Vol. XXX, No. 5 May 2012 http://www.filipinostar.org FAMAS’ 2012 Miss Philippines Montreal - Ambassador of Goodwill pageant a success Dimayuga bags FAMAS Miss Philippines- Montreal Ambassador of Goodwill 2012 title By W. G. Quiambao and Z. F. Kharroubi May 5, 2012, Montreal – Mariel Uruttia Dimayuga, a 19-year old dental coordinator and an aspiring singer from the West Island, was crowned the new FAMAS Miss Philippines-Montreal Ambassador of Goodwill 2012 during a pageant held at Ecole St. Luc’s auditiorium “La Decouverte” in Montreal. "This is a whole new experience to me,” said Dimayuga, who was beaming with joy. The first runner up was 22-year old Sharonrose Deshmukh, a third year student at the Richard Ivey School of Business (University of Western Ontario). Other candidates were: Melanie Cardinal, first year student in athletic therapy at Concordia University, Marjorie Miranda who studied nursing at St. Augustine Photo shows the judges posing wiith the new Miss Philippines Montreal - Ambassador of Goodwill 2012, Mariel Urrutia School of Nursing in the Philippines Dimayuga (5th from the left) and the first runner up, Sharonrose Deshmukh (7th from left). The other candidates are: Jilliene and currently working in a nursing Araja (in white), Melanie Cardinal (in light purple), and Marjorie Miranda (in black gown). Photo taken after the crowning See Page 4 - Miss Philippines ceremony. (Photo: ZFK). Obama wants Fil-Am lawyer to be federal judge LOS ANGELES (April 26, “It’s long overdue,” said 2012) —US President Barack Obama lawyer Arnedo Valera, executive on Wednesday nominated Filipino- director of the Migrant Heritage American trial attorney Lorna Commission based in Washington, Schofield to serve as a federal district DC. “It’s good for America to have court judge for the Southern District of diverse perspectives, whether it’s New York. national origin, gender or ideology.” If confirmed by the United Schofield, 56, is the daughter States Senate, Schofield would of a Filipino woman who immigrated become the first Filipino-American to the United States during the post- ‘Corona leaving fate to God’, see page 3 federal judge. World War II reconstruction of the Fil-Am groups lauded Philippines. Schofield’s nomination, saying it was a big win for diversity. “Given that Scholar at NYU Asian-Americans are significantly She grew up in a blue-collar underrepresented in the federal community in the US Midwest where judiciary, Ms Schofield’s addition will she earned a full scholarship for her greatly enhance the judiciary’s undergraduate education at Indiana diversity,” said Ed Navarra, national University. She double-majored in chair of the National Federation of German and English, graduating Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA). See Page 5 Fil-Am Lawyer “Lone Ranger” eyes Olympic gold. see p. 23 •Life and Disability Insurance • RESP (Education Savings Plan) Shana Zhao • Health Insurance (Acupuncture, Massage...), Save Money as little as Insurance Broker • Travel Insurance (Super Visa) $10/month for your kids, it will Office: 514-932-3003 ex: 231 • High Interest Savings Account (1.75%-2.25%) change their future. Cell: 514-993-0269 Federal Grants: 20% ~40% Fax: 514-932-8998 Products provided by: RBC, BMO, Desjardins, E-mail: [email protected] Quebec Grants: 10%~20% SSQ, Canada Life, Blue Cross, Sun Life, Investment return: 5% Industrial Alliance, Manulife, Standard Life, La Address: 4115, rue Sherbrooke O Suite 200 Capital, Empire Life, Transamerica, • FREE: Apply Maternity and Parental Westmount, QC H3Z 1K9 Foresters…etc. Benefits www.filipinostar.org 2 The North American Filipino Star May 2012 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Editorial 23 May 2012 likely been felt yet. The government and An excellent example of what Disappointed At DND’s Canadians have sent these men and Cuts to Operational women to deploy and serve in these young people can do Health Research missions abroad and therefore have a moral obligation to ensure they are The 2012 PMAG pageant goodwill or promote ideals from one At the same time that DND has properly cared for once they return. organized by FAMAS recently is an entity to another, or to a population. A admitted that the numbers of suicide The announced cuts give the example of what young people can do. goodwill ambassador may be an incidents in the Canadian Forces have government a failing grade. Without In fact, all the five young women who individual from one country who risen, how is it possible that the operational research in this area, participated are certainly all winners, resides in or travels to another country, department is eliminating the jobs of Canada will be forced to resort to even though only one was given the in a diplomatic mission (or medical professionals involved in reactive treatment while abandoning title as tradition dictates in any contest. international friendship mission) at a suicide prevention and monitoring of the proactive education and They