Volume XXXIII No.3 March 2015 Montreal, QC Canada www.filipinostar.org First Filipino Star awards to honor Filipino-Canadian artists By Willie Quiambao Awards ceremony at the MMTV fund raising dinner dance party Carolyn Fe Cherylyn Toca Paul Baluyot “Maiara” (Maria Janice Galvez) The North American Filipino Star is recognize the Fil-Can artists who have `bits` and one liners which constitute up comics are expected to deliver a honouring Fil-Can artists in Montreal been recognized by the other what is typically known as monologue, steady stream of laughs. They are and suburbs who have demonstrated communities except ours. routine or act. He admitted that there always under pressure to deliver. If fine excellence in arts. are no formal schools for comedians they cannot make the audience laugh, Here is the list of honourees: to study. “It takes pure talent for they could be harassed or booed.” That’s why for the first time, the NAFS, someone to be a comedian, “ he said. He performs not only in colleges and a respected newspaper that has been Paul Baluyot — Baluyot is a stand up universities in Ontario and Ottawa but serving the Filipino community for comedian who recites a fast-paced Baluyot added that working as a also in comedy clubs in Montreal many years, is holding this event to succession of numerous stories called comedian is fun but not easy. “Stand See Page 4 First Star Awards Statement by the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Health, on an announcement of a support package for Canadian survivors of Thalidomide Ma rch 6, 2015 However, today we are announcing support that will help ensure that More than fifty years ago, Thalidomide survivors receive the care they need to was approved by Health Canada and live the rest of their lives with dignity. prescribed to treat morning sickness in expectant mothers. Tragically, I have just spoken with Mercedes Thalidomide caused serious and Benegbi, Executive Director of the permanent physical and emotional Thalidomide Victims Association of damage to mothers, children and Canada, to thank her for her tireless families. work on behalf of TVAC members and tell her about new assistance the On behalf of the Government of Government of Canada will be Canada, Iwould like to express heartfelt providing to Thalidomide survivors. sympathy and great regret for the decades of tremendous suffering and Today, our Government is taking a personal struggle that exposure to historic step and announcing a Thalidomide has inflicted on survivors package of financial assistance that will and their loved ones. help cover the urgent and ongoing healthcare needs of Thalidomide No regret or sympathy and no amount survivors. of financial support can ever undo what happened. Thalidome children wtih deformities in their arms and limbs. See Page 4 Thalidomide www.filipinostar.org March 2015 2 The North American Filipino Star Harper Government helping RecognizinEg tdhei ttoalerniat almong our internationally educated comMmany uonf itouyr icsom mlounnity gi ssouevs eanrd dprouvide ing them with timely health professionals work in associations have been giving service news locally and internationally.. awards to people who have done Both MMTV and the North Canada Federal funding for internationally something good to their fellow citizens, American Filipino Star are empowering Improving access to educated health professionals As far as we know, no association yet our community. Being in the media, we quality health services for reaffirms the Government of Canada's try to be fair, objective and truthful in our has given any recognition to talented Canadian families commitment to strengthening the reporting and broadcasting. We are Filipino-Canadians who have achieved March 13, 2015 healthcare system by working with motivated by our desire to create a a considerable degree of success in Toronto, ON provinces, territories and healthcare positive influence over our readers and their art. Health Canada professionals to improve access to The North American Filipino viewers. By doing our job to the best of our ability, we promote a positive image quality care for Canadians and their Star, having served the community for Today, the Honourable Rona Ambrose, of Filipinos in Canada. families. the past 33 years and considered to be Minister of Health and Member of MMTV’s Spring Dinner Dance credible and reliable, is taking the Parliament for Pickering-Scarborough, Party is going to be a very special one Quick Facts privilege of establishing the first Corneliu Chisu, announced almost for many reasons. First, it will be the first $8.4 million in federal funding for awards recognizing Filipino-Canadian time the North American Filipino Star Since 2006, Canada has welcomed several initiatives that support bringing artists. A committee composed of has initiated this type of award that has an annual average of more than internationally educated health MMTV (Mabuhay Montreal TV) crew not yet been done by any other group. 