Volume XXXIX No. 3 March 2021 Montreal, QC www.filipinostar.org Anti-Asian violence is on the rise in the U.S. and Canada

Dawn Cheung and Victoria Do clap and cheer at a March 13 protest against anti- Demonstrators march through the Chinatown-International District during a Asian hate crimes in Seattle's Hing Hay Park. LINDSEY WASSON/REUTERS "We Are Not Silent" rally and march against anti-Asian hate and bias on March 13, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. Following recent attacks on Asian Americans PUBLISHED MARCH 17, 2021 dead – six of them of East Asian descent and Pacific Islanders in Seattle and across the U.S., rally organizers planned (The Globe & Mail) The pandemic has – the past year had already been a several days of actions in the Seattle area. David Ryder–Getty Images been a dangerous time for people of dangerous one for Asian-Americans. way their rhetoric about the “Wuhan A white suspect was arrested East Asian descent in North America, Incidents of hate, from street harassment virus” has made matters worse. Here’s a Tuesday after three spas, two in Atlanta and this week’s deadly shootings in to vandalism, have measurably primer on the situation so far, and how and one in nearby Cherokee County, Georgia has raised concerns even more increased since the pandemic began. Canada has not been immune. Before Tuesday’s shootings in Political leaders, past and present, are See Page 4 Anti-Asian violence The shootings in Atlanta: What the Atlanta area that left eight people coming under greater scrutiny for the we know so far Canada studying reports from

EuOTTArWAo-- pQuebeec Healtoh n AstraZeneca vsaaying ict firmlycbelieivesnthe evaccine is Minister Christian Dube rolled up his safe and effective but is doing a more sleeve for the Oxford-AstraZeneca detailed study looking at blood clots in COVID-19 vaccine Thursday, a display of the brain. confidence in the injection that has Health Canada, which had recently been the focus of concerns over officials at the European meeting blood clots. Thursday morning, has not yet reacted to His public vaccination in the decision, or said if it intends to add a Montreal came hours after the European warning label here. Medicines Agency declared a review The first known report of a found no evidence the AstraZeneca shot similar blood clot in Canada came raises the overall risk of blood clots. Thursday, after a 79-year-old man in "This is a safe and effective Quebec was admitted to hospital vaccine," said Emer Cooke, executive suffering from cerebral venous director of the European Medicines thrombosis, a blood clot in the vein that Agency. drains blood from the brain. "Its benefits in protecting people The patient received the from COVID-19, with the associated risks AstraZeneca vaccine several days earlier. of death and hospitalization outweigh the rare blood clots in the brains of 18 are indeed caused by the vaccine or Dube said authorities are possible risks. The committee also patients who received it. Another seven not," said Dr. Sabine Straus, chair of the looking into the case but there is no link concluded that the vaccine is not patients who developed a rare condition agency's Pharmacovigilance and Risk at this time between the condition and associated with an increase in the overall that includes very low platelet counts Assessment Committee. getting the vaccine. risk of thromboembolic events or blood and multiple small blood clots in veins She noted the cases were found Earlier this week, Dr. Marc clots." throughout their body are also in nearly 20 million vaccinations given in Berthiaume, the director of the medical However, Europe is adding a inconclusive, the agency said. the United Kingdom, Europe and India. sciences bureau at Health Canada, said warning label to the vaccine because "The evidence we have is, at the The U.K. Medicines and the department had two reports of blood there isn't any evidence yet to determine moment, not sufficient to conclude with Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency if it played any role in the development of certainty whether these adverse events issued similar news earlier Thursday, See Page 13 Astra-Zeneca

www.filipinostar.org 2 March 2021 The North American Filipino Star

Operasyon sa COVID-19 na Lahat tayo ay nais pagbabakuna malaman ang higit pa tungkol sa COVID-19 na pagbabakuna

BAKIT DAPAT AKONG MAGPABAKUNA?

Pumoprotekta ito laban sa COVID-19 at tutulong sa iyo na makaiwas sa pagkakasakit. Kahit na maraming tao ang gumagaling nang hindi ginagamot, ang ilan ay maaaring mamatay dahil sa COVID-19 o makaranas ng mga problema sa puso o baga tulad ng pneumonia. Maaari ring maapektuhan ang nervous system.

Ituloy natin ang pagprotekta sa ating mga sarili! Sa pagdating ng mga buwan, hangga’t hindi pa nababakunahan ang karamihan ng populasyon, mananatili ang COVID-19.

2 Metro

Manatiling Takpan ang Umubo sa Hugasan ang nakadistansya iyong mukha iyong siko iyong mga kamay A F 1 3 - 9 7 2 Québec.ca/vaccinCOVID - 0 2 1 877 644-4545 March 2021 The North American Filipino Star 3 From the Publisher’s desk 40 COMMUNITY GROUPS JOIN COUNCILLOR MARVIN ROTRAND TO CALL ON THE Unprovoked attacks MONTREAL POLICE SERVICE TO SET UP against Asians on the ADEQUATELY STAFFED HATE CRIME UNIT rise related to the For Immediate Release “The establishment of a Montreal, March 18, 2021 - One specialized Hate Crime Unit at the SPVM Covid 19 pandemic year after the WHO officially declared is essential to addressing the gaps in COVID-19 a global pandemic, victim protection and support, and in Zenaida Ferry Kharroubi organizations representing communities terms of outreach and prevention,” most affected by hate crimes, alongside explains Councillor Rotrand. “Last June, CRARR, are urging on members of City Council vowed to protect Asian Whenever we hear news reports resources required to help in the fight Montreal City Council to vote in favour of Montrealers against hate and of someone being hurt, killed, or against hate crimes of all kinds, not only Councillor Marvin Rotrand’s motion, discrimination, and now it’s time to make victimized, we feel outrage, fear, and those directed towards Asian Canadians which calls on the SPVM to create a good on that promise” he added. sadness. The recent rampage of a but also towards other ethnic groups. specialized and adequately staffed Hate The current SPVM unit shooter in Atlanta has brought more It has been reported that many Crime Unit. dedicated to hate crimes and hate acts is attention to an ongoing problem of hate victims of hate crimes hesitate to At a press conference held composed of only four officers-- two crimes against Asians that appear to complain about being attacked often today, diverse groups that included B’nai investigators and two consulting officers. have been increasing due to the Covid times by verbal insults in public because Brith, the Canadian Council of Muslim “The lack of police officers who 19 pandemic, Many observers believe they feel that nothing can be done about Women, the Centre communautaire come from racial, religious and sexual that Donald Trump contributed to the it. But due to the increasing numbers of LGBTQ+, Concordia Student Union, minorities and Indigenous people to anti-Asian sentiment when he had this type of crime, we have reached the Federation of Filipino Canadian reach out to these groups can prevent referred to Covid 19 as the Wuhan or point that we should no longer ignore Associations of Quebec and the West victims, especially seniors and women, China virus. Hence, some people the problem. If we are a victim or if we Island Black Community Association, from coming forward,” said CRARR presume that anyone with similar witness someone else being attacked, joined in the call for a more effective Executive Director Fo Niemi.” features of a Chinese person is to be we should safely do what we can and Unit. Further, cities like New York blamed and attacked. report it to the authorities. A collective In cooperation with CRARR, have responded to the rise in Anti-Asian Anti-Asian hate crime is not just effort by all concerned citizens, the Councillor Rotrand introduced the hate crime by establishing a twenty-five an American problem, but also found in public in general, and the government motion on March 5, 2021. Seconded by member hate crime unit specifically to our country. Research shows that there leaders and agencies in particular, must Mayor of the Anjou Borough, Luis respond to the disproportionate rise in has been a significant increase of hate develop the strategies to educate people Miranda,Anjou Councillor Andree hate crime against individuals of Asian crimes against Asian-Canadians since about the nature of these crimes, and to Henault and Riviere des Prairies origins. Officers of this task force speak the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with adopt appropriate measures to Councillor Giovanni Rapana the motion multiple languages and dialects, major cities seeing crime rates that are discourage prospective criminals from calls on the SPVM to “establish a including, Cantonese, Mandarin, six and seven hundred percent higher committing them. specialized and adequately staffed Hate Korean, Fukienese, and Tagalog. than the previous year. Some people There are many challenges we Crime Unit, with enhanced training for “We also have to face, among believe that the statistics do not currently face, not only due to Covid 19 officers on properly identifying, other things, the trend towards more represent an accurate picture of the but also due to the different types of recording and investigating hate crimes violent hate acts directed to Asians, problem as not all cases are reported, or conflicts that exist, be it political, social, in order to respond to the needs of Arabs and Black Montrealers, as if they are, the authorities do not seem to or economic. For this reason, we need victims...” LGBTQ+ people,” added Concordia consider them important enough to not only keep ourselves well-informed The Motion also asks that the Student Union spokesperson Walter Chi elicit their active response. Lately about the different issues, but we also proposed and adequately staffed SPVM Yan Tom. though, we have some of our political have to find out in what way we can help Hate Crime Unit “be staffed with trained “Online hate is also a rising leaders who are concerned to do to make this world a better place. officers who possess the necessary threat, and our members lived through it something about this problem. Needless to say, it is our common cultural and linguistic competencies to recently. We’re very disappointed by the Councilor Marvin Rotrand of the welfare at stake whenever there is a communicate and work with [...] diverse lack of a more vigorous response of the Snowdon District for many years, is a danger in our environment. No one is communities most vulnerable to hate justice system to this kind of anti-Black good example of what a leader can do to completely safe unless we lookout for crimes in Montreal” and that a Hate hate,” West Island Black Community help formulate policies and seek the one another. # Crime Report, comprised of data on hate Association President Kemba Mitchell crime offences be disseminated said. Subscription request mail to: annually. The Motion also calls for the 7159 ch. de la Cote des Neiges Since the emergence of the SPVM to publish additional tips and Montreal, QC H3R 2M2 COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, and guidelines for victims on their website in Name: ______due to the malicious association of the languages spoken by those most Address: ______coronavirus with persons of Chinese vulnerable to hate, and an annual hate ______descent, there has been a major crime report with data on the type of upswing in anti-Asian hate crimes and criminal offence, the motivation, the Telephone: ______E-mail: ______hate incidents. location, perpetrators, most target Last June, CRARR worked with categories and victim groups, councillor Marvin Rotrand to introduce a arrests/charges, and conduct a yearly 1 year 2 years city council Motion to denounce anti- comparative analysis. 12 issues $36 24 issues $60 Asian racism which was adopted The Motion will be put to a vote unanimously on June 16, 2020. The at the Municipal City Council meeting on Motion called on City Council to March 22nd, 2021. Please issue cheque payable to: North American Filipino Star. denounce acts of hate, racism, and Over 35 community violence directed at Asian Montrealers organizations within and outside the and provide them with effective protection against hate, discrimination, See Page 6 40 Community Groups and violence within the City of Montreal.

