first one In Canada, she worked as a and sent him to rehab out of love. Trevor. was in 2008." nurse at Maimonides Hospital and "That was the best thing that Trevor, who has been living Many of them shared Montreal Neurological Hospital. She had happened to me," said Joseph. "I with his wife and 3-year old kid, has memories of their days at UP. now lives in Cote St. Luc where once in got back my family- my father, my been sober for three years now. . Carmen Zavalla, a graduate of a while, she works as a volunteer. mother and even my nephews and Johnny was fourteen when he nursing in 1957, recalls that there Raul Peralta, who lives in nieces. I couldn't describe my feelings started experimenting with drugs. He when I heard them say 'Tito is back'. was living in misery everyday . There Joseph still sees the sickness was always fear. He was drinking and disease of drug addicts. He alcohol, using needlee and believes that it is through the grace of sometimes, weeds. There were God that he is not in the same journey mornings when he would would wake anymore. What he does now is to thinking where to get money to buy convey a message that there is still a drugs. It was an obsession. There was glimmer of hope for them. If I can do it, no rule in his life. He would rob his they can do it too, he said. family, his friends, anybody. Cognizant of the drug "Everything good was taken from me," problems that affect Filipinos in the said Johnny. "It's amazing what community, the Council of Filipino- addiction could to to prove that I Canadian Associations of Quebec, in wasn't an addict. I was in denial. I collaboration with Pavillon Foster, a couldn't accept myself." private rehabilitation centre, The spiritual awakening came conducted a drug addiction seminar when his brother died of overdose. He on November 4 at 6767 Cote des went to Ontario to seek help. It has Neiges. In attendance were two PF been three years since he has been Raul Peralta and his family taken during the UP alumni gathering at Vichy Place, November counsellors, about 30 community rehabilitated. 4, 2011. Photo by Budz Sarmiento. members and four former alcoholics "Cocaine Anonymous is a Brossard, has a degree in Business and drug addicts who unabashly place that I was looking for," said were only 21 students who graduated Economic and MBA. He works in the shared their touching and moving Johnny. "I know that the addicts there then . Finance Department of International stories. have suffered and cried like me. But I "Originally, there were 35 Civil Aviation. "They need help," said James found a place. It's a miracle. Maybe, nursing students but some of them "I'm from Nueva Ecija so I had de la Paz, president of the CFCAQ. there is God. Maybe, there isn't. What shifted to another course ," recalled to board in Manila," explained Peralta. "There's nothing embarrassing about happened to me was a gift from God. I Zavalla. "We're busy then. We had no My first taste of freedom was in it. What is important is for them to seek felt I was a human being again. " time to get involved in any college. I had lots of good friends in help. Recognize they have problem." Nathalie Ordona, a Filipina extracurricular activity. We finished the the dorm and I did what typical college Pavillon Foster, established in and one of the two PF counsellors, course in 4 years, instead of 5 years. " students did. 1964, is funded by the Ministere de la explained the warning signs how to Zavalla went to work in the "We plan to do this again in Sante et des Services sociaux to tell that a person is addicted to drugs. USA. When her visa expired, she 2012," said Guloy. " We're planning to provide rehabilitation and social "There are changes in academic moved to Canada in 1966. organize something big." integration services to the English performance like poor grades. There "I worked at the Jewish speaking people in Quebec. are changes in social circle, changes General then Montreal General and

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