showed their individual talents, peer to peer level; that is: country to post-traumatic stress disorders? They prevention of mental illness to our unique beauty, and brains. It made us country, state to state, city to city; or, are actually reducing the number of troops. feel that indeed the youth is the hope as an intermediary representing the epidemiologists and researchers who It is unacceptable that these of our country. What they gave us was people at the other extreme of an analyze mental health issues. cuts been made on the backs of our a wonderful evening of pure pleasure. organization. This government has most vulnerable and mentally ill There was never a dull moment. It was Goodwill Ambassadors have previously asserted that dealing with soldiers, sailors, airmen and not too long nor too short and every been an official (or unofficial) part of such health issues is a priority. How airwomen. There is no better way to minute counted. The success of the governments and cultures for as long can the government announce on the demonstrate their commitment to show certainly showed that there was as diplomacy has existed; to exchange one hand that it appreciates the support the men and women who a good team that worked together. gifts and presents; humanitarian relief; sacrifices made by our veterans and serve their country than by not making Another aspect of this pageant or development aid, using well known then turn around and cut the services these cuts. that is worth mentioning is the use of celebrities, scientists, authors, known and research efforts needed to treat the title “Ambassador of Goodwill” activists, and other high society those same men and women, at a time Patricia (Pat) Varga is the Dominion which reminds us of the great potential figures. Goodwill missions of countries when they need it most? President of The Royal Canadian of mobilizing the idea of promoting are usually carried out or overseen by The Legion is extremely Legion. peace and harmony in our community. the head of state, and do not concerned with this move, especially Whoever thought of changing the title necessarily involve diplomatic with the increase of suicide incidents in For more information call Bob Butt at of the annual beauty pageant from credentials outside of a letter of the Canadian Forces. The full extent of 613-591-3335 Extension 241 from 8 “Miss Philippines Montreal” to “Miss presentation (or letter of credence). the cases of mental illness, arising a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. Philippines Montreal Ambassador of However some states do issue from the heavy operational tempo in [email protected] Goodwill” must be thinking that there credentials that include diplomatic the Balkans and Afghanistan, has not is a need for this title to remind us immunity for their goodwill ambassadors such as Haiti. OPINION A few days after my about the importance of having an conversation with Arellano, it dawned attitude that promotes unity instead of Many governmental, multilateral, nongovernmental, and For a moment, as a on me that the pageant would be held conflict and controversies. The new in a school auditorium. It wouldn't be title was used in 2010 and was held by nonprofit organizations utilize goodwill member of the press, I`m ambassadors to promote their at Hellenic Community Centre or Andrea Neufeld. She exemplified in a depressed Holiday Inn. Since the pageant would certain way the role of goodwill programs and reach out to others with W. G. Quiambao be held in the auditorium where no ambassador when she was sent by programs that are based on good relations that are usually secular and No, it`s not the full moon or a food would be served, I asked a FAMAS to go to conferences and other member of the organizing committee apolitical. Among the organizations fantasy to be a "drama king" for a day events. Now that she has passed the if the press had to pay.too. The answer that use goodwill ambassadors to that triggered my `mood swing.`` title to the new Miss Philippines was a firm , "Yes. It's a fundraising." deliver agendas include Sister Cities, It was simply the experience I Ambassador of Goodwill, Mariel Well, that was still ok with me. the United Nations, organizations of encountered during the FAMAS Miss Urrutia Dimayuga, it is hoped that she No problem. For the sake of the the United Nations, the African Union, Philippines-Montreal Ambassador of will carry on with the mission of community and "pakikisama" (going Muscular Dystrophy Association, Goodwill 2012 pageant last May 5 in promoting peace in the community. along with others), I reserved a ticket. Rotary International, and many others Cote St. Luc. It is common knowledge that A week before the pageant, I including the government of the United When Rose Marie Arellano, many other organizations use the title personally went to the center to pick States of America as seen in 2009 chairperson of PMAG 2012, told me to of “Ambassador of Goodwill.” The up my ticket and pay.