7159 ch. de la Cote des Neiges Tel.: 514-485-7861/ 514-506-8753 Montreal, Quebec H3R 2M2 E-Mail: [email protected] www.filipinostar.org Published by: Filcan Publications, Inc .. CLEANERS NEEDED W.G. Quiambao Daytime or evening (after 6pm) Fely Rosales Carino Zenaida F. Kharroubi Tagalog Columnist Society & Community Chief Editor (in absentia) office cleaning 5 days per week News Publisher, April 1998-present North American Filipino Star Tony San Juan (Monday to Friday) Toronto News Bert Abiera Car required, $19 per hour. Call Founder-Publisher, Filipino Star Sam Kevin Nov. 1982- Nov. 97 Show Biz News & Layout Editor Michael 514 624-3437 The opinions expressed by the writers and columnists do not necessarily reflect that of the management of the North American Filipino Star nor its editors.

www.filipinostar.org 4 The North American Filipino Star March 2021 World Marks One-Year Anniversary of WHO’s Official Declaration of COVID-19 PByaVOnAdNeewms Miacrch 11, 2021 of the coronavirus, and could also One year after the World reinfect people already recovering Health Organization declared the from COVID-19. COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic, a According to Johns Hopkins new study has found that a variant of Coronavirus Resource Center, Brazil the virus first detected in Britain is has 11.2 million of the world’s 118 deadlier than other previous versions. million total COVID-19 infections, just A study published Wednesday third behind the United States and in the British Medical Journal said India, while its 270,656 deaths is people infected with the B.1.1.7 variant second only to the U.S. and its 529,203 were between 30% to 100% more likely fatalities. to die than others infected with other As many nations struggle to versions, with the average rate about vaccinate their citizens against the 64%. novel coronavirus, U.S. President Joe A patient talks to doctors as he lies on his bed in the emergency COVID-19 ward The B.1.1.7 variant has been Biden is promising to share any at the Mellino Mellini hospital in Chiari, northern Italy, March 8, 2021. detected in more than 100 countries surplus of the single-shot vaccine program, COVAX, which purchases as the average uninfected person. since it was first detected last developed by Johnson & Johnson with vaccines with the help of wealthier More researchers have September in southeast Britain. the world. Biden made the pledge countries and distributes them accepted a theory that once a person Previous studies show the variant is far Wednesday when he announced the equitably to all countries. has had COVID-19, their immune more contagious than the original U.S. would purchase another 100 A group of U.S. researchers system will mount a stronger and version. million more doses of the Johnson & say that people who have already been quicker defense once a vaccine Brazil posted 2,286 COVID-19 Johnson vaccine to boost the nation’s infected with COVID-19 only need a triggers the body to start producing related deaths on Wednesday, another COVID-19 supply. single dose of the two-shot Pfizer- antibodies again. single-day record number of fatalities. “This is not something that can BioNTech or Moderna regimen. In a The South American country is dealing be stopped by a fence no matter how letter published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine, 32 with a dramatic surge of coronavirus high you build a fence or wall,” the Learn to speak French cases driven by the new P.1 variant, president said. “So we’re not going to scientists with the Icahn School of which was discovered last November be ultimately safe until the world is Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, the fast and easy way. in the Amazonian regional city of safe.” said a small study reveals that people Register at Gilmore Manaus. Researchers say the P.1 Last month, Biden pledged $4 who had recovered from the virus College International developed about 10 to 45 times as variant is 1.4 to 2.4 times more billion to the World Health Call 514-485-7861 transmissible than the original version Organization’s global vaccine sharing many antibodies after their first dose

cent compared with 2019, even though the From Page 1 Anti-Asian violence overall hate-crime rate dropped 7 per cent in the same period. Official statistics were attacked in succession that should be viewed with caution because not afternoon. Police haven’t given a definitive all incidents get reported to police. Several account of the suspect’s motives, but this U.S. advocacy groups have tried to is what we know. address this by creating a centralized The violence The attacks: reporting site, Stop AAPI Hate, which began around 5 p.m. at Young’s Asian recorded 3,795 incidents from March 19 Massage in Acworth, Ga., where four last year to Feb. 28 this year. Women people – two Asian women, a white woman reported 2.3 times as often as men, AAPI and a white man – were fatally shot, local found. police said. Shortly before 6 p.m., Atlanta police responded to a “robbery in THE TRUMP FACTOR Before the end of his presidency progress” call at the Gold Spa, where they and the suspension of his Twitter account, found three women dead, as well as Donald Trump continued to use phrases another woman shot at the Aromatherapy such as “the Chinese virus” to describe the Spa across the street. “It appears that they virus that causes COVID-19. Bodies such may be Asian,” Atlanta Police Chief as the World Health Organization have Rodney Bryant said of the four Atlanta avoided this so no single country is victims. stigmatized for a disease that has left no : A 21-year-old The suspect continent untouched. Mr. Trump and other man was arrested at about 8:30 p.m. in U.S. politicians then amplified conspiracy Crisp County after a highway pursuit by Surveillance footage from March 13, 2020, shows a white suspect shoving a theories that the virus was created in a state police. Cherokee County Sheriff 92-year-old Asian man at an East Vancouver convenience store, where he Chinese biological weapons lab. Frank Reynolds said he may have had a yelled racist remarks, including comments about Covid 19 (NETFLIX) “sexual addiction” related to massage BIDEN ADMINISTRATION’S parlours and was planning to go to Florida RESPONSE President Joe Biden promised to attack “some type of porn industry,” but action this month in his first national prime- it was too early to tell what role race played time TV address, saying racist attacks are in the shootings. “un-American” and must stop. Earlier, he “Our entire Official reaction: directed the Justice Department to work family is praying for the victims of these with state and local authorities to combat horrific acts of violence,” Georgia Governor hate. His memorandum also noted that the Brian Kemp said Tuesday night via Twitter. U.S. government “must recognize that it U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has played a role in furthering these commented on the killings from a meeting xenophobic sentiments through the with his counterpart in South Korea: “We actions of political leaders, including are horrified by this violence, which has no references to the COVID-19 pandemic by place in America or anywhere,” he said, the geographic location of its origin.” noting that four of the women were believed to be of Korean descent. Anti-Asian hatred in Canada WHAT STATISTICS SAY Anti-Asian hatred in the United In Vancouver, the tally of hate States incidents targeting East Asians went up WHAT STATISTICS SAY sevenfold from 2019 to 2020. Local and In 2020, recorded hate incidents provincial law-enforcement statistics have against East Asians and Pacific Islanders been warning since last spring that more surged as some Americans embraced needs to be done to combat such hatred. conspiracy theories that China, the first A crowdsourced Statistics Canada study country hit by the pandemic, was to blame for the virus. One analysis by California See Page 6 Anti-Asian violence researchers put the increase at 149 per

www.filipinostar.org March 2021 The North American Filipino Star 5

WHO Director-General's oWpeehnaveinthgererfoeremmaaderkthes aentougthh, eor mcleaerlydeinaougbh,rioer offitenn gseoctnor C– sOo VevIerDy -s1ec9tor and every assessment that COVID-19 can be enough: all countries can still change the individual must be involved in the fight. characterized as a pandemic. course of this pandemic. I have said from the beginning Pandemic is not a word to use If countries detect, test, treat, that countries must take a whole-of- lightly or carelessly. It is a word that, if isolate, trace, and mobilize their people in government, whole-of-society approach, misused, can cause unreasonable fear, or the response, those with a handful of built around a comprehensive strategy to unjustified acceptance that the fight is cases can prevent those cases becoming prevent infections, save lives and over, leading to unnecessary suffering clusters, and those clusters becoming minimize impact. and death. community transmission. Let me summarize it in four key Describing the situation as a Even those countries with areas. pandemic does not change WHO’s community transmission or large clusters First, prepare and be ready. assessment of the threat posed by this can turn the tide on this virus. Second, detect, protect and treat. virus. It doesn’t change what WHO is Several countries have Third, reduce transmission. doing, and it doesn’t change what demonstrated that this virus can be Fourth, innovate and learn. countries should do. suppressed and controlled. I remind all countries that we are We have never before seen a The challenge for many calling on you to activate and scale up pandemic sparked by a coronavirus. This countries who are now dealing with large your emergency response mechanisms; is the first pandemic caused by a clusters or community transmission is not Communicate with your people coronavirus. whether they can do the same – it’s about the risks and how they can protect And we have never before seen whether they will. themselves – this is everybody’s a pandemic that can be controlled, at the Some countries are struggling business; same time. with a lack of capacity. Find, isolate, test and treat every WHO has been in full response Some countries are struggling case and trace every contact; 11 March 2020 mode since we were notified of the first with a lack of resources. Ready your hospitals; cases. Some countries are struggling Protect and train your health Good afternoon. And we have called every day for with a lack of resolve. workers. In the past two weeks, the countries to take urgent and aggressive We are grateful for the measures And let’s all look out for each number of cases of COVID-19 outside action. being taken in Iran, Italy and the Republic other, because we need each other. China has increased 13-fold, and the We have rung the alarm bell loud of Korea to slow the virus and control their There’s been so much attention number of affected countries has tripled. and clear. epidemics. on one word. There are now more than As I said on Monday, just looking We know that these measures Let me give you some other 118,000 cases in 114 countries, and at the number of cases and the number of are taking a heavy toll on societies and words that matter much more, and that 4,291 people have lost their lives. countries affected does not tell the full economies, just as they did in China. are much more actionable. Thousands more are fighting for story. All countries must strike a fine Prevention. their lives in hospitals. Of the 118,000 cases reported balance between protecting health, Preparedness. In the days and weeks ahead, globally in 114 countries, more than 90 minimizing economic and social Public health. we expect to see the number of cases, percent of cases are in just four countries, disruption, and respecting human rights. Political leadership. the number of deaths, and the number of and two of those – China and the WHO’s mandate is public health. And most of all, people. affected countries climb even higher. Republic of Korea - have significantly But we’re working with many partners We’re in this together, to do the WHO has been assessing this declining epidemics. across all sectors to mitigate the social right things with calm and protect the outbreak around the clock and we are 81 countries have not reported and economic consequences of this citizens of the world. It’s doable. deeply concerned both by the alarming any cases, and 57 countries have pandemic. I thank you. levels of spread and severity, and by the reported 10 cases or less. This is not just a public health alarming levels of inaction. We cannot say this loudly crisis, it is a crisis that will touch every

www.filipinostar.org March 2021 6 The North American Filipino Star MESSAGE OF THE CEO FILIPINA WOMEN’S NETWORK Cooking with love provides food for the soul.

