Volume No. XXII No. 12 December 2004 Denuded forests cause disastrous floods Philippines seeks international assistance to help victims There have always been storms and typhoons that always hit the Philippines during this time but not as destructive as the four storms that lasted for over two weeks. Experts in both government and non-governmental organizations acknowldged the cause of these dis- atrous floods to be due to decades of rampant illegal logging that denuded the mountains thus Map showing the worst hit areas. exposing the farms and villages to erosions and mud slides which mud slides and floods have been happened during these past few estimated to be several million dol- weeks. President Gloria Arroyo lars. After assessing the needs of issued an order Saturday, Decem- the population, a UN country team ber 11, 2004 to suspend all logging and the Philippine government and said that illegal loggers would launched a 6.4 million dollar (4.8 be prosecuted in the same manner million euro) “flash appeal” in as terrorists, kidnappers and drug Manila, the World Health Organisa- traffickers. She also urged Con- See Page 4 Storms gress to stiffen penalties for illegal loggers and their cohorts. Residents are trapped in a river swollen with floodwaters carrying debris of mud, The damages caused by the rocks and fallen trees in Dingalan, 23 November 2004. Former presidential candidate movie actor dies MANILA, Philippines – Action He later slipped into a coma, his and politicians from all walks of life film star and presidential candidate condition worsened, and he died rushed to the lobby of the hospital Fernando Poe Jr., who refused to after midnight, according to his as the news of his death spread. concede May's election, died on doctor, Abdias Aquino. Joseph Estrada, a former movie December 14, 2004 after suffering a Poe's wife, actress Susan Roces, star who was ousted as the coun- stroke. He was 65. issued a statement thanking Fil- try's president by street protests in Poe died at St. Luke's Hospital, ipinos for praying for her husband. 2001, was allowed out of detention where he was taken late Saturday "We are indebted to your being with by the anti-graft court to visit his after complaining of dizziness while him in the face of the challenges," close friend in the hospital for about dining and drinking with friends. she said. Poe's fellow actors, actresses See Page 17 FPJ dies Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon Happy Holidays Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année Now open Page 2 The North American Filipino Star December 2004 4770 Kent Ave. 4770, ave. Kent Suite 316 Bureau 316 Montreal, QC Montréal (Qué.) H3W 1H2 H3W 1H2 Published monthly by FILCAN PUBLICATIONS, INC. Tel.: 514-283-0171 Tél.: 514-283-0171 4950 Queen Mary Road Penthouse, Fax: 514-283-2407 Montreal, QC H3W 1X3 Tel.: 514-485-7861 E-Mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Zenaida Ferry-Kharroubi Publisher & Chief Editor Hon. Irwin Cotler, P.C. / C.P., O.C., M.P. / député Michael Davantes Lourdes Fabia Mount Royal / Mont-Royal Contributing Editor Entertainment News Editor Dr. Victor Gavino Nida Butaran Virgie Ladiao Esther Stansfield Sales Manager Sales Director May this Christmas and New Year bring Columnists Bert Abiera Peace and Blessings to all. Founder Meilleurs voeux de bonheur et de paix Opinions, comments of writers and columnists do not necessarily reflect that of the management of Filcan Publications, Inc. à l’occasion de Noël et du nouvel an. Editorial through the Red Cross. Any amount will help if everyone gives Let the true Christmas whatever he or she can afford. Rizal plaque unveiled in Hong Kong What are other ways of spirit prevail upon us showing true Christmas spirit? ROSES AND THORNS By Alejan- gamecock under a coconut tree. By dro R. Roces The Philippine Star the time Rizal arrived, the man was Many events here and December 30, 2004 is the 108th dead. This is the way Rizal recorded around the world are undoutedly anniversary of Jose Rizal’s execu- the event in his diary. A coconut fell making us realize how lucky we tion and in Hong Kong his death on the head of a cockfighter. He are to be living in a peaceful coun- anniversary will be commemorated died instantly. This means that if try like Canada. In spite of the with its Antiquities Advisory Board Isaac Newton had been a Filipino, weather, we are able to enjoy the placing a commemorative plaque on the law of gravity would not have holiday season. the place where Rizal resided in been discovered. Being so blessed with many Hong Kong. The place where he In his biography of Rizal entitled, comforts of life, we should feel stayed was known as Rednaxela The First Filipino, author Leon guilty enough to think of sharing Terrace. (Rednaxela is Alexander Maria Guerrero noted that Rizal