Volume XXXIV No. 4 April 2016 Montreal, QC Canada www.filipinostar.org By W. G. Quiambao Cardinal Tagle visits MonCartdinarl Lueis Anatonio l Tagle, who prefers to be called “Chito” than by his clerical name, visited Montreal this month. He has been the 32nd archbishop of Manila since Dec. 12, 2011 and a cardinal since Nov. 24, 2012. He is also the president of Caritas Internationales, a federation of Catholic relief, development and special service organization operating in over 200 countries. When he was elected president of Caritas Internationales in Rome, he became the first president of the organization from Asia. Described as the “Asian Francis”, fifty-eight years old Cardinal Tagle is known for his work not only in the disaster-prone Philippines but also in Nepal which was devastated by a magnitude of 7.8 earthquake. He has visited Syrian refugees and migrant workers in Lebanon and urged international community and politicians to set aside greed and self- interest “to solve Syrian’s conflicts for the sake of its people who are After the Eucharistic Mass, Cardinal Tagle mingled with the crowd who were eager to shake hands with him. (Photo: Al Abdon) See Page 4 - Cardinal Tagle visits Philippines participates in SIAL, From Manila to AMonptréalr, Pihillippi1ne 3Phi-lip1pine5s in,Otta2wa, 0Can1ada. 6 food and beverage products make their debut at the 2016 Le Salon As a city having the largest number of International de l'Alimentation (SIAL) restaurants per capita in North Montréal at the Palais des congrès de America, and having a dynamic and Montréal in Montreal, Quebec, Canada diverse culinary scene, Montréal running from 13 to 15 April 2016. provides a fitting backdrop for Philippine exhibitors welcoming The Department of Agriculture, through visitors to the Philippine booths. The its Agribusiness and Marketing Philippine exhibit showcases quality Assistance Service (AMAS) is and value to discriminating buyers and spearheading a delegation comprising guests in a bid to seal sales and supply food and beverage producers in the agreements and promote Philippine Philippines who will be exhibiting their cuisine and Filipino delicacies. diverse food products lines at the Palais des congrès de Montréal. The The Philippine companies taking part delegation is also accompanied by Dr. in the Conference and Exhibit are: Josyline Javelosa, Philippine AMARICH MARKETING International Agriculture officer based in (Monk’s Blend Coffee, Skinny Organic Washington DC, Mr. John Paul Iñigo, Island Gem All Natural Jam/Spread); Philippine Trade and Investment GreenLife Coconut Products Representative based at the Philippine Philippines Inc. (Organic Coconut Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Products such as Extra Virgin Coconut New York City, and coming in with the Oil and Coconut Butter); Ilocos Food support of Ambassador Petronila P. Products (Chichacorn, Sweet Potato Garcia and the Embassy of the Chips, Banana Chips, Sugarcane See page 4 - Cardinal Tagle See Page 4 - Philippines in SIAL Amarich Marketing International general Manager, Amabel Caparas Frias (left) poses with Zenaida Kharroubi, MMTV Global Executive Producer, who interviewed the Philippine delegates. April 2016 2 The North American Filipino Star registered the highest number of battle to gain voting rights for those voters with 9,167 as of 2:30 p.m., who cannot go back to the Philippines Monday, April 11, followed by the to vote. There have been four elections Middle East and Africa with 7,159, since then, and we still have to show OPINION ED. Europe with 1,927 and the Americas that it was worth the struggle and the with 107. The 107 from the Americas, expense on the part of the government OLN eDIStTA’NsT S HhOReE ed theo vecrseas vlotle rs twould avctuoally tcae st which include the US, Canada and the to give us back the right to help By Val G. Abelgas their votes, which is certainly more rest of the continent, is certainly determine the destiny of our beloved Last Thursday, I performed than enough to make a difference in disappointing but it is hoped that the country. my duty as a dual Filipino citizen by deciding who would be the next batch number would geometrically increase As Filipinos who have seen how voting as an overseas voter in the of national leaders who will lead our as the voting deadline nears and as the democracy works in their adopted Philippine Consulate General in Los country through the next six years. mailed ballots start coming in. countries, especially in the US and Angeles. I had planned to wait for my With political pundits During a briefing at the other developed nations, and have a absentee ballot in the mail, but I predicting the closest presidential and consulate in Los Angeles , Consul more objective view of what is decided to see first hand how the new vice