Tasty, quick dinner recipes

We grieve for the senseless color to travel at night and use public deaths of eight individuals - six Asian transportation. women - four of Korean descent, Follow FWN on Twitter at murdered by a white man in a string of @filipinawomen, and tell us how you are Atlanta-area spas. helping your Asian sisters. We are furious that Atlanta Resource organizations to help authorities quickly determined that it was understand racism and to help - the murderer's "sexual addiction" and the Pew Research Center Carne Asada Garlic Steak Bites shootings "do not appear to be" Asian elders are being attacked Ingredients Ingredients: motivated by race. Yet, it appears that this Stop AAPI Hate - to report hate crimes 2 limes juiced 1 lb Sirloin Steak man only frequented Asian spas. Asian Americans Advancing Justice 4 cloves garlic crushed 2 tbsp butter We urge President Joe Biden White House Memo Condemning and 1/2 cup orange juice 2 tbsp olive oil and Vice President Kamala Harris to take Combating Racism, Xenophobia, and 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro 3 cloves garlice action now not just a memo. The Intolerance Against Asian Americans and 1/2 teaspoon salt 3 tbsp chopped parsley #StopAAPIHate site has collected over Pacific Islanders in the United States 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 2 tbsp red pepper flakes 3,800 reports of anti-Asian hate since 1/4 cup vegetable oil Salt & Pepper March 2020, with "Asian American Marily Mondejar, CEO and the FWN 1 jalapeno minced Instructions: women reporting hate incidents twice as Board 2 tablespoons white vinegar Cut sirloin steak into cubes about one inch men." Violence against Asian women has 2 pounds flank or skirt steak or bite size pieces. Add the olive oil to a to STOP now. INSTRUCTIONS large skillet and heat it over high heat. We call on local and state In a gallon size resealable bag, combine Make sure the olive oil is hot, then add the lime juice, crushed garlic, orange juice, steak pieces to it. Season them generously governments to create infrastructures cilantro, salt, pepper, vegetable oil, with salt and pepper. and resources to educate law jalapeno, and vinegar. Squeeze it around Cook for at least 2 minutes before stirring enforcement and community leaders on to mix it up. the steak pieces. Continue cooking for xenophobia and invest in actions to Put the entire flank steak into the another 2 minutes until they're golden prevent unprovoked anger and resealable bag. Seal it up tight. Make sure brown. Transfer the steak bites to a plate protections for Asian Americans. all the meat is exposed to the marinade, and in the same skillet add the rest of the We invite our allies to stand in squishing the bag around to coat. ingredients..Turn the heat down to a solidarity with Filipina Women's Network Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or medium and after the butter has melted, so our voices together can stop anti- overnight. add the garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook Asian racism, end violence against Asian Heat an outdoor grill to high heat. for about 30 seconds while stirring, just women, and protect women in all walks of Remove the flank steak from the until the garlic becomes aromatic and life especially those who work in spas, marinade, and discard excess marinade. starts to brown. salons, and jobs that require women of Cook on the grill for 7 to 10 minutes per Pour the garlic butter over the steak bites side. Once done, remove from heat and and toss well. Garnish with parsley and let rest 10 minutes. Slice against the serve. From Page 4 Anti-Asian violence grain found Canadians of Asian descent were Statistics Canada data titled Police- more likely to report increased harassment From Page 3 40 Community groups reported hate crime, by type of during the pandemic. province of Québec supported the call motivation, Canada (selected police OFFICIAL RESPONSE for a more effective Hate Crime Unit. services) 45% of victims are targeted due In B.C., Premier John Horgan Information: Kathryn Nicassio to their race or ethnicity, 31% due to their promised new steps this year to improve Research and Communications Officer, religion and 13.5% due to sexual anti-racism legislation and encourage CRARR: 514-265-0900 orientation or other factors such as police to bring more hate incidents to ADDITIONAL INFORMATION language, disability and age. Quebec prosecutors. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Messages are posted on a solidarity wall to raise awareness of anti-Asian violence On March 4th, 2021, the SPVM recorded a 12.9% increase in antisemitic has also denounced the rise in attacks against East Asian Canadians. outside the Japanese American National published a report that between March hate incidents in 2019 compared to the Museum in Los Angeles. DAMIAN and December 2020, 30 hate crimes previous year, and the Ottawa Police What can I do? DOVARGANES/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Find good mental-health have been reported by Asian Service documented a 173% increase in governments have their own policies for resources: One of the major effects of Montrealers, a steep increase from 2019 hate incidents against Black people from combatting hate, but it can sometimes which saw a total of 6 anti-Asian hate rising anti-Asian discrimination is take a bit of research to report incidents or 22 incidents in 2019 to 60 in 2020. worsening mental health. Researchers at crimes. seek redress. Check your city The General Social Survey the University of British Columbia and York In Vancouver, the Vancouver government’s website or ask your elected (GSS) in 2018 reported that about two- University found last year that, compared Police Department introduced a six- representative to learn more. thirds of individuals who said they had with white Canadians, Asian Canadians member task force in July 2020 to been victims of hate-motivated incidents Be a better bystander: reported measurably poorer mental health Of the hate incidents recorded by respond to the startling 717% increase in didn’t report the incident to police and that correlates strongly with feelings of AAPI last year, most were in businesses or reported Anti-Asian hate crimes since the 64% said they chose not to report discrimination. If you or someone you care beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, public streets, places where bystander because they believed that the police about is struggling, consider a counselling intervention can make a big difference if which rose from 12 reported incidents in would not have considered the incident service such as Kids Help Phone, or see done safely and effectively. Some 2019 to 98 in 2020. Similarly, the Ottawa important enough. Reporting is an whether your area has help lines in organizations offer online courses in Police Service documented a 173% important step to stopping the cycle of languages other than English and French intervention strategies. increase in hate incidents against Black hatred and preventing others from being (B.C. and the Toronto area do). people from 22 incidents in 2019 to 60 in victimized.# Learn about your local equity (Compiled by Globe & Mail Staff) 2020. policies: According to a 2019 report by Provincial and municipal www.filipinostar.org March 2021 The North American Filipino Star 7 Same-sex union blessings ban upsets gay

