Volume XXXIII No.7 July 2015 Montreal, QC Canada www.filipinostar.org FAMAS elects new president By W. G. Quiambao Tabamo, of the Malaya Team, hails served as a church warden of the and executive bfrom oPangaasinan. rHe dfinished BSEED Church of St. Malachy, served as (Bachelor of Science in Elementary director of PBBSQ and FAMAS. For her Education). Some of the titles he has community services, she was chosen held is as follows: founder and past as one of the recipients of the 50th president of the Alcalenians of FAMAS anniversary award. Her Montreal and Suburbs, former platforms include recognizing the president of the Pangasinan contributions of the past FAMAS Association of Quebec, FAMAS presidents and getting them involved director (4 times), parishioner of the in the community, encouraging them to Filipino Catholic Mission of Montreal, continue the important activities of the Knight Commander of the Order of past administration like the Pagsibol Knights of Rizal. He received a Plaque (youth program which received of Performance Award in 1997 from fundings from the City of Montreal FAMAS for chairing the Heritage started by Au Osdon’s administration, Program. Among his team’s platforms and developing programs for the are: To empower the general seniors. membership in their involvement in attaining the goals and objectives of The list of candidates is as follows: Cora Aberin Dante Tabamo FAMAS, to make the center more Malaya Team Position Samahang Makabayan Malaya Party welcoming to the Filipino community, Dante Tabamo President Au Osdon served as FAMAS largest associations in Montreal and to solicit funding from various Romeo Remegio Vice Pres. Int. president from 2009-2013 and Nida Suburbs, will hold the election of its government agencies. Reynaldo Balansi Vice-Pres. Ext. Quirapas held the same position from president and executive board on On the other hand, Aberin of Joseph Gonzales Secretary 2013 until next month. Will FAMAS August 9 at the Van Horne Park. the Samahang Makabayan, comes Lorenza Penular Treasurer have a woman president again or man The two candidates vying for from Bulacan. She worked at a house Angelina Taligan Auditor president? That’s the million dollar- presidency are currently serving as ware company while finishing her Sally Carillo Accountant question in the community now. FAMAS officers - Dante Tabamo, the studies at Vanier College. The list of See Page 4 FAMAS The Filipino Association of internal vice president and Cora her community services includes: : Has Montreal & Suburbs, the oldest and Aberin, the treasurer. “The show must go on,” say organizers of Philippine Independence Day celebrations Ladies for Rizal. After the parade, By W.G.Quiambo which wended its way along Victoria In show business, there’s an St. , right to Van Horne Ave., left to expression that says The show must Legare St., the participants proceeded go on. That’s what the officers of the back to Mackenzie King Park where Council of Canadian-Filipino they were introduced as they marched Associations of Quebec did on June in the Parade of Color. For the first 28. The Philippine Independence time, the Black Watch Bugle Corps and parade and program went on as Bag Pipes joined the Filipino festivities planned. The incessant rain which while the 3 Batam Canadian Artillery started as early as 8 a.m. didn’t fired a gun salute. The singers and dampen the spirit of the organizers and dancers and ethnic groups that participants in the festivities. They were included Philippines, Mexico, dancing and singing in the rain. Real Columbia, Ireland and Japan Philippine Ambassador Petronila Garcia being interviewed by MMTV hosts Tenne troupers. Some were wearing rain continued to perform to the delight of Rose Dayandante and Michael Davantes at the Mackenzie King Park, June 29, coats, using plastic bags and carrying the crowd. Each of the ethnic groups 2015. (Photo courtesy of Cristy Hunter) umbrellas to protect themselves showcased its beautiful, colorful against the rain, but many stayed in costumes and unique dances. The Lumibao, Mariel Dimayuga, Jennifer Petronila Garcia and her entourage, their tents to keep themselves dry. crowd went wild and asked for an Duka, Seniors in Motion, Kababaihang politicians that included Councillors Some of the participants that joined the encore when Maiara Galvez belted Rizalista, Knghts & Ladies for Rizal, Lionel Perez, Marvin Rotrand, parade and braved the rain were UPS, rock songs. Some of the following Doce Pares. Outremont MNA Helene David and Canadian People Helping People, performers who provided equally Among the prominent people Kababaihang Rizalista, Pangasinan superb numbers were: Mona Seguilon who joined the celebrations were See Page 4 Independence Day Association, CAFSQ, Knights and and her daughter, Jessica Reyes, Levy Philippines Ambassador to Canada www.filipinostar.org July 2015 2 The North