Volume XXVI No. 11 November 2008 www.filipinostar.org Survey report reveals plight of Filipino caregivers, need for reforms Montreal, November 20, 2008 CTV news aired the release of a study about the plight of Filipino caregivers which brought to the attention of the public what the Live-in Caregiver Program is all about and how it has affected the lives of migrant workers who are mostly women. The study was undertaken through the collaborative efforts of PINAY members and the students and researchers of McGill University’s School of Social Work and the assistance of specialists from UQAM. PINAY, an organization of Filipino women in Quebec, founded in 1991, has been playing a key role in the struggle to protect the rights and welfare of migrants and immigrants, especially Filipina domestic workers and their families living and working in Quebec. During a seminar held at 6767 Cote des Neiges, a dramatization of the difficult working conditions of live-in caregivers, was an eye opener to what has long been hidden in the privacy of homes where they work. It Some members and officers of PINAY pose for souvenir after the seminar held on Sunday, November 9, 2008 at Centre See Page 4 - Filipino caregivers Resources Communutaire, 6767 Cote des Neiges, in Montreal. CTV aired the video of this seminar only on Nov. 20, 2008. No clear winner in leaders debate Laguna Province TOURISM |PAGE 10 Contents Cooperative News . .p. 3 Tourism . p. 6-7 Community News . p. 8 Global Perspectives . p. 10 Premier Jean Charest PQ Leader Pauline Marois ADQ Leader Mario Dumont Philippine Cuisine . p. 11 Liberal Leader Jean Charest hour televised election debate by "The question you must ask appealing to Quebecers to trust him yourselves on Dec. 8 is who you can Filstar Photo Gallery . p. 12 fended off his opponents who hammered away at his government's during these turbulent economic trust to handle our economy." times. Charest, who called a snap Showbiz Gossip . p. 18 health care and financial record in office in what turned out to be a feisty "The issue of this election campaign is election this fall with the hopes of the economy," the Liberal leader stated Home-Based Business . p. 14 election debate Tuesday night. See Page 9 Leaders debate Charest launched the two- plainly during his opening remarks. Be a Certified International Trade Professional (C.I.T.P.) Enroll in the Internatinal Trade Program Register by appointment at Gilmore International College First of 8 modules - Global Entrepreneurship Call 514-485-7861 to be given by Prof. Isaac Goodine International Educator & Author “Leaders Leading Leaders” www.filipinostar.org 2 The North American Filipino Star November 2008 Marché Coop Filipino The Filipino Solidarity Cooperative EDITORIAL 4711 Van Horne Avenue Montreal, QC H3W 1H8 Let the inspiration for change be the Tel.: 514-733-8915 model for world leaders E-Mail: [email protected] It was indeed a moving making an eloquent speech. Come and visit us for our experience - a historical The gist of his message is IN STORE SPECIALS significance of untold memorable - in our diversity we proportions. For the first time, are one, and that he is the Gift baskets, gift certificates the president of the most president of all, regardless of available for all occasions. powerful nation in the world is creed, race, religion, and an African-American, born and political affiliation. That speech raised in a mixed culture, won again the hearts and minds Barrack Hussein Obama. of people listening and Perhaps, his rich cultural legacy watching him. prepared him for this role but Amidst the financial and until it happened, no one has economic crisis the world is ever predicted that it is possible facing, people are counting on to elect the first black president Obama to make the proper of the United States of America.. decisions. They are looking up What does this all mean? to his leadership. Perhaps, we Experts have a lot to say but no will not be disappointed. So far, one can say yet how this will his appointments of key people translate to real changes, to form his cabinet have been however, one thing is certain - logical and conciliatory. He is Obama inspired the youth to reaching out to everyone, even believe in his slogan “Change to his former opponents. He we can believe in,” and they has shown the true spirit of went out and voted in large goodwill and leadership by numbers. deciding to work with those who We are looking for a criticized him. He knows that leader like him - powerful, the only way to face the world’s charismatic, intelligent, a man problems and find solutions is who seems to have brought the to work together. He is using world together and transform ed his great intellect to choose his people to think that there is economic team first for he hope to make