By ROD McGUIRK (AP) with the majority of Catholics who voted (CMarcah 15t, 20h21) oCANlBEiRRcA, Asustraliia n‘Yes’ fAor masrriagie a equality in 2017,” said (AP) — The Vatican’s edict that same-sex Croome, a spokesperson for just.equal, unions cannot be blessed because they an advocacy group campaigning for are sinful was met Tuesday with criticism justice and equality. by rights activists and gay Catholics in “If I could address the pope parts of the Asia-Pacific region as directly, I’d say that sin lies not with same- inconsistent and out of step with sex relationships, but with those who contemporary community standards. invoke God to push LGBTIQ people to the Louisa Wall, a New Zealand margins of society,” added Croome, who lawmaker who sponsored the bill that in is gay. 2013 legalized gay marriage in that South Benjamin Oh, co-chair of the Pacific country, said the statement from advisory board of Australian Catholics for the Vatican’s orthodoxy office seemed Equality, described the Vatican statement incongruent with Pope Francis last year as “personally painful.” Oh said his 16- expressing support for a civil union law. year same-sex relationship was “worthy of Roman Catholic priests now are sacramental marriage.” forbidden from blessing same-sex civil “The church have (blessed) all FILE - In this May 21, 2015 file photo, Mauro Cioffari, left, puts a wedding ring on unions. kinds of things: animals, cars and even his partner Davide Conti's finger as their civil union is being registered by a “I join many gay Catholics who weapons used for the killing of another municipality officer during a ceremony in Rome's Campidoglio Capitol Hill. The are disheartened by this announcement human being,” Oh said in an email. “For Vatican has decreed, Monday, March 15, 2021, that the Catholic Church cannot and I hope their church leaders continue many Catholic Christians, this statement bless same-sex unions since God “cannot bless sin.” The Vatican’s orthodoxy flies in the face of Jesus’ teaching to office, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, issued a formal response to advocate for these blessings,” the to a question about whether Catholic clergy can bless gay unions. (AP lawmaker said. “The Catholic Church love.” Photo/Gregorio Borgia, file) could role-model an ability to evolve with As a Catholic, Oh said the discriminate, marginalize, harm, abuse the struggle for gay rights in the country their membership.” statement was “personally hurtful and and even kill LGBTI persons,” Oh said before local governments, which have Rodney Croome, a leading dehumanizing, but sadly, totally In the Philippines, Asia’s largest passed more than 20 anti-discrimination advocate for marriage equality when unsurprising.” Catholic nation, gay rights leader Danton ordinances through the years. same-sex marriage became legal in “There is still a toxic culture Remoto reacted with exasperation to the “Why fight an ancient Australia, accused the Vatican of being towards LGBTI people in our church and Vatican edict. institution?” Remoto asked. out of step. societies and this statement will no doubt “I keep on telling LGBTQIs to just Associated Press writers Jim Gay marriage was endorsed by be weaponized by those who want to have their civil unions done,” Remoto Gomez in Manila, Philippines, and Nick 62% of voters who responded to an inflict more pain, discrimination and said. “We do not need any stress Perry in Wellington, New Zealand, Australian postal ballot in 2017. suffering on LGBTI folks both in our anymore from this church.” contributed to this report. “The Vatican is out of step, not church and in civil society, especially in Remoto said it’s better to bring only with public opinion in Australia, but places and communities that Quincentennial Jubilee of Christianity in the Philippines - Virtual Celebration in Ontario the Lenten Season - a form of meditation, By: Tony A. San Juan, OCT-Retired Holandez with volunteer lay people as Parish in Orangeville, Ontario. Fr. L. expression of faith in God, and activity This year, 2021, Filipinos all over members and is currently under the Calleja, an only child of Filipino parents, made with the fellow community. the world will celebrate virtually the 500th guidance of Fr. Lorenzo Salandanan, the was born, raised, and educated in April 3 (Holy Saturday): Sister year of the coming of Christianity to the new Pastor of Our Lady of The Toronto. Cora, FMA (Figlie di Maria Ausiliatrice) Philippines upon the arrival of the Assumption Parish. March 31(Holy Wednesday) - A will talk on "Stabat Mater (Standing by the European explorers to the Philippine Under the theme of "Gifted To talk by Sisters of Life, with Sorores Vitae Cross): The Blessed Mary with Us Today". shores on March 16, 1521, and the first Give-Toronto 2021" the March-April 2021 (S.V.) speakers Sister Antoniana Maria A Salesian Sister of St. John Bosco. Sr. mass in Limasawa on March 31, 1521. activities are scheduled to be delivered Macapagal, Sister Marita Del Fuente, and Cora, is based in Surrey, B.C. as the Historically, the Philippines will and presented virtually by viewing via the Sister Avelina Joseph Lagalagot. Vocation Director, Animator, and Director commemorate likewise the victory of the OLA website at www. ph500toronto.com ; April 1 (Maundy Thursday): 1) A of Religious Education in O.L. of Counsel first Filipino hero, Chief Lapu-Lapu, and Facebook at @500yocto and YouTube at talk by Rev. Fr. Carlos Macatangga, SVD, Parish. his fighters in the Battle of Mactan on Gifted to Gift-Toronto2021, and include Pastor of Cristo Rei Parish in April 4 (Easter); Virtual Easter April 27, 1521, against the Portuguese - the following 8-day events: Mississauga, Ontario. He is the Society of Mass of Hope with Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD led by conquistador Fernando March 16, 2021, 11:00 AM.: Divine Word District Superior for Canada will Celebrate the Risen Lord! specially Magallanes and his Spanish soldiers. "Anniversary Mass and Celebrations" at and is an engaging speaker and homilist. dedicated to the Filipino faithful in the In Canada, particularly in the the Our Lady of the Assumption Parish. 2) Virtual Visita Iglesia. A Holy diocese. Join us as he "shares the glory Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, Filipinos of This event will formally open with the Week tradition where devotees visit and and the joy of Christ’s Resurrection and the Catholic faith are proudly and eagerly Inaugural Mass to be celebrated by Fr. pray before the Altar of Repose in at least the much-needed hope it brings to our anticipating to participate online in the Lorenzo Salandanan with Msgr. Edgardo 7 different churches which are hosts to hearts and spirits!" various events planned and organized to Pan and Fr. Ben Ebcas. His Eminence large Filipino congregations. It marks the The "QJCP Ph500-Toronto" celebrate the most significant milestone Thomas Cardinal Collins and His day when Jesus agonized in prayer in virtual jubilee celebration is expected to of the introduction and development of Excellency Romulo Valles, CBCP Gethsemane. The Visita Iglesia will be provide a great opportunity for us Catholicism in the country. The President will deliver pre-recorded done in local parishes which are hosts to Filipinos "to renew, deepen and Archdiocese of Toronto, led by His inspirational messages. large Filipino congregations. (View it on strengthen our Catholic faith". With the Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins, the March 29- 31, 2021: "Holy Week our website & Facebook and YouTube third biggest Catholic population in the Archbishop of Toronto, has supported Talk and Reflection". This will focus on the sites) world, the Philippines is recognized for its and encouraged the holding of Catholic main topic " Planting Seeds Wherever We April 2 (Good Friday) :1) Virtual people's "strong sense of faith".This faith-focused religious activities amid the Are" and noted Filipino Canadian Stations of the Cross. Our virtual Stations brings into focus the woven fabric of health and safety protocol-regulated missionaries of faith "will share nuggets of the Cross will help you reflect on the "character and culture of our country" and pandemic crisis. of faith and wisdom." mystery of Christ’s passion. We will visit 7 thus "become a significant pillar of With the blessing of the March 29 (Holy Monday) - churches in our diocese so you can strength for our nation." Archbishop of Toronto and observing the "Created for Such a Time as This" by virtually experience being in the church (Tony A. San Juan, OCT-Retired). mandate of the Catholic Bishops Philippine-born- and -raised Rev. Kenneth during this day of solemn prayer. You and Conference of the Philippines's Lao of the Companions of the Cross your family can find a quiet place to pray Quincentennial Jubilee of Christianity in (C.C.), who is the associate pastor of St. and contemplate on how God is the Philippines known as the "Ph500 Mary's Parish, Ottawa. He has speaking to you through the Way of the ""The very first QJCP", a Volunteer Organizing Mechanical Engineering and MBA Cross. 2) Pabasa at Our Lady of the Easter taught us this: Committee was created and tasked to degrees and is "passionate about Assumption Parish. Pabasa is a organize religious events "to make the preaching and uses social media to bring traditional reading in chant form, of the that life never ends celebration meaningful to the Filipino people closer to God." Pasyon, a narrative book that contains and love never dies." faithful." The committee was March 30 (Holy Tuesday)- A talk the life of Christ. It is a way for Catholics spearheaded initially by Rev. Fr. Sherwin by Fr. Luis Calleja, Pastor of St. Timothy's to reflect on the passion of Christ during — Kate McGahan

www.filipinostar.org March 2021 8 The North American Filipino Star University to finish a Diploma in Special Secretary, Organization Chairperson then Education which landed her a teaching job President, overseeing eight parish at the Kateri Elementary, a Federal school councils. She organized two Diocesan at the Kahnawake Indian Reserve and Conventions, one Provincial and also the PERSONALITY OF taught Grade 2. She joined two other first time the CWL participated in the By Fely Rosales Cariño Filipino teachers here, namely, Canada Day Parade. Lydia said she did Transfiguracion Liganor and Felicidad everything with love, was happy for the Rosales. The three of them had so much opportunity to share her God-given gifts THE MONTH fun when they brought their Filipino food and at the same time felt privileged for for lunch. meeting many wonderful women. Inspite of Lydia decided to leave teaching her very busy schedule, she managed to temporarily and landed a job at Canadian go on trips with her husband along with National Railway (CNR) where she met the their daughter's family. She was also love of her life, her future husband, Keith involved in the multicultural events at St. Fielding, the Assistant General Supervisor. Luke Church as chairperson of Keith's Mom came from the Ukraine and International Food Cuisine, helped cook his Dad came from the Isle of Man which is beef stew to feed the homeless, brought between England and Ireland. After a Holy Communion to five seniors at a beautiful courtship, Keith and Lydia got Seniors Residence in Dollard, and/or married at St. Patrick’s Basilica on involved in other fund raising events. She is December 6, 1975. This beautiful union a Eucharistic Minister but is on break due was blessed with the birth of their daughter to Covid-19. Kerry on October 30, 1976. Lydia opted to Currently, she is a member of the stay home after the birth of her daughter. Board of Directors of the Seniors of the After a few years, she worked at different West Island and Suburbs (SWIS). Her banks at Place Ville Marie during RRSP yearly duty is to invite dignitaries to attend seasons. She also had a 3-day weekly job social events. She is usually assigned to at the SWISS bank. In 1987 until 1993, introduce the guest speaker or guest of Lydia had a permanent job at Future honor. Lydia, a very strong-willed person, Electronics as a Market Research asserts that amidst trials and obstacles in Lydia Villaflor-Fielding Assistant. Then in 1994, she went into real the past when she came to Canada, she What a pleasure to present to teach at St. Anthony Parochial School in estate.. She needed good contacts, so in harbors no regrets in life. you the Personality of the Month, Lydia Manila. The following year, she got a 1995, she became a member of the She aspires to continue to see the Fielding, a true Renaissance woman in our teaching job at Letran College (one of the Business Network International (BNI), a world with her husband when it's time for midst. Growing up a dreamer, Lydia is one four top prestigious private colleges for group composed of different professions her to retire and spend quality time with of a kind. Blessed with an amazing and boys in Manila, the other 3 are Ateneo, with once a week meetings. Lydia got Kerry, her husband, Victor, with the dynamic presence, she is gifted in many San Beda and LaSalle) to teach Grade 5. many referrals (sellers or buyers) and this grandchildren - the twin girls at ages 13 areas. An avid reader of different Being so ambitious, she found herself resulted in getting the President’s Gold Lucia and Marisa, and Anthony at age 10. newspapers as a young adult while in the attending night courses at the University of Award in 2002. Talk of a packed resumé! Of course, she plans to continue to give Philippines, she directed her focus on Santo Thomas and graduated with a What a heavyweight! Lydia found herself donations to organizations helping the happenings in foreign lands. What caught degree of Bachelor of Science in overwhelmed with work that she rarely had poor. The Filipino community hasn't seen her eye was the one from New York. This Elementary Education (BSEED). time with her husband and daughter. As much of you yet as the first organization started her obsession to go to New York, At this time, she was ready to family time is very important to her, she you joined is the SWIS. They can learn the city that never sleeps, and later on, to pursue her dream to go abroad. Along decided to slow down and to just do from your organizational and leadership travel more as her dream was to see the with her friend, Celia Fuentes, also a volunteer work. She is not one to rest! skills. Few can match an indefatigable world. We can all dream, can't we? teacher of Letran College, Father Walsh, She joined the Catholic Women's energy, electric presence and a heart of However, her father was hesitant for her to hired both to open a school in a small League (CWL) of St. Luke Parish Council compassion. Truly a jewel in the Filipino leave the Philippines. He told her, “If only I community in Petite Forte, Newfoundland. in 1988 due to her Mom but was not active. community!!! Lydia, for all your could do something for you and not leave It was a culture shock. That Christmas In 2009 she was the President-elect, then adventures, there must be a man behind the Philippines, I'll do it. But if I won't let break of Dec 1967, they flew to New York President. For her excellent work as your success! I'd like to give a final award. you go, you will never be happy. I know for Christmas and New Year! It was the president, she was awarded the Maple For the Most Patient and Supportive how ambitious you are.” So she left the realization of a dream! Looking for Leaf Gold pin. Her mantle must be full of Husband, the award goes to Keith Philippines in October 1967. other opportunities, she applied and was medals. In 2016, she moved to the Fielding!!! Lydia is the fourth of eight accepted to go to McConnell School in Diocesan level. Her positions were: children of loving parents, Ricardo M. Minneapolis to train as a Flight Villaflor, a school teacher and Ines C. Stewardess. How about that! But first she Valentine’s Day Quiz Villaflor. She comes from Concepcion, went to Champlain, Illinois and she met Amulung, Cagayan. Her family moved to many Filipinos at the University. This for Lovers and Romantics Tuguegarao when her five elder siblings temporary desire to change her career Answer Key to Last Issue’s Quiz started university. Lydia went to St. Paul wasn't sustained. With her friend, Celia, College, a girls' private college in she decided to take the train in Vancouver By Tony A. San Juan, OCT-Retired Tuguegarao. There she completed her to go back to Newfoundland. Father Female Correct Answers Male Teacher's Certificate and Home Walsh was happy they returned so he 1) Delilah ...... Y. Samson A. Jose Rizal Economics combined in 2 1/2 years moved them to a bigger community. At 2) Josephine...... L. Napoleon Bonaparte B. Richard Burton every school break, they flew to New York instead of 3. While her peers spent their 3) Maria Clara...... W. Crisostomo Ibarra C. Romeo time having parties and having fun, she City. went to summer schools. After graduation, Lydia embarked on another 4) Roxane...... K. Cyrano Bergerac D. Florante she was recommended by the nuns to adventure and this time at McGill 5) Elizabeth Taylor ..... B. Richard Burton E. Prince Albert 6) Laura...... D. Florante F. Martin Luther 7) Leonor Rivera...... A. Jose Rizal G. Jahan 8) Juliet ...... C. Romeo H. Clyde Barrow 9) Gregoria De Jesus.. S. Andres Bonifacio I. Robin Hood 10) Eve...... M. Adam J. Mar Roxas 11) Cleopatra...... R. Mark Antony K. Cyrano de Bergerac 12) Queen Victoria ...... E. Prince Albert L. Napoleon Bonaparte 13) Bonnie...... H. Clyde Barrow M. Adam 14) Isolde...... V. Tristan N. Dingdong Dantes 15) Coretta King...... F. Martin Luther O. Paris 16) Mahal...... G. Jahan P. Fernando Poe, Jr. 17) Helen ...... O. Paris Q. Romeo Vasquez 18) Guinevere...... U. Lancelot R. Mark Antony 19) Gabriela...... X. Diego Silang S. Andres Bonifacio 20) Lady Marian...... I. Robin Hood T. John Lennon 21) Yoko Ono...... T. John Lennon U. Lancelot 22) Susan Roces...... P. Fernando Poe, Jr. V. Tristan 23) Marian Rivera...... N. Dingdong Dantes W. Crisostomo Ibarra 24) Amalia Fuentes...... Q. Romeo Vasquez X. Diego Silang 25) Korina Sanchez...... J. Mar Roxas Y. Samson