our good fortune wih others who spelled backwards.) Rizal lived there was the first person to call the are not only homeless but also in with his family from December 1891 natives of his country Filipino. great danger of dying from diseases to June 1892. This is the second Before that we were referred to as due to the unsanitary conditions plaque for Rizal in Hong Kong. indios. Indios originally referred to in their environment. This applies Years ago, they installed a similar the natives of India, later it was particularly to flood victims in plaque at the site of the clinic where applied to the native tribes of Amer- the Philippines as well as to the Rizal practiced as an ophthalmolo- ica and in time it became the Span- tsunami-devastated people of seven gist. ish name for all indigenous people. countries in Southeast Asia. And We have to commend Hong Kong Spaniards born in Spain called to think of these castrophic events for marking the places where our themselves peninsulares while happening during the holiday sea- national hero stayed while in Hong those born in the Philippines were son makes it even more difficult to Kong. They seem to be conscious of classified as insulares. Contact with imagine the magnitude of human our national hero and our history. Spain had to be through the galleon suffering. They have even placed a marker trade. That meant the galleon trade The international commu- where the very first Filipino flag was which meant Manila to Mexico and nity seems to have responded sewn. This was the flag that General then Spain. Not till the Suez Canal quite generously to the call for Emilio Aguinaldo displayed when he opened did Filipinos have direct assistanc. But the need is so huge declared Philippine independence contact with Spain. Now the world that it is not possible to put any on June 12, 1898. Aguinaldo also is a global village. International limit to how much we should give. lived in exile in Hong Kong. travel is done by plane. There have been local Because it was December 30, We still find it difficult to accept initiatives by organizations and 1896 that Rizal was executed by that Rizal was tried, sentenced and individuals to help out. The cam- Spanish musketry in Bagumbayan, executed at Christmas time. On paign for cash donations is on-gro- now known as the Luneta, other December 24, 1896, the Spanish ing. We encourage everyone to give historical events pertaining to Rizal Military Governor of Manila through the local associations orn were done on that day. Two classic appointed the members of the Court examples are: his remains were Martial that would try him. Two SUBSCRIPTION moved to the cornerstone of the days later, he was sentenced to monument erected in his honor death. We can only conclude that his trial took place right on Christ- Name ________________________________________________________________ near the spot where he was exe- cuted in 1912. And on December mas day. And he was executed on December 30. Address:_____________________________________________________________ 30, 1913, that monument was unveiled. The blood of the martyrs – Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jacinto Telephone: Residence_____________________ Office: ___________________ Rizal had a sense of humor when he was living in exile in Dapi- Zamora, Jose Burgos and Jose Rizal – were the seeds that made us a Enclose a cheque or money order for: tan; he was in close touch with the people exercising his medical pro- nation. 2 years or 24 issues $40 1 year or 12 issues - $25 fession. One day he was called because a coconut fell on a cock- fighter who who was fighting his December 2004 The North American Filipino Star Page 3 GMA leads Christmas gift-giving for daily meal allowance worth P10 There will also be milk, clothes, coursed through their respective candies and toys for children. young scholars, poor children in Palace school’s feeding program. Social Welfare Secretary "Along with our partners, we Corazon Soliman yesterday said Social Welfare and Development (12/21/2004) President Gloria effectively support your govern- the government would distribute (DSWD) shelter homes and the sons Macapagal-Arroyo today led the ment’s social development agenda about P120 million worth of relief and daughters of jeepney drivers. giving of Christmas gifts to more through basic education. We see goods before Christmas Day. The President also witnessed than 2,000 young scholars from our role as your partner in fighting "There is still Christmas," the signing of a memorandum of Metro Manila and 1,000 children poverty by planting the seeds of Soliman told reporters at Camp agreement (MOA) between the from shelter homes during the Pro- hope in our children," Alcantara Aguinaldo, the military’s general Petron Foundation and Ronald ject Joy celebration at the Mala- said.