presidential races ever, the 1.3 General Herrera-Lim said the absentee happening and what is good for the automated election system worked. million overseas votes – not counting It was so easy and so efficient the number of votes overseas Filipinos that it took just a few minutes to pick can influence – could spell the the candidates for president, vice difference between victory and defeat president and 12 senators plus one for these national candidates. Even party-list, have the ballot scanned by a from afar, overseas Filipinos can be a machine, verify the votes from a major factor in the course that the printed voter receipt, and put back the country will pursue in the next six receipt in a designated box. It seemed years. easier than the voting in US elections, In the 1992 presidential where I have been casting my vote elections, for example, Fidel Ramos since the 2008 presidential elections won by only 874,348 votes over as an American citizen. Miriam Defensor Santiago in a seven- If you live within driving way fight among major candidates. In distance to the Philippine embassy or 2004, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo won a consulate, I suggest you don’t vote by 1.12 million votes over Fernando by mail but in person so that you Poe Jr. in a fraud-marred election would understand the process better highlighted by the “Hello Garci” and personally feel the joy of being scandal. Arroyo’s running mate for Filipinos cast their vote for the national elections at the Philippine consulate in able to have a voice in charting the vice president, Noli de Castro, bested Dubai on April 9, 2016. (Image Credit: Zarina Fernandez/Gulf News future of our beloved homeland. Loren Legarda by only 881,744 votes. I have to congratulate the staff In the 2010 elections, although ballots would be mailed to out-of-state homeland, it is hoped we could of the Philippine Consulate General in Benigno Aquino III beat Joseph voters in the very first week of April and provide the more intelligent votes for Los Angeles, headed by Consul Estrada by 5.7 million votes, Estrada’s to those in Southern California in the this election. We can protest the General Leo Herrera-Lim, consul Mary running mate Jejomar Binay won over second or third week of the month. corruption and impotency of the Joy Ramirez, the Comelec-designated Manuel Roxas III by only 727,084 Thirty out of the 85 foreign national government back home but if election officer, and Cultural Officer votes. service posts will implement the we remain indifferent and stay away Wilma Bautista for their efforts to But if the two previous automated election system, which from actual participation in the inform the community about the new elections were to be the gauge, the covers about 1.12 million voters. These country’s elections, all these would not automated process, to encourage 80-percent turnout goal would seem posts are those in Abu Dhabi and matter. registered Filipino voters to go out not only lofty, but would be closer to Dubai in the UAE; Beirut, Lebanon; ([email protected]) and vote, and to make the voting the realm of the impossible dream. In Doha, Qatar; Jeddah, Al Khobar, and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia; Kuwait; process as comfortable and enjoyable 2010, voter turnout was 26 percent or GALA EVENT as possible. 153,323 voters, while in 2013 it was Manama, Bahrain; Tel Aviv, Israel; Voting for the 1,376,067 only 16 percent or 118,823 voters. Hong Kong; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Launching of the Filipinos who registered for overseas It is hoped, however, that with Osaka and Tokyo in Japan; Seoul, Filipino Canadian absentee voting for the 2016 national the unprecedented interest in the South Korea; Singapore; Agana, Nurses Heritage Guild elections started last April 9 and will current campaign, which is the most Guam; Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Honoring go on until the local equivalent of 7 contentious thus far, more overseas Posthumously p.m. Philippine time on May 9. If you Filipinos would troop to the polls this and Washington D.C. in the USA; don’t want to fall in line, don’t wait for time. Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver in Lita Sideco for her the last day and go to your consulate The first four days of overseas Canada; London, United Kingdom; exemplary service the earliest possible. voting did not offer hope of even Madrid, Spain; and Milan and Rome in to the Nursing The Commission on Elections getting close to the 80-percent Italy. The automated election Profession is targeting an 80-percent turnout for turnout. The Department of Foreign Dinner Dance Party the absentee voters, a lofty goal that Affairs reported that as of 7:30 p.m., system makes it a lot easier for voters must be tried nevertheless.