www.filipinostar.org March 2021 The North American Filipino Star 9 Oprah Winfrey interview of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry reveals some insights into Royal life Zenaida Ferry Kharroubi

CBS Presents Oprah with Meghan and Harry" was aired in the United States on Sunday, March 7, from 8 to 10 p.m. ET. It was two days after the birth of their first child in May 2019 that Meghan Markle It is often believed that living because of his flagrant infidelity that and Prince Harry shared both his name and a surprise–Archie Mountbatten- like a Royal is synonymous to having it led to the breakup of their marriage. Windsor would be known simply as “Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor,” with no all – wealth, power, prestige, and On the other hand, Prince Harry has royal title attached to his name. happiness. But Oprah Winfrey ‘s shown he is willing to do whatever it interview of Meghan Markle and takes to prevent history from repeating Prince Harry has revealed that not itself as he remembers how the everything is rosy. It demonstrated that paparazzi and the press hounded his there is a constant pressure of mother until her death. following protocol, and one is not free Some unsettling allegations to act or say anything without following about racism that came from the the institution’s rules. Perhaps, we can concern of a Royal member about their compare the life of a Royal like a fairy baby’s skin color while Meghan was tale, just as what we thought it would pregnant and not giving Archie a be for Princess Diana when she Royal title will undoubtedly be debated married Prince Charles. Now, it is by critics of the couple and supporters Meghan Markle who admitted that she of the Royal family. They both refused felt so lonely that she had some to be more specific in identifying who suicidal thoughts. But perhaps, she was this family member but they made can be considered luckier than sure not to involve Prince Harry’s Princess Diana whose husband, grandmother and grandfather as they Prince Charles made life unbearable both respect and love them.

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www.filipinostar.org March 2021 12 The North American Filipino Star

www.filipinostar.org March 2021 The North American Filipino Star 13 Johnson, Mickey Max Guttan, Herbert to join what is called “The Asian Forum '', Brownstein, Morris Vesely, Valerie created to discuss issues dealing with Assouline, Pulkit Kantawala, and Colette public safety, racism, access to services, Gauthier. promoting dialogue among diverse Asian And you’ll be pleased to know Communities and other issues of March 13th Miracle (Pinoy Food Drive) is a importance. FFCAQ President Minda brainchild of Sonny Moros, the outreach Mazzone will represent Filipino Montrealers coordinator, care of MP Anthony in this Asian Forum. Housefather’s office. Minda Mazzone, The other day, FHSM’s secretary Social Tidbits President of the Federation of Filipino Jeannette Perignon hand carried a birthday Community News Canadian Association of Quebec FFCAQ) card she made for me. “Open only on your and family, especially son Francesco Birthday”, March 11 she said. Unable to Mazzone, are also heavily involved. This hold my curiosity, I opened it and found my Fely Rosales Cariño project’s motto “Let’s Fight Hunger birthday cash and a card signed by all Hi! As I do this write up, I am Notre-Dame-de-Grace Borough Council. Together” resonated well with potential FHSM officers, a lovely tradition of the actually smiling. I looked out my balcony More importantly, as a member of donors. The food drive required three easy FHSM. Especially touching was their facing traffic, and I see people wearing light Parliament, Anthony Housefather, steps: 1) place one non-perishable item on message “Happy birthday to our dear coats, sunglasses, even shorts! I extend my seconded the bill that created the FHSM. your doorstep, 2) volunteers will pick them friend and our ever-ready emcee”. You gaze towards my right, and the once empty This organization allows us (all Filipinos up and 3) volunteers will redistribute the should see the card she made. Designer lot is full. Whoa --- it’s spring! Well, the across Canada) to preserve and showcase goods in baskets for those in need. Jeanmette made it so authentic that it below zero weather is gone. It has outlived our rich culture to the Canadian diaspora. Fantastic job Sonny! looked like me. She had me in a red gown its welcome. Anyway. We are more than Watch for its premier public celebration in Mga kababayan, let’s all help holding a microphone, looking so youthful. ready to give the pandemic its marching June 2021. Before we forget the disasters Sonny Moros. The turnout last week was Lots of love and friendship to the following order to just leave, leave, leave! Now my of typhoons Rolly and Ulysses in December good. Let’s do our part. Knock on doors. signatories: Al Abdon, Bert Abiera, mind is switching gears - from the doom 2020 in the Philippines, let’s give a shout Request for at least one canned good from Rebecca Aguilar, Dolly Belandres, Fely and gloom that characterized the recent out to those who willingly contributed to each resident. When your basket is full, just Bisares, Elma Bolatao, Editha Fedalizo, months into full bloom of a vibrant life. I am help. Donors were: Sirs Ray Balansi call Sonny (514- 290-2466). Eppie Gevera, Kim Gultia, Paul Imperial, ready to heave a massive sigh of RELIEF! I ($50.00), Jolan Bueno, Dante Tabamo , Lito Now for some news from Nancy Karides, Zeny Kharroubi, Nenita really can hardly contain my enthusiasm. Manuel, Al Abdon, Flor Rillo, ($20.00), Snowdon Councilor Marvin Rotrand and Licyayo, Valent Lloyd-Hughes, Amy Manon- I'm thinking of going to Lakeshore Drive to Sonny Moros ($40.00), Jeff Buenafe, Ted Councilor Lionel Perez. Public Health og, Minda Mazzone, Ciony Nueva, see the snow melt and burst into its usual Oliver, ($20.00), Ed Valdez, Jose Espinosa, officials need volunteers (ages 18-65 yrs Jeannette Perignon, Ricardo Ribaya, and flow. I need to see the ducks, to see people Sheldon Cohen, Diony de los Reyes old) to man the Vaccination Drive at Decarie Cora Abdon. I will cherish your touching, jogging, to see the young ones riding their ($20.00), Sir James de la Paz ($200.00), Square. During a recent meeting at city hall, caring and endearing messages on my bikes, to watch water sports enthusiasts Stephane Morin ($50), Ladies Erlinda councillor Marvin Rotrand pushed for the birthday. I luv you guys !!! carry their small boats with brightly Danzil, Cherry Palmer ($25.00), Dario Boco adoption of provision for voting by mail. I want to encourage you in the decorated sails. They just let the wind ($200), Gerry Danzil (100) and Fely This is badly needed in case of an election words of Joshua 1:9, "Have I not dictate its destiny. I am roaring to see Old Rosales-Carino ($100). This is just a partial this year. This measure will benefit commanded you? Be strong and Port come alive with tour busses that lined list of donors. residents of CHSLD, Residential and Long- courageous. Do not be frightened, and do the once dead quiet streets. My heart starts Here is a short update from DDO Term Care Centers and those in private not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is beating furiously because I can’t stop Mayor Alex Bottausci. In a section of his senior residences. with you wherever you go." speculating the mending of our interrupted message he wrote: “2020 has come to a In a meeting held February 8, See your next issue. Stay well. Be lives. So much of what was. So let’s go to close but some of its challenges will be Councilor Rotrand invited interested parties Happy. God Bless ! what is and what will be. Last March 14, the carried over well into 2021. It has been a From Page 1 Astra-Zeneca not meant to advise people against getting the vaccine but to raise awareness so Filipino Heritage Society of Montreal long and arduous road, and it’s important clots in patients who had received the people who do get it are told what signs to (FHSM) held a virtual celebration to mark its that we continue to look out for one another vaccine from Pfizer-BioNTech. look out for when it comes to blood clots. 3rd anniversary. Chairman Al Abdon did not and address COVID-19 as a community. Blood clots do occur naturally in "If it was me, I would be leave any stone unturned in the preparation The pandemic has had an impact on our some patients, and there has been no vaccinated tomorrow," she said. of the program. He was backed up by a economy and many of our residents have known link to vaccines before the COVID- Cooke said there are thousands chorus of dedicated officers who worked been hit hard. In order to reduce their tax 19 outbreak. of people dying every day from COVID-19 hard as well. Main speaker was the burden, our administration worked hard at More than 15 European countries and this vaccine is effective against the Philippine Ambassador to Canada, Hon. cutting costs while maintaining services in had halted the use of AstraZeneca pending novel coronavirus. Rodolfo Robles. He was followed by a order to deliver a fair budget to our the EMA review. France, Germany and Italy Canadian provinces began string of federal and city government residents. We are proud to announce a 0% all said they would resume those injections administering 500,000 doses of the officials. Leading the honoured guests were increase on our city’s portion of your Friday. AstraZeneca vaccine last week. Canada's MP for Mount Royal Riding Anthony municipal tax. In 2021, the Council's Before Europe's report was doses are not made in the same place as Housefather, MP for Lac-Saint-Louis ongoing focus will be on improving the released Thursday, deputy chief public quality of life of our residents while ensuring the European or U.K. doses. Francis Scarpaleggia, MP Outremont-Cote- health officer Dr. Howard Njoo said Canada the economic development of our city. In Thrombosis Canada issued a des-Neiges Rachel Bendayan, DDO MP believed the vaccine was safe and the new year, you will see important statement March 11 saying in general Sameer Zuberi, Snowdown City Councillor effective. continued investments in infrastructure, vaccines are not linked to the development Marvin Rotrand, MNA for D’Arcy Mc Gee "The fact is that all four COVID-19 including work on our main arteries. We will of blood clots and it had no evidence that David Birnbaum, and Darlington District vaccines authorized by Health Canada continue to adjust our activities based on the AstraZeneca vaccine was any different. City Councillor Lionel Perez. meet our country's high standards for the government regulations and safety This report by The Canadian Instrumental in its adoption and safety, and provide a high degree of measures in place.” Helping Mayor Press was first published March 18, 2021. proclamation is Snowdon City Councillor protection against severe illness and death Bottausci implement his program are the Marvin Rotrand. His motion was adopted in related to COVID-19," said Njoo. following councilors: Laurence Parent, Errol February 2018 by the Cote-des-Neiges- Cooke said the warning label is