250,000 immigrants, the highest professionals into the Canadian health members, voted upon the nominated Second, it is going to be the night when sustained level of immigration in candidates for the awards. As we Filipinos in Montreal can demonstrate workforce so that Canadian families Canadian history. would like to make these first awards their support of their own television can have better access to quality The Government of Canada is special, we limited our selection to four show, and third, it will be an opportunity healthcare services. providing $8.2 million under Health this year. to know your local artists and start Canada's Internationally Educated Our first awardees are all enjoying their works. Across Canada, access to health Health Professionals Initiative to the outstanding in their field. We are very We salute our awardees - professionals continues to be a Government of Ontario for three proud to have this opportunity to show Carolyn Fe, Cherylyn Toca, Maria Janice challenge. Approximately 4.6 million initiatives supporting internationally how we appreciate them. moreover, we Galvez who is now known as “MIARA” of Canadians are without a regular family educated health professionals and want to further their career by letting our the famous show “La Voix” on TVA and doctor. At the same time, there are their potential employers. This project fellow citizens know more about them. Paul Baluyot who is known as a stand around 10,000 newcomers to Canada will be implemented in partnership by We are holding the awards up comedian. Congratulations for your that are health related professionals. HealthForceOntario and the University ceremony during the Spring Dinner fine work in the entertainment field. Many of these individuals face of Toronto. Dance Party of Mabuhay Montreal TV. It We hope that by honoring our obstacles in finding jobs that best Funding of $150,000 has also been is an occasion that will raise awareness Filipino Canadian artists they will match their skills and experience. provided to the Medical Council of about two things - appreciating the continue to be successful and be better Canada for a project to help prepare talents of our fellow citizens and known for their talent. This support will help prepare doctors supporting the only Filipino-Canadian We are looking forward to international medical graduates as and other health professionals for the they move into the health workforce. made television show in Quebec. enjoying this awards night with as many Canadian workforce. These initiatives Moreover, we are also highlighting the people as possible, hoping that you will Since 2005/06, the Government of complement the Government of Canada has invested approximately role that the North American Filipino Star all come to give us your support. Canada's wider support for improving has been fulfilling for many years. Like $18 million a year in the foreign credential recognition. the television show, it provides a Zenaida Ferry Kharroubi Internationally Educated Health valuable service of informing and educating the public about important The Cummings Centre, a provider of services to the 50+ community, is now hiring 5320-A Queen Mary Road Tel.: 514-485-7861 Montreal, Quebec H3X 1T7 E-Mail: [email protected] Published by: Filcan Publications, Inc. • Personal care, bathing, dressing, transfers Zenaida Ferry Kharroubi • Shopping, meal preparation, accompaniment Chief Editor & Publisher • Respite for family caregivers Sam Kevin Al Abdon • Minimum high school education Fely Rosales Carino News & Layout Editor W.G. Quiambao Community News • Homecare certificate or equivalent Michael Davantes • Work experience with seniors Columnists Bert Abiera • English and French, other languages an asset Founder The opinions expressed by the writers and columnists do not necessarily reflect that Interested candidates should submit resumé to Human Resources Department of the management of the North American Filipino Star nor its editors. E-mail: [email protected] Only candidates to be interviewed will be contacted. Dr. G. Santander DDS. is happy to announce her association with Dr. John Calder BSc. DDS. She has relocated her patient files to the new location at 4685 Avenue Van Horne, Montreal, Quebec, H3W 1H8. Phone numbers remain the same - 514-484-3110 or 514-737-1612. Vangie is here to serve you! [email protected] Dr, Gene Santander, DDS www.filipinostar.org Dr. John Calder, BSc., DDS March 2015 The North American Filipino Star 3 Prof essionals initiative (IEHPI) to preclearance activities, regardless of “After years of hard work and assist the integration of international Rona Ambrose the mode of transportation, making it negotiations, today we have one of the health professionals into the Minister of Health easier to implement and govern most significant, visible, and Canadian workforce. Associated Links preclearance activities in both anticipated products of the Beyond countries. the Border initiative – a major Quotes Contacts In the Beyond the Border Action achievement that will produce Plan, in addition to negotiating a significant benefits for the United "Our Government recognizes the Michael Bolkenius comprehensive approach to States and Canada.