American Filipino Star country who’d use force to nibble at One hell of a start our territory, the U.S. and the July 20, 2015 | Featured, Philippines signed a Visiting Forces Opinion, PerryScope Agreement (VFA). According to the Editorial Philippine Department of Foreign FAMAS elections, an opportunity to focus on PerryScope Affairs, the VFA states that US forces in the qualities of community leadership the Philippines have to follow By Perry Diaz Philippine law and have to adhere to Once again we will be electing her and get the best out of every behavior that is consistent with a new set of officers of Famas, the member of his or her team, without Subic-BayNo sooner had the Philippine law. The Senate ratified it on oldest and biggest organization of calling attention to himself or herself. Philippine military announced the May 27, 1999, which makes one Filipinos in Montreal, Quebec. He or she is ideally a person who has reopening of the Subic Bay base than wonder how the senators who voted to Campaigns of candidates among their most of these characteristics: honesty, the leftist politicians started screaming remove the U.S. bases in 1991 voted friends and neighbors are common transparency, charisma, ability to and denouncing the United States for this time around? But once again the during the limited time of about a organize, thoroughness, fairness, violating the country’s sovereignty. But nationalists went up in arms claiming month before August 9, 2015. It is loyalty, dependability, ability to listen, for a country who doesn’t have the that VFA violates the Philippine also a common practice to vote for the respect for the people, ability to means to defend her sovereignty, the constitution. people one knows, but if one has to communicate, and several others that politicians’ concerns –and fears — choose between two people who are many authors include in their seem to emanate from their myopic “But the nationalists backed off when both known, what determines the final dissertations on leadership. view that the U.S. is the enemy. But China took possession of Panatag choice is usually based on an With the growing importance what they forget to realize is that the Shoal (Scarborough Shoal) in August evaluation who can present a more of FAMAS, it is undoubtedly necessary Philippines – their beloved Inang 2012. China then roped off the narrow favorable platform, and who is to elect the right kind of people who Bayan — would have lost her and only opening to the shoal’s considered to be a better community will guide this organization throughout sovereignty long time ago if not for her lagoon; thus, preventing Filipino leader. a period of two years. Their It is probably a useful exercise backgrounds, experience, and at this time to review the qualities of education are easy to see but what is leadership, in particular, what will make difficult to know is their personal a community stronger by its type of motivation. Perhaps, the best we can leadership. do is to ask questions like those asked The following excerpt serves during job interviews: as a springboard of reflections on what 1) Why do you think you are is a true leader: the best candidate for the job? 2) What are your past As for the best leaders, the people do achievements that you are proud of? not notice their existence. 3) How do you approach The next best, the people honour and problems in general? praise. 4) What do you see as the The next, the people fear; biggest issue of the community? and the next, the people hate ... 5) Who do you consider a When the best leader's work is done the role model? people say, 6) If it is in your power to Miscief Bay Reef of the Chinese installation "We did it ourselves!" change something, what will it be? Lao-Tsu Answers to these questions alliance with Uncle Sam. may reveal a lot about the candidate’s fishermen from getting in.” As can be gleaned from this personality that will give an insight into And what they failed to remember is Artificial islands quote, the best leader is not the one his or her potential to be a good leader. that ever since the Philippine Senate who is hated and feared but the one rejected the renewal of the U.S. bases Chinese-construction-on-Chigua- who allows others to work with him or Zenaida F. Kharroubi agreement in 1991 and closed all the ReefAnd once again, the Philippines American bases the following year, the lost another piece of her territory, country was left with nothing to defend which begs the question: When will her sovereignty. It didn’t take long for China stop grabbing Philippine China to start nibbling at the territory? Not anytime soon. Right Philippines’ territory. now, China started reclaiming reefs in the Spratly archipelago and there’s Mischief-Reef-Chinese-facility.6In my not much the Philippines can do to Tel.: 514-485-7861 article, “What price sovereignty” 5320-A Queen Mary Road stop it.