VIRTiUArL tISRuAEaL DAlY PAIRsADEr2a021 el Pon Satickr, PaancditanePINOY2021 Re: PHILIPPINE PARTICIPATION at the 4) PINOY PA RIN T.V. (to be confirmed) VIRTUAL Annual Montreal ISRAEL DAY Let’s celebrate ISRAEL DAY and show our PARADE support! with our genuine spirit of Theme: THE TIES THAT BIND FILIPINOS ‘BAYANIHAN’! & JEWS, The Rescue of Jews from the HOLOCAUST GOOGLE: ‘Open Doors Philippine What? VIDEO TAPING Monument in ISRAEL’ & FILIPINOS in When? Saturday, O3 APRIL 2021 at ISRAEL’ 13h30 SHARP (Weather Forecast: SUNNY Note: Philippine passport holders, NO (+7 C) VISA to enter ISRAEL! Where: JOSE RIZAL MONUMENT, YOUTUBE: Read more about Philippine & McKenzie Park, Cote Ste. Catherine (near ISRAEL Bilateral Agreements VICTORIA Ave) Example: Annual training of over 50O PROTOCOL: Face Mask, FACE SHIELD agriculture students in ISRAEL, over 32K DISTANCING (6 feet) Mini Philippine FILIPINOS in ISRAEL, etc. FLAGS with pegs, Markers on the Ground With our sincere thanks to... Stay safe and well. Shalom! 1) JOY & JUN NORBERTO of CPRM Contact: PASTOR ORLAN RACACHO RADIO [email protected] Photo shows a group of Filipino-Canadians who participate in the Virtual 2) BERT ABIERA, flag markers & printing Mobile: (450) 466-871 Israel Parade with the theme: The Ties that Bind Jews and Filipinos of national anthems (Philippine rescue of Jews from the Holocaust during the time of 3) CESAR MANUEL, Kareoke, Rice Candy President Manuel Quezon) www.filipinostar.org March 2021 14 The North American Filipino Star

No money or honey: Jane De Leon recalls hardship before getting 'Darna'

Jane De Leon

Kapamilya actress Jane De struggled to go to Manila while home. no'n. 'Pag wala kaming pamasahe Leon revealed that she almost quit living in Laguna. Sometimes, they “Taga-Laguna 'ko eh. pauwi, sa dressing room lang kami showbiz as she narrated the only had crackers to eat and had to Nagco-commute lang kami ni natutulog. Tiyaga lang talaga at struggles she had to endure before sleep in the dressing room if they Mommy. Isipin mo 'yung Sky tiwala lang kay Lord,” she said. becoming one of ABS-CBN's must- did not have the means to go back Flakes, nagshe-share lang kami She and her mom also fell watch artists this year. prey to thieves. In her recent virtual “Na-riding in tandem pa conference as part of ABS-CBN's kami ni mommy dati sa Makati. Ang longest-running series "FPJ's Ang dami naming pinagdaanan ng Probinsyano," Jane said she almost mommy ko." lost hope that she would make it in Even in love life, Jane found showbiz. it hard to succeed. “Naging honest naman ako “Love life? Pahinga muna ko sa sarili ko na gusto kong mag-quit diyan. Kasi siyempre ilang beses na ng showbiz then. Lahat naman po ko nasaktan. Career talaga muna kaming artista na-eexperience na and sarili. Self-love na lang muna. natotoxic kami lalo na po noong Kasi paano mo mamahalin ang umpisa na hindi pa ko nagkakaroon ibang tao kung hindi mo kayang ng break, nawawalan din po ako ng mahalin ang sarili mo?" pag-asa,” she said. Related: Love life or “Pumasok po ako sa loveless? Jane De Leon chooses showbiz kasi sobrang mahal ko po fate of her 'millennial' Darna 'yung passion ko sa pag-acting. But like her upcoming Breadwinner din po ako, siyempre character, Narda, Jane finally found gusto ko pong tulungan ‘yong the light at the end of the tunnel. family ko,” she added. "Sinabi ko po sa sarili ko na Jane said she started her hindi dapat magmadali eh, ang showbiz career when she was only mahalaga nag-eenjoy ako, mahal ko 15 years old and waited for five po yung ginagawa ko. May right years to have a break, which came time for you, you just need to trust when she became a member of "It's God." Showtime's" girl group GirlTrends Similarly, she encouraged and when was cast as Jericho those who also want to make it in Rosales' sister in "Halik." showbiz to stay patient and humble. “Pumasok po ako sa "'Don po sa mga gustong showbiz 15 years old or 16 yata mag-artista, may chance po kayo ako," she recalled. basta matuto po tayong maghintay. She and her mother Habaan po natin ang pasensya natin and of course, be humble."
www.filipinostar.org March 2021 The North American Filipino Star 15 Frustrated Liza Heart Evangelista Soberano on new recalls financial surge of COVID-19 struggles after cases: ‘Is our country leaving home: ‘Ang really this poor?’ hirap kumita ng pera’

Liza Soberano Is Asking A Very Important Q: 'Where is the support for the poor in our country?'

Young actress Liza country is too poor to feed every Heart Evangelista Soberano has lamented the Filipino’s mouth. So, don’t expect country’s alleged inability to that much. I still do appreciate Known for her taste in “It was the hardest thing provide “stimulus” amid the new your compassion tho,” the luxury and high fashion, it is I’ve ever done,” she said, noting surge of COVID-19 cases. comment read. difficult to imagine Heart that it was hard to breathe in the Soberano said that her Liza replied: “So what do Evangelista once faced financial prosthetics. “I had to keep the heart bleeds for all the people we do? Just sit back and wait for struggles in her life. prosthetics until 3 a.m. the next who cannot afford to go out and a miracle to happen? Pray that The actress looked back day.” work due to the pandemic. COVID just disappears. I believe on the challenges she went “My mom (Cecilia “They literally have to God works wonders but I believe through when she decided to Ongpauco) really wanted me to choose between dying of that he gives us the instruments live independently, as seen in a suffer so I [would] go back to starvation or dying of COVID. Is to make that happen. Sad thing is vlog on Dr. Aivee Aguilar-Teo’s her. So talagang (it was really) our country really this poor to not the instruments/decision making YouTube channel Aivee Day on from all the comfort to nothing,” be able to provide stimulus?? are not in our hands.” Sunday, Feb. 14. she added. Genuine question lang po,” Then she retweeted a post At one point, her Soberano wrote on Twitter. talking about the point is not to assistant Ate Resty had to pay The 23-year-old actress compare financial status but to for her food at a restaurant related how America has received compare where the funds go and because she had no money. two rounds of stimulus already, how it was spent. “P30 lang ang laman ng and now waiting on the third. “We’re not, as you say, as ATM ko so wala akong pang- “COVID testing is free, rich as America and no, we’re not dinner (I only had P30 in my vaccination is free.” expecting every single Filipino to ATM [account] so I could not Then Soberano pondered about be fed or vaccinated. We just pay for dinner),” she revealed. the support for the poor in the wanna see that at least SOME are Evangelista said she had Philippines. getting help,” the netizen’s post “Madali lang naman po read. to adjust to a simpler lifestyle mag stay at home if everyone has Liza declared that she’s while she was broke. food on the table and money to not stepping on anybody’s toes The rift with her parents pay the bills,” she cited. and just a tax-payer expressing would go on for years, and it Soberano’s post has her “frustration.” became more public when she immediately received mixed “Hayy I honestly don’t got into a relationship with reactions. even know if my tweets/ my voice politician Chiz Escudero. It One even lectured is actually doing anything. We can came to the point that her Soberano not to expect that much only pray for compassion now. Evangelista recalled parents refused to attend their from the country. Good night everyone! God bless taking on the lead role in the wedding in February 2015. She “You’re comparing our all of you. Stay home if you can.” 2007 teleserye “Hiram na and her parents reconciled ‘poor’ country to the first world Mukha,” but this required months after the union.
country? lmao. Yes, Liza, our prosthetics. www.filipinostar.org March 2021 16 The North American Filipino Star