things better. Will knows that the economy is the he really meet all our basic foundation of people’s expectations? Are we on the survival. He seems able to put way to finding that elusive holy politics aside, choosing the best grail of peace and harmony? brains from wherever they are, From all that has been mixing the new order with the happening, it would seem that old. When he was criticized Barrack Obama, besides that he has not fulfilled his capturing the imagination of the promise of change - he pointed American people and the rest of out that “he is the agent of the world, is on the right track. change.” We sell fresh vegetables weekly. Hence, everyone is waiting with If our community leaders Order lechon for Saturday pick up but we need at least eagerness his inauguration on will take his example, and be a minimum order of 15 lbs by Thursday. January 20, 2009 as the 44th our own agents of change, we president of the United States of may eventually see the day Call us at 514-733-8915 to place your orders. America. when we have learned how to Beginning with his victory work together so that we can speech, Barrack Obama look forward to a brighter future. demonstrated his unique gift of Zenaida Kharroubi The North American Filipino Star SUBSCRIPTION 4950 Queen Mary Road Penthouse Tel.: 514-485-7861 (5th Floor) near Snowdon Metro E-Mail: [email protected] Montreal, QC H3W 1X3 Name ____________________________________________________ Zenaida Ferry Kharroubi Hilda T. Veloso Jean Janete Aguilar Chief Editor & Publisher Address: _________________________________________________ Jerry Estrada Community News Sam Ferry Mary Joy Lizarondo __________________________________________________________ Lina V. Fernandez Dr. Victor Gavino Assistant Editor Sports News Telephone: Residence: _____________ Office: ______________ News & Tourism Prof. Isaac Goodine Nida Verginom Butaran Subscribers can give a gift subscription at 1 year (12 issues) $20 Alvin D. Veloso Bert Abiera Sales Representative 10% discount. Contributors Founder Please use the same form and indicate it 2 years (24 issues) $35 is a gift subscription. Opinions, comments of writers and columnists do not necessarily reflect that of the management of Filcan Publications, Inc. www.filipinostar.org November 2008 The North American Filipino Star 3 0396-06 Araneta, Helen 0505-06 Juno, Joan 0395-06 Araneta, Peter 0001-05 Kalaw, Carmen COOPERATIVE NEWS 0333-06 Arevalo, Armando 0222-05 Kemp, Marlyn 0332-06 Arevalo, Michael 0071-05 Kharroubi, Zenaida It’s almost Christmas - we need all 0331-06 Arevalo, Milagros _______ Khourry, Shinette 0501-06 Arguilles, Herminia 0456-06 Labagnao, Jerome members to make it better 0495-06 Ariola, Arlene 0452-06 Lanada, Merien 0369-06 Arlegui, Carlito 0206-05 Lasin, Aleta May 2008 when her contract expired. It’s a continuous struggle to _______ Asuncion, Milagros 0350-06 Lasin, Audifacia Our new cashier started spread the word that the Filipino 0054-05 Austria, Lerma _______ Laya, Victorina working with us last May 15, 2008 and Solidarity Cooperative membership 0476-06 Autentico, Delia 0200-05 Liganor, Transfiguracion she has been doing a terrific job. should be more active in patronizing 0371-06 Autentico, Maximo 0427-06 Lim, Elma Rosa Basilan has been doing their own cooperative store. It will be _______ Bade, Benjamin 0426-06 Lim, Jim everything possible to help out. She interesting to know exactly how many 0568-06 Balibol, Maryvic 0473-06 Lo, Anita volunteers to accompany me in going members really shop every week, 0028-05 Banawa, Teodora 0474-06 Loaquiao, Nicolas shopping early in the morning every however, we know that we are far from 0016-05 Baptista, Marilou 0226-05 Loria, helen week. In her desire to increase our the ideal goal of having 90% of the 0215-05 Bautista, Rodolfo 0090-05 Lorica, Domingo sales, she has been reported to be membership buy their groceries 0517-06 Bertulfo, Lota _______ Loyola, Alicia Bustamante persistent in coaxing customers to weekly from the Coop. In fact, we will 0521-06 Biano, Sonia 0183-05 Lumingao, Elizabeth buy other things besides the ones be happy to see even 20% of 0221-05 Birao, Marlene _______ Magallanes, Patria Lourdes they want. Someone was overheard to members buy $10 weekly. 0364-06 Brillantes, Irene 0483-06 Mahar, Derek be complaining to her friend: By way of updating our 0009-05 Bulaon, Renato 0285-05 Malumbres, Adelina (Napakakulit naman yung nasa membership list, we are printing all the 0273-05 Cabantugan, Marcelino 0484-06 Mananquil, Roselle Coop.) We want you to know that we names of our members under two 0139-05 Caisip, Rosita 0313-05 Mangubat, Felina are listening to your feedback. We categories - fully paid and partially 0008-05 Camat, Judith 0250-05 Mangubat, Virgilio have therefore asked Rosa to be less paid.