Karla Estrada flaunts Kris Aquino on what to weight loss after year expect from her tell- of hard workout all: ‘My true feelings will be revealed’

Kris Aquino

Kris Aquino is set to release a tell-all said. Karla Estrada video addressing all issues related to Aquino showed a teaser photo her and she hopes it will also clear all of herself holding note-filled papers as Kapamilya Queen mother Magdangal among others. matters affecting her children. she made the announcement on Karla Estrada shared some updates Uploaded last March 20, “Names will be named,” Instagram last Friday, March 19. This about her fitness journey that started Estrada remains serious on regaining Aquino said on her Instagram page on teaser photo was accompanied by the last year. her sexy figure as seen in her more March 20. She added that she will be revelation that she wasn’t at her best And the results? They are recent upload of herself working out. covering all issues related to her — or physical condition while filming her promising. at least the issues that she was made tell-all video. On Instagram, Karla shared a aware of. “I insisted on doing this video before-and-after-photo with the “My true feelings will all be shoot even though I knew physically I caption: “Before and After keme kala revealed,” she stated. “I did not spare wasn’t at my best,” Aquino stated. “I nyo ha! kahit konting achievement myself, because I refuse to be a felt the longer I delayed saying what ipagmalaki mo! Dyan lahat nag coward.”Aquino set the video’s needed to be said, the more unhealthy uumpisa yan. lets go mga momshie!!! release for today, March 21, but she I’d become.” Wag na masyado madaming dahilan! originally wanted it to premiere Prior to her tell-all, Aquino LABAN PARA SA KALUSUGAN!!!” yesterday, March 20. As she explained defended her children who faced Estrada included the dates, to her fans, she had “meticulous harsh comments from bashers. Early March 2020 – March 2021 to editing instructions” for her production this month, she dispelled rumors that differentiate the snaps. team so her message won’t be her eldest son, Josh, was getting Friends and celebrities rushed misinterpreted by viewers. married and called out homophobia to greet the actress: Mariel Padilla, Iza “I have earned the right to take my directed at her youngest son, Bimby. Calzado and her “Magandang Buhay” time until I’m sure I am giving you what co-hosts Melai Cantiveros and Jolina you have come to expect of me,” she WORST DATE: Ivana Alawi walks out on a date with celebrity Ivana Alawi has revealed that Upon walking out, she To which Ivana agreed, she got frustrated with a rude immediately extended her apology to revealing the place where it took celebrity that she decided to walk out the waiter, who was crying. “Kasi place. in the middle of their date. ayoko nang nakakita ng ganu’n,” she “Ayoko ko ng ganu’n talaga. “May time kasi na we were related. Nag-walkout talaga (ako),” she said. eating in a restaurant. Asked if the man is a “Akala niya siguro na-o-off ako sa Pinagsisigawan niya ‘yung waiter. celebrity, Ivana was quiet for a minute kanya, pero hindi ko na in-isa-isa, na Pinagmumura niya,” Ivana recalled then smiled and said: “Thank you.” parang, ‘Bastos ka magtrato ng during an interview with Toni But Toni teased her with: ibang tao.’” Gonzaga. “Feeling ko artista. Ah, talaga?” “Pag nagkita kami, dedma “Parang siguro he was trying “Hindi ko alam, Ate Toni. parang ‘Stranger?’ And sama ng to impress me. Pero hindi niya alam Baka maghulaan na naman sila ugali mo!” sobrang na-turn off ako du’n. The niyan,” Ivana replied, laughing. In the same interview, Ivana way that he treated that waiter.” Though, during the shared she’s now looking for “the She believes if a person introduction of the vlog, Toni could be one.”
could do it to someone, then he can heard saying: “May celebrity palang treat anyone else like that as well. ganu’n ‘no, nakaka-turn-off naman Ivana Alawi “Sabi ko, ang lala niya!” ‘yun.” www.filipinostar.org March 2021 The North American Filipino Star 17

one and the same. I’m glad that the album will find a platform for that.” Easy does it, according to For Nicole, singing a Tagalog Nicole. “Obviously, when you want to do something to the best of your song is a dream come true ability and do it justice, it can be hard because you want to make it sound like your second skin. I know that it (her Filipino-ness) is in my blood. My family speaks Hawaiian as well. I grew up learning Spanish and I think that kind of helped me a lot.” Nicole recalled that when Laureta called her about the song, she said yes right away. “He was playing weird spa music and I didn’t know if the world was aligning or if he was getting a foot rub. I was taking a trip to a nature store and I remember him leaving on my phone an hour-long message. When we talked, I told him, ‘Let’s do it! It’s an honor for me to be part of it!’ I was gang-ho. It was my first time to sing in Tagalog and I was sure that my family would be proud of it.” Following protocols (it was the pandemic, you know), Nicole Nicole Scherzinger, the former Filipino member of Pussycat Dolls, does her own take on the Ogie Alcasid soon found herself in Laureta’s studio song Pangako for the album Kaibigan: A Troy Laureta OPM Collective Vol. 1 at home. “I came out of the bathroom, The plan was to start his own Funfare had done with her (2006 and a Whitney Houston kind of treatment. got into bed and started singing. That familIt may sound like a cliché but it’s 2009): I wanted Nicole to give the song that was magic!” she laughed. true. Nicole Elikolani Prescovia I Will Always Love You moment, that “We were just kind of “To do a Tagalog song has Scherzinger, who used the stage Don’t Cry For Me Argentina chilling,” said Laureta. always been a dream for me,” said name Nicole Kea when she joined an moment.” Asked in an interview with Nicole Scherzinger, the former open audition for Pussycat Dolls, Laureta got it...and more! Funfare several weeks ago what Filipino Pussycat Dolls member, in a was born on July 29, 1978, in Then he gushed about criteria he followed in choosing the recent virtual interview. Honolulu, Hawaii, to a Filipino Nicole. artists for the album, Laureta said, “All The song is Ogie Alcasid’s musician father from Batanes “She can do anything. I was the artists were those that I’ve either Pangako which is among the (surnamed Valiente) and a Hawaiian- able to work with Nicole in some toured or worked with in the studio selections in Kaibigan: A Troy Russian mother who was a lead hula shows. We did Broadway stuff and a and they are all friends of mine. I Laureta OPM Collective Vol. 1 dancer. Fondly called Cola by her lot of Whitney Houston, so I was able really wanted to make a point to released in November last year. chums, she grew up in Louisville, to study her style even more so. For choose artists that were personal to Produced by Laureta, a Fil-Am Kentucky, where her family relocated Pangako, I wanted her to bring her me whether in my business life or musical director based in the US, when she was seven years old. full potential to it ...her being a personal life. People who understand and ABS-CBN Music International, me not just as a musician but as a the album features a merry mix of person. Every artist on the album has international artists who give OPM a impacted my life in some way.” refreshingly new touch, including And how did he expect non- South Korea’s Ailee (for Kahit Isang Tagalog listeners to understand the Saglit), YouTube Star Matt Boyd songs so that they could appreciate (Bakit Pa Ba), Cheesa (The Voice them? Season 2 quarter finalist, Bakit Pa), “I think the beauty of OPM is Pia Toscano (American Idol Season that songs speak for themselves. I 10 finalist, Kailangan Kita), Shelea grew up listening to OPM. I always (Patuloy ang Pangarap) and Jake believed that no matter in what Zyrus (Usahay; Laureta has served language, a great song will always be as musical director in Jake’s impactful to its listeners. That’s how I concerts), plus Regine Velasquez on always felt about OPM. We have the Hanggang sa Dulo ng Walang songs, the singers and a culture that Hanggan. is filled with so much passion and “I am honored that Troy Nicole during the recent virtual interview with the Philippine media depth. I use Kaibigan as a catalyst to chose that song for me,” added let a broader audience hear what I Nicole. “Troy nailed it. I think many In that virtual mediacon, biritera...the high note, the whisper, already know is legendary and that is people know me from Pussycat Dolls Laureta related that Pangako is one the emotional stuff.” Filipino music.” but they don’t know that in my heart of his favorite OPM songs. Although she admitted she Laureta is grateful to Ogie of hearts I love singing ballads. It’s in “When I was listening to that didn’t speak Tagalog, Nicole said and Regine for being supportive. our hearts, right? Pangako is a song by the legendary songwriter that she understood the song’s “They were such an classic song, it’s an iconic song, it Ogie Alcasid and his wife Regine sentiment just by listening to it. inspiration. They are super cool!” has a lot of heart and passion in it. I Velasquez, I told my sister, ‘You “Troy told me about the lyrics Ogie and Regine are all wanted to give it justice. I’m not know, this song is perfect for Nicole. and I just love it, especially the line praises for Laureta and Nicole’s work, saying that I am the best singer but I She has the heart and the spirit and, that says ‘Promise I won’t leave you’ describing it as “so surreal.” always give heart and soul into every most important, she has the voice for (...pangako di kita iiwan...). Music is Admitting that she’s a fan of song that I sing. I am grateful to be a it. Pangako is so emotional and it a universal language. Whether you Regine, Nicole said, “When I listen to part of the album.” needs someone who can emote it speak Tagalog or not, when you hear her and that voice, I’m like, ‘So what It’s the Filipino in her. Here’s and give it not just the notes but the the song it moves you. Music is what else is there for me to do?’ I have so an excerpt from the two interviews emotional part of it. Nicole can give it connects all of us. Ultimately, we are much love and respect for her.”

www.filipinostar.org March 2021 18 The North American Filipino Star OPINION EDITORIAL

FROM TEXAS unlikely places, the destruction and suffering in Texas could have been prevented if the shameless and proud politicians had not bungled their jobs and abused their authority. In the much- touted “Energy Capital of the World”, it was a huge embarrassment to the state officials for their private and unregulated state power grid to fail and cause so much suffering. The historic energy failure problem finds its roots in the early 2000s when then Governor Rick Perry was unsuccessfully running for President. In his arrogant swagger, Perry boasted that the ERCOT managers ignored the energy will not work in Texas. It is in fact Texas was so independently rich and warning. “It never gets that cold in solar and wind turbine-harvested energy self-reliant that if it decided to secede Texas” said Abbott defiantly. And while that are saving the northwestern states from the Union, it would be richer and people suffered and froze last week, and Canada’s power grid from freezing more powerful than the remaining former governor Rick Perry arrogantly up. Their systems have never failed. states. The Texas constitution, in fact, said: “The people of Texas would prefer Democrat leaders Beto has a provision that it could secede from to not have power and water for several O’Rourke and Joaquin Castro promptly Politics and false state the Union if the citizens of Texas so days than to accept Federal rebuked the governor and placed “100% pride caused worst decide. Be that as it may, doing so and regulations.” False state pride! Speak for of the blame on him and other disaster in Texas history declaring independence from the U.S. yourselves, governors. Tell that to Republican officials for sheer By Gus Mercado would be foolhardy and may even be people whose parents or young children negligence, incompetence and The midnight scene was disastrous, as the last winter storm froze to death. Tell that to families whose unpreparedness”. Texas has been under apocalyptic at the height of the shocking debacle has demonstrated. The phrase houses flooded or burned to the ground Republican control for decades and as it ice storm that blanketed most of Texas, a 'no man is an island' which expresses when the firefighters could not get water turned out, the state’s own unique state that is geographically bigger than Power Grid was woefully inadequate, California and normally very seldom resulting in the serial failures of their sees snow. There was ghastly silence as massive generators last week. The thick snow and ice covered the cities natural gas plants were frozen. Gov. and fields. More than 4 million people at Abbott’s knee-jerk reaction was to fire one time or another were without power the ERCOT executives and order an to light and heat their homes. Before the investigation, but had no immediate water supply was cut off, water pressure concrete solutions to offer except to wait was very low which made the water for the cold weather to turn around. undrinkable. People struggled to Texas senator Ted Cruz said he had no survive, boiling water if they could find defense and instead of using his some. The 600-bed homeless shelter of authority and position to assist the the Salvation Army near downtown victims, decided to flee to warm Cancun Dallas was full. Hospitals were crippled. with his family Prisons could not flush their toilets. Instinctively, the Biden Many including small children died from administration quickly declared a major hypothermia. Of those who, in emergency in Texas, expedited access desperation turned on their cars’ from anywhere. And to add insult to to Federal funds and instructed FEMA to engines to get some heat, some died the idea that human beings do badly injury, just today, Lieutenant Governor distribute generators and to provide from carbon monoxide poisoning. when isolated from others and need to Dan Patrick blamed the consumers who assistance including food and supplies Others tore down wooden parts of their be part of a community in order to thrive, complained of $7,000 to $10,000 to endangered families. The president house and burned them in their rings true here. No state can be totally electricity bills this way: “That’s the price visited Texas last Friday to personally fireplaces along with furniture and autonomous and ignore the rest of the the people pay for gambling on the assess the damage wrought by the babies’ cribs for warmth. country and expect to thrive. The 50 state’s low power rates, they failed to storm and to visit vaccination centers The temperature in North, East and united states have symbiotic read the fine print.” This is the same Dan and the Houston Food Bank, the biggest Central Texas dipped to as low as 3 relationships with one another, whether Patrick who had suggested in the early in the country. Other states also reached degrees F., which felt like minus 10 they like it or not. days of the pandemic that elderly Texans out with whatever relief they could degrees, bursting pipes and sending Nonetheless, Rick Perry and the sacrifice themselves to Coronavirus for gather for the suffering people in Texas. roofs crashing from sheer weight of solid state Republicans managed to do things the sake of the economy. Unbelievable! The much-maligned NY congress- ice. Forty people are reported dead. My on their own with sheer disregard and These are the people that you voted to woman Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez raised son Amiel in Austin whose camper’s scorn for common rules and regulations office, folks. If they are to blame, the millions of dollars and personally ingenuity helped him survive, did not that naturally have to be coordinated by ultimate blame points in your direction! delivered badly-needed goods to the have power for 45 hours and had to the Federal government. Perry even And while the people suffered, victims. Beto O-Rourke and his army of evacuate on the fourth day of the went further and proposed the abolition the unscrupulous politicians resorted to phone bankers called more than blizzard. There was no escape as the icy of the Energy department. Thus, Texas’ blame game instead of coming up with 200,000 senior citizens and his roads were treacherous and many own independent power grid called solutions. Governor Abbott and Fox volunteers delivered whatever the old flights at the airports were grounded. ERCOT (for Electric Reliability Council of News were quick to blame the folks needed. In terms of destruction, Texas) was created, “to avoid and Democrats’ alternative energy sources Sadly, this is what happens according to insurance companies’ circumvent Federal guidelines and (wind, solar and water) and “the when national crises and emergencies estimates, the cost of this catastrophe regulations”. While the rest of the Democrats’ plans to eliminate fossil fuel are politicized by self-absorbed may exceed the $125 billion cost of country is powered by two (coal and oil) altogether,” which is politicians and proud states decide to Hurricane Harvey as the worst natural interdependent national grids, decades away if it ever comes to fruition. act independently at their own peril. The disaster in Texas history. It was a double interconnected to prevent major failures Texas, traditionally, is largely fossil-fuel people suffer. whammy for the beleaguered Texans, as in any one state, the Texas grid stands dependent and will be for a long time. About the Author: Gus Mercado the lone star state was still suffering from on its own, unable to be backed up by Abbott’s feeble attempts to is a 40-year resident of Texas and a the pandemic when the ice storm the national grids when needed. The blame clean energy sources for the well-known Fil-Am business and civic nightmare came. The crisis also delayed proud and myopic creators of ERCOT outages were contradicted by his own leader in Dallas, Texas. He founded the the distribution of the anti-COVID never imagined that their system would Energy department who said it was the popular Filipino Leaders Coalition of vaccines. fail. “How can the energy capital of the 180 gas-fueled, non-winterized power North Texas (FILCON). He is a recipient POLITICIANS ARE TO BLAME world fail?” bragged the state officials. generators that failed to handle the of the Presidential BANAAG award for While the unpredictable ice Well it did, and it failed miserably. blizzard. The wind turbine-powered outstanding community service. storm could not be prevented as the Some years ago when the sector of the grid is a tiny, almost Reactions to this article may be sent to reality of ‘Climate Change’ has turned Federal energy officials warned Texas to inconsequential contributor to the main [email protected]. the earth upside down raining ice, fires, winterize its electricity grid to prevent grid. And it is not true that renewable hurricanes and tornadoes in the most freezing up, Governor Greg Abbott and www.filipinostar.org March 2021 The North American Filipino Star 19 Quebec health minister makes Montreal’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, a photo op out of getting his other events postponed amid shot -- AstraZeneca, he notes coronavirus concerns

Members of the crowd cheer as they watch the annual St. Patrick's Day parade in Montreal, Sunday, March 19, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes By Alessia Simona Maratta & Kalina the local St. Patrick’s Day parades are Laframboise Global News also delayed until more information is Posted March 12, 2020 1:28 pm available. A slew of events in Quebec and Management at Place des Arts Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé receiving his first dose. Montreal have been cancelled or in Montreal also announced on Selena Ross vaccine himself and said it's important postponed until further notice following Thursday it will cancel all of its shows CTV News Montreal Digital Reporter to dispel unwarranted fears about its new directives from the provincial and other public activities until further (March 18, 2021) MONTREAL -- If safety. government to prevent the spread of notice.The move comes after the anyone needed extra encouragement He later posted a photo of novel coronavirus. government’s call to cancel indoor to get a COVID-19 vaccine -- and some himself, naming the vaccine, and said Montreal’s annual St. Patrick’s events of more than 250 people as part seem to -- Quebec's health minister he was feeling "great." Day parade will be postponed, of its expanded measures to tackle stepped up on Thursday, making his He tweeted in French: announced the United Irish Societies of COVID-19. own first dose into a photo op. C’est fait! Aujourd’hui j’ai reçu Montreal on Thursday. Montreal’s Chamber of Health Minister Christian Dube ma 1ère dose de vaccin contre la In a statement, the group said in Commerce has also decided to suspend said he wanted to get the shot in public #COVID19 au Palais des congrès de light of COVID-19 concerns, it feels it is events until further notice. At Palais des in order to set a good example, and, Montréal, il s’agit du Covishield par in the best interest of public health to congrès, a few dozen events that were to postpone the event that gathers large take place over the next few weeks are after a week full of headlines about the #AstraZeneca. Je me sens très bien et crowds. The 197th edition of the parade either delayed or cancelled. AstraZeneca vaccine, to show it's safe je remercie nos excellentes équipes was set to take place on Sunday, March in the most personal way. sur le terrain.# 22. With files from the Canadian Press Dubé got the AstraZeneca In Châteauguay and Hudson,

ww.filipinostar.org March 2021 The North American Filipino Star 20

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